FARUKH SHEHZAD

JAKARTA, NOV 26 - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo addressed on Wednesday 50 global business leaders in a virtual dialogue held by the World Economic Forum, in which he promoted the Job Creation Law and explained the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The President stressed that the omnibus law would help improve the country’s investment climate and legal certainty and reiterated the government’s commitment to engage in more public-private partnerships that could support the country to build a “sustainable and resilient economic recovery”.

“Significant support from the business community in [the law’s] implementation is essential, as it will add value to the government’s efforts in handling the pandemic and support economic recovery in a balanced and synergetic manner,” he said in his opening remarks as quoted by the WEF.

State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan accompanied Jokowi during the online meeting.

The omnibus law came as Southeast Asia’s largest economy plunged into recession for the first time since the 1998 Asian financial crisis while the government struggled to contain the pandemic and its economic fallout. The government expects the far-reaching law, which deletes and amends thousands of provisions in around 80 laws, to cut bureaucratic red tape, ease the license procurement process and relax labor regulations, among other things, and eventually attract investment and create more jobs.

The economy shrank 3.49 percent in the third quarter, after recording 5.32 percent contraction in the second quarter. The government expects the economy to contract by 0.6 to 1.7 percent this year as the pandemic hit economic activity hard.

At the same time, the coronavirus infection in the country is not slowing down. Indonesia reached a grim milestone on Monday as the country surpassed more than half a million coronavirus cases. The country recorded more than 511,000 infections and 16,225 deaths as of Wednesday, the highest number in Southeast Asia, official data show.

The President emphasized measures the government would be taking to manage the spread of COVID-19, the WEF said in a statement. The focus is on providing treatment and ultimately vaccinations for the population, while also cutting red tape to fast-track needed investment aimed at restoring Indonesia’s growth and securing its competitiveness post-pandemic.

“Indonesia, with its large population, is making impressive progress in fighting COVID-19, and at the same time is using this pandemic as a means to restructure, modernize and upgrade its economy,” WEF founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab said in the same statement.

“I appreciate the government’s efforts to encourage investment, maintain sustainability at the center of their rebuilding efforts and clearly communicate their ambition to work together with different stakeholders to create new and innovative ways to foster growth,” Coca Cola Company CEO James Quincey added.

The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) reported Rp 106.1 trillion (US$7.21 billion) in realized foreign direct investment in the third quarter, a 1 percent increase from the same quarter a year earlier. The agency reported 9.2 and 6.9 percent year-on-year (yoy) declines in realized foreign investment in the first and second quarters, respectively. It expects to record Rp 817.2 trillion in total investment realization this year.

Despite the government’s high hopes, the omnibus law has drawn criticism from labor unions, environmentalists, students and other civil society groups, who say the law will undermine workers’ rights and weaken environmental protection. They also criticized the lack of transparency and discussions in the law’s swift deliberations.

The government, meanwhile, denied the notion that the law would compromise environmental protection or harm workers, saying the law was crucial to attract investment to ultimately create jobs.

It is also under fire over its efforts to contain the pandemic, with critics urging the government to effectively control the coronavirus spread.

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Askari Raza Malik

The Arabs were quite familiar with India from the pre-Islamic days. Their coastal trade route covered Gujarat, Kerala and Bengal. Much before the first military expedition under young general Muhammad Bin Qasim in 672 CE, the Muslim traders had built their worship places in several places in India. Barwada Mosque in Chayna, Gujarat was built in 623 CE, Charaman Juma Mosque, in Methala, Kerala in 629 CE and Palaiya Juma Palli in Tamil Nadu in 628-630 CE. 

The Babari Mosque was built by general Baqi on the orders of Zahiruddin Babar, the king of Delhi in 1528-29. This mosque was not in distant past, seized by the Hindu extremist RSS, demolished and in its place a temple is being constructed under the jungle law of might is right that pervades the entire India today.

After 17 years old general Muhammad Bin Qasim captured Sindh and Multan by defeating Raja Dahir, of Brahmin dynasty, India became a favourite hunting ground by the Muslim invaders. The reason was simple. The momentum of Islamic revolution could not be contained within Arabian Peninsula. The vast and fertile spaces of India provided a compelling temptation. The Indian armies could not match the indomitable spirit of Jehad and martyrdom driving the Muslim armies. (Pakistan Army fortunately truly retains that spirit).

Here a common misperception needs to be corrected. Islam was not spread by sword. At the time of Akbar’s death, the Mughal empire spread from Afghanistan to the Bay of Bengal. Forty years of Akbar’s rule (1556-1605) and twenty-two years of Jehangir (1605-16270) almost sixty years were enough to convert the whole of India Muslim. The kings were just kings, primarily interested in trouble free rule. They were Muslims in name only. 

Even if the kings had encouraged and supported innocuous preaching missions to the interior of India the Muslims would not be a minority in India today. Islam was spread in India by the Sufis and the Saints with plentiful historical evidence. Modi-minded extremists who call forceful conversion of Muslims and Christians as ‘coming back home’ is one of the forms of naked persecution of the minorities. Their forefathers had converted by their own sweet will.

In the 1950s as beautifully portrayed by Jawed Naqvi (an illustrious Indian journalist), it was common to see Indian women disembarking flights from the Middle East with a train of children and baggage followed by a much older Arab husband carrying the tail. The discovery of vast reserves of crude oil in Saudi Arabia (SA) and the Middle East (ME) changed the entire spectrum. 

The impact of the Petro dollar was being amply felt around the globe including India and the surrounding countries. Dollars poured in plenty in the Middle East. The hardy Arabs suddenly became opulent, needed servants, people to work for them, from household chores, sanitary workers, drivers, office managers, pilots to dancing girls. It became another Gold rush, this time for the black gold.

The population shift reversed. People from all over the world were attracted by employment opportunities in SA and the ME. The maximum to benefit were India, Pakistan and BD, poorer countries, that provided the cheapest labour. Everyone was welcomed regardless of religion, caste, colour or creed, inherent Muslim generosity. The latest arrival of Russian business girls has added another cultural dimension to the population shift.

The Indians benefitted the most. Those from the South, with software expertise occupied management slots and encouraged others to join the white collar jobs. They became the favourites of their bosses. Except for Makkah and Madina they were everywhere.

The Indians number 2.6 million in the UAE, 30 percent of its population and over 7 million all over the Muslim ME. It is said that India earns over $ 65 billion from the UAE and overall approximately $120 billion from all the Middle Eastern countries. Modi of India was recently awarded Bahrain’s highest award, ‘King Hammad Order of the Renaissance’ and UAE’s highest civil award, ‘The Order of Zayed’. Saudi Arabia has announced a huge investment of $ 100 billion in Modi’s India.

The simple Arabs were perhaps carried by the memories of old trading relations with India. They made no distinction and allowed the Indians in bulk to enjoy good jobs, perks and privileges. They have no idea of the Hindu instinctive viciousness and their subcontinental proverbial reputation of ‘Baghal main chhuri munh main Ram Ram. In other words, a cloak and dagger community.

Then the truth shocked the Arab world like a bolt from the blue. Without any provocation and completely out of context a typical Modi boy, a 29 years old political brat of BJP tweeted, ‘95 percent Arab women have never had an orgasm in the last few hundred years! Every mother has produced kids as act of sex and not love.’

(Major General (Retd) Askari Raza Malik is author of book “Pakistan in Search of a Messiah)

Mehr Ispahani

It began like any other morning in Peshawar’s Army Public School. Students were busy with their books while teachers delivered lectures. At least 132 students and nine teachers were killed in the assault with around the same number injured. Following a military rescue operation, the siege ended around eight hours after it began with all six militants killed. Marked as the ‘Black Day’ in Pakistan, 16th December evokes anguish and spine-chilling memories of the drab morning on which the Taliban assailants stormed the school and opened indiscriminate firing on the students.

The tragic incident hardened Pakistan’s resolve in fight against terrorism and brought the nation together. Four terror convicts identified as Maulvi Abdus Salam, Hazrat Ali, Mujeeb ur Rehman and Sabeel were executed at a high security prison in Kohat for their involvement in the APS attack. They were sentenced to death by the military courts. Pakistan men linked to December’s massacre. The role of the Armed Forces is appreciated in uprooting the terrorists from their so-called safe havens.

Since the establishment of military courts, 345 terrorists were given death penalty and 296 rigorous imprisonments of varied durations, ranging from life imprisonment to a minimum duration of five years. Five accused were also acquitted. Those, who have been given death penalty, included masterminds, executers and abettors or facilitators. During the last two decades, Pakistan has been the worst hit country by terrorism. More than 70,000 citizens including 6,900 security personnel have perished due to terrorism and alongside inflicting the loss of $123 billion to the state. The year 2008 witnessed the worst onslaught of terrorism in Pakistan. During that year, 2,267 Pakistani citizens were killed in 2,148 terrorist incidents that included 63 suicide attacks.

In May 2009, the government launched a military operation called Rah-e-Raast (the Right Path) in Malakand (Swat) Division against terrorists. More than one and a half million people had to be temporarily displaced before the launch of this operation. In 2009, another military operation, Rah-e-Nijat (the Path of Riddance) was launched in South Waziristan Agency after the Swat operation. The gains of this operation could not be consolidated due to lack of required public support; the environment was also not as much conducive as it was in the case of the Swat operation. 

On the night of June 8, 2014, the terrorists launched a brazen attack at Karachi airport killing 28 people. The post-operation intelligence confirmed that planning of this attack took place in the terrorist sanctuaries in North Waziristan. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ─ a terrorist outfit took the responsibility thereby challenging the writ of the state. The government launched a full-scale operation in North Waziristan Agency on June 16, 2014; Operation Zarb-e-Azb (Swift and conclusive strike). On the night of June 8, 2014, the terrorists launched a brazen attack at Karachi airport killing 28 people. The post-operation intelligence confirmed that planning of this attack took place in the terrorist sanctuaries in North Waziristan. 

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ─ a terrorist outfit took the responsibility thereby challenging the writ of the state. The security forces, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, continued their surge in urban areas to eliminate hiding terrorists. Since remnants of the terrorists fled away to far flung areas of Balochistan focus of intelligence based operations also shifted accordingly. “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” – Khalil Gibran.

These children who seek education are a promise for a better future of Pakistan. These children are a promise of peaceful Pakistan. These children are a dream of prosperous Pakistan. These children are the warriors of light in the battle with darkness. These students of the APS Peshawar are the real heroes of our nation. They witnessed their friends and their teachers die in front of them. They watched the horrors of the gore massacre and the grim darkness of death. 

But yet these students faced the grisly reality and firmed their resolve for attaining education. These students of the APS Peshawar are the real heroes of our nation. They witnessed their friends and their teachers die in front of them. They watched the horrors of the gore massacre and the grim darkness of death. But yet these students faced the grisly reality and firmed their resolve for attaining education.

The students who lost their lives that day and those who survive dare the peaceful warriors of this battle; and hold the torch of hope for victory. The incident prompted the civil and military leadership of the country to unite and launch a national action plan against terrorism. The barbaric killing of innocent children melted the hearts of those who have been on a killing spree across the world for years now. A lot of effort was put in by the teachers and the staff. They not only kept themselves composed but also guided the students towards life. 

Operation Zarb-e-Azb has successfully been completed by February 2017 after achieving the desired results, replaced with another operation named ‘Radd-ul-Fasaad’ to conduct Counter-Terrorism operations by Rangers in Punjab, to keep continue the ongoing operations across the country, focus on more effective border security management, countrywide explosive control and de-weaponisation and pursuance of National Action Plan. 

The brazenness of the APS massacre united all the political parties and military leadership of the country to unanimously condemn the attack and make the National Action Plan (NAP) to eradicate terrorism. The blood of the innocent united the nation against all forms of extremism, terrorism, violence and hatred. On this day while paying tribute to our young martyrs, we also laud the sacrifices of our armed forces, police and law-enforcing agencies in the fight against the scourge of terrorism.

(The writer is Peshawar based freelance columnist)

CHRISTCHURCH, NOV 26 - Six members of the Pakistan cricket squad, which is currently on a tour to New Zealand, have tested positive for the coronavirus, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Thursday.

The team also received a “final warning” for flouting quarantine rules. New Zealand health authorities revoked the players' ability to train while in isolation at their Christchurch hotel, making clear they would not tolerate risky behaviour in a country that has largely eradicated the virus.

In a statement posted on its website, NZC said it was "made aware today that six members of the Pakistan touring squad, currently in managed isolation in Christchurch, have tested positive for Covid-19". However, the statement did not name the players.

Two of the members who tested positive were "historical cases", it said, while the other four were new infections. NZC said the infected players would be moved into the quarantine wing of the managed isolation facility where they were staying.

The Pakistan team would also not be able to train until an investigation into the emergence of the cases has been completed, it added.

Meanwhile, the country's director general of health, Ashley Bloomfield, said in a statement: "It is a privilege to come to New Zealand to play sport, but in return teams must stick to the rules that are designed to keep Covid-19 out of our communities."

Bloomfield said CCTV showed members of the tour party breaching social distancing protocols.

“The team as a whole has been issued with a final warning,” he said. “It's important to note that all incidents of breaches occurred within the facility and there is no risk to the public.”

Pakistan squad leaves for NZ

All members of the Pakistan cricket squad that left for New Zealand on Monday had been tested for the virus beforehand on four occasions, the results of which had come back negative.

The cricket body said it was also informed that "some members of the Pakistan team had contravened protocols on the first day of managed isolation," adding that it would hold discussions with them to "assist them in understanding the [isolation] requirements".

The Pakistan squad, which includes both Pakistan Senior and Shaheen teams, comprises 34 players and 20 supporting staff.

Chief selector and head coach Misbahul Haq had picked 35 players for the tour but on Sunday dashing opener Fakhar Zaman was sidelined due to high fever and could not travel with the team.

Pakistan will play two Tests and three T20s while Shaheens will also play two four-day and three T20 matches against New Zealand ‘A’. Pakistan’s T20 series will commence from Dec 18 and the Test series will start from Dec 26.

Babar Azam is leading Pakistan in all formats, including Tests, for the first time after having replaced Azhar Ali in the longer version of the game.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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KYIV, NOV 2020 - Ukraine's government and the Office of the President are considering two options for introducing a new COVID-19 lockdown during the upcoming New Year holidays.

This is reported by the media outlet Suspilne with reference to sources close to the talks.

Which of the two scenarios will ultimately be chosen depends on the pace at which COVID-19 spreads and on how the healthcare sector copes with coronavirus patients.

"The option of imposing a lockdown is indeed under discussion at the Cabinet of Ministers and the President's Office now. So far, two options are being considered, depending on morbidity statistics. The optimistic version is a lockdown for three weeks after New Year, just for the period of the holidays," the source said.

However, if the number of new coronavirus cases continues to grow, the lockdown may be introduced as early as December 20, and then it will cover the entire New Year holidays.

The average rate occupancy in hospitals in Ukraine fluctuates within 50% now, but if it hits 80%, the healthcare system may collapse.

"And then what [Health Minister Maksym] Stepanov said will come: prioritizing [COVID-19 patients] for hospitalization and a healthcare collapse. Lockdown options are still being analyzed, perhaps transport services will not stop," a source at the President's Office said.

Weekend quarantine

On November 11, the Cabinet decided to introduce weekend quarantine in the country from November 14 to 30. It is enforced from 00:00 Saturday to 00:00 Monday.

In particular, on weekends, along with restrictions provided for on weekdays, bans have been imposed on cafes and restaurants (except takeaway), shopping malls and entertainment facilities, fitness centers, and the like. Grocery stores, pharmacies, veterinary pharmacies, post offices, medical facilities, and gas stations shall remain open.

Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko proposes a two-week lockdown for the period of the New Year holidays and a ban on mass Christmas and New Year events.

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COURTESY unian.info

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KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to implement strict COVID-19 precautionary measures amid rising cases of the virus in the country.

According to details, the new changes relating to in-flight meal services for domestic and international flights were approved by PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik.

The new SOPs relating to food service for domestic flights include a ban on provision of drinks through a trolley besides also restricting the provision of food and drinks during the flight.

The PIA while issuing fresh directions to its flight attendants said the second wave of the COVID-19 has seen an alarming surge.

Moreover, for flights to Saudi Arabia, snacks, club sandwiches, bananas, patties and muffin would be served as a meal during the flight.

The national flag carrier said that it had taken fresh measures aimed at minimizing contact between the crew members and passengers.

Besides these measures, on November 22, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) introduced “flexible timings” for its employees to mark their attendance with biometric machines amid rising Covid-19 cases.

According to a notification issued by the national flag carrier’s chief human resources officer, the PIA management introduced flexible timings to prevent the employees from crowding around biometric machines.

These timings will be effective from Monday (Nov 23). If any employee marks his/her attendance at 8:00 am in the morning, he/she can leave at 4:30, the notification said, adding if one marks his/her attendance at 8:30 am, he/she can sign out at 5:00 pm.

The minimum working hours that the airline’s staffers are required to observe are eight hours and 30 minutes.

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COURTESY ARYNEWS

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DUBAI, NOV 2020 - Emirates has re-launched its Dubai Connect offer which gives customers transiting through its hub a complimentary hotel stay in Dubai.

The offer is available to customers booked in all classes with a best connection time that exceeds ten hours.

Dubai Connect ensures that travelling through Emirates’ hub is seamless despite the altered flight schedules during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Emirates now serves over 90 destinations across six continents across the globe, connecting customers to key destinations across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa and Australasia with one stop in Dubai.

With Dubai Connect, Emirates passengers will receive a complimentary night’s stay in a four or five-star hotel, ground transfers to and from the airport, meals at the hotel as well as UAE visa on arrival where required.

The service aims to provide customers whose best connection time is between ten and 24 hours, a more convenient travel journey.

Emirates ensures all its customers are well catered for.

Those who qualify for Dubai Connect but are unable to leave the airport, will be given access to the Emirates Dubai Connect airport lounge to unwind and relax.

Customers with new or existing bookings, travelling from December 1st are eligible for the offer.

Also today, the airline said it had completed an intensive programme to clear its backlog of refund requests which was caused by pandemic-related travel disruption.

Over the seven-month period starting April, Emirates received, validated and processed nearly 1.7 million refund requests.

This resulted in the airline returning AED6.3 billion refunds to its customers.

Of this sum, AED 4.7 billion was refunded to customers who had booked directly with the airline, and the remainder was returned via travel agencies.

In addition, Emirates managed over 130,000 refunds-related queries from customers and travel agency partners and made status changes to nearly four million flight coupons.

At the peak of its project, Emirates had 110 personnel dedicated to validating and processing refunds, massively increased from the 19-person team pre-pandemic.

The airline managed this by internally moving personnel from other functions to assist in this endeavour.

Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline, said: “In the early months of 2020, Covid-19 massively disrupted travel around the world and led to an unprecedented volume of refunds requests across the aviation and travel industry, including at Emirates.

“It was not a situation any airline wanted, particularly while also facing a cash crunch from drastically reduced operations.

“Through those difficult months, as we dealt with the impact of the pandemic on our business, we’ve never lost sight of our commitment to our customers.”

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COURTESY BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS

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ABU DHABI, NOV 2020 - Etihad Airways has partnered with information technology company SITA to trial the use of facial biometrics in order to check in cabin crew at the airline’s crew briefing centre at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The trial will use facial recognition technology to identify and authenticate crew members, allowing them to complete check-in procedures and mandatory pre-flight safety and security questions digitally via their own mobile devices.

The new initiative will replace the current kiosk-based check-in process which requires crew to use their staff identity cards as a form of authentication.

Sulaiman Yaqoobi, vice president flight operations, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Etihad is constantly on the lookout for innovative solutions and new technologies that will drive improvements in the airline’s operations and enhance the experience for guests and employees.

“Etihad is excited to partner with SITA to explore the potential that facial biometric services have for the aviation industry.

“By integrating contactless technology, biometric services will increase efficiency while simultaneously cementing our commitment to reducing the spread of Covid-19 by limiting physical touch points and maximising social distancing measures.”

As part of the airline’s digitalisation strategy, facial biometric technology is expected to improve operational efficiency by speeding up the existing check-in process and automating crew time and attendance management and access controls.

Cabin crew will also experience a seamless and contactless check-in experience.

The trial will continue until February 2021 and will provide the airline with invaluable data to explore future exploration of biometric technology for use in guest operations, such as check-in and boarding.

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COURTESY BREAKIGN TRAVEL NEWS

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Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60, his spokesman announced on Wednesday.

Renowned with Brazil's Pele as one of the greatest footballers of all time, the Argentine World Cup winning captain died of a heart attack, having undergone brain surgery earlier this month, a member of his entourage told.

He suffered a heart attack at his home in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentinian media and acquaintances of the former player said.

Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986.

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning after the news of Maradona's death.

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning after the news of Maradona's death.

Retired Brazilian football star Pele mourned his death.

“Certainly, one day we'll kick a ball together in the sky above,” he said in a brief statement provided to Reuters by a representative.

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LAHORE, NOV 25 – Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday said that there was no pressure on Pakistan to recognise Israel.

“Pakistan under no pressure to recognise Israel,” said the prime minister while talking to media in Lahore here on Wednesday.

PM Imran Khan said that Pakistan has friendly relations with Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and UAE and will not recognize Israel until the Palestine issue is resolved.

“Our stance is very clear from day one and Quaid-e-Azam said in 1948 had said that Pakistan will never recognise Israel until Palestine are given their due rights” he added.

Last week, the Foreign Office had dismissed as “fabrication” media reports quoting Prime Minister Imran Khan as saying that Pakistan was facing pressure from the United States (US) to recognise Israel.

Responding to queries about the reports, spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri clarified: “the Prime Minister had clearly articulated Pakistan’s position that unless a just settlement of the Palestine issue, satisfactory to the Palestinian people, was found, Pakistan could not recognize Israel.”

“The Prime Minister’s remarks are an unequivocal reaffirmation of Pakistan’s position on the subject, leaving no room for baseless speculation,” the spokesperson said.

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NEW DELHI - India has emerged as having the highest bribery rate of 39% in the Asian region and the highest rate of people (46%) who used personal connections to access public services, according to a recent survey-report released by Transparency International, a global civil society. 

Nearly 50% of those who paid bribes were asked to, while 32% of those who used personal connections said they would not receive the service otherwise.

In an earlier report, issued by Transparency International, which was released in January at Davos at the World Economic Forum, India had been ranked at 80th position among 180 countries in the Corruption Perception Index.

For the survey-report titled ‘Global Corruption Barometer – Asia,’ Transparency International surveyed 20,000 people across 17 Asian countries – largely between June-September this year, seeking their perception of and experiences with corruption in the past twelve months. Six key public services are covered in the report, viz: police, courts, public hospitals, procurement of identity documents and utilities.

Of the people surveyed in India, who came into contact with the police, 42% had paid bribes. Use of bribes was also rampant (41%) to obtain official documents such as identity papers. Use of personal connections was also largely made in dealings with the police (39%), procurement of identity documents (42%) and in relation to courts (38%).

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