PRESIDENT
CALLS FOR POLITICAL STABILIT Y, SOCIAL JUSTICE AMID OPPOSITION
g
TRUCKUS AT JOINT SESSION
warns that the amendment could be used to suppress dissent restrict workers rights and interfere in interprovincial resource disputes It urges the court to strike down the amendment, citing the need to uphold democratic principles and judicial independence The Supreme Court is expected to review all challenges to the amendment, with legal experts closely watching its response The 26th Amendment to Pakistan s Constitution enacted in October 2024 introduced significant changes to the judiciary s structure and appointment processes Notably, it altered the selection method for the Chief Justice of Pakistan, shifting this responsibility from a seniority-based system to a nomination by a Special Parliamentary Committee from among the three most senior Supreme Court judges with a fixed term of three years ISLAMABAD
In an apparent attempt to resolve the tiff between two ruling parties Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said the federation provinces and all the political parties should work together to create a better future for the country
The meeting was held soon after President Asif Zardari s speech to the joint session of the Parliament where he expressed strong reservations over carving out of canals from River Indus saying that Sindh Province would badly
affect farming community in Sindh
He was speaking at an Iftar dinner hosted in honour of Chairman Pakistan People s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his party s leaders The meeting, however, failed to resolve issues, the sources said The delegation of Pakistan People’s Party led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a meeting with the prime minister here and expressed complete confidence in his government He appreciated the leadership of People s Party for coming up to the public expectations in the four provinces and for playing an effective and vibrant role in improving living standards of the common man by cooperating with the government The participants of the meeting paid
tribute to the prime minister and his team for their untiring efforts to introduce economic policies that brought recent economic stability They said that Pakistan People s Party would completely support the government for its every step for the country’s progress economic stability and for improving lives of the common man Pakistan People s Party members thanked the prime minister for consulting the allies in government affairs, for respecting their opinions and taking them into confidence The delegation of People’s Party reiterated its determination to fully cooperate with the
m ar Ay ub s lam s P P
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub criticised the Pakistan People s Party (PPP) and its leadership, particularly President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto
In a press conference on Monday Omar Ayub accused them of having broken records for corruption in Sindh and claimed that both Zardari and Bilawal were selling Sindh’s water Ayub expressed his disapproval of the current government led by the PPP and denounced President Zardari, stating, Zardari calls himself the president, but we do not recognise this installed government Zardari did not say anything worthwhile today ” He continued The PPP has broken records for corruption in Sindh Whether it is Asif Zardari or Bilawal Bhutto, both are selling the province’s water The government has been involved in supporting the controversial PECA (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act) with Form 47 There is a gang of notorious criminals in Punjab with Dr Usman at the helm The current government has failed economically ”
Ayub also criticised the government’s handling of the economy stating that corruption had reached unprecedented levels He further remarked, They are celebrating a reduction in inflation, but come, walk with us and see if inflation has actually gone down or increased In the last two years the Special Investment Facilitation Council has achieved zero results and our questions remain unanswered The IT sector has been decimated, and there is no foreign investment ” The opposition leader also raised concerns about security in Balochistan stating There is no security arrangement in various districts of Balochistan Due to negligence, our soldiers are sacri-
ficing their lives The founding leader of PTI has always said that the army belongs to us yet today Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are embroiled in fake cases He continued to highlight the current state of the nation, saying, “Our leaders and workers are political prisoners Twenty million youth have left the country and $27 billion has been sent abroad PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also addressed President Zardari’s speech, stating, “Today, we saw Zardari’s legacy behind Benazir Bhutto’s picture In his speech Zardari failed to prove that there is democracy in the country Zardari did not pass by the opposition chambers and is still a controversial president
Muridky Jajja village in Pasrur tehsil Sialkot was apprehended in connection with cases 1108/204 and 1132/24 These cases were registered under sections 17 and 22 of the Emigration Ordinance 1979 and sections 3 and 6 of the Prevention of Smuggling of
headed for Greece Both victims were rescued by Greek authorities and later returned to Pakistan, where they filed a formal complaint against the traffickers Further investigations are underway, and FIA teams are conducting raids to apprehend more individuals linked to the network Director FIA Gujranwala Zone Abdul Qadir Qamar stated that a nationwide
O M C S S T R O N G LY O P P O S E R
F I N E R I E S
U S H F O R B I N D I N G ‘ TA K E O R PAY ’ C L A U S E
2025 (Friday): Lahore
November 17 2025 (Monday): Hyderabad
The premium prize bonds draw schedule for denominations of Rs 40,000 and Rs 25,000 has also been finalized Four draws will take place as follows:
Rs 40,000 March 10 (Quetta) June 10 (Hyderabad)
September 10 (Peshawar) and December 10 (Sialkot)
Rs 25,000 March 10 (Muzaffarabad), June 10 (Lahore) September 10 (Karachi) and December 10 (Faisalabad)
PPRA initiates overhaul of proc urement rules to align with global standards
surplus pool To enhance institutional independence, the PPRA Board was tasked with ensuring that the authority remains vertically independent, with its own specialized human resources recruited purely on merit
PPRA
four
ings, where
suggested and subsequently incorporated After completing the internal review the updated draft was sent back to the international consultant for expert evaluation The recommendations received were then forwarded to local consultant Osama Siddiqui for further refinement The final set of Public Procurement Rules 2025 will integrate best international practices while ensuring clarity and precision In November 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had instructed PPRA to reform its structure, emphasizing the removal of underperforming and incompetent staff and their transfer to the
Additionally a first batch of newly recruited staff will undergo high-quality training abroad in procurement disciplines and will later serve as Master Trainers within the organization
A key directive from the Prime Minister is the mandatory implementation of the e-Procurement system (ePADS) across all ministries organizations, and procuring agencies Dedicated procurement units will be established within each ministry, staffed by trained professionals
The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) has been instructed to process all procurement-related payments exclusively through e-PADS, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in financial transactions
C hina’s consumer prices decline at fastest rate in 13 months amid economic struggles
BEIJING M o n to r i n g D e s k China s consumer prices fell at the sharpest pace in 13 months in February while producer price deflation continued, reflecting a decline in seasonal demand and ongoing consumer caution due to concerns over jobs and income Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) dropped by 0 7% in February compared
increased by 70 52 percent to 13 772 complaints registered during the period under review compared to the 8,076 complaints in 2023
It is pertinent to mentioned here that the increase in the number of complaints was seen as a positive indicator of the FTO s effective awareness campaigns, which targeted key stakeholders, including Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Tax Bar Associations, Business Community Associations and Tax Law Practitioners
By disseminating information about the FTO s mandate and functions, taxpayers were encouraged to seek redress for their grievances In addition to resolving standard complaints,
The FTO settled 6,106 complaints out of 6,480 in 2022 and addressed 2 867 complainants in 2021 as against registered complaints of 3 038 In FY2024 the FTO recommended sanctioned and disbursed refunds amounting to Rs 22 793 billion to taxpayers Additionally, the average time for complaint disposal was reduced to just 34 11 days The department received 7872 fresh complaints related to income tax; 2080 on sales tax, 3375 customs duty, 32 federal excise duty and 147 related to FIO FTO held around 251 seminars and awareness sessions with concerned Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) different Trade bodies Tax Bars and college/universities in 2024 compared to 113 such seminars and sessions in organized in 2023
the FTO placed special emphasis on assisting underprivileged complainants through informal grievance resolution Furthermore, the FTO’s interventions led to increased taxpayer registration enhanced tax collection in the real estate sector and improvements in the withholding tax regime Relief measures were also implemented through an automated system for jurisdiction changes and the restoration of blocked mobile SIMs
In addition to addressing individual grievances the FTO has consistently identified systemic issues and formulated recommendations to improve the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) s systems and procedures
These efforts have provided substantial relief to thousands of taxpayers reinforcing the FTO s role as a relieforiented institution Officials reiterated their commitment to promote transparency, accountability, and trust in the taxation system
Businesses reac t differently to SBP ’s decision to maintain polic y rate at 12%
ISLAMABAD M o N to r i N g D e s k
The business community has expressed mixed reactions following the State Bank of Pakistan s (SBP) decision to keep the policy rate unchanged at 12% on Monday
The move was a surprise to many market analysts who had expected the central bank to reduce the key interest rate further after a cumulative cut of 10% over the past 10 months In a statement released after the SBP’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announcement, the president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Atif Ikram Sheikh expressed disappointment on behalf of the business indus-
try, and trade communities He emphasized that despite a 113-month low inflation rate of 1 5% in February 2024, the SBP decided to keep the policy rate unchanged resulting in a real interest rate of 10 5%
Sheikh explained that after discussions across various sectors, the FPCCI had called for an immediate 500-basis point cut in the policy rate He further argued that with core inflation expected to stay between 1% and 3% for March and April 2025 the SBP should reduce the key rate to 3% to 4% by the end of the fiscal year FPCCI s senior vice president, Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, also stressed the need for the key interest rate to be reduced to single digits He highlighted that this would help Pakistani
exporters compete in regional and international markets by lowering the cost of capital Additionally, he called for the government to honor its commitments to rationalize electricity tariffs for industries and address gas supply shortages
On the other hand the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) CEO, Ehsan Malik, supported the SBP s decision to maintain the policy rate at 12% Malik argued that a further rate cut could have led to a future rate hike due to expected inflationary pressures He pointed out that with the 12month forward inflation rate projected to average 8% and import volumes rising faster than export earnings, the de-
COMMENT
TH E picture of the economy given to the IMF review team presently in Islamabad is not pretty, mainly because it contained perhaps too many unwarrantedly optimistic assumptions
The Finance Ministry is assuming that the economy will get all the lucky breaks it did this year As it is, the economy is yet to return to the high-growth trajectory it needs to be on if it is to provide the kind of high growth needed for the youth bulge The projection of growth for the current fiscal year at 3 1 percent which is not too far from the target of 3 6 percent, but which was supported by à current account deficit of $300 million to $500 million Next year s inflation has been pitched at about 7 percent, with growth at about 4 5 percent
It may reflect an economy on the mend, but it is hardly the picture of one which is where the government would want it This is mainly because the growth figure is not high enough With the population where it is, and growing, 4 5 percent would barely be running on the spot Even at that relatively anemic level, it depends on keeping inflation at the present 7 percent There is the hope that inflation will not dip much lower even though the latest Sensitive Price Index figure shows an actual decline in prices beginning That is in line with the international weakening of demand which has led economists to mention ‘depression’ for the first time The last rue depression, that of the 1930s not only led to widespread economic suffering, but was also felt not just in the metropoles of Europe but also in the colonies, of which Pakistan was one It was only ended by World War II The economy is not just vulnerable to international shocks such as oil price hikes, but such natural disasters as floods
Perhaps that picture has been enough to satisfy the IMF review team It seems that the government has been obedient enough to ask that there be no more taxes imposed, though it has said that it would like to add a surcharge of Rs 2 83 per unit for the next five years so that it could repay the loan it will take out to pay off the circular debt However, it should be remembered that this is only the first review of the current programme
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
B a r s a c r o s s t h e b o r d e r s
a crisis requiring strict enforcement measures This
policy
intelligence gathered by US and Pakistan agencies It is indeed a
to
relations between the
in
it indicates
countries
s perception
Pakistan The acknowledgement by Trump also strengthens Pakistan’s credentials as a country committed to
of
from the
The confirmation of this shift also came from US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz when he called Deputy Prime Minister/foreign minister Ishaq Dar and formally conveyed Trumps s appreciation and thanks for arresting the Daesh commander and efforts in regards to countering terrorism Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue cooperation with US in the field of counter terrorism at the same time welcoming Trump s announcement to withdraw US military equipment left behind in Afghanistan, which is now being used by TTP in terrorist attacks against our security forces within Pakistan The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation in IT Energy and mineral sectors and also agreed on the need to have continued dialogues on trade and investment, as part of a broad-based agenda in the days to come
It may be mentioned that during his first stint in power Trump always looked askance at Pakistan’s role in regards to fight against terrorism and situation in Afghanistan I believe that in view of his intense resolve to curb terrorism and his announcement to take back the arms and ammunitions from the Taliban government which was left behind by the US forces while leaving Afghanistan, he might need help from Pakistan to accomplish these objectives It may not be a strategic cooperation between the two
securitization of migration has led to an expansion of law enforcement powers where unauthorized entry or overstaying a visa is treated as a criminal offense rather than an administrative violation
MI G R AT I O N has long been a defining feature of human civilization shaped by economic political and environmental factors However in recent decades, states across the Global North and South have increasingly adopted stringent policies aimed at restricting migration These measures include stricter visa regimes militarized borders and the systematic erosion of asylum protections Such policies have not only failed to deter migration but have also exacerbated border-related fatalities and humanitarian crises The criminalization of migration is a deliberate strategy rooted in anti-immigrant sentiments, reinforcing narratives of disorderly and uncontrolled mobility This phenomenon is particularly evident in the treatment of migrants from Latin America the Caribbean Asia and Africa who face systemic exclusion and stigmatization The criminalization of migration is not a recent development; rather, it has deep historical roots In the early 20th century, colonial legacies and racial exclusion laws shaped migration control policies Notably migration restrictions in countries such as the United States and European states were designed to privilege certain racial and ethnic groups while excluding others
Historical parallels can be drawn between contemporary migration control mechanisms and past systems of forced displacement, including the transatlantic slave trade The construction of illegality where certain groups are labeled as “illegal” migrants is a political tool used to marginalize specific populations while reinforcing state sovereignty over mobility The systematic labeling of migrants as criminals is an extension of exclusionary practices seen throughout history Xenophobic and racist attitudes have shaped policies that seek to privilege some migrants while criminalizing others
This global apartheid system ensures that mobility remains highly controlled often in service of economic exploitation Migrants from the Global South in particular, are subject to restrictive mobility regimes, whereas skilled professionals from the Global North encounter fewer barriers
The 21st century has witnessed an escalation in migration control strategies driven by political narratives that associate migration with security threats Governments have increasingly framed migration as
P a k - U S r e l a t i o n s
countries and as usual remain confined to transactional engagement but it does promise support to Pakistan in fighting the phenomenon of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan which has assumed greater intensity recently This change in President Trump s tone and tenor regarding Pakistan is significant from many other aspects as well It reflects a move away from the India-centric approach of the previous US administration which can safely be construed as recalibration of US policy in the region It is pertinent to mention that while Trump praised Pakistan in his speech he was critical of India over tarrifs and trade It is indeed an auspicious development as instead of continuing the policy of the previous regime of pampering and propping up India to assume the role of a regional policeman by totally ignoring Pakistan the focus will now be on transactional reciprocity
The foregoing developments also constitute a strong rebuke to those political entities who were expecting interference from Trump for the release of their leader for which they have been lobbying before the US election in the hope that Trump would win them They probably conveniently ignored the fact that relations between states are not determined on personal relations but spectrum of broader national considerations
This momentary break from the rollercoaster relations between the two countries is quite welcome at a time when Pakistan is fighting to stabilize its economy and is waging fight against terrorism on multiple fronts Pakistan has suffered the most as a front line state in the fight against terror It has lost more than eighty thousand security personnel and civilians while coping with terrorism and is still continuing that mission with unruffled commitment which deserves unqualified acknowledgment and appreciation from the global community
As far as bilateral relations between US and Pakistan are concerned their nature will be dictated by the new realities and US administra-
However
Additionally those who provide humanitarian assistance to migrants, including NGOs and individuals, have also been targeted under these criminalization policies The consequences of these policies are dire Border deaths have risen dramatically as migrants are forced to take increasingly dangerous routes to avoid detection
The U S -Mexico border and the Mediterranean Sea have become particularly deadly corridors with thousands of migrants perishing annually Despite the risks, migration persists, demonstrating that criminalization strategies are ineffective in stopping human mobility Instead such policies push migrants into exploitative underground networks increasing their vulnerability to human smuggling and trafficking
Criminalizing migration involves a three-step process First, a specific act such as unauthorized border crossing is legally defined as criminal Second, individuals who engage in these acts are labeled as criminals, reinforcing negative stereotypes Finally punitive measures such as detention deportation and prolonged legal battles are imposed
These measures not only target migrants themselves but also extend to communities and organizations that provide them with support Migration criminalization also manifests through policy shifts that restrict access to legal pathways
Governments have curtailed asylum rights implemented restrictive visa policies and expanded detention facilities These measures disproportionately affect migrants from marginalized backgrounds further entrenching global inequalities
The widespread use of detention centers exemplifies how migrants are subjected to carceral control, often under harsh and inhumane conditions
The criminalization of migration has profound social and personal implications
By framing migrants as criminals states justify policies that strip individuals of fundamental rights including access to healthcare, education, and employment Many undocumented migrants live in constant fear of deportation, leading to economic precarity and social marginalization This environment fosters conditions where migrants are vulnerable to exploitation including labor abuses and human trafficking
Moreover, the stigma associated with being labeled illegal extends beyond legal consequences
Migrants are often scapegoated for economic downturns and crime, despite evidence that migration contributes positively to host economies The portrayal of migrants as a security threat fuels xenophobic sentiments and justifies restrictive policies This cycle of criminalization perpetuates systemic discrimination and erodes social cohesion
While migrants are frequently depicted as passive victims of state policies, research indicates that they actively navigate and shape their experiences Migrants develop networks engage in political activism and exercise agency even in hostile environments For example migrant-led organizations advocate for
tion’s quid pro quid approach One thing needs to be understood that there cannot be friendship in the real sense between a super power and a developing country like Pakistan In the past US has been an unfriendly ally to be precise It only has been in embrace with Pakistan when it suited her interests and no sooner than those interests were realized it showed a cold shoulder to her In the early fifties at the beginning to the cold war which in fact was aimed at checking the spread of communism, Pakistan became a member of SEATO and CENTO formed for that purpose Pakistan harboured the illusion of being US ally but during the 1965 war instead of helping Pakistan it stopped supply of military equipment Then two decades war in Afghanistan became the basis of engagement between the two and at the end US abandoned Pakistan to face the legacies of that war Pakistan helped US in making a deal with Taliban for exit of US forces from Afghanistan but after that the Biden administration pushed the relations to the lowest ebb The Biden administration also imposed sanctions on Pakistan s missile programme and entities related to it Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail com
It is indeed a ver y positive vibe in regards to future relations between the two countries as it indicates a shift in TrumpÊs perception about Pakistan The acknowledg ement by Trump also strengthens PakistanÊs credentials as a countr y committed to eliminate the scourg e of terrorism from the region The confirmation of this shift also came from US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz when he called Deputy Prime Minister/foreign minister Ishaq Dar and formally conveyed TrumpsÊs appreciation and thanks for arresting the Daesh commander and effor ts in regards to countering terrorism
Student welfare in Kolwa
Women’s health
Gas
The IMF gets the lowdown on Pakistan’s economy
Malik MuhaMMaD ashraf
couch high his affinity for Russia, which raised concerns about Ukraine s security and sovereignty Trump provided military aid to Ukraine, but tension marked the government particularly when voiced within the sphere of communications surrounding Trump s controversial telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky back in 2019
Tensions Escalate: The Recent Heated Debate Between Trump and Zelensky at the White House A particularly fierce argument at the White house between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was the last straw Instead of their meeting con-
centrating on building up U S -Ukraine relations, there were tensions, with President Trump accusing Zelensky of using U S assistance in the Russia-Ukraine war as a bargaining chip claiming that Ukraine was pursuing peace and not really involving the U S This allegation turned into a very public reprimand led by Trump and Vice President J D Vance, eventually leading to Zelensky s abrupt removal from the White house The incident has greatly undermined the prospects for diplomacy between the two nations The aftermath of the événements had profound implications domestically and internationally In Ukraine citizens and officials rallied behind President Zelensky whom they viewed as the last bastion of national interest against external induced pressures The support embodies common national pride and resilience notwithstanding in the United States the episode has also opened a controversial political chapter with some vociferous Republican quarters hitting out at Zelensky and asking for his resignation, for what they termed disrespectful Such calls were heavily criticized by figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, who instead labelled such demands as “horrific” and went on to underscore Zelensky s extraordinary leadership in the resistance against Russian aggressions aimed at Ukraine
Ukraine’s Growing Disillusionment with U S Support
The Trump-Zelensky debate rang true in the ears of the political leadership of Ukraine Zelensky who won with a campaign promise to undertake anti-corruption reforms and restore sovereignty has the tough task now of initiating a rethink in dependency on the U S for military and economic aid While the U S remains a primary partner in defending Ukraine against Russia there is a
growing impression that foreign policy seems more shaped around the interests of political expediency than those of long-term strategy, leading many officials to re-evaluate their country’s standing The frustration that Ukraine shares with the United States goes well beyond the theoretical personal spate involving Trump and Zelensky Ukraine fears that American support may not remain a guaranteed prop in its struggle for sovereignty Since the old perception that military aid might be withheld or made dependent on politically motivated conditions has deeply affected Ukraine s commitment to the idea of the U S as a reliable ally
Diversification of Foreign Policy Since the latest developments, Ukraine is actively in search of international partners to cut down its dependency
versification,
Reasserting
These four books show how Israeli-American savager y is on the losing side of histor y
Th
attention now turns to four non-Palestinian authors it does not mean Palestinians needed them But the world needed them, for the globalisation of the Palestinian cause is now a moral imperative without borders INTERROGATING ZIONISM: The constellation of these four nonPalestinian thinkers - Rabbi Shaul Magid, American authors Peter Beinart and Ta-nehisi Coates, and Indian
them The sheer obscenity of this
scene should not distract from the larger picture in which a different vision of the world is fast dawning Two of these four books are by prominent Jewish critical thinkers, one of them a rabbi The third is a by a renowned African American author and the fourth by a globally celebrated Indian intellectual no hasbara propaganda machinery Zionist outfit or corrupt gang of US politicians can dismiss, deny or demonise their work as “antisemitism” Antisemitism is a real western sickness as is Islamophobia Jews and Muslims are united in their struggles against both maladies
The first text, Magid s The necessity of exile (2023), examines the question of “exile” in a Judaic context, and uses this to interrogate the entire project of Zionism he puts the idea of exile in both historic and contemporary terms for the issues that Jewish communities around the world face are not merely political, but go to the heart of their ancestral faith how could any decent human being particularly a moral Jewish person stand by and witness generations of Palestinians being slaughtered in their name and remain silent? Magid s book is historic evidence that such principled Jewish thinkers have never been silent The second book, Beinart’s Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza (2025) is a reckoning by an eloquent Jewish American thinker on the dangers facing his faith after it has been used and abused to commit mass murder, war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and now genocide Central to this book is the fact that it was written by a former committed Zionist one who was born and raised advocating for the Israeli apartheid state, and who only later in life realised the state and ideology he was rooting for was a murderous killing machine We might ask how this deeply learned and cultivated man previously missed the groundswell of Palestinian voices crying out for justice chief among them Said s globally admired scholarship right here at Columbia University in new York But still, better late than never Beinart is a widely admired Jewish intellectual and rightly so his eloquent words reach far and deep into Jewish and non-Jewish corners of this country he is a muchneeded voice in a global chorus that demands solidarity with Palestinians HISTORIC UPRISING; As for Coates, I have already written on the significance of his book The Message (2024) though in terms only significant to his own liberation from deceit-
ful Zionist propaganda Placed in the context of these four books Coates brings the entire force of multi-generational African American liberation struggles to bear witness to the terror of genocidal Zionism in Palestine But the real fire comes from outside the US entirely removed from the American domain, and thus far more global and liberated in his critical thinking Mishra puts a radically different spin on the world s defiance of complicity with the Israeli genocide In
cabinet and sharing details of his deeply Zionist upbringing Anytime I read such confessionals I wonder: what planet did these dear and learned friends live on before they finally saw the light? But at this moment in history, it no longer matters What matters is Mishra s astounding ability to
Mian Masood tariq
ISRAEL CUTS OFF GA Z A’S ELECTRICIT Y SUPPLY AMID CEASEFIRE TALKS
C hina’s top politic al advisor y body holds closing meeting of annual session
The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee China s top political advisory body concluded its annual session on Monday calling on political advisors to contribute to great unity and solidarity and pool strength for advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders attended the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing A resolution on a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee a resolution on a report on how the proposals from political advisors have been handled since the previous annual session, a report on the examination of new proposals, and a political resolution on the third session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee were approved at the meeting Wang Huning, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, delivered a speech at the meeting Over the past year, the Communist Party of China (CPC) Cen-
tral Committee with Xi Jinping at its core united and led the whole Party and the entire nation to work hard and march forward bravely successfully achieving the main goals for economic and social development and making new breakthroughs in Chinese modernization, Wang said in his address
These achievements received high praise from all CPPCC National Committee members he added Calling for further positive contributions to uniting hearts building consensus and gathering wisdom and strength for advancing Chinese modernization, Wang urged political advisors to enhance their capabilities for political consultation democratic oversight and participation in and deliberation of state affairs
He emphasized the need to unswervingly uphold the overall leadership of the CPC, saying the leadership of the CPC is the fundamental guarantee that the Chinese people will develop and maintain strong cohesion and selfconfidence Wang called on CPPCC members to perform their duties and responsibilities with a focus on advancing Chinese modernization stressing that political advisors
should offer workable suggestions to address major issues related to further comprehensively deepening reform promoting high-quality development safeguarding and improving people s livelihood and maintaining social harmony and stability
As the most inclusive patriotic united front organization, Wang said the CPPCC should carry on its role of strengthening the great unity of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups and the great unity of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation at home and abroad
Wang also urged the CPPCC to play a better role as a key channel for socialist consultative democracy and a specialized consultative institution
Noting the CPPCC serves as an institutional consultative platform for promoting democracy, unity and cooperation and for engaging people in the deliberation of state affairs Wang highlighted the necessity of refining the mechanisms that enable in-depth consultations and interactions, the full expression of opinions, and the formation of broad consensus and strengthening coordination between the various channels of consultation
Zelenskiy heads to S audi Arabia ahead
of crunch US talks
RIYADH
A G E N C I E S
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy travels to Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, ahead of talks between Ukrainian and US officials on ending the war with Russia at an increasingly precarious moment for Kyiv
The United States, once Ukraine s main ally, has upended its wartime policies in its stated pursuit of a rapid end to the fighting engaging directly with Moscow while cutting off military assistance and intelligence sharing for Kyiv
Zelenskiy is expected to meet the Saudi crown prince, whose country has played various mediating roles since Russia’s 2022 invasion including brokering prisoner exchanges and hosting talks between Russia and the United States last month Tuesday s talks between US
and Ukrainian officials the first official meeting since a disastrous Oval Office encounter between Zelenskiy and US President Donald Trump are expected to focus on a bilateral minerals deal and how to end the war
Under huge pressure from Trump who wants the war ended at lightning speed Zelenskiy has been at pains to show they are on the same page, despite failing to win US security guarantees that Kyiv sees as vital for any peace deal
Zelenskiy has said he will not attend Tuesday s talks with US officials and that the Ukrainian delegation will include his chief of staff, his foreign and defence ministers and a top military official in the presidential administration
“On our side we are fully committed to constructive dialogue and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps Zelenskiy said in a post on X Realistic proposals are on the
table The key is to move quickly and effectively US officials said they were planning to use the meeting with the Ukrainians in part to determine whether Kyiv is willing to make material concessions to Russia to end the war
“You can’t say ‘I want peace ’ and I refuse to compromise on anything one of the officials said of the upcoming talks A second US official said:
“We want to see if the Ukrainians are interested not just in peace, but in a realistic peace ” Trump said on Sunday that he expected good results out of the upcoming talks adding that the United States had just about ended a suspension of intelligence sharing with Kyiv Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff who has been arranging the talks has said the idea is to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well
CORPORATE CORNER
CORPORATE CORNER
SYRIA DECL ARES END OF MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST ASSAD LOYALISTS
It
last night 03rd March 2025 at 9 pm Born in Mangi Mohallah, Garhi Yasin Shikarpur he was the son of Mr Qalalander Bux Mangi a Revenue Department officer He was one of three brothers and two sisters He leaves behind a well-educated family, including one son and five daughters Nasrullah Mangi pursued his early education in Shikarpur before obtaining a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Mehran University Jamshoro His career began in 1995 when he joined the National High-
way Authority (NHA) as an Assistant Director
SIFC GIVES NOD TO 28 PROJECTS WORTH BILLIONS OF DOLL ARS
the martyred officers, Ghulam Mustafa and Zahid ur Rehman praising their courage and dedication to
He emphasised that their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism will always be remembered Expressing heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, Naqvi reaffirmed the government s commitment to honouring the sacrifices of the brave personnel of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police “Ghulam Mustafa and Zahid ur Rehman made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and we salute them he said The interior minister further stated that the brave heroes of the KPK Police had made immense sacrifices in the ongoing war against terrorism and that their dedication to peace and security would not be forgotten Police officer shot dead after resisting highway robbers in Mehar
KHAIRPUR S TA F F R E P O R T A Station House Officer (SHO) was martyred late Sunday night in
LAHORE N E W S D E S K
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC), seeking approval to hold a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on March 22
The application comes amid heightened security alerts in Punjab and follows earlier denials from the local administration
The petition, filed by PTI Punjab Vice President Akmal Khan Bari names the Punjab Chief Secretary Inspector General of Police Lahore Deputy Commissioner and other senior officials as respondents According to the plea, the party had formally requested permission from the district administration but received no response prompting the legal action
In the filing PTI contended
that peaceful assembly and political expression are fundamental rights under the Constitution The party argued that commemorating the historic Lahore Resolution on March 23 was a significant occasion and warranted public participation through peaceful gatherings
The respondents are constitutionally bound to facilitate peaceful political activities, the petition stated, urging the court to direct authorities to grant permission for the rally and ensure that PTI leaders and workers are not subjected to harassment
The rally if permitted is scheduled to take place between 8pm and midnight on March 22 at Minar-e-Pakistan, a site of symbolic importance for the party’s political campaigns in the past
The move comes at a time when Punjab is on high security
alert due to recent incidents of terrorism across the country Authorities have expressed concerns about holding large public gatherings under the current security climate Last month PTI’s request to hold a similar event in Lahore was turned down by the administration citing security risks The party subsequently organised a rally in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, though it faced challenges in mobilising its supporters amid internal financial constraints and organisational issues
PTI has recently hinted at reviving its campaign of public mobilisation following Eid-ul-Fitr Party leadership has also begun outreach to other opposition parties, exploring the possibility of launching joint anti-government protests in the coming weeks
The Lahore High Court is expected to hear the case shortly
were suspended and demoted for mishandling the case Moreover the Sindh High Court (SHC) has also ruled that the judicial remand of prime suspect Armaghan Qureshi and the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) both ordered earlier by the administrative judge of anti-terrorism courts (ATCs)
woman and her infant son were among three shot dead for socalled honour in the early hours of Monday in the Rustam area of Mardan, officials said Rustam Station House Officer (SHO) Mohammad Daud Khan confirmed that the incident took place in the Taja Banda area saying that a woman her one-year-old son and her father-in-law were allegedly killed by the cousins of the woman SHO Khan said that a first information report (FIR) was lodged at the Rustam police station on the complaint of the woman s motherin-law Nasim Bibi
Bibi told the police that she was asleep at home when she heard the sounds of someone jumping into the house, which prompted her to rush out of her room
“I saw armed men Abuzar and Bakhtiar enter the room of my daughter-in-law wife of Shahi Mulk and open indiscriminate firing at her [They] also shot my husband Sher Aman and fled the scene,” she told the police in the FIR
According to the FIR all the victims died instantly
Bibi also stated in the FIR what she believed was the motive for the attack
She said her son Shahi Mulk had tied the knot with slain Safia Bibi through a court marriage as her family was against their marriage
She added that her daughterin-law had been in contact with her son before the marriage The Rustam police have registered a case against Abuzar and Bakhtiar residents of Spenkai and Rustam
The FIR was lodged under sections 302 (premeditated murder) 311 (Ta zir after waiver or compounding of right of qisas in qatli-amd), 34 (common intention), and 449 (house-trespass to commit offence punishable with death) of the Pakistan Penal Code and raids
are underway to apprehend the alleged suspects Cases of honour killings are prevalent in Pakistan From January to November last year a total of 346 people fell victim to honour crimes in the country
The previous two years also saw a consistent rise in murders related to so-called ‘honour ’
In 2023 the country saw a total of 490 ‘honour ’ killing incidents taking place while in 2022 as many as 590 people lost their lives to honour killings
In December, Amina Bibi, a mother of three, was shot dead by her brother, Zafar Hussain, in the Qasimpur area of Pakpattan Hussain told the police he thought his sister had a questionable character Wo m a n a n
the first time since the index s inception Malik emphasised the importance of expanding and improving counterterrorism cooperation, acknowledging that Pakistan must work to improve its security framework in collaboration with international partners He highlighted that weapons and ammunition left behind following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan have now been used against Pakistan, exacerbating cross-border terrorism He warned that the rising wave of militancy is not just a threat to Pakistan but could destabilise the entire region and impact US interests as well Pakistan s counterterrorism efforts he said have been recognised by President Trump and the US military command in-
cluding CENTCOM, which has acknowledged the country’s actions Referencing the detention of Daesh commander Mohammad Sharifullah alias Jaffar accused of 2021 attack on US troops at Kabul airport, he underscored that Pakistani intelligence agencies have demonstrated effectiveness by acting on credible
intelligence with remarkable speed, a capability that he suggested has outperformed multiple global intelligence agencies
The minister also rejected longstanding allegations from neighbouring countries accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism, reiterating that Pakistan itself remains a victim of militant violence
