IRAN SAYS HANIYEH ASSASSINATED BY ‘SHORT RANGE PROJECTILE’ FIRED FROM OUTSIDE HOME
g IRGC REPORT SAYS ATTACK ON HANIYEH USED A 7-KG WARHEAD LAUNCHED FROM OUTSIDE
A G E N C I E S
TH E Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated with a shortrange projectile with a warhead of approximately 7 kilograms” in Tehran on Wednesday In a statement released on Saturday the IRGC said the attack originated from outside the immediate area where Haniyeh was staying This action was designed and implemented by the Zionist regime and supported by the criminal government of America,” the IRGC statement added
This marks the first time the IRGC has publicly disclosed the exact cause of Haniyeh s death
The Palestinian leader and his bodyguard were killed in an Iranian govern-
ment guest house in Tehran in the early hours of Wednesday Haniyeh had gone to the Iranian capital to attend the inauguration of Iran’s newly elected Masoud Pezeshkian During the past three days speculations abounded whether a long-range missile was fired from outside Iran s borders or launched from an aircraft over Iranian airspace The IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency had previously released a photo of the damaged residence stating that Haniyeh was killed while staying on the fourth floor of a building in Zafaraniyeh in northern Tehran Iranian media, including the IRGCaffiliated Tasnim News Agency, previously reported quoting Khaled Qaddoumi Hamas representative in Tehran that Haniyeh
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday said that Pakistan fully supported Iran’s call for an “extraordinary meeting” of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) after the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in a strike in Tehran the Foreign Office (FO) said in a press release The development comes as Acting Foreign Minister of Iran Ali Bagheri Kani telephoned Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday and shared the Iranian nation s and leadership s deep anguish on
founder is concerned about the country's economy and remains open to dialogue having formed a committee for this purpose The chairman always advocated for negotiations for the country s sake Gandapur said Referring to past events, Gandapur stated, The PTI founder warned of an attack on him, and it happened There will be conspiracies to dismantle the party If the mistake is yours don't expect me to apologise Come sit and discuss if you can prove my mistake I'll apologise proportionately He highlighted perceived injustices against the party mentioning Andleeb Abbas left the party and faced no imprisonment
Nayyar Bukhari urges PM to dissolve assembly ‘if govt feels threatened’
Former Senate chairman Nayyar Bukhari on Saturday said that the prime minister should advise the dissolution of the assembly and call for elections if the government feels threatened He emphasized that the government should confide in the PPP if federal ministers are feeling this threat In an interview with a private TV channel the Pakistan People s Party-Parliamentarians Secretary General Bukhari stated, They must act if they are feeling threatened as we have extended support to them The survival of the system
depends on the present rulers and a single party, he added What will be the solution if the incumbent government reaches the verge of collapse?” he questioned
He mentioned that President Zardari has invited all parties to sit and hold talks, but no one is prepared for it Those who want to take any other decision, let them do so The People’s Party stands with the constitution ” Nayyar Bukhari said If the system derails it will be a loss for the country We will not support an unconstitutional step at any cost, as the solution lies in the constitution,” he added
He commented that PTI’s founder wants to talk with the establishment but is not a reliable
person, as he changes his stance after holding talks At one moment, he will say Achakzai has authority, and then he will say he does not ” Bukhari noted There is a big question mark over the February 8 election results, he said We have reservations about Punjab s results; the People’s Party was not given several seats,” he added When asked about the reference against the election commission he replied Those who sent the reference must prove it The PPP has made several sacrifices for the parliament and the constitution We have many reservations about the election but accept it for the continuity of the system
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
tions of Kashmiris and the broken promises of India will be highlighted
ternational community had rejected the Indian steps to end the special status of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019 On the Youm-e-Istehsal Day special walk would be held and events would be organized at the federal level in the provinces Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Special transmission would be broadcast to shed light on the efforts of the leadership of the Kashmir freedom movement sacrifices of Kashmiris and the facts about Indian oppression P M - l e d h u d d l e f i n a l i z e s e v e n t s f o r Yo u m - e - I s t e h s a l D a y o n M o n d a y
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday chaired a meeting in preparation for the Youm-e-Istehsal Day to be observed as a special day against India s illegal action to end the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019 and to support Kashmiris right to freedom On this day the Jammu and Kashmir dispute basic rights viola-
The huddle led by PM Shehbaz Sharif approved the main event to be attended by the Pakistani and Kashmiri leadership The prime minister is expected to visit Muzaffarabad to express solidarity with the Kashmiris on August 5, and would strongly condemn the unilateral and illegal steps of India on August 5, 2019 The prime minister would also issue an important policy statement Pakistan Kashmiris and the in-
Israeli kills 15 displaced Palestinians in airstrike on Gaza school
TEHRAN
Naqvi, Iraqi commander focus on enhancing Pak-Iraq cooperation, preventing
K ashmiri spirit remains undeterred despite Indian ac tions: Mushaal
Mushaal Hussein Mullick, Chairperson of the Peace and Culture Organization asserted on Saturday that India has not succeeded in dampening the Kashmiri spirit for freedom and self-determination despite severe measures including the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir s special status on August 5, 2019
In an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan, Mullick, who is the wife of the detained Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik called on international bodies and human rights organizations to take action against groups like the RSS which she labeled as terrorist organizations She discussed the extensive global and domestic debate surrounding India s actions on August 5, 2019, particularly the efforts to resettle non-state residents, including retired army officers, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir (IIOJK) According to Mullick these actions include leasing Kashmiri land to foreigners and falsely portraying normalization in the region
Furthermore she highlighted that since the revocation, the Indian government has seized direct control of religious sites, tourist spots, and forest lands in Kashmir The local population faces job quotas being stripped away and bank accounts of Kashmiris have been sealed Mullick criticized India’s violation of international laws and the severe human rights abuses being committed in IIOJK She refuted claims of
Kashmiris attacking tourists, attributing such actions to the RSS and accusing India of fostering religious hatred through extremism
Addressing the recent elections she noted that Kashmiri people rejected pro-India leadership indicating a severe deterioration in the conditions within IIOJK compared to the past She urged Pakistani and Kashmiri voices to speak out more effectively against these injustices In conclusion, she stated that legislative measures targeting minorities and promoting RSS and Hindutva ideologies post-August 5 are evident of India s failed narrative emphasizing that global opinion on the human rights situation in IIOJK is shifting with significant international voices now speaking against India s policies
ISLAMABAD
PIONEERS AIR AMBUL ANCE SERVICE, LEADS RESCUE
EFFORTS IN SOUTH ASIA: PUNJAB CM
IHC postpones final decision on inter-provincial police recruitment quota
Punjab govt to host grand ceremony for matric exam toppers
Debt reprofiling
PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he had written to the Chinese government asking for a reprofiling of the debt owed to China for CPEC power projects so that Pakistan was spared having to repay $5 billion next year This request has moved from a good thing to an essential because the IMF has made it a condition of its latest package Along with the rollovers of the $4 billion deposited with the State Bank of Pakistan and the UAE’s $3 billion The money from China has gone into power projects while the Saudi and Emirati money has been used to prop up forex reserves and were given on the understanding that they would not be used for meeting Pakistan’s import obligations The putting off of Chinese powerproject debt will be combined with switching coal-fired generation plants from imported to local coal making it possible to save foreign exchange This will improve the country s trade balance and will also allow some reduction in the electricity tariff That has been brought into focus by the recent protests led by the Jamaat Islami, and about which a Senate panel warned could result in violent protests
Though it would be welcome if indeed matters were to transpire as Mr Sharif outlined, there is still the impression of bandaids being applied to gaping wounds No matter how things are played out, the depositas will have to be returned sooner or later, and the Chinese power debts repaid The only way of doing so would be for Pakistan to develop a trade surplus so large that it could not only pay for its imports but also service its debts The excuse for previous loans was development which was supposed to lead to increased exports and the debt would thus be repaid Unfortunately the aid was used by the lenders for velite capture and the money was embezzled by the political masters of the time in exchange for their guardianship of the lenders political interests
That may be happening again, as Pakistan finds itself having to balance Chinese interests on one hand, and Saudi and Emriati on the other, which would be inclined towards the USA in its ongoing clash with China This may seem remote from Pakistan s foreign exchange problems, or its being in a debt trap, but that is how the matter will play out, in foreign capitals as well as IMF headquarters
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
EVERY country particularly the developing countries like Pakistan do need foreign assistance in one form or the other for its development and accelerating the pace of economic growth and undertaking development projects, programmes and policies for the welfare and well-being of the people
The main objectives of the federal budget for the current financial year 2024-24 included "supporting vulnerable section of society through pro-poor initiative and education and skill development of the youth among others
According to the information gathered from the experts and official sources concerned, Pakistan s external resources are derived from a combination of financial instruments including project loans and grants programme loans and other loans The aim and objective of seeking foreign or external financial assistance can by and large be described as promoting economic and social development in the developing countries It can also be defined as "administered transfer of resources from a donor country or international agency to developing countries with a view to encourage economic growth" Foreign aid as such can be in the form of money goods or technical assistance and this can be between two countries (bilateral) or with institutions (multilateral)
Foreign aid is also sought for bridging both the economy's balance of payments gap and investment gap That was why project and technical assistance
c u m e n t s F o r e i g n A s s i s t a n c e d o c u m e n t w a s n o t t h e r e w i t h h u g e p i l e s o f b u d g e t d o c u m e n t s l a s t y e a r a n d i s a l s o m i s s i n g t h i s y e a r a s w e l l Aid should fund development
A Global Struggle Against Brutality and Eradication
leading to a significant rise in brutality against them, particularly by Hindus and Jews From Gaza to Occupied Kashmir and India, the suffering of Muslims is a stark reality that demands urgent attention Under Modi s leadership genocide of Muslims in India including Indoan-Occupied Kashmir continues unabated Meanwhile in Gaza the devil's
the Muslim identity Thousands of Muslims have been subjected to violence through Gau Raksha Love Jihad the controversial citizenship law cessation of Holy Quran education and violent riots aimed at Muslims
As the RSS nears its centennial in 2025 its mission to establish India as a Hindu Rashtra is advancing with alarming speed Under RSS leadership and Modi’s patronage, extremists are preparing for a widespread genocide of Muslims Hindu youth are being indoctrinated with hatred towards Muslims and trained in the use of weapons Displays of weapons and hateful slogans during Ram and Hanuman processions have escalated from harassment to outright terror against Muslims The systematic erasure of Muslim identity
is being pursued through various means including issues like Vande Mataram, Surya Namaskar, Yoga, cow sanctity, and triple talaq The Indian state’s interference in Muslim personal law is a glaring example of its hostility Extremist groups such as the Bajrang Dal the Vishwa Hindu Parishad the Shiv Sena the Hindu Maha Sabha and the Ram Taran Mandal are all following an anti-Muslim agenda Attacks on mosques, amendments to Muslim personal law, and the humiliation of Muslims are integral to their teachings
Recently US Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a 2023 State Department religious freedom report noting a concerning increase in hate speech anti-conversion laws and demolition of homes and places of worship for minority groups in India Blinken emphasized that despite global efforts to protect religious freedom millions continue to be denied this basic right The report highlighted the numerous challenges facing India s minority groups including persistent attacks on minorities, vandalism of places of worship, and killings Furthermore, ten of India s 28 states have enacted laws restricting religious conversions, some of which penalize forced conversions for marriage These laws highlight the ongoing struggle for minority groups to secure protection and maintain their freedom of religion or belief
In Indian-Occupied Kashmir, the situation is equally dire Under Indian occupation, Kashmiris have been subjected to a harsh lockdown, communication blackout and severe human rights abuses The abrogation of Article 370
which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, has further exacerbated the region's suffering The international community s silence on the plight of Kashmiris is deafening, and the need for a resolution to this long-standing conflict is more urgent than ever
The global Muslim community faces an existential threat with their identities rights and lives at stake The international community must recognize the severity of this crisis and take concrete steps to address it It is imperative to call out and condemn the actions of governments and extremist groups that perpetuate violence against Muslims The world must unite in solidarity with Muslims ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights are protected
In India, the path to justice begins with holding those in power accountable for their actions The international community must apply pressure on the Indian government to cease its anti-Muslim policies and ensure the protection of minority rights The US State Department s religious freedom report is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to translate these findings into action Sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and international condemnation should be employed to hold India accountable for its human rights violations
In Occupied Kashmir the international community must push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict respecting the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people The restoration of communication, lifting of lockdowns, and respect for human rights are critical steps towards achieving peace in the region The world must hold India accountable for its actions in Kashmir and ensure that the rights of Kashmiris are upheld The plight of Muslims around the world is a call to action for the international community The darkness that has enveloped them must be dispelled with the light of justice, solidarity, and human rights Governments international organizations and civil society must work together to protect the rights and lives of Muslims The world cannot afford to remain silent in the face of such egregious violations of human rights It is time to stand up, speak out, and take action to ensure that Muslims around the globe can live in peace dignity and freedom
The writer is a freelance columnist
Neutralit y in the Ukraine conflict
A Crucial Geopolitical Flashpoint
BIlal Khan
Amidst the Russo-Ukraine war and the Hamas-Israel conflict the world has turned a blind eye to the geo-political tension in the West Pacific Ocean, known to the world as the Taiwan issue Strategically located at the center of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Taiwan Strait is responsible for 21 percent of global trade making the country the centre of attention in world politics
The country exports 90 percrnt of advanced chips to the world, increasing the world's dependency on Taiwan for advancing in the field of technology and sophisticated weapons
The USA has vowed several times to protect the country from the havoc of its authoritarian neighbour China by deploying its soldiers in various military bases around
Taiwan The recent accession of the new President of Taiwan on May 20 as a result of January's general elections has once again made the issue re-emerge on the global stage by warning China of strong retaliation in case of any aggression Consequently, it led to military drills by China around Taiwan in the Western Pacific Ocean, showing its willingness and preparedness for the invasion of Taiwan However the question at hand is whether China has gained the potential to invade Taiwan and threaten the US-led western order or not What would the response of the world be if China invaded Taiwan? Is Taiwan prepared to defend its homeland against authoritarian aggression? These are the questions in everyone’s mind To answer we need to analyze various possibilities coming out of the issue
According to US-based analysts, XI Jinping, president of the People s Republic of China, will wait until 2027 to prepare for the swift invasion of Taiwan Hitherto, China is expanding its power through various initiatives across the world states increasing its soft power influence and presence
However the data shows pessimistic results: it shows that the Chinese labour force will shrink by one percent at the end of this decade and its GDP growth will remain at 3 5vpercent indicating lower Chinese exports to the world and a decrease in its soft power
Therefore Xi will carefully look for an op-
Moreover, it would impact trade passing through the Taiwan Strait, making countries vulnerable to the mercy of China Further, Taiwan supplies over 90 percent of advanced chips to the world; the invasion of Taiwan would disrupt the transportation of electronic chips and technology, affecting industries worldwide Though the Chinese invasion of Taiwan seems easy; however, it would drag backward China and involve not only regional states but the West as well China needs to think carefully before taking any step
portunity to cash in on the One-China policy by invading Taipei and ending the unfinished business of the Chinese civil war
Prior to discussing the impacts and possibilities of Chinese invasion of Taiwan it is imperative to weigh the military strength of both states According to the UN China leads the world in the number of military personnel, two million active soldiers, the USA the next On the other side, it ranks at 3 in the global firepower index whereas Taiwan stands at 24 creating a huge gap between them However the latter is armed to the teeth through the assistance of the West in general and the USA in particular
The defence system of Taiwan includes anti-missile system, naval mines, landing spikes, mobile missile launchers, and many advanced weapons of the USA which can give a tough time to its archrival China Additionally its air bases are located in protected locations providing an edge and capability to target urban areas of China in case of war
In the same manner, Nature has also showered its blessings on Taipei by providing a natural defence wall through the mountainous region near the coastal areas towards China These mountains provide a natural barrier for soldiers to enter Taiwan
Apart from that, the 140 km long distance of Taiwan Strait is not ideal for an amphibious operation, subject to unpredictable and unfriendly weather, and is often home to natural
disasters including typhoons, making it difficult to maintain supply lines Its narrowness makes it difficult for the soldiers’ fleet to cross the strait without being detected Taipei has a porcupine defense system making the invader think carefully before attacking it As the cost of Thus the USA will leave no stone unturned to protect Taipei
The USA calls Taiwan "strategic ambiguity, fostering an environment of uncertainty and making the invader cautious of any attack ” On the flip side what if China attacks Taiwan; will the invasion be possible? What would be the world s response then? Whether the world will be plunged into a Third World War or would it be limited to the West Pacific Ocean? Let us unveil various dimensions in case China attacks Taiwan
To begin with, China will face economic sanctions from the Western-led world order leaving it vulnerable to the wrath of the West China would face hardship in securing food as an increasing
The limits of a US-Saudi securit y deal
A U S -S audi defense treat y and agreement on civil nuclear cooperation appears to be in the final stages
D on’t expec t R iyadh to take Washington’s side against China and Russia
S audi Arabia wants what neither China nor Russia c an provide: sec urit y
B eijing and Moscow are imper fec t but essential par tners for R iyadh
a potential Harris and a potential Trump administration will need to reckon with Riyadh’s independent ties to
and Moscow should a U S -Saudi agreement move forward It
prove to be
harder pill for a Democratic administration to swallow, given Trump s embrace of autocrats the world over But regardless, Washington should go into the final stages of negotiations with Riyadh with
understanding of Saudi Arabia s intentions or it will set the relationship up for unnecessary strife THE VIEW FROM RIYADH Saudi leaders, along with their counterparts in other Persian Gulf monarchies, have worried about Washington’s commitm e n t t o t h e
U S administrations The American public s evident weariness and frustration with the lengthy wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were manifested in a succession of presid
n t s B
and Joe Biden who vowed to reduce the U S presence in the Middle East and pivot
rise of China The fact that
found themselves unable to ignore Middle East-
and, more recently, the war in Gaza and Israel’s conflicts with Hezbollah and Iran hardly quieted the Saudis’ fears In the eyes of the Saudis each president made
limiting Iran
regional influence Trump who in his early days in the White House
Abqaiq and Khurais two of the most
September 2019 And Biden made it clear at the outset of his administration that he intended to keep Riyadh at arm s length Harsh geopolitical realities, however, quickly flipped the script on the Biden administration Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the concomitant rise in oil prices led to a 180-degree turn in Biden s approach toward Riyadh Good relations with the world s largest oil exporter suddenly seemed much more central to U S interests than the concerns over authoritarianism and human rights that had fueled Biden’s earlier stance Moreover the administration saw the possibility of doing Trump one better in the Middle East getting the Saudis to join the Abraham Accords by recognizing Israel When China played mediator in the restoration of Iranian-Saudi diplomatic relations a diplomatic coup for Beijing in March 2023, it gave Washing-
ton the added incentive of securing Saudi Arabia on the United States’ side of the emerging U S -Chinese cold war Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who is the kingdom s de facto leader had been open to diplomatic relations with Israel for some time before the war in Gaza He has made clear to Washington that his price for this dramatic move is an end to the uncertainty about the United States’ commitment to his country’s security through a Senate-ratified defense treaty
MBS has also called for U S support for the development of Saudi Arabia s civilian nuclear infrastructure without the stringent limitations on the reprocessing and export of nuclear material currently required by U S law Getting such agreements through Congress would be difficult given the widespread suspicion of Saudi nuclear ambitions and the distaste for the Saudi human rights record among House and Senate members And considering the current geopolitical environment, it would require, in the view of the administration not just Saudi recognition of Israel but also active Israeli support for Washington s upgraded commitment to Saudi Arabia
The war in Gaza has upped the ante for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel Before the conflict, there were indications that Riyadh would take that step if Israel made some concrete gestures toward improving the lives of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank But the Saudis are now demanding a firm Israeli commitment to a timetable for independent Palestinian statehood in those territories something that the current Israeli government will not give Momentum toward a triangular U S -Israeli-Saudi deal which has been the centerpiece of Biden s Middle East policy has thus slowed The regional and global power realities that underlie that momentum, however, are not going away If and when Gaza recedes from the headlines, it is likely that the next U S presidential administration will seek to seal the deal OIL COMES FIRST There is no guarantee even if Gaza no longer occupied such a prominent place in the global news cycle, that the triangular deal envisaged by the Biden administration could be achieved by a successor Israel and Saudi Arabia might not be able to find common ground on the Palestinian question Since the onset of the war in Gaza public support for negotiations on Palestinian statehood has cratered in Israel Even if Israel supported the deal, Congress might not agree to the new commitments from Washington that are preconditions for Saudi participation given the long-held antipathies toward the kingdom on Capitol Hill If however all the pieces did fall into place and the triangular deal was achieved, the United States would want to be clear-eyed about what it can expect from the Saudis in return Riyadh would have no problem
signing on to a monogamous marriage with Washington on military and security issues
That is what it wants But it also wants the flexibility to deal with China and Russia and even Iran on political and economic issues of importance to Saudi Arabia Americans generally expect their security allies to fall in line on the entire range of foreign policy issues and tend to feel ill used if allies chart their own course; in the case of Riyadh they would need to temper this reaction Despite their ongoing conversations with Washington on these issues, the Saudis have already taken some distance from certain U S initiatives, even within the region Riyadh, for instance, has been keen to extricate itself from its failed military intervention in Yemen where a years-long conflict between a Saudi-backed military coalition and Houthi rebels has devolved into an intractable stalemate As such, it has not joined the U S campaign against the Houthis, who continue to fire missiles and drones at commercial ships in the Red Sea and even more recently at Israel Saudi Arabia has not joined the diplomatic and economic boycott of Russia orchestrated by the Biden administration in the wake of Moscow s invasion of Ukraine Riyadh maintains an extensive economic relationship with China and turned to Beijing to mediate a resumption of diplomatic relations with Iran in 2023
Saudi Arabia sees China and Russia as central to its future for one overarching reason: oil These days, the driving force behind Saudi foreign and domestic policy is MBS’s economic development blueprint, known as Vision 2030 which emphasizes changing the Saudi economy and reducing its dependence on oil over the long term
Accomplishing the goals set out in Vision 2030, however, requires huge amounts of capital in the short term, which essentially requires maintaining relatively high oil prices now and sustaining Saudi Arabia’s share of sales in the global oil market Russia is key to the Saudi strategy on prices; it is the world s second-largest exporter of oil and Moscow s cooperation is essential to production agreements aimed at sustaining the price of oil China, as the world’s leading importer of oil, is essential to the Saudis maintaining their market share a position that has grown more vulnerable now that Russia is seeking a greater share of the Chinese market having been shunned by its historic European customers For this reason, Riyadh will be loath to hew to Washington’s political and economic policy toward the United States’ global rivals THE BUSINESS OF FRIENDSHIP Beijing and Moscow are imperfect partners for Riyadh but they are nonetheless essential to the kingdom s economic strategy The Saudis know that they cannot hope to keep oil prices up without Russian cooperation That is why, at Riyadh’s insistence, the locus of international oil production negotiations
The Taiwan Strait may spark off WWIII
US SCRAPS PLEA
Bangladesh students c all for nationwide civil disobedience amid demand for public apology
Unverified videos shared online in the immediate aftermath of the attack showed people scattering along a street, with a number of clips purporting to show bloodied bodies lying on the beachfront
“More than 32 civilians died in this attack and about 63 others were wounded, some of them critically ” police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan told reporters during a press conference
Targeting
in a post on a pro-Shabaab website began late on Friday when a suicide bomber detonated a device and gunmen stormed the area, police and witnesses told AFP Officer Mohamed Omar told AFP they had “shot civilians randomly” He said security forces had ended the attack and killed five gunmen
U R K I S H Navy Delegation headed by Chief of Staff Turkish Naval
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
PPAF's comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation is truly commendable," stated Syedaal Khan Nasar Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan during his visit to the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) Accompanying him were Senator Abdul Shakoor Khan and Senator Sardar Al Haj Muhammad Umer Khan Gorgaij, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety During the visit PPAF CEO Mr Nadir Gul Barech provided a detailed overview of PPAF s mandate, scope of work, and innovative approaches in poverty alleviation “PPAF’s efforts not only address immediate financial needs but also empower individuals with the skills and resources necessary for long-term self-sufficiency The integration of gender equity and climate resilience into their programs is a testament to their forwardthinking strategy This approach aligns perfectly with our national development goals and sets a benchmark for effective poverty alleviation " said by Deputy Chairman Senate Nasar further emphasized, "PPAF's work is a vital part of our national strategy to uplift the marginalized communities The fact that a significant portion of their interest-free loans benefit women is particularly noteworthy as it contributes to gender equity and economic empowerment The organization s focus on sustainable development through initiatives like the GRASP program and the Restoration of Social Services and Climate Resilience project underscores their commitment to addressing both immediate and long-term challenges faced by our society " He added, "The detailed approach taken by PPAF, from providing livelihood assets to enhancing climate resilience demonstrates a holistic understanding of poverty alleviation It s crucial that we continue to support and expand these initiatives to ensure
that we make meaningful progress in eradicating poverty and building resilient communities Senator Sardar Al Haj Muhammad Umer Khan Gorgaij praised PPAF’s initiatives, stating, "The PPAF’s comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation and its emphasis on empowering women and promoting gender equity are commendable These efforts not only uplift communities but also contribute significantly to the socioeconomic fabric of our nation The Senate Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety fully supports these integrated efforts to build resilient communities "
FBR chief administers oath to office bearers of IRSOA's management board
the two nations but has also created numerous opportunities for economic collaboration and growth He remarked that the ongoing projects under CPEC are instrumental in enhancing connectivity and driving economic development across Pakistan Furthermore, Syed pointed out the crucial role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in this context He argued that SEZs
deficiency 3200 vacancies in BS (1 to 15) are to be filled 1500 to 2000 new inspectors are to be recruited and 100 to 125 new seats are to be created in BS 20 & 21
He added that FBR has limited outreach across the country with not more than 100 offices as compared to 525 in Japan and 100 in Tokyo alone 145 District Tax Offices are to be established across the country with the necessary infrastructure, HR and logistics
He further elaborated the issue of slow career progression especially in BS 19 to 21 which can be resolved through up gradation of posts of 6 CCIRs from BS 20 to 21 establishment of 4 new directprates of Anti Money Laundering, creation of 50 to 60 BS-20 seats in district tax offices, 6 BS-20 seats of CIR (Appeals) and 75 BS-21 seats for 100 benches of IRS Tribunal
relationship As CPEC continues to evolve, the focus will remain on harnessing its full potential for mutual benefit while addressing the associated challenges
the issues and to take up matters at proper forums President IRSOA in his speech shared the recommendations to meet the challenges currently being faced by IRS officers He highlighted the issue of inadequate human resource vis-a-vis the population and number of taxpayers UK, US, Canada and Japan has tax workforce four times that of FBR, with their population less than half of Pakistan To meet this
He highlighted that FBR employees are the lowest paid among all service groups They get only the frozen performance allowance which is 20% of their basic pay whereas all other federal and provincial service groups are getting 150% additional pay All FBR employees who are tasked to collect taxes of trillions of rupees must be paid as equivalent to the officers of other groups
Border tensions rise as Hezbollah retaliates against Israel
Exchange of attacks between Israeli and Hezbollah forces have intensified ending the brief lull along the border after Tel Aviv killed the Lebanese group’s
OCAC raises alarms about ‘unfair ’ HSD import, ‘hefty ’ discounts by private OMC
The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has called on the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to investigate unjustified high-speed diesel (HSD) imports by a private Oil Marketing Company (OMC) and to scrutinize how the company can offer oil at discount rates beyond its margin In a letter dated August 1 2024 addressed to Masroor Khan Chairman of OGRA, with the subject Urgent Action: Concerns Regarding Unfair Market Practices at the Cost of Oil Industry,” the OCAC raised urgent concerns about the impact of these imports on the local oil industry
The OCAC highlighted that HSD imports by the private OMC have surged from 15,000 MT per month to 40,000 MT per month, with the product being distributed through unfair practices Despite local refineries having surplus product and renting additional storage OGRA continues to approve these imports without accurately assessing the country’s demand, exacerbated by cross-border movements
done at the cost of local industry by allowing unnecessary imports on one pretext or the other It not only contradicts the established practice of prioritizing upliftment from refineries, but also places additional pressure on Pakistan s foreign exchange reserves,” said the OCAC letter
hit several villages in southern Lebanon on Friday according to Lebanese state media This follows an Israeli strike that killed at least five Syrian migrant workers in southern Lebanon, as reported by medics Earlier on Tuesday Israel’s military said it had killed Hezbollah’s most senior commander in an airstrike on Beirut in retaliation for a cross-border rocket attack that killed 12 youngsters three days ago which it blamed on the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in an address later on Thursday, declared that Hezbollah would resume its usual military operations against Israel He indicated that a retaliation would follow the Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Tuesday that killed military commander Fuad Shukr along with an Iranian military adviser and five civilians Nasrallah emphasised that Hezbollah s response would be real and studied, rather than symbolic, and noted that several countries had urged the group against retaliation He accused Israel of crossing “red lines” and stated that a regional escalation would depend on Israel s reaction to the forthcoming reprisal Meanwhile Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was prepared for any retaliatory attack by Iran and its allies
“Israel is very prepared for any scenario – both defensively and offensively ” he stated “We will exact a very heavy
The letter stressed that capital investment in the OMC should not compromise the local industry by allowing unnecessary imports This practice deviates from prioritizing refinery products and puts pressure on Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves
“The capital injection and investment coming into an Oil Marketing Company should not be
The OCAC pointed out that the private OMC has been offering HSD at a discount of around Rs 10 per litre which exceeds the OMCs margin of Rs 7 87 per litre This hefty discounting erodes the market share of other companies and leads to illegal dumping of the product at other stations without benefiting consumers at petrol stations
The private oil marketing company in question has been offering oil at a discount of around Rs 10 per litre, a figure exceeding the OMCs’ margin of Rs 7 87 per litre This hefty discounting is not only eroding the legitimate market share of other companies but is
also leading to the illegal dumping of the company’s product at other companies stations through the lure of hefty discounts It should be noted that these discounts have not translated into lower prices for consumers at petrol stations and cannot be considered a public benefit,” reads OCAC letter OCAC urged OGRA to investigate how the private company can offer such substantial discounts and expressed concerns over potential connections to smuggled petroleum products
“Given these circumstances, it is imperative that OGRA thoroughly investigates how any private company can offer such substantial discounts beyond its margins Further, there are reports suggesting an influx of smuggled petroleum products into Pakistan, raising the possibility that these discounts may be connected to such smuggled products said the OCAC letter
Blood of martyr Ismail Haniyeh will not go in vain, says Fazl
S TA F F R E P O R T
Jamiat
Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday expressed his sorrows over the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh and offered prayers and condolences for all Palestinian martyrs during a meeting Hamas leader Khaled Mashal on Doha
The JUI-F chief had arrived in Qatar from Jeddah last night where met with Hamas leaders to offer his condolences following the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh Maulana Fazl engaged in discussions with Palestinian and Hamas leaders
During his visit Fazlur
Rehman also met with Hamas leader Khaled Mashal and expressed his sorrow over the martyr-
dom of Ismail Haniyeh offering
prayers and condolences for all Palestinian martyrs
Speaking on the occasion he stated that the blood of martyr Ismail Haniyeh will not go in vain
His martyrdom will strengthen Palestine’s struggle for freedom
The entire Islamic world is grieving his loss
Fazlur Rehman said it is the duty of Muslims to liberate AlAqsa Mosque from Zionist occupiers
He noted that Hamas leaders remain resolute and that both the Palestinian people and the Muslim Ummah will not relinquish their fight for the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestine
The JUI-F and the Pakistani nation stand in solidarity with Palestinians in their struggle for
freedom
The Palestinian leader and his bodyguard were killed in an Iranian government guest house in Tehran in the early hours of Wednesday
Haniyeh had gone to the Iranian capital to attend the inauguration of Iran’s newly elected Masoud Pezeshkian
During the past three days speculations abounded whether a longrange missile was fired from outside Iran s borders or launched from an aircraft over Iranian airspace
Today, Iranian media, including the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported quoting Khaled Qaddoumi Hamas representative in Tehran that Haniyeh s death was caused by a missile or rocket fired from outside the building toward the room where he was staying
internationally recognized principles of human rights
The government of Pakistan had passed a unanimous resolution in the Parliament in support of the Kashmiri people, in which it had expressed its concern over the extremist intentions of the Hindutva government of India It was responsibility of the international community to put pressure on India to end gross violations of human rights and the unilateral and illegal occupation of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir Pakistani Ambassador to Berlin
