POLITICAL LEADERSHIP CALLS FOR ISL AMIC UNIT Y AGAINST ISRAELI AGGRESSION IN PALESTINE
g Passes unanimous resolution demanding immediate end to Israeli aggression
actions as “genocidal ” He stated that the world community has failed to intervene effectively to stop Israel’s continuous assaults on Palestinians Israel has martyred over 41 000 Palestinians in the latest round of aggression and now it is targeting Lebanon and Syria as well The international community is unable to stop these atrocities This is a serious threat to regional peace,” Zardari said Recalling Pakistan’s historic ties with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) he added: “We have cooperated with the PLO for decades I met Yasser Arafat many times and Pakistan has always stood with Palestine We saw PLO offices here in Pakistan, but now Israel is increasing its violent operations Zardari urged Muslim countries to use their collective power to halt Israel’s advances “The Islamic world has enormous strength If we do not use it now then when? he asked Former prime minister and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, expressed disappointment over the United Nations inability to implement its resolutions on Palestine,
likening the situation to the Kashmir conflict The world is witnessing the worst atrocities in history Entire cities in Palestine have been turned into rubble Children are being snatched from their mothers and killed in front of their parents And yet the world remains silent Sharif said He added: The UN is helpless in enforcing its own resolutions, just like it has been on Kashmir What good is an organisation that cannot ensure justice for oppressed people?”
Nawaz also suggested that the collective military strength of Islamic countries be mobilised against Israel Islamic nations have a massive military alliance If they do not act now when will they? This is the moment to stand together and create a policy to protect Muslims from further bloodshed
Rehman criticised the global response to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, stating that even smaller nations like South Africa had taken stronger action by bringing the issue before the International Court of Justice He urged the government to form a coalition of major Muslim countries to tackle Israeli aggression collectively Why are we not supporting Hamas openly? Rehman asked, referring to the Palestinian resistance group To the West, they may be terrorists, but to us, they are freedom fighters It is time we declare our support openly ”
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari accused Israel of using the hostage situation as a pretext to expand its occupation into Lebanon Egypt and Palestine He called for immediate global intervention and suggested that the APC form a committee to advocate for Palestine on international platforms
Sharif emphasised the need for immediate action and urged the Pakistani leadership to quickly draft recommendations and seek collaboration from Muslim nations globally This must happen without delay he stressed JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman echoed Nawaz Sharif s concerns, referring to Israel s foundation as a colonial project dating back to the 1917 Balfour Declaration by Britain He also reminded the gathering of Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who had denounced Israel as an illegitimate child It is astonishing that some people in Pakistan have even suggested recognising Israel,” Rehman said, rejecting any possibility of a two-state solution He condemned the recent Israeli aggression which has now expanded beyond Palestine to Lebanon and other neighbouring countries
Life in twin cities resumes following four days of PTI demonstrations
and traffic is flowing smoothly on major roads including Jinnah Avenue Expressway Srinagar Highway and Faizabad
The police confirmed that key routes, including Rawat T Cross, Koral Chowk, Khanna Bridge, Faizabad, Murree Road, and the Express Highway are open for traffic in both directions Peshawar Morr Golra Morr and Chungi No 26 have also been cleared for vehicular movement Murree Road has been reopened for traffic from near the traffic police office Additionally the Motorway Link Road Colonel Sher Khan Shaheed Road and Iran Avenue are now accessible from both sides, while G-14 Srinagar Highway, 17 Mile Toll Plaza, and Bhara Kahu are fully operational Traffic has also resumed on Kati Pahari GT Road Zero Point and Khayaban Chowk ensuring all key transit points across Islamabad are functional Despite the return to normalcy, the Red Zone comprising Serena Chowk, NADRA Chowk, and DChowk remains closed with gov-
ernment employees and citizens advised to use Margalla Road for transit Residents have expressed that while protests are a right for all parties, efforts should be made to prevent chaos, as city closures do not effectively resolve issues In a statement the senior superintendent of police (traffic) is personally overseeing the situation to ensure the uninterrupted flow of vehicles and has urged citizens to follow traffic guidelines for smooth access throughout the city
m o N i to r i N G D e s k Pakistan is poised to lift the long-standing ban on the commercial export of sheep and goats first imposed over a decade ago
The move comes in response to increasing demand from Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) has finalised a proposal to revoke the 2009 decision and has submitted the summary for approval by the federal cabinet
The Executive Committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has already reviewed and agreed to lift the ban on live animal exports
The ban on live animal exports was
initially introduced in 2009 by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet due to concerns over smuggling, particularly across the Afghan border, which led to local shortages and price instability
In July 2013 the ECC approved a complete ban on live animal exports to stabilize prices in the domestic market
According to the latest summary, several domestic investors have begun establishing small- to medium-scale feedlot fattening farms which are expected to produce a surplus of goats and sheep in the coming years
The MNFSR has also reached out to Gulf nations for potential investment in these farms, and investors from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE have shown keen interest
The summary points out that the
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has introduced the Right of Way (RoW) One-Window Operation aimed at simplifying and speeding up the process of securing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for telecom operators Telecom operators are required to seek approvals from multiple government agencies, each with its unique procedures causing delays and inefficiencies One significant barrier to improving fiber penetration in Pakistan is the complicated process of obtaining Right of Way (RoW) No Objection Certificates (NOCs) This disorganized system has hindered the progress of Pakistan’s National Fiberization Vision a plan designed to expand fiber connectivity nationwide An official from the Ministry of IT
said that the RoW One-Window Operation minimizes paperwork, allowing telecom operators to electronically submit their RoW applications for NOCs eliminating unnecessary delays in approvals The process also facilitates online
fee payments, enhancing transparency and efficiency A dedicated online system for complaint and dispute management will ensure quicker resolutions while Fiberization Mapping will track fiberization progress nationwide By consolidating all procedural steps into one platform, the system aims to make the process more transparent cost-effective and time-efficient Operators can track their applications in real time reducing delays and ensuring smoother project execution
This streamlined approach will also lower telecom companies’ operational costs and accelerate the rollout of fiber optic networks contributing to the faster implementation of the National Fiberization Vision which seeks to enhance connectivity across Pakistan
This initiative, he said, would be available through both an online portal and a mobile app, and it includes several key features that are expected to positively impact the telecom sector
PM ORDERS INCLUSION OF $8B DIAMER
BHASHA PROJECT IN CPEC FRAMEWORK
Political leadership calls for Islamic unit y against Israeli aggression in Palestine
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
We need to nominate honorary ambassadors for Palestine, who will represent Pakistan s stance on the global stage, Bilawal said He urged the APC to pass a strong resolution against Israel’s actions and take it to the international community Bilawal also criticised the Western portrayal of the conflict The world presents October 7 as if everything was calm before that They conveniently ignore the decades of occupation and violence Palestinians have suffered ” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who closed the conference praised the participants for their solidarity on the Palestinian issue He reiterated Pakistan s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and called for a ceasefire “What Israel is doing in Palestine is unimaginable Innocent people are being slaughtered and the world powers are silent said Sharif We will form a group of experts to visit key international capitals and deliver Pakistan’s message of solidarity with the Palestinian people ” Sharif also thanked the political and
religious leaders for putting aside domestic differences and uniting on this issue “Every time Pakistan faces a national or international challenge we come together Today is a shining example of this unity He concluded by stating that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) must take a lead in resolving the crisis “We need to act now The Palestinian bloodshed must end ”
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Chairman Kahlid Maqbool Siddiqui said Islamic countries should open its educational institutions to accommodate Palestinian students, besides sending assistance to the oppressed people of Gaza Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leader Khalid Magsi called for getting united to utilise all resources and energy to protect lives of the Palestinian people
Others who spoke on the occasion included PML-Q leader Chaudhry Salik
Hussain IPP leader Abdul Aleem Khan ANP leader Aimal Wali Khan National Party leader Jan Muhammad Buledi Raja Nasir Abbas of MWM Sunni Tehreek leader Sarwat Ijaz Qadri, and religious scholar Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said Israel is carrying out genocide in Palestine He added that occupied Israeli forces are committing worst atrocities against the humanity We have to take a very clear stance on the Israeli brutalities against innocent Palestinians, Hafiz Naeem said, adding that it is also responsibility of the international community to play its role in stopping the Israeli brutalities in Palestine He proposed to convene a meeting of the Islamic countries to adopt a common stance in this regard He said Pakistan should play a proactive role to launch a diplomatic campaign to highlight this issue at the world fora In its concluding resolution the APC unanimously called for an immediate stop to Israeli hostilities and urged the Muslim world to unite under a single platform to protect Palestinian rights
The attendees also decided to bring attention to Israel’s atrocities by sending a delegation to important foreign capitals The resolution urged world powers to intervene immediately stating that Israel s continued activities pose a serious danger to both regional stability and international peace
Controversy arises as D r. Naik emphasises religious principles at orphan charit
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Naik faced public backlash after refusing to present
during a charity event at
Home The event, aimed at supporting orphaned children, included Dr Naik as a guest to distribute awards However when girls were called on stage Dr Naik declined to interact with them citing religious reasons He explained that he could not present the awards due to Islamic principles that prohibit physical contact with nonmehram individuals The moment, captured on video quickly went viral on social media It triggered a storm of re-
actions with mixed opinions about his stance In response to the criticism, Dr Naik addressed the controversy at a public meeting held at the Governor House in Sindh He shared that he attended the event expecting to meet orphaned children not participate in a photo session I agreed to attend despite my busy schedule, but the orphans were left behind while the focus shifted to photographs,” he stated Dr Naik elaborated that the girls were called “daughters” by the orphanage chairman but he felt this did not alter religious boundaries He expressed concern over cultural perceptions in Pakistan, contrasting them with those in India He claimed that in India, Hindu audiences show greater respect for boundaries re-
y event
garding interactions with women I was shocked to receive criticism for my actions What has happened to this country?” he remarked, urging the public to reconsider the values they uphold He emphasized the importance of maintaining religious principles stating that while it is acceptable to refer to girls as daughters, physical contact remains prohibited The incident has sparked a broader debate on cultural and religious norms around gender interactions in Pakistan Some have praised Dr Naik for his adherence to religious values calling him a role model for integrity Others, however, argue that his approach is overly rigid and disconnected from contemporary societal norms
TH E Middle East remains a flashpoint of international crisis particularly due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza now regarded as a significant threat involving nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction Israel has continued to assert its technological dominance, particularly in military intelligence and warfare which has left the Muslim world especially Arab nations in awe For instance incidents in Lebanon where Israel used advanced communication technologies such as targeting Hezbollah s pagers and walkie-talkies, have been unprecedented This shocked the world, and Israel s precision strikes have successfully targeted top leaders of the Axis of Resistance, including Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah Commander Faud Shakur
Among these leaders Hezbollah s Hassan Nasrallah stands out as a prominent figure often compared to Iran s Ayatollah Khomeini Nasrallah is seen as a hero not only in Lebanon but across the region However, recent attacks have greatly damaged Hezbollah’s infrastructure, shattering its communication systems and killing senior military commanders In a speech Nasrallah admitted that “without a doubt we have suffered a major blow Despite these setbacks he warned that the reckoning will come as Israel and Hezbollah continue to exchange fire along the Lebanese border
The past six months have seen the targeted assassinations of key Hezbollah frontline leaders, suggesting that the organization has become highly compromised Some members may be acting as spies for Israel reporting on their activities including detailed meeting minutes Because the attacks were very precis in manner The assassinated leaders include Wassim Hassan Tawil (Hajj Jawad), who was killed on January 8, 2024, by Israeli drones in Khirbet Selem; Sami Talib Abdullah (Hajj Abu Talib) killed in June 2024 during an Israeli raid in Joya; Mohammed Nasser (Hajj Abu Nimah) assassinated in July 2024 by an Israeli drone strike in Tyre; and Fouad Shukr (Hajj Mohsen), who was killed on July 30, 2024, in an Israeli airstrike on a building in Haret Hreik, southern Beirut Additionally, Ibrahim Aqil (Ibrahim Tahseen) was assassinated on September 20, 2024 by missiles fired from an F-35 aircraft in the Jamous area; Ahmed Wahbi was killed on the same day during an Israeli raid in Jamous alongside Ibrahim Aqil and 14 other fighters Furthermore Ibrahim Qabisi (Hajj Abu Musa) was assassinated on September 24, 2024, in an airstrike on Ghobeiry, while Mohammed Hussein Sorour (Hajj Abu Saleh) was killed on September 26 2024 in a raid by an F35 aircraft in the Al-Qaim neighborhood Most notably Hassan Nasrallah was announced dead by Hezbollah following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut
This significant loss raises questions about the potential for retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah Nasrallah warned that “the reckoning will come” as the two sides continue to exchange fire across the Lebanese border However Iran and Hezbollah face
a significant challenge in countering Israel s advanced military capabilities Israel s robust air defense system, known as Iron Dome, poses a formidable barrier, and Iran lacks the modern technology and weaponry necessary to challenge it effectively Iran, despite having abundant resources that could have positioned it as an emerging global power has been in steady decline since the Islamic Revolution The revolution s focus on ideological governance has hindered Iran s economic and political potential Instead of utilizing its wealth and strategic position, Iran has faced international sanctions, isolation, and economic mismanagement Foreign investment has dwindled and the country suffers from severe economic difficulties
Moreover Iran possesses significant natural resources including the fourth-largest proven oil reserves in the world, estimated at 156 billion barrels, and the second-largest natural gas reserves, totaling approximately 34 trillion cubic meters Additionally, Iran holds a prominent position in mineral production However despite these vast resources Iran’s global standing remains marginal largely due to its failure to leverage these assets effectively for economic growth and development
The revolution not only limited Iran s economic prospects but also curtailed civil liberties and cultural expression The Islamization of Iranian society, particularly in education and culture has led to intellectual stagnation The state’s aggressive foreign policy has further isolated Iran with ongoing sectarian conflicts and radicalization worsening its standing in the region
Post-revolution governance has prioritized Islamic ideology over pragmatic policies, stifling scientific advancement and limiting political freedoms Intellectual stagnation, particularly in critical thinking and academic discourse has contributed to Iran’s inability to modernize Additionally brain drain where educated professionals leave the country has exacerbated this stagnation A broader issue affects many Muslim countries as well Rather than embracing modern scientific inquiry and technological advancements, these nations often find themselves mired in outdated cultural debates focused on minor religious issues In this decade
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ACanada, and Europe occurring in 1 out of every 1 000 to 1 in 4 000 pregnancies While the incidence of PPCM seems to be increasing in these regions it may be more common in countries like Haiti Nigeria, and South Africa However, due to a lack of comprehensive data, the exact prevalence of PPCM in Pakistan remains unclear Singlecenter observational studies suggest that women over 25 with a mean age of 30 years are more likely to develop PPCM in Pakistan The symptoms of PPCM can often mirror those experienced in the last trimester of pregnancy, such as shortness of breath with physical activity or while lying down, and swelling in the ankles and feet, making the condition difficult to diagnose Other signs of PPCM include chest
pain or tightness coughing heart palpitations fatigue and less commonly light-headedness For Fatima, urgent delivery of her baby became the immediate solution to save both her life and her child’s PPCM can lead to prolonged hospitalization for both mother and baby Therefore timely diagnosis and management by a team of specialists are crucial for ensuring the best outcomes for both A diagnosis of PPCM is made if the mother develops heart failure symptoms within the last month of pregnancy or up to six months post-delivery, shows reduced heart function on echocardiography and no other causes of heart failure are found A genetic predisposition such as a family history of cardiomyopathy is a significant risk factor However in many cases PPCM is idiopathic, meaning the exact cause is unknown Treatment of PPCM generally follows standard heart failure guidelines However, if the
patient is still pregnant, treatment can be complicated, as certain heart failure medications are either contraindicated or have not been adequately tested in pregnancy It is essential for expectant mothers with heart disease to be under the care of an experienced specialist
Although PPCM is rare it can have a profound impact on motherhood Expectant mothers should remain vigilant, and any unusual or suspicious symptoms should prompt immediate medical evaluation
Dr Farhala Baloch Cardiologist The Aga Khan University Hospital
Dr Zainab Samad Cardiologist and Chair Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital
Varisha Madni Medical Student The Aga Khan University
*Name changed for anonymity
Disclosure: Dr Farhala Baloch is Fogarty Fellow and her work is supported by the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number D43TW011625
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AUKUS and the Global balance of power
TS T R AT E G I C R AT I O N A L E B E H I N D A U K U S: At the core of AUKUS lies its strategic objective: countering Chinese growing influence, particularly in the IndoPacific region China’s expansion of its naval capabilities and its aggressive stance in territorial disputes particularly in the South China Sea have raised alarms among Western powers AUKUS was initially presented as a framework for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, a move seen as essential to maintaining a balance of power in the Pacific Ocean However the partnership has expanded beyond this singular purpose The acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines will significantly enhance Australia s naval capabilities These submarines can remain submerged for longer periods and have greater range and speed than conventional submarines making them invaluable in deterring Chinese naval ambitions Furthermore the introduction of advanced nuclear technology into Australia s defense system marks a substantial escalation in its military capacity, ensuring that it can more effectively contribute to the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region Beyond submarines AUKUS is designed to foster greater cooperation in critical areas such as intelligence sharing cybersecurity quantum computing, artificial intelligence and the development of advanced weapons systems By aligning their technological development, AUKUS members are positioning themselves to outpace China in key areas of strategic competition This is a significant development in 2024 as technological superiority increasingly defines the balance of power in global politics
M A R I T I M E P O W E R A N D S T R AT E -
GIC INTERESTS : AUKUS is fundamen-
tally a maritime alliance reflecting the shared
partnership was born out of the necessity of sharing critical intelligence during the Cold War Over time, it has evolved into one of the most significant intelligence-sharing arrangements in the world AUKUS while not identical to the Five Eyes reflects similar principles of trust shared values and mutual security concerns Winston Churchill s conception of the English-Speaking Peoples in his historical writings also resonates with the formation of these partnerships, celebrating the cultural and political cohesion among these nations The essence of AUKUS like the Five Eyes lies in the mutual trust among its members Not only shared strategic interests but also a commonality in political ideologies, legal systems and economic models bind each country in this alliance These alignments go beyond military cooperation and extend into areas like trade education technology and innovation
The false promise of
geographical characteristics of its members all of which are maritime powers Historically, the dominance of the seas has been crucial to the security and economic prosperity of these nations The U K ’s rise as a global superpower in the 18th and 19th centuries was built on its naval superiority and the U S assumed that role in the 20th century especially after World War II Australia while smaller in comparison, occupies a critical geographical position, acting as a key player in the security dynamics of the Indo-Pacific Maritime security is the focal point of AUKUS’s strategic objectives as control of the world s oceans is vital for both economic and military reasons Nearly 90% of global trade is conducted via sea routes and controlling key maritime chokepoints ensures both economic and strategic advantages The Indo-Pacific region, in particular, is home to some of the world’s busiest sea-lanes making it a critical area for global trade For the U S U K and Australia ensuring the security of these sea-lanes against potential threats posed by China s increasingly assertive naval activities is of paramount importance Furthermore, AUKUS reflects the understanding that the next significant global conflict should it arise will likely involve naval warfare While the Atlantic Ocean has been relatively peaceful in recent years the Pacific has emerged as a zone of contention The expansion of China s naval capabilities, coupled with its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which includes significant maritime components is viewed as a direct challenge to the current maritime order dominated by Western powers
The UKÊs rise as a global superpower in the 18th and 19th centuries was built on its naval superiority and the U.S. assumed that role in the 20th century, especially after World War II.
regime change in Iran
military alliance its economic implications cannot be understated The combined economic output of the U S , U K and Australia represents a substantial portion of global GDP, making the alliance a powerful economic bloc in its own right In 2024 AUKUS is poised to leverage this economic might to challenge China particularly as Beijing faces internal economic instability As China s growth slows and its economy becomes more vulnerable to external pressures, AUKUS’s members are likely to exploit this weakness through coordinated economic strategies One of the key areas where AUKUS s economic and technological strategies will converge is in the development of advanced technologies In particular, the alliance is focusing on artificial intelligence, quantum computing and cybersecurity These technologies are not only critical to future military capabilities but also have broader economic applications The joint development of these technologies by AUKUS members ensures that they can maintain a competitive edge over China in the rapidly evolving technological landscape In addition to military technologies, AUKUS is expected to foster greater cooperation in critical infrastructure such as undersea cables which carry the vast majority of global internet traffic Ensuring the security of these cables is essential to maintaining the integrity of global communications systems and AUKUS will likely prioritize this in its strategic agenda
AUKUS AND GLOBAL SECURITY: In 2024 AUKUS is set to become one of the most consequential alliances in global security Its members recognize that any existential threat they face will likely come from the sea, whether in the Pacific, the Atlantic, or other critical maritime regions As islands or in the case of the U S a de facto island surrounded by vast oceans these nations must prioritize naval security to protect their sovereignty and economic interests The importance of naval power in modern geopolitics cannot be overstated With China’s increasing presence in the Pacific, AUKUS serves as a counterbalance, preventing Beijing from dominating key maritime regions The partnership also sends a clear signal to other countries in the region particularly Japan South Korea and the Southeast Asian nations, that the Western powers are committed to maintaining a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific At the same time, AUKUS is also preparing for potential challenges in the Atlantic While the Atlantic is currently peaceful its strategic importance remains high The possibility of future conflicts, particularly involving Russia or other emerging powers, cannot be dismissed AUKUS’s members are keenly aware of the lessons of history, where control of the Atlantic played
I s r a e l a f t e r O c t o b e r 7
cause the regime to collapse, is also a deeply unconvincing strategy Rather than helping the internal opposition Israeli or American strikes could actually aid the regime by causing a rally-roundthe-flag effect as patriotic Iranians bury their differences to unite against a foreign aggressor American intervention could be particularly counter-productive given that every educated Iranian remembers the role of the US and the UK in backing a coup in Iran in 1953
Even if the Iranian regime did somehow fall, there is absolutely no guarantee that something better would replace it Many dictatorial regimes have been forced from power across the Middle East in recent decades
Often the successor regimes have proved even more oppressive than those they displaced, as happened when the Iranian revolution forced out the Shah of Iran in 1979
A recent book surveying the sorry record of US intervention in the Middle East is entitled losing the long Game: The False Promise of Regime Change in the Middle East Its author, Philip Gordon, is national security adviser to Kamala Harris and deeply involved in the White House deliberations over how to handle the current crisis It might be helpful if Gordon handed out copies of his book to anyone foolish enough to speculate that now might be the time to topple the ayatollahs Gordon illustrates the US repeatedly falling into the same trap, decade after decade as it got behind the idea of regime change in Iraq Iran
Afghanistan Egypt and libya In every case the US embraced the optimistic assumptions of exiled leaders (and of Netanyahu over Iraq in 2002), but “failed to anticipate the chaos that would inevitably ensue after the collapse”
As Gordon notes, “whenever an existing regime is destroyed a political and security vacuum emerges and a power struggle begins The winners of that power struggle are usually the most ruthless and well-armed groups, not the most liberal and tolerant Conditions of insecurity also persuade people to fall back on kinship groups or sects making it more likely that a civil war will break out Iran like Iraq is a patchwork of different ethnic and religious groups The power vacuum when an autocratic regime is toppled often sucks in neighbouring countries and groups, spreading violence across the region All these warnings apply just as forcibly to hopes for a new political order in lebanon following the destruction of the Hizbollah leadership Cautioning against making regime change a goal of western policy could lead to an unacceptably bleak conclusion that Iranians must live under an oppressive theocracy forever That is too pessimistic The question is not whether change should come to Iran but how The best hope for Iranians and the Middle East is that the Islamic republic is eventually consigned to history not by an invasion or a revolution but by peaceful negotiation In recent decades the democratic transitions that have worked best have taken place in countries such as Poland, South Africa and Chile, when autocratic governments driven by generational change or by shifts in world politics have sat down with their opponents and negotiated
I r a n has always had reformist politicians operating within the theocratic system But war with Israel is guaranteed to empower the hardliners Change must come to Iran Bombing raids are not the way to bring it about
lamic republic sounds like a welcome development for the democratic west, which is increasingly concerned by the co-operation of an “axis of adversaries” made up of Iran Russia China and North Korea The return of political freedom to Iran would also mean the country s reintegration into the world economy In the real world, however, there is every reason to be very wary of those calling for regime change in Iran First there is the question of how it would happen Iranian protesters have risen up against the regime several times in the past and been killed and imprisoned in large numbers Bombing Iran and its critical infrastructure in the vague hope that this will
Ayear has passed since October 7 2023 and it is time to explore if we have a better understanding of this monumental event and everything that followed it For historians like me, a year is usually not enough to draw any significant conclusions However, what happened in the past 12 months falls within a much wider historical context one that stretches back at least to 1948 and I would argue even to the early Zionist settlement in Palestine in the late 19th century Therefore, what we can do as historians is place the past year within the long-term processes that have unfolded in historical Palestine since 1882 I will explore two of the most important ones COLONISATION AND DECOLONISATION: The first process is colonisation and its opposite – decolonisation Israeli actions both in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank in the last year gave new credence to the use of these twin terms They transited from the vocabulary of the activists and academics of the pro-Palestine movement to the work of international tribunals such as the International Court of Justice
Mainstream academia and media still refuse to define the Zionist project as a colonial, or as it is referred to more accurately a settler-colonial project However, as Israel intensifies the colonisation of Palestine in the next year, that might prod more individuals and institutions to frame the reality in Palestine as colonial and the Palestinian struggle as anticolonial and dispense with tropes about terrorism and peace negotiations Indeed it is time to stop using misleading language peddled by US and Western media, like Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas” or “peace process”, and instead talk about Palestinian resistance and decolonisation of Palestine from the river to the sea What will help in this effort is the growing disrepute of the Western mainstream media as a credible source of both analysis and information Today, media executives are fighting tooth and nail against any change in the language, but they would eventually come to regret its place on the wrong side of history
This change of narrative is important because it has the potential to affect politics – more specifically the politics of the Democratic Party in the United States The more progressive Democrats have already embraced a more accurate language and framing of what is happening in Palestine
Whether this will be enough to effect change in a Democratic administration should Kamala Harris win the election remains to be seen But I am not sanguine about such a change unless the processes of social implosion within Israel its growing economic vulnerability and international isolation put an end to the hollow Democratic ef-
PUTIN AND PEZESHKIAN TO DISCUSS MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS AT TURKMENISTAN FORUM
regulation earns US scientist duo Nobel Prize
CPC sends congratulator y letters to mark founding anniversar y of X injiang Produc tion and Construc tion Corps
published in two articles in 1993 The seminal discovery of microRNA has introduced a new and unexpected mechanism of gene regulation, Thomas Perlmann, secretary general of the Nobel Assembly, told reporters “MicroRNAs are important for our understanding of embryological development normal cell physiology and diseases such as cancer he said Ambros 70 is a professor at the University of Massachusetts medical school while Ruvkun, 72, is a professor at Harvard Medical School
The pair will receive their Nobel prize, consisting of a diploma, a gold medal and a $1 million cheque, from King Carl XVI Gustaf in Stockholm on December 10 the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist Alfred Nobel who created the prizes in his last will and testament
The Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission sent congratulatory letters on Monday to mark the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps In the letters, the leadership sent greetings and congratulations to people of various ethnic groups highlighting their “historical achievements over the past seven decades Specifically their progress in deepening reform, promoting high-quality development and pursuing modernization since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012 was stressed in the letters Speaking highly of the role Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps plays in realizing the goals put forth for Xin-
CORPORATE CORNER
Regal Automobiles Receives License to Assemble Pakistan’s First Electric SUV
Legal Aid Societ y Launches Pakistan's First Multilingual Legal Advisor y Chatbot
The Legal Aid Society (LAS) has launched NAZ Assist, Pakistan s first multilingual legal advisory chatbot, designed to provide free legal advice in English, Urdu, Sindhi, and Pashto Named in honor of Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid former Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court and a Judge of the Supreme Court as well as the founder of LAS NAZ Assist aims to bridge the justice gap that has resulted in the country being ranked an abysmal 130th out of 142 countries, according to the 2023 WJP Rule of Law Index The chatbot utilizes insights gathered from over 450 000 logged calls for legal assistance since 2014 by the Sindh Legal Advisory Call Center (SLACC) ensuring that the advice provided is relevant to the legal landscape of Pakistan In a statement to the press, the organization s CEO, Barrister Haya Eman Zahid said, “We designed this bot recognizing the diverse linguistic background of the country The bot will also help make LAS more inclusive as differentlyabled people who are deaf or mute can now get preliminary legal advice at a click of a button This is also inline with the generational change ensuing with youngsters preferring to text over speaking over the phone A notable feature of NAZ Assist is enabling users to verify every single advice that the bot gives which always comes with a disclaimer of the possibility of inaccuracies due to the nature of artificial intelligence To verify users can connect with a lawyer through the Sindh Legal Advisor
Bukhari calls for ban on PTI, claims par t y seeks to replicate Bangladesh-like chaos
Imran Khan’s sisters handed over to police on remand
began his arguments Niazi informed the court that they were provided with a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) via WhatsApp just the day before He argued that the arrest of Aleema and Uzma on October 4 was unlawful, as they were not presented in court until October 6 “This arrest has become illegal ” he stated before reading out the contents of the case
had been recovered, he explained that the remand was necessary for technical investigation rather than physical recovery Aleema Khan took the rostrum stating that after their arrest they were held at a police station for 10 hours before being moved to the police lines She also highlighted the plight of two elderly women who were arrested with them and later fell ill
to question why their province lags behind Punjab in development blaming PTI s leadership for this disparity Bukhari suggested that PTI s ambitions are more about destabilizing the country than political reform In a final warning, she indicated that any attempts to disrupt upcoming events, like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting, would not be tolerated Concluding her remarks, Bukhari suggested that PTI should be banned for its alleged treasonous activities with its leaders held accountable for their actions
Gandapur and
same case
Aleema and Uzma were presented in court after completing their one-day physical remand The court, presided over by Judge Tahir Abbas Supra was hearing the case registered at Kohsar Police Station under terrorism charges
During the proceedings the judge ordered all unrelated persons to leave the courtroom before PTI’s lawyer, Niazullah Niazi,
Advocate Ali Bukhari questioned whether anything had been recovered from the scene Judge Supra asked the prosecutor, Raja Naveed, for clarification, who confirmed that nothing had been recovered Bukhari urged the court to discharge Imran Khan s sisters from the case
The prosecutor maintained that the women were named in the case, and when asked by the judge if any megaphones or other items
The court reserved its decision on the request for remand and later ordered a one-day physical remand for Aleema and Uzma, while Asad Qaiser ’s brother, Adnan Khan, was given a seven-day remand Additionally the court issued arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Amir Mughal in connection with the same terrorism case registered at Kohsar Police Station
Imran Khan, Gandapur among PTI leaders charged for protest-related vandalism
A case has been registered against several senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) including Imran Khan himself for their alleged involvement in acts of vandalism and blocking GT Road during a recent protest in Islamabad The case filed at Tarnol police station, names prominent PTI figures, including party founder Imran Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur Chairman Barrister Gohar opposition leader Omar Ayub Azam Swati Amir Mughal Barrister Saif, and 350 unidentified activists
bomber lay in wait for the foreign
als’ convoy to get out of the airport As soon as the convoy left the airport premises the suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into the convoy The car [of the attacker] has been completely destroyed as it was carrying explosives The authorities are trying to obtain the car ’s number place, engine, and chassis number ” the sources added Proscribed separatist militant group the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack asserting that it was executed using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) aimed
The charges against them are serious including terrorism attempted murder, and other offenses According to the first information report (FIR), the suspects opened fire on police officers, held them hostage and detained them during the protest Ali Amin Gandapur is accused of misusing government resources while Azam Swati allegedly provided financial backing to the demonstrators Investigations revealed that arrested individuals claimed they were instructed by PTI founder Imran Khan to gather at D-Chowk in Islamabad Imran Khan is also named in the FIR for allegedly inciting party workers to carry out
acts of violence against the state Law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to apprehend the remaining accused as further investigations continue On Saturday, normal life in Islamabad and Rawalpindi was severely disrupted for the second consecutive day due to ongoing PTI protests Major highways and mobile services were suspended In Islamabad, mobile and internet services were interrupted, and Metro bus services were halted Containers were placed at key entry and exit points of the cities including Faizabad D Chowk and 26 No Chungi, to control the flow of protesters
specifically at Chinese engineers The outlawed Majeed Brigade of the banned BLA released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack Federal government has vowed to ensure that those involved in the deadly attack on a convoy carrying Chinese nationals will be punished In a statement, the Foreign Office condemned the terrorist attack and extended condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims both Chinese and Pakistani The FO spokesperson also offered prayers for the swift recovery of the injured This deplorable act of terrorism is an attack not only on Pakistan but also on the en-
during friendship between Pakistan and China We remain resolute in bringing to justice those responsible for this cowardly attack including the Majeed Brigade Pakistan s security and law enforcement agencies will spare no effort in apprehending the perpetrators and their facilitators This barbaric act will not go unpunished,” the FO said The statement said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in close contact with the Chinese embassy for coordination and facilitation Pakistan and China are close partners and iron-brothers, united by a bond of mutual respect and shared destiny Pakistan
reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and