R I M E Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that a Saudi delegation is scheduled to visit Pakistan and agreements worth $2 billion are expected to be signed between the two nations
A high-level Saudi delegation is expected to visit Pakistan before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit that the country is hosting from Oct 15-16 the prime minister said in his opening remarks at the meeting of the federal cabinet
The Saudi delegation, led by Minister for Investment Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih is set to visit Pakistan from Oct 9 to 11
No one will be allowed to repeat ‘gor y tale of 2014 sit-in’: PM
ISLAMABAD
He stated that the IMF program was approved due to exceptional teamwork which also led to a reduction in inflation from 32% to 6 9%, along with increases in exports, remittances, and IT exports
The stock exchange, he noted, was performing exceptionally well Highlighting his government s reform agenda he noted the doubling of tax return filers, the expansion of the tax base, and the digitization of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) He added that oil prices had been reduced for the fifth time and a Rs50 billion relief package had been announced for power consumers in the protected category, alongside a Rs55 billion package from the Punjab government
The prime minister thanked China Saudi Arabia and the UAE for their support in securing the IMF loan facility and also mentioned last week s successful visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim when two sides agreed that Pakistan would export Halal meat and rice to Malaysia
The prime minister emphasized that
pushes
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leadership, including Senator Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar, and Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, held consultations on Tuesday to discuss the party’s position on establishing a Federal Constitutional Court a key reform outlined in the 2006 Charter of Democracy The proposal seeks to create a court ensuring equal provincial representation and jurisdiction under Article 184 of the Constitution During a meeting with Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) Senator Rehman and MNA Qamar expressed the PPP s commitment to establishing a dedicated court for constitutional matters They highlighted that this reform, originally envisioned by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, aims to prevent the judiciary from being exploited for political purposes The discussions reflect Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s commitment to the 2006 Charter of Democracy The PPP leaders reaffirmed their opposition to person-specific legislation and emphasized that the party is fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Pakistan Bar Council and the legal community “The PPP stands by this initiative to advance judicial reforms that respect provincial autonomy ” said Rehman Later Senator Rehman and Secretary General Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari met with Haris Khalique, Secretary General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Also present were senior members of the Women’s Action Forum (WAF), including Nasreen Azhar and Khushal Khattak Rehman underscored the importance of consensus-building and inclusive consultations with all stakeholders remarking that the PPP aims to establish the Federal Constitutional Court with broad-based support, akin to the process that led to the 18th Amendment
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday described the recent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf s protest the replica of the 2014 sit-in by the party, vowing that the repeat of that gory tale would not be allowed at any cost “Such incidents are a replica of 2014-15 incidents when a sit-in was staged for months and was not called off despite the announcement of the Chinese president s visit to Pakistan without bothering about its impact on the country’s image and national economy We will not allow it to be repeated We will not tolerate it at any rate at any cost This is my promise I will not let it happen the prime minister in his opening remarks at the meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by him The prime minister drew cabinet members’ attention to an attack that took place near Karachi airport killing two Chinese engineers and injuring another, despite the government s all-out efforts to ensure their security
a peaceful and secure environment is essential for attracting investment He also expressed gratitude to the IMF chief for her support in approving
He apprised the meeting of his telephonic conversation with the Chinese ambassador in Islamabad and also a condolatory visit to the Chinese embassy where he reiterated his government s assurance to leave no stone unturned to make the security of Chinese national “unreachable ”
Referring to the PTI protest, the prime minister said that the allegations were hurled against the government and attempts were made to create chaos at a time when the Chinese Premier was about to pay a bilateral visit and a Saudi delegation was also scheduled to visit Pakistan and MoUs and agreements worth $2 billion are expected to be signed
The cabinet meeting offered Fateha for the security personnel martyred in different terrorist incidents
The prime minister thanked China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE for their support in obtaining the IMF loan facility and also mentioned last week s successful visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim when two sides agreed that Pakistan would export Halal meat and rice to Malaysia
the IMF facility for Pakistan and acknowledged her appreciation for the reforms implemented by both the current and caretaker governments
Tarar accuses PTM of anti state activities, says ban on par ty to protect sovereignty
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) of engaging in anti-state activities over the past six months, claiming the group has been working against Pakistan s interests
PTM not only burned the Pakistani flag but also attacked our embassies abroad, Tarar stated during a press briefing on Tuesday
He alleged that the group was being funded from overseas to promote an anti-Pakistan narrative
The minister also claimed that Afghan nationals were involved in some of the attacks attributed to
PTM “Based on clear evidence a ban has been imposed on PTM and investigations are underway to trace the sources of their funding he said Tarar reiterated that while peaceful protests are a democratic right, no political group would be allowed to undermine the country’s sovereignty or harm its ideological foundations Pashtuns are our brothers and have played a vital role in Pakistan s development An organization is only banned when sufficient evidence is presented,” he added
The minister also addressed Pakistan s improving economic situation noting a rise in the value of the rupee and a reduction in inflation Our economic indicators are
improving and international financial institutions are acknowledging our progress he stated
He emphasized the government s commitment to economic stability, asserting, We will take every step necessary for Pakistan’s development and won’t allow anyone to destabilize the country ”
Tarar further mentioned that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed all provincial chief ministers to ensure that the benefits of reduced inflation reach the public
He called on PTM members to rejoin the national mainstream and contribute to the nation s progress saying Our survival is tied to Pakistan As long as Pakistan exists, we all have a future
protection of fundamental rights and matters of constitutional interpretation; Provide for the selection of the chief justice of the new Federal Constitutional Court by a new National Assembly committee whose meetings would be held in private sparking serious concerns about political interference in judicial appointments and undermining judicial independence and public scrutiny of the process; If passed, the amendments will significantly restrict the ability of Khan to challenge cases brought against him including the government s alleged plans to try him in a military court and will further undermine the independence of the judiciary the separation of powers, and the protection of human rights and civil liberties in the country Meanwhile, Khan’s counsels Fitzgerald KC, Eatwell and Robinson have claimed that the changes to the Constitution were in fact aimed at affecting the Supreme Court s jurisdiction and would entrench existing impunity for human rights violations in the country
PTI’s Gandapur under fire: Info minister demands accountability for ‘abduction’ claims
ISLAMABAD
Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture
Attaullah Tarar said Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur should tell the people where he had been during the past 24 hours
A campaign was launched across the country that Gandapur had been abducted he said citing the allegations leveled by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders against every other institution in the country Talking to the media, he denounced the “drama” orchestrated by the PTI on “disappearance” of the CM KPK who brought the PTI workers to Islamabad fled to the KP House in Islamabad, and then abandoned them to return to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa covertly
The question is very simple that where was he (the CM KP) during
last 24 hours, the minister said while lashing out the PTI for launching a malicious campaign against the institutions and the individuals during the last 24 hours He said the CM KP is an irresponsible person who did politics over the law and order and tried to damage the image of the country The minister asked the CM
h I N a I S o v E R S u P P Ly I N G L I t h I u M t o
L I M I N at E R I va LS , u S o F F I C I a L S ay S
The Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), Islamabad, hosted Islamabad Non-Proliferation Conference 2024 a two-day international event bringing together a distinguished group of scholars and experts from around the world The conference aimed to foster constructive dialogue on global strategic issues while sharing Pakistan’s policy perspectives on non-proliferation according to a press release issued by the military s media wing According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, served as the Chief Guest Keynote addresses were delivered by several prominent Pakistani policymakers and practitioners including General Zubair Mehmood Hayat (Retired), Former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Lt Gen Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Advisor to the National Command Authority (NCA), and Lt Gen Sarfraz Sattar also an Advisor to the NCA
The conference featured participation from notable international scholars representing esteemed institutions such as the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences the Center for Energy and Security Studies in Russia, the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace the Royal United Services Institute
Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Saint Petersburg State University Shanghai University Peking University University at Albany and the University of Birmingham This high-level conference reinforced Pakistan s commitment to global non-proliferation efforts and underscored the importance of strategic dialogue in maintaining both regional and international security
Remove IG Islamabad or face another protest, Gandapur issues warning
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Tuesday demanded the removal of the Islamabad Police IG warning another protest “if the Islamabad IG is not removed
The chief minister during a fiery speech in the KP provincial assembly on Tuesday, expressed his frustration with the ongoing repression faced by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during protests and rallies across the country Gandapur regretted that PTI s peaceful gatherings have been met with heavy-handed tactics, stating that, Wherever we hold a rally, we are treated like animals We are given protest venues as if we are livestock ” KP CM Gandapur reappeared at the provincial assembly on Sunday following his sudden disappearance for a whole day during a PTI-led protest in Islamabad Gandapur who had been last seen leading a convoy of PTI protestors into Islamabad on October 5, was reportedly near China Chowk when he disappeared CCTV footage from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House shows him entering the premises but later leaving in civilian clothes, raising questions about whether his departure was voluntary Addressing the K-P Assembly, Gan-
dapur accused Punjab authorities of using force against PTI workers during protest calls Whenever we announced protests in Punjab our workers were picked up, and alternative venues were assigned far from where we had originally planned to gather,” he said, adding that even in Islamabad PTI was forced to hold a rally in a distant location instead of Liaquat Bagh
The KP CM underscored that PTI founder Imran Khan has always preached peace, but their constitutional right to protest has been denied “They’ve legitimised horse-trading and political manipulation, but we will continue to protest regardless of permissions he asserted describing how containers were placed tear gas fired and PTI supporters beaten but they still managed to arrive peacefully at D-Chowk
We pushed through the police and Rangers, with the army on both sides, yet there was no intention of clashing with our own forces he added
He revealed that the party made the decision to head from the KP House instead of moving to D-Chowk to avoid further confrontation However, upon arriving at KP House, Gandapur claimed that the Islamabad IG leading an assault with police and Rangers treated them as if they were terrorists
The IG stormed in behaving as if we were criminals, he lamented They
seized my mobile phone and subjected us to violence ” Recounting his escape CM Gandapur described how he was smuggled out of KP House through a back door and spent four hours hiding I had no phone or money and walked to the motorway, where a KP House vehicle eventually found me and helped me escape ” he recounted Gandapur claimed that from there he made his way through various districts including Battagram and Swat, eventually arriving safely in Peshawar The KP CM praised his party workers for their resilience in the face of adversity “Our people stood firm I salute them ” he said “But the fascism we face today is unparalleled in history The chief minister took aim at the federal government accusing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other opposition leaders of disregarding the welfare of the country “Nawaz Sharif was PM three times and now he can’t even walk in public he said They are driving this country into darkness Gandapur urged reform and repentance from those in power, warning that God would not forgive the injustices being carried out This regime will face the consequences of their actions We must fight for our future generations and for the protection of Islam ” he concluded calling for the leaders families to intervene and demand
WI T H four Independent Power Producers, those who had set up plants pre-1994, or under the 1994 and 2002 power policies have agreed to the early termination of their contracts and a fifth likely to follow suit very soon Power Minister Awaiws Leghsri has finally been able to something he had so far refined from doing: put a figure on the likely saving the government will make on the electricity tariff The government has identified public dissatisfaction as being primarily because of inflation, and within that inflation the component most resented by the consumer is the electricity tariff Therefore it was only logical that it try to tackle the issue It is not just the domestic consumer who has been screaming, but also the commercial and industrial consumer not only are theory important to the economy of the country, but they are also the backbone of the ruling PML(n) The Minister has said that the reduction in capacity payments would mean a reduction of Rs 7 per unit in the tariff
H i s t o r y d i d n ’ t b e g i n o r e n d o n O c t o b e r 7
Only after a year, have Americans begun to learn
Ois merely a reminder that Palestinian lives matter as much as Israeli lives and that history didn’t begin or end on October 7 But this is not the story that will be told on that day in the US media or in Congress or by the White House And it s not the way this story will enter our history books It s often noted that history, as it s taught in a society, is written by the dominant group The story that is told is a function of the perspective of the person who’s relating it It’s how they see it from where they stand and its meaning is determined by where they choose to start their narrative When I was in school the US
n October 7, the continuing genocide in Gaza and the massive bombings in Lebanon will likely be ignored by US officials and media outlets as they solemnly commemorate the anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel What they ll ignore is that the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict didn t begin on October 7, nor did the suffering end on that day October 7 was a horrific day, to be sure, of condemnable acts committed by Hamas against innocents It is important that the stories of those who were murdered and those taken as hostages be told and that we hear their cries and mourn their loss And it s right that Hamas be condemned for the crimes they committed But history didn t start on that nightmarish day, and it certainly didn t end there either Since then, from what we know for certain, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, 97,000 wounded with upwards of 20 000 missing Entire Palestinian families have been wiped out neighborhoods leveled most housing in Gaza has been destroyed along with its schools hospitals and infrastructure Aid has been restricted, resulting in deaths from disease, starvation, and malnutrition And all kinds of psychological disorders have taken hold resulting from prolonged trauma What Israel has done we are told by respected international agencies is genocide the destruction of a society its culture and well-being And now the devastation and trauma are being extended to Lebanon When the USA s political leaders and media commemorate the horror of October 7, what happened after that day will not be considered What began on October 8 and continues until now will be ignored Worse still those who dare to speak of the tragedy that followed will be denounced for their insensitivity to Jewish suffering It will be as if the cries of the Israeli victims will drown out those of the Palestinians One people s pain will be prioritized over another s It s something that Arabs have come to expect: They are not seen as equal human beings To be crude this is not making a case for Palestinians winning the Victimhood Olympics Rather it
The rise of digital twins
Public opinion in the USA is changing with more Americans understanding the Palestinian story and empathizing with their
This broader view, however, has not taken hold in official
cost barriers and encourage innovation
Tprecision, and resource allocation Therefore, given the
realities, a comprehensive analysis of how this technology will
The
tors in Pakistan is the need of the
Pakistan can face in the
amount of
from
and high-quality data that is required for the process Turbulent weather patterns, lack of technological knowledge, and fragile crop health also create impediments for the local illiterate farmers Moreover deploying this technology requires significant investment in infrastructure such as sensors for data collection and systems for processing it
To overcome these challenges in the agriculture sector, the development of a centralised database and weather monitoring system can greatly help mitigate data limitations by gath-
ering real-time information on soil conditions weather patterns, and crop health This way, farmers can make better informed decisions and optimise the use of resources for high-yield crops Furthermore promoting localised agricultural research and training can also improve smart farming required for tech-savvy agriculture This shift can lead to higher crop yield better adaptability, and reduced waste In the context of the industrial sector, this technology will reduce downtime, enhance production efficiency, and enable predictive maintenance making it particularly valuable for industries that rely on ageing infrastructure However these initiatives need to be incorporated at the grassroots level for Pakistan to fully leverage the economic potential of Digital Twin technology while minimising associated complexities Moreover, the lack of expertise and training is a major impediment as the Digital Twin system requires a highly trained workforce Additionally high upfront cost for deploying sensors cloud computing and installation of data analytics infrastructure puts financial constraints especially upon Small and Medium Enterprises To mitigate these challenges, targeted incentives can accelerate the adoption of this technology especially amongst the SMEs By offering subsidies to businesses willing to invest in Digital Twins the government can lower the
The adoption of Digital Twin technology in Pakistan presents both opportunities and challenges While this high investment technology has the potential to revolutionise industries its implementation requires capacity building of human resources Farmers, already burdened by high production costs and low incomes, may be reluctant to invest in such advanced systems Moreover to fully leverage the benefits of this technology the industrial sector must transition from primarily producing raw materials to manufacturing high-quality finished goods Therefore, although the rise of Digital Twin has the potential to transform vital sectors of Pakistan, it also introduces complexities particularly for unskilled farmers and redundant industries which may struggle to adapt to this technological shift While digital twin technology holds immense promise for driving economic growth and transforming the key sectors of Pakistan, its successful implementation faces significant challenges From data limitations and infrastructural gaps in the agricultural sector to skill shortage and high upfront costs in the industrial sector these complexities require targeted policy interventions To overcome these challenges investment in infrastructure, research, and skill development is required The path forward demands strategic foresight and collaboration between the government and private sector of Pakistan to ensure that technology becomes a driver of progress rather than a source of complexity
The writer is a researcher at the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) Lahore She can be reached at info@casslhr com
While digital twin technology holds immense promise for driving economic growth and transforming the key sectors of Pakistan, its successful implementation faces significant challeng es. From data limitations and infrastructural gaps in the agricultural sector to skill shor tag e and high upfront costs in the industrial sector, these complexities require targ eted policy inter ventions
naba Fatima
Then there s Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) a once-renowned airline now reduced to a national embarrassment Political interference has decimated the organization, with unqualified individuals being appointed to key positions based on their connections rather than merit The result is predictable: inefficiency corruption and financial losses that run into billions While the government continues to pump taxpayer money into the failing airline, it remains poorly managed and unreliable Flights are often delayed or canceled without explanation and customer service is practically non-existent Yet the average Pakistani continues to pay for this sinking ship through taxes and inflated ticket prices
The situation is just as grim in Pakistan s health sector State-run hospitals and healthcare facilities are in shambles, with a lack of medical equipment, poorly trained staff, and inadequate supplies of essential medicines Corruption is rampant with many public hospitals demanding bribes for basic services The wealthier segment of society can afford to seek treatment in private hospitals or even abroad, while the majority of Pakistanis are left to suffer in underfunded and poorly managed state facilities Even when funds are allocated for healthcare improvements they often disappear into the pockets of corrupt officials leaving the system broken and neglected
Education in Pakistan particularly in rural areas is another area where state institutions have failed the people Many public schools lack proper infrastructure, qualified teachers, and up-to-date materials Ghost schools schools that exist only on paper and teachers who receive salaries without ever showing up to work are widespread issues These practices are a direct result of unchecked corruption and poor oversight Meanwhile, private schools flourish, but only
The choice is clear: continue with the current system and watch as stateowned institutions sink deeper into corruption and mismanag ement or adopt privatization and create a system that works for the people
and outdated tracks, have claimed hundreds of lives over the past decade Despite this, no real accountability exists and those responsible for the mismanagement go unpunished
W h a t ’
Then thereÊs Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), a oncerenowned airline now reduced to a national embarrassment Political interference has decimated the organization, with unqualified individuals being appointed to key positions based on their connections rather than merit The result is predictable: inefficiency, corruption, and financial losses that run into billions While the government continues to pump taxpayer money into the failing airline , it remains poorly manag ed and unreliable
Hezbollah still retains a fearsome arsenal, including several hundred long-range, precision- guided missiles, capable of hitting any target in Israel If launched in sufficient numbers possibly in coördination with Iran those missiles could over whelm Israel’s anti-missile defenses, potentially kill thousands of people, and lay waste to much of the countr y
E N I heard that Hassan Nasrallah Hezbollah s longtime leader had been killed last Friday in an Israeli air strike in south Beirut, my thoughts returned to a scene that has lingered in my mind for more than a decade In 2012, in a village called Sohmor, in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley I attended an open-air ceremony for two young Hezbollah fighters who had been killed in Syria where the civil war was under way In 2012 Hezbollah s intervention in Syria designed to save the teetering regime of Bashar al-Assad was still secret The public account put out by Hezbollah was that its two fighters had been killed in an accident in Lebanon But secrets are hard to keep in a village As the ceremony unfolded the crowd stirred Men appeared on rooftops carrying violin cases with rifle butts sticking out Hashem Safieddine the head of Hezbollah s executive council walked onto the stage He had a gray beard and wore a black turban, the latter signifying that he was a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Safieddine is Nasrallah’s cousin He told the mourners seated in rows of plastic chairs that this was not a sad occasion but a happy one After the ceremony had finished I introduced myself to Safieddine He gave me a startled look which suggested that I wasn t supposed to be there But what I remember most from the encounter was shaking his hand and how soft and uncalloused it was not the hand of a man who often carried a gun
This week according to some press reports Safieddine was expected to be named the new secretary-general of Hezbollah replacing his cousin Nasrallah During the thirty-two years that he ran Hezbollah Nasrallah made it the world s most powerful militia, stronger than both Lebanon s Army and the state Hezbollah was created by Iran, and is funded, armed, and sustained by Iran Lebanese in name but Iranian in loyalty with the declared purpose of destroying Israel The easiest way to visualize Hezbollah is as an Iranian aircraft carrier sitting off Israel s coast from which its missiles require the briefest flight times to reach their targets Nasrallah posed as a kind of Che Guevara of
Hamas militants from Gaza massacred twelve hundred people in southern Israel and took a couple of hundred more hostage when Hezbollah began firing rockets into the northern part of the country As recently as last week, at the United Nations, President Joe Biden, with President Emmanuel Macron, of France, and other allies, pressured Israel to accept a ceasefire in Lebanon The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignored them and pressed the attack In a series of air strikes throughout the past several months culminating in Nasrallah s killing, Hezbollah has been severely degraded, with as many of its senior leaders dead as alive, including Ibrahim Aqil, Fuad Shukr, Ali Karaki, and several others Safieddine judging from his speeches appears every bit as committed to the militant cause as his cousin was Still if Safieddine has been given the top job it s hard to imagine that he accepted it with much enthusiasm It is too early to know how the Israeli attacks will affect Lebanon itself More than a thousand civilians are dead, more than a million have fled their homes, and entire city blocks have been razed Since 2005, when the Lebanese people rose up and expelled the Syrian Army Hezbollah Syria s ally has grown ever stronger in its place The clearest illustration of Hezbollah s power is its refusal to allow the Lebanese parliament to appoint a President, based on the refusal of most of Lebanon s elected representatives to approve Hezbollah’s (and Iran’s) man In a very real sense, Hezbollah holds Lebanon hostage On Tuesday I spoke with Chibli Mallat an international lawyer who was previously a candidate for the Lebanese Presidency In the past several days Mallat has seen much of his home city, Beirut, reduced to ruins I feel sad and powerless, he told me Like many Lebanese, I hate Bibi for what he is doing, but I am very angry at Hezbollah for dragging us into this ” Hezbollah still retains a fearsome arsenal including several hundred long-range precision-guided missiles capable of hitting any target in Israel If launched in sufficient numbers possibly in coördination with Iran those missiles could overwhelm Israel s anti-missile defenses, potentially kill thousands of people, and lay waste to much of the country Before last week’s air strikes Israeli officials believed that in a war Hezbollah could fire up to three thousand missiles a day for weeks on end According to press accounts officials now say that the strikes appear to have reduced the number of Hezbollah s missiles and rockets by about half
But to attack Israel in such a way now could very likely invite Hezbollah’s destruction It may be that the group will choose to survive and to rebuild “Whatever is left of the Hezbollah leadership they have to be thinking that none of them is safe Reuel Marc Gerecht a former C I A Iranian-targets officer told me That could induce quite a level of paralysis
The harder choices, it seems, lie with Israel and Iran Israel s decision to send its forces into southern Lebanon is very risky, even if necessary During the past year some sixty thousand residents of northern Israel have been forced by Hezbollah’s bombardments to evacuate their villages and kibbutzim Netanyahu has declared that enabling them to return is a principal aim of the war And those Israelis can t and won t go home until they can be assured that they will not become victims of Hezbollah, whose fighters are dug in just across the frontier and who maintain scores of rocket launchers there When I visited a Hezbollah commander this spring at his home a couple of miles from the Israeli border I asked him if he would be willing to pull his men back in order to reassure the Israelis He laughed and pointed to the border “The only direction I’m going is that way,’’ he said Speaking to people in the Israeli government earlier this year I found opinions on launching a ground invasion to be mixed Eyal Hulata a former Israeli national-security adviser and a fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (F D D ), told me that there was no plausible way to secure Israel s northern border without sending troops into Lebanon Airpower would not be enough “There would have to be a ground invasion ’’ he said Still Israel s previous ventures into Lebanon have proved difficult and even disastrous In 1982 Israeli troops invaded Lebanon for what was initially intended to be a temporary operation, and they stayed for eighteen years, bogged down in a quagmire That invasion and subsequent occupation gave rise to Hezbollah, whose fighters were drawn mostly from Shiite towns in the south They forced the Israelis out of Lebanon under fire Robert Baer a former C I A operative in Lebanon told me earlier this year No one had ever done that In 2006, when the Israelis invaded again, Hezbollah fought them to a draw, and the Israelis departed after little more than a month A big Israeli invading force is exactly what Hezbollah has spent the past eighteen years preparing to fight A revelation of the 2006 war was the strength and sophistication of Hezbollah s tunnel networks A few years after the war ended, I obtained the G P S coördinates of a bunker that the group had used It was located at Wadi Naim, about three miles from the border, hidden from view in a valley wall I opened a trapdoor and found a ladder that led a hundred feet down to a large bunker supported by walls of reinforced steel Inside black bats hung from the ceiling There was a kitchen a bathroom and rows of beds enough space for a group of Hezbollah fighters to survive for perhaps weeks, undetected by the Israelis When I was in Lebanon earlier this year, senior Hezbollah commanders told me that the tunnel networks are now larger and stronger “We have tunnels for cars tunnels for trucks tunnels for railroad cars one said One big question is how Iran s leaders will decide to carry on after Tuesday s missile attack on Israel The attack was largely thwarted by Israel
tanzeel khanzaDa
CHINA’S ECONOMIC PL ANNER VOWS
TO STEP UP EFFORTS TO INTRODUCE A PACK AGE
Tsustainable practices and green technologies is given priority This covers the application of energy-effective vessel designs and operational processes, as well as the usage of alternative fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen, and liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) The ultimate objective is to significantly cut the shipping industry s emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) to support international efforts to reach net-zero emissions by the middle of the century Green maritime lanes provide new strategic policies, alliances, and business ideas with the perfect environment to break through the layers of complexity 44 green shipping initiatives were suggested in the Global Maritime Forum s most recent annual report which was published in December 2023 Both shallow and deep-water routes are included in this Existing green corridor initiatives include The Seattle-Tacoma-Honolulu Green Corridor, The Northern European Green Shipping Corridor The Singapore-Jakarta Green Corridor The China-Japan-Korea Green Shipping Corridor The Mediterranean Green Maritime Corridor etc However due to predicted 3% rise in sea-based transportation, more concerted efforts are required The IMO's net zero objectives and nation-specific targets necessitate cooperation Multiple parties, including ship owners, port authorities and governmental bodies must participate in decision-making Decisions must be made in four main areas of concern in the greening domain: ships ports fuel and voyage optimization Under the realm of sustainability, some of the important green corridors in development are discussed here Trans-Pacific Corridor will connect the ports in North America and Asia and will facilitate infrastructure development of zero-emission fuels GothenburgNorth Sea
CORPORATE CORNER
Explosion Near Karachi Airpor t: SIEHS-1122 teams respond amid chaos, assisting injured
CABINET SECRETARIAT INITIATES INQUIRY INTO IRREGUL ARITIES IN DG PSQCA APPOINTMENT PROCESS
ISLAMABAD
G H U L A M A B B A S
Th e Cabinet Secretariat of the establishment Division has initiated an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the appointment process of the Director General (DG) of the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) following the recent conclusion of interviews by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) under suspicious circumstances According to official documents a memorandum was issued by the Cabinet Secretariat on October 1 2024 asking the ministry to respond to complaints and reports regarding irregularities in the se-
lection process as raised by several potential candidates for the post The memorandum (3-1/2022-e-8), dated October 1, 2024, calls for an investigation into the alleged irregularities and demands the ministry provide details regarding the claims made by the complainants Sources indicate that the complaints came from candidates who participated in the interview process, questioning the adherence to MP-I scale rules earlier concerns were raised following the initial interview round held on June 25 2024 involving around 40 candidates After completing the process a panel of three candidates was expected to be proposed for final selection however the results of these interviews were never
KSrelief launches Rs4b public welfare projects in Pakistan
The King Salman humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has announced a series of significant public welfare projects worth approximately Rs 4 billion aimed at rebuilding communities in Pakistan affected by natural disasters This initiative highlights KSrelief s commitment to sustainable recovery and long-term development in the country h e engineer Ahmed Ali Al-Baiz, Assistant Supervisor General of Operations at KSrelief, signed four Joint Cooperation Programs (JCP) with key Pakistani institutions including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) National Commission for human Development (NChD) Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), and the State earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority (SeRRA) In addition, eight contracts for public facilitation projects were formalized The signing ceremony was attended by Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan h e Nawaf Bin Said AlMalki, representatives from the NDMA, and country heads from various UN missions in Pakistan These projects span several sectors, including housing, education healthcare water sanitation hygiene (WASh) and disaster preparedness Key initiatives include the construction of the National humanitarian Response Facility for NDMA which will enhance Pakistan s capacity to store and distribute emergency relief supplies Additionally, 1,000 permanent houses will be built for families displaced by the 2022 floods benefiting around 7 000 individuals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab Another major project involves the construction of 300 Community Feeder Schools across underserved regions like Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir These schools, powered by solar energy and equipped with clean drinking water facilities, will provide education to approximately 15 000 children and indirectly benefit over 100 000 people The schools will be handed over to the NChD for long-term management KSrelief will also reconstruct four government schools in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, damaged by the 2005 earthquake, ensuring a safe learning environment for 3,400 students
announced and a second round of interviews took place on September 19-20 2024, involving the same candidates This unusual decision, despite the earlier process being completed, has raised concerns about favoritism Allegations of favoritism were further amplified when Dr
Pak Sovereign Wealth Fund & Financial Investment: Ex-SBP Governor briefs Federal Minister Aleem Khan
In the investment sector there has been major development according to which Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund will be established by heavy investment in the financial sector In this regard, Alvarez Marsal Middle east group will float financial investment in Pakistan and there will be huge investment in financial sector Former Governor of State Bank Dr Raza Baqir along with the financial team called on Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Privatization & Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and held a detail briefing in which Dr Raza Baqir informed about the details of the establishment of Sovereign Wealth Fund Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said that the Government is extending all possible support and facilities for investment while joint business projects are being starting with China Russia, Central Asian states and other countries he added that the present Government taking longlasting measures to improve the financial performance of Pakistan and stable the economy he indicated that in stock exchange another record has been achieved which is also proof of the improvement Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan further said that the establishment of the Wealth Fund will be another mile stone and we will welcome all kinds of foreign investment he said that good governance can be ensured only by improving financial discipline and the establishment of such funds will be an expression of global confidence in the current policies that the present Government has introduced during the last six months
TA
The Directorate of Students’ Affairs (DSA) of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) organized a lecture titled Society State and Nationhood in the 21st Century organized by the Students Advisor Office at the male Campus of the International Islamic University, Islamabad On this occasion, Chief Guest of the seminar, Brigadier (Retired) Tahir Mehmood, a distinguished figure renowned for his contributions as an author and freelance contributor to the national print media briefed the students of the university as per the theme of the seminar During his presentation Brigadier (Retired) Tahir Mehmood shed light on the relationship between society, state, and the concept of nationhood within the context of Pakistan and shared history of the sub-continent In addition he also shared the historical foundations of Pakistani nationhood before and after the creation of Pakistan Brigadier Rtd Tahir Mehmood with a rich background of three decades of service in the Pakistan Army and his role as Director Publications and Chief editor of four distinct monthly magazines within the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate graced the occasion his noteworthy achievements also include the launch of two new magazines including one specifically catered to women s interests
Chancellor the enhancement of skills training certifications in collaboration with the government of Germany She highlighted the high demand for skilled manpower in both local and international markets stressing that to empower deserving individuals socially and economically it is essential that their skills are certified to international standards This would enable them to find employment more easily, increase their income, and
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have sent our recommendations to the minister and now it is up to the parliament to in-
Bhutto
signed the
which there was a proposal to set up a constitutional court Naek said that it was the law ministry’s job to issue the notification for the appointment of a new chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) “I think the appointment of the new CJP will be notified prior to the retirement of Justice Qazi Faez Isa
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin
Naqvi chaired an important meeting at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to review preparations and arrangements for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit
The meeting also focused on the beautification efforts underway in Islamabad and other development projects
During the session, Minister Naqvi emphasized the need for extensive beautification of key areas particularly the Red Zone and VIP routes
He directed that attractive landscaping be implemented along major roads and instructed that the entire city be adorned with vibrant flowers and decorative lights in preparation for the international event
Minister Naqvi highlighted
the importance of completing renovation work on the Jinnah Convention Center assigning the task of finishing the project promptly
He stressed the significance of hosting the SCO Summit, noting it as a reflection of the government’s successful foreign policy efforts
Special attention must be given to the beautification and cleanliness of Islamabad, with a focus on VIP routes and the Red Zone,” said Naqvi
He added that these measures were vital to enhancing the city’s appearance ahead of the summit Security arrangements for the SCO Summit were also reviewed during the meeting
The Interior Minister gave clear directives to take firm action against illegal housing societies stressing the importance of keeping Islamabad free from unauthorized constructions and encroachments
“There should be no leniency in actions to remove illegal constructions in the city Naqvi stated firmly
In addition to the summit preparations, the meeting addressed public health concerns, particularly dengue prevention Minister Naqvi instructed the Commissioners of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to work together to enhance coordination in boundary areas and to focus on eliminating dengue breeding grounds through joint operations
The Interior Minister further emphasized that surveillance should be intensified around areas where dengue cases have been reported Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa provided a detailed briefing on the progress of preparations for the SCO Summit ensuring that all necessary arrangements were on track
