PAKISTAN, MAL AYSIA VOW TO DEEPEN BIL ATERAL COOPERATION ACROSS MULTIPLE SECTORS
joint ventures to benefit from Malaysia’s technological and industrial expertise Addressing the press conference PM Anwar Ibrahim stressed the importance of peace between Pakistan and India, noting that stability in South Asia was crucial for the entire region He also assured that Malaysia would extend full cooperation in combating terrorism In a symbolic gesture PM Shehbaz praised his counterpart s newly launched book saying it would serve as a bridge between Islamabad and Kuala Lumpur Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was given a guard of honor as he arrived at the Perdana Putra Complex Office of the Malaysian prime minister
The national anthems of Pakistan and Malaysia were played as both the leaders stood at the salute dais The smartly
before proceeding for the
meeting and the delegation-level talks to review Malaysia-Pakistan bilateral ties and explore new areas of collaboration in multiple sectors
PM Shehbaz said during the press conference with Ibrahim that Pakistan wanted to join hands with Malaysia for mutually beneficial projects that allowed for expertise from the two countries to come together PM Shehbaz began his media talk by thanking Ibrahim on behalf of the people of Pakistan for extending an exceptionally warm welcome to the visiting delegation
and called the country a “second home”
“This is my first visit to your great country but believe me ever since we arrived here last night I [see] familiar faces very cordial very warm as if we have known each other for ages and that stems from sincerity of purpose and very true friendship It’s like a family reunion ” he said
“The way you are focused on building your great country into one of
and
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
The Foreign Office (FO) said on Monday that the government was making diplomatic efforts for the safe evacuation of former Jamaati-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan who was detained by Israeli forces last week after they intercepted a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza
Mushtaq was leading the Pakistani delegation on the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) a 45-vessel convoy that set sail from Spain last month to challenge Israel s blockade of Gaza The flotilla, which included activists and politicians such as Greta Thunberg was intercepted as it neared Gaza s waters and those on board were detained In a statement the FO said Pakistan s embassy in Amman was working tirelessly to ensure Mushtaq’s safe release and repatriation
“With the invaluable assistance of the Jordanian government we are hopeful that the process can be successfully concluded within the next couple of days,” it said, expressing gratitude to Jordan for its “exemplary cooperation and generous support ” Pakistan along with several other countries had earlier condemned Israel s dastardly attack on the flotilla Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also called for the immediate release of all those detained praising the “dignified participation of Pakistani activists including Mushtaq in the humanitarian mission The government of Pakistan strongly demands the return of its citizens, praying and striving for their safety dignity and earliest possible return to the homeland the prime minister said in a post on X
He also told JI chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman in a phone call that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had been tasked with coordinating efforts for Mushtaq s release with friendly countries and international organisations A day earlier, the FO had confirmed through diplomatic channels of a European country that Mushtaq was safe and in good health in Israeli custody and would be presented before a court in accordance with local legal procedures “Upon the issuance of deportation orders his repatriation will be facilitated on a fast-track basis it added Prominent lawyer and activist Jibran Nasir noted on X that other flotilla participants detained during the Israeli raid were receiving a hero’s welcome upon returning home expressing hope that Mushtaq would soon receive the same Israel has a record of blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza In June, its forces intercepted the Madleen, another aid vessel carrying activists and journalists attempting to deliver relief supplies to Palestinians under blockade
(PTI) has downplayed the tensions between the two major coalition partners Former Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaisar on Monday urged the Pakistan People s Party (PPP) leadership to file a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif if the differences between the two parties were indeed significant Sources in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) claim that party President Nawaz Sharif has backed Maryam Nawaz in the ongoing dispute between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Punjab government
The sources say that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a meeting with the former prime minister discussed the dispute and said that if Maryam Nawaz avoids harsh state-
ments the PPP will also observe a ceasefire Nawaz Sharif however the sources claimed backed his daughter Maryam Nawaz and said that the Punjab chief minister s statements are a reaction to the People’s Party’s undue criticism “Maryam Nawaz has truly represented the people of Punjab ” Nawaz Sharif was quoted telling the prime minister The PML-N sources said that Nawaz Sharif decided to back Maryam after a scathing press conference by Sindh s Information Minister Sharjeel Memon on Sunday and criticism of CM Punjab by PPP leaders led Nawaz Sharif to back his daughter The row between two political allies has further heated up after it the sources added Earlier, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari made it clear that CM Maryam Nawaz won’t apologize to anyone for her statement Reacting to the demand of PPP for apology Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said Maryam Nawaz would not apologize for her remarks during a recent public gathering She also referred to the issue of the Cholistan water canal, saying Punjab stepped back despite protests from Sindh “PPP should focus on its own work and let PML-N do its job she asserted
Bukhari strongly rejected calls for an apology from the Punjab CM Why should Maryam Nawaz apologize for working for the rights of Punjab People praise Lahore s development; they should turn Karachi into Europe too” PPP MNA Ali Qasim Gilani said that although the party did not engage in politics of division and hatred still if someone would point fingers at the party leadership he and others would respond Addressing a press conference in
Pakistani IT firms target S audi Arabia for
CCP approves SALIC acquisition of controlling stake in Olam Agri
transac tion cleared af ter phase i review, no competition concerns identified
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the proposed acquisition of a controlling interest in Olam Agri Holdings Limited (Olam Agri) by the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund The transaction involves the transfer of shares from Olam Group’s Singapore-based entities Olam Agri Pte Limited and Olam Holdings Pte Limited to SALIC Olam Agri operates in Pakistan in the origination trading and processing of agricultural commodities, including edible oils, rice, cotton,
Amreli S teels to issue 40m shares for Rs1b equity injec tion
g sponsor shAyAn Akber Ali to subscribe 100% of shAres to strengthen working c ApitAl And support finAnciAl restruc turing
passu with existing ordinary shares
holding 17 09% equity The new shares will be issued for cash consideration and will rank pari
The issuance represents approximately 12 47% of Amreli Steels’ current paid-up capital of 297 011 927 shares and around 11 87% of the post-issuance capital The decision follows guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), which prohibited the company from undertaking a rights issue due to the restructuring process and the related report issued by the State Bank of Pakistan s Credit Information Bureau The company stated that the proceeds will be used to meet working capital requirements, ensure capacity utilization, and maintain stability in operations ultimately protecting the interests of all stakeholders including minority shareholders According to Amreli Steels the
average market price of the shares over the three months preceding the Board’s decision was Rs23 48, with the latest available price at Rs24 88 per share The latest audited accounts show a breakup value of Rs35 18 per share for the year ended June 30, 2025 The proposed direct issuance remains subject to corporate and regulatory approvals, including shareholders’ consent and SECP authorization under Section 83(1)(h) of the Companies Act 2017 and Regulation 5 of the Companies (Further Issue of Shares) Regulations, 2020 Amreli Steels emphasized that this step is intended to unlock value, support long-term growth and facilitate the company’s financial commitments with banks and financial institutions
g Agreements cover
Pakistan and Malaysia on Monday signed six agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors including education Halal certification tourism and anti-corruption The accords were exchanged at a ceremony at the Perdana Putra Complex, the office of the Malaysian Prime Minister, during Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ’s three-day official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of his counterpart Anwar Ibrahim
The agreements were signed following delegation-level talks and a meeting between the two leaders Pakistan and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the exchange of notes between the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Re-
lations (IDFR) and Pakistan’s Foreign Service Academy to enhance training for diplomats The documents were exchanged by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Malaysian Foreign Minister Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan In the field of higher education another MoU was signed between the two governments with the exchange carried out by DPM Ishaq Dar and Malaysia s Higher Education Minister Dr Zambry Abd Kadir Tourism cooperation was formalized through an MoU exchanged by Malaysian Tourism Minister Tiong King Sing and Pakistan s Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar
A separate agreement on Halal certification was signed, with documents exchanged by Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister ’s
Ation, hAl
Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Haji Mohd Na’im Bin Haji Mokhtar and Pakistan s Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan
Both countries also signed an MoU to enhance collaboration in combating and preventing corruption, exchanged by Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Azam Bin Baki and Deputy Chairman of Pakistan s National Accountability Bureau Sohail Nasir
(SMEs), aiming
expand cooperation between Pakistan’s Small and
Zardari Steps In
PRESIDENT Asif Ali Zardari’s decision to summon Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to Karachi for an urgent meeting may appear routine but in reality it signals the gravity of the coalition crisis gripping Islamabad Naqvi is no ordinary cabinet member As a powerful figure at the center of government and widely regarded as Zardari’s most trusted ally in the federal setup his presence in Karachi underscores how seriously the presidency views the escalating war of words between the Sindh and Punjab governments
The ruling alliance between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has never been one of equals It is a marriage of convenience, held together by the need for stability, not shared vision But recent weeks have exposed how fragile that marriage really is What began as a dispute over flood compensation has metastasized into a bitter quarrel over water rights and the now-shelved Cholistan canal project Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, bristling at PPP criticism, has taken a confrontational tone The PPP which governs Sindh has responded by walking out of both the National Assembly and the Senate
The damage is not merely rhetorical For weeks, press conferences and social media posts have replaced serious deliberation Each side has doubled down with Maryam refusing to apologize for her outburst and PPP leaders dismissing her government as a “Form 47 byproduct ” Such public feuding does not inspire confidence It projects the image of a coalition unable to govern more interested in point-scoring than solving the crises Pakistan faces from a precarious economy to climate shocks and security threats
By turning to Naqvi, Zardari has made clear that he intends to play a decisive role in containing this rift For Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has already sought the counsel of his elder brother Nawaz this should be a wake-up call When the president s allies are deployed to manage coalition tempers it signals that the government is drifting dangerously close to paralysis The lesson here is simple: coalitions succeed only when disagreements are contained, not aired as spectacles Pakistan s ruling parties cannot afford the luxury of self-indulgent feuds They came together to provide stability; they risk losing even that by tearing at one another in public
If the PPP and PML-N want to govern and to reassure both citizens and international partners that Pakistan is capable of steady leadership they must resolve disputes quietly respect provincial sensitivities, and present a united front The alternative is a coalition that spends its energies fighting itself leaving the country adrift at a perilous time
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
THE American economy is again showing signs of vitality With the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates, the hope of lower borrowing costs has sparked renewed optimism in trade, investment, and employment Markets are responding with resilience, businesses are regaining confidence and households are cautiously optimistic about relief from inflation Yet behind the statistics the true pulse of the nation is best felt not in the halls of power but in the daily interactions between ordinary citizens For a newcomer, one of the richest ways to understand America is not only through its politics and headlines but through working shoulder to shoulder with its people in their neighborhoods and workplaces My journey since migrating in September 2024 has been exactly that a yearlong immersion into the everyday life of the USA My introduction came swiftly through politics Soon after arrival, I was hired by Working America, a grassroots canvassing arm of the AFL-CIO, tasked with door-to-door outreach The mission was ambitious: convince voters in Michigan a critical swing state to support Vice President Kamala Harris and Senate nominee Alyssa Slotkin The campaign invested heavily over 400 workers were hired at competitive wages, mobilized to tilt the state blue Yet, despite the effort, Harris and Slotkin both lost resoundingly while Donald Trump’s message resonated strongly with voters That experience of knocking on doors and engaging in candid conversations with American families was invaluable I learned firsthand that the economy outweighed all other concerns for most households Voters were blunt, pragmatic, and deeply invested in their livelihoods From politics my path shifted to commerce when
I w i t n e s s e d c o u n t l e s s e x a m p l e s o f p a r e n t s s u pp o r t i n g t h e i r a d u l t c h i l d r e n i n b u i l d i n g o r r e n ov a t i n g h o m e s c o n t r i b u t i n g n o t j u s t f i n a n c i a l l y b u t w i t h t h e i r o w n e x p e r t i s e a n d l a b o u r T h e s e a c t s o f s o
B e t t e r l a t e t h a n n e v e r
is
to
industrializa-
and
The CPEC a n initiative under the Belt and Road Initiative (B RI) of Chinese President Xi Jinping also focuses on poverty alleviation, agricultural modernization operationalization of Gwadar Port, and promoting the blue economy The first phase of the C PEC has quite successfully been completed during which Early Harvest Projects were prioritized focusing heavily on energy and infrastructure These early investments duly addressed critical deficiencies and solid foundation for accelerated economic growth and around 38 projects were completed in numerous sectors worth more than $US $25 billion as a result of which Pakistan has seen a rise in the industrial activity improved logistics and growing investor confidence and also delivered a long-term stimulus to the national economy It was in the air for sometime that on the basis of appreciable achievements during the first phase that the C PEC should be expanded and upgraded covering more corridors additionally than the economic corridor This important development was under discussion and deliberated a t the highest appropriate levels in Beijing and Islamabad for some months But, somehow, an official launching of the C PEC expansion and up gradation was being delayed on one account or the other However the developments which took place during Prime Minister She-
hbaz Sharif's visit to Beijing and interaction with the top Chinese leadership were quite appreciable and indeed welcomed a s it was better late than never China and Pakistan have a t last agreed to upgrade the great game changer China Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC which has since transitioned into its Phase 2 0 after successful completion of the first phase The new five Corridors are for Growth, Innovation, Green Development, Livelihood Regional Connectivity/Openness thereby prioritizing industrialization socio-economic development and regional connectivity While in China the PM availed the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with a number o f world leaders present in the SC O Summit in Tianjin including Russian President Putin , Turkish President Erdogan Presidents of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan and exchanged views for further strengthening the prevailing friendly relations and promoting trade economic and investment cooperation in a mutually beneficial manner
The PM, who was accompanied by a high level delegation, not only held one on one meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang but also led delegation level talks with the Chinese hosts in Beijing The Chinese and Pakistani leaders discussed bilateral ties and economic cooperation reaffirmed shared resolve to further strengthen the iron-clad, all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan
The PM also addressed the B2B (Business to Business) Investment Conference in Beijing where a large number of Chinese businessmen had hooked up with Pakistani businessmen marking the new phase o f C PEC which indicates a good and promising shift from just being primarily government to government interaction to Chinese and Pakistani businesses to business contacts This had become quite clear a t the B2B Investment Conference with the signing of a s many as 21 Memorandums of Understanding (Mo Us) and joint ventures worth about $ 8 5 billion covering agriculture, electric vehicles, solar energy, health, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and iron and steel , science and technology Information Technology media and other sectors from now onwards CPEC would not just be served by roads and rail such a s smooth passage of goods and raw materials from Gwadar Port from China through Pakistan but also by establishment of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) where goods of the sorts would be manufactures for export Following
The first phase of the CPEC has quite successfully been completed during which Early Harvest Projects were prioritized focusing heavily on energy and infrastructure These early investments duly addressed critical deficiencies and solid foundation for accelerated economic growth and around 38 projects were completed in numerous sectors worth more than $US $25 billion as a result of which Pakistan has seen a rise in the industrial activity
the signing o f a number of Mo Us and Joint Ventures these SEZs would not be activated with the planned up gradation of the main railway line from Karachi to Peshawar (ML-!) a s the focus of the C PEC s next phase is going to b e o n infrastructure development
The PM held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jin pingat the Great Hall of the People wherein both the leaders agreed that the relationship between both the countries was quite unique and unparalleled which must be duly reflected in their enhanced cooperation President Xi Jinping s vision for Pakistan quite obviously duly emphasized sustained development, strengthened economic cooperation and shared prosperity, highlighting the importance of security strategic partnership and regional progress for a mutually beneficial future
On his part PM Shehbaz Sharif during his interaction with the top Chinese leadership availed the opportunity to express deep gratitude to the Chinese leadership and nation for their unflinching support to Pakistan's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and socio-economic development
The PM paid rich tributes to China's quite impressive transformation under President Xi Jinping s visionary leadership Terming the signing of the Joint Action Plan 2024-2029 as an important step, the PM congratulated the Chinese leadership on hosting quite successfully the SC O Council of Heads of State Summit in Tianjin Security of the Chinese personnel working on different development projects in Pakistan mainly under the overall framework o f C PEC also figured during the PM s meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang
The PM's another visit to China and interaction with top Chinese leadership quite obviously augurs well for taking the Pak-China ties to unprecedented heights and signing of a number of Mo Us and joint ventures a t the B2B Investment Conference a s well as up gradation of the C PEC was quite a positive step forward in this regard Hopefully, implementation of the Mo Us and joint ventures would be ensured quite sincerely, dedicatedly and determinedly for ensuring reaping of the mutually beneficial fruits positively for both the countries a t the earliest possible please
The writer is Lahore-based Freelance Journalist Columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News) , Radio Pakistan, Islamabad and can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail com
Flawed recruitment system
Gaza’s broken childhood
Alavi’s lasting gift
QaMaR BashiR
Cracks in the World’s Largest Democracy
TIndia as a pivotal player in South Asia and an emerging power within the Indo-Pacific finds itself at the center of these transitions However, despite its global visibility and ambition to position itself as a great power, multiple fault lines within India’s domestic political framework economic trajectory and foreign policy posture suggest that the Indian system i s breaking down This phrase does not merely imply internal instability but reflects the contradictions between India s aspirations and its structural limitations amid global realignment One of the central dimensions of India’s systemic breakdown lies in its domestic political environment While India has long prided itself on being the world s largest democracy, recent trends indicate a move away from pluralism and inclusivity toward a more maj oritari an, centralized and polarized political order The rise of Hindu nationalism has reshaped India’s political discourse marginalizing religious and ethnic minorities and eroding the secular ethos enshrined in its constitution This transformation undermines internal cohesion and
weakens the foundations of India’s federal system States like Punjab Tamil Nadu and West Bengal increasingly contest the central government s authority while the Kashmir issue continues to be a flashpoint of unrest and discontent The erosion of democratic institutions through restrictions on the press, weakening of the judiciary and suppression of dissent further deepens domestic fragility
Rather than fostering stability the centralization of power in New Delhi amplifies the risks of political fragmentation delegitimiz es democratic values and casts doubt on India s internal resilience in the long term Another critical aspect of India’s systemic stress i s the widening gap between its economic aspirations and ground realities India s economic growth i s frequently celebrated yet beneath the aggregate figures lies a highly unequal and precarious structure
The rural economy, where a majority of India’s population resides, suffers from chronic agrarian distress Rising unemployment particularly among the youth has generated frustration that could transform into political instability Moreover India s muchtouted technological sector while globally competitive, does not generate sufficient employment to absorb the millions entering the workforce each year The result i s a paradox of jobless growth that further exacerbates inequality Additionally India’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed institutional weaknesses in healthcare and governance, raising questions about its capacity to manage future crises The juxtaposition of India’s aspirations to be a global economic leader with its domestic struggles suggests a growing disconnect A system that fails to distribute economic opportunities equitably or to address structural weaknesses in agriculture industry and social welfare risks long-term instability From a geostrategi c standpoint, India faces mounting difficulties in navigating the contemporary realignments shaping the international order On the one hand India
seeks to strengthen ties with the United States and its allies through initiatives like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue ( Quad) to counterbalance China s influence On the other India remains deeply entangled with Russia for defense cooperation, energy needs and diplomatic leverage The RussiaUkraine war has highlighted this dilemma While India refrains from condemning Russia outright in line with its strategic dependence on Moscow it simultaneously deepens its engagement with Washington to secure defense and economic support This balancing act i s becoming increasingly unsustainable as the United States presses its allies and partners to align more closely against Russia and China China’s rise poses another profound challenge The Sino-Indi an border clashes particularly in Ladakh since 2020, have exposed India s vulnerabilities in defending its territorial claims Despite New Delhi’s rhetoric of strength, the reality remains that China holds strategic and infrastructural advantages along the contested borders India s inability to decisively counter China s assertiveness raises questions about its credibility as a regional power capable of shaping Indo-Pacific security dynamics Its strained relations with Pakistan further compound India’s systemic fragility The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 which revoked Jammu and Kashmir s special status has intensified hostility between the two states While India portrays itself as a decisive actor, this move has internationalized the Kashmir issue and created an enduring flashpoint in South Asia Pakistan continues to leverage diplomatic platforms such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to highlight human rights violations in Kashmir Furthermore, the possibility of cross-border militancy and escalation into military confrontation remains ever-present A system that seeks regional leadership but i s perpetually embroiled in bilateral hostility undermines India s credibility and prevents it from achieving broader strategic stability in South Asia
The breaking down of the Indian system i s also visible in its internal federal structure India’s federalism, designed to accommodate its vast diversity i s under strain from the central government s attempts to impose uniformity Language policies economic distribution and the dominance of northern states in national politics alienate
southern and northeastern regions The politics of exclusion and identity-based mobilization especially through caste and religion erodes the sense of collective nationhood Instead of integrating diversity the state s approach risks reinforcing fractures along ethnic, linguistic and regional lines
The consequence i s a system that lacks resilience against centrifugal tendencies a critical weakness for a state seeking global leadership India s global ambitions manifest in its bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council its active role in BRICS G20 and Quad and its pursuit of strategic partnerships contrast with its limited material capabilities While India presents itself as a counterweight to China it lacks the economic resources technological sophistication and military readiness to sustain such a role independently Moreover India s foreign policy often oscillates between non-alignment, strategic autonomy and alignment with Western powers, creating ambiguity about its long-term direction This lack of coherence weakens its ability to shape global developments reducing it to a reactive rather than proactive actor The contradiction
ingly rely on normative legitimacy alongside material capabilities A system that loses credibility in its democratic identity risks being marginalized in shaping international narratives
The assertion that “ the Indian system i s breaking down” reflects the growing incongruence between India’s aspirations as a global power and
Afghanistan s former ambassador to Italy
accredit a Taliban ambassador in 2023
IN a September 20 Truth Social post President Trump threatened the Taliban, declaring, If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!” He now wants the military base he once negotiated away as part of the U S withdrawal agreement his first administration signed in 2019
Not unexpectedly, the Taliban quickly refused, noting under the Doha Agreement, the United States pledged that ‘it will not use
or threaten force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Afghanistan, nor interfere in its internal affairs ’” And with China now deeply entrenched in post-war Afghanistan it’s likely Beijing will ensure that the threat remains little more than another off-the-cuff comment that should not be taken literally nor seriously Since early 2025, Trump has mentioned Bagram, not as a military objective but as a strategic chess piece in his broader confrontation with China He has described the base as being an hour away from where [China] makes its nuclear weapons framing it as a critical outpost the U S should never have given up In Trump’s view, reclaiming Bagram would reestablish American dominance in a region he believes is drifting into Beijing’s orbit It s also a powerful political narrative: take back what Biden lost restore strength and project American resolve in an era of perceived decline But while Trump talks about taking Bagram back, China has already moved in After the U S withdrawal in 2021 Beijing wasted little time expanding its influence becoming the first country to
In August 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Kabul for high-level talks, during which Beijing signaled interest in Afghanistan’s vast mineral reserves including lithium copper and uranium and in expanding trade and infrastructure links under its Belt and Road Initiative
For China, Afghanistan is now a critical strategic partner A renewed U S military presence would threaten those interests, and Beijing is unlikely to stand by quietly if Washington tries to force its way back in Some analysts believe Trump s demand may be less about actually retaking Bagram and more about creating leverage It could be a bargaining chip, a maximalist opening meant to extract something smaller, such as the return of some of the $7 billion in U S weapons left behind during the withdrawal He might seek assurances regarding the protection of minority rights or commitments to restrict terrorist safe havens in exchange for concessions, even though concerns of ISIS-K and other terror groups have proven illusory According to Helena Malikyar
The U S has military bases in many other countries but that doesn t necessarily imply a colonizer-colonized relationship consider Japan, Germany, Qatar, or Bahrain She adds: “That said, I doubt the U S has any urgent need for Bagram given that Pakistan has granted access to its airbases since 1959 In fact the airbases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab are even closer to China than Bagram is Rhetorically, Trump s ploy also plays well, allowing him to cast Biden’s exit from Afghanistan as a historic blunder that he alone is prepared to fix But whether it’s a bluff or a real objective the rhetoric raises the stakes and regional powers like China Russia and even the Taliban are watching closely But as Zalmai Nishat, Research Fellow at Sussex Asia Centre, points out, “the Taliban is far from monolithic While certain factions may see benefit in cooperating with the U S others particularly those tied closely to Hibatullah [Akhundzada] would fiercely resist Any move to reclaim Bagram would expose these divisions, and the Taliban’s response would depend on which faction prevails ” This internal fragmentation is only one layer of a far more complex equation Trump s push for Bagram would not just
challenge the Taliban but also confront a regional order that no longer centers on Washington Realities on the ground have shifted dramatically since the days of U S occupation China is intent on solidifying its role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction and won’t tolerate a U S return that threatens its access to valuable minerals or its broader security interests Iran would certainly see U S facilities as potential targets and Russia, the first country to formally recognize the Taliban government, has a broad footprint in Afghanistan today It provides oil and wheat at discounted prices cooperates with its security services on counterterrorism programs and promotes its 11-nation Moscow
entire religion This is not new After the Hamas-led attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023 editors of prominent UK Jewish newspapers blamed historic Islamic bloodlust and claimed that Muslim culture was “in the grip of a death cult” Before the Manchester attacker was even identified a pro-Israel commentator called Islam a desert-dwelling seventh-century ideology on GB News Such statements aired without challenge reveal an obsession with Muslims licensed by regulatory indifference; Ofcom has allowed broadcasters to platform explicit Islamophobic abuse with impunity COLLECTIVE CULPABILITY Right-wing and pro-Israel commentators often use whataboutery to shift focus from individual crimes to collective Muslim culpability For example, the Daily Express ran the headline: “If you wanted to globalise the intifada you just got your wish in Manchester” This language positions an attack against worshippers at a synagogue in the UK as a consequence of international politics - implying some form of collective responsibility, while diverting attention from the perpetrator It reflects a broader pattern in which any violent act attributed to a Muslim often triggers calls for curtailed civil liberties mass suspicion and collective blame Contrast this with coverage of the Christchurch mosque attack in 2019 where
a childhood image of
Tarrant next to a headline referencing him as a once angelic boy who grew into a killer; the interior spread framed his actions as being for Rotherham , referencing his twisted justification, linked to groominggang scandals This editorial choice arguably legitimised Tarrant’s ideology while shielding readers from confronting his white supremacist motives The trial by media continues as outlets such as GB News have become emboldened to
ism” found that in a survey of mainstream outlets between 2015 and 2019 more than half of all references to terrorism came in the context of Muslims or Islam while far-right ideology was referenced in just six percent of coverage This imbalance shows how Muslim violence indicts an entire community, while far-right terrorism is minimised or treated as isolated The trial by media continues as outlets such as GB News have become emboldened to demand that Muslims prove their worthiness After the latest Manchester attack one presenter suggested that Muslims must prove they deserve public funds, while another highlighted the £117m ($158m) allo-
cated to protect Muslim schools community centres and mosques from hate attacks versus a mere £70m for Jewish spaces The implication: Muslims are pampered and privileged, another trope regularly deployed to whip up feelings of disenfranchisement among fed-up Brits Again reality shows a different picture entirely given that the country s Muslim population is almost 15 times larger than the Jewish population and is served by around 1,800 mosques compared with around 500 synagogues This would suggest that proportionally, Muslims are under-protected, not over-protected AMPLIFYING FALSEHOODS GB News routinely amplifies falsehoods while allowing anti-Muslim guests to speak unchallenged One panelist claimed that no mosques had been targeted during Ramadan, despite numerous incidents in recent years including the 2017 Finsbury Park attack where a grandfather was deliberately run over; a 2019 incident in a Southall mosque where worshippers had to detain a man who attacked them with a hammer; and a 2022 attack on a Sri Lankan Islamic Centre in London This year, Ramadan saw a teenager charged with a hate crime after a mosque was attacked with paint and rocks These incidents never received comparable coverage moralising headlines or frontpage outrage Throw into the mix the oft-repeated false claims about the prevalence of sharia law in Britain - repeated, no less, by US Presi-
dent Donald Trump at the UN - and you’ll
Dr MuhaMMaD akraM Zaheer
HAMAS SET FOR GA Z A TALKS AS US PUSHES TO END WAR, FREE HOSTAGES
Trump administration brands US cities
Medicine Nobel to trio who identified immune system’s ‘security guards’
The
Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell of the United States and Japan s Shimon Sakaguchi have been decisive for understanding how the immune system functions and why we do not all develop serious autoimmune diseases Sakaguchi a professor at the Immunology Frontier Research Centre in Osaka, told Swedish broadcaster Sveriges Radio: “It’s an honour for me I’m looking forward to visiting Stockholm in December to receive the award in person The Nobel committee was however unable to reach the two US-based laureates to break the news to them in person “If you hear this, call me,” the head of the Nobel Assembly Thomas Perlmann joked at the press conference announcing the winners
The three won the prize for research that identified the immune system s security guards , called regulatory T-cells Their work concerns peripheral immune tolerance that prevents the immune system from harming the body, and has led to a new field of research and the development of potential medical treatments now being evaluated in clinical trials “The hope is to be able to treat or cure autoimmune diseases provide more effective cancer treatments and prevent serious complications after stem cell transplants,” the jury said Protecting the body Sakaguchi made the first key discovery in 1995
At the time many researchers were convinced that immune tolerance only developed due to poten-
tially harmful immune cells being eliminated in the thymus through a process called central tolerance Sakaguchi 74 showed that the immune system is more complex and discovered a previously unknown class of immune cells, which protect the body from autoimmune diseases Brunkow born in 1961 and a senior project manager at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, and Ramsdell, a 64-yearold senior advisor at Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco, made the other key discovery in 2001 when they were able to explain why certain mice were particularly vulnerable to autoimmune diseases
Indonesia school collapse death toll climbs to 54
JAKARTA AG E N C I E S
The death toll from an Indonesian school collapse rose to 54 on Monday officials said as rescuers searched for more than a dozen still missing Part of the multi-storey building on Indonesia s Java island collapsed suddenly last week as students gathered for afternoon prayers
As of this morning we have retrieved 54 dead victims including five body parts National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) operations director Yudhi Bramantyo told a press conference Rescuers were still working around the clock in
PUNJAB CABINET APPROVES DISBURSEMENT OF RELIEF FUNDS TO FLOOD-AFFECTEES FROM OCTOBER 17
AIOU to
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that defending Punjab’s rights and presenting its case is their responsibility and they will fulfil this duty She clarified that while the government respects all allied parties, the response will mirror the tone of their statements Azma Bokhari announced that the Punjab Cabinet has approved tax exemptions for flood-affected areas to provide maximum relief to the public She demanded that the Pakistan Peoples Party explain why it held 34 press conferences in just three weeks on Punjab s internal matters
She added that the Punjab government’s numerous public welfare projects have clearly unsettled some people Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is distributing laptops, launching bus services, and inaugurating welfare initiatives and that seems to bother a few,”
Bokhari remarked She said that critics are attempting to cover their own weaknesses by levelling baseless criticism against Punjab s development projects She said that during the provincial cabinet meeting, officials were given a detailed briefing on the largest flood in recent history Bokhari stated that despite a surge in three rivers and 39% higher rainfall Punjab avoided major damage thanks to timely government preparations Over 4 7 million people were affected, but thankfully, no lives were lost to snake bites Compared to the 2010 floods the death toll was halved due to strong arrangements in 25 districts Expressing regret she said Punjab has always played the role of an elder brother, yet when Punjab faced a crisis, others resorted to political point-scoring which is condemnable Bokhari announced a PKR 15 000 salary increase for civil defence personnel the launch of flood drills in 17 tehsils, and directives for residents in
flood belts to relocate to safer areas to prevent future losses She emphasized that Punjab s people want relief not politics and the government is providing it She also accepted Sharjeel Inam Memon s debate challenge, saying: “Show your 17 years of performance and I’ll show our two years Visit South Punjab Multan Lodhran Rahim Yar Khan and see the development
Bokhari criticized those who constantly resort to emotional slogans: “Those shouting ‘Marsoon Marsoon’ should look at their own backyard first When
The Role of CBC in Preser ving Pakistan’s Deser t Biodiversity
BY HAFIZ EJAZ BASHIR
Across the world, wildlife conservation has become an urgent priority as species face unprecedented pressures from habitat loss poaching climate change and human expansion Protected areas, national parks, and breeding programmes are critical tools in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the survival of vulnerable species Effective conservation requires not only dedicated resources and scientific expertise but also community involvement and sustainable management practices In this context, Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard its native wildlife have gained recognition for their strategic approach particularly in arid ecosystems such as the Cholistan Desert
Nestled within the expansive Cholistan Desert near Bahawalpur the Conservation Breeding Centre (CBC) at Lal Suhanra National Park exemplifies this approach Established in 2015 under the patronage of H H Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan the centre was designed to restore populations of native antelope species including Chinkara, Blackbuck, and Nilgai within a semi-wild environment
The vision was rooted in a 2014 survey conducted by the Houbara Foundation International Pakistan which highlighted the desert ecosystem as a historically significant habitat for these species while noting alarming population declines caused by poaching illegal hunting and habitat degradation Brigadier Mukhtar Ahmad President of the Houbara Foundation, played a pivotal role in transforming these findings into a tangible conservation initiative Construction of the centre began in June 2014 following all legal and environmental approvals A 15-kilometer by 4-kilometer fenced enclosure was developed to mimic natural conditions, allowing animals to thrive with minimal human interference
staff report Security Papers Limited (SPL) has reaffirmed its commitment to community well-being by donating state-of-the-art medical equipment worth over Rs 2 8 million to Dr Ruth K M Pfau Civil Hospital (Civil Hospital Karachi) These advanced machines will significantly enhance diagnostic and treatment services across the hospital s cardiology, dermatology, medical, and
JUSTICE EJA Z SAYS AI CAN’T REPL ACE MORAL REASONING IN JUDICIAL DECISIONS
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met British
of
Lord Shafaq Mohammad in
abad on Monday The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and explored ways to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relationship with the United Kingdom He highlighted the vital role played by the Pakistani community in the UK noting
are not covered under this obligation Lord Shafaq Mohammad assured the minister of his complete support in strengthening relations
between the two nations The meeting was also attended by Secretary Interior Mohammad Khurram Agha, the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, and other senior officials
South Korea doubles job quota for Pakistanis
u l d i s c u s s i o n s b et w e e n P a k i s t a n a n d S o u t h K o r e a s H u m a n R e s o u r c e D ev e l o p m e n t M i s s i o n , r e f l e c t i n g S e o u l ’s g r o w i n g c o n f i d e n c e i n t h e c a p a b i l i t y a n d p r o f e s s i o n a li s m o f P a k i s t a n i l a b o r T h e E P S p r o g r a m a l l o w s f o r e i g n w o r k e r s t o f i l l s k i l l s h o r t a g e s i n k e y i n d u s t r i e s s u c h a s m a n u f a c t u r i n g , a g r i c u l t u r e , a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n To q u a l i f y, P a k i s t a n i a p p l i c a n t s m u s t c l e a r t h e E P S - TO P I K l a n g u a g e t e s t a n d a t e c h n i c a l a s s e s s m e n t T h e O v e r s e a s E m p l o y m e n t C o r p o r at i o n ( O E C ) w i l l c o n t
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Pakistanis spent 79 billion hours on mobile apps in 2024, repor t reveals
