PM HOSTS PARLIAMENTARIANS AT DINNER TO DRUM UP SUPPORT FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDS
“Political stability is crucial for ensuring economic stability and advancing the country on the path of development he added
He pointed out that the anti-state elements made every effort to push the country towards default
He said there were attempts to drag constitutional institutions and non-political figures into politics and make them a party
The Charter of Democracy was signed under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif and the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto that permanently blocked the path for unconstitutional actions ” the prime minister said
He added that politics will continue but the continuity of policies was crucial to save the country
He highlighted that the country was making significant progress before 2018 under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif, however a well-planned conspiracy was executed to remove him from the political landscape
This conspiracy proved to be very expensive for Pakistan and its people as within the next three years, an incompetent government brought the country to the verge of default,” he added
The prime minister said “when Allah Almighty entrusted us with the responsibility of pulling Pakistan out of economic quagmire all political parties sacrificed their pol-
itics to save the country During the dinner, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar briefed coalition partners on proposed constitutional amendments that would establish a constitutional court within the Supreme Court The amendment is necessary to create a separate court for matters of public interest Dar explained He expressed his satisfaction that today the country’s economy was stabilizing again due to the prudent policies of the government He said inflation was gradually decreasing
PSX ISSUES ALERT ON RISING FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT SCHEMES THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
U N J A B C M S E E KS C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A N T O
D VA N C E P I N K S A LT E X P O R T
Gharidah Farooqi condemns Gandapur’s allegations, announces legal action
Senior journalist and analyst Gharidah Farooqi announced on Saturday that she will take legal action against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)
Farooqi further expressed concern that
and
minister s
speeches are making it increasingly difficult for female journalists in Pakistan to
out their duties “Female journalists already face numerous challenges in their line of
” she said During a rally on September 8 Gandapur had described journalists especially female reporters as sell-outs who were allegedly paid to withhold facts in their reporting
Punjab CTD captures terrorists linked to IS, Fitna-ul-Khawarij in multi-city raids
LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t
The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested nine terrorists during 71 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the province according to a statement released on Saturday
The CTD, which operates under the provincial police department, plays a critical role in countering terrorism and ensuring internal security in the country
The suspect was found injured during the raid According to the Punjab Police spokesperson the operation took place after receiving information about armed criminals at Fayyaz Bagh in the Qadirpur area Upon raiding the site, the suspects opened heavy fire on the police In the ensuing crossfire, Dashti was injured by his accomplices’ gunfire and subsequently arrested while other gang members managed to escape Nukhaf Dashti is reportedly a close associate of Moorzada Dashti and the notorious dacoit Shehzada Dashti who was killed in a previous police operation Dashti has a criminal record, including charges of murder, robbery, and firing on police, and was wanted in several cases A Kalashnikov was recovered from his possession Punjab IG Police Dr Usman Anwar praised DPO Rahim Yar Khan Rizwan Umar Gondal and his team for the successful operation and directed them to pursue and arrest the fleeing suspects
Lahore ATC summons JIT head in May 9 cases, extends interim bail for PTI leaders
LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has summoned the head of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in connection with the 9 May cases questioning their absence from court proceedings The court was hearing interim bail applications involving several high-profile accused, including former federal ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Azam Swati During the session, Judge Arshad Javed raised concerns over the JIT head’s failure to appear stressing the importance of their presence Fawad Chaudhry defended his position asserting that he had no involvement in the 9 May events and did not participate in the alleged conspiracy meeting on 7 May He explained that his tweets in May only discussed the possible consequences if judicial orders were not implemented The ATC postponed the hearing, ordering the JIT head to attend future sessions In related developments interim bail for PTI leaders and activists involved in the Jinnah House attack and arson cases was extended until 8 October Opposition leader Omar Ayub and others also had their bail extended As their interim bail period expired, Imran Khan s sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, along with other PTI leaders, including Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, Azam Swati and Farhat Abbas appeared in court Makhdoom Tahir sworn in to National Assembly after PPP win
ISLAMABAD: Makhdoom Tahir Rasheeduddin newly elected as a member of the Pakistan People s Party (PPP) took his oath on Saturday in the National Assembly The oath was administered by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah During the session, PPP Chairman Bilawal
and
The arrested individuals were identified as Abdul Kareem, Usman, Imran Siddiqui, Shani, Shaukat,
The CTD spokesperson confirmed that the operations were conducted in response to terrorism-related concerns and took place in cities including Lahore, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad “Nine terrorists were arrested during the operations ” the spokesperson said Among the arrested one terrorist affiliated with Fitna-ul-Khawarij was captured in Mianwali while another linked to the Islamic State (IS), was apprehended in Faisalabad In July, the government officially designated the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Fitna al Khawarij instructing institutions to refer to the group s operatives as Khariji (outcasts) The operations resulted in the recovery of explosives,
K ashmiris will persist until freedom is achieved, says APHC-A JK
S ta f f R e p o R t
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the Kashmir cause, declaring that Kashmiris are sacrificing their lives for a noble purpose and will persist in their struggle until the martyrs’ mission is fulfilled According to Kashmir Media Service APHC-AJK
Secretary Information Mushtaq Ahmed Butt
alongside Hurriyat leaders Zahid Safi and Zahid Ashraf issued a joint statement emphasizing the need for continued readiness and active involvement in the fight for freedom from Indian occupation
The leaders pointed out that oppressed nations
often face significant challenges in their pursuit of freedom, but they must remain resolute and focused on their ultimate goals They acknowledged the immense hardships endured by the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir under Indian rule but emphasized the importance of moving forward with their mission despite these difficulties
The APHC-AJK leaders called for increased unity and solidarity within their ranks to counter Indian efforts against the freedom movement They stressed that the sacrifices made by the martyrs are a priceless asset to the cause and must be protected at all costs expressing strong confidence that these sacrifices will soon lead to the liberation of Jammu and Kashmir from Indian occupation
Shangla
BEIJING ag e n c e S Chinese investors will be welcomed to set up their manufacturing units in Pakistan and export products to the European Union
“We have a good market in European countries and the Middle East where we have also finalized the Free Trade Agreement Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi stated this while taking with China Economic Net (CEN)
We have a strong foundation to promote ChinaPakistan trade cooperation,” Hashimi said, referring to almost 11 years of the construction of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement Meanwhile the Pakistan National Pavilion was officially inaugurated here at the 2024 China International Fair Trade in Services (CIFTIS), marking another joint effort made by China and Pakistan to showcase investment opportunities in Pakistan and further promote bilateral trade
As chief guest of the event Ambassador Khalil Hashmi stressed the importance of the pavilion in providing business opportunities to Pakistani stakeholders
As one of the major fairs for China s opening up to the world, thousands of enterprises have come here every year
This also highlights the unique appeal and attraction of Beijing as a capital city one that draws
in talent, capital, and good management practices By bringing these elements together the CIFTIS creates a significant impact and adds more value ” the envoy said At this year s CIFTIS around 80 countries and international organizations set up exhibitions and held conferences, and more than 450 Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders participated in the offline exhibition
To fully take advantage of the business event, the Pakistani embassy has for the first time directly reached out to the business community of Pakistan and encouraged them to participate in the exhibition As a result more than 15 exhibitors have come from Pakistan to have their debuts on the occasion The embassy has also invited the Export Processing Zones Authority and Special Economic Zone Authority to the exhibition to showcase incentives and policies for Chinese investors in Pakistan PAKISTAN TO ENHANCE TRADE COOPERATION WITH CHINA’S HUBEI PROVINCE Meanwhile, Ghulam Qadir, Trade and Investment Counsellor here at Pakistani Embassy, said that Pakistan is looking forward to enhance trade cooperation with China’s Hubei province
Addressing a seminar titled “Hubei Province Theme Day at the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) Mr Qadir said Hubei Province fully demonstrates new quality productive forces, high-quality services, cutting-edge achievements, and application
ISLAMABAD
COMMENT
Gems and minerals
Pakistan could well be losing billions
TESTIMONY before the National Assembly subcommittee on commerce revealed that Pakistan was losing vast sums because of the smuggling of gemstones with a sector which had once exported $1 4 billion in a year now down to $8 million The loss of $5 billion in exports does not rightly portray the cumulative national loss for what is smuggled is raw gemstones which means that the entire industry of cutting and polishing those stones has been lost That means there are a huge number of jobs which have been lost This does not factor in what kind of exports and jobs have been lost if these gemstones became the basis for a jewellery industry While gemstones have long been known to be found in the north of the country, from the foothills of the Himalayas and upwards, the main obstacle has been the lack of a sufficient quantity of metal for their settings The presence of large quantities of precious metals at Reko Diq in Balochistan open new prospects Even though Barrick Gold and other investors have sewn up the project tightly, they should not care whether they sell precious metal ingots locally or export them
It should be noted that Pakistan alone does not lose for some of the gemstones originate in Afghanistan and merey pass through Pakistan That means that the loss is not to Pakistan alone but to a neighbouring country The stones mainly go to Thailand which has a thriving industry on this basis Some of the stones go to India, where a Pakistan-origin ruby was sold for $1 8 million While India’s jewellery industry is not based on Pakistani stones, it does use some, and has exports of $45 billion, and employs five million people Instead of learning from that example, sloth and neglect are the official attitude towards this sector The Gemstone and Jewelry Authority, set up in 2006, along with five centres, never became operational The government has set up a new Gemstone and Jewelry Facilitation Wing, but the results so far seem abysmal The prospect of exporting precious chemicals seems unlikely with this attitude For example antimony plentiful in Pakistan sells for Rs 1 5 million per ton nut there is no arrangement for its production or export Considering how the country has treated gemstones which were long known to be present it is unlikely that it will be particularly with the newly emerging area of industrial minerals
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 Federal Government is expected to approve the export of 40,000 metric tons of sugar to Tajikistan Media reports indicate the government-to-government agreement stipulates a heavily discounted sale price in the range of Rs 133-136 per kg and includes a possible waiver of fees at Karachi Port While this will bolster export numbers, the reality is that both high volume sugar exports and attendant export subsidies are an inefficient deployment of national resources What is the scale of the problem?: Earlier this year the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) requested the Government of Pakistan to institute a permanent channel allowing for the export of a million tons a year The government responded by conditionally allowing the export of 150,000 metric tons Sugarcane cultivation and sugar manufacturing in Pakistan has increased significantly over the past few years This increase has principally been driven by considerable subsidies provided by the Federal Government These subsidies include a notable Rs 3 billion in an attempt to increase sugar exports; helping the industry bridge a gap between national and international sugar prices The exports however have proven counterproductive They have resulted in local sugar shortages leading to a sharp increase in domestic prices In 2017 for example the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) provided the sugar industry a whopping Rs 10 7 billion subsidy, leading to the export of 1 5 million tons of sugar While the subsidy was intended to increase exports, it ultimately led to market imbalances including but not limited to sharp price hikes Government support for sugarcane production and manufacturing has placed a heavy burden on Pakistan leading to market disruptions, domestic shortages, and escalating domestic prices All combined, these conditions constitute a negative impact on local consumers and the national economy What is the cost/benefit analysis?: In Pakistan sugar cane as an agricultural crop is largely unproductive in terms of its yield/hectare Though there are many intensive resources devoted to the crop s agricultural production, the yields are considerably lower than other agricultural crops that could be harvested
on the same land (like wheat, cotton, maize, rice, among others) In fact, despite being the fifth largest country in the world in terms of sugarcane cultivation Pakistan ranks 60th in sugarcane yield – highlighting the country s unproductivity Even more disconcerting is sugarcane s intensive dependence on critical water resources Sugarcane is a water-reliant crop requiring considerable quantities for production For instance, producing just one kilogramme of sugar from sugarcane can on average require up to 1 500-3 000 litres of water As Pakistan is a water-scarce country facing diminishing groundwater reserves devoting its already depleted groundwater reserves to an unproductive crop is detrimental for the country The increased production of sugarcane in Pakistan is greatly accelerating the depletion of Pakistan’s already scarce and fast diminishing groundwater reserves especially in areas like Rahim Yar Khan (Punjab) and Mirpurkhas (Sindh) where sugar-cane production is extensive
What are the wider agricultural implications?: Sugarcane cultivation and production does not only have implications for Pakistan’s water reserves but also for the country’s large-scale agricultural sector Increased focus on sugarcane production often redirects agricultural inputs from productive crops An example of this can be seen in cotton– a crop that has consistently been economically viable for Pakistan and far less water dependent than sugarcane However, despite its productive advantages, cotton production in Pakistan has witnessed deficient growth in the past few years
Cotton is one of Pakistan s most prominent agricultural domains contributing a meaningful 0 8 percent to Pakistan s GDP and a significant 5 2 percent to the country s agricultural value Additionally, the crop contributes a whopping 51 percent to Pakistan s foreign exchange revenues– far more than any other agricultural product However despite these benefits the industry has struggled over the past few years One of
Beyond Grades
and helping male fighters with logistics As women showed that they were just as capable and dedicated to the cause as their male counterparts these roles started to challenge established patriarchal norms within Palestinian culture In the regions of Gaza and the West Bank, where political unrest and armed conflict have caused extreme poverty and social disintegration Palestinian women are currently organizing grassroots movements For instance well known women-led organizations like the Women s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling women union have helped the impacted women by offering them career training, legal assistance and psychological support The WCLAC helped more than 2000 women seek legal resources for family conflicts domestic abuse and human rights violations related to the conflict in 2022 alone Significant contributions from women have been made to peace talks and political activism, and international diplomacy has been influenced by individuals such as Hanan Ashrawi, a former Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) spokesperson Ashrawi played a crucial role as the first female member of the Palestinian National Council producing a strong voice in favour of gender equality, human rights and peace Her role in the Madrid Peace Conference in 1991 established a standard for women to participate in high-level negotiations Sixty percent of young Palestinian women according to data from the Arab Barometer expressed their political views online in the past with a particular focus on opposition to the occupation, support for gender equality, and human rights
period thanks to the leadership and caring roles played by the Palestinian women in their communities Several reports state that women made up about 30 percent of protesters during the First Intifada (1987-1993) Women began to take the lead in protests sneaking food and medicine
Despite their significant contribution, Palestinian women have faced multiple challenges such as economic hardship patriarchal norms and occupation Women have been disproportionately affected by the military occupation especially in terms of employment, healthcare and educational opportunities Recent estimates indicate that since October 7, the civilian deaths in Gaza were 70% women and children and around a million of them have been forced to flee from their homes The UN
special reporter on violence against women and girls Reem Alsalem called Israel’s attack on women and children as relentless and particularly alarming In Gaza there have been at least 40 939 Palestinian deaths as of September 2024 It is estimated that women and children account for 70 percent of those who die, while another 94 616 Palestinians have suffered injuries A large number of persons remain unaccounted for likely buried beneath the debris and are still in need of rescue or retrieval Gender-based violence is still a serious problem, too A UN Women survey indicates that 37 percent of Palestinian women in the West Bank and Gaza had been victims of domestic violence By undermining social institutions raising stress and tension in homes and restricting women s access to legal support and protection the occupation has made these problems worse Notwithstanding these challenges, Palestinian women have become influential proponents of justice and peace Women's peace initiatives have tried to promote communication and understanding between Israeli and Palestinian women such as the Jerusalem Link Through groups like the Palestinian Women's Coalition women have advocated for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which asks for the participation of women in peace discussions and decision-making processes Playing a variety of vital roles in communities political groups and peace initiatives Palestinian women have long been at the centre of the fight for social justice and national freedom Their growing role as change agents whether through international campaigning or local activism offers promise for a more equitable and peaceful settlement to the conflict We must support Palestinian women and strive for a time when there is only justice, peace, and gender equality The writer is can be reached at Email: arslannekokara@gmail com
Health in the Hustle
arslan Mehndi neKoKara
vs. Trump: What Pakistani-Americans
AFTER US President Joe Biden nominated Kamala Harris as his running mate I authored an article titled Trump vs Kamala Harris: What is for Pakistan At the time deeply immersed in Pakistan s political landscape, I predicted that although both candidates could be detrimental to our national interests, Kamala Harris might be slightly more favourable Now residing in Michigan I have had the privilege of being admitted into a local Pakistani community s WhatsApp group which provided me with a unique opportunity to better understand the perspectives of the Pakistani diaspora, particularly regarding national and international issues
To gather their input I posed a simple question in the group: Harris or Trump who do you think would be better for Pakistan? The responses were heartfelt and candid While most agreed that both could pose challenges to Pakistan s interests, the majority leaned towards Kamala Harris, perceiving her as having a slight edge over Trump particularly regarding the national
interests of Pakistan and the Pakistani expatriate community One member humorously remarked, At least in the US, we don t have 'Ganjas,' no immigrants, and no 'lota' politicians " One of our friends provided a detailed, articulate and logical reply which likely reflects the sentiments of many Pakistani expatriates I am sharing his response here with only minimal edits muting some harsher words: "I will definitely be voting for the Harris/Walz team I understand that many expats especially those following the Muslim faith feel resentment However I firmly believe Trump would have been far worse had he remained in the White House While we can t know for sure, his track record speaks volumes From moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, effectively recognizing it as Israel’s capital (a move no president before him would have dared) to declaring himself the King of Israel Trump emboldened Netanyahu to take even more brutal action against Gaza Other issues important to me include women s reproductive rights and the overturning of Roe vs Wade, along with his attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act These are key reasons I could never vote for him Family values are incredibly important to me and Trump has consistently shown he doesn t share them He engaged in an affair with an adult film star shortly after his wife gave birth to his child and cheated on all three of his wives Ivana Marla and Melania Trump often claims to have a plan for everything but rarely delivers Did you notice that he didn t even mention building the wall' in his recent speeches? Instead, he's resorting to absurd scare tactics, like claiming immigrants are eating the dogs and cats of
Americans The Pakistani-American community at large worries about Trump s potential second term, which may strengthen the US-India relations and create further complications for Pakistan, especially in terms of security and economic cooperation On immigration Harris's support for comprehensive reform aligns well with the needs of Pakistani immigrants while Trump s restrictive policies such as travel bans and stricter deportation measures, have been viewed as detrimental by many in the community Under the Biden administration, the USA has cautiously engaged with Pakistan in post-Afghanistan dynamics particularly recognizing Pakistan s influence over the Afghan Taliban Security cooperation has been a key element, with US aid aimed at bolstering Pakistan s anti-terrorism capabilities However, the USA remains wary of Pakistan’s complex relationship with militant groups like the Taliban Economically while direct trade agreements have not expanded significantly the USA has provided development assistance and supported Pakistan in its efforts to stabilize its economy through institutions like the IMF At the multilateral level, Pakistan has worked with the USA on platforms such as the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) where Pakistan success-
fully exited the FATF grey list
Additionally China s deepening economic ties with Pakistan through the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have remained a point of concern for the USA, although the Biden Administration has refrained from pressuring Pakistan to pivot away from China and the priority has remained on maintaining security cooperation and economic stability in the region The Trump Administration took a more confrontational stance toward China-Pakistan relations, particularly in opposing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative US officials under Trump expressed concerns that CPEC would lead to unsustainable debt for Pakistan viewing the project as part of China s broader strategy to extend its geopolitical influence in South Asia Trump's administration also aligned closely with India, seeing it as a counterbalance to China which further distanced Pakistan from the USA and deepened its partnership with Beijing The focus was on limiting China s regional influence, including in the military cooperation between Pakistan and China Domestically, issues like healthcare, reproductive rights, and economic stability also shape the community s preferences Harris s stance on healthcare and social justice
Americ a’s relationship with post-revolution Bangladesh
they deserve proper medical treatment Healing these protestors’ mental and physical health will bring great dividends among this population They were at the forefront of the revolution and will likely have a significant political presence in the nation s future MAKING THE CASE: Build the nation’s capacity to investigate and prosecute the worst massacre since its independence in 1971 The US is already assisting Bangladesh establish prosecutorial service to enable fair trials and should jointly create a roadmap where all proper legal proceedings are addressed As Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal is seeking a trial against the former ruler rock-solid evidence must be presented for a conviction that will not be questioned in the future as being politically biased OPERATION CLAWBACK: Help return national funds looted by the previous government The Federal Bureau of Investigation is collaborating with Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission to retrieve $8 37 billion allegedly smuggled out of the nation during the last government s tenure The former prime
minister's son and Information and Communication Technology Affairs adviser, Sajeeb Wazed Joy resides in the US and is accused among other things of embezzling public funds from a Russian nuclear power plant project The FBI already has a suspicious activities report on this former official If there is sufficient evidence, the Department of Justice should pursue seizing his assets in the US and transferring these to the government of Bangladesh This high-profile case will bring tremendous satisfaction to the Bangladeshi citizenry, where the former prime minister s family is seen as treating the nation as their inheritance SANCTIONS: Issue sanctions against all top-level Awami League party leaders including advisers and security officials who carried out the massacre of protestors The US has previously blacklisted former Bangladesh Army Chief General Aziz for his significant corruption The same should be designated for the aforementioned individuals and their immediate family members so that they are ineligible for entry into the US These individuals committed crimes against humanity, and should not be afforded
refuge BCL TERROR: Declare the former ruling party’s student wing as a terrorist organization Bangladesh Chhatra League wreaked havoc across university campuses for 15 years assaulting and terrorizing the students, culminating in the massacre of protestors using live ammunition This group has been recorded assaulting dissenters against the former regime and is the very definition of a terrorist group This designation will serve as a deterrent for anyone who wants to form an illegal militant group masquerading as a political party The people of Bangladesh are eagerly awaiting
replace the erstwhile ruler ’s official residence and there are discussions on reforming the constitution Tamim Choudhury is a public affairs specialist at a Washington DC-based international volunteer agency
Qamar BaShir
US, UK NATIONALS AMONG 37 SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ATTEMPTED DR CONGO COUP
Tflag released videos on social media declaring their intent to reform the Republic Zaire was the name of the DRC from 1971 until 1997 Christian Malanga, who had long ad-
Zimbabwe to cull 200 elephants amid food shortages
vocated for the return of Zaire and formed the United Congolese Party in 2010 also created a government-in-exile in Brussels in 2017 His movement, the so-called New Zaire, was behind the attempted coup Marcel Malanga, along with two other Americans Tyler Thompson and Benjamin Zalman-Polun were sentenced to death Marcel told the court that his father had threatened to kill him unless he participated in
was similarly convicted Other individuals sentenced to death include Jean-Jacques Wondo, a dual Congolese-Belgian citizen Wondo, a researcher on regional politics, had been described by Human Rights Watch as having tenuous links to the coup attempt The British national Youssouf Ezangi was accused of helping to recruit some of the participants Of the 51 people on trial 14 were acquitted, with the court determining that they had no involvement in the plot Those convicted have five days to appeal their sentences While death sentences have not been carried out in the DRC for over 20 years a moratorium on executions was lifted in March though no death penalties have been enforced since The attempted coup took place in the early hours of May 19, with the attackers first targeting the home of parliamentary speaker Vital Kamerhe before moving on to the presidential palace
cally aligned “We have common cause on these global issues and therefore it s very important for us to have this opportunity to talk them through, not just as a matter of fact but also the wider strategy that underpins them ” he added
mediate cease-fire and an increase of the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip
He added that they would also talk “about the Indo-Pacific No region is more important for our future and I m so proud of our AUKUS partnership with Australia, the last three years, we’ve made the region more free, open and secure ” referring to the US partnership with Australia and the UK Starmer said he thinks the next few weeks and months could be crucial for Ukraine, and it is “very important” that they support Ukraine in this “vital war of freedom And so I look forward to discussing that with you the Middle East, of course, again, vital over the coming weeks and months and elsewhere in the world I think that historically we ve shown the strength of our relationship, that we are strategi-
This is Starmer s second visit to the White House as prime minister to meet with Biden, whose term as president is due to end next January
Biden dismisses Russia s threat of war tells reporter to be quiet
Tensions with the media briefly flared when Biden rebuked a British reporter for asking about Russian President threatening a wider war if Ukraine were to use long-range Western missiles
When a Sky News correspondent asked about Putin’s warning Biden – visibly irritated –snapped: I say you be quiet until I speak Okay?
That s what I say Good idea?
But when the journalist pressed ahead the president responded sharply: You ve gotta be quiet I m going to make a statement here, okay?
Around 560 000 children under ten have been successfully vaccinated against polio during the first round of an emergency campaign in war-shattered Gaza, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has reported WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted that it had been a massive success amidst a tragic daily reality of life for more than two million Gazans who have been caught up in the intense fighting since last October terror attacks
SUKI KINARI HYDROPOWER PROJECT COMPLETES RELIABILIT Y RUN TEST
The Pakistan Association of Auto-
&
Manufacturers (PAAPAM), representing over 290 manufacturers, has officially submitted a request to the Honorable Chief Minister of Punjab Ms Maryam Nawaz Sharif seeking urgent consideration regarding the Green Tractor Scheme In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Senior Vice Chairman of PAAPAM Mumshad Ali emphasized the critical role of the tractor industry in supporting
Immediate Launch of the Green Tractor Scheme: PAAPAM
500 000 while increasing the number of tractors distributed under the scheme to 30,000 units They have also requested raising the existing limit of 20,000 tractors to 60,000 units
3 Clarification of Recent Changes: PAAPAM has sought clarification regarding reports that the number of tractors has been reduced from 20 000 to 10 000 If true they have recommended adjusting the subsidy and number of units to 30,000
PM DIRECTS FRAMEWORK FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES BY NOVEMBER
leadership enemy of Pakistan’s interests, democracy, says Per
vaiz Ashraf
ISLAMABAD S
Senior Pakistan People s Party (PPP) leader Raja
Pervaiz Ashraf on Saturday criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership, calling them the enemy of Pakistan’s interests, democracy, parliament, constitution and peace Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly he said The leadership of PTI is an enemy of consensus Pakistan peace and the interests of the people as well as democracy parliament, and the constitution He said that while the committee established by the National Assembly Speaker aims to improve the parliamentary atmosphere the PTI leadership appears to have a different agenda He also referenced PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari s question regarding a controversial tweet saying that the individual behind it opposes peace, democracy, and the supremacy of the parliament, desiring chaos in the country No patriot would post such a tweet or humiliate the institutions of the country,” Ashraf said, emphasizing that no one should make national institutions or their leaders controversial He stressed that the country s well-being is more important than any political party He highlighted the contributions of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari s grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who granted Pakistan the right to vote and a constitution In contrast, he criticized the grandfather of the opposition leader for laying the foundation of dictatorship in the country He recalled that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto refused to bow down and sacrificed his life for democracy the constitution and the people He also praised former president Asif Ali Zardari for restoring the powers of the parliament through the 18th Amendment He warned that the path chosen by the PTI leadership leads towards destruction He urged the need for unity and consensus to pull the country out of its current crises lamenting that the PTI leadership has failed to highlight the issues faced by ordinary citizens Referring to the events of May 9 Ashraf condemned the PTI workers and leadership for attacking defence installations and dishonouring the country s martyrs
ISLAMABAD N E W S D E S K
In a significant development in Islamabad’s AntiTerrorism Court (ATC) Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra granted post-arrest bail to PTI leader Shoaib Shaheen on Saturday leading to his immediate release The case has been under the national spotlight due to the high-profile nature of the arrests and the subsequent political tensions The court proceedings revealed various procedural anomalies particularly in the prosecution’s case against Shaheen and other PTI members The absence of Prosecutor Raja Naveed during the crucial hearing added to the delays sparking debates over the integrity of the legal processes applied to political figures During the defense s argument, it was noted that while Shaheen was accused of possessing a firearm during the altercation, only a stick was recovered contradicting the initial charges
Bilawal calls PTI founder ’s tweet as an attack on democrac y
Pakistan People s Party (PPP) Chair-
man Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Saturday condemned a tweet by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
founder, calling it an attack on democracy and urged the party’s leadership to verify whether the tweet was genuinely from their founder Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on a point of order, Bilawal Bhutto referenced a statement allegedly made by “Prisoner No 804,” accusing him of undermining every constitutional institution for personal political gain and to seek relief from ongoing cases
Until recently, the country has been progressing positively, with efforts made to strengthen democracy through legislation However the PTI founder showed contempt of court by attacking the Chief Jus-
tice and making politically motivated allegations against the Chief of Army Staff with the aim of creating controversy around the position , he lambasted
If the statement was indeed made by the PTI founder, Bilawal said then Imran Khan must face the consequences under the Constitution and laws of Pakistan If not he called on PTI s leadership to clarify the matter
He said that it was the responsibility of the Leader of the Opposition or the party chairman to explain whether the account was being managed by Ali Amin or Mr Marwat
Bilawal highlighted that these actions are part of a broader pattern that has emerged since the no-confidence motion ousted Imran Khan as the Prime Minister
The PPP chairman reiterated his claim that the people of Pakistan rejected the politics of hate
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued an order barring authorities from arresting Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) MNA Sher Afzal Marwat without prior permission, directing the concerned parties to provide a complete list of cases against him
The order was passed by Justice Saman Rifat Imtiaz in response to a petition filed by the PTI leader
The petition submitted by Marwat s counsel raised concerns about the possibility of a secret arrest in connection with a case In light of this, the court directed that Marwat should not be taken into custody in any case without the court’s explicit approval
Notices were also sent to the Secretary of Interior the Inspector General of Islamabad Police the Punjab Inspector General of Police and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
The court has now instructed the parties involved to submit their arguments regarding the petition filed by Sher Afzal Marwat The PTI leader ’s legal team has pointed out that their client faces a potential threat of arbitrary arrest and emphasized the need for transparency in presenting the charges
It is important to note that Sher Afzal Marwat along with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar and party leader Shoaib Shaheen, had previously been arrested following a PTI rally in Sangjani
The arrests drew significant attention after Capital Police apprehended MNAs Zain Qureshi and Sheikh Waqas Akram inside the Parliament House These developments sparked concern within the party and raised questions about the government s tactics against PTI members In addition to these arrests, several other prominent figures associated with PTI were also detained Among them were Owais Ahmed Chatha Syed Shah
and “Prisoner No 804 ” He noted that PTI had previously rejected the motion which Bilawal described as a violation of the Constitution under the pretext of Article 5, and accused the party of attempting to make the appointment of the Army Chief controversial
During his speech Bilawal also congratulated Makhdoom Tahir Rashiduddin on his recent election to the National Assembly and expressed gratitude to the people of Punjab and Rahim Yar Khan for their support of the PPP
He stressed the importance of unity among politicians to restore both the Parliament and the political process in the country However, he emphasized that this unity would only be possible if those who lose elections accept their defeat gracefully and those who win do so with humility respecting the will of the people
s
Raza Yousaf
and Ahmed Shah
have stirred debate over the actions of law enforcement authorities and the judicial system s role in ensuring due process for all individuals involved Yesterday, the Islamabad High Court declared the eight-day remand of PTI lawmakers null and void Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC delivered the ruling after considering the arguments presented by both parties This ruling came after the National Assembly Speaker, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, had previously approved the designation of Parliament Lodges as a sub-jail for the detained PTI MNAs
The Islamabad High Court’s decision is seen as a significant move towards safeguarding the legal rights of Sher Afzal Marwat and other PTI leaders as the political landscape in Pakistan continues to evolve amid mounting tensions between the government and opposition The court s order for detailed case records further emphasizes the judiciary’s role in maintaining transparency and accountability in such high-profile legal proceedings
RAWALPINDI
S TA F F R E P O R T Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Saturday claimed he was ignorant about the police raids on Parliament Lodges during his tenure as Prime Minister, asserted that no one was forcibly removed from the Parliament under his leadership and criticized the current government for allegedly undermining democratic norms
In March 2022 while Imran was in office Islamabad police conducted a raid at Parliament Lodges resulting in the arrest of 19 individuals, including JUI-F MNAs Salahuddin Ayubi and Maulana Jamal-ud-Din The operation sparked significant controversy and was widely covered on social media
When questioned about the incident during talks with journalists at Adiala Jail on Saturday Khan asserted that no one was forcibly
removed from Parliament under his leadership and criticized the current government for allegedly ignoring democratic norms To queries about the drug case involving Rana Sanaullah Khan stated that the case was initiated by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), recalling that he had inquired from the ANF head, who briefed the cabinet and presented evidence related to the case against Sanaullah He acknowledged to have relied on the statements
through new constitutional amendments Khan also criticised Shehbaz Sharif al-
leging intervention by Bajwa to prevent Sharif ’s conviction on money laundering charges He dismissed other legal cases involving Shehbaz Nawaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar as outdated claiming that only the money laundering case
Ahmed Sunni Ittehad Council
Sahibzada Hamid
Khan Maulana Naseem Shah
Khattak These detentions