FARUKH SHEHZAD

By Beenish Mahmood

Humari mitti, humari mitti kai bartan!

I remember when I was a toddler, a vendor used to come to our street selling mitti kai bartan (clay utensils).

As soon as I would hear him say in a loud voice, “Aao mitti kai bartan lai lo sirf 2 rupay kai”, (Come buy clay utensils only for Rs2!), I would flush with excitement and run to my grandfather, demanding for the inexpensive yet fun and simple toys.

The anecdote tells us how children back then had small wishes. How little acts of playing with clay pots, climbing trees, running around and jumping across the rooftop were games they enjoyed. It was not expensive toys that they desired.

In olden times, clay pots, pans and utensils were used in the kitchen. Water was kept in a ghara made from earth and yoghurt was set in small clay pots. Everything was made from ‘mitti’ (clay), its rampant usage reflecting how close people were to the mother earth. Life was simple, basic and easy. 

It was not complicated, as people were not involved in a rat race as they are today.

Why not then, repeat the pattern of life by introducing our children to mitti kai bartan?

Upon seeing the mother use clay utensils, the children will replicate the act of playing with them. In playing with clay utensils, children would return to our roots and revive our culture and traditions. 

It would also boost the local economy, as reverting to toys made locally rather than purchasing imported products will strengthen our economy as well as improve the morale of the local artisans.

For us as parents, the clay pot parable is an eye opener. We need to instill in our children good values, morals and the idea that money cannot buy happiness, for happiness is a state of mind. 

Our children need to learn to be grateful for all that they have, something they will only understand when they get to have things that are simple, yet useful and beautiful.

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COURTESY minutemirror

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ANKARA, OCT 18: The steep rise in European gas prices has been driven by a combination of a strong recovery in demand and tighter-than-expected supply, as well as several weather-related factors. These include a particularly cold and long heating season in Europe last winter, and lower-than-usual availability of wind energy in recent weeks.

European prices also reflect broader global gas market dynamics. There were strong cold spells in East Asia and North America in the first quarter of 2021. They were followed by heatwaves in Asia and drought in various regions, including Brazil. All of these developments added to the upward trend in gas demand.

In Asia, gas demand has remained strong throughout the year, primarily driven by China, but also by Japan and Korea. On the supply side, liquefied natural gas (LNG) production worldwide has been lower than expected due to a series of unplanned outages and delays across the globe and delayed maintenance from 2020.

“Recent increases in global natural gas prices are the result of multiple factors, and it is inaccurate and misleading to lay the responsibility at the door of the clean energy transition,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.

Going forward, the European gas market could well face further stress tests from unplanned outages and sharp cold spells, especially if they occur late in the winter. Gas storage levels in Europe are well below their five-year average but not markedly below their previous five-year lows, which were reached in 2017.

Based on the available information, Russia is fulfilling its long-term contracts with European counterparts – but its exports to Europe are down from their 2019 level. The IEA believes that Russia could do more to increase gas availability to Europe and ensure storage is filled to adequate levels in preparation for the coming winter heating season.

This is also an opportunity for Russia to underscore its credentials as a reliable supplier to the European market.

European electricity prices have climbed to their highest levels in over a decade in recent weeks, rising above 100 euros per megawatt-hour in many markets. In Germany and Spain, for example, prices in September have been around three or four times the averages seen in 2019 and 2020.

This increase has been driven by the surge in gas, coal and carbon prices in Europe. The strong rise in gas prices led electricity providers in a number of European markets to switch from gas to coal for power generation – a trend that would have been more pronounced if it had not been for the increase in the price of carbon emission allowances on the European market.

“Today’s situation is a reminder to governments, especially as we seek to accelerate clean energy transitions, of the importance of secure and affordable energy supplies – particularly for the most vulnerable people in our societies,” Dr Birol said. “Well-managed clean energy transitions are a solution to the issues that we are seeing in gas and electricity markets today – not the cause of them.”

The links between electricity and gas markets are not going to go away anytime soon. Gas remains an important tool for balancing electricity markets in many regions today.

As clean energy transitions advance on a path towards net zero emissions, global gas demand will start to decline, but it will remain an important component of electricity security. This is especially the case in countries with large seasonal variations in electricity demand.

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COURTESY iea.org

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Muscat, OCT 18: Scotland pacer Brad Wheal grabbed three wickets as Scotland stunned Bangladesh in the Twenty20 World Cup match at the Al Amerat Stadium in Muscat, Oman on Sunday.

Wheal finished with figures of 3-24 in four overs, taking the crucial wicket of Bangladesh opener Liton Das, captain Mahmudullah and wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan as they fell apart in their pursuit of 141 runs, losing out by six wickets eventually.

Bangladesh were shaken early in their innings when openers Das and Soumya Sarkar departed after adding five runs each, with the team reeling at 1`8-2 in the third over.

Veteran all-rounder Shakib-al-Hasan and wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim responded with some damage control before the former lost his wicket in the 11th over after scoring a slow 20 off 28 balls.

Mushfiq (38 off 36), too, was dismissed by Chris Greaves two overs after Shakib’s departure. Skipper Mahmudullah (23 off 22) and Afif Hossain (18 off 12) tried to lift the chase again, but they too couldn’t stay for long.

Mahedi Hasan’s 13 off five balls also couldn’t prove enough for Bangladesh to go over the finishing line, giving Scotland only their second win at a T20 World Cup.

Earlier, Mahedi and Shakib claimed five wickets between them but Chris Greaves helped Scotland post 140-9.

The spin duo justified their captain’s decision of bowling first by taking regular wickets but Greaves gave Scotland crucial runs with his late cameo of 45 in Muscat.

Scotland tried to rebuild after losing skipper Kyle Coetzer for nought but Mahedi soon struck twice in an over to send back Matthew Cross, for 11, and opener George Munsey, for 29.

Shakib joined forces with another double strike and his wicket of Michael Leask for nought got him past Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga as the leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals.

Shakib, who is the only player to achieve a T20 double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets, returned figures of 2-17 while Mahedi was the wrecker-in-chief with 3-19.

Greaves, batting at number seven, hit back with four fours and two sixes in his 28-ball knock as Scotland plundered 53 runs from the last 30 deliveries.

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COURTESY SAMAA

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KARACHI, OCT 17: Karachi Institute of Culinary Arts (KICA) & Karachi Chefs Association’s (KCA) with the support of donor funded TVET Sector Support Programme organized first international culinary competition 2021 in Karachi with the name of “International Salonnière competition 2021” endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies (World-chefs).

The objective was to showcase the skills of trainees and graduates of TVET Sector Support Programme in hospitality sector on an international platform in the real-time competitive arena. The professional and young Chefs from all over Pakistan and the world participated in this competition in order to crown the best Chefs (Professional and Young Chefs). The participants were judged by panels of international jury from South Africa, Srilanka, Dubai, Azerbaijan and Greece and Pakistani jury to critically evaluate the culinary creativity of the competitors according to the competitions rules book and the guidelines given to each participant.

Through this competition, TVET sector support program, which is funded by European Union, Federal Republic of Germany and the Royal Norwegian Embassy along with its partners KICAF and KCA aiming to promote culinary arts of Pakistan at the international level and showcased the top talents of the culinary industry to the world. 

The event received participation from 170 young and professional chefs from culinary institutes across Pakistan along with multinational corporates such as Nestle professionals, Unilever Food Solutions, RAK Porcelain and national corporates such as Shangri-La Foods and Snifz appliances. The corporate entities have placed their installs to display their products. A Culinary Master class and International Chiefs Day celebration was also held during the competition.

Speaking at this occasion, Governer Sindh, Mr. Imran Ismail said, “youth bulge in Sindh province has huge potential in learning various skills in the hospitality sector. Pakistan is full of tourism opportunities where the young people from everywhere can excel with the skillset in their hand”. He said that, “I am glad to see so many young boys and girls performing culinary arts on international standards and this makes me proud”.

Ms. Birgit Kuhlmann, Chargé d’affaires, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Karachi, speaking at the occasion said that, “I am overwhelmed to see such professionalism and nice presentation by the young chefs of our TVET Sector Support Programme. This is how the TVET Sector Support Programme has helped the Pakistani youth to excel and learn skills as per today’s demand of industry”.

Mr. Olaf Handloegten, Cluster Coordinator for Training and Sustainable Development GIZ Pakistan said that, “I am glad to see such an exciting response of participants in this competition. It is great to be part of this activity which is successfully highlighting the Culinary Arts in Pakistan at the national and international level and have provided an opportunity to showcase the top talents of the Pakistan culinary industry to the world”.

Mr. Shaun Smith, World Chefs Association Continental Judge and Senior Advisor for TVET South Africa said that, “I am glad to be in Pakistan and excited to witness the skills of young and professional Chefs today”.

TVET Sector Support Programme since inception of its second phase in 2017 has so far achieved training of approximately 42,000 young men and women in various competency-based occupations, assisted national and provincial TVET authorities in recognition of prior learning of around 31,200 men and women across Pakistan, for human resource development of TVET officials, trained as-many-as 5,000 teachers, assessors, principals and TVET personnel. TVET SSP has supported in accreditation of 330 institutes, and for promoting workplace-based training and private sector led management of training 491 IMCs have been established and almost 1,580 partnerships are signed.

Particularly in hospitality sector in Sindh, The Program has supported in training of over 1,000 trainees from 6 different institutes in public and private sector. The Program has facilitated partnerships with over 30 enterprises and 3 different business and industry associations, only in this sector. To meet the quality and industry’s demand and standards 6 different National Vocational Qualifications ranging from Level 1 to Level 4 are developed in recent years. This has brought reaping results of almost 61% employment of the graduates in hospitality sector.

The TVET Sector Programme graduates in hospitality sector from various partnering institutes are now working with leading multinational and national companies related to food industry like Pearl Continental, Ramada, Avari, Marriot, McDonald and many more.

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DUBAI, OCT 17: As fans across the world gear up for what is set to be a high-octane Twenty20 World Cup opener between Pakistan and India, the latter’s captain Virat Kohli played down the hype surrounding the match, terming it “just another game” for his team.

Asian giants India, who were the original hosts of the 2021 event before the pandemic meant a shift to the Gulf, will begin their campaign against arch-rivals and fellow former champions Pakistan on October 24 with Kohli looking to go out with a bang before stepping down as captain of the T20 side.

“I honestly never felt so,” the Indian skipper said when asked whether playing against Pakistan felt different than other teams.

“I have always approached this game as just another game of cricket. I know there is a lot of hype created around this game more so with ticket sales and the demands for tickets,” he added.

In a lighter vein, Kohli said he had refused friends asking for free tickets to the high-profile match.

“Right now the value of those tickets is ridiculously high. So that’s all I know, friends asking me for tickets left, right and centre, I refused,” he said.

Kohli acknowledged that the fanfare and emotions attached to the rivalry set it apart from other encounters, saying: “Yes, the environment, you can say, is different. From the fans’ point of view it is definitely louder. From the players’ point of view, we stay as professional as we can.”

Pakistan have won their last 10 Twenty20 internationals in the UAE and captain Babar Azam claimed on Saturday that run will give his men the edge over India next weekend.

“Definitely we have played a lot of cricket in the UAE,” Babar said when asked about his team’s dismal 0-5 record against India in T20 World Cup clashes.

“These conditions suit us and we know how to play here.”

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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• Urges world help for Afghanistan
• Claims petrol prices raised in accordance with international market rates

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday claimed that the issue of the appointment of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general had been amicably settled between the civil and military leadership.

Talking to reporters, Mr Ahmed said the spymaster would be appointed before next Friday.

Rejecting reports of a rift between the government and the military establishment, he said the prevailing environment in the country was fine, and regretted that “some elements were trying to make highly sensitive institutions controversial”.

His remarks came amid widespread speculations that Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa were not on the same page over the key appointment in the army.

The issue has been in the news since last week following the unusual delay in the issuance of official notification of Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum’s appointment as the new chief of the premier intelligence agency.

The army, in a statement on Oct 6, had announced that the incumbent ISI director general, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, had been made the Peshawar Corps commander while Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum was appointed in his place.

But the Prime Minister’s Office withheld the official notification, leading to rumours about strains in civil-military relations.

Earlier this week, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had said Prime Minister Imran Khan had the authority to appoint the spy chief and that the consultation process had been completed.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Rashid told mediapersons that Pakistan desired peace and stability in neighbouring Afghanistan and urged the international community to help the Taliban-led country on humanitarian grounds.

Amidst scathing criticism of the government over massive hike in prices of petroleum products, the interior minister said no ruler wanted inflation in the country and that prices were raised due to increase in rates in the international market.

“The wave of inflation has affected the entire world,” he said.

Referring to development projects in his home constituency of Rawalpindi, the minister said Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar had inaugurated a third university in the city, adding that dozens of institutions, especially for girls, had been opened to ensure availability of education facilities to all, with special focus on backward areas.

He said work on Ring Road project would commence shortly.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, OCT 16: GIZ, UNICEF and WaterAid collaborated to celebrate Global hand washing Day in the capital city. The event kicked off with hand washing demonstration presented to the participants followed by panel discussion on the topic ““Our Future is at Hand – Let’s Move Forward Together”.

“Comprised of experts from UNICEF Pakistan, GIZ, WaterAid Pakistan, Ministry of Health and Unilever. The panel discussion discussed the Civil Society perspective on hand hygiene for All, role of international development partners, and role of private sector in promoting hand hygiene The panel discussion was followed by the Award Ceremony for the winner of GHWD Campaign by the Youth Wizards.

Mr. Wajid Zahid who won the cash prize and appreciation as his social media campaign attracted over 10,000 views. 

There was also a presentation of the provincial campaign of GIZ on Global Handwashing Day.

While speaking at the event, Ms. Seemi Ezdi, chairperson senate committee on climate change acclaimed the efforts of organizers of the event and emphasized that it is the need of the time to proactively bring the issue of handwashing in forefront to build a conducive environment. This can only be done through effective collaborations.

“Government will always support such initiatives which educate masses about adopting hygienic practices and developing the habit of handwashing to curb COVID Pandemic”, she further added.

GIZ country Director Mr. Tobias Becker shared his thoughts on the importance of handwashing. He stated that 3.5 million children globally effected from disease related to handwashing. Handwashing offers most efficient response to pandemic as it removes germs, reduces health risk, prevent spread of germs and pathogen to others.

Sanitation for million programs aims to raise awareness of handwashing habitat young age by providing handwashing facilities at school level. For this purpose, GIZ has been engaged with Schools in organizing various awareness activities and building infrastructure facilities in Balochistan region.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Munawar Hassan, head of programmes, WaterAid highlighted the change in people’s attitudes towards hygiene.

He said “People’s own behavior is a major barrier in adopting the hand washing practices therefore we need to be self-reflective on our hygiene practices and try to promote positive hygiene practices in our families, communities and workplaces”.

Speaking at the same event, Mr Kamran Naeem, WASH specialist from UNICEF stressed the importance of universal handwashing towards achieving UNICEF core commitments for children.

He appreciated government effort and commitment to hand hygiene by being the first country in the world to launch the Hand Hygiene for All roadmap and highlighted that currently provincial governments are developing costed hand hygiene work plans which will be used for resource mobilization. Through the Clean and Green Pakistan initiative, the Pakistan Approaches to Total Sanitation (PATS), and the WASH in institutions programs, UNICEF will continue supporting the government of Pakistan to achieve its WASH goals by 2030, Said Mr Kamran.

Dr Razia from the ministry of health highlighted her ministry`s commitment to improve hand hygiene in health care facilities and schools to reduce the spread of diseases and hospital acquired infections. She called upon the private sector to support the government in behavior change and also in complimenting little government resources to improve WASH in health care facilities.

“Now that we have concluded the health care facility scoping study which tells the WASH situation, the government moves towards ensuring availability of handwashing stations at critical points and providing menstrual health friendly facilities” said Dr Rabia

Speaking on the role of the private sector in ensuring universal hand hygiene, Ms Fatima, from Unilever Pakistan highlighted that, COVID-19 has proved that failure to WASH hands with soap may not be an issue of affordability but of priorities. She appealed to government and the developmental sector to partner with the private sector to ensure product availability to everyone including the hard to reach areas.

“As Unilever, we are committed to continue developing innovative products suitable for everyone despite class or location” said Ms Fatima. She indicated that every business would be happy to support any sustainable WASH program.

GIZ along with partnered organization initiated a program name Sanitation for Millions, to increase awareness and understanding about the importance of safe hand hygiene and to foster a culture of handwashing. The activities for the global handwashing days are targeted at students of primary, secondary and high schools of Baluchistan since students have proven to be the champions for changing unsafe practices. By celebrating the Global Handwashing Days, Sanitation for Millions has sensitized a wide range of affiliated WASH stakeholders outside schools such as community representatives, government officials and parents to participate and adopt safe hand hygiene practices. Overall, it is estimated that more than 100,000 people have been reached so far.

Under this program, they have re-established WASH Clubs in schools in Baluchistan where hygiene issues and cleanliness are discussed amongst students and safe hand hygiene is promoted. The leaders of the WASH Clubs ensure that all classes have one day a week for group handwashing and school toilet cleaning.

Sanitation for Millions Pakistan conducted theatre performances by trained artists on handwashing and personal hygiene in schools. This proved to be very effective since the artists conveyed their messages in a humorous way and school children paid good attention to their performances

Sanitation for Millions has designed workshops to train female preachers (Waithats) as trainers to train on safe hygiene and sanitation. 100 Waithats (female preachers) from the Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places (MoIA) attended the workshops on “Sanitation and Hygiene promotion” carried out by Sanitation for Millions in Amman, Irbid and Mafraq Governorates and learned about safe hygiene and handwashing practices.

Sanitation for Millions designed a concept for a guidebook on safe hygiene from an Islamic perspective. The guidebook includes the topic of safe hand hygiene, referencing both WHO standards as well as Islamic principles on the issue

Sanitation for Millions follows a child- and gender-friendly, inclusive and equitable approach by constructing facilities and promotes activities that encourage safe hygiene practices which are adapted to the needs of the users (especially of girls and women, and persons with special needs) and are culturally appropriate and regard age-related needs (especially of minor children).

As a response to the current emergency due to COVID19 pandemic, the adaptation to the local context, repair rehabilitation and adequate maintenance of the existing infrastructure for proper hand washing should be a priority for Sanitation for Millions.

Hand washing is one of the core activities carried out with regard to safe hygiene. According to international research results, infections are transmitted in 80 % of the cases by hands.

Therefore, hand washing is one of the most efficient response to pandemics and for infection control since it removes germs, reduces health risks, prevents the spread of germs and pathogens to others and is not costly.

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Invitation to Online Press Briefing on the theme of “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan”

Date: 15th October 2021

International Press Division

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

On 5th November (Fri), 2021, International Division, MOFA, will host an online press briefing regarding “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan”, specifically for journalists in Asia-Pacific. 

The Briefer, Mr. SUGANO Masafumi, Director for International Exhibitions, METI (the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry),will brief mainly on the concept and the theme of the EXPO2025, and its current standing.

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■Date: November 5th (Tue.), 2021, 15:00-16:00(JST)(Deadline for application: October 31st（JST）)*Please be noted Pakistan standard time is -4 hours

■Theme: “Concept, theme, and its current standingof “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan”

■Briefer:                                                

Mr. SUGANO Masafumi, Director for International Exhibitions, METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

Ms. NAKAOKA Nanako, Deputy Director, International Exhibitions Promotion Office, METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

■Language: English

■Approximately 30-40minute briefing delivered by Mr. SUGANO and Ms. NAKAOKA, which will be followed by Q&A session. The entire session is scheduled to finish within an hour.

■Registration:

1. Please register from the link below. We will not be accepting applications by email.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqc-mgqDItGtUhG8TLfLd4VyeWiywWGO_H

Please make sure that you have entered the correct email address.

2. Confirmation of registration will be sent from no-reply@zoom.us immediately after your registration. Please make sure that youhave entered a correct email address.

3. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam and trash folders, and register again if there is no email.

★Images and photos for the articles:

Zoom screenshots can be used for your articles/broadcast segments, however, please be reminded that the images and photos taken during the briefing, will be restricted to this particular usage. For SNS, only “still” screenshots can be used(no movies allowed). Photoswith designated credits will be made available later on request. 

★You may find useful information on EXPO2025 from the links below:

https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/

https://twitter.com/expo2025japan/

https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/external_economy/expo/osaka_2025.html

https://expo2020-dubai.go.jp/en/menu/

https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/

Osaka Kansai Expo in 2025 (Media Briefing)

Briefing for the Osaka Kansai Expo in 2025 will be held on November 5th, 2021. Pakistani media persons can register for participation.

The briefing will be held at 1500-1600(JPN time) on the 5th of November.

Those who are interested are required to resister by themselves.

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ISLAMABAD, OCT 16: AAA Associates has been awarded as “The Best taxpayer in Real Estate Regional” in “First Taxpayer Recognition Awards” organised by Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI) in collaboration with Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR).

The event was attended by the members from high profile multinationals and representatives of corporate blue-chip companies. Chairman AAA Associates Sheikh Fawad Bashir received the prestigious award from President of Pakistan Arif Alvi.

Addressing the event, the President appreciated the Real Estate Sector's role in the development of the nation, and congratulated the winners of the awards. 

The President emphasized on inclusive work environment, and empowerment of women in workplaces.

Chairman AAA Associates Sheikh Fawad Bashir was elated to receive the award. He underlined on the importance of paying taxes. He said, “Taxes help raise the standard of living in a country.

Paying taxes will plough money into the development of our infrastructure and in turn promotes economic activity throughout the country.”

President of Pakistan Mr. Arif Alvi was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The ceremony was held at The Presidency.

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ISLAMABAD, OCT 16: Adam M. Tugio, Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan visited Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell. During the visit, a meeting was held between Adam M. Tugio, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan, Mian Abdul Rauf, Former Advocate-General Islamabad, and Mr. Khalid Taimur, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.

The Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell has been established at Mian Abdul Rauf Law Associates in collaboration with Area Study Center (Russia, China, and Central Asia), University of Peshawar, and Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.

During the meeting, it was discussed that the Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell will work to create awareness regarding the economic laws of Indonesia in order to enhance bilateral economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Indonesia.

Additionally, it was decided that the Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell will make efforts to produce a plan which will ensure smooth collaborations and cooperation between both countries, Pakistan and Indonesia, in various domains.

Moreover, cooperation in academics and research was also discussed. It was decided that in order to equip the young scholars and experts with the required legal knowledge, linkages between the legal institutes of the involved countries will also be supported.

In this regard, Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell will make significant efforts to develop cooperation between law colleges of Pakistan and Indonesia.

During the meeting, it was also decided that the study cell will help develop linkages of Area Study Centers of Pakistan with the relevant Indonesian institutions.

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Our newspaper carried five pieces of news, from the lead story to our flagship black coloured back section, covering the profile, demise, funeral, condolences and tribute to the towering nuclear scientist of our part of the world – Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

Five stories yesterday, and by the time of writing this piece on Monday evening, I am not pretty sure how many stories of condolences and tributes I will see in today’s paper. The only piece about which I am certain for today’s edition is an editorial on the late Khan.

But all newspapers have treated the news of a high-profile personality the same way the MinuteMirror has treated it. Dr sahib deserved a huge coverage given the flow of outpouring grief from across the country and all over the world. 

Dr Khan not only touched the hearts of Pakistan by leading a national mission to make Pakistan a nuclear country after our eastern neighbour unleashed a race for nuclear power back in the 1970s. Many people living in the Muslim countries also became fervent fans of Dr Khan for making the Muslim world nuclear-powered by manufacturing the first-ever ‘Muslim Bomb’. 

I am unable to digest the idea of draping defence technology with religious colour. Whatever you call the bomb, Dr Khan should be hailed for his remarkable role in providing a nuclear deterrent and making the defence of the country unassailable. This role of him makes Dr sahib ‘Mohsin-i-Pakistan’, a title given and promoted by some media persons.

For the last few years, he had been writing Urdu columns where he would rarely touch science and technology; instead, his focus would be nationalism and religion. This means, at the end of the day, despite his iconic figure status, he was a human, a commoner who wanted to speak his mind to the people.

Over the decades, we saw many ups and downs in Dr Sahib’s life. In the early 1960s, he was accepted by the Berlin University for a PhD programme, which he earlier declined. His supervisor convinced him to give a second thought to his plan instead of going for a teaching job in a Nigerian university. He ended up in the PhD programme. 

In a chance encounter at a gift card shop in Delft, the Netherlands, Dr Khan met Henny, the love of his life. His career in Pakistan’s nuclear mission also started without any plan. It was 1975 when Dr Khan wrote to then prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto about his desire to do nuclear innovation for the country. Bhutto Sahib agreed to his proposal and asked him to return home and meet him.

The rest is history.

Then fell the 2003 filth. Let history decide about the whole affair. We have seen the distortion of facts in the infamous ‘weapons of mass destruction hidden in Iraq’ by the western governments and media.

Now, we hear that Dr Khan has been on the radar of Mossad when led by Shabtai Shavit, but he slipped through their plans. At home, he was mistreated. I wish Dr sahib remained a nuclear scientist and passed on the knowledge and skills he had acquired to generation after generation. 

The media entrapped him into ‘Mohsin-i-Pakistan’ fame and gathered controversies, both national and international, around him.

Ali Sajjad is the editor-in-chief of Minute Mirror. He can be reached at chiefeditor@minutemirror.com.pk.

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