SC QUESTIONS WHETHER MAY 9, OFFENCE MORE SERIOUS THAN MEHRAN AND K AMRA BASES ATTACK
g JUSTICE MANDOKHAIL OBSERVES POWERS OF COURTS FORMED UNDER ARTICLE 175 EXTENSIVE THAN COURT UNDER A SPECIFIC LAW
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
TH E Supreme Court larger bench on Thursday resumed the hearing on intra-court appeals (ICAs) against annulling trials of civilians in the military courts A seven member bench headed by constitutional bench Chief Justice Amin Uddin along with Justice Jamal Mandokhail Justice Musarat Hilali, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi,Justice Afghan,Shahid Bilal Hassan Counsel of defence ministry Khawaja Harris completed his arguments in the case while he argued that in the constitution the courts were mentioned in article 175
He went on to say military courts were not mentioned under this article in the judicial system
Continuing his arguments he said that the military courts were established on the recognized separate law Justice Rizvi observed that the 21st Constitutional Amendment also mentioned the Mehran and Kamra base attacks
He questioned where the trials of those who attacked the General Headquarters (GHQ) and the Kamra airbase were conducted
Two Orion aircraft worth billions of rupees were destroyed was the 9 May offence more serious than these terrorist incidents?” he asked
g JUSTICE MUSARRAT HILALI QUESTIONS DISTINCTION BETWEEN CIVILIAN AND ARMED FORCES
On Justice Hassan’s questions the defence ministry s lawyer said that all the terrorists of the Mehran base attack were killed Was there no investigation after they were killed? Who were they? Where did they come from and how did they come?” Did the file of the Mehran base attack was closed after the terrorists were killed? questioned Justice Rizvi
The GHQ attack case was tried in military courts and the trial took place before the 21st Constitutional Amendment, said the counsel At this Justice Rizvi said that the constitutional amendment was made on the basis of all the attacks so that there
would be no difficulties in the trial The counsel replied that all the terrorists who attacked the Mehran base had been killed Justice Rizvi inquired whether there was no investigation after that; who they were, where they came from and how? Did the file of the Mehran base attack close after the terrorists were killed?
Justice Musarrat Hilali said that the Constitution is the supreme law and questioned the distinction between civilian and armed forces accused individuals Earlier at onset of the proceedings, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel observed that his remarks during the hearing of the intra-court appeals against the trial of
civilians in military courts on Wednesday was misquoted
The justice observed that his remarks were reported in the media that two judges called the decision of eight judges wrong “Many judges contacted me regarding this news I do not care about the media but the record should be straight ” Justice Mandokhail added He said that he made this statement in a general sense In my yesterday s observation, I mentioned individuals, not judges, but some media colleagues misquoted it,” the justice clarified
Continuing his arguments Defense Ministry s counsel Khawaja Haris Articles 175 of the constitution deals with the setting up and functioning of courts The military courts do not come under the purview of the article, he added Military courts are formed under a separate law the counsel said Justice Mandokhail observed that the powers of the courts formed under Article 175 are extensive while the jurisdiction of the court formed under a specific law is limited
The 21st amendment decision clearly states that military courts were formed in a war situation and for the purpose the constitution had to be amended to try civilians the justice remarked Advocate Haris argued that there was no need for an amendment for the trial of civilians as more crimes were added to the Army Act through the amendment
The adjourned the hearing till Friday
Pakistan” He also mentioned energy, technology, artificial intelligence and other areas that needed attention and investment
During his meeting with Beach PM Shehbaz had reaffirmed his government s unwavering commitment to facilitating foreign investors by ensuring a conducive business environment
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said government entered into dialogue with PTI in all seriousness and the opposition party left the dialogue process as it tries to run away from its earlier position
Addressing the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad the Premier said that PTI needs introspection as they continue to create roadblocks
He said the government provided conducive environment to the opposition for talks but it is backing off now Shehbaz Sharif said it takes two to tango and if PTI wants 26th November protest to be investigated then it is our demand that 2014 dharna must also be probed
He urged PTI to move forward and allow the country to also move ahead
Presiding over a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad the premier dismissed the PTI founder s demand for a judicial commission on the 2024 general elections as unnecessary
“In 2018 PTI’s founder
[Imran Khan] promised a House Committee to probe election rigging but the committee formed under his own government was never implemented, PM Shehbaz pointed out The prime minister also stressed that Pakistan’s economic prosperity and development are only possible through the elimination of terrorism Ending terrorism is the key to ensuring the nation s
progress and stability ” he asserted
Speaking on 1 per cent policy rate reduction announced by state bank prime minister said it falls short of his expectations but it will still have great impact on businesses and economy
Prime minister expressed profound grief during cabinet meeting on the martyrdom of Major
Hamza Israr and Sepoy Mohammad Naeem and expressed his resolve to not allow these sacrifices to go in vain
Addressing the recent deaths of Pakistanis in boat accidents
Shehbaz Sharif Said the matter is being followed with interior ministry taking special interest to curb the Black Businesses of human trafficking and bring the perpetrators before the law
Govt determined to eradicate polio
Meanwhile Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday that the government was determined to
eradicate polio and appreciated the administration of all provinces for the timely identification of the polio cases and for the recent decrease in their incidence
He was chairing a review meeting regarding the anti-polio campaign
He said since September 2024 the downward trend in the polio cases was evidence of the effectiveness of the anti-polio campaign
He said the decrease in polio cases in all provinces was made possible due to the untiring efforts of the administration of the provinces
He said the complete erasure of polio from the country became possible only with the cooperation between the federal government and provinces
The prime minister was informed about the progress made in the anti-polio campaign
The anti-polio campaign was continuing in the provinces with great momentum
LOSSES, WARNS GSMA
of T-bill investments as returns decline
Pakistan Railways rejects sole bid for Royal Palm Golf Club
billion The significant increase in earnings follows the company s merger with Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Limited (FFBL), a move aimed at consolidating operations and strengthening market leadership FFC, Pakistan’s largest urea producer, initiated the merger with FFBL in line with its long-term
COMMENT
AI’s Sputnik moment?
The D eepS eek controversy points to the future
TH E collapse of chipmaker Nvidia’s stock triggered a general run on tech stocks, but the underlying reason was superficially odd: the low development and operating costs of the new array of DeepSeek models Nvidia DeepSeek is the new rage in Artificial Intelligence, drawing comparison with ChatGPT, and its recent launch was the signal for a collapse of Nvidia shares Nvidia is not just a leading chipmaker, but a specialist in making chips for AI applications That DeepSeek was developed with fewer and less advanced chips, and that its operation also needed fewer chips meant that Nvidia s chips were not needed so much and their stock price went down Not just that, but the huge investments being made by such companies as Google and Meta in AI, primarily in the shape of setting up data centres were now viewed negatively by the stock market
One of the more interesting aspects of the affair has been the use of Cold War language by a xenophobic USA, with one US reaction being that it was a Sputnik moment The USA was shocked by the USSR’s launch of a satellite Sputnik, before it did, in 1957 This was celebrated by the USSR as a victory in the Cold War and is accounted as the launch of the ‘Space Race’which culminated in 1069 with the 1969 moon landing It was some of the hangover of that that the USA has insisted that it was the world’s premier power in all scientific and technological fields, AI included DeepSeek was considered a Chinese achievement rather than merely a technological one, and fitted itself into the prevalent conflict paradigm
It might seem paradoxical that Deepseek has to compete with another Chinese AI model, Alibaba s Qwen 2 5 but it makes sense once one realizes that the competition is not national, but commercial The turmoil in tech stocks should make it clear that the future of technological applications and not just AI will be in turmoil as Mankind adapts AI is in its early stages, which means that developing countries like China (and Pakistan) have a chance they do not have of competing with countries with long histories of excellence in such fields as heavy industry
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami
Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
The best of a bad bargain?
commission on the 9 May 2023 and November 26 in-
TH E replacement of KP CM Ali Amin Gandpur as PTI KP President may seem more symbolic than anything else, but it takes from him the party office that made him CM in the first place It is possible that this is the first step by which PTI founder Imran Khan will sack him as CM despite denials having been issued The KP CMship looms large for the PTI, more so than for the traditional mainstream parties, the PPP and the PML(N) That is because the province is a bastion, which it has ruled since 2013, with the last election resulting in its strongest showing so far KP proved the springboard from which the PTI achieved national power in 2018 It catapulted the PTI s first CM Pervez Khattak into the National Assembly where he became Defence Minister in Imran Cabinet Khattak was accompanied from Peshawar to Islamabad by Ali Amin Gandapur, who had been a member of his Cabinet as Revenue Minister and who became Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Minister Thus Imran by making him KP President when Mahmud Khan left the party along with Pervez Khattak, was merely returning him to the province And when the PTI swept the province in the 2024 elections, Ali Amin became CM One of the ministers he inducted in his Cabinet was Shakeel Ahmad Khan from Malakand Shakeel was a veteran having been Ganadpur s colleague in the Khattak Cabinet from 2013 to 2018 where he was a special assistant to CM with the Social Welfare portfolio After the 2018 election, he was inducted into Mehmood Khan s Cabinet, succeeding to Gandapur ’s Revenue portfolio When Gandapur became CM he inducted Shakeel as Communication and Works Minister He left the Cabinet in August 2024 after having been inducted in March alleging that his department s secretary had released Rs 6 87 billion to contractors without his knowledge in May and June, keeping 10 percent to 20 percent as commission, including Rs 200 million paid to Gandapur and Rs 100 million to ‘influential circles’, He resigned from the Cabinet though he remains an MPA He was supported in all of this by his MNA a certain Junaid Akbar Khan Gandpur had earlier appointed him a Focal Person He was sacked from that when he threw his weight behind Shakeel, and was also removed from all his party posts This created ripples in the KP PTI, and would have created a national stink had the rest of the country not been distracted by the travails of Imran Khan and the party s convulsive efforts to get Imran released Gandapur made himself important to Khan by placing himself at the forefront of the efforts to get him released, including a meeting with COAS Gen Asim Munir However, that effort seems to have fizzled out, with Imran having refused to continue with the talks with the government until the formation of a judicial
cidents Speaker Ayaz Sadiq still fixed a date for the committee s next meeting at which the government would present its reply to the PTI s demands The PTI team did not turn up, and that was that By replacing Gandapur in his party office by someone who is openly an opponent, Imran has signalled his displeasure with him but has not really worked to replace him There is a very delicate balance at play for Junaid is not a replacement not unless he was to find a seat in the KP Assembly Another option would be to have Shakeel become CM As there might have to be a placeholder until Junaid found a seat, Shakeel could play that part If Imran wished to keep both Junaid and Gandapur within the party he would have to tread very carefully and even then find it impossible It is even possible that he took the step knowing that Gandapur would probably have to go Gandapur has developed a reputation for being one of the loudmouths favoured by Imran from the time when, as the Kashmir Affairs Minister, he was banned from taking part in campaign rallies in the 2021 AJK election after remarks against Maryam Nawaz who was not yet Punjab CM However it was after his spell in Sukkur Jail (where he cut off his trademark long hair) that he rose to prominence within the party He has easily been the most recognizable figure within the party, particularly because he was now CM of the PTI’s most important province He was thus seen as crucial to the struggle to free Imran The failure to get him out thus led to him being criticized He and Sher Afzal Marwat seem to be at loggerheads with Marwat apparently
The inability of the PTI to hang on to its KP CMs does not simply mean that it has problems in its home province, but that its selection process is flawed At present, there is no process, strictly speaking, beyond ImranÊs whim, with personal loyalty at a premium That does not seem to be working, and whatever the respective fates of Gandapur and Junaid Akbar, the par ty is bound to lose out, as contenders concentrate on getting ImranÊs ear rather than performing
Awidely debated event given its most important strategic and political consequences This time is no exception, as the outcome, once again holds significant ramifications for the international political arena Trump’s return to the Oval Office is not so much a political return as a seismic shift in global politics A comeback that will determine the fate of several alliances along with the making and breaking of the alliances From trade wars to territorial disputes his re-election as a global king will shuffle power dynamics in the region that could either ignite global rivalries or forge unexpected and strategic alliances The most important conflict in world politics is the ongoing conflict of Israel-Palestine which has driven the attention of the world s social scientists The crisis in the Middle East must be dealt with humanely, and immediately The president-elect Donald Trump aimed to bring peace in the Middle East but his return to the Oval Office is set to bring Gaza only more deaths and destruction His staff filled with a pro-Israeli approach, undoubtedly, will stick to the script given by Trump Trump has wasted no time in appointing a cadre of Pro-Israeli hardliners that might hinder the peace process in the region
The staff including Mike Huckabee (expected to serve as the U S ambassador to Israel), Mike Waltz (National Security Advisor), and Macro Rubio (Secretary of State), have issued several statements that unambiguously reflect the overarching mindset of the President-elect’s team and its potential policy for the region of the Middle East These reflections on Trump s foreign policy remark a historic alignment with Trump s historic approach to the region, characterized by a focus on transactional relationships and a potential pivotal in foreign relations
Huckabee had said that there is really no such thing as a Palestinian Whereas National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in an interview had said to let Israel finish the job These statements carry significant weight in the realm of international politics and reflect one s intention, especially for the country which dominates the global politics The ramifications of these statements are profound because they can shift the diplomatic ties and shape perceptions on a global scale Trump and his pro-Israel hardliner administration is expected to implement a foreign policy that will ultimately benefit the interests of both the USA and Israel This
Decoding the Semantics of Power
approach however seems to disregard humanitarian treatment raising serious concerns for regional stability
Throughout his presidency, Trump had consistently provided unwavering support for Israel, exemplified by an initiative such as the Trump Peace Plan of 2020 that legitimized Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the remaining territories of Palestine Any new developments between Israel and Palestine during Trump s second term are likely to be influenced by the framework that prioritized the interests of Israel and the USA itself, along with the power politics in the region Prior to this the Biden Administration upheld the administrative legacy associated with the office of the American presidency suggesting that no shift in policy for Palestine is anticipated Historically, the US Administration has supported the Jewish stance, explicitly rejecting Palestinian cause, and this approach has supported an objective of the USA that aligns with the historic US pro-Israeli foreign policy Given this context it is unlikely that any positive changes will occur in the Administration s stance regarding Middle East affairs
Donald Trump has consistently expressed support for Israel in his various public statements and media talks Following the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023 he described the event as one of the darkest hours in human history along with criticism of the US administration s response Trump has strongly endorsed Israel s right to self-defence as well, stating that “Do what you have to do in order to protect your country, we will support Israel to win its war on terror” Additionally Trump has openly supported the Israeli military s action against Hamas including elimination of Yahya Sinwar (the Hamas leader) In an interview Trump commented, I don t think he was a good guy, and Netanyahu is doing a great job ” Trump’s one-sided and biased rhetoric has unequivocally expressed his intentions regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict favoring the interests of both the USA and Israel while
completely disregarding humane treatment of Palestinians Trump will maintain the legacy that the White House has been known for and his second tenure promises the continuation of the policies always adopted by US presidents The policies adopted by US presidents have mainly centered on the suppression of Palestinians through territorial gains and genocidal actions to maintain regional influence His second tenure would be closer to the imposition of ‘Greater Israel’ on the region
policies championed by his anti-Palestinian
shape the potential US policies for the IsraelPalestine conflict The legacy of unwavering support for Israel’s genocidal activities that Tr
persist prioritizing the eco-strategic policy of the USA The continuation of
FUUAST financial crisis
tenure will reinforce the policies championed by his anti-Palestinian staff, whose pro-Israel hardliner views will shape the potential US policies for the Israel-Palestine conflict. The legacy of unwavering suppor t for IsraelÊs genocidal activities that Trump has consistently advocated for, will persist, prioritizing the eco-strategic policy of the USA
SAjjAd AlI
Tlives livelihoods and landscapes Known for its colorful culture and serene desert beauty, Thar was long synonymous with joy and abundance during the monsoon rains For generations, rainfall signified nature’s blessings bringing life and food security to the desert
The romanticism associated with rain has however transformed into dread The rising frequency of lightning incidents has overshadowed the joyous anticipation of the monsoon season, replacing hope with uncertainty and fear Myths and misinformation surrounding these tragedies exacerbate the anxiety leaving communities struggling to adapt to this alarming new reality
Since 2011 the Tharparkar region has witnessed a dramatic surge in lightning-related incidents, leading to an increasing toll of casualties and livestock losses The lack of preparedness and awareness among communities amplifies their vulnerability heightening the mental and emotional stress in an already challenging environment What was once a desert known for its resilience and beauty has now turned into a region plagued by zn exceptionally high number of lightning strikes According to studies, the Thar region experiences an estimated annual average of 100 000 lightning strikes significantly higher than the global average of 25 000 This alarming phenomenon can be attributed to the unique environmental, geographical, and climatic conditions of the area, making Tharparkar a compelling focus for scientific research
The rising incidence of lightning in Tharparkar is closely tied to global climate change Increasing global temperatures have intensified weather patterns, leading to more frequent and severe thunderstorms Higher temperatures accelerate evaporation, introducing greater moisture into the atmosphere and fueling powerful storms
As a result the frequency and intensity of lightning events in Tharparkar have grown noticeably creating new challenges
for local communities and infrastructure
Additionally human activities such as deforestation and land degradation further exacerbate the situation These activities disrupt regional weather patterns and may intensify the severity of thunderstorms, increasing the likelihood of lightning strikes Understanding these complex interactions is essential for mitigating risks and developing effective interventions
In response to this growing crisis, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh, in collaboration with the Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP) and with funding support from WHH has launched a project to investigate the causes impacts and precautions related to lightning in Tharparkar Primary and secondary data collected during this initiative reveal the devastating toll of lightning incidents over the last five years (2019-2024) In this period alone 98 human lives were lost 33 individuals were injured and 1 756 animals perished due to lightning strikes These losses underscore the urgent need for effective measures to address the crisis and protect vulnerable communities
To address this issue, two key consultation workshops were organized one at the divisional level and another at the provincial level These workshops brought together stakeholders to discuss the challenges posed by lightning and explore solutions Participants emphasized the need to enhance public awareness and community outreach through diverse mediums and platforms Key recommendations emerging from these consultations included:
1 Establishing a qualitative and effective Early Warning System at the district level
2 C
training programs for Union Councillevel cohorts
3 Developing an inter-agency coordination and communication plan with a focus on taluka-level Responsibility Focused Action
4 Strengthening local-level preparedness to ensure effective incident response plans
The Executive Director of FRDP highlighted the critical role of fostering collaborations and establishing long-term
How I’ll rebuild public trust in the FBI
Mr Patel is President Trump’s nominee for FBI direc tor This is adapted from opening remarks he prepared for his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciar y Committee
public-private partnerships He stressed the importance of building resilient communities capable of withstanding the challenges posed by climate change ensuring a safer and more prosperous future for all Mr Imdad Hussain Siddiqui, Director of Operations at PDMA Sindh, described this joint initiative as a significant step forward He emphasized the need for an inclusive provincial disaster policy grounded in scientific evidence to address the challenges posed by lightning strikes effectively He further highlighted that, alongside public education and awareness campaigns, the project includes the installation of communal lightning protection rods in hotspot areas to mitigate risks Mr Babar Ali Advisor Humanitarian at WHH elaborated on the importance of localization in humanitarian efforts He highlighted WHH s TOGETHER initiative, which empowers local humanitarian partners to lead transformative actions The initiative focuses on localization timely and accountable assistance aligned with international standards and capacity strengthening Implemented in eight countries its core elements include local leadership, governance, humanitarian capacity building, advocacy, and localization of efforts In collaboration with PDMA Sindh, the FRDP team conducted assessments to document safety measures adopted by communities and identify hotspot areas for intervention Together with an academic partner, they designed awareness sessions and radio messages to educate the general public about lightning safety Hotspot areas were prioritized for the installation of communal Early Streamer Emission devices as a pilot risk mitigation measure These devices based on advanced technology are intended to provide a higher level of protection against lightning strikes in vulnerable areas
Saropchand Malhi, a representative of the District Disaster Management Authority described the urgency of the situation “We jointly with stakeholders are visiting villages like Ikraro which recorded some 65 lightning incidents in 2024 alone, he stated This highlights the immediate need for targeted interventions and sustained efforts to safeguard lives and livelihoods in the region The collaboration between PDMA Sindh FRDP and WHH represents a multifaceted approach to tackling the lightning crisis in Tharparkar By combining scientific research, community engagement, and public-private partnerships, this initiative aims to build a foundation for long-term resilience The installation of ESE
By addressing the root causes of the lightning crisis and empowering communities with knowledg e and resources, Tharparkar can once again be a land of hope and vitality, where rain is celebrated as a blessing rather than feared as a harbing er of destruction.
responsibility of the Justice Department, not the FBI If confirmed, I will guide the agency in investigating criminals and safeguarding the homeland
Each step in my career has reinforced my commitment to due process and transparency For the first eight years after law school I served as a public defender first with the Miami-Dade Public Defender s Office and later in the federal Southern District of Florida I represented defendants accused of horrific crimes Ensuring that they receive due process is fundamental to our justice system It is what distinguishes us from totalitarian regimes I joined the Obama Justice Department as a national-security prosecutor I contributed to the successful prosecutions of terrorists from organizations such as al Qaeda and al-Shabaab, at home and abroad
I was honored to receive the 2017 Assistant Attorney General’s Award from Loretta Lynch
for helping Uganda bring members of alShabaab to justice for the 2010 bombing that killed 76 people, including one American I was also proud to receive the Humint Award from the intelligence community for related work My experiences at the Justice Department at the National Security Council leading counterterrorism policy as deputy director of national intelligence and as chief of staff at the Defense Department provided me with a firsthand understanding of the persistent threats to our nation and the critical role the FBI plays in keeping Americans safe But my time on the House Intelligence Committee revealed how the FBI s immense powers can be abused I spearheaded the investigation that found the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act a tool I had previously used to hunt down terrorists had been unlawfully used to spy on political opponents Such misconduct is unacceptable and undermines public trust The erosion of trust is evident: Only 40% of Americans hold a favorable view of the FBI This must change Public cooperation is vital for the bureau to solve crimes, and its declining reputation is already affecting recruitment efforts Violent crime is destroying families across the nation We can’t afford a lack of trust in the institution mandated to protect them Rebuilding that trust is vital to ensuring the FBI can carry out its mission effectively If confirmed I intend to collaborate closely with the Justice Department to bring safety and relief to American communities Gallup recently reported that nearly half of all Americans the highest in three decades would be afraid to walk alone at night within a mile of their home Little wonder when the country sees 20 000 homicides and 110 000 rapes a year and 200 drug overdoses a day Violent crime demands immediate action We ve also seen the FBI at its best Recently in Oklahoma, agents foiled a planned ISIS attack, and in Colleyville, Texas, they courageously neutralized a terrorist holding synagogue congregants hostage These examples showcase the FBI s capability to protect Americans and underscore why restoring public confidence in the bureau is critical I believe two foundational steps are necessary to rebuild public confidence in the FBI First, let good cops be cops Leadership means supporting agents in their mission to apprehend criminals and protect our citizens If confirmed I will focus on streamlining operations at headquarters while bolstering the presence of field agents across the nation Collaboration with local law enforcement is crucial to fulfilling the FBI’s mission Second, transparency is essential Members of Congress have hundreds of unanswered requests to the FBI If confirmed I will be a strong advocate for congressional oversight ensuring that the FBI operates with the openness necessary to rebuild trust by simply replying to lawmakers I am committed to working alongside the dedicated men and women of the FBI They are our warriors of justice and I will always have their backs because they have the backs of the American people
LS T week, senior Hamas and United States officials expressed to the media their mutual willingness to engage in a dialogue The statements by senior Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk and US presidential Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff most likely meant to test the waters for future diplomatic moves, perhaps due to their shared recognition that Israel s current warmaking frenzy in the region, which could soon reach Iran, is bad news for all concerned US President Donald Trump has repeatedly shown his intention to end the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine
demonstrate during the ceasefire that
still in control of Gaza and remains an important political group among the Palestinians In this context the sudden inclination by the US and Hamas towards dialogue should be taken seriously and explored carefully because it is possible and in the best interest of all concerned in the Middle East and beyond There is certainly a wide gulf between the two actors: Washington has been deeply complicit in Israel s genocidal devastation in Gaza, while the Hamas resistance movement is widely seen as a terrorist organisation by much of the West
But this is precisely why they must meet talk and accurately identify each other s positions and potential to shift from militarism to peacemaking
The ongoing ceasefire is an opportunity to launch this process, which is why completing its three phases should now be the top priority Effective Israeli propaganda has long demonised Hamas in the West as a reckless and vicious terror group that wants to destroy Israel The reality however is that Hamas has been a successful Palestinian national political organisation because it has combined
Zaheer Udin BaBar JUneJo
Thar from colours to clouds of fear
Moonis Alvi,
Mother of Federal Information Minister listens to public complaints at open cour t in NA-127
A public hearing (Khuli Kacheri) was held at the
NAB and OPF sign MoU to strengthen cooperation
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Ministry of Overseas Pakistani & HRD in a ceremony, today at NAB Headquarters Director General, (Welfare & Services Division ( OPF Mrs Laeeqa Ambreen and Director General (A&P) NAB Mr Izhar Ahmed Awan signed the MoU in the presence of Chairman
in NA-127 with the goal of transforming each UC into a model council Additionally, she mentioned that, following the directives of the Chief Minister of Punjab, the registration process for the Ramadan package for underprivileged individuals is currently underway
with camps set up across the constituency for this purpose Sajida Farooq Tarar also highlighted that the government s positive measures have led to a significant reduction in inflation, and they are committed to ensuring that these benefits reach the common people
valuations VR-1958 & VR-1959 dated 17-1-2025 As a local tyre producer and one of the major stakeholders in the industry, we wish to highlight that in light of the recent ITP valuation we were unfortunately not consulted “This lack of consultation is concerning and undermines the contributions
NAQvi uPdAtes PM ON ANti-HuMAN tRAFFiCKiNg CRACKdOwN, us visit
RAWALPINDI S TA F F R E P O R T Security forces neutralized six Khawarij and two soldiers including a Major embraced martyrdom, during an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali area the military media wing reported on Thursday According to a statement InterService Public Relations (ISPR) on night 29/30 January 2025 security forces conducted an intelligence based operation in General Area Mir Ali, North Waziristan district on reported presence of Khwarij During the conduct of operation own troops effectively en-
gaged the khwarij location and resultantly six Khwarij were sent to hell the statement added However during intense fire exchange, Major Hamza Israr (age: 29 years, resident of district Rawalpindi), a brave officer who was leading his troops from the front and Sepoy Muhammad Naeem (age: 26 years resident of district Naseerabad) having fought gallantly paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat, the ISPR said The statement said, Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipeout the menace of terrorism from
the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve PM, DPM, MINISTERS and COAS Attend funeral of Major Hamza Israr Meanwhile the funeral prayer of Major Hamza Israr Shaheed (aged 29 resident of District Rawalpindi), who embraced martyrdom while valiantly defending the motherland in Mir Ali, was solemnly offered at Chaklala Garrison Rawalpindi Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, the Defence Minister, the Information Minister, and General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M) Chief of Army Staff (COAS) attended the funeral
A large number of senior serving and retired military officers soldiers, and the bereaved family members of the fallen hero also paid their respects While honouring the sacrifices of Pakistan’s valiant martyrs the Prime Minister reaffirmed the nation s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism
