g TWO LEADERS SIGN ‘ STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT ’ TO UPGRADE BILATERAL TIES TO LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
g TWO SIDES SIGN SEVERAL AGREEMENTS/MOUS IN AVIATION, DIPLOMACY, EDUCATION, SPORTS, PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE LINKAGES, INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION, TOURISM, ETC
stated, inviting Tajikistan to explore these opportunities President Rahmon underscored the cordial and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan The leaders discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in various fields and improve regional connectivity and linkages between their peoples
The prime minister who is on a twoday official visit to Tajikistan on the invitation of the president of Tajikistan, met the Tajik president Earlier, the official welcoming ceremony was held at Qasr-e-Millat where upon arrival the president of Tajikistan received the prime minister and he was given a guard of honour
The leaders introduced their respective delegations, which included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi
The welcome ceremony was followed by a tete-a-tete meeting and dele-
Bushra Bibi gets pre-arrest bail in £190m corruption reference
RAWALPINDI
S TA F F R E P O R T Former first lady and spouse of Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan Bushra Bibi on Tuesday granted pre-bail by the Islamabad Accountability Court in Islamabad Judge Muhammad Ali Waraich at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi On Tuesday, Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Ali Warraich presided over the hearing of the case while Advocate Salman Safdar Advocate Zahir Abbas Ch and Advocate Usman Riaz Ghul appeared on behalf of Bushra Bibi and former premier Imran Khan NAB Prosecutor General Sardar Mazhar Abbasi, Amjad Parvez, Irfan Bhola, and others appeared on the watchdog’s behalf During the hearing Bushra Bibi’s lawyers submitted a bail request for her in the case The decision comes after Deputy Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi argued against the necessity of her arrest noting that the Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had not issued an arrest warrant Sardar Muzaffar emphasized that without an arrest warrant, the bail application remains valid, highlighting a similar situation from ten months prior when no arrest warrant was issued for Bushra Bibi The judge reserved his verdict decision on the bail application after
gation level talks PM Office Media Wing said in a press release During the talks, the two leaders exchanged views on a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest
The two leaders signed the Strategic Partnership Agreement which upgrades bilateral relations to the level of a longterm strategic partnership
The two leaders underlined that the upgradation in bilateral relations would open new vistas of opportunities to further expand multifaceted cooperation
To further deepen and diversify bilateral relations the two sides signed a number of Agreements/MoUs in the fields of aviation, diplomacy, education, sports, people to people linkages, indus-
trial cooperation tourism etc
The prime minister also apprised the President of Tajikistan about deteriorating situation of human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) and attempts of the Indian government to change the demographic structure of IIOJK
Both leaders also expressed their serious concern over the ongoing situation in Gaza where Israeli atrocities have resulted in the killing of thousands of innocent Palestinians including women and children
The two leaders urged the international community to redouble efforts to end the violence and bring peace in the region
The visit of the prime minister has reinforced the continuation of regular bilateral engagements at the highest-level and marks a significant step towards elevating the longstanding and multifaceted relationship between the two brotherly countries, to the next-level, the press release added Prime Minister Shehbaz also laid a wreath at the monument of Tajikistan’s national hero Ismail Somoni a revered historic figure who significantly developed the region during his rule in the 9th and 10th centuries Earlier, upon landing at Dushanbe airport, Prime Minister Shehbaz was welcomed by Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda Energy Minister Daler Juma Deputy Foreign Minister Farrukh Sgarifzoda Tajik Ambassador in Islamabad Yousuf Sharifzoda Pakistan Ambassador in Dushanbe Saeed Sarwar, and senior diplomatic officers
Intelligence agency no authority to inter fere in jail matters: Imran
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday criticised the alleged interference of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in civilian matters, emphasizing that the intelligence agency has no authority in civil matters or judiciary interference “The prison superintendent is following ISI orders leading to the transfer of two officers to ensure no leniency is shown to me, former premier Imran Khan alleged while talking media talk inside Adiala Jail On Tuesday
The incarcerated former prime minister said: We have filed a petition in court questioning the presence of ISI Majors and Colonels in Adiala Jail
Talking about the results of the February general elections, the PTI founder expressed confusion stating Five months have passed since the elections and I still do not know who won or lost
He also spoke about the recent resolution by the US Congress on alleged election irregularities in Pakistan highlighting that it had passed with 85% support Even the most powerful Israeli lobby has never managed such a resolution The US conducted thorough research before
approving this resolution
He cited reports from PILDAT and FAFEN confirming electoral fraud, alleging that the chief election commissioner was appointed to cover up these irregularities
“The entire country says it was a fraudulent election Imran stated
The world is echoing what the commissioner of Rawalpindi and former Prime Minister Kakar told Hanif Abbasi ”
He claimed that retired judges are being appointed to tribunals to secure favourable decisions
Khan also urged the SC to scrutinise the Election Commission s role in reserved seats
Earlier in the day, the SC’s Justice Athar Minallah has said that
the Election Commission Pakistan (ECP) misinterpreted a previous court decision, and had denied the Bat symbol to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Imran continued “In any democracy one party’s seat cannot be given to another
He predicted increased poverty and debt under the current government, suggesting that only investments from overseas Pakistanis could save the country
“Professionals are leaving the country due to the current conditions he added
Regarding a forward bloc within PTI, Imran dismissed it as a significant issue, praising Omar Ayub’s services to the party
g
g New taxes will affect a wide range of sectors, including educational institutions hospitals, insurance companies, and petrol pumps
7th final year engineering design projec ts expo begins
Special Assistant to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Industries Commerce and Technical Education Abdul Karim Tordher formally inaugurated the 7th Final Year Engineering Design Projects Expo 2024 of Engineering Universities The exhibition has been organized in collaboration with Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) here at Hayatabad in Peshawar Models of various engineering projects prepared by the students of engineering universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been showcased in the event Besides Advisor to Pakistan Engineering Council, Engineer Mir Masood Rasheed, Additional Registrar Engineer Jehanzeb Khan and vice chancellors of various universities, other were also present on the occasion The Special Assistant inspected the engineering models designed by the students of the universities and
showed keen interest in them and appreciated their creative efforts On this occasion, he also distributed certificates among those engineering students who had completed their six-month field internship with the support of the Pakistan Engineering Council Addressing the inaugural ceremony the Special Assistant said that a legislative act has been drafted for hiring 5% of the student s internships of technical training in various industries and now rules for it will also be prepared, so the students learn practical skills without financial hardships He said that they want that entrepreneurship should be a necessary segment of the syllabus of the universities and technical educational institutes as successful people in practical life have started their careers with entrepreneurship He said that the provincial government is beginning a mega project of Rs 5 billion for provision of interest-free loan scheme for start-ups and cluster development, saying the students can take benefit of it
POLITICAL INSTABILIT Y ROOT CAUSE FOR ECONOMIC CRISIS, CL AIMS SHIBLI FARA Z
Global D igital Economy Conference ushers in new era: Global leaders
of
“Recognizing the
both Pakistan and China have made substantial
in harnessing its capabilities Shaza Fatima Khwaja Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication of Pakistan, emphasized Addressing in a keynote speech, the Minister told that the Kearney’s Global Services Location Index in 2022 showed that Pakistan is the most attractive destination for outsourcing With around 20 000 registered IT and IT-enabled Services (ITeS) companies exporting to over 170 countries our IT sector s growth is robust We offer 100% equity ownership, 100% repatriation of capital and dividends, and income tax credits for IT exports to foreign investors †About 20 top IT companies from Pakistan is participating in GDEC 2024 all of which has expected to sign MoUs to enhance China-Pakistan IT cooperation China a global leader in technology and innovation has made remarkable advancements in artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and 5G technology The Belt and Road Initiative and the Digital Silk Route project underscore China’s commitment to
building a connected and technologically advanced world Integrating digital technologies into CPEC projects promises new avenues for economic growth job creation and sustainable development Khwaja highlighted This time the conference provides a platform for companies from both nations to explore joint ventures, share best practices, and engage in knowledge exchange Today, digital transformation is reshaping various industries at an unprecedented speed The UAE is also embracing block-chain technology and build relevant pilot areas In addition we are empowering many startups to engage in related fields In the field of digital economy, China and the UAE are working increasingly closely, which is something we both delightfully to see At present, our trade scale is expanding rapidly, bringing unlimited opportunities As our largest trading partner China’s bilateral trade volume in 2023 is close to USD 95 billion and last year China s investment flow to the UAE increased by 16 48% year-on-year accounting for about 60% of China s total investment in Arab countries, noted Sameer Al Ansari, CEO of RAK Digital Asset Oasis of the UAE
The 2023-3024 inflation figure was expec ted to be bad, but it contains lessons for the future
tH E June inflation figure, the last of the current fiscal year, was 13 8 percent, year on year, the first increase after three months of decline In May for example it was 13 3 percent this is not good new for the government which has probably correctly identified inflation as its worst enemy the worst eroder of support it faces It should also note how quickly its assumptions have evaporated and how quickly it finds itself forced to face reality the first problem it faces is that international fuel prices, which are not in the government was obliged to raise fuel prices, which will have an inflationary effect in the days to come the IMF also insists both on a power tariff increase, as well as further taxation measures these also will be inflationary Only at its last Monetary Policy Committee meeting, the state Bank of Pakistan has decreased the interest rate to 20 50 percent from the 22 percent where it had pegged it for so long the IMF regards the interest rate as a kind of panacea for inflation but the role of oil prices has not been closely examined the IMF has insisted that interest rates be kept as high as possible for as long as possible as a result, growth has been squeezed, and one of the basic problems of the economy, the saving rate, and government spending, are sacrificed without compunction the inflation figure might well persuade the IMF to insist on keeping it high for the foreseeable future One of the most important components for growth in the Budget, the Public sector Development Programme, is already being slashed at the IMF’s insistence, even though this means that Pakistan is to be condemned to anaemic growth in the financial year that began on Monday average inflation of the year has been finalised at 23 4 percent as compared to 29 2 percent of the year before the slowdown in the decline in inflation shows that the economy is no longer overheated and thus the money-supply approach to inflation may have run its course, leaving only intrinsic factors, like oil prices, to determine it If that happens to be the case, the IMF has got it all wrong the indications are that it has, and is likelier than not to drive the economy into the ground the government must wake up before it is too late
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
La s t week New York Democratic Representative Jamaal Bowman was defeated in his bid for a third term in Congress In describing the outcome, newspaper headlines and media analysts only scratched the surface of why and how this happened and the consequences this contest would have on future elections For their part pro-Israel groups while acknowledging that they spent a combined $25 million dollars to defeat Bowman, tried to play it two ways On the one hand, they gloated that their involvement was decisive proof that “being pro-Israel was good policy and good politics ” Like gangsters of old, they wanted to send a message of fear to other candidates that “if you cross us we ll get you too On the other hand they attempted to downplay their role suggesting that Bowman s loss was due to his radicalism with voters demonstrating their preference for the more centrist candidate, negatively comparing Bowman s passion with the staider demeanour of his opponent, County Executive George Latimer the lessons the media deduced from all of this were that pro-Israel groups indeed won progressives lost and that supporting Palestinian rights was an electorally dangerous proposition this, however, ignored the deeper story that played out in this election First and foremost, it was about the huge amounts of money spent, why and how it was used, and the impact it had on the contest the $25 million pro-Israel groups spent to defeat Bowman was by far the most ever expended in a congressional primary used mainly for negative advertising and direct mail attacks smearing Bowman s character and criticizing his style Virtually no mention of Israel was made in these ads During some points in the campaign voters were nightly subjected to more than a half-dozen of these attack ads the impression created was that Bowman was a flawed individual and an unworthy candidate One observer told me that If Jamaal s mother had stayed at home watching this negative onslaught, she wouldn’t have voted for her son either ” that’s the role of negative ads: to damage the candidates being attacked so that they are defined as so flawed that their supporters are discouraged from voting on Election Day this tactic is simply an expensive form of voter suppression In reality, Latimer outpaced Bowman in radicalism by making outrageous, racially tinged comments that could have been used against him But Bowman didn’t have $25 million to define and destroy Latimer ’s character and so the impression was created that Bowman was a loose cannon and Latimer
A deep dive into the Bowman Loss
was the responsible candidate to be sure racism played a role in all of this as the contest became the angry, frightening young black man versus the calm, thoughtful older white guy ” How the money was used is one thing but why it was raised is something else to consider Pro-Israel groups are running scared they are losing the public debate over policy especially among Democrats Most Democrats are deeply opposed to Israeli policies in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian lands Majorities want a ceasefire and an end to settlements and they want to stop further arms shipments to Israel
Knowing this pro-Israel groups never make their campaigns a referendum on Israel Instead they focus their attention on the character of their opponents When they win, they claim that it was a victory for Israel and support for its policies, when it most decidedly isn’t and never was there was another factor in this contest that was largely ignored by commentators Bowman s congressional district had been redistricted last year (by a statewide committee that included Latimer) the new district removed many of the areas that had been
ity
t o w i n i n
N ov e m b e r I f t h e p a r t y d o e s n Ê t a d d r e s s t h i s i s s u e , t h ey m ay l o s e a
s u f f i c i e n t n u m b e r o f t h e i r b a s e w h o a r e r e s e n t f u l o f t h e p a r t y
e s t a b l i s h m e n t
The writer is Peshawar based analyst Secretray General of Pakistan China Friendship Association Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Chapter can be contacted by syeed gilani@gmail com F r o m c o n f l i c t t o s t a b i l i t y : P a
to eradicate terrorists and their supporters within the country, initiating maneuvering exercises such as Zarb-e-azb and Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad In each of the operation Radd-ul-Fasaad 37 000 police officials and more than 3 800 persons were trained mostly for the Pakistan police Many operations were carried out against the terrorists; thus, more than 350 militants were eliminated Combined with Operation Zarb-eazb more than 2 700 terrorists mishap were injured and over 300 military men died in one year only since the events of 9/11 Pakistan has suffered from this scourge Unfortunately the prevalent forms of violence in the present world have become terrorism-related incidents and in over two decades millions of people have been killed and the economy has been drained of more than $1 billion However till date terrorism is still a problem in the nation terrorist incidents continue to be regularly reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan In similar events in recent days, 12 soldiers were killed in two different terrorist acts in Kurram and Lucky Marwat last week, and again the problem of law and order emerged as an issue these constant acts of terrorism have forced the country s military and political leadership to revert to the National action Plan with the goal of wiping out terrorism and reconstructing law and order completely From this, the national leadership understands that to have political and economic stability as well as development there has to be existing law and order Under
stability in the economy was impossible in a country that suffered terrorism; investor confidence could not be obtained Before during the third Pak-China Consultative Meeting on CPEC all political parties in the country showed a positive solidarity which is a good sign the Chinese Minister Liu Jinchao being in Pakistan maintained that political stability is key to the development process He stressed thus the need to enhance security provisions to encourage investments stressing the need for institutions and political parties It is also important to note that the current Prime Minister also greenlighted a satellite joint venture for the transfer of Chinese industries to Pakistan the Board of Investment is an important subtopic in Pakistani current affairs and one day an important meeting regarding BOI was chaired by shahbaz sharif in the which Prime Minister approved the Joint venture of China and Pakistani companies He stressed that the government’s primary focus was to attract internal and foreign investment in the country and added that every possible measure was being adopted to facilitate traders/investors in the business society of Pakistan While on a tour of China, the Prime Minister graced the MoUs between Pakistani and Chinese companies operating in shenzhen by directing the provision of an update on the implementation session and called for an evaluation of the MoUs on the draft law of special economic zones and one-stop-shop service in accordance with the pre-
vailing circumstances and developments after the visit there, the secretary of the Board of Investment said in a briefing that a process had begun for shifting industries of China to Pakistan Chinese experts are currently being hired to establish the Islamabad Business Facilitation Center being established while the draft Easy Business act will be tabled to the Cabinet Committee of Legislative Matters soon enough the effectiveness of the “Determination stability” operation led by the Pakistan’s Prime Minister shahbaz sharif the requirements of the proper cooperation between all the power institutions with a focus on the development of the country, as well as the expectations set by the Chinese minister, are positively viewed therefore, political parties do not differ much ideologically and politically but act to protect their self-interest where recently the PPP and PML-N had conflicting interests regarding the 2024 budget Nevertheless for Operation Determination stability and gradual accomplishment of economic and political stability, political parties are to perform within the framework of the constitution the government needs to involve the opposition in Operation “Determination stability ”; the opposition on its turn has obligations that correspond to the importance of the national interests and should join the government, and contribute to the country s stability for political benefits
A plea to State Bank of Pakistan
Therefore, political parties do not differ much ideologically and politically but act to protect their self-interest where recently, the PPP and PML-N had conflicting interests regarding the 2024 budget. Nevertheless, for Operation „Determination Stability‰ and gradual accomplishment of economic and political stability, political parties are to perform within the framework of the constitution. The government needs to involve the opposition in Operation „Determination Stability,‰; the opposition on its turn has obligations that correspond to the importance of the national interests and should join the government, and contribute to the countryÊs stability for political benefits.
Fiscal realit y check
IN recent years, cooperation between AJK and Chinese partners has catalyzed the initiation and implementation of several hydropower projects Chinese workers renowned for their prowess in infrastructure development play a pivotal role in propelling forward these projects
Their presence expedites the progress of hydropower projects in AJK Their disciplined work ethic, meticulous planning, and adherence to strict timelines help surmount logistical hurdles and streamline construction activities This accelerated progress translates into tangible benefits for AJK including enhanced energy availability and reduced reliance on imported fuels
Nevertheless, alongside the opportunities afforded by this collaboration, there are significant security challenges confronting Chinese workers in Pakistan one of the foremost is the persistent risk of terrorism and insurgency Various extremist factions operating within the country have targeted infrastructure projects, particularly those linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) These attacks not only directly jeopardize the safety of Chinese workers but also undermine trust in bilateral cooperation and hinder progress on critical development endeavours
Additionally, kidnapping for ransom poses a severe security risk to Chinese workers in Pakistan Criminal syndicates and militant organizations regard foreign nationals including Chinese workers as lucrative targets for extortion Past incidents derscore the vulnerability of Chinese workers to such criminal activities These occurrences not only jeopardize the lives of those affected
but also discourage foreign investment and tarnish Pakistan’s reputation as a secure destination for international labour Ethnic and sectarian tensions within Pakistan amplify the security challenges confronting Chinese workers especially in areas with a history of inter-communal strife while Chinese workers typically remain insulated from local conflicts, they may inadvertently become targets or find themselves caught in the crossfire of ethnically or religiously motivated disputes Navigating the intricate socio-political terrain of Pakistan is essential to ensure the safety and security of Chinese workers across diverse settings
The collaboration between Pakistan and China on various development projects including CPEC has attracted Chinese workers to Pakistani territory However these endeavours have also been marred by instances of terrorism aimed at Chinese workers one of the most devastating assaults on Chinese workers occurred in July 2021 when a roadside bomb struck a bus transporting Chinese engineers and labourers in Dasu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nine Chinese nationals were killed and several others wounded
Although the precise perpetrators of the attack remain elusive, it highlighted the susceptibility of Chinese workers to terrorism in Pakistan In May 2019, gunmen launched an attack on the Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar where Chinese and other foreign guests were lodging The assault attributed to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals, including one soldier and four hotel staff
Although no Chinese nationals were reported among the casualties, the incident raised concerns regarding safety In December 2017 a suicide bombing targeted a bus transporting Chinese language instructors from the Confucius Institute at the University of Peshawar The assault, attributed to the Tehreek Taliban Pakistan, killed at least six, including two Chinese nationals, and injured several others This incident brought to light the dangers faced by Chinese workers and educators participating in cultural and educational exchange programmes in Pakistan In April 2018, armed militants targeted a coal mine in the Mach area near Quetta, Balochistan, claiming the lives of at least ten labourers, including nine Pakistani nationals and one Chinese worker Attributed to the Islamic State militant group the attack specifically targeted Chinese and Pakistani workers involved in mining operations This event underscored the difficulties associated
W hy you ng Eu ropeans
are embracing the far- right
with securing remote project sites and safeguarding workers in volatile regions
These acts of terrorism against Chinese workers in Pakistan have profound implications for bilateral cooperation and investment They not only jeopardize the safety and security of Chinese nationals but also raise concerns about the feasibility and sustainability of ongoing and future development projects The deliberate targeting of Chinese workers undermines confidence in Pakistan s ability to provide a secure environment for foreign investment and cooperation, potentially leading to project delays and reevaluations of strategic partnerships
Considering the potential future security threats and past incidents it was imperative to implement stricter security measures to ensure the safety of Chinese workers working in AJK The government s decision to do so was commendable However some elements have chosen to interpret this move negatively and spread false propaganda In response to the government of Azad Kashmir ’s request the deployment of Frontier Constabulary was sanctioned to enhance the security of foreign nationals engaged in development projects within the state
The objective of this deployment in Azad Jammu and Kashmir is to safeguard facilities such as the Neelum Jhelum Power House Mangla Power House Gulpur Power House and the Chinese nationals working therein Initially six platoons of Frontier Constabulary will be stationed for three months It is noteworthy that the Frontier Constabulary operates as a subsidiary of the Police Despite baseless propaganda circulated by India and certain factions on social media the deployment of Frontier Constab-
ulary is grounded in factual necessity and is not motivated by any malicious intent Pakistan is not unique in taking special measures to ensure the security of foreign nationals In an era of globalization and international cooperation safeguarding foreign workers within a nation s borders has become a paramount concern for governments worldwide To confront security challenges and guarantee the welfare of foreign nationals numerous nations employ specialized military units known for their exceptional training and operational prowess Saudi Arabia a central destination for expatriates from diverse backgrounds, utilizes its elite special forces to ensure the protection of foreign residents and employees The Saudi Arabian Special Forces which encompass entities like the Royal Saudi Land Forces Special operations Command are deployed for safeguarding critical infrastructure diplomatic premises and foreign compounds These units execute security evaluations, offer close protection services, and swiftly respond to security risks to uphold the safety and welfare of foreign labourers Similarly UAE acknowledges the significance of safeguarding its extensive expatriate community and foreign workforce particularly in industries like construction, hospitality, and oil and gas The UAE s special operations forces, which include units such as the UAE Special operations Command (SoCoM) and Presidential Guard play a crucial role in preserving security and stability These highly skilled units collaborate closely with local law enforcement agencies to prevent terrorism, combat organized crime, and safeguard foreign nationals from security risks In Iraq, a nation hosting a substantial number of foreign workers engaged in reconstruction and development projects its special forces units are relied upon to protect foreign nationals amidst security challenges The Iraqi Special operations Forces (ISoF), trained and supported by international partners, undertake missions involving counterterrorism hostage rescue and the security of diplomatic missions and foreign workers These units work hand in hand with multinational forces and private security contractors to mitigate
is not confined to Europe Young Kenyans protesting new taxes stormed Parliament this month and several were killed when the police opened fire Around the world a new youth politics is emerging while not always aligned with the far-right, this movement is often anti-status quo, serving as a powerful warning to politicians about the need to reconsider both their message and their medium in appealing to disaffected young voters These voters rightward shift is apparent across the European Union After overwhelmingly supporting the Greens in 2019 16 per cent of German voters under 25 voted for the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) in this year ’s European elections, putting the party in second place behind the center-right Christian Democrats and well ahead of Chancellor olaf Scholz s Social Democrats In France 30 per cent of the youth vote went to Marine Le Pen s far-right National Rally This outcome was in line with the 2022 presidential election run-off, when Le Pen won 39 per cent of voters aged 18-24 and 49 per cent of those aged 25-34 Meanwhile 21 per cent of Italian voters aged 18-34 helped Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni s
In many European countries young people are also navigating a housing crisis overcrowded classrooms, and struggling healthcare systems In the face of rising rents, exorbitant tuition fees and stagnant real wages, young voters are increasingly asking themselves who will address their concerns Farright politicians while wrongly blaming immigration at least recognise that there is a problem and they are doing so in ways that resonate with younger voters Social media is a prime example In the 1960s, media theorist Marshall McLuhan highlighted the importance of how messages are communicated not just what is being said The medium through which people communicate he argued shapes their interactions His famous observation that the medium is the message is even more pertinent in the age of platforms like TikTok, which enable far-right demagogues to tailor their messaging to young people what veteran politicians who mistake social media for a broadcast medium fail to understand is that it can be a powerful tool for fostering engagement bonding and identity formation But politicians who view social media as a round-the-clock focus group, shaping their policies according to voters’ whims and immediate reactions are just as dangerous as those who ignore it entirely
By fuelling shared grievances social media can help political movements expand and rally supporters For example, while Scholz belatedly joined TikTok in April, the German far-right has used the platform to create a powerful narrative some might say an alternative universe that speaks to young voters’ fears and anxieties Consequently many EU policymakers feel increasingly isolated as they try to do their jobs while online groups mobilise against them
As a generation of young voters spends much of its time on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram in the United States, teens spend an average of 4 8 hours per day on social media the result could be a toxic political cocktail To win back disaffected young people political leaders must offer them a future they can believe in and embrace the media platforms where young people live
Ngaire Woods is dean of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford
Why Macronism failed
Fo L L o w I N G his party’s decisive loss to the far-right National Rally in the recent European parliamentary election French President Emmanuel Macron shocked everyone by dissolving the National Assembly and calling a snap election He justified his decision by claiming that an election would “clarify” the political situation but many of his compatriots did not share this view Even those who do not fear that Macron s gamble will bring the far right fully to power are anxious about the chaos that might ensue As Edouard Philippe, Macron’s prime minister from 2017 to 2020 put it the president has needlessly killed the presidential majority A hung parliament with National Rally as the largest party is now the most likely outcome after the first round of voting Still, Macron’s decision has clarified one thing: His strategy to create a powerful centrism in France has failed other European leaders should take note Legend has it that the first question Napoleon Bonaparte would ask about a military officer was not whether he was talented, but whether he was lucky when Macron triumphed in the 2017 presidential election he was extraordinarily lucky Francois Hollande the incumbent at the time was so unpopular that he did not even bother to run for a second term and the likely conservative winner was felled by a scandal Macron seized the moment to offer what one might call a second coming of the Third way Just like Tony Blair the British Labour Party leader who came to power in 1997 Macron held that the old ideological cleavage of left and right was outdated and that centrists should simply pick the policies that worked best Macron appealed to both socialists and conservative Gaullists on the assumption that all reasonable people could unite happily in the moderate middle Anyone who rejected the invitation was by defi-
nition, an unreasonable extremist For a while, this approach had traction because Macron’s seemingly everexpanding center was flanked by Marine Le Pen s National Front (now National Rally) on the far right and by the firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon s France Unbowed on the far left But the technocratic approach “if you’re not with us you’re unreasonable” ultimately failed to transform the landscape The far right far left center-left and center-right each tend to win at least a fifth of the vote in the first round of French presidential elections, on average But the center-right Republicans have been hemorrhaging votes to National Rally prompting the party’s disputed leader Eric Ciotti to endorse an alliance with the far right This matters because Macron s overwhelming support in the second round of the 2017 and 2022 elections when he was facing off against Le Pen was largely due to voters’ hostility to the far right not burgeoning enthusiasm for Macron-style technocracy on the contrary technocracy tends to provoke a backlash because it creates an opportunity for populists to argue
uniquely rational solutions to complex
u p
pos ed to be about choice and popular participation not elites decreeing that there is no alternative Macron s haughty style already in 2017, he let it be known that he wanted to rule like the Roman god Jupiter certainly did not help Rightly or wrongly it has made him an exceptionally hated political figure But quite apart from the personal failings of a man who fancies himself a philosopher-king, a centrist project aimed at taking the best from the left and the right was always more likely to alienate both than to harmonize their contradictory programs once Macron had lost control of the National Assembly in 2022 his thenprime minister Elisabeth Borne heroically tried to cobble together ad hoc majorities to advance the president s agenda But on more than 20 occasions, she resorted to constitutional shortcuts to ram through measures that clearly lacked popular support Macron s centrism not only looked increasingly authoritarian, it also acquired a rightward tilt Hence, his hardline interior minister, Gerald Darmanin,
went so far as to accuse Le Pen of being soft on Islamism and Borne introduced an immigration law that seemed to legitimize what the far right had been saying all along If you are constantly tacking rightward you will eventually reach a point where you can no longer blackmail voters with the argument that you are the only thing standing in the way of right-wing extremism and the end of the Republic Some commentators speculate that Macron wants the National Rally to govern until the 2027 presidential election on the grounds that it will prove itself incompetent and set the stage for a triumphant shift back toward the center But this kind of quasi-pedagogical project with the headmaster showing his pupils that the substitute teacher does not know how to do the job is misguided for several reasons For starters, not all far-right populists have overly simplistic policy ideas or are amateur administrators And even in cases where they do show themselves to be incompetent their fortunes can recover when Austria s Machiavellian Christian Democratic chancellor, wolfgang Schussel, brought Jorg Haider s far-right Freedom Party into government in 2000, the populists did descend into infighting and revealed their incompetence and corruption But after splitting up and licking its wounds the
abdUl basit alvi
JORDAN TIMES
Tacts during his tenure in office ” Roberts wrote Immunity for former presidents is absolute with respect to their core constitutional powers, Roberts wrote, and a former president has at least a presumptive immunity” for “acts within the outer perimeter of his official responsibility ” meaning prosecutors face a high legal bar to overcome that presumption U S President Joe Biden speaks to the media following the Supreme Court s ruling on charges against former President Donald Trump that he sought to subvert the 2020 election at the White House in Washington D C U S July 1 2024 US President Joe Biden speaks to
the media following the Supreme Court’s ruling on charges against former President Donald Trump that he sought to subvert the 2020 election at the White House in Washington D C U S July 1, 2024 In remarks at the White House, Biden called the ruling “a dangerous precedent” because the power of the presidency will no longer be constrained by the law The ruling could scuttle parts of the special counsel s case as U S District Judge Tanya Chutkan mulls the breadth of Trump s immunity In recognizing broad immunity for Trump, Roberts cited the need for a president to “execute the duties of his office fearlessly and fairly without the threat of prosecution As for a president s unofficial acts Roberts added, there is no immunity In a social media post, Trump hailed the ruling as a “BIG WIN,” highlighting its importance for the Constitution and democracy Trump 78 is the first former U S
lawyers had advocated
Instead, the court specified that actions within the president’s “exclusive sphere of constitutional authority” enjoy such a shield while those taken outside his exclusive
whether Trump has immunity The ruling marked the first time since the nation s 18th-century founding that the Supreme Court has declared that former presidents may be shielded from criminal charges in any instance The court s conservative majority includes three justices Trump appointed
Jailed K ashmiri leader granted parole to take oath in Indian Parliament
ag e n C
S
jailed Kashmiri leader has been granted a two-hour
of
a
parliament on July 5, Indian media outlets reported on Tuesday A
earlier
s National Investigation Agency (NIA) had given its nod for Sheikh Abdul Rashid popularly known as Engineer Rashid, to take oath in parliament on July 5 The agency said the interim bail was subject to some conditions which includes that the jailed parliamentarian shall not talk to the media Rashid won elections for India s lower house of parliament from the northern Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) constituency of Baramulla defeating two political heavyweights former chief minister Omar Abdullah and Sajad Lone son of a former pro-freedom leader with a sizable support base in the constituency Campaigning for the election was led by Rashid’s two young sons, Abrar
Rashid and Asrar Rashid, which drew a lot of youths especially first-time voters with many of them saying their vote could lead to his release Fighting as an independent candidate, Rashid swept most of the electoral segments in the constituency He had pleaded for interim bail or custody parole to take oath as a member of parliament He was elected to the legislative assembly of IIOJK as an independent candidate twice in 2008 and 2014 and unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Indian parliamentary polls
Subsequently, he founded his own party, the Awami Ittehad Party The abrogation of IIOJK’s limited political autonomy in on Aug 5 2019 by New Delhi saw the detention and arrest of scores of both pro-freedom leaders and local politicians Rashid is among those who believe in Indian claims over the disputed region Like some pro-freedom leaders, however Rashid has been charged with funding terror activities under the harsh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act by the NIA
President X i arrives in K azakhstan to attend 24th meeting of Council of Heads of S tate of SCO
ASTANA
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Astana Kazakhstan, on Tuesday to attend the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and pay a state visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Two fighter jets from the Kazakh Air Defense Forces escorted Xi s plane as it entered Kazakh airspace Tokayev along with other senior Kazakh officials, greeted Xi at the airport and held a grand welcome ceremony for him Upon his arrival at the airport, Xi made a written statement extending his sincere greetings and best wishes to the people of Kazakhstan on behalf of the Chinese government and
He mentioned that during the visit he will hold talks with President Tokayev and engage in an in-depth exchange of views on China-Kazakhstan relations comprehensive cooperation and other international and regional issues of common concern This dialogue aims to devise new plans and arrangements for the development of the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership Xi also expressed his anticipation for attending the SCO summit discussing with all parties the future of the organization and ways to advance cooperation in order to achieve new and greater progress for this important multilateral mechanism
UN adopts China’s resolution to bring equal access of AI to all nations
S ta f f C o r r e S p o n d e n t A resolution proposed by China and co-sponsored by over 140 countries including the U S was passed unanimously at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly on Monday The resolution calls for “human-centered” development of AI and that it should benefit all nations The resolution puts a particular emphasis on equality stresses that international cooperation should help developing countries build their AI capacity Meanwhile, their voice should also be included more in global AI governance in an “open, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment ” China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong pointed out that many developing countries have not been able to access or benefit from the use of AI as the global digital divide continues to widen The goal is to help all countries, especially developing ones, equally benefit from AI development, bridge the digital divide, improve global AI governance, and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development said Fu
CORPORATE CORNER
Fatima Fertilizer, JazzCash sign MOU to pioneer digitalization
PSX
TRussia & Central Asia
connectivity to Karachi Port can boost greatly trade and cargo activities: Aleem Khan
I S L A M A B A D: Federal Minister for Communications Board of Investment and Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan was called on by Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P Khorev in which matters of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed In this meeting, detailed discussions were held on road connectivity between Russia and Pakistan which could greatly increase trade and cargo activities between both countries Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan while talking to the Ambassador of Russia Albert
Jazz announces strategic transformation to S er viceCo
country In collaboration with over 290 social sector organisations the OICCI members have extended their CSR initiatives to all the four provinces of Pakistan including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan to build a legacy that transcends profits and inspires progressive change in Pakistan The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI)’s 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report has highlighted the profound impact of over 210 foreign investors who are not just pursuing profits but are actively enhancing lives across Pakistan aligning their efforts with the UN s 17 Sustainable Development PR
OGDCL collaborates with NCSW for women empowerment and growth
I S L A M A B A D: Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has partnered with the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) to empower women and foster their growth within the company Mr Ahmed Hayat Lak, MD/CEO of OGDCL, and Ms Nilofar Bakhtiar, Chairperson of NCSW, on Tuesday, signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to formalize this collaboration The LoI signing ceremony was held at the OGDCL Head Office in Islamabad This strategic partnership underscores OGDCL s commitment to recognizing and honoring the invaluable contributions of women within its operations Earlier this year, OGDCL unveiled its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy to foster a more inclusive workplace culture The collaboration between OGDCL and NCSW is poised to set a new standard for gender inclusivity and empowerment in Pakistan s corporate landscape OGDCL is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring a workplace where every individual, regardless of gender and background PR
and Mr Aftab Ahmed, DGM
Treasury LCL Mr Atif Kaludi CFO
efficiency, and competitive cost This partnership has proven invaluable, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with such a reliable and forward-thinking financial institution PR
PM INSTRUCTS ALL RELEVANT INSTITUTIONS TO REMAIN ON HIGH ALERT DURING MONSOON
during the first week of July The meeting was informed that in the second week of July, there is a possibility of heavy rains in Rawalpindi Sargodha Gujranwala Lahore and Faisalabad with scattered rainfall anticipated in Bahawalpur Multan Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions
According to the briefing a flood situation is anticipated in the Sutlej Chenab and Ravi rivers during the first two weeks of August Preparations for relocation and emergency response have been completed in the areas surrounding these rivers In Sindh Karachi Mirpur Khas Nawabshah Sukkur and Hyderabad are expected to experience heavy rains in the second and fourth weeks of July Additionally monsoon showers are forecasted for Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, and Umarkot in the third week of August In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rains are expected in Hazara Malakand Mardan Peshawar Kohat Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan during July The monsoon rains in the region are expected to persist until the third week of August During the briefing, it was mentioned that in Balochistan, heavy rains are likely in the border areas with the Sindh coastal belt during the second and fourth weeks of July and the first two weeks of August Additionally significant rainfall is expected in Lasbela Armada, Khuzdar, Barkhan,
6 RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans to hold a major rally in Islamabad on July 6 following a meeting with PTI founder in Rawalpindi s Adiala Jail on Tuesday PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan addressed the media, urging the nation to join the rally in support of freedom and the rule of law “On July 6 PTI will organise a significant rally in Islamabad ” stated Khan This is a message for the entire nation to step out for freedom and the rule of law Our fight is to bring the powerful under the law, he added Khan further mentioned that this was the first meeting with the PTI founder since Eid He expressed sorrow over the conditions faced by the PTI leader, stating, “It is deeply saddening to see the nation’s leader kept in such harsh conditions The PTI founder has been fighting against a corrupt system and mafia He emphasised the nation s desire for a leader who stands for the country, noting, People from all walks of life wanted a leader like him Over the past 340 days, he has been kept in temperatures ranging from 40 to 45 degrees No other party whether PML-N PPP JUI or Jamaat-e-Islami has a leader like him ” Khan conveyed the PTI founder s message to the nation highlighting the deteriorating conditions over the past two years since his departure from power Electricity and gas have become expensive, and promises made in the budget have been broken Taxes are not being imposed where they are needed, and no one is addressing these issues ” he stated
ISLAMABAD
The Election Commission
LUCKNOW A G E N C I E S
The death toll from stampede at a Hindu religious gathering in India s northern state of Uttar Pradesh continues to rise as at least 116 people were reportedly killed, with scores of others injured India Today reported citing a local official
Hathras district located about 200 km (125 miles) southeast of the national capital New Delhi
Earlier senior government official had confirmed 107 deaths
We have confirmed 107 deaths so far and are focusing on providing relief and medical aid for the victims ” Chaitra V divisional commissioner of Aligarh city in Uttar Pradesh state told AFP
religious leader District police spokesperson Manish Chikara put the death toll at about 60 people but said that figure may rise Videos on social media showed bodies piled up on the ground outside a local hospital Reuters could not immediately verify the images
The situation becomes alarming as the the casualties have drastically soared from 27 the number of deaths initially reported from the deadly rush in a village in
The incident happened due to overcrowding at the time when people were trying to leave the venue, Hathras district administrator Ashish Kumar told reporters S t a m p e d e at U t t a r P r a d e s h re l i g i o u s g at h e r i n g c l a i m s 1 1 6 l i ve s
The stampede happened where authorities said a large crowd had gathered on an area of open ground in response to a call from a local
PPP accuses MQM-P of ‘reviving’ divisive politics
KARACHI
S TA F F R E P O R T
In a sharp response to recent statements by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) President of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh Nisar Khuhro on Tuesday accused MQM-P of attempting to fragment Sindh The accusation surfaced during Khuhro s remarks following an MQM-P press conference Khuhro challenged the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to disclose any undisclosed agreements made with MQM-P concerning the appointment of the Sindh governor He asserted that evidence of MQM-P s past efforts to create a separate entity, referred to as Jin-
nahpur, was well-documented with the seizure of maps from its predecessor organization
Furthermore Khuhro also criticized MQM-P s recent demands for a separate administrative secretariat for Karachi, interpreting it as a move to divide Sindh He reminded the public of MQM-P’s historical support for the quota system under various governments questioning their current opposition to it while being part of the PML-N-led federal government Highlighting MQM-P s contradictory stance on the quota system Khuhro accused them of reigniting the politics of division reminiscent of the eras under former leaders Pervez Musharraf and Ziaul Haq
He emphasized that job oppor-
tunities in Sindh should be accessible to all residents including Urdu-speaking communities without bias He also demanded transparency from PML-N regarding any agreements with MQM-P concerning the governance of Sindh, aligning with a previous PPP and PML-N pact that stipulated the governorship would rotate between the two parties He provocatively commented on MQM-P s nostalgia for their former leader, Altaf Hussain, urging them to cease fostering discord in the province
Khuhro underscored PPP’s commitment to inclusivity by citing the party s history of diverse representation including notable figures such as Hakim Said Jamiluddin Aali, and Kamal Azfar
