I O N I S T S TAT E M U S T B E H E L D A C C O U N TA B L E F O R B LO O D S H E D I N PA L E S T I N E : P M
one s control It will risk the annihilation of world s peace and development,” the prime minister said addressing the National Assembly after the House unanimously passed a resolution calling Haniyeh s killing
a ‘deliberate conspiracy to sabotage’ Gaza ceasefire efforts and condemning the ongoing Israeli state oppression and brutality in Gaza The prime minister who earlier also highlighted the issue in the cabinet meeting chaired by him a while ago and coalition parties meeting on Thursday said the whole Muslim world including the Pakistani nation was grieved over Ismail Haniyeh s killing Thanking the members from both sides of the aisle for evolving a consensus on the resolution, he said the parliament’s voice would resonate the world over to shock the enemies of Pakistan and strengthen its friends He highlighted that the Palestinian people were suffering the worst bloodshed by the Zionist state for the last nine months which killed around 40,000 people including thousands of women and children “The cities have turned into cemeteries The cries have taken over the joys and
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Friday expressed unanimous solidarity with Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation and the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh In the second meeting of the eighth session the lower house passed a resolution extending condolences to Haniyeh s family and the people of Palestine The resolution was supported by both the opposition and treasury benches Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, condemned Haniyeh s killing He declared Israel a terrorist state, responsible for mass killings and human rights violations Siddiqui criticised the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation s (OIC) response to the ongoing Gaza conflict and urged the Muslim world to take action beyond mere resolutions “This attack on Haniyeh is an assault on the ummah and the Pak-
smiles of the playing children Palestine is giving a deserted look ” the prime minister said and questioned the inaction and helplessness of the world to end the Israeli oppression He said not only the Muslims rather every peace-loving human
istani nation Siddiqui said Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions, Amir Muqam, echoed these sentiments, calling the resolution a significant step He urged all parliamentary parties to join a walk on Youm-e-Istehsaal-e-Kashmir on August 5 to condemn Indian oppression in Jammu and Kashmir MNA Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri of JUI-F condemned Haniyeh’s killing in a missile attack in Tehran labelling Israel s claim to Palestinian land as illegitimate and created by imperial forces Pakistan Muslim League-Zia chief, MNA Ijazul Haq, decried the attack as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty He praised the resolution and called for similar unity on other national issues Chairman of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), Mahmood Khan Achakzai, suggested filing a case against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu accusing him of crimes against humanity
being regardless of faith or creed was questioning the non-implementation of the international laws and human rights charters for which the world bodies including the United Nations were created This is a question by an infant who was killed moments after his
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani nation observed the day of mourning on Friday in solidarity with the Palestinian brothers and
released after the protestors disperse peacefully it added
The BYC has been holding protests for almost a week at the Marine Drive in Gwadar and other areas to decry the alleged human rights violations against the people of Balochistan, enforced disappearances, and alleged extrajudicial killings of the Baloch people Following days of protest negotiations between the government and the BYC began on Wednesday evening after which officials announced that talks had been successful and BYC had agreed to call its sitin off after signing a deal Negotiations between the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and the district administration have been successful and the organisers of the committee have agreed to end their sit-ins across the province Balochistan s Interior Minister Mir Zia Ullah Langov said in a statement I appeal to the people to protest, but do not damage the protest site, attack the forces, or hurt the common people,” he said, adding that the government would “not allow anyone to take the law into their hands under the guise of protest ” The seven-point agreement
The seven-point agreement was signed by Gwadar Deputy Commissioner Hamoodur Rehman and Dr Mahrang The statement said that the BYC would end its protest once all the protesters arrested by security forces in Balochistan and Karachi were released Protesters who have been sent to jail on judicial remand will be released by August 5 following court proceedings, the agreement stated The Balochistan government will be in contact with authorities in Sindh to ensure the release of those arrested therein the agreement stated adding that all cases registered against the Raji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering) protesters will be withdrawn It however noted that cases related to the loss of lives during protests will not be dismissed All highways will be reopened as soon as the sit-in ends, two hours after which mobile network will also be restored” the document said A committee consisting of officials from BYC and the district administration will also be established while all items confiscated from the protesters by the government will be returned within a week, it stated No one will be subjected to harassment or retortion for participating in the protest once the sit-in ends,” the agreement added
Pakistan gets $31.1b from IMF since 1958, parliamentar y panel reviews loan details
S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan has secured SDR21 789 billion (approximately $31 1 billion) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) out of a sanctioned amount of SDR29 673 billion since 1958
As per a media report the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro has requested a detailed breakdown of IMF loans, including amounts received and interest paid over the years According to the Economic Affairs Division which shared this information during the parliamentary panel s meeting on Thursday Pakistan has paid SDR2 815 billion (over $3 60 billion) in interest to the IMF since 1984 Since its first agreement in 1958 Pakistan has participated in 24 IMF programs including the latest 2023 Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) The country has also
accessed special IMF facilities for emergencies, such as the 2010 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic The outstanding principal amount currently stands at SDR6 369 billion
The IMF s Special Drawing Rights (SDR) is an international reserve asset created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement member countries official reserves
To date a total of SDR660 7 billion (around US$943 billion) have been allocated globally by the Fund The largest-ever allocation, SDR456 billion, was approved on August 2 2021 to address global reserve needs during the COVID-19 pandemic
Dr Kazim Niaz Secretary for the Ministry of Economic Affairs, provided an overview of 298 projects funded through multilateral and bilateral sources This includes 146 multilateral and 152 bilateral projects Key multilateral contributors are the World Bank with 63 projects, the Asian Devel-
opment Bank with 54 projects, and the Islamic Development Bank with 14 projects Bilateral funding includes 16 projects from China 15 from Korea and 13 from Saudi Arabia, among others
The committee was informed of 58 World Bank loan-financed projects in Pakistan, with a commitment of $14 806 billion of which $6 162 billion has been disbursed Notable projects include the Dasu-Islamabad Transmission Line and the Tarbela Four Expansion Project
The committee has requested the EAD to provide details of completed or closed projects from 2002 onward and to update progress reports before the next meeting They plan to review sector-wise projects to assess completion status and address delays Chairman Abro also questioned the handling of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) proposals noting ongoing issues with these agreements
Tof Strategic/Essential SOEs The CCOP on Friday after deliberating on the privatization policy guidelines considered 84 SOEs reflected in the federal footprint SOEs consolidated report FY2020-22 in detail in light of the SOE Act and Policy Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired the meeting of the Cabinet Committee Finance Minister, Minister for Privatization, Minister for Commerce, Minister for Power Minister for Industries & Production Minister of State Finance and Revenue besides
Federal Secretaries of various Ministries and Division attended the meeting The CCOP was presented with a phased Privatization Programme (202429) by the Ministry of Privatization, based on the recommendations of the PC Board in terms of Section 5(b) of the Privatisation Commission Ordinance 2000
The CCOP recommended that priority should be accorded to reducing the federal footprint in commercial space and limiting it to the strategic and essential SOEs only CCOP emphasized that even SOEs making profits would also be considered for privatization
The entities not categorized as strategic or essential will be placed before CCOP for the decision regarding their inclusion in the Programme
The CCOP also considered the proposal for the transfer of shares of OGDCL lying with the Privatization
amounting to Rs 32 million According to a press release issued here this recovery is a testament to the CCP s commitment to upholding competition laws and ensuring that entities engaged in anti-competitive practices are held accountable The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) has played a crucial role by upholding CCP’s decisions thus facilitating the enforcement Up to
upholding the penalties imposed the CAT has bolstered the CCP’s authority and ensured accountability for entities engaging in anti-competitive practices
Over the past years, the CCP has imposed cumulative penalties amounting to approximately Rs 74 billion in cases related to various sectors including
sugar, cement, cooking oil and ghee, poultry, automobile (including tractors) paint lubricants real estate steel fast-moving consumer goods milk food and beverages electronic goods glass and ecommerce with However, the actual collection of these penalties has faced legal hurdles, delaying justice and enforcement It said that the appointment of new management under the leadership of Chairman CCP Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu marked a turning point in the CCP s approach to enforcing competition laws Bringing on board a renewed focus on diligently pursuing pending court cases and enforcing penalties Key strategic actions included establishing a dedicated Market Intelligence Unit (MIU), strengthening the CCP’s legal team enhancing coordination with judicial authorities and prioritizing cases with significant public interest These concerted efforts have resulted in efficiently policing cartels leading to successful recovery of penalties, CCP added
The CCP aims to further strengthen its enforcement capabilities and continue to pursue pending cases with vigor With the commitment to fighting cartels and identifying ‘smoking guns’ the CCP remains unweathered with the mandate of promoting competition in all spheres of commercial and economic activities
ASIA INTERNET COALITION RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT GOVT’S DATA LOCALISATION PL ANS
Tnow, focusing on
sheet, deleveraging Intel, which employed 116,500 people as of June 29, excluding some subsidiaries said the majority of the job cuts would be completed by the end of 2024 In April it declared a quarterly dividend of 12 5 cents per share Intel is in the middle of a turnaround plan, focused on developing advanced AI processors and building-out its for-hire manufacturing capabilities as it aims to recoup the technological edge it lost to Taiwan s TSMC the world s largest contract chipmaker The push to energize that contracting foundry business under Gelsinger has increased Intel’s costs and pressured profit margins More recently, the chipmaker has said it will cut costs On Thursday Intel announced it would cut operating expenses and reduce capital expenditure by more than $10
Revelations about past relations with the IMF coincide with fresh agreement
TH E Senate Finance Committee got details about the country’s relationship with the IMF while grilling officials from the Economic Affairs Division and the State Bank of Pakistan which, while not really revealing anything new or unexpected, did shed a garish light on the Fund s relationship to Pakistan, and particularly on the new IMF package, for which the government seemed willing to bend over backwards Clearly, the IMF is primarily a business organization which has been repaid $21 7 billion of the $29 billion it had lent receiving $3 5 billion in interest That seems to mean that the $7 billion package will actually just suffice to act as a kind of rollover of the existing principal debt It should be noted that the IMF has made it a condition that Pakistan must get China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to roll over their loans
Though the committee went into some detail on project loans whether multilateral or bilateral the fact remains that IMF loans are never for any project, and are designed to help the country avoid any foreign exchange difficulties it might face, which it does mainly because of debt servicing
Though Pakistan is far from the IMF’s biggest debtor, which is Argentina at $43 billion, it is sandwiched between Ukraine and Ecuador which respectively owe the IMF $9 billion and $6 billion At least for the IMF, therefore, Pakistan is Too Big To Fail Does this change the power dynamic in Pakistan’s favour? It might, for it means that Pakistan may feel that it need not take the steps recommended by the IMF, because it will always come to Pakistan’s rescue
The problem seems to be that while project lending was based on the premise that the loan would be repaid by increased revenue and exports projects, programme lending has no clear path Only now has the IMF spoken of the need for an increase in exports, even though perhaps even more than bringing businessmen within the tax net, it was necessary to increase exports to repay the programme loans Fiscal space is the term used when vague explanations are made, though it is not mentioned how huge repayments (now the single biggest component of the federal budget) in debt servicing, which represent money winkled out of tax payers pockets, are beneficial
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Ar tificial Intelligence in healthcare
health assistants and chatbots not only give patients
ART I F I C I A L Intelligence (AI) has quickly become a key and revolutionizing force in the healthcare industry, solving age-old problems with new solutions and improving patient care and operational efficiency tremendously In healthcare the implementation of AI across various sectors from diagnostics to treatment and administrative tasks offers unprecedented precision and personalization at a greatly reduced rate
One of the key applications of AI in healthcare is medical imaging and diagnostics In a year approximately 400,000 patients in hospitals suffer preventable harm resulting in deaths of between 44 000 and several - over 100 000 dead Therefore improving diagnosis is one of the most promising applications for AI in health care Critical human error frequently results from incomplete medical histories and overcrowded waiting rooms AI can predict and diagnose diseases at a much faster pace than most medical professionals largely because unlike humans AI does not depend on factors such as empathy or any external distractions AI algorithms can analyze medical images such as X-rays MRIs and CT scans with precision that often surpasses human capabilities This ability to detect patterns and anomalies early on leads to timely diagnosis of conditions like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders, ultimately improving patient outcomes In the realm of drug discovery and development AI has played a significant part in analyzing huge amounts of data to determine potential medications as well as forecast their effectiveness This speeds up what is often a long and costly development time for new drugs, allowing critical health needs to be addressed sooner In consideration of patient care AI predictive skills have also been utilized to design individual treatment techniques as well AI can personalize treatments for optimal performance with mild side effects by using a patient s genetic profile, medical history, and lifestyle details
The influence of AI has also been highly recognized in the development or improvement of surgical techniques Minimally invasive surgeries that use robotics assisted by AI provide a higher degree of precision and control These innovations also translate to shorter recovery periods lower complication rates and improved patient outcomes AI-driven virtual
H u m a n s e c u r i t y i n b u d g e t 2 0 24 - 2 0 2 5
immediate access to information appointment schedules or symptom checkers, creating additional patient engagement but also relieving some of the pressure on traditional healthcare staff Additionally, AI can be integrated into the administrative layer of health care as well Automation of routine tasks such as billing patient record management and scheduling streamlines operations and reduces errors which in turn frees healthcare workers to put more focus on patients Another great health-related AI application is predictive analytics, which allows prediction of disease outbreaks, patient admission and other kinds of future tendencies (like a health risk) This enables healthcare providers to be more proactive in the way resources are distributed consequently allowing them to take preventative steps for managing chronic diseases and improving public health
This transformational power of AI in healthcare can also be backed up by several real-world examples For instance IBM Watson Health uses AI to analyze huge medical datasets helping doctors make better decisions on for example diagnosis and treatment planning Deep Mind a sister company to Google developed AI algorithms that offered highly accurate diagnostic tools for certain eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy from inexpensive digital retinal scans PathAI uses artificial intelligence to make pathology diagnoses- examining specimens of tissue for signs that a disease is present such as the presence of cancer For instance Aidoc takes an AI-first approach to automate the analysis of medical images- quickly spotting important anomalies for radiologists and helping speed up diagnosis timeframes around issues such as strokes and fractures Babylon Health is an AI-enabled app for virtual consultations symptom checking and health monitoring helping to democratize healthcare by making it more available; providing all its users with greener access to the health community There are lots of benefits of AI in healthcare Better diagnosis and prompt
In conclusion, the integration of AI in healthcare is revolutionizing the way medical ser vices are delivered By enhancing diagnostic accuracy, personalizing treatments, streamlining operations, and reducing costs, AI is driving significant improvements in patient care and operational efficiency As AI technology continues to evolve , its impact on healthcare will only grow, paving the way for a smar ter, more responsive , patient-centered approach to medical care , leading to better patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare systems
The fight against TTP
Oa comprehensive mechanism for monitoring and evaluation this substantial investment also risks falling into the trap of underutilisation and mismanagement
The increased allocation of Rs 25 7 billion for the Federal Education and Professional Training Division highlights the government’s commitment to improve educational infrastructure and vocational training programmes However this initiative needs a clearly defined target Despite the establishment of many vocational training centres in accordance with the National Education Policy 2009, these centres have not produced significant outcomes Structural and operational failures such as the unavailability of resourceful instructors and outdated curricula have hindered their effectiveness Therefore the effectiveness of this investment needs a bottom-up approach and depends on a comprehensive overhaul of the education system to meet the modern standards
To support women s development, the government has increased the budget for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) by 27 percent Additionally a significant share has been allocated for skill development and training of women under the Poverty Graduation Programme These initiatives aim to economically empower the women of Pakistan However, without addressing the deep-rooted socio-cultural barriers, it is challenging to achieve meaningful women’s participation in the country’s economic activities Therefore to ensure gender parity in poverty graduation and skill development programmes community sensitisation anti-discrimination policies and active efforts to retain girls in school, are required These targets require active participation of officials in the lower echelon of the government along with budget shares The allocation of Rs 1 4 trillion for the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) indicates the government s intention to attain human security through public welfare initiatives This investment emphasises education, public service delivery, and pro-poor initiatives However these measures need to be balanced with fthwe iscal deficit and revenue collection Without this balance these initiatives risk increasing inflation and Pakistan s long-term dependency on loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
To mitigate the apprehensions regarding youth development programmes, the government may formulate a monitoring and evaluating committee This committee would be tasked with keeping track of the budget investment and its outcome It could employ a data-driven approach to identify gaps and recommend adjustments Additionally, the increased budget for education and professional training programmes could focus on modern educational reforms to increase the quality of education and not only the quantity of people benefitting from these programmes It could specifically focus on digital skill learning to meet the global demands For women development, the government needs a bottom-up approach The new poverty graduation programme could start from addressing socio-cultural barriers through community
outreach initiatives that promote gender equality Furthermore, to channel women in economic output financial services could be given extra focus Instead of just giving microcredits, mentorship networking systems could be introduced for underprivileged women to make their small businesses have lucrative outcomes for the overall economic benefit of the country
To boost the efficiency and effectiveness of the PSDP, the government may formulate an efficiency and accountability framework focused on optimising the use of public funds through performance monitoring and fiscal discipline Under this framework the projects could be analysed on cost-benefit outcomes and the programmes which have the highest potential for social and economic return may be prioritised
Moreover, the approach of outcome-linked funding could be adopted In this approach the projects must meet the milestones for continued funding It would increase the accountability and efficiency of public development projects
To sum up although the federal budget for fiscal year 2024-25 presents a comprehensive strategy to ensure human security by allocating large sums for youth empowerment, women development and public sector growth, the historical gap between allocation and implementation during previous governments needs to be addressed Therefore along with budget allocation the government must address systemic issues ensure transparency, and make consistent policies to ensure long-term human security
The writer is a researcher at the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) Lahore She can be reached at info@casslhr com
To sum up, although the federal budg et for fiscal year 2024-25 presents a comprehensive strategy to ensure human security by allocating larg e sums for youth empowerment, women development and public sector growth, the historical gap between allocation and implementation during previous governments needs to be addressed.
Learning from Bangladesh
Dr SyeDa SaDaf akber
IN the context of democratic governance institutions form the foundational bedrock upon which a nation s stability legitimacy and operational efficacy rely Beyond mere bureaucratic bodies, these institutions embody democratic principles, ensuring accountability, transparency, and the protection of rights for all citizens In the complex realm of democratic governance some nations have consciously favored institutional strength over the appeal of charismatic figures The USA, for instance, historically underscores the significance of institutions in upholding democratic governance Despite periodic infatuations with charismatic leaders its constitutional framework established over two centuries ago ensures a robust system of checks and balances Germany provides another compelling example of prioritizing institutions over personalities Post-World War II, Germany rebuilt its democratic system with a strong emphasis on institutional safeguards The Basic Law (Grundgesetz) establishes a federal structure with clear separation of powers and guarantees fundamental rights for all citizens Germany s steadfast commitment to democratic institutions has been pivotal to its post-war achievements, promoting stability economic growth and societal unity Conversely across the globe charismatic personalities often captivate public imagination leading to situations where individuals, communities, and even nations blindly follow leaders Charismatic figures possess a magnetic allure, using their charisma to inspire trust rally supporters and articulate a compelling vision However unquestioning allegiance to charismatic leaders can obscure rational judgement and critical evaluation of their policies, actions, and societal impact This blind devotion diminishes the role of informed decision-making in governance and public discourse
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Globally, the phenomenon of uncritical adherence to charismatic figures has shaped political landscapes to varying extents North Korea serves as a stark example where blind loyalty to a personality specifically the Kim dynasty has been institutionalized over generations The regime s propaganda apparatus cultivates a cult of personality around its leaders, portraying them as flawless figures deserving unquestioning devotion In Russia under President Vladimir Putin s leadership there has been a significant emphasis on projecting a strongman image Putin s charisma and assertive policies have garnered substantial public support, often overshadowing critical scrutiny of his government’s actions The consolidation of power and suppression of dissenting voices have created an environment where independent media is marginalized civil society faces restrictions and political opposition encounters significant obstacles
One tactic employed by politicians to exploit such loyalty is through manipulating emotions and allegiance Charismatic leaders frequently cultivate loyalty and devotion among their supporters by appealing to identity ideology or personal charisma This emotional connection can be potent leading followers to overlook or rationalize inconsistencies, shortcomings, or unethical behaviour in their leaders
Politicians who prioritize self-interest over the common good may redirect resources financial legislative or administrative to projects or initiatives that primarily benefit themselves or their inner circle, neglecting the genuine needs of the populace This diversion can manifest in various forms, including corrupt practices, nepotism cronyism and the allocation of public funds for personal gain or political favouritism Such exploitation of followers devotion undermines fundamental democratic principles like transparency, accountability, and the rule of law
Across Latin America, numerous political figures have faced accusations of exploiting the loyalty of their supporters to enrich themselves and their associates Instances of corruption misappropriation of public funds and abuse of authority have eroded trust in democratic institutions and perpetuated cy-
cles of inequality and poverty In Eastern Europe, populist leaders have ascended to power by tapping into popular discontent and rallying dedicated followers around nationalist or anti-establishment messages Once in office some of these leaders have concentrated authority undermined independent institutions and suppressed opposition to strengthen their control often at the expense of democratic checks and balances In South Asian nations such as Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, politicians can be observed leveraging patronage networks and clientelistic practices to secure political backing This includes allocating public goods and services based on loyalty rather than need, perpetuating inequalities and undermining merit-based governance In Pakistan, as in many countries, the phenomenon of unwavering loyalty to charismatic personalities often eclipses critical thinking and reasoned analysis in public discourse and governance Pakistan has seen the emergence of political leaders who cultivate strong personal followings, sometimes bordering on cult-like devotion Throughout its political history, leaders have garnered fervent support primarily through personal charisma rather than through substantive policy or institutional reform
Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto of the Pakistan People s Party (PPP), and more recently,
League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Imran Khan
o
have all commanded significant personal followings
This diminishes the role of institutions meant to provide checks and balances, such as the judiciary, media, and legislative bodies Additionally, a lack of critical thinking can exacerbate issues like corruption nepotism and inefficiency within government institutions Decision-making may prioritize short-term political gains over longterm national interests, leading to policy instability and missed opportunities for sustainable development
In a democracy, an informed citizenry and critical thinking are crucial for holding leaders accountable protecting civil liberties and fostering inclusive governance However in Pakistan dominance of personality-driven politics has sometimes undermined these democratic ideals Charismatic leaders possess the ability to inspire, per-
suade, and mobilize masses with their vision, rhetoric, and persona Their appeal often transcends traditional political divisions, striking a chord with supporters seeking decisive leadership and solutions to complex challenges However raising charismatic personalities to near-heroic status can foster blind allegiance where loyalty outweighs critical assessment of policies and actions
When citizens unquestioningly follow political figures, numerous challenges arise that undermine democratic governance
To counteract the risks of blind allegiance and cultivate a robust democratic ethos promoting critical thinking is crucial
Introducing critical thinking skills early in education empowers individuals to analyze information, identify biases, and assess the credibility of sources Media literacy programmes further enhance this ability enabling people to navigate the intricacies of media content and distinguish between factual reporting and misinformation Highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives and constructive debate encourages individuals to consider various viewpoints before forming opinions or decisions
This fosters a culture where dialogue compromise and well-informed discussions prevail over divisive rhetoric and partisan divides Active engagement in civic life, including voting, community activism, and advocacy for social justice, reinforces the significance of informed citizenship Engaged citizens hold leaders accountable advocate for policy reforms and contribute to shaping a more inclusive and responsive democracy Countries that prioritize critical thinking and civic education demonstrate resilience against the dangers of blind allegiance and personality cults
The selection of political leadership should consider essential traits that define effective politicians Politics demands a unique skill set and qualities necessary for navigating its challenges successfully Despite the often-negative perception of politicians, certain traits distinguish effective leaders These individuals play pivotal roles in shaping policies representing constituents and driving societal advancement
Integrity stands as perhaps the cornerstone trait of a good politician Upholding high ethical standards, prioritizing honesty, and consistently acting in the public’s best interest builds trust with constituents and colleagues alike essential for effective governance Effective communication is another hallmark trait Politicians who articulate their ideas clearly actively listen to others and engage in constructive dialogue foster understanding and consensus-building
whether addressing the public, negotiating policies, or debating in legislative chambers
A visionary outlook is crucial Good politicians envision a better future for their community or nation inspiring others to share and work towards that vision through strategic thinking long-term planning and adaptability to changing circumstances Empathy is also essential Compassionate leaders genuinely concerned about others’ welfare make informed decisions benefiting the broader community by understanding constituents needs and concerns Politics often entails navigating intricate relationships and power dynamics A competent politician comprehends these complexities and possesses political acumen They can forge alliances, negotiate effectively, and navigate bureaucratic processes to achieve legislative objectives
At the heart of political leadership lies public service Effective politicians prioritize the welfare of their constituents and prioritize serving the public interest over personal gain Their decisions and actions demonstrate a steadfast commitment to the common good Transparency plays a pivotal role in maintaining public trust Competent politi-
TH E Middle East has reached a point where it is increasingly difficult if not impossible to distinguish between action and reaction After what was almost certainly an errant Hizbollah attack on a Druze village in the occupied Golan Heights last week Israel responded with an air strike that killed a senior Hizbollah commander Then came the assassination in Iran of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas s political leader and its chief negotiator in the Gaza ceasefire talks Days before, there had also been a military back and forth between Israel and the Houthis a third organisation backed by Iran All of this after months of military exchanges along the Israel-Lebanon border that have forced the evacuation of some 60 000 Israelis and at least as many Lebanese from their homes The question is what comes next? And what should the US do about it? It is hard to imagine the Gaza talks succeeding at this point Even before the assassinations, the two sides did not agree on the extent of any cessation of hostilities or the acceptability of the continued Israeli military presence in Gaza It is quite possible that the most that will be achieved for now is an ongoing conflict in Gaza of much reduced intensity It is unclear whether a massive escalation between Israel and Hizbollah can be avoided What might be an even bigger question is whether direct conflict can be prevented between Israel and Iran The two countries narrowly escaped going to war in April when in the wake of another Israeli assassination Iran attacked Israeli territory with more than 300 drones and missiles Israel in no small part at US urging opted for a measured response that seemed designed to demonstrate its ability to penetrate Iranian defences rather than cause significant damage
It makes sense to press China (which is meaningfully dependent on Iranian oil) to weigh in to encourage a limited response on Iran’s par t. Then, as in April, the US could advoc ate for a limited response from Israel
A critical question now may be what the US can do to tamp things down For all its power American influence is decidedly limited But limited is not the same as non-existent Washington ought to focus on four things First the Biden administration should not back away from calls for a ceasefire in Gaza Obviously, achieving one will be more difficult than ever But Israel increasingly lacks a military rationale for continuing the war It also has a renewed incentive to refocus its troops and equipment on other fronts and there is significant domestic pressure to get its hostages released So the effort would not be futile
Second, the US ought to press Israel to remain open to a diplomatic approach to the situation in southern Lebanon It is hard to see how war with Hizbollah would leave Israel better off given the more than 100 000 rockets in Hizbollah’s arsenal rockets capable of reaching Israeli population centres and badly hurting its already weakened economy Meanwhile history demonstrates that an Israeli occupation in Lebanon will be unlikely to yield positive results The goal ought to be to make it possible for the residents of northern Israel to return home Some mutual pullback of forces might be possible
Third it is inevitable that Iran will respond to the humiliation of Haniyeh s assassination on its soil mere hours after he met Iran s new president and its supreme leader It makes sense to press China (which is meaningfully dependent on Iranian oil) to weigh in to encourage a limited response on Iran’s part Then, as in April, the US could advocate for a limited response from Israel
Fourth the US should not give up on the larger longer-term goal of generating a political alternative to Hamas one willing to address reasonable Palestinian political aims and live in peace with Israel Saudi Arabia
remains a natural partner here Its willingness to normalise relations with Israel could have real impact on the Israeli political debate There is also something the US should resist doing There will be those arguing that Washington should cut off arms to Israel To be sure, there was a strong case for denying selective munitions that cause widespread civilian casualties in Gaza One could also argue for political and economic sanctions relating to Israeli settlement activity
Only justice for the killings can restore public trust
ment would seek “foreign technical assistance” for the judicial inquiry committee The law minister has already indicated that the commission initially tasked with investigating only the six deaths of July 16 can now probe all the killings that have since occurred Where does it all leave
focus of investigation; and suppression of student organisers and protesters through various tactics All this has reaffirmed doubts about the government s sincerity to ensure justice for the horrific tragedy that befell our nation Against this backdrop, the prime minister s statement on Wednesday about seeking cooperation from the United Nations and other international organisations to conduct a “fair and proper investigation” into the nationwide violence offers a ray of hope This comes after repeated calls for credible international investigations into the deaths over the last few days Even the UN and the European Union also demanded a thorough and impartial probe The PM, we may recall, earlier said the govern-
phone as he attended the funeral: Our message to the occupation (Israel) today is that you are sinking deep in the mud and your end is getting closer than ever The blood of Haniyeh will change all equations Haniyeh was killed by a missile that hit him directly in a state guesthouse in Tehran where he was staying senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya told a news conference, quoting witnesses who were with him Iran and Hamas have both accused Israel of carrying out the killing and have pledged to retaliate against their foe Israel has not claimed responsibility for the death nor denied it The strike was one of several that have killed senior figures in Hamas or the Lebanese movement Hezbollah, fuelling concern that the fighting in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian group is turning into a regional conflict stretching from the Red Sea to the Lebanon-Israel border and beyond In the United States President Joe Biden said Haniyeh s killing was not helpful to international efforts to secure a ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza, now in its 10th month It doesn t help, Biden told reporters on Thursday, when asked if the action ruined the chances of a
Russia frees US repor ter Evan Gershkovich in huge prisoner swap with West
on your return to the
AIMIM MP criticises removal of Babri Masjid, Gujarat Riots references from textbooks
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)
MP Asaduddin Owaisi has criticized the Modi government s decision to remove references to the Babri Masjid and the 2002 Gujarat anti-Muslim riots from textbooks, stating that the ruling BJP is manipulating education to suit its ideological agenda During a Lok Sabha debate, the AIMIM leader questioned the NCERT’s (National Council of Educational Research and Training) removal of these critical events asking Should our children not learn about the Gujarat pogrom the massacre of minority Muslims? Why should people not learn from the mistakes of the past? Owaisi
is attempting to whitewash its own role in perpetuating communal violence and bring about a sanitized version of history that serves its political interests 12 DIE AS HEAVY RAINS LASH DELHI Emergency workers rescued nearly 1,000 people who were stranded in different parts of the Himalayas
and
in
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previ-
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nalist Alsu Kurmasheva Vladimir Kara-Murza a Russian Kremlin critic with US residency, also was among those freed Biden, notching up a major diplomatic success in his last six months in office after ending his reelection bid
Harris ’ c ampaign shatters fundraising records, leaves Trump astonished
AGENCIES
Vice
PAKISTAN BECOMES ASIA’S L ARGEST MARKET
BISP-NADRA c
is no restriction on daydreaming First the PTI founder should apologize
CDA chief direc ts fencing of retrieved land, steps to prevent encroachment
I S L A M A B A D: A meeting to review the performance of the ICT Administration was held under the chair of Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa at the Chief Commissioner ’s Office
He was given detailed briefing and update on the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Islamabad
The Chief Commissioner instructed the installation of fencing on recovered land and emphasized the need for taking concrete step for preventing encroachment again at the same place in future He was apprised about the price control efforts in Islamabad The Chief Commissioner directed weekly release of data comparing fruit and vegetable prices with other cities and directed to keep strict vigilance on the prices of essential commodities for even further lowering the prices in comparison to other cities
The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) activities and operations were reviewed in the meeting with directives for digitization and keeping in view the model of the Punjab Food Authority for upgradation of IFA Progress on land record digitization was shared with the Chief Commissioner and he urged the completion of scanning and Jamabandis with clear timelines also establishing centers with necessary infrastructure and hiring required human resources
The Chief Commissioner was briefed about establishing the embassy enclaves for various countries as well as major donors for the ongoing Planation drive in Islamabad The Chief Commissioner instructed to set up kiosks and desks at the main markets and malls for distribution of plants along with flags to further boost the drive among the citizens of Islamabad P R
TMB wins Digital Technology Awards for pioneering
and admit that whatever they have done were wrong and he has made a mistake”, she pointed out Answering a question relating to social media rules the Information Minister replied that we are not against social media but we are talking about the rules and regulations Many countries have laws governing social media In every country laws are made to solve the problems and freedom of expression is abused There are distorted traditions in our society She added that social media accounts are regulated all over the world Digital terrorism is carried out through social media accounts If the rules and regulations are made the ban on X will be removed All accounts must be governed by the rules and regulations
SIMOSA par tners with Oladoc to bring Q uality healthc are content for users
ISLAMABAD: SIMOSA has partnered with oladoc, a premier digital healthcare platform, to provide healthcare content to SIMOSA users and enhance their digital experience This collaboration brings together SIMOSA s extensive reach and user-friendly interface with oladoc s expertise in digital healthcare providing users with easy access to a wealth of informative and reliable healthcare content
While commenting on the strategic partnership, Aamer Ejaz President Digital Platforms at Jazz said We are excited to partner with oladoc to bring high-quality healthcare content to our SIMOSA users This collaboration aligns with our commitment to delivering comprehensive lifestyle solutions to Pakistanis, and supports our new ServiceCo model, which aims to provide multiple services to our customers including healthcare Our goal is to make SIMOSA a One-Stop App for everyday life offering true value to our entire user base all across Pakistan Abid Zuberi CEO of oladoc at oladoc said Our partnership with SIMOSA is a strategic step toward fulfilling oladoc’s mission of making healthcare accessible, transparent, and affordable for everyone in Pakistan By integrating with SIMOSA’s vast and engaged user base we have the opportunity to reach millions of individuals with high-quality verified medical insights P R
e d u c t i o n i n e l e c t R i c i t y ta R i f f
e y a g e n d a o f P M l - n , a l l i e s : P M
iHc orders recover y of shehbaz gill’s brother by aug 6
The Islamabad High Court has ordered the authorities to recover the missing brother of Shehbaz Gill by Aug 6 and present him in court Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb heard the petition for the recovery of Shahbaz Gill’s brother, Ghulam Shabbir Justice Aurangzeb ordered that today’s court order be placed before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and that Shehbaz Gill s kidnapped brother be recovered and presented in court by Aug 6 The court directed the registrar office of the high court to ensure that the court order was conveyed to the principal secretary of the prime minister Justice Aurangzeb remarked “A hazardous situation arises when the institutions say they do not know where the person is The petitioner s lawyer stated that Shehbaz Gill uploaded vlogs in support of PTI founder Imran Khan Shehbaz Gill has been told by agencies that they have his brother in their custody Shehbaz Gill was also told to stop making vlogs in favor of Imran Khan ” the lawyer said Justice Aurangzeb remarked that the Ministry of Defence had the courage to go into these matters Now if we give a strict order then action against judges will start he said The court noted that the application was filed 10 days ago and questioned what the government had done so far “The order that I will make today should be placed before the prime minister It is useless to say to the IG or what can even a minister do They are defaming the country Justice Aurangzeb remarked State counsel Abdul Rahman said that according to the reports of the agencies, the hostage was not in their custody The deputy attorney general said the ISI had reported that the hostage was not with them, whereas the MI had asked for some time Justice Aurangzeb stated that the home secretary should also be informed about Friday s court proceedings The court speaking to the representative of the Ministry of Interior said Tell Khurram Agha to look into this case seriously countr y faced over 1,500
Govt initiates phased privatization of 13 power sec tor entities
$1.43b g GOVT OKAYS PRIVATIZATION OF 9 DISCOS, 4 GENCOS
The federal government has approved the privatization of 13 power sector entities including nine power distribution companies (DISCOs) and four power generation companies (GENCOs) while this privatization will be carried out in phases According to sources, federal government has so far approved the privatization of 13 power sector entities nine DISCOS and four GENCOs They said that commercial State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to be privatized are named as Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) and Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO), Jamshoro Power Company Limited (GENCO-I), Central Power Generation Company Limited (GENCO-II), Northern Power Generation Company Limited (GENCO-III), and Lakhra Power Generation Company Limited (GENCO-IV) They said the privatization will proceed in stages with the first phase focusing on four DISCOs: FESCO GEPCO HESCO and IESCO while the second phase will involve privatizing MEPCO, PESCO, and additional companies They said the government has also approved the restructuring of four Power Division entities including the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) Tribal Electric Supply Company (TESCO) National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) and National Engineering Services Pakistan (Pvt) Limited (NESPAK) has also been approved, said sources
Comprehensive instructions have been issued regarding the privatization process which aims to improve efficiency and attract private investment said sources The privatization process will be executed in phases The first phase will focus on the privatization of four DISCOs: FESCO, GEPCO, HESCO, and IESCO Subsequent phases will see the privatization of MEPCO, PESCO, and other companies This strategic approach aims to ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruptions in the power supply Moreover the government has also sanctioned the restructuring of four Power Division entities These include Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) Tribal Electric Supply Company (TESCO), National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC), and National Engineering Services Pakistan (Pvt) Limited (NESPAK) This restructuring is expected to further streamline operations and enhance the overall efficiency of the power sector
In May Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the government s decision to privatize all state-owned enterprises, expanding the initial plans which were limited to privatizing only the loss-making state firms The Prime Minister emphasized that the government’s role is to foster a business and investment-friendly environment rather than directly engaging in business activities This policy shift underscores the government s commitment to leveraging private sector expertise and capital to revitalize the power sector and other state-owned enterprises It is pertinent to mention that the privatization and restructuring of these entities are anticipated
ATC sends R aoof Hasan on one - day physical remand
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Friday granted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf s (PTI) Information Secretary Raoof Hasan’s one-day physical remand to the counter-terrorism department on one-day in a terrorism case ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra announced the reserved verdict after hearing Hasan s petition seeking bail in the case
The judge said that the PTI information secretary will be produced before the court tomorrow He was present in the court today after the completion of his two-day physical remand Hasan was taken into custody by the CTD on July 31 Prosecutor Raja Naveed requested the court for another seven-day physical remand of the
PTI leader saying that they have to find out the names of other coaccused Raoof Hasan s custody is required to gain access to the suspects, the prosecutor apprised the court Hasan’s lawyer Ali Bukhari told the court that gunpowder was not recovered from his client CTD launched a raid and kept Raoof Hasan in custody for two days, he said Bukhari reiterated that nothing was recovered from the PTI leader He demanded to bring forth the statement of the complainant
The lawyer said that Raoof Hasan is unable to climb stairs and he would die if he doesn t take medicine for two days
He then requested the court to release Hasan
inflows
by 11% to $200m in
attack on convoy of judges in Tank resulted in martyrdom of two policemen The interior minister paid rich tribute to the martyred constables Abdullah and Abdul Samad Mohsin Naqvi expressed his heartfelt sympathies and condolence with the families of martyrs and said that the martyred constables thwarted the nefarious designs of the terrorists by laying down their lives The interior minister further said that he salutes the great sacrifice of the martyrs Tw o c o p s m
scene after retaliatory action of police Naqvi condemns attack on judges’ convoy in Tank Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly condemned the
