VOLUME 15 | N o 176 Lahore Regd No. CPI 251 LAHORE 6P3 INTERNATIONAL

6P7

Punjab to continue The its help for EU warns Balochistan’s China over

uplift: Buzdar An English Daily published simultaneously from Lahore and Faisalabad Hong Kong security law PAGES 08 | R s 20 Buswwwi.thebnusiness.ceom.pk sZil-s Qad 02 1441 Wednesday, June 24 , 2020 Govt decides to US-China trade increase petrol, deal fully intact, diesel quality says Trump WASHINGTON: A White House ad - to EURO 5 viser who said the trade deal with China is ISLAMABAD: The federal government effectively dead due to their deceitful con - has decided to shift petrol and diesel from duct, had to go on the defensive after Don - EURO 2 to higher-quality EURO 5. ald Trump swiftly rebuked the comment, The historical decision was taken in the saying the deal is alive and well. federal cabinet meeting held today under the The US-China trade deal, signed in Janu - chair of Prime Minister . It is de - ary, “is fully intact,” US President Donald cided to increase the quality of petrol and Trump tweeted late Monday, adding that he diesel from EURO 2 to EURO 5. hopes Beijing “will continue to live up to the PM Imran Khan approved the plan to terms of the agreement.” make a shift to the higher-quality fuel stan - The president’s Twitter intervention came dards in . PM’s Adviser on Climate shortly after Peter Navarro, the White House Change Malik Amin Aslam said that the trade adviser, unloaded on China when premier had promised to increase the quality speaking to local media. “It’s over,” he told the media, saying that Beijing proceeded to of petrol and it has been fulfilled. ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan chairs a meeting on wheat situation. He added that petrol will be shifted to sign the deal on January 15, and that was “a EURO 5 from August, whereas, diesel’s stan - full two months after they knew the [coron - dard will be shifted from January 2021. g avirus] was out and about.” Aslam said that 70 percent petrol and 40 New Delhi informs Pak Charged'Affaires about decision Navarro was seemingly caught off-guard by percent diesel are being imported and Pak - Trump’s rebuke, issuing a haphazard state - istan will become the first country to shift ment later. He maintained his incendiary com - fuel standards from EURO 2 to EURO 5. He ments were “taken wildly out of context.” added that only EURO 5 fuel will be avail - “They had nothing at all to do with the Phase able in the smog-hit areas. —DNA I trade deal, which continues in place,” the White House official said. Repeating a well- India asks Pakistan worn Washington narrative, he explained that he was speaking about “the lack of trust we Dollar rises by now have of the Chinese Communist Party” after they “lied about the origins of the [Covid- Rs1.07 to reach 19] virus and foisted a pandemic upon the world.” Designed to ease mounting tensions at Rs167.65 HC to cut staff between the two nations, the agreement saw China pledging to boost US imports by KARACHI: The US dollar strengthened $200bn and improve intellectual property by Rs1.07 against Pakistani rupee in the in - rules, while the US agreed to cut in half some terbank on Tuesday. of its tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange. — According to a tweet of State Bank of Pak - strength by 50pc TLTP istan, the US dollar was opened at Rs166.58 The Business Report ties. There has been no reaction yet from “While their officials indulged in actions and closed at Rs167.65. Meanwhile, the for - Islamabad but officials said a meeting is that are not in conformity with their privi - eign reserves of the country stand at $16.70 ISLAMABAD: Amid the ongoing underway at the Foreign Office to discuss leged status in the High Commission, Pak - Gold price jump billion as of June 05, said State Bank of Pak - diplomatic tussle with Pakistan the Indian the latest development. istan has in parallel engaged in a sustained istan in another tweet on Friday last. —TLTP government orders return Pakistan High Pakistan had downgraded diplomatic ties campaign to intimidate the officials of the Commission in New Delhi to cut staff by in August last year when it pulled out its Indian High Commission in Islamabad by Rs1100 to 50 percent, on Tuesday. High Commissioner and ordered the ex - from carrying on their legitimate diplo - PSX gains 314 According to sources, India has also de - pulsion of the Indian envoy after New matic functions,” the statement further Rs103,100 per tola cided to recall half of its officials from the Delhi revoked the special status of Indian blamed Pakistan. Contrary to Pakistan ver - ISLAMABAD: The price of 24 karat gold points, crosses Indian High Commission in Islamabad and Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K). sion, the Indian government claimed two increased by Rs1100 on Tuesday and was the decision will be implemented within the On May 31, India declared two staffers officials were not involved in hit-and-run traded at Rs103,100, against 34,000 mark next seven days. New Delhi has informed of the Pakistani mission persona non grata case but were abducted at gunpoint. “Their Rs 102,000 on last trading day, Karachi the Pakistan’s Charge d Affaires of the de - after accusing them of espionage. Both severe ill treatment underlines the extent to Sarafa Association reported. By Our Staff Correspondent cision. Sources said that India has taken were expelled later. However, Pakistan which Pakistan has gone in that direction,” Likewise the price of 10 gram gold also this step out of anger after the detention of strongly dismissed Indian claims and in - the Indian handout claimed. witnessed increase of Rs943 and was trade at KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock exchange two Indian officials in Islamabad. stead accused New Delhi for violating the “The behaviour of Pakistan and its offi - Rs88,391 against its sale at Rs87,448. (PSX) kept its control over the stock market Another report adds: In yet another sign Vienna Convention on diplomatic rela - cials is not in conformity with the Vienna The price of per tola silver remained sta - on Tuesday as well and helped the bench - of deepening tensions between the two nu - tions. Convention and bilateral agreements on ble and was trade at Rs1050 and that of 10 mark index rise past the 34,000-point mark. clear-armed neighbours, India has decided Recently, India withdrew two of its the treatment of diplomatic and consular gram silver was recorded at Rs900.20. A recovery in global stock markets cou - to reduce the staff strength of Pakistani staff members, who were briefly detained officials. On the contrary, it is an intrinsic In international market, the price of per pled with increase in international crude oil High Commission in New Delhi by 50 per by Islamabad police in a “hit-and-run” ac - element of a larger policy of supporting ounce gold increased by $9 and was traded at prices helped strengthen investor sentiment cent. The decision was conveyed to the cident. Both officials returned to New cross-border violence and terrorism,” the $1,757 against $1,748, Karachi Sarafa asso - and supported the uptrend at the local stock Charge d’Affaires of Pakistan, who was Delhi on Monday. Meanwhile, the Modi official statement added. ciation reported. —APP market. The spike in crude prices enhanced summoned to the Ministry of External Af - government claimed that officials of Pak - “Therefore, the government of India has investors’ interest in exploration and produc - fairs, said a statement issued by the Indian istani mission in New Delhi had engaged taken the decision to reduce the staff tion and oil marketing companies’ stocks. As External Affairs Ministry on Tuesday. in “acts of espionage and maintained deal - strength in the Pakistan High Commission a result, both sectors closed entirely in the It added that India would also reduce the ings with terrorist organisations”. in New Delhi by 50%. It would recipro - Saudia to allow green. In addition, the investors accumulated staff strength of its diplomatic mission in “The activities of the two officials cally reduce its own presence in Islam - stocks in anticipation of a low inflation read - Islamabad by the same amount. caught red-handed and expelled on 31 May abad to the same proportion. This 1,000 pilgrims ing for June, which would pave the way for The Indian government blamed Pakistan 2020 was one example in that regard,” the decision, which is to be implemented in further monetary easing in July. for further downgrading in the diplomatic Indian external affairs ministry alleged. seven days, was conveyed to the Pakistani to perform Haj Earlier, the index shot up as soon as trad - ing began and positive investor sentiment JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia will allow around triggered a buying spree as market partici - Cabinet shows concern over ministry failure to control petrol crisis 1,000 pilgrims residing in the kingdom to pants cherry-picked stocks throughout the perform Haj this year, a minister said on day. Tuesday, after it announced the ritual would Towards midday, some of the gains were be scaled back due to coronavirus. “The number of pilgrims will be around erased, however, the dip was corrected later 1,000, maybe less, maybe a little more,” Haj in the day. At close, the benchmark KSE-100 PM asks special assistants, Minister Mohammad Benten told reporters. index recorded an increase of 314.69 points, “The number won't be in tens or hundreds or 0.93%, to settle at 34,052.61 points. of thousands” this year, he added. The pilgrimage, scheduled for the end of advisers to disclose assets July, will be limited to those below 65 years By Our Staff Correspondent during an interview with of the cabinet committee on energy. The Pakistan seeks an international news outlet. cabinet was also briefed upon the KSA’s of age and with no chronic illnesses, Health ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran The prime minister directed the cabinet new Haj policy and approved various items. Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said. Saudi investment Khan on Tuesday directed special assis - members to remain careful while giving Allegations levelled against The pilgrims will be tested for coronavirus tants and advisers in the provincial cabinet statements and asked them to ensure unity Firdous proved false before arriving in the holy city of Makkah in tourism sector to disclose details of their assets after it was among their ranks. The cabinet meeting The facts on removal of Firdous Ashiq and will be required to quarantine at home informed during the cabinet meeting that also saw a heated debate over the perform - Awan from her office as special assistant after the ritual, Rabiah added. Saudi Arabia ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the three of them are yet to reveal details de - ance of ministers and advisers. to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan have announced on Monday it would hold a “very PM on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfikar spite clear directives from the premier. Another report adds: The federal cabinet come to fore and a report in this regard has limited” Haj this year, as it moves to curb the Bukhari Tuesday urged Saudi Minister for The issue was raised by Federal Minister on Tuesday expressed concerns over fail - been presented to Imran Khan. biggest coronavirus outbreak in the Gulf. Tourism Ahmed Bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb to for Water Resources during ure of the Petroleum Division to control pa - The inquiry report said that there was It said the ritual will be open to people of explore investment opportunities in Pak - the cabinet meeting headed by the prime trol crises in parts of the country and no substance in the allegations under various nationalities already in the kingdom. istan’s tourism sector. minister. Vadwa while raising the matter directed to explain reasons for the failure. which Firdous Ashiq Awan was removed The decision marks the first time in Saudi Bukhari, who is also Chairman National before the cabinet said that the members The federal cabinet also demanded ac - from her office. According to sources an Arabia's modern history that Muslims out - Tourism Coordination Board (NTCB), said should disclose their assets and dual citi - tion against the responsible individuals in investigation agency had conducted in - side the kingdom have been barred from per - that Pakistan’s tourism sector has huge po - zenship details. “The cabinet members the Petroleum Division for the failure. vestigation under the orders of PM that if forming Haj, which last year drew 2.5 tential and Saudi Arabia should consider it as should clear their position to ensure trans - The petroleum officials briefed the cab - Firdous Ashiq Awan has any role in million pilgrims. Benten did not specify how investment opportunities. The National parency from the top level,” he said. inet that reduction in smuggling of patrol favouring the advertisement agency Com the pilgrims will be selected. But he said the Tourism Coordination Board (NTCB) chief The prime minister while agreeing with from Iran is a factor behind the prevailing tek or otherwise. The report disclosed that government will work with various diplo - told this to the Saudi dignitary during an on - the demand, asked as to how many special patrol crisis. The meeting was held in the the process of registering and giving or - matic missions in the kingdom to select for - line meeting, said a press release issued here. assistants and advisers in the cabinet have chair of Prime Minister Imran Khan in Is - ders of work to this advertising agency eign pilgrims residing in Saudi Arabia who Both the sides discussed strategies to re - revealed their assets. To this, Imran Khan lamabad. The meeting discussed the eco - had completed before the assumption of fit the health criteria. The annual Haj typi - open tourism sectors [in their respective was informed that two special assistants nomic situation in the country and also her office by Firdous Ashiq Awan. All the cally packs millions of pilgrims into con - countries] and laid emphasis on its impor - and an adviser are yet to reveal their assets. approved various decisions of the eco - files pertaining to this process were sent gested religious sites and could be a major Moreover, Federal Minister for Planning nomic coordination committee and cabi - by the then information secretary Zahida tance to revive local economies. Zulfikar source of contagion. The decision comes as and Development also raised a net committee on energy. Perveen to Azam Khan principal secre - Bukhari apprised the Saudi minister about his Saudi Arabia grapples with a major spike in matter relating to remarks made by Federal The cabinet approved 17 decisions of the tary to PM directly. Such files were not infections, which have now risen to more government’s plan of boosting development Minister for Science and Technology economic coordination committee and four shown to Firdous Ashiq Awan. not merely in terms of smaller sites but also than 161,000 cases — the highest in the Gulf big projects which could be a lucrative in -

CORONAVIRUS IN PAKISTAN Virus claims 105 lives taking death toll to 3,716 Confirmed cases: 186,598 LAHORE: Pakistan has confirmed 105 Gilgit-Baltistan and 869 in Azad Kashmir. of Lahore. This has been decided to strictly remain open while all the shopping malls deaths in a single day by novel coronavirus Furthermore, 1,495 individuals have lost implement standard operating procedures will be closed. So far, 1403 cases have been ICT: 11,219 as the number of positive cases has surged their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 1,103 (SOPs) to counter novel coronavirus. surfaced in DHA, 736 in Gulberg, 659 in Punjab: 68,308 to 186,598. The nationwide tally of fatali - in Sindh, 843 in KP, 104 in Balochistan, Jawad Rafique Malik stressed that action Model Town, 188 in Faisal Town, 238 in ties has jumped to 3,716. 106 in Islamabad, 22 in GB and 22 in Azad will be taken against the violators. Garden Town, 212 in Gulshan Ravi and 170 Sindh: 72,656 According to statistics by the National Kashmir. Patients are under treatment at According to media reports, 96,229 in Walled City. Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), quarantine centers of 462 hospitals where houses and 1.69 million population will be Punjab to revoke burying virus KP: 22,633 3,946 persons have been tested positive for 7,295 beds are available. Pakistan has so far put under lockdown in all blocks of Gulberg victims in coffins Balochistan: 9,587 COVID-19 in 24 hours. Sindh has become conducted 1,126,761 coronavirus tests and (I, II, III), Defence Housing Authority According to sources, the loved ones of the worst-hit province by the pandemic in 24,599 in last 24 hours. 73,471 coronavirus (DHA), Faisal Town, Garden Town and in - coronavirus victims will now be allowed to AJK: 869 terms of cases followed by Punjab, Khyber patients have recovered in the country terior Lahore Walled City. The commis - attend the last rites, funeral and burial of GB: 1,326 Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. whereas many are in critical condition. sioner office told that 3,613 covid-19 cases their relatives while the condition of bury - Till now 72,656 coronavirus cases have Punjab CS approves to seal 33 localities have been reported in these localities. Sec - ing the deceased in a coffin has also been re - Recovered: 73,471 been confirmed in Sindh, 68,308 in Punjab, Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique tion 144 has also been imposed to force the voked. According to details, the govt has Deaths: 3,716 22,633 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 9,587 in Malik has approved to seal 33 localities residents to follow SOPs. Akbari Mandi, decided to relax the SOPs on the issue of Balochistan, 11,219 in Islamabad, 1,326 in across the province, including eight areas Shah Alam Market and grocery stores will virus victims’ burial and sent its recommen -