Pak Urdu

Pak Urdu Media Digest, July 14, 2022

10 Min
Pak Urdu Media Digest, July 14, 2022

NEWS:

  1. Protest rallies and demonstrations continued in parts of Sindh against the killing of Balal Kaka by the Afghans at an Afghan hotel in Qasimabad area of Hyderabad a few days ago. Porhiyat Tehreek (Labor Tehreek) held demonstrations in front of Hyderabad Press Club where speakers said there has been a conspiracy right since the formation of the country to reduce Sindhis into a minority in Sindh. Balal Kaka’s case is not just an isolated instance. It is the result of an influx of outsiders into Sindh. Peaceful political movements are the only way out to get rid of the influx. Come, let us start the political movements.  Rallies were also taken at Qambar, Jacobabad, Nawabashah, Tando Mohamd Khan, Halan, and at Kariyo Ghunoor by different groups including nationalist Jiye Sindh Quami Mahaz and Awami Tehreek, Sindh Tarqui Pasand’s Students’ Federation and Sindh United Party. (Sindh Express)
  2. Jiye Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) has announced demonstrations across Sindh tomorrow on July 15 demanding ouster of outsiders from Sindh. JSQM Chairman said that Afghans staying in Sindh are major reason for ruining Sindh. They are also involved in crimes like narcotic trafficking.  Afghans also seem to have got license now to kill Sindhi youth in Karachi and Hyderabad. (Sindh Express)
  3. Within Dawoodzai police station, dozens of Afghans waved Afghan flags during a procession, chanting anti-Pakistan slogans and firing in the air, spreading panic. According to the FIR registered by the ASI of Dawoodzai police station, Shah Alam reached the spot yesterday after receiving information that some Afghans were marching in a procession waving Afghan flag. They were firing in the air while chanting slogans, and they were creating hatred between the two countries. The procession was supervised by Mansoor, Qari Noor Muhammad, Samiullah, Naveed and Salman. Upon the arrival of the police, the participants of the procession dispersed. Police has since arrested Naveed and Salman, and recovered two pistols and ammunition from them. (Jang)
  4. Balochistan High Court Bar Association has said in a statement that some miscreants in Hyderabad city of Sindh are trying to create a new kind of sectarian terrorism in the country. Last night some hooligans attacked poor Pashtun’s hotels and restaurants and fired indiscriminately. It was happening in presence of the police. They were demanding that Pashtun should leave Sindh. The silence of the Sindh government on these armed attacks, and hate statements in the presence of police indicated that the provincial government was involved.  The constitution of Pakistan gives the right to every citizen to live and do business anywhere in the country. The Sindh government should control the situation.  (Intekhab Daily)
  5. Isa Khel National Jirga has expressed its anger over attacks on Pashtuns in Sindh. Some unruly elements are trying to create trouble for Pashtuns and the administration is keeping mum. If immediate actions were not taken, Pashtuns would be forced to start protests on streets. (Qudrat)
  6. The Sindh branch of the Awami National Party has strongly condemned the attacks on Pashtuns and their properties in order to force them to leave Sindh. In a statement, it said that we have not recovered from the recent destruction of rains in Karachi and Hyderabad and once again some miscreants are trying to fan linguistic and regional riots. This is the rehearsal of the linguistic riots of the 80’s decade. It is the duty of the government to protect the life and property of every citizen. (Intekhab Daily)
  7. MQM leader Babar Ghauri, who was arrested a few days ago, quietly left the country on Wednesday night. (Urdu Point)
  8. The Election Commission has ordered an investigation into reported vote buying during the by-poll from Multan’s PP217 constituency. Media reports said that PML-N candidate, Salman Naeem is offering a motorcycle in exchange for 20 votes. The District Monitoring Officer Haider Riyaz, who ordered the probe, said that offering anything in return for the vote is a crime. In the same constituency, TLP has taken out a rally without the permission of the authorities. Polling in 20 by-polls is slated for July 17. (Ausaf)
  9. National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Zahir Shah has approved transfer of 13 directors of the agency. Intelligence Director of NAB Lahore Mohammed Asghar, and Administration Director of NAB Lahore Nadeem shah are amongst the transferred. According to sources, Asghar who had arrested Shahbaz Sharif is transferred from Lahore to Sukkur.  (Ausaf)
  10. Razmak Tank police conducted a search operation and recovered hundreds of cartridges and four pistols including modern automatic machine guns. Five members of the gang were arrested. An FIR has been registered   and further investigation is started. (Daily Pakistan)
  11. Peshawar Police arrested 12 suspects during a crackdown against ice dealers active in the inner city and suburbs. Among the arrested are the facilitators of most wanted criminals. All the accused belong to different areas of Peshawar. Around two kilograms of ice and weapons have been recovered from them. (Daily Pakistan)
  12. The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries has asked the government to declare Karachi city as a disaster area and announce a big relief package for the people and traders. Businessmen Group Chairman Zubair Motiwala and the Chambers President Mohammad Idrees said the country’s largest industrial center is in very bad condition. Karachi contributes 54% of the country’s total exports, 65% of the national treasury, and 95% of the total provincial taxes and levies. (Daily Express, Ummat, Nawai Waqt)
  13. A soldier was and six terrorists were killed during a security operation in North Waziristan. According to ISPR, the security forces conducted the operation in the Datta Khel district. The killed terrorists were active in operations against the security forces. Arms and ammunition were   recovered from them. (Nawai Waqt, Daily Express, Daily Jinnah, Ummat)
  14. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a detailed judgment in a case related to constructions in Margalla Hills National Park. It declared the construction of Navy Golf Course illegal and directed the Ministry of Defense to conduct an inquiry. The court also directed the Secretary of Defense to conduct a forensic audit to assess the damage to the national exchequer. The court also rejected the ownership claim of the Pakistan Army Directorate on 8068 acres of land in the national park. (Daily Express, Daily Jinnah, Nawai Waqt, Ummat)
  15. Armed assailants have abducted 2 tourists from Karachi who had gone to visit the Ziarat Valley in Balochistan. Locals had blocked Quetta-Ziarat main highway in protest. Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo assured immediate action and more security at tourist places. Meanwhile, Balochistan senior minister Noor Mur has said that Pak Army, FC and Police are searching for the victims. (Qudrat)
  16. Inter-Religion Harmony Group leaders have demanded stern action against those who disrespected the Holy Quran in Quetta. Such actions are either to disrepute the Quran or to create tension between two communities. People are urged to not take law into their hands and let the law do its work. (Qudrat)
  17. Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif was informed about the closure of long tail race tunnel at Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project. The PM expressed displeasure over the technical glitch in the 969 MW power project and ordered an inquiry. And asked engineers to quickly restore power generation. (Jasarat)
  18. After the sacking of Imran Khan government, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched 6 inquiries and 4 investigations into alleged corruption in the Billion Tree Tsunami Forestation Project launched under the Green Growth Initiative in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. (Jang)

EDITORIALS

  1. Sense of brotherhood and tolerance unto one another is fast on decline in our society as evident from three murders in three days in three different cities of Sindh. Most disturbing was the killing of a Sindhi youth by Pathans at a hotel after heated exchanges over an inflated bill. The murder took place at Qasimabad area of Hyderabad under the Bhatai Nagar police jurisdiction. The three killings highlight growing lawlessness because there is no rule of law around. The perpetrators of crime are becoming bold, and are indulging in more crimes because they know there is no law-keeping machinery to check them. It is time authorities give a serious thought as to how to bring an end to lawlessness, and how we establish rule of law so that innocent persons get protection, and the criminal elements criminal elements go behind the bars. (Pahenji Akhbar Edit, July 13)
  2. Following the killing of a Sindhi youth over petty issue of inflated bill at a hotel managed by Afghanis in Hyderabad, the Sindhis are worried that such killings may become a norm if the Afghans are allowed permanent stay in Sindh and if they keep getting support from influential quarters.  The case of Irshad Ranjhani, killed a few years ago in Karachi, remains unresolved till date. We are of the view that foreigners or foreign refugees should be temporarily kept in camps away from cities. They are refugees and refugees are housed in camps and are sent back to their own countries once conditions get better there. This is the practice worldwide. The Sindh government should identify refugees, outsiders and foreigners, register them and shifting them to camps and later on deport them. This is essential for establishing   law and order and to maintain peace in the Sindh. (Kawish Edit, July 13)
  3. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif did the right thing by reducing the price of petroleum products in synch with falling crude oil prices in the global market. This decision is expected to have a positive impact on the national economy, but if the common man does not see a corresponding reduction in bus fares, electricity tariffs, vegetable and meat prices, all the announcements regarding relief will be meaningless. (Edits – Jang, Daily Pakistan, Jehan Pakistan, Nai Baat)
  4. There are two positive news on the economy front. The first is that an agreement is done at the staff level between Pakistan and IMF. Very soon it will be officially announced after approval from the IMF Board and this will pave the way for release of assistance from the IMF, Asian Development Bank and other global lenders.   The second welcome news is that the fall in global petrol prices.  It has come down from 127 dollars to 100 dollars per barrel. This will help moderate inflation which at present is 21%. It brings a sigh of relief to people. It is at best temporary.  For a permanent solution, we have to seriously take positive steps. Industrial and agricultural sectors need great attention if the economy has to be improved. (Edit-Dunya Daily)
  5. The monsoon has not yet begun but rain has caused widespread devastation in Balochistan. The provincial government has exposed its inertia.  Rain and flood claimed 64 lives and left 48 people injured.  As many as 670 houses have collapsed.  Army personnel are still conducting rescue operations in the affected areas. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced immediate assistance to the victims. A new spill of pre-monsoon is entering Balochistan in a day or two; so we need to be more careful. A forest fire in the Sherani area destroyed thousands of precious cypress and pine trees. Similarly, a few months ago, an outbreak of gastroenteritis and diarrhea in Dera Bugti and adjoining areas affected thousands.  The indifference of the provincial government is very unfortunate. In a province where backwardness is pronounced and education, health, transportation, and employment resources are scarce, negligence of the rulers gives rise to the feeling of deprivation, which in turn leads the youth astray. Since there is still time before the monsoon hits, Balochistan government will do well to take strict precautionary measures to avoid    loss of life and property. (Edit Nawai Waqt)
  6. PPP had given a provincial setup to Gilgit-Baltistan in 2009. PPP had also assured that Gilgit-Baltistan would be made the fifth constitutional province of Pakistan soon. PPP completed its five years term and left, then came the PML-N with the same promises and assurance; it also, it completed its five years term and left. Then came the PTI with same narratives, but so far nothing has been achieved for Gilgit-Baltistan.  Interim Province status was recommended by the Sartaj Aziz Committee. It is also not insight. Gilgit-Baltistan is in despair for the past seven decades. People of Gilgit-Baltistan have only one demand and it is that G-B be made fifth constitutional province of Pakistan. The ruling sections should not make further delay in this crucial matter. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)
  7. Pakistan has successfully started the first phase of Pakistan Single Window (PSW) for trade and transit as per the Art. 10.4 of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilities Act. PSW overs Pakistan Customs, Plant Protection Department, Animal Quarantine Department, Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority, and Export Development Fund besides 29 Commercial Banks in Real Time system. Started in July 2021, PSW System today covers more than 52thousand registered consumers. It presently provides facilities like Electronic Customs Registration, Online Processing, Import Export Permit Issue, Phyto-sanitary Certificate, Release Orders and documents of associated companies with digital payments. It is expected that PSW will ensure reduction in cost of exports and enhance imports. (Asas Edit)

COLUMNS

  • The politics of abuse and personal attacks on opponents is part of a political strategy often aimed at distracting political opponents so that they cannot do anything constructive. Such strategies are also aimed at creating an atmosphere of tensions so that opponents are forced to retaliate and thus chaos is let loose around and the party doing politics of aggression exploits situation to take over power. The parties, which instead of bringing betterment and sense of well-being in peoples’ day to day life aim to trigger hatred and prejudices in the society; the future of such parties is dark because instead of promoting democracy, they are promoting dictatorship and fascist mindset. Dictators and fascists try to arouse a false sense of nationalism in people and speak ill about others. Such politicians and leaders know very well that their ways are very toxic and are, therefore, dangerous for the country, but they are not concerned. Such leaders are “blind” in their power-pursuits. Culture and democracy have no meaning for such politicians. Instead of taking names of any party, we identify such parties in our country on basis of factors discussed above and would keep watch as to which parties are going which ways. (Pahenji Akhbar, Mumtaz Mungi, July 13)
  •  We can say that killing of just one Sindhi (Balal Kaka) from amongst four crore Sindhis in Sindh should not matter much. We will have to ask ourselves if this Sindhi, Balal Kaka, is the first victim of the recent bill passed in the Sindh assembly to regularize outsiders’ colonies in the province.  We should start seeing as to who is behind these armed Afghans. The Sindh government must act fast and take back all properties allotted to Afghans or even ones purchased by Afghans and they be sent out of Sindh. We have to decide and choose who goes out of Sindh: Sindhis or their adversaries. Better the adversaries go out. (Kawish, Dr. Ayub Shaikh, July 13)
  • Karachi is submerged due to heavy rains, and there have been many deaths. Municipal officials seemed more active this time, but half of the city was submerged due to an obsolete sewerage system. After last year’s stormy rains, the plan to eliminate encroachment from Gujjar Nala, Mehmoodabad Nala, and other drains was started. Buildings built in and around these canals were demolished. Videos of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Karachi Municipal Corporation Mayor Murtaza Wahab and other officials’ visits to different areas went viral, but the situation did not change due to a lack of pre-planning. This time the rainy season came on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. All over the world, rainwater is stored and used for agricultural purposes, but in Karachi, on the one hand, there is always a shortage of water and on the other hand, the rain water is wasted. The Chief Minister’s job is not to clean the drains. A long-term plan is needed to save the city of Karachi.   (Dr. Tauseef Ahmed Khan – Daily Express)

                                                ————–