Epaper_24-05-3 KHI

WE ARE WELL AWARE OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS, SAYS COAS

RISALPUR/RAWALPINDI

S TA F F R

Noting that Article 19 of the Constitution clearly defines the limits of freedom of speech and expression of opinion” the army chief said “Those who flout the clear restrictions imposed on freedom of expression in the Constitution cannot point fingers at others

Gen Munir highlighted that the PAF had always lived up to the expectations of the nation He noted that without a strong air force a country was at the mercy of any aggressor

The army chief lauded the PAF for patrolling the airspace in all kinds of difficulties with unparalleled bravery and professionalism , terming the shooting down of Indian aircraft for violating airspace in February 2019 as a great example of the same

Addressing the cadets he said You are the centre of our hopes the guardian of the skies and the guarantors of regional unity ” COAS Munir said that the cadets were expected to “lead a life adorned with the virtues of character courage and competence adding that their conduct would not only be extraordinary for their personal ethics but also for the respected institution” “You will never hesitate to give sacrifice for the defence, honour and dignity of the motherland ” the army chief stated He emphasised that the military leadership expected the cadets to always uphold our nation s best spirit, the professional expertise of the institution and the eternal tradition of bravery” “Always remember that the truth is

powerful while falsehood can never be powerful,” Gen Munir stated “Be like Rashid Minhas Sarfraz Rafiqui and M M Alam who presented their services and lives for the protection of the homeland s dignity he added Remain committed to the responsibility being given to you and remain loyal to the state of Pakistan,” the COAS said Gen Munir highlighted that the arms race posed a risk of disturbing the region s balance of power Specific technologies including artificial intelligence, robotics and quantum computing, are changing the use of air power as well as expanding its scope,” he noted On the ongoing Israeli offensive on

Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, the army chief said the conflict was the “latest example of the sufferings that wars can bring”

He said the indiscriminate killing of elderly people women and children in Gaza was proof that violence was rising in the world

About India-occupied Kashmir, COAS Munir asserted that India had maintained its illegal occupation of the region He said the “silence of the entire world about the ongoing Indian aggression in Kashmir cannot suppress the voice of freedom there

The army chief vowed that Pakistan would continue to provide “moral, political and diplomatic support to our Kashmir brothers” PA F R I S A L P U R A C A D E M Y

The Pakistan Air Force Academy Asghar Khan is an accredited three-year military academy that provides undergraduate education to officer candidates for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)

The academy was created in 1910 and was a former airfield of the Royal Flying Corps and later the Royal Air Force It officially became the airfield of the PAF on 15 August 1947 On 13 April 1948, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah elevated the school’s status to that of a flying college On 21 January 1967 the college was upgraded to the status of an academy by former president Ayub Khan

PM credits PDM govt’s tireless effor ts for decrease in inflation

g FUND'S TEAM TO SPEND TWO WEEKS IN PAKISTAN, FOCUSING ON MACROECONOMIC AND FISCAL FRAMEWORK FOR NEXT 3-4 YEARS

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz

Sharif said on Thursday that downward trend in inflation is the sign of economic improvement and a welcoming news for the masses saying the development was outcome of the efforts of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) led 16-month government which was carried forward by the interim government

As per a statement released by the Prime Minister s Office on Thursday the premier said: Reduction in inflation is the first goal and with the grace of Allah, people will get more relief in economic activities ” According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) the pace of price increases decelerated to 17 3% in April compared to the same period the previous year, marking the lowest rate in two years and nearing the point from which prices initially surged Moreover the decline in inflation surpassed projections from the Ministry of Finance, which had estimated a range of 18 5 to 19 5 per cent This marked the fourth consecutive month of downward trajectory in inflation rates

The Premier continued that that the recent reduction in petrol prices will also give relief to the people, adding that the prices of oil have come down in the global market Shehbaz directed provincial governments to ensure reduction in prices of daily-use items commen-

surate with reduction in petroleum prices and enforce official food item prices “By the grace of Allah, by continuing in this direction the lives of the people will improve further ” he maintained adding that his government is leaving no stone unturned in trying to get maximum relief to the people at the earliest Notably, food inflation decelerated in both urban and rural areas with urban centers experiencing a notable slowdown to 11 3 per cent and rural areas dipping below the single-digit mark to 9 7 per cent, according to the PBS However, core inflation, excluding energy and food items marginally increased to 13 1 per cent in urban areas but dropped below 20 per cent in rural regions This represents an approximate 6 per cent reduction compared to policy rates

Despite these developments, double-digit price hikes persisted across all commodity groups ex-

for alcoholic beverages tobacco, and

bilateral meetings with leaders and foreign ministers participating in the summit Pakistan will also underline the need to find collective solutions to challenges confronting Muslim Ummah she added Highlighting other diplomatic engagements during the previous week, she informed the media of the visit of US Undersecretary for Political Affairs John Bass and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst to Pakistan and their meeting with Acting Foreign Secretary Ambassador Rahim Hayat Qureshi Two sides discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation and underscored the importance of sustained engagement through various dialogue processes, including areas of trade, investment, energy, health, education, agriculture, and climate change Pakistan will continue to engage with the United States to enhance bilateral cooperation and understanding the spokesperson remarked Commenting on the Gaza situation, Spokesperson Baloch said the Israeli occupation forces continued to take illegal steps in the West Bank in violation of international law “Pakistan strongly condemns the rising violations of human rights by Israel and the increasing number of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank Israel s actions constitute a breach of international law, including humanitarian laws and United Nations and OIC resolutions These acts also undermine any prospects of a two-state solution,” she remarked She called for the international community’s efforts to prevent Israel from committing the egregious crimes in Palestine and the UN Security Council to impose an immediate prominent ceasefire urge Israel to lift the siege of Gaza, facilitate humanitarian assistance, protect the civilians, and hold the perpetrators of the genocide accountable Reiterating Pakistan’s full support to the people of Palestine she called for the establishment of an independent viable and contiguous Palestinian state with pre-1967 borders and Quds Al-Sharif as its capital

PTI

EXPERTS CALL FOR TARGETED POLICY MEASURES TO UNLOCK PAKISTAN’S RENEWABLE ENERGY POTENTIAL

of green loans particularly for technologies like solar and wind Senator Seemi Ezdi emphasised the urgent need for a just transition to sustainable transportation and energy sources, particularly focusing on Electric Vehicles (EVs) Ahsan Gaylani (UNIDO) highlighted product standardization and reduced taxation to encourage investment From academia participation from multiple universities highlighted the importance of financing for greener technology development and implementation Dr Azir Anwar Khan from the University of Lahore underscored incentives and the need for smoother financing options LUMS Energy Institute s Dr Naveed Arshad raised concerns about high-interest rates on EVs and advocated for greater climate financing

USPCAS-E, NUST’s Dr Qazmi emphasised market flexibility and in-house Indigenization for cost-effective solutions suggesting positive incentives for green financing

Rashid Azim addressed banking restrictions, while Xiang Yang (China Study Center, NUST) highlighted Pakistan s lag in green technology adoption Dr Sharjeel Sulehri (RE GEN) stressed changing national attitudes towards energy conservation while Ali Moin discussed the affordability

PSX records third successive decline af ter SBP maintains key rate

The SBP’s decision to maintain the status quo by keeping the key policy rate at 22% for the seventh consecutive policy meeting reflects a strategic approach to maintaining significant positive real interest rates This strategy aims to curb inflation and align it within the target range of 5-7% by September 2025

It was further noted that April’s inflation stood at 17 3% year-on-year (YoY) and experienced a negative 0 4% month-on-month (MoM) trend indicating a downward trajectory that could pave the way for future rate cuts

Recent data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) revealed a slowdown in consumer price inflation to 17 3% in April reinforcing the market s correction trend Despite market corrections and concerns, Farooq highlighted some positive traction in cement stocks following the inflation figures release He

emphasized the market’s affordability and anticipated earnings recovery for cyclical sectors as the economy gradually rebounds In summary the PSX s bearish trend and market corrections reflect a cautious stance amid economic uncertainties, with a focus on policy stability and inflation management shaping mar-

Govt grapples with massive losses due to Iranian oil smuggling

where an estimated 2 2 to 2 4 million people rely on this illicit trade for their livelihoods This dependence underscores the complex interplay between economic incentives, regional dynamics, and regulatory challenges

routes

and Rakhshan divisions

and distribution with smuggled products primarily sold at unauthorized roadside petrol outlets Despite periodic crackdowns, smuggling activities have rebounded post-elections necessitating a coordinated response from enforcement agencies The socio-economic impact is significant, particularly in Balochistan,

Addressing Iranian oil smuggling requires a multifaceted approach including strengthened border control measures targeted enforcement actions against smuggling networks, regulatory reforms, and enhanced collaboration among law enforcement agencies and international partners

Such measures are crucial to mitigate revenue losses uphold regulatory integrity and safeguard Pakistan s economic interests

KP GOVT CUTS CURRENT EXPENDITURES OF ALL DEPARTMENTS

press freedom, including abolishing censorship laws and supporting independent media growth, Bilawal said that she also championed press freedom and human rights globally underscoring their significance in democratic governance and seeking international support during dictatorial regimes He noted that President Asif Ali Zardari honoured the vision and guiding principles of Shaheed Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir

Historically, the press in Pakistan has served as a watchdog, uncovering injustices exposing corruption and amplifying the voices of the marginalized he added The PPP Chairman expressing concern over challenges such as censor-

that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed independent candidates won the majority of seats in Punjab and KP via “managed rigging” both sides have “agreed on increasing party-level contacts and have already announced launching their separate countrywide protest movements against poll rigging

On Monday, the JUI-F chief, while addressing the party’s office bearers, reaffirmed his resolve to stage massive protests along with the struggle outside parliament against the rigged elections

tional Assembly, backed Pakistan PTI

ship fake news and violence faced by journalists urged media organizations to uphold journalistic integrity impartiality and professionalism in their reporting He reiterated the party s unwavering support for press freedom, grounded in democracy and liberty principles He underscored the 1973 Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of expression including press freedom a legacy of Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Under his leadership, reforms liberalized media policies, fostering greater independence,” he noted Highlighting Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s efforts to promote

granting the right to the latter s party to organise public gatherings terming it the Imran-founded party s constitutional right

Continuing on his tirade against Fazl, Gandapur, who has defeated the JUI-F chief in the elections multiple times underscored the difference between mandate theft and deceit

Since Maulana sahib has been a man of deals, he might have struck one with them again this time to win the elections Now the question is if they had helped other people to win the elections through Form-47 then why didn t they help Maulana sahib the chief minister said He [Fazl] has become quite old and must tell the truth to the nation that he had been holding for a long time We will welcome Maulana

PPP opposes privatization of PIA

and Gaza Palestine praising their courage in reporting on human rights abuses despite grave risks Let us carry forward the torch of press freedom, illuminating pathways of accountability and fostering dialogue Through our unwavering support, let’s empower journalists to fearlessly navigate the realms of truth shaping a brighter future for all he concluded

and appreciate his contribution if he has started telling the truth the chief minister stated, he added Gandapur further highlighted the contradiction in Fazl’s statements, saying he until now would take credit for toppling Imran Khan’s government but then changed his position claiming that Imran Khan s government was brought down by the then army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa [Imran] Khan has never struck any deal and let me tell you once again that he will never strike one with anyone to seek his release from prison he told the journalists However CM Gandapur said that if Khan decided to negotiate with the government, then he would do it for the country and the people of Pakistan

Terrorism taking over

PR E S I D E N T Azif Ali Zardari, while presiding over a law and order meeting in Karachi, directed that the Sindh government crackdown on the three problems that have perennially plagued the province: street criminals kacha dacoits and drug traffickers He did so on the same day that the Pakistan Institute for Conflict Studies issued its monthly report showing that terrorism was showing an uptick in April, after some reduction in March As if to provide an example, there was another attack on the Jhangi checkpost in Taunsa district, in which seven policemen were injured While terrorism and crime are only tangentially related, it makes little difference to someone who has been shot dead whether the trigger was pulled by a criminal trying to make a living or a terrorist trying to make a political point It is the government s responsibility to ensure that crimes of all kinds, whatever the motive, are kept under control President Zardari may be criticized for dealing with law and order, but it should be remembered that the government there is his party’s He probably realizes that the recent upsurge in crime in the province is taking place after the party has held the reins of office there since 2008, and is on its second Chief Minister Street crime was once based on political protection from the MQM, but with the MQM in opposition, that would no longer seem to be the case Similarly, the Kacha dacoits are said to have political backing from the PPP, but the fact remains that there have been dacoits in the Kacha since time immemorial and the PPP can only be blamed for inefficiency, not complicity Indeed if the PPP is in any way complicit that would be part of that inefficiency

The transition from terrorism to criminality can be seen from the President s warning against crimes involving foreigners, particularly Chinese It should not be forgotten that the attacks against foreigners which form part of the crazy kaleidoscope of crime in Karachi were carried out by terrorists Terrorists here have been known to carry out kidnappings for ransom to finance their activities while they have long been associated with the drug trade Vigilant policing also throws up terrorist activity, such as suspicious rentals, or obtrusive reconnaissance The fight against crime and terrorism is also a vital part of ensuring a more conducive atmosphere for investment whether foreign or indigenous No one likes investing in a place that might go up in flames or where there are physical threats, after all

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit

Youthful rebellion or a sea-change?

TH E happenings on the campuses of the USA are remarkable because these were the very campuses where there was repression of the right to free speech in the name of anti-antisemitism which was a thinly disguised way of ensuring that Israel was given the support it wanted

As American disgust with the slaughter in Gaza builds, the previous conflation of Semitism and Israel has not yet broken down, but it has become frayed At its peak the dominance of pro-Israel rhetoric meant that Palesinians calling for freedom of their country were labelled as anti-Semitic This created the first cracks for it meant that Arabs whose language was quintessentially Semitic, were being excluded from the Semitic tent

Instead, the Semitic identity was being stolen by Zionists; not even all Jews, because a number of Hasidic Orthodox Jews reject the Zionist label and oppose the existence of the state of Israel

There seems to be a point here for Zionism the belief that Jews should have a homeland of their own, originates from the view that Jews are a nation This view seems to have something to do with the historical experience of turn-of-the-20-th-century Jews in the then Russian Empire which also covered portions of modern Eastern Europe especially Poland One result of those pogroms was that a lot of Jews migrated to the USA where they imbibed nationalism

The solution they reached was to define Jews as a nation in the 19th century sense, deserving of a homeland This won support from the UK and France who committed during World War I to give the Jews a homeland in Palestine The Holocaust intervened in World War II creating a sense of guilt in the West which led to the creation of Israel

Therefore, Eastern European Jews, largely Russians and Ukrainians, were at the forefront The interesting thing is that they were not religious Jews

They identified as socialist or at least social democratic which explains why the Labour Party was so influential in the early years of Israel

Orthodox Jews included those who were against the creation of Israel before the coming of the Messiah This is not the exact mirror image of those orthodox Muslims who opposed the creation of Pakistan, for they claimed that the whole of India should be under Muslim rule but it is possible to see the parallel with Jewish Orthodoxy

In the USA a lot of Jews decided against uprooting themselves but they wanted to show loyalty to Israel These Jews were active in both the Republican and Democratic parties, but especially the Democrats

There was a lot of money given to candidates who supported Israel until it became a truism that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee was perhaps the most powerful donor in the USA Candidates for Congress and for President followed the money However, by the same token as Israel claimed a

state, the Palestinian people did too Palestinians forced out of their homes in 1948 had to go where they could Within the Third World they went to Arab countries within the West they went to the USA and Europe and South America The largest Palestinian population outside the Middle East is in Chile, where there are 500,000, and the second largest is in the USA, where there are 255,000 Though they are still fewer than American Jews, they are present on college campuses both as teachers and as students

The last time there was a similar outburst probably much greater and more intense was in 1968 when student protests seems to break out all over the world One of the consequences was the resignation of Charles De Gaulle as President of France in 1969

The French protests had started over the raising of fees in French universities It also led in the USA to the Kent State shootings in 1970 in which students protesting the Vietnam War at the Kent State University were fired at by the Ohio National Guard and five were killed That shocked the entire USA, and helped end the Vietnam War The police forces going onto US campuses to break up the pro-Palestinian protests have revived memories of that horrifying incident though it does not seem that matters will get that far Not only was Kent State unprecedented but it must be remembered that students then had a vested interest in ending that war, which they do not have in Gaza Students did not want to be conscripted, as the USA was obliged to do Conscription came to an end after the Vietnam War ended and while the USA has sent Israel vast funds allowing it to carry on its fatal work and while it has even scrambled its warplanes in the theatre against Iranian missiles and drones it is showing no signs of needing the kind of manpower that will compel conscription It should

deposits Though a good beginning, Pakistan’s space programme is currently minuscule compared to that of its neighbor India in several aspects India has achieved milestones such as landing on the moon with Chandrayaan-3 reaching Mars with Mangalyaan, launching a record number of satellites, and developing reliable launch vehicles, mission to study the sun’s corona, accomplishments that Pakistan has not yet matched Perhaps it was India s extraordinary ability teamwork cohesive leadership and vision in pursuing its space programme that may have prompted SUPARCO to show signs of life But Pakistan s institutional capacity is still too low and fragile, and its human resources are often unimaginative and regimented This lack of capacity hinders meaningful progress without relying on foreign assistance

The Indian space research and development programs have been inspired and led by visionary leaders such as Dr Vikram Sarabhai, known as the father of the Indian space program, who established the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) later evolving into the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Prof Satish Dhawan as ISRO chairman from 1972 to 1984 advanced India s space capabilities with the successful launch of the SLV-3 and Rohini satellites Prof U R Rao, ISRO chairman from 1984 to 1994, oversaw the development of the INSAT and PSLV programs Dr K Kasturirangan chairman from 1994 to 2003 led the launch of the IRS and GSAT satellite series Dr A P J Abdul Kalam renowned for his missile programme contributions, also played a significant role in India s space programme, contributing to the SLV-3 and PSLV programs These leaders among others have guided India’s space exploration propelling ISRO into a global space leader Pakistan s space research and development

Pakistan over the Moon

program has been influenced by several visionary leaders Abdus Salam, although not directly involved, advocated for scientific advancement in the country, laying the groundwork for future endeavors Dr Riazuddin a prominent physicist contributed to Pakistan’s nuclear and space programmes aiding in the establishment of SUPARCO Dr Abdus Salam Khan as SUPARCO chairman from 1996 to 2001, oversaw the launch of Pakistan s first indigenously developed satellite, Badr-A Dr Arshad Ali Hakeem, SUPARCO chairman from 2001 to 2006, facilitated the launch of satellites for communication and remote sensing These leaders have collectively shaped Pakistan s space programme contributing to its progress and achievements in space exploration

Since 2010 Pakistan s Space Research programme has been headed by army generals In 2010 Major General Ahmed Bilal was appointed as SUPARCO head he was succeeded by Major General Qaiser Anees Khurran in 2016 followed by Major General Amer Nadeen in 2018 and who however succeed by Muhammad Yusuf Khan in 2023, the first civilian after 14 years

Though Pakistan had an early start in the 1960s launching a sounding rocket before India it could not sustain its momentum thanks to our legendary callous attitude towards matters of national building our lack of a long-term vision, mission, or clear milestones for tangible achievements, our hardened habit of achieving flashy innovations or accomplishments, only to later desecrate humiliate and insult those behind such achievements This behavior stems from our internal and external institutional incompetencies which distort our earlier gains and lead us back into a state of inertia and status quo We then slip back into a deep sleep, only to be awakened by the wake-up calls from other countries especially India Three years later than Pakistan in 1963

India launched its first rocket which became a laughing stock being transported by a bullock cart Since there was no looking back Soon due to their continuous, persistent and uninterrupted commitment for space exploration, India became a major global player in space exploration and research While preparing to take astronauts into orbit in 2025 besides landing on the

moon with Chandrayaan-3 reaching Mars by Mangalyaan mission launching a record-breaking 104 satellites in a single mission, and developing its own reliable launch vehicles like the PSLV, and sending a spacecraft called AdityaL1 to orbit sun and study sun’s corona, chromosphere photosphere and solar wind aim to gather data on solar activity which can impact Earth s climate and communication systems Whereas Pakistan s space programme overseen by the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), has achieved nothing compared to India’s space programme It hasn’t yet developed its own launch vehicles and uses other nations’ help for securing launch of its satellites and space probes Pakistan s space programme can achieve great success only if we start honoring our scientific pioneers, establishing a clear vision and mission, and ensuring adequate resource allocation Building state-of-the-art research facilities, cultivating a skilled workforce and appointing competent qualified relevant and inspiring leaders are essential steps Political will and support is crucial for prioritizing the programme and securing necessary funding International collaborations can also enhance Pakistan’s capabilities By adopting a strategic approach and investing in space research Pakistan can become a key player in the global space arena bringing pride and prosperity to the nation

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

Political will and suppor t is crucial for prioritizing the programme and securing necessar y funding International collaborations can also enhance PakistanÊs capabilities By adopting a strategic approach and investing in space research, Pakistan can become a key player in the global space arena, bringing pride and prosperity to the nation.

Kite flying ban

Havoc in Chaghi

Pak-Iran relations

Fight against traffic

QAMAr BAshIr

Attempting to conquer the final frontier?

Tments are prejudged in favour of one or another politico on the basis of imagined bias of judges A blue-eyed prisoner writes letters to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Lawyers address the media immediately after attending courts A CJP is pilloried for seeking an imagined extension in tenure A force

news, films, etc ] succeeded, within six months, in turning a pacifist population into a hysterical, war mongering population which wanted to destroy everything German tear the Germans limb from limb go to war and save the world After the war the same techniques were used to whip up a hysterical Red Scare On page 144 of his autobiography Mein Kampf (My Struggle), Hitler applauds his adversaries for successful propaganda He lambasted Germans who thought that the work of propaganda could be entrusted to the first ass that came along braying of his own special talents, and they had no conception of the fact that propaganda demands the most skilled brains that can be found’ Hitler ’s propaganda theorems are quoted in American political science textbooks Propaganda in its various manifestations has become intertwined with rumours A retired major along with his cohort keeps shouting a military mutiny is in the offing Rumour mongering also is an art as well as a science with well-defined formulae, as described in Rumours: Uses Interpretations and Images’ (1990) by Jean-Noel Kapferer It sets forth rumour-making formulae like a rumour is a multiple of importance of an event and ambiguity (Shibutani), or a sum of fact plus fantasy (Kapferer) Allport and Postman, founding fathers of research in the field of rumours, dealt with false rumours Techniques used to convey hidden pernicious meanings include metaphors alle-

gories Aesopic language guarded speech withheld information and esoteric communication Hans Speiier says, Finally there are communications in which withholding is indeed total: evasive answers lies deliberate obscurities loquacious flooding of the channels with socially acceptable nonsense (Harold D Lasswell Daniel Lerner Hans Speier, Propaganda and Communication in World History, Volume II Hans Speier, The Communication of Hidden Meaning, p 172)

It is unfortunate that Pakistan’s propagandists powered by a political party observe no rules

Richard Deacon says Truth twisting unless it is conducted with caution and great attention to detail, it will inevitably fail, if practiced too often It is not the deliberate lie which we have to fear (something propaganda) but the half-truth the embellished truth and the truth dressed up to appear a something quite different (The Truth Twisters London 1986/1987) He gives several example of disinformation including subliminal disinformation by which the truth can be twisted so that the distortion is unconsciously absorbed something which both television and radio commentators have subtly perfected (ibid p 9) Voracious readers may also see Propaganda Blitz: How the Corporate Media Distort Reality review: Fake news and lies by Arvind Sivaramakrishnan

Some propagandists camouflage themselves as writers in some prestigious newspaper or flaunt a fake or real connection to some human rights advocacy group or some NGO India s covert fake TV channels have already been exposed by EU-based non-gov-

ernmental organisation EU DisinfoLab It uncovered an India-sponsored fake dis-informational network of 265 fake media outlets in 65 countries including US Canada Brussels and Geneva The network is run by Srivastava Group of India It also ran a think tank called International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies The Institute paid for the travel and accommodation of an unofficial far-right delegation of 23 European Union parliamentarians to Srinagar on October 30 2013 The trip was arranged by Indian –intelligence surrogate Madi Sharma who posed as a self-styled international business broker The delegation s shikara

Chomsky says the American masses are like a bewildered herd that has stopped thinking in Media Control: the Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda In it he asserts that in a “properly functioning democracy” there are a “small percentage of the people a specialised class of citizens who analyse execute make decisions and run things in the political, economic, and ideological systems Chomsky reminds, ‘Woodrow Wilson was elected President in 1916 on the platform “Peace without Victory” right in the middle of the World War I The American population was extremely pacifistic and saw no reason to become involved in a European War The Wilson administration established government propaganda commission, called the Creel Commission, which [through fake

Scientists of different countries are now studying not only the ability of information warfare to affect the values, emotions, and belief of target audiences (traditional psychological warfare theory), but also methods to affect the objective reasoning process of soldiers and civilians That is affecting not only the data-processing capability of hardware and software but also the data-processing capability of the human mind

The Middle East’s ‘1989 moment’

There were public reassurances by several Saudi officials at last week’s forum that the Kingdom’s offer to put its weight

integration with the Arab and Muslim world was on the

Polygon and Cardano while WazirX saw the most activity in

Tether Shiba Inu Dogecoin WazirX, and Matic through 2021 Of course, fluctuations are crazy, Pahwa admits “For those who don’t work at a deeper understanding there is a risk in seeing it only as a get-rich-quick tool But the fact is that India is restrictive in the investing ecosystem it has cultivated So, it is understandable younger people are exploring newer, easier avenues These problems existed, and here pops up a crypto ecosystem with a range that is eye-popping Bitcoin has one use Ethereum works like a smart contract while Matic is trying to make Ethereum more accessible The reason why there s been a stunning rise in crypto trading across non-metro cities is because trading has its own syntax ” she says “It’s a skill that doesn’t have barriers of language or location Young traders who live in smaller cities no longer feel inhibited by their address or lack of expertise in English Buying and selling on the overthe-counter (OTC) desk, or buying bulk crypto, are pretty easy The difference is, instead of matching buyers and sellers the OTC desk acts as a dealer for anybody looking to trade a given asset This comes in handy when a given trade would not be possible on exchanges, for instance Some of the young traders are not even banked because they don’t have enough collaterals The pinch point is limited bank access – banks are uncomfortable providing loans or credit and young people need to find other avenues Crypto provides that Most importantly, trading these coins requires no collateral,” Medha goes on to add “A young Indian, who understands the hum and rhythm of trading can pick up the trends of a coin invest a small amount to begin with and earn a passive income States like Goa and Kerala saw an exceptional rise in trading activity because astute young traders took advantage of relatively lower electricity charges and also

jumped on to the role of peer-to-peer (P2P) merchants The P2P route in trading involves direct cryptocurrency transactions between users without intermediaries or a third party Unlike traditional exchanges, buying and selling crypto on a P2P marketplace does not include charts and market indicators; young traders can purchase and sell coins among themselves This opens up the chain and brings more people into the fold By 2021, the cryptocurrency rage was at its peak Schoolchildren were talking about it, and many were up through the night trading coins While cryptocurrency exchanges do not allow trading for investors younger than eighteen many teenagers found a way to dodge the rules by using their parents credentials Medha also points to the rise in young women trading crypto a healthy sign she believes shows the value and diversity in the crypto-trading community But the numbers there seem to paint a glass half-empty or half-full picture, depending on one s perspective In March 2022, a WazirX survey showed a 1,355 per cent rise in women investors but they still accounted for just 15 per cent of all users Among the women 63 per cent were under 34 years of age and 82 per cent under 44 In terms of geographies, urban centres continued to have a dominant position with most women investors coming from states like Maharashtra Tamil Nadu Karnataka and Delhi The report also showed that women investors preferred Bitcoin whereas men were trading more in Shiba Inu on the platform Other exchanges show similar data At CoinDCX, only 15 per cent of current investors are women; most from metros like Delhi Bengaluru Hyderabad Pune and Lucknow Unocoin and Coinswitch Kuber register roughly the same number while newer platforms like Bitbns and CrossTower had only 10 per cent women investors,

TH E R E were a hectic but fruitful few days in Riyadh this week when the World Economic Forum held a Special Meeting in the Kingdom for the first time It was important not only because Saudi Arabia metaphorically brought the mountain to Mohammed,” and not only because of the A-list policymakers, thought leaders and business executives who were there but also because of its timing The forum took place a few days after the eighth anniversary of the launch of Vision 2030 and what those in attendance witnessed was a coming of age, a revelation of what the new Saudi Arabia stands for What they saw, heard and experienced was the emergence of a new force a force for good prosperity and inclusion This force has now created as described by one of my colleagues who attended a number of forum sessions both on and off the record, the Middle East s 1989 moment That year was a tumultuous one, beginning with the collapse of communism in eastern Europe, ending with the overthrow of dictatorship in Romania and leading two years later to the implosion of the Soviet Union It is fascinating that 35 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall we are witnessing an equally important moment a fork in the road, where many are now going to have to choose which route to take

As US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week at his meeting with GCC ministers: “There are really two paths forward for the region as a whole: one driven with division and destruction the other greater integration greater security, greater peace He could not have been more accurate, and there could not be a better time or another chance for stakeholders to make the right decision

The US despite being the world’s superpower has clearly made a choice We have come a long way from the hostile rhetoric that marked the beginning of the Biden administration to public reassurances last week that a Saudi-US security pact was very, very close The past four years have also been an opportunity for both sides to reflect and see how multifaceted the relationship is and could be Apart from military deals everything from space exploration to SaudiAmerican nuclear cooperation is up for grabs This perhaps has been helped by repeated assurances from Saudi officials that our partners in the US will always be given priority, but also a US realization that the Kingdom has other options and lots of them for military technology and business deals Interestingly it seems more likely that a

sAMAN JAvAId MALIk

U S D E M O C R AT S P R E S S B I D E N T O

R E V E N T I S R A E L I A S S A U LT O N R A FA H

In 2015, Hungary became the first European country to sign a Belt and Road cooperation document with China Since then their friendship has further blossomed with advances made in political trade and people-to-people relations Addressing a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Hungary to celebrate the 2024 Chinese Lunar New Year in early February, Hungarian Minister for National Economy Marton Nagy hailed the dynamic expansion of HungaryChina cooperation particularly within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Back in 2010, Hungary launched an economic strategy called “Opening to the East ” and China announced the BRI three years later Hungary s signing of the BRI Memorandum of Under-

standing in June 2015 represented the successful docking of Chinaproposed BRI and Hungary s Opening to the East strategy Construction of a flagship BRI project the Hungary-Serbia railway connecting the Hungarian capital Budapest and Serbian capital Belgrade is now progressing smoothly Work on the Hungarian section commenced in July 2020 and entered the civil engineering construction phase in February 2022 The project is scheduled to be completed by July 2025 The 152-kilometer Hungarian section of the line is being built by a consortium of China Railway No 9 Bureau, China Railway Electrification Engineering Group and Hungarian partners

two cities from eight hours to ap-

pected to lead to the building of

and drive

development

Nagy also highlighted the key

CORPORATE CORNER

TECNO launches new C AMON 30 S eries in an extravagant Vogue Night

power theft cases in IESCO region

U Bank inks MoU with National S cience & Technology Park

KARACHI: foodpanda, Pakistan s leading delivery platform, proudly sponsored and participated in the Women in Business and Leadership Conference (WIBCON) 24 organised by the Pakistan

ISLAMABAD P R In a significant stride towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Pakistan the National Science & Technology Park (NSTP) at NUST and U Microfinance Bank Ltd (U Bank) have reached an understanding to collaborate for NSTP s flagship programmes, including Hatch8 Incubation Programme and Rising Stars Startup Competition Engr Javed Mahmood

Bukhari Rector NUST and Mohamed Essa Al Taheri, President & CEO U Bank, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a recent ceremony President & CEO U Bank apprised the Rector of various innovative fin-tech initiatives undertaken by his organisation He also commended NUST for its myriad of nation-building initiatives, world-class educational facilities and opportunities it offers to nurture diverse minds and drive

positive societal change Rector NUST appreciated U Bank's commitment and professionalism and expressed confidence that the newly forged partnership would go a long way in nurturing the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs Both

institutions in addressing the critical challenges of climate change He emphasized the indispensable role of continuous financial support to research in driving technological progress and innovation, not only in agriculture but in other sectors as well

Three terrorists who abduc ted judge

k

illed in Tank IBO: ISPR

Three terrorists involved in various terrorist activities including the kidnapping of the District and Sessions Judge were killed in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) of the security forces in district Tank on Thursday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said

According to the military’s media wing the security forces on a tip-off regarding the presence of terrorists conducted a joint operation

An intense exchange of fire took place during the operation in which three terrorists including ringleader Azmat alias Azmati, Karamat alias Hanzla and Rehan ISPR said

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) during the operation, following a fierce exchange of gunfire, security forces successfully neutralized three terrorists including ringleaders Azmat alias Azmati Karamat alias Hanzla and terrorist Rehan The slain militants remained

LAHORE A P P

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored his deep appreciation for the invaluable contributions of laborers and workers to the national economy Speaking at a gathering of laborers and workers from diverse sectors at his residence in honor of International Labour Day he called upon the affluent businessmen investors and industrialists to prioritize enhancing the conditions of workers

Acknowledging the challenging economic landscape, the PM assured that the government remained steadfast in its commitment to steering the nation toward brighter prospects through concerted efforts and genuine dedication

He expressed optimism that Pakistan would emerge as a formidable force, propelled by a fair system rooted in the diligent efforts of both employers and employees including workers

Furthermore Shehbaz emphasized the government s determination to instigate significant transformations within the national economy and to reclaim billions of rupees lost to corruption

Referring to his recent visit to Saudi Arabia Shehbaz emphasized that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Saudi leaders expressed a strong desire to see Pakistan progress on the path of development He announced that a delegation of Saudi business and investors would soon visit Pakistan fostering increased business

“actively involved” in several terrorist activities in the area including the recent abduction of a district and sessions judge of South Waziristan district the military s media wing stated It further asserted that the security forces remain determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country

Earlier on Saturday Sessions Judge Shakirullah Marwat stationed in South Waziristan was abducted by unidentified kidnappers

activities and job opportunities in the country

Looking ahead to the upcoming fiscal budget the PM pledged efforts to provide additional relief to the labor class recognizing their invaluable contribution to the nation s prosperity

In a call to action directed at business leaders and the affluent, he urged them to extend their vision beyond personal interests and investments He encouraged them to allocate resources towards education and healthcare projects aimed at uplifting the disadvantaged, mirroring initiatives seen in developed nations

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah led a massive movement in which the people offered huge sacrifices The motive was the establishment of a welfare state in which everyone would have equal opportunities to excel in life on the basis of one’s capacity and ability and take the country forward he added

The prime minister reiterated that they were striving to end corruption and promised that all the organs of government and other state institutions with their collective efforts would carve a niche for Pakistan among the comity of nations

He said that the labourers and workers worked hard in the most difficult conditions and helped their employers generate their businesses

Both were like the wheels of the same carriage and their work led to progress and prosperity of

near a village located at the junction of Tank and Dera districts on Dera Ismail Khan’s Tank Road He returned home safely the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) confirmed on Monday The police added that the judge was recovered without making any deal with the abductors The judge was recovered after a local jirga intervened However the provincial or district administration did not share any details or official statement in this regard

the nation and country He said if the workers were deprived of their due rights a country could not achieve progress

The prime minister opined that due to price hikes and inflation life for the common man had become hard

The prices of petroleum products had been reduced but it could not be a substitute for the daily price hike as the labour class had to meet the requirements of education for their sons and daughters treatment for their parents, and other daily expenditures and were living from hand to mouth, he observed

The prime minister emphasised that under the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Prophet s (Peace Be Upon Him) messages, it was their abiding duty to bridge the differences between the rich and the poor The prime minister recollected that his father was also a worker who attained his earlier education in Amritsar and during the 1930s settled in Lahore where he worked along with his brothers in a steel factory

He also recited Dr Allama Iqbal’s verse about the plight of labourers and workers and said that these couplets represented a powerful message reflecting the voice of millions of workers in Pakistan

The labour day started after the Chicago incident and then the movement became global, he said, adding that the Quranic teachings and the Seerah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) highlighted the value of hard work

Bushra was placed under house arrest at her residence in Bani Gala on January 31, following her conviction in the infamous Toshakhana case The authorities had declared the Bani Gala residence a sub-jail to confine the former first lady at the request of Adiala jail superintendent

ment s lawyer said Bushra was transferred to Bani Gala for threat in jail Justice Aurangzeb said he would be overjoyed if he was “willingly” confined to his house and questioned how a prisoner ’s property could be made a sub-jail without their consent

the court said the process of declaring the residence a sub jail was completed within few hours The superintendent jail, the court remarked, relayed they could not accommodate Bushra as the jail was already overcrowded Apparently, it was already decided that she had to be transferred to Bani Gala it added Justice Aurangzeb posed an array of questions on declaring Bani Gala a sub jail, asking the state counsel if its notification was prepared in a minute Don t you feel it was already decided that Bushra Bibi had to be transferred (home)? How many women