PM HOPEFUL ABOUT ‘ENCOURAGING’ OUTCOME FROM TRUMP’S GA Z A PEACE PL AN
g PREMIER SHEHBAZ SAYS PAKISTAN ADVANCING DIPLOMATICALLY ECONOMICALLY AND MILITARILY THROUGH COORDINATED EFFORTS
g DESCRIBES BILATERAL MEETING WITH TRUMP A S ‘ PRODUCTIVE’ AND ‘ CONSTRUCTIVE,’ SAYING IT WOULD HELP STRENGTHEN PAKISTAN-US TIES
g HIGHLIGHTS NEW YORK ENGAGEMENTS, SAYING UNGA SPEECH ECHOED PAKISTANIS SENTIMENTS WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON IIOJ&K AND GAZA
American president unveiled his plan to end Israel’s invasion of Gaza We fully participated in the meeting on Gaza and God willing its encouraging results will come out soon, the premier said while addressing overseas Pakistanis at the High Commission in London, flanked by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar He added that Pakistan was part of Trump-led efforts to bring peace
to Palestine and end the suffering of Gazans under Israeli aggression since October 2023
leaders in Washington where the
detailed post on
accredited UNGA delegation, further adding that her seating behind the defence minister had no official approval However Junejo directly challenged this version on
asserted that she had been working with the prime minister s team for months, contributing policy briefs during the Pakistan–India escalation and claimed responsibility for drafting Shehbaz Sharif s UNGA speech She further alleged that the premier personally included her as an adviser in the UN delegation and that she was issued a security pass “I travelled with the PM stayed in the same hotel joined high-level meetings and even accompanied him during sessions with leaders like Bill Gates, she wrote She also shared a picture with Asif and Pakistan Crypto Council CEO Bilal Bin Saqib as well as a copy of her UN pass Junejo said she sat with Asif at the AI session worked on drafts with colleagues and later returned to the hotel with him in the same c a r H i
disturbing the prime minister ’s authority has been challenged, not m
legal action if attempts were made to malign her integrity FO DISTANCES ITSELF, MINISTER PASSES THE BUCK
When the matter surfaced, Asif insisted the FO was responsible, saying: “Who is this woman? Why is
The high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, brought together leaders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye, and Indonesia Trump, opening consultations said: “We have to get the hostages back This is the group that can do it while stressing the urgency of ending the conflict According to reports by Israel s Channel 12 and US-based Axios, Trump’s plan envisages an immediate ceasefire release of hostages (both alive and deceased) phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza under a governance framework excluding Hamas but incorporating the Palestinian Authority, deployment of Arab and Muslim peacekeepers, and reconstruction supported by regional contributors These details were reportedly shared with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu though Israel was not involved in drafting the plan Dar, who also attended the Washington meeting, expressed similar hope for positive outcomes saying follow-up consultations had continued until last night Once these results materialise we will
she with the delegation and why was she seated behind me? Only the FO can answer The FO then stated: She was not listed in the official letter of credence for Pakistan’s UNGA delegation signed by the deputy PM and foreign minister According to reports Junejo joined the PM s entourage from London and, once in New York, was facilitated through a note verbale issued at the behest of a senior political leader Though not officially accredited this allowed her access to meetings including the UNSC debate CLARIFIES STANCE ON ISRAEL
against allegations of being “pro-
stemmed from
2018 post during
2023, I have been writing almost daily against Israel
atrocities in
share them with the nation,” he remarked Earlier PM Shehbaz reflected on his engagements in New York where he led Pakistan s delegation at the UNGA s 80th session He said his speech at the Assembly echoed the sentiments of Pakistanis, with a strong focus on Indian-occupied Kashmir and the plight of Gaza
The premier also described his bilateral meeting with Trump in Washington as productive and constructive adding that it was held in a conducive environment and would help strengthen Pakistan-US ties
Highlighting teamwork as the foundation of development PM Shehbaz said Pakistan was advancing diplomatically economically and militarily through coordinated efforts He praised the armed forces for securing victory against adversaries and reiterated that the government was committed to peace and stability
The prime minister lauded overseas Pakistanis as a valuable national asset contributing to the country s progress Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar addressing the gathering, said the world had acknowledged Pakistan s economic strides He added that Shehbaz Sharif had effectively highlighted key issues including Kashmir and Gaza during the UNGA session and related engagements
CM MARYAM UNVEILS PUNJAB’S DEVELOPMENT PUSH:
STARTUPS, MEGA HEALTH AND TRANSPORT PROJECTS
AuDInG
PAK-sAuDI DeFence PAcT As ‘new securIT y TeMPl ATe’
s ta f f r e p o r t
E N ATO R Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Sunday unveiled what he described as the first comprehensive study on the recently signed Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defence Agreement calling it a landmark development that places Islamabad back at the centre of Middle Eastern security dynamics
Prepared by the Pakistan-China Institute the 31-page report titled Pakistan & Saudi Arabia: Muslim World s Strategic Security Partners reviews the significance of the accord concluded on September 17, 2025 It contains a foreword by Senator
PM urges unit y to build a more open, transparent , and knowledge-based societ y
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Minister
Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) warning that these outfits were actively collaborating with Al-Qaeda and posed a grave threat to regional and international peace and security He reminded the forum that Pakistan had paid a heavy price for cross-border militancy “Our law enforcement personnel and civilians continue to make enormous sacrifices to terrorism emanating from Afghanistan Earlier this month, 12 Pakistani soldiers were martyred in our bordering regions while combating TTP terrorist infiltrators,” Dar stated KP AG blocks appeal against PTI workers’ acquittal in jail attack case
PESHAWAR s ta f f r e p o r t The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General s Office has turned down a prosecution request to file an appeal against the acquittal of six Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in the Peshawar Central Jail attack case declaring the move unfit for submission The provincial prosecution had prepared an appeal against a September 9 verdict of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), which cleared the six men of charges stemming from an alleged assault on the prison earlier this year Those acquitted were Irfan Saleem Ismatullah Muhammad Jalal Sajjad Bangash Sadiq Khan and Allama Iqbal accused of taking part in a February 24 incident in the jurisdiction of Peshawar s Eastern Police Station
Mushahid, outlines the implications of the pact, and traces the history of military cooperation between the two states It also features a fact sheet on key diplomatic milestones and Pakistan’s long-standing record of providing defence support to Muslim nations Speaking at the launch, the senator said the agreement reflected the vision and resolve” of two decision-makers Pakistan’s Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) He praised the Saudi leader as a Muslim reformer reshaping his country with the transformative impact of a Deng Xiaoping-style figure Mushahid identified three central drivers
behind the deal: Pakistan s enhanced credibility following its May 2025 military confrontation with India, the erosion of regional trust in US security guarantees after Israel’s attack on Qatar and the growing perception of Israel s expansionist posture as the principal threat to Muslim states After half a century, Pakistan is once again playing a direct role as a net security provider for the Middle East’s pivotal country ” Mushahid remarked recalling how Pakistani pilots flew combat missions during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war and how the 1974 Lahore Islamic Summit sponsored by King Faisal, elevated the Palestinian cause The senator argued that
GILGIT
s ta f f r e p o r t
In the flood-ravaged valleys of Ghizer, where homes roads and livelihoods were washed away by this year s devastating deluge a new symbol of recovery has emerged a 500kW community-run micro-hydro powerhouse that delivers not just electricity but resilience For residents like Fatima of Darkut, the change is immediate and profound
My children can study at night without kerosene smoke choking the room We use heaters for cooking and warmth
After the floods, this light means everything, she said The project is no ordinary infrastructure scheme Built and operated by locals under Silgan Electric Limited a grassroots utility company the powerhouse represents a rare model of self-reliance We re powering schools, health centres, and small businesses, explained Rahimullah, the company’s
General Secretary This is our foundation for rebuilding not just infrastructure, but confidence
Currently, the plant feeds into the government transmission line and is designed for expansion, eventually reaching some 1 300 consumers across two neighbouring villages With a subsidised billing model the company ensures electricity remains affordable setting a precedent for other remote, climate-vulnerable regions The initiative was made possible through the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) under the Central Asia Poverty Programme (CAPP) At the inauguration AKRSP Chairman Hussein Tejani lauded the project as a showcase of local determination In these challenging times, this community has shown how decentralised solutions can secure essential needs and drive recovery he said AKRSP s work in Gilgit-Baltistan spans decades Its 169 micro-hydro proj-
ects have already generated nearly 14 000kW of clean energy transforming rural life while advancing local governance, gender inclusion, and environmental care Building on that legacy, AKRSP has now launched the Madad Electric Cookstove (MEC) Project in partnership with Third Pole Solutions to distribute 50 000 clean cookstoves in electricity-surplus villages The initiative seeks to cut deforestation, improve indoor air quality, and open new avenues for women-led energy entrepreneurship
“We are not just producing electricity; we are producing resilience ” said AKRSP General Manager Jamil Uddin This is a proven model for communities to lead their own way out of crisis As Gilgit-Baltistan struggles with the twin challenges of energy poverty and climate change the Umalsat powerhouse offers more than just light It provides a blueprint crafted by local hands for how communities can rebuild from disaster and chart their own future
Jaffer Express back on track days af ter terrorist bombing
QUETTA N e w s D e s k
The Jaffer Express has resumed its Quetta–Peshawar service after completion of repair work on a section of track and a bridge destroyed in last week s bomb blast near Spezand Railway officials confirmed that the passenger train, suspended since September 23 was restored following extensive repair and clearance operations The explosion had ripped through the line between Degari Cross Spezand and Sariab stations, derailing the engine and five coaches Several passengers, including women and children, were injured in the attack
Investigators said the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device planted alongside the track, which detonated as the Peshawar-bound train passed Relief teams deployed heavy machinery to realign the overturned bogies repair the bridge and restore the damaged track Services of both the Jaffer Express and Bolan Express were cancelled during the suspension, with refunds issued to affected passengers The incident underscored renewed threats to passenger safety on the Quetta route which has been repeatedly targeted in recent months In March this year the Jaffer Express was hijacked in Balochistan s Bolan Pass when terrorists killed 21 passengers and detonated
explosives along the tracks before security forces could intervene Authorities said the masterminds of the March attack had links across the border Earlier this month, Gul Rahman alias Ustad Mureed identified as the planner of the hijacking was reportedly killed in Afghanistan s Helmand province Rahman a senior commander of the Majeed Brigade of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), was accused of orchestrating assaults on civilians, security forces, Chinese nationals, and state institutions With train operations restored officials said security measures have been reinforced along vulnerable stretches of the track but investigations into the September 23 blast remain underway
Iqbal Khalil A JI statement said discussions focused on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, while Muttaqi also confirmed the meeting in a post on X (formerly Twitter) According to a translation of his post both sides discussed avenues for strengthening bilateral ties By aligning themselves with the regional consensus against foreign bases, the Taliban leadership has sought to reinforce its claim of defending Afghan sovereignty while simultaneously dismissing accusations of harboring transnational terrorist groups The development also underscores the increasingly complex geopolitical contest over Afghanistan s future, with regional powers pushing for stability on their terms, even as Washington signals fresh interest in a return to the country
Number of female motorcycle riders on rise in Pakistan: Report
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
There has been a noticeable rise in the number of female motorcycle riders in Pakistan as many women are choosing two-wheelers for greater independence, affordability, and flexibility, says a report carried by Gwadar Pro These increasing numbers have elevated demand for motorcycles riding gear and training and are shifting cultural perceptions around women riders The Sindh government has rolled out the Pink Electric Scooters Scheme through the Sindh Mass Transit Authority, marking a significant step toward women’s empowerment and greener urban mobility The scheme offers free e-scooters to women prioritizing widows single mothers working women and students The scooters being distributed under the scheme are locally assembled in Pakistan through a Pakistan–China joint venture between OKLA a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer and Ravi Sundar a long-established Pakistani automotive company
as a
hub for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing in the region Keys to the scooters were distributed by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who underscored that women s participation is central to Pakistan’s progress He highlighted Sindh’s pioneering role in sustainable transport
stating This consignment complies with the requirements specified in the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Plant-derived Medicinal Materials from Pakistan to China and is free from quarantine pests of concern to China Upon arrival at Chinese ports, verification will be conducted on the certificates, packaging, and consistency between the goods and their accompanying documentation the report added
COMMENT PTI
Peshawar rally did not make any progress to freeing founder
TH E PTI rally in Peshawar in the only provincial capital it holds sway, was not really meant to mark the start of any new movement, but merely to keep party activity going This was the first rally since the ill-fated gathering in Islamabad last year KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur had left that gathering by showing a clean pair of heels after that rally was broken up, but had no such worries, as he left with the police showing him the respect due a CM in his capital The presence of party Secretary General Salman Akram Raja was something for the party faithful to co celebrate albeit quietly for his attempts to resign seem to have been controlled The depth to which the party has sunk may be seen by the fact that the message from the party founder, Imran Khan that was supposed to be the high point of the rally was not a recording smuggled illegally out of jail, but apparently the repetition of a previous rally address That reflects either an increased strictness by the jail authorities, or simply the low priority he placed on this rally The former reflects lowered chances of the kind of deal which would result in his being released The latter would indicate that he and the party faithful have nothing but waiting to do The PTI seems to have run out of options, and though it remains a political force, it no longer represents a tsunami which will sweep everything before it Its continued electoral appeal needs testing, but that was prevented by the staying of the by elections on the seats vacated after a slew of convictions in the cases faced by party leaders and legislators of involvement in attacks on military establishments on 9 May 2023
Mr Khan continues to face legal troubles, and has been convicted of corruption and misuse of power, but now is being tried for his role in the events of 9 May 2023 Paradoxically even if he is convicted his legal troubles will be over His opponents will have nothing else to throw at him, and he can then begin the waiting game However, he is already 71, and every day of inaction is much weightier than for a younger man His age is now so great that even if a deal of some kind is made is interlocutors must consider whether he will be physically able to carry the burden of first campaigning, and then of leading the country
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Malik a
TH E death of
Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) commander, has become a turning point in South Asia’s counter-terrorism landscape His demise the product of bitter infighting is not a show of militant strength but a vivid indicator of ISKP s decline under relentless Pakistani pressure Militants once united in their designs, are now fractured, consumed by distrust, and stripped of the sanctuaries that once sustained them Pakistan’s campaign against terrorism has been nothing short of uncompromising In tribal areas Balochistan and urban centres operations such as Zarb-e-Azb Radd-ul-Fasaad and the ongoing Operation Sarbakaf dismantled terrorist hideouts, severed supply lines, and denied extremist factions the freedom to regroup Where ISKP thrives on permissive landscapes, Pakistan has ensured none exist within its borders What remains of ISKP inside Pakistan is fragmented small incoherent cells incapable of mounting large-scale attacks By contrast, Afghanistan continues to serve as ISKP s primary refuge The UN Sanctions Monitoring Committee’s July 2025 report confirmed what Pakistan has long warned: that ISKP’s organizational base training infrastructure and logistical hubs operate openly in provinces such as Kunar and Nangarhar Kabul s inability or unwillingness to rein in these groups has provided extremists with launching pads for cross-border assaults This permissive environment has also benefited the TTP and other factions that target Pakistan Pakistan has
blame the climate
Pakistan’s floods are an immediate crisis
K I S TA N is once again facing deadly floods and the crisis is still getting worse In Punjab over 2 2 million people have been displaced and nearly 4,000 villages are underwater as the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers keep overflowing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also suffered badly with a cloudburst in Buner and flash floods in other districts that have killed more than 320 people and left many missing Sindh is now in danger too as floodwaters move south and could submerge farmland and towns Across the country, the death toll is nearing 1000, thousands of homes have been destroyed, and rescue efforts are struggling to keep up With more rain expected the damage is still increasing and millions remain at risk Climate change is undoubtedly making rainfall heavier and glaciers melt faster but pointing to climate alone is not enough Intense rains may be unavoidable, yet massive destruction does not have to follow The key lies in preparation Had Pakistan started work months ahead of the monsoon by unclogging drains strengthening embankments protecting floodplains and arranging timely evacuations the same floodwaters could have been controlled with far less damage to lives and livelihoods The danger has been made worse by cross-border water flows India’s release of water from upstream dams into the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej has sent sudden surges downstream often without enough warning flooding
Pakistan is living through a disaster that could have been less deadly The floods show us that climate chang e may be the trigg er, but the scale of trag edy comes from our own neglect To protect lives, crops, and cities, the countr y must move from reaction to foresight If Pakistan begins treating ever y dr y day as preparation for the next monsoon, these floods can one day become less of a curse and more of an oppor tunity to build a secure water future
Seeing the problem
agendas, and Islamabad s emergence as South Asia s indispensable bulwark against terrorism The lesson is clear: where governance is
Costly family outings
I visited the Ayub National Park in Rawalpindi recently with my family, comprising four adults and two toddlers At the entrance, I paid Rs100 for car parking We then came across a section showcasing military exhibits including tanks helicopters missile models and fighter jet dummies To view
Tariq Khan Tareen
Pakistan’s healthcare system
TH
and allied health professionals is another pressing issue The doctor-to-patient ratio remains far below international standards, and brain drain further exacerbates this Each year, many of Pakistan’s besttrained doctors and nurses emigrate for better pay more opportunities and improved working conditions leaving the
Advantages, flaws and unseen strengths When
colds and fevers resulting in longer queues and diluted care Corruption mismanagement and lack of accountability add to the inefficiency Reports of ghost employees poor record-keeping, and misallocation of medical supplies are not uncommon in government hospitals Essential drugs sometimes go missing, forcing patients to purchase medications at high costs from private pharmacies Preventive medicine is another area where Pakistan struggles Vaccination campaigns are met with resistance due to misinformation and distrust, and public health awareness remains minimal The result is recurrent outbreaks of preventable diseases such as polio measles and hepatitis Maternal and child health indicators are also poor with high infant mortality and maternal death rates Malnutrition remains widespread, undermining the population s resilience to illness At the same time, the regulatory environment is weak, allowing unlicensed practitioners and quacks to flourish particularly in rural and peri-urban areas These practitioners often provide unsafe unhygienic and incorrect treatments creating long-term damage to patients health Private healthcare is another doubleedged sword While it provides modern equipment cleaner facilities and often more reliable care it comes at a price far beyond the reach of the majority of citizens A significant portion of the population is pushed further into poverty due to out-of-pocket healthcare expenses Health insurance penetration is limited, leaving most families vulnerable to financial ruin in the face of serious illness For many choosing between treatment and basic necessities is an unfortunate reality Despite this bleak portrait the Pakistani healthcare system carries within it certain undeniable strengths that are often overlooked One of the most striking advantages is affordability
Healthcare, particularly in government hospitals, is either free or highly subsidized While these facilities may not offer luxury, they ensure that even the poorest can seek treatment without catastrophic financial consequences Compared to countries like the USA where medical debt is a leading cause of bankruptcy Pakistan provides a baseline of accessibility to its citizens For routine medical consultations, diagnostic tests, and even surgeries, costs remain significantly lower than those in developed nations This affordability extends to private care as well where even the top-tier hospitals charge only a fraction of what a patient would pay in Europe or North America Another advantage lies in accessibility to specialists In Pakistan, patients can often directly consult a specialist without the need for lengthy referral processes In many Western systems particularly under national health schemes patients must first go through general practitioners often waiting weeks or months for a specialist appointment In Pakistan, this step is often bypassed, saving time and frustration For urgent concerns one can approach a cardiologist neurologist or surgeon directly This flexibility while contributing to the burden on tertiary hospitals paradoxically also allows quicker access to expert care
Waiting times for diagnostic procedures and surgeries also tend to be shorter compared to countries with overburdened national systems For instance patients in Canada or the UK sometimes wait months for elective surgeries while in Pakistan such procedures can often be scheduled within days or weeks, particularly in the private sector This efficiency, combined with the lower costs, makes Pakistan an attractive destination for medical tourism particularly for patients from neighbouring countries
Another important strength is the re-
pressure Their skill and training are often recognized globally as evidenced by the success of Pakistani medical professionals working abroad
Domestically, the dedication of frontline workers during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic or recurring dengue outbreaks highlighted their courage and commitment In rural areas the Lady Health Worker program has become a cornerstone of maternal and child health bringing vital services to women and children who would otherwise remain excluded from formal healthcare
The government has also launched initiatives aimed at expanding access and improving equity Programs such as the Sehat Sahulat Card have attempted to introduce health insurance for low-income families covering major medical expenses at designated hospitals While implementation challenges remain, such policies represent a recognition of the need for structural reform Non-governmental organizations and charitable institutions further supplement the healthcare system Organizations such as the Edhi Foundation, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, and Indus Hospital provide free or heavily subsidized healthcare to thousands of patients daily These charitable models demonstrate the power of community-driven solutions in bridging the gaps left by the state Pakistan s pharmaceutical industry is another hidden strength The country produces a significant proportion of its own generic medications making treatments more affordable and reducing dependency on imports Essential
issue thunderous statements
When they march in Tehran, they are hailed as heroes of freedom. But when Asian youth challenge govts that the West considers strategically useful, the silence is deafening
ergies of the young is not just cynical
Hwith the
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regional headquarters a visceral expression of the chasm between New Delhi s power and its disenchanted frontier And if India s ruling class, and indeed the West, have any foresight left, they will recognize Ladakh’s tragedy not as an aberration but as part of a wider continental tremor Look beyond India’s northern frontier and we will see the unmistakable echo of the same unrest
INDIA’S SPECIFIC FAULT LINE:
Ladakh is not just any territory Since it was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, it has stood at the crossroads of India’s geopolitical rivalries with China and Pakistan For New Delhi Ladakh is a military outpost For its young residents however it is home – one where they feel increasingly like strangers in their own land
The demand for Sixth Schedule protections is telling It reflects a fear that Ladakh’s fragile culture land and demography will be steamrolled by outsiders once economic liberalization reaches its valleys The demand for statehood reflects an equally basic truth: No community wants to be ruled forever as a mere “Union Territory,” with limited self-rule and maximum bureaucratic intrusion
The BJP unsurprisingly has accused the opposition Congress of orchestrating the protests This is politics as usual in India: blame the other party, deflect responsibility and hope the public forgets But the vehemence of the protests suggests otherwise It takes more than opposition agitation to drive hundreds of young people to risk their lives against batons bullets and teargas
THE WEST’S CONVENIENT BLIND SPOT: What is striking is the silence – or at best, the muted commentary – of the West When young people march in Hong Kong Western governments issue thunderous statements
When they march in Tehran they are hailed as heroes of freedom But when Asian youth challenge governments that the West considers strategically useful, the silence is deafening Ladakhis are not likely to become darlings of Western think tanks anytime soon Their cause is inconvenient Washington is courting India as a bulwark against China Brussels is wooing New Delhi as a partner in trade diversification
London is looking to secure a free-trade agreement with the Modi government And so the young who bleed in Leh are unlikely to merit even a perfunctory line in a White House briefing This double standard is not lost on Asia s youth It reinforces their suspicion that Western talk of “democratic values” is selective and self-serving The hypocrisy weakens not just Western credibility but also the very democratic movements that the West claims to champion
LESSONS FROM HISTORY: History shows that ignoring the political en-
it is dangerous In 1968, student protests from Paris to Prague reshaped the political imagination of Europe In South Korea it was youth-led protests in the 1980s that toppled military rule and birthed a democracy Even in India it was the student protests of the 1970s that catalyzed the movement against Indira Gandhi s Emergency Suppressing young voices with batons and bullets can buy governments temporary calm But it almost never buys legitimacy Instead it radicalizes the very people whose energy could have been harnessed for constructive change
A REGIONAL RECKONING: If India’s leadership believes Ladakh’s unrest will remain confined to a cold desert plateau it is deluding itself The grievances of Gen Z are national: unemployment that hovers stubbornly high, a political culture that feels exclusionary and an economy that seems to grow without lifting their boats The discontent in Ladakh could just as easily erupt in Uttar Pradesh Assam or the Northeast
TOWARD AN HONEST RESPONSE: What should be done? First, governments need to recognize that the discontent is genuine Blaming “outside agitators” may soothe party loyalists but fools no one else Second there must be a willingness to cede space: more local autonomy in Ladakh real anti-corruption reforms in Nepal and economic relief in Sri Lanka Third, the West must resist the temptation to view Asian youth protests solely through the prism of its geopolitical chessboard Supporting democracy selectively only fuels cynicism
THE RECKONING AHEAD: What happened in Ladakh is tragic, but it is not accidental It is the symptom of a deeper continental malaise: a generation betrayed by political elites who mistake youthful patience for acquiescence India s leaders like their counterparts across Asia can still choose differently They can embrace dialogue over suppression, reform over inertia and inclusion over exclusion But if they do not Gen Z will not wait The fires that consumed the BJP’s Ladakh office may in time consume something larger: the credibility of entire government
M A Hossain is a senior journalist and international affairs analyst
HO W best to explain why exactly Parisian judges have hit former French President Nicolas Sarkozy with a five-year prison sentence Let’s just say that he was found guilty of supervising a bunch of movers And those movers were hauling around suitcases Loaded with cash Around $50 million, to be precise Sarkozy will learn his prison check-in date on October 13 And appeal or no appeal, he’s expected to show up for his staycation behind bars All this even though the actual corruption charges mostly slid right past Sarkozy and smacked one of his top lieutenants instead Sarkozy had been staring down heavyweight corruption charges over allegations he siphoned millions in Libyan cash to bankroll his 2007 presidential campaign But he walked on that The only charge that actually stuck was criminal conspiracy – because the court found that proof of a conspiracy to extract cash from a foreign country for his presidential campaign existed, but not that Sarkozy s fingerprints were on the envelopes Instead, the judges said that Sarkozy “allowed his close collaborators and political supporters – over whom he had authority and acted on his behalf to solicit the Libyan authorities in order to obtain or attempt to obtain financial support in Libya with a view to obtaining campaign financing, as Le Figaro reported Basically, the gang got caught, and the boss got dinged for pretending to look the other way His campaign manager Claude Guéant got nailed for actual corruption resulting in a sixyear prison sentence – which he won t be expected to serve because at 80 years old he s considered to
allowed UN inspectors to return to its nuclear sites but Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the United States had offered only a short reprieve in return for handing over its whole stockpile of enriched uranium, a proposal he described as unacceptable An 11th-hour effort by
Russia pounds Kyiv, other regions in mass drone and missile attack
Pakistan steps up trade diplomacy with Bangladesh through high-level visit
Kashmiris hold power ful protest outside UN against Indian state terrorism in IIOJK
On the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly session, spirited Kashmiris staged a massive peaceful protest against India’s state terrorism in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir The demonstration exposed fascist India’s true face before the international community Protesters raised powerful slogans including Modi Killer which shook the global conscience and shattered New Delhi s false narrative The protest intensified during the speech of Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, with Kashmiris tearing apart India’s misleading claims on the world stage Observers noted that Jaishankar ’s weak and disjointed address appeared helpless before the undeniable ground realities in IIOJK further projecting India as a non-serious state before the world
Speakers, including Kashmiri leaders and members of Friends of Kashmir, demanded immediate justice in line with UN resolutions stressing that the oppressed people of IIOJK have been resisting India s deceit and tyranny for over eight decades Chairperson of Friends of Kashmir International Ghazala Habib, said despite relentless oppression, Kashmiris will never step back from their right to self-determination “This truth has shattered the ugly dream of Akhand Bharat ” she added Sikh leaders also joined the protest raising their voices in solidarity with Kashmiris which reflected a growing international unity against India s brutal policies
The air in New York resounded with slogans of Free Kashmir, while Kashmiri leaders made it clear to the world that Indian state terrorism cannot crush their just struggle which is gaining further strength with each passing day
TEL AVIV/WASHINGTON Ag e N c i e s
Facing increasing isolation abroad and mounting pressure at home Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will defend his intention to finish the job in Gaza when he meets US President Donald Trump on Monday, according to media reports The meeting comes days after Trump unveiled a 21-point plan aimed at ending the war in the Palestinian territory during discussions with Arab and Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly On Sunday Trump hinted at something special to come in Middle East talks adding in a post on his Truth Social platform: WE WILL GET IT DONE!!! On Friday, Trump had told reporters in Washington I think we have a deal on Gaza, even as Netanyahu, speak-
performance of his team stating that a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff on the issue of land grabbing had yielded positive results He further said that ABAD had the opportunity to be part of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Facilitation Committee Moreover, the government allocated PKR 70 million for youth training which is expected to increase to PKR 400–500 million next year He termed this an historic step in ABAD s history under which engineering students will complete a four-year course He also mentioned that, for the first time, ABAD organized an in-house Expo, offer-
mal settlements), and revision of the Building Control Ordinance were also achieved
t m e n t t i e s w i t h P a k i s t a n , e s p e c i a l l y i n s e ct o r s t h a t p r o m o t e r e s i l i e n c e , i n c l u s i v i t y, a n d i n n ov a t i o n ” T h e e v e n t a l s o f e a t u r e d a d y n a m i c p a n e l d i s c u ss i o n t h e m e d o n I n v e s t i n g w i t
ISLAMABAD
Nadeem Afzal Chan doing propaganda against Punjab: A zma Bokhari
A L L S R H ET O R I C ‘ S H A M E F U L A N D P ET T Y ’
reflexive blame game devoid of evidence He recalled India’s “blatant aggression” between May 7–10, which killed 54 civilians including 15 children and 13 women adding that Pakistan exercised its right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter downing multiple Indian aircraft in response
habitually violating international law and fueling rather than fighting terrorism He cited Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav a serving Indian naval officer arrested in Pakistan as proof of India s covert operations Rashid also dismissed Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar s earlier remarks branding Pakistan the “epicentre of global terrorism,” calling them “devoid of facts” and part of a smear campaign
Responding to India s claim about the Pahalgam incident Rashid noted that Pakistan condemned the attack, offered an independent investigation, and rejected the
Highlighting Pakistan s sacrifices over 90,000 lives lost in fighting terrorism Rashid stressed that the country remains a “pillar of global counterterrorism efforts ” He also condemned Indian state terrorism in occupied Jammu and Kashmir including extrajudicial killings arbitrary arrests and staged encounters
Reaffirming Islamabad s commitment to peace, he said: “South Asia’s 1 9 billion people deserve prosperity and stability These goals cannot be achieved through intimidation True progress demands sincerity dialogue and diplomacy principles Pakistan has upheld, and which India must embrace if it truly seeks peace
CPEC Phase 2 to link Balochistan’s minerals with Gwadar, says Ahsan Iqbal
s
e s k Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has announced that a new corridor will be developed to connect Balochistan’s vast mineral wealth with Gwadar Port as part of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
Speaking to journalists in Beijing the minister said he was honoured to chair the 11th meeting of the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee, which marked the formal launch of Phase 2 of the initiative He described the Beijing Investment Conference as the starting point of
a new journey under the “Uraan Pakistan” vision which aims to transform the country into a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2035 According to him the various strands of CPEC will be aligned with this broader framework to deliver long-term growth
Iqbal explained that the second phase of CPEC will shift its emphasis from government-to-government initiatives to business-to-business cooperation with Pakistan providing a favourable environment for Chinese firms to invest He highlighted that this phase will revolve around five thematic areas: expanding exports and accelerating eco-
Second attack on HPV vaccination team in Mandi Bahauddin sparks fear among health workers
MANDI BAHAUDDIN n e w s D e s k
A female health team administering the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was attacked in Punjab s Mandi Bahauddin district on Saturday the second such incident in just three days, deepening fears among frontline health workers The HPV vaccine, introduced nationally last year as part of Pakistan’s routine immunisation programme is aimed at protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer While public health experts have hailed the campaign as a landmark initiative vaccine hesitancy fuelled by misinformation and mistrust continues to spark resistance In the latest incident, the vaccination team was working inside a non-formal education school in Ratuwal village when a 55-year-old resident stormed in and attempted to attack a female supervisor According to Kathian Sheikhan police the man tried to hit her with a stick threatened dire consequences and used abusive language forcing the campaign to be halted amid panic Health Supervisor Shamim Anjum speaking to reporters, said her team had to flee to protect their lives We filed a written complaint with the police, and while an FIR has been registered, the promised security arrangements after the first attack have not been implemented ” she said Police have confirmed a case has been lodged under sections related to obstruction of public duties and criminal intimidation and say the suspect will be arrested soon The incident comes just two days after another HPV vaccination team was assaulted in Chak No 38 of the same district, where a female worker was physically attacked Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazeer had directed police to ensure protection for health staff after that case but workers on the ground say no practical steps have followed The repeated violence is threatening the momentum of the vaccination drive Health staff insist they cannot continue without visible police support, raising concerns that Pakistan could miss critical targets The HPV campaign is being rolled out in phases, with the first stage covering Punjab Sindh Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad launched this month Authorities aim to vaccinate 90 per cent of girls aged 9 to 14 in these areas by 2025 before expanding the effort to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2026 and to Balochistan and GilgitBaltistan in 2027 Public health experts warn that sustaining the campaign requires not only vaccines and logistics but also the protection of those tasked with delivering them
nomic growth, drawing on China’s technological expertise to build a digital economy strengthening cooperation on renewable energy and climate change improving transport infrastructure to enhance regional connectivity and developing a mineral corridor to link Balochistan s resources with
and emerging sciences Training in these
K arachi on aler t as tropic al system from Bay of Bengal may hit S indh coast
KARACHI s tA f f R e p o R t
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an advisory warning that a tropical weather system forming over the Bay of Bengal is advancing toward the Arabian Sea and could affect coastal Sindh including Karachi over the next few days
According to the PMD advisory the low-pressure area which has been building strength over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to move across India and enter the Arabian Sea near Gujarat Meteorologists said the system may trigger changes in atmospheric conditions, bringing spells of rain and thunderstorms to parts of southeastern Sindh
The advisory noted that while marine conditions are likely to remain stable at the outset disruption is expected once the system moves closer to the Arabian Sea Fishermen and coastal communities have been advised to remain alert as the situation develops
Currently, Karachi is experiencing oppressive heat and humidity with maximum temperatures forecast to hover between 35–37 C until Wednesday The Met Office said the city is likely to see extreme hot and
humid” weather today followed by cloud build-up and possible rainfall on September 30 in the afternoon or evening
Districts including Tharparkar Umerkot Badin Sujawal and Sanghar are forecast to receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms between September 29 and 30 The weather in these districts is expected to remain partly cloudy, offering some respite from the prevailing heatwave conditions Meteorologists emphasized that the full impact of the tropical system will depend on its trajectory and strength as it enters the Arabian Sea At this stage it appears southeastern and lower Sindh, including Karachi, could be affected, but further updates will refine the forecast,” an official said
The PMD added that hot and humid weather would continue in most parts of Sindh early next week though localized rainfall could provide temporary relief in some areas
The developing system follows a pattern of unusual weather disturbances in the region, which forecasters link to shifting climatic conditions The Met Office is closely monitoring the low-pressure area and will issue further advisories as the system progresses
Taliban free US citizen af ter talks with Washington, K abul confirms
KABUL Ag e n c e s
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Sunday confirmed that an American citizen, Amir Amiri, had been released from prison following talks with a United States delegation in Kabul the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement US President Donald Trump s special envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler, welcomed the release, describing it as a good moment for Amiri and a positive step in bilateral engagements Muttaqi said the Afghan government does not approach such matters “from a political angle” and stressed that “ways can be found to resolve issues through diplomacy He thanked the government of Qatar for facilitating the process and described the release as a confidencebuilding step
According to the Afghan ministry, Boehler termed
the earlier round of talks between Kabul and Washington as constructive and expressed hope that dialogue would continue to address pending issues This marked the American delegation s second visit to Kabul in recent weeks During the first round of discussions, the US side had pressed for the release of American prisoners, while Taliban leaders demanded the release of Afghan national Mohammad Rahim reportedly detained at Guantanamo Bay Washington had agreed in principle to transfer Rahim to Qatar though Sunday s statement made no mention of progress on that demand The release of Amiri follows other recent gestures by Taliban authorities, including the freeing of an elderly British couple earlier this month after nearly eight months in detention Peter Reynolds 80 and his wife Barbara 76 were reunited with their family after their arrest in February drew international concern over their health