PM urges tiMely coMPletion of centre-funded Projects
The CM said that work on the K-IV canal and conduit was being carried out by Water and power Development Authority (Wapda) while the augmentation works were the responsibility of his government
The PM said that he would direct the Wapda to expedite work on the canal and related structures The CM said that his government was going to start augmentation works so that both the works could be completed all together
Line projects
“The work on the Red Line project was in full swing while work on the Yellow Line would be started shortly the CM said and added the solution of traffic issues in Karachi would be resolved when the Karachi Circular Railway project started
us envoy hails Pakistan’s decision to extend Afghan refugees’ stay ISLAMABAD S
United States Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome has appreciated Pakistan s decision to extend the stay of registered Afghan refugees by a year a statement from the US embassy in Pakistan said on Friday A large number of Afghan immigrants, with an estimated 1 7m undocumented as of October 2023, reside in Pakistan Last October, the caretaker government had announced the repatriation of all illegal foreigners citing security concerns The decision was alleged to be meant for Afghan refugees a charge that was denied by officials Pakistan launched the first round of deportation in November last year, and 675,190 Afghans have returned to their country as of August 4 under the drive While the government had decided to begin the second round of repatriation of holders of Afghan Citizenship Cards (ACC) it last month granted 1 45 million Afghan refugees another year extending their permitted stay in Pakistan till June 30, 2025 According to the US Mission Spokesperson Jonathan Lalley, Blome expressed the sentiments in a meeting today with Minister of States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam in Islamabad While thanking Muqam for Pakistan s long history of hosting Afghan refugees Blome also reaffirmed the US s commitment to working with Pakistan to assist Afghan refugees and Pakistani community members in areas hosting refugees” Blome “expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s recent decision to extend the validity of refugee Proof of Registration cards Lalley s statement said PoR is a critical identity document held by registered Afghan refugees Lalley added that
CM Murad told the prime minister that his government would distribute 200,000 Solar Home Systems (SHS) among the poor people living off-grid or using a maximum of 100 units per month so that they could be relieved of power bills
The K-IV project also came under discussion in the meeting between the two top officials
The prime minister assured the chief minister that his government was working closely with Chinese authorities to get KCR in the CPEC-priority project He added that the KCR was important and it would be initiated with Chinese assistance very soon They also discussed the issue of the growing cost of electricity which has created unrest among the people of the country, as per the communique Both the leaders after a thorough discussion agreed to convert all the coalfired power projects on Thar coal so that the cost of production could be minimised The prime minister said that his government was working to provide relief to the people of the country He added that indigenous sources of energy production such as coal and renewable energy would be cheaper to provide relief to the people of the country
CM Murad told the prime minister that his government had started the Hub Canal project under which the existing canal was being overhauled along with the construction of a new canal so that 200MGD of water could be brought to the city of Karachi for the people of Districts – West, Kiamari and Central The prime minister appreciated the project
The PM and the CM also discussed the project of laying a 105kms railway line from Thar Coal field to Chhor so that coal could be transported up-country for coal-based power plants and other industrial units
They agreed to expedite the paperwork of the project
Pakistan rejects claims of supplying Shaheen missiles to Iran
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Pakistan s Foreign Office has categorically denied reports claiming that Islamabad is planning to supply Shaheen ballistic missiles to Iran
During a weekly briefing FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that there is no truth to these allegations At the briefing, Baloch highlighted Pakistan s active participation in regional and international matters She mentioned that the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister represented Pakistan at the extraordinary OIC meeting addressing the situation in Palestine
At the meeting the Deputy Prime Minister underscored the importance of continuing uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Palestine
On the occasion of ASEAN Day, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister conveyed congratulations on behalf of Pakistan further strengthening diplomatic ties Pakistan had observed Kashmir Exploitation Day earlier on August 5, marking five years since India’s revocation of Article 370 in the Muslim-majority region Baloch reaffirmed Pakistan s commitment to providing diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri people and condemned
the Indian media s ongoing propaganda against Pakistan She reiterated Pakistan s stance that the Kashmir issue should be resolved according to United Nations Security Council resolutions
Addressing an alleged attack on Donald Trump by a Pakistani in the United States Baloch assured that Pakistani authorities are in constant contact with US officials and are awaiting further details on the matter The Pakistani Embassy remains engaged with US authorities regarding Pakistani citizens Baloch also touched upon Pakistan s longstanding positive relations with Bangladesh
RAWALPINDI
S TA F F R E P O R T
Dr Salah bin Mohammad Al-Budair the Imam of Masjid-i-Nabvi on Friday highlighted Pakistan s significant place in the Muslim Ummah during a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir reported the military’s media affairs wing
According to a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Imam Al-Budair called on COAS Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and discussed matters of mutual interest Pakistan has a significant place in the Muslim world and it is playing its vital role for peace and
stability in the region,” the ISPR quoted the imam as saying
Welcoming the dignitary the army chief said his visit was a matter of honour for the nation
The ISPR said both sides expressed satisfaction over bilateral relations and Imam Al-Budair also prayed for peace stability and unity in the Muslim world
It is to be noted that the Masjid-i-Nabvi Imam had arrived in Islamabad on Thursday on a seven-day goodwill visit
Earlier in the day, Imam AlBudair visited the National Assembly where Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq warmly welcomed him The NA speaker described the visit as a moment of joy and blessing , said
a press release issued by the NA Secretariat
On the occasion Imam Al-Budair expressed his happiness for the warm welcome and said that the sincerity and love he received in Pakistan were unforgettable
He also appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting unity among Muslim countries and establishing lasting peace in the region
NEPRA JACKS UP POWER TARIFF BY RS2.56 PER UNIT
Tractor industry faces shutdown as suppliers halt operations over payment delays
FBR has more power than the government itself holding the entire engineering base of the country hostage Paapam Chairman Abdur Rehman said The situation is dire, with the GST refunds being withheld from tractor assemblers for years and the new SRO 563 further complicating the issue ” The Paapam chairman raised concerns that the entire supply chain from steel suppliers to the vast engineering SME base that contributes to the production of the world’s most affordable agricultural tractors is at a complete standstill The FBR’s actions threaten not only jobs but also tax revenue import substitution and the export of tractors and parts Paapam Senior Vice Chairman
Mumshad Ali revealed that at least 250 direct suppliers to the country’s two major tractor assemblers Millat Tractors and Al-Ghazi Tractors have halted operations due to delayed payments for parts supplied Assemblers are unable to pay their suppliers, which has forced vendors to shut down their operations If this continues the tractor assemblers themselves will be forced to cease operations within a week he warned The parts industry said that the root of the problem lies with SRO 563, which governs GST refunds to tractor assemblers Prior to 2022, refunds were issued under SRO 363, but the new SRO 563 has introduced complications by limiting refunds to farmer buyers only There is currently no mechanism to distinguish between farmer and nonfarmer buyers, leading to billions of rupees in refunds being withheld by the FBR Additionally, older refunds under SRO 363 remain unpaid along with penalties pushing assemblers to seek legal recourse they added Paapam said that this unresolved issue has left the entire tractor industry in limbo Without these refunds, assemblers are incurring losses on each tractor sold forcing them to rely on bank borrowings which have now reached their limits As a result they are no longer accepting fresh bookings or invoicing tractors, except those financed through banks This cash crunch has caused months-long delays in payments to suppliers, a situation that the SME sector cannot sustain In light of these developments the Paapam executive committee has resolved to seek the Prime Minister s intervention
Shostak
be ready to facilitate barter trading when regulations were fully in place Russia’s economy ministry published a document in February advising Russian companies on how to conduct barter transactions and pointing out pitfalls to avoid The 15-page document includes a step-by-step guide for calculating costs and customs duties explains the requisite accounting requirements and provides contract templates for the different kinds of barter trades – bilateral, multilateral and tolling, where a factory is used by a third party for example The document describes barter trades as a good way to avoid international settlements and cash Russia s economy ministry did not respond to questions about the document or planned barter trades with China Barter trading offers a way out of huge payment problems with both sanctioned and civilian goods, said a Russian government source, lamenting
that Putin s trip to China has not improved prospects as hoped “There are political things that need solving, but despite our boss’ visit to China, they haven’t been,” the person said A different source at a Russian industrial firm said metals exports from Russia in exchange for machines from China were being discussed between companies The transparency of more conventional trading means is a deterrent to bilateral China-Russia trade, as is Russia and China s lack of a direct payment mechanism, the sources said Global financial messaging system SWIFT remains an option for non-sanctioned banks but it is an international banking system that is completely transparent to our friends among them the Americans a payments intermediary told Reuters They are closely watching this open book So, the less SWIFT is used for carrying out interbank operations between Russian and Chinese banks, the calmer it is ” The Bank of Russia’s System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS) and China s CIPS payment platform are not fully linked yet Today there is still no IT-airlock that would link these two systems, so the bridge is still either SWIFT or through remote banking services which are available in almost every bank’s software,” the payments intermediary said Russia’s Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina has previously talked up a BRICS Bridge payments system which would link
SPak istan aims to elevate trade with Turk iye to $5b
SECP unveils concept papers to boost shor t-term listed sukuk market
The PTI government, however, paid the most in interest with $791 million in a single term
Pakistan’s
Remittances
Govt probes Rs135b petrol adulteration scam
The government has launched an investigation into a Rs 135 billion scam involving the illegal import of a hazardous petrol adulterant which was misrepresented
Hydrocarbon Solvent in violation of the Petroleum Act 1969 and the Petroleum Rules 1937 The committee chaired by Additional Secretary Petroleum Hasan Mehmood Yousufzai, includes representatives from the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan the Engineering Development Board and Pakistan Customs The committee is required to present its findings and assign responsibility within
FI N A N C E Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said that now China, Saudi Arabia and the USA have agreed to a rollover of a total of $12 billion the IMF is now good to give a 37month $7 billion EFF, which is expected now to be approved by the IMF’s Executive Board at the end of this month or the beginning of next There is one problem with these roll-overs They only provide a one-year relief from the need to repay them Another problem is that they have been rolled over before and it is likely that the political cost of getting these rollovers will increase when Pakistan attempts to get another rollover And attempt it will have to because the deposits will become due for repayment before one of the reviews for the IMF programme, and if it is not possible to repay these deposits, the IMF is likely to make Pakistan get them rolled over
These debts are not just ordinary sovereign debts, but the Saudi and Emirati debts are deposits with the State Bank of Pakistan They are not meant to be used, but merely bolster the foreign exchange reserves, and give an essentially false sense of security to foreign commercial lenders They are not wholly responsible for some credit rating agencies’ refusal to upgrade Pakistan, but have been a contributing factor The Chinese debt is in the form of money owed to Chinese banks for CPEC loans Chinese rollovers are nervewracking as they can only be made if the amount owed is actually paid; then there is a fresh loan made This helps explain why the government is attempting to issue so-called Panda Bonds Though this might be a clever way of rolling over Pakistan’s debt, it will still remain debt
This makes clear the country’s central problem This IMF programme is not the ultimate goal Clever ways of managing the debt are not needed, because they will still leave the country in debt Some way of repaying the debt is necessary, so that no more rollovers are needed However so long as the attitude that debt is there to be contracted, not repaid, remains, among the country s decision makers the country will not emerge from the debt trap it finds itself in
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Ar tificial Intelligence in healthcare
health assistants and chatbots not only give patients
immediate access to information appointment schedules or symptom checkers, creating additional patient engagement but also relieving some of the pressure on traditional healthcare staff
ART I F I C I A L Intelligence (AI) has quickly become a key and revolutionizing force in the healthcare industry, solving age-old problems with new solutions and improving patient care and operational efficiency tremendously In healthcare the implementation of AI across various sectors from diagnostics to treatment and administrative tasks offers unprecedented precision and personalization at a greatly reduced rate One of the key applications of AI in healthcare is medical imaging and diagnostics In a year approximately 400,000 patients in hospitals suffer preventable harm resulting in deaths of between 44 000 and several - over 100 000 dead Therefore improving diagnosis is one of the most promising applications for AI in health care Critical human error frequently results from incomplete medical histories and overcrowded waiting rooms AI can predict and diagnose diseases at a much faster pace than most medical professionals largely because unlike humans AI does not depend on factors such as empathy or any external distractions AI algorithms can analyze medical images such as X-rays MRIs and CT scans with precision that often surpasses human capabilities This ability to detect patterns and anomalies early on leads to timely diagnosis of conditions like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders, ultimately improving patient outcomes In the realm of drug discovery and development AI has played a significant part in analyzing huge amounts of data to determine potential medications as well as forecast their effectiveness This speeds up what is often a long and costly development time for new drugs, allowing critical health needs to be addressed sooner In consideration of patient care AI predictive skills have also been utilized to design individual treatment techniques as well AI can personalize treatments for optimal performance with mild side effects by using a patient s genetic profile, medical history, and lifestyle details
The influence of AI has also been highly recognized in the development or improvement of surgical techniques Minimally invasive surgeries that use robotics assisted by AI provide a higher degree of precision and control These innovations also translate to shorter recovery periods lower complication rates and improved patient outcomes AI-driven virtual
H u m a n s e c u r i t y i n b u d g e t 2 0 24 - 2 0 2 5
Additionally, AI can be integrated into the administrative layer of health care as well Automation of routine tasks such as billing patient record management and scheduling streamlines operations and reduces errors which in turn frees healthcare workers to put more focus on patients Another great health-related AI application is predictive analytics, which allows prediction of disease outbreaks, patient admission and other kinds of future tendencies (like a health risk) This enables healthcare providers to be more proactive in the way resources are distributed consequently allowing them to take preventative steps for managing chronic diseases and improving public health
This transformational power of AI in healthcare can also be backed up by several real-world examples For instance IBM Watson Health uses AI to analyze huge medical datasets helping doctors make better decisions on for example diagnosis and treatment planning Deep Mind a sister company to Google developed AI algorithms that offered highly accurate diagnostic tools for certain eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy from inexpensive digital retinal scans PathAI uses artificial intelligence to make pathology diagnoses- examining specimens of tissue for signs that a disease is present such as the presence of cancer For instance Aidoc takes an AI-first approach to automate the analysis of medical images- quickly spotting important anomalies for radiologists and helping speed up diagnosis timeframes around issues such as strokes and fractures Babylon Health is an AI-enabled app for virtual consultations symptom checking and health monitoring helping to democratize healthcare by making it more available; providing all its users with greener access to the health community There are lots of benefits of AI in healthcare Better diagnosis and prompt detection lead to
In conclusion, the integration of AI in healthcare is revolutionizing the way medical ser vices are delivered By enhancing diagnostic accuracy, personalizing treatments, streamlining operations, and reducing costs, AI is driving significant improvements in
and operational efficiency As AI technology
past, similar youth programmes under the 2013 and 2019 governments suffered from inefficiencies and missed targets Therefore without a comprehensive mechanism for monitoring and evaluation this substantial investment also risks falling into the trap of underutilisation and mismanagement The increased allocation of Rs 25 7 billion for the Federal Education and Professional Training Division highlights the government’s commitment to improve educational infrastructure and vocational training programmes However this initiative needs a clearly defined target Despite the establishment of many vocational training centres in accordance with the National Education Policy 2009, these centres have not produced significant outcomes Structural and operational failures such as the unavailability of resourceful instructors and outdated curricula have hindered their effectiveness Therefore the effectiveness of this investment needs a bottom-up approach and depends on a comprehensive overhaul of the education system to meet the modern standards
To support women s development, the government has increased the budget for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) by 27 percent Additionally a significant share has been allocated for skill development and training of women under the Poverty Graduation Programme These initiatives aim to economically empower the women of Pakistan However, without addressing the deep-rooted socio-cultural barriers, it is challenging to achieve meaningful women’s participation in the country’s economic activities Therefore to ensure gender parity in poverty graduation and skill development programmes community sensitisation anti-discrimination policies and active efforts to retain girls in school, are required These targets require active participation of officials in the lower echelon of the government along with budget shares The allocation of Rs 1 4 trillion for the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) indicates the government s intention to attain human security through public welfare initiatives This investment emphasises education, public service delivery, and pro-poor initiatives However these measures need to be balanced with fthwe iscal deficit and revenue collection Without this balance these initiatives risk increasing inflation and Pakistan s long-term dependency on loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) To mitigate the apprehensions regarding youth development programmes, the government may formulate a monitoring and evaluating committee This committee would be tasked with keeping track of the budget investment and its outcome It could employ a data-driven approach to identify gaps and recommend adjustments Additionally, the increased budget for education and professional training programmes could focus on modern educational reforms to increase the quality of education and not only the quantity of people benefitting from these programmes It could specifically focus on digital skill learning to meet the global demands For women development, the government needs a bottom-up approach The new poverty graduation programme could start from addressing socio-cultural barriers through community
outreach initiatives that promote gender equality Furthermore, to channel women in economic output financial services could be given extra focus Instead of just giving microcredits, mentorship networking systems could be introduced for underprivileged women to make their small businesses have lucrative outcomes for the overall economic benefit of the country
To boost the efficiency and effectiveness of the PSDP, the government may formulate an efficiency and accountability framework focused on optimising the use of public funds through performance monitoring and fiscal discipline Under this framework the projects could be analysed on cost-benefit outcomes and the programmes which have the highest potential for social and economic return may be prioritised Moreover, the approach of outcome-linked funding could be adopted In this approach the projects must meet the milestones for continued funding It would increase the accountability and efficiency of public development projects
To sum up although the federal budget for fiscal year 2024-25 presents a comprehensive strategy to ensure human security by allocating large sums for youth empowerment, women development and public sector growth, the historical gap between allocation and implementation during previous governments needs to be addressed Therefore along with budget allocation the government must address systemic issues ensure transparency, and make consistent policies to ensure long-term human security
The writer is a researcher at the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) Lahore She can be reached at info@casslhr com
To sum up, although the federal budg et for fiscal year 2024-25 presents a comprehensive strategy to ensure human security by allocating larg e sums for youth empowerment, women development and public sector growth, the historical gap between allocation and implementation during previous governments needs to be addressed.
Embracing AI: beyond the fear of automation
Kitchen Garden of Badin
Dr SyeDa SaDaF akber
Naba Fatima
IN the context of democratic gover-
nance institutions form the foundational bedrock upon which a nation s stability legitimacy and operational efficacy rely Beyond mere bureaucratic bodies, these institutions embody democratic principles, ensuring accountability, transparency, and the protection of rights for all citizens In the complex realm of democratic governance some nations have consciously favored institutional strength over the appeal of charismatic figures The USA, for instance, historically underscores the significance of institutions in upholding democratic governance Despite periodic infatuations with charismatic leaders its constitutional framework established over two centuries ago ensures a robust system of checks and balances Germany provides another compelling example of prioritizing institutions over personalities Post-World War II, Germany rebuilt its democratic system with a strong emphasis on institutional safeguards The Basic Law (Grundgesetz) establishes a federal structure with clear separation of powers and guarantees fundamental rights for all citizens Germany s steadfast commitment to democratic institutions has been pivotal to its post-war achievements, promoting stability economic growth and societal unity Conversely across the globe charismatic personalities often captivate public imagination leading to situations where individuals, communities, and even nations blindly follow leaders Charismatic figures possess a magnetic allure, using their charisma to inspire trust rally supporters and articulate a compelling vision However unquestioning allegiance to charismatic leaders can obscure rational judgement and critical evaluation of their policies, actions, and societal impact This blind devotion diminishes the role of informed decision-making in governance and public discourse
Globally, the phenomenon of uncritical adherence to charismatic figures has shaped political landscapes to varying extents North Korea serves as a stark example where blind loyalty to a personality specifically the Kim dynasty has been institutionalized over generations The regime s propaganda apparatus cultivates a cult of personality around its leaders, portraying them as flawless figures deserving unquestioning devotion In Russia under President Vladimir Putin s leadership there has been a significant emphasis on projecting a strongman image Putin s charisma and assertive policies have garnered substantial public support, often overshadowing critical scrutiny of his government’s actions The consolidation of power and suppression of dissenting voices have created an environment where independent media is marginalized civil society faces restrictions and political opposition encounters significant obstacles
One tactic employed by politicians to exploit such loyalty is through manipulating emotions and allegiance Charismatic leaders frequently cultivate loyalty and devotion among their supporters by appealing to identity ideology or personal charisma This emotional connection can be potent leading followers to overlook or rationalize inconsistencies, shortcomings, or unethical behaviour in their leaders
Politicians who prioritize self-interest over the common good may redirect resources financial legislative or administrative to projects or initiatives that primarily benefit themselves or their inner circle, neglecting the genuine needs of the populace This diversion can manifest in various forms, including corrupt practices, nepotism cronyism and the allocation of public funds for personal gain or political favouritism Such exploitation of followers devotion undermines fundamental democratic principles like transparency, accountability, and the rule of law
Across Latin America, numerous political figures have faced accusations of exploiting the loyalty of their supporters to enrich themselves and their associates Instances of corruption misappropriation of public funds and abuse of authority have eroded trust in democratic institutions and perpetuated cy-
cles of inequality and poverty
In Eastern Europe, populist leaders have ascended to power by tapping into popular discontent and rallying dedicated followers around nationalist or anti-establishment messages Once in office some of these leaders have concentrated authority undermined independent institutions and suppressed opposition to strengthen their control often at the expense of democratic checks and balances In South Asian nations such as Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, politicians can be observed leveraging patronage networks and clientelistic practices to secure political backing This includes allocating public goods and services based on loyalty rather than need, perpetuating inequalities and undermining merit-based governance In Pakistan, as in many countries, the phenomenon of unwavering loyalty to charismatic personalities often eclipses critical thinking and reasoned analysis in public discourse and governance Pakistan has seen the emergence of political leaders who cultivate strong personal followings, sometimes bordering on cult-like devotion Throughout its political history, leaders have garnered fervent support primarily through personal charisma rather than through substantive policy or institutional reform
Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto of the Pakistan People s Party (PPP), and more recently,
N
League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Imran Khan
have all commanded significant personal followings
This diminishes the role of institutions meant to provide checks and balances, such as the judiciary, media, and legislative bodies Additionally, a lack of critical thinking can exacerbate issues like corruption nepotism and inefficiency within government institutions Decision-making may prioritize short-term political gains over longterm national interests, leading to policy instability and missed opportunities for sustainable development In a democracy, an informed citizenry and critical thinking are crucial for holding leaders accountable protecting civil liberties and fostering inclusive governance However in Pakistan dominance of personality-driven politics has sometimes undermined these democratic ideals Charismatic leaders possess the ability to inspire, per-
suade, and mobilize masses with their vision, rhetoric, and persona Their appeal often transcends traditional political divisions, striking a chord with supporters seeking decisive leadership and solutions to complex challenges However raising charismatic personalities to near-heroic status can foster blind allegiance where loyalty outweighs critical assessment of policies and actions
When citizens unquestioningly follow political figures, numerous challenges arise that undermine democratic governance
To counteract the risks of blind allegiance and cultivate a robust democratic ethos promoting critical thinking is crucial Introducing critical thinking skills early in education empowers individuals to analyze information, identify biases, and assess the credibility of sources Media literacy programmes further enhance this ability enabling people to navigate the intricacies of media content and distinguish between factual reporting and misinformation Highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives and constructive debate encourages individuals to consider various viewpoints before forming opinions or decisions
This fosters a culture where dialogue compromise and well-informed discussions prevail over divisive rhetoric and partisan divides Active engagement in civic life, including voting, community activism, and advocacy for social justice, reinforces the significance of informed citizenship Engaged citizens hold leaders accountable advocate for policy reforms and contribute to shaping a more inclusive and responsive democracy Countries that prioritize critical thinking and civic education demonstrate resilience against the dangers of blind allegiance and personality cults
The selection of political leadership should consider essential traits that define effective politicians Politics demands a unique skill set and qualities necessary for navigating its challenges successfully Despite the often-negative perception of politicians, certain traits distinguish effective leaders These individuals play pivotal roles in shaping policies representing constituents and driving societal advancement Integrity stands as perhaps the cornerstone trait of a good politician Upholding high ethical standards, prioritizing honesty, and consistently acting in the public’s best interest builds trust with constituents and colleagues alike essential for effective governance Effective communication is another hallmark trait Politicians who articulate their ideas clearly actively listen to others and engage in constructive dialogue foster understanding and consensus-building
A n t i - M u s l i m c r i m e s : I s r a e l ’ s h a n d
i n i n s t i g a t i n g t h e r a c i s t U K r i o t s
the Zionist Billionaire Robert Shillman
whether addressing the public, negotiating policies, or debating in legislative chambers
A visionary outlook is crucial Good politicians envision a better future for their community or nation inspiring others to share and work towards that vision through strategic thinking long-term planning and adaptability to changing circumstances Empathy is also essential Compassionate leaders genuinely concerned about others’ welfare make informed decisions benefiting the broader community by understanding constituents needs and concerns Politics often entails navigating intricate relationships and power dynamics A competent politician comprehends these complexities and possesses political acumen They can forge alliances, negotiate effectively, and navigate bureaucratic processes to achieve legislative objectives
At the heart of political leadership lies public service Effective politicians prioritize the welfare of their constituents and prioritize serving the public interest over personal gain Their decisions and actions demonstrate a steadfast commitment to the common good Transparency plays a pivotal role in maintaining public trust Competent politicians uphold accountability for their actions, decisions, and utilization of public resources Furthermore, good politicians uphold
Wr o b E r t i n l A k E s h
H I P P I N G up Islamophobia amongst people who are already clearly racists, directing that anger towards Palestinians, is clearly part of an agenda
The United Kingdom’s recent social unrest has grabbed international headlines as horrifying videos went viral of White British mobs rioting committing arson attacking police officers burning down businesses breaking into homes suspected to belong to Muslims and assaulting random people
However, an aspect that almost no one has focused on is how the far-right influencers who motivated these race riots are trying to link the anti-immigrant cause to Israel and how most of them are paid advocates for the Israeli war on Gaza
Although anti-Muslim and anti-Arab sentiments have been high since the West’s “war on terror” began in the early 2000s, especially in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks over the past few years this rhetoric seemed to have been toned down a notch However following the Hamas-led October 7 offensive against Israel, the uptick in anti-Islamic rhetoric went off the charts
According to the Council on Islamic-American Relations (CAIR) the number of complaints received over Islamaphobic incidents in 2023 – most of which came after October 7 –was the largest ever in the civil rights group s 30-year history
According to the statistics provided for this year, Islamophobic incidents are up by a whopping 70% in the first half of 2024 In the United Kingdom the rise in Islamophobia is much worse as Islamophobia Response Unit (IRU) data indicates a 365% rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes following October 7 What this data tells us is that there is a significant increase in anti-Muslim sentiment that is directly tied to coverage related to the war between Gaza and Israel whether that be on social media or in the corporate press While there have been various studies demonstrating the biases of the corporate media the
to come After stirring up tensions, attaching a horrible mass stabbing event to “illegal immigration” and urging something to be done about it the likes of Tommy Robinson quickly jumped online to distance themselves from violence but justified the riots Interestingly the first point that Robinson made in his video addressing the riots was not about illegal immigration, but about Hamas Tommy Robinson offers the following opening explanation for the racist anti-immigrant riots: ‘Why are people angry? I’ll tell you why they re angry – Cos Hamas were allowed to overtake London Over take our capital city Every week flying ISIS flags Hamas flags Calling for Jihad The police did nothing Nothing Instead they arrested me He then went on to say that “your actions in the last three weeks or since October 7th you’ve created thousands of Tommy Robinsons This comes from a man who was taken on an Israeli military tour posed for photos in Israeli army t-shirts and on top of tanks operating on occupied territory, he even once remarked that he would fight in a war for Israel But why is the self-described “English patriot” so obsessed with making every issue about Israel and October 7?
Tommy Robinson rose to infamy when he co-founded the explicitly anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL) known for racist riots and marches However, it is little mentioned that the co-founder of the EDL was a man named Paul Ray, who had worked for Israeli intelligence to infiltrate and spy on the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) In a thread posted to X (formerly Twitter) well-known rapper Lowkey details the EDL s connections to the Zionist movement, noting that the EDL English Defence League LTD was registered on the companies house (UK government website) by former Israeli soldier Roberta Moore She was head of the EDL’s Jewish Unit which had around 100 members When asked whether the EDL was exploiting the Zionist Movement she retorted If anything we are exploiting them
The other time the English Defence League was registered on companies house was by Tommy Robinson’s assistant Helen Gower Until 13th of June 2014 it seems to have been registered as the THE ENGLISH & JEWISH DEFENCE LEAGUE (EDL) LIMITED
A reminder that the Jewish Defence pic twitter com/zGhUVGzzQH Lowkey (@Lowkey0nline) August 4, 2024
In February 2013 Roberta Moore changed the name of the EDL on companies house to the Jewish Defence League UK Moore has been pictured with the leader of the Jewish Defence League (JDL) in Canada, Meir Weinstein The JDL was once proscribed as a terrorist organization in the United States and is widely understood to be the armed wing of the Kach Party of far-right Israeli former Knesset member Meir Kahane When the EDL was first formed a featured speaker at their rallies was also a former Israeli military trainer Rabbi Nachum Shifren According to a former Tommy Robinson employee, Lucy Brown, the far-right media personality was being paid £10,000 a month by
This as an investigative piece published by The Guardian found that with funding from Shillman the Canadian right-wing media outlet called Rebel News paid Tommy Robinson a salary of £5,000 per month In addition to this, it was also revealed that the Philadelphia-based think tank called the Zionist ‘Middle East Forum’ (MEF) acknowledged paying Robinson at least $60 000 It suffices to say that Tommy Robinson has a long history of receiving funds from Zionists, on top of the fact that extremist Kahanists are directly linked to the racist EDL and he was even invited on a trip to hang out with the Israeli military It therefore comes as no surprise that he is injecting irrelevant anti-Palestinian rhetoric into his commentary on the riots he helped encourage while continuing to justify despite being careful not to endorse violence
If we also look at the range of other far-right figures that have recently popped up in a major way in the wake of October 7 stirring anti-Muslim sentiments they always manage to link Israel to whatever anti-immigrant points they espouse
Take the example of Douglas Murray who was instantly flown out to Tel Aviv and became a prominent apologist for Israel s genocide in Gaza, while promoting October 7 propaganda hoaxes Murray popped up out of nowhere, emerging to present neatly packaged propaganda about the Middle East Muslims Asylum Seekers and so-called Western values Despite his lack of relevance he even stepped in to host Piers Morgan uncensored when the show host took a break
If we take others, such as Katie Hopkins, who also went on a trip to Israel and posted photos of herself wearing Israeli army t-shirts they too package their anti-Islam and anti-immigrant messages with pro-Israel talking points
None of this is by accident and Israel s role in propping up Islamophobic media figures, or using right-wing influencers to espouse antiPalestinian talking points is part of a long campaign to whip up hatred for Muslims and Asylum Seekers while attaching this hatred for support of Israel
While the racist riots in the UK may not be directly triggered by the Zionist Lobby s financing of far-right figures, these individuals exist due to the considerable financial backing they receive in the first place There is also a reason why Tommy Robinson is trying to suggest that the riots are happening because of Hamas taking over London by which he means peaceful pro-Palestinian protesters, as this actually has little to do with why the racist riots are happening at all
By adding the disinformation that pro-Palestinian protesters are all Hamas and that they were also holding ISIS flags this adds fuel to the fire and helps direct hatred toward Palestinians and support for Israel Whipping up Islamophobia amongst people who are already clearly racists, directing that anger towards Palestinians, is clearly part of an agenda and despite the obvious ties of the farright to Israel there is almost complete silence in the corporate media concerning this issue Robert
SI N C E October 7, Israelis have demanded that those in power take responsibility for the massacre and subsequent war So far apologies and admissions of wrongdoing have already come in from several figures, particularly among the security forces Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu however is another story
He has been asked on multiple occasions to take responsibility for the 1,200 people murdered on Israeli soil, the hundreds taken hostage, and the residents of the North and South being forced to evacuate from their homes The closest thing he has done was to shift blame Not only that but he has refused to speak with any Israeli media outlet aside from Channel 14, long considered to be Netanyahu mouthpiece
This is what made his exclusive interview with Time magazine which was published on Thursday so noteworthy and frustrating
The article quickly begins with whether Netanyahu would apologize for October 7 His response?
“Of course, of course I am sorry, deeply, that something like this happened ”
This is the closest we have gotten to an actual apology from the prime minister and it is as empty as ever Netanyahu has a reputation for eschewing interviews with Israeli media outlets especially during the ongoing war
The fact that this apology was given in English to a foreign news outlet rather than in Hebrew to his Israeli Hebrew-speaking constituents comes off as detached at best and condescending at worst In his recent speech to Congress Netanyahu presented an image of unity of an Israel bound together in the fight against Hamas and to free the hostages Israel will fight until we destroy Hamas’s military capabilities and its rule in Gaza and bring all our hostages home ” he said That
PALESTINE CHR ONICLE
Abdul bAsit Alvi
Trump, Harris to debate on ABC on S eptember 10
on Thursday found Harris has widened her lead over Trump since late July She leads Trump 42% to 37% compared with a July 22-23 Reuters/Ipsos survey that showed her up 37% to 34% over Trump Thursday’s Palm Beach news conference was Trump’s first public appearance since Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday Harris and Walz have headlined rallies in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin this week, drawing tens of thousands of attendees in a fresh sign of how her late entry into the race has galvanized Democrats Thursday s stop by the Democratic pair at a union hall came as the campaign said it sees labor groups as a key to tipping the balance in the election Harris rapid rise has sent Trump s team scrambling to recalibrate its strategy and messaging Opinion polls show Harris has erased
Chinese
WB STUDY URGES BALOCHISTAN TO HARNESS RENEWABLE ENERGY POTENTIAL
AIKO introduces high efficiency N-Type ABC modules for Pakistani consumers
L A H O R E : AIKO, a global leader in photovoltaic technology, is expanding into Pakistan with the introduction of its top-efficiency N-Type ABC Modules This move highlights AIKO s dedication to providing cutting-edge sustainable energy solutions to growing markets The launch event held at a local hotel in Lahore on Friday 09th August and honoured by the presence of Ch Shafay Hussain, the esteemed Minister of Industries, along with prominent government officials, leading importers, distributors, and key EPC companies highlighted the strong interest and support from Pakistan s renewable energy sector AIKO s launch of high-efficiency solar modules represents a significant advancement for our renewable energy sector," said Ch Shafay Hussain, Chief Guest and Minister for Industries, Commerce, Investment & Skills Development Department Government of Punjab "These innovative modules will be crucial in helping Pakistan achieve its renewable energy goals and enhance our energy infrastructure Their introduction will also foster greater investment and development in the
KWSSIP empowers marginalized youth to add greener touch to I-Day celebrations
Faysal Bank announces triumph at IC AP DTA’24
I S L A M A B A D: Faysal
Ignite
As Pakistan’s Independence Day approaches the children of Essa Nagri and Soba Nagar two of Karachi s most underserved communities are preparing to celebrate with a unique blend of national pride and environmental action These young residents often overlooked are stepping into the spotlight to showcase their commitment to a cleaner, greener future through a series of planned activities The upcoming celebration, organized by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) and the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) will take place from August 13th to 15th This initiative is part of the broader WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) project, titled Strengthening of Katchi Abadi Cell and Engagement of CommunityBased Organizations (CBOs) Working in the Katchi Abadis of Karachi on Water Sanitation and Hygiene " The project aims to empower local residents through sustainable development and active participation P R
prominent partners like HBL, Beaconhouse National University, PlugNPlay Tech Center, Daftarkhwan, Accelerate Prosperity UET Lahore and WCCI Lahore The consortium aims to empower startups focused on AI IoT Cleantech climatetech and ICT serving as gateways to sustainable development global impact and inclusive growth The NIC Lahore will be relocated to Daftarkhwan Vogue on MM Alam Road in the heart of Lahore It will host 50 startups annually in its incubation program and 10 startups annually in its acceleration program with each startup receiving PKR 5 million in funding in the acceleration program from the Ignite National Technology Fund With the premier international accelerator PlugNPlay Tech Center as a partner, startups will have the opportunity to participate in international accelerator programs worldwide PR
into the Indian Union has been a central element of the BJP and RSS s Hindutva agenda He noted that abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A on 5th August 2019 by the Modi government were followed by severe security measures including curfews and communication blackouts in the disputed territory Air Marshal Habib also observed that the Indian Supreme Court supported the government s actions PR
PAKISTAN’S CURRENT CRISIS
IS OF JUDICIARY,
JUDICIARY AND FOR JUDICIARY: BIL AWAL
dams The judiciary can even combat inflation and set the prices of tomatoes and samosas,” he said, “no judiciary in the world can compete with our judiciary ” Chairman Bilawal said that the citizens of the country still await justice but we are thankful to the judiciary to have given us justice after a three-generation long struggle on our end, that began with Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s martyrdom ” The judiciary admitted that he was not given a fair trial he said but they could not take any clear step to right this wrong Meanwhile Bilawal congratulated Olympic champion, Arshad Nadeem, on his victory in the Paris Olympics He said that Arshad made history by creating a new Olympic record and bringing home the gold medal for Pakistan “This is proof that the Pakistani youth
Shehbaz Sharif trolled online for reac tion video to Arshad Nadeem’s Olympic gold
