TIME TO COMPLETELY WIPE OUT TTP FOR SOCIOECONOMIC GROWTH: PM
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
PR I M E Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday stated that the time has come to eliminate the conspirators and their facilitators who are plotting against Pakistan highlighted the security challenges facing the nation, particularly the threats from hostile elements operating across the borders
Addressing a meeting of the National Action Plan Apex Committee PM Shehbaz said: The agenda of Pakistan s progress and prosperity that we discussed yesterday can only be realised when all of us not only improve law and order across Pakistan but also the time has come to completely wipe out the TTP ”
The prime minister stressed that the federal government the provinces and all relevant stakeholders should make a comprehensive plan in collaboration with the security forces
He pledged that with unity of thought and action, the government would implement such plans in letter and spirit to resolve all challenges faced by the country
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Ishaq Dar, the federal cabinet members, chief ministers of all provinces, Army Chief General Asim Munir, the heads of intelligence agencies the Director-Gen-
eral of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other high officials
The premier referred to a recent attack from across the border which was swiftly repelled by Pakistan s security forces
He also pointed out the foreign support behind certain elements conspiring against Pakistan especially in regions like Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan
The prime minister reiterated that achieving national progress and prosperity was contingent on maintaining peace and order across Pakistan s four provinces, as well as in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir
He further stated that the time had come to completely eliminate the threat
posed by extremist elements referring to the ongoing issue of terrorism and sectarian violence
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of a coordinated plan between the provinces, federal government, and defense institutions to strengthen national security
He emphasised that the government would support any such initiative that aligned with Pakistan s national interests and contributed to the country s betterment
Shehbaz Sharif also addressed the growing digital threat, particularly the online propaganda against Pakistan He condemned the misinformation campaigns being run on social media by
external agents and enemies of the state
He noted that such campaigns, fuelled by false narratives, were designed to undermine Pakistan’s image and create doubt about the country’s stability
The Prime Minister specifically pointed to recent false narratives spread on social media following the attack on Islamabad, warning that failure to address this challenge would render all efforts futile Shehbaz Sharif also emphasised the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s security forces and reaffirmed that their efforts would not go in vain
He urged all citizens to remember the importance of unity and collective action in overcoming challenges and ensuring Pakistan’s continued progress
The Prime Minister also emphasised the need to confront the growing threat posed by digital media particularly the spread of fake news and misinformation on social media platforms
He termed this challenge as crucial for the elimination of terrorism and extremism from Pakistan
The Prime Minister highlighted the role of certain foreign elements in spreading venom against Pakistan via social media
On the digital front the venom against Pakistan is being spitted through social media by some elements abroad
This is a significant challenge, supported by distorted facts and twisted reality he said
Ali Khan in an interview categorically rejected the allegations of an offer to relocate Imran Khan stating that the former Prime Minister considers his imprisonment illegal and would not accept any such deal He further clarified that the current committee-based negotiations are the only official channel of communication, denying the existence of any back-channel discussions, except for a period before November 26th protests in Islamabad He attributed the cessation of that previous contact to Imran Khan s subsequent arrest PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui echoed these denials asserting that no such offer was made by any member of the government s negotiating team, either officially or privately He challenged Imran Khan to provide evidence supporting his claim
ISLAMABAD
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
Chief Min-
ister Ali Amin Gandapur on Friday claimed that terrorism incidents have intensified after the fall of Imran Khan-led government, criticising the Centre for misguided policies that led to the rise in terrorism
“Since Imran Khan’s government ended terrorist incidents have increased and misguided policies have led to such outcomes, he said while speaking to the media in Islamabad after the Apex Committee meeting CM Gandapur said that discussions with Afghanistan through a tribal jirga could help improve cross-border relations
He urged the federal government to grant provincial leaders the authority to mediate talks, emphasising their readiness to involve local tribes to foster peace
Discussing the Apex Committee meeting the chief minister highlighted the need for clear action to recover missing persons and condemned the federal government for dismissing political grievances
He also called for a commission to probe the events of May 9 CM Gandapur said security responsibilities in border regions fall on the federal government and military
He noted that military opera-
tions in the merged tribal districts have failed to yield significant results and alternative measures should be explored
The chief minister reiterated his commitment to peace and vowed to continue efforts to counter terrorism ‘925 terrorists killed, 59,000 operations conducted’
In 2024 Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies conducted an impressive 59,775 counter-terrorism operations across the country, resulting in the death of 925 terrorists, according to the Interior Ministry and the ISPR
The operations which were primarily intelligence-based marked a significant achievement in the fight against terrorism
The authorities also apprehended hundreds of individuals, further dismantling terrorist networks and their support systems
The operations were part of a coordinated effort to tackle the growing security challenges especially in regions where extremist elements have been active A large portion of these successful missions targeted terrorist hideouts, training camps, and key facilitators
The year saw a strong focus on high-value targets with 73 of the killed terrorists classified as being among the most wanted These included notorious figures such as Fida Rahman (known as Lala), Ali Rahman, and Abu Yahya
Notably, the year also witnessed the capture of two suicide bombers an operation that likely saved countless lives
These captures along with the neutralisation of several terrorists, were part of daily operations, with the country’s security apparatus maintaining a relentless pace of 169 operations per day
also reaffirmed that the release of the PTI founder Imran Khan would only happen through the legal process
“The first phase of civil disobedience campaign is going on, which is, in fact, contingent upon the demands raised during the govt-opposition negotiations Sh Waqas
The PTI spokesperson highlighted
noting that millions of dollars in remittances have been halted due to the disruptions He accused the government of violating the Constitution and the law claiming that there is no peace and order He described the civil disobedience movement as a stand against a corrupt system and expressed confidence that the success of the movement would become evident within a couple of months
He emphasized that overseas Pakistanis have been fighting for their rights for decades and are now demanding their right to vote Currently, the first phase of the movement is underway, targeting Pakistanis living abroad”, the PTI leader claimed, adding that these expatriates’ families are being threatened and the full impact of the movement will be assessed within the next three
is aware
of the hardships the movement might impose on the public Sh Waqas Akram criticised the current government, asserting that those without a public mandate have been allowed to rule leading to widespread human rights violations and the military trial of civilians
He stressed that PTI is a political party not an armed group, and reaffirmed that the civil disobedience movement will continue without compromise as long as its demands remain unmet
Addressing speculation Sheikh denied any arrangement regarding the release of PTI workers from military
PAKISTAN, IRAN EXTEND POWER SALE AGREEMENT FOR
BORDER AREAS WITH REVISED PRICING
ing
For employees in Grade 7 to 10 a 100% increase has been proposed In Islamabad the rental ceiling would rise from Rs16 403 to Rs32 804 while in Rawalpindi, it would increase from Rs14,682 to Rs29,364 For Grade 11 to 22, a 60% hike has been recommended The proposed ceilings are as follows:
n Grade 11 to 13: In Islamabad Rs24,744 to Rs39,590, and in Rawalpindi, Rs21,462 to Rs34,339 n Grade 14 to 16: In Islamabad, Rs31,085 to Rs49,736, and in Rawalpindi Rs27 134 to Rs43 414 n Grade 17 and 18: In Islamabad
Rs41,147 to Rs65,835, and in Rawalpindi, Rs35,898 to Rs57,437
n Grade 19: In Islamabad, Rs54,704 to Rs87 526 and in Rawalpindi Rs46 816 to Rs74 906
n Grade 20: In Islamabad Rs68 700 to Rs109 920 and in Rawalpindi Rs59,079 to Rs94,526
n Grade 21: In Islamabad, Rs82,261 to Rs131,618, and in Rawalpindi, Rs71 107 to Rs113 771 n Grade 22: In Islamabad Rs98 444 to Rs157 510 and in Rawalpindi Rs98 444 to Rs142
KSE-100
points or 0 27% Key sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, chemical, commercial banks, and oil and gas, initially faced selling pressure, with heavyweights such as HUBCO, PSO, MARI and UBL trading in the red However market sentiment improved as investors capitalised on attractive valuations Equities, particularly cyclicals, present attractive opportunities for investors as the country gradually transi-
tions from stabilisation to growth, noted Intermarket Securities Most traded stocks included WTL, CNERGY, FCCL, FFC Meanwhile the day’s top gainers included Tri-Star Power Deewan Textile Asim Textile and Pak Gulf Leasing The previous session on Thursday saw the KSE-100 close nearly flat at 117,119 65 points, a gain of 111 57 points, after a volatile trading day
SIFC APPROVES ACTION PL AN FOR SEZS, HAILS IMPROVED ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Govt misses IMF deadline to amend S overeign Wealth Fund Ac t
to amend the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund Act by December 2024 reported The Express Tribune This delay risks straining the ongoing $7 billion IMF programme, which demands governance and transparency improvements in fiscal management According to a news report the Ministry of Finance had committed to the IMF that it would revise the law to address governance structure issues and mandate competitive bidding for state asset sales However, Ministry spokesperson Qumar Abbasi confirmed that the amendments were not finalized by the December deadline despite extensive progress on the draft We are finalising the necessary amendments to align the sovereign wealth fund law with international best practices and have been sharing up-
dates with the IMF ” Abbasi said The Sovereign Wealth Fund Act enacted in 2023 allows the government to transfer shares of seven major entities, including Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited, to the fund for eventual sale The IMF insists these entities must fall under the SOE governance framework and that revenues generated through the fund s operations be deposited directly into the national exchequer Disagreements over the mode of amendments via rules or binding legislation have contributed to the delay The government has argued that some changes can be implemented through rules, a position the IMF has rejected The IMF s programme review, expected this quarter, will evaluate Pakistan’s compliance with the agreed conditions This is the third missed target after the government failed to meet tax collection goals of Rs6 009 trillion and Rs23 4 billion from traders by December
The IMF has pushed for legislative changes to strengthen the fund s governance, prevent direct asset sales to foreign entities without competition, and ensure compliance with the StateOwned Enterprises (SOEs) Act The global lender also seeks to prohibit the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) from lending to the fund and restrict the fund from providing loans to government entities The Sovereign Wealth Fund currently manages domestic and foreign equity securities debt instruments and other financial assets It is also empowered to participate
shareholding in Fatima Euricom Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd Approved by the CCP, this Italian investment highlights Pakistan’s untapped agricultural potential and its growing appeal in the global agribusiness market In November 2024 the CCP approved the 50% acquisition of Total Parco Pakistan Ltd (TPPL) by Switzerland’s Aquashore SA, part of the Gunvor Group This deal reflects growing international interest in Pakistan’s energy sector aligning with the country s energy diversification goals In another significant deal Wafi Energy Holding Limited a UAE-based subsidiary of Saudi Arabia s Asyad Holding acquired a 77 42% stake in Shell Pakistan Limited Approved in July 2024, the acquisition strengthens ties between Pakistan and Gulf countries while advancing the energy market
The CCP is currently conducting a second-phase assessment of a highstakes deal involving the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited and Orion Towers Private Limited by PTCL This complex merger is expected to reshape Pakistan’s telecommunications sector impacting market competition and consumer dynamics Beyond these mergers the CCP granted 56 exemption certificates in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, consumer goods, food & beverage, telecommunications, and transport These exemptions aim to encourage market competition promote technological innovation and deliver broader economic and consumer benefits
COMMENT
Sugar industr y
The government tackles the sugar industr y sympathetically
R B A N legend has got the sugar industry, or rather the barons who are supposed to run it, as responsible for the woes of the country
They evade excise by fudging production figures, and blackmarketing the sugar they have under-reported They first encourage farmers to grow sugarcane, even though there is not enough water for it and then delay paying them for that cane; thus they have ruined the agriculture of the entire country Most damagingly they export their product and create a domestic shortage forcing the government to import it thus upsetting the balance of trade Its status as a staple means that it is a politically sensitive subject There is a kernel of truth in all the accusations The sugar lobby is politically very powerful, and has a firm presence in every government, every political party It can be considered part of the deep state , so ubiquitous is its presence As one of the highest payers of income tax and sales tax, the government has to give it due considertiom
However, for all its power, it has got a lot of bad press The industry finds itself tarred with the same brush Therefore, the industry deserved the setting up of a Committee on Sugar Stocking, Forecasting and Export, and that the industry should be represented on the committee The issue is that of exports While millers naturally seek to sell abroad if they can earn more money than at home this hs created a shortage at home forcing up the price By looking at the proposal of a decade to deregulate the industry the committee was also looking to more freedom to export However as the Minister pointed out there was a need to improve productivity It is only when Pakistani sugar is both cheaper and better that it will create sufficient demand for itself
While productivity will only be improved at the level of the mills and farmers, it is up to the government to take the steps necessary to ensure that increase in productivity It will have a greater need of ensuring correct and plentiful data before any decisions are made After all, sugar is a staple, and has been treated as such since at least World War II, when it was rationed for the first time It is important for the industry to carry out research on minimizing water use including examining alternatives such as sugar-beets For that the government must step up to the plate
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
P u n j a b
Trump predicts Canada as the 51st State
Canada’s economic problems cause renewal of an old debate
A C O M B Detroit Michigan-The notion of the USA annexing Canada has recently gained attention, primarily due to remarks by the US President-elect Donald Trump During a dinner at Mar-aLago Trump reportedly joked about Canada becoming the 51st state causing nervous laughter from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation
Following this Trump s son Eric Trump shared a doctored image on social media depicting his father purchasing Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal on Amazon, captioned “We are so back!!!” These comments have been met with a mix of concern and dismissal Carleton University professor Aaron Ettinger described them as profoundly unserious suggesting they are taunts that do not reflect the serious nature of trade discussions between the two countries Canadian officials, including Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who was present at the dinner have characterized the remarks as lighthearted jokes LeBlanc stated The president was telling jokes The president was teasing us emphasizing the informal nature of the conversation In a recent interview on Fox Business, Canadian businessman and Shark Tank star Kevin O Leary expressed support for President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada could become the 51st US state O’Leary claimed that “at least half of Canadians are interested in this idea and proposed visiting Mara-Lago to discuss the potential merger directly with Trump He outlined a vision of combining the two economies, eliminating the border, adopting a common currency, and creating an EU-like passport system, which he believes would strengthen both nations against geopolitical threats O’Leary criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau s government describing it as collapsing and suggested that Canadians would trust him to negotiate such a deal
These remarks have sparked significant debate and backlash, with many Canadians expressing strong opposition to the idea and criticizing O’Leary’s stance The reality is that though the idea of the USA annexing Canada has occasionally been surfacing in historical speculative and social discourse it lacks serious political backing Rooted partly in the 19th-century notion of Manifest Destiny, this concept has been fueled by
historical events like the American Revolution the War of 1812, and brief 19th-century annexation sentiments in Canada, particularly during economic hardship Modern discussions often arise on social media driven by online speculation conspiracy theories about a “North American Union While some proponents cite economic synergies and political alignment especially in western provinces like Alberta critics argue it threatens Canadian identity and cherished systems like universal healthcare These ideas are getting media traction and generating heated debate as Canada is currently grappling with several economic challenges including sluggish GDP growth rising inflation financial vulnerabilities and increasing unemployment The economy expanded by just one percent in the third quarter of 2024, falling short of forecasts, while GDP per capita declined for the sixth consecutive quarter, signaling worsening living standards Inflation has risen to 2 0 percent within the Bank of Canada’s target range but producer prices have also increased partly due to a weaker Canadian dollar In addition the high household debt levels among the highest in the G7 remain a significant financial concern, compounded by recent interest rate adjustments, including a halfpoint cut to 3 25 percent in December Unemployment has risen to 6 5 percent, with layoffs increasing by 20 percent year-over-year and young workers facing significant barriers to employment Additionally labour productivity growth has stagnated with six consecutive quarters of decline highlighting systemic challenges in economic performance Canada s recent
Ultimately, the fate of this notion rests on the political, economic, administrative, and collective wisdom of Canadians It is their responsibility to pull the country out of its current quagmire and restore stability and growth, thereby quelling any interest in annexation
Oin 2020 The Modi government’s thrust toward “market-oriented” reforms especially in agriculture has been seen as a mechanism for corporate interests to exploit vulnerable farmers For instance, the laws allow for contract farming, which critics argue could lead to farmers being forced into unfair agreements with large corporations With the weakening of the Minimum Support Price system and a push for deregulation farmers fear that they will be at the mercy of market forces beyond their control The Punjab Bandh is a manifestation of this deep-seated frustration Farmers in Punjab, who have long relied on MSP and state procurement systems view these reforms as an attempt to dismantle the safety nets that have supported their livelihoods The state s large agricultural sector which has contributed significantly to India s food security, now faces an uncertain future under these policies The Modi government’s insistence on pushing forward with these reforms, despite widespread protests, highlights the government’s inclination toward benefiting large agribusinesses at the expense of smallholder farmers This approach can be seen as part of a larger pattern of the government s pro-corporate, neoliberal policies, which tend to favour the interests of large conglomerates rather than the common people The fundamental issue here is not just the farm laws but the entire economic
direction the Modi government has taken The agricultural sector in India is a vital lifeline for the majority of the population and policies that threaten its survival will have long-term ramifications for the country s rural economy Beyond the economic implications, the Punjab Bandh also points to a much deeper political and social polarization in India Modi’s government has increasingly been seen as one that caters to the needs of a select elite while marginalizing large sections of society This is evident in the way it has handled the farm protests Instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue with the farmers, the government adopted an authoritarian approach, using force and intimidation to silence dissent The farmers were labelled as “anti-nationals ” and their protests were met with heavy police action
This confrontational stance has only deepened divisions between different sections of Indian society The handling of the protests has played into the narrative of Hindu nationalism, with many seeing the government’s indifference to the sufferings of farmers as a reflection of its broader political agenda While Punjab with its Sikh majority has been at the forefront of these protests the government s approach has been interpreted by many as one that exacerbates regional, religious, and caste-based divisions in the country The economic consequences of these protests cannot be ignored The agricultural sector which contributes a substantial portion to India s GDP has been hit hard The uncertainty surrounding the future of agriculture, combined with the ongoing protests, is discouraging investment and crippling productivity Punjab is one of India’s top agricultural producers, and its farmers play a critical role in ensuring the country s food security Yet the state s agriculture is in peril due to the government s policy decisions In an economy that is already reeling
from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic challenges these disruptions make it harder to recover The Punjab Bandh and the larger farmer protests are not isolated incidents; they are part of a broader pattern of dissatisfaction with the Modi government s policies The political polarization in India today is not just limited to the farmer ’s protests The country is witnessing increasing social unrest fuelled by the Modi government s divisive rhetoric and its policies that promote religious nationalism The government s exploitative agricultural policies, its emphasis on political and social polarization, and the long-term economic ramifications of its actions are creating a volatile situation The Punjab Bandh and the ongoing farmer protests serve as a reminder of the growing fracture within Indian society The protests represent the struggles of a marginalized section of the population that feels increasingly alienated from the state
The writer is a research fellow at Epis Think-tank Germany and an intern at Kashmir institute of International relations He can be reached at Ali7664556@gmail com
The Punjab Bandh and the larger farmer protests are not isolated incidents; they are par t of a broader pattern of dissatisfaction with the Modi governmentÊs policies The political polarization in India today is not just limited to the farmerÊs protests The country is witnessing increasing social unrest, fuelled by the Modi governmentÊs divisive rhetoric and its policies that promote religious nationalism The governmentÊs exploitative agricultural policies, its emphasis on political and social polarization, and the long-term economic ramifications of its actions are creating a volatile situation
Evolving teachers’ roles
Unpaid struggles
Traffic discipline
Qamar Bashir
Why is the ‘nuclear solution’ promised at COP 29 difficult to achieve?
Discrimination entrenched
Tcalled for Nuclear Acceleration to decarbonize Earth After that, the unprecedented first Nuclear Energy Summit 2024 was held to expedite those efforts However, the discriminatory nature of the nuclear governance regime mainly of the export control regimes could hinder efforts to use nuclear energy for achieving net-zero carbon emissions and ultimately dampen the climate change mitigation goal
The obsolete laws governing the ECRs affect the ethical foundation of nuclear energy exploitation The export control regimes deal with the transfer of peaceful nuclear technologies and thus control the distribution of nuclear energy However, the archaic regulations of those export controls impede the exploitation of nuclear energy benefits
Their static criterion for awarding memberships is based upon their categorization
according to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Article IX (3) of NPT defines a nuclear weapon state (NWS) which detonated nuclear weapons prior to 1967, and all other states were to be regarded as a non-nuclear weapon state (NNWS)
It is unrealistic to expect a de facto nuclear power to give up its nuclear arsenal being acquired for its national interest Therefore, the categorical nature of the NPT classification criteria hinders the non-discriminatory provision of advanced nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes such as Small Modular Reactors These technologies are crucial for providing clean energy in remote areas with limited grid infrastructure
If selected states are given access while other states are blocked from accessing these technologies, it hinders their ability to contribute to global decarbonization goals As a result many developing states face barriers to acquiring advanced nuclear technology for peaceful purposes Despite possessing nuclear technical expertise and a proven nuclear safety and security record, Pakistan cannot increase nuclear energy volume in its energy mix, owing to the biased approach of ECRs This dims the prospects of its energy vision to double the production of nuclear energy by 2030
The existing global nuclear technology asymmetries make the use of peaceful nuclear technologies for tackling the climate crisis very difficult The glimpse of discriminatory nuclear nonproliferation Regime has created a ‘nuclear apartheid of peaceful technologies’ where peaceful technologies abound in the global north but are lacking in the hemisphere This has divided the world into haves and have-nots There are 349 nuclear reactors in the global north, but 91 in the entire global south It creates a nuclear north and south divide where the latter lags
the former by 79 3 percent As illustrated in the graphs nuclear energy for electricity generation in the global north is greater than the quantity generated in the developing countries or global south
The reason is the unequal distribution of peaceful nuclear technologies across the globe Therefore it is far-fetched to expect much from nuclear technology when nearly half of the globe is deprived of its equitable and fair distribution
The politicization of the nuclear solution has derailed the achievement of the NetZero emission target Geopolitically states are acquiring nuclear technology in the guise of meaningful contributions to carbon reduction while pursuing their ulterior interests disingenuously
While actively contributing to carbon emissions, India is not only relying on fossil fuel-based systems for electricity generation but also investing more into it For instance India s energy mix is more than 80 per cent of fossil fuel-based sources of electricity generation, which it plans to increase 93 gigawatts (GW) of coal capacity by 2032 But, it is not meaningfully contributing to global carbon reduction despite having secured the unjustified preferential NSG waiver and the US civil nuclear energy cooperation for peaceful nuclear energy ambitions This waiver also underscores the dual standards within the nuclear governance regime, as was granted to a non-NPT NWS whose violation had led to the creation of the very same NSG Such dualistic precedents are demotivating factors for countries that are striving to legally access peaceful nuclear technology and to switch from fossil fuel-based sources of electricity generation to nuclear-based sources of electricity generation
The geopolitical factors are also imperil-
A f t e r A s s a d , a r e t h e
H o u t h i s n e x t ?
Syria’s ousting of the Assad regime increases the oppor tunities for Houthi forces in Yemen to take advantage of regional instabilit y Will they take the chance?
WI T H the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon defeated and increasingly isolated attention turns to the Houthis in Yemen Perhaps the strongest remaining Iranian proxy force in the region, the Houthis are certainly the most active in terms of their attacks on Israel and also on international shipping in the Red Sea With confrontation between the Houthis and Israel and perhaps America too seems set to escalate this will likely raise questions of whether the r e g i m e i n S a n a a w i l l p r o v e a s f r a i l a s i t s f o r m e r partner in Damascus Like Assad s regime, the Houthis are a corrupt organization representing a narrow segment of the population, leaving the majority mired in poverty This poverty stems less from war or sanctions and more from systemic corruption nepotism and deliberate isolation These regimes facilitate depredation of the populace via a common tool kit: bribes demanded by underpaid officials, monopolized industries that benefit insiders, and rigged systems for the import of goods, as exports play little role in the ravaged economies of Iran’s satellite states
Reform of state institutions is implausible as their dysfunction is a deliberate choice to ensure that the regime s core supporters enjoy economic and social preeminence
The high levels of corruption and exploitation made both the Assad and Houthi regimes deeply unpopular, forcing them to depend on brutal security apparatuses to maintain power Indoctrination through media and education framing these governments as anti-colonial defenders of national independence grows less convincing as public suffering at the hands of the regime worsens and as dependence on foreign sponsors, especially Iran, increases
Despite these parallels, key differences between the Assad and Houthi regimes suggest their trajectories may diverge The Houthi leadership is younger and more energetic than Assad s aging cadre For example Houthi intelligence chief Abulhakim al-Khaiwani is under forty while his Syrian counterpart Hossam Louka, was nearing sixty-five before Assad s fall
Moreover, ten years after taking Sanaa, the Houthis remain in the early stages of a revolutionary extremist movement In contrast the Assad regime had become a stagnant ideologically hollow dynasty after fifty years in power
The Houthi leaders also differ in their likely response to a challenge Unlike Assad, who ultimately fled to Russia, Houthi leaders may return to guerrilla tactics in Yemen’s mountainous regions rather than abandoning their exile movement Many senior Houthis have rarely if ever left Yemen probably making them more inclined to resist until the end rather than seek refuge abroad
While the Houthis long-term survival remains uncertain, their regime faces a growing legitimacy crisis Cracks in its foundations are widening, and the leadership increasingly relies on brutal violence to suppress dissent Eventual collapse seems likely but is not necessarily imminent
Decisive action by regional and global actors opposing Houthi terrorism could accelerate their downfall The U S Israel and their allies should intensify political financial and military pressure on the Houthis Cutting off their ability to divert humanitarian aid would significantly weaken their financial position
Instead of subsidizing a regime that perpetuates terror and destabilizes the region, the international community should allocate resources to helping its victims and those who are trying to resist it including Yemeni refugees abroad and Yemeni forces in southern Yemen who are fighting back against the Houthis
The current crises facing Lebanese Hezbollah and Iran s Quds Force make this an opportune moment to pressure the Houthi regime While the Houthis may have once drawn confidence from Tehran’s backing, they are likely re-evaluating that assessment in light of recent events in Syria
This may create an opportunity to pressure the Houthis into halting their Red Sea attacks Still even this would be a temporary respite, not a real solution to the long-term threat the Houthis pose to other states in the region, not to mention their subjects
This raises the question: How might the downfall of the Houthis occur? Real change in Yemen would require three key developments
First change would require a rise in public anger from grievances held by the Yemeni population, probably related primarily to economic conditions but perhaps also to anger at the imposition of their religious views at odds with the beliefs of the majority of the population
Second there would need to be a loss of favor or support from key elite constituencies which could be Houthi bureaucrats or allied tribes on whom the regime relies to suppress dissent
Third, instability would have to drive a wedge within the leadership class, driven by external pressures on the regime or internal power struggles; power struggles could arise organically within the predatory and secretive regime but they might be accelerated by sudden significant events such as the death or assassination of key figures within its leadership
Together, these factors would leave the regime in a state of disarray, unable to keep its ruthless hold on twenty million Yemenis That could, in turn, create a momentum that the regime would find increasingly difficult to reverse
How this process unfolds is not under the control of anyone and certainly not of any force outside of Yemen However, the Syrian experience suggests that continued pressure and coordination with opposition forces will be more effective than trying to negotiate with a regime devoted to internal repression and external aggression
Like Assad the Houthis will someday lose power and Yemenis will remember who helped them in their hour of need and who did not Keeping up the pressure, military, political, and economic, is critical Denying the regime legitimacy and opportunities to divert foreign aid is a key component of that effort
Assad’s experience shows that these tyrants do not last forever and that investing in long-term diplomatic relationships with them is a losing bet
Ari Heistein is an advisor to Israeli startups seeking to sell to the U S federal government a consultant on issues relating to Yemen, and a nonresident fellow at the Counter Extremism Project He has previously worked in business development for an Israeli cyber intelligence company and served as a research fellow and chief of staff at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv
Nathaniel Rabkin worked as an Arabic translator and interpreter for the U S military in Iraq s Wasit
ing the achievement of the nuclear solution
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and a group of top ten climate experts revealed the duplicitous role of states and wrote an open letter They illustrated the host of COP 29 was holding the presidency despite a strong association with the hydrocarbon business India is trying to host the COP 33 despite the duplicitous domestic energy mix policies mentioned earlier Similarly, a tugof-war between Turkey and Australia is taking place to host the distant COP 31 Many other wealthy states showed weak resolve and avoided engagement in climate change negotiations Argentina called back their representatives in the COP 29 and Saudi Arabia rejected the final agreement for adopting a text criticizing fossil fuels Meanwhile, the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House also seems to be a bad omen since he has a track record of opposing climate change mitigation talks such as the Paris Agreement Resultantly COP 29 concluded without any concrete mechanism to decrease the global peaceful nuclear technologies disparities’ among the haves and haves not The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Presidency COP 29 discussed the financing options for low-carbon technologies They vowed to accelerate the deployment of those peaceful nuclear technology-oriented clean energy sources in developed and developing countries alike, but just on paper At the peaceful nuclear technology haves’ p ole the European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors has been formed that facilitates the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) but only in Europe which already quantitatively surpasses the nuclear reactors in the global south Whereas the global south has yet to wait for the funding to
WH O knew that beyond being a homicidal dictator
is there any other kind
Bashar al-Assad also happens to be a comedian
The world’s most wanted, for the moment, fugitive briefly emerged from his safe house – somewhere in Russia near a store still selling luxury brands that his picky wife Asma covets – to clarify the circumstances which led to the sudden flight of Syria s first family
Al-Assad resurrected his Telegram account to claim that he had remained at the front – helmet on and ready to fight with, no doubt, a bayonet-tipped musket in hand – until that wrenching hour when all was lost “[My] departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles as some have claimed al-Assad wrote On the contrary I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024
The nation’s brave, pencil-thin, commander-in-chief retreated to a Russian military base in the coastal city of Latakia only after “terrorist forces” had occupied the capital From there a valiant al-Assad could oversee combat operations until sadly the base came under sustained drone attacks
Alas, the phantom resistance proved futile So, Bashar and Asma grudgingly heeded Moscow’s advice and promptly got out of Dodge before they joined the other less well-known martyrs who fought with – to borrow a phrase – the last full measure of devotion for a free Syria Comical stuff
But equally farcical is the predictable construct among some Western media that al-Assad s overthrow was a consequence, in large part, of his family s longstanding and insatiable avarice at the expense of common Syrians – a signature trait of Middle East henchmen and not of course of enlightened leaders of “liberal democracies”
In this stubborn calculus the West is synonymous with uplifting egalitarianism while the Middle East breeds without exception crushing despotism
True to grating form, The Washington Post published the following headline, reflective to the syllable of this haughty attitude: “Assad lived in quiet luxury while Syrians went hungry ” Now you and I know that the Post will never pen a headline that reads: King Charles lives in quiet luxury while Brits go hungry It would be unbecoming
This, despite the fact the shrinking Commonwealth s new head – like all his gilded predecessors – calls the 775-room Buckingham Palace home and his every whim is catered to by more than 1 100 bowing staff The ailing British monarch’s private fortune – including hereditary estates artwork rare stamps jewellery cars horses investments and other
ON TRUMP HOTEL AS US ARMY SOLDIER
of Information Technology and Telecom in collaboration with Huawei Technologies Pakistan has launched the ICT Training Portal This initiative aims to provide recent graduates with hands-on experience and bridge the gap between academia and the rapidly evolving IT industry The portal offers training modules on cutting-edge ICT trends including artificial intelligence cloud computing cybersecurity and data
puts the people first, features diversity and inclusiveness and is underpinned by peace and security and take ten partnership actions which were well-received by Africa, Mao said Namibia, the Republic of the Congo Chad and Nigeria are all China’s friendly cooperation partners C h i n e s e FM
addressing a press conference at the press club on Friday along with the organizers of Shahr Quaid Mahmood Ahmed Khan Rizwan Siddiqui Professor Ejaz Ahmad Farooqui Jamal Azhar and Nadeem Zafar Siddiqui He said that Iftikhar Arif, Abbas Tabish, Sahar
PTA BL AMES GOVT AS SENATORS QUESTION LEGALIT Y OF INTERNET SHUTDOWNS
the future
Pishin for hunting
The Federal Cabinet has raised concerns over the performance of the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and its affiliated organizations, suggesting the privatization of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and reforms in trade missions abroad
According to a news report the recommendations emerged during deliberations by the Committee on the Rightsizing of the Federal Government constituted on June 21 2024 under the Prime Minister s directive The committee reviewed federal functions to identify areas suitable for privatization, merging, or restructuring for efficiency In the first phase, the committee assessed six ministries including Industries and
Production Information Technology and Kashmir Affairs
The second phase expanded the scope to the Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology, Housing and Works, and National Food Security Extensive consultations with stakeholders and subcommittees were held to analyse the financial institutional and human resource impacts of proposed changes
During its review of the Ministry of Commerce, the committee highlighted inefficiencies in trade missions abroad which it noted were overly focused on VIP visits rather than trade promotion The Directorate General Trade Organizations (DGTO) was also criticized for its inadequate performance
The committee proposed that TDAP and Expo Centers be considered for privatization citing overlapping functions with the Ex-
port Development Fund and trade offices It also recommended establishing a state-of-the-art expo center in Islamabad to attract regional investors, particularly from Russia and Central Asia
Among other observations, the committee emphasized the need for applied research and commercialization suggesting a review of entities such as the Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) and the National Institute of Electronics (NIE) The Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA) having recently begun operations was advised to be given time to prove its effectiveness
Addressing trade inefficiencies, the Cabinet urged the recruitment of local trade counselors fluent in regional languages particularly for missions in China Russia and Central Asia
An Afghan human trafficker involved in smuggling citizens to Europe via Libya has been arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Abbottabad
Afser Khan, identified as the brother of infamous trafficker Qari Jan Muhammad, was apprehended during an intelligence-based operation in Haripur According to the FIA evidence found on Khan s mobile phone links him to human trafficking activities, including connections to victims and other agents
The FIA has initiated a broader investigation into Khan’s trafficking network and is conducting further raids to capture additional suspects Authorities emphasized that efforts to address the recent boat tragedy off the coast of Greece are ongoing, with a focus on cracking down on human traffickers
Following the Greece and Libya boat tragedies that claimed the lives of several Pakistanis
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to dismantle human trafficking rings As a result the number of arrests in connection with the 2023 Libya boat incident has now reached 144
Recent investigations revealed that many of the victims traveled on regular visit visas through airports in Pakistan before being smuggled to Libya via Dubai and Iran There, they were taken by traffickers across the Mediterranean to Europe
The FIA also uncovered the involvement of immigration officers in the illegal activities leading to the arrest of two officers, including the shift in-charge at Faisalabad airport A total of 31 FIA personnel are now under investigation for their alleged role in the
