Pakistan,s rank improved on democracy index

In yet another achievement, Pakistan moved three places up on the democracy index-2020.

Taking to social networking website, Twitter, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill said that Pakistan jumped three places to 105th position on the democracy index released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

ڈیموکریسی انڈیکس رپورٹ 2020 میں پاکستان کے رینک میں 2019 کے مقابلے میں 3 درجہ،جبکے سال 2018 کی رپورٹ کے مقابلے میں 7 درجہ بہتری

اس سال پوری دنیا میں صرف 38 ممالک کے سکور میں بہتری آئی ہے اور پاکستان ان میں سے ایک ہے.

فیملی لمیٹڈ پارٹیاں وزارتیں اور عہدے اپنے ٹبر میں بانٹ کر

— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) February 6, 2021

 

Pakistan was assigned a score of 4.31, 0.6 points higher as compared to 4.25 in the last year, he said, adding that the country had been ranked 108 in 2019.

 

ٹرانسپیرنسی انٹرنیشنل رپورٹ کے ورائٹیز آف ڈیموکریسی انڈکس نے پاکستان کو گزشتہ برس کی نسبت کم درجہ دیا تو چور الائنس نے کچھ وٹس ایپ صحافیوں کے ساتھ مل کر طوفان بپا کیے رکھا

ڈیموکریسی انڈیکس رپورٹ میں 2018 کے مقابلے پاکستان کی 7 درجہ بہتری ہوئی
اب یہ ٹولہ نیپال چلا گیا ہے شائد
? pic.twitter.com/EkHOIf5AKW

— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) February 6, 2021

Earlier on December 26, Pakistan Post had jumped 27 places to 67th position on the global index in 2020. According to the postal development report-2020 issued by the Universal Postal Union, Pakistan Post had moved up 27 spots from 94th to 67th.

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President Alvi hopes Ali Sadpara, other K2 climbers are safe

President Arif Alvi hoped that mountaineer Muhammad Ali Sadpara and other climbers who were part of an expedition to ascend the second highest peak of the globe, K2, without oxygen would be fine.

“I hope that Ali Sadpara and other fellow climbers will be fine,” he said in a message posted from his personal Twitter account.

مجھے امید ہے کہ علی سدپارہ اور ان کے ساتھی کوہ پیما خیریت سے ہوں۔ یہ بہت بہادر کوہ پیما ہیں۔ ہم ان کی سلامتی کے لئے دعا کرتے ہیں۔ آپ کے اس تھریڈمیں اچھی معلومات ہیں https://t.co/1dsXM3T6HH

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) February 6, 2021

He lauded the courageousness of these mountaineers and said that all of them would pray for their safe return.

A Twitter message from the official account of the Government of Pakistan also prayed for the safe return of Muhammad Ali Sadpara and other fellow mountaineers.

Prayers for safe return of our hero Muhammad Ali Sadpara and his fellow mountaineers!

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 6, 2021

Earlier in the day, it was reported that Pakistani mountaineer Muhammad Ali Sadpara — along with climber from Iceland John Snorri, is reported to be missing during his winter ascent on K2 and contact with the 3-member expedition has not been established for the last 25 hours.

The climbers went missing while returning to the basecamp 4, while Sajjid Sadpara reached basecamp 3 last night.

A rescue operation has now been launched to locate the missing climbers. Two helicopters of the Pakistan Army rescue team are taking part in the operation.

Sadpara along with his team was on a mission to summit the mountain in winter without oxygen.

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Government wants upcoming Senate polls by open ballot: Foreign Minister

In order to ensure transparency and end horse-trading, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said that the government wants that the upcoming Senate polls should be held through open ballot instead of the secret ballot.

Talking to journalists, FM Qureshi said that they wanted that horse-trading, corrupt practices, trade of loyalty amid Senate elections should be ended.

There was a clear contradiction between the words and deeds of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), he added.

The foreign minister said that PML-N and PPP had sighed the charter of democracy but now both the parties have backtracked from the contract.

Earlier today, the government had gotten the approval from the federal cabinet regarding the ordinance to legalise the organisation of Senate elections through the open ballot.

Sources had told ARY News that the federal cabinet approved the ordinance through a circulation summary which paved the way for the promulgation of the law before the release of the election schedule.

It may be noted here that the presidential reference was also being heard by the Supreme Court (SC) pertains to the organisation of Senate polls through an open vote.

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PM Khan, Abu Dhabi crown prince discuss matters of mutual interest on Phone Call

Prime Minister Imran Khan held a telephonic conversation with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

According to details, the two leaders reaffirmed the existing close fraternal relations between Pakistan and the UAE and reiterated the resolve to further strengthen the multifaceted bilateral relationship.

They also exchanged views on the COVID-19 pandemic, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The prime minister and Abu Dhabi crown prince agreed to continue working closely to enhance bilateral ties as well as cooperation in multilateral organizations.

The prime minister also informed him about the latest situation of coronavirus in Pakistan and the steps taken by the government to contain the epidemic.

Last year in May, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had agreed to work closely for effective containment of the coronavirus outbreak.

The resolve came during a telephone call made by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to Prime Minister Imran Khan in May 2020.

Thanking the Crown Prince for pardoning Pakistani prisoners and timely repatriation of Pakistani citizens from UAE, the prime minister had lauded the steps taken by the UAE authorities to curtail the spread of the pandemic.

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First Muslim President in 134-year history of Harvard Law Review

The Harvard Law Review has named a Los Angeles-born Egyptian-American as what it believes is its first Muslim president in its 134-year history, elevating him to the top of one of the most prestigious US law journals.

Harvard Law School student Hassaan Shahawy said he hoped his election represented “legal academia’s growing recognition of the importance of diversity, and perhaps its growing respect for other legal traditions.”

Among the legal and political luminaries who have worked at the Harvard Law Review was former U.S. President Barack Obama, named the journal’s first Black president in 1990. Three serving members of the U.S. Supreme Court were editors of the Harvard Law Review, as were the late Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia.

“Coming from a community routinely demonized in American public discourse, I hope this represents some progress, even if small and symbolic,” Shahawy, 26, told Reuters in an email.

Law reviews are staffed by the top students at US law schools, who are often recruited for judicial clerkships and other prestigious jobs in the profession.

The review’s first female president, Susan Estrich, was elected in 1977. Other presidents have been Latino and openly gay. The first Black woman was elected president in 2017.

Shahawy graduated Harvard as an undergraduate in 2016 with a degree in History and Near Eastern Studies. He then attended the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar to pursue a doctorate in Oriental Studies and studied Islamic law.

Shahawy said he has been active working with refugee populations and on criminal justice reform. His future plans are unclear, though he cited the possibility of becoming a public interest lawyer or working in academia.

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PLL gets lowest bid from Vitol Bahrain for April delivery

As the international market continued its downward journey, state-run Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) has received cheaper bids for two cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for deliveries in April.

The PLL on Friday said Vitol Bahrain offered the lowest bids of 1.0522 per cent and 10.88933pc of Brent Crude Price for April 5-6 and April 19-20 delivery windows, respectively.

This is the lowest bid PLL has secured from the spot market since Sept 22-23, 2020. The LNG prices had since been on a steady increase.

The PLL bid results showed, three companies had bid for April 5-6 cargo with a price range of 11.05pc to 12.18pc of Brent. For the second cargo on April 19-20, the PLL received four bids ranging between 10.8933pc and 12.50pc of Brent. Vitol Bahrain won both bids.

At current Brent price of about $58 per barrel, both cargoes worked out at about $6.3 to $6.4 per million British thermal unit (mmBtu). The bids were invited through open tender on Dec 30, 2020.

Earlier, the PLL had received the lowest bid of 13.62pc of Brent for cargo delivery in second week of March from ENI of Italy under an urgent tendering process. The lowest bid for the 4th week of March also through urgent tender had secured 12.73pc of Brent from Qatar Petroleum.

This indicated that prices were easing out in the spot market as demand dropped over the past couple of weeks.

After many months, the spot prices are now available to Pakistan at lower than long term contract of Qatar Petro­leum at 13.37pc of Brent. All spot cargos usually contain about 140,000 cubic meters of LNG or 3.2 mmBtu.

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PSO is expecting his first LNG cargo delivery in recent three years

Pakistan State Oil (PSO) is seeking a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo for delivery in April through a tender after a five-year contract with commodity trader Gunvor expired in December, three industry sources told Reuters.

If awarded, this will be the state-owned company’s first spot purchase in about three years, two of the sources said.

PSO last sought spot cargoes in October, for delivery over November to January, but did not award the tender as demand had dropped amid the coronavirus pandemic and a surge in hydropower generation, one of the sources said.

“With summer approaching, which is when power generation demand usually increases, PSO will likely need more LNG,” the source said, adding that the company will probably regularly issue tenders seeking one to three LNG cargoes a month going forward.

Five-year pact with Gunvor expired in Dec 2020

The company has no immediate plans to sign another mid-term contract though there are discussions in place with potential suppliers, and plans to focus on the spot market instead, the source said.

“There’s been a lot of turbulence in (prices) recently, so PSO is a bit cautious of signing longer-term deals,” the source added.

Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices fell for a third week as a warmer season approaches in the northern hemisphere, reducing the heating demand that sent prices to a historic high last month.

The average LNG price for March delivery into Northeast Asia was estimated at around $7.20 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), traders said. That’s 80 cents lower than the previous week.

Cargos for April delivery were estimated at $6.60 per mmBtu. That’s about five times lower than the record high of $32.50/mmBtu on Jan 13.

In the latest tender, PSO is seeking the LNG cargo for delivery over April 15 to 16, according to a document seen by Reuters. The tender closes on March 2.

After five-year contract with Gunvor expired in December, PSO received extra volumes from its long-term supplier Qatar Petroleum for delivery over January to March, two sources said.

Gunvor declined to comment, while PSO did not immediately reply to an email requesting comment.

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COVID-19: 1,286 new cases, 28 deaths reported within 24 hours

Pakistan has recorded 28 more coronavirus-related deaths in past 24 hours, surging the overall death toll to 11,914, reported on Saturday.

According to the latest statistics of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the COVID-19 has claimed 28 more lives and 1,286 fresh infections were reported.

In the past 24 hours, as many as 1,198 patients have recovered from the virus in a day and 1,908 patients are still in critical condition.

The total count of active cases is 32,514 and positivity rate stands at 3.85 per cent.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), with fresh inclusion of the infections in the country the national tally of cases now currently stands at 553,128.

A total of 33,319 tests were conducted across the country during this period. Overall 508,700 people have recovered from the deadly disease so far while 8,155,766 samples have been tested thus far.

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10 pro-government Afghan militiamen were killed in Taliban attack

At least 10 pro-government Afghan militiamen were killed in fierce overnight fighting after their checkpoint came under attack from Taliban fighters in northern Afghanistan, officials said on Friday.

The attack on the local militia, many of which work with overstretched security forces, came as violence surges across the country despite peace talks between the warring Taliban and Afghan government.

Insurgents attacked the checkpoint in the restive Kunduz province during the night, provincial governor Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal told reporters.

“Their attack was repelled initially but the militiamen were attacked again by Taliban fighters which led to intense fighting,” Mirzakwal said.

“Unfortunately, 10 uprising forces (pro-government militiamen) were killed.” Kunduz provincial council member Amruddin Wali confirmed the attack but said at least 15 militiamen were killed.

There was no immediate comment from the Taliban.

The Taliban and government forces have repeatedly clashed in Kunduz, with the insurgents attempting to capture the strategic city located not far from the Tajikistan border.

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Rawalpindi: PAK vs SA 2nd Test Match, Day 03

The second Test match between Pakistan and South Africa is underway at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

South Africa were 106/4 at the start of day three with Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma batting.

Pakistan made some late inroads into wobbling South Africa’s batting lineup on the second day of the second Test that also saw the emergence of Faheem Ashraf as a quality all-rounder.

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PLL gets lowest bid from Vitol Bahrain for April delivery

As the international market continued its downward journey, state-run Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) has received cheaper bids for two cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for deliveries in April.

The PLL on Friday said Vitol Bahrain offered the lowest bids of 1.0522 per cent and 10.88933pc of Brent Crude Price for April 5-6 and April 19-20 delivery windows, respectively.

This is the lowest bid PLL has secured from the spot market since Sept 22-23, 2020. The LNG prices had since been on a steady increase.

The PLL bid results showed, three companies had bid for April 5-6 cargo with a price range of 11.05pc to 12.18pc of Brent. For the second cargo on April 19-20, the PLL received four bids ranging between 10.8933pc and 12.50pc of Brent. Vitol Bahrain won both bids.

At current Brent price of about $58 per barrel, both cargoes worked out at about $6.3 to $6.4 per million British thermal unit (mmBtu). The bids were invited through open tender on Dec 30, 2020.

Earlier, the PLL had received the lowest bid of 13.62pc of Brent for cargo delivery in second week of March from ENI of Italy under an urgent tendering process. The lowest bid for the 4th week of March also through urgent tender had secured 12.73pc of Brent from Qatar Petroleum.

This indicated that prices were easing out in the spot market as demand dropped over the past couple of weeks.

After many months, the spot prices are now available to Pakistan at lower than long term contract of Qatar Petro­leum at 13.37pc of Brent. All spot cargos usually contain about 140,000 cubic meters of LNG or 3.2 mmBtu.

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PSO is expecting his first LNG cargo delivery in recent three years

Pakistan State Oil (PSO) is seeking a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo for delivery in April through a tender after a five-year contract with commodity trader Gunvor expired in December, three industry sources told Reuters.

If awarded, this will be the state-owned company’s first spot purchase in about three years, two of the sources said.

PSO last sought spot cargoes in October, for delivery over November to January, but did not award the tender as demand had dropped amid the coronavirus pandemic and a surge in hydropower generation, one of the sources said.

“With summer approaching, which is when power generation demand usually increases, PSO will likely need more LNG,” the source said, adding that the company will probably regularly issue tenders seeking one to three LNG cargoes a month going forward.

Five-year pact with Gunvor expired in Dec 2020

The company has no immediate plans to sign another mid-term contract though there are discussions in place with potential suppliers, and plans to focus on the spot market instead, the source said.

“There’s been a lot of turbulence in (prices) recently, so PSO is a bit cautious of signing longer-term deals,” the source added.

Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices fell for a third week as a warmer season approaches in the northern hemisphere, reducing the heating demand that sent prices to a historic high last month.

The average LNG price for March delivery into Northeast Asia was estimated at around $7.20 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), traders said. That’s 80 cents lower than the previous week.

Cargos for April delivery were estimated at $6.60 per mmBtu. That’s about five times lower than the record high of $32.50/mmBtu on Jan 13.

In the latest tender, PSO is seeking the LNG cargo for delivery over April 15 to 16, according to a document seen by Reuters. The tender closes on March 2.

After five-year contract with Gunvor expired in December, PSO received extra volumes from its long-term supplier Qatar Petroleum for delivery over January to March, two sources said.

Gunvor declined to comment, while PSO did not immediately reply to an email requesting comment.

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Punjab is planning to add 5,000MW of Power in the system by 2024

In a bid to cut down reliance on the national grid, Punjab plans to generate over 5,000MW electricity — including 300MW through launch of several small hydropower projects — under short, medium and long-term strategies by 2024. The province has also floated tenders to launch construction of 12 mini hydropower projects before June this year, Dawn has learnt.

“Save electricity for yourself and the nation is a slogan of the federal government, but we have slightly changed it for Punjab. ‘Make Electricity for yourself and the nation’ is our slogan,” Punjab Minister for Energy Dr Akhtar Malik said in a conversation with Dawn. “For this, we envision Punjab as an energy-secure province by promoting the renewable energy sector involving optimal use of indigenous resources (hydro, waste and biomass), private sector investment, timely regulatory interventions and efficient energy conservation,” Dr Malik explained.

According to a report, recently shared with the government, Punjab seeks supply of electricity to a number of off-grid villages, setting up generation facilities near load centres/clusters, oil & gas exploration, addition of 300MW solar energy at the 600MW Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, development of identified 1,000MW wind corridor at Rajanpur, promotion of rooftop solar energy for household, solarisation of public institutes, retrofitting of public institutes and energy conservation building codes.

The province wants to utilisate hydel power potential on Punjab canals and barrages, promote waste to energy projects in urban areas, solar/biogas/wind hybrid solutions for rural electrification, biomass-based power plants in agricultural centres as well as encourage private sector to invest in power sector.

The report mentions that the Punjab Energy Depar­tment is working on three different action plans that range from short-term (0-2 years), medium-term (2-5 years) and long-term (5-10 years) in a bid to its objectives under various timelines by the year 2024.

“The government has started work to launch 50MW waste to energy project in Lahore, 100MW Zhenfa solar, 100MW Zorlu solar projects, solorisation of 4,200 schools (6.8MW) in north and south Punjab, solarisation of CM Secret­ariat and General Hospital in Lahore (over 3MW), Islamia University in Baha­walpur (2.5MW), 2,324 Basic Health Units (7.24MW), 12 DHQ Hospitals (5MW) and various off-grid villages (5MW), 0.550MW solar/biogas hybrid power system in Vehari and Sumandari and commercial operation of 1,263MW Punjab Thermal Power Project at Trimmu, Jhang,” the report adds .

Under the short-term plan, the government seeks to establish its own power transmission/grid company, establishment of energy efficiency and conservation agency as well as standarisation and labelling of motors and air conditioners etc.

The medium-term plan sees completion of 250MW Wind Hydropower Project in Rojhan, Rajanpur, four 120MW waste to energy projects, 135MW Taunsa Hydro­power project, 170MW mini hydropower projects (18 sites) and solrisation of 1,000 villages (15MW).

Under the long-term plan, the government envisages completion of another 750MW wind power project in Rojhan, 400MW Solar Power Park each in Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan and solarisation of 5,000 off-grid villages (150MW).

The government will also complete various studies related to solar, wind, biomass resource mapping of the province based on the World Bank locational studies and establishment of coal park at Rahim Yar Khan.

“Under off-grid electrification, the districts proposed for the pilot project include Dera Ghazi Khan where 905 villages would be connected with the poor distribution system, 865 villages in Bahawalpur, 365 in Layyah, 331 in Muzaffargarh, 326 in Rahim Yar Khan, 325 in Rajanpur, 286 in Lodhran, 256 in Bahawalnagar, 179 in Bhak­­ar and 65 in Mianwali,” the report reads. “These districts have been selected because of having highest multi-dimensional poverty index in Punjab,” it further adds.

Dr Malik said the energy department was also working out various proposals to end dependency of various bulk power consuming (over 150MW) by water and sanitation agencies of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisal­abad, Rawalpindi and Mul­tan from the national grid. Lahore WASA tops among all since it is alone consuming over 85MW electricity to keep running its tube wells for water supply to a huge population,” he said. “Lahore Orange Line train operations also consume 54MW,” he added.

The minister informed that tenders for launch of as many as 12 mini hydropower projects including 5MW Pattan have also been floated.

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Pakistan recives 220 oxygen concentrators from UNICEF

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) has handed over 220 oxygen concentrators to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination for treating patients suffering from coronavirus, birth asphyxia and complicated pneumonia.

Funded by the Asian Development Bank to the tune of $331,000, the life-saving device oxygen concentrators have been shipped to seven major cities in the country, including the federal capital, for installation in public health facilities, Unicef announced on Friday.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Director General Health Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar thanked the ADB, Unicef and all other stakeholders who have been helping the government since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country.

Official says equipment will help manage moderately symptomatic patients

“We want to use resources such as oxygen concentrators which have been provided by the ADB and Unicef in the best possible manner to treat our people suffering from Covid-19. This equipment is invaluable and will give us the capacity to manage the moderately symptomatic patients in a much more efficient manner,” Dr Safdar said.

In addition to the initial grant of $500,000 which has been utilised for acquiring personal protective equipment (PPE) and oxygen concentrators, the ADB has also provided an additional $2 million to help Pakistan strengthen its efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

These funds will be used to acquire life-saving medical supplies, diagnostic and laboratory facilities, and other critical equipment for communities affected by the pandemic.

“Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the ADB moved swiftly to support the people and the government of Pakistan in responding to the challenge,” said ADB Country Director Xiaohong Yang.

“The provision of oxygen concentrators to health centres across the country will help save lives and support the poor and vulnerable who are particularly dependent on public sector health facilities. We will continue to work closely with Unicef and other development partners to help Pakistan overcome the challenges,” she said.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in Pakistan, the ADB and Unicef have been collaborating by providing funds and technical assistance in procurement of PPE and other medical supplies to counter the spread of coronavirus in the country.

“Funds from the ADB have helped us provide the most needed assistance to the government of Pakistan in its response to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Unicef Representative to Pakistan Aida Girma.

“Realising the importance of oxygen concentrators as life-saving devices, Unicef had earlier provided 525 oxygen concentrators worth over $1 million to the ministry.

“As the largest single vaccine buyer in the world, Unicef has a unique and longstanding expertise in procurement and logistics. Besides procurement of PPE, Unicef and its Covax partners­ — Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and CEPI — are now procuring Covid-19 vaccine doses as the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in the world’s history. We are determined to help Pakistan acquire adequate Covid-19 vaccine at the earliest,” the Unicef representative said.

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PPP, PML-N violating charter of democracy: Rashid

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday said that both the PPP and PML-N were violating their commitment to the charter of democracy by opting for “undemocratic moves” and asked Maulana Fazlur Rehman to contest the upcoming Senate elections.

“PPP and PML-N signed the Charter of Democracy (CoD) in 2006, but now their actions are against it. Maulana Fazlur Rehman should contest the Senate elections from anywhere he wants and it will soothe and calm down his anger and stress,” Mr Rashid said while talking to reporters after a function at Government Viqarun Nisa College on the eve of Kashmir Solidarity Day.

In reply to a question, the minister said he would respond to the decision of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) about the long march and no-confidence move at Lal Haveli on Friday.

About expected resignations of the members of opposition parties from parliament, he said the opposition parties would not resign from parliament and their agitation would be limited to long march and no-confidence move against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He said those who were threatening to resign from parliament should review their decisions as resignation would not bring any change, but would create problems for democratic system.

The minister said that sit-ins and long marches could not topple governments, and gave the example of PTI’s sit-in of 2014 which had continued for 126 days.

“We, along with Imran Khan, staged the sit-in in front of the Parliament House for 126 days, but failed to topple the then Nawaz Sharif-led government,” Mr Rashid said.

He said the PTI government would complete its remaining three-year tenure and it had only one year to deliver because the fifth year would be the year of the election campaign.

“The only panacea for all problems in politics is table talks. There is no dead end in politics and democracy will strengthen through the dialogue process,” he added.

The minister said the government had tabled a new legislation in parliament to end involvement of money in the Senate elections.

He congratulated PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari on the wedding of his daughter Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari and prayed and expressed well-wishes for her.

Earlier, addressing the function at the Viqarun Nisa Girls College, the interior minister announced that the college would be upgraded to the status of a university this year. He also announced Rs50 million grant for the college hostel.

It will be the third women university in Rawalpindi if the college was given the status of university.

Kashmir issue

The interior minister said that the nation was united on the issue of Kashmir and it wanted the issue to be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiris.

He urged the international community to stop human right violations in India-held Kashmir.

“The Modi government is trying to make demographic changes to the valley and it is a violation of the UN resolutions,” he said.

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Where's the password? Police seize $60 million of bitcoin, but can't access it

German prosecutors have confiscated more than 50 million euros ($60 million) worth of bitcoin from a fraudster. There’s only one problem: they can’t unlock the money because he won’t give them the password.

The man was sentenced to jail and has since served his term, maintaining his silence throughout while police made repeated failed efforts to crack the code to access more than 1,700 bitcoin, said a prosecutor in the Bavarian town of Kempten.

“We asked him but he didn’t say,” prosecutor Sebastian Murer told Reuters on Friday. “Perhaps he doesn’t know.”

Bitcoin is stored on software known as a digital wallet that is secured through encryption. A password is used as a decryption key to open the wallet and access the bitcoin. When a password is lost the user cannot open the wallet.

The fraudster had been sentenced to more than two years in jail for covertly installing software on other computers to harness their power to “mine” or produce bitcoin.

When he went behind bars, his bitcoin stash would have been worth a fraction of the current value. The price of bitcoin has surged over the past year, hitting a record high of $42,000 in January. It was trading at $37,577 on Friday, according to cryptocurrency and blockchain website Coindesk.

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Blasts in Quetta, Sibi kill two, injure several

Two blasts in Balochistan — one in Quetta and the other in Sibi — on Friday killed at least two people and injured dozens as Pakistan celebrated "Kashmir Solidarity Day" rallies.

The blast in Balochistan's capital, Quetta, occurred at the city's Inscomb Road that killed two people and left several injured. While there are no further details of the blast yet, police said several vehicles were damaged.

Meanwhile, Civil Hospital Quetta Medical Superintendent Dr Rabb said two bodies from the site and four injured individuals were brought to the facility.

Earlier, at least ten people sustained injuries when an explosive device attached to a motorcycle went off at Sibi's Loni Road area.

Police said unidentified assailants parked the motorbike near Loni Road which went off causing injuries to a number of people. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital.

Furthermore, police have cordoned off the area and started a search operation.

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US won’t roll over in face of Russia’s actions: Biden

Asserting a broad reset of American foreign policy, US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that he would halt the withdrawal of troops stationed in Ger­many, end support for Saudi Arabia’s military offensive in Yemen and make support for LGBTQ rights a cornerstone of diplomacy.

About relations with Moscow, President Biden said he had warned President Vladimir Putin that the US will no longer be “rolling over in the face of Russia’s aggressive actions”.

“We will not hesitate to raise the cost on Russia and defend our vital interest and our people,” Biden said in his first major policy speech at the State Department.

“I made it clear to President Putin in a manner very different from my predecessor that the days of the United States rolling over in the face of Russia’s aggressive actions, interfering in our elections, cyber attacks, poisoning its citizens, are over,” he said.

In his first major policy speech, the president said he’d end support for Riyadh in Yemen and halt troop pullout from Germany

In his first visit to the State Department as president, Biden called for a return to the “grounding wire of our global power”.

‘America is back’

He sought to buck up the diplo­matic corps, many of whom were discouraged by the policies and tone of former President Donald Trump.

“America is back. Diplo­macy is back,” Biden said in brief remarks to the State Department staff. “You are the centre of all that I intend to do. You are at the heart of it. We’re going to rebuild our alliances.”

The president called on Myanmar’s military to “relinquish power” and release the government officials and activists detained in this week’s coup.

“There can be no doubt: in a democracy, force should never seek to overrule the will of the people or attempt to erase the outcome of a credible election,” Biden said.

With Biden’s most public diplomatic effort of his young presidency, White House officials said he was hoping to send an unambiguous signal to the world that the United States was ready to resume its role as a global leader after four years in which Trump pressed an America First agenda.

Trump last year, despite congressional resistance, announced plans to redeploy about 9,500 of the roughly 34,500 US troops stationed in Germany, which hosts key American military facilities like the Ramstein air base and the headquarters for the European Command and the US Africa Command.

Trump announced the pullback after repeatedly accusing Germany of not paying enough for its own defence, calling the longtime Nato ally delinquent for failing to spend two percent of its GDP on defence, the alliance benchmark.

During Thursday’s visit to the State Department, Biden also announced that he would increase the cap on the number of refugees allowed into the United States at 125,000 more than eight times the level at which the Trump administration left it.

Trump had drastically reduced the cap to only 15,000. Biden’s plan would surpass by 15,000 the ceiling set by president Barack Obama before he left office in 2017.

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'Cover drive king': Babar Azam beats Virat Kohli in ICC poll

Pakistani batsman Babar Azam beat Indian skipper Virat Kohli, New Zealand's Kane Williamson and English cricketer Joe Root in a poll conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) asking who among the four players had the best cover drive.

The poll was: who is this generation's cover drive king?

ICC started the poll on Wednesday on Twitter with pictures of the captains from the four countries.

The competition was mainly between Virat and Babar. Their votes toppled each other quite a few times, but it was the Pakistan captain who came out the victor.

A total of 260,143 people voted in the poll with Babar getting the majority number of votes at 46%. It was a close call between the two cricketers as Kohli lagged behind by just 0.01%.

Williamson and Root earned 7.1% and 1.1% of the votes respectively.

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Pakistan on one page when it comes to Kashmir: Maryam Nawaz

PML-N Vice-President said Friday that when the people of Kashmir needed Prime Minister Imran Khan the most, he was registering cases against Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider.

The PML-N vice-president expressed solidarity with the Kashmiris during Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)'s Kashmir solidarity jalsa, where she also lashed out at the incumbent government over its "failed policies".

"The election in Kashmir is coming soon — and the people demand that this 'fake' prime minister return us the Kashmir that was before August 5, 2019, or else resign."

The PML-N leader said that when the people of Kashmir needed the incumbent prime minister, he was busy getting votes in his bid to gain seats in the Senate.

"It is unfortunate that whenever the fall of Kashmir is discussed, Imran Khan is also mentioned," she said, asking the prime minister what message did he bring for the people of Kashmir today.

"Did you bring the message for them that you had failed in your fight for them?"

Maryam, speaking about her father, Nawaz Sharif's tenure, said that the country was on its way to "prosperity and development" during his government.

The PML-N vice-president said that whenever a weak government formed, it led to a "weaker Pakistan". "One after the other, people are removed [from office]."

Maryam said that had Nawaz been given more time, the Kashmir dispute "would have resolved" as for the "first time an Indian prime minister had admitted that there should be a solution to the conflict."

"No matter what the conditions are, we will always stand with Kashmir," Maryam said, concluding her address to the gathering.

Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the "forces, trying to separate Kashmiris from Pakistan would be cursed, upon in the future." Paying tribute, he said that Kashmiri forefathers had decided to side with Pakistan, while the current generations were also following suit.

"Till there was an elected government in Pakistan, no Modi dared to revoke Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir's special status and make it an Indian province," Fazl said.

Read UN's latest statement on the Kashmir conflict

Today, Imran Khan and his lobby are mulling "Kashmir's divide" and due to their consideration, Modi, taking advantage of the situation, took this step, Fazl claimed.

Using the platform to remind the people of PM Imran Khan's statements, Fazl said: "He was the one who wanted Modi to win. He is also the first man, who before coming into power, presented a formula to divide Kashmir into three parts."

'History will remember his answer to Kashmiris'

Moving forward, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said it was a "tragedy" for Pakistan — the country that saw the likes of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto as premiers — now has a "puppet" and "selected" prime minister.

"History will remember, that when there were genocide conditions in Kashmir when Kashmir was attacked when the entire region was turned into a jail, our prime minister, on the floor of the National Assembly, said that 'what can I do?"

Bilawal said that such a prime minister imposes a threat to Pakistanis and Kashmiris' freedom alike. Only "an elected representative and democracy in the country" could respond to Modi — not fascism.

Lashing out at the prime minister, he said that the premier had claimed of becoming Kashmiris' ambassador, however, for now, "he was just Kulbhushan Jadhav's ambassador".

"He keeps reiterating that he won't give an NRO to others, however, he is trying to give an NRO to Kulbhushan Jadhav — and that too without informing the National Assembly, through an Ordinance."

Commending the Pakistan Air force, he said that our brave pilots shot down the enemy's airplane, but our prime minister sends back the prisoners of war after serving them tea.

Bilawal said that if the Kashmiris were left to decide about their future, they would have selected to be free. "Hamara nara tumhara nara, rai shumari, rai shumari — our chant, your chant, election, election."

"Kashmiris have been fighting for their freedom throughout their lives, and now, they will not permit the 'selected' to curb their freedom," Bilawal said.

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Kashmiris may choose Pakistan or independence: PM Khan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said Pakistan will allow Kashmiris to decide between choosing to join Pakistan or remaining independent even after they vote in favour of Pakistan in a future plebiscite.

Addressing a public gathering in Kotli district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Kash­mir Solidarity Day, which is being observed across the country today, the premier also reminded the United Nations and the international community that they had failed to provide the promised right to the people of Kashmir to determine their own future.

He recalled that the world had promised Kashmiris in 1948 that they would get the right to decide their own future as per UN Security Council resolutions.

"So I've come here to firstly remind the world that the right [promised] to the people of Kashmir was not fulfilled," he told the crowd.

In contrast, the prime minister noted, East Timor, which was an Indonesian island with a Christian majority, became independent after the UNSC pursued a referendum there.

The premier said he had in the past reminded and will always remind the UN that "you did not fulfil the promise [made to Kashmiris]."

Addressing the people of Kashmir, the prime minister said: "When the residents of Indian-occupied Kashmir as well as Azad Kashmir get the right to decide their future, and when the people of Kashmir will choose Pakistan InshAllah, then Pakistan will give Kashmiris the right to decide whether they want to become a part of Pakistan or remain independent."

Imran said the entire Pakistan was standing with the people of occupied Kashmir. "And not just all of Pakistan, but the Muslim world is standing with you," he told them.

"If Muslim governments, for any reason, are not supporting you today, I can assure you the entire population of the Muslim world is standing with the people of occupied Kashmir," he said, adding that even non-Muslims who favoured justice believed that Kashmiris should be given their promised right.

Prime Minister Imran said the people of Pakistan understood the ordeals the residents of occupied Kashmir had gone through and continued to suffer.

"I as a father want to say to you that we all know what you go through, the kind of pain you face, the kind of tyrant you are confronting," he told Kashmiri parents.

"Whatever strength I have, I will raise your voice at every forum. I have been doing it and will keep raising it. [...] Rest assured that I will be the ambassador of Kashmir and will raise my voice for you everywhere until Kashmir gains independence."

The prime minister said upon assuming office he had tried his best to send a message of friendship to India and make it understand that the Kashmir issue could not be resolved through "oppression".

"World history shows that no powerful army of the world can win against a [united] population; when an entire nation stands up, the biggest armies failed," he said, citing the examples of Vietnam, Afghanistan and Algeria.

"India may bring 900,000 army [troops] or even more, but the people of Kashmir will never accept your slavery," he added.

Referring to India's revocation of occupied Kashmir's semi-autonomous status, he said the "few people" in Kashmir who supported India now favoured independence too due to the oppression and injustice it began perpetrating after August 5, 2019.

"Any politician in Kashmir who is pro-India cannot win an election in Kashmir," the premier emphasised.

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Pakistan Expresses "Meaningful" support for Kashmiris on Solidarity Day

Pakistan is observing Kash­mir Solidarity Day on Friday with public rallies being observed across the country to express wholehearted support of the Pakistani nation to the just struggle of Kashmiri people for their inalienable right to self-determination under United Nations resolutions.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Imran Khan will address a public gathering at Kotli in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, President Arif Alvi also addressed a session of the AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad.

Solidarity walks have also been arranged in Islamabad, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit and in the four provincial capitals and human chains will be formed at Kohala and other important points linking Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, according to Radio Pakistan.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi led a rally in the capital on the Srinigar Highway along with Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser. Talking to reporters during the procession, Qureshi said the media's role in raising voice for Kashmiris was becoming more important by the day.

Addressing the Kashmiris through the media, he assured that the Pakistani nation stood by them in their struggle for self-determination.

"We understand that you are suffering from oppression and facing difficulties," Qureshi said. "You will be successful because you are with the truth."

The foreign minister said that India has "always tried to break people's courage [...] but it will fail" in its attempts to oppress the Kashmiris.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah participates in a walk held in Karachi on Kashmir Solidarity Day. — DawnNewsTV
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also participated in a solidarity walk held in Karachi along with other provincial ministers and government officials. The walk started from the People's Secretariat and will conclude at the Jinnah's mausoleum. The Sindh chief minister condemned Indian brutality in occupied Kashmir and said that the "world's conscience should wake up".

"Indian has imposed the world's longest curfew in Kashmir," he was quoted as saying by the CM House.

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Rawalpindi: PAK vs SA 2nd Test Match, Day 02

The second Test match between Pakistan and South Africa is underway at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan won the toss earlier in the day and decided to bat first against the Proteas.

When the play resumed on the second day, both skipper Babar Azam and Fawad Alam lose their wickets without making any major contribution to the score.

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Notion about Covid-19 vaccine "Sinopharm" is rejected by The Ministry of NHS

The Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) rejected a perception that Sinopharm’s Covid-19 vaccine was not safe for people over 60 years of age.

“Some people have misinterpreted the guidelines of the vaccine. The fact is that it is a research-based recommendation that people over 60 years of age should not be vaccinated. The clinical trial of vaccine was held on people from 18 to 60 years of age; so as per protocols, people of the same age group should be vaccinated. It does not mean that the vaccine is not safe for people of over 60 years of age. They can be vaccinated once the company releases data regarding clinical trial on them,” NHS ministry’s spokesperson Sajid Shah said while talking to Dawn.

“However, it needs to be understood that the vaccine is only being administered to frontline healthcare workers — who generally retire at the age of 60 from public sector hospitals and the same protocol is being used for private hospitals. People over 65 years of age will be vaccinated in the second phase for which even registration of such people has not yet started,” Mr Shah said.

The guidelines of Sinopharm, available with Dawn, state that people over 60 years of age, those who take a high dose of steroid, undergoing cancer treatment, received Corona plasma, fever, AIDS, lactating mothers and pregnant women should not be vaccinated.

Over 1,500 new Covid-19 cases, 31 deaths reported

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, while talking to media persons, said a discussion was going on that Sinopharm’s vaccine was not safe for the people over 60 years of age. “Since people over 60 years of age were hardly vaccinated during the clinical trial, it was decided not to vaccinate them. There is nothing unusual in it and such people will be allowed to get vaccine once the company issues data regarding people of higher age group. However, there is no age limit for AstraZeneca’s vaccine which will be administered to the people over 60 years of age,” he said.

China has donated half a million doses of Sinopharm which are being administered to frontline healthcare workers. Moreover, Covax, an international alliance, has announced giving 17 million free doses of AstraZeneca till June this year and its supply will start in the third week of this month.

According to data of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), as many as 1,508 Covid-19 cases and 31 deaths were reported during the last 24 hours. While 277 ventilators were occupied across the country on Thursday, the number of active cases reached 32,889.

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“America is back” US President Joe Biden declared to end support for the conflict in Yemen.

In his first foreign policy speech, US President Joe Biden declared “America is back” on the global stage and announced to end support for the conflict in Yemen.

While promising a new era after the scattershot foreign policy of his predecessor, Donald Trump, he signalled aggressive approaches to China and Russia and urged Myanmar's military leaders to halt their coup.

"American leadership must meet this new moment of advancing authoritarianism, including the growing ambitions of China to rival the United States and the determination of Russia to damage and disrupt our democracy. We must meet the new moment ... accelerating global challenges from the pandemic to the climate crisis to nuclear proliferation," said Biden.

Trump angered European and Asian leaders with tariffs, fracturing of global alliances, and threats to withdraw US troops. He did little to push back against a wave of authoritarianism in some countries.

After a Trump-inspired mob attacked the US Capitol on Jan 6, protesting Biden's election win, foreign allies and rivals alike expressed doubts about the health of American democracy.

Biden's speech on Thursday was a full-throated attempt to vanquish those doubts, and convince Americans of the value of a forceful international approach.

"Investing in our diplomacy isn't something we do just because it's the right thing to do for the world," he said. "We do it in order to live in peace, security and prosperity. We do it because it's in our own naked self-interest."

Biden's choice of the State Department as venue for his first big diplomatic address was an important symbol of the value he places in career diplomats, who Trump largely saw as opponents.

"American alliances are our greatest asset. And leading with diplomacy means standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies and key partners once again," Biden said.

Biden in his early days has attempted to repair what he has called the damage to America's standing around the world, rolling back Trump policies. He is working to revive the Iran deal, and renewed US membership in the Paris accord and the World Health Organization.

He challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I made it clear to President Putin, in a manner very different from my predecessor, that the days of the United States rolling over in the face of Russia's aggressive actions, interfering with our elections, cyberattacks, poisoning its citizens, are over," he said.

Trump had initially sought a warm relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping but differences over trade, Hong Kong and what the US military calls Beijing's destabilizing and aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea prompted a rift.

China, which is expanding its military and working to grow its influence around the world, is perhaps Biden's biggest international challenge as he begins his presidency. He called Beijing "our most serious competitor."

"We'll confront China's economic abuses, counter its aggressive, coercive action to push back on China's attack on human rights, intellectual property and global governance. But we're ready to work with Beijing when it's in America's interest to do so," he said.

Not all US allies may be happy at the sharp turn in US foreign policy, including Poland, where Trump once pledged to deploy US troops, or a host of nations that have criticized heavy-handed intervention by Washington in the past.

"We are a country that does big things. American diplomacy makes it happen and our administration is ready to take up the mantle and lead once again," said Biden.

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Pakistan is observing kashmir solidarity day

Pakistan is observing Kashmir Solidarity Day today with renewed commitment to bring the issue to the limelight and express support of the nation to the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for their inalienable right to self-determination under the UN resolutions.

The events will be organised in a novel manner. The aim will be to and highlight the facade behind India's so-called democracy prevailing in Delhi that ripped off the special status of Kashmir on August 5, 2019.

The day was first observed back in 1991 when the entire political leadership of the country unanimously expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri brethren.

Indian forces had unleashed the worst human rights abuses and violence on the innocent Kashmiri people in its aftermath, keeping around eight million people hostage under military siege.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will address a public gathering at Kotli in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), while the Opposition alliance will also hold a rally in Muzaffarabad.

One minute of silence will be observed at 10:00am across the country. Solidarity walks will be arranged in Islamabad, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit and four provincial headquarters.

Human chains will be formed at Kohala, Mangla, Holar and Azad Pattan points, linking Pakistan and AJK. Besides different parts of Pakistan, Kashmir solidarity rallies will also be held in the rest of the world.

The Pakistan government has announced a public holiday today.

President, PM urge world to hold India accountable for its crimes
President Arif Alvi and PM Imran Khan have called upon the international community to hold India accountable for its crimes against humanity in Indian Kashmir.

In his message, the president said the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of Kashmiri people is key to durable peace in South Asia.

Calling self-determination one of the fundamental rights codified in the United Nations Charter, he said the denial of this right and subjugation of Kashmiris is the very negation of human dignity.

In his message, PM Imran said Pakistan will remain unshakable in its solidarity with the Kashmiri people until they realise their inalienable right to self-determination.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolute support for the Kashmiri, who continue to be subjected to an inhuman military siege and communications blockade since August 5, 2019.

The prime minister demanded India give access to the international human rights organisations, as well as the international media to investigate the grave human rights situation in the occupied territory.

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FIA Officials will be assisting in Broadsheet commission

The government has tasked two seasoned officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to assist the Broadsheet Commission in its probe.

The investigation officers include FIA Economic Crime Wing Headquarters Islamabad Assistant Director Muhammad Amanullah Khan and FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Lahore Zone Assistant Director Ahsan Ali Hani Bajwa. Khan is recipient of the Pride of Performance award.

The services of both the officials were placed at the disposal of the Broadsheet Commission on the directions of FIA Director General Wajid Zia. A notification in this regard has also been issued.

The Broadsheet inquiry commission led by Justice (retd) Azmat Saeed will complete the probe in six weeks and hand over the report to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The commission has started its work in the secretariat set up in the Federal Shariat Court. The head of the commission has also been empowered to constitute committees of experts under which, the services of two FIA officials have been sought.

As per the terms of reference, the commission will examine the process of selection and appointment of assets recovery firms — Trouvons LLC, Broadsheet LLC and International Asset Recovery Limited (IAR) — and execution of agreements in 2000 to trace the offshore assets of Pakistanis stashed abroad.

It will also probe into the circumstances, reasons and effect of cancellation of agreements with Broadsheet LLC and IAR in 2003.

The commission will also identify the persons or officials responsible for making wrong payment of $1.5 million to the wrong person in 2008 who was not entitled to receive such payment.

In December 2020, a high court in the UK had ordered debiting Rs4.5 billion from the accounts of the Pakistan High Commission in London over non-payment of a penalty by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to the foreign asset recovery firm Broadsheet LLC.

The inquiry will determine as to whether after finalisation of the award and appellate proceedings before the High Court at London and the process of making payments to the claimant was legal and in accordance with the prescribed rules and procedure.

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Democratic values needs to be practised by all parties: CJP

Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Thursday emphasised the need for bringing democratic values in political parties, instead of party head behaving like a dictator.

“The political party heads should not act like dictators and convert the political party into one-man party,” observed the chief justice while heading a five-judge SC bench that had taken up a reference through which President Dr Arif Alvi has sought explanation whether the condition of secret ballot under Article 226 of the Constitution applies to Senate elections or not.

The chief justice acknowledged that there was no dearth of members of political parties who voted according to the dictates of their conscience and then admitted it openly.

He said that a political party in the country was run in the name of its leader, but every member of the party should have the courage to express his/her views openly.

AGP says if Senate polls are held on open ballot, a group of conscientious parliamentarians will emerge

Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan said that if the Senate elections were held through open ballot then a conscientious group would emerge among parliamentarians in future to challenge wrong decisions of party heads.

Citing a case from India, the AGP argued that time would come soon when political party heads had to consider fielding better candidates of good repute for the elections.

In case a member is removed from the party for taking a conscious stand then time will come when he/she will stand up and challenge the removal in a court of law, Mr Khan said.

He added that political stalwarts like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Wali Khan, Maulana Mufti Mehmood, Professor Ghafoor Ahmed or Shah Ahmed Noorani would be shocked if they were told that open ballot for the Senate elections was being sought to discourage vote buying because horse-trading would be a new phenomenon for them.

Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, a member of the bench, wondered when the Constitution itself stated that all elections should be held under the Constitution through secret ballot then was there any corresponding provision to provide for open ballot also.

 

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After Bitcoin, Elon Musk turns his support to another cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency Dogecoin surged more than 50% on Thursday after billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk tweeted his support for it, two days after he said he was to take a break from Twitter “for a while”.

Dogecoin jumped to $0.05798 according to data on blockchain and cryptocurrency website Coindesk. Musk first tweeted “Doge” and immediately followed it up with “Dogecoin is the people’s crypto”.

The Tesla chief’s tweets about certain companies and cryptocurrencies have sent their prices soaring in recent weeks. Shares in GameStop, Etsy and CD Projekt have jumped following comments on his Twitter account about them.

In the crypto world, him putting a “#bitcoin” tag on his Twitter bio sent the most popular currency flying last Friday. He has since taken the tag off.

Meanwhile, rival cryptocurrency ethereum is also on a record setting spree as investors buy it before the launch of ethereum futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange next week.

Ethereum rose to record high of $1,698.56 before giving up some of those gains to trade 2.7% lower in early london trading. Bitcoin, the most popular crypto currency, also fell 1.2% to $37,184.

Cryptocurrencies are gaining traction with more mainstream investors. The euphoria boosted the total market value of all cryptocurrencies above $1 trillion for the first time earlier in January.

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One vaccine dose might be enough for COVID-19 survivors

COVID-19 survivors might only need one shot of the new vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, instead of the usual two doses, because their immune systems have gotten a head start on learning to recognize the virus, according to two separate reports posted this week on medRxiv ahead of peer review.

In one study of 59 healthcare workers who recovered from COVID-19 and received one of the vaccines, antibody levels after the first shot were higher than levels usually seen after two doses in people without a history of COVID-19.

In a separate study, researchers found that 41 COVID-19 survivors developed “high antibody titers within days of vaccination,” and those levels were 10 to 20 times higher than in uninfected, unvaccinated volunteers after just one vaccine dose.

“The antibody response to the first vaccine dose in individuals with pre-existing immunity is equal to or even exceeds” levels found in uninfected individuals after the second vaccine dose, the authors of that paper said.

“Changing the policy to give these individuals only one dose of vaccine would not negatively impact on their antibody titers, spare them from unnecessary pain and free up many urgently needed vaccine doses,” they said.

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NCOC allows limited fans to attend PSL 2021 matches

The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) has allowed a limit of 20% spectators to attend the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 matches which will be played in Karachi and Lahore from 20 February to 22 March.

According to an announcement by NCOC, after detailed deliberations with health officials, it has been decided with strict guidelines already issued that 20% of spectators will be allowed for PSL group matches.

“Review for playoffs in march in view of prevailing positivity ratio at that time,” said the NCOC statement following a meeting with PCB officials.

The decision means around 7,500 ticketed spectators will be allowed access inside the National Stadium per match day, while around 5,500 will be able to attend each match day at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Fans will have to follow strict SOPs during their time at the stadium during PSL matches.

“They won’t be allowed to touch the ball, they won’t be able to bring food from outside, they will have to wear a mask and maintain social distance all the time,” said a PCB official while elaborating SOPs.

According to PCB, the NCOC and the PCB will continue to work together and monitor the situation before a decision to increase crowd numbers for the three playoffs and the final is made.

“The NCOC made the decision following a detailed and comprehensive briefing by the PCB officials, in which they assured that the event organisers and the PCB will strictly follow government Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures, including social distancing,” said PCB in a separate statement.

PCB has further added that it will soon announce its ticketing policy to provide further clarity to the fans on how they can purchase tickets and the process to enter/exit the venues during the matches.

PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani said that he was thankful to the NCOC for trusting the PCB and allowing limited fans to watch the live action of the Pakistan Super League 2021.

“This is an endorsement that the PCB is an institution, which is capable of planning and then successfully implementing Covid-19 SOPs during its marquee event being staged in Pakistan for the second successive year,” Ehsan Mani said.

“Fans are the PCB’s biggest asset and we are delighted that no matter a small number, but some will be able to have access to the matches. Their presence will add flavour and excitement to one of the biggest and most challenging leagues in the cricket calendar."

"We understand not everyone will get an opportunity to watch the matches due to the limited number of seats, but these are baby steps and considering that most of the sports events are being played in an empty stadium, this is a positive achievement and step in the right direction,” Mani said in a statement released by the PCB", he added.

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Zulfi Bukhari, Shahzad Akbar, Hafeez Shaikh among candidates recommended for PTI Senate ticket

As the Senate elections loom near, the PTI is currently finalising the list of candidates who it thinks should be given the ticket to contest the polls.

The ruling party's parliamentary board has finalised the names of the candidates and sent its recommendations to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The parliamentary board has suggested that Shahzad Akbar, Zulfi Bokhari, Sania Nishtar, Abdul Razzak Dawood, Babar Awan, Saifullah Niazi, Dr Zarqa and Nilofar Bakhtiar be awarded the tickets for the Senate elections.

From Khyber Pakhtukhwa, the party has decided to nominate Shibli Faraz again. The names of advisor to the prime minister on Finance, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Kamil Ali Agha from the coalition parties have been recommended, said sources.

PM Imran Khan will approve the names of the board within a few days, said sources.

Article 92 of the constitution puts a cap on the number of Senators who can be appointed as ministers. The article reads: “Federal Ministers and Ministers of State who are members of the Senate shall not at any time exceed one-fourth of the number of Federal Ministers.”

Thus, there cannot be more than seven Senators in the cabinet.

As of now, three Senators have been appointed ministers – Dr. Mohammad Farogh Naseem, Syed Shibli Faraz and Azam Khan Swati. The government can only name four more Senators as ministers, as per the Constitution.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced to release the schedule for the Senate election on February 11.

It has started distributing nomination papers to prospective candidates.

Nomination papers for the two seats of the Federal Capital Territory can be taken from the ECP Secretariat at the Constitutional Avenue in Islamabad, while nomination papers for provincial seats are available at the offices of the concerned provincial election commissioner.

ECP has advised all political parties and candidates to attach party tickets while submitting nomination papers.

Independent candidates, however, cannot attach party tickets.

Candidates have been asked to set up a special account for this purpose at any branch of any scheduled bank for their election expenses and mention the account number on their nomination papers.

The limit of election expenses for a candidate is fixed at Rs 1.5 million.

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Israel once again demolishes Bedouin village in Palestine

For the second time in three months, Israel has begun razing a Bedouin village in the occupied West Bank in what a rights group called an attempt to displace an entire Palestinian community from the area.

Israeli authorities said the village of Khirbet Humsah, in the northern West Bank’s Jordan Valley, had been constructed illegally on a military firing range, and that residents had rejected their offer to move to a nearby area.

Khirbet Humsah’s 130 inhabitants have vowed to stay, with some sleeping on mattresses and plastic tarps strewn on the rocky soil. Tented homes and animal shelters in the village were last razed in November, though residents returned soon after.

“We will not move from here, we will stay here. If they demolish, we will rebuild,” said one of the residents, Ibrahim Abu Awad. He and other Bedouin in the village said they feared Israeli settlers would seize the vacated land.

The Israeli rights group B’Tselem said the demolition at Khirbet Humsah was “unusually broad”, accusing Israel of seeking “to forcibly transfer Palestinian communities in order to take over their land”.

Some 440,000 Israeli settlers live among more than 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank, territory captured by Israel in a 1967 war and which Palestinians want as part of a future state.

Israeli forces began dismantling tents and livestock pens in Khirbet Humsah on Monday, residents and B’Tselem said. On Wednesday, Israeli troops accompanied by bulldozers also knocked down several steel and wooden structures in the village, Reuters TV footage showed.

The dismantled tents had housed 74 Palestinians, including 41 minors, B’Tselem said in a statement.

COGAT, Israel’s military liaison to the Palestinians, said it had explained to residents “the dangers involved in staying within the firing range” and offered them space outside of it.

“Despite the offer, the residents refused to independently move the tent areas that had been set up illegally and without the required permits and approvals,” COGAT said.

Palestinians and rights group say such permits are nearly impossible to obtain from Israel.

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World faces 4,000 coronavirus variants as UK explores mixed vaccine doses

The world faces around 4,000 variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, prompting a race to improve vaccines, Britain said on Thursday, as researchers began to explore mixing doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca shots in a world first.

Thousands of variants have been documented as the virus mutates, including the so-called British, South African, and Brazilian variants which appear to spread more swiftly than others.

British Vaccine Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi said it was very unlikely that the current vaccines would not work against the new variants.

"Its very unlikely that the current vaccine won't be effective on the variants whether in Kent or other variants especially when it comes to severe illness and hospitalisation," Zahawi told Sky News.

"All manufacturers, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Oxford-AstraZeneca and others, are looking at how they can improve their vaccine to make sure that we are ready for any variant - there are about 4,000 variants around the world of COVID now."

While thousands of variants have arisen as the virus mutates on replication, only a very small minority are likely to be important and to change the virus in an appreciable way, according to the British Medical Journal.

The so-called British variant, known as VUI-202012/01, has mutations including a change in the spike protein that viruses use to bind to the human ACE2 receptor - meaning that it is probably easier to catch.

"We have the largest genome sequencing industry - we have about 50% of the world's genome sequencing industry - and we are keeping a library of all the variants so that we are ready to respond - whether in the autumn or beyond - to any challenge that the virus may present and produce the next vaccine," Zahawi said.

Vaccine Race

The novel coronavirus - known as SARS-CoV-2 - has killed 2.268 million people worldwide since it emerged in China in late 2019, according to Johns Hopkins University of Medicine.

Israel is currently far ahead of the rest of the world on vaccinations per head of population, followed by the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Bahrain, the United States and then Spain, Italy and Germany.

Britain on Thursday launched a trial to assess the immune responses generated if doses of the vaccines from Pfizer and AstraZeneca are combined in a two-shot schedule. Initial data on immune responses is expected to be generated around June.

The trial will examine the immune responses of an initial dose of Pfizer vaccine followed by a booster of AstraZeneca's, as well as vice versa, with intervals of four and 12 weeks.

The trial will be the first of its kind to combine a mRNA shot - the one developed by Pfizer and BioNtech - and a adenovirus viral vector vaccine of the type developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca's shot is separately being trialled in combination with another viral vector vaccine, Russia's Sputnik V.

The British researchers behind the trial said data on vaccinating people with the two different types of vaccines could help understanding of whether shots can be rolled out with greater flexibility around the world, and might even increase immune responses.

Matthew Snape, an Oxford vaccinologist who is leading the trial, said mixing different shots had proven effective in Ebola vaccine schedules, and though the new trial mixed vaccine technologies, it could also work.

"Ultimately, it all comes down to the same target - cells making the spike protein - just using different platforms," he told reporters.

"For that reason, we do anticipate that we'll generate a good immune response with these combinations."

Public Health England's head of immunisation Mary Ramsay said there was a lot of precedent for such work, as vaccines against Hepatitis A and B were interchangeable from two different manufacturers, and similar work has been undertaken for human papillomavirus (HPV).

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Second Test against South Africa delayed by rain

Heavy rain delayed the resumption of play in the post-tea session on the opening day of the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa on Thursday.

As players walked off the field at the tea break, it began to pour, with rain lashing the Rawalpindi stadium as groundsmen placed the covers on the pitch and adjoining area.

Play was due to resume at 3pm but persistent rain kept players in the dressing rooms.

Pakistan were 145-3 at the tea break with skipper Babar Azam and Fawad Alam on crease.

Babar hit an attractive 77 not out and Fawad a solid 42 to lift Pakistan to 145-3 at tea from a precarious 22-3 after the home team won the toss and batted on a flat, brownish Rawalpindi Stadium pitch.

Spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-51) and pacer Anrich Nortje (1-30) had left Pakistan struggling on 63-3 at lunch but Babar and Fawad added 123 for the unbroken fourth-wicket stand to steady the innings.

Babar, who managed just seven and 30 in the first Test, returned to his stylish best, having punched 12 boundaries in his 16th Test half-century.

Fawad, who scored a fighting hundred in the first Test, was steady with five hits to the fence.

Earlier, Pakistan, who won the toss and batted, reached 21 without loss before throwing away three wickets for one run in the space of 23 balls.

Maharaj, brought into the attack in just the ninth over, had opener Imran Butt caught behind for 15 and then trapped senior batsman Azhar Ali leg-before for nought in his next over.

Nortje then produced a sharp rising delivery to Abid Ali, (six) whose fended push was caught smartly at short-leg by Aiden Markram.

Pakistan lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Karachi by seven wickets.

Pakistan retained the playing XI which won the first Test by seven wickets inside four days at Karachi last week.

Babar, captaining Pakistan in his first Test series, said the wicket looked dry as the home team chases its first Test series victory against South Africa in 18 years. Pakistan last beat the Proteas at home in 2003.

"The wicket looks dry and we will try to put them under pressure by putting runs on board," Babar said at the toss. "We don't want to relax after taking the lead and will push for 2-0."

South Africa brought in fast bowling all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who played two home Test matches against Sri Lanka. Mulder replaced Lungi Ngidi in the only change Proteas made from the first Test playing XI.

Quinton de Kock, who will step down from Test captaincy after the series, will be hoping his team would have learnt from the mistakes in the first Test.

The Proteas brought in two allrounders George Linde and Mulder to strengthen their batting lineup against the spin threat of Nauman and Shah.

Teams

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Abid Ali, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan, Nauman Ali, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (captain), Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder. Umpires: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza, Pakistan.

TV umpire: Asif Yaqoob, Pakistan

Match referee: Mohammad Javed Malik, Pakistan.

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