Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Fazlur
Rehman on Tuesday termed constant interference of military institutions one of the major reasons for instability asserting that powerful circles must understand that their interference in politics is detrimental to the country
Speaking at the JUI s provincial council session on Tuesday, Maulana Fazl said pointed out that the results of the 2018 and 2024 elections have exposed widespread interference by institutions The JUI-F leader further stressed that Operation Azm-e-Istehkam will exacerbate unrest across the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Militar y inter ference, not political par ties should be banned: ANP chief
During the council session discussions were held on the overall national situation, and crucial decisions were made regarding tackling inflation, deteriorating security conditions, and other issues Plans were also prepared for upcoming events including a farmers convention in Mardan on August 10 a traders convention in Peshawar on
Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali Khan has voiced his opposition to the government’s decision to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) despite political and ideological differences We oppose the ban on PTI Our history shows that we have never supported undemocratic and dictatorial measures, Wali Khan lamented on Tuesday He recalled that the precedent for banning political parties in Pakistan was set by military dictator General Ayub Khan adding that lessons from history are often ignored in the country It has emerged that the PML-N-led government did not take all coalition
partners on board before announcing the ban on PTI on Monday Earlier Central Secretary Information of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Shazia Marri, reacted to the decision to ban Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stating that PPP was not taken into confidence regarding this decision adding that the party will discuss the government s decision internally ANP s leader criticized the shifting allegiances towards military leadership depending on political power “In power the army chief is treated like a father but once out of office the same figure is branded as a traitor, he remarked
PTI rejects ad-hoc judges’ appointment; calls it a ploy to ‘fix bench’
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday categorically declared that the party would resist all attempts to covert the Supreme Court (SC) into a one-man show saying the nation would not accept any effort to conquer the judiciary through ‘Trojan Horses’ PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan termed the appointment of ad-hoc judges by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa nothing but a ploy to fix the bench , urging the nominated judges to decline the offer or else the nation would remember them as ‘rubber stamps’
In a statement the leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly said that CJP Qazi Isa s new ploy to appoint ad-hoc Judges was nothing but a ploy to ‘fix’ the bench
“There is a backlog of 56,000 cases in the Supreme Court and the ad-hoc judges will not be able to even make a noticeable dent in the back log Using the backlog is just an excuse and the target is something else, he added
wall of the cantonment The suicide blast caused a portion of the wall to collapse and damaged infrastructure, resulting in the martyrdom of eight security personnel the statement said The martyrs were identified as Naib Subedar Muhammad Shehzad 44; Havildar Zil-e-Hussain, 39; Havildar Shahzad Ahmed, 28; Sepoy Ashfaq Hussain Khan, 30; Sepoy Sobhan Majeed 22; Sepoy Imtiaz Khan 30; Sepoy Arsalan Aslam 26 of the Pakistan Army and Lance Naik Sabz Ali 34 of the Frontier Constabulary In the ensuing operation, our troops effectively engaged the terror-
perimeter
Omar Ayub advised that the proposed ad-hoc judges should decline the offer themselves if they want to leave behind a positive legacy Otherwise the nation will remember them as rubber stamps Meanwhile a PTI spokesper-
Justice Mushir Alam
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
Former Supreme Court Judge Justice (Retired) Mushir Alam has declined the appointment as an ad-hoc judge through a letter sent to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Tuesday Expressing his gratitude, Justice Alam wrote, “God has honoured me beyond my position I am thankful to the Judicial Commission for the honour of being reappointed as an ad-hoc judge Justice Alam cited disappointment with the social media campaign that emerged following his nomination as a significant reason for his decision “The campaign on social media after the nomination of ad-hoc judges has been deeply
son called the plan a result of a match-fixing between the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and the ‘mandate thief ’ government, calling the appointment of ad hoc judges in the apex court unnecessary and against justice
discouraging, the letter read “In the current circumstances, I regret that I am unable to serve as an ad-hoc judge ” he conveyed Yesterday Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa proposed four retired judges for appointment as ad-hoc judges for three years in the apex court The nominees included Mushir Alam, Mazhar Alam Miankhel Maqbool Baqar and Sardar Tariq Masood
To consider the nominees the chief justice summoned the JCP meeting on July 19 The summary, sent by CJP Isa to all JCP members, stated that after reviewing the Registrar’s note and the statistics about the pendency of cases it was evident that despite our best efforts cases continue to accumulate
ISLAMABAD
declines SC offer
B a
More exasperation than deliberation seems visible
iN F O R M AT i O N Minister Attaullah Tarar s disclosure that the federal government had decided to move for the banning of the PTi as well as the trial of imran Khan former President Arif Alvi and former National Assembly Deputy speaker Qasim suri for high must be seen as a response to the recent supreme Court decision on reserved seats, which restored the PTi as a parliamentary party as a consequence That seems to have been quite a leisurely pace of making up one s mind, because all the events which make up the subject matter of the charges what the lawyers call the res are old it is quite likely given the PTi’s track record that it will launch a series of legal challenges to these charges Without going into the merits of either challenges or the defences, it must not be forgotten that they will be adjudicated by the same supreme Court which took the decision about the reserved seats
The move is intended to bring about stability The Prime Minister is reported to have expressed the view that political stability cannot be achieved while the PTi is around That be as may be it remains a matter of opinion That is something the PM will naturally believe, along with the rest of his party, but there will be a large number of PTi supporters who will vociferously defend the party against the charges made against it instead of simply deciding whether the PTi should be banned or not the government has opened the debate up as the supreme Court will be forced to consider whether or not any party can be banned at all it is worth noting that the high treason trial may depend on the remarks made in the supreme Court’s detailed judgement on the dissolution, but the constitution of the trial court will depend on the federal government, which may find that one of the first things it will have to explain is the time it had allowed to elapse between the supreme Court judgement and the initiation of the trial if cooperation from the judiciary had been assured then these problems would be easily overcome, but as the reserved seats judgement shows, such cooperation will depend on convincing judges that the legal course is what the government says it is The government should ensure that in tackling the political problem of the PTi, it should follow a political course of action
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi
Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Dto the actions of the “King of the World ” Joe Biden
The second example of the World King s unquestionable authority is his decision to support, abet and protect israel and to give it free hand to carry out genocide in Palestine and exterminate Palestinian infants, children, women, elderly and young alike with total impunity
But this “king ” who decides the fate of other countries was nearly killed in his own country in an highly guarded public event by gunfire from a 20-year-old boy like a lame duck
Fortunately, the would-be king of the world, Donald Trump, was attacked not by a Muslim, Black, Asian, or hispanic terrorist or criminal but by a young 20-year-old white boy in his recorded video message the attacker claimed he hated the conservative party and Donald Trump but ended with a taunting smile saying, you got the wrong guy While the first part of his message seemed straightforward, the second part will only be fully understood after thorough investigation This incident tells a serious story: the so-called king of the world who determines the fate of other countries and societies with the stroke of a pen either allowing them to live and prosper or destroying them was not safe in his own country had the attacker been of foreign origin, that country of his origin might have been attacked immediately or faced retribution later much like iraq Libya and Afghanistan whose leaders were chased and hunted like wild animals
Leaders from around the world wasted no time in issuing condemnations, setting aside their business, no matter how important, to save themselves and their countries from the potential wrath of the UsA if they had delayed their statements The most important question for American social and education scientists thinkers and philosophers is this: why would a young 20year-old boy who has freedom of expression and speech guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Us Constitution, and the power to vent his hatred, grudge, or dislike through any form of media resort to the extreme act of using a
M y r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s t o t h e d e m o c r a t i c p l a t f o r m c o m m i t t e e
Th i s week, i submitted testimony on israel/Palestine to the Democratic Party’s Platform Committee This is my 11th convention and the ninth time i ve been engaged in discussions regarding the platform either as a member of the drafting committee negotiating language with the campaigns, or simply presenting testimony, as i am doing this year During these many interventions, i’ve seen some changes made but all too few on how the platforms address the issue of Palestinian rights Friends often ask me why i keep coming back like sisyphus i do so for two reasons in the first place it is because Palestinian rights continue to be ignored Despite the language in our last platform regarding the equal worth of israeli and Palestinian lives, we continue to demonstrate that we do not see them as equal at all and so their suffering continues secondly it is because i want Democrats to win And what i am seeing is that unless Democrats change direction in the way they deal with Palestinian rights, they are risking losing a sufficient enough number of their voters that it could cost them victory in November it is important to consider today’s fraught political environment The magnitude of the suffering israel has inflicted on Gaza is horrifying: 38 000 dead 70 percent of buildings demolished infrastructure and medical facilities gone, famine looming, and an entire generation of children traumatized
We are also seeing mass intersectional mobilization of what are largely Democratic voters who are deeply opposed to the Biden Administration’s policies on this issue this includes a substantial number of Arab Americans and a not inconsequential number of young people, progressive Jews, Blacks, Asians, and Latinos Most Americans, and actually most Democrats, never read the platform however, this year the constituent groups noted above will be watching what
language the party puts forward in the platform in this context it is vitally important to consider their concerns and the consequences of failing to do so With this as a backdrop and knowing the process as i do i offered a few recommendations for language changes as guidance for the platform drafters i m sure the platform will speak about our ironclad commitment to israel s security and will be passionate in our condemnation of hamas terror But you will fail if you do not passionately acknowledge the immense suffering experienced by Palestinians and our role in fostering israel s sense of impunity as they continue to grind up Palestinian hopes and lives and property i urge you to recognize the urgency of the moment and the rawness of the feelings of those deeply pained by this tragedy, i ask you to avoid language that seeks to placate without substance in other words, don’t say things you don’t mean as you did in 2020 when you included the following quotes in the platform:
n Democrats recognize the worth of every israeli and Palestinian, or n We support a negotiated two-state solution, or n “‘We oppose any unilateral steps by either side’ (including annexation and settlement expansion)
The same platform that said these things went on to support Jerusalem as the undivided capital of israel (when it has been annexed and is a unilateral action; is home to over 200,000
T
gun to try to kill a presidential aspirant, fully aware that he would be killed in no time, either before or after his attack?
On the strength of logic and reasoning many motives could be attributed to the boy s extreme actions The increasing polarization of American politics and anti-establishment sentiments may have fueled his behavior Mental health issues and identity crises could have contributed to his violence social isolation and the influence of radical content in the media may have played a role in curating such extremist behavior Rapid cultural shifts and the prevalence of gun culture in America may also have been factors
These reasons may be right or wrong, but this incident has brought to light deeper fault lines in the UsA’s socio-cultural fabric and the failure of its education system to instill tolerance and respect
Regardless of the reasons this attack is going to change the UsA and the rest of the world in several ways in the UsA, this incident will likely lead to heightened security measures for political figures and increased surveillance, especially of expats The immigration and naturalization policy may be tightened to slow down cultural and social changes security protocols at airports train stations and bus stops in the UsA and around the world may be further revised to high-security alerts, making travel to the UsA even more difficult
This incident has brought to the surface deeper fault lines in the UsA’s social and cultural aspects and highlighted the failure of its education system which allowed such hatred to develop in a 20-year-old boy who was not a hardcore criminal, terrorist, or addict, but was willing to take his own life and the life of his own would-be president and would-be king of the world
The small but eye-opening incident may intensify deeper political polarization as each side blames the other for fostering a toxic envi-
ronment This could also spark a national conversation on mental health, leading to increased funding and support for mental health services
Additionally there might be a reevaluation of the role of media and social platforms in spreading radical ideologies leading to stricter regulations and oversight
The education system could see reforms aimed at promoting tolerance, inclusivity, and conflict resolution to prevent radicalization among young people Globally the incident could affect perceptions of Us stability and the effectiveness of its democracy potentially weakening its moral authority on the world stage
Countries might reassess their relationships with the UsA, considering the internal vulnerabilities exposed by such incidents, leading to shifts in alliances and diplomatic strategies
The attack could influence global counterterrorism strategies emphasizing the need to address internal threats and domestic radicalization
For Trump, the incident could garner increased sympathy and support from his base, energize his supporters, and potentially attract undecided voters who see him as a strong leader facing unfair attacks Conversely it might also highlight the deep divisions and volatility within the country raising concerns about his polarizing effect
For Biden, any missteps in addressing the incident could be detrimental to his campaign, intensifying the political climate, making security, stability, and national unity even more central issues in the election For the rest of the world the message is clear: their king is not safe even in his own highly guarded fortress
The writer retired as Press Secretary the the President, and is former Press Minister at Embassy of Paikistan to France and former MD Shalimar Recording & Broadcasting Company Limited
For Trump, the incident could garner increased sympathy and suppor t from his base, energize his suppor ters, and potentially attract undecided voters who see him as a strong leader facing unfair attacks. Conversely, it might also highlight the deep divisions and volatility within the country, raising concerns about his polarizing effect. For Biden, any missteps in addressing the incident could be detrimental to his campaign, intensifying the political climate, making security, stability, and national unity even more central issues in the election
A model for Pakistani parliamentarians
Qamar bashir
PA K I S TA N has historically been a natural choice for Kashmiris, with a majority favoring accession to Pakistan which promises several benefits In international relations small states often encounter distinct challenges from economic vulnerabilities to limited geopolitical influence Accession, the act of aligning with a larger and more influential country or bloc, can offer significant advantages for small states aiming to fortify their economic political and security foundations
Joining a larger economic entity grants small states access to broader markets and economies It can lead to reduced tariffs expanded export opportunities, and increased foreign direct investment Accession agreements also facilitate the exchange of technology knowledge and best practices
Aligning with a larger country or regional alliance enhances the global influence of small states This enables small states to tackle common challenges such as climate change, security threats, and humanitarian crises through collective action and coordinated diplomacy Security remains a critical concern for small states especially in regions prone to instability Accession agreements often include provisions for mutual defense and security cooperation offering small states enhanced military capabilities, intelligence sharing, and joint military exercises
Accession also promotes cultural and social exchanges between small states and their larger partners fostering mutual understanding tolerance and respect for diversity Initiatives in cultural diplomacy educational exchanges, and collaborative projects in healthcare, education, and cultural preservation strengthen interpersonal connections
They contribute to a more interconnected and harmonious global community
There’s
Aligning with technologically advanced countries or regional alliances facilitates the transfer of technology to small states Accession agreements support research and development, promote digital connectivity, and advance sustainable development Embracing technological advancements helps small states improve infrastructure enhance public services and boost global economic competitiveness
The potential accession of Kashmir to Pakistan could provide the region a more stable political framework aligned with Pakistan s governance structures and administrative systems This alignment may foster greater political stability and effective governance in Kashmir With historical linguistic and cultural ties to Pakistan particularly in the Kashmir Valley where the majority of the population is Muslim, accession could strengthen cultural identity and heritage preservation efforts Integration with Pakistan could unlock economic opportunities for Kashmir including access to larger markets foreign investment and infrastructure development ultimately improving living standards and creating employment opportunities Accession to Pakistan could potentially strengthen security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and defense capabilities, thereby contributing to regional stability and addressing security challenges
Another proposal is for Kashmir to become a province of Pakistan The advantages of being part of an established nation cannot be overstated Provinces, integral to a country’s administrative structure, play a crucial role in driving regional development, enhancing local governance and bolstering national unity and prosperity Provinces offer a wide array of benefits from economic opportunities to cultural preservation and efficient governance that enrich the socio-economic landscape and reinforce the national fabric Provinces act as economic hubs by utilizing local resources industries and workforce strengths They promote regional specialization attract investments and stimulate employment Provinces also take a leading role in planning, developing, and maintaining critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, utilities, and public amenities This infrastructure backbone enhances connectivity supports trade and commerce and facilitates the seamless flow of goods and services within the region and beyond Provinces foster an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and innovation They provide support to local businesses, incubators, and research facilities, cultivating a culture of creativity and technological ad-
another
culprit in the Trump murder attempt
vancement that drives economic diversification and global competitiveness
Additionally provinces play a vital role in preserving and promoting diverse cultural traditions, languages, and historical landmarks They celebrate cultural festivals, promote artistic expression, and preserve intangible cultural heritage adding richness to the national fabric and nurturing pride and identity among local communities Provinces empower citizens to engage actively in local governance, decision-making, and community projects They facilitate grassroots participation, civic education, and volunteerism, strengthening social cohesion and fostering inclusive development that aligns with the aspirations and needs of diverse populations
Provinces oversee essential services such as education and healthcare They prioritize investments in schools, hospitals, and social welfare programmes, ensuring equitable access to education, healthcare, and social safety nets Provinces decentralize administrative functions to improve efficiency responsiveness and accountability in public service delivery They customize policies and initiatives to address regional priorities, streamline bureaucratic processes, and allocate resources effectively based on local needs and challenges
Additionally provinces coordinate disaster preparedness environmental conservation efforts and sustainable development initiatives They implement strategies for disaster mitigation, safeguard natural resources, and promote environmentally sustainable practices that enhance resilience against natural disasters Provinces also represent diverse regional interests in national legislative and policymaking bodies fostering balanced representation consensus-building and democratic governance They advocate for regional priorities, advocate for fair resource allocation, and promote national unity by bridging regional disparities and fostering solidarity
Pakistan a country renowned for its diverse landscapes cultures and economic activities is organized into provinces that serve as essential administrative units Each province offers a variety of amenities aimed at enhancing residents quality of life, fostering economic growth, and promoting regional development The immediate prospect of AJK becoming a province of Pakistan seems unlikely due to several UN resolutions that emphasize conducting a plebiscite for the right to self-determination across the entire Kashmir region, acknowledging it as a disputed area AJK holds a distinctive position within Pakistan, governed under a special constitutional framework that respects its unique history
and cultural identity This region characterized by diverse landscapes and communities benefits from specific privileges and development initiatives aimed at enhancing socio-economic conditions and improving the quality of life for its residents, including Kashmiris The region operates its own elected legislative assembly, president and prime minister enabling local governance and decision-making Residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir elect representatives to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and local councils, ensuring their participation in regional governance and decision-making processes AJK maintains an independent judicial system comprising a High Court and subordinate courts responsible for administering justice and upholding the rule of law within its jurisdiction AJK s government actively engages in diplomatic initiatives to raise global awareness about the Kashmir issue, advocating for the rights of Kashmiris and seeking international support for a peaceful resolution in accordance with UN resolutions Kashmiri residents in Pakistan including those from AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan benefit from various services and opportunities provided by the federal government and provincial administrations Kashmiri students have access to educational scholarships grants and reserved seats in universities while employment opportunities are available in both public and private sectors throughout Pakistan Kashmiris also receive medical care and access to healthcare facilities across Pakistan, including specialized treatments and hospitals in major cities Federal and provincial governments ensure the legal rights and protection of Kashmiris safeguarding their interests and providing avenues for legal recourse when necessary AJK serves as a focal point for the Kashmir liberation movement The imperative lies in granting representation to migrants from occupied Kashmir in the AJK Legislative Assembly ensuring their voice is heard in regional governance Pakistan provides extensive support and facilities to Kashmir offering it a special status unlike India which has revoked the special status of Indian-Held Kashmir Rates of essential commodities such as flour and electricity are significantly lower in AJK compared to other parts of Pakistan Arguments for Kashmir ’s independence often overlook harsh realities The path to independence for a new nation is fraught with challenges complexities and numerous obstacles that must be navigated to establish stability, prosperity, and international recognition Economic stability and sustainable development pose primary challenges
Establishing robust financial institutions, currency systems, and fiscal policies is essential to stabilize the economy and attract investments Negotiating international trade agreements and integrating into global markets are crucial for economic growth Developing infrastructure such as roads transportation networks, energy grids, and telecommunications is vital to support economic activities and enhance connectivity Building such infrastructure requires substantial funds and resources Kashmir lacks industrial bases airports and harbours making the prospect of independence financially daunting Choosing to remain with Pakistan rather than pursuing independence would ensure stability and security, avoiding dependence on external aid for survival Surviving independently alongside India a hostile neighbour would be exceedingly difficult The presence of Pakistan s armed forces in AJK acts as a deterrent against Indian aggression Kashmir s survival hinges on aligning with Pakistan, a sentiment widely shared among Kashmiris who share deep cultural, linguistic, and religious ties with Pakistan The Kashmir Valley predominantly Muslim identifies closely with Pakistan s Islamic identity and considers Pakistan a natural ally in the struggle for self-determination Pakistan has consistently championed Kashmiri rights and actively raised the Kashmir issue in global forums Kashmiris
Trump who was addressing a crowd of supporters in Butler Pennsylvania was grazed by an assassin s bullet during a campaign speech (how the would-be killer managed to get so close to the Republican frontrunner amid an army of Secret Service agents is a question for another day) What must concern Americans now is what exactly triggered this latest display of political violence Several commentators pointed to reckless remarks Joe Biden made on a call with donors earlier this month, when the incumbent leader reportedly said: “I have one job, and that’s to beat Donald Trump So we’re done talking about the debate it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye JD Vance the senator from Ohio and a top contender to be Trump s running mate said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter): The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination
While that is true it is the media that happily promulgates such dangerous messages and which must be held at least partially responsible for the atmosphere of hate that now permeates the US political scene While we constantly hear reports about unhinged individuals being ‘politically motivated ’ how about we give more attention to those who have been media motivated ? For starters consider last month s issue of the New Republic, a left-leaning political journal that featured on its cover a portrait of Trump made to resemble Adolf Hitler along with the inscription, “American fascism what it would look like ” We chose the cover image based on a wellknown 1932 Hitler campaign poster for a precise reason: that anyone transported back to 1932 Germany could very, very easily have explained away Herr Hitler s excesses and been persuaded that his critics were going overboard After all pic twitter com/x79Rkh86O1 The New Republic (@newrepublic) July 7 2024 One month later and on the day of the shooting the journal was whistling a different tune As I write these words, we don t know what motivated 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks to try to assassinate Trump,” wrote the TNR columnist Michael Tomasky, feigning ignorance and disbelief “But whatever his motivation turns out to be his act not isolated (sic)
Trump sporting the Hitler moustache to accompany the article After reading literally hundreds of such hypocritical pieces that totally lack selfawareness it becomes more obvious that the entire political field is rigged in favor of one team namely the Democrats over those of the Republicans While the two factions enjoy roughly 50% support of the electorate, it s no secret (although a great mystery) that the liberal left enjoys far greater public reach due to its overwhelming control of the national media Thus, Democrats have much greater trust in the media since it generally reflects their own values In a recent Gallup poll a record-high number of Americans (39%) say they don t trust the media at all That number has steadily increased since 2018 If you dig deeper into the statistics, however, a much more disturbing picture emerges A whopping 58% of Democrats said they have a great deal or fair amount of trust in the media while just 11% of Republicans agreed with that statement No wonder that in the United States you increasingly hear people speak about the propaganda that is now controlling the airwaves, newspapers, not to mention what and how people think First they sued him Then they prosecuted him Then they tried to take him off the ballot The only thing more tragic than what just happened is that if we re being honest it wasn t totally a shock Biden s inevitable ritual condemnation of political violence today (when it Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) July 14 2024 Consider just one major news event: the Black Lives Matter protests (May 2020) At the height of the racefueled riots following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a White police officer, a veritable army of pro-Democrat channels like PBS, ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN were shockingly sympathetic to the acts of violence that spread from sea to shining sea while only Fox News and a tiny handful of pro-Republican outlets covered the seedier side of that event In a desperate effort to sanctify the rioters CNN was roundly ridiculed as one of its reporters stood in front of a raging fire with the chyron at the bottom of the screen, ‘FIERY BUT MOSTLY PEACEFUL PROTESTS ’ It should come as no surprise that millions of Americans never heard that the arson vandalism and looting that occurred between May 26 and June 8 caused roughly between $1 billion and $2 billion in wrecked property nationally, the highest recorded damage from civil disorder in US history That demonstrates the power of the media to twist any news story – or personality – to its liking Considering that the media industrial complex has been aiming its big guns at the reputation of the populist politician, Donald J Trump, it should come as no surprise that a lone maniac nearly killed him Robert Bridge is an American writer and journalist He is the author of Midnight in the American Empire How Corporations and
PO L I T I C A L assassinations in the United States have a long and disturbing history The attempted assassination of Donald Trump who narrowly escaped death when a bullet grazed his right ear while he was speaking at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania
of
of
presidents
presidents and presidential candidates who have
the target of bullets Of the 45 people who have served as president, four have been
while in office Given the near mythic status of U S presidents, and the nation’s superpower role political assassinations strike at the very heart of the American psyche Abraham Lincoln s killing in 1865 and that of John F Kennedy in 1963 are key moments in the history of the United States James Garfield (1881) and William McKinley (1901) are less remembered but their deaths nonetheless rocked the nation at the time SECRET SERVICE PROVIDES PROTECTION: It was after McKinley s assassination that the U S Secret Service was given the job of providing full-time
to presidents The last American president to be shot was Ronald Reagan, who was seriously wounded and required emergency surgery in 1981 Reagan was leaving a Washington hotel after giving a speech when gunman John Hinckley Jr fired shots from a 22calibre pistol One of the bullets ricocheted off the president s limousine and hit him under the left armpit Reagan spent 12 days in hospital before returning to the White House Other presidents have been shot at, but luckily, not injured In 1933 a gunman fired five shots at the car of then President-Elect Franklin D Roosevelt Roosevelt wasn t hit but the mayor of Chicago Anton Cermak who was speaking to Roosevelt after the newly elected president had made some brief remarks to the public, was injured and died 19 days later TWO ATTEMPTS IN ONE MONTH: In September of 1975 President Gerald Ford survived two separate assassination attempts both by women The first came on
N T R A - PA L E S T I N I A N R E C O N C I L I AT I O N
TWho is JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate for 2024 Presidential elec tion?
MEMOIR:
ELEGY”
is Vance’s memoir that gained attention during Trump’s political rise The book explores the struggles of low-income white working-class Americans based on Vance s own experiences growing up in poverty Vance describes the challenges faced by his family in the Appalachian Mountains and the Rust Belt, including battles with addiction and domestic strife The book was adapted into a Netflix film in 2020
CRITICISM FROM OPPONENTS Following Trump’s announcement of Vance as his running mate BidenHarris 2024 Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon criticized Vance s previous support for a national abortion ban his opposition to the Affordable Care Act, and his stance on the 2020 election results Vance has also faced criticism for his views on same-sex marriage, immigration and divorce In 2022 the Ohio Democratic Party labeled Vance too dangerous to be in the
U S Senate ” partly due to his controversial remarks on abortion and marriage Vance suggested that people in abusive marriages should stay together for their children, a statement that drew significant backlash Although Vance has recently supported access to the abortion drug mifepristone his earlier comments continue to spark controversy Vance has also opposed federal legislation protecting same-sex and interracial marriages calling such measures bizarre and distracting, and stated he would not have certified the 2020 election results if he were in then-vice president Mike Pence’s position BACKGROUND AND FUTURE IMPLICATIONS Vance has acknowledged that he is one of Trump s top picks for the vice presidential slot, expressing that he would be “a little disappointed” if not chosen Alongside Vance Trump was reportedly considering Sen Tim Scott North Dakota Gov Doug Burgum and Sen Marco Rubio Trump has emphasized his desire for a vice president with experience and a calm demeanor He mentioned waiting to see the public’s reaction to Biden’s debate performance before making a final announcement
as the third plenum and is held roughly once every five years played a critical role in China s reform and opening-up that started in 1978 and underpinned China s economic miracle over the past four decades or so This year s session is expected to focus on further deepening reform and expanding high-level opening-up in order to promote high-
quality development and advance Chinese modernization, experts said Given China’s increasingly important role on the global stage as the biggest contributor to global growth the third plenum has also drawn widespread attention from around the world as many are looking to major reform measures in the world s second-largest economy that could create greater opportunities Coming as the world is faced with rising geo-economic tension the third plenum will offer a sense of continuity and certainty as it will highlight China s unwavering commitment to reform and opening-up, even as some advanced economies have turned inward and become protectionist, experts noted While there was not much information about the closed-door meeting on Monday recent top meetings have offered a window into the top agenda of the session Among the top items on the agenda, top Party officials will deliberate on a draft of The CPC Central Committee’s Decision on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Advancing Chinese Modernization according to a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held on June 27, where the date for the third plenary ses-
sion was announced, Xinhua reported In the draft, the new situation and new problems faced in advancing Chinese modernization were thoroughly analyzed, the overall arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reform centering around advancing Chinese modernization were scientifically planned and the draft will serve as a guiding document for further comprehensively deepening reform on the new journey, according to the Political Bureau meeting A communique is expected to be released after the conclusion of the session For example the communique of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee in 2013 stated that we must pay more attention to implementing systematic, integrated and coordinated reforms, promoting the development of a socialist market economy democratic politics advanced culture a harmonious society and ecological progress
The communique of the Third Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee in 2018 said that the plenary session reviewed and adopted a decision by the CPC Central Committee on deepening reform of Party and state institutions as well as a plan for the reform which is a profound evolution in modernizing China s system and capacity for governance
Economists and experts said that in line with decades of tradition, the ongoing third plenary session will focus on mapping out new reform measures that are aimed at further improving governance efficiency promoting high-quality development and advancing Chinese modernization while coping with new domestic and global situations
Zhang Yansheng, chief researcher of China Center for International Economic Exchanges said that the third plenum will focus on three key themes: Chinese modernization new quality productive forces and high-quality development Highquality development is an unyielding principle in the new era, as well as a key theme and main task of comprehensively building China into a great modern socialist country ” Zhang told media on Monday noting that the key themes of China s high-quality development are innovation coordination green openness and sharing In line with recent top policy documents, the third plenum is expected to roll out major reform measures, so as to continue improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and modernize China s system and capacity for governance the overarching goal of further comprehensively deepening reform, experts said
CORPORATE CORNER
Ashura teaches sacrifices for big causes, says Aleem Khan
I S L A M A B A D: President Istehkam-e- Pakistan Party & Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has said in his message on Ashura that the martyrdom of Shahudia-e-Imam Hussain (RA) is a great and universal lesson for the Muslim Ummah He added that Hazrat Imam Hussain (R A) stops us to bow before falsehood and gives courage to speak the truth in any ways Abdul Aleem Khan said that the grandson of the Prophet (PBUH) created the history of courage and bravery in Karbala which humanity will always be proud of because he is a torchbearer for everyone Abdul Aleem Khan further said that “Ashura” teaches us that great sacrifices have to be made for great purposes and we have to pledge mutual unity interfaith harmony and brotherhood on this day President IPP Abdul Aleem Khan prayed that Allah Almighty may give us the opportunity to follow the teachings of Imam Hussain (R A) in real sense and this day of 10th Muharram has great significance in this regard PR
IIUI president ends nepotism, promotes merit: spokesperson
International Islamic University (IIUI)
