kajdaka

   In pursuance ol Ministry of Interior's direction vide letter ENo.4-1/Z02Z-CDA-III, dated 10.01.2022, the appllcatlons for the following project posts tabllahment of Medical & Cardiac Cara Unit In AddTtTonaT Block of CAPFféL HOSPITAL ISLAMABAD) at Capital Hospital on contract basis are hereby relnvlted the from suitable candldates posaeeNng quallflcations, eXperlence and age limit as men¢oned against each post.

Sr.¥ Name of Post BPS No. of Post MTnlmum QualoTcatlon, ExgerTenoe and other Condltlons ProvTncTal ouota

Consultant Cardiac Surgeon

 

01 I) MBBS or equivalent qualltlcation recognized by Paklstan Medical Commission / PMDG.

ii) FCPS / ORCS or equivalent qualification recognlzed by PMC In Cardlac Surgery.

lil)  10 years clinical experience in the requlsite specialty. Age. 4S years

Merit

flesurgeon

(B:

g

01 ⦁ MBBS or equivalent qualification recognized by' PMC.

⦁ PMC level III qualification in reapeetive subject like FCPS / MD / MW or other equivalent leve

Ill qualification in the specialty recognized / registered by the PMC.

⦁ 07 years clinical experience in tha requisite specialty / field. Age: 4S Yearn

Merlt

19

01 i. MBBS or equlvalent quald'ication reco gntzad by PMC.

1i. PMC level III qualflica1lon In respective subject like FCPS / MD / MS or other equivalenł Ieve

III qualification in the specialty recognlzed / registered by the PMC. iil.  07 years clinical experience in the requis)te opeciaJty / field.

Age: 4S Years

Merlt

4

MaxII1ofacTaI Surgeon

19

01 I. MBBS or equivalent qualltlcatlon recognized by PMC.

IL PMC level III auallflcatlon In respective subject Ilke FCPS / MD / MD or other equlvalent leve III quallflcatlon In the speclalty recognlzed / registered by tlne PMC.

U\.    07 years cI1nIcaI experlence in the requlslte specialty / fleld. Age — 45 yearn

Merlt

5

Orthodontic Spec1aI1st

19

01 ⦁ MBBS or equlvalent quaittlcatlon racognlzed by PMC.

⦁ PMG ]eveI III quallllcatlon In respective subject 1II‹e FCPS / MD / MS or other equlvalent leve

lii quailficatlon In the specialty recognlzed / registered by the PMC. lil.  07 years cllnlcal experience In the requlslte specialty / field.

Age: 4S years

Merlt

6

Plastic Surgeon

19

01 l. MBBS or equlyalent quallllcation recognized by PMC.

ii.   PMC level III qualllicatlon in respective subject like FCPS / MD / MS or other equlvaJent leve III qualification In the Specialty recognlzed / registered Dy the PMC.

!iI.  07 year clinical expeñence In the requlcite specialty / field. Age: 45 years

Merlt

7

Endocrinologist

ł 9

01 ⦁ MBBS or equivalent qualification recognized by PMC.

⦁ PMC level III quallfioalion in respective subject 1Ike FCPS / MD / MS or other equivalent leve

III qualification in the specialty recognized / registered by the PMC.

⦁ 07 year clinical experience }n the requisite specialty / field. Age 45 years

Merlt

B

Vmoulo Su,geon

19

01 I. MBBS or aqu)vaIent qualltlcatlon recognized by PMC.

ii. PMC level III qualification in respective subject like FCPS / MD / MS or other equlvalent Ieve

III qualification in the speclalty recognized / registered by the PMC.

lii.  07 years cllnlcal experlence In the requlslte speclalty / fie!d. Age: 4S years

Meńl

9

Rheumatologlst

19

01 I. MBBS or equlvalent qualltlcatlon recognized by PMC.

li. PMC level III aualltlcation In respective subject IIke FCPS / MD / MS or other equlvalent leve III quallflcatlon In the speclalty recognlzed / reglstered by the PMC.

lil.  07 years cI1nIcaI experlence In the requlslte specialty / held. Age: 45 years

Merlt

10

Spna|Surgeoo

19

01 l. MBBS or equlvalent qualtlcatlon recognized by PMC.

li. PMC ]evel III qualification ]n respective subject IIke FCPS / MD / MS or otner equlvalent leve III quallficatlon In the specialty recognized / registered by the PMC.

Ili.   07 years cllnlcal exper!ence In the requlaite apecTalty / field. Age. 4S years

Merit

11 D!rec!or Biomedical 19 04 i) M.S Biomedical Englneerlng.

li)  12 yeah expeflence in the relevant field Age. 45 Years Merit

  Chlet Nurslng superlntendent

19 01 ł) Post Graduation in Nurstng.

li)   12 years experlence in the ralevant field. Age: 4S Years Merlt

13

Barlatrlc Surgeon

18

01 I. MBBS or equivalent qualltlcatlon recognlzed by PMC.

IL PMC level III auallflcatlon In respective subject Ilke FCPS / MD / MS or other equlvalent leve

III qu•I!fIcatIon In the speclalty tecognlzed / reglsteied by the PMC. lil.  03 years cllnlcal experience In the requlslte specialty / fleld.

Age: 35 years

Merlt

14

Associate Neuro Physician

18

01 ⦁ MBBS or equivalent oualltlcatlon recognized by PMC.

⦁ PMC level III qualltlcatlon Tn respective subject Ilke FCPS / MD / MS or other equlvaTent leve

III quallflcatlon In the speclaJty recognlzed / reglstered Dy the PMC.

⦁ 03 years cI1nIcaI experience In the requlslte specialty / field. Age: 35 years

Merlt

15

Amocate Neuro Surgeon

18

01 ⦁ MBBS or equlyalent quallllcation recognized by PMC.

⦁ PLC level III qualification in respective subject IIke FCPS / MD / MS or other equivalen1 III qualiflcatlon In the aqeciaty recognized / registered by the PMC.

IU.  03 yeafs cllnlcal experience In the requlsite specialty / field.

Age: 35 years

Merit

16

C!lnlcal Psychologlst

18

01 ⦁ Ph.D / M.PhII / M.Sc or equivalaiJt qualification in Psychology recognized by HEC.

⦁ Diploma in clinical Psychology or equivalent.

⦁ 5 years clinical / teaching experience in the elevant field. Age. 36 years

Merlt

17

Audlologist

18

01 l. B.S / M.S (Audlology).

IL Preference will be glven to MS / M.PhI1 (Audlology  / Hearlng Sciences).

III.   02 years expehence In the requisite specialty.

Age: 3S years.

Merlt

18

Speech Theraplst

18

0d ⦁ B.Ss (Speech Language Pathology).

⦁ Preference wlll be given to MS / M.PSII (Speech & Language Pathology). IU.    02 years (post dlploma) c!lnlcaI experlence In the requlshe speclalty. Age: 3S years.

Mern

19

Medical Oflicers (1:3)

17

 

I) MBBS or equivalent quallficalion recognized by the Pakistan MadlcaJ Commission. li) One year house jab.

iii)  Preference will be given to those having previous experience in the relevant field. Age: 30 yeais Merit-a2

Pun]ab-16 Slndh (R) - 4 SJndh (U) - 3 BaIochistan•2

 

Ex-FATA-1

(Newly merged Dietrjct of KPK

20

Head Nurse

17

09 I) BSc. Nurslng recognized by PaMstan Nurslng CouncI1.

li) 05 yearn regular servlce as Staff Nur6e \n government / semi-government / registered / recognized private hoagltal.

lix)   Age: 33 years OF

I) Matilc with Sclence

li) Diploma In General Nursing.

lii)  Dlploma In Midwifery.

lv)   of years regular service as Gtaff Nurae In government / semi-government / registered / recognize private hospital.

“Note: Hlghar qualifications / axgañenca will be preferred.

Merit-01 Punjab-4 5In^^ tR) - 1 5lPdh (U) - 1 Balochistan-\ KPK-1

21

Staff Nume (1:3)

 

  I) BSc. Nurslng recogn zed by Pakistan Nursing Counci!.

li)   Preference will be given to those having previous experience in the field. lil)  Aga: Z7 years OF

I) Matrlc with Sclance

li)   Diploma in General Numing.

lii)  Diploma In Midwifery.

lv)  Preference wlll be given to those havlng previous experlence In the field. ”Note: Higher qualifications / experience will be preferred. Meril-02

Punjab-16 Slndh tR-) 4

Sndh (U- 3

BaIochIotan-2 AJK•1 KPK-4

Ex-FAA-1

(Newly mergea DlstrTct of KPK

  Speech Therapy Technlcian

04

01 I. Matrlc w th science.

⦁ Dlploma / Certiflcate ln relevant tleld.

⦁ Experlence preferred

Age:2Syeam.

Merlt

23

IT Technlclan

09

02 ⦁ ICS, 02 yaars experience OF

⦁ Matric with Science  Diploma / Certiticate in relevant field.

⦁ 03 years experience.

Age: 25 year. Meńt-01

Punjab-1

24 Biomedical Technician 09 01 I) Matñc wilh Science + Diploma / Cer1ificate In ratavant fieId.

li)      OF yeare experlence in relevant field. Age: 25 years. Merit

2S Receptlonist 07

  SA / FSc, ICS, I.Com with one year relevant experience. Age. 25 years

Slndh(R)-1 KPK1

26

Secunty Guards

Of

08 I) Mlddle Pacs.

li)  Ey-service man is preterable. Age 3S yeam (Provlded tnet \fscancIes In sucti poete stiall not

*e fllIeA leeu than flfty percent firm smongat tbe persone domlelled In tfie (INT}

27 vVan Boy 02 08 ⦁ Primary passed, preferably m‹ddIe passed.

⦁ Previous experience in a hospital preferable. Age: 2s years —do-

2B

Aya

02 08 I) Prlmary passed, preferably middle paoaed.

li) Previous eXperlance in a hospital prafarable. Age: 2fi yeah —do-

28 O'itice AAenda nt 01 15 I) Prlmary passed, preferably midd]e passed.

li) Previous experience as Office Attendant preferable.

Age: 25 years —do-

30 Sanlta yvvorkere

0{ 10 I) Merate

li) Previous expeñence as Sanitary Worker preferable. Age 2s years —do-

ânetruct&ne:•

⦁ New wfltten appllcation on plain paper along with attested copies of all educadonaJ documents, experience certificates, two recent photographs, CNIC and Domicile should reach the otI'ice of Project Director/ Director General (HC&II) Capital Hospital, CDA within 1S days from the date of this advertlsement.

⦁ Name of Post and Serial Number should be mentioned on the left corner of the Envelope and app#catlons wlth Block Bold Letters.

⦁ Incomplete and unattestad documents MII not be entertalned.

⦁ No Té / DA wI)I be admissible for comlng for the test / Interview. Only shortllsteo candldates wlll be called for test / Interview.

⦁ The candidates working in pub1Ic sector departments / organizations should send their applicatlon through proper channel. Age relaxation shall be allowed aa oer government Instructions / pollcy.

All applicable quotas will be observed as per Fedaral Government policy.

⦁ All project posts shall be purely on contract basis for a pariod of ona year having no vested rlght for regular appointment.

All applications should be forwarded through Post Office or any courier service. No applicatlon will de entertained "BY LAND".

The Capilal Devełopment Authorlty has lne right to cancel advemsement at any tlme.

SEND APPLICATION TO:

Capital Hospital, CDA, Sector G•6/2 lalamabad.

PID (I) 5142/2021

Projeot Dizector / DG (HC&SI)

Capital Hospitał

How can PTI turnaround the export sector?

How can PTI turnaround the export sector?

Pakistan has faced perpetual trade deficits in the wake of modest export earnings to service colossal import bills. Successive governments opted for a facile route of abating imports instead of incentivizing the export sector to address this plight. Despite yielding outcomes with a time lag, the latter can help Pakistan withstand trade woes perennially.

Pakistan’s export sector has performed dismally in comparison to countries like India and Bangladesh. This becomes worrisome because these countries kicked off their development process simultaneously and have identical conditions to Pakistan. So, what has been the reason for such a lackluster performance?

Pakistan has been unable to fully realize its export potential owing to an absence of a long-term strategy and appalling economic decisions, including a managed exchange rate. Pakistan has exported low-value-added, one-dimensional goods over the years. More than 60% of our exports account for cotton and textile products, with other significant items being food and sports goods. Due to a lack of R&D investment, the exporters relied on conventional labor-intensive technology, so the quality never ameliorated.

The export woes were compounded due to exorbitant energy prices and dismal labor productivity (the ratio of output to input) in the country. Pakistan’s labor productivity has not only persisted below our neighbors but has paralleled many African countries. Also, the exporters indulge in a cut-throat competition given limited commodities and finite markets. This comes at the price of fetching competitive prices.

To rectify the industry’s awful state, the incumbents have to devise a promotion strategy that either reiterates Pakistan’s existing strengths or manifests a new competitive advantage. This strategy must focus on expanding the range of our exports along with augmenting the quantum.

The foremost challenge to the government will be to formulate a business-friendly economic policy amid an IMF program. The government might not be able to bolster the sector with subsidies. Still, the renegotiations with the IPPs may result in a downward revision in electricity prices, lowering production costs. Similarly, a market-based exchange rate will serve as an impetus to the exporters due to an increment in their profit margins.

Diversity is central to a promising outlook of our export sector. The authorities have to lay down criteria to hand-pick products and services with export potential. The yardstick for scrutiny should be a comparative advantage, international demand, and growth potential. The industries in Pakistan with growing potential include telecom, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, etc.

The export policy has to emphasize productivity gains since they will help Pakistan produce more with the same or less. This can be done by investing in R&D, which will help to steer innovation towards the sector. Vocational institutes at subsidized rates can be established for skills development of the labor class. They will learn advanced techniques and production methodologies and imitate them in the factories.

The industry cannot capitalize on its competitive advantages until it effectuates a culture of quality at each value chain stage. The government can legislate on the subject making quality certifications mandatory for the companies to operate. It can also award subsidies to the producers that rigidly abide by quality standards. Besides, strict quality control measures can be enforced even for the local production so that the producers become quality conscious, which will have a trickle-down effect on each worker.

Pakistan’s performance on the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ ranking has been deplorable. Pakistan needs to facilitate the industry by ensuring sound infrastructure, including an economical supply of utilities, less delay in shipments, orderly handling of the port, and vibrant financial institutions (banks). Similarly, the exporters should equip themselves with the capacity to comply with social and environmental regulations and customer-specific standpoints.

Lastly, there is a need for Pakistan to reinvigorate economic diplomacy in our foreign relations through our embassies. The organizations responsible for promoting exports have to effectively market them by employing subject professionals. Conducting trade through regional alliances is a go-to policy in the contemporary geopolitical environment.

The crux of the matter is that Pakistan can afford to curtail imports for a prolonged period due to its adverse repercussions. The imports have to be eased gradually, but the authorities also have to protect domestic producers since exposing them directly to foreign competition will be a recipe for disaster. Hence, Pakistan needs to expedite export growth – with a cautious liberalization of imports – to address the national trade woes.

The case for the private import of LNG

The case for the private import of LNG

Pakistan’s natural gas demand-supply gap, currently at 1,440 MMCFD, is projected to rise to 3,684 MMCFD by 2024-25 and 5,389 MMCFD by 2029-30. For a country that relies on indigenous and imported gas for more than 40% of its energy requirements, this is an alarming situation. And it has been here for some time now. In fact, the country’s industrial sector has been reeling from the constraint for the better part of this decade as even with the induction of imported RLNG in 2015 the country is far from overcoming its energy woes.

This industrial bottleneck has also had a profoundly adverse impact on the country’s export-oriented industries and, consequently, on its external account. But despite the incumbent government’s overwhelming focus on correcting the current account deficit (CAD) and growing exports, avenues of bridging this energy gap remain underexplored due to ineffective decision-making structures and non-existent employment of across the board cost-benefit comparisons. The country’s industrial sector has been operating below capacity for some time now, but opportunities to optimize production and consequently exports, in the wake of historically low energy prices, have been woefully underutilized. RLNG prices plummeting to $2/MMBTU presented the country’s industry with an extraordinary opportunity, but not only were the private importers not allowed to jump in until prices had rebounded higher, but the subsequent go-ahead also remains ineffective due to the monopolization of state-owned enterprises.

The country currently has two LNG terminals with capacities of 690 MMCFD and 750 MMCFD. The second terminal remains underutilized with 62% and 51% utilization in FY19 and FY20, respectively. Private usage of this idle capacity seems to be a no-brainer as it would not only, in the prevailing price scenario, provide a cheaper source of energy for many industrial users and therefore help in enhancing their export competitiveness, but it will also allow indigenous gas to be diverted to uses it is more suited for and reduce the probability of gas shortage for domestic consumers.

Despite the spot price rebounding from around $2 in April, the current price still enables feasible induction into several industrial uses. In fact, in the prevailing price scenario, the move could open up avenues of coveted foreign exchange earnings, including through unconventional commodities like Urea as RLNG (after accounting for averaged relevant T&D costs) comes up to, at a $4 spot price, around PKR915/MMBTU, cheaper than PKR1021/MMBTU that the fertilizer sector currently pays for its fuel gas and which is marked for an upward revision. At a $2 spot price, the cost would have been reduced to PKR575/MMBTU, which would have been even cheaper than the subsidized RLNG feedstock price designated for two companies at PKR756/MMBTU. With the country’s domestic Urea demand projected to fall short of production capacity by 0.6-0.8 million tonnes in 2020, the surplus could have translated into a foreign exchange earning to the tune of USD125-170mn. A substantial differential, especially when put into context of the commemorative reception of a USD424mn surplus in July 2020 and the FY20 CAD coming up to USD2.96bn.

The regulatory framework, however, prevents the private sector from exploiting such opportunities. Even without the projected fall in domestic demand, the import structure has created an unnecessary market anomaly, restraining private companies from switching to a low-cost energy alternative. The problem stems from the markedly centralized nature of essentially commercial decision making. The optimum capitalization of emerging opportunities and pertinent response measures can only be ensured when the regulatory setup allows the decision-making in this regard to be divested to private entities that are exposed to the economic consequences of these decisions. These entities are best placed to make the relevant cost-benefit comparisons and act upon them when it becomes commercially viable.

In the context of RLNG, this becomes even more important because Pakistan remains a highly price-sensitive market. This means that commercial operations on the basis of cost calculations that might seem feasible in the current price scenario might not be so a few months from now. Centralized policymaking seems to make little sense in this context as it usually is quite protracted due to the required onboarding of a long list of regulatory stakeholders taking months if not years to complete, resulting in timelines that make dynamic decision-making impossible.

Moreover, there is also an urgent need to expand the country’s RLNG import capacity, which currently stands at 1440 MMCFD, if the country intends to sustainably curtail its external account deficit. Import restrictions can only help for so long to manage the current account balance and cannot be relied upon indefinitely as they have natural repercussions for the economic growth of the country. In order to balance the management of current account deficits with economic growth targets, Pakistan needs to expand its export base which requires investing in its industrial sector and plugging bottlenecks. With the local energy reserves plummeting sharply and hindrances in industrial operations caused by the resulting constraints all too familiar, energy alternatives need to be considered dynamically to optimize commercial efficacy and competitiveness of the domestic industry.

RLNG is already an important alternative with its share in natural gas supplies increasing to 27 percent in FY2018-19 from 24 percent in the preceding year and the trend is expected to sustain. It is also an alternative that can be employed at a relatively shorter timescale than others. Against this backdrop, it has become more important than ever then to prioritize sourcing optimization and to ensure that effective decision making and cost-benefit comparisons are allowed for private undertakers.

Dissecting the Sindh Youth Policy

Dissecting the Sindh Youth Policy

The gaping divide between the youth (nationally defined as citizens covering the ages from 15 to 29 years) and the political framework of the state is no secret. Speaking on behalf of the youth of Pakistan, I can vouch for the overwhelming feeling of seclusion from the country’s active political framework and the lack of substantial say we have in the nation’s mandate, a sentiment which is echoed by the 29% of Pakistan’s population which comprises of its youth. It is the cumulative result of this feeling of seclusion, lack of political or civic education in the curriculums, or perhaps the intentional efforts of the leading political figures of the state to keep this age group distanced from the political system that has resulted in the insurmountable ignorance faced by the youth in terms of their political and civic rights, responsibilities, and capabilities.

My discovery and studying of the Sindh Youth Policy 2018, two years after it was released, (and the analysis and thought process that followed) symbolized the political standing of some of the youth of Pakistan – oblivious and uninformed. It is important to highlight that my ignorance of the presence of a policy drafted specifically to cater to me as a member of the youth is a dismal fact. What is more saddening is the grave difference between my presumptions regarding a government-generated document and the actual nature of the policy. My inherent distance from actual government paperwork and political content throughout all aspects of my lifespan had enabled me to develop the notion of the government generated documents to be highly backward and invaluable in their context. On the contrary, I was pleasantly astonished to find the Sindh Youth Policy relatively well- informed and socially aware with respect to the nature of its content.

The policy puts forth a multi-sectoral framework and predictable Five-year Action Plan to guide youth development work in the province. It highlights issues and problems faced by the youth of the province and aims to provide strategies and mechanisms to cater to these concerns. The principle aim and vision of this policy is to ensure the social, economic, and civic and political empowerment of the youth in order to positively avail the demographic dividend. My assumption suggested that the issues highlighted would be superficial and generic in nature, such as the commonly known yet undeniable problems in the fields of education and employment. However, I found that the document covered a number of issues relevant specifically in today’s society and covered topics that demanded severe attention for decades but had been left unaddressed.

Appeasing, in my opinion, was how the document acknowledged sexual and reproductive health concerns among the youth and the dire need to cater to these. Sexual health, reproductive education, and family planning are generally treated as taboo topics in most parts of the country. I was keenly impressed by the government’s decision to accept that these are important aspects that need to be considered in order to drive the youth towards empowerment. The aim to inculcate these topics in educational curriculums and encouragement towards the spread of awareness regarding sexually transmitted diseases and issues relevant to the ignorance regarding family planning and contraceptive measures, such as uncontrolled population growth and maternal health risks has been the need of the hour for decades.

Moreover, the document also vouched for the rights of the third gender or transgender youth. This population of the youth is an indisputable asset that has been neglected since the beginning. The transgender community has been marginalized due to the attached stigmas and social ills. The policy’s special attention to their cause is especially relevant in order to support their nascent struggle for their due rights as respectable and valuable citizens.

The policy also revolved around gender inequality and supported the need to strengthen and deliver the rights of women and young girls in terms of a multitude of aspects, including equal job opportunities and pay access to education, and the ban on child marriages. What is more heartening is that the policy acknowledges vulnerable youth groups, minority youth, and the differently-abled youth as an essential yet side-lined part of the youth that has the potential to act as assets for the country. It is a combination of these highlighted issues that ensure that the policy is socially aware and uses an interdisciplinary approach to tend to the issues faced by the youth of Sindh and devise strategies to counter them. For me, this is a significantly positive step taken towards the development and empowerment of the province and its inhabitants.

My appreciation and recognition of this pragmatic step taken by the Sindh government do not imply that I am blind to all their shortcomings and the multitude of areas that this policy lags behind in. While the issues covered are multidimensional in nature, the policy is limited in its content only to the recognition of these issues. There is a failure to chalk out a clear strategy to address certain challenges, and instead, a very broad approach is adopted. The government here has successfully matched my presumptions of lacking in the implementation of its policies. Rarely have we seen the deliverance of satisfactory responses in terms of the implementation or execution of the strategies designed by the government; and the same holds true for the Sindh Youth Policy. One act that needs to be lauded is the passing of a bill to be approved by the Sindh Assembly in November 2019 for the uplifting of the ban on Student Unions in Sindh. This was a long-overdue step that was necessary for the political empowerment of the youth of the province.

Conclusively, as a member of the youth, I feel that the discourse regarding the routes required for youth empowerment is very nascent as of yet. The Sindh government needs to reconsider the mechanisms needed to deliver practical outcomes; since given the refined nature of its aims and vision, timely implementation can lead Sindh’s youth towards inherent success.

Revisiting the 1965 war

Revisiting the 1965 war

September 6 marks the 55^th Defence Day of Pakistan – a day we commemorate our historic ‘victory’ against India in the 1965 war. Precursors to and the actual celebrations include military parades, fly-pasts, wartime songs dominating the airwaves, media being abuzz with stories of the heroic sacrifices rendered during the war. Every year, vows are renewed to rekindle the ‘spirit of 1965’, as the country faces old and new internal and external threats.

Since then, I revisited the “official narrative” of the war that I grew up: this account forms the crux of the euphoria and celebration behind all Defence Day celebrations. I believe all of us are familiar with this narrative: on the fateful night of September 6, 1965, whilst crossing the international border and launching an attack on the Lahore front, India unilaterally imposed war on Pakistan without a formal declaration. Despite being taken by surprise, the Pakistani military put up a valiant defense – forcing the enemy to halt its advance by inflicting heavy losses. Pakistan’s victory in the face of heavy odds (numerical inferiority, the absent forewarning of an attack) marks the exemplary courage and sacrifices made during the war: commemorated and remembered today.

This is the only narrative churned out in official documents, publications, speeches, broadcasts, and memorized by students as part of their official curricula. Becoming ingrained in our national 'folklore’, it is difficult to imagine anything different transpiring between India and Pakistan in the fateful year of 1965.  Ironically, any alternate narrative is considered an attempt to undermine Pakistan’s ‘justified claim’ to victory; or worse, an endorsement of India’s accounts – that talks about their victory.

So this year, I spent some time researching the “actual” precursors to the 1965 war, and a lot of what I realized and learned during this entire discourse was both surprising and sad.

A lot of people I spoke to hadn’t heard of the army’s failed Operation Giblater that was an attempt to ‘liberate’ Kashmir. Operation Grand Salam was next to follow and is often cited as being virtually synonymous with the 1965 War; it was launched in order to relieve pressure from the Line of Control (then called the Ceasefire Line) as the Indian army captured the strategic Kargil heights and the Haji Pir Pass. Unfortunately, many people haven’t heard of Operation Grand Slam, either.  Any 1965 war story is incomplete and inconclusive without discussing Operations Gibraltar and Grand Slam – making this oblivion unsurprising since there is little (if any) mention of or reference to these events in our “official” narrative – despite us living in the age of information.

And this is where the irony lies.

There is a significant amount of literature available which both presents the complete picture and debunks all distorted narratives – whilst simultaneously establishes that the war ended in a clear victory for neither side.

Yet, what proportion of our masses are aware of any of these accounts? Almost 90% of Pakistan's Population falls under the “less than 55 years old” slot, according to the Pakistan Demographics Profile 2019, issued by Index Mundi. This clearly means that most of today’s Pakistanis weren’t even born in 1965. Their knowledge of the war would, hence, be based on narratives that were taught as part of school curriculums or whatever is (annually) relayed on Defence Day. And interestingly, official narratives on either side of the border are skewed and one-sided; both attempt to highlight their respective successes and omit their blunders and setbacks.

September 6th will always mark the ultimate sacrifice of our military – through whose sacrifices it was ensured that a superior invading force was decisively stopped from taking key cities like Lahore. That Pakistan could hold India to a standoff during the 22-day war was miraculous, brought about by the indomitable will of our forces, of the time.

Yet as Pakistanis, we owe it to our dead to revisit the entirety of the war: to fully understand both the causes and the repercussions.

The 22-day war had left Pakistan in bad shape – where a continued conflict would have surely resulted in total defeat.

Admittedly, the 1965 war is when Pakistan and India “officially” became enemies. Till before the war, there were relatively amicable relations between Pakistan and India. There were disagreements on history and partition, but Pakistanis and Indians had not seen themselves as eternal enemies till then. My taayi (paternal aunt) recalls the pre-1965 war era, with a story of a book she couldn’t find in Lahore’s Urdu Bazaar. To procure the book, she took a bus to Amritsar with her mother and bought it from there.

So evidently, camaraderie and neighborliness did exist between the two countries – at some point in time and the 1965 war poisoned the well. But was the war worth it? Is Pakistan a stronger country today or did it resolve the outstanding Kashmir issue?

I think we all know the answer to that.

Nearly 55 years after the 1965 war, all of us would agree that today’s Pakistan cannot afford wars. I am sure there are surviving family members and several war veterans, who would be able to give us first-hand accounts of the 1965 war – but these generations are fading away, and we cannot allow ourselves to sensationalize the era. While September 6th memorializes the heroics of our military during the 1965 war, realism dictates that we fully understand both the precursors and the aftereffects of the war.

And only then, will we able to replicate the solidarity shown by our people in 1965 – to preserve our independence, as a nation.

Pakistan looks for Chinese help in corporate farming

Pakistan looks for Chinese help incorporate farming

Pakistan is seeking support from China for corporate farming through the inclusion of agriculture in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) program in the hope of triggering a green revolution.

In a recent meeting of the cabinet, its members expressed satisfaction over the inclusion of agriculture as well as science and technology in the CPEC program. It was emphasized that Pakistan’s economic development was intertwined with that of China and a green revolution would come in cooperation with Beijing.

It was pointed out that in the agriculture sector, support was being sought for corporate farming as well as joint farming. It was suggested that joint research should be undertaken in the field of agriculture as Pakistan had the research infrastructure, which had the potential to become a center of excellence.

The minister for national food security and research told the cabinet that his team was working on raising wheat productivity for which timely announcement of support price and availability of quality seed was crucial.

He requested the prime minister to direct provinces to keep an appropriate quantity of good quality wheat, which would be used as seed.

The prime minister directed the food security minister to prepare short, medium and long-term plans for achieving food security and enhancing crop productivity.

The National Food Security and Research Division informed cabinet members that in September, around 0.5 million tons of imported wheat would be available in the country. It was stated that steps taken by the government had resulted in a reduction in wheat prices. It was pointed out that the transportation cycle should be astutely managed as with the sudden influx of imported wheat, the cost of the carriage could increase.

It was also suggested that after the 18th Constitution Amendment, the prime responsibility of the Ministry of National Food Security was to ensure food security for which buffer stocks of essential commodities over and above the annual national demand should be maintained for supply-side intervention to keep prices in check.

The prime minister emphasized that shortage of wheat could not be allowed in the country in any circumstances as it was a staple diet of the common man. The minister for communication requested the cabinet that financing for the Zhob road project, approved in the last Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting, may also be taken up with the Chinese side as it was the main entry point to the western route.

The minister for industries and production apprised cabinet members that prices of sugar had already gone down by Rs4-5 per kg on expectations of the arrival of imported sugar ordered by the private sector.

Chinese team discusses investment avenues with Pakistan

Chinese team discusses investment avenues with Pakistan

Pakistan holds vast investment opportunities in the telecom, energy, and processed food sectors, said the head of a three-member Chinese trade delegation, Goa Bao Jun.

During a meeting with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Vice President Mian Zahid Jawaid, issues of mutual interest between both the countries were discussed.

“There is a need to work on the untapped potential in the field of clean drinking water in Pakistan,” said Goa.

“The need for clean drinking water is a big part of life and its scarcity causes many diseases, which further aggravates problems in hospitals.” He called for investment in the clean water sector. The delegation toured the chamber and showed keen interest in the One Window Smart Services offered by the chamber to facilitate its members.

The LCCI vice president welcomed the Chinese delegation’s interest in investing in the food sector in Pakistan and voiced hope that more Chinese companies would invest in Pakistan. 

Power sector woes: Pakistan reins in Rs2.2tr circular debt

Power sector woes: Pakistan reins in Rs2.2tr circular debt

The prolonged power outages in Pakistan are deeply rooted in the poor state of governance, particularly at the hands of distribution companies supplying electricity to end-consumers, and ill-planned growth in surplus supplies and stagnant demand.

The poor governance - like low recovery of monthly bills and high power theft - has given birth to the complicated ‘circular debt’. This has continued to compromise working capital at power production, transmission, distributions, and oil and gas supplying firms.

Moreover, the non-stop addition of new production plants despite stagnant demand for years has continued to inflate ‘capacity payment’ to the standby plants. This is another huge financial burden and a grave cause of making power expensive for the end-consumers.

The two capital burdens - circular debt at Rs2.2 trillion and capacity payment at Rs1 trillion in 2020 - have crippled the power sector in the country.

“The high inefficiencies of distribution companies (like Queso and Pesco) are contributing 60% towards the ever-growing circular debt, which is estimated to reach Rs4 trillion by 2025,” Engro Energy Limited CEO Ahsan Zafar Syed said while talking to The Express Tribune.

His comments were made in the wake of a study his firm conducted to sort out problems in the power supply chain titled ‘Fixing Pakistan’s Power Sector.’

The study indicated seven challenges in Pakistan’s power sector. Five of them are imminent ones. Putting them in a sequence, he said, circular debt has remained the biggest challenge among all. The government has to fix distribution companies to address the debt, as the companies’ inefficiencies are contributing 60% to the debt every year.

There are a total of nine distribution companies in Pakistan, excluding K-Electric. They are allowed to incur 16% line losses (which is recoverable from consumers through monthly bills). In addition to this, they book another 12% line losses, including due to theft.

Secondly, their recoveries remain low by up to 40% against the monthly bills. A large number of consumers are in the habit of not paying their bills despite many of them being capable.

He suggested that provincial governments should be given ownership of the distribution companies in partnership with corporate entities. The governments should be given the task of recovering bills and law enforcement agencies should come into action against those who don’t pay their bills, he said.

At present, distribution companies are a federal subject while law enforcement agencies remain provincial subject, he added.

The federal government may link recovery of monthly bills from consumers with the NFC award through which the federal government transfer resources to provincial governments every year, he said.

The corporate entities should be given the responsibility of operating the distribution companies on professional lines, he said.

“Pakistan and Turkey had similar issues in their respective power sectors in 1994. Turkey has resolved them by taking strict measures. We have been given three power policies since then but are still facing the decades’ old issues today as well,” he stated.

The second biggest challenge in the sequence is excess power production capacity. The government should not approve of setting up new production plants. “We still have 7,000MW surplus production capacity in the system as of today. It is estimated to be around 3,500MW in surplus by 2025.”

The third imminent issue is the lower demand for power. The demand has remained low over the last decade despite an increase in economic activities. “The demand increased by 4% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) compared to GDP growth at 5.3% CAGR over the decade (2007-2019),” he said.

Surprisingly, the demand for power from households has remained higher than the one from the industrial sector. “This happens nowhere in the world,” he highlighted.

Syed said the GDP grew on the back of the services sector instead of the manufacturing one. “The government should create an enabling environment for industrialization to increase power demand and reduce capacity payment.” Besides, industries should be offered incentives to use power from the grid instead of producing their 5,000MW through captive power plants.

The fourth challenge is the high cost of power. Pakistan produces the most expensive power in the world. “Our cost of power production is 26% higher for the industrial sector compared to other regional countries like Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh, South Korea, Thailand, and India. It is 28% costlier for residential areas than the regional countries,” he said.

Pakistan has added 10,000-12,000MW production capacity in recent years and another 10,000 to 12,000MW is in the pipeline. Surplus power production and capacity payment to the standby plants has remained a major cause of producing expensive power.

“The capacity payments are estimated to soar to Rs4 trillion in 2025 due to ill-integrated planning in the sector in the past,” said the company official. The government should allow independent power producers to pay previously acquired expensive loans through acquiring new cheaper loans. And the period of paying off loans should be increased to 20 years from 10 years at present. This will also reduce the cost.

The fifth challenge is the import of fuels (furnace oil, RLNG, and coal) to produce electricity. Almost 50% of the fuels are imported for generation at $5.5 billion. This is another huge burden on the national exchequer. “Pakistan should shift focus on renewable energy solutions (solar and wind power) and Thar coal to get rid of expensive import of fuels,” he suggested.

“Power outages and expansion of transmission infrastructure are not imminent challenges. They can be fixed later on...after a couple of years,” Syed emphasized.

Post-Brexit era to open new trade vistas between Pakistan, UK

Post-Brexit era to open new trade vistas between Pakistan, UK

The Pakistan-UK Business Council has expressed hope that the post-Brexit era will open new opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries and will further deepen bilateral economic cooperation.

During the second meeting of the Pakistan-UK Business Council of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Council Chairman Sheikh Muhammad Tariq discussed the economic outcome for the UK, which had been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

He said the UK was one of the important trading partners of Pakistan, which played a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of the South Asian nation.

Tariq stressed that Pakistan had been blessed with all kinds of resources including natural, economic, and human, which needed to be utilized in a manner to create wealth and employment in the country.

“Trade between Pakistan and the UK will prove to be beneficial and strengthen bilateral ties between the two sides,” he added. Speaking on the occasion, FPCCI Vice President Sheikh Sultan Rehman shed light on the significance of bilateral trade between the two countries.

He said Pakistan and the UK enjoyed a friendly and cordial relationship as the UK was an important and old trading partner of Pakistan. “Relations between the two countries need to be strengthened further by tapping new areas of investment,” he emphasized.

Rehman stressed that the FPCCI would extend full cooperation and facilitation to remove barriers to bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Australian firm to transfer technology to Pakistan

Australian firm to transfer technology to Pakistan

Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood on Monday hailed Australian inventors for injecting capital into different sectors of Pakistan.

During a meeting with a delegation of Fortescue Metals Group Limited, headed by Group Chairman Andrew Forrest, Dawood said the approach of Fortescue Group was unique and it would result in the transfer of knowledge and technology to Pakistan.

He added that the workforce of Pakistan was quite capable of learning and adopting new technologies quickly and the investment would result in improving the labor market.

The adviser underlined that the Board of Investment (BOI) would act as the focal point for the group and would actively resolve any issues that may arise during different stages of implementation of its plans.

He appreciated the approach of the group for giving employment opportunities to local communities, which was a benchmark of its investment plans in Pakistan.

In the meeting, the Fortescue Group gave a presentation on its proposed plans for investing in Pakistan. It revealed that Pakistan was one of the shortlisted countries, which were being actively explored for investments.

Forrest appreciated the support and enthusiasm of the government of Pakistan.

He said the investment would focus on the green industry, starting from the generation of hydroelectric power and development of industry in the associated land, which would be owned and operated by the group with the help of local partners.

It was highlighted that active engagement on the part of the government and local communities, sustainable environmental practices, rapid decision-making, and speedy access to markets were the criteria considered for shortlisting Pakistan as a potential investment destination.

Forrest said the investment from Fortescue Group would generate economic opportunities for the local communities, employment, and large-scale development of the green industry for the export market and domestic consumption.

Besides, it will result in diversification, broadening, and better skills of the workforce in Pakistan.

“Pakistan is one of the few countries in the world ensuring gender balance in employment opportunities,” he said, adding, the group also made a plan to train and employ women to endorse efforts of the government.

He said the group intended to invest in Pakistan to introduce new technologies with zero carbon emissions, particularly green fertilizer and green steel production plants.

Afghanistan-bound: 15,000 containers stuck in Pakistan

Afghanistan-bound: 15,000 containers stuck in Pakistan

About 15,000 Afghanistan-bound shipping containers, which are more than double the normal number, have been stuck at Pakistan’s seaport en route to their final destination due to administrative hiccups and mismanagement on part of the customs authorities.

The mishandling of Afghanistan-bound cargo has increased the cost of doing business for traders and transporters on the one hand and could adversely affect the already sinking exports, on the other hand, background discussions with all the stakeholders revealed.

Every stakeholder involved in the chain, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the transit trade cargo tracking company, and the terminal operator - National Logistics Cell (NLC), put the responsibility on others. However, the sufferers are Pakistani exporters, Afghanistan’s importers, and transporters.

The closure of the Pak-Afghan border during the peak time of Covid-19 and the subsequent decision by the FBR to ensure 100% scanning of Afghan cargo led to a situation where about 15,000 shipping containers have been stuck, said an official of TPL Trakker company.

These include about 3,500 containers en route to their destination, which can be seen standing around Peshawar city and Chaman and Torkham border posts.

Illegal checking points before the border posts also aggravated the situation, which FBR officials claimed were dismantled last week.

In April this year, the director-general of transit trade of the FBR issued an office order about the handling of Afghan cargo, which for many became the root cause for the whole mess. The FBR has made mandatory 100% scanning of containers, though it lacks the facilities, which has blocked the containers at ports and terminals at Torkham and Chaman.

Despite repeated attempts, neither FBR Acting Chairman Javed Ghani nor FBR Member Customs Tariq Huda responded to the question about why the FBR suddenly increased the scanning limit from 10% to 100%.

A TPL Trakker official said prior to Covid-19, the tracking project was being run with an inventory which was sufficient to track up to 12,000 containers a month. The average time taken by containers to reach Afghanistan was six to seven days.

After the closure of the Pak-Afghan border due to Covid-19, no containers were released from Pakistani ports, and clearances at the border were also stopped. This led to a backlog of containers at ports in Karachi.

Implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) began when the borders were reopened and the SOPs related to the clearance of containers at Torkham and Chaman were updated by moving from 10% to 100% scanning of containers, according to the company official.

He said this increased trip time from average six to seven days prior to Covid-19 to 20-25 days post-COVID-19 due to a slowdown in clearances at the border exit points (Torkham and Chaman). This increased the number of containers en route to Afghanistan due to the slow clearance at exit points and the number of such containers more than doubled, he added.

The decision to implement 100% scanning of containers without increasing the scanning capacity at Torkham and Chaman has choked the borders with containers waiting outside the exit points as there is no parking space left inside the exit points, said the tracking company official. A February 2014 notification of the FBR says 100% scanning of consignments will be “subject to availability of requisite infrastructure”.

The notification further stated that provisions relating to weighing, scanning and tracking and monitoring of vehicles and containers shall become operative once infrastructure and facilities in this regard are made available and after the same is notified by the FBR.

NLC version

NLC, which operates the terminal, denied that its facilities were not sufficient to handle the cargo.

NLC has installed a total of three scanners at Torkham. The allegation about a lack of scanning capacity is totally unfounded as the machines scan 1,200 to 1,400 vehicles per day, according to an NLC spokesman.

He said about 800 vehicles cross the border daily and the same number of vehicles is being scanned by NLC. “The NLC’s role is restricted to scanning and weighing of vehicles inside the border terminal premises and has no role in border crossing of vehicles,” according to the spokesman.

The spokesman said due to Covid-19 all land and air routes were closed, however, shipping lines remained open due to which the containers kept coming to the seaport. “Resultantly, containers piled up inside Pakistan,” he added.

The tracking company official said the company doubled tracker inventory but due to slow clearance at the border exit points, the number of en route containers increased from 1,500 prior to Covid-19 to 3,200-3,500 at any given point in time. Despite the increased supply of trackers, the containers are now stationed along Pakistan’s highways on the Torkham/Chaman route due to the slow pace of border clearance, he added.

Port authorities have also been imposing fines on importers due to delays in the clearance of their consignments. This was also a major concern of Afghan transporters as demurrage charges are being levied on them by port operators due to containers stationed inside the ports.

Last month, Frontier Customs Agency Association President Ziaul Haq Sarhadi said following the directives of the FBR for 100% examination of transit trade containers at Karachi Port and additional checking of goods trucks at Torkham border slowed down Pakistan’s mutual and transit trade with Afghanistan.

PTI govt won’t let GIDC issue hurt businesses

PTI govt won’t let GIDC issue hurt businesses

Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Monday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government aimed to resolve the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) issue without impacting any business houses and it was working to give autonomy to financial institutions like the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

“Pakistan’s economy has started showing signs of recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. PM Imran is set to announce a second relief package for the people and businesses in a few weeks,” Shaikh revealed while speaking at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).

“The government wants to resolve the GIDC issue amicably with industries and businesses. We (Prime Minister Imran Khan and I) have ensured that we will not do anything intentionally that puts an additional (financial) burden on the underperforming business houses immediately,” he added. The government knew it was the time to support businesses to help improve economic activities as the economy was on the path of recovery from the Covid-19 challenges, the adviser stated.

Industries owe Rs400 billion worth of GIDC to the government. They collected the amount through the sale of textile, cement, fertiliser and other products to end-consumers, but did not transfer the money for a couple of years.

A court has ordered the businesses to pay the outstanding dues to the government in 24 monthly installments. Industries have recently received gas bills carrying the first installment of GIDC dues. Businessmen, however, informed the PM on Saturday that they were unable to pay the dues as their industries had been closed for about three to four months because of the Covid-19 crisis.

The PM adviser added that the government was working to give autonomy to financial institutions including the SBP, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP). “The autonomy will enable them to work independently in their respective domains without interference from the government,” he said.

Giving autonomy to such financial institutions has remained a condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under its ongoing loan programme of $6 billion for Pakistan. Shaikh said economic and business activities had started showing signs of recovery as Pakistan’s revenue collection, export earnings and inflow of workers’ remittances all were on an upward trajectory.

“Secondly, companies and sectors of the economy like cement, fertiliser, tractor manufacturing and oil marketing have also reported a smart recovery in their respective sales in the past two months,” he said. “The relief package worth Rs1.24 trillion given by the government enabled households and business houses to not only survive during the challenging times but also helped them recover from the crisis.”

The relief package benefited 16 million households, including daily-wage earners and those who lost their jobs during the crisis. “The prime minister is set to announce a second package to provide relief to people from the impact of Covid-19,” Shaikh said.

Government’s policymaking revolves around two things - people and businesses. “We will do whatever we can for the people and businesses, particularly the export sector,” he declared. “Countries who invested in people after World War-II are heading the world today. No country can progress without attracting foreign investment and increasing exports.”

He urged industrialists and businessmen to search for new markets around the world. “Growth in exports and dollar earnings are a must to become a rich nation,” he said.

The adviser emphasised that Pakistan’s relationship with Saudi Arabia stood sound. “The kingdom has always come forward to help Islamabad in tough times,” he said.

Inter-bank market: Rupee weakens against dollar

Inter-bank market: Rupee weakens against the dollar

The rupee weakened against the dollar at Rs165.87in the inter-bank market on Monday compared with Friday’s close of Rs165.76, according to the SBP.

Earlier, the SBP let the rupee depreciate massively in the inter-bank market after the finalisation of an agreement with the IMF for a loan program on May 12, 2019.

The IMF has asked Pakistan to end state control of the rupee and let the currency move freely to find its equilibrium against the US dollar and other major world currencies.

Also, the World Bank, which finances some of the infrastructure and social safety net projects in Pakistan, has supported the idea of leaving the rupee free from state control in a bid to give a much-needed boost to exports and fix a faltering economy.

IHC temporarily stays Cynthia Ritchie’s deportation

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) stopped US blogger Cynthia Dawn Ritchie’s deportation on Monday, days after the interior ministry had declined to extend her visa and asked her to leave the country within 15 days.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard Ritchie’s petition wherein she had challenged the Ministry of Interior’s (MoI) decision.

The court also issued notices to the interior ministry, director-general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and others seeking their response. It also ordered the US blogger to submit an affidavit regarding her allegations.

“We will ensure that petitioner Cynthia Ritchie gets full justice," Justice Minallah said.

Ritchie’s counsel prayed before the court the interior ministry did not mention the reasons for denying her a visa.

To this, Justice Minallah said that it was not necessary to mention the reasons for denying visa as visas of Pakistanis are denied every day without any reason.

“Your ground is that the cases against you are being heard in the lower courts,” the judge remarked.

The court issued notices to the parties and sought replies in the next hearing, ordering authorities concerned to not deport her till then.

On September 5, the American blogger filed an application in the IHC challenging the MoI’s decision to deny her a visa extension.

The US blogger made the interior secretary and FIA DG parties in the case and stated that she had provided all documents related to her visa application to the MoI.

She maintained that the interior ministry did not listen to her stance, nor did it mention any reason for denying her extension in the visa.

She said it was her legal right that the ministry listens to her point of view before announcing the decision.

“ I had filed another application for work/business visa due to the change of sponsor. No decision was taken on my new application due to the coronavirus,” her petition maintains.

“The interior ministry had maintained before the high court that [I am] not involved in anti-state or illegal activities,” it added.

The US blogger said that by rejecting an extension in her visa, an impression would be created internationally that the interior ministry was deliberately denying her legal right of representation.

Cynthia said that the MoI did not fulfill the legal obligations while issuing the order.

She requested the court to declare the interior ministry’s decision of September 2 null and void and order it to extend her work visa.

The interior ministry had, on September 2, declined to extend the visa of Cynthia and asked her to leave the country within 15 days.