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  • Apple, Nike and Samsung among 83 brands using Uyghur Muslim ‘forced labour’

    Apple, Nike and Samsung among 83 brands using Uyghur Muslim ‘forced labour’

    Tens of thousands of Uyghur Muslims, who face persecution in neighbouring China, have been transferred out of the country’s western Xinjiang province and delivered as workers to major factories as part of a government scheme, a report by The Independent has claimed while citing the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

    As per the details, the Australian think tank has identified 83 global brands, including Apple, Nike, Samsung and Sony among others whose supply chains in China are employing Uyghur Muslims in conditions that could amount to forced labour.

    China has been accused of detaining more than a million Uyghurs in Xinjiang as part of what it calls a campaign to tackle Islamic extremism. It initially denied this, before recently saying that all those in the “vocational centres” had “graduated” and been given jobs.

    The ASPI report, based on analysis of government documents and local media reports, said the Uyghurs continued to live “a harsh and segregated life” once they entered the workforce of major factories.

    More than 80,000 Uyghurs had been transferred far from their homes to work in at least 27 factories across nine provinces, it said.

    There, the workers continued to be subject to surveillance, banned from practising their religion, forced to take part in mandarin language classes and restricted in their travel back to Xinjiang.

    “Under conditions that strongly suggest forced labour, Uyghurs are working in factories that are in the supply chains of at least 83 well-known global brands in the technology, clothing and automotive sectors, including Apple, BMW, Gap, Huawei, Nike, Samsung, Sony and Volkswagen,” the think-tank said in the introduction to its report.

    While ASPI describes itself as an independent think-tank whose core aim is to provide insight for the Australian government on matters of defence, security and strategic policy, the Chinese government has denied violating the rights of its workers, describing the report as “following along with the United States’ (US) anti-China forces that try to smear China’s anti-terrorism measures in Xinjiang”.

  • ‘Naraz Ho?’: Islamabad United pokes fun at Lahore Qalandars

    With Lahore Qalandars failing to gain winning momentum after being crushed by 71 runs in the match against twice champions Islamabad United, the latter have poked fun at the former for losing their fourth match out of the total five they have played so far.

    “Naraz ho? @lahoreqalandars,” tweeted Islamabad as Lahore struggled to chase a huge target of 199 runs. The Qalandars were all out for 127 in 18.5 overs.

    Earlier, only four of Lahore Qalandars’ batsmen could get into double figures — Usman Shinwari (30), Ben Dunk (25), Salman Butt (21) and Mohammad Hafeez (10).

    For Islamabad, left-arm paceman Rumman Raees and left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar claimed three wickets each for 29 and 31, respectively, while skipper Shadab Khan took two wickets.

    United had plundered a big score of 197 for the loss of only three wickets after being put to bat. Luke Ronchi and Colin Munro provided a fine start with an opening wicket stand of 103 runs.

    Colin Munro top-scored with an unbeaten 87 — eight fours and three sixes during his 59-ball innings –, which contributed to Islamabad’s third victory in six matches of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020.

  • Fare for still incomplete Peshawar bus project to start at Rs10

    Fare for still incomplete Peshawar bus project to start at Rs10

    Fare for the much-delayed Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), an additional Rs4.28 billion is still needed for the completion of which, will be kept at a minimum Rs10 per trip, a private media outlet has quoted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government officials as saying.

    According to reports, it was proposed by the KP government during a steering committee meeting chaired by KP additional chief secretary, wherein all participants agreed that the minimum fare from point A to point B should be kept as low as Rs10, while the maximum fare should be Rs50.

    While a majority has agreed to the recommendation as per which ticket pricing will vary with the distance and the number of stations travelled, some have suggested keeping a fixed ticket price.

    The final decision will be taken by KP Chief Minister (CM) Mahmood Khan.

    It merits a mention that Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) had in February written to the KP government a letter stating that the team leader of BRT had prepared PC1 for the revised fund. It added that Rs1.5bn of the additional funds will be spent on the route between bus station numbers 19 to 31, while Rs980m will be spent on the route between bus station 1 to 8.

    In addition, a total of Rs1.5bn will be spent on Trans Peshawar office, bus depot and parks. Similarly, Rs1.35bn would be required for consultant supervision.

    KP Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai, while talking to media, had said that the cost of BRT has been increased by Rs4bn, with which the cost of BRT has touched Rs70bn. He had added that the provincial government will provide the additional funds for the project, the approval of which will be taken from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

    Yousafzai had also said that the BRT project would be completed in April this year, the credit of which goes to CM Khan. “We will complete the project in March and it would cost Rs35bn,” he had said, adding that despite being a third-generation project, it would cost less as compared to Lahore’s BRT project which cost up to Rs 40 billion in 2011.

  • ‘IMF putting Pakistan on path of stability’ says Dr. Reza Baqir

    ‘IMF putting Pakistan on path of stability’ says Dr. Reza Baqir

    Dr Reza Baqir, the governor of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the government’s partner in reforming the country’s current economic system, Pakistan Today reported.

    In a briefing of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday, chaired by Rana Tanvir Hussain, the SBP governor said that the relationship of Pakistan and the IMF was based on common interests.

    However, he assured the house that “inflation will go down and the general public will feel the relief.”

    Baqir says that the SBP’s monetary policy committee had decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 13.25 per cent. “The monetary policy committee stance is appropriate to bring inflation down to the medium-term target range of 5-7pc over the next six to eight quarters.”

    Right now, reducing the interest rate would affect the people who have kept their savings in the banks. However, he admitted that higher interest rate created difficulties for the borrowers.

    “The national savings rate is already very low and if the people are discouraged, then the country will have to borrow the required money from international agencies, and that will raise our current account deficit,” he further added.

    “The main focus of the SBP is to maintain foreign exchange reserves in the country.”

    Baqir also noted that if the foreign reserves would grow, Pakistan would not have to approach international agencies for borrowing.

    The SBP governor said due to higher interest rates in the past, manufacturing had almost ended, but after reforms carried out by the incumbent government, manufacturing activities were once again on the rise despite higher policy rates.

    “The present government did not take loans from the SBP due to which inflation is now being controlled. However, the state bank, at the same time, is making efforts to restore the confidence of foreign and local investors.”

  • Shoaib Akhtar says Fakhar Zaman ‘does not have a brain’

    Shoaib Akhtar says Fakhar Zaman ‘does not have a brain’

    Former Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar has slammed Fakhar Zaman for being “reckless and not putting his hand up while performing for his side in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL)”.

    Akhtar’s remarks came after Zaman, who is playing for Lahore Qalandars, struggled to hit any form in the competition. The left-hander had scored 76 runs in four games, with an average of 24.66 and a strike-rate of 125.42 in the first three matches with 74 runs.

    “The person who doesn’t have a brain is Fakhar Zaman. When you have one player [Chris Lynn] who is already playing fast, then Fakhar needs to understand that he can slow down a bit,” Akhtar said in a YouTube video as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

    “Chris Lynn is not some Viv Richards. Lynn plays well where there is equal bounce like Australia. He is good aggressive player, but you need just one aggressive player like that.

    “Qalandars batting line-up is made up of similar kind of batsmen who just believes in senseless hitting. You can play aggressively and take chances in the powerplay, but in the next 14 overs you need to know how to anchor the innings, take quick singles and then finish well.”

    Shoaib Akhtar, who never minces his words, has been critical of Zaman earlier too. When Pakistan lost to India in the World Cup clash last year, he questioned his technique and the way Zaman reacted to pressure.

    Qalandars will tonight be playing two-time champions of the PSL, Islamabad United, for the second time in the ongoing tournament.

  • Govt to impose tax on underground water usage

    The government of Sindh on Tuesday decided to impose a new tax on the use of water in the province, Profit reported.

    A draft of law comprising recommendations for the proposed tax has been prepared and the officials of local government department will brief the members of the provincial cabinet over the upcoming Sindh Water Tax Act in a meeting.

    The draft of the law suggests Rs1 per litre tax on water, sources said. The tax will be recovered from the mineral water companies, according to sources.

    Proposed tax will also be recovered from the soft drinks manufacturing companies, as per the report

    The revenue generated by the proposed tax will be distributed among the Karachi Water Board and the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA).

  • Sammy says no one can come between him and his ‘baby’

    Sammy says no one can come between him and his ‘baby’

    Peshawar Zalmi captain Daren Sammy has slammed rumours that implied that he has developed differences with the team owner Javed Afridi after he was rested for Monday’s game against Karachi Kings. Sammy asserted that no one can come between him and his ‘baby’.

    Rumours of differences began to emerge after Sammy posted a cryptic tweet after he was rested for the game. Wahab Riaz captained the team in Sammy’s absence.

    Following Sammy’s tweet, reports emerged that Sammy was upset with the decision to rest him. Zalmi had replaced Sammy with Carlos Brathwaite. The decision was allegedly taken after Sammy’s struggled for form and fitness because of which Zalmi have descended to the fifth position on the PSL 2020 points table.

    The decision to replace Sammy, however, did not work as well as the management expected. Brathwaite managed to score only 8 runs and Peshawar lost the match.

    Shoaib Akhtar, on the other hand, claimed that Sammy had a falling out with Afridi. Shoaib extended his support towards Sammy whom he termed a hero. Akhtar also commented that Shahid Afridi was also once part of the team.

    However, last week, Sammy and Afridi were spotted cruising on the streets of Islamabad.

    Later in the day (Tuesday), Zalmi head coach Mohammad Akram also held a media talk in Rawalpindi in which he refuted the resports and revealed that it was his decision to rest Sammy against Karachi, adding that Sammy, too, was in agreement that he needed rest.

    The head coach explained that resting players is nothing new, also saying that Sammy was given a break to “work on his form and fitness”.

    Meanwhile, Sammy has become the first international cricket player to receive the highest civilian award and honorary citizenship of Pakistan for his contribution to the development of cricket in the country.

    President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi will confer both the citizenship and award, the ‘Nishane Pakistan’, on March 23.

  • New fuel taxes burden masses with additional Rs25 billion

    New fuel taxes burden masses with additional Rs25 billion

    The taxes imposed by the Federal government has burdened people with additional Rs25 billion per month who are already burdened with inflation, Pakistan Today reported.

    In comparison with a decline in global oil prices, the government did not provide any relief to the masses. They said the government had reduced per litre prices of petroleum products by Rs 5 instead of Rs15 litre. The government had fixed petroleum levy (PL) — imposed tex — on high-speed diesel at Rs25 per litre, which had failed to provide relief to the masses.

    Tax on petrol has increased by 106pc, if the taxes weren’t increased, petrol prices could have decreased by Rs 9 per litre. Instead of giving any relief, the government has imposed an additional tax of Rs6 per litre on kerosene oil.

    Furthermore, the government was likely to earn Rs60 billion per month from the taxes imposed on different petroleum products.

    According to the report, the government has increased taxes to meet the demand of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

  • NAB summons Khurshid Shah’s brother who passed away eight years ago

    NAB summons Khurshid Shah’s brother who passed away eight years ago

    Probing an assets beyond known sources of income case, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has issued a summon order to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khurshid Ahmed Shah’s brother who passed away eight years ago, ARY News reported.

    According to reports, NAB has summoned the deceased to appear before investigators on March 3.

    The development comes days after former leader of opposition Shah also appeared before an accountability court in Sukkur in an assets beyond means case against him on February 18.

    Shah, Provincial Minister Awais Qadir and PPP lawmaker Farrukh Shah are among the 18 accused facing graft charges in a reference filed by the anti-corruption watchdog.

    17 of the accused, including the ailing former Opp leader who was brought in an ambulance from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), were present during the court hearing held two weeks ago.

    Later, accountability court judge Ameer Ali Mahesar adjourned the hearing until March 9.

    NAB has also nominated two wives, two sons and a son-in-law of Shah in the reference.

  • Which PSL team are you?

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