RESTIVE KURRAM ‘CALM’ AS DC, SIX OTHERS
IN ATTACK ON GOVT CONVOY
Pakistan has been battling a resurgence of militant violence
A bomb attack on a Frontier Corps (FC) bus in Balochistan s Turbat has resulted in the death of four people, including the bus conductor, and injuries to 38 others, police said Five of the injured individuals are in critical condition the police said Police and security forces contingent has cordoned off the area Among the injured were SSP Serious Crime Wing Zohaib Mohsin and six members of his family, who were passing by at the time of the explosion
No pressure for talks with PTI, claims Kh Asif
ISLAMABAD: Federal Defence Minister
country s economy would not have been on the path to recovery Asif pointed to the ongoing economic recovery as proof that the end of political tension is contributing positively to the nation s financial landscape S TA
Sheikh Waqas Akram said that Pakistan topped the charts with a cumulative fi-
nancial impact of $1 62 billion, which was alarming despite the fact the overall worldwide cost of internet shutdowns dropped by 15 8 per cent in 2024 He lambasted the Minister of State for IT and the PTA chairman for concocting baseless and lame excuses to justify the government’s wrong, self-serving and anti-people policy of throttling internet speeds each time as a 24-hour internet shutdown alone resulting in a staggering loss of Rs1 3 billion Sh Waqas flayed the illegitimate government s reckless and short-sighted move to prioritize their own interests at the expense of the nation and its people He emphasized that the government should refrain from scapegoating the internet for Pakistan s deteriorating security situa-
tion Instead, he argued that the root cause lied in their misguided priorities and flawed policies adding that during Imran Khan’s tenure the country experienced a period of exemplary peace
However, Sh Waqas lamented that the country witnessed a wave of terrorism after the ouster of PTI-led government through regime change conspiracy because self-centered and short-sighted people were fraudulently imposed on the country who stashed all their assets abroad and just came Pakistan to rule
PTI CIS asserted that the power-hungry clique’s ill-advised policy would have farreaching devastating economic consequences for the country including the loss of substantial foreign exchange earnings and
potential business contracts However, he stated that the government was hell-bent on suppressing dissenting voices to conceal their own ineptitude and incompetence He emphasized that despite the government s much-touted plans, such as the Uraan Pakistan initiative and the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, the country’s economic flight would remain a dream until the duffers recognized the crucial role of investing in IT sectors which was the main driving force to economic growth
Waqas urged that the government should abandon its reliance on fairy tales and unrealistic plans, which have failed to deliver tangible results Instead he pressed the government to focus on crafting a well-orchestrated strategy that leverages the vast
potential of the IT sector to propel economic growth and drive meaningful progress
PTI CIS said that the government of political
PSX POISED FOR FURTHER GROWTH AS FUNDS SHIFT FROM FIXED INCOME TO
Uzbekistan targets $1b trade with Pakistan under bilateral agreement
COMMENT
Wrong power policies
NDedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
EPRA s special report on generation sector challenges indicates that the favorite whipping boy for the high price of electricity the IPPs and the capacity charges they have to be given, is not so much to blame as the government s incorrect power policies The biggest problem is caused according to the report by the desire to ensure availability of power to meet peak demand The report finds that this peak last only a few hours a year Because of this there has been over-investment in generation That has meant that not enough investment has gone to transmission and dispatch, with the result that while there is sufficient even excess generation capacity there is often no way to transmit that power generated to the end consumer One major problem thus created has meant that loads heeding is continuing while the technical and commercial losses continue, which plague the system and which the distribution companies have proven completely unable to tackle The report notes that the losses are primarily driven by widespread electricity theft, facilitated by weak oversight Though the report does not say so in so many words this indicates that NEPRA’s constant exhortations have not ended the endemic corruption in the DISCOs The report also highlights certain other problems, the first being the under-utilization of That coal Though Thar coal is polluting, setting up additional thermal generation is also polluting That coal does have the advantage of being indigenous However, the government is not doing enough to let rooftop solarization proceed, even though it involves zero-losses and absence of capacity payments Of course the report does not mention that solarization means the consumer does not need to pay anything to the DISCO officials Solar power also means power plants and their attendant over-invoicing will not be built The captive market for furnace oil, that generation plants provide, will not be built While this will create a problem for oil importers it will also mean that the country will have to import less NEPRA seems to have realized that the future is in renewables Solar power also has the advantage of generation costs that can be localized Gone are the days of huge generation plants, and the attendant problem of transmission and distribution The change in the mode of power production has provided the country with an opportunity, because while it is backward in solarization, so is the rest of the world That means that it is equal to the developed world t least in this Only NEPRA seems to recognize this M A Niazi
UNDOUBTEDLY, foreign tours by the heads of the State and the federal government are essential for promoting bilateral relations and further strengthening and promoting ties with friendly countries around the globle Over the decades this has been happening with varying frequency periodically Founder of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the first Governor General of the newly born country He remained in office till his untimely demise due to persisting illness which he preferred to hide from the people just after being in the office for very little more than a year To the best of knowledge of this scribe he had not visited any foreign country as the Governor General The trusted lieutenant of the Quaid-i-Azam, Liaquat Ali Khan, was Pakistan's first Prime Minister and it was he who had undertaken a foreign tour According to the reports he was flying to Moscow on a visit to the USSR and had got his aircraft diverted to Washington USA imid-way for some unforeseen reasons Quite obviously, the Heads of State and the government who followed afterwards had also been visiting different countries though no record of such foreign tours was available somehow This scribe will now be mentioning briefly the foreign tours by Pakistani leaders starting from the early years of the 21st century on the basis of available information Gen Pervez Musharraf was the fourth military head of the country after Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan, Gen Agha Mohammad Yahya Khan and Gen Mohammad Ziaul Haq General Musharraf had visited the most friendly neighbouring country China and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz formerly senior executive of the Citibank had been to Britain and Jordan one after the other during the first quarter of 2006 Both the President and the PM had then termed their latest foreign tours as very successful and which would go a long way in further strengthening and improving Pakistan's relations with China Britain and Jordan General Musharraf who had come into power in October 1999 by overthrowing the elected civilian Nawaz government, had visited a number of coun-
tries as the Chief Executive (while exercising the powers of the Prime Minister) and later on as the President As his foreign visits multiplied it was then said that you name any country around the globe and General Musharraf would have visited it at least once or maybe more for promoting Pakistan's economic ties with the world capitals and to project the soft image of the country by advocating enlightened moderation It was also reported then that in all fairness General Musharraf had earned the distinction of visiting the most number of countries as the Chief Executive / President than all the previous Heads of the State during till the last five decades General Musharraf had visited the USA at least once every year after assuming the power Besides the USA he had visited New Zealand Australia Qatar Indonesia the Philippines India Mexico Italy Holland Azerbaijan Switzerland, South Korea, China, Malaysia and many other countries Both the then President and the Prime Minister had been to the USA many a time The USA in general and the occupants of the White House in particular were the benefactors of the Pakistani rulers over the years Industrialist-turned politician from Lahore Nawaz Sharif had also been visiting the USA and other countries during all three of his
Quite obviously such initiatives which PM Shehbaz Sharif continues to take through his frequent visits are surely a positive reminder to all that diplomacy as and when pursued honestly, committedly and sincerely remains one of the most potent tools for progress and understanding in today's world which was increasingly being divided by conflicts and crises to say the least ,please Undoubtedly, the foreign tours are essential for promoting bilateral relations and enlisting support for the country's stance on regional and international issues but it will be more appreciable and commendable if the parliament was invariably taken into confidence after each foreign visit regarding the expected benefits and gains for the country in the coming months
Social Welfare or Political Campaign?
TThe
evidence-based? The answer is no Along with financial problems, the programme is also performing poorly on many indicators in different districts According to a third-party evaluation report 80 percent of SCP users in KPK believe that it is difficult for them to meet inpatient expenses Additionally 78 5 percent of SCP users saw the impact of health costs on their financial situation in the past year Another very important aspect is the need for programmes for different socio-economic classes Only eight percent of the wealthiest SCP users reported having health expenditures below 10 percent of total income compared to 19 percent of the poorest SCP users
Furthermore, KPK has only 123 hospitals with SLIC on panel, covering the health of a population of around five million The low number of hospitals further affects the effectiveness and reach of the programme The government pays a Rs 2 858 5 premium to SLIC on behalf of each citizen when most citizens do not have access to the services provided due to the unavailability of hospitals while the upper middle class will not prioritize the quality of hospitals on the panel Some districts have only one or two hospitals that provide services Bannu and Hangu with a combined population of 1 8 million have only two hospitals one per district There are two hospitals on each district panel at Buner, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Upper Dir and Haripur Furthermore, Shangla, Kohat and Mansehra have a combined population of around three million, with three hospitals in each district making nine hospitals to cover a population of three million Instead
of addressing the current challenges in the programme the government moved towards universalization of the programme when there is not a single study that recommends such a step, but vote bank and political objectives do, endangering the sustainability of the programme The data showed that programme expansion was not truly rational or evidence-based Such politically motivated programmes are a real threat to public welfare and tax dollars The government is using the tax money for campaigning and political gain, giving false hope to the people instead of real welfare Social protection should prioritize the needs of the poor and the poorest rather than expanding services to the already affluent that can meet their health education and other needs Instead of spending an additional Rs 25 billion annually on universal health insurance, the government should spend it on the welfare of the marginalized population by providing social security to informal sector workers and their families This will lead to economic stability by reducing income insecurity improving consumption patterns and increasing labour productivity It should promote social equity, by empowering marginalized populations such as women and youth and reducing the existing gap in rights and benefits between the formal and informal sector It should reduce poverty by enabling households and families to access health care education and pension systems This can also lead to the exchange of ideas and innovations while increasing labour mobility by providing a common platform for networking and protection between the formal and informal sectors
The writer can be reached at Khusshaal@gmail com
Our future
Khushal Khan
S ehat Card blues
MuhaMMad Zahid Rifat
Trials of Civilians in Militar y Cour ts Round the World
IT is fascinating to explore the history of the trials of civilians in military courts in the USA, Europe, and other countries The US legal system maintains a clear distinction between military and civilian jurisdictions However in specific situations military courts may have jurisdiction over civilians especially when national security is at risk or when civilian crimes occur within a military context This overlap between military and civilian legal systems can be complex but is crucial for ensuring justice in cases involving both military and civilian elements
One of the most notable examples of a civilian tried by a US military court occurred after World War II Tokyo Rose refers to several English-speaking female broadcasters who spread Japanese propaganda during the war, with Iva Ikuko Toguri being the most well-known Toguri an American citizen was in Japan during the war and was accused of being one of the broadcasters helping to spread Japanese propaganda over the radio After the war, she was arrested and tried by a US military tribunal in 1949 Despite her claims that she had been coerced and did not support the views she broadcasted she was convicted of treason and sentenced to 10 years in prison Her trial highlighted the post-war use of military courts to prosecute civilians accused of aiding enemy powers A more contemporary example emerged in the context of the War on Terror, especially after the 9/11 attacks In their aftermath the US government aimed to prosecute individuals connected to terrorism including suspected al-Qaeda members and Taliban fighters, often in military tribunals rather than civilian courts The Military Commissions Act of 2006 authorized the establish-
ment of military commissions at Guantanamo Bay to try foreign nationals accused of involvement in terrorism or war crimes A prominent case was that of Salim Ahmed Hamdan a former driver for Osama bin Laden, accused of supporting terrorism Hamdan was detained at Guantanamo Bay and charged with conspiracy and providing material support to terrorism His trial was by the first US military commission under the new framework of the Military Commissions Act In 2008 the US Supreme Court ruled in Hamdan v Rumsfeld that the military commissions established by the Act violated US law and the Geneva Conventions because they did not offer sufficient legal protections for the accused Congress passed new legislation to make military commission procedures better align with U S legal and international human rights standards The Hamdan case is a significant example of nonUS civilians being tried in US military courts Another notable case involving a civilian trial by military tribunal was that of Jose Padilla a US citizen arrested in 2002 Padilla was accused of plotting a dirty bomb attack in the USA After being detained for several years without formal charges, he was classified as an enemy combatant by the Bush Administration In more recent cases, U S civilian contractors operating in conflict zones like Afghanistan have sometimes been subject to military courts when accused of crimes impacting military operations or involving national security In the UK, military courts primarily adjudicate matters involving armed forces personnel, but civilians may be tried in military tribunals The idea of civilians being subject to military jurisdiction is complex given the fundamental differences between civilian and military justice systems However in certain circumstances especially concerning national security or wartime situations UK military courts have been tasked with prosecuting civilians During World War II the UK government was highly concerned about the risks of espionage sabotage and collaboration with the Axis powers In the face of a national emergency, military tribunals were sometimes used to prosecute civilians accused of treason or aiding the enemy While most were tried in civilian courts some particularly sensitive or politically significant cases were handled by military tribunals A notable example is the trial of
William Joyce infamous for his broadcasts as Lord Haw-Haw, a Nazi propagandist Joyce, an American-born British citizen, used the airwaves to spread Nazi propaganda aimed at demoralizing the British public After the war he was arrested and tried for treason Although the UK had civilian courts capable of handling such cases his trial took place in a military court, partly due to the wartime circumstances and the perceived need to swiftly address individuals seen as threats to national security Joyce was convicted and executed in 1946 Another significant case involved John Amery a British fascist and Nazi collaborator He was tried for treason in a civilian court However like William Joyce he was viewed by the government as a major threat to national security during the war While his trial was held in a civilian court, the broader wartime context and the use of military tribunals for similar cases illustrate how civilians could be subjected to military justice in times of national crisis Violence, violent protests, and attacks on military installations are considered forms of terrorism in many countries Violent protests, especially those led by internal civilian groups at military installations pose a significant threat to national security Such acts are classified as terrorism due to their use of violence and targeting of military or government infrastructure In both the USA and Europe, civilian-led protests have escalated into violence, resulting in attacks on military installations These actions were viewed not only as direct challenges to state authority but also as efforts to intimidate destabilize or force political change, aligning with broader definitions of terrorism While not a direct attack on a military installation, the 1971 Attica Prison Riots
in New York serve as a significant example of violent protests involving civilian participants, which led to military involvement and were regarded as acts of domestic terrorism The riot was triggered by grievances over the treatment of inmates and the harsh conditions at the prison However the response to the violence escalated into an armed standoff with state forces The incident was regarded as terrorism due to the use of force, particularly the storming of the facility, which turned the protest into a violent confrontation with military and state authorities The Irish Republican Army (IRA) a paramilitary group seeking to end British rule in Northern Ireland engaged in violent protests and attacks on British military installations throughout the 1970s and 1980s Their goal was to destabilize the British government and force the withdrawal of British forces from Northern Ireland These actions were widely viewed as terrorism by the UK government In 2014 the Cliven Bundy standoff in Nevada brought attention to tensions between armed civilian militias and federal authorities, particularly the U S Bureau of Land Management (BLM), responsible for managing federal lands The situation escalated when Bundy a rancher led an armed protest against the government s attempt to enforce grazing fees on public lands culminating in a direct confrontation with federal agents, including US military personnel The standoff, driven by the use of violence and intimidation to force the government to relent was classified as terrorism
The Blockupy movement in Germany part of a broader series of anti-austerity protests, saw multiple violent demonstrations, some targeting military-related
Israel has also shown a particular interest in Imran Khan, viewing him as more aligned with their strategic interests This shared interest from the USA, the West, and Israel in Imran Khan and his party is not without reason, and the Pakistani people are well aware of these underlying motives. There is a widespread belief in Pakistan that the country may be more inclined to establish relations with Israel and consider halting its nuclear and missile programmes only if Imran returns to power
An excerpt from ‘Ananda: An Exploration of Cannabis in India’ by K aran Madhok There’s
ananda
song Jai Jai Shiv Shankar In the voice of Kishore Kumar the song begins: Hey Jai Jai Shiv Shankar Kaanta lage na kankar Ki pyaala tere naam ka piya
and some are in simple earthly whites – an ode to Mother Earth and Flower Power Thick smoke hovers in the air Eyes are glazed A couple embrace in a passionate French kiss Bottles of alcohol are passed around Someone sits in a corner mushing together a little more maal perhaps to fill the next pipe And then there she is: Zeenat Aman the heart of this epicurean shindig The young actress lip-syncs along to the first words of the song, sung in the playback by Asha Bhosle A wisp of smoke exits out of her pursed lips “Dum
as
portray siblings
of the
in
is based in
of
where Anand’s
(Prashant)
in
(or “Janice”) The main drama is held in the foreground of the international Haré Krishna Movement with global smuggling rings and commentary on the impact of Western culture on South Asian youth Dev Anand wrote, directed, and produced Haré Rama Haré Krishna, but it was the 20-year-old Aman – in her breakthrough role as pot-smoking, heavy-drinking, broken-hearted hippie – who stole the show winning the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award that year The film is a sort of morality tale with an anti-drug message But one look at Aman
clad in red decorated with
Produced and composed by RD Burman, “Dum Maro Dum” was the best possible auditory substitute for a blissful marijuana high a little disco a little rock and a lot of soul Its intentions as a cannabis anthem couldn t be clearer as the chorus goes:
Dum maro dum
Mit Jaaye gham
Bolo sub-aur-shyaam
Haré Krishna Haré Rama
it’s also the natural result of being stoned of sorrows being erased Take another hit and say the names of your preferred almighties – in this case both avatars of Vishnu
Men and women continue to sway side to side as the song progresses, with more hits from the chillum, more smoke permeating the atmosphere Then, Bhosale sings the track’s most haunting lyrics, posed in the form of four rhetorical questions:
Duniya ne humko diya kya?
Duniya se hamne liya kya?
Hum sabki parvah karein kyon?
Sabne hamara kiya kya?
Masked by the upbeat production, the lyrics are a desperate, existential call for rebellion All that we need is to keep praising the gods – and the next hit
Decades later “Dum Maro Dum” continues to have a cultural impact The song has been sampled and covered by artists around the world The most direct homage came in the 2011 film Dum Maaro Dum about a cop (Abhi tasked to bring down in Goa (now, the “d caine, not cannabis) The film’s song “ (Dum Maaro Dum) man s original rem number to a quicke with this generation Padukone swaying to screen Meanwhile back far corner of the w Caribbean diaspora w with mindbending f folk, Bhojpuri, Car soca, and Bollywood create the “chutney” chutney songs were w ganja; the cultura cannabis and the ter crossed the oceans w aspora who were tak labourers by the Briti to the Caribbean is nineteenth and earl centuries settling acr Jamaica Guyana S more Some of the popular chutney tracks of this time include Chilam Chilam by Rasika Dindial and Ravi B, Marijuana by Mookraj Sahadeo, and Ganjawala by Ravi B and Karma the Band In India, cannabis and cinema continued to have a casual, merry relationship In the 1974 film Aap Ki Kasam the characters played by Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz visit a Shiva temple to pray for the birth of a child Then things take a turn for the wackiest possible outcome as the two – under the influence of bhang –break into a memorable garden dance party around a bunch of other extras (presumably intoxicated) to the hit
In the name of love, or in the name of god? Either way we know what the pyaala (goblet) is filled with In 1980 Amitabh Bachchan danced around to “Rang Barse from Silsila after his character had a little shot of bhang In 1985 RD Burman and Asha Bhosle – a magical pairing of producer and vocalist – reunited for another cannabis-infused track, Bhang Jamaye Rang Jara Sa , for the film Shiva Ka Insaaf (Shiva’s Justice), starring Jackie Shroff as a desi swashbuckling Zorro There’s the film Koyla (1997) where Madhuri Dixit lip-syncs to the song Bhang Ke Nashe Mein Kho Gaye Hum (I m lost in the intoxication of bhang) while inexplicably dancing on a hillside with a dozen children
More recently, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone danced to the track Balam Pichkari from the film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) Somewhere in Parvati Valley Padukone’s character Naina – who had thus far been portrayed in the film as a stereotypically bookish and conservative girl – is now immersed in the intoxicating blend of love and bhang She jumps carefree into the throes of a Holi celebration She is now sexualised: glasses off, hair open, with gyrating hips on display Sung by Shalmali Kholgade, the first verse goes: Itna maza kyun aa raha hai?
Tune hawa mein bhang milaya?
Dugna nasha kyun ho raha hai?
Aankhon se meetha tune khilaya?
cannabis with both vity and freedom of locking” of one’s inch could be as much perience as it is a roMaro Dum , as Aman e of friends continue ng, the film’s hero, v Anand) soon enters aring a lugubrious exis face The psycheeplaced by the solemn o Toh Deewanon a
looded
US APPROVES $8B ARMS SALE TO ISRAEL
Biden blocks US Steel sale to Japan’s Nippon Steel
Where
Olive Trees
Burn: Israel-Palestine,
14 Months and 75 Years Later
worsened, as the Israeli occupation tightens its grip on Palestinian territories The systematic expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank continues unabated despite international condemnation Thousands of new settler units have been approved by the Israeli government, cementing facts on the ground that further undermine any lingering hopes for a two-state solution These settlers attack the residents of the West Bank oftentimes with IDF forces watching on These attacks include the burning of olive trees, which are traditionally grown and tended to by the Palestinian people in the area – and stand as an international symbol of peace and prosperity And Gaza - already a besieged territory hemmed in by blockades and devastated by ears of airstrikes and invasions - has become even more isolated The militant resistance from groups like Hamas, despite controversial methods, stand for many Palestinians as a symbol of defiance to the occupation Israel has retaliated to the October 7th attacks with overwhelming force as it has done so in the past The asymmetric nature of this violence, where Israeli airstrikes destroy whole neighbourhoods and take civilian lives in staggering numbers, is framed as "self- defence" in the mainstream Western discourse But on the ground Palestinians are paying the ultimate price their children buried under rubble as the world debates the legality of it all What makes this chapter even more
precarious is the increasingly active involvement of Lebanon’s Hezbollah Born out of resistance to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982 Hezbollah has grown from a Lebanese Shiite militia into a significant regional power a faction in Lebanese politics bolstered by Iranian support and now firmly aligned with the Palestinian cause In 2024, cross-border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel have escalated dangerously The Israeli strike that targeted Hasan Nasrullah Hezbollah s leader has sparked a new wave of conflict along the Lebanese-Israeli border For many, Nasrullah continues to be a hero, a symbol of the resistance not only against Israel but against foreign domination in the region For Israel Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and Nasrullah was an enemy whose elimination was a priority But the attack on leadership figures wasn t just about Hezbollah It was a signal to Iran, a great supporter of Hezbollah, Hamas and other factions that challenge Israel’s dominance in the region Iran’s influence in this conflict is undeniable Through its support of Hezbollah and Palestinian groups, it has positioned itself as the primary core of the resistance against Israel This is a narrative that resonates across much of the Arab and Muslim world, where Israel is seen not as a legitimate state defending itself but as an occupying power propped up by Western imperialism Israel s strikes on Hezbollah are as much about confronting Iran as they are about neutralizing a threat
from Lebanon – a nation which has countless struggles of its own to contend with With the bank collapse national debt default and 98% devaluation of the Lebanese Pound against the USD in the last 10 years its people are struggling to survive amid skyrocketing inflation and
trajectory has only
SOHAIL
CORPORATE CORNER
Qaiser Sh spearheads performance review meeting attended by Additional Secretary MoMA
Honorable Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Mr Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh spearheaded a Performance Review Meeting attended by Additional Secretary MoMA Mr Umer Zafar Sheikh to assess the progress of key maritime organizations and Board Member /Trustees of the respective organization attended the meeting for their valuable input These included the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) The meeting provided a comprehensive overview of the monthly performance metrics tackling challenges and pinpointing areas ripe for improvement Strategic discussions centered on amplifying efficiency, productivity, and overall service delivery within the maritime sector The meeting concluded with a commitment to put into action the proposed recommendations and strategies designed to drive growth and progress in the maritime sector After the Performance Review meeting Minister for
Shaheed Z AB: Architect of Modern Pakistan: Sharjeel Memon
KARACHI
S TA F F R E P O R T
There are such persons and leaders who cross the boundaries of time and circumstance to take their places among icons of change and vision Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was one such leader His name alone echoes across the annals of Pakistani political history Bhutto was born into the riches of Sindh in 1928 In his early years, he experienced all luxuries possible in that society, but it was through education and exposure to the world that he eventually found a pathway for his future to become one of Pakistan's most important political figures Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was the point of turning for the nation s history not because of his brains or his birth but because of his steadfast perseverance to change the socio-political landscape of Pakistan Bhutto came into politics by education at the University of California, Berkeley, followed by his studies at Oxford University This education exposed Bhutto to new concepts about governance economics and social justice Upon his return to Pakistan he entered politics very quickly; by 1967, he had founded the Pakistan Peoples Party His charismatic leadership coupled with his grasp of the intricate complexities of Pakistan helped him strike a chord with the Pakistani masses, the rural and lowerclass population being the most excluded by the elites in Pakistanian politics Pakistan s vision from Bhutto is bold and visionary He intended to make it a modern society progressive in nature, with equity for its citizens This was manifested in his now-famous slogan, "Roti, Kapra, Aur Makan" or bread, clothing, and shelter In his tenure he encouraged the land reforms as well as the nationalization of strategic industries for the people Being a politician he also was a statesman who had faith in Pakistan as an emerging leader for the Muslim world as well as further afield Bhutto played a very pivotal role in forming the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, an organization aimed at unifying the Muslim nations of the world, and he played a key role in realigning Pakistan s foreign policy at a crucial juncture of geopolitical readjustment of the world
The Punjab Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari on Saturday strongly criticized the governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming that the provincial government has lost its writ, especially in volatile southern districts In a statement issued here the Punjab information minister condemned the attack on the Deputy Commissioner in Kurram district, despite a peace agreement being in place The minister remarked that certain elements are unwilling to see peace restored in Kurram She also alleged that the provincial government is more focused on political prisoners in Adiala Jail than addressing the pressing issues of the province
Highlighting the lack of action she noted that Ali Amin Gandapur has not visited Kurram even once in the last two months She added that while Maryam Nawaz, based in Pun-
jab, is concerned about the plight of the people in Parachinar, the KP government appears indifferent She emphasised that key issues like law and order terrorism and unemployment remain unresolved in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, according to her, has done little to address the grievances of the province’s citizens Over the past 12 years of PTI rule the standard of living in KP
has deteriorated further, leaving its people more disillusioned than ever she concluded
The comments from Azma Bukhari came after violence flared out in the restive region once more on Saturday, as Kurram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javedullah Mehsud sustained injuries in a firing incident
According to local administration the deputy commissioner s vehicle came under attack in in the Bagan area of Lower Kurram The deputy commissioner was rushed to Lower Alizai Hospital for treatment where his condition is said to stable DC Javedullah Mehsud is among those who played a significant part in attempts to bring calm back to the area
It is to be noted here that the first convoy carrying supplies for Kurram is being transported to the region The convoy which includes food and other essential goods is being be protected by security personnel, including the police, to ensure safety
Revitalizing Pakistan's Economy: A Stor y of Resilience and Hope
challenges Pakistan is witnessing a resurgence that inspires optimism among its citizens Once on the verge of financial turmoil, the nation is now making significant progress, driven by determination and strategic reforms The stock market, reflecting public and investor confidence has seen a remarkable upturn indicating a positive outlook This recovery is rooted in a narrative of sacrifice decisive actions and a steadfast belief in a brighter future In the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25, Pakistan's economy recorded a growth of 0 92%, despite a downturn in the industrial sector This shows significant progress considering many had written off Pakistan The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has notably dropped to 4% from staggering 23% figure highlighting the success of the government s decisive actions and IMF-supported structural reforms Growth was primarily fueled by the agriculture and services sectors, which expanded by 1 15% and 1 43%, respectively, during this period In contrast, the economy grew by 2 69% year-on-year in the first quarter of the previous fiscal year 2023-24
However the industrial sector faced a contraction of 1 03% largely due to a decline in mining and quarrying
University of Pennsylvania has contributed an exhaustive preamble to the book touching its theme context and stylistics Nasir Ali Syed rom Peshawar and Prof Khalida Zahoor from New York have also commented on the merits of the work in their respective appraisals annexed to the work Besides noted literati Prof Yunus Sharar Wasif Hussain Wasif and Irshad Siddiqi have written complimentary flaps for the book In author s opinion, a column writer is neither a historian nor a researcher; he is at best an analyst of a situation or event without artfully painting its contours He is not a harbinger of a happy news either because journalism has also been called the first draft of history which cannot be completed because it relates to a world which itself is not fully
from New York terms this book as a history of yesterday today, and tomorrow in the context of its subject, and in the scheme of Atique Siddiqi’s writings, he goes on to say it is his ‘hirz-e-jaaN’ i e the most cherished publication Dr Ashraf Adeel from Kutztown
activities from July to September
To stabilize the economy, Pakistan implemented structural reforms under the IMF’s Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) emphasizing fiscal discipline and enhancing public sector efficiency The trust placed in Pakistan by the IMF demonstrated through the approval of loans has been crucial in supporting these reforms The privatization of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has also played a significant role in improving governance and alleviating the fiscal burden By transitioning non-strategic SOEs to the private sector, the government has ensured greater productivity and better financial results These reforms have facilitated international support with total liquid foreign reserves reaching $14 459 billion by mid-2024
A significant achievement for Pakistan has been the reduction of its trade deficit, which has long been a concern Exports have risen to $2 349 billion, while imports have been curtailed leading to a remarkable 17% reduction in the deficit over ten months The government has actively pursued new trade partnerships including a notable offer from Ethiopia for a 10-year tax exemption for Pakistani investors, underscoring the global community s renewed confidence in Pakistan s economic prospects Moreover, the government has strengthened its tax base to ensure fiscal sustainability Initiatives to tax pensions,
scenario on
micro and macro
els ‘Nikalta Huwa Din’ Farrukh
is a renowned poet of Urdu nazm with
consciousness and variegated
and themes Nikalta Huwa Din (The Rising Day)
collection of nazm in
Mitti
moon’, ‘Neend Jhooltay Logon
Liye Likhi Gai Nazmain’, ‘Yeh Mah-o-Saal Yeh Umrain’ (UBL Literary Award Winner) and Karez He has also authored two other books titled Dorahey and Ishq Nama Shah Hussain (Oxford University KLF-Getz Pharma Book Award Winner 2023) bearing on history and research The present work comprises some thirty-six poems with a mix of mundane surrealistic and romantic topics Farrukh is a modernistic poet endowed with a cosmic vision and a fine artistic elan that enable him to create poetry of a high order Eminent critic Nasir Abbas Nayyar has ably discussed Farrukh
PM CALLS FOR GRANT OF RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION TO PEOPLE OF JAMMU AND K ASHMIR
