ArMy VowS Not to let ‘hArD-eArNeD SuCCeSSeS’ AGAINSt terrorISM Go wASteD
port to the government, administrative apparatus and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in taking swift and lawful action against terrorists anarchists and criminal mafias The military officers also expressed satisfaction over ongoing efforts against illegal spectrum operating in collusion with terrorist networks and underscored the “critical need” to safeguard national cyberspace through “stringent cybersecurity measures”
In assessing the inimical forces
licious actors, subversive proxies, and the facilitators of Pakistan s external and internal adversaries, particularly those active in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the forum deliberated on a range of measures to neutralise these threats The forum reaffirmed that the Pakistan Army, with the unwavering support of the people, will not allow the hardearned successes against terrorism to be reversed the ISPR said In the latest flare-up of violence dozens of militants affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched numerous attacks last week across the province, targeting security personnel as well as civilians At least 50 people including 14 security men lost their lives as militants went on a rampage across the province storming police stations, blowing up railway tracks and setting fire to almost three dozen vehicles In response security forces neutralised 21 militants
The forum s participants paid tribute to martyrs from the armed forces LEAs and citizenry who laid down their lives in Balochistan and KP in pursuit of peace and stability of Pakistan The army brass emphasised that the military was a “disciplined institution upholding the highest standards of professionalism integrity and loyalty to the state and itself
Among those killed were 23 people in Musakhail, mostly labourers from Punjab, who were offloaded from trucks and vans and shot dead after an identity check The ISPR statement said that recognising the urgency and significance of a robust and effective legal system the army chief stressed that the army would continue to extend comprehensive sup-
The institution s well-established and rigorous system of accountability ensures that these values are preserved with unwavering commitment, allowing no room for exceptions or partiality
This strict adherence to accountability fortifies the army s integrity ensuring that no individual is above the law or exempt from scrutiny
arguing that the judiciary must have the right to enforce its orders Subsequently, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq halted Chaudhry’s attempt to present the bill and deferred the motion Abdul Qadir a senator from Balochistan who does not belong to any political party and sides with the opposition benches moved the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the house meeting The bill seeks increasing the number of SC judges from 17 to 21 “to address the rising number of pending cases ” The bill seeks substituting the Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act 1997 with a new provision that reads Maximum Number of Supreme Court Judges other than Chief Justice: The number of Judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan other than the Chief Justice shall be twenty ” Speaking in the Upper House after tabling the bill Senator Qadir highlighted the growing backlog of cases in the Supreme Court citing the shortage of judges as a primary cause Due to the limited number of judges, cases take years to be scheduled Hundreds of tax-related cases involving billions of rupees are pending in courts, while we are forced to seek financial aid from other countries to meet our national needs ” he said There is a perception that in order to give majority to the other camp the PML-N government is increasing the number of SC judges Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa is retiring on October 25, but the PML-N government wants that he should remain in office for the continuity of the present system However CJP Isa has made it clear that he is not interested in an extension through person specific legislation However he may continue if parliament extends the retirement age of every superior court judge for three years Today s session, chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Tuesday, saw several key discussions, including concerns over a corporate farming initiative and the allocation of 4 8 million acres of land
IHC instr ucts ISI to help police track Faizan, produce him in cour t today Dar, Blome discuss protection of Afghan refugees, asylum seekers C O N T I N U E D
PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday filed a petition against the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against his possible military custody for the trial of May 9 cases against him He filed the petition under Article 199 of the Constitution, which mandates a high court to take up a matter when the law does not provide “any other adequate remedy ” Imran has made the Islamabad inspector general (IG) of police Punjab chief secretary Punjab IGs for police and prisons, Adiala Jail superintendent, Federal Investigation Agency director general and the interior defense and law secretaries as respondents in the petition
The petitioner argued that since the Lahore High Court (LHC) had quashed (Imran s) physical remand in the May 9 cases “reports have been making rounds on television print and social media that the petitioner will be handed over to the military authorities for the trial of May 9 and 10, 2023 cases against him
“Many observers and commentators have expressed the view that the army authorities will take the petitioner into custody and try him before a court martial It is to be noted that countrywide protests erupted on May 9 last year after the paramilitary Rangers whisked away Imran from the IHC in a corruption case While the protests were underway social media was flooded with footage of rioting and vandalism at various spots, including the Lahore Corps Commander ’s residence and General Headquarters, the army’s head
of office in Rawalpindi
The already incarcerated former prime minister was “arrested” in these cases on July 15 just a day after he and his wife Bushra Bibi had been apprehended in a new Toshakhana case, following their acquittal in the Iddat case Imran has previously claimed that there is a plan to try him in the military court He had also said that arrested
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday instructed the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to help the police track the whereabouts of missing Faizan Usman and produce him in the court on Wednesday (tomorrow) In a written order IHC Justice Babar Sattar ordered for identifying the persons behind the disappearance of Faizan ordering the interior and defence secretaries Islamabad police chief and the ISI sector commander to submit affidavits about whether or not they knew the whereabouts of Faizan
The petitioner, father of missing Faizan Usman, had submitted in the court that some people in uniform came in cars and searched his house He added that he was told that his son had links with those associated with the banned organisation The petitioner stated that after carrying his son, he was threatened with consequences if he approached the law or went to the media However, he added, two months had passed but his son had not returned He further said that his son-inlaw who was picked up earlier was also missing
He said that those people also took laptop Macbook and two iPhones There were about 10 to 15 people, but they were not the police personnel, the petitioner stated, expressing his suspicion that they belonged to the spy agency
PAKISTAN’S TRADE DEFICIT NARROWS
Govt approves creation of new cyber crimes investigation agency
Bangladesh’s search for new salt sources drives surge in Pak istani expor ts
approach as demand picks up Ismail Suttar
STAFF RPORT
and environmental challenges in the region
The shift comes as Bangladesh seeks alternatives to its primary salt supplier India, whose production has been hampered by severe monsoon rains Industry insiders have reported a marked increase in quotation requests from Bangladeshi traders attributed largely to Bangladesh s recent relaxation of trade policies This policy shift is anticipated to create smoother and more favorable conditions for importing salt (sodium chloride) into the country “The relaxed trade policy has certainly opened new doors for us ” commented Bangladeshi traders Onik Chowdhury and Mahmudur Rashid in an interview with The Express Tribune We re witnessing a significant rise in demand for salt, and it s clear that this policy shift is playing a crucial role in this trend ” The situation in India has exacerbated this shift Heavy monsoon
rains have disrupted salt production, leaving Indian exporters unable to meet Bangladesh’s growing demand This has led Bangladeshi traders to seek alternative sources including Pakistani salt to fill the supply gap Pakistani salt producers are already seeing the benefits of this development, with many reporting a surge in orders from across the border “The timing of this change is critical for us ” remarked Ali Haider a Pakistani salt exporter “With Indian supply disrupted we re in a strong position to meet the growing needs of the Bangladeshi market The combination of political
changes in Bangladesh, advantageous trade policies, and production issues in India is expected to result in a substantial increase in salt exports to Bangladesh in the coming months Industry stakeholders are closely monitoring these trends preparing to adapt to the evolving market dynamics and seize emerging opportunities Recent data from Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) revealed that Pakistan exported salt worth $0 022 million from September to December 2023 However the data shows no exports from January to July 2024, underscoring the need for a strategic
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The conference’s participants also expressed solidarity with Kashmiris and honoured the resistance fighters and martyrs in Indianoccupied Kashmir while also strongly condemning the blatant continued violence and genocide of Palestinians by Israel The ISPR said the huddle expressed confidence in the military’s operational preparedness and readiness and vowed to continue to “uphold the standards in pursuit of professional excellence Pakistan continues to experience surge in terrorist attacks as a total of 59 terrorist attacks occurred across the country in August 2024 compared to 38 such attacks in July These incidents included 29 attacks in KP, 28 in Balochistan, and two in Punjab killing 84 people and 166 others injured according to the digital database of security incidents managed by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) an Islamabad-based think-tank Balochistan experienced 28 terrorist incidents during August 2024, which resulted in 57 deaths and injuries to another 84 people Most
of these terrorism-related casualties in the province resulted from the banned BLAorchestrated attacks on August 26 in over seven districts of the province targeting security forces, non-Baloch people (mainly Punjabis), and national infrastructure In KP, 29 terrorist attacks took place claiming 25 lives and wounding 80 others The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group Lashkar-i-Islam Islamic State-Khorasan and a few local Taliban groups reportedly carried out these attacks Meanwhile, two reported attacks from Punjab injured two civilians; two of the attackers were also killed Security forces and the counterterrorism departments of the police conducted 12 anti-militant operations in the country in August compared to 11 in July In these operations 88 militants were killed and 15 army soldiers and three policemen martyrdom Eight out of the 12 reported operations took place in KP, while four others took place in Balochistan Of the total 28 attacks recorded in Balochistan in August this year 26 were carried out by the BLA including the group s extensive terrorist onslaught on August 26
r I M e M I N I S T e r Shehbaz Sharif can afford to crow The 9 6 percent inflation reported by the Federal Bureau of Statistics is not just the lowest in the last 37 months but is also the first time that it has dipped into single figures Mr Sharif heads a government which is committed, as its primary target, to the reduction of inflation While any government, elected or otherwise, does not like inflation to reach heights which cause unrest among the populace, an elected government is particularly sensitive in this regard especially when the IMF seems bent on intervening against policies designed to reduce the power tariff as it has done with the Punjab reduction demanding peremptorily that it be withdrawn
The fall in inflation has been ascribed by Mr Sharif to his government s policies, but the truth is that the credit will be claimed by the State Bank of Pakistan, which has used the Monetary Price Committee mechanism to hike interest rates to record levels (22 percent) and keep it there The slowing of inflation which started around the start of the year showed that a rate cut was needed because the gap between inflation and the interest rate was now too great, and would only act to repress growth It is true that pump-priming in the past has not yielded positive results, and it can be argued that the present bout of inflation may be related to the easing by the PTI government However, there is another more immediate reason for a rate cut: it will help curb the federal government’s domestic debt servicing cost It should be noted that a stage has been reached where that debt servicing requires the incurring of debt, which in turn means that the private sector will be squeezed out of the credit market That will mean more economic growth sacrificed, which is something the government cannot afford
While the fall in inflation is positive, it should be noted that the high single digits is still not comfortable territory With growth still low the economy is still in a stagflationary cycle Though inflation has come under control, it will still bear watching The real test of the government’s economic team will come if and when it tries to induce growth, because that is the ultimate goal of any economic policy That growth will not only mean more tax revenue but more employment, and ultimately better chances of being re-elected
TH e term eLearning was used by elliott Masie in November 1999 for the first time While delivering a speech at a Tech Learn Conference in the USA Masie stated that we are now stepping into e-learning He further explained eLearning is the use of network technology to design, deliver, select, administer, and extend learning e-learning in other words is an online education, training and knowledge sharing over the internet e-learning can take place anywhere anytime with electronic gadgets and it can be utilized in various settings such as skill development continuing professional development, corporate training, or academic education The term e-learning got immense acceleration in the era of the covid-19 pandemic when education went viral online and ways of education transformed from traditional learning to online learning During this pandemic time learning has been facilitated by the widespread adoption of computer and internet technology The world has seen a surge in mobile devices in the early 2000s, and it has been transformed in many shapes like smartphones and tablets earlier mobile phones were used to make a call SMS and with a few other functions however today mobile phones are gadgets with diverse features like calls texts social media applications multimedia files and so many other things Mobile devices are now a source of e-learning for general education as well as for business activities In today’s era of information technology, many companies from large enterprises to small startup use e-learning e-learning has become the most common activity to upgrade education to learn new skills and to train their employees in different disciplines The days are gone when people used traditional methods of learning (such as in-person classes), now digital tools have transformed the learning attitude of our youngsters Generation Y which was born between 1980 and 1994 preferred the traditional way of learning But Generation Z born between 1995 and 2012 preferred hybrid ways of learning (Digital+printed resources) Generation Alpha, born between 2013 -and 2025, solely rely on digital documents like PDFs, Multimedia files and other electronic gadgets
Some people have the view that there are 10 types of e-learning those are Asynchronous Online Learning which is the most common type of e-learning that offers full leverage to the learners; under this learning the learners access online material to complete their assignment based on anytime from anywhere The learners sometimes access learning resources through the Learning Management System
(LMS) Here the learner relies on pre-recorded lectures and online discussion forums without having to participate in live sessions
The second type of e-learning is Synchronous Online Learning, where the learner interacts with instructors and peers Web conferencing and Zoom meetings are popular examples of this kind of learning every learner comes online regardless of their location and everyone participates in this kind of learning at the same time as everyone else
The third type of e-learning is blended learning which offers face-to-face instruction to each participant Such kind of learning is useful for employees who aspire to enhance their skills with a bit of real-time guidance The fourth type of e-learning is very common learning known as mobile learning Here individuals share their knowledge through mobile or smartphones and the readers then access these readings via mobile or tablets without any hesitation or limitations
The fifth type of e-learning is gamification which is the most common learning for the alpha generation Under this learning the youngster uses games for the learning process to overcome the mental barrier to make the learning journey more fun Some common examples of this learning are leaderboards points systems, rewards and more
The sixth most common type of e-learning is microlearning, where the instructor gives the learner a module of information to solve Such kind of learning only lasts around two to four minutes to hone their learning skills The seventh type of learning is virtual reality learning This kind of learning is an innovative way of learning
V i c i o u s c o r r u p t i o n p a r a l y s e s
j u s t i c e i n P a k i s t a n
He r e in Pakistan it is commonly considered that corruption is no issue in society and everything is going smoothly in accordance with the law and values of Pakistan However corruption
fairness impartiality and adherence to the rule of law, ensuring that everyone is treated equitably and accountable for their actions On the other hand, corruption undermines these principles by distorting the legal process for personal gain leading to injustice inequality and erosion of trust in institutions Therefore justice can be seen as the enemy of corruption as it aims to root out corrupt practices and uphold integrity and transparency in society Corruption can indeed spread its tentacles throughout society, affecting various aspects of governance economy and social fabric It can infiltrate institutions weaken the rule of law hinder economic development and exacerbate inequality Corruption diverts resources away from essential services, undermines trust in government, and perpetuates a cycle of injustice and impunity Therefore, combating corruption is crucial for fostering transparency accountability and the rule of law ultimately contributing to the well-being and prosperity of society as a whole Corruption can distort democracy in significant ways In a democracy, power is meant to be exercised by representatives elected by the people, with decisions made transparently and in the public interest However, corruption undermines this process by allowing the influence of money bribery or illicit deals to sway political decisions and electoral outcomes It can lead to the concentration of power in the hands of a few, marginalize the voices of ordinary citizens, and erode trust in democratic institutions Additionally, corruption can hinder the effective functioning of democratic processes weaken the rule of law and perpetuate a cycle of impunity and inequality Therefore combating corruption is essential for safeguarding the integrity and legitimacy of democracy Corruption can certainly undermine justice by distorting legal processes, impeding fair outcomes, and eroding public trust in the judiciary When corruption infiltrates judicial systems it can lead to biassed rulings impunity for the powerful and unequal treatment under the law Additionally corruption can hinder access to justice for marginalized communities and perpetuate a culture of impunity where wrongdoing goes unpunished Therefore, while corruption may not completely eliminate justice it can severely compromise its effectiveness and integrity ultimately weakening the rule of law and eroding the foundations of a just society Corruption can indeed pose a significant
threat to the fabric of a civilized society In a civilized society, there is an expectation of fairness, accountability, and adherence to ethical standards in governance, business, and social interactions Corruption undermines these principles by diverting resources away from essential services distorting decision-making processes and perpetuating inequality and injustice It erodes public trust in institutions, weakens the rule of law, and fosters a culture of impunity where unethical behaviour goes unchecked Ultimately, corruption can hinder economic development social progress and the overall well-being of society making it a destructive force that undermines the foundations of civilization Therefore combating corruption is essential for preserving the integrity and sustainability of civilized societies
In an ideal society, justice prevails, ensuring fairness equality and adherence to the rule of law However the presence of corruption can undermine the pursuit of justice by distorting legal processes favouring the powerful and perpetuating inequality Therefore, the presence of corruption often indicates a lack of full justice in society Conversely, efforts to combat corruption and strengthen institutions can contribute to the promotion of justice by ensuring accountability transparency and equal treatment under the law
Ultimately the presence of justice and corruption in society is often intertwined, with the extent to which justice prevails depending on the effectiveness of measures taken to address corruption and uphold the rule of law
When there’s a fair and effective system of justice in place it can contribute to the prosperity of citizens by ensuring that individuals and businesses can operate within a framework of laws and regulations that protect their rights and promote fairness However, corruption undermines this system by distorting the rule of law, eroding trust in institutions and creating unequal opportunities This can ultimately lead to economic stagnation social unrest and the breakdown of societal systems So in essence a system of ultimate justice can indeed foster prosperity, while corruption can corrode and destroy societal structures and systems
The writer is an Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan Law Professor member International Bar Association and former Assistant Attorney General for Pakistan
Viral indifference
there are efforts to combat corruption and improve the justice system in Pakistan including through legal reforms anticorruption initiatives, and strengthening of institutions Achieving a balance where justice prevails over corruption is an ongoing process that requires sustained efforts from various stakeholders including the government civil society and the international community Justice and corruption are fundamentally opposed to each other Justice seeks to uphold
When thereÊs a fair and effective system of justice in place, it can contribute to the prosperity of citizens by ensuring that individuals and businesses can operate within a framework of laws and regulations that protect their rights and promote fairness.
AkhtAr Aly kureshy
school to contribute to the household in-
AN S H A, a precocious 12-year-old from a rural village in Punjab, harboured aspirations of becoming a doctor Despite excelling academically in her local school amidst deteriorating infrastructure and outdated textbooks her educational journey faced a significant setback in Class 7 Her parents were compelled to withdraw her from school due to the absence of secondary educational institutions in their vicinity Ansha’s academic aspirations were thus suspended mirroring the plight of millions of Pakistani children who are deprived of quality education due to systemic deficiencies This situation starkly illustrates the state s inadequate prioritization of its educational system
The nation’s education system can be likened to a dilapidated roadway riddled with potholes Despite the implementation of numerous policies and reforms the system continues to grapple with its inability to adequately address the needs of its students
The severity of this issue is underscored by the alarming statistic reported by UNICeF, which indicates that approximately 22 8 million children between the ages of 5 and 16 have dropped out of primary education This figure poignantly highlights the extent of the systemic failures within the educational framework The critical question that arises is: where are the promising young minds who possess the potential to drive the country towards a more prosperous future?
The inadequate state of the education system can be attributed to various factors with a significant contributor being the insufficient allocation of funding According to the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Pakistan allocates approximately 1 17 percent of its GDP to education which is markedly below the recommended range of four to six percent This underinvestment results in overcrowded classrooms obsolete textbooks, and inadequately trained educators In such a deficient environment, it is challenging for students to achieve their full potential and thrive academically
When students lack access to a clean
The imperative of increased funding and curriculum
and secure learning environment the process of education becomes significantly impeded Many schools, particularly in rural areas, are devoid of essential facilities such as potable water and functional sanitation envision attempting to focus on a mathematics lesson amidst a deteriorating school infrastructure Such conditions as reported by numerous education experts underscore the current state of the educational system This scenario vividly illustrates the prevailing deficiencies within the educational infrastructure of the region
The curriculum represents a core factor contributing to the deficiencies within the education system as it frequently appears outdated and disconnected from contemporary relevance Students are required to spend extensive periods memorizing facts solely for examination purposes, rather than developing critical thinking skills or acquiring practical knowledge This approach raises questions about the rationale behind inundating students with information that is unlikely to be applicable in real-world contexts The emphasis on rote memorization over the cultivation of analytical and practical abilities further exacerbates the educational shortcomings highlighting a fundamental misalignment between educational content and the skills necessary for success beyond the classroom
Moreover, teachers are widely regarded as the cornerstone of any education system; however, they frequently lack sufficient professional training evidence indicates that over 50 percent of teachers in Pakistan do not possess formal pedagogical training This deficit in professional development un-
dermines their ability to inspire and educate students effectively The absence of adequate skills and support mechanisms severely impedes teachers’ capacity to deliver quality instruction and foster an engaging learning environment Consequently the efficacy of the educational system is compromised as teachers struggle to meet the educational needs and aspirations of their students This situation highlights a critical area of concern within the broader framework of educational reform and underscores the need for enhanced investment in teacher training and professional development
When teachers experience a lack of motivation their engagement with students may become minimal, despite their physical presence in the classroom A teacher s enthusiasm has the potential to inspire a passion for learning, yet, in numerous instances, this enthusiasm is conspicuously absent Improving compensation and working conditions could significantly enhance teacher morale; however many educational institutions fail to address these critical issues The failure to adequately address these factors undermines the potential for teachers to foster a stimulating and effective learning environment Consequently addressing the motivational challenges faced by educators is essential for enhancing overall educational quality and student outcomes
Poverty significantly impacts access to education, serving as a major barrier for many families, particularly those in rural areas The financial constraints faced by these families often preclude them from affording educational expenses leading to the necessity of pulling children out of
come This economic pressure forces children into labour, thus hindering their educational opportunities
Consequently this perpetuates a cycle of poverty where the lack of education contributes to continued financial instability
This cyclical pattern not only restricts educational access but also entrenches socioeconomic disparities, reinforcing a self-sustaining loop of poverty and limited educational attainment Addressing this issue requires targeted interventions to break this cycle and improve access to education for underprivileged communities
Furthermore, girls encounter substantial barriers in accessing education, largely due to prevailing cultural norms that frequently prioritize the education of boys over that of girls These societal constraints not only restrict the individual educational opportunities for girls but also impede broader national development The systemic undervaluing of girls education undermines their potential contributions to society and hampers overall progress Addressing these gender-based educational disparities is crucial for advancing equitable educational outcomes and fostering inclusive growth
To effect a transformative improvement in the education system in Pakistan, it is imperative for the government to significantly increase its investment in this sector Allocating at least 6 percent of the GDP to education would provide the necessary financial resources to develop and enhance educational infrastructure offer comprehensive training programs for teachers and produce high-quality educational materials Such an investment would not only address the immediate deficiencies within the educational system but also lay a solid foundation for
The education system in Pakistan requires substantial reform to address its critical deficiencies. By tackling fundamental issues such as inadequate funding, substandard infrastructure, outdated curricula, and entrenched societal barriers, the nation can create a more promising future for its youth Investing in education is not merely an obligation but represents a strategic oppor tunity for national advancement Successfully navigating these challenges holds the potential to produce a robust and capable generation, prepared to confront global challenges and contribute meaningfully to societal progress
A new political ‘youthquake’ takes hold
long-term educational reform By prioritizing substantial funding, the government can catalyze meaningful advancements in educational quality and accessibility, ultimately fostering a more effective and equitable learning environment for all students revising the curriculum to align with contemporary needs is essential
populism challenging authoritarianism and by a generation proving to be fearless and uncompromising Far from deterring them state violence has often hardened their resolve
BA N G L A D e S H is the latest in a series of youth-driven uprisings that have shaken countries in Asia and Africa this year In February young Pakistanis delivered a shock result when defying the military they voted en masse for the imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, giving his allies the highest number of votes and seats in parliament The following month young Senegalese voters reclaimed their democracy in an election that was nearly stolen from them Bassirou Diomaye Faye a little-known tax inspector,
in Bangladesh the authorities responded with lethal violence, killing dozens and injuring hundreds Ultimately, though, Mr ruto was forced to withdraw the bill Now attention has turned to Nigeria which has been jolted by protests over the rising cost of living
A new generation is asserting itself in parts of Asia and Africa Young people are spontaneously forming protest movements and forging rare coalitions This is the first generation that has not known life before the internet and they are using social media not just to announce and live-stream street protests but also to organise and debate In the process, they are devising innovative tactics, including the use of artificial intelligence, and creating new spaces by holding digital demonstrations when the streets are closed off to them In response governments have unleashed their own techno-repression from throttling the internet to shutting it down altogether These movements are unsettling conventional views of politics, transcending traditional ethnic and political divides and often shunning traditional political parties and civil society organisations It is typically assumed that populism and authoritarianism are complementary forces yet here are expressions of
Of course, it would be a mistake to overstate this youthquake or to generalise across two vast continents Gen-Z protesters are not monolithic, nor are they all idealistic in their ambitions Like any other age cohort the young are politically divided In Bangladesh for example the ruling party s thuggish youth wing the Chhatra League was partly responsible for the violence While Senegal had a relatively smooth transition, owing to the resilience of its institutions Bangladesh is on a more uncertain path with the threat of violence and civil disorder still hanging over the country recent reprisals against members of the Awami League and attacks on the Hindu minority show how the taste of victory can lead some to temptations of vengeance Nonetheless, there are striking similarities In each case mentioned above people between the ages of 15 and 34 constitute at least one-third of the total population Despite strong economic growth of around 6% per year, Bangladesh struggles with 15% youth unemployment And many of these countries are weighed down by heavy debt burdens using between 20% and 60% of government expenditures to keep their creditors at bay a sum that dwarfs public spending on education health and urgently needed climate action It s no coincidence that these protests are taking place in some of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world
The protests were sparked in many cases by the announcement of new measures that would have inflicted more economic pain on young people whether it was regressive taxes in Kenya, the unfair allocation of jobs in Bangladesh, or the rising cost of living in Nigeria But these moves merely set aflame a tinderbox of grievances that had accumulated over decades Young people are despairing not just of the lack of economic prospects but also of their rulers greed, the state s brutality, and unresponsiveness to their needs There is an impatience with the status quo They want to sweep away old, outdated orders and reimagine their political systems
But this change will not come easily nor is it guaranteed A decade ago youthful revolts also broke out across the Arab world toppling dictatorships and rousing hopes for a more just and equitable order To avoid those failures, the openings this moment has created will have to be seized and built upon quickly and the dangers will have to be carefully navigated
Binaifer Nowrojee is President of the Open Society Foundations
AS S A M chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has lost the right to remain in his office each passing day he remains in this position he puts the Muslims of Assam especially the Miyan Muslims in greater danger than ever before His hatred and violence towards Muslims is evident in his statements and his decisions Many other leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) express this hatred and violence as dog whistles to appear civilised But in the last 10 years the number of such leaders in the BJP, who do not hide their hatred against Muslims and Christians and have no hesitation in being open about it, has increased
This year the biggest leader of the BJP Narendra Modi kept giving shameless antiMuslim speeches for nearly two months taking advantage of the election campaign The Human rights Watch (HrW) analysed his speeches and reported that Modi had made anti-Muslim remarks in 110 of his 173 speeches while the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in place Newspapers kept publishing it TV channels kept broadcasting it But no one said that this is impermissible It is not only uncivilised but also dangerous because every statement of his deepens the suspicion and hatred in the minds of Hindus towards Muslims It leads to violence against them It has been noted that such hate speeches especially from people occupying responsible positions have real consequences It was not a coincidence that after the latest round of venom spewing by Modi, there has been a spurt in violence against Muslims
It is also a fact that in the last 10 years there has been a growing number of Hindus who are not connected to the rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (rSS) who are quite young, but who relish insulting, humiliating, attacking and even killing and lynching Muslims The hate propaganda that Modi, his ministers and the BJP and the rSS leaders are engaged in day and night is definitely responsible for this This is not something a person holding a constitutional post can do It is a crime Sarma is competing with Modi and the other BJP leaders in arousing antiMuslim sentiments in Hindus Some people say that since he is not initiated into the rSS and has joined the BJP after a long stint in the Congress party he is trying to prove that he can attack Muslims in the most disgusting and dangerous way than even the hardened members of the rSS and BJP This is the easiest, tried and tested way to move up the ladder in the BJP The rise of Modi and Adityanath is proof of this Whatever be the case the Muslims of Assam cannot pay the price for Sarma s career Today even Janata Dal (United)
(JD(U)) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), which are allies of the BJP and constituents of the federal government, are forced to criticise chief minister Sarma They have lambasted the decision of Sarma s government to cancel the two-hour break for Friday prayers in the legislative assembly Sarma says that this practice was colonial and hence it was abolished After this, hours will be saved and more work can be done But everyone knows the intention behind the decision This is yet another step by Sarma to prove that he is purifying all public spaces of Muslim practices everyone realises it and that is why parties supporting the BJP felt compelled to condemn it without losing time They said that this is against the secular nature of India and the spirit of the constitution One can say that these parties are concerned about the sentiments of their Muslim voters hence this criticism And that s not necessarily a bad thing every political party should take care of the sentiments of all sections of the society That Sarma is not concerned about the sentiments of Muslims cannot be a matter of pride He openly expresses his disdain for Muslims everyone remembers him saying that he does not want the votes of Miya Muslims In a democracy, political parties would like all sections of the society to vote for them The majority they want to mobilise should reflect the composition of the society Not so with Sarma He openly says that Muslims are not welcome in his majority
All the Opposition parties in Assam have filed a police report against Sarma because he said in the assembly that he will take sides, he will not let the Miya Muslims take over Assam It was a not a hidden threat to the Muslims even before this he has been continuously saying that the demography of Assam is getting distorted due to the increasing numbers of Muslims How is this number increasing? According to him, by infiltration and Muslims producing children much more than Hindus All lies and halftruth but Sarma does not care A whole book can be made on Sarma s anti-Muslim statements and actions of the last few years Sarma s hate-filled statements are becoming increasingly audacious every day A few days ago, he attacked the University of Science and Technology (USTM) Meghalaya built on a hill on the border of Assam which lies in the state Meghalaya He alleged that it has caused floods in Assam because the hill has been cut to construct the university He called it flood jihad Some people will say that this may be a legitimate concern of the chief minister But everyone in Assam knows that Sarma attacked the university
Netanyahu not doing enough to secure Gaza ceasefire deal: Biden
central Gaza Around 160,000 children received a first polio vaccine dose on Sunday and Monday in central Gaza, the territory’s health ministry said Palestinian mother Basma al-Batsh told AFP on Sunday she was very happy the vaccination drive was happening I want to protect my children because I was afraid that they would be affected and become disabled,” she said Israel’s military campaign against Hamas has so far killed at least 40 786 people in Gaza according to the territory s health ministry The UN rights office says most of the dead are women and children
The October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians and including hostages killed in captivity according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures WEST BANK RAIDS
Since the war erupted violence has surged in Israel s border area with Lebanon and in the occupied West Bank, where the
US soldiers assaulted in western Turkey
ruins and the majority of the 2 4 million residents forced to flee, often taking refuge in cramped and unsanitary conditions, disease has spread After the first confirmed polio case in 25 years a vaccination drive got underway Sunday with localised “humanitarian pauses to the fighting However a journalist reported troops blowing up homes in Gaza City and warplanes hitting a house to the east overnight into Tuesday The territory’s civil defence agency said Israel carried out a deadly strike on a tent sheltering displaced people in southern Khan Yuins as well as bombarding
resistance but we will not get tired of the resistance he told AFP beside a pile of rubble Further south in Tulkarem an Israeli airstrike targeted an armed terrorist cell late Monday which the military said had shot at security forces Separately, a medical source at Tulkarem’s
China-Africa community with a shared future to new heights Xi underscored that the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century and that the rise of the Global South including China and Africa brings stability and positive energy to global peace and development He stated that Africa, as a major force in the world, is a priority in China’s diplomacy and that China is willing to deepen political ties enhance strategic trust foster practical cooperation and share development experiences with Africa Xi called for mutual support to advocate for a multipolar, equitable world, as well as inclusive and fair economic glob-
alization, to safeguard international fairness justice and the common interests of developing countries
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, September 3, 2024 /Xinhua
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing capital of China, September 3, 2024 /Xinhua
Faki, reflecting on his eight years leading the AU praised the rapid development of the AU-China relationship He also expressed deep gratitude to China for advancing the Africa-China partnership and the FOCAC mechanism, and for the assistance China has provided to African countries in infrastructure, healthcare, energy, industry and security
PTA RECEIVES FIVE PROPOSALS FOR 5G SPECTRUM AUCTION
TE Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has received five proposals from international consultants to manage the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, which is expected to be completed within the ongoing fiscal year The telecom regulator announced that it had received technical and financial bids from five international consultants: Aetha Consulting Limited, Detecon Consulting FZ-LLC, Frontier Economics Limited, KomKonsult
Farah Deeba appointed Coordinator to Federal Minister for Culture, Heritage
as Coordinator on Culture to the Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Government of Pakistan with immediate effect on honorary basis reads the notification Ms Farah Deeba expressed gratitude to the party leadership and said she would try to live up to the expectation and trust of the party
CDA Chairman chairs meeting on Dengue Prevention
Colgate Pakistan’s Oral Health Month 2024 launches in Karachi
Muhammad Ali Randhawa The meeting was attended by the senior officers from the district administrations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi During the meeting a detailed review of the dengue cases reported so far was conducted in the twin cities It was highlighted in the briefing that the total number of reported cases this year is lower as compared to the same period last year Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa emphasized the need for thorough monitoring of potential breeding spots for dengue He directed that fumigation and spraying at these identified spots must be ensured Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa directed to enhance surveillance through the entomologists in the twin cities The meeting also considered acquiring the services of the additional entomologists to further strengthen Islamabad s capacity for surveillance if there is increase in the number of dengue cases in the coming days He further stressed the importance of coordination between the administrations of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in tackling dengue, especially in the boundary areas of the twin cities
Colgate Pakistan, the nation s trusted oral care brand, is keeping Pakistan smiling by spreading awareness about good oral hygiene habits through Oral Health Month 2024 Increasing oral health awareness access and action Colgate Pakistan s Oral Health Month 2024 will commence on 2nd September and will continue till 11th October, 2024; an endeavour that underscores Colgate's continued commitment to fostering improved oral hygiene for all Travelling across 22 cities nationwide at over 700 locations - including institutes clinics and schools Oral Health Month will give people from all walks of life access to FREE dental check-ups Colgate Pakistan hosted an event at Mövenpick Hotel Karachi to kick off the Oral Health Week in the city The event was graced by the Head of Periodontology Department & Director PhD Program Dental Health Sciences of Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi Professor Dr Muhammad Khalil Khan and Registrar Dow University of Health Sciences Associate Professor Ashar Afaq who also commended Colgate s dedication to Keep Pakistan Smiling The Oral Health Week is running from 2nd September to 6th September, 2024, in Karachi, other major cities in Sindh, and Quetta
managed a brief recovery with a 38-run partnership between Saim Ayub and captain Shan Masood However, the resistance was short-lived as Ayub, who scored 20 runs off 35 balls was dismissed by Taskin Ahmed The middle order offered some resistance with Mohammad Rizwan contributing 43 runs off 73 balls including five boundaries Unfortunately wickets continued to tumble around him Abrar Ahmed could only muster two runs from 12 deliveries before being sent back to the pavilion Mahmud then claimed the final wicket of Mir Hamza for four runs bringing Pakistan’s innings to an abrupt end at 172 Salman provided some stability remaining unbeaten on 47 but it wasn t enough to push Pakistan to a more competitive total Hasan Mahmud s performance was a historic one as he registered his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket, marking him as the first Bangladeshi pacer to achieve such a feat on Pakistani soil Earlier
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Advisor, Muzammil Aslam, on Tuesday strongly criticized former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz accusing them of creating “economic landmines through their decision to grant electricity subsidies
Aslam condemned the subsidies, calling them a significant economic blunder that his administration is determined to avoid He claimed that the policies of Nawaz and Maryam undermined economic stability suggesting their actions were a deliberate attempt to disrupt the financial system
The decisions made by Nawaz and Maryam were flawed and have caused serious damage ” Aslam stated “Their subsidies created false expectations and have left us with major economic challenges Now the IMF is demanding these subsidies be withdrawn by September
He also criticized the federal government s handling of the situation, accusing it of being politically driven and leading to a series of mini-budgets “If we continue to rely on the federal budget model we risk complete economic collapse Aslam warned The Finance Advisor further highlighted severe discrepancies in electricity costs faced by Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa noting that the province produces power at PKR 7 per unit but purchases it at PKR 70 per unit He emphasized the province’s plans to develop its own transmission infrastructure and make independent decisions regarding its electricity supply Aslam also took a jab at PML-N leader Ata Tarar, accusing him of lacking an understanding of both constitutional and economic matters
PTI is a realit y whether one likes or not: Q ureshi
Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood
Qureshi on Tuesday said that his party had every right to hold its planned rally on September 8, emphasizing that no obstacles should be created in its way
Talking to journalists during a court hearing in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail Qureshi claimed that the PTI showed respect for all including state institutions during the last month urging it is time for this respect to be reciprocated Whether one likes it or not, PTI is a reality in this country Stability cannot be achieved without engaging with PTI,” he stressed He further added that the founder of PTI is currently contesting elections at Oxford University an achievement that brings pride to Pakistan Criticizing those who oppose this move he labelled
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub on Monday stated that his party seeks forgiveness only from God not from any worldly entities dismissing calls for an apology over May 9 incidents In a media briefing on Tuesday, Ayub dismissed the notion that PTI owed anyone an
them as narrow-minded and urged that the Oxford election be viewed beyond the lens of political affiliations Addressing the ongoing political discourse Qureshi dismissed any notion of a PTI minus its founder Neither Bhutto was ever minus from the PPP, nor Nawaz Sharif from the PML-N Similarly, the PTI cannot exist without its founder,” he declared, adding that this is a political reality whether people in power accept it or not Commenting on the Balochistan’s situation he described recent events in the province as tragic and called for a comprehensive debate in both the National Assembly and Senate Qureshi noted that Balochistan s problems persisted for years and that the state s policies towards the region may not be appropriate
“I am aware of many things as a former foreign minister but I am constrained by the official secrets act from disclosing certain details he said adding that dialogue is the only solution to the issue
