PEZESHKIAN RESOLVE TO ENHANCE BILATERAL COOPERATION, BOOST TRADE
cooperation in various fields of life I also took this opportunity to thank the President for calling me and showing his concern on the evolving situation in the sub-continent a few weeks ago I deeply appreciate your sense of concern and brotherly feelings for the people of Pakistan and your ardent desire that this crisis comes to a grinding halt instead of escalating further, he told the Iranian President He said his government had the opportunity to have extensive discussions with the Iranian foreign minister who visited Pakistan some time back He said Pakistan came out of the crisis with India as victorious because of the brave actions of our outstanding armed forces strongly supported by the people of Pakistan “We wanted peace We want peace and we will work for peace in the region through talks on the table and resolve our outstanding issues including Kashmir problem according to the United Nations Security Council resolutions which were acknowledged even by the Indian Lok Sabha when Nehru was the prime minister of India ”
g IRANIAN PRESIDENT CALLS UPON TWO COUNTRIES TO COOPERATE FOR BORDER SECURITY
PM calls on Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid a courtesy call on His Eminence Sayyed Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran on Monday He was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Federal Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarrar During the call the Prime Minister conveyed his deepest respect to the Supreme Leader underlining that His Eminence was an iconic figure in the Muslim World and the Muslim Ummah looked up to him for guidance and patronage The Prime Minister briefed HE about recent conflict with India and India’s hegemonistic and revisionist designs and profusely thanked leadership of Iran for supporting Pakistan against Indian aggression The Prime Minister underlined that Pakistan always desired that peace could prevail in the region leading to economic
and maintained that his government was committed to further deepen strategic cooperation with Iran in the complex geo-political times The Prime Minister praised the farsightedness of the Iranian leadership in pursuing the nuclear negotiations with the United States and hoped that a constructive deal is reached between the two countries that can promote peace and stability in the region The Supreme Leader appreciated the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in promoting regional peace and stability with farsightedness and praised his personal commitment to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties The Supreme Leader prayed for greater prosperity, growth, and development of Pakistan and its people The Prime Minister deeply appreciated Supreme Leader ’s dedication to the poetry of Allam Iqbal the poet of the East and particularly requested the Supreme Leader to visit Pakistan again at earliest convenience
Pakistan inaugurates Mohmand Dam Phase-II, stresses protection of water rights in ster n war ning g FEDERAL MINISTER FOR WATER RESOURCES MOIN WATTOO WARNS AGAINST ANY DISRUPTION TO PAKISTAN'S WATER SUPPLY, DECLARING SUCH ACTIONS AS AN ‘ACT OF WAR’
Pakistan s Federal Minister for Water Resources
Muhammad Moin Wattoo inaugurated the second phase of the Mohmand Dam project on Monday, stressing the critical importance of safeguarding Pakistan’s water rights
During the inauguration Wattoo issued a stern warning to any parties attempting to disrupt Pakistan s water supply calling such actions an act of war He reinforced that Pakistan would not tolerate any violation of its water rights, emphasizing the vital role that water plays in the nation s survival and development
stances On the progress of the Mohmand Dam, Wattoo highlighted that construction is advancing rapidly, with expectations of completing the dam by 2027 or 2028 However he assured the public that efforts are being made to finish the project ahead of schedule He also commended the work of Chinese engineers acknowledging their roundthe-clock efforts to ensure timely completion
Once fully operational, the Mohmand Dam will generate 800 megawatts of hydropower and irrigate thousands of acres of land significantly enhancing agricultural productivity and supporting local economies The project will also provide a boost to employment opportunities in the region
Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali Naeem Akhter Afghan Shahid Bilal Hassan Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar Salahuddin Panhwar Aamer Farooq and Ali Baqar Najafi SHEHBA
“No one has the right to take our water Blocking it is equivalent to waging war against us ” Wattoo asserted reaffirming Pakistan s commitment to its rights under the Indus Waters Treaty He pointed out that the agreement, which Pakistan shares with India, is legally binding and any violation would not be accepted under any circum-
The dam, located on the Swat River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s Mohmand District, will be the fifth-largest Concrete Face Rock-Filled Dam (CFRD) in the world standing at 213 meters tall With a storage capacity of 1 29 million acrefeet the dam will irrigate 18 233 acres of new land and support irrigation for an additional 160 000 acres of existing farmland
Narowal in 1989 Business
K-Electric Limited on Monday announced that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved a Multi-Year Tariff (MYT) for its Transmission and Distribution Network segments for the fiscal years 2024 to 2030 According to a statement submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the KE said it had applied for the MYT approval on December 27, 2023, under NEPRA’s 1998 Tariff Standards and Procedure Rules The company is in the process of evaluating and reviewing NEPRA s decision in detail and will exercise available remedies if required in accordance with the statutory provisions K-Electric further stated that the MYT for its Supply segment, along with a motion to review the approved investment plan, remains under NEPRA’s consideration The outcome is considered crucial for the preparation of its financial statements for the period after June 30 2023
Following the announcement K-Electric s share price surged by 21 19% to Rs 5 72 as of 11:04 AM on Monday The company has a market capitalization of approximately Rs 158 billion, with a total of 27 6 billion outstanding shares Of these 10% or 2 76 billion shares are part of the free float available to the public
NEPRA has allowed KE to share O&M savings equally with consumers and to adjust distribution losses based on actual performance, provided these do not exceed 13 8% However the authority declined to adjust the distribution loss target due to changes in voltagewise sales
be subject to the AIIB’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) ensuring that the project complies with international environmental and social safeguards The second phase of the project seeks to tackle three main challenges facing Karachi s water and sanitation system: the overall water supply shortfall, low water quality, and the
According to a note by Arif Habib Limited (AHL) NEPRA has approved a seven-year tariff control period to enable long-term investment planning For FY2024, the average distribution tariff has been set at Rs 3 31/kWh, while the Use of System Charge (UoSC) has been determined at Rs 1 348 66/kW/month The return on equity for the distribution segment has been set at 14% in USD terms translating to 29 68% in PKR NEPRA has maintained a 70:30 debt-to-equity structure and allowed KE to pass through the cost of local debt at 3M KIBOR + 2% and foreign debt at 3M LIBOR
Pakistan, saudi Arabia explore deeper economic cooperation with focus on rail, trade and investment
importance of their remittances to Pakistan s economy He also underlined the spiritual significance of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages performed by thousands of Pakistanis each year, calling them a reflection of the strong religious and cultural bond between the two countries With a particular focus on economic development Hanif Abbasi advocated for
Ready for talks if India serious for peace, PM tells Iranian President
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support for public welfare and infrastructure initiatives Saudi Arabia s commitment to supporting Pakistan s development remains firm he said expressing interest in joint ventures and broader investment across all sectors
and
and civilizational links He said Pakistan and Iran shared common stance on important regional and international issues on different platforms including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) During the meeting, the two sides discussed expansion of bilateral relations in different areas including politics economy and international cooperation and agreed to continue implementing already signed agreements, he explained The Iranian President said the two countries should cooperate on making their borders secure from the activities of terrorists and criminal groups Peace and stability in Pakistan is in the interest of Iran We believe that sustaining security and maintaining friendly and peaceful relations with neighbouring countries is in the interest of the two countries, he continued He said Iran welcomed the ceasefire between Pakistan and India adding settling issues through dialogue was essential for stability in the region We believe that for ensuring security and stability in the region, neighbouring countries should hold dialogue and have positive consultations among each other and with the international partners He said the two sides discussed issues facing the Islamic world and the top priority was the issue of Palestine As always we support the cause of Palestine and condemn the atrocities carried out by Israel, he added Earlier on his arrival, the Iranian President warmly received the Prime Minister and his delegation Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatimi accompanied the Prime Minister
in the region till resolution of Kashmir and Palestine issues he said It is critically important that these issues should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri and Palestinian people C o mmen tin g o n o n g o in g I r an - U S n eg o tiatio n s ,
Shehbaz Sharif expressed confidence in diplomacy as the most viable path forward
They believed that negotiations diplomacy and engagement were the best solutions because in this way, they could avoid conflicts and wars, he said It is important to promote peace, development and s e c u r i
n t h e r e
I h a v e g r e a t f a i t h i n I r a n ’s l e a d e r s h i p I a m q u i t e h o p e f u l t h a t p o s i t i v e t h i n g s w i l l c o m e o u t o f t h e s e n e g o t i a t i o n s O n b e h a l f o f
Pakistan I wish peace and stability prevailing in the region
F i n a l l y t h e p r i m e m i n i s t e r e x p r e s s e d a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r I r a n s o ff e r t o m e d i a t e d u r i n g t h e Pakistan-India crisis, praising the sincerity of Iranian leaders in promoting peace “ We a r e g r a t e f u l t o I r a n f o r i t s o ff e r o f m e d i a t i o n d u r i n g t h e r e c e n t c o n f l i c t w i t h I n d i a w h i c
Malik and Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi had initially been part of the 13-member bench that began hearing the review petitions on May 6 but later recused themselves They had declared the petitions inadmissible Justice Ayesha also lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi about her dissenting note not being published on the court s website During Monday s session Justice Mandokhail questioned the legitimacy of SIC s claim to reserved seats, noting that the party had not contested the elections and could not therefore be considered eligible under constitutional provisions “A political party does not contest elections its candidates do An election symbol is only for public recognition he observed adding that the party s absence from the ballot should have disqualified it from claiming proportional representation in the National Assembly He further questioned the effectiveness and neutrality of the Election Commission of Pakistan in the matter stating that the ECP had failed in its constitutional duty to fairly allocate reserved seats and ensure transparency According to Justice Mandokhail the ECP s handling of the situation warrants close scrutiny by the court The bench had in its short order on July 12, 2024,
declared that 39 of the 80 PTI-backed independent MNAs were returned candidates of the PTI That ruling set the PTI up as the single largest party in the National Assembly However the ruling was never implemented by the National Assembly and the ECP subsequently objected to the decision Monday s hearing marked the first time the Supreme Court live-streamed its proceedings, following a request by SIC which was granted last week The livestream was available via the Supreme Court’s official YouTube channel allowing the public to observe the legal arguments and judicial observations in real time Representing the affected women candidates from the PPP and PML-N senior counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan concluded his arguments during the session He argued that the affected legislators had been de-notified without notice, violating their right to a fair hearing Justice Mazhar however reminded the court that the earlier Supreme Court ruling had already struck down the ECP notifications Khan contended that the Supreme Court s earlier decision had failed to account for Article 255 of the C
outcomes to election tribunals He said the court had overstepped its jurisdiction by addressing
assigned on the basis of proportional representation,
insisted that under Article 187 of the Constitution,
of PTI-affiliated independents to align with SIC instead of remaining independent or contesting under a different arrangement The court also discussed the implications of the Elections (Second Amendment) Act 2024 which was passed after the July verdict The law introduced a timeline that barred independent candidates from joining any party after a specified period Critics argued that the amendment was aimed at limiting PTI s influence in parliament by blocking its post-election alignment with SIC Justice Afghan noted that the Constitution does not permit amendments to core democratic structures including the proportional seat allocation system through legislative maneuvers Makhdoom Ali Khan
An elevation marked by clarit y
IM A Niazi
continuing The question is that if the
T is said that the most powerful moments in a nation s history arrive not with fanfare but with silent clarity the kind that neither screams for validation nor begs to be remembered They are moments that slip past noisy headlines and settle instead in the collective conscience, like a solemn note struck in a national anthem One such moment unfolded recently in Pakistan and unlike the usual cacophony that surrounds civil-military affairs it arrived with measured dignity: the federal cabinet approved the elevation of Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal In a country where institutional memory is often compromised by political commotion, this unprecedented move only the second in Pakistan’s history spoke not of ambitions but of absolutes Not of individuals but of ideals Unlike the circumstances surrounding Field Marshal Ayub Khan whose ascension in 1959 came draped in the fabric of autocracy, Asim s five stars are sewn into the operational cloth of battlefield competence and strategic integrity No martial law shadowed his promotion nor did whispers of a power grab Instead a rare unity emerged politically fractured yet momentarily fused by earned honour In that quiet moment Pakistan declared to the world: it honours those who serve silently lead humbly, and sacrifice without spectacle The architecture of General Asim’s elevation lies firmly in the trenches of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos Pakistan’s masterfully restrained yet surgically precise response to India s recent aggression When the LoC echoed with artillery and Delhi s studio warriors choreographed the drums of war Pakistan did not cave into the provocation It resisted the temptation of theatrical retaliation Under Asim s measured command, the military neutralised hostile airspace intrusions dismantled cross-border cyber offensives and shielded its civilian infrastructure all without the sort of rhetorical bravado that often inflames rather than resolves crises His doctrine of proportional response found validation not only on tactical grounds but also in the realm of global diplomacy While Indian media spun fantasies of victory, international observers from Ankara to Beijing took note of Pakistan’s poise Russia and Azerbaijan quietly refused to endorse India s version of events and China was overt in calling for restraint The applause was not just for action but for its calibration And in this environment marked by provocation abroad and political noise at home General Asim stood out not as a man chasing prestige, but as a soldier defining it The Field Marshal title then was not an indulgence It was an inevitability The symbolism is significant In a country where military promotions often carry political overtones Asim Munir s rise marks a shift power now aligns with performance The civilian government played its rightful constitutional role, with the Prime Minister ’s office clearly crediting Asim’s “outstanding military leadership and commitment to national defence This clarity broke from a troubled history where generals overshadowed elected leaders Asim
investigations were still ongoing how could India announce Pakistan s involvement in it before investigations were completed? The UNSC must immediately constitute a commission to hold a thorough probe into the situation before it is too late India and Pakistan are two nuclear powers and any armed confrontation between them can have disastrous consequences for the regional as well as world peace The world history is replete with examples where leaders like Modi obsessed with hate philosophy have not only inflicted death and destruction on other nations but have also destroyed their own countries Modi surely is treading that path and in his madness to harm Pakistan his government has taken steps that can easily push the two countries into a war of mutual destruction He has ended special status of IIOJ&K up-scaled anti-Pakistan actions adopted the course of hostility towards Pakistan which is amply corroborated by military confrontation between the two countries in the aftermath of false-flag operations at Pulwama and recently at Pahlgam, his suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and persistent threat to cut of water supply to Pakistan Thank God the massive response given to the Indian attacks and timely intervention by the friendly countries including USA ceasefire came into being preventing cataclysmic consequences But the situation remains volatile as India has now intensified terrorist acts in Balochistan and KPK though its proxies for which Pakistan has irrefutable evidence Terrorism is probably the biggest concern of the inter-
emphasizing the apolitical stance of the military, has steered clear of political drama despite provocation Still, in Pakistan’s hyper-politicised milieu, any development of this magnitude is bound to stir speculation Was the move designed to counterbalance political instability? Was it intended to reinforce institutional hierarchy amid growing regional threats? Or worse was it a prelude to political engineering cloaked in ceremonial attire? These questions, though inevitable, do not hold up to
national community and there is a consensus on eliminating it by all means It provides sufficient justification for strict action against the states sponsoring terrorism and the entities engaged in it
Another and the most important issue that has bedeviled relations between Pakistan and India is non-resolution of the Kashmir dispute
The fact is that it was India which took the matter to the UNSC which deliberated on the issue thoroughly and ultimately adopted resolutions calling for settling the question of accession of Kashmir to either of the states through a plebiscite held under the auspices of the UN Nehru the then Prime Minister of India readily accepted the resolutions and in his correspondence with his Pakistani counterpart kept assuring him to resolve the issue through a plebiscite
He also made a number of statements in the Indian parliament to this effect before reneging on his commitments in 1954
Pakistan and India have fought three wars over Kashmir which happened before they had developed nuclear weapons Kashmir is now a nuclear flash point The situation has assumed alarming proportions as any miscalculation on either side can bring the much dreaded consequences The international community and the UN therefore must get their act together and make real efforts to have this dispute resolved Till the resolution of Kashmir dispute prospects of peace in the region will remain elusive
Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic
He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail com
Thank God the massive response given to the Indian attacks and timely inter vention by the friendly countries including USA ceasefire came into being preventing cataclysmic consequences But the situation remains volatile as India has now intensified terrorist acts in Balochistan and KPK though its proxies for which Pakistan has irrefutable evidence
Cures by the clueless
The grave of justice
over 50 000 professionals Workforce projections suggest an expansion to accommodate the growing demand However HR development and IT capacity enhancements are necessary to support this growth, particularly in digital finance These two areas are consider critical for future expansion of the sector The integration of 1predictive analytics and artificial intelligence in risk assessment will be crucial to improving financial sustainability Funding sources for microfinance institutions are diverse, with contributions from institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) the World Bank and the Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC) Additionally discussions with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) are underway to explore mechanisms allowing MFBs to lend to MFIs, thereby enhancing sector liquidity F U T U R E S T R AT E G Y & G R O W T H: Looking ahead microfinance is poised for substantial growth The number of nanofinance users is expected to reach 10 mil-
projected to expand to between 18 and 20
n Flexible Loan Repayment Plans: Borrowers affected by climate-related losses could benefit from loan restructuring or repayment moratoriums to give them time to recover n Weather-Linked Credit Models: Loans that adjust based on climate patterns or harvest cycles could help reduce financial pressure on farmers n Disaster Relief Funds & Emergency Loans: MFIs could establish special funds to provide quick assistance to borrowers affected by natural disasters n Climate-Smart Agriculture Support: Offering training and financial products for climate-resilient farming techniques (e g , drought-resistant seeds, solar-powered irrigation) could help borrowers adapt to changing conditions If these alternative risk-mitigation tools are not developed Pakistan s microfinance sector could face increasing defaults from climate-affected borrowers This issue may become critical in the future as extreme weather events become more frequent Microfinance institutions (MFIs) operate differently from corporate banks that focus on large businesses and capital-intensive projects MFIs primarily serve small businesses and individuals with tiny loan amounts,
& R E F L E C T
N: Lessons from Bangladesh and India offer interesting insights for Pakistan s microfinance sector Both Bangladesh and India have successfully diversified their microfinance models by integrating savings, insurance, remittance services, and SME financing alongside traditional microloans In contrast Pakistan’s microfinance sector remains largely focused on credit-based services limiting its ability to cater to broader financial needs
RISK FACTORS & SUSTAINABILITY: Small farmers and micro-entrepreneurs are among the most vulnerable to climate change Events like floods droughts and unpredictable weather patterns can destroy crops, reduce income, and make it difficult for borrowers to repay their loans Many microfinance institutions (MFIs) offer crop or livestock insurance but insurance alone may not be enough The question is: Are there other risk mitigation tools that MFIs can offer besides insurance? Some possible solutions include:
n Bangladesh’s Example: Institutions like ASA and BRAC have diversified into agriculture finance social enterprises and impact-driven investments allowing them to cross-subsidize financial services while remaining profitable Further it is worthwhile to note that there is only one regulatory authority in Bangladesh i e Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) established in 2006 (as compared to SECP in Pakistan regulating NBMFCs and SBP regulating MFBs) Every MFIs must obtain a license from the MRA to operate Further, Licensed MFIs are permitted to accept deposits from their members, with the MRA setting guidelines to ensure depositor safety The MRA focuses on balancing financial inclusion with depositor protection It has implemented regulations to prevent exploitative practices and ensure transparency in the microfinance sector However, at the same time, it should be noted that the microfinance sector in Bangladesh has faced scrutiny due to allegations against certain prominent figures leading to discussions about the need for stricter regulations to
SLUMP SUBSEQUENT REVIVAL: The pandemic severely disrupted the newspaper industry Print circulation plummeted as lockdowns and fear of infection pushed readers online Newspapers bled revenue and struggled to survive This cast doubts on the viability of an expensive study like the Indian Readership Survey which is entirely funded by advertisers and publishers But the industry has since rebounded with continued advertiser interest and lower newsprint costs India s newspaper publishing remains robust, with over 146,000 registered newspapers and periodicals as of 2023 In years leading to the pandemic regional papers, especially in non-English languages
Middle East While bellicosity and unpredictability have come to define his personalized approach to foreign affairs Trump is unafraid to break the traditional norms of diplomacy and statecraft that many argue have long held back both the United States and the Middle East Should Trump stick to this unusual approach, centralizing a restrained foreign policy recognizing the limits of US power and interests, he could support the region’s leaders as they work to promote a new age of pragmatism and development THE RIYADH DOCTRINE: Trump’s first major foreign speech in Riyadh on May 13 embodied a shift in US foreign policy He wasted no time castigating past administrations and their regional policies: This great transformation has not come from Western interventionists giving you lectures on how to live or how to govern your own affairs No, the gleaming marvels of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi were not created by the so-called ‘nation-builders ’ ‘neo-cons ’ or ‘liberal non-profits like those who spent trillions failing to develop Kabul and Baghdad so many other cities Instead, the birth of a modern Middle East has been brought about by the people of the region themselves developing your own sovereign countries, pursuing your own unique visions, and charting your own destinies In the end the so-called ‘nationbuilders wrecked far more nations than they built and the interventionists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand themselves This rhetoric is unheard of from a modern US president While previous attempts to realign US foreign policy priorities and approaches in the region are nothing new they were never so robustly expressed or acted upon There are positive and negative possibilities inherent to Trump s new foreign policy doctrine Washington has long overextended itself across the globe, fighting every fight on every continent to influence everything, everywhere, all the time This overreach has failed to consider real US interests and the capabilities needed to achieve them resulting in the “Forever Wars of the twenty-first century Meanwhile domestic problems continued to fester and security-first priorities increasingly harmed civil liberties at home Indeed, to argue that an overly securitized
MAlik MirzA
Chinese Premier Li Qiang says China ready to join Kuwait for steady development of ties
called for expanded cooperation in key areas such as energy, investment, the green and digital economies and artificial intelligence to unlock new avenues for mutual benefit Li said both sides should enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in education tourism and other sectors further facilitating person-
ASEAN
nel exchanges and promoting the friendship between the two nations Amid rising unilateralism and protectionism, Li stressed that China is committed to enhancing communication and coordination with Kuwait on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the China-GCC Summit to promote fairer global governance and contribute to world harmony, stability, development and prosperity For his part, Al-Sabah expressed gratitude for China’s support in upholding Kuwait s sovereignty and territorial integrity reaffirming Kuwait s firm adherence to the one-China principle and
supporting China s position on issues concerning its core interests
Noting Kuwait attaches great importance to developing relations with China Al-Sabah said Kuwait is willing to explore untapped bilateral cooperation potential expand and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthen people-to-people ties and cultural exchanges Al-Sabah voiced Kuwait’s willingness to work with China to advance GCCChina cooperation enhance communication and coordination on regional and multilateral affairs and push bilateral relations to a higher level
Junaid Family Foundation signs deal with Gates Foundation & UNICEF for Pakistan women Father of nine in
WASHINGTON n e w s d e s k
The Junaid Family Foundation has signed a landmark Letter of Cooperation (LoC) with the Gates Foundation and UNICEF to strengthen collaboration on the promotion and scale-up of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for women in Pakistan with a particular focus on maternal and newborn health
Though Pakistan is already a global leader in scaling up MMS, this LoC formalizes the ongoing partnership focused on expanding access to MMS for all pregnant women strengthening supply chains supporting research and implementation science and increasing national awareness of maternal malnutrition It is estimated 7 million women become pregnant in Pakistan annually
The joint donation of UNIMMAP MMS from JFF and Kirk Humanitarian has reached nearly 2 million women yet significant work remains to close the gap and ensure that all women who need this vital supplement have access to it
“We are honored to be working hand in hand with global leaders like the Gates Foundation and UNICEF to champion maternal health in Pakistan The deep experience they have implementing MMS around the world complements our ability to open doors and navigate networks specific to Pakistan ” said Ansir Junaid Chairman of the Junaid Family Foundation who recently organized a major conference in Islamabad to promote MMS for women in Pakistan This collaboration is rooted in our belief that every mother deserves the nutrition she needs for a healthy pregnancy and every child deserves a strong
start in life
He elaborated: The focus areas of this partnership include advising and collaborating with relevant government authorities to promote evidence-informed policy and decision-making that support MMS for pregnant women across Pakistan at both the federal and provincial levels; offering technical assistance and support in convening meetings of the Strategic and Technical Working Group on MMS to advance implementation quality assurance and monitoring and measurement; and supporting initiatives to increase local production affordability, accessibility, and quality of MMS in partnership with the private sector
“Maternal undernutrition including deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals remains a critical public health issue in Pakistan MMS has emerged as a globally endorsed solution, proven to reduce low birth weight, stillbirths, and maternal anemia The collaboration seeks to support Pakistan’s transition from iron-folic acid to MMS as part of its national antenatal care protocols
Representatives from all three organizations emphasized the im-
portance of sustained multi-sectoral efforts in coordination with Federal State and Provincial Ministries of Health, to ensure MMS reaches the women who need it most especially in underserved and high-burden districts “This is a moment of hope and momentum said Jackie Range Executive Director of JFF We are proud to contribute not only resources but deep, long-term commitment to building systems that uphold maternal nutrition as a right not a privilege Our focus on nutrition is not an act of charity it is a strategic investment To build healthier communities fuel stronger economies, and drive lasting change across generations, we must begin with proper nutrition ” At a recent dinner hosted by JFF in Islamabad Pakistan Chairman of JFF Ansir Junaid was joined by Zeina Sifri Senior Program Officer at Gates, and Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Country Representative to sign the Letter of Cooperation This partnership reflects the shared goals of all three organizations to promote health equity advance sustainable development and build resilient health systems that center the needs of women and children, Ansir Junaid said
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C V 2 0 4 5 i s m e a n t t o s e r v e a s a p r a g m a t i c 2 0 - y e a r s t r a t e g i c r o a d m a p t o g u i d e t h e r e g i o n ’s d e v e l o p m e n t a m i d g l o b a l u n c e r t a i n t i e s “ T h e s e f o u r s t r a t e g i c p l a n s a r e d e s i g n e d t o g u i d e A S E A N o n h o w t o p r i o r i t i z e i t s w o r k w h i l e u p h o l d i n g u n i t y s o l i d a r i t y a n d A S E A N c e n t r a l i t y h e s a i d a d d i n g t h a t t h e r o a d m a p a l s o r e c o g n i z e s t h e n e e d t o w o r k c l o s e l y w i t h e x t e r n a l p a r t n e r s , i nc l u d i n g d i a l o g u e , s e c t o r a l a n d g l o b a l p a r t n e r s “ T h i s d o c u m e n t i s f o r w a r d - l o o k i n g a n d s t r a t eg i c , a c k n o w l e d g i n g t h e s h i f t s i n g e o p o l i t i c s , d i g it a l i z a t i o n d e m o g r a p h i c c h a n g e c l i m a t e r i s k s a n d o t h e r p r e s s i n g i s s u e s I t p r o v i d e s c l a r i t y o n h o w A S E A N s h o u l d n a v i g a t e i t s f u t u r e h e e m p h as i z e d E a r l i e r, M a l a y s i a s F o r e i g n M i n i s t r y s a i d i n a s t a t e m e n t t h a t A S E A N a s p i r e s t o b e a p r o s p e r o u s s i n g l e m a r k e t w i t h a h i g h l y s k i l l e d a n d i n c l u s i v e w o r k f o r c e p r o d u c t i v i t y a n d i n n o v a t i o n - d r i v e n g r o w t h w h i l e i n c o r p o r a t i n g s u s t a i n a b i l i t y a c r o s s a n d a l o n g t h e v a l u e c h a i n t h r o u g h t h e A S E A N C o m m u n i t y Vi s i o n 2 0 4 5 T h e A C V 2 0 4 5 a l s o p r o m o t e s t h e u s e o f l o c a l c u r r e n c i e s f o r c r o s s - b o r d e r t r a n s a c t i o n s t o r e d u c e t h e r e g i o n ’s v u l n e r a b i l i t y t o e
care after Israeli strike kills all but one child
PAEC Regional Training Course Inaugurated
RUDA chief reviews ongoing development projects in Ravi City
The Chairman of Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), Shahid Ashraf Tarar and Chief Executive Officer Imran Amin on Monday visited different sites of Ravi City and reviewed the ongoing construction work at the embankments meandering the River Ravi where development work is in progress
The detailed visit started with reviewing the progress at river training site where river training work is underway with the emergence of main creek along the series of promenades with varied elevation designed to control, mitigate water cycle in the river Out of first phase of river training majority of the work already been completed under accelerated progress
The Chairman and CEO RUDA also reviewed the construction work for package 6 which link the already done earth work with Lahore-Sialkot Motorway (LSM)
While commenting on the progress, the Chairman RUDA said that as RUDA s cardinal objective is to make River Ravi enliven again, therefore, it is a matter of pride that we have traversed quite a space in the direction and in coming years Ravi will be flowing as
C hairman CDA launches c ampaign against illegal societies and
s ta f f r e p o r t On the recent directions of the Minister of Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and the Chairman CDA Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, CDA has launched a strict campaign against illegal / unauthorized societies and buildings within limits of ICT In this regard an operation was conducted today i e Monday 26th May 2025 in various sites in Pak PWD Employees Cooperative Housing Society Lohi Bher Zone-V, Islamabad Operation and Sealed Unauthorised Buildings/Commercial Outlets The operation was Jointly conducted by Directorate General of Building and Housing Control Enforcement Dte, CDA, ICT Administration & Islamabad Police
The first phase of today’s opera-
tion was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the CDA Ordinance, 1960, and the Building Control Regulations, 2020 (as amended 2023) The sealed buildings were found in violation due to non-approval of building plans unauthorized commercial use / illegal occupancy without completion certificates and non-payment of applicable penalties/fees About 30 units were sealed during the first phase of sealing operation in PAK PWD Employees Cooperative Housing Society Lohi Bher
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) and the Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC) in a ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad The agreement was witnessed by chief guest
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18 dead as windstorm, rains wreak havoc in across Punjab
Pmd forecasTs raIn, wIndsTorms across PakIsTan from may 27 To 31
confirmed on Monday Speaking in a TV programme, DG PDMA Punjab Irfan Ali Kathia termed the weather conditions “unprecedented” and “beyond expectations”, saying that although heavy rainfall had been forecast the severity of the system was not anticipated According to Kathia 124 incidents of structural collapse have so far been reported across Punjab A majority of these incidents were linked to rooftop solar panels which he said were not installed with adequate safety measures
Eighty per cent of the collapses involved solar plates Except for three incidents, all others were caused by these installations, he revealed We welcome solar technology, but installations must be secure to prevent such tragedies ” Kathia urged citizens to be prepared for worsening weather patterns highlighting the link between increasing temperatures and extreme climate events We are facing the consequences of a 1°C to 1 5°C rise in global temperature This is the second consecutive
KARACHI
N e w S D e S k
Former Sindh Governor Kamaluddin Azfar passed away on Monday at Ziauddin Hospital in Karachi as confirmed by his family and party officials
year we ve witnessed a sudden 7 C increase during summer resulting in severe heatwaves he said He pointed to the Cholistan desert as one of the most vulnerable areas, where heatwave management is particularly challenging due to sparse population and water scarcity In response the government has introduced multiple measures to protect
citizens including water supply efforts and early warning systems However Kathia emphasised the need for regional cooperation and long-term strategies
“For any real reduction in temperature we need serious action afforestation better urban planning and collective efforts across South Asia he concluded
According to PPP Sindh Secretary General Senator Waqar Mehdi, Azfar s funeral arrangements will be made following the arrival of his children from abroad Azfar was a prominent political figure and a close associate of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto He served in various significant positions including as PPP Karachi president, and was fondly referred to as the son of Karachi ” A key contributor to the city’s development Azfar played a crucial role in constructing apartments for lower-income communities in Karachi s Lines Area In 1995 Azfar relinquished his position as a senator when he was appointed the governor of Sindh by thenPM Benazir Bhutto Throughout his career, he also held important posts such as the finance minister of Sindh, federal minister for local government and rural development and special assistant to the prime minister Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed his condolences describing Azfar as a wise politician whose services would be remembered PPP Senator Sherry Rehman also paid tribute to Azfar acknowledging his
long-standing work with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto on local government policies and other initiatives Azfar, a distinguished lawyer, writer, and political figure, was educated at Government College, Lahore, and Balliol College Oxford He was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple London Upon returning to Pakistan he established his law practice in Karachi and later became a prolific writer, authoring books on economics, history, and politics His notable works include The Chinese Synthesis (1975) Pakistan: Political and Constitutional Dilemmas (1987) and Discovery of Pakistan (2005) among others The Karachi Literature Festival, where Azfar had spoken multiple times, also remembered him for his contributions as both a lawyer and a writer His death marks the end of an era of political and intellectual influence in the city and beyond
