SHARIF, ALIYEV FINALIZE MATTERS ON A ZERBAIJAN’S $2 BN INVESTMENT IN PAKISTAN
Azerbaijan President hints at Pakistan visit in April to for malize $2b investment projects
BAKU S TA F F R E P O R T
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on Monday expressed his willingness to visit Islamabad this April to formalize agreements for $2 billion worth of investment projects in Pakistan
The intention was conveyed during a meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Azerbaijan in Baku The visit of the prime minister, un-
dertaken at the invitation of the President of Azerbaijan underscores the deep-rooted, historic and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan Upon arrival at the Zugulba Palace, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was warmly received by President Ilham Aliyev
two countries and expressed satisfaction on the joint efforts to further strengthen the close and fraternal ties Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif noted with deep appreciation President Ilham Aliyev s announcement of US$ 2 billion Azerbaijan s investment in Pakistan during his July 2024 visit to Pakistan and discussed potential projects that are ready for investment
FAFEN repor t ‘exposes’ Pakistan’s electoral representation crisis
development initiatives Furthermore Bokhari announced that after successfully launching the Metro Bus and Orange Line projects the Punjab government was now planning tram and underground Green Line projects to enhance public transport infrastructure Despite the Punjab government s defense, reports have emerged about serious irregularities in the awarding of the Bikers Lane contract Sources claim that the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) did not properly prequalify companies with relevant experience leading to the selection of a contractor who used substandard paint purchased locally from Ferozepur Road Experts revealed that the paint should have contained a special adhesive powder to ensure durability but this crucial step was neglected Additionally the project was executed without consulting engineering experts including NESPAK which would typically oversee such developments To counter public backlash, sources allege that misleading reports were circulated in the media, falsely claiming that a show-cause notice had been issued to the contractor
Omar Ayub criticises Imran Khan’s jail trial as ‘unprecedented’ Pakistan, IMF begin talks on $1 billion climate resilience financing
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and senior PTI leader Omar Ayub has claimed that Imran Khan is the only former prime minister in Pakistan’s history to face trial while in jail Speaking to the media outside the Judicial Complex in Islamabad Ayub revealed that Chief Justice of Pakistan had invited him for a meeting in his capacity as Opposition Leader He stated that before engaging in discussions with the Chief Justice he sought Imran Khan’s permission three times which was granted During the meeting PTI presented its agenda, focusing on judicial reforms and human rights concerns Ayub alleged that Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were being deprived of their fundamental rights in prison citing restrictions on their family members from meeting them He further asserted that while other former prime ministers had been tried in open courts, Khan was being subjected to an un-
precedented jail trial He also accused authorities of using police force against PTI workers claiming that party leaders across Punjab, Islamabad, Sindh, and Balochistan were being harassed Meanwhile, the Islamabad AntiTerrorism Court (ATC) conducted a hearing in nine cases registered against Ayub Presided over by Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain the proceedings were adjourned until April 10 following a request from the defense lawyer due to the absence of senior counsel Dr Babar Awan
PAkiSTAN-BANgl ADESH TRADE SuRPASSES
Govt vows uninterrupted power suppl y during Ramadan
SITE A ssociation criticizes S indh Government
on Monday, February 24 Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Sindh s Finance and Planning Minister Syed
Nasir Hussain Shah are scheduled to address the session
The workshop will bring together a diverse group of participants including Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics Vice Chancellor Dr Nadeem Javed, provincial ministers secretaries representatives from the media and officials from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry The event aims to create a collaborative platform for discussing policy reforms and development strategies
As part of the discussions, working groups will be established to facilitate coordination between the federal and provincial governments These groups
will focus on formulating policy recommendations to advance the objectives of “Uraan Pakistan ” Their findings and proposals will be consolidated into a joint communiqué at the end of the workshop Following the session, Ahsan Iqbal and Murad Ali Shah will hold a joint press conference to share the outcomes of the discussions Sindh’s role in the initiative and the roadmap for future implementation
This consultation marks a critical step toward shaping policies that support economic sustainability, industrial expansion, and educational progress under the broader vision of “Uraan Pakistan
04
COMMENT
Finding regional par tners
PA K I S TA N S recent engagement with Azerbaijan, culminating in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ’s visit to Baku underscores the critical need for regional partnerships to navigate the country’s economic challenges The announcement of a $2 billion bilateral investment target is a promising step, but it must translate into tangible outcomes to truly alleviate Pakistan s financial strains While Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and highlevel meetings are important, the real measure of success lies in their execution and the mutual economic benefits they deliver Pakistan’s economy burdened by inflation debt and external pressures, urgently requires foreign investment and collaborative ventures to stimulate growth The commitment from Azerbaijan to invest in mutually beneficial projects, particularly in energy, defense, and trade, is a welcome development The extension of the LNG framework agreement between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (Socar) and its Pakistani counterpart along with the establishment of a trading company, signals progress However, these initiatives must move beyond paperwork and yield concrete results
The potential of Gwadar port as a regional hub for imports and exports further highlights the importance of such partnerships If leveraged effectively Gwadar could become a cornerstone of regional trade benefiting not only Pakistan and Azerbaijan but also the broader region Similarly, the emphasis on joint defense production facilities reflects a strategic shift toward self-reliance and shared expertise, which could bolster Pakistan’s defense capabilities while fostering economic collaboration
While the optimism surrounding these agreements is justified history reminds us that MoUs alone are not enough Pakistan has seen numerous agreements fail to materialize into impactful projects The government must ensure that the upcoming visit by the Azerbaijani delegation in April results in actionable plans, transparent processes, and timely implementation Both nations must prioritize accountability and efficiency to turn these commitments into real economic gains
In a region fraught with geopolitical complexities, Pakistan cannot afford to rely solely on traditional allies Diversifying partnerships, as seen with Azerbaijan, is essential However, the true test lies in transforming these diplomatic efforts into sustainable economic progress Only then can Pakistan hope to overcome its challenges and secure a stable future
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
EV E N after Trump declared that he wanted to take back the Panama Canal acquire Greenland by force if necessary and rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America I could not, like many others, imagine that his madness could reach a new unfathomable height At his news conference on February 4, with Prime Minister Netanyahu standing beside him sporting a sinister grin Trump announced that the US would take over Gaza ship the Palestinians like sheep to Jordan and Egypt build such a mesmerizing Riviera along the Mediterranean Sea and, voilà, bring peace and prosperity to the whole region What a wonderful and visionary plan that nobody could have possibly conceived but him ’ Of course his bluster is short of any details A display of bravado and raw exercise of power is what he wants to project and to hell with the ramifications of his brazen plan that would set the region on fire the likes of which is hard to envisage Though no sensible person believes that Trump can effectuate such a perilous undertaking, mentioning it alone sent shivers down the spine of every Palestinian The message to them is simple: forget about the establishment of an independent Palestinian state This land is the ancestral land of the Jewish people and it must be restored to its rightful owners Oh, you Palestinians, be prepared now for the second Nakba (catastrophe), but this time, do not worry; the exodus will be well organized; you will settle in Jordan and Egypt and live happily ever after What Trump does not grasp which is no surprise is that even though much of Gaza lies in ruin and it will take years and billions to rebuild this is their land They can rebuild their homes, restore the infrastructure, tend to their farms, and restructure their businesses, but they cannot replace their land
Their attachment is to the land which they cannot relinquish substitute or be compensated for This is where they belong where their ancestors lived and died where their cultural heritage resides and where they still dream of having a better and brighter future and living with dignity, which even the President of the US cannot usurp with impunity
The ramifications of Trump’s brutally brazen plan for Gaza transcends any nightmare that Trump or Netanyahu can envision The exodus of the Palestinians would immediately and ominously
destabilize the region Jordan, in particular, will be the first to be destabilized as an influx of Palestinians would shake the foundation of the country which is already saddled with nearly one million refugees from Syria and Iraq Jordan s internal instability could potentially lead to conflict with Israel with whom it shares a 350-kilometer-long border, and precipitate the infiltration of weapons and terrorists This would wreak havoc on Israel and risk the peace treaty between the two countries that served as the anchor for stability Egypt too views Trump’s ‘ingenious idea’ as preposterous Notwithstanding American aid to Egypt President Sisi vehemently rejected Trump s plan because it would have dire regional consequences that would not spare Egypt and potentially send Israeli-Egyptian peace asunder Trump and Netanyahu’s alignment in this regard is extremely treacherous Instead of building a new structure of regional peace Trump will plunge the region into widespread violence and wars denying both Israelis and Palestinians a day of peace And rather than expanding the Abraham Accords, he could potentially unravel them, making the prospect of a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace a pipedream while giving Iran’s axis of resistance a new lease on life To be sure Trump’s plan is strategically incomprehensible and horrifically ominous It is hard to exaggerate what the impact on the Palestinians would be should Trump s plan come to fruition The displacement of the Palestinians will be catastrophic on many fronts, which most likely has not even crossed his mind Uprooting more than 2 2 million Palestinians from their homeland is cruel and forbidding and will create an unprecedented humanitarian crisis It will bring to life the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948 as the memory of those dark days continues to haunt the Palestinians to this day Many current residents of Gaza are descendants of those original refugees Moreover, it will destroy family ties, obliterate their cultural identity and subject
Instead of building a new structure of regional peace , Trump will plung e the region into widespread violence and wars, denying both Israelis and Palestinians a day of peace . And rather than expanding the Abraham Accords, he could potentially unravel them, making the prospect of a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace a pipedream while giving IranÊs axis of resistance a new lease on life . T
India continues to rise as an economic and geopolitical player One of the most significant implications of this rift is that Europe will no longer feel obligated to align with the U S in future conflicts Unlike in the past when Europe was pressured into supporting wars in Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and the intimidation of Iran European nations are now reconsidering their blind allegiance to American foreign policy Historically U S legitimacy in global conflicts depended heavily on European backing But as trust wanes, European leaders are unwilling to continue sacrificing their national interests for policies they no longer see as justified This unprecedented divide did not emerge overnight Trump’s disdain for Europe laid the groundwork for the current crisis He persistently accused European nations of freeloading off American financial contributions for defense, arguing that the U S had no real stake in Europe’s security He further criticized European leaders for allowing demographic shifts due to pro-immigration policies fueling nationalist rhetoric on both sides of the Atlantic His threat to occupy Greenland was yet another display of disregard for European sovereignty Now, with J D Vance s antagonistic remarks adding fuel to the fire, Europe’s patience has worn thin For the first time in modern history the U S is actively alienating its closest allies triggering an identity crisis within the Western alliance Europe which once relied on American leadership and protection, is beginning to reassess its position in the global order This shift carries two major consequences First, the U S may gradually forfeit its status as the world’s preeminent superpower Trump s policies suggest that America no longer has the appetite or financial capability to maintain global dominance The cost of sustaining this position is proving unsustainable, and rather than reinforcing its alliances, the U S appears willing to relinquish them For Europe this could be an opportunity rather than a setback Unlike developing nations European countries are wealthy and resourceful enough to sustain their own defense and shape independent foreign policies without U S intervention Over time, they may move
away from American influence assert their collective strength on the global stage and address international crises on their own terms
This would also free Europe from the obligation to align with the U S on controversial geopolitical issues Without the constraints of transatlantic loyalty, European nations might adopt more pragmatic stances cooperating with China and Russia when necessary rather than being bound by U Sdriven narratives This realignment could significantly weaken American influence within international institutions, eroding its ability to unilaterally dictate global policies However, history suggests that any vacuum left by a declining superpower is inevitably filled by another rising force If the U S continues its path of isolationism and confrontational diplomacy China is the only country with the economic strength and strategic resources to assume that role Whether the U S is truly prepared to cede its global supremacy to China remains uncertain Yet, if its current policies persist, this transition may occur sooner rather than later Ultimately international relations are dictated not by sentiment but by shifting interests The U S -Europe alliance which has endured for two centuries, is now showing signs of natural decay The once-strong commonality of purpose and shared values is giving way to nationalist and protectionist agendas What were once minor disagreements have now escalated into full-blown political conflicts revealing deep-seated fractures within the Western bloc
The U S , once the undisputed leader of the free world, now appears intent on relinquishing its leadership By pushing its allies away, it is voluntarily dismantling the very system that secured its dominance for decades The ultimate question remains: is America prepared for the consequences of this seismic shift? If it continues on this trajectory the world order as we know it may be on the verge of an irreversible transformation one in which the U S is no longer the central pillar of global governance
The writer retired as Press Secretary the President and is former Press Minister at Embassy of Pakistan to France and former MD Shalimar Recording & Broadcasting Company Limited
worse than expected The once-unshakable transatlantic alliance is now unraveling at an alarming pace For decades, the U S the United Kingdom and France wielded significant power within the international governance system using their collective veto at the United Nations as a formidable force However, with the U S adopting an increasingly confrontational stance,
QAMAr BAshir
taken Pakistan risks losing its most vital economic hub to a downward spiral that may become irreversible
true Karachi a city that once symbolized boundless ambition now struggles under the weight of its own unrealized potential Once celebrated as the heart of Pakistan s economic and cultural progress, it now teeters on the edge of dysfunction, pleading for redemption from decades of neglect and mismanagement Karachi a city once brimming with
of endurance for its residents Known for its booming industry bustling streets, and diverse communities, it has become a city where survival is a daily struggle Despite contributing nearly 60% of the country’s revenue, it suffers from crumbling infrastructure rampant crime and an administration that appears indifferent or complicit in its decline According to a recent World Bank report Karachi ranks among the least livable cities in the world due to its poor infrastructure and governance failures The city’s decay is not merely a tragedy for its residents but a national crisis that threatens Pakistan’s economic stability and global standing Karachi s downfall is not just a result of mismanagement but of deliberate neglect, leaving millions of residents to fend for themselves amid mounting chaos The forsaken metropolis now teeters on the brink, struggling for redemption in the face of political indifference and systemic dysfunction If urgent collective action is not
This decline did not happen overnight; it has been decades in the making Karachi’s transformation from a thriving cosmopolitan center to a city in distress is the outcome of years of corruption political infighting and poor urban planning The city, once renowned for its open spaces, efficient transport, and safe neighborhoods, has been overrun by unchecked expansion and infrastructural decay The failure to implement long-term urban development strategies has led to congested roads insufficient public services and an overwhelmed healthcare system The absence of a coherent vision has left Karachi in the hands of opportunistic politicians and bureaucrats who prioritize short-term electoral gains over sustainable development Meanwhile the influx of displaced populations due to conflicts and climateinduced migration has further strained Karachi s fragile resources Without a wellstructured and inclusive urban revival plan, Karachi’s redemption will remain an elusive dream The contradictions within Karachi are striking Home to an estimated 20 million people it contributes roughly 25% to the nation s GDP and handles the vast majority of its foreign trade Yet, this dynamic metropolis grapples with deep-seated issues of inequality, infrastructure decay, and governance failures, which hinder its progress and diminish the quality of life for its residents Opulent gated communities exist alongside sprawling slums; towering skyscrapers overlook streets riddled with potholes; and a thriving business sector operates amidst crumbling public services A 2023 UNDP report revealed that 60% of Karachi’s residents live in informal settlements lacking proper housing and sanitation facilities Meanwhile the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) struggles to meet the city s water demands
exacerbated by a corrupt tanker mafia that thrives on government inefficiencies The Asian Development Bank estimates that over 40% of the city’s water supply is lost due to leakage and theft Public transportation remains abysmal with the Karachi Circular Railway a ghost project and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system plagued by mismanagement and delays Alarmingly, a recent surge in traffic accidents has claimed 39 lives in just the first 37 days of 2025, underscoring the lack of urban planning and regulatory enforcement Without immediate investments and structural reforms Karachi will continue its descent into urban chaos with dire consequences for its millions of residents Adding to the crisis, Karachi has become an increasingly dangerous place to live due to the breakdown of law and order Crime syndicates land mafias and extortion networks operate with impunity shielded by political connections According to the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), over 40,000 mobile phones were snatched in Karachi in 2023 alone, with the police often complicit in criminal activities rather than serving as protectors of the people The muchtouted Safe City project aimed at improving surveillance and security has been slow to materialize leaving residents vulnerable to crime Furthermore, street crimes, kidnappings, and targeted killings have made citizens feel abandoned by the state further diminishing confidence in law enforcement agencies A grim reminder of the lawlessness is the staggering toll of 36 dead and 528 injured in Karachi due to violence and mismanagement in 2025 alone If crime continues unchecked, Karachi will become a breeding ground for organized crime and lawlessness, pushing businesses and investors away and further deepening the city’s crisis
Politically Karachi has been treated as little more than a pawn in power struggles
Successive governments have used the city for electoral gains while abandoning it when it comes to governance The Sindh government, in power for over a decade, has
Politically, Karachi has been treated as little more than a pawn in power struggles. Successive governments have used the city for electoral gains while abandoning it when it comes to governance . The Sindh government, in power for over a decade , has shown little interest in resolving the cityÊs core issues, while the federal government conveniently distances itself from responsibility.
No magistrate was willing to witness the hanging – Bhagat Singh as India’s most admired son had monopolized the shrine of the greats It was Nawab Muhammad Ahmed Khan Kasuri who did what others before him refused – he became an honorar y magistrate and signed off on the execution Uncannily, he was killed more than for t y years later at the same spot where Bhagat Singh was hanged
March 1931: [Journalist] Virendra was at Lahore’s Central Jail, detained under the stringent Regulation III of 1818 The air in the prison and on the streets was loaded with a sense of unease – the die had been cast It was the morning that the three fearless revolutionaries were to meet their end The day Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were hanged it was my fortune or misfortune to be in the same jail,” says Virendra, in his historic firstperson account After their appeal was rejected by the Privy Council and especially after Bhagat Singh refused to petition for mercy we knew it was only a matter of time There was this barber who used to go to shave Rajguru and Sukhdev and come to us also [Bhagat Singh by then had started growing his hair again ] We got all our information through him and he came on 20 March and told us that the end seemed near He felt that the jail authorities were preparing for such an eventuality
In front of where we were lodged there was an open ground The jail authorities had started collecting wood there We thought that after the hanging the three would be cremated here We tried to enquire from whichever jail official we could meet but received no satisfactory reply No official was ready to open his mouth on this issue but there was an unusual bustle in the jail
Outside the prison gates Lahore was ill at ease and hardly noticed that it was spring The hearts of its citizens were frozen with the certainty that doom was impending A dust storm the night before had settled down as though it too was bowing to the inevitable All that was left was for the family members of the three men to say their goodbyes and they were expected to come shortly to meet their sons – for one last time
Virendra writes: Newspapers on 23 March reported that relatives of the three revolutionaries had been informed that the hanging would take place the next day, 24 March so [they] could have their last meeting on 23 [March] As per prison rules the time of hanging was 7 am in the summer and 8 am in the winter months Additionally as per jail rules on the day of a hanging other prisoners were to be kept locked up in their cells till the body was taken out of the jail compound
Virendra and his fellow prisoners had no reason to believe otherwise But an unassuming jail employee, Barkat the barber, was to shake him and other inmates out of their mournful stupor
So we thought that the hanging would be on the morning of 24 [March] But on 23 March at about 2 pm the prison barber came running to us with tears in his eyes, and in a quivering voice said, Sab kuch khatam ho gaya [Everything is over] The Sardar is saying that they would probably be hanged today itself He has conveyed Vande Mataram to the two of you ” On hearing Barkat’s words Virendra and Ehsan Ilahi were distraught They had accepted the hanging with drooping shoulders but were not willing to see the intrepid revolutionaries die any sooner than they had to Thoughts raced through their minds questioning the insidious move by the British to bring forward the execution by a day With passions running
advanced the hangings by
Bringing his emotions under control Virendra requested Barkat to go back to Bhagat Singh and ask him
The three revolutionaries had asked to be executed by a firing squad Their demand was rejec ted and Kala Masih – his son, Tara Masih, who later hanged Prime Minister Zulfikar Bhutto of Pakistan – stepped up as the hangman
for a keepsake that the two young men could treasure as a remembrance Half an hour later the barber returned – in his hands were a black fountain pen and a comb On the comb Bhagat Singh had carved his name with a blunt instrument Ehsan Ilahi kept the pen and I, the comb ” Time was moving and, yet, it felt like it had stood still It was late afternoon and police officers were camping outside the gates of the Lahore Central Jail
Every evening at 7 pm chief warder Chattar Singh would lock us up after securing all other prisoners That day, he came at 4 pm When we asked him why he had come three hours early, he became emotional and could not speak After several minutes, he composed himself and said the end had come; the three would be hanged that evening at 7 pm there was nothing that could be done to save them now
The warder left after locking the prisoners in we sat on our cots, totally silent Virendra and Ehsan Ilahi were accompanied by another undertrial, who was tasked to help them They told him not to cook anything that day Anguished, the men could only wait The silence –theirs and of the other inmates – swept through every corner of the sprawling Lahore Central Jail
The three who were to be hanged were kept in ward number 14 There was a furlong between that ward and where we were Thus, we could not gather immediately what was happening but lodged next to number 14 were [the] accused in the second Lahore Conspiracy Case and they had a clearer picture
Just before 7 pm Bhagat Singh Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar were brought out and taken towards the phansi ghar As they walked they loudly shouted Inquilab Zindabad! Hearing it, the other accused in the conspiracy case responded with equal gusto Soon, the entire jail was reverberating with loud cries of “Inquilab Zindabad” We too joined them It spread even to the non-political prisoners who started shouting the same slogan and it echoed across the jail Then there was deadly silence That night no one ate in the Central Jail of Lahore And no one slept
All the prisoners were overcome with thoughts of the final moments of the three extraordinary men and desperately sought information from anyone who would have it
Only the chief warder Chattar Singh could tell us [about the hangings] as he was present at the spot We waited for him to come and at 7 in the morning he finally opened our locks We had many questions to ask about how the three revolutionaries had approached death Singh could not speak and then he burst out crying With tears streaming down his face he said, “I am a government servant and I have seen many hangings but I have never seen such bravery in facing the gallows before The chief warder went on to tell Virendra and Ehsan Ilahi an incident that occurred shortly before the execution of Bhagat Singh After wearing the uniform for the hanging, when the revolutionary came out of his cell, Chattar Singh made a request He said to him that as there were only a few minutes left of his life he should remember Wahe Guru Hearing him Bhagat Singh laughed saying Sardar-ji throughout my life I have never remembered him Looking at the atrocities against the poor and the downtrodden, I
may even have reprimanded Him sometimes Now with death standing right in front of me if I remember Him He will say that this young man is both dishonest and a coward But if I do not change my views about Him He would say that this young man was both honest and brave ” Saying this, Bhagat Singh started his walk towards the phansi ghar Sitting in his cell Bhagat Singh was reading The Life of Lenin A few pages were left when the lock to his cell was opened and he was asked to get ready for his hanging Bhagat Singh replied Wait Let me read a few more pages A revolutionary is going to meet another revolutionary He completed [the] book and then told the jail officials, “Chalo, let’s go ” The jail officials were all downcast not so were the prisoners who were being led to the gallows There was no trace of fear or sadness on their faces Bhagat Singh requested that they not be handcuffed and their faces not be covered The requests were accepted By that time Rajguru and Sukhdev also came out of their cells They saw each other and hugged – Bhagat Singh in the centre, Sukhdev on the left, and Rajguru on his right – and with arms locked with each other they began walking They stopped for a second and then burst out singing a song written by Lal Chand Phalak Dil se niklege n mur kar bhi watan ki ulfat mere mitti se bhi khushbu-a-wafa aayegi
Led by the warder and surrounded by jail officials the three walked towards their end One warder opened the door to the phansi ghar; the deputy commissioner of Lahore and a jail official named Muhammad Akbar were already inside Bhagat Singh walked up to the British officer and said Mr Magistrate you are fortunate to be able to see today how Indian revolutionaries can embrace death with pleasure for the sake of their supreme ideal No magistrate was willing to witness the hanging –Bhagat Singh as India’s most admired son had monopolized the shrine of the greats It was Nawab Muhammad Ahmed Khan Kasuri who did what others before him refused – he became an honorary magistrate and signed off on the execution Uncannily he was killed more than forty years later at the same spot where Bhagat Singh was hanged Calling themselves prisoners of war, the three revolutionaries had asked to be executed by a firing squad Their demand was rejected and Kala Masih – his son Tara Masih who later hanged Prime Minister Zulfikar Bhutto of Pakistan – stepped up as the hangman
The three then climbed the platform where the noose [was] hanging and went and stood under them With their own hands, they put the noose on their necks Bhagat Singh had some difficulty in putting [on] the noose, so the hangman came forward and adjusted it And then the wheel turned, and the board parted And the three fell into eternal sleep at the feet of Mother India The time of death was 7 33 pm Bhagat Singh was twenty-three years five months and twenty-six days old As a crowd began congregating outside the jail the bodies were sneaked out in the darkness from a back gate The remains of the three brave men had been chopped up into pieces and filled into sacks These sacks were then loaded on a truck and taken to the banks of the Sutlej River in Ferozepur for a hasty cremation from where the half-burnt bodies were collected by Bhagat Singh s sister and Lala Lajpat Rai s daugh-
Majid nabi burfat
C hina happy to see positive effor ts to defuse Ukraine crisis, X i tells Putin
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China is happy to see Russia and relevant parties make positive efforts to defuse the Ukraine crisis
Xi made the remarks when talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin over phone
according to preliminary results, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday morning Over the past 53 years of diplomatic ties China has viewed its relations with Germany from a strategic and long-term perspective and developed the bilateral relations under the principles of mutual respect equality, mutual benefit and seeking common ground while shelving differences, the spokesperson said Germany and the EU are of global significance China is glad to see Germany and the EU play an important role in global affairs supports the integration of Europe and the strategic independence of the EU and is ready to work with Germany and the EU to continue contributing to world peace and prosperity, Lin noted CDU/CSU secured 28 5 percent of the vote, followed by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) with 20 6 percent and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) with 16 5 percent Xinhua reported citing German public broadcaster ARD The Greens came in fourth with 11 8 percent ahead of Die Linke with 8 7 percent The Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) are projected to receive 4 4 percent and 4 9 percent, respectively, according to the media report The election will determine the composition of the next Bundestag Germany’s lower house of parliament A party must receive at least 5 percent of the national vote to gain representation in the Bundestag, Xinhua said CDU leader Friedrich Merz is poised to become the next chancellor, but he is likely to face difficult coalition talks, German media Deutsche Welle reported Merz faces complex and lengthy coalition negotiations
Xi stressed that at the beginning of the overall escalation of the Ukraine crisis he put forward the four-should and other basic proposals for resolving the crisis
In September last year, China and Brazil, together with some countries of the Global South, set up the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis to create an atmosphere and accumulate conditions for promoting the political settlement of the crisis Xi noted
The two sides also agreed to maintain communication and coordination through various means
Xi also said that history and reality show that China and Russia are good neighbors that cannot be moved away and true friends who share weal and woe, support each other and achieve common development
Xi said the two leaders had a video meeting before the Chinese Spring Festival during which they made plans for the development of China-Russia relations throughout the year and strengthened coordination on a series of major international and regional issues
Various departments from both countries are steadily advancing cooperation in all fields in ac-
cordance with the consensus reached by the two leaders, including carrying out activities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the 80th anniversary of the victory of World Anti-Fascist War, Xi said Xi said China-Russia ties enjoy strong internal driving force and unique strategic value adding that the relationship does not target any third party nor would it be influenced by any third party The development strategies and foreign policies of China and Russia are for the long-term he said Despite changes in the international situation China-Russia relations will proceed with ease which will help each other s development and revitalization, and inject stability and positive energy into international relations he said On Monday the UN Security Council is set to vote on two dueling resolutions – one backed by Kiev and Europe demanding an immediate withdrawal of Russian
forces from Ukraine, and the other proposed by the US which CNN said does not condemn Russia nor makes any acknowledgement of Ukraine s territorial integrity The two resolutions highlight the tension between the US, Ukraine and European countries in the five weeks since President Donald Trump took office and has opened talks with Russia after years of isolation in a bid to end the war Associated Press reported Monday On Monday, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and other members of the EU’s executive branch visited Kiev to show support for Ukraine on the third anniversary of the conflict UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are making tagteam visits to Washington this week as Europe attempts to persuade Trump not to abandon Ukraine in pursuit of a peace deal PBS reported Macron is set to meet Trump on Monday local time and Starmer on Thursday, per Politico
Israel delays release of 620 Palestinians after Hamas frees 6 c aptives
TEL AVIV A G E N C I E S
Israel has delayed the release of Palestinian, with the Israeli Prime Minister s Office stating that the swap will not proceed “until the release of the next hostages is guaranteed ” In an official statement Israeli authorities said It has been decided to delay the release of the terrorists planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages is ensured, without the degrading ceremonies ” Hamas however criticised the delay The group said that Israel s postponement of the release of the seventh batch of Palestinians at the agreed-upon time constitutes a blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement
The release of the Palestinians is expected to resume when
Hamas frees the next group of hostages Further details of the negotiations remain unclear as both sides continue to exchange sharp rhetoric over the issue
Previously, Palestinian fighters freed six Israeli hostages on Saturday with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners expected to be released in exchange under a fragile Gaza truce that is nearing the end of its first phase
The release of the last group of living hostages under the truce’s first phase caps an emotional two days in Israel where the remains of another hostage Shiri Bibas have been identified after the initial handover of a different body Bibas and her two young sons, among dozens taken captive during Hamas attack on Israel that triggered more than 15 months of war in the Gaza Strip had become symbols of the ordeal suffered by
the Israeli hostages
At a ceremony in Nuseirat central Gaza masked Hamas brought onto a stage Eliya Cohen, 27, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Israeli-Argentine Omer Wenkert, 23
An AFP correspondent said they waved while holding release certificates before their handover to the Red Cross and return to Israeli soil
At a similar ceremony in Rafah, southern Gaza, fighters handed over Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu 38 who both appeared dazed
Shoham was made to address the gathering flanked by masked gunmen dressed all in black
In the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, hundreds who gathered at a site known as “Hostages Square” applauded and weeped as they watched a live broadcast of the releases
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high-dust environments Trinasolar also addresses the challenge posed by structural limitations in commercial and industrial buildings that restrict rooftop solar installations The company’s lightweight high-power modules are optimized for low-load roofs enabling higher energy output with fewer panels This makes solar adoption more accessible to businesses, even in urban areas with limited installation space
LSecurit y forces kill ten Khwarij in Bagh, KP
Upper Kohistan shuts down in protest against WAPDA’s unkept Dasu Dam pledges Suparco
Residents of Upper Kohistan staged a sit-in outside the deputy commissioner s office on Monday, launching a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike in Komila bazaar to protest against the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) for allegedly failing to fulfill commitments related to the 4,700MW Dasu Hydropower Project
The protest was led by the Dasu Dam Affectees’ Committee which mobilized traders and transporters a day earlier to shut down businesses across Upper Kohistan Protesters marched through Komila and Dasu bazaars, carrying banners and placards, and chanting slogans against Wapda Committee leader Hafeez Ur Rehman stated that despite multiple meetings with Wapda the promises made to affected communities had not been honored Wapda agreed to 13 demands but
has failed to implement them leaving us with no choice but to take to the streets again he said The protesters are demanding compensation for houses demolished during dam construction, financial aid for household expenses the construction of a hospital and job opportunities for locals within the project Other demands include increased development funds for Upper Kohistan, a one-percent allocation of the project’s income for local development commercial electricity rates for areas near the Karakoram Highway and the establishment of educational institutions including schools, colleges, and a university Hafeez Ur Rehman emphasized that while the affected communities had cooperated with authorities and sacrificed their properties for the project s success they would not end their protest until Wapda takes concrete steps beyond signing agreements that remain unimplemented Additional Deputy Commissioner
of Upper Kohistan Khurram Rehman Jadoon acknowledged the protest but maintained that the matter falls under Wapda s jurisdiction and should be addressed by project officials
Meanwhile, in Chilas, GilgitBaltistan, protests over the Diamer-Bhasha Dam entered their ninth consecutive day with demonstrators presenting a 31point charter of demands including compensation and resettlement plans
On Sunday, Minister for Kashmir and GB Affairs Amir Muqam visited the Chilas protesters and assured them that their concerns would be addressed as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had formed a committee to review their demands However, the demonstrators refused to end their sit-in The Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha projects both funded by the World Bank are among Pakistan s largest ongoing hydropower initiatives impacting communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s Upper Kohistan and Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district
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F F R E P O R T A Karachi anti-narcotics court on Monday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Mustafa Amir who was murdered last month in connection with a narcotics case The court s decision has raised questions about procedural mismanagement, as the youth was brutally killed on January 6, and his body was later found in a burned vehicle in Hub, Balochistan According to case details Mustafa was accused of attempting to smuggle drugs through a courier service in Karachi s Korangi area Investigators allege that he operated under the alias Taimoor for these transactions Despite his
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf ’s (PTI) petition seeking permission to hold a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on March 22 directing the party to first approach the government s redressal committee Justice Farooq Haider, while presiding over the hearing, upheld the registrar’s objection, stating that PTI must follow the proper legal process before seeking judicial in-
tervention The court ruled that if the committee fails to decide on the matter, PTI may then file a petition
The petition was filed by PTI leader Akmal Khan Bari, who argued that the party had formally requested permission from the authorities but had not received a response PTI s legal counsel contended that approaching the redressal committee would be ineffective, as previous attempts had yielded no results However the LHC maintained that legal procedures must be followed
before bringing the case to court The petition highlighted that PTI sought to organize a peaceful gathering in accordance with the law but was denied permission, prompting the party to seek judicial intervention Earlier Lahore’s district administration had refused to grant PTI permission for a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on February 8 PTI had initially announced plans for the gathering to mark the first anniversary of the 2023 general elections which the party claims were heavily rigged
connectivity tap into transit potential and promote cooperation projects in the light and leather industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, and other sectors of the economy Questions regarding the intensification of cultural humanitarian and tourism ties will also be considered
