Imran lauds Gohar and Gandapur's meeting with COA S as ‘ positive development ’
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) s founding chairman Imran Khan has welcomed the meeting between the party's incumbent Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur with Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir The meeting, held in Peshawar, aimed to address key political and security concerns Express News reported After his meeting with Imran Khan at Adiala Jail Barrister Gohar spoke informally
to the media emphasizing the importance of following the directives of PTI s founder He explained that any future disclosures regarding meetings would only be made when Imran personally instructed him to do so Barrister Gohar reaffirmed that all actions taken by him are in line with Imran s guidance, describing the talks with General Munir as a positive development for the country’s stability Gohar also highlighted PTI’s primary demands including the formation of a judicial commission to investigate two significant incidents
The spokesperson for the government’s negotiation committee Irfan Siddiqui, on Thursday strongly rejected PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan s statement about the politicization of the security-related meeting in Peshawar Accompanied by Special Assistant to t
as market dynamics evolved, Nissan s presence in Pakistan weaned, leading to the gradual dissolution of its partnership with GAL The company faced a challenging transition period but demonstrated resilience GAL then shifted focus to commercial vehicles collaborating with UD Trucks a renowned global brand under the Volvo Group and establishing itself as a leading provider of heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks This shift only stabilised its operations and also reinforced its reputation for reliability in the logistics sector In recent years, GAL has seen a turnaround It has strategically diversified its portfolio, stepping into the competitive passenger car market once again through a joint venture with Chery
Automobile Co Ltd The launch of Chery’s Tiggo series SUVs has been met with a strong response Simultaneously its collaboration with JAC Motors has bolstered its standing in the light commercial vehicle space further solidifying its diverse offerings GAL also has long-standing partnerships with global automotive giants such as Isuzu By focusing on strategic partnerships, investing in assembly infrastructure and capitalising on government incentives under the Auto Development Policy (ADP) 2016-2021 GAL has positioned itself as a frontrunner in both passenger and commercial vehicle segments RECENT SUCCESS The company’s recent success as suggested by
A P P Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives (PD&SI) Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the implementation of the prime minister s directives for conducting surveys on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) aimed at providing base to evidence-based decision making and policy formulation
“The surveys on SMEs will be conducted by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics to determine market size and for formulation of well-informed policy for development of SME sector a news release said Among others, the meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the Secretary Industries and Production, Chairman NADRA, CEO SMEDA and Chief Statistician and Member (Support Service) of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics as well other senior officers
The Chief Statistician gave a presentation on the strategy to conduct 13 surveys on the prioritize sector of SMEs pursuant to the PM directives
The policy formulation and informed decision making as well required Interventions for promoting SME growth based on the surveys’ results would provide basis for economic growth youth employment opportunities and exports by promoting SMEs Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that SMEs prioritized sectors must be those potential industries which could significantly contribute exports aligned with the vision envisaged in Uraan Pakistan Program Furthermore he advised
Cabinet approves restructuring of Ministry of Science and Technology, cutting workforce by 30% SBP raises Rs385 billion in
The Federal Cabinet has approved a restructuring of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) following recommendations from the Rightsizing Committee aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing redundancy, and aligning operations with national priorities This decision is part of the broader Phase-II federal rightsizing program to optimise the performance of government entities
According to official documents, the restructuring includes a 30% reduction in the ministry’s workforce, the winding up of six entities and the merger of four others out of its 17 institutions
The plan also mandates abolishing vacant and redundant posts and reducing the staff-to-officer ratio from 5:1 to 2 5:1, improving efficiency and streamlining operations
The entities under transformation: COUNCIL FOR WORKS AND HOUSING RESEARCH (CWHR):
The Cabinet approved the winding up of this entity, with the abolishment of associated posts Critical experts, numbering between three to four, are to be retained within MoST This decision ensures the preservation of essential knowledge while eliminating redundancy An implementation plan, including timelines, was mandated for submission by January 20, 2025
PAKISTAN COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (PCST): Similar to CWHR, PCST faces dissolution with the retention of minimal necessary personnel This move reflects an acknowledgment of evolving needs ensuring that only indispensable functions remain operational
PAKISTAN COUNCIL FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY (PCRET): PCRET’s research functions are to be merged with academic institutions like NUST or NUTECH for better resource alignment If academia shows no interest the organization faces closure Any commercial functions would be privatized or shut down in the absence of market interest NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ELECTRONICS (NIE): NIE will be merged with a suitable organisation such as NUST NUTECH or PCSIR If no interest is shown, the institute may face closure A roadmap was requested for submission by January 31, 2025, to determine the path forward SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (STEDEC):
Due to limited impact over its 40-year
institution
not align with the aspirations and tasks at hand
PAKISTAN STANDARDS AND QUALITY CONTROL
AUTHORITY (PSQCA): The entity will retain only its standardsetting functions while adopting digitalisation and performance management metrics Licensing processes will be automated reducing the workforce by a minimum of 50%
PAKISTAN ENGINEERING
COUNCIL (PEC):
PEC will undergo optimisation with a target reduction in human resources by 20-25% facilitated through digitalization and risk-based policies for new engineering graduates
PAKISTAN HALAL AUTHORITY (PHA): Retention of this entity is contingent on a third-party review assessing its recognition impact and efficiency This ensures that the organization remains relevant and effective in its mission NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES (NUST
NUTECH, AND CUI): These universities were tasked with improving their global rankings and achieving financial self-sufficiency within 3-5 years Their retention under MoST was deemed vital due to their alignment with the ministry s research and technological objectives
PAKISTAN COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH (PCSIR):
CSIR will undergo a third-party review to determine its efficiency and profitability Retention will be based on leaner efficient operations with a target reduction of 20-30%
PAKISTAN SCIENCE FOUNDATION (PSF) AND PAKISTAN SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFORMATION CENTRE (PASTIC):
These entities will be subject to third-party audits Retention is conditional on their ability to secure nongovernmental funding exceeding five times their expenses If retained PASTIC will be merged into PSF
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY (NIO):
The institute will be transferred to a university or maritime institution In case of no interest its future will be reassessed by January 31 2025
NATIONAL METROLOGY INSTITUTE OF PAKISTAN (NMIP):
Vacant posts as of October 30, 2024 in this department, will be eliminated The organisation will be retained after this reduction
COSMETIC AUTHORITY OF PAKISTAN:
This entity will be wound up entirely, reflecting its lack of alignment with current national priorities Reflecting the scale-down of affiliated entities, the central ministry will reduce its workload significantly A 30% reduction in size and staff-to-officer ratio adjustments are planned to ensure optimal efficiency The cabinet directed MoST to submit implementation plans with precise timelines by January 20, 2025 Additionally third-party audits for key entities would be conducted under the supervision of the Rightsizing Committee ensuring transparency and accountability
as
such as wheat, sugar, and fertilizers According to a news report investors in Gwadar along with the Port Operator and Gwadar Port Authority repeatedly called for the removal of the bank guarantee requirement and the introduction of an insurance guarantee instead The Ministry of Commerce had previously allowed the import of Afghan bulk cargo at Gwadar Port, with the onward transit to Afghanistan using bonded insured and sealable trucks equipped with tracking devices This was aimed at improving efficiency and transparency in transit trade and was initially introduced under Customs Rules 2021 (Rule 471 clause-xi) The Insurance Guarantee for Afghan
transit goods was later replaced with SRO No 1402(1)/2023 on October 7 2023 Ministry of Maritime Affairs also termed the requirement for bank guarantees a major hurdle, particularly for bulk cargo imports which negatively impacted the ease of business
In response to these concerns, several meetings were held with key stakeholders, including the Minister for Maritime Affairs Minister for Commerce and Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives to discuss potential solutions
During these discussions, it was revealed that in October 2023 the Ministry of Commerce introduced a new policy requiring special permission for bulk cargo imports under APTTA at Gwadar Port, with particular emphasis on Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP)
Pakistan and Afghanistan had not been
COMMENT
Indian loose talk
Are Indians trapped in a time warp? Or is something sinister going on?
IN D I A N Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Indian Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi have both used Indian Veterans Day celebrations to make claims of Pakistani involvement in the resistance of the Kashmiri people to the Indian occupation Mr Singh actually made the claim in Kashmir itself, while General Dwivedi did so while addressing a press conference in New Delhi The charge that Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Kashmir was not backed by any evidence when it was first made decades ago, and has no such backing now It was promptly rejected by both the Inter-Service Public Relations and Pakistan’s Foreign Office with both noticing the tiredness and age of the charge
Perhaps the motive for repeating the tired old charge was the same which prompted its being made in the first place: the need to explain failure Though the BJP government has abolished Occupied Kashmir ’s status unilaterally, and tried to change its demography by a wholesale issue of domicile certificates, the Kashmiri people have not reconciled themselves to the Indian Union and the consequent opposition nor to the Indian jackboot, manifesting itself in about 100,000 Indian troops and paramilitaries being stationed in IndianOccupied Kashmir Mr Singh who is known for putting his foot in his mouth whenever he opens it also made some remarks about taking back POK (Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, as Indians refer to Azad Jammu and Kashmir), which was typical of the hawkish AJP Hindutva mindset At least on the surface both Mr Singh and General Dwivedi are trying to explain, even to themselves, the abject failure of the Indian state, through its armed forces, to bring the Kashmiri people to heel by blaming Pakistan rather than its own oppression These statements only highlight India s own terrorism, by assassinations or assassination attempts in the USA and Canada Kashmir may be part of the warp and woof of the Indian Army, just as it is for the Pakistan Army True, the Indian army has fought three wars with Pakistan over it However, it is dangerous for professionals like General Dwivedi to try currying favour with politicians like Mr Singh, unless he wishes to emulate his predecessor, Gen V K Singh, and get BJP ticket for the Lok Sabha, to be followed by (junior) ministerial office However, is this abrupt voicing for the same sentiment a sign that the fanatics in the BJP men some silly adventure at solving the Kashmir issue by any means except the logical one of letting the Kashmiri people exercise their right to selfdetermination
Dedicated to the
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Superpowers laid low?
IT was perhaps a reminder of the fleeting nature of human power to see the world s two superpowers, the USA and China, attacked by natural disasters, and even though the two countries are locked in a struggle for international dominance, the governments appeared ineffectual in the face of natural disasters
Digging a little deeper it would become apparent that the nature of the disasters differed In China there was an earthquake There is hardly any way that that could be ascribed to human agency, except for the more extreme conspiracy theories The Chinese government was left to face the responsibility of the clean-up of what was essentially a brief event On the other hand the fires in Los Angeles being a combination of wildfires and urban fires were much more inchoate and much more prolonged After the earthquake, there was only the danger of aftershocks; but putting out one fire was no guarantee against another breaking out somewhere else
The toll was also different In China, 126 people were killed In Los Angeles only 25 people were reported dead but 153 000 people had received evacuation orders so far while 166 000 had received warnings that they might need to evacuate Further, Los Angeles was not purely a natural disaster Wildfires do break out in the sort of forests that surround Los Angeles, which along with the Long Beach and Anaheim municipalities constitutes the second largest metropolitan statistical area in the USA However forest fires depend on dryness both for the original conflagration and the spreading of the fire Also, once it gets into urban areas, much will depend on how exactly people have constructed their buildings The result has been an estimated $135 billion in damage Perhaps now the developed world will wake up to the reality of the need for a climate rehabilitation fund
of
some rural area in Africa now repairs are needed
Los Angeles is south of San Francisco, which
been the centre of fears in California, especially
the earthquake there in 1905, which brought to attention the San Andreas Fault atop which the city has been built and which will eventually separate it from the mainland after about 20 million years Of course the Chinese earthquake took place in a seismically active area, the Himalayas, which are rated one of the youngest of the world s mountain ranges Perhaps the people of Los Angeles should not be upset at suffering these fires, for the seismologists have predicted that there are strong chances of an earthquake hitting the city It might be remembered that the real killer in San Francisco in 1906 were the fires that broke out li;;omg about 3000 people Some of the fires were set off by escaping gas from broken pipelines At that time, San Francisco
From militar y suppor t to diplomacy
could embolden Russia and weaken Ukraine’s position in negotiations Moscow has repeatedly emphasized that it seeks a permanent resolution to the conflict not a temporary ceasefire Any freeze along current battle lines they argue could simply provide Ukraine with time to rearm and prepare for future hostilities, potentially prolonging the conflict rather than resolving it The Biden Administration’s handling of the Ukraine conflict has been characterized by unwavering support for Kiev with significant financial and military commitments The most recent aid package announced by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, includes $500 million worth of anti-air missiles, artillery shells, and air-to-ground missiles This represents the final tranche of aid under Biden’s Presidential Drawdown Authority marking the end of a chapter in US foreign policy For Biden the unspent funds may reflect logistical challenges rather than a lack of political will The Administration s consistent use of the Drawdown Authority-72 times since the conflict’s escalation-demonstrates its commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defence capabilities Nonetheless the transfer of billions of dollars in unused authority to Trump s administration underscores the unfinished nature of Biden s Ukraine policy and raises questions about the future trajectory of US involvement in the conflict The shift in US policy under Trump could have far-reaching implications for transatlantic relations European allies who have closely coordinated their Ukraine support with Washington may view a reduction in US aid as a sign of waning commitment This could complicate NATO s united front against Russian aggression and strain alliances at a critical juncture
On the other hand, some European leaders might welcome a de-escalation in US involvement if it leads to peace negotiations The Biden Administration s approach has placed considerable pressure on Europe to match Washington s level of support, despite varying capacities and political will among member states Trump s willingness to reassess the aid strategy could force Europe to take on a more prominent role in shaping the conflict’s outcome Trump s approach to Ukraine aid also reflects domestic political considerations A significant portion of his base supports a more isolationist foreign policy, prioritizing US interests over foreign entanglements By promising to end the Ukraine conflict swiftly and potentially reducing aid Trump appeals to voters who are weary of extensive US involvement in overseas conflicts However this strategy is not without risks A perceived withdrawal of support for Ukraine could alienate key constituencies, including defence hawks and voters concerned about the implications of Russian aggression for global stability Moreover, Trump’s critics could seize on any reduction in aid as evidence of a lack of commitment to US allies and values
As Trump prepares to take office the fate of the unspent Ukraine aid will serve as a litmus test for his administration s foreign policy priorities Whether he uses the remaining funds to leverage peace talks, maintain support for Ukraine or pivot toward a different strategy altogether the decision will have profound consequences for the conflict s trajectory and US global standing
The Biden Administration s legacy on Ukraine is one of robust support and steadfast commitment to countering Russian aggression In contrast, Trump’s presidency could herald a new era of pragmatism one that prioritizes diplomacy and negotiation over prolonged military engagement The outcome of this policy shift remains uncertain but one thing is clear: the world will be watching closely as Trump navigates the complex and high-stakes landscape of US-Ukraine-Russia relations
The writer can be reached at: writetomahossain@gmail com
The Biden AdministrationÊs legacy on Ukraine is one of robust suppor t and steadfast commitment to countering Russian aggression In contrast, TrumpÊs presidency could herald a new era of pragmatism, one that prioritizes diplomacy and negotiation over prolonged military engagement The outcome of this policy shift remains uncer tain, but one thing is clear: the world will be watching closely as Trump navigates the complex and high-stakes landscape of US-Ukraine-Russia relations
Unif ying learning systems
M A HossAIN
The hidden cost of inefficiency
India while still on the path to full digi-
Ttoll that often goes unnoticed Similarly, marriage and birth certificates, essential for proving family ties or legal statuses, remain stuck in the analog era Issued by union councils these certificates are prone
to delays due to manual record-keeping and inefficiencies A single clerical error could mean multiple visits to correct the issue causing unnecessary stress for families
The problems magnify when it comes to property ownership transfers Local land offices still rely on paper-based systems that are vulnerable to tampering errors and even fraud Patwaris often control these processes and bribery is rampant to expedite applications Imagine the impact of a digital registry where records are secure transparent and accessible such a system could eliminate years of inefficiency and corruption overnight The frustration isn’t limited to individuals managing their own affairs Opening a utility connection such as for electricity or gas often entails multiple visits to offices and unnecessary paperwork In many cases the process becomes so opaque that citizens are forced to pay middlemen just to navigate it For those entering the job market, employment documentation is yet another headache Government and private sector jobs often require a mountain of verified documents including educational records CNICs and domiciles Each step of verification could take weeks, delaying employment and creating unnecessary anxiety for job seekers This is especially harmful in a country with high unemployment rates where every delay has significant economic implications The ordeal doesn t end with employment For retired government employees pension verification is an annual struggle Elderly pensioners must often travel long distances to provide proof of life or ensure their documents are in order despite the existence of technology that could easily automate and streamline this process The stress
and hardship caused by these outdated systems are both cruel and avoidable
In the event of a family member s passing, families must endure another round of bureaucratic torment to obtain death and succession certificates These documents are critical for settling inheritance matters but are mired in inefficiency The manual systems in place make families already grieving susceptible to exploitation by officials or middlemen offering to expedite the process The lack of empathy in the system makes an already painful experience even worse Entrepreneurs looking to register a company face a similar uphill battle Registering a business in Pakistan requires navigating multiple agencies including the FBR and SECP Each stage is fraught with inefficiencies, redundant paperwork, and opaque processes Such barriers discourage new businesses, stifling economic growth and innovation The root of all these problems lies in an outdated system that has failed to evolve with the times These manual error-prone processes lead to unnecessary travel, excessive fees, and enormous waste of time Worse, they create active pathways for bribery and corruption as desperate citizens seek to circumvent delays Errors in documentation are all too common and correcting them is often even more challenging than the initial verification process
Examples from Estonia and India show that these problems are not insurmountable Estonia, often cited as a global leader in digital governance has streamlined its systems to make nearly all citizen services available online Estonians can apply for birth marriage and death certificates pay taxes or even vote through secure online platforms This level of efficiency not only saves time but also ensures transparency, eliminating opportunities for corruption
talization has made significant strides through platforms like DigiLocker Citizens can store and share their official documents digitally, significantly reducing the need for physical attestations Similarly India’s Aadhaar system a unique digital identity for every citizen has revolutionized how public services are delivered ensuring inclusivity and minimizing bureaucratic roadblocks
In Pakistan, however, such progress remains a distant dream The reliance on paper-based systems creates monopolies within public offices where the gatekeepers of the system hold undue power Beyond the inconvenience the system s inefficiencies have created fertile ground for bribery
Those who cannot afford to wait for weeks or fear losing out on opportunities are left with little choice but to pay under the table to expedite their applications
It is an unspoken norm that middlemen and officials exploit at every level
This corruption disproportionately impacts lower-income families, who cannot afford to grease the wheels of the system A process that should cost a nominal fee often balloons into an unaffordable burden for the average citizen eroding trust in public institutions and perpetuating a sense of helplessness By perpetuating these inequalities the current framework denies equal opportunities to thrive, irrespective of social standing
Digitalization offers an opportunity to uproot these inefficiencies and level the playing field A centralized secure digital platform for document verification could revolutionize the system Students preparing for MDCAT for example could complete the entire domicile and attestation process online, freeing up time to focus on their studies Families dealing with succession matters could upload documents verify identities using biometric technology and receive certificates without leaving their homes
Incorporating technology into Pakistan s documentation system would eliminate many of these problems overnight A unified digital portal could allow citizens to apply for, track, and receive verified documents without ever stepping foot in an office Blockchain technology for instance could be employed to create tamper-proof digital certificates for degrees and other credentials ensuring that no errors or fraudulent changes can be made after issuance This would drastically reduce the need for manual corrections and the associated hassles Mobile applications could enable real-time updates
Social media bans won’t keep teenagers safe – Finland shows a better approach
Tuntil they are 16 how will they navigate the risks once they can? Instead teaching young people digital resilience offers a more sustainable approach THE FINNISH APPROACH: Finland’s approach to digital literacy education is comprehensive and integrated It aims to equip citizens of all ages with the skills to navigate the digital world effectively Finland s education system embeds digital literacy as a fundamental component of its curriculum, integrating technology across all grade levels to prepare students for the digital age From preschool education students are introduced to digital tools safety and technology to learn responsible online behaviour As Finnish academics Sirkku Lähdesmäki and Minna Maunula highlight: creating a secure and empowering connection with media is a shared educational responsibility that necessitates the active participation of both schools and families Integrating digital literacy into the education system ensures skills are not taught in isolation but embedded across the system Digital literacy in Finland extends beyond formal schooling Public libraries and community centres offer programs to improve skills among adults, ensuring that digital literacy is a lifelong pursuit As they say digital competencies are civic skills This approach has been in place with considerable success for a decade In 2014 in response to the rise of misinformation, Finland s government launched an anti-fake news initiative aimed at teaching residents, students, journalists and politicians how to counter false information designed to create division This initiative is part of a multi-pronged cross-sector approach to prepare citizens of all ages for the complex digital landscape In addition, the education system was reformed to emphasise critical thinking This taught students to identify bots, understand image and video manipulations and recognise half-truths and false profiles The approach has been practical with Finland ranking first out of 35 countries in a digital media literacy index measuring resilience six times in a row
SIMILARITIES TO SMOKING: Some politicians have likened social media use to smoking in terms of addictive qualities and potential to cause harm For example South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said: The evidence shows early access to addictive social media is causing our kids harm [ ] This is no different to cigarettes or alcohol When a product or service hurts children, governments must act Drawing comparisons to smoking highlights the long-term challenges with tackling the issue
The proportion of Australians aged 14 and over who have ever smoked has significantly declined over the past two decades But this is the result of a long-term change campaign that the government committed to in the 1990s It has been successful largely due to a concerted public education campaign The government’s proposed legislation oversimplifies a deeply complex issue
Susan Grantham is Lecturer in Communication Griffith University Aida Hurem is Lecturer, Southern Cross University
IS R A E L is on the brink of striking a deal with Hamas After more than a year of on-and-off negotiations hours ago came the news that Hamas s military leader Mohammed Sinwar had approved the agreement The deal is complicated and is structured in three phases over a 42-day period In the first phase, which can begin as early as Sunday, Hamas will release 33 hostages women, the aged and infirm, and children, among them the Bibas babies The subsequent two phases will see the release of all 98 hostages living and dead and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the entire Gaza Strip The war will officially end But the fulfillment of the second and third phase is contingent on the successful implementation of the first Should it succeed, the deal will be greeted cacophonously in Israel Boundless joy will mix with anger and pain, relief with fear and searing disappointment Rallies in favor and protests against the deal enveloped Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Tuesday night Broadly speaking the Israeli left in Tel Aviv supports ending the war in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages The Israeli right welcomes the hostages return, but insists that Israel prioritize winning the war In Tel Aviv, crowds flooded the streets calling on the government to “seal the deal” and asking “how much blood must be spilled” before it does In Jerusalem demonstrators claimed the government had no mandate to surrender to Hamas A freed terrorist is tomorrow s murderer right-wing opponents of the deal bellowed as they blocked traffic near the prime minister s office Such discordance is inevitable From day one October 7, 2023 Israel’s twin goals in Gaza were fundamentally irreconcilable Israel could not, as its leaders pledged simultaneously destroy Hamas and secure all of the hostages release The terrorists who regarded the hostages as the key to their survival would hardly give them up for less than an Israeli commitment to end and therefore lose the war Israelis, for their part, were torn between those who felt that they could
s victory Many of Hamas s leaders they recalled among them October 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar, were released in previous hostage-for-prisoner exchanges The terrorists freed in this deal, its opponents predict, will kill countless Israelis in the future Yet now, suddenly, a breakthrough deal is looming Both Israel and Hamas have reportedly softened their positions and bridged formerly insuperable gaps
What has changed? Although the White House deserves credit for persevering in the hostage-release talks the deal probably owes much to the soon incoming president s threats to visit all hell on Hamas and his ability to press Netanyahu President Biden could say “don’t,” and everybody in the Middle East Iranians Arabs and Israelis alike did Not so with Donald Trump One meeting with his special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly persuaded Bibi to accept conditions he had long rejected No wonder Trump is taking credit
cused Hamas of backtracking AFP reports I am confident and I fully expect that implementation will begin, as we said, on Sunday, Blinken said at a farewell news conference Blinken said that he and other officials of President Joe Biden’s administration, which ends on Monday were on the telephone to try to resolve issues in the ceasefire “It’s not exactly surprising that in a process in a negotiation that has been this challenging and this fraught you may get a loose end We re tying up
was carried out by security personnel after his repeated shouts Blinken was interrupted at least two other times earlier with similar heckling denouncing US policy on the Israel-Gaza conflict Blinken confident Gaza ceasefire implementation to start on Sunday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has voiced confidence that the implementation of a ceasefire in Gaza will begin on Sunday after Israel held off on a cabinet vote and ac-
‘vic tor y ’ for
The ceasefire in Gaza represents a great victory for the Palestinian resistance Iran s Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday, warning against any possible breach by Israel Palestinian armed group Hamas and Israel reached a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that mediators said would take effect on Sunday The agreement provides for the release of Israeli hostages held there during 15 months of conflict that devastated the enclave and killed tens of thousands of Palestinians
“The end of the war and the imposition of a ceasefire on the Zionist regime (Israel) is a clear and great victory for Palestine and a greater defeat for the Zionist regime a statement by the Guards said Iran and its allied non-state armed groups in the region such as Yemen s Houthis and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have supported Hamas throughout the conflict
“The resistance remains alive thriving strong and has deeper faith in the divine promise of liberating the al-Aqsa
mosque and Jerusalem the Guards said warning against any breach of the ceasefire by Israel and saying they maintain field preparations to confront “new wars and crimes ” On X Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the Palestinian resistance and Iran-backed Resistance Axis succeeded in forcing Israel to retreat The war in Gaza stoked conflict in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq, and raised fears of all-out war between arch regional foes Israel and Iran In November Hezbollah and Israel agreed to a ceasefire weeks after the conflict escalated and led to the killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air strike in Beirut Western officials including White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan have said the war opposing Israel and the Iranian-backed Resistance Axis” significantly weakened Tehran Revolutionary Guards top commander Hossein Salami said last week that Iran s enemies are having a false sense of delight about recent regional developments, and that Tehran’s
Muhammad Ali Randhawa, along with the relevant officers, visited the F-8 and Serena Interchange projects and reviewed the ongoing construction activities at the sites The relevant officers briefed Chairman CDA about the ongoing construction activities at the Serena Interchange project and informed him that construction work on all parts of the project is progressing rapidly It was briefed that beautification and horticulture work around the Serena Interchange underpass is also underway and the structural work of both underpasses at Srinagar Highway has entered its final stages The CDA Chairman directed that the finishing work of both underpasses on Srinagar Highway be completed and the underpasses be opened for traffic within this month He also directed that modern and beautiful LED lights be installed permanently in the completed sections of the Serena Interchange project Furthermore he instructed that the landscaping and horticulture work around the project be completed soon Meanwhile, Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa also visited the F-8 Interchange project and inspected the construction activities there The relevant officers briefed Chairman CDA on the ongoing construction activities at the site During the briefing Chairman CDA was informed that the girder launching work at the F8 Interchange project is progressing rapidly, and the structural work of the flyover will be completed by the end of this month Similarly, construction work on the roads connecting to the project is also underway in full swing
and
of
Agency
laden dhows Collectively, Pakistan Navy and CMF intercepted approximately 10 tonnes of narcotics with a street value exceeding 50 million US dollars over the last six months Under Pakistan Navy s leadership CTF 150 also actively fostered regional collaboration securing the participation of ships from Kenya Navy and Royal Navy of Oman in CTF 150 operations
ongoing struggles with these severe conditions the government is making every effort within its capacity to mitigate the impacts of climate change" "Following a similar catastrophe in 2010 Pakistan faced one of the worst flood disasters in its history in 2022 forcing displacement of millions of people destroyed crops and damaged critical infrastructure said Romina Khurshid Alam These disasters have underscored the pressing need for flood resilience and disaster risk reduction measures to protect specially marginalized communities and critical infrastructure She also highlighted the significant initiatives launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan to combat climate change including the global shield, climate justice, climate-smart agriculture projects, renewable
TESTAMENT TO UNLIMITED BUSINESS POTENTIAL
Wakhan Corridor par t of Afghan territor y: FO spokesperson
Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan on Thursday rejected reports of the annexation of the Wakhan Corridor stating that it was a part of Afghanistan I have seen this endless speculation Wakhan is part of Afghan territory Afghanistan is a neighbouring country We recognise its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the newly appointed spokesperson said in his maiden weekly press briefing on Thursday The FO spokesperson rejected reports of the annexation of the Wakhan Corridor asserting it was a part of Afghanistan
There is no question of Pakistan having designs on one of its neighbours I deem it speculative and totally erroneous actually The Wakhan Corridor is a thin, mountainous strip in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province which extends up to the relatively small border with China s Xinjiang province It also separates Tajikistan from Pakistan s Gilgit-Baltistan region
The spokesperson added that the two countries understood the importance of relations and wanted to nurture good ties, however, he reiterated that the key issue remained terrorists seeking sanctuary on Afghan soil ” He said both countries were in contact on the matter through an ongoing multilayered engagement On Gaza ceasefire On the Gaza ceasefire, the FO spokesperson called for its immediate and full implementation, adding that he hoped the truce “would lead to a permanent ceasefire and help in scaling up humanitarian assistance” A day ago US and Qatari leaders announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza starting on Sunday and a hostage and prisoner exchange after 15 months of war Indiscriminate use of force by Israeli occupation forces has caused unprecedented loss of lives and property and displacements of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilian Palestinians ” the spokesperson remarked He also reiterated the country s support for a just comprehensive and durable solution to the Palestinian issue leading to the establishment of a sovereign State of Palestine
Answering a question, the spokesperson said that Pakistan would work to send more humanitarian convoys to Gaza once the relief aid started moving into the territory again after the ceasefire On Trump s inauguration racist rhetoric against Pakistanis in UK Additionally, Khan said that Pakistan s ambassador in Washington would attend the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, and the reported invite to Pakistan Peoples of Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto was not routed through the foreign ministry” Moreover the spokesperson expressed deep concern over the increasingly racist and Islamophobic political and media commentary in the UK aimed at conflating the reprehensible actions of a few individuals with the entire 1 7 million British Pakistani diaspora Pak-China relations On positive developments he said that China and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership at the Fourth Round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) and the Fifth meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination (JWG-ICC) held in Beijing
g TCP TO UNDERGO STRATEGIC REVIEW, TDAP TO FOCUS ONLY ON TRADE ACCESS, EXPO CENTERS TO PURSUE SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH PPPS, NTC AND OTHER ENTITIES TO CUT WORKFORCE BY 30%
The Federal Cabinet has approved a sweeping overhaul of entities under the Ministry of Commerce as part of the second phase of the federal rightsizing program The restructuring aims to enhance efficiency eliminate redundancy and align the ministry s operations with national priorities Under the approved plan, the commerce ministry will reduce its workforce by 30%, while the staff-to-officer ratio will be adjusted from the current 5 5:1 to 2 5:1 All vacant posts will also be abolished to reduce unnecessary expenditures Several entities will be wound up, merged, or restructured to better serve their purpose
As per the documents the Ministry of Commerce’s entities such as the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) will prioritize trade negotiations
and market access discontinuing public funding for sponsorships
The National Tariff Commission (NTC) will transition to a streamlined, digitalized structure with an anticipated 30% reduction in workforce Pakistan Expo Centers will create a roadmap for self-sufficiency exploring potential public-private partnerships (PPPs) to enhance management efficiency The Export Development Fund (EDF) will be retained only if a review confirms its efficiency and measurable impact on export growth
The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) will undergo a strategic review to ensure efficient procurement and distribution of key commodities like wheat and fertiliser The Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) will be streamlined with a 40% reduction in staff and its operations fully digitalized
The Textile Commissioner s Organization (TCO) is among the
entities set for closure following recommendations from the ministry Similarly the Garment City Companies will be privatised or handed over to provinces through public-private partnerships (PPP)
The Trade Dispute Resolution Organization (TDRO) has been given an additional year to demonstrate effectiveness before its future is decided
Privatization plans are also in place for entities like the State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC), Pakistan Reinsurance Company Ltd (PRCL) and the National Insurance Company Ltd (NICL) These measures are expected to generate revenue while reducing the government s operational burden
The Ministry of Commerce has been directed to submit implementation plans by January 20 2025 Third-party reviews and audits will be conducted to ensure accountability and transparency throughout the process
RAWALPINDI
S TA F F R E P O R T
At least 22 terrorists were and 18 others injured during fire exchange with the Security forces in various intelligencebased operations (IBOs) across Tirah valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Khyber district since December 14 the military’s media wing said on Thursday
A statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said: Of late numerous terrorist incidents have occurred in general area Tirah, Khyber district against security forces as well as the innocent civilians, resulting in several casualties ” Subsequently the ISPR said security forces were conducting extensive IBOs in the area against terrorists due to which 22 were successfully neutralised and 18 injured since Dec 14 The ISPR added that the IBOs would continue till peace in the area was restored and the terrorists were eliminated “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country it concluded
On Tuesday, an encounter took place in the general area of Tirah valley, where security forces “successfully neutralised
Pakistani government further solidifies the link between the funds and the political elite Why would the NCA after seizing the money give it directly to the government of Pakistan unless it belonged to the people of Pakistan? Tarar asked, emphasizing that the sum was rightfully Pakistan’s and connected to state mismanagement
Tarar ’s allegations also shed light on the murky dealings of PTI leadership which he claims used their political power to illegally divert state resources for personal gain The minister revealed that the NCA s investigation spanned five countries, but despite its far-reaching nature, the evidence tied directly back to the political elites of Pakistan
“The NCA didn’t just confiscate this money They handed it over to the Pakistani government because it was money that rightly belonged to the people of Pakistan, Tarar stated The minister s comments suggest that
two terrorists ” Armed terrorists affiliated with various groups are understood to have gradually moved out of the plains of Tirah valley taking refuge in vacant houses in the hilly terrain, as security forces fortified their positions in key locations of the valley Sources in the region had told Dawn that the situation in most parts of the valley was calm with no major terror-related incident reported last month They said the armed terrorists who were frequently seen in different parts of Tirah valley, had either returned to Afghanistan or shifted to the bordering Orakzai district with some opting to settle down in partially damaged houses in the peripheral hilly areas to avoid public attention The sources had said terrorists had shifted to Sanda Paal, Dray Naghari and Daroota villages before taking refuge in empty houses
They said those areas were vacated by residents in November in anticipation of a military operation after a surge in terrorist attacks on military convoys and security checkposts Residents of Kamarkhel, Takhtaki, Ghulam Ali and Sukh localities had told Dawn that terrorists would suddenly
these funds were illicitly funneled through PTI networks, implicating the party s leadership in a far-reaching corruption scandal
At the center of these accusations is PTI’s founder Imran Khan Tarar took particular issue with Khan’s past claims of not having a personal source of income questioning how the former prime minister could afford to build a mansion worth Rs 250 million in Lahore s upscale Zaman Park neighborhood “Imran Khan is the only leader in Pakistan’s history who openly admitted to having no source of income ” Tarar pointed out challenging Khan to explain how he managed to acquire such wealth if it wasn t tied to illicit funds Tarar s criticism underscores the contradictions between Khan s public statements and the wealth accumulated under his leadership Tarar went on to explain how the £190 million scandal unfolded tracing it back to a cabinet decision taken during the PTI gov-
barge into their houses and demand food and other essential items
They said that the unwanted presence of terrorists in their houses at odd times had led to a constant fear of a targeted action by the security forces for sheltering them
The residents had insisted that terrorists had not caused them any personal harm so they couldn t refuse food and shelter to them especially when they were heavily armed
Local sources had claimed that the terrorists were always on the move for fear of a targeted operation by the security forces
Regarding the identity and affiliations of terrorists they had revealed that the armed men were associated with banned outfits Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-i-Islam, Amarat-i-Islami and the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which were operational in parts of the valley
formalities ” the statement continued
The sources had said that though the exact number of terrorists who had shifted to the hilly areas for fear of a fullfledged military operation was not known, they totalled 70-100, with the rest fleeing the valley for the time being Pakistan has recently witnessed an uptick in terror activities especially in KP and Balochistan Terror attacks have increased since the TTP broke a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government in 2022 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
