PM VOWS DECISIVE STEPS TO AVERT FUTURE UNREST AND DEMONSTRATIONS
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday fired a broadside against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after the party called off its protest, mocking it was not the final call, but merely a missed call ”
“Such a colossal failure has become their fate as it was not the final call but merely a missed call Attaullah Tarar stated while speaking at a press confer-
ence The minister s remarks came after the Imran Khan-founded party announced a “temporary suspension” of its “do-or-die” protest following a midnight crackdown by the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) which effectively dispersed the PTI workers who had gathered in the federal capital Furthermore, the former ruling party has claimed that eight of its workers were martyred in the protest Moreover Tarar went on to share his observations about the failed
Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan, on Wednesday, according to a statement from the military The meeting, held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) was attended by General Zhang and a high-level Chinese delegation as reported by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest regional security dynamics and the enhancement of bilateral defense cooperation General Asim Munir highlighted the enduring and all-weather nature of Pakistan-China relations emphasizing their foundation on mutual trust and cooperation He reaffirmed that this historic partnership has withstood challenges over time and is set to continue growing The COAS also expressed gratitude to China for its unwavering support to Pakistan irrespective of changing international and regional circumstances In turn, General Zhang praised Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the strategic partnership and commended the professionalism and resolve of the Pakistan Army in its counter-terrorism efforts
protest, noting that he had personally travelled from D-Chowk to Eleventh Avenue, witnessing a scene of chaos “People here ran off leaving behind their shoes and clothes ” he said He also claimed there was evidence that the PTI had planned to storm Parliament by entering the Red Zone They had a clear plan, knowing exactly where they were
D-Chowk, claiming that the sit-in is a movement that is ongoing and will continue until the call from the party’s founder [to call it off]
While the Islamabad police chief said the law enforcement agencies have arrested nearly 1,000 protesters after crowds were dispersed and evicted
Secretary Omar Ayub from Islamabad late night when a grand operation was launched to disperse activists who were on a sit-in on the call of Imran Khan He said that the PTI is a peaceful party “We talk about the rule of law protection
and party General
New oppor tunity for individual investors to access government debt sec urities
to them for implementation of the ECC’s decisions ISLAMABAD M
Individual investors can now directly invest in Government Debt Securities (GDS) including Sukuk marking a significant step towards expanding retail participation in Pakistan s financial markets This update was conveyed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb during his recent visit to SECP headquarters Government Debt Securities encompass various instruments such as Treasury Bills (T-Bills), Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs), Government of Pakistan (GoP) Ijarah Sukuk, and other debt instruments issued by federal provincial or local governments as well as statutory bodies During the meeting SECP officials
shared the latest developments on GDS emphasizing the regulatory framework designed to enhance accessibility for individual investors Finance Minister Aurangzeb praised SECP’s efforts but stressed the importance of improving liquidity in the secondary market to ensure a robust trading environment
The government has already permitted money market schemes to invest in government securities traded on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) This move aims to encourage maximum participation of mutual funds in Sukuk and other government-issued securities SECP officials informed the minister
The SECP Chairman highlighted initiatives aimed at improving ease of doing business in Pakistan, leveraging technological advancements through regulatory reforms digitalized services and enhanced access to finance
He also briefed the minister on efforts to promote market innovation including regulatory sandboxes and support for startups Finance Minister Aurangzeb expressed keen interest in SECP s sustainability-focused initiatives, particularly the ESG Sustain Portal He also lauded the commission’s investorcentric efforts such as the Central Gateway Portal Emlaak Financials and one-window solutions for companies These measures are designed to simplify processes like digital document filing and facilitate investors The minister urged SECP to raise awareness about these initiatives to maximize their impact on stakeholders
He also called for closer collaboration with the government to effectively introduce pension reforms and enhance cooperation with other regulatory bodies for seamless financial services Furthermore he assured the government’s full support for legislative reforms aimed at strengthening Pakistan s financial sector
UAE President launches XRG investment firm as ADNOC commits $54b to local economy
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
praises Grand Muf ti ’s contributions to Muslim world
ISLAMABAD A P P
Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday expressed gratitude for the Saudi Arabi Grand Mufti s contributions to the Muslim world and his efforts in promoting Islamic values during challenging times
During a meeting with the Grand Mufti, he highlighted the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, founded on shared religious values and mutual respect Pakistan s cuisine He underscored the importance of
unity within the Muslim Ummah and reiterated the commitment of both nations to jointly address modern challenges Pakistan seeks collaboration with Saudi Arabia in educational and religious sectors,” Gilani said, adding that such cooperation would help highlight Islam’s message of peace
He emphasized that fostering peace and stability in the region is a shared responsibility of the Muslim leadership
The Chairman also praised the Grand Mufti’s efforts in promoting tolerance and harmony advocating for increased ex-
change of scholars and religious experts to strengthen mutual understanding He further commended the Grand Mufti s exemplary role in resolving conflicts and addressing contemporary issues, acknowledging his vital contribution to the unity and guidance of the Muslim Ummah Gilani proposed accelerating religious education initiatives and facilitating expert delegation exchanges between the two countries
He also extended an invitation to the Grand Mufti to visit Pakistan, praising the deep connection between the people of
Pakistan and the religious leadership of Saudi Arabia Pakistan s cuisine
The fatwas issued by the Grand Mufti serve as guidance not only for Saudi Arabia but for the entire Islamic world,” Gilani said adding that the Grand Mufti has consistently provided direction on issues of unity and modern challenges facing the Muslim Ummah
He acknowledged the
Gilani
PAKISTAN, BEL ARUS UNDERSCORE ADVANCING POLITICAL DIALOGUE, EXPANDING TRADE, ECONOMIC COOPERATION
tive participation of the prime minister of Belarus in the SCO Council of Heads of Governments meeting hosted by Pakistan in October 2024 The two sides agreed to work closely within this important forum to further strengthen their cooperation Recognizing Belarus’s advanced agricultural manufacturing capabilities and the needs of Pakistan’s agriculture-based economy the two sides agreed to promote the establishment of joint ventures in the agriculture and industrial sectors including for the production of high-tech and largescale agricultural machinery Both sides also agreed to collaborate in sales manufacturing and servicing of vehicles including through partnerships between private and public organizations of both countries This initiative aimed to leverage the strengths of both countries in automotive manufacturing and technology, boosting industrial growth and innovation Both sides also agreed to cooperate in expanding the network of sales and services of Belarusian agricultural machinery in various Pakistani cities including through partnerships with Pakistani private and public organizations Additionally, they considered initiating educational programs in sphere of agricultural machines manufacturing During the visit the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in collaboration with the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BelCCI), organized a Belarus-Pakistan Business Forum
The event saw participation from over thirty Belarusian companies and nearly one
hundred Pakistani counterparts from various sectors fostering valuable interactions and potential business opportunities
The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the successful organization of the forum They also agreed to encourage both government and private sectors to collaborate and organize series of seminars on “Doing Business with Each Other” aiming to reduce trade barriers and facilitate market access To enhance trade linkages both sides welcomed signing of an MOU between the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and Beltamozhservice and agreed to encourage other stakeholders, including logistics companies to develop optimal maritime and land routes for efficiently delivering goods to each other s markets This initiative aims to streamline transportation reduce costs and improve the overall efficiency of trade between the two countries
Recognizing the immense potential for expanding collaboration in science and technology and noting the progress made over the past decade both sides agreed to establish stronger ties between their scientific communities The sides plan to focus on joint scientific and technical projects under the umbrella of the Joint Commission on Science and Technology During the visit, two agreements in this domain were signed to formalize and promote this enhanced collaboration Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral trade in pharmaceutical products, medical devices, health-related items, and over-the-counter products
Both parties agreed to develop strategies aimed at improving trade facilitation by identifying and addressing trade barriers
particularly regulatory challenges to streamline market access Additionally the sides committed to exploring and implementing policies that enhance mutual market access for these sectors, ensuring compliance with national regulations, while promoting growth and cooperation, the joint statement said The two sides underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of education and culture including the promotion of cultural exchange programs boosting people-to-people contacts through art, music, literature, and other cultural activities Both countries also committed themselves to enhancing academic collaboration facilitating student exchanges and supporting joint research projects between universities in the two countries During the visit the two sides signed fifteen important agreements and MOUs, including the Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Belarus for the period 2025-2027 ” This roadmap focused on enhancing bilateral economic cooperation through various initiatives, such as high-level meetings, timely meetings of inter-governmental commissions, and promoting collaboration in key sectors of mutual interest
“These arrangements are expected to open new prospects for the continued development of bilateral relations based on the principles of mutually beneficial friendship it was added The two sides also discussed important regional and international issues The Pakistani side briefed the Belarusian side on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir Both sides underlined the need for reso-
lution of all international disputes through peaceful means and in accordance with
PMDC forms body to ensure MDC AT transparenc y
Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) has formed a seven-member committee to ensure the holding of future Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) in more transparent manner The committee is composed of members from all provinces tasked with identifying and addressing challenges ensuring transparency minimizing errors and implementing IT-based solutions This includes considerations for a centralized or university-specific test, a uniform syllabus and the scheduling of MDCAT immediately after the intermediate exams to combat the influence of tuition mafias In this regard the inaugural meeting of the MDCAT Reform Committee was held at PMDC headquarters President of PM&DC, Prof Dr Rizwan Taj expressed his gratitude to the
Chairman and the members of the commit-
tee for attending the important meeting
The Chairman of the Committee Prof Dr Suhail Amin provided a brief update on the recent proceedings of MDCAT 2024 and its legal aspects of conducting the examination in accordance with the PM&DC Act 2022 The committee was informed that a total of 167,772 candidates were registered for the 2024 exam across Pakistan, as well as in Dubai and Saudi Arabia
Details regarding the performance of various examining universities including the total percentage and highest scores were also shared with the members
The committee was updated on the retake of exams for two universities in Sindh and the Federal Government
Following the brief update the Chairman emphasized the importance of implementing a unified syllabus for the conduct of this high-stakes examination
He highlighted the need to incorporate
technology to enhance the quality of the exams He acknowledged that establishing a high-tech examination system with minimal human error and increased transparency is a significant challenge He pointed out that ensuring a consistent level of difficulty across all provinces is a major hurdle The committee must exert its best efforts to devise an effective mechanism to address this issue, he added The Chairman shared his experience interviewing successful candidates admitted to medical institutes highlighting a significant gap between their scores and overall personality development He noted that the predictive validity of these scores is weak, emphasizing the urgent need to improve the quality of exams
He acknowledged that incorporating new domains into the examination might face resistance from stakeholders and suggested focusing on enhancing cognitivelevel assessments as a practical starting
point The IBCC Chairman announced the completion of the comprehensive guide for grades 9-12 outlining exam procedures and question bank development to be implemented nationwide He supported e-examinations for MDCAT, emphasizing their practicality for MCQs, and highlighted the successful adoption of a grading system in board exams He pledged full support for this national initiative The committee also reviewed the status of the syllabus and question bank PMDC informed the committee that the MDCAT syllabus has undergone one round of revision, but further revisions are still necessary The committee also deliberated on enhancing the question bank The members discussed that developing an e-assessment system is not a particularly difficult task in the present days With proper planning and technical support, it can be effectively managed without internet-based assessments
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Addressing PTI s leadership, Tarar said, “Gandapur has fled from here for the second time,” while highlighting the disarray among party workers They ran off in a state of complete disarray he commented The federal minister also remarked on the difference in PTI s earlier protests, recalling the 126-day-long sit-in when the party had the support of the establishment “Their earlier protest lasted because they had establishment’s backing he explained The minister further criticised the party s haste, saying that in their rush, even the vehicles of the PTI leaders had collided “They were in such a hurry that they crashed their own cars ” said Tarar He also expressed his party s intent to avoid violence We did not want bloodshed or to see bodies fall, he said Tarar also accused the PTI of playing a deceitful game “They came here to free their leader, but they fled after getting their workers arrested ” he noted Pointing to PTI s earlier track record he reminded that the party had previously fled from Pakpattan and now again from Islamabad He went on to warn that PTI would not dare attempt such a move again “After the 26th amendment and the damage caused in Parliament they will
not dare to try this again,” he said Tarar also suggested that the PTI had a hidden agenda behind the protests Their plan was to sabotage the visit of the President of Belarus and cause damage, he claimed He pointed to what he described as crucial evidence, which he said was destroyed when a container was set on fire What were those pieces of evidence that were burned by setting the container on fire? he questioned
Speaking on the clear-up operation, he stated: The roads are being cleared, and the way is being opened ” In a dramatic remark he added: “It is reported that they fled through the route of Monal If they encounter water on their way may they drown There is no deal, no concession We saw cowardice here Those who fled should be ashamed and drown in their shame,” he said while explaining that the container had been set on fire to destroy vital evidence
‘C A U S E D B I L L I O N S I N D A MA G E S’: In his late-night press conference at D-Chowk, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stressed the need for normalcy Naqvi emphasised the urgency of reopening blocked roads It is essential that all closed roads are immediately reopened he said adding that schools would resume from tomorrow (Thursday), and mobile
phone services would also be restored Expressing gratitude to the police and Rangers Naqvi remarked: I thank the brave personnel of the police and Rangers for their efforts
Reflecting on the recurring nature of such incidents, he questioned: How many more times do we need to deal with situations like this?”
R
and Bushra were on the
rally in Sangjani, he shared, noting that the citizens of Islamabad endured
Naqvi revealed that an agreement had been reached and the organisers had initially agreed to hold the rally in Sangjani However, they later refused to follow the directives of their party’s founder and insisted
PM vows decisive steps to avert future unrest and demonstrations
Right to Women’s Identit y in Pakistan
DO N A L D J Trump should have learned from his first term as US President that sanctions don’t work His enhanced sanctions on Iran and his throwing out the Iranian nuclear deal may actually have speeded up Iran s pursuit of a nuclear weapon rather than retarding it However, it almost appears that Mr Trump intends to weaponize the US s economic might, using sanctions and tariffs to bend the world to his will The latest example of this economic xenophobia is his strident pledge to slap tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico Mr Trump’s first term had been devoted to furthering a trade war with China, and the USA did not desist from a punitive tariff until China greed to import more soybeans China might also be a geopolitical rival but that cannot be side of Canada or Mexico True they are members of the North American Free Trade Agreement and their goods have flooded the USA resulting in cheaper goods for the US consumer
Usually, when a country s leadership sets about destroying its economy, it is the people of that country which suffer However, in the case of an economic superpower like the USA, it is the whole world which will suffer The point that Mr Trump seems to be missing is that the US consumer is buying Chinese, Canadian or Mexican over American products because they are cheaper and of adequate quality Imposing a tariff and thus raising their price may be too protectionist for the WTO to agree The excuse of fentanyl smuggling from China is more emotive than that of dumping he used when President but the Chinese Embassy in Washington responded that China was already engaged in anti-smuggling in a big way and that cooperation on economic issues was essential Mr Trump has not mentioned how he plans to tackle fentanyl demand in the USA Mr Trump is showing that he is increasingly desperate In 2016, He had threatened to build a wall on the Mexican border, and make Mexico pay He did neither Now, he has threatened it with a 25-percent tariff, not to mention an anti-immigrant drive, which will involve a large number of Mexican citizens He has carefully not mentioned a wall this time around He has already tried to use the dollar ’s primacy in the banking system; is this the term when he tries somehow to use its primacy as a reserve currency?
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
TH E right to identity is a fundamental human right recognized globally It allows individuals to assert their unique existence, preserving personal familial and social affiliations Identity rights empower people to express themselves pursue opportunities and safeguard their rights in society For women however this right often becomes contentious due to societal and institutional biases that impose restrictive norms In Pakistan, the debate around a woman’s right to retain her father ’s name on legal documents, such as the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and passport underscores the gendered challenges women face in preserving their identity post-marriage Pakistan s Constitution provides the legal framework supporting identity rights Article 4 of the Constitution ensures the inalienable right of every citizen to be treated in accordance with the law, without discrimination Article 9 safeguards the right to life and liberty which includes the right to personal identity as an integral part of human dignity Article 25 further strengthens this right affirming the equality of all citizens and prohibiting discrimination based on gender These provisions establish a foundational guarantee for women to retain an identity independent of marital status The practice of requiring women to change their identity after marriage is deeply rooted in patriarchal norms that position men as the primary authority within families and society This expectation typically extends to children who are almost universally identified by their father s name rather than their mother s In contrast, men retain their father s name and identity regardless of marital status These biases not only diminish a woman’s autonomy but also reinforce a societal view that a woman’s identity is inherently dependent on her relationship with a male guardian initially her father and subsequently her husband Retaining one s premarital identity should be recognized as a right, rather than a privilege, allowing women to maintain continuity in personal and professional spheres without the disruption of enforced name changes These rights are also essential for women facing marital abuse or separation as they may wish to assert an independent identity distinct from their spouse Furthermore upholding women s identity rights contributes to a more inclusive and equal society where every citizen, regardless of gender, is empowered to define their own sense of self The National Database and Registration Author-
ity (NADRA) has a relatively progressive stance regarding women s right to retain their identity postmarriage NADRA policies allow married women to retain their father s name on their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs), which respects a woman’s right to self-identity regardless of marital status This policy affirms that marriage does not fundamentally alter a woman s personal identity especially regarding her parentage In contrast, the Passport Office s policies reflect a more outdated, gender-biased approach It still requires that women’s passports reflect marital status by adding their husband’s name after marriage This inconsistency creates additional bureaucratic and emotional burdens for women who are compelled to conform to a policy that compromises their right to retain their identity Such requirements are not equally imposed on men, highlighting an entrenched gender bias that diminishes women s autonomy in official documentation
Barrister Khadija Bokhari was the first to challenge this issue in Pakistan in her case titled Barrister Khadija Bokhari vs Government of Pakistan before the Lahore High Court She disputes the Passport Office s policy that unfairly places the burden of proving marital status on women The Ministry of Interior ’s response has been troubling, as it defends this policy by citing concerns about inheritance issues and child trafficking This reasoning however does not address the core issues and is based on assumptions about women s credibility implying they are inherently untrustworthy or unable to establish family legitimacy The Ministry s stance perpetuates stereotypes and unjustly imposes a verification requirement on women without any corresponding obligation on men Following Bokhari’s case in another similar legal challenge by Mehrbano Langrial v Government of Pakistan before the Lahore High Court Langrial challenged the Passport Office s discriminatory policy when she was initially refused a passport for her child due to the fact that her passport lacked her husband’s name post-marriage Although her child’s passport was ultimately issued she pursued the matter in court to seek systemic change On June 3 2024 Justice Hafeez of
Sajjadnekokara786@gmail com
Pak climate change and COP 29
tant nurseries for many fish species The Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has suggested that climate change will likely worsen the frequency and intensity of such extreme events The federal government has recently developed a comprehensive strategy called the 4RF, Resilience, Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Framework to ensure a resilient recovery from natural disasters It is aimed to reduce the adverse impacts of climate change and natural hazards on Pakistan s economy particularly the agriculture sector and population The World Leaders Climate Action Summit of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) some days back was held in Baku Azerbaijan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had flown to Baku to attend it after attending the OIC-Arab League Joint Summit in Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Addressing different high level forums of COP 29, the PM forcefully put forward Pakistan s climate change problems and pointedly called for redefining global climate to support the vulnerable nations emphasized developing nations’ dire need for $ 6 8 trillion assistance by 2030 for effectively countering climate challenges and urged the international community to take the developing countries out of their debt trap, calling it as the “death trap for the poor countries
PM Shebaz Sharif further stated at another COP-29 forum that the developed nations should honour their financial pledges for dealing with the climate change and emphatically pointed out that the climate financing must be grant-based, not adding to the debt burden of the developing countries, praised strong PakAzerbaijan ties, expressing optimism about further enhancing this cooperation to the mutually bilateral benefits
At the COP29 deliberations Pakistan called for a balanced and ambitious progress on all issues such as loss and damage adaptation, mitigation and means of implementation, sought predictable financing to enable the developing countries address the climate goals and also underscored the historical responsibility and the principle of Equity and Commonly Differentiated Responsibility and the developed nations were asked to ensure deeper emission cuts
On the sidelines of the COP-29 deliberations, the PM held meetings with a number of world leaders, exchanged views on bilateral relations and exchanged views on how the prevailing friendly relations could be further enhanced promoted and strengthened with emphasis on final cooperation and boosting trade and business opportunities for mutual benefit
The writer is Lahore-based Freelance Journalist Columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News) Radio Pakistan Islamabad and can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail com
Invisible chains
human activities
In addition rising sea levels and more intense storms could lead to coastal flooding and erosion causing the loss of crucial coastal habitats such as mangroves which serve as impor-
A coherent, g ender-neutral approach to identity verification, one that respects womenÊs rights to identity is essential Immediate reforms are necessar y to eliminate these discriminator y practices and to harmoniz e policies across government depar tments, ensuring that all Pakistani citiz ens are treated with equal respect and dignity On the sidelines of the COP-29 deliberations, the PM held meetings with a number of world leaders, exchanged views on bilateral relations and exchanged views on how the prevailing friendly relations could be further enhanced, promoted and strengthened with emphasis on final cooperation and boosting trade and business opportunities for mutual benefits
MuHaMMad ZaHid rifat
Pakistan at the hear t of a ver y pressing problem
Sajjad HuSSain nekokara
ICC’s significant move in the Gaza conflict
TH E International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on November 21 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the ongoing Gaza conflict This unprecedented move by the Hague-based court has sent shockwaves through international politics sparking mixed reactions among Western states and strong condemnation from Israel
The ICC accuses Netanyahu and Gallant of employing starvation as a method of warfare by intentionally depriving Gaza’s civilian population of essential supplies including food water and medicine Prosecutors allege there was no military necessity for such actions arguing they constitute violations of international law Mohammed Deif, a key Hamas commander, is charged with orchestrating mass murder torture and hostage-taking during Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel
The warrants are part of a broader ICC investigation that encompasses alleged crimes by both Israeli authorities and Hamas This inquiry gained momentum following Israel’s military response to the October 7 assault, in which approximately 1200 Israelis were killed and 250 were taken hostage The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 44 000 Palestinians have since been killed with 1 9 million displaced While Israel claims it targeted Deif in an earlier airstrike, Hamas has not confirmed his death The ICC’s decision has deeply divided the international community Several Western nations including the Netherlands Switzerland Ireland Italy Sweden Belgium, and Norway, have pledged to fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute, which requires them to act on ICC arrest
warrants Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp assured his parliament that authorities would comply with the court s directives, emphasizing a commitment to international law Sweden and Norway also reaffirmed their adherence to the treaty However, some officials have expressed discomfort with the ICC’s actions Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto criticized the court for equating Israeli leaders with Hamas calling the decision a mistake Austria s Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg described the warrant as utterly incomprehensible,” though his government signaled it would abide by the ICC’s ruling In contrast France s Foreign Ministry adopted a more cautious stance Spokesman Christophe Lemoine acknowledged the legal complexities of the case while stopping short of committing to arresting Netanyahu or Gallant France’s nuanced response reflects the broader tension between supporting international law and maintaining political alliances Hungary openly rejected the ICC s decision, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban inviting Netanyahu to visit Hungary and denouncing the court’s move as unjust Meanwhile US Republican lawmakers have threatened sanctions against the ICC calling the warrants an overreach Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that Congress might impose punitive measures unless the court reverses its decision Unsurprisingly, the ICC’s actions have provoked a fierce backlash from Israeli leaders President Isaac Herzog called the warrants outrageous accusing the court of siding with terrorists and undermining justice The ICC has chosen terror and evil
over democracy and freedom ” Herzog wrote on X (formerly Twitter) criticizing the court s perceived bias against Israel
The rhetoric from Israeli officials reflects deep-seated frustrations over what they see as a double standard in international law Netanyahu and Gallant argue that their military actions were necessary to counter Hamas s aggression and protect Israeli citizens
The ICC s decision has highlighted fault lines among Western nations regarding accountability for alleged war crimes While some countries emphasize adherence to international law others prioritize their political and strategic alliances with Israel
The Netherlands has taken a particularly proactive stance Alongside committing to act on the warrants, Dutch officials have sought to reduce non-essential contact with Netanyahu and Gallant This comes amid heightened tensions in the country, including recent rioting between Israeli soccer fans and pro-Palestinian locals in Amsterdam
At the same time figures like Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom, criticized the ICC s actions, arguing that Israel deserves solidarity rather than condemnation Wilders’s remarks reflect the broader debate within Europe over balancing legal obligations with political realities In Washington the ICC warrants have further strained US-Israel relations The Biden Administration has not officially commented on the decision, but leading Republicans have come to Israel’s defense Maine
w i t h t h e i r o b l i g a t i o n s u n d e r t h e R o m e S t a t u t e , t h e w a r r a n t s r a i s e p r e s s i n g q u e s t i o n s a b o u t t h e
f u t u r e o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l j u s t i c e a n d t h e ro l e o f t h e I C C i n c o n f l i c t r e s o l u t i o n W h e t h e r
t h e I C C Ês a c t i o n s w i l l l e a d t o m e a n i n g
Mumbai police, made in Israel
Bthe immediate wake of 26/11 Less than a month after the attacks a new budget totaling Rs 126 crore had been sanctioned by the Maharashtra legislative assembly This budget authorized a range of new purchases including imported weaponry, a fleet of new armored vehicles and personnel carriers, speedboats, all-terrain amphibious vehicles, communication devices, night vision equipment and new uniforms As one former senior IPS officer who was involved in the early stages of planning explained to me: Suddenly such a big incident happened the biggest shock for government and society So the government response at that time was kneejerk: do whatever you want, whatever you need For a few months, the mindset was ‘Ask for anything and take it ’” D Sivanandan, who was appointed to replace [Hasan] Gafoor [as Mumbai Police Commissioner] in June 2009 similarly recalled that the Maharashtra government effectively gave carte blanche to the Mumbai police by saying whatever is right for the city to secure, do that When I asked him about the procurement decisions following the attacks, he recalled, you just walked up to the home secretary, the home minister, the chief minister convinced them with a presentation It was sanctioned in one minute!” Indeed from speaking with officials involved in and familiar with these early decisions it became clear to me that the purchase of new police procurements was devised as a response to the backlash against the perceived softness and incompetence of the state response to 26/11 As these officials began to develop their police modernization program they were lobbied by a range of domestic and international commercial interests seeking to capitalize on 26/11 s political fallout Guy Zuri of the IEICI [Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute] recounted that in the wake of 26/11 Israeli authorities accelerated their preexisting lobbying efforts in India and approached the Maharashtra government to solicit their solutions and arrange the official visit to Tel Aviv in July 2009 He explicitly noted that it was the Israelis who approached the Maharashtra government rather than the other way around The Israelis were hardly alone The corporate lobby group Bombay First published a white paper in February 2009, calling on local government to “[b]uild a contingent of armed policemen thoroughly trained in the use of the latest weapons of all relevant types” and purchase a
ficial recalled that after 26/11 lots of teams had started arriving from Israel from Germany and from Canada and from London, people coming and saying: Do this, do that, buy this, buy that, take of this, take of that, we have this, we have that ’” [Vappala] Balachandran [retired IPS officer and high-ranking intelligence official who headed the High-Level Enquiry Commission (HLEC) on the security response to the 26/11 attacks] likewise recounted that these foreign actors attempted to lobby him and [Ram] Pradhan [retired union home secretary who co-headed the HLEC] claiming that our goods are better than these goods’ and all that ” An Indian small arms dealer Sanjeev was brought in to advise the Maharashtra and Mumbai police after 26/11 When we spoke in his office just outside of New Delhi he explained to me: People wanted to hear You re safe, which required specific visual signifiers to demonstrate this As he continued, The requirement of that particular time was to tell the people, ‘We got Colt, we got Smith and Wesson, we got MP9 and blah, blah blah Now we are fully prepared to tackle any kind of a 26/11 As a result the Mumbai police ordered new and expensive imported weapons
The post-26/11 police modernization drive also created new police units in Mumbai and Maharashtra, what Indian security expert Ajai Sahni termed the Rambo model’ of response” to live-fire attacks For instance, the government created its own “crack” commando squad Force One tasked with responding to live terror incidents within the metropolitan area of Mumbai clothed in new uniforms and armed with the newly acquired weapons *******
In addition to buying new security equipment, rebuilding the credentials of the Mumbai police also involved engaging foreign trainers and emulating police and security models As early as December 2008 Jayant Patil announced that local police officers would be dispatched to Chicago and other cities around the world to study their security systems Local officials claims about their new forces’ “world-class” credentials were made through comparisons to famous commando and counterterror units abroad For instance a Times of India article listed SWAT (U S ) Yamam (Israel) and STAR Force (Australia) as inspirations for Force One In the months and years after 26/11, some of these pledges would be realized The Maharashtra government dispatched a number of foreign delegations and study tours abroad, the first of which was to Palestine/Israel in July 2009 *******
Sivanandan’s words referenced a recurring trope in Hindutva ideology namely the image of the Hindu community as an ancient peaceful civilization being overrun and emasculated by invading (Muslim) marauders For instance in his 1966 book Bunch of Thoughts M S Golwarkar called out the Muslim desire, growing ever since they stepped on this land some twelve hundred years ago, to convert and enslave the entire country [of Hindustan],” citing bomb blasts in Delhi at the time as the latest “proof” of “a thousand years of their [Muslims ] naked aggression which in turn required new measures to fight back to defend Hindustan against this foreign aggression Mobilizing this trope Sivanandan suggested that Israel and its so-called killer instinct was a key source of inspiration for India in its fight against (Muslim) terror Sivanandan was not alone in his praise for foreign experts and governments Jayant Patil explained to me that the gravitation to foreign experts and trainers (including Israelis) was born out of an imperative to develop a scientific approach to counterterrorism, disaster management, and co-ordination within the Mumbai police
Another high-ranking officer in the Maharashtra police similarly emphasized: “There is no point in reinventing the wheel again when there is something better already available in the market So if they re having some capability [elsewhere] why not know from them? Another sitting ATS official similarly maintained that the impulse to source Israeli trainers for Force One was driven by the need to get the best in the field Sivanandan was even more unequivocal, maintaining that “Israelis are considered to be the best in security matters That’s it ” Indian state officials’ valorizations of Israel’s security prowess were of long standing Since the 1990s Indian politicians and police have praised Israel as a model of efficiency and ruthlessness in striking Muslim terrorists in foreign territory and policing Muslims at home On the heels of the 1993 Bombay blasts, which killed 257 people, an Indian Defence Review op-ed noted: “Since India has been coping with terrorist threats in the last decade access to Israeli know-how on counterterrorism would be invaluable stressing that Indian interest in absorbing expertise to fight terrorism from Israel is justifiably high Reflecting this growing Indian interest in Israeli policing expertise, BJP leaders in 1996 advocated for the introduction of identification cards in order to differentiate between non-Hindu and Hindu immigrants maintaining that in a similar
In justifying the visit to Palestine/Israel and the use of Israeli trainers, Maharashtra officials mobilized comparisons similar to those deployed by Israeli officials and experts in Israeli critiques of the handling of 26/11 These comparisons foregrounded India’s lack of preparedness on 26/11 but also situated Israel s unapologetic killer instinct as a model for India Sivanandan declared that in sharp contrast to Israel which responds unapologetically to terrorist attacks, India suffered from its lack of a similar killer instinct For thousands of years, we [Indians] have been passively witnessing terror attacks We never want to fight with anybody That’s what our main problem is and we lack the killer instinct ” As he continued: We cannot go and wage a war against Pakistan China or anybody else But Israel never keeps quiet Israelis go on their flights bombard the fellows (enemies) come back and keep quiet But when we [Indians] become aggressive, we face international pressure
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that the pressing task for the Palestinian question is to comprehensively and effectively implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions to end the war as soon as possible The fundamental way out is to implement the two-state solution and promote the political settlement of the Palestinian question, Xi said in his congratulatory message to a UN meeting held on Tuesday to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People In his
where Israel is battling Hamas The Lebanon ceasefire agreement requires Israeli troops to withdraw from south Lebanon and Lebanon’s army to deploy in the region, officials say Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the border south of the Litani River
Jay Bhattacharya, Covid lockdown critic, appointed as NIH director by Trump
US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Dr Jay Bhattacharya a wellknown critic of Covid-19 lockdowns as the next director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the world s largest biomedical research body Trump announced the selection on Tuesday, rounding out his public health team ahead of his inauguration on January 20 Bhattacharya a Stanford University-trained physician and economist gained national prominence in 2020 when he co-authored the controversial Great Barrington Declaration, which opposed widespread lockdowns in favour of focused protection for vulnerable groups such as the elderly The nomination places Bhattacharya at the helm of the NIH tasked with leading medical research at a critical time for public health in the US Trump stated that Bhattacharya, alongside former rival Robert Kennedy Jr who has been nominated to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would work to restore the NIH to a Gold Standard of Medical Research We will reform American scientific institutions so that they are worthy of trust again,” Bhattacharya said in a statement on X formerly Twitter “We will deploy the fruits of excellent science to
make America healthy again!
Bhattacharya s selection is part of a broader shake-up of US health policy under Trump’s incoming administration
Earlier in the month, Trump also nominated Dr Marty Makary a Johns Hopkins surgeon who opposed vaccine mandates to head the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Dr Dave Weldon, a former congressman, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Bhattacharya’s appointment is likely to attract attention given his vocal opposition to how the public health establishment including Dr Anthony Fauci managed the pandemic In 2020, Fauci, the then-director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), criticised the Great Barrington Declaration, dismissing its authors as “fringe experts ” In addition to Bhattacharya Trump nominated Jim O Neill a former federal health official with ties to conservative donor Peter Thiel, as deputy secretary of HHS
Despite the polarising nature of these appointments Trump’s picks are expected to face confirmation hearings in the Senate
The selection of Bhattacharya and others signals Trump s intention to reshuffle the leadership of US public health agencies, marking a clear break from the approach of the Biden administration
China opposes G7’s interference in sovereignty and internal affairs
FBR INCORPORATES REAL TIME
NAdRA
MDC AT reform committee holds first meeting to address challenges and improve examination
Islamabad 27th November 2024: The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) recently formed a seven-member committee to make the future Medical & Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) better and more transparent The committee is composed of members from all provinces tasked with identifying and addressing challenges ensuring transparency minimizing errors and implementing IT-based solutions This includes considerations for a centralized or university-specific test, a uniform syllabus, and the scheduling of MDCAT immediately after the intermediate exams to combat the influence of tuition mafias The inaugural meeting of the MDCAT Reform Committee was held yesterday at the PM&DC of-
fice The President of PM&DC Prof Dr Rizwan
Taj expressed his gratitude to the Chairman and the members of the committee for attending the important meeting and formally requested the Chairman to begin the session
The Chairman of the committee Prof Dr Suhail
Amin welcomed all members and provided a brief update on the recent proceedings of MDCAT 2024 and its legal aspects of conducting the examination in accordance with the PM&DC Act 2022 The committee was informed that a total of 167 772 candidates were registered for the 2024 exam across Pakistan, as well as in Dubai and Saudi Arabia Details regarding the performance of various examining universities, including the total percentage and highest scores were also shared with the members Additionally the committee was updated on the re-
working together toward mutual goals Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar is leading Pakistan’s delegation at Second Ministerial Meeting of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being held in Doha from November 26-27 2024
PNZ Zulfiquar conducts exercise with Korean nav y ship in Arabian sea ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Navy Ship PNS ZULFIQUAR conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Republic of Korea Navy Ship WANG GEON in the North Arabian Sea Both ships operated under the task forces of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) CTF-150 and CTF-151 respectively The exercise included tactical maneuvers and communication drills aimed at enhancing operational interoperability and fostering professional ties between the two navies CTF150
KU’s16,506 defaulter students yet to pay tuition fees of over Rs2 billion
S TA F F R E
As many as 16,506 students from the University of Karachi s morning, evening, and executive masters of business administration programs have not paid their long outstanding dues of more than Rs2 101 5 million from 2020 to 2024 The figure for defaulter students does not include the research scholars enrolled
n c e P r o f e s s o r D r M u s a r r a t J a h a n Yo u s u f D e a n o f F a c u l t y o f P h a r m a c y a n d P h a r m a c e u t i c a l S c i e n c e s P r o f e ss o r D r M u h a m m a d H a r i s S h o i b , D e a n o f F a cu l t
Revolutionaries flee af ter leaving behind shoes, clothes: A zma Bokhari
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that those who claimed to bring a revolution fled after leaving behind their shoes and clothes While the public stood firm, "Baji" ran away, and there is considerable debate on social media about this She further remarked that this woman ruined the politics of PTI s founder adding that Bushra Bibi seemed to think she was just roaming the streets of Pakpattan Bokhari emphasized that cases have been registered against "Fasadis", and no one will be spared She also mentioned that only a few people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa participated in the protests, while people from other provinces rejected their call The public in Punjab did not respond to their call at all She expressed these thoughts during a press conference at the DGPR office
Azma Bokhari clarified that there were no shortages in Punjab During the protest of PTI the Chief Minister of Punjab held three-hour-long meetings The Chief Minister thanked the people of Punjab for rejecting the call of the rioters No one including Hamad Azhar, was seen participating in the protests in Punjab She criticized Bushra Bibi for facing backlash on social media, adding that the entire PTI had clarified that Imran Khan had permitted protests at Sangjani but Bushra Bibi insisted on taking him back Bushra Bibi had been telling the Pathans to stay with her and they did but Baji ran away
protests with how other politicians, like Kulsoom
ATC TURNS DOWN BAIL PLEA OF PTI FOUNDER IN EIGHT MAY 9 CASES
N E W S D E S K
Prominent figures from the United States, including lawmakers, former government officials, and the Amnesty International have voiced concerns over the political situation in Pakistan urging the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan
They have also condemned the reported use of excessive force against supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party
Richard Grenell former Director of National Intelligence under the Trump administration called for Khan s release in a statement on his official Twitter account, where he shared a news report detailing the unrest in Pakistan Grenell, who has been a central figure in international peace discus-
UAE mandates police charac ter cer tific ates for employment visas International
The Bureau of Emigration has introduced a new requirement for obtaining employment visas in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Applicants must now submit a police character certificate as part of the process Adnan Paracha Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA), confirmed the new measure attributing it to
sions described the situation as alarming adding his voice to the growing international concern over the country s political climate
Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad also criticized reports of “shoot-on-sight” orders, labeling them as a grave misstep Khalilzad warned that such measures could escalate tensions and harm Pakistan s future He called for their immediate withdrawal and urged the government to engage in reconciliation, suggesting that the process could be facilitated with the help of Pakistan’s international allies
Concerns over the suppression of protests and dissent were also raised by US Congress members Rashida Tlaib, a lawmaker from Michigan, expressed her alarm at the political violence and clampdown on democratic expression in
Pakistan describing the actions as an attack on fundamental rights
Similarly Barbara Lee cochair of the Human Rights Caucus emphasized that freedoms of speech and peaceful assembly are cornerstones of democracy, both in Pakistan and worldwide Representative Ro Khanna highlighted the reported disruptions to internet access and the detention of activists, describing these actions as troubling developments Summer Lee commended the resilience of the Pakistani people, who continue to protest for justice despite challenges while Brad Sherman noted ongoing human rights issues in the country including the misuse of blasphemy laws and forced conversions He also condemned the violence in Kurram district, where over 80 lives have been lost to sectarian strife
