PM EMPHASIZES POLITICAL STABILIT Y FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
(SIFC) convened 11th
Meeting on Thursday to review various initiatives being steered through the forum The meeting was chaired by Prime
Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and attended by Chief of the Army Staff Federal Cabinet, Provincial Chief Ministers, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan and high level government officials Secretary Apex Committee briefed the forum about strategic focus initiatives and contributions of SIFC to support National Economic Transformation Plan 2024-2029 Uraan Pakistan The committee showed profound satisfaction in improving the macro-economic conditions of the country while emphasizing upon the importance of collective efforts for ensuring unhindered economic growth and passing on the dividends to the masses
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on
sought more time for consultation with
s
Khan on the final negotiation agenda, as the second meeting of the government-opposition negotiation committee concluded successfully, according to Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Speaking to the media after the negotiations the NA speaker said that during the previous meeting it was decided that the PTI would present its demands in the second round However, the PTI has requested additional time, citing the need for further consultation with Imran on a “conclusive list” of demands
“The hope is that we will have the third meeting next week he said Ayaz Sadiq termed second round of the govt-opposition pleasant saying they were held in an even more cordial atmosphere than before In particular, he pointed out that CM Gandapur had given very commendable suggestions and advice and “poured out his heart”
“The most beautiful result of all this was that everyone decided to sit down and talk on Pakistan s betterment whether about the economy terrorism or any other issue
It is to be noted that the first meeting between committees representing the government and the opposition PTI took place on Dec 23, to defuse prevailing political tensions
A notification issued by the National Assembly (NA) Secretariat on Monday said that NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq would chair an in-camera meeting of the second round between the negotiating teams of the federal government and PTI on January 2 (Thursday) The meeting kicked off under the NA speaker s oversight and was attended by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur PTI MNA Asad Qaiser Sunni Ittehad Council chief Hamid Raza Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen chief Senator Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja from the opposition Meanwhile, the government side was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui PPP MNAs Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Naveed Qamar Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah
term framework for deregulating Pakistan s sugar industry stressing the need for data accuracy crop zoning and backward integration to enhance productivity and export potential Chairing a meeting of the Prime Minister ’s Committee on Sugar Stocking Forecasting and Planning Iqbal emphasized the importance of effective coordination among government institutions to ensure timely and evidencebased decisions The meeting was notified in December 2024 to address challenges in sugar stock monitoring and export planning The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister of State for Finance Ali Parvez Malik and representatives from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) SUPARCO and the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), among others The PSMA representatives highlighted persistent issues with obtaining accurate data noting that most sugar mills fail to provide timely information They acknowledged FBR s collaboration last year which improved data verification, and suggested establishing a single data source to enhance accuracy PSMA also proposed an annual review of sugar mill performance ex-
pressing concerns about financial paralysis caused by price controls, despite successful exports They praised the government’s track-and-trace system for curbing sugar smuggling Minister Iqbal called for greater collaboration with SUPARCO for satellite-based data gathering and directed relevant ministries to address data inconsistencies Experts and researchers must unify data sets to solve the problem of variance ” he said emphasizing the importance of accurate reporting for policy decisions He proposed a medium-term
Pakistan Hotels DeveloPers Pl aceD
operations, subject to shareholder approval As part of the winding-up process, the Board approved a declaration of solvency under Rule 269 of the Companies (Court) Rules 1997 confirming PHDL s ability to settle its liabilities
and will be suspended entirely from January 21, 2025 As part of the regulatory requirements, the PSX will take further action in accordance with its regulations upon the appointment of a liquidator or official liquidator for PHDL Stakeholders and market participants have been advised to take note of these developments Earlier, on December 2, PHDL Board finalised plans to voluntarily wind up its
The Board also proposed the appointment of five liquidators to manage the dissolution process The team includes Mohsin Ferozuddin, Masroor F Baweja, Muzaffar Baweja Zaheer Baweja and Zubairuddin Baweja
PHDL which has been a key player in Karachi s hospitality landscape notably through its flagship property, Regent Plaza Hotel, situated on Shahra-e-Faisal, sold Regent Plaza to the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant (SIUT) in 2023
(OMCs) in Pakistan reported sales of 1 28 million tons in
but relatively flat YoY with a marginal 1% dip For 1HFY25 MS sales climbed 5% YoY to 3 75 million tons
High-speed diesel (HSD) showed strong YoY growth in December, increasing 12% to 0 57 million tons though it posted a 27% MoM
2024, reflecting a 3% year-on-year (YoY) increase but a significant 19% decline compared to November according to the latest data The month-on-month (MoM) drop highlights seasonal variations During the first half of fiscal year 2024-25 (1HFY25), total OMC sales reached 8 03 million tons, marking a 4% YoY increase The recovery is attributed to a government crackdown on smuggled Iranian fuel and notable reductions in petrol and diesel prices November 2024 witnessed petroleum sales surge to a 25-month high at 1 58 million tons, largely driven by these factors For calendar year 2024 (CY24), total petroleum
companies (NATs) outpaced multinational corporations (MNCs) in
growth
(22
for
versus 19
MNCs) and
commanding
with
59 percent of the
in terms of value While the deregulation policy has boosted the pharmaceutical industry, it has led to a sharp increase in medicine prices placing a heavy burden on consumers Despite the sector s success the economy s overall stagnation continues to pose challenges for other industries, including large-scale manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and services, which have shown little or no growth during the same period
COMMENT
December inflation
Inflation may be entering recessionar y territor y
TH E inflation figure for December was 4 1 percent, the lowest in 40 months, and belied the State Bank of Pakistan s prediction of an uptick in the inflation rate With inflation hitting 4 9 percent in November, such a prediction was in line with Pakistan’s historical inflation rate but December has yielded an even lower rate which has meant that Pakistan has moved from stagflation when high inflation is accompanied by low growth to a deflation where prices have started to come down but growth also remains low There are some positives for the government when prices remain low not least the inevitable relief that will come when the interest rate comes down and debt servicing shrinks After all, from a high of 22 percent, the interest rate has come down to 13 percent With inflation at 4 1 percent, the interest rate will have to come down further, probably to single digits It can be noticed that the SBP is running out of wiggle room One of the more misleading positives would be the inevitable rally on the stock market, as interest rates go down, and stocks returns become better investments That rally seems to have already started, leading to the impression that stocks may be over-valued One negative for the government is that lower inflation means that there will be a lower nominal growth of the economy Apparently the FBR’s collection projection was based on 16% nominal growth which is now down to eight percent The FBR
are about the same as the CBR shortfall This seems a singularly unimaginative way of utilizing that windfall While the government may use this latest decline as a debating point, it might also keep in mind that it will not profit politically unless the consumer feels the benefit It should remember that the voter is notoriously ungrateful Only if his income increases more than prices, if he is in employment, will he be impressed by the quality of economic management Also, the government must ensure that inflation remains low for a long time before the voter notices Ans then to avoid a recession it must ensure strong growth Inflation is very important but there is much else
Talking about talks
TH E talks between the government and the PTI could have hit a snag because of the sentencing by military convicts of 85 persons accused of involvement in the May 9 incidents, and as there is no breakdown, that would itself indicate that there have been preliminary talks in which it was agreed that the PTI would not resist the process of punishment of those who had taken part in those attacks
The convictions may have been an inevitability after the Supreme Court s Constitutional Bench allowed the announcement of those decisions, after they had initially been stopped on the grounds that the military courts had no business trying civilians However the effect of social media was probably unexpected True when it came to choosing between Imran and the armed forces some chose Imran That might have been true for many of those who escaped punishment, but many of those involved posted videos of themselves in action on social media
The motive of those videos was probably to catch the eye of the party Chairman but it provided evidence against them In a way it is a little like what some Israeli soldiers are doing in Gaza: posting videos of their misdeeds there and incidentally providing evidence of war crimes
If the perpetrators of the attacks had refrained from making those videos, they might have escaped punishment because there might have been some difficulty in pinning responsibility on them as that would have depended on other evidence rather than the readymade videos that were at hand The role of those videos in building opinion against them was also considerable
One of the issues raised in the inaugural session of the government-PTI talks was the fate of all political prisoners Of course in the realpolitik of negotiation no obstacle is going to be insuperable but there is going to be a difference when negotiating about prisoners who are waiting trial or undergoing it, and those who have been convicted and sentenced, and are now serving that sentence
Though the PTI has for the time being equated Imran and the other workers that equation no longer exists not that it ever really had For a start Imran has successfully resisted attempts to put him in military custody He has also so far avoided undergoing trial by court martial As for the cases against him in an anti-terrorist court, he has succeeded in obtaining bail The convictions has relieved some of the pressure on him, because it means that the perpetrators of the May 9 attacks especially those who posted videos of themselves and thus outraged opinion within the military and among the families of the martyrs whose monuments were desecrated had been punished However, the course of the talks will demonstrate whether enough has been done It should be remembered that the May 9 attacks were not merely an attack on an institution but have
The sanctions dilemma
been interpreted as an attempt to challenge its discipline and chain of command Fixing responsibility on Imran would involve demonstrating how May 9 was planned as an insurrection It should be remembered that institutional pressure would exist for such a fixing of responsibility, and the leadership of the institution may find itself merely acting as a conduit for that pressure This creates a problem especially for the government negotiators The fate of Imran or the military court convicts cannot become bargaining chips but have to take due effect This is problematic also for the PTI, for while it may conceivably throw the May 9 convicts under the bus in return for Imran being treated leniently, what if Imran cannot be treated leniently? What incentive does the PTI have to keep negotiating? In the second round the demands were basically two both of them combining two demands together By merging the release of Imran and the others, the PTI is apparently making two points: first, no one is being thrown under the bus; second, the óthers’re not just can on fodder for Imran The second point is more aimed at the PTI cadres about whom it is being assumed that leaving workers in jail will cause disaffection The PTI s purpose of negotiation is to get Imran released, not because he has been broken by the experience, but because there seems no other path to power Because his release is necessary for grabbing the attention of the establishment the need is being felt to place the blame for two incidents away from the PTI That is perhaps why there is a single judicial commission being asked for the May 9 and November 26 incidents One is something the PTI claims it didn t do, for it has made obvious the analysis that the establishment was guilty, through agents provocateurs of the attacks on military installations As for November 26 the PTI is still adamant and though it has moderated the number of dead from hundreds to 12 it still
Now the talks are taking place, with the PTI getting postponement of the presentation of demands, which it will at the next meeting, which will take place after a PTI team meets Imran in jail. At least now he is meeting political subordinates, which had been prevented before . At least that has been gained. One step at a time .
TH E Biden Administration s recent decision to sanction four Pakistani entities, including the National Development Complex (NDC) and three commercial organizations raises serious questions about Washington s policy in South Asia
This move highlights a pattern of double standards and biases that could destabilize the region and undermine security Pakistan has consistently emphasized that its missile programme is solely defensive, aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty in a region characterized by significant military asymmetry particularly concerning its eastern neighbour India Given India s growing defense capabilities including its advanced missile programmes, Pakistan s need for credible deterrence is not only understandable but essential to maintaining strategic balance in South Asia Pakistan’s missile programme is part of a broader security framework designed to protect the nation s sovereignty particularly in the face of India s increasing defense capabilities India has a growing nuclear arsenal and a robust missile development programme, yet it has not faced similar sanctions from the USA This selective enforcement of non-proliferation norms, where Pakistan faces sanctions while India’s missile development is tacitly approved is a glaring example of Washington s double standards Such disparity not only undermines the credibility of US foreign policy but also shows a perception of bias in its approach to South Asia This inconsistency is troubling given the delicate security dynamics of the region where any misstep could easily escalate tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbours
The selective application of non-proliferation policies also raises critical questions about the true motivations behind the US actions If the goal is genuinely to promote global security and prevent the spread of dangerous technologies why are Pakistan’s defensive measures singled out while India s similar actions are overlooked or even encouraged?
When viewed within the broader context of global arms development and technology transfer, the USA has, for decades, provided military assistance to India, including advanced technologies under the premise of positioning India as a counterbalance to China However this
strategy is fundamentally flawed India has repeatedly confirmed that it prioritizes its national interests over alignment with the US objectives For instance India’s neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict and its continued defence cooperation with Russia particularly the acquisition of the S-400 missile defense system despite US opposition, showcase India s unwillingness to fully align with the USA s geopolitical goals Moreover, India’s cautious approach to sensitive issues like the South China Sea where it has refrained from directly confronting China further illustrates its pursuit of strategic autonomy As a result the assumption that India will act as a reliable partner in the US-led effort to counter China is unrealistic and counterproductive, weakening the coherence of US strategy in both South Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region The notion that sanctions can undermine Pakistan s defence capabilities which are central to its deterrence strategy is both unreasonable and dangerous Such measures place Pakistan in a position where it must defend its sovereignty while contending with external pressures that attempt to curtail its ability to protect itself This situation leads to a crucial question where should Pakistan turn for its security guarantees? Ideally the USA as a leading global power should play a role in promoting peace and stability in South Asia However, its policies are exacerbating regional tensions and compelling Pakistan to seek alternative security arrangements In the face of a growing Indian hegemony Pakistan has little choice but to explore other options for ensuring its strategic autonomy which may involve strengthening ties with other global powers, forging stronger regional partnerships, or further enhancing its defence capabili-
ties Nonetheless, by pursuing policies that target Pakistan specifically the USA is contributing to an environment of insecurity that undermines regional peace and stability Furthermore the imposition of sanctions on commercial entities allegedly linked to Pakistan s missile programme adds another layer of complexity The USA has, in the past, imposed similar sanctions based on vague suspicions rather than concrete evidence This approach is deeply problematic as it damages Pakistan s commercial sectors without providing any substantial proof of wrongdoing The arbitrary nature of such decisions underscores the fundamental flaw in Washington s approach, sanctions are being imposed based on assumptions not verifiable facts By adopting such methods the USA risks undermining global non-proliferation norms while simultaneously reinforcing the perception that sanctions are being used as a political tool rather than a legitimate means of addressing security concerns
The latest round of US sanctions on Pakistan represents a misguided attempt to curb the country’s missile programme without considering the broader regional security context The selective application of non-proliferation norms coupled with the strategic bias towards India is detrimental to the stability of South Asia If the USA is genuinely committed to promoting global security, it must adopt a more balanced and impartial approach to defence issues in the region one that recognizes the legitimate security concerns of all countries involved Until then Pakistan will be forced to continue seeking alternative solutions to secure its interests, a situation that only deepens the risks of conflict and regional instability
The writer is Research Officer at Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN) Quetta He can be reached at muneebnasar@yahoo com
The latest round of US sanctions on Pakistan represents a misguided attempt to curb the countr yÊs missile programme without considering the broader regional security context The selective application of non-proliferation norms, coupled with the strategic bias towards India, is detrimental to the stability of South Asia If the USA is g enuinely committed to promoting global security, it must adopt a more balanced and impar tial approach to defence issues in the region, one that recogniz es the legitimate security concerns of all countries involved. Until then, Pakistan will be forced to continue seeking alternative solutions to secure its interests, a situation that only deepens the risks of conflict and regional instability.
Children nur turing nature
It has a huge cricket ground and a proper school building The school turned 85 recently, and it was celebrated by planting 85 fruit-bearing trees
All the teachers, including their principal, participated in the event The children, assisted by their teachers and parents, planted the trees The trees were donated by a group formed by a young, energetic business school graduate to make Karachi green
These young children will water and look after these trees
Soon the trees will outgrow their planters and nurturers and start to bear fruit by the time these KG students reach class IV Their fruits will attract parrots bulbuls cuckoos butterflies and bees
These living elements are becoming rare in Karachi especially in the densely populated areas like Soldier Bazar They will add some more shade for birds animals and humans
All public and private schools should follow suit This simple yet significant step will certainly help us overcome the rising pollution in the city, and preserve whatever wildlife we have left in this concrete jungle called Karachi
S NAYYAR IQBAL RAZA KARACHI
Lack of accountabilit y
T H E Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009 had granted the so-called self-rule to the people of GilgitBaltistan (GB), establishing a de facto province-like status without following the constitutional requirements, and declaring it a part of Pakistan
Earlier, Gen Ziaul Haq had constituted a special committee to determine the status of Northern Areas
In one of the meetings, the resident commissioner expressed the public desire to have the region attached with Punjab A bureaucrat hailing from the Northern Areas, who was assisting the meeting as the committee secretary confronted him
He told the committee that not a single soul in the region wanted attachment to any province Instead the people wanted full constitutional rights This was some four decades ago mind you Infrastructure projects in the region have often been awarded to firms that have a history of bypassing approved plans and making changes that suit them rather than the people
There have been instances when entire tunnels have been done away with Yet, the administration has cleared the bills without asking where the funds and then tunnels had gone
The entire country is suffering from lack of transparency and accountability Sadly, the people of GB, without any constitutional protection and representation, cannot even ask about
the
MuNeeb ur rAhMAN
Will 2025 be better for Pakistan than 2024?
TH E year 2024 was a defining period for Pakistan, marked by political upheaval constitutional controversies and economic struggles The year began with severe economic challenges in January including skyrocketing inflation, low GDP growth, and rising unemployment Political tensions heightened as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf continued protests and sit-ins demanding early elections In response to the growing unrest the much-anticipated general elections were held on February 8 following a delay from 2023
The general elections were marred by widespread allegations of rigging, particularly against the military establishment, which was accused of manipulating results to favour the PML(N) and to marginalize the PTI
The PTI organized nationwide protests demanding the restoration of what it termed its stolen mandate and the release of detained party leaders The PTI also called for a boycott of products from companies owned by the armed forces and threatened civil disobedience escalating tensions The party accused the military of permeating civilian decision-making processes and undermining democratic institutions
The US State Department called for a transparent investigation into the alleged irregularities, emphasizing the importance of adherence to democratic principles Additionally over 60 Democratic lawmakers in the US House of Representatives urged President Joe Biden to leverage US influence to secure Khan s release Richard Grenell, a close aide of the US President-elect Donald Trump, publicly criticized the Pakistani government’s actions expressing support for Khan and condemning the alleged electoral
manipulation In response to both domestic and international pressure, the Pakistani government initiated negotiations with the PTI
To consolidate power the new government enacted significant legislative and constitutional amendments in 2024 In October Parliament passed the 26th Amendment to the Constitution, introducing controversial changes to the judiciary This amendment shifted the appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan to a Special Parliamentary Committee replacing the seniority-based system and fixed the Chief Justice s tenure at three years Additionally, amendments were made to election laws, effectively disabling the functioning of Election Tribunals and frustrating the Supreme Court’s rulings on electoral disputes Alongside these developments stricter internet regulations were implemented to curb misinformation and dissent heightening fears over the erosion of freedom of expression and the suppression of political dissent
In November, the National Assembly approved amendments extending the service terms of the chiefs of the Pakistan Army Navy and Air Force from three to five years
On December 13 a larger bench of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, suspended the earlier decision of the Supreme Court on suspension of military courts, and allowed military courts to resume trials of civilians accused of involvement in the 9 May 2023 events pending final appeals Following this ruling military courts sentenced 85 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to ten years by December 26 These developments have drawn condemnation from human rights organizations for the lack of transparency and due process in military court proceedings In 2024 Pakistan s relations with neighbouring countries were marked by significant
tensions and security challenges On January 16, Iran conducted missile strikes in Pakistan’s Balochistan province In retaliation on January 18 Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Iran s Sistan and Baluchestan province targeting Baloch separatist militants Similarly, on April 16, Pakistan conducted its first notable strike in Afghanistan, targeting TTP hideouts in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces reportedly killing several militants On December 25 Pakistan carried out additional airstrikes in Afghanistan s Paktika province reportedly killing 46 people The Taliban interim government retaliated and carried out an attack inside Pakistan claiming achieving the objectives Relations with India also remained tense, with frequent border skirmishes and disputes over Kashmir In 2024 Pakistan s missile programme faced heightened scrutiny as the USA imposed sanctions on four Pakistani entities including the National Development Complex The USA alleged that advancements in Pakistan’s missile capabilities, such as the Shaheen-III missile with a range of 2750 km could pose risks of regional destabilization and potential nuclear proliferation In the fiscal year 2023-2024 Pakistan s economy exhibited modest growth, with a 0 92 percent increase in the first quarter, driven by the agriculture and services sectors, but experienced a contraction of the industrial sector by 1 03 percent Inflation rates showed a significant decline dropping from 29 2 percent in 2023 to 4 9 percent in 2024 which allowed the State Bank of Pakistan to reduce the policy rate from 22 percent to 13 percent by December Regarding trade, Pakistan’s exports for the fiscal year 2023-2024 were approximately $30 68 billion marking a 10 65 percent increase from $27 72 billion in the previous fiscal year Imports during the same
period amounted to $63 29 billion resulting in a trade deficit of about $32 61 billion Foreign Direct Investment showed signs of recovery with a 17 percent increase to $1 9 billion in July 2024, primarily sourced from China, Hong Kong, the UK, the USA, and Singapore However, challenges such as complex regulations security concerns and energy shortages continued to hinder the investment climate
Internationally Pakistan maintained its support for Palestinian rights, condemning Israeli actions in Gaza and calling for a just and lasting solution based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of a sovereign Palestinian state Additionally Pakistan advocated for de-escalation in Syria urging respect for the country s sovereignty and territorial integrity These positions underscore Pakistan s commitment to addressing both its internal economic challenges and its stance on key international issues In 2024 Pakistan faced significant challenges in governance justice freedom of speech political freedom and its international image Freedom House s Freedom in the World 2024 report rated Pakistan as Partly Free,
Ban solar geoengineering
W i l l I r a n g o n u c l e a r ?
Trump’s current rhetoric reflec ts similar aspirations, except this time, Trump calls for a direc t attack on Iranian nuclear installations as he proclaimed at his elec tion rally: ‘ That ’s the thing you wanna hit It ’s the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons Hit the nuclear first and worr y about the rest later ’
WE have grown up in a world where climate change is apparent everywhere We see it in our stormy skies and in the floodwaters inundating our communities We feel it in our throats and lungs when we inhale polluted air, and on our skin as we walk down the street during heat waves World leaders would convene every year to make decisions and deals compromises and commitments always falling far short of delivering what was needed to mitigate and, increasingly, to adapt to climate change This year s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) was no exception
All this inertia has spurred some to try to find a way around the hard work of ending harmful greenhouse-gas emissions protecting critical ecosystems, and rethinking economic growth and development One proposed solution,” being pushed by a small but vocal minority in the Global North, is solar geoengineering, which involves modifying Earth’s atmosphere to create a reflective barrier against the sun s radiation For today s youth and future generations however such interventions threaten to be as catastrophic as climate change
Solar geoengineering can take many forms, including the release of huge amounts of sulfur particles into the stratosphere to create a reflective barrier against sunlight (stratospheric aerosol injection) and the injection of salt spray into shallow marine clouds (marine cloud brightening) But it never addresses the root causes of the climate crisis, and it involves modifying our planet’s atmosphere in ways that cannot be adequately tested at scale, with effects that will last decades or longer
Geoengineering research has always been controversial for precisely these reasons
Countless scientists and experts have warned that the approach could cause far-reaching unintended consequences Studies show, for example, that it could disrupt climate and weather patterns leading to severe droughts hurricanes and other extreme weather These risks are unpredictable and their effects would be unequally distributed In fact, solar geoengineering would amplify existing global power imbalances, not least because decisions about its deployment would be made primarily by rich countries in the Global North
the same countries that created the cli-
These
transformation that climate change demands – a transformation that is not receiving ade-
geoengineering like to frame it as a cheap solution, but diverting resources from initiatives that we know work – and do not risk the health of our planet – cannot possibly be considered sound financial management Instead it amounts to offloading the hard work of addressing the carbon debt onto our generation and those that follow us That is why we advocate a full ban on solar geoengineering And we are not alone More than 2 000 civil-society organizations including Fridays For Future and over 540 academics have called for an International Non-Use Agreement on Solar Geoengineering Countries on the front lines of the climate crisis, such as Vanuatu and others, have similarly opposed the use of such technologies Some loud – and no doubt well-funded –voices might accuse opponents like us of being closed-minded suggesting that we should be more willing to engage in dialogue on the topic But this is merely a ploy to dismiss a position backed by ample research The small group of well-funded young individuals advocating research into solar geoengineering are often connected to organizations known for promoting these controversial technologies raising the suspicion that they are being co-opted to give solar geoengineering the guise of youth support The last thing young people need is to be left shouldering the responsibility of yet another crisis we did not create But that is precisely what solar geoengineering would most likely mean Pursuing it amounts to a profound generational betrayal Mohammed Usrof is Founder of the Palestinian Institute for Climate Strategy Disha Ravi is Co-Founder of Fridays For Future India Heleen Bruggink is Co-Founder
nurtured a deadly phenomenon the burden of which is falling disproportionately on vulnerable communities and now they propose a highly risky strategy that even in the best-case scenario would not solve the problem None of these objections has prevented millions of dollars from being funneled – largely by tech and finance billionaires – into solar geoengineering initiatives Proponents suggest that such initiatives are a temporary fix a way to buy more time for mitigation and adaptation To us such statements sound like dangerous castles in the air – appealing but illusory It is far more likely that solar geoengineering would provide an excuse for the world’s major emitters not to end their fossil-fuel addiction This compounds the threat of a “termination shock : if solar-geoengineering efforts were abruptly halted rapid warming would ensue Future generations – including today s young people – would thus have to confront dangerous spikes in temperature and far more acute crises than those we face now If nothing else we will be the ones foot-
TMIDDLE EAST
E current situation in the Middle East and the reelection of Donald Trump have propelled Iran s nuclear ambition and hastened the weaponisation of its nuclear programme Iran intends to attain nuclear weapons with a view to ascertain
deterrence and regional strategic stability The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also pointed towards the high levels of uranium enrichment by Iran though it confirmed Iranian willingness to observe nuclear restraint However unilateral Western actions such as a joint statement by the E3 countries over Iran s lack of cooperation , push Iran towards nuclear brinkmanship This leads to the most critical question: will Iran go nuclear?
RAPID STRATEGIC FLUCTUATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST – A CATALYST FOR AN IRANIAN NUCLEAR BOMB? Since Bashar Al-Assad s ouster Israeli airstrikes on Syrian military infrastructure not only decimated Syrian military capabilities but also cut off the Iranian strategic supply chain to its proxies in West Asia, i e Hamas and Hezbollah The rampant Israeli assault on Iranian proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah has massively debilitated Iranian influence in the region The latest Israeli strikes on Yemen’s capital further illustrate Israeli resolve to annihilate its adversaries in the region The Iranian strategy of forward defence that involves Israel s containment through an axis of resistance appears to be crumbling With the diminution of Iranian geo-political and strategic influence in the region, Israel has diverted its focus on its ultimate adversary in the region, Iran Following Operation Days of Repentance in October 2024 where Israel targeted Iranian military facilities and air defence systems and also certain components of nuclear facilities the possibility of fullscale Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear installations has augmented In such a hostile strategic environment posing a threat to Iranian stability and its nuclear weapons programme, Iranian impetus to develop nuclear weapons has intensified Iran appears to be in a state of survival and attaining nuclear deterrence seems to be the sole guarantee for its survival THE INCEPTION OF TRUMP 2 0 – THROWING AN-
OTHER LOG ON THE ‘LITERAL’ FIRE: The re-election of Trump as US president also acts as an impulse for the weaponisation of the Iranian nuclear programme Trump s pull-out approach of rapprochement and engagement with Iran during his first tenure was reflected by his decision to pull out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action He pursued the policy of disengagement confrontation and containment as part of the maximum pressure campaign against Iran Trump s current rhetoric reflects similar aspirations, except this time, Trump calls for a direct attack on Iranian nuclear installations as he proclaimed at his election rally: “That’s the thing you wanna hit It’s the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons Hit the nuclear first and worry about the rest later ” Trump s inclination toward a direct attack on Iranian nuclear facilities ramps up the war frenzy and apprehension for Iran as his approach aligns with Israeli strategic objectives – the annihilation of the Iranian nuclear programme This convergence of interests leaves Iran a short time to counteract Iran s nuclear programme faces a predicament to achieve nuclear deterrence as Iran perceives the rapid transformation of the regional political and strategic milieu as an existential threat This amounts to an existential threat to the Iranian nuclear programme Trump appears keen to
IRANIAN NUCLEAR BOMB – SET IN STONE? Iran has reiterated its resolve to furnish a nuclear bomb to mitigate
enrichment facilities Iran s irregularities regarding its submission of uranium enrichment records to the IAEA restriction of access to certain facilities and denial to IAEA cameras at centrifuge plants have come under the radar Iran renounced these notions, claiming Western bias Certain latest diplomatic engagements further
Qamar Bashir
rotating presidenc y
McMahill
o m
t i c c
l
now confirmed that the explosion was caused by
and/or
carried in the
of the
Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself, Musk said in a post on X “All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion ” Telemetry i n v o l v e s t h e
c t i o n o f data from remote sources transmitting it back to a central source so it can later be analyzed A person was found dead inside the 2024 model-year Cybertruck and seven people sustained minor injuries from the explosion McMahill said He added that both the Cybertruck and the vehicle used in the New Orleans attack had been rented through car-sharing service Turo A Turo spokesperson said the company did not believe either of the renters of the
SERENA CHOWK UNDERPASS NEARS
Punjab asks private schools to ensure students pick and drop service
Farewell ceremony in honour of retired officers held at Traffic Headquarters
government-published
fatwas encouraging families to space out children or limit them to just two By 2012 Iran’s fertility rate had dropped from around 6 5 children per woman in 1980 to 1 6 The decline was largely attributed to the country s wide-reaching education campaigns, which successfully convinced the public of the economic and social benefits of smaller families However, in recent years, Iran has reversed course now encouraging larger families due to an aging population and the negative social effects of a low birth rate Bangladesh: Community-Based Success Bangladesh is another country that has seen remarkable success in controlling its population Since the 1970s,
Traffic flow in Karachi has been fully restored following the conclusion of sit-ins by Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) across the city MWM Chief Raja Nasir Abbas officially announced the end of the nationwide sit-ins after the peace agreement was reached at the Kurram Jirga He
‘No such offer made,’ Sanaullah denies reports on PTI founder’s transfer to Bani Gala
Grand Jirga Abbas emphasized that while the protests would end peacefully, the terms of the peace deal must be promptly implemented This development follows the successful conclusion of a three-week-long Grand Jirga aimed at addressing the unrest in Kurram Both parties signed an agreement confirmed Jirga member Malik Sawab
Advisor to PM for Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah denied reports regarding a deal to transfer PTI founder Imran Khan to Bani Gala saying that to the best of his knowledge, no such offer was made Addressing reporters in Islamabad Rana Sanaullah mentioned KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur ’s positive stance about the importance of resolving issues through dialogue
He said Omar Ayub, pointed out the release of their party workers during the meeting, to which he responded that the release of prisoners is a matter for the high court not the government
When questioned about the pardon granted to some individuals involved in the May 9 incident, Sanaullah explained that the military has its own procedures for granting pardons and that this decision was not a direct result of the ongoing negotiations
The statement came after Imran Khan s lawyer Faisal Chaudhary claimed that the party founder was offered to transfer him to Bani Gala from Adiala Jail PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry
told media outside Adiala Jail on Thursday that “Imran Khan said he was offered to be moved to Bani Gala However he stressed that he would not move anywhere until those detained without trial are released
The PTI lawyer said that Toshakhana 0 2 was registered against PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi was baseless like other cases as ridiculous allegations have been levelled against Imran Khan in it Advocate Ch said that Toshakhana 0 2 will met the fate like other such cases He said Imran Khan was of the view that PTI cannot be controlled with the power and era of PTI has returned He said Imran Khan has condemned sentence against former GB Chief Minister Khalid Khursheed Mr Ch said PTI can bring peace and prosperity, political stability and end menace of terrorism from the country He said PTI founder was of the view that undue pressure on media courts and investigation authorities should come to an end He said the PTI founder again demanded judicial commission on May 9 and Nov 26 incidents, saying that Imran Khan wants trial of civilians in civil court as military courts are set up for the trial of military men
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Following the resumption of Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) flights to Europe the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has intensified efforts to have the UK s ban on PIA s operations lifted CAA sources confirmed that a delegation from the UK’s Department for Transport (DFT) is scheduled to visit Pakistan in mid-January
The delegation s visit which will take place between January 15 and 17 2025 in Karachi marks a step toward the resumption of PIA s direct flights to the UK, which are expected to start in February
The CAA has reached out to UK aviation authorities requesting an exemption from the security audit requirement for PIA The UK s DFT has shown a favorable response to the request, expressing confidence in the CAA’s manual report The British team will con-
duct a formal safety audit of both the CAA and PIA during their visit Earlier audits by the UK team, which included assessments of both the CAA and PIA returned positive results To ensure the smooth resumption of flights CAA Director-General Nader Shafi Dar is personally overseeing safety and security operations
The CAA plans to brief the DFT delegation during their visit with strong hopes for the lifting of the UK flight ban by February Initially PIA will resume operations to the UK with direct flights to Manchester, followed by services to London and other cities The airline plans to utilize its Boeing 777 aircraft for both UK and European flights
In related news Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat has been reappointed as the acting CEO of PIA as confirmed by a notification from the Pakistani government Hayat will continue in the interim role until a permanent CEO is appointed
As part of its expansion efforts, PIA is rejuvenating several of its long-dormant aircraft and returning them to service With the resumption of UK flights and the growth of its network the national carrier plans to increase its operational Boeing 777 fleet to eight aircraft, while also adding more A-320s and ATR planes “This is a part of PIA’s bold strategy for 2025,” an airline official noted referring to the ambitious operational plans
Additionally CAA Director General Nader Shafi Dar revealed new initiatives to address the global demand for pilots Speaking at a press briefing, Dar noted a regional shortage of cockpit pilots and highlighted that Pakistan was training enough pilots to meet local airline needs with any surplus being offered to international carriers
Two foreign airlines have already shown interest in recruiting Pakistani pilots, with one company beginning the first phase of the program
