PAK-CHInA COOPerATIOn TO
g Says would not tolerate any disruption in implementation of CPEC projects
g Reviews progress on sending 1,000 Pakistani students to China for AI education
upcoming educational semester
The meeting was apprised that owing to the agreements and MoUs singed during prime minister s recent visit, more that 100 Chinese companies were in contact with the Pakistani counterparts for the business and investment purposes
The meeting was also informed by the ministry of IT on the progress made for imparting of technical training, onestop operation for business facilitation, smart governance and smart city by Huawei to a total of 3 00 000 students
The prime minister directed WAPDA authorities for the establishment of safe center for the foolproof security arrangements of Chinese nationals working on Dasu and Diamer Bhasha dams
He asked for immediate implementation of all directives The prime minister was also apprised of the progress on different projects related to communication infrastructure power and Gwadar
He directed for expediting work on steps for the development of Gwadar port, airport and industrial zone for transforming Gwadar into a regional corridor hub
The prime minister also asked for accelerating negotiation process with the Chinese manufacturing companies for relocation of solar panels and its accessories units into Pakistan
Nawaz stresses
national imperative of unity to overcome challenges
MURREE S TA F F R E P O R T
Pakistan Muslim League (N) President and former Prime Minister
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif underscored the imperative of national unity in addressing Pakistan s multifaceted challenges and expressed grave concerns over elements working to destabilize the country and tarnish its international image In a meeting with PML-N Parliamentary Party Leader in Senate Irfan Siddiqui on Saturday, Nawaz Sharif argued that these forces have no genuine stake in democracy or the people’s welfare, viewing Pakistan’s struggles as their
political gains
Reflecting on the country’s past achievements, the PML-N supremo noted that issues like inflation load shedding and terrorism once successfully tackled have resurfaced He assured the nation that with earnest and diligent leadership, these adversities can be overcome once more, God willing Nawaz recalled that seven years ago Pakistan had successfully controlled inflation eliminated load shedding and bid farewell to IMF bailouts However, he lamented the significant setbacks since 2018, which have led to severe difficulties across various sectors These setbacks he noted will take consider-
ISLAMABAD
The federal government is poised to implement significant changes affecting five key ministries, institutions, and corporations
According to sources on the orders of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the Cabinet Division has circulated a letter and proforma to the relevant ministries to gather essential information and suggestions by July 12, 2024 The objective is to explore ways to reduce the size and expenses of these ministries and determine which functions can be managed through public-private partnerships (PPP)
The Institutional Reforms Wing of the Cabinet Division has requested responses from the ministries by the specified deadline (July 12, 2024) The goal is to close ministries and institutions
the regional office of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in Lahore The event was graced by notable figures including Federal Minister of Finance & Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and Minister of State for Finance and Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik A significant
able time to rectify
Emphasizing the crucial role of security, Sharif advocated for unwavering support to the armed forces and security agencies in their antiterrorism endeavors He highlighted the intrinsic link between law and order, investment, and national prosperity, urging Parliament to play an active role in these efforts
During the meeting Senator Irfan Siddiqui presented a comprehensive report on the parliamentary party s performance in the Senate, reaffirming the Pakistan Muslim League (N) s commitment to addressing the nation’s pressing issues and striving for a stable and prosperous future
whose functions are more aligned with provincial affairs and to shift many government sector responsibilities to the private sector or PPP models Documents available with Profit disclosed that the Institutional Reforms Cell (IRC) established by the Prime Minister has begun its work on rightsizing the government The IRC has sought recommendations from five federal ministries: Information Technology, Kashmir Affairs, Ministry of SAFRON, Industries and Production, and Ministry of Health Services The Prime Minister ’s Office has also dispatched a letter containing eight questions to these ministries requesting comprehensive responses Sources said that the targeted ministries have started working on their answers They have been asked to clarify the roles of ministries that have been
transferred to provincial authorities
The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation, and Coordination has distributed the Prime Minister s Office (Institutional Reforms Cell) letter to all heads of departments and organizations under its purview They have been instructed to provide the requested information by July 9 2024 for onward submission to the Prime Minister s Office The Institutional Reforms Cell, part of the Cabinet Division, has been tasked with conducting a thorough rightsizing exercise to ensure efficiency within the government
The Prime Minister has established a Committee on Rightsizing of the Federal Government with specific terms of reference (ToRs) These ToRs include proposing a new architecture for federal functions that can be performed in private mode determining functions that are
g Rs60b withheld since 2013, putting rural, remote telecom projects at risk
enabled the CCP to proceed against M/s Hi-Tech Feeds, Islamabad Feeds, Kausar Feed Mills and Mukhtar Poultry Feeds In 2020, the CCP took suo motu notice upon concerns raised and complaints made regarding a parallel increase in poultry feed prices An enquiry was initiated and data was gathered from market sources which showed that there was indeed a simultaneous increase in price by poultry feed mills The average quantum of increase in prices also appeared to be similar which raised suspicion of collusive decision-making and a violation of
four companies,
Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2010 During the enquiry the CCP also conducted a search and inspection of two major poultry feed mills based in Rawalpindi and Lahore The enquiry report was concluded based on available evidence and show cause notices were issued to 19 feed companies for prima facie violation of Section 4 of the Competition Act 2010 Out of those 19 the specified
CONSUMERS TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF RS3.33 PER/UNIT FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT IN JULY BILLS
TS ocial media blackout for Muharram: PM to take ‘final decision’
Attending the APC only?
PTI founder Imran Khan’s declaration on Saturday that his party would attend the All-Parties Conference on the operation or vision Azm-eIstehkam was purportedly for the sake of Pakistan, but should be seen in the light of the declaration by the 265th Corps Commanders Conference about the ‘unwanted criticism and deliberate misrepresentation’ of vision Azm-e-Istehkam Mr Khan has attempted to show his base by saying that the PTI delegation will be at the APC as ‘observers’, that the PTI will still not talk to ‘thieves and dacoits’ He also maintained a guarded silence about the fate of the APC of opposition parties called by KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur the day before He also made no comment on how the other parties which opposed the Azm-e-Istehkam operation, the ANP and the JUI(F) would react However Mr Khan was clearly abandoning an opposition alliance which had started over dissatisfaction with the election results, and which had got its first concrete issue It might not be appropriate to speculate about why he had decided to part ways but perhaps it had become clear that his allies had not managed to help achieve either the fall of the government or his release from jail
Mr Khan has long expressed the view that it is the establishment which gives power He may well have decided that now was not the time to irritate the establishment further even though the issue was a significant one for the PTI The problem with Azm-e-Istehkam is that it might involve examination of how the KP government was conducted in the past That might be papered over by saying that the two previous KP PTI CMs had left the party but it might cramp Mr Gandapur ’s style as well as prevent him from providing the central PTI with help
However, Mr Khan s gesture must be taken up by the government if it is interested in a dialogue that will settle matters down At present Mr Khan does not acknowledge even the government’s right to rule Attending the APC, even as observers, will acknowledge something at least It also becomes something of a question whether an extension of the Nation Action Plan which the government claims Azm-e-Istehkam to be can be brought under consideration by the PTI while such matters as the national economy cannot The APC episode is making it obvious that the PTI is more interested in the persons behind the issue, more than the issue itself
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi
Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
a l a n c i n g H e
Shariah-Compliant Milk Banks
infants showed significantly higher NEC and feeding intolerance rates in those fed formula Though formula-fed babies gained weight faster and showed shortterm growth benefits these did not last Thus use of human milk fortifiers might negate these short-term gains Global organizations like WHO and UNICEF promote human milk banks, emphasizing their importance in infant health and encouraging worldwide expansion Historically human milk sharing has ancient roots with evidence in the Code of Hammurabi from 1790 BC This practice known as wet nursing involved breastfeeding by relatives or strangers and was believed to pass on traits from the wet nurse to the child Prominent historical figures, including the Prophet Muhammad (S A W), were wet nursed By the 13th century wet nursing was a lucrative job for European women The first human milk bank opened in Vienna in 1909 followed by others in Boston and Germany Despite fluctuations in
INCUMBENT US President Joe Biden recently faced one of his most challenging moments on the political stage In a debate against his formidable opponent, Donald Trump, Biden’s age seemed to catch up with him in a way that was unmistakable to tens of millions of viewers The spectacle of this showdown highlighted not only the intense scrutiny politicians endure but also the merciless nature of public opinion and media Biden s struggle during the debate was a stark reminder of how age can betray even the most seasoned leaders at critical junctures In this highly anticipated and widely watched event Biden failed to perform convincingly both as an attacker and a defender After the debate Biden admitted his bad performance He appeared unable to maintain the composure and sharpness that are crucial in such high-stakes encounters This public faltering transformed what might have been seen as a minor setback into a perceived catastrophe The modern political landscape is unforgiving especially under the relentless spotlight of social media where commentators and critics can be particularly harsh The slightest sign of weakness is often amplified, with slanderous and wolfish attacks that can sway public opinion dramatically This environment is particularly unforgiving for a president seeking re-election as any perceived decline in capability can have dire consequences for his campaign Within the Democratic Party there is growing concern about Biden s ability to lead the charge into the next election Prominent voices, including The New York Times, have suggested that Biden should consider stepping aside This sentiment has been echoed by various party members who fear that his continued presence might lead to an unavoidable defeat However replacing a sitting president in the middle of a campaign is not a simple task It involves complex political manoeuvres and would require Biden s own agreement to step down a challenging prospect for any politician Jill Biden, the president’s wife, has been seen by some as a potential influencer who might persuade her husband to make this tough decision for the greater good of the party and the country Similarly former President Barack Obama is also expected to play a crucial role in guiding Biden through this difficult period Convincing a lifelong politician to retire is no easy feat The
popularity due to formula milk and AIDS fears, milk banks have seen a resurgence supported by advances in pediatric medicine and safety protocols The proliferation of milk banks has reached extensive parts of Europe and North America, along with numerous non-Muslim-majority countries However, this expansion is notably less prevalent in Muslim-majority regions due to the concept of milk kinship This kinship is established when a child is breastfed by a woman other than their biological mother creating a bond akin to that of siblings which then forbids marriage between these milk siblings and their biological kin The interpretations of this practice vary between Sunni and Shia Muslims: The Shia school of thought mandates direct breastfeeding with a minimum of ten feeds whereas the Sunnis accept any method and quantity of milk Since 1985, the International Islamic Fiqh Academy has prohibited the establishment of Westernstyle milk banks to prevent unintentional marriages among milk kin Muslim nations have introduced innovative milk banking methods In Kuwait and Malaysia a peer-to-peer donation model is being tested connecting two to three families to supply unpasteurized donor human milk (DHM) to preterm Muslim infants Before the donation, families meet to ensure compatibility, discuss
religious considerations, and address the prohibition of marriage between the donor ’s children and the recipient infant reflecting a culturally sensitive approach to this vital healthcare service Other Muslim countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh are considering similar models pending Islamic authority approval Iran has conventional milk banks with religious backing stating no kinship occurs without direct breastfeeding The European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) decreed that milk from conventional banks does not establish kinship due to the anonymous and pooled nature of donations Despite this, many Muslim parents refuse donor milk due to kinship concerns Consequently the ECFR mandates traceability of milk donations for 30 years to verify kinship In a milk sharing programme for Muslim nations strict guidelines are crucial Each child should ideally have only one donor, and mixing donors milk must be avoided Proper labelling for full donor identification is essential, and both parties should consent to identity disclosure Donor information might be added to the child s birth certificate Mothers are primarily responsible for breastfeeding with the programme supporting preterm infants The aim is to encourage mothers to produce their own milk quickly, minimizing the need for multiple donors Prolonged milk sharing is reserved for children whose mothers cannot breastfeed due to medical issues or death Additionally if a donor predominantly has children of one gender their milk should preferably be given to recipients of the same gender Providing human milk is crucial for giving all children a healthy start, though some mothers and babies face challenges in this endeavour It falls on the shoulders of religious leaders healthcare professionals and government officials to step in and offer their support While human milk banks provide a promising solution their adoption necessitates a nuanced understanding of Islamic principles, allowing these initiatives to thrive within Muslim communities The writer can be reached at: hina53manzoor@gmail com
Balancing Old and New in Education
Mass Sur veillance – a Comparative Study…
Big Brother is watching us
CIVILIZED countries uphold the basic rights of their citizens above all other considerations The constitutions and laws of these countries ensure that all public services and government institutions operate strictly within legal boundaries serving the people who are the ultimate paymasters for all state institutions and their functionaries from the President down to the peon Even countries that profess socialism have realized that their source of power lies in their citizens' ability to generate wealth This wealth creation is only possible when the entire government machinery is holistically ideologically and administratively focused on creating enabling conditions for their people to realize their full potential By creating wealth and paying taxes, citizens make the government wealthy, which in turn uses this wealth to further empower the people and leverage resources from other countries to fuel their growing and prospering
economies In contrast countries like ours often operate oppositely Government officials who enjoy powers, perks, and privileges because of the hard-earned wealth of individuals from peons to chief executives of multinational companies often fail to honor and uphold the dignity privacy and private lives of these citizens Instead they treat them disrespectfully and violate their basic human rights, guaranteed by the constitution, with total impunity This disregard for citizens rights undermines the fundamental principles of governance and erodes public trust in state institutions In civilized countries the right to privacy and protection from unlawful surveillance is a cornerstone of democratic values and human rights Governments in these nations are bound by stringent legal frameworks and oversight mechanisms to ensure that any surveillance activities are conducted lawfully transparently and with respect for individual freedoms Judicial oversight data protection laws and independent regulatory bodies work in tandem to safeguard citizens communication data from unauthorized access and misuse Upholding these principles is essential for maintaining public trust, protecting civil liberties and preventing abuse of power ensuring that citizens can communicate freely without fear of unwarranted intrusion by the state However in extreme exigencies the intelligence agencies need surveillance of their own or citizens of the foreign countries, they do so after following stringent legal procedures to obtain permission In the United States the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and the USA PATRIOT Act require agencies to seek warrants from the For-
eign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) or a federal judge with oversight from congressional committees and the Department of Justice In the United Kingdom, the Investigatory Powers Act mandates that surveillance warrants be authorized by a Judicial Commissioner and a Secretary of State, overseen by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner s Office (IPCO) European Union member states adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), requiring national court approvals and oversight from bodies like the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) For example Germany s Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) requires G10 Commission approval, and France s intelligence activities are overseen by the Commission Nationale de Contrôle des Techniques de Renseignement (CNCTR) In contrast China s National Intelligence Law and Cybersecurity Law allow the Ministry of State Security (MSS) to conduct surveillance with administrative approval and limited transparency, emphasizing state security Each approach reflects the country's balance between security and privacy and the extent of judicial and public oversight to prevent abuse In Pakistan the legal framework governing the surveillance of citizens by intelligence agencies includes several key laws
and regulations Article 14 of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the inviolability of the dignity of man and subject to law the privacy of home It provides a constitutional safeguard against unlawful interference in an individual's private life Section 54 of Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act 1996 allows interception of communications only if authorized by the federal government for national security or emergency purposes following prescribed procedures Investigation for Fair Trial Act, 2013 requires a warrant issued by a High Court judge, based on reasonable grounds related to terrorism espionage or serious crime It also emphasizes the need for judicial oversight to ensure surveillance activities are lawful and not arbitrary Section 39 of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 permits the retention, acquisition, and disclosure of traffic data by service providers for up to one year under specific conditions read with Section 29 permitting the retention acquisition and disclosure of traffic data by service providers for up to one year subject to production of a warrant issued by the court Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Protects individuals from arbitrary or unlawful interference with their privacy family home or correspondence and ensures the right to legal protection against such interference However, in total disregard to the laws of the country, international law and best
practices the Islamabad High Court declared that the intelligence agencies of the country in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and telecom companies, were reportedly engaged in unauthorized mass surveillance of over 400,000 citizens without proper legal authorization or judicial oversight
The most serious aspect of the judgment is the word mass surveillance which is a far more serious crime than individual surveillance if done without following a lawful procedure It involves monitoring large segments of society indiscriminately, infringing on the privacy rights of many innocent individuals and creating a pervasive sense of being constantly watched This can lead to self-censorship stifling free expression and personal freedoms Additionally mass surveillance provides extensive data that can be misused for political, social, or economic control, increasing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized use of personal information It undermines democratic value violates constitutional
HElbit Systems Israel’s largest arms manufacturer which produces weapons for the Israeli military
According to Israel Tech Guards LinkedIn profile, [t]he group works in cooperation with the Israeli security agencies ” An archived version of the site states it also works with the Israeli military For instance one such project Anchoring the Draw was completed in December 2023 with Unit 9900 an Israeli military intelligence corps whose work is classified Information on the project and its purpose hasn’t been released Israel Tech Guard has also collaborated with the Israeli National Information Directorate and the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism to launch Words of Iron on the day of Hamas October 2023 attack With Words of Iron, social media users are encouraged to amplify pro-Israel content by commenting with autogenerated text created by the website s developers as well as
nouncing the project TARGETING PRO-PALESTINE ACTIVISM According to the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) the words of iron hashtag appeared in X posts more than 40 000 times was used by more than 5,000 users, and reached more than 1 million users between October 10, 2023, to March 10, 2024 However, Words of Iron’s success was short-lived as its engagement dipped after October 13 “Despite not having a lasting impact Words of Iron represent an evolution in digital propaganda during wars showing a more advanced operation than previous efforts, a DFRLab researcher, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, told MintPress News The tool’s engagement strategy targeted politicians influencers activists and journalists The top recipients of replies with the Words of Iron hashtag were United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, U S President Joe Biden, U S Senator Marco Rubio United Kingdom Home Secretary James Cleverly German Chancellor Olaf Scholz French President Emmanuel Macron U S Senator Chuck Schumer and U K Prime Minister Rishi Sunak The kind of content Words of Iron suggests users report ranges Some posts contain false information or are antisemitic, but many posts are simply critical of Israel Zionism or expressed solidarity with Palestine According to an analysis by DFRLAB Words of Iron flagged posts from activist group Scottish Jews Against Zionism and Australian-Lebanese journalist Daizy Gedeon several times The Washington Post reported that the tool also encouraged users to flag a Christmas Day post from influencer and lawyer Rosy Pirani stating that Jesus was Palestinian The post was then reported on Instagram, and now her content is not being recommended to non-followers She has been banned from the Explore page and Reels tab and can no longer monetize her posts It s sad to see content that s in no way antisemitic being reported Pirani told the Washington Post Sites like Words of Iron are scaring other content creators from posting about Palestine They’re chilling free speech, and that’s what they aim to do ” On the other hand Words of Iron encourages users to boost posts from pro-Israel voices such as StandWithUs Stop AntiSemitism, Yoseph Haddad, a pro-Israel Palestinian activist, controversial news aggregator Visegrad24, and Hillel Neuer, head of UN Watch, an Israel lobby group targeting the United Nations Many of the posts attacked the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) which Israel has been actively campaigning to ban from operating on its territory
Additionally, the DFRLab found many suspicious X accounts linked to Words of Iron Some accounts using the Words of Iron
tool were created immediately after Hamas October 7 attack while other profiles were dormant for years before renewing activity using Words of Iron
“[T]he DFRLab identified at least two hundred accounts created after the October 7 attacks some created minutes apart from each other that amplified WOI messaging
More than thirty accounts were created on October 12 while more than twenty were established the following day, the researchers wrote in their report on Words of Iron “[M]ore than one hundred accounts did not have an avatar image and used alphanumeric handles at the time of reporting ” DFRLab couldn t verify whether these accounts were real or operated by governmental or other entities
While Words of Iron is not the first online mechanism promoting Israeli propaganda, DFRLab notes that it is more sophisticated than previous technology Words of Iron is more advanced in terms of its design and user interface incorporating gamification and automation for example and ability to generate endless content with specific targeting, the DFRLab researcher said
The researcher also emphasized that “the tool’s focus on boosting supportive messages from politicians and influencers on various social media platforms is particularly noteworthy A WEB PROPAGANDA
Other projects partnering with Words of Iron include Veo Israel and OCT7 Veo Israel is a non-profit established to target Spanishspeaking audiences with pro-Israel audiovisual content While Veo Israel s current webpage doesn t mention Words of Iron an archived version of the site lists Words of Iron and OCT7, another pro-Israel digital warrior campaign Veo Israel was founded by Rodrigo Gonzalez a former soldier in the Israeli army s Golani Brigade The site purports to have a network of thousands of Spanishspeaking volunteers worldwide to assist with disseminating information It is advertising on Facebook to fight against the “war in media” and “defend the reputation of Israel ” Some of the ads Veo Israel has run on Facebook include attacking UNRWA the Gaza solidarity movement on college campuses and a story about an Ar-
gentinian soldier who is fighting with the Israeli army in Gaza While Veo Israel s online impact appears small with only about 700 Facebook likes and Instagram posts rarely reaching 1,000 likes the group has connected with politicians worldwide including Santiago Abascal leader of the Spanish VOX party Chilean politician Antonio Kast and Argentine President Javier Milei It also received funding from Gabriel Colodro, head of the Spanish-speaking section of Israel s Yesh Atid party Other apps similar to Words of Iron like OCT7 and Moovers are tied to the Israeli government OCT7 s website lists the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs as a partner, and according to the Washington Post, Leaders, a Tel-Aviv-based marketing firm associated with Moovers, claimed it’s “endorsed by Israel’s Government Advertising Agency ” Moovers grabbed international attention in December when a representative from Leaders contacted content creators offering to pay them to promote Moovers on their social media accounts The app has also been accused of having pro-Palestine content removed According to digital rights activists censorship of pro-Palestine content on social media platforms is intensifying Palestinian digital rights group Sada Social found that nearly 40% of Palestinian media outlets and journalists encountered violations on social media between January 1, 2024, and April 30 2024 The most common violations included post-deletion and reduced engagement Iron Truth is another Israeli-tech industry-manufactured bot that mobilizes netizens to mass-report content The platform s founder, Dani Kaganovitch, claims its connections with tech companies have led to the removal of roughly 1 000 posts across X YouTube and TikTok Kaganovitch s post on LinkedIn announcing the project states: The fight for public opinion has never been more important Our enemy’s fake news and
MODI GOVT IMPLEMENTS NEW DANGEROUS CRIMINAL L AWS TARGETING MINORITIES
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are permanently leaving India. Here’s why.
Speculation is mounting about the possible permanent relocation of former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma to London The couple along with their children Vamika and Akaay have fueled rumors of settling in the UK capital due to several recent developments Virat Kohli who recently led India to victory in the T20 World Cup finals against South Africa, has announced his retirement from T20 cricket His decision to retire from the shorter format of the game has intensified speculation about his plans to move abroad Following the World Cup Kohli was seen departing for London to reunite with Anushka and their children Akaay born in London
The couple s connection to London deepened with the birth of their second child, Akaay, in the city Anushka and Virat spent considerable time in London both before and after Akaay’s birth staying there for about two months before Kohli returned to India for cricketing commitments Anushka later joined him but maintained a low profile requesting the media not to photograph their children Post-World Cup speculations
The buzz around their relocation grew when Kohli, after meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 4 was spotted at Mumbai airport the next day Though his destination was not confirmed media reports suggested he was heading to London Meanwhile Anushka and the children have remained in London, further fueling the rumors A quiet life In a recent interview with a sports channel, Kohli expressed his desire for a peaceful life away from the public eye hinting at his plans post-retirement “Once I am done then I will go away and not be seen by anyone For now I want to give my all to cricket Kohli said, emphasizing his intention to eventually retreat from the spotlight
This is not the first time the couple has extended their stay in London They previously chose the city for Akaay’s birth spending significant time there Their frequent visits and prolonged stays have led to increasing speculation about their plans to make London their permanent home Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma,
ISLAMABAD W E B D E S K
ON July 1st the Modi government in India enacted new criminal laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)”, “Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)”, and “Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)” Asaduddin Owaisi President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen expressed concerns that these laws will be used against Muslims, Dalits, and other marginalized groups in India He claims these laws will expand police powers to target vulnerable sections of society A Member of Parliament from Hyderabad described these laws as one-
sided noting that they do not address police misconduct He labeled these laws as even more dangerous than the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) Since the Modi government assumed power, minorities in India have felt increasingly insecure Anti-Muslim rhetoric has also been prevalent in recent elections The new laws are raising concerns among minorities particularly Muslims Adivasis and Dalits
Their implementation occurs amid ongoing debates about the treatment of minorities in India under the current administration Critics argue that these laws could be used to target specific communities while government supporters insist they are necessary for maintaining law and order
Chinese automakers ac t against EU’s tariffs
Chinese automobile companies and industry associations are taking active actions against the EU’s provisional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs)
SAIC Motor Corp said on Friday that it demands that the European Commission (EC) hold a hearing on the tariffs, as the company seeks to further exercise its right to safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests as well as the benefits of its global clients
China s Foreign Ministry stressed at a regular press conference on Friday that China always believes the two sides should solve trade issues through talks and will take “necessary measures” to firmly safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests
Observers said the consultations between China and the EU on the bloc s anti-subsidy probe into Chinese EV companies will be very hard, urging the EU to show more sincerity so that the two sides can reach a balanced and win-win result before a final decision is made by the EU in November
SAIC Motor said in a statement published on Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo on Friday that the EC the executive body of the EU revised down the addi-
tional tariffs faced by the company to 37 6 percent from 38 1 percent announced in pre-disclosure on June 12 after the company submitted its defense
SAIC Motor said the EC’s anti-subsidy probe involves commercially sensitive information that exceeds the scope of normal investigation and that there is a mistake with the EC s recognition of subsidies The EC has also neglected partial information and defense opinions the company submitted during investigations
The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) said on Friday that the EC’s recognition of so-called subsidies within Chinese EV firms involved is unreasonable and seriously violates WTO and EU related antisubsidy rules urging the EC to correct its mistake as soon as possible
Representing the Chinese EV industry, CCCME further stated that it will continue to deal with the EC’s anti-subsidy investigation and will firmly protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises through various means
The EC confirmed provisional import tariffs on a couple of Chinese EV manufacturers starting from Thursday, despite strong opposition from government officials and major industry players within
the bloc In the upcoming four months there is still a lot of room for consultations and negotiations between China and the EU so that a solution acceptable to both sides can be found ” Liang Ming director of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation s Institute of International Trade of the Ministry of Commerce, told the Global Times
The EU has announced multiple restrictive trade measures against China since the beginning of the year but China has continued to expand imports from the EU, demonstrating its positive attitude in dealing with the EU, Liang said He Weiwen, a senior fellow from the Center for China and Globalization told the Global Times on Friday that the EU s protectionist move will not only make European consumers pay higher prices for EVs but also harm some European companies’ interests, since a large proportion of the Chinese EVs exported to the EU involves products made by European companies in China
If China and the EU can solve the trade dispute through talks, it will bring benefits for both sides, He said, urging the EU to show more sincerity in consultations with China
Kamala Harris’ chances to replace Joe Biden improve as Democrats rally around her
ISLAMABAD
Amid the ongoing fallout from Joe Biden s debate performance, discussions within top Democratic circles have already shifted to who Kamala Harris’ running mate might be
Many leading party officials operatives and donors are convinced that the president s slow efforts to revive his campaign won t succeed Several close allies are skeptical about his ability to handle the reelection campaign he has committed to according to CNN which had conversations with two dozen Democratic politicians and operatives
Biden often says not to compare him to the almighty, but to the alternative Increasingly, Democrats are applying this principle to Harris The vice president and her team have largely ignored the numerous calls and texts they ve received, steadfastly supporting Biden and expressing pride in sticking by him
However, Harris has already
firmly opposes interference in Tajikistan s internal affairs under any excuse by any external force No matter how the international landscape changes, China will always be a trustworthy friend, a reliable partner and a close brother of Tajikistan, Xi said In the talks, Rahmon hailed China and Tajikistan as friendly neighbors and loyal friends
Noting that the relationship between Tajikistan and China can be regarded as a model for state-to-state relations Rahmon said strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with China in the new era is a priority policy direction for Tajikistan
Since the beginning of the new era under the visionary and wise leadership of President Xi China has made great developmental achievements which have not only benefited the Chinese people, but also made important contributions to regional and world peace and development, he said Rahmon reiterated that the Tajik side firmly abides by the one-China principle opposes any form of Taiwan independence and firmly supports all efforts made by China
made some adjustments After last week s debate her office updated her schedule to join Biden for the Fourth of July picnic and fireworks She has not previously attended this event, typically adhering to her own Independence Day tradition of visiting a local fire station Additionally after Democratic governors rejected the White House s initial offer to have her address them instead of Biden, she was added to the meeting and concluded it with a speech urging unity and continued support for the president This move keeps her close to Biden but it also shows Biden keeping her close
Despite her efforts Democratic politics has started to shift around her, as has former President Donald Trump’s campaign, which has begun attacking Harris Several officials have said that they have started urging donors who doubt Harris chances to support her
Other officials and advisers are planning to convince Biden to immediately endorse Harris, release his Democratic delegates, and ask them to support her They believe
former presidents and party leaders would then follow suit to avoid a contentious primary battle for the Democratic ticket Top Democrats hope that an open race would focus on selecting Harris’ running mate, with leading Democratic governors being the primary contenders North Carolina Gov Roy Cooper and Kentucky Gov Andy Beshear are the most discussed; the list also includes Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, J B Pritzker of Illinois, and Tim Walz of Minnesota However this approach would deny Harris the deference given to other modern presidential nominees in choosing their running mate A Democratic senator used an extended and colorful metaphor to describe the shift to Harris, comparing Biden and his vice president to a star quarterback who needs to be benched and their backup
We start talking in the huddle:
Do we put in the backup QB? The backup knows our team, the backup knows the plays, the backup has played in the NFL
in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity and realizing national reunification Synergy of development strategies
China is willing to exchange and share development experiences and opportunities with Tajikistan while advancing the synergy of their development strategies Xi told Rahmon on Friday Xi noted that China stands ready to jointly promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Tajikistan
China is also willing to work with Tajikistan to upgrade the quality and scale of economic and trade cooperation optimize connectivity cooperation deepen agricultural
CORPORATE CORNER
A Z I Z B U N E R I
A R H A D Chamber of Commerce and Industry senior vice president Sanaullah Khan stressed the need for further cementing bilateral trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Republic of Philippines
The senior office bearer said there is immense potential to enhance mutual trade between Pakistan and the Philippines He, however, emphasized joint initiatives must be taken to benefit from each other's experiences and potentials to improve trade and economic ties between the two countries Sanaullah Khan made these remarks during a visit of Maria Agnes M Cervantes Ambassador of Philippines to Pakistan along with her other members of delegation here at the chamber house on Saturday Vice president of the SCCI Ejaz Khan Afridi FPCCI former president Ghazanfar Bilour former vice president of the
FPCCI Hanif Gohar, Honorary Consul General of Philippines in Karachi Dr Imran Yousuf Honorary Consul General Philippines in Lahore Fahdal Sheikh member of 10-members delegation of Philippines, former president Sherbaz Bilour, former senior vice president Imran Khan Mohmand, member of the chamber executive committee Affaf Ali Khan Qurat Ul Ain Monawar Khurshid Naeem Qasmi and Fahad Amin and Sohail Javed Waqar Ahmad Saddar Gul Faiz Rasool, Acting Secretary General Muqtasid Ahsan, Secretary Sohail Anjum, traders and industrialists were present in a large number during the meeting Maria Agnes M Carvantes while speaking on the occasion invited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa businessmen to visit
ICCI facilitates former President Atif Ikram
CM felicitates Masoud Pezeshkian on being elec ted President of Iran
Atif Ikram Sheikh and expressed best wishes for him President ICCI and Industry Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari congratulated Atif Ikram Sheikh on being elected as the President of FPCCI and expressed his best wishes for him He said that the business community has posed full confidence in
the leadership of Atif Ikram Sheikh and UBG in the election of the FPCCI and hoped that the new President FPCCI will play a proactive role in resolving the key issues of the business community and reviving the economy UBG Patron-in-Chief S M Tanveer said that the success of UBG in the elections of FPCCI reflects the confidence of the business community in its performance He said that this great success is not only a historic moment for him but also the first step in his journey for the betterment of the business community He said that under the patronage of UBG Atif Ikram Shaikh will work hard for the welfare of the business community and will try his best to restore their dignity
The newly elected President of FPCCI, Atif Ikram Shaikh, thanked all his voters for giving him an overwhelming victory and reaffirmed to use all his ability to solve
the major problems of the business community of the entire country He said that his doors are always open for the business community and he will serve everyone without discrimination President UBG Zubair Tufail said that the business community of the country has started a new journey of success by posing full confidence in the UBG and hoped that the newly elected leadership of FPCCI will spare no effort for the better protection of the interests of the business community UBG Secretary General Zafar Bakhtawari said that the success of Atif Ikram Sheikh is the fulfillment of the wishes of the late S M Munir the former Patron-in-Chief of UBG Appreciating the role of the armed forces he said that Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir has undertaken the responsibility of
The three-day Centaurus Mango Festival held at the Centaurus Mall in collaboration MNS Agriculture University Multan continued on Saturday The theme of the event is "Connecting Mango Growers Businesses Consumers and Exporters and it is aimed to facilitate connections and partnerships across the mango value chain
The Centaurus Mall has been playing significant role in promoting Pakistan's local businesses artisans farmers growers and other small industries by providing a platform that connects them to a larger audiences Pakistani citizens eagerly wait for mango season as this delectable fruit was not just a source of deliciousness but also a significant contributor to the country s economy and a source of national pride Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf
Raza Gilani CEO of The Centaurus Group and President IDA Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan MNA Hanif Abbasi along with other distinguished guests of honor and ambassadors inaugurated the 2nd day of the mango festival Speaking on the occasion Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that Pakistan is a global leader in mango production consistently ranking among the top producers Over 300,000 smallholder farmers cultivate mangoes making it a vital source of income and employment in rural areas Punjab province reigns supreme contributing a whopping 78% of the national mango output while Sindh province follows closely behind at around 21 6%
The IDA President mentioned that Pakistan's total mango production is 1 79 million tonnes annually out of which only 6% is exported mainly to the UAE UK Oman US and the European Union However,
Pakistan's post-harvest losses are very high ranging from 0 36 to 0 71 million tonnes which is 20-40% of the domestic volume The losses in mango production are much higher than those of its exports, he added To control losses and enhance export production Sardar Yasir Ilyas urged the government and stakeholders to focus on promoting modern farming practices providing training to farmers, investing in cold storage facilities, transportation and packaging infrastructure, implementing integrated pest management strategies developing disease-resistant cultivars and exploring new export markets
The Mango Festival attracted a varied audience including academia, researchers, government officials, ambassadors, agricultural experts and mango growers This event is a key platform to highlight the value of Pakistani mangoes and boost their export potential By fostering knowledge exchange and in-
Punjab Health Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that foolproof security arrangements have been made for Muharram-ul-Haram
Speaking during his visit to Darbar Bibi Pak Daman on Saturday, he said that the government was committed to ensure safety of mourners The provincial government would install Niaz [free food] and Sabeel [drinking water] stalls along the routes of Muharram congregations and processions he added Khawaja Salman Rafique said that all procession routes would be closely monitored and a control room would be established within the Home Department to oversee the security measures “Ensuring the best arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram is a religious duty for all of us he noted On the occasion, SP Civil Lines Police Abdul Hanan and Assistant Commissioner City Dr Anam Fatima briefed the minister on the current security preparations The minister also reviewed the ongoing expansion project at the Darbar Prominent figures from the Shia community, including Patron Supreme Shia Peace Committee Darbar Bibi Pak Daman Danish Naqvi Chairman Agha Faraz
R M A S O U D P E Z E S H K I A N W I N S
R A N ’ S P R E S I D E N T I A L R A C E
TCentral Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad on Saturday announced that the Muharram moon has not been sighted in the country and first of Muharram will fall on Monday (July 8)
Addressing a
conference after the committee s
in Quetta, Maulana Azad said that Youm-eAshura the 10th of Muharram will be observed on July 17 (Wednesday) He informed that the committee s meeting was held at the deputy commissioner s office while zonal committees also held meetings in Islamabad Lahore Peshawar and Karachi No testimony was received from any part of the country about the sighting of the moon, he said, adding that it was thus consensually decided that the first of the month would be observed on July 8 Maulana Azad said Muharram was counted amongst the most sacred months with many historic events taking place in it It commemorates the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, where amongst many, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAAW), Imam Husain, was martyred and other family members were martyred Keeping in view the need for extra security due to the spike in religious activity during the first 10 days of Muharram authorities make arrangements accordingly On the hand the Punjab government imposed Section 144 across the province for security during Ashura Muharram in the light of potential threats to public tranquillity, sectarian harmony and general law and order situation”
Notorious bandit
Imdad Bhayo killed in kacha operation, three hostages rescued
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Notorious bandit Imdad Bhayo and his brother were killed in a joint operation by Rangers and police in the Kacha area with five of their accomplices captured and three Hindu traders safely rescued According to a press release from security agencies, the operation against criminal elements in the Kacha area is ongoing On Saturday, intelligence indicated that Imdad Bhayo and his associates were present in the region Rangers and police surrounded the area prompting the bandits to open fire In the ensuing exchange Imdad Bhayo and his brother Nazir were killed Rangers apprehended five wounded criminals, seizing weapons from them and safely rescuing three Hindu traders The Sindh government had placed a bounty of Rs3 million on Imdad Bhayo’s head Bhayo was notorious for kidnapping three Hindu traders and five bank employees for ransom He was involved in multiple cases of murder attempted murder kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday extended congratulations to Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on his victory in Iran’s presidential elections “I look forward to
stability the prime minister wrote on his official X account He said as neighboring countries, Pakistan and Iran enjoyed a close and historic relationship We must ensure a bright future for our two peoples through mutually beneficial cooperation he added
Ex-judge makes star tling revelations about ex-LHC C J’s ‘nepotism, abuse of authorit y ’
Former Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice (retd) Shahid Jameel Khan has made startling revelations about the worst exhibition of nepotism and abuse of office by former LHC chief justice Ameer Bhatti
In an interview with a private TV channel, Justice (retd) Shahid Jameel Khan, who resigned from the Lahore High Court (LHC) in February alleged that former LHC chief justice Ameer Bhatti had abused his position to politically benefit his son-in-law Ali Afzal Sahi, a former lawmaker of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
“The decline of the judiciary in Punjab began during the tenure of Justice Sardar Shamim as LHC chief justice who was close to the PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz) and was readjusted after retirement, Justice (retd) Khan claimed in the interview
“Justice Aalia Neelum, who has been appointed as chief justice of the high court is a good judge and cannot be approached by anyone he added
While talking about Bhatti, Khan alleged that Sahi had invited him to his residence via phone call
during which the former CJ s sonin-law told the former judge that he had become a provincial minister and had also been allotted a government house Khan said he declined the invitation as Sahi was a political party s minister and part of the government but he revealed about 25 of his fellow judges accepted the invitation and attended the event
He further disclosed that during and after Bhatti’s tenure cases related to the establishment and intelligence agencies were often given to a particular judge and it was generally perceived that he provided them relief
He said Bhatti was an approachable judge and met with everyone which he said should not be the case with any judge
Justice (retd) Khan said that the former CJ met PTI leader Shehzad Akbar and told him that good news was not being broadcast
He said he used to express these concerns openly to the then chief justice s face at that time as well He was of the view that judicial interference occurs when you allow it Khan also recounted an incident when an inspector from a secret agency came for an inquiry
into his appointment as a judge and requested a meeting with his officer, to which he replied that he would meet after his confirmation Justice (retd) Khan stated that he never engaged in any inappropriate action as a judge and commended the integrity of Justices Mansoor Ali Shah, Shahzad Gheba and Ayesha Malik He disclosed that Sabir Mithu, a relative of former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa attempted to influence him in a sugar case even attempting to contact his brother and mother after he became a judge Khan revealed that Mithu had informed him about General Bajwa’s appointment to succeed General Raheel Sharif before it was officially announced When Mithu tried to influence him, their acquaintance ended During the interview, the former judge discussed various incidents involving chief justices and fellow judges shedding light on some judges characters He also explained the reasons for his resignation and addressed a video in which Muhammad Khan Bhatti mentioned his name Before this interview was aired efforts were made to contact
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
The Pakistan Army Promotion Board has approved the promotion of 22 brigadiers to the rank of Major-General in Pakistan Army sources said on Friday The Army Promotion Board approved the promotions at a meeting held at the General Headquarters, which was presided over by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir
Brigadiers promoted to the two-star rank belonged to various corps – including Armed Corps Artillery, Air Defence, Aviation, Infantary Corps of Military Intelligence and EME Among the officers got promotion included current military secretaries of the President and the
Prime Minister Those promoted include: Brigadier Adnan Sultan, Brigadier Usman Kiyani, Brigadier Imran Sartaj, Brigadier Yahya Usman, Brigadier Usman Iqbal, Brigadier Jolian Brigadier Saeed Anwar Brigadier Arfan Ramay and Brigadier Attiq Those promoted from the Infantry include Brigadier Mehr
Omer Brigadier Imtiaz Gillani
Brigadier Ahmed Jawad, Brigadier Tajdeed, Brigadier Bilal Sarfraz, Brigadier Khurram Shabbir, Brigadier Faisal Saud, Brigadier Abid Mazhar Brigadier Shehryar
Muneer Brigadier Shehryar Qureshi Brigadier Adil Iftikhar
Brigadier Amjad Aziz and Brigadier Zulfikar Shaheen