Pakistan, Afghanistan to hold talks amid rising tensions
Akhtar Mengal ends 20-day protest, vows to continue advocacy for Baloch rights
MASTUNG
Akhtar Mengal leader of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) announced the conclusion of his party s 20-day sit-in protest at Lak Pass in Mastung on Wednesday The protest, which began in response to the arrests of Baloch rights activists including Dr Mahrang Baloch leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) had disrupted major trade and transport routes particularly affecting the Quetta-Karachi and Quetta-Taftan highways Mengal, addressing supporters, emphasized that the decision to call off the sit-in was made to prevent further inconvenience to the public, especially due to the blockages causing significant economic losses
The protest had stranded over 1 200 cargo vehicles including LPG tankers at the Pak-Iran border with the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimating daily financial losses in the millions Despite this, Mengal vowed the party would not abandon its demands for justice and accountability
The BNP-M leader confirmed that the party
would shift its focus to rallies across Balochistan, with a central committee meeting scheduled for April 18 in Quetta to discuss the next steps He also hinted at launching a public outreach movement following the sit-in s end continuing his commitment to raising awareness on Balochistan s constitutional rights and its long-standing grievances
The protests had initially erupted following the detention of Dr Mahrang Baloch and 16 other activists during a protest camp in Quetta, and days earlier the group accused law enforcement of killing three of their supporters The arrests along with the crackdown on sit-ins sparked the unrest that led to the extensive sit-in
Earlier this week, BNP-M held an All Parties Conference in Quetta, where nine resolutions were passed, including calls for the enforcement of constitutional rights linked to Balochistan’s 1948 Instrument of Accession and a national dialogue to address the province s enduring issues Mengal s statement assures that while the sit-in is over the fight for justice and accountability for the Baloch people is far from finished
sising the need for joint efforts to curb the spread and impact of illicit drugs in the region Speaking at a conference hosted by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in Islamabad, Naqvi highlighted the importance of strengthening intelligence sharing, joint training programmes real-time coordination and enhanced forensic and technical collaboration He described the drug threat as a shared challenge that requires a united regional response We are not here merely as representatives of our respective states, Naqvi said We are frontline soldiers united on the global stage against the menace of drugs ” He commended the participation of Gulf delegations at the conference calling it a “powerful symbol of joint resolve and a reflection of the shared vision for a drug-free world Naqvi reiterated that regional cooperation is vital to achieving sustainable success in drug control Only through coordinated action can we effectively combat this threat and secure a better, drugfree future for our youth and communities,” he stressed The conference brought together key stakeholders from Gulf nations reinforcing the government s commitment to collective strategies aimed at promoting regional stability and public health
‘Even ten generations of terrorists can’t harm Pakistan’:
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General
Syed Asim Munir delivered a powerful address at the first Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, asserting that Pakistan’s enemies are mistaken in thinking that a handful of terrorists can dictate the country s destiny Even ten generations of terrorists cannot damage Balochistan or Pakistan he declared, adding that Balochistan is not only vital to the country s future but also a symbol of national pride He emphasised that as long as the proud people of Pakistan stand behind their armed forces no challenge is insur-
PROJECTS
Govt scraps 24% of development projec ts, utilises Rs312b out of Rs1,100b PSDP budget in eight months
protests However the prime suspect responsible for the murder remains unapprehended Following the attack, additional security measures were implemented at other outlets of the fast-food chain This latest incident follows an earlier mob attack on another fastfood branch in Lahore s DHA Phase IV which led to significant damage Eleven suspects were arrested in connection with that attack Last week, a violent mob attacked a KFC outlet in Mirpurkhas, Sindh, following similar assaults on KFC and Domino’s outlets in Karachi
After leaks of unauthorised salar y hikes, Nepra limits access to sensitive documents: repor t
circulation of official records and files Dawn reported The move includes punitive action against certain staff members and limits on access to sensitive documents raising concerns about transparency in the regulator s decision-making process According to the report, a fivemember Nepra board, consisting of four provincial members and a chairman has decided to restrict access to official meeting minutes and working papers
As per the new order only the authority and the director of consumer and industry (C&I) will have access to signed minutes, and the IT department will monitor all downloads to prevent potential misuse Additionally working papers and annexures will only be available to authorized personnel via the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system, with sensitive documents being password-protected In response to the leak about the controversial salary increases Nepra has directed its IT department to revoke general access to the ECM and limit download permissions for working papers to designated professionals The heads of departments have been instructed to submit both digital and
physical copies of working papers directly to the C&I director The report also said that Nepra has taken disciplinary action against staff suspected of leaking the documents regarding the unauthorised pay raises The government recently confirmed that Nepra s chairman and members had increased their salaries earlier this year without prior approval from the federal cabinet According to reports, the chairman’s salary now exceeds Rs3 247 million and the members salaries have risen to Rs2 943 million On February 18, Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal told a Senate panel that Nepra had been asked to provide justifications for the salary hike, as it violated Section 8 of the Nepra Act
n e w s D e s k A Chinese construction company has expressed strong interest in investing in a desalination plant at Port Qasim with a focus on tackling Pakistan s water scarcity issues The announcement was made during a meeting between a six-member Chinese delegation, led by Wang Yaodong, and Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry The meeting centered on potential collaboration between Pakistan and the Chinese company in several infrastructure sectors, including water supply, highways, and maritime development
Chaudhry welcomed the delegation and reiterated Pakistan s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Chinese enterprises He highlighted China s significant role in supporting the country s infrastructure development, particularly in the maritime sector which he described as having immense untapped potential The minister emphasised Pakistan s strategic coastal assets such as Port Qasim Karachi Port, and the Gwadar Port, and stressed the need for infrastructural upgrades to fully leverage the maritime sector He urged the Chinese delegation to explore investment opportunities in maritime tourism and the blue economy key areas that the government is actively promoting as part
its economic diversification strategy The discussion also focused on the proposal to install a desalination plant at Port Qasim, which would convert seawater into potable water The Chinese delegation expressed a keen interest in this initiative which aims to address both industrial and domestic water needs in the region particularly in the areas surrounding the port where water scarcity is a significant issue Wang
GOVT TO ABOLISH 3% FEDERAL EXCISE DUT Y ON PROPERT Y SALES
FTO stops FBR from penalising businesses for delayed sales tax returns due to tax depar tment’s inaction
However, the FTO noted that the requests for such permissions were often left pending in the CIR system causing significant delays
The Ombudsman highlighted that this delay is detrimental to the Ease of Doing Business initiative and suggested that the FBR take immediate action to address the issue and prevent further inconvenience to businesses
the ability to file sales tax returns violates the basic rights of registered taxpayers and such actions could lead to financial losses for businesses, particularly when they are placed on the inactive taxpayers’ list This, according to the FTO, causes disruptions in payments from suppliers, further harming businesses According to the FTO’s findings if a registered taxpayer misses six consecutive sales tax periods without filing they must seek permission from the relevant CIR to file the return for the next period
COMMENT
Overseas Pakistanis
TH e news that remittances had reached a record $4 1 billion in March, and thus the total for the year looked fair set to reach $38 billion, almost seemed deliberate, to coincide with the Overseas Pakistanis Convention , at the overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif noted that the remittances would thus exceed the export proceeds for the year He also announced a number of measures which would facilitate overseas Pakistanis though he stopped short of giving them voting rights abroad There is still the impression that the overseas branches of the PTI are very strong, but want a louder voice in the country’s affairs It might be noted that PTI chief Imran Khan is actually an overseas Pakistani who earned his wealth and spent his youth abroad plying his trade
The Prime Minister said there were about 20 million Pakistanis overseas, and the DG Overseas Pakistanis Foundation said that the diaspora was spread in 160 countries With a domestic population of 243 million in 2022, that means that about one in every 13 Pakistanis is broad However, not all would count themselves as Pakistanis, such as those who have married abroad, and their children, as well as those who have acquired citizenship of their country of residence after giving up their Pakistani citizenship Without going into whose fault it is they have gone abroad for economic reasons as the Convention was taking place, the news of the drowning of four more Pakistanis off the libyan coast served as a reminder of the desperation driving people broad Without coming back they wish to influence Pakistani politics This does not seem feasible and reflects a kind of neo-colonialism
While Pakistan must extend as many facilities to overseas Pakistanis, this should not be seen as quid pro quo for remittance, or any kind of compensation for remittances Reserving sears for children is good way of building up the country’s influence abroad, but it should be ensured that there are no incidents of culture shock It should not be forgotten that many students will be those who could not hack it abroad
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
APakistan Mineral Forum and diaspora
example of how the country is working to unlock its potential and achieve greater self-reliance
In recent times Pakistan has faced a growing chorus of criticisms from various foreign nationals particularly those who, having left the country in pursuit of better opportunities, now seem all too eager to offer unsolicited advice While the perspectives of these individuals are often well-intentioned one must wonder: is it truly productive for these critics to preach to Pakistanis when they have severed ties with their homeland and chosen to live abroad?
Pakistan’s journey towards a more stable and prosperous democracy is complex and ongoing It has endured political instability economic turmoil and social challenges But this is not to say that the country is without hope On the contrary it is precisely in the face of such difficulties that Pakistan s institutions are finding their footing, developing resilience, and gradually growing stronger The creation of forums like the Minerals Forum is a clear example of this progress The forum is not just a milestone in Pakistan s journey to self-reliance but also a testament to the government s commitment to improving governance and leveraging the country s vast resources for the benefit of its people Yet, as Pakistan moves forward, there is a need for its citizens both in the country and in the diaspora to support the nation rather than undermine it The Pakistani diaspora has historically been a source of pride for the country Many of its members have sent remittances that have supported families back home, built businesses, and invested in educational opportunities However, when these same individuals turn against their homeland, disparaging its government and institutions, they risk damaging the very fabric of what they claim to care for The reality is that Pakistanis in the diaspora often have a more critical view of the country s progress largely because they are detached from the day-today struggles of those still living within its borders It is easy to be an armchair critic from afar, to point fingers at the flaws and shortcomings of the Pakistani system without truly understanding the context in which they exist These critics often overlook the significant strides Pakistan has made in recent years Yes there are still issues to be addressed but that does not mean the country is stagnating The government s efforts to streamline the mining sector through the establishment of the Minerals Forum are just one
in aI technologies in India’s military modernization program The government of India seeks to integrate aI into its military strategy focusing on autonomous systems precision warfare and aI-enhanced cyber capabilities This announced platform by India raises alarms, as Pakistan is concerned about India s growing reliance on aI to firm up its military posture, particularly concerning offensive capability which can change the asymmetry of the balance of power in the region China too is marching ahead with aI development and has set its eyes on self-reliance on aI technologies aI is central to the Chinese government s vision of a future military, and they are beginning to weave aI into defense technologies China has been concerned about its autonomy as well as the destabilizing potential of China’s advances in autonomous weapons powered by artificial intelligence surveillance systems and missile defence systems
Considering Pakistan s historical recourse to traditional deterrence to counter India’s military advantages, the militarization of aI is a new, vexed challenge Pakistan’s most significant concern is that Defence aI will trigger an arms race in the region that could destabilize the strategic balance of power in the area maintained for decades Yet even as we create aIs in chummy environments or, at least technologically speaking, unleash them on the world, accountability will feel like an immediate question
The Minerals Forum, inaugurated as a platform to engage key stakeholders in Pakistan s mining sector, is a bold step towards tapping into the country’s untapped resources With an abundance of precious metals minerals and natural resources Pakistan stands to benefit enormously from a more organized and efficient approach to mining This is a sector that has long been underutilized, despite its vast potential The creation of the forum signifies the government s commitment to reforming this industry, making it more transparent, accountable, and attractive for investment It is precisely this type of proactive governance that will foster economic growth and stability for Pakistan in the long run Instead of perpetuating negativity and division the Pakistani diaspora should consider how they can play a more positive role in the country s evolution Pakistan needs the support of its citizens at home and
Instead of criticizing from a distance, the diaspora should stand with Pakistan as it works through these challenges. Rather than stab the nation in the back, they must lend their voices in suppor t, champion the ongoing reforms, and contribute to the countryÊs growing stability. Only then can Pakistan truly flourish, drawing on the strengths of its people both at home and abroad to become the self-reliant, prosperous nation it is destined to be .
Pakistan is an outspoken supporter of the regulation of aI militarization Islamabad at the global level, has also been advocating for a complete ban on autonomous weapon systems Pakistan has also supported a protocol to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) that prohibits fully autonomous lethal armaments Pakistan has relied on both conventional military capabilities and nuclear deterrence for more than four decades to maintain competitive security and deter aggression from its neighboring country, India However, this balance is threatened by aI-powered weapon systems Using aI-driven systems in Pakistan will respond with breathtaking speed there may not even be time to relay signals or negotiate for deescalation to prevent war Furthermore, the convergence of aI with other disruptive technologies, such as cyber warfare space-based missile defense and quantum computing makes the security challenges even more complex aI s role in these domains could radically redefine the character of warfare and jeopardize the stability of Pakistan s nuclear deterrent
The future of arms control in South asia depends on Pakistan’s ability to balance its security with the risks posed by the rapid growth of aI in the region Indian diplomacy must once again reach out to find common ground with China and Pakistan in such an uncertain environment where it seeks arms control agreements in a balanced perspective where Indian strategic stability does not suffer due to the destabilization of South asia and where stability also takes precedence
The writer is associated with a government Think-Tank and can be reached at danialihsanndu@gmail com
The future of arms control in South Asia depends on PakistanÊs ability to balance its security with the risks posed by the rapid growth of AI in the region. Indian diplomacy must once again reach out to find common ground with China and Pakistan in such an uncertain environment where it seeks arms control agreements in a balanced perspective where Indian strategic stability does not suffer due to the destabilization of South Asia and where stability also takes precedence.
Campus bias aler t
Jailed childhoods
Alms and scams
MuhaMMad danial ihsan
EA C H year, the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) becomes a defining chapter in the lives of tens of thousands of Pakistani students It is presented as a beacon of meritocracy a gateway to the revered and noble profession of medicine Yet, for an increasing number of students, it has become a symbol of stress, uncertainty, and systemic injustice The central purpose of the MDCAT is to filter and identify the most deserving candidates for admission into medical and dental colleges On paper, it promises equal opportunity,
the road to medical college begins as early as middle school The “doctor dream” is embedded deep within the social fabric of our society It is seen not just as a profession but as a status symbol a source of pride and often the only imagined path to upward social mobility With limited seats and cutthroat competition, the stakes of the MDCAT are incredibly high In this environment students are subjected to relentless pressure from families schools and society Many sacrifice their teenage years mental health and personal development in pursuit of this goal The stress is further intensified by the unpredictable nature of the test itself, which has been accused year after year of being poorly administered and sometimes outright unfair A SYSTEM MARRED BY CONTROVERSY
Over the past few years, the MDCAT has come under heavy criticism for a range of issues that strike at the heart of its credibility
1
S Perhaps the most glaring concern has been the repeated incidents of paper leaks and or-
ganized cheating Whether it s questions being circulated on social media before the exam or reports of students using electronic gadgets during the test, these issues have deeply shaken public trust The very idea of a merit-based system collapses when some students gain unfair advantages while others despite their preparation suffer 2 T E C
The shift to computer-based testing in recent years was meant to modernize the examination process However it has exposed glaring gaps in infrastructure and execution Countless students have reported system crashes faulty logins incorrect question loading, and even incomplete exams due to technical errors Instead of leveling the playing field, digital exams have often added a new layer of uncertainty, particularly for students from rural and underserved areas
3 I N C O N S I S T E N T S Y L L A B U
S One of the most baffling aspects of the MDCAT has been the lack of clarity about its syllabus There have been repeated complaints that test questions are often out of syllabus or framed ambiguously This creates confusion and anxiety for students who prepare rigorously based on the officially announced curriculum In an exam as crucial as this, even a single out-of-syllabus question can alter the course of a student’s career
4 F L AW E D G R A D I N G A N D M E R I T L I S T S Equally troubling are the reports of errors in marking and merit compilation Students
have found discrepancies in their results and have often struggled to get answers from the responsible authorities The process lacks transparency and accountability which is unacceptable in an exam that determines future careers and lives
S Beyond administrative failures, there’s a deeper problem: the assumption that all students taking the MDCAT compete on an equal footing This could not be further from the truth
Students from urban areas, with access to expensive coaching centres, online test platforms, and an English-medium education are clearly at an advantage In contrast students from rural districts government schools or less privileged backgrounds often lack access to even the basic resources needed to prepare effectively Internet connectivity, expert guidance, and preparatory material remain luxuries for many In essence, the MDCAT rewards privilege rather than intelligence or potential It becomes less a measure of merit and more a reflection of one s socioeconomic background This is deeply unjust especially in a country where the medical profession should be open to all segments of society, not just those who can afford it
billion-rupee industry has mushroomed around the MDCAT, with coaching centres promising guaranteed success While some of these academies genuinely support students, many prey on their desperation, charging exorbitant fees and selling “exclusive” materials The existence of such a parallel system reinforces the idea that cracking
MDCAT is more about money and access than talent and hard work Moreover when these coaching centres claim to “predict” the exam or hint at having inside information it undermines the integrity of the entire testing process It fuels a system where success can be bought and that is a betrayal of the meritocracy that MDCAT is supposed to uphold THE NEED FOR SYSTEMIC REFORM
The problems with MDCAT are not isolated incidents they are symptoms of a system that requires urgent deep-rooted reform If we are to restore faith in this examination, several steps must be taken:
There should be a completely independent body responsible for the design conduct and evaluation of the MDCAT This body must function transparently, with third-party audits, open communication, and public accountability Paper security, anti-cheating measures and IT systems must meet global standards 2
u c t u r a l r e fo r m , i t c a n b e t r a n s fo r m e d i n t o a c r e d i b l e , e q u i t a b l e , a n d r e s p e c t e d s y s t e m O u r s t u d e n t s d e s e r v e a t e s t t h a t r e w a rd s t h e i r h a rd wo r k , n o t o n e t h a t p u n i s h e s t h e m fo r a d m i n i s t r a t i v e l a p s e s o r e c o n o m i c b a ck g ro u n d . T h e d r e a m o f b e c o m i n g a d o c t o r s h o u l d n o t b e c o m e a n i g h t m a r e o f n a v i g a t i n g a b ro k e n s y s t e m . I t Ês t i m e t o r e t h i n k M D C AT n o t j u s t fo r t h e s a k e o f s t u d e n t s , bu t fo r t h e f u t u r e o f h e a l t h c a r e i n Pa k i s t a n .
ON April 11 2025 officials of three federal departments presented Harvard University with a list of demands for how the University must run its internal affairs if it is to remain eligible for federal research support
The demands include changes in how the University is governed; who leads it; whom it admits hires and promotes; and how it handles student life Most disturbingly the letter requires the University to cede oversight of these reforms to government-appointed bureaucrats and approved external auditors in what would constitute unprecedented governmental interference in the University’s internal affairs We therefore support University President Alan M Garber ’76 and the Harvard Corporation in their decision to reject the government s terms If the University were to accede to the Trump administration s demands, it would be empowering bureaucrats in Washington to impose their own viewpoints on universities for generations to come Take, for instance, the administration’s Orwellian demand that the University “commission an external party which shall satisfy the federal government as to its competence and good faith to audit the student body faculty staff and leadership for viewpoint diversity, such that each department, field, or teaching unit must be individually viewpoint diverse ” It is difficult to escape the conclusion that the government seeks to impose by fiat beliefs that cannot compete on their own merits in the marketplace of ideas The impulse that animates the Department of Education s letter is profoundly authoritarian This is illustrated most clearly in the demand that the University not admit students “hostile to the American values and institutions inscribed in the U S Constitution and Declaration of Independence Though this University has long sought to admit only those of the highest character and intellectual caliber to demand that all admitted students share the same reverence for America’s founding documents in fact violates the spirit of those documents After all, our Constitution was itself birthed out of vigorous debate and has been criticized by generations of patriots The current administration appears to believe that this process that has served us so well for 250 years should
cease forever Similarly, authoritarian, we fear, is the intent behind the administration’s demand that the Uni-
versity ban “any student group or club that endorses or promotes criminal activity Though we all agree that students should abide by the law the administration s letter gives us little reason to believe that its conception of lawbreaking will not be construed so broadly as to include legitimate, peaceful dissent With the narrowest of exceptions (like incitement of imminent lawless activity) no opinion should be outlawed in a university But in addition to constituting a stunning example of governmental overreach the Department of Education letter is a poorly-reasoned document that cannot serve as a blueprint for the running of this or any university Will the government-approved commission on viewpoint diversity that the Trump administration wants to erect require that vaccine opponents be appointed to the School of Public Health? Imposing viewpoints on universities means forcing them to acknowledge the relevance and legitimacy of ideas which may have been intellectually discredited or judged not worthy of finite time and resources Government bureaucrats should not be making these decisions The Trump administration’s ultimatum is filled with other decrees that are dangerously vague (such as reducing the power held by faculty more committed to activism than scholarship ) or downright dictatorial (such as empowering faculty “committed to the changes indicated in this letter”) They call for comprehensive audits for intellectual content mandatory disclosure of sensitive information and the encouragement of snitching to the government which would poison the atmosphere of free inquiry and independent evaluation of ideas on which intellectual life depends The government appears to be oblivious to the fact that these demands ostensibly aimed at promoting scholarly diversity and open inquiry will in fact strangle them The government has a legitimate interest in protecting students from harassment and discrimination, but not in micromanaging the internal operation of the University, and certainly not in micromanaging what its members think We applaud Garber and the Corporation for resisting these illegitimate demands and for upholding the values that have made American universities the best in the world
Steven A Pinker is the Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology Tarek Masoud is the Ford Foundation Professor of Democracy and Governance at Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government They write on behalf of the executive committee of the Council on Academic Freedom at Harvard
UK investigates ‘Islamophobic hate crime’ af ter 85 Muslim
graves vandalised in Watford
Cemeter y
Pakistani-Americ an chamber chief
applauds PM S hehbaz overseas facilities pack age
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t Pakistan-Ammerican Chamber of Commerce welcomed government s special package for overseas Pakistanis terming it a step in right direction "We welcome Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ’s announcement of
package
Naveed Anwar
itive
istani-American
(PACC) He also extended
and Army Chief
to the
eral Syed Asim Munir for their efforts to address the concerns of expatriates and their families Key measures in the package include the revival of the Green Channel for expatriates reserved quotas in medical and professional education, and the establishment of dedicated courts for overseas Pakistanis Anwar praised the decision to grant
State Minister Ms Wajiha Inaugurates Sarah Hall at National Skills Universit y
the Green Channel, which was widely appreciated by expatriates, and expressed hope that the revived system would maintain the same efficiency and standards The Prime Minister and Army Chief s recent engagement with the diaspora he added has renewed hope and confidence among overseas Pakistanis
German diplomat shares insights on governance, education oppor tunities at COMSATS Universit y Islamabad ISLAMABAD s ta f
Students from diverse disciplines at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) had the distinct opportunity to engage with a high-ranking German diplomat today, gaining valuable Mr Jan Gerald Krausser, the Head of Communications, Culture and Protocol at the German Embassy Islamabad delivered a talk on perspectives on governance public policy and pathways to higher education in Germany that sparked lively interaction among the attendees The session attended by students from International Relations, Management Sciences, Economics, Media and Communications, and Meteorology departments, cantered on the German political system and offered a comparative lens against the Pakistani context Mr Krausser underscored the significant role of all segments of the workforce particularly highlighting the dignity and importance of blue-collar and technically skilled workers in driving the German economy Mr Krausser also guided students interested in pursuing education in Germany He strongly recommended utilizing the resources of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) which maintains an office in Islamabad Additionally he pointed out potential funding avenues through political foundations and individual universities
IGP Islamabad commended officers for their effor ts, citing 20% overall reduction
ISLAMABAD (s ta f f r e p o r t ) According to the details Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, chaired high-level meetings to review the performance of senior officers, SDPOs and crime unit in-charges He assessed individual performance and assigned key tasks aimed at further reducing the
Pakistan char ts a sustainable future at leaders in Islamabad business summit 8th
edition
ISLAMABAD (s ta f f r e p o r t ) : Pakistan’s biggest corporate event LIIBS commenced at a local hotel
Under the theme Navigating the Unknown the Summit convened a bespoke gathering of leaders from both the public and the private sector, who confronted the critical challenges of rapidly evolving ecosystems and forged pathways toward powerful solutions Muhammad Azfar Ahsan Founder & Chairman Nutshell Group & Pakistan s former Minister for Investment opened the day with a compelling welcome address highlighting the dual challenge of unprecedented economic and environmental uncertainty and way forward for the desired transformation
Fire incident update
AGREEMENT EXPECTED BY
Libya boat sinking: PM orders ‘firm
SCO Secretar y General to visit Pakistan on April 17-18
also speak at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and engage with business leaders, entrepreneurs and media persons The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a ten-member inter-governmental trans-regional organization It is the largest regional multilateral organization of the world SCO region is home to 3 4 billion people (42% of world population It occupies a landmass of 36 million square kilometers (25% of global landmass) and accounts for a combined GDP of US $ 24 67 trillion (25% of the global GDP) The SCO provides an important platform for Pakistan to further strengthen its deep-rooted and historic ties with the member States and promote socio-economic cooperation for mutual benefit across diverse areas The visit of the Secretary General of the SCO will provide an opportunity for Pakistan to engage with the SCO Secretariat while highlighting its perspective and priorities for making SCO mechanisms more effective in advancing shared regional security and economic goals
A session of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) saw serious allegations from PTI MNA Sanaullah Masti Khel who accused the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) of retaliatory actions after he raised concerns about discrepancies in a multibillion-rupee hydropower project Speaking to the media after the PAC meeting Masti Khel claimed that during the previous day s session he had questioned Wapda Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Sajjad Ghani regarding the massive cost discrepancies in the Dasu
hydropower project “I asked why a project originally worth Rs4 billion was completed for Rs36 billion he said He also expressed concerns over Ghani s appointment Masti Khel further alleged that in retaliation for his inquiries, electricity meters were removed from his and his relatives’ homes late at night Not only were meters removed but I was also threatened with the demolition of buildings, he added He stressed that he had received no prior communication from Wapda, asserting that he was neither a defaulter nor had committed any wrongdoing If the dam issue is being sent to NAB then it is definitely my
t
crime,” he remarked The PTI lawmaker condemned the action as an affront to the integrity of the PAC and parliament itself questioning how the committee could function if such retaliatory actions were taken for asking legitimate questions PAC members united in their condemnation of the incident and called for it to be brought to the National Assembly speaker s attention, demanding stern action Masti Khel reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, vowing to continue asking critical questions for accountability and stressing that electricity meter or transformer issues are minor compared to the insult to parliament
Final challan due April 22 in ac tor
S ajid Hasan’s son drug c ase
s ta f
r e p o r t Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram on Wednesday vehemently criticized the federal and Punjab governments for what he called their “anti-farmers and antipoor” policies and violent crackdown on peaceful protesting growers in the province In a statement the PTI leader also l
failing to pass on fuel price reductions to inflation-battered citizens living in poverty, using the false pretext of di-
masses
Waqas categorically stated that PTI stood firmly with the farmers and fully supported their countrywide protest, demanding a fixed support price of Rs4,500 per 40kg to stabilise the situation
Waqas blasted the “illegitimate regime for sucking the blood of farmers and systematically ruining the agricultural economy through exploitative policies against growers, which would neither be allowed nor tolerated, come what may PTI leader recalled that under Prime Minister Imran Khan s government farmers were not protesting on the streets but were instead invited to the Prime Minister s House as valued stakeholders He emphasized that they were also provided with various facilities, including fair prices for their produce Kisan Cards and other incentives to boost the agriculture sector
Waqas stated that agriculture was the backbone of Pakistan’s economy because around 70 percent of the population depended on agriculture for its livelihood and employed about 42 3% of the labour force He criticized Maryam-led fake provincial government for failing to honor the promise of wheat support price of Rs3,900 per 40kg, leaving farmers in severe distress
Waqas sounded alarm that Pakistan could risk a major agricultural crisis if the federal government failed to promptly set a wheat support price where the economy heavily relied on the sector He went on to say that farmers in Punjab and across the country were getting extremely worried about the losses they were facing due to the federal government s decision
