GOVT, OPPOSITION WORKING ON ‘JOINT DRAFT’ OF PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
MA J O R political parties, including the opposition, on Friday decided to move
wards reaching a consensus and bringing about a joint draft for amending the Constitution, a first breakthrough after days of deadlock, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said The ‘Constitutional Package’ among other things aims to set up a federal constitutional court
The
Fazl, while talking to journalists today, said that the government presented their draft for the constitutional amendments before his party for the first time The statement came after a meeting of the Special Committee of Parliament
today to hold a discussion on the proposed constitutional amendments The fifth in-camera meeting was attended by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentarians and federal ministers The JUI-F top leader said that the PPP had also given suggestions adding that the parties will begin consultations
Govt set to introduce constitutional amendment bill in NA on Oct 18
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
The ruling coalition is expected to present the highly anticipated constitutional amendment bill in the National Assembly on October 18
In preparation for this the government has restricted its members of parliament (MPs) from traveling abroad until that date particularly in light of the upcoming 26th amendment
with the government in this regard He said that the JUI-F would hold consultations with the PPP separately Moreover the party will also share its draft with the PTI as well to reach a consensus, the veteran politician added Fazl, however, declined to mention the time by which the constitutional matter will be resolved “Right now we have just agreed to reach an agreement on the
proposed constitutional amendments
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said that many suggestions have been presented before the committee At least the uncertainty which had been created has now come to an end he added
Commenting on the contents of the joint draft, the law minister said that the amendments suggest what should be the authority and formation of the judicial commission Moreover the establishment of constitutional courts and judges transfer has also been discussed
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, PPP Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari said that all the political parties expressed their opinion in the meeting
The PPP also presented its draft before the committee while the government informed the committee about its consultation with the lawyers bodies “Maulana Fazlur Rehman reiterated his stance that he wants to present the joint draft with the PPP he said while referring to the JUI-F chief
Draft of proposed constitutional amendments received by PTI, confirms Dogar
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) law-
Earlier today a meeting between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan People s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari resulted in an agreement on the constitutional amendment
Furthermore, former MNAs, who were previously de-notified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have been instructed to return to Islamabad by October 17 Speculation suggests that the ECP may reconsider its earlier decision regarding the de-notification of these MNAs prior to the National Assembly session
operation was conducted to find the remaining bodies Speaking to reporters, DC Kakar said the victims belonged to various regions of Pakistan, as well as Afghanistan Seven injured individuals have been transferred to Loralai Tehsil Headquarters for medical treatment he said adding that the deceased will be transported to their native towns once all necessary procedures were completed
maker Amir Dogar confirmed that the party has received a draft of proposed constitutional amendments during a recent committee meeting He noted that the National Assembly session initially planned for yesterday would be postponed until after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, delaying any further discussions on constitutional amendments
until then Dogar stated that PTI will consult its political committee and senior leadership on the draft and hold additional talks on the matter He criticized the draft presented by the government, claiming it contained significant ambiguities and lacked clarity Dogar mentioned that both the People s Party and the federal government had shared their amendment drafts with the committee, and further sessions are planned to reach a consensus, though the process will take time
SC full cour t reference for outgoing CJP Qazi Faez Isa set for Oct 25
A full court reference for outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP)
Qazi Faez Isa has been scheduled for October 25 according to a letter from the Supreme Court registrar The development emerged in a letter from Supreme Court Registrar Jazeela Aslam dated Friday surfaced written to Supreme Court Bar Association President Shahzad Shaukat Justice Mansoor Ali Shah is next in line to be the country s top judge after CJP Isa s retirement Since August, there have been rumours that the government was planning to extend CJP Isa’s tenure in office Sources within the ruling coalition had claimed that some crucial amendments were on the cards Without elaboration, a source had said the amendments would be tabled in the house through a supplementary agenda indicating that it may be about a uniform extension in the retirement age of superior court judges
The opposition has opposed any such move, with PTI Founder Imran Khan warning of a nationwide protest if the chief justice’s tenure was extended
In an informal talk with reporters in Islamabad after addressing a full court to mark the beginning of the new judicial year CJP Isa was asked about his reportedly agreeing to an extension if it was applied to all judges Dismissing the claims made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif s political adviser Rana Sanaullah that CJP Isa would accept the proposal if the age limit was extended for all judges the top judge had reiterated that he had refused any extension to his tenure
However, the Supreme Court had subsequently regretted that “an off-the-record conversation between CJP Isa and journalists” was unnecessarily and largely inaccurately reported and published resulting in unwarranted sensationalism
A press release issued with the signature of CJP’s Secretary Dr Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad had explained that “giving unnecessary attention and importance to individuals detracts from what was important institutions and it be ensured that they serve the people
Born in Quetta on October 26, 1959, CJP Isa is the son of the late Qazi Mohammad Isa of Pishin who was at the forefront of the
Pakistan Movement and a close as-
sociate of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
CJP Isa’s father was the first person from the province to acquire the Bar-at-Law degree and helped establish the All India Muslim League in Balochistan after his return from London His father had served as the only member on the Central Working Committee of the All India Muslim League from Balochistan Begum Saida Isa CJP Isa s mother, was a social worker and worked in an honorary capacity on the boards of hospitals and other charitable organisations which focused on education children and women s health issues
After completing his primary and secondary education in Quetta, Isa moved to Karachi to finish his ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels at the Karachi Grammar School (KGS) He then went on to study law in London where he completed his Bar Professional Examination from the Inns of Court School Law London CJP Isa enrolled as an Advocate of the Balochistan High Court on January 30, 1985, and as an Advocate Supreme Court in March 1998
of
misreport turnovers, claim excessive input taxes and utilise fake invoices Sales Tax in Pakistan which is collected via the VAT mode relies on businesses to collect taxes from buyers a system that has been extensively breached, according to the minister
The minister highlighted that malpractices were rampant across five key sectors: Iron and Steel Cement Beverages Batteries and Textiles
In the iron and steel sector, 33 large businesses, which represent more than half of the total sector sales, were found to have evaded Rs 29 billion in sales tax primarily through fraudulent claims on scrap metal and coal purchases
Similarly in the battery sector six active cases accounting for 99% of the total sales claimed Rs 11 billion in excessive input taxes, mainly from lead purchases In the cement sector, 19 active cases claimed Rs 18 billion in excessive input taxes for FY23-24 chiefly through coal purchases Furthermore the beverages sector with 16 active cases covering 99% of aerated water sales, claimed Rs 15 bil-
lion in excessive input taxes primarily through purchases of sugar, plastics, and services Meanwhile the textile sector with 228 active cases claimed Rs 169 billion in excessive input taxes predominantly from services
strength of Pakistan s payment system, stating, “Pakistan is positioning itself as a leader in digital financial services within the region ” The report reflects SBP s commitment to innovation and continued development of the digital payments ecosystem to foster financial inclusion
in biotechnology and pharmaceutical production and positions the KSA as a global exporter of pharmaceutical products As part of the agreement Citi Pharma Limited will bring its extensive technical expertise and oversee technology transfer to Saudi Arabia, ensuring the production of high-quality APIs and formulations compliant with international Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) read the notice All Care Group of Investment will be responsible for land acquisition and
infrastructure development, product registration with Saudi regulatory authorities and financing secured through local banking institutions
The joint venture will focus on manufacturing essential APIs and formulation products to meet the healthcare needs of the KSA and the broader MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region which serves a population of over 500 million
The facility will also act as a strategic export hub targeting markets in MENA South Africa, and beyond With Saudi Arabia s access to abundant and cost-effective raw materials, the venture will enhance production efficiency and position Citi Pharma as a significant player in the global pharmaceutical landscape Additionally this partnership opens the door to exporting Citi Pharma s products to other regions, including India, China, and other international markets across the globe
A major highlight of this venture is the future local production of key chemicals like Naphtha cracker chemicals Phenol and Benzene materials
that Citi Pharma currently imports With the establishment of this Saudi-based facility Citi Pharma will be able to produce these chemicals at significantly lower costs and export them worldwide ensuring competitive pricing and broad market reach Commenting on the partnership, Mr Rizwan Ahmad, CEO of Citi Pharma Limited stated: “This joint venture is a significant milestone in our journey towards becoming a global pharmaceutical leader By combining Citi Pharma s technical expertise with Saudi Arabia s strategic resources, we are set to manufacture affordable, high-quality APIs and formulations, not only for local consumption but also for export to international markets This partnership will accelerate our growth allowing us to expand into new territories and deliver substantial financial gains
Through this joint venture, Citi Pharma is poised to play a crucial role in the development of the Saudi pharmaceutical sector while broadening its global footprint across key regions of the world
draft” despite having a two-thirds majority then it is for the best he said However he said that how long will the government wait for a joint draft to be finalised, with all the other tasks pending The PPP chief said that he wants JUIF to present its draft before the PPP as the latter has presented before the former Bilawal the former foreign minister
further said that the ruling coalition decided that they would not bring the constitutional amendments before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which is scheduled to take place in Islamabad on October 15 and 16 A report published by The News said that the PML-N and the PPP have made significant progress in their discussions reaching a consensus on the draft of proposed constitutional amendments
This breakthrough occurred during Thursday’s crucial meeting at the Punjab House between PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Bilawal Meanwhile sources said that the PTI had not yet made any statement regarding today s meeting They said that the Imran Khan-led party would make the final statement after meeting him in Adiala jail where he is currently prohibited PPP proposes provincial constitutional courts in line with federal structure The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has released a draft of constitutional amendments proposing more than 20 changes including the establishment of provincial constitutional courts in line with federal structures
According to the draft, the PPP has suggested amendments to Articles 175 191 189 175B 209A and 210 with an additional amendment proposed
WH E N a Test team makes 556 it does not expect to lose the match At worst it might let the other side escape with a draw It certainly does not expect to go down to an innings defeat Yet that is exactly what happened on Friday in Multan, as Pakistan relaxed so much after its imposing total on the first day and a bit, that it conceded a 267-run lead, which it could not knock off and set a target If the England bowlers allowed three Pakistani batsmen to score hundreds in their first innings on the way to an imposing total, in the second innings they conceded only two fifties, and that was after they had already ripped the heart out of the Pakistani batting Pakistani cricket fans will hang their heads in shame whenever they are mentioned as the only team in 2553 Tests to lose by an innings after making 500 This ranks with the thrashing by an innings and 579 runs in 1938 that England administered to Australia Apart from the winner being England, another commonality was that the losers batted a man short; Pakistan was deprived of the batting of Ibrar Ahmad, Australia of that of the great Don Bradman
The last time England visited, they also managed to beat Pakistan after the latter had scored 579, but they themselves had made 657 Harry Brook, whose 337 was the backbone of its latest effort Top scored The rot is not just because of one loss It comes on the heels of a whitewash by Bangladesh and reflects some deeper malaise After all Pakistan has now failed to win at home for 11 matches and Shan Masud has skippered Pakistan in six consecutive defeats At the moment, it does not seem that there is a quick-fix solution
Matters have declined to the extent that merely changing the captain, or even the PCB chairman, will not help It seems difficult that either can remain in his job after this, even the former can probably claim that he is essential to the T20I World Cup Pakistan is hosting A start has been made by inducting a number of new selectors, but it is only if they accept that the problem might not be fixed in a day, or even a season is it possible for something to happen A purge is now unavoidable because all Pakistan cricket can now count on is a lot of devoted fans And today they are also disappointed
the
A year of massacres
AF T E R a year, the Israeli of Gaza has gone beyond the expectations of all concerned, but if one lesson is to learnt from the killing which has led to the killing of over 43 000 people it is that Israel is not secure and may well have lost the purpose for which it was created Israel finds that the search for security is leading it into ever wider circles of violence Apart from the violence in the Gaza Strip, it has engaged with Hezbollah in Lebanon and after killing its leader Hassan Nasrallah has found itself doubly trapped The trap is of its own making It has engaged in both military adventures without clear war aims or rather it has set itself war aims which are both vague and impossible to achieve The Israeli Defence Forces probably deserve little sympathy, because members have committed war crimes so repeatedly and frequently that the entire command structure is complicit but they are to be commiserated with because their targets in Lebanon are probably more difficult to meet than those in Gaza, which were themselves not easy to achieve Wiping out Hamas, and ensuring that it will never be able to endanger Israelis again is probably not possible, unless it can destroy the ability of Hamas’ external supporter or supporters to help it That does not mean Hezbollah but also the power that backs Hezbollah Iran Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has already said that Iran does not want an expansion of the conflict, but Iran s nuclear weapons (if any) are not under his control How far can Iran tolerate Israel’s bad behaviour? It has tolerated the assassination of its nuclear scientists However one estimate is that Israel cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear programme The only way to do that would be to conquer, occupy and disarm Iraan There is the likelihood that the USA cannot do it, so even if Israel was to ask, there is no guarantee the USA will even try Israel also faces the conundrum of what happens if Palestinian resistance fighters were to find support even further east than Iran Israel may have neutralized the Arab supporters of the Palestinians but there is the whole Ajami world east of Iran untapped It should not be forgotten that so long as Palestine was just an Arab cause, it was that of just another Arab nationalism but as a Muslim cause it is that of Masjid Al-Aqsa which is one of only three Harams the other two being Makkah and Madinah Iranian support for Palestine is a reflection of that, as is the Ajami support from Pakistan east to Indonesia Thousands of Gazans have been killed, more have been left homeless, left to suffer the vagaries of the weather The schools and hospitals they had were already set up by refugees and aid organiza-
tions Now even that thin social capital has been destroyed Yet that is perhaps the main takeaway from the mind-numbing slaughter It is the Israeli sense of impunity
which have been filmed and then uploaded on social media People have been killed prisoners tortured and civilian property des troyed N ormally those committing a crime know it, and try to hide the evidence As a result, certain forms of behaviour (‘loitering with intent’) have been criminalized However, criminals who not only fil to hide, but themselves disseminate the evidence are obv
brought to trial
This exceptionalism is borrowed from the USA which also denies the International Criminal Court jurisdiction over its citizens The IDF insists that it has foolproof means of accountability, and therefore it has no reason to allow jurisdiction of the ICC The ICC developed from the Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals which tried various German and Japanese politicians and commanders for war crimes and other crimes against humanity Ironically, one of the charges against the German accused was complicity in the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were systematically slaughtered Israel has continued to claim the right to try Holocaust accused Perhaps the most extreme example of far the Israeli state was willing to go against perpetrators of the Holocaust ws how it first traced Adolf Eichmann, then kidnapped him from Argentina, brought for trial by the Israeli Supreme Court (which would not normally act as a trial court, there being no court competent to hear an appeal from it) found guilty and then executed in 1962 becoming the only ever person executed in Israel He was convicted of having masterminded the Final Solution , or the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were killed By that token, it should be willing to let its troops be tried for war crimes, but it prefers to stay out In this it is much like the USA and it is almost as if it has learnt its exceptionalism from the USA
India’s radioactive black market
gravely undermined its self-proclaimed status as a responsible nuclear state These repeated breaches expose severe flaws in India s safety and security system This was underscored by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a leading U S non-proliferation watchdog which recently placed India at the bottom of its “Nuclear Security Index due to its gross mishandling of nuclear materials
it to pursue its nuclear ambitions
Today,
irony has evolved into a grave danger: India’s thriving black market for radioactive materials now poses a
a
more insidious threat to global security On 17 August the discovery of radioactive material at Lucknow s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport sent shockwaves across the world This is not the first incident of this nature In India, theft and illegal sale of nuclear and radioactive materials have alarmingly become a routine exposing the country’s gross negligence in safeguarding these lethal substances Similarly on 9 August three smugglers were arrested in Bihar s Gopalganj district with 50 grams of Californium a rare and highly radioactive substance with a black-market value of nearly Indian Rs 8 5 billion The exact isotopes involved remain unidentified as forensic evaluations drag on further highlighting the dismal state of India s nuclear oversight Yet the mere presence of Californium particularly isotopes like Cf-249, Cf-251, and the more sinister Cf-252 raises alarming questions The possibility of these isotopes being exploited for catastrophic purposes warrants serious consideration Since India joined the Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) in 1993 it has reported 27 incidents of nuclear or radioactive material slipping out of regulatory control The
of nuclear installations is a cornerstone of any
and
in India has
While the incidents reflect a severe and repeated lapse on part of India, the muted response from the international community, particularly the USA, is equally concerning Californium is not found in nature; it is synthetically produced in extremely limited quantities at only two facilities globally: the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the USA and the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors in Dimitrovgrad, Russia Oak Ridge produces approximately 0 25 grams per year, while Dimitrovgrad’s output is a mere 0 025 grams annually This substance has crucial applications such as serving as a primary neutron source for starting nuclear reactors elemental analysis of nuclear fuel and explosives, neutron radiography, and cancer therapy However, on top of all, Cf-252, with its extremely high rate of spontaneous fission, can be used to craft dirty bombs making it an ideal choice for radiological terrorism
If the trend of theft of radioactive material continues in India unabated as history suggests, it can turn world s worst fears into reality India enabling the rogue elements in making a dirty bomb would be catastrophic for the world Also with India’s history of apportioning blame for every ill on Pakistan the chance of raising a false flag and pinning blame on or connecting the making of the dirty bomb to, Pakistan could also become a real possibility
To shift the blame away from itself, India would very conveniently scapegoat Pakistan Ironically history also suggests that the West
has repeatedly failed to call
spade
spade, whether it be nuclear safety and security or
pied Kashmir It has only been in the case of
of Canadian and US nationals on their own
nation of India, which has also not been ef-
Nuclear theft incidents reveal a substantial gap in IndiaÊs system far more than a mere flaw allowing criminals to openly trade nuclear materials on the black market besides raising serious concerns about potential involvement of government officials in these dang erous activities Israel is worse off af ter a year of gorging itself on G azan blood At Penpoint
fectively followed through Political and economic interests have always trumped moral and ethical aspects
Disturbingly, recent reports also indicate that Indian non-state actors have somehow secured access to californium exposing the profound shortcomings of India’s nuclear security infrastructure Given its inherent volatility and catastrophic potential the question is no longer hypothetical; it s not a matter of if these actors will deploy it, but when and how devastating the consequences will be The acquisition of californium by such groups signals the preparation for an unprecedented act of radiological terrorism one that could far surpass anything we have previously encountered
The West especially the major powers need to put aside their political interests in the larger interest of the safety and wellbeing of the billions of people that inhabit this planet Following a 2008 exemption from the NSG India gained access to the international uranium market amassing a significant uranium reserve In the light of poor security of nuclear materials it is crucial for NSG countries to take decisive action and withhold India s waiver status for its lapses in nuclear security
India is a party to both the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and UNSC Resolution 1540 which aim to enhance global security by preventing nuclear proliferation and safeguarding nuclear materials However, India s irresponsible behavior on these counts threatens to undermine these commitments and weaken the broader non-proliferation regimes Such actions jeopardize the effectiveness of these international agreements and compromise global efforts to prevent nuclear threats
Nuclear theft incidents reveal a substantial gap in India s system far more than a mere flaw allowing criminals to openly trade nuclear materials on the black market besides raising serious concerns about potential involvement of government officials in these dangerous activities With nuclear safety and security being a national responsibility it is imperative that India takes comprehensive and immediate measures to overhaul its nuclear security protocols, ensuring that such dangerous lapses never recur The time to act is now before the next breach leads to an irreversible disaster
The writer is a freelance columnist
Where is the justice?
Teacher’s
TBangladesh: Power shifts, lobbying and geopolitical stakes
ence in Bangladesh, particularly if the Democratic Party remains in power India’s objective is not to distance itself from Hasina but to ensure that her political network remains intact allowing India to manipulate the situation in its favour
One more important factor which might be missing the attention of many, is that sitting in India almost in isolation, Sheikh Hasina is currently unable to mobilize her actual efforts against Dr Yunus and his government Once she lands in any third country she will begin aggressively pushing her agenda against the government thus channelling millions of dollars– as we all know, Awami League leaders, including family members of Mujib family are filthy rich, where they will have no problem in spending even few hundred million dollars for ousting Yunus and paving the way for the return to Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh It is important to note lobbying in Washington is a well-established mechanism that has become an integral part of foreign policy, particularly for smaller nations like Bangladesh At the same time in the US Capitol all of those mighty figures including Senators and members of the Congress are readily available for extending lobbyist services, openly or secretly, in favour of any foreign clients While it is well-known that Dr Yunus, has strong connections with the Democratic Party do if the Democrats maintain control of the White House following the November
5 election, and once Barack Obama s protege Kamala Harris wins, Yunus’s influence could further expand, leading to a major shift in US-Bangladesh relations In this case Washington may advance its military interest by establishing a military base in Bangladesh which would be difficult for Dr Yunus to refuse Meanwhile, under the Biden Administration, although Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and her family members and inner circle accused of widespread corruption and mismanagement should have fallen under US sanctions or other punitive measures, there has never been any such action It seems the Biden Administration does not want to completely cut off its relations with Sheikh Hasina On the other hand if the Republican Party s candidate Donald Trump wins and there is a prediction of such an outcone a very different approach will emerge Trump is likely to view Bangladesh s interim government, particularly Dr Yunus, with the same suspicion and hostility that the Biden Administration held toward Myanmar ’s former leader Aung San Suu Kyi Sheikh Hasina and her supporters who have accumulated vast wealth over years of massive financial misdeeds and corruption, would likely spend millions of dollars in lobbying efforts to secure favourable outcomes in Washington and London in particular They may also spend significantly on the Western media as it is well-known almost
all of those media are readily available for extending favour in exchange for cash Given the precedent of how lobbying has worked in the past it is not far-fetched to imagine Hasina utilizing her resources to sway opinions on the US Capitol and influence US policy in favour of her continued political relevance Lobbyists, whose influence can be bought for a hefty price, would undoubtedly jump at the opportunity to represent Hasina’s interests Despite the political manoeuvring aimed at sidelining Sheikh Hasina the peculiar nature of lobbying in the USA and the IJ presents her with a potential pathway to return to power In both countries, lobbying is a legal and highly lucrative business, where money can be used to influence governmental decisions Hasina with her extensive financial resources and Indian connections can easily mount a campaign from abroad to reassert herself in Bangladesh s political landscape The problem with this approach is that it opens Bangladesh to the dangers of foreign influence particularly from powerful countries like the USA and India both of which are keenly interested in the country s political landscape Hasina s ability to utilize lobbyists
India has a vested interest in keeping Hasina in a position of influence albeit from behind the scenes India s strategic game revolves around ensuring Hasina remains a key player, but not necessarily within India By removing her physically from the country, India seeks to control her role and use her as leverage to maintain influence over Bangladesh’s political apparatus Some argue that India would prefer to have Hasina operating from abroad making her a more malleable figure for Indian interests Once Hasina is outside India, Hindutva lobbyists in Washington will likely increase their efforts to secure India’s influ-
‘No propaganda on ear th can hide the wound that is Palestine’
was born
was celebrated as a ‘land without people for people without a land The nuclear-armed state of Israel was to serve as a military outpost and gateway to the natural wealth and resources of the Middle East for US and Europe A lovely coincidence of aims and objectives
The new state was supported unhesitatingly and unflinchingly armed and bankrolled coddled and applauded no matter what crimes it committed It grew up like a protected child in a wealthy home whose parents smile proudly as it commits atrocity upon atrocity No wonder today it feels free to boast openly about committing genocide (At least The Pentagon Papers were secret They had to be stolen And leaked ) No wonder Israeli soldiers seem to have lost all sense of decency No wonder they flood the social media with depraved videos of themselves wearing the lingerie of women they have killed or displaced videos of themselves mimicking dying Palestinians and wounded children or raped and tortured prisoners, images of themselves blowing up buildings while they smoke cigarettes or jive to music on their headphones Who are these people? What can possibly justify what Israel is doing? The answer according to Israel and its allies as well as the Western media is the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th last year The killing of Israeli civilians and the taking of Israeli hostages According to them, history only began a year ago So this is the part in my speech where I am expected to equivocate to protect myself my neutrality my intellectual standing This is the part
shopping instead I refuse to play the condemnation game Let me make myself clear I
tober 7th by Hamas – constitute war crimes However there cannot be an equivalence between this and what Israel and the United States are doing in Gaza in the West Bank and now in Lebanon The root of all the violence, including the violence of October 7th, is Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land and its subjugation of the Palestinian people History did not begin on 7 October 2023
I ask you which of us sitting in this hall would willingly submit to the indignity that Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have been subjected to for decades? What peaceful means have the Palestinian people not tried? What compromise have they not accepted other than the one that requires them to crawl on their knees and eat dirt?
Israel is not fighting a war of self-defence It is fighting a war of aggression A war to occupy more territory to strengthen its Apartheid apparatus and tighten its control on Palestinian people and the region
Since October 7th 2023, apart from the tens of thousands of people it has killed, Israel has displaced the majority of Gaza’s population many times over It has bombed hospitals It has deliberately targeted and killed doctors aid workers and journalists A whole population is being starved – their history is sought to be erased All this is supported both morally and materially by the wealthiest, most powerful governments in the world And their media (Here I include my country, India, which supplies Israel with weapons, as well as thousands of workers ) There is no daylight between these countries and Israel In the last year alone the US has spent 17 9 billion dollars in military aid to Israel So let us once and for all dispense with the lie about the US being a mediator, a restraining influence, or as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (considered to be on the extreme Left of mainstream US politics) put it, ‘working tirelessly for a ceasefire’ A party to the genocide cannot be a mediator Not all the power and money not all the weapons and propaganda on earth can any longer hide the wound that is Palestine The wound through which the whole world,
M A hossAin
Premier Li: China ready to promote stable, positive ties with EU
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O S H A N D I G I TA L A C C O U N T S AT T R A C T $ 8 . 7 B N I N F O U R Y E A R S
S ilicon Valleys in the Making: Pakistan’s tech boom and star tups Revolution
Due
how’s that
nation Pakistan and what does it mean for the future?
A free and open socio-economic architecture has allowed the advanced countries to move up the value chain, which in turn opens up a wide range of tool activities for other producers which might be able to gain a larger stake One such player is Pakistan Since there has been an unprecedented decline in
commodity prices at the global
els, there have been winners and losers What has happened is that net income has now been redistributed from being concentrated to being diluted in the hands of many consumers/producers such as Pakistan and Bangladesh Mobilising effective tax reforms, reducing inefficient subsidies and crafting sectors into proportionate need fulfilment have allowed the country to build a strong foundation for emerging markets and tech startups Now why are these tech startups imperative for a country like pakistan? Well, in alignment with
The Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) hosted its prestigious High Achievers Ceremony on October 10, 2024, at the Professional Development Centre North (PDCN) in Gilgit, recognising the exceptional accomplishments of students from Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral The event held under the theme Roots of Hope celebrated the students as symbols of hope and progress for their communities and the nation Chief Guest Professor, Dr Anjum Halai, Vice Provost at Aga Khan University, commended the students for their resilience and outstanding academic performance
International Cer tification for Children’s
its Children’s Emergency Room This landmark achievement highlights the Government of Sindh s unwavering commitment to enhancing healthcare standards and providing
notch medical services for the children of the province The Children s Emergency Room, managed by ChildLife Foundation, has achieved Level 5 status, reflecting the highest quality standards as per SafeCare’s rigorous evaluation criteria This certification serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the exceptional healthcare team alongside the continuous support from the Ministry of Health Government of Sindh
JAMRUD JIRGA PARTICIPANTS MUST BE
GANDAPUR
others injured It is deeply upsetting Gandapur said Our people have demanded peace because they have suffered and sacrificed so much Nations are formed through sacrifices,” he said “I hope the sacrifices bear fruit ” Khyber Pakhtunkhwa information adviser Barrister Saif on Friday took to X to announce that the jirga with the federal government was successful adding that the parties reached an agreement on many points in the negotiations to promote
Khalilur Rehman Qamar vows to seek justice against Amina Arooj, gang after
responsible for his suffering would face “consequences ” “They assaulted me, and I will not forgive them They must receive strict punishment Qamar asserted describing Arooj and her associates as dangerous individuals previously wanted in multiple murder cases Qamar declared, Respect is in the hands of God I will not rest until they are punished First, I will deal with this gang, then with the trolls We are working legally, and the trolls on social media will also face justice ” Khalilur Rehman Qamar is renowned for his work as a screenwriter for successful television dramas and films including Munjali Sadqay Tumhare and Mere Pass Tum Ho In related news, a written verdict has been issued rejecting the bail request of Yasir Ali, the accused in the kidnapping case involving Qamar Judge Arshad Javed of the Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court released a two-page verdict stating that Yasir Ali had allegedly demanded money from Qamar during the investigation The court noted that Yasir Ali s phone calls and mobile call data records matched those of the victim, and he was identified during an identification parade Additionally, evidence linked to the case was recovered from the accused, leading to the rejection of his bail The plaintiff ’s arguments were represented by advocates Mudassir Chaudhry and Zain Qureshi On July 15 2024 Khalilur Rehman Qamar was allegedly abducted and robbed in Lahore with Qamar reporting the incident to the police on July 21 after being released following a ransom payment The incident reportedly began when Qamar was invited to Amina Arooj’s home to discuss a drama project However Qamar ’s lawyer claims that armed men abducted him Amina s lawyer provides a differing account alleging that Qamar s manager initially contacted Amina for professional reasons which escalated when Qamar allegedly made inappropriate demands According to Amina’s lawyer, Qamar arrived intoxicated at their second meeting pressuring Amina for a physical relationship and threatening to leak photos if she refused It is claimed that Hasan Shah identified as the alleged mastermind then arrived and reportedly kidnapped both Amina and Qamar Amina later accused the police of torturing her into falsely labeling the incident as a honey trap, further complicating the case This incident has garnered widespread media attention with conflicting narratives emerging from both sides
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif saif that passing constitutional amendments is not a ‘do or die’ issue for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led federal government
Speaking at a private TV channel program, the minister said that the government is going to table three constitutional amendments all of which are in ‘accordance’ with the Charter of Democracy
The establishment of a constitutional court is also among the proposed amendments, the defence minister added He said that the government wants the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman to back
the constitutional amendments Maulana Fazlur Rehman is being persuaded to support constitutional amendments, Khawaja Asif said Speaking on the stance of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkwa the defence minister said that Ali Amin Gandapur s actions have gone beyond a simple software update Ali Amin Gandapur is trying to cover up after doing all the work (violent protests) Politics of reconciliation and resistance cannot be done together Khawaja Asif said
The defence minister also questioned the silence of PTI founder Imran Khan on Ali Amin Gandapur s actions, suggesting that there must be a reason behind it
Read More: ‘Fazlur Rehman stands firm on constitutional
amendments stance Khawaja Asif said that the chief minister s script was written beforehand and the PTI founder has been saving him for a rainy day Earlier Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders met with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss proposed constitutional amendments Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman stands firm on his ‘historical stance on the constitutional amendments The nation will receive good news in the coming days, Salman Akram Raja said He added that Maulana Fazlur Rehman has saved the nation by not supporting the constitutional amendments
Z ardari, Putin vow to boost bilateral ties on A shgabat huddle sidelines
ASHGABAT S TA F F R E P O R T
President Asif Ali Zardari and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday emphasised further strengthening of bilateral relationship between the two countries
The development came during an informal meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of twoday international forum on “Interrelation of Times and CivilisationsBasis for Peace and Development” here in the Turkmen capital
The moot was held to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Magtymguly Faragi, a great Turkmen thinker, poet and philosopher
Both leaders expressed good wishes for each other according to a statement issued by the President House
Earlier the president who arrived here on Thursday for a two-
day visit also addressed the forum which was also attended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Russian President Vladimir Putin Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Tajik President Emomali Rehmon, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and others
In his address, the president stressed need to focus on promoting connectivity among regional countries and help strengthen cultures and economic cooperation
He said Pakistan and Turkmenistan share a deep rooted bond of brotherhood which is built on a mutual respect, commonality of faith and a shared vision of a better peaceful future
The president extended his heartfelt appreciation to the government and brotherly people of Turkmenistan for organising pres-
tigious event aimed at promoting understanding, peace and dialogue among cultures President Zardari expressed his delight to share that our national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal and towering figure of Turkmen literature Makhdum Gulli Fraghi share several commonalities in their poetry and thoughts on Sufism and nationalism He commend the president of Turkmenistan Sardar Berdi Muhammedov for organising this event to promote the works of Makhdum Gulli Fraghi as well as providing an opportunity to interact with the leadership of regional countries that would help strengthen our bonds of friendship
The president also congratulated the Turkmen nation on the announcement of 2024 as the Year of the great poet and thinker of the Turkic world- Makhdum Gulli
PM Shehbaz raises salaries of Islamabad Police
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced on Friday that the bye-election for the vacant Punjab Assembly seat PP-139 Sheikhupura-IV will be held on December 5, 2024 The seat has become vacant following the death of PML-N MPA Rana Afzaal Hussain As per the schedule a public notice will be released on October 18 2024 candidates can submit their nomination papers to the returning officers between October 21 and October 24, 2024 The list of nominated candidates will be published on October 25, 2024 The returning officer must
complete the scrutiny of nomination papers by October 29 2024 Appeals against the returning officers decisions on the acceptance or rejection of these papers can be filed on November 4, 2024 The Appellate Tribunal must decide on appeals by November 7, 2024, and revised lists of candidates will be published on November 8 2024