Tarrar attended the proceedings as the state counsel on behalf of Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan Justice Aurangzeb sought clarification from the federal government on whether Imran s military trial was under consideration and adjourned the hearing till September 16 During the hearing Justice Aurangzeb questioned the Attorney General s Office about the possibility of military custody and trial of Khan in cases related to the May 9 riots The court also summoned Assistant Attorney General Azmat Bashir Tarar to the rostrum As proceedings began Bhandari informed the court that top government officials referring to government spokesperson for legal affairs Barrister
Aqeel Malik stated that Imran would be taken into military custody All those are just political statements, nothing else, Justice Aurangzeb remarked, to which the lawyer replied that if they were political then formulating his arguments was “easier”
Bhandari highlighted that a top military official [Gen Sharif] has also given this statement
To this as well, Justice Aurangzeb replied: What he said, too, was a political statement
Imran’s counsel asked the judge to include it in the court order if it was a political statement Justice Aurangzeb then ordered AAG Tarrar to seek clarification from AGP Awan on the government s stance on whether or not Imran would be tried under military laws When the hearing resumed after a short break, the judge reiterated that the government should submit its response to the query by September 16 (Monday)
“Ministers have given threats to the PTI founder of a military trial A civilian s military trial is a cause of concern for the petitioner and the court Justice Aurangzeb observed In October 2023, a five-member Supreme Court (SC) bench had declared the military trials of civilians arrested in the wake of the May 9 protests to be null and void However the widely praised ruling was later suspended by in a 5-1 majority verdict
The Federal Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs directing all the government departments to route 50% of their imports, such as wheat sugar and fertilizer through the Gwadar Port
The prime minister had earlier issued the directives to increase the Gwadar Port operations to ensure development and prosperity of the Balochistan province He also directed that 50% of all public sector imports should be ensured through the Port
The cabinet which met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair, also instructed to increase the volume of exports from the Gwadar Port in the future A sub-committee of the cabinet would be formed to submit a quarterly report on imports and exports through the Port to the cabinet
The cabinet, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Communications approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
between Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the issuance of a commemorative postal stamp to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries
The Ministry of Industries and Production presented a report from the Cabinet Committee on Sugar Exports The cabinet expressed satisfaction that, due to a well-timed decision on sugar exports, the country not only earned valuable foreign exchange but sugar prices remained stable and sugarcane farmers were adequately rewarded
for their efforts
The cabinet, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, also approved the reconstitution of the Board of Directors of the Korangi Fish Harbour Authority Karachi
The cabinet instructed that all provinces should be given representation on such government boards Additionally, the cabinet directed that incomplete boards of government-owned corporations be fully constituted as soon as possible
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
The ten arrested MNAs of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who were arrested from the Parliament House’s premises in a late-night raid earlier this week were presented in the National Assembly on Thursday after the speaker issued their production orders
A heavy contingent of Islamabad police escorted the members to Parliament House where they were handed over to the acting Sergeant-at-Arms
A day ago Speaker Ayaz Sadiq issued production orders for the MNAs in police custody namely Sher Afzal Marwat (NA-41), Malik Amir Dogar (NA-49) Ahmed Chattha (NA-66) Zain
Qureshi (NA-50), Sheikh Waqas Akram (NA-109), Zubair Khan Wazir (NA-42), Awais Haider Jakhar (NA-182), Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah (NA-33) Nasim Ali Shah (NA-39) and Yousuf Khan Khattak (NA-36) These members are currently in police custody under physical remand Just after 3 am on Tuesday, plainclothesmen had stormed the Parliament House disconnecting the power supply and barging into the building’s Services Branch to whisk away at least 10 PTI legislators In light of the subsequent outcry by the PTI in the NA, Sadiq suspended five security staff for four months and transferred five officials of the Capital Development Authority serving in the assembly on deputation for discon-
necting the building s power during the raid A four-member committee headed by Additional Secretary Iftikhar Ahmad has been constituted to probe security arrangements and the “unauthorised movements in the parliament Videos shared by the PTI on social media platform X showed MNA Ali Muhammad Khan who gave a fiery speech in the NA on Tuesday receiving his party colleagues Chants of “Imran Khan” could be heard as the detained lawmakers including Dogar Marwat and Qureshi appeared out of a vehicle Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah is presiding over the session Federal Minister Awais Laghari arrived in the House wearing
FBR proposes stringent ac tions against tax evaders amid IMF pressure
JS Bank subsidiary approves share buy-back plan
notice The share buy-back subject to shareholder approval, will be conducted through the PSX at the prevailing market price during the purchase period from October 21, 2024, to December 20, 2024, or until the buy-back is complete According to the company the
pose of the buy-back is to hold the shares as treasury shares The board believes the move will enhance the breakup value and earnings per share (EPS) of the company, providing an opportunity to shareholders who wish to liquidate their holdings The company emphasized that the share buy-back will have a positive impact on its financial position, adding value to shareholders The member’s register and share transfer books will remain closed from October 7 2024 to October 14 2024 with October 11 being the deadline for transfers to be eligible for attending the meeting The company said
Land acquisition for Buner Marble city to complete within 2 months
District administration Buner has assured the Special Assistant to Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Industries Commerce and Technical Education Abdul Karim Tordher that the land acquisition process for the establishment of Marble City in Buner will be completed within a period of two months The assurance was given during a meeting held here with the Special Assistant to the KP CM in the chair
Besides, Special Secretary Industries Mohammad Anwar Khan, Deputy Commissioner Buner Kashif Qayyum and authorities of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KP-EZDMC) also attended the meeting
During the meeting the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Buner informed the Special Assistant regarding progress made in land acquisition for the establishment of the Marble City Project so far and challenges faced in this regard
The Deputy Commissioner assured that the acquisition of the identified land for the project would be ensured in next two months
Speaking on the occasion, the Special Assistant said that Buner is rich with mineral resources and for the promotion of the marble industry a marble city is being established in the district
He said that steps are also being taken for imparting the required technical skills for mining in the area The training would be imparted in the technical educational institutions with the assistance of a German organization through technical educational institutions
The Special Assistant directed the district administration to fulfill its due responsibilities in good manner so this establishment and development of the
project could begin as
The Special Assistant directed the district administration to
Govt shelves Expor t Processing Zone in Balochistan due
The rate c ut is c autious,
TH E interest rate cut of 200 basis points by the State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee on Thursday brought the rate down to 17 5 percent from 19 5 percent, as expected The expectations of a cut were universal though there was some debate on how much it was going to be The news of inflation falling from a high of 37 97 percent last May, to 9 60 percent in August meant that the cuts had to continue After all the real return was 10 percent before the rate cut, which was far too high It is no wonder that some industrialists were calling for a 500 basis points cut However that much of a cut could have refueled inflation and the MPC did not take the route
However, inflation, which in guat declined below two digits for the first time in well over a year, is slated to fall further Though it might not do so at the next ‘fix’ or even the next one the MPC might have to dial back the interest rate a cumulative 500 bps, to 12 5 percent, which would give the real rate of return of 3 5 percent However, if inflation declines to about the five to seven percent target (as seems likely by about October), then the rate of return would be the seven percent recommended by some There are two immediate results of the rate cut First the domestic debt servicing burden on the government is reduced Second, there will be more borrowing by the private sector Indeed, that is why industrialists are calling for deeper cuts However, one of the reasons given by the MPC for the rate cut seems a little circular: the last T-bill action showed the MPC was expected to make the cuts Another factor, one not mentioned, is that inflation is going down globally so the national rate is going down so the chances of importing inflation are decreasing True, the IMF has recommended keeping rates up, but now that inflation is going down, that advice is becoming outdated However it would be foolhardy to expect the MPC to bring down interest rates any faster than it is doing Not just its decision on Thursday, but its previous decision indicate that it will be cautious in its approach, which is probably the right way of keeping the inflation genie within the bottle
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Life after the rally
Imran not closer to release At Penpoint M A N I A Z I
TH E PTI rally was finally held but at its end there was no party chief Imran Khan standing outside the gates of Adila Jail,blinking uncertainly in the sunlight, free at last However, the PTI rally in Islamabad was the first step on the path to such a goal The rally ended with a call for more rallies one in Lahore then one in Karachi both within the current month However the optics of the rally left no doubt that the PTI was still a going concern The rally did not have many things going for it It was supposed to recall memories of the 2014 dharna, but unlike the dharna, it did not last for more than an evening Also, the venue was a lot less central than D-Chowk Perhaps more importantly there was no stiffening of religious-party workers like the Pakistan Awami Tehrik workers in 2014 who would ensure that the DChowk was always occupied There was so much concern that the protesters be prevented from staging a sit-in that there was police tear-gassing when the crowd did not disperse at the given time Before the rally could take place the organizers had to accept 24 conditions for the rally and one of them was the time of dispersal Memories seem to have faded that in 2014 the purpose was a sit-in, not that a rally was converted into a sit-in The PTI had not announced a sit-in, and thus no sit-in could have been held Another hurdle the PTI faced is that there was apparently no outside support In 2014 there was enough logistic support to ensure that the sit-in crowd was fed The city was not as tightly shut down Again, it is as if the PTI is being assessed It has at present a one-point agenda: Imran s release For that it has to establish two things First, that it has not lost popularity, and second, that there is no other alternative Rallies establish the first point but the second is not yet established In 2014 the basic thesis of the PTI was that the elections had been rigged The present rally makes the same point However, the dramatic bill burning and other rhetorical flourishes did not occur, and though there was vigorous criticism of the Shehbaz government, the situation is perhaps not so bad this time around Also it should not be forgotten that in 2014 there were three parties involved: the PML(N) the PTI and the establishment Now there are two as the establishment has declared its neutrality, but the PTI is trying hard to achieve two things: get the establishment involved once again, and convincing it that the PTI has enough support to make it worth talking to, and bringing it to power
The PTI seems to have an ambiguous attitude towards the establishment It seems to feel that it cannot come into power without its support but at the same time, it has still not explained what happened on 9 May 2023 KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur has said that it was
just an excuse to destroy the party and has promised to make startling revelations at the next rally His remarks, which were about the establishment, were not denied by the PTI, thus indicating that all is not well
Clearly, the party has not moved back from its position that the party did not attack the military installations but agents provocateurs from the intelligence agencies did so using the cover of the crowds infuriated by Imran s arrest by Rangers personnel
The PTI has been consistent in refusing to talk to the PML(N), which it claims is merely a cover for the establishment, and would prefer to talk to the establishment directly, as talks with the government would be indirect talks with the establishment However the PTI has not done all that well on the legal front for its petition against the NAB amendments which it claimed had allowed the PDM to escape justice was dismissed in an intra-court appeal after first being granted by a division bench of the Supreme Court Interestingly, that will allow Imran’s lawyers to move for acquittal in the latest Toshakhana reference against him and his wife
The rally s taking place was a step forward for two previous dates had been cancelled The last last month, had been called off after Imran s meeting, under highly unusual circumstances, of Imran with former minister Azam Swati, who was supposed to have brought a message It is being speculated that the display of obedience was both noted and appreciated However Imran s chances of a political return depend on the Shehbaz government blotting its copybook with the establishment That would be visible in either a gross mishandling of the economy or any interference in the internal affairs of the establishment The economy has only been achieving positive developments so far especially with inflation coming down However there is the very big problem of the IMF bailout which is still not reaching formal approval from the Board of Directors Unprecedented for Pakistan, though a staff-level agreement has been reached, its case is not going to the BoD, because certain promises on rollovers have still to be obtained from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and China Pakistan’s case may not be on the BoD agenda for
r k i n t h i s
Pa r l i a m e n t , w h e n p r e c e d e n t s u g g e s t s a c h a n g e w i l l b e m a d e .
depth understanding between the two nations
prosecutors being designated as blocked individuals by the US government While the ICC issue attracted headlines the primary focus of Putin s visit was to strengthen the comprehensive partnership between Russia and Mongolia The timing of the visit is critical
The geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically since Putin’s last visit to Mongolia in 2019 The pandemic escalating tensions between Russia and the West and the decline of Western hegemony have all played roles in reshaping both regional and global dynamics One of the major highlights of the visit was the focus on expanding political, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations Both sides discussed a wide range of topics including cooperation in energy infrastructure and agriculture Several agreements were signed to enhance trade and investment, with specific attention to sectors critical to Mongolia s economy, such as energy and transportation A key point of discussion was the Soyuz Vostok gas pipeline an extension of Russia’s Power of Siberia 2 project This pipeline set to transport natural gas from Russia to China via Mongolia, has the potential to further solidify Mongolia s strategic importance in the region
Another notable aspect of the visit was the signing of a memorandum on epidemic safety focusing on plague control and another on environmental cooperation specifically regarding the preservation of Lake Baikal and its tributary the Selenga River These agreements highlight the growing importance of environmental sustainability and public health in the bilateral relationship Putin’s visit to Mongolia also carried significant historical and symbolic weight The Russian president marked the 85th anniversary of the victory at Khalkhin Gol a battle in 1939 in which Soviet and Mongolian forces successfully repelled Japanese aggressors This event remains a crucial chapter in Mongolia s history, symbolizing the enduring bond between the two nations
The visit concluded with a mutual commitment to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Mongolia President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh of Mongolia expressed his gratitude for the visit and emphasized the importance of collaboration in areas such as energy, transportation, culture, and healthcare
Former PMs and Dental Health behind bars
From Quresh Pur to today
the subject of global attention due to its refusal to comply with the ICC s warrant for Putin’s arrest This visit highlighted not only Mongolia’s assertion of sovereignty, but also the strategic importance of Russian-Mongolian relations amid shifting geopolitical dynamics The backdrop of Putin s visit was the ICC s arrest warrant for the Russian leader issued over a year ago in connection with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine Since the warrant was issued, Putin had avoided traveling to any country with obligations under the ICC’s jurisdiction Mongolia’s decision not to adhere to the ICC’s mandate raised eyebrows especially in Europe where several diplomats had hoped Ulaanbaatar would comply Despite threats of sanctions and criticism from European countries, Mongolia stood firm Kyiv expressed particular outrage, condemning Mongolia’s decision as a “blow to all ” Ukrainian authorities believed that Mongolia had ignored the clear signal sent twice regarding the warrant However Mongolia s refusal to comply with the ICC s directive underscored its determination to prioritize national sovereignty over international pressure Notably, legal experts have pointed out that the ICC has no effective mechanisms to penalize Mongolia for its non-compliance
The situation draws attention to the broader geopolitical context While the ICC may express discontent it lacks the power to impose significant sanctions on non-compliant states Furthermore, the USA, which does not recognize the ICC’s authority, has remained notably silent on Mongolia’s decision, further complicating the international reaction Washington’s non-recognition of the ICC mirrors Moscow s stance and the USA has even employed measures to restrict the ICC s influence with some of its judges and
Although there had been scepticism regarding the project’s inclusion in Mongolia’s development plans Putin expressed optimism noting that the project documentation had been completed and submitted for government review Energy cooperation was a central theme during the visit, reflecting the deep interdependence between Russia and Mongolia in this sector Mongolia imports over 90 percent of its gasoline and diesel from Russia making energy security a top priority for Ulaanbaatar The discussions during Putin s visit included agreements on petroleum products aviation fuel and the reconstruction of Thermal Power Plant 3 in Ulaanbaatar, all aimed at securing Mongolia s energy needs While energy was a cornerstone of the discussions, the visit also explored other areas of potential collaboration The two sides agreed to expand student exchanges and scientific cooperation with a particular emphasis on supporting Russian-language education in Mongolia These efforts aim to strengthen cultural ties and foster a more in-
V l a d i m
Looking ahead, the two nations are poised to deepen their cooperation Khurelsukh is expected to visit Russia in the near future with plans to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan in October and the 80th anniversary celebrations of the victory in World War II in Moscow in 2025 Additionally, the signing of a temporary free trade agreement between Mongolia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is anticipated before the end of 2024 which could further boost trade and economic interaction Vladimir Putin s visit to Mongolia was a pivotal moment in the ongoing relationship between Russia and Mongolia While the visit highlighted the ICC’s waning influence on the global stage, it also underscored the strategic importance of the two countries’ partnership As the world continues to experience profound geopolitical shifts the strengthening of Russian-Mongolian relations serves as a testament to the resilience of traditional alliances and the growing importance of Asia in global affairs Through this visit, both nations have demonstrated their readiness to collaborate in the face of modern challenges and to pursue mutually beneficial opportunities for growth and stability
The writer can be reached at: writetomahossain@gmail com P u t i n s t r e n g t h e n s s t r a t e g i c t i e s w i t h M o n g o l i a , d e f y i n g I C C
t h e t wo c o u n t r i e s Ê p a r t n e rs h i p .
IN a pivotal moment for global climate
liu Zhenmin China s envoy on climate change and John Podesta the senior adviser to the US president on international climate policy, were engaged in historic talks in Beijing from September 4 to 6, aiming to foster “practical cooperation” between the two global powers Podesta and liu Zhenmin co-chaired the Working Group on enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s their discussions centred on domestic climate policy initiatives and the broader multilateral efforts needed to combat climate change A key point of contention during the talks was the US push to expand the contributor base for climate finance While the USA views this as a necessary step to secure broader support for global climate efforts, China has repeatedly expressed concern that such a move could dilute the financial obligations of wealthier countries As both nations tackle these complexities, the importance of finding common ground cannot be overstated the outcomes of these talks will not only influence the trajectory of US-China relations but will also play a crucial role in shaping the global response to the escalating climate crisis this marked only the second formal dialogue between the two superpowers’ climate envoys underlining the profound importance of their discussions in combating the escalating climate crisis the talks were mainly focused on actionable steps in critical areas such as energy, the circular economy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions Both China and the USA have shown a construc-
tive attitude reflecting a shared commitment to tackling the climate crisis head-on the three-day climate talks were a key step in efforts by China and the USA to stabilize their relationship by addressing mutual concerns, a commitment made by Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden during their meeting in San Francisco last November While in Beijing Podesta also held discussions with Huang runqiu China s Minister of ecology and environment and Wang Yi, China s Foreign Minister After the meetings, amid the ongoing complexities in U S -China relations, Podesta acknowledged that while “some differences” remain particularly on climate finance tangible progress has been made during the recent talks in Beijing Speaking to the media Podesta emphasized the potential for collaboration despite existing tensions, stating, “Notwithstanding some friction in our bilateral relationship, we can find places to collaborate for the good of our people and our climate Podesta further said that these discussions included excellent exchanges on the upcoming CoP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, where a critical focus will be on establishing a major new fund to support developing countries in their climate efforts China a signatory of the Paris Agreement has consistently shown its dedication to addressing the global climate crisis Moreover China s Belt and road initiative (Bri), which marks a decade of milestones, has integrated green development as a core principle By June 2023, China had signed over 200 cooperation
agreements with 152 countries and 32 international organizations underscoring the Bri s emphasis on climate action As the world looks to Baku, the progress made in Beijing serves as a reminder of the essential role China and the USA play in shaping global climate policy this diplomatic engagement not only strengthens China-US relations but also sets a vital precedent for global climate governance As extreme weather events- heatwaves droughts floods, and wildfires- become increasingly frequent and devastating, the urgency of their collaboration becomes undeniable China and the USA as global economic leaders bear a combined responsibility to lead this charge Without their cooperation any hope for effective global climate governance remains elusive the world watches as these two nations strive to turn words into meaningful action, a necessity for the survival of our planet Failure to heed this call for cooperation will not only imperil the wellbeing of current and future generations but also undermine the very fabric of international relations the time for decisive action is now, and the stakes could not be higher From the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement, and through numerous high-level summits and bilateral dialogues the foundation for climate cooperation between China and the US has been laid However this collaboration has encountered its share of setbacks amidst the complexities of international relations, politics, and economics today, as both nations strive to navigate a path forward, challenges
persist on multiple fronts Macro-level issues such as geopolitical tensions and economic disparities as well as micro-level differences like approaches to new energy technologies and carbon reduction strategies demand careful consideration to overcome these hurdles, both sides must confront them head-on, prioritizing areas of convergence over divergence By concentrating their limited resources on avenues that can elevate China-US climate diplomacy from a peripheral concern to a central priority both nations stand to achieve significant progress in their cooperative efforts to combat climate change it s time to transcend obstacles and seize the opportunities for meaningful climate action together in a world fraught with tension and misinformation the ongoing climate talks between liu and Podesta offer a glimmer of hope By prioritizing communication and broadening cooperation, these discussions can counterbalance the conflicts that often dominate US-China relations, creating a positive cycle of collaboration to tackle the pressing issue of climate change As these two global powerhouses meet the focus is clear: it s time to set aside the inflammatory rhetoric and zero in on common goals, particularly in the urgent fight against climate change Amid the noise of divisive rhetoric, this pragmatic approach sends a clear message: it’s
Hasina ‘destroyed’ Bangladesh’s institutions
In an exclusive inter view, B angladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus spoke about the challenges he is facing in his new role and the reforms he’s planning to implement before holding a general elec tion
Mterrible things happen in the economy and so on Bangladesh s $450-billion (€412-billion) economy has struggled since the CoViD-19 pandemic, particularly when it comes to creating enough, decent-paying jobs for its vast youth population russia’s war against Ukraine has also sharply increased the cost of fuel and food imports causing the South Asian nation’s foreign exchange reserves to shrink Dhaka was forced to seek financial support from the iMF last year in the form of a $4 7-billion bailout Yunus interim administration is currently urging international lenders to offer it $5 billion in financial aid to stabilize its dwindling foreign exchange reserves HOW TO MANAGE RELATIONS WITH INDIA? on the question of Bangladesh s relations with india which shared close ties with Hasina s administration, Yunus said Dhaka has no option but to maintain good ties with New Delhi
“Bangladesh must have the best of relationship with india out of its own necessity and out of its own acquaintances and the similarity of the things that we do together We share each other s history So there is no escape route for Bangladesh to do something else, he said After the student protests turned into a mass uprising against her, Hasina fled to india in a military helicopter New Delhi has not provided details on Hasina’s location though she is believed to be sheltering in a safe house Yunus interim government in Dhaka has already revoked Hasina s diplomatic passport and more and more voices in Bangladesh, including its top prosecutors, are demanding her extradition Former diplomats and academics consulted by DW say New Delhi is likely to resist pressure from Dhaka to deliver Hasina for trial Speaking to DW Yunus also pointed to other bilateral problems such as river water sharing and the cross-border movement of people He said his administration will work together with New Delhi to resolve these issues “We have to work together and there are international ways of solving that We will follow that path and make a very happy solution ”
TEHRAN TIMES
week the film directed by Alexis Bloom and produced by Alex Gibney features never-before-seen footage of the police interrogations of Netanyahu his family and his inner circle on corruption allegations the graft charges were recorded between 2016 and 2018, and have never been released in israel due to privacy laws
According to Variety magazine, the recordings of Netanyahu being questioned by police between those years were leaked to Bloom in early 2023 When he received the tapes israel was witnessing mass demonstrations against Netanyahu s push for his controversial judicial reforms the recordings consist of thousands of hours of interviews the documentary depicts Netanyahu as a leader facing multiple criminal convictions, such as bribery, and how his actions since being indicted have affected his decision-making, including around the Al-Aqsa Storm a surprise military operation carried out by Hamas in southern israel on october 7 last year Netanyahu known as Bibi is on trial for fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases filed in 2019 these cases are listed as 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000, which include bribery charges Netanyahu s first trial was suspended due to the Al-Aqsa Storm operation and the ensuing israeli genocidal war in Gaza the israeli prime minister has flatly rejected any wrongdoing describing the charges as complete fabrication and a witch hunt
POLITICAL MANEUVERING: the Bibi Files that made its debut at the Canadian festival took the lid off Netanyahu s leaked police interrogation videos for the first time but it seems to be a strategic chess move by the West within the grand theater of public perception israeli media have already leaked the incriminating evidence in the interrogation videos Hence the film doesn t reveal
new information Western countries, in particular the United States, are under fire for feeding israel s war machine in Gaza by providing the regime with unwavering military support large protests have been held in the United States Canada and european countries against the Gaza war and the West’s support for the onslaught over the past months
Besides israel s brutalities in Gaza have deepened the regime s international isolation israel is accused of genocide at the international Court of Justice (iCJ) the international Criminal Court (iCC) has also requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his war minister Yoav Gallant over committing war crimes and crimes against humanity resentment against
strike on Gaza school kills
late double standards in industrial policies and disturb global industrial and supply chains
The U S has continuously escalated unilateral sanctions frequently implemented discriminatory measures and continued to raise tariff barriers which has posed severe challenges to the multilateral trading system and seriously
the relevant illegal measures, the U S still increases Section 301 tariffs on products imported from China and launches a new investigation exposing its nature as a destroyer of the multilateral trading system
The U S , ignoring the principles of market economy and fair competition unreasonably suppresses companies of other countries under the guise of national security and imposes unilateral sanctions and “long-arm jurisdiction” on normal economic and trade exchanges of other countries it said adding that such acts are a typical perpetrator of unilateralist bullying
KP FOOD MINISTER REBUTS MAQAM’S ALLEGATIONS,
H Y B E R Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru on Thursday strongly refuted allegations of corruption made by Federal Minister Amir Maqam regarding the provincial food department, calling them baseless and a propaganda tactic Speaking at a press conference at the Civil Secretariat in Peshawar Zahir Shah said that the procurement of wheat this year was carried out with complete transparency and the province saved over Rs 8 billion during the procurement He emphasized that the procurement was done at the government-fixed rate of Rs 3,900 per 40 kilograms as set by the federal
government The minister added that provincial target for wheat procurement was set at 300,000 metric tons, out of which 208,000 metric tons were successfully procured Zahir Shah accused Amir Maqam of presenting misleading figures and engaging in negative propaganda questioning Maqam s credibility by referring to him as a "protégé of Pervez Musharraf
RUDA, PAMR A ink accord for state - of-ar t S abzi Mandi
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T
Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, the Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, has stated that the vegetable market Kala Khati being built in Ravi City will be the best in Asia The access routes to this market will also serve as a prime example of high-quality infrastructure Metro and Speedo bus routes will be extended to the market to facilitate labourers and cart vendors The project will soon be inaugurated by Maryam Nawaz the Chief Minister of Punjab The Minister of Agriculture
mentioned that, in the future, this vegetable market will become an export hub for the region He emphasized that the farming and cold storage of vegetables like toma-
ziz Bhatti paid glowing tribute on mar tyrdom anniversar y
Bhatti Shaheed
ISLAMABAD
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have paid glowing tributes to Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed on his 59th martyrdom anniversary In a statement the President said the entire nation salutes the unparalleled sacrifice and bravery of Major Aziz Bhatti The President said Major Aziz Bhatti heroically fought in the line of duty and defended his motherland in the 1965 War He said the entire nation pays homage to its hero whose matchless sacrifice serves as an epitome of courage and
of capturing Lahore cowardly in the darkness of the night in 1965, but unshakable resolve of Major Raja Aziz
Bhatti Shaheed to defend the homeland, pushed the enemy back Shehbaz Sharif said Major Raja Aziz Bhatti stood as an invincible bulwark between Lahore and the enemy which was intoxicated by its numerical superiority
KH ASIF TERMS GANDAPUR’S STATEMENT ABOUT HOLDING DIALOGUE WITH AFGHANISTAN ‘ATTACK ON FEDERATION’
C
TD
nabs banned
outfit member, seizes explosives and hate literature
SAHIWAL
S TA F F R E P O R T
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) successfully arrested a terrorist affiliated with a banned organization during an operation near the Bypass in Sahiwal on Thursday According to CTD officials, the terrorist, a member of the Zenbayun Brigade, was apprehended with explosives, a detonator a Prima card a battery and a circuit in his possession
This arrest follows another operation on September 4 when the CTD apprehended a terrorist identified as Aman Ullah, who belongs to the banned group Fitna Alkhwarij During that operation, the CTD recovered hate-inciting literature and extremist books and a case has been registered against Aman Ullah In a separate development, se-
curity forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Razmak area of North Waziristan, killing three terrorists affiliated with an outlawed group According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) the terrorists linked to the Khawarij group were involved in targeted killings of both security personnel
and civilians The operation resulted in a firefight during which three terrorists were killed and one was injured A large cache of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from the scene
The ISPR reaffirmed the security forces commitment to eliminating terrorism and combating Khawarij extremists from the country
a judicial magistrate The charges stemmed from a case filed by the police under Section 11 (drinking liable to tazir) of the Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order (PEHO), 1979 This followed a medical report confirming that she was under the influence of methamphetamine commonly known as ice or crystal meth during the August 19 accident that resulted in two deaths and two injuries Last week, the court had granted her bail in the primary accident case after the legal heirs of the victims submitted affidavits, stating that they had pardoned her in the name of Allah Almighty and raised no objections to her release on bail After hearing arguments from
and
Additional Sessions
(East) Shahid Ali Memon reserved his
scheduling the
s pronouncement for September
argued that the
The
bailable, with
or
He
that the case was lodged based on the opinion of a DSP legal who had overlooked the fact that amendments to the anti-narcotics law in 2022 criminalized the possession of methamphetamine but did not address its consumption The defense emphasized that while possessing and transporting the drug is punishable with varying prison terms the law remains silent on the issue of consumption The lawyer also pointed out irregularities in the handling of the suspect s blood and urine samples Although the samples were collected on the day of the accident in the presence of a female medico-legal officer, they were only sent for testing two days later This delay, he argued, compromised the chain of custody
RAWALPINDI S TA F F R E P O R T
The Accountability Court on Thursday dismissed the plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan seeking acquittal in the £190 million case
The Court announced the decision during the hearing held in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail upon completion of arguments put forward by both the defence and plaintiff
The court also fixed hearing for Friday (tomorrow) for the cross-examination of the investigating officer, who is the last witness of the reference On Sept 10 the accountability court 10 had adjourned the hearing of the acquittal plea of the incarcerated former prime minister along his wife in the case till Thursday Previously, Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi had appeared
before the court during the hearing conducted by accountability court Judge Nasir Javed Rana at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail
The PTI founder on September 7 had filed a plea seeking acquittal in the £190 million case after the Supreme Court s verdict in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments case wherein the court accepted the intra-court appeals filed against last year s verdict which struck down the changes made to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO)
The couple is accused of causing billions of rupees loss to the national exchequer Last week the court had reserved verdict on Bushra’s acquittal plea in the said case Later during the hearing Khan and Bushra s lawyers did not appear before the court owing to their commitments in the Lahore High Court (LHC) due to which the ref-
erence s last witness Mian Umer Nadeem who is also an investigating officer couldn’t be crossexamined Furthermore assistant counsel Faisal Chaudhry s request seeking adjournment of the hearing was opposed by the NAB s prosecution team
The anti-graft body s prosecutor had said that Khan and Bushra’s counsels were using delay tactics in the case as they have been given 16 opportunities to cross-examine the last witness in the reference Noting that 12 affidavits have been submitted by the defence lawyers in this reference, the NAB prosecutor had said that since counsels Barrister Ali Zafar and Chaudhry were present at the moment they should cross-examine the witness At this, Chaudhry had requested the court for a chance and said that they would cross-examine the witness if the lawyers failed to appear in the next hearing
What is the £190 million case?
As per the charges of the case Khan and other accused allegedly adjusted Rs50 billion £190 million at the time sent by Britain s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government as part of the agreement with a property tycoon
Subsequently then-prime minister Khan had got approval for the settlement with the UK crime agency from his cabinet on December 3, 2019, without disclosing the details of the confidential agreement
S The Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA), an attached department of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) that has remained largely dysfunctional for over seven years has expressed reluctance to merge with the Ministry of National
instructed to submit a report regarding the abolishment or merger of its attached departments However, the PHA, established in 2016 is still not fully functional PHA has raised objections to merging with another
ministry citing several reasons A memorandum issued on September 2 2024, from the PHA detailed its objections to the proposed transfer to the MNFSR The memo highlighted that the PHA’s functions align more closely with the MoST than the food ministry It emphasised that the MoST is mandated by the Rules of Business 1973 to develop product standards and ensure quality assurance through its affiliated organisations, including the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), National Metrology Institute of Pakistan (NMIP) and the Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) The PHA further argued that its mandate extends beyond halal food to cover halal certification for other industries, such as cosmetics, textiles, leather, and pharmaceuticals Given this broader scope, the PHA contends that it should remain under
the MoST where there is a more natural alignment with other organisations like the PSQCA, which has been developing halal standards since 1996, and PNAC, which accredits certification bodies, including those registered by the PHA Constitutional and Legal Standpoints: The PHA memorandum also cited constitutional and legal precedents to support its position Under the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, standardisation is a federal subject, with the legislative list specifying that the “standards of quality of goods to be exported from Pakistan” and “establishment of standards of weights and measures” are federal responsibilities The Rules of Business 1973 further outline that the MoST is tasked with standardisation and quality assurance, while the MNFSR s mandate is limited to ensuring food supply, managing food imports and exports, and conducting agricultural re-
search all of which are provincial subjects The PHA also pointed to the PSQCA Act, 1996, which established the PSQCA as the only national standards body in Pakistan The PSQCA’s Halal Division, operational since 2016, has already developed halal standards for over 1 000 food products and processes The PHA s reliance on PSQCA for halal standards along with the support of PCSIR s halal testing facilities underscores the authority s need to remain within the MoST
