S 1 . 4 T R I L L I O N I N F Y 2 5
FBR seeks exemption from rightsizing to retain 1,730 vac ant posts
verge of being shut down While art does not pay the bills became a recurring concern, the play emphasized that art does so much more: it helps people discover their
identity and unearth parts of themselves they never knew existed Despite facing numerous hurdles Open Curtains Camp prevailed against those who wanted to transform it into a shopping mall and did so with unforgettable humor From being rick rolled to listening to the viral APT and Espresso the audience was cheering at every twist A key lesson running through the play was the importance of accepting people for who they are nerdy, quiet, eccentric, or otherwise because you never know what struggles someone
KARACHI
COMMENT
Whet deregulation
THE one-day workshop on Deregulating the Wheat Sector in Islamabad on Friday, organized by the Ministry for Food Security and Agricultural Research heralded the implementation of one of the most radical and intrusive recommendations of the International Monetary Fund one which has the potential to plunge the country into chaos if not handled carefully Wheat is the national food staple, and is the single most important crop in the country It thus underwrites the agricultural sector It was important enough for its rationing to be introduced in 1942 during World War II a system which continued into Pakistan’s existence and which was finally abolished only in 1987, when wheat autarky was achieved However, under the PTI government international trade began with wheat being exported and then re-imported to meet the demands of the population
The government has provided a minimum support price by its willingness to buy at a particular price It has also controlled the inter-district and inter-provincial movement of wheat at harvest time That has meant the private sector also has to match that price
The IMF wants a complete deregulation, and for the government to get out of the business of wheat, and has made it a conditionality of its current programme With the first review looming, the government is anxious to show progress on this, an anxiety increased by revenue shortfalls The problem with this condition is that it could trigger protests if mishandled The example of farmers protests in neighboring India is frightening enough for the government though it would leave the IMF unfazed The trick will be to abolish PASSCO but to transfer its storage facilities, along with those of Punjab and Sindh to a single state-owned enterprise jointly owned which would store strategic reserves
The government should understand that where food staples are involved, it is not simply an economic question but a cultural one too where tempers run high, and logic may have to cede space to emotion The PTI government failed to take care of this, with the result that it had to weather a
Essential for a civilized society
A H i
is the role of Imran Khan and his Cabinet member Mirza Shahzad Akbar Together they are accused of orchestrating a fraudulent funds repatriation deal involving Bahria Town, the real estate empire owned by Malik Riaz The scandal traces its roots to 2019, when an agreement was forged between Pakistani officials and NCA for repatriation of funds seized from Malik Riaz in the UK Instead of returning money to Pakistan s treasury funds were diverted to a liability account linked to Bahria Town effectively channeling £190 million away from the state This massive betrayal has far-reaching consequences The funds, meant for Pakistan, were instead used to settle the debts of Bahria Town The mechanism for this misallocation was a Confidentiality Deed signed by Shahzad Akbar in November 2019 well before the matter was presented to the Federal Cabinet In a remarkable act of deception, Akbar concealed the details of the prior arrangement and misrep-
HUMAN rights and social justice are the moral pillars upon which a fair and equitable society is built They signify the fundamental belief that every individual irrespective of race gender religion or socio-economic standing, is entitled to dignity, equality, and respect These ideals are not merely aspirational; they form the foundation for creating a just, peaceful, and inclusive world In Pakistan, the pursuit of these values remains an intricate and ongoing struggle one that is shaped by historical legacies cultural nuances and political challenges While international frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outline a vision for universal rights and justice, the road to achieving these goals in Pakistan is marred by substantial barriers that require sustained efforts and structural changes
The global commitment to human rights and social justice is growing steadily, with international conventions aiming to set universal standards for the protection and promotion of these rights Yet many nations, especially those in South Asia, continue to grapple with the effective implementation of these ideals Pakistan s constitution guarantees fundamental rights but their realization is hindered by political instability religious extremism and social divisions making it difficult for marginalized communities to
Pakistan must rise above its historical and cultural divisions and commit to the principles of equality, fairness, and human dignity Only then can we begin to fulfil the promise of a society where every individual, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive This is the vision that must guide us as we move forward, towards a future that embodies justice, equality, and humanity in its truest form In conclusion, the £190 million funds repatriation case involving Imran Khan, Malik Riaz, and their associates represents a serious betrayal of the public trust As the nation watches closely, it is imperative that justice prevails and that the perpetrators of this high-level corruption are brought to justice Only then can Pakistan begin to heal from this deep wound inflicted upon its governance and its people
resented the situation to the cabinet Imran as PM is alleged to have knowingly allowed this to happen thus ensuring that the funds were routed into the hands of Malik Riaz In return for these illicit manoeuvres, both Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, are said to have received significant material benefits These included a substantial tract of land (458 kanals) and a donation of Rs 285 million to their Al Qadir University Trust This trust under the control of the former PM and his wife, is purportedly the recipient of this donation from Malik Riaz, a gesture that raises serious questions about the ethical and legal foundation of such transactions The land once registered in the name of Malik Riaz s associates was eventually transferred to trust solidifying the connection between the beneficiaries of the fraud The sheer scale of this scandal is staggering It highlights a calculated effort to divert state resources for private gain, with government officials using their positions to conceal the true nature of the transactions The fact that these actions were carried out with apparent impunity leveraging the powers of the PM office the Asset Recovery Unit (ARU), and the support of key figures like Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari underscores the depth of institutional corruption involved What makes this case particularly troubling is not just the diversion of funds but the abuse of public office for personal gain The NCA s investigation into the matter revealed that the funds were funneled into a special account registered under the Supreme Court s Registrar, a move that misled officials about the true destination of the money This legal sleight of hand allowed Malik Riaz’s Bahria Town to benefit
from the repatriation not the Pakistani government or its people The fact that no one within the bureaucracy questioned this transaction raises alarms about the degree of control and influence exerted by the accused parties
In addition to financial ramifications, the case also underscores a dangerous precedent set by those in power Imran Khan once a champion of anti-corruption rhetoric stands accused of using his position to enable one of Pakistan s most controversial businessmen to evade justice The stakes are not merely financial; this case signals the erosion of public trust in the integrity of the highest offices of the country When the Prime Minister and his associates are implicated in such high-profile corruption cases it raises doubts about the future of governance in Pakistan and the ability of the legal system to hold the powerful accountable
While Malik Riaz may have been the primary beneficiary of the fraud, it is clear that a network of individuals including Shahzad Akbar Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari and even Imran Khan s wife Bushra Bibi played instrumental roles in executing and covering up this scheme
Each of these individuals has been implicated in aiding and abetting the commission of these offenses, from signing fraudulent documents to overseeing the illegal transfer of assets
The Al Qadir University case is more than just a financial scandal; it is a symbol of the systemic corruption that continues to plague Pakistan It is a stark reminder of how those in positions of power can exploit the machinery of the state for personal gain As the investigation progresses, it is crucial that accountability mechanisms are strengthened and those responsible for this brazen misconduct are held to account The people of Pakistan deserve better
In conclusion the £190 million funds repatriation case involving Imran Khan, Malik Riaz, and their associates represents a serious betrayal of the public trust As the nation watches closely, it is imperative that justice prevails and that the perpetrators of this high-level corruption are brought to justice Only then can Pakistan begin to heal from this deep wound inflicted upon its governance and its people
The writer can be reached at asadmalik20008@gmail com
Waves of destruction
SEA intrusion along the coastal belt of Sindh, particularly in Badin, Thatta and Sujawal districts, has resulted in serious environmental issues, causing adverse ecological and socioeconomic impacts Thousands of acres of prime fertile land have been significantly affected due to reduced fresh water flow from the Indus River, rise in the sea level, accelerating coastal erosion, and degradation of mangrove forests that are considered natural barriers against sea intrusion Unfortunately the Indus delta designated as Ramsar Wetland faces the threat because of inadequate flow of water from downstream Kotri to meet its essential requirement
The sea intrusion has caused degradation of the coastal and riverine ecosystem destruction of mangroves forests scarcity of drinking water, decline in fish population, and forced migration from the villages located in the affected areas
A provision was made in the Water Accord of 1991 to ensure a certain volume of water in the Indus but that has not been implemented in earnest Even upstream Kotri, water is not made available as per the agreed formula because of uncontrolled barrages, dams diversions and a faulty monitoring system
During the last couple of years the water shortage has heavily damaged crops, affecting the income of the farmers on the one hand, and the country s economy, on the other For addressing this lingering issue a coordinated approach is urgently required by the government water experts as well as environmentalists to counter the challenge which, if not properly and promptly addressed, will be a disaster for the area and the people living there
SHAMS JAFRANI KARACHI
Toxic love
LAHORE used to one of my favourite cities I always wanted to live there, and destiny took me to my dream city in November 2022 to pursue my higher education
When I came to Lahore from my hometown in Karak district I was in good health both physically and mentally I was motivated to explore the city, make new friends, and face the challenges that are part of life
However, the air pollution in Lahore changed me as a person
Winter which used to be my favourite season has now become a nightmare with the dreaded smog taking over my mind as a monster
The pre-winter anxiety it triggers is unbelievable
It has been going on since my first exposure to the menace of smog One morning while preparing to go to the library I felt as if I was having a cardiac stroke I thought I was going to die the next minute Luckily, the feeling went away in a few minutes Then in the night, I got up in panic as my throat had all but choked Horrified I went to a hospital where after a thorough investigation the doctor told me I had had a panic attack
Since then, my anxiety level gets high every winter Air pollution might not be the only reason of this, but it is certainly a major trigger I was once in mad love with Lahore but now I want to run away from the city
Smog is affecting people physically as well as mentally
Unfortunately, the people cannot even breathe clean air which is an absolutely free blessing of mother nature TAIMUR AHMAD LAHORE
The Al Qadir Universit y scandal revisited
Dr Zafar Khan SafDar
T W O HUNDRED PAL ESTINIAN PRISO NERS FREED AFTER HAMAS REL EASES FO UR FEMAL E ISRAEL I SO L DIERS
C hina, U.S. FMs disc uss to find right way to get along in new era
S TA F F R E P O R T Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday urged China and the United States to find the right way to get along with each other in the new era, during a phone call with U S Secretary of State Marco Rubio upon the latter ’s request Wang also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee said Chinese President Xi Jinping had an important phone call with U S President Donald Trump last Friday, during which they reached a series of common understandings
The development of ChinaU S relations has come to a new important juncture, Wang said He added, President Xi comprehensively elaborated on China’s policy toward the United States and President Trump made positive response saying that he looks forward to maintaining good relations with President Xi and emphasizing that United States and China working together can solve many problems in the world
The two heads of state have pointed out the direction and set the tone for China-U S relations
Wang said He continued, two teams need to implement the leaders important common understandings and maintain communication manage differences and expand cooperation in line with the principles of mutual respect peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, with a view to promoting the steady, sound and sustainable de-
velopment of China-U S relations and finding the right way for the two countries to get along with each other in the new era Wang said that the leadership of the CPC is the choice of the Chinese people, and China’s development has a clear historical logic and is driven by strong internal dynamism
Our goal is to deliver a better life for the people and make more contributions to the world, he said We have no intention of surpassing or replacing anyone, but we must defend our legitimate right to development ” Wang elaborated on China s principled position on the Taiwan question and urged the U S side to handle it prudently
He emphasized that Taiwan has been part of China’s territory since ancient times “We will never allow Taiwan to be split from China
The United States has made solemn commitments on abiding by the one-China policy in the three China-U S joint commu-
niques and it should not renege on them Wang said Rubio for his part said the United States and China are two great countries and the U SChina relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the 21st century and will determine the future of the world
The United States hopes to have candid communication with China resolve differences manage the bilateral relationship in a mature and prudent manner and work together to address global challenges and maintain peace and stability in the world he said
The United States does not support Taiwan independence and hopes that the Taiwan question can be resolved peacefully in a manner acceptable to both sides of the Taiwan Straits, said Rubio Wang said that big countries should act in a manner befitting their status shoulder their due international responsibilities maintain world peace and help countries realize common development
TH E government has decided to extend incentives provided to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to all industrial estates and zones across the country This includes reforms to streamline electricity supply through a revised mechanism approved by the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE)
Minhaj Welfare Foundation marries off 18 deser ving brides in grand ceremony
The Minhaj Welfare Foundation on Saturday organized a grand wedding ceremony for 18 deserving brides providing each couple with a dowry worth Rs 500,000 Hundreds of guests, including prominent political and social figures, attended the event The ceremony held at a local banquet hall here was a stunning affair The hall and its surroundings were beautifully decorated and the arriving baraats (wedding processions) were warmly welcomed Minhaj Youth League and Mustafawi Students Movement volunteers showered the grooms with flower petals while Minhaj Women League office-bearers did the same for the brides Each couple received a dowry package containing essential household items
Addressing the gathering, Khuram Nawaz Gandapur the Secretary General Minhaj-ul-Quran International pointed out that the marriage a sacred obligation in our society, had become a burden for parents due to poverty He highlighted the efforts of the Minhaj Welfare Foundation in organizing mass weddings in various cities
across Pakistan, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gujjar Khan, Wah Cantt, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Khanewal, Sheikhupura, Dera Ismail Khan and many others
The foundation s primary goal is to assist brides whose parents cannot afford dowries he said Gandapur stated that thousands of families had benefited from these initiatives The foundation is committed to ensuring that no father considers his daughter a burden Rafiq Najm Deputy Nazim of the Tehreek Minhaj-ul-Quran emphasized the importance of pooling resources to help the needy, citing the Islamic concept of brotherhood
Afzaal Bhatti appointed as new MD OPF
ISLAMABAD
The Government of Pakistan has appointed Mohammed Afzaal Bhatti as the Managing Director of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) for a term of three years The appointment, approved by the Federal Cabinet, demonstrates the government s commitment to enhancing services for overseas Pakistanis A seasoned Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in strategic leadership Mr Bhatti has also served as Commissioner of the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission Upon assuming office Mr Bhatti outlined his vision for improving OPF s services and ensuring the welfare of overseas Pakistanis He emphasized the need for active engagement through social media to enhance transparency and communication Mr Bhatti directed the creation of a comprehensive master plan to address the evolving needs of overseas Pakistanis with a focus on housing welfare and facilitation
He asserted that poverty and Islam could not coexist "The Islamic system of brotherhood guarantees the eradication of poverty," he said Engineer Sanaullah and Ishtiaq Hanif Mughal Directors of the Minhaj Welfare Foundation Pakistan informed the attendees about various ongoing welfare projects, including the construction of houses for flood victims, providing clean water in Thar mobile medical camps educational scholarships for poor intelligent children monthly financial assistance for widows food distribution, and subsidized meals They expressed their gratitude to all donors for the generous support
‘Reviving Transpersonal Psychology through Decolonial Lens of Islamic Psychology’ IPCON 2025
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R
Religion plays a significant role in shaping human psychology by influencing beliefs behaviors and emotional responses It provides a framework for understanding the self mental well-being and the meaning of life deeply impacting psychological processes Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University s Department of Clinical Psychology is set to host an international conference on 29 January 2025 titled as “titled "Reviving Transpersonal Psychology through the Decolonial Lens of Islamic Psychology (IPCON 2025) a groundbreaking event that will bring together some of the world s leading experts from countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, the USA, Russia, Sweden, and Canada, who will look at into the integration of Islamic principles with contemporary psychological practices Organized in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the International Students of Islamic Psychology (ISIP) IPCON 2025 is more than just an academic gathering It s a call to action for practitioners, scholars, and students to envisage psychological well-being through a culturally relevant and spiritually enriched lens
