TTP PResenCe, CRoss-boRdeR aTTaCks bone of ConTenTIon wITh
Coas
Bangladeshi General, COA S underscore stronger defence relationship
will maintain peace adding that such incidents will never happen again He further said, Bunkers, which were once established, have been demolished, adding that food and other supplies were being delivered to the residents of the district
The decades-old land-turned-tribal disputes have claimed at least 130 lives since November last and have
caused severe shortage of food and medicine shortages in the area due to weeks-long road blockades
Following a peace agreement between the warring sides in Kurram district, security forces and the district administration began demolishing bunkers in Lower Kurram using explosives, while the residents of Parachinar observed a shutter-down strike on Monday to protest the prolonged closure of roads
Separately a convoy of 45 vehicles carrying food and other necessities was dispatched to the district according to Kurram Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Ahmed He said that various steps were underway to provide relief to the people, including the reopening of roads
According to Parachinar trade union leader Nazir Ahmed 20 vehicles from the convoy were sent back while 25 vehicles reached central Kurram and were moving towards upper Kurram
May 9 riots’ planners, master mind to face militar y trial: Advocate Haris
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T Defence Ministry’s counsel Khawaja Haris on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench that the alleged masterminds and conspirators of the May 9 conspiracy would be tried in military courts Khawaja Haris made the remarks as the constitutional bench, comprising Justices Aminuddin Khan, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail Muhammad Ali Mazhar Hassan Azhar Rizvi Musarrat Hilali and Shahid Bilal Hassan resumed hearing the intra-court appeals (ICAs) against the military trials of civilians for their role in attacks on army installations during May 9, 2023 riots The bench members have already called into question the “specific” trial in military courts instead of anti-terrorism courts in recent hearings A day ago Justice Hilali wondered whether the Pakistan Army Act (PAA), 1952, outlined any punishment for officers who suspend the Constitution During hearing, Advocate Haris, who appeared as the defence ministry’s lawyer while responding to a question said that trials of the conspirators and masterminds would also be
Young Doctors Association leader Zulfiqar Ali said that medical stores and private hospitals had been closed due to a shortage of medicines Meanwhile, Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWMP) MNA Hameed Hussain said in a statement that 45 trucks were not enough for millions of people, adding that “arrangements should be made to dispatch more than 100 vehicles ” Last week a convoy of 40 vehicles carrying food and other necessities was dispatched to the district after being stalled in Thall for five days according to government officials
KP government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif emphasized that the restoration of peace and order in the region was a “top priority” for the provincial government and that all necessary measures were being taken to fulfill the needs of the affected people
held in the military courts At which Justice Rizvi enquired whether an army officer was tried for their involvement in the events on May 9 “How did the people reach the corps commander s house without any weapons he asked describing the intrusion a security failure
In his response, the lawyer said that the charge on the people was for damaging property, adding that no military personnel was tried in the events unfolded on May 9 2023
However Justice Mandokhail said that the court wanted to see the circumstances under which a civilian was tried in the Army Act questioning its jurisdiction
The extent to which you are expanding the scope of the Army Act, [means] anyone can be tried under it ” he said
WORLD BANK ADVISES PAKISTAN TO ESTABLISH DEBT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE UNDER PARLIAMENT
FIA begins proper t y confiscation of human traffickers under AML laws
Govt to establish new food safety authority to align agri expor ts with global standards
tial time and effort to resolve
Acting on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif s directives, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has begun seizing properties of individuals involved in human trafficking under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) 2010 The move targets those implicated in recent human smuggling cases including suspects already in FIA custody
The federal government has approved the establishment of the National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Authority to address deficiencies in agricultural export standards
According to a news report, this move follows the European Union’s interception of 72 rice consignments from Pakistan in 2024 due to non-compliance with international quality standards
The draft bill for the new authority was first submitted to the National Assembly in 2017 but lapsed after the assembly’s dissolution before the 2018 elections
In 2024 the bill was revised and sent to the Law and Justice Division which advised seeking fresh cabinet approval On December 30, 2024, the cabinet approved the draft bill in prin-
ciple under Rule 16(1)(a) of the Rules of Business, 1973
Earlier, an inquiry into the EU interceptions revealed the incapacity of the existing quarantine control department under the Ministry of Food Security to meet global trade requirements
The investigation highlighted outdated structures and inadequate enforcement of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, prompting the proposal for a new regulatory authority
In a recent meeting with rice exporters Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain expressed concern over the EU s warning to halt Pakistani rice exports He emphasized the urgency of addressing quality issues to safeguard the country’s agricultural trade Previously Pakistan faced similar export restrictions from Russia due to quality concerns, which took substan-
Petrolem prices set to rise
by
The government acknowledged that weak institutional capacity and nonalignment with international SPS standards were major barriers to accessing global markets
The cabinet was informed that enhancing agricultural exports is critical for the agro-economy s growth However, Pakistan s compliance with WTO’s SPS regulatory framework remains inadequate
A Public Sector Development Programme (2006-16) and a 2023 Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report identified gaps in enforcing global quality standards, further underscoring the need for an independent regulatory body
The new regulatory framework aims to modernize quarantine controls improve back-end supply chains and ensure compliance with global SPS standards
up to Rs6 per litre amid global oil surge
used primarily in private transport and two-wheelers, impacts the budget of middle and lower-income groups Diesel a key fuel for heavy transport trains and agricultural equipment is considered inflationary as it affects the cost of goods, including vegetables and other essentials
KP Adviser Muzammil Aslam the meeting addressed the economic and health impacts of the illicit trade and outlined a strategy to counter it Attendees included the KP excise minister, representatives from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Pakistan Tobacco Board and tobacco companies Discussions covered the economic and health impacts of illegal cigarette trade emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated action Key agreements were reached to enhance monitoring and enforcement These include improving the estimation process to curb illicit tobacco cultivation, implementing more robust track-and-trace mechanisms for
in dialogue for a resolution A special technical committee was formed to develop a comprehensive action plan to implement the meeting’s decisions Data shows that the illicit cigarette trade accounts for approximately 33% of the market with smuggled brands comprising 12% Despite FBR s introduction of a Track and Trace
Panda bonds
FE
TCarter’s funeral and Trump’s return
tatious excess While all of these differences between the two must be noted there are some characteristics they share First and foremost is the fact that both were elected president of the United states as insurgents and agents of change because, in their respective eras, both understood and responded to a felt need in the public’s mood Carter was elected while the nation was still reeling from the double traumas
h i s past week Washington DC was witness to a stark study in contrasts: The solemn dignity involved in the nation s farewell to former President Jimmy Carter and the blustery antics accompanying former President Donald Trump s impending return to the White house There couldn’t be any two men more different than Carter and Trump And as if to make that point one day s newspaper featured headlines that virtually screamed across the front page at each other One read Celebrating a servant of the people with the subhead As Carter arrived in Washington, many gather to honor his humility and decency On the other side, we read “Trump won’t rule out coercion to expand Us map ” with the subhead “he eyes Panama Canal and Greenland ” in the same week Americans were mourning the death of one former president who was praised for his service to others, his humility, honesty, and commitment to peace, democracy, and human rights, they were also awaiting the return of another former president who was threatening to use coercion to “take over” foreign countries and pardon hundreds of people convicted of the violent attempt to overturn the 2020 election The Panama Canal story alone tells the story of the differences between the two men and their approaches to governance With Latin America in turmoil and many Panamanians growing restive with Us control of the Canal Zone that not only cut their country in half but also negatively impacted their society in other ways Carter realized that it was time to negotiate a deal that respected Panama s sovereignty Trump, on the other hand, wants to renege on the treaty, asserting that the canal is ours, claiming that “we lost thousands of lives” building it in fact, it’s estimated that, while over 25,000 Panamanians perished digging the canal very few Americans died Additional contrasts between the two men would include: one was humble the other always boastful; one devoted his life to others the other a narcissist; one said i will never lie to you (and fact-checkers were unable to identify a single one), while factcheckers have identified 33,000 falsehoods told by the other in just four years; one was faithful to his wife for 77 years let’s just say that the other was not; one attributed his successes to others the other boastfully claims everything for himself; and one was born in a small southern town and after his term in office returned to that simple life until his final days, the other was born into wealth in New York City and has surrounded himself with the trappings of osten-
Redefining luxur y and affordabilit y
percent year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, according to Counterpoint Research What’s more, over 70 percent of these sales are attributed to Chinese brands highlighting China’s growing influence in the NEV space The country s PhEV exports have also seen remarkable growth- rising from 8 percent to 22 percent of total NEV exports this year Exports to regions like Asia, south America, and North America have multiplied dramatically PhEVs are particularly resonating with emerging markets where charging infrastructure is still underdeveloped For traditional car owners transitioning to NEVs hybrids provide peace of mind- ensuring they re not left stranded while still reducing their carbon footprint This shift reflects the pragmatism guiding the electric revolution across the globe The rise of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PhEVs) marks a crucial turning point in the global automotive industry particularly as cost remains a major factor in regions where electricity hasn t yet surpassed oil as the cheaper option By producing PhEVs at lower price points, Chinese automakers are positioning themselves
advantageously in the marketplace, expanding customer bases without the significant investment traditionally required for electric vehicles (EVs) Remarkably Chinese manufacturers have pushed PhEVs to a new frontier offering models with up to 300 km of electric range a notable leap from less than 100 km just a few years ago This push toward affordable PhEVs also highlights the technological chokepoints that have long stymied the affordability and performance of EVs globally While manufacturers face challenges a compelling solution lies in collaboration between China and Europe combining technological strengths for more efficient solutions European prowess in vehicle manufacturing, paired with China’s leadership in Ai and data integration creates the potential for an intelligent connected transportation ecosystem Through the analysis of big data- tracking factors such as traffic energy consumption and consumer behavior- the two regions could codevelop platforms that drive optimization such an alliance holds the promise of advancing both efficiency and sustainability while also enriching the user experience in profound ways The future of mobility is increasingly collaborative not isolated Localized production has become the cornerstone of the global automotive sector, with giant manufacturers leading the charge in adapting to local markets however, while production has become increasingly localized it doesn’t necessarily guarantee the transfer of critical technologies
The writer is a freelance columnist
Solar scams in Karachi
Dr ImrAN KHALID
China spreads the compac t E V boom globally
IN the context of Pakistan Imran Khan the cricketer-turned-politician who emerged with promises of change, justice, and anti-corruption reforms, has faced significant controversy in recent years Despite popularity as the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) his actions and statements in both domestic and international politics have frequently drawn criticism with many accusing him of jeopardizing Pakistan s interests
These criticisms largely stem from his political strategies, foreign policy positions, and domestic decisions, which critics argue undermined Pakistan’s sovereignty stability and international relations
His relationship with Pakistan s military has been a source of controversy throughout his political career Initially aligning himself with the military establishment, he later faced accusations that his political actions were undermining it His frequent criticism of the military leadership particularly during his tenure as Prime Minister (2018–2022) attracted attention In several public speeches, he suggested the military was interfering in politics
Critics argued such statements were dangerous, and could deepen divisions within the country’s power structure and weaken national unity Furthermore Khan s refusal to support the military on certain national and international issues such as relations with neighbouring countries, fueled perceptions he was pushing an anti-Pakistan agenda Khan’s time as PM was also saw increasing tension with Pakistan’s judiciary His strained relationship with the judiciary became especially evident in cases involving his government or party members Khan s statements and actions, particularly when judicial decisions conflicted with his political interests, led many to accuse him of undermining the legal system For example Khan s criticisms during politically sensitive cases were seen by many as an attack on judiciak independence
After his government was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence motion, Khan accused the judiciary of complicity in his removal calling the legal system “biased” and “unjust ” Critics viewed this rhetoric as an attempt to delegitimize the judiciary fostering distrust in one of Pakistan s vital democratic institutions In their view, Khan s attacks on the judiciary, combined with his populist rhetoric, posed a threat to the rule of law in Pakistan and endangered the country’s democratic principles Khan also faced significant criticism over his handling of Pakistan s foreign relations His policy on international rela-
tions especially with the USA India and Afghanistan, was often regarded as controversial and inconsistent Khan s criticism of US policies, particularly regarding the Afghan conflict, led some to believe his anti-Western stance could alienate Pakistan from crucial international allies and donors He consistently opposed US influence in Pakistan s domestic affairs and military operations, accusing the USA of meddling in Pakistan s politics and distorting the country’s interests His repeated claims of US involvement in the removal of his government were perceived by critics as an irresponsible attempt to damage Pakistan s relationship with a key global power, potentially threatening Pakistan s geopolitical interests
Additionally, Khan was accused of politicizing national institutions such as the police bureaucracy and even the military Concerns grew under his leadership about the use of state machinery to settle political scores Critics argued his approach was damaging to the integrity of these institutions and to state functioning as a whole From manipulating government appointments to using law enforcement to suppress political opponents these actions were seen as part of a broader strategy to consolidate power at the expense of democratic principles
One of the most damaging instances of this politicization was his alleged role in undermining the neutrality of Pakistan’s Election Commission Khan’s accusations of election rigging by opposition parties and claims that his political rivals were sabotaging the democratic process despite lacking evidence, contributed to the perception the was a leader willing to weaken democratic institutions for personal gain
These tactics led many to believe that Khan’s government was trying to manipulate the democratic process to ensure his own political survival After his removal in 2022 he began promoting the notion that his ousting was the result of a foreign conspiracy led by the USA, with the backing of Pakistan’s military and opposition parties He claimed his independent foreign policy particularly his positions on Afghanistan and US influence in the region had provoked this alleged plot His vocal accusations against the USA and the military, coupled with his assertions of widespread foreign interference, were
perceived by many as attempts to deflect responsibility from his administration s shortcomings Critics argued such rhetoric could damage Pakistan’s relations with Western nations and exacerbate diplomatic tensions unnecessarily The anti-Western narrative was seen as a dangerous diversion from more urgent domestic concerns
During Khan s tenure Pakistan faced significant economic challenges, including high inflation, escalating debt, and depleting foreign reserves Critics argued his government’s economic policies particularly regarding inflation management and external debt were ineffective His failure to adequately address these issues distanced Pakistan from international financial institutions, leading to credit downgrades and strained economic relations Khan’s economic mismanagement further weakened the country’s financial position making it more vulnerable to external pressures from international creditors
A central issue throughout Khan s tenure was his tendency to prioritize personal interests over the state s welfare Examples such as the 2014 Dharna, the Cypher drama his letter to the IMF and the events of May 9 and November 24-26 illustrate how his personal gains often took precedence over national concerns Recently Khan reignited controversy by urging overseas Pakistanis to withhold remittances to Pakistan, further fueling debate about the potential impact on the country’s economy, foreign relations and political climate This move aimed at pressuring the current government has raised concerns about its longterm effects and whether it will achieve its intended objectives
Remittances, long a crucial source of foreign exchange, play a vital role in stabilizing the economy especially during times of crisis In 2023 remittances were approximately $30 billion making them one of the country s largest forex sources
These funds are not only crucial for Pakistan s foreign reserves but also provide essential support for millions of families across the nation For many Pakistanis abroad, sending money back home is a means of supporting loved ones making Khan s call to withhold remittances potentially damaging for both the economy and national unity These remittances are crucial for the survival of millions, and any significant reduction
could result in severe hardship Imran framed this request as a strategy to exert economic pressure on the current government
However critics argue that this move could backfire, both economically and politically While it may cause temporary discomfort for the government, it could have severe consequences for ordinary citizens who depend on remittances Moreover withholding remittances could damage the relationship between the Pakistani diaspora and the home country potentially alienating a crucial constituency that has long supported him, both politically and financially The fallout could deepen political divisions, further polarizing the nation and making it even harder to find common ground on the country s challenges Khan s call could also strain Pakistan s relations with countries where millions of Pakistanis work, such as the Gulf States, the UK, the US, and Canada Encouraging workers to stop sending money home may be perceived by these nations as politically motivated or destabilizing Although remittances are primarily private transactions the political undertone of this request could lead to diplomatic tensions Economically, a reduction in remittances would worsen Pakistan’s already precarious situation The country is struggling with a significant trade deficit foreign debt obligations and soaring inflation A decrease in remittances would likely worsen currency depreciation and further deplete forex
The economic and trade performance demonstrates that investors have strong confidence in the initiatives taken by the government and the COAS to improve the economy and create a favorable environment for growth The Diaspora remains loyal and patriotic, fully rejecting this harmful call for civil disobedience The people of Pakistan stand united against those who seek to undermine the nation for personal political gain
IN recent weeks, especially after the suspension of the ceasefire agreement between the occupation army and Hezbollah many in the region and worldwide have been analyzing and interpreting the true events that took place on the northern front of occupied Palestine as well as on the Lebanese front opposite it, and the resulting consequences, which may arise from the tough battle fought there Many analysts have adopted the hypothesis of Hezbollah’s retreat after the losses it suffered at the leadership level including its Secretary-General the martyr Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah Some prominent analysts even went so far as to claim that the party would never recover, and that it would experience further setbacks in the coming period, particularly after the dramatic shift in Syria, starting with its alleged abandonment of its candidate for the Lebanese presidency Minister Suleiman Frangieh and its reluctant acceptance of Army Commander Joseph Aoun who was elected last Thursday and who is said to be supported by Saudi Arabia and the United States
HEZBOLLAH’S SILENCE: In contrast to all these analyses that have been echoed on major television networks accompanied by leaks interpretations and claims as well as the official statements from Israel including those from its Prime Minister and the past and current defense ministers Hezbollah has remained largely silent It preferred to let others speak as they wished, while it itself observed, monitored, and assessed the situation Moreover, according to informed sources, the party has begun working at various levels, with remarkable speed and efficiency
On the one hand it began assessing the damages providing aid to all those affected by the aggression and evaluating the extent of the harm to its military and security infrastructures It worked to compensate for a large portion of the losses and shortages caused by the
aggression and filled all vacancies in its structure politically militarily security-wise media-wise and socially overcoming all obstacles that some attempted to place in its way including efforts to prevent the flow of funds necessary to begin reconstruction and compensate the families of martyrs and the injured
THE UPCOMING DEADLINE: In less than ten days, Hezbollah in particular and the Lebanese people and the region in general will face an important deadline as the sixty-day ceasefire agreed upon will end on the 20th of this month This is expected to be followed by steps for the complete withdrawal of the occupation army from the Lebanese villages and towns it has occupied, which it increased its incursion into after the agreement went into effect The task of implementation has been entrusted to the countries that guaranteed the agreement and the Lebanese state leading to complete and sustainable calm
ISRAELI VIOLATIONS: However a review of the Israeli and American statements and leaks over the past two weeks indicates that the upcoming phase could bring unforeseen surprises that many, both in Lebanon and the region hope to avoid Any Israeli violation of the terms of the agreement could open the door to dire consequences This concern in particular has prompted the French and Americans to act early to prevent matters from spiraling out of control and to avoid a return to tensions and conflict, which could potentially be broader and more widespread than before
THE ZIONIST DECEPTION: Given all of this and in light of our understanding of the deceptive nature of the Zionist enemy as is often the case and its potential to renege on its commitments especially with the increased confidence it may have following the rise of Donald Trump, a trusted friend of Israel, to power in the strongest country in the world, we believe that Hezbollah will be compelled to take some form of action in response to any Israeli hesitation or delay regarding the issue of withdrawal especially considering the ongoing acts of aggression such as bombings and the destruction of Lebanese citizens homes, and the airstrikes against some of the targets that Israel claims are military
HEZBOLLAH’S OPTIONS: From our perspective, Hezbollah has three main options it could resort to if Israel retreats from fully implementing the agreement or violates at the very least some of the required measures
These options will certainly have consequences both for Hezbollah specifically and for the Lebanese state and the broader region
OPTION 1: PASSING TO THE STATE: Many coun-
tries in the region and the world, as well as Lebanese opponents of Hezbollah particularly those from the March 14 coalition have long called for giving the Lebanese state a chance to manage the country s affairs without the resistance s weapon and for allowing the Lebanese army time to exert control over all of Lebanon s geography, including the southern areas In this, they do not wish for Lebanon’s welfare at all, as they know that Israel respects only the strong and does not give weight to any of the region’s armies or regimes especially those that have tied their decisions to foreign forces that oppose resistance primarily the United States
Although Hezbollah knows better than anyone else that the Lebanese state is weak and torn by the interests of major powers that control many political decisions in the country through financial means, it might resort to giving more time after the sixty-day ceasefire ends and pass the ball to the state the army and the intermediary countries to implement what was agreed upon on November 27 especially after the new president was elected in Lebanon This may push the guarantor powers to exert more pressure on Israel to abide by the terms of the agreement
OPTION 2: COMBAT IN OCCUPIED AREAS: This option in particular holds significant legitimacy both locally and internationally Any delay or hesitation by Israel in withdrawing from all the Lebanese territories it recently occupied, or any imposition of new political or military realities, would constitute a violation of the agreement and a denial of the principles established As a result Hezbollah and other Lebanese resistance groups would be free to resume fighting at the moment of their choosing whether immediately after the ceasefire ends or at a later time
This option is likely to focus on the areas that Israel refuses to withdraw from, which, according to some Israeli and American media, are three regions considered vital due to their oversight of Israeli settlements and military sites near the northern border of occupied Palestine What strengthens the possibility of this option is a recent statement from Hezbollah s Deputy SecretaryGeneral, Mahmoud Qamati, who said, If the Israeli army does not withdraw from the country after 60 days of the ceasefire agreement, it means the forces present are occupying forces, and we will treat them as such ”
OPTION 3: FULL-SCALE COMBAT: Since the extremist right-wing government in Israel seeks to prolong the conflict in the region to serve its expansionist and aggressive agendas, as well as to protect Netanyahu s embattled interests, it could, in the event Hezbollah opts to fight again in the areas where occupation forces are stationed inside Lebanese territory escalate its aggres-
sion once more and extend it to include all of Lebanese territory This would rely on the assumption that Hezbollah s land supply line from Syria has been
Abdul bAsit Alvi
Trump carry out the plan but the report said prosecutors reached no final conclusions
Several of Trump s former lawyers had previously been identified as co-conspirators referenced in the indictment A second section of the report details Smith’s case accusing Trump of illegally retaining sensitive national security doc-
uments after leaving the White House in 2021 The Justice Department has committed not to make that portion public while legal proceedings continue against two Trump associates charged in the case Smith who left the Justice Department last week, dropped both cases against Trump after he won last year s election, citing a longstanding Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president Neither reached a trial Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges Regularly assailing Smith as deranged , Trump depicted the cases as politically motivated attempts to damage his campaign and political movement Trump and his two former co-defendants in the classified documents case
Nor th Korea fires shor t-range ballistic missiles into sea
Experts said the latest launch on Tuesday could be intended as
lated UN Security Council resolutions Seoul will respond more strongly to North Korea s provocations based on its strong security posture and alliance with the US,” he said
after and suspended from duty but has gone to ground in his residence since refusing summonses from investigators probing him on insurrection charges and using his presidential security team to resist arrest Lawmakers also impeached Yoon s stand-in last month, putting the country in further political instability, and the current acting president has appeared unwilling to wade into the standoff instead urging all parties to negotiate for a solution
The trial s first of five hearings is slated to begin at 2:00 pm (0500 GMT) The following sessions take place on Jan-
uary 16 21 23 and February 4
The court will decide mainly two issues, whether Yoon s martial law declaration was unconstitutional and if it was illegal
“This impeachment case focuses solely on the martial law situation so the facts are not particularly complex ” lawyer Kim Nam-ju told AFP
Since most of the individuals involved have already been indicted and the facts have been somewhat established, it doesn t seem like it will take a long time
The court has up to 180 days from December 14, when it received the case, to make its ruling on whether Yoon indeed violated the constitution and the martial law act
Yoon’s legal team said he would not appear at the first hearing over purported safety concerns saying he would be willing to appear at a later date if security issues were ironed out Concerns about safety and potential incidents have arisen Therefore, the President will not be able to attend the trial on January 14,” lawyer Yoon Kab-keun told The trial will continue in his absence if he does not appear Former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye did not appear for their impeachment trials in 2004 and 2016-2017 respectively
Yoon s lawyers have argued the court must utilise the full 180 days specifically to examine what led to the declaration of martial law
Separate to the trial, a joint team of investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) which is probing Yoon over insurrection and police are preparing a fresh attempt to arrest the president
An earlier attempt failed after Yoon s presidential guards blocked access to investigators
If the new warrant is executed successfully, Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested If eventually convicted in that case, Yoon faces prison or even the death penalty
As media speculation rose that the second attempt would take place this week the police CIO and Yoon s presidential security
INGOs in Pakistan Face Shutdown Over Financial Irregularities
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E
raising
health policies and adherence to national laws CTFK, which has long promoted itself as an advocate for public health, particularly in tobacco control, is now facing allegations that contradict its stated mission Reports suggest that Malik Imran the organization’s former country manager was removed from his position following accusations of fund embezzlement These funds were allegedly funneled to a company called Capital Calling, owned by Imran s brother Despite being aware of these violations, CTFK and its sponsor, Bloomberg, reportedly failed to take corrective action until the government intervened A key issue in this case is the INGOs non-compliance with Pakistani regulatory requirements Both CTFK and Vital Strategies were unregistered with critical government entities, such as the Ministry of Interior and the Economic Affairs Division
BARRISTER GOHAR DISMISSES DEAL RUMORS,
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has granted interim bail to Bushra Bibi the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in 13 cases related to the D-Chowk protests
The court granted the bail until February 7, 2025, and ordered Bushra Bibi to submit surety bonds of Rs 5 000 for each case
The bail applications were heard by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who addressed the legal proceedings in the cases registered against Bushra Bibi following the November 26 protests
A total of 13 cases were filed at various police stations across Islamabad with charges related to the D-Chowk protests Three cases were registered at the Secretariat Police Station, two each at the Margalla and Karachi Company Police Stations and one case each at Ramna Tarnol Kohsar Aabpara and Khanna Police Stations The court issued notices to the police and summoned the case records for the next hearing
During the proceedings, Bushra Bibi expressed her disillusionment with the judicial system
While speaking to Judge Sipra she conveyed her loss of confidence in the courts stating We have lost faith in the courts
She further elaborated on her
s Judge Sipra responded by assuring her that the justice system despite its imperfections, continues to function and is vital for society s stability He acknowledged the flaws but emphasized that without a functioning judicial system soci-
ety itself would be at risk In a separate hearing, the court also addressed the allegations involving Bushra Bibi related to ramming a vehicle into Rangers personnel during which Bushra further criticized the judicial process However, the court proceeded to grant her interim bail in the case registered at Ramna Police Station as well Bushra Bibi’s legal team appeared before the court during the hearing where the
judge voiced
over the paperwork, particularly her demand for “VIP protocol” during the bail proceedings Despite the tension, the court prioritized the hearing and granted bail in all 13 cases The case records are to be presented at the next hearing which has been adjourned for further proceedings
substantial share with 17% and 23% of the budget respectively Sindh however has been allocated only 4% of the NHA budget a figure that Shah considers disproportionate given the province s infrastructure needs Shah further explained that the financial allocations for these projects reflect an uneven distribution While Rs 708 billion worth of projects have been proposed for Punjab the province has been allocated Rs 62 billion in the federal budget Meanwhile Sindh s projects totaling Rs 78 billion have only received Rs 7 billion in federal funding The CM expressed his dissatisfaction with this funding gap, calling on the federal government to revise the allocations and ensure that all provinces receive fair treatment The Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway project which is intended to complete the final stretch of the PeshawarKarachi Motorway, has been a particular point of contention Shah has repeatedly called for the motorway’s construction to be funded by the federal government, either through the national budget or by utilizing funds allocated for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects
The CM emphasized that the motorway is crucial not just for Sindh but for the entire country as it will help streamline commercial traffic between the southern ports and the industrial zones to the north “This motorway will benefit not just Sindh but the entire country especially in terms of facilitating trade and transport ” Shah said adding that it would play a pivotal role in improving logistics for industries particularly those based around Karachi s seaport Shah also highlighted the financial constraints of the Sindh provincial government, which, despite its efforts, faces significant challenges in independently funding large-scale infrastructure projects
LAHORE
S TA F F R E P O R T
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday reiterated the commitment to further strengthen cultural and educational relations with Azerbaijan, agreeing to joint efforts to further explore trade and investment opportunities in various sectors between the two brotherly countries
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was talking with Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan H E Khizr Farhadov who called her to discuss promotion of bilateral relations in trade cultural exchanges and various other fields
On the occasion the Chief Minister apprised the Azerbaijani Ambassador of different ongoing development projects and public welfare initiatives of her Government, which were fully appreciated by the Ambassador He said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is successfully carrying forward the public service agenda of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif ”
Maryam Nawaz said Recent visit of President of Azerbaijan to Pakistan is a key to promoting bilateral relations She added, Relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan are brotherly, there is immense scope to further strengthen them She highlighted Cooperation in the fields of education health agriculture and energy can be further promoted
Madam Chief Minister said, “We want to benefit from Azerbaijan’s experience in tourism ” She added “We are trying to make Punjab a hub of regional trade She invited Azerbaijani business-
men to invest in Punjab and ensured them A special package of incentives will be given to Azerbaijani investors Azerbaijani ambassador H E Khizr Farhadov expressed keen interest in various sectors of investment in Punjab He said Azerbaijan considers Pakistan her close friend and brotherly country He added, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif s leadership
ISLAMABAD