g AMB RIZWAN SAEED SH SAYS, ‘ OUR POLICY TOWARDS ISRAEL IS CONSISTENT WITH QUAID ’S IDEOLOGY,’ REAFFIRMING PAKISTAN ’S POSITION ON ISRAEL REMAINS UNCHANGED
g SAYS PAKISTAN'S APPROACH TO THE ISSUE IS BA SED ON LONGSTANDING PRINCIPLES AND NOT INFLUENCED BY EXTERNAL PRESSURE
g AFFIRMS PAKISTAN HA S AMPLE ELECTRICITY RESERVES TO SUPPORT VENTURES LIKE CRYPTOCURRENCY MINING
aging progress is being made However he acknowledged that the matter is complex and time-consuming In response to a question about investment opportunities he pointed out that Pakistan has ample electricity reserves to support ventures like cryptocurrency mining a sector gaining attention in the global digital economy Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal also addressed the event via video link providing insights into Pakistan’s current political economic and defence landscape He outlined the new
Addressing the gathering, the
sador spoke on a range of national and international issues, reaffirming that Pakistan’s position on Israel remains unchanged and is rooted in the vision of the country s founder Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Our policy towards Israel is consistent with Quaid-e-Azam s ideology, Ambassador Sheikh said, adding that Pakistan's approach to the issue is based on longstanding principles and not influenced by external pressure
The event was attended by a large number of notable Pakistani-American figures, including Democratic leader
s relations with Israel
which has no diplomatic ties with Israel maintains that normalisation will only be possible after a just settlement of the Palestinian issue During the recent confrontation between the Middle Eastern arch-rivals Iran and Israel Pakistan supported Tehran on its right to defence against the Israeli aggression Commenting on bilateral ties, Ambassador Sheikh said Pakistan-US relations are improving, noting that both countries are working to strengthen co-
operation in areas such as trade energy and technology He said that a significant dialogue on counterterrorism between Pakistan and the United States is expected to take place soon further noting that there has been promising progress in economic and trade relations between the two nations Ambassador Sheikh added that following a recent high-level meeting between US President Donald Trump and Pakistan’s Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir new avenues of cooperation have opened and bilateral ties have expanded Speaking on trade matters he stated that discussions are ongoing between relevant authorities in both countries regarding Pakistan’s exemption from additional tariffs, and that encour-
'Do - or-die': Anti-govt movement to deter mine PTI’s future course of action, says Gandapur
g KP CHIEF MINISTER SETS 90-DAY ULTIMATUM FOR ANTI-GOVT CAMPAIGN TO ACHIEVE 'POLITICAL GOALS'
‘26th Amendment Vote:’ PTI expels five MNAs over def ying ‘par ty discipline’
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday expelled five of its members of the National Assembly (MNAs) for voting in favor of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2024, in clear “violation of party policy oath and parliamentary discipline ” The expulsions were confirmed through formal notifications issued by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan The lawmakers include Aurangzeb Khan Khichi Zahoor Elahi
Usman Ali Mubarak Zeb and Muhammad Ilyas Chaudhry who were elected on PTI tickets and, according to the party, had pledged to uphold its parliamentary position Barrister Gohar stated that the five MNAs now stand “disqualified and deseated from the National Assembly as a result of the expulsion An official PTI statement said the party s parliamentary meeting on September 2, 2024, had unanimously decided to oppose the 26th Amendment at all stages
03
anti-government campaign, set to reach its "peak" by August 5 following a high-level huddle in the provincial capital Among other objectives the protest movement is aimed at securing release of party founder Imran Khan, who will complete two years in jail on August 5 The Imran Khan-founded party's latest round of anti-government drive comes months after its negotiations with the government stalled over the issue of the formation of judicial commission to probe the May 9 riots and November 2024 Islamabad protest
The PTI ever since Imran's ouster from the PM s office via a noconfidence motion back in 2022 has been at loggerheads with the then Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and the current coalition government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
Apart from facing political challenges the party and its leadership have been embroiled in a plethora of legal cases, including Imran and other senior leaders such as Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry and others behind bars for quite some time
He
all distinguished guests and participants for their presence and support It may be noted that Pakistan officially commenced the drafting of a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital and virtual assets signalling a significant move by the government to formally oversee the booming cryptocurrency ecosystem last month Later, Islamabad and New York each launched
CommeRCe mInIStRy moveS to Roll out e-CommeRCe PolICy 2025–30
Swat tragedy inquir y repor t reveals negligence across multiple depar tments
APHC-A JK organises public meeting, rally to mark K ashmir Mar tyrs Day
event was attended by thousands of people belonging to different schools of thought including Hurriyat leaders refugees from Jammu and Kashmir leaders of religious political social and student organizations
Addressing the event, the speakers paid glowing tributes to the great martyrs of 13th July, 1931 and said that they were the honest soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the glory of Islam justice and the independence of the state of Jammu and Kashmir
The speakers described this historic day as a milestone of freedom, independence and sacrifice for the Kashmiri people and said these martyrs gave Kashmiris the message of freedom with their sacred blood which they are keeping alive in their hearts from generation to generation
The speakers made it clear that the
Kashmiri people are still determined to fulfill the mission of their martyrs and the freedom struggle against India’s forcible rule will continue at all costs They strongly condemned the atrocities massacres forced arrests extrajudicial killings restrictions on the media and confiscation of public property by India in occupied Kashmir
The Hurriyat leaders demanded that the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and international human rights organizations put pressure on India to withdraw all its illegal and unconstitutional measures in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and fulfill its promise to grant the Kashmiri
people the right to self-determination in accordance with the UN resolutions They recalled that the promise was made to the world community and the Kashmiri people by the founding Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru himself
The speakers expressed serious concerns over the recent Indian false flag operations, especially the Pahalgam incident and the Operation Sindoor imposed thereafter They congratulated the Pakistani people and the armed forces of Pakistan on the historic success of ‘Operation Bunyanum Marsoos by the Pakistani forces and expressed the hope that Pakistan would now
Nation resolute to eliminate terrorism at all costs: Aleem Khan
While expressing love and affection for the children of Ghulam Saeed Abdul Aleem Khan was quite sentimental He prayed for the departed souls that Allah Almighty may grant them a place in His infinite mercy and strength and patience to bear this irreparable loss
Pakistani people However he asserted that the nation will remain united and resilient by the grace of Allah Almighty The federal minister pointed out that the world is aware of India’s involvement in this proxy war and just as it faced humiliation in recent conflicts it will continue to suffer setbacks in the future Abdul Aleem Khan said that in the recent past Pakistan defeated India and now its nefarious designs will again be neutralized He further stated that Pakistani sol-
In the village in Kacha Khoh, he expressed sympathies with the bereaved family of Shaheed Lance Naik Ghulam Saeed and offered condolences over the martyrdom of the soldier and the passing away of his father
Talking to the media Abdul Aleem Khan reaffirmed that the nation would eliminate terrorism at all costs and stand firm behind its Armed Forces He emphasized that targeting residents of other provinces by removing them from buses in Balochistan is a conspiracy aimed at creating divisions among the
We should realize that Bhai is now 72 having been born in 1953 Incidentally Benazir Bhutto Asif Zardari and Imran Khan were all born in that year And as Imran has shown us all, age is just a number You can be a septuagenarian and still get the youth vote Of course that idea had not occurred to the late Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan who reached
of terrorism from the country He also noted with sadness that the victims of this incident were not wealthy or privileged but rather belonged to poor, hardworking, and common households In addition Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan visited Dunyapur in Lodhran district where he offered condolences on the martyrdom of two brothers, Usman Toor and Jabir Toor in the Balochistan attack
s was not really, though the circumstances are such as to cause horror It is only to be hoped that there are no further deaths that will cast a pall over that city Someone almost as old as Ayesha Khan Altaf Hussain himself who has been in the UK for more than 40 years now, had to be hospitalized However, his acolyte Mustafa Azizabadi, who had first issued a call for prayers for his health has now announced that Bhai is better
PL ANNING MINISTER REVIEWS IMPLEMENTATION, FINALIZ ATION OF SECTORAL ACTION PL AN BASED ON CER
‘26th Amendment Vote:’ PTI expels five MNAs over defying ‘par ty discipline’
” he added Following
also posted on X about the expulsions saying, PTI has expelled these members of the National Assembly for violating their commitment, oath, and loyalty to the party They acted against the party’s instructions and voted in favor of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill 2024 Through their conduct, they have effectively joined another parliamentary
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Binici noted that the RSF was designed to help countries like Pakistan bolster resilience to climate-related vulnerabilities and meet international climate commitments the SDPI press release said The IMF official mentioned that the key areas of reform under the RSF included enhancing public investment planning, promoting efficient and sustainable use of water resources, improving institutional coordination for disaster preparedness and financing along with expanding the availability and transparency of climate-related data Binici stressed that support through
vote PTI issued show-cause notices to the MNAs on November 5 asking why they should not be disqualified for defection and breach of party discipline under Articles 62 and 63 A hearing committee was formed, but none of the lawmakers responded or appeared The party further alleged that the MNAs had joined another parliamentary party by taking seats on the treasury benches and attending its meetings, which it says constitutes formal defection under constitutional provisions “You are hereby declared to have violated your commitment oath and loyalty to the party the notification
the RSF will not only strengthen Pakistan’s climate resilience but also help unlock green investments and foster a more climate-conscious economic trajectory The IMF official also shed light on the evolving economic landscape across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region and Pakistan He stated that growth across the Mena region as well as in Pakistan was expected to strengthen in 2025 and beyond However he cautioned that elevated trade tensions, geopolitical fragmentation,, and weakening global cooperation continue to generate exceptional uncertainty and weigh on the global economic outlook ” underscoring the urgent need
read You voted in favor of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2024, and by conduct have joined another parliamentary party You are therefore expelled from the party forthwith ” The PTI leadership has also requested the Election Commission of Pakistan to initiate proceedings for the disqualification of the five MNAs under Article 63A of the Constitution The five MNAs had voted in favor of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill which enabled the government to secure 225 votes one above the 224 required for passage The 26th Amendment introduced significant changes to Pakistan s judicial structure, including revisions to the process of judicial appointments the tenure of the Chief Justice and the composition of the Judicial Commission
for prudent and forward-looking policy actions SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri welcomed the IMF representative s outreach noting the importance of informed economic dialogue and multilateral cooperation in Pakistan s journey toward sustainable development The lecture concluded with an interactive discussion on fiscal and monetary policy frameworks external buffers and the role of international institutions in fostering inclusive growth the statement added The IMF had also praised Pakistan s implementation of the $7 billion EFF as strong in March after both concluded the program’s first biannual review on a positive note
Beneath the still waters of Khanpur Dam lies a submerged chapter of history one that returns only when the lake surrenders its depths Masjid Rajgan, a 153-year-old mosque built in 1872 rises like a ghost of reverence and resilience Though abandoned by time and unreachable for most of the year it reclaims its place in the hearts of locals every summer, when its minarets break through the water ’s surface and the call to prayer echoes once more Commonly known as Rajon ki Masjid (Mosque of the Rajas) this 153-year-old mosque was once part of the old Khanpur town submerged in the late 1970s with the construction of the Khanpur Dam The dam displaced the local community, forcing them to move to the new Khanpur Left behind were the mosque and the nearby royal palace built by Raja Jehandad Khan the grandfather of former NWFP Chief Minister Raja Sikandar Zaman Khan Our hearts are still there, says 82year-old Haji Fazal Din, a lifelong resident “We grew up hearing the azaan from Masjid Rajgan Even today when we visit
during Eid the air feels sacred ” Designed by artisans from Delhi the mosque s architecture is inspired by Mughal grandeur with two
04
COMMENT
Eyes in the sky
New licensing procedures seems a last- ditch attempt at control
TH E launch of Skynet in Pakistan which was likely to have been attended by its propounder, ElonMusk, has been postponed, as regulators work to finalize a new licensing framework designed to increase security protocols for foreign satellite operators
This is because of the conflicts between Pakistan and India and then between Israel and Iran which have raised security concerns which it is felt must be addressed This is a saga which started with the attempt to get social media platforms to register, and has continued at intervals since, whether it be through the PECA Ordinance or through the Digital Pakistan concept Somewhere within the innards of government someone or some group is concerned about the freedom of expression given by the Internet The excuse given is that reputations must be safeguarded or that fake news must be stopped from spreading, but it is a futile effort, because the pace of technical development means that almost all concepts of security will go out the window, if they have not already If security concerns are to be met, piggybacking on civilian satellites and that too foreign ones does not seem secure under any circumstances Military satellites must be dedicated One low-cost solution would be for military-operated satellites to carry some civilian traffic One problem is that the nearest candidate for the job, SUPARCO s MM-satellite, has a latency of about 600 milliseconds The latency is the delay between a user action
M A Niazi
3 S H I F T I
poverty among others with targets set for 2030 Unfortunately there has been very poor progress due to reasons which include lack of multilateral finance, and rising debt repayments that together meant inadequate fiscal space with developing countries in particular In a very important report released recently– prepared by a board chaired by Nobel laureate in economics Joseph E Stiglitz– with regard to dealing with debt crisis titled The Jubilee Report: A blueprint for tackling the debt and development crises and creating the financial foundations for a sustainable people-centered global economy’ it was pointed out ‘Today, 3 3 billion people live in countries that spend more on interest payments than on health and 2 1 billion live in countries that spend more on interest payments than on education Interest payments on public debt are therefore crowding out critical investments in health education, infrastructure, and climate resilience Governments
serious debt distress in a number of developing countries– included firstly a pro-cyclical policy stance about which the same Report pointed out ‘The current debt and development crisis in developing countries is not an isolated fiscal misfortune The fact that excesses of debt have afflicted so many countries with debt and development crises occurring so often suggests that there are systemic causes and consequences One defining characteristic of this dysfunctional system is that, for developing countries capital flows are procyclical: During global financing booms money floods in; in busts it flows out even more quickly Successive phases of promising development cannot be counted on to continue More often than not, a positive phase
is a prelude to a painful contraction especially when they are financed by debt For advanced economies the reverse holds true In times of crisis capital flows toward them In a storm safe financial havens become all the more attractive This asymmetry enriches the rich, impoverishes the poor, and reinforces itself, as the procyclical movements weaken the poor and the countercyclical movements strengthen the rich making them an ever more attractive safe haven ’ Other reasons mentioned included ineffective sovereign global debt restructuring framework which mainly required including the private sector in a meaningful manner Absence of such a framework has made it difficult for countries to go for restructuring to sustainably manage debt, and not make lopsided spending where they use too much of their fiscal space on debt servicing and are left with little amount to make development and SDGs related spending The Jubilee Report indicated in this regard Sovereigns in distress must negotiate with a complex array of creditors public and private, bilateral and multilateral without a guiding framework that ensures equitable efficient and timely resolutions The creditors often have long experience in such renegotiations [and] are typically well-diversified and can withstand long negotiations Against this backdrop new concerns are emerging that further complicate the landscape of sovereign debt and development finance the emergence of major new creditors has made restructurings more complex Since the 2010s developing countries have increasingly borrowed
R E S E RV E C
P R E F E R E N C E S: Although no currency today competes with the dollar regarding liquidity and worldwide confidence the ongoing increase of US debt could hasten attempts to diversify Nations might start designating a greater portion of reserves to the euro, gold, yen or China’s renminbi China has been particularly outspoken in advocating for a “multipolar currency framework and has urged its trading partners to conduct transactions in yuan instead of dollars Likewise the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are investigating ways to diminish their dependence on the dollar
I N C
utilized as political instruments during periods of increasing geopolitical strain Additionally nations might aim to form financial partnerships that completely circumvent the US-led system, illustrated by the creation of bilateral currency swap agreements and cross-border payment frameworks that sidestep the SWIFT network
foreign debt obligations and import products in times of crisis However if the dollar diminishes in value or US Treasuries are seen as less appealing these reserves could rapidly decrease in real terms Emerging economies many of which rely significantly on dollar-denominated reserves may encounter balance of payments issues To safeguard their
Karachi’s crooked cleanup
Neglect breeds loss
Agree or else
Imran Khan before and after Bunyan-Un-Marsoos
erating his social media accounts and distrib-
IM R A N K H A N S appeal to the overseas Pakistani community to engage in civil disobedience and withhold remittances from the country reflected a disregard for Pakistan’s economic well-being Fortunately this call was overwhelmingly rejected by the patriotic diaspora which responded instead with record-breaking remittances, reaffirming their commitment to the nation
Subsequently, reports emerged that Imran Khan had sent a letter to Field Marshal Asim Munir the Chief of Army Staff However Field Marshal General Munir publicly denied receiving any such communication He made it clear that even if such a letter had been delivered, it would have been forwarded directly to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, not entertained by the military
This principled position reassured the public that the military remained committed to constitutional boundaries allowing the legal system to address elements acting against the state Despite having repeatedly demanded military neutrality, Imran Khan now appeared to be trying to involve the Army in his personal political and legal battles This inconsistency highlights a broader pattern: while publicly rejecting the idea of a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) he continues to pursue behind-the-scenes efforts to obtain one To regain credibility, both Imran Khan and his party must demonstrate the integrity to address their challenges through legitimate political and legal means
Another deeply troubling issue has surfaced While in custody Imran Khan has been publishing articles on international platforms, raising serious questions Prison regulations do not permit inmates to send out written material, and authorities have confirmed that there is no record of Khan writing or submitting any articles from jail This raises a critical question: if he is not the author who is orchestrating this narrative?
There is growing suspicion that foreign elements including the Goldsmith family and Western lobbying groups may be op-
uting anti-state content on his behalf Reports suggest that individuals based in London are crafting and promoting this “article writing” narrative using Imran Khan s name and influence to advance their own agendas It is alarming that Imran Khan appears to have allowed anti-state forces and foreign actors to exploit his platform to spread hostility against Pakistan and its institutions
This behaviour has prompted serious concerns that he is no longer engaged in a democratic movement but is instead at the centre of an expensive externally driven political project Rather than promoting national interests, his actions increasingly appear to serve those of Pakistan’s adversaries His propaganda, once again, stands exposed as a vehicle for personal ambition and foreign manipulation Imran Khan has consistently placed his personal interests above national priorities demonstrating a clear disregard for Pakistan, its people, and its institutions
This narrative gained further complexity when two US lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives aimed at imposing sanctions on Pakistani state officials over alleged human rights violations According to US media reports these violations include the so-called persecution of Imran Khan The bill has since been referred to the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees The proposed legislation called for sanctions against Pakistan s Army Head to be enacted within 180 days if Pakistan failed to address ongoing human rights concerns The bill sought to invoke the US Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which empowers the U S government to deny visas and entry to individuals accused of human rights abuses Additionally it directed US authorities to identify and penalize those allegedly involved in suppressing political opposition in Pakistan The US President would have the authority to lift such sanctions if Pakistan ceased military interference in civilian governance and released all political detainees considered wrongfully imprisoned This raises an important question for the sponsors of the bill: How would they respond to similar legislation introduced in another country, advocating on behalf of individuals imprisoned in the USA on serious charges? Would they welcome foreign support for someone like Aafia Siddiqui someone the US judicial system has found guilty? Almost certainly they would reject such external interference in their legal process Similarly, Pakistan has the sovereign right to prosecute individuals under its own legal framework While these lawmakers may personally support Imran Khan and his political party the bill appears more a sym-
bolic gesture of solidarity rather than a serious diplomatic position It’s also worth noting that during President Donald Trump’s previous term his administration maintained constructive relations with Pakistan s elected leadership In one notable instance President Trump publicly expressed his appreciation for Pakistan s assistance in capturing a terrorist suspect, highlighting ongoing counterterrorism cooperation In May 2025 Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos in response to India s Operation Sindhoor This marked a critical turning point in South Asian geopolitics Amidst the growing threat of full-scale war, Trump played a crucial role in brokering peace On May 10, he announced both countries had agreed to an “immediate and full ceasefire” Following the successful conclusion of Operation Bunyan Marsoos Pakistan s Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir received an official invitation to visit the USA from Trump During his visit, Field Marshal Munir was warmly welcomed by the US Administration and Trump personally expressed his appreciation for Munir ’s leadership particularly in ensuring regional security and counterterrorism efforts These developments represent a major political blow to Imran Khan, who has consistently sought to distance Pakistan from the USA Imran Khan had been hoping for a different trajectory in US-Pakistan relations aligned with his personal political interests The introduction of the Pakistan Democracy Act also highlighted the persistent lobbying efforts of PTI supporters in the USA Since Imran Khan s ouster in 2022, these activists have been organizing rallies, meeting lawmakers and urging increased US involvement in Pakistan s internal politics Over the past three years their efforts have intensified though with limited success on official diplomatic fronts In June 2024, the House of Representatives passed a similar resolution with overwhelming bipartisan support The resolution called on then-President Joe Biden to urge Pakistan to uphold democratic principles and the rule of law However despite the strong congressional backing the Biden Administration took no action At the core of Imran s political conduct lies an inflated ego He has consistently demonstrated a lack of trust in his own party leadership insisting on control over all decisions This raises serious questions: How can someone imprisoned on criminal charges continue to run a political party? Ironically Imran Khan frequently criticized others for similar behaviour in the past Now, he finds himself doing exactly what he once condemned Imran Khan appears more focused on preserving his image than accepting re-
M o d i ’ s s t e p b y s t e p j o u r n e y
t o w a r d s c r e a t i n g f a s c i s m i n I n d i a
The following are excerpts from The Dismantling of India’s D emocrac y: 1947 to 2025 by Prem Shankar Jha
His first step in this direc tion was seemingly innocuous: this was to instal T V cameras at the entrance to ever y ministr y, and withdraw the PIB (Press Information Bureau) card
sponsibility for his mistakes and alleged crimes Instead of owning up, he seems intent on using his loyal followers as a shield to protect himself While he publicly blames the USA and the Pakistan Army behind the scenes he is eager for their favor particularly in hopes of securing an NRO However it is increasingly clear that the USA, including Trump, has shifted its priorities away from Khan, aiming instead to strengthen ties with Pakistan’s current democratic government This shift was further solidified after Operation Bunyanum Marsoos enhanced Pakistan s global standing and credibility Having lost support from these quarters, Imran Khan now appears to be exploring alternative channels allegedly involving the Israeli lobby through his relatives, the Goldsmith family who have historically sought internal influence to destabilize Pakistan Imran Khan s contradictory behavior along with the backing he continues to receive from his party, paints a picture of inconsistency and unreliability On one hand, he accuses the USA of orchestrating his ouster yet on the other he desperately seeks its help to evade Pakistan’s legal system The ongoing support from certain factions raises questions about their motives clearly aiming to weaken Pakistan s institutions and nuclear capabilities by reinstalling Khan in power However, following the success of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, Pakistan’s people are acutely aware of their country’s core strengths making it nearly impossible for anyone to undermine them
After exhausting other avenues Khan has now instructed his followers from prison to prepare for another agitation Yet, this latest attempt seems destined to fail, as the people of Pakistan have demonstrated remarkable unity especially during and after Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos and are determined not to allow division or hatred to resurface
Those involved in the May 9 events, including Imran Khan, must face the full force of Pakistan’s legal system rather than attempting
How the Catholic Church views AI
OV E R the decade since Narendra Modi has been the prime minister of India at the head of a BJP government supported by a few local allies in the states of northern India, he has worked diligently to complete the conversion of India into a fascist nationstate a process that began during his tenure as chief minister of Gujarat in 2002
The history of this transformation has been written in painstaking detail by scores of academics, journalists and defenders of civil rights and democracy, several of whom have been languishing in prison without bail but also without having been charged with any specific crime for years How Modi has completed the journey to fascism is described in broad brush strokes below: Modi took the first step towards dismantling the pluralist, ethnically diverse democracy that his predecessor, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had taken so much pride in, within weeks of coming to power His first step in this direction was seemingly innocuous: this was to instal TV cameras at the entrance to every ministry and withdraw the PIB (Press Information Bureau) card which allowed special correspondents and other senior journalists to visit ministries and talk to civil servants without having to reveal their own or their hosts’ identity The PIB card had been created deliberately by India s first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to encourage public debate within an infant democracy by allowing senior journalists to explore different views on impending policy decisions within the government at a time when there was virtually no opposition to the Congress in parliament The Modi government destroyed this freedom barely a fortnight after it came to power A further amendment during
Modi’s nex t target was the audio -visual media, which he tamed by using ever y instrument at his command Prannoy and Radhika Roy, the founders of NDT V, India’s first commercial T V channel, were his first targets
what Modi wanted the latter to hear Modi s second step towards the centralisation of power was to create a system of monthly meetings between his departmental ministers and senior officers, and nominees of the BJP, in which the party would ‘oversee’ the functioning of the ministry This transferred much of the decisionmaking power of government from the ministries to the party Modi s next target was the audio-visual media, which he tamed by using every instrument at his command, from the denial of advertisements to selected print and TV channels to the framing of never-proved charges of tax evasion and money laundering against their promoters under which it attached (seized) their passports and all their property till as long as the case lasted Prannoy and Radhika Roy, the founders of NDTV, India’s first commercial TV channel were his first targets Despite this NDTV retained its independence till November 2022 but succumbed because by then all advertisers had deserted it presumably under government pressure Faced with imminent bankruptcy and the loss of the hundreds of jobs of its technical staff, the Roys resigned from the board of the company in November 2022 and allowed NDTV to be purchased by the Adani Group Modi s principal financial supporters ever since his days in Gujarat Since then, NDTV too has become a mouthpiece of Modi’s budding fascist regime Modi’s third target was the judiciary, which he corrupted through the offer of lucrative post-retirement appointments to High Court and Supreme Court judges These ranged from the unprecedented appointment of a former chief justice of the Supreme Court of India, P Sathasivam, to the governorship of Kerala, which we discussed in Chapter 12 to the appointment of former Supreme Court judge A M Khanwilkar to the post of India s Lokpal its chief vigilance officer Other judges of the Supreme Court whom Modi similarly rewarded with post-retirement elevations and appointments are Chief Justices of the Supreme Court Ranjan Gogoi and Sharad Bobde and Justice Arun Mishra Modi also made three other more insid-
ious and over the long run even more destructive moves one deliberate and two defined by sustained avoidance But all were expressly designed to undermine India s infinitely varied ethno-national, federal democracy The first was that in all his years in power Modi never held a single press conference The second was that in those years Modi also never held a meeting of the National Development Council a council of state chief ministers that had become the main forum for coordinating central and state policies after the Congress lost its dominant party status in 1989 During Modi’s decade communication between the people and their government and between the central and state governments on policy issues became strictly one-way But his most insidious assault on India s federal structure was his replacement of the Planning Commission with the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog On the face of it nothing changed: NITI Aayog continued to work from the same building as the Planning Commission; none of its staff were dismissed and no new staff was added The change of name therefore looked like no more than another, petty, manifestation of the BJP’s obsession with ‘Hinduizing’ India Beneath that deceptively innocuous change however Modi took away the Planning Commission s most important function, and vested it in himself This was the annual allocation of central Plan grants to the state governments Till he came to power this had been done by the Planning Commission on the basis of the oft-revised Gadgil formula for allocation based on factors like population per capita income and fiscal performance, aiming to promote balanced regional development, recommended five decades earlier by D R Gadgil, then deputy chairman of the Commission Modi turned this allocation into his personal prerogative and began lavishing the lion s share of these grants upon BJP-ruled state governments, at the expense of states in which the BJP had been unable to extend its influence
Prem Shankar Jha is a veteran journalist and commentator
The Church does not regard AI as a danger (as was the case with Galileo’s telescope) but it is prompting faiths to ask themselves once again what it means to be human
Elon Musk promotes so-called post-humanism, in which humans merge with technology
once again what it means to be human and what man’s place is in this new cosmos made up of living beings and intelligent
LA S T summer leaders representing 11 global religions from eastern faiths including Buddhism Hinduism Zoroastrianism and Bahá í to Abrahamic religions like Christianity, Judaism and Islam, gathered in Hiroshima, Japan, and signed the Rome Call for AI Ethics
Why did the representatives of these schools of thought which are sometimes so far apart sign this appeal for a humane approach to technology development? Because they share concerns about the ways in which humanity will be affected by artificial intelligence I was present at the signing and witnessed an atmosphere of collaboration Those present wanted to contribute to a future in which no technological innovation could ever be used for mass destruction The moment of change we face is so profound that we might compare its opportunities and crises to the Renaissance a time of disorder and transformation that destabilised the established order of the medieval world European societies shifted from a worldview centred on Europe and the Catholic Church to a global perspective, with new lands, peoples and resources Europe’s religious unity fragmented and a new economic order weakened traditional structures In the intervening centuries the Church has changed its view of technology: it is now seen as an agent of social transformation whose effects must be managed Technological innovation is perceived as a factor of social justice and not as a dogmatic issue The Church does not regard AI as a danger (as was the case with Galileo s telescope) but it is prompting faiths to ask themselves
Macron to unveil major defence plans amid Russia and US security fears
“Defense efforts must be made in the face of mounting threats and a disintegrating world order ” a senior presidential aide said The announcement follows growing concerns within France s defense establishment over what it views as a durable threat posed by Russia and the potential weakening of the United States’ commitment to European security Speaking on Friday General Thierry Burkhard France s Chief of Defence Staff warned that Russia now sees France as its main adversary in Europe
The rank of European countries in tomorrow’s world is being decided in Ukraine ” Burkhard said referring to Russia’s invasion of its neighbor in 2022
He also highlighted the emerging risks of cyberattacks disinformation campaigns, and terrorism On Sunday, Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu told La Tribune that France must do more to ensure it can act independently It s our job to provide answers he said If we want to depend on nobody tomorrow, we need to make a new effort Since Macron took office in 2017, France’s defense budget has grown significantly from €32 2 billion to €50 5 billion today The government plans to raise it further to €67 billion by 2030 However the proposed increases come amid pressure from the European Commission for greater fiscal discipline France s debt servicing alone is expected to cost €62 billion this year Despite that Prime Minister François Bayrou has insisted that defence spending will be protected
The defence budget is sacrosanct he said ahead of presenting the 2026 budget framework on Tuesday KEEPING PACE WITH NATO ALLIES France’s planned defence hikes follow a broader shift across NATO
France s evolving defense strategy as geopolitical tensions intensify
Trump assassination attempt blamed on
‘inexcusable’ lapses, says Senate report
WASHINGTON AG E N C E S
A congressional inquiry into the attempt to assassinate US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally a year ago on Sunday lamented inexcusable failures in the Secret Service s operations and response and called for more serious disciplinary action
On July 13, 2024, a gunman shot the then-Republican presidential candidate during a campaign rally in Butler Pennsylvania grazing his ear
One bystander was killed and two other people in addition to Trump were wounded before a government sniper killed the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks What happened was inexcusable, and the consequences imposed for the failures so far do not reflect the severity of the situation,” said the report released by the US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee The dramatic incident energized Trump s bid to return to the White House with his campaign using a photo of him bloodied and pumping his fist as he was hurried offstage to woo voters
The report did not shed new light on the gunman’s motive, which still remains a mystery, but accused the Secret Service of “a cascade of preventable failures that nearly cost President Trump his life
The United States Secret Service failed to act on credible intelligence and failed to coordinate with local law enforcement, said the committee s Republican
chairman Rand Paul Despite those failures no one has been fired, he added It was a complete breakdown of security at every level fueled by bureaucratic indifference, a lack of clear protocols, and a shocking refusal to act on direct threats
“We must hold individuals accountable and ensure reforms are fully implemented so this never happens again
‘MISTAKES WERE MADE’
The Secret Service cited communication, technical, and human errors and said reforms were underway, including on coordination between different law enforcement bodies and establishment of a division dedicated to aerial surveillance Six unidentified staff have been disciplined according to the agency The punishments range from 10 to 42 days suspension without pay and all six were put into restricted or non-operational positions
Reflecting on the assassination attempt earlier this week, Trump said “mistakes were made” but that he was satisfied with the investigation
In an interview with his daughter-in-law on Fox News My View with Lara Trump Trump said the sniper was able to get him from a long distance with one shot If he didn t do that, you would have had an even worse situation
“It was unforgettable,” Trump said of the events
“I didn’t know exactly what was going on I got whacked There’s no question about that And fortunately I got down quickly People were screaming
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Sunday strongly reacted to
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur s statement warning that while he was welcomed as a peaceful visitor, any attempt to bring armed elements or incite chaos would be met with firm action under the law
Speaking on the occasion of Kashmir Martyrs Day she paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people and reaffirmed Pakistan s unwavering diplomatic, moral, and political support for their just struggle She lamented the ongoing Indian brutality in Occupied Kashmir comparing it to the oppressive Dogra rule
Taking a direct swipe at Gandapur, Azma challenged him to return to Punjab with his cabinet and MPAs, stating, “We will show him how garbage is cleaned in Peshawar how scholarships are awarded to talented students and how hospitals like Nawaz Sharif Hospital are built within a year She underscored that programs like the laptop scheme represent visionary youth empowerment not empty political slogans Criticizing Gandapur ’s failure to express condolences over the tragic loss of 10 lives in Swat Azma accused him of selective empathy, citing his earlier dramatics over the Sahiwal tragedy “This fake Maula Jatt act no longer fools the people,”
‘Apna Meter Apni Reading App’: A milestone towards transparent meter reading: CE IESCO
i n g m o d e
n t e c h n o lo g y, e n a b l i n g t h e m t o c l o s e l y m o n i t o r t h e i r e l e c t r i c i t y u s a g e a n d t h e a c c u r a c y o f t h e i r b i l l s J a n a d d e d t h a t u n d e r t h e d i r e c t i o n s o f t h e G o v e r n m e n t o f P a k i s t a n a n d t h e M i ni s t r y o f E n e rg y a l l I E S C O o ff i c e s h a v e b e e n p r o v i d e d w i t h t h e n e c e s s
she said A man who can t endure the summer heat can t shoulder the pain of the public She condemned PTI s history of violence and divisive politics, pointing to Gandapur’s silence on the martyrdom of Punjabis in Balochistan and the tragedy in Swat Azma also denounced the deepfake campaign against the army chief calling it a vile act by the enemies of the state
Referring to the May 9 incidents, she accused the PTI of conspiring against the state and trying to provoke a “Sri Lanka-style collapse” through letters to the IMF On the Al-Qadir Trust case Azma Bokhari named Shehzad Akbar as the main accused and lamented that those who looted the country still roam free “The PTI has become a symbol of chaos, not political stability ” she declared Mocking former First Lady Bushra Bibi Bokhari remarked She s the only woman known to de-
first ” she warned PTI Concluding her address Azma Bokhari highlighted the Punjab government s progress under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, stating that the province is now setting a new benchmark through its initiatives in health, education, infrastructure and social welfare Other provinces are now looking to Punjab s model of development she said
CDA chief visits S aidpur Village, vows to boost tourism, preser ve natural beauty
ISLAMABAD
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Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, visited the historic Saidpur Model Village on Sunday to inspect the ongoing upgradation and beautification works, expressing satisfaction over the pace and quality of progress and reaffirming his commitment to making Islamabad a modern tourist-friendly capital Accompanied by Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch Director General (DG) Environment Deputy DG Enforcement, Director DMA and other senior officials, the CDA chief received a detailed briefing on the enhancements underway at the centuries-old cultural site, which is being revamped with assistance from a team of architects and horticulture experts from Baku Randhawa appreciated the contributions of the Baku
team, stating that their expertise would help transform Saidpur into a “state-of-the-art model village meeting international standards ” He added, “The uplift of Saidpur Village will not only beautify the city but also make it an attractive recreational destination for residents and tourists alike The Chairman issued directives for the early completion of all enhancement works and emphasized the need to deploy all available resources to expedite the project We envision Islamabad as one of the most beautiful and modern capitals in the world, equipped with worldclass tourist and leisure facilities ” he said In addition to the village’s makeover the CDA officials briefed Randhawa on a successful enforcement operation in the Margalla Hills National Park area where illegal encroachments were cleared The operation led to the demolition of 13 unauthorized structures and the recovery of approximately 23 kanals of government land
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KARACHI
entertainment anime
gaming and cosplay in Pakistan! For the first time in the country s history, a spectacular event titled Comic Con Pakistan is being organized by Aamir Sajjad Ventures and will be held on January 31, 2026, at the Karachi Expo Centre The announcement was made during a special press briefing by Syed Aamir Sajjad CEO of Aamir Sajjad Ventures & President Comic Con Pakistan He stated that this event would serve as a major milestone for the promotion of
Aamir Sajjad President of Comic Con Pakistan On this occasion Pakistan s first Superman Fan Club was also launched, along with a tribute fan club dedicated to the legacy of late Christopher Reeve, who
Another Rs32b corruption sc andal sur faces in KP projec ts
