25-6-18 ISB by Pakistan Today

finance MiniSTer

In a formal letter to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has called to take immediate action in response to what it has described as alarming and deep-rooted financial mismanagement” at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) According to a report by The News the appeal follows the release of an audit report by the Director General of Audit Sindh, which uncovered financial irregularities of nearly Rs40 billion during the fiscal year 2023-24 TIP referenced the Annual Audit and Inspection Report which identified 42 irregularities at NICVD a prominent public-sector healthcare institution offering free cardiac treatment across Sindh

Among the major issues highlighted were improper recruitment

processes unauthorised salary disbursements, procurement violations, and weak financial controls

The report revealed that NICVD appointed several senior officials without adhering to merit-based procedures These appointments included positions such as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Head of Human Resources with salaries in some cases exceeding Rs8 million annually far higher than public sector pay scales These salary irregularities alone amounted to Rs170 million

The audit also flagged excessive spending on staff mess and hospitality totaling over Rs10 million which was reportedly not subject to competitive bidding or proper approval

Procurement violations were also noted with contracts being awarded without following the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) guidelines Additionally the report pointed out large cash withdrawals

made without proper documentation suggesting potential misuse of public funds

The audit found that NICVD lacked adequate internal financial controls which left the institution vulnerable to corruption fraud and inefficiency It also revealed that the NICVD management failed to provide essential records, including data on surgeries performed, donations received, and funds related to the NICVD Welfare Trust despite repeated requests from auditors However a spokesman for NICVD said that the audit observations issued by the Auditor General of Pakistan were preliminary remarks and that relevant institutions, including NICVD, were required to submit explanations He clarified that the audit’s findings do not necessarily imply misconduct or corruption and cautioned against drawing premature conclusions

ECC approves amendments to allow re- expor t of defense related vehicles, helicopters by State- owned entities

prepare

locally-

Shahpar unmanned aerial vehicle for display as a PAC JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft jointly developed by China and Pakistan, is seen in background at right during preparations for the International Defence Exhibition and seminar (IDEAS) in Karachi on November 29 2014 Some 333 exhibitors including 77 Pakistani firms will be exhibiting their products during the defence exhibition AFP PHOTO/Rizwan TABASSUM The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved amendments to the Import Policy Order (IPO) 2022 permitting the import and subsequent re-export of defense-related vehicles, helicopters, and assemblies by State-owned defense entities and their wholly-owned com-

mercial subsidiaries Business Recorder reported, citing sources

The Ministry of Commerce briefed the ECC during its last meeting, stating that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) had requested changes to the IPO to enhance the export potential of the defense sector

The request followed meetings with companies like M/s Aero Solutions and M/s Margalla Heavy Industries Ltd which were supported by various ministries including Commerce Defense and Industries with the goal of boosting defense exports

To determine the Input-Output Ratios (IORS) for defense-related technologies under the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS), the ECC agreed to waive the standard IORS determination through the Engineering Development Board (EDB) citing the sensitive nature of defense exports Instead IORS for these projects will be decided by a committee formed by the Ministry of Defense Production (MoDP) The relevant amendment in customs rules is already in progress

The Ministry of Commerce also emphasised that the import of defenserelated items would be allowed solely for re-export purposes Additionally, state-owned defense entities and their commercial subsidiaries must register under the FBR’s Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS), 2021 to benefit from customs duty exemptions These amendments were proposed by SIFC and were reviewed in line with the IPO 2022 provisions

IMF initially planned to scrap all exemptions by 2027, FBR chairman confirms a negotiated ex tension, with tax holidays for existing SEZs set to end by 2035

and Mohmand Dams aiming to address water security concerns amid tensions with India, The Express Tribune reported The government s decision follows the reluctance of most provincial governments to finance the early completion of these critical water projects, despite repeated promises from Islamabad As a result the central government is seeking an additional Rs77 billion to meet the financial gap for the two dams which have been delayed due to insufficient funding The Diamer-Bhasha Dam, estimated at Rs480 billion, and the Mohmand Dam, initially pegged at Rs310 billion, are crucial for Pakistan’s long-term water storage needs However with a projected Rs540 billion still required to complete these projects Pakistan is struggling to meet the necessary financial targets According to the news report the government s proposed 1% cess would apply to all locally produced taxable goods, with exceptions for essential items such as electrical energy and medicines

However the move is subject to approval by the Parliament and the IMF While the IMF has expressed concern over the additional burden on citizens it has recommended using the existing Rs1 trillion Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for funding, rather than imposing new taxes The carbon levy and petroleum tax remain part of the strategy to fund these dams but the government has been warned about the long-term financial sustainability of such measures Meanwhile efforts to recover funds from the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC), which has been largely uncollected, remain slow despite government intervention Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has engaged provincial governments in discussions to share the financial load of the projects but except for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces have expressed reluctance to contribute With a growing financial gap, Pakistan is facing challenges in advancing its infrastructure projects while managing fiscal deficits The government has set a deadline of 2030 for the completion of the two dams, which will provide an additional 7 million acre-feet of water storage capacity However delays in funding and

H o w t o d i s e n t a n g l e

Th e U S A i s h a rd l y b e i n

PE R H A P S the biggest obstacle to the war between Israel and Iran is the loudmouthed declarations of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose language and concepts more resemble those of a street urchin who is chronically a truant from school, rather than the head of government of a belligerent nation He has gone public with the claim that the war would end if Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed In the face of this claim Mr Metanyahu’s main sponsor the USA which poses as a peacemaker in the region has a weird and wonderful take: President Donald Trump has said that Iran has passed up a wonderful opportunity, in not continuing the recent nuclear talks with the USA Behind closed doors, Mr Trump is said to have vetoed the Israeli proposal to have eliminated Ayatollah Khamenei in the initial strike, but Mr Netanyahu’s statement shows that the idea is one dear to his heart

Did Mr Trump seriously expect Iran to continue its talks with the USA with such a threat on the table? Both Mr Trump and Israel should remember that the current conflict has not led to a decisive engagement which would convince one of its ability to defeat the other, and the other side of its inability to win The recent example of the Pak-India clash is an object lesson: India went running to the USA for a ceasefire because it had suffered massive losses during its Operation Sindoor and during Pakistan’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos Pakistan agreed because apart from not having started the conflict it had taken the measure of its opponent, and found it advantageous to get out while it was ahead Even the Ukraine-Russia conflict shows that the weaker side can achieve some signal successes, and therefore do not have enough incentive to reach a deal at truce talks

The USA should realize that Israel is playing it for a fool There is already talk of US B52 bombers being prepared for some mission in Iran The USA is spiraling from being the peacemaker to being Israel s catspaw That is a reversal of roles which would make Israel the true superpower, able to use the USA s resources to fight its wars So far, Israel is succeeding and it remains for the Muslim countries to convince the USA that their support of Iran is as firm as its own of Iran

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit

CLIMATE change refers to long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns While these changes can occur naturally recent climate change is primarily caused by human activities notably the burning of fossil fuels such as coal oil and gas This releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere, which trap heat and contribute to global warming In Pakistan, Climate change has become one of the most significant issues of the contemporary time A country with an extensive cultural heritage and diverse geographies it is facing several environmental issues that harm its economy general health and food security which have become one of the nation s most affected areas by climate change Countless Kids and older adults in Pakistan die in heatwaves and unseen ways in climatic disasters Severe weather events, irregular rainfall patterns and temperature increases due to Escalating climate crisis Several other factors such as natural disasters extreme weather events droughts and floods have become increasingly frequent and severe across the country Massive glaciers melting at the Third Pole gave

A countr y with an extensive cultural heritag e and diverse g eographies, it is facing several environmental issues that harm its economy, g eneral health, and food security, which have become one of the nationÊs most affected areas by climate chang e .

T h e r e t r e a t o f de m o cr a cy a n d t h e a ge o f i l l u s i o n s Have they been shattered?

rise to extreme floods in Pakistan in 2022, a consequence of severe climate change Millions of people were displaced and affected, and billions of dollars were lost The glaciers which are crucial for water provision are melting alarmingly The Pakistani Meteorological Department reports that August 2022 marked a historic climatic event surpassing the records set in 1961 by receiving 243% more rainfall than the national average In Pakistan, several regions are alarmed about improving their early warning system in 2024 Still, flood survivors frequently did not receive shelter or evacuation and there were almost no preventive health measures in place resulting in the resurgence of widespread illnesses The same flood in 2024 resulted in widespread flooding severe rainfall and high temperatures across the country Over 1 5 million people suffered, and many of them underwent displacement, loss of livelihood, and severe health challenges Climate change causes “$100 billion in loss” for Pakistan The fact that has increased the likelihood of severe flooding threatens the residents safety and means of food The impact of climate change on economic activity is severe Infrastructure damage, declining agricultural output, and rising healthcare costs can put a

nomic inequality While global wealth has increased its distribution has become grotesquely skewed In the USA the top one percent owns ten times more wealth than the bottom 50 percent In India, the top one percent controls 40 percent of the country’s wealth, while the bottom half scrapes by with a mere three percent

Dpopulation now lives under a full democracy In the last ten years the number of authoritarian regimes has risen from 52 to 60 In countries that still carry the outward appearance of democracies, increasingly authoritarian tendencies are hardening into permanence Institutions once considered the guardians of liberty are being shackled From Hungary and Italy to even the USA we are witnessing executive powers being used to bypass legislatures judicial checks and constitutional balances The soul of democracy, rooted in checks and balances, is being suffocated behind closed doors and under legal pretexts Populism has emerged as the dominant political language of the day one that thrives not on ideas but on enmity Fuelled by resentment and exclusion populist leaders present themselves as the singular voice of the people branding dissent as betrayal and opposition as treason The political opponent is no longer a rival but an existential threat This toxic climate has reframed

is to invite condemnation In the world’s two largest democracies, India and the USA, this pattern is unmistakable In India dissenters are labelled as anti-nationals or Pakistani agents In the USA those who express support for Palestinian rights are smeared as anti-Semitic Universities once the last bastions of free thought and dissent, are now under siege In the Vietnam era, student protests were seen as a democratic virtue, even when they burned flags and denounced the state The very spaces where freedom of expression once flourished are now being fenced off ideologically and literally Authoritarianism is advancing hand-inhand with hyper-surveillance technologies The digital panopticon now allows states to monitor not just actions but thoughts Tools like facial recognition and AI-driven sentiment analysis enable governments to predict dissent before it arises Social media messages and emails are all subject to scrutiny Citizens are tagged speech filtered, and consciences mapped Technology, once a tool of freedom, has become tyranny’s ally As regimes tighten control, the press once a check on power is under siege Independent media face censorship financial ruin and threats In this climate democratic discourse fades leaving an echo chamber where only the powerful speak and others listen or are silenced Courts too are not immune Around the world, judicial systems are bending under political pressure or becoming complicit in silencing dissent According to the Rule of Law Index 81 percent of countries have experienced a decline in adherence to the rule of law over the last ten years Courts have failed in their role as defenders of civil liberties and guardians of constitutionalism Legal systems that were supposed to be impartial are now tools of the ruling elite used to protect the powerful and punish the powerless Perhaps the most glaring failure of modern democracy lies in its inability to address eco-

The economic disparities in modern-day India now surpass those of the British colonial era This economic injustice is not a bug in the system it is the system Democracy and capitalism once thought to be twin engines of progress, now work together to perpetuate privilege, entrench inequality, and manufacture consent Support for democracy is waning globally not because people have become less enlightened but because democracy itself has failed to deliver on its promises For decades Western democracies paraded their commitment to human rights and civil liberties But much of this display was performative, a theatre staged in competition with communism Now that communism has receded as a global alternative the masquerade of moral superiority seems to have ended too Western democracies no longer feel the need to pretend

It is true that the anxiety currently gripping liberal intellectuals in the West is not new to us In Pakistan, democracy has rarely been more than a ceremonial exercise a fragile system swinging between civilian pretence and military power Perhaps that is why our lament is muted we were never serenaded by the illusion to begin with We stand at the edge of a world losing faith in its own ideals The myths that once inspired our political consciousness are fading Democracy is not being overthrown by force but eroded by apathy manipulation and fear In its place emerges a new order efficient omnipresent and ruthlessly unfree History won t mark this as a dramatic fall, but as a slow, silent betrayal, one that unfolded while we scrolled, liked, and shared The age of comforting illusions is drawing to a close What follows will depend not on those who rule but on whether we choose to awaken or remain complicit in our own forgetting

The writer has a PhD in Political Science and is a visiting faculty member at QAU Islamabad He can be reached at zafarkhansafdar@yahoo com and tweets @zafarkhansafdar

Lowering the already lowered

T H E Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has been reported to have recently decided to lower the eligibility criterion for admission to private medical colleges from 60 per cent to 50pc

As a medical teacher with experience in examining students from private medical colleges, I strongly believe that the said decision will have far-reaching negative consequences for the healthcare system in Pakistan

The reduction in eligibility criterion will inevitably lead to students with lower academic standards being admitted to medical colleges This raises serious concerns about the quality of education and training that these students will receive In my experience many students from private medical colleges struggle with basic language skills, and struggle to write coherent sentences in English

This deficiency will undoubtedly affect their ability to provide quality healthcare services

Furthermore, the decision to lower eligibility criterion may compromise the integrity of the medical profession Doctors play a critical role in society and it is essential that they possess the necessary knowledge skills and competencies to deliver highquality patient care By admitting students with lower academic standards, we risk producing doctors who may not be equipped to handle the demands of the profession

The PMDC must reconsider its decision and prioritise the quality of medical education in Pakistan Instead of focusing on filling vacant seats, we should strive to maintain even higher academic standards that may ensure that our medical graduates are competent and capable of providing due patient care DR GHAZI KHAN MARRI JAMSHORO

Selfish elite

As such, in many cases, if not all, the focus is purely and squarely on maxi-missing commercial returns, leaving behind concrete jungles instead of any thoughtfully

What

Unchecked

dr Zafar Khan Safdar

Twolves or ideological extremists these were men allegedly executing a transnational operation with state sponsorship This isn t paranoia; it is prosecution, evidence-based and judicially sanctioned Yet, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trudeau’s successor, has not just ignored this bitter truth he has polished it and laid out the red carpet for the very head of the government believed to be behind such operations Carney a former central banker turned political debutant, defends his decision with the usual platitudes: India is the world’s fifthlargest economy; its cooperation is essential on climate action digital regulation rare earth minerals and fentanyl interdiction But while these arguments may make sense in the sterile logic of spreadsheets and summits they collapse entirely when measured against the values Canada claims to uphold human rights, sovereignty, the rule of law By inviting Modi Canada is not merely attempting to “normalize” diplomatic relations it is legitimizing state-sponsored terror It signals to every authoritarian regime watching that Western democracies will overlook even assassinations on their own soil, provided the accused brings economic weight to the table What precedent does this set for Canada’s sovereignty? What message does it send to diaspora communities who look to Canada for protection and justice? For them this invitation is not diplomacy it is betrayal he outrage is far from limited to Sikh advocacy groups The World Sikh Organization of Canada has decried the move as “shameful and irresponsible ” asking pointedly whether Ottawa would have extended a

similar invitation to another leader under investigation for ordering a murder on Canadian soil Sikhs for Justice a group banned in India for its separatist stance, announced global protests at the G7, condemning Modi for overseeing “Operation Sindoor” a supposed cross-border campaign targeting Sikh activists abroad While their language may be inflammatory the underlying grievances stem from real painful losses and credible fears of future attacks Canada s foreign policy here appears to be contorting itself into a tragicomic paradox One year ago, Trudeau bravely took a principled stand not only naming India as complicit in Nijjar s murder but calling on international allies to recognize and act against rising transnational repression The USA, while initially cautious, confirmed in late 2023 that it had foiled a similar assassination plot against Sikh leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US soil A senior US official later stated that the attempt was “linked to Indian government employees If the USA and Canada have both verified the existence of a broader Indian kill list targeting dissenters overseas, how can Ottawa now shake hands with the very architect of this campaign?

We must also address the broader global stakes of this shameful capitulation India under Modi has not only pursued alleged extrajudicial killings but has also systematically undermined democratic norms domestically targeting journalists, jailing opposition leaders, rewriting history textbooks and fanning communal flames Under his Bharatiya Janata Party hate crimes against minorities especially Muslims and

Christians, have surged while dissenting voices are routinely muzzled under draconian laws According to Reporters Without Borders India ranks 159th out of 180 countries in press freedom hardly a beacon of liberal democracy This is not just about bilateral relations or even the sanctity of Canadian soil It is about what kind of global community we are becoming Are economic

In May 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police charged four Indian nationals in connection with Nijjar ’s assassination and publicly confirmed that the plot was orchestrated by Indian intelligence operatives These weren t lone

C o u l d U S a t t a c k I r a n ’ s

F o r d o w n u c l e a r s i t e ?

F o r c e c a n n o t b r i n g p e a c e t

TH E US has stepped up its military presence in the Middle East since the weekend but has left certain details vague to preserve operational ambiguity for Donald Trump as he considers whether the US will intervene in the Israel-Iran war Critically there has been no new information about the deployment of B-2 bombers that would be used to attack Iran s deep-lying nuclear enrichment site at Fordow with 13 6-tonne (30,000lb) bunkerbuster bombs, designed to penetrate 60 metres of rock

On Monday night the US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said he had directed the deployment of additional capabilities to US Central Command in the Middle East, an exercise he said was to enhance our defensive posture in the region” Donald Trump meanwhile told reporters he was looking for “a real end” to the conflict as the US president returned to Washington having cut short his trip to the G7

York Times at some point a decade before the US Pentagon constructed a replica of Fordow and test-bombed it with a 30 000lb device A highly classified video of the attack was later shown by Leon Panetta

Oby the first Though a B-2 can carry two bunkerbusting bombs, a serious assault by the US designed to eliminate the facility would probably require the deployment of more than one bomber Bronk said: “An attack would require redundancy since the weapons have to function and be delivered perfectly to get down into the facility and explode at the right depth to cause critical damage Satellite imagery in May showed the presence of six B-2 bombers at Diego Garcia, about half the total number considered operational at any one time – the US has a total of 19 – but there has not been any more recent reporting Several companies supplying commercial satellite imaging also work for the US government According to a 2019 article in the New

Nimitz was sent from east Asia towards the Middle East earlier this week, where it will join the USS Carl Vinson carrier, which is already operating relatively close to Iran around the Arabian Sea At least three US destroyers are now also in the eastern Mediterranean Dan Sabbagh is the defence and security

N Monday the conflict between Israel and Iran entered its fourth day with both sides escalating the intensity of their confrontation in a cycle of tit-for-tat violence The mutual attacks have not only resulted in casualties and infrastructure damage but have also set a dangerous precedent by targeting nuclear and energy facilities sparking deep concerns within the international community about the potential for the situation to spiral out of control Israel and Iran are both important countries in the Middle East The relationship between Israel and Iran bears on the overall situation of war and peace in the Middle East The urgent task is to immediately take measures to avoid the escalation of the conflict prevent the region from falling into greater turmoil, and return to the track of resolving issues through diplomatic means Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate phone calls with the Iranian and Israeli foreign ministers calling on both sides to resolve differences through dialogue Relevant parties need to take measures immediately to put a brake on the escalation of the conflict and bring down the temperature of the situation Russia, Germany France and the United Kingdom have also expressed a willingness to mediate UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote on social media: Israeli bombardment of Iranian nuclear sites Iranian missile strikes in Tel Aviv Enough escalation Time to stop Peace and diplomacy must prevail ” It is crucial to fully recognize that only by upholding the vision of common security can the legitimate concerns of all parties be thoroughly addressed Why are maximum pressure and preemptive action not viable paths? The long and troubled history of the Iran nuclear issue itself proves this point On the surface the conflict appears to be triggered by the “nuclear question but at its core it is yet another manifestation of a deep-rooted security dilemma Israel, fearing that Iran s development of nuclear weapons poses a threat to its security, has adopted a “preemptive” strategy However, its actions that infringe upon Iran’s sovereignty security and territorial integrity have in turn led to greater insecurity for itself In fact the moment when the Iran nuclear issue came closest to resolution was not achieved through a preemptive strike; rather, it was the result of 13 years of “marathon” negotiations and the greatest collective efforts by the international community culminating in the achievement of a binding comprehensive agreement in 2015 Had it not been for the US later withdrawing from the deal, and had the agreement been earnestly and fully implemented, both Iran and Israel

would clearly be much safer today

Ancient Roman scholar Marcus Tullius Cicero once pointed out: Most people think that the achievements of war are more important than those of peace; but this opinion needs to be corrected ” The late former president of Israel Shimon Peres expressed a similar sentiment: The real triumph is in the harvest of peace not in the seeds of another war The many military conflicts in the history of the Middle East have not quelled disputes; rather, they have planted the seeds for future confrontations The vicious cycle of violence and confrontation has deepened divisions among countries in the region making the path to peacefully resolving disputes increasingly difficult To break free from bloodshed and turmoil, the Middle East must first abandon the old mind-set of “beggaring thy neighbor” and embrace a new security vision that is common comprehensive cooperative and sustainable

It is important to recognize that despite differing positions and philosophies among regional countries on security issues, there are still common interests Only through dialogue, rather than confrontation, can differences and antagonism be reduced and the broadest possible foundation for cooperation be found

As a country with special influence over Israel, the US should particularly take on its due responsibility as a major power in both words and actions For a long time, the general impression has been that the US hardly plays a constructive role in alleviating regional conflicts but it excels at destructive actions The ongoing fires of conflict in the Middle East are closely related to the visible hand of external powers Many analysts believe that the US attempt to force Iran to yield through “maximum pressure” has been a significant factor

GLOBAL TIMES

President Xi calls on China, Kyrgyzstan to expand cooperation, safeguard int’l order

COURT NOTICE

US President Donald Trump said he wants a “real end” to the conflict between Israel and Iran not just

ceasefire as the arch foes traded fire for a fifth day on Tuesday After months of attacking Gaza flattening homes, targeting hospitals, and starving a besieged population Israel expanded its assault by launching wide-scale air strikes against Iran s nuclear facilities military sites and private residences last week killing top commanders scientists and civilians Israeli officials have claimed the strikes are part of a broader operation codenamed ‘Rising Lion to deter Tehran s nuclear ambitions which the latter has consistently denied saying its uranium enrichment programme is for civilian purposes Trump said he “wants ‘a real end’ to the nuclear problem with Iran” while predicting that Israel would not be slowing its attacks on Iran according to comments shared by CBS journalist Jennifer Jacobs on X You re going to find out over the next two days You’re going to find out Nobody’s slowed up so far ” CBS journalist Jennifer Jacobs quoted Trump as saying on Air Force One The US would come down so hard if they (Iran) do anything to our people , Trump warned, according to the reporter Trump said “I may”, on the prospect of sending US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance to meet with Iran However he added that it depends what happens when I get back , according to Jacobs Later in the day, Vice President JD Vance said, while responding to speculation that the US could intervene in the conflict that Trump may decide that further action is needed to stop

Iran s nuclear programme The president has shown remarkable restraint in keeping our military s focus on protecting our troops and protecting our citizens He may decide he needs to take further action to end Iranian enrichment ” Vance said in a post on X

As long-standing foes Iran and Israel continued their air war both warned of intensifying their warfare Iran s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said a “more powerful” new wave of missiles had recently been launched towards Israel Al Jazeera reported citing the official IRNA news agency

A new wave of fierce attacks by the armed forces, especially the army s ground forces, with new and advanced weapons has begun and will intensify in the coming hours ” it quoted Kioumars Heydari commander of the Army Ground Forces as saying Iranian outlets IRNA and Tasnim reported that a major centre of Israeli spy agency Mossad was targeted in an attack “The IRGC said in a statement that its Aerospace Force units carried out an effectual operation against Mossad in the early hours of Tuesday Despite being protected by highly advanced air defence systems, the military intelligence directorate of

the Zionist regime s army known as AMAN and the Mossad centre in Tel Aviv used for planning assassination attacks and evil acts, were hit by the IRGC, it noted, the latter reported It added that as per the IRGC a fire was now “blazing in the doomed centre

On the other side Major General Shlomi Binder chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate, said Israel would soon “break ground” in areas of Iran besides Tehran Times of Israel reported You brought the intelligence that paved the way to Tehran and enabled the strike on the Iranian general staff Soon, you ll break ground in additional areas You ve proven that you can push boundaries and reach any target ” Binder told officers today according to an army statement Two loud explosions were heard from central and north Tehran, AFP correspondents reported, as the Iranian capital came under Israeli bombardment for a fifth straight day There was no immediate word on the cause or precise whereabouts of the twin blasts Iranian media said several blasts were heard in the central city of Isfahan, which hosts multiple nuclear facilities

tions We support sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan We will continue to cooperate with Pakistan to meet the challenges it is faced with, said Hu Zhaoming who is also official spokesman of the IDCPC during an exclusive interaction with a select group of Pakistani media