DIVISIVE RHETORIC THREAT TO SOCIAL PEACE, SAYS PM
IMF mission likely to visit Pakistan by early March for EFF review
Mahmood Langrial informed the Senate Standing Committee on Finance that the process would remain on hold until an optional analysis and PPRA review was completed Langrial defended the need for additional enforcement resources, including vehicles, stating that FBR officials require enhanced capacity to identify non-filers and enforce compliance, particularly in cash-dominated markets He noted that the FBR operates 25 tax offices nationwide each covering multiple districts making field operations essential Regarding concerns over the procurement process Langrial revealed that an internal FBR committee, led by Member Inland Revenue Operations Dr Hamid Ateeq Sarwar, was overseeing the purchase He emphasized that Sarwar along with other key officials involved had been rated among the country’s most honest tax officials by intelligence agencies The list of officials receiving top integrity ratings included former FBR Chairman Amjad Zubair Tawana and tax
officials Saadia Sadaf Gilani and Sarwar During the committee meeting, Senator Faisal Vawda alleged that he had received life threats from certain tax officials over his objections to the procurement of over 1 000 vehicles In response the Senate committee decided to refer the matter to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further inquiry Chairman FBR welcomed the committee s decision, emphasizing that the FBR would cooperate fully with any external investigation and would also conduct its own internal inquiry Senator Vawda also alleged that certain tax officials had raided a multinational car manufacturer as a form of pressure and claimed that a list of 54 allegedly corrupt tax officials reportedly holding illicit wealth, had surfaced Chairman FBR reaffirmed the FBR s commitment to transparency, stating that any misconduct would be investigated thoroughly He urged the Senate committee to refer the allegations to the FIA assuring that strict action would be taken against any officials found guilty of wrongdoing Senator Saleem Mandviwala stressed that all procurement must adhere to PPRA regulations and called for
S
Russian team assessing Pakistan Steel Mills revival, decision expected by June
K arachi airpor t undergoes major upgrade to accommodate Airbus A380
EV deal
While a Chinese investor plans on building charging stations, other problems remain
CHINA S ADM Group is taking a more basic approach to electric-vehicle manufacture than merely setting up a manufacturing plant in association with Pakistan s Malik Group
Apart from the $240 million to go into the plant, which is to have the capacity to produce 72,000 vehicles a year ADM Group also plans to put $90 million into 3000 charging stations, with the first batch of 30 stations due to arrive in the next 10 days This will go some way to addressing one of the biggest problems facing EVs and their adoption in Pakistan, that of charging stations The recent reduction of the tariff for charging stations (from Rs 71 to Rs 39 70 per unit) would be welcome, but it does not address the real problem that the vehicles are presently prohibitively expensive Even if a network of charging stations were to be established, there would also be the issues of mechanics who could handle the complexities of the batteries that powered the engines and of the fact that EVs do not have much resale value
One of the main hurdles is the distribution system It is not enough to put up a charging station; it is also necessary to get the electricity to it The ADM Group has not yet made public any talks it might have had with the Oil Marketing Companies whose pumps at which the charging stations must be located (Fuel pumps already form an appropriate network; the ancillary stories, car washes and tire stores will also be useful ) While petrol pumps now only have to be located where power can be delivered to operate the pumps, now the distribution companies will have to deliver much large
ON January 2 a makeshift boat carrying 86 migrants including 66 Pakistanis capsized off the coast of Morocco Only 11 survivors were rescued leaving dozens of families devastated and dreams shattered The dead included young men and women who had pinned their hopes on this perilous journey across the Atlantic in pursuit of a better life in Europe This tragedy although horrifying is not an isolated incident It is a grim reflection of the escalating crisis of illegal migration from Pakistan where desperation meets exploitation and hope often turns into tragedy Each year, approximately 150,000 Pakistanis attempt to leave their homeland illegally, with many embarking on treacherous routes across the Mediterranean or through the Balkans The promise of a brighter future drives them into the clutches of human traffickers who exploit their vulnerability charging exorbitant sums for passage on overcrowded, unsafe boats The Atlantic route alone claimed more than 10,457 lives in 2024 Yet, for many, the hope of escape outweighs the risks, even when those risks include death The reality for those who survive is often just as harrowing as the journey itself Ahmed a 23-yearold from Punjab recalls the horror of watching his friends drown during a boat capsize in 2023 We were promised Europe, but we were delivered death,” he says Ahmed now lives in Europe, undocumented and fearful He works in gruelling conditions for less than minimum wage unable to report mistreatment or seek legal protection For Ahmed and countless others survival comes at the cost of dignity, security, and basic human rights The motivations behind such perilous decisions are deeply rooted in Pakistan’s socio-economic struggles Unemployment rates among youth stand at over eight percent but the situation in rural areas is far worse where limited access to education and job opportunities leaves young people with few options In many families the responsibility of finan-
Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
cial support falls on the eldest son and migration becomes the only perceived solution Parents sell land take on crippling loans or exhaust their savings to fund these dangerous journeys often unaware of the true risks involved Pakistanis contribute over $27 billion annually in remittances, a significant lifeline for the country’s fragile economy This dependency on remittances perpetuates the belief that migration is the only viable path to success However what goes unnoticed are the countless families left in ruin when these journeys fail Many return home broken physically, emotionally, and financially while others never return at all, leaving their loved ones in a limbo of grief and poverty The conditions faced by these migrants are inhumane Boats designed for 20 people carry up to 80 often with insufficient food water or life vests
Those who survive the sea often endure torture, starvation, and extortion at the hands of traffickers during land crossings Women and children are particularly vulnerable, facing abuse and exploitation A 2023 UN report revealed that over 80 percent of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean experience violence or trafficking The cost of illegal migration extends beyond individual lives it impacts entire communities and the nation as a whole Families left behind often spiral into debt, especially when they have sold assets to fund these journeys Women bear the brunt of this fallout forced to repay loans while managing households alone This financial strain exacerbates gender inequality and perpetuates cycles of dependency Empowering women through education and employment could break this cycle Research shows that countries with higher female workforce participation experience stronger economic growth and lower
Inot only help bridge the inequality gap but would also generate sizable revenue to fund critical public services and infrastructure projects Elite clubs and luxury goods often associated with the wealthiest segments of society could also be targeted for taxation High-end clubs, with memberships numbering in the thousands, could be taxed heavily, with substantial annual super taxes levied on each member Luxury goods such as expensive cars yachts and real estate transactions should be taxed at higher rates ensuring that the elite contribute more to the national economy Such measures would send a clear message that the affluent must play a more active
redirected to strengthen the public education system This would help improve access to quality education for the broader population breaking the cycle of poverty that keeps many in the lower economic strata The agricultural sector which accounts for a significant portion of Pakistan s economy, is another area where tax reforms are desperately
needed Large-scale agricultural operations especially in crops like processed tobacco leaves sugarcane and cotton, often evade taxes due to the informal nature of the sector By imposing a small tax on the supply of cash crops to mills, the government could begin to capture revenue from a previously untapped source while also addressing the issue of tax evasion in agriculture Charitable foundations and trusts that enjoy tax exemptions must also be brought under scrutiny Many of these organizations, while presenting themselves as charitable, often benefit the elite and allow them to evade taxes By removing tax exemptions for such organizations and ensuring that they are held accountable for their financial activities the government can close yet another major loophole in the system Equally important is the need to reassess the defence budget, which consumes a disproportionate share of the national budget A modest reduction in non-combat defence spendings with funds reallocated to critical social sectors like healthcare education and infrastructure would not only improve the welfare of people but also contribute to longterm economic growth Another critical measure is to cut subsidies that disproportionately benefit the elite The government currently spends billions on subsidies that primarily serve the wealthy while the poor continue to struggle These subsidies should be redirected to poverty alleviation programmes, ensuring that resources are directed where they are needed most Improving trade relations with neighbouring countries, especially India could help open new markets for Pakistani goods and services boosting employment and economic growth The development of the tourism sector with the introduction of visa-on-arrival services could magnify the economy by attracting foreign currency and promoting local businesses By addressing tax inequities removing loopholes and promoting responsible governance Pakistan has the potential to build a future grounded in justice and prosperity The political
Homelessness in Winter
Youthful future
Dr zaFar Khan saFDar
Oshaz Fatima
China’s Growing Power Alarms US Lawmakers
Trump’s Strategy to Contain China
about maintaining the credibility of US commitments to its allies
MChina is the most significant long-term threat to US national security The discussion led by Senator Marco Rubio who has been nominated for Secretary of State emphasized concerns about China s economic military and technological ambitions positioning it as the foremost geopolitical adversary of the UsSA Lawmakers pointed to China's alleged aggressive global strategies, including intellectual property matters, cyber warfare military and economic expansion as evidence of its intent to challenge US dominance The committee identified four key adversaries China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran with China at the forefront, and accused China of involvement in the fentanyl trade supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine aiding Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East and reinforcing North Korea s aggressive stance in the AsiaPacific region A major concern raised was China s increasing control over global supply chains, including critical industries such as rare earth minerals artificial intelligence and quantum computing Senators emphasized that China s technological advancements pose a significant risk to US economic and national security interests They discussed strategies to counter China s dominance by restricting Chinese access to advanced US technologies reinforcing domestic manufacturing capabilities and securing key partnerships with allied nations
Additionally the committee proposed a comprehensive Indo-Pacific strategy to
counter China’s influence This included strengthening military alliances with Japan South Korea Taiwan and the Philippines as well as increasing military cooperation through the AUKUS agreement with Australia and the United Kingdom The senators stressed that US engagements should be aimed at deterring Chinese actions in the South China Sea where China has allegedly harassed Philippine vessels conducted large-scale military exercises aimed at Taiwan, and simulated a naval blockade of Japan, stressing on expanding intelligencesharing mechanisms and facilitating technology transfers among allies to maintain regional stability The hearing also focused on China s alleged cyberwarfare activities including recent cyberattacks on US government institutions such as the Treasury Department Senators detailed China’s alleged involvement in sabotaging undersea communication cables in Asia and Europe highlighting the broader threat posed by Chinese cyberespionage The committee emphasized the need to strengthen US cybersecurity infrastructure and take proactive measures to neutralize cyberthreats before they escalate Regarding Taiwan, the committee reaffirmed its support for the "Porcupine Strategy " aimed at making the cost of invading Taiwan prohibitively high for China This strategy includes increasing arms sales to Taiwan, fortifying its missile defense systems, and expanding diplomatic backing to counter China’s efforts to isolate Taiwan on the global stage Senator Rubio and his colleagues emphasized that defending Taiwan is not just about regional security but also
A significant portion of the hearing was dedicated to human rights concerns particularly China s alleged repression of ethnic minorities such as the Uighurs Senator Rubio committed to lobbying against the deportation of Uighur refugees from Thailand back to China, where they reportedly face persecution The committee also condemned China s use of forced labour and transnational repression urging stronger global action to address these human rights abuses
In terms of global security, the committee emphasized that the world is currently facing its most dangerous geopolitical climate since World War II and argued that the USA must shift from a defensive to an offensive posture to secure its interests
However for anyone watching the hearing live, it was evident that the committee s accusations were largely theoretical, based on perceived and pre-established views Despite making several allegations the committee failed to present any irrefutable evidence to substantiate its claims that China was involved in the illegal activities outlined during the hearing
The committee overlooked China's perspective that, while pursuing its legitimate rights and responsibilities toward international peace and prosperity it adheres strictly to peaceful and lawful means to achieve its objectives without jeopardizing any partner or regional and global stability
Unlike other nations, China asserts that it remains uninvolved in regional and international conflicts, including the war in the Middle East the Israel-Palestine crisis and the Russia-Ukraine war Moreover China emphasizes that it does not threaten other nations with annexation such as incorporating
Breaking free from a cycle of rivalry and embracing strategic cooperation could yield substantial benefits not just for the USA and China but for the global community as a whole At this critical juncture, US policymakers must reconsider their approach and explore avenues for constructive engagement Instead of escalating tensions, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship could pave the way for lasting global stability and prosperity
G a n d h i w a s t h e f i r s t v i c t i m o f H i n d u t v a
He was being trained to assassinate Gandhiji and he went through several rigorous rounds of tests that he was put to by his mentor Savarkar
ON January 30 in 1948
Nathuram Godse killed Mahatma Gandhi
Even the dead will not be safe from the enemy if he wins And this enemy has not ceased to be victorious ” (Walter Benjamin The Thesis on the Philosophy of History ) In the first week of January
1948 I came to the conclusion that Gandhi, who had been constantly helping Pakistan, had to be killed There was no other way to deal with Pakistan ” Nathuram Godse said in his pre-trial statement recorded at the stage of interrogation Later as he anxiously tried to remove any traces of guilt from Savarkar and Narayan Apte and the other co-accused by denying the existence of a conspiracy Godse revised his account and said that the assassination decision was taken after Gandhi had on January 13 started his indefinite fast, to compel India to pay Rs 55 crores to Pakistan, writes Dhirendra K Jha in his book Gandhi’s Assassin: the Making of Nathuram Godse
Seventy-seven years after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, his killer Nathuram Godse remains an inconvenient persona who can neither be accepted wholeheartedly nor rejected resolutely by the Modi government and the leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders While Modi often leads foreign heads of states and governments – as he did during the G-20 summit in Delhi in 2023 – to the Gandhi Samadhi in Rajghat to offer prayers his party MLAs and MPs routinely and brazenly express their admiration for Godse This problematic relationship with Godse stems from the fact that while they have publicly accepted his mentor V D Savarkar as the philosopher of the party for having given it its foundational ideology Hindutva they have had to sever all public links with Godse because his confession to the court was too strong to be disowned Godse in his statement to the court, later published as a booklet May It Please Your Honour says, “I stoutly maintain that Gandhiji failed in his duty which was incumbent upon him to carry out as the Father of the Nation He has proved to be the Father of Pakistan It was for this reason alone that I as a dutiful son of Mother India thought it my duty to put an end to the life of the so-called Father of the Nation who had played a very prominent part in bringing about the vivisection of the country – Our Motherland One may well argue that the conditions of the country in 1947, the Partition the brutal killings of almost a million Hindus Sikhs and Muslims and the displacement of about 6 million people from their homes were such as to drive people to fanatical acts to avenge their personal tragedies But Godse was not one of those uprooted refugees in Delhi He was a well-settled family man who was restless to get into political action and public recognition He was being trained to assassinate Gandhiji and he went through several rigorous rounds of tests that he was put to by his mentor Savarkar It began with his meeting with Savarkar in Ratnagiri in 1938, when he was advised to join the first batch of Hindu Mahasabha volunteers to fight the Nizam’s Razakars in Hyderabad Immediately upon his entry in Hyderabad he was detained and imprisoned for a year which strengthened his resolve to fight for the Hindu cause Savarkar s confidence in the young man grew so much that in 1942, he asked Godse to form a secret volunteer organisation among a small group of disciples in the Pune Hindu Mahasabha Savarkar required these volunteers to take an oath of loyalty to him and perform underground activities that could not be sanctioned by the Mahasabha ’ The group s primary objective was to propagate Savarkarism as a way to protect Hindudom and render help to every Hindu institution in their attempt to oppose encroachment on their rights and religion Accordingly Godse formed the Hindu Rashtra Dal in Poona and another acolyte of
Savarkar Dr D S Parchure (who subsequently obtained the 9mm Beretta Automatic later described as the murder weapon) formed the Hindu Rashtra Sena in Gwalior This shows that there was a symbiotic relationship between Savarkar and Godse, that of a guru and his disciple and it is impossible to own one and disown the other
Not many would know that Gandhi and Savarkar had met twice, in London, first in October 1906 and second time when they both addressed a public meeting in July 1909 Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay writes in his book The RSS: Icons of the Indian Right that Gandhi was so disturbed by this (second) meeting that he wrote to Gopal Krishna Gokhale sharing his regret, especially about Savarkar ’s viewpoint of adopting violence as a legitimate political tool to overthrow the British In a more perceptive reading of Savarkar, Vinayak Chaturvedi in his book Hindutva and Violence: V D Savarkar and the Politics of History writes: “ Savarkar and Gandhi had first disagreed about the centrality of violence during their public meeting in London in 1909 Both appeared to have conceptualized their ideas as counter arguments, without formally addressing each other Neither wanted to cede the political vocabulary that shaped their thoughts on concepts like swaraj civilization Hindu and violence
Nor were Gandhi and Savarkar interested in letting the other provide the normative interpretations of texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana This was an epistemic battle for the domination of ideas with a violent end
We all know who met with the violent end and who was tried as one of the conspirators for the killing
One question that always bothered me is how anyone professing to be a disciple of Swami Vivekananda as prime minister Narendra Modi often claims, could also venerate Savarkar, a most resolute votary of violence, who had no tolerance for Islam and Christianity who was against democracy and worshipped the fascist and Nazi dictators The latter qualities reflect a personality type that Modi fashions himself to be Swami Vivekananda is probably a cover story
Ravi Joshi was formerly in the Cabinet Secretariat
Canada as the 51st US state reclaiming control over the Panama Canal or occupying Greenland, adding that the USA forms alliances at both bilateral and multilateral levels specifically to undermine China’s legitimate interests Whereas, China has extended an open invitation to the USA and other nations to collaborate in its global efforts to enhance the quality of life for people worldwide c
The most questionable assertion of all was on Taiwan given that Taiwan is not a US territory, yet the USA assumes the inherent right to interfere in what is essentially a bilateral territorial dispute between Taiwan and China one that has no direct connection to the USA While the USA frequently warns, criticizes, and censures other countries for interfering in bilateral matters of other countries, it continues to reserve the right to intervene in conflicts worldwide as though it were an inherent prerogative
The committee seemed to overlook the USA s own controversial human rights record including the inhumane and degrading treatment of prisoners at Guantánamo Bay, targeted and extrajudicial killings of declared enemies around the globe without judicial review and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians through military interventions in Afghanistan the Middle East Syria and Libya Furthermore the USA has been accused of supporting Israel s actions in Gaza, which many have condemned as genocidal
The US Senators’ perspective once again highlights the double standards of the USA As of today the USA is the world s largest exporter of arms and ammunition which are among the primary drivers of wars conflicts and unrest worldwide Additionally, the USA maintains 257 military bases across the globe
A C h i n e s e te l e c o m s g i a n t a n d i t s d e t r a c to r s
Is China’s exploitation of its technology sec tor really that different to the way the US authorities exploited Google, Facebook and others, as revealed by Edward Snowden?
Huawei is not exactly a household name If you ve heard of it, you either follow the smartphone market closely – it is the main China-based manufacturer of high-end phones –or else consume a lot of news because the company is at the centre of an ongoing US-China trade war
But this enormous business is one of the world s biggest producers of behind-the-scenes equipment that enables fibre broadband 4G and 5G phone networks Its hardware is inside communications systems across the world
That has prompted alarm from US lawmakers of both parties, who accuse Huawei of acting as an agent for China’s government and using its technology for espionage The company insists it merely complies with the local laws wherever it operates just like its US rivals Nevertheless its equipment has been ripped out of infrastructure in the UK at the behest of the government, its execs and staffers have been arrested across the world and it has been pilloried for its involvement in China s oppression of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang
Into this murky world of allegation and counter-allegation comes the veteran telecoms reporter Eva Dou Her book chronicles the history of Huawei since its inception as well as the lives of founder Ren Zhengfei and his family starting with the dramatic 2019 arrest of his daughter Meng Wanzhou, Huawei s chief financial officer, at the behest of US authorities
Dou’s command of her subject is indisputable and her book is meticulous and determinedly even-handed House of Huawei reveals much but never speculates or grandstands –leaving that to the politicians of all stripes for whom hyperbole about Huawei comes
m w o r k i n g a r o u n d t h e c l o c k i n s t i f l i n g l y h o t o ff i c e s , t o m a k e a n a l o g u e t e l e p h o n
QamaR BashiR
GUARDIAN
P E R I S H I N U S M I D A I R C O L L I S I O N
Social Media Activism: The New Frontier of Change
Iraqi man who desecrated Holy Quran shot dead in Sweden
Salwan Momika, a man who repeatedly burnt the Holy Quran in 2023 in Sweden, sparking outrage among
Book Review: Poems for G aza
SYED AFSAR SAJID
Ejaz Rahim is a noted Pakistani poet of English enjoying wide international acclaim The instant collection of verse is his 29 th in a series of publications spanning a period of thirty-two years (19932024) The renowned Urdu fiction writer Saadat Hasan Manto s Letter to Uncle Sam purported to have been written in 1951, is adduced to the book as an epilogue, in anglicised verse form, ostensibly with a view to intensifying the thematic impact of the poems constituting the collection Lauding Manto s avowal of truth and its auxiliaries, beauty, love and freedom as well as his aversion to power that tends to sanctify ‘selfishness and selfrighteousness’ the author is led to conceive A world in which/ The most powerful/ Have conspired to wrest/ From the children of Gaza/ Their homelands, their homes/ And their parents/ Their siblings and their playmates/ Their schools and health clinics/ Their everybody their everything/ In one fell swoop/ One/ Fell
The note on the back cover of the book seeks to sum up the poet s intent in inditing the crisis in Gaza:
“The poems in this volume reflect a personal reaction to the heart-wrenching scene of deliberate torture and calculated carnage in Gaza for a whole year running All poems in this anthology may be read as one single poem Gaza is for all of humanity a wake-up call Its significance for history lies in the questions it raises on the very survival of our civilization
Each of the Gaza poems conveys three kinds of echoes of
elegy of lamentation and of epiphanic hope One has inked these verses to celebrate Gazans for their passionate love of freedom, their unsurmountable courage and their immortal faith The true poems however are those written by the Gazans themselves in the blood of martyrdom
The tale told in these poems relates to the stark degradation to which Gazans have been subjected in the last fifteen months starting end-October 2023 The narrative is intended to stir the world conscience on the brutalities brazenly committed on the hapless people of Gaza by the Israeli forces
The titles of the poems loudly speak out their melancholic contents: ‘A Karbala Moment’ ‘Karbala of our Times Gaza You re Not Alone Fear Grief Gaza s Yellow Rose Mortality and Immortality , Two Scenarios – Peshawar and Gaza , If All Jews Were Like Albert Einstein’, ‘Lines for President Biden’ ‘PowerWielders’ ‘Gaze and Shriek’ Gaza Writes Back Holocaust –Old and New 2023 Will Be Remembered , To Superpowers , To
UN chief demands evacuation of 2,500 Gaza children at ‘ imminent risk ’ of death
United Nations SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres on Thursday demanded that 2,500 children be immediately evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment after meeting with U S doctors who said the children were at imminent risk of death in the coming weeks The four doctors had all volunteered in Gaza during the 15-month-long war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas that has devastated the enclave of more than 2 million people and its healthcare system Just days before a ceasefire began
BBC and CNN s Sense of History
Year 2024 Edhi and Netanyahoo (sic) – Two Portraits in History s Mirror , and Saadat HasanManto s Letter to Uncle Sam’
In one of this scribe’s earlier reviews of Ejaz Rahim’s work it was contended that post- modernism goes beyond the modernist emphasis on the creative role of the poet and emphasizes the role of the reader of a text also to highlight the complex cultural web within which a poem is crafted and read Globalization has further facilitated poets to borrow styles techniques and forms from a vast range of cosmopolitan cultures and languages Viewed in this perspective, the poems in the instant anthology would seem to fully testify to their author s credentials as a poet of the zeitgeist of a turbulent era enmeshed in the two crucial centuries current and the preceding one Here are a few excerpts from the book pertinent to its intent and purpose that in the poet’s view envisage the reliance of civilisation s survival on dissemination of a widely- held and deeply-felt belief in the sanctity of human life and respect for the basic axioms of freedom and justice’ considered in the ‘larger framework of life and love’: “To have lived through Gaza/ In these brazen times/ When one finds history/ Lowered into a bier/ Then thrown into a pit/ Mercilessly, is to burn/ Inside the urn/ Of an Abrahamic metaphor/ Manifesting both/ Meaning of martyrdom/ And martyrdom of meaning” ( To Have Lived Through Gaza ) You Gaza will arise/ From battlefields like ababeels / Spread out your wings as banners/ And r ace from riverbank to seashore/
Islamabad Model College for Girls Tarlai bags seven academic excellence awards
a proud feat by winning seven awards during the annual Educational Excellence Awards ceremony of Sector Nilore The award distribution ceremony was organized at Islamabad Model School for Boys, Jhang Saidan by Area Education Office Nilore Deputy Director General Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) Asif Iqbal Khan Niazi was the chief guest of the event Area Education Officer Nilore Sector Dr Khalid Mehmood welcomed the guests and highlighted the aims and objectives of the event Deputy AEO Nilore Mr Rashid Khan was also present Chief guest Asif Iqbal Niazi in his speech urged the teachers to focus on education as well as character building of students He said that our students are not less than anyone and they have immense talent but the problem is our inattention If we guide the students properly and pay attention to their training these children will prove to be useful citizens of the country in the future He also congratulated the students, teachers and heads of institutions who received prizes in the ceremony
Sindh Governor hosts dinner reception in honor of int’l faculty of WFNS-2025
KARACHI
S TA F F R E P O R T
Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori hosted a dinner reception at Governor House in honor of the international faculty of the WFNS-2025 Educational Course The event was attended by renowned neurosurgeons from Türkiye, Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, China, Japan, Kenya Iraq Tunisia and Pakistan Addressing the distinguished guests Governor Sindh paid tribute to the global neurosurgeons for their contributions to the field Expressing delight over the presence of leading international experts at Governor House Karachi, he reaffirmed his commitment to advancing medical education in Pakistan He emphasized that collaborative efforts in medical research and education are essential for progress Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori highlighted that Karachi is emerging as a global hub for medical education and research, and the participation of internationally acclaimed experts is a testament to this progress Reiterating his dedication to enhancing neurosurgery and healthcare standards in Pakistan, he welcomed further international partnerships The event concluded with expressions of appreciation from experts representing Türkiye Italy the United States the United Kingdom China and other nations, who praised Pakistan's hospitality and commitment to medical advancements
the skill, passion, and hard work of our students and faculty Competing against some of the finest culinary professionals in the industry
DIG Islamabad holds open cour t to address public grievances
According to the details Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Islamabad Muhammad Jawad Tariq held a Khulli Katcheri at his office to address citizens grievances and issued immediate directives for their resolution During the Khulli Katcheri, DIG Islamabad emphasized that citizens can also register their complaints through the "IGP Complaint Cell 1715 " He said that Inspector
Mr Muhammad Fahim receiving a felicitation on becoming PSO of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto medical university PR
JOURNALISTS STAGE NATIONWIDE BL ACK DAY PROTESTS AGAINST CONTROVERSIAL PECA AMENDMENTS
NASTP to act as catalyst for promotion of futuristic aerospace, aviation capabilities: President
President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday said that the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) would serve as a beacon of innovation to promote futuristic aerospace and aviation capabilities
During a visit to the NASTP a flagship project spearheaded by the Pakistan Air Force the president got a detailed briefing on various set-ups established at the Park, and lauded the PAF and its skilled personnel besides conveying his admiration for the state-of-the-art technological ecosystem according to a President House press release He also commended the PAF leadership for the vision and proactive approach towards addressing modern warfare challenges and completing this project of national strategic importance in an unprecedented time frame
Declaring NASTP a major landmark in PAF s journey towards progress, the Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu was also present on the occasion
He emphasized that the project was of national importance, poised to form basis of knowledge and technology-based economy in Pakistan NASTP aims to bridge the gap by seamlessly fusing private and public sector enterprises in Space Cyber IT Artificial Intelligence & Aerospace domains It was emphasized that the NASTP was all set to become one of the best aerospace cyber & IT clusters in the world and would transform the national landscape with design R&D and innovation centres for emerging and disruptive technologies to foster research, innovation and development in re-
lated technologies This endeavour will for sure maximise social, economic, security and scientific dividends for the country
The National Aerospace Science and Technology Park will play a pivotal role in shaping the country s aerospace industry fostering strategic partnerships and contributing to the economic growth of Pakistan
The visit of the President of Pakistan to the Park is a testament to the success of this mega project and highlights the unwavering dedication of the Pakistan Air Force in promoting an environment of research and development in the country
Railways CEO sets up committee to probe Shahdara derailment, fix responsibility
Pakistan Railways CEO Amir Ali
Baloch on Friday constituted a high-level committee to probe the derailment of three coaches of Karachi-bound Shalimar Express near Lahore s Shahdara area reaffirming the commitment to foolproof passenger safety
Earlier on Friday three coaches Shalimar Express, traveling from Lahore to Karachi, derailed near Shahdara area Luckily no injury or death reported in the incident that could have triggered a major catastrophe
The three members committee comprising the Deputy Chief Engineer (Bridges), Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer (Carriages), and Deputy COP (Safety) will determine causes of the derailment and fix responsibility
The committee will submit a detailed report next week, based on which strict action will be taken against those found responsible
The CEO emphasized that Pakistan Railways remains one of the safest modes of travel Over the past two years significant safety measures have been implemented, leading to a considerable reduction in derailment in-
cidents As a result 42 million passengers trusted Pakistan Railways for their journeys in 2024, a number the organization aims to increase further”, he stated He also highlighted that railway tracks undergo continuous inspections and engineering restrictions are imposed wherever weaknesses are detected to ensure passenger safety Currently, 13 projects are underway in the Sukkur-Rohri section to improve track conditions while similar improvement projects are in progress across other divisions the PR CEO elaborated adding that with the launch of the ML-1 project, engineering restrictions will be sig-
nificantly reduced It is noteworthy that restoration operations commenced immediately after the derailment, and the up and down tracks were cleared within three hours At present, all trains across the country are operating as per schedule Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the site to assist in recovery efforts Railway staff and police arrived to assess the damage and manage the situation According to railway officials the accident was triggered by the breaking of an old wooden track which had been in use for nearly 200 years Fortunately, no casualties or injuries have been reported so far
