Daily The Patriot edition of 13-07-22

20 people died in separate rain-related incidents in Karachi

By Staff Reporter

KARACHI: At least 20 people lost their lives in separate rain-related incidents, including 13 died of electrocution, in Karachi. Karachi police department issued a list of deceased persons who died in rain-related incidents across the metropolis amid disastrous monsoon spells. According to the police record, 20-year-old Rehman, Asif and Hassan died of electrocution in Garden’s Shoe Market, whereas, the 23-year-old Raqeeb and an unidentified man lost their lives in electrocution incidents in Manghopir. A 38-year-old woman also fell prey to the electrocution in Landhi’s Mansehra Colony. Other deceased people included 25-year-old Abdul Khaliq in Korangi’s Mehran Town, 13-year-old Muzammil in North Karachi’s Arsalan Homes residential society and an unidentified man near Korangi’s Sau (100) Quarters. A young motorcyclist died of electrocution near an electricity pole in Muhammad Ali Society and another man in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase V.

Pakistan Navy rescue operation in Karachi in full swing

By Staff Reporter

KARACHI: The rescue operation of the Pakistan Navy is in full swing during the floods and torrential rains in different parts of Karachi. The Pakistan Navy, in collaboration with the Sindh Disaster Management Authority, provided all possible assistance in the flood situation caused by the recent torrential rains and assisted the civil administration in rescuing the locals trapped in the flooded houses and relocating them to safer places. The Pakistan Navy used its resources to drain large amounts of rainwater. Pakistan Navy personnel reached different areas of Karachi including Sher Shah, Saddar, Lyari, Buzrata Line, Punjab Chowrangi and Maripur and took part in relief operations. Pakistan Navy remains always ready in the current situation. The Pakistan Navy has always been at the forefront of disaster relief operations.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority issues rains, flood alert

By Staff Reporter

LAHORE: Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued alert to all the line departments in the wake of expected rains along with flood threat in nullahs from July 13 to 17 across the country. According to the Meteorological Department, monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal are continuously entering the upper and central parts of the country, causing strong winds in different parts of the country from July 13 to 17. A spokesperson of the PDMA said rains are expected in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur and DG Khan divisions from July 13 to 15 whereas low lying areas could be inundated in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad. The spokesperson said there is threat of flooding in local nullahs along with landsliding threat in northern areas including Kashmir, Galliyat, Gilgit Baltistan. Director General PDMA Faisal Farid said that passengers and tourists should be careful in travelling to these areas. He said all line departments have been alerted to deal with any untoward situation and keep entire machinery and staff on ready position. He said that protecting the life and property of the people is a priority of the government and no effort should be left undone in protection of lives and properties. As per the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the officers of the district administration of Punjab have been asked to ensure concrete steps to protect the people and prevent possible losses. Arrangements for relocation to safer places should be completed as soon as possible, and a plan should be drawn up for delivery of residential tents and food to the affected communities, he said and added that medical and relief teams should be mobilized

HYDERABAD: Butcher trying to slaughter camel on Eid-ul-Azha day. 

in the affected areas and immediate steps should be taken to prevent epidemics. 37.564mn saplings to be planted during monsoon in KP

By Staff Reporter

PESHAWAR: A monsoon tree planting campaign was being launched by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest, Environment and Wildlife Department under which 37.564 million saplings would be planted. Under the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Project Monsoon Tree Planting Campaign, 37.564 million saplings will be planted across the province for which all arrangements have been completed. According to Forest Department spokesman, 113.946 million plants raised in different nurseries out of which 37.564 are fit for plantation. During monsoon plantings campaign, 116 different types of species have been selected and will be planted according to the geography, climate and soil conditions of the province. KP Forest Department currently has more than 113.9 million plants in public and private nurseries. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest formation is divided into three major circles. As many as 19.6 million saplings will be planted in Central South Region which includes newly merged tribal districts including Southern districts, while in Northern Forest Region 2 Abbottabad which includes districts of Hazara Division, 8.927 million saplings will be planted.

HYDERABAD: Relatives of Bilawal Kaka stage a protest dharna at Hyderabad Bipass and stand near the Super Salateen Hotel with his dead body, demanding arrest the culprits. Bilawal was died after clash with Hotel staff last night.

Monitoring the flood situation in Lasbela, says CM

By Staff Reporter

QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo said that he was in contact with the administration and PDMA to get updates on the situation arose after the monsoon rains in Lasbela. “We are aware of the difficulties faced by the people and the problems of the victims families will be addressed,” This was stated by the Chief Minister Balochistan in a telephonic conversation with the leader of Balochistan Awami Party Lasbela Muhammad Hassan Jamoat. CM was apprised of the need to intensify relief operations in other areas following the flood situation caused by torrential rains. The Chief Minister was informed that Balochistan Awami Party workers and volunteers of the district administration are participating in the relief activities. The Chief Minister assured the provision of relief goods for the rehabilitation and relief of the people and said that in the light of the orders of the government of Balochistan, the survey teams of Lasbela administration are conducting surveys of the affected areas. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo expressed deep sorrow over the loss of human lives during the flash flood and assured that government will take every possible steps to mitigate the losses caused by the calamity.

Moonis Elahi will decide MPA ticket from Gujrat City in next elections: Ch Shujat

By Staff Reporter

LAHORE: A delegation of senior journalists called on PML President and former Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujat Hussain, Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and former Federal Minister Moonis Elahi and discussed party issues including the current political situation in the country. Ch Shujat Hussain said that along with sacrificing animals on Eid, all of them should also sacrifice their ego and then things will get better. There are many statements coming up nowadays, many of which smell of arrogance, arrogance is not pleasing to Allah Almighty. Ch Shujat Hussain said that Pakistan Army is the protector of the country, it knows how to handle the country, our position regarding Kashmir remains intact. Independence of Kashmir is essential for peace in the region. He said that meetings are held with everyone in political matters, there may be ideological differences in politics, it should not be turned into personal enmity, all parties should forget their differences and give their own suggestions against inflation. In the situation that Pakistan is going through today, nothing will happen just by thinking, but everyone will have to work together to find a solution. Ch Shujat Hussain further said that Moonis Elahi will decide the ticket of MPA from Gujrat city in the next election as he is the MNA of this constituency. Speaker Punjab Assembly Ch Parvez Elahi said that Ch Shujat Hussain is our elder, he makes the decisions of the family, the politics scenario will change in next few years, new faces will come in the field of politics. He said that due to wrong policies of PML-N, inflation has been imposed on the people, the nation is fed up with these incompetent rulers, prices of other commodities, including gas, have risen so much that it has become difficult for the poor to make ends meet. Ch Parvez Elahi said that Sharif brothers betrayed us many times and they cannot be trusted. The Sharif family did nothing but abuse Imran Khan. We will contest the next election in alliance with PTI. Former Federal Minister Moonis Elahi said that Imran Khan is capable of solving the problems of the country and our alliance with him will be maintained. He said that we have promised to work with PTI and would fulfill this promise. Insha-Allah we will win by-elections. Moonis Elahi said that Ch Shujat Hussain and Ch Parvez Elahi has always explained to me the same thing before entering politics that not to trust the Sharif family, they always stab in the back, the PML-N government has completely failed to serve the people, the PML-N government is shuddering, it cannot stay for long.

Covid-19 positivity rate in Pakistan climbs to 5.46pc

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: The COVID-19 positivity ratio in Pakistan has soared to 5.46 percent, the highest single day ratio recorded in the country after a gap of five months, the National Institute of Health (NIH) data showed on Tuesday. According to details shared by the health department, 4674 Covid tests were conducted across the country in past 24 hours, out of which 255 turned out to be positive. The nationwide Covid-19 test positivity ratio remained 5.46 percent, according to the report. Moreover, one more person died of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, said NIH, adding that 141 people are in critical condition. The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) issued guidelines in view of the Eidul Azha being celebrated across the country, urging people to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent Covid-19 infection. The forum has advised the people to stay indoors during the Eid holidays and observe precautionary measures in view of the rising trend of Covid cases.

In by-elections, dreams of Sharifs to enslave this nation will be shattered: Ch Parvez 

By Staff Reporter

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League President and former Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujat Hussain, Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, former Federal Minister Moonis Elahi and Hussain Elahi MNA offered Eid prayers in Gujrat. They were accompanied by Mian Imran Masood, Khalid Asghar Ghural, Chaudhry Saadat Nawaz Ajnala and other PML leaders. Special prayers were also offered for the security and prosperity of the country and the nation after the Eid prayers. Later, Speaker Punjab Assembly Ch Parvez Elahi while talking to media said that Eid-ul-Adha teaches us to sacrifice, the situation of the country also demands sacrifice from the nation. He said that I always pray for Ch Shujat Hussain, the relationship of respect and love with Ch Shujat Hussain will last till death, Insha-Allah, those who spread rumors among us will remain unsuccessful. Ch Parvez Elahi said that the nation would have to vote for PTI on July 17 to get rid of current incompetent rulers. He said that people of Punjab would decide against these rulers in by-elections. The poll of every constituency in the by-elections is against the deviant members. Those who change political allegiances will be defeated. Insha-Allah, PTI will win the by-elections by a landslide. He further said that the incompetence of the so called experts has brought the country's economy to the brink of collapse. In the by-elections, the dreams of the Sharifs to enslave this nation will be shattered, Insha-Allah, they have always won elections by using bullying, rigging and government machinery against opponents. Ch Parvez Elahi said that PTI candidates and workers have to guard their votes, the Supreme Court should take notice of the blatant violation of code of conduct and development work by the Punjab government in the by-election constituencies.

Kundi says Imran’s basic training is to mislead people by lying

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) spokesperson Faisal Karim Kundi Tuesday said that Imran Khan's basic training is to mislead the people by lying. He was responding to Imran Khan's speech in which he levelled allegations against the coalition government partners and made scathing attacks against former president Asif Ali Zardari. Kundi said Imran made the country the state of Kufa while talking about the state of Madinah. He questioned why was he not ashamed when he demolished the huts of the poor but regularizes his own palace? He said Imran promised to bring in $200billion but instead made the country indebted to the tune of Rs22,000 billion He alleged that Imran Khan's financial facilitators stole Rs650billion in NLG purchases. He asked whose agenda was to make the country default after selling Occupied Kashmir? He said Asif Ali Zardari removed Imran from power to save the country.

More than 11,000 patients treated at LGH on Eidul Azha holidays

By Staff Reporter

LAHORE: Principal Post Graduate Medical Institute & Lahore General Hospital Prof. Al-freed Zafar and Medical Superintendent Dr. Khalid Bin Aslam have appreciated the services of doctors and other staff of Lahore General Hospital who have provided medical facilities to more than 11,000 patients during Eidul Azha holidays. They have also admired the performance of medical staff in the Emergency Department and Dialysis Unit of Lahore General Hospital where the work remained as usual. Appreciating the performance of doctors, nurses and paramedics on duty, they said that spending Eid days in the service of suffering humanity is not less than worship and all these people deserve congratulations for sharing the joys of Eid with their families. Instead of spending time with their families, this energetic staff preferred to perform duties in the hospital during this festival. Focal Person Emergency Dr. Laila Shafiq and other administrative doctors were also present on the occasion. MS Dr. Khalid bin Aslam while briefing the principal said that in the light of the orders of the Punjab Government, the Dialysis Center also remained open during the Eid holidays and free dialysis was provided to the patients suffering from kidney disease. Principal Prof. Al-freed Zafar said that the medical profession is a noble profession which is known to serve every person without any discrimination. Principal PGMI said that the doctors were urged to continue raising awareness among the citizens about the prevention and treatment of corona and dengue so that the people could take precautionary measures to stay safe from these diseases. Prof. Al-freed Zafar congratulated the employees on duty during Eid and directed the management to give alternative leave to the said staff which is their right. Principal Prof. Al-freed Zafar said that best medical and diagnostic facilities are being provided to the patients on the orders of the Government. Patients from all over the country come to Lahore General Hospital for treatment. Prof. Al-freed Zafar commended the doctors, nurses and paramedics for treating the patients with laughter and said that such staff is undoubtedly the pride of Lahore General Hospital which would play an important role in making this Institution state of the art.

Over 32,000 vehicles entered Murree during Eid holidays

By Staff Reporter

RAWALPINDI: As many 32,000 vehicles entered Murree and 28,128 exited during Eid ul Azha holidays, showed the data compiled by Traffic office of Rawalpindi on Tuesday. According to City Traffic Officer (CTO), Rawalpindi Naveed Irshad, CTP Rawalpindi under a special traffic plan, chalked out for Murree had deployed 360 Wardens and Traffic officers on Eid ul Azha. Traffic police personnel were deployed to maintain traffic for the convenience of tourists, he added. The CTP had finalized all the arrangements besides setting up a control room to facilitate the tourists and monitor the traffic situation in Murree. He told that all out efforts were made by Rawalpindi Traffic Police to facilitate the tourists adding, in view of the security of the visitors, special traffic arrangements were made. Traffic wardens were directed to work with dedication and commitment and ensure the traffic flow so that traffic mess particularly on congested roads could be averted and the citizens could be provided relief, he said and informed that CTP utilized all available resources to ensure smooth flow of traffic in Murree. He said that Murree has parking capacity of 3500 vehicles and as per the directives of the district administration, maximum 8000 vehicles were allowed to enter into Murree on daily basis. Similarly, 1380 tourists were provided help and assistance while nearly 13000 awareness pamphlets were also distributed among the visitors. Special counting and checking pickets were also set up at entry and exit points of Murree, he added. One-wheelers and the car-skaters were dealt in accordance with the law and the rules violators were sent behind the bars, he said adding that traffic wardens had been directed to impound motorcycles of one-wheelers in respective police stations. Despite being a two-way and narrow roads, there was no traffic problem on any of Murree’s highways, he added and urged the drivers to avoid overtaking while driving. A special desk and helpline had also been set up for the convenience of tourists, he added.

CS Punjab, IG Punjab review security, traffic arrangements in Murree

By Staff Reporter

RAWALPINDI:Chief Secretary Punjab Kamran Ali Afzal and Inspector General of Punjab Police Rao Sardar Ali Khan on Tuesday visited Murree on the third day of Eid-ul-Azha to review security and traffic arrangements. According to the Rawalpindi Police spokesman, during the visit Police and administration chief’s reviewed arrangements made for tourists during the Eid holidays in Murree. Chief Secretary Punjab Kamran Ali Afzal said all resources should be utilized for the convenience of tourists. Keeping in view the meteorological department’s weather advisory, the police and administration were fully prepared to deal with any situation, he added. IG Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan pointed out that the convenience and guidance of tourists should also be taken into consideration by the police and administrations teams along with maintaining law and order in the area. He commended the traffic wardens and tourism police personnel on duty in Murree. On the occasion, Commissioner Rawalpindi Noorul Amin Mengal said the best arrangements have been made for the tourists visiting Murree. The Commissioner said that the best strategy was adopted in collaboration with local traders against overcharging, cheating mafia and wrong parked vehicles. Noorul Amin Mengal said that a special shuttle service has been launched for the convenience of tourists and tourism desks have also been set up for their guidance. He said that more buses were added to the shuttle service as the number of tourists has multiplied. Regional Police Officer Rawalpindi Imran Ahmar said Murree Tourism Police was enthusiastically assisting and guiding tourists. However, there were about 6,000 vehicles in Murree at present, and entry of vehicles out of capacity would be prohibited. Additional police and wardens have been deployed in Murree, ensuring smooth flow of traffic, he added. Chief Secretary and IG Punjab along with Commissioner Rawalpindi and RPO Rawalpindi inspected the Tourism help desk at Lower Topa. The Chief Secretary Punjab expressed satisfaction over the facilities provided in the bus and shuttle service launched for Murree. The Chief Secretary and IG Punjab also visited Shuttle Service Lower Topa, Ghika Gali and Mall Road GPO Chowk.

Ten Billion afforestation project achieves over 1.9 bln plantation target

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: The flagship project of the Ministry of Climate Change of Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Plantation project (TBTTP) has achieved the plantation target of sowing and regrowing over 1.9 billion plants in 2022. The TBTTP project was initiated in 2018 with the vision to implement the largest ever plantation target in the country to restore its depleting forests, revive green cover, improve natural resources, an official told a state run new agency updates. He said overall 1935.049 million (1.935 billion) plants have been planted so far across the country with the equal contribution of the federal and provincial governments. The plantation in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) was fully funded by the federal government, he added. The plantation progress across the provinces showed maximum promising outcomes in Sindh that topped the plantation progress with 755.370 million followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

ISLAMABAD: Children visiting Zoo on third day of eid holidays.

Kashmiris' freedom spirit not to be intimidated by Modi’s nefarious tactics: Mushaal

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Fascist Narendra Modi led India is making every effort to weaken the Kashmiris' spirit of freedom but the people would not be intimidated by such nefarious tactics rather such actions will further strengthen Kashmiris' commitment to the liberation movement. This was stated by the Chairperson Peace and Culture Organization Mushaal Hussein Mullick in a video message on Kashmir Martyrs Day on Monday. She said that at that day, 22 Kashmiris were martyred by the troops of Dogra Maharaja for appearing outside the Central Jail in Srinagar. Mushaal, who is the wife of detained Kashmiri leader Mo¬hammad Yasin Malik, paid tribute to the martyrs of July 13, 1931 who sacrificed their precious lives against the personal rule of Dogro imperialism and said that they tragedy a milestone in Kashmir's history, as all the incidents and martyrdoms that had taken place since then for the liberation of Jammu and Kashmir was a continuation of the martyrs' mission. She said that no less brutal than the Dogra force, the Indian occupation forces have martyred hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris and grievously hurt millions of families in the Indian Occupied and Kashmir (IOK). Yet, they have failed to break the will of the Kashmiris and weaken their resolve to secure freedom from Indian occupation, she added. She said that the troops of Dogra Maharaja had killed 22 Kashmiris one after another outside Central Jail in Srinagar during the court proceedings against one Abdul Qadeer when a young man started the call for prayers (Azaan) but was shot dead by the Maharaja's soldiers. Thus, 22 youth sacrificed their lives till the completion of Azaan, she added. "The world remained silent and failed to take any action against the Dogra forces barbarism and today when Indian forces are crossing all limits of brutalities and state barbarism, the world powers and human right organizations are again observing criminal silence," she added. She said their extraordinary courage and sacrifice kindled a valiant struggle for the Kashmiris' right to self-determination that continues to-date. She said that India's illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, aimed at erasing the distinct identity of the people of Kashmir have further fortified the Kashmiris' quest for freedom and self-determination and lent even greater poignancy to the Kashmir Martyrs' Day. While condemning the state-terrorism being perpetrated by Indian occupation forces in IOK, she called upon the international community to take practical steps to stop India from the continuing brutalization of the Kashmiri people including extra-judicial killings and illegal attempts to change the demographic structure of the region. She said that India must be held accountable for its unspeakable crimes against the Kashmiri people.

Qul for Kashmiri journalist held in Islamabad

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Qul for the departed soul of noted Kashmiri journalist Shaikh Muhammad Lateef was held in Ghauri Town area of Islamabad, today. He was associated with Kashmir Media Service as sub editor. A large number of people belonging to different walks of life including Hurriyat AJK leaders, members of Kashmiri community, politicians, journalists and lawyers held Quran Khawani and prayed for the soul of deceased. They prayed Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with patience. The Convener of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir chapter, Mahmood Ahmad Saghar, led the special prayer for the deceased. Addressing on the occasion, the speakers paid rich tribute to Shaikh Muhammad Lateef for his contribution and sacrifices for the Kashmir cause. As a journalist, Shaikh Muhammad Lateef highlighted the Indian atrocities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He hailed from Srinagar, the summer capital of IIOJK, and Indian atrocities on him forced him to migrate to Pakistan in 1990s. He was suffering from various ailments including kidney problem and passed away at CMH Rawalpindi on Friday.

Malaysia underscored the importance of localizing SDG

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD:The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Economic Planning Unit in collaboration with the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia for Sustainable Development Goals (APPGM-SDG) co-organized a side event entitled “Building Back Better in Localising SDGs”. A Case Study of Malaysia and Three Southeast Asian Country Experiences of the Partnership Model” at the margins of the 2022 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, said a news release issued by the Malaysia embassy in Pakistan here on Tuesday.The side event, which was held in a virtual format, highlighted Malaysia’s experience, as well as three other Southeast Asian countries namely, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, on the achievements and challenges in localizing SDGs.Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy), YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed in his welcoming remarks recognised the importance of localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).

ISLAMABAD: Visitors enjoying foods while visiting at lake view park.

RCB removes over 4105 tons entrails of sacrificial animals on Eid

By Staff Reporter

RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) under grand operation launched to clean Cantt areas, removed over 4105 tons entrails of sacrificial animals besides over 60,000 tons garbage on Eid ul Azha. According to a RCB spokesman, Cantonment Executive Officer, RCB, Imran Gulzar also visited different cantt areas and the control room set up in RCB office to check arrangements finalized under grand cleanliness operation. He also appreciated performance of the staff concerned and their response given to address complaints of the residents. Additional Cantonment Executive Officer, Mujahid Shah on the directives of President Cantonment Board, Brig. Salman Nazar and Cantonment Executive Officer, Rawalpindi Cantt Imran Gulzar also visited different areas and appreciated the performance of the sanitary staff and RCB teams. The spokesman informed that nearly 885 complaints were received during three days of Eid ul Azha which were addressed immediately. RCB had formulated a comprehensive plan to remove entrails of sacrificial animals during Eid ul Azha holidays. The spokesman said that the board on the directives of the President Cantonment Board and Cantonment Executive Officer had finalized all the arrangements for Eid ul Azha. Leaves of the field staff had been cancelled, he said adding, all available resources were utilized to complete the cleanliness task and remove entrails of the sacrificial animals during Eid ul Azha holidays. An awareness campaign was also run to apprise the public about garbage collection points and other arrangements. He informed that a special central complaint cell was established in RCB office which was working round the clock to attend complaints of the residents. 10 complaints centers were also set up in all wards of cantonment board, he said adding, over 15,000 biodegradable garbage bags were distributed among the residents. The citizens were advised to use the garbage bags to dump offal and entrails at the dumping points. Grand eid cleanliness operation which started on first day of Eid at 6 AM continued till third day of Eid ul Azha and no cantt area was left unattended, he added. As many as 800 sanitary workers, 22 sanitary supervisors and seven officers including public health officers and sanitary inspectors were performing duties to supervise the cleanliness operation. Nearly 135 vehicles including mini dumpers, dumpers, tractor trolleys, Suzuki pick-ups, compactors, trucks, excavators, jack trolleys were used to complete the cleanliness operation. The banners were also displayed in different areas of all the wardens with phone numbers of the supervisors, he added. A special monitoring team was also formed besides developing a system to monitor the performance of the officials from the control room. The spokesman informed that rain emergency cell was also working round the clock during Eid ul Azha holidays. All 29 nullahs of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board areas were also cleaned before start of pre-monsoon rains, he said.

CDA hauls over 1,100 tonnes of animal waste during Eid days

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) has disposed of 1,100 tons of animal waste including offal, entrails during three days of its sanitation operation carried out to purge the capital city from animal waste during Eid-ul-Azha. According to CDA spokesman, the animal waste campaign continued the third consecutive day on Tuesday in capital city, in which the offal, entrails, and animal waste of over 62,000 animals was lifted. The animal waste was buried at 90 different pits dug up at over 40 localities. Over 200 vehicles including tractor trolleys, garbage compactors, escape lifters, truck dumpers, front loaders, shovels, dozers and 2,000 sanitation staff carried out cleanliness duties, he said. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has divided the federal capital into four zones to carry out cleanliness drive on Eid-ul-Azha. The leaves of sanitation staff were also cancelled to meet the challenge of cleaning the city promptly. The operation has three parts. The sanitary workers collected garbage from door to door and dumped it at designated places. While mechanized collection was done with the help of vehicles and subsequently the waste was destroyed at designated disposal points with the help of dumpers, trucks and front loaders. The staff was provided food at their workplace two days before Eid to continue the operation uninterrupted. After the completion of operation, traces of blood and other impurities were washed from all over the city and white lime powder was sprinkled to keep the environment of the city clean. A helpline 1334 was set up for registering complaints regarding lifting of animal waste on civic agency’s phone numbers including 051 9213908; 051 9203216;051 9223171;051 9211555.

Police fines 1386 bike riders, impounds 46 bikes for motorcycle stunt riding

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Police (ICTP) on Tuesday issued violation tickets to 1386 motorcyclists and impounded 46 bikes for one wheeling and other stunts during Eid holidays. The ICTP constituted special squads to prevent one wheeling on main avenues of the city during Eid-ul-Azha where the policemen in these squads performed duties in responsible manner, said the ICTP spokesperson. Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Syed Mustafa Tanveer has appreciated the police personnel for performing duties on Eid-ul-Azha in responsible manner and awarded commendation certificates to them.

CPEC continuation 

It Seems A Recent Success In Counterterterrorism Has Greatly Helped Restore Chinese Confidence In Pakistan's Security Apparatus And Paved The Way For The Restoration Of Bilateral Relations As Well As Cpec-Related Act The Main Line 1 (ML-1) upgrade project, the centrepiece of the second phase of CPEC and the major element of China's Belt and Road Initiative in Pakistan, is allegedly back in production. It is impossible to emphasise the significance of what this discovery signifies. The recent busting of a terrorist cell linked to Baloch extremists BLA and BLF, however, has thawed the ice considerably. The operation reportedly came in coordination with a group of Chinese investigators who had arrived here and were working with the Pakistani team tasked with the case. Three Chinese teachers were killed in a brazen terrorist attack on the campus of Karachi University, which effectively ended Beijing's development efforts in Pakistan. Beijing is an all-weather ally and one of our best allies. It was well known that Beijing had been furious about the frequent attacks on its citizens on Pakistani soil for quite some time. It simply put a stop to all CPEC-related activities following the KU incident until the perpetrators were apprehended and security for its employees in Pakistan was guaranteed. The seriousness of the problem is evident from the recent requirement for army chief Gen. Qamar Bajwa to fly to Beijing with assurances in an effort to win over the Chinese government. Three Chinese teachers were killed in a brazen terrorist attack on the campus of Karachi University, which effectively ended Beijing's development efforts in Pakistan. Beijing is an all-weather ally and one of our best allies. It was well known that Beijing had been furious about the frequent attacks on its citizens on Pakistani soil for quite some time. It simply put a stop to all CPEC-related activities following the KU incident until the perpetrators were apprehended and security for its employees in Pakistan was guaranteed. The seriousness of the problem is evident from the recent requirement for army chief Gen. Qamar Bajwa to fly to Beijing with assurances in an effort to win over the Chinese government. It is unusual for so many negotiations to go on behind closed doors while such a significant, transformative project is being carried out on our soil. The negotiation of terms in the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and China is not the sole responsibility of one branch of the government to the exclusion of all others.

Three Chinese teachers were killed in a brazen terrorist attack on the campus of Karachi University, which effectively ended Beijing's development efforts in Pakistan. Beijing is an all-weather ally and one of our best allies. 

A Saudi Arabia-Iran road map for the future

DR. MOHAMMED AL-SULAMI

Saudi Arabia and Iran have emerged as key players in the Middle East’s war and peace equation. Five rounds of security discussions have been held between Riyadh and Tehran in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and elsewhere, but the outcomes have not lived up to expectations. Despite the efforts of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi and his government, the Saudi-Iran dialogue remains at a standstill. This stalemate is attributed to differences over numerous issues, divergent viewpoints and the fact that Iran’s negotiation strategy is complicated and slow-moving. There are a number of roadblocks that should be removed in order to pave the way for peace. What are these roadblocks that must be removed on both sides? And how can the conditions be created to move forward from a security dialogue to a diplomatic one, with the goal of eventually reaching a political discourse? What is the most appropriate and useful negotiation trajectory that should be pursued? These questions lead us to this article’s main point: If Iran’s leaders have the political will to strive for an acceptable level of peace, many of the other current roadblocks could be removed. In addition, once such an Iranian will is apparent, a clear, scientific and strategic approach must be adopted. This should be divided into stages, with the ultimate goal of accumulating benefits and capitalizing on opportunities. First, it is necessary to study and analyze previous negotiating experiences — both successful and unsuccessful — in order to draw lessons and formulate guidelines for future rounds of dialogue. Following this, a number of issues should be negotiated, based on the priorities set by each of the two parties and their importance in terms of breaking the ice. Without a doubt, the Yemeni issue is at the top of this list of subjects. If an agreement can be reached on this issue, there will be breakthroughs on the rest of the regional issues. This will provide a sufficient guarantee to restore trust in bilateral relations and a solid foundation for progress toward what resembles peaceful coexistence or, at the very least, the most basic requirements of good neighborliness. Although the current armistice in Yemen is a golden opportunity for avoiding any plunge back into war and its tragedies, it is necessary while going through these stages that we should avoid skipping any of the essential steps and leaping to any temporary or insufficient conclusions in order to remedy the root causes of the long-standing problems. Second, it must be established that the Iranian side has the willingness to negotiate and the desire to achieve genuine, long-term peace, rather than merely providing an empty show of reassurance for the West to make it appear as if it took the initiative and engaged in serious dialogue with the Saudis without doing anything of the sort. Experience has shown that Iran enters into negotiations for the sake of appearing to negotiate, buying time and testing opponents with haggling over concessions that never end, and that the Office of the Supreme Leader and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders have the final say on accepting the outcomes of the Saudi-Iran talks. Third, having completed the formation of the basic requirements for negotiations and constructed a solid foundation for their basis, I wish to present a blueprint that could serve as a road map for a fruitful future for Saudi-Iranian dialogue. 1, establishing contact through Track II diplomacy. This step involves meetings between intellectuals and think tanks from both sides. This takes place to ensure that the most pressing outstanding issues can be analyzed and suitable practical solutions determined and developed, providing opportunities to present possible guarantees from both sides. It is critical that these teams include experts covering a range of disciplines, who are capable of formulating strategies related to security, political, ideological, intellectual and media issues, in addition to others. These teams must develop solutions and recommendations for all the strategic issues related to each topic, as well as a set of strategic options and alternatives. Step 2, once these teams have completed their brainstorming and presented a set of solutions, recommendations and options, official dignitaries from both sides can continue with the dialogue in accordance with Track 1.5 diplomatic efforts. In terms of methodology and tools, Riyadh’s deliberations on the Yemeni crisis could serve as a model of normative approximation. This step would be expected to conclude with the introduction of a strategic framework for negotiations for policymakers involved from the foreign ministries of the two countries. A third party, whether representatives from a guarantor state or a regional or international nongovernmental organization, could be included in these two stages, with the mission of facilitating and moderating the dialogue and bringing the two sides’ viewpoints closer together. Step 3 is that the strategic framework proposed by the Track 1.5 diplomatic teams would be studied and assessed, along with any results from the Track 2 diplomatic efforts, by the relevant officials in the two countries’ foreign ministries and other concerned entities. Only in this step — when it happens — can we truly hope for meaningful diplomatic meetings between the representatives of the two countries to move dialogue from the technical security level to the diplomatic one.

Once an Iranian will for peace is apparent, a clear, scientific and strategic approach must be adopted.

Actions, not words, to reset the US-Arab strategic alliance

BARIA ALAMUDDIN] The healthiest diplomatic relationships are essentially transactional in nature. Just as NATO requires intimate coordination between America and the Europeans, there are deep-seated reasons why, since the foundation of the modern Gulf states, they and the US have been the closest of allies. Friendship arose from hard-nosed mutual interests: Gulf states were essential partners for advancing policies throughout the broader Middle East region, crucial for global energy security and economic stability, and vital components of the war against terrorism. The world has changed profoundly, but the factors underpinning this mutual reliance are no less significant in 2022 than they were in 1973, 1991 or 2001. However, Arab states are confused as to what US partner they are engaging with, amid dizzying about-turns in policy and the repudiation of agreements and long-standing alliances — Washington at times going out on a limb to placate Tehran, or failing to satisfactorily act when missiles rain down on a strategic ally, despite longstanding security commitments. During recent visits to GCC states I have been struck by the strength of discontent toward recent US policies, particularly the lack of a coherent Middle East strategy, and State Department indifference to deep-seated security concerns. There is a perception of double standards in how Western states have vigorously intervened in the Ukraine conflict. This frustration sometimes manifests itself as a desire to retaliate by embracing Russia and China. However, the utter failure of these two countries to lift a finger in support of containing Tehran makes it clear that for the foreseeable future GCC states are right to continue prioritizing their alliance with the West, even if this frustrating relationship frequently fails to deliver on its promises. Recent US presidents have tended to stage a major set-piece Gulf visit, and then consider they’ve done everything required to manage the relationship. Instead, in fulfilling his pledge to “strengthen a strategic partnership going forward that’s based on mutual interests and responsibilities,” Joe Biden should view his visit this week as just the initial foundation stone for resetting this alliance, which will require considerable further effort, investment, mutual respect and goodwill. Biden will be sitting down with leaders from some of the best educated and most rapidly advancing economies in the world, who are deeply proud of their cultural heritage and all-too-well apprised of the challenges facing the region. GCC states already have a mutual defense agreement. The Arab League has a long history of vacuous pronouncements about joint Arab action, though Arab states have often ended up as bystanders in regional conflicts. Participants in this week’s discussions must therefore avoid lofty concluding statements that have zero practical impact. This requires Arab states to be well organized among themselves, with realistic objectives. If Biden is serious about winning Gulf support on the global stage, then this week’s summit must be about action, not eloquent platitudes; it must provoke the realization in Tehran that the rules of the game have fundamentally changed. Baria Alamuddin US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged in recent days that talks with Iran on reviving the 2015 deal to curb its nuclear program were moving in the wrong direction. There was never any prospect of these negotiations delivering the necessary guarantees to prevent Tehran from acquiring atom bombs and continuing to flood the region with missiles and militias. The Arab summit should therefore be a first step toward implementing the necessary security regimen, based on the likelihood of no deal with Iran. There needs to be an absolute commitment — from Western states, Arab nations, and Israel — that there are no circumstances in which Iran would be allowed to acquire military nuclear capabilities, along with serious discussions about the measures needed to underpin such a commitment. There can be no meaningful regional security without measures to push back Tehran’s influence in states such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, which risk wholly falling into the Iranian camp; particularly as these countries have been used to launch missiles and drones against peaceful nations. There has been discussion about a NATO-style alliance between regional states. In practice, this would be a somewhat more complex arrangement. Nations that have technically been in a state of war with Israel would be unlikely to suddenly commit themselves to going to war in its defense. Saudi Arabia is the architect of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which requires Israel to accede to the borders of the Palestinian territories in exchange for full normalization of relations. The Arab world may be deeply preoccupied with other strategic challenges, but the Palestinian issue remains a matter of intense Arab and global concern. If Israel desires a transformed relationship with the entire region, this first requires a fundamental transformation in its treatment of the Palestinian nation.

If Biden is serious about winning Gulf support on the global stage, then this week’s summit must be about action, not eloquent platitudes; it must provoke the realization in Tehran that the rules of the game have fundamentally changed.

Latest government collapse shows depth of Israel’s political crisis

RAMZY BAROUD The collapse of the short-lived Israeli government of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid validates the argument that the political crisis in Israel was not entirely instigated and sustained by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Bennett’s coalition government consisted of eight parties, welding together arguably one of the oddest coalitions in the tumultuous history of Israeli politics. The mishmash Cabinet included far-right and right-wing groups like Yamina, Yisrael Beiteinu and New Hope, along with the centrist Yesh Atid and Blue and White, the leftist Meretz and even an Arab party, the United Arab List (Ra’am). The coalition also had representatives from the Labor Party, which was once the dominant Israeli political camp but is now almost completely irrelevant. When the coalition was formed in June 2021, Bennett was celebrated as some kind of political miracle-worker who was ready to deliver Israel from the grip of the obstinate, self-serving and corrupt Netanyahu. Confidence in Bennett’s government, however, was misplaced. The millionaire politician was a protege of Netanyahu and even appeared to stand to the right of the Likud party leader on various issues. In 2013, Bennett proudly declared, “I have killed lots of Arabs in my life — and there is no problem with that.” In 2014, he was very critical of Netanyahu for failing to achieve Israel’s objectives in one of the deadliest wars on besieged Gaza. Moreover, Bennett’s core support comes from Israel’s most extreme and far-right constituency. Many wished to ignore all of this in the hope that Bennett would succeed in ousting his former boss. That possibility became very real in November 2019, when Netanyahu was officially indicted on various serious corruption charges. When Bennett and Lapid’s government was officially sworn in on June 13, 2021, it seemed as if a new era of Israeli politics had begun. It was understood that Israel’s political camps had finally found their common denominator. Netanyahu, meanwhile, was exiled to the ranks of the opposition. Some analysts continue to blame Netanyahu for the various crises suffered by Bennett’s coalition, such as when Idit Silman resigned her post on April 6, stripping the government of its majority in the Knesset. But there is little proof of that. Instead, the government collapsed under the weight of its own contradictions. Would the actions of the government that ruled over Israel between June 2021 and June 2022 have been any different if Netanyahu were still the prime minister? Not in the least. Illegal settlements continued to grow unhindered, while home demolitions, the dispossession of Palestinian communities in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem, and various routine acts of Israeli aggression against its Arab state neighbors remained unchanged. According to UN data, 79 Palestinians were killed in the Occupied Territories by the Israeli army between June 2021 and May 2022. The region of Masafer Yatta, a 36 sq km area in the southern Hebron Hills, has been designated for total annexation by the Israeli army. The expulsion of the area’s 1,200 Palestinian residents has already begun. Regarding Jerusalem, specifically in the case of May’s so-called flag march, Bennett has proved to be even more extreme than Netanyahu. Author and professor Bernard Avishai wrote in The New Yorker last month that, in 2021, “Netanyahu’s government changed the march’s route away from the Damascus Gate to minimize the chance of violence,” while the “change government” — a reference to Bennett’s coalition — “had reinstated the route, and even permitted more than 2,000 national-Orthodox activists, including the extremist national-camp Knesset member Itamar Ben-Gvir,” to conduct their provocative “visits” to Al-Haram Al-Sharif, one of Islam’s holiest sites. This is not to suggest that the return of Netanyahu following the scheduled November elections — Israel’s fifth general election in less than four years — would be a welcome development. Instead, experience shows us that, regardless of who rules Israel, the political attitude of the country, especially toward the Palestinians, remains unchanged. True, Israeli politics are known to be unstable. This instability has, however, worsened in recent decades. Since 1996, Israel has held an election every 2.6 years. But since April 2019, the average has dramatically shrunk to less than a year per government. The long-standing argument was that Netanyahu’s domineering and polarizing attitude was to blame. The last year, however, has demonstrated that Netanyahu was a mere symptom of Israel’s political malaise. Some Israeli analysts suggest that Israel’s political crisis can only end when the country institutes electoral and constitutional reforms. That, however, would be a superficial fix; after all, much of Israel’s parliamentary and electoral laws have been in effect for many years, dating back to the time when governments were relatively stable. For Israel to change, a language of peace and reconciliation would have to replace the current atmosphere of incitement and war.

Experience shows us that, regardless of who rules Israel, the political attitude of the country, especially toward the Palestinians, remains unchanged.

Management of climate risks key to Gulf development

ZAID M. BELBAGI

In the last four decades, the Gulf states have witnessed a level of development unprecedented in human history. Half a century ago, life expectancy in the region hovered at about 51, but the subsequent period of great wealth, investments in healthcare and an improvement in the quality of life have transformed the region. Nevertheless, the climate that blighted life for millennia has only worsened — temperatures have risen more in the Gulf since 1980 than they have in the rest of the world since the start of the Industrial Revolution. Amid these circumstances, development has hugged the region’s muggy yet breezy shores. From Kuwait in the north through Qatar, the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, the island of Bahrain and the UAE, communities historically thrived or struggled based on their proximity to the sea. Amid a punishing desert climate, the Gulf provided life and also trade in terms of pearling and access to important maritime routes. Now, the Gulf’s extensive reefs (mostly rocky, but also coral), abundant pearl oysters and mangroves need protecting. Though corals in the Gulf are the most thermally tolerant in the world, studies have shown that year on year numerous instances of coral bleaching have occurred as temperatures have risen. Observations from several bleaching instances across reefs in the Gulf have shown that damage typically begins after a week of exposure to daily mean temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. In today’s Gulf, such temperatures can continue not just for many weeks, but several months. Environmental sustainability should be central to the long-term economic plans of the region. Within this context, the region’s indigenous mangrove ecosystems are under threat. As one of the few ecosystems able to sustain life during the hot summer months, mangroves are an important part of the environment. At the base of the food chain, they are central to a thriving marine habitat. Their extensive root systems provide natural shelter for fish and other marine life and play an important role in protecting the coastline from the erosive effects of seasonal storms. As natural filters of sediments, they also protect coral reefs and seagrass from being clogged. In the context of rising sea temperatures, they are therefore very important. Mangroves can store five times more carbon per square meter than tropical forests. Their ability to predominantly store carbon in their roots ensures it can be stored for a very long time, up to millennia. As these areas are destroyed, the carbon is released back into the atmosphere, where it contributes to global climate change. On a global scale, the loss of mangroves is resulting in as much as 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide being released annually.

How Biden’s visit could affect Israel-Palestine ties 

CHRIS DOYLE For the first time in decades, an American president will this week visit the Middle East with no initiative for Israel-Palestine. In the past, it was almost what was expected of them. George H.W. Bush had Madrid, Bill Clinton had Oslo and Camp David, and George W. Bush had his road map, while Barack Obama left it largely to John Kerry to lead his initiative. Donald Trump had his own peace plan but, as yet, there is no sign of even a rough outline of how Joe Biden might cajole Israeli and Palestinian leaders in this direction. So how will Palestinians see this? Yes, Biden will have a bilateral meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas, but he comes with no serious proposal to address their rights or end the occupation and systemic oppression. The Palestinian leadership is realistic. They know that, for Biden, meeting Abbas for a couple of hours is a sideshow to the main tour. Their expectations are suitably low. And remember Abbas is the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, a body that, due to congressional pressure, the US government still designates a terrorist organization. It has done so ever since 1987, even though Abbas and his predecessor, Yasser Arafat, have been guests at the White House on numerous occasions. Is it wise for Biden to have no strategy? No doubt many in his camp have argued that it is not worth the presidential effort. Biden has tried to focus on domestic issues and, until Ukraine, had limited his exposure internationally. His visit to the region has far more to do with the Saudi leg of the tour than the Israeli. His more pressing discussions with Israeli leaders will no doubt focus on Iran and the wider impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But Biden is also purportedly pushing for more countries to normalize relations with Israel — a process that might prove easier if the US was pushing a genuine peace process with the Palestinians. However, the behind-the-scenes preparations have still been comprehensive and detailed. No president wants to get caught out and even minor details can derail a visit. It has involved 37 preliminary meetings so far. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Abbas about two weeks ago. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf has been in pole position executing the arrangements. What can Biden offer? It is a mark of American weakness that he can do so little. The only thing thus far is to pressure the Israeli side not to do anything to embarrass the president until after his visit is over. This includes advancing major settlement and eviction plans. This is hardly impressive. He also pushed for the Israeli prime minister and his Palestinian counterpart to talk on the phone — the first time this has happened for five years. Palestinians have seen time and time again how senior American visits trigger calm from Israel, followed by post-visit aggression. Biden himself was livid when, as vice president, then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a major settlement move during his visit. This soured their relationship. What makes Palestinians furious is the lack of a similar response if Israel adopts a more diplomatic timetable. As one Palestinian official told me: “It is crazy. On a Monday, the US considers a settlement move wrong, but by Tuesday it is ‘please, go ahead.’” New Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid is unlikely to embarrass Biden in such a fashion, but settlement expansion continues and major projects to remove Palestinians in areas of Jerusalem and the southern West Bank are progressing. For the first time, Israel is close to crossing the red line set by every US president since Clinton of going forward with the doomsday E1 settlement that would carve up the West Bank and sever it from Jerusalem. A decision was scheduled for July 18, just after the president’s visit, but has now been delayed until September. It will be another minimal Palestinian expectation that Biden blocks any such move. Abbas will also want Biden to reopen the PLO office in Washington, though this will not happen. Congress will be obstinate. And Abbas will seek additional US funding and pressure on Israel to hand over Palestinian customs revenues that it illegally holds. Palestinian officials claim this to be as much as $500 million. The repercussions of the Ukraine war have hit the Palestinian economy hard, so this matters more than ever. Already, for the last three months, the PA has only been able to pay 80 percent of its salaries. Then there is the vexed issue of an independent investigation into the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. The Palestinians await answers on this. The other action Biden can possibly take is being held up as he needlessly allowed Israel a veto. Trump closed the US Consulate in East Jerusalem in 2019. The Palestinians want it reopened, not least to show that Washington acknowledges their equity in the city and has a diplomatic presence specifically for Palestinian affairs. But even though Biden had pledged to do this, he has baulked and will not now go ahead without Israeli consent. Israeli leaders like to deal with the Palestinians bilaterally. They prefer to make their own decisions on easing restrictions or returning funds owed to the Palestinians, not doing something because they have been forced to by a third party. This is a process of de-internationalizing the conflict, whereby Israel limits even the influence of its primary ally and security guarantor. Hence, the Israeli leaders, not at the behest of the US, are considering allowing a limited rollout of 4G networks in the West Bank — a decision first made last November. This is for Palestinians, as their settler neighbors already have it. The aim is to boost the Palestinian economy in the West Bank, although Israel will only permit Gaza 2G.

Abbas wants to know if the more centrist Israeli PM Lapid is prepared to offer confidence-building measures

Online tuitions

Education is an important part of everyone’s life but today the world is going to be more competitive than in past years which enhances tuition needs. Nowadays, people move towards the technological side like the usage of computers, laptops, and mobile phones. In ancient times, school/university students joined home tuition and used to have less interest in technological tools. No doubt more than half of students are stuck in physical tuition due to feasibility and reliability. Meanwhile, online tuition increases technological knowledge and experience. However, it reduces the reliability in terms of hiring other persons to do their assignments and quizzes on their behalf. Thus, the gap of quality increases between physical and online tuitions with decreasing knowledge and experiences. In addition, creativity also affected when the gap between online and physical tuition is enhanced. It has the opposite influence as compared to quality. Although online learning reduces quality, it promotes creativity. Hence, the young generation should take benefit of the online system and encourage personal grooming. Selecting the way of learning depends on the preferences of individuals. After comparing the flexibility in both ways, still, students are comfortable in physical tuition. Effective learning and the feasibility of physical tuitions encourage them to rely on this method. but there is still a need for improvements. Because online tuition is an advanced method, if people are reluctant to do physical things in the era of technology, then it is not good for the country’s own growth as well. RAGNI LUND, Sindh

Corruption ending mechanism

Corruption in Pakistan has not been reduced even after strict measures taken up by the current PTI Government. Government contracts are given out on payment of bribes, while the contractor is asked for bribes at the time of their bill payments. The main reason for this rampant corruption is the non-payment of contractor bills by the government within the agreed time. There is faulty mechanism for budget management and weak audit and not displaying information at public offices. When the government organisations are delaying payment of contractor bills without any oversight, the contractors are left at the mercy of bill approvers and project selectors, who are conducting open corruption even with E-billing and E-tendering. It doesn’t help that government’s auditing authority are weak and also most likely involved in their own corruption to hide corruption in government contracts. Similarly, weak government budget control like not paying bills at financial close, putting new budget costs in the last few months, prolonging contracts time and costs beyond agreed limits all contribute to increasing the chances of committing corruption. While not displaying information like service price, complaint authority at public offices increases the chance of officers there charging higher prices for the government services. Therefore to end corruption in Pakistan, the government has to tighten budget controls, improve auditing, pay government bills on time or agree to instalment payments and display information at public offices.

SHAHRYAR KHAN BASEER

Crypto currency and its significance for Pakistan

Crypto currency is the World’s second biggest invention after the internet and one of the promising invention in digital payment system. So the question is what cryptocurrency is? Crypto currency is a digital currency which is based on peer-to-peer network where people can make transactions without any central or third party involvement at anytime, anywhere, faster and cheaper than other financial service providers with all transactions recorded on an immutable public ledger called Blockchain that serves as an open public financial database. Today cryptocurrencies are more widely acceptable and integrated by businesses and individuals than ever before. The most valuable and popularize of all Cryptocurrencies is the Bitcoin which has been increased around 3000% in value from 2017 till 2021. Many early investors of Bitcoin are today millionaires or billionaires who recognized the potential of this technology and invest a very nominal money during its initiation period. Unfortunately, in our country, the Government did not take it seriously from its arrival. On April 06, 2018 the SBP had announced that all Cryptocurrencies, coins, tokens and ICO’s are illegal tender and no financial institution will deal in such currencies. Sadaf Quddus, Islamabad

Sadaf Quddus

, Islamabad Water scarcity Residents of Sector 7D/3 North Karachi are facing an acute water shortage for a long time. The residents are forced to get water tankers, and each household has to pay Rs3,000 per month. This shortage seems an artificial method to increase business for water tanker providers. Over the years, there have been several crackdowns on illegal hydrants – but to no avail. Moreover, before such crackdowns are launched, the government should ensure proper supply of line water to residents. This situation has created great inconvenience for the people of this sector. Moreover, long transmission routes also cause problems as water is wasted in the form of leakages and theft. It is the duty of the department concerned to maintain regular water supply in equitable and balanced manners. Many complaints have been lodged with the authorities concerned but all

New UK PM to be announced on Sept. 5 as tax dominates contest

LONDON: Britain's new prime minister will be announced on Sept. 5, with the first votes to begin eliminating candidates in a crowded and increasingly unpredictable and divisive contest to replace Boris Johnson coming this week. So far 11 candidates have thrown their hat in the ring to succeed Johnson as leader of the ruling Conservative Party and prime minister after he quit following a dramatic rebellion by his own lawmakers and ministers after a series of scandals. The 1922 committee of Conservative members of parliament (MPs) which organises the leadership contest said hopefuls would need at least 20 nominations from the party's 358 lawmakers to even proceed to the first round of votes on Wednesday. Anyone who then received less than 30 votes will be eliminated before another vote follows on Thursday. Nearly all the contenders have promised extensive tax cuts to win over the support of their colleagues. "I am very keen we get this concluded as smoothly, cleanly, and rapidly as possible," said Graham Brady, the committee's chair. The field will be whittled down to a final two candidates by lawmakers, before a postal ballot of the Conservative Party's members, who number fewer than 200,000, takes place over the summer. A poll for the Conservative Home website on Monday found former defence minister Penny Mordaunt was the most popular with members, followed by equalities minister Kemi Badenoch and Rishi Sunak, whose resignation as finance minister helped bring down Johnson. "There seems to be a quite a big field at the moment, a lively contest," Brady said. "I hope we will have a very constructive contest, but (also) a really good opportunity for a proper, healthy, constructive debate about the future direction of the Conservative Party." The battle to secure the top job comes after one of the most tumultuous periods in modern British political history, when more than 50 government ministers and aides quit, denouncing Johnson's character, integrity and inability to tell the truth. The new leader will also have to reverse evaporating support for the Conservatives. A survey by Savanta ComRes on Monday put the opposition Labour Party at 43% compared with 28% for the Conservatives, its biggest poll lead since 2013. The succession contest has already become personal. Former finance minister Sajid Javid, another of the candidates, criticised what he called "poisonous gossip" and "attack memos" delivered by some colleagues over the weekend. "This isn't the 'House of Cards' or the 'Game of Thrones', and the people who are here just because they enjoy the game, they are in the wrong place," he said. "This is a time for pulling together, not apart." The issue of tax cuts was fast becoming the central battle in the race with nearly all of the candidates promising to cut business or personal taxes. Setting out her pitch, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who has held ministerial jobs in a number of government departments including trade, justice and the treasury, said she would reverse the recent rise in National Insurance contributions and signalled a cut to corporation tax. Fellow contenders Jeremy Hunt and Javid both pledged to cut corporation tax, while Mordaunt has promised to cut fuel duty. Sunak is the early front-runner, but he is the only candidate who has played down the prospect of imminent tax cuts, saying the adoption of "comforting fairy tales" would leave future generations worse off. This has prompted his rivals to attack his economic record after the tax burden rose to the highest level since the 1950s. One lawmaker confirmed that a dossier criticising Sunak's record had been circulating on lawmaker WhatsApp groups. Nadhim Zahawi, appointed finance minister in the turmoil of last week, said he was also being targeted by rivals after media reports raised questions about the former businessman's personal finances and tax record. Whoever wins the leadership race will be faced with a daunting in-tray. Britain's economy is facing rocketing inflation, high debt, and low growth, with people coping with the tightest squeeze on their finances in decades, all set against a backdrop of an energy crunch exacerbated by the war in Ukraine which has sent fuel prices soaring. -AFP

Sri Lanka to get new president next week amid political and economic meltdown

Colombo: Sri Lanka's parliament will elect a new president on Jul 20, its speaker said on Monday, after protesters stormed the residences of the current president and prime minister, who have both offered to quit amid an economic meltdown. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who had overseen a ruthless crushing of the Tamil Tigers insurgents as defence secretary, is set to resign on Wednesday. His brothers and nephew earlier quit as ministers as Sri Lanka began running out of fuel, food and other essentials in the worst crisis since independence from Britain in 1948. Parliament will reconvene on Friday and will vote to elect a new president five days later, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said in a statement. "During the party leaders' meeting held today it was agreed that this was essential to ensure a new all-party government is in place in accordance with the Constitution," the statement added. "The ruling party has said the prime minister and the Cabinet are ready to resign to appoint an all-party government." Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, whose private home was set alight by protesters, has said he will step down. His office said Rajapaksa had confirmed his resignation plans to the prime minister, adding that the cabinet would resign once a deal was reached to form an all-party government. The political instability could damage negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a rescue package, the central bank governor told Reuters. Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe signalled he would stay on in the job although he had said in May he could resign if there was no political stability in the island nation of 22 million. Police said they had received 17.8 million rupees (about US$50,000) found by a group of protesters at the president's residence on Saturday. A video of the youngsters counting out the cash went viral on social media. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a smooth transition of government and "sustainable solutions" to the economic crisis. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, whose Samagi Jana Balawegaya party holds 54 seats in the 225-member parliament, said it was ready to step into the government. "We as the opposition are ready to provide leadership to stabilise the country and rebuild the economy," he said. "We will appoint a new president, prime minister and form a government." -AFP

Global food prices may be falling, but economist warns Asia’s food costs could still soar 

Food prices worldwide have fallen for the third straight month, but prices are still hovering near historic highs in March, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.One economist at Nomura says Asia has yet to see the peak in food prices, which will likely come during the July to September quarter. Sonal Varma, chief economist for India and Asia (ex-Japan) at the Japanese bank told CNBC changes in food prices in Asia tend to lag behind global movements as governments put in place subsidies and price controls to ease prices temporarily. The FAO food price index, which tracks the monthly change in the global prices of a basket of food commodities, fell 2.3% in June compared to a month ago. -AFP

Putin to travel to Tehran for Raisi-Erdogan summit on July 19: Kremlin

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Tehran on July 19 for a Syria summit with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Kremlin announced Tuesday. "The president’s visit to Tehran is being planned for July 19," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He said the trio would meet for peace talks on Syria. Russia, Turkey and Iran have in recent years been holding talks on Syria as part of the so-called "Astana peace process" to end more than 11 years of conflict in the Middle Eastern country. It will be the Kremlin chief’s second visit abroad since he sent troops into Ukraine in late February, after having visited Tajikistan in late June. The Kremlin said Putin will also hold separate talks with Erdogan in Tehran, without providing more details. The Turkish leader has been offering to meet Putin for months, as Ankara tries to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. AFP

Former Japan PM Abe mourned at wake as US hails ‘man of vision’

TOKYO: Family and friends of Japan’s assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe paid their respects Monday at a wake in Tokyo as Washington’s top diplomat hailed the ex-premier as a "man of vision." Japan’s ruling coalition meanwhile declared victory in a sombre election held Sunday, just two days after Abe was gunned down on the campaign trail. Abe’s body was moved from his family home to the Zojoji temple on Monday afternoon, where his wake is being held ahead of tomorrow’s private funeral. Public memorials for him are expected at a later date, with no immediate plans set for the events. Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a previously unscheduled trip to Japan while travelling in Asia to offer Washington’s condolences.-AFP

‘India to surpass China as most populous country in 2023’

NEW DELHI: India is set to surpass China as the world’s most populous country in 2023, with each counting more than 1.4 billion residents this year, a United Nations report said on Monday, warning that high fertility would challenge economic growth. The world’s population, estimated to reach 8 billion by November 15 this year, could grow to 8.5 billion in 2030, and 10.4 billion in 2100, as the pace of mortality slows, said the report released on World Population Day. India’s population was 1.21 billion in 2011, according to the domestic census, which is conducted once a decade. The government had deferred the 2021 census due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The world’s population was growing at its slowest pace since 1950, having fallen below 1% in 2020, UN estimates showed. In 2021, the average fertility of the world’s population stood at 2.3 births per woman over a lifetime, having fallen from about 5 births in 1950. Global fertility is projected to decline further to 2.1 births per woman by 2050. “This is an occasion to celebrate our diversity, recognise our common humanity, and marvel at advancements in health that have extended lifespans and dramatically reduced maternal and child mortality rates,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement. Still, a growing population was a reminder of a shared responsibility of care for the planet and to “reflect on where we still fall short of our commitments to one another,” he said. Referring to an earlier World Health Organisation report – estimating about 14.9 million deaths relating to the Covid-19 pandemic between January 2020 and December 2021, the UN report said global life expectancy at birth fell to 71 years in 2021 from 72.8 years in 2019, mostly due to the pandemic. The United Nations said more than half of the projected increase in the global population up to 2050 will be concentrated in eight countries – Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and the United Republic of Tanzania. Countries of sub-Saharan Africa are expected to contribute more than half of the increase anticipated through 2050. However, the population of 61 countries is projected to decrease by 1% or more between 2022 and 2050, driven by a fall in fertility.-AFP

Killing of Palestinian journalist threatens to overshadow Biden's Israel trip

NEW YORK: Joe Biden flies to the Middle East on Tuesday for his first trip to the region since entering the White House. Before a visit to Saudi Arabia – one which reawakens the age-old foreign policy dilemma of realpolitik versus human rights – the US president goes to Israel, where he risks becoming entangled in the storm surrounding the fatal shooting of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May. Biden will be in Israel from Wednesday to Friday on the first stop of his Middle Eastern tour – and is expected to discuss with new Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid the deepening ties between Tel Aviv and certain Arab states, as well as US attempts to revive in some form the nuclear deal discarded by his predecessor Donald Trump. But regardless of these intentions, Biden’s visit risks being caught up in the anger over the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, the Al-Jazeera journalist who was shot dead on May 11 while covering an Israeli military operation in the West Bank town of Jenin, despite wearing a protective helmet and a bulletproof vest bearing the word “Press”. - AFP

Oil slides more than 3% after Russia's total cut in natural gas supplies to Europe raises fears of recession

russia: Crude oil prices tumbled more than 4% on Monday as fears of a recession accelerated after Russia cut off natural gas supply to parts of Europe via the Nordstream 1 pipeline for 10 days to carry out maintenance. WTI crude fell 2.37% to trade at $102.55 a barrel, while Brent crude shed 1.86% to stand at $105.17 per barrel. Recession fears have gained momentum in recent weeks as a combination of inflation and rising interest rates thrash the US economy, and it's weighing down on demand for oil, likely causing prices to fall. The Federal Reserve kicked off its battle against fast price growth by lifting the benchmark interest rate by 75-basis points, but analysts expect more are round the corner. With fresh inflation data due later this week, it is likely going to keep markets on edge about what to expect next. Oil also seems to have taken a beating on additional demand-sapping concerns fueled by strict lockdown rules return in China over fresh COVID-19 cases. "The latest crackdown has sent a cold chill across financial markets amid worries fresh supply chain issues and weakening demand will hit, just as hopes of recovery had crept up," Susannah Streeter, market analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown said. Meanwhile, on the supply side with Russia curtailing gas to parts of Europe, it's wiped out any sense of optimism about the economic outlook. Though it is a temporary halt, worries that the natural-gas shutdown will become permanent are taking root, as Russia responds to Western sanctions. EU economists previously said that the eurozone will likely fall into recession if Russian gas supply stops. "Oil is of course not immune to a recession and weaker oil demand and will trade lower unless we loose larger amounts of oil from Russia. And that is of course a constant uncertainty," said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at SEB Group. The drop in oil prices reverses what much Wall Street predicts about the future of the commodity. Top firms including Goldman Sachs and UBS have made bullish calls for where oil is headed, while Citi takes predicts oil prices will nosedive by the end of the year. - AFP

Mother elephant protects her calf against heavy rain

INDIA: Mothers are the epitome of bravery and courage. Not just humans, such strong instincts are prevalent in animals too. In one such incident, a mother elephant can be seen protecting her newborn calf from heavy rain. The viral video shows the sense of kinship the giants have. The video, captured in Gudalur municipality of the Nilgiri district in Tamil Nadu and shared by IAS officer Supriya Sahu has gone viral on social media. Since being shared, the video has garnered around 11.9 K views and got more than 100 retweets. People are touched by the

Lewandowski arrives for pre-season Bayern medical

BERLIN : Robert Lewandowski arrived for his pre-season medical at a Munich hospital along with other Bayern stars on Tuesday, even as Barcelona continued to be linked to the Polish striker. At the end of May, Lewandowski said "it is certain that my story with Bayern has come to an end." Barcelona have expressed an interest in the 34-year-old striker, twice voted FIFA men's player of the year. "We have made an offer for the player, we are waiting for the response, we will see if it is positive," Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on July 7. According to German media, Barcelona made an initial offer worth a guaranteed 40 million euros but have since increased it. On Tuesday, Lewandowski arrived by car at the city's Barmherzige Brueder hospital, preceded by German internationals Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller and Leroy Sane. The medical preceded the start of pre-season training in the afternoon. He joined Bayern in 2014, He has scored 344 goals in 375 competitive matches and broke the Bundesliga single-season scoring record. Lewandowski won the Bundesliga in each of his eight seasons with the club as well as the Champions League, the Club World Cup and three German Cups. He has one year left on his Bayern contract. "A contract is a contract," Bayern president Herbert Hainer said. On Saturday, the German champions will hold the official pres

Ireland get revenge over New Zealand

Wellington: Ireland produced a much-improved performance, headlined by two tries to Jordan Larmour, in a 30-24 win over the Maori all Blacks in Wellington Tuesday. It was the display that would have pleased coach Andy Farrell as he looked to develop experience throughout his squad ahead of the World Cup next year. Memories of Ireland's dismal first week on tour when they lost to the Maori and the All Blacks faded into the background as they completed wins over both sides in the past three days. In a match that produced four yellow cards and a penalty try, the largely second-string Ireland -- with only three players in the run-on side having played more than 10 Tests -- looked a much more cohesive unit than they did in their first match. Their opening try to Larmour came from inspired thinking by Keith Earls, the captain for the night, who caught the Maori napping, and the second to Nick Timoney started from a lineout steal at the other end of the field. Defensively, Ireland were quick to shut down attacks by the Maori, forcing multiple errors by a side keen to play a running game despite greasy conditions after a day of heavy rain. They also benefitted from a smart kicking game by halves Craig Casey and Ciaran Frawley. Following an early try to Maori wing Shaun Stevenson, smart improvisation by Earls put Ireland in front in the seventh minute. As the Maori forwards slowly made their way to a lineout, Earls threw the ball in quickly to Larmour who raced, untouched, to score under the posts and leaving Frawley with a simple conversion.-AFP

Wimbledon star Rybakina dismisses Russian 'product' claims

Nur-Sultan: Newly-crowned Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on Tuesday dismissed Russian claims that she was its "product" as she spoke in Kazakhstan which she represented at the tournament. Russian and Belarusian players were banned from Wimbledon this year after Russia sent troops to Ukraine but Moscow-born Rybakina was able to play as she had switched her allegiance to Kazakhstan in 2018. At the weekend Russia appeared to claim her Grand Slam success when Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpischev described Rybakina as "our product". "It's very nice! Well done Rybakina! We win the Wimbledon tournament," Tarpischev said. Russia's former world number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov reinforced that view in a post on Twitter on Monday. "Buying a ready to use product from the producer does not take a lot of brains," wrote retired Kafelnikov, who won the French and Australian Opens and an Olympic gold medal. Rybakina's parents still live in Moscow and she has been reluctant throughout the tournament to elaborate on how much time she spends in Russia. -AFP

Woods to partner US Open champion Fitzpatrick in British Open first round

ST ANDREWS: Tiger Woods will partner US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick in the first two rounds of the British Open in St Andrews this week, while last year's Claret Jug winner Collin Morikawa will play with Rory McIlroy. Woods and Fitzpatrick will be joined by American world number 19 Max Homa when they tee off at 2:59 pm local time (1359 GMT) in Thursday's first round. England's Fitzpatrick won his first major at Brookline last month, while Woods skipped the US Open to focus on being fit for this week. "I just didn't want to miss this Open here at the home of golf," said Woods on Tuesday. The 46-year-old has won the Open three times, including at St Andrews in 2000 and 2005. The 15-time major winner suffered severe leg injuries in a car accident in February last year, but played all four rounds in the Masters at Augusta in April. Morikawa, champion at Royal St George's a year ago, will tee off with McIlroy and American Xander Schauffele at 9h58 am local time on Thursday. McIlroy won the 2014 Open at Hoylake but missed the chance to defend his title in St Andrews a year later after suffering an ankle injury playing football. Schauffele, last year's Olympic champion, arrives in St Andrews fresh from winning the Scottish Open at North Berwick, further down Scotland's east coast. World number one Scottie Scheffler of the United States will tee off with Joaquin Niemann of Chile and England's Tyrell Hatton at 1:26 pm on Thursday, while 2017 Open champion Jordan Spieth and Spain's world number three Jon Rahm will be in the group immediately behind Woods and Fitzpatrick. The first group to go out in Thursday's opening round will see Scotland's Paul Lawrie, the 1999 Open champion, joined by former US Open champion Webb Simpson and Min Woo Lee of Australia. – AFP

Cort Nielsen wins stage 10, Pogacar retains yellow jersey

FRANCE: Denmark's Magnus Cort Nielsen won the 10th stage of the Tour de France, a 148.5 km Alpine trek from Morzine, on Tuesday, after a nail-biting cat-and-mouse struggle up the final section of the culminating 20 km climb. Tadej Pogacar however retained the overall leader's yellow jersey. Nick Schultz of Bike Exchange was second and Luis Leon Sanchez was third after the 148 km run through sinuous Haut Savoie roads that avoided the major mountains in the region. Tadej Pogacar sprinted in slightly ahead of the main peloton around eight minutes later. The race was stopped for about 10 minutes after half a dozen of climate activists tried to block the riders 36 kilometres from the finish. The activists, one of them wearing a t-shirt saying, "We have 989 days left," sat on the road some 36 kilometres (22 miles) from the finish in Megeve, according to witnesses. The activists were pulled off the road by police, helped by Tour organisers' Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) general director Yann Le Moenner, before the race resumed. Cort Nielsen prevailed in a nail-biting sprint finish from the day's breakaway to claim his second career stage win on the Tour after 2018. Australian Nick Schultz took second and Spain's Luis Leon Sanchez was third. Pogacar, the two-time defending champion who has lost two team mates after they departed the race following positive Covid-19 tests since the start in Denmark, retained the overall leader's yellow jersey. - AFP

Pogba 'happy to be home' at Juventus 

Turin: Paul Pogba often cut an unhappy figure at Old Trafford, especially in the past couple of seasons, but the 29-year-old Frenchman could barely contain the smiles as he explained his return to Juventus on Tuesday. "At Juve, I'm at home," he said at his 'welcome back' press conference, six years after his departure for Manchester United. Pogba completed his move on Monday, joining on a free transfer and signing a four year deal which will earn him a reported eight million euros ($8.12 million) a season plus a potential two million euros in bonuses. "I'm very happy to come back home because I really feel at home here. You saw how people received me, it was more than a dream for me," he said. Pogba wound down his contract with United who he joined in 2016 for a then record fee of 105 million euros to rejoin Juve where he achieved considerable success during his previous spell with the club. From 2012 to 2016 he helped Juve win four Serie A titles and two Italian Cups, and reach the Champions League final in 2015. -AFP

Kyrgios 'needs Sigmund Freud', says John McEnroe

LONDON: Three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe said Tuesday that controversial Australian Nick Kyrgios "needs Sigmund Freud" to sort out the "demons" in his game. Kyrgios carved a sometimes thrilling, often controversial path to the final at the All England Club where he lost in four sets on Sunday to Novak Djokovic. A series of outbursts saw the 27-year-old fined and he was described as "evil" and "a bully" by third round opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas. But there was some impressive and inventive hitting, not least in the final, where he clattered 30 aces and 62 winners in total. "The guy is a genius out there the way he plays," McEnroe told the BBC, adding that Kyrgios needed some advice from the father of psychoanalysis. "He needs Sigmund Freud to come out of the grave and somehow figure out a way to keep this guy going for a couple of years because we could use him. "It's unbelievable, he moves the needle for us in tennis. We need this big time but we don't need him to try half the time." Off court the world number 45, who has admitted to 'tanking' during matches, also faces a court hearing in Canberra next month in relation to an allegation of common assault. "He's a good kid, the players like him, he's well liked in the locker room, he does a lot of charity work," said McEnroe in mitigation. "But he's got demons you know, in a way -- we all have this fear of failure and it's a question of how you best deal with it." McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, was himself no stranger to controversy in his career, often lapsing into pantomime histrionics on court in a bid to raise his own game. "I would say I'm proud of most of what I did but there are certainly times where I'm like, 'I didn't need to do that'" said McEnroe. "It only exacerbated the situation and made more people get mad at me or start booing me so it wasn't like it helped me. "It may be at times you blow off some steam. Obviously, you see Kyrgios doing that all the time." The Australian was handed a code violation in Sunday's final during which he also volubly demanded the removal of a spectator who he claimed was drunk and launched a foul-mouthed tirade at his own box. -AFP

Springboks make 15 changes for series decider against Wales

Johannesburg: South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber has made 15 changes to his matchday 23 for the series-deciding third Test against Wales in Cape Town on Saturday. Only five starters in the 13-12 second Test loss last Saturday are retained -- fly-half Handre Pollard, scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse, prop Trevor Nyakane, lock Eben Etzebeth and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit. Two replacement forwards, hooker Malcolm Marx and prop Vincent Koch, and utility back Damian Willemse, promoted from the bench to the starting line-up, are also retained. "We selected a team and player combinations that we think will be the best for this game," Nienaber said after naming his team on Tuesday. "There was an honest discussion with the players and we told them what we require this weekend and what we would like to see in terms of their performance. "We pointed out from the outset of the series that Wales will be desperate and they showed that in the last two weekends. "I am expecting another hard grind against them and the fact that they will be playing for their first series victory in South Africa will make them even more desperate to push us to the limit." Etzebeth is set to win his 100th cap in the city where he was born, educated and part of the local franchise team, the Stormers, for seven years. It will also be a special day for hooker Bongi Mbonambi, famed for his tries off driving mauls, who is poised to make his 50th appearance for the reigning world champions. The retention of Hendrikse, who won only his third cap in Bloemfontein last weekend, was a surprise with 2019 Rugby World Cup winner Faf de Klerk expected to start instead of sitting on the bench. It was anticipated that Pollard, Etzebeth and Du Toit would keep their places as they form part of what would widely be considered the best Springboks XV. Where South Africa look stronger than in Bloemfontein is the backline with wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi and centres Lukhanyo Am and Damian de Allende returning. In the pack, Nyakane moves from his preferred tighthead position to loosehead, paving the way for Frans Malherbe to be recalled on the other side of the front row. Jasper Wiese, man of the match in the 32-29 first Test triumph in Pretoria on July 2, is recalled in the middle of the back row, and will be flanked by Du Toit and captain Siya Kolisi. South Africa are reeling from a first Test loss to Wales in the republic after 11 consecutive victories spanning 58 years, including a 96-13 triumph in Pretoria 24 years ago. After the Welsh Dragons lost four of five Six Nations matches this year, they were written off by South African pundits, most of whom predicted a 3-0 whitewash. But after losing to an added-time Willemse penalty in Pretoria, Wales turned the tables thanks to a late Josh Adams try that Gareth Anscombe converted from the touchline. Team (15-1) Damian Willemse; Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Jaden Hendrikse; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt); Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Elrigh Louw, Faf de Klerk, Willie le Roux Coach: Jacques Nienaber (RSA). - AFP

KARACHI: President Dr. Arif Alvi exchanging Eid-ul-Azha greetings with members of the diplomatic community and people from different walks of life, at governor House. 

Election Commission asks political parties to file their statement of accounts for previous financial year before August 29

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked political parties to file their statement of accounts for previous financial year before 29th of next month. According to a Spokesman of the Election Commission, printed forms of the statement of accounts are available, free of cost, in the Election Commission Secretariat, Islamabad and in the offices of the provincial election commissioners. Performa for source of funds are also available on the Election Commission’s website. The statement shall be addressed to the Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan and shall be delivered through an office bearer of the party, duly authorized by the party head. The spokesman said the statements received through post, fax, courier service or any other mode shall not be accepted.

Lahore:PTI leader Fawad chudhary meets with Imran Riaz .

Karachi heavy monsoon showers claim 22 lives Rescue, relief operation underway in rain affected areas

By Staff Reporter

KARACHI: The recent monsoon spell in Sindh claimed 34 lives including 22 in Karachi while 12 people got injured in different rain-related incidents, a report by Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Tuesday. The fatalities also include seven children all of whom hailed from the metropolis. The deaths in Karachi were caused by electrocution and wall and roof collapse incidents. The highest number of fatalities due to torrential rains in the province, 9, were reported in Thatta district followed by six each in Karachi’s East and Korangi districts. According to PDMA, three deaths each were reported in the Malir and South districts of Karachi and two each in Karachi’s Central district and Kharipur district. The unabated rains at the beginning of the week also injured 12 people including six children, and three males and females each. The downpours inflicted partial damage to nine houses in the mega city while two were fully damaged, according to the report. Heavy rains and thundershowers as part of the second spell of monsoon rains battered Karachi throughout Sunday night and on Monday morning. The heavy rains have caused small dams and levees located on the edge of the city to overflow and flood surrounding areas. Inside the city, rivers and streets resemble rivers and underpasses have become ponds. Only large trucks are able to move about in the city in limited numbers while smaller vehicles, including motorbikes and rickshaws are having difficulties in navigating inundated roads. The heavy rains also resulted in power outages in most parts of the city with a reported 400 feeders of K-Electric either tripping or shut off for safety. The net result was that residents of the city were left without power amidst heavy rains. However, at least two people were reportedly killed due to electrocution early on Monday morning in Garden’s Shoe Market areas. There were also complaints of weak or poor internet signals causing disruptions to internet connectivity. Meanwhile, satellite imagery showed that they eye of the storm, which caused the unprecedented rain, was almost over Karachi, suggesting that the city could yet see more rains. Satellite imagery from Pakistan Meteorological Department shows a storm over Karachi. Will Karachi see more rain tomorrow? In an alert issued by the Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Monday evening, it said that per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PDMA), there is a persistent low-pressure system hovering over the North Arabian Sea. It warned that the rains could cause more urban flooding. To cope with the unexpected situation in the city, at least 388 teams comprising of civil administration, army troops and paramilitary Rangers helped with relief efforts throughout Karachi. All the major nullahs including Gujjar, Orangi and Mehmoodabad were working at their optimum capacity as troops set up machines to pump out the water in flooded areas. A portion of a building in Lyari, which had been declared as dangerous, collapsed on Monday following heavy rains in the city. The five-storey building had been inspected and deemed as dangerous by a technical team of the SBCA. After torrential monsoon rains flooded the city yet again, the business community of the metropolis demanded that its administration should be handed over to the federal government. In a statement issued by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Idrees Memon on Monday said federal government had reserved Rs1.1 trillion for a development package for the city, but no one knows what became of it. Following heavy rains in the city, the Sindh Building Control Authority on Monday has directed to evacuate some 421 buildings which have been deemed dangerous. “In the wake of recent rains, staying in dangerous buildings heightens the risk to life and property,” the SBCA official said. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday said that the city had received an unusual amount of rains in the past 24 hours. Shah said that the naturally native system of drains in Karachi were closed off over time. “It is not easy to restore them,” he said, adding that building a drainage system that can handle the volume of water that the city received in the past four days would have an astronomical cost. At least two men, who were riding a motorbike through the Shoe Market in Garden, died early on Monday morning, after being electrocuted. Rescue officials said that they do not know how the two men were electrocuted. They added that the deceased were identified as Asif And Hassan. With choked drains, the Liaquatabad underpass turned into a large swimming pool as rainwater filled it to the brim. It was a similar story in Clifton, where the underpass at Submarine Chowk was also closed for traffic after it filled with water. The heavy rains inundated several parts of the city including the upscale Defence, Clifton, Sadar, PECHS, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar and suburban Gulshan-e-Hadeed. The Met Department said that DHA had cumulatively received around 72mm of rain. Similarly, Quaidabad had cumulatively received 76mm of rain. Kemari was lashed by stormy rains with weather expert Javed Memon stating that it cumulatively received around 148mm of rain. The heavy flow of water in the Korangi river washed away the Korangi Causeway.

Manzoor Wassan predicts political future of Imran Khan PPP leader Manzoor Wassan in his statement on Tuesday said that Imran Khan is not to be seen in the next elections 

By Staff Reporter

KARACHI: Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh for Agriculture Manzoor Wassan has made a new prediction regarding former Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Arif Alvi and the upcoming general elections. Pakistan Peoples Party leader Manzoor Wassan in his statement on Tuesday said that Imran Khan is not to be seen in the next elections and someone else will come in his place, local councils elections in Punjab will not be won by Imran Khan but by Pakistan Muslim League (N) , Imran will not be able to win as many seats as before. He has predicted that the President of Pakistan Arif Alvi will be ousted before the general elections, President Arif Alvi will definitely be removed before 2023 and whoever becomes the new President of the country will be from the Pakistan Peoples Party. The Pakistan Peoples Party leader while predicting the general elections said that it is not possible to hold general elections in the country this year, general elections may be held in April or August 2023 next year. Manzoor Wassan also said that Pakistan Peoples Party will win more seats in the country in the general elections than before.

Post-Hajj flight operation set to commence from Friday 

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: The post-Hajj flight operation was set to commence from Friday as the first Airblue flight, PA 741, carrying over 201 Hujjaj would land at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport early (Friday) morning. Similarly, the second Airblue flight PA 871 carrying over 200 Hujjaj would reach Multan at 22:50 same night, spokesman Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Umer Butt told a state run news. Likewise, the flight operation from Madina would start on July 18. The nearly one month long post Hajj flight operation to bring nearly 82,000 Pakistani Hujjaj from Saudi Arabia would continue without any break till August 13.

KASHMIR’S VOICE Kashmiris' freedom spirit not to be intimidated by Modi’s nefarious tactics: Mushaal

ISLAMABAD: Fascist Narendra Modi led India is making every effort to weaken the Kashmiris' spirit of freedom but the people would not be intimidated by such nefarious tactics rather such actions will further strengthen Kashmiris' commitment to the liberation movement. This was stated by the Chairperson Peace and Culture Organization Mushaal Hussein Mullick in a video message on Kashmir Martyrs Day on Monday. She said that at that day, 22 Kashmiris were martyred by the troops of Dogra Maharaja for appearing outside the Central Jail in Srinagar. Mushaal, who is the wife of detained Kashmiri leader Mo­hammad Yasin Malik, paid tribute to the martyrs of July 13, 1931 who sacrificed their precious lives against the personal rule of Dogro imperialism and said that they tragedy a milestone in Kashmir's history, as all the incidents and martyrdoms that had taken place since then for the liberation of Jammu and Kashmir was a continuation of the martyrs' mission. She said that no less brutal than the Dogra force, the Indian occupation forces have martyred hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris and grievously hurt millions of families in the Indian Occupied and Kashmir (IOK). Yet, they have failed to break the will of the Kashmiris and weaken their resolve to secure freedom from Indian occupation, she added. She said that the troops of Dogra Maharaja had killed 22 Kashmiris one after another outside Central Jail in Srinagar during the court proceedings against one Abdul Qadeer when a young man started the call for prayers (Azaan) but was shot dead by the Maharaja's soldiers. Thus, 22 youth sacrificed their lives till the completion of Azaan, she added. "The world remained silent and failed to take any action against the Dogra forces barbarism and today when Indian forces are crossing all limits of brutalities and state barbarism, the world powers and human right organizations are again observing criminal silence," she added. She said their extraordinary courage and sacrifice kindled a valiant struggle for the Kashmiris' right to self-determination that continues to-date. She said that India's illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, aimed at erasing the distinct identity of the people of Kashmir have further fortified the Kashmiris' quest for freedom and self-determination and lent even greater poignancy to the Kashmir Martyrs' Day. While condemning the state-terrorism being perpetrated by Indian occupation forces in IOK, she called upon the international community to take practical steps to stop India from the continuing brutalization of the Kashmiri people including extra-judicial killings and illegal attempts to change the demographic structure of the region. She said that India must be held accountable for its unspeakable crimes against the Kashmiri people. She said that lasting peace and prosperity in South Asia could not be established without resolving the lingering Kashmir dispute, demanding that Kashmir dispute should be resolved in accordance with the UN resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Layyah public meeting: Imran Khan warns of ‘Sri Lanka-like crisis’ in Pakistan 

By Staff Reporter

AYYAH: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief and former premier Imran Khan has warned of ‘Sri Lanka-like crisis’ in Pakistan if the authorities fail to organise transparent by-polls in Punjab. Imran Khan was addressing a huge public gathering in Layyah in connection with the electioneering for the forthcoming Punjab by-polls today. “I want to give a message to the power matrix that they are peaceful people. They take to the streets for saving the country. In case of failure to organise free and fair elections, the country would witness Sri Lanka-like crisis. If our country sees Sri Lanka-like situation, then no one can control it.” The PTI chairman asked the concerned authorities to act responsibly to avoid creating such a crisis in the country by organising transparent by-polls in Punjab. “This will be your first test on July 17 which will gauge the support of the nation.” While censuring the present government, Imran Khan said, “Not even an enemy can destroy our stabilising economy in such a way these rulers did it. The remittances are also decreasing due to these rulers. These rulers are heading the country to Sri Lanka-like crisis.” He added, “In Sri Lanka, the nationals attacked the presidential palace and the Sri Lankan president was stopped at the airport when he tried to flee abroad. The ruler of Sri Lanka was also like Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari whose resident is in a foreign country.” Imran Khan said that the corrupt rulers were even ready to sell their honour and ideology for the sake of money. He asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to prove himself a real servant of the nation ‘Khadim-e-Aala’ by restoring the oil prices to Rs150 per litre. “We had even reduced electricity tariff by Rs5 per unit besides bringing down the petrol and diesel prices despite continuing IMF [International Monetary Fund] program.” “We have also distributed health cards to the nation for providing them Rs1 million health insurance. We disbursed easy loans to the youth, initiated low-cost housing schemes and poverty alleviation programs like Ehsaas.” He continued that the elected government had been toppled through an alleged foreign conspiracy when the economy was stabilising and the country was successfully going ahead in all sectors.

BURKINA FASO: Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani exchanging views with Aboubacar Toguyeni, President of the Transitional Legislative Assembly In Burkina Faso.