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WHILE the debate on whether or not inflation and foreign currency and debt pressure will continue, and what effect they will have on aggregates like exchange rates, growth and solvency, is important, the real impact will be felt by the people of this country. Most of the impact is being felt by the lower- to middle-income groups. We really have to start thinking about what can be done by the state and society to help address their issues. Over the last couple of years, the number of people, working in the organisations I am, or have been associated with, and who have started asking for help, has increased manifold. Where previously this was usually restricted to the lowest rung of the salary scales, now people even with mid-level salaries have started asking for help to pay school fees, electricity bills (especially when the amount increases unexpectedly and significantly, as of late), health-related emergency bills, and sometimes even to cover regular gaps between salaries and househ...

KARACHI: Hoarding, smuggling and rupee depreciation continued to bring more misery for the consumers in the shape of further increases in sugar, pulses and ghee/cooking oil prices. Wholesale sugar rates rose to Rs172 per kg from Rs164-165 two days back . Some retailers had pushed up the rates to Rs185. While some online retailers were seen charging Rs99 for 500 grams, Rs905 for five-kg and Rs375 for two-kg packets. Sugar prices had not seen any decline or stability despite the caretaker government’s directions to the relevant agencies to check the hoarding and smuggling of sugar while an export ban had already been in effect since Aug 10. Rising dollar to further push up ghee, cooking oil prices “No writ of the caretaker government exists as sugar prices have gone up by Rs28 per kg since the day it took over despite the ECC directions to check smuggling and hoarding,” Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association (KWGA) Chairman Rauf Ibrahim said. The market is abuzz with reports th...

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Forei­­gn Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Thursday said the role of UN peacekeeping remains indispensable in a world grappling with persistent conflicts and complex challenges. “With active presence in conflict zones, UN peacekeepers serve as a practical demonstration of the international community’s commitment to preserving lives and fostering lasting peace,” Mr Jilani said while speaking at the 2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Prepara­tory Meeting on safety and security of peacekeepers here. He noted that ensuring a safe and secure environment for United Nations peacekeepers who tirelessly maintain peace around the globe should be the foremost priority. He said legal frameworks and adequate accountability mechanisms were paramount for peacekeepers’ safety. Ensuring safe, secure environment for peacekeepers should be foremost priority, UN meeting told “We must stand firm in holding accountable the perpetrators — individuals and groups that harm or threa...

ISLAMABAD: The attr­i­bution of malice of “colourable exercise of jurisdiction” to parliament in amending NAB laws sha­kes the foundations of parliamentary democracy, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah observed during a hearing on Thursday. He was part of a three-judge bench which had taken up the challenges by former prime minister Imran Khan to the August 2022 amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO). “We, the unelected 17 people (judges), can touch legislation made by representatives of 250 million only when it violates Art­icle 8 of the Constitution, which bars enactments in derogation of fundamental rights,” Justice Shah observed. He contested an impression that the Rs500 million threshold , which entitles the National Accoun­ta­bility Bureau (NAB) to take cognisance of corruption allegations, means that an accused who has committed corruption inv­o­lving an amount below that limit would go scot-free. He can be tried by another forum, Justice Shah argued. “When the...

The caretaker government has pushed through a sharp hike in the price of petrol by Rs14.91 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs18.44 per litre. The increase brings the price of petrol to Rs305.36 per litre and HSD to Rs311.84 per litre, the Ministry of Finance said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) after midnight. No revision was specified in the rates of kerosene or light diesel oil. The price increase comes on the heels of an already massive hike on August 15 when the interim government raised fuel prices by up to Rs20 per litre. That jump in petroleum prices had come after similar hikes by the previous government on Aug 1. The price hike is based on existing tax rates and import parity prices, mainly because of currency depreciation and a slight inc­rease in international oil prices. The rupee yet again continued to extend losses today sliding another Rs1.09 against the US dollar in the interbank market. It closed at a record low of Rs305.54. Since the induction ...

Karachi police on Thursday registered a first information report (FIR) of an incident in which a pickup truck rammed four members of a family earlier this week in the Gulshan-i-Iqbal area. The CCTV footage of the incident, which has been making the rounds on social media, showed the fast-moving vehicle hitting a group of individuals, including young children, as well as a rickshaw. In a disturbing sequence, the driver can be seen fleeing the scene, only to return and run over the injured victims once again. Caretaker Sindh Home Minister, retired Brig Haris Nawaz, took notice of the incident and directed the police to provide a comprehensive report on the matter and apprehend the individuals involved in the case. Speaking to Dawn.com today, Gulshan-i-Iqbal Police SHO Arshad Afridi said the incident took place on Sunday and confirmed the registration of the FIR. He stated that the police had “certain leads regarding the vehicle” and were actively pursuing the individuals responsibl...

NEW YORK: American teenager Coco Gauff qualified for the third round of the US Open on Wednesday after beating 16-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-2. Sixth seed Gauff, one of the favourites for the title after recent tournament wins in Washington and Cincinnati, will meet Belgium’s Elise Mertens or countrywoman Danielle Collins for a place in the last 16. After a tough opening round against German veteran Laura Siegemund, Gauff dominated the youngest player in the draw to notch a 13th win in 14 matches since losing in the Wimbledon first round. The 19-year-old defeated Andreeva for the second time in three Grand Slams after winning their French Open clash in the first act of a potentially era-defining rivalry. “I just learned to be aggressive, because if you give her something she is going to take advantage,” said Gauff, who was taken to three sets by Andreeva at Roland Garros in June. “I did well today making her play off her back foot. She has a great future in front of he...

LAHORE: A Christian trust organisation has approached the Lahore High Court for a judicial inquiry into the burning of churches and houses by a mob in Jaranwala. Grace Bible Fellowship Church Pakistan, a missionary trust, filed a writ petition through its chairman Peter Charles with multiple requests to the court. The petitioner states that an incident of alleged defiling of the Holy Quran unfortunately happened in Jaranwala, and through announcements from local mosques, a severe riot took place by a furious mob of Muslim devotees. It says the mob ransacked the properties of Christian residents, and the riotous elements torched more than 25 churches of and over 50 houses, along with household articles, using petrol bombs. It submits that the members of the Christian community of the area still live in state of fear and at risk to their lives and liberty. The petition alleges that the local administration and law enforcement authorities deliberately failed to control the violen...

COLOMBO: Injuries forced Sri Lanka on Tuesday to drop two key players — Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera — from their 15-member squad for the 50-over Asia Cup. Sri Lanka’s cricket board said Hasaranga, a spin bowling all-rounder, and pace bowler Chameera were in the original squad, but had to be dropped due to their injuries. Two other lesser known players — Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara — were also left out because of injuries, the board said. The Asia Cup, which starts Wednesday, is a final chance for teams from the region to size each other up before the World Cup in India starting in October. Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanaka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando and Pramod Madushan. Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2023 from The Dawn News - Home https://i...

NEW YORK: Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur overcame a medical scare to battle into the second round of the US Open on Tuesday with a straight sets defeat of Colombia’s Camila Osorio. Jabeur, chasing a first Grand Slam crown after three agonising defeats in finals since 2022, opened her US Open campaign with a 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) victory on the Louis Armstrong Stadium. The 29-year-old looked to be struggling during a tense first set, complaining to the chair umpire that she was having difficulty breathing after Osorio fought back from 4-1 down to level at 4-4. Jabeur needed treatment from medical staff after going 5-4 down in the first set, but then rallied to take the first set and appeared to poised to clinch victory after holding two match points in the second set while 5-3 up. However Osorio rallied to stave off defeat, and went on to level at 5-5 after breaking Jabeur. Jabeur broke back immediately to take a 6-5 lead but was then broken once again to send the second set to a tie break. Jabeur...

PAKISTAN opener Fakhar Zaman plays a shot during a practice session at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.—AFP MULTAN: Asia’s cricket giants India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will get a final chance to size each other up before October’s 50-over World Cup when the Asia Cup begins on Wednesday. Fiery rivals India and Pakistan could clash as many as three times if they go all the way in the six-nation continental championship. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are co-hosts, a hybrid model agreed after World Cup hosts India refused to tour Pakistan, with the final on September 17 in Colombo. Babar Azam’s Pakistan, who became the world’s top-ranked ODI team after last week’s 3-0 series sweep against Afghanistan, open their campaign at home on Wednesday against Asia Cup debutants Nepal in Multan. Babar, regretting the snub over Pakistan’s hosting, stressed his team was focused on the opening game against Nepal rather than against arch-rivals India, saying no team can be taken lightly. “In my...

KARACHI: The US dollar seems to hold complete sway over the exchange rate these days as banks, as well as forex companies, watch helplessly. Currency experts said the dollar rates quoted by the banks and exchange companies are not real. The banks are reluctant to depict the real situation fearing the State Bank reaction, while the exchange companies don’t want to tell the truth fearing action taken against them, they added. The State Bank on Tuesday reported the closing price of dollar at Rs303.05 in the interbank, while the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan quoted the open market rate at Rs318. Sources in banks said that with the opening of imports — a condition of the IMF — the banks feared that poor dollar inflows are not enough to meet the high demand from importers. Under this situation, the currency dealers in banks resist opening of letter of credits for imports. British pound crosses 400 against rupee in open market The banks are responsible for providing dollar...

KARACHI: A rise in air pollution in Pakistan, particularly in highly polluted urban centres, could lead to a potential reduction of up to four years in life expectancy, according to the latest Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report. The annual report from the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute indicates that those living in cities such as Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Peshawar could stand to lose up to four years of their lives. As per the index, which quantifies the influence of air pollution on life expectancy, particulate pollution stands as the second most significant peril to public health in Pakistan, with cardiovascular diseases being the primary concern. The rise in the pollution will also increase the occurrence of several mental health disorders like chronic anxiety, seasonal depression and mood sicknesses, the report predicts. AQLI report classifies Bangladesh as top polluted country; New Delhi emerges as ‘most polluted megacity’ On a global scale, S...

THIS undated combined image, obtained on August 28, 2023, shows a live “ophidascaris robertsi” roundworm found in a 64-year-old Australian woman’s brain.—Reuters SYDNEY: A parasitic roundworm typically found in snakes was pulled “alive and wriggling” from a woman’s brain in a stomach-churning medical first, Australian doctors said on Tuesday. Baffled doctors performed an MRI scan on the 64-year-old Australian woman after she began suffering memory lapses, noticing an “atypical lesion” at the front of her brain. It was an eight-centimetre (three-inch) roundworm, called Ophidas­caris robertsi, which researchers said was a common parasite in kangaroos and carpet pythons — but not humans. “This is the first-ever human case of Ophidascaris to be described in the world,” said infectious disease expert Sanjaya Senanayake. “To our knowledge, this is also the first case to involve the brain of any mammalian species, human or otherwise.” Patient, who hails from New South Wales, is said...

LAHORE: The flood level in Sutlej river has started to recede as it moved downstream from Bahawalpur on Tuesday. The decline in water flow has been recorded after the river remained in a high-flood state for the past many weeks as India released water following heavy rains in its northern states. On Tuesday, the water entered the settlements of Weaslan, Sahlan, Lal De Goth, Hasilpur and Khairpur Tamewali in Bahawalpur district and caused widespread destruction. The moderate-level flood is now heading towards tehsil Ahmedpur East, south of Bahawalpur, Dawn has learnt. Regarding the threat to at least seven villages in Ahmedpur East, Bahawal­pur Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Anwar Jappa said the embankments and dykes in the area were intact. He warned if the water level increased, it may damage some of the zamindara (private) dykes. The Ahmedpur East assistant commissioner was looking after relief and rescue efforts, Mr Jappa said, adding camps have been set up in the area to house...

Najla Mangoush, Libya’s sacked foreign minister. TRIPOLI: Libya’s prime minister sacked the foreign minister on Monday in an effort to contain a growing furore over Najla Mangoush’s meeting with her Israeli counterpart last week, which prompted protests in several Libyan cities. Mangoush had said her meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in Rome was unplanned and informal, but an Israeli official said it had lasted two hours and was approved “at the highest levels in Libya”. Some reports in Libyan media said the foreign minister had left for Turkiye after the furore, but others said she was in the country and had been put on a no-fly list. The meeting is contentious because Libya does not formally recognise Israel and there is widespread public support across the Libyan political spectrum for the Palestinian cause of creating an independent state in territory Israel occupies. The dispute over the meeting has fed into Libya’s internal political crisis, giving ammunitio...

DAMASCUS: Israeli air strikes on Aleppo airport in northern Syria caused the grounding of flights on Monday, Syrian state news agency Sana reported, citing a military source. During more than 12 years of civil war in Syria, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on its territory, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions. “At about 4:30am (0130 GMT) this morning, the Israeli enemy undertook an aerial aggression from the direction of the Mediterranean west of Latakia, targeting Aleppo International Airport,” the source said, adding that this resulted in damage to the runway. Israel rarely comments on strikes it carries out in Syria, but has repeatedly said it will not allow its arch-foe Iran to expand its presence in the country. An Israeli army spokesperson on Monday said: “We do not comment on reports in the foreign media.” Syrian transport ministry official Suleiman Khalil said the damage centred on the only fun...

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Power on Monday joined public criticism of the “unprecedented electric bills” and directed the Power Division to provide lists of electricity defaulters and outstanding dues to all the distribution companies (Discos). The meeting of the panel presided over by Senator Saifullah Abro discussed the unprecedented electric bills that have led to nationwide protests. On queries, the Power Division officials reported that capacity payment to independent power producers (IPPs) in the current financial year stood at Rs1.3 trillion and dollar-to-rupee conversion rate, imported prices of coal, and RLNG and Kibor were the major factors determining the capacity payments. On another question, the official said the cost of electricity theft was around Rs467bn while the government had allocated Rs976bn for electricity subsidy for the current year budget. Mr Abro criticised the role of IPPs and said they were the primary reason behind the unjustified elect...

A woman sits with her belongings at a flooded village in Okara, on Monday. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, excess water in the Sutlej has caused widespread destruction in at least seven districts of Punjab—AFP • Bahawalpur DC says 128,000 people evacuated • Locals lament ‘inadequate support’ • PMD forecasts more rain in catchment areas LAHORE / BAHAWALPUR: The high water flow in Sutlej river moved downstream on Monday after causing widespread devastation in villages and riverine settlements around Bahawalpur city. The river has been in a high-flood state for the past many weeks after India released water following heavy rains in its northern states. The high water flow submerged Bahawalpur suburbs after several zamindara (private) protective dykes were breached. The water entered the settlements of Weaslan, Sahlan, Lal De Goth, Hasilpur and Khairpur Tamewali. According to Bahawalpur Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Anwar Jappa, the administration had mo...

• Information minister promises ‘real relief’ as energy ministry finalises proposals • ‘One-slab benefit’, tax reduction, payment via instalments among likely relief measures • Demonstrations against inflated electricity bills continue across country ISLAMABAD: In light of protests against inflated electricity bills, the energy ministry has finalised a list of proposals to provide relief to the inflation-hit populace, which would be presented in a meeting of the federal cabinet for approval, said interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on Monday. The minister told Dawn that the public protesting the hike in electricity tariff was in distress and the government would do something to alleviate their suffering, else the two-day-long meeting on the issue of inflated bills would be futile. View this post on Instagram In reply to a question about relief, Mr Solangi said it would be a ‘relief in a real manner’, not just breaking up...

Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir assured the interim government of the army’s “all-out support” for continuity of policies in a bid to revive the economy and steer the country towards progress and prosperity. The development came in the fourth apex committee meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), but the first since the the caretaker government took over. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar presided over the meeting attended by the army chief, federal cabinet, chief ministers, provincial ministers and high-level government officials. The meeting was given a thorough review of the SIFC’s initiatives, encompassing progress in key areas and benchmarks achieved thus far in a short span of time. PM Kakar appreciated the SIFC’s efficient functioning through a collaborative “whole-of-government” approach for achieving horizontal and vertical synergy. The apex committee participants appreciated the council’s outreach strategy to achieve global t...

KABUL: Middle-order batter Najibullah Zadran returned to Afghanistan’s 17-man squad on Sunday ahead of the Asia Cup after recovering from a knee injury. The 30-year-old left-hander had to miss the three-match series against Pakistan which Afghanistan lost 3-0 in Colombo on Saturday. The selection committee hoped Najibullah will be ready for the six-nation event starting in Multan from Wednesday. “Najibullah missed the recently concluded Pakistan series due to a knee injury but has been included and is expected to recover from the injury prior to the start of the event,” the Afghanistan Cricket Board said in a statement. Afghanistan will face Bangladesh in Lahore on September 3 before rounding off the group stage of the Asia Cup with a game against Sri Lanka at the same venue two days later. Pakistan will host four matches while Sri Lanka will host nine in the Asia Cup. All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai has been ruled out of the competition due to a side strain while Gulbadin Naib an...

ISLAMABAD: The Islam­abad High Court Bar Associ­ation (IHCBA) on Sunday condemned the ongoing “malicious campaign circulating on social media targeting the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Justice Aamer Farooq”. A statement issued by IHCBA president Naveed Malik stated that the bar strongly condemned the ongoing malicious campaign circulating on social media against the IHC chief justice, although it did not mention anyone as responsible for it. The ministry of law, as reported by PPI , held the PTI responsible for the campaign. Justice Farooq, who has been hearing Imran Khan’s appeal against the trial court’s decision that convicted the PTI chairman in the Toshakhana case, was recently accused by the former prime minister of trying to keep the petitioner behind bars to prevent him from contesting general elections. The chief justice is scheduled to hear the final arguments on Monday (today). The IHCBA statement noted, “Justice Farooq, renowned for his unwavering ...

• Standing crops submerged • 175 relief camps set up • 480 villages affected so far BAHAWALPUR/LAHORE: Panic gripped Bahawalpur and adjacent areas as a number of zamindara (private) protective dykes could not withstand the strong Sutlej water currents that inundated three main villages on the outskirts of town. Sunday’s peak discharge in Sutlej at Empress bridge was 130,000 cusecs which flooded settlements of Weaslan, Sahlan and Lal De Goth. Their residents had been evacuated along with their livestock well before the breaches occurred. But their standing crops have been submerged over a vast area. Since these villages are close to the city, there is concern among the general public about the possible flooding but officials said the situation was under control. After learning about breaches in the morning, Deputy Commissioner Zaher Anwar Jappa visited the affected areas and supervised the strengthening of dykes being done through heavy machinery. He said efforts were on to protec...

LAHORE: Pakistan finished seventh in the 22nd Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship after beating Bahrain 3-1 in their seventh-position match in Urmia, Iran on Saturday. According to a press release issued by the Pakistan Volleyball Federation, Pakistan defeated Bahrain 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-18, 25-18). Teams from 18 countries took part in the 22nd edition of the continental championship played from Aug 19 to 26. Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2023 from The Dawn News - Home https://ift.tt/QWjI6hk

PRESIDENT Dr Arif Alvi, on Aug 20, 2023, went on his X (formerly Twitter) account to allege that he had not ‘assented’ to two bills seeking amendments to the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, and the Official Secrets Act, 1923, both of which the government had already notified as duly promulgated acts by parliament. In fact, the government hastily moved to prosecute certain PTI leaders under these amended ‘acts’. The controversy around the ‘assent’ of the president is against the following backdrop of law and facts: (1) Article 75 of the Constitution provides a multidimensional approach to the ‘assent’ of the president necessary to the passage of a ‘bill’ of parliament to an ‘act’ of parliament. There is a distinct dichotomy in the Article between ‘assent’ and ‘deemed assent’. (2) Thus, Article 75 charges the president, within 10 days, to either ‘assent to the bill’ as covered by sub-Article 75(1)(a) or return the bill to parliament with “a message requesting that the bill or any specified...