C i v i l , M i l i TA r y l e A d e r s u r G e u n i T y, j u s T i C e
A n d r e s i l i e n C e A s PA K i s TA n M A r Ks 7 8 T h i - d Ay
g PRESIDENT AND PM SAY THE DAY SERVED A S A REMINDER OF COURAGE, UNITY, AND SACRIFICES THAT LED TO CREATION OF PAKISTAN
g PAY HOMAGE TO FOUNDING FATHER QUAID-I-AZAM, ALLAMA IQBAL AND LEADERS, WORKERS OF PAKISTAN MOVEMENT FOR THEIR STRUGGLE AND SACRIFICES
g SAY THE UNBREAKABLE BOND BETWEEN ARMED FORCES AND PEOPLE IS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR COLLECTIVE STRENGTH
g SERVICES CHIEFS REAFFIRM UNWAVERING RESOLVE TO SAFEGUARD PAKISTAN’S SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, UPHOLD CONSTITUTION
g LEADERS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES ALSO FELICITATE PAKISTAN ON ITS INDEPENDENCE DAY, INCLUDING US, RUSSIA AND CHINA, HAIL THE COUNTRY ’S ‘ SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN MANY AREA S ’
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Afridi unfurled the national flag In his message on the occasion President Zardari emphasised that the nation had reaffirmed its strength resolve and unity in the face of external aggression Our success in Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos is a landmark moment in our history, he said It was a demonstration of unshakable national will, professional excellence and united
with unjustified Indian aggression Pakistan responded with clarity courage and restraint The world witnessed a nation that
and committed to a common goal ” the president said He asserted that this victory gave the people of Pakistan a sense of renewed confidence It has lifted the morale of the people, restored faith in our institutions and enhanced Pakistan’s stature on the global stage he added
PM announces establishment of Army Rocket Force to fur ther boost combat capabilities
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the establishment of Army Rocket Force during his address at an event held here to mark the 78th Independence Day and the Marka-e-Haq commemoration
The prime minister said the force will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which will further strengthen Pakistan’s conventional military capabilities
He emphasized that the recent military conflict with India concluded with a decisive Pakistan s victory within 3 to 4 days
He praised the leadership of Field Marshal and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad, and the Air Chief for their coordinated and swift response “India forgot that wars are not won with weapons alone, but with the spirit of the nation ” he said adding that the d e f e a
i t w i l l
never forget The prime minister hailed the postwar period as the birth of a new Pakistan and called Field Marshal General Asim Munir a son of the nation, whose strategy led to a decisive military victory He also extended gratitude to friendly countries including China Türkiye Iran Saudi Arabia Azerbaijan UAE and Qatar for their support during the conflict He also acknowledged U S President Donald Trump and his team for playing a key role in ensuring a ceasefire Shehbaz Sharif also paid homage to pioneer of Pakistan s atomic program Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan along with other politicians, scientists, and the armed forces for making Pakistan the 7th world atomic power He also commended former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for resisting international pressure in 1998 and taking the brave decision to make Pakistan the world s 7th nuclear power Our nuclear arsenal is not for aggression It is only for defence purposes,” the prime minister emphasized
Felicitating the nation on the 78th Independence Day the prime minister paid tribute to Father of the Nation Quaid-iAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the Thinker of Pakistan, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who along with other leaders and workers of the Pakistan Independence Movement united the nation under one vision one mission and one goal
Highlighting the country s economic progress, the prime minister stated that inflation had fallen from 34% to 5%, and interest rates dropped from 21% to 11%, while the stock exchange was performing at record levels He credited these improvements to sound government policies He also commended Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Army Chief Asim Munir for finalizing a crucial tariff agreement with the US Additionally the prime minister said the overseas Pakistanis were playing an important role in the development of Pakistan and they sent a record $38 3 billion during the fiscal year 2024-25 The prime
ing applause for their sacrifice President conferred Hilal-i-Juraat on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sindhu Nishan-i-Imtiaz on Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Federal Minister for Law & Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for
the President s Bodyguard The highlight of the investiture ceremony was the special standing ovation of the attendees to the families of the martyrs injured soldiers and widows of the martyrs who received the awards in lieu of the martyred soldiers The federal cabinet members, members of the parliament, civil and military officers and members of the civil society rose in their seats and rendered resound-
Banks to open on Saturday for Hajj 2026 applications
State
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Pakistan on path toward economic stability and sustainable growth, says SBP governor
g INdepeNdeNce day ceLeBR aTIoNS aT SBp feaTuRe fL aG HoISTING, muSIc aL peRfoRmaNceS, aNd aRT ex HIBITIoNS SHowc
the country is now on a path toward stability and growth
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor, Mr Jameel Ahmad, said on Thursday that Pakistan has faced unprecedented economic challenges in recent years but the country is now on a path toward economic stability and sustainable growth
The SBP commemorated Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day with a flag hoisting ceremony at the SBP Karachi office Governor Jameel Ahmad hoisted the national flag to mark the occasion In his keynote address, Governor Ahmad said that the SBP is striving to ensure monetary and financial stability for the long-term prosperity of the nation He acknowledged the unprecedented economic challenges faced in the recent past adding that
The Governor noted that inflation had reached 38 percent in May 2023 In response, the SBP implemented a series of measures aimed at curbing inflation, which successfully reduced it to 11 8 percent by May 2024 and to a historic low of 3 2 percent by June 2025 Governor Ahmad stated that the SBP had responded to the improving inflation outlook by reducing the policy rate in seven gradual steps, from 22 percent to 11 percent, since June 2024 “Our monetary policy remains focused on maintaining the hard-earned gains in price stability while ensuring that inflation stays within the 5–7 percent range, Mr Ahmad said This will help unlock broader economic and business opportunities ”
Mr Ahmad also highlighted improvements in the external sector noting that Pakistan s foreign exchange reserves had nearly tripled rising from USD 4 4 billion at the end of FY23 to USD 13 5 billion by the end of FY25 He mentioned that a current account surplus of USD 2 1 billion the first in 14 years and record-high remittances of USD 38 3 billion from overseas Pakistanis significantly contributed to this improvement He also noted that the SBP has worked to build foreign exchange reserves to strengthen economic resilience against external shocks achieving this without increasing foreign debt International credit rating agencies have upgraded Pakistan s ratings in recognition of these measures, which are expected to unlock foreign investment opportunities
PR OFIT S TA F F R E P O R T The UK’s Sub-National Governance Programme has unlocked £1 9 billion in Pakistan s public finance through reforms in planning budgeting, and revenue mobilisation, contributing to financial growth and development, The News reported
A statement from the UK government highlighted that these reforms helped Pakistan save billions of rupees Working closely with provincial governments, the programme has enabled reinvestment in public services
Notably the programme assisted the Government of Punjab in developing a comprehensive pension reform plan including a new pension scheme where both employers and employees contribute, expected to save the government Rs2 7 trillion over the next 30 years In addition to financial savings the reforms have positively im-
pacted people s livelihoods In Punjab the collection of social and economic data for 35 million people has improved the targeting of cash assistance and food subsidies The programme also contributed to the launch of social protection initiatives including the Ba-Himmat Buzurg pension scheme for elderly people without income, and the Himmat Card, which provides financial aid to people with disabilities in Punjab In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) the programme helped introduce sustainable door-to-door waste collection, which is now being expanded across the province
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
President Zardari urged the nation to channel this spirit into economic revival, educational reform, technological advancement, institutional development, and environmental resilience
“The same discipline courage and clarity that led to our recent success against India can lead us toward victory in eradicating poverty, creating opportunities for our people, and building a just and inclusive society ” He also expressed solidarity with the people of India-occupied Kashmir, saying that “their courage and struggle for justice and their right to self-determination remain close to our hearts Pakistan will continue to extend its unwavering diplomatic, moral, and political support until their right to self-determination is realised ”
In his message PM Shehbaz paid tribute to Jinnah and national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal who along with other resolute leaders and workers of the Independence Movement, united the nation under one vision, one mission and one goal
“Their relentless efforts changed the course of the history with the establishment of an independent ideological state thus realising a seemingly impossible dream into a reality he said in a statement
The past 78 years tell a tale of resilience, strong faith and a hope of a bright future when as a nation, we braved several difficult challenges”, he stated “Despite this, Pakistan achieved a series of milestones of success and achievements in every field
He also paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Pakistan s freedom, saying Marka-e-Haq was not just a military conquest, but also the victory of validation of the Two-Nation Theory
“Pakistan’s historic victory in Marka-eHaq during the four-day war imposed by India has not only reinforced the sanctity of our freedom but has also instilled a renewed sense of ambition and national spirit in the hearts of our people, magnifying the pride
Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong said that Pakistan can extend the China-Pak-
President confers civil, militar y awards to recognize contributions during M ark a- e -Haq
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The Sitara-i-lmtiaz was conferred on Chairman PTA Maj Gen (R) Hafeez-urRehman Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch Secretary Interior Capt Muhammad Khurram Agha, Home Secretary Punjab, Noorul-Amin Mengal, Chief Secretary AJ&K, Flight Lieutenant (R) Khushal Khan, Secretary Information Technology, Zarrar Hasham Khan Secretary Information Ambreen Jan Secretary Water Resources Syed Ali Murtaza and Commissioner Indus Water Treaty Syed Muhammad Mehar Ali Shah The Tamgha-i-lmtiaz was awarded to DG PFSA, Dr Muhammad Amjad, DIG Operations Punjab Waqas Nazir DIG Security Punjab Kamran Adil DIG Special Branch AJK Hassan Qayyum Prosecutor General Punjab Syed Farhad Ali Shah RPO Bahawalpur, Rai Babar Saeed, DPO Bahawalpur, Hasan Iqbal, DPO Sheikhupura, Bilal Zafar Sheikh, CPO Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Mehmood Hamdani SSP Special Branch Punjab Muhammad Maaz Zafar Commissioner Rawalpindi Abdul Aamer Khattak DC Bahawalpur, Dr Farhan Farooq, DC Sheikhupura, Shahid Imran Marth, AC Muridke, Touseef Bhatti, AC Okara, Rab Nawaz DG Rescue 1122 Dr Rizwan Hussain Director Civil Defence Punjab Zaighum Nawaz Commissioner Poonch Masood Ur Rehman DC Neelum Nadeem Janjua, AC Hajira , Waleed Anwar, SP
and fervour of this Independence Day He continued: “With the blessings of Almighty Allah our brave armed forces revived their past glory and shattered the false pride of enemy by acting as a Bunyanum
Marsoos a solid fortified wall
The military capability, valour and faith of our brave soldiers and air warriors forced the enemy to kneel down We pay tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of our freedom and offer prayers for the elevation of their ranks in eternal life
While expressing his resolve to protect Pakistan s sovereignty, PM Shehbaz said: We reiterate our belief in the principles of peaceful coexistence and resolving the regional and global issues through dialogue and diplomacy ” He said India needs to demonstrate the same will for the resolution of all disputes including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute
PM Shehbaz also highlighted the government s initiatives for the welfare of the common people, such as a reduction in electricity prices “The government is utilising all resources to make the country effectively meet the economic industrial technological demands of the present era
He called for demonstrating the spirit of Marka-e-Haq and Pakistan Movement for a strong and stable economy, which is inevitable for an impregnable national defence and sovereignty
UNBREAKABLE BOND BETWEEN
ARMED FORCES PEOPLE’
The military top brass congratulated the nation on Independence Day as they vowed to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty and unity, according to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)
Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed
Asim Munir Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu extended “heartfelt felicitations to the nation on the auspicious occasion” of Independence Day “marking the triumph of unity resilience and an unwavering commit-
Neelum Khawaja Siddique DSP Hajira Jabeen Kausar International Affairs Expert, Ahmed Hassan Arabi, Senior Defence and Security Analyst, Dr Qamar Cheema, PIO, Mubashir Hassan, PSO to Prime Minister Muhammad Anas Iqbal JS to Prime Minister Salman Sharif Joint Secretary to Prime Minister Maliha Shahid Speech Writer to Prime Minister Arshad Mahmood Malik, ARY News Anchorperson, Waseem Badami, Geo News, Hamid Mir, Hum News, Mansoor Ali Khan, Express TV, Javed Ch, ARY News Anchorperson, Aneeqa Nisar Dunya News Mujeeb ur Rehman Shami Samaa News Talat Hussian Geo News Saleem Safi Express News Amir Ilyas Rana Media person Muneeb Farooq, Ansar Abbasi, Naseem Zehra, Badar Shehbaz, and Nadeem Malik However, Tamgha-i-Shuja’at (civilians) was conferred on Munir Ahmed S/o Mumtaz Mirza Muhammad Hussain S/o Ghulam Muhammad Ghulam Abbas S/o Muhammad Yousaf Bashir Alam Awan (Councillor), Khawaja Ghulam Ahmed (VDC Members), Numberdar Akbar Mir S/o Rehman Mir, Muhammad Shafqat Khan S/o Muhammad Ayub and Rizwan Uz Zaman (Journalist)
The president granted the Military awards to the officers and soldiers of Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force for conspicuous courage and supreme sacrifice rendered during Operation “Bunyan-UmMarsoos” 8 Sitara-i-Jurat, 5 Tamgha-iJurat 24 Sitara-i-Basalat 45
ment to a shared vision for a brighter future
“As guardians of national security, we reaffirm our unwavering resolve to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity uphold the Constitution and protect the values that define our national identity, the statement said The unbreakable bond between the armed forces and the people is the cornerstone of our collective strength ”
The military top brass paid homage to the founding fathers and honoured their indomitable spirit resolute determination and unparalleled sacrifices , which paved the way for independence Their courage, foresight, and unshakeable faith in the cause of freedom remain an enduring beacon of guidance ” it highlighted The armed forces also paid solemn tribute to the visionaries statesmen and soldiers who laid our nation s foundations cherishing their legacy with deep reverence and gratitude
“On this Independence Day, let us renew our resolve to strive for peace progress and unity upholding the ideals of Faith Unity and Discipline to realise the dream of a resilient prosperous and progressive Pakistan ‘FREEDOM PRESERVED BY TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DIGNITY IN INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS’
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar in a pre-recorded message highlighted the importance of truth justice and dignity in international engagements, in view of Pakistan s intensified diplomacy in the wake of the May conflict
Celebrating Marka-e-Haq, Dar said:
“We are reminded that freedom is preserved not only by defending our borders but also by upholding the principles of truth justice and dignity in our international engagements
Our foreign policy will continue to project Pakistan as a responsible, peace-loving nation ready to build partnerships, resolve disputes through dialogue and play an active role in shaping a stable and prosperous region the foreign minister asserted
Tamgha-i-Basalat 146 Imtiazi Asnad 259 COAS Commendation Cards and 1 Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military) have been granted The officers conferred with Sitarai-Jurat were Wing Commander Bilal Raza, GD(P) Air Force Wing Commander Hammad Ibne Masood GD(P) Air Force Squadron Leader M Yousaf Khan GD(P) Air Force Squadron Leader Muhammad Osama Ishfaq, GD(P), Air Force, Squadron Leader Muhammad Hassan Anees, GD(P), Air Force, Squadron Leader Talal Hassan, GD(P), Air Force, Squadron Leader Fida Muhammad Khan GD(P) Air Force and Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Ashhad Amir GD(P) Air Force The officers and men conferred with Tamgha-i-Jurat included L/Hav Amir Sheraz (Shaheed), Baloch, Nk Abdul Rehman (Shaheed), SSG, L/Nk Ikram Ullah (Shaheed) AK Sep Adeel Akbar (Shaheed) Punjab and Capt Ali Hassan FF The Sitara-i-Basalat was conferred on Sep Nisar Ali (Shaheed) PR (Pb) Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik, HI(M), Baloch, Lt Gen Nauman Zakria, HI(M), SI, AC, Lt Gen Syed Aamer Raza, HI(M), AC, Lt Gen Muhammad Zafar Iqbal HI(M) AD Lt Gen Shahid Imtiaz HI(M) AK Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry HI(M) EME Maj Gen Wajid Aziz HI (M) Punjab Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah, Punjab, Maj Gen Syed Muhammad Jawad Tariq, FF, Maj Gen Tajdeed Mumtaz, Baloch, Capt Muhammad Haider Ali, Arty, Vice Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz HI(M) Navy Rear Admiral Abdul Munib HI(M)
He lauded the resolve of the armed forces and the people who “stood together to safeguard our sovereignty” “This collective resilience reflects not only formidable military readiness but also a principled foreign policy that has earned widespread international support, Dar noted I pay tribute to the immortal sacrifices made by our forebears, affirming that Pakistan was born out of their indomitable spirit and devotion to truth I reaffirm that our nation cannot be defeated as long as we stand united he stated
The deputy PM reiterated that Pakistan remained steadfast in its commitment to a diplomatic approach grounded in mutual respect, regional tranquillity and peace”
“Today we renew our dedication to fortify Pakistan s global standing advance our strategic and economic interests and foster a peaceful neighbourhood
He urged all citizens to remain united, protect democratic values and collectively contribute to building a strong, dignified, and prosperous Pakistan for today and times to come” RUBIO OTHERS EXTEND GREETINGS Meanwhile, leaders from various countries also felicitated Pakistan on its Independence Day United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement: “On behalf of the United States I extend our warm congratulations to the people of Pakistan as they celebrate their Independence Day on August 14 He added that the US deeply appreciates Pakistan’s engagement on counterterrorism and trade”
“We look forward to exploring new areas of economic cooperation including critical minerals and hydrocarbons and fostering dynamic business partnerships which will promote a prosperous future for Ameri-
COMMENT
WH I L E the State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy report, ‘Staying the Course’, said good things about the direction in which the economy was going, Moody’s, the international credit rating agency, upgraded Pakistan from Caa2 to Caa1 The positive points about the economy were what must have influenced the upgrade decision though it would be too much to assume that the ratings agency had an advance copy of the SBP report It was on the basis of the upgrade that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that Pakistan would get the next tranche of its IMF programme after an IMF team carried out a review in September There is a certain amount of overlap, because the IMF has, according to many, become nothing more than a credit rating agency as a country which is on an IMF programme is undertaking the kind of economic reforms needed for it to be able to repay its loans Credit ratings are essentially meant for banks, to assess the risks of lending, and it was perhaps inevitable that Mr Aurangzeb, whose experience has been in banking, should set great store by them Indeed, ever since he took office, he has stressed the need for Pakistan to improve its credit rating This would presumably allow it to approach the money markets more easily
The main danger the Monetary Policy report identified was exchange rate risk, especially high oil prices That is not only the channel by which inflation could be imported, but something beyond the control of the government The report also placed greater emphasis on the need to maintain the pace of reform At the same time, there was no emphasis placed on one of the bugbears of the economy the revival of growth It is within that context that Mr Aurangzeb’s statement that there was room for a reduction in the interest rate below the present 11 percent
A rate cut has implications for growth, but much more certain effects on the government s debt servicing burden However, that rate cut will have to be managed only in the context of falling inflation
The out-and-out monetarism of the IMF may be headed for a collision course with the Keynesianism of the government but at the moment with the economic engine making the right noises, it seems the best policy is indeed to stay the course
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
TH E Israeli government has doubled down on what was initially an untenable position and is now ordering the Israeli Defense Force into Gaza to achieve what it could not do in several attempts since 7 October 2023
The Israeli Cabinet enunciated a war aim which was unrealistic, but it should be forgiven that, for it has proved, if proof was needed, that the Zionist project was so alien to the Middle East that it should not have been started in the first place Perhaps another sign of the desperation which prompted this move is the timing It is almost as if it was a response to the Belgian decision to airdrop humanitarian aid over Gaza, which was joined by France, while Germany, Italy and Spain helping Israel is apparently trying to regain control over the process The attempts to raise the Israeli blockade by sea the last led by climate activist Greta Thurnberg failed but the blockade has been raised from the air It is not as safe a route as landing supplies at an airport, with orderly unloading for onward distribution for those in need, but involves just throwing stuff into the air, hoping that those in need will get stuff Distribution is by means of discovery If supplies are found by Israeli forces one can bet they will not pass them on Perhaps the main reason why the Israeli government has chosen to take this action is that there is enough starvation now in Gaza for over 200 people to have died, which means that many more are under threat because of shortages of food, and many more are going hungry While it appeared that Israel was trying to use this as a means of exterminating the Gazans It is not as if bombing and gunfire had been abandoned Indeed a new tactic has been reported by doctors: attacking reproductive organs At least one surgeon has reported that civilians are brought to hospitals with injuries to one area on a particular day of the week, and one day is reserved apparently for shots to crotches That indicates at least a division-level decision or even higher and seems designed to ensure that fewer Palestinians can reproduce That is one of the main Zionist fears that if they allowed Palestinians to become Israeli citizens, they would ultimately become the majority That is why the Israeli project is forced to practise apartheid The demographic problem for Israel is that Jews migrate from the USA and Europe and also have small families A lot of the Orthodox Jews who have large families are against Israel anyhow Killing off the Gazans did not work, because the process was so slow Moving them so that Gaza could be developed as a sort of Levantine Riviera caught US President Donald Trump’s imagination for a time but was abandoned when it was realized that no one except the Israelis were on board Starvation is being tried but it is increasingly clear that the world will not accept it Indeed it has provoked
an even greater wave of antipathy to Israelis than existed before Has Israel finally dropped its object of wiping out the Palestinians? It does not seem so judging by the stubborn-ness with which the Israeli Cabinet stuck to its target of eliminating Hamas The cabinet s support for the disarming of Hamas’ is not really a realistic goal, because if Hamas is disarmed some other platform will emerge for the liberation of Palestine Israel should realize that it is asking too much from the Palestinian people The resistance is fuelled by the fact that a great wrong has been done to them The cabinet also wanted the return of all 50 remaining hostages, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, Israeli security control over the Gaza Strip, and an alternative civilian government that isn’t Hamas or the Palestinian Authority In short the Cabinet wanted the IDF to go in disarm Hamas and free the remaining hostages; and then assume security control How this would be reconciled with the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip is unclear It should be remembered that unless the Israeli use police, which it has not done before it will use the military as it did after occupying the territory in 1967 As for an alternative civilian government other than Hamas or the Palestinian Authority it has shown it has not solved an essential problem Israel needs a collaborator For a while, it seemed that Hamas could be replaced by the Palestinian Authority, or rather the PLO Now, it seems that that option has been taken off the table In short it needs a political force that will help keep the populace under control Hamas and the PLO illustrate the dangers Hamas attacked Israel instead of assisting it The PLO has been helping
However, instead of withdrawing its suppor t, the West is tr ying to do nothing. The vaunted power of the Zionists over the West is because it let money talk a centur y ago, and lets it do so now. Yet it is time to pull the plug on Israel before it goes fur ther out of control.
industry, patents are a major barrier During the covid 19 pandemic, wealthier nations and pharmaceutical firms fiercely protected vaccine patents Despite calls by the World Health Organization and countries like India and South Africa for temporary waivers many vaccine technologies remained out of reach for lower-income countries As of mid-2022, only 25 percent of people in low-income countries had received even a single dose of a covid 19 vaccine compared to over 70 percent in high-income countries a stark reminder of how knowledge when monopolized can have life-and-death consequences The knowledge gap between the Global North and South is widening According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 92 percent of all global patents are filed by just 10 countries mostly high-income nations Meanwhile the vast majority of developing countries remain consumers rather than producers of new knowledge This disparity is not just about economics or infrastructure; it is also about geopolitics Nations that dominate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence biotechnology and quantum computing will likely set the rules for global governance trade and ethics in the coming decades Countries without access to this knowledge risk becoming digitally colonized and dependent on imported systems they cannot fully understand, control or adapt In Pakistan the monopolization of knowledge plays out in several ways A rigid education system that prioritizes rote memorization over critical thinking discourages independent inquiry Access to high-quality scientific databases is limited to a few well-funded institutions Public discourse is often dominated by a handful of ‘experts’ while grassroots voices community knowledge and indigenous innovation remain undervalued or ignored Language is also a barrier Most academic and scientific resources are in English, limiting accessibility for the majority of Urdu or regional-
language-speaking populations Knowledge must be translated both literally and culturally to make it inclusive Democratizing knowledge is essential for equitable progress Open-access movements, such as ‘Plan S’ in Europe and initiatives by
Course Ware or Pakistan s own Virtual University are steps toward widening educational access But broader cultural and policy shifts are needed Governments must invest in public research institutions, incentivize local inn
health and economic statistics freely available for public use Media and civil society must promote a culture of learning inquiry and evidence-based thinking
The next few decades will be shaped by rapid technological change Artificial intelligence, climate science, genetic engineering and robotics will redefine industries economies and societies Nations that invest in creating sharing and applying modern knowledge will lead Those who remain passive consumers will fall behind economically, politically and intellectually Knowledge is no longer just a tool of progress; it is the foundation of sovereignty A country that cannot understand or create the systems it uses is vulnerable As the digital divide grows knowledge inequality could become the most dangerous form of global inequality
The monopolization of knowledge, whether by economic, political or technological means, is one of the great challenges of our time Breaking that monopoly requires both structural reform and cultural change For Pakistan the path to development lies not only in roads and dams but in libraries laboratories and effective learning The nations that will thrive in the 21st century are those that treat knowledge not as a commodity to be guarded, but as a right to be shared
The writer is Director Institute of Humanities and Arts Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology
The monopolization of knowledg e , whether by economic, political or technological means, is one of the great challeng es of our time Breaking that monopoly requires both structural reform and cultural chang e For Pakistan, the path to development lies not only in roads and dams, but in libraries, laboratories and effective learning
No more hush hush
Pakistan joins the race
Moody ’s upgrade follows S&P ’s and Fitch’s
Dr MuhaMMaD anwar Farooq
India’s heinous role behind Mukti Bahini & BL A
TH E Mukti Bahini, a Bengali nationalist guerrilla force that emerged during the 1971 crisis in East Pakistan is widely perceived as a terrorist entity orchestrating a campaign of armed insurgency aimed at violently dismantling the Federation
This perspective challenges the notion of a spontaneous nationalist uprising instead portraying the Mukti Bahini as a meticulously organized proxy force allegedly supported trained and armed by India Its alleged purpose was to weaken and ultimately facilitate the secession of East Pakistan through a calculated strategy of terror, sabotage, and ethnic cleansing
The campaign was not solely directed at the Pakistani military; it purportedly involved brutal attacks on civilians particularly non-Bengali populations like the Biharis, who were seen as loyal to the central government The genesis of this conflict traces back to the political deadlock and civil unrest that intensified in East Pakistan following the 1970 general elections
The Awami League under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman having secured a majority reportedly refused to compromise on its demands for autonomy, thereby exacerbating the divide between the two wings of the country When the Pakistani military initiated Operation Searchlight in March 1971 to restore law and order it was met with fierce resistance which swiftly evolved into a fullfledged armed insurrection under the Mukti Bahini banner This burgeoning insurgency, it is alleged, received substantial logistical and military backing from India Indian training camps across the border in West Bengal Assam and Tripura reportedly became fertile ground for Mukti Bahini fighters where India ostensibly provided arms intelligence, medical care, and communication support, effectively transforming the group into a foreign-backed proxy
TDecades later the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) designated as a terrorist organization by Pakistan the United States and the European Union, emerged as a contemporary manifestation of a systematic campaign of terrorism against the Federation of Pakistan Originating in the early 2000s, the BLA has reportedly evolved from a small guerrilla outfit into a sprawling insurgent force capable of launching coordinated large-scale offensives Its stated goal of establishing an independent Balochistan has reportedly resulted in repeated attacks on military convoys, civilian infrastructure, economic projects and ethnic minorities
According to the PIPS Pakistan Security Report for 2024 BLA-orchestrated attacks surged by a significant 119 percent accounting for 171 terrorist incidents in Balochistan alone, leading to 225 fatalities
This grim statistic positions the BLA as one of the most lethal perpetrators of violence in the country for that year Their operations reportedly encompass a range of tactics including high-casualty assaults on security installations highway ambushes suicide bombings, and hostage-taking One of the most emblematic recent events was the audacious hijacking of the Jaffar Express on March 11 BLA militants allegedly detonated explosives to halt the train in the remote Bolan Pass subsequently seizing it and holding hundreds of passengers hostage primarily targeting off-duty security personnel
The group issued ultimatums demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners
“Operation Green Bolan,” the Pakistani armed response ultimately rescued approximately 354 hostages though the standoff resulted in a few fatalities among both hostages and rescuers and all 33 militants were killed, leaving dozens injured
Thus, the Mukti Bahini and the BLA are often viewed as two distinct but intrinsically linked terrorist movements both driven by the ultimate objective of destabilizing and dismembering the Federation of Pakistan While separated by decades and operating in different geographical contexts the Mukti Bahini in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in the early 1970s, and the BLA primarily in southwestern Balochistan today what connects them is not merely their violent methodology or separatist aspirations Rather it is their alleged external patronage particularly the pervasive role attributed to India which is widely believed to have masterminded, funded, and militarily supported both campaigns
This narrative suggests that in 1971, amidst the political and ethnic turmoil in East Pakistan India perceived an opportune
moment to bolster the Bengali nationalist insurgency seeking to weaken its regional rival India is accused of hosting thousands of training camps across its border regions, including West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura, where Mukti Bahini fighters were allegedly armed, trained, and equipped for guerrilla warfare against Pakistani forces
From this perspective what began as an internal crisis rapidly escalated into a fullfledged proxy war with the Mukti Bahini receiving extensive military assistance, including weaponry, communication devices, uniforms, and even direct combat support Indian military intelligence particularly RAW is asserted to have played a pivotal role in orchestrating these operations
The guerrillas reportedly engaged in systematic sabotage, destroying vital infrastructure such as bridges, power stations, and railway lines, and waged an urban bombing campaign in cities like Dhaka and Chittagong
Critically they also allegedly targeted nonBengali populations especially the Urduspeaking Biharis with accusations of mass killings and ethnic cleansing that remain a painful historical memory for many in Pakistan The systematic targeting of civilians, brutal executions, and the deliberate destruction of state infrastructure are all presented as elements of a calculated strategy to render the governance of East Pakistan impossible India s alleged support reached its zenith in December 1971 when it intervened militarily under the purported pretexts of humanitarian concern and regional stability The war ’s conclusion, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh is thus interpreted not merely as an outcome of internal grievances but as a direct instance of external aggression utilizing an internal insurgent movement as a proxy In this narrative, the Mukti Bahini was never an organic liberation force but rather an Indian proxy that operated under Indian command with the unequivocal goal of dismembering Pakistan
Fast forward to the 21st century the Balochistan Liberation Army has emerged as a new face of separatist insurgency within Pakistan Operating in the vast, resource-rich province of Balochistan, the BLA has reportedly conducted dozens of high-profile attacks on Pakistani security forces public infrastructure ethnic settlers and foreign nationals particularly Chinese workers associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
The assertion that the BLA is backed by Indian intelligence, mirroring the alleged support for the Mukti Bahini is a central tenet of this perspective One of the most
pivotal events reinforcing this belief was the arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav in 2016 a serving Indian Navy officer apprehended in Balochistan His reported confession to being a RAW agent working to coordinate sabotage operations, fund separatist groups, and sow chaos within Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan is considered irrefutable proof of India s alleged involvement in fostering insurgency in the region Jadhav s case coupled with the BLA s own statements and operational patterns, has led Pakistan to view the group not as a legitimate nationalist movement but as a mercenary force operating at the behest of a foreign adversary The BLA has allegedly developed operational capabilities strikingly similar to those employed by the Mukti Bahini decades earlier It has reportedly executed train hijackings, suicide bombings, assassinations, and mass ambushes on military convoys
The March 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express where BLA militants reportedly held passengers hostage making demands that echoed the asymmetric warfare tactics attributed to the Mukti Bahini insurgency further illustrates these parallels Furthermore, the group has increasingly targeted foreign interests in Pakistan, especially those linked to Chinese investment and infrastructure development which is seen as indicative of a broader geopolitical motive transcending purely domestic grievances
Pakistan s leadership has consistently accused India of arming, training, and funding BLA operatives via its consulates in Afghanistan, and of utilizing third-party NGOs and media networks to amplify separatist narratives Numerous Pakistani intelligence reports have purportedly traced the flow of funds and communications to Indian handlers, and high-profile attacks such as the April 2022 bombing at Karachi University which killed three Chinese nationals are believed to have had direct external coordination
The BLA’s strategic use of media and psychological operations also reportedly mirrors tactics attributed to the East Pakistan conflict, where international sympathy was allegedly garnered through propaganda while guerrilla fighters engaged in acts of terrorism on the ground Therefore, the Mukti Bahini and the BLA are consistently presented not as isolated nationalist movements but as integral components of a long-term Indian strategy designed to weaken and fragment Pakistan
Both organizations, it is argued, have targeted the integrity of the state by inciting ethnic division, conducting systematic attacks on civilians and infrastructure and undermining national unity Whether through
the mass killings of Urdu-speaking civilians in 1971 or the assassination of Chinese engineers in 2022 both the Mukti Bahini and the BLA are seen as having employed tactics that squarely fall under the definition of terrorism These acts, it is asserted, were not merely aimed at achieving independence but at paralyzing governance and forcing international intervention against Pakistan The argument is firmly rooted in the belief that India has consistently employed proxy actors to wage indirect warfare against Pakistan
The objective, in this view, is not to genuinely assist oppressed communities but to exploit internal fault lines to degrade Pakistan’s sovereignty military strength and economic progress With the advent of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and growing Chinese investment in Balochistan, India s alleged sponsorship of the BLA is widely believed to serve the dual purpose of obstructing CPEC and perpetually entangling Pakistan in internal conflict
The striking similarities between the Mukti Bahini and the BLA are considered more than coincidental; they are perceived as reflecting a consistent strategic approach employed by India Both organizations have been involved in violent separatist insurgencies both have allegedly targeted state authority and civilian populations and both are reported to have received training funding and logistical support from Indian intelligence agencies The names may have changed, the provinces are different, but the fundamental
Americ an ties with Pakistan in the wake of the May militar y standoff seem to only be growing stronger. And India now feels increasingly dispensable and marginalized
India sees itself as a central player in A sia. Trump does not
Americ a has much more to gain from China than it does from India
failed For the moment New Delhi has decided to wait out the storm carefully wording its responses to try not to inflame the situation further while signaling to a domestic audience that it is not simply submitting to the White House The implications of Trump’s bullying for India’s grand strategy are profound: Trump’s foreign
TAKING IT FOR GRANTED: Since its independence in 1947 India has mostly followed a policy of nonalignment eschewing formal alliances and resisting being drawn into competing blocs That posture largely defined its diplomacy during the Cold War but began to change after the collapse of the Soviet Union, when India opened its economy and pursued better relations with the United States Now its foreign policy community stresses a commitment to multialignment which consists of the diversification of partnerships the refusal to join military alliances the promotion of a multipolar world order in which no single superpower or pair of great powers is predominant, and a willingness to engage in issue-based cooperation with a wide variety of actors across geopolitical fault lines
This policy is driven both by pragmatism and by the hope that India can serve as a pole in the order to come Indian policymakers believed that the country s economic, strategic, and military needs could not be fulfilled by a single partner or coalition They assumed that India could maintain its ties, for instance, with the likes of Iran and Russia while still working closely with Israel and the United States and while building coalitions in the so-called global South with countries such as Brazil and South Africa New Delhi imagined that Washington in particular would tolerate this behavior because when it came to the competition with China and the geopolitical contest in the Indo-Pacific, India was indispensable
Trump’s return to the White House has rocked the foundations of India’s strategy and challenged New Delhi s closely held assumptions As American tariffs take effect the Indian economy will face increasing headwinds, most likely slowing economic growth American ties with Pakistan in the wake of the May military standoff seem to only be growing stronger And India now feels increasingly dispensable and marginalized in a geopolitical landscape it can hardly recognize India s strategy presumed a number of structural conditions that Trump has thrown into flux India assumed for good reason that it played a crucial role in the great-power competition between the United States and its allies in one camp and China and Russia in the other Pakistan seemed peripheral to this larger contest; Islamabad’s global standing had diminished after its security establishment facilitated the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021 Despite its refusal to condemn Russia for attacking Ukraine India remained a favored partner for both the United States and Europe After all, Washington s perception of New Delhi as a potential regional counterweight to Beijing cemented India’s strategic value
Russia’s war on Ukraine then provided India with a unique opportunity to demonstrate its policy of multialignment and raise its profile in global geopolitics Russia Ukraine the United States and Europe key parties to the conflict all courted India In the process, India was able to maintain ties with both the United States and Europe, even as it bought Russian oil at favorable rates And if the United States sometimes behaved in South Asia in ways that rankled India (for instance when it did nothing to stop the ouster of a proIndia leader in Bangladesh in 2024) Indian officials still perceived American involvement in the region as largely beneficial, and confirmation that the United States saw the subcontinent as a key front in its larger competition with China India much preferred the occasionally irritating involvement in South Asia of a faraway super-
power to the aggression and ambition of the aspiring hegemon next door
SHAKEN TO THE CORE: Trump s return to the White House has complicated each of the assumptions New Delhi held Instead of girding itself for great-power competition, the White House is scouring the world for short-term gains Through that lens Washington has much more to gain from China than it does from India Take the issue of the hour: the soaring tariff rate that Trump has imposed on India Indian governments have traditionally maintained a high tariff structure to protect domestic manufacturing and agriculture, generate revenue, and manage trade balances India has long justified these tariffs as essential for its developing economy but the United States is unhappy about the persistent trade deficit in goods with India agricultural subsidies that limit U S access to the Indian market, and India s omnivorous geopolitical maneuvering, including its membership in the coalition of nonwestern countries known as BRICS and its continued reliance on Russian oil and defense equipment Previous U S governments tended to overlook these infelicities allowing India to liberalize its economy and decouple from Russia at its own pace But this Trump administration is not so patient Washington s revised approach to great-power competition has not only transformed its own policy toward New Delhi but has also influenced the choices and decisions of other major players with significant implications for India As Trump prepares for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week he seeks to punish India for buying Russian oil a policy that the United States previously encouraged With Trump in the White House, Russia has more options and needs India less Indeed, Moscow feels a diminishing obligation to New Delhi and is unwilling to offer more support than it receives which explains its lukewarm backing during India s clash with Pakistan in May New Delhi s Russia watchers who expected the Kremlin to stand by India condemn Pakistan, and affirm India s right to retaliate much as Israel did in its full-throated support for India Indian analysts suspect that Russia refrained from doing so because it didn’t want to irritate China which has become a close strategic partner of Pakistan and provided it with a great deal of new weaponry Russia may therefore be reluctant to support India in any future Indian-Pakistani conflict, owing to China s ties with Pakistan If Russian support for India is doubtful during a conflict with Pakistan, it’s safe to assume that Russia will do little to help India in any future conflict with China Trump s relative indifference to South Asia will invariably mean a free pass for China which will attempt to tilt the regional balance of power in its favor through a combination of debt-trap diplomacy, military agreements, and growing political and diplomatic ties with South Asian states Chinese equipment and know-how strengthened Pakistan’s conventional capabilities in May and helped Pakistani forces probe Indian defenses China is more directly involved in South Asian matters today than ever before and its defense industry will have a growing role in future military conflicts in the region
abdul basit alvi
AFFAIRS
hospitals without medicine and families without any food
The UN agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) has said that temperatures reached above 40°C in Gaza, making an already desperate situation
” In a post on X, UNRWA said: “Bombardments and forced displacement
tinue With limited electricity and
is no relief from the
New Israeli settlement plan would cut off West Bank from East Jerusalem Al Jazeera correspondent Hamdah Salhut says Israeli plans to greenlight the construction of more than 3 000 homes in the E1 area settlement of the occupied West Bank are in line with its goal of blocking the establishment of
is absolutely baseless and largely contradicted on the ground For five months the delivery of life-saving supplies has been deliberately strangled by the Israeli military The result has left warehouses empty,
China suppor ts Thailand- Cambodia dialogue to rebuild trust: Wang Yi
s approach to addressing internal issues Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee made the remarks during talks with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa in Anning southwest China s Yunnan Province where the 10th Mekong–Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers Meeting is taking place Wang said China is willing to provide necessary assistance in line with the
wishes of both sides Maris commended China’s objective and fair stance as well as its constructive role in helping to ease tensions The two ministers also discussed bilateral relations and future cooperation Wang noted that over the past 50 years of diplomatic ties China and Thailand have stood by each other advancing practical cooperation across various fields He said China is ready to work with Thailand to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen strategic coordination, and inject fresh impetus into building a China–Thailand community with a shared future while advancing MLC cooperation to new heights He called for maintaining high-level exchanges expanding cooperation and organizing activities for the second half of the 50th anniversary celebrations to
strengthen public support for bilateral relations Wang urged faster progress on the China–Thailand railway encouraged more Chinese investment in Thailand and
highlighted cooperation opportunities in green development the digital economy and artificial intelligence while calling for more policy support and facilitation for Chinese enterprises in Thailand
Describing the MLC as the most successful subregional cooperation mechanism Wang said China is ready to work with Thailand as co-chairs to ensure the meeting s success and safeguard regional peace and stability For his part, Maris praised the achievements in Thai–Chinese relations over the past five decades and
hopes for even closer cooperation in the next 50 years at
R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran also took note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing the Modi govt that several considerations influence the decisionmaking process He said, We assured statehood after elections but there is a peculiar position of this part of the country” Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appearing for the applicants submitted that the Indian government had assured this court during the hearing on validity of dilution of Article 370 on restoration of statehood it has been 21 months since then You cannot ignore what happened in Pahalgam It is for Parliament and the Executive to take a decision,” the bench said While Gopal Sankaranarayanan sought an expedited hearing the court listed the plea filed by Kashmiri academician Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and socio-political activist Khurshaid Ahmad Malik, for hearing after eight weeks
The plea, filed in October 2024, follows the Indian SC’s December 11, 2023, five-judge Constitution Bench ruling which unanimously upheld the constitutional validity of the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of occupied Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh However, the court did not issue a binding directive on statehood, noting only that rRestoration of statehood shall take place at the earliest and as soon as possible” The applicants argue that New Delhi has failed to take any steps toward restoring statehood since the judgment and the peaceful conduct of Assembly elections in the territory
he s going to make a deal He s going to make a deal I think he s going to and we re going to find out Trump said in an interview on Fox News Radio s The Brian Kilmeade Show Trump also mentioned during the Fox interview that he has three locations in mind for a follow-up meeting with Putin and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky though he noted that a second meeting is not guaranteed He said staying in Alaska for a threeway summit would be the easiest scenario Depending on what happens with my meeting I m going to be calling up President Zelensky, and let s get him over to wherever we re going to meet, Trump said He said a second meeting, featuring Trump, Putin and Zelensky would likely dig deeper into boundary issues Zelensky has been adamant about not ceding territory that
n t China signed an agreement on Wednesday to contribute to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and called for continued international support for the body which says it faces an “existential crisis from the war in Gaza and a severe funding gap The contribution agreement part of Beijing s annual donation, was signed in the Jordanian capital by Zeng Jixin, head of
Russian forces occupy The second meeting is going to be very, very important, because that s going to be a meeting where they make a deal And I don t want to use the word ‘divvy things up’, but you know, to a certain extent, it’s not a bad term okay?” he said “But there will be a give and take as to boundaries lands etc etc The second meeting is going to be very very very important This meeting sets up like a chess game This [first] meeting sets up a second meeting, but there is a 25 percent chance that this meeting will not be a successful meeting,” he said He said it would be up to Putin and Zelensky to strike an agreement “I’m not going to negotiate their deal I’m going to let them negotiate their deal he said Earlier today Putin spoke to his most senior ministers and security officials as he prepared for a meeting with Trump in Anchorage Alaska that could shape the endgame to the largest war in Europe since World War Two In televised comments, Putin said the US was making, in my opinion, quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities stop the crisis and reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved in this conflict ” This was happening Putin said in order to create long-term conditions for peace between our countries and in Europe, and in the world as a whole if, by the next stages, we reach agreements in the area of control over strategic offensive weapons ”
and sharing of personal stories the celebration showed FMH s strong commitment to building future leaders The day concluded with group photos friendly conversations, and networking, underscoring that FMH’s work extends beyond healthcare; it also plays a crucial role in education
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA) also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab) celebrated Pakistan s 78th Independence Day with patriotic fervor hosting a vibrant Bicycle Ride for Unity flag hoisting and cake cutting ceremony All the celebrations are being conducted under the theme of Marqa E Haq and Raho Sar Buland CBD Punjab theme for 2025 The celebrations began with a special cycling event on CBD Route 47 named Ride for Unity symbolizing national solidarity Cyclists from local cycling clubs of La-
Chief Operating Officer (COO) CBD Punjab Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua as the chief guest Addressing the participants Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua extended heartfelt Independence Day greetings to the nation, stating, CBD Punjab s Unity Ride reflects the essence of national cohesion
DAR LINKS UNIT Y AND DIPLOMACY TO PAKISTAN’S
ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC GROWTH
ISLAMABAD
Federal Minister for Water Resources
Muhammad Moeen Wattoo on Thursday
criticised India for seeking to run away from the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after its foreign ministry rejected a Hague court ruling to follow the accord in designing new hydroelectric projects on rivers flowing to Pakistan
Under the 1960 IWT three rivers that flow westwards were awarded to Pakistan with India getting three eastern-flowing rivers In 2023 Pakistan brought a case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague over the design of Indian hydropower projects on rivers that were awarded to Pakistan under the treaty
The court in its ruling that was posted on its website on Monday said it had jurisdiction over the dispute and ruled the treaty does not permit India to generate hydro-electric power on the Western Rivers based on what might be the ideal or best practices approach for engineering”
of these projects Instead the design of these projects must adhere strictly to the specifications laid down in the treaty the court said, adding that India must generally let flow the waters of the western rivers for Pakistan’s “unrestricted use” The government had welcomed the decision and Attorney General Mansoor Usman had said the court had accepted Pakistan s position Questioned about the matter today in his weekly press briefing, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “India has never accepted the legality legitimacy or competence of the so-called Court of Arbitration Its pronouncements are therefore without jurisdiction devoid of legal standing and have no bearing on India s rights of utilisation of waters He said India stood by its decision to hold the treaty in abeyance
Responding to the MEA spokesperson’s stance the water minister told Dawn com: India wants to run away from this agreement (IWT) Under any article of the agreement, India or Pakistan cannot
terminate this agreement He said India s claim was baseless and wrong adding that Pakistan rejected it The court has already said that it has the power to decide India had made this claim before, which the court has rejected ” He said a letter by India earlier in the year seeking modification in the treaty had no legal cover and the country could not unilaterally take a decision regarding the IWT India in April held the IWT in abeyance
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of Maidan Lajbok and Shadas claimed the life of police constable Sanaullah while Sultan Zareen was injured District Police Officer Abdul Salam Khalid said in a statement In Peshawar, two separate police checkpoints in the areas of Matni and Nasir Bagh and a police station in Hassan Khel came under fire, leaving one police personnel dead and another injured The deceased has been identified as Constable Jahangir Khan who lost his life in the attack on Hassan Khel police station According to a press release issued by the KP police, the attacks on Matni and Nasir Bagh checkpoints were successfully thwarted ” “Police and law enforcement agencies retaliated against the attacks ” the statement read adding that the terrorists retreated after the exchange of fire Elements of Fitna al-Khawarij also fired on a police party near Nasir Bagh, which was foiled with timely action, the statement added In Bannu, terrorists attacked two police checkpoints in the area of Miryan and Mazanga by firing an RPG-7 rocket launcher The attack was foiled as the police personnel retaliated immediately the statement said adding that no personnel were injured According to the press release, terrorist attacks on police posts in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bravely foiled ” “The terrorists failed in their attacks thanks to the timely action of law enforcement agencies ” the statement highlighted Separately in Shangla district a police post came under attack; however the attack was foiled as the police responded immediately, prompting the terrorists to flee Speaking to Dawn com, Sub-divisional police officer Usman Munir said, “The attack was successfully thwarted and no human loss or injury was reported He added that a search operation has been launched to look for the terrorists KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the spate of terrorist attacks in Peshawar, Lower Dir and Upper Dir, expressing sympathies for the martyred policemen Calling the attacks “a cowardly act,” Gandapur vowed that such incidents cannot be allowed to demoralise the police The sacrifices made by the KP Police will be remembered in history he said promising support for the families of the martyred personnel The Inspector General of Police, KP, Zulfiqar Hameed, lauded the efforts of the police in foiling the terrorists’ attempts saying that “our brave soldiers have once again proven that they are always ready to defend KP
Pakistan blocks over 500 social media accounts linked to banned militant groups
over 500 social media accounts associated with banned militant organizations This move follows a nationwide crackdown in which more than 850 accounts were reported across various platforms The accounts in question are allegedly linked to proscribed groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) all of which are recognized as terrorist organizations by the United Nations the United States and the United Kingdom These accounts had a combined following of over two million individuals
In coordination with the newly established National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) the government successfully reported and had these accounts removed from major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, and WhatsApp Notably, Facebook and TikTok com-
plied with over 90% of removal requests while X and WhatsApp showed a 30% compliance rate Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja managed to secure direct cooperation from Telegram, despite the app being banned in Pakistan The government has also called for international support in combating extremist propaganda online urging global platforms to employ AI-based removal systems and maintain direct communication with Pakistani authorities to prevent the spread of extremist content Although mainstream media in Pakistan remains free from such content officials warned that militant groups continue to exploit social media for recruitment and incitement urging continued vigilance against the growing threat of online extremism
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
In a major step toward strengthening agricultural ties, China and Pakistan have agreed to ramp up their biohealthy agriculture research collaboration
A delegation led by Professor Zhang Lixin Chairman of the Silk Road
Bio-Healthy Agriculture Industry Alliance visited the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), finalizing plans to establish a joint research lab and a China-Pakistan Bio-Healthy Agriculture Science and Technology Demonstration Park
Professor Zhang emphasized the importance of sharing China s advanced agricultural technologies with
Pakistan to address food security challenges and improve the lives of local farmers “Our goal is to bring innovation in agriculture to tackle mutual challenges he added Pakistan s agricultural experts including UAF s Professor Rao Zahid Abbas, welcomed the collaboration, noting that the demonstration park and laboratory would play a pivotal role in modernizing agriculture in Pakistan and contributing to the country s food security Dr Saddam Hussain from UAF added that the initiative would pave the way for applied research in bio-health and sustainable agriculture
In addition to the research collaboration Pakistan’s sesame seed exports to China have surged by 300% in the first half of 2025 with the coun-
try now becoming the fourth-largest sesame supplier to China This growth, according to Professor Zhang, is attributed to the improved market access and the growing demand for Pakistani agricultural products in China Pakistani farmers are increasingly cultivating sesame, capitalizing on the expanding sector
The partnership between China and Pakistan also includes the construction of a bio-healthy sesame demonstration farm at the China-Pakistan Bio-Healthy Agriculture Overseas Technology Demonstration Park in Sahiwal, Punjab
The farm aims to enhance sesame production by introducing high-quality Chinese sesame varieties and providing local farmers with the necessary tools and expertise to improve cultivation
