GOVT RULES OUT RELEASE AS IMRAN SECURES BAIL IN TOSHAKHANA 2.0 CASE
g Justice Miangul Hassan cautions petitioner against absence
TF F R E P
T The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday turned down PRI Founder Imran Khan s plea for interim bail in the cases registered against him LHC s Justice Farooq
Bail not a ticket to freedom for Imran Khan, Tarar says
sired Around 35 serving and retired government employees had appealed the IHC s ruling
COA S says has a fir m belief in Pakistan’s bright and stable future
KARACHI/RAWALPINDI
S TA F F R E P O R T
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Wednesday expressed optimism about the country’s economic progress saying that he has a firm belief in Pakistan s bright and stable future
During the previous meeting with the business community I had told everyone that hopelessness is forbidden, COAS Gen Syed Asim Munir stated while addressing the business community in Karachi on Wednesday He said that the country’s economic indicators turned positive which he said would further improve next year while those who made claims about the country s default are nowhere to be seen He called for accountability of those elements who spread disappointment amongst the masses
“Nothing, including politics, is superior to our country and we also should prioritise the country over personal gains said the army chief adding that the people should ask about the importance of a state from the people of Libya Iraq and Palestine He asked the masses to make united efforts to bring the country out of crisis
“Only Pakistanis could bring economic stability in Pakistan ” emphasized Gen Munir urging overseas Pak-
istanis to bring investments in their home country to play their role in the country s development and prosperity He said that those running illegitimate businesses were backing terrorism with ulterior motives Earlier, COAS Gen Syed Asim Munir visited the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS2024) at the Karachi Expo Centre according to the military s media wing
During the visit the COAS commended the active participation of defense manufacturers from friendly nations and observed an impressive display of arms and equipment by both domestic and international exhibitors, said a statement issued by the ISPR
A total of 557 exhibitors are participating in the exhibition of which 333 are international exhibitors while 224 are domestic exhibitors 36 countries established exhibitors stalls of which 17 countries are participating for the first time, it added Over 300 foreign delegates from 53 countries attended the event and showed full confidence in the exhibition and the defence industry of Pakistan At the exhibition the COAS also engaged in meaningful interactions with foreign military officials and defense delegates attending the event
A significant highlight of the occasion was the inauguration of the Shahpar-III, a state-of-the-art combat
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by Global Industrial Defence Solutions (GIDS) Pakistan
PETROLEUM IMPORTS RISE BY 1.68% IN FOUR
409 billion relates to LPS Rs1 110 billion to disputed charges and Rs382 million to GIDC Government-owned power plants owe Rs65 212 billion, with significant dues from QATPL (Rs19 116 billion), National Power Parks Management Company Limited Baloki (Rs21 482 billion) and Haveli Bahadur Shah (Rs24 614 billion) SNGPL has attributed the liquidity crisis to CPPA-G s insufficient fund releases to the power sector “The state of affairs is detrimental to the company’s sustainability and may jeopardize its financial structure ” noted the company s General Manager for Recovery in a letter to the Petroleum Division To address these challenges, SNGPL urged swift fund disbursements to enable it to meet its payment obligations to upstream gas suppliers
PAKISTAN TO CONVERT 30% VEHICLES TO ELECTRIC BY 2030, ALEEM KHAN TELLS COP29
FBR faces revenue losses amid Pakistan-Iran border trade restrictions
g BORDER
cooperation and further strengthen the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Kazakhstan
JI K arachi seeks resignation of elec tion official over by- elec tion fraud
t
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi has demanded the resignation of an Election Commission official, alleging fraudulent practices in the recent local council by-elections that favored the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) The accusation follows a contentious electoral process where the PPP secured a significant number of seats under suspicious circumstances, according to JI Karachi Munim Zafar Khan, Ameer of JI Karachi, raised concerns over voter registration inconsistencies in Liaquatabad s UC-7 where 9 727 voters were registered in a block that has only a population of 1 178 Khan suggested this discrepancy indicates manipulation
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Justice Aurangzeb then asked whether the receipt had the name of Bushra Bibi or Imran to which Safdar replied that it was in the former s name He noted that Sohaib Abbasi was made a sworn witness in the case, while Inamullah Shah was made a witness by the prosecution and was not a sworn witness
Barrister Safdar said that all prosecuting agencies in Islamabad were involved in the case, including NAB, FIA, police, and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) “The police have also made a case of the fake Toshakhana receipt ” he said Safdar added that the Kohsar police station had registered a case related to the receipt He informed the court that Bushra Bibi was granted interim bail by Justice Afzal Majoka and hoped that he would give his decision soon
Justice Aurangzeb remarked that the PTI government would not disclose details of the Toshakhana case
When we asked details would be hidden The previous government wanted that no one should know about Toshakhana, Justice Aurangzeb said Barrister Safdar said that one ground for argument was that the case had been registered three-and-a-half years later No crime has been committed Barrister Safdar said In a case where there is no crime, it is for inquiry and bail
He reiterated that the gifts had been taken as per the Toshakhana policy and that at the time the value of the gifts had been paid according to the policy I took the gifts under Section Two of the Toshakhana policy I kept the gifts based on the price valued by customs [department] and appraiser, Safdar said while representing Imran
He added that the stance about the actual value of the gifts was changed threeand-a-half years later
Barrister Safdar told the judge that the appraiser had claimed that a threat came from Imran “But Sohaib Abbasi has said that Imran
of the voter rolls intended to benefit the PPP He strongly condemned the alleged imposition of “fake people” through these “fake practices” on the residents of Karachi “The want to impose fake people over Karachiites with fake practices Khan stated adding We will contest the election results in courts He emphasized the party s demand for the issuance of results based on Form-11, which he claimed would reflect the true outcome of the vote Further compounding the controversy Khan revealed that the JI has initiated legal action by filing a petition against the results of the Model Town UC-7 by-election He noted that the party possesses copies of Forms 11 and 12 for all 10 contested seats which will be utilized in their legal challenges to overturn the results The protests inten-
sified on November 16, when JI staged a significant demonstration on main Sharea Faisal, decrying the alleged rigging in the by-elections held a day earlier The by-polls aimed to fill 10 vacant seats of union committee chairmen vice-chairmen and councillors saw the PPP emerge victorious in eight seats, including one in Liaquatabad Town previously held by the JI The JI secured only two seats and has vocally disputed the outcomes During the protest near the Nursery bus stop Khan vehemently criticized the PPP the Election Commission of Pakistan and law enforcement agencies for manipulating the electoral results He declared, “Karachiites had voted overwhelmingly for the JI but the PPP continued its legacy of electoral terrorism using all unfair means to convert its defeat into victory
and Bushra Bibi have not come to him According to Sohaib Abbasi, the threat was given through Inamullah Shah ”
To this Justice Aurangzeb asked whether the three customs appraisers also mentioned a threat to which Safdar replied, No, they said no one approached them If no one approached them then why didn’t they do their job?” Justice Aurangzeb wondered Safdar wrapped up his arguments and said he would present some details in written form The FIA prosecutor then began his arguments Justice Aurangzeb asked whether he had read the witness’ statements to which the prosecutor replied saying the witnesses were notified on September 18
The witnesses came and confirmed the statements given earlier to the NAB the prosecutor said Once again Justice Aurangzeb inquired whether he himself had read the witness statements, to which the prosecutor affirmed that he had on September 19
FIA prosecutor Umair Majeed told the court that a Bulgari set had not been deposited in the Toshakhana Undervaluing a state gift caused damage to the state and benefitted both the PTI founder and his wife,” the prosecutor said
To this Justice Aurangzeb asked the prosecution how Imran benefitted from keeping the gift to which Majeed responded: Benefit of the wife is the benefit of the husband
At this, the judge said: Please, my wife’s belongings are not mine We don’t know what world we are in ” The FIA prosecutor said that Imran and his wife adopted delaying tactics to put off their indictment adding that the agency wanted to bring their conduct in the trial
court on record The judge asked what action was taken against the three customs officers who wrongly valued the items to which the prosecution maintained that there was a lapse by customs officials but it was not criminal misconduct No departmental action was recommended by NAB against those officers,” the FIA prosecutor said The judge subsequently accepted Imran s
CLOSURES AND IR ANIAN LE VIES DISRUPT LIVELIHOODS AND COMMERCE
IT is not simply a matter of being interrupted, or even delayed, while downloading a cat video It is not a matter even of unhindered access to pornography sites through a VPN There are substantial monetary costs to be incurred by shutting down VPNs and because of the internet slowdowns caused by the testing of a firewall Though the government has taken the position that it will shut down unregistered VPNs because they are used to access pornographic websites, the real reason is because they are used to access the banned X website, formerly known as Twitter X was the social media platform of choice for the Pakistan Tehrik Insaf It perhaps thus inevitable that Mufti Raghib Hussain Naeemi, whose declaration of the Chiarman of the Council of Islamic Ideology that VPNs could be banned, caused much angst and was answered by Maulana Tariq Jameel, who spoke in favour of VPNs Thus a technical and legal issue became subject to politics
IT exports have been growing at about 30 percent and at that rate will reach $5billion a year in five years The government has repeatedly said that it looks to IT exports to help the country get out of the debt trap However, by slowing down the Internet, it is creating a poor impression of the country worldwide, not to mention ensuring that IT companies miss deadlines Shutting down unregistered VPNs creates a race between registration and the loss of business with clients abroad insisting on VPNs to ensure security It should not be forgotten that Pakistani IT professionals and companies are trying to make their place in a market in which Bangalore got a chokehold This was not a coincidence, but occurred because of the IITs that were founded in the 1950s For Pakistanis to suffer reputational loss because of the government horsing around makes no sense
There must be a balance struck between genuine security needs and growth It was by concentrating a tad too hard on national security in the 1950s that we had the lopsided growth of the 1960s that led to the break-up of Pakistan The institutions which have taken enough interest growth to have established the Special Investment Facilitation Council, should not forget that IT is one of the areas where interest in investment has been shown from abroad
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
O M E things never change So it is that some exceedingly crazy notions about the word perfect keep doing the rounds surprisingly consistently The baloney that is believed and expressed regarding the word is mind boggling to say the least For some mysterious reason it is very common to forget that whether something is or is not perfect depends on its intended purpose or function and has nothing whatsoever to do with arbitrary fancies
is
that
is triggered and a perfect soda can is one that opens when its tab is pulled– destruction and breakage are integral to the fulfilment of the function of both It will simply not do, to have a ‘safe’ bomb that refuses to go off or a soda can that is so ‘strong’
this error The argument is this: the world as we know it is not perfect and therefore cannot be the handiwork of a perfect deity Therefore God does not exist and there is no other way around This is just another example of how low the benchmark for arguments that pass muster among the atheists is There are so
the fundamental flaw, which happens to be a faulty understanding of the word perfect You are familiar with how the rest of the argument proceeds: Why do innocent children get sick and die? Why is there so much sorrow and injustice in the world? If God exists why does He allow all
Shaping Pakistan’s future
implemented responsibly and ethically The relevant governmental authority, after the extensive consultations with stakeholders, has outlined a clear vision of Pakistan’s AI future The proposed National AI Policy envisions a responsible and strategic approach to AI adoption with focus on maximizing long term benefits for all Pakistani s The policy emphasizes the importance of equitable access to AI opportunities, transparency in the use of personal data and promoting innovation through collaborations between industry and academia It is designed to be evidence based user-centric and forward looking with clear measurable objectives AI holds immense promise for Pakistan offering the potential for economic growth, improved public services and enhanced national security However, this potential can only be realized through a well thought out strategy supported by strong investments in research education and ethical governance With a forward looking National AI policy Pakistan can effectively navigate the complexities of AI and lay groundwork for significant advancements in technological innovation
The writer is a freelance columnist
AI holds immense promise for Pakistan, offering the potential for economic growth, improved public services and enhanced national security However, this potential can only be realized through a well thought out strategy, supported by strong investments in research, education and ethical governance With a forward looking National AI policy, Pakistan can effectively navigate the complexities of AI and lay groundwork for significant advancements in technological innovation
Addiction aler t
Unseen danger
Vision for a National AI polic y
HASAN AFTAB SAEED
TH E evolving security landscape in South Asia necessitates bold, pragmatic decisions to ensure Pakistan’s stability and economic prosperity One such critical step is allowing Chinese security forces to be stationed on Pakistani soil to conduct joint operations against terrorist elements alongside Pakistani forces
HISTORICAL PRECEDENTS: US
PRESENCE ON PAKISTANI SOIL: Dur-
ing the War on Terror Pakistan provided unprecedented access to its territory for U S military operations American forces operated from several Pakistani airbases, including Jacobabad, Shamsi, and Dalbandin, while CIA drones targeted militants from Pakistani soil Special forces personnel were stationed at Tarbela and the USA maintained a significant footprint within its Islamabad embassy Despite public outcry, these arrangements highlighted Pakistan s willingness to collaborate with international partners to address shared security threats However, siding with the USA brought mixed outcomes While the partnership temporarily suppressed terrorist networks it also exacerbated anti-US sentiment fuelled extremism, and led to devastating terrorist attacks across Pakistan In contrast, China’s relationship with Pakistan is fundamentally different While the USA has historically been seen as an external power with self-serving interests China is widely regarded in Pakistan as a trustworthy and strategic partner Public perception matters, and this is where China holds a unique advantage
SHARED THREAT PERCEPTIONS AND INTERESTS: China and Pakistan face common adversaries in the form of extremist groups and hostile intelligence agencies Militant organizations like the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) target Chinese interests, particularly in the Xinjiang region, while anti-China sentiment among Baloch separatist groups has led to attacks on projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Similarly Pakistan has suffered immense losses due to terrorist groups that operate with the backing of external actors, including India s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)
Why Pakistan should allow in Chinese securit y forces
By allowing Chinese forces to collaborate on Pakistani soil, both countries can address these overlapping threats more effectively Joint operations would enhance intelligence sharing streamline counterterrorism efforts and provide a formidable response to groups targeting CPEC or destabilizing Pakistan This partnership would reinforce the perception that any attack on one country s interests is an attack on both, creating significant deterrence
ENHANCING BILATERAL TRUST AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: Despite Pakistan s efforts to secure Chinese investments and personnel, Beijing has often expressed dissatisfaction with Islamabad s inability to prevent attacks on CPEC infrastructure and Chinese nationals While Pakistan has made commendable sacrifices allowing Chinese forces to operate on its soil would send a clear message of Pakistan s commitment to safeguarding this critical partnership Such an arrangement would symbolize unprecedented trust between the two nations It would showcase Pakistan’s willingness to go beyond traditional security protocols to ensure the success of the CPEC a project central to Pakistan s economic revival A fortified Pakistan-China partnership, grounded in mutual trust and shared security arrangements, would set a new benchmark for regional alliances
A STRONG MESSAGE TO REGIONAL
ADVERSARIES: The presence of Chinese security forces in Pakistan would send a powerful signal to adversaries particularly
India Over the years, India has actively sought to undermine Pakistan-China cooperation, perceiving CPEC as a strategic challenge to its regional aspirations From sponsoring insurgencies in Balochistan to targeting Chinese workers India has left no stone unturned to disrupt this partnership
The stationing of Chinese forces in Pakistan would convey that attacks on CPEC or Chinese nationals are not just Pakistan s problem but also Beijing’s This shift in narrative would force India to reassess its subversive strategies as targeting CPEC would risk direct confrontation with China a global power Such a move could significantly alter the regional security calculus in Pakistan s favour
LEARNING FROM PAST EXPERIENCES:
Critics argue that allowing foreign troops on Pakistani soil compromises national sovereignty However sovereignty is not an absolute concept in international relations It must be balanced against practical considerations of security and survival When Pakistan allowed US forces to operate from its territory, it was a calculated move to secure vital military and financial assistance The same rationale applies to Chinese forces with the added benefit of public support and aligned strategic goals
Unlike the USA, whose presence in Pakistan was met with widespread resentment, China enjoys unparalleled goodwill among Pakistanis The Chinese are perceived as genuine partners who have invested in Pakistan s development and infrastructure without dictating terms or undermining its sovereignty This positive per-
In an era where traditional notions of sovereignty are increasingly challeng ed by global and regional interdependencies, Pakistan must prioritise pragmatism over outdated apprehensions The world is watching, and the time to act is now. By embracing joint operations with Chinese forces, Pakistan can solidify its position as a pivotal player in the emerging global order, safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and prosperity in the process.
Additionally, joint training programs and interoperability exercises between Chinese and Pakistani forces could strengthen coordination while maintaining PakistanÊs strategic autonomy.
ception provides a solid foundation for deeper military collaboration
ADDRESSING SCEPTICISM AND EN-
SURING OVERSIGHT: Understandably, some concerns about foreign troop presence stem from fears of misuse or loss of control These fears can be mitigated through well-defined agreements and oversight mechanisms Joint operational frameworks should clearly delineate the roles and responsibilities of Chinese and Pakistani forces, ensuring that Pakistan retains ultimate control over its territory Transparency in the decision-making process and engagement with key stakeholders including political and military leadership can further alleviate concerns Additionally joint training programs and interoperability exercises between Chinese and Pakistani forces could strengthen coordination while maintaining Pakistan’s strategic autonomy
STRENGTHENING REGIONAL
STABILITY: South Asia remains one of the most volatile regions globally with a complex web of interrelated conflicts The Pakistan-China partnership, bolstered by joint security operations, could act as a stabilizing force By addressing terrorism and insurgencies that threaten regional peace this collaboration could pave the way for broader multilateral cooperation involving other stakeholders like Afghanistan, Central Asian states, and even Iran Furthermore, China’s involvement in Pakistan’s security landscape would align with Beijing’s broader vision of regional connectivity and stability under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) A secure Pakistan is not just a bilateral goal but a cornerstone of China s regional aspirations
ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL
BENEFITS: Terrorism has long stifled Pakistan’s economic growth deterring foreign investment and disrupting infrastructure proj-
Moreover,
America, not China, stands in the way of India becoming a great power
American automobile makers – Ford, General Motors and Harley-Davidson – all phased out investment and produc tion in recent years
ally, especially when India’s national security threat, whether real or exag-
Modi wanted to decouple from China and switch strategically to the US, which would not only invest in his countr y but also open up US markets to Indian goods But that didn’t happen or rather the opposite happened
gerated, has been a priority concern Not only has India not gained any significant geopolitical advantage from working with the United States for example under the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue but also it has gained little economically as well That is despite a series of agreements such as memorandums of agreement on logistics communications and information security, and intelligence sharing, beginning under Trump 1 0 and continuing under Biden American officials representing commerce and defence talked big even at one point claiming Washington was ready to transfer military technologies to help India build its own domestic defence industry The idea was for India to then cut its dependence on Russian weapon supplies, especially following the Ukraine invasion But it was all talk and no action No wonder India is now closer than ever to Moscow American foreign investment has not significantly increased in the country as promised though India is at least partly to blame for insufficient human resources and underdeveloped infrastructure The relocated production of Apple s iPhones in India – from China – has fared badly as product rejection rates at one time hit 50 per cent American automobile makers – Ford, General Motors and Harley-Davidson – all phased out investment and production in recent years
However during the time when diplomatic relations between Beijing and New Delhi reached a nadir while Modi was considered closest to Washington their economic activities actually accelerated A new essay in Foreign Affairs titled, The fatal flaw in India’s China strategy”, presents an interesting perspective which would have been prescient if it were published back in 2020 But in late 2024 that ship has sailed and even Modi is moving on The authors argue India rightly sees China as a security threat but wrongly when without committing to economic decoupling at the same time This willingness to see China as both a security threat and an economic boon will hurt India It is the Achilles’ heel of India’s China policy ” they wrote “Giving leeway to China in the economic realm will have several other costs: it tarnishes India s image as a rising power that can
BY ATHAR OSAMA
hostages held in Gaza Earlier, Netanyahu had insisted that the only way to secure the release of Israeli hostages was through military force and he vowed that Israel’s military operations in Gaza would continue until all captives were freed However the announcement of the reward indicates a shift in strategy, reflecting Israel s inability to secure the release of hostages through military means
computers semiconductors the Internet GPS jet engines genetic machines and reusable civilian spacecrafts to life She charges government to think bigger and mobilize resources in a way that is as bold and inspirational as the moon landing in the 1960s In the United States, as well, the defense establishment has played an important
(DOD) as the mother of all venture capital firms in that it provided large sums of relatively no strings attached money to source innovation from outside of the defense establishment The exchange of resources and knowledge between the defense and civilian sectors is a bi-directional not unidirectional, exchange leading to benefits for all parties: The defense R&D establishment benefits from tapping vast intellectual talent and capability in the civilian sector that may otherwise be unavailable to address tough defense and strategic challenges; The civilian S&T benefits from working with and on defense problems leading to critical capacity building - both technical and financial - of the corporate entities; and The national economy benefits from the potential civilian applications of the high-end capability residing within defense sector through development of dual-use technology or spinning off of entire new technologies and industries
their supporters calling for the government to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas Protests have intensified with demonstrators urging Netanyahu to strike a deal to bring back Israeli
This constitutes a win-win scenario for all as it makes available resources and expertise not otherwise available to the other party The 12th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) organised by the Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) under the patronage of the MoDP, from 19th to 22nd November presents an opportunity for showcasing the possibilities and opportunities in defense R&D that could be addressed through and in collaboration with civilian S&T and vice versa For Pakistan, such a partnership between defense R&D and civilian S&T acquires even more importance for three reasons: First Pakistan s current precarious economic situation is partly due to a gradual erosion of the competitiveness of its (low value-added) exports that can only be addressed through technology upgradation of its industry Why is it that a country that is able to produce batteries for use in F16s does not have a single civilian supplier of high-performance batteries? The only place in Pakistan where such high-technology – with multifarious dual-use and commercial applications – exists is the defense R&D establishment and this must be made available for commercial exploitation Second, Pakistan s defense R&D establishment is also in a dire need for fresh ideas and access to scientific and technological capability which may reside outside of it Pakistan increasingly finds itself on the short end of an arms race with its traditional foe where the technological distance between the two countries has widened considerably in recent years and this needs fresh thinking and out-of-thebox ideas These fresh ideas are likely to come from outside the tradi-
An estimated 101 Israeli captives remain in Gaza but many of the hostages were killed during Israeli military attacks aimed at securing their freedom Meanwhile, Israeli forces killed three Lebanese soldiers in southern Lebanon, and four Ghanaian peacekeepers were injured by a rocket likely fired by non-state actors according to the UN s peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) Since the start of the Gaza conflict on October 7, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 43,972 Palestinians and wounded 104,008 In Israel 1 139 people were killed and more than 200 taken captive during the Hamas-led attacks In Lebanon over 3 500 people have been killed, with 15,000+ wounded in Israeli attacks
tional establishment Pakistan does not fully exploit the true potential of its population when it fails to leverage the latter Finally increasing cooperation and dependence on outside (civilian) suppliers will also enable greater efficiency, innovation, and export competitiveness for Pakistan’s defense exports as well The intermixing of ideas leads to capacity building and innovation within the private sector (and academia) and results in dual-use and purely commercial products and ventures to be spun-out If nothing else was important, purposefully building capacity of our civilian contractors so they can do better in the global markets is a desirable objective in its own right
A number of countries have in recent years opened up their defense sector to greater civilian collaborations and competition, including China (critical stage ‘guanjian jieduan 关键阶段 of defense industrialization through the four mechanisms sige jizhi 四 个 机 制 of competition, evaluation, supervision and encouragement ), India (“Make in India”), and Turkiye, among others There is clearly a conscious attempt to benefit from this symbiosis with encouraging results Similar reforms in Pakistan will require a fundamental re-thinking of a civil-military R&D paradigm Appreciably, IDEAS-2024 Seminar being held on 21st November 2024 themed “Pakistan’s defence production potential – challenges opportunities and way forward is likely to lead to an interesting discourse
There is truly a need for a National Framework’ for Defense – University – Industry Collaboration in R&D that will guide thinking policy and efforts of relevant entities – both civil and military – towards the desirable objectives in an organic gradual and phased manner Even though implementation may vary, initially, the mere presence of such a framework on the “books” will open possibilities and encourage innovative mindsets This will empower change agents
within Tri-Services and strategic organisations and enable them to push the boundaries of what is possible
This framework may be based on several principles or critical elements:
First, the framework must identify and build new organizational forms and non-traditional models of collaboration – flexible, nimble, and entrepreneurial – between military and civilian stakeholders
Second the framework must also establish wider and more robust trust mechanisms for to credibly engage in defense related R&D This could be done through a mix of measures – limited surveillance and oversight compartmentalization of work effective access management etc
Third, the framework must clearly identify avenues where R&D and production shall happen within each of these respective sectors For instance while final assembly may happen at defense production units systems and sub-system level be outsourced to private players
Fourth, the defense buyer must take on the entire cost of R&D rather than shifting the entire risk and significant cost onto the private provider This will enable investment in R&D within the private sector and will help trigger innovations in other things they do and also make indigenous development a true national priority Fifth there is a need to find and develop financial space for meaningful partnerships between defense strategic and private sector enterprises This may include ring fenced funding and/or offset funds
Tthe world
According to a press release, issued by a spokesperson for UN-KAKHTAH Postdoctoral DRR Multiversity, Dr FM Bhatti, 10-and-a half years old Ubaydah al-Fiddhah Hafiah and her 12-year-old brother Ghulam Bishar
Hafi would be honoured with the UN s Grace do Monaco s international medal for raising their voice for the horror-struck children in Gaza Mozambique Myanmar, Syria and elsewhere in the world They would also be awarded Eglantyne Jebb Platinum Pen for Peace for promoting peace for children The UN-KAKHTA panel also offered scholarships to both brother and sister to study for two years in any country of their choice The panel allocated $10 000 funds for their educational expenses if they opt for any other country to study there for two years The two kids started writing their protest notes in their own blood along with an open letter to prick the world conscience on the International Day of Innocent Children victims of aggression The small children's campaign consisted of sequels Their blood-written notes included: Cultivate peace for the children -Reap peace of the world ; Let s raise voice for the voiceless -- the innocent children caught in situations of war and aggression, like those horror-struck in Gaza, Mozambique, Myanmar and Syria"; Humanitarian eyes needed to see the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; and Shredded bodies of innocent children beg for peace
at any cost
Fair trade in tobacco counters misinformation on tobacco taxation policies
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Muhammad Ameen Chairman of Fair Trade in Tobacco (FTT) has expressed grave concern over the narrative presented at a recent seminar titled Taxing Tobacco: A Path to Reducing Consumption and Saving Lives” Organized by a foreign-funded think tank based in Islamabad with assistance from an international non-governmental organization (INGO) operating without registration from the Ministry of Interior, the seminar painted a skewed picture of Pakistan’s tobacco industry while neglecting critical facts about the sector The tobacco industry in Pakistan has two distinct sides stated Ameen On one side are two multinational companies, which hold only 37% of the market share and operate under the country’s strict taxation and health regulations These companies contributed a staggering Rs 291 billion in taxes during FY 2023-24 On the other side are nearly 40 illicit cigarette producers, with 63% of the market share, who evade taxes and paid a mere Rs 5 billion in the same period Yet these forums fail to highlight this glaring disparity The seminar s recommendations included further increasing taxes on the legitimate tobacco sector, a move that Ameen strongly criticized “Such proposals ignore the reality that higher excise duties on an already overburdened legitimate industry will only strengthen the illicit trade As the government acknowledged before the IMF earlier this month, excessive taxation leads to reduced revenue collection, as consumers shift to lower-cost, untaxed products offered by illicit operators ” he said
SC dismisses plea against SIC ’s parliamentar y par t y status
The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench on Wednesday dismissed a petition against the status of the Sunni Ittehad Council as a parliamentary party and upheld the objections raised by the registrar s office A seven-member bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, pronounced the verdict after hearing the case
During the proceedings petitioner Maulvi Iqbal Haider argued that his request was filed on time and that he sought a review of the Sunni Ittehad Council s parliamentary designation
In response Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail stated “Why do you want us to perform an unconstitutional act? It is the candidates choice to join any political party
Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan cautioned Haider, remarking, “You are going down the same path that previously led to restrictions ” The
court ultimately upheld the registrar s objections and dismissed the petition
Moreover, constitutional bench has dismissed a petition challenging the limited public access to the Supreme Court During the hearing the petitioner s lawyer argued that 90% of petitioners are unable to reach the Supreme Court
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail responded, “We are listening to you directly what more access do you need?”
He further criticised the notion stating You are undermining your own institution Some say our judiciary ranks 120, others say 150, but where these numbers come from, we don’t know ”
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The constitutional bench also dismissed a petition seeking a fixed time frame for the completion of trials in higher judicial forums
During the hearing, Justice Ayesha Malik observed, “Many laws, including criminal laws, al-
ready have timelines Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail added For time frames, you should approach Parliament for legislation Petitioner Hassan Raza argued that trials sometimes take 20 to 40 years to conclude Justice Malik advised Avoid sweeping statements and baseless allegations The system isn t perfect, but there is progress Your petition concerns the National Judicial Policy, and under Article 184 (3), we cannot issue directives Reforms are ongoing; join those efforts if you wish this is not our role Justice Mandokhail emphasised that we are bound by the Constitution and law Justice Musarrat Hilali cautioned that an equally strong response from the judiciary might cause further disillusionment Justice Malik further noted The Law and Justice Commission exists for judicial reforms please refer to them The court dismissed the petition following these arguments
Pakistan, KSA agree to boost securit y ties and repatriate prisoners
