PM ORDERS WEEKLY REVIEW OF LEGAL
ACTION AGAINST NOVEMBER 24 RIOTERS
PM Shehbaz calls for global cooperation to tackle water crisis
ISLAMABAD
The federal government has proposed a five-year imprisonment or a fine of Rs1 million for individuals found guilty of deliberately spreading fake news as part of initial
According
Imran Khan yet to play his ‘last card’: Aleema Khan
Upon being informed about the events that unfolded during his detention she said Khan repeatedly asked, What are you saying?” expressing his disbelief over the situation
Bibi who took the lead She also stressed that other leaders should have stepped forward to prevent the violence
According to Aleema Khan PTI s founder Imran Khan is in shock over the D-Chowk incident and has called for the first FIR to be registered against Mohsin Naqvi and Shahbaz Sharif
During her interaction with the media Aleema Khan also addressed rumors regarding Imran Khan s health, confirming that he is in good health
he met with lawyers and journalists on Monday at Adiala Jail She further explained that Khan had been held incommunicado for approximately 40-50 hours after his arrest, with his access to newspapers and Pakistan Television (PTV) blocked during this period
Aleema Khan also revealed that during the shooting at DChowk many lives were lost She said that PTI leaders had attempted to communicate with authorities asking them to clear the protesters by calling for the removal of containers, but they never anticipated that snipers would be used against the crowd
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action against consultants of the NeelumJhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP) due to repeated faults in the Rs500 billion project, depriving the country of a cheaper and eco-friendly power source The project’s consultants include a joint venture comprising MWH USA (lead firm) NORPLAN (Norway) and NESPAK ACE and NDC of Pakistan while the contractors are two Chinese firms CGGC and CMEC
According to a report published by Dawn, the final decision on the matter will be taken by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in consultation with stakeholders as an investigation committee considers extending its probe to include contractors involved in the project
The NJHP has been non-operational since May 2022 due to cracks in its head race tunnel
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal chaired a meeting of the committee tasked with presenting recommendations for the rehabilitation and operationalization of the 969MW power project
Legal issues were discussed with the Secretary for Law and Justice and the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) to lay the groundwork for possible action against those responsible for the tunnel collapse
An official statement emphasized the need for internal accountability for poor project management by the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) The meeting was attended by the AGP, secretaries of law and water resources, and former federal secretary Shahid Khan, who leads the investigation committee
Sources revealed that the investigation report identified sufficient grounds for pursuing legal action against the consultants However, legal advisors
recommended a cautious approach by involving reputable international experts to authenticate the findings particularly since the lead consulting firm is based in the United States
The committee also recommended expanding the investigation to include the contractors, as repeated faults in the project have raised questions about their role Minister Ahsan Iqbal directed that both consultants and contractors be given the opportunity to defend their positions
The planning minister expressed dissatisfaction over delays in the submission of the final report, which he said had hindered timely accountability From the outset an accountability mechanism should have been in place to monitor progress and assign responsibilities, especially for a project of this scale, he stated
The meeting concluded with directives to expedite investigations and engage international consultants for an independent review The findings and recommendations will be presented to the prime minister to determine the next course of action
ment strategy by Engro Energy Limited including shares in SECMC EPQL and Engro Powergen Thar Limited (EPTL) Liberty consortium announces fresh intention to acquire 68.89% of Engro Powergen
ISLAMABAD M o n to r i n g
OPPOSITION LEADER OMAR AYUB RESIGNS FROM JUDICIAL COMMISSION
representative on the commission
China bans expor t of key minerals to US as trade fric tions esc alate
Pakistan poised to lead in S hariah compliant financing: SECP C hief
found that compliance with the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) principles reached 90% in 2023, compared to 86% in independent assessments conducted in 2015 and 2018 Tariq Naseem SECP s Head of Islamic Finance added that the commission now aims to assess compliance with the Islamic Financial Services Board’s (IFSB) principles, a move expected to further bolster Pakistan’s standing in Islamic finance
Sukuk while the government secured PKR 1 5 trillion via sovereign Sukuk at the PSX over the past year Efforts are also underway to enhance the Shariah-compliant secondary bond market SECP is collaborating with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) to
of the second international Islamic Capital Market conference, set to take place in Karachi on December 12, 2024 The event is being organized in collaboration with the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) and the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) with participation from over 20 international experts and policymakers According to Akif Saeed, the SECP has made significant strides in regulatory alignment An internal review
Shariah-compliant instruments have become a cornerstone of Pakistan s capital markets At the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), 55% of market capitalization is Shariah-compliant Additionally, 48% of mutual fund assets, 65% of voluntary pension fund assets and 95% of real estate investment trusts (REITs) adhere to Islamic principles This robust growth is complemented by a surge in Sukuk issuance Since 2022, unlisted firms in Pakistan have raised PKR 500 billion through
Inflation keeps going down
Ta l
Th i s past week israeli Lebanese and Us leaders were busy patting themselves on the back announcing the completion of an israeli/Lebanese ceasefire agreement The israeli Prime Minister crowed about israel bring victorious and now the unquestioned dominant force throughout the Middle East hezbollah declared a “divine victory” greater than the one they achieved in 2006 Meanwhile Us leaders were congratulating themselves for their leadership in a settlement they hoped would advance broader peace and prosperity in the region
To say i m skeptical about all of this is an understatement At least for now, the Lebanese will have some respite from israel’s relentless bombings And israeli forces will begin to withdraw from the south of the country Nevertheless i m not uncorking the champagne to celebrate Too many have died too much bitterness has been sown, no lessons have been learned, and too many issues remain unresolved There will be, as there always is, a reckoning for the consequences of this war
Trecent investigation by Reporters Without Borders (RsF), underscores the dire need for global action to protect independent journalism from systematic suppression RsF s findings reveal a calculated strategy of legal intimidation deployed by Khare and entities linked to his company, Appin This New Delhi-based firm, ostensibly established to provide “ethical hacking” services, has faced allegations of offering questionable hacking services Renowned news organizations such as The New Yorker and Reuters have documented these accusations in meticulously researched pieces however, any media outlet daring to investigate or publish critical reports about Appin has
The extensive physical damage to Lebanon and its people is staggering Almost 4 000 dead and many thousands more were wounded international agencies report that 1 3 million were forced to flee from their homes some forced to do so more than once and upwards of 100,000 homes have been destroyed either by bombings or bulldozing of entire areas by israeli forces in their “cleansing” operations in the border villages in his announcement of the ceasefire President Biden said that now israelis and Lebanese can return to their homes except that, for hundreds of thousands of Lebanese, their homes no longer exist And it’s important to acknowledge that the ceasefire is tentative, and its terms are decidedly lopsided Once again as it did in 2006 hezbollah miscalculated it may have seemed honorable to demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinians in
indian cybersecurity firm s actions have influenced global media practices, compelling some outlets to remove content entirely The American podcast Behind the Bastards removed episodes discussing Khare within a week of receiving legal threats such instances highlight how the misuse of legal systems transcends borders, leveraging jurisdictional complexities to silence dissent and factual reporting What makes this situation even more alarming is the tacit complicity of legal professionals who enable such tactics high-profile lawyers in switzerland india and other countries have facilitated Khare s offensive against the press By cloaking intimidation in the guise of legitimate legal action, they have undermined the fundamental tenets of free speech and accountability RsF has aptly described these sLAPPs as “serial litigation” methods designed to exhaust and demoralize media organizations The organization has called on courts worldwide to exercise wisdom and restraint in addressing such cases, urging them not to become tools of suppression Additionally, RsF has appealed to media outlets to resist these pressures, emphasizing the importance of standing firm in the face of such unprecedented threats
The global implications of this issue cannot be overstated As one source familiar with Khare s tactics warned, if it becomes known that a powerful person can use the indian court to strike down articles all over the world, everybody will do it ” This statement underscores the urgent need for international solidarity among journalists media organizations and press freedom advocates
The revelations about Appin and its global litigation campaign highlight the fragility of press freedom in an increasingly interconnected world The legal and financial pressures exerted by Khare’s network are designed to deter investigative journalism ensuring that critical truths remain hidden This is not merely a national
Gaza But it was kicking the hornets nest of a foe whose ruthlessness knows no limits and faces no restraints israel responded with complete impunity, violating all of the norms of international law and civilized behaviour At this point, hezbollah has no doubt been weakened it will be forced to relocate north of the Litani River and has lost its claim to be a feared deterrent against israeli dominance it remains to be seen to what extent it will be able to use its armed presence as the praetorian guard protecting the ancien regime in Lebanon Ceasefire or no ceasefire, Lebanon has internal problems that must be addressed but which now in the aftermath of this war are less likely to be it s true that hezbollah plays a role in iran s regional strategy But it is wrong to see it only in that light What gave birth to this movement were problems internal to Lebanon hezbollah represents an aggrieved shi’a community that had long felt that it had been dealt the short end of the stick in Lebanese affairs They suffered the consequences of israel’s war with the PLO at the end of which their villages were occupied by the israeli military for more than two decades With israel being forced to end its occupation in 2000, hezbollah s stature grew While no precise demographic figures exist, most estimates place the shi’a community as Lebanon’s largest sectarian grouping They harbour a deep sense
The „deal‰ negotiated between Israel and Lebanon addresses none of the root causes of conflict and only gives Israel a freer hand to pursue its goal of a „pax Israelica‰ which is sure to produce greater conflict, not the hoped broader regional peace.
Elderly inclusion
issue confined to india; it is a global crisis that demands a unified response Governments and international organizations must recognize the threat posed by such orchestrated attacks on press freedom Legislative reforms to curtail sLAPPs, increased support for independent journalism, and greater accountability for those who misuse legal systems are essential steps in countering this menace Without such measures the world risks losing one of its most vital safeguards against corruption and abuse of power
The indian firm s actions represent a new frontier in the battle against press freedom By leveraging legal systems to silence dissent they have set a dangerous precedent that others may follow The onus is now on the global community to ensure that investigative journalism the cornerstone of democratic accountability is not sacrificed at the altar of corporate and individual interests Only through collective vigilance and action can the tide of censorship be stemmed and the integrity of journalism preserved in a world increasingly plagued by disinformation and propaganda the role of investigative journalism has never been more critical The efforts to stifle it, as exemplified by Appin s global litigation campaign, are a direct assault on the public’s right to know it is imperative that such actions are met with resolute opposition ensuring that the truth remains a beacon in an era of growing darkness The writer is a freelance columnist
In a world increasingly plagued by disinformation and propaganda, the role of investigative journalism has never been more critical The effor ts to stifle it, as exemplified by AppinÊs global litigation campaign, are a direct assault on the publicÊs right to know It is imperative that such actions are met with resolute opposition, ensuring that the truth remains a beacon in an era of growing darkness
mAJID NAbI burfAT
Peace won’t come to Lebanon, let alone the region
The Indian censorship apparatus
Rising Taliban threats in Pakistan
quently local police forces find themselves at a stark disadvantage against a determined well-armed adversary that capitalizes on Pakistan s geographical and political vulnerabilities
IN recent years Pakistan has witnessed a resurgence of Taliban influence particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which has placed an enormous strain on the country s law enforcement agencies The emboldened Taliban presence, which has not only revived security concerns but also stretched resources within an already overtaxed police force represents a crisis that threatens regional stability and the rule of law in Pakistan KP is especially hard-hit by this resurgence, enduring frequent attacks that leave police personnel, civilians, and the state itself vulnerable This situation calls for an urgent reevaluation of Pakistan s approach to counter-terrorism the limitations of which have been exacerbated by inadequate policy implementation
The Law Enforcement Agencies, particularly in KP, have faced significant casualties due to Taliban assaults that range from targeted attacks on police stations to largescale operations aimed at destabilizing the region According to recent statistics there has been an alarming increase in the number of security personnel injured or killed in these attacks This onslaught has degraded the morale of local police forces and complicated efforts to maintain security within the region
The tactics employed by the Taliban often involve sophisticated weaponry and their familiarity with the region s geography gives them a strategic edge over the police and other LEAs Police departments are generally underfunded, under-trained for guerrilla-style conflicts and lack the advanced technological equipment that could help mitigate these asymmetries in warfare Conse-
The KP region has historically been a critical area in Pakistan’s security landscape
The porous nature of the Pak-Afghan border has long facilitated the movement of Taliban fighters who exploit this access to establish operations within Pakistani territory KP s unique position also makes it particularly vulnerable to extremist infiltration, as militants capitalize on mountainous hard-to-police terrain The escalation of Taliban activities here not only threatens KP s local LEAs but also undermines national security creating a ripple effect that could affect stability at large
As Taliban forces grow bolder, KP has borne the brunt of the violence with attacks intensifying in both frequency and brutality Schools government buildings and police outposts have become regular targets sparking fear among civilians and leading to displacement as people flee conflict-prone areas The implications for KP are particularly severe, as the Taliban’s violence threatens development damages infrastructure and displaces civilian population effectively destabilizing the region
Pakistan is often criticized for being an over-legislated nation, with a multitude of laws on its books that lack the necessary support for effective enforcement In theory, Pakistan has ample legal provisions aimed at countering terrorism and addressing militancy However the gap between legislation and implementation reveals a fundamental
weakness in Pakistan s approach to governance and security Policies intended to combat insurgency are frequently undercut by bureaucratic delays, insufficient funding, and a lack of coordination between law enforcement agencies and the military
For example legislation intended to counter extremist financing and dismantle networks is often enacted without the accompanying operational plans required for execution The end result is a legal framework that remains ineffective in addressing the root causes of militancy, allowing the Taliban to continue exerting influence with relative impunity Furthermore with an overburdened judiciary and insufficient resources for law enforcement Pakistan s antiterrorism policies often lack the operational strength needed to have a tangible impact
To address these challenges, Pakistan must shift its focus from mere legislation to robust and realistic implementation frameworks that prioritize inter-agency collaboration and operational support for law enforcement agencies A successful counterterrorism strategy requires a multipronged approach that combines well-enforced policies with adequate funding, training, and technological advancement for security personnel
Firstly the police forces in KP require immediate reinforcement in terms of both personnel and resources Training programmes should be designed to equip law enforcement officers with a knowledge of ounter-insurgency tactics, specifically tailored to the type of asymmetric warfare often employed by the Taliban Additionally investment in advanced surveillance technologies including drones and other intelligence-gathering tools could
greatly enhance law enforcement capabilities and reduce the Taliban’s operational space within Pakistan Secondly the legislative framework itself must evolve to address the unique challenges posed by militancy in KP and beyond Legislators should focus on drafting laws that are not only robust but also practical and actionable Counter-terrorism policies should prioritize intelligence sharing between local police national security agencies and the military Enhanced cooperation will create a unified front against militancy,
The rising Taliban threat in Pakistan underscores the urgent need for a fundamental shift in how the country approaches security and counter-terrorism policy. In KP, where law enforcement agencies face an existential crisis, the necessity for effective, implementable strategies is immediate . Policymakers must move beyond over-legislation and focus on creating actionable plans that strengthen law enforcement, improve community engagement, and address the socio-economic conditions that breed militancy.
Israel and the ICC: A legal scholar’s response to The Washington Post
refer the Syria case to the ICC, as it did with Libya and Sudan It is appropriate then to criticise the Security Council system including the United States’s decades-long abuse of its veto powers for instance to shield Israel SHOULD THE ISRAELI SYSTEM BE ENTRUSTED WITH PROSECUTION? The Post uncritically reproduces a regular Israeli and US talking point: that Israel as “a democratic country that is committed to human rights” is capable of investigating its own security forces The ICC should not put elected leaders of a democratic country with its own independent judiciary in the same category as dictators and authoritarians who kill with impunity , it argues This argument misrepresents the law of the ICC and conceals substantive facts
maliciously misrepresents the facts to intentionally deceive the readers There are indeed longstanding well substantiated and almost undisputed accusations but not of a bias against countries like Israel During the first 20 years of its operation, the court sought to prosecute people solely from the African continent As a result, it was criticised for having an “Africa problem” and channelling the “assertion of neocolonial domination”
The ICC’s negligence regarding Western armies’ atrocities was consistently brought up especially in relation to Palestine Iraq and Afghanistan As Valentina Azarova and Triestino Mariniello and I have previously argued in two articles, the court s action on crimes committed against Palestinians could help it redress its problems with effectiveness and legitimacy
the article suggests that the ICC has failed to address international crimes in Syria Myanmar and Sudan This is manifestly nonfactual The default grounds for the ICC to exercise jurisdiction is the commission of international crimes on the territory or by the nationals of either a state party to the ICC or a non-state party that has accepted the jurisdiction of the court The three states referred to neither joined the ICC nor accepted its jurisdiction
The court exercises jurisdiction in Sudan based on a United Nations Security Council resolution that referred the case to the court in 2005 – as is its right under the Rome Statute the treaty that established the ICC Since then the ICC has actively engaged with the situation in Sudan issuing seven arrest warrants and pursuing six cases
The Post is concerned with the conduct of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces but mentions nowhere in its editorial that Ali Muhammed Ali Abd-Al-Rahman one of the leaders of its constituent militia the Janjaweed is already in ICC custody and standing trial It also omits ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan s assertion that his office is still investigating ongoing crimes
On Myanmar, the Office of the Prosecutor opened preliminary examinations in 2018 After only one year, the Pre-Trial Chamber authorised it to open an investigation On November 27 the Office of the Prosecutor applied for an arrest warrant against the head of Myanmar s military government Min Aung Hlaing
To do this both Khan s office and the Pre-Trial Chamber pushed the limits of the legal text to adopt unorthodox, precedent-setting interpretations of the law with a view to overcoming the jurisdictional challenge in the absence of a UN Security Council referral Both ICC organs concurred that although the crimes of “deportation and persecution were perpetrated by nationals of a non-state party and on the territory of a non-state party (Myanmar), the conduct constituting the crimes forced the victims into the territory of a state party (Bangladesh); consequently, the ICC should have jurisdiction because the crimes have been committed ‘”in part” on a territory of
Even if Israel and its institutions could be deemed “democratic” and “independent” international law requires a lot more than that The principle of complementarity means that the ICC complements rather than replaces national jurisdictions Thus the ICC prosecutor may intervene only when the state that has jurisdiction is inactive in investigating the crimes
Complementarity in no way means that the elected officials and independent judiciary of a democratic state shall enjoy immunity from ICC prosecution Instead it means that Israel needs to show it has active investigations The fact of Israel s inactivity in relation to war crimes and crimes against humanity by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in and of itself already means that the complementarity assessment has been exhausted and the court may proceed And even if it were active Israel would need to demonstrate the willingness and ability to genuinely prosecute the perpetrator and conduct The law of the ICC allows it to intervene if the investigative activities undertaken by the domestic authorities are not tangible, concrete and progressive”, as laid out in a decision in the case of Ivory Coast first lady Simone Gbagbo, accused of crimes against humanity Proceedings designated to shield the perpetrators or crimes in question warrant an ICC intervention This for instance requires Israel to investigate the same person for substantially the same conduct
The Post conceals that for decades, Israel has failed to hold to account its officials and members of its armed forces for crimes These failures have been repeatedly documented by the UN and human rights organisations
The 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry for example addressed the procedural structural and substantive shortcomings, which continue to compromise Israel s ability to adequately fulfil its duty to investigate Palestinian and Israeli NGOs have repeatedly scrutinised Israel’s tendency to whitewash its own crimes, and Amnesty International considered “an ICC investigation [to be] the only way to uphold international law These reports are in no way unknown or recent Human Rights Watch for example has documented Israel s failure to prosecute war crimes as far back as the 2014 war on Gaza, the second Intifada, the first Intifada and even the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, after which the Israeli government created the Kahan Commission to cover up then-Defence Minister Ariel Sharon’s responsibility for the Sabra and Shatila massacre
The editorial also claims that the arrest warrants undermine the ICC s credibility and give credence to accusations of hypocrisy and selective prosecution This
As a legal scholar I have not come across any rigorously justified accusation against the court that it is biased against elected leaders of democratic states as the Post suggests US attacks on the ICC – starting with the 2002 Hague Invasion Act, which threatens US invasion of any state complying with an ICC arrest warrant for US citizens – have been crude expressions of US hegemony and unpolished thuggery Israel itself has engaged in similar activities as an investigation by +972 Magazine the Local Call and The Guardian revealed in May According to these publications Israel ran a nine-year state-orchestrated espionage
deepen divisions According to Bangladesh s foreign ministry, violent protests erupted with demonstrators breaking through police barricades and reaching the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission’s boundaries creating a sense of insecurity among the staff This kind of aggression threatens not only bilateral relations but could have far-reaching consequences, spilling over into social unrest and further instability in the region What makes this incident even more concerning is the involvement of certain Indian regional political figures who appear to be exploiting antiBangladesh sentiment for domestic political gain The recent inflammatory rhetoric and actions by some politicians risk undermining India s own foreign policy and could have broader implications India has long been a vocal advocate for the rights of minorities in Bangladesh, which the interim government has time and again committed to
hamid EhSan Warraich
France’s M acron, S audi crown prince sign strategic par tnership, c all for Lebanon elec tions
ing servicemen and celebratory cannon fire as he disembarked from his plane He did not comment on the political situation in France as he arrived Macron’s visit began as France’s less than three-month-old minority government faced the prospect of being forced out by a vote of no confidence in the coming days
The far-right National Rally party said it would vote to oust Michel Barnier s government after the prime minister used an executive tool to push through a social security budget bill without parliamentary approval
The left-wing is also expected to back the motion which could be held as early as Wednesday If successful it would oust the government that was appointed in September after snap polls
Macron s three-day stay also coincides with a flareup of violence in Syria, where anti-government rebels have seized Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city
The fighting in Syria follows France’s brokering of a ceasefire in neighbouring Lebanon where Israel has been fighting Hezbollah Macron s state visit is the first by a French president to Saudi Arabia since Jacques Chirac in 2006 cementing what the presidency calls a very close relationship
The French president and Prince Mohammed will see how they “work together” on the conflicts shaking the region, with Lebanon at the “heart of the discussions” the French presidency said in an earlier statement Macron is hoping for Saudi support for the Lebanese army which is being deployed towards the border with Israel under the ceasefire but is poorly armed and trained
He will also try to win Saudi help to reverse the political disintegration that has plunged Lebanon s government and economy into catastrophe Paris and Riyadh are also calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict and a “political outcome” based on the two-state solution of separate Israeli and Palestinian states Saudi Arabia home to the holiest sites in Islam has paused discussions with Washington on potentially recognising Israel in return for deeper security and bilateral ties with the United States
Macron touched down in Riyadh in the afternoon where he was greeted by an honour guard of sword-hold-
In 2021, Macron became one of the first Western leaders to meet Prince Mohammed in Saudi Arabia after the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Riyadh s consulate in Istanbul
AGENCIES
In September, the crown prince hardened his position insisting that Saudi Arabia would not establish ties with Israel before the creation of a Palestinian state Macron is accompanied by about 50 senior officials from major French companies including TotalEnergies EDF and Veolia, as well as start-ups in artificial intelligence and quantum physics France and Saudi Arabia aim to “significantly strengthen” their economic ties to “the height of our shared ambition the presidency said
CORPORATE CORNER
e s k Recent internet disruptions following anti-government protests in Islamabad have severely impacted banking services across the country,
Faysal Funds shines bright at 9th IFFSA Awards, clinching two prestigious honors
in the fintech space dedicated to simplifying and enriching the investment experience through innovation We are incredibly proud to receive these awards which recognize the hard work and passion of our entire team, said Nadir Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, at Faysal Funds “These achievements strengthen our belief in our vision to revolutionize the Shariah-compliant financial landscape ensuring that our clients are not just part of the conversation but leaders in their investment journeys As we celebrate this momentous occasion, Faysal Funds remains unwavering in its mission to provide exceptional asset management services and innovative fintech solutions We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients partners and stakeholders for their trust and support which have been instrumental in this achievement
Salik hosts Chinese delegation to foster collaborative healthcare, skill development initiatives
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development convened a meeting with a Chinese delegation to explore collaborative opportunities in the realms of healthcare and skill development Chinese delegation lead by Ms Scarlet, head, OPH, Healthcare project presented a comprehensive proposal by GAREA Group a renowned provider of integrated solutions for digital products and services in primary healthcare
The proposed project endeavors to provide affordable healthcare services to remote areas through the strategic deployment of AI-based cloud computing, thereby reducing costs and enhancing access to accurate diagnoses A notable feature of the project is the introduction of a portable diagnostic machine capable of diagnosing 7-8 types of diseases which will significantly reduce transportation costs and increase accessibility Furthermore the project s digital platform will enable seamless communication between patients, doctors, and medical stores
Reports will be directly shared with doctors on the panel, and prescriptions will be shared with medical stores, facilitating the direct delivery of medication to patients This initiative has already yielded promising results in Indonesia where it has augmented doctors earnings by increasing the daily patient check-up ratio from 8 to 37 The Minister expressed unequivocal support for the
In a significant recognition of his contributions to the fields of Agricultural science Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) has been awarded the Presidential Award by the South Korean government The prestigious ceremony took place in Seoul, where Korean Prime Minister, H E Han Duck-soo presented the award to Dr Ali, underscoring the importance of his
to receive this accolade in a highly competitive international context A reception was also held by PARC to celeberate the prestigious award at NARC Islamabad Agricultural scientists from across the country participated in the ceremony The speakers from scientific community congratulated and commended Dr Ali for achieving this honor on behalf of the institution and the nation as a whole In his address, Chairman PARC expressed gratitude to the government of the Republic of Korea for this recognition as well as for its continuous support of Pakistan’s agriculture sector He also acknowledged the contributions of the scientists and researchers of PARC in achieving this honor Dr Ali also emphasized at elevating research standards to bring the council at par with the international research institutions Throughout his career, Dr Ali has achieved significant milestones in agricultural science In his recent work Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali established state-of-the art National Institute for Genomics and
initiatives underscoring the government s unwavering commitment to equipping individuals with advanced skills to meet the evolving demands of the global labor market The delegation also introduced the three levels
focus on skill development as a vital catalyst for economic growth The meeting culminated in a consensus to formalize the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between OPH and the Ministry of Health
This MoU will serve as a foundational framework for coordinated efforts aligning both
T wo-day Intl Conference on prioritizing economic agenda in Pakistan's
PM ANNOUNCES PL ANS TO ESTABLISH WORLD-CL ASS ANTI-RIOT FORCE, FORENSIC L AB
Armed forces fully capable of safeguarding territorial integrity: COAS
Chief
were fractured due to the merciless violence of PTI workers’ mob The SP was beaten so mercilessly with nailed sticks that his skull and brain were damaged and his eye was swollen she said The CM said I have never seen such a display of brutality cruelty and violence in my life A policeman was shot at close range which went through his body She lamented that the constable martyred by the violence of PTI workers has little children A special force of 10,000 trained security personnel will be established in Punjab to combat riots Attacks on Dera Ghazi Khan and Mianwali check posts have increased She directed to improve the security arrangements The provincial cabinet approved amendments to laws to declare kite flying a non-bailable offense, besides the approval of Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority Rules 2024 It also gave approval of the formal establishment of Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority besides granting powers of hearing officers to assistant commissioners under PERA
PTI Secretar y General demands for judicial inquir y into November 24 incident
ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t Salman Akram Raja the Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly rejected claims that Imran Khan was poisoned or sprayed with any harmful substance Speaking to a private TV channel, Raja dismissed these rumors as wrong and fabricated, asserting that there was no truth to the claims of such an attack on the former prime minister Raja also discussed his recent meeting with Imran Khan in prison where he found the PTI leader in good health and exercising However Khan expressed deep sadness over the tragic incident involving the PTI protests on November 24 Raja revealed that the PTI has confirmed the deaths of 12 individuals, with the expectation that the number could rise, as further victims are identified The Secretary General further raised concerns about the hundreds of people still missing after the protests
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which aimed to refine professional skills and battlefield procedures essential for addressing emerging operational challenges During the exercise integrated fire and maneuver operations were conducted by various elements including Armour Infantry Mechanized Infantry Artillery Air Defence, Army Aviation and AntiTank Guided Missile units
of electronic warfare capabilities and information operations designed to disrupt enemy communications and counter disinformation strategies in a modern battlefield environment
The exercise also demonstrated the effective employment
The Army Chief commended the training standards, operational readiness and high state of morale
Imran silences critics over Bushra Bibi’s role in Nov 24 rally
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t
Former prime minister and PTI
founder Imran Khan on Tuesday clarified that his wife former first lady Bushra Bibi led last week s Islamabad protest under his instructions addressing internal party criticism over the protest s outcome and urging unity among party leaders
A day of pitched battles between security forces and PTI protesters across the federal capital ended in a hasty retreat of the party s top leadership and supporters from the Red Zone in the early hours of Nov 27 Claims and counter-claims over deaths purportedly caused by law-enforcement action against the PTI marchers remain a major bone of contention between the government and the opposition party as the PTI claims 12 lives were lost on night of November 26 Around 950 party workers were arrested in the ensuing crackdown while multiple cases were filed
The PTI has since been engaged in introspection over the failure of last week s protests with particular scrutiny on the role of Bushra Bibi in leading it and her
differences with other party leaders about the protest venue
A post on Imran s X account issued the content of his talk with journalists today, during which he addressed the matter and categorically said: “I had instructed Bushra Bibi on how to take the protest to Islamabad Whatever she did she did as per my instructions
Calling for unity in the party ranks, Imran said that leaders and workers needed to unite and organise themselves and prepare for the next phase of their struggle for true freedom against the mafia that has imposed itself on the country Imran said he was informed today about the events that transpired last week and termed them as the “darkest chapter in the history of Pakistan”
“I have demanded from the Supreme Court to form an impartial judicial commission to investigate the massacre of innocent and peaceful citizens and to give severe punishment to those who ordered the massacre and those involved in it ” he was quoted as saying Imran said the PTI would not stay quiet on the matter and would continue to raise its voice on the issue He said he was still consult-
ing others on the issue and gathering more details adding that he instructed the party leadership to file cases against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and those responsible “The data of hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi regarding the martyrs and injured should be made public as soon as possible and CCTV footage of all hospitals and Safe City should be preserved so that evidence cannot be lost like on May 9
“I have instructed my party and the KP CM to take responsibility for the care and welfare of the families of the martyrs and the injured Spend all energy for the recovery of those who are missing and encourage the teams of lawyers who are pursuing the cases of those who are arrested ” he was quoted as saying Meanwhile the Ranwalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) earlier today sought details from the administration of the Adiala Jail, enquiring about it denying Imran’s sisters not being allowed to meet him
A petition was filed in court by his sisters Aleema Khan Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan The superintendent of Adiala Jail was made a respondent in the petition
