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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...

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...

NEW DELHI: Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to skip a summit of G20 leaders in India next week, sources familiar with the matter in India and China said. Two Indian officials, one diplomat based in China and one official working for the government of another G20 country, said Premier Li Qiang is expe­cted to represent Beijing at the Sept 9-10 meeting in New Delhi. Spokespersons for the Indian and Chinese foreign ministries did not respond to requests for comment. Li is also likely to attend a summit of East and Southeast Asian leaders in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sept 5-7, according to a report from Kyodo. The summit in India had been viewed as a venue at which Xi may meet with US President Joe Biden, who has confirmed his attendance, as the two superpowers seek to stabilise relations. Xi last met Biden on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia last November. Russian President Vlad­imir Putin has already ann­o­unced that he will not be travelling to New Delhi and wi...

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: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar’s government increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) on Thursday by Rs14.91 and Rs18.44 per litre, respectively, to beyond Rs300, a psychological barrier that has been crossed for the first time in the country’s history. Besides, in a major policy decision, the government increased the petroleum levy on petrol by Rs5 per litre, from Rs55 to a maximum permissible limit of Rs60 per litre. The hike in fuel rates, attributed to the rupee’s depreciation and rising global oil prices, comes just a fortnight after Rs17.50 and Rs20 per litre increase in petrol and HSD prices. The combined increase works out at Rs31.41 and Rs38.44 per litre within a span of just 15 days. The Ministry of Finance announced the new prices late in the night following clearance from the caretaker prime minister. Levy on petrol increased by Rs5 per litre “Owing to the increasing trend of petroleum prices in the international market ...

• PML-Q representatives support delimitation before elections • TLP says returning officers should not be drawn from judiciary ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said on Thursday it would closely watch election campaigns and electoral expenses and effectively implement the code of conduct for the coming polls, to be finalised in consultation with political parties. It said all arrangements in this regard were complete and that services of the army, police and other law enforcement agencies would be acquired to ensure that elections are conducted peacefully. The watchdog said this during consultative meetings with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and the PML-Q to discuss the roadmap for polls, likely to take place by mid-February. The meetings were chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. The ECP secretary and other senior officers also took part in discussions. The TLP’s delegation comprised party leaders Chaudhry Rizwan, Mohammad Qa...

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 ...

A rare “super blue Moon”, that won’t be seen again for more than a decade, put on a once-in-a-decade cosmic show in different regions across the world on Wednesday night. Scientists described it as a “super blue Moon”. Supermoons occur when the Moon passes through its perigee or the point that takes it closest to Earth during its elliptical orbit. This makes it look about 14 per cent bigger compared to when it is at its furthest point, and a touch brighter. Despite the description, it wasn’t actually blue: the term “blue Moon” simply refers to when we see a full moon twice in a month. This happens because lunar cycles are a bit shorter at 29.5 days than calendar months, which last 30 or 31 days, so it’s possible for one to happen at the start of a month and the other right at the end. The previous super blue Moon occurred in December 2009, with the next set to come in quick succession: January and March of 2037. A super moon, known as the Blue Moon, rises above Mataram in Lombok ...

NEW DELHI: Terming Pakistan an exceptional team, Indian off-spinner Ravich­andran Ashwin believes the Babar Azam-led brigade will be very tough opponents in the forthcoming Asia Cup and the World Cup. “If Babar and [wicket-keeper/batter] Mohammad Rizwan give consistent performances with the bat in the middle-order, then Pakistan are going to be one hell of a team going into this Asia Cup and World Cup. It will take some beating. Pakistan is an exceptional side,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel on Wednesday. Pakistan, who attained the coveted top spot in the ICC ODI team rankings after sweeping Afghanistan 3-0 in a recent bilateral series staged in Sri Lanka, launched their Asia Cup campaign with a thumping 238-run victory over Nepal in their Group ‘B’ match in Multan on Wednesday. Batting maestro Babar struck his 19th and middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed smashed his maiden century in the green-shirts’ victory. The six-nation Asia Cup is being jointly hosted by Pakistan and S...

KANDY: Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka said on Wednesday the defending champions will challenge every team in the Asia Cup despite injuries to several key players. Sri Lanka, co-hosting the tournament with Pakistan, face Bangl­adesh on Thursday after injuries forced them to drop two key players at the last minute. They won the tournament in the T20 format last year but it reverts to the ODI format as a prelude to the 50-over World Cup in India, which starts on October 5. “We are playing in our backyard, so have the home advantage,” Shanaka told reporters in Pallekele. “There are a few players not participating due to injury but still I think we have got a pretty good side who can challenge all the teams.” Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and fast-bowler Dushmantha Chameera will sit out the tournament after being named in the original 15-member squad but Shanaka said his team remained confident. “There is no pressure at all,” he said. Sri Lanka were underdogs at the previous Asia Cup...

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...

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday said it intended to shorten the existing four-month timeline designated for the delimitation of national and provincial assembly constituencies. The ECP conveyed this intention in a press statement following separate meetings with delegations from the Balochistan National Party (BNP), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and the Awami National Party (ANP). These meetings, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, were held to discuss the election roadmap. Earlier this month, the ECP ruled out elections this year, following the notification of the latest 2023 digital census. Since the National Assembly was dissolved three days before the end of its constitutional term, Article 224 of the Constitution mandates that elections be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the assembly by November 9. But at the same time, Section 17(2) of the Elections Act states that “the commission shall delimit constituencies after ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

• Caretakers await IMF nod before offering any relief measures • Solangi says decision expected ‘in hours’ as finance minister in talks with Fund ISLAMABAD: With the nationwide protests over massive power bills growing, the caretaker government has failed to come up with any relief measures as it tries to strike a balance between avoiding drawing the IMF’s ire and causing more citizens to blow a fuse. In the cabinet meeting presided over by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday, the interim set-up expressed helplessness on how to address the issue, even on spreading electricity bills in instalments unless the International Monetary Fund cleared it. Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, who didn’t immediately hold a presser after the cabinet’s meeting, later told a private TV channel that the government was engaging with the IMF regarding relief measures for electricity consumers and an announcement was expected soon. Mr Solangi told anchor Meher Bokhari th...

India said on Tuesday that it had lodged a strong protest with China over a new map that lays claim to India’s territory, the latest irritant in testy ties between the Asian giants. The protest by New Delhi followed reports in the Indian media that Beijing had released an official “standard map” showing the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin plateau as its official territory. China claims Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas to be a part of southern Tibet and had in April released a map renaming 11 places in the state as being within “Zangnan”, or southern Tibet in Chinese. Aksai Chin is a disputed plateau in the western Himalayas claimed by India but controlled by China. “We have today lodged a strong protest through diplomatic channels with the Chinese side on the so-called 2023 ‘standard map’ of China that lays claim to India’s territory,” the Indian foreign ministry spokesperson said. “We reject these claims as they have no basis. Such steps by the Chi...

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 func...

ISLAMABAD: Assuring the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) that the process to redraw the constituencies of national and provincial assemblies will be completed ‘as soon as possible’, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday promised their delegations in separate meetings that general polls would be conducted immediately after the constitutional exercise. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, who separately consulted Dr Farooq Sattar-led Muttahida delegation and Ameerul Azeem-led JI delegation on a roadmap to general elections, said political parties would also be consulted on a code of conduct for polls. While the MQM delegation that also comprised Javed Hanif, Zahid Malik and Yasir Ali claimed the party was on the same page with the ECP on elections after fresh delimitation despite having reservation over census issue, the JI delegation that also included Dr Fareed Ahmad Paracha, Prof Ibrahim, Mian Mohammad Aslam, ...

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...

Two police officials were martyred and three were injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat when unidentified gunmen attacked a patrolling vehicle on Monday, according to an official. Lakki Marwat District Police Officer (DPO) Tariq Habib told Dawn.com that the gunmen launched an assault on a patrolling vehicle from the Pizo Police Station, resulting in the immediate death of two officers. Following the incident, a large contingent of police officers arrived at the scene, cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the incident, he added. Separately, unidentified attackers targeted a police checkpoint in Swat and injured an officer. Swat DPO Shafiullah told Dawn.com that the assailants, whose identities remain unknown, targeted a checkpoint in the Talegra area. Consequently, one police officer sustained injuries and was transported to Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital, the DPO added. Subsequently, he said a police team arrived at the scene and initiated a search ope...

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 ...