ECP ‘CHANNELISING’ RETURNED CANDIDATES OF A POLITICAL PARTY INTO
progressively Justice Jamal Mandokhail has made a similar interpretation in a recent decision, stating that the Constitution is a living document like a tree ” Siddiqi said In response Chief Justice Isa asked What is written in the Constitution?
Justice Ameenuddin Khan inquired about the procedure for a member joining political parties Chief Justice Isa questioned, “Should we ignore the natural meaning of the Constitution? Why would we do that?
Siddiqi emphasised the purpose of constitutional clauses Justice Mandokhail remarked, Why should seats be given to those who didn t even contest the elections?”
Justice Irfan Saadat Khan com-
mented Your arguments would render the words of the Constitution ineffective Sunni Ittehad Council is not even a political party ” Justice Athar Minallah added, “Even without an electoral symbol it remains a listed political party as recognised by the Election Commission Chief Justice Isa remarked If PTI still exists as a political party, why did its members join another party? If we accept your argument, joining another party would be like committing political suicide, which contradicts your own arguments ” Justice Shahid Waheed suggested reading sub-clause two of Rule 92 of the Election Commission Justice Muneeb Akhtar noted, The Election Commission declared these candidates as independents, but their opinion is not binding on us Parliamentary democracy is built on political parties
Justice Ameenuddin Khan pointed out that all candidates were from PTI, asking why certificates were returned if they were ideological Siddiqi responded that special seats can only be allocated under the system of proportional representation which is a right of political parties not candidates
Chief Justice Isa stated The court is bound by the words of the Constitution, not by interpretations of the Election Commission or yours ” Siddiqi asked if parties that did not participate in the elections could be granted reserved seats Chief Justice Isa remarked Are you suggesting that the court should not interpret the words of the Constitution? The court must consider both the words and the purpose of the constitutional clauses ” Justice Mandokhail questioned How can reserved seats be given to parties that did not contest the elections? Justice Ameenuddin Khan asked if independent members could form a new political party Siddiqi noted that if independents can register a political party within three days they can certainly join one Chief Justice Isa challenged Are you saying it s unnecessary for a political party to secure a seat in elections? Justice Athar Minallah commented that the absence of an electoral symbol does not affect reserved seats The Election Commission of Pakistan recognises both PTI and the Sunni Ittehad Council as
registered parties Chief Justice Isa asked why independents didn t join PTI if it was a registered party questioning if they committed political suicide by not joining Chief Justice Isa remarked, Your arguments present a conflict of interest Either represent Sunni Ittehad Council or PTI We are only concerned with the Constitution not the actions of the Election Commission Siddiqi said there are no choices for affected parties in this country Chief Justice Isa responded, Avoid political statements Great judges in this country have refused to take an oath under PCO Stick to the Constitution Siddiqi noted that the electoral symbol was taken away the night before Chief Justice Isa asked, What is the electoral symbol of Sunni Ittehad Council?” Siddiqi replied, “A horse ” Chief Justice Isa stated “The electoral symbol of Sunni Ittehad Council was not taken away Justice Mandokhail questioned why no appeal was filed against the Election Commission s decision to declare candidates as independents Siddiqi said Salman Akram Raja would answer that question Chief Justice Isa asserted “Rules cannot override the Constitution Siddiqi argued that parties not participating in elections should still be entitled to reserved seats Chief Justice Isa reiterated, “The Constitution must be upheld not individual interpretations ” Justice Mandokhail noted “If PTI and Sunni Ittehad Council had merged the issue might have been resolved but it didn t happen Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi asked if there were any objections from voters about joining Sunni Ittehad Council Siddiqi said the only objections came from the Election Commission Chief Justice Isa reiterated that PTI attempted to postpone elections and Imran Khan influenced the Election Commission The Supreme Court requested the nomination papers of Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Hamid Raza and adjourned the hearing until 9:30am on Tuesday
Govt elevates SIFC to division status to boost investment and economic growth
operation until its details are clear ” he added Saif emphasised Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa s frontline role in the war against terrorism and expressed the province s inability to bear further burdens He mentioned that Chief Minister Gandapur met PTI founder at Adiala to seek his opinion on the operation “The PTI founder stated that without clear details the operation should not be supported Saif revealed No Pashtun can support terrorism, said Saif, underscoring the need for following legal procedures and including public opinion in any decision ” Meanwhile CM Gandapur has said the Apex Committee on NAP outlined the policy but there was no mention of any operation
Addressing the media after meeting Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, Gandapur reiterated that the Apex Committee discussed peace and rewards, but there was no mention of an operation named Azm-e-Istehkam Our government improved the law and order situation strengthened law enforcement agencies including the CTD, and engaged with Afghanistan, Gandapur stated “General Bajwa’s plans, possibly with the US or Nawaz Sharif, to remove General Faiz and dismantle PTI have affected stability ” On Operation Azm-e-Istehkam Gandapur said I will comment after ISPR s policy
’ operat ion
is clear It is necessary to take the public and provinces into confidence considering the losses we ve faced Meanwhile, the Awami National Party (ANP) voiced on Monday its opposition to the Azm-e-Istehkam, declaring the operation unacceptable under any circumstances On Sunday Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) also declared their refusal to support any military operation demanding that military leadership take Parliament into confidence first Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Cotton ginners initiate nationwide strike over new taxes, power
hike
CONTROVERSY SURROUNDS DR SHAMSHAD AKHTAR’S EXTENDED TENURE AS CHAIRPERSON OF SSGCL BOARD
TChina’s new legal framework and Taiwan
on
wan independence” separatists for “conducting or inciting secession allowing a trial in absentia in relevant cases”
The guidelines jointly issued by the Supreme People s Court the Supreme People s Procuratorate, and the ministries of public security, state security, and justice, will take effect upon release
The document based on the AntiSecession Law the Criminal Law and the Criminal Procedure Law provides more specific rules concerning conviction and sentencing in the event of such crimes, as well as relevant procedures, serving as guidance for the judiciary in handling relevant cases
The guidelines can be regarded as a refinement and supplement to the country s Anti-Secession Law By clarifying the criminal nature of Taiwan independence separatist acts, their criminal liabilities, and the procedure to impose penalties, it draws the bottom line and facilitates law enforcement In the long run it will undoubtedly play an effective role in advancing reunification across the Taiwan Strait
The document spells out clearly-defined circumstances in which a very few diehard “Taiwan independence” separatists through acts such as organizing plotting or carrying out schemes of “de jure independence or seeking independence by relying on foreign support or by force, should be held criminally responsible
Also, it stipulates that those who are found to have colluded with any foreign or overseas institution organization or individual in committing such crimes should be given a harsher punishment
According to Article 6 of the document, those who commit the crime of splitting the state may be sentenced to death if the crime causes particularly grave harm to the state and the people or if the circumstances are particularly serious
The guidelines further stress the principles of balancing clemency and severity and proportionality in judicial procedures, saying that if diehard “Taiwan independence separatists voluntarily drop their Taiwan independence stance stop conducting separatist activities and take measures to mitigate or undo the harm, or prevent the spread of the damage, they may have their cases dismissed or be exempted from prosecution
According to the guidelines relevant proceedings must be carried out following due process without prejudice to the litigation rights of the suspects or defendants, such as their right to defence and right to appeal The document also makes it clear that for diehard “Taiwan independence” elements a trial in absentia may be applied
The document urges all relevant authorities to give full play to their functions, severely punish the Taiwan independence” diehard elements for conducting or inciting secession, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty unity and territorial integrity
Commenting on the release of the guidelines Chen Binhua spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, pointed out that it is a common practice for countries around the world to use criminal justice measures to punish criminals who conduct secession and safeguard the core interests of the state
As clearly said in the title to the text of the guidelines, the criminal justice measures are aimed at a small number of diehard individuals who engage in or incite secession activities, and do not target the majority of Taiwan compatriots said Chen at a press conference
Identifying Taiwan independence as the biggest source of danger and harm to the interests of the people in Taiwan, he said that only by severely punishing acts of secession, can the compatriots in Taiwan enjoy the dividends of peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait and live a peaceful and stable life
It is advised that the diehard individuals of Taiwan independence recognize the situation as soon as possible and quickly rectify their ways, said Chen
This move came against a backdrop of escalating tensions across the Strait triggered by repeated separatist attempts made by those advocating “Taiwan independence particularly since the island s new leader Lai Ching-te who holds a stubborn separatist stance took office in May
This judicial document surely serves as a blow to Lai and his fellow separatists It allows Chinese courts to bring diehard “Taiwan independence” separatists to trials in absentia In the most severe cases a convict may receive death sentence
It also acts as a warning and deterrent to external forces who would not keep their hands off affairs related to Taiwan Those who are found to have colluded with any foreign or overseas institution organization or individual in conducting or inciting secession would be given a harsher punishment Despite being a stern action against separatists, the document draws a clear line between a few stubborn separatists and the rest of Taiwan people
Under the influence of the Taiwan independence ideology and due to political differences between the two sides some in Taiwan may have a misguided understanding of their identities and the nature of cross-Strait relations They are given chances to free themselves from misunderstandings and be aware of the harmfulness and danger of separatist activities
For over 70 years although the two sides of the Strait have yet to achieve complete reunification, China s sovereignty and territorial integrity have never been divided The historical facts and the legal ground for the facts that both sides of the Strait belong to one country and people on both sides of the Strait belong to the Chinese nation have never changed and will not change
A peaceful and prosperous future for people on both sides of the Strait hangs on a strong and reunified nation
In order to facilitate reunification separatists must face criminal prosecution High hopes are placed on people of Taiwan to have a clear mind, weigh the pros and cons, and stand on the right side of history
MTI S E R I E S are associated with the schadenfreude of someone else One s gain is another s loss, they say In Pakistan, the socio-economic hardships are either blamed on flawed governmental policies or big businesses working in collusion In the past this notion had thrust us to witch-hunt the so-called 22 families and led to a disastrous nationalization campaign Let s deconstruct whether big actors are so bad or these are just realist business-minded entities acting on demand sans much concern about the moral footing In our case, the
big pharma may not be a
place to live in
The wrong practices within the pharma sector hint towards the inefficiency of DRAP which fails to keep tabs on the subjects Moreover sugar barons are considered a mafia Whopping profits are set aside by exploiting sugarcane growers and fleecing customers equally Nonetheless, what are the alternate options at hand? Calls to introduce jaggery as a sugar alternative are preposterous Both are obtained from sugarcane syrup and have similar caloric profiles The exploitation and hardships of sugarcane growers have galvanized them to hop over other crops This situation will ultimately lead us to import sugar, minus sugar barons but with a higher end price Sugar cartels do not operate in silos but stand on a superstructure laid down by unscrupulous government officials middlemen and hoarders They are equally responsible for the dismal situation at hand In the same vein tech giants are hated for their hegemony, a medium to spread propaganda against cultural mores and religious convictions, feeding with unwanted content, diminishing creativity, and simply stealing data These are also labeled as biased Academicians artists and enterprises are fearful of Artificial Intelligence s incursions Now pause for a second and imagine a world without tech
LetÊs start with fossil fuels Burning of non-renewable fossils enhances greenhouse gasses and damages the environment and public health
The extraction process is also replete with fracking and spilling incidents Despite all the bad labels, fossil fuel is still the leading contributor to the global energy mix We are struggling to shift to alternatives owing to low energy density and the intermittency of other fuel choices besides storage constraints The high infrastructural and transition costs of other options perch fossil fuel as an ultimate winner Developing countries are stuck in a fossil groove The rut may not be ascribed to the machinations of oil and gas cartels wholesale The failure is also on the transition side If we just expedite our shift to green energy, we will get the transition fruit that is indeed not so low-hanging
W e s t e r n r h e t o r i c o n C h i n a ’ s n u c l e a r t h r e a t e s c a l a t e s g l o b a l i n s t a b i l i t y
Is assertion that a world where countries like China possess nuclear weapons, while NATO does not, is inherently more dangerous, reflects a deeply flawed understanding of global security dynamics The true danger lies in NATO s aggressive posturing and the potential escalation of nuclear tensions Stoltenberg s remarks indicate a shift towards positioning NATO not just as a conventional military alliance but as a nuclear force This shift aims to justify the strengthening of NATO’s nuclear capabilities and nuclear-sharing arrangements predominantly driven by US strategic interests At a pre-ministerial press conference on June 12 Stoltenberg highlighted the US s ongoing efforts to modernize its nuclear arsenal in Europe, further exacerbating these tensions Stoltenberg’s warnings come amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, where the recently concluded peace summit in Switzerland failed to yield significant progress The US-led West appears more invested in prolonging the conflict leveraging nuclear deterrence against Russia rather than seeking a swift resolution This approach, as noted by Chinese military expert Zhang Junshe, merely adds fuel to the fire, escalating tensions and undermining global stability Zhang argues that Stoltenberg’s remarks serve to align NATO s actions with broader US strategies aimed at containing adversaries This reflects a Cold War mentality, with NATO expanding its role globally, acting as a pawn for Washington to counter Russia in Europe and China in the Asia-Pacific The US’s intent to deploy more strategic nuclear weapons as stated by Pranay Vaddi a senior White House aide underscores this aggressive posture This narrative is further supported by the Stockholm International Peace Research Insti-
tute’s (SIPRI) recent report which claims that China is significantly expanding its nuclear capabilities and might match the US or Russia in intercontinental ballistic missiles by 2030 The report, highlighting China s supposed operational alert status for some warheads, has been eagerly picked up by Western media, fueling fears of China’s “fast-growing” nuclear stockpile However this portrayal is misleading and overlooks critical context The US maintains a nuclear arsenal approximately ten times larger than China s The disproportionate focus on China s nuclear development, despite its smaller stockpile, reveals a deliberate attempt to stymie China’s growth According to Cui Heng, a research fellow at East China Normal University this narrative constitutes nuclear blackmail designed to suppress China s rise and maintain Western dominance
The global strengthening of nuclear arsenals is not an isolated phenomenon but a response to broader geopolitical conflicts and Western suppression of non-Western countries The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza coupled with aggressive Western policies drive nations to bolster their nuclear capabilities as a deterrent Zhang argues that China s nuclear expansion is a necessary response to Western nuclear blackmail and threats, essential for safeguarding sovereignty and national security China’s nuclear policy fundamentally differs from that of the US and NATO China maintains a no-first-use policy emphasizing its nuclear arsenal as a defensive measure rather than an offensive threat This contrasts sharply with the US s more aggressive stance, where nuclear weapons are integral to its military strategy If the US and NATO genuinely seek to avoid a dangerous world they must reassess their perceptions and policies towards China
The West s narrative of China s nuclear threat serves several purposes It justifies the expansion of NATO s nuclear capabilities, aligns with US strategic interests, and perpetuates a Cold War
mentality However this narrative is counterproductive driving global instability and escalating tensions Instead of fostering dialogue and understanding, it promotes a dangerous arms race
To move towards a more stable and peaceful world, the West must shift its approach This involves recognizing China’s legitimate security concerns and the defensive nature of its nuclear policy Rather than demonizing China s nuclear development the focus should be on arms control, disarmament, and diplomatic engagement The US and NATO should lead by example, reducing their own nuclear arsenals and adopting more transparent peaceful policies
The repeated Western narratives of China’s nuclear threat contribute significantly to global instability Stoltenberg s remarks and the broader Western portrayal of China s nuclear capabilities serve to justify aggressive postures and escalate tensions A more balanced and nuanced understanding of global security dynamics is essential Recognizing the defensive nature of China s nuclear policy and addressing the underlying geopolitical conflicts can pave the way for a more secure and stable world It is imperative for the US and NATO to change their approach, moving away from Cold War mentalities towards a future grounded in dialogue mutual respect and peace
The writer can be reached at: writetomahossain@gmail com
The repeated Western narratives of ChinaÊs nuclear threat contribute significantly to global instability. StoltenbergÊs remarks and the broader Western por trayal of ChinaÊs nuclear capabilities ser ve to justify aggressive postures and escalate tensions A more balanced and nuanced understanding of global security dynamics is essential Recognizing the defensive nature of ChinaÊs nuclear policy and addressing the underlying g eopolitical conflicts can pave the way for a more secure and stable world
Mob justice
Ghost paramedics
Leishmaniasis
M a hossain
IN the digital age, the ability to manipulate images and videos has evolved dramatically, culminating in the rise of “DeepFakes ” These hyper realistic digital fabrications are created using advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques making it nearly impossible to distinguish them from authentic footage with the naked eye The significance of DeepFakes in today’s digital landscape cannot be overstated, as they pose a profound threat to trust and authenticity in media As DeepFake technology becomes more accessible the potential for misuse grows exponentially affecting various facets of society From manipulating political narratives to fabricating celebrity scandals, DeepFakes can distort reality and erode public confidence in the media The DeepFake dilemma presents a critical challenge: identifying and combating these digital fakes to preserve the integrity of information in our increasingly interconnected world
Several notable cases illustrate the pervasive impact of DeepFakes In 2018, a DeepFake video of former President Barack Obama surfaced created by filmmaker Jordan Peele to demonstrate the technology s potential for misinformation The video showed Obama delivering a speech he never actually made, highlighting how convincingly DeepFakes can replicate real-life figures
Another high-profile case involved actress Scarlett Johansson whose likeness was used
in explicit DeepFake videos without her consent raising serious concerns about personal privacy and digital consent Additionally deepfake technology has been weaponized in political arenas, such as during the 2019 Indian elections, where DeepFake videos of political candidates were circulated to mislead voters and manipulate public opinion In 2020 a fabricated video of the Speaker of the U S House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi appeared online manipulated to make her appear intoxicated during a public speech This video spread widely across social media, demonstrating the technology’s potential to defame public figures and distort public perception The financial sector has also not been immune to the DeepFake threat In 2019 a UK-based energy firm was scammed out of $243,000 after criminals used AI-generated audio to mimic the voice of the company’s CEO instructing an employee to transfer funds to a fraudulent account This case underscores the severe implications of audio DeepFakes in the realm of corporate security and financial fraud In another alarming instance, deepfake technology was utilized in international conflicts In 2022, during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine a deepfake video purportedly showing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urging his troops to surrender was circulated online This incident illustrated how DeepFakes could be employed as a tool of psychological warfare, aiming to undermine morale and sow confusion These cases collectively highlight the multifaceted dangers posed by DeepFakes extending from personal privacy violations and political manipulation to financial fraud and international security threats Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort involving technological innovation, legal frameworks, and public awareness campaigns to mitigate the risks associated with this rapidly evolving technology The effects of DeepFakes on society are multifaceted and alarming Politically DeepFakes can undermine democratic processes by spreading false information and discred-
iting public figures In personal privacy contexts DeepFakes can be used for revenge porn harassment and identity theft causing significant psychological distress to victims Moreover, the proliferation of DeepFakes contributes to a broader erosion of trust in media as people become increasingly skeptical about the authenticity of the content they consume This growing mistrust can lead to a societal landscape where fact and fiction blur undermining informed decisionmaking and social cohesion
Identifying DeepFakes involves a combination of technological and analytical methods Techniques such as digital forensics which examine the metadata and file structure of videos can sometimes reveal inconsistencies AI-based detection tools analyse patterns and anomalies in the video, such as unnatural facial movements, inconsistent lighting, and pixel-level artefacts One prominent method is the use of deep learning models trained to recognize the subtle differences between genuine and fake videos These models continuously evolve improv-
The financial sector has also not been immune to the DeepFake threat. In 2019, a UK-based energy firm was scammed out of $243,000 after criminals used AIgenerated audio to mimic the voice of the companyÊs CEO, instructing an employee to transfer funds to a fraudulent account
ing their accuracy in detecting DeepFakes as the technology behind them advances Debunking DeepFakes requires a proactive approach that combines technology and public awareness Once a potential DeepFake is identified experts can use reverse image searches forensic analysis and comparison with verified sources to debunk the content Advanced techniques such as digital watermarking and blockchain can also play a role in verifying the authenticity of media Platforms like YouTube and Facebook are increasingly employing AI to flag and remove DeepFake content using algorithms that detect anomalies in facial movements voice inconsistencies and other tell-tale signs of manipulation Public education campaigns are also crucial, teaching individuals how to criti-
Systematic sexual violence by Israeli forces revealed
by corporate media directly motivated rape threats against Palestinian women Back in February, a UN panel of experts sounded the alarm over evidence produced by the United Nations of two cases of rape committed against Palestinian women in addition to various threats of rape and instances of sexual harassment Despite this Western politicians who had spoken out with indignation about the October 7 allegations showed little interest in the issue In March, horror stories of sexual abuse in Gaza emerged, including a case reported by
Canadian volunteer physicians of a woman being raped for two days, leaving her unable to speak from the trauma At the Sde Teiman detention camp, where Palestinians are held without charges after being taken from Gaza a recent exposé in The New York Times revealed instances of Palestinians being raped with burning metal rods This aligns with a UNRWA report detailing similar acts of sexualized torture, including a case where a man was raped with a burning metal rod and left to die slowly Women were not spared from sexual violence at Sde Teiman either A 34-year-old woman testified A male soldier took off our hijabs and they pinched us and touched our bodies, including our breasts She also stated that she was spat on and beaten and that pepper was smeared on her and other women’s genitals Additionally, in an independent investigative report released on June 12 a UN-mandated inquiry concluded that mass sexual abuse carried out by Israeli military personnel was either ordered or condoned implicating Israel s chain of command The report found that Israeli forces systematically targeted and subjected Palestinians to SGBV [Sexual and Gender-Based Violence] online and in person since October 7 including forced public nudity forced public stripping sexualized torture and abuse and sexual humiliation and harassment However sexual violence against Palestinians didn t begin on October 7; it dates back to the creation of the State of Israel In the 2022 documentary “Tantura,” former Zionist militia members admitted on film to various instances of raping Palestinian women in 1948 The elderly Israelis recounted these cases while smiling and laughing During the Second Intifada in 2002 Israeli occupation soldiers took control of Palestinian
that the HaKirya compound appears in the video housing the headquarters of the Israeli Ministry of Security, the General Staff of the Army, and several high-ranking military leaders Additionally, the video showed a military satellite base and military bases, as well as others in the Negev and Galilee regions It also included Ashdod
TV networks in Ramallah to broadcast pornography on several channels Given the socially conservative nature of Palestinian society, this act was clearly intended to humiliate This trend continues today with the Israeli army admitting to running snuff film Telegram channels Israeli soldiers frequently release videos of themselves rummaging through the underwear drawers of Palestinian women after raiding their homes in Gaza Additionally, to humiliate these women, soldiers have posted videos on social media of themselves wearing lingerie they seized while insulting the women to whom it belonged
The scale of rape and sexual abuse against Palestinians during this conflict is staggering yet it has not garnered the same level of international outcry as the October 7 allegations Despite mounting evidence of systematic abuse by Israeli soldiers, influential figures like Hillary Clinton have remained notably silent raising questions about the lack of high-profile advocacy for justice and condemnation on the global stage
The revelation that debunked allegations of a mass rape campaign on October 7 may have fueled actual instances of sexual violence by Israeli soldiers raises questions about the accountability of those who propagated these narratives Western officials and corporate media in repeating these nowdiscredited stories may face scrutiny over their role in potentially contributing to documented cases of sexual violence against Palestinians
Robert Inlakesh is a political analyst, journalist and documentary filmmaker currently based in London UK He has reported from and lived in the occupied Palestinian territories and hosts the show Palestine Files Director of Steal of the Century: Trump s Palestine-Israel Catastrophe
aerial reconnaissance from Kiryat Shmona to the cities of Karmiel Nahariya Safed and Afula reaching as far as Haifa and sensitive sites across the city The scenes have caused significant concern among the Israeli security apparatus, with officials and media acknowledging Hezbollah’s substantial and effective intelligence capabilities and Tel Aviv s inability to handle the threat posed by
Washington on Sunday to increase the rhetoric The ground commander of the Iranian army warned about the possibility of a regional war if Tel Aviv decides to attack Lebanon Sources within the Islamic Resistance in Iraq say tens of thousands of fighters would open a major front from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights if Hezbollah was attacked Yemen s Ansarullah have declared their intentions to significantly expand the battlefield as well if Israeli leaders make such a “foolish decision” But Hezbollah says it has the manpower (estimated by some experts at a quarter of a million) and many precision-guided missiles drones and torpedoes to take Israel back
ALT H O U G H the official meeting between Israeli and U S officials was canceled on Thursday, June 20, due to tensions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Biden over policy disagreements regarding the Gaza war an informal meeting between Israeli intelligence officials and the U S national security adviser Jake Sullivan still took place The meeting was deemed too important to cancel for any reason, as it focused on Iran’s nuclear bomb
According to Axios this emergency high-level meeting was convened to discuss new information about Iranian scientists computer modeling efforts to develop nuclear weapons
This revelation could dramatically change the assessments of the U S intelligence community which since 2007 have suggested that Iran is not actively involved in making the atomic bomb
On April 2, 2015, Biden s old boss, President Obama, described the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as “a robust and verifiable deal that would supposedly peacefully prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon during his historic speech in the White House Rose Garden addressing the Iran nuclear deal However there were neither robust verifications nor even simple verifications in place Iran manipulated the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the world, even mocking them repeatedly on Iranian state TV and media for trusting the mullahs and its IRGC Fast-forward nine years and Biden s Iran policy – if any policy exists – seems to be based on providing life support for the JCPOA,
MuhaMMad sulaMan
TEHRAN TIMES
AS TANKS PUSH FURTHER INTO RAFAH, ISRAELI FORCES KILL SENIOR GA Z A HEALTH OFFICIAL
had been destroyed by the occupation ” he told Reuters via a chat app Israel denies targeting civilians and blames Hamas for provoking civilian casualties by fighting among them, which Hamas denies The Israeli military said forces continued intelligence-based targeted operations” in Rafah, locating weapons and rocket launchers and killing fighters “who posed threats to them ” In the north of the enclave where Israel had said its forces completed operations months ago residents said tanks had pushed back into Gaza City s Zeitoun suburb and were pounding several areas there Israel s ground and air campaign in Gaza was triggered
Terrorist attack in Russia synagogue leaves multiple dead, including priest
Xi Jinping presents China’s top sci-tech award, urges sci-tech innovation
S TA F F R E P O R
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday underscored the importance of science and technology modernization and innovation in pursuing Chinese modernization and high-quality development Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission made the remarks at a meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE)
During the meeting Xi presented medals and certificates for the country s top sci-tech award to Li Deren, an academician of CAS and CAE from Wuhan University and Xue Qikun an academician of CAS from Tsinghua University He then shook hands with the two scientists and extended his congratulations Xi and other Party and state
leaders together with the two winners of the top sci-tech award presented certificates to other award recipients Xi noted that China has achieved breakthroughs in fundamental frontier research and ushered in new leaps in strategic high-tech fields adding that highquality development driven by innovation has yielded new results International cooperation has made new progress, and China has made historic achievements in scientific and technological undertakings he added Enhancing sci-tech innovation
Noting that there are still some shortcomings and weaknesses in China s science and technology development, Xi urged greater efforts to further enhance innovation and seize the high ground of science and technology competition and future development It is imperative to give full play to the decisive role of the market in the allocation of science and technology resources, mobilize the enthusiasm of industries, universities and research institutes,
CORPORATE CORNER
National Commission on S tatus of Women rollout National Women’s Agenda 2024
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
(saqib khan khattar) National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) inaugurated a series of participatory dialogues to bring together representatives from across Pakistan to deliberate and determine the way forward on key issues
related to Health Climate Change Law and Education Under Chairperson Nilofar Bakhtiar s leadership, the Commission is taking lead to undertake a critical analysis and collaborative solution seeking to addressing critical issues affecting women in Pakistan This comes in the year preceding the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Con-
ference on Women and adoption of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action The main focus of the 69th Session to be held in March 2025 will be to review the implementation progress of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action which Pakistan had committed to implement since 1996 Between June 25th-28th 2024, the NCSW will have dedicated sessions and group deliberations on Health, Climate Change, Law Reforms and Education Each session will explore specific thematic areas that have been prioritized with key stakeholders and work with provincial government representatives, civil society, UN partners, and experts to collate specific immediate actions that the government should undertake to see improvement of our gender indica-
The Lahore High Court on Monday sought response from the parties on a petition seeking to prevent the authorities from arresting PTI activist Sanam Javed in further cases Justice Shahbaz Rizvi of the LHC presided over the hearing of the petition filed by Sanam Javed s father During the proceedings, the petitioner's counsel, Abuzar Salman Niazi, informed the court that Sanam had been in custody for the past 400 days The judge asked why the petition was not filed on behalf of Sanam herself In response the lawyer explained that it
Sanam was being transferred
tinuously from
jail
[within Punjab] The court then instructed the
A zm-e-Istehkam to include political, diplomatic, legal and information prongs; says PM
The
Former PM Imran K han moves SC for early hearing on disqualific ation c ase
Rah-e-Najaat etc The previous kinetic operations were conducted to physically dislodge
from their
locations which
areas and compromised the writ of the
These operations required mass displacement of the
population and systematic clearance of affected areas,” the statement said There are no such No-Go areas in the country since the ability of terrorist entities to or carry out large scale organized operations inside Pakistan was decisively degraded by earlier kinetic operations Therefore, no large scale military operation is being contemplated where displacement of population will be required ” the statement said
“Azm-e-Istehkam is a multi domain multi agency
whole-of-the-system national vision for enduring stability in Pakistan It is meant to reinvigorate and re-energise the ongoing implementation of Revised National Action Plan, which was initiated after the national consensus across the political spectrum, the statement said
“Azm-e-Istehkam is aimed at energizing already in place intelligence based kinetic operations so to decisively root out the nebulous and shadowy presence of remnants of terrorists their facilitation due to crime terror nexus, and rooting out violent extremism in the country to ensure an overall secure environment in the country for its economic development and prosperity,” the statement said “This will include political diplomatic legal and information prongs apart from already continuing operations by all Law Enforcement Agencies This should address all the misunderstandings as well as settle unnecessary debate on the subject, the statement concluded
dents of blasphemy are extremely worrying” and “cannot be tolerated in any civilized society ”
“This House strongly condemns the horrific and condemnable incidents of blasphemy and demands that the government ensure the protection of all citizens The government should take immediate and necessary steps to identify and prosecute those involved in such incidents ” the resolution reads
Speaking on the occasion
body as well as the police station ablaze, where he was kept after allegations
The resolution, moved by PML-N lawmaker Raheela Khadim Hussain stated that inci-
Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan said that such incidents are a violation of the Constitution, which guarantees equal protection to all citizens
A day earlier the National Assembly Sunday passed a resolution
vehemently condemning the recent horrific and tragic incidents of moblynching in various parts of Pakistan
The resolution moved by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasised that the right to life is the most cherished right enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan
Every person is to be dealt with in accordance with the law and not otherwise,” it stated
The House expressed serious concern over the mob lynching of citizens accused of offences in Swat and Sargodha noting with grave concern that such incidents have been on the rise Such actions cannot be tolerated in any civilized society,” it declared
The NA urged both the federal and provincial governments to ensure the safety and security of all citizens including religious minorities and other vulnerable segments of society
It called for the provincial governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to take immediate and necessary measures to identify investigate and prosecute those involved in these incidents under the relevant laws
and
especially in Karachi and Kacha Areas had shown a declining trend due to the effective strategies adopted by the police and Rangers Sindh IG Police Ghulam Nabi reported that dacoit activities had been significantly reduced and no highway-related crimes had been reported in the past two months It was highlighted that targeted operations and the installation of smart cameras had helped control crimes by identifying and arresting criminals and their abettors Sindh DG Rangers Major General Azhar Waqasinformed that 133 joint operations had been conducted by the Sindh Police and the Rangers leading to the arrest of hundreds of dacoits and criminals He stated that additional check posts had also been established in various parts of Kacha Areas to control crime The meeting was further informed that,
on the direction of the president the campaign against drug peddlers had intensified, resulting in the arrest of 308 suppliers while smart cameras were also installed to monitor the entry points of the province The president emphasised that the Sindh government should focus on raising a modern police force to effectively meet the security challenges and requirements of the province He underlined the need to strengthen the capacity of the Sindh Police by providing them with modern equipment, weapons, adequate human resources and
