A JK GOVT, CENTRE INVITE JA AC TO RESUME ‘STALLED TALKS’ AS 9 KILLED, 220 INJURED AMID VIOLENT A JK PROTESTS
g PM HAQ, TARIQ FAZAL CH URGE RESUMPTION OF TALKS, CLAIMING 90PC OF JAAC ’S 38 DEMANDS ACCEPTED
g SIX CIVILIANS AND THREE POLICEMEN KILLED OVER 220 INJURED AMID VIOLENT PROTESTS IN AJK
g SAY DEADLOCK REMAINS OVER REFUGEE SEATS, CABINET SIZE, APPEALING FOR PEACE AND WARNING AGAINST FAKE NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
g NEELUM BRIDGE VIOLENCE, LAL CHOWK RALLIES ESCALATE CRISIS A S STRIKES PARALYSE AJK
Islamabad, AJK PM Haq and Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry emphasized that dialogue was
the only “civilized” way forward “This is a request to start from where the talks broke down Haq said Whenever and wherever the JAAC wants to talk, the state government is ready whether in Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, or Mirpur ” The unrest escalated after an attack in Dhir Kot early in the day when armed JAAC activists allegedly opened fire on police killing three officers Constables Khurshid and Jameel of Bagh and Constable Tahir Rafi of Muzaffarabad and injuring nine others Families of the slain officers have demanded strict accounta-
bility for the attackers Meanwhile the AJK government confirmed that protests have resulted in significant disruption, including a three-day shutter-down strike and communications blackout, paralyzing life across major districts Internet and cellular networks were suspended in large parts of Muzaffarabad and surrounding areas while roads and markets remained closed PM Haq, while expressing grief over the killings of policemen and civilians, said that violent tactics were unaccept-
able There are nationalists and violent elements among you Violence and brandishing sticks are not right in any way Nothing will be achieved through chaos ” he remarked also pointing out that even schools had been attacked including one in Plak Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry insisted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was personally overseeing the situation and had made it his “duty” to resolve the crisis “We accepted 90 percent of their demands and federal ministers guaranteed implementation An agreement was even drafted and amended according to JAAC s satisfaction, he said He clarified that only two points remain unresolved abolition of 12 legislative seats reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and a reduction in the number of ministers Both matters fall under the authority of the Legislative Assembly, he explained The JAAC had earlier presented a 38point charter of demands including an end to perks for ruling elites royalties for hydel power projects and electoral reforms
Trump lauds Pakistan’s leadership for crediting him with stopping war with India
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed credit for averting a full-scale war between Pakistan and India
people of Pakistan stand alongside their Chinese counterparts in celebrating a historic journey of progress, national unity, and modern development He praised the leadership of President Xi Jinping crediting his vision for China s advances in innovation sustainable growth and international engagement The president described Pakistan-China relations as timetested and multifaceted, underlining that his recent visits to Beijing had further cemented cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and strategic security He expressed particular interest in deepening people-to-people ties in science technology education and culture terming them the foundation of the enduring partnership Extending his best wishes for China s continued success he reaffirmed the slogan: Long live the Pakistan-China friendship Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also sent his felicitations, stressing that Pakistan takes pride in its “eternal and unbreakable” bond with China In his statement the prime minister said that the National Day serves not only as a celebration of China s achievements but also as recognition of its contributions to global peace and development
Thirteen terrorists belonging to Indian proxies Fitna al-Khwarij and Fitna al-Hindustan were killed and four terrorists were apprehended trying to flee cowardly by disguising themselves in women s attire in three separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted in different areas of Balochistan according to the military’s media wing on Wednesday In a statement the Inter-Services Public Relations
(ISPR) said the IBOs were carried out on 30 September and 01 October 2025 in the Quetta, Kech, and Khuzdar districts The ISPR said, “An intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted in the outskirts of Quetta on the reported presence of Khwarij of Fitna al Khwarij During the conduct of the operation our own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location, and after an intense fire exchange, 10 Indian-sponsored Khwarij were sent to hell “In another intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in Kech District, a terrorist hideout was busted, and three Indian-sponsored terrorists, Fitna al-Hindustan, were successfully neutralized A large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered The slain militants were actively involved in a number of terrorist activities ” the ISPR added On 01 October 2025 security forces conducted yet another intelligence-based operation in Khuzdar District of Balochistan on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy, Fitna al-Hindustan
Pakistan
repaid as scheduled, reflecting Pakistan’s adherence to its financial
ligations Khurram Schehzad Advisor to Pakistan s Finance Minister highlighted that the repayment is part of Pakistan s ongoing efforts to maintain fiscal stability The country has been able to meet its debt obligations despite global economic challenges, signaling a steady and responsible approach to managing its finances He said that this development comes at a time when Pakistan’s external buffers and liquidity have strengthened and the country s sovereign ratings have been upgraded Investor confidence in Pakistan is on the rise, with Pakistani bonds trading at a premium compared to recent history Furthermore, the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio has improved from 77% in FY2020 to 70% in FY2025 indicating better debt management The advisor said that the share of external debt in total public debt has also decreased from 38% to 32% which reduces the vulnerability to exchange rate fluctuations Additionally, debt growth has significantly moderated in FY2025, compared to previous years Looking ahead, easing global borrowing costs along with stronger economic fundamentals put Pakistan in a favorable position to access international markets at more competitive terms This positive trajectory is expected to help the country build a more sustainable debt profile
Water availability for Rabi crops at risk due to delayed infrastruc ture projec
ts: repor t
Despite healthy water storage levels in major reservoirs, Pakistan s agriculture sector faces operational challenges that may hamper its output in the upcoming cropping seasons primarily due to delays in crucial infrastructure development projects for irrigation
According to the Indus River System Authority (Irsa), the country’s main reservoirs Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma were 99 3% full at the beginning of the Rabi 2025 season holding 13 217 million acre-feet (MAF) of water against the maximum capacity of 13 316 MAF This robust water storage could offset some of the agricultural losses caused by the recent floods during the Kharif season However the Water and Power Development Authority s (Wapda)
These delays are hindering the full utilization of the available water resources, making it difficult for Irsa and provincial irrigation departments to efficiently manage water for irrigation
In response to these challenges Irsa convened an unannounced meeting of its technical committee on September 29 to discuss water availability estimates for the Rabi season and the upcoming Kharif season However no
is about 37-38 MAF, and with the carryover from Kharif, the availability is expected to reach around 35-36 MAF, along with river flows over the next six months
PAKISTAN TO HOLD INVESTOR CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON: BLOOMBERG
President Zardari,
PM Shehbaz extend greetings to China on 76th National Day
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
He lauded President Xi Jinping’s leadership for guiding China to remarkable developmental milestones and recalled his own recent visit to China as productive and fruitful He noted that billions of dollars in investment agreements were signed during engagements at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit and the Business-to-Business Conference Highlighting the centrality of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Shehbaz stressed that the project has now entered its second phase and remains the most important joint undertaking between the two countries He said Pakistan was committed to working with China to take bilateral relations to new heights for the benefit of both nations and future generations
A JK gov t , Centre invite JA AC to resume ‘stalled talks’ as 9 killed, 220 injured amid violent A JK protests
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
While many of these have been accepted, the government maintains that the refugee seats are non-negotiable given their link to the Kashmir freedom movement Tensions worsened on Monday when rival protests clashed at Neelum Bridge in Muzaffarabad Supporters of the Muslim Conference staging an Aman March, confronted JAAC activists Gunfire reportedly broke out, killing one protester, identified as Sudheer, and injuring four others Viral footage showed armed men firing at demonstrators In response JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir addressed a crowd of nearly 5 000 at Lal Chowk denouncing the violence and accusing authorities of attempting to provoke another May 9-style incident ” He vowed to continue protests until all demands were met announcing a march with Sudheer ’s body and further demonstrations
2026 with the Sindh government already initiating land acquisition processes Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has instructed officials to expedite the transfer of both state and private land required for the project Delays in the past have been attributed to litigation issues Additionally the M-10 motorway (Karachi Northern Bypass) is being upgraded and extended to connect directly with the M-6 at Jamshoro creating a high-capacity route for both commercial and passenger traffic from Karachi Port The M-6 project has faced delays and challenges related to financing The estimated cost has grown from $617 million in 2018 to $1
SC questions legalit y of super tax , asks if lev y amounts to double taxation
up to 120 km/h, the motorway will include 89 bridges, 15 interchanges, and 243 underpasses This project is part of the larger Eastern Alignment of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Physical construction of the M-6 is set to begin in
Aurangzeb rules out new taxes, vows to meet IMF targets
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The Senate session, however, turned heated as senators criticised the FBR’s heavy-handed tactics One senator remarked, “Tax collection is not done with a Kalashnikov Treat traders as traders not like Taliban or terrorists ” Another lawyer accused the FBR of defying presidential directives by challenging Federal Ombudsman rulings in court despite obligations under the Ombudsman Reforms Act 2013 The Attorney General countered that goods classification disputes fall outside the Ombudsman s jurisdiction and should be handled by classification committees Senator Afnan alleged that the FBR had lodged politically motivated cases against him in the past which he later
won In response, Inland Revenue Operations Member Hamid Ateeq Sarwar advised that appeals be pursued through legal forums and assured that appellate decisions would be respected Other issues also came under discussion including the pending Virtual Assets Bill Aurangzeb told senators that the ministry had received 16 queries on the draft law and would submit detailed responses He stressed that the bill should aim at fostering growth rather than spreading fear Separately
F a i l i n g p u b l i c h e a l t h
HPV vaccine roll- out does not show lessons learnt from polio vaccination experience
TH E rise in the number of new polio cases has meant they have reached 29, which leaves Pakistan far, along with Afghanistan, from eliminating the disease If eliminated it would represent the second widespread virus infection after smallpox, eliminated by human intervention Polio is a wasting disease that leaves victims crippled, provided it did not kill them, yet vaccinators and their accompanying guards have been attacked and even killed Meanwhile the roll-out of the HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine has taken place, but has also been resisted fiercely, with over 3 6 million parents reported as having refused the vaccinations The vaccine is meant to be administered to young girls to protect them from a disease which could ultimately lead to cervical cancer The same fears may apply, which are basically religious objections even though the ulema spread the fear have not been approached properly and convinced that the vaccine does not have any of the deleterious effects that are feared The HPV vaccine is problematic because it directly relates to the female reproductive system, unlike the polio vaccine
Apart from the need to ensure that HPV vaccinators are guarded, there is a need to ensure that the weaknesses of the polio programme are not repeated In fact, the polio vaccination programme needs revision It should be remarked that polio cases had been brought down to 12 in 2018, before spiking to 147 the year after, with a refusal to go down since Polio has been a public health disaster because the only known means of eliminating it is by breaking its spread through vaccinations A recent subnational campaign reached 21 million children under the age of five in 88 districts
The next campaign, in the middle of the month, is expected to reach 45 4 million children
The really dangerous point of the HPV vaccine campaign will be when it moves from the schools, where it presently is, to the homes, where it will have to go if it is to have any real meaning It is likely that the same forces which are resisting the polio vaccine will also resist the HPV vaccine This means that the government must put both vaccination campaigns high on its list of priorities, and engage exhaustively with its opponents It could start by identifying those religious scholars sympathetic to their point of view and engaging them to convince both parents and guardians and other ulema
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Astreets of Australia including Melbourne Perth Sydney and Canberra over the clash of values and ethnicity under the March for Australia slogan The protests clearly showcased the rise of right-wing extremism within a segment of the public due to the participation of NeoNazi groups such as the National Socialist Network The slogans chanting against the mass migration were of their kind depicting hatred against the Australian government and its immigration policies The anti-immigration rally was more of an anti-brown rally, especially targeting the South Asian community Despite raising positive points in the rally, like climate change, housing crisis, health care systems, jobs and others the propaganda carried out through these protests was clear: to promote hate against the South Asian diaspora particularly the Indian community The participation of leaders from the neo-Nazi group gives legitimacy to their voices The wave of far-right extremism is not new in Australian history These anti-brown and anti-immigrant slogans have been a regular part of Australian politics But since the ‘March for Humanity’ was carried out to raise a voice for Palestinians the sentiment of betrayal and hate reached its peak among the white Australians The government, on the other hand, raised its voice in opposition to these protests, preserving Australian cultural and ethnic inclusivity Instead of seeing patriotism in these protests, the government responds to these rallies as a part of a bigger agenda of Neo-Nazis who only aim to promote white supremacy A senior minister from the Labor Party Murray Watt criticized these protests and expressed that these protests are creating further division in our society Other government officials also condemned these protests, stating that this type of rally does not promote social harmony It is creating a disbalance in society and hatred among the public The emergence of these anti-immigration protests also poses a challenge for the Pakistani community as
U n c h e c k e d s u r v e i l l a n c e , u n p r o t e c t e d c i v i l i a n s
well who are in large numbers present in Australia Their right to education getting permanent residency white collar jobs and so on will decrease if this continues White supremacy will dominate and the survival of Pakistanis will become a big question in the near future Green Senator Mehreen Faruqi also pointed out that racism, hatred toward one group or ethnicity, has been in the blood and roots of colonizers Neo-Nazi groups are becoming a threat to the people giving them threats of rape and expelling them from countries whose generations have given their blood and soul in the growth of Australia She told the parliament how she
Cricket beyond politics
receive compensation and those responsible seldom face meaningful consequences When negligence carries no cost breaches become routine This erosion of trust has aftershocks Once people believe their information is unsafe, they withdraw from digital platforms, self-censor in conversations and disengage from civic participation Surveillance and insecurity instead of offering protection create fear Economically too the damage is real: investors and international partners are wary of engaging with markets where data protection is weak The chilling effect on innovation is profound, as talented citizens hesitate to engage fully in digital ecosystems they do not trust Experts argue that the loopholes are glaring Judicial warrants are often bypassed; oversight bodies, where they exist, are underfunded or politically compromised; encryption is weakened deliberately under the excuse of granting law enforcement “backdoors ” Meanwhile there is little redress for victims Ordinary citizens unfamiliar with legal avenues cannot afford long battles and courts are either too slow or too timid to hold powerful actors accountable International suppliers of spyware and mass surveillance hardware remain shielded by weak export regulations, raising urgent questions of global responsibility The aftereffects are not limited to privacy Unchecked surveillance corrodes democracy itself When citizens live with the knowledge that they might be watched, the cost of dissent rises Journalists hesitate before publishing sensitive investigations; whistleblowers weigh their conscience against the risk of exposure; civil society activists second-guess their every step Freedom of expression the oxygen of any democratic system begins to suffocate quietly Yet none of this is inevitable Solutions exist indeed, they are long overdue Strong data protection laws that mandate encryption, limit collection require breach notification and empower independent regulators are essential Judicial oversight must be restored so that no interception occurs without prior authorisation International frameworks must begin to regulate the export and misuse of surveillance technologies, ensuring that profit is not placed above fundamental rights Citizens themselves must also be made aware of their rights empowered to demand redress and supported by mechanisms that are affordable and accessible The challenge, however, is political will Technology can safeguard us only if leaders accept that privacy is not a luxury but a right Experts from the Carnegie Endowment and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly stressed that without accountability and enforcement even the most advanced protections are reduced to paper promises If surveillance remains unchecked and breaches go unpunished, the
At the same time, data leaks have become a silent epidemic. Around the world, including in developing economies, entire citizen databases containing passport details, ID numbers, travel histories are found circulating in black markets A 2024 World Bank analysis noted that breaches in government systems often cause more harm than private hacks because they expose the entire population at once, with minimal accountability
Majid Nabi burfat
Bstruck by its elders have been profoundly unequal In Nepal, that suspicion has become certainty Generation Z roughly those between 13 and 28 has grown up with democracy as a given but prosperity as a mirage The youth unemployment rate hovers near 20 percent Brain drain is a national fact of life; thousands leave the country every day in search of opportunity abroad Remittances account for nearly one-third of GDP, making economic vitality less a function of domestic productivity than of overseas sacrifice Add to this the daily insult of conspicuous corruption The Nepo Kids phenomenon the children of political elites flaunting imported cars and
clothes on the
social platforms the government sought
become a
shorthand for
that
in Kathmandu’s corridors of power It is hard to
institutions when those who run
trust
public office as a private inheritance In this light the social media ban was less a spark than a detonator It compressed years of frustration into days of rage And it reminded political leaders of a simple truth often ignored in young democracies: legitimacy once squandered is rarely retrievable by decree Nepal s politics are inevitably interlinked with its
S President Donald Trump eager to reassert himself as a global power broker and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struggling to maintain his fragile coalition at home have unveiled a ceasefire proposal for Gaza Marketed as a humanitarian breakthrough, the plan s real aim is not reconciliation but the disarmament of Palestinian resistance groups It is a ceasefire designed not to resolve the conflict but to reshape it in Israel’s favor institutionalizing control while stripping Palestinians of their only means of leverage The White House issued the text of its 20-point proposal on Monday as Trump and Netanyahu met in Washington The proposal outlined the framework for remaining captives, reconstruction, governance and disarmament Yet despite its presentation as a peace initiative the plan is overwhelmingly one-sided in Israel s favor Key Israeli strategic objectives including retention of the Philadelphi corridor, are left intact, ensuring Israel maintains permanent control over crucial access points in Gaza
ISRAEL S POLITICAL DILEMMA: Israel entered the war with the stated goal of eliminating Hamas after the resistance movement carried out a surprise military attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023 Yet, despite deploying its full military arsenal, Israel has not been able to achieve this objective Hamas and allied groups continue to demonstrate resilience using asymmetric tactics that blunt Israel s conventional superiority At home Netanyahu faces mounting political pressure: his fragile coalition is split war fatigue is spreading across Israeli society, and international criticism of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has intensified The war that was supposed to secure Israel’s dominance has instead exposed its vulnerabilities
In this context the ceasefire plan emerges not as an act of goodwill but as a political lifeline For Israel it offers a way to recast failure as compromise For Trump, it is a chance to return to the Middle East stage as a peacemaker, even if peace is the last thing this plan guarantees DIPLOMACY AS A WEAPON: The proposal’s central logic is clear: exchange guns for promises Its key
Reuters quoted a Hamas source c alling Trump’s plan biased and impossible, while a Palestinian official said it adopts all Israeli conditions
special rapporteur on housing warned that buffer zones and foreign transitional authority amounted to land grabs disguised as peace THE
from several countries it has also drawn sharp criticism Hamas and others have already rejected the disarmament clause outright insisting that armed struggle remains a right until the occupation ends They fear Israel could resume war at will once captives are released and leverage is lost Former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has criticized Blair ’s involvement, saying the former British prime minister ’s “catastrophic decision to invade Iraq cost thousands upon thousands of lives Australian Senator David Shoebridge also stated: Tony Blair s only role in the Middle East should be as a defendant, on trial for commencing the illegal and disastrous Iraq war that destroyed millions of lives Additionally, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the UN’s
Israel
CM MARYAM NAWA Z ADDRESSES INAUGURAL CEREMONY
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
CHIEF Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Centre in Murree and made several major announcements for the uplift of health infrastructure and tourism sectors in the region Speaking at the inaugural ceremony she announced the launch of cardiac surgeries and bypass operations at the centre, and also revealed plans for Murree’s first clean drinking water scheme multi-billion-rupee upgradation plan of the historic Mall Road establishment of PIA Park Karshi Park and a Biodiversity Park at Bansra Gali She also announced to launch a glass train/ART service between Rawalpindi and Murree soon along with the construction of a 100bed hospital in Kotli Sattian, besides shuttle bus service between Samli Hospital and Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Centre She pledged to initiate various development and tourism projects in Kotli Sattian besides the launch of an upcoming electric bus service in Murree Highlighting her personal emotional link with the hill station she said "Politics may sometimes seem difficult but in reality it is the name
of serving people Murree is our home, I grew up here Just as Lahore is close to my heart so is Murree If my father Muhammad Nawaz Sharif owns a house in Lahore his second house is in Murree Chief Minister Punjab said that after 1930, for the first time, work on upgradation of Samli Hospital was initiated under her leadership She stated that Samli Hospital was in a dilapidated condition and there was no facility for heart patients in Murree or Galiyat She added that patients had to travel two to three hours to Rawalpindi for getting medical treatment She outlined that in case of cardiac diseases, time is crucial, therefore, after taking oath as Chief Minister I pledged to build a cardiology hospital in
Trainee officers of 38th SMC under National Institute of Public Administration visits CDA HQ
ISLAMABAD s
The faculty member and trainee officers of the 38th Senior Management Course (SMC) under the National Institute of Public Administration, visited the CDA Headquarters on Wednesday Member Planning and Design, Dr Khalid Hafiz, Member Finance, Tahir Naeem and CDA officers welcomed the 38th SMC officers at the CDA Headquarters Member Planning and Design briefed the SMC participants on the overview objectives administrative structure, functions and operations of the CDA He informed them that the Capital City, Islamabad, was built according to a Master Plan, which has been divided into five different zones Participants were given detailed information about the implementation of zoning regulations and urban planning in the Capital City Islamabad Member Planning and Design apprised them of the issues facing the Capital City, Islamabad, and the measures being taken to address them In this regard, the briefing highlighted that the Islamabad Water has been established to resolve the water issues in Islamabad Similarly various measures and projects are being initiated for the better management of existing water resources and for better future water supply
During the briefing, the Senior Management Course participants were informed in detail about Islamabad's transport system This includes 4 metro bus routes and 160 electric bus feeder routes currently operational in the city The briefing also highlighted that Islamabad s mass transit network has
Pearl-Continental (PC) the hospitality division of Hashoo Group has entered into a management agreement with DHA Multan to manage and operate Arena
DHA Multan the city s premier event and hospitality complex The signing ceremony took place at Rumanza by Pearl-Continental Hotel, Multan, attended by senior leadership of PC Hospitality, Hashoo Group, DHA Multan management, and distinguished personalities of the city
This milestone marks the second collaboration between PC Hospitality and DHA Multan following the successful opening of Rumanza by Pearl-Continental
Pakistan s first five-star golf resort With the addition of Arena DHA Multan, the partnership further strengthens DHA Multan’s reputation as the region’s most sought-after lifestyle destination and underscores a shared commitment to elevate South Punjab as a hub for premium hospitality
Located in the heart of DHA Multan The Arena is designed to redefine gatherings in South Punjab The complex boasts a grand seating capacity of over 1,500 guests, 27 luxurious hotel rooms including executive suites, and an extensive array of modern amenities Perfectly positioned to host grand wed-
been integrated with Google Maps and information for all stations is now live on Google Maps The faculty and trainee officers of the 38th Senior Management Course under the National Institute of Public Administration were also briefed on the Solid Waste Management System the CDA s budget and its various sources of revenue They were informed about the environment-friendly initiatives in the City, the massive tree plantation campaign, crackdowns against illegal constructions and encroachments, sectoral development digital parking and other important development projects
The briefing emphasized that the CDA is working day and night to resolve the problems of Islamabad and to make it a beautiful and model city for the world All resources are being utilized in this regard to ensure the provision of better and the best facilities to the citizens At the end of the briefing a question and answer session was held with the Senior Management Course participants where various civic issues and their solutions were discussed
PC Hospitality expands presence in Multan with management of Arena DHA Multan LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
While US President Trump’s tariffs may continue to
dings premium corporate events exhibitions and cultural festivals The Arena combines elegance convenience, and world-class facilities under one roof
For the first time in Multan, Arena DHA Multan introduces Bakers Boutique by Pearl-Continental, offering guests a fresh selection of breads, cakes, and pastries prepared daily Adding further convenience for residents and visitors the property also brings PC Laundry a trusted name in professional garment care now easily accessible within DHA Multan Complimenting this, the Arena brings together state of the art facilities under one roof including a mini cinema and curated event services, making its a landmark destination for residents and visitors alike
Speaking on the occasion Brig Ahmed Rizan Ghumman SI(M) Project Director DHA
a unique venue that strengthens our portfolio while supporting regional development through hospitality and event facilities of international standards
Friendship a bright example of peace, development in region: Ibrahim Hasan Murad
IMF AND PAKISTAN MAKE KEY DECISIONS AMID FLOOD FALLOUT AND STRUCTURAL REFORMS
r t
Federal Minister for Human Rights
Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday reaffirmed the importance of Pakistan’s longstanding partnership with the United States noting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif s recent visit to Washington reflected the shared desire to strengthen political understanding and open new avenues of cooperation, state media reorted The federal minister was speaking to US Chargé d Affaires Natalie Baker who called on him at the Ministry of Human Rights according to an official statement Both sides appreciated the positive momentum in bilateral relations, expressing satisfaction that ties are moving forward in a spirit of mutual respect and constructive engagement They underlined the importance of continued dialogue stability and goodwill in building stronger ties between the two nations
Senator Tarar highlighted that Pakistan greatly values its friendship with the United States and looks forward to expanding cooperation not only in political and economic areas but also in the social sector including human rights, education, and people-to-people linkages He briefed the U S envoy on
Pakistan s ongoing legislative reforms aimed at protecting vulnerable groups advancing women s rights, and ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens Ms Baker welcomed Pakistan’s initiatives and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to work closely with Islamabad in areas of mutual interest
She emphasized that a stronger partnership rooted in democratic values, human rights, and inclusive development remains a key priority for the United States
The meeting reflected the close and cooperative spirit that continues to define Pakistan–US relations Over the past few weeks Ms Baker has also met Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Chief of Army Staff
General Asim Munir underscoring Washington s intent to engage with Pakistan s civilian and military leadership at multiple levels These discussions have focused on governance reforms regional security economic resilience and strengthening democratic institutions Diplomatic observers note that the recent uptick in engagements points to a steady warming of relations, as both sides recalibrate ties around shared priorities, including trade, investment, security cooperation and institutional development The Human Rights Minister and the US envoy agreed to continue close coordination reaffirming that Pakistan–US partnership is moving forward with renewed goodwill and cooperation
Punjab, KP and Sindh PDMAs warn of renewed flooding as heav y rains loom large
LAHORE/PESHAWAR/KARACHI
s a l e e M J a d o o n Provincial disaster management authorities (PDMAs) of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) issued fresh weather advisories on Wednesday, warning of heavy rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds as two storm systems simultaneously threaten southern Sindh and northern Pakistan raising fears of renewed flooding after one of the harshest monsoon seasons in years
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a wellmarked low-pressure area over India’s Saurashtra coast has drifted westward into the northeast Arabian Sea Located about 310 kilometers (192 miles) southeast of Karachi the system is expected to intensify into a tropical depression within 12 hours, with the potential to trigger light to moderate rain in Karachi and 11 other southern districts of Sindh including Tharparkar Umerkot Badin and Mirpurkhas accompanied by squally winds of up to 55 km/h The PMD s cyclone warning center in Karachi is monitoring the situation closely and has advised fishermen not to venture into the deep sea until at least October 3 citing rough to very rough sea conditions Authorities cautioned that high winds and lightning could
damage vulnerable infrastructure such as mud-built homes, electric poles, billboards, solar panels, and vehicles Meanwhile the Punjab PDMA forecast a powerful westerly system to strike from October 5 to 7 bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall across the upper catchments of major rivers and the northern and northeastern districts of the province
Officials warned the rains could swell rivers and trigger flash floods although water levels at major Indus River barrages Guddu Sukkur and Kotri remained normal on Tuesday, with inflows recorded at 137,332 cusecs, 105,430 cusecs, and 265,141 cusecs respectively Punjab, the country’s agricultural hub faces heightened flood risks particularly after weeks of monsoon devastation Since June 26 over 1 000 people have died nationwide and more than 4 7 million have been affected in Punjab alone Floodwaters have submerged more than 4,700 villages, displaced over 2 5 million people and wiped out standing crops of cotton rice and sugarcane dealing a heavy blow to the agriculture sector which supports nearly 40 percent of the national workforce
In Karachi, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy and humid through the week, with daytime temperatures ranging from 33°C to 36°C (91°F–97°F) Light rain or drizzle is
possible until Friday, according to the Sindh PDMA Hot and dry conditions are likely to persist in districts not directly affected by the storm system Separately the KP PDMA issued an alert predicting intermittent rains winds and thunderstorms across the province from October 2 to 7 Districts expected to see the heaviest activity include Upper and Lower Dir, Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan Battagram Mansehra Abbottabad Buner Malakand Bajaur and Mohmand Southern districts such as Kohat Peshawar Nowshera Charsadda Mardan, Swabi, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, and North and South Waziristan have also been warned of heavy downpours with thunderstorms The KP PDMA said heavy rains may swell local rivers and streams and trigger landslides in mountainous areas disrupting roads in districts such as Abbottabad, Battagram, Chitral, Dir, Kohistan, Kurram, Shangla, Swat, Mohmand, and North Waziristan Vulnerable houses power lines billboards and solar panels are also at risk Authorities have directed deputy commissioners local disaster committees and relevant agencies in all three provinces to remain on high alert, conduct 24/7 monitoring, ensure drainage clearance, prepare emergency supplies, and issue timely warnings to residents tourists and travelers
