LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to provide big relief to the people by substantially bringing down rates of electricity while maintaining prices of petroleum products at the previous level
In a statement on Saturday, he said the government decided to transfer the complete financial benefit in the rate of electricity while keeping prices of petroleum at the past rates This measure was among all the other steps which would result in a meaningful reduction in the rates of electricity, he added
wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in sewage samples of 12 cities According to officials, 15 environmental (sewage) samples were collected from 14 districts between February 17 and February 26 and were tested at the NIH lab during the past week The samples from Multan Bahawalpur Lahore DG Khan, Kasur, Dera Bugti, Lasbela, Quetta, Sibi, South Waziristan Lower, Charsadda and Swabi were tested positive while samples from DI Khan, South Waziristan Lower and North Waziristan tested negative for poliovirus They said that Pakistan s polio surveillance is among the world s best with the largest and most sensitive detection system They said that the program has expanded its environmental surveillance sites from 65 in 2021 to 127 in 2025 Its efficiency in detecting poliovirus in sewage and cases ensures no transmission goes unnoticed even in remote areas The Programme is implementing a rigorous vaccination schedule to protect children from paralytic polio and interrupt virus transmission Due to high-quality campaigns since September 2024, polio cases nationwide have declined In February, a nationwide polio campaign vaccinated over 45 million children alongside fIPV-OPV campaigns held in Karachi and Quetta blocks The second phase of the fIPV-OPV campaign is currently underway in Karachi and will continue until March 16 across 59 union councils Additionally, a targeted vaccination drive in 104 union councils bordering Afghanistan or having Afghan refugee populations was conducted in the last week of February reaching over 0 67 million children to reduce the risk of cross-border and internal virus transmission
The prime minister said that a package was being prepared under a comprehensive
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of our people felicitating them He also said that our enemy imposed a war on us after dividing us in Punjabis Pakhtoon and Baloch Federal Minister for Railways paid glowing tributes to personnel of law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) who foiled terrorist attack on Jaffar Express
He said that some foreign countries are worried about ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and they are using all available resources to create hurdles in the smooth completion of this game-changer project H
Pakistani banker Amena Arif appointed IFC country manager for the Philippines
Pak istan limits methyl bromide use, bans 12 hazardous
DESPITE the country’s improved economic performance the latest round of economic review talks between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded without a staff-level agreement
However sources privy to the development said that pending issues could be resolved through virtual discussions in the coming weeks
According to officials familiar with the negotiations, Pakistan will be required to implement several measures under the
Pak istan diver ts third LNG cargo as gas demand declines
Additionally the country must prepare for more frequent extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and rising sea levels, which pose significant risks to coastal regions in Sindh and Balochistan
COMMENT
Solar power confusion
Balochistan tubewells are conver ting fast even as the buyback tariff is lowered
WHAT the government takes with one hand it gives with the other Its relation to solar power is an example While it lowered the buyback tariff drastically, from Rs 21 per unit to Rs 10, it continued to pour money into a scheme for converting Balochistan's tubewells to solar power Ts 14 billion is the price tag placed on this, as opposed to the conversion to solar power by residential consumers all over the country, which has been entirely financed by the homeowner The main reason for the conversion is that it is cheap Balochistan’s tubwells are being powered free WAPDA power, based on thermal generation by the IPPs, saw tariffs going ever higher, and also the country s fuel imports reaching unsustainable levels Solar power solves this problem: not only are there no tariff costs but fuel import bills will be lowered However, this argument also applies to domestic consumers, so why the difference in attitude Does it lie in the willingness to pay?
Balochitan landowners simply do not pay their bills and also refuse to be disconnected applying all sorts of pressure to avoid this As a result receivables have reached Rs 564 billion Clearly the government is cutting its losses and running, with 4538 connections removed so far On the other hand, domestic consumers opting for solarization are good customers paying their bills on time Their not
consumers have
This
and draw from the grid when there is not enough power being generated There has been an earlier decision that solarized consumers must pay taxes according to the amount they use, not that which they are billed for The Balochistan tubewells it might be noted are disconnected entirely and part of the transition costs are for removal of meters, poles, and transformers
The government, it seems, is aware that the change is driven by both economics and technological change However it is also held back by supporters of oil generation It does not seem to realize tht it cannot stop the spreading of solar power to what WAPDA thinks of as cash cows, and it must dread the day when consumers find advances in storage technology allows them to go off the grid
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
L i v i n g i n a s h r u n ke n wo
THE culture of Pakistan is a rich and colourful picture drawn by the traditions of countless civilizations, faiths and ethnicities that resided in the country over millennia It is a mixture of indigenous values and remote influences of Persian Central Asian South Asian and Islamic origin Pakistani culture features a number of main elements which are its languages, traditional dance and music, literature, arts and architecture Cuisine rich in flavours and diversity is another essential component Religious and cultural festivals are a true reflection of the nation s rich social fabric Pakistanis have a deep-rooted family values, hospitality and community ties, hence its culture is a unique and living example of the history and identity of its peoples In this modern world indeed technology and social media have changed cultures in developed countries by changing methods of communication and social relationships Social media sites have brought in a global culture, where trends, ideas and customs move fast from one border to another Social media has also made content creation democratized as people can make their cultural practices known to the world Emojis memes and instant messages have replaced conventional methods of communication as well While this has facilitated worldwide connectivity, it has not come without challenges such as a reduction in face-to-face interaction
S foreign policy traditionally starts with the doctrine The USA has neither permanent enemies nor permanent friends but the national interest is the only permanent friend of the USA’, propounded by the first US President, George Washington This is realpolitik and all the US Presidents have tried to pursue this direction The main difference is the strategy every US President adopts President Donald Trump aggressively launched the same policy but with the idea of reconstruction of the US policy in the world affairs The previous policy was to take care of the friendly countries globally engaged to facilitate the US interests and he USA funded all the allies at war fronts against the rival powers and UN projects serving the humanity across the world but President Trump deconstructed this traditional approach of the US policymakers and gave a major shift under the two possible stresses or ambitions: Instead of pouring US dollars on the other countries and projects the White House should spend money within the USA to cope with the problems being faced by the US people The immigration policy especially the deportation of people illegally
and the spread of disinformation Like the rest of the World, social media has had a profound effect on Pakistani society, changing the fabric of society for both good and bad Internet and social media users in Pakistan are growing day by day Pakistan had around 87 35 million internet users as of January 2023 which has now further grown Social media use is common, with 71 7 million users in January 2023
According to the GSMA Mobile Economy Report 2023, Pakistan's internet users are estimated to be 110-120 million by 2025 Statista's 2023 report estimates social media users to be 85-90 million by 2025 The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) forecasts a 10-12 percent annual growth in mobile internet subscriptions, which may exceed 140 million mobile broadband subscribers by 2025 Social media has been an effective tool for cultural exchange and worldwide representation on the positive front Social media sites have enabled Pakistanis to share their vibrant cultural heritage, such as music, food, fashion and customs, with the rest of the world Pakistani television dramas, Sufi music and traditional wear such as shalwar kameez have become internationally recognized evoking pride in local culture and generating opportunities for cultural diplomacy
Furthermore social media has given voice to marginalized communities such as women and religious minorities giving them a platform to fight for their rights and defy societal norms Social media has played a pivotal role in catapulting such movements like “Aurat March to success and this has trickled on to polarizing yet critical topics like gender equality, child labor, access to education and healthcare Such has encouraged a culture of activism and accountability, allowing people to have the power to call for change and resist archaic traditions
The most significant adverse impact is the loss of cultural values and the emergence of cultural homogenization Western lifestyles and ideals, often fantasized about on social media, have started to dominate local ways of life, especially among young people This has resulted in a change in attitudes towards family life re-
e s , e s p e c i a l l y f o r w o m e n a n d y o u t h F o r i n s t a n c e , d e v e l o p i n g e - c o m m e r c e a n d d i g i t a l s k i l l s c a n e n a b l e p e o p l e t o u s e s o c i a l m e d i a f o r b u s i n e s s d e v e l o p m e n t I n a d d i t i o n , c r e a t i n g a c u l t u r e o f r e s p o n s i b l e u s e o f s o c i a l m e d i a , w h e r e c i t i z e n s a r e a w a r e o f t h e i r o n l i n e f o o t p r i n t a n d i t s c o n t r i b u t i o n t o s o c i e t y , i s e s s e n t i a l B y t a c k l i n g t h e s e i s s u e s a h e a d o f t i m e a n d c o l l e c t i v e l y , P a k i s t a n c a n l e v e r a g e t h e p o t e n t i a l o f s o c i a l m e d i a t o c r e a t e a m o r e i n c l u s i v e , e d u c a t e d , a n d c u l t u r a l l y r i c h s o c i e t y
lationships and roles within society, at times causing conflicts between generations The biggest social media challenge is the propagation of disinformation and false news which can fuel social political and religious conflict To combat this more digital literacy initiatives need to be put in place to inform users on how to critically read online material To restrict harmful content without stifling free speech, collaboration between the government, internet companies and civil society organizations is also essential The decline of traditional cultural values as a result of the overwhelming effect of globalized material presents another difficulty This trend can be resisted by encouraging the creation and distribution of regional content that reflects Pakistani customs and values
The impact of social media on mental health particularly in young people is another significant issue Anxiety despair and low self-esteem are among the issues that can arise from the stress that comes from trying to live up to unrealistic beauty standards and lifestyles that influencers promote Campaigns to raise awareness of social media's staged life and promote responsible online conduct can help with this Higher education institutions and schools can take action by incorporating mental health into their curricula Additionally the rise in online harassment and cyberbullying is a growing problem, especially for minorities and women Enhancing laws and enforcement tools to defend users from abuse online while establishing safer online environments is essential Social media companies also need to step up by setting tougher rules and tools against harassment
In the future, the solution is a balanced strategy that leverages the advantages of social media while solving its problems Fostering digital entrepreneurship and innovation can generate economic opportunities especially for women and youth For instance developing ecommerce and digital skills can enable people to use social media for business development In addition, creating a culture of responsible use of social media, where citizens are aware of their online footprint and its contribution to society is essential By tackling these issues ahead of time and collectively Pakistan can leverage the potential of social media to create a more inclusive, educated, and culturally rich society The writer is Director of the Institute
Gridlock at Jauhar
Stock market bubble
Dr MuhAMMAD AnwAr FArooq
AkhtAr hussAin sAnDhu
Changing face of insurgency
serving as the information wing
The BLA must be combatted
THE fifth wave of the Baloch insurgency began with the assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti in 2006 Tribal groups initially led the movement but it eventually expanded to include the middle class and educated segments of society Bugti s assassination led to the emergence of several insurgent groups The ongoing insurgency has seen escalating violence, including attacks on military and law enforcement agencies government installations gas pipelines targeted killings and hostage-takings Although multiple militant groups are involved in insurgency in Balochistan the BLA and BLF have been responsible for numerous attacks in the province The BLA is evolving from guerrilla warfare to sophisticated urban warfare while the BLF remains focused on guerrilla warfare ambushes and attacks on developmental projects primarily in Awaran Panjgur and Turbat Notably the BLA has a presence in both rural and urban centres, with a strong concentration in Baloch ethnic areas However, in 2017, the BLA experienced a significant split when two of its members Ustad Aslam Achu and Bashir Zaib were expelled for violating group command rules It led to the formation of a splinter group, also using the name BLA, which has since become one of the deadliest groups carrying out numerous militant activities The splinter group is led by Bashir Zeb and has evolved into a sophisticated militant outfit with various wings including the Fateh Squad responsible for clearing the way for suicide bombers; the Majeed Brigade, which carries out suicide attacks; ZIRAB, functioning as the intelligence wing for data collection and analysis; and Hakkal,
This structural transformation has enabled the group to shift its tactics from traditional guerrilla warfare to more sophisticated urban warfare, posing a significant threat to provincial security The group has expanded its operations, targeting not only security forces but also civilians and infrastructure Insurgent groups are also targeting Chinese nationals with the deliberate intention of damaging the country s critical relations with China and sabotaging the CPEC It appears to be a strategic move that aims to undermine Pakistan’s economic interests create tensions between Islamabad and Beijing disrupt law and order and discourage Chinese nationals from visiting Pakistan With expanding information technology, the insurgent groups continue to leverage social media to disseminate propaganda, foster anti-state sentiments, and recruit new members Insurgent groups now carry out coordinated attacks exert control over highways take hostages and target ethnic groups from other provinces particularly Punjab Insurgent groups have developed a diversionary strategy, where they block highways to divert the attention of law enforcement agencies and paramilitary forces while simultaneously carrying out attacks on other targets A notable example of this tactic is the incident where they blocked multiple highways across the province, while targeting an FC camp in Lasbela district, last year
Moreover, insurgent groups have also expanded their recruitment tactics to include
women in a combat role thereby exploiting their perceived vulnerability and psychological docility to utilize them as shields for suicide bombing missions This tactic not only inflicts damage on the target but also creates a psychological impact on the security forces Women are often lured into the insurgency through social media which has increased their exposure to propaganda warfare allowing insurgents to disseminate tailored messages that resonate with their emotions and concerns
Furthermore, the educated class in Balochistan is joining the insurgency, driven by feelings of marginalization and frustration stemming from the perceived disparity in development and basic rights between their province and other parts of the country This sense of deprivation, coupled with a lack of employment opportunities after getting education, is fostering anti-state sentiments The insurgents effectively tap into these grievances using them as a rallying cry to mobilize support and justify their actions The BLA s strategy is designed to exploit the state s security policy in order to drive a wedge between the state and society In a strategic shift, insurgent groups particularly the BLA are seeking to obtain belligerent status by temporarily occupying certain areas of the province to demonstrate their capabilities with the ultimate goal of gaining international recognition As the security forces focus on combating the insurgency, the BLA seizes opportunities to occupy areas, showcasing its strength and control This temporary occupation aims to
Empowering local government and focusing on socioeconomic development can also help alleviate the governance deficit that has contributed to the insurgency In fact, addressing the underlying issues of economic deprivation, political disenfranchisement, and social marginalization is essential to finding a lasting solution to the conflict
Muslim communities tend to describe growing unemployment, lack of development, price rise, and increasing economic disparity as their major concerns
Fifty-four percent of Muslim respondents claim they are not as safe as others
More than 50% of Muslims argue that a lack of committed Muslim leaders affec ts their representation
claim belligerent status seeking recognition as a legitimate entity in Balochistan The group s social media campaigns and public outreach efforts are designed to build support and create a narrative of resistance against the state As the BLA continues to challenge the state’s authority, it is likely to further erode trust between the state and so-
p t o u n d e r m i n e t h e B L A s a p p e a l I n d e e d , t h e q u e s t o f t h e B L A f o r b e l l i g e r e n t s t a t u s i s a c a l c u l a t e d m o v e t o g a i n l e g i t i m a c y a n d c h a l l e n g e t h e s t a t e ’s a u t h o r i t y T h e o u t c o m e o f t h i s c o n f l i c t w i l l d e p e n d o n t h e s t a t e s a b i l i t y t o
DO Muslims need to be represented only by Muslims? This provocative question is usually overlooked to make a few sweeping generalisations about ever-declining numbers of Muslim MPs and MLAs in legislative bodies Popular journalistic writing on this subject tends to focus entirely on the exact number of Muslim legislators to highlight the political marginalisation of Muslims in India
Scholarly works on the other hand rely heavily on statistical data to prove Muslim underrepresentation, simply to substantiate an outdated understanding of “descriptive representation,” which is the idea that legislative bodies ought to represent the socioreligious diversity of the nation so as to acquire a mirror image These arguments more broadly stem from a conventional thesis, which claims that the collective interests of a homogeneous Muslim community can only be protected by Muslim legislatures To move beyond this simplistic idea we need to raise three fundamental issues: the constitution of Muslims as a political community; imagination of a set of collective Muslim interests; and the expected role of Muslim leaders (or legislatures in a formal sense) in safe-guarding these interests COMMUNITY IDENTITY
In my recent book A Brief History of the Present: Muslims in New India (PenguinRandom House 2024) I make an analytical distinction between substantive Muslimness and the discourse of Muslimness “Substantive Muslimness” tries to capture the everyday experiences of Muslims at the local and regional level Factors such as caste language economic status sect and region become the determining factors that constitute Muslim identity and collective self-perceptions in a particular socio-political context The “discourse of Muslimness” is another equally powerful expression of Muslim identity related to the ways in which collective Muslim presence in India is perceived explained and debated Treating Muslims as a faith community in purely religious terms, evoking their religious distinctiveness as a “minority” in legal-consti-
tutional discourse measuring their demography in census-driven terms, depicting mediaeval “Islamic rule” as Muslim history, and the media debates on “global jihad” and radicalisation produce a powerful discourse of identity Muslim individuals are eventually linked to these pan-Islamic imaginations to produce a few grand explanations These ready-to-use templates of Muslim identity also influence Muslim self-perceptions at the grassroots level
The crucial interface between substantive Muslimness and the discourse of Muslimness determines the actual representations of Indian Muslim identity In this sense, Muslim identity formation functions like a pendulum The discourse of Muslimness and the conception of a single Muslim community in India is one extreme end of this swing and the immediate cultural-local considerations which constitute substantive Muslimness are at the other end COMMUNITY INTERESTS
The CSDS-Lokniti Pre-poll Survey 2024 (which was conducted across 19 Indian states a few months before the general election with a sample size of 10 019 respondents) offers useful insights to unpack the idea of Muslim issues to examine the nature of collective Muslim aspirations
We find that Muslim communities tend to describe growing unemployment, lack of development, price rise, and increasing economic disparity as their major concerns Around 67% of Muslims assert that getting a job has become very difficult in the present economic environment Seventy-six percent of Muslims are also more concerned about inflation
Opinions on the inclusion of Dalit Muslims in the Scheduled Caste lists, which define who is eligible for affirmative action represent another important finding Currently India s Scheduled Caste lists exclude Muslims and Christians on the idea that untouchability does not exist in those religions – despite evidence of discrimination A
lims (76%) assert that Muslim Dalits must be accommodated in the Scheduled Caste list These findings are very different from
source of inspiration for Muslim communities to reclaim their citizenship status in secular terms
It does not however mean that the Hindutva-dominated environment does not affect collective Muslim imaginations There is a growing apprehension that
vey 2024 for collecting Muslim perceptions and views about political processes in contemporary India) finds that a sizeable section of Muslim respondents (43%) feel that Muslims are treated unfairly by the state authorities In fact, Muslim safety has also emerged as one of the main concerns Fiftyfour percent of Muslim respondents claim they are not as safe as others (including 11% of Muslims who argue they are not at all safe)
It appears that the unfair treatment of Muslims by state authorities has been so normalised that many Muslims do not think it can even be reported to authorities Muslim communities, in this sense, have accepted the Hindutva-driven administrative norms of governance as a new reality at the grassroots level; and for this reason they are keen to establish effective engagement with government institutions This self-representation, one may argue, is a survival strategy to engage with the state at various levels by avoiding possible conflicts and contestations
These two sets of findings show that Muslim self-perceptions are certainly determined by the socio-economic considerations or what we call substantive Muslimness; at the same time, the dominance of Hindutva as a determining discourse of Muslimness is also observed and taken seriously as an existential question by Muslim communities
It is thus clear that the collective interests of Muslims in India can only be understood meaningfully if they are seen in relation to the complex, multilayered, and discursive constitution of Indian Muslim identity LEADERS
Politics especially electoral politics is recognised as a preferred domain for social action by Muslim communities Our data shows that more than 51% Muslims believe their vote does make a difference Muslim turnout in 2024 (62%) also confirms that a significant majority of Muslims envisage democratic processes as a possible way to protect their identity both as individual citizens and a threatened minority This Muslim faith in the political system raises three questions First, is there any correlation between enthusiasm for voting and social-religious identity of the contesting candidates? Second if yes is this correlation relevant for all forms of electoral competition – Lok Sabha assembly civic bodies? Third do Muslims trust Muslim leaders? If yes what are their expectations? The term Muslim leaders may be used for three types of political actors who perform very specific functions in different contexts: professional Muslim politicians Muslim elites and Muslim activists/influencers Professional Muslim politicians operate as a crucial link between political parties and the particular Muslim community they claim to represent Muslim elites represent a broad category, which includes those individuals who assert their superior position
p i n i o n s c l e a r l y underlines the highly heterogenous nature of Muslim voting patterns over the years It simply means that the religious identity of a professional Muslim leader is a cont e x t - s p e c i f i c p h e n o m e n o n e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e c a s e o f L o k S a b h a o r s t a t e a s s e m b l y e l e c t i o n s w h e r e t h e a c c e s s i b i l i t y o f a n elected representative is not a prime consideration M u s l i m c o m m u n i t i e s , n e v e r t h e l e s s , d o n o t a l w a y s f o l l o w a n i n t e r e s t - o r i e n t e d utilitarian approach about Muslim leaders h i p O u r s u r v e y s h o w s t h a t M u s l i m s have a rather positive view about existing M u s l i m l e a d e r s S i x t y - f o u r p e r c e n t o f M u s l i m r e s p o n d
dr SHoaib balocH
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MULLS TRAVEL BAN ON 41 NATIONS: REPORT
U S President Donald Trump urged Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin on Friday to spare Ukrainian troops that Russia is pushing out of its Kursk region an appeal Putin said he would honor if they surrendered Trump posted on social media after his envoy, Steve Witkoff, held a lengthy meeting with Putin on Thursday night in Moscow that Trump described as very good and productive There is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end,
global par tnerships through cultural exchanges
Mar yam Nawaz ’s Popularity and Her People - Centric Governance
SAIF AWAN
For the first time in Punjab s history a woman has been elected Chief Minister with a strong mandate Maryam Nawaz has accomplished historic feats that no previous chief minister could achieve There is a common perception that women are only suited for household responsibilities and are not capable of managing administrative affairs However, this is a narrow-minded view held by certain segments of society
have been awarded scholarships with 60% of them granted to female students In today s era of rising inflation, many parents struggle to afford higher education for their daughters Maryam Nawaz’s initiative has provided much-needed relief covering tuition fees for the next two to three years offering immense support to families
belief he has carried since his days working at local positions In 2005 as secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, he sent a congratulatory letter to the opening of the province s first Culture Week program in Europe Among the highlights of the event held in France’s AlpesMaritimes was an exhibition of paintings by local farmers and fishermen a unique form of Chinese folk art depicting the rhythm and beauty of rural and coastal life through vibrant hues and evocative forms As Chinese president, Xi has been consistently advocating for mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual learning between different cultures and civilizations During his
Maryam Nawaz has shattered this stereotype proving that a woman can efficiently lead and govern a province as vast as Punjab in today s modern era Managing a province like Punjab stretching from Lahore to Attock and from Rahim Yar Khan to Cholistan and Sadiqabad is undoubtedly a daunting task With a population exceeding 140 million governing such a massive region effectively in just one year is no small feat Maryam Nawaz has demonstrated her ability to handle both political and administrative affairs with expertise
A recent IPOR survey evaluating her first year in office found that 73% of Punjab s citizens rated her performance as excellent Moreover, she was deemed the best and most competent chief minister compared to her counterparts in other provinces Her tenure has been marked by significant initiatives for women staying true to her promise in her inaugural speech that women are my red line ” She did not just make verbal commitments; she translated them into reality creating an environment where women in Punjab feel safer and more empowered than those in other provinces
Maryam Nawaz launched the
Livestock Card program, enabling hundreds of women to receive livestock under the "Dairy Farming Scheme One of her most groundbreaking initiatives for women is the Dhee Rani Program, which has successfully facilitated the marriages of 1,500 underprivileged daughters across Punjab Each bride received a gift package worth PKR 220 000 and an additional PKR 100 000 through an ATM card as a wedding gift
The Provincial Minister for Social Welfare, Sohail Shaukat Butt, played a crucial role in overseeing this program at every level ensuring its smooth execution
Maryam Nawaz introduced Punjab s largest-ever Ramazan Nigehban Package, under which PKR 10,000 in cash is delivered directly to the homes of deserving individuals The program sets an example of transparency ensuring that financial aid reaches people without compromising their dignity
Maryam Nawaz has also focused on educating and empowering young women Under her leadership, 27,000 students received electric bikes including a significant number of female students Orphaned girls who could not afford the advance payments had their installments personally guaranteed by Maryam Nawaz Furthermore, 30,000 students
Recognizing the importance of technology in education, she is set to launch a laptop distribution program, benefiting thousands of talented students
Maryam Nawaz recently inaugurated a fleet of modern electric buses in Lahore These buses are equipped with CCTV cameras, Wi-Fi, and security features, ensuring safe travel for women Any incident of harassment can be reported immediately and swift action is taken against perpetrators Historically Ramazan has seen sharp increases in food prices However, this year, Maryam Nawaz proactively curbed profiteering before the holy month began Over 80 Ramazan Facilitation Bazaars have been set up where essential goods are sold at affordable prices without long queues Her Special Assistant on Price Control, Salma Butt, has been conducting on-ground inspections across Punjab personally engaging with citizens to ensure quality and fair pricing in these markets
Maryam Nawaz s administration has also launched the Suthra Punjab (Clean Punjab) Program, led by Minister for Local Bodies Zeeshan Rafiq He personally visits various districts daily to monitor sanitation efforts Under this initiative household waste collection has already begun in Lahore and soon it will be expanded to other cities
Writer is PRO of Information Minister Punjab
CORPORATE CORNER
PMDC
APNS elects office-bearers unopposed
GovT considers self-financinG Ml-1 railway projecT aMid fundinG del ays
g MINISTER SIGNALS SHIFT IN STRATEGY AS CHINA’S TECHNICAL TEAM’S VISIT REMAINS PENDING
TKundi meets M aulana Fazl, disc usses national sec urity,
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Faisal Karim Kundi met with the chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Maulana
Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad During the meeting, both leaders discussed the country s political landscape and the overall security situation They also deliberated on the challenges facing Pakistan and explored possible solutions
The meeting underscored the need for collective efforts by all political parties and the public to establish sustainable peace in the country Governor Kundi and Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed deep concern over the rising wave of terrorism and the deteriorating law
politic al situation
and order situation, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa They emphasized that terrorist elements are
act on the opportunities for negotiation He also criticised the government s handling of PTI founder Imran Khan s situation saying that no one from the government has been allowed to meet him for six months This is a violation of court orders and human rights,” he added Commenting on the recent military actions Gohar praised the Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) for an informative press conference and reiterated the security forces vital role in preventing further tragedy Yesterday, ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif said India is the main sponsor of terrorism in Balochistan, following the recent attack on the Jaffer Express He added that Indian outlets circulated AIgenerated videos and broadcast content that misrepresented the terrorists actions His comments came during a joint press conference in Islamabad on Friday, where he was accompanied by Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti They provided details about the attack on Jaffer Express, which was targeted by separatist militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued a message on the occasion of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, reminding the world of the serious challenges Muslims face due to increasing discrimination, hate, and attacks on their sacred symbols and places of worship PM Sharif highlighted the importance of this day which was recognised by the United Nations General Assembly three years ago, as a call to action against rising Islamophobia globally He stated that the day reflects the collective desire
ISLAMABAD S
Pakistan and Bangladesh have called for increasing cooperation in the areas of trade economy culture, health, education, and peopleto-people linkages for the mutual benefit of the two countries
This was discussed during a meeting between President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, Mr Md Iqbal Hussain Khan, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr today
D
emphasised to improve air link-
Bangladesh to enhance bilateral trade as well as increase peopleto-people linkages
Welcoming the High Commissioner, President Gilani said that there was great potential to enhance education, health, agriculture and cultural cooperation between the two brotherly countries He called for making efforts to further increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges to bring the two countries closer He expressed satisfaction that an MoU on the supply of white rice from Pakistan to Bangladesh had been signed which would help increase bilateral trade
The President said that Pakistan greatly valued its relations with Bangladesh which were based on common faith shared history and cultural similarities He remarked that the Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, Professor Muhammad Yunus was widely respected in Pakistan for his path-breaking work in the field of micro-finance and social development
The High Commissioner highlighted the potential of increasing relations in the area of health tourism
action to combat the dangerous wave of Islamophobia and address blatant violations of human rights and religious freedoms He stressed that there is no justification for disrespecting religious symbols under the guise of freedom of expression Sharif also emphasised that respect for all religions and their revered personalities is essential for global peace
tion for the appointment of a UN Special Envoy to address Islamophobia, as decided by the UN
PM Shehbaz Sharif Saturday lauded the officers and Jawans of security forces for successful intelligence based operation against Fitna Al-Khawarij in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa He appreciated the officers and Jawans of security forces for their professional capabilities for eliminating nine Khawarij in Mohmand and Dera Ismail Khan
He paid tribute to Havaldar Muhammad Zahid and Sepoy Aftab Ali Shah for embracing martyrdom for the country while fighting bravely and killing Khawarij
He prayed for the elevation of ranks of martyrs in Jannah and for the grant of patience to the bereaved families
He said the war against the menace of terrorism would continue till its complete eradication from the country
The nation stood with the armed forces in the war against terrorism, he added
