N S I O N F L A R E S U P A S C J P R
Bilawal reaffir ms PPP ’s commitment to constitutional amendments
ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan People s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday reiterated his commitment to constitutional amendments, stating the proposed amendments can be made ‘peacefully’ if finalised before October 25 In a session with reporters in Islamabad on Wednesday Bilawal was asked about his stance on former prime minister Imran Khan s military trial He replied We need to assess the evidence first; after all, we have the authority to grant a presidential pardon He maintained that the PPP stands against the death penalty When questioned about the proposed constitu-
tional amendments and their deadline of October 25, he stated, “If the amendments are made before October 25 the matter can be settled peacefully While they can be done later it may lead to confrontational situations He further asserted that the PPP would not abandon the matter concerning the constitutional court vowing to see it through to completion We have already faced significant delays; our demands date back to 2006 and are part of our manifesto,” he added Bilawal also criticised the judiciary’s timing regarding certain actions questioning why the timing of the injunction on reserved seats was not being scrutinised He pointed out that the judiciary s four-page clarification issued on September 14, the day of a parliamentary session, raised questions about the judicial
timing He mentioned that the head of the constitutional court would serve a three-year term and expressed his opposition to the establishment of military courts, emphasising that the justification for the federal constitutional court lies in the Supreme Court s historical precedents On the Karachi unrest case which has been ongoing since 2011 Bilawal noted that the judiciary had affected the local government system under the pretext of this case questioning whether unrest existed only in Karachi, as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan also face similar issues
He further criticised the political manoeuvring regarding the selection of the next Army Chief suggesting that events on May 9 were bordering on insurrection He warned that if constitutional amendments are not enacted the resulting situation might spiral beyond anyone s control, noting that the 18th Amendment had previously blocked the path to martial law
N O M I E S I N 1 3 N E W D I S T R I C T S
deferment to low bidder interest, court cases, fleet ageing and civil aviation issues Last week, sources told The News that the government intends to privatise more state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under the rightsizing policy with PM Shehbaz directing the Ministry of Privatisation and Ministry of Industries and Production to implement the plan They added that Pakistan Stone Development Company and Pakistan Automobile Corporation were marked for privatisation marked for privatisation Also, proposals were finalised for the privatisation of Pakistan Institute of Management, Khadi Crafts Development Company Agro Food Processing Facilities Leather Crafts Development Company Morafco Industries South-
ISLAMABAD N e w s D e s k Pakistan s foreign exchange reserves have risen to a level sufficient to cover two months worth of imports following the arrival of the first tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) This update was provided by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmed on Wednesday The SBP received $1 03 billion (SDR 760 million) on September 30, 2024, a crucial boost for the country s struggling economy Pakistan had been working to fulfill what have been described as “strict” conditions to finalize the loan agreement established in July which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed hope will be the last such arrangement Currently, liquid reserves stand at $10 billion, offering much-needed stability to the nation’s foreign exchange position Ahmed stated “The foreign exchange reserves have stabilized and we expect further improvements during a banking conference The governor noted that the recent IMF disbursement has alleviated pressure on the rupee and facilitated a smoother dollar supply in the market “Overseas workers’ remittances have increased and the supply of dollars has improved ” he
ern Punjab Embroidery Industry and Gujranwala Business Centre It is to be noted that the finance minister chairs a high-powered Right-Sizing Committee constituted by the prime minister Elaborating on the privatisation process Aurangzeb said that the outsourcing of Islamabad and Karachi airports would be made in phases He said that rightsizing and restructuring of some ministries and departments would also be completed before the next fiscal year Addressing the issues in the power sector the minister said discussion was being made with Chinese authorities regarding the reprofiling of debt besides China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects
Noting that the government was working on privatisation of sick units, power sector reforms and all necessary have been taken to achieve the objectives All out measures are being taken to strengthen the economic sector of the country, he remarked
said highlighting the positive impact of declining inflation on monetary policy Ahmed expressed satisfaction with the government’s fiscal situation, noting a decrease in borrowing rates from banks He dispelled concerns about delayed repayments to commercial banks stating We are making early repayments of bank loans Additionally, he outlined the SBP s strategy
PERIMETRIC SECURIT Y SYSTEM GOES LIVE IN GWADAR PORT WITH 675 CAMERAS
LHC petitioned as S ec tion 144 imposed in Punjab distric ts, Islamabad
MIANWALI/FAISALABAD/ISLAMABAD
Both the Federal and Punjab and governments imposed Section 144 in Islamabad and several Punjab districts, including Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Toba Tek Singh, Mianwali, Chiniot and Jhang
According to Section 144 notification all forms of political gatherings sit-ins rallies protests and related activities are banned while some cities have been sealed with containers Internet and mobile services have also been suspended in Mianwali and two companies of Rangers have also been deployed in Mianwali ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protest Meanwhile more than 100 PTI workers have been booked for violation of Section 144 while five were arrested The Punjab government has presented an amendment bill that mandates to enforce Section 144 for three months This law is a colonial era that is implemented to ban public gatherings
The notification stated that Section 144 has been implemented to maintain law and order and to protect human lives and property emphasising that public gatherings could be soft targets for terrorists due to security risks
ISLAMABAD: Meanwhile, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) authorities have enforced Section 144 and the Peaceful Assembly Act across the capital prohibiting gatherings and processions in restricted areas as part of tightened security measures
According to a police statement, the high-security zone red zone and surrounding areas have been designated as restricted with strict enforcement of the law The ICT police spokesperson said that the ICT Police are committed to safeguarding the lives and property of citizens
He said anyone involved in illegal activities will be held accountable He
said that citizens are requested not to engage in any unlawful gatherings He further stated that legal action will be taken against those who attempt to disturb peace and order Citizens are advised to report any emergencies by dialing 15
LHC PETITIONED AGAINST IM-
PUNJAB: On the other hand the imposition of Section 144 in several Punjab districts has been challenged in the Lahore High Court The petition filed by a citizen, claimed that the Punjab government enforced Section 144 to suppress Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ’s (PTI) planned protests infringing on citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly The petition argues that the government s decision to impose Section 144 was politically
‘Pakistan Economy Dashboard’ provides
access
Socio -Economic data: Ali Per viaz
We stand on the cusp of a new era in economic management, the integration of technology into governance has never been more crucial ”
He said the Pakistan Economy Dashboard is not just a tool; it symbolizes our commitment to harnessing the power of technology to make governance more transparent, efficient, and responsive By adopting such innovative platforms, we are setting a precedent for how data-driven governance can drive real impactful change in our country he said He said that this initiative marked a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to promote transparency and enhance the accessibility of economic data, particularly for academia and research institutions On the other hand the internal section of this portal will empower the Finance Division with real-time access to economic data and outlook, thereby strengthening the evidence base for our policymaking, he said The Finance Division Government of Pakistan has been striving to enhance transparency of fiscal and budgetary initiatives and in this regard many important documents are now made available to everyone on Finance Division s website
“We have been regularly sharing the budgetary documents and Economic Survey of Pakistan every year ”
SHC seeks clarity on delay in PTI rally decision amid security concerns ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e p o r t Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervaiz Malik said that Pakistan Economy Dashboard is huge initiative in the direction of making the socio-economic data easily accessible to everyone The launch of the Pakistan Economy Dashboard represents a major leap forward in our mission to modernize the dissemination of economic information he said while addressing the launching ceremony of Pakistan Economy Dashboard’ here Wednesday “I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Dr Imtiaz Ahmed Economic Adviser at the Finance Division and his team whose relentless efforts have successfully brought this initiative to fruition, he said He appreciated the appreciation to the EU-funded PFM-II Programme for providing technical assistance to the Finance Division in these crucial areas In today s rapidly evolving global economy access to accurate and timely economic data is more critical than ever, he said Ali Pervaiz Malik said this portal has been designed to be a user-friendly resource providing all stakeholders whether policymakers researchers investors or citizens with the data they need to make informed decisions
In addition information is made available on budget execution through the fiscal operations data which is updated on quarterly basis The Finance Division also disseminates information on various aspects of fiscal policy through publication of various reports on its website; Public Debt Bulletin, Medium Term Debt Management Strategy and Medium-Term Budget Strategy Paper, he said He said that in the recent past, the Economic Adviser ’s Wing has been publishing economic forecasts through Monthly Economic Update and Outlook report The state minister said that these forecasts were produced through a macro forecasting model developed in the Finance Division and these forecasts were beneficial for various segments of the economy such as businesses banks multilateral institutions and provincial governments in the country Looking ahead, the potential for this platform is immense The government continues to expand its capabilities, we envision a future where the Pakistan Economy Dashboard evolves into a central hub for all economic activities in the country integrating real-time data across multiple sectors, he said He said that this would provide a holistic view of our economy, enabling more coordinated and strategic policy responses
COMMENT
TH E inflation reading for September closed on 6 9 percent, the lowest reading for four years which is undoubtedly good news for the government However the inflation rate has been declining since February, according to the official statistics, but has it led to any relief for the common man? It has begun to lead to relief for the government and private sector entrepreneurs, as the State Bank seems likely to opt for a further cut in its policy rate It had taken the rate to 22 5 percent last year but has brought it down to 17 5 percent For an economy that has a 6 9 percent inflation rate that is a very high policy rate One of the effects of this has been to make borrowing high for both the government and the private sector Already, the calls for a reduction in rates have begun With the very first call, by the United Businessman’s Group, demanding a 300 basis point cut with the rate brought down to eight percent by January
That may well be asking for the money, as while the country has got an IMF package approved, it has only received one tranche, with further disbursements depending on successful reviews
Those will depend on Pakistan sticking to the IMF programme, which includes high interest rates to control inflation The IMF would probably like to see interest rates kept high to be brought down slowly so as to avoid the rick of inflation sparking up again The growth projection for Pakistan is now about 3 percent, which indicates a recovery, but which is still anaemic
Will the common man get any relief? That will only happen if prices fall or incomes rise The economy appears to be emerge from the stagflationary rut in which it was trapped but the government will only be bv to claim political credit if growth picks up Though fuel prices have gone down, and inflation is declining internationally, which means that exports will increase, the improvement in export industries lies in the future Improvement in people’s lives will only come when the horde of unemployed youth get jobs and for that the economy must pick up Inflation coming under control, as it seems to have done, is an essential prerequisite This is the stage at which the government must move from an inflation-fighting mode to a growth-inducing one
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M
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Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
logical life-form is hardly surprising Atheists are not the only ones, however, who are under this impression A great many theists who underestimate their own logical abilities (often justifiably so) are also grudgingly in awe of the atheists They therefore think it best to avoid atheists for fear of being trod on by their logical juggernaut This complacency (or overestimation of the potency of tools at their disposal to defend their world view) on the part of the atheist as well as the theist’s wariness of the prospect of matching wits with the atheist are grossly misplaced which is what I propose to demonstrate in what follows Instead of focusing on minor logical errors (who among us is immune to those?), I intend to highlight the fundamental logical flaw in the typical atheist’s reasoning In other words, instead of looking to stack up an inventory of logical errors in his logical superstructure I propose to dig up the soil to show the absence of any logical foundation under it
My motivation for doing so is twofold One to assure the theist that he need not be intimidated by the atheist– at any rate of the run-of-the-mill type that employs manifestly faulty reasoning Two, to point out to the atheist of this ilk that his high estimation of his own intellect is unwarranted on account of his thought-process leaving a great deal to be desired That his arguments are unbecoming of any intelligent and self-respecting human being and that therefore he would be well-advised to replace them with better ones or (failing that) to revise his position I am convinced that not all atheists knowingly employ faulty arguments in support of their preferred conclusions While there is no denying that such specimens do exist many atheists sincerely believe that theirs are what are referred to as clinching arguments I would like this piece to benefit such atheists as well, by nudging them to reconsider their arguments which, due to sheer force of habit, they have never subjected to critical scrutiny Whether deliberately or unwittingly the first trick employed by the atheist is that very early in any debate with the theist he makes it a point to establish that the burden of proof rests with the theist, to which
the theist usually acquiesces to his detriment ‘You make the claim that God exists the atheist says It follows therefore that it is you that needs to back it up with evidence he concludes And having thus successfully thrown the ball into the court of the theist, he looks around triumphantly as if the debate has been settled in his favour once for all Almost as a knee-jerk reaction the theist then proceeds to try and logically ‘prove’ the existence of God– a foolish project to begin with if ever there was one for reasons that we do not need to go into here He gives one evidence after the other (all of them faulty), all of which the atheist successfully dismisses as not good enough In his desperation the theist forgets to stop digging, sinking deeper and deeper into the depths of defeat and humiliation The atheist keeps smiling enjoying the theist s sorry plight and his own spectacular victory It never occurs to the theist to challenge the original assumption regarding the onus of proof The fact of the matter is that
India’s geopolitical manoeuvring disrupts Mongolia’s religious harmony
ing to social media to express scepticism and confusion It’s clear that not everyone is comfortable with the 14th Dalai Lama s actions
A dangerous distor tion of Islamic Principles
IN D I A has long pursued an assertive stance intruding into the domestic affairs of its neighbouring countries Whether it s Sri Lanka the Maldives Bangladesh Nepal, or Bhutan, India s hand in meddling is unmistakable, driven by a desire to cement its sway in the region
Yet this tendency to interfere doesn’t stop at its immediate vicinity Far from the Indian subcontinent we see Mongolia an isolated landlocked country squeezed between Russia and China emerge as the latest theatre for India s ambitions Here, India seems bent on chipping away at the strong ties Mongolia shares with Russia and China, countries with which it has historically enjoyed warm relations Recent actions by India regarding Mongolia s religious affairs have caused significant concern particularly in the context of the 10th Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, the spiritual leader of the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia The Bogd an emblem of Mongolia’s very soul traces roots back nearly four centuries intertwined with the legacy of the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan A lineage that embraced Tibetan Buddhism spreading its influence far beyond Mongolia, even into the vast stretches of China and the conquered lands In the early 1900s, a Tibetan-born Bogd (pronounced bogged) ruled Mongolia as a theocratic leader revered not just as a ruler but as a god-king However when the last Bogd passed away in 2012 murmurs of concern rippled through Mongolia The fear? That India wielding the influence of the Dalai Lama who s been in exile in India since 1959 might attempt to steer or even dictate the selection of the next Bogd The ninth Jebtsundamba Khutuktu spent much of his life in exile first in Tibet then in India It wasn t until 1990 long after his identity had been
Dalai Lama asserted that the rein-
carnation of the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu had been found Yet, he remained tight-lipped, revealing nothing until 8 March 2023, during a ceremony in Dharamsala The Dalai Lama introduced the world to the new Jebtsundamba Khutuktu a young boy named “A Altannar ” But here s where the tale takes a twist The full first name? Not disclosed And the plot thickens for there aren t just one but two A Altannar Identical twins Both their names begin with an A - Achildai Altannar and Agudai Altannar So, which one is the true Jebtsundamba Khutuktu? The answer lies shrouded in secrecy known only to five people: the two 8-year-old boys their mother (a college professor of mathematics) their father (a scion of a mining fortune), and, of course, the Dalai Lama himself Apparently, at the behest of India, the Dalai Lama’s has embraced an American passport holder boy as the 10th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, marking an upsetting moment in the spiritual and political landscape of Tibetan Buddhism For believers reincarnation is a divine mystery guided by higher powers Yet it s hard to ignore the political undercurrents that often shape the lives of these spiritual figures, particularly in how they are educated and positioned within the broader geopolitical context India’s involvement in this sacred process especially in the identification and education of the 10th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu represents a concerning overreach into Mongolia s internal affairs
The Dalai Lama s acknowledgment of the 10th reincarnation further denotes India s growing interference in Mongolia’s religious sphere This move suggests a strategic attempt by India to exert influence over Mongolia’s cultural and religious landscape The Dalai Lama s handling of matters pertaining to the selection and education of the 10th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu reflects this complex interplay of spirituality and politics
It is still shrouded in mystery why he has selected an American-born boy from a rich family despite intense resistance by the boy’s parents who initially refused to accept his verdict about their son This manoeuvre however hasn t been met with universal approval In Mongolia, reactions have been mixed, with many tak-
The Dalai Lamas have long claimed that the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu is an incarnation of Taranatha, a 16th-century Tibetan master of the Jonang tradition However, the Jonang School itself has not publicly endorsed this recognition, raising further questions about the legitimacy of the Dalai Lama s decision Historically the Gelug tradition to which the Dalai Lama belongs has had a contentious relationship with the Jonang School, adding another layer of complexity to this situation
This development is being viewed as a potential threat to the stability and independence of Mongolia raising alarms about the broader implications for regional sovereignty When external powers like India intervene in such a delicate process it not only undermines the sovereignty of the affected nation but also disrupts the sanctity of its religious practices Concerns extend beyond the immediate political ramifications; they encompass the preservation of religious integrity
The recent involvement of India in the selection process of the 10th Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutuktu raises serious questions about the intentions behind such actions This move is not merely a matter of religious significance; it carries the potential to destabilize regional harmony
The selection of the 10th Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutuktu should remain an internal matter free from external interference to ensure that the process aligns with Mongolian customs and religious practices In the interest of regional stability, it is imperative that all nations honour the internal affairs of their neighbours, safeguarding the delicate balance that underpins peace and cooperation in the region
Policymakers in New Delhi seem to believe that by steering the selection of the 10th Bogd in their favour India could subtly expand its influence in Mongolia - a move that might serve to unsettle both China and Russia over the long haul This strategic calculation reflects India’s broader geopolitical ambitions where cultural and religious diplomacy intertwine with the pursuit of regional power dynamics
The writer is a freelance columnist
Policymakers in New Delhi seem to believe that by steering the selection of the 10th Bogd in their favour, India could subtly expand its influence in Mongolia - a move that might ser ve to unsettle both China and Russia over the long haul This strategic calculation reflects IndiaÊs broader g eopolitical ambitions, where cultural and religious diplomacy inter twine with the pursuit of regional power dynamics.
Midlife crisis in corporate Pakistan
Pakistan’s integration into the China-Russia A xis
backbone of their evolving rapprochement
Interests are coming together
TH
tiative The emerging defense relationship between Russia and Pakistan serves as the
reflecting new strategic thinking by both countries toward South Asia Furthermore defense exports from Russia could enhance Pakistan s capacity to counter terrorism and lay the foundation for expanded military cooperation, potentially including the acquisition of jets, tanks, and other munitions if conditions are favorable In recent years India has diversified its defense partnerships with countries like the USA Japan Israel France which have eroded Russia s dominance in India s defence market As a result, Russia is seeking new arms markets in the region to expand its defence relationships The joint military drill between Russia and Pakistan known as Druzhba in 2016 marked a fast-track trajectory in developing these ties amid the changing geopolitics of South Asia
The most promising area of cooperation between Russia and Pakistan in the near future is Afghanistan Moscow has hosted several peace conferences in recent years, snd Pakistan’s participation in these talks demonstrates the growing alignment between Russia and Pakistan regarding the future role of the Taliban as an anti-terrorist force This shift in Russia s strategic calculus, away from its Cold War stance, is driven by concerns about ISIS infiltrating the CARs which could destabilize the region Instead of relying on military might Russia has turned to diplomatic solutions using regional actors like Pakistan to achieve results in the fight against terrorism Given Pakistan s long border with Afghanistan and its historical relations with both Kabul and the Taliban, strategic coordination between Islamabad and Moscow could open new avenues of cooperation in the future
The convergence of interests between Russia and Pakistan, particularly regarding ISIS, the recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate actor and the stability of Afghanistan is bringing the two states closer at a rapid pace Additionally the energy
The mutual interests driving the Moscow-Islamabad par tnership are contributing to a shift in international relations. In Europe, Russia is involved in a confrontation with the West over Ukraine, and is under Western sanctions due to its actions in Crimea. In the Asia-Pacific, tensions have escalated between China and its neighbouring countries due to ChinaÊs actions in the South China Sea. These developments have pushed China and Russia to seek new allies, which explains the growing rappor t between the two powers.
Children and smar tphones: setting some limits is a good idea
The two films on life in Palestine
TH
although campaigners are concerned about implementation Earlier this year the government issued guidance encouraging schools to ban the use of phones during lunchtimes as well as lessons, and last week another warning was sounded In his review of the NHS in England Lord Darzi acknowledged that it was unlikely that the dramatic rise in mental health needs is wholly unconnected from social media but could not say whether it was the cause or the consequence of depression” One academy chain in England has taken matters into its own hands In its 44 schools pupils will have their phones taken away during the school day Peter Kyle, the science secretary, has said he would consider following Australia in banning social
any raising of which the tech companies are certain to fight But teachers, along with parents and wider society, have a role in setting boundaries and should not be ignored Nor can one dismiss children s worsening mental health (referrals have risen far more than for adults), or the tragic cases in which online encounters have contributed to young people’s deaths There are good reasons to act Whistleblowers including Frances Haugen have shown that social media firms cannot be trusted to put children s safety before profit Communal efforts to carve out device-free time in children’s lives and build resistance against big tech s attention-greedy business model are important Whether imposed by schools or on the initiative of campaigns such as Smartphone Free Childhood, they point to real concerns
life was like in 1948 Palestine They are Rami Younis and Sara Ema Friedland s Lyd and Lina Soualem s
Tiberias Lyd infuses animation and science fiction into documentary, to tell the history of the city of Lyd The city-as-narrator tells us, “The story of Lyd is the story of Palestine ” The city narrates her past present and alternative future We are privy to scenes of what Lyd could have looked like had Jewish people sought refuge in Palestine rather than entering under the cover of British guns
Narrating Lyd s actual history are Nakba survivors living in refugee camps A backdrop of archival footage shows Zionist militias ethnically cleansing Lyd Members of the Palmach militia reveal their crimes while wandering through destroyed Palestinian homes
Remnants of what happened during World War II in Europe are repeated in Lyd, as in the rest of Palestine – massacres, forced exile, theft of land and family treasures, the separation of families, ghettoization Colonisation takes root inside 1948 Palestine with the intrusion of Jewish-only colonies in the center of a Palestinian city The land confiscations and home demolitions have continued unabated since 1948
In spite of these and other forms of trauma, the film envisions other possible futures in its alternative timeline We see what Lyd could have been: multicultural classrooms where teachers and students discuss the Sudanese and Eritrean refugees in their country who fled the horrors of ethnic cleansing like some of your grandparents who fled the Nazi holocaust in Europe ” This is a stark contrast to an earlier moment, where a room full of children talk to their teacher about identity and most are not sure what it means to be Palestinian Younis a native of Lyd and Friedland a Jewish American filmmaker overwrite history with a sense of hope and the necessity of imagination Their narrator leaves us with the thought, If we don’t imagine a world that can include us too, we won’t be able to build the world we want If we don’t imagine we will end up in someone else’s world shaped by their imagination In Bye Bye Tiberias imagination enables the director, Soualem, to picture what her family endured during the Nakba Her great grandparents fled to Lebanon, but were turned back after reaching the border, only to find Zionists had captured their town Tiberias Narrating four generations of her family Soualem captures touchstones in Palestinian history beginning with the Nakba The one absent presence in the film is Hosnieh, Soualem s great aunt who fled to Syria with her family Scenes of Tiberias at various points in the film – including footage taken by Soualem home movies and archival footage – cover similar terrain of the city of the lake and the center of town It s most jarring to contrast the vibrant Palestinian marketplace of the early 20th century with the recent scenes of gaudy Hebrew signs erasing the Palestinian presence We exist in a moment when Israel operates with a boundless level of impunity while committing a genocide in Gaza and hinting of repeating them in Lebanon The United States is Israel s main partner in crime but India has aided and abetted this genocide with its drones The International Court of Justice ruled that
Dr MuhaMMaD akraM Zaheer
GENERAL BAGHERI ISSUES STARK WARNING: IRAN PREPARED TO INTENSIF Y MISSILE STRIKES ON ISRAEL
Eight Israeli soldiers killed in south Lebanon as militar y c ampaign against Hezbollah esc alates
pounding south Lebanon and later killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an air strike “This is just the start of the confrontation,” Hezbollah spokesman Mohammad Afif told media on a tour in the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs The resistance in the south is at its highest level of readiness he added referring to Hezbollah fighters
Israel’s FM announces entr y ban on UN Secretar y- General Antonio Guterres
UNRWA Seeking to justify the move, the foreign minister said Guterres did not “unequivocally condemn” Iran over its Tuesday missile attack on Israel and also has not declared Palestinian resistance group Hamas a “terrorist organization On Tuesday Iran fired some 180 missiles at Israel which said it was in retaliation for the recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, and an Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander
IG Islamabad reviews law and order in meeting held at CPO
KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t
Important meeting of PPP was held under chairmanship of Faryal Talpur Central President of PPP ladies wing and an MPA During the meeting, preparations for the grand public jalsa in Hyderabad, commemorating the anniversary of the tragedy, were reviewed During the meeting the provincial leadership of the People s Party including provincial ministers elected assembly members from the Hyderabad Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad divisions senators and district officials, were in attendance Among them were PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Provincial General Secretary Waqar Mehdi, Provincial Ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon Nasir Hussain Shah Jam Khan Shoro PPP Information Secretary Aajiz Dhamrah and others
In the meeting arrangements were reviewed to ensure full public participation in the grand public jalsa organized on the anniversary of the Karsaz incident on October 18 In the meeting, People's Party leader Faryal Talpur directed that every effort be made to ensure that people do not face any obstacles or difficulties in reaching the public meeting The participants of the meeting
reiterated their commitment to ensuring full public participation in the Hyderabad jalsa Speaking at the meeting People s Party leader Faryal Talpur stated that under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, millions of people will gather on October 18 to pay their respects to the martyrs of Karsaz She added that the sea of people in Hyderabad on October 18 will send a powerful message that we have not forgotten our martyrs She said that on October 18 the public will send a message that the mission of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and the martyrs of the Karsaz tragedy remains alive
A call to ac tion for SIFC: Foreign Investment requires workforce reforms
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
As the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) works to attract foreign investment in Pakistan it is crucial to address the underlying causes of the country s challenging investment climate While efforts to ease regulations and improve infrastructure are essential, they address symptoms, not the root causes One of the most critical yet often overlooked areas is the development reward and retention of a productive workforce Without comprehensive reforms in this domain Pakistan risks further brain drain weakening its competitive edge and undermining its attractiveness to foreign investors A thriving workforce is the backbone of a strong economy Countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Malaysia have realized this focusing on improving the quality of their labor force through education training and favorable working conditions India s IT sector for instance flourished due to government policies that invested in human capital development, creating a skilled workforce that attracted global giants like Google and Microsoft Similarly, Malaysia’s government has made strides in labor reform, offering attractive career opportunities to retain top talent and reduce brain drain
Ayesha Farooqui visits Karachi after being elected HA Chairperson
Ayesha Farooqui visited Karachi after being elected unopposed as the Chairperson of Handicraft Association (HA) A ceremony was organized in honor of Ayesha Farooqui on behalf of the women of Handicraft Sindh at a local hotel karachi in which Ayesha Farooqi participated as the chief guest On this occasion Vice Chairperson Asma Amir, EC Member Sindh Nida Nawab, EC Member Balochistan Bagiya Zahri, Director AZB Global Trade and Exhibition Asma Wajid, Quratul Ain, Asma Adil, Hina Imran, Asma Rehman, Chairman AZB Global Trade and Exhibition Syed Turab Shah Mudassar Alam Jamshed of Human Rights and other women members participated On the occasion women members congratulated Ayesha Farooqui, for being elected as the chairperson of the Handicraft Association uncontested and bouquets of flowers and gifts were also presented
s ta f f r e p o r t APP IN SNAP (PRIVATE) LIMITED one of Pakistan's top IT companies with a global presence is proud to announce the appointment of Mr Asher Yaqub Khan as its new CEO, succeeding Imran Kazmi, who will serve as a Board of Directors member Former CTO Ijaz Aslam will also transition to a Board of Directors role Mr Asher Yaqub Khan s distinguished career spans over 25 years with significant leadership roles across various large-scale industries in both local and international markets In his last assignment he was Chief Marketing Officer for Mobily the second-largest telecom operator in Saudi Arabia, where he led the commercial launch of the 5G network and was also instrumental in business and digital transformations Before joining Mobily Mr Khan held the position of Chief Marketing Officer at MTN Ghana, where he was part of the team launching the country's first 4G network His achievements also include his tenure
PAAPAM convenes 26th annual general meeting, announces Newly Elected Executive Committee APP in SNAP appoints Mr Asher Yaqub Khan as new CEO
The Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) successfully held its 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) today at the Ramada Plaza Hotel This significant event brought together key industry stakeholders to discuss the future of the automotive sector in Pakistan, focusing on growth, innovation, and collaboration
The AGM culminated with the announcement of the newly elected Executive Committee for the upcoming term receiving warm congratulations from members of the association Mr Usman Aslam Malik of Kor Tech Auto Industries Pvt Ltd was appointed as the new Chairman of PAAPAM, Mr Shehryar Qadir of Jinkwang Jaz Pvt Ltd was named Senior Vice Chair-
as Chief Commercial Officer at Ufone where he successfully led the launch of Pakistan s first 3G operation, redefining brand and marketing strategies that led to a remarkable turnaround in the company's performance Mr Khan as CEO of APP IN SNAP will continue to enhance its reputation as a trusted partner worldwide offering a range of digital technology services including application modernization, mobile application development, web development app integration fullstack development and exceptional UI/UX design The company s expertise in digital infrastructure services will be further enhanced, ensuring it remains at the forefront of technological innovation and
and Mr Shuja-ul-Haq of Pak Orient Industries was elected as Vice Chairman
The newly elected leadership brings a wealth of experience and vision to PAAPAM and we are confident that under their guidance the association will continue to champion the growth and development of Pakistan s automotive sector "
Six key BLA terrorists eliminated in joint Harnai operation
RAWALPINDI
s tA f f R e p o R t Six key terrorists belonged to the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) were eliminated in jointed operation carried out by the security forces in Balochistan s Harnai district on Wednesday
The operation was carried out based on intelligence report, targeted BLA hideouts delivering a significant blow to the terrorist group according to a statement by the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR)
The operation was conducted following a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the province’s northeastern district of Harnai It is to be noted that the forces had targeted BLA hideouts in the area on September 12
The operation led to the elimination of six high-ranking BLA militants including Shafu Smalani alias Tadeen, Sarimad Khan alias Dasteen, Muhammad Gul Mari alias Wahid Baloch, Ghulam Qadir Mari alias Anjir Baloch, Ubaid
Pakistan, Russia ink historic trade deal
Baloch alias Fida and Taj Muhammad alias Babel All six were involved in direct attacks on security forces and civilians, the statement added Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the security forces for the conducting a successful intelligencebased operation against the outlawed BLA in Harnai The security forces brought the terrorists to a terrible end by taking timely action [We] salute the bravery of the security forces,” said Naqvi
The interior minister added that the nation is proud of the professional skills of the brave security forces Terrorists and facilitators are the burden of the earth and with the support of the nation we will wipe the terrorists out of it ” he said sharing the government s resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country He maintained that the entire nation is with the security forces to crush the terrorists Will go to the last extent for peace in Balochistan ” The security development was reported as Pakistan continues to witness a spike in terror-related incidents with most attacks reported in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces
Muhammad Ali Durrani emphasises impor tance of SCO summit for Pakistan
ISLAMABAD s tA f f
In an interview with a private
channel the
mer federal minister emphasized that hosting the SCO Summit is a
for Pakistan “Keep all your contentious affairs, including amendments to the constitution, on the backburner,” Durrani advised all political forces “Any type of tension before the SCO conference will not be in the interest of Pakistan he added He highlighted that constitutional amendments are a national issue that requires thorough consideration over time
ECP
company LLC Astarta Agrotrading and Pakistani firms Meskay & Femtee Trading Company and National Fruit Processing Factory agreed to exchange goods such as chickpeas, rice, mandarins, potatoes, and red lentils, signalling a new era of trade cooperation Over 60 Pakistani companies showcased a diverse range of products including textiles leather goods sports equipment pharmaceuticals food agricultural products logistics and tourism services These companies represent a combined export value of over $500 million, underscoring Pakistan s push for deeper trade engagement with Russia On the Russian side, over 60 government officials from key ministries including Industry and Trade Agriculture and Economic Development along with representatives from Russian Export Centre Federal and Moscow Chambers attended the forum Russian banks including MKB, were also present
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reiterated that under Sections 208 and 209 of the Elections Act 2017 all political parties are required to hold intraparty elections every five years in accordance with their respective party constitutions Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was initially due to conduct its intra-party elections by June 13, 2021 However the elections were not held on time The ECP issued multiple reminders to the party and eventually served a show-cause notice on July 27 2021 In response PTI requested a one-year extension citing the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic The ECP granted the extension, moving the deadline to June 13, 2022 Yet, in June 2022, PTI submitted incomplete intra-party election documents
under Form 65
Despite repeated reminders from the ECP PTI continued to delay submitting the necessary documents The ECP showed flexibility throughout the process, granting PTI multiple opportunities to meet its legal obligations However the responsibility for the delay lies with PTI as the ECP works towards resolving the matter in accordance with the law PTI eventually held its intra-party elections on March 3, 2024, but the process was marred by several shortcomings The ECP served a notice regarding these issues on April 23, 2024, with the first hearing held on April 30, 2024
Between April and October 2024 the case was heard six times but PTI repeatedly requested adjournments This included the latest request for more time during the hearing on October 2 2024 further delaying the resolution of the issue
ISLAMABAD