Epaper_24-04-16 LHR

Al Towaijri and senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Saudi Fund for General Investments

During its stay the Saudi delegation is expected to engage in meetings with the president the prime minister, the foreign minister, and relevant ministers, as well as the chief of army staff and

Malik Riaz’s son allegedly transfer red 245 kanals of land in Bani Gala to Far hat Shahzadi for Rs 53.28 crores.

What link does the transaction have with the Al Qadir case?

The nation continues to make advances in technology particularly in artificial intelligence and 5G, consolidating its status as a global technology leader Germany ranked third leads European Union efforts in green energy focusing on renewable sources and digital transformation across various industries to boost efficiency and productivity India has climbed to fourth place in global GDP rankings, reflecting its growing economic clout and strengthening international alliances The country s economy is buoyed by strong industrial growth and technological advancements Other countries in the top ten include Russia, which leverages

country has surged to 130 136 million from 128 59 million on the eve of February 8 general elections The latest data released by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) stated that the registered voters as on date are 130 136 million, with 70 043 million males and 60 092 million females reflecting an increase of 1 546 million voters since the February 8 elections Islamabad has a total of 1 094 million voters including 0 52 million females and 0 574 million males Similarly, there are voters 5 44 million, including 2 389 million females and 3 051 million males in Balochistan; 22 183 million, including 12 074 million males and 10 109 million females in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; 74 093 million including 39 563 million males and 34 530 million females in Punjab; and 27 326 million voters, including 14 781 million males and 12 545 million females in Sindh

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted more intermittent rains in Balochistan this week Westerly winds will enter the western areas of Balochistan on the night of April 16 and will spread to the upper regions of the country on April 18, it added

The PMD said that there is a chance of rain in Gwadar, Naseerabad, Sibi, Kohlu, Harnaya Mastung

Mohsin Naqvi sees ‘Indian hand’ in Amir Tamba’s murder

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

He said India will enter Pakistan to kill anyone who escapes over the border after trying to carry out terrorist activities in the country

The minister s comments had come a day after the British publication, The Guardian, revealed in a report that the Indian government had killed about 20 people in Pakistan since 2020 as part of a broader plan to eliminate terrorists residing on foreign soil The report in the UK paper came months after Canada and the United States accused India of killing or attempting to kill people in their countries “India always wants to maintain good relations with its neighbouring countries

But if anyone shows India the angry eyes again and again, comes to India and tries to promote terrorist activities, we will

not spare them Singh said Pakistan on April 6 denounced Indian defence minister s comments, terming them as “hyper-nationalistic sentiments” fuelled for “electoral gains”

Reacting to the Indian minister ’s statement the Foreign Office said: India s ruling dispensation habitually resorts to hateful rhetoric to fuel hyper-nationalistic sentiments, unapologetically exploiting such discourse for electoral gains ” The FO had said such myopic and irresponsible behaviour not only undermined regional peace but also impeded the prospects of constructive engagement in the long term Pakistan has always demonstrated its commitment to peace in the region However our desire for peace should not be misconstrued History attests to Pakistan s firm resolve and ability to protect and de-

Baisakhi festival concludes as 35,000 yatrees attend 3- day festivities

fend itself the statement read

According to the FO, Pakistan, on January 25, provided irrefutable evidence, elucidating India’s campaign of extrajudicial and transnational assassinations on Pakistani soil India s assertion of its preparedness to extra-judicially execute more civilians arbitrarily pronounced as terrorists , inside Pakistan constitutes a clear admission of culpability It is imperative for the international community to hold India accountable for its heinous and illegal actions it had added

The FO had reiterated Pakistan s resolution in its intent and ability to safeguard its sovereignty against any act of aggression, as demonstrated by its robust response to India’s reckless incursion in February 2019 which laid bare India s hollow claims of military superiority

timing of the case and the manner of his arrest in the reference left a lot to be desired

Remember, this is the case in which Mr Khan was arrested on the 8th of May 2023 after which certain elements caused the unfortunate and inexcusable events of the 9th of May Mr Khan was whisked

Pfeudalism by this military oligarchy which has stopped the country s true democratisation process Different and unfavourable conditions have typified Pakistan s democratic state, with legislatives unable to construct a unified constitutional framework and political institutions remaining nonfunctional The 1973 constitution is the most distorted of the several revisions to the nation s constitution Election turnout has decreased as a result of the nation s ongoing political instability brought on by the president s repeated abuse of power The vast majority of legislators, who come from wealthy feudal families, have had difficulty realising their responsibility and

within its own operations it undermines its credibility and effectiveness in delivering justice to others

This inconsistency can lead to a loss of trust and legitimacy among the populace It s essential for the establishment to lead by example and ensure that justice is upheld internally before expecting it from others

The absence of a commitment to justice among politicians can be detrimental to the well-being of a country Justice is fundamental for ensuring equality fairness, and the protection of rights for all citizens Politicians who prioritize personal gain over justice risk eroding trust in the government and perpetuating social inequality It’s essential for political leaders to embrace the principles of justice and uphold them in their governance to truly serve the interests of the people

The failure of judges to deliver justice can erode trust in the judicial system and contribute to a sense of disillusionment among the populace Upholding the principles of fairness, impartiality, and integrity is essential for judges to fulfill their duties effectively

Addressing issues such as corruption delays in the legal process and ensuring equal access to justice are vital for restoring faith in the judiciary and promoting a more just society

It s concerning when there s a disconnect between talking about justice and actually practicing it Genuine efforts to uphold justice, both in words and actions are essential for fostering trust promoting social cohesion and ensuring the well-being of society as a whole Holding individuals and institutions accountable for their actions is crucial in addressing this disparity and working towards a more just society

at all levels of society

The perception of justice being lacking in many areas of Pakistan is a significant concern It underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to strengthen the rule of law improve governance and enhance access to justice for all citizens Addressing systemic issues and promoting accountability are vital for building a more just society

Justice is crucial for the well-being and stability of any society It ensures fairness, equality, and the protection of rights for all individuals Without justice there can be widespread dissatisfaction conflict and erosion of trust in institutions Therefore striving for justice is essential for the functioning and progress of society

It s unfortunate when individuals expect justice from others while not upholding it themselves In business fairness honesty and integrity are essential for building trust and maintaining good relationships with suppliers and customers A grocery store owner should strive to conduct their business ethically and transparently if they expect justice from others in return

When the establishment fails to uphold justice

crafting legislation that will effectively institutionalise democracy According to modernization theory, a number of factors, including urbanisation, increased life expectancy occupation specialisation growing educational attainment and fast economic growth are necessary for the shift from traditional to democratic societies Due to the self-reinforcing nature of these elements, social life and political institutions undergo a transformation that increases the likelihood of democratic political institutions forming and increases popular engagement in the process of democratisation With actual GDP growth of 0 3% in 2023 Pakistan s economy grew at an average pace of 4 0% between 2021 and 2023, below the average growth rate of 4 3% for the Asia-Pacific region The modernization theory emphasises how important it is to fortify civil society’s supporting structures and institutionalise democracy People in Pakistan lost faith in democratic procedures and were uninterested in democratization as a result of the country s frequent elections between 1970 and 1997 Political parties are essential to the process of democratization because they collaborate to create laws that strengthen democracy and reach agreements on matters of economic and development Nonetheless Pakistan s political conduct is immature as establishing democracy and holding elections do not always equate to resolving issues or toppling authorities When political figures, parties, and the general public realize that democracy is a response to tyranny but not always to other problems democracy begins to solidify Different political institutions a lack of agreement among lawmakers and a low level of public participation in democratization define Pakistan s democratic state Pakistan’s democratic destiny is likely influenced by religion as it is a multiethnic nation based on the Two Nation Theory The liberal interpretation of Islam aimed to promote tolerance and end the feudal system However political coercion led to the coup of 1977, and the General formed connections with religious groups and ulema, such as the Mullah, who fought for

The increase in confusion surrounding the concept of justice in Pakistan is undoubtedly a significant challenge This confusion may stem from various factors including inconsistent application of laws perceived biases within the justice system and lack of clarity in defining and promoting justice Addressing this issue requires comprehensive efforts including education on legal rights, reforms to enhance the transparency and accountability of institutions, and fostering a culture that values fairness and equality By tackling these underlying issues it’s possible to mitigate confusion and promote a clearer understanding and implementation of justice in Pakistani society

the significance of justice is lacking in Parliament, it can lead to legislative processes that do not adequately address societal inequalities, protect human rights, or ensure fairness for all citizens Parliament plays a crucial role in shaping laws and policies that uphold justice and promote the common good Therefore it s essential for lawmakers to prioritize justice in their decision-making processes and actively work towards creating a legal framework that reflects and protects the principles of justice for all members of society The sentiment that justice itself is in need of justice reflects a deep-seated concern about the state of the justice system in Pakistan When the institutions responsible for upholding justice face challenges such as corruption inefficiency or bias it can create a crisis of confidence among the public Addressing these issues requires comprehensive reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and the rule of law Only through concerted efforts to strengthen the justice system can the aspiration for justice itself be realized The belief that justice is lacking in Pakistan despite

t r u g g l e a n d h o p e

martial law and an Islamic state to destroy the secularist Bhutto Party Efforts to implement a liberal interpretation of Islam, including strong democracy and fundamental human rights, failed after 1986 The Jihadist Holy War in Afghanistan also cost liberal Islam Since the end of martial law in 1985 religious political parties have struggled to maintain a significant majority in legislatures Post 9/11, religious parties were allowed to run for office under the state-backed Alliance MMA but their endorsement of the TTP and Jihadists negatively impacted the democratic process Pakistan s civil society began to form in 2002 with most NGOs engaged in service delivery and human rights advocacy However, the state s role remains unclear, as NGOs often operate in cities and face government obstacles

With violent occurrences and threats against leaders and members the state and political parties do not however have a very favourable culture towards civil society in Pakistan A robust military and a lack of mature political conduct from elected parties pose serious dangers to Pakistan’s democratic system and efforts to democratise the country Legislation for economic growth combating poverty terrorism and advancing education should be developed by political parties in order to strengthen democracy Change the rules of Praetorian issues and establish power reduction measures so that the military may transition to a professional force Uncertainties should be eliminated from the military chain of command In order to eliminate inequality and bring about changes to

Irrefutable realit y

was so obsessed with hatred of the Army that he devised a plan to attack the army installations and the monuments of the martyrs and also executed it on 9 h May 2023

In the backdrop of the arrests made in connection with the 9th May incidents the social media wizards of the PTI both within and outside the country started a vigorous campaign to malign the Army The party had the audacity to declare that the attacks on the army installations and monuments of the martyrs were a handiwork of the intelligence agencies to trap PTI notwithstanding the fact that the entire nation saw it on their TV screens who were the people behind those dastardly acts Audio leaks of PTI leaders in regards to execution of the attacks and later statements by some of the party leaders who dissociated themselves from the party accusing Imran Khan of having planned these attacks are also a ranting testimony of who masterminded these tragic incidents and who executed them Imran Khan created political crisis in the country by forcing the PTI members to resign form the national assembly and later also dissolved provincial assemblies of KPK and Punjab What transpired consequently is also known to the entire nation Come 8th February elections, the party has refused to accept the split mandate and like the 2013 general elections has again come up with the mantra of rigging claiming that its mandate has been stolen To reinforce its narrative the party also maneuvered a drama by

the commissioner Rawalpindi who in a press statement confessed to have rigged the elections in his division However that did not last long because later on the revealed that he had done it at the behest of a PTI leader with whom he had developed good relations and who lured him into ding this with promises of bright prospects after his retirement Instead of relying on the state institutions to address their grievances about rigging the party tried to internationalize the issue by seeking intervention of IMF and the USA The major focus of this relentless smearing campaign has been on the alleged

polarizing the society and denigrating the state institutions, particularly the Army after its exit from power

Perhaps it would be pertinent to give a brief account of what Imran Khan and his party has done since losing power through a constitutional process Imran Khan instead of accepting the outcome of the no-confidence motion and playing the role of opposition leader in the assembly preferred to orchestrate political instability in the country First he came up with the narrative of US having played a role in the fall of his government using the cipher message of our ambassador in USA Then he started accusing General Bajwa and later the focus shifted to maligning the institution of the Army He

Th e U n i te d St ate s re m a i n s f o c u s e d o n t h e c h a l l e n g e to d o l l a r d o m i n a n ce f ro m o t h e r t ra d i t i o n a l c u r re n c i e s b u t d o e s n o t u n d e r s t a n d h ow n e w d i g i t a l - b a s e d c u r re n c i e s c a n e ro d e t h e p o s i t i o n o f t h e d o l l a r

I n t h e b a ck d ro p o f t h e a r r e s t s m a d e i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e 9 t h M ay i n c i d e n t s t h e s o c i a l m e d i a w i z a rd s o f t h e P T I b o t h w i t h i n a n d o u t s i d e t h e c o u n t r y s t a r t e d a v i g o ro u s c a m p a i g n t o m a l i g n t h e A r my. T h e p a r t y h a d t h e a u d a c i t y t o d e cl a r e t h a t t h e a t t a ck s o n t h e a r my i n s t a l l a t i o n s a n d m o n u m e n t s o f t h e m a r t y rs w e r e a h a n d i wo r k o f t h e i n t e l l i g e n c e a g e n c i e s t o t r a p P T I n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e f a c t t h a t t h e e n t i r e n a t i o n s aw i t o n t h e i r T V s c r e e n s w h o w e r e t h e p e o p l e b e h i n d t h o s e d a s t a rd ly a c t s Au d i o l e a k s o f P T I l e a d e rs i n r e g a rd s t o ex e c u t i o n o f t h e a t t a ck s a n d l a t e r s t a t e m e n t s by s o m e o f t h e p a r t y l e a d e rs w h o d i s s o c i a t e d t h e m s e l v e s f ro m t h e p a r t y a c c u s i n g I m r a n K h a n o f h av i n g p l a n n e d t h e s e a t t a ck s a r e a l s o a r a n t i n g t e s t i m o ny o f w h o m a s t e r m i n d e d t h e s e t r a g i c i n c i d e n t s a n d w h o ex e c u t e d t h e m SCR OLL A b

W hat is driv ing an ‘I ndia O u t’ cam p aign in B anglade sh?

are using the India Out campaign to galvanise the anger against the Hasina regime, which is seen as close to New Delhi However, given strong relations between the two countries, it is practically impossible for Bangladesh to boycott Indian products they added

TARGETING HASINA: Dhaka-based independent journalist Faisal Mahmud told Scroll that a key figure in launching the anti-India campaign was exiled Bangladeshi physician and writer Pinaki Bhattacharya A vocal critic of the Hasina government Bhattacharya had fled Bangladesh in 2018 fearing government action against him He now lives in France Bhattacharya believes that the India Out campaign is needed to oust Hasina, Mahmud said He has no grievances against India, he has grievances against Hasina ” Dhananjay Tripathi associate professor at Delhi’s South Asian University said that the campaign was aimed at replicating the India Out campaign in Maldives that is considered to be instrumental in voting out pro-India Ibrahim Solih in the presidential election in the island country last year “This is a trend in South Asian countries where if the party in power is sympathetic towards India the Opposition targets it on grounds of sovereignty and nationalism Tripathi said A claimed threat to Bangladesh s sovereignty has been a dominant theme in the anti-India campaign in Bhattacharya s campaign too He started this campaign to propagate the theory that India has meddled in Bangladesh elections to put Hasina back in power ” Mahmud said While there is little proof of India interfering in the Bangladesh elections experts noted that Hasina getting re-elected was the favoured outcome for New Delhi Even though human rights bodies the United Nations and other countries criticised the irregularities in the Bangladesh election India did not make a statement on the lack of fairness After the elections, Obaidul Quader, a senior member of the Hasina Cabinet thanked India for standing by Bangladesh, while alleging that the Opposition parties had “allied with a few foreign powers to disturb our election process Mahmud told Scroll that

been putting up social media posts against India On March 20, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party endorsed the campaign as the party s Senior Joint Secretary General, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi threw away his India-made shawl which was then set on fire by other leaders Hasina was referring to this incident when she said that Opposition leaders should also burn their wives saris THE POLITICAL PLAY: Though the call to boycott Indian products has gained significant traction on social media in Bangladesh, it is unlikely to make any dent in the trade between the two countries experts told Scroll However the campaign could provide a further impetus

G e r m a n c h a n c e l l o r h a i l s G e r m a ny - C h i n a hyd r o g e n t e c h n o l o g y c o o p e r at i o n

CHONGQING: Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz said on Sunday he is impressed by the cooperation between German and Chinese enterprises in the field of hydrogen technology and Germany is willing to continue to deepen friendly exchanges with China and push bilateral cooperation to a new level Scholz on Sunday visited a Sino-German joint venture and a Sino-German cooperative scientific research project on water monitoring, among others, after his arrival earlier the day in Chongqing S TA F F C O R R E S P O N D E N T

C h i n a c a l l s f o r r e s t r a i n t a f t e r I r a n ’s r e t a l i a t o r y a t t a c k o n I s r a e l

attack on Israel over the latter s deadly assault on the Iranian consulate in Syria China calls on relevant parties to exercise maximum calm and restraint and resolve their differences and disputes in accordance with the purposes of the UN Charter and international law to prevent further escalation said Dai Bing the charge d affaires of China s Permanent Mission to the United Nations On April 1, Iran s diplomatic premises in Syria were attacked by airstrikes resulting in the deaths of several Iranian personnel and severe damage to the premises This is a grave violation of the UN Charter and international law and a breach of the sovereignty of both Syria and Iran The attack is of an extremely vicious nature he noted China expressed deep concern over Saturday s escalation It has also noted that Iran stated that its military action was in response to

Israel’s aggression against its diplomatic premises and the matter can be deemed concluded said Dai

The ongoing situation is the latest spillover of the Gaza conflict It serves as another reminder that the Palestinian question remains central to the Middle East issue and bears on the peace stability and long-term security in the region he said

If the flames of the Gaza conflict are allowed to continue raging, the adverse spillover is set to spread still further, making the region even more unstable Countries

and peoples in the Middle East do not want to see nor can they afford a larger conflict or war Therefore the priority is implementing Security Council Resolution 2728 and securing an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, he said The ultimate solution is to implement the two-state solution and put an end to the vicious circle of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict China calls on the international community, especially countries with influence, to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability of the region, he said

minister or the government spokesman in Balochistan insiders suggest that the cabinet formation process is facing significant hurdles due to constraints outlined in the 18th amendment This amendment limits the province to accommodate only 14 provincial ministers and 5 advisers With the number of the PPP PML-N lawmakers and their allies exceeding 40 allocating positions becomes a daunting task,

ceremony was announced leaving citizens and officials alike in a state of bewilderment

The delay in the oath-taking ceremony of provincial ministers has been attributed to the death anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the founder of the ruling PPP and former prime minister of Pakistan

CM Bugti’s absence reportedly due to his brother ’s medical treatment in Dubai has been cited as a contributing factor to the delay further complicating the situation While there has been no official confirmation from the chief

The ramifications of this prolonged delay are significant, with civil affairs grinding to a halt as crucial decisions remain pending The absence of a functioning cabinet has left Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti shouldering the burden of making pivotal choices without the consultative mechanism that a cabinet provides