PAKISTAN SUMMONS GERMAN ENVOY TO PROTEST ‘ATTACK ON FRANKFURT CONSUL ATE’
g DAR URGES GERMAN GOVT TO ARREST, AND PROSECUTE THOSE INVOLVED IN ATTACK, RESPONSIBLE FOR LAPSES IN SECURITY
German government and urge them to take immediate measures to fulfill their responsibilities under the Vienna Conventions,” the Foreign Office declared A video of the incident showing Afghan nationals storming the consulate and reportedly attempting to burn the Pakistani flag went viral on the internet The FO statement issued on Sunday condemned the attack, saying: In yesterday’s incident, the security of Pak-
istan s consulate in Frankfurt was breached endangering the lives of its consular staff We are conveying our strong protest to the German government,” it added, urging Berlin to take “immediate measures” to ensure the security of Pakistani diplomatic missions and staff in the country It also urged the local government to take immediate measures to arrest and prosecute those involved in yesterday s incident and hold to account those responsible for the lapses in security” It is to be noted the first time a section of Afghan nationals has exhibited hostility towards Pakistan at neutral venue In 2019, Pakistan s victory over Afghanistan at the Asia Cup in Sharjah was marred by clashes between the two sets of fans Pakistan lodges strong protest with German over yesterday s incident: DPM Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad
Gov’t deter mined to provide free healthcare for deser ving patients: PM
care
to the
tients across the
Addressing a groundbreaking ceremony of Jinnah Medical Complex here the prime minister said the Complex was going to be the region s one of the best medical center where the deserving people would get 100% free medical treatment
“This is the gift of the coalition government not only for the residents of the Rawalpindi and Islamabad but for the people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan as well,” PM Shehbaz Sharif said He said once completed the medical complex would offer the world s best healthcare facilities with various sections of diseases related to heart, kidneys, lungs, cancer and others Furthermore, he said a modern first aid emergency section would also be established
lab tests facility
The prime minister emphasized that this was the same model envisioned by PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to provide free medical facilities only to the poor and onpayment facilities to the well-off people at the same place He specifically thanked Chairman HBL Sultan Ali Allana and Prince Rahim Agha Khan for providing technical consultancy support free of cost for the project He paid tribute the decades-long services of the Agha Khan Foundation for the country
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Former caretaker minister for Commerce and Industries Dr Gohar Ejaz, citing National Electric Power Regulatory Authority s (NEPRA) data, on Sunday claimed that at least four power plants were receiving Rs10 billion per month without supplying a single unit of electricity at all
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Dr Gohar Ejaz referenced NEPRA’s data from January to March this year highlighting how a significant portion of the country s energy
PTI faces internal dissent over reser ved seats nominees in Punjab Assembly
Rubina Jameel, and Ashma Shuja Additionally, Falak Javed, sister of Sanam Javed has been proposed for a reserved seat
The final approval of this list will rest with PTI Chairman Imran Khan Once approved, the list will be submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) To manage the selection process a committee consisting of Zartaj Gul Kanwal Shauzab and Saima Taher has been formed
PUNJAB CM PUSHES FOR JOB SKILLS DEVELOPMENT,
INITIATIVES
Development for Skills Development Chairman Adnan Afzal Chattha Secretary Industry Ihsan Bhutta Principal Secretary to the CM Sajid Zafar Dal and other senior officials of the Punjab government
KP governor lambasts provincial govt over law and order failure
The Governor called for
urgent in-camera
of the
and cabinet to
the members and ministers on the worsening law and order sit-
uation, noting the martyrdom of armed forces personnel and the kidnapping of judges in the southern districts Faisal Karim Kundi revealed that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had served him with a defamation notice for 500 million rupees However, Kundi advised Gandapur to first address the issue of corruption in job appointments and transfers accusing him of setting rates for these transactions and making appointments based on bribes Addressing the possibility of an alliance between PTI and Jamiat Ulemae-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN)-led federal government Governor Kundi expressed skepticism He argued that such an alliance was almost impossible as Maulana Fazlur Rehman was seeking retribution, having labeled Imran Khan’s party as foreign agents In a separate address at a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers’ convention Governor Kundi announced the reorganization of his party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa He also criticized the provincial government for failing to appoint full-time vice-chancellors in 26 out of 36 universities of the province, highlighting another area of governance that needs urgent attention
PTI leader S hafqat M ahmood quits politics
NEWS DESK
Shafqat Mahmood, a once prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Sunday announced quitting politics but stressed that the decision was not due to coercion 34 years back I resigned from a government job and entered politics But after deliberations, I have now decided to retire from politics, Mahmood, a former federal minister, said in a post on X previously known as Twitter Many politicians left the former ruling party or quit politics altogether following the May 9 attacks on state installations, with the party saying that they were forced to quit the Imran Khan-founded party The leaders who deserted the now embattled PTI include Fawad Chaudhry Asad Umar Shireen Mazari Fayazul Hassan Chohan Maleeka Bokhari, Ali Zaidi, and Musarrat Jamshed Cheema
While some leaders have tried joining the party ranks once again, the PTI leadership which consists of several
said explaining that he took the decision due to time and his age Reflecting on his political decadeslong career, the former federal minister said he saw several ups and downs “I have served as a member of the Senate and the National Assembly
Not only that he said that he was also appointed as a federal as well as provincial minister Mahmood, on a
lighter note, said he also “visited” jail during his political career The now-former PTI leader said that as the federal education minister he rolled out the Single National Curriculum for the first time in history and also oversaw education-related affairs during the pressing period of COVID-19
When he was the education minister during the coronavirus period the students were in awe of him as he not only introduced several relaxations but also passed students without exams
He thanked Khan and PTI for giving him to oppurtunity to “serve” Mahmood also extended his gratitude towards the voters of his constituency who elected him to parliament twice I am satisfied that I have always performed all my responsibilities honestly and performed at every position as a duty No one, thank God, has levelled any allegation against me ”
Revealing his future plans Mahmood said that he wanted to spend the rest of his life teaching and writing I agree with those who say that the youth should participate in politics
BISP registration for Sikh families begins in Buner
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t
The internationally acclaimed Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has started the registration process for the Sikh community in Buner, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa
The registration process has been commenced in pursuance of the directives of Chairperson of the BISP Senator Rubina Khalid BISP field staff is actively conducting surveys of deserving Sikh families to include them in the program, reflecting the promise and commitment made by the chairperson to the Sikh community This initiative reflects Senator Rubina Khalid’s firm commitment to ensure that all deserving families regardless of their religious background receive the support and benefits of the BISP Sikh community has expressed their gratitude to Senator Rubina Khalid and appreciated her efforts towards their welfare through BISP During her recent visit to Buner Sen-
ator Rubina Khalid met with members of the Sikh community at Pir Baba Gurdwara She guided the Sikh women through the BISP registration process and instructed the staff at the BISP office in Buner to facilitate the survey for deserving women from the Sikh community Senator Rubina Khalid also directed the staff to address the issues of all minority communities in Pakistan and to assist them in every aspect to ensure their registration and inclusion in the BISP family
C
R I M E M I N I S T E R Shehbaz Sharif has stressed that Chinese investors must be facilitated so that the Memorandums of Understanding signed during his recent visit are implemented He thus threw the spotlight on a major hurdle to investment in Pakistan: not the law and order situation 0or political instability major problems as they are but bureaucratic delays and roadblocks, intended to extract a bribe from the investor Corruption is just a hassle because it raises costs, but because it does so in a way that makes it difficult for the bribe-giver to show on his books or explain to shareholders He said this in a meeting attended by Investment Minister Aleem Khan and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, who had a separate meeting where they agreed on measures to encourage the investment It must have become clear that China is now expecting a return on the investment that has been made through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and though much of that investment has come in the form of loans, the, selves carrying returns in the shape of interest more direct investments must be made in Pakistan to enhance the economy’s ability to repay Perhaps the most crucial part of the process will be the transfer of Chinese industry to Pakistan in the textile medical and surgical equipment plastic and leather sectors These are all areas in which Pakistan already has got expertise, and exporting expertise at that No less than 78 Pakistani companies are interested in joint ventures
This means that Chinese companies would come to Pakistan, and even if they bring in some expatriate workers, they will employ locals at some level This pattern has already been observed in other areas such as the infrastructure construction which made up the first phase of CPEC A large influx of Chinese workers is ultimately desirable, but will require delicate handling if it is not to become a problem The last time a lot of foreigners came here was with the East India Company, and that did not end well True, China is an iron brother, but even fraternal relations should not be put under too much strain One of the initiatives being taken is sending Pakistani students to China to learn both the language and agriculture The impending communication requires that both countries engage in large-scale cultural exchanges There should be some just for the sake Artists musicians writers–bohemians of all stripes must be found paths of contacting counterparts in the other country
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Why not corporatization?
by long-term issues such as
declining
of
and
trust in
services Such uncertainties could jeopardize
in
sectors and impact reliability over
Privatization raises valid concerns about exacerbating socio-economic disparities Concentration of wealth and influence in private hands may widen the gap between the rich and poor potentially hindering efforts towards inclusive economic growth and social equity
Instead of hastily opting for privatization, Pakistan could prioritize reforming existing SOEs Strengthening governance mechanisms, enhancing operational efficiency and fostering innovation within these entities could unlock their potential while maintaining public owner-
vatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and its airports, it is critical to assess the
TH E Israel-Palestinian conflict is a longstanding political and territorial dispute between Israel and Palestinians The war began in the early 19th century and intensified with the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 and has seen numerous disputes and some peace accords as well On 14 May 1948, the first Arab-Israeli war was started As a result, Israel won the war with Arabs, Palestine was displaced and the territory was divided into three parts; the Gaza Strip the West Bank and the state of Israel In 1979 a peace treaty namely the Camp David Accord was signed between Egypt and Israel However the relationship of Israel with its neighbours improved Still, the question of Palestine s self-determination and self-governance remains unsolved Palestine launched the first intifada in 1987, where hundreds and thousands of Palestinians stood up against Israel for self-determination In 20002005 the second Intifada was launched in reaction to the Israeli Prime Minister s visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque When Israel set fire to a Palestinian house southeast of Nablus in April 2023, it caused the death of more than 100 Palestinians The Foreign Minister of Palestine stated “These crimes reflect the extremist racist colonial mentality of inflaming the conflict that does not hesitate to commit the worst crimes against Palestinian Civilians On July 16, one of the deadliest attacks occurred in the tent camp of Al-Mawasi, west of the southern city of Khan Younis Israel keeps attacking the schools run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) in Nuisiera It is reported that around 50 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in a series of Israeli air strikes in South and Central parts of Gaza As per the Aljazeera Report of July 17 more than 38 848 people have been killed and 89,459 wounded in Israel s war on Gaza since 7 October 2023 It is also said that more than 1139 people are still held captive in Gaza Discrimination against Muslims is fostered in the international community by the growing intolerance for any action taken in opposition to Israel s illegal actions and violations of International Law President Biden declared in February 2023 that the US will not militarily assist or aid anyone who could use the ais to violate human rights The European Union do not appear to apply this principle to Israel, which has been taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over claims of genocide in Gaza and which has now tolls it to vacate the West Bank as well as Gaza Palestine has not only one but plenty of reasons to hate Israel; but why does Israel hate the Palestinians so much? It systematically terrorised, blockaded, imprisoned, and used violence against them by all means after taking control of their lives and liveli-
Why Israelis want the Palestinians to disappear
hood denying their fundamental rights and freedom Fear Envy and Anger are identified as the main reasons behind Israeli hatred towards Palestine Israel has a fear that Palestine can prove to be an existential hurdle or a fear of its occupied lands and of its sentiment of becoming a mighty regional and nuclear power state Israel is afraid of the Palestinian language Palestinian
broader implications for national interests
These entities are not only integral to our transportation infrastructure but also symbolize Pakistan s global connectivity and presence Proponents argue that privatization could lead to improved efficiency and service quality in air travel However, valid concerns persist regarding job security, pricing policies, and the overall accessibility of air travel especially for ordinary citizens Privatization might prioritize profitability over public service obligations potentially impacting affordability and accessibility, particularly for marginalized communities
The fiscal benefits of privatization are uncertain and may not materialize as expected Global experiences suggest that short-term financial gains could be overshadowed by longterm challenges including regulatory complexities and reduced public accountability
It is crucial to maintain robust oversight and transparency throughout any privatization process to safeguard public interests effectively Critics also highlight potential risks of losing control over strategic assets and compromising national sovereignty PIA and airports are not merely economic entities but also symbols of national prestige and connectivity Privatization could diminish Pakistan s ability to assert regulatory authority and negotiate effectively in international aviation matters Rather than rushing into privatization, Pakistan should explore alternative reforms that improve the efficiency and governance of these entities while retaining public ownership
Strengthening regulatory frameworks enhancing operational efficiency, and promoting innovation can achieve desired improvements without sacrificing national control and public interest In Pakistan’s ongoing debate over reforming SOEs the effectiveness and consequences of privatization have been central An alternative approach gaining traction is corporatization, which involves restructuring these entities to operate with greater autonomy and accountability, akin to private corporations
This model aims to enhance efficiency, reduce losses and improve service delivery by implementing professional management practices and clear performance metrics all while maintaining state ownership A notable example in Pakistan is the corporatization of Pakistan International Airlines
(PIA) Engineering, which transformed the division into a profit-making entity through streamlined operations and strategic focus This success underscores how corporatization can integrate private sector strategies while preserving public ownership and accountability
Alongside corporatization, strengthening governance remains crucial This includes bolstering regulatory frameworks enhancing transparency in decision-making processes and establishing independent oversight mechanisms Such reforms are essential to mitigate risks of mismanagement and corruption, ensuring accountability and responsiveness to public needs
The debate over privatization in Pakistan presents a landscape where the interest of market-driven efficiencies must be balanced against safeguarding national interests and ensuring equitable access to essential services
While corporatization coupled with effective governance reforms offers a promising alternative, any decision regarding entities like PIA and airports must prioritize sustainable development equitable access and strategic sovereignty for all Pakistanis
It is crucial to acknowledge that while privatization may offer potential benefits in improving operational efficiency, it also poses significant risks that demand careful consideration Issues such as job security, service accessibility, and national strategic interests require robust regulatory frameworks and transparent oversight to mitigate adverse impacts effectively
Instead of solely pursuing privatization for short-term economic gains, Pakistan should concentrate on sustainable development, social justice, and enhancing national resilience This involves bolstering existing institutions fostering transparency and ensuring public oversight to uphold fairness and inclusivity
By striking a balance between leveraging market dynamics and preserving public interests, Pakistan can chart a path toward sustainable economic growth and improved quality of life for its citizens
Thoughtful implementation of reforms grounded in a commitment to national welfare and long-term prosperity will be crucial in effectively navigating the complexities of the privatization debate
The writer is a freelance columnist
An Eternal Legacy in Global Consciousness
TAnzEEl KhAnzAdA
can perpetuate a cycle of poverty that affects not only the women themselves but also their families and communities In many societies women s roles are often undervalued leading to unequal pay limited job prospects and a higher risk of exploitation Social norms and cultural practices can further restrict their rights and op-
Poor women and contemporar y societ y: Ways for ward
cess
directly impacts the well-being of their children and households
C COMMUNITY IMPACT: The status and well-being of poor women influence
broader community dynamics, including social cohesion, community health, and resilience in times of economic hardship or crisis
D POLICY AND ADVOCACY: Addressing the needs of poor women requires targeted policies that consider their unique challenges and vulnerabilities Advocacy efforts often aim to amplify their voices and improve their access to resources and opportunities
E INTERSECTIONALITY: The experiences of poor women are shaped by intersecting factors such as race, ethnicity, disability, and geographic location, which further influence their social standing and opportunities within society Understanding and addressing the relationship between poor women and society requires a holistic approach that addresses both structural barriers and promotes inclusive development strategies aimed at achieving gender equality and social justice The status of a poor woman in society is often shaped by intersecting factors of gender economic status and social norms
The key aspects that influence their status include:
A ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY: Poor women typically face economic hardship due to limited job opportunities lower wages compared to men and lack of access to financial resources such as credit and savings This economic vulnerability can restrict their ability to meet basic needs and pursue opportunities for advancement
B LIMITED ACCESS TO EDUCATION: Many poor women have lower levels of education which can hinder their ability to secure stable employment and contribute to economic independence Educational barriers often perpetuate cycles of poverty
C HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Poor
Stop worshipping at the feet of the wealthy
women may have limited access to healthcare services, including reproductive health care, maternal care, and treatments for common health issues This can impact their overall well-being and ability to participate fully in society
D SOCIAL STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION: Women facing poverty may experience social stigma and discrimination based on their economic status and gender This can affect their self-esteem social interactions and access to opportunities
E CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES:
Poor women often bear significant caregiving responsibilities within their families including childcare eldercare and household management These responsibilities can limit their ability to pursue education work outside the home or participate in community activities
F LEGAL AND POLITICAL
MARGINALIZATION: In some societies poor women may face legal and political marginalization including limited access to legal rights such as property ownership and inheritance rights This can perpetuate their economic dependency and vulnerability
Societies
G COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND NETWORKS: Strong community support and networks can mitigate some of the challenges faced by poor women, providing social capital access to resources and opportunities for mutual assistance and advocacy Improving the status of poor women in society requires addressing these multifaceted challenges through targeted policies and programmes that promote gender equality, economic empowerment, access to education and healthcare and legal protections By addressing these issues societies can create more inclusive environments where all women have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and contribute to social and economic development Improving the conditions of women in society especially those facing poverty requires a comprehensive approach that addresses various
E
F
D
Rihanna, Justin Bieber, the Backstreet Boys and Katy Perry One can only imagine the carbon emissions The Indian Defence Force is reported to have stepped in to allow 600 inbound and outbound flights over five days at the usually sleepy Jamnagar airport for the celebrations in March (including one private jet carrying Rihanna, and another carrying her luggage and staff), while the chief executive of private jet company Club One Air told Reuters that the Ambanis hired three jets to ferry around those guests who did not have their own private planes to get to the celebrations And yet, while it has become an annual tradition to scoff at the billionaires, bankers and world leaders who fly into Davos every January to discuss the various ways that they are going to save the world the scorn does not seem to extend to less lofty pursuits As long as you are not being a hypocrite it seems, but simply just basking in your vast fortune without pretending you’re doing anything more worthwhile you’re safe
Why does society now seem more comfortable with such displays of wealth? Part of it comes down to the way that the internet and social media have homogenised culture and spread western values, particularly American ones across the globe In the US a land where in principle if not always in practice anyone can make it to the top there has not historically existed the same shyness around wealth that we have in class-conscious Britain Social media influencers such as the “selfmade” Kylie Jenner have glorified and, in a funny way normalised huge levels of wealth But China shows that things might be on the turn in some places Fifteen years since the global financial crisis, economic growth is slowing again there In April, its internet regulator announced it was starting a campaign penalising “wealth-flaunting” Authorities have suspended the social media accounts of many wealthy Chinese social media influencers in recent months, such as Wang Hongquanxing, known as “China’s Kim Kardashian” According to Bain & Company, growing economic instability in China is driving a “luxury shame of the sort the US saw in the financial crisis I have no particular desire to luxuryshame the Ambanis for their wedding, and neither do I endorse closing down the social media accounts of the rich But I do believe
those affected Several US airlines even had to ground flights worldwide as a result These incidents underscore the global nature of cyber risks necessitating a collective effort by sovereign states, international organizations, internet companies, technical communities, and the general
public to face the vulnerability of cyberspace and the risks it brings By sharing the responsibility of governance and continuously improving the level of cybersecurity, we can harness the benefits of digital technology for the betterment of people worldwide With the help of information technology the global community has become a closely interconnected network of shared interests and shared destiny Ensuring network security requires collaboration from all actors in the international network space Microsoft’s “blue screen of death” highlighted a lack of consensus on network security governance Relying solely on top companies to lead network security efforts as some countries advocate may hinder not just the inclusive sharing of governance outcomes but also introduce new security risks The origin of network technology can be traced back to developed economies such as the US which were the main driving force behind the early development of the internet and also monopolized internet technology for a certain period of time The internet giants that monopolize these technologies therefore have a strong voice in international cyberspace governance However, the reality is that the Microsoft Windows operating system has experienced largescale “blue screen of death” incidents more than once which indicates that even global internet giants find it difficult to solve systemic network risks and crises on their own Security issues are crucial to the wellbeing of people in all countries, and cyberspace is a common community for human security and responsibility It is important to note that cyberspace is not only an emerging technology and strategic field but also an extension of great power
Dr rajkumar Singh
‘FIRST RALLY SINCE SHOOTING’: TRUMP MOCKS PRESIDENT BIDEN AS FEEBLE, INSULTS PELOSI
Houthi attacks force Israel ’s Eilat Por t
Israel downs missile from Yemen following strike on Houthis
through SAARC, a body established to bring prosperity to the peoples of South Asian region In his remarks, Ambassador Akram said “Regional integration represents the next phase of institutional development in international relations particularly in the realms of trade and industry He therefore recognized the crucial role of three bodies the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in fostering economic growth and cooperation across borders as well as in combating terrorism and drug-trafficking Highlighting SCO s immense promise and potential , the Pakistani envoy said that with some of the world’s largest emerging economies as its members this organization is poised to advance integrated regional cooperation especially by enhancing trade and investment opportunities
This was evident at the recent SCO plus Summit meeting in Astana, in which Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif participated actively,” Ambassador Akram said In addition he said that CSTO can enhance connectivity between the East and West fostering a more secure region
Ambassador Akram also said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a flagship project, noting that Pakistan will expand this effort including to Afghanistan to reaalize its full potential for investment Pakistan he said also believes that other regional organizations such as the African Union (AU), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), along with cross-regional groups, like the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should also work towards expanding global integration through appropriate association agreements and welcomed the establishment of the AU-AL-OIC Trilateral Commission Such regional and inter-regional initiatives in association within
CORPORATE CORNER
Post-hajj operation concludes successfully
ISLAMABAD: The post-Hajj operation for 2024 has concluded successfully, with Dr Mirza Ali Mehsood, Senior Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, congratulating all Pakistani pilgrims on their safe return and the completion of their Hajj rituals He expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Religious Affairs staff the Office of the Pilgrims Affairs (OPAP) staff Moavineen Hajj Medical Mission, and other Khudam ul Hujaj for their relentless efforts in facilitating the Pakistani pilgrims during the post-Hajj phase In an interview Dr Mehsood highlighted the establishment of main control offices in Makkah Madinah and Jeddah which were divided into various sections such as the Medina Departure Cell Lost and Found Cell, Complaints Cell, and Monitoring Cell to provide round-the-clock assistance to the pilgrims PR
Public ser vice emblem of PML-N: A zma
L A H O R E: Punjab Minister for Information
Raising grave concern over the poor performance of the exports the Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has said that country’s major export markets did not see any significant growth in importing goods from Pakistan in the financial year ended on June 30 this year
PIAF Chairman Faheemur Rehaman Saigol, quoting the latest figures, stated that the exports to the US largely remain dissatisfied while those to China registered a slight decline Exports to the UK posted marginal growth during the fiscal under review according to the country-wise export data released by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan The US remained the top export market for Pakistani goods in the
year ended on June 30 2024 with exports totaling $5 286 billion compared to $5 239 billion last year, showing a slight growth of 0 9 per cent China followed with imports of $2 559 billion, compared to $2 614 billion recording a negative growth of 2 1 per cent While the United Kingdom fell to third place with imports of $2 015 billion from Pakistan during the fiscal against $1 943 billion, showing a growth of 3 7 per cent
The PIAF chairman pointed out that administrative measures to curb imports leading to raw material shortage for the industry and resultantly lower production were
the main reason for the plunge while the slowdown in global demand amid monetary tightening was another reason he said Faheem Saigol said that Pakistan has remained a potential market for foreign investors, who still have plans to make fresh investment in the country, but they have continued to wait for the return of economic stability He highlighted uncertainty in the rupee-dollar parity as one of the major concerns of foreign investors
‘Tehreek-e-Taliban PTi’ seeks ‘dead bodies’ for PoliTical PoinT scoring: Tarar
saw no change with their ouster from the power as they, being in opposition, still worked day in and day out to spread terror in the country to bring political instability and derail economy to default the country he added This is their mission and manifesto and they have always demonstrated this through their actions, he said recalling its armed attack on the state institutions in 2014 sit-in which also saw unprecedented scenes of chaos and anarchy He also recalled the May 9 incidents when the Corps Commander House Lahore was burnt and other state institutions came under attack along with defiling of memorials of the martyrs Their plan was to pit the people of
Pakistan against the Army and with a death of 50 or 60 persons they wanted to bring the whole system to a standstill, he said, adding such a political party should be declared as a “terrorist organization” He regretted that the PTI founder ensured safety of his family and left the workers who were involved in the May 9 to face the law The Tehreek-e-Instishar did not provide legal or financial support to them who were actually sent there to die
Commissioner in Dhaka has reported all Pakistani students and diplomatic staff in Bangladesh are safe The High Commissioner is maintaining regular contact with the students Recent unrest in Bangladesh has led to the imposition of curfews in several cities including Dhaka The Bangladeshi government has also evicted local students from hostels, further exacerbating the situation for foreign students Pakistani students, now confined to their hostels, are facing food shortages and disconnection from their families in Pakistan Worried parents have written a letter to the Additional Secretary of the Prime Minister Sara Aslam appealing for the safe and speedy return of their children They have highlighted the urgent need for government intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of their children, who are now confined and facing severe challenges due to the curfew Javed Niazi a parent of two MBBS students in Bangladesh expressed his anxiety: My two daughters are MBBS students in Bangladesh and we have not had any direct contact with the children since Monday Today, Sajid Sahib of Muzaffargarh spoke to his daughter, and she mentioned that they have nothing to eat We request the President and Prime Minister to take notice of the situation and arrange a chartered flight to bring back the children Despite the tense situation a spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured that all Pakistani students in Bangladesh are safe Pakistani mission is in constant touch with the students, and the Deputy Head of Mission has visited Chittagong to meet with them The High Commission has taken steps to accommodate Pakistani students in safe locations including the High Commission the Ambassador s residence and other secure areas
Parents continue to urge the Pakistani government to take immediate action to ensure the safe return of their children The ongoing communication from the Foreign Office provides some reassurance, but the situation remains critical as the law and order situation in Bangladesh shows no signs of immediate improvement
agenda for creating anarchy
elec tions were ‘managed ’ ,
not rigged: Fawad C haudhr y
Former Federal Minister Fawad
Chaudhry has claimed that the 2018 elections which saw Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerge victorious were not rigged but managed
In a candid interview, Chaudhry criticized Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Raja Sultan and alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had “installed him through the former director-general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hamid
He also revealed that former Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa sought an extension from PTI and aimed to secure another from PML-N shedding light on
the political dynamics at play
Chaudhry s comments come amidst discussions on the management of the elections rather than outright rigging, a distinction he emphasized
The former minister also touched on the negotiations that allowed Nawaz Sharif to travel
abroad in 2019, suggesting that these movements were indicative of broader political maneuverings
He advocated for a “Grand Dialogue ” emphasizing that both PML-N and the Pakistan People s Party (PPP) are significant realities in the political landscape that must be engaged
This revelation follows Chaudhry’s earlier comments on July 3 expressing his surprise at PTI s willingness to engage in talks with the establishment which he equated to seeking a deal
He argued that such negotiations should be conducted on equal footing and criticized PTI’s current approach, suggesting that discussions should prioritize opposition parties before engaging with the government
LAHORE
S TA F F R E P O R T
In a significant healthcare milestone for Pakistan a rescue air ambulance initiative led by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz successfully transported its first patient Halima Bibi, a 40-year-old woman from Mianwali, suffered paralysis after a fall from a roof and required urgent medical attention Initially treated at Mianwali’s
District Headquarters Hospital, Halima was referred to a facility in Rawalpindi for advanced care Following directives from CM Maryam Nawaz she was swiftly transferred within the critical golden hour using the new air ambulance service The patient s family praised Maryam Nawaz, lauding her efforts as instrumental in facilitating the timely medical transfer, even referring to her as an “angel ” The Punjab Chief Minister re-
iterated her commitment to ensuring quality and timely medical treatment for every citizen She also formally announced the commencement of Pakistan’s first air ambulance operations and requested prayers for Bibi s recovery This initiative was one of the first promises Maryam Nawaz delivered on, following her announcement during her maiden address at the Punjab Assembly as the first female Chief Minister
Sargodha, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, and Gujrat The PDMA advised travellers and tourists to exercise caution and plan their travels according to weather conditions to avoid any untoward situations during the wet spell Farmers were also advised to manage their activities in light of the weather forecast Additionally, the PDMA Punjab directed Rescue 1122 services to remain on high alert and ensure sufficient emergency response personnel and equipment are available during the forecast period The PDMA director general has issued an alert to the concerned administration about the weather situation
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Renowned Pakistani scriptwriter Khalilur Rehman Qamar was abducted and robbed in Lahore, according to police Details reveal that a woman named Amna contacted Qamar and invited him to her home under the guise of discussing a drama project Upon his arrival, armed men kidnapped him and carried out the robbery
Qamar reportedly paid a substantial sum to the abductors who subsequently released him Sundar police station in Lahore registered a case based on Qamar ’s account The First Information Report (FIR) states that the suspects tortured Qamar and moved him to various locations The scriptwriter alleged that the kidnappers threatened to kill him and demanded money from his relatives Additionally, the FIR mentions that the sus-
pects stole Qamar s mobile phone watch and cash and transferred
Rs250,000 from his ATM card
Qamar also stated in the FIR that the kidnappers blindfolded him and abandoned him in a deserted area before fleeing Khalilur Rehman Qamar is a highly acclaimed Pakistani scriptwriter director and producer celebrated for his significant contributions to the country s television and film industry
intelligence on reality, media and disinformation: Promoting media literacy,” and “Climate movement and media ” At the panel sessions, officials from various countries media and civil society representatives state and business representatives representatives of international organizations and media experts will exchange detailed
