PM SHEHBA Z VOWS EFFORTS TO COMBAT SMEAR CAMPAIGN, FAST TRACK RELIEF EFFORTS
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PR I M E Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed on Monday that his government would fast-track efforts to provide relief to the general public During a meeting with Barrister Amjad Malik Vice Chairperson of the Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) Punjab and Chief Coordinator of International Affairs the Prime Minister was praised for his consistent work in boosting the national economy and restoring investor confidence
Shehbaz Sharif extended his congratulations to Barrister Amjad Malik on his new role and expressed his commitment to ensuring the welfare of overseas Pakistanis Overseas Pakistanis are very dear to me, he said, emphasizing that recent appointments in the Overseas Ministry and the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) demonstrate the PML-N govern-
ment’s dedication to resolving issues faced by Pakistanis abroad Malik in turn praised the government s efforts to stimulate the economy citing the rise in stock exchange indices and underlined the importance of timely trials for those responsible for the May 9 riots He also appreciated the government’s push for legislation on expedited trials for expatriates and the removal of the ban on PIA s direct flights to Europe Both leaders agreed on the need for coordinated efforts to combat social media misinformation and prevent panic We must stop the interference of social media propaganda and fake news that spread hatred among the public ” Barrister Malik remarked PM Shehbaz also addressed concerns about a recent malicious campaign designed to tarnish Pakistan s image, particularly its state institutions To tackle this, he ordered the formation of a Joint Task Force (JTF) led by the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority
Cabinet okays National Prevention of Violent Extremism Policy 2024
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
The Federal Cabinet on the recommendation of the Interior Ministry, approved the National Prevention of Violent Extremism Policy 2024 on Monday The cabinet also approved in principle the proposal of the interior ministry with respect to the establishment of Islamabad Central Business District Development Authority
The meeting, on the recommendation of commerce ministry, authorized to file review petition against the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision of lifting ban on the export of Monosodium glutamate (Ajinomoto) The decision was taken in the light of the report of the expert s special committee that was formed to monitor the impacts of Monosodium glutamate on human health The report had termed the Monosodium glutamate safe for human health The committee was comprised of representatives from Pakistan Scientific and Industrial Research, National Agriculture Research Center, National University of Sciences and Technology Institute of Food and Nutritional
Sciences Federal Ministry of National Food Safety and Research Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority and Board of Investment The meeting of the federal cabinet was held here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif The cabinet on the proposal of ministry of education and professional training also gave a go ahead to the renewal of the Memoranda of Understands (MoUs) with respect to University of Cambridge, Saint Antony’s College University of Oxford University of Jordan Pecking University China University of Hydal Berg and Pakistan Chairs in Germany Furthermore the cabinet on the recommendation of ministry of education and professional training approved nomination of Dr Habib ur Rehman and Dr Kamran Ansari as subject experts in the Board of Governors of University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore and the nomination of Dr Mumtaz Muhammad Shah and Dr Muhammad Ahmed Farooqui as subject experts in Board of Governors of Center of Excellence in Mineralogy University of Balochistan Quetta
(PTA), which will investigate and counter the smear campaign The task force will consist of senior officials from various departments including the Ministry of Interior Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, FIA s Cyber Crime Wing, and intelligence agencies
ISLAMABAD S
the government and the opposition party Numerous party workers were arrested in the ensuing crackdown while multiple cases were filed One such case was filed at the Kohsar Police Station on Nov 26 on the complaint of Station House Officer Muhammad Imran The police submitted a list of 96 suspects containing the names of Imran, Bushra Bibi, CM Gandapur, former president Arif Alvi, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, PTI Central Information Secretary Waqas Akram and several other party leaders including Shoaib Shaheen Ali Bukhari Sher Afzal Marwat Faisal Javed Zartaj Gul and Aamir Mughal requesting that their arrest warrants be issued in connection to the case ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over today’s hearing and accepted the police request issuing non-bailable arrest warrants for the 96 suspects
KP govt maintains opposition to constitutional bench for mation
T The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided against introducing a resolution in the provincial assembly for the creation of constitutional courts In this regard, Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam said that the government does not recognise the 26th Constitutional Amendment and as a result cannot support the establishment of constitutional courts under it Speaking to the
The
in the assembly Alam also pointed out that the opposition, led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the 26th Amendment making it impossible for the provincial government to accept it Further complicating matters, Alam discussed the incomplete state of the K-P Assembly, with several seats still vacant and the process of determining reserved seats pending He questioned the feasibility of bringing a resolution in an assembly that is not yet fully functional, citing the
a local media outlet that the provincial government is not currently interested in forming constitutional benches The Punjab government has expressed satisfaction with the current functioning of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Unlike past tensions, the relationship between the Punjab government and LHC Chief Justice Alia Neelum remains cordial particularly following the elevation of Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan to the Supreme Court and subsequent transfers of AntiTerrorism Court (ATC) judges However, the Punjab government does have concerns about an interim order that has restrained it from exercising its powers under the Punjab Detention Act 1960 for one month This order has raised strong reservations within the provincial government
PAKISTAN’S INFL ATION DROPS TO 4.9% IN NOVEMBER, LOWEST SINCE MAY 2018
OPEC+ OIL STRATEGY FACES CRITICISM AMID SURGING RIVAL SUPPLIES, WARNS IRANIAN OFFICIAL
Internet connec tivity issues disrupt life across Pakistan, Karachi worst hit
Finance minister apprises FCDO of struc tural reforms program
Additional attorney general (AAG) on Monday apprised the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has inked a summary seeking financial support for a delegation tasked with release of neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui who is currently imprisoned in the United States
AAG Barrister Munawar Iqbal
Duggal informed this to the court during hearing of a petition regarding efforts to bring her back to Pakistan IHC Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan heard the petition filed by the neuroscientist sister Fouzia Siddiqui
The AAG apprised the court that Senator Irfan Siddiqui would not be accompanied by the delegation due to personal issues adding that Senator Bushra would replace him It is pertinent to mention here that the neuroscientist was handed down an 86-year sentence in 2010 on charges of attempted murder and assault of US personnel in Afghanistan jail She is serving the jail term in Carswell a high-security prison in Fort Worth Texas In October the federal government
informed the IHC that a delegation was being sent to the US for the release of Dr Aafia The delegation will comprise former and incumbent parliamentarians retired or serving military officers doctors and Aafia s sister Fouzia Siddiqui
At the outset of today s hearing, a representative of the Foreign Office apprised the court that visa applications for the Pakistani officials had been submitted with the US officials concerned and expressed hope that their applications would be approved soon
They informed the IHC that the FO
PHC grants transit bail to Omar Ayub, Faisal Amin Gandapur until December 21
was providing all possible assistance to Dr Fouzia Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing till January 13 Last week the IHC was informed that the planned visit of the Pakistani delegation to the US seeking Dr Aafia s release, was in jeopardy due to a
Ev e ry nation possesses distinct strengths and weaknesses and typically countries capitalize on their strengths to bolster their position in the globalized and capitalist world
However Pakistan presents a unique case
The country fails to address both its weaknesses and its strengths, resulting in a weakened and vulnerable position in the international market Agriculture, which has long been considered the backbone of Pakistan’s economy is gradually losing its prominence Instead of reinforcing this critical sector the country is facing numerous challenges Nevertheless these issues can be mitigated through the implementation of strategic and well-considered measures Water scarcity is the primary and most significant factor contributing to the decline of Pakistan’s agricultural sector Water is essential for agriculture yet the country is experiencing a severe shortage Pakistan heavily depends on the Indus river system but it is rapidly depleting due to various factors including climate change, an inefficient irrigation infrastructure, and geopolitical issues such as India s control over shared water resources According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan ranks third globally among countries facing an acute water crisis Similar assessments have also been reported by the World Bank highlighting the severity of the situation Soil degradation is another critical factor contributing to the decline of Pakistan’s agricultural sector Soil plays a fundamental role in the growth of crops and when it becomes degraded or unstable it negatively impacts crop development and overall production This issue primarily arises from the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and the inadequate practice of crop rotation A significant number of farmers in Pakistan are grappling with this challenge, as their agricultural lands are losing essential organic matter which is crucial for maintaining soil fertility and supporting healthy crop yields The lack of modern technology is another fundamental factor contributing to the decline of Pakistan s agricultural sector Many farmers lack the education and resources to adopt contemporary farming practices, and the state has also fallen behind in supporting technological advancements in agriculture As a result farmers continue to rely on outdated conventional methods that are increasingly obsolete in the global context reports indicate that Pakistan ranks eighth globally in terms of farm output; however the absence of modern agricultural techniques is likely to lead to further deterioration of the sector Access to markets represents a significant challenge for Pakistan’s agricultural sector Due to the
L e s s o n s f o r P a k i s t
Challenges to revitalizing agriculture
factors mentioned above farmers are often unable to produce surplus crops even when they do manage to grow surplus yields accessing markets becomes an even greater obstacle This is primarily due to inadequate road infrastructure, insufficient transportation networks, and a lack of market knowledge These barriers lead to crop wastage and significant losses for farmers This not only negatively impacts farmers’ incomes but also threatens food security ultimately causing substantial harm to the country s economy Furthermore the phenomenon of climate change plays a crucial role in the degradation of Pakistan s agricultural sector The impact of climate change is not only disrupting human livelihoods but also adversely affecting various environmental factors Projections suggest that by 2050 the production of key crops such as wheat and rice could decline by up to 14 7% and 20% respectively in Pakistan This is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention as the challenges posed by climate change continue to undermine the country s agricultural productivity and overall food security These are some of the significant factors contributing to the decline of Pakistan’s agricultural sector which was once a key driver of the country’s
Furthermore, the phenomenon of climate change plays a crucial role in the degradation of PakistanÊs agricultural sector. The impact of climate change is not only disrupting human livelihoods but also adversely affecting various environmental factors. Projections suggest that by 2050, the production of key crops such as wheat and rice could decline by up to 14 7% and 20%, respectively, in Pakistan. This is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention, as the challenges posed by climate change continue to undermine the countryÊs agricultural productivity and overall food security
a n f r o m N e w Z e a l a n d ’ s M a o r i c o m m u n i t y
Dr aKhtar hussain sanDhu
the world Her facial impressions showing sincerity, commitment, purity, and unremitting enthusiasm for the cause of her community rights Adopting the cultural style for protest popularized her Her speech in the public gathering testified that her commitment to the Maori cause is unshakable We in Pakistan always seem critical to our regional cultures and languages but the movement by the Maori tribe exposed as to how much culturist the factions are living in the western societies They love their language dress traditions and customs even the modern Pakistani section and political parties are sharing this video correlating it with their own cause and right struggle although they hate the local cultures and languages Most of the private modern schools and Colleges in the Punjab take Punjabi language and local dress as a symbol of derogation and ignorance Can they learn something from this young girl? The Maori people have been on roads wearing the traditional dress or chanting the traditional Haka dance and songs which show the fury
against the bill We take the western societies as revolutionary and modern but still they honour the cultures traditions and customs Once they concluded that violence is subversive and detrimental for the country and people, they abandoned it as Maori people are doing but in Pakistan the political parties especially the youth have been protesting violently even the top political leaders impart hatred and detestation in the minds of their followers religiopolitical partiers are going to the same direction Once a Maori member was interrupted on not wearing tie in the Parliament which infuriated the Maori tribe Haka dance translates the strength anger and unity of the Maori people on the cause This dance is also observed on some special event or festival but with full reverence and spirit and it carves a big impact on the audience and viewers because of the genuine and true enthusiasm The Maori dance was done to show unity and adherence for the aggrieved when the Muslims were killed by an extremist New Zealander in the Mosques
The writer is Principal of the Govt Islamia Graduate College Lahore
recognized in the Treaty of Waitangi as the conservative coalition government moved the bill on the ideology that no special status can be given on the ethnic basis and the government wanted equal status of all the New Zealanders The other Maori members also joined Hana and expressed their defiance on the
FO R decades, Pakistan has been among the largest refugee-hosting countries ranking 4 hin the world Nevertheless Pakistan s tradition of hospitality has lately been defied due to persistent socio-economic strain, evolving political challenges, and security concerns On October 3, 2023, the government of Pakistan officially implemented the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan (IFRP) intending to repatriate Afghan refugees back to their homeland According to the United Nations International Organization of Migration (IOM) report, more than 700,000 Afghans have returned to their homeland since the inaction of the repatriation plan, with 84% being undocumented In the first phase the repatriation plan targeted only undocumented Afghans residing in Pakistan and in the second phase the government expanded the plan to expel refugees holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) issued by the government of Pakistan In the third phase, Afghan refugees with proof of Registration (PoR) cards issued by the United Nations Human Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) will also be repatriated
According to IOM, 1 3 million are PoR cardholders, constituting 60% of total registered Afghan refugees (2 18 million) In July 2024, Pakistan granted legal permission to PoR cardholders to stay in the country until June 30 2025 Though PoR cardholders have been allowed a reprieve for a brief period their long-term fate remains uncertain Some Officials and economists understate the plausible adverse effects of the deportation of refugees on Pakistan’s social and economic dimensions By classifying all Afghan refugees as a possible risk to Pakistan s stability the prospect of harnessing their abilities and economic potential for its advantage It is imperative to delve into the socio-economic repercussions of the repatriation plan on Afghan refugees, particularly on the registered ones as well as on the host
W h a t i
Repatriation plan’s socio-economic strain on refugees and host communities
communities in Pakistan Since many refugees including PoR cardholders have lived in this country for decades curious minds raise the question: are they still migrants or have they entirely altered into a diverse identity?
On a positive note, such refugees have also made undeniable contributions to Pakistan’s social and economic environment On the financial or economic front Afghan refugees make a well-valued contribution to diverse sectors due to their adaptability and resilience According to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) report, Afghan refugees serve in restaurants, farming, grocery stores, textile shops and numerous trading activities Almost all employed Afghan diaspora work in the informal sector of Pakistan which is chiefly ignored in formal economic assessments The informal sector is pivotal in Pakistan s economy and contributes about 40% of the gross domestic product (GDP) Based on occupation and skills 60% of the Afghan labor class is unskilled 5% are skilled workers 20% are engaged in business or trade and 15% fall in miscellaneous categories The repatriation of PoR cardholders will undoubtedly affect their earning and the livelihood of their families, as the majority of them will struggle to secure employment in Afghanistan due to ongoing instability The expulsion plan also affects wages/labor costs and Pakistan s labor market productivity
A recent report by IOM highlighted that the proposed plan has exacerbated the social ramifications and the welfare of refugees has deteriorated significantly Already refugees are experiencing mental and psychological stress merely because of uncertainty Further, there is widespread fear among PoR cardholders that public services such as healthcare and educational facilities for their children could be redirected or scaled back due to the financial crunch On the flip side refugees usually received meager wages than actual and indulged in marginalized jobs It is reported that the refugees received 20% less than the actual return Furthermore, there is a continuous rift between the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan escalating social marginalization even for the refugees with legal status Each time they are scrutinized for issues like crime and delinquency which ultimately aggravate their economic and social services hardships This stigmatization can lead to a wave of mistrust between the host communities and Afghan refugees In a nutshell the repatriation plan for
A recent repor t by IOM highlighted that the proposed plan has exacerbated the social ramifications, and the welfare of refug ees has deteriorated significantly. Already, refug ees are experiencing mental and psychological stress merely because of uncer tainty Fur ther, there is widespread fear among PoR cardholders that public ser vices such as healthcare and educational facilities for their children could be redirected or scaled back due to the financial crunch On the flip side , refug ees usually received meag er wag es than actual and indulg ed in marginaliz ed jobs It is repor ted that the refug ees received 20% less than the actual return
s h y b r i d w a r f a r e ?
From Beirut to Khartoum, the Arab world is changing beyond our recognition
Ihas grown dramatically since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine Hybrid warfare means broadening military operations to include espionage sabotage and cyberattacks as well as engaging in election interference propaganda or disinformation campaigns to weaken and destabilize the enemy from within
ESPIONAGE: European countries have expelled around 500 Russian diplomats since early 2022 Britain s MI5 secret service said at least 400 of them are spies Many Russian embassies and consulates are reported to be equipped with stateof-the-art communications and espionage technology If any of this can be definitively proven Western intelligence agencies have chosen not to make public the information they may have gathered After all, the embassy and consulate buildings are considered Russian territory and cannot be entered by host states without Russian permission The Dutch secret service has warned that Russia is equipping its spies with false papers and smuggling them into Western institutions disguised as businesspeople
DISINFORMATION AND PROPAGANDA: Another objective of hybrid warfare is trying to influence public opinion in a given target country Falsehoods and pro-Russian or antiUkrainian narratives are disseminated to this end whether on social media platforms through troll factories, or via Russian foreign media outlets
In early 2024, Germany’s Foreign Ministry uncovered a Russian “Doppelganger” disinformation campaign It involved 50 000 fake social media user accounts spreading falsehoods and pro-Russian opinions on social networks while linking to fake news outlets spreading Russian propaganda Some of the sites appeared deceptively similar to wellknown news sites
ELECTION INTERFERENCE, MEDDLING IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS: One of the aims of these disinformation campaigns is to undermine public support for Ukraine Another objective consists of politically destabilizing a democratic target country by strengthening extreme parties and candidates, for example by providing financial support to them In April, the Czech secret service uncovered a propaganda website called Voice of Europe, believed to be financed by Moscow The site is suspected of paying bribes to some members of European Parliament One of the individuals suspected of having received such payments is Petr Bystron an MEP with the far-right populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party He has denied the accusations Western intelligence agencies also accused Russia of directly or indirectly influencing dozens of elections across Europe North America and South America Russian international broadcaster RT is said to have produced videos on controversial topics such as aid for Ukraine migration and the economy during the US presidential election campaign Right-wing US bloggers then spread some of the videos Hack-and-leak attacks are also part of the hybrid warfare repertoire They involve hacking politicians, political parties or other institutions to steal and publish confidential information sometimes alongside falsified documents before elections This happened for example in the run-up to the 2016 US election and the 2017 French presidential election TARGETED KILLINGS: Assassinating influential figures is another facet of hybrid warfare Russian President Vladimir Putin has not shied away from attacking individuals abroad This is clear from the killing of a Chechen ex-commander in Berlin’s Tiergarten park who allegedly fought against Russia during the Second Chechen War This is also evident from the 2006 attack on Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko and the assassination attempt against Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in 2018 All were carried out on British soil It’s mainly Russian citizens who have fallen victim to such attacks so far In July 2024 however news leaked that Russia was planning to assassinate Armin Papperger CEO of the German armaments group Rheinmetall which manufactures the Leopard II tanks and other munitions supplied to Ukraine The Kremlin has denied all the accusations HOW TO DEAL WITH HYBRID WARFARE? Russia is conducting many different hybrid warfare pinpricks across Europe according to Sönke Marahrens a German army officer and hybrid security expert Russian operators are trying out different things in many European states which are individually tailored to the respective state, Marahrens told German public news outlet tagesschau de Hybrid measures that work in Poland don’t work in Germany; what works in Germany wouldn’t work in Finland ” That is why, he said, one must expect “a very broad spectrum of attacks in the future ” Likewise one should show flexibility in reacting to such attacks he added This article was translated from German
FO R the past few months there has been a grim new ritual whenever I meet people from some Arab countries It s a sort of mutual commiseration and checking in How are things with you? Where is your family? I hope you are safe, I hope they are safe I hope you are OK We are with you There is a comfort to it, and also an awkwardness Comfort because the words are earnest the solidarity almost unbearably meaningful Awkward because the scale of what many are enduring is too large to be captured in those words Everything feels shot through with survivor s guilt, but also with a little bit of resolve in the knowledge that the calamities tearing apart our nations have closed the distances between us At the heart of it all is Palestine – an open trauma that haunts interactions A muteness has set in where before there was anger and shock Added to this is Lebanon Before the ceasefire, a Lebanese friend told me that it was strange feeling that you may not have a country to return to soon “Shit,” another said, when I asked her what the situation was for her family in Beirut We moved on At the same time Sudan is a year and a half into a bewilderingly savage war Even in the occupied West Bank almost every single Palestinian I met asked me about Sudan, their sense of the war there sharpened by their own experience It s such a shame,” one man told me, “[and] so unnecessary It’s always our leaders who want to fight never the people ” Wherever it is it feels like one war the causes of which are complex but the consequences for those experiencing it are simple We are all in familiar trouble Zoom out further and the scene across the Arab world looks historically bleak Fires big and small are burning everywhere Many countries – Libya, Iraq Yemen Syria – are either divided by lowgrade rumbling conflicts (Syria is once again escalating) or struggling through humanitarian crises The tolls of the past few years are staggering Not just in terms of death, but displacement, too The scenes of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese fleeing the fighting over the previous months have been replicated across the region The legacy is a painful odyssey of movement fracture and uneasy resettlement Almost every Sudanese person I know within and outside Sudan is huddled with other family members in temporary circumstances, living out of a suitcase, waiting for the next time they have to move again And they are the lucky ones, safe from the ethnic cleansing and starvation in other parts of the country
Dr MuhaMMaD abDul kaMal
SyrIA’S EMBATTLED ASSAD SEEKS TO SHOrE uP SuPPOrT AFTEr ALEPPO LOSS
CORPORATE CORNER
but also including at least 61 civilians according to the Observatory which has a network of sources inside Syria
Yi, Baerbock chair 7th round of China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy, Security
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock co-chaired the seventh round of the China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security in Beijing on Monday
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the all-round strategic partnership between China and Germany, said Wang also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee adding that it is necessary for both sides to seriously review the past and actively explore the future
Noting the stability and consistency in China’s policy toward Germany Wang emphasized that China has always regarded Germany as an important partner since the establishment of diplomatic relations 52 years ago As the second- and thirdlargest economies in the world, China and Germany must overcome disturbances and eliminate obstacles adhere to the main melody of dialogue and cooperation, reject the old mindset of Cold
War confrontation, jointly resist external risks and address global challenges together he said Germany attaches great importance to its relationship with China and firmly adheres to the oneChina policy, Baerbock said In the face of a turbulent world, maintaining candid dialogue with China and strengthening strategic communication is of great significance Baerbock said adding that it helps to ensure the correct development direction of bilateral relations and contributes to world peace and stability She said Germany appreciates
China’s active role in addressing climate change Noting that competition should be fair Wang said the European Union s imposition of high tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles violates the principles of fair competition and free trade and is becoming a prominent issue in Chinese-European relations
He called on both the EU and Germany to view China s development objectively and rationally adopt a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and resolve trade disputes through dialogue and negotiation
Donald Trump announces loyalist K ash Patel as choice to lead FBI
WASHINGTON
A G E N C I E S
United States President-elect Donald Trump aims to make loyalist Kash Patel the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) he said on Saturday in a move that would mean replacing the key agency s current leader Trump announced the former adviser and Pentagon official, who has
step down or be fired
The FBI under Wray who Trump appointed has investigated the incoming president, sparking Trump s ire “Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption defending Justice and protecting the
a book on the subject
A son of Indian immigrants, Patel served in several high-level posts during Trump’s first term including as a national security advisor and as chief of staff to the acting defense secretary Kash did an incredible job during my First Term
CM
Maryam Nawaz Sharif Congratulates People of UAE on their 53rd National Day
The federal government has announced plans to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling banning monosodium glutamate (MSG) commonly referred to as Chinese salt in Pakistan
This new stance has prompted the government to seek a reversal of the Supreme Court’s earlier decision potentially allowing the
Pakistan
The decision, approved during a federal cabinet meeting on Monday, was made following a recommendation from the Ministry of Commerce According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the move comes after a special committee of experts declared MSG safe for human consumption The committee s findings indicate no significant health risks associated with monosodium glutamate (Ajinomoto), the PMO stated, adding that the decision is backed by scientific analysis In 2018, the Supreme Court prohibited the sale, import, and export of MSG based on findings from the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) The PFA had linked MSG to adverse health effects including headaches fatigue palpitations nausea vomiting sweating and facial numbness particularly among individuals sensitive to the substance The PMO s expert committee, which included representatives from organizations such as the Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research National Agriculture Research Center National University of Sciences and Technology, and the Federal Ministry of National Food Security, has now concluded that MSG poses no significant health concerns
