COAS L AUDS SUCCESSFUL DISMANTLING OF OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES OF TERRORIST OUTFITS
Cpacity to inflict harm will
statement quoted
as
decimated
The ISPR further said that the army chief praised the exceptional morale of troops, adding that they remained steadfast in their commitment to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty The army chief affirmed that the military and LEAs stood as an “unbreakable force resolute in their mission to protect the motherland and its people
COAS Munir also held meetings with politicians from various parties of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa “The participants resolved consensus on the need for one political voice and public support against the scourge of terrorism The political representatives showed vivid clarity on unflinching support of the
a testament to the “courage professionalism and operational readiness of the security forces who continue to thwart the evolving threats posed by terrorists
ISPR said
peace of the
will be
to
cisive and overwhelming force”
with
P M p u s h e s f o r n a t i o n w i d e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f f a c e l e s s c u s t o m s s y s t e m
were fabricated to apply pressure on the PTI founder Barrister Gohar further stated that any rumours of a deal were unfounded He noted that PTI s legal team had heard reports of negotiations set for January 15, but insisted these were unrelated to the ongoing case
“There is no connection between the negotiations and a deal he emphasised
Salman Akram Raja another senior PTI lawyer echoed Barrister Gohar s statement, clarifying that the delay was not part of a political bargain He stressed that the negotiations being discussed in the media should not be seen as part of any agreement regarding the case Barrister Gohar also pointed out that since Imran Khan is currently in jail it is the responsibility of the jail authorities to bring him to court for hearings
He expressed a lack of trust in the trial courts, but said PTI would continue to seek justice through higher courts “We have no expectations from these courts, but we do hope for fairness in higher courts and we will take this case to them he concluded
the FBR to collaborate on
the system with a focus on integrating
intelligence to minimize human involvement To further modernize operations, he instructed the development of a comprehensive strategy for implementing the
and trace system across various
Officials
announcing that
the
faceless
The meeting highlighted the successful implementation of the track and trace system in the tobacco fertilizer sugar and cement industries resulting in substantial revenue increases during the fiscal year 2023-2024 With full deployment this year, further revenue growth is anticipated To support these initiatives, a transparent recruitment process for the customs system has been initiated Additionally the upgradation of the web-based One Customs platform is underway with its design expected to be finalized by March 2025
The prime minister reiterated his commitment to modernizing customs and industrial monitoring processes, ensuring efficiency and transparency in Pakistan’s economic landscape
system at Karachi port terminals would be fully operational by February 2025 Plans to extend the system nationwide are progressing, with a central control room being set up to oversee implementation Additional measures to boost transparency include the use of body cameras and tablets for inspection recordings, as well as the installation of mobile signal jammers and CCTV cameras at all terminals
Moreover Omar Ayub called the Al-Qadir case a farce alleging it lacked merit The National Crime Agency (NCA) of the UK repatriated £190 million, which was deposited in Pakistan’s treasury following the Supreme Court’s directives Neither Imran Khan nor Bushra Bibi gained any personal benefit from this transaction he said Ayub defended the Al-Qadir University saying it was established to teach the Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH) and promote Islamic values He also criticised political opponents Faisal Vawda and Khawaja Asif for their comments on the case, labelling them “premature and baseless ” RAWALPINDI
T Security forces have eliminated as many as 27 terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in remote district of Balochistan the military s media wing said on Monday The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that on January 12 security forces conducted the IBO in Kacchi district of Balochistan, on reported presence of terrorists in the area During the conduct of operation troops “stealthily surrounded & effectively engaged the terrorists location and after an intense fire exchange twenty seven terrorists were sent to hell Multiple hideouts, including caches of arms, ammunition and explosives, were also destroyed during the operation, the ISPR added The terrorists were involved in
Justice Mandokhail says
OGDCL TO L AUNCH AMBITIOUS PL AN TO DEVELOP 10 UNCONVENTIONAL WELLS
TFBR grilled over misuse of expor t scheme, SIFC outlines correc tive measures
FBR officials acknowledged ongoing investigations into cases of EFS misuse and pledged to consult business associations for actionable measures
(FBR)
criticism during
Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) meeting for alleged misuse of the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS), resulting in revenue leakages according to a news report
Business representatives from Karachi including members of the Sindh Industrial Estate (SITE) and the All Pakistan Textile Mills Processing Association (APTMPA), highlighted procedural flaws allowing EFS authorizations to exporters who did not meet the prescribed criteria
The delegation emphasized that EFS Category-A authorizations should only be granted to exporters with at least 60% of their production exported over the past two years as outlined in the Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) They proposed a faceless authorization system to eliminate agents involvement, which they claimed was a source of illegal income for FBR officials
China’s Exim
The SIFC directed the FBR to present a progress report on curbing these irregularities by January 25 2025
The meeting also addressed administrative challenges faced by SITE industries, including electricity outages, poor road infrastructure and inadequate law and order The Sindh government committed to improving these conditions with the Chief Secretary Sindh agreeing to address road and water issues and work with law enforcement to enhance security K-Electric was instructed to engage with business stakeholders and resolve energy-related concerns on priority A proposal to establish a SITE Management and Development Company received preliminary support, with the Commerce Ministry tasked to seek input from the Sindh government by January 15 2025 The association also sought a special allocation from the Export Development Fund (EDF)
to support SITE industries, which the Commerce Ministry agreed to consider Discussions extended to modernizing textile export facilities including the installation of combined effluent treatment plants The Sindh government and the Chamber will conduct a feasibility study and share findings by January 25, 2025 Senior citizens difficulties with biometric registration for tax submissions were also raised prompting the State Bank of Pakistan NADRA FBR and PSW to form a working group to explore mobile biometric solutions The delegation further requested waivers on duties for importing biomass boilers to support the textile sector The FBR was instructed to evaluate the proposal and submit its feasibility by January 20 2025
The meeting, attended by prominent business leaders including Jawed Bilwani, Zubair Motiwala, and Suleman Chawala, concluded with assurances of collaborative efforts to resolve issues and enhance industrial productivity
Bank limits concessional loans to Pakistan due to delayed payments to IPPs
China s Exim Bank has expressed reservations about extending concessional loans to Pakistan, citing a restricted financing window and issues related to delayed payments for Chinese-operated Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
Business Recorder reported, citing sources, that these concerns were passed on by the President of Exim Bank during a meeting with Pakistan’s
ternative solutions, leveraging better economic conditions and strong bilateral ties to attract Chinese investments Exim Bank s president raised significant concerns over delayed payments to Chinese companies operating IPPs in Pakistan, noting that as a financier of these projects, the bank is indirectly affected She also pointed to foreign exchange delays for fuel costs exacerbating the operational challenges faced by the IPPs
The Minister highlighted the urgency of upgrading Pakistan s aging railway infrastructure through the ML1 project A technical team is expected to visit Pakistan soon for project evaluation The Exim Bank s management recognised the project s importance and assured support in collaboration with China s Ministry of Transport, which oversees the initiative
The Pakistan Satellite Centre proj-
ect, delayed due to the non-disbursement of an approved loan was also discussed The Minister urged Exim Bank to expedite loan processing However the bank raised concerns about the project s lack of direct economic benefits, which could further strain Pakistan s fiscal position Despite concerns Exim Bank’s management expressed satisfaction with Pakistan s recent economic improvements and reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating discussions with relevant Chinese ministries
However, the bank urged Pakistan to address the payment challenges and fiscal concerns to ensure smoother collaboration in future projects The planning minister proposed enhanced collaboration between the Exim Bank of China and the recently operational Exim Bank of Pakistan to strengthen the economic impact of joint initiatives
to explore al-
cluding Khurram Lodhi Ahsan Shahid Asif Malik Asif Khan Waqas Aslam Abdul Majeed Karamat Ali Awan Riaz Shahid Aamir Ali Aamna Randhawa Ali Imran and former Executive Committee Member Abdul Wadud Alvi were also present The ambassador said that Azerbaijan had a lot of respect and affection for Pakistani nation and is committed to strengthening
ties He highlighted the duty-free
to Pakistani rice by Azerbaijan until 2027, encouraging traders to capitalize on this opportunity especially considering Punjab’s reputation for producing high-quality Basmati rice He assured that Azerbaijani authorities would provide maximum facilitation to Pakistani traders exploring opportunities in Azerbaijan Referring to the positive impact of direct flights between the two countries the ambassador revealed that bilateral trade volume has tripled since 2022 growing from USD 10
COMMENT
Rising Islamophobia
A C O M B Detroit Michigan-The American nation consistently demonstrates remarkable resilience and unity in combating natural and man-made disasters Currently, while Donald Trump advocates reversing global climate change efforts under the Paris Accord and reintroducing coal gas and oil as primary energy sources key contributors to global warming the state of California is grappling with devastating wildfires Amidst this crisis, first responders, including firefighters, police, National Guard members, and volunteers, have showcased unparalleled dedication, resilience, and commitment to saving lives containing fires and providing relief to victims
As of January 12 2025 the wildfires in California particularly in the Los Angeles area have devastated over 35,840 acres (56 square miles) since they began on January 7, 2025 The fires have claimed at least 16 lives, left 16 individuals missing, and destroyed more than 12 000 structures including homes and businesses Nearly 180 000 residents have been evacuated and the economic losses are estimated between $135 billion and $150 billion potentially making these fires the costliest natural disaster in U S history The situation remains critical as strong Santa Ana winds and dry conditions continue to fuel the blazes, complicating firefighting efforts and causing significant human, environmental and economic losses The devastating wildfires in Southern California are the result of a complex interplay of factors with climate change playing a significant role Rising global temperatures have led to prolonged droughts and increased the frequency of extreme weather events, creating conditions conducive to wildfires Specifically the region has experienced “climate whiplash ” characterized by rapid transitions between wet and dry periods This pattern promotes the growth of vegetation during wet periods which subsequently dries out during droughts, providing ample fuel for fires While natural factors like the Santa Ana winds have historically influenced wildfire behavior in California, the intensification and increased frequency of these fires are closely linked to anthropogenic climate
The academic sprint
Dr ali BhaDur
Tpublication by shifting
focus of academic institutions from quantity to quality by defining clear criteria to measure research output Additionally the quality of research and the overall academic culture of Pakistani universities can be enhanced by developing a collaborative research environment Interdisciplinary research collaborations among faculty members of different disciplines can result in emerging research projects that address ongoing social issues and provide valuable data Moreover it is need of time for universities to provide sufficient resources to the faculty members engaged in research-related tasks This may include access to research funding, rationalizing faculty s teaching workload, and arranging workshops for writing and
change and environmental degradation While use of fossil fuel is considered the main culprit for climate change and the prime reason for devastating wild fired the President Elect Donald Trump has declared the policy of prioritizing fossil fuels as the primary energy source marked by his rollback of environmental regulations and opposition to renewable energy solutions like wind and solar poses significant risks for accelerating climate change By increasing reliance on coal, oil, and natural gas such policies would lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions intensifying global warming and exacerbating extreme weather conditions This approach undermines efforts to transition to cleaner energy alternatives that could mitigate environmental degradation The resulting climate impacts, including prolonged droughts, heatwaves, and erratic weather patterns, would create the perfect conditions for more frequent and severe wildfires similar to those devastating California These fires not only destroy ecosystems and homes but also release massive amounts of carbon dioxide creating a feedback loop that further accelerates climate change
In his latest Press Conference, Mr Trump mocked wind energy in the most hideous manner Additionally he criticized the lifecycle of wind turbines stating that after 10 years the structures become obsolete creating non-biodegradable waste that poses a long-term environmental hazard
His administration withdrew the U S from
In his latest Press Conference, Mr Trump mocked wind energy in the most hideous manner. Additionally, he criticized the lifecycle of wind turbines, stating that after 10 years, the structures become obsolete, creating non-biodegradable waste that poses a long-term environmental hazard
publishing research papers Universities should also provide the necessary tools of research to faculty members to empower them to produce quality research Alongside this, universities should introduce ethical standards of research by devising strict rules related to plagiarism and self-plagiarism to make the publication process more transparent In Pakistani academia the race of research publications needs a cultural shift and faculty members should be encouraged not only to write research papers but also to write quality research papers that can enhance the overall learning experience for both faculty and students The rise in the number of publications in Pakistani universities has raised the current publish or perish mindset which is creating a challenging situation for faculty members, that can be tackled by promoting a vigorous research culture that values quality scholarly work over sheer quantity
Dr Ali Bhadur is an academician and serving as a regular faculty member at the Department of Media & Communication Studies GC University Lahore He can be contacted at alibhadur@gcu edu pk
In Pakistani academia, the race of research publications needs a cultural shift and faculty members should be encouraged not only to write research papers but also to write quality research papers that can enhance the overall learning experience for both faculty and students The rise in the number of publications in Pakistani universities has raised the current „publish or perish‰ mindset which is creating a challenging situation for faculty members, that can be tackled by promoting a vigorous research culture that values quality scholarly work over sheer quantity
Lost childhoods
Pakistan, the committee had observed that sufficient steps had not been taken by the government to fulfil its previous recommendations with respect to legislation on child protection Over the last decade Pakistan has tried hard to make things happen on the ground, but there are some areas that require due attention For instance, each province and administrative territory has set its own age of marriage and involvement in labour
Moreover, in some child protection areas, model legislation has been enacted by only a few provinces or administrative territories, leading to lopsided practices
Pakistan certainly needs to do more There should be uniform legislation on child protection thematic areas across the country
Also, exclusive legislation on child protection thematic areas should be given an over-riding effect over all other laws The federal, provincial and territorial governments must allocate sufficient resources for the full implementation of child protection laws in the country
WAJAHAT ALI MALIK ISLAMABAD
Tribes, tears and tensions
THE region of Parachinar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), plagued by sectarian violence and tribal conflicts has been the subject of much debate in Pakistan Despite being a usual subject in the country’s news cycle a sustainable solution to the long-standing crisis has remained elusive
As the recent spate of confrontation broke out between the rival tribes, the situation of peace and people s access to basic commodities became deplorable
These conflagrations had a knee-jerk effect on the lives of common folks The dearth of medical and food supplies was acute and the region’s connectivity with the rest of the country was badly affected The victims included everyone from the children to the elderly Practically speaking, Parachinar became the Gaza of Pakistan
Tribal conflicts have been deep-seated in the region, but there has been hardly any effort to find a sound and sustainable solution The Punjab government’s action to provide medicines to the affected people in Parachinar is commendable but the federal and KP governments seem to be in a state of hibernation regarding Parachinar
The crisis in the region calls for a swift resolution The need for the elimination of disruptive elements is dire All political stakeholders ought to devise an effective policy to call
Qamar Bashir
HBreaking the chains of human trafficking in Pakistan
approach to addressing this widespread epidemic In Pakistan, extreme poverty, lack of education unemployment and the absence of substantial government support create an environment ripe for exploitation The vulnerable especially from underprivileged backgrounds, see trafficking as a route to escape their dire circumstances However, their hopes are often shattered as they fall into the hands of traffickers who exploit their desperation In many cases individuals are misled into dangerous journeys across borders believing that the unknown offers better prospects than the harsh realities they face at home These traffickers prey on this vulnerability, using deceit and coercion to trap vic-
tims in cycles of forced labor and sexual exploitation often with no way out As individuals and families from Pakistan migrate legally or illegally seeking better opportunities abroad a troubling social trend has emerged Many who settle abroad whether legally or through illicit means, often showcase their success on social media platforms This creates a false narrative of prosperity and success portraying life abroad as an attainable dream Such posts depicting the glamour of foreign lands attract and lure others from vulnerable backgrounds who desperate to escape their harsh realities, fall prey to traffickers promising them a similar lifestyle The glorification of migration, especially through illegal routes exacerbates the problem Young women in particular are vulnerable to traffickers who prey on their aspirations presenting a false image of overseas opportunities Social media serves as a powerful tool that traffickers exploit, encouraging risky decisions and placing individuals at extreme risk of abuse This trend where migration is often idealized as the key to success must be discouraged The false allure of illegal migration and the pursuit of quick success abroad through unsafe channels needs to be actively challenged It is imperative that social behaviors shift from idolizing this risky migration route to promoting safer legal methods of migration Awareness campaigns and education can play a vital role in dispelling myths about life abroad and in showcasing the grim realities of illegal migration To effectively combat human trafficking, the government of Pakistan must take a more assertive and comprehensive approach This includes strengthening legal frameworks enhancing victim support systems and ensuring better coordination among law enforcement
agencies, local governments, and civil society organizations A more robust system of victim identification and protection must be put in place providing victims with the care and support they need to rebuild their lives In addition to strengthening legal frameworks the government must focus on longterm strategies that address the root causes of trafficking Only by creating a supportive socio-economic environment can Pakistan ensure that its citizens are not forced into the arms of traffickers in search of a better life abroad
The situation is exacerbated by the political and social inaction that has allowed trafficking networks to thrive unchecked Despite efforts by the government to curb trafficking, including the enactment of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (PTPA) in 2018, the law remains poorly enforced Powerful traffickers continue to exploit systemic corruption with local officials often complicit in turning a blind eye to violations This culture of impunity further hinders the effective prosecution of traffickers and the protection of victims In regions where trafficking rings are most active particularly in rural areas there is minimal interference from authorities and
The international community also plays a crucial role in the fight against human trafficking The United NationsÊ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for the eradication of trafficking by 2030, but this ambitious goal will require global cooperation and a concer ted effor t to strengthen legal frameworks, share best practices.
individuals, unaware of their legal rights, are forced to accept exploitative conditions as their only means of survival Moreover Pakistan’s legal framework is insufficient in addressing the complexities of human trafficking The country continues to struggle with the inadequate prosecution of traffickers and insufficient victim support systems Despite some strides made by law enforcement agencies like the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) the lack of resources training and coordination between provincial and federal authorities hampers their efforts Victims are often left to fend for themselves with little to no assistance, making it difficult for them to escape their traffickers and rebuild their lives A disturbing new dimension to this crisis is the rise of digital trafficking With the increasing use of online recruitment traffickers are now able to target vulnerable individuals from Pakistan and other parts of Southeast Asia The digital space has become a tool for exploitation, as traffickers lure victims through social media platforms and fraudulent job listings Pakistan’s weak cyber laws and ineffective regulatory frameworks make it an ideal location for these online trafficking syndicates to flourish leaving countless individuals at risk of being preyed upon by digital traffickers Despite these grim realities, there is hope if Pakistan adopts a more comprehensive, victim-centered approach Strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms is crucial but it must be coupled with a broader social reform agenda that addresses the root causes of trafficking This includes tackling pervasive poverty, promoting gender equality, improving access to education, and creating sustainable employment opportunities for marginalized communities By addressing these socio-economic disparities, the government can help reduce the
Victim
his Make America Great Again (Maga) hyper-nationalist fanclub It may be that this former property developer and convicted felon who counts himself a shrewd negotiator is deliberately raising the stakes before more reasoned discussions about security and trade But it is also possible Trump means what he says If so, Trump will be following a welltrodden, discredited path These days it is somehow considered impolite especially if you are British to remind Americans that their republic was also once an unapologetically imperial power In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, US administrations aggressively pursued their own version of the colonial empires of contemporary Britain, Germany and France In 1893 the sovereign state of Hawaii (whose royal family enjoyed close ties to Queen Victoria) fell victim to an American-assisted coup In 1898 the US annexed Hawaii Guam, Samoa and Puerto Rico followed America s loosely interpreted “manifest destiny” demanded ever more The
Philippines Cuba and even China were all on the receiving end of US political-military, commercial and territorial ambitions Far from being abandoned, neocolonialist American thinking persisted well into the latter half of the 20th century operating under various guises Newly-independent countries in Africa the Middle East and Asia liberated from collapsing European empires were invited to join the free world , as defined and dominated by Washington America promised protection and prosperity within the US-policed post-1945 cold war order in return for fealty (plus military bases trade concessions and access to resources) States that declined the invitation such as Iran Vietnam and Nicaragua, paid a high price Viewed from this perspective, Trump s territorial ambitions are not so much an aberration as a throwback or regression to periods of unabashed American expansionism And his motives are not dissimilar As in the past it s all about security cash and control Greenland has valuable mineral wealth It also has growing strategic importance, vis-a-vis China and Russia, as the Arctic sea ice melts and new trade routes open up The US already maintains a military base there Trump sees a lucrative opportunity – and by absorbing Greenland s vast territory a chance to make America even greater, again Trump claims the protectionist, high-tariff America First policies he espouses were the reason why the US, at the height of the Gilded Age in the 1890s was in his words “probably the wealthiest it ever was because it was a system of tariffs Like Denmark and Panama (where Trump would like to get his hands on the canal), Canada has robustly rejected his turgid annexation fantasies But mercantilist ideas dating from that period plainly influence his thinking such as it is Justin Trudeau Canada s prime minister says Trump s menacing talk is a tactic designed to distract attention from the damaging inflationary impact of his threatened 25% increase in taxes on Canadian imports such as oil, electricity, timber and steel “Everything
American consumers buy from Canada [is] suddenly going to get a lot more expensive if he moves forward on these tariffs, Trudeau warned The broader, significant point is that Trump’s half-baked neo-imperialist tendencies are but one aspect of an overall deliberately disruptive modus operandi designed to suborn co-opt and disadvantage friend and foe alike His intervention helped spur preexisting turbulence in Canadian politics, resulting in Trudeau’s resignation He has stirred up the longstanding independence debate in Greenland where most people would probably prefer to be free of both Copenhagen and Washington In Mexico another target of his geopolitical wrecking ball, Trump s antics grimly recall decades of Yanqui bullying and meddling in Latin America
The crass activities of Trump’s sycophantic office boy businessman Elon Musk are all of a piece with this strategy of anti-democratic disruption and destabilisation By backing farright parties in Germany and France imposing his ignorant opinions on British politics and picking gratuitous fights with the EU, all the while hiding behind the fuzzy screen of unaccountable fact-free social media Musk advances a Trump agenda that is fundamentally about control Control of politicians and political discourse control of open debate and communication, control of territory, trade and wealth, to be achieved through transactional deal-making, crude barter, intimidation, humiliation subversion and ultimately through threats of force
This is how Trump operates For him this is strongman leadership For others it resembles mafioso-style extortion It is this imperious, domineering, unscrupulous, manipulative and unprincipled, self-serving behaviour that the world’s leaders must face up to once again over the coming four years Britain and like-minded countries that cherish democratic values and free societies should not duck the challenge Better to take a stand and draw a line now, as Greenland s leaders have bravely done, than risk being steamrollered into subservience and satrapy
Ifirst used this headline in a 2006 article I wrote for an Egyptian newspaper Now I am using it again after watching and following on television the Lebanese Parliament’s session to choose the president of the republic The position has been vacant for almost two and a half years due to the inability of the Shia duo i e Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, to bring their candidate Suleiman Frangieh, leader of the Marada Movement, to power Meanwhile, the opposition group also failed to bring their candidate to power because they did not obtain the quorum of votes required from Parliament
The situation remained unchanged especially due to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri s stubbornness and decision to close Parliament Only after receiving orders from the US and Saudi Arabia following the ceasefire agreement between the Zionist entity and Hezbollah did Berri open Parliament to elect army commander Joseph Aoun as Lebanon s president Berri announced the meeting would be scheduled for 9 January, and the Shia duo and some Christian forces refused to nominate Aoun as president because it violates the Constitution which stipulates in Article 49 that it is: Not possible to elect judges, Grade One civil servants, or their equivalents in all public institutions to the Presidency during their term or office or within two years following the date of their resignation and their effective cessation of service or following retirement
Moreover, according to the Constitution, the current army commander cannot run for president, but they bypassed the Constitution, casting it aside and were forced to submit to the orders of the US and Saudi Arabia after they showed them the carrot and the stick Of course the carrot was in the hands of Saudi Arabia, and as rumoured, it passed out its dollars to the honourable MPs who have been frustrating us with their talk of sovereignty and preserving the Constitution while lecturing us on freedom and independence The first session was attended by ambassadors from all over the world, and the voting was as follows: 71 votes in favour of Aoun, and the rest of the
ballots were blank and belonged to the Shia duo There were also some that were invalid The session was adjourned and returned after two hours for the voting to take place again, in which Aoun won with 99 votes, more than the votes required to reach Baabda Palace The question is:
TEHRAN TIMES
JACK SMITH RESIGNS AFTER LEADING TRUMP PROSECUTIONS
President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari presiding over a special Board of Governors meeting reflected the CCP s commitment to maintaining its status as a premier institution for education and character building in Pakistan, and approved the development and modernisation of Cadet College Petaro (CCP)
The meeting was held at CM House It was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Chairman BOG Commander Karachi VA Muhammad Faisal Abbasi Secretary to President Shakeel Malik Members BOG Commodore Faisal Iqbal
Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary Colleges Asif Ikram, and others
The meeting began with the opening remarks from President Asif Zardari said Cadet College Petaro is my alma mater and holds a very special place in my heart
He added that he took immense pride in having studied there and is committed to giving back to this prestigious institution ” The President said that Cadet
College Petaro has a significant role in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh “It has produced remarkable leaders in politics the armed forces civil bureaucracy judiciary and other fields he said The President appreciated the institution for its role in the holistic training of youth and said, “Even after 66 years, CCP stands strong, continuing its legacy of excellence Wherever its alumni go the training and success imparted by the college reflect in their personalities
During the briefing, the President was told that CCP spans 758 acres and currently accommodates 846 students with two swimming pools on campus President Zardari directed Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to establish two
more swimming pools and ensure all necessary facilities are provided under a five-year plan President Zardari emphasised the college s critical role in nation-building He noted that Cadet College Petaro continues to excel as a centre of excellence, boasting a 100% success rate across various educational boards including the Hyderabad Board the Federal Board and the Cambridge International System
The President was told that the CCP s cadets had achieved remarkable positions, such as Cadet Moazzam securing 3rd position in the Hyderabad Board and CCP attaining the highest CGPA of 5 86 in Sindh for SSC-II examinations under FBISE
C hinese FM urges Philippines to stop ‘malicious hype’ on S outh C hina S ea
the China Coast Guard (CCG) 5901 returned to the area CCG s patrols and law enforcement activities in relevant waters are lawful, justified and beyond reproach China calls on the Philippines to stop the malicious accusations said Guo
they are solidly grounded in history and the law and are consistent with international law and practices The statement came in response to an inquiry regarding reports that the Philippines said it filed a diplomatic protest against China s continued illegal presence and activities within Manila s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, which came after the Philippines said a large Coast Guard vessel,
The Philippines continuous hyping about the CCG vessel in its so-called exclusive economic zone” reflects its longstanding distorted position, which is actually untenable from a legal standpoint Li Kaisheng vice president of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies told media on Monday
The Philippines smearing campaign thoroughly exposes the psychological impact of a few Philippine politicians who have
been deterred by the patrol and law enforcement of CCG vessels said Yang Xiao deputy director of Institute of Maritime Strategy Studies at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations
According to Reuters, Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ’s office said US President Joe Biden also commended the Philippine leader for his diplomatic response to China s activities in the South China Sea , during a call among Japan, the Philippines and the US Yang said that even in the final week of his term Biden continued to lend support to Marcos Jr laying bare the collusion between Biden administration and Manila
The Philippines also hopes to maintain the tension in the South China Sea in order to continue binding the US government’s policies expecting the US to continue supporting the Philippines stance and even provocative actions in the South China Sea, Li said
However, the policies of the US government, especially its foreign policy, are in large part tied to the personal stance of the president according to Li With the Biden administration now coming to the end of its term Marcos Jr may not achieve what he had desired
U N J A B Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that the fate of people will be changed in five years during the PMLN government She was addressing a ceremony held on Monday to give free homes to deserving families under the Maskan-e-Ravi project
“I am very satisfied today as 100 families got their homes under the project Maryam Nawaz said She said that all the homes have a solar panel already installed
resulted in unsustainable
dustry requiring immediate policy recalibration Key Concerns Raised by
Kyrgyzstan Delegation visits PM&DC
ISLAMABAD
A delegation from Republic of Kyrgyzstan led by H E Kendirbaeva D Sh Minister of Science and Education visited the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) to discuss the promotion of medical education and explore opportunities for collaboration The Ambassador H E Avazbek
Atakhanov of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Rectors Heads of Kyrgyz universities and representatives from HEC were also part of the delegation The meeting was held at the PM&DC office today on 13th January 2025
The discussion revolved around the registration criteria for foreign medical graduates, admission standards for Pakistani students in foreign institutions and accreditation protocols for foreign medical colleges Addressing during the meeting
Mr Rizwan Taj emphasized the significant progress Pakistan has made in the medical field He noted that the country currently has 186 medical
Ulrika Sundberg, Special Envoy to OIC, Swedish Ministr y of Foreign Affairs, calls on Federal Minister for Human Rights
H E Ulrika Sundberg, Special Envoy to the OIC and for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar Federal Minister for Law & Justice and Human Rights in Islamabad The meeting focused on safeguarding minority rights enhancing digital law compliance mechanisms, advancing online safety measures, and fostering interfaith harmony The Special Envoy commended Pakistan’s efforts to promote inclusive education, particularly the success of the recent International Conference on Girls' Education in Muslim Communities She praised Pakistan s progressive policies aimed at empowering future
and earthquakes
fields glacier recession and water resources
GWADAR
S TA F F R E P O R T
Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has described the Supreme Court as a “Titanic” that cannot be fundamentally altered but can chart a better course with reforms
Speaking during a meeting with members of the Supreme Court Press Association, he outlined his vision for enhancing judicial efficiency and accessibility
During visits to Gwadar and Quetta CJP Afridi said missing persons cases left him deeply shaken He promised to prioritise such cases and stressed the importance of acknowledging Sindhi and Balochi judges while offering free legal aid to underprivileged litigants
He highlighted the need for reforms including improved case management and digital tools to keep litigants updated through email and WhatsApp notifications, from filing to final decision
Addressing the judiciary’s challenges Justice Afridi revealed that urgent requests are being streamlined with judges clearing 8,000 cases in a short period
cial benches for election disputes criminal cases, and tax matters
The Chief Justice expressed regret over prisoners’ complaints about prolonged trials and pledged to expedite older cases through daily special bench hearings
Justice Afridi emphasised that each Supreme Court judge operates independently urging constructive criticism rather than personal attacks
The Supreme Judicial Council has also been reactivated to address complaints against judges Justice Afridi commended Justice Mansoor Ali Shah for advancing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms proposing training for retired judges and initiating the system in Islamabad before expanding it nationwide Reflecting on judicial unity, Afridi acknowledged past tensions but maintained optimism about the judiciary’s progress Time will heal; we must move forward with collective wisdom he said noting that the judiciary is recovering from a challenging period of intense case backlogs C
He also proposed creating spe-
in the case until Jan 6 due to winter vacations Then on January 6 the decision could not be pronounced as Judge Nasir Javed Rana was on leave As per the reference, Malik Riaz s son transferred 240 kanals of land to Farhat Shahzadi, while Zulfi Bukhari received land under a trust, which NAB argued did not exist at the time of transfer The prosecution further alleged that a trust was created only after the adjustment of the 190m pounds raising doubts about its legitimacy and purpose Reacting to the development, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan asserted that the postponement was “not a result of any deal” “It is being attempted to give the impression that a deal is being
made There is no deal being made ” “The trial court’s attitude towards us (PTI) has been unjust Gohar flanked by Raja told reporters outside Adiala The PTI chairman reiterated that Bushra Bibi was accused in the case to pressure Imran A day ago, PTI central information secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram had termed the matter a clear case of acquittal as the prose-
