39 MNAS NOTIFIED BY ECP AS PTI L AWMAKERS FOLLOWING SC VERDICT
Social media slow down due to trial r uns of new Rs30b Firewall
The trial run of a new firewall system has caused a noticeable slowdown of social media, reported a private news outlet citing sources Officials with knowledge of the matter have confirmed raising concerns about the future of internetbased businesses in Pakistan
However, they assured that internet traffic would return to its normal pace once the trial period concludes The government has allocated over Rs30 billion in the development budget for the acquisition and installation of this filtering system
While the Ministry of Information Technology received the allocation, the project’s execution is managed by another power center leaving the Ministry’s role akin to that of a post office
An official stated that the work on the firewall has been underway since January of this year, including the system’s purchase and installation which is now complete
and in the commissioning phase
This phase will take a few weeks to conclude When asked about the impact on internet-based businesses, the official acknowledged that it might be perceived as a subtle threat but emphasized that businesses are not the target
Another official clarified that the firewall is aimed at social media influencers, whom the government believes are involved in spreading fake news The objective is to reduce their reach by blocking or diminishing the visibility of their content These influencers are already being targeted under the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act 2016, with courts being established to try those accused under this law
Although the firewall is currently in the trial stage an advertisement from the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) two weeks ago suggested that the paperwork for this purchase might still be in progress The advertisement, dated July 11, invited tenders for the “supply installation
and configuration of Next Generation Firewalls (Ex-Chinese brand –LOT A) Web Application Firewall (WAF) [LOT B] for five years with hardware warranty Next Business Day (NBD) and Support (247/365) ” with a closing date for submissions on July 26
A PTA spokesperson explained that this tender is for a separate firewall system, raising questions about the total expenditure on multiple filtering systems, given the Rs30 billion allocation for the first firewall The spokesperson clarified that the tender is intended for firewalls to be used exclusively on PTA s internal IT infrastructure, aimed at enhancing the security of PTA’s internal systems at its primary data center and Disaster Recovery site
Specifically the PTA has issued a tender for the acquisition of four Next Generation Firewalls and two Web Application Firewalls to ensure robust, layered security for PTA’s internal and applicationonly systems
Power consumers are likely to bear an additional financial burden of Rs 2 63 per unit on account of Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) for electricity consumed in June 2024 Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has submitted an application to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on
power plants was 2 126 GWh (local coal 1,489 GWh + imported coal 637 GWh) and the total power generated for Rs 26,321 million ( local coal Rs 11 0295/unit & imported coal Rs 15 5349/unit) Similarly the power generation from gas-based
Imran Khan urges nation to prepare for fresh polls
ProjeCT
Ts Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has unanimously passed ‘The Establishment of Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal Bill 2024’ without amendments The committee chaired by Syed Amin Ul Haque, discussed the bill in detail A representative from the Ministry of Law and Justice informed the committee that the establishment of all tribunals falls
office here on Wednesday He was accompanied by Ms Jenine Rohwer First Secretary of Economic & Political and Dr Sebastian Paust Head of Development Cooperation
APTMA Chairman (North) Kamran Arshad welcomed him on the occasion with other senior members of the association The envoy said the government of Pakistan should ensure the implementation of GSP Plus compliances He said there was also a need on the part of Pakistani exporters to understand the supply chain regulations in Germany to increase exports According to him, the German Development Cooperation will set up a help desk in Pakistan Kamran Arshad offered the premises of the APTMA Lahore for the same
with full logistic support Regarding delay in issuance of visas for Germany the ambassador explained in detail the procedure for obtaining business visas He assured that visas for business purposes will be issued with two weeks time if the prescribed procedure was followed by the applicants
Earlier in his welcome address the chairman APTMA said the EU s extension of the GSP plus for another 10 years would bring enormous benefits to Pakistan economically and make improvements in human rights, labour rights, environments, good governance and transparency etc According to him the Euro 45 million Technical Cooperation Agreement between Pakistan and Germany should focus on enhancing bilateral trade He also underscored the need of mutual capacity building in the textile sectors and training on the new EU Digital Product Passport requirements besides orientation programme on the new EU Green Deal regulations He also emphasized on developing a mechanism for prompt issuance of visas to APTMA members According to him the GSP-Plus fa-
cility had allowed access to Pakistani exports to compete with its competitors such as Bangladesh Sri Lanka etc making Pakistan eligible to export 78 per cent of its four products duty free in the EU He pointed out that the facility had enhanced Pakistan’s exports to the EU by 73 per cent and to Germany by 40 per cent from 2013 to 2024 He informed the visiting envoy that APTMA members were fully compliant of 27 conventions of GSP
PM assures KP lawmakers of development, relief measures in province
The government ’s inabilit y to decide does not increase politic al stabilit y
TH E PMLI(N) government s deciding on deferring decisions on both the ban on the PTI and prosecuting the former President PM and Deputy Speaker for high treason makes it seem that it has trapped itself by the announcement that it would do both as a response to the Supreme Court’s having announced that the PTI could have a parliamentary party, and thus reserved seats for women and, minorities The Cabinet must decide on both issues, otherwise they will not go forward at all The Constitution recognises that banning a party or a prosecution for high treason are both political matters which must be launched by the executive and then decided by the judiciary the Supreme Court deciding for any ban, and a special court trying the high treason case However, the executive does have the option of ignoring the sins of a party which apparently deserves banning, or any individuals who may have committed high treason if it sees this Nelson s eye as politically expedient
It is significant that that the Prime Minister instead chose to condemn attempts to denigrate the Chief of Army Staff on social media It is worth noting that the US State Department spokesman took notice of the arrest of the PTI spokesman who, along with several others, was arrested by the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, and remanded in custody Apart from the incidents of May 9 last year which Imran insists were a ‘false flag operation’ apart from the supposed ‘anti-state social media campaign’, the PTI also has to handle not just its opposition to the Azm-i-Istehkam operation, but its involvement in the Bannu incident, where protesters were fired upon after they had headed towards the Bannu Cantonment KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur s announcement that he had accepted all the demands of the Bannu Aman Jirga which met him did not provide much assurance that the matter was being handled with the circumspection needed The way May 9 cases against Mr Khan and other PTI leaders are moving through the courts indicate that the matter is still not settled
The PML(N) may have taken the banning and prosecution decision and may have persuaded at least the PPP to come on board but it is still shying away from a decision Perhaps it needs to realize that it does not have the final decision in either case If the Supreme Court throws out the ban, and the special court acquits the high treason accused, the government will not really be responsible
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
o l e o f l
US President Joe Biden used the opportunity for introspection at his home in Delaware to take what was probably the most painful decision of his life: not to run for re-election The circumstances were such that he was damned if he did, and damned if he didn’t He backed out because he was showing signs of senile dementia At 82 it was perhaps not possible to prevent signs of normal brain aging to show themselves Orientation as to time place and person can go while there may be difficulties with language Biden showed the sort of hesitations characteristic of language difficulty during his debate with Republican contender Donald Trump, himself 78 During a recent NATO Summit he mixed up names showing an almost classic disorientation as to person
It is not known if a diagnosis of senile dementia has been made but it can be assumed that the medical staff of the White House would have administered the necessary tests It is strongly possible, especially in view of his age, that even if a diagnosis has not been made, no one can rule it out in the future If a diagnosis has been made the prognosis does not rule out death during the second term because while dementia is a sign that the brain is degenerating it also means that other bodily functions will be affected and as the degeneration progresses, death will also occur, between three to 12 years after onset
That is what happened to President Ronald Reagan who experienced symptoms in 1992 or 1993 and died in 2004 by that time confined to his bed and after having retired from public life years before However he had left office in January 1989 and at that time he was just short of his 78th birthday, and was at the time the oldest person ever to have held office
It is something of an irony that Reagan’s term covered the Soviet ‘gerontocrats’, the old men who succeeded to the Secretary Generalship of the USSR Brezhnev was 76 when he died in office in November 1982 having taken office in 1964 at 58 He was succeeded by KGB chief Yuri Andropov who was 68 and who died in February 1984, essentially the next winter He was then succeeded by Yuri Chernenko, who was 73 He died in March 1985 At that point, the Politburo apparently panicked and elected as Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev who was 54 He was destined to preside over the dissolution of the USSR Similarly Biden has seemingly anointed VicePresident Kamala Harris as his replacement After his tweet of endorsement, she should be a shoo-in, because at the nominating convention, scheduled next month to be held in Chicago Biden had won a majority of delegates in the primaries While those delegates will not be bound to him any longer they will probably mostly vote as he wishes It would almost appear as if she is being presented as a sacrificial lamb to Trump, because it was perhaps decisive that donors were now baulking Get-
embers should learn special skills known as information behaviour skills IBS teaches us how to recognize information, where to locate it and how to use it effectively In a society information with effective skills is helpful in the decisionmaking process For effective information skills the use of effective curricula is crucial which not only enhances the skills of individuals in universities but also prepares them for practical life The world is overwhelmed with information and the magnitude is going to increase exponentially When you try to search Google for the term Information Literacy it will yield a whooping 1 060 000 web pages Keeping in mind the complexities of ICT skills in the current arena, librarians must seek information literacy skills to equip themselves with the latest skills in order to fulfil their patrons’ demands In the 21st century librarians should not only learn traditional skills but also fundamental computer literacy skills to meet the changing demands of their patrons In the contemporary environment librarians should change their services from traditional control-oriented to modern value-driven” and user-oriented information centres As technology continues to advance rapidly librarians in developed countries are adept at handling technological challenges In contrast librarians in developing nations are slower to ac-
ting those donors back is a task in itself She would therefore have to campaign initially against those who would probably not have supported her nomination in more ordinary circumstances She has very little time left to campaign, It may be that unlike other Democratic possibilities she will not have to fight to establish name recognition but the odds seem tilted against her However her heading the ticket means that one of the main fears, which was leading Democrats facing contests in November, of Biden damaging other Democrats running for re-election, is removed Whether or not Harris brings any add-on is not relevant at this stage What matters is that she is not Biden She is 60 which might mean a generational change but still makes it doubtful whether she can appeal to young people She is not that far from the age at which senile dementia strikes, after all She was picked to be Vice-President because she united so many minorities Her father was black, her mother was Indian and she was a woman True she left Asian Americans and Native Americans as well as the LGBTQ+ groups unrepresented but then nobody s perfect How white male Republicans like Trump will react is another matter Trump has already reacted, stating that she will be easier to beat than Biden She complicates issues Obama was elected because the USA was ready for a black President Hillary Clinton was not elected probably because the USA was not ready for a woman President Harris has thus got two obstacles to overcome when approaching white male voters Actually after the presidential debate Trump looked increasingly like a winner While his own performance was miserable, it was typical At least he showed no signs of senile dementia, though he is 78, and would be Biden’s age at the end of his term in January 2029 The effects of dementia on his already ebullient character are truly unpredictable Harris seems to be the sacrifice made for other Democratic candidates This was clearly implied by Biden saying that what he is doing, he is doing for the good of the party and the country Even if Trump can’t be stopped, Biden by removing himself might avoid a
The USA g ets its Presidents later than ever, because of the progress made in medicine However, it also increases the chances of someone losing it while President There is a mechanism for the Vice-President to take over, but as the past weeks have shown, it is hard enough persuading someone not to run, let alone displace the President. The USA faces the dang er of becoming a g erontocracy.
quire ICT skills due to factors such as financial constraints and inadequate ICT infrastructure Librarians in developing states should adhere to the information literacy skills within their limited resources
Albeit, they need sound knowledge of the collection organization and dissemination of knowledge Still the Librarians with technical knowledge of technology surge should prepare themselves Preparing patrons in the information age is yet another duty of librarians to equip them with current trends There are various dimensions for the librarians to enhance their information literacy skills A few elements worth noting are information fluency library instructions bibliographic instructions information competencies and above all the users education It is also necessary for the patrons to acquire literacy skills from the concerned librarians, particularly skills like the need for information, the resources available in the libraries how to find the right information the need to evaluate the result from the chunk information the ethics and responsibility of its usages how to communicate this information effectively Last but not least, how to manage correct results in the findings Experts have set some core standards for information literacy skills which include the recognition of information the searching for information in effective and efficient ways the knowledge of critical evaluating of information the management of information, constructing new concepts or creating new understanding from the acquired information, the uses and understanding of the information and its ethical, legal and economic aspects In short “In the era of advanced technology a person without information literacy must either adapt to new ways or risk succumbing to serious mental strains
The writer is the Deputy Director Library at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and may be reached at writetoabidhussain@gmail com
Balancing regional aspirations
T H I S is with reference to the article ‘Empowering Gilgit-Baltistan’ (June 17), which presented quite a few rational and reasonable points as suggestions for preventing a recurrence of the turmoil that the region of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has been facing in recent time owing to the desire of the local people to have a full-scale
no option but to simply decline the proposal at the time
The impact of an agitation by the local youth unlike those of older generation is quite powerful There is a need to avoid any political crisis in a highly sensitive area We should do away with the illusion that one day the plebiscite will actually be held
The federal government as well as all members of the National Assembly in Islamabad should consider a few relevant points They should accept the merger of GB area conditionally
In case this cannot be done the GB region should be given some represen-tation in the National Assembly or at least in the federal cabinet Likewise some representation should also be considered for the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in the National Assembly and the federal cabinet
For an effective resolution of the crisis, a dialogue should be considered the best available option, and unless the GB or AJK governments specifically ask for any help by paramilitary or other security agencies nothing should be imposed on the people in these sensitive regions BRIG (RETD) KHALID HASSAN MAHMOOD KARACHI
Social Fitness
T H E famed Harvard Study of Adult Development is one of the longest studies of adult life that has been tracking the lives of 268 Harvard
India initiates a new era of brutalit y in Held Kashmir
killings and arrests extend beyond the imme-
FO R decades, the region of Jammu and Kashmir has been a focal point of contention between India and Pakistan with its residents caught in the crossfire of geopolitical tensions Within this complex landscape lies a tragic narrative of human rights abuses and systemic repression, particularly in the Indian-Occupied Kashmir under Indian governance India’s control over the region dates back to 1947 when military forces were deployed following the signing of the Instrument of Accession by the then Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir Efforts of Pakistan and later the people of Kashmir themselves resulted into liberation of a part of Kashmir which is known as AJK
The situation in Indian-Occupied Kashmir remains deeply troubling marked by a significant Indian military presence and stringent security measures In August 2019 the Indian government revoked Article 370 of the Constitution, which had granted special autonomy to the region, and restructured the state into two UniIndia must acknowledge the reality that Kashmiris do not wish to remain part of India and it ongoing actions to absorb Indian-Occupied Kashmir exacerbate Kashmiri resentment India s attempts to suppress Kashmiri aspirations for self-determination are unlikely to succeed, and India is obliged to grant Kashmiris the right to determine their own future India’s recent and historical actions violate UN resolutions that recognize Kashmir as a disputed issue requiring global attention and condemnation of India s actions on Territories This decision was accompanied by a severe crackdown, including a blackout on communications, mass arrests of political figures and activists and restrictions
on movement Reports from international human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the United Nations consistently highlight serious human rights violations in IIOJK including extrajudicial killings enforced disappearances arbitrary detentions, torture, and sexual violence perpetrated by Indian security forces
Civilians, including women and children, have been caught in the crossfire or deliberately targeted during military operations
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA) grant Indian security forces sweeping powers with limited accountability, contributing to a climate of impunity Under these laws, security personnel can arrest individuals without a warrant and detain them for extended periods without trial leading to widespread fear and mistrust among the local population The conflict has taken a heavy toll on the civilian population of Indian-Occupied Kashmir, with reports of psychological trauma, displacement, and economic hardship
The region’s development has been hampered by curfews internet shutdowns and restrictions on freedom of movement hindering access to education healthcare and livelihood opportunities The international community, including the United Nations and various human rights organizations, has consistently urged India to uphold its international obligations thoroughly investigate allegations of human rights abuses and ensure justice and reparations for victims
However progress has been slow with India often dismissing external criticism as interference in its internal affairs Article 370 was integrated into the Indian Constitution in 1949, recognizing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Union This article granted the state significant autonomy enabling it to have its own constitution flag and substantial legislative powers, except in defense, foreign affairs, finance, and communications, which required approval from the Indian government Over the years Article 370 underwent multiple amendments and interpretations reflecting shifting political dynamics and internal governance challenges within IIOJK
Despite its special status, the region experienced periods of political instability, armed conflict, and Independence movements In
August 2019, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India revoked Article 370 through a presidential order alongside Article 35A which conferred special privileges and rights to permanent residents of Indian-Occupied Kashmir This decision also involved reorganizing the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh
The revocation of Article 370 sparked widespread controversy and protests both domestically and internationally Critics argued that it eroded the region s autonomy and breached commitments made to the people of J&K during the accession period
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) became involved in the Kashmir issue in 1948, adopting Resolution 47, which called for a ceasefire and a referendum to allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their future status This resolution laid the groundwork for subsequent resolutions that reaffirmed the principle of self-determination and the necessity for a plebiscite to ascertain the wishes of the Kashmiri people Resolution 47 (1948) outlined a three-step process: ceasefire withdrawal of foreign forces and a plebiscite supervised by the United Nations to decide the future of Jammu and Kashmir
Throughout the years the UNSC passed multiple resolutions reiterating the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination These resolutions emphasized the importance of creating conditions conducive to a free and fair plebiscite Despite the United Nations’ clear stance and international consensus on the issue implementing these resolutions has encountered significant challenges India has consistently denied the right of self-determination to the people of Indian-Occupied Kashmir, instead opting to revoke the region’s special status and seeking to integrate it into India bypassing UN resolutions on Kashmir
The Kashmir conflict remains a focal point of international attention and concern due to its potential for regional instability and humanitarian consequences The United Nations and various international organizations have repeatedly urged for dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue emphasizing the importance of upholding human rights and addressing grievances through diplomatic channels However, the issue remains unresolved, largely due to India s actions
The Indian-Occupied Kashmir region has a turbulent history marked by conflict and political instability exacerbated by the killings and arrests of prominent Kashmiri leaders These incidents have not only exac-
Netanyahu insulted and smeared the pro-Palestine protest movement . Congress clapped.
without offering any evidence to substantiate his claim
The allegation of Iranian funding drew a standing ovation from many members of Congress who attended the speech but also a spattering of boos The comment likely stemmed from a statement released earlier this month from the White House s head of national intelligence, Avril Haines, who said they found actors tied to Iran s government posing as activists online, seeking to encourage protests and even providing financial support to protesters ” In the same statement Haines clarified that Americans who protest are expressing their view on Gaza in good faith and that her office s intelligence does not indicate otherwise A number of media reports in recent months have found that Netanyahu’s government has been operating a similar influence campaign on social media largely targeting Black members of Congress in order to shore up support for its war on Gaza To Palestine solidarity advocates demanding a ceasefire and an end to Israel’s
in the rally outside the Capitol in Washington, D C , on Wednesday as well as the sit-in a day earlier in the Capitol rotunda “It is also a distraction from what should be in focus which is that over 39 000 people over 14 000 children, have been killed by the Israeli government and military, making great use of United States’ weapons and funding ” A central demand of protests around the Capitol during Netanyahu’s visit was an arms embargo on Israel Since October 7 the U S has sent more than $12 billion in military aid to Israel contributing to more than $141 billion in weapons to the Israeli government since the nation s formation in 1948 During his speech, Netanyahu appealed to lawmakers to fast-track military aid and invoked former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill s World War II appeal to the United States: Give us the tools, and we ll finish the job He also said that sending more weapons would help keep American’s boots off the ground,” despite the fact that American soldiers in the region have been readied for deployment to Gaza have died in attacks related to the ongoing war and have been actively defending Israeli targets from attack Netanyahu s appearance before Congress generated significant controversy among Democratic lawmakers, drawing detractors across the party’s political spectrum from Rep Nancy Pelosi who said the invitation was a mistake to Sen Bernie Sanders who said Israel has trampled on international law, on American law, and on basic human values in its war on Gaza More than 50 Democratic lawmakers boycotted the address in protest Rep Rashida Tlaib the only Palestinian in Congress and most vocal opponent of the event was in attendance wearing a keffiyeh draped around her neck holding a sign that read War criminal Her guest at the address was Hani Almadhoun, a Palestinian American and director of philanthropy at UNRWA USA who Tlaib said had lost “over 150 members of his extended family in Netanyahu s genocide But roaring applause met Netanyahu as he walked onto the House floor, with the ovation lasting for more than five minutes More clapping came after he dismissed protesters outside the Capitol, and chants of “USA” broke out after Netanyahu praised members of a University of North Carolina fraternity who went viral for stopping an American flag from touching the ground during campus protests in May The fraternity members were also honored last week at the Republican National Convention Throughout his speech Netanyahu singled guests in attendance out for praise Israel Defense Forces soldiers were repeatedly highlighted in his remarks including one soldier who had immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia, and several others who continued fighting despite injuries and bragged about their record of killing “many terrorists ” Also present in the House chambers was Noa Argamani who was among four Israeli hostages taken by
erbated divisions within the region but have also elicited international concern and condemnation One of the most significant and tragic events in recent memory was the killing of Burhan Wani in July 2016 Wani a young and influential commander and advocate for Kashmiri freedom, was viewed as a symbol of resistance against Indian rule His death during an encounter with security forces triggered widespread protests and a harsh crackdown resulting in numerous civilian casualties and hundreds injured Following Wani s death the region experienced a wave of unrest marked by curfews, severed communication lines, and subsequent targeted killings of other vocal advocates for Kashmiri rights and autonomy such as Riyaz Naikoo and Zakir Musa who were killed in separate encounters with security forces
In addition to these killings there have been numerous instances of arbitrary arrests and detentions of Kashmiri political leaders and activists Ex-CM Mehbooba Mufti, leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 She along with other political figures like Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah, remained under house arrest for months India s treatment of its Kashmiri allies underscores a broader pattern of skepticism and disregard toward Kashmiri sentiments
These arrests were widely criticized as politically motivated attempts to stifle dissent Many detainees were held without charge or trial Reports from human rights organizations and local activists detail the harsh conditions and allegations of torture faced by detainees further escalating tensions in the region The killings and arrests of prominent Kashmiri leaders have drawn international condemnation and scrutiny
Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented cases of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions and torture calling for independent investigations and urging the Indian government to uphold human rights and international humanitarian law
The UN and various countries have expressed concerns over the situation in Indian-Occupied Kashmir The lack of transparency in legal proceedings and the denial of access to independent observers have heightened apprehensions about the human rights situation The repercussions of these
diate victims, deepening distrust between the local population and security forces and perpetuating a cycle of violence and retaliation
The environment of fear and uncertainty has suppressed political dissent and dialogue undermining the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict
The Indian government has solidified its decision to revoke the special status of Indian-Occupied Kashmir by approving a contentious notification After nullifying its special status the Indian Home Ministry recently amended the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, expanding the powers of the lieutenant governor
These amendments, titled the Transaction of Business of the UT of IIOJK’s Government (Second Amendment) Rules 2024 were recently published in the Indian Official Gazette They hold particular significance in light of the upcoming assembly elections in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, as they grant the
Hamas and were freed during an IDF operation at the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza in early June During the raid more than 200 Palestinians were killed including children as well as some of the hostages Gazan officials said Some families of hostages have expressed distaste for Netanyahu s speech, and were critical of his desire to prolong the incursion on Gaza, which they say risks the safety of the hostages At least six people who were guests at the speech were detained by Capitol Police for holding signs during standing ovations that read SEAL THE DEAL NOW, referring to a ceasefire and deal to free the remaining hostages, according to Axios Among those detained was Carmit Palty Katzir an Israeli citizen whose father and brother were both hostages killed in Hamas captivity according to a photo posted to social media that showed her wearing a Seal the deal now shirt Other family members of hostages critical of Netanyahu gathered at a rally in downtown Washington arguing that their relatives are paying the price for his war The International Criminal Court s prosecutor requested arrest warrants in May for Netanyahu and his cabinet member and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on a series of war crimes, including starvation of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the targeting of civilians in its military attacks
The ICC has yet to approve the warrants which would restrict the politicians travel to dozens of countries that are party to the court s Rome Statute, which governs the enforcement of war crimes In Congress, Netanyahu openly dismissed the ICC’s case against him defending his government s record of delivering aid to Gaza and avoiding civilian deaths
The ICC is trying to shackle Israel s hands and prevent us from defending ourselves, Netanyahu said, before drawing a connection to the U S , which, like Israel, is not party to the Rome Statute
“If Israel’s hands are tied America’s next ” Protest organizers hope to shift the focus from individual actors such as Netanyahu, to the broader catastrophe of Israel s treatment of Palestinians and war on Gaza Last Friday, the International Court of Justice, the United Nations’ top court, ruled that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal rife with war crime violations and amounts to apartheid A separate ICJ case is considering whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza As American taxpayers, we understand that Netanyahu is not the cause this is not Netanyahu’s war but that he really is the symptom of the larger problem of Israeli occupation and apartheid and now genocide being carried out with American weapons and the support of the American government, said Kersten, the JVP organizer Kersten believes that U S lawmakers are wrong to isolate blame to Netanyahu: “What that allows is criticism of Netanyahu and no change in policy or change in behavior
r
s
New D elhi ’s myopic approach not only undermines the democratic aspirations of B angladeshis but also potentially sows the seeds for instabilit y and anti-India sentiment in a strategic ally vital neighbour, compromising the ver y sec urit y interests India seeks to protec t
TH E student-led protests that have swept Bangladesh since Sunday and met violent reprisal are the strongest indication yet that India should reconsider its long-standing policy towards its eastern neighbour India’s security-centric approach sees Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ruling Awami League as stabilising allies against threats like a perceived Pakistan-backed dispensation But this is increasingly at odds with the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people, particularly its youth This position, while rooted in legitimate security concerns risks undermining Bangladesh s potential for genuine political liberty and diversity It now threatens India s long-term interests on its eastern border by alienating much of Bangladesh s population at a time when Hasina s political future seems increasingly precarious New Delhi’s myopic approach not only undermines the democratic aspirations of Bangladeshis but also potentially sows the seeds for instability and anti-India sentiment in a strategically vital neighbour, compromising the very security interests India seeks to protect India needs to reevaluate not only its security-centric view but also consider if the hawks have overly influenced Indian foreign policy promoting a security lens that enables the Awami League and bypasses a nuanced view of Bangladesh It is well-known that the conservative Jamaat-e-Islami has never received more than 5% of the vote It is simplistic to assert that Pakistan can significantly influence Bangladeshi society or its politics through financial means or the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence the Bangladeshi intelligence arm So also the claim that the Bangladesh National Party, which includes numerous freedom fighters in its ranks, solely caters to anti-Indian and pro-Pakistani sentiment The Bangladesh National Party seeks to establish a uniquely Bangladeshi identity a mission that is both overtly promoted and subtly pursued Allegations that insurgents in India received support during the rule of the Bangladesh National Party three decades ago have contributed to New Delhi’s narrow perspective However it is crucial to note that insurgent activities were not exclusive to any single political era: they persisted during the Awami League s regime between 1996 and 2001, partly as a response to India s involvement in the Chittagong Hill Tracts This complex history calls for a more balanced assessment of Bangladesh’s internal dynamics Despite the palpable shift in Bangladesh s political landscape which is undoubtedly evident to Indian diplomatic and intelligence circles, the foreign policy hawks
in New Delhi have stubbornly clung to a simplistic narrative This reductionist viewpoint is largely a construction of Hasina’s regime – a narrative built on years of disinformation historical distortion and manipulative rhetoric that has finally been unequivocally rejected by the youth-led uprising
The tenacious adherence to this outdated perspective by India’s foreign policy establishment reflects a dangerous disconnect from the ground realities in Bangladesh Hasina s long-standing strategy of invoking the spirit of the Liberation struggle of 1971 and exaggerating the influence of external forces like Pakistan s Inter Services Intelligence has lost its potency The young protesters’ bold appropriation of historically charged terms – evident in slogans like I am razakar [collaborator] I am razakar who said that the autocrat – signals a seismic shift in Bangladesh s political discourse that Indian policymakers can ill afford to ignore
As the student protests intensify in Bangladesh, Hasina’s regime faces a crisis of legitimacy The government’s brutal crackdown including 174 reported student deaths and widespread torture by security forces has turned Hasina into a pariah waging war against her own people This violence, coupled with financial instability and growing opposition from the diaspora, signals the beginning of the regime’s end game
The perception that India is Hasina’s primary backer has solidified among Bangladeshis particularly young protesters Their determination, fueled by the Bangladesh National Party s failure to mount effective political resistance, has created a movement that refuses to back down This puts India in a precarious position: continuing to support Hasina means running the risk
Netanyahu speech to US Congress: Elon Musk attends as guest; dozens of lawmakers sk ip
Nor th Korea sends trash balloons to Seoul
China, ROK hold 10th high-level strategic dialogue bet ween foreign ministries
deepen mutually beneficial cooperation properly handle differences, enhance friendship between the two peoples, and promote the development of China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership
The Chinese side expressed its solemn positions on the Taiwan question the South China Sea issue and other issues involving China s core interests and major concerns, and urged the
maintain peace and stability
CORPORATE CORNER
BUSINESS OWNERS GRILL GOVT OVER
Expressing confidence over leadership of the businessman forum, the Pakistan Tea Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (PTA-KP) joined the businessman forum and pledged to fully support the forum in the upcoming election of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry The announcement made by PTA KP Chairman Ashfaq Ahmad along with office bearers and members in presence of businessman forum leader former senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour SCCI president Fuad Ishaq senior vice president Sanaullah Khan, vice president Ejaz Khan Afridi, Anjuman e Tajran KP president Shaukat Ali Khan former president FPCCI Ghazanfar Bilour and here during visit at the chamber house Members of the SCCI executive committee Imran Khan Mohmand, Javed Akhtar, Naeem Qasmi, Hamza Ibrahim Butt, Muhammad Ismail Safi, and Nadeem Rauf, Aftab Iqbal Faiz Rasool Sohail
Javed Fazl e Wahid former vice president Shuja Muhammad secretary Muqtasid Ahsan secretary Sohail Anjum, PTA office bearers and
members were present a large number on the occasion
Fuad Ishaq while speaking on the occasion welcomed the joining of PTA KP into the businessman forum and stated that it is a renewed pledge and manifestation of selfless services of the forum for the traders community
The SCCI chief said the businessman forum had successfully served the traders community for the last 24 years, which is exemplary and unmatched Fuad Ishaq said when he along with other members of the team took charge of office and swore that they will serve the business community indiscriminately and selflessly
By the virtue of Allah Almighty, the team has fully come up with expectations of the community and played an important role in resolution of traders longstanding and genuine issues
The SCCI chief said one thing came into their knowledge that matters of SCCI visa section are incorrect and we had unearthed a mega corruption scam after a probe and exposed three member gang and recovered hefty Rs5million which had deposited in ABL account and case has been filed in
Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) for further interrogation
As compared to the previous financial year, the SCCI income has increased by 42 percent at the end of fiscal year on June 30, 2024
He said if the recovery amount of corruption would be included so that the chamber income had to be surged up 270 percent
During the meeting, copies of ABL receipts also distributed among participants about Rs5million recovery from an employee
Former senator Ilyas Bilour said the pledge that had been renewed today by PTA is a staunch evidence and testimony that the Businessman Forum is the only platform which is fully capable to resolve the issues of the traders’ community
Shaukat Khan in his marathon speech welcomed joining of the PTA into BF and stated that doors of SCCI had always remained open for traders community because it is the only forum which believes in selfless services to the community and played a proactive role in the resolution of the issues The traders leader said BF is going to contest the election on its performance and God willing, the success will be the forum in the elections
Pak-Qatar General Takaful and Yousuf Dewan Group offers Motor Takaful for Shehzore and New EV Honri PR
I M R A N T O R U N F O R C H A N C E L LO R O F O X F O R D U N I V E R S I T Y F R O M A D I A L A J A I L
SHC seeks reply to plea against taxes, other charges in domestic electricit y bills
S TA F F
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday issued notices to respondent on a petition challenging legality of taxes and other charges in K-Electric’s bills for domestic consumers
The petitioner a resident of Karachi s Gulistan-eJauhar, filed the petition in the SHC, naming the Federal Ministry of Water and Power, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) and the K-Electric, as respondents in the case
The high court has served notice to respondents and sought their reply over legality of the charges in domestic electricity bills
It is to be mentioned here that another petition filed by Jamaat-e-Islami, against the power utility has also been under hearing in the Sindh High Court against unannounced outages during the heatwave in Karachi The court has sought arguments from lawyers over the reply of the power utility on the next hearing and adjourned the case until August 15
Federal, Punjab govts impose S ec tion 144 as PTI gears up for nationwide protests
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Federal and Punjab governments on Thursday imposed Section 144 in Punjab and Islamabad amid the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gearing up to hold nationwide protests on Friday Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure empowers the district administration to issue orders in the public interest that may place a ban on an activity for a specific period of time PTI leader Asad Qaiser on Sunday said that people across the country would protest on Friday (July 26) for the release of all political prisoners including party founder Imran Khan, to reclaim the mandate PkMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai who also heads the opposition alliance known as Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan
(TTAP) had said on Tuesday the alliance was planning a major protest this Friday for the release of political prisoners He had claimed that Jamiat Ulema-iIslam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman would lend his support to the protest The PTI reiterated its intention today to hold nationwide protests on Friday under the TTAP s banner Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub called on everyone to “fully participate” in the peaceful protest across the country He said there would be three demands: the immediate release of incarcerated PTI leaders and supporters, peace in the country and to register a protest against growing inflation Ayub said the above three would be achieved when “there are fair and transparent elections once again in the country and we are rid
of this Form 47-government An order from the Punjab Home Department issued today said that any political gathering or assembly was likely to provide a soft target to terrorists and miscreants due to the prevailing law and order situation and security threats Thus it said any political gathering above posed serious security threats and was also likely to cause threat to public peace and order as well as inconvenience to public at large
The home department said it was “essential to ensure security of the people and installations/buildings against any potential terrorist or untoward activity in the larger interest of public safety, security, peace and tranquility It added that there were sufficient grounds to proceed under Section 144 as an immediate prevention and speedy remedy to prevent disturbance of public peace the safety of lives and property of the public and tranquility in Punjab
Scotland Yard drops probe into Sharif family’s alleged involvement in Arshad Sharif ’s
Scotland Yard on Thursday decided not to investigate former prime minister Nawaz Sharif,
s Counter Terrorism Command Unit, after thorough consideration, determined that there were no grounds to launch a formal investigation The complainant Tasneem Haider
murder
Shah failed to provide sufficient evidence to support his claims against the Sharifs and their colleagues Mian Saleem Raza Nasir Mahmood Zubair Gull, and Rashid Nasrullah In November 2022, Shah, a senior PML-N activist in the UK, made headlines by alleging that the Sharifs and their associates were involved in plotting Arshad Sharif s murder in London on July 8 2022 This prompted the Metropolitan Police to conduct a scoping exercise to assess the validity of these allegations Shah, accompanied by his solicitor Mahtab Anwar Aziz attended multiple press conferences and police meetings to emphasise that there was enough evidence to warrant an investigation
The seriousness of the allegations led Scotland Yard s Central West Command Unit to refer the matter to its Counter Terrorism Command Unit After nearly 18 months of assessment, Scotland Yard informed that it would not be commencing an investigation in the UK due to insufficient evidence A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated In November 2022, the Met Police received reports related to allegations of conspiracy to murder in Pakistan and Kenya The matter was reviewed by specialist detectives who determined there were insufficient grounds to launch an investigation