NA UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION VOWS SOLIDARIT Y WITH PALESTINE, CONDEMNS ISRAELI ATROCITIES
Pakistan won’t retaliate against US tariffs: Finance Minister
Nepra faces backlash over fees for consumer appeals and reviews
g POWER REGULATOR’S DECISION TO IMPOSE HIGH FEES FOR CHALLENGING REGULATORY DECISIONS HAS SPARKED CRITICISM, WITH CALLS FOR GREATER PUBLIC ACCESS TO JUSTICE
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has come under fire for charging hefty fees to consumers seeking appeals and reviews of its regulatory decisions sparking concerns about accessibility and fairness
According to a news report by Dawn, the controversy emerged after a dissenting note was issued by Nepra s Member (Tariff) for Balochistan, Mathar Niaz Rana, who opposed the regulator ’s decision to reject a review application from Karachi-based industrial consumer Muhammad Arif Bil-
wani Bilwani had raised concerns about the weaknesses in the matter of K-Electric s power generation tariff but his request was dismissed on technical grounds
The regulator argued that Bilwani was not a party in the original proceedings and had paid only a nominal Rs1 000 fee rather than the Rs1 million fee required for an appeal
However in his dissenting note Rana highlighted that Nepra had previously allowed similar review requests, including those made by the federal government He argued that the Nepra Act which aims to protect consumer
interests and ensure transparency, should provide an accessible and affordable mechanism for the public to challenge decisions Rana criticised the regulator for restricting public participation through procedural technicalities and called for a minimal or no-cost process to encourage public engagement The controversy surrounding Nepra s fee structure highlights growing concerns over public access to justice and accountability in regulatory processes With calls for reform, critics argue that the current system risks shielding monopolies and increasing the financial burden on consumers
The Executive Committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has approved the construction of the M-12 (Sialkot-Kharian) and M-13 (KharianRawalpindi) motorways as six-lane roads from the outset, aiming to improve connectivity and reduce future costs, BR reported
The decision follows consultations with the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and comes after detailed discussions on cost-efficiency and long-term planning The decision to build the motorways with six lanes, rather than expanding them later, aims to save Rs11 billion A traffic study indicated that adding two extra lanes by 2027 would require an additional expenditure of Rs20 7 billion However constructing six lanes from the start will reduce costs in the long run As part of the approved plan, NHA has been directed to submit a position paper and revised financing structure to the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives for further approvals Additionally NHA is tasked with submitting a revised project proposal for the Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway (M-13) by April 30 2025 The committee also discussed the progress of the M-6 (Sukkur-Hyderabad) motorway with the NHA presenting a re-
04
COMMENT
Cautious optimism
TH E Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) impressive surge, with the benchmark KSE-100 index climbing over 1,500 points is a testament to growing business confidence in the country’s economic trajectory
However, this momentum also raises questions about the sustainability of the rally and the underlying economic fundamentals
While record $4 1 billion in remittances for March has undoubtedly played a significant role in this upswing the economy still faces significant challenges Inflation expectations have declined, but the market is also pricing in potential interest rate cuts, which could have implications for economic stability
The PSX’s rally reflects a growing recognition of Pakistan’s economic potential, driven by structural reforms and a more favorable business environment The recent tariff exemptions for China have boosted global sentiment, and local investors are taking fresh positions buoyed by the prospect of monetary easing and softer commodity prices
Nevertheless, sustaining this momentum will require continued commitment to reforms and policy stability
As Pakistan navigates the complexities of a changing global landscape, the PSX’s surge is a welcome sign of resilience and growth potential However, the challenge now is to build on this momentum, ensuring that the economic fundamentals continue to improve and the benefits of growth are shared by all With the right policies and continued investor confidence, the market is likely to remain buoyant, but policymakers must balance optimism with caution to address the country s economic vulnerabilities
Ultimately, Pakistan’s economic future depends on its ability to leverage opportunities while addressing challenges By prioritizing reforms, improving fiscal management, and promoting policy stability, the country can sustain its economic momentum and achieve long-term growth and development
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
India a majoritarian state
TH E Modi government has pushed through the parliament a law called ‘The Waqf Properties Amendment Bill’ to govern the management of properties and assets donated by Muslims to these bodies over the centuries as charitable giving The proposed bill seeks to formalize these donations with documentation raising the specter of government interference It is feared that it will empower the government to gain unprecedented control over these religious properties The proposed inclusion of non-Muslims on waqf boards judicial intervention in disputes previously handled by waqf tribunals and the creation of a centralized registry within six months all suggest an intrusive role for the government These changes threaten to alter the delicate balance that has allowed India’s diverse communities to manage their religious affairs with a measure of autonomy It is pertinent to mention that Congress has expressed staunch opposition to this legislation and has also challenged it in the Supreme Court The party has also expressed the resolve that it would continue to resist all assaults of the Modi government on the principles, provisions and practices that are contained in the constitution of India The new legislation has already triggered protests in West Bengal and reportedly three people were killedand several dozens were injured police firing Some police officials were also injured This is not the first legislative measure against Muslims by the Modi government Stripping 1 9 million Bengali Muslims in Assam of their Indian citizenship, promulgation of Citizenship Amendment Bill building temples on sites of century old mosques and the pogrom of Kashmiris are also outcomes of the implementation of the fascist and supremacist ideology of Hindutva The communal politics persistently pursued by Modi government since his advent on the political scene as Prime Minister of India has transformed the country into a majoritarian state losing its much trumpeted secular creed The minorities in India particularly the Muslims have been the major target of his hate against them aligned with Hidutva philosophy of RSS; an organization which essentially came into being to fight the Muslims French Political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot specializing in South Asian affairs, particularly India and Pakistan points out that the ideology of the RSS along with other Hindu nationalist movements such as the Arya Samaj and the Hindu Mahasabha thought of
A n o t h e r v i s i t t o S a u d i A r a b i a
Muslims Christians and the British as “foreign bodies” implanted in the Hindu nation who were able to exploit the disunity and absence of valour among the Hindus in order to subdue them However majority of scholars believe that RSS was actually formed to fight the Indian Muslims RSS believed that partition was a result of mistaken soft-line towards the Muslims, which only confirmed the natural moral weaknesses and corruptibility of the politicians No wonder then that the former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in an article published in The Hindu on 6th March 2020 referring to the violence that erupted in the wake of promulgation of Citizens Amendment Bill observed Delhi has been subjected to extreme violence over the past few weeks We have lost nearly 50 of our fellow Indians for no reason Several hundred people have suffered injuries Communal tensions have been stoked and flames of religious intolerance fanned by unruly sections of our society, including the political class University campuses, public places and private homes are bearing the brunt of communal outbursts of violence, reminiscent of the dark periods in India’s history Institutions of law and order have abandoned their dharma to protect citizens Institutions of justice and the fourth pillar of democracy the media have also failed us With no checks the fire of social tensions is rapidly spreading across the nation and threatens to char the soul of our nation It can only be extinguished by the same people that lit it ” “It is
nomic cooperation, and expanding launching of mutually beneficial initiatives in the key sectors
s leadership and reaffirmed his country s commitment to continue facilitating Saudi investors, duly highlighted Pakistan’s strategic position and invest-friendly policies emphatically stating Pakistan’s vast potential in energy infrastructure agriculture and technology and invited the Saudi businessmen to explore the available vast opportunities in different sectors under the umbrella of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) During his meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince the PM was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar Punjab Chief Minister/his niece Maryam Nawaz and Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir But somehow they preferred to remain silent spectators making no contributions to the deliberations The PM also held a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Investment Sheikh Khaled bin Abdul Aziz Al Faleh who has visited Pakistan more than once during the last year The Saudi Minister expressed his country s interest in further deepening economic ties with Pakistan The PM also held a meeting with the Head of the Joint Task Force for Economic Engagement Muhammad Al Tuwaijri On the occasion the discussion focused on further strengthening eco-
The meeting between the Saudi Crown Prince and the PM in Jeddah can easily be described as yet another evidence of Pakistan s desire to further broaden and expand all encompassing ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and quite welcome and appreciable commitment of the Saudi leadership to the progress and prosperity of Pakistan
Needless to mention here that the PM and those who accompanied him had also visited Madina Munawara offered Nawafils at Masjide-Nabawi and paid their respects to the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and also performed Umrah back in Makkah prior to their return home after a quite successful visit to Saudi Arabia more than one way
The PM s visit to the KSA was surely in continuation of his strenuous efforts by his government to further bolstering, strengthening and promoting the economic ties with the important partners and attracting their investment in different sectors in Pakistan’s economy to further consolidate and maintain its upward trajectory to say the least More about Pakistan s enviable most warm brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia and its leadership in detail some other time please
The writer is Lahore-based Freelance Journalist, Columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News) Radio Pakistan Islamabad and can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail com
Unwor thy merchandise
Self love
Malik MuhaMMad ashRaf
MuhaMMad Zahid Rifat
global conflicts while maintaining a readi-
ness to use military force when necessary
TH E foreign policy stance of former
U S President Donald Trump reflected a striking duality, oscillating between isolationist tendencies and assertive military posturing On the one hand Trump expressed a pronounced skepticism toward foreign interventions advocating for a reduced US military footprint abroad His administration sought to cultivate improved relations with Russia, ostensibly in an effort to facilitate an end to the conflict in Ukraine His “America First” foreign policy doctrine was generally critical of military entanglements and in his inaugural address he stated that the success of his second term would be measured by the wars we never get into
Conversely, Trump simultaneously projected American military strength through both rhetoric and policy His administration explicitly declared that the United States would intervene militarily in the event of an attack by China on the Philippines a U S treaty ally Furthermore, Trump issued direct threats against Iran and North Korea while displaying an aggressive stance toward U S allies, suggesting for instance that Canada could be annexed as a U S state and implying potential military action to secure Greenland and the Panama Canal This apparent paradox a blend of isolationism and belligerence could be interpreted as a reflection of Trump’s broader unpredictability or a lack of coherence in his foreign policy approach
However public opinion in the United States also exhibits similar contradictions as Americans often express a preference for non-intervention while simultaneously supporting military action in specific circumstances
Historically, U S public sentiment has fluctuated between isolationism and interventionism from the non-interventionist stance of the 1930s to the aggressive foreign policy of the early 1980s Contemporary attitudes suggest a complex disposition wherein Americans favor strategic withdrawal from
A survey conducted in July of both ordinary citizens and former U S policymakers revealed significant public support for military action against China in response to hostilities in the South China Sea Even in scenarios where no American casualties were reported, 51 percent of respondents endorsed counterstrikes against Chinese military assets, with this figure increasing to 57 percent when US personnel were killed Notably partisan differences emerged with Republicans displaying stronger support for military retaliation regardless of the administration in power
These findings do not necessarily indicate a widespread public desire for war Indeed, Trump’s first term was largely characterized by military restraint regarding new conflicts
However they do suggest that in the event of escalating tensions whether in the South China Sea or with other adversaries such as Iran public support for military mobilization could be greater than generally assumed While public opinion does not always dictate U S foreign policy, administrations often remain attuned to public sentiment regarding military engagements This suggests that hostilities could escalate should adversaries directly engage U S forces Surveys have consistently indicated that the American public prefers a reduced global presence, with a 2025 New York Times poll showing that 60 percent of respondents favored a focus on domestic affairs including 75 percent of Republicans and 47 percent of Democrats Meanwhile a study by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs found that only 17 percent of Americans believed the U S had an inherent responsibility to assume a leadership role in world affairs Despite this, historical patterns indicate that U S voters tend to favor more assertive presidential candidates Political scientist Jeffrey Friedman s research suggests that while Americans often voice opposition to military interventions, they frequently support such actions once undertaken For example, public disapproval
of U S involvement in the Balkans during the 1990s gave way to increased approval following President Bill Clinton s decision to bomb Serbia
While military action against weaker adversaries often garners public support conflicts involving great power adversaries such as China present a different dynamic To assess public attitudes toward such scenarios, an experimental survey was conducted in collaboration with the Chicago Project on Security and Threats and NORC
The study asked 2 000 American citizens and 700 former policymakers to consider a hypothetical Chinese attack on a US aircraft carrier near a treaty ally Respondents were divided into two groups: one was informed that 250 U S sailors had been killed, while the other was told there were no casualties Results showed that 51 percent of respondents supported military retaliation in the absence of American casualties while 57 percent endorsed a counterstrike if fatalities were involved Partisan distinctions were evident, with 60 percent of Republicans advocating retaliation even in the absence of casualties, rising to 67 percent when American personnel were killed Democratic respondents were more measured with 50 percent supporting a counterstrike in the absence of casualties and 57 percent endorsing one when U S personnel perished
Importantly, public support for military action was not driven primarily by a desire for retribution Instead the predominant motivation appeared to be the protection of U S global standing Among those advocating for retaliation 53 percent cited the preservation of American credibility as a decisive factor For Republicans, this figure rose to 63 percent While the extent to which U S crisis behavior influences the actions of other adversaries such as Iran remains debated among scholars the prevailing public perception is that maintaining a reputation for resolve is strategically significant
The American public holds largely negative views of both Iran and Russia, with 81 percent of Americans expressing an unfavor-
S e r i o u s d o u b t o n G a n d h i ’ s a n t i - i m p e r i a l i s t c r e d e n t i a l s
While recruiting Indians in the British Army in the First World War, he was asked, ‘ You are a votar y of Ahimsa, how can you ask us to take up arms?’ and ‘What good has the Government done for India to deser ve our cooperation?’
Gandhi wrote in his letter to Sir Reginald Maxwell, Home Member of Viceroy’s Executive Council on 2nd December 1940, ‘ My desire is to cause the least embarrassment to the Govt. consistently with the prosecution of my mission…’
MO H A N D A S Karam Chand Gandhi had a strange relationship with the Raj His ritualistic act of seeking prior permission from the British India government prior to each movement and assuring that his intention would cause least harm to the authority cast serious doubt on his anti-imperialist credentials He demonstrated time and again his unshakable loyalty to the British It is time we should examine dispassionately his attitude towards the Raj Gandhi wrote in his letter to Sir Reginald Maxwell Home Member of Viceroy’s Executive Council on 2nd December 1940 My desire is to cause the least embarrassment to the Govt consistently with the prosecution of my mission Later in 1947, he wrote to his private secretary Pyarelal, “you have referred to my attitude in regard to the British Empire Let me tell you I derive no little strength from my implicit loyalty to the British Empire in thought word and deed This implicit loyalty to the British Empire he harboured even when he was in the thick of Satyagraha movements in South Africa To cite an example, in 1907, reacting to the Lala Lajpat Rai led anti-British agitations in Punjab he wrote we stand to lose by ending British rule and that if we wanted to India is not in a position to end it He then clarified his stand by stating further, Let us aspire to be as able and spirited as the colonists are, and demand and secure the rights we want ” [Collected Works of Gandhi Vol 7pp6-7] At the close of this piece he made a more shocking statement: The fault in fact, lies with us If we remove the fault, British rule, which is a cause of misery today, can become a source of happiness ” His subservience to the British Empire was so great that he unabashedly said in his Satyagraha in South Africa that if in South Africa he had faith in the British Empire
Gandhi broke rules, but with the permission of the ruler, and the ruler let him launch his movement and after a cer tain point honourably arrested him
Reacting to the Lala Lajpat Rai led anti-British agitations in Punjab he wrote, ‘ we stand to lose by ending British rule and that, if we wanted to, India is not in a position to end it’
and cherished the hope of achieving freedom under its aegis, he would like to advance the same arguments, in similar circumstances in India ’ Such an attitude prompted him to go for recruitment of Indians in the British Army in the First World War He proudly mentioned his recruitment campaign in his autobiography On 21 June 1918 he addressed a public meeting at Nadiad inaugurating the programme for recruitment One of the arguments he put forward to justify such a campaign was that if people wanted the Arms Act to be repealed they should ‘render voluntary help to the government in the hour of its trial so that a bond of trust between them and the government would be built The ban on possessing arms, then, would be withdrawn Fortunately, there was hardly any taker for his recruitment proposal In the meetings organized for his recruitment campaign he was asked You are a votary of Ahimsa how can you ask us to take up arms? and What good has the Government done for India to deserve our cooperation?’ [Source: Gandhi’s Autobiography] The logic of building trust between the colonial ruler and the people for empowerment of the people was too weak to be found convincing One year after in 1919 Gandhi s announcement and recall of civil disobedience would clearly expose his surrender to the brow-beating of the Raj On 24 June, he sent a cable to the Secretary of State for India that he would resume civil disobedience in July unless the Rowlatt legislation was withdrawn On July 5 the Secretary of State cabled the Governor of Bombay advising an interview with Gandhi to dissuade him from resuming the Satyagraha On July 21, Gandhi issued a letter to the Press announcing postponement of civil disobedience in deference to the warning of the Viceroy [Source: Mahatma Gandhi: a chronology: Publication Division Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt of India] Behind all the fanfare of Gandhi s non-violent protest movements, unmistakably there was a hidden purpose of facilitating the British administrative process in India
able opinion of Iran and 86 percent holding a negative perception of Russia Additionally a 2024 YouGov poll indicated that Republicans overwhelmingly support defending NATO allies in the event of an attack Nevertheless, historical precedent demonstrates that public support for military intervention is contingent upon specific conditions including clear acts of aggression the likelihood of success and the perceived importance of US interests These factors have influenced past decisions, such as the non-intervention in Hungary (1956), the India-Pakistan conflicts (1965 and 1971), and the Rwandan genocide (1995) Similarly US involvement in the Syrian civil war was limited to countering the Islamic State rather than broader military engagement Despite the heightened risk of military confrontation with China, both Washington and Beijing remain strongly incentivized to avoid direct conflict due to the existential risks posed by nuclear escalation The Cold War precedent suggests that deterrence mechanisms can function effectively even amidst heightened geopolitical tensions Historically, China has exhibited reluctance in directly confronting U S military forces During the Taiwan Strait crises of the 1950s, Mao Zedong instructed Chinese troops to avoid direct engagement with American forces In subsequent confronta-
tions including the 1995 Taiwan missile crisis and the accidental U S bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade in 1999 China opted for diplomatic resolution rather than military escalation
More recently, Beijing s actions in the South China Sea have been characterized by non-lethal measures such as cyberattacks and water cannon use against Philippine vessels rather than overt military aggression
Paradoxically a demonstrated willingness to employ military force could,
He broke rules but with the permission of the ruler, and the ruler let him launch his movement and after a certain point honourably arrested him People could not see through this game of non-adversarial opposition and remained overawed by his sacrifice when he was arrested The man remained in absolute control of people s emotions No wonder he would write to an English correspondent, Esther Faering, in April 1918, I am the one man who can today preserve the peace in India as no other man can ” The British capitalized on this to channelize the anti-colonial spirit in the non-revolutionary path Before the Dandi March in January 1930 he made an interesting comment In Young India, I know that the non-violent revolutionary like me impedes the progress of the violent revolutionary I wish the latter should realise that he impedes my progress more than I do his and that I being a Mahatma if left unhampered by him am likely to make greater progress than he can [Collected Works of Gandhi, Vol 42]
By presenting himself as a Mahatma he thought he would be able to persuade all revolutionaries to support his non-violent movements It sounds quite intriguing The man was so enamoured of the Raj that he was willing to retain the Union Jack in our national flag after transfer of power On 19 July 1947, in his prayer speech he referred to a letter in which the author said that he would tear apart the national flag if he would find the Union Jack in it Gandhi said that ‘he saw no harm whatsoever in the Union Jack occupying a corner in their national flag so long as India remained a dominion [Mahatma: by D G Tendulkar Vol 8] But, why did he go for an all-out battle against the Raj launching the ‘Quit India’ movement? Apparently this does not go with his great faith in the benevolence of the British Empire So the factors leading to his Quit India movement will have to be examined carefully The writer is former Head of the Department of Political
Sthe US presidential elec-
last year, I have been commenting regularly on various aspects of Donald Trump’s agenda and what it might mean for America financial markets and the rest of the world There has been no shortage of chaos, but that was largely expected, given the president s ham-handed, erratic “method” of policymaking
As I noted in February, and again in March other economies may respond to Trump s aggression by boosting their own domestic demand and reducing their dependency on US consumers and financial markets If there is a positive spin to the current mess, it is that Europeans and the Chinese have already started to pursue such changes Germany is loosening its “debt brake” and allowing for sorely needed investment and China is said to be studying its options for stimulating domestic consumption For any country that depends on international trade and markets, it is abundantly obvious that, even if the United States can be persuaded to rein in its tradewar policies new trading arrangements will be necessary Many are already seeking ways to increase trade among themselves and to forge new agreements to lower non-tariff barriers in the rapidly growing services trade
As a bloc, the rest of the G7 (Canada, France Germany Italy Japan and the United Kingdom) is nearly as large as the US Add the other participants in UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer s coalition of the willing, and America s erstwhile allies could offset much of the damage that Trump has inflicted By the same token, if China could refashion its Belt and Road Initiative in close coordination with India and other larger emerging economies that might prove transformational Such moves would mitigate the effects of
DR muHAmmAD AKRAm ZAHeeR
US, SAUDI ARABIA NEAR AGREEMENT ON CIVIL NUCLEAR PARTNERSHIP
CORPORATE CORNER
CORPORATE CORNER
REMITTANCES HIT RECORD
Induction Ceremony Of Fourth Offshore Patrol Vessel PNS Yamama Held At Jinnah Naval Base Ormara
tournament s grand opening ceremony on Friday, April 11, marking the launch of a dynamic series of activations set to drive the excitement throughout the tournament In a spectacular fusion of entertainment and technology BYD made a grand entrance into the stadium by carrying the tournament trophy on BYD Shark 6 Later in the evening, the excitement soared as superstar Ali Zafar descended the stage and boarded the BYD Shark 6 taking a celebratory lap around the stadium The act seamlessly choreographed as part of the star-studded opening gala
In a ceremony held at Jinnah Naval Base, Ormara, Pakistan Navy marked a significant milestone with the induction of its fourth Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) PNS YAMAMA into its fleet today Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf graced the occasion as the Chief Guest PNS YAMAMA constructed at DAMEN Shipyard Romania is a multipurpose platform equipped with modern stealth features, the latest Command and Control systems, and sophisticated weapons and sensors, enabling it to operate in a multi-threat environment As the fourth in the series the induction of this state-of-the-art ship significantly enhances Pakistan Navy s capability to ensure seaward defence protect Sea Lines of Communication, and maintain order at sea The induction ceremony at Jinnah Naval Base Ormara underscores the Pakistan Navy's enhanced reach on the western seaboard, providing flexibility in fleet operations enhancing maritime security thus contributing to regional peace and stability and ensuring the protection of vital maritime infrastructure including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of immense national importance
Fiza Farhan Named Among 40 Under 40 Global Leaders The Only Pakistani to Receive Honor
DUBAI
S TA F F R E P O R T
Fiza Farhan, CEO of ORA Global Development
Advisors and a leading global expert and advisor on various development agendas, has been recognized as one of the Forty Under 40 Global Changemakers This prestigious platform honors young business leaders shaping the future of industries economies and societies Fiza was recognized at the Forty Under 40 Global Summit held in Dubai in April 2025, as the sole representative from Pakistan among distinguished leaders from across the world
A two-time Forbes “30 Under 30 List of Social Entrepreneurs” honoree (2015 2016) Fiza received this recognition in the Sustainable Development category for her outstanding contributions to women s empowerment, climate action, sustainable & collaborative development & inclusive finance further cementing her position as a global advocate for inclusive growth and systemic change “I am honored to be named among the 40 Under 40 Global Changemakers said Fiza Farhan
MILITANTS USED AMERICAN ARMS IN JAFFAR EXPRESS ATTACK , WASHINGTON POST FINDS
tactical precision involved According to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), approximately 250,000 firearms and 18,000 night-vision devices were left behind an arsenal described as being comparable to that of the US Marine Corps Documents cited by the Washington Post show that Pakistan s Foreign Ministry raised concerns in January stating that the presence of advanced American weapons in militant hands poses a profound threat to the country’s national security Former US President Donald Trump added to the scrutiny in February asserting that the US left behind tens of billions of dollars worth of equipment all the top-of-the-line stuff However, Pentagon officials maintain that only a “minuscule portion” of the total arsenal has been recovered by militants
Pakistan hosts 8th Int’l Army Team Spirit Exercise at NCTC Pabbi
LHC issues contempt of cour t notices to police over filming of Kasur dance par ty suspects
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday issued contempt of court notices to police officials involved in the filming of suspects detained in connection with a dance party in Kasur Justice Ali Zia Bajwa condemned the police’s actions, stating that such behavior is unacceptable in any society
The issue arose after a video of the detained suspects went viral prompting a plea by Wishal Shakir, represented by lawyer Mian Ali Haider The petition argued that the
LHC had previously prohibited filming detainees and called for proceedings against Kasur district officials for contempt of court
During the hearing Justice Bajwa questioned the District Police Officer (DPO), asking how the police allowed such footage to be recorded “How did the police personnel gather the courage to pull the girl’s hair for a TikTok video?” the judge inquired In response the DPO explained that the police officers involved had been dismissed and described the incident as unfortunate
The DPO further clarified that the event was publicly advertised
on social media and not a private gathering, but Justice Bajwa maintained that the police’s actions were unacceptable
The judge also asked whether the DPO could guarantee that such an incident would not happen again The DPO assured the court that he had taken swift action, dismissing the officer within 48 hours and promising that similar incidents would not occur in the future
In a further move Justice Bajwa instructed the SHO not to appear in the next hearing and instead send the superintendent of police to address the court
ANP rejec ts KP Mines Ac t 2025, announces province-wide protest drive
PESHAWAR A Z I Z B U N E R I
Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali Khan on Monday rejected the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mines and Minerals Act 2025, branding it a formal mechanism to hand over the province’s mineral resources to military institutions He announced a province-wide protest movement to resist what he termed the legalisation of exploitation Speaking at a press conference following a meeting of the party s special committee, Khan said the act gives a legal cover to the military’s existing control of the province s mineral wealth facili-
tated through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Federal Minerals Wing Calling the legislation a broad daylight robbery of the province s rights, Aimal Wali warned that ANP s movement now goes beyond just opposing the act it is a renewed campaign for provincial autonomy and full implementation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment The party plans to initiate a multi-phase awareness and protest campaign starting in April It will include outreach efforts in universities, colleges, and religious institutions, followed by district-level all-parties conferences Street-level mobilization will unfold in phases village-level protests in
June, tehsil-level in July, and district-level protests in August A major protest is scheduled in Peshawar in September with a potential long march to Islamabad in October if demands are not met Reaffirming his party s stance, Aimal Wali stated, “Either give us our rights or give us freedom ” He linked the ANP’s political marginalisation including attacks electoral rigging and exclusion from governance to its vocal opposition to centralized control over provincial resources Appealing for unity across political and ideological divides, he called on all Pakhtuns to rally against the bill declaring it a matter of national survival for the people of the province
SC orders completion of May 9 events trial in four months
raised by
Anti-Terror-
(ATC) judge in Sargodha
garding
Chief Justice of Pakistan responded by reassuring that all legal rights of the accused including Shah would be upheld He further clarified that the court s written order would provide clear guidance on this matter He also stated that the concerns regarding the independence of the ATC had been addressed in a previous ruling and assured that all accused individuals would be given the charge sheets and other necessary documents to ensure a fair trial The court s directive to expedite the trials emphasizes the importance of resolving these high-profile cases within a specified period
Pakistan is facing a severe organ shortage crisis with up to 15 deaths occurring daily due to a lack of organ donations experts warned during the First International Conference on Transplantation (FICT) at the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Despite the growing number of organ failure patients, cultural misconceptions and religious hesitation continue to hinder organ donation in the country Prof Dr Mohammad Mansoor Mohiuddin a Pakistani-American transplant pioneer addressed the crisis at the conference, highlighting that in the United States, one patient dies every 80 minutes due to the lack of available organs He suggested that xenotransplantation transplanting animal organs into humans holds significant promise particularly
g TOTAL ALLOCATION SET TO REACH RS2,281 BILLION, MARKING A 7.49% RISE FROM PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR
for countries like Pakistan, where organ donation rates remain critically low While early trials with pig-to-monkey transplants initially failed advancements in genetic modification have made xenotransplantation a viable option although ethical and religious concerns remain global barriers The conference, described as a milestone by DUHS Vice Chancellor Prof Saeed Quraishy, brought together over 22 international experts including notable figures such as Prof John
KARACHI