PTI READY FOR THIRD ROUND OF TALKS, BUT EXPECTS PROGRESS ON DEMANDS: SIC CHIEF
US made no demand for relief to PTI founder: Kh Asif
SIALKOT/ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
Talks between the government and the PTI commenced in the last week of December to bring down political temperatures, but despite weeks of negotiations, the dialogue process has hardly moved forward on major issues the
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday stated that the US had made no demand to provide relief to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, accusing PTI of spreading false information and trying to damage Pakistan’s reputation Pakistan s relationship with the U S he said is built on 76 years of diplomacy and mutual interests not on short-term political games, Kh Asif while addressing a press conference here on Sunday
He criticized Imran Khan and PTI for shifting from their earlier “Absolutely Not stance to Absolutely Yes saying this shows a complete change in their position
The defence minister also slammed the former ruling party for expecting support from the new US administration led by President-elect Donald Trump down the line Asif further stated that no contact had been made [by Washington] at the government level to seek relief for the PTI founder He also accused PTI of staging fake dramas, including claims about congressional hearings to gain public sym-
tion within Muslim communities
“The Muslim World League, along with its partners commits to making the ‘Islamabad Declaration’ a constitutional document so the impact will be tangible the MWL chief said, adding that Islamic scholars addressed various misconceptions during the “exceptional and unified solidarity meeting” in Islamabad
The MWL chief said the Muslim world needed this collaboration for a unified voice reflecting Islam s teachings
pathy and political advantage Ahead of the verdict in the high-profile £190 million case against PTI founder the Defence Minister expressed the hope that justice will prevail as an accountability court was set to announce its judgment tomorrow While accusations had been made against past rulers, what transpired during the PTI’s government was unprecedented he added Commenting on the £190 million settlement case also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader alleged that Britain s National Crime Agency (NCA) had sent the settlement money to Pakistan
TOUGHER US SANCTIONS TO CURB RUSSIAN OIL SUPPLY TO CHINA AND INDIA
PM, President laud security forces’ operation against Khawarij
against Fitna al-Khawarij in North Waziristan
He appreciated security forces for eliminating nine terrorists of Fitna alKhawarij in two different operations He expressed determination to fully eliminate Fitna al-Khawarij from the country He said security forces were carrying out operations to eradicate the menace of terrorism, adding the whole nation was united against terrorism
He said operations against Fitna alKhawarij would continue till complete eradication of terrorism
On the other hand, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to security forces for killing nine Khawarij terrorists in North Waziristan In a statement on Sunday she said Salute to the brave security personnel who risk their lives to protect us She added May Allah Almighty grant our security forces success in every field
Rain, snow intensify cold weather across Punjab, Northern regions
LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t
Rain in Lahore and various cities of Punjab significantly increased the cold and subsided the foggy condition considerably
Rainfall was reported in Lahore, Basirpur and other areas making the weather colder Kasur Nankana Sahib
Pattoki Arifwala Sahiwal and Renala Khurd also experienced showers
In the northern regions, snowfall blanketed the mountains, creating picturesque scenes in Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat and surrounding areas where further rain is expected
Azad Kashmir is gripped by severe cold with temperatures dropping to21°C in Taobat, -13°C in Leh, -12°C in Parachinar, and -11°C in Astore Other notable temperatures included -10°C in Gopis -9°C in Skardu -7°C in Kalam and -6°C in Hunza
Low visibility forces closure of Motorways M-4, M-4 Motorways M-4 and M-5 were closed at different points due to reduced visibility caused by dense fog
The spokesperson for the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) confirmed that the M-5 motorway was closed for traffic from Rohri to Multan Meanwhile, the M-4 motorway was closed for heavy traffic from Pindi Bhattian to Multan
GILANI URGES GOVTS, CIVIL SOCIETY AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS TO ENCOURAGE, SUPPORT GIRLS EDUCATION
New char ter of democracy needed for stabilit y, says Tariq Fazal
ISLAMABAD s
t Senior leader of Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that mutual respect and tolerance among political leaders was important for country s stability
The woman jeep-racer excelled as the thrilling 13th Kalam Snow Jeep Race concluded at Shahi Ground here on Sunday The race organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) Upper Swat Development Authority Frontier 4x4 Club and Pakistan Army featured competitions in three categories: Zero to 2500cc 2500cc to Open, Vintage, and ladies category Over 50 4x4 jeeps participated in the Member National Assembly Dr Amjad Ali was the chief guest at the closing ceremony who awarded prizes and shields to the excelling jeep racers Member Provincial Assembly Sharafat Ali, Director General Upper Swat Development Authority Adnan Abrar, Frontier 4x4 Club president Babar Khan KPCTA officials and other dignitaries also attended the event The race was conducted in three
different categories In the Women s category, Mashal secured the first position In Category A, Babar Khan completed the track in 1 minute and 7 seconds clinching first place while Bacha Khan and Dr Tahir took second and third places respectively In Category B Yaseen secured first position followed by Muhammad Saeed in second and Waqas in third The Tourism Police, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and Rescue 1122 personnel provided full support in organizing the race and safeguarding the racers and tourists Dr Amjad Ali while addressing the gathering said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was taking tangible measures to promote and develop tourism He commended the KPCTA and the Upper Swat Development Authority for organizing a remarkable race in collaboration with the Frontier 4x4 Club at Kalam s Shahi Ground He added that such events were essential to boost tourism activities in Kalam The lawmaker said t5hat efforts
would continue to provide all possible facilities to tourists visiting Kalam during the winter season A large number of tourists along with local participants were present to enjoy the race Meanwhile Advisor to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Zahid Chanzeb said that the purpose of this event was to promote winter and adventure tourism in the province He said that the department had also held successful competitions of ice hockey curling and speed skating at Shandur Top Kalam holds significant importance among the tourist destinations of the province Along with summer, tourists are now visiting these areas during winter to enjoy snowfall The provincial government is taking every possible measure to promote tourism and culture in the region Due to the government s efforts over 20 million tourists visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last year, and this year is expected to see a record number of tourists in the province
take time; discussions, debates, and finding solutions all require time If there is goodwill a way forward will emerge he added
DI KHAN s ta f f r e p o r t Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday reiterated to take tangible measures for the socio-economic development of Dera Ismail Khan He expressed these views during a marriage ceremony of Pakistan People s Party (PPP) District President Malik Farhan Afzal Dhap’s cousin held here on Sunday He mingled with people and shared moments with them as well as highlighting various development initiatives for the district Speaking on the occasion he said the PPP has always prioritized the welfare of the people and raised its voice on all forums in this regard He assured the people of Dera Ismail Khan that numerous development projects were currently underway which would provide modern facilities and create opportunities for economic growth ultimately transforming the region The ceremony was attended by several influential figures, including former Provincial Minister Abdul Haleem Qasuria, PPP leader Qaizar Khan Miankhel PPP leader Malik Farhan Afzal Dhap and others Following the event he also congratulated on the wedding of Syed Muhammad Raza a son of former Nazim Syed Muhammad Abid Shah at his residence Similarly, the governor paid a condolence visit to the residence of party worker Salaar Hussain over the demise of later ’s aunt and offered prayers (fatehah)
said that the government and the opposition should indulge in constructive and positive conversation while respecting each other to yield the desired outcome, according to a statement issued by the lower house of the parliament In the last meeting between the
sides, Speaker Sadiq opened the doors to his office for the members of the negotiation committees on a rolling basis, the NA spokesperson said in the statement Ayaz Sadiq not only claimed that he would give the opposition more time than the government but he acted on it as well, the spokesperson said The speaker believes in resolving issues through dialogue with understanding and always talks about respecting each other the spokesperson said adding that Sadiq was still facilitating the dialogue with sincerity It is the success of the speaker that those who did not shake hands with each other are sitting at a table today,” the statement said quoting the spokesperson adding that it was the responsibility of the government and the opposition to take advantage of the speaker s facilitation and work for the betterment of the country
“The speaker has provided the
members a forum and he wants the dialogues to be successful,” it said Since Imran’s incarceration last year based on several cases his party’s relationship with the government as well as the establishment has turned exceedingly sour The PTI has held several protests over the last year, most of which escalated into violence after facing state repression Following the PTI’s ‘Final Call’ power show last month tensions escalated as there were renewed calls to ban the party and task forces formed against an alleged malicious campaign as the PTI claimed a dozen deaths of its supporters, which the government officially denies However after Imran formed a five-member committee to hold talks with anyone and his lawmakers had a softened stance in the parliament, the government constituted its own committee comprising ruling coalition members
Global Islamic consensus backs girls ’ educ ation in landmark declaration
On the
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
No one can claim to speak on behalf of Islam regarding this issue anymore as the scholars of the Ummah, supported by their jurisprudential councils, have delivered a clear and definitive statement ” he said “We do not address any specific individual or entity but speak to anyone opposing or hindering this cause whether individuals or institutions, public or private The issue of girls education has drawn heightened attention recently, particularly after Afghanistan’s interim administration led by the Taliban imposed restrictions on girls education including shutting down secondary schools and barring women from attending universities
SO L A R I Z AT I O N as measured by the mount of net metering, is soaring It has gone up from 633 MW in 2021-2 to 2498MW in 2023-24, or 294 percent in just two years which is an annualised 71 percent The number of consumers has gone from 75,724 in the year ending 30 June 2023, to 157,844, with 1188 MW added in this period All of that activity is not motivated by concern for the environment but is fuelled by economic considerations The Energy Ministry finds that consumers want to avoid the high tariff the distribution companies are charging Tariffs are high because they include capacity charges, which have been given so that investors can recoup their investment in the generation capacity they provide It should be noted that consumers who solarize also have to make an investment, and must depend on the difference between the compensation rate and the tariff to help cover that investment Apart from the capacity charges, the DISCOs are also finding that their dilapidated transmission systems are facing strains The problem is that the distribution system has to collect all the units generated, and distribute units to the consumer One of the hidden problems, which cannot be easily measured is the amount of solar power off the grid The problem with all government plans is that they fly in the face of basic economics and attempts to make consumers pay for the capacity charges will drive the tariffs high and force the consumer to go off-grid Once technical obstacles to power storage are overcome, there will be an incentive provided by the government itself by using electricity bills to charge taxes An apposite example is that of the
Global warming, catastrophes, and climate finance
AS the world virtually goes through the first quarter of the 21st century, on one hand climate change crisis, and with it the ‘Pandemicene’ phenomenon have continued to affect daily lives in more and more significant way while on the other hand the march of Neoliberalism over the last four decades or so has meant that public policy, which is deeply entrenched in market fundamentalism has allowed profiteering to take precedence over economic decisions that would have otherwise allowed reaching both productive and allocative efficiencies including making global economy more resilient against existential threats like climate change Although the climate change crisis has unfolded very quickly over the last decade or so a January 6 published article Climate models can t explain what s happening to earth in The Atlantic indicated that the actual pace climate change is happening is likely to be much higher than being indicated by earlier climate models The article indicated in this regard ‘Today’s climate models very accurately describe the broad strokes of Earth s future But warming has also now progressed enough that scientists are noticing unsettling mismatches between some of their predictions and real outcomes Kai Kornhuber, a climate scientist at Columbia University, and his colleagues recently found that on every continent except Antarctica certain regions showed up as mysterious hot spots suffering repeated heat waves worse than what any model could predict or explain Across places where a third of humanity lives, actual daily temperature records are outpacing model predictions, according to forthcoming research from Dartmouth’s Alexander Gottlieb and Justin Mankin At the same time now that the models are running up against the reality of dramatic climate change some of their limits are showing But models are even now less capable of accounting for secondary effects of those emissions that no one saw coming, and that now seem to be driving important change ’ This only calls for all the more urgency to tackle climate change in a vigor-
ous way, both in terms of much more availability of climate finance, and making greater efforts towards reaching more accurate, and wider-encompassing climate models Resultantly the world saw the ballooning of a SARS– a coronavirus– epidemic into a full blown Covid-19 pandemic in just two decades on one hand while the intensity, and frequency of climate change induced catastrophes increased over time, as rising global warming meant that almost every next year has been hotter than before, and breaking record of being the hottest year in the recorded history of global climate temperature For instance the catastrophic floods in Pakistan in 2022 inundated one-third of the country causing serious damage to life and livelihood – with billions of dollars worth of damage caused Similarly, the recent wildfires in Los Angeles have also been catastrophic, with strong footprint of climate change as pointed out by a January 9 published article ‘The role of climate change in the catastrophic 2025 Los Angeles fires as follows: The New Year has rung in with one of the most horrific wildfire events in world history: an urban firestorm in the Los Angeles metro area that has killed at least five people and reduced thousands of homes to smoking rubble The main way that climate change worsens
Language planning for sustainable development in Pakistan
Waves of destruction
empowerment by providing vocational training in regional languages thereby increasing employability Furthermore encouraging English proficiency programmes helps bridge gaps in global competitiveness ensuring individuals can access better job opportunities and contribute more effectively to the economy The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize inclusivity and equity aligning with the principles of linguistic justice Languages are key to achieving several SDGs particularly in education (SDG 4) economic growth (SDG 8) reducing inequalities (SDG 10), and preserving cultural heritage (SDG 11) Research shows that children taught in their
English for socio-economic mobility and Urdu for national unity often exclude speakers of regional languages exacerbating inequities Pakistan s linguistic landscape includes six major languages Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Saraiki, and Urdu and numerous minority languages However Urdu spoken by only seven percent of the population is the national language while English dominates as the medium of higher education and administration According to UNESCO, 40 percent of children worldwide do not have access to education in their mother tongue In Pakistan, this reflects a significant challenge as regional languages are seldom used in schools especially in rural areas Educationally the exclusion of mother tongues creates barriers Studies indicate that children learning in their native language are 30 percent more likely to achieve basic literacy and numeracy skills Pakistan’s literacy rate, at 58 percent, lags behind regional peers, partly due to language policies that alienate non-Urdu and nonEnglish speakers Economically language barriers hinder access to opportunities English proficiency is often a prerequisite for lucrative jobs, marginalizing those fluent only in regional languages This creates a socio-economic divide, where rural populations and lower-income groups are disproportionately disadvantaged Culturally the lack of institutional support for regional languages threatens their survival Reports suggest that nearly 27 languages in Pakistan are at risk of extinction The dominance of Urdu and English in media, education, and governance erodes the identity and cultural richness associated with indigenous languages Language policies must also address hegemony and linguistic inequity The concept of linguistic imperialism where one language dominates at the expense of others is evident in Pakistan s approach While English is viewed as a symbol of progress, its unchecked dominance perpetuates inequalities and disempowers regional language speakers To effectively align Language Policy and Planning (LPP) with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Pakistan must adopt inclusive multilingual strategies This includes promoting mother-tongue education (SDG 4) by introducing regional languages as the medium of instruction in early education and transitioning to bilingual models that incorporate both
Urdu and English in later stages Teachers should be trained in multilingual pedagogy to ensure successful implementation Economic empowerment (SDG 8) can be achieved by providing vocational training in regional languages to enhance employability and encouraging English proficiency programmes to bridge gaps in global competitiveness For cultural preservation (SDG 11), it is essential to establish digital archives for endangered languages and promote regional literature, poetry, and folklore through various media and cultural festivals Linguistic equity in governance (SDG 10) should be addressed by making government services and legal proceedings accessible in multiple languages and recognizing regional languages as official languages alongside Urdu and English Public awareness campaigns should be launched to highlight the value of linguistic diversity and celebrate International Mother Language Day to advocate for linguistic inclusion By reforming language policies to reflect Pakistan s linguistic diversity the nation can foster an equitable society where all languages are valued This approach will not only advance sustainable development but also preserve the cultural heritage that defines Pakistan’s identity By adopting inclusive multilingual strategies Pakistan can create a more equitable society promote economic growth reduce inequalities and preserve its rich cultural heritage This comprehensive approach to language policy and planning is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring that no community is left behind
The writer is Lecturer in English Institute of Humanities and Arts Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology Rahim Yar Khan
Pakistan can create a more equitable society, promote economic growth, reduce inequalities, and preserve its rich cultural heritage This comprehensive approach to language policy and planning is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring that no community is left behind
against sea intrusion Unfortunately the Indus delta designated as Ramsar Wetland faces the threat because of inadequate flow of water from downstream Kotri to meet its essential requirement The sea intrusion has caused degradation of the coastal and riverine ecosystem destruction of mangroves forests scarcity of drinking water decline in fish population and forced migration from the villages located in the affected areas
A provision was made in the Water Accord of 1991 to ensure a certain volume of water in the Indus but that has not been implemented in earnest Even upstream Kotri water is not made available as per the agreed formula because of uncontrolled barrages, dams, diversions and a faulty monitoring system
During the last couple of years the water shortage has heavily damaged crops affecting the income of the farmers on the one hand and the country s economy, on the other For addressing this lingering issue, a coordinated approach is urgently required by the government, water experts as well as environmentalists to counter the challenge which if not properly and promptly addressed will be a disaster for the area and the people living there
SHAMS JAFRANI KARACHI
Toxic love
L A H O R E used to one of my favourite cities I always wanted to live there, and destiny took me to my dream city in November 2022 to pursue my higher education
When I came to Lahore from my hometown in Karak district, I was in good health both physically and mentally I was motivated to explore the city, make new friends, and face the challenges that are part of life
However, the air pollution in Lahore changed me as a person
Winter, which used to be my favourite season, has now become a nightmare with the dreaded smog taking over my mind as a monster
The pre-winter anxiety it triggers is unbelievable
It has been going on since my first exposure to the menace of smog One morning, while preparing to go to the library,
Waheed Shahzad
Native languages can’t be ignored
The debate over Biden’s drilling ban
izes
these projects fail to deliver affordable and reliable energy the administration s strategy risks backfiring spectacularly
The regions affected by this ban span an area larger than Texas and Alaska combined an unprecedented scope that critics argue comes with equally unprecedented consequences Offshore drilling has long been a cornerstone of the US energy sector providing thousands of high-paying jobs and billions in state and federal revenues By halting operations across such vast territories, the Biden Administration risks triggering a domino effect of economic disruptions
President-elect Donald Trump a staunch critic of Biden s climate policies wasted no time condemning the ban This is the worst abuse of power I ve ever seen, Trump declared, promising to reverse the decision on his first day back in office
While his rhetoric may be dramatic
Trump’s critique reflects broader concerns about the economic implications of sidelining fossil fuel industries
Dan Kish, a senior fellow at the Institute for Energy Research, called the ban a petulant act of a Hard Left Establishment ” He argued that the Administration’s emphasis on renewable energy particularly offshore wind projects is not a viable substitute for oil and gas production The electricity they produce is so expensive it is deindustrializing Europe and beginning to topple governments, Kish said, raising the specter of economic instability should the USA follow a similar path
One of the most striking contradictions of Biden’s ban is its overlap with the administration s push for offshore wind farms
Many of the Atlantic waters affected by the drilling prohibition are also sites for proposed wind energy projects, which have drawn significant criticism
Offshore wind farms, while touted as a renewable energy solution are not without their drawbacks Environmentalists have raised concerns about their impact on marine ecosystems including threats to sea mammals, seabirds, and commercial fishing operations The administration s heavy investment in these projects appears to clash with its stated goal of protecting coastal ecosystems Furthermore the economic viability of offshore wind energy is far from guaranteed
Critics argue that the high costs of wind energy could lead to higher electricity prices, straining households and businesses alike If
Beyond the economic concerns Biden s drilling ban raises serious questions about energy security In the wake of Russia s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting global energy disruptions the importance of domestic energy production has never been clearer By curbing offshore drilling the USA risks becoming more reliant on foreign oil a vulnerability that could have farreaching implications for national security
The Biden Administration has faced criticism for its handling of energy policy, particularly in light of global instability Restricting domestic oil and gas production while relying on imports from countries with weaker environmental standards sends a mixed message It undermines the very climate goals the Administration claims to champion, as foreign energy production often generates higher emissions than domestic operations
Kish captured this frustration succinctly: Biden and his White House couldn t care less about the national security implications, as witnessed by their feckless record that has lit fires around the world while they try to extinguish our gas
A sustainable energy future will be fraught with challeng es. Whether BidenÊs ban ultimately proves to be a visionar y step forward or a costly misstep remains to be seen. But its impact will resonate for years to come , shaping the national debate over energy, climate , and the role of government in both.
Global race for critical minerals
fice
Sthe Middle East The conflict has stretched across borders spanning Gaza to Lebanon to Iran Over the course of 15 months, the Israel Defense Forces and Israel s intelligence services have taken the fight directly to Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah two of the most prominent members of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance ” A dramatic Israeli intelligence operation in mid-September involved exploding pagers and walkie-talkies resulting in the death of more than a dozen Hezbollah foot soldiers, with thousands of other people in Lebanon injured or maimed In Gaza, the Israeli military has killed more than 17,000 Hamas fighters, a devastating blow to the group’s rank and file, affecting 22 of Hamas’ 24 battalions But the centerpiece of Israel s efforts has been targeted assassinations killing the leaders of these groups with ruthless efficiency Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah was taken out by an Israeli airstrike in late September, while Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the Oct 7 attack, was killed by the Israeli military in Rafah in mid-October Much of the conventional wisdom on counterterrorism however suggests that killing a terrorist leader also known as decapitation strikes is insufficient to defeat these groups over the long term Despite that there have been numerous scholars and analysts who have published assessments suggesting that, as the Economist opined, there is good reason to believe that this time may be different ” Respected military historian Raphael S Cohen added his voice to those who see Sinwar ’s death as highly consequential arguing that “this incident differs from killing al-Zarqawi al-Baghdadi and even bin Ladin in reference to the leaders of Al Qaeda in Iraq the Islamic State and core Al Qaeda respectively Still, the empirical evidence and the broader body of research on the efficacy of decapitation strikes point to both Hamas and Hezbollah continuing to function, even in a significantly attenuated state until both can recruit new members and rebuild their organizations
One of the reasons it is premature to write the obituary of either Hamas or Hezbollah is that both groups are better understood as insurgent organizations, not transnational terrorist groups What s the difference? Terrorism is a tactic, while insurgency is a strategy Terrorism consists of “violent, criminal attacks,” and although insurgents might use terrorism, it does not define them; an insurgency is “the organized use of subversion and violence to seize nullify or challenge political control of a region Hamas and Hezbollah have nationalist agendas interwoven with Islamist ideology but the group s primary members and supporters are Palestinians and Lebanese, respectively These groups are organic and homegrown, unlike the Islamic State or Al Qaeda, which have relied heavily on fighters from abroad This matters because foreign fighters while zeal-
ous in many ways are unmoored from the territory they inhabit By contrast Hamas and Hezbollah will replenish their ranks with locals new recruits many of whom will be catalyzed to continue their struggle after the immense devastation and humanitarian suffering wrought by Israel s draconian approach in Gaza and Lebanon As they have throughout their tenure, Hamas and Hezbollah will use the ongoing conflict to reinforce a cult of martyrdom in an effort to ensure that ideological and religious fervor is transmitted to younger generations Killing leaders of the organizations does not significantly hinder this and might even fuel radicalization
Both Hamas and Hezbollah are part and parcel of the sociopolitical fabric in Gaza and Lebanon and will inevitably regrow their depleted ranks Hezbollah recruits through offering jobs, education and healthcare and by providing other services to Shia in southern Lebanon Israel’s scorched-earth approach in Gaza where 45 000 Palestinians have been killed and the territory s infrastructure razed to the ground will serve as a recruiting tool for Hamas as it seeks to enlist the next wave of Palestinians, many of whom will be radicalized by the war and its aftermath We ll be fighting their sons in four or five years,” remarked Yaakov Peri, the former head of the Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet in reference to the cycle of violence perpetuated by Israel s ongoing assault in Gaza
To be sure the onslaught has been devastating to both groups And yet neither organization is likely to fade away As Mideast expert Steven Cook noted after Sinwar s death: It is hard to kill your way out of the problem posed by a resistance movement The committed do not get the message; they just redouble their efforts ” In Israel there is a famous saying about counterterrorism which Israelis euphemistically dub mowing the grass The analogy is apt because the grass always grows back But in this latest round of fighting over the past 15 months Israel decided to do more than mow the grass and that s why we’re seeing scorched earth instead Rather than an issue to be mitigated, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his inner circle of far-right ministers have tried to convince Israelis that the challenges of Hamas and Hezbollah could be solved once and for all In November speaking of Hezbollah the prime minister said: This is no longer the same Hezbollah We set it back decades As for Hamas, Netanyahu said the Israelis will remain in Gaza until the group is “completely destroyed ” Kim Ghattas, a journalist and regional expert has described these objectives as “maximalist and largely unattainable ” Indeed the Israeli military s pursuit of total victory in Gaza and Lebanon is what will guarantee the survival of Hamas and Hezbollah After all insurgent organizations need to be combated through counterinsurgency, not counterterrorism The Israelis have pursued a solution entirely mismatched to the problem Counterinsurgency involves “comprehensive civilian and military efforts designed to simultaneously defeat and contain insurgency and address its root causes
But Israel s recent approach in Gaza and Lebanon contained no real plan to protect the population and no effort to win hearts and minds Moreover, from the very beginning of these overlapping conflicts, Netanyahu has never attempted to offer a coherent political endgame for dealing with either Hamas or Hezbollah As always war and especially insurgency is politics through other means Israel s military campaign while impressive tactically has relied solely on the kinetic aspects of conflict, entirely neglecting the political component, and condemning future generations on all sides to the same
Tlittle about it renewable energy technologies, as well as electric vehicles and batteries, require enormous quantities of metals Demand for copper, cobalt, and lithium is expected to soar in the years to come
The simmering geopolitical rivalry between the U S and China has made supply chains more vulnerable to disruption heightening the importance of this mineral race even further
The two countries have been hitting each other with tariffs and export bans, with the latest occurring on Dec 3 when China banned the export of several critical minerals required for military technologies
The U S has responded to concerns that China might restrict the export of minerals by trying to diversify its supply chain That included support for the recent re-opening of a longclosed tungsten mine in South Korea to secure supplies of a metal used in microchips as well as armaments While the stakes are high and the need for minerals is driven by cutting-edge technology such concerns are nothing new In fact the very same tungsten mine recently re-opened in South Korea was part of an earlier mineral fight Seventy years ago, during the Korean War, the U S helped to open this mine, in an attempt to avoid imminent shortages of the metal
In the early 20th century the U S underwent a historic shift from relative self-sufficiency when it came to critical minerals like copper and manganese to depending on imports, as economic and military expansion necessitated a greater volume and variety of minerals
That didn’t pose a serious problem until the late 1940s But as the Cold War escalated American officials became concerned that it could impede the imports of cobalt copper manganese tungsten, and uranium These minerals were critical for the burgeoning electronics industry and for the weapons demanded by the growing arms race with the Soviet Union The 1950 onset of the Korean War intensified these fears The region was one of the largest sources of tungsten key for the production of armor armaments and industrial drills and the U S had few domestic sources
This prompted President Harry Truman to dispatch American mining engineers and geologists to South Korea to build an industrial complex around one of the biggest tungsten deposits in the world Sangdong Mine Truman s administration also agreed to purchase all of the metal that the mine produced to build a domestic stockpile U S engineering contractors built a processing plant, power plant, and grid infrastructure By 1953, this enabled the U S to import highgrade tungsten from the mine Success at Sangdong Mine turned the initiative into a blueprint for policy throughout the 1950s President Dwight Eisenhower entered of-
CALIFORNIA BRACES FOR DANGEROUS SANTA ANA WINDS AS WILDFIRE DEATH TOLL HITS 16
active participation in social activities society still labels him abnormal, with the permanent tag of polio affected Barkat Shah from Mohmand District, whose daughter Husna was paralyzed by polio, shared his regret over delaying her vaccination He urged parents to take vaccines seriously saying Don t wait until it s too late Polio causes lifelong disability and has no cure
Reflecting on these experiences, it deeply saddens me to consider the plight of 68 children who, in 2024, were afflicted by
No new infec tious disease emerges in C hina recently, said C hina NHC official
There s no new infectious disease emerged in China recently; and overall positive rate for human metapneumovirus (HMPV) testing is rising but fluctuating near a plateau with a decline observed in northern China said Chinese health officials on Sunday They also dismissed claims of medical resource strain due to recent spike of respiratory infectious diseases said medicines are in adequate supply Currently China is suffering from peak season for respiratory infectious diseases, and various pathogens can cause respiratory infections,Global Times reported Wang Liping a research fellow at the China CDC said at a news briefing that monitoring shows that influenza is the primary disease leading to visits by patients with acute respiratory infections in medical institutions
According to monitoring data, influenza is currently in a seasonal epidemic phase with the intensity of the outbreak at a moderate level in most provinces Wang said At present, the upward trend in the influenza positivity rate has begun to slow down
As primary and secondary schools across the country gradually enter their winter break it is expected that the level of influenza
polio due to missed vaccinations whether from parental refusal community boycotts poor healthcare infrastructure malnutrition or sanitation and hygiene issues
While the fight to defeat polio continues in every street, mohalla and union council of Pakistan, we must unpack the remaining challenges that have to be surmounted hand in hand with the people of Pakistan The concentration of cases in Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which alone accounted for 18 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s 20 total cases, and in Killa Abdullah, which registered 7 of the 27 cases in Balochistan, is particularly alarming Sindh reported 19 cases and one case each from Punjab and Islamabad takes the tally to 68 The Dera Ismail Khan district with the highest number of polio cases in 2024 (10) is part of a corridor that stretches through other districts like Tank (4 cases), Lakki Marwat (2), and Bannu, Karak, and Kohat (2), all showing signs of ongoing transmission A look at the past six years shows that these areas along with South and North Waziristan have remained hotbeds of polio transmission with sporadic outbreaks over the years In 2019, for instance, Bannu recorded 26 cases, Lakki Marwat had 32, and other districts such as D I Khan and Tank also reported multiple cases The persistence of the virus in these areas is due to a combination of inadequate healthcare services vaccine hesitancy poor sanitation and security challenges that prevent vaccinators from reaching vulnerable children Similarly, the traditional polio reservoirs of Karachi, Quetta, and Peshawar continue to present major hurdles These areas which are interconnected with Afghanistan serve as engines of transmission exporting the virus across Pakistan due
activity may decline in the latter half of this month
The influenza virus positivity rate among China s outpatient and emergency influenza drug cases increased by 3 8 percent compared with two weeks ago but remained below the level of the same period last year said Gao Xinqiang an official from China s National Health Commission (NHC), at the conference
In recent days, some foreign media have reported a spike in HMPV cases in China alleging that it has overwhelmed hospitals with some attempting to draw parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic Wang said that HMPV is not a new variant and has coexisted with humans for several decades, and the recent increase in reports of HMPV is due to advancements in detection methods
She said that currently the overall positive rate for HMPV
testing is rising but fluctuating near a plateau with a decline observed in northern China Moreover, the positive rate among patients under 14 years old has begun to decrease
Overall the levels of coronavirus and other pathogens remain relatively low in terms of prevalence said Wang noting that currently, various respiratory infectious diseases in China are known, and no new infectious diseases have emerged To better meet the medical needs of the public Gao said both the NHC and CDC have been proactively planning and implementing measures since October of last year, including daily monitoring, continuous coordination and the strengthening of nationwide initiatives while providing targeted guidance for key provinces and cities to ensure that medical services remain stable and orderly
to moving populations sub-par healthcare delivery and child malnutrition
While these challenges are immense they are not insurmountable Pakistan s Polio Eradication Program has made significant strides in recent years Despite setbacks, including a surge in cases in 2014, the program had managed to bring polio cases down to single digits by 2017-18 However resurgence in cases in 2019-20 largely due to the suspension of polio campaigns after a violent incident in Peshawar sparked by misinformation, delayed progress Despite these setbacks, Pakistan’s Polio Program rebounded with renewed vigor, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic By aligning its efforts with the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) the country successfully delivered a series of high-quality door-to-door campaigns, reaching millions of children, and even managed to maintain a 15-month stretch with no new cases from February 2021 to April 2022
Unfortunately complacency crept in and the virus began to spread again first in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2022 and later with the introduction of a new virus strain (YB3A) from Afghanistan in 2023 This highlighted critical immunity gaps, worsened by the displacement of high-risk populations during Pakistan’s national drive against illegal immigrants and the tendency to hide children from polio vaccinators Under the Prime Minister s direct leadership, the programme garners support from the highest level of government This commitment highlights the Prime Minister ’s personal engagement in ensuring all necessary resources coordination and policy support are directed toward eradicating poliovirus from Pakistan Triggered by spread in 2024
the Prime Minister has appointed a dedicated team to conduct analysis of the situation and launch a targeted response to address the growing risks from local transmission and cross-border movement This high-level commitment reflects a national priority to protect every child from polio and achieve a polio-free Pakistan In mid-2024 the Polio Eradication Program introduced the 2-4-6 roadmap a strategic initiative to enhance surveillance and vaccination efforts This initiative promised three large-scale campaigns between September and December 2024, vaccinating over 33 1 million children in September, 45 6 Million children in October and 44 7 Million children in December campaign nationwide with the help of nearly 400 000 front-line workers who go door-to-door to vaccinate the children A focused effort has been made to build the capacity of frontline workers, ensuring high-quality vaccination efforts and accountability across the board While these campaigns show promise significant challenges remain The synchronized campaigns with Afghanistan have not yet materialized, and campaigns in Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas have had to be staggered due to local obstacles Additionally, some frontline workers continue to face challenges in accessing children in hard-to-reach pockets of the region To effectively tackle polio an integrated approach to routine immunization is crucial The synergies between the EPI and the Polio Program have been a special focus, with a dedicated committee overseeing the implementation of joint plans to tackle priority areas Polio survivors whose stools contain the poliovirus pose a risk to other children especially those with no routine immuniza-
tion and low immunity as the virus can spread through drainage and sanitation systems which are often poorly maintained in Pakistan To address these multifaceted challenges,
Chairing a special meeting on the housing scheme CM Maryam Nawaz directed officials to expedite the loan disbursement process and consider increasing the loan amount to Rs2 million Maryam Nawaz emphasised that providing every citizen with a home is a fundamental right During the briefing, it
PTI FOUNDER’S CONVICTION IN £190 MILLION CASE INEVITABLE: VAWDA
He
“Being
sidering
accused
and his party of destabilising state institutions, saying, You trampled the state and its institutions with your protests and sit-ins and such actions have consequences ” Discussing Pakistan’s regional standing Vawda praised the military s role in ensuring national stability He said due to the sacrifices of police and security forces Pakistan s global reputation was improving He praised Army Chief Gen Asim Munir for steering Pakistan towards international credibility, stating, First, we were told to do more but “now our sacrifices are finally being recognised ” He criticized both the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for what he described as
” Vawda
Referring to the May 9 incidents
Nine terrorists were killed during exchange of fire with the security forces on Sunday in two separate intelligence-based operations conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s North Waziristan district Two terrorists were also arrested while two others wounded in the IBOs, the military s media wing said in a statement on Sunday According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) The security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in general area Dosalli on the reported presence of Khwarij During the engagement, security forces killed six terrorists, while two others were taken into custody the ISPR said Another IBO was conducted in Esham where after intense fire exchange, three Khwarij were neutralised by security forces, while
two Khwarij got injured the statement read The ISPR stated that weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, who “remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as target killing of innocent civilians Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other kharji found in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country the statement concluded
Earlier on Friday five terrorists were killed in an IBO in KP s
Dera Ismail Khan
A statement issued by the media wing said security forces conducted an IBO in DI Khan’s general area of Maddi on the reported presence of terrorists It said security forces effectively engaged the terrorists at their location due to which, five, including
ringleader Shafiullah alias Shafi were sent to hell Pakistan has recently witnessed an uptick in terror activities, especially in KP and Balochistan Terror attacks have increased since the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan broke a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government With at least 685 members of security forces losing their lives amid a total of 444 terror attacks, 2024 turned out to be the deadliest year for the civil and military security forces of Pakistan in a decade
Equally alarming were the cumulative losses of civilians and security personnel: 1,612 fatalities, accounting for over 63 per cent of the total recorded the past year and marking 73pc more losses compared to 934 outlaws eliminated The overall fatalities recorded last year were a record nine-year high and over 66pc more than in 2023 On average, nearly seven lives were lost daily
Sunday that three police officers were being questioned over the shooting which happened in a different place from where the body was found
Phileleftheros reported that police had said shots were fired at the tires of a vehicle believed to be involved in illicit migrant smuggling near the line that divides the island into the UN-recognized
The Frontier Works Organization (FWO) has completed the strategic Jaglot-Skardu Road project transforming a challenging 13hour journey through Pakistan s northern mountains into a threehour drive
According to media reports, the 167-kilometer highway connects Gilgit-Baltistan’s key urban centers through previously difficult terrain Initially awarded to an international contractor for PKR 52 billion in 2015, the project faced implementation challenges until FWO took over in 2017 The organization completed the highway at a reduced cost of PKR 31 bil-
lion, incorporating 28 bridges and 484 culverts along the route
The highway’s construction required significant engineering expertise due to its location along natural fault lines and exposure to seasonal mud floods The National Highway Authority has identified 11 critical points requiring additional protective infrastructure, including shelters and tunnels
Twenty personnel lost their lives during the construction and maintenance phases of the project FWO continues to maintain the highway at an annual cost of PKR 600 million
The completed road extends three kilometers beyond its original 164-kilometer plan to enhance public accessibility The infrastructure project represents a significant
development for the GilgitBaltistan region, improving connectivity and reducing travel times between major population centers The highway traverses challenging mountainous terrain subject to various geological and weather-related hazards Environmental factors and natural water channels frequently cause mud floods along the route, necessitating ongoing maintenance and safety measures Local authorities anticipate the improved infrastructure
