INTERNATIONAL

AUGUST 2020

New CEO, SIAL M Ijaz ul Haq visits SIAL

Serene Air Inducts Airbus A330 to its fleet

British Airways resumes flight operations for Pakistan

AUGUST 2020 - 3 I n t e r n a t i o n a l a v i a t i o n

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Vol 27 AUGUST 2020 No.11 Serene Air Private Limited welcomes Airbus A330 to its fleet 06 CAA clears pilots working for Vietnamese airlines 08 All airports allowed to handle domestic flight operations 09 Pakistan reopens international flights to and from all airports 09 Pakistan International Airlines announces resumption of England flights and Hi Fly lease 10 The Air India Express Boeing 737 touched down 1,000 metres from beginning of runway 12 British Airways resumes flight operations for Pakistan 15 Cargo helped Etihad through the worst of the crisis 16 Aviation will rise again, but are you ready to rise with it? 17 SIAL appoints new Chief Executive Officer 21 CAA to address members` concerns before bifurcation 24 37 Emirates offers free global cover for virus-related costs 25 Keep running: Aligning technology with business continuity 26 Startling -- Developments 30 Pacific airlines enters strategic partnership with Sabre to power industry recovery and growth 32 CPEC is becoming more and more comprehensive 33 Pakistan can add $12bn to its export proceeds by 2024` 34 Ministry asked to explore new markets for date exports 37 Shortage of hot water plants hurting mango exports to Iran 39 Hagia Sophia restored as mosque 40 A league for Pakistan Football 41 Vice President SIAL Mr. M. Afzal Shaheen presents shield to M Ijaz TO BE FRANK 45 ul Haq President Muslim Leage Z during his visit to SIAL.

AUGUST 2020 - 5 Serene Air Private Limited welcomes Airbus A330 to its fleet

ereneAir is elated to announce  Unveiling the future plans, he added competitive and reduced rates. These the inclusion of a A330-200 that SereneAir plans to commence flights have provided SereneAir with Saircraft to its existing fleet of 4 operations in the very near future to a unique experience and enhanced our Boeing 737-800 NG. The arrival of new Jeddah and Riyadh in KSA, Sharjah resolve to undertake any kind of relief aircraft marks a historic milestone for the and Dubai in UAE. Besides, all spade mission and UN mission from/to any airline as the airline joins the Airbus work for expanding wings over China required destination. operators' family. Also, SereneAir attains and UK has also been completed and  In the end, he recalled that SereneAir the singular honour of being the only SereneAir signature would soon began its journey three and a half private airline to operate a wide body two appear on the International radar. He years back. Within this period, class configuration aircraft equipped with expressed his resolve to make SereneAir has established itself as the latest facilities. SereneAir an airline second to none first choice and most preferred  The new addition comes powered by providing best services at the most Domestic carrier. It has set with technological advancements competitive fares and better options unparalleled record of 98.2% On- and offers more comfort to the of travel. Time Performance and 99% passengers. The aircraft with a total  He also revealed that SereneAir regularity and has carried over 2.6 capacity of 299 passengers is played a notable role in bringing back million passengers. SereneAir configured in two cabins, i.e. 24 club the stranded overseas Pakistani from product, Alhamdolillah has now class seats and 275 economy class UAE in 53 chartered flights at established a new quality bench mark seats. The club class would be named in the private sector. as Serene Plus. All the seats are fitted with back seat 12" screen for in-flight entertainment system. With its inclusion the company aims to redefine its mission of providing a cost effective and affordable luxury air travel to its passengers.  The CEO, SereneAir Muhammad Safdar Khan, talking on this auspicious occasion said, "This is a momentous day for the SereneAir family as we welcome this Big Bird. The induction is not only an embodiment of our zealous value, but is also a front runner to a promising future. With this addition, we are poised to become stronger and thrive in the intensively competitive air line industry. He further said that this is the start of fleet enhancement as SereneAir would be adding two more A330 to its fleet in the next three to four months.  He also added that he is fully cognizant of the setbacks to aviation industry due to Covid-19. Enhancing the fleet during these most unfavourable and uncertain times is a difficult and critical decision but he was confident that passionate and professional members of Serene family would transform his expansion plans into reality and success insha'Allah.

6 - AUGUST 2020 COMING SOON

AUGUST 2020 - 07 his remarks, he almost repeated his speech CAA clears pilots working for which he had delivered on the floor of the National Assembly while presenting the Vietnamese airlines inquiry report of the PIA plane crash. He, however, made one clarification and claimed that in his speech in the assembly leven Pakistani pilots Aviation Authority. he had declared the licences of the pilots associated with Vietnamese The controversy over the pilots` `dubious` and not ` fake. Eairlines have been cleared and licences issue surfaced when presenting He said it might look as damaging for the authorities have declared that all of the preliminary investigation report on the the country in short term but for the future them have valid and legitimate flying May 22 plane crash in Karachi on the floor it was important to show the world through licences as the verification process moves of the National Assembly on June 24, actions that `we are improving our ahead. Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan systems. We had received a request for 11 said there were 860 active pilots in the Pakistani pilots working in Vietnam for country, and 262 of them had appeared in verification of their licences and all of examinations through proxies. ACAAP demands them were cleared after scrutiny,` a senior He had said almost 30 per cent of the aviation official told media recently. pilots had fake or improper licenses and to bring down air News agency Reuters also ran a did not have flying experience either. report with Hanoi dateline quoting the The minister's statement alerted the freight charges Vietnamese government as saying that all international aviation agency and a the Pakistani pilots working for number of foreign airlines grounded Vietnamese airlines have valid and Pakistani origin pilots. And on July 1, the he Chairman ACAAP Mr. legitimate licences and none has been European Union and UK authorities Mohsin A. Dharsi and involved in a flight incident or safety stopped PIA from flying to Europe for six Chairman PLGMEA Mr. threat. months. T Nadeem Abbas had a joint meeting, and Vietnam last month grounded all Since then, the government and the Pakistani pilots working for the local minister have been facing severe criticism on behalf of Air Cargo Agents Association airline amid concern from global from the opposition parties which allege of Pakistan and Pakistan Leather and regulators that some pilots may have been that the minister has brought humiliation Garments Manufacturer and Exporters using dubious licences. to the country at the international level by Association PLGMEA welcomed and All licences administered by the making such a disclosure on the floor of appreciated all Airlines operating in Pakistani aviation regulator are legitimate the parliament. and valid. There are no fake licences, as The minister, however, while Pakistan for restarting their operations in mentioned by the media,` a Vietnamese responding to the opposition`s criticism in Pakistan, which is a sign of relief for government statement said, citing a note the National Assembly, downplayed the Export Industry. from the Pakistani Embassy to the suspension of the PIA operations, terming At the same time, keeping in view the Vietnamese government. it `temporary` and saying it was not for the highly raised Air Freight charges for Vietnam had licensed a total of 27 first time that such a ban had been imposed export cargo, it was observed that the Pakistani pilots and 12 of them were still on the national airline. He recalled that in active. The other 15 pilots` contracts have the past on a number of occasions, the PIA Airlines have restarted Passenger/Cargo expired or they were inactive due to the had faced suspensions for not adhering to operations but still not brought down air corona virus pandemic, according to safety measures. freight charges due to which the cost of Vietnam's Civil Aviation Authority. He said they were in contact with the business has increased tremendously and Spokesman for Pakistan's Aviation concerned authorities in Europe, adding are creating hindrance in the smooth Division Abdul Sattar Khokhar, said that the other countries would be satisfied Pakistan had received requests from 10 when they would `clean` the institutions running of the business while meeting countries -Vietnam, Turkey, the UA E, of corruption. demands of the buyers as well as prompt Malaysia, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, About the problems being faced by delivery of consignments at destinations Kuwait, Ethiopia and Bahrain -for Pakistani pilots working in other airlines, resulting tough competition in the validation of credentials of 176 Pakistani he said the government was in contact international market. pilots working in those countries. with the authorities and the foreign They jointly urged, all Airlines Out of these 176 Pakistani pilots, he airlines had sent the lists of the pilots for said, 166 had been verified by the Civil verification. He said the UAE had sent a operating from Pakistan to reduce the Air Aviation Authority (CAA) as none of list of 54 pilots and they had already Freight Charges, in order to normalize the them was having any anomaly. cleared 48 of them. cost of export cargo as it were during in He said the process of verification of The opposition, however, called for pre COVID-19 period. the remaining 10 licences was under way the resignation of the minister when the In order to support the fraternity of and it would be concluded by next week. CAA declared that all licences issued by it Air Cargo Industry at this stage of He said the information regarding to the pilots `are genuine`. verification of 166 Pakistani pilots had During a meeting of the Senate pandemic. They appealed all Airlines been communicated to respective Standing Committee on Aviation on operating in Pakistan to help and support countries, including the Vietnam Civil Thursday, the minister not only defended the export industry in Pakistan.

08 - AUGUST 2020 All airports allowed to handle Court restrains domestic flight operations CAA from taking he Aviation Division has flights operating on its primary domestic announced that the domestic routes between Islamabad, Karachi and action against Tflight operation, already under Lahore. way from some of the airports for some An unprecedented 73kg free baggage pilot time, will be resorted from all airports in allowance per passenger is also being the country from August 6 midnight. offered to commemorate the occasion. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) A spokesman for the Aviation This is a unique offer and one of its kind, recently stopped the Civil Aviation Division`s senior joint secretary, Abdul the spokesman said. Authority (CAA) from proceeding against Sattar Khokhar, said the government had S i m u l t a n e o u s l y, P I A w i l l a pilot whose licence was recently revoked earlier allowed all airports, except recommence its flights from Multan, by the authority for being `dubious. Turbat,Pangjur, Dalbandin, Zhob, Pasni, Sukkur and Gwadar to show solidarity The CAA had revoked the Airline Moenjo Daro, Nawabshah and with the nation and reaf-firm its resolve to Transport Licence of petitioner Syed Bahawalpur airports, to resume domestic returning the aviation industry back to Saglain Akhtar, calling it dubious. The federal government is directed to flight operations. normalcy. submit written comments within 10 days,` In this connection, the Pakistan Civil the court order said. Aviation Authority (PCAA) issued a Pakistan reopens After preliminary arguments, the formal notice which said that the previous court also sought explanation from the notice banning domestic flights has now federal government as to `whythe post of been cancelled. international the director general of Civil Aviation Mr Khokhar said all operators would Authority has not been filled on a be required to implement the established permanent basis for the last two years`. guidelines, SOPs, and that they would flights to and from IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah seek prior schedule approval from the noted that the post of the director general competent authority. all airports was one of the most important positions Moreover, he said, cargo, special and giving additional charge of it to the flights and private aircraft operations akistan has announced that it secretary of CAA or any other person did would also be available for all airports will allow the full resumption not appear to be in consonance with the subject to compliance with relevant SOPs. Pof all types of international principles of good governance. Pakistan had suspended all international flights to and from the country's airports. The counsel for the petitioner flights on March 21 and domestic flight The announcement comes weeks contended that the post of the CAA`s operations on March 26 due to the spread director general had not been filled on a after Pakistan partially reopened its permanent basis for the last two years. of corona virus. airports for domestic and international The counsel referred to para 3 of the The domestic flight operation is being commercial flights. impugned order, dated July 14, 2020, restored after suspension of more than Earlier the authorities allowed to relating to revoking Mr Akhtar`s licence four months. resumption of domestic flights from all of which was supposed to be dealt with by Initially, some airlines across the the country's airports. the director general of CAA, but as there world cancelled flights to hotspots, but A complete ban on domestic and was no permanent DG of CAA, the matter later all airlines suspended their international commercial flights was had to be disposed of by the secretary of international nights due to the corona Aviation Division.The counsel further virus pandemic. imposed in March when Pakistan contended that the petitioner was never Like Pakistan, airlines of some other enforced a nationwide lockdown to confronted with any material relating to countries have also partially resumed their contain the spread of the coronavirus. the alleged use of unfair means to clear the operations. Later, the restrictions were gradually Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) theoretical knowledge examination. M e a n w h i l e , t h e P a k i s t a n eased and Pakistan witnessed a peak in International Airlines (PIA) announces its virus deaths and infections in June. The lawyer argued that the posts of Jashne Azadi secretary of the Aviation Division and CAA`s director general had been held by discounted fare the same person and, therefore, the and baggage impugned order, dated July 14, was not o f f e r t o i t s sustainable. customers. He said the order had been passed in According haste and that too in violation of the t o a P I A principles of procedural fairness. spokesman, in The court issued notices to the o r d e r t o secretary of Aviation, CAA and the federal celebrate the government and adjourned the hearing till 7 3 r d Aug 12. Independence The court ordered the respondents Day the national that authorities be `restrained from flag carrier is initiating criminal proceedings against the offering 14 per petitioner till the date fixed`. cent discount on

AUGUST 2020 - 09 other narrow- and wide-body Airbus spokesperson, the schedule was due to be Pakistan aircraft, including an A380. Two of Hi announced shortly after the conclusion Fly's A330neo aircraft are currently ofthe decesion. operating for Air Senegal. Pakistan's numerous flights to other International PIA will be using CS-TKY, which has European Union destinations, such as a 371-seat configuration. The aircraft Barcelona and Milan's Malpensa Airport, Airlines announces features 18 business class seats and 353 are currently suspended due to the ban, economy seats. The business cabin is set- and there are no current plans for up in a 2-2-2 configuration with 75-inch resumption. resumption of seat pitch. The economy cabin is in a 3-3-3 The plan to resume flying using layout with seat pitch between 30 and 32 leased aircraft comes as a response to England flights inches. All seats are equipped with in-seat British Airways, who announced they IFE screens in both cabins. would be restarting flights to Islamabad. Restarted Flight Schedule The London-based carrier will operate and Hi Fly lease The airline has not announced an three weekly flights from their London- official schedule, besides stating that Heathrow hub with the first departing on flights will resume on August 14. Aug. 13. Flights will be operated. However, according to an airline Turkish Airlines welcomes PIA`s Istanbul operations plan

urkish Airlines has welcomed Codeshare, subject to related Civil a plan of the Pakistan Aviation Authorities` beyond codeshare International Airlines (PIA) to approvals. Hi Fly takes delivery of CS-TKY, which will now T start its operations to Turkey from next Moreover, we would like to inform operate for Pakistan International Airlines (Photo: month. In response to a letter of PIA CEO you that we are ready to revise our SPA Hi Fly) Air Marshal Arshad Malik to Turkish cooperation as a bilateral basis by akistan International Airlines authorities in which he informed them of including PK`s IST flights to our existing (PIA) announced that they the plan, the Turkish Airlines` CEO said Special Prorate Agreement for the first Pwould be operating a leased he was pleased to hear that PIA planned to stage,` he said. Airbus A330-900neo aircraft in order to start Istanbul operations. The Turkish Airlines` CEO proposed operate flights to England. The airline will Turkish Airlines has agreed to revise to upgrade code share from unilateral to a lease the aircraft and crews from Hi Fly on the Special Prorate Agreement (SPA) and bilateral arrangement once the a wet-lease agreement. The Karachi-based proposed to upgrade Code share from performance of the airlines` SPA reached carrier normally operates Boeing 777 unilateral to bilateral agreement once the a satisfactory level. family aircraft on flights to England. performance of SPA reaches a satisfactory We can obtain the necessary 'The carrier, which is currently level and also appointed a commercial exceptions from Star Alliance due to banned from the European Union, will team to make arrangements for the governance rules & regulations. In this utilize the aircraft to resume services to agreement. regard, our SVP International Relations & Air Marshal Malik has said that PIA Alliances Ms Ozlem Sallhoglu London's Heathrow Airport, Manchester ([email protected]) and Manager and Birmingham, England. Prior to the planned to start operations to Turkey from the first week of August provided the International Relations and Agreements ban, all three cities were served from Mr Nazif Tikenbatar (ntikenbatar@ Pakistan International Airlines' main Aeronautical Authorities of Turkey granted it relevant authorizations to thy.com) will be coordinating a meeting international hub in Islamabad. with their counterparts to exchange views The airline has been banned from operate the flights. on enhancement of cooperation and to entering European airspace since July 1, In reply, the Turkish Airlines` CEO define the road map in line with the following findings stemming from the said as the threat from Covid-19 persisted, applicable regulations. crash of Pakistan International Airlines partnerships would gain importance. Thereafter, our teams may report to Flight 8303. During the investigation of Airlines would need to support each other. us the outcome of their discussions so that the A320 crash on May 22, 2020, a Therefore, we deeply appreciate your we can arrange a face to face meeting with fraudulent pilot license scandal was offer to enhance our existing cooperation your side according to your convenience brought to light by Pakistan's aviation for both airlines` mutual benefit,` he to sign the enhanced SPA or Codeshare minister. The airline will not be allowed to added. agreements, accordingly. operate in European airspace until at least He further said `you may also be He added in his letter: `I would like to the end of the year, according to the aware that we have been in long-lasting reiterate my sincere wish for the European Aviation Agency (EASA). interlining cooperation within the scope development of our cooperation and hope of our ongoing Code share and Special to meet you soon once our commercial While this was not the first time P r o r a t e A g r e e m e n t . H o w e v e r, teams make the agreements ready for Pakistan had scandals regarding illegal considering the networks of both airlines, signature through our mutual efforts. and fraudulent licenses, it was the first to we see that the volume and utilisation of In a letter to Pakistan Ambassador to have a major effect on PIA. The airline had our agreements have been lower than our Turkey Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, 141 pilots grounded due to the scandal as expectations. PIA CEO Arshad Malik had said that PIA of July 1. I believe that our cooperation could had planned to start operations to Turkey Hi Fly Airbus A330-900neo be developed to reach a more satisfying from the first week of August provided the Hi Fly and Hi Fly Malta, a subsidiary, level with the addition of your proposed Aeronautical Authorities of Turkey currently operate a total of three A330- Birmingham, London, Milan, Barcelona, granted relevant authorisations to operate 900neo aircraft along with numerous Copenhagen and Oslo points on our flights. 10 - AUGUST 2020 11 - AUGUST 2020 pandemic.It was the worst aviation The Air India Express Boeing 737 accident in India since 2010 when another Air India Express plane skidded off the touched down 1,000 metres from end of a tabletop runway in Mangalore. In the last few hours, Air India beginning of runway Express said it would provide immediate c o m p e n s a t i o n t o t h e v a l u e o f approximately $13,000 to the next of kin The pilots killed of any of the passengers killed in the accident who were aged over 12-years old. Critically injured passengers will receive $26,000 and less seriously injured passengers will initially get $666. Army downs Indian spy quadcopter he Air India Express plane, Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe and he Pakistan Army on Sunday carrying 190 people from First Officer Akhilesh Kumar were both 26 July shot down an Indian TDubai, on Friday 7th August killed in the crash of Air India Express touched down near a taxiway that is spying quadcopterin Pandu flight #IX1344. T around 1,000 metres from the beginning sector along the restive Line of Control Captain Sathe was a decorated air of the runway at the Kozhikode airport (LoC), according to the Inter-Services force officer who, according to a family before breaking up into two pieces, Public Relations (ISPR). according to AAI. member, had survived a military plane The director general of the military`s The pilot of the ill-fated flight crash in the 1990s. media affairs wing said in a tweet: `# #IX1344 could not sight the runway in the First Officer Kumar leaves behind a Pakistan Army troops shot down an first landing attempt due to heavy rains. pregnant wife who is expecting in the Indian spying #quadcopter in Pandu About 50 people, including two coming weeks. Sector along LOC. pilots, have died in the crash. All Four Cabin Crew Survived The quadcopter had intruded 200 All four flight attendants onboard an metres on Pakistan`s side of the LoC, he Air India Express flight that crashed while said, adding this is the 10th Indian attempting to land at Karipur airport in quadcopter shot down by the Pakistan Kerala, India on Friday 7 August night Army this year. survived the crash but are being treated for The ninth such incident occurred on injuries sustained after the aircraft broke June 28 when an Indian spying into two, a statement from the airline quadcopter was shot down in Hot Spring confirmed. The current death toll from the sector along the LoC after it intruded 850 accident rose to about 50, including both metres on the Pakistan's side. the Captain and First Officer. Also in June, the Pakistan Army had An AAI spokesperson said that Air India Express flight IX1344 from shot down an Indian quadcopter in runway 28 was in use and in the first Dubai to Calicut crashed shortly after 7.30 Khanjar sector along the LoC. landing attempt, the pilot could not sight pm on Friday during heavy rains. It was According to ISPR, that quadcopter the runway and requested for runway 10. the second attempt at landing after an had intruded 500 metres on Pakistan`s side of the LoC. Citing information from the Air initial go-around prompted by the After the first Indian spying Tr a ff i c C o n t r o l l e r ( AT C ) , t h e inclement weather. Many of the 190 spokesperson said the aircraft touched quadcopter was shot down by the passengers onboard the “ill-fated” flight Pakistan Army, IPSR director general down near taxiway 'C', which is were injured after the Boeing 737 approximately 1,000 metres from the Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar had warned that overshot the runway and fell 35-feet into a beginning of runway 10. The total length any military adventurism by India will be of the runway is 2,700 metres. valley at the end of the landing strip. met with `uncontrollable and unintended The spokesperson also said that it Captain Deepak Sathe is credited consequences`. He had cautioned the was raining over the airfield and reported with turning off the engines shortly before neighbouring nation to `not play with visibility at the time of landing was 2,000 the plane broke into two in a move that fire`. metres. may have helped save lives. He, along Many times, their [India`s] The Boeing 737-800 aircraft while with First Officer Akhilesh Kumar died in quadcopters have intruded on our side of landing overshot the runway and went the tragic accident after repatriating the LOCJ and in the past we have downed down 35 feet into a slope before breaking Indian citizens who had been stuck in some of them, and it has been covered in up into two pieces. Dubai because of the COVID-19 the media.

12 - AUGUST 2020 India uses arrival of new fighter Emirates to jets to warn China resume its Airbus he first five Rafale fighter jets as it becomes clear that the current A380 service to bought from France in a multi- territorial stand-off in Ladakh will stretch Tbillion-dollar deal landed in into the winter months. India on Wednesday 29 July and the The purchase of the French jets Toronto defence minister used their arrival to marked a significant shift in India`s launch a warning to adversaries over traditional preference for Russian defence territorial tensions. equipment. Indian and Chinese soldiers are India`s main opposition Congress locked in a tense stand-off along their party had alleged corruption in the deal but disputed border in Ladakh region, while the government strongly denied any Indian troops regularly clash with misconduct and a top court said there was Pakistani soldiers along the Line of no evidence for an investigation. Control in Kashmir. French firm Dassault is in A water-cannon guard of honour competition to sell more of the jets to greeted the five jets when they landed at India, which has said it will need more the Ambala airbase in Haryana state. An than 150 more combat aircraft for its navy intense nationwide spotlight on the and air force. combat jets has been sharpened by a deadly border standoff with China. mirates has released this India has bought 36 Rafale fighters Dnata donates statement. The iconic from France in a deal estimated to be EEmirates Airbus A380 will worth $9.4 billion. All are scheduled to be begin serving travelers on flights to delivered by the end of 2021. 160,000 uneaten Toronto starting 16 August. The airline Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said has so far resumed A380 operations to the combat jets` arrival marked `the meals to charity Amsterdam, Cairo, Paris, London beginning of a new era in our military Heathrow and Guangzhou (8 August) history`. taking its A380 network to six cities. The The jets will make the Indian Air Force `much stronger to deter any threat Emirates A380 experience remains a that may be posed on our country`, he favourite amongst travellers for its added in a series of tweets. spacious and comfortable cabins and the If it is anyone who should be worried airline will continue to gradually expand about or critical about this new capability its deployment in line with market of the Indian Air Force, it should be those demand and operational approvals. who want to threaten our territorial Customers can fly the Emirates A380 integrity,` Singh declared. from Dubai to Toronto five times a week. Indian and Chinese forces have been nata has revealed it has Emirates flight EK 241 will depart Dubai in a sixweek-long standoff on their donated more than 160,000 Himalayan border since a hand-to-hand at 9:10 and arrive in Toronto at 15:05 local Dexcess meals destined for in- time. The return flight, EK 242 will depart battle in which 20 Indian troops were flight service to charity since the start of killed. China also suffered casualties in the coronavirus pandemic in March. Toronto at 21:45 and arrive in Dubai at the showdown but has not given figures. The catering and ground handling 18:30 local time, the following day. The two sides blame each other for business estimates it has now given away With safety as a priority, Emirates is the clash in the Ladakh region and have 500,000 food items, weighing 50,000 gradually expanding its passenger since moved thousands of troops there kilograms, to organisations such as services to 70 cities in August, returning to while pursuing talks that they say aim to Sydney Children's Hospital, Anglicare ease the tensions. over 50% of its pre-pandemic destination Emergency Food Relief Shelters Victoria network. Passengers travelling between India acknowledges it lags behind and food rescue charity OzHarvest. the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle China and other key nations in military The generous gesture reflects the firepower, and the purchase of the Rafale scale of devastation COVID-19 has East, and Asia Pacific can enjoy safe and jets is one of many made in a bid to bolster caused, with movement restrictions, convenient connections via Dubai. its 1.4 million-strong army. border closures and low confidence seeing Customers from Emirates' network can New Delhi has also been eager to airport passenger numbers down 97 per stop over or travel to Dubai as the city has update its ageing fighter-jet force amid cent. re-opened for international business and tensions with nuclear-armed neighbours The chief executive of the business' China and Pakistan. leisure visitors. catering division, Hiranjan Aloysius, said, COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory Sameer Patil, an international “Unfortunately, we had to make the security studies expert at the Gateway difficult decision to stand down a portion for all inbound and transit passengers House think-tank, said the jets were a of our employees and as an organisation arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), `much-needed capacity booster`. we are very conscious of the impact the including UAE citizens, residents and It will help India to deal with the recent situation can have on families tourists, irrespective of the country they heightened nature of the Chinese threat, across Australia. are coming from. AUGUST 2020 -13 Glimpses of resumption of British Airways flight to Pakistan

14 - AUGUST 2020 Aug 14. British Airways resumes flight He said PIA passengers would be able to travel to London, Manchester and Birmingham from Pakistan via an operations for Pakistan alternate source. fter Islamabad granted flights had been suspended due to the PIA has hired a plane and crew from a permission to the British corona virus outbreak. European company to operate flights with Airways, the company has According to sources, two sessions PIA call sign and our slots,` he said, A adding that there was a demand from the resumed its UK-Pakistan flight operation, had taken place between officials of on 14th of August. British Airways and the PCAA in Dubai market for PIA to resume its flights. The airline has started direct flights and London over the issue of resumption He said after suspension of flight three times a week to and from London`s of flights for Islamabad. operations to the UK, other airlines had Heathrow Airport and Islamabad airport. The airline sought a considerable increased their fares and the PIA was The first flight landed in Islamabad on relief in the PCAA's landing and expecting that after its flight operation for Aug 14. Extra precautionary measures passenger charges. the UK started, fares of other airlines were taken for the safety of its crew and `Yes, the British Airways had would become normal. passengers. requested for resuming flights for Meanwhile, the PCAA has launched The announcement, it said, was Islamabad, which was granted with some an awareness campaign on `bird hazard` another important step in reconnecting relief on landing and passenger charges, control at all major airports of the country. trade ties and people-to-people contact said a senior official of PCAA. Aviation Division spokesman Abdul between the UK and Pakistan. Hired plane In a related development, Sattar Khokhar said in a press release that Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) the campaign aimed at keeping passengers will be required to wear masks announced it was partially resuming flight surrounding areas of airports clean from and they will have access to hand operation to the UK with a hired plane. garbage, refuse and waste. sanitizers during the flight. Crew PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez said He said various initiatives were being members will wear masks during the that the PIA had decided to partially taken to reinforce the message pertaining flight. There are also extra measures in resume its flight operation to the UK from to the serious issue of bird strike on the place at airports to ensure travellers stay aircraft and its consequences. safe. British High Commissioner Dr Christian Turner CMG has termed the resumption of the British Airways` flight operation to Pakistan an important moment for links between the UK and Pakistan. The resumption of British Airways direct flights is a big boost for the hundreds of thousands of travellers who travel regularly between our two great nations, many who have had their travel plans disrupted by the pandemic. I`d like to thank the Government of Pakistan, British Airways and my team in Pakistan who have worked hard to deliver this welcome news. Moran Birger, head of sales, Asia Pacific and the Middle East at British Airways, said: `We are pleased to once again provide a service between Pakistan and the UK. We know many of our customers in both countries have been waiting to be reunited with friends and family. We look forward to welcoming them back onboard. British Airways directflights restarted in June 2019 after a break of 10 years. The carrier first flew to Islamabad in 1976. From London`s Heathrow Airport the flights will be operated on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, departing at 20:30 and arriving in Islamabad at 04:20. From Islamabad flights will be operated on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, departing at 06:15 and arriving in London at 15:00. The British Airways sought permission from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to resume flights from Islamabad in August as the

AUGUST 2020 -15 Cargo helped Etihad through the worst of the crisis

OARING demand for vital personal protective equipment S(PPE), together with sky-high airfreight prices, helped boost Etihad's second quarter cargo revenues to US$0.49bn a 37 per cent rise in comparison with 2019. The freight and logistics arm of the Etihad Aviation Group carried 254,345 tonnes of cargo in the period. “This was driven by an increase in demand and a spike in cargo prices,” a company statement points out. Nevertheless, the airline saw a significant decrease in its overall operating revenues in the second quarter following the Coronavirus global travel bans which resulted in 70 per cent of its resilient, if a little battle-scarred, with a approximately 50 per cent of its pre- fleet being grounded. renewed focus on its core values.” COVID-19 capacity. In the period, Etihad registered a 99 The carrier operated up to 40 of its Douglas admits: “Etihad faced a set of per cent drop in passenger numbers and a fleet of 97 passenger aircraft in the second enormous and unpredictable challenges in 95 per cent fall in available seat kilometres quarter, including Boeing 787 the first six months of the year. We started (ASKs) in comparison with 2019. Dreamliners, B777-300ERs and its A320- 2020 strong, and recorded encouraging The flag carrier describes its overall family aircraft as belly-hold cargo results as part of our continuing performance in the first six months of this freighters to complement Etihad Cargo's transformation programme. year as 'strong' despite the impact the operational a ll0-cargo fleet of six B777- “This left us in a relatively robust virus had on the air transport sector, which 200 freighters. position when COVID-19 hit, allowing us saw it carry 3.5 million passengers, a Between 25 March and 15 June, more to act with agility, and to mobilise all reduction of 58 per cent in comparison to than 640 special passenger flights were available resources as the crisis deepened, the first six months of 2019. carried out to 45 online and offline taking major steps to reduce costs through Etihad's core operating loss for this destinations, using the passenger cabins of a wide-reaching series of measures. period increased by $172 million to these aircraft to fly foreign nationals out of “While we have revised our outlook US$758 million after a 38 per cent drop in the United Arab Emirates and also to bring for the rest of 2020 based on current revenues, which reached US$ 1.7 billion. UAE nationals back home. realities, we remain optimistic that as This was partially off-set by a 27 per cent Etihad and Etihad Cargo also international borders re-open, we will reduction in direct operating costs to US$ conducted special humanitarian missions increase our flying and carry more guests 1.9 billion and a 21 per cent reduction in to 60 cities, 40 of which are not currently securely and with greater peace of mind. general and administrative expenses to served by the airline's passenger or cargo By September, we aim to increase our $0.40 billion driven by management cost- network of flights. These destinations worldwide flights to half our pre-COVID- saving initiatives and reduced operations, included Addis Ababa, Bishkek, Bogota, 19 capacity.” outlines the statement. Conakry, Dushanbe, Erbil, Freetown, Adam Boukadida, chief financial During the pandemic Etihad was Kish Island, Lucknow, Makhachkala, officer at Etihad Aviation Group, points forced to make redundancies across Nouakchott, Podgorica, Sofia, Tirana, out the carrier was one of a small number several divisions of its business to 'ensure Wuhan, Yerevan and Zagreb. of airlines to maintain its pre-COVID-19 future continuity' and introduce temporary Following the easing of travel credit rating. company-wide salary 'sacrifices' of 25 to restrictions by the UAE regulatory “This year started strong, riding on 50 per cent. authorities on outbound and inbound the positive momentum gained in 2019 Tony Douglas, group chief executive travel, the carrier is now in the process of and, by the end of the first quarter, the of Etihad Aviation Group, explains: gradually resuming services to more airline was on track to achieve earnings “Etihad, like all major airlines, has had no destinations across its global network. All before interest, taxes, depreciation and choice but to embrace the ambiguity of the travel remains subject to the entry and amortisation (EBITDA) of $900 million. situation it has been thrown into and, with health regulations established by the UAE “Etihad managed to maintain a much sadness, we have had to make some authorities, and those at the end satisfactory level of liquidity despite a extremely difficult decisions to reduce the destination. major drop in revenues, while continuing size of the workforce by several thousand. Throughout this month and to raise new liquidity facilities supported Those who have departed Etihad have September subject to the lifting of by local and international financial done so with incredible dignity and their international restrictions and the re- institutions. This was supported by contribution has been immeasurable. opening of individual markets the airline maintaining an 'a with a stable outlook' “Etihad flew into the COVID-19 era intends to fly to 61 global destinations Fitch rating in April, at the height of the with uncertainty, but is re-emerging from its Abu Dhabi hub, operating pandemic,” he adds.

16 - AUGUST 2020 Aviation will rise again, but are you ready to rise with it?

o f t h o s e simply being excited at the sight of an unfortunate people airplane. Passion starts as an interest and is that have lost their developed and nurtured through jobs. What now? prolonged, intense engagement. Simple The aviation excitement is not passion, it's called S t u d e n t ' s obsession. To be passionate about predicament. something means, deliberately being I t ' s a n involved. So get involved! Make sure your expensive domain. wallpapers remind you of aviation. Make You have probably sure you keep current on all the latest spent a lot of developments. Talk about it, read about it. money on your Watch youtube videos about it. But keep studies, training, the flame lit. Stay involved. and exams. But in Get more certificates! this situation, when This part is an extension of the above. airlines and cargo To stay involved, the best way is to he Aviation Industry is facing c o m p a n i e s a r e continue studying and training. This will its darkest time.I first traveled struggling for survival themselves, what expand your horizons, and keep you by air in 2015. It was one of the do you do? The aviation student's biggest involved. There are tonnes of online T predicament is, we possess a very specific courses as well. You can be any type of most fascinating experiences of my life. There and then, something clicked in my set of skills that don't really apply aviation professional or student and head. “I have to be close to airplanes for anywhere else. Outside aviation, we're there's always more courses that you can the rest of my life”. In 2017, I made it a like fish outside water. Take me for squeeze in. Not only will this achieve the career choice. Stepping into the world of example, I have almost completed my goal of staying passionate, but it will aviation maintenance as the industry was modular course in aircraft maintenance actually increase your prospects as a booming. Prominent organizations and engineering. With my certificates, I am professional. companies like Airbus and Boeing only employable in one industry; aviation. Take those opportunities, no matter forecasted the demand of pilots and I can't transfer my skills to the automobile how small. technicians in the hundreds of thousands. industry. That is our predicament. So what You don't get to pick and choose when Air travel was increasing day by day. New do we do in this case? I have given it some others are literally being kicked out of airlines took flight, the older ones grew thought, and, bear with me, here are some their jobs. When you see an opportunity, bigger. Forecasts showed that air traffic things that I want to discuss. jump at it. If it increases your experience would only grow in the coming years, so Keeping that flame lit. and helps you in learning, jump at it. See I much, that the infrastructure in place was In an article I wrote about a year ago, I am an aspiring aircraft maintenance not enough to support all of it. And then, said that there are people that are engineer and I'd love to be in Emirates or 2020 happened. passionate about aviation and love it. It's Qatar Airways, but right now, if a small flying club gives me an opportunity to The aviation industry was The not just 'work' for them. And if you don't work, I'd take it. It's always better than Titanic, and the iceberg was COVID-19. have a passion for it, at some point you're sitting idle. The idea is, stay mobile. 2020 was the year I had in mind that I gonna have to find it. Because without From the ashes, we will rise! would be done with my studies and will passion, working in the aviation industry There is no doubt, aviation is one have already stepped into the industry, can get hard. In the current situation, when resilient industry. It will rise again. And it working my way up towards my goals and things are at a low point in history, you and will continue to soar into the future. But dreams. But, 8 months into 2020, and I as aviation students or aviation this whole article was about you being things are looking very bleak. Airlines professionals need to keep our passion alive. And that is easier said than done. ready to soar with it. To summarize all of going bankrupt left and right. Others filing the above in a few sentences, keep that for bankruptcy protection. The ones that It's easy to get excited about the industry when all good news is around. passion alive for aviation, remember why aren't bankrupt are firing thousands of you started. Continue learning and employees. Getting hired in this industry New airplanes, new airlines, and all the accompanied glamor. But, even the most educating yourself in your domain. And now is a far cry. The most optimistic lastly, take any opportunity that is given to forecasts suggest that it will take up to passionate can become dull, when the coronavirus sweeps away everything in a you in these times, no matter how small or three years for air travel to get back on insignificant it may seem. track. matter of months. What's very important for you and me right now is keeping that If you take this advice, and this advice What now? Well, if you're still is for me first and foremost, then I reading this, there are high chances you passion alive. Keeping that flame lit should be our top priority. Sure, aviation is sincerely believe that when the time is are an aviation student. By that, I mean, a right, you will be one of the most student pilot, or a trainee aircraft at a low point, but it's still pretty cool. An airplane taking off with 400 people is still employable candidates out there. While mechanic, or a student of aviation others sat still and complained, you grew management, or any other aviation pretty cool. But here's the thing, most of us have and expanded your horizons. I'll see you domain. Like me, you face the same on that bright side! question. What now? Or maybe you're one the wrong idea of passion. Passion isn't AUGUST 2020 -17 18 - AUGUST 2020 cargo on roundtrip flights.THAI is always during its temporary suspension of THAI Operates Two prepared to operate special flights to fly operations.. Thais home during this difficult time even Special Flights Asia air travel 98% down in June

from Japan une 2020 traffic figures released “Overall, Asia-Pacific airlines carried by the Association of Asia- a total of 61 million international his month, Thai Airways JPacific Airlines (AAPA) showed passengers during the first half of 2020, International Public Company that travel restrictions due to the COVID- representing a 68 percent fall compared to TLimited (THAI) will operate 19 pandemic almost completely ended the same period last year,” said Subhas two special flights from Japan to boost international air travel in the region during Menon, AAPA's director general. Thai and Japanese economies by Q2. “International travel demand operating flights for Japanese executives. Asian airlines carried just 724,000 evaporated in the second quarter. Most Mr. Chansin Treenuchagron, Acting international passengers in June, a 98% flights were only operating to repatriate THAI President, said the COVID-19 decline compared to the 31.8 million people to their home countries. outbreak has affected every economic recorded the same time last year. Meanwhile, air cargo demand sector and international trade, as Air cargo demand, in freight tonne declined by 16% during the first half of the executives could not travel conveniently. kilometre (FTK) terms, was 20.3 percent year, reflecting the general deterioration in As the situation eased, travel restrictions lower year-on-year. consumer and business confidence. The were loosen. Therefore, THAI Offered freight capacity fell by 27.2% industry is in a perilous condition. collaborated with The Japan External as most passenger aircraft were grounded, International flights continue to be Trade Organization (JETRO) and the resulting in a 5.6% point increase in the grounded by border closures and onerous Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo to arrange average international freight load factor to quarantine requirements, even when flights for over 340 Japanese executives domestic lockdowns are being eased. to Thailand on special flights TG643 64.9% for the month. Tokyo-Bangkok on 13 and 27 August 2020. THAI will also deliver cargo, such BA retires entire Boeing 747 fleet as agricultural products from both countries on roundtrip flights to support Thai farmers and both countries' export British Airways retired its Boeing to fly the 747 include Air India, Korean Air markets.THAI is ready to operate special 747 jumbo jets on Friday 17 July, has and Lufthansa. flights to serve the travel needs of tening its withdrawal of the aging plane In Australia, Qantas carried out a Japanese executives and to boost the Thai after the coronavirus pandemic crushed farewell flight for its last remaining 747. and Japanese economies. demand for air travel and carriers began Heart-breaking decision `This is not switching to greener jets. The BA's parent how we wanted or expected to have to say group, IAG, which had already decided to goodbye to our incredible fleet of 747 Thai flies to UAE phase out the iconic aircraft by 2024, said aircraft. It is a heart-breaking decision to HAI Flies Thais Stranded in in a statement that the endrenee thad have to make,` said BA Chief Executive United Arab Emirates Home beenredred `with immediate effect` owing Alex Cruz. Sqn. Ldr. Anirute Sangrit, Vice to `the downturn in travel caused by the We have committed to making our T Covid19 global pandemic`. President, Flight Operations Department, fleet more environmentally friendly as we Thai Airways International Public The airline will operate more flights look to reduce the size of our business to Company Limited (THAI), and Head of on modern fuel-efficient aircraft such as reflect the impact of Covid-19 pandemic THAI Operations Control Center Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s, as it seeks on aviation. As painful as it is, this is the (TOCC), said THAI operated repatriation to both slash costs and achieve net-zero most logical thing for us to propose. flight for Thais stranded in United Arab carbon emissions by 2050. US aerospace titan Boeing launched Emirates and neighboring countries who The carrier has 31 Boeing jumbos, the 747 in 1970, with the 400-seater jet registered for repatriation flights with the more than any other airline, while the dominating international air travel and Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the dwindling number of airlines continuing cargo over the following decades. Royal Thai Consulate in Dubai.THAI collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to operate flight TG518 to fly 170 Thais from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at 21.00 hours (local time) on 28 July 2020 and arrived in Bangkok at 06.35 hours on 29 July 2020. In addition, THAI delivered

AUGUST 2020 -19 20 - AUGUST 2020 SIAL appoints new Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Babar Iqbal a prominent April 4, 2005 to Board of Directors of Gujranwala Pioneer business man in the surgical industry of February 26, 2008. Mr. Electric Company (GPEC). Sialkot, Pakistan has been appointed as Babar Iqbal was also The meeting was also attended by the Chief Executive Officer of Sialkot the president of Sialkot Vice Chairman Choudhry M. Afzal International Airport Limited. He has C h a m b e r o f Shaheen, Founder Chairman Mian taken this post, in an extra ordinary C o m m e r c e a n d Muhammed Riaz Former Chairmen meeting of the SIAL Board of Directors Industry during the SIAL, Naeem Akhter, Ashfaq Choudhry, chaired by Chairman SIAL Mian Naeem year 2002-3. Mr. Babar Engineer Khawar Anwar Khawaja, Javed to fill the vacancy immediately Iqbal is also currently Nadeem Anwar Qureshi, Former Vice after the expiration of the two-year tenur s e r v i n g a s t h e Chairman Ch. Raza Munir, Director of Maj. Gen. (R) Muhammad Abid Nazir. chairman of the board Haseeb Ahmed Bhatti, Hassan Ali It was decided to appoint Mr. Babar Iqbal of directors of National Transmission and Bhatti, Sarfraz Ahmed Bhatti, Faraz as the Chief Executive Officer of SIAL. It Dispatch Company (NTDC). Akram Awan, Naeem Ahsan, Mian is worth to mension that Mr. Babar Iqbal He has also been the Chairman of the Muhammad Ilyas and Sheikh Aqeel-ur- served as the Chairman of SIAL from Rehman and others.

Al-Khalil Centre, Suite No. 12,-14, 3rd Floor, Kashmir Road, Sialkot = Pakistan. Tel No. 0092 52 3240608, 0092 52 3242110, 0092 52 3242109, 0092 52 3252110 Web: www.saf.com.pk Email: [email protected]

21 - AUGUST 2020 22 - AUGUST 2020 A third of all A380 Pakistan to Aviation division might disappear appeal against EU seeks FIA help to trace air safety agency employees involved in from airline fleets pilots` dubious exam he global aircraft fleet is restrictions changing dramatically. The Aviation Division has referred ederal Minister for Aviation the cases against five of ficials of the Civil Airlines are retiring large T G h u l a m S a r w a r h a s Aviation Authority (CAA), who had been aircraft earlier than planned, not renewing announced that Pakistan will suspended for their alleged involvement F in issuing dubious pilot licences, to the leases, selling unused jets and storing appeal against the restrictions of European hundreds of jets for the long term. Around Union Air Safety Agency (EASA). Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to identify the information technology 800 aircraft are disappearing from the We will solve the safety issues raised experts involved in the examination scam. world's airports, estimates the aviation by EASA and we had two months to According to sources, the Aviation appeal against the restrictions. consulting firm IBA. Division has written to the FIA director PIA planes will fly in the European Lufthansa, for example, has decided general, seeking the latter`s help to countries soon, said the minister while identify the CAA`s licencing branch to retire six Airbus A380, five Boeing talking to journalists at the PTI regional officials and IT experts allegedly involved 747-400 and seven A340-600 early. The public secretariat on Saturday 8 August. in helping some pilots appear in exam group is also parking dozens of its 763 The EASA had temporarily though proxies. planes in Teruel, Spain, and Tarbes, suspended PIA`s authorisation to operate They said the FIA had also been asked to identify IT experts and other people France. It expects that 200 of its aircraft to the EU member states for a period of six months, effective from July 1, with the related to networking, if they had been will still have to remain on the ground in right to appeal against the decision, after involved in pilots` dubious exam so that criminal proceedings could be initiated 2022. Other airlines are doing the same. the aviation minister declared in the British Airways, Qantas and Virgin against them. National Assembly that the licences of An aviation division`s team is likely Atlantic have taken their Boeing 747 out 150 PIA pilots were dubious. to have a session with the FIA experts to of service, Air France the Airbus A380. Mr Sarwar told the presser that the review the cases of the CAA officials, who Unprecedented dynamics government was arranging charter planes had already been suspended and served «At the beginning of next year the for overseas Pakistanis in European show-cause notices over their alleged fleets of airlines around the world will countries. Despite the restrictions, PIA involvement in issuing dubious licences to flights are being operated for Canada,` he the pilots. look very different as they concentrate on added. The move by the aviation division using fewer, smaller, younger, and more In reply to a question regarding his came after the Supreme Court ordered efficient aircraft», says IBA Director Phil claim about the dubious credentials of the CAA Director General Hassan Nasir Seymour. The dynamics of the aircraft pilots, the minister said 28 pilots had been Jamy, who is also the aviation division secretary, to take departmental action market are changing like never before. sacked, while a total of 219 pilots had been against the CAA officials on the issue of Older, fuel-guzzling models are grounded and191 suspended so far. He dubious licences. being phased out. According to the IBA said those pilots were not recruited by the Following the Supreme Court`s PTI government, which was making analysis, 98 percent of all McDonnell orders, the CAA has decided to opt for efforts to clean the mess created by zero tolerance policy against anyone who Douglas DC-9 still flying will disappear previous governments. He vowed to was found involved in the pilots` exam from the scene, 90 percent of the MD-88 restore the glory of the national flag carrier scandal. or 41 percent of the Boeing 717. But the as the world`s best airline soon. Even those who had appeared in the much younger A380 are also being hit Amid the pandemic, not just the exam on pilots` rest day or hacked the examination system will not be spared, hard. As IBA forecasts, 28 percent of all domestic air operations had been restored but also many concessions had been said a CAA official, adding that those who superjumbos will be floated out, returned announced for the passengers with an had been on flying duty and had appeared to leasing companies or stored for the long in the exam on the same day would also be increase in the luggage limit from 50kg to brought to book. term. 73kg per passenger. The Supreme Court had also directed As part of Independence Day the CAA director general to show results celebrations, the minister said, PIA by clearing the mess within 15 days. announced 14 per cent discount for all `Spare no one and remove all delinquents travellers. even if the CAA chief has to build the Talking about the illfated A-320 PIA organisation afresh,` it said. aircraft crash in Karachi, the minister said On the other hand, a five-member the insurance amount for each passenger committee was constituted by the aviation was Rs5 million but the government division to investigate the cases of pilots managed to get it increased while Rs1 who had been suspended in connection million had already been paid to the heirs with the dubious licences scandal. of each passenger. AUGUST 2020 - 23 CAA to address members` concerns Breathalyser test before bifurcation now a must for

he Civil Aviation Authority's aviation minister was one of its members. PIA cabin crew board has decided to review Dr Ishrat Hussain, the convener of the Tthe functional separation of Institutional Reforms Committee, had also he management of Pakistan the authority after incorporating all the participated in the proceedings. International Airlines (PIA) concerns the members had expressed The source said the cabinet Thas made it compulsory for its during a meeting held recently. committee was expected to submit its cabin crew to take a breathalyser test to An informed source told media that recommendations to the federal cabinet. know how much alcohol they have in their the idea for functional separation of the There is every likelihood that the blood before they are permitted to board authority was presented before the CAA cabinet committee may not meet again and the flight. board after the cabinet committee instead, finalise its recommendations for In a directive issued by the PIA's overseeing the federal government`s the cabinet. medical division, which has come into plans for organisational separation of the Two bills ready to draft legislative effect immediately, all the cabin crew must CAA met the same day, July 29, before the bills are ready one aimed at replacing the undergo medical check-up before boarding the flights. board meeting. existing CAA Ordinance of 1960 while The notification issued by the medical The plans envisage creation of a strengthening the scope of the regulatory division said the test would be carried out `Pakistan civil aviation regulatory bodyin accordance with the international commitment. in the cabin crew briefing rooms by flight authority` (PCARA) and a `Pakistan surgeon/medical officer or the ground staff airports authority`(PAA). T h e s e c o n d b i l l p r o p o s e s amendments to the CAA Ordinance of supervised by the flight surgeon. Under Section 7 of the Civil Aviation It said all the operating cabin crews Authority Ordinance of 1982, the CAA 1982 for ensuring establishment of an airport company under Companies Act of are required to undergo the test before board has the powers to run the authority`s operating flights on a `must basis`. affairs, but it has no power to take any 2017 and enabling the companies to own the title and assets of airports ordered by The move came after the Civil decision regarding splitting the Aviation Authority took notice of smoking organisation. the federal government. The law, however, allows the in the cockpit and the cabin and issued The board meeting was presided over directives to ensure enforcement of SOPs government to transfer shares of the by Aviation Secretary and CAA chairman about smoking in the aircraft. company to the private sector, besides Hassan Nasir Jamy. Among others who Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority allowing the transfer of employees from attended the meeting were Air Marshal used to conduct tests of pilots and cockpit the CAA to the company on the same Ahmed Shehzad and Planning and crew only, and now the PIA would make it terms and conditions. Development Division Secretary Mathar mandatory to test its air hosts as well. Originally, the source said, the plan to Meanwhile, the PIA has made Niaz Rana. outsource airports was envisaged during The meeting of the cabinet arrangements to repatriate Pakistanis the previous government of PML-N, but stranded in France. committee was presided over by Adviser the scheme was shelved during its last to the Prime Minister on Commerce and As part of the plan, the PIA will now days. operate chartered flights from Paris to Investment Razak Dawood. Federal When the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Aviation Minister Chaudhry Sarwar Khan Pakistan from Aug 15 to repatriate came to power, it decided to go ahead with Pakistanis stranded in France. also attended the meeting. the plan. In March last year, the government The decision to operate chartered Now the CAA board has asked the flights was taken in the wake of European had developed the National Aviation Change Management Committee to go Safety Agency`s ban on PIA flights. Now Policy to make the role of CAA as a through the functional separation within the passengers will be able to directly regulator completely independent of the CAA and bring back the plan for travel to Pakistan from France by service providers, along with financial consideration of the board by chartered flights. and administrative autonomy within two incorporating all the concerns expressed The PIA said the first special flight years. during the meeting, including security will be operated from Paris to Islamabad The decision also requires achieving issues. on Aug 15, while another flight for Paris organisational change of the regulator The segregation plan of the will take off from Islamabad on Aug 16. with minimal adverse collateral government includes outsourcing According to the flight schedule, a disadvantage. different airports in two phases flight will depart for Islamabad from Paris Subsequently, the federal cabinet corporatisation of airports in the first on Aug 29 and another flight will take off approved in principle a proposal for phase for attracting private investors, for Paris from Islamabad on Aug 30. segregation of the CAA`s regulatory and while the second phase suggests The Islamabad airport management service provider functions and in its completion of this transaction after co- has taken all precautionary measures, meeting on May 19 this year, the federal opting the Privatization Commission by including social distancing, to the prevent cabinet constituted a six-member cabinet appointing financial advisers and spread of coronavirus and safety of committee under Razak Dawood. The investment banking firms. passengers.

24 - AUGUST 2020 issued these licences as money was PIA not being privatised, Senate told involved in the matter The minister said the reports that US President Donald Trump was interested in purchasing PIA`s The minister agreed that the Roosevelt Hotel in New York were wrong. examination process to issue licences to He said this was also wrong to say that the the pilots was changed from manual to government wanted to induct PAF or computerised in 2012 and this led to use of Shaheen Airways pilots into the PIA after unfair means through illegally accessing sacking its pilots. passwords. He said an inquiry board We will not privatise PIA rather bring formed in 2019 had put a question mark on reforms in it and restructure it,` he said, the credentials of 262 pilots and said their adding that the government wanted to licences were dubious.He said criminal bring the airline back to its days of glory. cases would be lodged against those who he Senate was informed on Emirates offers free global cover for recently that the national flag Tcarrier was not on the privatisation list. virus-related costs Winding up a discussion on a calling- attention notice on suspension of PIA flights in European Union countries, Emirates has offered free global we are putting our customers first, and we Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan cover (medical bills for travellers) for believe they will welcome this initiative.” said the restructuring of the Pakistan coronavirus-related costs, saying it will This cover for Covid-19-related International Airlines was on the cards. cover medical and quarantine costs of its medical expenses and quarantine costs is customers regardless of their class of offered by Emirates free of cost to its He rejected the allegation that his travel or destination. customers regardless of class of travel or statement on dubious licences of pilots This cover is immediately effective destination. was an effort to bring the state-owned for customers flying on Emirates until Oct This cover is immediately effective airline to the verge of collapse to pave way 31, 2020 (first flight to be completed on or for customers flying on Emirates until Oct for its privatisation. before Oct 31). It is valid for 31 days from 31 (first flight to be completed on or He said the European Aviation Safety the moment they fly the first sector of their before Oct 31). It is valid for 31 days from Agency's (EASA) ban on PIA flights in journey. the moment they fly the first sector of their EU countries and three cities of the UK Emirates said in a press release on journey. had been imposed neither due to the PIA Friday July 24 that it is the first airline in This means Emirates customers can plane crash in Karachi nor because of his the world to offer free global cover for continue to benefit from the added statement that some of PIA pilots Covid-19-related costs. assurance of this cover, even if they travel possessed fake degrees. `This is an old Emirates customers can travel with onwards to another city after arriving at issue as the PIA has been facing questions confidence, as the airline will cover their Emirates destination. on safety standards since 2007. medical expenses of up to EUR 150,000 Customers do not need to register or The minister said this was not the first and quarantine costs of EUR 100 per day fill in any forms before they travel, and time that the EASA had suspended PIA for 14 days, should they be diagnosed with they are not obligated to utilise this cover operations in EU countries. The Covid-19 during their travel, while they provided by Emirates. operations of some of thePIA planes had are away from home. Any impacted customer who has been remained banned from 2007 to 2009 on Emirates Group Chairman and Chief diagnosed with Covid-19 during their safety issues and after this, the airline was Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al travel simply has to contact a dedicated under surveillance due to safety hazards. Maktoum, said: “Under the directive of hotline to avail of assistance and cover. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, UAE The hotline number, and details of The EASA had in 2019 given its six Vice President and Prime Minister and observations on the PIA to comply with what Covid-19-related expenses are Ruler of Dubai, Emirates is proud to lead c o v e r e d , i s a v a i l a b l e o n till June 30, 2020. `Five of its the way in boosting confidence for observations have been addressed and the w w w. e m i r a t e s . c o m / C O V I D 1 9 international travel. assistance. sixth one on safety standards has yet to be Unique facility becomes effective complied with,` he added.\ Emirates has implemented a immediately comprehensive set of measures at every The minister said the ban would “We know people are yearning to fly step of the customer journey to ensure the remain in force for two months till the end as borders around the world as it gradually safety of its customers and employees on of August, but the government was going reopens, but they are seeking flexibility the ground and in the air, including into appeal by the end of July. and assurances should something distribution of complimentary hygiene He said the issue of fake licences of unforeseen happen during their travel.” kits containing masks, gloves, hand PIA pilots was old before the Pakistan He added: “Emirates has worked hard sanitiser and antibacterial wipes to all Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) came to power and to put in place measures at every step of customers. For more information on these the Supreme Court had taken suo motu the customer journey to mitigate risk of measures and the services available on notice of alleged fake degrees possessed infection, and we have also revamped our each flight. by employees of the airline in 2018. These booking policies to offer flexibility. Earlier, Emirates had resumed people were recruited before 2018. He “We are now taking it to the next passenger service to Pakistan's four main said the degrees of 17 pilots and many level, by being the first in the industry to cities Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and from technical staf f, ground handlers and offer our customers free global cover for Sialkot after a temporary suspension, but cabin crew had turned out to be fake Covid-19 medical expenses and with a condition that passengers will be during a verification exercise carried out quarantine costs should they incur these required to carry with them a fresh on the directives of the apex court and costs during their travel. negative Covid-19 report from a specified over 600 employees were sacked. “It is an investment on our part, but laboratory. AUGUST 2020 - 25 Keep running: Aligning technology with business continuity

mall and medium businesses feed and livestock operations, the third annual Oracle and KPMG Cloud (SMBs) form a major part of competitors' activity and fluctuating Threat Report, 92 percent of IT SAsia's economy more than 90 poultry prices. The platform also provides professionals say that they do not trust percent of businesses here are from this a base for Vitarich to be able to continue their organization's data centers are well sector, and they account for over half of business as usual with employees prepared as compared to public cloud the workforce, contributing significantly conveniently working from home on services.And with activities that were to both GDP and exports, according to Oracle Cloud. once fully secured behind corporate Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Innovate (on the cloud) to live another firewalls and security monitoring services (APEC). day moving behind consumer routers, the They are also one of the sectors While survival, rather than growth, is challenges and risks have only grown. hardesthit by the current situation. the priority for businesses in 2020, The example of IMEX Pan Pacific Already faced with skills shortages and according to research from Gartner, Group (IPPG), a retail business in difficulties in accessing capital funding, innovation should stay in mind. In fact, Vietnam, is perhaps one to look to on how many do not have the technology in place periods of disruption are often the times to cloud can help. Using a complete and to help them cut costs, automate processes embrace opportunity as well as tackle unified suite of cloud technologies, the and successfully adapt to supporting both challenges. company has gained an integrated suite employees and customers from a distance. SMBs should make use of their well- that allows it to manage huge volumes of Fortunately, many have already known agility, steadfastness and data from the inventory and warehousing started on a digital transformation innovative heart to harness new tools for of its retail business efficiently and journey. At the end of 2019, International their business, where possible. Cloud can securely. This includes financial data Data Corporation (IDC)found that two- provide a viable test bed for businesses to across its many IPPG subsidiaries, run on fifths of Asia's smaller businesses were develop, test and deploy new initiatives, Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Resource already executing strategic plans of action such as an online ordering site. Through Planning (ERP), providing the company in this area, with a similar number the right cloud infrastructure, with a single, accurate and real-time view. planning to start. To help with this, many organizations can speed up their dev/test Technology certainly does not solve governments worldwide are pushing and deploy cycles. all problems but can help 'Future SMBs' to policies aimed to help SMBs weather the In times when businesses may be be more adaptable both now and for our current business climate. struggling with changing regulations, rapidly changing future. 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26 -AUGUST 2020 AUGUST 2020 - 27 28 - AUGUST 2020 AUGUST 2020 - 29 Startling -- Developments (Prof. Safdar Sandal) hina The estrangement between China and Iran to create an alternative-trade- a n d America owing to COVID-19 had peaked, corridor to Afghanistan and CARs states, CIran as Trump named this COVID-19 as thus bypassing Pakistan. However the have drafted a 'Chinese Virus'. There are also irritants in cover of Chabahar Port was also exploited comprehensive the south Chinese sea between China and to establish its spy and terrorism network military and America and highly objectionable against Pakistan. Kulbhushan Yadav, a t r a d e sanctions imposed on Iran thereafter, quite serving Indian Navy Commander, was p a r t n e r s h i p . arrogantly. Clashes between China and settled in Chabahar as the spymaster to The deal will India due to their Ladakh dispute have organize terrorist activities in Baluchistan make way for disrupted peace in the region. Nascent to target CPEC-BRI and Karachi, to about $400 billion worth of Chinese tensions have engulfed Iran and India too, threaten Pakistan's economy like it had investment into Iran's key sectors i.e. because of the Chabahar port and railway helped MQM based in London. Yadav was energy and military developments, for the track to develop from Chabahar to picked up by Pakistani intelligence on one next 25 years. Zahidan, as was agreed between them. of his forays into Baluchistan. The Indians This agreement would lead to closer The project was started by both India and are also sponsoring dissident elements military relations between Beijing and Iran, to extend trade opportunities to like BLS, BRA to carry out terrorist Tehran, including joint military exercises, Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe. activities. Their operations are controlled weapons developments and intelligence But Modi's recent enchantment with US from New Delhi and are RAW engineered sharing. It would also increase Chinese and his anti-Islamic Hindutva- (Hindu and sponsored with voluminous money. investments in Iranian banking, tele- nationalist) based foreign policy isolating Prime Minister Khan's regime has communications and transportation. The reported agreement also includes that China would help in building infrastructure for 5G tele-communication network in Iran. It is reported that the deal had been first proposed by Chinese President Xi Linping during his 2016 visit to Tehran, and the proposed draft was approved by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif over the last couple of weeks. The Iranian officials have publically acknowledged that there is a 'pending agreement with China' which hopefully will be approved by their Parliament because of its high utility and bilateral enhancement of trade relations. Beijing is also still to disclose its terms; Iranian government has meanwhile approved the draft of 25-year deal with China on economic and political it in the world, has lost a project which was initiated the Diamer Bhasa Dam cooperation; the deal being of more importance for the whole region. Iran's more beneficial for India itself. Iran will construction. India has come up with the foreign ministry spokesman, Abbas now complete its Chabahar project with tactical assumption to sabotage this move Mousavi, said it was a proud moment for the help coming from China. China has by Pakistan. A report disseminated on the Iranian diplomatic history. provided 400 billion dollars for this Indian media that the dam would induce project, as the relations between China the ecological catastrophe in the region Tehran has not revealed yet, the full details of the agreement, but a previous and Iran are fast growing in the form of and intensify the number of earthquakes report by the Petroleum Economists trade and financial policies and India by 300 in one month. On the contrary, suggest that Iran is set to grant huge owing to its fallacious policies with every Pakistan dismissed the inadequate report concessions to China, including country of the region, has lost its metal. as it was based on fallacious features. significant discounts on oil and gas, and Both Iran and China have expelled India, Pakistan is constructing the dam with the the ability to delay payments for up to two in a way strategically. This happens to go help of China and India does not years. It has also allowed China to pay in in favour of Pakistan which is consistently appreciate this. Beyond that, India also soft currencies. China's more pronounced pursuing a balanced foreign policy and is feels alone on the global stage as Iran interest in Iran should alert the US to better placed due its CPEC-BRI expelled it in the Chabahar Port project review its past approach to Tehran. The collaboration and the US's need of which will now be construed by China. deal comes at a time when the Iranian Pakistan to help resolve its Afghanistan India had committed another folly and that economy has been completely damaged imbroglio. was its intrusion in the Eastern Ladakh by US sanctions, which reproached that In its efforts to destabilize Pakistan which brought embarrassment to India any country in the world that deals with and divert its attention from Kashmir and with heavy casualties and loss of its Iran would be cut off from global financial the LOC, India has activated Pakistan's strategically important territory besides a system. Presumably this stance will western front, in order to engage it bashing-humiliation in the eyes of the change soon, owing to the Iran-Chinese militarily. India had ostensibly invested in world. Trump has now realized that he had joint ventures. Chabahar Port too and other projects in betted on a wrong horse.

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AUGUST 2020 - 31 PM Modi is on record having stated earlier that CPEC does not suit India. Pacific airlines enters strategic partnership with Obviously he meant by his last month's military action taken, to obstruct the Sabre to power industry recovery and growth CPEC route via Gilgit-Baltatistan. Modi is known for his abrupt and unwise steps ow cost carrier Pacific Airlines recovery, growth and future expansion.” like his mentor Trump, because of which and Sabre Corporation This latest agreement follows the his army men in Ladakh got a bashing and L(NASDAQ: SABR), the s i g n i n g o f a m e m o r a n d u m o f leading software and technology company understanding between Sabre and a humiliation by having been beaten by that powers the global travel industry, Chinese soldier's military boot-kicks, the Vietnam Airlines Group, which was recently announced a strategic new signed last year by Dave Shirk, President, scene which went viral throughout the agreement in a deal which further cements Travel Solutions and Duong Tri Thanh, world. Modi had attacked eastern Sabre's strength in the Vietnamese Vietnam Airlines President & CEO, at a Ladakh, on the directions of his masters, aviation market as well as its long- high-profile signing ceremony at the to engage China in the mountains and standing and valued relationship with Presidential Palace in Hanoi; attended by then attack Gilgit - Baltatistan to cut off Vietnam Airlines Group. US President Donald Trump and President the CPEC route; a thinking much larger Under the new deal, Pacific Airlines of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, than his physical and mental size and will adopt the Sabre Passenger Service General Secretary of the Communist Party capability. He had to change the plan soon System (PSS) as it moves forward with of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong. The MOU after receiving an unforgettable thrashing ambitious plans to play a key role, along described Vietnam Airlines' intent to of his soldiers on the Chinese border and with national carrier parent company significantly expand its strategic sensing the great unity between China Vietnam Airlines Group, in the recovery relationship with Sabre that included and Pakistan that he could face both and future growth of APAC's travel and innovative technology from the Sabre Air China and Pakistan's armies on its tourism industry post Covid-19. Vietnam Vision and Air Centre portfolio to triangular borders; he has immediately Airlines has been a Sabre PSS user for complement the Sabre PSS platform, as receded to his auqat (worth) and more than a decade and, with this new well as having a long-term content agreement, both airlines will benefit from distribution arrangement through the preferred to continue shelling the civilian a single, integrated passenger platform to Sabre Global Distribution System (GDS). houses in the Azad Kashmir border enable improved operational efficiencies The latest agreement enhances this villages; a timid Hindu specific approach and a frictionless experience for travellers, relationship even further to include the According to the 'Pakistan Economic as Pacific Airlines prepares to resume group's LCC division. Survey 2019-20' the installed electricity regular scheduled services with Sabre's “The MOU signing was one of many generation capacity reached 37,402 MW PSS. Combined teams expect to complete proud moments in the shared history of in 2020, whereas the total demand of the transition quickly from the legacy third Vietnam Airlines and Sabre,” said Mr Pakistan is 25,000 MW. This huge surplus party system to the Sabre PSS. Quang. “As the national flag carrier of is due to CPEC's 17 energy projects which Sabre PSS is designed to automate Vietnam, we have also been very proud to have been installed in various cities in sales and reservations as well as to help be part of recent repatriation efforts to help Pakistan and 13,000 MW energy added in a i r l i n e s t o m a x i m i z e r e v e n u e passengers return to their homeland. Now, the national grid stations. So the question opportunities, enhance partnerships and moving forward, we are excited to be is this: if Pakistan's maximum energy create the most efficient airport leveraging Sabre's agile technology to demand is 25,000 MW and the installed experiences possible for travellers. The play an important part in the recovery of capacity is 37,000 MW, so is there really Sabre Vietnam's tourism industry, which is an energy crisis or is it just an PSS comprehensive system has already showing strong signs of resilience.” incompetency on the part of the already allowed Sabre's valued partners to government institutions? Another part of realize increased revenue through “We're thrilled to be able to further merchandising, codeshare agreements and expand our already valued and historic the Economic Survey 2019-20 says that alliance partners, plus cost savings from relationship with Vietnam Airlines,” said the transmission and distribution capacity better managed inventory and schedules, Dave Shirk, President, Travel Solutions, is stalled at approximately 22,000 MW. and shopping and reservations Sabre. “Vietnam has made great progress Some simple math will help understand capabilities. Airlines are also able to gain in recovery from the pandemic and this anomaly. an improved understanding of market Vietnam Airlines is at the forefront of this So, we have the capacity to meet our trends through the use of real-time data recovery. This new agreement is of demand, but the problem lies in the part of which finds problems and creates strategic importance to both Sabre and transmission. Every new government solutions to maximize the value of every Pacific Airlines as we move forward installs new power plants and increases seat sold. together to come through Covid-19 and the installed capacity, but no government “Vietnam Airlines Group is delighted beyond in a position of strength. Sabre has has focused on improving the to build on our existing agreement with already clearly set out initiatives to transmission and distribution capacity. Sabre, our trusted and long-term accelerate growth in our own business and Pakistan's energy problem can easily be technology partner,” said Trinh Hong that of our partners, including unlocking Quang, Vietnam Airlines Executive Vice LCC market potential by supporting fast- solved if experts are given the authority growing low-cost carriers such as Pacific and distribution capacity, and efficiently President and Pacific Airlines Chairman. “It is especially important right now to Airlines. Today's announcement so, if the government (any government) is have the most robust, agile and advanced demonstrates the forward-looking serious enough in addressing and technology solutions possible to propel approach of Sabre, Pacific Airlines and handling this issue faithfully, rather than our business into the future. While Vietnam Airlines Group and our deep focusing on building more power plants It everyone in the travel industry is commitment to supporting the aviation is important to work on transmission. experiencing an unprecedented situation, industry in Vietnam and the wider APAC Once Pakistan gets uninterrupted light, its we are very much focused on moving region. We're very excited that Pacific economy will boost and attract more forward with our PSS Transformation Airlines will take to the skies once more, foreign investors. program to place us in the best position for under the Sabre PSS.”

32 - AUGUST 2020 CPEC is becoming more and more comprehensive

peakers shed light on the g o v e r n m e n t salient features of the cooperation to SC h i n a P a k i s t a n people-to-people Economic Corridor at a webinar cooperation. titled `CPEC and its impact on the As far as the region. C h i n e s e The event was organised by government is the Karachi Council on Foreign concerned, we are Relations (KCFR). devoted to this CPEC Authority chairman project, he assured retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa the hosts. said the subject was very dear to the $62bn CPEC heart of every Pakistan. `CPEC is a project keeps on transformational project, a game e x p a n d i n g changer for Pakistan. President Arif Alvi The environment in the region in his plenary is improving by the day, Pakistan is address said in the becoming the centre of all the CPEC Authority chairman Asim Saleem Bajwa speaks at the event. [history of] the development, and peace and assistance from the Pakistani government world, peace was prosperity is becoming visible in our and its people when China was suffering always related to lifetime. We have to take advantage of from the coronavirus outbreak. the fact that there were trade routes. this. Just in the morning, he had discussed China and Pakistan had a great Silk He said CPEC was planned in three with the president of Pakistan the next Road which was reestablished. As long as phases. The first was meant to fill the gaps stage of collaboration in fighting the there`s movement of goods, there`s in our infrastructure in communication pandemic. In the wake of the virus, several prosperity and trade between regions. One and energy. changes have come about, first of which is country more prosperous is able to import Giving example of the roads, the its effect on global economy. goods to less prosperous regions. eastern route from Peshawar to Karachi, China is working hard to revive its Therefore, the BRI initiative of China is he said: `We`ve just completed the Multan economy. The Prime Minister of Pakistan very important. to Sukkur motorway. Now one section of Imran Khan and his government are also He said he`s glad that CPEC had made that road is left, which is Sukkur to doing a lot to revive the economy. With a lot of progress. It`s a $62 billion project Hyderabad. Similarly, hard work on the CPEC they`re trying to adapt [to the which keeps on expanding as the need for western route is going on. The western change]. Several projects, especially in the communication through rail, fibre, energy, route mostly passes through remote areas area of construction, have started. The etc, and such routes become more which can uplift the economy of those prime minister of Pakistan made it clear popularised. areas and it will be great in order to that the construction sector is the key to the We will have to keep increasing that mobilise all logistics from China to revival of the economy. infrastructure, he insisted. Pakistan. Mr Yao said they`re going to shift As peace returns to Afghanistan, the Mentioning the priority areas in the more resources to meet challenges ofthe president pointed out, it`s very important second phase, he said the focus was on prevention and control of the coronavirus that trade takes place from Gwadar. mass industrialisation through special cases, doing more for the medical sector. Wi t h p e a c e p r o g r e s s i n g i n economic zones. Then there is cooperation between the Afghanistan, the contribution of China and There are a total of nine zones to be two countries in the industrial sector, in Pakistan to rebuilding Afghanistan and built and they`re working on three science and technology, tourism and water CPEC will play an important part. `In the prioritised zones Rashakai, Faisalabad resources management. CPEC corridor 19 projects have been and Dhabeji adding one more in We are in close collaboration with completed, about 28 are in the phase of Balochistan. various departments and ministries of the implementation and 41 in the pipeline. On agriculture, he said the focus was Pakistani government,` he said, adding And this will keep getting bigger and on three things: enhancing the yield of our that the fundamental of the economy was bigger. agriculture, induction of technology and based on manufacturing and production, President Alvi said Gwadar is the w a t e r c o n s e r v a t i o n a n d f a r m so they`re going to help increase crown jewel of the CPEC corridor because management.Then there is the area of manufacturing and production capacities it links us to the Chinese northwestern science and technology for which they`re of Pakistani exporters. region as well as to Central Asia. As working with the ministry of science and The ambassador said internationally, Gwadar expands and industries are set up, technology. a lot of developments happened during the we need desalination plants. So `a Mr Bajwa said: `We are taking CPEC pandemic, but the basic concept of CPEC desalination plant is also in the process`. into the tourism sector. It is one area we was cooperation. `It`s a platform first He then went on to highlight the have a lot [of] potential but suffering between China and Pakistan. cooperation between China and Pakistan because of a lack of system and There are regional opportunities to in other areas, particularly those from infrastructure. offer for the regional countries as well. where Pakistan has learnt from China. China praises Pakistan`s cooperation The task for China and Pakistan is that KCFR chairman Ikram Sehgal Ambassador of People`s Republic of we do our best in regional and international thanked the guests for their participation in China to Pakistan Yao Jing said the cooperation platforms. CPEC is becoming the webinar, which was moderated by Chinese government and its people more and more comprehensive, moving Aleena Agha. appreciated the solidarity, support and from economic to social sectors, from AUGUST 2020 - 33 Pakistan can add $12bn to its export proceeds by 2024`

akistan can increase its exports Pakistani policies cause 55pc of the by up to $12 billion by 2024 problems reported by exporters of Peven after taking into account manufactured goods, and one-third disruptions due to Covid-19, according to ofagriculture. Large firms (52pc) face the International Trade Centre`s latest more problems with domestic export export potential assessment for the regulations than small and mediumsized country. businesses (45pc). More than half of the country`s Exporters say the regulations are exporters struggle with domestic and overly strict or compliance is difficult in Domestic regulastions are creating hindrances to foreign regulatory barriers, says Invisible boost exports. just12pc of the cases. In contrast, the Barriers to Trade Pakistan 2020: Business firms reported stem from Pakistani rules procedures are the problem in 70pc of the Perspectives. The report was prepared in on matters such as export inspections, tax cases and most of these occur in Pakistan collaboration with the World Bank refunds, and export certification. These itself. The remaining 18pc are difficult Group`s country office here. invisible barriers to trade affect exporters due to both the regulation and related Market frictions such as regulatory and importers differently, and their impact procedures, of which more than two- obstacles and lack of information varies across sectors. thirds occur in the country. transparency put up to $7bn of this The publication finds that regulations The most important ones are slow untapped export potential at risk and the procedures to comply with them processes on the necessary paperwork and especially for sm all businesses looking to are difficult for 51pc of Pakistani high fees and charges to obtain required trade more across borders, says ITC`s exporters and 46pc of importers. Most certification or testing. acting Executive Director Dorothy agricultural exporters (60pc)especially Informal payments and inadequate Tembo. those dealing with fresh and processed facilities for testing and certification in There is great scope for the foods experience difficulties with these Pakistan were also frequently reported. government of Pakistan to streamline measures, as most countries have As a way forward, the survey processes, improve quality management stringent regulations in place to protect identifies numerous challenges, and work with exporters to provide human health and the environment. especially regarding export-quality consistent, transparent and timely In comparison, 47pc of the Pakistani management and infrastructure in the information,` she said. companies that export manufactured country. For instance, Pakistan should The report, based on a survey of goods face problems. Conformity increase the capacity of local laboratories 1,152 importers and exporters, identifies assessment is the top challenge with to carry out required testing and the toughest trade hurdles facing requirements like testing and product certification. Pakistani businesses. Efforts need to be made to strengthen certification are a bigger concern (41pc) Almost half of these hurdles are the capacity of small and medium-sized than rules related to quahty standards, h o m e g r o w n , w h i c h m e a n s t h e enterprises to comply with international safety, and production processes (4pc). government can fix many of the problems market access requirements. The absence Pakistani exporters say complying holding back exporters. The report of a proper warehouse and cold storage with European rules is difficult and the suggests ways for the government and the facilities at major borders points is a accompanying conformity assessment private sector to crank up competitiveness serious problem that must be fixed. Trade procedures are too strict. The by addressing issues such as export procedures need to be streamlined and neighbouring SAARC countries account inspections, tax refunds, and certification. paperwork at government and customs for only 5pc of the problems that local It identifies the most challenging offices be automated to reduce the exporters experience with foreign non-tariff measures that Pakistani administrative burdens and costs regulations. businesses f ace which include: shouldered by Pakistani exporters. At the individual partner country complying with technical requirements, Traders need a proper portal that can level, the United Arab Emirates and the lack of trade-related information and provide reliable exportand import-related United Kingdom are responsible for the inadequate domestic infrastructure. information which should alsoguide most reported regulations, each Women entrepreneurs also face ontradereguladons and procedures, social constraints and a general lack of accounting for 8pc. German measures provide facts about relevant agencies, port support in government agencies and other account for 6pc, while Oman and the authorities, and customs. institutions. United States for 5pc each. Finally, Pakistani trade regulations The NTM Business Survey in Domestic regulations create and processes must be streamlined to Pakistan finds that 49 per cent of small obstacles Meanwhile, local regulations facilitate exports. A policy rethink is enterprises and 57pc of medium- account for about 45pc of the troublesome needed on advance payment restrictions sizedfirms have trouble with non-tariff measures that exporters face. on raw material imports and processes measures, while 54pc of large companies Most of these involve export involving the duty drawback scheme. consider them to be burdensome. inspecdons (31pc), tax refunds (27pc), Export inspection processes at the Almost half of the challenges these and export certification (10pc). customs also should be improved.

34 -AUGUST 2020 AUGUST 2020 - 35 that less-than-professional media Increase in meat exports comes coverage fuels inflationary expectations causing a steeper rise in the prices of the at a price same commodities. Keeping these things in view, it is important to approach the issue of the AKISTAN`S exports of meat it seems advisable for policy makers to balancing of food exports and food and meat products that examine how higher export volumes of security in a purely professional manner declined in 2017-18 owing to meat or any other food item for that matter P free from political point-scoring and the delays in payment by foreign buyers affect local prices. focused on obtaining the findings that can bounced back in the next two years and But any study launched for this help economic managers run the crossed the $300 million mark for the first purpose must not rely on the so-called lists economy more effectively. time in 2019-20. In another first, export that are issued from the commissioners volumes surpassed 80,000 tonnes. offices. Those price lists now serve to In the post-Covid-19 world, Pakistan entertain only netizens. For a study aimed Export of fruit, has the potential to increase its food at finding a link between export volumes exports. Their demand remains strong and domestic prices of meat or any other unlike the demand for non-essential food item for that matterit must be carried greens jumps items. In this context, the rise of meat out by honest and capable professionals. exports to $300m is a healthy Survey groups of reputable universities development. Since the increase has come like LUMS or IBA can be used for this owing to larger shipments instead of the purpose. And, to ascertain the extent to increase in the per-unit price, the which larger export volumes actually tend government and exporters must find ways to push up local prices of food items like to boost the export price. beef and mutton, help can be sought from Earning higher export earnings on reputable economic think tanks and the the back of larger volumes of a State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). particularfood item is unwise because it Undertaking such an exercise has creates a shortage of that item in domestic become all the more necessary for lots of markets and escalates its local prices. The reasons, but some of them are very Reduced air freight charges fascilitated mango increase in the local prices of beef and conspicuous. First, Pakistan is facing exports in Fy20 mutton in the past two years is as much serious issues in its food security regime ruit and vegetable exports attributable to expanded export volumes and food security is not just about the grew 12.5 per cent to $730 as to the other factors like higher inflation availability of food items it is equally Fmillion in FY20 despite global and rising cost of production. about availability at affordable prices. pandemic and lockdown. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Second, in the post-pandemic world, However, in terms of quantity the Statistics (PBS), the national average countries are trying to trim non-essential overall fruits and vegetable exports price of beef with bones rose from Rs367 imports but demand for food imports dropped by 7.6pc to 1.643 million tonnes per kilogram in June 2018 to Rs412 in remains intact. This means our food in 2019-20.\ June 2019 and Rs451 in June 2020. The exporters will be tempted to tap this All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable per-kg price of mutton also went up from demand. Exporters, Importers and Merchants Rs773 in June 2018 to Rs860 in June 2019 If they try to take advantage of this Association (PFVA) Patron-inChief and then Rs945 in June 2020. strong demand only through larger export Waheed Ahmed said exporters adopted The PBS makes it clear that these volumes without switching over to more realistic strategies while the federal national average prices apply to the value-added food products to fetch a government extended all help and took `average quality` of beef with bones and higher per-unit export price, it will be timely decisions by removing barriers to mutton. It does not collect the prices of devastating from our own food security boost exports especially to Iran and h i g h e r q u a l i t y m e a t a n d a l s o point of view. Afghanistan. remainssilent on the prices of veal or calf Third, Pakistan is in need of boosting He said when the Covid19 was meat. It also does not collect or report the its overall export earnings and, as such, spreading fast, the entire world was in prices of beef (meat of old cows and bulls) unscrupulous elements in the government desperate need offruits and vegetables of the day will likely be tempted to let food without bones. In most retail markets of containing vitamins to minimize ill- exports grow even at the cost of Karachi, beef without bones is currently effects of this pandemic. `Pakistan complicating food security issues and selling at Rs550-600 per kg and calf meat grabbed this opportunity and managed to letting food inflation rise further. at Rs650-Rs700 per kg. Mutton is selling export kinno, potato and onion despite Severe wheat and sugar crises in at Rs1,100-Rs1,200 per kg. transportation and logistics issues, he thepast two years are examples of how Regardless of the vast difference in added. difficult it is to ensure the availability of the national average prices reported by the Cut in freight charges by PIA also even the most essential food items at PBS and the prevailing prices in Karachi facilitated mango exports to many affordable prices. It becomes all the more markets, the fact remains that beef and countries. difficult due to the politicised handling of mutton prices have risen sharply in the Also a ban by Indian government on such crises. The politicised handling of past two years. Since meat exports have onion provided an opportunity thus complex crises does several serious leading to an increase in its exports. risen substantially during these two years, damages, but the most obvious of them is

36 - JULY 2020 He said that Pakistan exported dates Ministry asked to explore new markets worth $14.20m in 2019-20 to Nepal, compared to meager $0.03m in 2018-19, registering a hefty increase in a year`s for date exports time. Pakistan also exported dry dates parliamentary panel on dates to the world. The exports have been worth $1.2m in 2019-20 to Singapore and Friday 24 July asked affected since India imposed 200pc duty $1.13m to Thailand for the first time in AMinistry of Commerce to on goods originating from Pakistan. 2019-20. He said other vital export evolve a strategy within a month to Earlier, duty on date imports from destinations where date exports witnessed diversify export of dates to other markets Pakistan was at 25pc. an increasing trend include UAE, Kuwait, following the suspension of trade ties with Oman, Bangladesh, Turkey, etc. India. He assured the committee that the The National Assembly Standing commerce ministry would organise Committee on Commerce, led by MNA meetings for dates exporters` delegations Naveed Qamar, directed the ministry to in Germany, Australia and Netherlands. explore new markets and engage the trade Date growers have asked for and investment officers posted in government support to modernise Pakistani missions abroad for production technologies in order to matchmaking efforts for date exports. increase yields on date production. They He also directed Commerce An elderly man loads a tractor trolley with dates in also demanded easy loans on low Secretary Mohammad Sualeh Ahmad Khairpur. Pakistan is world's fifth largest producer markups. Faruqui to prepare a comprehensive plan of this fruit. Meanwhile, in other business, the in consultation with stakeholders and To minimise the impact, Faruqui said committee passed the Marine Insurance present a plan before the committee in 30 (Amendment) Bill, 2019 moved by MNA days. the commerce ministry had taken several steps, including exploration of new Riaz Fatyana. However, the committee Pakistan is the world`s fifth-largest deferred the Safeguard Measures producer of dates and exports have markets to divert export s in order to reduce the losses incurred as a result of (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in absence of plummeted ever since Pakistan cut off MNA Muhammad Sanaullah Khan Masti trade ties with India last year. trade suspension between the two neighbours. Khal who moved the bill. According to the Ministry of Food Security data, annual date production in the country is estimated at 550,000 Exports to Qatar, Saudi Arabia rise tonnes. Moreover, 50 per cent of of this is produced in Sindh alone. The rest of is contributed by: Punjab, Balochistan and despite Covid-19 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. There are around 160 varieties of date he Ministry of Commerce June FY19. informed the National Over the last few years, Pakistan's palm in the country. However, Aseel of Assembly that exports have Khairpur, Dhakki of D. L Khan and T trade with Qatar has increased. In FY20, seen an upsurge in few countries despite exports to the country jumped 36pc. Begum Jangi of Mekran are in popular the global economic slowdown since demand owing to their exotic taste. March. Despite the pandemic, Pakistan`s exports to Qatar have seen an upward Statistics show that India, before the end The ministry shared details with the of trade ties, was importing around 90pc trend throughout Feb-June. Exportsin lower house in response to a series of June alone increased by 40pc. of the country`s total dry dates. The bulk questions demanding explanations on of locally-produced dates are exported government-led measures towards Qatar has also allowed import of dry as the country lacks requisite facilities promoting exports. Pakistani origin rice after several years of for processing and branding. ban after low quality rice consignments In the post-Covid-19 period, exports were sent to the country back in 2012. So The standing committee discussed in have seen a sizable increase in two major detail the ban on trade with India, far, Pakistan has exported 4,000 tonnes of destinations: Saudi Arabia and Qatar. basmati rice to Qatar. especially on dates. Despite Covid-19, Saudi Arabia has Commerce Secretary Faruqui Bilateral trade between Pakistan and emerged as one of the top export Singapore was recorded at $679m in FY20 informed the committee that after the destinations for Pakistani goods in the with the trade balance heavily in favor of withdrawal of most-favored nation status Middle East as exports to the peninsula the latter. Pakistan`s exports to Singapore from Pakistan, India has imposed 200pc increased by 34 per cent in June. stood at $52m while imports were duty on all goods originating in or The volume of bilateral trade between recorded at $632m FY20 exported from the country. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia increased to Pakistan is also exploring the The increase in duties is in violation $2.181 billion in FY20. Exports to Saudi possibility of setting up an institutional of Article 7 of the South Asian Free Trade Arabia have seen a consistent increase mechanism such as the Joint Trade Association`s Trade Liberalisation from $336.9 million in FY17 to $342.08m Committee with Singapore. Program. Therefore, Pakistan has in FY19 and $446.18m FY20. However, the imports from Saudi Arabia have Such an institutional arrangement formally suspended trade with India, will play a key role in deepening trade ties secretary informed the committee declined from $3.213bn FY18 to $1.735bn in FY20. as well as economic diplomacy between members. the two countries. Meanwhile, in the March-June He further said that Pakistan exports Trade between Norway and Pakistan $107.4 million worth of fresh or dried period, exports to Qatar also increased to $50.13m compared to $39.33m in March- is showing gradual increase with the AUGUST 2020 - 37 38 - AUGUST 2020 balance in favor of Pakistan. Pak- Norway bilateral trade has increased Shortage of hot water plants hurting from $69.06m in 2013-14 to $81.47m in 2018-19. Pakistan`s exports to the mango exports to Iran country have increased from $55.16min he delay in the approval of six 2013-14 to $57.46m in 2018-19. additional hot water treatment that the Iranian team approved only five To promote trade relations and gain plants (HWTPs) by the facilities. T Following the serious concern access to the Norwegian market, the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) has government has initiated negotiations for hit the enormous export potential of expressed by the association, the Iranian a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Pakistani mangoes to Iran, the All Pakistan quarantine department asked DPP to carry out re-inspection of the additional six European Free Trade Association Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) said disapproved plants on their behalf in view (EFTA) states, namely Norway, of Covid-19 situation so that minor Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. on Monday 20 July. In a letter addressed to the Minister deficiencies could be removed. C o l l e c t i v e l y, t h e s e c o u n t r i e s Without intimating the association of o f f e r a n i m p o r t m a r k e t o f for National Food Security & Research Syed Fakhr Imam, PVFA Chairman Abdul this development, the DPP carried out a around$360bn.The government is Malik said that deliberate delays and `technical audit` of three HWTPs. actively engaging with the EFTA states biased approach of the DPP favouring Moreover, the review of previous for concluding an FTA between the two in some HWTPs was hurting mango exports. inspection report was carried out in such a areas including trade in goods, ser-vices, Iran is a promising international short notice that the owners of HWTP had and investment. market for the export of Pakistani to spend about Rs600,000 to make the Meanwhile, Pakistan`s exports to mangoes. In 2019, Pakistan earned foreign plant ready for re-inspection in short Denmark increased from $102.13m in exchange of $21 million by sending notice,` the PVFA letter said. Mr Malik, in his letter, alleged that FY14 to $184.91m in FY19 whereas 30,000 metric tonnes of mangoes to Iran. DPP used planned and deliberate tactics so imports decreased from $176.31m in By reducing the cost of production, Pakistan could increase the volume of that mango season in Sindh comes to an FY14 to $90.46m in FY19. e n d a n d l e a v e s n o On the other hand, Pakistan's exports export by at least thirty per cent,` the letter said. spacefortheseplantstogetapproved and to Bangladesh dropped from $752.67m begin operations. This was `purposely in FY19 to $654.79m FY20. Even though All mangoes exported to Iran have to pass through the hot water treatment done` to ensure that a few `favourite the trade remained in surplus this year, process to meet phytosanitary approved HWTPs` can maintain their the overall volume, including exports and requirements. monopoly and gain huge financial benefits. imports, decreased in the wake of Covid- The PVFA alleged that DPP which 19. falls under the Ministry of National Food The letter added that SOPs were being The government has included Security and Research is favouring violated as mango consignments from Bangladesh in the List `A` countries `approved` HWTPs in Sindh which are Punjab, which should have been processed since October 2019 facilitating travel of taking full `financial advantage` of the by HWTPs in the province, instead have phytocertificates issued by facilities businessmen to Pakistan. situation, while keeping the six proposed located in Sindh. H o w e v e r, t h e B a n g l a d e s h facilities inoperative. The association is making efforts to The association urged the minister to government is yet to reciprocate the offer. carry out a forensic audit of DPP for the Pakistan's exports to Kyrgyzstan increase the number of approved HWTPs to bring down the cost of treatment. past five years which would reveal more stood at $1.75m in FY20 against $1.81m wrongdoings on the part of the Much before the start of the mango in the previous year, while imports stood department. DPP lacks manpower to cope season, on the insistence of the PVFA, at $0.114m during the year under review. with a wide range of tasks related to PPD invited an Iranian quarantine team to Pakistan's major exports to Kyrgyzstan imports and exports and also needs major visit Pakistan and inspect additional reforms to improve its efficiency, the are medicament mixtures, razors and HWTPs so that consignments could cross PVFA suggested. razor blades, instruments, and appliances the Iranian border used in medical, surgical, dental, fruit and without delays and cost vegetable juices unfermented. of treatment could be Pakistan's major imports from reduced to half. Kyrgyzstan include dried vegetables and The Iranian team live animals. visited Pakistan in D r a f t m e m o r a n d u m o f September and October understanding to establish a Joint last year and inspected Working Group to enhance trade 19 HWTP in various cooperation has been shared with the cities. However, the DPP did not share Kyrgyz Republic. However, Kyrgyz side results of the inspection is yet to respond. even six months after The National Assembly was also the visit. After repeated informed about several measures to r e m i n d e r s , t h e promote trade with Japan. department informed Mangoes are undergoing hot water treatment at a plant.

AUGUST 2020 - 39 Hagia Sophia restored as mosque

it wants, without having to submit to the t i g h t c r o w d s West,” Selahattin Aydas, from Germany, formed on Friday said. morning around But the Friday prayer is set against a t h e l a n d m a r k . backdrop of tense relations between Nato Several people had allies Ankara and Athens, particularly spent the night in related to Turkish hydrocarbon the area. exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. The prayer Greece has strongly denounced the was also attended conversion of Hagia Sophia back into a by Erdogan's ally mosque, seeing it as a provocation to the and the leader of “entire civilised world”. the ultranationalist “What is happening in (Istanbul) this M H P, D e v l e t day is not a show of force, but proof of Bahceli, but none weakness,” Greek premier Kyriakos Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recites from the Holy Quran of the leaders of Mitsotakis said in a statement. the opposition urkish President Recep Tayyip “Especially to us Orthodox p a r t i e s Christians, Hagia Sophia today is in our Erdogan on Friday 24 July led participated. the first prayers attended by hearts more than ever. It is where our heart T The two men also visited the tomb of beats.” thousands in Hagia Sophia since the Sultan Mehmet II who conquered the city iconic Istanbul cathedral was converted Preservation concerns in 1453. Church bells around Greece pealed at back into a mosque. One of those attending Friday's The Unesco World Heritage site in midday on Friday with their flags at half- prayer came especially from the Aegean mast to protest what the head of the Istanbul was first built as a cathedral in the region of Izmir. Christian Byzantine Empire but was Church of Greece, Archbishop Ieronymos, “We see this as the second conquest of has called an “unholy act of defiling” the converted into a mosque after the Ottoman Istanbul,” Selahattin Pamukcu, 33, told conquest of Constantinople in 1453. former cathedral. media. Ankara rejects international criticism The Council of State, the highest Experts say Erdogan's move to administrative court, on July 10 in the name of “sovereignty” and insists reconvert Hagia Sophia is an attempt to tourists will still be able to visit the unanimously cancelled a 1934 decision by galvanise his conservative and nationalist modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal mosque and see the mosaics. base amid economic uncertainty Around 3.8 million tourists visited Ataturk to turn it into a museum, saying it exacerbated by the virus outbreak. was registered as a mosque in its property Hagia Sophia last year. Erdogan's decision has also undone deeds. But not everyone was happy. Israfil, part of the secular legacy of Ataturk, who Erdogan then swiftly ordered the who sells carpets in a shop near Hagia wanted Hagia Sophia as a museum so as to Sophia, was critical of the “sensational building to reopen for Muslim worship, “offer it to humanity”. deeply angering the Christian community manner” in which the reconversion took The timing of the first prayer is and further straining relations with Nato place. significant. Friday is the 97th anniversary ally Greece. “All this show is for political, of the Treaty of Lausanne, which set He recited a verse from the Holy electoral reasons,” said Israfil who did not modern Turkey's borders after years of wish to give his full name, adding: “This Quran on Friday 24 July while wearing an conflict with Greece and Western powers. Islamic skullcap after earlier recitations same crowd won't be here next week.” Erdogan, who professes nostalgia for Some experts are concerned about the from the holy book in the morning inside the Ottoman empire, has called for the speed of the conversion as turquoise carpet Hagia Sophia. treaty's revision in recent years. was laid for the faithful to pray. The sounds of the call to prayer from For many Muslims, the reconversion The Byzantine mosaics, plastered its four minarets reverberated around the was a landmark event. over for centuries when the building area and on Turkish television screens. “This is the moment when Turkey served as a mosque, will be hidden by Erdogan said 350,000 people had breaks its chains. Now it can do whatever curtains during prayer times since Islam taken part in the prayer in and around Hagia Sophia, but it was not possible to bans figurative representations. independently verify the figure. The head of the state religious affairs agency, Ali Erbas, later delivered the Friday sermon inside Hagia Sophia, holding a sword as a symbol of conquest. “The reopening of Hagia Sophia... is the return of a sacred place, which had embraced believers for five centuries, to its original function,” Erbas told the congregation. Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accompanied by his wife, Emine, waves to Despite the coronavirus pandemic, supporters inside the Hagia Sophia, 2018 Muslims pray outside the Hagia Sophia on Eidul Azha

40 - AUGUST 2020 can go a long way in developing A league for Pakistan Football grassroots talent and building up a sports eco-system. Such success stories were made ith a population of 220 The world moved on. Even state possible because the Bangladesh Football million, most of them Federation (BFF) has consistently cricket crazy, football was departments such as CSKA (Russian W Army) and Lokomotiv (Railways) managed to rope in sponsors such as TVS always going to play second fiddle as a Moscow have become huge brands in and Grameenphone, while the games are sport in Pakistan. But no one could have shown live across multiple channels, with imagined that, one day, Pakistan would be their own right. But Pakistan has stayed put. the latest being Bangla TV On the other the only nation among the 47 members of hand, our feisty rival, India, isn`t even our the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) In 2007, a breath of fresh air arrived in competition in terms of local progress. without a single win in the FIFA World the shape of the Geo Super League, with They are so far ahead in terms of their Cup qualifiers. teams based on cities and live broadcast of league development that the distance By comparison, even Bhutan with all the games. It gave live coverage to could be measured in decades. The Indian just 700,000 inhabitants has progressed to domestic footballers for the first time and Super League (ISL), since its inception in the second round of the FIFA World Cup merited a second attempt in partnership 2014, has managed to capture the qualification system. But why has with K-Electric in 2010. But the league imagination of the public, bring hefty Pakistan, a country which averaged two did not continue because the organisers sponsorships into the game and produce a million viewers per game in the 2014 and sponsors reportedly did not want to quality football broadcast that hasn`t been FIFA World Cup, and which is ranked in work with the PFF again. seen before in South Asia. the top 20 countries for its number of Subsequently, the Pakistan Premier But it too has had its fair share of footballers, underperformed in such a fashion`? The reasons range from chronic political disputes to a severe lack of funding. But take a deeper look and you realise the missing piece is a top-tier professional football league, which acts as a hub for the entire football ecosystem. Player development, infrastructure, funding, grassroots and clubs are the pillars on which countries have built footballing dynasties, but Pakistan has missed out badly here. The Pakistan Premier League (PPL) was revamped in 2003 upon Faisal Saleh Heat's election as president of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), but it hasn`t changed much in the last 17 years. The league takes its roots from the National Championship that started in 1947 and, apart from a short revamping stint that saw Lifebuoy become the title sponsor under Hafiz Salman Butt (1990- 93), it remains practically unchanged for the last 73 years. Large crowds during a PPL match in Nushki. Departments rule the roost and teams i n c l u d e t h e Wa t e r a n d P o w e r League (PPL) has never bagged a regular problems. Development Authority (Wapda), the sponsor (a five-year-deal with KASB fell The ISL was thrust to the top of the Khan Research Laboratories (KR L), the through after a single season in 2009), Indian football pyramid just when the I- Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), the runs on an ad-hoc basis for four to five League (the old top tier in India) had Karachi Port Trust (KPT), the Pakistan months, and has never been broadcast on started a revamping process with new, Air Force (PAF), the Pakistan Army and television. privately owned clubs. other government entities, which use You needn't look far for inspiration. investment in sports as evidence of their This led to massive differences with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Bangladesh, after their independence legacy institutions such as Mohun Bagan with little desire to develop talent or in 1971, has managed to professionalise and East Bengal (the Kolkata derby professionalise their set-ups. legacy football clubs and mould them into between the two still attracts over 120,000 the Bangladesh Premier League, where spectators), while others such as Pune FC The few clubs that are present are historical names such as Dhaka and Minerva Punjab disbanded due to the primarily from Balochistan, where the Mohammaden, Sheikh Russell and ongoing tussle. fierce Chaman derby between Afghan FC Sheikh Jamal are at home with new and Muslim FC commands crowds in the This brings us to the key question: comers such as Bashundhara Kings, who what should Pakistan`s league look like? thousands. Most of the league, though, is earned their first title in 2019. played silently, without any fanfare. Should it be a franchise-based model like A corporate-owned team by a real the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in The entire system reeks of the Soviet estate group, the Bashundhara team has Union era, where sports were essentially cricket, or should it take a route similar to now turned their attention to the Bangladesh's? The answer is strategic and representedby various government Bashundhara Sports Complex, which will entities competing against each other and is based on the fact that Pakistan, unlike be one of the first private sports Bangladesh and India, does not have a offering jobs to athletes. infrastructure projects in the country, and AUGUST 2020 - 41 42 - AUGUST 2020 strong football culture or legacy clubs achieved with the right vision and strategic However, for Pakistan to truly realise its even the best players from historic planning. potential, what`s needed is harmony hotspots Chaman and Lyari plied their A football league is a certainty in between the private sector and the trade in Kolkata and Dhaka before Pakistan in the next few years and the PFF federation. Most importantly, it needs to independence. This means that club recently made it clear that they hold the have a league model, where the priority is culture needs to be created from scratch. rights to such a venture, not any third party. football. However, a PSL-like franchise system will not do. Since a PSL team is extremely Pilgrims perform last major rites of Haj expensive ($6.2 million per year for Multan Sultans, for example) and while Pilgrims cast sanitised pebbles as Last year, King Salman made the trip to football will be cheaper, it is crucial that they symbolically `stoned the devil` in one Mina and was seen on state-run television the money be spent on football and of the last major rites of Haj, which the observing worshippers from the window infrastructure development rather than Saudi king acknowledged had been tough of a highrise. paying team costs. An alternative route is to organise amid the corona virus Haj typically costs thousands of revamping the PPL with an immediate pandemic. dollars for pilgrims, who of ten save for phasing out of departmental teams and Massive crowds in previous years at years as well as endure long waiting lists their replacement with city-based teams times triggered deadly stampedes during for a chance to attend. that can be acquired through one-off the ritual, but this year only up to 10,000 But this year, the Saudi government is payments or low franchise fees with Muslims are taking part after millions of covering the expenses of all pilgrims, long-term installment plans. international pilgrims were barred due to providing them with meals, hotel the health crisis. accommodation and health care, Most of the club identities would be In the scorching heat, worshippers worshippers said. Haj is usually one of the freshly created in this scenario, but made their way across Mina Valley near world's largest religious gatherings. But existing clubs including the two Chaman Makkah under the watchful eyes of local media said up to 10,000 people favourites, Baloch FC Nushki and even security forces, to `humiliate` the devil. already residing in the kingdom are the well-run Karachi United can be used Masked pilgrims, clad in white and spaced participating this year, compared to as vehicles for investment, and be given a apart on marked spots to observe social 2019`s gathering of some 2.5 million from chance to organically expand their fan- distancing, threw seven stones each at a around the world. base. w a l l s y m b o l i z i n g t h e S a t a n . I am so happy to be chosen among This approach allows for the Instead of gathering the pebbles millions for Haj this year, Saudi pilgrim marketing and hype associated with a themselves as in past years, they were Wedyan Alwah said. franchise model but also prevents a handed them bagged and sterilised by the My lifetime dream has come true. completely new league from being at Haj authorities, to protect against he novel After the stoning ritual, pilgrims returned odds with the football pyramid. As a corona virus. folding the ritual in the to the Grand Mosque in Makkah to result, the entire system, including a shadow of the pandemic required `double perform a final tawaf, or circling of the second tier league and below, can be efforts` by Saudi authorities, King Salman Kaaba. remodeled to ensure promotion and said, a day after being discharged from The pilgrims, who have all been relegation, a fundamental principle of hospital following surgery to remove his tested for the virus and are subject to global football that the franchise model gall bladder. regular temperature checks, are also ignores. The Haj this year was restricted to a required to be quarantined after Haj, very limited number of people from Even more important is ensuring authorities said. multiple nationalities, ensuring the ritual Six hospitals,51 held clinics and 200 that a league is indeed a league. What the was completed despite the difficult ISL in India faced was its existence as a ambulances catered to the faithful, health circumstances,` said the kingdom's 84- ministry spokesman Mohammad al Abd mere tournament in the books of FIFA year-old ruler. and AFC, and thus it had to endure a long Al Aly said. Some 8,000 health care His speech was read out on state professionals were also deployed, he battle to attain top tier status as television by the acting media minister. competition to the I-League. A revamped added. PPL will have no such problems, and allow it to qualify for the AFC Cup League criteria where Pakistan currently receives the lowest possible allowance. Pakistan has to start from the lowest level in that, a pre-playoff place in Asia`s second tier continental competition. Meeting requirements for the AFC Cup will require organic growth from clubs and the league, but the long-term aim should be qualification for the AFC Champions League (Asia`s equivalent of the UEFA Champions League). This requires a host of features, including 14- 15 teams in a league, 27 minimum games for each side and a maximum of two teams sharing a single stadium. The list is extensive, covering everything from ticket pricing to club administration. It`s This picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency shows the faithful throwing pebbles at a pillar in the a lofty dream, but one which can be symbolic stoning of the Satan. AUGUST 2020 - 43 44 - AUGUST 2020 TO BE FRANK By: Dr. S. M. Moin Qureshi A case of marriage spree

very one cannot and should has taken 161 wives and wishes to have not aspire for every thing that 100 more. Eis in the world. Yet, certain For some, polygamy is the greatest deprivations do put man into an inferior testimony to man's willingness to take mental condition. In London, a woman chances. In the words of Elbert Hubbard, it had two children from her previous is "an endevour to get more out of a life marriage and one from the latest one. One than there is in it." Polygamy is now Sunday, as all the children were getting operated on installment plan in America as ready to leave with their father for the well. amusement park, the youngest, Jim, "Engaged to four girls at once!" rushed in on the verge of tears. exclaimed the horrified uncle of a New "What is the matter, dear?" her Yorker. "How do you account for such a mother asked. conduct?" "This is not fair Mom," the four-year "I don't know," said the graceless old cried. "My brothers have two fathers nephew. "Cupid must have shot me with a to play with; I have only one!" machine gun." In Western society, extremism Western women are known for prevails in paternal relations. Some changing husbands on one pretext or the children have several fathers while some other; often just for change. The Bosnian have none at all. The second category According to a report carried by a local man has set the first concrete example of belongs to children born to unmarried daily, this fellow has already contracted changing wives. A maid and a cook were couples. They have only 'ad-hoc' fathers 161 marriages. He wants to make another chatting in the kitchen of a house in (not recognised by law) until the couple century to take the final tally to 262. London. The maid said, "Our mistress has enters into matrimony. It is strange that Bosnian women have a new husband." Sense of deprivation occurs in made a beeline to be the wife of this sex- The cook asked, "Do you think he'll number of wives also - but mostly maniac. Is it because a large portion of the stay?" negatively. A man advised his wife to male Bosnian population has been In Toronto, one Mr. Smith's wife died. prepare his breakfast early the following consumed in the Bosnian in-fight She willed that her hat should remain morning as he had to participate in the spanning several years? If so, why has the hanging on the hat-rack just as she left it. funeral of his friend's wife. The dutiful burden been shifted to one man alone? Or After a year had elapsed, Mrs. Smith No.2 wife followed his advice. However, after the man has offered his services was ushered in. As she passed by the hat- eating the breakfast, the man sat reading voluntarily? rack, Mr. Smith requested that the hat must newspaper in a relaxed mood. The lady I read the news to my wife. According not be dislocated. reminded him to make haste otherwise he to her not the man, but women are A few years later, Mr. Smith was might miss the funeral. volunteering their services to her. bringing his third wife to his home. He "How come?" I was puzzled. "Don't "I have given up the idea of going passed before the hat-rack where the two over there," he told her gruffly. they see that the man is jilting them all? hats hung. He repeated his request. "I will "But why?" she yelled. Why do they get trapped?" not disturb those hats," she promised, "but "I am indeed ashamed." "Of course, every one of them sees the the next hat that hangs there will be a "Why are you ashamed to attend a fate of the dead or divorced," she asserted, main's." funeral?" she wanted to know. "but still gives him an umpteenth chance And it was! "I'm ashamed because this is the third in the hope that she herself would be the Then, there are those who repent their time my friend has invited me to attend last. I think there is no Asma Jehangir or first mistake as long as they live. It was the funeral of his wife. I have not even Hina Jeelani in that country to take note of close to 8:15 p.m. and the gallery was once extended this courtesy to him." this "gang matrimony*" crowded. "Two single seats," announced Ordinarily, one wife is enough to torn Apparently, the Bosnian man has the theatre employee facing the crowd." a house into hell. Those who can afford embarked on the marrying spree to get his "But you wouldn't separate a daughter polygamy deserve to be sympathized and name entered into the Guinness World from her mother, would you?" politely patted on their backs. We, Muslims, can Records (formerly Guinness Book of asked the older of the two women who take a maximum of four at a time (subject World Records) but, to me, it is a case fit were close to the aisle. to toughest conditions). The craze of a for intervention by the Amnesty "You're quite right, madam; I Bosnian man with regard to number of International. The man is guilty of wouldn't," replied the employee, "I did wives has crossed all boundaries of repeated human rights violations. Western that once, and I've been regretting it ever sensibility. He has desired to have as world treats more than one wife taken by since." many as 262 wives. Why he chose the Muslims as a threat to human rights but it figure of 262 has not been made public. has turned a blind eye to this Bosnian who

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