29 INJURED IN
NS TA F F R E P O R T
I N E people, including five children were killed in a bomb blast targeting a police van guarding polio vaccinators near a girls school in Mastung city on Friday, the police and administration confirmed “The blast left 29 others injured,” informed Mastung District Police Officer (DPO) Miandad Umrani and added that the blast occurred near a police van at the Civil Hospital Chowk According to the DPO, explosive material was placed in a motorcycle and was detonated via remote control
The deceased children were aged between five and 10 years DPO Umrani further said The DPO said that a police van and several auto-rickshaws were damaged as a result of the bomb Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the blast lamenting that terrorists had now started targeting innocent children along with poor labourers State broadcaster PTV News quoted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as saying that the explosion occurred at a girls high school”, while another post by the outlet said the incident occurred “near Girls High School Chowk On the other hand Kalat Division Commissioner Naeem Bazai said that the
attack took place at around 8:35am near the Mastung Civil Hospital a few meters away from the hospital Bazai said that initially seven people including five schoolchildren were killed while 17 others sustained injuries in the blast He added that the blast was apparently carried out with the help of an improvised explosive device (IED) attached to a motorcycle that was detonated near a police mobile No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast Later in the day, Mastung Deputy Commissioner Capt (r) Baz Muhammad Marri said that the death toll from the Mastung blast had risen to nine Among the deceased are five girls
one boy, one police officer, and two other civilians ” he said “The bodies have been transferred to Civil Hospital Mastung Nawab Ghaus Bakhsh Memorial Hospital and Civil Hospital Quetta and were handed over to the families after necessary procedures Meanwhile, Dr Wasim Baig, the spokesman of the provincial health department said that reports from different hospitals suggested a total of 29 people sustained injuries in the blast The deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner were overseeing the situation at the hospitals, Bazai said He highlighted that the police have cordoned off the area to prevent any further incidents
In Doha, PM touts Pakistan as
‘Polio team not targeted’ Some media outlets reported that a polio team was the target of the attack “Terrorists targeted our police van which was guarding a polio team in the Civil Hospital Chowk area Rahmatullah a local police officer told Anadolu Agency over the phone He added that members of the vaccination team remained unhurt, however, one policeman was killed and four others were injured in the attack Reuters quoting the same official also reported that a police van on its way to pick up a polio team was targeted, adding that as a result of the attack, one policeman was killed while 23 others were injured Deputy Commissioner Mastung Marri however refuted the claims Terrorists attacked a
appointments and transfers taken between the notification and
ECC APPROVES SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS, ALLOWS PASSCO TO ALLOCATE WHEAT
TFederal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal here on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to
on the transfer of
the
Works Department (Pak PWD) projects to provincial governments under the
Development Programme (PSDP) The meeting was briefed by the Additional Secretary of Housing and Works on the progress of the project transfer, according to press release issued by planning ministry According to the update, all Pak PWD projects allocated to Punjab have been successfully handed over to the provincial government Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need to expedite the transfer process for other provinces, directing that the transfer to Sindh be completed within the next five days “Efforts must be made to ensure the remaining work in Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is completed by next week he said while underscoring the importance of timely collaboration between federal and provincial entities He further stressed that a transfer mechanism has been established, and any instance of noncooperation should be reported to the Director General (DG) Pak PWD of the relevant province and respective departments This step aims to reinforce accountability and ensure smooth project handovers across all provinces The Ministry remains committed to facilitating this transfer and supporting provincial stakeholders throughout the process said Ahsan Iqbal
Finance Ministr y rules out mid-year budget adjustments, cites positive economic indic ators
The Finance Ministry has ruled out any mid-year adjustments to the federal budget, asserting that current economic indicators demonstrate the effectiveness
Islamabad Developer Association (IDA) has voiced serious concerns over the Federal Board of Revenue s (FBR) recent decision to increase property valuation rates across 56 cities, effective from November 1 2024 Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan President of IDA and former head of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasized that this adjustment could have severe consequences on Pakistan’s real estate sector and lead to further capital flight He highlighted that the real estate industry underpins nearly 60
the business community in such critical decisions
As a potential alternative, Khan proposed that rather than imposing additional taxes on existing taxpayers the government should focus on broadening and diversifying the tax base He warned that unilateral policy shifts could erode business confidence and destabilize an already precarious economy
“Engaging stakeholders in decision-making is essential to prevent adverse impacts on the business climate he stated cautioning that
hasty policies could have far-reaching negative consequences Recent changes including the introduction of Federal Excise Duty (FED) and an increase in capital gains tax to 15%, have already impacted wealth circulation, exacerbating challenges for real estate investors Pakistan’s real estate tax policies Khan argued have contributed to capital flight with investors increasingly favoring international markets in the UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, which offer lower tax rates and higher returns In Dubai alone, Pakistani investors have invested around USD 11 billion making them the second-largest group of foreign investors in the UAE s real estate market This trend underscores the allure of foreign markets due to more favorable tax structures and economic stability, further weakening Pakistan’s real estate sector
of quality cotton at an affordable price decrease in sales and accumulation of finished goods stock due to slow down of yarn markets Therefore, the company has decided to temporarily shut down production activities for the time being JDMT was incorporated as a public company in 1960 under the Companies Act 1913 (now the Companies Act
2017) The company is engaged in the production of super fine counts of 80s and 100s combed/carded yarn from extra-long staple cotton of USA Pima and CIS origin It manufactures and sells 40/s combed and 60/s combed yarn for air jet looms which is being sold on premium It said that the management will continue to monitor the situation for future course of action and was committed to resuming production activities as soon as the situation improves Earlier, on October 29, Ghazi Fabrics International Limited, a Pakistani ex-
porter of fabric to Europe, the USA, and the Far East, announced to partial halting of production activities in its weaving plant citing challenging economic conditions soaring power costs and a shortage of affordable high-quality cotton According to data from the Pakistan Cotton Ginner s Association (PCGA), cotton arrivals in Pakistan declined by 59% by the end of September compared to the same period last year Total arrivals reached 2 04 million bales down from 5 025 million bales in September 2023, marking a drop of 2 985 million bales
Forests (BPS-17) and allow all qualified candidates to participate, as initially directed by the High Court Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar who authored the judgment highlighted that the Sindh Civil Servant (Appointment Promotion and Transfer) Rules, 1974 (APT Rules) had been amended to extend the
exemptions
stipulated under Regulation 0612 of the 2006 Regulations In court the Sindh chief secretary acknowledged the discrepancy in policy but defended it citing a lack of significant government recruitment over the past decade as justification for the extended age limit However, the Supreme Court found this reasoning flawed and emphasized that the absence of recruitment did not justify granting age relaxations that surpassed logical boundaries The judgment further clarified that discretionary powers in administrative law must be exercised within the confines of established rules and regulations, rather than subjective decisions
bonds to cut interest burden
COMMENT
Crash or crash landing?
TH
The role of AI in combating climate change
This
D i s p o s s e s s i o n o f a n i d e n t i t y The PIA auc tion disaster should have taught the govt how hard time it will have
The war on humanity and a textbook genocide rarely get into the limelight Perhaps, hypocrisy remains the primary blockage to a ceasefire Escalation after escalation solely makes the civilians souls depart the Zionism
defenders and justified war proponents live in bomb shelters Itinerant Palestinians’ voices are merely the sound wavelengths of brouhaha and pitches of despair The pictorial news and live coverage if rarely covered though catalyse naught leaving the anguish firmly enacted Yet, the echoes of justified war are deafening The deafening silence in Gaza is confined to 360 km Does hypocrisy not define the situation? The answer is a resounding yes! Given the global peacemaker the UN being in handcuffs the alternatives are murky The Hague-based UN bodies attempting to somehow bring friction to the swift destruction have successively failed and the war is still ‘not over’ Zionism? The USA? Benjamin Netanyahu?
is
InsAf ALI BAngwAr
world just watches on
Xi’s shared prosperit y model
Making the world a better place
hightech and consumer-driven organizations to meet the growing needs of the domestic population and to cater to the regional and international demands Despite daunting global economic challenges he steered the economy with his known grit and vision and made China the world s second-largest economy with a GDP exceeding $18 trillion by 2021 a feat which looked impossible only a few years ago Now his vision Made in China 2025 is all set to drive China to become a global leader in high-tech industries including artificial intelligence (AI) robotics semiconductors and 5G and in no time China is now one of the world s leaders in AI research and development and a leader in 5G deployment and digital transformation, extending China s influence in global telecom, enhancing connectivity nationwide It was only his vision and untiring effort coupled with political and administrative acumen that since he took over in 2013 the country s foreign exchange reserves touched an all time high to $3 238 trillion by the end of 2023 Per capita income nearly doubled from $6,283 in 2012 to around $12,605 by 2023 Trade volume expanded from $3 87 trillion in 2012 to $6 31 trillion by 2022 illustrating China s progress toward a more robust internally resilient economy President Xi s vision extended beyond China s domestic prosperity; after achieving substantial growth at home, he focused on enhancing regional trade and commerce, leveraging China’s resources to support the economic health of neighboring and global partners His 2013 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) initially seen as a highly ambitious project with its intricate network of land, sea, rail, and air links, has since evolved into one of the world’s largest infrastructure and investment programs Spanning Asia Africa Europe and Latin America By 2024 the BRI had attracted around $1 trillion in total investment and connected over 140 countries Trade volume among these nations reached approximately $9 trillion, highlighting the vast economic engagement driven by the BRI, which continues to stimulate regional integration and substantial trade flows with the potential to transform economies through enhanced connectivity
and mutual growth President Xi’s vision of shared prosperity rooted in economic investment and infrastructure diplomacy with a win-win approach did not go unnoticed by global powers However, rather than appreciating these efforts or considering President Xi’s generous offer to partner in China’s pursuit of shared prosperity the USA and its allies have often placed roadblocks in the path of China s progress The USA and its allies launched a Chinese containment policy without appreciating President Xi s declared policy that this world is big enough for all of us to share its bounties and immense resources without undercutting each other
The USA and its allies launched a derisking strategy aimed at reducing excessive reliance on China particularly in supply chains and markets On the military front, the USA started bullying its partners and allies in the Asia Pacific and Indo Pacific region to encircle China in the Asia Pacific region and beyond
The USA used the existing groups like Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) and Australia the United Kingdom and the United State (AUSKUS), developed a new alliance with Japan and the Philippines, for joint maritime patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea and restructured the US military command in Japan the biggest upgrade to defense cooperation since the 1960s to make them more responsive against perceived threats from China
The USA has spearheaded the Five Eyes” alliance, comprising itself, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand focused on intelligence sharing and countering cyber threats and foreign interference often accusing China of intellectual property theft and using artificial intelligence for hacking and espionage Addition-
ally the USA forged a strategic partnership with India to counterbalance China’s influence in the Indian Ocean and the region In recent years it has also utilized credit rating agencies like Fitch and Moody s which have adjusted China s credit ratings to negative, citing perceived risks to public finances President Xi, fully aware of the USA’s efforts to place roadblocks to slow and ultimately halt China s vision of shared global prosperity remained undeterred Maintaining his composure he continued to pursue peaceful diplomacy with all nations, including the USA and its allies, grounded in a firm belief that his sincere intentions and dedication to shared prosperity would ultimately prevail Without fanfare or lofty claims President Xi not only ensured that China became an effective and active member of existing regional and international organizations but also initiated new ones to advance China s vision of shared prosperity and growth Under his leadership, China is an effective and productive member of over 100 international and regional organizations China became a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
More than ever, the global community yearns to end warmong ering, threats, and the destruction that has devastated societies for centuries This growing movement against war is gaining momentum, as people and nations alike reject antagonism and embrace cooperative , peaceful par tnerships
LinkedIn shoots for TikTok’s viralit y
phenomenon according to experts is in part the consequence of the arrival of a younger public to the platform The generation that grew up using Instagram and TikTok is entering the labor market and naturally engages in content creation ” says Brendan Gahan a specialist in marketing through LinkedIn and the director of an agency of influencers on the social network Gahan says that the platform is facilitating this approach with a series of tools like lives, short vertical videos, newsletters and podcasts, which have already achieved a fair amount of online success LinkedIn Spain s Virginia Collera who is in charge of its editorial section breaks down the success its video format is seeing, to the tune of a 45% growth in views in 2024 She says that the platform’s team is inviting content creators to trainings so that they can take better advantage of the network s tools and that these trainings even extend to the communications teams of large Spanish companies We also want CEOs to make better moves on this platform,” she says She believes this is one of the factors that is attracting new audiences: “The social network is increasingly being used by decision-makers at companies which is an invitation to users to make themselves known Jorge Branger, 28, is the founder of an agency that specializes in Linkedin influencers He agrees that large companies are becoming more interested in their presence on the platform “Investment funds and firms like Oracle and Nvidia don t want to be on TikTok because that s not where their target audience is, but on LinkedIn, they re found the ideal territory for connecting with other companies,” he says Branger and Gahan agree that the money that brands are open to paying for marketing campaigns on the platform is well above that of other networks like Instagram If in 2020 a company was offering $1,077 per post, today the number could be double, says Branger, who has worked with brands like Santander and Vodafone
“Lately the B2B (company to company) model is moving more money worldwide and LinkedIn is the platform that represents that, says Branger, who has one of the top five most popular accounts in Spain, with close to 250,000 followers That factor is what is driving content creators to make the leap to the social network he argues
“LinkedIn was getting old and users were leaving,” opines Torres, who thinks that these changes arrived at just the right time The platform has seen an increase in its user base reaching the one billion mark in January a number that only Meta platforms and TikTok had previously achieved In Spain, it has around 18 million accounts, according to the company which says that the number of posts has also shot up by 41% between 2021 and 2023
CHANGE TO THE ALGORITHM: Gahan says that the platform has also modified its algorithm to favor content creators, in contrast to companies like TikTok which reward “likes” and views over more genuine forms of interaction (like shares and comments ) That strategy has been employed in the hopes of affording more visibility to those who are creating content specifically for LinkedIn He says that while on TikTok, there are 40,000 accounts with more than a million followers on LinkedIn that number stands at 80 worldwide
Begue who recently participated in a LinkedIn training for content creators, says that the rise of influencers on the platform is providing more work opportunities to copywriters, who write posts and newsletters from the accounts of others In her case she does her own copy She admits that at first she could spend several hours preparing her daily posts but as time has passed, she s gotten the system down, and dedicates on average 90 minutes to each publication In addition to recent trends the network did already have its own influencers the so-called top voices who were already benefiting from high visibility on LinkedIn Santiago Íñiguez was among the first to receive that distinction in Spain In his opinion, “the benefit is that it comes with mechanisms that communicate trustworthiness like the scarce presence of bots and the almost non-existent propagation of hoaxes and fake news Begue encourages those looking to take their first step on the job platform towards becoming active users to start creating posts She understands that this can be a complicated proposal: “People are afraid of feeling judged especially on a network with all their co-workers but if you have a skill it s possible that you can sell it She says she started out having few expectations, though she always aspired to having her own business “I thought that if I was able to build an audience I’d be able to position myself in the professional world
WH AT E V E R happens on Tuesday and whoever wins the US election expect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to waste no time in leveraging the vote s outcome to steer Israeli policy – to secure a deal for the hostages and to end the war in Lebanon If Donald Trump wins, Netanyahu will seize the opportunity to convince his coalition s right-wing partners – particularly Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir – that concluding the conflict is essential to keep the incoming administration aligned with Israeli interests Netanyahu will argue that Trump has asked for the war to end by January 20, the date of his inauguration He might even hint at Trump s support for future West Bank annexation as a possibility asserting that ending the war now could pave the way to the realization of the Right s dream Conversely, if Kamala Harris claims the White House, Netanyahu will play a different hand entirely, painting a darker picture of what a Democratic administration could bring He will tell his right-wing allies that failing to end the Gaza war before Harris takes office risks inviting an American crackdown on the settlements in the West Bank – potentially even worse than the hardline policies of Barack Obama He would remind them of Obama’s “not a single brick” instruction during their first meeting an encounter that Netanyahu later described as an ambush and which pressured Israel into a 10-month settlement freeze This time, he ll insist, the stakes could be even higher Ending the war before January, Netanyahu will argue, will be necessary to avoid American measures that could go so far as to undermine the IDF s ability to even prosecute the wars that Smotrich and Ben-Gvir will want to see continue As a result the most pressing deadline right now is not the fate of the hostages but the fate of America and who will be the next president That is what is driving the sudden change on both fronts: Lebanon where on Thursday both Israelis and Lebanese were hinting that a
Qamar Bashir
Man “important election” for the state of “democracy ”
Israeli strikes k ill 47 Palestinians in central Gaza
GAZA S TA F F R E P O R T
In a tragic escalation of violence 47 Palestinians predominantly women and children lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza s central region, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA on Friday
Dozens of others suffered injuries in the overnight assault which struck densely populated areas including the city of Deir
Al-Balah Nuseirat refugee camp and the town of Al-Zawayda Israel s ongoing offensive, now in its most intense phase, has resulted in the deaths of over 43,000 Palestinians, with thousands more displaced or injured as infrastructure collapses under the heavy bombardment Gaza s health system already strained is struggling to cope with the influx of casualties further compounded by strikes on medical facilities
According to local health officials, 46 Palestinians were killed on Thursday alone most of whom were in northern
Gaza, where hospitals and residential neighborhoods have come under fire The northern region of Gaza including Jabalia and Beit Lahiya has seen some of the fiercest attacks Health officials reported that Israeli military strikes targeted Kamal Adwan Hospital disrupting medical services and setting fire to essential supplies Gaza’s health ministry condemned the attack on the hospital, emphasizing the critical need for medical resources in a region where civilian casualties are high In a statement Israel s military alleged that Hamas has been using Kamal Adwan Hospital for military purposes, claiming that armed fighters have been sheltering there Health officials and representatives from Hamas deny these allegations maintaining that hospitals in Gaza are strictly humanitarian zones under immense pressure to provide care amid relentless bombardment
As the conflict intensifies, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with thou-
India proposes South Asian coalition to tackle regional air pollution crisis
DELHI A G E N C I E S The Narendra Modi-ruled country put forward calls for reviving the SAARC Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution as it submitted its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) at the UN biodiversity conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia During a prominent side event at the conference in the Blue Zone, which is an area designated for negotiations and dialogues
Ashraf Raja, who is the director of the Biodiversity Programme at the Ministry of Climate Change Moreover, the country did not submit its updated biodiversity plans Additionally the Indian minister stressed that biodiversity conservation “must be integrated into broader environmental and developmental strategies to combat climate change reduce land degradation and promote sustainable livelihood
sands of families forcibly displaced According to local authorities, entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble pushing residents to seek shelter in overcrowded schools mosques and makeshift shelters that provide little security The lack of electricity clean water and medical supplies has brought conditions to a critical level
International aid agencies have raised alarms about the deteriorating situation, with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reporting a desperate need for emergency assistance
With the scale of displacement and destruction, Gaza s population is on the brink, an UNRWA spokesperson stated, urging the international community to facilitate safe corridors for the delivery of food water and medical supplies However access to Gaza remains severely restricted with only limited humanitarian aid permitted through the Rafah crossing
The intensifying conflict has also drawn responses from neighboring countries and international organizations Egypt
and Jordan have both called for an immediate ceasefire reiterating the urgent need for peace in a region marked by escalating hostilities
Turkey, which has historically played a mediating role in the Israel-Palestine conflict, has condemned the recent airstrikes, describing them as a “grave violation of international humanitarian law ” European Union officials while reiterating support for Israel s right to self-defense have expressed concern over the civilian toll in Gaza, calling for measured action to prevent further loss of life
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session on Thursday to discuss the ongoing violence but a resolution calling for a ceasefire was blocked due to a lack of consensus among member states UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his appeal for restraint, urging all parties to protect civilians and uphold international law “The conflict’s human cost is staggering and every effort must be made to prevent further suffering
Guterres said
Local leaders and health officials have continued to issue statements on the impact of the conflict Dr Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry, stated “The destruction and relentless targeting of civilians and medical facilities are catastrophic
Punjab's Lead to Cure Breast
UZMA RUBAB
Breast cancer has become one of the most significant health threats to women worldwide, with Pakistan recording some of the highest incidences in Asia Every year 40 000 women in Pakistan lose their lives to this disease and more than 10 million are at risk The high mortality rate is primarily due to delayed diagnosis and limited access to advanced treatments To combat this growing health crisis, the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken major steps toward improving treatment facilities and raising public awareness Maryam Nawaz Sharif, shortly after taking office, prioritized the construction of Punjab’s first public cancer hospital the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital This hospital is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing free cancer treatment particularly for breast cancer patients The hospital s first phase will consist of 150 beds, including 100 for adults and 50 for children, and will be spread over 333 kanals of land The estimated cost of the first phase is PKR 3 26 billion and it will feature state-of-the-art medical equipment to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients
Breast cancer is a leading cause of death among women, but it is highly treatable if diagnosed early However in Pakistan 70 percent of deaths occur because the disease is detected at an advanced stage Breast cancer is a condition in which cells in the breast grow uncontrollably, forming tumours Although men can develop breast cancer, it is much more common in women Timely detection significantly improves
the chances of successful treatment
A key component of the government's strategy is working with global health campaigns such as Pink Ribbon which has been actively raising awareness about breast cancer in Pakistan for over 22 years October, recognized globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, sees a concerted effort from healthcare professionals non-governmental organizations and survivors to spread awareness about the disease The Punjab government under Maryam Nawaz Sharif s leadership, is collaborating with Pink Ribbon to ensure that more women are aware of the risks and the importance of early detection As part of this collaboration the government is rolling out educational campaigns across the province The aim is to reduce the breast cancer mortality rate by encouraging women to undergo regular check-ups and screenings Pink Ribbon has been instrumental in educating women about self-examinations and the importance of mammography which can detect cancer early when it is most treatable
In line with these efforts, Maryam Nawaz Sharif has instructed that a dedicated breast cancer ward would be constructed at Nawaz Sharif cancer
Hospital Maryam Nawaz Sharif s government has also recognized the need to empower women in the healthcare workforce In the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital’s breast cancer block, all staff members will be women creating a safe and comfortable environment for female patients This decision not only ensures privacy but also encourages more women to come forward for treatment without fear or hesitation
ancer
Another significant step taken by the Punjab government is the establishment of Pakistan's first breast cancer data bank This initiative led by the Chief Minister is aimed at collecting reliable data on breast cancer patients across the country, enabling healthcare providers to improve treatment plans and allocate resources more effectively Accurate data will help identify trends and provide insights into the disease s spread particularly in rural areas where healthcare services are less accessible The involvement of Lady Health Visitors (LHV) in breast cancer clinics across the province is also part of this broader strategy These health workers will play a critical role in early diagnosis and guiding patients through the treatment process Breast cancer s causes are a combination of environmental and genetic factors, with age being a major risk factor As women grow older their risk of developing breast cancer increases Additionally early onset of menstruation late menopause being childless, or having the first child after the age of 30 also heightens the risk Recent studies show that obesity, particularly among women nearing menopause significantly increases the chances of developing breast cancer A high-fat diet is also a contributing factor making it essential to encourage healthier eating habits, including more vegetables and less fatty food Hereditary factors play a significant role as well with 25 percent of breast cancer cases being linked to family history Women with close relatives who have had breast cancer such as mothers sisters, or aunts, are at a higher risk and should take extra precautions
PAKISTAN, US PARTNERSHIP CRUCIAL FOR REGIONAL PEACE, DEVELOPMENT:
S TA F F R E P O R T
Chaudhry Salik Hussain, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Group, addressed the 352nd Session of the International Labour Organization s (ILO) Governing Body today I stand before you to reaffirm our commitment to the Palestinian cause and advocate for Palestine's rightful place within the ILO," Chaudhry Salik Hussain stated "Our position is grounded in the principles of justice equal rights self-determi-
nation inclusivity and respect for all peoples reflecting the shared values of the United Nations, the ILO, and the international community " Hussain emphasized, "Following the adoption of UN General Assembly resolution ES-10/23 we believe it is imperative that the ILO formally recognize Palestine s status and participation rights within this organization " The OIC Group supports Option-I, recommending formal recognition of Palestine as a "non-member observer State" within the ILO This recognition would enable Palestine to con-
tribute meaningfully to labor rights and social justice discussions "We propose the temporary suspension of any provisions that may limit Palestine s rights and privileges ensuring full and effective participation " Salik Hussain added Chaudhry Salik Hussain concluded We
S TA F F R E P O R
Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs, SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam on Friday extended heartfelt felicitations to the GB people on the 77th Independence Day of Gilgit-Baltistan
In his special message for Independence Day, Engineer Amir Muqam remarked that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan were uniquely honored to celebrate their independ-
ence twice: first on August 14 and again on November 1 This day marks a significant milestone in Gilgit-Baltistan's history when the region gained independence and formally joined Pakistan Engineer Amir Muqam called for remembrance of the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine on this auspicious day recognizing their decades-long struggle for the selfdetermination
He expressed gratitude to Pakistan's armed forces for protecting the country s borders and sovereignty
The Federal Government prioritized Gilgit-Baltistan's development recognizing its importance in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) he said Engineer Amir Muqam emphasized the region's potential for tourism, and vowed to promote the sector He also assured continued efforts for Gilgit-Baltistan s progress side by side GB government
empowering participants to take proactive steps in managing their health This exclusive event reinforced CBD Punjab’s efforts to foster an informed and healthaware environment for its female employees
Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives
Ahsan Iqbal Friday said that the Federal Government was committed to utilising all resources for the development of the Balochistan province
Responding to a question during the ongoing 343rd session of the Upper House he informed that a total of 200 PSDP projects were underway in Balochistan, with an estimated cost of 1429 billion rupees He said an amount of 130 billion rupees had been earmarked for the PSDP in 2024-25 while more allocation of funds would be ensured for the uplift of the Balochis-
tan projects However, he stressed the importance of improving the administrative capacity of provinces for better service delivery of funds and resources after allocations Meanwhile, Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain replying to a question told
The Ambassador met with Mayor of Linyi Zhang Baoliang The two sides held extensive discussions to further deepen bilateral cooperation in various sectors and explore new avenues for enhancing trade and investment particularly in developing logistics networks and training initiatives The Ambassador expressed Pakistan s keen interest in benefiting from Linyi s logistics and customs operations expertise The two sides also discussed cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
PAKISTAN MISSES THREE KEY IMF FISCAL TARGETS IN Q1 F Y25, REPORTS MINISTRY OF FINANCE
the Punjab government explore alternative transportation for Chingchi rickshaws by next year The judge proposed school closures and remote work options for private sector employees for two days per week alongside a complete ban on commercial activities on Sundays if conditions do not improve Commending the provincial government s recent pollution-control efforts, Justice Karim reminded officials that these measures stemmed from court directives The judge further ordered the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) to utilize ablution water from mosques to wash city roads The court scheduled the next hearing for November 8
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday launched a “revitalized Punjab CM Green Tractor Scheme” by conducting digital balloting Revitalized after 12 years the scheme aims at modernize farming practices across the province Punjab entered the modern era of mechanised agriculture today ” said Maryam Nawaz while conducting digital balloting She said that the Nawaz Sharif s green tractor scheme has been revitalized in Punjab for farmers after a lapse of 12 years
The chief minister said that Rs1 million in subsidy would be offered on each tractor to a total of 9 500 farmers under the scheme with an additional 1 000 free tractors for wheat growers cultivating 25-50 acres The program s relaunch involved a digital balloting ceremony, where the first three winners were announced, and the Chief Minister herself took a test drive of one of the four available tractor models calling the experience pleasant
The Punjab CM said that this initiative signified a major investment in agricultural mechanization and promises significant changes for farmers in the province
After the balloting Mohammad Yasin son of Mohammad Ashraf from Okara is the first farmer to get a green tractor, while Talib Hussain, son of Muhammad Hussain from Chakwal and Dera Ghazi Khan’s Ghulam Akbar son of Haji Ghulam Hussain are the second and third winners respectively
On the occasion CM Maryam Nawaz was briefed that 339 farmers of Okara, 111 farmers of Chak-
wal and 276 farmers of Dera
