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basic right to a fair trial He hailed this court verdict as a triumph for the supporters of the PPP and all proponents of democracy across the nation The PPP chairman emphasised that the people of Pakistan hold high expectations from President Zardari During his previous tenure he delivered political reconciliation and fostered economic stability in the country Despite these achievements, there were persistent forces that opposed democracy and engaged

deep feelings for the people ” he added

Ambassador Zaidong said that Chinese citizens in Pakistan actively participate in Pakistan s national construction and promote China-Pakistan friendly cooperation We should do everything possible to protect their safety and value their contributions ”

He said that it was heart-wrenching that in the recent terrorist attack on 26th March five Chinese citizens were deprived of their young lives

We hope and believe that the Pakistani side will speed up the investigation of the incident, find out the truth, severely punish the perpetrators, raise counterterrorism efforts, resolutely crack down on and root out the evil, and take all measures to

them Additionally he stated that being chief minister his services are not limited to Sehwan, but to the whole province Shah also mentioned that he is working on various proposals to restore Manchar Lake When a workable proposal is made he will take the necessary steps to restore the lake

C AA tightens monitoring of airspace due to Middle Eastern tension

KARACHI

S ta f f R e p o R t

In response to heightened tensions in the Middle East Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has implemented stricter monitoring procedures for incoming flights

Media reports citing aviation sources reveal new instructions issued to Pakistan Air Traffic Control (ATC) These directives mandate close scrutiny of all flights entering Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan and Iran Additionally the CAA is keeping a watchful eye on any suspicious activity within Pakistan s western airspace This move comes as the Foreign Office spokesperson voiced Pakistan s deep concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East The spokesperson emphasized Pakistan’s ongoing assessment of the situation with worry and its months-long calls for international intervention

Stalling diplomacy has demonstrably led to today s developments the spokesperson remarked Pakistan, reiterating its previous stance, has urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire in Gaza The recent events according to the spokesperson expose the shortcomings of diplomacy and its potential for severe repercussions

With the failure to maintain a ceasefire the urgent need now is to stabilize the situation and restore peace All parties must exercise restraint and work towards de-escalation,” the spokesperson concluded Meanwhile Saudi Arabia has also echoed these concerns expressing deep unease over the escalating regional tensions and their potential ramifications It underscored the importance of fulfilling international security responsibilities, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue for regional and global peace The kingdom warned of serious consequences should the crisis escalate further

Buner IBO mar tyr laid to rest in native town

Punjab Police in high morale, IGP dispels ‘false narratives’

P A K H T U N K H WA Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai told the inaugural rally of the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan that Parliament should quash all the cases against PTI chief Imran Khan That might help clarify that the Tehreek is not about the Constitution, or even the alleged rigging of the February 8 election but about Mr Khan’s release That creates the danger of the Tehreek preaching only to the converted, because while there are a large number of people who want him released, there is no wiggle room for those to join in support who may feel that the PTI has been hard done by in the election However Mr Achakzai has managed to raise the prospect of a kind of reverse attainder An act of attainder is passed by Parliament flatly declaring a person guilty (Usually treason) and ordering his execution It has fallen into disuse in the UK since the 19th century and has been specifically forbidden by the US Constitution

While it is not specifically forbidden in Pakistan’s Constitution, there are two provisions which make this a non-starter First, there is the provision ordering the separation of the executive from the judiciary (Article 175[3]) For the legislature to encroach on the domain of the judiciary especially in cases of which the courts are seized would violate this At the same time, acts of attainder have been found to violate due process, because there is no opportunity of one side to prove its case through witnesses by cross-examining them and by production and examination of other evidence such as documents Anything that would apply to a conviction by Parliament would also apply to an acquittal Mr Achakzai is probably right when he said that this would also mean the acquittal of the others accused of the May 9 attacks The legislation necessary to get Mr Khan acquitted would probably mean that the other accused would also go free True, Parliament can probably abolish the crimes of which Mr Khan is accused, or even convicted, with the result that he will walk free However Mr Achakzai’s suggestion may well enthuse the diehard PTI supporter but it introduces a dangerous concept, one that makes nonsense of the concept underlying the constitutional order, that of the rule of law

HI S TO RY subsumes events incidents and junctures that turned, redirected and changed its trajectory once and for all Salubrious, anomalous and ordinary systems, lifestyles and conventional ruling apparatus were influenced by a single development that altered transformed and altogether changed their way of operations

points called critical junctures in social sciences, are pivotal and decisive movements having lasting effects on society The rest of the piece discusses critical junctures in different parts of the world and proposes a would-be critical juncture plan for ours Bubonic Plague or Black Death carried by merchants of China via the Silk Road entered Europe in 1347 Prior to this plague feudalism was pervasively present in Europe and its adjacent regions, with daily life highly influenced by lords Growing labour yielded low wages; poor lifestyle among peasants prevailed; socioeconomic and political developments concentrated on bourgeois hands; any social safety net was absent; social mobilisation was virtually nonexistent; and the primate order performing pupil-dilating tasks encountered nothing but prejudice

Amidst the aforementioned circumstances, the Bubonic Plague firstly swallowed much of the population all over Europe In the aftermath, it triggered a change in Western Europe with adequate labour wages incentivized public demand completion and making the peasants work on their wishes In short social mobilisation thrived the lifestyle and living standards got better and a sense of satisfaction prevailed However, the aforementioned reversed in Eastern Europe with the working class falling deeply under the talons of feudalism Peasants started ending into indurated servanthood and got grappled with conflagration of slavery and disenfranchisement In a nutshell the Bubonic Plague served as a critical juncture for both halves of the continent salubrious for one and detrimental for the other Mao Zedong, an ambiguous character, for some a leader and a dictator for others, brought contemporary China under his rule in 1949 For the 27 years Mao ruled and ruined the China mainland via his projects like The Great Leap Forward a social campaign to transform China s agrarian economy into an industrial one The initiative reversed the economy, brought about a halt in growth, and led the country in hot waters Millions fell prey to famine and eventually lost their lives

The critical juncture, in this context, is the death of the Chinese dictator himself and the rise of Deng Xiaoping as a paramount leader of modern day China His visionary leadership transformed the socioeconomic and political incentives from great leap to small steps , incentivized and completed the agrarian economy into an industrial one and opened ways for public mobilisation, to some extent though for exponential growth With colonisation at its apogee in all over Africa

n v

the application process, the spectre of bias looms large, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the prospects of approval The disparity in treatment becomes all the more glaring when juxtaposed with the experiences of applicants from other nations While Pakistani applicants contend with stringent requirements and prolonged processing times, their counterparts from other economically challenged countries often encounter a more streamlined and favourable visa adjudication process

This discrepancy not only exacerbates the frustration and disillusionment felt by Pakistani visa applicants but also underscores deeper issues of inequity and injustice within the visa system The inherent bias perpetuates a cycle of disadvantage, further marginalizing Pakistani nationals and hindering their access to opportunities for travel study work and immigration

This disconcerting reality underscores a deeper issue: weak diplomatic relations between Pakistan and EU member states, as well as EU authorities While other economically distressed nations receive relatively more favourable treatment in visa adjudication processes Pakistani applicants find themselves disproportionately disadvantaged

the continent divided into parts by the then European powers had annexed most of the continent all the way to Cape of Good Hope The next destination was to annex its adjacent regions, that was Botswana However, before the colonisation grappled Botswana, Botswana’s tribal chiefs, Kgosi Bathoen II (Bangwato), Kgosi Selebe II (Bakwena) Kgosi Tshekedi Khama II (Bamangwato) landed in London a critical juncture in protest to nip the colonisation bud and not let it enter in their country Breaking the mould they stayed there until issued no annexation of Botswana directly and that vow persisted till its independence in 1966

Looking into the African continent shows Botswana’s development, institutions and ruling apparatus differs from the rest The country is relatively resilient in the face of socioeconomic and political upheavals and ergo stands tall

Though the US Constitution unequivocally enshrines the rights Bill of Rights, 1791 of all the population regardless of gender, race, and ethnicity, the African Americans bore a tall socio political and economic toll The incessant racial segregation for African Americans a disenfranchisement by the oppressed and a canker from the oppressor triggered a movement called Civil Rights Movement involving major personalities, Revd Martin Luther King Jr being in the forefront The movement spread countrywide, in effect, the Black African got mobilised via constitutional amendments i e Civil Rights Act 1964 and Voting Rights Act 1965 Ergo the civil rights movement is a critical juncture that paved the way for Black mobilisation their social participation and racial integration

What is common in all aforementioned incidents is the critical juncture A single event, incident and juncture changes the historical trajectories of countries ethnicities and particular populations

Though the changes were good and detrimental too mostly critical junctures proved to be a boon rather than a bane In the social sciences, the critical junctures are of huge significance given the positive (mostly) outcomes influenced by them

If the Bubonic Plague had not hit Europe Mao had died when he did in China the tribal chiefs of Botswana had not visited London and the Civil Rights

or a movement to catalyse change Pakistan had a critical juncture though a negative one due to Gen Yahya Khan s farcical and maladroit mental capability and the then West Pakistan leaders preposterous act of denying the Awami League mandate The rest is history In ascending order death and the

Pakistan is still in the middle of the path hapless, helpless, hopeless waiting for a plague, a death, a visit, a protest, or a movement to catalyse change. Pakistan had a critical juncture, though a negative one, due to Gen Yahya KhanÊs farcical and maladroit mental capability and the then West Pakistan leadersÊ preposterous act of denying the Awami League mandate The rest is history

The writer is a freelance columnist U

The ramifications of such bias extend beyond mere inconvenience They perpetuate a cycle of inequality, hindering opportunities for Pakistani citizens to explore educational, professional, and cultural exchanges in Europe By

unfairly limiting the mobility of Pakistani nationals, these practices impede not only individual aspirations but also broader initiatives for global cooperation and understanding

Addressing this issue demands concerted efforts from both Pakistani authorities and international stakeholders It necessitates proactive diplomacy aimed at fostering stronger ties with EU nations, advocating for fair and transparent visa policies, and dispelling misconceptions about Pakistan’s economic and social landscape

Moreover it underscores the urgency of engaging in constructive dialogue to challenge discriminatory practices and ensure that all individuals regardless of nationality are afforded equal opportunities for travel and exploration

By championing inclusivity and fairness in visa processes, we can work towards a more just and equitable world where borders are not barriers but gateways to mutual understanding and collaboration

The systemic bias against Pakistani visa applicants in Europe underscores the need for diplomatic reform and proactive engagement It is imperative that responsible authorities in Pakistan and international organizations work together to address this issue and ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to pursue their aspirations on a level playing field Only through collective action can we overcome barriers and build a more inclusive and equitable global community

The systemic bias against Pakistani visa applicants in Europe underscores the need for diplomatic reform and proactive engagement. It is imperative that responsible authorities in Pakistan and international organizations work together to address this issue and ensure that all individuals have the oppor tunity to pursue their aspirations on a level playing field.

Thistorical context of previous conflicts between Hezbollah and Israel underscores the magnitude of the potential consequences, including widespread destruction, loss of life and destabilization of the region

the heightened tensions there remains recognition albeit uneasy of the imperative to avoid a full-scale war and seek avenues for de-escalation and resolution The complexity of the geopolitical scene which is intertwined with regional alliances and interests, underscores the importance of diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions and prevent further escalation Ultimately the recognition of the immense human cost of conflict underscores the necessity for all stakeholders to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy in pursuit of peace and stability in the region

According to Israeli officials, tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have escalated significantly with clashes intensifying and spreading in recent weeks Israel has reportedly increased its military strikes targeting not only areas within Lebanese territory but also conducting airstrikes against Iranian-affiliated sites in Syria, including the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1st In response to these developments, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah delivered a speech on April 5 affirming

Hezbollah s commitment to continued border clashes with Israel and declaring that the group will persist in its attacks until the cessation of hostilities in Gaza Nasrallah also warned Lebanon to brace itself for potential Iranian retaliation against Israel emphasizing Hezbollah s preparedness for any escalation along the border and asserting that the group has yet to deploy its most potent weapons These developments underscore the precarious situation in the region, with the potential for further escalation and broader regional implications

On April 7 the Israeli army made a significant announcement on its website declaring the completion of yet another phase of the Northern Command s readiness for war along the Lebanon front This announcement has intensified the concerns of analysts, who increasingly argue that prolonged border clashes heighten the likelihood of a broader conflict potentially culminating in a ground invasion of southern Lebanon Such a military operation would be strategically aimed at establishing a security corridor deep into Lebanese territory, pushing Hezbollah fighters beyond the Litani River However, historical precedents cast doubt on the effectiveness of such endeavours Israel’s previous attempt to create a security corridor in south Lebanon spanning from 1985 to 2000 ended without achieving the desired stability Despite past reservations from Israeli political and military officials regarding ground combat in Lebanon, there has been a perceptible shift in attitude Amos Harel suggests that given this shift the scenario of a general war in Lebanon no longer appears implausible

Yet the complexities of the region and the historical challenges associated with similar endeavours suggest that any such military action is fraught with uncertainties and risks, casting a shadow over Israel’s aspirations for stability along its border with Lebanon Israeli officials find themselves in a precarious position carefully weighing two critical factors in their decision-making regarding a potential full-blown war with Hezbollah Firstly, the prospect of such a conflict escalating into a broader regional conflagration cannot be overlooked as it’s highly likely that other members of the Iran-led Axis of Resistance would join forces against Israel and the USA This amplifies the risks and complexities involved, given the already strained dynamics in the Middle East Secondly, the stance of the Biden administration adds another layer of consideration With

clear opposition to a significant escalation in Lebanon, Israeli initiation of such a war, particularly amidst US calls for ceasefires in Gaza and objections to Israeli actions in Rafah, could significantly strain the bilateral relationship with the USA

The intensifying skirmishes between Hezbollah and Israel coupled with heightened rhetoric from both sides signal a potential path toward a large-scale conflict, reminiscent of the scale of hostilities seen in Gaza However, amidst this escalating tension, both Israeli and Hezbollah officials are cognizant of the devastating humanitarian toll such a war would exact on civilians in both Lebanon and Israel

Furthermore there s a sober recognition within Israeli circles that the outcomes of a new conflict with Hezbollah are uncertain, with lingering doubts about whether it would result in a resolution akin to the 2006 war, which led to the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 ultimately unimplemented by either side Therefore Israeli officials face a delicate balance contemplating the risks of escalation, the implications for regional stability, the diplomatic ramifications vis-à-vis the US, and the potential human cost, as they navigate the complexities of their decision-making calculus concerning Hezbollah

UNSCR 1701 stands as a pivotal framework aiming to defuse tensions and promote stability in the volatile region surrounding the Israeli-Lebanese border Central to its provisions is the call for militants not affiliated with the Lebanese army or the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to withdraw approximately 25 miles north of the Israeli border alongside urging Israel to relinquish its hold on occupied Lebanese territories and to cease

I f s u c c e s s f u l , H e z b o l l a h i s l i k e ly t o a d h e r e t o t h e c e a s e f i r e a g r e e m e n t , p o t e n t i a l ly r e d u c

e r, s

i t c o u l d ex a c e r b a t e h o s t i l i t i e s , e s p e c i a l ly i f I s r a e l r e s p o n d s t o I r a n i a n r e t a l i a t i o n by t a rg e t i n g I r a n i a n a s s e t s b o t h i n s i d e a n d o u t s i d e I r a n .

Tehran will continue to increase its domination of Iraq and progress towards regional domination if it is allowed to do so

Ttions with U S diplomats and military officials He is the friendly face of the pro-Iran Islamists and proxy forces visà-vis the United States and the region But it’s important to remember that he is not in charge At most he can convey messages from those in charge and act as a mediator The Iranian leaders, proxy militias, and parties are putting Sudani in an uncomfortable position: He is being pressed to push for a definitive timeline for the withdrawal of U S forces or he risks losing his job which he seems determined to keep At a minimum he must appear to be seriously trying to accommodate their instructions He will want the Biden administration to appear to be earnestly considering negotiations for a withdrawal The continued presence of U S forces presents a formidable obstacle to one of the Iranian regime s major strategic regional objectives: the domination of the Fertile Crescent, Iraq, Syria,

Lebanon, and the Palestinian areas Tehran aims for a continuous and unhindered land corridor to the Mediterranean Local obstacles to Iran’s ambition will remain These obstacles include the Kurdistan Regional Government some Sunni Arabs, and even a few patriotic Shia groups who oppose Iran s domination of their country although they have not taken a public position against the withdrawal fearing reprisal and assassination by Tehran s proxy militias They are closely monitoring the United States response We can work with these forces to oppose Iranian expansionism However, a complete U S withdrawal would remove the most important barrier to Iran’s aggressive goals and create a vacuum into which Iran will insert itself A withdrawal will also affect the calculations of many other players as they assess the future balance and order in their region

Obviously, Iran s domination of the Middle East is not in the U S interest Its regime is hostile to the United States, supports terrorism pursues nuclear weapons is building ever-longer-range missiles to deliver conventional and eventually nuclear weapons and has set aside mutual suspicions to partner with our global adversaries, China and Russia It would be a mistake to facilitate Iran’s domination of the Fertile Crescent by submitting to Iran s demand and withdrawing from Iraq and Syria If we refuse however we must be prepared for Iran to increase the pressure and likely instruct its proxy militias to attack our forces in Iraq or in both countries

It’s vital that we review and make needed adjustments to our policy and posture to effectively deter this threat Doing so must include the following four steps: First we must strengthen deterrence Responding by attacking their proxy forces is inadequate because, to Tehran, the lives of Iraqi, Syrian, Lebanese or Yemeni militias are cheap and expendable We would only

proxy attacks will result in a strengthe n i n g o f U S s a n c t i o n s s i m i l a r t o those implemented during the Trump administration Those sanctions were s i g n i f i c a n t a n d i n c l u d e d t h e o i l a n d n o n - o i l s e c t o r s i m p a c t i n g m o r e t h a n 7 0 0 p e r s o n s a n d e n t i t i e s T h e y w e r e very costly for Iran, and Tehran fears their restoration Third, we must increase our political pressure on the Iranian regime by focusing on its vulnerabilities Political oppression and economic mismanagement have made the theocratic government odious, causing it to fear a popular revolution or a coup by elements of its own security apparatus The regime cannot sustain itself indefinitely We can speed its demise through effective programs that expose its corruption and waste of resources through support for terrorist and extremist groups and that highlight the widespread opposition within the country The

counterpart, ’ndrangheta, have grown more sophisticated, following the money into drugs prostitution and people trafficking rather than open confrontation with the authorities But post-pandemic there s a new trend developing that s a warning for all of Europe While mobsters continue to

poor south is now being cut through with a new divide: between its biggest, most successful cities and the rest In Sicily, this is translating into an economic revival of its picturesque tourist towns where super wealthy seeking to unlock Italy s generous tax breaks in exchange for investments are buying up palatial apartments

IUS will not take par t in retaliator y action against Iran, White House says

DUBAI/ JERUSALEM/ WASHINGTON A G E N C I E S President Joe Biden warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the US will not take part in a counteroffensive against Iran if Israel decides to retaliate for a mass drone and missile attack on Israeli territory overnight a White House official said The threat of open warfare erupting between the arch Middle East foes and dragging in the United States has put the region on edge triggering calls for restraint from global powers and Arab nations to avoid further escalation US media reported earlier on Sunday that Biden had informed Netanyahu he would not participate in retaliatory action in a phone call overnight The remarks were confirmed to Reuters by a White House official

The US will continue to help Israel defend itself but does not want war John Kirby the White House s top national security spokesperson, told ABC s This Week program on Sunday Iran launched the attack over a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1 that killed top Revolutionary Guards commanders and followed months of clashes between Israel and Iran s regional allies triggered by the war in Gaza However, the attack from more than 300 missiles and drones, mostly launched from inside Iran, caused only modest damage in Israel as most were shot down with the help of the US, Britain and Jordan An Air Force base in southern Israel was hit but continued to operate as normal and a 7-year old child was seriously hurt by shrapnel There were no other reports of serious damage

Two senior Israeli ministers signalled on Sunday that retaliation by Israel is not imminent and it would not act alone “We will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran in the fashion and timing that is right for

OpenAI launches massive ChatGPT push after Elon Musk unveils $4b Grok lift

not been reported previously Altman directly addressed more than 100 executives in each city at the events, according to attendees who spoke on the condition of anonymity

At each event Altman and chief operating officer Brad Lightcap offered product demonstrations, including ChatGPT Enterprise, the enterprise-grade of its famous chatbot that generates text from simple prompts software to connect customer applications to its AI services known as APIs and its new text-to-video models

OpenAI has promised that ChatGPT Enterprise customers’ data will not be used to train its models Talking to potential customers from industries including finance healthcare and energy OpenAI executives highlighted a range of applications, such as callcentre management and translation They noted the consumer version of its chatbot is already in use by more than 92% of Fortune 500 companies

Microsoft the largest investor in OpenAI, offers access to OpenAI s technology through its Azure cloud and by selling Microsoft 365 Copilot, a productivity tool powered by OpenAI s models targeting enterprises Some executives in the audience at the events asked why they should pay for ChatGPT Enterprise if they are already customers of Microsoft attendees said Altman and Lightcap responded that paying for the enterprise service allowed them to work with the OpenAI team directly, have access to the latest models and have more opportunities to get customised AI products according to attendees present OpenAI and Microsoft declined to comment OpenAI, last valued at $86 billion in a secondary sale, has been trying to diversify its revenue stream since its chatbot ChatGPT quickly gained popularity in late 2022 It is on track to achieve the $1 billion revenue target it projected for 2024, sources have said While trying to build out new products for consumers such as the marketplace ChatGPT stores the company expects selling to enterprises to become a more meaningful part of its revenue Lightcap told Bloomberg last week more than 600,000 people signed up to use ChatGPT Enterprise and Team, up from around 150,000 in January

C h i n a , No r t h Ko re a a g re e to b o o s t

‘ t r a d i t i o n a l ’ t i e s a m i d h e i g h te n e d

te n s i o n s o n Ko re a n Pe n i n s u l a

Iran’s attack on Israel stirs admiration among Gaza

Palestinians CAIR O A G E N C I E S Iran s attack on Israel drew applause from many Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday as rare payback for the Israeli offensive on their enclave, although some said they suspected Tehran had staged the assault more for show than to inflict real damage “For the first time we saw some rockets that didn’t land in our areas These rockets were going into the occupied Palestine said Abu Abdallah referring to land that became Israel in 1948 rather than the occupied West Bank and Gaza We are hopeful that if Iran or any other country enters the war a solution for Gaza might be nearer than ever The Americans may have to resolve Gaza to end the roots of the problem ” said Abu Abdallah 32 using a nickname rather than his full name Many in Gaza have felt abandoned by Middle East neighbours since Israel began an offensive that has killed more than 33,000 people in response to attacks on Israeli soil by Hamas, who killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages on Oct 7

However support has come from Iran and its regional proxies particularly Tehran’s ally Hezbollah in Lebanon who are allies of Gaza s Hamas Islamist rulers Footage circulated from the enclave showed many residents, including inside displacement tents, whistling and others chanting Allah Akbar (God is the Greatest) in joy as the skies were lit up by Iranian rockets and Israeli interceptions Whoever decides to attack Israel dares to attack Israel at a time when the whole world acts in its service is a hero in the eyes of Palestinians regardless of whether we share their (Iran) ideology or not, said Majed Abu Hamza, 52, a father of seven, from Gaza City “We have been slaughtered for over six months and no one dared to do anything Now Iran after its consulate was hit is hitting back at Israel and this brings joy into our hearts said Abu Hamza Iran launched the attack over a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1 that killed top Revolutionary Guards commanders and followed months of clashes between Israel and Iran’s regional allies, triggered by the war in Gaza Hamas which has been locked in a war with Israel in Gaza since Oct 7 defended Iran s attack saying in a statement the assault was a natural right and a deserved response to the strike on the Iranian consulate The

nex t month

for his tireless efforts in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

In Addition, Ahsan Iqbal was hailed as the “Hero of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor” (CPEC) by the Chinese Government a testament to his pivotal role in fostering bilateral relations and economic prosperity He was also give the title of Mr CPEC” by China

Under his dynamic leadership, several initiatives were taken which includes vision 2010, vision 2025, Outlook 2035 5Es framework 4RF framework for flood China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) five New Economic Corridor and their alignment with 5Es framework, National Centers for Excellence, Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) KCR and others

Furthermore other remarkable achievements includes initiating the PQI (Productivity Quality and Innovation) initiative, driving excellence in Pakistan’s industries, increasing the development budget for higher education by an impressive 68 percent demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the future of our youth The APO awards have celebrated the achievements of productivity champions who have significantly contributed to productivity improvement across the Asia Pacific In commemoration of the APO s 60th anniversary in 2021 several enhancements have been made to the award schemes to reflect the evolving landscape of productivity and innovation Ahsan

claimed

number 804, referring to

Ayub

Tehreek

(PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Addressing the media in Quetta Ayub said the PTI gave awareness to the masses He also claimed that his party would form the next government once the current governments are dissolved, he claimed adding that all that the PTI wanted was supremacy of the law and constitution

This is not old Pakistan People have now awakened Despite hurdles, (our) rallies have been successful,” he said The PTI leader also apprised that his party workers were tor-

tured and they were not allowed to wave party flags in Pishin and Chaman public gatherings

He said the parties included in their alliance would hold rallies all over the country

On April 12, Ayub had announced that under the umbrella of a “grand opposition alliance” they would launch a protest movement against the alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections and for restoration of the Constitution and democracy in the country from Balochistan The opposition leader also said the resources of Balochistan should be first spent on residents of the province In fact resources of any province should be spent on its people he said Subsequently, the six-party opposition alliance launched its protest drive against the government a day earlier with a rally in Baloshitan’s Pishin where PTI Ayub vowed to re-

claim their rights through the “Tehreek Tahafuz Ayin“ The people of the country came forward to make this movement successful, the politician said during his address in front of a charged crowd

The gathering was held at the Taj Lala Football Stadium in Pishin after the alliance comprising PTI Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP), Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) decided to begin a nationwide movement against the government Meanwhile announcing to jump ship his party and join the PTI, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sharif Khilji said he never did politics for favours and funds

“The PPP has become a party of Zardari not Bhutto ” he said

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

Pakistan expressed ‘deep concern’ on Sunday over the ongoing developments in the Middle East and said that there is an urgent need to stabilize the situation and restore peace According to the statement by the FO spokesperson, for several months Pakistan has emphasized the need for international efforts to ensure peace in the region and a ceasefire in Gaza Pakistan had pointed to the attack on the Iranian consular office in Syria on April 2 as a major escalation in the region and today’s developments show a breakdown in diplomacy the FO said

The statement added that such

incidents also underline the grave implications in cases where the UN Security Council is unable to fulfil its responsibilities of maintaining international peace and security Pakistan called on all parties to exercise utmost restraint and move towards de-escalation Earlier, Pakistan welcomed the provisional measures