PAKISTAN READY FOR MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE WITH INDIA ON ALL ISSUES: PM
g SAYS PAKISTAN COOPERATING CLOSELY WITH UK AT UNSC, WHERE THE COUNTRY CURRENTLY HOLDS THE MONTHLY PRESIDENCY
g APPRECIATES UK ’S ROLE IN DEESCALATION OF TENSIONS DURING PAKISTAN-INDIA STANDOFF
g UK HC SHARES HER COUNTRY ’S PERSPECTIVE ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH A SIA, ME AT THE MEETING
US hints at mediation on Kashmir during talks with Pakistan
forward to that as well she said signaling potential discussions about the dispute
Her comments follow past efforts, including those by former President Donald Trump, who attempted to mediate between Pakistan and India, including on Kashmir during his tenure Trump had previously offered to host talks between the two countries citing his role in helping ease tensions in South Asia
Rubio The discussions are expected to focus on the longstanding issues between Pakistan and India, particularly Kashmir, and recent tensions between the
neighbors Senior officials from both countries are set to attend the meeting which will also touch on broader matters of mutual interest State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, speaking at a press briefing, addressed questions regarding the US position on Kashmir and whether it would support direct communication between Pakistan and India on the issue Bruce’s response was measured hinting that Kashmir could be part of the conversation in the talks between Dar and Rubio
We have Pakistan who is going to be here for a bilat, and I ll be participating in that, so I m looking
The remarks also coincide with growing regional concerns, following escalated tensions between India and Pakistan in recent months Notably, a deadly military confrontation occurred after the Indian Air Force conducted an unprovoked attack on civilian targets in Pakistan on May 7 alleging the targeting of “terrorist infrastructure The airstrike killed multiple civilians and injured several more Pakistan s air force responded swiftly, shooting down six Indian fighter aircraft, including three French-made Rafales, in an intense exchange of aerial and artillery fire This clash resulted in casualties on both sides before a ceasefire was brokered on May 10 with President Trump playing a pivotal role in mediating the temporary peace
The US President s involvement in this de-escalation process marked an attempt to cool tensions, but India s position has remained firm in rejecting external mediation New Delhi has repeatedly emphasized that Pakistan and India must resolve their issues directly without third-party involvement
PESHAWAR ag e n c i e s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s opposition parties have rejected the PTI-led provincial government s invitation for an all-party conference (APC) set to take place tomorrow (Thursday) KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has convened the APC at the Chief Minister ’s House in Peshawar tomorrow to discuss the recent surge in terrorist activities “Those who won’t attend the APC will reveal they have no concern for the people Gandapur told reporters in Peshawar on Wednesday after the opposition parties rejected his offer
The development comes just days after the provincial government and the opposition parties had agreed on the Senate seat distribution showing a rare instance where they were on the same page and even followed through on it In their statements the Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulemae-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) rejected the offer, with one of them terming it a mere “eyewash” A spokesperson for the JUI-F confirmed that the party will not attend the APC called by the PTI-led government The ANP has also decided to boycott the conference ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain stated that the APC is being organised by the provincial government, not PTI, and that all key decisions have already been made “There is no longer any need for an
APC he remarked We will not attend a conference called by the government Similarly, the PPP has declined to attend PPP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha criticised the provincial government calling it insincere and dismissing the APC as a mere “eye wash Numerous discussions have already taken place on law and order and other issues but they have yielded no results, he said The provincial government should first disengage from its sit-ins and protests and focus on addressing public concerns ” Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Additional Secretary Information Arbab Khizer Hayat also announced that his party would not attend the APC The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) announced attending the APC JI KP Central President Abdul Wasay confirmed that the party’s senior leader, Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, will attend the APC JI supports every step to establish peace in the province he added QWP Central Information Secretary Tariq Khan will represent the party in the conference said the Aftab Sherpao-led party in a statement
The Market Intelligence Unit (MIU) of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has achieved an impressive 92% efficiency in processing and referring leads related to anti-competitive practices during the 2024-25 fiscal year This milestone highlights the MIU s growing importance in supporting CCP s efforts to ensure fair competition in Pakistan s market Over the past year, the MIU identified more than 170 potential cases of anti-competitive behavior across various sectors These leads were referred
No
to relevant departments for further investigation, resulting in significant outcomes For example the Cartels and Trade Abuses (C&TA) Department initiated five formal inquiries under Section 37(1) of the Competition Act 2010 Meanwhile the Office of Fair Trade (OFT) started 28 inquiries based on MIU referrals and five leads related to mergers were flagged, resulting in detailed scrutiny and potential enforcement actions
The success of the MIU is driven by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced digital tools for market monitoring These tools include web scraping techniques to collect data from
with international standards The initiative is also supported by the Facility for Investment Climate Advisory Services (FIAS) which backs World Bank Groupprojects that promote open, productive, and competitive markets
abuse of dominance in the market
The MIU has become a key pillar in CCP’s enforcement strategy, providing actionable intelligence that leads to investigations and informs policy decisions These insights also assist in initiating sectoral studies advocacy campaigns, and help the Commission anticipate
Pakistan ready for meaningful dialogue with India on all issues: PM
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The two leaders discussed the regional situa-
Commission Muhammad Ali, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, along with other senior officials and relevant government officers
TH E R E seems no relationship between the beating to death of a madressah student in Swat district, and two honour killing incidents in Balochistan, but both show that society has condoned a misuse of authority In a Swat village, a student was killed after a beating by a teacher, and the madressah was shut down, with the 170 students being returned to their families The DPO Swat said that the statements of students showed that there were other cases of beatings of students He also said that samples had been taken to check if there were elements of sexual abuse Madressahs had come into bad odour recently after a number of cases of sexual abuse were uncovered Another abuse is now coming to the fore, that of beating And not just beating, but killing students It should be noted that while oldschool teachers defend beating children, it has long gone out of vogue in pedagogical circles Indeed, is it not better that 100, indeed 1000, children go ignorant than one being killed?
The honour killing of two couples, one around Eidul Azha, and which only gained traction after a grisly video of the gunning down of the couple went viral the other of a man who shot dead his daughter and nephew in Quetta district The latter having gone on the net and the other not perhaps had something to do with 14 people being arrested including the chief of the Satakzai tribe who had ordered the killing and the perpetrator of the second escaping Though the Zina Ordinance provides for the death sentence for married offenders no execution has been carried out nor have the stringent evidentiary requirements been fulfilled There is no way a tribal chief can arrogate to himself the powers of a court or a father However both have certain authority and there is clear sign that they have extended their authority beyond the bounds allowed by the law
The government must wake up and realize that such events challenge its own authority It should ensure that its courts and laws provide a better quality of justice than tribal chiefs or even fathers and it should ensure the access of all children to education where the old saw that sparing the rod means spoiling the child is rejected for the humbug it has been show to be
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
WH E N most think of terrorism men are often pictured as primary actors However in Pakistan, women s involvement in terrorist activities has become increasingly significant and diverse, especially over the last decade No longer passive victims women now play critical roles as enablers and alarmingly direct perpetrators This shift is evident in groups like the Tehrik Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army where women s roles have moved from traditional support to active, direct involvement in violence
Understanding this complex evolution is vital for effective counter-terrorism in the region Historically societies assigned distinct roles during conflict: men as aggressors women as gentle or sorrowful figures Yet as David Rapport noted, women have always played a part in these conflicts, though often overlooked This trend continues in the current wave of religious terrorism with their involvement becoming more visible and varied
The War on Terror post-9/11 significantly altered Pakistan s security Many proKashmir and Islamist militant groups turned their focus inward, targeting the Pakistani state These groups forged strong ties with international networks like Al-Qaeda and the Taliban The TTP formed in 2007 emerged from these alliances During this turbulent period women s roles within extremist networks began to transform Islamist terrorist organizations often allied with like-minded groups, created environments where women supported secretive, violent operations
A key factor in women’s involvement is the exploitation of gender inequality and disempowerment Terrorist groups cleverly twist religious teachings particularly Islam to manipulate and recruit women They promote ideas like marrying mujahedeen, producing “Muslim babies,” and building a better “Ummah ” Religious institutions, like certain madrassas and institutes such as Al Huda have sometimes been used to spread extremist ideas subtly pushing women towards radicalization
The rapid rise of the Islamic State (IS) around 2014 marked a significant turning point IS explicitly calls for women to become suicide bombers and actively build their ‘caliphate ’
This influenced other Pakistani extremist groups TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah for instance used radio broadcasts to encourage women to provide financial support Beyond fundraising, women took on dangerous practical roles: making suicide jackets, gathering intelligence as informants, and managing finances
TH E more things change the more they remain the same In the 1970s and the 1980s it used to be heartwarming reports such as Neil Armstrong s acceptance of Islam upon hearing the sound of Adhan on the moon
The personalities have kept changing but the triumphant message underlying each conversion story is the same: Who can stop Islam now that such notables have started embracing it? God is great! What is different in the 2020s however is that where there used to be third-person accounts of such events, thanks to AI now the evidence could be an audio of a Billy Graham waxing lyrical about Islam or a video of Christiano Ronaldo reciting Surah Ikhlas It is obvious that Billy Graham would never extol the virtues of Islam So is the fact that Ronaldo’s recitation cannot possibly be so good What is disturbing however– even if for the sake of argument such reports are accepted at face value– is that so many Muslims think that Islam needs validation and endorsement from celebrities That rich and famous individuals can somehow favour or honour Islam by the act of embracing it when it ought to be the other way around If such an event ever happens the beneficiary (as far as the Muslims are concerned) has to be the celebrity not Islam Even more worrying is that it is passionate Muslims who, aiming to win converts to Islam, are guilty of this sort of thing (by generating such material or by applauding and distributing it) They fail to realize that enthusiasm is a poor substitute for sincerity That by resorting to celebrity testimonials (whether true or fabricated) they end up reducing Islam to the level of fashion items and the so-called beauty products that rely for their sale on this sort of marketing The roots of the problem can be traced back to the tactics of Christian missionaries that have for centuries been obsessed with winning converts from other creeds and thereby saving their souls Many of them have traditionally misused Romans 3:7 to justify their lies that supposedly glorify God Sadly not a few Muslims have come to hold the same opinion The issue of the permissibility of lying for a noble cause hinges on the larger question of whether the ends justify the means Islam’s answer to the question regardless of the nobility of the cause is an emphatic unqualified no Sadly the desire to win
converts gets the better of the judgment of many What with the infamous history of missionary Christianity this whole propagation of religion business has acquired an unsavoury undertone It smacks of a campaign to win converts using all means at one s disposal, by hook or by crook Muslims who take their religion seriously would do well to engage in communicating Islam instead of propagating it Because communication is where their job ends They must not concern themselves with how many individuals (if at all) are won over as a result Also since many Muslims are Muslims merely by virtue of an accident of birth, this communication must not be thought to be exclusively with the non-Muslims The only meaningful conversion (on the part of non-Muslims as well as previously nominal Muslims) is one that happens for the right reasons If the individual is won over by means of a gimmick an emotional trick or a lie and not as a result of valid reasoning such conversions are short-lived Such victories are therefore meaningless– in fact, they are counterproductive because when sooner or later the converts get to know better (as they usually do), they feel tricked and thereafter remain cynical of anything that has anything to do with religion As for the outsiders who are able to see through the tactics straight away they only become more hardened in their resolve not to touch religion with a bargepole
by p r e s s i n g i n t o
s e r v i c e a r g u m e n t s b o r ro w e d f ro m my s t i c i s m , p h i l o s o p hy, h i s t o r i c a l n a r r a t i o n s , my t h o l o g y, t h e B i b l e , a n d s o m e t i m e s t h e i r
o w n f e r t i l e i m a g i n a t i o n s – a ny t h i n g t h a t i s , e x c e p t t h e Q u r a n !
The evolving role of women in terrorism in Pakistan
Before the 2000s, women s roles were largely confined to supportive functions as mothers and wives This has changed dramatically Women are now actively recruited and participate directly in terrorist acts particularly by the TTP and BLA In July 2019 the TTP claimed an attack in Dera Ismail Khan involving an alleged female suicide attacker The TTP also launched Sunnat-e-Khaula, its first English magazine for women, using religious narratives and historical female contributions to manipulate and radicalize them for terrorist involvement
Reasons for women becoming suicide bombers are complex and personal: obedience to male family members, or a strong desire for revenge after losing loved ones In asymmetric conflicts, horrific experiences like rape can also push women towards desperate acts of retribution A practical advantage for terrorist groups using women is their ability to move with less suspicion due to cultural norms It s uncommon for security forces to thoroughly inspect cars with women, making them ideal couriers for sensitive materials
Recent high-profile incidents powerfully show this direct involvement Shari Baloch 31 became the BLA s first female suicide bomber in April 2022 killing four including three Chinese teachers at the University of Karachi More recently, on 26 August 2024, Mahil Baloch, a law student, was identified as the suicide bomber in a BLA attack on a security forces camp While her parents expressed shock the BLA claimed she joined their Majeed Brigade in 2022 indicating a premeditated decision
To understand women s radicalisation in contexts like Pakistan, we must look beyond simplistic explanations While extremist ideology plays a role, a fuller picture emerges from theories linking radicalisation to a lack of resources and opportunities Relative deprivation suggests people are driven by feeling unfairly disadvantaged or lacking access to fundamental
necessities: quality education, decent jobs, a voice in society, or basic justice
For Pakistani women, facing significant gender inequality, limited education and economic opportunities and social restrictions feelings of deprivation can be pervasive When formal systems fail to address grievances extremist groups fill the void They offer a twisted sense of belonging, purpose, and even perverse empowerment For marginalized women, these groups can present themselves as the only path to control or justice offering community and a distorted promise of a better future It is ironic that groups like the TTP and ISIS fundamentally opposed to women s rights strategically use them by distorting religious texts and exploiting vulnerabilities
Women’s involvement in terrorism in Pakistan is complex and concerning, demanding a comprehensive understanding beyond traditional security approaches They are increasingly crucial enablers and direct perpetrators This shift is driven by systemic exploitation of gender inequality, deliberate manipulation of religious texts, and relative deprivation from lack of basic resources and justice
Simply condemning individuals may radicalize more youth and women A process of deradicalisation achieved gradually through education scholarships and integrating youth especially from marginalized communities like Balochistan, into the mainstream system, is needed A comprehensive, long-term counterterrorism strategy must address women’s unique vulnerabilities and motivations This includes tackling systemic issues: lack of education limited economic opportunities and the need for greater social inclusion By understanding radicalisation pathways and investing in genuine empowerment and integration, Pakistan can build a more secure, equitable, and resilient future against the complex threat of women’s involvement in terrorism
The writer is a freelance columnist
S i m p ly c o n d e m n i n g i n d i v i d u a l s m ay r a d i c a l i z e m o r e yo u t h a n d wo m e n . A p ro c e s s o f d e - r a d i c a l i s a t i o n , a c h i ev e d g r a d u a l ly t h ro u g h e d u c a t i o n , s c h o l a rs h i p s , a n d i n t e g r a t i n g yo u t h ,
Gaza, not Berlin
Indeed, there is no possible denial of the Nazi crimes, but the consistent focus of the Western movie industry on a past evil becomes rather stark when we look at today s world Over the last more than seven decades, the Zionists in Israel have committed enough crimes in Palestine to deserve some attention from the Western movie-makers, but the
have continued to focus on the
while completely
the horrors of modern-day Nazis As things
condemnation of the
government of
is considered
and offensive, but Israel enjoys a completely
to continue with its genocide in Gaza killing innocent Palestinians On their part the moviemakers have continued to focus on the Nazis It is highly unlikely that we would ever watch a movie that is focussing on the Israeli genocide Truly, the hypocrisy of the West really knows no bounds ANWAR SAYAB KHAN BANNU
Ban vapes now
T H E R E has been an alarming rise in vaping among young people in Pakistan The increasing popularity of e-cigarettes and vapes has become a pressing public health issue that demands attention In a recent study on university and college students of Karachi the prevalence of vaping was found to be 68 per cent
Thousands of vape shops have been opened in
MAHEEN FATiMA
A dangerous retreat
N
a message to others
Too often our lawmakers cherry-pick foreign examples that fit a donor-driven narrative of abolishing capital punishment, ig-
noring our regional realities Consider the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia: two countries that consistently rank among the safest for women in the region and indeed the world Both maintain strict and swift punishments for crimes like rape abduction and violent assault
It is not only the harshness of punishment that works there but the certainty and speed of it Crimes that degrade women’s bodily autonomy are met with a clear uncompromising state response Social order is preserved in part because the law signals that certain lines cannot be crossed without paying the highest possible price
Pakistan’s social fabric is not so different: notions of honour, shame, and communal standing are deeply embedded In such contexts the deterrent value of the ultimate punishment carries weight far beyond the individual perpetrator The world might see death penalty abolition as moral progress but when women s safety hangs in the balance, that progress must be judged by lived outcomes not slogans Proponents argue that the death penalty is misused that powerful actors exploit it to settle personal vendettas or that innocents are wrongfully convicted These are valid concerns Yet the remedy is not to dilute punishments, but to fix the reasons wrongful convictions happen in the first place Pakistan has already created GenderBased Violence (GBV) courts in many districts a commendable step However these courts often lack the resources trained personnel, and survivor protections they were designed to provide Cases drag on for years Survivors are left unprotected, harassed and pressured to drop charges Conviction rates remain shockingly low
What we have in effect is a structure without the spine to deliver credible jus-
that “kangaal” means “poor” And why just me it suits the rest of my country too The second problem that arose was of the dress There was no trace of Indianness in the pants coat and tie that I wore In fact all three were a reflection of my slave mentality I was amazed that I had worn them all this while I decided to wear pajamas instead of pants But then, a certain Persian person told me that the pajama had come to India from Iran And so I began to wear dhoti and kurta But not a kameez as the word kameez too is of Arabic origin and it reeks of the stench and stink of an Arab!
The third problem was of hair! After all, was it not treachery against the country, a blatant form of antinationalism, to keep one’s hair fashioned in the English style? I instructed the barber to keep only one lock of long hair at the back of my head and shave off the rest He did exactly that I had seen images from ancient India showing men with long and lush moustaches Following their example, I began to grow my moustache When my friends saw the large moustache on my somewhat small face, they assumed that I had put on a fake one possibly because I was acting in some play Forget my friends when I saw myself in this new look I began to feel that I had been created not by God but Shankar the cartoonist But I did not lose heart One has to do all manner of things to be Indian
Now we come to my eyeglasses I asked several pandits: “Is there any mention of eyeglasses in the Ramayana or the Mahabharata?” They said: In those days people didn t eat vanaspati ghee and so their eyesight did not weaken while they were still young
I asked: Did Sugreev, Kunbhkaran, Dushasan and all the rest have such good eyesight that they never felt the need to wear eyeglasses?”
The pandits replied: All of them applied kajal in their eyes
I found the solution to my problem I took off my spectacles and began to apply kajal As a consequence, when it got dark, I began to mistake a rope for a snake and a goat for a dog And when I attempted to read a book the words turned into black doodles In a few days even during the day
I began to mistake one thing for another I consulted an eye doctor He advised: If you don t wish to become blind, kindly wear your spectacles
“But it is not Indian ”
“How does it matter? This watch that you
have strapped on your wrist is not Indian and this cigarette that you are smoking isn t Indian either You have rightly reminded me From tomorrow, I shall smoke a huqqah
“What have you decided about the watch?”
“I shall take it off ”
“And if you have to know the time?”
I shall ask someone Do as you please but kindly wear your spectacles or else you will lose your eyesight
Thinking that I would simply add to the number of blind people in India if I were to become blind, I went back to wearing my glasses
One night as I was watching television a friend of mine pointed out somewhat caustically Television is not Indian Ruing his utter ignorance I said If there was no television in ancient India, how could Sanjay give an eyewitness account of the events of the great war of Mahabharata to King Dhritrashtra?”
“It was a miracle of yog and meditation ” You may call it a miracle of yog I would like to believe that Sanjay had a television set What happened to that set after Sanjay s death?
It was destroyed in the great war of Mahabharata ”
A few days later another friend picked on me He said: You have done your Bhartiyakaran but why do you still wear boots?
I shall wear a joota from tomorrow I found it quite difficult to walk in the joota because it bit my foot terribly But I paid no heed to the pain
However, wagging tongues will wag as long as people have something to say Someone said
“Why do you always go to the office in a bus or a taxi? You should travel in a chariot or a palanquin
Annoyed I replied Where are palanquins and chariots to be found in the twentieth century?”
“Then you should walk ”
“The office is eight miles away How can I go on foot? Then forget this business of Bhartiyakaran I can t do that In a sly tone, they got back with another quip Your wife still wears lipstick and powder When will her Bhartiya-karan take place?”
The words were bitter but true I vowed
Noor Zafar
An excerpt from a story by Kanhaiyalal Kapoor in ‘Whose Urdu Is It Anyway?: Stories by Non-Muslim Urdu Writers’, edited and translated by Rakhshanda Jalil
China rejects US accusations on South China Sea at UN Security Council debate
S tar vation-related deaths in G aza mount to 111
GAZA
ag e n C i e S
At least 10 Palestinians have died from forced starvation in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of hungerrelated deaths in Gaza to 111, including at least 80 children according to the territory’s health ministry
More than 100 international humanitarian organisations have issued an urgent appeal for governments to immediately open all land crossings into Gaza and restore access to essential supplies including food, clean water, medical aid, shelter materials and fuel
The organisations, in a joint statement published by Wafa news agency on Wednesday, also called for a UNled humanitarian mechanism and an immediate lasting ceasefire
Aid workers are now standing in food lines risking gunfire just to feed their families the statement said blaming the Israeli government s continued blockade for the starvation gripping the enclave Humanitarian agencies have reported a rapid physical deterioration among colleagues and local partners as aid supplies run critically low
Separately Gaza s Government Media Office confirmed the killing of two more Palestinian journalists raising the total number of media workers killed since October 2023 to 231
and a key hub for aid operations, has come under intensified Israeli ground activity Humanitarian workers said the area is now experiencing renewed displacement orders amid large-scale destruction The Israeli army withdrew from southern Deir el-Balah after a 24-hour operation that left displaced families without access to aid or shelter
Meanwhile, Agence France-Presse (AFP) has urged Israel to allow the immediate evacuation of its freelance journalists from Gaza describing their conditions as “appalling and untenable
For months we have watched helplessly as their living conditions deteriorated dramatically AFP said in a statement from its Paris headquarters Their situation is now untenable, despite their exemplary courage, professional commitment, and resilience ”
At least 21 more Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City targeting the Tuffah neighbourhood according to hospital sources Al-Ahli Arab Hospital confirmed receiving bodies of the deceased and treating dozens of wounded Additional casualties were reported in Khan Younis, Bani Suheila, and central Gaza, including Deir el-Balah Deir el-Balah, once considered a relatively safe area
The journalists, identified as Tamer al-Za’anin, a photojournalist affiliated with various outlets, and Walaa al-Jabari, a newspaper editor, were reportedly targeted in Israeli strikes “The Government Media Office condemns in the strongest terms the systematic targeting killing and assassination of Palestinian journalists by the Israeli occupation, the office said in a statement on Telegram ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES KILL 21 TODAY
“Since AFP was founded in August 1944 we have lost journalists in conflicts we have had wounded and prisoners in our ranks but none of us can recall seeing a colleague die of hunger the association said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) The SDJ said AFP has been working with a team of one freelance reporter, three photographers, and six freelance video journalists in Gaza
One of them Bashar Taleb 30 posted on Meta: “I don’t have the power to cover media anymore My body is lean and I no longer have the ability to walk He added that his older brother collapsed from hunger on Sunday morning Despite receiving salaries, AFP freelancers in Gaza have reported being unable to find food or being forced to pay exorbitant prices
ISRAEL’S WAR ON GAZA
The Israeli army has launched a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023 killing at least 58 667 Palestinians including 17 400 children More than 139 974 people have been injured and over 14 222 are missing and presumed dead
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave A proposed 60-day ceasefire deal includes a pause in hostilities, increased humanitarian aid,
India to resume issuing tourist visas to C hinese citizens
9th
She
BISP officers,
GIK Institute & HBL explore strategic collaboration for innovation, talent development
PESHAWAR S
and modern aesthetics This exciting development is part of Suzuki's commi ment to offering fresh dynamic options for Pakistani motorcyclists The new graphic designs are aimed at giving both models a sleek contemporary appeal making them stand out in the competitive motorcycle market Alon side the eye-catching visuals, Suzuki continues
The Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) hosted a high-level delegation from HBL led by Muhammad Nassir Salim, President & CEO – HBL The visit marked a pivotal step towards academia-industry collaboration to shape Pakistan s digital future During the strategic dialogue HBL s leadership expressed keen interest in innovation-led growth talent development and collaborative R&D initiatives Key focus areas for the discussion were emerging technologies such as Blockchain, Cybersecurity, IP Sharing frameworks, Electric Vehicles (EVs) Spectral Analytics and AgriTech Muhammad Nassir Salim President & CEO – HBL emphasized the need for job-ready graduates and proposed co-creating curricula with GIKI to bridge the skill gap Internship programs real-world problem statements and potential faculty attachments with HBL were also discussed Rector GIKI Professor Dr Fazl A Khalid (SI) highlighted GIKI’s achievements in sustainable energy robotics AR/VR and EV research through industry collaborations
FBL , Fauree launch islamic digital supply chain finance, agridigitization platform
f f r e p o r t
Faysal Bank Limited (FBL), one of Pakistan s leading Islamic banks, has taken a groundbreaking step toward digital transformation in Islamic finance In collaboration with fintech innovator Fauree FBL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and deploy a comprehensive Islamic Digital Supply Chain Finance (SCF) and Agri-Digitization ecosystem The MoU was signed by Mr Altaf Hussain Saqib, Head of Commercial Banking Small Business Enterprise (CBSME), Fleet & Agri, Faysal Bank Ltd and Mr Azhar Tasadduq Co-Founder and CEO Fauree Formalized at Faysal Bank s office the MoU establishes a strategic partnership that will drive innovation through the co-creation of tech driven, Shariah-compliant digital financial solutions, including SCF offerings such as invoice financing, inventory financing, distributor financing, export financing for indirect exporters and an Agri-digitization platform - tailored for growers millers and stakeholders in the agricultural value chain
stating that it is in line with the principles outlined in Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter The resolution underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to conflict resolution urging nations to strengthen their efforts for timely diplomatic intervention During the session, Dar also addressed critical international issues, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the Kashmir dispute Dar called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza where Israel s latest military onslaught has killed more than 58 000 Palestinians many of them women and children The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is escalating rapidly, and it is a glaring reminder of the need for multilateral action to prevent such conflicts,” Dar stated Dar also stressed the importance of resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with UNSC resolutions reiterating that the right to selfdetermination for Kashmiris cannot be substituted by any cosmetic measures He also condemned India s recent decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, warning that withholding water from 240 million Pakistanis could have severe implications for their livelihood The resolution Strengthening Mechanisms for Peaceful Settlement of Disputes urges nations to adopt peaceful dispute settlement measures, including the use of negotiation, mediation, and judicial means The resolution also emphasizes the role of regional and subregional organizations in facilitating dialogue and resolving conflicts One of the significant points raised was the need for timely intervention through diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation of disputes into conflicts The resolution aligns with the broader goals of the UN, which seeks to promote a peaceful international environment prevent violence and foster stability The resolution received full backing from all UNSC members underscoring the global consensus on the importance of diplomacy and multilateralism
The ongoing monsoon season has unleashed devastating floods across Pakistan claiming at least 234 lives since June 26 with 596 people reported injured and 826 homes damaged according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) The relentless rains have not only caused loss of life but have also displaced thousands and left significant damage to infrastructure across the country In the last 24 hours alone
were also destroyed while communications were cut off as electricity and fiber optic lines were damaged Although the initial rescue efforts were delayed by darkness they resumed at dawn and over 200 stranded tourists were rescued and taken to Chilas Local residents along with the Pakistan Army, which deployed helicopters and troops, played a pivotal role in evacuating tourists and delivering aid
ing incident also occurred in Islamabad, where a retired official and his daughter drowned after their car was swept away by floodwaters
set up to provide aid to those affected Despite these efforts, the NDMA warns that the worst may not be over, as further heavy rainfall is expected in northern and hilly areas escalating concerns about urban flooding landslides and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) B A B
A G E
M S F I V E L I V E S: One of the hardest-hit areas is Babusar in Gilgit-Baltistan where flash floods triggered by a cloudburst on Monday left five people dead, including four tourists and a local resident More than a dozen others remain missing The floods swept away over 30 vehicles destroying 10 to 15 of them and left a 7 to 8-kilometer stretch of Babusar Road impassable Several bridges mosques and over 50 homes
S T E R: Children have borne the brunt of the crisis with many of the victims being young Punjab has been the worst affected province, with 135 deaths reported, including 63 children In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 56 people have died with 30 of them children Sindh Balochistan Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Islamabad have also seen fatalities although the most severe damage has occurred in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa In Swat, five children lost their lives in separate incidents caused by the rains In Malam Jabba’s Sur Dherai two young boys drowned while crossing a stream with their mother Elsewhere in Gujar Band Shanko a house collapse killed three children and critically injured a woman A tragic drown-
The NDMA has stepped up relief efforts sending 3 349 essential items to the affected regions, including tents, blankets, sandbags, kitchen sets, and dewatering pumps To help displaced families, 266 quilts, 76 mattresses, 305 mosquito nets, and 88 tarpaulins have been distributed Additionally 153 food packs and 201 gas stoves have been provided for immediate survival needs along with life jackets, hygiene kits, and jerry cans
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued warnings for continued heavy rainfall particularly in northern areas like Swat Dir, Kohistan, and Murree Urban flooding remains a significant threat in major cities such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Gujranwala There is also a risk of landslides in the mountainous areas of Murree Galliyat Chitral and Hunza and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) could cause flooding in valleys like Skardu, Hunza, Astore, and Diamer
K han’s sons meet Trump aide Richard Grenell to launch US c ampaign for Father ’s release
WEB DESK
The sons of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, Sulaiman Khan, 28, and Kasim Khan, 26, met with former US President Donald Trump’s key aide Richard Grenell on Tuesday to launch an international campaign calling for their father s release from prison Imran Khan imprisoned since August 2023 at Adiala Jail on charges related to a £190 million corruption case, faces additional trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act tied to the May 9, 2023 protests Grenell the US special presidential envoy for special missions known for publicly advocating for Imran s release shared on X (formerly Twitter) that he had met with the Khan brothers in California He expressed solidarity, stating, There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions You are not alone ” Alongside Grenell the Khan
Tajik envoy praises Pak-Tajikistan bond,
ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e p o r t
In a symbolic display of friendship and shared commitment to regional prosperity the Acting Ambassador of Tajikistan Saidjon Shafiev met with former Federal Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani on Wednesday to discuss ways to further enhance bilateral relations and regional cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan During the meeting Durrani emphasized the importance of fostering closer ties between the two nations particularly in the areas of trade people-to-people exchanges and regional cooperation Friendly relations between Pakistan and nations committed to peace and progress can transform the region into a hub of economic development,” he said The Tajik Ambassador in a heartfelt gesture of affection warmly embraced Dur-
rani twice during the meeting symbolizing the deep ties and mutual respect shared between the two countries There is a heartfelt connection between Tajikistan and Pakistan We truly love Pakistan this is why I embraced you twice,” said Shafiev while welcoming Durrani Both leaders discussed several key areas where their countries could collaborate more effectively Durrani proposed enhancing economic and diplomatic relations, with a focus on increasing trade and improving the con-
In addition to economic ties Durrani and Shafiev agreed on the importance of enhancing people-to-people contacts They noted that increasing interpersonal exchanges, including cultural programs and educational collaborations, would help build stronger relationships and foster mutual understanding between the people of both countries
The meeting ended on a positive note with both parties reaffirming their dedication to fostering closer relations As a token of goodwill, Shafiev presented a memento to Durrani, symbolizing the continued friendship and collaborative efforts between Tajikistan and Pakistan Durrani on behalf of the people of Pakistan extended good wishes to Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and the people of Tajikistan, expressing Pakistan s desire to further strengthen the already warm and productive relationship between the two countries
for mutual benefit
