PM ORDERS SPEEDY IMPLEMENTATION OF BIL ATERAL AGREEMENTS WITH CHINA
– directs early completion of Islamabad Technology Park
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T Prime
Nawaz distances himself from govt; condemns power price hike
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former prime minister Nawaz
on Saturday distanced himself from PM Shehbaz decisions and condemned his own party s government s recent hike in electricity prices, labelling it a significant burden on all citizens not just the poor Speaking at a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister s House in Lahore chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday, Sharif stressed that the country is being poorly managed, resulting in severe economic hardships Nawaz Sharif criticised the rising electricity bills noting that they have become unaffordable for many Pakistanis He recalled that
during his tenure, load shedding was eliminated, and electricity rates were kept under control, with lower bills and a stable dollar rate until 2017 He lamented that the situation has deteriorated since 2018 severely impacting the poor Sharif also highlighted the government s failure to handle the International Monetary Fund (IMF) negotiations effectively, pointing out that his administration had previously sent the IMF packing only for it to be invited back by subsequent leaders He called for immediate relief measures to alleviate the public’s suffering Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz echoed Sharif ’s sentiments emphasising the detrimental impact of rising flour and electricity prices on the economy She announced plans to expand the solar panel financing scheme,
which aims to provide free or loanbased solar systems to the public
The scheme, known as the Roshan Gharana, is expected to launch by 14 August with a detailed plan requested from the relevant departments The Punjab Energy Department presented proposals for providing solar systems to the public at no cost or on loan Secretary of Energy Naeem Rauf briefed the attendees on the Chief Minister s Solar Panel Financing Scheme noting that test runs have commenced at various locations to monitor performance
The meeting concluded with Nawaz Sharif urging swift implementation of the Roshan Gharana scheme to provide maximum relief to the public underscoring the importance of immediate action in response to the economic crisis
to dissolve KP Assembly and resign from other assemblies is crucial for holding transparent elections He further called for parliamentary and local body elections to be held simultaneously and suggested the abolition of the caretaker setup Addressing the current political instability Rehman criticised the economic policies and the high electricity bills that have burdened the public He urged decision-makers to prioritise the welfare of the people and ensure fair elections for political stability Rehman also condemned the establishment’s role in perpetuating political instability and called for a change in their approach He warned that the country s current path could lead to further division and emphasised the need for responsible governance In addition to political remarks, Rehman announced a series of public peace conventions, including a nationwide black day on August 5 to protest India’s actions in Kashmir a farmer ’s convention in Mardan on August 10 a trader s convention in Peshawar on August 11 and a peace convention in Lakki Marwat on August 18 He stressed that peace and political stability are essential for economic progress and warned against any further political adventures or martial law
‘PTI reser ved seats’: CJP dissents as SC ’s body decides to hear review pleas af ter summer break
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
The Supreme Court Practice and Procedures Committee on Saturday decided to schedule the review petitions regarding reserved seats after summer break despite insistence by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa for early hearing
The development at the 17th meeting of the Supreme Court Practice and Procedures Committee held here with CJP Justice Qazi Faez Isa During the meeting, the CJP highlighted the constitutional right to a timely hearing stressing the importance of promptly scheduling review petitions regarding reserved seats
He argued that judges should prioritise constitutional duties over per-
sonal convenience, stating that delaying the hearing would be unjust
He emphasised that the right to review is enshrined in the Constitution and should not be hindered by judges vacations Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Muneeb Akhtar, however, contended that only the 13 judges who originally heard the case could conduct the review noting that many judges are currently on summer break or abroad They suggested that the review petitions be scheduled after the holidays Justice Isa opposed this majority decision insisting that the hearings should proceed immediately even if it meant cancelling the summer break
He cited the urgency stipulated
in the Practice and Procedure Act, which requires review petitions to be scheduled within 15 days Justice Muneeb Akhtar pointed out that judicial rules allow for vacation periods, and once announced, they cannot be easily revoked
He added that the new judicial year starts in the second week of September making it challenging to accommodate the review petitions immediately He argued that awaiting a detailed decision while postponing the review hearings would strip individuals of their rights and undermine the law
The committee ultimately decided by a 2-1 majority to schedule the review petitions post-holidays, despite Justice Isa s dissent
g
N I S TA N S ET T O A N N O U N C E
A I LWAY P R O J E C T A LO N G TA P I R O U T E
OFIT n e w S D e S k
In a significant ruling, the Competition Appellate Tribunal has dismissed the appeals filed by Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Lahore and Wateen Telecom (Pvt) Limited upholding the Competition Commission of Pakistan s (CCP) decision to impose penalties for engaging in prohibited agreements that restricted consumer choice The Competition Appellate Tribunal has maintained the penalties levied by
on DHA Lahore and Wateen Telecom DHA Lahore was fined PKR 10 million and Wateen
PKR 5 million for entering into an exclusive arrangement of limiting the provision of telecommunication and media services within DHA Lahore to Wateen Telecom alone The proceedings were initiated following numerous complaints from DHA Lahore residents about the lack of choice in service providers other than Wateen Telecom and the unsatisfactory quality of services offered Investigations by the CCP revealed an exclusive arrangement between DHA Lahore and Wateen Telecom granting the latter sole rights to provide telecommunication and media services in certain phases of DHA The exclusive agreement between DHA Lahore and Wateen Telecom was found to be in contravention of Section 4 of the Competition Act 2010 Consequently, the CCP, vide its order dated 22 March 2011, imposed penalties of PKR 10 million on DHA and PKR 5 million on Wateen The provisions of the agreement granting Wateen exclusive rights including the right of way and soil digging permissions, were declared void and without legal effect
Both DHA Lahore and Wateen Telecom appealed the CCP’s decision before the Competition Appellate Tribunal Islamabad After extensive hearings the Tribunal dismissed both appeals, affirming the CCP s findings and penalties
E R R O R I S T, ’
R G E S G LO B A L C O M M U N I T Y T O F O L LO W S U I T
PIO Mubasher Hassan’s
away, laid to rest in Peshawar
Punjab CM appreciates Ashura securit y arrangements
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has appreciated all ministers, cabinet committee on law & order commissioners deputy commissioners RPOs and DPOs for making best administrative and security arrangements on Ashura
The CM chairing a video link meeting here on Saturday appreciated them all by their names one by one My team made me proud by making great arrangements On behalf of Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, I congratulate everyone,” she said Inspector General Police Home Secretary and other relevant officers also participated in the meeting
Maryam Nawaz praised Sabil on Wheels for mourners and commended the first-ever provision of Niaz at government level She said, Before Ashura, provincial ministers personally met and took on board scholars of different schools of thought to ensure peace and harmony on the day She added that law and order was ensured by following security instructions
She said that ministers officers and police remained in the field day in and day out adding that drone monitoring of large processions had been very beneficial She directed immediate arrest of those responsible for the incident in Sheikhupura
Maryam Nawaz said that security arrangements without shutting down mobile phone and Internet
services was a huge success adding that traffic managements across Punjab were also satisfactory
During Muharram there was an excellent display of cooperation between police and other institutions she acknowledge Despite long queues at Sabils , discipline was exemplary, with people patiently waiting for their turn
The sprinkling of rose water on Muharram processions was a good practice and cleaning the routes with electric speed after the processions was also very commendable she mentioned
The Chief Minister highlighted that the administration and police in all districts worked with interest to meet the challenge She said the Shia scholars expressed their gratitude for the arrangements She added success in every task is due to team efforts She acknowledged that ministers cabinet committee Home Secretary IG Commissioners
Bannu attack
THERE were all sorts of symbolism involved in the Bannu firing, in which at least one person was killed in firing upon a rally It was a peace march which was fired upon as if to show how ordinary people were at risk when all they wanted was a peaceful life The peace march was sponsored by the local shopkeepers, as if to show that the ordinary citizen who wanted only to get on with his life needs peace to be able to pursue a livelihood More dangerously, the firing took place when the march was making an unscheduled turn towards Bannu Cantonment, as if to symbolise the uneasy relationship between the people and their defenders More powerfully the firing came out of apparently nowhere, genuinely terrorising the marchers, not symbolising it, showing how terrorists have cowed the ordinary citizen and how it is the government’s responsibility to provide the security of person and property that will lead to a more peaceable atmosphere, where people can gwet on with their lives
So far it seems that the administration has made no effective response Sacking a few officials will achieve nothing in the face of an implacable enemy Bannu is almost at the epicentre of the unrest which has taken hold of KP and the civil division includes one of the old Waziristan tribal areas It has been subjected to more than one terrorist attack, and Bannu Cantonment itself was subjected to an attack on Monday morning in which eight soldiers were martyred The ISPR is on record as saying that the attack was carried vout by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which operates from havens in Afghanistan
Under these circumstances arguing against Azm-iIstehkam seems not just churlish but wrongheaded
The PTI provincial government may wish to avoid any sort of operation because it might involve uncovering secrets it would prefer were left uncovered The military may prefer the operation not taking place, because after all, its personnel will risk their lives in its course and the federal government has got similar objections However, the problem will not go away if it is ignored The nettle will have to be grasped, no matter what the cost The Bannu marchers had it right; the region needs peace The rest of the country needs to support that because it is their problem too The terror, the violence, the deaths will not remain limited to that region, but will engulf the whole country if not stemmed now
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Keeping up the good work
PAKISTAN believes in having and maintaining cordial relations with all countries around the globe and in particular brotherly ties with the Islamic countries in furtherance of he foreign policy as spelt out by the Quaid-i-Azam For sometime now Pakistan has been endeavouring to promote and strengthen fraternal brotherly ties with all countries particularly neighbouring countries and members of the Islamic Ummah
Prime Minister Muhammd Shhbaz Sharif has been quite active in this and has been visiting friendly countries to further strengthen and promote bilateral brotherly friendly relations with the Islamic countries in particular and also for enhancing trade investment and collaborations in different sectors for boosting and streamlining the national economy
THe PM has recently paid three days' visit to two Islamic countries one after the other First he pid two days visit to Dushanbe ,Tajikistan, and from there he along with his delegation flew to Astana Kazakhstan for one day The visit to Tajikistan was in furtherance of his commitment to further cement existing brotherly friendly relations and explore possibilities for enhancing Tajikistan s cooperation in different sectors
PM Shehbaz Sharif and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon reviewed bilateral relations in detail and then addressed a news conference jointly to say what they had discussed Both expressed satisfaction over c the existing fraternal ties and reaffirmed to continue making joint efforts for further strengthening Pak-Tajik relations reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the existing fraternal ties between the two brother countries which were based on a shared history, culture, geographical contiguity and common faith The PM told
the Tajik President that there was vast potential in Pakistan for foreign investment in energy, mining,industry, agriculture and other sectors and emphatically stressed that Tajikistan should explore these opportunities on priority basis for mutual benefits On his part the Tajik President duly underscored the existing cordial relations between the two countries Both leaders also discussed ways and means for further strengthening the cooperation in various fields and improving regional connectivity and linkages between their people The PM apprised the host President about the continuosly deteriorating human rights situation in Indian-Occupied Kashmir and concerted efforts being made to change the demographic structure They also expressed their deep concern over the ongoing situation in Gaza and urged the international community to redouble their efforts for ending the violence which has already caused killings of thousands of Palestinians including women and children Both the leaders also witnessed signing of several agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in Aviation Diplomacy Education Sports People to People Linkages Industrali Cooperation Tourism among others Hopefully, these will materialise as soon as soon possible through concerted efforts in Islamabad and Dushanbe by all those responsible and concerned so that the fruits of these start reaching the people Relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan will also be further promoted and strengthened mainly due to the PM s personal efforts in boosting Islamabad s relations with more and more foreign friendly countries and attracting maximum possible foreign investment and collaborations in different sectors After a two-day visit to Tajikistan, the PM along with his delegation flew to Kazakhstan on a one-day visit to Astana to attend the 24th Summit of the Council of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Pakistan is a member of the SCO which was formed in April 1996 as a strategic partner of the United Nations on the issue relating to political affairs, peace , besides China, Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Russia Uzbekistan India Iran and Belarus being the latest addition with Turkiye Azerbaijan Egypt Qatar Saudi Arabia Kuwait United Arab Emirates (UAE) among others as the dialogue partners Addressing the elite gathering, the PM availed the opportunity to categorically reaffirm Pakistan s commitment to SCO objectives of peace and prosperity and emphatically urged the member states to make collective efforts against terrorism and for poverty alleviation dispute resolution making a pointed reference to the ongoing Israeli barbarism in
The quite frequent bilateral visits of the civil and military leadership quite obviously aimed at boosting and strengthening existing cordial relations with friendly countries including those located in the Central Asia Region and exploring trade, investment and collaborations opportunities and inviting prospective investors and businessmen from these countries to Pakistan for exploring the vast investment and trade opportunities as collaborator and partnerships
Palestine firmly assured that his country will continue working to strengthen SCO as an active and integrated regional forum for achieving the common objectives of peace and prosperity Terming terrorism as a major concern for the member states he made a pointed reference to Pakistan and called for meaningful engagement with the Afghan Interim Government from where terrorists were targeting his
Questioning UN's credibilit y
Hity education to the masses and major universities in Balochistan are confronted with serious financial crises
to higher education institutions, but diminishes the hope of stability and brings a new struggle In the light of the 18th Amendment the provinces are delegated with the autonomy to have control over their education and health However, Balochistan has failed to establish a provincial higher education commission It is evident from the budget allocation of the province to the public universities that higher education has remained the least priority in the realm of provincial authorities As an effect this has led to several challenges in providing qual-
Founded in 1970, the University of Balochistan is the oldest university in the province It has remained a torch bearer in providing higher education Currently it is mired in recurring crises and education has taken a back seat Over the months, these crises have perpetuated to the level that the university was unable to provide salaries to its employees The faculty members and academic and administration staff have been protesting for their salaries for the past four months and boycotted the academic activities within the university The Irony is that when the authorities go to HEC, it is usually claimed that the provincial government is responsible for allocating funds and the latter claims that they don’t have funds So, the funds do not trickle down from either side perpetuating the crisis further In the past despite being a young university BUITEMS has played a significant role in producing employable graduates in the fields of IT, management, and engineering It has maintained the standard comparable to other renowned institutions in Pakistan But in the past two years this university has also had a serious crisis and its staff has not been paid salaries for months Moreover after numerous strikes by the faculty and administrative staff, they are paid with their basic pay only for sev-
i t i e s t o c o n s i d e r t h i s i s s u e a n d d e v i s e e f f e c t i v e s t r a t e g i e s I n t h e s h o r t r u n , t h e a u t h o r i t i e s s h o u l d a l l o c a t e m o r e f u n d s t o t h e s e i n s t i t u t i o n s a s
eral months All these things accumulate and have deleterious effects on the provision of quality education In the midst of all these crises it is near to impossible that qualified people will come to teach On the other hand the existing faculty will also look for better opportunities that will lead to brain drain both from the province and country There were high hopes from the provincial budget for 2024-2025 that sufficient funds would be allocated to universities in Balochistan However the allocated amount of Rs 5 billion in the budget for 11 universities of the province and Rs 2 billion for institutions faced with severe financial crisis is inadequate to meet their financial requirements It is important to note that the annual salaries of the University of Balochistan and BUITEMS are approximately Rs 5 billion Nonetheless, a surplus budget has been presented by the province claiming that the allocation of HEIs has doubled from the previous year This amount is hardly enough to finance expenses for a few months thus financial woes would continue to affect higher education in the province Sub-campuses of the universities, which have been established for vested political interests have proven to be ineffective and exacerbate the financial crisis as the enrollment rates in such campuses are so low that the cost exceeds the benefits In areas where these campuses have been established, students have easy access to the main campuses of the universities Therefore, establishing new campuses should be stopped immediately and the existing universities should be prioritized As an effect of these continuous crises talented scholars and researchers are forced to leave due to financial restraints and limited career advancement It s the need of the hour for the provincial authorities to consider this issue and devise effective strategies In the short run, the authorities should allocate more funds to these institutions as an immediate response to their crises There should be a proper mechanism for designing the endowment fund structure to
MoMMen Khan
MuhaMMad Zahid Rifat
China's phenomenal journey of economic reform
China
becomes part of the world
CHINA S 45-year journey of reform and opening-up stands as a testament to its unique economic development strategy Over these decades, ChVVhis dedication promises to spur high-quality domestic economic growth and bolster trade cooperation with countries including the USA The tangible success of China s reform agenda underscores its significant role in global economic governance China s robust economic expansion, initiated in 1978 with a shift from state-led development to marketization and its subsequent entry into the World Trade Organization highlight the efficacy of broadening economic choices By embracing both internal and external trade, China has demonstrated that diversification and openness are key to sustained economic success This strategic approach continues to yield dividends reinforcing China's position as a cornerstone of global economic progress This strategy has proven to be a winning formula reinforcing the notion that economic openness is a cornerstone of sustained growth and global stability The consistent impact of China's reform agenda is evident in the stability it brings to global economic governance Over the past 45 years China has transformed its economic landscape through reform and opening-up The journey began with a shift from a resource mobilization-focused infrastructure system to a consumption-driven economy, centered on processing and manufacturing By leveraging these resources China harnessed two critical engines of economic development - productivity and consump-
tion This dual focus has been instrumental in propelling China s economic ascent Since the inception of reform and opening-up China s economy has witnessed substantial growth This journey began by unlocking the productivity potential of rural areas, eventually expanding to urban centres and integrating foreign trade resources This strategic evolution has not only spurred domestic economic momentum but also positioned China as a central player in the global economy China s strategic transition facilitated a dynamic and adaptable economy, capable of sustaining growth amidst global economic fluctuations The ability to mobilize resources efficiently and expand consumer markets has positioned China as a formidable player in the global economic arena This shift towards a consumption-driven model has effectively mobilized China s economic forces This remarkable trajectory reflects the dynamic nature of China's economic policy and its ability to adapt to changing global landscapes In an era marked by unprecedented global changes China has embraced a series of comprehensive measures to invigorate institutional vitality, enterprise dynamism and social creativity In 1978, China s trade volume was a modest $20 64 billion representing just 0 77 percent of global trade Today China stands as the world s largest trading nation and the leading
export market for over 70 countries and regions This transformation underscores China s pivotal role in the global economy and its continuous journey toward modernization and prosperity In the past two decades, China's economic growth has been nothing short of extraordinary From 2012 to 2021 China's GDP surged from 53 9 trillion yuan (approximately $7 61 trillion) to an impressive 114 4 trillion yuan Averaging an annual growth rate of 6 6 percent from 2013 to 2021, China outpaced the global average of 2 6 percent According to World Bank data, China s contribution to global economic growth during this period was a remarkable 38 6 percent surpassing the combined contribution of the Group of Seven countries By the end of 2023, China boasted an impressive 184 million registered business entities, with over 53 million private enterprises From 2012 to 2023 China's total R&D investment soared from 1 03 trillion yuan ($141 7 billion) to a remarkable 3 3 trillion yuan This investment now accounts for 2 64 percent of the country s GDP, surpassing the European Union's average These efforts have significantly advanced China's status as an innovative country, showcasing remarkable results in technological and scientific development This surge in business activity and research investment underscores China s
commitment to fostering a vibrant economic environment
By promoting deep reform and highlevel opening-up, China has contributed its unique insights and solutions to global economic cooperation The Chinese path to modernization focused on robust economic growth and effective policy execution has delivered extraordinary results China s governance system and development model highlight the remarkable potential the nation possesses as it pursues its development and modernization goals A key element of China's modernization strategy is its commitment to high-standard opening-up This approach is epitomized by initiatives like the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the China International Import Expo These events underscore China's deepening integration with the global community and its dedication to fostering mutual economic interests China's increasing investment in global development and cooperation reflects its proactive role in shaping a more interconnected world This strategic approach not only bolsters China s own development but also enhances global economic stability This rapid economic expansion has coincided with significant strides in poverty alleviation Between 2012 and 2021 China s impoverished population defined as individuals living on less than $1 per day decreased by 147 million, accounting for 84 5 percent of the total reduction in poverty across East Asia A pivotal factor in China's economic success has been foreign direct investment (FDI) which has fueled innovation and technological advancements The establishment of four Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in 1980 - Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, and Xiamen - played a crucial role in this process These SEZs - which have now been increased to seven - with their favourable policies including tax incentives and reduced regulations attracted substantial foreign investment and guided national economic development Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have significantly bolstered China's economic landscape, contributing 22% of China's GDP and accounting for 45% of total foreign direct investment They have also been pivotal in driving exports making up 60% of the country s total SEZs are credited with creating over 30 million jobs, increasing farmers' incomes by 30%, and accelerating the
The aw ful plan to turn Gaza into the next Dubai
processes of industrialization agricultural modernization and urbanization In addition to 7 SE Zs China has also established 21 Free Trade Zones (FTZs) and a network of Free Trade Ports (FTPs), which are also making huge impact on
The S urgeon General says social media is like tobacco. He’s completely wrong.
barrels of oil sit in the Strip s coastal area), preemptive greenwashing (there’s talk of “electric car manufacturing cities”), and total fealty to the technology and real estate industries to shape the land The proposal was accompanied by AI-generated images showing hyper-modern skyscrapers offshore oil rigs solar energy fields and other details that evoke a generic technocratic vision of urban progress In order to complete the plan by 2035, Netanyahu proposes that after 12 months spent “freeing” the region of Hamas, Gaza will be put under the patronizing supervision of Bahrain Jordan Saudi Arabia and Morocco before returning it to Palestinians (if there are any left) under a vague self-rule that does not include a path to statehood To call this plan, set to be carried out in the immediate aftermath of unimaginable suffering, anything but a naked land grab a bloodthirsty colonial vision if ever there was one is to mince words A curious part of Gaza 2035 is Netanyahu’s plan to connect Gaza via high-speed rail to NEOM the $1 5 trillion speculative city that Saudi Arabia is building on the back its own much-less-publicized ethnic cleansing campaign, in which the Howeitat tribe has been forced off its land under threat of imprisonment Pandering to NEOM a project to which some of the world’s most prestigious architecture firms have pledged their labor is part of Netanyahu’s attempt to piggyback on the type of culture-washing that Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have engaged in with arguable success When presented with the opportunity to design high-budget buildings, architects are all too happy to serve such problematic petro-governments, despite their field’s alleged devotion to sustainability and democracy For Netanyahu’s purposes NEOM serves as a model of how to use spectacle to distract from ethnic cleansing The only problem: NEOM is a pipe dream In
by
line construction has been shrunk to a meager 2 4 kilometers While it’s true that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continues to dump funds into other infrastructure projects along the Red Sea the extravaganza touted in design magazines for the past few years seems unlikely to materialize Gaza 2035 and NEOM have more in common than underlying violence, colonial ambition, and a hypothetical high-speed railway They both exemplify how architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms make easy cash off new-money regimes Recently the AEC conglomerate AECOM published a job listing for a design manager to coordinate a USAID project to build water infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza (presumably to be commenced after Israel razes every single building in Gaza to the ground) This isn’t the first time AECOM has shown an interest in Gaza In 2017, it helped develop a paternalistic master plan called “Connected Gaza ” a series of modernization projects involving the flow of goods and services through new roads and offshore ports While the company was careful to use the word Palestine and invoke historical complexity in its rhetoric, the plan read like the bog-standard vision of an AEC firm: technocratic, frictionless, top-down, and curiously apolitical It’s not surprising that AECOM is taking work in Gaza despite the political situation It specializes in the boring parts of architecture groundwater and geological monitoring and feasibility studies that walk so that the glittery skyscrapers can run Plus the reduction in capacity at NEOM (for which AECOM is slated to work on an airport, among other large projects) means it already has a workplace in the region
Some may wonder why firms sign on to such speculative projects Isn t it a waste of work and talent since these things may never get built? During the past 40-odd years, AEC projects have mushroomed in newer, cash-flush countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain places desperate to strut their new power and develop tourism and culture sectors to diversify from oil while the oil money is still in their hands Because most architecture firms bill by the hour, they can rake in enormous fees for design development: the renderings proposals and formal explorations that precede the commitment to actually building something When projects are so vast complex, and unfeasible that the design development phase is effectively interminable, they come with far less risk than actually committing to a physical structure which exposes the firm to legal liability In megaprojects like NEOM that are unlikely to come to fruition firms can futz around and rake in cash for as long as the vision stays alive And when the vision dies, there’s always another leader dreaming of a city of glass and steel
Who doesn t love getting paid often quite a lot judging by the job listings to dream? Considering the soulless, de-skilled, highly stratified field that architecture has become these jobs are alluring for a reason And after all is it not true that architecture can help make a rotten world better? Beyond the veneer of glitzy, fake eco-cities, AEC firms and individual architects alike often see things like infrastructure as being necessary and unspectacular an inherent common good But no project undertaken in the wake of ethnic cleansing, such as in Gaza, is neutral As I
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy made headlines last year after he issued an advisory about social media and youth mental health In a New York Times op-ed published in June 2024 he declared that it is time to require a surgeon general s warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents ” This is just the latest volley in the surgeon general’s fight against the youth mental health crisis which he has called the defining public health issue of our time By proposing a surgeon general s warning label akin to those on tobacco products Murthy is implying parallels between Big Tech and Big Tobacco Both are multibillion-dollar industries where profits are prioritized over people’s well-being and where vulnerable and impressionable youth are seen as key targets for gaining market share and potentially lifelong customers I teach an undergrad course on technology use and adolescence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and I frequently give talks to the general public about social media and youth mental health A big part of my job is thinking about how to distill a complex and constantly updating field of research into accurate yet accessible takehome messages and I think the analogy between Big Tobacco and Big Tech is the wrong one to make Such an analogy is misleading about the effects of social media Tobacco is clearly and definitively harmful The research on social media is more ambiguous and complicated While some youth are harmed by it like those who are cyberbullied or using social media so excessively that it is disrupting their schoolwork or sleep others benefit from or even thrive on it The surgeon general s advisory even has a whole section on the potential benefits of social media use like increased feelings of social connection and online social support, especially for youth with marginalized identities who may struggle to find in-person support Simply warning that social media use is associated with harm flattens a complex reality without offering specific solutions The relationship between food and health is extremely complex and we intuitively understand that such complexity exists My preferred analogy when discussing social media and mental health is not tobacco it s food Big Food is also a multibillion-dollar industry that puts profits over health and hopes to turn youth into long-term customers through marketing and careful product design But the relationship between food and health is extremely complex and we intuitively understand that such complexity exists For starters we do not argue about whether food is good or bad We recognize that some foods are healthier than others, some are OK in moderation, and others should be avoided at all costs Similarly, some social media behaviors are clearly beneficial (making meaningful connections with peers) some should be more carefully monitored (comparing yourself to others that you see online) and others should be banned outright (view-
ing or creating content advocating for self-harm or problematic eating behaviors) Furthermore we know that individual characteristics may determine what is healthy for someone to consume People with a family history of heart disease may need to be extra careful about what they eat, and many parents try
S heila Jackson Lee, head of Pakistan c auc us in US Congress, dies at 74 T R U M P T O H O L D F I R S T R A L LY S I N C E A S S A S S I N AT I O N AT T E M P T
Chinese FM urges US to stop misleading world with lies following deception doctrine release
CORPORATE CORNER
CDA Chairman
I
Abdul Haq Imrani, Law Officer, Safe City IT Staff and officers from the Recruitment Board During these meetings, IGP Islamabad reviewed efforts to enhance overall efficiency within Safe City discussed the recruitment of new staff and deliberated on providing modern facilities He directed senior police officers to expedite the recruitment process for Safe City staff promptly and with complete transparency IG Islamabad emphasized that all recruitment procedures should uphold transparency and merit ensuring that educated youth are integrated into Safe City Islamabad PR
Mar yam Nawaz striving for a prosperous, roshan, and progressive Punjab: A zma
LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari said that CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif s mission is to ensure a prosperous, roshan, and progressive Punjab If anyone wants to compete with Maryam Nawaz Sharif, they should do so on the basis of performance No one can match PTI in verbosity unrealistic promises and empty philosophies Instead of worrying about Maryam Nawaz Sharif s government the PTI group causing unrest should care for themselves The incumbent government will complete its five-year term and will set Pakistan on the path to progress, development and prosperity The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been duped for the last 11 years under the guise of a tsunami change and Naya Pakistan The Provincial Minister said that education health infrastructure and employment have never been PTI s priorities The anarchist group s performance is only limited to making baseless propaganda and using abusive language There is no place in Pakistani politics for the rioters and terrorists of May 9 Pakistan cannot afford disorder destruction abusive language and chaos The existence of a party that has become a threat to Pakistan s integrity and sovereignty is intolerable PR
COMPETITION TRIBUNAL AFFIRMS PENALT Y ON PAINTS COMPANY FOR PRICE FIXING TACTICS
Smoking remains a prevalent issue, with over eight million deaths occurring annually among the 1 3 billion smokers worldwide Alarmingly 80% of smokers reside in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) including Pakistan where the burden of smoking-related diseases further strains already fragile healthcare systems Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) presents a compelling opportunity to address the global smoking epidemic This approach offers a pragmatic pathway for hundreds of millions of people who might want to continue smoking Countries that have embraced THR policies have witnessed remarkable success Japan the
United States, and the United Kingdom are currently at their lowest smoking rates ever recorded, while Sweden is set to achieve a smokefree status 16 years ahead of the European Union s 2040 target These transformations have been driven by widespread THR acceptance from policymakers, regulators, and health officials To fully realize the public health potential of THR products such as vapes and oral nicotine pouches countries should work towards harmonizing regulations for THR products, ensuring accessibility while maintaining strict standards Governments and health organizations should invest in public awareness campaigns to
educate consumers about the reduced risks of alternatives Collaborative efforts can drive the development and implementation of effective strategies High-income countries should support LMICs in adopting THR strategies by sharing best practices, providing technical assistance, and facilitating access to smokeless products In Pakistan implementing THR can significantly reduce smoking rates Policymakers can learn from global harm reduction initiatives and adapt them to the local context The solutions are available today, and with concerted efforts the well-being of millions of smokers in Pakistan and worldwide can be safeguarded
ISLAMABAD
The Pakistan Meteorological Department on Saturday forecast rain in various parts of the country over the next 24 hours It stated that scattered rain, windstorms and thundershowers were predicted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa central/southern Punjab Sindh northeast/south Balochistan Islamabad Kashmir GilgitBaltistan and the Pothohar region
Heavyfalls are likely in isolated places in south Punjab, northeast Balochistan and southeast/upper Sindh during the period, the report said
According to the synoptic situation, light to moderate monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea were penetrating central/southern parts of the country On the other hand a westerly wave was affecting the upper parts of the country
During the last 24 hours, rain-windstorms/thundershowers were reported in upper KP, Sindh, Punjab and northeast Balochistan while hot and humid weather prevailed in other parts of the country
The highest rainfall was recorded in KP’s Parachinar (63 millimeters) followed by Mirkhani (12mm) Dir (10mm) Drosh (6mm) Kalam (2mm) and Balakot (1mm)
In Sindh Tando Jam recorded 34mm of rainfall Hyderabad (Airport 24mm, City 19mm), Badin (17mm), Thatta (15mm), Mirpurkhas (9mm) and Karachi (University Road 15mm, Hasan Square 7mm) Khanewal
(22mm) received the highest rainfall in Punjab Urban flooding feared Earlier the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said flash floods and urban flooding were feared in many parts of the country due to heavy rainfall, which could lead to urban flooding and increased water levels in local nullahs Likewise Met Office Director General Mehar Sahibzada Khan said the spell would continue till July 21 and asked the public to take precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incident during the rain spell He said all four provinces, as well as the AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) regions, would experience a new spell of rain Landslides may disrupt roads in the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Murree Galiyat Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during the spell he added
ICJ RULES OCCUPATION OF PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES ‘ILLEGAL’
Pakistan to take legal action against banned TTP leader Noor Wali
Mehsud
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to take strict legal action against Noor Wali Mehsud the leader of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) On Friday, an alleged audio leak of Noor Wali, the head of the TTP in Afghanistan, was revealed, in which he was giving instructions for terrorism in Pakistan In the secret call recording, Noor Wali instructed Ahmed Hussain to blow up hospitals government properties and schools According to the reports the concerned
‘Inhumane Conditions ’: Bushra Bibi fears for Imran K han’s life
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Bushra Bibi the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan expressed grave concerns about her husband s safety in Adiala Jail
Speaking informally to journalists at the prison on Saturday, she revealed fears for her own life as well
Bushra Bibi stated that Imran Khan s life is in danger mentioning past incidents where he was allegedly poisoned and shot at She added that their legal request to investigate the poisoning has not been addressed by the court yet
Describing conditions in the jail Bushra Bibi alleged that Imran Khan was kept in unsanitary con-
Khan
rules
ditions and given contaminated food to eat
She mentioned that during their meeting in Attock Jail Khan appeared emaciated and had to pick insects from his hair throughout the night
Bushra Bibi also criticised the treatment of political prisoners compared to convicted criminals She highlighted that other prisoners received VIP treatment while Khan struggled without basic amenities
During the conversation, a journalist questioned Bushra Bibi about claims of adding toilet cleaner to food and her accusations against the authorities She responded firmly asserting that these claims are true despite lacking
physical evidence Imran Khan intervened briefly cautioning his wife about the limitations of the media which led to a brief protest from the attending journalists
Khan attempted to stop Bushra Bibi from speaking, stating, “Censored media won’t broadcast your words ” This remark prompted the journalists to protest asserting that all his statements are aired
The session ended with Bushra Bibi emphasising her and Imran Khan s willingness to swear an oath that the charges against them are fabricated
Despite Khan’s concerns Bushra Bibi insisted on sharing her story with the media
out possibility of
talks
with
PPP on no - confidence motion
to democracy
Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan on Saturday categorically ruled out any possibility of discussions with the Pakistan People s Party (PPP) regarding a no-confidence motion Both the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) are the two sides of the same coin and are the product of manipulated electoral processes ex-premier Imran Khan asserted while expressing his unwavering stance During an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail on Saturday, he criticised the current political climate describing it as detrimental
He highlighted the restrictions placed on his party stating that key leaders including the chairman and vice chairman were already imprisoned yet the government still threatened further bans on the party He condemned this as an attack on democratic principles Addressing the conditions in Adiala Jail Khan detailed the harsh treatment he faced including unsanitary conditions and inadequate food
He called for an investigation into the alleged poisoning and mistreatment during his imprisonment Khan also voiced his strong condemnation of the Bannu incident where he claimed the military fired
on unarmed civilians during a peace march He demanded a judicial inquiry to ensure accountability On the economic front Khan criticised the government s fiscal policies questioning the increase in the presidential budget and accusing the ruling elite of burdening the public while avoiding personal sacrifices He emphasised that transparent elections and economic reforms were essential for Pakistan s recovery from its current crisis Khan dismissed allegations related to his involvement in dissolving assemblies, stating that actions were taken in response to foreign interference specifically referencing Donald Lu s statement
