Tgrowth Key reforms under the RSF-supported program include continued fiscal consolidation, revenue mobilization structural energy reforms and climate resilience initiatives The authorities reiterated their commitment to the EFF-supported program and plan to supplement their efforts by advancing reforms under the RSF-supported program aiming to address long-standing economic vulnerabilities to climate shocks and build resilience The authorities’ policy priorities include: Continued fiscal consolidation to reduce public debt while creating space for social and development spending and reducing crowding out of private investment The authorities are on track to achieve an FY25 underlying
US lawmakers introduce bill targeting Pakistani officials
tabling of the draft bill reflects the persistent efforts of PTI supporters in the US who have remained active in lobbying American lawmakers since Imran Khan was ousted from power in 2022 Over the last three years, activists have continued to stage rallies, engage with members of Congress, and advocate for greater US involvement in Pakistan’s
if
governance and
ical
Govt decides to consult all
PM hails conclusion of agreement with IMF
grew by 1 73% in the second quarter (October-December) of fiscal year 2024-25 according to estimates released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) The National Accounts Committee (NAC) also revised the first quarter GDP growth for FY2023-24 to 1 34% from the previous estimate of 0 92% This revision followed upward adjustments in the services sector which grew by 2 21% instead of the previously reported 1 43% and an improve-
ment in the industrial sector, which saw a decline of 0 66% instead of the earlier forecasted -1 03% During Q2 of FY2024-25 agriculture and services posted growth rates of 1 1% and 2 57% respectively The crops sector contracted by 5 38%, with significant reductions in cotton, maize, rice, and sugarcane production Cotton production dropped by 30 7% while maize rice and sugarcane saw declines of 15 4% 1 4% and 2 3% respectively Additionally the area planted with wheat decreased by 6 8% compared to last year The industrial sector ’s contraction slowed from 1 81% in Q2 of FY202324 to 0 18% in the same period of
FY2024-25 Mining and quarrying activities contracted by 3 29% due to low production levels while large-scale manufacturing (LSM) as measured by the Quantum Index of Manufacturing (QIM) fell by 2 86% Key industries contributing to the decline included sugar, cement, and iron and steel The services sector experienced growth of 2 57% in Q2 FY2024-25 up from 1 32% in the same period last year NAC attributed the growth in services to the slowdown in consumer price index-based inflation, which helped industries like information and communication, finance, insurance, and public administration achieve positive contributions
ISLAMABAD
s
The integration of the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) with the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) marks a significant step toward modernizing trade facilitation benefiting both existing enterprises and new investors By automating the exemption process for capital goods imports, this collaboration enhances
Pakistan’s trade to get digital boost with PSW-STZ A collaboration
Going in for block chain technology
BL O C K chain technology is the latest buzzword ending itself both to get–tich-quick schemes, and to both new financial instruments, in particular, new form of currency, which takes a step further from modern fiat currency, which itself was a new form of currency, replacing the ge okd gold standard only in the 20th century It was thus positive that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took a meeting on this with relevant ministers in attendance, along with three CEOs of international data mining and asset tokenization companies The present fiat currency is no longer blacked by physical gold or silver but by the strength of the entire economy Thus the dollar could no longer be exchanged for a particular mount of gold but represented a value placed by market forces on the goods and services that it produces Similarly block chain technology goes a step beyond physical dollars, and records virtual dollars, in cyberspace One of the characteristics of this new instrument is that it breaks the monopoly of the state over money The state had monopolized specie first, with monopoly over minting coins, and now a monopoly over printing money However, there has been no monopoly over ‘mining’ for e-coins Central banks want to start issuing the virtual versions of their currencies as soon as possible Pakistan is also taking an interest in this new type of money and the setting up of a Crypto Council was the first
BA L O C H I S TA N, Pakistan’s largest yet most underdeveloped province, has long been plagued by insurgency socio-economic neglect and political alienation
While the rest of the country pushes forward with development initiatives like the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Balochistan remains trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty, unrest, and marginalization Just across the border China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region once a restive and impoverished land riddled with ethnic tensions and religious extremism tells a dramatically different story Over the past decade, Xinjiang has undergone a remarkable transformation from a hotbed of separatism to a relatively peaceful and economically integrated region The Chinese model offers important lessons that Pakistan might consider in its efforts to bring longterm peace and development to Balochistan In 2013 Xinjiang and Balochistan shared several striking similarities Both regions were vast resource-rich, and home to ethnic minorities who felt excluded from the national mainstream Both suffered from high poverty rates, low human development indicators and an ever-present threat of insurgency Xinjiang particularly in cities like Urumqi presented a bleak picture at the time The roads were dotted with old vehicles, commerce was limited, and poverty was visible in the daily lives of its people
stability and development This strategy went beyond military suppression It focused instead on what the state termed as a discreet permanent and human solution Vocational training centres were established across the region, designed to house hundreds of thousands of young and middle-aged individuals
These centees provided training in trades such as electronics, textiles, carpentry, IT, artificial intelligence and even cultural arts like music and dance
The idea was to open minds broaden worldviews and provide viable alternatives to extremism
Between 2014 and 2019 more than 1 2 million individuals were enrolled in these training programmes These efforts were accompanied by unprecedented state investment in infrastructure, including modern transportation energy grids and urban development With their newly acquired skills thousands of Xinjiang residents entered the workforce with confidence and competence finding employment in industries that had never existed in the region before Families saw improvements in their standard of living, children were enrolled in better schools, and traditional crafts were transformed into marketable products Once disillusioned and disenfranchised many residents began to see their cultural identity as an asset rather than a barrier The impact of this strategy is visible in the economic figures In 2013, Xinjiang s GDP was approximately $124 billion A decade later, it had grown to over $230 billion The poverty rate dropped from over 20 percent to below two percent in official estimates The literacy rate improved dramatically and economic activity flourished in diverse sectors such as tourism mining renewable energy and e-commerce
During the same period, Balochistan s economic trajectory has remained largely stagnant In 2013, the province’s GDP was around $9 billion,
The famous Grand Bazaar was little more than a rustic remnant of its historical past and the overall economic activity was stagnant Simultaneously the region was gripped by an upsurge in terrorist attacks and religious militancy particularly among sections of the Uyghur community These acts of violence caused severe disruption, social tension, and tragic loss of innocent lives
Faced with mounting unrest, the Chinese government launched a comprehensive strategy to steer Xinjiang away from extremism and toward a path of
economic guarantees anymore Contemporaneously European leadership has been facing several challenges to attain cogent and long-term strategic autonomy European Union member states have fragmented defence programmes which are marked with duplication and inefficiency This impedes coherent and effective efforts to face the challenge posed by Russia and other powers like China The European Defense Agency projects that EU countries have spent $355 billion on their defence capabilities which is two percent of their GDP Now they have to make a choice between strategic dependency and strategic autonomy? The latter will require an increase in funding for the defense programmes The competing priorities are also hindering the strategic autonomy of the EU and its member states The fiscal rules are tough and compel for social programmes over defence programmes Decades of deindustrialization have left the military dependent on the USA This combination of limited availability of funds and lack of local manufacturing capacity has ushered in dependency In recent times, the focus has increased on European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and European Defence Industrial Programme (EIDP) to significant extent Yet it will require tangible actions and strong leadership which is absent because of internal
political divide and ideological non-alignment among the member states Keeping aside the challenges there is a need to make sense of the benefits of the strategic autonomy for the European countries in this winter of global political and strategic calculus First, it will enhance the defence capabilities of Europe the fear of Russian imminent attack would be shunned It will also assist European leaders to face the undue demands of President Trump The distant strategic rivalry with China will also be managed Simply, reliance on local defence capabilities will empower European leadership to tackle the strategic imbalances in the region Moreover strategic autonomy in the defence economic and technological domains will necessarily ensure balance of power For instance technological independence will lead to cyber security, indigenous solutions, and improvements in the defence capabilities Strategic autonomy is the only solution for European defense and security In the words of Emmanuel Macron the EU needs to become the third superpower by incorporating local defense capabilities The visionary leaders of the EU like Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, have also advocated domestic capacity building In a nutshell, Niccolò Machiavelli has vividly provided a solution for the strategic dilemma of the EU nations: “The main foundations of every state new states as well as ancient or composite ones are good laws and good arms
The writer is a civil servant He can be reached at khaliqlakk1@gmail com
Parched cit y
KhaliQ DaD laK
Sindh’s Water Woes
THE Indus River once the lifeline of Sindh, now flows more like a political chessboard, where the central government and the Punjab government play their strategic moves while Sindh watches its fields turn into deserts
The 1991 Water Apportionment Accord supposed to be a contract of fair distribution of water, has instead become mere a script for Sindh s death, with the Green Pakistan Initiative” More like a dying initiative for Sindhi people, with the beginning of the socalled strategic initiative for Sindh surely has issued death certificates Sindh which strongly condemned the construction of Kalabagh Dam has once again stood against construction of six canals on the Indus River, with thousands of people rallying and protesting on the streets
The 1991 Water Apportionment Accord allocated 48 76 MAF of water to Sindh yet Sindh consistently faces 40 to 45 percent water shortage because the construction of dams, link canals, and mismanagement by the federal government have significantly reduced Indus flow
However, Sindh is a lower riparian province in Pakistan because of that water flow is controlled by upper riparian According to Sindh Irrigation Secretary Zerif Khoro the province utilized 3 560 MAF from April 1 to May 20 against an allocated 4 645 MAF representing 23 percent shortage As Sindh contributes 32 percent of Pakistan’s total GDP and 80 percent of Sindh irrigation depends upon water so ultimately further shortage or any diversion in water would deal a serious blow to Sindh s survival
Furthermore, it remains ambiguous what federal government and Punjab authorities aim
to achieve when Sindh already faces unfair distribution of water Area being the most vulnerable to floods and droughts, with construction of additional strategic canals on Indus River would exacerbate inter-provincial disparities and hatred If the existing water distribution is unjust and unfair how would one expect further infrastructural projects be just and fair So, the question arises; is the goal to develop the region or to deprive Sindh further from its legal and rightful resources Unfortunately unavailability of water throws Sindh into a trap that prevent it from having its enshrined due share in 1991 Accord
The province frequently experiences extreme flood almost every year, as exemplified by the devastating flood in 2022, which completely desolated 4 4 million-Acre land in Sindh Moreover, approximately 7300 km of canal infrastructure was severely affected with some area entirely disappearing from the map According to few official reports the capacity of Indus Delta holding fresh water has dramatically declined to just 8 percent that depicts the severe consequences of unfair distribution of water In this situation where people in one province are suffering from acute water shortage catalyzed by unfair distribution mistrust and floods-how one can even justify irrigating 1 2 million acres of barren land at the cost of 12 million acres of already prosper, greener, and fertile land in Sindh
Notably, it is important to understand that the failure of such canals is quite observable and measurable exemplified by India’s construction of Indira Gandi canal in Rajasthan; which has failed miserably No one has ever considered the construction of canals in deserted areas, without conducting a proper study on it and assessing its potential consequences on the non-traditional security of all the provinces
According to Dr Hassan Abbas, an irrigation expert and founding chairman of ZikZAK, constructing canals in deserted areas is misguided and misinterpreted approach by our so-called experts During an interview with AJ TV Official he constantly emphasized that even corporate farming is not sustainable, as it relies on Drip Irrigation system that uses pumps to transport water into sand However, while transporting water, the presence of sand in water causes nozzles blockages and leakages further complicating the proposed irrigation process Unfortunately these sort of erroneous and short-sighted policies have propelled Pakistan into acute water shortage countries list Such an instance of erroneous planning is explained by “Alloys Michel” in his book “The Indus Rivers” he explains that during the negotiations of Indus Water Treaty (IWT) Pakistan was suggested not to build dams as Indus River System naturally operates on the runof-the-river system However, without understanding the geography and natural flow of the river, Pakistan proceeded to construct dams because India was constructing
One of the largest dams in Pakistan, Tarbela, stores approximately 12 MAF of water every year, with 6 MAF reserved for winter and the remaining 6 MAF for the Summer Before the monsoon season comes it stores approximately 2 MAF of water crucial for Sindh Because monsoon arrives there earlier than other regions However, the blockage of water at the crucial time highlights how Pakistan’s largest dam has failed to ensure equitable allocation of water Further construction of canals and upstream diversion of water will interrupt water distribution catalyzing water scarcity in Sindh and threatening its agriculture Sindh is already suffering from extreme water shortage, which is evident in its three largest canals including, Sukkur Barrage, Guddu Barrage and Kotri Barrage The Sukkur Barrage located in Sindh s Sukkur city 3 miles below the Sukkur George on the Indus River An official ten-days update by the Sindh Irrigation Department, recorded a water shortfall of 58 35 percent in March, which is an eye-opening number, alarming the disastrous consequences to come in future In addition to that almost all canals have experienced significant water shortfalls The Akram Wah originating from Kotri Barrage recorded a 68 3 percent water shortfall Meanwhile the Dadu Canal received just 500 cusecs of water, far below its allocated 4200 cusecs in the Water Apportionment Accord, resulting in an 88 1 percent shortage Additionally the Begari Sindh Feeder faced a 20 percent shortfall whereas Ghotki Feeder recorded a 9 percent shortfall
Major political parties, including Qaumi Awami Tehreek, Grand Democratic Alliance, and Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party have completely
Justice Varma ‘cash-scandal’
Irrespec tive
were in an outhouse and not securely in the residential portion of the judge s house If he says it did not belong to him did someone plant the notes to discredit him and also start a fire where the notes were stored so that they come to the notice of the authorities?
The fire occurred on March 14 and the news became public on March 20, almost a week later The police apparently informed the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court on March 15 and he informed CJI Khanna The Supreme Court s Press Release on March 22 also annexes relevant documents like Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya s letter
room Chief Justice Upadhyaya asked his Secretary cum Registrar ( SR ) to visit the site and give a report The SR visited the site and inspected the room in the presence of Justice Varma In the Report there is no mention of any burnt cash found at the site With all this information,
went beyond the initial framework agreement that the two sides agreed on earlier but never signed following an acrimonious Oval Office meeting last month Zelensky said he had not been able to
review the new proposal in detail yet, but that it
include greater US involvement in Ukraine’s
power
CORPORATE
Telenor Pakistan has introduced two groundbreaking initiatives ‘Nayi Raah’ and Executive MBA sponsorship, aimed at fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment for women Nayi Raah an industry-first part-time work model is designed to empower women by offering them the flexibility to balance their careers with personal responsibilities This initiative allows female professionals to actively contribute to the workforce without compromising their commitments at home marking a significant step toward greater work-life integration Telenor Pakistan has collaborated with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) to offer an exclusive scholarship on Executive MBA and all Master s programs at the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) This partnership is designed to support the professional growth and leadership development of Telenor Pakistan s female employees fostering a culture of continuous learning and empowerment These initiatives are
Telenor Pakistan Through initiatives like Nayi Raah and sponsoring Executive MBA at LUMS, we are not just advocating for inclusion We are taking action and creating pathways for women to excel in their careers while maintaining a work-life balance Telenor Pakistan has long been at the forefront of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) with pioneering programs such as Naya Aghaaz and Parvaaz that support increased female participation in the workforce
17th board of trustees meeting of IIUI appoints new president
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
The 17th Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting of the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) was held online chaired by the Chancellor of the University President of Pakistan H E Asif Ali Zardari The meeting formally confirmed the minutes of the 16th BoT meeting held on December 23, 2024, at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, Riyadh A key agenda item of this meeting was the finalization of the appointment of the President of IIUI in accordance with the resolutions of the 16th BoT meeting which had stipulated the formation of a head-hunting committee to shortlist candidates for the position The committee finalized three names, which were presented to the BoT by the Acting Rector of IIUI, H E Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed The shortlisted candidates were: Dr Ahmed Saad Nasser Al-Ahmed Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi Dr Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan The BoT selected Dr Ahmed Saad Nasser Al-Ahmed as the new President of IIUI The meeting was also attended by Prof Dr Ahmad Salem Mohammad Al-Ameri, Pro-Chancellor of IIUI and Rector of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University The BoT members in attendance from Pakistan included Hon ble Mr Justice Yahya Afridi Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court of Pakistan, Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Acting Rector, IIUI / Chairman, Higher Education Commission, Prof Dr Ahmed Shuja Syed, Acting President IIUI, Allama Dr Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Mr Muhammad Shakeel Malik Secretary to the President of Pakistan Ch Muhammad Ali Randhawa Chairman, Capital Development Authority, Islamabad, Ms Amna Baloch, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, Secretary Federal Ministry of Education and
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken a commendable and unique step for the protection of women children and the weaker segments of society On the direction of CM Punjab, Women Police Squad has been established in prominent markets in the province for the protection of women and patrolling has been started across the province
On the direction of the Chief Minister special Women Police Squad will patrol the markets during peak hours for the protection of women and children Women Police Squad teams will patrol the markets on foot, bicycle and motorbikes Women
Police Squad will prevent incidents of harassment of women coming for shopping in markets and bazaars Women Police Squad’ will monitor the activities of antisocial elements in the markets ‘Women Police Squad’ will also prevent incidents of harassment of women and girls coming for shopping in the markets and bazaars Due to Eid rush in the markets this squad will help in preventing incidents of snatching mobile phones, wallets and robberies etc Women police foot squads will also perform surveillance duties in bazaars and markets Women police squads have started patrolling major commercial centres in Lahore Rawalpindi
In
neers
stamp commemorating P akistan Day to mark 130 years since the discovery of X-rays
This historic initiative not only honours over a century of medical innovation but coincides with Pakistan Day commemorating the Lahore Resolution of 1940 that laid the foundation for the country s creation By intertwining these two significant milestones, this initiative reflects both the power of scientific
progress and the spirit of national determination Since Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen’s groundbreaking discovery in 1895 X-ray imaging has revolutionized medical diagnostics with Siemens Healthineers playing a pivotal role in its advancement
From the early industrial production of X-ray tubes by its predecessor companies to leading innovations in computed tomography mammography and minimally invasive therapies Siemens Healthineers continues to shape the future of medical technology In Pakistan, Siemens Healthi-
neers has significantly contributed to healthcare advancements Its stateof-the-art solutions enable clinicians to detect diseases earlier facilitate precise treatments and ultimately improve patient care across the country Through digital connectivity and high-quality diagnostic services, Siemens Healthineers has reached communities that previously had limited healthcare options
Globally Siemens Healthineers invests €1 5 billion annually in research and development driving advancements in medical imaging, interventional radiology, and digital health solutions With a portfolio of approximately 24 000 technical intellectual property rights including more than 15 000 granted patents
Siemens Healthineers remains at the forefront of redefining the future of diagnostics
This commemorative postage stamp is a testament to scientific progress and medical excellence
Available from March 23 2025 (Pakistan Day) it underscores Siemens Healthineers unwavering resolve to advancing healthcare and
CDA committed to resolve problems of business community, says CDA chief
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa while chairing a ceremony arranged by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI) as a Chief Guest has said that business community play a vital role in the development and prosperity of country thus resulting into economic growth and generating employment
Chairman CDA said that CDA is committed to resolving genuine problems of the business community and focal persons from ICCI and FPCCI would be invited to CDA Board Meeting as and when required to apprise CDA Board about the issues of business community Chairman CDA also outlined steps taken by the Authority in order to supply of water to the citizens of Islamabad as well as initiating a large-scale tree plantation drive which is a landmark step of step, in order to ensure the protection and maintenance of the newly planted saplings ICCI President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi in his welcome address appreciated the sincere efforts under the dynamic leadership of Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner for taking personal interest in resolving the issues of business community He said that there are some issues faced by the business community of Islamabad which need to be resolved He requested for a dedicated graveyard in Sector H-13 in order to cater to the area s growing population He said that ICCI, with the support of the business community, has planned to plant one lakh saplings to enhance Islamabad’s greenery and maintain its beauty Chairman CDA said that CDA is making serious efforts to improve Road infrastructure beautification plantation of environmental friendly trees and also intending to have
SAANS defining dialogue on air quality & sustainability
s ta f f r e p o r t SAANS a landmark conference on Air Quality & Sustainability under Heal Pakistan concluded with a powerful call to action bringing together key policymakers, industry leaders, and sustainability advocates to shape a cleaner, greener future for Pakistan The event held at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) was hosted with great pride by Vice Chancellor Dr Uzma Quraishi Developing the conversation as Tactical Curators were Mr Jamshaid Faisal Janjua, Chief Engineer & Project Manager NESPAK and Ambrin Sipra CEO Synergy Inc both instrumental in driving the vision for a sustainable Pakistan Their expertise in strategic development and engineer-
ing solutions set the foundation for progressive dialogue
Joining them was Mr Sajjeed Aslam, Partner at Spectreco, whose commitment to green financing and sustainable business models showcased how private-sector investments can accelerate climate resilience They further elaborated on the movement s tactical approach, emphasizing integrated environmental solutions and infrastructure planning for long-term impact
From the public sector Dr Saira of the Planning & Development Department (P&D) highlighted Punjab s ongoing sustainable initiatives while Dr Rizwan from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reinforced the department’s commitment to combating air pollution through policy-driven enforcement and technological adaptation
Representing the Chief Minister s Cell Ms Rizwana introduced the Green Credit Program, a transformative step toward incentivizing sustainable practices through financial integration
A major milestone of SAANS was Heal Pakistan s commitment to forging deeper strategic collaborations with the private sector, ensuring that sustainability is driven through policy, innovation, and actionable initiatives Under its flagship initiative Green Yakeen the movement launched a plantation drive reaffirming its commitment to restoring Punjab s natural environment SAANS has set a new benchmark for sustainability dialogues in Pakistan, proving that through collaboration innovation and strategic leadership a cleaner and healthier future is achievable
inactive, and due to this inaction, people in Muslim countries from Lebanon to Yemen continue to suffer he added “The strong and courageous stance of the Pakistani government and its honorable people along with the media and influential voices in this country, have played a significant role in raising global awareness I take this
‘Embattled’ Journalist Farhan Mallick sent on five - day remand in fresh ‘fraud case’
arrested suspects reportedly confessed to working for Mallick leading to the institution of the new case against him Mallick the founder of media agency Raftar and a former news director at Samaa TV, was arrested on March 20 in Karachi and booked under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) as well as the Pakistan Penal Code The next day he was handed into the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) custody for four days
Another Public Holiday Announced By Sindh Government After
Lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii the counsel for Mallick condemned the new case After keeping him in custody in violation of court orders all of yesterday the FIA sprung a surprise by presenting @FarhanGMallick in the Malir court with a new FIR, he regretted “What they are trying to do is waste more days of his life ” Jaferii told Dawn com “It will probably take
up five more days in clearing this process [the fresh case] ” he added Earlier Mallick was booked by the FIA under sections 16 (unauthorised use of identity information) 20 (offences against dignity of a natural person) and 26-A of Peca 2016]2, as well as sections 500 (punishment for defamation) and 109 (abetment) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC)
Notably Section 26A is among the provisions recently added to the Peca laws wherein fake news is defined as any information about which a person knows or has reason to believe to be false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest Any person found guilty of spreading such information could be sentenced to up to three years in prison or fined up to Rs2 million, or both The criminalisation of alleged online disinformation has spread fear in Pakistan with journalists among those worried about the potentially wide reach of the law The law has sparked concern among journalists and civil society over its broad interpretation and impact on press freedom Mallick s continued detention has further intensified debate over the use of cybercrime laws against media professionals
PTI blasts govt for blocking
K han’s famil y visit
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t
Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) strongly condemned the powerless government for barring PTI founder Imran Khan s family from meeting him at Adiala Jail, deliberately disregarding court orders and violating his constitutional and fundamental rights
PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas
Akram in a strongly worded statement on Wednesday said that the Form-47 government had paralyzed and rendered state institutions redundant by installing handpicked, inept and compromised favorites, whose orders were routinely ignored and blatantly disregarded without any fear of accountability Waqas demanded that judges should not merely issue orders but should also ensure their execution in true spirit He urged them to hold high-ranking officials accountable for making a mockery of the judiciary and the justice system through their constant and deliberate disregard of clear directives
PTI CIS sound alarm that flouting court orders has become the new normal in the country, causing people to lose trust in the judicial system which is an alarming and dangerous trend He therefore stressed that the courts must ensure strict enforcement of their rulings allowing uninterrupted meetings with the unlawfully incarcerated leader of the nation and facilitating his telephonic conversations with his sons, along with other entitlements as per his status and jail manuals
Waqas pointed out that the glaring governance
gaps existed in the country because inept and rejected individuals were given the reins in total disregard of the public mandate national security and integrity
reducing Pakistan to a predator state and banana republic, as these illegitimate rulers neither serve public interests nor pursue national welfare
He vehemently condemned the arbitrary arrests of PTI workers leaders Baloch women and journalists stating that a state did not become strong by usurping people s fundamental rights and suppressing them, but by holding itself accountable and ensuring equal, fair, and just treatment for all, regardless of their position or status
PTI CIS stressed that decades of ‘coercive measures’ in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have failed to yield positive outcomes emphasizing the urgent need for resurrection course correction and immediate actions to address the genuine grievances of the people He called for fast-tracked development projects in long-neglected areas and the provision of respectable jobs for youth to prevent militants from exploiting their alienation and deprivation for nefarious purposes
Waqas demanded that PTI workers and leaders including Imran Khan and all other political prisoners should be instantly release because only PTI founder could pull the country out of the prevailing quagmire of problems PTI CIS lambasted the fake prime minister and his cronies for making daily headlines over the past ten months about providing major relief in electricity costs but of no good On the contrary he stated that the people were unjustly deprived of the benefits of lower fuel prices in the international market
He said that the power grabbers diverted the benefits of global fuel price drops to massively increase the salaries of their oversized cabinet, while ignoring the suffering of poverty-stricken and inflationcrushed citizens
