g DG ISPR GEN AHMED SHARIF, INFORMATION MINISTER BRIEF MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES ON NATIONAL SECURITY SITUATION AT IN-CAMERA BRIEFING
g SESSION DEMONSTRATES RARE NATIONAL UNITY, CROSS -PARTY CONSENSUS DURING TIME OF HEIGHTENED EXTERNAL SECURITY THREAT
g TARAR UPDATES PARTIES LEADERS ON GOVT ’S DIPLOMATIC OUTREACH AND REITERATES STATE’S COMMITMENT TO PEACE, READINESS FOR DEFENSE
sertion that
He described the treaty as more of a capture agreement than a fair water-sharing treaty arguing that it constrains Pakistan s sovereignty over its water resources With global momentum building around ecological justice and sustainable water use, Pakistan is in a strong position to challenge the status quo provided it develops the institutional capacity scientific data and political will to do so
state Dr Hassan Abbas underscored that the water conflict originated soon after independence in 1947 He pointed out that India has consistently used water as a tool of dominance and began constructing major dams and other infrastructure years before the treaty was signed He highlighted that water wars are fought not with weapons but with infrastructure, deceitful treaties, diplomacy, and alliances
Dr Abbas called for a broader rethinking of how Pakistan views its river systems He said water must be seen not only as a national security concern but also as a driver of regional economic transformation Over the longer term he proposed building trade corridors along river systems citing a potential route from the Arabian Sea to Jalalabad in Afghanistan, which could serve as a hub for commerce with Central Asia
The discussion also addressed India’s as-
MUZAFFARABAD
President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
(AJK) Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry on Sunday strongly condemned the Pahalgam incident, expressing grave concern over the false flag operation orchestrated by India
Speaking at a special meeting of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) –AJK Chapter – at Kashmir House in Islamabad, President Sultan Mehmood stated that India s persistent oppression and barbarism can never suppress the Kashmiri freedom movement He declared that India has consistently failed in its sinister agenda to crush the unarmed Kashmiri population through force
The blood of innocent Kashmiris has kept the freedom movement alive,
he added He said India, frustrated by its failures, has resorted to cowardly tactics such as the false flag operation in Pahalgam to unleash more atrocities on the oppressed Kashmiris President Mehmood urged the international community to step forward restrain India from such aggressive actions, stop human rights violations in occupied Kashmir, and help resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people
He also warned that India has long tried to destabilize the peace of Azad Kashmir, but such false operations have only strengthened the international narrative around the Kashmir issue, exposing India s evil designs to the world
The AJK President emphasized the need for all political leadership in Azad Kashmir the Hurriyat leadership and
two phases, which focus on advanced manufacturing and home furnishings
overseas Kashmiris to unite in exposing Indian atrocities globally He reiterated that the narrative of truth must overpower India's false propaganda The APHC delegation included Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi Madam Shamim Shawl General Secretary Advocate Pervaiz Ahmad, Information Secretary Mushtaq Ahmad Butt, Sheikh Abdul Mateen, Imtiaz Wani, Mian Muzaffar, Sheikh Abdul Majid Syed Gulshan Manzoor Ahmad Dar and Adeel Mushtaq Wani
The delegation briefed the President on the latest situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir and the severe state brutality following the Pahalgam incident
Both the AJK President and the APHC leadership agreed to intensify efforts from the base camp (AJK) to expose Indian aggression and advocate for Kashmir s resolution at international forums with support from the Kashmiri diaspora President Sultan Mehmood further stated that India’s war threats are
tional buyers beyond the physical event International pavilions have added a distinctive multicultural dimension to the event with 284 enterprises from 30 countries and regions including 10 dedicated sections from Turkey Russia Pakistan South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, etc This global engagement creates unique opportunities for comparative analysis and cross-border collaboration Shakil Ahmed a member of the ICCI delegation expressed strong enthusiasm about the fair s dynamism and opportunities, noting, "the product variety here is exceptionally rich, and the exhibition atmosphere is vibrant We look forward to sustained collaboration with Chinese partners across these key sectors Ahmed added that Pakistani businesses see strong potential in adapting many of these product concepts for domestic and regional markets As the Canton Fair continues through May 5 the Pakistani delegation plans to conduct targeted B2B meetings with potential partners while gathering market intelligence that could inform Pakistan s trade policy direction Pa
of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), led by Vice President Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry represents Pakistan at the 137th Canton Fair s third phase in southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou being held from May 1 to May 5 This landmark participation underscores Pakistan's commitment to strengthening economic ties with China while exploring new avenues for trade and technological collaboration in the consumer goods sector The delegation s visit comes at a strategic time as Pakistan seeks to diversify its import sources while identifying opportunities for technology transfer and joint ventures with Chinese manufacturers stated the Vice President according to Gwadar Pro The 137th Canton Fair which runs from April 15 to May 5 has achieved record-breaking participation, with more than 220,000 overseas buyers from 219 countries and regions attending the first
The current phase continues this momentum with a sprawling 515 000 square meters of exhibition space featuring 24 560 booths from 12 043 enterprises, reflecting China's manufacturing prowess in creating increasingly sophisticated and customized consumer goods
The "Better Life"-themed third phase has emerged as a global showcase for lifestyle products featuring cuttingedge offerings across toys children s and maternity care, fashion apparel, home textiles, stationery, and health and recreation segments
Industry observers have noted particular innovation in niche segments like eco-friendly infant products smart home textiles and tech-integrated leisure goods - areas that hold significant potential for Pakistani importers and manufacturers The fair's digital complement has further expanded its global reach with exhibitors uploading approximately 890 000 products to the online platform by April 24 enabling continued engagement with interna-
A P H C R E A F F I R M S P L E D G E T O C O N T I N U E S T R U G G L E F O R K A S H M I R R E S O L U T I O N
Tafter August 2019, the disputed territory was divided into UTs and
A crucial meeting of representatives from the Swat Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Malakand Division Traders Federation was held under the chairmanship of Swat Chamber President Noor Muhammad Khan
The meeting strongly rejected the imposition of taxes and the proposed Customs Act in the Malakand Division and announced the launch of a united resistance movement
The meeting was attended by President of the Malakand Traders Federation Abdurrahim, spokesperson Dr Khalid Mehmood, Senior Vice President of Swat Chamber of Commerce Muhammad Khurshid Iqbal Vice President Khalid Khan and members of the anti-tax action committee Yusuf Ali
Khan Adnan Ali and Farhad Ali
Participants unanimously stated that the imposition of taxes in Malakand Division is a matter of life and death for the local population
They stressed that they would not allow the enforcement of taxes or the Customs Act under any circumstances
They declared the abolishment of the region s special constitutional status illegal and unconstitutional
Criticizing the Sartaj Aziz Commission, the attendees clarified that it was formed solely for FATA, and forcibly including Malakand Division in its scope was a deliberate and illegal act
They demanded that the report of the commission be made public emphasizing that the commission neither mentioned Malakand nor visited the region
The participants also raised concerns about the misuse of local re-
all resources, rights, identity and economy was snatched and besides Indian armed forces all over the territory the outsiders mostly BJP/RSS ideological offices were deployed in all civil and police administrative posts and disempowered the people of IIOJK which is violation of international laws and attack on defenseless people of the territory Kashmiri not fighting against any individual or a party but against the injustice and occupation We have a direct now ruled by Delhi might and Nagpur s RSS policies
sources such as emerald mines forests minerals and water by outsiders while the local population remains deprived of basic facilities
They vowed to strongly oppose the enforcement of any taxes in the region
Severe criticism was also directed at the provincial government for what was described as a double standard policy publicly opposing the taxes while secretly aligning with the federal government The speakers warned that former members of the provincial assembly who failed to protect the rights of Malakand residents will not be spared from public outrage in the upcoming protest movement
The traders and industrialists resolved to launch a comprehensive protest campaign through a unified platform and, if necessary, to take the issue to the International Court of Justice
s ta f f r e p o r t
President Asif Ali Zardari has formally approved the Capital Development Authority (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which the government has now notified through the official gazette
The newly enforced ordinance aims to protect the rights of affectees and landowners within the federal capital territory It guarantees just compensation to Islamabadís affected individals either through monetary payments or alternative land
According to the amendment compensation may be provided through division of land, cash payments, or other
modes as determined by the authority The Deputy Commissioner of CDA will officially announce the compensation The ordinance authorises the deputy commissioner to issue separate decisionsóone for the land and another for any existing constructions on it
Pending revenue cases up to October 30 2025 will be resolved under the currently applicable rehabilitation policy Compensation assessment will be made under Sections 30 and 31 of the amended ordinance As per amended Section 30, any replacement land must match the original in value, utility, and accessibility Where necessary, rehabilitation and resettlement benefits will also be extended to restore the liveli-
hoods and living standards of the affectees The compensation must be equitably distributed to ensure no party is disadvantaged due to land acquisition A new clause Section 32A mandates that in case of delayed compensation, the Deputy Commissioner will pay an additional amount at an annual rate of 8 percent from the date of possession to the date of full payment The ordinance also addresses cases involving completely incapacitated individuals As per the revised Section 33B, if a rightful claimant is a minor, mentally unfit, or otherwise legally incapable of receiving the compensation, the Deputy Commissioner may authorise payment to a legally applying representative on their behalf
t
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the Ministry of Interior of Oman in Muscat today, where he was warmly welcomed by his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Hamood bin Faisal Al Busaidi
The two leaders held a meeting and discussed the current regional situation During the meeting Interior Minister Naqvi apprised his Omani counterpart on Pakistan s principled stance regarding the recent tensions between Pakistan and India He emphasized that the blame game is escalating tensions and made it clear that Pakistan s position is very clear: if war is imposed we will respond with full force He added that Pakistan is a peaceful country and desires sustainable peace in the region He also appreciated Oman’s key role in
resolving international conflicts Moreover, issues being faced by Pakistani nationals in obtaining visas cooperation in anti-narcotics and antismuggling efforts police training and collaboration related to coastal guards were also discussed during the meeting Both sides agreed to enhance coordination to strengthen bilateral cooperation Both sides also agreed in principle to declare Islamabad and Muscat as sister cities Mohsin Naqvi thanked the Sultan of Oman for granting amnesty to Pakistani prisoners on Eid Discussion was also held on increasing mutual cooperation to facilitate the repatriation of Pakistani prisoners jailed in Oman
Minister Naqvi stated that Pakistan and Oman share common values we are not only neighbors but also brothers He vowed to elevate Pakistan-Oman co-
operation to new heights and assured that steps taken to enhance collaboration with Oman would become visible within days The Omani Interior Minister remarked that Pakistan and Oman are bound by extremely fraternal and historic ties Senior officials from Oman s Ministry of Interior and Pakistan s Ambassador to Oman, Syed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, were also present on the occasion
MAT T E R S seem to be getting out of hand because of Indian incompetence The Indian attempt to investigate the matter and arrest the culprits who committed the Pehelgam attack has run into difficulties indicating that the Indian criminal justice system is of monumental incompetence especially in a case where someone (usually one of the victims) has not pointed out the accused Indian investigators have remained cagey about the perpetrators probably because they realize that there is no way the hints by the government of Pakistani involvement can be made to stick However the information that the Keystone Kops in India received that the culprit was heading to Colombo which incidentally would have let Pakistan off the hook turned out to be incorrect Even though the Sri Lankan police turned the flight that landed inside out no arrest could be made Even a layman knows that as time passes the chances of solving a crime becomes more and more difficult as well as of making an arrest
The really frightening thing is that it is on the basis of such bumbling that India not only suspended the Indus Waters Treaty but it launched four Rafale fighters against Pakistan on the night of Friday/Saturday It was only because The Pakistan Air Force not only jammed the Rafales sensors but also launched its own J10 fighters If the Rafale carried missiles allowing them to hit targets in Pakistan or Azad Kashmir while remaining across the border, the PAF aircraft also had similar missiles which could have taken out the Rafales They turned tail and fled It was therefore befitting that Pakistan tested its Abdali missile the next day, thereby demonstrating the strategic punch it has This should not be misinterpreted as anything other than a firm resolve to defend the country, but if is kept in mind that the hotheads running India are capable of such a colossal blunder as the Pehelgam attacks, and the even greater one of trying to blame Pakistan, the present situation is not sustainable, as it is likely that one side, probably India, will make a mistake that cannot be recalled While warfare is increasingly approaching an exact science, the sort of war-scare brinkmanship India is playing at is still unpreictable, and because of that, subject to the risk of human error and miscalculation
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
ALT H O U G H implementation of drastically increased tariffs by the USA on virtually all trading partners in early April was halted later on– except a uniform 10 percent tariff on all trading partners that continues to hold– the level of uncertainty that this has created for economic outlook globally has been intense Having said that since China retaliated significantly as a result of immense increase of tariffs from the USA– whereby against the increase in tariffs on China by the USA to 145 percent overall, China retaliated in virtually the same way, and placed tariffs on the USA of 125 percent– there was no pause on tariff implementation on China as the pause was only for those countries apparently that did not retaliate in a significant manner In the recently released World Economic Outlook report by the International Monetary Fund, and titled A critical juncture amid policy shift , the economic counsellor of the IMF, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas highlighted with regard to the relevance of the tariff related announcements from USA for global economy including that of the earlier economic related projections of the IMF He pointed out in this regard The April 2 Rose Garden announcement forced us to jettison our projections– nearly finalized at that point– and compress a production cycle that usually takes more than two months into less than 10 days Shortly after the January 2025 WEO Update the USA announced multiple waves of tariffs on major trading partners and critical sectors culminating on April 2 with a set of nearly universal tariffs While many of the scheduled tariff increases are on hold for now, the combination of measures and countermeasures has hiked US and global tariff rates to centennial highs However the context for such increases is very different Unlike in the previous century the global economy is now characterized by a high degree of economic and financial integration, with supply chains and financial flows crisscrossing the world, whose potential unwinding could constitute a major source of economic upheaval
For this reason we expect that the sharp increase on April 2 in both tariffs and uncertainty will lead to a significant slowdown in global growth in the near term While this is our central scenario– or reference
F o r c e d r e t u r n i s n o t j u s t i c e b u t c o n t r o l A legal remedy that was
the other to return to the marital home regardless of his or her will, under the guise of restoring matrimonial obligations It is used as a tool of harassment and control, reinforcing a patriarchal notion of marriage in which a woman is treated as property someone who can be reclaimed and forced into physical proximity with her husband
reasons: (1) to avoid fulfilling marital obligations such as paying maintenance or dower, (2) to pressure a wife to abandon her legal claims, and (3) to delay court proceedings and financially burden her The law becomes a strategy to paint the woman as unreasonable or disobedient undermining her credibility and weakening her claims to dower (mehr) and financial support This misuse was directly addressed in the Supreme Court judgment, Mst Tayyeba Ambareen v Shafqat Ali Kiyani (2023 SCMR 246), where the Court held that RCR must not be used “to gratify the urges of male chauvinism ” The Court emphasised that such claims must be made in good faith with the sincere aim of resolving marital discord through fulfilment of responsibilities, not as a tool to undermine a wife’s legal rights This misuse makes it clear: RCR is not about reconciliation It is about control It preserves an imbalance of power in which a woman s choices safety and dignity are made secondary to the institution of marriage Forcing a spouse to return to a hostile or unhappy home achieves nothing It only deepens marital discord and trauma A court decree cannot reunite a mentally and physically separated husband and wife As the old proverb goes you can bring a horse to water but you cannot make him drink Legal coercion cannot revive emotional trust safety, or intimacy, where these no longer exist Moreover, this coercive remedy blatantly violates multiple constitutional protections First, it infringes upon Article 9, which safeguards the right to life and liberty A woman’s right to liberty includes the ability to make decisions about her safety and personal wellbeing Compelling her to return to a potentially unsafe environment undermines the State s duty to protect and not endanger its citizens Second, it undermines Article 14, which guarantees the right to dignity and privacy Legally threatening a woman to return to her husband undermines her autonomy and could subject her to emotional psychological or even
However its logic is fundamentally incompatible with Islamic law In Islamic jurisprudence, marriage is neither a sacrament nor merely a civil contract It is a solemn covenant grounded in mutual consent, respect, and reciprocal obligations Unlike Christian canon law Islam acknowledges that marriages can end and provides various avenues such as talaq
forecast”– many possible paths exist, reflecting the unpredictability surrounding future trade policy and the varied impact of tariffs across different countries through a diverse set of channels In the same report IMF highlighted the likelihood of significant slowdown in economic growth which is based on information available as of April 4 (including the April 2 tariffs and initial responses) that IMF indicated as its ‘reference forecast’ It pointed out in this regard ‘global growth is projected to drop to 2 8 percent in 2025 and 3 percent in 2026 down from 3 3 percent for both years in the January 2025 WEO Update corresponding to a cumulative down grade of 0 8 percentage points, and much below the historical (2000–19) average of 3 7 percent
Having said that, the IMF seemed to have virtually no space for the need of well targeted protectionist policies especially in the wake of the misgivings about the neoliberal oriented global trade policies as were quite evidenced from serious cracks that appeared in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic
Moreover, the world is in the tight grips of polycrisis, and for instance, requires a significant level of domestic industrial base, in particular in developing countries which due to the already high level of protectionism that they faced during colonial times from their colonizers in particular meant that they lag far behind in terms of industrial production especially heavy industry, and high technology-based industry, like producing vaccines The former is all the more important, given the high likelihood of the ‘Pandemicene’
c o l o n i z e rs i n p a r t i c u l a r, m e a n t t h a t t h ey l ag f a r b e h i n d i n t e r m s o f i n d u s t r i a l p ro d u c t i o n , e s p e c i a l ly h e av y i n d u s t r y, a n d h i g h
t e ch n o l o g y - b a s e d i n d u s t r y, l i k e p ro d u c i n g va c c i n e s T h e fo r m e r i s a l l t h e m o r e i m p o r t a n t , g i v e n t h e h i g h l i k e l i h o o d o f t h e Â
physical abuse Third RCR violates Article 15 which guarantees the right to freedom of movement and residence within Pakistan When the law compels a woman to return to the marital home, it restricts her ability to decide where she lives and moves, effectively limiting her constitutional right to choose a place of safety and dignity A woman who leaves a toxic marriage should not be forced by a court order to return to a location that endangers her well-being Freedom of movement cannot be selectively applied it must include the freedom to leave
Article 8 of the Constitution is unequivocal: any law inconsistent with fundamental rights is void The constitutional promise of equality dignity and freedom is not only contradicted but also directly opposed by RCR Ironically the very country that birthed this remedy England, abolished it over five decades ago under the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act of 1970, recognising its incompatibility with the principles of liberty and mutual respect Pakistan’s continued retention of this law reflects a regressive stance on gender justice and undermines the gains made in recognising women s constitutional rights
A healthy marriage is built on mutual respect, shared goals, and above all, consent It cannot be sustained through coercion Maintaining a law that forces women back into homes they have chosen to leave is a disservice to justice and human dignity The time has come to abolish the remedy of restitution of conjugal rights not only because it is ineffective, but because it violates the very freedoms that our Constitution is meant to protect
The writer is a lawyer based in Lahore
A healthy marriag e is built on mutual respect, shared goals, and above all, consent It cannot be sustained through coercion Maintaining a law that forces women back into homes they have chosen to leave is a disser vice to justice and human dignity The time has come to abolish the remedy of restitution of conjugal rights not only because it is ineffective , but because it violates the ver y freedoms that our Constitution is meant to protect.
HREDEFINING THE RULES: If Gen Z members have one thing in common it s this: they don t just spot problems they demand better answers It’s their approach to problems and society that truly sets Gen Z apart They are not easily manipulated by traditional narratives; they are free thinkers with firm beliefs questioning laws systems and norms that treat people unfairly
They are redefining the world through how they see it welcoming diversity, respecting different cultures, and refusing to label people based on outdated values
They know how to raise their voices and they are not afraid to stand by their principles
Take for example the recent protests in support of Gaza students from some of the world s most prestigious universities, many of them Gen Z, staged sit-ins and faced arrests without wavering in their commitment to justice They have proven that their activism is not performative it is deeply rooted in purpose
They advocate for issues often swept under the rug, like mental health not just for others, but for themselves too As the first generation raised entirely in the digital world they face struggles like FOMO negative body image and the crushing pressures of online life But instead of burying these challenges Gen Z openly discusses them acknowledging vulnerability while still pushing forward Through conversations, movements, and content creation, they are leading a cultural shift toward greater authenticity reminding everyone that healing
and self-acceptance are acts of strength They are also the first generation native to the internet a space they have not only adapted to but mastered They are often wrongly labelled as lazy simply because they don’t always follow traditional career paths But scroll through any online marketplace freelance platform or social media site and you ll find Gen Z running small businesses monetizing skills and building careers outside the old templates Where others see rebellion, they are quietly writing new rules for what success can look like According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study 78% of Gen Z believe their generation will bring about significant societal change and they are proving it every day BRAVE VOICES, BREAKING BARRIERS:
You’ll find Gen Z women riding motorcycles, stepping into male-dominated fields, and challenging outdated ideas about what a girl should or shouldn t do But for them it s not just about being bold it s about normalizing freedom until it becomes everyday life Today, seeing a woman on a motorcycle or running her own business is no longer unusual because Gen Z refused to stop pushing until change became reality Their bravery isn t limited to personal ambition They are not confined to traditional paths like engineering or medicine nor limited to creative fields like art or filmmaking You ll find them everywhere launching businesses, creating games, becoming scientists, astronauts, and activists doing what drives them not what society expects They raise their voices against injustice wherever they find it in classrooms workplaces and across social media When someone is wronged, you ll see Gen Z standing up without hesitation, defending others even when it’s uncomfortable They confront taboos head-on speaking openly about harassment workplace abuse and other issues that older generations often buried in silence
We saw this courage when students in Bangladesh took to the streets to demand fair
governance facing threats and crackdowns yet refusing to be silenced For Gen Z, change isn t just personal it s deeply human They don t fight only for their own freedom; they fight for fairness and dignity for all Whether it’s standing in solidarity with global movements or rallying for justice in their own communities Gen Z acts beyond national cultural or social lines Their courage is powered by empathy compassion, and a fierce belief that a better world isn t just possible it s necessary
ROOTS THAT RUN DEEP: Gen Z isn’t just focused on building the future they are deeply connected to their past Even when living thousands of miles away from home, you ll find them learning their languages, reconnecting with traditions, and honouring their cultures not to change them, but to understand and preserve them They don’t reject where they come from; they redefine it with pride Identity matters deeply to them They want to be recognized for who they are and where they come from not out of arrogance, but because they know how much history, sacrifice, and meaning is carried in those roots Their sense of justice and empathy isn t born in a vacuum It s fueled by looking into the long struggles of those who came before them the ones who fought, endured, and dreamed so future generations could stand taller For Gen Z, preserving stories, traditions, and values is an act of resistance, of love and of hope They understand that personal stories are tied to greater struggles and that knowing your roots gives you strength to create change Take, for example, many young people in Pakistan today Living through difficult economic conditions, political instability, and social injustice it’s not uncommon to hear them voice their frustration sometimes questioning if all the sacrifices made to create the country were truly worth it But at the same time, they are the very first to de-
fend their language their culture and their homeland when anyone speaks against it Their connection runs deeper than anger or disappointment it s a bond built on history, pride, and a longing for the country to live up to the potential it deserves Even when life feels uncertain and the future feels heavy their roots hold them steady and their dreams push them forward
THE SILENCE OF A SOCIETY NOT
BUILT FOR WORDS: There are silences that are louder than any noise silences that come from not being understood Gen Z today often finds themselves trapped in those silences trying to express feelings struggles and dreams in a world that wasn t built to hear them In many ways, Gen Z is growing up in a world where expressing yourself isn’t always easy especially in societies that were never built to hold these conversations Simple emotions often feel impossible to explain to older generations
Tfamilies
Jamie s father could not understand how the child who once sat at the bottom of the stairs sketching for hours could become so difficult to comprehend Yes, after facing job issues, he could not spend much time with his family He would leave in the morning and return home late at night But hasn’t Jamie’s mother been there? If Jamie s elder sister could grow up to be so responsible why couldn t he? This is precisely the adolescent crisis that the director tried to address In the third episode, during Jamie s conversation with a psychologist, we gradually uncover his mistrust, suspicion, and a lack of self-confidence We learn that, like other teenagers, 13-year-old Jamie also wanted to experience love He selectively follows various models on Instagram Although he isn t very active on Instagram he is always lurking there However he believes he is ugly and that no girl would ever like him So when a topless photo of his classmate Katie started circulating, he tried to take advantage of the situation Jamie openly admits that he is attracted to girls, that he wants to touch someone if given the opportunity He even shares how he felt when a girl once touched his lower body But when the psychologist Briony asks questions that he does not like he becomes aggressive shouting and breaking whatever he could find nearby All he wants is for someone to listen to him attentively without any counterquestions, and to say, I am here for you Towards the end of their conversation, when Briony tells Jamie that their session is over, he becomes furious He has just started
ries felt a deep ache in their chest This series starkly highlights toxic masculinity and the crisis of modern male identity The core theme of this series is incel culture Incel, or involuntary celibate, refers to men who, despite desiring romantic relationships, fail to find partners As a result, they are ridiculed, which further poisons their mindset
LAT E last month a man by the name of Hussein al-Sheikh was selected by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas deputy chair of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)
This move made al-Sheikh the next in line to take over the West Bank based authority The currently unelected PA President Abbas created the new position of Vice President last week during the 32nd session of the Palestinian Central Council After naming alSheikh as the man for the job he had just created, many on the outside ask who he is and why he is so unpopular amongst Palestinians Hussein al-Sheikh was born on December 14, 1960 Although his mother gave birth to him in Ramallah his family were refugees that had been displaced from the village of Deir Tarif near occupied Ramle In the 1970s he became a member of the Fatah movement However, before he could go and get an education, at 18 years of age he was arrested by the Israeli occupation forces and subjected to 11 years’ imprisonment for his role in Fatah as a youth It is in Israeli detention that he would go on to learn Hebrew which he fully mastered Upon his release from prison, during the height of the first Intifada in 1989, he quickly rose to a prominent local level Fatah leader Then, following the beginning of the Oslo process in 1993 and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority (PA) he joined the PA s security forces eventually rising to become a colonel in the Preventative Security (intelligence) branch
During the Second Intifada, as Hussein al-Sheikh grew in power within the Fatah Party then Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat grew to despise him and the role that he viewed al-Sheikh as playing This distrust eventually came to a head in 2003 when Arafat ordered his arrest and had accused him of trying to sow division within the Fatah Party leadership ‘OUR MAN IN RAMALLAH’ A recent report issued by Israeli media outlet Sicha Mekomit (Local Call) referred to al-Sheikh as our man in Ramallah The article covered his time as the PA s head of the Ministry of Civilian Coordination with the Occupation, during which he strengthened his ties with the Israeli government later playing a role in helping maintain the infamous “security coordination A senior Israeli security official once told Foreign Policy magazine that alSheikh is our guy in Ramallah The 64-yearold has long maintained close relations with the
per Numbeo s latest World Safety Index report Islamabad ranked 93rd out of 380 global cities surpassing major cities like London, New York, Moscow, and Barcelona Upon assuming command, the IGP initiated modern reforms within the police force resulting in a 20% reduction in the crime rate in 2025 compared
g
official visit to Malaysia later this year The telephone call underscores the close friendship and mutual understanding between Pakistan and Malaysia and both leaders agreed to remain in touch on regional and international developments
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Pakistan s reaction had been responsible and measured so
the evolving regional situation following heightened tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi He reiterated that while Pakistan remains committed to regional peace it will firmly safeguard its sovereignty and national interests
Dar renewed Pakistan s call for an international transparent and independent investigation into the recent Pahalgam incident, rejecting any attempt to link Pakistan to the matter without evidence In response, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed concern over the situation and underscored the need for diplomacy Both sides must exercise restraint and avoid escalation he said according to the Foreign Office
The two leaders also reviewed the state of Pakistan-Russia relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade energy and defence
DAR DISCUSSES REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS WITH MALAYSIAN FM
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday held a telephone conversation with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato Seri Mohamad Hasan
The DPM/FM briefed him on the current regional developments He categorically rejected India’s provocative actions including its baseless allegations inflammatory propaganda and its unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance an outright violation of treaty provisions and international legal obligations, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release
He underscored Pakistan s commitment to regional peace and security while reserving the right to safeguard its sovereignty and national interest Foreign Minister Hasan supported Pakistan s position and called for restraint by all parties Both leaders agreed to maintain close contact on the evolving situation
‘absolutely not ’ , says A sad Q aiser
SWABI
S ta f f r e p o r t Former Speaker of the National Assembly and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser has said that PTI Chairman Imran Khan has been in prison for nearly two years yet not a single case against him has proven to be genuine or credible He stated that false cases have been filed purely as acts of political revenge Asad Qaiser remarked that Imran Khan is being punished for saying “Absolutely Not” and for laying the foundation of an independent foreign policy He emphasized that Pakistan does not interfere in the internal matters of any country and will not allow any foreign interference in its own internal affairs He expressed these views while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Badri Nala Bridge in Mal Lar, Swabi Declaring his steadfast support, Qaiser said, “I will die but I will not leave Imran Khan I have been the speaker; I have no greed for positions ” He emphasized that despite holding key roles in both the national and provincial assemblies his commitment lies solely with the PTI founder who he said is currently facing severe political challenges
He further stated that Pakistan’s foreign policy will be formulated solely based on national interest He criticized the deliberate deterioration of relations with Afghanistan despite the centuries-old cultural trade, and geographical ties between the two nations He urged the adoption of a realistic approach, setting aside egos Asad Qaiser also expressed concern over the growing influence of the government on the judiciary He claimed that courts are no longer able to make decisions independently and require government approval He concluded by questioning how any society can progress in the absence of justice Criticizing the present state of governance, Qaiser claimed that Pakistan is facing an unprecedented breakdown of the rule of law “The country we are living in today has no semblance of justice Even during the Musharraf era people were free to speak There were no bans on TV channels no punishment for criticism, he said He specifically targeted the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), calling it a “black law” and a “violation of the Constitution,” and demanded its immediate repeal “Our fundamental rights protected by the Constitution have been taken away he added
Pakistan to deploy ‘full-spectrum of power’ to any Indian misadventure: Envoy
ISLAMABAD M o n i to r i n g r e p o r t Pakistan will deploy the “full spectrum of power,” including nuclear capabilities in response to any Indian military strike or disruption to critical water resources Pakistan s armed forces supported by the people of Pakistan will respond with the full spectrum of power if any war imposed on the country , Pakistan s Ambassador to Russia, Muhammad Khalid Jamli warned In an exclusive interview with Russian broadcaster RT on Saturday Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Muhammad Khalid Jamli claimed Islamabad had credible intelligence indicating imminent Indian military action There are leaked documents suggesting plans to strike certain areas of Pakistan, he asserted, calling the threat “imminent ” The ambassador’s remarks follow heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours after a deadly April 22 attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) New Delhi has accused Islamabad of harboring militant groups pointing to suspected Pakistani nationals linked to the assault in Baisaran Valley, which killed multiple civilians Pakistan has denied involvement, calling for an international investigation and proposing that nations such as China and Russia participate “We expect neutral and credible inquiries into the incident Jamali said He said that in the backdrop of the Pahalgam incident India has announced certain measures including a reduction in the size of its mission, the closure of borders, and the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty He explained that, under the treaty, all the water from the western rivers would flow to Pakistan from north to south
