ISRAEL-IRAN CL ASHES ESCAL ATE AS ATTACKS, COUNTER ATTACK CONTINUE FOR THIRD DAY
g FOUR INJURED IN HAIFA AFTER IRAN LAUNCHES A FRESH SALVO OF MISSILES
g TURKISH PRESIDENT TELLS TRUMP IN A PHONE CALL ANKARA IS READY TO ACT A S A FACILITATOR
Tg IRAN ’S ARMED FORCES TELLS RESIDENTS OF ISRAEL TO LEAVE VICINITY OF ‘ VITAL AREA S ’ FOR THEIR SAFETY
g PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN SAYS IRAN ’S RESPONSE TO ISRAELI ATTACKS WILL BE ‘ MORE DECISIVE AND SEVERE’ IF TEL AVIV CONTINUES HOSTILITY
Pakistan closes Taf tan, Gwadar pedestrian crossings with Iran in view of Israeli strikes
The crossing facilitates trade and people-to-people contact between the two countries Gabd-Rimdan border crossing has been closed for all kinds of pedestrian movement due to the Iran-Israel conflict, according to Gwadar Assistant Commissioner Jawad Ahmed Zehri
ISLAMABAD S
f f R e p o R t Amid the intense military confrontation between Iran and Israel the government has confirmed that 450 Pakistani pilgrims have been evacuated from Iran with more
METRO BUS FARE SL ASHED BACK TO RS50 AFTER PUBLIC BACKL ASH, BUT SUSTAINABILIT Y QUESTIONS LOOM
Memon urged
any smoke-emitting vehicles they see on the roads Public coop-
eration is important to make this campaign successful, he stated If people spot such vehicles, they should alert the authorities for prompt action ” He emphasized the dual threat posed by polluting vehicles not only to the environment but also to public health Any driver found operating a vehicle in violation of emission standards will be fined and in more serious instances, the vehicle will be removed from circulation Highlighting the shared responsibility of environmental protection the chairman stressed the vital role residents must play in identifying and reporting offenders Ongoing inspections will cover major roads and intersections across Islamabad The crackdown is part of the city administration’s wider environmental strategy which includes plans to extend the operation to include industrial vehicles buses and other forms of public transportation Officials said this would be a continuous effort rather than a
force that, if harnessed effectively, can provide affordable, clean, and sustainable electricity,” she said CM Maryam Nawaz particularly pointed to the Thal region in Punjab describing it as rich in untapped potential for wind energy production She stressed the need for capitalizing on this natural
Iran-Israel TensIons musT noT DIsTracT from K asHmIr DIsPuTe: masooD KHan
ISLAMABAD
The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) serves over 40,000 new cancer patients each year collectively performing an impressive 1 million diagnostic and treatment procedures PAEC is at the forefront of the nation s battle against cancer, providing critical care through its extensive network of 20 Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals (AECHs)
In a statement released on Sunday by its Public Relations Directorate PAEC underscored its six decades of unwavering commitment to cancer care, stating, With a legacy built on six decades of expertise, around 80% of Pakistan’s all types of cancer patients are treated by PAEC’s AECHs offering advanced diagnostic and treatment services at highly subsidized rates
The statement further highlighted the advanced technological capabilities within the AECH network: “Equipped
with cutting-edge technology our hospitals deliver comprehensive cancer management through specialized departments in nuclear medicine radiology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology Our facilities boast state-ofthe-art equipment, including PET-CT, SPECT-CT cyclotrons linear accelerators CyberKnife and brachytherapy complemented by modern MRI CT scan and digital X-ray systems
PAEC also emphasized its commitment to innovation, noting, We remain dedicated to adopting the latest advancements in cancer treatment including sophisticated techniques such as Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), and the innovative field of Theranostics
The statement also acknowledged the crucial role of specialized personnel: “Dedicated Medical Physicists’ teams are integral to our operations ensuring the highest levels of precision in treatment planning and radiation safety
protocols Furthermore our integrated diagnostic laboratories provide rapid and reliable hematology pathology and chemical testing essential for timely and accurate diagnoses
Looking towards the future, PAEC stressed its commitment to professional development: “Capacity-building is a key priority for PAEC We have trained over 2 600 healthcare professionals including 250 doctors through collaborations with the Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS) Our AECHs are recognized by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan offering prestigious FCPS MCPS and DMRT programs in nuclear medicine radiology, and oncology
Expanding its reach to underserved communities, the statement concluded, “21st Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital is nearing completion in Muzaffarabad Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) which will significantly enhance access to vital cancer care in the region
Pakistan
from the crossing were continuing as usual The closures are expected to affect daily wage laborers small-scale traders and local residents who depend on frequent cross-border movement for commerce, supplies and family visits Small items such as fruit, vegetables and household goods are commonly traded by hand or in small vehicles along these routes
Police have registered a first information report (FIR) in the case of a 14year-old mentally and physically disabled girl being allegedly sexually assaulted in Punjab s Hafizabad district Sahil s Six Months Cruel Numbers data reveals that a total of 1,630 cases of child abuse were reported from across the country last year In the first six months of 2024 862 cases of child sexual abuse 668 cases of abduction 82 cases of missing children and 18 cases of child marriages were reported 48 cases of pornography after sexual abuse were also recorded The victim was brought to the hospital due to her health condition, where, during a medical check-up it was discov-
ered that she was six months pregnant
An application for action was filed by the victim s family on Saturday at the City Hafizabad Police Station on which case number 1152/25 was formally registered on Sunday under Section 376 (3) (Whoever commits rape of a minor or a person with mental or physical disability shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life and fine) of the Pakistan Penal Code
The victim is a congenitally disabled child, unable to speak, hear or walk, and is also mentally immature and unconscious Her parents stated in the FIR that they belonged to a poor and illiterate family and were unable to learn about the incident due to their daughter s physical condition Investigation into the incident revealed that the suspect allegedly found
the girl alone in the Hussainabad neighbourhood six months ago and sexually assaulted her After the incident he went into hiding Hafizabad District Police Officer (DPO) Atif Nazir Kadhar has taken immediate notice of the incident and ordered the DSP City Circle to submit a report The DPO has also issued instructions for the immediate arrest of the suspect According to police officials the accused will be arrested within the next 48 hours, while the In May, police said they had arrested four suspects involved in an alleged gang rape of a mentally-challenged minor in Lahore earlier this month Also last month a madrassah teacher in Muzaffargarh district of Punjab was arrested for allegedly raping an 11-yearold student at a seminary
Israel-Iran clashes escalate as attacks, counter attack continue for third day
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Earlier this month, Trump had offered to work on the Kashmir issue after he brokered a ceasefire between the two nuclear powers following their most intense military confrontation in decades
In his social media post Trump said that Iran and Israel will have peace soon adding that there were many unspecified meetings happening and that the two countries should make a deal
“We will have PEACE soon between Israel and Iran ” Trump said Following Friday s strikes Trump urged Iran to make a deal warning that there will be more death and destruction after Israel launched the deadly strikes While speaking to ABC, Trump said “it’s
welcomed Trump’s latest statement on a possible peace between Iran and Israel and urged his US counterpart to take action immediately to prevent a disaster that could set the region on fire Meanwhile, the US virtual embassy in Tehran issued a travel advisory urging Americans to not travel to Iran under any circumstances and recommending that US nations in Iran either depart immediately or shelter in place for extended periods US citizens in Iran face serious increasing dangers due to rising regional tensions, the advisory warned The US government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran The Swiss government acting through its Embassy in Tehran serves as the protecting power for United States interests in Iran
armed forces spokesperson said TRUMP VETOED ISRAELI PLAN
We had a long talk about it,” Trump told ABC Later on Sunday Iranian media reported explosions in the northeastern city of Mashhad Two locations in Mashhad suffered explosions and fires Fars news agency reported, adding that air defences were activated in the area The Tasnim news agency said that blasts were heard near the city’s Shahid Hasheminejad Airport
“No damage has been reported to the airport buildings or runway it added Mashhad is home to the Imam Reza shrine, the holiest site in Iran for Shia Muslims Israel s military said its air force struck Mashhad airport It added it was “the longestrange strike conducted since the beginning” of its attack on Iran which began on Friday Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Trump in a phone call today that Ankara was ready to act as a facilitator to resolve the nuclear dispute which led to the conflict breaking out In a statement from his office, Erdogan
The embassy informed that American nationals can cross into Armenia by land through the Agarak border crossing, which is open It added that according to the Turkish government border crossings at Gurbulak Kapikoy and Esendere are open but noted that the Iranian government may restrict movement by non-Turkish nationals The advisory added that Azerbaijan s land borders remain closed, but US nationals may be able to enter via the Astara border crossing on June 15 with special authorisation US citizens need approval from the Government of Azerbaijan before going to the border US Embassy Baku must facilitate this, it read US citizens that plan to request entry into Azerbaijan should send personal details (name, date of birth, passport information) and a photograph of their passport biodata page to the US Embassy Baku American Citizens Services Unit at BakuACS@state gov Meanwhile, Iran s armed forces told residents of Israel to leave the vicinity of vital areas” for their safety, in a video statement broadcast by state TV on Sunday evening around
regime change in Iran could be a result of Israel’s military attacks Netanyahu said that Iran would pay a very heavy price for the premeditated murder of civilians, women and children during a visit to the site of a missile strike on a residential building in the coastal city of Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv Earlier today the Israeli army called on citizens to take shelter after detecting new missile launches from Iran toward Israel However, Israel soon eased the air raid warn-
ing and said citizens could “leave protected spaces in all areas across the country ” Two missile-like projectiles hit two locations in central Tehran leading to explosions the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday, saying the blast occurred near the central Valiasr Square Iranian media said an Israeli strike hit the Tehran police headquarters in the city centre The Greater Tehran Police Command was hit by one of the enemy s drones ISNA news agency reported citing a police statement It added that the attack caused minor damage and injured a number of police personnel President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran’s responses to Israeli attacks will be “more decisive and severe if Israel s hostile actions continue according to state media Pezeshkian added that Iran s military has so far responded strongly and appropriately The Iranian president also urged Iraq to block Israel from using its airspace and territory to launch attacks on the Islamic republic We emphasise that the Iraqi government must exercise greater vigilance and protection of its borders and airspace so that Iraqi territory is not misused against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Pezeshkian said in a call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani according to the Iranian presidency website Earlier today Tehran said Israel wanted to drag the conflict to the Persian Gulf after the latter attacked the world s largest gas field that Iran shares with Qatar, igniting another round of deadly tit-for-tat missile barrages A day after Israel wiped out the top echelon of Iran’s military command it hit Iran’s oil and gas industry for the first time Iran then partially suspended gas production at the South Pars gas field, which it shares with Qatar According to an Israeli government statement, at least 13 people have been killed and 380 hurt in Iran’s attacks on Israel, with children among those killed Al Jazeera reported Of those wounded nine are in serious condition while the rest have minor or moderate injuries The statement also said
COMMENT
TH E Senate Finance Committee, while considering the taxation proposals included in the 2025-2026 Budget presented last week, has identified the proposal to allow tax commissioners to send notices of money laundering to individual taxpayers, and to arrest them, as one that should be dropped The proposal does not really grant the Central Board of Revenue new powers, but merely moves the power down to individual regional commissioners of various taxes, instead of requiring the CBT Chairman to make the finding Apparently a move at decentralisation, and one which would cause smoother working for the CBR, the Senate panel noted that it could be weaponised and used against political opponents, not to mention the harmful effect it would have on the economic atmosphere It is clear that the Committee is only expressing the sentiments of the business community It should not be forgotten that the various taxation statutes already provide the taxation officials quite draconian powers and the fear of the Committee that the new powers would be used against the government s political opponents seems justified
It is not as if such powers even unenhanced have not been used before The episode of how the then government used income tax notices in an attempt to bring Mr Justice Qazi Faez Isa to heel must not be forgotten Earliers the National Accountability Bureau had initially been mandated to take cognisance of tax cases This was ultimately withdrawn after an outcry by the business community The government must tread a careful line between preventing concealment and enhancing tax revenue However it should recognize that giving taxmen such a major weapon might boomerang as dishonest taxmen used it to generate income for themselves rather than enhancing state revenues The government should not neglect the interests of the business community while at the same time recognizing its members’ almost pathological desire to avoid taxes by concealment evasion or avoidance by any means possible There is supposed to be complete malleability in the taxation proposals so there is no harm in drooping this one At one level it is not really a taxation proposal for no value can be placed on it except perhaps a guesstimate Withdrawing it will also go a long way to reassuring the business community without engaging which the government cannot achieve its objectives
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Tand wrong
H E answer the International Monetary Fund s (IMF s) Extended Fund Facility (EFF), and the government found to not take on procurement of essential crops, so as to take the government out of the business of supporting farmers so that prices reached are more efficient and greater competition allows for enhanced productivity gains Hence a supposedly simple solution is the wrong one, not because it is not always possible to have a straightforward solution to a complex problem, which is reaching better price recovery in agricultural markets; in this particular case, the problem of complexity is not being recognized The problem is very inefficient functioning of markets on the back of poor market creation by the government over the years which means that the market does not appropriately reflect demand and supply signals in the prices that are reached Instead, ‘collusive behaviour ’ of the buyers in the wholesale market which also internalizes in general a handsome profit for the middlemen or arthis that buy produce from the farmers exploiting them by reducing their profit to as little as possible given their bargaining power that is derived from the situation on ground in general, and which is that most of which do not have the financial means or the availability of needed extent of transport to take their produce themselves Rather than addressing these issues that leave the market highly dysfunctional and where the actual producer and then the end-consumer get highly suboptimal prices– where the latter gets much higher prices because its price includes the wrong profits of exploitative ‘middle men’, and collusive sellers in wholesale market not to mention poor price recovery at the level of retail market as well at the back of weak regulation of government– a straightforward answer is preferred ignorance by government of these issues afflicting the pricing mechanism, and to leave the farmer, and end-consumer to the exploitation of these actors, and all of this done in an at-best naïve thinking that markets left on their own will find a way to efficient pricing! This is the result of one-dress-fits-all kind of thinking where the dress is Neoliberalism and the idea of a market is being used for is some utopian thinking of a well-functioning market, under a strong economic institutional, and regulatory environment Having said that, even in most developed countries the misgivings of the last four decades of neoliberal assault have seen increased income in-
Neoliberalism, austerit
and Federal Budget
equality at the back of lack of capacity of both realand financial markets to deliver appropriately good levels of price recovery
This is done under an environment of good market creation one that sees an active role of government, especially in terms of putting in place strong governance, and incentive structures; where negative incentive structures include regulation, taxes, and price controls for instance and positive ones include subsidies and if not a support price then provision of indicative prices especially for goods and services that are strategically important like major crops for food security, and important relevance for exports
For instance, China introduced dual-track pricing mechanism, where commodities that were strategically important for domestic consumers, intermediaries for strategically important industry and for main exports and which were also in scarce quantity at the same time had their prices fixed through the application of price controls and provision of even a subsidy if needed be At the same time, commodities, which were in excess supply, and also less important, were left to greater control of markets which is not to say that even those markets were not well regulated so that improved level of price recovery can be achieved
Another simple solution to an otherwise complex problem of reaching a sustained level of macroeconomic stabilization is adopting an over-board austerity policy, to curtail aggregate demand primarily, as a bread-and-butter policy prescription of the neoliberal-minded multilateral institutions like IMF and rampant Chicago boys styled domestic policy makers while what is needed is a policy approach that at least equally focuses
Rejecting TTP’s distor tion of jihad
dict themselves in their arguments Their claimed support for Shariah goes together with their cooperation with hostile intelligence agencies like India’s Research and Analysis Wing which openly opposes Pakistan While Islam strongly advises Muslims against such alliances Mufti Noor Wali at the head of the TTP turns a blind eye to this main point Rather than supporting Islam, the organization helps those who have unfriendly feelings toward Muslims to destabilize Pakistan This deliberate rewriting of Islamic beliefs can not only be misleading; it also becomes spiritually risky Twisting quotes from the Quran and Sunnah the TTP leaders confuse young people and use religion to start a feud that has no place in Islamic text The real jihad they claim is actually fitna, meaning a misguided uprising leading to death, dangers and discouragement in Muslim societies Proper devotion to Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) is shown by supporting justice mercy and peace not by attacking people who follow Islam Those who carry out killings in the name of Islam but break the core values of Islam were strongly opposed by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) We must now admit that Mufti Noor Wali and the TTP
the nation and its Islamic
Linguistic limbo
not
the government It is important for scholars imams and community leaders to publicly expose the rhetoric of those who abuse Islam and help reclaim its true message All in all, the optimistic statement from Commander Saeedullah
globe If the commanders truly think that taking action against Pakistan is against the Supreme Leader ’s guidance, rogue actors who act differently should be held liable regardless of their motivations A person cannot only obey the Amir when it is helpful Ensuring the ban is carried out checks the Taliban s inner order marks their legitimacy and indicates whether they want friendly relations with Pakistan Sadly, what is happening on the ground keeps revealing discrepancies Being outlawed by Pakistan and several international organizations the TTP is granted safety and freedom to act from Afghanistan In spite of past links between the Afghan Taliban and the TTP, it is important to separate them now If those groups are allowed to remain in Afghanistan, the government will be helping to sabotage its own authority
It is also obvious that TTP leaders contra-
shift represents a departure from traditional Pakistani communication values that emphasised respectful, formal language as a reflection of good upbringing and moral character
The primary drivers of this linguistic transformation include heavy exposure to uncensored international media content through streaming platforms and social media where profanity is normalised and often used for emphasis or humour Unlike traditional Pakistani media with stricter language standards global digital content exposes youth to unrestricted linguistic patterns that they subsequently adopt in their daily interactions Digital communication platforms have created informal linguistic environments where abbreviated speech, slang and cuss words have become commonplace Pakistani youth spending extensive time across these online spaces absorb these patterns and carry them into face-to-face conversations blurring the boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate language use
The phenomenon is most pronounced in urban centres like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad where Western cultural influences are the strongest However, it is gradually spreading to smaller cities and towns as internet access expands Among certain youth circles using profanity has become associated with being modern , confident and ‘socially accepted’ creating a lot of peer pressure to adopt such language patterns Educational institutions report increasing difficulty in maintaining formal communication standards, with students struggling to code-switch between casual and academic language
Teachers note that many young people use the same informal, profanity-laden speech in classrooms as they do with friends showing diminished awareness of contextual appropriateness The worst part is that it is considered something that makes them ‘different’ and ‘cool’ compared to the older generation This is actually not cool at all
This linguistic shift has created significant intergenerational communication gaps Parents, teachers and elder family members often feel alienated by young people’s communication styles, which they perceive as disrespectful or inappropriate The traditional respect accorded to formal communication in Pakistani culture is being challenged by these changing patterns
The consequences extend beyond social interactions into professional environments where employers express concerns about young employees inability to maintain appropriate workplace communication standards This can limit career advancement opportunities and create workplace tensions The degradation also raises questions about cultural identity preservation, as language has traditionally been a crucial component of Pakistani heritage The incorporation of excessive profanity challenges the linguistic traditions that have helped define Pakistani cultural values While some view these changes as natural linguistic evolution
From tariffs to talks: Washington and Beijing reset - for now
longer game From its support for a multilat-
London framework is conditional, tentative, and, crucially, subject to “final approval” by both President Trump and President Xi Jinping That qualifier alone renders the euphoria premature Still to be charitable the very fact that Washington and Beijing are speaking the language of dialogue rather than confrontation is an encouraging sign Following a phone call between the two leaders earlier this month, there appears to be a renewed willingness albeit under duress to keep diplomacy afloat For a world economy battered by uncertainty this resumption of talks is if nothing else a stabilizing force Yet, Trump s boastful framing- that the USA walks away with a 55 percent tariff shield while China gets 10 percent- betrays a zero-sum worldview that continues to inform his trade doctrine The truth however is far less tidy Tariffs have proved to be a double-edged sword inflicting damage on US consumers industries and allies as much as they have squeezed Chinese exports The World Bank’s recent downward revision of global growth forecasts points to tariffs and unpredictability as “significant headwinds ” underlining the global costs of such brinkmanship Beijing for its part has projected a more measured tone Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, in remarks following the London consultations, emphasized mutual benefit, calling on the USA to “honour their words with actions ” The Chinese side welcomed the principled consensus as a foundation for predictability and stability in bilateral economic relations While Beijing s rhetoric may be couched in diplomatic platitudes, it signals a strategic patience that stands in stark contrast to Trump’s performative dealmaking Indeed despite facing considerable pressure both domestically and internationally China has remained consistent in its emphasis on dialogue, reciprocity, and multilateralism It is no secret that Beijing is playing a
This development not only helps stabiliz e U S -China relations but also injects much-needed momentum into the global economy It ser ves as a reminder that even amid intensifying g eopolitical rivalr y, there is still spaceindeed, an urg ent need - for pragmatic cooperation
eral trading system to its efforts in promoting South-South cooperation, China has positioned itself as a steady hand amid a turbulent global order In this light the reestablishment of a USChina economic and trade consultation mechanism should be viewed as more than a temporary fix It offers a framework through which recurring disputes can be ironed out, interests aligned, and trust slowly rebuilt Importantly it provides a venue for strategic communication -something sorely missing during the height of tariff wars in 2018–2019
However, for this framework to bear fruit, both sides must resist the urge to revert to maximalist posturing The USA must accept that unilateralism- whether in tariffs or technology controls- cannot substitute for a sustainable policy Likewise China must be prepared to meet the USA halfway especially on issues of market access intellectual property, and transparency
The elephant in the room, of course, is the technological cold war that continues to simmer beneath the surface While rare earths and tariff percentages dominate headlines it is the battle over semiconductors and AI supremacy that threatens to define the next phase of US-China relations Washington s decision to maintain restrictions on high-end AI chips- particularly those from Nvidia- while easing others reveals both the complexity and the stakes involved Beijing not surprisingly has responded with innovation The resurgence of Huawei once a poster child of US sanctions stands as testament to China s determination to chart its own technological path As Huawei’s founder Ren Zhenfei put it bluntly this week China may still be a step behind but it is catching up- by stacking and clustering if necessary
i t s
r e s t r i c t i o n s o n t h e ex p o r t o f r a r e e a r t h s - m a t e r i a l s
c r i t i c a l t o t h e g l
In the short term these dynamics will continue to fuel friction But in the long term, they offer a compelling reason for structured cooperation For neither side can afford the costs of sustained decoupling The global economy- still reeling from inflationary shocks supply chain disruptions and climate-induced volatility- desperately needs the world s two largest economies to find common ground To that end, the inclusion of Chinese students in American universities, affirmed in this deal is more than a diplomatic gesture It is a recognition that people-to-people ties remain a cornerstone of bilateral engagement Academic exchanges research collaboration and cross-cultural education build bridges that tariffs and bans cannot destroy They
Israel doesn’t go rogue – it goes with Pentagon’s green light
the seeds of mutual understanding in a landscape too often scorched by suspicion The road ahead remains bumpy
has witnessed commit horrific crimes none has been get-
US, of course
Indeed, as the Israeli dissident and genocide expert Raz Segal has recently explained the sense that they are above the law is a key factor in how so many Israelis function – and often enjoy themselves – as merciless mass murderers
That s why the real question, the one that is relevant in the world as it really is, is why Israel can do what it is doing And there the short one-word answer is of course: America Other states of the West (as well as the EU monster association) and the Middle East are also complicit in Israel s atrocities But in terms of power, it is Washington that is decisive Israel can commit its endless crimes and never face consequences only because of US support
Just try to imagine a state as territorially and demographically tiny and geopolitically precarious as Israel displaying so much aggression but without American backing Exactly – there s nothing to imagine because it would long be gone
Yet in the case of Israel’s latest outrage Washington is claiming that it did not participate in it sort of Secretary of State Marco Rubio wants us to believe that Israel s assault was unilateral and the US was not involved Is there anyone left naïve enough to not understand two simple facts? Namely, Washington lies easily and without hesitation and the US-Israel symbiosis is so firm and pervasive that an Israeli strike against Iran especially of this magnitude without American connivance and input is inconceivable
But let’s set aside the obvious big fat lie That’s just the US being its bad old US self What’s more interesting is that even on its own mendacious terms the official American position simply makes no sense Washington implausibly claims that it played no role in Israel s criminal attack on Iran US mainstream media and establishment mouthpieces, such as Bloomberg and the Washington Post go so far as to pretend that President Donald Trump s officially still ongoing negotiations with Iran may have been disturbed by Israel s oh-so-independent strike They still uncritically
quote Trump as voicing opposition to an Israeli attack as recently as the day just before the Israeli assault For Bloomberg that means that Israel struck in apparent defiance of Trump Really? The old the-leader-didn tknow defense? That’s funny because by now Trump himself has admitted that he knew about the attack perversely blamed Iran and not Israel and called on Tehran to – in essence – surrender before Israel hits it so hard that nothing would be left of Iran And all this while Israel has already threatened another two weeks of “operations” or even more, namely as long “as it takes ” Trump consequently has not only sided unambiguously with the aggressor Israel but has also signaled that he is fine with his Israeli friends battering Iran as long as they like, including to the point of extermination That is, Washington’s absurdly incredible official story is first Israel massively defied America’s declared policy; second the US does not really mind; and third quite to the contrary Washington just loves being made a fool of in front of the world, as long as it s done by Israel It loves it so much, in fact, that the American response is to immediately side with Israel without limits writing out a blank check for its defiant friends to do whatever they want because as Trump has assured those who have just apparently defied him, not only can they hammer away at Iran to their heart s content, but in addition, the US will also always defend them against Iran in case the latter should try to strike back Even Washington s lies are revealing In this case the lie of not being involved casts a sharp light on just how uninhibited the US elite is by now in publicly subordinating everything, including of course
IN its airstrikes across Iran Israel reportedly killed senior military leaders as well as prominent figures in the country s nuclear program It also appears that Israel further degraded Iranian air defenses, struck additional military targets, and attacked at least one nuclear-related installation – and possibly more
Despite Israel s claim that it was acting preemptively the attacks constitute a classic preventive action, mounted against a gathering threat, rather than an imminent danger The difference has legal and diplomatic implications, as preventive military attacks tend to be far more controversial falling under the heading of wars of choice
Preemptive attacks are seen as a form of self-defense and tend to be accepted as necessary
These are likely to be distinctions without meaningful differences for Israel, which has carried out such strikes (though more limited) against nascent Iraqi and Syrian nuclear programs in the past Moreover acting against Iran plays well domestically: It is one of the few issues that most Israelis – deeply divided over the war in Gaza, the role of the courts in their democracy, and the country s secular-religious balance – can agree on
Why Israel chose to conduct this operation now has yet to be satisfactorily explained According to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu In recent months Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before steps to weaponize [its] enriched uranium But it will be important to see if the Israeli government had new intelligence or developed a new assessment of Iranian capabilities and intentions
We know from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran was actively producing highly enriched uranium and had not been forthcoming about its nuclear-related activities In recent weeks, however, US intelligence officials confirmed their assessment was that Iran had not yet decided to produce a nuclear weapon
According to reports largely based on statements from Israeli officials the United States knew about the intended attack in advance and did not attempt to
iMRaN KhaLid
Stepping back from the precipice
to the parade Trump sent a warning to Washington s adversaries of total and complete defeat, with the United States increasingly at risk of getting tangled up in Israel’s conflict with Iran “Time and again America’s enemies have learned that if you threaten the American people our soldiers are coming for you Trump said ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ Trump had openly dreamed since his
first term as president of having a grand military parade of the type more often seen in Moscow or Pyongyang than Washington The last such parade in the United States was at the end of the 1991 Gulf War When it came, Trump stood and saluted on a stage outside the White House as tanks rumbled past, aircraft roared overhead, and nearly 7 000 troops marched past Troops and military hardware from different eras of US history passed by with an announcer reeling off victories in battles with Japanese,
Trump, Putin c all for end to war as MBS condemns Israeli attack on Iran
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made telephonic contact with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and stressed that force should not be used to resolve disputes During the call the Crown Prince strongly condemned any harm to Iran s sovereignty and security emphasizing that regional stability could only be ensured through diplomatic means Saudi Crown Prince said that Israeli attacks violated international law and affected talks on Iran’s nuclear program Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran and Saudi Arabia will work together for peace in the region Meanwhile, in a significant geopolitical development, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin also held a one-hour telephonic conversation agreeing that the ongoing Iran-Israel war must come to an end Following the call President Trump said, Putin and I are in agreement that this war between Israel and Iran should be stopped ” Trump revealed that President Putin had initially called to extend birthday greetings but the conversation quickly shifted to critical issues We spoke at length primarily about Iran a country
‘Iran, Israel will make a deal’, Tr ump promises peace ‘soon’
WASHINGTON DC AG E N C I E S
Iran and Israel will have peace “soon,”
US President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Sunday adding that there were many unspecified meetings happening and that the two countries should make a deal Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other overnight into Sunday killing scores “Iran and Israel should make a deal and will make a deal Trump said on Truth Social adding that we will have PEACE soon Trump did not offer any details about the meetings or evidence of progress toward peace His assertion contradicted comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who said on Saturday that Israel s campaign against Iran would intensify A White House spokeswoman did not mmediately respond to a request for comment on how Trump and the White House were working to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East Trump who portrays himself as a peacemaker and has drawn criticism from his political base for not being able to prevent the Israel-Iran conflict cited other disputes that he took responsibility for solving, including between India and Pakistan, and lamented not getting more praise for doing so “I
he knows very well,” Trump noted He added that less time was spent discussing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis but confirmed that negotiations regarding that conflict would resume next week President Trump also disclosed that a
A s the Cur tain Falls
FAATEH NASIR
History has often witnessed the hapless efforts of greater powers to subdue states perceived as lesser powers to establish regional hegemony During this tussle, the lines of morality and transparency become blurred to the point of disappearance The manufacturing of casus belli for war turn out to be no more than dreams of jingoism and destruction of objective reasoning Until Bunyanm Mursoos the state appeared to be on the path of isolationism due to deteriorating diplomatic relations with its neighbours and benefactors This ailment was exacerbated by the plague of terrorismsponsored and homegrown Much to the apparent indifference of the government of Pakistan its people stared at an abyss of hopelessness and demoralisation While loud promises of recovery and prosperity were met with soft to little applause the polity had grown weary of the economic burden placed by the mismanagement of resources and an increased tax burden to meet the fiscal needs of the state exchequer
The ‘four-day war ’ induced a state of euphoria and optimism through a classic David and Goliath scenario which ended in a humiliating retreat on the Indian side with its war cabinet effectively discredited It appears that for all its projection of power and hubris on account of economic progression, the Indian state forgot to factor in the resilience and determination of the people and armed forces of Pakistan
The uncompromising stance of this glorious Indus civilisation was perfectly encapsulated in a famous interview of President Ziaul Haq with John McLaughlin President Zia was questioned on the nuclear capability of Pakistan and his response left the interviewer and the west frazzled: freedom has no price we love our freedom and we love our autonomy ” Of particular note is the measured and composed response of the Pakistani armed forces which did not allow escalation but rather delivered a decisive strike by painting the sky green Although the downing of the Rafale jets sent shockwaves throughout the world,
large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine was already underway as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts
According to foreign media French President Emmanuel Macron contacted Iranian President Masoud Peshmerga
the performance of the Pakistani Airforce achieved a monumental feat by shattering the illusion of a hegemonic India an indivisible India a greater India or as those across the border dream of calling it
Akhand
brokered through the mediation of the
American counterparts: from neutrality to
kering of a ceasefire This episode ended with a celebratory promotion of the now decorated Field Marshal Asim Munir one of two people to attain this prestigious rank in the country s history Critics deem this affair as an affirmation of a purported cessation of civilian supremacy yet those standing in defiance of
The diplomatic interlude to this ordeal has proved to be relatively successful The flurry of engagements with heads of states in the Caucasus region has delivered a resounding blow in the face of silence from purported allies of India Particularly important was the meeting between Premier Sharif and President Putin which displaced the trust that the Indian government had placed in their historical allies One may suspect that the failure to defend the S-400 missile system or rumours surrounding its destruction on 10th May may have irritated Moscow India finds itself surrounded by countries which are not willing to submit to its claims of regional supremacy as connoted by the unsurprising shift in Bangladesh’s diplomatic stance Crystallisation of a tasteful celebration occurred in the flocking of state officials and diplomats towards the
over the phone and discussed the situation arising from the war The French president urged Iran to resume nuclear talks IRAN CANCELS PLANNED NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS WITH US Iran cancelled its planned nuclear negotiations with the United States, which were scheduled to take place in Muscat, declaring that dialogue with a country allegedly supporting attacks on Iranian territory is meaningless
The announcement came shortly before former US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran on Sunday, stating, If we are attacked in any way, shape, or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before Trump also claimed that the United States had no role in the Israeli airstrikes that recently hit Iran s nuclear and intelligence facilities
Trump concluded by saying that a peaceful resolution is still possible: “We can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel and end this bloody conflict! Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasised that an attack on Iran would not be possible without Washington’s backing, and therefore any negotiations with the “main supporter of the aggressor were now futile
charming delegation of Mr Bhutto-Zardari that has earned admiration of domestic and international spectators To the contrary, one almost feels sorry for the beleaguered Mr Tharoor who has to appease the very powers he often criticizes More shocking is the apparent denial of audience to the oft-menacing S Jaishankar whose swift retorts (pun intended) are the subject of frequent discussion in diplomatic corridors Wars (especially successful ones) uplift the public mood and reduce polarisation in the name of collective unity However in the aftermath lays the key to ensured political survival Analysts have scrambled to deliver an ambivalent message with some viewing the federal budget (2025-2026) as partial capitulation to the IMF mandate and some viewing it as a cautious yet progressive package Although the time was ripe for the government to propose sweeping measures to increase its tax base, the continued protection afforded to the real estate and informal trading sector has resulted in a persisting budgetary deficit
Certainly positive measures are being taken by Premier Sharif to promote business activity through the revision of import duties and a reduction in development expenditure Urgent measures are still required to address the growing deficit in development of human capital; whereby educated and skilled Pakistanis are able to contribute to formal services and manufacturing industries
While the government is actively pursuing an aggressive strategy to attract investment from various companies in the crypto-currency sector to invest in Pakistan, these ideas may be moot in the face of discouraging corporate taxes which have already resulted in the departure of many foreign businesses operating within the jurisdiction of Pakistan In the spirit of ending this episode on a positive note the curtain fall should be followed by a gratuitous appreciation of the patience and support exhibited by the people of Pakistan through dialogue and engagement to address legitimate concerns – political and economic
The writer graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a degree in law (LLB Hons)
Prior to undertaking his further education he received his secondary and high school education from
CORPORATE CORNER
Ps ta f f r e p o r t
UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday announced a landmark initiative to provide free higher education at COMSATS University to the children of registered industrial and mines workers across the province
According to the official statement, the Punjab Workers Welfare Fund (PWWF) has begun accepting applications following the chief minister ’s directive
Eligible children will be granted admission at seven COMSATS University campuses, including Islamabad, Lahore, Abbottabad, Wah Cantt, Attock, Sahiwal,
and Vehari The Government of Punjab will bear the full cost of tuition fees Special provisions have also been made for the children of disabled and deceased workers, ensuring their inclusion in the program Application deadlines vary by campus, with the earliest closing on July 9 (Islamabad campus) 17 July (Lahore campus) 4 August (Wah Cantt and Abbotabad campus) 11 August (Attock campus) and the latest on August 15 (Sahiwal campus) Applicants must submit a complete form along with the worker ’s CNIC, registration certificate, the student’s CNIC or B-form and either a social security card or EOBI proof Applications will be processed online via the COMSATS admissions portal
CM reaffirmed her commitment to labor welfare stating Workers are the pride of our province We are opening the gates of the best educational institutions for their children No child in Punjab regardless of their back-
DIG Raza reviews security measures at diplomatic enclave
BISP launches new retail-based payment model from today
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is set to launch its new retail-based payment model from Monday (today) to protect the beneficiaries from severe heat wave conditions marking a major shift from the traditional campsite-based disbursement mechanism This transition aims to ensure safer, more dignified, and accessible payment services for beneficiaries, especially in light of the ongoing heatwave across several regions In preparation for the disbursement of the Quarter 4 tranche Additional Secretary BISP Dr Tahir Noor visited District Khanewal today The purpose of the visit was to assess field readiness review arrangements, and engage with district teams and representatives of partner banks to ensure seamless execution of the new payment system Dr Tahir Noor underscored that the retail model is being introduced to provide beneficiaries with an improved experience through convenient access points biometric verification, and a more transparent process that includes printed receipts
CDA chairman underscores water conser vation as collective responsibilit y
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), Muhammad Ali Randhawa, emphasized the critical need for water conservation, calling it a “great blessing from Allah Almighty (SWT)” that must be preserved through collective efforts Presiding over a high-level meeting attended by CDA board members and senior officers, Randhawa underscored that every drop of water counts and urged citizens, institutions, and stakeholders to take proactive steps in conserving this vital resource The Chairman highlighted the establishment of the Islamabad Water Agency which is being equipped with modern technology expert manpower and efficient governance to address the capital s water challenges He reaffirmed CDA s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to clean water for all residents Randhawa urged citizens to adopt watersaving practices including repearing leaks promptly using water-efficient appliances adopting mindful consumption habits
FRIA urges budget revision to address industrial, economic challenges
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
Chairman of the Ferozepur Road Industrial Association (FRIA) Lahore Shahbaz Aslam has expressed serious concern over the Federal Budget 2025–26 stating that the proposed fiscal plan does not adequately support Pakistan s struggling industrial and economic landscape While acknowledging a few positive elements such as the push for digitalisation and documentation of the economy, he maintained that the overall framework lacks direction depth and tangible relief for the productive sectors of the country In a statement issued on Saturday Shahbaz Aslam remarked that the budget does not offer the kind of structural support urgently needed to revive the industrial base, which has been battling high input costs, energy
Speaker declines opposition leader’s call for parliamentar y committee on CEC nomination
p
R t An attempt to solemnise the marriage of a 13-yearold girl in Hijrat Colony was foiled on Friday after a joint operation by local police and the Women and Child Protection Cell According to a police spokesperson, the raid was carried out after the Women and Child Protection Cell received credible information regarding the planned child marriage The cell immediately alerted District South SSP Mehtor Ali who directed the Civil Lines police to take action A police team rushed to the address and found that preparations were underway for the underage girl’s wedding Officials intervened just in time stopping the ceremony before it could take place Police asked the family to produce official documentation to verify the girl s age which confirmed that she was only 13-year old Acting on the minor s statement and other available evidence, police arrested the girl s parents and several others allegedly involved in organising the marriage A case has been registered at the Civil Lines police station under Sections 3 and 5 of the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013 and Section 511 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) which pertains to attempts to commit an offence Police in Peshawar the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, thwarted an attempt by a 72-year-old man to marry a 13-year-old girl According to police sources, in the Tangi area of Peshawar, the elderly man identified as Habib Jan from Armar tried to marry the young girl in exchange for Rs500 000 which he agreed to pay to her father Police arrested the 72-year-old groom but the girl s father managed to escape A case has been registered under the Child Marriage Restraint Act against both the accused and the girl s father The nikah registrar has also been arrested
Sh Waqas
criticizes regime’s governance, warns of economic collapse
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information
Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram has strongly condemned the current regime, accusing it of incompetence and poor governance In a statement issued on Sunday he highlighted the worsening economic conditions of ordinary Pakistanis stating that the country is now trapped in a severe debt crisis
Waqas emphasized that while the government claims to have saved the country from bankruptcy, it has actually pushed Pakistan into an even deeper debt trap He pointed out that a person earning Rs 50 000 in March 2022 now has the purchasing power of just Rs 20 833 with similar declines for higherincome earners He also noted that over 18 million people are officially unemployed, with the unemployment rate reaching an unprecedented 22% The PTI official criticized the governments under the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) for pre-
siding over one of the most difficult periods in Pakistan’s history He warned that rising oil prices would worsen the current account and trade deficits further depreciate the rupee and increase interest payments effectively sinking the country s budget Waqas also dismissed the government s claims of moving beyond the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, pointing out that both the IMF and World Bank’s May 2025 reports indicate that Pakistan’s economy is shrinking unemployment is rising and economic growth is virtually nonexistent He stressed that Pakistan s survival depends on continued IMF support without which the country faces collapse He further criticized the government s failure to bring in meaningful investment, pointing to the SIFC’s disappointing results, including a mere $1 billion investment from Barrick Gold Waqas concluded by stating that the country could only overcome its hardships by releasing PTI Patronin-Chief Imran Khan holding free and fair elections strengthening the judiciary, ensuring freedom of speech, and restoring democracy according to the Constitution of Pakistan
reroute
KARACHI