GUNS GO SILENT AS FIRST THREE ISRAELI
FREED UNDER GA Z A TRUCE
Pakistan
YOUNIS GAZA STRIP A
S Even before the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was fully in place Sunday Palestinians in the war-battered Gaza Strip began to return to the remains of the homes they had evacuated during the 15-month war Majida Abu Jarad made quick work of packing the contents of her family’s tent in the sprawling tent city of Muwasi, just north of the strip’s southern border with Egypt At the start of the war they were forced to flee their house in Gaza s northern town of Beit Hanoun where they used to gather around the kitchen table or on the roof on summer evenings amid the scent of roses and jasmine The house from those fond memories is gone, and for the past year, Abu Jarad, her husband and their six daughters have trekked the length of the Gaza Strip, following one evacuation order after another by the Israeli military Seven times they fled she said and each time their lives became more
that the truce would start on Sunday we started packing our bags and deciding what we would take not caring that we would still be living in tents Abu Jarad said The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 peo-
Pak istan, China sign $250m MoUs in medical equipment sec tor
R t Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, Barrister Daniyal Chaudhary, strongly criticized Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) for fostering chaos and a politics of hate in the country In an exclusive interview with a private news channel Chaudhary accused PTI leaders of hypocrisy alleging that those who have frequently pointed fingers at others for corruption are themselves tainted with wrongdoing He warned
The Chamber will continue offering consulting
to
of Pakistani medical products into the
Dr Muhammad Shahbaz, President of the China Pakistan Medical Association shared plans to further enhance collaboration between the two nations We are working to build a China-Pakistan friendship hospital in Islamabad and planning a joint medical technology park in Pakistan, he revealed At the conference, his association finalized an agreement with a Hangzhoubased technology company for medical equipment trade joint ventures and technology transfer Organized by the Pakistani Embassy in China, the conference saw the participation of over 120 companies from both countries This event marked the conclusion of the first series of seven B2B events launched after the Pakistani Prime Minister s visit to China in June Officials announced that another seven roadshows are planned to begin next month, focusing on 14 priority sectors to expand bilateral business collaboration further
Punjab Governor
calls for stric t ac tion to eliminate human
trafficking
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t
Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan emphasized the need for stringent action against human trafficking underscoring its harmful impact on Pakistan s image abroad
He was speaking at the launch of the book “Japan Kahani” by renowned writer and journalist Amjad Siddiqui at the National Press Club (NPC) on Sunday In his address the Governor expressed concern over the increasing number of Pakistani citizens losing their lives in migrant boat accidents, a crisis that has tarnished the country s reputation He pointed out that these deaths are often a consequence of illegal migration, which is frequently driven by human trafficking networks
While acknowledging the role poverty plays in driving individuals to seek illegal migration routes, Governor Khan stressed that those capable of paying large sums ranging from 5 to 6 million rupees should instead be investing in legitimate business opportunities within Pakistan He expressed that such investments could secure a more stable and prosperous future for these individuals and the country as a whole
Governor Khan also criticized the lack of
trust that the country s youth have in the national system, which, he noted, often pushes them to resort to dangerous and illegal methods of migration He called for the restoration of that trust by tapping into the nation’s vast natural resources which could transform Pakistan s future if used effectively Additionally Governor Khan suggested that efforts to cmbat human trafficking should extend beyond enforcement actions He proposed including anti-trafficking content in school curriculums and organizing seminars and public discussions to raise awareness about the dangers of illegal migration By doing so he believes the youth could be guided towards legitimate opportunities and a brighter future within Pakistan He also highlighted the importance of identifying and addressing the connections between human traffickers and certain elements within national institutions He stressed that everyone involved in this illegal activity must be held accountable and brought to justice Governor Saleem Haider Khan s remarks were widely regarded as a call for a multi-faceted approach to addressing human trafficking, which combines legal action, education, and social reforms to secure a safer and more prosperous future for Pakistan’s youth
Guns go silent as first three Israeli hostages freed under Gaza truce
said it had struck terrorists Hamas said the holdup in providing the list was a technical glitch “Today the guns in Gaza have gone silent,” said US President Joe Biden, who welcomed on his last full day in office a truce that had eluded US diplomacy for more than a year The truce calls for fighting to stop aid to be sent in to Gaza and 33 of the 98 Israeli and foreign hostages still held there to go free over the six-week first phase in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails For Hamas the truce could provide an opportunity to emerge from the shadows after 15 months in hiding
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China The EO-1 satellite is equipped with advanced electro-optical sensors allowing it to collect crucial data and images of Earth s surface by detecting reflected sunlight or emitted radiation SUPARCO highlighted that the satellite would enhance Pakistan s ability to monitor and manage its natural resources, respond to disasters, and improve urban planning and agricultural development The satellite is expected to play a significant role in precision farming helping farmers manage irrigation predict crop yields and increase agricultural efficiency It will also be instrumental in tracking infrastructure development, controlling urban sprawl, and ensuring sustainable growth Environmental monitoring is another key aspect of the satellite’s mission with its ability to monitor deforestation glacier recession and water resources Furthermore the EO-1 will be crucial for disaster management providing real-time updates on events like floods, landslides, and earthquakes, enabling timely responses to mitigate their impacts
Hamas policemen dressed in blue police uniform swiftly deployed in some areas People who had gathered to cheer the fighters chanted Greetings to Al-Qassam Brigades the group s armed wing All the resistance factions are staying in spite of (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu,” one fighter told Reuters “This is a ceasefire a full and comprehensive one God willing and there will be no return to war in spite of him The ceasefire agreement follows months of on-off negotiations brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, and comes into effect on the eve of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump who had
t
Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, on Sunday strongly condemned the defense of former Prime Minister Imran Khan by his supporters in light of his proven corruption specifically relating to the £190 million graft case In a statement Iqbal called the attempts by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters to shield their leader regrettable and shameful He emphasized that Khan had built his entire political career on promises of transparency and accountability, often focusing on attacking the corruption of political rivals However Iqbal pointed out that despite clear evidence of Khan s involvement in corruption his followers continue to defend him The duplicity and hypocrisy of PTI are laid bare as they defend a leader who, rather than confronting the grave breach of trust, resorts to religious or antiestablishment narratives to deflect criticism,” Iqbal said
He went on to highlight key details of the case including that Britain s National Crime Agency had returned £190 million to Pakistan money which was meant to be deposited in the national treasury for the public s benefit Instead, he claimed, the funds were transferred by Khan to benefit property tycoon Malik Riaz
Iqbal noted that these funds were deposited in a Court account intended for a fine imposed on Malik Riaz n exchange for this transfer he claimed Khan received personal benefits Even if these benefits are ignored transferring state funds for personal purposes is an
t c ase
unforgivable crime,” he asserted
He further cited a detailed report by The Financial Times published in July 2022 which accused Khan of using charitable funds for his political campaigns
Despite the serious allegations Iqbal said Khan had not initiated any legal action against the newspaper calling it a sign of his inability to refute
Pakistan exposes India’s role in sabotaging regional peace, sec urity
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan has exposed India s involvement in orchestrating sabotage activities targeting the strategic China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and destabilizing its national security Citing compelling evidence Islamabad has raised concerns globally urging the international community to take note of India s destabilizing actions Pakistan has presented multiple dossiers to the United Nations detailing India s involvement in terrorism within its borders Among the most significant evidence presented is the arrest and conviction of Kalbushan Yadav, a former Indian Navy officer who was sentenced for espionage and terrorism This case is viewed as undeniable proof of India s proxy warfare against Pakistan The Pakistani government asserts that India is actively supporting terrorist organizations, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) These groups are accused of carrying out targeted attacks designed to destabilize Pakistan’s security and undermine the CPEC a crucial project for regional economic development Recent reports from international media outlets
including The Washington Post, have lent further credibility to Pakistan’s claims, particularly revelations of cross-border operations and targeted killings These developments are seen as part of India s larger strategy to derail peace efforts in the region and heighten tensions with its neighbor While India faces increasing allegations of state-sponsored terrorism, Pakistan points to the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings as another example of India s violent policies The bombings, which killed 68 people mostly Pakistani nationals are believed to have been carried out by extremist groups linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) a Hindu nationalist organization
An idea whose time is overdue
THE idea of starting work early and closing offices by mid-afternoon is not new, but it remains a concept that has been met with resistance in Pakistan However, adopting such a schedule could be transformative for the nation From saving resources to strengthening family bonds and promoting national development the benefits are numerous and far-reaching One of the primary advantages of starting work early is the optimal use of daylight Pakistan enjoys abundant sunlight throughout the year, making it a resource we can utilize effectively to reduce energy consumption Offices schools and businesses operating during daylight hours would require less artificial lighting and air conditioning which are significant contributors to energy costs By reducing electricity consumption, Pakistan could save millions of rupees annually, alleviating the financial burden on both the government and individuals This change would also support efforts to address the ongoing energy crisis and reduce reliance on costly energy imports An early work schedule allows people to return home by 2:30 or 4:30 PM providing ample time to spend with their families In a country where family is central to social and cultural life, this change could have profound positive effects Quality family time enables parents to actively engage with their children guiding them in their education character-building and emotional development A household where parents are involved creates an environment conducive to raising well-rounded, responsible citizens Islam emphasizes the value of rising early and beginning work after the Fajr prayer This practice not only aligns with the natural rhythms of the body but also promotes discipline productivity and a closer connection to spiritual obligations The Quran and Hadith repeatedly stress the blessings associated with early mornings For instance, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, O Allah, bless my nation in their early mornings (Tirmidhi) Starting the workday early is not only practical but also a reflection of living in accordance with Islamic values Many nations have embraced the practice of starting work early and reaped the benefits Countries like Japan Germany and the USA begin their workdays early and allocate time for family, leisure, and self-care in the afternoons and evenings Closer to home, Malaysia and Singapore, which gained independence after Pakistan, have outpaced us in development Their disciplined work cultures focus on education and time management have been pivotal to their success Pakistan faces significant challenges including heavy debts, a struggling economy, and a lack of respect on the global stage Adopting an early work schedule is a small but impactful step towards reversing these trends Currently many Pakistanis live as if they are kings and princes disregarding the ur-
gent need for discipline and hard work As a nation we must recognize that prosperity requires sacrifice responsibility, and a commitment to change
Despite the clear benefits, past attempts to implement early work schedules in Pakistan have faced resistance, particularly from the business community This resistance stems from the entrenched habits and norms that dominate our society Governments have often surrendered to such pressure failing to enforce changes that could benefit the entire nation To successfully implement an early work schedule, the government must:
Educate the public on the long-term benefits of this change
Engage stakeholders including business leaders educators and religious scholars to build consensus
• Introduce incentives for businesses that adopt early schedules, such as tax benefits or recognition awards
Another critical aspect of this shift is reforming the schedules of schools colleges and universities By increasing school hours students can spend more time engaged in productive activities such as academics, sports, and extracurricular pursuits
Extending school hours would also:
• Provide students with more opportunities to explore and develop their talents
Reduce time
cately tied to China’s economic orbit one partnership at a time
over politics This record-breaking trade year speaks volumes about resilience adaptability and the intertwined economic realities of our times China s foreign trade performance in 2024 transcends mere statistical growth reflecting a profound evolution in scale, innovation, and quality The year saw a remarkable "threefold increase" in volume, incremental value, and
technological sophistication High-tech exports- electric vehicles 3D printers and industrial robots- experienced significant surges of 13 1 percent, 32 8 percent, and 45 2 percent respectively These figures point to a deliberate pivot toward cutting-edge industries, marking China’s expanding role as a global technology leader Notably cross-border e-commerce flourished with imports and exports reaching 2 63 trillion yuan - an impressive rise of 1 trillion yuan since 2020 This transformation isn t just about competitiveness; it signals China's growing influence in supporting global industrial upgrades and economic recovery Products with high-tech attributes are no longer niche exports but critical components in mitigating inflation and sustaining global supply chains Amid a fractious geopolitical climate, these advancements illustrate China's ability to adapt, innovate, and assert its economic presence As the data shows China's evolving trade strategy is reshaping global markets in complex enduring ways China s prominence as a global trading powerhouse continues to shine, with 2024 showcasing notable growth in key partnerships Trade with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) nations rose by 6 4 percent, accounting for over half of China’s total trade- a first in its history This milestone underscores the deepening economic ties between China and its BRI partners reshaping the dynamics of international commerce Trade with ASEAN grew for the ninth consecutive year, solidifying their status as each other's largest trading partners for the past five years Meanwhile under the BRICS framework trade expanded by 5 5 percent further highlighting China s strategic collaborations Even amidst global uncertainties China and the EU bolstered their economic ties, with bilateral trade increasing by 1 6 percent Notably, China-US trade climbed 4 9 percent, mirroring China’s overall trade growth and suggesting resilience despite political tensions These figures underscore a world intri-
At the micro level China s foreign trade in 2024 reveals a story of adaptability and determination, underscored by an undeniable global interdependence Nearly 700,000 entities participated in import and export activities, a record that underscores the ingenuity of Chinese businesses navigating traditional markets and leveraging cross-border e-commerce
For the eighth consecutive year China retained its position as the world s largest trader of goods- a testament to both its manufacturing prowess and the enduring global demand for its products Even amidst the geopolitical turbulence that often defines China-US relations trade between the two nations grew by 4 9 percent mirroring China s overall trade growth rate
This figure tells a subtler story than the one often painted in Washington: one of pragmatic cooperation where mutual benefit outweighs rivalry China’s trade achievements in 2024 are not just about numbers - they reflect the resilience of its people and its ability to adapt to a complex global landscape even as the world remains deeply intertwined with its economic engine China s leadership in green trade is also shaping the trajectory of the global energy transition Wind turbine exports soared by 71 9 percent photovoltaic product exports exceeded 200 billion yuan for the fourth consecutive year and lithium battery exports reached 3 91 billion units This narrative extends beyond statisticsit speaks to China s ability to drive global innovation and confidence in addressing shared challenges like climate change
In an era marked by fragility and fragmentation, China s steadiness offers a counterweight to the uncertainty rippling across the global landscape With the rollout of fresh measures to stabilize foreign trade, China s economic engine has shown remarkable acceleration underscoring the depth of its policy arsenal Despite global uncertainties, China’s foreign trade continues to defy expectations achieving milestones that reflect its resilience and adaptability
In 2024, these successes were not mere happenstance but a testament to the nation’s ability to navigate challenges and leverage opportunities in a volatile global economy As a central driver of global growth China s role extends beyond its borders shaping markets and fostering interdependence Looking ahead, the hope is for stronger global ties and healthy competition- a vision where China and its partners contribute to a collective speedy growth These achievements aren t just about numbers; they re about the potential for shared prosperity in an interconnected world where China s steady climb resonates far beyond its shores, redefining economic collaboration for a new era
The writer is a freelance columnist
Rationalit y over rhetoric
Dr Imran KhaLID
Kamran aKthar
Navigating the AI Revolution
areeba haroon
s u b j e c t t h a t i s g u a r a n t e e d t o m a k e y o u u n i v e r s a l l y d i s l i k e d ’
Iwas thinking about anything that s happened in Israel, anything that s happened in America, and how the gaze is on the other country, as opposed to a country we think of as one of the powerful forces in the world
I think you don t have to look to language or linguistic shifts to understand this What s important in both these cases, whether it s Vietnam or Gaza, are the larger political, geopolitical and social forces at work So Vietnam was important because it was a case of postponed delayed decolonisation The Americans were fighting a war without knowing why they were fighting it They had no idea that decolonisation was an unstoppable force So they kept committing more and more arms and money to the whole project of propping up a corrupt regime in South Vietnam They spent years and years, bombing large parts of Vietnam mercilessly In the end they had to go home and realise that the Vietnamese would determine what happened in Vietnam and that s how it has been for more than 50 years In the case of Gaza, you could again call it – I think the Palestinian issue on the whole is yet another case of delayed and postponed decolonisation Israel has come to represent a European colonial power in a part of the Middle East precisely when much of the Middle East was being liberated from its European masters Now that process of decolonisation has been in a way reversed throughout the last 70–75 years And what Gaza shows is the complete obscenity of upholding a colonial occupation during a time when people are moving away from the sort of old world of colonialism, and you’re bringing it back But I think it also sort of portends Israel’s occupation
of Gaza and Israel s attempted destruction of Gaza It also portends a world in which might is right, and that s what you re seeing across the world today So in that sense, Gaza is more important than Vietnam Vietnam was a disaster that could be contained; the Americans could go home and resume their political existence without too much damage I mean, there was obviously damage, but I think Gaza has really damaged American institutions, Western institutions international institutions to an extent no previous war no previous conflict has because so many of the world s most prominent and most self-righteous democracies came out in support of the mass extermination of Palestinians This was something truly unprecedented
You ve spoken before about resisting the subject/object us vs them narrative when discussing history In fact, the native Palestinians don t figure prominently in your book I wonder why you chose to keep the focus primarily on Israel and Jewish people How did you tackle that oversimplification of us vs them when discussing Gaza particularly in relation to the Holocaust and its Americanisation?
I think my focus in this book is really unravelling the narrative of the Holocaust that enables the state of Israel to commit unlimited atrocities I think the Palestinians have been and remain the best spokespersons for their plight, and I think they will continue to describe their historical experience and their intellectual history
It’s not for me to do that What I’m interested in and what is I think for the purposes of this book hugely important is really taking apart a narrative a very powerful emotional and political narrative that Israel and its supporters have consistently used to legitimate their incredibly violent behaviour over the decades
I think again using this narrative of eternal victimhood of perpetual victimhood – no matter how strong you become, even if you acquire nuclear weapons, which the state of Israel has – you continue to peddle the story of victimhood of us being constantly persecuted by them And that particular narrative is something I wanted to unravel, showing, of course, that the Jewish minority in modern history, in particular, has been viciously persecuted
I think also that the state of Israel initially was contemptuous of the survivors of the Holocaust and that the construction of the Holocaust narrative was something very deliberate, very methodical, and did
not spring organically out of the experience of the Holocaust It was constructed much later back in the 1960s, not immediately after 1945
So what I m trying to show in this book is the construction of the Holocaust narrative by the State of Israel and then a parallel equally powerful narrative that s created by Jewish Americans largely Jewish Americans, and, of course, evangelical Christians in the United States So there are these two very powerful narratives that one has to reckon with Do you think the events in Gaza risk facing a gradual fading from public consciousness unless a future need arises to re-invoke them?
seen in recent
And how have they tried to do this? By
in these places underwent because the media had so little access and the age of the internet hadn’t arrived back then when these wars were fought
was broadcast by both the victims and the perpetrators so widely You only have to click on a couple of links to see videos of some of the most horrific things you are ever likely to see in your lifetime of people being raped literally being raped You can see a video of that You can see children s heads being blown off
You can see Israeli soldiers confessing to how people look when they’re crushed under a bulldozer I don t really think that this kind of graphic evidence which has seared itself into the memory and consciousness of everyone who was exposed to it, is going to fade It was very easy, it was extremely easy, in fact to suppress evidence of the atrocities the Americans committed in Vietnam or the Soviets committed in Afghanistan or indeed what happened during the two wars in Iraq We only got a few glimpses of the regime of murder and torture people
Now of course because of social media, because of smartphones, because of easily transmittable videos, we’ve all been very thoroughly exposed to the endless atrocities in Gaza over the last few months So I doubt very much that those memories those traumatic memories, will fade easily My worry is that many people s learning stopped at Israel One could argue, again, that this has a lot to do with how history is taught I wanted to know if you think there is the slightest possibility that Gaza will change that in India particularly Well, I think, in India, you have a very rare instance, I would say, of an Asian government that is fully supportive of the state of Israel and has broken with India’s own extremely long political intellectual and moral tradition of standing with the Palestinians This is something that has happened in the last decade or so of closer relationship with Israel, even as Israel becomes a much more radicalised society and its leaders become even more extremist
And of course, we can understand why there is so much synergy between the regimes of Benjamin Netanyahu and Narendra Modi I think at the same time the population at large here in the past at least I remember growing up really surrounded by people who were proPalestinian at university and afterward
And this is because there was always a large amount of goodwill for the Palestinians not just at the government-to-government level, but in popular culture at large I think the kind of sympathy for Israel that I describe in my book was really confined to a tiny minority to which my family belonged – mostly uppercaste Hindus who thought Zionism is the way to deal with nation-building, the best way to deal with Muslims Now, of course, these kinds of sentiments are out there on social media being expressed openly by the fans of the BJP or the fans of the Modi government But this was when
TRUMP ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON AS INAUGURATION CELEBRATIONS BEGIN
DR MALIHA ZEBA KHAN The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is considered one of the busiest maritime regions having a distinction of being the hub of economic political and strategic activities with implausible impact on the geo-strategy and maritime security of the region rimming 30 states The IOR allows passing through of almost 80% trade of the world energy resources This region is laced up with vital SLOCs, competing and clashing interests of the regional and extra regional states emerging patterns of convergence and divergence of interests of the states tapping and exploring of the living and non-living marine resources further causing several vulnerabilities for the littorals of this region regarding the maritime security As the matter of fact the realities in the maritime domain are quite different complex and intense; hence need comprehensive approach and strategies to counter these security threats and challenges The states do face not only traditional challenges within their maritime frontiers but number of non-traditional security threats is there to make security environment more vulnerable challenging and complex These threats are quite diverse and include external aggression and trespassing, illegal passage of prohibited vessels/ warships, illicit economic activities varying from prohibited practices regarding fishing and other living marine resources damage to non-living marine resources theft and smuggling of marine resources including sand and gravel along with others, gun running, kidnapping for ransom, highjacking of boats and ships, piracy, narcoterrorism strategic maritime terrorism like damaging of submarine fiber-optic cables or causing deliberate harm to theSLOCs or strategic assets like oil rigs naval installations, vessels, or other naval arsenals are considered the most serious threats Similarly challenges in the maritime domain become grave
when the states involvement gets intense and there come paradigm shifts in the geopolitical environment of the maritime regions Pakistan is the country which is not only rimming the Indian Ocean but due to its geo-strategic location it has been quite significant in the regional geopolitics as well as vulnerable due to number of reason including its immense maritime potential both on-shore and off the shore as well as its vast maritime territory as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Continental Shelf; the busiest SLOCs passing through its EEZ and the Continental Shelf; closer proximity with the three main choke points, Strait of Hormuz, Bab-ul-Mandeb, and Mozambique Channel;strategic concernsdue to increased role of regional sub-regional and extra regional actors in the IOR like India-Iran strategic deal Indo-US strategic deal, the US-Naval presence at Bahrain, establishment of QUAD, intercontinental organized criminal networks and illicit cartels and piracy
Due to such vulnerabilities the collaborative maritime security mechanisms are the most appropriate defense for Pakistan constructed upon the fundamental elements of region as area of interest, common security goals, cooperative security and collective arrangements Pakistan’s Naval Forces have been having sound reputations regarding the collaborative security measures Pakistan has been an effective part of coalition and collaborative activities to provide security to the IOR since decades The Combined Task Force (CTF)-150 for deterring and countering maritime terrorism and CTF-151for countering piracy have proved very effective regarding providing security to the IOR Another prominent and pragmatic step taken by Pakistan Navy is establishing of theRegional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP) in the IOR to constitute a robust presence to provide security to the region especially the Western and South-
ern IOR The security patrolling has helped remarkably to maintain order within the IOR in general and the Arabian Sea in particular
The initiative of the naval exercise AMAN taken by the Pakistan Navy in the year 2007 was a unique step which provided extensive opportunities to 28 states to team up their efforts in countering the threats and to enhance their operational competences through collaboration among regional and extra regional navies The AMAN initiative is biennial arrangement which has been fetching great attention by the world In the first exercise of AMAN held in 2007, there were fourteen ships under the flags of the US, UK, China, France, Italy, Bangladesh and Malaysia participated in the exercise while Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) under Special Operations Forces (SOF) from Turkiye and Bangladesh took part in the AMAN-07, whereas 21 countries joined in the event with “Observer” status
The next exercise of that series was “AMAN-09” with participation of 24 countries in which the US UK China France Australia Malaysia and Bangladesh joined in with their 14 ships whereas Japan took part with two P-3C aircrafts The number of SOF teams was increased that year as 9 teams from the US China Turkiye Nigeria and Bangladesh participated in the exercise while 27 countries were there with the Observer status AMAN-11 was attended by 28 countries, in which 11 ships from the US, Australia, China, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, and France took part whereas 43 “Observers” attended the exercise AMAN-13 was held as the 4th exercise of the series with 29 international Navies, whereas the number of Observers was 36 The 5th exercise in the row was AMAN-17 in which 35 Navies took part while China, Australia, Russia, UK Turkiye Indonesia and Sri Lanka joined in with twelve ships A very sig-
nificant thing was increase in the number of Observers which became 67, and the number of the Explosives Ordnance
Disposal teams participating in the exercise were 10 which belonged to the UK Russia China Indonesia Malaysia Maldives Sri Lanka and Turkiye
The AMAN-19 was sixth exercise held in 2019 with more than45 countriesparticipated in it The AMAN-21 was the seventh edition wherein 42 countries participated while in AMAN-23 had seen participation of overall 50 countries The upcoming AMAN-25 will see the participation of more than 50 countries This multinational, spatiotemporal exercise is aimed at providing the participating states opportunities to enhance their theatrical interoperability and collaborative measures to promote peaceful stable and sustainable maritime order This collaborative security mechanism will eventually provide the guests states with the opportunity to enhance the coalitions for common/shared objectives and goals through collaborative security mechanism
The AMAN-25is divided into two phases which are going to be conducted on the Harbor and in the Sea
This exercise will strengthen Pakistan s positive image as well as its command and control within the IOR As Gwadar port has been gathered much of the world attention this exercise will augment Pakistan Navy s operational capabilities too to provide flawless security to Gwadar and the maritime connectivity the Maritime Silk Road It is hoped that Pakistan will emerge as the state which would explore its maritime potential regarding its geo-economics geo-strategy and geo-politics and AMAN-25 will prove effective for further collaboration in the maritime domain It is important to highlight that alongside AMAN exercise, maiden AMAN Dialogue is being conducted wherein heads of navies, coast guards, other officials are invited to share their perspectives on critical maritime security issues
PUNJAB CM DIRECTS COMPLETION OF ROADS, HEALTH CENTERS
PSO of Bangladesh Armed Forces visits Pakistan Navy ships, units
S
F F R E P O R T Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division
timely resolved says
Spokesperson Power supply in Karachi is normal; including Lasbela and Baldia For further assistance customers can
or
s social media platforms, he added Karachi suffered a major power breakdown today (Sunday) as an
Tension (EHT) line tripped and affected the power supply in the metropolis As per details the tripping of Extra High Tension line caused widespread outages across the city Areas affected by the power cut include Korangi Lyari Kharadar, Defence, I I Chundrigar Road, Site Area, North Karachi, North Nazimabad, and Jacob Line
P
20,000 vehicles plied on Shahrah-e Bhutto since inauguration: Sindh spokesperson
The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations
Front (PIAF) has decided to take all trade and industry associations on board for the preparation of budget proposals The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee of the Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) which was held under the chairmanship of PIAF Chairman Faheem ur Rehman Saigol, with special participation of PIAF Patron-in-Chief and Vice President of the Saarc Chamber, Mian Anjum Nisar The meeting was attended by Lahore Chamber President Mian Abu Zar Shad Senior Vice Chairman of PIAF Nasrullah Moghal Vice Chairman of PIAF Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry former Chairman of PIAF Mohammad Ali Mian and Executive Committee members of PIAF and Lahore Chamber including Tanveer
but challenges remain as the trade deficit is widening with imports surpassing $5 billion enhancing risk for external account stability FPCCI former president and BMP Chairman Mian Anjum Nisar warned that rising energy prices or a slowdown in remittances could strain the country s external finances
PM VOWS TO FOSTER A ROBUST
DIGITAL INVESTMENT ECOSYSTEM
g PM SHEHBAZ HIGHLIGHTS STRIDES
the similarities in symptoms between COVID-19 influenza and the seasonal flu Many symptoms such as cold cough fever and fatigue, overlap across these illnesses, which might have led to misinterpretations, he said
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T
Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar on Sunday claimed that the entire world has seen the corrupt face of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, lambasting the party leadership for approving “significant financial misappropriations” behind closed doors They manipulated funds meant for the state used religion as a cover, and indulged in personal luxuries, including acquiring expensive properties and jewellery,” he said
The minister challenged PTI’s legal team to refute the allegations questioning the credibility of the religious education initiatives at the Al-Qadir Trust
Speaking at the inauguration of developmental projects in Union Council 238, NA-127, Lahore, Tarar said that economic development and public relief remain the government s top priorities He remarked that the judicial verdict has confirmed allegations of corruption against the PTI founder, claiming it as the largest financial scandal in Pakistan’s history involving £190 million Member of Provincial Assembly Mian Imran Javed Chairman Ghulam Nabi Toor Vice Chairman Haji Aslam Bhatti, and other party workers were also present on the occasion Attaullah Tarar asserted that the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) is a people-centric party dedicated to resolving public issues We are tirelessly working to fulfill our election
promises, he said Highlighting the government’s efforts, he noted that inflation, which was at 38 per cent last year has decreased to 3 9 per cent and foreign investment is steadily increasing
The minister highlighted the global recognition of the PTI founder s corruption International media headlines have exposed the former prime minister ’s fraudulent activities ” he stated adding that the nation must now decide which political party genuinely prioritizes the country s welfare
He highlighted the positive economic trajectory under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz “The day the PTI chairman was convicted the stock market soared by 1 000 points reflecting the business community s confidence in the judicial decision, he added
