Thin attendance marks farewell to Justice Isa as six judges opt out
CJP,
Yahya Afridi,
Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Malik Shehzad The absence of these judges
scheduled for tomorrow, with President Asif Ali Zardari set to administer the oath In the lead-up to the full court reference a farewell dinner was hosted by the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Pakistan Bar Council in honor of outgoing CJP Qazi Faez Isa S TA F F R E P O R T
Outgoing CJP failed to safeguard judicial independence: Justice Shah
ISLAMABAD: Senior Supreme Court Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah on Friday formally opted out of the full court reference held in honor of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, citing significant concerns about the integrity of the judiciary and external influences In a letter addressed to the Registrar of the Supreme Court Justice Shah articulated his reasons for abstaining from the ceremony, noting that such references are typically reserved for retired Chief Justices who have served with distinction
PUNJAB MISSES KEY IMF CASH SURPLUS TARGET BY RS182 BILLION
PSO APPROVES SEPARATION OF
DIGICASH SEGMENTS
Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has announced its plan to restructure its operations through the carve-out/separation and merger of its Solar and DigiCash segments, according to a Scheme of Arrangement presented by the company’s Board of Management in the 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Thursday The proposal outlines the separation of the Solar Undertaking from PSO and its subsequent merger with PSO Renewable Energy (Private) Limited alongside other related matters The merger will be subject to approval from the Honorable High Court of Sindh and may involve further modifications or amendments as required by the court The restructuring plan also covers the separation of PSO’s DigiCash operations The move is seen as part of PSO’s broader strategy to streamline its operations and enhance its focus on renewable energy and technologydriven solutions The Managing Director & CEO and the Company Secretary authorized to take all necessary legal actions to implement the scheme
(1 16%) Pulse Mash (1 14%) Sugar (0 77%) Pulse Gram (0 64%) Rice Basmati Broken (0 58%) and LPG (0 01%) The weekly SPI with base 201516 100 covers 17 urban centers and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups/quintiles PBS data shows that an increase was observed in the prices of Potatoes (3 33%), Garlic (2 97%), Pulse Moong (2 84%), Eggs (2 02%), Bananas (0 75%), Cooked Daal (0 64%), Tomatoes (0 48%) Vegetable Ghee 1Kg (0 36%) Firewood (0 29%) and Cigarettes (0 08%) During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 13 (25 49%) items increased, 10 (19 61%) items decreased and 28 (54 90%) items remained stable The year-on-year
Telecom sector issues warning over PTCL’s potential acquisition of Telenor
Telecom giants warn PTCL’s Telenor acquisition could disrupt market
Pakistan permits GMO soybean impor ts to address protein supply
COMMENT
Running to the IMF
Going to the IMF for climate change help while on a programme may be overdoing it
FE D E R A L Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has disclosed that Pakistan will apply for $1 billion from the IMF s Resiliance and Sustainability Facility at a time when Punjab is failing to meet an IMF condition for its already existing Extended Fund Facility of $7 billion This will merely add more debt, and more pressure on Pakistan for the RSF is like other IMF facilities, a loan Like other IMF facilities, it is not interest-free The RSF may be concessional in the sense that principal repayments are put off for 10 and half years and there is a 20-year repayment period, but the interest, which depends on the SDR rate, will accrue every year
One of the main concerns is that the RSF is linked by the IMF to its other programmes and one of the eligibility criteria is being on a programme In short, the country must already be in trouble
Further, it must also have met IMF conditions already The RSF will be given only if a separate set of conditions are fulfilled Thus a country already meeting IMF conditionalities will find itself saddled with a new set of criteria to meet What happens if the criteria contradict each other is not said but if a main programme is cancelled or terminated so is the RSF Also, its reviews are held at the same time as those of the main programme Mr Aurangzeb also spoke about the possibility of getting Panda bonds issued not so much because Pakistan needs the money, as because it means getting into that market It seems that Mr Aurangzeb has got into the mindset of the past, where getting loans was a good thing First there is the issue of climate justice where the First World first ruins the environment, then makes the Third World pay for the consequences, with loans it makes Then there is the issue of what Pakistan will do with the money: pay off import bills for fuel, edible oil and pharmaceuticals
There is still apparently no plan to increase Pakistan s exports, cut imports and escape the debt trap Getting into more debt does not seem to be the solution Pakistan needs to be more cautious in its borrowing Indeed, it must try to follow the most cautious policy of them all, of not borrowing If it does
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
The summits mark a change of direc tion
TH E recently concluded Shanghai Corporation Organization Summit in Islamabad Pakistan and the BRICS summit in Kazan Russia has captured the attention of the world s geopolitical pundits and herald a titanic shift in global power dynamics, international alliances, and economic policies These high-level meetings underscore China and Russia’s growing influence not only in Eurasia and Central Asia but across all continents The increasing collaboration and partnership between countries through these multilateral organizations presents an alternative framework to the traditional UN system, and a platform for nations to collectively address political, social, economic and security issues on the global level Pakistan accomplished a noteworthy diplomatic milestone by successfully hosting the SCO Summit reaffirming its strategic relevance in South Asia and Eurasia The presence of leaders from all 10 SCO member states, including India s Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar, marked a historic moment It was the first visit of an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years demonstrating SCO’s potential to bridge gaps between the neighboring South Asian arch-rivals R u s s i a n P r i m
participation at the SCO summit in Pakistan and the subsequent talks with his Pakistani counterpart
BRICS, which will help in integrating the country
and South Asia These regions have historically played a central role in altering global political quagmires due to their strategic importance abundance of natural r e s o u
their alignment and support will be key for any
ture world order The SCO and BRICS are crucial for China to expand its role across Asia, Europe and Central Asia China aims to achieve its strategic goals through infrastructure development trade partnerships and investment initiatives in these regions as opposed to the Western jingoistic schemes for dominance in world politics These platforms are offering a helping hand to China in shaping a new global economic and geopolitical framework, which will be fairer than the incumbent order Russia on the other hand sees the SCO as an indispensable organ for enhancing its security arrangements in Central Asia especially in the wake of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the ongoing Ukraine fiasco Moscow continues to prioritize counterterrorism and security cooperation within the SCO, which will ensure that Central Asia remains within its sphere of influence and that NATO’s menacing influence in the region is curtailed The world currently faces a plethora of Weste
crises in Palestine and Lebanon to the various trade disruptions caused by Western sanctions on countries pursuing independent foreign policies Moreover the threat of nuclear escalation and the global instability caused by unjust Western sanctions remain key concerns for the Third-World countries
However BRICS and SCO offer hope for the nations of Eurasia and South Asia to assert
S u s t a i n a b l e A v i a t i o n F u e l s : C a n P a k i s t a n ’ s a v i a t i o n i n d u s t r y
e m b r a c e t h e g r e e n r e v o l u t i o n ?
AI revolution threatens jobs globally
Apassengers, who make a significant portion of the customer base, would likely resist any further increase in ticket prices To combat this impediment the government can subsidise SAFs or provide direct financial support to airlines that use these fuels Additionally, international financing through green climate funds can be explored to subsidise SAF production and usage However, these solutions come with their own challenges Government subsidies can strain an already stretched national budget and securing international funding often involves lengthy processes To resolve these impediments, Pakistan can opt for piloting SAFs adoption on a small scale, gradually expanding its use as cost-effective production technology, further enhancing its accessibility Nevertheless instead of securing international funds an alternative could be to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Multinational Corporations By offering investment incentives in Special Economic Zones having airports and relaxing regulatory hurdles through the Special Investment Facilitation Council Pakistan can create investment opportunities for MNCs Another challenge for regulating SAFs adaptation in Pakistan is the absence of domestic production plants, along with the lack of an effective mechanism for collecting feedstock Without an established industry for SAF production, Pakistan would be completely depend-
ent on expensive imports further escalating costs and limiting adoption Furthermore the development of an indigenous SAF production industry requires technological expertise and infrastructure
To address these impediments, the Ministry of Aviation needs to formulate a policy that encourages public-private partnerships (PPP) and international collaborations with countries that are in the forefront of SAF production By partnering with established global players like Total Energies and SINOPEC that have recently signed a joint venture, Pakistan can leverage their expertise in SAF production, technology sharing, and establishing a service mechanism This will also lead to identifying local refineries capable of conversion and participating with international companies to develop production units that process local waste In a nutshell, while the potential of SAFs to revolutionise the aviation industry is undeniable, Pakistan’s ability to fully adopt this green revolution remains challenging The economic infrastructural and technological challenges are significant but not insurmountable With the right blend of government policy international collaboration and gradual investment in SAF infrastructure, Pakistan will take sustainable strides towards a sustainable aviation future Pakistan needs to align itself with global decarbonisation efforts by developing domestic capacity thus offering hope for a greener tomorrow
The writer is a researcher at the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) Lahore She can be reached at info@casslhr com
In a nutshell, while the potential of SAFs to revolutionise the aviation industry is undeniable, PakistanÊs ability to fully adopt this green revolution remains challenging. The economic, infrastructural, and technological challenges are significant, but not insurmountable . With the right blend of government policy, international collaboration, and gradual investment in SAF infrastructure, Pakistan will take sustainable strides towards a sustainable aviation future . Pakistan needs to align itself with global decarbonisation effor ts by developing domestic capacity thus offering hope for a greener tomorrow.
tehzeeb hussaiN bercha
G reening the skies
Naba Fatima
From Neapolitan to Putin
Otially threatening other parts of Europe The mutual fear and suspicion between Russia and the West were not entirely irrational; both sides had strategic concerns that
Ukrainian resistance, thereby discouraging foreign intervention, particularly from the USA and NATO However the execution of this plan proved problematic The infamous 40-kilometer-long column of Russian tanks heading towards Kyiv from the north became a symbol of strategic failure Despite the imposing visual of Russian military hardware, these columns faced logistical issues with inadequate supplies of fuel and ammunition The tanks stalled creating an opportunity for Ukrainian forces to pick off Russian units from the front and rear, effectively immobilizing the column This marked the first major setback for Russia Ukraine’s defensive strategy capitalized on these missteps Unlike conventional warfare which would involve massing troops to confront an invading force Ukraine deployed small mobile units that could strike Russian positions opportunistically This agile, decentralized approach disrupted Russia’s plans, making it difficult for the invading forces to maintain cohesive advances
U
logistical failures on Russia s part under-
mined the Kremlin s hope of a swift and decisive victory Russia s strategy was further hampered by several key intelligence
volvement
Washington with its extensive experience in proxy conflicts decided against deploying American troops directly but provided significant military aid to Ukraine This included the supply of advanced weaponry, intelligence sharing, and logistical support, all aimed at blunting Russian advances The US saw this as an opportunity to weaken Russia’s military capabilities without engaging in direct combat a tactic that had been effective in past conflicts such as in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion Another major miscalculation was Russia’s overestimation of Europe’s dependence on its energy supplies It assumed that Europe especially Germany would be reluctant to jeopardize their economic ties with Russia leading to minimal cooperation with NATO efforts However, European nations demonstrated resilience and adaptability Germany and other countries sought alternative energy sources, accelerated their transition to renewable energy and remained aligned with NATO s strategic objectives While energy constraints posed significant challenges the collective resolve of European nations to find alternatives and reduce dependency on Russian oil and gas represented a strategic misjudgment by the Kremlin One of the critical aspects that Moscow misread was Ukraine s military strategy Ukrainian forces adopted a strategy of flex-
ibility and adaptability They avoided
large-scale confrontations, which would have made them vulnerable to Russia s superior firepower Instead, Ukrainian units focused on ambushes guerrilla tactics and quick mobile strikes that disrupted Russian supply lines and forced Russian units into defensive positions This decentralized approach was successful because it allowed Ukrainian forces to exploit the vulnerabilities in Russia’s logistical and strategic planning From a strategic standpoint Russia’s initial objective seemed to prioritize the rapid capture of major Ukrainian cities including Kyiv However this approach was resource-intensive and overlooked the complexities of urban warfare Capturing a city does not equate to controlling it, as evidenced by the prolonged conflicts in urban settings throughout modern history Russia s inability to secure decisive victories in cities like Kyiv Kharkiv and Mariupol revealed the limitations of its approach While Russia managed to take control of some parts of eastern Ukraine, these gains were not sufficient to achieve a definitive strategic victory Compounding Russia’s strategic difficulties was the decision to deploy the Wagner Group a private mercenary organization to the battlefield Traditionally, mercenary groups serve supplementary roles, providing additional manpower or
RussiaÊs failure to decisively crush Ukrainian resistance has left it in a precarious position The prolonged nature of the conflict, combined with international sanctions and diplomatic isolation, has strained its resources If Russia continues to prioritize city capture without addressing the broader strategic need to neutralize Ukrainian forces, it risks fur ther setbacks To prevent more failures, Moscow will need to adapt its strategy, possibly by for tifying defensive positions and reconsidering its offensive tactics
The US presidential election 2024: A Democratic government
is the one we need
Irule of
T is hard to imagine a worse candidate for the
in
J Trump His
of dishonesty
and
for the office A
erode
s
and deepen racial and cultural divides Even if he loses, Mr Trump has shown that he will undermine the election process with allies spreading unfounded conspiracy theories to delegitimise the results There are prominent Republicans – such as the former vice-president Dick Cheney – who refused to support Mr Trump owing to the threat he poses Gen Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff under Mr Trump, calls his former boss a “fascist” America was founded in opposition to absolute monarchy The Republican nominee models himself after the leader he most admires: Russia s autocratic president Vladimir Putin Mr Trump s authoritarianism may finish US democracy He has praised and promised to pardon those convicted in the January 6 insurrection He has suggested bypassing legal norms to use potentially violent methods of repression blurring the lines between vigilantism law enforcement and military action against groups – be they Democrats or undocumented immigrants – he views as enemies His team has tried to distance itself from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 and its extreme proposals – such as mass firings of civil servants and erasing women’s rights – that poll poorly But it is likely that in office Mr Trump would adopt many of these intolerant patriarchal and discriminatory plans He aims to dismantle the government to enrich himself and evade the law If Republicans gain control of the Senate, House and White House, he would interpret it as a mandate to silence his critics and entrench his power Mr Trump is a transactional and corrupting politician His supporters see this as an advantage Christian nationalists want an authoritarian regime to enforce religious edicts on Americans Elon
Musk wants to shape the future without regulatory oversight Both put self-interest ahead of the American people Democracy erodes slowly at first then all at once In office Mr Trump appointed three supreme court justices, who this summer blocked efforts to hold him accountable for trying to overturn the 2020 election: their immunity ruling renders the president “a king above the law” in the words of the liberal justice Sonia Sotomayor
A HISTORIC PRESIDENT: Since Kamala Harris stepped into the spotlight following Joe Biden s exit, her campaign has been a masterclass in political jujitsu, deftly flipping Mr Trump’s perceived strengths into glaring weaknesses With a focus on joy the vice-president sharply contrasted with Mr Trump s grim narrative of US decline In their sole televised debate Ms Harris skillfully outmaneuvered Mr Trump who fell into her traps appearing angry and incoherent She is confident and composed He sounds unhinged The Trump agenda threatens to dismantle voting rights women’s rights and minority rights – not just reversing decades of social progress but burying it Mr Trump was behind the shredding of reproductive rights The conservative forces rallying to him are now intent on imposing a national abortion ban, with – should he win – dire implications for IVF and birth control Republicans have been hurt in the polls by being associated with such unpopular policies – a weak spot that Ms Harris should keep exploiting The vice-president has energised Democrats with savvy media appearances while appealing to swing voters Progressives determined to defeat Mr Trump, remain committed to freedom and equality But Ms Harris has disappointed those who have urged her to take a stand on US complicity in Israel’s bombing of civilians in Gaza and Lebanon Downplaying war crimes as arms flow to Israel has already harmed Democratic chances in key swing states like Michigan In a political system where style often rivals substance, perception is crucial While Ms Harris hasn t
made her race and gender central to her campaign her victory would be historic: she would be the first woman and the first woman of color to be president Symbolism matters to her base Her candidacy rallied key constituencies – the young, women, African Americans and Hispanics – who were cooling on Mr Biden This election is a leap of faith in Ms Harris, who offers a sense of possibility for the future while Mr Trump clings to a reactionary past PROTECTING DEMOCRACY: Despite his criminal conviction and being declared a rapist by a judge, Mr Trump remains dangerously close to reclaiming the presidency Many voters still back a man who was the worst US president ever But probably not a majority of US voters Republicans benefit from a skewed electoral system: Democrats have won the popular vote in all but one election since 1992 and secured the overall popular majority for the Senate in every six-year cycle since 1996 Yet the country has often been led by Republican presidents and a GOP-controlled Senate, and therefore a Republican-dominated supreme court In a close race in November that could mean Mr Trump doesn t need to win the
liberalism with economic justice But corporate influence and the Democrats slim Senate majority shrank his ambitions Russia s invasion of Ukraine shifted his focus to national security, as America experienced rising prices However, Mr Biden made historic investments to green the economy and refocused industrial policy to take on
dr MuhaMMad akraM ZahEEr
Two lost cities discovered along S ilk Road in Uzbekistan
AGENCIES
The discovery achieved using dronebased lidar technology reveals previously unknown details about high-altitude urban life in Central Asia, National Geographic reported The research team led by National Geographic Explorer Michael Frachetti and Farhod Maksudov director of Uzbekistan s National Center of Archaeology, located the cities of Tugunbulak and Tashbulak at altitudes reaching 7,200 feet Tugunbulak the larger site spans nearly 300 acres making it one of the largest known settlements in the region from this period according to a study published in Nature Lidar showed us that there s a massive city there, hiding in plain sight,” said
The two cities
between the 6th and 11th centuries with Tugunbulak s location suggesting it may have functioned as a key production hub for iron tools and weapons, powered by the region s strong winds The discovery is reshaping ideas of medieval life along the silk road, showing that ancient highland societies not only survived in challenging climates but developed sophisticated urban designs and trade routes that connected East and West Free
Media a cornerstone of democracy: German Ambassador
ag e n c i e s The Embassy of Germany and the Embassy of the Netherlands both members of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) hosted a panel discussion titled Media Freedom and Democracy – Challenges and Opportunities” This event brought together journalists, diplomats, and community members for an open dialogue about the crucial role of media in shaping democracy Both representatives of the countries emphasized the role of a free press in strengthening democracy and fostering informed societies Commenting on the occasion Ambassador Alfred Grannas highlighted: A free press is a precondition for a thriving democracy; this is why, for instance, we offer journalists from all over the world additional training courses with the DW Academy both in Germany and online Mr Hajo Provó Kluit Chargé d affaires a i of the Netherlands Embassy added: That is why the Netherlands supports a 3-year project of NGO Free Press Unlimited helping rural journalists in Pakistan enhance their role as accountability advocates During the discussion German Ambassador Alfred Grannas, said that free and independent media was indispensable for democratic booming Democary couldn t thrive sans freedom of expression The event underscored the commitment of both Germany and the Netherlands to upholding media freedom as a cornerstone of democracy The discusants acknowledged ongoing challenges while also highlighting opportunities for collaboration and growth within the country’s media landscape
Frachetti, associate professor of anthropology at Washington University, St Louis The high-resolution images reveal extensive city walls fortifications watchtowers and a central fortress with thick stone and mud-brick walls About three miles away the smaller densely built city of Tashbulak features multiple permanent structures and an intricate layout designed to adapt to the
SRINAGAR a f p
Fighters in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) ambushed an army vehicle and killed five people including three soldiers officials said on Friday days after seven construction workers were killed in the disputed territory India s army confirmed a brief exchange of fire with fighters late on Thursday in the vicinity of Gulmarg, near the heavily militarised unofficial border dividing IIOJK with Pakistan India’s Chinar Corps army unit paid tribute to two slain riflemen expressing
an end to a the standoff The nuclear-armed neighbours struck a deal earlier this week on patrolling the frontier which then paved the way for the first formal talks in five years between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of a regional summit in Russia According to the recently agreed solution between India and China their frontline armies are implementing relevant work, with smooth progress so far,” Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry said on Friday In New Delhi a government official aware of the details said troops on both sides had started withdrawing from the areas of Depsang and Demchok, the last remaining points where they had stood face-to-face The source spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media on the issue India s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment Neither side has provided details of the new pact, which is expected to help improve political and business ties damaged by a deadly military clash in 2020 when 20 Indian and four Chinese troops died in clashes in the Galwan Valley The two sides had earlier pulled back troops from five other face-off points but the last withdrawal of troops took place over two years ago On Wednesday, Xi and Modi agreed to boost communication and co-operation in a bid to help resolve conflict But officials in India said that New Delhi would still be cautious and is ready to only take baby steps towards building economic ties with Beijing given the trust deficit of the last four years India had blocked direct flights with China banned hundreds of Chinese mobile applications, and added layers of vetting on Chinese investments, virtually blocking all major proposals from the likes of BYD and Great Wall Motors
PUNJAB TO ENHANCE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COOPERATION
Lifesaving Healthcare Reaches Tharparkar: First SI E H S base station launched in Nagarparkar
IMC takes part in PAPS 2024
Motor Company (IMC) has exhibited its firstever Make in Pakistan Hybrid Electric Vehicle at Pakistan Auto Show (PAPS) that is being held in Lahore from October 25-27 The event was attended by IMC s Senior Director Manufacturing Makoto Kubota and Director Manufacturing Wali Muhammad Khan With their
constitution and the institutionalisation of a vigorous election commission as important milestones in Pakistan s democratic consolidation He also analysed the parliament, political parties, and institutional balance as determinants of Pakistan’s political security
FOUR COPS INJURED IN ATTACK ON PRISON VANS CARRYING PTI MPAS, WORKERS IN SANGJANI
and launching an immediate manhunt Police report that some escapees have already been recaptured, including the son of an MPA However, several prisoners remain unaccounted for, believed to have been aided by the attackers in their escape Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police spokesperson confirmed the incident stating that the assailants numbered between 25 to 30 armed and firing to break the prisoners free This was a planned assault, intended to free individuals implicated in terrorism cases related to the recent PTI protests ” said the spokesperson ‘Government staged drama’ Meanwhile Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have dismissed the attack on prison vans near the Sangjani Toll Plaza as a staged incident orchestrated by the federal gov-
ernment and police, claiming it was intended to malign the party PTI officials accused the police of encouraging detainees to escape and called the incident a drama that reflects rising government conspiracies The attack on the prison vans in Islamabad is yet another stunt by the federal government,” said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur “These schemes by the government are escalating daily The people should see through this and understand that our members are committed and will not flee, he stated PTI Secretary of Information, Sheikh Waqas Akram, also criticised the handling of PTI detainees, who he claimed were held without just cause According to Akram over 80 PTI supporters had been detained by Islamabad Police following recent protests and were supposed to be released as ordered by the court Instead, they have been re-arrested under new charges Our people are not hiding; they are demanding justice,” he added Akram alleged that after a court hearing the prison vans transporting PTI detainees to Attock Jail were diverted to an area near Faisal Town where SHO Shabbir Tanoli reportedly intervened ordering the vehicles to stop and breaking their windows
The Pakistan-Russia joint counter-terrorism exercise, Druzhba-VII concluded on Friday with a closing ceremony at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Military officials from both nations hailed the exercise as a successful demonstration of tactical skills and inter-military cooperation
The two-week exercise which began on October 13 saw participation from special forces of the Pakistan Army alongside a contingent of 54 Russian troops, engaging in various training drills and counter-terrorism techniques, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Fayyaz Hussain Shah Inspector General Training & Evaluation attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest, with Russian Ambassador Albert P Khorev observing the proceedings The ISPR noted that “the troops displayed the highest standards of professionalism emphasizing that the collaboration was instrumental in refining tactical procedures As the seventh bilateral engagement of its kind, the exer-
cise aimed to enhance skills and share expertise in counterterrorism operations This joint training enhances our historic ties and strengthens our shared commitment to combating terrorism stated an official release Druzhba-VII highlighted the evolving military relations between Pakistan and Russia, providing a platform for both nations to benefit from each other’s specialized experiences in counter-terror operations The exercise concluded with a demonstration of advanced tactical drills, showcasing the skills and coordination developed over the fortnight
The federal government has sanctioned Rs1 1 trillion for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the fiscal year 2024-25 against a demand of Rs2 9 trillion put forward by various ministries This decision emerged from a session of the Prime Minister s Committee for Planning and Execution of Foreign-Funded Development Projects, led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal During the committee meeting Iqbal directed the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) to refine budget requests in collaboration with the respective ministries
This revised proposal will be reviewed in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance to secure the necessary funding for development projects Currently, the PSDP is allocated Rs1 100 billion including Rs220 billion in foreign funding to cover local currency needs However financial limitations have led to
projects exacerbating
in
istrative and implementation challenges The discussion also covered the execution of foreign-funded projects and adjusting policy guidelines following the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) s recent decisions It was noted that the disparity between limited resources and the growing
