GOVT HOLDS PTI RESPONSIBLE FOR US SANCTIONS, EU’S GSP PLUS LETTER
IN the first sitting of the committees representing federal government and The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday was brief in nature and it discussed to frame Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the dialogue process The government committee comprised of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Rana Sanaullah, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Syed Naveed Qamar, Abdul Aleem Khan and Dr Farooq Sattar The PTI and its allied parties committee was represented by Asad Qaiser Raja Nasir Abbas and Sahibzada Hamid Raza Per sources privy to details of the meeting, Ishaq Dar accused PTI for working against national interests by defaming Pakistan abroad and the recent US sanctions on Pakistan’s missile programme and the statement of EU about withdrawing Pakistan s GSP Plus status for trade Mr Dar also accused PTI for hiring lobbyists to work against the country which was an anti-Pakistan act However Asad Qaisar said that the EU’s statement was about military trials of civilians which was in violation of human rights conventions Pakistan has signed with the international community On US sanctions, Qaisar said that PTI had already condemned the US sanctions and it was nothing to do with PTI ” the sources said
The sources said that Irfan Siddiqui also termed PTI s campaign to halt foreign remittances as anti-Pakistan act but he was snubbed by Sahibzada Hamid Raza who said that Imran Khan stopped the call for remittances and had given di-
sources said However, PTI failed to fix the
of demands in the meeting
He said that the PTI will present its demands in writing to the government s negotiation committee
We discussed things about past and present and I hope that if we work together for the country’s betterment, it will strengthen the political stability strengthen democracy and help in dealing with challenges faced by Pakistan he added
He also requested media to see the development positively as the meeting s environment was conducive “We want to bring betterment in Pak-
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub expressed skepticism over the government’s sincerity in the newly initiated negotiation process between the two sides as talks commenced on Monday Today marks the first round of negotiations; we will observe and assess the government s intentions, Ayub told reporters outside the court Dispelling rumors of internal discord within PTI Ayub clarified that no recent
President Zardari, PM Shehbaz vow to take legal refor ms for ward through ‘consultation’
and stability of the country
EU raises alar m over militar y cour t convictions of
civilians in Pakistan
international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) In a statement issued by the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels the EU highlighted that Pakistan, as a signatory to the ICCPR, is required to ensure fair and public trials through independent and impartial courts The convictions, handed down by a field general court martial on December 21, sentenced civilians to prison terms ranging from two to ten years for their alleged involvement in attacks on military installations during riots in May 2023 The EU noted that such actions may undermine Pakistan s commitments to uphold human rights, a core requirement under the EU s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) The GSP+ grants Pakistan preferential trade access to the European market, supporting its economy and exports worth approximately €5 4 billion annually The EU emphasized that beneficiary countries under GSP+ are obligated to effectively implement 27 international conventions including the ICCPR Failure to meet these obligations could jeopardize Pakistan s preferential trade status Legal professionals in Pakistan have also raised alarms about the implications of trying civilians in military courts, which they argue breach both international and domestic laws Former Additional Attorney General Tariq Mahmood Khokhar pointed out that Article 14 of the ICCPR guarantees the right to a fair trial by a competent independent and impartial tribunal He added that Pakistan s own Constitution under Article 10A ensures the right to a fair trial
Faisal Siddiqi, a lawyer representing civil society members in the military courts case, described the convictions as a “tragic echo” of Pakistan’s history under military rule He criticized the lengthy sentences which he claimed violated assurances made by the Attorney General of Pakistan before the Supreme Court
Siddiqi called the sentences shocking and warned that violating the Supreme Court s undertakings could amount to contempt of court
The May 2023 riots followed the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and included attacks on military installations and monuments The military described the incidents as politically provoked violence leading to the subsequent trials and convictions
The EU reminded Pakistan that compliance with human rights and good governance standards, including the rule of law and judicial independence, is essential for retaining GSP+ status Suspension of this status could result in significant economic losses for Pakistan whose exports to the EU have increased by 65% since joining the scheme in 2014
The trial of civilians in military courts is prohibited by national and international jurisprudence ” Khokhar stated warning that such violations could have dire domestic and international consequences including the suspension of Pakistan s GSP+ status
Following EU, UK says tr ying civilians in militar y cour ts ‘lacks transparency’
PSX SEES MaSSivE BUyiNG aS KSE-100
IFC, loc al banks to finance greenfield tyre manufac turing facility in Sindh
to Pakistan creating over 1,800 direct and indirect jobs and transferring technology and expertise to the domestic market The new facility is designed to address the increasing demand for tyres in Pakistan where the number of regis-
tered vehicles has grown steadily to approximately 30 million including 23 million two-wheelers as of 2023 Despite this growth, local tyre manufacturing has lagged due to limited technical expertise, reliance on imports, and a substantial informal market The project aims to reduce this dependency on imports thereby helping to conserve Pakistan s foreign exchange reserves Armstrong ZE Pvt Ltd , a Pakistan-origin company operating in over 85 countries, expressed its commitment to shaping the future of tyre manufacturing in the country “This investment is a strong vote of confidence in our vision and capabilities said Azim Yusufzai, Chairman of Armstrong ZE IFC will also provide advisory support through its Responsible Investing Support in Emerging Economies (RISE) program aimed at enhancing Armstrong s climate risk management resource efficiency and environmental and social governance processes Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, IFC s Re-
gional Director for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, highlighted the broader economic impact of the initiative noting its potential to improve consumer access to tyres spur job creation and increase productivity while reducing reliance on imports Advisor to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad emphasised the project s export potential, stating that it will not only cater to domestic demand but also help save and generate foreign reserves for the country Investor confidence is increasing and Pakistan s investment environment is steadily improving, he remarked
AHSAN DIRECTS IMMEDIATE RESOLUTION OF ISSUES
OPERATIONS IN RASHAK AI SEZ
A P P Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada on Monday convened a session at Parliament House to deliberate on critical issues including the UAE s unofficial visa restrictions, housing projects, and the welfare of overseas Pakistanis Senator Zeeshan Khanzada emphasized the urgency of addressing lingering visa concerns noting public frustration over unresolved issues
People are questioning when these matters will be resolved, he remarked, urging clarity on the underlying challenges, said a press release Khanzada pointed out discrepancies in visa processing despite applicants fulfilling all requirements and stressed the importance of keeping the public informed through compliance updates and timelines
The Secretary of the Ministry of
Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD) clarified that the restrictions were not absolute particularly in Dubai where skilled labor remains unaffected He acknowledged a recent decline in the demand for unskilled labor and highlighted the need to prioritize skilled workforce migration He added that approximately 700 000 workers have been sent abroad this year Senator Khanzada recommended inviting Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) to the next meeting for a detailed review of market demand and data accuracy
On housing projects the Director General of Housing Overseas Pakistan Foundation (OPF) reported that the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) has completed 95% of the work on a delayed project, initially set for completion in 2008 However, he said that litigation and unresolved liabilities have hindered progress Senator Khanzada urged swift resolution of these issues suggesting FWO clear its dues and involve IESCO for
necessary connections He emphasized setting a two-month deadline to provide overseas Pakistanis with functional housing Committee members discussed establishing dedicated immigration counters at international airports for Overseas Pakistanis Senator Nasir Mehmood underscored the importance of maintaining these counters especially for departing passengers In addressing welfare services, Khanzada highlighted the plight of individuals whose passports had been confiscated, preventing their return to Pakistan He called for urgent measures to facilitate their repatriation particularly for those released from jail The disparity in the service structure between OPF college employees and OPF Head Office staff was also brought to light, with the committee resolving to revisit the issue in a follow-up meeting The session was attended by Senators Shahadat Awan Gurdeep Singh Nasir Mehmood the Secretary of OPHRD and senior officials from OPF and other relevant departments
PMD forecast cold and dr y weather in most par ts of countr y
COMMENT
Getting priorities straight
“
W
H E N I came to you with those calculations we thought we might start a chain reaction that would destroy the entire world, I believe we did” The above mentioned quote is from the multiple Oscar winning film Oppenheimer in which the lead character Dr Robert J Oppenheimer is talking to Einstein about the invention of the nuclear bomb Even though the quote is about nuclear weapons some might say that it better describes the AI powered lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) more accurately in the modern times
According to the DOD 3000 9 Autonomous Weapons Systems can be defined as “A weapon system that once activated can select and engage targets without further intervention by an operator This includes, but is not limited to, operator-supervised autonomous weapon systems that are designed to allow operators to override operation of the weapon system, but can select and engage targets without further operator input after activation ’’ The definition can be deemed as accurate but can also be viewed as a broad interpretation of the Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS) According to this definition, we can conclude that the first AWS were the pit traps and that land mines are also autonomous weapons systems It is not the type of weapon systems that come to mind when people think of Autonomous Weapons Systems In modern times the AWS are mostly used in order to describe the AI controlled unmanned weapon systems Rapid digitalization has led to these modern autonomous weapons Since the inception of warfare, humanity has always strived to be one step ahead of its enemy, whether it’s using some new projectile weapons or utilizing fire in a way the enemy gets startled Centuries of this cycle has led us to present day where it is no longer hypothetical to fear a hoard of drones aiming at their target and taking the shot with no human operator There are many benefits of AWS such as precision, flexibility in combat, prevention of loss of lives the cost-effectiveness that these systems pro-
vide Another aspect of AWS is their uncomplicated nature in opposition to human based weapons As an AI would theoretically never defy an order if it s not programmed to do so If we were to explain the current autonomy of weapons to some general from the 16 th century he would probably think that humans have made the perfect soldier The disadvantages of AWS include unintended consequences proliferation to non-state actors and most importantly the ethical considerations of putting the lives of humans in the hands of a machine LAWS could have long term effects on the strategic cultures of states we would be looking towards a world where state relations are shaped by AI There is an ongoing debate on the international level on whether the use of autonomous weapons systems should be continued or discontinued If continued, what level of human oversight is absolutely necessary If discontinued, what implications would there be to face The discussion basically comes down to the concept of “Keeping a Human in the Loop There has yet been noconsensus on the status of these weapons and their use in the modern warfare We see this technology being used in present day in varying capacities, whether it be the Ukrainians intercepting Russian communications, Turkish forces allegedly launching a fully autonomous drone attack on Libya in March 2020 or even the active use of loitering munitions in the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflict In this ongoing debate there are some states
Turning challenges into opportunities
TDegree disillusion
agendas From Palestine to Iran the Muslim world is ablaze with Pakistan standing as a formidable outlier It is believed by some analysts that the Zionist-driven narrative is aimed at destroying Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal as a final step in ensuring regional dominance This goal necessitates weakening Pakistan s military and fracturing the trust between its armed forces and the populace The role of specific political force, accused of lobbying against Pakistan s interests abroad, cannot be overlooked Allegations of collusion with hostile intelligence agencies and attempts to undermine military cohesion add a layer of complexity
This indicates an attempt to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and economically, similar to the tactics utilized against Iran and North Korea Yet history demonstrates that isolation often breeds resilience Pakistan s robust agricultural base burgeoning tech sector and strategic alliances provide a foundation for self-reliance The country s youth, comprising a significant portion of the population, represents an untapped potential for innovation and entrepreneurship By investing in education technology and infrastructure Pakistan can transform these challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth The sanctions, instead of hindering the nation, could serve as a driving force for essential re-
form and diversification Pakistan’s Public, all political parties across the board and Military establishment are standing firm behind Pakistan s military program The US sanctions on Pakistan s ballistic missile program reflect a broader agenda to curtail the rise of independent Muslim states capable of challenging Western dominance US has infact never supported Pakistan’s nuclear program or missile technology although India already has advanced missile systems but US supported them shows Washington s hypocrisy While these measures aim to destabilize Pakistan, they also highlight the limitations of traditional power structures in a rapidly evolving world Pakistan’s response must be both pragmatic and visionary leveraging its strategic partnerships and internal strengths to chart a path of resilience and self-sufficiency The era of Western hegemony is coming to an end and the future belongs to those who can adjust to the multipolar dynamics of the 21st century So called Sanctions like these will not hurt Pakistan instead it affirms that US will betray any of its partners when its interests are fulfilled (Pakistan has been a long standing partner of US on war against terror since 1980s) Pakistan has an opportunity to overcome adversity and redefine its position on the global stage, not as a subordinate state but as a sovereign power shaping its future
The author is an independent researcher who writes on issues concerning national and regional security focusing on matters having critical impact in these milieus She can be reached at omayaimen333@gmail com
Forest future
DawooD SarDar
A brief histor y of data protection and privacy
muhammad Farooq qamar
DATA
different from tort, libel, defamation, and breach of trust The authors discussed in detail how the right to privacy differs from other common law principles giving a new idea In 1914 the US again became the pioneer in the protection of private rights of the masses by establishing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under the Federal Trade Commissioner Act (FTCA) in 1914 under the federal government FTC’s purpose is to protect public rights from deceptive or unfair business practices of business entities It also envisaged controlling unfair methods of competition through strict compliance with regulations, advocacy, research, and education
Another landmark event happened in 1917, when the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), while investigating foreign sabotage, started surveillance of various activities including mail opening Solicitor General Judge William Lamar ruled against the BOI s mail opening
under the pretext of privacy protection George Orwell a novelist wrote the novel 1984 in which he imagined a totalitarian state of Oceania without privacy The state covers public spaces, and all the masses are under the surveillance of state agents Even thoughts are not free, and ‘thought police’ read the people’s minds The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948 Article 12 protects every human being s privacy Almost all countries endorsed this Declaration William L Prosser, in 1960, wrote an article, “Privacy,” in which he discussed privacy law at length and carved out four torts that would allow one when his/her privacy is violated These are 1 Intrusion upon the plaintiff s seclusion or solitude or into his private affairs
2 Public disclosure of embarrassing private facts about the plaintiff
3 Publicity places the plaintiff in a false light in the public eye
4 Appropriation of the plaintiff s name or likeness for the defendant s advantage
One of the seminal works and writings on individual privacy protection is by Alan Westin, who tried to illuminate the issue that the individual will determine when, how, and to what extent information about him/her is communicated to the world at large In the 1960s and 70s the US Supreme Court rulings related to privacy Griswold v Connecticut (1965) was a famous case in which all contraception was prohibited under the pretext of protection of marital privacy
A landmark decision in Katz v United States (1967) extended Fourth Amendment protections against unlawful searches and seizures beyond citizens homes and property to anywhere a person reasonably expected privacy The Eisenstadt v Baird (1972) case guaranteed the right of unmarried persons to possess contraception according to their needs The ruling was based on an earlier ruling in Griswold v Connecticut In 1972 United States v US District Court 407 US 297 (Keith Case) it was held that warrants are required for domestic intelligence surveillance The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Automated Personal Data Systems (SACAPDS) developed the landmark report on records computers and the Rights of Citizens in 1973 which is known as the Report of the Secretary s Advisory Committee on Automated Personal Data Systems This report sets principles that
are the basic foundation of the current legislation on privacy protection worldwide
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 or Buckley Amendment is a US federal law protecting student education records’ privacy It applies to all public schools and higher educational institutions
The Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law in America establishing a code of fair information practice on federal agencies regarding the collection maintenance use and dissemination of personally identifiable data Under this act, a privacy study commission has been established to monitor the activities of federal agencies regarding compliance with the act and issue its evaluation report
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the National Do Not Call Registry regulate telemarketing and automated telephone dialing The TCPA prohibits some solicitation of telemarketing On the other hand, the Do Not Call Registry gives consumers the option to refuse to receive telemarketing calls at all This legislation established privacy in the field of telecommunication
The European Union 1995 organized an effort to enforce data protection and privacy in Europe It was the first time a regional forum adopted data protection and privacy laws European courts started adjudicating privacy cases under the Data Protection Directive 1995 Adopted by the European Union in 1995 the Data Protection Directive regulates the processing of personal data within the EU Compared to the United States, the right to privacy is a more highly developed field of law in the EU The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) superseded the Data Protection Directive in 2018 The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was enforced to regulate the flow of health-related data and protect personal information maintained by the healthcare system and health-related insurance firms It is also famous as the Kennedy-Kassebaum Act It was approved in the 104th United States Congress during Bill Clinton s era Children s Online Privacy Protection Act COPPA, is a federal US law enforced in 1998 It regulates the digital data collection by websites or entities of kids less than thirteen years of age It ensures that the concerned entity processing the data must get the consent of the parents or guardians and also sets down the methodologies for getting the consent The legislation ensures data protection and privacy by kids data processors The Clinton administration in 1999 established the office
of Chief Privacy Counselor in all government agencies which used to deal with privacy-related issues under the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Peter Swire was the Chief Privacy Counselor for the administration within the Office of Management and Budget This slot was like that of a Data Protection Officer in the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) or the Financial Modernization Act of 1999 is a federal law that made it compulsory for financial institutions to protect customers information in a specific way This legislation envisages how and to what extent customer data can be shared with whom It also allows customers to opt out of sharing their information This law circumvents the procedures and options for data handling by financial institutions in the US Federal Trade Commission’s Privacy of Consumer Financial Information Rule (Privacy Rule) ensures the act’s implementation in federal banking agencies other federal regulatory authorities and state insurance oversight agencies
With the increasing number of legislation and regulations, various agencies appointed the Chief Privacy Officer (CPO), a senior-level executive responsible for managing risk related to and ensuring compliance with information privacy laws CPO portfolio exists in many firms public departments and private entities
The first CPO was posted in Acxiom a consumer database marketing company, to implement data privacy laws The same is true with M/s All Advantage,
H o w t o u s e s p y t a c t i c s i n y o u r d a i l y l i f e 9 0 s e c o n d s t o m i d n i g h t : S u r v i v i n g t h e a t o m i c a g e
Perhaps the most valuable skills for a spy and anyone genuinely invested in building relationships is the prac tice of ac tive listening
It might be disappointing to learn that spies are more akin to great psychiatrists or teachers than ac tion heroes like Jack Ryan leaping from helicopters. In realit y, their most remarkable skills lie in their abilit y to forge deep connec tions with people even their adversaries
overcome these hurdles in a few different ways
First, they practice what s known as radical empathy
My
the
chases or
Though
espionage may lack the explosive action of Hollywood spy plots, the skills CIA case officers employ are just as fascinating when we pull back the veil and they re also surprisingly useful in our careers and everyday lives When a spy encounters a potential recruit they study the person, gathering key details including where they are in a hierarchy; their opinions on a range of subjects; whether they feel appreciated in their job But asking these questions directly will raise red flags Repeatedly asking direct and sensitive questions will likely make a person guarded or suspicious hindering the spy s ability to cultivate a relationship with a potential recruit Instead spies use elicitation to more subtly and expertly draw out the information they re seeking These elicitation methods or triggers are rooted in human behavior One trigger stems from humans’ tendency to respond in-kind in conversation For example, if I mention the weather you’ll likely also respond with a comment about the weather perhaps adding commentary on a different or related subject without being provoked by a question Likewise if I tell you my favorite color you ll likely tell me yours without me needing to ask Similarly, if you incorrectly attribute something to the person you are talking to, they will almost always correct you If I say “Didn’t you tell me your favorite color is blue?” it’s unlikely they’ll reply with a simple “No I never said that More often they ll respond: No my favorite color is actually green We are all the protagonists of our own story and no detail about ourselves is too small to correct This elicitation trigger is known as the tendency to correct Other triggers include flattery when you compliment someone, they often become slightly abashed and end up revealing more about their success than they would if questioned directly Gossip is another effective elicitation tool try introducing a provocative subject to the conversation then sit back and listen as information flows and insights unfold Finally, spies will often use awkward silences in their favor Most humans are uncomfortable with conversation lulls and will blurt out something to break awkward silences what’s said in these moments can be quite revealing A colleague and former CIA case officer (who needs to maintain anonymity) quoted in my book said every good intelligence officer has a real bond with their agents on some level and some regard Spies will attest to how profound many of these relation-
Spies recognize that nearly all humans, regardless of their flaws, possess at least one redeeming quality some kernel of humanity a spy can focus on A criminal might be a devoted family member or a terrorist might engage in charitable acts By scratching beneath the surface to uncover these positive attributes spies are able to forge connections with even the most seemingly reprehensible individuals Second, spies leverage the principle that vulnerability fosters intimacy By sharing personal information and showing their own vulnerabilities, spies accelerate relationship development and bridge the intimacy gap with those they are cultivating In fact I regularly witness this concept play out in my own life Just over a decade ago I underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor which resulted in hearing loss in my left ear This often comes up in business settings when I need to reposition myself to hear better When I share this personal story and show vulnerability, something remarkable happens Nearly every time the person I’m engaging with responds in kind and shares something intimate about themselves or a loved one While not everyone has faced tragedy we have all experienced misfortune and this shared experience fosters connection
Spies use this tactic frequently, revealing genuine personal details to build rapport with their targets For instance, one spy shared with me that discussing his autistic son has helped him connect more deeply with agents who have children with special needs That said intellectual curiosity is at the heart of a spy’s relationship toolkit For example at The Farm the CIA s famed training facility in Virginia trainees are frequently paired with instructors from markedly different backgrounds and tasked with forming authentic connections CIA veteran John Sipher grew up in an upper-middle class, urban background and recalls being paired up with someone from a rural background in a training exercise His target was an avid deer-hunter and John’s task wasn’t to pretend he knew all about deer hunting because he had actually never hunted Rather he simply needed to show sincere curiosity and get that person talking But perhaps the most valuable skills for a spy and anyone genuinely invested in building relationships is the practice of active listening All the previously mentioned skills and methods ultimately serve the larger goal of listening attentively and prompting the other person to elaborate with clarifying questions When we feel listened to or heard we also feel respected and this respect is fundamental to building strong relationships But active listening is hard Many of us listen with the intention of replying rather than truly understanding We ve evolved to quickly absorb small bits of information and then formulate a response But if you can focus on your target maintain steady eye contact calm your body language and simply allow your target to speak you may be surprised by how quickly your target will feel a fondness for and connection with you It might be disappointing to learn that spies are more akin to great psychiatrists or teachers than action heroes like Jack Ryan leaping from helicopters In reality, their most remarkable skills lie in their ability to forge deep connections with people even their adversaries In our increasingly polarized world this ability to connect is something we can all learn from and apply in our daily lives and makes spies pretty remarkable in my book
Hurewitz is the author of the book Sell Like a Spy and the Head of Interfor Academy
‘No countr y without an atom bomb could properly consider itself independent,’ said French President Charles de Gaulle
NThe world is witnessing a new nuclear arms race. The US is spending $1 7 trillion to build the nex t generation of nuclear weapons and missiles China is tripling its nuclear arsenal Russia has launched into orbit a satellite capable of destroying the world’s space -based systems with nuclear weapons
U C L E A R reactors were originally designed to make bombs They still do in what are called dual-use reactors These produce plutonium while simultaneously generating electricity Chernobyl was a dual-use reactor People often pretend that bombmaking reactors have nothing to do with civilian power plants Actually the two are joined at the hip relying on the same technology and personnel They share the same infrastructure and produce the same radioactive material The United States currently uses the civilian reactors of the Tennessee Valley Authority to make tritium for hydrogen bombs
A medium-sized reactor produces enough plutonium for 20 nuclear weapons per year A breeder reactor produces enough for 50 The United States with 93 reactors currently operating plans to triple its nuclear power capacity by 2050 Zia Mian, a research scientist at Princeton, and his colleague Alexander Glaser, in their article on “Duel Use: Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Power,” explain how the urge to build civilian reactors is really about building bombs There is a long history of how states have inter-woven their civil and military nuclear ambitions and capabilities UK France China Israel India, and Pakistan built their nuclear weapons programs on an infrastructure developed supposedly for nuclear energy Iraq, North Korea, and Iran, all signatories of the 1970 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty concealed their nuclear weapons ambitions behind a peaceful nuclear program The amount of plutonium unaccounted for or diverted by criminal gangs and rogue states now measures in the tons Brokers sell plutonium and entire bomb-making factories on the black market Abdul Qadeer Khan who furnished nuclear weapons technology to Pakistan Libya Iran and North Korea advertised his services in a brochure decorated with a mushroom cloud When Saudi Arabia endowed with plentiful reserves of oil and gas, scrambles to build nuclear power plants, the country is not
No let-up iN Ga z a cruelt y as israeli strikes kill 28
direct targeting of the fuel tanks which if hit will cause a large explosion and mass casualties of the civilians inside he said The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment on Abu Safiya’s remarks On Friday it said it had sent fuel and food supplies to the hospital and helped evacuate more than 100
Matt
Gaet z accused of sex With Minor and Drug use in leaked ethics repor t
ment Report on Chinese Enterprises in Italy
The event, held on Friday in Milan, the capital of the Lombardy Region featured key remarks from Yan Dong president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Italy (CCCIT) Yan highlighted the significant contributions of Chinese enterprises to Italy s investment, taxation, and employment, despite challenges like protectionist policies and regulatory constraints Emphasizing that the report offers recommendations to improve Italy s business environment with its in-depth analysis of key areas such as employment, operations and regulatory challenges, Yan noted “we hope this report will enhance mutual understanding and foster deeper bilateral cooperation
at the Department of Justice s request due to a parallel criminal probe After federal prosecutors declined to charge Gaetz the committee resumed its inquiry, uncovering new witness testimony and evidence of improper conduct Additional allegations in the report include the use of a fake email account by Gaetz to purchase marijuana and a directive to his chief
Based on survey data from 92 member companies, the report is the first comprehensive study of Chinese businesses in Italy It examines their operational status contributions and challenges Chinese Consul General in Milan Liu Kan also praised the report as a valuable resource for policymakers and business leaders
Reaffirming China s commitment to peaceful development and mutual prosperity Liu said China stands ready to share its development opportunities with Italy and the world, safeguard global free trade and ensure the stability of industrial and supply chains ” Echoing this sentiment Andrea Tabella a representative from the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to stronger collaboration with the CCCIT to unlock new opportunities for mu-
tual growth He underscored that the report would be a helpful guide for Chinese enterprises in Italy Raffaele Cattaneo, secretary general of the Lombardy Region, has highlighted the region’s strategic importance in China-Italy economic relations noting that the region attracts over 50 percent of Chinese investments in Italy, and that more than 60 percent of surveyed companies plan to expand their investments in the region over the next three years Founded in 2021 the CCCIT is the sole officially recognized organization representing Chinese enterprises in Italy, boasting over 120 members spanning finance, telecommunications, technology, and manufacturing
KE Maintains
Uninterrupted Power Supply to 70% of Network
Following the company s quarterly review KElectric (KE) has reaffirmed that 70% of its network of 2,100 feeders remains exempt from loadshedding The updated loadshed schedule is available on KE’s website with immediate effect In the remaining 30% the duration of loadshed remains fixed between 6 and 10 hours Customers can also stay informed through the KE Live App and KE s WhatsApp service The last quarterly review was conducted in September
Cadet College Larkana Celebrates 33rd Parents Day with Pride and Unit y
of the world besides the event 33rd Parents Day which Cadet College Larkana has organised in which the College has gathered the parents and guests to witness the physical intellectual and moral development in cadets personality Cadet College Larkana has a unique and proud moment this time that the institution is celebrating its 33rd Parents day which is graced by father of martyred Ex Cadet Captain Haider Abbas Syed Abbas Hassan being Chief Guest of the event which was celebrated on Monday 23rd December 2024 with great zeal and zest This year this mega event was jointly celebrated by Cadet College Larkana and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Girls Cadet College Larkana Cadet College Larkana has always the privileged of contributing in the other fields besides others who have sacrificed their lives in the cause National Defense are : Major Mujahid Shaheed; Captain Shahid Bashir the adjutant of the college and Captain Haider Abbas Shaheed
KP CABINET DECL ARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN KURRAM, KHYBER
PTI criticises govt for risking Pakistan’s int ’l standing with militar y cour t sentences
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram has expressed concern over the European Union’s apprehensions regarding the sentencing of civilians by military courts
He warned that the EU s concerns were well-founded, noting that these actions could not only isolate Pakistan diplomatically but also threaten its hard-earned preferential trade access with the EU
Waqas emphasized that the EU s concerns about the military courts decisions being inconsistent with Pakistan s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) were valid
He pointed out that adherence to the ICCPR which guarantees due process and fair trials, is crucial for Pakistan s continued participation in the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) He stressed that the civilian detainees had been denied basic legal and constitutional rights with military courts issuing unilateral verdicts
The PTI spokesperson also highlighted that Anouar El Anouni,
the EU s spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy had raised legitimate concerns regarding the sentencing of 25 individuals involved in the May 9 attacks on state installations in Pakistan
Waqas called on the government to abandon its heavy-handed approach and cease ignoring the gravity of the situation He warned that such draconian measures and misguided tactics would only deepen Pakistan’s crisis
He underscored the economic risks posed by the current approach pointing out that the GSP+ scheme has been a cornerstone of Pakistan s trade relationship with the EU since 2014 Losing access to this scheme could result in a loss of $1 5–2 billion in annual export revenues severely impacting the country s economy
Waqas expressed alarm that the government s continued disregard for human rights, abuse of power, and unjust military court rulings could not only jeopardize Pakistan’s trade relations with the EU but also exacerbate the country s problems both domestically and internationally
The PTI leader lamented that the country s economic prosperity is closely tied to political stability, which he believes is being under-
mined by those in power who are more focused on consolidating their own rule than on serving the nation s interests He accused the ruling powers of disregarding Pakistan’s future noting that they had stashed their ill-gotten wealth abroad while only coming to the country to govern
Waqas also strongly condemned the detention and harassment of the brother of a martyr from the Islamabad massacre, accusing the authorities of pressuring the family to withdraw their case He called for an end to the relentless persecution of the heirs of the D-Chowk martyrs, warning that the nation would not tolerate such fascist and barbaric tactics
Lastly, Waqas vowed that PTI would continue to pursue legal avenues to bring those responsible for the Islamabad massacre to justice including both the perpetrators and the masterminds behind the attack
Regarding the possibility of dialogue with the government Waqas stated that it was still too early to judge the government s seriousness as the ongoing talks were only in the initial stages He added that the situation would become clearer after more rounds of discussions
actions regarding his election petition effectively preventing any further proceedings in the case related to Islamabad s electoral constituencies The Islamabad Election Tribunal had scheduled a hearing for cases concerning the three Islamabad constituencies on December 24, 2024 However, the High Court’s stay order temporarily suspends any actions related to the petitions including the case involving Amir Mughal s challenge against the results in constituency NA-46 Mughal, who contested the election from NA-46 and was defeated by MNA Anjum Aqeel Khan, had filed a petition challenging the victory His legal counsel Faisal Fareed Chaudhry presented the case before Chief Justice Amir Farooq who issued the order to suspend the tribunal s proceedings The court also issued notices to both parties asking them to provide responses to the petition The High Court s ruling means the Election Tribunal will not be able to proceed with the case in NA-46 or the other constituencies under review, as the tribunal had also planned hearings related to them Mughal’s legal challenge also includes questioning the appointment of a new election tribunal which he claims was improper Previously, last week, the Islamabad High Court had issued a similar stay order in response to a petition filed by PTI candidate Shoaib Shaheen, preventing the tribunal from continuing with proceedings concerning his election petition The next hearing in the case is expected to be scheduled by the Registrar s Office
PR OFIT
M O N I T O R I N G D E S K
Pakistan has lost 30% of its agricultural land to soil salinity and sodicity according to a comprehensive assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations marking the first major study of salt-affected soils in 50 years The FAO assessment covers six Asian countries: Pakistan, Bangladesh China India Malaysia and Thailand Among these the extent of saline and sodic soils varies significantly from 0 05 million hectares in Malaysia to 36 million hectares in China
Globally, 1,500 salt-tolerant species exist but only 1% are utilized in Pakistan Out of Pakistan s 22 million hectares of agricultural land 6 67 million hectares are affected by salinity and sodicity, the report states The country’s total land area is 79 7 million hectares While some crops such as cotton sugar beet barley and date palm show salt
tolerance, they do not exhibit the full resilience of halophytes Rice is the most cultivated crop in saline and sodic conditions in the country followed by wheat cotton and barley These crops are irrigated using brackish water, a practice also observed in Bangladesh, India, and Malaysia The report warns that soil salinisation rates could increase by up to 10% annually due to climate change poor agricultural management practices, and natural processes, posing a growing threat to regional food security
In many countries, including Pakistan comprehensive data on the total extent of salt-affected soils remain unavailable The FAO calls for systematic surveys and data compilation to better understand the scale of the issue and develop sustainable management strategies Globally 1
