PIn a strongly-worded response on Wednesday the Pakistani military said: Insinuating Pakistan as the epicentre of terrorism by the Indian Army chief is not only contrary to facts but also an exercise in futility to beat the dead horse of India’s default position blaming Pakistan for indigenous reaction to state-sponsored brutality It is a classic case of extreme duplicity
The Inter-Services Public Relations s (ISPR) statement comes in response to Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi’s remarks during a press conference on Monday, ahead of India’s Army Day Gen Dwivedi claimed that in 2024 “60 percent of the terrorists eliminated in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) were allegedly of Pakistani origin
Gen Dwivedi further alleged that 80pc of the remaining fighters in IoK were of Pakistani origin”, according to the Press Trust of India
conjure up a non-existent terror infrastructure in Pakistan it would be wise not to indulge in self-delusion, and appreciate the ground reality
Referring to Indian spy agent Kulbhushan Jadhav’s 2016 arrest, who confessed to fomenting terrorism in Balochistan and Karachi the military said: The sobering fact that a senior serving Indian military officer is in Pakistan s custody, caught redhanded while orchestrating acts of terror against innocent civilians inside Pakistan, seems to have been conveniently ignored by the general Pakistan takes strong exception to such baseless and unfounded statements
event in Akhnoor Singh had said IoK was incomplete without AJK calling it the crown jewel of India
The minister made these remarks in response to AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq who said last week that his government would “redirect all available resources towards ousting Indian forces from occupied Kashmir
The FO stressed that IoK remained an internationally recognised disputed territory, whose
“The general officer, in his earlier stint in llOJK personally oversaw the most brutal repression of Kashmiris Such politicallymotivated and fallacious statements reflect the extreme politicisation of the Indian Army, the statement continued
The statement further mentioned that the world was witness to India’s “hate-speech
The ISPR statement stated that the remarks were being made in an attempt to deflect the world s attention from India s brutality in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) repression of minorities internally and India s trans-national repression
conclave that provoke genocide against Muslims adding that the international community was not oblivious to India s transnational assassinations and Indian Security Forces’ oppressive use of force against innocent civilians and gross human rights violations against unarmed Kashmiris”
Such oppression has only served to strengthen the resolve of Kashmiris for their right of self-determination, enshrined in the UN Security Council Resolutions, it said
The ISPR said that “instead of trying to
The statement concluded by saying that Pakistan empathised with the victims of the Indian Army’s brutality” “It is hoped that civility, professionalism and norms of state-to-state behaviour would guide the conduct of Indian Army s leadership rather than pandering to political exigencies BASELESS ACCUSATIONS, UNFOUNDED ASSERTIONS: FO
Separately, the Foreign Office (FO) also issued a statement today saying that Pakistan strongly rejected the remarks issued by India s defence minister and chief of army staff on Monday and Tuesday respectively Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday that India must dismantle Pakistan’s terror infrastructure” in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) The Hindustan Times reported Addressing an Army Day
g WE ARE FIGHTING OUR CASES IN COURTS AND WILL EMERGE VICTORIOUS BARRISTER ALI ZAFAR TELLS SENATE
ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday dispelled the impression that the party was seeking any Non-Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) through talks with the government declaring the party s founder will fight all fabricated cases in courts and emerge victorious I want to categorically state that the PTI is not seeking any NRO through the ongoing negotiations with the government and as far as the cases against PTI founder Imran Khan are concerned everyone know these cases are ‘open and shut and politically motivated opposition leader in Senate Barrister Ali Zafar said on the floor of the upper house of the parliament Both the government and the PTI have been engaged in dialogue and two sessions – one on December 27, 2024, and the other on January 2, 2025 have taken place while the third round is scheduled for Thursday (tomorrow) as summoned by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at 11:30am in the Parliament House
The PTI, which has demanded the release of political prisoners and the formation of a judicial commission for probing the May 9 riots and the November 26 protests has set the January 31 deadline for the ongoing negotiations to reach a logical conclusion
While the government expressed dismay at the PTI s failure to submit its demands in writing for several days, party Chairman Barrister Gohar
Khan has confirmed that demands will be penned down and hoped for a positive result soon Speaking during Senate session Barrister
Zafar mentioned: We are fighting our cases We
will keep fighting them in courts and emerge victorious As far as talks are concerned they have no relation to this Imran Khan sahib has not demanded this Zafar further mentioned that the Hyde Park property in London belonged to Hassan Nawaz, the son of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif
He questioned the source of funds for purchasing such an expensive property asking: Where did Hassan Nawaz get the money to buy this property?
The PTI senator pointed out that the property was acquired during Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz’s tenure as prime minister
He alleged that the PTI founder ’s case revolves around £190 million claimed to be proceeds of crime However he emphasised that proving the money as illegitimate requires a court ruling To date, no evidence has been presented to establish that these were proceeds of crime,” he said Zafar further said: “If this is not proven to be criminal money then the case ends ”
He highlighted that the UK government had decided the money was not linked to criminal activity leading to the funds being unfrozen
He criticised the selective approach in the case, saying: “If there was a crime, the entire cabinet, which made the decision, should have been held accountable
Instead only the founder of PTI and his wife were targeted Zafar also clarified that trustees of charitable organisations have no personal claim to the assets of those entities
The much-awaited verdict in the £190 million reference is set to be announced on January 17, after being delayed three times
the US’s commitment to preventing groups like the banned militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from using Afghanistan as a base for launching terrorist attacks against neighbouring countries The next month, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller asserted that the US would continue to stand “shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism” According to the interior ministry 351 civilians and 573 law enforcement agencies (LEAs) personnel lost their lives in 1,566 terrorism incidents in the first 10 months of 2024 This acknowledgement reflects a broader
spokesperson Vedant Patel had reaffirmed
g WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL KIRBY EMPHA SIZES LONG HISTORY OF COOPERATION BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES
Govt mulls shif ting elec tricity tariff rebasing to Januar y instead of July
and
NEPRA has expressed concerns about implementing the proposed timeline by January 2025 citing the ninemonth regulatory process required to approve documents under existing guidelines The
actor regulator noted that tariff rebasing for July 2025 has already commenced, making a January 2025 shift impractical
amendments
The Power Division has proposed that NEPRA amend the guidelines under the National Electricity Plan Strategic Directive 8 to facilitate the change It also suggested an interim one-year transition period, making January 2026 the new effective date for tariff rebasing
NEPRA pointed out that the accounting period for distribution companies (DISCOs) runs from July to June and aligns with current tariff adjustments and true-ups based on audited accounts A shift to January rebasing would require synchronising accounting and regulatory timelines including updates to Multi-Year Tariff (MYT) agreements set to expire in June 2025 for seven DISCOs The Power Division, in its response to NEPRA clarified that the proposed change focuses solely on tariff rebasing timelines with no intention to alter DISCOs existing accounting periods It also recommended allowing interim tariffs to ensure operational continuity while adjustments are finalized under prior year adjustments (PYA)
the world s premier trade fair for home textiles, with over 275 exhibitors showcasing a diverse range of products The event which began on January 14 in Frankfurt Germany features 2 800 exhibitors from 130 countries with Pakistan standing out as the fourth-largest exhibiting nation
Pakistan’s Consul General in Frankfurt He highlighted the Thread Connect initiative which will host business meetings between Pakistani exporters and global buyers on January 15 to enhance trade relationships Omar Salahuddin Messe Frankfurt s representative in Pakistan expressed optimism about the scale of participation With larger stalls and strategic locations for exhibitors, we anticipate significant export growth, he remarked
Sustainability remains a focus with
regulations set to take effect between 2025 and 2030 Approximately 30% of Pakistan’s textile sector currently complies with international sustainability standards a figure that needs to double by 2030 to maintain competitiveness Pakistan s record-breaking presence at Heimtextil 2025 marks a critical step in solidifying its
ELECTRICIT Y TARIFF FOR EV CHARGING STATIONS SL ASHED TO
Pakistan’s inflation drops to 3% amid economic reforms: Finance Minister
Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb has announced that inflation in Pakistan has decreased to 3% this month attributing the decline to ongoing economic reforms In an interview with Nikkei Asia the finance minister highlighted the importance of these reforms, noting that inflation was as high as 38% in May of 2023
He expressed confidence in continuing with reforms in line with International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions emphasising that the 25th IMF program would be the final one Aurangzeb stated that Pakistan is focusing on stabilising its export growth model, attracting foreign investment and re-engaging with global financial markets
The finance minister also anticipates the
They may not mean the economy has recovered, but the process is on
H
TW h a t T r u m p 2 m e a n s f o r t h e R o h i n g y a c r i s i s ?
Dr MohaMMaD asaDuzzaMan
THE world saw a terrible genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar in Asia in 2017 the year Donald Trump assumed office for the first time The brutal attacks on the Rohingya Muslim minority by the Myanmar military in August 2017 were later described by the head of the UN agency for human rights as acts of horrific barbarity a textbook example of ethnic cleansing and possibly acts of genocide Due to the persecution around a million Rohingya were compelled to escape to Bangladesh, a neighbouring nation As we enter the ninth year of that expulsion, the situation continues to deteriorate as a result of the year-long battles between Myanmar ’s military and the anti-regime Arakan Army 40 000 Rohingya have lately fled to Bangladesh putting the remaining half a million (in Rakhine) at risk of extinction as the Arakan Army now controls much of Rakhine and fighting has escalated When Trump entered office in 2017, former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made a high-level trip to Myanmar with the goal of resolving the Rohingya issue On his return he called the situation in northern Rakhine state ethnic cleansing and held a cabinet joint press conference, expressing his great worry over reliable accusations of extensive atrocities by Myanmar ’s security forces Vice President Mike Pence also put pressure on Myanmar ’s State Counselor Aung Sung Suu Kyi regarding the Rohingya issue during the annual ASEAN Summit in Singapore saying he was anxious to hear about progress in resolving the crisis, which stems from a violent military crackdown in Myanmar ’s Rakhine state that the United Nations has called ethnic cleansing ” Since the USA viewed the crisis as going against its core principles the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA) outlined the country s serious concerns about troubling human rights developments in Myanmar The USA s subsequent actions included targeted sanctions
I n t r a - E l i t e c o n f l i c t
The 26th Amendment revisited
against the top military generals who were responsible for extrajudicial killings of Rohingya Muslims, barring them from entry to the United States ” They also voiced their concerns about the Myanmar NLD government’s failure to take appropriate action to hold those responsible for human rights violations accountable Myanmar denounced the sanctions against the generals when the USA and the West were highly dubious of how the NLD administration handled the situation Then-government spokesperson U Zaw Htay maintained that the sanctions would not help to resolve the issue in Rakhine but would instead make it worse
As the Gambia accused Myanmar of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention by conducting military clearance operations in Northern Rakhine the State Counselor herself led a legal team to defend the case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) She said that Myanmar’s delegation “defended the country ‘to the best of their ability’ against genocide charges at the ICJ ” Thus the Rohingya issue caused fundamental differences between the USA and Myanmar Donald Trump returns to the White House following a stunning victory in this year s presidential election When the new administration takes office on January 20, everyone will be watching how it handles both domestic and international issues The Trump Administration has enormous obstacles to overcome on the international scene along with its domestic economic concerns The USA must act as a leader in resolving global problems like the war in Russia and Ukraine, the continued conflict in Gaza, the nuclear dangers posed by North Korea and Iran, the growing strategic tensions with China, and the unresolved Rohingya and Myanmar issues Over time things altered significantly in Myanmar The military has lost control of 60 percent of the nation s territory
for complete independence and clarity in decisions moving forward
IN 1776 the Constitution of the United States of America was adopted and subsequently a series of amendments were created culminating in a total of 27 amendments to the American Constitution Whereas in contrast, after the inception of Pakistan, 1947, the Constitution of Pakistan of 1973 has undergone a total of 26 amendments The Prime Minister of Pakistan expressed congratulations to the entire nation for reaching this significant milestone While some celebrate this achievement others find themselves in complete despair, a sentiment I do not share, and I will elaborate on this later You might recall that a couple of months ago the Parliament experienced a significant upheaval; a bill was introduced to table the 26th Constitutional amendment and discussions turned into numerical representations To meet these objectives, the government engaged in extensive lobbying A glimmer of hope was presented to the government, suggesting that even if the JUI does not assist it, it could form a splinter group from Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf and garner votes from there The narrative was straightforward However the JUI has been inconsistent oscillating between alliances with the PML(N), the PPP, and the PTI at different times But now, the newly established framework of the Apex Court has been documented; however it has led to heightened confusion across all corners The proposed amendment poses a significant threat to both Baba Rehmatah and the existing balance of power, undermining the principle of separation of powers that
The judiciary has historically held a dominant role in the process of appointing judges in Pakistan However this essential equilibrium has been significantly altered by the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which now provides the executive with a majority in the Judicial Commission of Pakistan This remarkable change in the JCP’s composition presents serious dangers such as the possibility of political appointments and the appointment of judges who may not be ideologically committed to upholding the rule of law Appointments made without a clearly established and transparent set of guidelines will diminish public trust in the judiciary jeopardize its independence and weaken its capacity to serve as an impartial arbiter of justice The process of selecting and appointing judges should be systematic and well-founded, ensuring that it is not susceptible to capricious or politically driven choices
At the end of every article I always mention that if you are using these two camps as a mindless part to abuse each other you are wasting your time There is no difference between being a reformer and not being one
This is our verdict at the end You may agree with this or not But ultimately our verdict is that if someone is saying that this constitutional amendment will put a strain on the freedom of the court and if someone is not performing then snatching their freedom is not the answer then I don t agree with you Power must be maintained wherever it exists If the constitutional court holds power, we deserve to know If the Supreme Court wields power that should be made clear If the High Court possesses power it should be communicated If politicians are in positions of power transparency is essential Whatever it is it is an intra-elite fight, let them destroy each other with fake political discussions that is just an intra-elite conflict, don’t become the fuel of the fight when it is of the elites
The writer is a lawyer based in Lahore
Power must be maintained wherever it exists If the constitutional court holds power, we deserve to know If the Supreme Court wields power, that should be made clear If the High Court possesses power, it should be communicated If politicians are in positions of power, transparency is essential Whatever it is, it is an intra-elite fight, let them destroy each other with fake political discussions that is just an intra-elite conflict, donÊt become the fuel of the fight when it is of the elites
Unjust charges
who are
of
a
Besides, the change of
number plates in
a short time is a practically impossible task, considering the track record of the department which issued thousands of number plates from ‘BHA’ to ‘BHR’ and other registration series with a delay of three to five years The relevant department needs to give a realistic deadline of at least 12 months for the change of vehicle number plates Furthermore the cost of the new number plates should be borne by the government and should be adjusted against the rather hefty motor vehicle tax that all the motorists continue to pay every year AAMIR MALIK KARACHI
Diplomatic tightrope
W I T H Donald Trump just days away from leading the United States again it is important for Pakistan to assess his foreign policy priorities The US foreign policy vis-à-vis China will impact Pakistan the most Trump’s selection of Marco Rubio, known for his hawkish stance on China as his foreign secretary signals his approach to the matter Trump will ramp up competition with China During his first term, he had imposed tariffs on more than $250 billion worth of Chinese imports During his campaign he vowed to impose a 60 per cent tariff on Chinese imports and a blanket 10pc tariff on all imports coming to the US
The US has long viewed Pakistan as a strategic partner of China Adversarial US-China relationship will put Pakistan in a difficult position Trump s monetary policies will likely lead to a spike in interest rates, which will strengthen the US currency, and make life difficult for Pakistani exporters The impact on Pakistani economy will be negative The US-Iran
political uncertainty, economic instability and resurrecting terrorism, has to assess its diplomatic weaknesses and strengths to remain relevant for both the US and China Pakistan will have to transition from security-oriented bilateral ties to broader and sustainable economic and political relationships to reap maximum benefits from both the global powers while being relevant in the geopolitical arena
sarMaD sattar
Beyond the Classroom—Peeking into the EdTech Maze
comprehension in rural areas of the country
ED U C AT I O N in Pakistan’s remote regions faces immense difficulties from lacking foundation to restricted access to quality teaching resources
Regardless of these hurdles, the integration of education technology, also known as EdTech, offers a phenomenal chance to address these incongruities EdTech covers digital tools and technologies designed to upgrade teaching and learning experiences particularly in underserved areas By bridging the gap between urban and rural education, EdTech can surely revolutionize the learning landscape and guarantee equitable access to education across Pakistan In distant areas where traditional educational infrastructure might be missing EdTech can act as an impetus for accessibility, personalised learning, and teacher support EdTech can provide students with an access to an abundance of data and learning resources past the limits of their actual homerooms Personalised learning will allow the students to advance at their own pace catering to individual strengths and tending toward specific challenges Most importantly, EdTech will equip educators with resources and prepare them to convey effective instruction, even in disengaged settings
Several developing countries have successfully used EdTech to defeat educational barriers in remote areas In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sierra Leone launched Education Radio, broadcasting lessons to students nationwide The duration of the broadcast lessons was one-hour over the radio of which 30 minutes were dedicated to teaching while the other half was for students to call in a toll-free line to engage with the teacher In addition to this print materials were distributed, and supplemented lessons were made available through mobile phones and televisions Moreover Nepal utilized IVR (Interactive Voice Response) Systems to deliver content via mobile phones to students in rural areas This low-tech solution proved effective in reaching learners with limited access to traditional educational resources USAID s backed project, the “Esho Shikhi,” introduced in Bangladesh, a five-year project, of-
fers digital lessons through mobile applications allowing students in the remote areas to access quality education Pakistan faces huge educational challenges, especially in remote areas The World Bank estimates that in low- and middle-income countries 57 percent of children are unable to read and understand a basic text by age 10 Limited access to digital infrastructure including internet availability and gadgets, hampers the implementation of EdTech solutions Moreover, remote areas rarely have any qualified staff, which impedes the quality of education delivered Thus what Pakistan really needs to do is leverage EdTech and for that it can consider the following strategies
Investing in affordable and reliable internet access is essential Public-private partnerships can play a significant part in expanding connectivity to underserved areas For example in Kenya the partnership between the government and tech companies like Microsoft and Safaricom has expanded internet access to schools in remote regions, which has allowed thousands of students to access online learning platforms Additionally, reasonably affordable devices must be provided, such as smartphones or tablets to ensure that students can access digital learning materials Adding to this it is necessary that content must be created in local languages to elevate relatability and effectiveness The Esho Shikhi Platform in Bangladesh gives digital lessons tailored to local languages and cultural contexts majorly improving student engagement and
Also it must be kept in mind that the digital content must align with the national educational standards, maintaining consistency in learning outcomes Furthermore, the government must offer training programmrs to help teachers integrate EdTech into their teaching methodologies India s Diksha platform provides teachers with training modules digital teaching tools and access to a repository of high-quality content, enabling them to effectively incorporate technology into their classrooms In addition to this, support networks for teachers must be established where they can share best practices and resources amongst one another Rwanda s Teacher Community of Practice (TCoP) initiative nurtures collaboration among teachers through regular workshops and online forums, helping them share effective strategies for integrating technology into classrooms Also using mainstream media for telecasting educational materials could reach those who are offline Pakistan s very own Teleschool during the COVID-19 pandemic is a very good example of this Every single household in our country has a mobile phone thus we must use it to the nation’s advantage by utilizing these cell phones to deliver lessons and educational materials Nigeria s Learn at Home utilized mobile SMS and WhatsApp to deliver lessons to students in remote and conflictaffected areas Pakistan could carve out a similar pathway and significantly reduce the number of children who are unable to have access to quality education With regards to the country s National Policy Framework 2024 it is deeply flawed regarding the integration of
EdTech especially in the remote areas
One of the most significant issues is the lack of a clear detailed plan for infrastructure development Although the policy acknowledges the importance of digital education, it fails to provide concrete strategies for expanding reliable internet access particularly in remote and underserved areas Without a stable internet connection EdTech tools and platforms are ineffective leaving rural students disconnected from the benefits of digital learning Furthermore, the policy does not address the affordability of necessary devices like laptops tablets or smartphones which remain out of reach for many families in these areas Without addressing these basic barriers EdTech initiatives risk excluding the very populations they aim to serve The other aspect is limited attention to the preparation of teachers in digital literacy The policy does mention teacher professional development but does not set out specific measures of how teachers particularly in remote areas of the country will have the skills needed to leverage EdTech tools to enhance teaching and learning Moreover, the policy does not provide necessary incentives for teachers to continue their digital education journey especially in areas where educational resources and support systems are scarce The policy fails to take into consideration the cultural and linguistic diversity of the rural areas Current EdTech material frequently lacks localisation in
The challenges PakistanÊs education sector faces, par ticularly in rural areas, shed light on the urgent need for an instant remedy. By thoughtfully harnessing EdTech, Pakistan can transform its educational terrain, making sure that every child, regardless of location, has the oppor tunity to grow, learn, and fulfil their dreams The experiences of developing countries offer valuable lessons, but a chiselled approach that considers PakistanÊs distinct context is mandatory With united effor t and collaboration, the dream of EdTech can become a reality, illuminating a path towards a more equitable and educated future
W h a t ’ s s t o p p i n g M o d i f r o m v i s i t i n g A j m e r S h a r i f , o f f e r i n g ‘ c h a a d a r ’ h i m s e l f ?
h e h i m s e l f s p r e a d t h e c h a a d a r ? W h y d o n’ t h e a n d h i s g o v e r n m e n t s p e a k t h e i r m i n d s o n t h e c l a i m s o f f i n d i n g a t e m p l e u n d e r e v e r y m o s q u e ? W h y c a n’ t t h e
Moinuddin Chishti was observed at Ajmer Sharif For the past few years a ceremonial chaadar (sheet of cloth) is spread on the tomb of the saint on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi For observing Urs people of the entire sub-continent assemble at Ajmer Sharif cutting across religious lines
This year 125 Pakistani pilgrims are said to have visited the place The dargah (shrine) generally draws a huge crowd throughout the year The decision by Modi to offer a chaadar in Ajmer Sharif has acquired an added dimension this year because of the new claims being made by Hindutva forces
To achieve their long-standing demand the saffron camp has now reached the doors of the judiciary Vishnu Gupta the national president of Hindu Sena has raised a claim that there was a temple beneath the dargah
A section of the Hindutva forces has, therefore, vehemently opposed this gesture of the Prime Minister They feel it wasn’t proper of Modi to have sent ‘chaadar ’ for the dargah before the ‘dispute’ on whether it was a shrine or temple had been settled
On Friday January 3 Union Minister of Minority Welfare Kiren Rijiju and National President of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party s Minority Morcha, Jamal Siddique, spread the chaadar sent by Modi at the mazaar (tomb) and read out his message The Prime Minister said ‘Down the ages our pirs fakirs and spiritual heads have enlightened our lives through their philanthropist values Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti has left through his works indisputably the best examples of service pity and humanity Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, better known as Garib Nawaz’ or the ‘friend of the distressed’ has been described by many historians as an avowed preacher of equality for the human race irrespective of creed or faith Everyone irrespective of caste creed or gender has a right of access to his tomb This dargah
and Mathura were still left The realisation of that slogan has already started After Hindutva forces started knocking the doors of the courts on the disputes over the Gyanvapi mosque at Varanasi or Shahi Idgah mosque at Mathura they have gradually made their list longer They are claiming that the mosques were built after demolishing Hindu temples
The Muslim society does not outrightly reject the historic reality regarding building of some mosques over demolished temples Their opposition is over the programmes of avenging the misdemeanours of some Sultans or Nawabs committed hundreds of years ago A riot over a similar claim regarding the Jama Masjid at Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh has already cost four lives
The Supreme Court’s ruling settling the 500-yearold dispute over the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid has emboldened the saffron brigade to rush to the courts for a favourable verdict regarding their claims Unlike in the case of the Ayodhya dispute now they don t want to embarrass the government by placing their demands before the administration Interestingly, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat spoke up only after the search for temples one after another beneath the mosques had started Two years before when the dispute over Gyanvapi mosque peaked Bhagwat denied any link of Sangh Parivar with the Gyanvapi claim But that didn t quite bring an end to such searches
The heightened speed with which Hindutva forces are moving on several mosques in Uttar Pradesh has raised apprehensions that if favourable court verdicts are not received it’s not impossible that the situation might turn the Babri way The Ayodhya ruling also raised hopes in the Hindutva forces that they can bank on the judiciary
Bhagwat said some people were trying to project themselves as leaders of the Hindus It s not exactly clear who the Sangh chief has hinted at Just a year earlier on January 22 2023 during the inauguration of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya it was observed how Ram Janmabhoomi was being turned into Modi Nagar and Yogi Pith Many devotees of Lord Rama who were on a pilgrimage to the newly built temple openly expressed their displeasure that a religious festival was converted into an exhibition of political muscle
Yogi Adityanath, the UP Chief Minister, has contradicted Bhagwat and has counterposed his views by giving out the message of keeping alive the temple-mosque disputes in the name of recapturing tradition and revisiting history Many sadhus and saints have voiced their support to Yogi Many observers feel that a schism has developed in the saffron camp comprising BJP, RSS and their likes, with Bhagwat trying to distance himself from the hard Hindu chauvinistic line
This however doesn’t seem likely It needs to be kept in mind that RSS is set to observe its centenary in the current year This therefore seems like a well-orchestrated RSS strategy of utilising the opportunity of the centenary year to try and establish links with nonHindus, including Muslims As a part of that strategy, Bhagwat, in the recent past, has stressed more than once that Indian Muslims and Hindus “are like brothers and sisters; their DNA is one and the same
This message of Bhagwat might appear to be for amity among religious communities but in reality it is actually part of the narrative of cultural nationalism propagated by the RSS of which Hindutva is the main fulcrum In reality Bhagwat wants to project the Sangh in its centenary year, as the sole controlling or regulatory organisation in the country s religious sphere
Even if one agrees, for argument’s sake, that Modi’s decision to send a chaadar to Ajmer Sharif was a move to strengthen communal harmony one would like to know what comes in the way of Modi to visit the dargah?
Why doesn t he himself spread the chaadar? Why don t he and his government speak their minds on the claims of finding a temple under every mosque? Why can t the government clarify and declare that it would implement the Places of Worship Act 1991 in letter and spirit?
The people of this country did not elect Bhagwat
The safety of the minorities and their places of worship as well as the freedom of religion can t be secured on his words and whims; these merit an unambiguous and unwavering stand from the government Getting back to the issue of Khwaja Moinuddin
Chisti’s dargah It’s difficult to say who among the Hindutvadis leave alone Modi has ever visited this shrine
Atal Bihari Vajpayee being an exception
It s strange that the present Prime Minister visited many mosques in Arab countries while being on a state visit to those places, but there is no such precedent inside the country He paid a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during his visit to the United Arab Emirates in 2015 But he didn’t go to the century-old Cheraman Juma Mosque in Kerala despite making a promise He however presented a model of the same masjid to the King of Saudi Arabia on his visit there next year In 2018 Modi went to the Istiqlal Mosque at Jakarta in Indonesia The same year, he visited Chulia Mosque in Singapore and Sultan Qaboos Mosque, in Oman In 2023, he
WEAKENING RUPEE
PIsraeli officials issued conflicting statements regarding the progress of the talks Earlier in the
an Israeli official suggested that Hamas had accepted the ceasefire terms presented by Qatari mediators However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s office later denied this, stating that Hamas had not yet submitted a formal response to the proposal The proposed agreement reportedly includes a phased ceasefire lasting six weeks the withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza, and
the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes in the northern parts of the enclave In exchange Hamas is expected to release around 100 hostages, including 33 Israeli citizens, taken during its October 7 attack Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails would also be freed under the deal The negotiations have gained momentum in recent days with officials on all sides expressing optimism that a resolution may be near I am hopeful that the deal will be finalized by tonight or tomorrow at the latest,” said a Palestinian negotiator involved in the discussions Meanwhile hostilities continue to escalate on the ground Over the past 24 hours, Israeli airstrikes targeted dozens of locations across Gaza, killing at least 13 Palestinians, including seven civilians sheltering in a school Local medical officials reported further casualties in airstrikes on homes in Deir Al-Balah Bureij refugee camp and Rafah The ongoing violence has height-
ened the urgency of reaching an agreement with millions of Palestinians living in dire conditions amid relentless bombardment Displaced residents have expressed hope that the ceasefire will bring an end to the destruction “We just want peace Even if our homes and schools are destroyed we need the bombing to stop said Amal Saleh a 54-year-old resident of Gaza City who has been displaced since the start of the conflict As mediators push for a resolution, questions remain about Gaza’s gover-
S outh Korean investigators arrest impeached President Yoon in insurrec tion probe
former leaders Since lawmakers voted to stand him down after his short-lived declaration of martial law on December 3 Yoon has been holed up at his hillside residence guarded by a small army of personal security that blocked a previous arrest attempt A defiant Yoon said he submitted himself for questioning to avoid any violence after more than 3 000 police officers marched on his residence to arrest him from the early hours of Wednesday I decided to respond to the CIO s investigation despite it being an illegal investigation to prevent unsavoury bloodshed,” Yoon said in a statement referring to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) that is heading the criminal probe Yoon s motorcade was later seen leaving his residence in an upscale area known as Seoul’s Beverly Hills It arrived at the investigators office but was quickly surrounded by security and moved to the back of the building, where Yoon slipped in, evading the waiting media Authorities now have 48 hours to question Yoon after
which they must seek a warrant to detain him for up to 20 days or release him Yoon’s lawyers have said the arrest warrant is illegal because it was issued by a court in the wrong jurisdiction and the team set up to investigate him had no legal mandate to do so A warrant to search Yoon at his residence, a copy of which was seen by Reuters referred to Yoon as “ringleader of insurrection” Yoon’s declaration of martial law shocked South Koreans rattled Asia s fourth largest economy and ushered in an unprecedented period of political turmoil in one of Washington’s key security partners in the region Lawmakers voted to impeach him and remove him from duties shortly after on Dec 14
Separate to the criminal investigation the Constitutional Court is deliberating whether to uphold his impeachment by parliament and permanently remove him from office or restore his presidential powers The United States remains committed to working with the government in Seoul and appreciates all its efforts and citizens to act in accordance with the Constitution , a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said in statement
CORPORATE CORNER
SIALKOT/LAHORE
S TA F F R E P O R T P
UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday launched Honhaar Scholarship Program for Gujranwala Division by distributing Honhaar Scholarship cheques to ten topper students of the university The students expressed their immense excitement and joy upon her arrival at Government College University (GCWU)
Sialkot The Punjab CM appreciated the students who presented the national anthem song recitation of the Holy Quran Naat-e-Rasool-e-Maqbool (SAWW) and expressed her affection to them
She also had a selfie and a picture with the students who presented Kalame-Iqbal The students enthusiastically applauded when the line “Jawanon Ko Peeron Ka Ustad Kar De” was presented On the occasion a guard of honour was presented to the talented students A
smartly turned out contingent of the Punjab Police presented a general salute Addressing the scholarship distribution ceremony at Government College Women s University Sialkot Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to increase number of Honahar scholarships to 50,000 in next year s budget “30,000 scholarships are being given to children but they are less there should be more Increase meritorious scholarships from 30 000 to 50 000 she emphasized adding that public money is a sacred trust and should be spent on the public welfare She added, Very soon, second and third year students will also get meritorious scholarships ” She highlighted “Going above political affiliation scholarships
the concerned heads In response, the Punjab Government reviewed an increase in the quota seats for ICTdomiciled students
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) commends the Punjab Government for accepting the suggestion to significantly increase the quota of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)-domiciled students in Punjab s public sector medical and dental colleges for the academic year 2024-2025 This progressive step addresses a critical concern for ICT students and reinforces the commitment to fairness and inclusion in medical education The issue of ICT students admissions gained attention after a reduction in allocated seats was announced Many students approached the PM&DC President regarding this issue; therefore the President alerted
However the recently announced admission policy for the 2024-25 session by the Punjab Government, under Clause 11, restricts the quota for ICT-domiciled students to only three seats Recognizing the potential impact of this reduction on students aspirations PM&DC collaborated closely with the Ministry of Health NHSR&C, the Standing Committee on Health and other stakeholders After a thorough review and consultation the Punjab Government increased the quota from three 03 to 30 seats
Speaking on the development
PM&DC President Prof Dr Rizwan Taj stated that the increase in the
quota seats reflects equitable access to education and highlights the importance of prioritizing student welfare By increasing the quota for ICT students we are developing a more inclusive and balanced approach to medical education, which benefits the entire nation The need for this has become evident due to the rapid increase in population observed over the past few years
PM&DC appreciates the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders including the Ministry of Health NHSR&C and the standing committee on health, in bringing this issue to resolution The Council emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to address the inter-provincial admission policies and expressed hope that the decision will improve educational equity
E A S E F I R E A G R E E M E N T R E A C H E D I N G A Z A
C O N F L I C T A F T E R 1 5 M O N T H S O F V I O L E N C E
Rs10 per unit cut in power tariff expected as gov t approves revised deals with 14 IPPs
New arrangements are projected
Four terrorists neutralized in S inwam operation: ISPR
RAWALPINDI
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Four khwarij were killed in fire exchange with the Security forces during an intelligence-based operation conducted in the general area Spinwam of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) North Waziristan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said on Wednesday
The military s media wing said On night 14/15 January 2025 Security Forces conducted an intelligence based operation in general area Spinwam North Waziristan District on reported presence of khwarij
in Tank and Khyber districts of the province
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M i n i s t e r S h e h b a z S h a r i f h a i l e d t h e a g r e e m e n t s a s a “ s i g n i f i c a n t a c h i e v e m e n t t h a t w i l l n o t o n l y r e d u c e t h e n at i o n a l c i r c u l a r d e b t b u t a l s o b r i n g m u c h - n e e d e d r e l i e f t o e l e c t r i c i t y c o n s u m e r s I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e I P P a g r e e m e n t s t h e c a b i n e t a p p r o v e d t h e m e rg e r o f t h e M i n i s t r y o f N a r c o t i c s C o n t r o l w i t h t h e M i n i s t r y o f I n t e r i o r, a i m i n g t o s t r e a ml i n e o p e r a t i o n s a n d c u t a d m i n i s t r a t i v e c o s t s T h e A n t i - N a r c o t i c s D i v i s i o n w i l l n o w f u n c t i o n a s a w i n g w i t h i n t h e I n t e r i o r M i n i s t r y w h i l e t
The ISPR added that during conduct of the operation, security forces effectively engaged khwarij’s location and after an intense exchange of fire and killed four of them It said that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed khwarij who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as target killing of innocent civilians Sanitization operation is being carried out to eliminate any other kharji found in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe-out the menace of terrorism from the country ” the ISPR added A day earlier the security forces killed eight khwarij in two intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday
The military s media wing said that the operations were conducted on the reported presence of terrorists
An intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in Tank District on reported presence of khwarij the ISPR said It added that during the conduct of operation, security forces effectively engaged khwarij location and resultantly six of them were killed In another encounter that took place in general area Tirah valley Khyber District security forces successfully neutralized two khwarij
On January 13 the security forces killed 27 terrorists in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan s Kacchi district, the military s media wing said in a statement on Monday
The ISPR statement said the security forces raided a “terrorists’ location” in Kacchi area of Balochistan province and killed 27 insurgents during an intelligence-driven operation
Omar Ayub decides against consulting PM on new CEC appointment
