Epaper_24-06-5 KHI

M S H E H B A Z R E A C H E S C H I N A

I D P U S H F O R I N V E S T M E N T

IHC stays execution of 5 cour t-mar tialled former Nav y officials

ISLAMABAD

S TA F F R E P O R T

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has stayed the execution of five ex-Navy officers who were previously sentenced to death through a general court martial decree, it emerged on Tuesday IHC s Justice Babar Sattar issued a written order for Monday’s hearing on the request of Navy officers who said they were not provided legal assistance during the general court martial order

The court order said the counsels for the petitioners argued that the documents permissible to be shared with their clients, such as the abstract of evidence and court of inquiry, were also not shared with them The lawyers asserted that an appeal was filed against the death sentence without access to these documents and was dismissed adding that the reasons for the appeal court upholding the sentence were not shared with the petitioners Furthermore the lawyers said that they were given limited access to documents despite a court order and this prevented the petitioners from defending their rights Meanwhile, Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Akeel Akhtar Raja said that Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf had the authority to access the documents and according to rule 193 of the Pakistan Navy Rules 1961 discretion was vested with him to form an opinion that supply of any proceedings may be prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state”

The AAG that in terms of the above rule the naval chief had formed an opinion in the cases that sharing details of the proceedings including the findings recorded by the general court martial and the order passed in appeal upholding the death penalty,

the strategic cooperative partnership that has flourished over the years through initiatives like the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) This visit underscores the ongoing commitment to deepening ties, with both nations poised to launch the next phase of the CPEC This includes pivotal projects such as the upgrade of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway further development of Gwadar Port, and improvements

Justice Munib Akhtar Akhtar during the full court hearing on reserved seats case highlighted a string of legal mistakes made by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that compelled PTIbacked candidates to contest elections as independents

He further stated that the issue regarding reserved seats came down to whether these candidates should be “denied those reserved seats simply because now they have taken shelter under [the Sunni Ittehad Council]

These remarks were made as the full bench of the apex court resumed hearing the SIC s plea o Tuesday against the denial of reserved seats in assemblies for women and minorities A 13-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Munib Akhtar, Yahya Afridi, Aminuddin Khan, Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar Ayesha Malik Athar Minallah Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi Shahid Waheed Irfan Saadat Khan and Naeem Akhtar Afghan resumed the hearing today SIC s lawyer, Advocate Faisal Siddiqui, asserted that although the

majority and more At 1430 GMT, TV channels showed the NDA was ahead in about 290 of the 543 elective seats in the lower house of parliament where 272 is an overall majority with counting nearing its end Full results are likely later on Tuesday evening They showed BJP accounted for around 240 of the seats in which the NDA was lead-

to the Karakoram Highway Since the inception of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) substantial achievements have been recorded under CPEC, with investments totaling $25 4 billion These projects have not only generated 236 000 jobs but have also developed significant infrastructure including highways power generation facilities and a core transmission network which collectively bolster Pakistan s socio-economic landscape Furthermore, the Chinese diplomatic representative emphasised the transformative impact of these initiatives noting the completion and operational success of numerous projects that contribute significantly to the regional development Looking ahead, Sharif s visit is set to enhance collaboration across various sectors including industry agriculture mining energy and information technology while also promoting trade liberalisation

In preparation for this visit Prime Minister Sharif conducted a strategic meeting last week, focusing on optimising the outcomes of the upcoming business engagements with China He directed officials to devise strategies to attract Chinese industries to Pakistan promising full governmental support and facilitation Additionally, he has called upon Pakistan s ambassador to China to ensure comprehensive support for the Pakistani delegates during their interactions in China

SIC didn’t participate in the elections as a party independent candidates did indeed take part

He further emphasized that the SIC did provide a list of its candidates, but the ECP rejected it, claiming that the party hadn t contested the elections

CJP Isa pointed out that the SIC had identified itself as a parliamentary political party twice and as a political party once In response, Advocate Siddiqui argued that a political party could also be a parliamentary political party

The Constitution makes a distinction between a parliamentary political party and a political party, noted the chief justice

We were a political party before the February 8 elections and became a parliamentary political party after [winning] independent candidates joined us the SIC lawyer replied emphasizing that the Constitution doesn t include the term parliamentary party except in Article 63A

Responding to the SIC lawyer ’s argument that there wouldn t have been any issue if the apex court had clarified its verdict on the bat symbol, the chief justice stated that the matter of reserved seats would not exist if the PTI had conducted its intra-party elections

“Don’t attribute everything to the SC ” he emphasized

The PTI deprived its people of democratic rights [ ] if the elections had been held PTI members themselves would have benefited

“If you want to talk about democracy then adhere to it strictly the chief judge remarked Meanwhile Justice Akhtar recalling that the independent candidates had indicated their affiliation with the PTI, and that their nomination papers were accepted and they won the elections stated that a candidate who presents themselves as part of a party will be considered affiliated with it He remarked, Only those will be considered as independent candidates who submit an affidavit that he is not affiliated with any political party ” How can the ECP s law could declare PTI s candidates as independents, Justice Akhtar noted

Responding to Justice Akhtar s comments that the controversy arose after a political party was deprived of its electoral symbol the chief justice questioned why the PTI didn t challenge the court s orders in this regard

Why did you not ask for the bat as an independent candidate,” the CJP asked Advocate Siddiqui

ing compared with the 303 it won in 2019 Poor showing The NDA will form the government for the third time PM Modi will be sworn-in for the third time Congress will sit in opposition for the third time,” BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill

E D E R A L B U D G ET

Thave dropped as they are nowpricing in the change in governance structure ” said Umesh Kumar Mehta chief investment officer at Samco Mutual Fund Mehta said if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is forced to seek support from smaller parties to form government, it may not be able to function as efficiently as it has over the last 10 years “If there is a fractured mandate we think markets should be more nervous But so long as the current leadership and the prime minister stays the drop will not be massive, he added Exit polls over the weekend had projected a big win for Modi’s

HIGHWAY POLICE AUTHORISED TO UNLOAD EXCESS WEIGHT FROM FREIGHT VEHICLES

O ver 100 British ar tists c all on PM c andidate S tarmer to halt arms sales to Israel

opened fire resulting in his untimely death Furthermore, Kamal underscored the deep-seated challenges faced by urban areas, particularly in Sindh due to the decades-long quota system H

Major drop in air fares for Saudi Arabia

SCCI asks govt to conduc t forensic audit of IPPs

the local hotel said a statement here on Tuesday The event was attended by SCCI vice president Ejaz Khan Afridi former presidents Haji Muhammad Afzal Faiz Muhammad Faizi, and Nadeem Rauf, Saddar Gul, Faiz Rasool, Fazl e Wahid and others Patron in chief of the GreenWend Energy Prof Subhan Qureshi Chief Technical Officer Saad Rashid Dr Ahmad Khattak Haider Ali Prof Amanullah researchers experts universities faculty members business community attached with solar energy sector, universities students, members of business community were present in a large number on the occasion More than 28 solar energy companies

participated in the exhibition Various stalls were set up wherein the organisers briefed president of the SCCI Fuad Ishaq about various gadgets of solar energy, machines, its efficiency and significance, and alternate solution to the current energy crisis Fuad Ishaq addressing the participants said that proposals today presented by GreenWend Energy were mostly as per SCCI vision and thoughts He assured the chamber will take initiatives in light of these recommendations for promotion of solar energy sector and other relevant hurdles/issues

The SCCI president said KP is producing 6500 megawatt electricity in which 2700 megawatt is utilized in summer and only 1100 megawatt in winter season, rest of the produced electricity exported to the national grid, despite this surplus production, electricity tariff is being charged equal to major provinces

Talking about hydel nuclear and thermal power Fuad said all these resources expenditure is only

and

that would help to take benefit from

other s experiences and

employment opportunities for youth The SCCI chief mentioned that from 30 to 32 billion dollars through human resources were official and the same figure amount was unofficial in the shape of foreign

and

its role as a pivotal economic epicenter in the region Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed his commitment to CPEC s success vowing to expedite Phase 2 of the project which focuses on industrial cooperation, agriculture, and science and technology "We are dedicated to making CPEC a resounding success creating a new era of economic growth and prosperity for our people " he said With Phase 2 set to launch Pakistan is poised for a new wave of economic transformation, solidifying its position as a key player in regional trade and commerce Shehbaz Sharif has demonstrated unwavering commitment to CPEC's success, recognizing CPEC's potential to drive Pakistan s economic growth and prosperity Under his leadership the government has taken decisive steps to ensure the project s timely completion and maximum impact To accelerate CPEC's progress, the government has taken a multi-faceted approach Projects have been fast-tracked prioritizing infrastructure development energy generation and industrial cooperation Additionally institutional frameworks have been strengthened to enhance coordination and

cooperation among stakeholders, ensuring a cohesive and collaborative approach Investor-friendly policies and incentives have also been introduced to attract foreign investment and create a conducive business environment Furthermore the government has emphasized sustainable development and environmental protection, prioritizing eco-friendly practices and social responsibility in all CPEC projects By taking a comprehensive approach the government aims to ensure the successful implementation of CPEC driving economic growth creating jobs and improving living standards for citizens while minimizing environmental impact

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has fostered closer collaboration with China, ensuring mutual benefits and trust and cementing Pakistan s position as a key partner in the Belt and Road Initiative Through these efforts Pakistan is poised to reap the full benefits of CPEC, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and improving living standards for its citizens Building on the strategic vision of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who initiated CPEC Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is spearheading its implementation with remarkable effectiveness Even during his tenure as the Chief

Minister of Punjab he actively promoted CPEC projects ensuring their timely execution and development Under his supervision, significant infrastructural advancements, such as the fully operational Orange Line Metro Train in Lahore, have substantially improved urban mobility Shehbaz Sharif has prioritized energy projects within CPEC exemplified by the early completion of the Sahiwal Coal Power Project, which provides 1,320 MW of electricity and has significantly reduced load shedding in the region His strategic vision and administrative excellence have also facilitated the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to attract Chinese investment A notable example is the Allama Iqbal Industrial City in Faisalabad which has created thousands of jobs and boosted industrial productivity Despite challenges posed by India's stance on CPEC's route through the disputed Kashmir region Shehbaz Sharif remains optimistic about the commencement of CPEC s second phase Phase one which focused on energy and infrastructure projects, has been successfully completed The forthcoming phase will address agricultural projects, Main Line-1 of Pakistan Railways business-to-business deals and the realignment of the Karakoram Highway The economic impact of CPEC projects under Shehbaz Sharif s leadership has been significant Infrastructure advancements,

such as the Multan-Sukkur Motorway have enhanced mobility reduced travel time

The SBP will be

n F L AT I o n has slowed That does not mean prices are lower, it just means that prices are not rising as fast as they were However, in an inflationary wave as high and as prolonged as the present one even the relief implied by a flowing will be welcome to the consumer, who would probably place that inflation as worse, or at least as bad, as the sluggish growth which has prevented or reduced pay raises lost jobs and reduced business opportunities It also means good news for the government, which can pose as the slayer of the inflation dragon, and if the SBP monetary price committee reduces interest rates, it will allow it to save money on domestic debt servicing thus creating fiscal space in the upcoming budget

However, the news is particularly good for the government, because not only was May s year-on-year inflation 11 8 percent the fifth straight month it dropped but there was month-on-month deflation of 3 2 percent, with prices actually coming down However, there are still problems the government has to overcome First of all it has to handle the IMF which seems bent on extending and increasing the GST, which will have inflationary effects If inflation is slow, or there is actually deflation, an inflationary tax seems good to bring Then the government needs to remember where inflation is slowing down The cuts in fuel prices have been a great help, but not only does the government have no control over world oil prices, but the recent oPEC+ decision to cut production bodes ill Then agricultural prices have fallen That means that some of the benefit is owed to farmers, who took a

of narcissism, said that the charges against him were “directed against all of Israel ” As such, he concluded that it was “an example of the new antisemitism ” Stretching this deflection further he asked: With what chutzpah do you dare compare Hamas and the soldiers of the IDF who are fighting a just war that is unparalleled with a morality that is unmatched?

Even netanyahu s foes chimed in, with Benny Gantz terming the ICC prosecutor ’s request “a crime of historic proportions ” and Yair Lapid calling it “unforgivable” and “a terrible political failure ”

This use of excessive language a form of bullying is the way Israel traditionally responds to criticism It s an attempt to verbally pummel their critics into submission while shoring up their supporters

This was the spoken response But then came the decision to bomb Rafah

n Monday, May 27, Israel appeared to “apologize” for the deaths of 45 Palestinians resulting from its bombing raid on a “humanitarian zone” in Rafah By any measure it was a backhanded apology that conveyed more insult than atonement As Israeli apologies, even those that are insincere, are rare, it s worth examining the background that led up to this one This latest bombing of Rafah occurred just two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to stop its assault on Rafah citing the dangers it posed to civilian life and the delivery of humanitarian aid Just a few days earlier the prosecutor for the International Criminal Court declared his intent to request arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin netanyahu and Defense Minister Yossi Gallant on charges of war crimes committed during the assault on Gaza Compounding the embarrassment all this created for Israel were the joint decisions by three European Union nations Spain Ireland and norway to recognize the State of Palestine coupled with statements of support for the ICC warrant request coming from France and Germany Many of these same European countries also issued swift and firm denunciations of the Rafah attack As was to be expected the initial Israeli response to these developments was immediate and excessive The ICJ was termed a moral outrage Israeli commentators denounced the court in racist terms pointing to the percentage of judges who came from Muslimmajority or third world countries The EU countries that recognized Palestine were compared to nazis and their action was termed antisemitic By far the greatest torrent of abusive language came in response to the ICC request for warrants and it came from both the government and the opposition Justice Minister Yariv Levin referred to the ICC prosecutor s request as one of the biggest moral disgraces in human history For his part Prime Minister netanyahu, in a classic display

J u d g e s a n d b l a c k w a s p s

Tinterest A number of cases have been streamed live already The present case before the Court is not of public interest and is not being heard under Article 184(3) so there was no logic or reason for its live coverage But Justice Athar Minallah insisted that the hearing of the case be streamed live and did prevail in having Imran Khan heard through video link from Adiala Jail The idea ostensibly seemed to provide Imran a chance to make a public appearance and deliver a political speech That was an unprecedented event The question is how could a convict be allowed to address the people from prison through video link in view of his incendiary discourses on record? The move was thwarted by the CJ during the first hearing and Imran was only taken on the video link to ensure his presence before the court without live streaming of the court proceedings During the hearing of the case on 29 May the Advocate General of KPK submitted a miscellaneous petition praying the court to allow live streaming of the court proceedings The CJ rightly remarked that it was not a matter of public interest but a technical and legal issue Justice Athar again supported the idea of live streaming In view of the evolving situation the bench decided to consult each other regarding the decision to live stream the proceeding or

This attack may have been an Israeli effort to demonstrate that they would not be deterred by world opinion or criticism For whatever reason the Israeli announcement of the bombing was followed by an official statement describing the attack as using precise munitions based on precise intelligence

Parsing the language used here suggests that the Israelis were aware of the possible repercussions of their attack and were testing the waters of tolerance from their critics while at least appearing to thread the needle of compliance with international law and bowing to the concerns of their US patron that civilian casualties must be avoided

As we now know, the initial bombing was not precise with 22 deaths reported The blast then ignited fires that ravaged the area adjacent to the blast site and the

not Ultimately with 4-1 majority it was decided not to allow live coverage of the event Here again the dissenting judge was Mr Justice Athar Minallah In view of his conduct voices are already being heard about his bias in favour of Imran Khan and some have even demanded a reference against him for his insulting remarks about the judges by calling them black wasps I also heard a lawyer who also is a vlogger saying unpalatable things about how Mr Justice Athar Minallah manoeuvred his induction into the superior judiciary by using political channels and controversial decisions given by him while he was chief justice of IHC Mr Justice Babar Sattar who is a dual national of Pakistan and the USA was also inducted as judge of the IHC when Athar Minallah was the CJ of the court Logically speaking if nobody with dual nationality can contest elections for the parliament then no person with divided loyalties can be inducted in the bureaucracy or made judge of a superior court If my memory serves me right the Supreme Court had rejected a petition by Tahir-ul-Qadri with the remark that he being a dual national did not have locus stand in the matter I think the induction of dual nationals in the bureaucracy and their appointment as judges has to be stopped, taking a cue from the Supreme Court decision The JUI(F) legislator noor Alam has submitted a bill to the national Assembly Secretariat aimed at barring duality nationality holders from becoming judges and civil

The induction of dual nationals in the bureaucracy and their appointment as judges has to be stopped, taking a cue from the Supreme Court decision. The JUI(F) legislator Noor Alam has submitted a bill to the National Assembly Secretariat aimed at barring duality nationality holders from becoming judges and civil servants. That must be supported by all the parties.

Vanishing pavements

Girls’ education

Public washrooms

PA K I S TA N despite being relatively smaller and economically weaker than India, finds itself incessantly targeted by accusations and defamatory campaigns propagated by its arch-rival India is uneasy about Pakistan joining key international initiatives such as the BRICS and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) As a result, India tries hard to portray Pakistan as unreliable and irresponsible globally India has a history of manipulating situations to showcase Pakistan as an irresponsible state with instances such as its attempts to link Pakistan to terrorist activities without concrete evidence

The recent allegations regarding Computer Numerical Control (CNCs) serve as another tactic in India’s ongoing campaign to defame Pakistan and undermine its credibility on the international stage Accusing Pakistan of leveraging dual-use items like CNC machines for military purposes disregards the comprehensive C4I2SR framework, essential for effective (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Information, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) in military operations While CNC machines are indeed versatile tools their civilian applications in manufacturing and industry are widespread and well-documented Acquisition of such equipment by Pakistan aligns with civilian usage, which is crucial for economic development and technological advancement Furthermore attributing military intent to the mere possession of these tools without concrete evidence directly linking them to military activities overlooks the complexity of modern warfare and the stringent

regulatory measures in place to prevent the misuse of dual-use technologies The absence of compelling evidence by the adversary undermines the credibility of allegations and highlights the importance of objective assessment grounded in verifiable facts, reinforcing the need for fairness and evidence-based analysis in international discourse Therefore it can be asserted that allegations like these are part of India s propagandist agenda aiming to discredit Pakistan by portraying the capture of CNCs as evidence of its dual-use for military and nuclear programs Pakistan uses C4I2SR, a comprehensive system This system is utilized by military and defence organizations to facilitate effective command control and decision-making during military operations Its components include structured frameworks for decisionmaking and coordination (C2), secure communication channels, data processing capabilities, intelligence collection and analysis tools surveillance systems and reconnaissance equipment Ensuring the secure operation of C4I2SR systems is paramount for national security preventing unauthorized access or compromise of military communications and intelligence through measures such as encryption, authentication, and physical protection In contrast CNC technology is primarily employed in manufacturing and machining automating precision processes like cutting and shaping materials While CNC technology is vital for industrial production, its security concerns primarily revolve around safeguarding intellectual property rather than national defence The key differences lie in the comprehensive scope and security focus of C4I2SR which prioritizes secure communication and operational security compared to

the civilian-oriented nature of CNC technology focusing on process efficiency and quality in manufacturing Ultimately while a compromised C4I2SR system could have severe consequences for national security, CNC breaches typically affect individual companies or industries So, in such a case, where Pakistan uses a high-tech security system it is absurd to accuse Pakistan of using any item for dual use CNC systems are sophisticated automation tools used in various industries to control machine tools and manufacturing processes By interpreting computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) instructions, CNC systems precisely guide the movement and operation of machine tools such as lathes mills routers and lasers This automation enables highly accurate and complex component production with close fittings making CNC machines invaluable for industries requiring precision machining, such as aerospace, automotive, and medical Additionally CNC technology facilitates rapid prototyping cost-effective mass production customization and high-speed high-volume manufacturing By automating processes, CNC systems improve productivity, reduce labour costs, and minimize human error, playing a vital role in modern manufacturing’s efficiency and effectiveness Recent allegations made by India concerning Pakistan s import of CNC machinery from China for its nuclear programme are not only superficial but also lack substantial evidence Ironically, India itself has received similar CNC shipments before pointing fingers at Pakistan The reality is that CNC machinery contrary to India’s claims of its potential use in nuclear activities serves many industrial purposes Pakistan s import data reveals a routine and

PakistanÊs legitimate trade activities, including its impor ts of CNC machiner y, should not be misrepresented or sensationaliz ed to suit IndiaÊs g eopolitical ag enda. Constructive engag ement and dialogue , based on mutual respect and understanding, remain paramount for fostering trust and cooperation in the region.

The state is single -handedly responsible for bringing the par ty ’s national tally down

left the

untouched This

however it seemed to

However it is important to note that

tress was not uniformly spread across

groups – Dalit and backward caste voters were more likely to raise these concerns than the BJP’s traditional upper-caste supporters

DALITSAND THE CONSTITUTION: Among Dalits, the fear had taken deep roots that a BJP victory would put the Constitution in danger This was triggered by the party’s slogan “Ab ki baar 400 paar” – this time we will cross 400 – and viral videos where party leaders were seen asking voters to elect the BJP with an overwhelming majority so that it could bring changes to the Constitution They want to replace Samvidhan [Constitution] with Manu ka vidhan [Manu’s laws] ” said a young Dalit woman in Barabanki a constituency reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates The Congress is all set to win the seat with a margin of over a lakh votes

SOCIAL JUSTICE: Over the past decade the BJP had assiduously cultivated backward caste groups that resented the dominance of the Yadavs under the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh It specially focused on extremely backward castes like the Nishads, the Nonias, the Pals, by giving them greater representation at different levels of the government But in this election the caste coalition appears to have frayed under the weight of a major contradiction at the heart of BJP governments: upper castes continue to hold power disproportionate to their numbers Among voters from backward castes conversations that began with inflation and joblessness often segued to concerns about continuing caste injustice

S A M A J W A D I - C O N G R E S S ALLIANCE: The Samajwadi Party and the Congress appear to have complemented each other well The Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party did clever politics reducing the number of Yadav nominations to seven Instead, it contested the election on the broad-based plank of PDA – pichhda Dalit alpasankhyak or backward Dalit and religious minorities It fielded its Dalit face Awadesh Prasad in the general seat of Faizabad where the newly inaugurated Ram Mandir of Ayodhya is located Prasad is leading in the seat as of 5 pm In recent years, there has been a revival of the Congress’s popularity among Muslims Together the two parties held considerable appeal for voters who wanted to oust the BJP – including Dalit voters, who saw the INDIA alliance as a more viable challenger to the BJP than the Bahujan Samaj Party

transparent procurement process with CNC machine import shipments standing at 3300, imported by 1,235 Pakistan importers from 1,343 suppliers, evidently used in different industries including some small industries India’s persistent propagation of disinformation against Pakistan aims to tarnish its image and destabilise its strategic partnerships, particularly within the initiatives like BRICS and CPEC Despite Pakistan s transparent import practices and the multifaceted utility of CNC machinery, India continues its efforts to defame Pakistan with baseless accusations Intriguingly India is among one of the top importers of CNC machines with shipments totaling a substantial 254 945 units from 67 different suppliers

The insinuation that Pakistan and China would opt for land routes for transporting illicit goods particularly related to weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) holds logical merit Empirically the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) route which connects China s Kashgar to Islamabad, Pakistan, by land is shorter than the sea route The land route connecting Kashgar to Islamabad is only 690 km, whereas the sea route is 5996 nautical miles making 11104 59 km The question is if China and Pakistan were indulged in any dual-use business they would have preferred a short and safe route rather than opting for a long and unsafe route

The Indian allegations regarding the capture of dual-use items traded between China and Pakistan are entangled with broader geopolitical tensions and regional dynamics in South Asia Pakistan like any sovereign state maintains the right to engage in trade relations with other nations, and allegations of illicit trade are an attempt by India to not only interfere but also build a false image of Pakistan’s

trade affairs and cast doubt on its international trade practices Even in international law, this attempt by India itself is a violation of international law of interference and intervention in the trade affairs of a sovereign state like Pakistan These allegations challenge principles of non-interference and free trade potentially escalating tensions between the two countries and impacting their relations Moreover, such claims may reflect broader strategic competition in the region, driven by India’s offensive and efforts to exert pressure on Pakistan As a result these allegations have the potential to influence regional security dynamics and shape the future trajectory of relations between India Pakistan and China India s relentless attempts to defame Pakistan through baseless accusations and propaganda will only worsen the already hostile relations between the neighbours and disrupt regional stability and cooperation Moreover the international community should

TO many observers the leadership of President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has marked an emerging shift in the Indo-American relationship, pointing towards a new era of mutual alignment A plethora of bilateral summits proclaiming a high-level of engagement to craft an enduring India-U S partnership expanded jointdefense collaboration, the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogues, deepening technological linkages, and shared security interests regarding the rise of China indicate there may have been a substantial shift in Indian strategy While relations are undeniably strong policymakers should remain skeptical that this stems from an underlying geopolitical alignment Despite moving closer to the Western camp, India maintains a strategy of multi-alignment and will likely continue to do so in the coming decades

WE HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE: This is not the first time that there has been an apparent Indo-American rapprochement India s doctrine of nonalignment, combined with their linkages to the Soviet Union and American diplomatic relations with Pakistan, caused distrust throughout the Cold War Yet the partnership blossomed after the turn of the millennium under the Bush administration with significant cooperation in counter-terrorism advanced technological development, democracy promotion, and environmental protection

Despite India’s nuclear program and subsequent nuclear tests violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) George W Bush lifted economic and military sanctions in 2001 In 2006 India and the United States signed the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, which allowed access to civilian nuclear reactor technology

Much like today, there were several joint agreements If you file off the dates, many mirror Biden and Modi’s pledges with commitments to expand joint exercises defend democracy and create cooperative groups such as the Defense Policy Group (DPG) which resulted in new American arms sales to India There was considerable optimism at the start of the Obama administration that India would officially pivot into the Western camp However this hope was illusory New elections in India brought in elites who favored strategic autonomy Obama inflamed fears around American credibility by improving relations with China and discussing a potential G-2, a core Indian concern Despite inching closer towards alignment for the past decade, India rapidly flipped away from the United States by joining China-led initiatives such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization BRICS and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Furthermore India continued to maintain its reliance on Russian arms, which limited the potential for joint military planning Obama tried to mend the rift, but it was too little too late and the alliance has maintained a distinctly transactional feel until the present day A lesson should be learned: seemingly strong Indo-American bonds can crack when

The US and India appear committed to alignment but there may be trouble lurking just beneath the sur face

security interests shift FLASHPOINTS FOR TENSIONS: Much like in the Obama administration a confluence of factors could easily reverse recent gains India and Russia remain partners despite the invasion of Ukraine In line with much of the Global South, they have consistently abstained from condemning Russian actions and refused to sanction Russian oil (although allegedly this may have been in line with Washington s desire to stabilize oil prices)

Perhaps most importantly India s military remains reliant on Russian arms Recently, they started to somewhat distance themselves from the Russian defense industry, but India still calculates that a strong relationship with Moscow is necessary to prevent isolationism that would push them further into China s strategic orbit

This limits India s commitment to one of the main American security architectures in the IndoPacific, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) Russian arms are not interoperable with the rest of the QUAD’s forces, which could dampen air and sea superiority in a crisis But even if India tried to fully transition away from Russian arms Russia has sold them the largest share of weapons for decades The limited interoperability of Russian and American arms complicates any large-scale shift by magnifying costs and risking Indian defenses in the meantime Regardless of how the American relationship develops Russia will continue to be a fixture in Indian security interests for the foreseeable future

India has new concerns about American reliability, especially after the withdrawal from Afghanistan Already, there are concerns that the weapons left behind are arming Kashmir separatists trying to split from India in favor of Pakistan While relations under the Trump administration were not hostile a return to an America First foreign policy could make India calculate they need to hedge their bets away from the United States if they don t trust Trump’s willingness to assist in a crisis

Perhaps the most recent flash point in the relationship was the attempted assassination against Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun an American citizen on American soil All signs point to Indian officials being directly involved with the plot, which could be unacceptable to the United States

This points to a broader divergence between New Delhi and Washington: Indian democratic backsliding It seems increasingly doubtful that Indo-American relations as some have argued can be grounded by shared ideological values

The rise of Hindu nationalism has tarnished Indian democracy, leading to discriminatory legislation against Muslim Indians and a substantial increase in hate crimes Modi himself recently implied Muslims were “infiltrators a common Islamophobic trope in Hindu nationalist hate speech Outside extra-judicial killings Modi s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has increasingly escalated assaults against India s democratic principles Political opponents, from politicians to activists to journalists have been jailed under the pretense of anti-corruption measures with peaceful protests violently stamped out Most measurements of democratization have down-

graded democratic India’s

SuMMRA HAMID

SCR OLL STAFF

Wang Yi urges more suppor t for

Israeli-British man Popplewell adding: We reiterate our demand for Hamas to send all hostages home All but Popplewell were seen alive in a video released by Hamas in December Separately, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said: “We assess that the four of them were killed while together in the area of Khan Yunis during our operation there against Hamas Earlier on Monday the army said it had located in Israel the body of paramedic Dolev Yehud, who had been thought to be a hostage but was killed on October 7 Israeli media have questioned to what extent Biden’s ceasefire speech and some crucial details were coordinated with Ne-

tanyahu’s team, including how long any truce would hold and how many captives would be freed and when Hamas on Friday said it viewed Biden s outline positively but has since made no official comment on the stalled negotiations, while mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States have not announced any new talks Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates Qatar Jordan and Egypt issued a statement on Monday backing the latest diplomatic effort They emphasized the importance of dealing seriously and positively with the US president s proposal, which could produce “a permanent ceasefire and an end to the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip” the joint statement said Israeli government spokesman David Mencer quoted Netanyahu as saying that the outline Biden presented was only partial, and that under the plan fighting would only stop temporarily “for the purpose of returning the hostages ”

Turkish agricultural products, support enterprises of the two countries to continuously upgrade the level of cooperation and scientific and technological content and closely cooperate in the fields of culture education tourism and aviation, Wang said Wang also affirmed China s readi-

ness to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Türkiye under multilat-

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chains, safeguard the stable operation of the global supply chain and industry c

p r o m o t e t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a fair and reasonable global governance system For his part Fidan said that Türkiye attaches great importance to developing its relations with China abides by the one-China principle and supports China in safeguarding its core interests and major concerns Fidan pointed out that Türkiye opposes confrontation between the camps does not agree with or support any wrongful act of suppressing and curbing China s development, and will not allow any force to engage in activities on Türkiye’s territory that undermine China’s sovereignty

Iran initiates vetting process for presidential c andidates

BEIJING S tA f f c o r r e S p o n d e n t

Chinese officials have repeatedly urged Brussels to avoid taking protectionist actions against Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), warning such actions could lead trade frictions to spiral out of

i: Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Sindh presenting the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) to Fazal Karim Dadabhoy at the DHA Suffa University Convocation PR

PTI LEADERS CHALLENGE FIA SUMMONS

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oppress and target the workers and leadership of PTI with a view to causing irreparable damage to the party

The petitioners have already explained their and party’s position on TV shows and they have nothing to do with the said tweet and it is worth mentioning The impugned

IHC direc ts ECP to announce LG polls in capital by July 10

the non-conduct of local government elections, emphasized the need for a clear schedule The court noted that 125 union council constituencies have already been demarcated and there is no need for further delimitation Justice Kayani remarked that both the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court have previously decided that local government elections should be held During the proceedings the ECP officials stated that a schedule has been provided regarding constituencies However Justice Kayani instructed the ECP lawyer not to mix union council constituencies with National Assembly constituencies, questioning the need for new constituencies every two or three months The judge warned that if the ECP fails to provide the election date he will issue contempt of court notices to both the federal government and the ECP Additionally, the IHC suspended property tax notices issued at new rates, stating that

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Anti-Terrorism Court Muzaffarabad on Tuesday rejected the bail petition of poet Ahmed Farhad The court announced its verdict reserved on Monday after hearing arguments from both sides Advocate Zulqarnain Naqvi the counsel for Poet Farhad had filed the bail petition in Muzaffarabad ATC

The case against Ahmed Farhad was registered under seven clauses including terrorism, Advocate Naqvi informed while talking to media last week He said the case was registered on May 13 that was the day when the Awami Action

Committee had staged its protest

The Kashmiri poet came to spotlight after he went missing from his home in Islamabad on May 14 and was found in police custody at a police station outside Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on May 29

Earlier on June 1, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) rejected the federal government s request to close the recovery case of the missing Kashmiri poet until he appears in person at a hearing The petition, filed by Farhad s wife Urooj Zainab, was heard by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the IHC Human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali represented Zainab while Addi-

tional Attorney General Munawwar Iqbal represented the federation

During the hearing, Iqbal informed the court that Farhad was on physical remand until June 2 and had been allowed to meet his family

He requested the IHC to wrap up the illegal confinement case Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan had previously informed the IHC on May 29 that the missing poet was in police custody at a police station outside Muzaffarabad the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)

The AGP presented an AJK police report before IHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, saying that Farhad had reunited with his family His statement indicated that a meeting between Farhad and his family took place at Kohori police station

It was not immediately clear what charges Farhad faced, who went missing from his home last month

On the previous hearing of the case on May 24 Justice Kayani issued an eight-page written order summoning Law Minister Tarar; sector commanders of the InterServices Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI); Intelligence Bureau (IB) director; as well as the defence and interior secretaries