COMMENT
Terrorism is far from being tamed
TH E Jafar Express outrage represents a new dimension of terrorism It showed the criminal nature of the BLA, as well as the rather childish mentality of its planners Though there were significant differences, the whole episode resembled nothing so much as the train robberies that were the staples of so many old Western movies The idea of taking over a whole train would appeal only to someone of low mental age Instead of pulling passengers off buses, as was done in Musakhel district in August, and killing those who belonged to Punjab, this attack had as its targets security personnel, as they went upcountry The BLA did succeed in one thing, and that was to cut Balochistan’s rail link to the rest of the country with the Railways shutting down all traffic both passenger and commercial
That the attack was horrendous, and the security agencies must be commended for the promptitude and professionalism of their response, are given But the more problematic question remains of how such a massive operation could be launched without any word escaping without any odd occurrence putting any agency on the trail It is not as if there is a shortage of law enforcing agencies involved There is the Railways Police, the Balochistan Police, the Frontier Corps, IB, and the military intelligence agencies Then there is the question of whether there will be any further attacks If the possibility exists, which other group is as mentally deprived as to carry out such attacks Could terrorists try such less complicated attacks as platform blasts or derailments? That the perpetrators were in touch with handlers abroad is nothing spectacular, for it confirms that the BLA is in cahoots with the enemies of Pakistan, which is already well known
While the methods of the BLA have always been condemnable Its ability to recruit owes itself to the existence of genuine grievances No doubt there is some exaggeration, also no doubt some of the perceived grievances are shared by inhabitants of the rest of the country That does not men that the Baloch must not have their grievances addressed as far as possible The federal government must realize now that the threat from terrorism is not limited to KP but also extends to Balochistan The involvement of the country s enemies must also be tackled vigorously Clearly, the effects of the arrest of RAW operative Kulbhushan Yadav have worn off
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Pakistan s agriculture for centuries, and it supplies almost 90 pervemt of the nation’s food But its distribution, especially between Punjab and Sindh has been a point of contention for centuries Those who support canal construction say that these projects are necessary for irrigation and
provinces signed the Water Apportionment Accord (1991) both of which were intended for equitable distribution, but Sindh has consistently protested that Punjab overshoots The Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal and Greater Thal Canal are significant diversions that have effectively cut
(April–September),
IN the shadow of a history scarred by violence the people of Pakistan stand as both witnesses and survivors, enduring a never-ending battle against the insidious forces of terrorism The land rich in culture history and strength has become an unlikely crucible where the struggle for peace and security is played out on a daily basis The tragedy of Pakistan is not merely a story of death and destruction, but a deep testament to the endurance of the human spirit amid ceaseless turmoil Terrorism, in its most brutal form, has torn through the fabric of Pakistani society, leaving terrible scars on its people scars that transcend the physical and seep into the emotional psyche of a nation in search of peace It is a tragedy felt not just in the destruction of buildings and infrastructure but in the shattered hopes of families torn apart, parents losing children, children orphaned, and spouses left alone, wounds deep and painful What makes Pakistan’s suffering even more poignant is the paradox of its position A country caught between the roles of both victim and participant in the fight against terror It is a place where violence is not an abstract concept but a lived reality, yet at the same time, it plays a key role in the global war against the very forces that have brought it to its knees Pakistan’s story is not one of simple victim-
Ending terrorism in Pakistan is not just about eliminating threats, it is about securing a future where peace and prosperity take root. For too long, violence has hindered progress, claimed innocent lives and stalled economic growth.
hood, it is a complex tale of resilience, sacrifice, and an unyielding commitment to survival amidst the chaos of an ever-changing geopolitical situation Pakistan’s critical role in the Afghan-Soviet War helped defeat Soviet forces but post-war instability in Afghanistan fuelled extremism which Pakistan continues to combat for regional peace The 1990s saw the emergence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, further complicating Pakistan s security situation After 9/11, Pakistan became a key US ally in the War on Terror facing both external pressure and internal insurgencies as militant groups turned against the state Regional conflicts particularly the Kashmir dispute with India have also fuelled extremism Various militant groups have exploited the unresolved issue to further their agendas Moreover, Pakistan s socio-economic challenges including poverty, unemployment, political instability, and limited access to education have created conditions that extremist ideologies exploit These factors have fuelled radicalization particularly among marginalized communities underscoring the need for comprehensive economic reforms political stability, and educational advancement
Many militant groups have established themselves as quasi-governments, offering social services to gain local support The rise of global jihadist movements especially after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 further exacerbated Pakistan s security challenges Groups like Al-Qaeda and the Taliban not only waged war against the Pakistani state but also targeted civilians, aiming to spread chaos and destabilize the region Social and cultural alienation also fuels terrorism, particularly among migrants and marginalized communities When individuals feel excluded from mainstream society they may turn to extremist groups for identity and purpose Terrorist organizations exploit these feelings offering narratives that frame violence as a justified response to perceived injustices Religious extremism and radical ideology are major drivers of terrorism Extremist groups manipulate religious beliefs to justify violence and recruit followers By framing conflicts as cosmic
tal cost is staggering Pakistan s most vital ecosystem, the Indus Delta, is fast crumbling as a result of unregulated water diversion Increased salinity, erosion, and desertification have converted what were once fertile wetlands into wastelands According to a World Wildlife Fund report at least 10 million acre-feet of water needs to be let into the delta in order to halt further collapse Mangrove forest loss and fishery decline have already compelled most coastal communities to relinquish traditional ancestral fishing practices This is not merely a national crisis it is an international water law violation which respects the rights of lower riparian states Punjab s over-draw has put Sindh in a progressively weakened position especially during the Rabi season (October–March) when river flows are lowest A 2022 report by the Indus River System Authority verified Punjab drew more than its share further emphasizing the need for more stringent regulation The answer is not additional canals but water management in a sustainable way Rather than additional diversions, Pakistan needs to invest in new irrigation methods like drip irrigation and laser land leveling, which have been able to change the face of agriculture in watershort nations IRSA needs to implement realtime monitoring and satellite tracking to prevent illegal diversions Above all the Council of Common Interests needs to ensure honest open discussion between provinces so that water can be distributed in a fair manner As I departed Ghulam Rasool’s village that afternoon I couldn’t help but remember his empty fields land that had supported generations now nothing but dust If Pakistan doesn t act many more farmers will suffer his fate This is not a policy discussion; it is a struggle for survival Sindh s farmers are not seeking handouts; they are insisting on their fair share of the river that has supported them for centuries The moment to act is now before the tensions between provinces worsen, before still more land is desiccated, before the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural economy breaks beyond restoration An equitable and sustainable water policy is not only required but is the only course open to us The writer is a freelance columnist
The moment to act is now before the tensions between provinces worsen, before still more land is desiccated, before the backbone of PakistanÊs agricultural economy breaks beyond restoration An equitable and sustainable water policy is not only required but is the only course open to us
Better ways to teach
like Galileo and Newton paving the way for modern science
In recent years John Dewey has championed experiential learning and Paulo Freire has called for the development of critical consciousness As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of digital media, the conversation about education has never been more relevant
Given this rich history, it’s
Adapting to cyber war fare
SinDhy ariSar
Dr Zafar Khan SafDar
The Pakistan c anal controversy
In d i a appears to be the powerhouse of south asia continuously striving to attain superiority over neighboring states by employing a complex combination of economic might political clout, and military power to turn regional dynamics in its favour when it does so, nations like Bangladesh have borne the brunt of such hegemonic policies such as political oppression economic plunder and manipulation of infrastructure in recent years india s attitude toward Bangladesh has striking resemblances to israel s systematic suppression of Palestine, stirring profound deliberations on whether new delhi is exhibiting a manifestation of the “indo-Zionist Complex ” Parallel to israel s utilization of economic embargoes resource monopolization and military belligerence to suppress Palestinian aspirations for self-determination, india has scored asymmetric trade deficits, cross-border militarization, and diplomatic coercion to impose its preeminence over Bangladesh this pattern has ignited apprehensions regarding india s ulterior motives whether its stratagems are confined to consolidating influence or whether they signify a more sinister agenda to perpetuate Bangladesh s structural dependency and geopolitical relegation in this context of an intricate geopolitical matrix it has become important not only to draw a comparative exegesis of india s modus operandi with Bangladesh and that of israel toward Palestine to show the uncanny congruence in their mechanisms of coercion, but also to unravel how Bangladesh navigated these multifaceted pressures despite india’s calculated efforts to illuminate its regional hegemony nationalist resurgence and patriotic mobilizations within the country have set the stage as a difficult bulwark against indian stratagems to keep the country within india s fold through clever diplomatic recalibration, economic diversification, and a stubborn commitment to self-determination, Bangladesh has resisted india’s dreams of confining it to the status of a peripheral vassal state this comparative inquiry would therefore unroll the sheer modalities of domination employed by both india and israel, shed light on the geopolitical consequences of
india s policies toward Bangladesh, and spek of how Bangladesh s resilient nationalism has come to be viewed as a pivot of resistance to india’s overarching intentions in the region a fine-tuning of the web of economic military and political parameters around the control of Bangladesh affords india a multitude of ways to exercise its authority over her the trade imbalance imposed by india, however, retains a feature from which Bangladesh will never be free, and this fact hides away an enormous benefit for india by establishing this trade disequilibrium such outflows into local Bangladeshi markets with a great number of indian products htrm local industries, destroy competitive advantages, and therefore multiply the bipolar imbalance, claiming Bangladesh’s flexibility overall another strategic tool through which india wields great influence over bilateral relations is the management of cross-border water resources By cutting back on the flow of the teesta and ganges Rivers, water resources are weaponized by india to elaborate a geostrategic plan for decreasing food security and economic resilience in Bangladesh, thus mirroring israel’s control over Palestinian water supplies india certainly maintains a militant attitude toward Bangladesh along its borders for security reasons while the indian Border security Force (BsF) regularly crosses international borders with violence, meting out the death penalty to many unarmed Bangladeshi civilians through extrajudicial killings a toleration of a constant military presence has a coercive role generating a fear psychosis while strengthening india s hegemonic grip on Bangladesh india therefore uses its own regional leverage to hinder Bangladesh’s deepening strategic military ties with other global powers particularly China By applying diplomatic pressure to dissuade Bangladesh from procuring advanced military technology or entering into defence agreements with China india strives to ensure that Bangladesh remains militarily inferior and strategically financially dependent on new delhi india has previously managed to play an active role in the internal affairs of Bangladesh by installing governments aligned with its geopolitical interests and unabashedly undermining those who adhere to more nationalist, independent forms of governance to this extent, new delhi has resorted to electoral fraud to prop up
Trump’s new Muslim ban
administrations that favor pro-indian policies By positioning itself as the chief arbiter of governance in Bangladesh india ensures that dhaka will act in obedience to its designs striving for regional hegemony in addition to directly and openly working toward political objectives, another method india employs is cultural or ideological subversion propagating narratives that undermine Bangladesh’s pursuit of self-determination in favor of india-centric regional integration plans there is a clear resemblance between these tactics and israel s systematic attempts to divide the Palestinian leadership, undermine nationalist movements, and impose a pro-israeli political structure on the Palestinian territories
Reinforcing india’s hegemonic ambitions are soft-power strategies including the effective use of media power and cultural clout through media narrative penetration in Bangladesh, an all-encompassing portrayal of indian influence is sought to shape public opinion and diffuse nationalist sentiment in the concerted effort to normalize indian hegemony other aspects of this larger enterprise that aid in internalizing indian primacy within Bangladeshi society include but are not limited to, the popularization of Bollywood culture, linguistic hegemony, and the systematic denial of Bangladesh’s historical independence struggle in addition india uses its diplomatic leverage to ensure there is no possible rapprochement between Bangladesh and potential partners, ensuring that biased international forums play out in favor of indian geopolitical aims india’s manoeuvres against Bangladesh display many striking parallels with israel’s efforts to control and subjugate Palestine
Both have tried to assert control over land and water rights through economic coercion military aggression and political undermining Like the monopolization of Palestinian water resources that undermines the livelihood of Palestinians, india also seeks to control Bangladesh’s important water resources like the teesta and the ganges it uses water supply to Bangladesh as a means not only to create economic pressure but also to jeopardize agricultural sustainability, creating chains of long-term dependence
Economically, israel’s blockade on Palestinian trade routes severely cripples Palestinian self-reliance forcing the economy into submission similarly india s calculated economic strangulation of Bangladesh through trade constraints and market monopolization ensures that Bangladesh remains subservient
to indian economic interests By controlling trade gateways imposing restrictive trade agreements and flooding Bangladesh s markets with indian commodities, india stifles Bangladesh s ability to flourish as an independent economic entity Militarily israel’s frequent offensives in gaza and the west Bank serve to assert dominance and suppress Palestinian resistance india too employs military intimidation along its border with Bangladesh leveraging its superior defense capabilities to coerce Bangladesh into compliance the indian BsF’s extrajudicial killings of Bangladeshi civilians reflect the same ruthlessness that the israeli defense Forces (idF) exhibit against Palestinians this constant military pressure ensures that Bangladesh much like Palestine remains in a state of vulnerability and instability, unable to mount a strong resistance against indian hegemony Beyond military coercion israel has long sought to fracture Palestinian unity through political and cultural engineering By dividing Palestinian factions and fostering internal conflicts israel ensures that a unified Palestinian front never materializes india has employed an analogous tactic in Bangladesh, exacerbating ethnic and religious divisions to weaken national unity By subtly infiltrating Bangladesh s cultural landscape imposing indian media influence and propagating narratives that undermine Bangladeshi nationalism india seeks to dilute Bangladesh s identity and sovereignty Furthermore, india s clandestine interference in Bangladesh’s political structure mirrors israel’s efforts to install pro-israeli regimes in Palestine ensuring continued subjugation and compliance with its broader geopolitical agenda Bangladesh, looking at the potential deviousness of indian domination, is particularly alert to protect its sovereignty from all indian contrivances Bilateral ties with China especially deepening political and economic cooperation with Beijing have derived paramount importance for dhaka to lessen its dependence on india for trade and infrastructure development in this manner, through increasing economic and military cooperation with Beijing, Bangladesh is ensuring alternative modes for growth while also in some manner diminishing new delhi s influence in the region simultaneously undertaking modernization of the defense establishment, with the acquisition of further advanced weaponry, Bangladesh is building its own deterrence against any indian military muscle it is focusing on self-reliance in military production by developing its own defence industry and expanding international defence cooperation to counter indian military intimidation the resurgence of nationalist movements within
Bangladesh has only reinforced the internal strength of the nation to unite passively to resist indian influence in response Bangladesh has sought assistance from grassroots-level political movements and has raised awareness among the people about india’s oppressive actions to retain its sovereignty it has also been dotting its i’s and crossing its t’s to reach out diplomatically and foster friendly ties with Middle Eastern and asEan neighbors thereby widening its geopolitical alliances to minimize india s grip over its foreign policy with these cumulative efforts, Bangladesh has shown an unwavering commitment to protecting its independence and resisting indian imperialism an era wherein dhaka is setting its course rather than bowing to new delhi s unsubstantiated might the baneful intentions of india to control Bangladesh quite obviously resemble the actions of israel against Palestine, manifesting an urge for economic blackmail political subjugation and military intimidation Yet unlike Palestine in contesting those pressures Bangladesh has actively championed both patriotic political mobilization and tactical diplomatic counteractions Bangladesh has effectively circumvented india’s anticipatory schemes to ensure subservience by promoting nationalist movements that emphasize sovereignty and self-determination almost like a mirror image of the rival alliances formed during the partition of south asia, Bangladesh is increasingly focused on creating a diversified diplomatic network that will balance india’s influence the evolution of military procurements and actions by Bangladesh stand as testimony to its deliberate movement toward military independence confirming a
R o w o v e r U r d u a n d a t a l e
m At t S
P o n taking office during his first term, one of donald trump’s opening moves was a bigoted travel ban on people from Muslim-majority countries this time around trump is preparing another ban that could go into effect in days advocates warned tuesday that it will sweep up not just Muslims living abroad, but also immigrants living in the U s that hold what trump deems “hostile attitudes” toward the country the forthcoming travel ban would become the latest of trump s draconian anti-immigration policies many of which rehash the same themes about national security and public safety trump issued a January 20 executive order that used the language about “hostile attitudes” to target immigrants for deportation the phrase has been echoed in remarks from U s officials justifying the arrest over the weekend of the Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil said Yasmine taeb the legislative and political director for the Muslim advocacy group MPower Change all of these policies are interconnected,” she said, “and the travel ban that is going to be coming out is going to serve as another basis for the targeting of activists advocating for Palestinian human rights
TARGETING “HOSTILE” RESIDENTS: the white house has yet to formally release details of the latest travel ban, but trump has repeatedly said he will reissue his eight-year-old policy which was discarded by President Joe Biden when he came into office in 2021 the new ban could add afghanistan and Pakistan to the list of countries whose citizens were banned from entering the U s during trump s first term, which included iran, Libya, somalia, sudan, syria, and Yemen, according to a report from Reuters trump expanded the list to include four additional african countries in 2020
From the start trump s first travel ban faced challenges in court this time around the trump administration has been trying to preempt lawsuits in his January 20 executive order, trump directed the department of homeland security and other agencies to prepare a report on countries with “deficient” vetting
culture government institutions or founding principles, and do not advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists and other threats to our national security ” trump followed up that first executive order with another one on January 30 that more narrowly focused on pro-Palestinian protesters to all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests we put you on notice: come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you i will also quickly cancel the student visas of all hamas sympathizers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before trump said in a statement announcing the order at a press conference tuesday civil liberties and immigration advocates said they worried the vague language about hostile attitudes will set up a dragnet for people living legally in the U s on visas or holding lawful permanent residence also known as green card status Khalil the Columbia graduate who as a student had been involved in protests was a green card holder immigration and Customs Enforcement agents reportedly said at the time of his arrest that his permanent residence was being revoked advocates said the new Muslim ban could undermine the very values the trump administration says it wants to reinforce with its immigration crackdown this travel ban that the administration is planning to bring back will undermine our national security, undermine our economy, undermine fundamental values of our nation like free speech and force american families and communities like ours to live in fear said Jamal abdi president of the national iranian american Council to live with an assumption that the government is always watching, and if we don t stay within the very partisan lines defined by the current administration, we and our friends and our loved ones could be kicked out of this country ” in addition to targeting free speech on gaza news reports suggest the newest travel ban could add afghanistan and Pakistan to the list of countries whose nationals are barred from coming to america that would have devastating repercussions for the tens of thousands of afghan refugees at risk if they are forced to return to their home country in many cases because they aided the U s in its long war against the taliban advocates said tuesday this makes the trump administration and the U s government a willing accomplice of the taliban in afghanistan this decision will ensure that folks are killed, detained, surveilled and extrajudicially executed in all 34 provinces of afghanistan said arash azizzada the co-director of afghans for a Better tomorrow over 200 000 afghans are living in the U s as refugees and another 40,000 still hope to move to the country, nPR reported in January the travel ban could bar the latter from entering the country and force the former to live in fear of violating the vague ban on “hostile attitudes ” azizzada said the white house declined to comment on which countries will be included in the travel ban an administration spokesperson said, no decisions regarding possible travel bans have been made, and anyone claiming otherwise does not know what they are talking about ”
o f t w o n o n - H i n d i k n o w i n g p r i m e m i n i s t e r s o f I n d i a
It would be a daunting task for Adit yanath to stamp out the Urdu language r ta
No t w i t h s ta n d i n g the firm resolve of Uttar Pradesh chief minister adityanath to wipe out Urdu there is no denying the fact that india had in the recent decades two non-hindi knowing prime ministers while Urdu would come to the rescue of Manmohan singh (2004-14) as he could not read and write hindi h d deve gowda (1996-97) would often take civil aviation and tourism minister in his cabinet, C M ibrahim wherever he would go for any public gathering, especially in north india the reason was simple – ibrahim was also from Karnataka, where Muslims in general speak and understand Urdu though they know Kannada too this is not the case in tamil nadu and Kerala where Muslims largely speak tamil and Malayalam respectively as gowda had hardly any knowledge of hindi, ibrahim would work as his translator – if the prime minister spoke in English or Kannada Besides, in the 1990s the country had two other Urduknowing prime ministers – P V narasimha Rao and inder Kumar gujral Rao spoke Persian and arabic as well not only that many leading lights of the freedom movement including shaheed Bhagat singh were well-versed in Urdu
IRONY WITH URDU: the irony with Urdu is that it grew and expanded much faster in the 19th century, that is, at the height of the decline of the political power of Muslims so, against the general perception Urdu in this latest form hardly got any governmental promotion during Muslim rule the language evolved from hindavi spoken since the 13th century – first used by poet amir Khusro hindavi got official recognition during the time of emperor shah Jahan, and aurangzeb used to speak it too it was actually the British, who in 1837, made English and Urdu official languages replacing Persian so if singh Rao and gujral knew Urdu it was not because the language was thrust on them by Mughals or delhi sultanate in some ways the British East india Company was more responsible for its promotion it developed as a bridge language – a mixture of hindi and Urdu is often addressed as – hindustani thus, singh would write his speeches in Urdu, but when spoken it was as good as hindi the issue gradually acquired communal overtones as Muslims in general adopted arabic-Persian script while hindus used devanagari for the common hindustani interestingly, Urdu flourished in delhi and its vicinity, Lucknow, azimabad (Patna), Murshidabad, dhaka and Kolkata as well as Bhopal and further south in deccan Plateau what is more interesting is the fact that the contribution of Lahore to this language was not as much as these other cities though the great poet Mohammad iqbal was from this part of the then undivided Punjab where many non-Muslims were conversant with it today it may sound somewhat unbelievable, nevertheless true, Murshidabad and dhaka had contributed to the growth of Urdu – though the masses, including Muslims would speak Bangla as Kolkata was the national capital throughout the 19th century there was a sizable population who would speak and understand Urdu that is why it is difficult to digest the fact that india s first education minister and longest serving Congress president during the freedom
struggle Maulana abul Kalam azad was a Bengali Muslim from his father s side and his mother had arab origin he was equally fluent in Bangla and Urdu not to speak of arabic, Persian, English and hindi since his family had lived at several places and he himself was born in Mecca (Makkah) – before finally settling in Kolkata – he acquired a sort of cosmopolitan identity
LANGUAGE MOVEMENT: what is ironic is that it was in the erstwhile East Pakistan (earlier known as East Bengal) where the first Bangla language movement was launched just after partition what is even more surprising is that the attempt to make Urdu the sole official language of Pakistan was first made by the country’s founder, Mohammad ali Jinnah who ironically was not fluent in Urdu himself as his mother tongue was gujarati and he struggled to read write and speak Urdu astonishingly he used English as the language in March 1948 to announce in dhaka that only Urdu would be the official language of Pakistan in his campaign for the creation of Pakistan he would use English to deliver speeches and communicate with common masses another interesting fact is that when the Urdu-Bangla tussle erupted in 1952 in East Pakistan (then known as East Bengal) resulting in the death of many individuals the prime minister of Pakistan was Khwaja nazimuddin, who hailed from dhaka the chief minister of East Pakistan at the time was nurul amin (serving from 1948 to 1954), also a Bengali Muslim, who ironically opposed the Bangla language movement notably amin briefly served as the prime minister of Pakistan (from december 7 to 20 1971) under general Yahya Khan coinciding with the fall of dhaka there were several Bengali Muslims who in those heydays also advocated the adoption of arabic script for Bangla in undivided Bengal, while Urdu was gaining ascendancy under British rule, the Bangla language was undergoing a renaissance the debate took on political overtones in East Bengal (later East Pakistan) although in the 1956 constitution of Pakistan both Urdu and Bangla were finally granted official language status however just two years later Pakistan President iskander Mirza abrogated the constitution and declared martial law in india, the constituent assembly on september 14, 1949 adopted hindi in devanagari script as the official language of india
ROLE OF FILMS: in the post-independence decades films played a significant role in the spread of hindustani throughout the sub-continent and even beyond the influx of millions of afghan refugees into Pakistan after the soviet invasion of afghanistan in 1979 familiarised them with Urdu, which was as good as understanding hindi Many afghan students also came to study in india today a large chunk of afghans can speak and understand hindustani this phenomenon spread to Central asian Republics where many people like to watch indian films and Pakistani dramas the arabic-Persian script of Urdu helps them understand hindustani in the 21st century, indian Muslims may not be as passionately attached to Urdu as in the past yet the fact is that a sizeable section of hindus, whose mother tongue is hindi or any other regional language are showing eagerness to learn it Efforts are on at various levels to revive Urdu in such a situation it would be a daunting task for adityanath to stamp out this language Soroor Ahmed is a Patna-based freelance journalist
Chabahar port in southeastern Iran in recent days Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said in an interview on Wednesday that
Russia and its partners discussed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear issue We are in favor of restoring the original plan that the Americans withdrew from during the first term of the Trump administration There are some contacts on the European side ” he said “We would be in favor of resuming the format that developed the initial agreement approved by the Security Council which included France, Germany, Britain, the United States, Russia, China and Iran, Lavrov added “We will see how it goes ” “But what is worrying is that there are signs that the Americans would like this new agreement to be accompanied by political conditions and insist that there should be a verifiable arrangement for Iran not to support groups in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and anywhere else, which I don t think will lead anywhere,” Lavrov added “I don’t think this is realistic ” Lavrov added
Ties between Iran and Russia have deepened since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022 with a strategic cooperation treaty signed in January Both have good relations with China
The meeting will follow a closed-door gathering of the United Nations Security Council in New York the same day regarding Iran’s expansion of its stocks of uranium that are close to weapons-grade Last week Russia said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov discussed international
Russia sent 133 drones across Ukraine in overnight attacks In Odesa the missile strike targeted port infrastructure killing four Syrians and injuring both a Ukrainian and a Syrian citizen said Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba The strike also damaged the Barbados-flagged MJ PINA vessel, which was loading wheat for export to Algeria, along with another vessel and grain storage facilities Meanwhile Lysak reported that an overnight attack on Dnipro caused one injury and resulted in significant damage to infrastructure enterprises and about ten private homes The attack also started several fires, though most have now been extinguished
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f r e p o r t
Chinese Ambassador Mr Jiang Zaidong
Wednesday said that China’s Two Sessions reflect that Chinese modernization has taken new steps and embarked on a new chapter
Addressing the audience of a seminar jointly organized by China Media Group (CMG) and the Institute of Strategic Studies
Islamabad on China s Two Sessions, said that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China General Secretary Xi Jinping has personally planned guided and promoted comprehensive deepening of reforms pointing out that we must deepen reforms and expand opening-up with greater courage to continue writing more “stories of spring ”
“This year ’s Two Sessions are being held in the first spring following the strategic decision of further comprehensive deepening of reforms made at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which is of great significance for continuing to write the story of spring’ and pooling efforts to advance Chinese modernization ” he said
He said the Chinese people are eagerly looking forward to it and General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out Reform and opening-up, China s second revolution, has not only profoundly changed China but also profoundly influenced the world ” For this reason, he said, the international community is also eagerly looking forward to this year s Two Sessions
People hope to draw new momentum for growth from China s high-quality development, seize new opportunities for cooperation in China s high-level opening-up, and gain new inspiration for progress from the great practice of Chinese modernization The Two Sessions successfully concluded yesterday We are learning understanding and implementing the spirit of the Two Sessions and would like to share the following preliminary thoughts with our friends, he said He said first, Chinese modernization has taken new steps and embarked on a new
chapter Over the past year China’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 5% with per capita GDP exceeding $13 000 contributing about 30% to global economic growth, with grain output surpassing a new milestone of 1 4 trillion jin (approximately 700 million tons) for the first time, 12 56 million new jobs were created in urban areas and over 13 million new energy vehicles were manufactured
The solid progress of Chinese modernization is fundamentally attributed to the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era This year we expect GDP growth of around 5% Despite challenges such as adverse impacts from changes in the external environment and insufficient domestic effective demand, we firmly believe that under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and through the united efforts of people of all ethnic groups we will achieve economic and social development goals and tasks comprehensively, writing a new chapter in the realization of Chinese modernization, he said “China’s opportunities, shared by the world What we pursue is not a modernization that only benefits ourselves This year ’s government work report states that China will continue to expand high-level openingup and promote high-quality Belt and Road Initiative cooperation These important measures will surely provide new opportunities for the world with the new development of Chinese modernization benefiting our close friend Pakistan first and foremost
As President Xi Jinping pointed out China stands ready to walk hand in hand with Pakistan on our respective paths to modernization and welcomes Pakistan to benefit first from China’s further comprehensive deepening of reforms and expansion of high-level opening-up ” he said Second he said new breakthroughs have been achieved in science and technology, making new contributions He said during this year s Two Sessions, General
Secretary Xi Jinping had cordial exchanges with delegates and members discussing national affairs and emphasizing the importance of focusing on scientific and technological innovation, industrial innovation, and the integration of both, further clarified the basic path for the development of new quality productive forces In 2024 China s efforts to build a strong science and technology nation achieved new breakthroughs with high-tech manufacturing value-added increasing by 8 9%, total R&D expenditure reaching 3 6 trillion yuan, and the added value of core digital economy industries accounting for about 10% of GDP Since the beginning of this year the domestically developed opensource large language model DeepSeek has been launched, and the animated film Ne Zha 2 empowered by digital technology, has exceeded 300 million global views and a box office of over $2 billion”
“We will promote the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation nurture and strengthen emerging industries and future industries, stimulate innovation vitality in the digital economy, continuously improve the level of self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology I would also like to specifically mention that DeepSeek adheres to open-source principles contributing Chinese Wisdom to the world which shows that China s independent innovation is the innovation with openness and will benefit more countries and people while achieving our own development”
In 2024 he said Pakistan’s inaugural lunar satellite iCube-Qamar and multi-mission communication satellite PakSat-MM1 were launched from China Just before the Two Sessions, China and Pakistan signed an agreement on astronaut selection and training cooperation, and the first foreign astronaut to visit China’s space station will come from our iron-clad friend Pakistan Third he said the quality of people s lives have reached a new level and they re filled with new expectations General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that in Chinese
modernization people’s livelihood is of paramount importance and of every issue whether related to a family a nation or the whole world ensuring a happy life for the people is the top priority Employment is the basic aspect of people’s livelihood In 2024, China’s urban surveyed unemployment rate averaged 5 1% a year-on-year de-
CORPORATE CORNER
TR AINING AND JOB MARKET WILL BE PROVIDED TO
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
Aplan to send skilled manpower from Punjab to abroad the first meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif
In the meeting, the Chief Minister set a target of providing training and job placement to one lakh skilled youth She sought a comprehensive plan to send skilled manpower abroad She directed to provide business cards and business finance loans to the skilled youth on priority basis It was also decided to introduce the Skills on Wheel Project for the youth of remote areas in collaboration with the private sector The Punjab CM approved Plug and Play Call Centers and other programs in
Religious Affairs Ministr y to obser ve ‘Day for Protection of Sanctit y of Prophet (SAWW)’ on March 15: Sardar Yousaf
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o e r t
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has emphasized that Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is not only the most revered figure for Muslims but is also regarded as a great personality by people of other faiths He in a message on protection of the sanctity of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said showing respect and reverence for the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is an essential part of faith The minister further highlighted that any form of disrespect or blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is a serious offense under ‘Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code which carries the strictest punishment - capital punishment To raise awareness about the significance of the sanctity of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and to curb the spread of controversial and blasphemous content on social media, he said the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has decided to observe ‘Yaum-e-Tahaffuz-eNamoos-e-Risalat (Day for the Protection of the Sanctity of the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him) on Saturday, March 15 Directives have been issued to all provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, to initiate public awareness campaigns, he mentioned
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry held a high-level meeting with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Pakistan His Excellency Jacob Linulf, to review the progress of Danish investment in Pakistan s maritime sector and explore avenues for further collaboration During the meeting both sides discussed the implementation of the $2 billion investment plan under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last year between Pakistan and Denmark The investment aims to modernize Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure enhance port efficiency and promote sustainable practices in the shipping and logistics sector The minister emphasized the strategic importance of this partnership, highlighting how Danish expertise in maritime technology can contribute to Pakistan’s economic growth and global trade competitiveness
The discussion also covered potential future investments in green shipping, renewable energy solutions for ports and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen Pakistan s maritime workforce Both dignitaries reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries
Beyond economic cooperation the meeting also focused on strength-
ening cultural ties and promoting tourism between Pakistan and Denmark Both sides acknowledged the rich cultural heritage of their nations and discussed ways to enhance people-to-people exchanges They highlighted the breathtaking landscapes and historical sites of both countries, including Pakistan s scenic northern areas, ancient Indus Valley Civilization landmarks and Denmark’s picturesque castles and Viking heritage
cooking oil chickpea flour sugar juice drink red pepper tea and dates While expressing the pleasure to support the needy people during holy month of Ramadan with the help of PBM Turkish Envoy to Pakistan highlighted the brotherly relations between the two countries He also described TiKA’s various social welfare services in Pakistan for the last 15 years executing above 100 welfare projects “Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the first prime minister who visited Turkiye after the dis-
and PBM,
/ disruption particularly where electricity infrastructure is nearby
Any extracurricular activity should ideally be a source of joy, and not tragedy or disruption, said Imran Rana, Senior Director of Corporate Communications at K-Electric “The metal wires/chemical coated wires used in kite flying conduct electricity Just the mere presence of a metallic wire within the field – even without actual contact with a transmission line - around high-tension wires carry the risk of electrocution with lasting injury
or fatality We urge the residents of Karachi to embody Ramadan s spirit by enjoying activities that do not present a hazard to their safety and that of others ”
Recognizing the need for collective responsibility
KE also requests city administration law enforcement agencies and community leaders to play an active role in discouraging unsafe kite flying especially among children This causes unwarranted disruption in the supply of electricity, and has done so on multiple days near Iftaar
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday praised the outstanding performance of the provincial cabinet over the past year emphasizing significant progress in economic stability and development initiatives
Speaking during the 27th meeting of the provincial cabinet, attended by cabinet members, the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, and relevant administrative secretaries, the CM highlighted the financial turnaround achieved under his leadership, said an official release
ment
cabinet meeting included the approval of funds for the establishment of the KP Judicial Officers Welfare Fund, allocation for the Judicial Academy in Regi Model Town, and the creation of new positions within the Provincial Ombudsman Secretariat Funds were also sanctioned for the construction of an auditorium at Abbottabad Public
T ime to let politic al forces resolve Balochistan issue: Fawad C h
g EX-MINISTER URGES PRESIDENT ZARDARI TO CONVENE ALL-PARTIES CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS BALOCHISTAN CRISIS
Chaudhry further suggested that the establishment should relinquish control over the Balochistan issue and return it to political parties
He also called on President Asif Ali Zardari to convene an all-party conference ensuring the participation of PTI founder Imran Khan stating that the conference could not be successful with-
Fawad Ch highlighted that the ongoing crisis in Balochistan is one of the country s biggest tragedies, with 120 people still missing He emphasized that Balochistan is not a part of any political party and has been under the control of the establishment for an extended period
PHC extends protective bail of Khadija Shah until April 15
out his involvement “Balochistan is not under any political party s control it has been in the hands of the establishment for a long time Since they have been unable to solve its problems, it is time to return it to political leadership, he said Chaudhry urged President Asif Ali Zardari to convene an all-party conference to address the Balochistan crisis He stressed that Pakistan s leading opposition figure must be allowed to participate, saying, Without the oppo-
tended the interim bail of former
Bushra Bibi in two cases related to the November 26 protests ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain presided over the hearing Bushra Bibi s legal team represented by Anser Kiyani and Shamsa Kiyani ad-
sition leader such a conference will be meaningless He further called on major political leaders including Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Zardari, and the opposition leader to come together and take joint responsibility for resolving Balochistan’s issues The entire nation must unite If we fail to act now the situation could spiral out of control he warned Meanwhile, Chaudhry appeared in court over cases linked to the May 9 riots A two-member bench of the Lahore High Court heard petitions regarding four separate cases filed against him in Faisalabad
g DESPITE PAKISTAN'S APPEAL, IMF UPHOLDS FISCAL DISCIPLINE, WHILE ADDRESSING KEY ISSUES
