g OF 25 SENTENCED, 14 RECEIVED 10 YEARS OF RIGOROUS IMPRISONMENT, 11 HANDED SHORTER TERMS g CONVICTS RETAIN RIGHT TO APPEAL AND OTHER LEGAL RECOURSES UNDER LAW AND CONSTITUTION: ISPR
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday rejected the sentences handed down by military courts to civilians with party’s stalwart Omar Ayub asserted military courts have no jurisdiction to try or sentence civilians
In a statement Omar Ayub condemned the military court verdicts against PTI detainees terming them a violation of justice
The leader of the opposition in the National Assembly emphasized that the detainees are ordinary citizens who cannot be tried in military courts, describing such courts sentencing civilians as “kangaroo courts” and arguing that they undermine the principles of justice Military courts are not legitimate judicial partners of the state s judicial power Armed forces are part of the state s administrative apparatus, not the judiciary, Ayub said He added that the establishment of such courts violates judicial independence and the constitutional principle of separation of powers undermining the foundational features of the Constitution Meanwhile former
on the matter vowing to continue the struggle for justice PTI rejects militar y cour ts sentencing of civilians
1 6 s o l d i e r s m a r t y r e
soldiers embraced martyrdom while responding to the assault The statement added that a sanitisation operation was being conducted in the area and that “the perpetrators of the heinous act will be brought to justice” “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve, said the ISPR Soldier martyred as infiltration attempt thwarted in Khyber One soldier was martyred while four terrorists were killed as security
forces engaged a group of terrorists trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Khyber district, the ISPR said in a separate statement issued earlier In the statement the military s media wing said: On night [of] 19/20 December movement of a group of khwarij, trying to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces in general area Rajgal, Khyber District “Troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate Resultantly four khwarij were sent to hell the ISPR added However, during the intense fire exchange, 22-year-old Sepoy Amir Sohail Afridi, a resident of Khyber District “having fought gallantly embraced shahadat (martyrdom)
relationship with the US While ignoring and shielding the manifestations of a much more potent missile capability in our eastern neighbourhood concerns on Pakistani capabilities are being raised seemingly at the behest of others to further accentuate the already fragile strategic stability in the region,” it was further added Pakistan calls US official’s
S
TO BOOST PAKISTAN’S EV SECTOR
PTA
J I T H R E AT E N S P R O T E S T S I F E L E C T R I C I T Y P R I C E S R E M A I N U N C H A N G E D
the constitution, and the rule of law He called on workers to spread the party’s message engage the youth and prepare for a large-scale movement aimed at challenging the current political and social order
Family murders shock Punjab and Sindh with brutal k illings
BAHAWALNAGAR
S ta f f R e p o R t
In a chilling incident in Fort Abbas, Bahawalnagar district, a woman, with the assistance of her two sons murdered her husband and buried his body in the courtyard of their house
According to police the victim
In a separate tragic incident on December 19 a mother brutally killed her two children by slitting their throats in Nawabshah s Airport Police Station jurisdiction
The suspect identified as Komal Sheikh was taken into custody During the initial interrogation Komal confessed to killing her children with a knife in separate rooms When asked about her motives, she remained silent and refused to provide an explanation Police and rescue teams arrived
Muhammad Iqbal, had been missing for over a month and a half Suspicion arose when Iqbal’s mother alerted authorities, leading to the discovery of his body buried in the courtyard The woman and her two sons have been arrested and an investigation into the murder is underway
promptly after receiving information about the crime The children s bodies were sent to a hospital for post-mortem examinations and the murder weapon was recovered Authorities are continuing their investigation
In another shocking case on November 15 a seven-month-pregnant woman was murdered by her mother-inlaw and sister-in-law in Daska The victim, Zehra, was allegedly killed in Kotli Marlan village by her inlaws, Sughra Bibi and Yasmeen According to police, the two
addressed the difficulties facing farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa He highlighted that farmers in the province are often forced to pay extortion money a problem exacerbated by the region s ongoing battle with terrorism Kundi also pointed out that the wheat price issue, which has been a significant concern in Punjab, is similarly affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa He criticized the province’s inadequate water distribution noting that efforts to improve the situation had barely begun Although Khyber Pakhtunkhwa offers the cheapest electricity in the country, Kundi stressed that the province still faces substantial agricultural challenges Reflecting on the past, Kundi noted that during the tenure of the Pakistan Peoples Party (2008-2013) food exports had been successfully managed despite numerous hurdles He called for greater unity among farmers across provinces, urging Punjab s leadership to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to see firsthand the true situation, as the province’s image is often misrepresented on social media
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The ISPR condemned the events as an unacceptable attempt of political terrorism, fuelled by a narrative of “hate and lies ” It highlighted the desecration of monuments dedicated to national heroes as part of the orchestrated attacks
These blatant acts of violence not only shocked the nation but also underscored the necessity of checking this unacceptable attempt of political terrorism to impose a perverted will through violence and coercion, the statement read The military detailed its comprehensive response to the events conducting meticulous investigations to gather irrefutable evidence
high-profile military sites and monuments The ISPR called the verdicts an important milestone in delivering justice and deterring future acts of violence It emphasized that these sentences serve as a stark warning against political exploitation and propaganda, urging individuals to avoid taking the law into their own hands
This is also a reminder to all those exploited by vested interests and their intoxicating lies the statement concluded The sentences mark a significant step toward addressing the aftermath of May 9 and ensuring accountability for actions that threatened Pakistan s national security and stability Details of the Convicted Individuals: Jan Muhammad Khan Attack: Jinnah House
Sentence: 10 years imprisonment Muhammad Imran Mehboob
Raja
Sentence:
04
COMMENT
Late on Kurram violence
THE KP apex committee, in its Friday meeting, decided on the elimination of bunkers and deweaponisation in Kurram district to prevent a recurrence of the sectarian violence which recently caused at least 130 people to be killed there Is this a case of too little, too late or better late than never ?
To say the least, holding the meeting at all, after a week of killing apparently exhausted the blood-lust on both sides, may actually be a case of bolting the stabledoor after the horse had bolted It should be realised that the trouble is at root sectarian and tribal, and the government’s main responsibility is to make sure that the tribal flames are not fanned, nor sectarian sentiments The main factor behind these disputes are disputes over land The provincial government set up a land commission in 2021 and the current outbreak which comes after the last one in 2007, has come after that Sectarian sentiments are intertwined, and the involvement of those not involved in the land disputes, is ensured by this sectarian colouring
The apex committee has apparently decided to address symptoms rather than root causes It has set up the law enforcing agencies for a punishing enforcement effort with the risk of further casualties True no one should have bunkers, but those who have built them have only to point to very recent history, when there were three major outbreaks of violence between 1987 and 2007 It does not help that the ceasefire which ended the violence is expected to break down in the near future Deweaponization is basically not an option because Pakhtun culture is essentially one where possessing weapons is essentially mandatory and because the local history of violence inclines the residents to possess weapons
Within this situation it is essential that the provincial government play its role in solving the land disputes KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur has come under fire for being in Islamabad, trying to boost the rally for his party leader ’s release and for showing more concern about putative victims of firing on that rally declaring mourning for victims whose existence has not yet been proven, while not paying any attention to the Kurram dead who certainly do exist Of course there is no partisan benefit in them as opposed to those supposed killed in Islamabad He can diffuse this if he got the are settled, which needs the land disputes to end At the moment there are simply too many for people to ignore
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
IT was a crisp December morning when I was invited to speak at the Lincoln Corner, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, to celebrate International Human Rights Day Although the session was delayed the organizers emphasized my expertise in human rights and our discussion ultimately centered on this vital theme I had planned to introduce the concept of regional human rights systems to eager students from law, political science, and international relations backgrounds However, as the conversation unfolded, I found myself dwelling on the stark reality: unlike other regions, Asia and particularly South Asia lacks a dedicated regional mechanism to protect and promote human rights
This realization struck a chord with the students and with me What would it take to create a South Asian human rights system? What lessons could we draw from the successes and failures of other regions? And most importantly how could this idea become a reality in one of the most diverse and conflict-ridden parts of the world? WHY SOUTH ASIA NEEDS A REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FRAMEWORK
South Asia is home to over a quarter of the world’s population and faces some of its most pressing human rights challenges Afghanistan’s prolonged conflicts have produced one of the largest refugee populations in the world with neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Iran struggling to provide adequate support In Sri Lanka the aftermath of the decadeslong civil war continues to leave scars, with allegations of war crimes and unaddressed grievances of Tamil minorities In India and Pakistan minorities face systemic persecution Discriminatory laws mob violence and targeted attacks against Muslims Christians Dalits and Ahmadis have fostered an atmosphere of fear and exclusion Women across the region endure high levels of gender-based violence, with incidents like honor killings and acid attacks remaining alarmingly common Despite these shared challenges, there is no unified framework to address these issues regionally
Contrast this with other parts of the world The Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Latin America has held states accountable for forced disappearances and systemic violence The European Court of Human Rights has issued landmark rulings on privacy freedom of expression and non-discrimination The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights emphasizes collective rights and transitional justice in post-conflict societies These systems demonstrate the transformative potential of regional human rights frameworks THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF SAARC The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) could serve as the foundation for a regional human rights system Established in 1985, SAARC promotes economic and cultural development across its member states: Afghanistan, Bangladesh Bhutan India Maldives Nepal Pakistan and Sri Lanka While SAARC has focused primarily on development it has yet to meaningfully address human rights
A regional human rights charter under SAARC could enshrine civil, political, economic, and cultural rights tailored to the region’s unique needs An independent South Asian Human Rights Commission could monitor violations and make recommendations while a regional court could provide a platform for victims to seek justice This framework could also facilitate regional dialogue on cross-border issues like trafficking migration, and climate-induced displacement CHALLENGES TO BUILDING A REGIONAL SYSTEM
Creating a regional human rights system in South Asia would not be easy Political tensions particularly between India and Pakistan have historically paralyzed SAARC The principle of non-interference which underpins much of South Asia s political ethos, poses another significant challenge Additionally, the region’s political diversity ranging from democracies to authoritarian regimes complicates consensus-building However other regions have faced and overcome similar obstacles ASEAN despite its limitations has established a human rights body that emphasizes dialogue and trust-building South Asia could take a phased approach, starting with softer mechanisms such as monitoring and capacity-building before introducing binding enforcement measures
South Asia must dare to dream. Despite its challenges, the region has the potential to build a system that safeguards human rights for generations to come By focusing on the possibilities rather than the pitfalls, we can keep the hope alive and push for a better tomorrow
Where do we stand on education?
Epromotes social cohesion tolerance and a sense of unity Empowered by education, individuals were poised for making substantive contributions to their communities and the broader global milieu Education as such was not solely about attaining credentials but more importantly about empowering the individuals and
Aligned with the objectives of Pakistan Vision 2025 This article also emphasizes the critical role of higher education in developing a knowledge-based economy, with a focus on investing in the youth Through a thorough analysis an attempt is being made by analysing the enrolment trends specific to the regions and genders the growth of higher education institutions the composition of faculty, the global rankings of Pakistani institutions, and other relevant indicators observed over the past five years Additionally, strategic achievements , institutional reforms and new initiatives in the higher education sector with a particular emphasis on promoting research and development within the higher education institutions are also being highlighted to some extent Skill development which was a pivotal aspect of the educational framework has also lately emerged as a top priority of the government Central to this endeavour was the vital role of the National Vocational & Technical training Commission (NAVTEC) in delivering the professional training to the youth and skilled workforce, bolstering national productivity , and facilitating workforce export abroad Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-4 ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all It also ensures that by 2030 all girls and boys complete accessible,equitable, and quality primary and secondary education, leading to relevant and SDG -4 effective learning outcomes Pakistan is committed to transforming its education system into a high-quality global market demand-driven system by SDG4 which pertains to the quality of education According to information collected from the official sources, The progress achieved by Pakistan till some time back on SDG-4 of SDGs is as follows: Primary, Lower and Higher Secondary Education completion rates stood at 67 percent 47 percent and 23 percent respectively depict ing higher Primary attendance than Lower and Upper Secondary levels (SDG-4 Target Indicator 4 1 2 ) Parity Indices at Literacy, Youth Literacy, Primary and Secondary were 0 71, 0 82, 0 88 and 0 89 respectively (SDG-4 Target Indicator 4 5 1) The participation rate in organized learning (one year before the official primary entry age) by sex was female19 percent showing a rather low level of consideration of Pro-Primary Education (SDG-4 Indicator 4 2 2 ) The percentage of the population in a given age group achieving at least an affixed level of proficiency in functional (a) literacy and (b) nu-
meracy skills was 50 percent (SDG-4 Target Indicator 4 6 1) Various initiatives have been taken by the federal and provincial governments for elevation of education standards aligning with their commitment to achieve the Goal 4 of SDGs These measures encompass a spectrum of strategies for enhancing access to quality education These included the establishment of new schools upgrading the existing schools improving the learning environment by providing basic educational facilities digitization of educational institutions enhancing the resilience of educational institutions to cater for unforeseen situations, promoting distance learning, capacity building of teacher, and improving hiring of teachers particularly hiring of science teachers for addressing the issues of science
ucation and so on More can be said about the
aspects of the Education Sector such as directives and initiatives of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for promotion and strengthening of somewhat neglected Education Sector and Literacy Gross Enrolment Rate and Net Enrolment Rate Availabilities of Basic Facilities in Public Schools Expenditure on Education The writer is Lahore-based Freelance Journalist, Columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News) ,
Navigating shipbreaking change
Unsafe billboards resur face
MuhaMMad Zahid rifat
Working on this front too
Do’s and Don'ts for the Pakistani Diaspora
P ti members of the diaspora are tr ying to damage the countr y
THE Pakistani diaspora is one of the largest and most influential in the world, with millions of Pakistanis living in the Middle East and Europe and countries like the USA the UK Canada and the Gulf States Many members of the diaspora maintain strong connections with their homeland contributing to Pakistan's economy through remittances and nurturing cultural and social ties
However, a segment of the Pakistani diaspora has become increasingly involved in political activism critical of Pakistan’s government and military Some of these groups engage in anti-Pakistan and anti-army campaigns raising concerns about the impact of diaspora involvement on Pakistan s internal politics, national security, and global reputation
The participation of some members of the Pakistani diaspora in such activities often stems from political and social discontent with the situation in Pakistan Many individuals involved in anti-government campaigns have left the country due to political persecution or ideological differences Historically, political exiles including former leaders activists and intellectuals who fell out of favor with Pakistan's ruling regimes have sought refuge abroad where they continue to influence discussions and actions related to Pakistan s domestic affairs Exiles from Pakistan often criticize the government and military for alleged human rights abuses, authoritarian practices, and the military’s overwhelming influence on the country's political landscape
Recently anti-state and anti-army narratives along with false propaganda have reached new heights, particularly within the Pakistani diaspora One of the primary ways these sentiments are expressed is through di-
aspora networks, political lobbying, and the use of digital platforms Modern communication tools especially social media have made it easier for individuals to organize mobilize and disseminate information on a global scale Platforms like Twitter Facebook, and YouTube have become central channels through which members of the diaspora articulate their opposition Various diaspora communities organize public protests and demonstrations in cities worldwide particularly in places with large Pakistani populations such as London Toronto New York, and Dubai These protests typically demand the resignation of Pakistan's government or military leadership The diaspora often leverages its political influence in foreign countries to apply pressure on Pakistan s government engaging in lobbying efforts targeting human rights organizations international bodies like the United Nations and foreign governments
Members of the Pakistani diaspora also have a strong presence in global media, including television radio and print journalism Many particularly those who fled Pakistan due to political reasons work as journalists and commentators who openly criticize Pakistan s political and military leadership Some have also been involved in confrontational acts, such as chasing and publicly confronting Pakistani political or military figures visiting abroad
The anti-Pakistan activities of diaspora communities can significantly impact Pakistan s national interests and its international reputation Lobbying efforts by diaspora groups can create diplomatic tensions between Pakistan and other countries For example when the diaspora successfully persuades foreign governments to raise human rights concerns about Pakistan at international forums it may lead to strained bilateral relations, calls for sanctions, or reductions in military aid
Public criticism of the Pakistani government and military from the diaspora can also influence domestic politics by undermining the legitimacy of the government in the eyes of international stakeholders and emboldening opposition groups Furthermore diaspora activism can exacerbate ethnic and political divisions within Pakistan
A concerning trend has emerged among some of the diaspora particularly supporters of Imran Khan and his PTI who have en-
gaged in activities seen as detrimental to Pakistan s stability and reputation These actions, which include spreading misinformation, participating in disruptive protests, and attempting to incite unrest, have led to accusations that certain PTI members are working against Pakistan's interests
While political dissent is natural for any democracy some actions go beyond criticism and could be perceived even as treasonous After Imran Khan s removal from office in April 2022, PTI supporters, including those in the diaspora, became more outspoken in their opposition to Pakistan s government and military However some went beyond peaceful protest and advocacy inciting violence and political instability Prominent PTI figures, including YouTubers and influencers delivered speeches calling for violent protests in Pakistan, framing Khan’s ouster as a conspiracy orchestrated by the military and the ruling coalition
These statements especially from PTI leaders in exile were seen as inciting actions that could worsen the political situation in Pakistan Following Khan s removal, certain diaspora supporters openly praised violent actions by protesters in Pakistan They justified the violence against law enforcement during the protests Such incitement to violence deepened Pakistan s political crisis and raised concerns about the safety of both citizens and government officials This situation intensified internal tensions, risking further alienation of various political factions and destabilizing Pakistan at a time when the country was already facing serious challenges nother damaging aspect is the ongoing efforts to damage Pakistan s image globally Some PTI supporters in the diaspora have made it their mission to attack Pakistan’s military and government through international forums and by lobbying efforts Certain PTI supporters have spread misleading narratives that depict Pakistan s civilian government as merely a puppet of the military
They often exaggerate the military s role, labeling Pakistan as a military dictatorship,” even though the military only holds significant influence in specific areas like security and foreign policy These distorted portrayals contribute to an international perception of Pakistan as an unstable undemocratic state
In interviews with foreign news outlets, PTI supporters have made inflammatory statements accusing Pakistan’s military of human rights abuses electoral manipulation
and suppressing political opposition These individuals tend to ignore the broader sociopolitical context of Pakistan, presenting a highly one-sided narrative This narrative harms Pakistan’s diplomatic relationships, damages its international reputation and impedes its economic prospects The relentless flow of negative rhetoric has also strained Pakistan s diplomatic ties particularly with countries that host large Pakistani diasporas
One of the most damaging actions of PTI supporters abroad has been the spread of disinformation through social media, to propagate conspiracy theories disseminate fake news and stoke hatred against Pakistan s military and political leadership
This disinformation has misled the international community and further divided Pakistani society
Diaspora members have been accused of circulating fabricated videos and unverified reports that accuse Pakistan’s government and military of corruption human rights abuses and election manipulation These sensationalized narratives are often presented as "evidence" of systemic issues in Pakistan, intensifying the country’s internal divisions and damaging its credibility abroad
For example allegations of election rigging have been significantly exaggerated with some members of the PTI diaspora accusing the military of manipulating elections to secure a specific outcome PTI's social media network, including its diaspora supporters, often amplifies political events to align with their narrative spreading provocative content such as memes edited videos and fabricated news stories that stoke anti-military sentiment
This not only misguides the general public in Pakistan but also alienates the international community from addressing Pakistan's challenges in a constructive way These campaigns have deepened societal polarization especially during elections and protests and are aimed at undermining trust in both government institutions and the military
Disinformation further exacerbates the situation by creating confusion The PTI diaspora has also harmed Pakistan’s national interests by attempting to sway foreign governments to take positions against the country These efforts typically involve lobbying Western powers to impose sanctions cut military aid, or adopt a firmer stance against Pakistan s government and military Some members of the PTI diaspora have pushed for countries like the USA the UK and the EU to impose sanctions citing human rights
D e - d o l l a r i s a t i o n a m i d W e s t e r n d o m i n a t i o n
abuses or accusing the military of an “
mocratic” role in governance These calls for sanctions are an attempt to isolate Pakistan internationally and undermine its sovereignty Such lobbying campaigns can damage Pakistan s relationships
These
The bag lady
The term “de - dollarisation” refers to reduced reliance on the US dollar as a medium of circ ulation, unit of account, or form of holding reser ves for international transac tions
There is, however, no clear idea even among the BRICS countries about the alternative financial architec ture that should replace the c urrent one
of assured value the US also can use this role of the dollar to arm-twist countries into accepting its hegemony It can make dollars available to a country that it favours Alternatively, it can impound the dollar reserves of particular countries that it wishes to punish, for such reserves are typically held in Western banks Indeed, it has meted out such punishment to numerous countries ranging from Iran to Russia The tendency toward de-dollarisation which is generally favoured by Third World countries that are typically crippled by a shortage of dollars, has acquired a great fillip of late, because of the frequency of such impounding in recent years
If as many as one-third of the countries of the world have been subjected to unilateral Western sanctions that is sanctions that do not have the support of the United Nations and hence not imposed in defence of some principle, as the anti-apartheid sanctions against South Africa were, then it is natural that there would be a strong desire among countries of the Global South and countries that have been so targeted to dedollarise This desire found expression recently at the Kazan summit of the BRICS countries
The role of Western sanctions spearheaded by the US in strengthening the desire to de-dollarise has been recognised within the US administration itself The US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaking with the House Financial Services Committee in July, said that US economic sanctions had led to BRICS trying to embark on dedollarisation
Yellen admitted: “The more sanctions the US imposes the more countries (BRICS) will seek financial transaction methods that do not involve the US dollar
Implicit in her remark was the admission that the US uses the hegemony of the dollar to browbeat countries into toeing its line, and that the number of countries so browbeaten has been increasing
There is specific dialectics of exercising hegemony through unilateral sanc-
tions If sanctions are imposed on one or two recalcitrant countries then they may be effective without posing any threats to the entire structure But if sanctions are imposed on a host of countries, then the structure itself gets threatened And given the distress to which countries are reduced under neo-liberalism, there is a tendency for the number of recalcitrant countries to increase over time
But with the increase in the number of sanctioned countries the tendency towards de-dollarisation necessarily keeps getting strengthened And this is also when the sheer coercion behind the hegemony of the dollar the fact that this hegemony is based on imperialist arm-twisting becomes clearly evident exposing the vacuousness of the liberal claim that the dollar arrangement is in the interests of all countries
A very important proximate reason behind the hegemony of the dollar, going back to the 1970s, was the agreement between the US and the oil-producing countries achieved through the mediation of Saudi Arabia that the dollar would be the medium in which oil prices would be expressed and oil trade carried out Given the importance of oil, this gave the dollar a big boost; in fact, more recently when Western sanctions were imposed against Russia with the objective of decimating the rouble that currency was salvaged inter alia by Russia s insistence that all payments for its oil and gas exports must be made in roubles
But clearly, such an agreement with oil exporters as it took place in the 1970s, is not considered sufficient now to ensure the continued hegemony of the dollar
Even Yellen who had pooh-poohed all talk of de-dollarisation earlier now takes it more seriously
It is not surprising in this context that Donald Trump has even threatened countries that seek to move away from the dollar with the imposition of 100% tariff on their exports to the US Trump s threat makes it crystal clear to everybody that behind the
Yellen admitted: “The more sanctions the US imposes, the more countries (BRICS) will seek financial transaction methods that do not involve the US dollar.”
Implicit in her remark was the admission that the US uses the hegemony of the dollar to browbeat countries into toeing its line, and that the number of countries so browbeaten has been increasing
hegemony of the dollar is the coercion exercised by US imperialism
quirements through non-dollar payments if they have external debt commitments in terms of dollars to the IMF or the World Bank or to Western financial institutions, then meeting those becomes impossible Trump’s threat therefore is a serious one Significantly in issuing this threat Trump
flaged by liberal chatter
Ironically, however, this very threat that can be effective in the short-run will make more and more countries conscious of the need to de-dollarise of the fact that dollar hegemony entails thraldom to the US Of course there is still a long way to go before any meaningful de-dollarisation occurs and the Kazan summit was well aware of this fact
After Trump’s threat, several countries, including India have expressed their lack of interest in de-dollarisation But while that may be an immediate move to remain in America s good books the fact that imperialism is facing a serious challenge is beyond doubt Even the unity among the imperialist powers that is visible on the question of Ukraine and on Gaza, with social democracy in all the imperialist countries characteristically falling in line behind imperialism testifies to the seriousness of the challenge to imperialism
The talk of de-dollarisation is part of this challenge There is, however, no clear idea even among the BRICS countries about the alternative financial architecture that should replace the current one Progressive opinion in the world must ensure that this replacement whenever it occurs does not just substitute dollar hegemony by the hegemony of some other currency, reflecting the hegemony of some other country or set of countries
For this it is necessary that the same arrangements are not kept alive when the dollar is replaced by some other currency whether some existing currency or some alternative BRICS currency; the rules themselves need to change, and one important change must be that the burden of adjustment for achieving payments balance falls not on the deficit countries as was the case under the Bretton Woods system and as is the case now but rather on the
Priyank a’s totes speak louder than words
TRIBUNE
US CONGRESS PASSES BILL TO AVERT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
KARACHI
S TA F F R E P O R T
The inaugural Pakistan Electric Vehicle (EV) Conference, themed "Accelerating the Transition to a Sustainable Future," took place in Karachi on Saturday Organized by the Climate Action Centre (CAC) the event marked a significant step toward promoting sustainable transportation in Pakistan Bringing together stakeholders from government, industry, academia and financial institutions the conference concluded with a strong call to phase out fossil fuel use in traffic emphasizing the urgent need for climate action
The conference aimed to initiate a dialogue among key players in the EV ecosystem, address the challenges faced by the industry and identify opportunities for growth and collaboration Participants also discussed the draft New Energy Vehicle Policy 2025 and explored the creation of an EV industry alliance to strengthen the sector As part of a two-phase initiative the conference will continue in Lahore in February 2025 building on the discussions initiated in Karachi Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Climate Change, served as the chief guest In her keynote address, she underlined the pivotal role of civil society in tackling climate change and stressed the need for transformational policies Civil so-
ciety is central and pivotal in addressing climate change Without its engagement there is no meaningful action, she said Rehman highlighted the urgency of making EVs affordable and establishing local manufacturing capabilities to reduce Pakistan’s reliance on fossil fuels
The conference featured two panel discussions that brought together experts from various fields
The first panel, moderated by Dr Aazir Khan, Director of the Integrated Engineering Center of Excellence at the University of Lahore focused on finance and policy
The panelists included Dr Naveed Arshad Director of LUMS Energy Institute; Rabeel Warraich, founder and CEO of Sarmayacar; Muhammad Atif Hanif, CEO of Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan); and Zafar
Masud President and CEO of The Bank of Punjab They discussed the importance of unlocking private finance for decarbonization, addressing capacity issues at the provincial level, and tapping into international climate funding
Masud noted that while provinces have sufficient resources they face serious challenges in developing and implementing policies despite decision-making being much easier at the provincial level, he said
The second panel, moderated by Bilal Hussain Editorial and Insights Lead at Invest2Innovate focused on industry and innovation
Panelists included Hasan Qureshi Government Relations Manager at
inDrive; Kashif Riaz Director of Projects at DFML Honeri; Sadullah Ejaz General Manager of Corporate Affairs and HR at Atlas Honda Ltd; and Sheikh Osama Nadeem, CEO of E-Turbo Motors
Discussions centered on the hurdles in scaling the EV industry fostering innovation in manufacturing
Several key takeaways emerged from the event Senator Sherry Rehman stressed that affordability is crucial for meaningful progress in EV adoption She emphasized the need for policies tailored to Pakistan s unique challenges saying Smart slogans are not enough; we need realistic accelerated policies
The importance of establishing a local EV manufacturing base to reduce dependence on imports was also a recurring theme Meanwhile panelists highlighted inefficiencies in accessing international climate funds and called for structured, actionable efforts to secure such financing Rabeel Warraich shared that it took two years to secure $15 million from the Green Climate Fund underscoring the need for coherent strategies to tap into global funding pools Yasir Husain founder of CAC and chief organizer of the conference, emphasized the need to transition away from fossil fuels “The use of fossil fuel has to end Groups like the Climate Action Centre have an important role to play in advocating for and facilitating this transition, he said
Pak istan experiences longest night of year today
PM FORMS COMMITTEE TO REVIEW ALLOWANCES FOR GOVT EMPLOYEES
PM direc ts authorities to bring tax defaulters into tax net
Company
(SSGCL), the transmission-stage price was cut by 6% to $10 54 per mmBtu from $11 22 last month The distribution price for SSGCL was reduced by 1 99% to $12 54 per mmBtu from $12 80 in Novem-
ber The higher gap between transmission and distribution prices reflects significant losses during the distribution process The notification revealed that RLNG consumers are paying up to 16% higher charges due to unaccounted-for gas (UFG) losses
Ogra increased the UFG loss limit for SSGCL from 13% to 16 16% and for SNGPL from 8% to 8 6% The regulator did not clarify the reasoning behind its decision to approve higher UFG losses which significantly impacts RLNG pricing In absolute terms SSGCL s transmission price reduction amounted to $0 675 per mmBtu, while the distribution price dropped by $0 255 per unit For SNGPL transmission prices decreased by $0 40 per mmBtu and distribution prices were cut by $0 36 per unit
Despite the reductions, the RLNG distribution prices for
SSGCL and SNGPL at $12 54 and $12 90 per mmBtu respectively, remain significantly higher than the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) average delivered price of $8 93 per mmBtu This disparity is attributed to profit margins charged by LNG importers and port authorities alongside high UFG losses of 16 16% for SSGCL and 10 13% for SNGPL The RLNG basket price for December was calculated based on 12 cargoes These included 10 cargoes under PSO s contracts with Qatar Gas at an average price of $8 93 per mmBtu with four cargoes at $7 50 and six at $9 87 per mmBtu Another cargo imported by Pakistan LNG Ltd (PLL) was delivered at $8 97 per mmBtu slightly higher than the average PSO cargo price Ogra stated that the RLNG price reductions align with federal policy guidelines issued through the Ministry of Energy
S TA F F R E P O R T
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC)
Rawalpindi on Saturday approved interim bail of Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, in 32 cases till January 13, according to her counsel
Speaking to the media Faisal Malik the counsel for Bushra Bibi his client has surrendered herself to the ATC, adding that she was nominated in 23 cases in Rawalpindi alone According to details Bushra Bibi appeared before the ATC along with her counsel and sought bail in total of 32 cases including 23 pertaining to May 9 violence
The former first lady was grated interim bail in 32 cases registered in Rawalpindi, Attock and Chakwal
She appeared in court at the hearing and provided the necessary surety bonds to obtain interim bail Bushra Bibi left the court premises after the bail was granted, and her next court appearance is set for mid-January
Her counsel, Faisal Malik argued that the cases registered
against Bushra Bibi are politically motivated and aimed at vengeance
Earlier, an accountability court in Rawalpindi suspended non-bailable arrest warrants issued against Bushra Bibi in £190 million case
The accountability court in Rawalpindi presided over by Judge Nasir Javed Rana, had suspended the non-bailable arrest warrants and adjourned the hearing until December 12
During the hearing Imran Khan informed the court that he intended to present witnesses in his defense, while Bushra Bibi stated that she does not wish to present any witnesses
Earlier on December 13,
Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan and others had been named in an FIR filed over the deaths of three Rangers personnel during the party’s protest in Islamabad on November 26
