M V O W S T O T R A N S F O R M I N G Y O U T H I N T O D R I V I N G F O R C E F O R P R O G R E S S
explosion
Double Road; three killed, 21 injured
of the ranks of the deceased and extended condolences to the bereaved families He also wished for the swift recovery of the injured
from a Karachi-bound
on Coastal Highway in Gwadar s Kalmat area Gwadar Deputy Commissioner
i o n , g a i n S 3 4 P o i n t S
Special trains operation begins to facilitate passengers on Eidul Fitr
Y E a r - r o u n d o P E n i n g o F K H u n j E r a B Pa S S F u E l S r E C o r d Pa K - C H i n a t r a d E
crisis Water shortfall at rim stations stands at 51% and exceeds 60% at provincial canal heads Irsa which typically allocates water for the season in three phases, has now shifted to a month-by-month assessment, an unusual move driven by worsening climatic conditions The committee approved a 43% system shortfall for April with further shortages likely to be confirmed next month The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported below-normal
rainfall and higher-than-usual temperatures across the country s northern and southern regions Snowfall in the Indus and Jhelum catchment areas was 31% lower than normal, leading to weaker river inflows Punjab and Sindh agreed to the onemonth water allocation but Sindh objected to the three-tier
distribution formula, demanding that water shares be calculated under para-2 of the Water Accord Under this method, shortages would exceed 55% for April With the Kharif cropping season which runs from April to September about to begin the crisis poses a serious threat to key crops such as rice, sugarcane, cotton, maize, and mash Irrigation experts warn that if conditions do not improve the impact on agriculture could be severe
IGP Islamabad seeks two weeks’ time to locate missing brothers
militant attacks were recorded nationwide leading to 91 fatalities including 35 security personnel 20 civilians, and 36 militants Another 117 people were injured, with 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants among them
The Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) on Thursday told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that he would need fourteen days to recover the two missing brothers of journalist Ahmad Noorani The US-based Noorani works for a news outlet called FactFocus Noorani s mother Amina Bashir had filed a plea with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking the recovery of her sons - Muhammad Saifur Rehman Haider and Muhammad Ali – saying they went missing from their residence on March 19 On Tuesday Reporters Without Borders (RSF) demanded the immediate release of Noorani s brothers, calling it a clear reprisal to intimidate and silence [Noorani] ” During proceedings on Thursday Justice Inam Ameen Minhas heard the plea while Advocate Imaan MazariHazir representing the petitioner appeared before the court along with Noorani s mother and sister At the outset of the hearing, Justice Minhas asked IGP Ali Nasir Rizvi how much time he would need to recover the two brothers to which the IGP replied that he d need two weeks Take one year Noorani s mother cried out as she appeared on the rostrum Justice Minhas said to the IGP: “I
had asked the station house officer to inquire and tell us ” The IGP responded that he was supervising the matter and had formed a special investigation team under the supervision of the senior superintendent of police operations
We have done geofencing and also obtained CDR (Call Detail Records) No one in 27 police stations or CTD has information [on the brothers’ whereabouts] ” he told the court “We have contacted all IGPs and prisons across the country but such information is not available anywhere he said We have been in contact with the IGPs of all provinces and sought information
IGP Rizvi said that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has been informed and a reply is awaited from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) No one with these names has gone abroad the IGP told the court He added that they have checked with the chief commissioner, local districts and hospitals, but no information has turned up
“We also checked with [Rescue] 15 nothing was found IGP Rizvi said 15 has an auto-record system we have not received any calls at this time The court asked what the solution was since people had already gone missing
“We need more time, we are doing our best ” the IGP said To this Mazari said: They re saying they have checked hospitals checked everything; has anyone checked them?
We have made allegations regarding the intelligence agencies under the Ministry of Interior,” Mazari said Justice Minhas said: “They have been given notices when they respond we can see The police have taken those who had cameras Mazari said to which Justice Minhas said, Tell the police about this so that they can look into the matter ” “How did they leave Islamabad? Where are they? This is what needs to be seen Justice Minhas said Advocate Mazari asked: Have safehouses been checked? Yesterday, another journalist was picked up and then the FIA presented him [before a court],” Mazari said, referring to journalist Waheed Murad who was produced before an Islamabad court by the FIA after his family alleged that he was abducted He was subsequently remanded in a two-day physical custody under the country’s cybercrime laws for posting “intimidating content” online Justice Minhas noted that it was now necessary for the Ministry of Defence to respond He instructed the secretary of the Ministry of Defence to submit a response at the next hearing “If you know Allah as the witness tell me what you would have done if these were your children or his children? Noorani s mother said
Five passengers gunned down after identity check in Gwadar bus attack
in
The president and prime minister, in
issued statements, prayed for peace for
early recovery of the injured, and strength for the bereaved families to bear the loss “The terrorists are the enemies of the country s development and prosperity of Balochistan They cannot see progress in Balochistan, the president said Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the authorities concerned to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured people and investigate the incident to identify and punish the perpetrators Calling the miscreants the enemies of peace and development, he said that their cowardly actions of killing innocent people reflected their brutality “We will never allow the anti-state designs of miscreants to succeed ” he resolved
Prime Minister Shehbaz praised the security forces and law enforcement agencies for thwarting the nefarious designs of the anti-state elements The entire nation, including myself, is proud of them, he remarked Meanwhile Balochistan Chief Min-
ister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the incident and reaffirmed his government s resolve to take stern action terrorists In a post on X, CM Bugti said: Offloading innocent passengers from a bus and murdering them based on their identity is a heinous and cowardly act ” Extending his condolences to the bereaved families CM Bugti pledged that the war against hardcore terrorists would continue and they would be brought to justice by all means”
According to SSP Baloch, roads were also blocked in Turbat Panjgur and Pasni Levies officials said roadblocks were also witnessed in the Bolan Kolpur and Mastung areas They added that one of Levies vehicles was also set on fire in the Mastung area There were also latenight reports about an attack on a security forces post in Turbat Heavy exchange of fire and explosions were heard in the Turbat town but there was no official confirmation of the incident
PU TE: Meanwhile, seven members of a family were killed in Balochistan’s Sohbatpur district apparently over a suspected old enmity According to SSP Muhammad Yousuf Karim Bhangar, armed men killed three men after storming the house of farmer Muhammad Siddique in Mir Dor Khan Khosa village He informed the incident occurred
within the jurisdiction of the RD 238 Police Station Later the assailants set ablaze the house and crops, resulting in the deaths of three children and a woman,” the officer said The SSP said that the deceased persons aged between three to 45 years and bodies have been shifted to
AS expected a staff-level agreement has been reached between the IMF and Pakistan, which should see the IMF Executive Board approve the second tranche of the current 37-month Extended Fund Facility of $1 billion The Board will approve another facility of $1 3 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility accessible over 28 months which would mean a combined volume of IMF support of $8 3 billion The markets did not go wild, though stocks and the rupee went up appreciably The Pakistan Stock Exchange s benchmark KSE-100 Index went up one percent, and the rupee gained 16 paisas, so no one could complain that traders were losing their heads Perhaps the most realistic comment came from the Prime Minister appropriately enough that the review was successfully negotiated without a minibudget This reveals the biggest fear looming over the government, because the biggest hurdle in the way of a successful review was the failure of the Federal Board of Revenue to meet its collection target An agreement that tariffs needed to be lowered and that the auto sector should no longer be protected indicated what the budget was going to be like
The RSDF facility has come with the condition of a carbon levy being laid on all hydrocarbons, which basically means fuel and natural gas The agreement has been for a start of Rs 3-5 per litre or equivalent, to go up This is in addition to the existing petroleum levy and will figure in the next budget The money raised is supposed to be spent on specific climaterelated expenses The IMF has apparently signed off on a decrease of about Rs 7 per unit in electricity tariffs, perhaps because the figures were too compelling The government’s readiness to ensure that budgetary targets were met, symbolized by its refusal to pass on the benefit of reduced international oil prices played its due role in ensuring this
However it does seem that the fear of default has been replaced by the fear of the IMF This is no way for a country to run The government has prided itself on the achievements of preventing a default and of passing this review However, there is another review to come, the first of many, unless the country breaks out of the debt trap This is the task which is ahead of the government This EFF is reaching a point where its end is coming into sight
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami
TH E breakdown of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza not only meant the resumption of the slaughter of Palestinians but also the destruction of both US President Donald Trump s proposal for the rehabilitation of Faza, as well as the Arab League–OIC proposal, which is actually an Egyptian Plan Egypt is actually involved in both plans for while in the OIC plan it is merely the proposer in Trump’s plan it is the destination of a portion of the Gazans Jordan is supposed to be the other They are both vociferously reluctant to take on any more Palestinian refugees, not to mention that the whole world has been horrified by the idea of the ethnic cleansing of Gaza (and perhaps then the West Bank)
The Egyptian proposal has a price tag of Rs 58 billion on it $58 billion which will go into building 20 000 buildings within six months with 200 000 homes With the entire population to be housed in 30 months The plan includes the restoration of water, waste, telecom and electricity supplies would be restored, while an industrial zone, commercial port, fishing port and airport would be developed
The plan did not specify who would put up the money but said that a technocratic committee would control aid and governance while a Steering and Management Council would support the committee and presumably control the funds With such a large amount, and that too for reconstruction, some money would stick to all the figures involved: the contractors those awarding the contracts and all those involved in the execution of the contracts It would be a fair assumption that whichever government puts up the money would want effective representation on that Committee At the moment, no one has committed the funding, not even the Gulf Cooperation Council’s oil-rich states Instead an international donors’ conference has been proposed Keeping in view previous such conferences held for Afghanistan only if the USA was fully behind the plan and doing some serious behind-thescenes arm-twisting, will the money be raised
One of the main issues with the plan is that the two committees are to be under the Palestinian Authority, which rules the West Bank, but which was expelled from Gaza in 2008 after fighting between Al-Fateh and Hamas Israel will not accept Hamas in power but Hamas might not accept the disarmament it requires Israel has managed to rub long with the Palestinian Authority because it has helped in the policing of the West Bank, at least to the extent of its police helping the Israeli police in its operations designed to suppress resistance by the Palestinians against Israel Egypt and Jordan are willing to train a new security force for Gaza which will presumably be as helpful to the Israelis as the kapos, one prisoner-guards in concen-
T h e B l i n d a n d D e a f E l i t e
Stration camps were to the Nazis
One of the more interesting offers made in response to the Egyptian plan though not forming part of it was the offer by the Palestinian Authority and Al-Fatah chief Mahmoud Abbas to hold elections next year, if conditions allow Though elections have been spoken about for some time now, they have not been held As the last election was held in 2006 including Mahmoud Abbas everyone s mandate is now threadbare This is not much of a concern in the Arab world where nobody has come to office through election Going by its previous dealings with Arab states, Israel too has no problems about legitimacy One of the basic assumptions of the plan, so basic that it was not spelt out was that the Israelis were not attacking any more That has now been shown not to exist and the further question is raised of what guarantee is there that there would be the huge effort of reconstruction only for Israel to reduce everything to rubble once again The sacking was stayed by an Israeli court after the Shin Bet began investigating the involvement of the PM’s Office in the Qatargate corruption scandal Things have become even more complicated after he sacked the head of Shin Bet Israel s domestic intelligence agency after his failure to prevent the October 2023 action There are a couple of issues involved One is Israeli
imposition of martial law and military coups has not only stifled democratic processes but has
also exacerbated ethnic religious and communal divides over time The elite, primarily composed of military figures and their political and business allies, have consistently sought to maintain their grip on power, often sacrificing national integration and unity in the process Economically Pakistan has faced significant challenges largely stemming from the elite s focus on short-term gains As a prime example of a rentier state, Pakistan relies heavily on foreign aid and remittances rather than fostering a robust internal economy The country has endured multiple financial crises necessitating several International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailouts that underscore the failure of the elite to implement meaningful economic reforms Each economic setback not only highlights the inadequacies of the ruling class but also deepens the cycle of dependency on external financial assistance Moreover the elite’s focus on maintaining their privileges has resulted in stark social inequalities Access to quality education healthcare and employment opportunities remains limited for the majority of Pakistanis The education system, in particular, has suffered from neglect, with the elite often opting for exclusive institutions while the masses are left with inadequate options This educational divide perpetuates a cycle of poverty and disenfranchisement ensuring that the elite remain insulated from the struggles faced by ordinary citizens
The persistence of elite capture in Pakistan has stifled the emergence of a robust civil society capable of holding power to account The voices of dissent have often been marginalized with activists and journalists facing repression for challenging the status quo In an environment where the elite are blind to the needs of the populace, the potential for grassroots movements to effect change is severely hampered The current geopolitical landscape has further complicated Pakistan’s situation as the country has become embroiled in great-power rivalries often playing a proxy role in larger global conflicts The relationship with the USAs char-
acterized by transactional engagements rather than mutual respect for democratic principles and the rule of law exemplifies this issue The elite’s willingness to align with foreign powers for short-term gains has often come at the cost of national integrity and sovereignty leaving the populace to bear the brunt of these decisions
The ongoing situation in regions like Baluchistan serves as a testament to the elite’s blindness and deafness to the grievances of ordinary citizens The province rich in resources yet plagued by poverty and underdevelopment has become a focal point for discontent The local population s demands for rights representation, and equitable resource distribution have frequently been ignored by those in power, highlighting the elite’s systemic disconnection from the realities of governance For Pakistan to escape its status as a failing state it must dismantle the existing system of elite capture and establish a framework based on genuine democracy, the upholding of the constitution, and the rule of law This requires a complete reversal of the current path, necessitating a new social contract that prioritizes the needs of all citizens over the interests of a privileged few Only through such a transformation can Pakistan hope to build a cohesive national identity and foster a sense of belonging among its diverse populace
The elite capture of Pakistan has played a calamitous role in shaping the country’s trajectory since independence Their disconnection from the realities faced by ordinary citizens has contributed to a range of crises from political instability to economic dependency As Pakistan grapples with these challenges, it is essential for the elite to acknowledge their responsibilities and engage meaningfully with the populace Without such a shift, the prospects for a stable and prosperous Pakistan remain bleak as it is trapped in a cycle of failure that can only be broken through comprehensive reform and a commitment to the principles of democracy and justice
The author is a senior international banker, with degrees in economics and political science from University of Pennsylvania and Brown University
Ftribal districts to Balochistan every phase of insurgency has revealed the inadequacy of an approach that prioritizes military solutions over a holistic CoIN framework Pakistan s security establishment has yet to internalize a critical lesson: counterinsurgency is not won through firepower alone but through a multi-pronged strategy that combines intelligence-driven operations political engagement economic empowerment and social integration
Global case studies from the U S failures in Afghanistan to the Sri Lankan military’s mixed success against the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam prove that sustainable peace is only possible when states address the underlying conditions that fuel rebellion If Pakistan fails to recalibrate its strategy it risks becoming trapped in a perpetual war fighting the same enemies, using the same ineffective tactics, expecting different results
The resurgence of terrorism is not an anomaly; it is the inevitable outcome of Pakistan s short-sighted CoIN strategy which continues to prioritize military might over comprehensive counterinsurgency principles
Insurgencies do not thrive in a vacuum they are fed by political exclusion, economic despair, and the absence of state legitimacy Military campaigns may kill insurgents but they do not kill insurgencies Without addressing the systemic injustices that drive people into
the arms of militant groups, every so-called victory remains an illusion a temporary pause before the next insurgent wave Pakistan must abandon its fixation on body counts and adopt a strategy centered on dismantling militant ecosystems at their very roots
A fundamental shift is imperative A counterinsurgency strategy that does not integrate the people as allies is destined to fail
If Pakistan wishes to break free from the shackles of perpetual conflict, it must rewrite its CoIN playbook into one that prioritizes not just the defeat of militants but the reclamation of hearts and minds
Counterinsurgency by definition is not just about eliminating insurgents; it is about winning over populations, dismantling support networks, and ensuring long-term stability
Modern CoIN strategies have evolved from colonial-era doctrines that combined military suppression with efforts to win hearts and minds The British in Northern Ireland the Philippines against the Moro insurgents, and even American campaigns in Iraq and Vietnam have demonstrated that insurgencies are not purely military conflicts but socio-political struggles demanding multifaceted responses Yet Pakistan s strategy remains disproportionately tilted toward kinetic operations failing to incorporate crucial political economic and psychological dimensions
The British success in Malaya against communist insurgents in the 1950s provides a striking contrast to Pakistan’s flawed approach Instead of relying solely on brute force the British combined military operations with political reforms economic incentives, and local empowerment, thereby cutting off the insurgents support base The Malayan Emergency was won not through indiscriminate bombings or mass arrests but by creating conditions that made insurgency an unattractive option In contrast Pakistan s counterinsurgency campaigns whether in Swat North Waziristan or Balochistan have rarely been followed by meaningful political engagement
or economic rejuvenation The absence of a post-conflict rehabilitation plan means that areas cleared of militants remain vulnerable to re-infiltration turning every military success into a transient illusory achievement Successive military operations Zarb-eAzb, radd-ul-Fasaad, and now Azm-e-Istehkam have undoubtedly eliminated key militant strongholds and disrupted terror networks However long-term peace remains elusive The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan which claimed the lives of 21 hostages and four security personnel is a chilling reminder that insurgents are far from being defeated Their ability to carry out such high-profile attacks exposes a fundamental flaw in Pakistan’s approach: the state has been fighting symptoms while ignoring the disease The persistent unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan raises an uncomfortable question has Pakistan learned anything from its past failures, or is it merely recycling the same ineffective tactics under different names? one of the most damning aspects of Pakistan’s counterinsurgency approach is its alienation of local populations The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan who should be the state s strongest allies in rooting out insurgents, often find themselves treated as adversaries Heavy-handed military operations, reports of enforced disappearances, and unchecked human rights violations have fostered resentment rather than cooperation By prioritizing force over dialogue Pakistan has allowed insurgents to manipulate this discontent, turning grievances into recruitment tools Instead of weakening insurgencies, such policies have inadvertently fueled them, pushing communities further toward disillusionment and rebellion Pakistan s counterinsurgency missteps are compounded by its failure to incorporate a robust political strategy Any successful counterinsurgency effort requires legitimacy, something that cannot be achieved through coercion alone Political participation and representation of marginalized communities are critical in addressing insurgencies The US failure in Vietnam was largely due to its inability
to establish a government that commanded local legitimacy while in Iraq the exclusion of Sunni groups from governance after the 2003 invasion led to widespread insurgency Pakistan must take heed Without political reforms local grievances will continue to fester, providing insurgents with a steady stream of recruits The failure to integrate political solutions into counterinsurgency efforts is another crucial misstep In successful CoIN campaigns worldwide military action has been complemented by structured political dialogue The Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland which brought an end to decades of violence, was a product of strategic negotiations alongside security operations Pakistan, on the other hand has repeatedly treated insurgency as a law-and-order issue rather than a political crisis requiring engagement with marginalized communities Instead of preemptive diplomacy, the state responds reactively, often after insurgencies spiral out of control A lack of genuine political representation, denial of basic rights and refusal to address historical grievances have created a vacuum that insurgents have filled with their own narratives The intelligence dimension of counterinsurgency is another glaring weakness in Pakistan s approach The most reliable intelligence in insurgency-ridden areas does not come from sophisticated surveillance or satellite imagery it comes from people on the ground Afghanistan s National Directorate of Security (NDS) for all its flaws managed to infiltrate Taliban ranks by cultivating deep local intelligence networks The US Special Forces success in targeting Al-Qaeda leaders relied heavily on human intelligence from communities Pakistan’s counterinsurgency efforts however have been plagued by a lack of community-based intelligence networks Fear and resentment
Youths with radical right-wing views stood alongside ageing men carr ying flags with the hammer and sickle. Diehard secularists marched together with girls in headscar ves and modest clothing Some were showing the ‘Grey Wolf ’ sign, associated with ultranationalists, while others did the pro-Kurdish victor y sign or the clenched fist of the socialists
HU N D r E D S of thousands of protestors have taken to the streets of Istanbul following the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul’s mayor and the most popular opposition leader İmamoğlu and his republican People’s Party (CHP) claim the arrest and prosecution are politically motivated: revenge for winning three local elections in Istanbul and a measure to prevent him from running against president Erdoğan in the next election
Will the protests against İmamoğlu s arrest trouble Erdoğan? The authorities are certainly worried Governors of major cities have banned all demonstrations and gatherings in the major cities despite the constitution stating the right to hold unarmed and peaceful meetings and demonstration marches without prior permission
Each night, the police have employed tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and water cannons The biggest clashes appeared in Istanbul under the arches of the Valens Aqueduct built in the 4th century More than 1 000 people have been arrested including journalists
The demonstrations have attracted an unlikely crowd, well beyond the supporters of Imamoğlu s centrist CHP Youths with radical right-wing views stood alongside ageing men carrying flags with the hammer and sickle Diehard secularists marched together with girls in headscarves and modest clothing Some were showing the Grey Wolf sign associated with ultranationalists while others did the pro-Kurdish victory sign or the clenched fist of the socialists Even if unintended, these protests have united groups across ideological divides in a way that President Erdoğan’s rule has rarely seen Cracks however are starting to appear among the protesters The CHP and their supporters are visibly uncomfortable with leading a street movement
Historically, the CHP’s political gatherings were usually limited to congregating in a big square to chant anthems and listen to speeches Ideologically they are statists so shooting fireworks at the authorities appears problematic to them Even İmamoğlu referred to the officers coming to arrest him as my beloved police But they are also angered by the excessive police measures against protesters Students emerged as the natural backbone of the demonstrations often clashing with the police organising first aid and mobilising online They are mostly independent not members of any party or political organisation Among them frustration with the lukewarm leadership of the CHP is rapidly growing During speeches, some chanted slogans like ‘Coward CHP!’ or ‘We came to protest, not just to gather ’
‘The protests stopped being about Imamoğlu ’ said Ahmet an 18-year-old university student from Istanbul When he was born Erdoğan had already been in power for several years The CHP is using the protests to advance their own agenda; they are mismanaging it I’m unsure what positive effects the protests will have, but I know we have to disrupt the cogs of the system ’ The Kurds are Turkey s second-largest ethnic group with their population in Istanbul alone in the millions Their support for Imamoğlu was key in winning him elections in the past Many among them, however, feel abandoned by the CHP
‘Where were they when our mayors were being arrested and removed from office in the south-east [of Turkey]?’ said a Kurdish woman living in the outskirts of Istanbul They didn t come out on the streets to protest for us They do not come to the outskirts of town when we are being arrested Tensions with the Kurds worsened when the CHP mayor of Ankara referred to the Kurdish flag as ‘rags’ Besides, there are currently reports of peace negotiations between the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the state Some fear that mass protests spreading to the Kurdish-majority south-east could derail these efforts to end the 40year guerrilla war At this stage, it is difficult to predict how the protests will pan out University students like Ahmet are determined to continue in what they see as a struggle for their own and their country’s future There are calls for general strikes boycotts and other forms of civil disobedience But as with other mass protests in the past, these could also slowly fade away, with people returning to their daily lives and getting used to president Erdoğan’s apparent invincibility
Daniel Thorpe is an Istanbul-based journalist covering politics and economics in Turkey and Eastern Europe
WH AT do Indians really feel about the environment of hostility against Bangladesh prevailing in India in the wake of last year s political upheaval when former Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina was overthrown by a popular movement? The perception in Bangladesh is that few notable Indian personalities have spoken objectively on the subject even in West Bengal the closest neighbour that shares a common language and cultural heritage with Bangladesh A notable exception was Kabir Suman a singer and former parliament member from Jadavpur who took a public position against the anti-Bangladesh narrative and Islamophobia in India At a press conference on 4 December 2024, leaders of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist Christian Kalyan Front demanded the cessation of anti-Bangladesh propaganda by Indian media and some religious groups The chairman of this Front Bijan Kanti Sarker urged that relations be built between peoples of the two countries on the basis of common humanity, not religious faith Eight months ago, before Hasina s ouster, Bangladesh was regarded by India as a close and trusted ally But now mainstream political parties including the Congress Trinamul Congress CPIM and even the Naxalites appear influenced by the Hindutva-style narrative on Bangladesh Political parties across the spectrum have adopted the narrative uncritically, which is projected on communications platforms and then magnified by social media, especially Facebook and Instagram Soon after taking office on 8 August last year, Muhammad Yunus, leader of the Bangladesh interim government rang Prime Minister Narendra Modi and remarked on the mis-reporting in the Indian media about Bangladesh He requested Indian journalists and academics to visit Bangladesh and apprise themselves of the situation
There appears to be scant response to this suggestion; no initiative was taken by media houses or the intellectual community to visit either as a team or individually and the negative commentaries proceed unabated It could be that the rise of the Hindutva ideology has created a mindset that places the overwhelmingly Muslim majority in Bangladesh in the category of an adversary The ruling parties in Bangladesh in the past, for political reasons, similar to what transpires in India, played the religious card and allied with religious parties such as the Jamaate-Islami But unlike in India religion-oriented parties there never commanded much support never more than ten per cent of the electorate India regarded Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina as a dependable friend She was sheltered by India for years after her father Sheikh Mujibur rahman, president, symbol of the liberation struggle and ‘Father of the Nation’, was assassinated in
pared
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the brink of a failed state Bangladesh is not a paragon of communal harmony but few nations are Bangladesh Pakistan Sri Lanka and India all live with the burden of the postcolonial dispensation of religionbased politics in the subcontinent The rich and powerful in the mainstream of society exploit in different ways the disadvantaged groups, be they poor, Dalits, ethnic or religious minorities, despite the protection supposed to be extended by law Bangladesh is no exception However neutral observers consider that sporadic incidents of harm to people and properties of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh have been more frequent at certain
Abu Dhabi to get first elec tric aircraf t for 20-minute air taxi trips
These services are meant for busy routes such as Abu Dhabi to Dubai, and which would mean travel times of under 30 minutes
The Archer Midnight is a piloted four-passenger aircraft designed for back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights
ADA and Archer will work to establish a framework that will allow latter to establish a ‘pragmatic and repeatable playbook’ to deploy Midnight commercially in multiple early -adopter markets
They also plan to ramp up operational expertise generate revenue and continue to strengthen long-term demand Archer will provide ADA with a team of pilots technicians and engineers to support the initial operational lift-off ensuring a safe and efficient deployment
Archer also plans to offer an integrated software infrastructure, including a booking application, to support UAM operations
be in the range of Dh800-Dh1 500 The intent is to replace 60–90 minute commutes by car with an estimated 10 to 20 minute air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, and low noise
According to Adam Goldstein CEO and founder of Archer This is how we ll bring Midnight from the manufacturing line to our first customers and it s a playbook we’ll run repeatedly as we scale
our operations globally Thank you to Abu Dhabi Aviation for being our first Launch Edition customer
We have a big year ahead
The UAE has been an early adapter to the possibilities coming from deploying eVTOL aircraft
We have been observing the advancements in eVTOL technology for years, said Al Hammadi
We are proud to partner with Archer to bring this innovation to the UAE As a leading force in the aviation industry across the region and the largest helicopter operator in the Middle East Abu Dhabi Aviation has the expertise to develop a scalable urban air mobility service
In Dubai, the RTA has an agreement with Joby Aviation which is also into all-electric aircraft The plan is to launch air taxi services in the emirate by early 2026
If the air taxi operations in the country secure a double-digit market share that would mean more easing of commuting by roads said a transport industry analyst Along with Etihad Rail air taxis will significantly transform the possibilities in the UAE s transportation and logistics spaces
The Punjab Government has provided financial assistance of PKR 500 000 to Muhammad Kamal Pasha a distinguished writer in the Pakistani film industry to help ease the financial burden of his medical treatment Muhammad Kamal Pasha who is currently undergoing treatment at Services Hospital, Lahore, had appealed for help to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, stating that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is like a daughter to me and I am waiting for her In response Punjab Information Secretary Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani visited the ailing writer at the hospital on behalf of the Chief Minister He presented a financial aid cheque of PKR 500,000 and a bouquet as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation
On this occasion, Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani has said that Muhammad Kamal Pasha is one of the most accomplished writers in Pakistani cinema having penned scripts for over 300 films His contributions are an integral part of Pakistan s cinematic history The Punjab Government remains committed to recognizing and supporting artists and cultural figures who have shaped the country s creative landscape He further emphasized that the Punjab Government’s initiative is a testament to its dedication to promoting arts and culture and acknowledging the contributions of individuals who have significantly influenced Pakistan s creative identity According to Pasha s family, he is suffering from a brain stroke, brain damage, and gastrointestinal ail-
K I S TA N W E LC O M E S U S A C K N O W L E D G M E N T O F T T P T H R E AT
remain optimistic that the new momentum generated by these initial steps will eventually lead to comprehensive and permanent ceasefire , he concluded
The government has decided to strictly implement the March 31 deadline for the expulsion of illegal Afghan nationals rejecting any possibility of an extension
The decision, finalized during a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Interior, comes amid ongoing security concerns and increasing terrorist threats
Officials have also instructed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to provide a complete record of Afghan students by March 27
The data will be integrated into the Foreign National Security Cell’s dashboard which is used to track and manage the presence of foreign nationals in the country Pakistan has been expelling undocumented Afghans as part of a broader security strategy, with 878,972 individuals already having returned to Afghanistan, according to official figures reported by Radio Pakistan The government has linked the crackdown to its efforts to counter militant activities
which Islamabad has repeatedly blamed on groups operating from Afghan soil
However the policy has sparked criticism from international human rights groups Amnesty International has urged Pakistan to reconsider the expulsion plan, arguing that the decision is opaque and will worsen conditions for Afghan nationals, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for decades The rights group emphasized that the March 31 deadline would further endanger vulnerable individuals Pakistan remains home to 2 1 million documented Afghan refugees many of whom arrived due to conflict and instability in their home country UNHCR spokesperson Qaiser Afridi stated that 1 3 million Afghans hold Proof of Registration (PoR) Cards, with over 52% settled in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Additionally, around 800 000 Afghans possess Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) with a large majority also residing in KP
For nearly five decades Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan
refugees, many of whom were born and raised in the country
However, authorities have made it clear that all undocumented Afghans including ACC cardholders must leave by March 31
As the deadline nears Afghan communities are grappling with uncertainty and anxiety, particularly in cities like Peshawar, which has the largest Afghan population in the country Many Afghan families have established businesses or spent generations living and working in Pakistan making the looming expulsion particularly challenging
This is not the first time the government has enforced such measures In October 2023 Pakistan ordered all unregistered foreigners to leave prompting a mass exodus of undocumented Afghans via border crossings like Torkham Special camps were set up in Chamkani, Nowshera, and other districts to assist with repatriation
With the deadline now just days away authorities remain firm in their stance signaling a final phase in Pakistan s policy toward undocumented Afghan nationals
meeting, despite a court order, which he described as a breach of legal protocol “The failure to implement the court’s decision does not tarnish our dignity, but rather undermines the judiciary and its integrity ” he added Moreover Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub accused the authorities of disregarding the constitution and the law As usual the law and the constitution have been violated, he said Referring to paragraph 7 of the court s ruling, Ayub highlighted that the Superintendent of Adiala Jail had assured the court that the meeting would take place “We waited outside for four hours repeatedly informing the jail authorities but as usual the intelligence officer in charge of the area prevented the meeting We condemn this act Ayub also criticised the role of intelligence officers, questioning their priorities “Their job should be to catch terrorists, not obstruct us from meeting Imran Khan It’s an intelligence failure that needs to be addressed he said adding that security personnel in Balochistan were unable to carry out their duties effectively due to intelligence failures Further criticism came from Sahibzada Hamid Raza, head of the Sunni Ittehad Council, who expressed dismay over the behavior of jail officials and their disrespect of the larger bench’s decision
“We will not let this matter go unnoticed The court’s decision was disregarded and it shows that jail administration and powerful officials are above the law he said Niazullah Niyazi, spokesperson for PTI founder Imran Khan, also voiced strong condemnation Today, the refusal to allow a meeting has raised a serious question about the
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi met with US Acting Ambassador Natalie Baker on Thursday to discuss Pakistan-US relations, counter-terrorism efforts, and mutual cooperation The meeting took place in the presence of Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry US Political Counselor Zach Harkenrider and Federal Secretary for Interior Khurram Agha During the meeting, Ambassador Baker strongly condemned the Jaafar Express attack and other recent ter-
rorist incidents, expressing condolences to the families of the victims She reaffirmed US support for Pakistan s fight against terrorism and emphasized the need for global collaboration to address this challenge The discussion also included plans to hold a Counter-Terrorism Dialogue in June and strategies for strengthening bilateral cooperation Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that Pakistan is taking decisive action against terrorists and developing a comprehensive counter-terrorism policy He also acknowledged the United States’ appreciation of Pakistan’s efforts in combating terrorism Additionally the meeting ad-
dressed the issue of undocumented Pakistanis in the US, with Naqvi assuring full cooperation for their repatriation It was also announced that the Pak-US Caucus meeting will be held in New York on April 30 to further enhance strategic ties between the two nations Ambassador Baker also praised the ongoing development projects in Islamabad recognizing Pakistan s commitment to economic and infrastructure progress This high-level engagement highlights the deepening strategic partnership between Pakistan and the US, particularly in security and counter-terrorism efforts
Security forces on Thursday neutralised eleven Khwarij in four different Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province According to the ISPR an intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in general area Mir Ali North Waziristan District During the conduct of operation own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and resultantly, five khwarij were sent to hell In a second operation conducted in same general area, three more khwarij were successfully neutralized by own troops In another encounter that took place in general area Miran Shah, North Waziristan District, own troops effectively neutralized two khwarij In fourth operation conducted by the Security Forces in general area Daraban Dera Ismail Khan District one khwarji was sent to hell Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed khwarij who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other khwarji found in the area as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country S e c u r i t y fo rc e s n e u t r a l i s e 1 1 K hwa r i j i n
RAWALPINDI S TA F F R E P O R T
invoking Sections 9 (glorification of an offence), 10 (cyber terrorism) 20 (malicious code) and 26 Separately, Murad s mother-in-law filed a petition for his recovery, naming the interior secretary, defence secretary, Islamabad inspector general of police and the Karachi Company SHO as respondents The petition claims that unidentified individuals in black uniforms accompanied by two police vehicles, forcibly entered their home at 2am and took Murad away, allegedly misbehaving with the family during the incident A complaint was filed at the Karachi Company police station but no FIR has been registered so far The petition urges the court to order Murad s recovery and initiate legal action against those involved in what it describes as an unlawful abduction
