Muf ti Usmani condemns Muslim states’ failure to act against Israel
anyone s life or property as causing harm to others through stone-throwing or vio-
lence is prohibited in Sharia and the boycott of Israel and its supporters’ products should be carried out peacefully
The call for non-violence came after a mob attacked a branch of an international fast-food chain in Mirpurkhas late Tuesday night, damaging the building and setting part of it on fire
Mufti Usmani reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance emphasizing that the country has no relations with Israel and that it will not recognize the state of Israel
in Islamabad on Thursday He also called on the Muslim world to impose a complete boycott of Israel condemning the global community He stressed that protests against Israel must be peaceful while warning that any harm to individuals or property is strictly prohibited under Sharia law Numerous Islamic scholars from various schools of thought gathered at National Palestine Conference to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Palestine Mufti Usmani said that it is essential to keep Gaza alive and to completely boycott the products of Israel and its supporters while emphasizing the need to also boycott companies that aid Israel However he stressed that protests against Israel should not result in harm to
He reminded the audience that the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had declared Israel an illegitimate state before the creation of Pakistan, and this position remains unchanged Mufti Usmani also criticized the United Nations for enabling Israeli violence and noted the failure of the global community to hold Israel accountable while calling for a clear and unified declaration of jihad against Israeli occupation stressing that Muslim leaders cannot shy away from their duty
Speakers at the conference highlighted the dire situation in Gaza with reports stating that over 60,000 Palestinians have been martyred, including women and children
The clerics blamed the US for en-
couraging Israeli aggression and criti-
cized the inaction of international human rights organizations as they also pointed out the growing humanitarian crisis, with local populations being displaced and reports of Israeli attacks on medical professionals and journalists Israel is a terrorist state said Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman The leadership of the Muslim world is inactive and the silence is deafening ” He stressed that the time for mere condemnation was over and called for military intervention in Gaza We must send our forces, for jihad is now a religious obligation, he said Former senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan spoke of the ongoing genocide of Palestinians urging Islamic nations to stop merely condemning the actions of Israel and take action to help the people of Gaza He praised the resistance of Hamas fighters in Gaza and called for a military response from the 57 Islamic nations, questioning their true commitment to the Palestinian cause The conference concluded with a unanimous declaration calling for a range of actions, including the immediate cessation of diplomatic relations with countries that recognise Israel and the establishment of a no-contact policy until
an unconditional ceasefire is achieved
The clerics urged the United Nations to hold an emergency session and called on Pakistan to lead the charge in this matter The conference also declared tomorrow the “Day of the Oppressed Palestinians urging Muslims worldwide to show solidarity with Palestinians who have endured decades of occupation and violence RESOLUTION OF THE NATIONAL PALESTINE CONFERENCE
The conference released a detailed statement describing Israel s actions as open genocide and accusing the UN Security Council and the International Court of Justice of inaction
The declaration called for Jihad as an obligation on all Muslims citing the Islamic principle of “al-Aqrab fi al-Aqrab” (the nearest must be helped first) in the face of Palestine s suffering
The statement also denounced US President Donald Trump s remarks about relocating Palestinians, affirming that Palestine including Jerusalem is a legitimate and historical right of the Palestinian people
The Muslim world must come together to support Palestine, the declaration concluded Israel s occupation is illegal, and the region, including all of Palestine, belongs to the Palestinians ”
Barrister Gohar rebuts ‘repor ts, claims’ on political negotiations
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Thursday categorically denied reports suggesting the party was engaged in political negotiations calling all such reports and claims false and baseless
In an exclusive conversation with a TV channel, he dismissed the circulating stories and specifically criticised a private news channel for broadcasting what he termed as inaccurate information I completely reject the news regarding negotiations A private channel aired a false report which I categorically deny he stated He added that he had contacted the channel in question, which later issued an apology for the erroneous report “Furthermore, the party’s founding chairman has not assigned me any task related to negotiations ” Gohar clarified Addressing the media directly he appealed for responsible journalism: I request that before running any news, always confirm the facts by seeking the concerned person s version Echoing his statement, a spokesperson for PTI also issued a formal rebuttal “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf strongly denies all reports cir-
culating through so-called sources regarding any meeting between our leader Imran Khan and Chairman Barrister Gohar
The party spokesperson further stressed that no such interactions or discussions have taken place “If Barrister Gohar ’s stance had been taken beforehand such confusion could have been avoided None of the aired reports have any truth to them the statement read PTI also condemned the reports as part
“These stories about negotiations are part of an organised propaganda effort against
the spokesperson concluded
GOVT TO REL AUNCH PIA PRIVATISATION
Tarbela Dam system WAPDA Chairman Engr Lt Gen (Retd) Sajjad Ghani accompanied the delegation and expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its continued part-
nership in Pakistan s hydropower development “Our collaboration with the World Bank spans over six decades, and we look forward to even stronger ties in the years ahead he said The Tarbela Dam commissioned in 1976 on the Indus River is a cornerstone of Pakistan s power and irrigation infrastructure Originally designed for irrigation and flood control, the dam evolved into a critical hub for hydropower generation Its initial installed capacity of 3 478 MW has been progressively expanded with the 4th Extension (completed in 2018 with World Bank assistance) and now the 5th Extension, which aims to enhance clean energy generation and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels The 5th Extension is a flagship initiative under WAPDA s broader strategy to generate green, clean, and least-cost electricity by maximizing the use of existing infrastructure It is expected to add 1 347 billion units of hydel electricity to the national grid annually enough to power millions of
homes and significantly ease the coun-
energy shortfall
World Bank delegation visited several key work sites including the raised intake tunnel penstock and powerhouse During the visit the General Manager/Project Director of the 5th Extension briefed the team on ongoing developments across seven major fronts Excavations at the raised intake shaft penstock powerhouse and switchyard have already been completed Concrete works are progressing at the powerhouse intake tailrace culvert, switchyard, and associated canal structures Installation of the draft tubes for all three generating units each with a capacity of 510 MW
AHSAN IQBAL REVIEWS INFL ATION TRENDS, UNVEILS
PL AN TO BOOST PAKISTAN’S GLOBAL IMAGE
PSX
tracks global rebound after trade war pause
The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) has released the written and final results for various positions across seven departments of the Punjab government, including enforcement, health education and social welfare In the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority 19 candidates were selected for the role of enforcement officer in the Gujrat Division with Amna Zaheer, Israr Shaukat, Muhammad Junaid, and Kamran Khan among the successful candidates Four others Israr Shaukat, Hamza Munir Urooj Arshad and Talha Munir were chosen for the position of investigation officer in the same authority However ten vacancies for enforcement officers remained unfilled due to a lack of suitable candidates In the Labour and Human Resource Department, Junaid Almas and Qasim Rauf were appointed as consultant cardiologists while Sumbal Rafiq and Jaweria Sajid secured roles as consultant oncologists The PPSC also announced results for several other positions across different departments In the Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Mal Department, 66
s ta f f R e
t A significant global honour for Pakistan and the Punjab province as Lahore has been declared as Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO’s) Tourism Capital for the year 2027 A 25-member delegation of the 10nation Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) will begin its visit to Lahore from April 13 and will formally announce the declaration that Lahore will be nominated as ‘ECO’s Tourism Capital’ Shahrisabz in Uzbekistan has already received this honour and the city of Erzurum in Eastern Anatolia Turkey has been nominated as ECO s Tourism Capital for 2025 The Ambassador of the Economic Coordination Organization is visiting Lahore on the invitation of Punjab
with our internal affairs PTI is not a feudal party everyone is equal Imran Khan listens to everyone and the party is united under his leadership Commenting on legislative matters, Ayub said, “Passing or not passing the Minerals Bill is the domain of the provincial assembly and government ” Referring to senior PTI leader
Azam Swati, he added, Swati is a respected elder I wasn’t in the meeting, but what he said must be true Imran Khan and others are political prisoners When the government demands an apology from him it clearly shows these are political cases
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are also included in the ECO in addition to Turkiye Iran Afghanistan and Pakistan ECO selects one city from 10 member countries for this unique honour every year Lahore is being granted this special honour against the backdrop of its rich historical cultural and touristic heritage The aim of this series which began in 2019 is to highlight historical cultural and touristic heritage and beauty of the ECO region worldwide
The meeting of the Permanent Delegates Council of ECO, hosted by the Punjab Chief Minister will be held at the Civil Secretariat In addition to witnessing Mela Chiraghan the delegation members of the ECO countries will visit other historical
sites, including Walled City and Punjab Safe Cities Authority A luncheon will also be hosted in the honour of the ECO delegation at the Governor House Commenting on the development Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that Lahore receiving the honour of ECO Capital Tourism is a great achievement “This step will help promote our history culture and national heritage and the Punjab government duly welcomes she added The senior minister said that the Chief Minister wants to show historical, cultural and civilizational colours of Lahore to the world “Lahore being nominated as ‘ECO Tourism Capital’
COMMENT
Reversal for now
USA President Donald Trump has paused the tariffs he had imposed just last week after the initial bleeding pf the stocks markets continued on Monday and Tuesday The recovery witnessed on the markets after the pause announcement indicates that it was thus negative pressure that forced Mr Trump’s hand However, he not only refused to pause the tariff on China, but raised it to 104 percent, as China raised its own tariff on US goods to 64 percent The pause will allow negotiations with over 70 countries that Mr Trump says are seeking negotiation
Mr Trump’s language reveals where he is coming from and indicates why exactly he imposed the tariffs He said those countries were “kissing my ass” He also excoriated China for ‘not showing respect ’ That may be (too) colourful language but it is not the language of a serious person Apart from the volatility of temperament shown it gives rise to the suspicion that he might have done what he did merely to show his strength// However he should realize that he has not just offended a lot of countries but made the word of the USA worthless He seems to perceive the world as some sort of playground on which he is to posture The inelegant use of language is also impolite to say the least and even considered by some as downright insulting The basic problem remains unchanged The US is consuming more than it produces Production has gone abroad to cheaper labour and a lot of US workers are unemployed Maybe Mr Trump is beginning to walk back the tariffs as he realizes that industries which have gone bust will not be revived just by a few tariffs
Another reason for the pause is that few countries have joined China in retaliating Even Pakistan supposedly one of China’s closest friends has hastened to put itself in the ranks of those which have as Mr Trump so elegantly put it ‘kissed ass’ It seems that Mr Trump has decided to dispense with niceties of good manners and wants the world to accept him as the foul-mouthed
Dedicated
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
AT one level US President Donald Trump is only doing what he was elected to do That raises a further question, of whether all those affected had the vote This is entirely separate from the question of whether what he is doing will achieve what he says it will He has announced pause as if he had frightened himself but it should not be forgotten that he had earlier paused the first set of tariffs he had imposed, on Canada and Mexico, but then implemented them He probably mens business this time too The nearest that Trump has come to an endorsement from theoretical economists for what he has done is the acknowledgement that the imposition of across-the-board tariffs on almost all countries have challenged the foundations of economic theory There is a rising crescendo of opinion from academia around the world that the imposition of tariffs will lead to a shrinking of growth, a round of inflation, that will lead to a worldwide depression The few theoretical economists who support what he is doing believe that his steps will lead to US firms taking advantage of the tariff wall he has erected, expand, and thus employ more Americans The analogy most often used is of the tariffs as a necessary medicine This is taking place at the same time as anti-immigration measures are shrinking the work force and depriving it of the kind of worker that will be most in demand in the type of expansion that will be taking place Another problem with American labour is that it is over-paid and problematic, compared to the work forces of the countries Trump is tariffing US companies did not send abroad operations because the companies wanted to stop America becoming great again but because it was cheaper Also US companies have imported goods produced in the sweatshops of Asia because they have been quoting lower prices than US companies could As Pakistan is one of those sweatshops, it should be remembered that the movement here was preceded by an earlier shift, within the USA, from North to South The original sweatshops in the garments industry were set up in the East Coast mainly around New York and were staffed by immigrant and Black American labour Indeed the availability of those jobs was the reason for the Great Migration, where Black Americans migrated from the South, after slavery was abolished, to the North, where they still form large enough majorities in several cities to consistently elect Mayors from their community The problem with Black Americans is that they demanded rights and with immigrants is that their next generations became too Americanized to tolerate the sweatshops The garments industry then shifted South, which was still relatively impoverished When even that became too gentrified, the textiles industry
shifted abroad The US market has seen an increasing influx of what is called fast fashion , where clothes are not meant to last, but be in fashion, but to be discarded after being worn a few times That gives a certain incentive to lower-quality products which are left to the Third World There is certainly an intersection between politics and economics, but probably not at the place Trump thinks it is In his first term, his attempt to use economic means to achieve political ends, such as reimposing sanctions on Iran to further twist its arm on its nuclear programme failed Being a reserve currency is an area of impingement The BRICS countries are talking about a new currency and Trump has already forbidden them from doing so Again, this will be a primarily economic decision One of the advantages the USA has from its currency being the global reserve is that to import, it does not have to earn through exports it merely has to print more dollars One effect has been the development of large holdings of US Treasury securities abroad It is a paradox
T o w a r d s a z e r o - w a s t e f u t u r e
must be rigorously implemented ensuring manufacturers take full accountability for their products from creation to disposal Stricter regulations on hazardous chemicals used in textile production investments in advanced recycling infrastructure, and incentives for eco-friendly businesses can drive meaningful change In Pakistan, where rapid urbanization has intensified waste mismanagement comprehensive policies addressing industrial waste disposal improved urban waste collection and governmentled recycling initiatives are essential Integrating waste-to-energy technologies and expanding composting programs for organic waste can optimize waste management systems, reducing environmental and health hazards Pakistan can draw inspiration from global best practices Countries like Sweden Germany and Japan have pioneered circular economy models that emphasize waste reduction efficient recycling, and responsible consumption In South Asia, cities like Bangalore and Dhaka
have introduced innovative waste segregation programs and decentralized recycling units demonstrating the potential for locally tailored solutions By adopting similar models while considering Pakistan s socio-economic landscape, the country can accelerate its transition toward sustainability Public-private partnerships can bridge the gap between policy and implementation A structured and efficient waste management ecosystem requires collaboration between the government private sector and civil society organizations Encouraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives focused on sustainability can significantly amplify impact Encouraging entrepreneurship in waste management such as biodegradable packaging textile upcycling and plastic alternatives can stimulate economic opportunities while addressing environmental challenges Community engagement is equally vital in ensuring long-term sustainability Grassroots movements and local organizations can drive behavioural change through education, cleanup drives and awareness campaigns Schools and universities should integrate environmental responsibility into curricula promoting a generation that prioritizes sustainability Digital platforms and social media can further amplify public consciousness, inspiring collective action across all societal levels The urgency to combat waste pollution cannot be overstated
If left unchecked Pakistan’s waste crisis will not only intensify environmental degradation but also threaten public health economic stability, and overall quality of life Waste reduction is not merely an environmental necessity but a fundamental pillar of sustainable development Every stakeholder, from policymakers and businesses to consumers and grassroots activists must take decisive action to reduce waste and advance a circular economy Pakistan needs to work on enforcing strict waste management laws, investing in recycling infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, implementing city-wide waste segregation advancing waste-to-energy projects banning single-use plastics raising community awareness and promoting urban green initiatives Only through conclusive action can Pakistan transform its cities into cleaner, greener, and more sustainable hubs for progress and vitality
Ease Commute
Dr Zafar Khan SafDar
to respiratory diseases strokes heart attacks or cancers triggered or exacerbated by toxic air Children are particularly vulnerable Exposure to pollutants like particulate matter (PM2 5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (nO₂), sulfur dioxide (sO₂) and ozone (O₃) during developmental stages can lead to stunted lung growth asthma and cognitive impairments the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions also face heightened risks in cities like Lahore, PM2 5 levels during winter can rise to 300–400 µg/m³, which is more than 20 times higher than WHO’s recommended safe limit of 15 µg/m³ at such levels breathing becomes hazardous equivalent to smoking 10 or more cigarettes a day Hospitals in urban centres report spikes in respiratory cases during smog season, overwhelming an already strained healthcare system the WHO provides comprehensive air Quality Guidelines that set health-based thresholds for various pollutants While these guidelines are universal countries can adapt them into localized air Quality index systems For instance, the Usa, China, and india have developed their own aQi scales that reflect regional conditions and tolerance thresholds Pakistan however lacks a consistent and transparent aQi monitoring framework independent sources like iQair and the Pak-
istan air Quality initiative (PaQi) fill the gaps but data accessibility and reliability remain concerns Often government-reported figures understate the severity of pollution or are simply unavailable for large stretches of time Despite these limitations, all sources agree on one thing: Pakistan s air is among the most polluted globally, and it consistently fails to meet even the most lenient air quality standards Despite a recent three percent decline in vehicle registrations bringing the national total to around 1 3 million Pakistan s roads are congested with aging vehicles that run on substandard fuel the lack of vehicle inspection and maintenance regimes means that cars, buses, and motorcycles continue to emit large quantities of black carbon nitrogen oxides and other harmful gases While the arrival of electric and hybrid vehicles (EVs and HEVs) offers a glimpse of hope, affordability remains a major barrier import duties, lack of charging infrastructure, and limited public knowledge have slowed adoption significantly in provinces like Punjab and sindh farmers routinely burn leftover crop stubble to prepare for the next sowing season While this practice is cost-effective and time-saving it releases vast amounts of PM2 5 into the atmosphere, particularly in autumn and winter these emissions combine with industrial pollutants and cold weather to create the thick smog that blankets northern Pakistan annually Pakistan s urban centres are industrial engines but they come at a cost Cities like Faisalabad (textiles), Lahore (chemicals and steel), and karachi (cement and general manufacturing) contribute significantly to national GDP but with minimal environmental regulation Many factories use coal or furnace oil and operate without scrubbers or filters
Unregulated construction activities and poor urban planning contribute heavily to airborne dust and PM10 in major cities, open construction sites, uncovered material transportation, and unpaved roads generate constant dust storms no city in Pakistan has designated dust control regulations that are strictly enforced and even fewer consider the environmental impact of rapid unchecked urban sprawl in rural and peri-urban areas, the use of biomass for cooking and heating such as wood, cow dung, and charcoal adds another layer to the pollution problem these sources disproportionately affect women and children who are exposed to indoor air pollution for prolonged periods While coastal areas such as karachi may occasionally benefit from sea breezes that dilute air pollutants, this is not the case for landlocked regions like Lahore and Peshawar in these areas, topography wind patterns and weather conditions often trap pollutants close to the ground exacerbating smog conditions Even greenery and pleasant weather cannot always be trusted indicators in some cases, urban tree plantations and lawns require high maintenance, including the use of fossilfuel-powered lawnmowers and leaf blowers
which contribute additional emissions the economic impact of air pollution is immense according to a World Bank report environmental degradation including air pollution costs Pakistan approximately 6 5 percent of its GDP annually this includes:
n Lost labour productivity due to illness and absenteeism
n increased healthcare expenditures
n Reduced crop yields due to ground-level ozone and poor soil quality
n Decline in tourism and foreign investment due to negative perceptions of the urban environment in a developing economy where every rupee counts, ignoring the economic dimension of air pollution is equivalent to financial negligence investment in clean air is not a luxury it is a necessity for sustainable development Despite the alarming trends Pakistan s regulatory response has been sluggish Existing environmental laws are outdated or poorly enforced the Pakistan Environmental Protection agency and provincial counterparts lack both the manpower and political backing to impose meaningful regulations the ban on crop burning is rarely enforced Emission standards for vehicles and industries are either nonexistent or not followed Environmental impact assessments are seen as bureaucratic formalities rather than essential planning tools Furthermore urban planning rarely incorporates sustainability or air quality considerations there is also a lack of coordination between various departments agriculture, transport, industry, and health making it difficult to adopt a unified, multisectoral approach to air quality management addressing Pakistan’s air pollution crisis requires not just awareness but a clear strategic and enforceable action plan the following five pillars form the backbone of a comprehensive national response each vital in its own right and even more powerful when implemented together these reforms aren’t theoretical ideals they are practical, achievable measures that can save lives and revitalize our environment the cornerstone of any meaningful change begins with the law Pakistan s environmental protection laws, many of which date back decades, must be urgently revised to reflect modernday challenges and scientific understanding these reforms must be comprehensive incorporating the latest data on air pollution public health and global best practices
Emission control technologies should no longer be optional but mandatory in all vehicles and industrial units From installing catalytic converters in cars to adopting scrubbers in factory chimneys, enforcement of these standards should be non-negotiable Furthermore strict penalties must be introduced for violators not as symbolic gestures but as deterrents with real consequences these laws must be supported by a system of real-time monitoring through sensors, satellite data, and digital dashboards to ensure transparency and accountabil-
farmers about these methods, and
ity, community-based reporting platforms should be developed empowering citizens to report violations and track enforcement a major contributor to air pollution in Pakistan is the continued reliance on dirty fuels like coal and furnace oil transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources is not just an environmental necessity it is an economic and public health imperative Pakistan has abundant sunlight and wind resources particularly in regions like sindh and Balochistan By accelerating the development of solar and wind energy projects we can significantly cut emissions while also reducing our energy import bill at the household level, the promotion of clean cooking solutions such as electric stoves improved biomass stoves or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) can drastically reduce indoor air pollution especially in rural communities to encourage adoption, the government should provide financial subsidies and technical support Moreover, industrial sectors must begin a planned phase-out of coal and furnace oil Cleaner alternatives such as natural gas and eventually hydrogen fuel should be introduced with timelines and incentives the move to clean energy is not just a step toward environmental preservation it is a leap toward sustainable development the chaos of urban traffic and the resulting pollution can be greatly mitigated by investing in public transportation a robust and efficient transit system reduces the number of private vehicles on the roads thereby slashing emissions Mass transit systems such as Bus Rapid transit lines, metro rails, and electric buses, should be expanded and made more accessible reliable and affordable in addition a national vehicle scrappage programme must be launched to systematically remove old high-emission vehicles from circulation these outdated vehicles not only pollute more but are also more prone to accidents and mechanical failures to complement this, urban areas should begin to designate car-free zones or non-motorized transport areas where walking and cycling are prioritized With the right infrastructure wide footpaths dedicated bike lanes, and shaded walkways people will choose cleaner, healthier ways to get around Encouraging non-motorized transport isn’t just about reducing emissions; it’s about reimagining cities as people-friendly spaces Every year the burning of crop stubble in Punjab and sindh triggers a thick poisonous smog that engulfs the region While this practice is deeply entrenched due to economic constraints and lack of alternatives, it is not irreversible the government must promote and subsidize cleaner technologies like Happy seeders which allow farmers to sow seeds without needing to burn the previous crop residue similarly the use of bio-decomposers natural enzymes that break down stubble in the soil can enrich farmland while avoiding smoke emissions training programmes should be conducted to educate
How Hindu theologies drove India’s nuclear decision making
mament are more important than ever
WH i C H religious traditions have most impacted nuclear policy? in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Christian faiths of Russia and america the two original nuclear superpowers might come to mind neither apocalyptic Evangelicals in the Us nor the kremlin-friendly Russian Orthodox Church have been shy in voicing their opinions on nukes another obvious contender might be theocratic iran, where the ayatollahs are purportedly just weeks away from acquiring the material needed for a bomb believed by many to represent a victory for islam But historical research into the question of religious influence on nuclear arms yields another rather unexpected answer: the Hindu tradition has one of the strongest cases to make for influencing the history of nuclear decision-making Hindu-inflected political worldviews animated india’s approach to nuclear weapons in two highly consequential periods in the decades following China’s successful nuclear tests in 1964 the legacy of Gandhian non-violence was instrumental in keeping india from fully arming when doing so was a clear strategic necessity Yet in 1998 when the geopolitical costs of arming had risen above the benefits in most strategists estimations, india s newly-elected Hindu nationalist government launched nuclear weapons tests inspired in no small part by parallel Hindu religious perspectives that stood in opposition to those that restrained india from building nuclear weapons decades before to be sure these worldviews weren t the only or even the primary consideration in india s decisions on nuclear armament: China s nuclear capabilities, Pakistan s nuclear prospects, and american opposition to proliferation all established the strategic context within which india operated But as the country’s leaders weighed their options within these constraints Hindu political theologies profoundly shaped their calculus overriding conventional assumptions about national security and power projection Both decisions complicate the realist theories that aim to explain the dynamics of nuclear proliferation and represent cautionary tales of the power of ideas to
SATYAGRAHA & NUCLEAR AVERSION: Rewind about 60 years ago and new Delhi had every incentive to take up nuclear arms: two years after india lost a brief yet consequential border war to China Beijing successfully fired off its own nuclear missiles an ominous sign given the two countries continued territorial disputes india s strategic community demanded nuclear capabilities to rebalance their new, glaring vulnerability an imbalance so severe that even then-Us secretary of state Dean Rusk privately conceded that it should compel india to arm india s scientific establishment meanwhile had come to possess the material and know-how to develop a nuclear bomb and was pushing political authorities aggressively towards that end a 1971 public opinion poll further revealed that 63% of indians supported armament, yet nuclear proliferation was still postponed the only partial exception was a single half-hearted “peaceful nuclear explosion detonated in 1974 which both underscored india s capability to develop full nuclear arms and its resolve to not fully weaponize Why?
the answer has much to do with Gandhi s nonviolent legacy inspired by the moral vision of Hindu renunciants, Gandhi’s religio-political doctrine of satyagraha, or “truth force ” dictated that resisting the bomb or even suffering a blast with nonviolent resolve would eventually win over aggressors to the truth of nonviolence in the short two-and-a-half years that Gandhi was alive to see the nuclear age, he exhibited an unflappable faith that the spiritual victory of resisting the allure of the bomb would ultimately mark a triumph for india and humanity regardless of the risks of remaining unarmed, or the suffering that a nuclear blast could inflict in contrast to many of Gandhi s more unusual political ideas his stridently idealistic aversion to nuclear arms would have a surprisingly strong influence on india s nuclear policy if serendipitously Gandhi s successor and india s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal nehru, staked india’s claim to influence nuclear affairs to the country’s role as a voluntarily-unarmed moral compass for the world deliberately drawing on Gandhi’s moral authority the tactic was successful earning goodwill and a powerful international platform for new Delhi for several years But it also limited india: as its strategic calculus evolved after China s acquisition and indications of Pakistani ambitions for the same, india could not acquire arms without undermining the basis of its international influence on the matter For soft power credibility if not for conviction several of nehru s successors including indira and Rajiv Gandhi maintained this pattern of nuclear restraint to varying degrees However at the most crucial juncture in india s history of nuclear restraint immediately following China s successful nuclear test after the humiliating sinoindian War Gandhian principles proved decisive in the face of intense pressure from the opposition his own party and india’s nuclear establishment and lacking a viable strategy to address China s massive new strategic advantage then-Prime Minister Lal Bahadur shashtri took an impassioned, public stance to uphold Gandhi s ideals His
unpopular, politically risky plea blunted the considerable momentum towards armament, declaring to india’s parliament that “india does represent to some extent the desire to save humanity from wars and annihilation We cannot give up this stand nor was he the only national leader for whom Gandhi s legacy had direct impact: this principled restraint was echoed years later when Morarji Desai though governing during a less strategically critical moment, used his first press conference as prime minister to emphasize his own unyielding Gandhian convictions on the matter asserting that “Even if the whole world arms itself with the bombs we will not do so ” THE HINDU BOMB: now fast forward to 1998 when in a stunning reversal of a half-century of Gandhian nuclear abstention, india shocked the world with a series of nuclear tests that seemed to defy explanation For one, india’s relationship with China was more stable than it had been in years active nuclear threats from Beijing were off the table india also enjoyed significant conventional military advantage over Pakistan adding nukes to the equation would only invite Pakistan to do the same which of course, it did diminishing india s strategic edge and exposing it to needless existential risk india s relationship with the Us was also at a relative high, and testing could only jeopardize that increasingly important rapport For all these reasons most of india’s major political parties public intellectuals and even military officials opposed the tests in the late 1990s again begging the question: Why? Here, again, the answer stems in large part from the thought of a Hindu religio-political figure, in this case the ascetic-turned-organizer M s Golwalkar throughout the mid-20th century, Golwalkar was arguably the most influential leader of Hindu nationalism a movement dedicated to reviving Hindu cultural and political authority across india as the longest-serving head of the Rashtriya swayamsevak sangh (Rss) Golwalkar led the organization from the margins to a large, influential force in indian society at the center of the Hindu nationalist cause He also oversaw the creation of a number of powerful affiliated spin-off entities resonant with his and the Rss’s viewpoint this included the creation of a Hindu nationalist political party the Bharatiya Jana sangh (BJs) which was the first to call for a nuclear india and forerunner of the currently governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the party to ultimately achieve nuclear weapons for india For Golwalkar, a former monk of Vivekananda’s renowned Ramakrishna Mission realizing a nuclear india was a religious injunction in a telling exposition of the Hindu epic the Bhagavad Gita Golwalkar preached that it was the cosmic duty of the Hindus to take up nuclear arms with faith in the ultimate triumph of their spiritual strength over demoniac forces of evil in the world not unlike Gandhi, Golwalkar believed that immaterial moral forces shape history and would work with the Hindus so long as they fulfilled their duty But contra Gandhi Golwalkar saw that duty as a mandate to acquire material power commensurate with the Hindus ] spiritual might: as he put it, the world worships only the strong Only through a union of spiritual and material power could india fulfill its sacred mission for humanity a nuclear vision that Golwalkar would help enshrine as one of the leading political ambitions of the Hindu nationalist movement through the range of organizations he led founded
Golwalkar in 1966 campaigned to erect a temple to the Hindu goddess of power above the detonation site a fitting tribute to Golwalkar s vision REALISM & IDEALISM IN NUCLEAR DECISIONS: to be clear it was never religious inspiration alone that drove Gandhi s successors to avoid arming nor Vajpayee s administration to launch Far from it: a host of other factors international prestige, material and diplomatic costs, and bureaucratic structures to name a few played large roles in the complex decisions that led up to 1998 nonetheless, india’s divergent paths on nuclear
Zaheer Udin BaBar JUneJo
China, EU vow joint effor ts to uphold multilateral trading system
China and the European Union (EU) vowed to jointly uphold the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core China’s Commerce Ministry said in a statement on Thursday
the stability of the global economic order
The U S move is a typical act of unilateralism protectionism and economic bullying Wang said adding that China firmly opposes it and has taken countermeasures to defend its own rights and interests There are no winners in a trade war, and protectionism leads nowhere, he said China is willing to resolve disputes through consultation and negotiation but will fight till the end if the United States keeps acting willfully, Wang said He stressed that under current circumstances China and the EU jointly upholding the rules-based multilateral trading system and staying committed to trade lib-
eralization and facilitation will inject more stability and certainty into the global economic and trade landscape Sefcovic said the U S tariffs have severely impacted international trade, and the EU is willing to work with other WTO members including China to ensure the normal operation of international trade
The EU values its economic and trade relations with China and is willing to strengthen dialogue and communication with China and promote greater twoway market access, investment and industrial cooperation, Sefcovic said According to the statement, the two sides agreed to start consultation on issues concerning market access at an early date and immediately start negotiations on electric vehicle pricing commitments as well as issues related to bilateral investment cooperation in the auto sector
CORPORATE CORNER
towards a Circular economy: CoMSAtS, tÜBİtAK Co-host online training workshop
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) successfully co-organized a high-level Online Training Workshop on Zero Waste on 10th April 2025 The event brought together a distinguished group of scientists, engineers, policymakers, and practitioners from across the Global South to deliberate on innovative solutions and policy frameworks needed to transition toward a zero-waste and circular economy Inaugurated by Ambassador Dr Muhammad Nafees Zakaria Executive Director of COMSATS and Dr İsmail Doğan Vice President TÜBİTAK, the workshop was a reflection of the two organizations longstanding commitment to strengthening science-based sustainable development in the South
Ch Salik reviews preparations for first overseas Pakistanis Convention
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, presided over a meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where preparations for Pakistan's first Overseas Pakistani Convention were reviewed During the meeting Federal Minister Chaudhry
SBP BSC & BoP Join Hands for Agri Kissan Mela
UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday directed to simplify the procedure for Asaan Karobar Finance and Asaan Karobar Card
Schemes to spur entrepreneurship in the province She directed that loans be granted to businessmen as per their need
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz presided over a special meeting in which progress being made on the Asaan Karobar Finance and Asaan Karobar Card
Schemes was reviewed
The Punjab CM directed to encourage businessmen to establish new units for business finance It was informed in the briefing that those who receive loans comprise people doing transport pharmaceuticals and small scale businesses
More than, 80,000 loan applications have been approved for business finance
scheme Loans have been granted to 34 000 businessmen through business finance and business cards The Chief Minister also ordered to take feedback from all recipients of loans She made a surprise call to the loan recipients during the meeting and spoke to them
KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t
Pakistan continues to suffer massive tax losses due to the unchecked rise of the illicit cigarette trade with the country losing around Rs 415 billion annually as enforcement measures fail to keep pace with illegal market expansion While commitments have been made to address the issue, enforcement actions on the ground have not kept pace with the scale of the illicit trade This enforcement gap is enabling illicit operators to grow freely undermining the formal sector and depriving the national exchequer of much-needed revenue The government needs to take concrete measures to curb the continuous growth in the illicit sector, which is not only hurting the national economy but is thriving due to weak enforcement,” said Fawad Khan, spokesperson for Mustehkam Pakistan The Institute for Public Opinion Research (IPOR) has reported that around 54% of ciga-
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
The NUST Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS) hosted a high-level Chinese delegation at the university s main campus The visit was aimed at exploring avenues of academic collaboration between NUST and China s leading universities, research institutions, think tanks, and policy centers Mr Amir Yaqub Director NIPS moderated the session particularly highlighting the cultural dimension of cooperation between the two countries In his opening remarks, Mr Muhammad Arif Malik, NUST ProRector Planning & Resources, warmly welcomed the delegation and emphasised the importance of deepening academic collaboration between Pakistan and China
The delegation was led by H E Mr Lei Xin, Deputy Director General, Information Center, International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China In his remarks he underscored the significance of the visit highlighting China s commitment to deepening academic, cultural, and people-to people ties with Pakistan
rette brands sold in Pakistan are illicit Despite contributing 98% of the tobacco industry s total tax revenue,
and policymakers
take urgent action to combat
and unregistered
said Khan “Until enforcement measures are effectively implemented the national treasury will continue to bleed while non-compliant players operate with
Dr Ashfaque Hasan Khan Director General NIPS reaffirmed the time-tested friendship between the two countries, mentioning the enduring strategic partnership in various areas of mutual interest He appreciated the support of Excellency Yang Nuo Minister Counsellor Embassy of the People s Republic of China in Islamabad for arranging the visit
Ms Maria Qadri Director Marketing and Communications, NUST, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the NUST knowledge ecosystem the university’s international engagement ongoing collaborations with Chinese universities strong research ecosystem global standing and its growing role as a regional
hub for knowledge exchange She also identified potential areas of cooperation
One of the key highlights of the visit was an interactive session between the Chinese delegation and the faculty and students from NUST School of Social Sciences & Humanities (S3H) and NUST Centre for International Peace & Stability (CIPS)
The discussion was primarily focused on joint initiatives, and possible student & scholars exchange programes Later, the delegation was given a guided tour of the NUST campus providing a glimpse into the university s state-of-the-art academic and research facilities and the robust innovation ecosystem
PTI
rather than addressing legitimate grievances, the power usurpers had resorted to colonial-era tactics of oppression and suppression to silence dissenting voices
lambasted that the
s
to provide basic political and economic rights have fueled growing sense of alienation and deprivation in the resource-rich regions He lamented however that
He emphasized that the solution of Balochistan and KP was not rocket science demanding immediate cessation of the failed 50-year policy of coercion and oppression allow political activities so that the people can freely elect their genuine leadership Most crucially, he stressed that these provinces must be granted rightful control over their natural resources ensuring that the revenue generated from these projects is spent on their welfare infrastructure education and healthcare
Moreover, he stressed that all state institutions must confine their roles within constitutional boundaries and refrain from unjust transgressions and encroachments
Regarding the canal project PTI CIS stated that PML-N and PPP were playing a game of cat and mouse as the project was launched with the tacit approval of Zardari He added that PPP was complicit in the matter, bartering away of Sindh’s fundamental rights at the altar of powersharing arrangements
ATC orders family meeting for I mran as PTI moves SC over jail visit denial ISLAMABAD s ta f f
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi has directed authorities to arrange a meeting between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his family members in Adiala Jail The directive came in response to a petition filed by Imran Khan s sister Aleema Khan through her lawyer Tabish Farooq ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah instructed the jail superintendent to facilitate the meeting in accordance with the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) orders and standard operating procedures (SOPs) The IHC had earlier ordered that the PTI founder be allowed to meet his legal team and family members Earlier in the day Imran Khan had directed the PTI leadership to take the matter of being denied meetings with friends and family to the Supreme Court Speaking to media outside the IHC PTI Senator Ali Zafar quoted Imran Khan as saying that he remained open to dialogue in the national interest Zafar added that several PTI lawyers regularly meet Khan at Adiala Jail but comments by Salman Akram Raja regarding recent meeting attempts had sparked controversy Meanwhile, PTI Secretary Salman Akram
e r t A verbal clash has erupted within the senior ranks of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding the issue of meeting party founder Imran Khan, currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail Sources revealed that the official list
Raja submitted two formal requisitions to the Adiala Jail superintendent requesting permission for both family members and friends to meet the incarcerated PTI leader on Thursday The list of requested visitors includes Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan PTI leader Shibli Faraz
Sunni Ittehad Council chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) chief Allama Nasir Abbas Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmad Bhachar and Niazullah Niazi Family members include Aleema Khanum Uzma Khanum Noreen Khanum and Qasim Zaman
