Pment of a special economic zone by a Turkish firm Prime Minister Shehbaz welcoming President Erdogan s first visit to Pakistan in five years emphasized that the two nations ties are deeply rooted in centuries of history long before Pakistan s independence He recalled the historical support from the people of the subcontinent during Turkey’s independence movement a bond reciprocated by the Turkish people in times of need such as during natural disasters
The Prime Minister also praised Presi-
dent Erdogan as a respected leader within the Muslim world for his steadfast positions on critical issues including Gaza Palestine and Kashmir He expressed gratitude for Turkiye s continued support for Pakistan s stance on Kashmir and acknowledged Turkish efforts during the aftermath of Pakistan’s 2010 floods Further Prime Minister Shehbaz reaf-
terrorism and called on the Afghan government to play its role in eliminating this shared threat In his remarks, President Erdogan underscored that the HLSCC serves as the highest mechanism to institutionalize the enduring friendship between the two nations He noted that the meeting had resulted in 24 signed MoUs and agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in sectors such as
‘ W ill send to Prime Minster ’ if received letter from anyone: COA S
g Gen Asim Munir reiterates his commitment to countr y ’s development and stability
ISLAMABAD: S ta f f R e p o R t
would not read it Responding to this Sanaullah said the army chief had provided a brief and comprehensive response" to Khan's open letters Speaking to a local TV channel, he characterised the open letters from the former premier as part of a "narrative against" the military He suggested that the PTI founder was using such tactics to push his propaganda According to the PM s aide the letters were issued to the media first, a move he described as aimed at spreading a false narrative The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader also dismissed the idea that these letters were an attempt at backdoor talks asserting that PTI had no intention of apologizing for its anti-military stance or the events of May 9, 2023 Meanwhile, PTI s parliamentary leader, Senator Ali Zafar, defended the open letters, emphasising that it was Imran Khan’s right as a former prime minister to raise concerns He further argued that open letters are a common practice globally and that the purpose of such letters was not necessarily to expect a response Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023 on charges ranging from corruption to terrorism, penned three open letters to the COAS The most recent letter reiterated allegations of election rigging and manipulation with Khan accusing the government of bringing money launderers to power The letter raised concerns about the preferential treatment of minorities over the majority in election processes In his previous letters, Khan pointed out a growing distance between the military and the public urging the army to reassess its policies and adopt suggestions for improving its public image
Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir on Thursday denied ‘receiving any letter from any one ’ stating that ‘even if any such letter was received he would forward it to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Speaking informally to journalists during a luncheon hosted in honour of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Prime Minister ’s House Gen Munir said “I have not received any letter from anyone and even if I do I will not read it and will send it to the Prime Minister
The army chief highlighted that Pakistan is progressing well and reiterated his commitment to the country’s development and stability
The COAS statement comes day after PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry claimed that Imran Khan had sent a third letter to the army chief, raising concerns about alleged electoral fraud that he said favoured a minority over the majority
Talking to journalists outside Adiala Jail on Wednesday Advocate
Chaudhry stated that Imran Khan has shared the contents of the letter with PTI leadership, and the letter will cover six main points He confirmed that the letter would address issues such as the need for deep structural reforms the damage caused to democracy by the government s policies and other critical matters
Chaudhry also revealed that Khan and other party leaders had appeared in the GHQ case and that PTI has decided to appoint Aamir Dogar as a
member of the opposition’s negotiation committee He added that new members would also be included in the political committee with a formal notification set to be issued today
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan had earlier written a second open letter to Army Chief General Asim Munir following up on a previous letter that aimed to address the widening gap between the military and the public The letter was shared on Imran Khan s official Twitter account In it, he expressed disappointment,
stating, I wrote the first open letter to you with the intention of improving the country’s situation, but the response was given with extreme irresponsibility and lack of seriousness
Four th letter from Imran Khan on the cards: Senator Ali Zafar
g PTI s senator says usually such letters are written
E
CABINET APPROVES CIVIL SERVANTS’ ASSET
DECL ARATION L AW UNDER IMF REFORM AGENDA
India’s Modi brings a tariff ‘gif t ’ to Trump talks
partnership, that’s procurement and moving forward on things like defense exercises ” said a senior Trump administration official On energy we have the ability to literally power the Indian economy with U S energy sales, and the president believes both of those things can bring down the
imposed fines exceeding Rs 200 million on the banks the committee questioned the effectiveness of such minor penalties and demanded greater transparency about the SBP s actions Funds from the over-invoicing scheme were transferred to multiple countries including the UAE Singapore
Switzerland,
Chinese-led joint venture secures all
contrac ts for CAREC corridor expansion
Constructors The project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aims to expand the N-55 highway between Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Dera Ismail Khan by converting the existing two-lane road into a four-lane carriageway The initiative is expected to improve regional trade routes and enhance connectivity According to the National Highways Authority (NHA) the financial bids were evaluated after addressing all concerns ensuring a fair and competitive selection process NXCC s bids offered cost advantages over the second-lowest bidders, with savings of Rs1 4 billion for Lot-1, Rs2 4 billion for Lot-2, Rs2 3 billion for Lot-3, and Rs7 1 billion for Lot-4 The NHA stated that the procurement process was completed efficiently in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif s vision for infrastructure development Tranche-III follows ongoing
Punjab Police pay tribute to mar tyrs on 8th anniversar y of Faisal Chowk Mall Road blast
s ta f f r e p o r t
Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar, on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of the police martyrs of the Faisal Chowk Mall Road tragedy, visited the grave of DIG Capt (r) Syed Ahmad Mobeen Shaheed laid a floral wreath and prayed for the elevation of the martyrs ranks The IG Police also visited the residence of DIG Syed Ahmad Mobeen Shaheed, where he met with his mother and other family members The IGP while paying tribute to the great sacrifice of DIG Capt (r) Syed Ahmad Mobeen said that DIG Syed Ahmad Mobeen was an exemplary human being and a professional officer His services for the country, nation, and Punjab Police will always be remembered Dr Anwar said that the immortal sacrifices of the police martyrs who gave their lives in the line of duty to protect the coun-
try and nation, will never be forgotten
Punjab Police salutes the brave martyrs of the Faisal Chowk (Chairing Cross) tragedy Martyrs Day at Chairing Cross is a day of renewal of the pledge to the courageous martyrs of Punjab Police Police officers and officials had laid down their lives in the same location on this day in 2017 DIG Syed Ahmed Mubeen, SSP Zahid Gondal along with 7 other police officers and personnel were martyred Punjab Police spokesperson shared the details that in the Faisal Chowk (Chairing Cross) incident, ASI Muhammad Ameen, Head Constable Asmat Ullah, and Constables Muhammad Aslam, Irfan Mehmood and Nadeem Tanveer also embraced martyrdom IG Punjab said that the sacrifices of the martyred police officers and personnel will always remain fresh in the hearts of the people Punjab Police is the custodian of over 1650 martyrs and stands as an unyielding wall against terrorists and criminals
work on Tranche-I and Tranche-II of the CAREC Corridor Project Under Tranche-I, a 66 37 km section between Petaro and Sehawan, constructed by M/s Xinjiang Beixin Road and Bridge Group is 98 percent complete while a 43 4 km section between Ratodero and Shikarpur built by a joint venture of M/s TIEC and Umer Jan has reached 43 percent completion Tranche-II includes four road segments between Shikarpur and Rajanpur, undertaken by firms such as M/s ZKB and M/s CCECC with progress ranging between 14 percent and 23 percent The NHA expects the timely completion of these projects to strengthen Pakistan s transport infrastructure and boost trade connectivity within the region
IAEA DG’s visit
There was much to discuss beyond weapons
N T E R N AT I O N A L Atomic Energy Agency
Director General Rafel Mariano Grossi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday Though the official release was positive, the elephant of Pakistan s nuclear weapon must have been in the room Pakistan and the IAEA have an uneasy relationship mainly because of those weapons On the one hand Pakistan has been an active member repeatedly serving on its board of directors and with its nuclear scientists serving on its staff On the other it is one of those states whose ratification was necessary for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty to come into effect Pakistan has bot even signed The CTBT represents a nuclear regime in which existing nuclear powers are privileged, while all others are forbidden to have any nuclear weapons The existing nuclear powers are also the victors of World War II, and the CTBT is thus an effort to freeze the postwar world order in place
This ignores the fact that the IAEA supports much non-weapons use of nuclear power, as it is supposed to supervise that It is important for Pakistan that it receives such support, for it has found that its venturing into many of the fields of nuclear technology has required the kind of support the IES provides One of the most interesting fields where cooperation is necessary is small modular reactors which can provide up to 300 MW per unit and which are much cheaper than the six reactors of 3530 MW already installed Their safety is a primary concern at the moment There are also useful applications of nuclear energy in medicine (particularly treatment of certain cancers) and agriculture (in developing new crop strains) where IAEA help is useful
There is an unfortunate tendency to look at nuclear power from the point of view of nuclear weapons This may be understandable, considering the nation s travails, which started ever since India exploded its first device in 1974 The then PM, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto decided, at a meeting of nuclear scientists, to build a device, but it is not often remarked that there was a cadre of nuclear scientists, then all engaged in peaceful pursuits, available for the task Pakistan at that time converted its ploughshares into swords The IAEA is dedicated to converting them back and while that might not be possible so long as India keeps bristling with nuclear weapons whatever cooperation is useful to Pakistan should go ahead
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M
A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Getting bound by the past
TH E PTI rally to mark the first anniversary of the February 8 election was something of a damp squib, and with the 2nd anniversary of the May 9 attacks approaching showed that the party was being reduced to one which had collected commemorations of tragedies for itself It should be noted at this point that the next significant date for the party is 25 April, the anniversary of its founding in 1996 However, that founding seems of less importance than the date of its climactic clash with the military, which led to the party losing such a large part of its workers and leaders It should be noted that the PML(N) and the PPP have given central importance to their founding days
The PML(N) does not pay much attention to its own founding day, which dates back to 1993, but commemorates the 1906 founding in Dhaka of the AllIndia Muslim League The PML(N) founder, Mian Nawaz Sharif is still around However his birthday is the same as that of the Father of the Nation Quaide-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and both are the same as Christmas The PML(N) does not pay any respects to the first permanent AIML President, Agha Khan III The PPP lays great store by its Foundation Day It also marks the birthdays of its previous Chairmen, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto
One reason the PTI may avoid celebrating its founder’s birthday is that he is still alive (though there have been sporadic celebrations of Mian Nawaz Sharif s birthday even though he is very much alive) and another may be that he is sensitive about his age, for it seems problematic for a septuagenarian to claim the youth vote The AIML can claim to be one of the most successful parties of all time for a purely party occasion the passage of the Pakistan Resolution is marked by Yaum-i-Pakistan and is a national holiday However it does not mark any of its ascents to power though its formation of the central government took place on 14 August 1947, the commemorations are free of that factor, and Independence Day is meant for everyone, even for those religious parties that had opposed the creation of Pakistan
None of the parties have marked any of their defeats in any way not as the PTI marked the February 8 anniversary True it alleges that the election was stolen, but other parties have alleged that the election was rigged, and do not mark Black Day on that anniversary The PPP alleged that the 1988 election was rigged but does not mark the occasion even though it also marks the return to power of the PPP after 11 years It also does not mark the formation of the PPP Patriots when the party whose parliamentary party was split, to create the PPP Patriots, who gave military dictator Pervez Musharraf the majority he needed to have his PM elected after the 2002 elections One reason for this is that parties’ memories are limited by the election cycle If the PPP had complaints about the 1988 and 1990 elections it did win in 1993
and 2008 The PTI has not complained about the 2024 elections as far as KP goes for it not only won overwhelmingly in the KP Assembly but also the province’s national seats It is perhaps inevitable that parties complaints of rigging should be dismissed as the proverbial sour grapes, especially since the rigging is no longer blatant The 1977 elections are widely accepted as rigged because enough voters’ experience confirms they were: votes already cast, booths captured, impersonations all the usual malpractices If the elections are rigged now it is done subtly and within certain narrow limits Most importantly the voter does not know/ Whatever the case a party can claim to have won an election it lost It can claim the seats it won as the result of too large a margin to overcome by those manipulating
Does the PTI have any option other than to join talks? If it thinks that it can revive its for tunes, or if US President Donald Trump can somehow play a role in springing Imran, then talks are not an
But if it wishes to see its suppor t dissipated even fur ther, it should take what it can while it can, which can only be done by talking
Was this decline in fertility the outcome of structured efforts, or did it occur inadvertently due to changing societal dynamics? The absence of a sustained national population policy suggests that the trend is largely circumstantial rather than a result of cohesive planning While urbanization, increased literacy rates, and evolving social attitudes have played a role, the risk of stagnation looms if deliberate policy measures do not reinforce this shift A failure to institutionalize and build upon this change could result in a demographic standstill where declining fertility does not equate to improved economic and social indicators
Pakistan s current youth bulge is both a challenge and an opportunity Countries like China and Vietnam capitalized on demographic shifts by aligning workforce development with economic reforms channeling a smaller yet more skilled labour force into high-value industries Pakistan must adopt a similar model transitioning from an informal labour-intensive economy to a knowledge-driven one If properly harnessed, this demographic shift could drive technological innovation, industrial growth, and an enhanced global economic footprint
Healthcare improvements have undoubtedly contributed to fertility decline particularly in urban centres However rural areas remain significantly behind due to entrenched cultural norms, inadequate healthcare access, and resistance to modern family planning methods The government must prioritize bridging this urbanrural divide to ensure that fertility decline translates into a national transformation rather than a fragmented trend Societal progress cannot be achieved if one segment of the population remains locked in outdated demographic patterns while another moves forward The role of gender empowerment in this transition is crucial Global data repeatedly confirms that when women have access to educa-
tion and economic opportunities, fertility rates decline naturally, leading to more prosperous households and stronger economies Bangladesh, for instance, successfully integrated family planning with female workforce participation leading to a sustainable demographic transition Pakistan must emulate such models to ensure that the declining fertility rate aligns with enhanced opportunities for women in education, entrepreneurship, and leadership Yet, a declining birth rate alone does not guarantee economic prosperity Countries like Japan and Italy which now face aging population crises serve as cautionary examples Without strategic planning Pakistan could find itself in a similar predicament decades down the line A comprehensive approach that includes immigration policies, labour market reforms, and social welfare planning is essential to maintaining a dynamic productive society while preventing long-term demographic imbalances
Pakistan s economic fragility high inflation and political instability pose real threats to sustaining the benefits of this demographic shift Without strong governance and long-term planning, the potential gains of a declining fertility rate could be lost Social safety nets economic diversification and strategic investments in human capital must complement this transition to prevent a demographic advantage from becoming a liability
On the global stage, Pakistan s demographic trajectory will be closely monitored by investors and international financial institutions A wellmanaged fertility transition could enhance Pakistan s global economic appeal attracting foreign investment in industries that require skilled labour rather than an uncontrolled population boom If policymakers can steer this transition effectively, Pakistan could redefine its economic identity in the global arena, shifting from a country burdened by population excess to one strategically poised for sustainable growth Pakistan stands at a defining demographic inflection point The decline in fertility rates is not merely a statistical trend it
Youth exodus
MAjId NAbI
C o m m i t m e n t t o K a s h m i
resoluteness
Army in 1965 marking a significant chapter in this ongoing struggle
AL L Pakistani political leaders have shown steadfast commitment to the Kashmir cause From Quaid-eAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to the current leadership under Shahbaz Sharif the unwavering love and support for Kashmir reflects Pakistan s dedication to the Kashmiri people s right to self-determination Through various means whether diplomatic efforts, international forums, or public speeches Pakistan’s leadership has consistently advocated for Kashmir s cause
The sacrifices support and deep affection for Kashmir have become an integral part of Pakistan s identity, representing solidarity with a region that shares cultural, religious, and historical bonds with it The leaders of Pakistan have always viewed Kashmir as a cause worth fighting for and their deep love and commitment to the Kashmiri people remain a driving force in the ongoing struggle for justice and peace For Pakistan, Kashmir is not merely a territorial issue, but a matter of profound national significance, deeply rooted in emotional, cultural and religious ties
Over the years the Pakistan Army has played a vital role in supporting the Kashmir cause standing as a guardian of the Kashmiri people s aspirations for self-determination The sacrifices, courage, and dedication of the Pakistan Army in Kashmir serve as a testament to its unwavering commitment to the region
Following Partition in 1947 the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir became the focal point of conflict between India and Pakistan Despite the region s Muslim-majority population, the Maharaja of Kashmir chose
to accede to India sparking a fierce war Motivated by the desire to support the Kashmiri people s right to self-determination, Pakistan mobilized its military forces to assist the local population in resisting Indian forces While initially not directly involved, Pakistan recognized the strategic importance of Kashmir and volunteers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir including tribal forces joined the struggle
The Pakistan government soon deployed the Pakistan Army to aid the Kashmiris, engaging in combat operations to secure parts of the region Though Pakistani forces achieved initial successes the war ended with a UN-mediated ceasefire in 1948 Pakistan secured control over AJK and the Gilgit-Baltistan region, but the larger issue of Kashmir s final status remained unresolved The sacrifices of the Pakistan Army during this first conflict, with thousands of soldiers either losing their lives or being wounded set the foundation for Pakistan s continued involvement in Kashmir In 1965 tensions between India and Pakistan flared again over Kashmir, resulting in a full-scale war The Pakistan Army, despite being outnumbered and outgunned by the Indian military demonstrated remarkable courage and strategic brilliance in defending Pakistan s borders and the Kashmiri population
Pakistan s military strategy during the 1965 conflict involved Operation Gibraltar, which aimed to infiltrate Indian-administered Kashmir and support local freedom fighters The Pakistan Army worked alongside Kashmiri freedom fighters engaging Indian forces and pushing towards Srinagar the capital of Jammu and Kashmir with the goal of liberating Kashmir and allowing its people to determine their own future
The Pakistan Army’s notable contributions during this war included fierce defenses against Indian attacks including the Battle of Lahore and the Battle of Sialkot Pakistani forces held their ground inflicting significant losses on the Indian military Air operations, ground offensives, and coordinated attacks displayed the resilience and bravery of the Pakistan Army in the face of overwhelming odds Though the war ended in a UN-mandated ceasefire it reinforced Pakistan s commitment to the Kashmir cause with the sacrifices of the Pakistan
The role of social media in breaking social cohesion
Lessons from Myanmar and Pakistan
petuate misinformation and hatred
TThe Kargil conflict of 1999 added another crucial chapter to Pakistan s military history in relation to Kashmir In this conflict, which took place in the Kargil district of Indian-occupied Kashmir, Pakistani soldiers, along with Kashmiri freedom fighters, infiltrated the area to secure strategic positions along the Line of Control The Kargil conflict is remembered for the immense courage and sacrifices of the Pakistan Army which fought valiantly in challenging terrain, often at high altitudes The SSG and other elite units played a vital role in securing mountain posts and engaging Indian forces in intense combat Despite limited resources and the difficult terrain Pakistan s military exhibited extraordinary skill and perseverance While the conflict ultimately escalated into a full military engagement, international pressure led to a ceasefire Although the war did not result in a decisive victory for either side the sacrifices of Pakistani soldiers during the Kargil conflict remain unforgettable marking yet another significant chapter in the struggle for Kashmir
Hundreds of soldiers sacrificed their lives, and many more were injured in one of the most intense and brutal conflicts over Kashmir In the aftermath of the Kargil conflict Pakistan s military leadership and government reaffirmed their commitment to Kashmir stressing that the region s final status must be determined in line with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people The LoC remains one of the most heavily militarized borders globally The Pakistan Army continues to play a vital role in defending the region from Indian military incursions and artillery fire Pakistani soldiers continue to make the ultimate sacrifice in skirmishes along the LoC, defending the territorial integrity of AJK and GilgitBaltistan, while also providing moral and logistical support to the Kashmiri people The Pakistan Army is actively engaged in ensuring the security of those living in AJK Their presence not only safeguards against Indian provocations but also contributes to disaster relief, infrastructure development, and humanitarian aid for the local population The people of AJK enjoy full independence to live and work freely throughout Pakistan The law and order situation in AJK is commendable and residents have access to all rights In contrast, since 1947, Indian se-
curity forces have faced allegations of committing widespread human rights abuses against the population of Indian Occupied Kashmir especially after the freedom movement intensified in the late 1980s The Indian government has been repeatedly criticized for its heavy-handed tactics with numerous reports from human rights organizations detailing the abuses committed by Indian military and paramilitary forces in the region
One of the most alarming forms of violence has been the indiscriminate killing of civilians Tragic events like the 1989-1990 mass killings the Chota Bazar massacre (1990), and the rapes in Shopian and Handwara (2009) underscore the brutality endured by the Kashmiri people Civilians, including women and children, have often been caught in the crossfire between freedom fighters and Indian forces Thousands have suffered enforced disappearances with many families left without answers about their loved ones fates Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented systematic torture, including beatings, electric shocks, sexual violence and forced confessions Sexual violence has been weaponized as a tool of intimidation exemplified by the horrific Kunan Poshpora mass rape incident (1991), in which over 30 Kashmiri women were allegedly raped by Indian soldiers
These abuses have cultivated a culture of fear and trauma among the Kashmiri people living under military occupation The Indian government has frequently imposed curfews and communication blackouts in Kashmir particularly during periods of political unrest The 2019 revocation of Article 370, which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, resulted in an intense lockdown Thousands of Kashmiris were placed under house arrest internet services suspended and severe movement restrictions enforced
of
THE ECONOMICS OF ENGAGEMENT: FUELING DIVISION: At the core of these issues lies the economic model of social media platforms Algorithms are manipulated to promote user engagement often at the cost of truth and peace This led to a rise in viewer engagement from 100 million to 1 billion hours by the inflammatory content Pakistan faces a comparable threat, as sensationalist and polarizing content garners more clicks and shares than nuanced or factual reporting This profit-driven model has tangible consequences In both Myanmar and Pakistan social media platforms have not only reflected societal divisions but actively deepened them
The lack of editorial oversight combined with the algorithms’ ability to create content has resulted in echo chambers that reinforce preexisting biases and fuel mistrust
BREAKING THE CYCLE: LESSONS FOR PAKISTAN: To avert another Myanmar-like episode, Pakistan must accompany bold measures with regulatory intervention to handle the role of social media in societal polarization: Regulatory Framework: Governments and regulatory bodies must work with social media companies to become strict with guidelines regarding content moderation This includes holding platforms accountable for the spread of misinformation and hate speech Algorithm Transparency: Knowledge of algorithmic ranking of views shall be made available to all social media companies Independent audits of their systems can ensure they do not give excessive intrusion to divisive narratives Digital Literacy: Teaching the users about the risk of misinformation how social media algorithms operate and how to fruitfully promote the social media Cleopatra is important It helps upskill the user into knowing better what content they are consuming and sharing Counter-narratives: Positive and inclusive narratives must counter the promotion of hate The media technology companies and civil society must collaborate Community Engagement: Addressing those societal grievances which extremist narratives prey is crucial to reduce susceptibility to divisive propaganda Economic inequality, political disenfranchisement, and regional disparities need to be addressed to curtail susceptibility to divisive propaganda
WHAT’S AHEAD? Myanmar s tragic experience with social media serves as a stark warning for Pakistan The parallels between the two cases highlight the dangers of unregulated digital platforms in ethnically and politically diverse societies As Pakistan grapples with its own challenges proactive measures are necessary to harness the potential of social media for unity rather than division By addressing the underlying economic, political, and social factors, Pakistan can avoid repeating Myanmar ’s mistakes and build a more cohesive society
IN the early 1990s a Catholic deacon called Yvon Bertorello was sent to train for four years at the Minerva a college run by the Vatican to prepare its top priests for overseas postings Bertorello was heading to Armenia and Ukraine on missions so secret that only the Pope and a few other trusted advisers were in the loop Officially, the Minerva dispensed instruction in ‘diplomacy’ but Bertorello found himself being taught codes and ciphers by a high-ranking prelate with a Polish accent There were also lessons in secret photography from a senior priest who sounded Italian Finally Bertorello was sent to train secretly with army parachute units All that is missing from this James Bond-in-a-clerical-collar scenario is Q standing by with a smart new gadget and a dry martini Of course you won’t get anyone from the Vatican to confirm any of this Bertorello has since left the Church and even today the papacy will not admit that it has anything approaching a secret intelligence service But as French historian Yvonnick Denoel convincingly shows, there have been many moments in the second half of the 20th century when the Vatican s equivalent of MI6 has been linked to international espionage
One of the most infamous incidents occurred in 1982 when Roberto Calvi known as ‘God’s Banker ’ thanks to his close involvement in the Vatican s highly secretive financial operations was found hanging under London s Blackfriars Bridge Calvi s death has long been recognised as a murder that was staged to look like a suicide, and with an oddly ritualistic overtone (there s the religious connotations of Blackfriars for starters) The Banco Ambrosiano, which Calvi ran and in which the Vatican was heavily implicated had collapsed leaving millions of dollars missing Was this why he was silenced? The jury is still out Naturally during wars and revolutions the Vatican s covert ops ratchet up even higher Take the case of Alois Hudal a Romebased bishop who organised shelter, visas and cash for Nazi war criminals to help them slip away to South America Hudal s biggest coup was getting Franz Stangl, the former commandant of Treblinka, safely to Brazil By way of balance, Denoel reminds us of hero priests such as Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty who in the Second World War set up a secret network of safe houses in Rome to hide escaped PoWs Meanwhile Catholic nuns and priests smuggled hundreds of Jews to safety Those clerics who were unlucky enough to get caught were deported to Dachau It might seem extraordinary that the smallest sovereign state in the world, population 764, should have become such a player in global espionage But as one former American intelligence operative explains: ‘A great power can send 10 20 or even 50 spies into a given country whereas the Church has hundreds of priests at least in the smallest of states What s more, those priests have a perfect cover story as they bustle from embassy receptions to drunken wakes by way of a polite tea party They have the ear
MUSTAFA KAMAL
Abdul bAsit Alvi
TRUMP, PUTIN SET TO MEET IN SAUDI ARABIA ON UKRAINE
Ukraine says will not accept US -Russia peace deal reached without Kyiv
Suicide bomber strikes Afghan ministr y in Kabul
Israel is likely to attempt a preemptive strike on Iran s nuclear programme in the coming months to set its progress back but escalate tensions across the Middle East and renew fears of a wider regional conflagration, a US intelligence report says Warnings about a potential Israeli strike were included in multiple intelligence reports between the end of the Biden administration and the start of the Trump administration none more comprehensive than an early January report produced by the Joint Chiefs of Staff s intelligence directorate and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) The report warned that Israel is likely to attempt a strike on Iran’s Fordow and
gotiating a resolution to America’s long-standing issues with the Iranian regime peacefully he will not wait indefinitely if Iran isn t willing to deal and soon Hughes told The Post Hughes declined to comment on the underlying intelligence
The prospect of an Israeli strike poses an early test for Trump, who campaigned on restoring peace in the Middle East and Europe while also touting staunch support for Israel The military intelligence report highlighted two potential strike options each involving the United States providing support including aerial refuelling, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, said those familiar with the document Reliance on the US in any strike on Iran underscores Washington’s leverage over Israel’s path forward
According to the intelligence report a distance attack known as a stand-off strike would see Israeli aircraft firing air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBMs) outside of Iranian airspace A stand-in strike by contrast would see Israeli jets enter Iranian airspace, flying near the nuclear sites and dropping BLU-109 bunker buster munitions The Trump administration approved the sale of guidance kits for these weapons last week notifying Congress that it had done so The US assessment found that an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would set back Tehran s activities by weeks or months, current and former officials said Any attack also would incentivise Iran to pursue enriching weapons-grade uranium, they added
CORPORATE CORNER
CM MARYAM MEETS TURKIYE’S FIRST L ADY H.E EMINE ERDOGAN IN ISL AMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday met the First Lady of Turkiye H E Emine Erdogan in Islamabad The Chief Minister warmly welcomed the First Lady of Turkiye and thanked her for visiting Pakistan The Punjab CM attended the Circular Economy ceremony under the Pakistan-Turkiye Partnership for Sustainability She inspected various stalls along with the distinguished guest Emine Erdogan and expressed deep interest in the stalls The CM while addressing the Circular Economy ceremony under PakistanTurkiye Partnership for Sustainability said, “The Suthra Punjab Program is a very important and revolutionary project
Suthra Punjab is not just a policy, but a commitment a vision that has been formulated to improve the future of Punjab As soon as I took an oath of the office as a Chief Minister I vowed to make every city and village of the province clean in
PBM MD, WHO Deput y Representative explore ways to improve treatment access to children with cancers
Managing Director Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) Senator Capt Shaheen Khalid Butt and World Health Organization (WHO) Deputy Representative in Pakistan Ms Ellen discusses to explore the horizons of possible collaborative measures in order to improve the treatment access to the children with cancers in a meeting held here in PBM Head Office WHO consultant and pediatric oncologist Dr Sumbal Saeed Dr Saadia
a resolution framework and awareness of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) Speaking at the International Alternate Dispute Resolution Conference 2025, organized by the Lahore High Court Bar Association, he addressed the critical role ADR plays in resolving commercial disputes Chairman PEC Engr Waseem
Nazir pointed out that Pakistan s construction industry lacks a culture of dispute resolution due to social pressure and other barriers, leading to prolonged legal battles He hinted at the staggering amount involved in the cases that remain pending in courts hampering industry progress He stressed that contractors, consultants, and clients must develop trust in settlement mechanisms, as delays in construction disputes waste public funds time and resources To address these challenges Engr Waseem Nazir called for strategic interventions involving regulators industry stakeholders, and the judiciary He underscored the need for efficient reconciliation methods, stating that
progress depends on the ability to streamline dispute resolution The PEC, under its mandate, is actively working with the judiciary to establish ADR centers aiming to make dispute resolution an integral part of the construction industry Chairman PEC Engr Waseem Nazir said PEC is establishing Alternate Dispute Resolution centers, staffed by expert professionals to mediate disputes in large-scale projects These centers will conduct hearings involving all concerned parties and provide expert opinions to facilitate resolution He emphasized that ensuring national and international investment security is a priority, and these centers will play a crucial role in achieving that goal
the exhibition in Lahore
KARACHI
s ta f f r e p o r t Pakistan State Oil (PSO) delivered a stable performance in 1HFY25 posting a net profit of PKR 11 2 billion and gross sales of PKR 1 74 trillion The company's Board of Management reviewed the group’s performance for the half-year ended December 31 2024 in a meeting held on February 13 2025 The group reported a net profit of PKR 9 1 billion translating into earnings per share of PKR 19 48
The company maintained its market position in 1HFY25, with a 47 1% of the white oil segment driven by sales of 3 610 KMT Sustaining a strong presence in the
2nd Asian Middle East conference held at Universit y of Lahore LAHORE
2nd Asian Middle East African Academic & Research Integrated conference (ACARI 2025) was held at University of Lahore Auditorium Punjab Higher Education Commission Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad University of Lahore were the co -sponsor of this programme, whilest Turinitin AI Engineering Team, as a the prime technology partner, they have shared global trends and important insights on nurturing a culture of academic excellence whilest navigating challenges in this age of AI In this integrated international conference Kenya Minister of Vocational Education Mbwarabi Kame was the Chief Guest in this while chairman Higher Education commission Pakistan Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and Equater Unity of science and Tecnolog Ugenda Muhammad Mepeza participated as Guest of Honor in this international conference Deputy Chairman University of Lahore Uzair Rauf Dean of students affairs Ammara Awais, Vice chancellor UET Dr Shahid Munir Director General Pakistan Institute of Education Dr Shahid and other eminent scholars of national and international fame participated In this conference and spoke on this occasion The Theme discussed in the conference took integrates the AI writing report the existing workflow providing educators with an overall percentage of the documents, writing tolls chatGPT may have granted, in the end of the conference Dean of student affairs Aumara Awais distributed sheld among the speakers and participants of the conference
diesel market PSO captured 48 1% share of the diesel market, with sales of 1,660 KMT, while its MoGas portfolio secured a market share of 41 5% with 1,601 KMT in sales The company solidified its leadership in the jet fuel segment securing a 99 1% market share with total sales of 326 8 KMT Furthermore, PSO achieved its highest-ever LPG sales in FY25, with record monthly growth of 22%, reaching 5 2 KMT in December 2024 Total LPG sales reached 27 56 KMT in 1HFY25 reflecting a 10% increase from 1HFY24
The company focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences by significantly expanding its retail footprint reaching a milestone
of 3 610 outlets across the country complemented by the modernization of 111 convenience stores Building on its commitment to operational excellence, PSO expanded its deployment of Dispensing Unit Controllers (DUCs) to 50 additional retail sites bringing the total coverage to 1 200 locations and enhancing data management and network monitoring capabilities The circular debt crisis continues to impact PSO's financial performance with receivables totaling PKR 467 billion as of December 31 2024 including PKR 340 billion owed by SNGPL The company is working closely with the government to find solutions and resolve this longstanding issue
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Research Center He further explained that rising healthcare costs push over 400,000 households below the poverty line each year in Pakistan making IHHN an essential lifeline for many Currently over 500 000 patients receive free treatment every month, with 70% of them supported through Zakat funds During the event a video message
Supreme Cour t reschedules
for newly appointed judges
Beleaguered PTI MNA
Afzal Marwat on Thursday reacted to his expulsion from the party claiming that he has been wronged by certain party members who have harbored animosity towards him from the outset In a statement Marwat expressed that he had no intention of engaging in conflict with these individuals but made it clear that he would never yield to such tormentors “My only crime is that I have never supported any internal faction within the party I always considered Imran Khan my leader Marwat emphasized He stated that he would no longer participate in the ongoing boycott of electronic and social media to publicly share his perspective with the people Marwat reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to Imran Khan as-
serting, I will never go against Imran Khan s ideas He will always remain my leader ” He acknowledged the limitations Khan faces in terms of information access and expressed his understanding of the conspiracies surrounding him
In his message, Marwat appealed to PTI workers to support him during this difficult time, noting that he has always stood by Khan in his own moments of hardship He urged them to unite against the opportunists who in his view have failed both Imran Khan and the party over the past year
Whether I am in the party or not, I will never compromise on the truth and my self-respect ” Marwat declared “My values will never allow me to beg for mercy against injustice He further clarified that if the decision to expel him is not reconsidered, he would never plead for its reversal
Marwat also pointed out what he sees as an inconsistency within the party, criticizing PTI parliamentarians who, in his view, sold their loyalties during the 26th Amendment yet remain in the party He stated that he was expelled without just cause claiming that the treatment he received was unwarranted
In a direct appeal to PTI leaders both in Pakistan and abroad with whom he had worked during challenging times Marwat urged them to speak out against what he described as this injustice He labeled the approach as undemocratic, stating, This is not a fair or democratic approach but dictatorship If this monopoly is not stopped it will lead us to complete failure
Marwat s statements have sparked discussions within PTI ranks, as he continues to challenge the party leadership’s decision
