Epaper_24-03-27 ISB

CKohistan

The spokesperson for Dasu project Dr Rehmat Ali confirmed that the Chinese nationals were identified as four men and a woman, adding that their bodies were being taken to Islamabad

The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan launched an emergency plan immediately after the attack requesting the Pakistani side to thoroughly investigate the attack and severely punish the perpetrators, said the statement by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan

Imran Khan demands fresh inquir y after Donald Lu rebuffed ‘cypher conspiracy’

Soldier mar tyred, 4 ter rorists killed as attack on Turbat naval base foiled: ISPR

QUETTA/ISLAMABAD:

Govt ‘mapping’

Afghans ahead of evic tion push after Eid

PESHAWAR

A F P

PM visits Chinese embassy, assures ‘swif t’ high-level probe

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday visited the Chinese embassy here to covey condolence over the killing of five Chinese nationals in a terrorist attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Shangla district, and assured a swift and high-level probe into the incident

The prime minister in an interaction with the Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong sympathized with the bereaved families of the slain Chinese nationals a PM Office press release said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi accompanied the prime minister

He assured the Chinese side that the government would hold a high-level and swift probe into the attack and take the culprits and facilitators to the task The prime minister also conveyed his condolatory message to the Chinese president and premier We will not let such nefarious attempts to undermine the Pak-China friendship succeed The enemies of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor have again tried to interrupt it through such cowardly attempt but the enemy will never succeed in its evil designs, the prime minister remarked PM Shehbaz also reiterated the country s resolve to continue fighting against terrorism till its complete eradication The Chinese ambassador thanked the prime minister for visiting the embassy and showing personal interest in the investigation of the incident He also appreciated the prime minister s determination to maintain PakChina friendly ties

Six IHC judges write to SJC, seek inter vention against ‘inter ference in cour ts affairs’

of action they must take when they find themselves at the receiving end of interference and/or intimidation by members of the executive ” it added

Data is being gathered on Afghan migrants –including those legally resident in the country –ahead of a renewed eviction push slated to start after Eid, official sources told AFP on Tuesday More than half a million Afghans fled Pakistan last year after the former government ordered undocumented migrants to leave or face arrest, as Islamabad-Kabul relations soured over security Islamabad initially set a November 2023 deadline however two officials who asked to remain anonymous said evictions would resume in the coming weeks

“This time, instructions have been given to also collect data and conduct mapping of legally resident Afghan citizens said a top government official in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P)

A senior K-P police official said whilst “a final decision has not yet been taken by the government police have sprung into action regarding Afghan citizens The federal government has directed to not only collect data of legal and illegal Afghan citizens but also to conduct their mapping he said

Two officials, who asked not to be named, previously told AFP the renewed push to evict migrants will begin after Eid set to be celebrated in April s second week

The interior ministry did not respond to a request for comment Islamabad has previously said the massive eviction scheme is justified by security concerns and its faltering economy But analysts say it is designed to pressure Kabul over rising attacks in the country’s border regions with Afghanistan where the Taliban government is accused of giving militants patronage and safe haven The Taliban government has consistently denied the allegations Millions of Afghans have poured into Pakistan over the years fleeing decades of cascading conflict

g

PFIA arrests company owner, son in Rs5bln tax fraud

He said the

The

Planning

Minister direc ts expediting work on Gwadar Power Plant

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The armed men attacked from three sides of the airport boundary, but security forces responded swiftly and immediately, foiling the attempt to infiltrate the premises,” he said over the phone from Turbat

The incident comes days after security forces foiled a militant attack on the Gwadar Port Authority Complex

to the ISPR last week a group of eight

but were

The banned Balochistan Liberation Army in a statement claimed that its Majeed Brigade was behind the attack in Turbat

PM REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN’S COMMITMENT

TO ERADICATING TERRORISM

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended security forces for foiling the terrorist

forces in the war against terrorism he said reiterating the government s resolve to eradicate militancy

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz acknowledged the courage and bravery of the country s security forces, adding that the government’s resolve for eradicating terrorism was unwavering

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in the past year especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan after the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022 In November, 14 Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred after militants attacked

came under attack while moving from Pasni to Ormara in the coastal district

According to a security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies last month Pakistan experienced 97 militant attacks in February, resulting in 87 fatalities and 118 injuries

The report highlighted a significant escalation in violence in Balochistan, juxtaposed with a decline in tribal districts and mainland KP

Funeral prayer of martyr offered Later in the day the funeral prayer of soldier Nauman Farid (age 24 resident of Muzaffargarh) who was martyred in the terrorist attack on Pakistan Naval Base, PNS Siddique in Turbat, was performed

CM Bugti launches cleanliness drive in Quetta

remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces and killing of innocent civilians Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from killed terrorists ” it said Locals of the area appreciated the operation Sanitisation operation is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area as the security forces are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country, the ISPR stated

C hina seeks probe as six killed in suicide attack on D asu D am staff convoy

“deep

over the deaths of the Chinese nationals

In a statement issued by the Presidency he conveyed his condolences to the families of the Chinese nationals and the neighbouring government “Anti-Pakistan elements will never succeed in damaging Pak-China friendship ” President Zardari asserted Gandapur condemns terrorist attack on Chinese

R e s o l u t i o n f o r c e a s e f i r e

FI v E months after the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel precipitated the current conflict in Gaza the uN security Council has finally managed to pass a resolution on the issue and has issued a call for a ceasefire and for the release of all remaining hostages taken by Hamas How delayed the resolution was can be seen by its call for a ceasefire in Ramadan, even though it was passed when Ramadan was half-over The first thing to be noted is that the usA abstained, thus allowing the resolution to pass The desperation of the rest of the world for a ceasefire could be seen from the unanimity with which it was passed, with even the uK and France casting votes in favour

The big issue remains Will Israel obey? Or will it go for a big-push offensive into Rafah City, where it will unleash more of the havoc that has led to the killing of more than 32,000 Gazans since the original October 7 attacks when about 1100 Israelis were killed On the other hand these killings and the brutal way they have been carried out have led to mass protests in the West with the result that the almost automatic us veto backed by the uK and other Western governments has not been exercised One of the issues now being discussed is the postconflict future of Gaza The two-state solution, which is anathema to the Israeli Netanyahu government is being discussed, as is the removal of Hamas control of the Gaza strip by handing it over to the Palestinian Authority

The problem seems to that Israel is not willing to play ball The test of the uNsC resolution will come when it is obeyed by Israel Also, as Pakistan can attest in the Kashmir issue, a uNsC resolution can be ignored with impunity by one of the parties to

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit

Washington Watch

u y s in white

GF i r s t r e c o g n i z e P a l e s t i n i a n h u m a n i t y

The US Cowboys-and-Indians image is ruining Palestine

so that Israeli humanity could realize their dreams This remains the thinking of too many policymakers in Washington As they grieved with the Israelis over the trauma of October 7th, they could see the Israelis as real people with whom they identified and for whom they mourned, while Palestinians remained an abstraction receiving little sympathy This is why it has taken months for any real expressions of compassion for tens of thousands of Palestinians dead and the attendant devastation of Palestinian homes and cities Early in this war, I spoke with a senior White House official After he expressed his pain at the horrors of October 7, I told him that I understood and asked him to also consider Palestinian trauma He angrily dismissed my appeal as “whataboutism ” suggesting that my intent was to justify or diminish the suffering of Israelis I reminded him that it wasn t either Palestinian suffering or Israeli suffering It was both Five months later, with 32,000 dead Palestinians and Gaza on the brink of famine, attention is finally being paid by the administration But it’s too little and too late

Despite the White House focus on the humanitarian crisis lack of food water medicine and housing there is still no appreciation for the deeper toll inflicted on Palestinian lives If they recognized the true toll, they wouldn t be dropping boxed lunches from the sky or building a pier, nor thinking that a reformed Palestinian Authority doing Israel’s dirty work was an acceptable “day after” scenario If they saw Palestinians as equal human beings they would tell the Israelis to stop bombing They would remove the block on uNWRA They would support a uN resolution that would send international forces into Gaza and the West Bank, ending the illegal Israeli occupation of both And they would set up an international relief and reconstruction effort not only to rebuild Gaza but also to send in teams of doctors to address the physical and psychological wounds of this war They would in other words demonstrate the sense of urgency, compassion, and care that human beings deserve

The writer is President of the Arab American Institute

storyline onto the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with Israelis as pioneers seeking freedom for themselves and their families facing hordes of savages who sought only to kill them The conflict was thus reduced to Israeli humanity versus the Palestinian problem And what was needed was a way to defeat, subdue, or solve the “problem”

If they saw Palestinians as equal human beings, they would tell the Israelis to stop bombing. They would remove the block on UNWRA. They would support a UN resolution that would send international forces into Gaza and the West Bank, ending the illegal Israeli occupation of both. And they would set up an international relief and reconstruction effort not only to rebuild Gaza, but also to send in teams of doctors to address the physical and psychological wounds of this war.

M i s s i n g p e r s o n s : M y t h s a n d r e a l i t i e s

Wh

Ton foreign donations and bribes just to spew disinformation and false narratives These-self-proclaimed “intellectuals” and NGOs should adhere to the issue with the same zeal and zest while highlighting 500 000 missing persons in America 150 000 in Britain and 300 000 in India When these actors willingly highlight 820 cases of Pakistan and do not adhere to the grave conditions of the usA, uK and India, it clearly shows their biassed approach and uncovers their agenda to tarnish the image of Pakistan On the other hand there are only 2297 cases of unresolved missing persons in Pakistan compared to 2130 cases on average every day in India

It is noteworthy from the commission report that despite anti-state actors

repeated manipulation of this problem, the state of Pakistan is actively pursuing cases that are still unresolved It should be evident that the goal of the Baloch solidarity Council and various NGOs is to incite enmity among people especially in Balochistan in the same way as the Pushtoon Tahaffuz Movement once tried and failed The desire for outside assistance, made by Baloch solidarity Council, to recover the “missing persons” are all signs that these non-state actors are pursuing an external

Loadshedding in Ramazan

T H E area of North Nazimabad s Block B in Karachi is being subjected to excessive loadshedding, exceeding up to six hours a day, for the last few weeks The effects of loadshedding are profound during Ramazan It is worth mentioning that are residents pay their electricity bills regularly and timely and are considered ‘star

Iftar camps

tice, and the safety of its citizens Due to this, it is essential to thoroughly assess information sources confirm facts and refrain from credulously and disseminating untrue stories that aim to compromise the legitimacy and integrity of governmental institutions Every citizen in Pakistan is equal before law The state institutions have always protected the integrity of the state and life of citizens irrespective of their ethnicities and have pledged to do so in future

The writer is a freelance columnist

In the current digital era, misinformation and fake news propagate quickly, thus itÊs imperative to avoid falling for such cunning tactics. The preser vation of stability and protection of the nationÊs security has been greatly aided by the Security Establishment. It has a long histor y of giving up all to defend democracy, justice , and the safety of its citiz ens.

Lack of test centers in Chitral

C

Poor labourer

TR a m i f i c a t i o n s o f t e r r o r i s t a t t a c k i n R u s s i a o n P a k i s t a n

puted the USA’s claim that ISIS was to blame placing the responsibility instead on Ukraine the West and the USA and all those countries which have been supporting Ukraine against Russia He also warned that anyone who planned, encouraged, assisted, supported, or funded this heinous act would face consequences but the way he intended to carry out that punishment would send shockwaves around the globe

The vows made by Putin have put Ukraine, the entire West, and the USA on edge Unlike weaker and less resourceful countries like Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Syria, Iran and Afghanistan, or Pakistan, the USA and the West are now facing Russia which possesses a formidable war machine It boasts a highly trained and battle-hardened army a feared intelligence agency in the form of the FSB and nuclear capabilities that could devastate the world multiple times over As a member of OPEC, Russia stands as one of the top exporters of oil petroleum products wheat and other essential crops as well as industrial products weapons and weapons systems Its self-sufficiency in food industrial goods military hardware, and energy makes Russia one of the most secure countries in the world

To counter any potential Russian attempts to retaliate against those it accuses of masterminding the attack the USA Ukraine and Western countries have started mulling on ways and means to defuse Russian anger and putting all safety and defense mechanisms in place to minimize the impact of imminent Russian attempt to take revenge of the attack from perceived masterminds, abettors and facilitators

They are fiercely engaged in diplomatic dialogue with Russia to de-escalate tensions and prevent further escalation of the situation involving direct negotiations diplomatic channels through international organizations such as the United Nations, and diplomatic initiatives led by neutral parties

They are thinking of building a coalition of international allies to demonstrate solidarity and support for Ukraine and rallying support from NATO allies European Union member states, and other countries sharing similar concerns about impending Russian actions

They are mulling over ways and means to maintaining a strong military presence in the region to deter potential Russian aggression and respond effectively to any hostile actions involving deploying additional troops conducting military exercises and enhancing defense capabilities to ensure readiness to defend against any threats, besides intensifying intelligence-sharing mechanisms among allied countries to gather information on Russian intentions and activities involving sharing intelligence on potential threats monitoring Russian military movements and coordinating efforts to counter any hostile actions

Moveover, to deter Russia from taking retaliatory actions, they are lining up targeted economic sanctions against Russia if it escalates tensions or takes aggressive actions against Ukraine or other countries This could involve imposing sanctions on key Russian individuals entities and sectors as well as restricting trade and financial transactions to exert economic pressure on Russia

Strengthening cyber defense capabilities to protect against potential Russian cyberat-

Pa k i s t a n wo u l d n e e d t o e n g a g e i n d i p l o m a t i c e f fo r t s , c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h r e g i o n a l a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l p a r t n e r s t o m i t i g a t e t h e i m p a c t o f m a r i t i m e t r a d e d i s r u p t i o n s a n d e n s u r e t h e s e c u r i t y a n d s t a b i l i t y o f t r a d e ro u t e s .

tacks targeting critical infrastructure, government institutions, and private sector entities may also be on the cards This could involve enhancing cybersecurity measures investing in advanced technologies and conducting cybersecurity exercises to prepare for potential threats

If the security situation escalates, and Russia decides to retaliate on a large scale deploying kinetic means, and to use oil, wheat and gas as weapons and disrupt maritime trade it would pose a significant global repercussions extending to countries like Pakistan which has a historical legacy in the Afghan conflict against the USSR

In the event of maritime trade route disruptions, Pakistan would confront economic challenges including higher prices for essential commodities decreased exports and overall economic instability Additionally as a nation heavily reliant on imports for its energy needs, Pakistan could face shortages and increased prices of oil and gas, precipitating energy crises and economic strain An escalation in commodity and oil prices would profoundly impact Pakistan’s economy primarily through inflationary pressures and widening trade deficits As a nation heavily reliant on imported commodities and oil, Pakistan would face increased production costs, leading to higher prices for goods and services, ultimately affecting consumers’ purchasing power Moreover the country’s trade deficit could further expand as the prices of imported commodities rise straining its balance of payments and potentially depleting foreign exchange reserves Additionally, Pakistan s energy sector,

which heavily depends on imported oil and gas, would bear the brunt of escalating oil prices Higher energy production costs would translate into increased electricity prices and transportation expenses posing challenges to industrial productivity and economic growth

The government meanwhile may face heightened fiscal pressures to maintain subsidies on essential commodities, potentially straining public finances and diverting resources from other development priorities Furthermore the escalation in commodity and oil prices could exert pressure on Pakistan s foreign exchange reserves affecting the country s ability to meet external debt obligations and finance imports To counteract these potential ramifications Pakistan would need to engage in diplomatic efforts collaborating with regional and international partners to mitigate the impact of maritime trade disruptions and ensure the security and stability of trade routes Pakistan would also need to implement effective economic management strategies, policy interventions, and efforts to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on imported commodities Such measures are crucial to navigating the economic impacts of rising global commodity prices and ensuring the stability and resilience of Pakistan s economy in the face of external shocks

The writer retired as Press Secretary the President and is former Press Minister at Embassy of Pakistan to France and former MD Shalimar Recording & Broadcasting Company Limited

T h e m a n r e s p o n s i b l e f o r g e n o c i d e i n G a z a

H a p p i l y, f o r t h e B J P, I n d i a’s o p p o s i t i o

CONVERSATION

IAN HALL

They argue that India s society and government should reflect what they believe is the will of the Hindu majority, numbering about 80% of the population For decades, they have campaigned to end what they perceive as unreasonable special protections given to religious minorities including for places of worship and faith-based divorce and child custody laws as well as the autonomous status of the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir Step by step, over the past decade, the Modi government has met many of these demands locking in the Hindu nationalist base for the BJP In 2019 it revoked the constitutional amendments that limited New Delhi s rights to determine how Kashmir is governed Earlier this year, the prime minister also presided over the opening ceremony of a new Hindu temple at Ayodhya, on the site of mosque demolished by Hindu nationalist activists in 1992 Soon after the government announced a controversial new law will come into effect that will allow Hindus Sikhs and others fleeing neighbouring Muslim-majority countries to gain Indian citizenship, but may permit the deportation of Muslims deemed to be illegal immigrants And many believe a “uniform civil code” will be next imposing common marriage alimony and custody arrangements on all In-

PALESTINE CHR ONICLE R o b e R t I n l a k e s h

take the issue of Yemen seriously and cosied up to the Saudi leadership

‘I COME BEFORE YOU’: Blinken, having put the issues of the Iran Nuclear Deal, the Palestine-Israel conflict and the war in Yemen all on the backburner decided to pursue a Saudi-Israeli normalization deal instead Placing all his enthusiasm on this singular goal in the Middle East he was quickly struck with a nightmare scenario on October

7 Instead of pursuing a policy position which reflects balance, the Biden administration’s secretary of state took an immediate trip to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the beginning of the war with Gaza stating I come before you not only as Secretary of State, but as a Jew

From this moment onward, Antony Blinken, has defended Israel’s actions to the hilt and provided diplomatic cover for their every action in Gaza offering words of light condemnation on occasion He has repeatedly visited the Israeli leadership to consult them on their war effort helping to send Israel weapons which bypass the need for congressional approval on two separate occasions Despite occasionally putting on public displays of regret for the lives lost in Gaza Blinken avoids ever condemning Israel for its countless civilian massacres along with various other documented crimes such as rape, torture and manufactured famine The US secretary of state often appears to speak in a manner which reflects an inability to act to stop the war yet is the only man capable of actually doing something

Robert Inlakesh is a journalist writer and documentary filmmaker He focuses on the Middle East specializing in Palestine He contributed this article to The Palestine Chronicle

THE

for the year The high-level forums are a critical window for global CEOs to gauge China s economic outlook and policy priorities They are also a reliable barometer for China s attractiveness among countries and regions and multina-

tional corporations

This year s BFA annual conference will be attended by nearly 2,000 representatives from more than 60 countries and regions Li Baodong secretary general of the BFA said at a press conference on Tuesday morning which officially kicked off the four-day event While the number of participants is about the same as that of last year s meeting, the number of countries and regions represented increased to more than 60 from last year ’s number of about 50

At the press conference the BFA released two flagship annual reports: one on the Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress and the other on sustainable development in Asia, setting the stage for dozens of panel discussions on topics ranging from economic development to technological innovation

In 2024 global economic turbulence and divergence will persist Faced with a severe external environment, many Asian economies will also encounter significant internal challenges Nevertheless, the region’s economic growth and regional integration continue to show promising momentum ” the Asian Economic Outlook report said projecting a substantial growth of 4 5 percent in 2024

The report also noted that the overall trend of merchandise trade integration advancing among Asian economies remains unchanged while also calling for collaboration on common challenges of various uncertainties in line with the theme of this year s annual conference: Asia and the World: Common Challenges, Shared Responsibilities

“The problems the world currently faces are numerous and complex Only when the international community jointly meets the challenges shoulders responsibilities and strengthens cooperation can the world remain on the track of peace and prosperity

Li said at the press conference

At the panel discussions and in the conference halls that host the BFA on Tuesday there was general consensus on the need to safeguard multilateralism and bolster winwin cooperation championed by China, and a clear rejection of protectionism spearheaded by some US and EU politicians

Many forum participants highlighted China s strong economic prospects and its critical role in helping boost economic development in Asia and around the world I think China is playing a very important role in trying to develop the rest of Asia And that’s in the interest of China because if Asia grows China grows ” Shamshad Akhtar

Chinese officials met with various global business leaders after the CDF reaffirming China s commit-

C hina urges US to stop politicizing c ybersec urity issues

ment to high-quality development and highlevel opening-up

Meanwhile, the US’ approach of protectionism is also rejected at the BFA That was very clear at a panel discussion on confronting fragmentation in global trade on Tuesday afternoon where panelists though not mentioning the US by name, criticized various actions by the US Long Yongtu, China’s former chief negotiator for entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), blasted the West for crippling the WTO that they created

Wong Kan Seng former deputy prime minister of Singapore highlighted the need for maintaining economic openness, saying closed markets benefit no country, according to a Chinese transcript of the panel provided by the BFA Meanwhile former US commerce secretary Carlos Gutierrez was more straightforward saying that the US should bear the blame for the de-globalization situation, according to the same transcript Since the administration of former US p r e s i d e n t D o n a l d Tr u m p , t h e U S h a s a ctively undermined the WTO, issued a ser i e s o f p r o t e c t i o n i s t p o l i c i e s i n c l u d i n g imposing tariffs and handing out discriminatory subsidies and is seeking to decoup l e t h e C h i n e s e a n d U S e c o n o m i e s t h r o u g h m o v e s s u c h a s r e s t r i c t i o n s o n businesses Meanwhile, the EU appears to b e f o l l o w i n g i n t h e U S ’ w a k e b y c a l l i n g for “de-risking ” which is seen as another name for decoupling Decoupling would be damaging for both but worse for Europe than for China That s why we, European politicians, are rethinking whether this is a good idea to do it, Michele Geraci, former undersecretary of state at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development told reporters from the media outlets in Boao on Tuesday noting China s decreasing reliance on exports and Europe s increasing reliance on exports

companies and government officials on behalf of China s civilian intelligence service CNN reported on Monday The charges come as the British government accused China of being responsible for “malicious cyber campaigns” targeting the country’s Electoral Commission and politicians Both the US and UK claimed the Chinese hacking group APT31 was behind the cyber activities It was accused of targeting the US presidential election in 2020 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Li Jian said at Tuesday’s routine press

briefing that the Chinese side has made technical clarifications and responses to the so-called APT31-related information submitted by the British side and made it clear that the evidence provided by the British side was inadequate and relevant conclusions lack professionalism But unfortunately there has been no further response from the British side China firmly opposes and combats all kinds of cyberattacks and is committed to working with all countries, on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, to strengthen cooperation and jointly deal with the threats of cybersecurity through channels such as bilateral dialogue or judicial assistance Lin said China s relevant cybersecurity institutions have released a series of reports on the US government s cyberattacks on China and other countries Yet the US government has been silent about them We urge the US to adopt a responsible approach in cyberspace and stop framing the innocent the spokesperson noted New Zealand and Australia have also joined to condemn China over hacking activities, according to media reports Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong posted on X, formerly known as Twitter that China rejects outright the groundless and irresponsible accusations against China on cyberattacks or intrusions Accusing China of foreign interference is completely barking up the

wrong tree We hope the New Zealand side can practice the letter and spirit of its longstanding and proud independent foreign policy Wang wrote Lin in response to a question, said that for some time, driven by its own geopolitical agenda, the US has encouraged “Five Eyes Alliance ” the world’s largest intelligence organization led by the US itself to compile and spread all kinds of disinformation about the threats posed by the so-called Chinese hackers Now along with the UK, the US is hyping up the socalled Chinese cyberattacks and even launching groundless unilateral sanctions against China he said The US and the UK once again hyped up the so-called cyberattacks from China and sanctioned China s individuals and entities This is sheer political manipulation China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this, Lin said “We have lodged serious representations to relevant parties We urge the US and the UK to stop politicizing cybersecurity issues stop smearing China and imposing unilateral sanctions on China, and stop cyberattacks against China China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its lawful rights and interests ” the spokesperson said Chinese analysts believe this round of accusations was carefully plotted and conducted in close coordination among the Five Eyes countries – the US plays the boss and the UK is the secretary; the others including Canada which has not followed suit this time but has previously accused China of hacking and cyberattacks before, are more of a yes man in such a scenario Lü Xiang, an expert on US studies a n d a r e s e a r c h f e l l o w a t t h e C h i n e s e A c a d e m y o f S o c i a l S c i e n c e s t o l d t h e m e d i a o n Tu e s d a y t h a t t h e B i d e n a dministration has been committed to enh a n c i n g t h e F i v e E y e s p r e s e n c e a n d internal coordination on cyber matters to target US rivals and competitors, and t h e s t r a t e g y w o r k s t o s o m e e x t e n t To cooperate with the US in a smear camp a i g n a n d a d i s i n f o r m a t i o n w a r i s t h e easiest and costless task of being a US ally noted Lü who believes that when it comes to substantial benefits, the intelligence clique would break up due to varying interests Analysts attributed the US and UK’s intensifying smear campaign against China on cybersecurity to their anxiety over waning dominance in cutting-edge information technology The US, in order to maintain its hegemonic status in the information and communication sector, has adopted two methods – slandering China and painting it as a threat and cracking down on real entities and industry players to poison the environment for China to develop high technologies, Lü said

Indian opposition suppor ters detained ahead of protest at Modi ’s home

Julian A ssange wins temporar y reprieve from extradition to US

Left-backed Dalit student elected JNUSU president , dealing blow to BJP-RSS nexus

NEW DELHI

ag e n C i e S

In a significant development the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) has elected its first Dalit president from the Left-backed groups in nearly three decades marking a setback to the Hindutva-led communal policies of the BJP government in India Dhananjay from the All India Students’ Association (AISA) secured victory in the JNUSU president s election by obtaining 2,598 votes, defeating Umesh C Ajmeera of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) the student wing of BJP affiliated with the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) who secured 1 676 votes Hailing from Gaya, Bihar, Dhananjay becomes the first Dalit president from the Left since Batti Lal Bairwa who was elected in 1996-97 The United Left panel, comprising AISA, Democratic Students’ Federation (DSF) Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Students Federation (AISF), achieved a comprehensive victory in the JNUSU election, defeating the ABVP Avijit Ghosh from the SFI clinched the vice-president s post, Priyanshi Arya of Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students’ Association (BAPSA) won the general secretary post and Mohammad Sajid from the Left secured the joint secretary’s post The Left’s triumph underscores the enduring support for left-wing politics in JNU Despite putting up a strong fight, the ABVP, the student wing of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced defeat

Zafar

K arachi Police decide on mobilizing S haheen Force to combat alarming rise in street crime

DRAP

joining the joyous celebrations of PM&DC He said the visit of WFME President to Pakistan symbolizes a significant milestone in the longstanding partnership between WFME and PM&DC reaffirming their commitment to advancing medical education excellence globally this relationship is very important for the future of Pakistani graduates The accreditation process often involves ongoing monitoring and evaluation, encouraging institutions to engage in continuous improvement efforts PR

NC AI, RMU join hands to integrate AI technologies in healthc are sec tor of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: In a significant move towards integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Pakistan s healthcare system the National Center of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI),

LHC allows PTI leader Moonis Elahi to contest by-polls

President, PM disc uss countr y ’s overall politic al and economic situation