GOVT ADVISES PUBLIC AGAINST WORRYING AS MPOX SURVEILL ANCE, SCREENING ENHANCED
at all airports and points of entry”
Dr Ahmad informed adding that laboratories were allocated for diagnosis in all provinces and the federal capital
The PM s coordinator said cases were reported from Africa and travellers from Africa America and the Gulf countries would be monitored Mpox, formerly monkeypox, can spread through close contact Usually mild it is fatal in rare cases It causes flulike symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the recent outbreak of the disease as a global public health emergency on Wednesday after the new variant of the virus was identified Dr Ahmad said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the federal capital and provinces have taken steps on a joint priority basis He said the Ministry of Health was ensuring continuous monitoring on a daily basis and the government was closely monitoring the situation He said the ministry was in full contact with the provinces and a daily meeting was being conducted on the prime minister’s instructions Dr Ahmad appealed to the public to isolate at home if their family had a travel history or mpox symptoms
spread in private and government hospitals of Karachi According to the health department the individual who had returned from Saudi Arabia was diagnosed with carrying mpox virus in Peshawar However when a medical team visited the patient s residence to provide guidelines, the house was found locked Further inquiry with
Dr Ahmad instructed the public to contact a qualified doctor and follow their instructions in case of showing any symptoms of mpox He said that symp-
toms could take 10 to 15 days to appear and spending too much time with the patient could spread the infection
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday that under the leadership of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif the PML-N had always done the politics of public services and strived hard to provide maximum facilities to the masses
“Nawaz Sharif, during his first term as prime minister initiated mega development projects including South Asia s first Motorways network in the country Atta Tarar said while addressing a press conference
He said that it was Nawaz Sharif who took steps for ease of doing business initiated power generation projects and provided facilities to investors Tarar said that the Punjab government had taken a good step by providing subsidy to electricity consumers
“Punjab Chief Minister Mariam Nawaz has given a big relief to consumers in the province in terms of electricity Tarar said adding it was a historic and unprecedented step, which would cost Rs45 billion He said a former caretaker
the Ravi and Chenab rivers without prior notice leading to devastating floods across Punjab This sudden surge of water has submerged thousands of villages and affected vast swaths of farmland, causing widespread destruction The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has reported that water levels at the Qadirabad Barrage
TISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t BYD a global player in electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy solutions, officially entered the Pakistani market on Saturday, heralding a new era of eco-friendly transportation for Pakistani consumers The launch event in Islamabad was attended by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, who welcomed BYD’s arrival as a milestone in Pakistan’s journey towards sustainability BYD s entry is not just about new vehicles; it s about embracing a sustainable future and aligning with Pakistan s environmental goals of achieving energy efficiency,” Aurangzeb stated He underscored the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that advance green technology boost the local economy through job creation, and foster technological advancements in the automotive
sector Aurangzeb also highlighted that BYD’s presence could enhance Pakistan’s export potential in the electric vehicle sector in line with national strategies to increase hightech exports and reduce trade imbalances The Minister called for collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders to introduce innovations that contribute to the country s sustainability goals and economic stability In partnership with Mega Motor Co BYD also hosted an experiential launch event at the Lahore Expo Centre, where it showcased its long-term vision for Pakistan and commitment to leading the automotive revolution towards sustainable mobility Three upcoming models BYD Sealion 6, BYD Seal, and BYD Atto 3 were unveiled during the event This marked BYD’s official entry into Pakistan’s passenger vehicle market, reinforcing its brand mission of Technological Innovations For A Better Life
BYD first announced its formal entry into Pakistan in March 2024, and the launch event served to showcase the brand and its core new energy vehicle (NEV) technologies The models introduced represent the company s latest advancements, designed to meet the diverse needs of Pakistani consumers by offering superior performance, cutting-edge features and a commitment to a greener future Mr Liu Xueliang
as Vice Chancellor SBKWU “Consequent upon finalisation of the inquiry proceedings under Section 13 and pursuant to the provisions pf Section 15 sub-sections (6) and (7) the government of Balochistan, Colleges, Higher & Technical Education Department, with the prior approval of the Government/Provincial Cabinet in its decision dated 16th August 2024, hereby de-notifies the appointment of Professor Dr Sajida Noreen from the position of Vice Chancellor sardar Bahadur Khan Women University (SBKWU) Quetta A penalty of removal from position has been imposed Accordingly, Dr Sajida Noreen is hereby relieved of her duties and ceased to hold the office of the Vice Chancellor with immediate effect,” reads the notification issued later the same evening
S ta f f R e p o R t
Prestigious Tamgha-i-Quaid-e-Azam award was bestowed upon Chinese scientist Liu Xinmin for his outstanding contribution to bilateral relations and scientific advancement
Announcement to this effect was made at a ceremony held on the occasion of Pakistan s 78th
Independence Day Professor Liu, the Chief Scientist of the Institute of New Drug Technologies at Ningbo University and Co-Director of the Sino-Pakistani Cooperation Centre on Traditional Chinese Medicine (SPCCTC) received this national honor in recognition of his pivotal role in fostering Sino-Pakistani cooperation in traditional medicine
The announcement highlighted Professor Liu’s pioneering achievements since he spearheaded the establishment of the SPCCTCM in 2021 – the first of its kind in Pakistan at the national level This center has catalyzed fruitful international collaborations between over 30 Chinese and Pakistani enterprises engaged in research and development education medical services and production of traditional medicine products, particularly in the fields of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Greek medicine
With Professor Liu’s efforts, partnerships were forged between Chinese institutions such as the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development and Laboratory Animal Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, the Institute of Agricultural Products Processing, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Hunan University of Chinese Medicine and the Xinjiang Uygur Medical and Pharmaceutical Research Institute among others These institutions collaborated with Pakistani counterparts like the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi Hamdard University etc
Together they have accomplished remarkable feats, including authenticating the origins of over 20 Pakistani herbal medicines, evaluating the pharmacological effects of more than 50 components and publishing over 30 academic papers in international journals Beyond research collaborations Professor Liu has been instrumental in fostering people-to-people exchanges and capacity building in traditional medicine Regular staff visits seminars and doctoral/postdoctoral training programmes have nurtured a new generation of Pakistani researchers in traditional medicine development who
now form the backbone of their respective institutions
One of Professor Liu’s most notable achievements is the orchestration of the first clinical multicenter study of a traditional Chinese patent medicine, Jinhua Qinggan Granules, for COVID-19 treatment at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences’ (ICCBS) National Clinical Research Center Moreover he facilitated the inaugural Sino-Pak Seeds in Space project, an unprecedented endeavor that saw seven types of Pakistani medicinal seeds journey into space aboard China’s spacecraft
The seeds returned to Earth after six months in orbit bringing with them the promise of new genetic traits and possible medical breakthroughs
The Tamgha-i-Quaid-e-Azam, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honors, is bestowed upon individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the nation or made outstanding contributions in their respective fields Professor Liu Xinmin s receipt of this award underscores the deepening ties between China and Pakistan, particularly in the realm of science and medicine The investiture ceremony where Professor
and the
ISLAMABAD
OPERATION STILL ONGOING IN PARTS OF KP DESPITE OUR OPPOSITION: MIAN IFTIKHAR
ISLAMABAD
a p p
President Asif Ali Zardari has urged all Pakistanis, particularly the youth, to actively participate in the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2024 by planting as many trees as possible to support the national objective of increasing tree cover in the country As we embark on the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2024 I extend my
Kolk ata rape -murder: Protests intensify as mob vandalizes hospital
have intensified across India after a mob vandalized a hospital where a female trainee doctor was raped and murdered in West Bengal The attack on the hospital occurred on Wednesday during the massive Reclaim the Night march in Kolkata which was organized to protest the brutal crime
The protests have spread to several Indian cities, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune, where smaller demonstrations have taken place The Indian Medical Association (IMA) the largest organization of doctors in the country has announced a nationwide strike of non-emergency services on Saturday in response to the incident
Doctors associations in other cities, as well as political parties in West Bengal, have also planned marches on Friday and over the weekend to protest the attack and demand justice The “Reclaim the Night” march on Wednesday saw tens of thousands of women across the state participating to demand independence to live in freedom and without fear
Although the protests were mostly peaceful, violence erupted when a group of unidentified men stormed the RG Kar Hospital the site of the crime and vandalized its emergency ward Videos circulating online showed the attackers smashing beds and equipment with sticks
Some doctors and hospital staff were reportedly injured in the chaos and police vehicles were also damaged prompting the police to use tear gas to disperse the crowd The Kolkata police have arrested 19 people in connection with the incident so far
On Thursday, the IMA condemned the attack, describing it as “hooliganism unleashed on protesting
initiative; it is a crucial aspect of our national duty to protect and nurture the natural beauty and resources of our beloved country he said Additionally the president said Trees are the foundation of life They provide us with clean air regulate our climate, and support diverse ecosystems In the face of escalating environmental challenges, he said the significance of tree plantation cannot be overstated Holy Prophet (PBUH) also encouraged planting trees
students and announced a 24-hour withdrawal of nonemergency services starting at 06:00 local time [00:30 GMT] on Saturday In their statement, the IMA emphasized that Doctors, especially women, are vulnerable to violence because of the nature of the profession It is for the authorities to provide for the safety of doctors inside hospitals and campuses ”
The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (Forda) another major doctors organization has resumed its strike after initially calling it off on Tuesday following assurances from federal Health Minister JP Nadda that their demands, including a federal law to curb attacks on doctors, would be addressed
The incident has also sparked a political blame game in West Bengal with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) of orchestrating the attack The TMC has denied the allegations, blaming political outsiders for inciting the violence
The rape and murder of the 31-year-old female trainee doctor has shocked the nation Her half-naked body bearing extensive injuries was found in a seminar hall last week and a hospital volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime
In a troubling development two more incidents of rape have made headlines in India In Uttarakhand, a nurse was allegedly raped and killed while returning home from work
Her body was found last week after she had gone missing at the end of July A man from Rajasthan has been arrested in connection with the crime Meanwhile in Bihar six people have been arrested for the alleged gang-rape and murder of a teenage Dalit girl, whose mutilated body was discovered near a pond in Muzaffarpur district on Tuesday morning
Mpox outbreak
Threats from monkeypox, Zika virus threaten the countr y
THE advisory issued by the World Health Organization proved too accurate for comfort Pakistan has diagnosed no less than three cases of mpox, the illness caused by the monkeypox virus all three in KP and all three in travellers who had arrived from the United Arab Emirates Dubai there being a popular destination, if mpox can be caught there, it is perhaps too much to expect that it will not spread here somewhat like covid-19 did The big difference and potentially crucial one, between that epidemic and the present, is that the National Command and Operations Centre was only created an appreciable time after covid-19 had not just arrived in the country but had spread This time before the mass outbreak, the NCOC has already swung into action, Initially, it has recommended stricter monitoring at the borders If there was a lesson from covid-19 it was about how permeable borders are They provided no protection against the spead of the disease Unfortunatelly, mpox spreads exactly like that, being a viral disease which spreads through contact Hopefully it is not as dreadful but it does lead to unsightly pustules which form scabs like smallpox, which has been eliminated
The WHO has also issued a warning against the spread of the Zika virus Pakistan would be particularly vulnerable because it is transmitted by the bite of infected aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which also spread the virus causing dengue, a disease which has been increasing in Pakistan While the zika virus generally only causes flu like symptoms which are only fatal if there are unforeseen complications, if expecting mothers are infected, their children would be infected, and would suffer from microcephaly which would leave them congenital idiots who could only be a burden on society Like dengue, the Zika virus is also a gift of global warming, for whereas its original habitat of its vector, the aedes aegypti mosquito is becoming uncomfortably warm Pakistan is warming up to achieve its standards The mobility which is both the result and cause of globalisation is not helping health authorities
While the primary responsibility for health rests with the provincial governments that for the borders rests with the federal The challenge is now present, and one disease is present The problem with the second is that it does not reuire hamns to bring it just clouds of mosquitoes that have brought it before These are not unfamiliar diseases, and recent experience must be used to combat these twin menaces
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
The takeover had both continuity and difference
At Penpoint
ARE we back to 1968 when student power briefly made an emergence and subsided as those who exerted it developed paunches, and horror of horrors! graduated into the real world? Actually, in Bangladesh recently, it was concern about the real world that led to the protests, and deaths, which brought down the government However there does not seem to be a student movement like the one which engulfed the world
The Awami League could be seen as the beneficiary of the first movement, which led to the resignation of two Presidents, Charles de Gaulle of France and Ayub Khan of Pakistan Though both were military men who had written their own constitutions and imposed them on their countries only de Gaulle followed his while Ayub ignored his Handing over not to the National Assembly Speaker but the Commander-in-Chief, Gen Yahya Khan, who became President and CNLA Prime Minister Hasina Wazed followed his example, ignoring the Constitution, and handing over to the Chief of Army Staff That toppling of Auyb profited the Awami League for Yahya then presided over the elections in which the Awami League made a clean sweep of all seats in East Pakistan giving it a thin majority in the National Assembly, and then over the 1971 War, which led to the creation of Bangladesh, and which is remembered there as the War of National Liberation
There is some irony in the fact that it was that War which was tangentially responsible for the fall of the Awami League government because the protests were initially against the quota for the descendants of freedom fighters, which had been set at 30 percent, and was initially meant for freedom fighters This was later extended to children in 1997 and grandchildren in 2010 as time went on and the fighter and then their children became ineligible At this rate great-grandchildren would also be made eligible anytime soon This was resented by the large number of those who were not the descendants of freedom fighters, but who hoped for government jobs It must be noted that while Bangladesh has made impressive economic progress it has not created enough jobs to keep pace with the number of entrants into the job market It is a severe indictment of
an economy where young people are willing to die rather than cease their protests The Supreme Court finally ruled that the quota of five percent for freedom fighter ’s descendants was sufficient However the protests resumed after a pause this time asking the government to go as well as action to be taken against those who ordered the killings This led to another shooting of protesters, and the Army told the Prime Minister to resign It could be seen as a refusal by the Army to maintain in government a party that had so lost the trust of the people that they were ready to risk their lives in opposition There was apparently no built-in obedience to the government because it seems the military did not like being used as thr ultimate sanction by the government It is worth noting that there was no initiating of the takeover Previously, in Bangladeshm when the military took over there was blood shed Political leaders were replaced by heirs so it seems pointless In 1977 the military took over when there was use of the military against the government It was as if the military realized that Bhutto s rule relied on their killing people They took overr, and the killing stopped Similarly,in Bangladesh, the killing has stopped There has been a distancing of the Army from rule In Pakistan 1977 was the last time that the COAS designated himself CMLA In 1999 Gen Pervez Musharraf designated himself Chief Executive In Bangladesh, this time the COAS has not even taken over the reins of government, but inducted a government of advisers headed by Dr Muhammad Younas Bangladesh’s only Nobel Peace Prize laureate However it is only logical and previous examples of similar governments of advisers have shown the Army assumes a leading position Perhaps the entire region needs to be concerned, and at least the governments Bangladesh has become the second SAARC member in two years where the government has had to feel after mass protests Only in 2022 President Gotobaya Rajapakse and his brother Mahinda the Prime Minister had to resign and flee abroad Sri Lanka had suffered a default and though Bangladesh did not suffer one she had still obtained a $4 7 billion package in January last year, meaning that the country, despite its economic successes, found that it was having foreign exchange difficulties In fact no country is as badly off as Pakistan which went to the brink of default last year and barely staved off Even though it has agreed as harsh
Tefforts have created moments of brilliance for the country Muhammad Asif became the world snooker champion Nooh Dastagir won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in weightlifting but could not participate in the Olympics So it is high time Arshad s efforts don t go in vain The government should make revolutionary decisions and utilize Arshad s triumphant campaign to install a new ray of hope among players The next Olympics should be a litmus test of the current government It was such a shame that only seven athletes represented Pakistan in the Olympics The next Olympics should see a considerable amount of Pakistani athletes and many more medals Arshad Nadeem won a silver medal at the World Athletics Championship in 2023 He is the first Pakistani athlete to win a medal in the championships It was a great achievement as well But hardly any people knew about this achievement The reason is that all the hype and attention is given to cricket only The way the
media is currently celebrating Arshad s victory is a positive sign The other aspect that needs to be paid attention to amid Arshad s victory is the proper coverage of other sports and athletes They should be celebrated and cherished It will help different sports to thrive and players willing to take up a sport will get motivation The government celebrating athletes after they get recognition is not new Hockey players played well recently and they got instant appreciation from the PM with some cash as well Similarly, Arshad is getting all the recognition and prizes The government has announced a civil award for him as well Arshad Nadeem deserves everything He deserves every bit of appreciation recognition prizes and awards He has indebted the entire nation But, Pakistan will only be able to pay his debt if they take steps to ensure that no more player like Arshad Nadeem is left behind There are many players like Arshad Nadeem in the country and they just need proper guidance and a platform The nation is charged Almost everyone in Pakistan now recognizes Arshad Nadeem and the javelin sport Arshad Nadeem s success will motivate many new young players to venture into athletics Hence it is now the responsibility of the government and sports authorities along with the media to make sure that this vibrant atmosphere just doesn t disappear without creating a lasting impact in the history of sports in Pakistan
The brilliance of Arshad Nadeem has to be backed up by the government to develop a system that creates future sportspersons without any hindrance It has to make sure that no sports person should ever be left behind again in the future Arshad's gold medal has to be the biggest sporting achievement in the history of Pakistan And, it is now the responsibility of the government to present him as a role model for future athletes before time runs out
The writer is freelance columnist
A
Hear tfelt Critique of PIA’s
Rumors and Confusion
THE focus of the national discourse for better or worse has shifted from the civilian leadership the PML(N), PPP, JUI(F), and most importantly, Imran Khan to the Army after the high-profile arrest of Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed and his accomplices
These arrests were related to charges outlined in a short but fully loaded press release by the ISPR which stated that in connection with the FGCM proceedings of General Faiz, three retired officers are also in military custody for actions prejudicial to military discipline Further investigations into certain retired officers and their accomplices for fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests are ongoing
This press release opened up an entire Pandora’s box and unleashed a genie that engulfed the entire nation reverberating around the globe It immediately took centre stage in the national discourse dominating media discussions and shifting focus, which had previously revolved around the judiciary and PTI on one side, and the Parliament and establishment government on the other The high-profile arrest and its repercussions triggered a storm of rumors hearsay speculation and the crafting of numerous scenarios by every analyst and commentator One analyst, in a moment of emotion, rushed to link the May 9 incident with the arrest, claiming that the PTI chief had been instrumental in promoting and encouraging mutiny within the Army by inciting junior officers to rise against the senior leadership He demanded accountability for all serving and retired Army officers, as well as the former PTI chairman, seemingly forgetting that the former chairman’s accountability had been initiated in August and is ongoing without any end in sight
Another commentator argued that the allegations levelled against General Faiz and his accomplices carry no political weight, as it is not a crime for a retired Army officer to meet or establish connections with any incarcerated political figure
A third analyst painted an even more alarming scenario He suggested that the entire plan was masterminded by General
c o r d i n g t o t h e p r e s s r e l e a s e , a l l i n d i v i d u a l s w h e t h e r c i v i l i a n o r m i l i t a r y , r e t i r e d o r s e r v i n g w h o m a s t e r m i n d e d t h e e v e n t s o f M a y 9 , a l o n g w i t h t h o
Faiz who identified military targets around the country According to this theory, he had cultivated serving officers of the armed forces manning these installations and planted his own trained people among the mobs that attacked them The idea was to create chaos from both inside and outside leading to the replacement of the Army leadership loyal to the COAS and the establishment of a new order
Politicians, in their individual capacities, are also trying to settle personal vendettas and advance their agendas Some are attempting to link the entire issue of military indiscipline to former Army Chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa demanding his accountability above all else They are also speculating, with no solid evidence, that since General Bajwa was not invited to a recent dinner hosted by the COAS for retired officers he may be next in line to face consequences
Some politicians are taking this opportunity to argue that there has been accountability for army officers, civil servants, and politicians, and that now it is time to hold judges accountable, bringing to justice those who have violated their oaths and judicial codes of conduct Others are expressing their desire to invoke Article 6 against the PTI chairman for allegedly fomenting mutiny within the armed forces and calling for his trial under the army courts
Amongst these speculative and mostly unvalidated observations and imaginary scenarios let us try to get the clarity of the Army s standpoint by decoding the ISPR s Press Release It used the acronym FGCM which stands for Field General Court Mar-
CITIZENS are still in the dark about the legal status of the deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned on August 5 amidst a student-led mass uprising and fled to India, ending 15 years of the authoritarian regime of the Awami League In efforts to cling to power she deployed armed party people and employed law enforcement agencies in July–August to quell the protests and the consequent unrest in a violent manner that left about 500 people dead and several thousand wounded Whilst she has been responsible as head of the government for all the mayhem and the murders that took place during the protests, she has already been accused in a murder case filed with the Mohammadpur police in Dhaka She was meanwhile supposed to be arrested after she had resigned and to be tried in keeping with the law Yet she was given a
safe passage out of Bangladesh to India where she is reported to be staying and Bangladesh authorities are learnt not to have so far taken any move to bring her back to Bangladesh and put her on trial, or to write to New Delhi seeking to know her legal status there or even to investigate why she had been given a safe passage and had not instead been arrested Whilst Dhaka should immediately write to New Delhi seeking to know the legal status of Bangladesh’s deposed prime minister in India Indian authorities should on their own also make a public statement on Sheikh Hasina In a surprising development, meanwhile, India s prime minister Narendra Modi, as India s television channel NDTV has reported, on August 15 said that 1 4 billion Indians were worried about the safety of the Hindus in Bangladesh during the political unrest here Some attacks on the Hindus mostly involved in Awami League politics took place in Bangladesh soon after the downfall of the Awami League, which left a political vacuum for a
while but the Muslims and even madrassa people who Indian authorities like to believe are religious extremists, guarded the Hindus and their establishments The initial attacks have also been successfully contained And, whatever attacks that happened were hardly sectarian There is therefore no reason for Narendra Modi and its government to worry about Hindus in Bangladesh and the Hindus living there should stop running such a smear campaign against Bangladesh Such a statement of Modi is also ludicrous as Modi and his government have not only denied religious minorities there equality in treatment but also enacted laws against religious minorities The interim government of Bangladesh must, therefore, investigate why and how Sheikh Hasina was given a safe passage and was not instead arrested for trial make a public statement on the legal status of Hasina in Bangladesh and seek to know her legal status in India, where she has been staying since August 5, and make it public and bring her back to Bangladesh
Jawaharlal Nehru was our hero and we were all socialists From 1950 to 1990 India offered the most amazing freedom to its people – of life, speech, association, religion and the like – but it refused economic freedom Nehru meant well wanting India to become a more equal society but the bureaucracy gave him a terrible regulatory system that would crush individual enterprise for two generations Freedom fighter and veteran politician C Rajagopalchari called it licence, permit, inspector Raj” I became a victim of this system I worked for a company that made Vicks Vaporub There was an outbreak of flu one year and the sales of Vicks soared We were happy having done good for the country during the epidemic but at the end of the year, a summons arrived from the government, claiming we had broken the law – our production had exceeded the limit authorised in our licence It was a criminal offence with a potential jail sentence I appeared for a hearing before a government official who treated me like a criminal I explained to him that the flu epidemic had re-
sulted in extra demand and we were only doing our duty keeping store shelves stocked But the official pronounced us guilty In the end the government quietly dropped the case but I felt sickened by this nightmare I abandoned socialism to become a “classical” liberal and joined Rajagopalchari’s Swatantra Party I do not blame Nehru for he did not know any better reflecting the spirit of his
Ironically
justified her policies in the name of the poor but the number of
doubled between 1950 and 1985 India got its
and went on to
It
of
in
6% over the next 30 years lifting 400 million out of poverty as the middle class expanded from 10% to 30% of the population India had achieved the liberal dream – a true democracy with a free dynamic economy But the past decade has seen the weakening of democracy with the rise of identity politics majoritarianism Hindutva politics and Islamophobia Critics are being silenced and the discourse on social
tial It is a type of military court used to try members of the armed forces who are accused of serious offences The Field General Court Martial is the highest level of court martial in the military justice system, typically dealing with grave charges such as mutiny treason desertion or other severe breaches of military law The proceedings are conducted by senior military officers and the court has the authority to impose significant penalties, including imprisonment and even the death penalty, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the offence
The Press Release used the phrase that three retired officers are in military custody for actions prejudicial to military discipline, it means that these officers are being held by military authorities because they are suspected of engaging in activities or conduct that undermined or harmed the discipline order or integrity of the armed forces Even though they are retired these officers are subjected to military law if their actions are deemed serious enough to warrant it especially if those actions took place while they were still in service or if the offences are linked
The last para indicated said that, Further investigations of certain retired officers and their accomplices for fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests are continuing” This means that ongoing investigations are being conducted into the actions of certain retired military officers and their accom-
media has become extremely polarised The atmosphere of hate has damaged India s cherished secular ideal of sarva dharma samabhav” – respect for all religions'
y slipping
INDIAN HOSPITALS HIT AS DOCTORS STRIKE TO PROTEST RAPE, MURDER OF KOLK ATA MEDIC
pathy additional medical superintendent of All India Institute of Medical Sciences in the city of Bhubaneswar told Reuters Resident doctors are on full strike, and because of that, the pressure is mounting on all faculty members, which means senior doctors ” he said
Tri-
CHIANG MAI S
China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand discussed cross-border crime on Friday at the Informal Discussion Between the Foreign Ministers of China Laos Myanmar and Thailand in Chiang Mai, Thailand Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that security is the prerequisite and foundation for the development of all countries At present he said the security situation in the region is undergoing complex changes and cross-border crimes such as online gambling and telecom fraud have persisted, jeopardizing the safety of people’s lives and property and affecting social stability and national image
Only when countries in the region step up their joint efforts to combat these crimes can the high incidence of criminal offenses be effectively reversed, said Wang He said the China-proposed Global Security Initiative has received positive responses from countries including Laos Myanmar and Thailand On the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty, the four countries have jointly carried out a series of activities to combat cross-border crime and arrested more than
50 000 people involved in gambling and fraud since last year
Wang added
Taking the Global Security Initiative as a guide, China is willing to work with other countries to increase joint efforts to crack down on cross-border crime and safeguard the tranquility of their homelands
He called for tightening the border control network guarding the borders of each country, controlling important ports and completely blocking illegal border crossing routes of ill-intentioned people Wang also urged the facilitation of the smooth exchange of intelligence and information and continuation of joint operations to repatriate lawless persons who have fled across the border and bring them to justice in a timely manner
The foreign minister called for a ministerial meeting on law en-
forcement and security cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong region to be convened at an early date, the operation of “the Safety of the Lancang-Mekong Region” to be advanced and resources from all sides to be mobilized
He also urged the integration of human resources intelligence
FIVE BULLET RIDDLED BODIES FOUND IN CHAGAI, IDENTIFIED
me, I got the gold medal in the Olympics with the prayers of my parents and the nation I will get the award for the country in the future too’ Arshad Nadeem stated that the respect received by the nation is a great honour for any athlete I will prepare hard for the upcoming competitions During the ceremony, Governor Punjab Salim Haider presented gold medalist Arshad Nadeem with a
Terrorist k illed in Gujranwala firefight with C TD personnel
annual examinations have been announced by the Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) Ninety-two students have made it to the prestigious AKU-EB High Achievers List with 60% of the top performers being female This reflects the Board s dedication to providing equitable and high-quality education to all Every year, the Board recognises outstanding students at both the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) levels with national positions that represent academic achievement This year Eisha Mustafa from Sindh (The Froebel s School, Karachi) was awarded the national position at the SSC level, while Sadia Shafi Muhammad Khuwaja from Sindh (Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Hyderabad) was awarded the national position at the HSSC level I aspire to become a cardiothoracic surgeon and AKU-EB has been the foundation of this dream said Eisha Mustafa The board s pursuit of excellence, its emphasis on lifelong learning, and its ability to inspire hope have transformed my ambitions into a clear path forward AKU-EB has given me the confidence and drive to turn my aspirations into reality ” Seeing AKU-EB as
As I graduate from this system I realise that true education goes beyond textbooks and exams; it is found in a system that instills hope nurtures potential, and guides you toward discovering your true purpose PR
Punjab to spend Rs45b on relief in elec tricity bills, says CM Mar yam Nawaz
Doesn’t feel intimiDAteD by Arrest of ex-spymAster: imrAn
‘ Why Punjab only ’: MQM -P demands nationwide uniform power
Grievances resolved as Imran K han has forgiven me: S her Afzal M
