PM URGED TO SET WHEAT SUPPORT PRICE TO AVOID $1B IMPORT BILL
TBushra Bibi reaches
US congressmen write to Biden seeking to press Islamabad for PTI founder ’s release
made to also secure release of other political prisoners in Pakistan The former prime minister has been incarcerated since August last year after his conviction in several criminal case ahead of the February 8 elections In their letter, the lawmakers belonging to the Democratic party urged President Biden to prioritise human rights in the US policy towards Pakistan
“We write today to urge you to use the United States substantial leverage with Pakistan s government to secure the release of political prisoners including former Prime Minister Khan and curtail widespread human rights abuses, they wrote They also asked the US embassy officials to visit Imran in Adiala Jail
The letter marked the first such collective call from congressmen for the release of Imran who otherwise has had testy relations with Washington as a long standing critic of US foreign policy, according to US Representative Greg Casar, who is one of the congressmen who wrote the letter Casar noted that following Imran’s ouster from
the prime minister s office through a no-confidence vote in 2022, multiple cases were filed against him and he has been in prison since August 2023
The letter also stressed on the US administration to seek assurance from the government of Pakistan about Imran s safety and well-being in custody The Democratic lawmakers also raised concerns about reported irregularities in Pakistan s elections held on February 8 this year Pakistan strongly reacts to US lawmakers’ letter to President Joe Meanwhile Pakistan strongly reacted to the US lawmakers letter to President Joe Biden seeking release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, saying the move contrary to interstate conduct and diplomatic norms
This statement came from Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch while responding to a query related to the Democratic lawmakers letter to US President Biden related to Pakistani politics during her weekly briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today Baloch said, Pakistan values its bilateral relations with the United States We believe in constructive dialogue and engagement to address any concern ” However comments on Pakistan s domestic affairs are contrary to inter-state conduct and diplomatic norms We believe such letters and statements are counter-productive and not in line with positive dynamics of Pakistan-US bilateral relations ”
Ahsan
T O 2 1 . 4 % O F G D P I N 2 0 2 5 : I M F
Pakistan is moving forward with the long-awaited privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), with a final auction set for October 30 Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb attending the World Bank and IMF annual meetings in Washington confirmed that the process has faced delays due to macroeconomic instability and the need for thorough due diligence by potential investors However, these issues have now been resolved, and the auction is ready to proceed
The government facing pressure from the IMF to reform state-owned enterprises has also focused on privatizing other key assets Along with PIA, Islamabad s international airport is scheduled for outsourcing in November as part of the government’s broader privatization agenda These measures are seen as crucial steps to stabilize the country s economy which has been hit by inflation, dwindling foreign reserves, and a ballooning public debt that currently stands at 69% of GDP
The privatization of PIA has been a particularly complex process Aurangzeb mentioned that the delay was partly due to the scrutiny required by both local and international bidders In addition, the legal framework govern-
ing the auction needed to be carefully reviewed to ensure transparency and fairness in the bidding process Six consortia have been pre-qualified to bid for a 60% stake in PIA including major local and international firms
Meanwhile the National Assembly was informed that the government s final auction of PIA was initially planned for October 1 but was delayed due to low bidder interest and litigation issues concerning the airline s aging fleet and Civil Aviation Authority matters Parliamentary Secretary for Communications Gul Asghar told the assembly that the government had now completed all steps required for the final auction which will proceed on October 30
Asghar added that PIA s operational assets have been separated from its other assets to ensure clarity in the privatization process With privatization now underway, the government aims to attract serious investors who
can revamp the financially struggling national carrier Alongside the privatization the government is addressing other economic challenges as part of the IMFbacked reform program including increasing exports and reducing the country s reliance on borrowing Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik informed the National Assembly that no restrictions on the import of raw materials have been imposed post-IMF program finalization as the government seeks to bolster the export sector The privatization of PIA is just one part of a larger restructuring plan aimed at boosting economic growth and reducing government debt The move comes as Pakistan continues to grapple with inflation reduced purchasing power, and high electricity costs, which have burdened both the economy and ordinary citizens
The success of PIA’s privatization along with other key state-owned enterprises is seen as vital for Pakistan s economic stability Failure to address
PR OFIT M o n to r i n g D e s k The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has increased the sales tax on tractors from 10% to 14% for both imported and locally supplied units aiming to align with demands from local manufacturers This decision, detailed in the newly issued SRO 1643(I)/2024,
PR OFIT
M o n i to r i n g D e s k Lahore-based co-working platform COLABS has raised $2 million in a pre-Series
to the imported and
of tractors under PCT headings 8701 9220 and 8701 9320 and under S No 86 of Table-1 of the Eighth Schedule to the Sales Tax Act, 1990 from 10% to 14% respectively The FBR has also streamlined processes by eliminating the Refund to Agricultural Tractor Manufacturers procedures and related audits through SRO 1644(I)/2024 The tax adjustment specifically targets tractors under certain PCT headings raising their sales tax significantly This move has been met with opposition from the agricultural sector citing previous tax relief measures that were not passed on to farmers by manufacturers, leading to higher costs and reduced agricultural output This tax increase is seen as another financial burden on a sector already under strain potentially leading to reduced food production and increased reliance on imported agricultural products, further straining Pakistan s foreign exchange reserves The farming community is calling for
PSX SETS ANOTHER RECORD, CLOSES NEAR 89,000 MARK IN ANTICIPATION OF RATE CUT
g WIDESPREAD BUYING AC TIVIT Y WAS OBSERVED IN MA
JOR SEC TORS
FBR amends income tax rules to enhance ATL system
ISLAMABAD a p p
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has amended the income tax rules 2002 to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the Active Taxpayer ’s List (ATL) system streamlining tax operations for enhanced compliance The board announced this under the Income Tax Rules, 2002, as notified via S R O 1638(I)/2024, dated October 18, 2024, said a news release here on Thursday These amendments issued under section 237 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 are aimed at improving the efficiency and responsiveness of the
Active Taxpayer ’s List (ATL) system Under the new amendments the ATL will now be updated
3D printing to help reshape industries
Iqbal emphasised the pivotal role of science and technology in
on Wednesday inaugurated the First International Conference on 3D Printing and Vacuum
The National Centre for Physics at the Quaid-e-Azam University hosted the inaugural session of the conference The three-day conference, running from October 23 to 25 will bring together more than 50 eminent researchers and scientists from around the globe to discuss latest advancements in transformative technologies In his speech, Planning Minister
ing national development and progress He called on scientists, researchers and innovators to work tirelessly to position Pakistan at the forefront of technological advancements He highlighted the extensive potential of 3D printing and vacuum technology saying such innovations were not just technological milestones but were catalysts for reshaping industries, redefining economies and revolutionising the everyday life By enabling precise manufacturing in controlled environments those technologies offered solutions across healthcare aerospace construction and
energy sectors he stressed adding “we are standing at the intersection of two remarkable innovations – 3D printing and vacuum technology – that have transformed production, manufacturing and research worldwide” “This conference marks the beginning of Pakistan’s formal journey to the Fourth Industrial Revolution he remarked
Highlighting the global examples of 3D printing and vacuum technology the planning minister drew attention to the remarkable achievements in aerospace, infrastructure and healthcare, especially in bio-printing where countries like the US and Germany pioneered the creation of living tissues custom-designed implants and prosthetics
lishment of SEZs which will boost Pakistan’s manufacturing capabilities remains a central pillar of the strategy to modernize the country s economy
On the environmental front the report presents insights from Prof Dr Zahid Anwar and Tanzeel Ur Rehman, who focus on agricultural development and the integration of
COMMENT
Ankara blast
TU R K I Y e has responded to the terrorist attack on an aerospace company near Ankara by bombing a wide range of targets in Syria and Iraq directed against Kurd separatists, which it accused of being behind the attack The Kurdish problem has bedevilled Turkiye since it came into existence and has waxed and waned depending on how much outside help the Kurds could muster The existence of large numbers of Kurds in at least four countries (Turkiye, Syria, Iran and Iraq) not only complicates the domestic politics of each, but also their regional relations The Turkish Air Force used both planes and drones to hit about 300 targets including bakeries, power stations, oil facilities and [Kurdish] Internal Security Force checkpoints in both Syria and Iraq Caution seems to have been less important in leaving Iran alone than the fact that it seems to have no suitable targets to offer and no involvement in the attack on the aerospace and defence company Tusaş Still, it cannot escape Iran’s notice that two of its allies have been hit
The strike by a NATO member which has been assured by the NATO Secretary General of support against Iranian allies particularly at a time of heightened tension in the Middle east because of the Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip, is risky It is noticeable that US allies are at the most cavalier in dealing with Iran, with first Israel behaving as if it wanted a regional conflict to break out, while Turkiye has also been responsive Iran has also said that it will avoid conflict when hezbollah was attacked in Lebanon so there is no reason to suppose that it will respond to these attacks on its allies, unless of course those attacks are repeated
Again, there seems no reason why there should be a repeat of the attacks, unless the Kurd separatists respond with more terrorist attacks Pakistan knows the cost of that as was expressed by the President and Prime Minister in their messages of support issued almost immediately Kurd opinion might be crucial In recent elections, the Kurd vote has gone to the ChP, offering the odd sight of Kurd nationalists supporting Kemalists The nationalists of Turkiye are stronger than the Baloch nationalists of Pakistan, which would explain why there is a crossborder element to Kurd separatism absent from Baloch separtism
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
A n o t h e r S a u d i
h e purpose of the passage of the 26th Amendment will become obvious when the government manages to obtain what it had meant by its introduction But at the moment it will take away two positives First that the Amendment was passed at all The failure to pass it on the first attempt last month was a huge embarrassment for the government, and to fail again might well have been fatal for it Second, it was passed without any use of the wriggle-room created by the recent Supreme Court decision rolling back the earlier verdict on those voting so as to fall in the mischief of Article 63A; in short it allowed votes against the party chief s instructions to be counted rather than discarded It opened a crack for floor-crossing, and even though five MNAs broke away from the PTI to sit on the Treasury benches even though elected as PTI-backed independents there were no wholesale crossings from the PTI to get the amendment passed even thought there was enough leeway in their status for them to make the switch Of course members would decide on their estimate of what would happen to them at the next general election It should be noted that originally, it was the refusal of the JUI(F) which led to the collapse of the first attempt As it is the JUI(F) proved crucial to passing the Amendment and it is now for the government to reckon up the balance between what it had let go and what it had conceded to work out whether it has made a good bargain Perhaps the touchstone of whether it made a good bargain will be whether it can do what the PML(N) planned to do That will be seen in the days and weeks to come but the original intention of getting the present Chief Justice of Pakistan to head a new constitutional court had been abandoned and instead of a separate court, a Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court is to be set up That means the present CJP will retire on the due date, which is by the end of the month That Bench will have a head, it will have its
own rules but the position of the Chief Justice has not been compromised as the head of the judiciary, as the head of the Constitutional Bench will remain a judge under him, provided he is not on it himself
The drafting of the Amendment appears to have been done to avert the invocation of the Basic Structures Doctrine The mechanism approved of in verdict of the 2010 writ petitions and in which the Court hinted that the 19th Amendment could be struck down if it did not conform to the Basic Structure of the Constitution, which included independence of judiciary That seems to be why the Judicial Commission The appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan has been given to Parliament executive interference has been resented everywhere and all the time and from a process in which the executive in the shape of the Prime Minister, decided, we have the mechanism of the Judicial Commission, which means the Chief Justice and senior justices decide, and the Prime Minister and President just sign off Now the Judicial Commission has been expanded to include legislators and a nominee of the National Assembly Speaker
The judiciary seems to have been blindsided here, because while there is a very strong impulse for the separation of the judiciary and the executive, there seems to be no injunction about separating the executive from the legislature
One of the first things that has happened is that the new Chief Justice Mr Justice Yahya Afridi provides an object lesson in how the new system works he would have had a 13-month term as CJP under the previous principle of going by seniority, because he would have retired in 20230, but instead, he has taken over the tenures of Mr Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Mr Justice Munib Akhtar who have now been superseded Incidentally one of the principles thrown by the wayside by the 26th has been that of legitimate expectancy
i n v e s t o r s v i s i t
Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Gen Syed Asim Munir and Saudi Minister for Investment Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al Fateh Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister said the visit to Pakistan of another Saudi business and investors delegation was a true manifestation of great sincerity and affection for
the people of Pakistan from Saudi Crown Prince Moohammad Bin Salman (MBS) he also categorically stated that it will be ensured that these MoUs are implemented in letter and spirit without facing any impediments and he would personally be observing progress in this regard
The Saudi Minister in his meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari PM Shehbaz Sharif COAS General Asim Munir and others said without mincing words quite emphatically that Pakistan is our second home, we are not friends but a family he also made a pointed mention of the important role of Pakistan Investment Facilitation Council (PIFC) in attracting the Saudi businessmen and investors visit to Pakistan to explore possibilities for their investment here in different sectors
Another visit by Saudi investors and businessmen and the signing of large number of 27 MoUs is also being viewed as further strengthening and promoting of brotherly relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and due implementation of the signed MoUs without any lethargy and wastage of time augurs well for mutual benefits of the people of the two countries and the Saudi and Pakistani businessmen and investors in particular This was in furtherance of Pakistan’s new slogan Trade Not Aid
The writer is Lahore-based Freelance Journalist Columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News) Radio Pakistan Islamabad and can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail com
Another visit by Saudi investors and businessmen and the signing of large number of 27 MoUs is also being viewed as further strengthening and promoting of brotherly relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and due implementation of the signed MoUs without any lethargy and wastage of time augurs well for mutual benefits of the people of the two countries and the Saudi and Pakistani businessmen and investors in particular In fur therance of Pakistan’s new slogan Trade Not Aid
Parents must take action
Hub’s public health woes
Toriginally comprised of Brazil Russia India China and South Africa has expanded its reach by inviting new members including Egypt Ethiopia Iran, and the UAE This expansion, coupled with the recent geopolitical shifts driven by growing competition between the West and major powers like Russia and China, sets the stage for the summit to become a significant signpost in the ongoing push for an alternative world order
The BRICS bloc has long been a platform for emerging economies to express dissatisfaction with Western-led global governance structures With its members representing nearly 40 percent of the world’s population and around 25 percent of global GDP BRICS carries substantial weight in international discussions on economic development climate change and multilateral cooperation However, its expanded membership now introduces new dimensions of influence, particularly in energy markets and developing economies
The key agenda for the BRICS summit in Kazan is advancing a multipolar world order This vision seeks to reduce the dominance of the USA and the Western-led global financial system by increasing the use of non-dollar currencies in international trade and encouraging reforms in multilateral institutions The New Development Bank (NDB) created by BRICS in 2015 as an alternative to the World Bank is one such initiative aimed at offering a non-Western model for development financing However, the NDB s lending capacity remains dwarfed by its Western counterparts, indicating that while BRICS has made some progress, it still faces considerable challenges in reshaping the global financial system
A key theme of the Kazan Summit was the need for reforms in global governance institutions, such as the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the
The Kazan summit and necessit y of an alternative world order
IMF BRICS nations have consistently argued that these institutions are outdated and do not accurately reflect the current global balance of power The summit called for a more inclusive and representative international system that gives greater voice to emerging economies and developing nations Russia and China, two of the bloc s most assertive voices, are particularly keen on reducing reliance on the dollar This is a strategic goal for both countries as they face Western sanctions and increasing economic isolation
The inclusion of countries like Iran which is also heavily sanctioned by the USA reflects the growing identity of BRICS as a counterweight to Western pressure Iran s participation, alongside energy giants like the UAE, positions BRICS to challenge the dollar’s dominance in global oil markets where transactions are predominantly conducted in dollars Despite its ambitions BRICS is not without internal contradictions While Russia and China aggressively push for an antiWestern agenda, countries like India, Brazil, and South Africa are more cautious These nations still rely heavily on trade with the USA and Europe and are hesitant to fully align themselves with an anti-Western bloc India for instance continues to maintain strong economic relationships with both Western countries and its BRICS counterparts, using the bloc as a forum to advance its interests without burning bridges The addition of new members including those with conflicting geopolitical interests
further complicates the bloc s cohesion For example, the UAE and Egypt are key US allies in the Middle East while Iran has been a longstanding adversary of Washington This geopolitical diversity raises questions about whether BRICS can maintain a unified agenda while balancing the divergent interests of its members
The Kazan summit will also highlight tensions within the bloc over how far it should go in expanding its membership While Russia advocates for further enlargement others within the bloc are more cautious wary of diluting its influence or introducing new members with conflicting priorities
The energy sector was a focal point of the BRICS summit, especially with the inclusion of major energy producers like Iran and the UAE By leveraging their collective influence over global energy markets BRICS could create alternative trading mechanisms that bypass the U S dollar, potentially challenging the currency s dominance in global trade This goal aligns with Russia and China’s broader ambition to reduce their vulnerability to US sanctions which often rely on the global financial system s deep-rooted reliance on the dollar
However dethroning the dollar is not without significant hurdles The dollar is deeply embedded in global financial systems, with the vast majority of cross-border transactions and reserves held in dollars While BRICS has made efforts to increase the use of local currencies in trade progress has been slow and the global financial architecture remains dominated by Western institutions The expansion of BRICS is both an opportunity
Never theless, the expansion of BRICS and its growing influence in global energy markets represent a significant shift in the global balance of power If the bloc can navigate its internal challeng es and present a united front, it could play a pivotal role in reshaping the global order As the Kazan summit unfolded, the world will be watching to see whether BRICS can translate its vision of an alternative world order into reality
The
But significant
IT is reported that when our lordships were stuck in a judicial jam while trying to find a way to resolve the Babri Masjid case god came to their rescue and showed them a bypass
This is what Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud has revealed to the world Very often we have cases (to adjudicate) but we don’t arrive at a solution,” he told an audience in Maharashtra, adding: “Something similar happened during the Ayodhya (Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid) dispute which was in front of me for three months I sat before the deity and told him he needed to find a solution We can imagine him sitting with folded hands in front of his god, urging him to give them a solution This means that the decision given by Justice Chandrachud and his brother judges was not theirs it was communicated through them by god himself Till today people were only guessing about the authorship of the unsigned judgment Now we know that it was dictated by god The judges were merely the medium
We must note that Justice Chandrachud did not ask his god to give him strength and wisdom to be able to find a solution he asked him to find the solution for him What he is claiming is that it was a divinely ordained solution that he and his brother judges merely penned in human language I think the CJI’s ‘revelation’ will have shattered the faith of many true believers –the millions of devout Hindus who believe the Supreme Court s Ayodhya judgment of 2019 was sinful It was a sin to destroy a religious place of others and then build a temple on that crime scene Many devotees of Ram felt angry that this injustice was done in the name of their deity They were hurt by the fact that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad was accepted as the next friend or guardian of Ram and that Ram himself was considered a perpetual minor who cannot take care of his interests and needed a guardian like the VHP Justice Chandrachud told his audience that he has been a religious
Justice Chandrachud should know that the judiciar y as an institution is much older than him and will outlast people like him
or video was that the main person offering pooja was the PM while the CJI and his wife played supporting roles by singing along with Modi and ringing the bell Before that he had given proof of his religiousness during his Gujarat visit He visited the temples of Dwarkadhish and Somnath with his wife His visit was recorded and widely broadcast We know that a personal visit would not have been a news headline and thus a topic of public discussion without his knowledge and permission
During his visit to Gujarat he apparently got inspired by the sight of religious flags fluttering on the top of the temples He said that he was reminded of the flag of Jagannath Puri on seeing the dhwaja above Dwarkadhish: Just look at the universality of our country s tradition, it binds us all This flag has a special meaning for all of us Above all of us (lawyers, judges, citizens) there is a unifying power which is governed by the rule of law and the Constitution of India
It is possible that some people like Justice Chandrachud get reminded of the dhwaja of Puri when they see the flag above the Dwarkadhish temple But is this the unifying tradition of this country? What is this power above all of us? Can that power be symbolised by a religious flag?
minister frequently displays his religiosity
source or inspiration of their decisions
lose faith in the courts
Our judges made a mistake by taking the responsibility of solving the Babri Masjid case It was beyond their capacity
The issue before them was to decide the ownership of the land of the Babri Masjid
They themselves accepted that the mosque had been standing on that land for centuries It was a living mosque prayers were being offered in it for 400 years The court also accepted that there was no evidence that it was built by demolishing a temple
They did not consider it relevant either It was also accepted that in 1949, idols of Hindu deities were secretly smuggled in the mosque in the dark of the night According to the judges this was a crime Similarly the act of demolishing the mosque on December 6, 1992 was also a criminal act The judgement said this But after accepting all this, they concluded that the land of the mosque should be given to the guardian or friend of Ram That is to the same people who in the language of the court had committed two crimes: once in 1949 and then in 1992 Their argument was that the re-
peated disturbances and crimes that those poor people were committing in the Babri Masjid prove that they were continuously staking their claim on it How can this claim be rejected? Through judicial acrobatics of this kind, ownership of the land of the Babri Masjid was transferred to them To those very people who in the eyes of the court were guilty of double crime Did god be it Ram or Shiva or Krishna tell our CJI to engage in this sort of judicial craftiness? Surely what ordinary people could see – that the five judges were actually doing an injustice in the name of justice –would not have remained hidden from the eyes of an omniscient god?
That injustice was continued by Justice Chandrachud when he allowed the survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque by saying that it was necessary to satisfy the curiosity of the petitioners Those poor people only wanted to know what was inside the mosque! Now puja is being done in the basement of the mosque and Muslims have almost lost ownership over a part of it Was this decision also inspired by god?
In his story Panch Parmeshwar, Premchand fictionalises the popular belief that God resides in the panch, the head of the village council And that he rises above worldly love greed and fear to dispense justice regardless of personal cost But this is not evident from the conduct of Justice Chandrachud and his brother judges They are deeply entangled in worldliness Soon after gifting the Babri Masjid’s land to the current rulers of India, one of them got Rajya Sabha membership One got the post of governor Are people wrong in speculating about the reason behind this gradual revelation of religiosity by the CJI? Some who still want to retain their faith in the judiciary are disturbed that the CJI chose the moment of elections (in Maharashtra) to talk about his decision leading to
line with prices is the main driver of the robust core inflation in services But, as output gaps close, the fund hopes, this wage pressure too should subside Both the spike in inflation and its remarkably painless fall need explanations These argues the WEO include a fasterthan-expected decline in energy prices and a strong rebound in labour supply, bolstered by unexpected (and unpopular) surges in immigration A more subtle explanation of the behaviour of inflation is that the interaction of surging post-pandemic demand with constraints on supply made the relationship between economic slack and inflation (known as the Phillips curve ) steeper (or, in economists jargon, less elastic ) Thus, inflation rose more than expected when demand surged but fell faster than expected as supply and demand came together Monetary policy played a role in both directions by stimulating and then restraining demand but also, when tightened,
M A HossAin
Israel strikes D amasc us, militar y site near Homs, Syrian defence says
BEIRUT A G E N C I E S
Israel launched strikes on the Syrian capital Damascus and a military site near the western city of Homs on Thursday, the Syrian defence ministry said, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken toured the region pushing for a halt to fighting
The Israeli strikes targeted the central Damascus neighbourhood of Kafr Sousa and a military site in the Homs countryside, killing one soldier and injuring seven other people, the ministry said in a statement
The ministry said the strikes caused material damage but did not elaborate Earlier in the day Syrian state media said explosions were heard in Damascus after Israel struck a residential building in Kafr Sousa Israel typically does not comment on specific reports of strikes in Syria
Israel has been carrying out strikes against Iranian-linked targets in Syria for years but it has ramped up raids since last year s Oct 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas which sparked the Gaza war
On Wednesday, Israeli strikes pounded Beirut’s southern suburbs and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah said it fired precision guided missiles for the first time at Israeli targets
The strikes on the edges of Beirut sent thick columns of flames shooting up into the night sky one after the other, shortly after an Israeli military spokesman issued evacuation warnings for the neighbourhood
Another strike came with no warning, hitting the nearby office of pro-Iran broadcaster AlMayadeen, the station said It said the office had been empty since the
conflict began Lebanon’s health ministry said one person was killed and five others including a child were wounded
The Israeli military named on Wednesday six Palestinian Al Jazeera reporters in Gaza who it said were also members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad militant groups, an allegation the Qatari network rejected as an attempt to silence journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists Middle East programme said on X that the allegations amounted to smearing Palestinian journalists “with unsubstantiated ‘terrorist’ labels” Hezbollah said in a statement late on Wednesday that it had escalated its attacks on Israel using precision missiles for the first time and launched new types of drones on Israeli targets, without offering further details
Turkish Intelligence strikes PKK , YPG targets in Syria, Iraq
a margin
percentage points This shift comes as Trump s approval ratings for his presidency reach a historic high reflecting a complex landscape as both candidates work to solidify their support The poll indicates that negative advertising campaigns and the candidates performances have adversely affected Harris s standing since she took over as the Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race in July Harris s approval ratings have dipped with just 42% of voters approving of her vice presidential performance, marking her lowest rating in three polls conducted by the WSJ since the summer Despite Trump s controversial tenure he continues to receive support for his policies especially concerning the economy
ANKARA
SAFE CIT Y PROJECT TO
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated safe city project in Sheikhupura and during next week CM Punjab is going to inaugurate Safe Cities Projects in four more major cities of the province During the inauguration of Safe City Project in Sheikhupura, CM Maryam also observed the video wall of Safe City and inspected the modern communication equipment being used in the project in Sheikhupura Maryam Nawaz was told about the advanced body cam rugged smart phone
OICCI hosts ‘Dining in Dark ’
KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T
The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) organized a unique event the Dining in the Dark Experience in collaboration with Khaas Foodz Kitchen (KFK) on Thursday This initiative brought together OICCI’s member companies and foreign investors to emphasize the importance of disability inclusion and address the challenges persons with disabilities (PWDs) face in corporate environments The highlight of the event was a sensory dining experience, where attendees were blindfolded and led through the meal cooked by visually impaired chefs from KFK a social enterprise committed to training and employing individuals
with disabilities This unique setting allowed participants to experience first-hand the difficulties PWDs face, fostering empathy and sparking discussions on inclusion Ahmed Khan Bozai Chairperson of OICCI's Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee emphasized the need for corporate Pakistan to drive change Inclusive environments are not just a moral obligation but a business imperative Persons with disabilities offer a wealth of talent, and it’s time we pave the way for their contributions said Bozai during his keynote speech Following the dining experience, the event featured a panel discussion with industry leaders, including Ali Tareen, founder of Khaas Foodz Kitchen Fizza Hussain co-founder KFK Saadia Fahad general manager DEI K-
REAP to par ticipate in food exhibition at Dubai WTC in Februar y next year
KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T E R
the catalytic
of aviation-driven tourism In 2023, the aviation sector including Emirates Group Dubai Airports (covering Dubai International and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum airports) and other
entities contributed AED 137
(USD 37 3
to Dubai s GDP, accounting for 27% of the total This figure includes the core impact of AED 94 billion from aviation operations and AED 43 billion from aviation-facilitated tourism By 2030 this contribution is expected to rise to AED 196 billion representing 32% of Dubai s GDP The sector also played a significant role in employment supporting 631,000 jobs in 2023, equivalent to one in five jobs in Dubai
A delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan REAP met with United Arab Emirates Consul General Dr Bakheet Ateeq Al-Remaithi at UAE Consulate with the objective to increase rice exports from Pakistan and expand the business in UAE The delegation comprised of REAP Chairman Malik Faisal Jahangir Senior Vice Chairman Muhammad Javed Jilani and other important members including Muhaib Maulvi, Muhammad Khurram, Mahesh Kumar, Shiraz Ahmed Sheikh, Muhammad Shahid Memon Altaf, Hussain Sheikh Secretary, and Arif Ali Khan (Assistant Secretary) were included During the meeting the chairman of REAP said that rice has become an important crop of Pakistan due to the efforts of REAP and the historical limit of rice export of 5 billion dollars has been crossed in 2024, He said that after the establishment of REAP in 2010, Rice exports have been steadily increasing and the UAE emerged as an important market The REAP delegation expressed its intention to consider plans for rice storage in the UAE and rice packaging as per the needs of the local market
Electric and Fatima Arshad head of communications and sustainability, Unilever Pakistan The discussion explored the challenges and opportunities that businesses face in creating inclusive workplaces and the importance of adopting disability-friendly policies OICCI s Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) surveys reveal that while about half of respondents prioritize D&I, representation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) remains low with less than 0 5% of permanent employees being PWDs Commenting on this OICCI Secretary General M Abdul Aleem said, Our goal is to improve these numbers It s crucial for our member companies to move beyond policies and actively foster work environments where persons with disabilities can thrive
Descon Engineering fur thers digital transformation with Live H2H SAP Bank Integration
S
KARACHI
Descon Engineering is excited to announce the successful implementation of Host-to-Host (H2H) SAP integration with leading financial institutions including Standard Chartered First Abu Dhabi Bank and Commercial Bank of Qatar This cutting-edge integration is now live enabling seamless payroll and vendor transactions, marking a significant milestone in Descon's ongoing journey toward digitalization and operational efficiency The H2H SAP integration is a game-changer for Descon streamlining financial processes enhancing security and ensuring greater accuracy and speed in transactions By directly linking Descon s SAP system with its banking partners this solution reduces manual intervention and mitigates risks, paving the way for improved transparency and operational excellence CFO Descon Engineering Yasir Siddique Sheikh said "We are thrilled to achieve this important milestone the integration of our financial operations with these leading banks is a testament to our commitment to adopting innovative technologies that enhance efficiency across our organization This solution not only benefits our internal processes but also strengthens our partnerships with vendors and banks ensuring a higher standard of service " This digital transformation initiative reinforces Descon s forward-thinking approach and strategic focus on digitalization The successful implementation is the result of collaboration among internal teams, banking partners, and technology experts, who worked tirelessly to ensure the integration’s success
SC PETITIONED FOR FULL COURT HEARING OF PLEA AGAINST 26TH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
C JP- designate direc ts Registrar ’s O ffice to c ategories c ases challenging laws separately
Fazl tried to make constitutional amendment controversial: Bilawal
PPP chairman asser ts coalition govt could have got amendments passed even without JUI-F suppor t
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman tried to make the 26th Constitutional Amendment controversial by passing remarks against one of their clauses In an interview with the BBC, Bilawal said that
a constitutional bench By a constitutional court, we don t mean a separate structure ” he explained Bilawal Bhutto expressed confidence that the party s numbers were sufficient to proceed with a constitutional amendment even without the support of Maulana Fazlur Rehman A significant task like the 26th Constitutional Amendment can be undertaken by any Chief Justice and it was not feasible in the presence of Mansoor Ali Shah He also noted concerns over attempts to politicize Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa Bilawal addressed the events of May 9 when military installations were attacked highlighting the government s intent to prosecute those responsible He criticized the court’s interpretation of the constitution claiming it obstructed the government’s decisions He emphasized that for democracy to thrive a forced vote should be avoided, and pointed out that powers initially into ended for the Constitutional Court had been transferred to
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Senior-most judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has penned another letter to outgoing Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa emphasizing upon selfaccountability People are watching our actions and history never forgives said Justice Mansoor In his letter, he referenced Sir Thomas More, a renowned British lawyer, philosopher, author, and judge to underline his message
This communication was related to the tax case bench established by the Practice and Procedure Committee Justice Mansoor expressed his concerns regarding his participation in the special bench reiterating his stance that “people are watching our actions and history never forgives
an obstacle to the independence of the judiciary He also termed the extension in the service of Chief Election Commissioner until the new commissioner is appointed as undemocratic and against the constitution Earlier, the 26th constitutional amendment was challenged in the Supreme Court, in which it was requested to declare the constitutional amendment null and void
He noted that he had previously declared he would refrain from joining special benches until a full court reviewed the amendment ordinance The most recent hearing of the tax review case occurred on October 4, with a three-member bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa An order had been issued to include Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan in the proceedings Justice Mansoor had previously submitted a dissenting opinion in the central tax case, which led to the decision to include him
in the current review case Besides it Justice Mansoor Ali Shah raised concerns about the amendment ordinance having exited the Practice and Procedure Committee meeting without participating In his letter to the judges’ committee, he criticized the rushed introduction of the ordinance noting it was notified within hours of its enactment He also pointed out that the committee was restructured without clear justification, and the removal of the second senior-most judge, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, from the committee went unexplained It may be mentioned here that Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa is retiring on Oct 25 [tomorrow] Justice Yahya Afridi has been nominated as the next chief justice Justice Mansoor who is the most senior judge after Qazi Faez Isa is in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has issued show-cause notices to senators Zarqa Taimur and Faisal Saleem, citing evidence of their contact with the government before the passage of the 26th constitutional amendments The senators are required to submit written responses within a week This move follows Wednesday’s issuance of similar notices to PTI members of parliament (MPs) Zain Qureshi Riyaz Fatyana Aslam Ghuman and Miqdad Ali Khan for breaching party directives leading up to the amendment s passage In the notices from the party s central secretariat, PTI emphasized that it had instructed all National Assembly and Senate members to remain secure at designated locations and to avoid communication with government representatives regarding constitutional changes