Epaper_24-05-4 KHI

IN A HISTORIC FIRST, PAKISTAN’S FIRST LUNAR ORBITER TAKES OFF ABOARD CHINESE MISSION

China will send a robotic spacecraft in the coming days on a round trip to the moon’s far side in the first of three technically demanding missions that will pave the way for an inaugural Chinese crewed landing and a base on the lunar south pole

The probe is set to land in the immense South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the largest known impact craters in the solar system Once there it will scoop up lunar soil and rocks and carry out other experiments in the landing zone

moon goddess

Chang e-6 aims to collect around two kilogrammes of lunar samples from the far side of the Moon and bring them back to Earth for analysis Chinese state news agency Xinhua hailed it as “the first endeavour of its kind in the history of human lunar exploration

Chang e-6 will collect samples from the far side of the Moon for the first time, Ge Ping, vice director of China s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre, told journalists

With no direct line of sight with the Earth, Chang’e-6 must rely on a recently deployed relay satellite orbiting the moon during its 53-day mission including a never-before-attempted ascent from the moon s hidden side on its return journey home

On Chang e-6, China is carrying payloads from France, Italy, Sweden and Pakistan, while Chang’e-7 will bear payloads from Russia Switzerland and Thailand when it launches in 2026

with China

Under the separate Nasa-led Artemis programme, US astronauts will land near the south pole in 2026 the first hu-

mans on the moon since 1972

ICUBE-Qamar

The ‘ICUBE-Qamar ’ (ICUBE-Q)

was submitted as a proposal for a lunar CubeSat by the IST The proposal was selected after an evaluation process

The development of the payload is a collaborative effort between IST’s students and faculty, SUPARCO and China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU)

The payload comprises three components: the CubeSat the separation mechanism, and the mounting bracket With a weight of approximately 7 kilograms, it houses two cameras for capturing images of the lunar surface, along with various sensors and equipment for deep-space communication altitude control and other operational tasks

The primary measure of mission success hinges on the seamless separation of the ICUBE-Q CubeSat into lunar orbit from the Chang’e-6 Orbiter Subsequently the secondary objective involves confirming the orbiter s functionality through the reception of the beacon signal emitted by ICUBE-Q

Upon successful separation, the orbiter will undertake Earth and lunar imaging tasks, aiming to capture images featuring at least two celestial objects to-

The federal government on Friday agreed to appoint new governors for Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan following a highlevel meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

Under an agreement reached between the ruling PML-N and PPP, Sardar Salim Haider has been selected as the governor of Punjab Faisal Karim Kundi for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Jaffar Khan Mandokhel for Balochistan

According to sources, these appointments were finalised subsequent to a meeting between Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif where discussions primarily revolved around the gubernatorial positions in Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz hosted a luncheon for Bilawal fostering an environment conducive to deliberations on the current political landscape of Pakistan and the crucial task of appointing

gether, such as the Earth, Moon, and the orbiter itself

In addition to imaging tasks

ICUBE-Q will gather data on the lunar magnetic field facilitating the establishment of a lunar magnetic field model

This endeavor holds promise for future missions and international collaboration efforts concerning lunar exploration

Congratulations

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime

Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation on the successful launch of Pakistan’s maiden lunar mission

State-run broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported that the president congratulated the IST Suparco and the China National Space Administration on the achievement

He said the successful launch would be a milestone for Pakistan s space programme The president also commended the cooperation between Pakistan and China in aerospace

PM Shehbaz hailed the iCube-Q satellite as Pakistan s first step in space and said that Pakistani scientists and engineers were proving their mettle like the expertise they exhibited in the nuclear technology [programme]”

The prime minister said that Pakistan and China s friendship which was higher than Himalayas deeper than ocean and sweeter than honey had now crossed the frontiers of space

The premier watched the live launch of the mission The acceptance of Pakistan’s mission among eight countries was the recognition of the capabilities of the country s scientists and experts he added

This is a historic milestone in the technological development By this achievement, Pakistan has entered a new era of exploring space for productive purposes ” the prime minister remarked

PM Shehbaz said the achievement would help build Pakistan s capacity in the satellite communications besides opening up new avenues for scientific research, economic development and national security

governors Bilawal proposed various names for the governorships which were ultimately endorsed by the prime minister Sardar Salim Haider, with prior experience as Special Assistant to the PM on Overseas Pakistanis and as Minister of State for Defence and Defence Production was nominated for the role of Punjab s governor Faisal Karim Kundi, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly under the federal government of PPP currently assumes the position of Secretary of Information within the party and has

been designated as the governor of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa So both top leaders of KP Chief Minister and Governor are now from same district, Dera Ismail Khan Jaffar Khan Mandokhel, known for his longstanding affiliation with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and his multiple tenures as an elected MPA has been appointed as the governor of Balochistan Furthermore, it was agreed that the governorship of Sindh would remain with MQM-Pakistan with the incumbent Kamran Khan Tessori retaining his position

M C S R E C O R D S A L E S D E C L I N E

F 6 % Y O Y I N A P R I L 2 0 24

Punjab CM, WHO Regional Direc tor agree to enhance collaboration

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to discuss collaboration for better health facilities in the province On the occasion Dr Hanan Balkhy congratulated CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif on being elected as the first woman Chief Minister of Punjab The chief minister also felicitated Dr Hanan Balkhy on assuming the office of WHO Regional Director The CM lauded the services of Dr Balkhy rendered in the health sector especially with regard to controlling infection among the people CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, The Punjab government will provide complete cooperation and assistance to WHO to ensure diseases prevention and improve treatment facilities Bringing reforms in the health sec-

tor is our foremost priority 32 field hospitals have been functionalized for the rural people in the province and we will accomplish our target to establish stateof-the-art hospitals in every district within the next 05 years ” the Punjab CM reiterated her government s resolve Dr Hanan Balkhy said that undertaking timely measures were highly essential to save the people living far-flung areas from infectious diseases WHO will provide complete cooperation and assistance for the provision of timely health facilities in case of arising natural calamity emergency situation she added

“Media plays a pivotal role in awakening collective conscious-

ness of society,” said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in her message on World Press Freedom Day She emphasized that a sense of responsibility for press freedom was great significance to bring positive change CM Marayam Nawaz said, Freedom of expression is essential for transparency, thriving democracy and awareness in society ” The Punjab government is taking all possible measures for the welfare of journalism and journalists she added I pay tribute to every journalist who raised the banner of independent thinking in the era of dictatorship,” the chief minister expressed adding that all the hardworking journalists who report abuse

SCCI stresses proac tive steps for promotion of poultr y farming sec tor

along with poultry farming community in a large number The SCCI senior vice president and minister of agriculture and other high officials on the occasion agreed to joint take steps for promotion of the poultry sector By taking up federal and provincial governments all hurdles and problems facing the poultry farming community will be removed with concrete and collective efforts, they vowed Sanaullah asked the business community attached with the

cham-

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to send problems in

and assured

identified and raised during the expo would be taken up with the central and provincial level with authorities concerned The SCCI SVP stressed the need for using modern technology and machinery for increasing poultry production so that KP will be less dependent on Punjab and become sufficient in poultry production

both its neighbours deal with the menace For this, some out of the box solution needs to be evolved However keeping in view some misunderstandings between Afghanistan and Pakistan China may act as a mediator For this, the three friendly nations may opt for a robust trilateral counterterrorism mechanism to deal with terrorists Such an initiative, which operating under the existing framework of the Pakistan-AfghanistanChina trilateral dialogue holds immense potential to enhance intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts in dismantling terrorist networks aiming to destabilize the region The strategic significance of Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism cannot be overstated Each nation has faced its unique set of challenges but they share a common goal of ensuring peace and stability in the region

Pakistan has long been at the forefront of combating various terrorist groups within its borders Despite significant progress in recent years the country continues to face sporadic attacks and security threats The Pakistan military and law enforcement agencies have conducted numerous operations to dismantle terrorist networks, but the threat persists, particularly from groups operating across the border in Afghanistan Afghanistan, on the other hand, has been grappling with insurgency and terrorism for decades The country has faced the dual challenge of combating militant groups while rebuilding its infrastructure and institutions

The porous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been exploited by militants, exacerbating security concerns for both nations China too faces security challenges in its western region particularly in Xinjiang province The rise of extremism and terrorism in the region has prompted the Chinese government to adopt a proactive approach to counterterrorism, both domestically and internationally China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has further underscored the importance of regional stability for its economic interests

R AT I O N A L E F O R A T R I L AT

MECHANISM: Intelligence Sharing: Intelligence sharing lies at the core of any effective counterterrorism strategy By pooling their resources and expertise Pakistan China and Afghanistan can strengthen their collective intelligence capabilities Timely exchange of information on terrorist activities, movements, and financing will enable more targeted and precise counterterrorism operations

Border Management and Security: Given the geographical proximity of these nations and the porous nature of their borders joint patrols intelligence-based border surveillance, and information-sharing mechanisms can significantly disrupt the cross-border movement of terrorists and illicit activities

Enhanced coordination in border management and security measures is essential to address the challenge of transnational terrorism

Capacity Building and Technology Transfer: Collaboration among Pakistan

police banned from wearing uniform off-dut y

China, and Afghanistan can extend beyond traditional security measures to include capacity building training programs and technology transfer By investing in the development of law enforcement agencies border security forces and counterterrorism infrastructure, the trilateral partners can bolster their long-term resilience against evolving terrorist threats

Historical Tensions and Mistrust: Historical tensions and mistrust between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as complex geopolitical dynamics, could hinder the effective implementation of a trilateral mechanism Diplomatic dialogue and confidence-building measures are essential to address mutual concerns and foster greater cooperation

Inclusivity and Transparency: Ensuring inclusivity and transparency in the governance structure of the mechanism is crucial to garnering support from all stakeholders Civil society organizations regional actors and international partners should be included in decision-making processes and accountability mechanisms should be established to

the well-being of their communities The ICT-15 app is now readily accessible on the Google Play Store, making it easy for residents of Islamabad to download and use This user-friendly application opens up a channel for citizens to report a wide range of concerns including illegal activities incidents complaints against law enforcement the presence of unlawful residents or any suspicious criminal activity As soon as information is submitted via the app, the police are committed to swift response times, ensuring that help arrives in the shortest possible duration

S ta f f R e p o R t Islamabad, a city of contrasts where clean, serene and calm beauty of Margalla Hills meets the bustling streets of urban life Yet beneath its picturesque façade this ideal human habitat grapples with the growing climate-induced public health crisis Seasonal allergies, such as pollen, monsoon and skin, intensify with erratic weather patterns while poor air quality fueled by carbon emissions aggravate respiratory ailments

It s not the pollen allergy alone but the capital s idealized life is increasingly undermined by the looming specter of climate-induced health crises necessitating urgent action to protect the health and vitality of its residents Professor Dr Nasir Ali cardiologist at PIMS hospital said Renowned climate change expert Dr Naseer Memon underscoring the myriad impacts of climate change on human health said “Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it s a present reality affecting the health and well-being of our communities,

He also noted its effects on productivity, particularly for outdoor workers during extreme weather events Economic losses compounded by temperature variations can augment mental stress and potentially incite violent behaviors

Acknowledging Pakistan s minimal contribution to environmental pollution Dr Memon emphasizes the necessity for a dual approach of mitigation and adaptation to combat climate change While federal and provincial governments have formulated policies to address its impacts,

there’s a critical need for sector-specific plans to integrate climate change considerations into actionable strategies Preserving green spaces and eliminating non-native flora in Islamabad are crucial steps to mitigate environmental risks and safeguard public health asserts Dr Memon

A climate resercher Bushra

Iqbal highlighting the adverse impact of water pollution on public health, said changes in temperature and precipitation patterns increase vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever and malaria expanding the geographical range of disease vectors like mosquitoes Islamabad is no exception to all these challenges, she remarked Bushra also noted that the contaminated water sources can serve as breeding grounds for pathogens leading to widespread illness and even fatalities Therefore she stresses for the capital s civic body s urgent attention for ensuring clean drinking water for its residents

A health expert Dr Iram, noted the health risks associated with heatrelated illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke affecting vulnerable demographics like the elderly and children Moreover, fluctuations in temperature contribute to gastroenteritis during peak summer months Air pollution primarily driven by vehicle emissions and industrial activities further adds to health hazards leading to respiratory issues such as asthma and bronchitis The Islamabad Traffic Police must take decisive action against owners of smoke-emitting vehicles to ensure clean air for its dwellers ” she suggested Another reputed medical

ISLAMABAD

R I M E M I N I S T E R Shehbaz Sharif was perhaps only human to crow about the latest inflation figures, with its rate coming down to 17 3 percent in April, the lowest point in two years, as well as the fourth consecutive month of decline, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics However, there are two caveats he should be aware of First, 17 3 percent is still a very high rate, and can easily get out of control Second, his attempt to credit the first PDM government for the decline, and to the caretakers for keeping the same policies in place, may be a little misplaced, considering that the performance of that government has already been found wanting by the electorate in the election in February

However, the latest figures raise the question of what to do about the policy rate The difference between the policy rate and the inflation rate is now 4 7 points, where theory postulates they should be equal The economy is already in a stagflationary situation, and this difference will only worsen the situation On the other hand, the negotiations for a new IMF loan are about to start, and the IMF so far has been insisting on a high policy rate It may be some relief that the Finance Ministry prediction of a deceleration to 18 5-19 5 percent proved overpitched, because it means that predictions are conservative The government needs to be all the more careful about the policy rate, because it is driving up its borrowing costs, and thus making nonsense of its budget provisions for interest payments, already the largest budget component

However, all is not well on the economic front The trade figures for March were dismal, with a sickly export performance leading to a deficit of $2 4 billion, 181 percent more than in 2023 However, another factor was the import of wheat allowed by the caretakers, which has not only cost the country $1 1 billion in payments, but has also caused a glut in the market, with the result that farmers have sold their crop,which is now being harvested, as much as 24 percent below the minimum purchase price set by the provincial governments This is particularly bad news for the government s avowed intention of escaping the debt trap The huge foreign debt owed by Pakistan can only be paid if it racks up large and consistent trade surpluses That may not be possible if the policy rate stays where it is

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

M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit

TAH E world is transfixed by headlines warning of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, sparking fears of a potential catalyst for World War III Yet, amidst these concerns lies a fundamental truth: World War III is not a distant spectre but a grim reality unfolding before our very eyes It s not a traditional clash of empires or armies marching across continents Gone are the days of conventional warfare Today s war is a hydra-headed monster– a tangled web of low-intensity conflicts, a clandestine affair, a shadowy ballet of proxy battles, drone strikes, and covert operations which is reaching into every corner of the world and eroding the very fabric of peace and security The Middle East provides a stark illustration of this paradigm shift The Israeli-Palestinian conflict the longest-running active conflict since World War II, exemplifies this transformation It s a complex, dynamic issue fueled by competing ideologies, strategic objectives and a tangled historical context However this conflict has morphed into a battleground for regional and global powers further complicating any path to resolution

Similarly, the Syrian civil war, once a localized tragedy, has evolved into a proxy battleground for competing regional and global powers The USA, Turkey, Iran, and others have carved out their spheres

of influence, perpetuating a conflict that has displaced millions and pushed an entire region to the brink of collapse The distinction between combatant and bystander has blurred rendering it increasingly difficult to discern who is truly at war with whom This blurring of lines extends into the war on terror Operation Inherent Resolve, spearheaded by the US, boasts a staggering number of “partners”–over 80 nations– ostensibly battling ISIS not just in Syria and Iraq but also in far-flung corners like Afghanistan and Libya The true identities of these allies and the extent of their involvement remain shrouded in secrecy This opacity fosters distrust and fuels conspiracies, further destabilizing already volatile regions Yemen offers another potent illustration A coalition of 10 countries including the USA and UK launched airstrikes on Houthi targets Yet the precise details of who bombed where and who else is involved remain a mystery This lack of transparency is a hallmark of World War III Wars are no longer declared; they are waged in the shadows, with devastating consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire The Middle East isn’t the only region entangled in this shadowy web of war Ukraine finds itself embroiled in a trench war against Russia where attacks by Ukrainian proxies on Russian soil are downplayed by Moscow The expansion of NATO activities near Russia s borders further muddies the waters

reduced energy expenditures

However, realizing the full potential of energy efficiency necessitates concerted efforts from diverse stakeholders Government initiatives must spearhead the drive by incentivizing the adoption of energy-efficient technologies through targeted subsidies tax breaks and robust public awareness campaigns Concurrently manufacturers and retailers must pivot towards prioritizing the production and promotion of energy-efficient appliances, ensuring widespread access to affordable yet quality options

Fostering an ethos of education and awareness is pivotal in cultivating a culture of energy conservation among consumers Many remain oblivious to how their electricity consumption is gauged, billed, and the intricate factors influencing their invoices Instituting comprehensive educational endeavours becomes imperative to arm consumers with the requisite knowledge for making judicious decisions concerning their energy utilization and expenditures

Consumers must grasp the intricacies of their electricity bills with a lucid delineation of charges aiding in demystifying the billing labyrinth Furnishing easily digestible guides and online resources further augments consumers’ proficiency in comprehending their bills facilitating more effective management of their electricity usage

Heightening awareness regarding the determinants of electricity consumption holds pivotal significance Regrettably, many consumers underestimate the cumulative impact of seemingly inconsequential alterations in behaviour or appliance usage on their overall electricity outlay Simple practices such as extinguishing lights

The writer is a freelance columnist H a r n e s s i n g e n e r g y e f f i c i e n c y

when redundant, unplugging dormant electronics, and optimizing the operation of heating and cooling systems can culminate in substantial savings over time

Advocating energy conservation measures and technologies through grassroots outreach initiatives can instil a culture of sustainability and accountability Harnessing digital platforms and mobile applications can amplify consumer engagement while furnishing real-time insights into electricity consumption patterns empowering consumers to proactively optimize their energy efficiency and diminish costs

Advancing electrical consumption literacy and awareness constitutes a linchpin in empowering consumers to make enlightened choices regarding their energy utilization and expenditures By unravelling the intricacies of the billing process elucidating energy-saving practices and leveraging technology to deliver tailored insights awareness programmes assume a pivotal role in advancing energy efficiency and sustainability across Pakistan

Let us, in unison, embark on a trajectory towards a radiant, energy-efficient future for generations to come

tanzeel Khanzada

Ever y where there is armed conflic t

Shafiq KhattaK

O ld problems of polit y and economy must be tackled

NO

in his book Governing the Ungovernable (2018) noted that Pakistan was ahead on key socio-economic indicators, human development and per capita income from neighbouring countries, especially India, before the 1990s We have been losing ground to India since the 1990s and Bangladesh has outdone Pakistan since the 2010s Hence a thorough introspection is needed to figure out what s gone wrong with Pakistan Therefore, to claim our past glory, Pakistan has to cement a charter of democracy to ensure political stability in the country Violent turbulent and polarized politics have damaged every aspect of growth in the country We have witnessed a severe form of polarized politics since 2022 where government and opposition are at loggerheads with each other To break down this pattern, there is a need for consensus among political parties, judiciary and establishment for setting the game of politics For that purpose both political processes such as ensuring free and fair elections and political culture need to be revamped in the country Second, Pakistan s economic projection is a history of boom and bust The fundamental issues of Pakistan’s economy are the trade deficit the current account deficit and the elite capture of the economy Owing to low revenue we have to go to the IMF for a bailout package and the government is preparing for another bailout package of $8 billion from the IMF Overdependence on the IMF erodes our political and economic sovereignty Therefore, Pakistan needs a “charter of the economy” in which key issues of the economy

Pakistan has the full potential of becoming a middle power in the upcoming decade provided that a visionary leadership has come up with a comprehensive plan of political, economic and social stability Pakistan, having the fifth largest population on the planet, cannot stay irrelevant for a longer period

such as imports exports taxes subsidies and privatization would be settled down for a long period to have fiscal continuity Furthermore the government should boost its exports by investing in industrialization and education while curtailing luxurious imports Meanwhile increasing the tax net has become the need of the hour for the government One must remember that political and economic stability are two sides of the same coin Third, the government needs to focus and invest in the human capital of the country As per the latest finding of the Economic Survey of Pakistan (2022-2023) the country has 23 million out-of-school children while the literacy rate remained restricted to 60 percent Therefore the government must come up with a solid plan to address the out-of-school children issue and provide quality education in public educational institutions The government should urge creativity and critical thinking in educational institutions and do away with the business of rote learning and regressive education For that purpose an overhaul of curricula and syllabi is required as well as proper training of teachers Fourth, without the inclusion of half of the population in socioeconomic activities, Pakistan can’t be relevant in the 21st century Therefore women’s empowerment should be a fundamental agenda item of the new government Policies should be devised for the inclusion of women in politics, economics and every walk of life Various researches indicate that the political, economic and social evolution of society is deeply linked with women’s empowerment However nowadays we are at 142th out of 146th countries according to the Global Gender Gap Index (2023) another indicator of why we are losing ground in the modern world Fifth, Pakistan s institutions need an overhaul of reforms From police to civil service judiciary and other arm of executives need fundamental reforms For example for much of its history the Pakistani Police has been operated under Police Act 1861, which is oppressive and regressive Therefore, the natural outcome of such a colonial legal system for institutions are damaging the social contract between society and institutions Hence an overhauled reformed institution would inculcate a new

How Israel relies on foreign fighters to carry out its war crimes

soul into these institutions and provide much-needed relief to the general public Sixth, as per Global Climate Risk Index (2023) Pakistan has been ranked the fifth most vulnerable country in terms of climate change and global warming During the super flood of 2022 Pakistan suffered $30 billion economic loss and the loss of 1739 people, showing the severity of the climate crisis in the country Therefore, Pakistan needs to adopt a comprehensive model of mitigation and adaptation for battling with

India’s poor will not be wished away

Tsanctions on Netzah Yehuda, an Israeli army unit established around 25 years ago to integrate ultra-Orthodox men into the military While the prospect of sanctions against this unit might appear to be a positive development there are concerns that the move aims to improve the overall image of the army as a lawabiding force as Washington continues to provide financial military and intelligence support to Israel s war machine

As the war on Gaza has continued for more than six months, Israeli soldiers have flooded the internet with photos and videos of themselves stealing from the homes of Palestinians wearing the lingerie of dead or displaced women riding stolen bicycles and boasting of attacks on civilian infrastructure Even the army s top lawyer concluded they had crossed a criminal threshold

Since the war began last October, Israeli forces have killed more than 34,500 Palestinians, 72 percent of whom were women and children The army’s deliberate and systematic killing of Palestinian civilians along with the weaponisation of food and water has few precedents in the context of modern warfare Even after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide, soldiers continued as if nothing had happened Why?

When the Israeli army was created, terrorist Zionist organisations such as Haganah Palmach and Irgun among others formed its backbone The state of Israel was born out of large-scale terrorist operations by Zionist groups with the aim of occupying Palestinian lands David Ben-Gurion, who later became Israel s first prime minister, summed this policy up by writing in 1937: “We must expel Arabs and take their place ”

‘TREMENDOUS OPERATION’ David Charters a professor of military history has asserted that Zionist terrorism in 1940s Palestine was both tactically and strategically significant [and] created the conditions that facilitated both the founding of Israel and the creation of an Arab-Palestinian diaspora Among the atrocities committed by Zionist groups against the Palestinian people with the aim of large-scale displacement and land seizure was the Deir Yassin massacre In the 2017 documentary Born in Deir Yassin former Haganah member Meir Pail detailed how Zionist militias massacred Palestinian civilians, including women and children In one of the historical documents revealed in the documentary, Yehuda Feder, a member of the Lehi paramilitary group, boasted proudly of executing girls with a machine gun and looting their village: “This was a really tremendous operation and it is with reason that the left is vilifying us again Like tens of thousands of Zionists who came to Palestine as refugees from Europe and elsewhere, Feder was a Jew from Poland After Lehi was dismantled, he joined the Israeli army, and from 1986-94, he served as chairman of the Likud

ers is still active in the Israeli army today, including a significant American component According to the Israeli army more than 23 000 US citizens currently serve in Israeli ranks; in fact around 10 percent of the army’s fatal casualties since the invasion of Gaza have reportedly been American Last December, a French lawmaker revealed that more than 4,000 French citizens have been embedded in the Israeli army during the war in Gaza There are also reportedly up to 1,000 Australians, 1,000 Italians and 400 Indians Britain Germany Canada Russia Ukraine Finland and South Africa among others also constitute a source of foreign fighters for Israel

IDEOLOGICAL INDOCTRINATION: In addition, the army recruits volunteers to assist with tasks such as packing medical supplies and preparing combat meals, with organisations like Sar-El bringing in thousands of volunteers from dozens of countries worldwide The minimum age for volunteering is 16 Such programmes expose volunteers to ideological indoctrination aiming to strengthen the bond between them, Israel and its army

Another programme to enlist foreign volunteers, Mahal, was initially founded decades ago when volunteers from around the world came to help the Haganah, and later the Israeli army In addition the Lone Soldiers programme provides support for highly motivated fighters who have no family in Israel So-called lone soldiers of whom there are more than 7 000 earn twice the regular monthly salary

According to Israeli army estimates, 35 percent of them are from the US In 2020, nine percent of the lone soldiers in the Israeli military were from Canada

The most controversial category of foreign recruits however are mercenaries hired through contractors There have been reports of mercenaries fighting in the Gaza war including videos and images suggesting that American mercenaries have been operating alongside the Israeli army Just like Israeli soldiers, all these categories of foreign fighters enjoy full impunity, which perhaps explains why some have been behaving in such a cruel and reckless manner bragging about their crimes online and publishing evidence of them violating various rules of war

Indeed despite widespread protests against such activities only South Africa has expressed a serious willingness to pursue criminal penalties In previous cases, nationals of western countries who travelled to fight against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for example were investigated penalised criminalised and jailed even if their activities were limited to fundraising rather than actual combat operations against the Assad forces

Beyond the obvious double standards applied here, the impunity granted for foreign fighters joining the Israeli army will result in severe consequences for the Palestinian civilians if these fighters remain and for internal security back home if they return to their country of origin

The situation risks motivating those foreign fighters to be further involved in unethical illegal and criminal activities This could include participating in combat operations that result in killing more civilians, being stationed in occupied territories, living in settlements, or participating in the ongoing genocidal war against the Palestinian people

Ali Bakir is a research assistant professor at Ibn Khaldun Center for Humanities and Social Sciences He is following geopolitical and security trends in the Middle East great power politics small states behaviour emerging unconventional risks and threats, with a special focus on Turkey s foreign and defence policies TurkeyArab and Turkey-Gulf relations

Mehmet Rakipoglu is an assistant professor at Mardin Artuklu University and a researcher at the Dimensions for Strategic Studies Centre in London His work focuses on Turkish foreign policy, Gulf countries, and Islamic movements

Tbornly high malnutrition and anemia cost the survey’s director his job The last comprehensive consumption-expenditure survey in 2012 showed 22 per cent living in poverty The government junked a 2018 survey when leaked data indicated an increase in the poverty rate Not surprisingly, the new partial consumption figures generated much excitement Hastily, Surjit Bhalla, India’s former executive director at the IMF, and economist Karan Bhasin proclaimed under the Brookings Institution’s imprimatur that extreme poverty has been eliminated But while such misuse of statistics will amplify the India hype in elite echo chambers, poverty remains deeply entrenched in India, and broader deprivation appears to have increased as inflation erodes incomes of the poor Measuring poverty is a complicated task, the essence of which lies in establishing a poverty threshold The World Bank which initially set the international poverty line at $1 per day in 1990 updated this figure to $1 90 in 2011 to account for inflation Only those who cannot afford to spend $1 90 per day are classified as extremely poor

For India, however, the $1 90 threshold represents below-subsistence-level consumption As economists Shaohua Chen and Martin Ravallion have noted it allows for minimal food consumption and little else In 2012 $1 90 translated to a meager 30 rupees a day in purchasing-power-parity terms, barely enough for two basic meals, according to the poverty expert S Subramanian In analysing the recently released consumptionexpenditure data Bhalla and Bhasin seem to have converted the $1 90 threshold into rupees at the IMFreported PPP rate of 22 9 rupees per dollar Consequently their analysis categorises people as poor only if they

Sher ali BuKhari

of great significance, said Wu Weiren, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program

“However the mission is very difficult and risky We are looking forward to its success Wu said The Chang e-6 spacecraft like its

relatively flat, while the far side is thickly dotted with impact craters of different sizes and has much fewer lunar mares than the near side Scientists infer that the lunar crust on the far side is much thicker than that on the near side But why that is so remains a mystery An impact crater known as the Apollo basin, located within the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin on the far side of the moon, has been chosen as the primary target landing and sampling site for the Chang’e-6 mission according to Wang Qiong deputy chief designer of the Chang e-6 mission The colossal SPA Basin was formed by a celestial collision over 4 billion years ago and has a diameter of 2,500 kilometers, equivalent to the distance from Beijing to Hainan and a depth of about 13 kilometers It is the oldest and largest impact crater on the moon and in

mirziyoyev commends $74b fdi,

noted as the third Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF-2024) got under way here Also pointing to $14bn received from international financial institutions (IFIs) for critical social and infrastructure development, Uzbekistan s economic reform-minded leader buoyed the event’s expected 2 500 foreign guests from 93 countries with a series of positive indicators

n yo u t h to s h o u l d e r re s p o n s i b i l i t y fo r Ch i n e s e m o d e r n i z at i o n C h i n a l a u n C h e s C h a n g ’ e - 6 t o r et r i e v e s a m p l e s f r o m m o o n ’ s fa r s i d e

He said: In recent years our economy has grown by almost two times According to last year s calculation [on GDP growth], the increase was around 6% Inflation dropped to 9% “Trade turnover indicators are moderately increasing The stability of the foreign exchange market and gold currency reserves is maintained ” Those attending TIIF-2024 include Tatiana Molcean Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; Akylbek Zhaparov Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan; Cevdet Yilmaz, Vice President of Turkey; Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia; Xia Kian Peng, Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore; Odile Renaud-Basso president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD); and Abdulhamid Al-Khalifa president of OPEC International Development Fund CNN journalist Richard Quest is serving as a moderator Inaugurating TIIF-2024, Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan’s president since late 2016, talked of the pivotal role the annual investment forum fulfils in helping to nurture bilateral and multilateral cooperation tackle urgent global issues and foster innovative ideas and approaches He acknowledged current challenges of the global economic landscape, characterised by mounting risks and threats to sustainable development Amidst dwindling global economic growth and faltering trends in foreign direct investment Mirziyoyev stressed the necessity for collective action and mutual support among nations

the solar system, and it may provide the earliest information about the moon, scientists say The huge impact of the celestial collision that formed the SPA Basin may have ejected materials from the depths of the moon If those materials can be collected and returned to Earth for study, they would provide new insights into both the early impact history of the solar system and the geological evolution of the moon said Zeng Xingguo a scientist at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

First-hand, direct samples from the moon’s far side are essential to giving us a deeper understanding of the characteristics and differences of the two sides of the moon and to revealing the secrets of the moon Zeng said More than 300 kilograms of lunar samples have been retrieved over the course of 10 missions carried out by the United States, the Soviet Union and China and all were collected from the moon s near side said Yang Wei a researcher at the CAS Institute of Geology and Geophysics

Our understanding of the formation and evolution of the moon comes almost entirely from the study of lunar samples, and this study is also necessary for future deep space exploration ” Yang added NEW CHALLENGES

The whole mission is fraught with numerous challenges with each step interconnected and nerve-wracking, Wang said In order to realize communication between Earth and the probe on the far side of the moon China sent the Queqiao-2 relay satellite whose name translates to magpie bridge-2 into a highly elliptical lunar frozen orbit earlier this year

The Taiwan question is China s internal affair, which doesn t allow any foreign interferences The US should immediately stop hyping up the Taiwan question using the World Health Assembly as an excuse said Chen Binhua spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, urging the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques with practical actions instead of saying one thing and doing another and constantly indulging Taiwan independence activities Chen made the remarks on Friday in response to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement on Wednesday which “encouraged the WHO to reinstate an invitation to Taiwan to participate as an observer at this year s WHA R

participation in WHO activities,

2758 and WHA Resolution 25 1 Chen said The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities stubbornly insist in their Taiwan independence separatist stance,

1992 Consensus which embodies the one-China principle resulting in the political basis for Taiwan region s participation in WHA no longer existing This situation is

spokesperson

Chen said the mainland has made proper arrangements for Taiwan region s participation in global health affairs under the premise of adhering to the oneChina principle However, the

DPP authorities in their pursuit of Taiwan independence have deliberately politicized public health issues and attempted to rely on external forces to engage in secessionist activities at WHA The facts of the past seven years have proven that this wrong path is not viable and the attempt this time will also end up in failure Chen said China s foreign ministry also slammed Blinken’s statement on Thursday saying China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the statement noting the one-China principle has the extensive support of the international community It is where global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends There’s no denying or stopping that trend Any attempt to play the Taiwan card and use Taiwan to contain China will meet the firm opposition of the international community and is doomed to failure

BEIJING S TA F F C O R R E S P O N D E N T

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on young people in the new era to strive to write their youthful chapter of shouldering responsibility for Chinese modernization Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission made the remarks in his messages for Chinese youth ahead of China s Youth Day which falls on May 4 Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, extended festive greetings to young people nationwide

movement resolutely follow the Party and make their contributions to building China into a strong country and promoting the great cause of national rejuvenation Xi also pointed out that Party organizations at various levels should step up their leadership concerning work related to young people, show care for the growth of the youth and support them in making achievements The Communist Youth League of China should shoulder the missions and tasks entrusted by the Party on the new journey in the new era and rally young people to strive for the cause of the Party and the people, he added Xi J i n p i n g c a l l

Xi said that on the new journey in the new era, China s youth of all ethnic groups act as spearheads and vital forces” in various fields such as scientific and technological innovation rural revitalization green development social services and defense of the country responding to the call of the Party and the people The CPC Central Committee has full trust in and high expectations for the youth, said Xi Xi stressed that this year marks the 75th founding anniversary of the People s Republic of China and the 105th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement He asked young people to carry on the spirit of the

poverty rates to skyrocket, with projections suggesting that over 60 percent of the population could be living below the poverty line if Israel’s military operation drags on for nine months This dire situation would result in an additional 1 86 million people falling into poverty compounding the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region

President, PM felicitate nation, scientists as Pakistan l aunches first sPace Mission icuBe-Q

PCP being revised to combat fake news, resolve issues of journalists: Arshad Jadoon

that

against institutions

He said that PCP undertook research on the legal protections afforded to journalists and share insights into the difficulties they confront Ali Raza Alvi

concern over the erosion of journalistic ethics by social media

He emphasized the need for journalists to respect boundaries, avoid challenging state policies, and resist being utilized as propaganda instruments Qazi Adil from Islamabad Bar Council Shahid Chaudhry of Abbottabad Press Club Anwar Raza Muhammad Faiz Chaudhry Aamir Saeed Abbasi, and President Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA), Riasat Ali Azad also spoke during the event

ISLAMABAD

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed the hope that the government in collaboration with the global partners and national institutions would be able to eliminate polio from the country very soon The prime minister, in a meeting with a delegation of Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) led by Dr Christopher Elias Chair of Polio Oversight Board and President of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation s Global Development Division, said the government was fully resolved to purge the country of this fatal disease

The prime minister directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to launch a joint awareness drive in collaboration with the GPEI

He told the delegation that the government would carry out the accountability of the institutions involved in the polio eradication to ensure transparency in the process

He also assured to provide full security cover to the vaccination teams Prime Minister Shehbaz lauded the $500 million donation by Saudi Arabia during the World Economic Forum for polio eradication

He said the PakistanAfghanistan cooperation was a must

to eradicate polio from the region

The members of the delegation apprised the prime minister of the ongoing measures for polio eradication and appreciated the government's resolve to get rid of the disease The delegation also highlighted the problems faced during the immunisation

The delegation members observed that the government was resolved to ensure success of polio eradication drive by providing necessary technical expertise

The meeting was attended by Regional Director of EMRO Dr Hanan Balkhi Sanjay Wijesekera Unicef Regional Director of South Asia, Dr Omotayo Bolu, Polio Branch Chief of Centres for Disease Control Dr Luo Dapeng WHO Representative in Pakistan Abdullah A Fadil UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Dr Hamid Jafari, Director Polio Eradication, EMRO and Michael Galway, Deputy Director Polio Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Information Minister Attaullah Tarar State Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja PM s Coordinator on Health Mukhtar Malik and relevant senior officers were also present PM optimistic for a polio

Dr Christopher told the prime minister that Bill Gates was extremely pleased over the anti-polio initiatives taken during his both stints as Punjab chief minister

A zerbaijan agree on extending economic cooperation

S hujaat Ali Baig appointed convenor of FPCCI's central standing committee on public relations

Shujaat Ali Baig is the convener of the Committee for Public Relations of the FederationAtif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has appointed renowned banker and former education minister Shujaat Ali Baig as the convenor of the federation s central standing committee for public relations while Azab is the chairman of Global Trade and Exhibitions and director of marketing daily Ausaf Syed Tarab Shah has been appointed Deputy Convenor

IMRAN SEEKS EARLIEST DECISION ON CASES AGAINST HIM, BUSHRA BIBI

judicial system of the country Imran Khan recalled that the letter of the six judges of Islamabad High Court (IHC) proved that a law of the jungle prevailed in the country “It is high time that the judges of the top court should stand firmly with judges of the high courts and refuse to give wrong decisions under presser and coercions PTI Founding Chairman urged the nation that this

20 killed, 21 injured as bus over turns on K arakoram Highway in D iamer

At least 20 people were killed and 21 others injured on Friday after a passenger bus skidded off and overturned on Karakoram Highway in Gilgit-Baltistan s Diamer district, rescuers and administration confirmed

Diamer District Rescue Officer (DRO) Shoukat Riaz informed that the Gilgit-bound bus with 43 passengers on board was coming from Rawalpindi The driver lost control of the bus, belonged to a private company, and overturned near Gunar Farm at around 5:30am,” the DRO said In response Rescue 1122 and other emergency teams swiftly launched a rescue operation transporting the injured to Chillas Hospital for urgent medical attention Rescue sources warned of a potential rise in the death toll due to the critical condition of many injured individuals The district rescue officer said that the number of in-

jured was initially 35 but many succumbed to their injuries

An emergency was declared at the hospital with an urgent call for blood donations to aid the injured

According to GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq three women were also among the dead He noted that a total of 43 passengers were on the bus

Speaking to AFP city police official Azmat Shah said “Rescue operations have been completed Among the 21 injured the condition of five is very critical

The local ulema announced the news of the accident from the mosque’s loudspeaker and urged people to donate blood for the injured Shah added

Following the announcement from mosques a large number of people reached the hospital to donate blood for the injured The local volunteers also helped transfer the injured and bodies to the hospital

According state-run Pakistan Television rescue teams of the Pakistan Army also aided the evac-

uation operation with 10 people moved to the Gilgit-Baltistan Combined Military Hospital via helicopter

It added that the army was continuing to provide immediate assistance to the accident s victims

Following the accident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, extending his sympathies to the affected families He emphasized the need for comprehensive medical care for the injured

President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed his grief and conveyed his condolences to the victims’ relatives In a statement on X, he prayed for the deceased and for the speedy recovery of the wounded

GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan also mourned the tragic incident, expressing profound grief and sorrow

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi joined in expressing heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives

In a statement on Thursday the US

State Department reiterated its steadfast backing for Pakistan s economic advancement and efforts to shore up its fragile economy, notably through its ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) During the daily press briefing State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized Washington s support for Pakistan s strides in stabilizing its economy

and managing its considerable debt load including the recent agreement with the IMF Miller highlighted the IMF s recent release of the final tranche of $1 1 billion under the $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) as a positive step, acknowledging Pakistan’s progress in implementing economic reforms Regarding economic reforms

Miller encouraged Pakistan to continue prioritizing and expanding its efforts to tackle economic challenges, reaffirming the unwavering support of the United

States for Pakistan’s economic prosperity

The statement also underscored ongoing engagement between the two nations encompassing technical collaborations, trade, and investment, all of which are key components of their bilateral relationship Pakistan has formally requested an extended and larger IMF program to further stabilize its economy with an upcoming visit by an IMF delegation scheduled this month for detailed discussions with Pakistani authorities

Hajj flight operations to continue from May 9 to June 9

ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T

As the annual Hajj pilgrimage season draws near, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has shared details of the flight operations to facilitate the departure of pilgrims from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia The flight operations will continue from May 9 to June 9 According to the ministry, on the first day, 2,160 pilgrims will embark on their spiritual journey through 11 flights

According to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Religious Affairs during the first 15 days of flight op-

erations, all flights will be directed to Madina airport From May 24 to June 9, the majority of flights will be directed to Jeddah Airport, facilitating the onward journey of pilgrims to the sacred sites

On the first day 680 pilgrims will depart from Islamabad through three flights, while 330 pilgrims will depart from Karachi via two flights Additionally, 670 pilgrims will commence their pilgrimage from Lahore through three flights Flights from Multan and Sialkot will also take off on the first day The spokesperson further disclosed that the first Hajj flight

from Quetta will depart on May 11, followed by Sukkur on May 27, ensuring that pilgrims from various regions of Pakistan are accommodated in the departure schedule In total more than 68 000 pilgrims are expected to reach Saudi Arabia through 259 flights as per the ministry spokesman The spokesperson emphasized that the first flight returning home with pilgrims is scheduled for June 20 highlighting the comprehensive planning and coordination efforts put forth by the ministry to ensure the safe and comfortable journey of pilgrims throughout