ISLAMABAD, MAY 14: /DNA/ – U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome met today with the Minister of Law and Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar to discuss a broad range of issues important to the bilateral relationship, including judicial independence, upholding human rights, and strengthening the rule of law.
Ambassador Blome expressed U.S. support for Pakistan’s democracy and continued economic, political, and social development.
ISLAMABAD, MAY 14: Islamabad High Court’s Justice Babar Sattar has written another letter to IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq regarding the alleged interference in judicial affairs.
In his letter, Justice Sattar wrote, “In the audio leaks case, I was given a message to back off. I was told to back off from scrutinizing the surveillance system, but I did not pay any heed to such threats.”
He insisted that such messages risked causing substantial damage to the process of justice, adding that the focus of the malicious campaign appears to be an intimidation tactic to influence judicial proceedings.
Also Read: IHC takes action over social media campaign targeting Justice Babar Sattar
According to the text of the letter, the court has notified the secret and investigative agencies in the audio leaks case, in addition to the relevant ministries, regulatory bodies, the Intelligence Bureau, the Federal Investigation Agency. The court also notified the regulatory bodies such as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and PEMRA.
Earlier in May, IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq took action against individuals involved in a negative social media campaign targeting Justice Babar Sattar. The move comes in response to a letter penned by Justice Sattar to CJ Farooq, outlining concerns regarding the malicious campaign.
Also Read: Supreme Court Bar Association calls for probe into interference with judiciary
The letter, which prompted Chief Justice Aamir Farooq’s decision to initiate contempt of court proceedings, sheds light on the gravity of the situation. Allegations stemming from the campaign, particularly regarding Justice Babar Sattar’s citizenship status, have necessitated swift judicial action.
ISLAMABAD, MAY 14: /DNA/ – Former President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Dr Shahid Rasheed Butt, said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has successfully regained the confidence of the lenders and other international institutions.
He said that under PM’s guidance, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb would successfully negotiate a new contract with the International Monetary Fund, which would positively impact the economy.
He observed that the Finance Minister’s resolve to sell state-owned firms is commendable, as it will help save trillions of wasted rupees to keep these companies artificially alive.
Shahid Rasheed Butt said in a statement issued here today that the country was saved from bankruptcy by the Prime Minister’s efforts, and now the confidence of the international institutions has been restored.
The country also prioritizes investment because it is the only way to overcome its problems.
Shahid Rashid Butt said that the previous governments only relied on tall claims. Still, the present administration is also seriously improving the economy, the results of which are coming to light.
He noted that inflation is coming down, and people are optimistic about better conditions while the business community is on the upswing.
He said that the Finance Minister is sure that the country cannot bear the burden of failed state-owned companies and that it is better to sell them to avoid the annual loss of trillions of rupees.
He said that some elements always oppose privatization for their politics’ sake without considering its economic implications. They are now trying to become obstacles in the process of selling SOEs.
The finance minister should stick to his position and sell all the loss-making government companies without caring about anyone because it is a matter of national security.
There is no such thing as strategic state-owned companies, according to the Finance Minister, who feels that the economy of Pakistan can no longer take the load of state-owned enterprises.
He believes that transferring all state-owned enterprises, regardless of their classifications to the private sector is a very positive stance.
He said that the International Monetary Fund and influential circles do not accept any other economic concept about state-owned firms; therefore, privatization of these enterprises is necessary as soon as feasible.
Phone addiction a significant health risk: Dr. Tayyab Afghani
ISLAMABAD, MAY 14 /DNA/ – The leading ophthalmologist at Al-Shifa Trust, Prof. Dr. Tayyab Afghani, said on Tuesday that smartphones have developed into a significant risk for youngsters.
Mobile phones keep children connected at all times and serve many positive purposes, but overuse has become common, leading to serious eye complications, he said.
Talking to media men, Dr. Tayyab Afghani said smartphones can have severe and long-lasting effects on children’s eye health.
He said parents and teachers should know about the consequences of children staring at smartphones for too long.
According to him, most children with access to a smartphone use it almost all the time, while those whose eyesight is still developing have disastrous impacts on their vision.
Afghani said smartphones can potentially contribute to epidemic levels of eye problems, and a research shows that by 2050, the vision of 50 percent of the world’s population may be affected.
He said mobile phones have anti-glare screens and settings that reduce the emission of blue light, which may damage the cornea. However, adjusting the brightness, contrast, and size of the text can reduce some harm to the eyes.
Teaching children to blink frequently when watching the screen and ensuring the screen is at least 16 inches away from their eyes while watching is always helpful.
He stressed that parents and teachers should try to involve children in other activities that distract them from the screen.
He said that setting time limits on how long kids can stare at screens is the best way to keep them from getting eye problems.
Every six months, a trained ophthalmologist should examine children’s eyes, lubricant eye drops should be used, and the 20-20 rule must be followed.
According to this rule, a person using a screen should shift his eyes to look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This should be repeated after a 20-minute gap.
ISLAMABAD, MAY 13 /DNA/ – Pakistan’s Foreign Service fraternity is today mourning Dr. Diyar Khan. A distinguished diplomat, Dr. Khan served the nation for over 28 years. He was Pakistan’s Ambassador to Argentina and Consul General in Guangzhou, China.
He also served at Pakistan’s Missions in Beijing, Kabul, Sana’a, Rome and the United Nations, New York. His professionalism, impeccable integrity and dedication to public service were truly admirable. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Dr. Diyar Khan.
DNA
ISLAMABAD: The submission of documents related to intra-party elections by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has seemingly not satisfied the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as the top electoral authority raised several queries over the current “status” of the former ruling party after losing “its organisational structure on lapsing of 5 years.”
A two-page questionnaire was sent to the Imran-founded party by the election watchdog after the former submitted documents related to its intra-party elections in a bid to address objections.
The ECP questioned the current “status” of the PTI as a political party besides questioning why not to start the delisting process of the former ruling party’s registration and imposing a fine for not holding timely intra-party elections.
The commission’s first question read that the “PTI did not hold intra-party elections within 5 years, in the departure of Section 208(1). Hence, it lost its organisational structure on lapsing of 5 years. What is the status of PTI now in this perspective, as a political party?”
It also questioned the legality of the party’s chief organiser and federal election commissioner appointed by its General Body, while the PTI’s constitution defines appointments on the former position via its National Council on recommendations of the Chief Executive Committee (CEC).
According to the ECP, a political party would be registered in accordance with the old law under the Election Act if it submits certificates within a week after intra-party polls, besides complete records of elected office-bearers, poll data and results. Moreover, it also requires to submit relevant documents in 60 days under the Election Act.
ISLAMABAD, MAY 13 /DNA/ – Malik Imran Ahmed, country head of The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) has urged the government to address the pressing issue of massive tobacco consumption among youth by raising tobacco taxes up to 70 percent of the retail price – a bench mark set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The proposal comes as government contemplates options to increase revenue collection in the next budget ahead of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a long-term bailout program.
Pakistan has two-tiered system of Federal Excise Duty (FED) on cigarettes. The country made significant strides and increased the FED on cigarettes in 2022-23. The current FED share in retail prices is 48 percent and 68 percent respectively for low and high tiers.
“It is high time to build on the gains and cut the number of smokers,” said Malik Imran Ahmed.
He said that more than 60 percent population of the country comprises youth and it was imperative for the government protect them from the ills of tobacco use.
The data shows that some 19.1% percent of adults (age 15 and above) currently use tobacco in any form. The tobacco users include 31.8 percent men and 5.8 percent women.
Ahmed proposed 37 percent increase in tobacco taxes keeping in view market dynamics, gains of previous tax adjustments and IMF’s recommendation of taxing non-essential items including cigarettes.
Revenue collection from July 2023 to January 2024 has reached Rs 122 billion and figure expected to surpass Rs 200 billion by year-end. Beyond revenue generation, it helped recouping 17.8% of total healthcare costs associated with smoking-related illnesses in Pakistan.
Tobacco consumption is responsible for approximately 160,000 deaths annually, accounting for a considerable 1.4% of the country’s GDP in healthcare expenses each year.
“The industry has the potential to absorb this increase,” he added.
He referred to the surveys and studies including the one by Interantioanl Monetary Fund (IMF) which said that cigarette consumption in Pakistan had reduced by at least 20 percent after the prices were increased.
Earlier, the Social Policy Development Centre (SPDC) had also advocated the increase saying it can save 265,000 lives, generate an additional revenue of Rs 37.7 billion and push 757,000 people to quit smoking.
DUBLIN, MAY 13: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi had an important meeting with Chairman Cricket Ireland Brian Mac Neice in Dublin. The Chairman Cricket Ireland warmly welcomed the PCB chairman and thanked him for visiting Ireland.
Chairman Cricket Ireland presented the PCB chairman with a souvenir shirt and cap of the Irish team. The meeting discussed the series between the women’s cricket teams and agreed to organize a series soon.
Chairman Cricket Ireland said that the Irish team would visit Pakistan next year in August-September for test series and would also review the possibility of a women’s team tour to Pakistan soon. He said that hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan was a welcome decision and that Pakistan had always provided excellent security for international tournaments.
The PCB chairman thanked the Irish chairman for the excellent arrangements made for the Pakistan team’s tour of Ireland and assured that foolproof arrangements would be made for all teams participating in the Champions Trophy 2025. He said that the Pakistan team received a lot of support and love during their tour of Ireland. Chief Executive Officer Warren Deutrom and other high officials of Cricket Ireland were also present on the occasion.
ISLAMABAD, 13 May /DNA/ – President Asif Ali Zardari has underlined the need to promote business and trade ties with Bosnia and Herzegovina by opening banks, trading in local currencies, and promoting barter trade between the two countries.
The President expressed these views while talking to the Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina (B&H), Mr Emin Cohodarevic, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.
Welcoming the Ambassador, the President said that Pakistan’s ties with Bosnia & Herzegovina were based on historic and friendly relations spanning over almost three decades. He added that both countries should continue bilateral engagements and interactions to further explore the avenues of cooperation in the areas of mutual interest.
The Ambassador said that his country wanted to deepen ties with Pakistan in the fields of economy, security, and culture. He highlighted that there was a vast scope for economic cooperation for Pakistani businesses in different industries in Bosnia & Herzegovina, including food, tourism, and textile.
The Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Pakistan for their support to Bosnia & Herzegovina during the war in the 1990s. He also solicited Pakistan’s support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s draft resolution on Srebrenica in the United Nations General Assembly.
The President said that Pakistan would favourably examine Bosnia’s request, adding that Pakistan stood in solidarity with the victims of the 1995 tragedy in Srebrenica.
The Ambassador also extended the invitation to the President to visit Bosnia & Herzegovina to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
Atif Ikram Sheikh
Karachi: /DNA/ – Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, has apprised that the Chaman border has been closed once again for the past one week; and, thousands of trucks and other vehicles have been stuck under vulnerable, uncertain and hostile circumstances. It is complete chaos once again on the important and indispensable trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, he added.
Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, henceforth, demanded that Chaman border should be opened immediately to alleviate the sufferings and financial losses of the traders – and, allow essential supplies like food and medicines to get through the border. It is a humanitarian and socioeconomic crisis as well, he added.
Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh explained that Chaman border nestled in the heart of the region’s complex geopolitical landscape; and, has long been a significant point of interaction between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly as a hub for cross-border trade between the two neighboring countries.
FPCCI Chief maintained that this kind of blockages over and over again over the past five years has eroded the government’s authority resulting in precarious law & order situation in the border area. Ironically, law & order in that area is an utmost necessity for being a difficult terrain, trade route and border crossing.
Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh added that this has become a routine occurrence; whereas, small mobs, smugglers and outlaws frequently close the border area – disrespecting law of the land and inflicting immense losses to the law-abiding traders of both the sides.
This situation highlights the challenges faced by the government in maintaining control and writ of the government to ensure the smooth flow of goods and services in the region. The frequent closures of the Chaman border has significant financial, economic and humanitarian implications, particularly for the people of Balochistan.
