UNCEREMONIOUS END TO PTI’S L AHORE RALLY AS ADMIN SWITCHES OF LIGHTS, CLEARS STAGE
g After permitted time of 6pm, police take charge of venue, force party leaders, including Barrister Gohar off stage g KP CM Gandapur arrives late at venue, saying
Punjab ministers mock PTI leadership for ‘poor ’ show
PTI will not dare to hold another Jalsa after flop show: Tarar LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T
Punjab’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb Information Minister Azma Bukhari and other provincial ministers mocked the PTI leadership for the flop show, saying party was given NOC to hold the rally in Lahore but it failed to mobilise masses which showed that people have no interest in its politics of chaos and unrests PTI failed to attract the public due to its anti-state stance and politics of destruction while the rally organizers remained waiting for the convoy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and his supporters to fill the ground, but he did not turn up till allotted time ” Talking to media in DGP office along with Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari Punjab Law Minister Sohaib Ahmed Berth and Provincial Health Minister Kh Imran Nazir, Marriyum Aurangzeb questioned why Gandapur failed to reach Lahore Jalsa in time despite his tall claims although Islamabad-Lahore Motorway and GT Road remained opened urging PTI workers to question why Gandapur did not reach Lahore Jalsa in time?
SCBA decries attack on ‘judicial independence and constitutional rights’
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T The Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) has voiced strong objections against the recent ordinance amending the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023
President of SCBAP Muhammad Shahzad Shaukat and Secretary Syed Ali Imran, along with the 26th Executive Committee, expressed “deep remorse and anguish” over the promulgation of the ordinance calling it a direct insult to the long-standing efforts of the legal fraternity In an official press release on Saturday, the SCBAP described the ordinance as “a clear defiance” of the legal community’s struggle
which had culminated in the establishment of the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023
The Act had been seen as a significant step forward for the judicial system aiming to ensure a more transparent and equitable legal process The SCBAP also raised alarms over the timing and method of the ordinance s issuance, which they argue effectively amounts to a repeal” of the Act
“This is unacceptable particularly when the said legislation had already been upheld by the Supreme Court of Pakistan the press release states
The association expressed concern that such a move undermines the authority of the judiciary and erodes the constitutional protections that the original Act sought to safeguard
SCBAP strongly emphasised that the original Act played a pivotal role in strengthening the Supreme Court by enhancing access to justice and upholding the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution ” The association highlighted that these amendments not only reverse this progress but also pose a serious threat to the independence of the judiciary
The amendments, SCBAP warned are “detrimental to the Constitution the independence of the judiciary and the protection of fundamental rights The organisation reiterated that the original 2023 Act had ensured a more equitable judicial process, providing greater transparency and reinforcing trust in the judicial system
Pakistan repor ts 3 new polio cases; total reaches 21 in cur rent year
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
Pakistan reported three new cases of polio on Saturday with one case each emerging from Balochistan Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa according to the National Polio Emergency Center In Balochistan, a child in the Qila Abdullah area was diagnosed with the virus, while another case was confirmed in a child from Karachi’s Kemari area The third case was detected in a child residing in Mohmand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The Anti-Polio Laboratory confirmed that all three children were infected with wild poliovirus type 1 These new cases bring the total number of polio cases in Pakistan this year to 21
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the prime minister s focal person for anti-polio efforts, expressed deep concern over the latest cases She urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated stressing that immunization is cru-
cial to preventing further spread of the virus
“The government is more determined than ever to eradicate polio from Pakistan ” Farooq stated reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting future generations from the disease
Earlier this month Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had launched a special anti-polio campaign to completely eradicate polio from the country He had inaugurated the campaign across 115 districts nationwide, aiming to vaccinate 30 million children under the age of five Under the seven-day anti-polio drive around 286 000 polio workers were meant to go door-to-door to administer anti-polio drops to children
Addressing the inaugural ceremony in Islamabad, Prime Minister Sharif hoped the federal government, in collaboration with provincial governments and partners, would succeed in completely eradicating polio from the country The PM expressed the confidence that polio eradication efforts will bear fruit
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ministration which not only kept the roads completely open but also provided a foolproof security in the designated area No obstacle was placed in any city including Islamabad Attock and Mianwali from where the PTI had asked their workers to participate in the public gathering, he said, adding their leadership and workers were given free access to enter Lahore from across the country He said similarly the PTI had failed to gather the people in their public gathering of Islamabad which also saw the presence of a small number of the people
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his grandparents and their politics
The PTI leader stressed to keep their struggle alive for supremacy of the constitution independent judiciary and powerful Parliament
being destroyed for political gain If we do not learn from this, the country will be irreparably damaged,” he added
“I urge the youth to raise their voices against this government who wants to hold them back and destroy democracy Imran said Whenever the PTI calls on you to defend the Constitution answer the call Footage shared earlier by the party showed throngs of people at the rally venue as the stage filled up with PTI leaders
The stand-off between the PTI and the Punjab government ended late last night as the former was finally granted permission to hold the rally subject to compliance with 43 conditions The party had earlier sought permission to hold its much-anticipated gathering at the iconic Greater Iqbal park that houses Minar-i-Pakistan However, it was allocated Kahna along the Lahore Ring Road KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub had not arrived at the venue till 6pm and later Ali Amin Gandapur managed to reach the venue In a video message, he thanked the people of Lahore and KP for coming out for the rally and “combatting fascism” He said he would make his planned speech on Sunday instead and made it clear that the PTI did not accept the Form 47 government or any constitutional amendment by it, adding that the party stood with the judiciary Gandapur announced that he would release a comprehensive statement the following day, citing his inability to deliver a complete address at the PTI rally in Lahore He reiterated his stance against the government s proposed constitutional amendments expressing firm
support for the judiciary In a video message posted from his vehicle after the rally Gandapur said: “I reached the rally site despite all the hurdles I want to thank the brave people of Lahore for standing against fascism, he said He explained that technical difficulties had interrupted his speech and promised to release his full statement the next day Gandapur also mentioned that by the time he reached the venue much of the setup had been dismantled but he remains committed to his cause and promised to clarify his position fully in the upcoming address
Earlier in the day videos shared by PTI, party leaders, including Ayub and CM Gandpur, were en route as they tried to “open” their way to Kahna
In a video posted on X by PTI CM Gandapur led the way himself as party workers got past the blockages near the Attock toll plaza Our convoy will meet KP CM [ ] and then, god willing, we will go towards Lahore,” Ayub said in a video message posted on X While responding to a question about roadblocks and hindrances along the way the opposition leader said: We have machinery we will open the way and go No one can block us
M ar wat misses L ahore jalsa due to Covid-19 concerns
f r e p o r t Emir Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for its 16-year rule over Sindh saying that it has failed to provide any relief to the masses Addressing a
The government’s power woes
THE PML(N) government had identified power tariffs as the biggest factor in fuelling inflation for he common man When it returned to power after the February election, that was its priority It identified the capacity payments to the IPPs as the main factor keeping tariffs up The solution was thus apparently simple; get the IPPs to accept payment for what they produce the socalled take-and-pay model Not so simple, because the IPPs had made investments on the basis of getting capacity charges That means having to go into matters like return on equity, and operation and management costs Power Minister Awais Leghari is going through the exercise, and his latest statement is almost as if he is preparing the nation for bad news: In testimony to the Senate Standing Committee on Power on Friday, he said that major relief would not materialize soon He virtually contradicted himself by saying that the task force he headed had completed its work, and the nation could expect to hear good news on the IPPs soon This is a subject that he will find the nation impatient; people are deeply concerned with the exact details of the agreements with the IPPs but with the tariff they will have to pay Another point on which the government not only thought it could bring about a change, but thought it had actually done, was the substitution of imported
Preparator y meetings have been positive
, Russia and Tajikistan In June 2001, the leaders of these countries and Uzbekistan met in Shanghai to announced a new organization with deeper political and and economic cooperation In June 2017 It was expanded to eight states with India and Pakistan Iran joined the group \in July 2023, followed by Belarus one year later in 2024 A number of countries are engaged as observer or dialogue partners The SCO is governed by the Heads of State Council which is its supreme decision-making body and meets once a year Without going into further details it may be mentioned here that Pakistan is going to host SCO Summit on October 15 and 16, for which brisk preparations were being made by all official quarters concerned in Islamabad Prior to the SCO Summit next month two related meetings have also been held in Islamabad The 47th meeting of the Commission of Senior Officials of SCO member states and 23rd meeting of the SCO member states ministers responsible for foreign, economic and trade activities
EARLIER every citizen of Pakistan was seeking justice and there was absolutely no justice anywhere in Pakistan Then a record-breaking incident took place in which the judges of the Superior Court are seeking justice and showing their helplessness, which is still going on Now another bridge of justice collapsed, that different amendments in the Constitution for enhancing retirement age of Superior Judiciary and strength of Supreme Court judges is being increased whereas it is an outstanding issue of the Lahore High Court where about 23 judges are short since long but there seems no chance of their appointment These are milestone incidents showing the credibility of our justice system as the government looks to stand nowhere Back in 2007 the lawyers fraternity fought a big war of independence of judiciary and was very happy to say everywhere that our judiciary was independent although it was shamefully on the tail of international indexes, and was never discussed at any forum, neither in Parliament nor in the Supreme Court Now again the lawyers fraternity is on the roads, protesting and showing their poverty and helplessness Somebody may be thinking that lawyers and judges are just seeking justice but this is not an easy question to understand It is the history of Pakistan from 1955 when our first constitutional case of Moulvi Tameezuddin decided by the Federal Court (now Supreme Court of Pakistan) created an unbeatable impact on Pakistan called Justice Munir legacy which still continues to spread everywhere in Pakistan where the process of justice is in question Even governments whether political leaders or military dictators whoever ruled Pakistan never ever showed
any interest or priority to make a big and powerful judiciary and judicial system The present scenario endorsing the Justice Munir legacy is in full swing touching its peak to say that neither your foreign policy is independent nor your judicial and political system As a student of law, if I blame to government of Pakistan then it is easy to understand that our governments are too victims of foreign Interference through establishment so it is not a resolvable proposition Similarly if I blame the Chief Justice of Pakistan as many times powerful Chief Justices took Suo Motu action to show artificially that Judiciary is independent, then again it is beyond our thoughts
However if you go deep to understand the mystery chain then it is very simple to demonstrate that our establishment is playing everywhere to weaken our democracy political system and our judiciary although Pakistan is an atomic power without any other system which relates to the welfare of the general public So judges are seeking justice, lawyers are seeking justice, political leaders are seeking justice, even though justice is a rare phenomenon in Pakistan despite its being an Islamic country where a powerful justice system is inevitable and its backbone
Don t forget to mention the high ratio of corruption in Pakistan as our establishment and governments continuously ignore this destructive termite which is destroying the basic concept of Pakistan and teasing the poor public Because of that we don t need any external enemy as we
Pakistan hosted the 23rd meeting of the SCO member states ministers responsible for foreign economic and trade activities in its capacity as the Chair of the SCO Council of Heads of Governments the second highest forum of the organization Welcoming the delegates from PSCO member states on the occasion, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan availed the opportunity to reiterate yet another time Pakistan s firm commitment to the laudable aims and objectives of the SCO for promoting peace and prosperity in the region While acknowledging the global economic challenges facing the region, he emphasized the vital role which the SCO can play in addressing these issues through cooperation and constructive mutual engagement The gathering was emphatically conveyed Pakistan s strong commitment and willingness to contribute to and collaborate with all SCO member states to achieve the shared goals He urged the gathering to seize the opportunity and forge stronger partnerships, enhancing regional cooperation and paving the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for all the peoples of the region
The SCO Ministers in their national statements on the occasion deliberated in detail and shared their views on the prospects and measures to further deepen the economic and trade
cooperation among the SCO countries
After due deliberations the SCO Member
will act as a comprehensive resource for the member states to access the information on economic incentives and preferences within the bloc fostering a more cohesive business environment
Availing the opportunity of presence of SCO Ministers in Islamabad the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) hosted a two-day Business and Investment Conference " on the sidelines of the SCO ministerial moot During the deliberations speakers
important gatherings from time to time such as the upcoming SCO Summit Such interactions with friendly countries top leadership and ministers go a long way in promoting and strengthening relations with friendly countries and go a long way in increasing the cooperation in different sectors for mutual benefit
All eyes as such are now on the SCO Summit to be held in the Convention Center in Islamabad on October 15 and 16 which will be participated by a number of top leaders from PSO member countries
The writer is Lahore-based Freelance Journalist Columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News) Radio Pakistan Islamabad and can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail com
The hidden dangers of nicotine pouches
MuhAMMAd ZAhid rifAt
Domestic Violence and Modern Societ y
DOMESTIC violence is a critical issue in modern society affecting individuals families and communities across the world Although it has existed throughout history, its recognition as a widespread social problem has increased in contemporary times due to changes in societal values advancements in legal frameworks and the rise of social activism a Changing Gender Roles: Traditional Gender Roles: Historically, domestic violence was often seen as a private issue, with patriarchal norms tolerating or even justifying abusive behaviour, particularly by men As modern society moves toward gender equality these views are increasingly being challenged Evolving Relationships: Shifts in gender dynamics including greater female autonomy and participation in the workforce, have transformed intimate relationships However, these changes can also trigger resistance leading to control intimidation or violence in relationships b Impact on Mental Health: Trauma and Psychological Effects: Domestic violence has long-lasting effects on victims mental
health including anxiety depression PTSD and other trauma-related disorders Mental health awareness in modern society has led to better understanding of these issues, but access to therapy and rehabilitation remains unequal Children’s Mental Health: Exposure to domestic violence can be especially damaging to children with long-term consequences for their emotional and psychological well-being Modern society is placing greater focus on addressing the needs of children in such situations c Technology and Domestic Violence: Digital Abuse: The advent of technology has introduced new ways for abusers to control and harass victims such as through monitoring online activity GPS tracking or cyberbullying "Tech abuse" has become a growing issue, and efforts to combat it include stronger privacy laws and digital literacy campaigns Technology for Support: On the positive side technology also offers new avenues for victims to seek help such as apps for emergency support online counselling, and digital platforms where they can report abuse d The Role of Men and Masculinity: Engaging Men as Allies: Recent years have seen a growing emphasis on involving men in the fight against domestic violence Campaigns that challenge toxic masculinity promote healthy relationship dynamics and advocate for respectful partnerships are essential in preventing domestic violence Male Victims: While domestic violence against women is more widely discussed awareness of male victims is increasing Men face unique challenges in reporting abuse due to social stigmas around masculinity and vulnerability Continued efforts in legislation, education, and support services, combined with evolving societal attitudes towards gender roles and relationships are crucial to combating this
deeply rooted problem Domestic violence in modern society is a complex issue with multiple causes that stem from a variety of social, psychological, cultural and economic factors: a Power and Control: Desire for Dominance: At its core domestic violence is often about one person exerting power and control over another Abusers may use physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse to maintain dominance in the relationship Patriarchal Norms: Even in modern societies patriarchal beliefs about male dominance and female subordination can fuel abusive behaviour Many abusers view their partners as property or feel entitled to control their actions and decisions b Psychological Factors: Mental Health Issues: Individuals with untreated mental health disorders such as depression anxiety PTSD or personality disorders may be more prone to engaging in abusive behaviour While not all abusers have mental health issues, these can exacerbate violent tendencies Substance Abuse: Alcohol and drug abuse are major contributors to domestic violence Intoxication can reduce self-control increase aggression and heighten conflict in relationships Childhood Trauma and Cycle of Abuse: Many abusers were themselves victims of vio-
lence or grew up in abusive households This exposure normalizes violence and perpetuates a cycle where abuse is repeated in future relationships Insecurity and Low Self-Esteem:
Israel ’s collapse is imminent amid esc alation in Lebanon
Mob justice at public universities
The
will have widespread implications not least for Western corporations, who were caught unaware This is going to create a crisis of confidence among consumers that could end up costing Western companies billions of dollars ” he explained adding: Anybody with any shred of common sense will immediately throw away their Westernmade electronic device and source one from a country such as China, where Israel is not going to be able to infiltrate and corrupt the integrity of the electronic device to achieve either intelligence collection goals or assassination [goals] ” While the Israeli military is vastly better armed and funded than Hamas Ritter claimed that it was actually the Pales-
tinian force that has come out on top after 12 months of fighting stating: Hamas right now, in my opinion, is winning this conflict They are winning it strategically They are paying a horrible price for it But on October 6 nobody was talking about the creation of a Palestinian state Today it is on the tip of the tongue of so many people around the world Why? Because the world has seen the truth about Israel Not only that, but Israel is eating itself from within Its military is seriously depleted; its economy has been shattered by rocket attacks and by 12 months of war economy; and its society is beginning to fragment The United States too has been damaged It is increasingly isolated on the world stage, and its prestige is slipping Fewer nations look to Washington for leadership and instead see organizations such as BRICS as the future Later this month a BRICS summit will be held in Kazan Russia bringing its core member nations together with its
new invitees Palestine will be a key issue and no doubt countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will be put under pressure to stop covertly aiding Israel and come to a solution to end the war BRICS has already succeeded in helping to lessen tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia and it is possible that the new bloc can act to bring about peace in a manner that many hoped the United Nations would be able to do Whatever happens, it is clear that October 7 funda-
Lebanon pager blasts: Israel's cyber terrorism signals a new war fare strategy
TWARFARE MODEL
Israel s attack on Hezbollah s communications network has been described as a "tactical triumph" and "victory" for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who vowed to expand the war to secure the northern border where more than 60 000 Israelis fled their homes amid rocket attacks from Hezbollah By blowing up devices in Beirut supermarkets, moving cars and homes, and in densely-populated civilian areas, Israel has decided to adopt cyberterrorism and its collective punishment policy in Gaza
as part of its military strategy against Hezbollah It has signalled that its imminent war will be waged against the entirety of Lebanon and its people, that it will not distinguish between Hezbollah's fighters and Lebanese civilians and will target all indiscriminately Furthermore since Israel s security cabinet has voted to expand its war to the northern front, it would not be surprising if Israel launches a massive strike on Hezbollah and Lebanon to deter any retaliation and fundamentally change the rules of engagement and the balance of deterrence After weeks of reports alleging that US and Israeli officials were working on easing tensions with Lebanon to prevent an all-out war, Israel s recent move has belied any claims of de-escalation
In addition Israeli claims of calm following mass protests may be misleading in the context of a more tense and escalating situation Domestically and politically in Israel, the explosions have created a kind of national consensus around Netanyahu's government temporarily sidelining the internal conflicts within the government especially between the defence minister and the prime minister At present, there are no indications that the strategic reality has changed: the balance of deterrence and terror campaign remains in place through other means and on an escalating scale
It seems that Israel has concluded that its ability to achieve a strategic victory and regional dominance through conventional means is dwindling Instead, it has resorted to a miniaturised form of weapons of mass destruction and widescale targeting of Lebanon
This operation may serve as a temporary alternative to an all-out war of destruction, the outcomes of which Israel cannot guarantee In short,
dr rajkumar Singh
following the recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah The meeting again urged the relevant parties to deescalate immediately and find a diplomatic solution before the world marked the annual International Day of Peace on Saturday, whose theme in 2024 is Actions for Peace: Our Commitment to the Global Goals ” At the UN Security Council meeting Rosemary DiCarlo UN under-secretarygeneral for political and peacebuilding affairs said alarming developments in Lebanon and the region have been a repeated breach of the cessation of hostilities and in violation of (Security Council) Resolution 1701 ” Speaking on behalf of the Arab Group Syria s permanent representative to the UN Koussay Aldahhak stated that the devastating recent attacks were conducted without any regard for international law or humanity He said the Arab Group demands the Security Council condemn this cyberterrorism and Israel’s aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza and attacks on other countries including Syria Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, urged all parties to de-escalate immediately, exercise “maximum restraint,” and “immediately return to the cessation of hostilities and to fully implement Security Council Resolution 1701 Warning that the region is on the brink of a catastrophe, he emphasized that all efforts should focus on finding a diplomatic solution F I G H T I N G B ET W E E N I S R A E L , H E Z B O L L A H
Son of last Iranian monarch urges Israelis to fund civil disobedience movements in Iran
Reza Pahlavi the son of Iran’s ousted despot Mohammed Reza Pahlavi has called on Israelis to financially support civil disobedience initiatives in Iran, emphasizing that such actions are crucial for regime change Pahalavi is the son of Iran’s deposed monarch Mohammed Reza Pahlavi The Shah had taken control of Iran in 1953 after the Central Intelligence Agency s orchestration of the overthrow of Iran s popular Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, then steered Iran to become a staunch US ally before a nationwide popular revolution in 1979 forced the despot to flee the country he had ruled for 38 years The younger Pahlavi s recent appeal came during a speech at the Israeli-American Council (IAC) national summit held at the Washington Hilton on September 20 2024
Pahlavi who has been vocal in his opposition to the Iranian regime since it overthrew his father in 1979, received enthusiastic support from the audience, which included Israeli-
American activists and allies
His speech marked a significant moment in outreach to the Israeli public, following his notable visit to Israel in April 2023
In an interview with VOA after his speech Pahlavi outlined two essential components of his campaign: intensifying pressure on the Iranian regime while simultaneously bolstering support for the Iranian populace
He stressed the importance of funding civil disobedience movements within Iran including protests and labor strikes and high-
lighted the challenges posed by US sanctions that restrict financial assistance from the Iranian diaspora Pahlavi stated “Many diaspora Iranians would like to help But US sanctions make it almost impossible for them to transfer money back home
He called for a revision of these sanctions to facilitate support for those opposing the regime
The crown prince dismissed any messages directed at the Iranian regime stating Iranians by the millions, have shown how much they despise this regime
He expressed a desire for peace and good relations with neighboring countries emphasizing that the current Iranian leadership stands in the way of regional normalization and stability
Pahlavi also addressed criticisms from some members of the Iranian diaspora who view his proIsrael stance with skepticism
He argued that a strategic partnership with Israel could provide significant opportunities for Iran particularly in addressing the country s water crisis through Israeli expertise in agriculture and resource management
C hinese premier urges expansion of trade between C hina, M alaysia
Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged the expansion of trade and deepening of infrastructure cooperation between China and Malaysia on Friday in a meeting with Malaysia s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan
Iskandar who is on a state visit to China in Beijing
Li noted that China and Malaysia have a solid foundation of mutual trust and deep-rooted friendship He added that the two countries stand at the historical juncture of the 50th anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic relations marching forward hand in hand toward the goal of building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future China is willing to work with Malaysia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries maintain close and highlevel exchanges, promote their traditional friendship, enhance strategic mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, achieve more practical results and bring more benefits to the people of both countries Li said
China is also ready to work with Malaysia to enhance development strategy synergy, promote the upgrading of economic and trade cooperation, upgrade the level of connectivity, and create greater unity to promote development Li said He urged the two sides to give full play to their complementary advantages continue expanding bilateral trade, steadily advance flagship projects such as the East Coast Rail Link, and deepen cooperation on infrastructure and aerospace He also called on both countries to expand cooperation in emerging fields
such as artificial intelligence the digital economy and new energy, promote the integrated development of industries, and maintain the stability and smooth flows of industrial and supply chains China supports more competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Malaysia Li noted adding that the two sides should do more to boost cultural and people-to-people exchange in the fields of youth, education, culture and tourism, facilitate the exchange of personnel, and continuously enhance mutual understanding and friendship China
omy,
CDWP APPROVES UPLIFT PROJECTS WORTH RS187 BILLION
E Central Development Working Party (CDWP) chaired by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, has approved development projects worth Rs187 billion Of these six projects amounting to Rs19 billion were approved by the CDWP to initiate work on them while another six projects worth Rs168 billion were recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval The meeting attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra Additional Secretary Planning members of the Planning Commission and represen-
tatives from federal ministries and provincial governments discussed the importance of cost optimization Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that Pakistan s economic challenges necessitate judicious use of resources Among the approved projects were key health sector initiatives including the “Establishment of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College Mirpur AJ&K (Rs5 08 billion) the 200-bed Accident and Emergency Center at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS)” in Islamabad (Rs6 63 billion), and the “Replacement and Upgradation of HVAC Equipment at PIMS (Rs1 65 billion) Additionally a project under the Industries and Commerce sector titled Invest Pakistan was approved at a
cost of Rs1 39 billion In the Physical Planning and Housing sector the Karachi Water & Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP)
C TD arrests five terrorists in Punjab IBOs
K ashmiris continue to suffer under Indian occupation as world obser ves Day of Peace
Kashmiris
S the world observes the International Day of Peace the situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) stands in stark contrast marred by ongoing Indian state terrorism that fosters a climate of fear and oppression
A report released by Kashmir Media Service in connection with the day on Saturday revealed that for the past 77 years the people of IIOJK have endured severe brutality at the hands of Indian forces
The report highlights that Indian troops routinely employ brutal tactics including torture against the
Since the abrogation of Article 370, IIOJK has been subjected to an intensified military siege, with the RSS-backed Modi government effectively transforming the territory into a vast concentration camp Over 5 000 Kashmiris including APHC top leaders, activists, women, youth and journalists, are currently languishing in illegal detention in jails both in IIOJK and India
The report asserts that Indian troops paramilitary forces and police personnel are involved in widespread war crimes in IIOJK, characterizing the area as the biggest open-air prison on earth Caged and suppressed the Kashmiris are left awaiting intervention
from the international community
For over seven decades, Kashmiris have struggled for their legitimate rights, yet India has consistently acted as a barrier to a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute The report emphasizes that true peace in South Asia will remain out of reach until the Kashmiri people are granted their rightful self-determination
The report calls for accountability from Modi and the Indian government for their actions in IIOJK and urges the international community to step in to save the beleaguered Kashmiris
The need for global attention and action is urgent, as the situation in IIOJK continues to deteriorate ” the report concludes
Pak istan R ailways announces reduc tion in train fares
AFSAR SAJID
SYED
M Athar Tahir is an iconic literary figure with English poetry as a hallmark of his creativity A former Rhodes scholar and an erstwhile bureaucrat he has to his credit some thirty-four publications relating to Art, Fiction, Prose, Poetry, Natural History, Juvenile Literature, Translation, Essays on Pakistani Anglophone Literature (Edited) and Pakistani English Poetry (Edited) He is also a recipient of a bagful of national and international awards in recognition of his unique creative, critical, and artistic genius as manifested in an enviably vast body of his work The instant book is a fairly large collection of
Athar Tahir s sonnets, seven score (140) in number The author has posted encomiastic opinions/remarks of some noted academics critics and reviewers (both late and live) on its flaps that relate to this publication as well as another titled The Last Tea, also by the same author, besides some general observations on his literary output
In addition, Dr Faisal Nazir, an Assistant Professor at the department of English University of Karachi has penned an enlightening scholarly introduction to the book that encapsulates an erudite analysis of its content in the framework of the sonnet as a viable art form
In his considered view, “Tahir employs the sonnet to represent a variety of religious and secular experiences thoughts and feelings His poetic skill of a high order moulds the form according to the needs of a specific experience As such within the structure of the sonnet he not only creates new rhyme schemes but he divides the mandatory fourteen lines to create new stanza structures Tahir uses the traditional structure of the sonnet but his poetic needs compel him to exercise creativity
Sonnet is a familiar genre of poetry consisting of fourteen lines, usually in English iambic pentameter and a complex rhyme scheme It traces its history
to Italy where it developed in the early thirteenth century and was used by poets like Dante (1265-1321) and Petrarch (1304-74) who composed sequence of sonnets addressed to their ladyloves and thus founded conventions of love poetry of the Renaissance Thomas Wyatt (1503-42) employed this form in England and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1517-47) developed it Later Spenser Sidney Shakespeare and Milton liberally employed sonnet in their poetic compositions whereafter it was revived by the Romantics and has been in much use since In the process its scope and content, particularly in England was widened and enriched In the Italian form it contains two stanzas of eight and six lines each The English form however has three quatrains followed by a couplet at the end which is the standard form generally adopted by Athar Tahir in his scheme of verse, with certain minor alterations like 2,2,2,2,2,2,2 4,4,2,4 and 4,4,3,3, in some pieces Most of the sonnets in the instant book read like monologues speculative and self-searching focused on themes such as to be or not to be , love and disdain, right and wrong, belief and doubt, obvious and the symbolic, rise and fall youth and ageing zest and inertia existence and transcendence, and last but not the least, delight and distress The style of the poet is eruditely excursive but without being obtrusive It is a true impression of his inner
K
A Group Photo with Kaukab Iqbal, Chairman Consumers Association of Pakistan on the Occation of Pakistan FMCG Summit 2024 with Ahmed Qadir, DG CCP, Azhar Zia EMA CEO, Shahzad Umar Sama, Mehtab Hussain Baloch PR
Pakistan committed to dialogue with Taliban despite differences: UN envoy Munir Akram
Pakistan s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram stated that Pakistan remains committed to maintaining its ties with the Taliban despite any differences
Speaking in an interview with a US broadcaster, Munir emphasised that the mistakes of the Afghan government should not be borne by the Afghan people highlighting Pakistan s enduring relationship with its neighbour Munir pointed out that Pakistan has always supported engagement with Afghanistan, stressing that diplomacy aims to transform situations through dialogue and policy
He reiterated that while the Taliban s mistakes are recognised Afghanistan s internal and external issues require a joint strategy and collective efforts
Therefore ambassador Munir Akram, raised alarms at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding the increasing terrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan
He emphasised that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) a terrorist group which Pakistan refers to as Fitna al-Khawarij is rapidly expanding its influence with the support of the Afghan interim government
Backed by the Taliban these terrorists are equipped with advanced weaponry and increasingly collaborate with other insurgent factions, including secessionist groups like the Majeed Brigade Pakistan fears that the TTP’s growing alliance with Al-Qaeda could soon elevate it to a central role in regional and global terrorist activities
The ambassador also stressed Pakistan s readiness to collaborate with regional and international bodies to curb this growing men-
dates back to 2016 when a charge was filed at Bahara Kahu Police Station for the illegal possession of weapons and liquor against Ali Amin Gandapur
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T The Punjab government has announced that mobile and internet services will remain suspended in the province on September 22 As per details the internet will be suspended during the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) to prevent cheating The MDCAT test will take place on September 22 in 12 districts of Punjab, and services will be suspended within 500 meters of the test centers In total, 82,500 candidates will appear for the test in various centers across Punjab, including Lahore, Gujranwala Sialkot Faisalabad Multan Bahawalpur and D G Khan Earlier the government of Punjab imposed Section 144 in 12 cities across the province for the upcoming
the exam centers in the cities including Lahore Gujranwala Sialkot Faisalabad Multan, Bahawalpur, D G Khan, Sahiwal, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujarat, and Rahim Yar Khan MEXICO CITY A G E N C I E S
Some 53 people have been killed and 51 others are missing in Mexico s western Sinaloa state since rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel began clashing on Sept 9, local authorities said on Friday, with gruesome violence showing no signs of abating The trigger for the conflict between the two most powerful factions of the Sinaloa Cartel a drug gang dates back to July when legendary trafficker and leader of one of those groupings, Ismael El Mayo Zambada, was arrested in the United States Zambada 74 alleges that a senior mem-
ace as Islamabad continues its nationwide crackdown on Fitna alKhawarij
Furthermore, the ambassador criticised the Afghan interim government for its ongoing human rights abuses particularly against women and girls
He condemned Kabul s failure to uphold promises regarding gender equality, highlighting that these regressive policies not only contravene Islamic values but also hinder Afghanistan’s potential for international engagement A recent UN report corroborated Pakistan s claims, revealing that the TTP enjoys growing support from the Taliban and continues to operate with an estimated force of 6,0006 500 fighters in Afghanistan
The report noted that the Taliban despite international pressure have failed to rein in the TTP further complicating the security situation in the region
Resolving K ashmir, Palestine disputes key to world peace:
PM Shehbaz
on International Day of Peace on Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the Jammu and Kashmir issue as a long-standing dispute, asserting that its durable resolution hinges on the implementation of
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad on Saturday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur while the Peshawar High Court prohibited his arrest in any case until October 5
The Islamabad ATC issued non-bailable arrest warrants for KP
Chief Minister Gandapur along with several other PTI leaders while declared PTI leader Umar Tanveer Butt as absconder ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra rejected Gandapur ’s pre-arrest bail
Security Council resolutions and an impartial referendum He also called for heightened attention to the plight of innocent Palestinians, asserting that a peaceful resolution to the Palestine conflict is essential for establishing peace in the Middle East
Highlighting Pakistan s dedication to peace, the Prime Minister stated that through mutual cooperation, we can forge a brighter, more peaceful future for coming generations He further reaffirmed Pakistan s belief in fostering regional peace and stability through dialogue noting that today s world is fragmented by numerous conflicts He urged the need to bridge differences between nations and adopt a collective strategy for peace
request in the attack and vandalism at the Judicial Complex registered by I-9 police station As proceeding on Saturday Advocate Raja Zahoor Hassan the counsel for Gandapur submitted an application requesting for his client’s exemption from personnel appearance
The court dismissed the request noting that a similar request had also been made on September 4 followed by Ali Amin s attendance at a rally on September 8 Turning the request, the court issued non-bailable warrants for Ali Amin Gandapur, Wasif Qayyum Abbasi Raja Rashid Hafeez and Amir Mehmood Kiani while declared
Umar Tanveer Butt an absconder for continuous absence from court proceedings The court however accepted the exemption application of PTI leader Faisal Javed and adjourned the case until October 3 PHC prohibits arrest of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa CM until October 5
In a later development in the day the Peshawar High Court issued an order prohibiting the arrest of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur until October 5
The court issued a written order on the previous hearing, seeking details of all cases registered against the KP Chief Minister in federal and Punjab jurisdictions
