Former National Assembly speaker and senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser on Friday demanded that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif apologise to the nation, accusing
t The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday suspended a notification issued by the University of Karachi (KU) that had cancelled the law degree of Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri The interim relief came during the hearing of a petition filed by Justice Jahangiri earlier this week challenging the decisions of KU s Unfair Means Committee (UMC) and Syndicate, which had annulled his degree in August last year During Friday s hearing, KU s registrar, the Sindh advocate general and other respondents appeared before the bench but sought more time to file their replies saying they had received notices in the case only a day earlier Justice Iqbal Kalhoro heading the bench questioned the request: We are ready to grant you time, but what if any action is taken against the petitioner during this period? If we adjourn today and action is taken tomorrow, who will take responsibility?”
He further asked whether KU had issued any notice to Justice Jahangiri before cancelling his degree stressing that since the issue was being raised 30–35 years after the degree was awarded, the petitioner should have been formally notified We are not saying that action cannot be taken, because the law allows it,” Justice Kalhoro observed “But how can we put someone’s honour at stake? A person’s life-long career is at stake here ”
The court adjourned proceedings until October 24 directing the respondents to submit detailed replies
The petition
In his plea, Justice Jahangiri termed the cancellation of his LLB degree “illegal and mala fide”, alleging that it was part of a campaign against his judicial independence He claimed that after attempts to remove him through the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) failed a new strategy was adopted by misusing official processes, including KU s committees D A R T E L LS N A 2 0 - P O I N T G A Z A P L A N WA S
back Trump s plan in order to halt bloodshed DPM Dar stressed that Pakistan s stance on Palestine was unchanged since Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s time reiterating support for a sovereign Palestinian state with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital
Talks with JAAC in final stage, agreement expec ted soon to end A JK unrest: Tariq Fazal Ch
ISLAMABAD/MUZAFFARABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t Parliamentary Affairs Minister
Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Friday night announced that the final round of negotiations with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had begun and an agreement was expected to be signed soon raising hopes for an amicable end to the unrest in Azad
Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
The federal minister, part of the government s delegation in Muzaffarabad, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share that “matters between the two sides have been settled and that the final agreement is expected to be signed soon [and]
the final round of negotiations is underway He added, Public interests and peace are our priority Talks between the JAAC, the AJK government and federal ministers had earlier broken down over issues related to elite privileges and reserved seats for refugees triggering rival protests and violent clashes What began as a largely peaceful movement in AJK turned bloody after confrontations between protesters and law enforcers leaving at least 10 people dead and scores critically injured Fresh talks, cautious optimism A fresh round of talks was held on Thursday, followed by another session on Friday Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal who is
also part of the negotiating team said the government was very close to reaching an agreement with the JAAC
Speaking on a TV channel Iqbal said members of the delegation representing both the PML-N and PPP had achieved near consensus with the civil society-led JAAC
“Both sides are currently studying the proposal ” he said expressing optimism that the agreement would be signed shortly Calling it a victory for Pakistan and AJK, the planning minister said attempts to sow discord had been defeated He also credited the JAAC leadership for agreeing to dialogue
‘IHC Judges Transfer ’: Dissenting note says process done in ‘unnecessar
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
The Supreme Court’s Justices Naeem Akhter Afghan and Shakeel Ahmed on Friday issued a detailed dissenting note on the transfer of three judges to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) declaring that the process was carried out in unnecessary haste suffered from malice in law and facts and dealt a serious blow to judicial independence In June, a five-member SC bench had ruled 3-2 in favour of the February transfers, holding that there was nothing unconstitutional about them
However Justices Afghan and Shakeel dissented earlier
issuing a short order that the transfers violated Articles 2A 4 and 25 of the Constitution by undermining due process equality and the independence of the judiciary The detailed dissenting note released on Friday shed light on the alleged procedural flaws and motives behind the move Justice Afghan pointed out that the transfer process for Lahore High Court’s Justice Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Sindh High Court’s Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro was initiated on January 28 and completed by February 1 in just five days Likewise Balochistan High Court s Justice Muhammad Asif was asked for consent by the law ministry on January 31, with his acceptance given the same day, raising questions
Reiterating Pakistan s
ISLAMABAD
The Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (Paapam) has voiced strong concerns over the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recent push for trade liberalisation particularly proposals to reduce tariff protections and permit commercial imports of used vehicles While supporting Pakistan s goals of economic efficiency and environmental sustainability Paapam cautioned that such measures could undermine the domestic auto sector threaten jobs and erode investor confidence Trade liberalisation must not lead to deindustrialisation and fiscal leakage, said Paapam Chairman Usman Aslam Malik In a statement, the association highlighted that large-scale imports of
vehicles often not meeting modern safety or emissions standards could derail efforts to localise new energy vehicle (NEV) production It urged the government to clarify how these imports align with national sustainability and industrial objectives Paapam also questioned whether trade liberalisation would apply across all sectors or target the automotive industry selectively In the latter case the association called for clear rationale and safeguards against market distortions
The lobby flagged vulnerabilities in current import schemes, where vehicles brought in under the names of overseas Pakistanis were sold domestically bypassing tax and regulatory oversight Informal payment channels like Hundi, it noted, facilitate capital flight and
weaken fiscal transparency
“We cannot afford to expand mechanisms that enable tax evasion said Paapam Senior Vice Chairman Shehryar Qadir The association stressed that reduced tariff revenues and pressure on local manufacturers could result in significant job losses It called for workforce skill development incentives for domestic production and alternative revenue strategies to preserve sector stability
Citing global examples, Paapam recommended a phased reform approach supported by safeguards, performance metrics, and lessons from comparable economies Malik concluded We remain committed to constructive dialogue but reforms must reflect Pakistan s realities and not compromise its industrial future
g coMMit tee eAses restric tions, Allowing privAte consortiA, siMultAneous iMport-ex port, AnD AlignMent with gener Al ex port-iMport polic y
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced plans to route all government payments through Raast, the country’s instant payment system, by the end of the current fiscal year 2025-26 marking a major push to digitize financial transactions
Deputy Governor SBP Saleem Ullah spoke at the launch of a study titled Merchant Payments on RAAST: Responsible Pricing for Impact and Inclusion , prepared by the United Nations-based Better Than Cash Alliance in consultation with SBP, financial service providers, and industry stakeholders
The report highlights enablers for the responsible digitization of merchant payments and recommends a fee structure for merchants on person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions
Raast started with bulk payments focusing on government-to-public (G2P) transactions, and by the end of this fiscal year, all government payments will be routed through Raast ” Saleem Ullah said The SBP has encouraged government departments to adopt digital payments and the bulk payments facility has since enabled dividend payments and other disbursements
To encourage merchant adoption, the government has launched a subsidy program for Raast P2M QR code transactions The program covering a three-year period will provide Rs3 5 billion in subsidies for September 2025 to June 2026 Saleem Ullah emphasized that this initiative is part of a
it ever change, Dar said, stressing that Islamabad would continue to demand a two-state solution with pre-1967 borders He recalled that the joint statement issued by the eight countries called for unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza no displacement of Palestinians Israel s full withdrawal rebuilding of Gaza and a credible path towards peace under the two-state solution integrating Gaza with the West Bank Dar also highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif s speech at the UNGA, where he raised Palestine, Kashmir, climate justice, reform of global financial systems and sustainable development BILATERAL ENGAGEMENT WITH US Briefing lawmakers further Dar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif s bilateral meeting with President Trump at the White House also attended by Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir featured cordial exchanges appreciation for Pakistan s counterterrorism efforts, Trump s role in facilitating the May Pakistan-India ceasefire understanding and an agreement to expand trade with US investments in agriculture IT minerals and energy PPP-PML-N TENSIONS
Turning to domestic politics, Dar assured the assembly that differences with coalition partner PPP which staged a walkout earlier in the day would be settled soon This matter is neither serious nor unresolvable With Allah’s grace, we will succeed in putting things back on track he said revealing that he had already met PPP leaders including Naveed Qamar to hear their concerns alongside the Speaker and law ministers He added that President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were both abroad while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had only just returned from foreign engagements
g Ministers Meet in Abu DhAbi to Discuss r AilwAy MoDernisAtion; K AyAni hAils etihAD r Ail As MoDel for regionAl integr Ation
COMMENT
TH E boarding of the Samood flotilla by Israeli naval forces and the arrest of 223 activists reflected many things, but most of all the pusillanimity of the world in the face of Israeli aggression The most telling moment came when France and Italy threw the flotilla to the wolves, by withdrawing its naval vessels when the flotilla entered the exclusion zone Israel had declared, as it enforced the blockade of Gaza by sea, to accompany the one it had established by land The ships, it has become clear, were only meant to accompany the flotilla so long as it remained within international waters Once it entered the exclusion zone, the naval vessels turned away, thereby accepting the Israeli blockade as legal It also showed the impotence of the international community, which otherwise lays such great emphasis on maintaining the freedom of the seas Israel was once again able to maintain its blockade of Gaza Only a very few of the flotilla got through the Israeli blockade, and were stopped before they could make landfall
Even if they had been able to land, would they have been able to unload their cargo, which is quintessentially a peaceful activity, and cannot be carried out under the eyes of hostile warships That the flotilla was carrying medical supplies and baby formula is particularly painful, for it means that Palestinian wounded and babies will die, who would have lived had the cargoes got through This is not the first relief flotilla which has started out and failed to get through the blockade It may we not be the last, for another flotilla has already left Turkey
However, the Israeli Navy has shown it can maintain the blockade, even without the aid of the US Navy, which will help it at a pich, and even without the use of its extensive firepower
It is perhaps worth noting that the flotilla’s being stopped coincided with US President Donald Trump’s proposals for a ceasefire in Gaza It reflects Israeli obduracy and refusal to make any concessions Even as Hamas leaders consider a plan which amounts to their total surrender, the Israeli government has shown that it will enforce its current starvation policy against Gazans as completely as if it was in the middle of the conflict Its only concession to international opinion seems to have been its refraining from blowing the flotilla out of the water, as it could undoubtedly have done
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
TH E September 2025 protests in Nepal will be remembered for their intensity and their outcome Generation Z the country s restless youth poured into the streets, demanding dignity and accountability They succeeded in forcing the government to lift its controversial ban on social media, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned and an interim administration led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki promised reforms On the surface this was a victory for the youth But beneath the celebrations lies a sobering reality: the protests may have created new reasons for migration that could shape Nepal s future in unexpected ways For decades, migration from Nepal was explained mainly through economics People left to work in the Gulf Malaysia or increasingly in the West The motivation was simple: local opportunities were scarce while remittances could sustain entire families But after the protests the reasons are shifting First, there is disillusionment with reform speed Protesters saw the government fall, but they also saw how fragile leadership can be Promises of jobs and anti-corruption drives sound familiar but they know implementation
the impact on Punjab s education system is
negligible Yet the SED has chosen confrontation over compassion, and coercion over compliance with constitutional norms Such an approach does not merely inconvenience teachers but it erodes public faith in the responsiveness of institutions
Islamabad’s flood lessons
a rigid view It enforces a five-year cap on deputations and has resorted to threats under PEEDA against teachers who decline to return Most of those affected are women Instead of facilitating family life the Department has turned itself into an enforcer of separation On one hand the Constitution obligates the State to protect the family unit under Article 35, and to take measures ensuring women’s participation in public life under Articles 25(3) and 34 On the other hand, a provincial department is pursuing a policy that actively disrupts households and penalizes women for choosing both career and family This is not merely an administrative misstep but a constitutional violation Teachers who relocated to Islamabad years ago under the Wedlock Policy are now being told to return or risk losing their positions Families face impossible choices Should the wife uproot her career or should the husband abandon his federal posting? Should children s education be disrupted, or should parents endure long-term separation? These are not minor inconveniences but profound social costs that directly contradict the State’s duty to protect the family unit Beyond the human toll lies a broader governance issue If constitutional guarantees can be overridden by departmental rules the principle of rule of law itself is undermined Administrative regulations are designed to serve constitutional objectives, not to contradict them
A government that insists on rigid compliance with its own circulars while ignoring constitutional mandates exposes a troubling inversion of priorities
This problem is not insurmountable The number of deputed teachers is limited therefore
When those who dedicate their lives to public service are harassed for asserting their constitutional rights, it sends a chilling message to all citizens about the State’s disregard for its own obligations
What purpose does such inflexibility serve? Does compelling teachers to return after five years enhance the quality of education in Punjab? Does it strengthen governance? Or does it simply fracture families and deepen resentment? The answer is obvious
At stake is more than the fate of a few hundred teachers It is about whether governance is understood as the protection of rights and dignity or the enforcement of narrow regulations at the expense of justice The Constitution s guarantees are not optional, and the Wedlock Policy is not a favour granted by the State but is an obligation flowing from the law of the land
The issue demands political leadership, not bureaucratic obstinacy Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz and Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat must intervene to halt this unnecessary and avoidable suffering They possess not only the authority but also the constitutional and moral responsibility to rectify a policy that disregards fundamental rights undermines family life and corrodes public trust in governance True governance is measured not by blind adherence to rules but by fidelity to justice equity and the Constitution Teachers should not be forced to choose between their profession and their families, nor live under the shadow of punitive threats for demanding what is already their right
Shafiq Khattak is a freelance researcher based in Islamabad He cam be reached at skhattak792@gmail com
Comfor t vs growth
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
This is not a cosmetic addition to the national immunization schedule It is primary prevention against a disease that is largely preventable when vaccination and screening are implemented at scale The first phase targets roughly 13 million girls and will be de-
widely available and free at point of care
The clinical rationale is straightforward and compelling Persistent infection with high risk HPV types is the dominant cause of cervical cancer Vaccines that prevent infection with those high risk types substantially lower future rates of cervical precancer and cancer Large trials observational follow up and real world programme data consistently show that HPV vaccination given in early adolescence prevents the chronic infections that lead to most cervical cancers later in life Global evidence supports the strategy of vaccinating young adolescents because immune responses are strongest at younger ages and population impact is maximized when the vaccine is administered before exposure to HPV The World Health Organization has recommended HPV vaccination as a central pillar of cervical cancer elimination strategies, alongside screening and timely treatment
The disease burden in Pakistan puts urgency behind that recommendation National and institutional estimates converge on a stark figure: roughly 5000 new cervical cancer diagnoses a year and about 3000 deaths annually Those numbers make cervical cancer one of the most important malignancies affecting Pakistani women particularly because many cases are diagnosed late and access to radiotherapy and specialist care is limited The high mortality to incidence ratio reflects low screening coverage, limited diagnostic capacity, and many women present-
ing with advanced disease that is difficult and costly to treat Preventing infection now through a properly run vaccination campaign will reduce those future deaths and reduce pressure on a health system that already struggles with cancer care access Scientific questions about vaccine safety and effectiveness drive many conversations in clinical and community settings Fortunately, the evidence base is robust Multiple vaccine products are WHO listed and have long safety surveillance: decades of post licensure studies and active monitoring systems show no causal link between HPV vaccination and long term infertility or serious systemic disease
The commonly used vaccines protect against the virus types that cause the majority of cervical cancers and their real world impact has already been seen in countries with high coverage where precancerous lesions and infections have declined substantially For the vaccine product selected in this rollout, judged suitable for low cost large scale use, WHO prequalification followed an independent assessment of manufacturing, safety and efficacy data That standard is the same applied to vaccines used worldwide Despite clear efficacy and safety data the campaign has met resistance in some communities That resistance is predictable given Pakistan s recent vaccine history and the social environment where rumours spread quickly on social platforms Decades of immunization work in Pakistan have achieved remarkable gains but they have also encountered repeated episodes of mistrust
A single high profile breach of trust in 2011, when intelligence actors used a vaccination ruse in a counterterrorism operation, was seized upon by militants and anti-vaccine actors to discredit public health campaigns for years That episode amplified existing suspicion and materially reduced trust in door to door vaccination in some districts
More recently the flood of social media misinformation about vaccines including coded claims about fertility effects, foreign plots, or hidden ingredients has made vac-
cine hesitancy a complex social phenome-
non not solved by simply publishing scientific reassurances These are not abstract problems; they reduce uptake and create real barriers to the very prevention that will lower future cancer deaths
There are additional more prosaic reasons why communities hesitate Low awareness of cervical cancer itself is common across demographic groups Studies, even among urban and hospital attending populations, show that a majority of women may have heard of cervical cancer but only a minority understand screening or vaccination as prevention
Many parents have never seen HPV listed on a childhood immunization card and do not have a clear idea of how sexually transmitted viruses relate to cancer decades later Cultural sensitivity about adolescent vaccination for a sexually transmitted infection concerns about consent and privacy and practical issues such as timing transport and female vaccinator availability all influence whether a family will accept the shot In short, scientific evidence is necessary to justify the programme but it is not sufficient to ensure acceptance in every community
Explaining the real risks and benefits in concrete terms makes a difference The vaccines protect chiefly against HPV types that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers worldwide and newer formulations widen that protection further Even one dose provides strong immunity in young adolescents according to WHO guidance which simplifies logistics and reduces barriers to completion
The most common immediate side effects are mild and transient: injection site pain, low grade fever, or fainting episodes which are manageable with routine safety protocols Serious adverse effects are extremely rare and no credible evidence links the vaccine to infertility Those facts matter to clinicians speaking with parents and to public information campaigns that must be concise and trust building Programme design choices in Pakistan reflect these realities First, vaccinators are predominantly female which is an intentional
adaptation to cultural norms and an effective way to make families more comfortable accessing services Second, partners like WHO, Gavi, Unicef and technical agencies are providing not just doses but operational support including social mobilisation supply chain training and safety monitoring Third outreach will include schools and special mobile teams for out of school girls to reduce inequity Those practical choices increase the chance of reaching more girls and of building acceptance by demonstrating respectful delivery rather than imposing interventions from outside
No vaccination programme stands alone To reduce future cervical cancer mortality significantly, vaccination must be combined with realistic expansion of screening and treatment Screening programs detect precancerous lesions that can be treated before they progress In Pakistan many women currently lack access to timely screening and radiotherapy when cancer is diagnosed Policymakers need to commit resources now for screening rollout, laboratory capacity and referral pathways so that gains from vaccination are not blunted by failures elsewhere in the care continuum This is a long term investment in population health with predictable returns in lives saved disability avoided and health system costs reduced
Addressing fear requires an honest and sustained communication strategy that combines clinical facts, culturally appropriate dialogue and community engagement Health workers and survivors who can share real life testimony are effective messengers Religious leaders and schoolteachers often carry outsized credibility; when well briefed they can dismantle myths effectively Social media cannot simply be ignored; authorities must actively correct popular falsehoods and provide clear channels for questions Campaigns that combine education about how the vaccine works who benefits, logistical details about where and when vaccination will occur and assurances about safety monitoring have best chance of success Experience in other countries shows
The choice is not between tradition and modern medicine The choice is whether Pakistan will deploy a safe , effective , globally recommended tool to protect its girls and then build the ser vices to ensure that protection translates into lives saved The public health case is decisive The programÊs success will rest on competence , clarity and the sustained work of health workers who are already trusted in their communities
A n e w , t r a n s a c t i o n a l e r a i n
U S - I n d i a r e l a t i o n s
that when community engagement is genuine and ongoing, hesitant parents often accept vaccination after questions are answered respectfully Operationally there are
PR E S I D E N T Donald Trump has ushered in a new era in US-India relations Considerable time and effort will be required to move US-India relations away from this new transactional era and back to the path of partnership Trump s heavy-handed approach through a so-called “reciprocity” for trade deficits, a punitive tariff for purchases of Russian oil and a 50-fold increase in fees for H1-B visas comes on top of Trump s exacerbation of the Pakistan issue by claiming that he brought an end to fighting between India and Pakistan earlier this year Although a trade agreement of sorts may be reached, the damage that has been done will not be easily repaired The extent of this damage can be measured by India’s closer relations with Russia and China as well as the rising tide of anti-American sentiment that Trump has sparked US-India relations can be divided roughly into three eras: 1947–1968 was the era of independence when the main issues were Indian autonomy and poverty alleviation; 1969–1992 was an era of estrangement marked by Indian economic protectionism and the United States appearing to side with Pakistan and China against India; 1993–2024 was a period of reconciliation with economic relations opened common values extolled and China recognized as a common threat Perhaps the apogee of that reconciliation era was reached when the administration of President Joseph Biden adopted a policy of strategic altruism This policy was premised on the belief that support of Indian success was in the US national interest regardless of whether it involved a direct quid pro quo When Trump came to power for
tionship between the United States and India than ever before Modi was one of the first leaders to meet with Trump after his inauguration The reviews of the meeting were positive on both sides Both Trump and Modi seemed enamored by the great man theory of international relations, and it appeared that these leaders would overcome policy discontinuities based on their personal strengths and compatibility Since neither man seemed much interested in democratic values as foundational to international relations Indian policy makers looked forward to a US administration that would be free of pronouncements about weaknesses in Indian democracy and especially the treatment of minorities After all Trump was against “diversity equity and inclusion” and took steps to limit immigration especially from predominantly Muslim countries Also Trump s initially friendly outreach to Russian president Vladimir Putin suggested that he would not interfere with India’s arms and oil imports from Russia What had not been taken into account was Trump s view that in any situation there is only room for one great man only one winner namely himself After the April 22, 2025, terrorist slaughter of Indian tourists in Indian Occupied Kashmir and the ensuing hostilities between India and Pakistan Trump wanted full credit for the ceasefire India was unwilling to give him credit while Pakistan gave him full recognition and even nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize, an honor that Trump has pursued assiduously Regarding the tariffs, Trump’s orientation has been that of a real estate developer primarily interested in the transaction at hand rather than in building a long-term relationship Unfortunately this transactional approach has found receptiveness among realist Indian policy makers who have doubted American foreign policy motives from the start Eight months into the Trump administration the US-India relationship has deteriorated to such an extent that it could be said that a new era in US-India relations has begun The new era is in danger of resembling the previous period of estrangement However, over the last thirty years, common interests in economic engagement Indo-Pacific security people-to-people contacts health and a broad range of other issues have grown so much that complete estrangement is unlikely More probable is an era of transactions on specific issues of common interest During this period, the upward curve in
US-India relations, which has been experienced over the last three decades, will likely bend downward as India seeks alternatives to its relationship with the United States first with Russia and China and second with the other nations of the BRICS and the Global South Three factors could work to change this gloomy scenario First, the salience of one or more of the aforementioned common interests could increase to such a degree that the United States and India resume their work to create a wider partnership For example this could occur in response to actions of territorial aggression by China, either directly or in support of India’s archrival, Pakistan It could occur with the advent of another common health crisis It is even possible that Indian-Americans could elevate the importance of good US-India relations and in conjunction with other parts of the American polity, ally to provide a political incentive to the resumption of reconciliation Second, an economic and political resurgence of non-US free market democracies such as those in the European Union Japan South Korea and Australia could attract India away from Russia and China In that case, there would be pressure on the United States to move away from a transactional approach and a greater possibility for the United States and India to resume the path of reconciliation
Third political changes in both the United States and India recast democratic values as a primary component of the domestic and foreign policies of India and the United States This sea-change is perhaps the most unlikely factor to occur in the short to medium term However the history of relations between Washington and New Delhi shows that growing similarities between the political and economic values of the two countries played a significant role in reconciling the countries and moving them on the upward path of partnership prior to 2025
President Trump’s actions have laid bare fault lines that have long hindered cooperation between the two countries fault lines involving Pakistan Russia and economic protectionism Bridging these fault lines will require time and the concerted efforts of proponents of the relationship in both the United States and India, if it is to occur at all None of these chasms will be bridged without a reemphasis on the democratic values component of the relationship
Raymond Vickery is a Senior Associate (Non-Resident)
INDIA has long benefited from geopolitical arbitrage, maintaining working relationships with Russia, the United States and Europe But this delicate balancing act is now being tested by a series of policy shocks delivered by US President Donald Trump s administration
These disruptions, unlikely to ease anytime soon, raise a critical question: Can India retain its status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy?
The most urgent challenge facing Indian policymakers is weathering the escalating trade war In August Trump imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian imports citing the need to reduce India s trade surplus with the US and punish the country for its massive purchases of Russian oil Adding to the pressure Trump has urged the European Union and other G7 countries to take even harsher steps namely to impose a 100 percent tariff on imports from India and China Trump s decision to hike H-1B visa fees to $100,000 represents yet another blow to India’s economy, particularly its IT services industry one of the country’s most dynamic growth engines Currently Indian nationals account for more than 70 percent of all H-1B holders with most of them working in IT or technology-related sectors Given this, it s hardly surprising that the share prices of Indian companies like Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Wipro, which rely heavily on H-1B visas to access the US market declined following Trump’s announcement While Trump has labeled India
Pakistan’s HPV vaccine campaign
OShaz Fatima
52 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on food centres, homes
a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and reported detention of two Colombian activists Petro said two Colombian women, “who were engaged in human solidarity activities with
were waiting to take a bus to the MSF field hospital in Deir el-Balah Gaza the charity said All staff were wearing MSF vests, clearly identifying them as medical humanitarian workers,” it said, adding that four others were also wounded one of whom was in a serious condition “The consequences will be tragic for their families and for our team Enough killings whether targeted or not this is unacceptable ” Karin Huster head of the MSF medical team in Gaza told COLOMBIA EXPELS ISRAELI DIPLOMATS OVER GAZA
Israel intercepts
FLOTILLA INTERCEPT Colombian President Gustavo Petro expelled all remaining Israeli diplomats in the country over Israel’s interception of
last G aza flotilla boat, begins depor tations
to the streets in cities across Europe as well as in Karachi Buenos Aires and Mexico City to protest Israel s capturing of the activists Italian unions have also called for a general strike on Friday Thunberg, 22, best known for her environmental protests, had pre-recorded a video that was released on her behalf after her ship was boarded “If you are watching this video I have been abducted and taken against my will by Israeli forces she said Our humanitarian mission was non-violent and abiding by international law Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he expected the members of the flotilla to be expelled from Israel on Monday and Tuesday and sent to European capitals on charter flights
The Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement it was taking all the people it had captured from the flotilla ashore at Ashdod, and that all were “safe and in good health”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticised Israeli aggression saying it showed Israel s government has no inten-
tion of letting hopes for peace grow I condemn the thuggery directed at the Global Sumud Flotilla which set out to draw attention to the barbarity of children dying of hunger in Gaza and to deliver humanitarian aid to the oppressed Palestinians ” he said in a speech to officials from his AK Party in the capital Ankara
The Istanbul chief prosecutor s office said it had launched an investigation into the detention of 24 Turkish citizens on the vessels, Turkey’s state-owned Anadolu news agency reported South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urged Israel to immediately release South Africans who were on the flotilla including former President Nelson Mandela s grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela The activists were expected to be transferred to the immigration authority upon arrival in Ashdod from where they will be moved to Ketziot Prison in southern Israel before they are deported said Suhad Bishara the director at Adalah a human rights organisation and legal centre in Israel
The flotilla, which set sail in late August was transporting medicine and food to Gaza and consisted of more than 40 civilian vessels with parliamentarians lawyers and activists in a high-profile dis-
play of opposition to Israel s blockade of Gaza which many have said amounts to violations of the Genocide Convention Israeli officials have repeatedly denounced the mission as a stunt Israel is defending itself against charges of genocide in the International Court of Justice and broader global opprobrium arguing its actions have been in self-defense As the flotilla sailed across the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey, Spain and Italy sent boats or drones in case their nationals required assistance, even as it triggered
Urdu literature tanhai and junoon as ruling passions in poetry the concept of sublime, Majeed Amjad s tirade against capitalism, Saghar Siddiqui s ghazal, John Elia’s poetic peculiarity, Saadat Saeed’s social consciousness Ghulam Hussain Sajid’s spiritual elation the poetic wherewithal of Dr Jawaz Jafri s epic poem Kahani Ek Shaher Ki an appraisal of poet Akhtar Shumar s Kulliyat , an overview of Naveed Sadiq s Irtikaz , and Dr Kabeer Athar as a poetic messiah The perspicacity of the author’s style coupled with his non-partisan stance as evident in these essays tends to enhance their credibility and literary worth ‘RASH’HAT-E-TAFAKHUR’
CM MARYAM DECL ARES ‘END TO NEPOTISM’ IN PUNJAB, VOWS ZERO TOLERANCE ON CORRUPTION
Ever yone Feels Entitled to Criticize Punjab Without Reason: A
7
informed journalists that both the law minister and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been briefed on their concerns On these assurances, journalists agreed to postpone their boycott
Cour t orders daily proceedings in Toshakhana-II case against PTI founder, wife
The Special Judge Central on Friday directed that the trial of the Toshakhana-II case against PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi be conducted on a daily basis until final verdict summoning the last prosecution witness for cross-examination on October 6 Special Judge Central Shah Rukh Arjumand issued the order during proceedings of the case which is in its concluding phase He underlined that both accused were in jail and that timely justice required an expeditious conclusion of the trial
The directive came after defense counsel Qausain Faisal Mufti failed to appear due to illness The court accepted his adjournment plea despite the absence of a medical certificate but noted that defense lawyers had also missed the previous hearing The judge remarked it appeared the defense was attempting to delay proceedings and made it clear that no further adjournments would be tolerated instructing all three defense lawyers to ensure their presence at the next hearing
So far, cross-examination of 19 out of 20 prosecution witnesses has been completed The final witness
NAB investigation officer Mohsin Haroon has been ordered to appear on October 6 for cross-examination
In a related development an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for several PTI leaders in a case linked to vandalism during the party founder ’s court appearance ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra issued the warrants against PTI leaders Shibli Faraz Maj (r) Tahir Sadiq, and Ali Nawaz Awan in connection with case number 153 registered at Ramna Police Station The accused face charges of
rioting and damaging public property during the event The court also directed the Ministry of Interior to send another letter concerning the PTI founder and sought a report regarding his nephew Hassaan Niazi
According to case records PTI leaders Murad Saeed and Hammad Azhar have already been declared absconders in the same case
The court adjourned the case for further hearings until November 1, instructing authorities to ensure compliance with its orders before the next date
Pakistan to send two astronauts for training in China
The Punjab Education Department has implemented emergency measures to protect students as smog levels soar across the province An official notification sent to the Chief Executive Officers of District Education Authorities (DEAs) announced the suspension of all outdoor activities and sports on smog-affected days
Schools have also been urged to launch an awareness campaign aimed at educating teachers parents and students on precautions to avoid health risks linked to smog exposure The key measures to be followed during the smog season include: Awareness campaigns: Schools are instructed to conduct awareness drives for students teachers and parents focusing on health hazards and preventive measures like wearing masks staying hydrated and limiting outdoor exposure Special attention should be given to children with asthma or other respiratory conditions, and awareness activities must be shared on the schools’ official social media platforms, complete with photos videos and updates Outdoor activity suspension: All outdoor activi-
ties, including morning assemblies, sports, and physical training sessions, will be suspended on days with elevated smog levels Classroom safety: School heads are instructed to ensure that classrooms are clean well-ventilated
