g 29 SOLDIERS ALSO INJURED DURING SKIRMISHES ERUPTED FOLLOWING ATTACK FROM ACROSS BORDER AND INFILTRATION ATTEMPT: ISPR
g AFGHAN FORCES OPENED FIRE AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ALONG FRONTIER, INCLUDING ANGOOR ADDA, BAJAUR, KURRAM, DIR, CHITRAL IN KP AND BAHRAM CHAH IN BALOCHISTAN
g PAKISTAN ’S FORCES ‘ EXERCISED RIGHT OF SELF-DEFENCE AND DECISIVELY REPELLED A SSAULT ALL ALONG BORDER
g SAUDI ARABIA, QATAR, IRAN AND CHINA CALL FOR RESTRAINT AFTER CLASHES BROKE OUT LAST NIGHT
AISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI
s ta f f r e p o r t
T least 23 Pakistani troops embraced martyrdom while over 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorist were killed in fierce overnight clashes along the Pak-Afghan border the Inter-Services
e n s i o n s,
The Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen-ePakistan (TTAP) a multi-party opposition alliance on Sunday called for resolving the
Pakistan–Afghanistan tensions through dialogue urging the government to convene a
of Parliament to take the nation into confidence on regional security and foreign policy matters In a statement issued after a high-level meeting in Islamabad the alliance said It is time for prudence and sagacity to take charge to resolve the prevailing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan through dialogue and understanding ” The meeting, chaired by Mahmood Khan Achakzai reviewed the overall political and foreign situation and discussed the opposition s future strategy Those in attendance included PTI s Salman Akram Raja and Asad Qaiser, Awam Pakistan’s Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Muham-
Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday, following an unprovoked attack from the Afghan side
According to the ISPR statement the confrontation began on the night of October 11-12 when Afghan Taliban and India-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij launched an unprovoked assault on Pakistani border posts ” triggering heavy ex-
mad Zubair, Allama Ahmed Iqbal Rizvi Sajid Tareen Zain Shah Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai and Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry
The TTAP said that issues between the two neighboring countries should be settled peacefully through talks, warning that further escalation could harm Pakistan’s security and economic stability It urged the federal government to brief Parliament on the situation and build a consensus-based national approach
Turning to domestic concerns, the alliance strongly criticized the federal government’s alleged interference in the constitutional process of power transfer in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) warning that such moves could further destabilise the already fragile province
It also condemned the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to declare KP Assembly members independent ahead of the chief minister s election terming it undemocratic and conducive to horse-trading The al-
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI/LAHORE
Political leaders from across party lines on Sunday strongly condemned Afghanistan s recent act of aggression along the border and lauded Pakistan s armed forces for their resolute, swift, and proportionate response that thwarted multiple infiltration attempts and neutralised hundreds of militants
Cross-border skirmishes erupted after Afghan forces opened unprovoked fire at several points along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, and Kurram, with further attacks reported in Dir Chitral Baramcha and other areas along the Durand Line According to the Inter-Services Public Relations
changes of fire and precision strikes across several flashpoints The military said its troops responded decisively in self-defence,” inflicting heavy casualties and destroying multiple Taliban positions along the frontier Fitna al-Khawarij is the term used by
liance said the step undermined parliamentary integrity and the democratic process
The TTAP further expressed concern over the resurgence of terrorism and unrest in Balochistan and KP, urging state institutions to coordinate with provincial governments and citizens to restore peace and stability
PML-N response
Reacting to the statement
PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui termed the TTAP s remarks shameful and deeply regrettable, saying the alliance had failed to condemn terrorists or their facilitators at a critical time
He accused the group of maligning security institutions saying that labeling them discredited reflected a shallow mindset about those who had sacrificed their lives for Pakistan’s defense
Siddiqui further said that the same KP government the TTAP wanted consulted had nurtured terrorists and turned the province into a safe haven
(ISPR) Pakistani forces acting in selfdefence, killed over 200 Afghan Taliban and affiliated terrorists belonging to the India-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) also known as Fitna al-Khawarij during an overnight counter-assault The country s political leadership from the president to provincial chief ministers voiced firm support for the armed forces, praised their professionalism and courage and paid tribute to the 23 soldiers who embraced martyrdom while defending Pakistan s borders They reaffirmed that the entire nation stands united behind the military and demanded that the Taliban rulers in Kabul ensure Afghan soil
the Pakistani state for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Fitna al-Hindustan refers to militant networks allegedly backed by India and operating from Balochistan
Sardar Jahan of the PML-N, and Maulana Lutfur Rehman of the JUIF have been received and approved for contesting the chief minister s election scheduled for tomorrow Afridi, a PTI MPA from Bara, was nominated by party founder Imran Khan
The Centre has declared we are all banned groups, we are all terrorists, and they have filed all FIRs against us ” PTI consults allies, seeks consensus PTI KP President and MNA Junaid Akbar said a consultative session was held in the Speaker s chambers to finalise election strategy and outreach to other parties Afridi and senior PTI leaders attended the meeting Earlier in the day a PTI delegation led by Junaid Akbar and including Sher Ali Arbab, Ali Khan Jadoon, Shaukat Yousafzai, Malik Adeel Iqbal, and Irfan Saleem visited the Awami National Party’s (ANP) Bacha Khan Markaz headquarters in Peshawar A democratic process is going to take place tomorrow, for which we are contacting
CPEC initiative The upgrades are expected to establish an integrated transport network across Balochistan province connecting both Karachi and Gwadar ports to regional trade corridors The northern Kuchlak–Chaman section serves as a principal trade gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia a
Shehbaz Sharif forms steering committee to drive AI integration across Pakistan’s economy
project financing Beyond petrochemicals, the chamber also presented investment opportunities in value-added textiles including backward and forward linkages as well as agribusiness food processing and information technology, which they said could raise farmer incomes, boost exports, and strengthen human capital
investors and
Nine killed, 1,686 injured in 1,418 road crashes across Punjab in 24 hours
a statement issued from Karachi, the chief minister said that attacks carried out from Afghan soil against Pakistani citizens and security personnel were unacceptable and violated international norms Pakistan has always sought friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan, he said, adding that it was the responsibility of the Afghan leadership to take concrete action against terrorist elements operating from its territory Murad Shah said that Pakistan s patience and restraint should not be mistaken for weakness emphasising that the country had long demonstrated goodwill and support toward the Afghan people He said that provocations and terrorist activities originating from Afghanistan threatened regional peace and stability “The war against terrorism is not only Pakistan s burden; it is a shared global responsibility he said The chief minister urged the Afghan government to ensure that its soil was not used for hostile acts against Pakistan, stressing that Islamabad remained committed to peace, cooperation, and brotherhood in the region
diers sustained injuries According to credible intelligence estimates more than 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralised, with a higher number wounded, the ISPR statement said The clashes mark one of the deadliest exchanges between the two sides in recent years and come amid renewed tensions over cross-border militancy and Kabul s alleged failure to curb the activities of anti-Pakistan groups operating from Afghan
R E S
S E: Security sources cited by state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported that Afghan forces opened fire at multiple locations along the frontier including Angoor Adda Bajaur Kurram Dir Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Bahram Chah in Balochistan The ISPR said Pakistan’s forces “exer-
Hurriyat leader denounces joint India-Afghanistan remarks on K ashmir
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f r e p o r t
The All Parties Hurriyat ConferenceAJK Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi has strongly rejected the references to Jammu and Kashmir made during the joint press conference of the Indian and Afghan foreign ministers, declaring that the region is not an integral part of India but an internationally recognised disputed territory In a statement issued in Islamabad Safi said that the position reflected in the New Delhi press conference represented a clear violation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, which categorically recognise Jammu and Kashmir as an unresolved dispute He reminded that the UN resolutions call for a free and impartial plebiscite under UN supervision to determine the future of the territory Safi asserted that India s persistent claim that Kashmir is its internal matter
contradicts both historical facts and international law India s claim that Kashmir is its integral part is contrary to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the commitments made before the United Nations,” he said Expressing disappointment over the remarks made by the Afghan foreign minister Safi said it was deeply regrettable that a brotherly Muslim country had chosen to side with India s narrative He noted that Afghanistan, having endured years of foreign occupation and internal conflict should have expressed solidarity with the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir instead of echoing India s position The Kashmir freedom movement is not an extremist or territorial conflict but a legitimate and peaceful struggle for the right to self-determination a right recognised by the United Nations ” he added Safi recalled that India has occupied Jammu and Kashmir since 1947 an occupation never accepted by the Kash-
PDP chief slams Sindh
miri people Over the decades he said Indian forces have killed hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris, subjected thousands to enforced disappearances, and detained many in Indian prisons under repressive laws He accused India of pursuing a systematic plan to change the region s Muslim-majority identity by settling non-locals in the occupied territory calling it a violation of international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention The APHC-AJK Convener urged the United Nations the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the broader international community to take immediate notice of India s ongoing human rights violations and demographic engineering in Jammu and Kashmir He appealed for global intervention to ensure that the Kashmiri people are granted their UN-recognised right to selfdetermination and that justice is served in accordance with international law
govtt over rising crime in Karachi, demands overhaul of police
and night while police and Rangers appeared unable to prevent them Bandits roam freely across the city looting citizens without fear of law he said adding that despite the deployment of paramilitary forces, there has been no visible improvement in public safety The PDP leader identified broken roads and unlit streets as major enablers of crime He said that motorists are forced to slow down in these areas turning them into favourite hunting points for vehicle and motorcycle thieves “The condition of University Road alone is a nightmare for motorists and heaven for snatchers ” he remarked Calling the existing patrol system inefficient and ineffective Shakoor said both the police and Rangers have failed to build public trust, leaving Karachi residents vulnerable He alleged that the Sindh home department had become a hub of corruption and incompetence focused more on collect-
ing illicit funds than maintaining law and order “The so-called system government in Sindh has completely failed in governance Corrupt and inefficient officers continue to occupy top positions because they serve their political masters well, Shakoor said He claimed that police stations operate “like mafias,” where ordinary citizens feel intimidated to even file complaints Shakoor called for an immediate restructuring of the Sindh home department and police urging the provincial government to appoint honest and professional officers to senior roles He also proposed the introduction of community policing and an expansion of visible street patrols to rebuild public confidence
Gwadar marks World Space Week with citywide educational
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f r e p o r t
Gwadar celebrated World Space Week 2025 with a series of vibrant educational and scientific activities across the city, concluding with a grand ceremony at Gwadar Grammar School Gwadar Pro reported on Sunday The week-long celebrations attracted large participation from students teachers parents and local officials highlighting growing interest in science and technology among the city s youth The concluding ceremony at Gwadar Grammar School was attended by Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Gwadar Prof Dr Manzoor Ahmed Baloch Director
fires strikes and physical raids against terrorist camps and support networks According to the statement, several Taliban bases and training facilities linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, Fitna al-Hindustan and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP/Daesh) were destroyed in the operations All possible measures were taken to avoid collateral damage and protect civilian lives, it said The ISPR further noted that 21 hostile positions on the Afghan side were “briefly captured,” with multiple camps and posts rendered inoperative “The infrastructural damage to Taliban posts camps and headquarters ranges from tactical to operational depth it added The armed forces of Pakistan remain fully prepared to defend the country s territorial integrity, life, and property While we prefer constructive diplomacy and dialogue over belligerence we will not tolerate the treacherous use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan the statement concluded It also voiced concern over the timing of the attack, which coincided with the Afghan Taliban foreign minister ’s visit to India calling it “a serious provocation occurring during engagement with the biggest
General of Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Moeen-ur-Rehman, school heads teachers and hundreds of students
A science exhibition featuring studentmade models and projects was the centerpiece of the event Earlier in the week DG GDA Moeen-ur-Rehman visited the exhibition at the Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi Hall, where students presented space-related models and research projects
He praised their creativity and scientific curiosity calling their efforts a promising sign for Gwadar s educational landscape Certificates were distributed to outstanding students during the visit On Friday, students and teachers from several institutions, including GDA Public
sponsor of terrorism in the region
: State broadcaster PTV News later reported details of the posts and camps targeted in the retaliatory operation, citing security sources It said the Pakistan Army successfully struck and “neutralised” Durrani Camp Manojba Camp Battalion Headquarters and Manojba Camp-2 Ghaznali Headquarters in Noshki Sector, and the Asmatullah Karar Camp at Spin Boldak described as “one of the largest Taliban facilities used to plan operations against Pakistan ” Afghan forces stationed in these facilities reportedly suffered dozens of casualties with key installations and armour destroyed Footage shared by state media also showed secondary engagement and the destruction of the Karar camp Additional reports said Taliban posts in the Brabcha area of Chagai district as well as Barikot base camp Manojba Camp-3 Karzai Post and Shapola Khula Post were destroyed A major Afghan post in the Zhob sector was temporarily captured and the Pakistani flag raised there Several Taliban tanks were also destroyed in precision strikes opposite Kurram
School, Bahria Model College, The Oasis School, Model High School Gwadar, and New Town Grammar School attended the exhibition Jury members including Pakistan Telecommunication Authority officials and engineering experts, evaluated the projects and announced that winners would be honored at the closing ceremony Throughout the week, a range of competitions that included quizzes spelling bees debates on Human Settlement in Space painting and poster design
tests were conducted to encourage students to engage with science in creative
A total of 58 models created by
than 120 students were showcased, earning
Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid accused Islamabad of carrying out earlier air strikes in Afghan territory and said the weekend clashes were “retaliatory ” He urged Pakistan to “desist from using force as such actions will have negative consequences Mujahid alleged that certain elements within the Pakistani security establishment want to destabilise Afghanistan, adding that the Taliban government possessed weapons to respond ” Afghan defence officials confirmed that “retaliatory operations” had been conducted in border provinces including Kunar Nangarhar Paktika Khost and Helmand but said attacks were halted at the re-
C a u g h t i n t h e m i d d l e
As the USA and China wrangle over rare ear ths, Pakistan is caught
“ W
H E N two elephants fight it is the grass which suffers ” goes the Kenyan proverb Pakistan must be feeling very grass-like as China slapped a series of export restrictions on rareearth metals, because the action has provoked US President Donald Trump into a waspish post on his Truth Social account, where he basically made two points: first, that the USA can also play at this because it has a monopoly on certain minerals as well; and second, that the USA is in the midst of calculating what tariff to impose on China Though this is probably not the only factor the 50-percent tariff imposed on China clearly has this in mind Pakistan is caught in the middle because it would like its rare-earth elements mined by the USA and has even made one agreement to this effect Unless the US firm uses no Chinese equipment it will need to obtain a Chinese import licence to send its product to the USA
It is to be noted that Mr Trump s weapon of coercion, economic sanctions, is being turned on him by China He can hardly complain, for the USA has already applied its Foreign Direct Product Rule to Chinese chipmakers, thus prohibiting them from using chips using US technology to make anything The US FPR has been in place since 1959, and it was applied to Chinese chips by the Biden Administration The FPR is being used to prevent third countries from selling chip components to China with Taiwan Singapore and Israel being prevented from exporting certain components China is already facing a 30 percent tariff on its goods while it has placed a 10 percent tariff on US goods However Mr Trump has threatened a 100 percent additional tariff, if China persists with the rare-earths tariff
In this quarrel, Pakistan is in a peculiar position It has tried to meet US concerns over its surplus, by importing US crude, and by selling rare earths Though the minerals form a transaction between a Pakistani and a US concern, if Chinese equipment in its mining is used, the mined product will need a Chinese export licence Unless the US miner can bring in mining equipment made elsewhere there will be a problem Pakistan can also expect Chinese pressure perhaps from another direction because it is not expected that such a brotherly ally would enable toe US to circumvent the Chinese stranglehold on rare earths Pakistan has so far avoided taking sides That is becoming increasingly difficult
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
TTariq Khan Tareen
H E recent televised interviews of two former militant commanders Sarfraz Bangalzai of the banned United Baloch Army and Gulzar Imam Shambay of the proscribed Baloch National Army, have ignited a defining debate in Pakistan Their confessions, aired on major national networks including ARY News, Geo Bol and PTV tore down decades of propaganda that had long romanticized rebellion in Balochistan For the first time the architects of insurgency themselves admitted that the so-called freedom struggle was nothing more than a carefully orchestrated deception rooted in foreign interests, false promises, and emotional manipulation of the youth Sarfraz Bangalzai’s revelations laid bare the internal machinery of terrorism in Balochistan and the propaganda ecosystem that sustains it He exposed the deep interconnections between the Balochistan Liberation Army Baloch Liberation Front and the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, describing the BYC as a soft front designed to sanitize militancy under the pretense of rights activism According to Bangalzai, BYC’s rallies and protests revolve around emotional triggers especially the issue of “missing persons” which are exploited to manipulate public sentiment and recruit young people into anti-state activities This emotional exploitation he said is the cornerstone of their propaganda strategy, not genuine concern for human rights Bangalzai went further to reveal that India’s intelligence agency, RAW, directly funds and coordinates anti-Pakistan propaganda networks operating from Europe and Afghanistan These networks use various digital platforms as their primary tools to radicalize youth and propagate separatist narratives He explained that these platforms masquerade as independent news outlets but in reality function as psychological warfare arms distorting facts, spreading disinformation and glorifying militancy
Equally significant were his disclosures about the internationalization of the insurgency He identified Dr Naseem Baloch head of the Baloch National Movement in Europe, as one of the key figures mobilizing asylum seekers across Western countries to launch coordinated propaganda campaigns against Pakistan
These individuals, under the guise of activism, exploit European asylum frameworks by portraying Pakistan as a repressive state securing financial aid legal protection and sympathy In truth Bangalzai noted they act as proxies for hostile powers transforming humanitarian platforms into engines of political subversion
Bangalzai s interview also exposed the familial and ideological continuity between current activism and past militancy He revealed that Dr Mahrang Baloch’s father Ghaffar Langove was a BLA commander whose grave still bears the organization s flag
T h e H i m a l a y a n s t r u g g l e f o r a u t o n o m y
Ladakh’s unrest explained
tion which
and way of life from exploitation Ladakhis whose way of life and means of sustenance are equally at risk demand the same protection Add to this increasing worries over climate change, mining, and uncontrolled tourism, and it is easy to see why environmental campaigner Sonam Wangchuk’s September hunger strike resonated so deeply He wasn’t fanning unrest; he was articulating deeply held fears long bubbling beneath the surface For years Ladakh s protests were peaceful demonstrations, sit-ins, hunger strikes To this day, the protesters are youth-dominated, organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) They are educated and articulate and determined But on September 24 something went horribly wrong The administration faults the protesters accusing Wangchuk of inciting them with Arab Spring metaphors and claiming opposition parties plotted to destabilize the volatile border
area But that is a handy diversion The reality is simpler and it s damning: when citizens are ignored long enough anger turns to fury The Ministry of Home Affairs boasts about its so-called concessions increasing employment reservations in favor of Scheduled Tribes, women’s quotas, acceptances of regional languages These are band-aids not remedies They do not touch the core problem of representation and self-rule Delhi has perfected the game of declaring token gestures while blocking genuine dialogue Again, the Modi government reached for its go-to tool: violence Tear gas, lathi charges, firing in public More than 100 protesters were arrested The Internet was shut down as if turning off mobile data can turn off rage The playbook is excruciatingly well known repeat in Kashmir, repeat in Manipur, repeat now in Ladakh Rather than hearing, the government attempts to brand every protest as a conspiracy Every complaint is “anti-national ” Every critic is branded as an agent of Pakistan China or the Congress party This tactic might be winning TV debates but it merely increases alienation on the ground The tragedy is that Ladakhis are not demanding separation from India They are not shouting secessionist slogans Their demands for statehood safeguards jobs and environ-
symbolizing a direct lineage between separatist militancy and the so-called rights movements He further disclosed that Langove s death was not the result of any state operation, but an internal killing within the BLA, allegedly orchestrated by Hyrbyar Marri, as later confirmed by Mama Qadeer in a public statement Bangalzai also clarified that many “missing persons cases often cited in propaganda were actually victims of infighting among terrorist factions falsely attributed to state agencies to inflame public anger
In one of the most poignant revelations, Bangalzai criticized Dr Allah Nazar Baloch, once seen as the ideological face of the insurgency He accused him of betraying his followers by abandoning the very land he vowed never to leave choosing instead a life of luxury abroad Bangalzai s message was unambiguous: those who preach sacrifice from afar have turned the suffering of the Baloch people into political currency, while ordinary youth continue to pay the price with their lives The former militant’s appeal to parents, educators and policymakers was heartfelt and urgent He warned that Balochistan’s youth are being radicalized not through ideology but through emotional manipulation online Social media he said has become the new battleground where lies anger and half-truths are used as weapons He urged the state to expand reintegration and rehabilitation programs for former militants, presenting them as living proof of Pakistan’s
mental protection fall within India’s constitutional framework But the government is treating them as threats instead of stakeholders
This conceit comes at a price Ladakh is no ordinary place it straddles India s most vulnerable border, where Chinese soldiers wait across the Line of Actual Control Alienating Ladakhis, India’s first line of defence, is foolhardy Inciting calm youth into fury is risky Bypassing real grievances until they burst into bloodshed is irresponsible Sonam Wangchuk has already urged the youth to stop the violence, warning that destruction only weakens their cause His words reflect the maturity of civil society in Ladakh But the bigger question is whether the Modi government is capable of the same maturity
If Delhi persists in brushing Ladakh s demands aside with platitudes and propaganda unrest will only intensify What took place on S
the beginning of a new stage of confrontation
treating its people as equal citizens and not as colonial subjects The bloodshed in Leh must be a wake-up call It has taken too long for the
and
Ladakh
frontiers
The bloodshed in Leh must be a wake-up call. It has taken too long for the Modi government to trust majoritarian politics,
Eco-friendly fix
S I N C E the planet has already suffered a lot at the hands of plastic pollution, it is imperative to recognise the significance of biodegradation as one of the most promising solutions to curb the plastic menace As a bioremediation strategy biodegradation of plastic simply means the use of microorganisms including bacteria fungi and other such organisms that have the capability of degrading petroleum-based plastic in a manner that would render the synthetic plastic degraded in the environment Such microbial strains are present ubiquitously in those environments where plastics are dumped, such as landfills And, with overflowing landfills littered across Pakistan, we really need to take biodegradation seriously Researchers have not only isolated such strains but also managed to produce genetically modified bacteria/fungi capable of easily degrading synthetic plastics Even the microbial enzymes of such microorganisms have been employed for purposes like studying the intricacies of the biodegradation process to make it more effective in the future Pakistan is among the countries where the use and misuse of plastic allow the environment to host microbial strains that are capable of decomposing plastic Having a keen and professional interest in this field I myself have isolated and identified several bacterial and fungal strains in my research The optimisation of biodegradation process I think can be exploited in an industrial setup where synthetic plastics would be degraded in the same manner as biological and micro-biological systems are used to treat industrial wastewater The dearth of resources and government’s assistance are the only hindrances, otherwise Pakistan surely has the potential to streamline an effective plastic waste management plan pivoted around bio-degradation and become a global leader in this regard
Of all plastic waste management tech-niques including incineration landfilling and recycling biodegradation is the most eco-friendly process of getting rid of hazardous plastics The government should encourage research to explore plastic degrading microorganisms, and optimise the process of biodegradation to get effective outcomes
lost in workplaces
Shahbaz ali
FO R much of its history, Pakistan s nuclear programme has been framed in the simple term ‘’survival’’ The bomb has been marketed as the ultimate answer to the conventional superiority of India since the late 20th century a means of deterrence to ensure no repeat of 1971 The nuclear explosion by India in 1974, named Smiling Buddha , left behind an unchanged national imperative The Pakistanis would ‘eat grass’, as the then PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made the famous promise, in order to have its own bomb However with the changing world around Pakistan the question is is deterrence enough? Or does Pakistan need to reconsider its nuclear future beyond an India-centric framework?
In
2001-02 Mumbai in 2008 Balakot in 2019 and the recent Pahalgam incident in 2025, which continues to shed light on the instability that lies under the nuclear shadow India and Pakistan are in the stability-instability paradox: the detonation of the bomb prevents full-scale war but allows taking
Currently
ens to make deterrence ineffective unless Pakistan spreads its own strategy Second beyond South Asia the international non-proliferation order has not treated Pakistan favourably India has civil nuclear deals, exemptions and major power recognition Pakistan, in its turn, is regarded as the underdog– a state whose nuclear justification is under constant question This unequal combination is an amplifying factor towards isolationist Islamabad and a vicious cycle of defensiveness
Third the increasing danger of climate change has
added disabilities that have seldom been addressed when it comes to nuclear discussion Extreme weather such as disastrous floods, places a strain on the resources of a country and may jeopardise infrastructure, including nuclear facilities
Collectively, these problems indicate that there is a danger of strategic stagnation in holding on to a more limited deterrence approach Against all these challenges there are opportunities Pakistan is in a position to make a positive contribution towards regional stability because of its position as a nuclear nation In the same breath, the nuclear capability of Pakistan can be redirected into civilian nuclear power to provide a new avenue of resolving the long-running energy deficit and minimising the use of fossil fuels Nuclear technology currently contributes eight percent of the national power supply with an intention of 20 percent by 2050 as part of a permanent resolution to the problem of unending power shortages This would help bolster the green transition in Pakistan and improve its diplomatic image with global backing The other option that is presented is in soft power Pakistan can enhance its credibility by advocating the high standards of nuclear security and safety on the world platform to dispel the idea of irresponsibility
The changing security alliance between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia indicates this wider strategic realignment Over decades there has been speculation concerning Saudi funding in the early period of the nuclear programme in Pakistan In the present times those ties are beginning to emerge more
Deterrence may have achieved sur vival, but that is no long er sufficient. Pakistan needs to envision a nuclear future that is not simply preventive of war but is also productive of stability, development, and dignity. Beyond deterrence is an oppor tunity to redefine what the bomb is to Pakistan– not necessarily a weapon of last resor t, but a device for a healthier, more conntected and respected future .
we’re shown a tension between the nebbish architect and Brando’s grandiose even reckless vision for the island Inadver-
tently, however, the real tension lies somewhere else: can a man actually be great when he’s as deluded as Brando? To be sure the filmmakers seem to believe Brando had all the hallmarks of greatness They build an atmosphere to showcase his magnetic energy where surrounded by strangers, he still felt completely at home Even the locals are drawn to him, despite having no idea who he is With an air of noblesse oblige, he’s gracious to everyone around him and Zane’s perfectly natural performance is the film’s only saving grace The development project itself has a Napoleonic flair to it; in spite of bankers and builders telling Brando it s impossible to create modern convenience on the island, he pushes forward, putting his career and personal fortune on the line He becomes singularly obsessed, disappearing from Hollywood and agreeing to star in “that gangster movie” only to finance the next stage of the resort And in a true tell he inspires others to his own vision Bernie leaves his wife and kid behind in Los Angeles to embark on the years-long project; though his professional intuition says it s futile, he can t help becoming wrapped up in Brando s mission to “change the world ” Delusion is part and parcel of greatness Brando’s insistence on powering the island with electric eels for example feels downright Trumpian But the intent doesn t quite match the scale of the vision Delusion can be bold and enigmatic or it can be completely banal From Brando, we get endless lectures that one might find in a DNC fundraising campaign Narrative cuts highlight his involvement in the civil rights movement which is tied as a moral equivalent to the environmentalism which inspires the resort He wants to protect the local ecosystem and sacred tribal land, while building a more sustainable future every platitude in the book And of course we get a visit from Sacheen Littlefeather the fake Native American who excoriated the Academy on Brando s behalf after his Godfather win This is all framed as if to fit on a bumper sticker or a lawn sign - and we’re expected to believe Brando’s
she has lived her life in public view A Left-wing intellectual with forthright views on everything from nuclear weapons (against) and hydroelectric projects (against) to American foreign policy (against) and Maoism (not entirely against) she has rarely traded in subtlety or understatement Her attacks on the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, whom she does not hesitate to dub a fascist”, began many years before his rise to national prominence They have earned her both admiration and much vituperative criticism Her fiction too is deeply autobiographical The God of Small Things drew heavily on her childhood in the southern Indian state of Kerala The memorable twins in the novel, Estha and Rahel, were loosely based on Roy and her brother; the adult characters were so clearly modelled on her mother, uncle and others that “thinly veiled” hardly seems the right term Her second (and only other) novel The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (2017) was less successful but no less personal It drew on her time in Delhi in the 1980s and 1990s, when she studied architecture and lived – estranged from her mother – in what was effectively a squat The second novel was the product of her many years spent in Left-wing activist circles and social movements and the eccentric inspiring often maddening figures she encountered there So: does her memoir add much? Quite a lot The central figure in Mother Mary Comes to Me is, as the title suggests, Roy s mother Mary Roy, who died in 2022, was a near-celebrity in Kerala: the founder and long-time principal of a prestigious and innovative boarding school and the woman who won a famous court battle in the 1980s for Christian women s inheritance rights Mary s life was hard Desperate to escape her own difficult parents,
arslaN MehNdi Nekokara aNd shahaN MuNir
PUNJAB GOVT SECURES HISTORIC
Federal Minister for Education Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, visited the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Karachi Campus and expressed his satisfaction after visiting various departments of the university Upon his arrival, he was warmly received by Rector NUML, Major General (R) Shahid Mahmood Kayani DG NUML Brig (retd) Nadeem Asghar and Regional Director Brigadier (R) Syed Hidayat Waris The Rector briefed the Federal Minister on the ongoing courses and other initiatives being undertaken at NUML Karachi campus Later Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui met with the faculty and stu-
dents and
NUML’s academic activities,
The Africa Economic Forum (AEF) has officially announced the induction of His Excellency Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Former Minister for Investment of Pakistan and Chairman of Nutshell Group, as a member of its Strategic Advisory Board The Africa Economic Forum is assembling a distinguished panel of global leaders and thinkers described as a league of extraordinary architects , to shape the future of international cooperation and sustainable economic development The inclusion of H E Muhammad Azfar Ahsan brings a unique combination of government experience private sector leadership, and global connectivity to the Forum s strategic vision A highly respected voice in corporate diplomacy and a recognized global connector H E Ahsan has built a distinguished career bridging the gap between policy formulation and private sector growth His tenure as Pakistan’s Minister for Investment provided him with deep insight into attracting foreign capital fostering public-private partnerships and accelerating national development As the Founder and Chairman of Nutshell Group and the Corporate Pakistan Group he has transformed strategic dialogue and
collaboration across multiple sectors, driving business-led reforms and thought leadership initiatives With his induction, the Africa Economic Forum reinforces its commitment to building stronger connections between sovereign policy and market innovation H E Ahsan s extensive experience will contribute to shaping actionable frameworks for investment, governance, and global collaboration “The blueprint is clear The political will is here The investment acumen is now at the table the Forum s statement noted underscoring its confidence in the impact of this appointment The Strategic Advisory Board of the Africa Economic Forum serves as a central platform for dialogue cooperation and visionary policymaking engaging leaders from government, business, and civil society to address emerging global challenges and opportunities A z f a r A h s a n j o i n s
Fashion and Culture Shine at the Russian Centre for S cience and Culture
PM HEADS FOR EGYPT TO JOIN TRUMP, EL-SISI
FOR L ANDMARK GA Z A PEACE DEAL SIGNING
European Council will be represented by its president, Antonio Costa, a spokesperson said
Sindh enforces one month ban on protests to aver t unrest
N e w s D e s k
The Sindh Home Department has imposed Section 144 across the province for one month to maintain public order and prevent any unrest following the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) s ongoing march toward Islamabad According to a notification issued on Sunday the government stated that the restrictions were being enforced in the interest of public and peace to preempt any law and order situation The order bans all kinds of protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, rallies, and assemblies of more than five persons throughout Sindh The notification said the provincial government was satisfied that in order to maintain law and order and to prevent miscreants from assembly in a manner prejudicial to public safety, it is necessary to take immediate measures The order will remain in effect for one month from its issuance date Under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code district administrations are empowered to prohibit the assembly of four or more persons in an area for a limited period Violations of this restriction will be prosecuted under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with disobedience to orders issued by public authorities Police stations across Sindh have been directed to take immediate action against anyone found violating the ban with the provincial government emphasizing that no exceptions would be made The move comes in response to escalating tensions after the TLP began its march from Lahore toward Islamabad to express solidarity with Palestinians Clashes erupted between police and TLP supporters on Friday near the party’s headquarters in Lahore prompting authorities to erect barricades and containers in an attempt to contain the procession Law enforcement agencies used tear gas and other crowd-control measures to disperse the demonstrators, but the group has continued its advance and is currently encamped in Muridke
Officials said the decision to impose Section 144 was aimed at ensuring that similar gatherings or demonstrations do not spill over into Sindh s urban centers particularly Karachi and Hyderabad where large processions could disrupt peace and normal life The provincial government has also instructed local administrations to remain on high alert and coordinate with law enforcement agencies to monitor public spaces, mosques, and highways Authorities have urged citizens to comply with the order warning that any attempt to hold public gatherings or stage protests would be treated as a violation of law and dealt with strictly Security officials said additional police and Rangers personnel have been deployed in sensitive districts, with checkpoints and mobile units established to monitor any suspicious
Sanaullah urges PTI, parties to unite under ‘charter for stable Pakistan’ after border escalation
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Sunday urged the PTI and other political parties to unite behind the government’s proposed “charter for a stable Pakistan,” saying the initiative had become imperative in the wake of the latest border escalation with Afghanistan that left 23 Pakistani soldiers martyred and over 200 militants killed According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), overnight clashes between Pakistan and Afghan forces erupted along the Pak-Afghan border on the night of Oct 11–12 after Afghan Taliban and India-backed militants launched an unprovoked attack Pakistan said its forces responded decisively, inflicting heavy losses on the attackers Islamabad for a long time has been urging Kabul to rein in the Fitna al-Khawarij a term designated for terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) accusing them of operating from Afghan soil, a charge denied by Kabul
Addressing a media briefing in Lahore Sanaullah said the current circumstances demanded national unity above politics
At this moment, I say to the PTI leadership: you may continue to
Hafiz
criticize us but you must stand with Pakistan with its armed forces and with its martyrs, he said If you stand with Pakistan and the armed forces, a way forward will open for you ”
The PTI however continues to oppose renewed military operations arguing that past offensives failed to curb militancy and displaced civilians, fueling resentment in affected areas The party maintains that terrorism should be tackled through dialogue and governance reforms not force warning that fresh operations without a political strategy could further destabilise Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
A day earlier, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had accused the PTI-led KP government of “facilitating terrorists sowing division and undermining national security
Reiterating Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif s call for unity Sanaullah invited all parties to join the proposed
Misaq-i-Istehkam-i-Pakistan (Charter for a Stable Pakistan)
“I invite all political parties, leaders, and parliamentarians from the assemblies to the Senate to back this charter he said National consolidation has become more important than ever
Referring to the border escalation, the adviser praised the armed forces’ response “Today we have dealt a blow to a disgraced and hidden enemy ” he said Thanks to Field Marshal Asim Munir s courageous policy and the bravery of our soldiers, the entire nation witnessed a moment of honour unseen in 78 years ” ‘TLP should call off protest’ Sanaullah also appealed to the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to call off its ongoing protest citing the national situation and improved diplomatic progress on Gaza
The Gaza march was meant as solidarity, but now that the crisis is largely being resolved diplomatically the protest should end ” he said urging TLP to instead stand with Pakistan s leadership and armed forces
He added that senior religious leaders, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, had voiced concern over the protest turning violent “You may not listen to us but your late leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi always stood with Pakistan you should do the same, he concluded
Naeem warns Taliban against India’s influence
PESHAWAR s ta f f r e p o r t
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Hafiz
Naeemur Rehman on Sunday urged the Afghan Taliban not to allow their territory to be used against Pakistan, warning that India can never be a friend or wellwisher of Muslims
Addressing participants of a Gaza March at Kabotar Chowk on Ring Road in Peshawar the JI chief said Afghanistan s soil was being misused for activities harmful to Pakistan He cautioned the Afghan leadership not to fall for India’s overtures saying that India s history and actions clearly show its hostility toward Muslims India cannot be your benevolent ally, he said If a difficult time comes upon Afghanistan, India will not stand by you; it will celebrate your misfortune ”
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman urged both Pakistan and Afghanistan to develop a joint strategy to counter terrorism and protect regional stability He stressed that Afghanistan must act responsibly preserving its independence and sovereignty
itating dialogue between the two
He said We are an ideological nation and the Jamaat-e-Islami is organizing the people of Pakistan for a real change He announced that the party’s movement for systemic reform would begin from Minar-e-Pakistan vowing to continue the struggle for an equitable and just society
Commenting on Pakistan s education system, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman lamented that education
had become class-based, creating divisions in society and hindering national unity
Earlier, former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan explained the reasons behind his decision to part ways with Jamaat-e-Islami clarifying that it was not driven by resentment or personal differences Speaking on a television channel, Mushtaq said his resignation stemmed from a desire to work more freely on humanitarian causes including human rights advocacy and efforts for Dr Aafia Siddiqui s release He revealed that he had tendered his resignation on September 19, the same day he departed from Sicily for Gaza believing there was little chance of returning alive I had written my will and settled all affairs in Pakistan before leaving, and that s when I submitted my resignation, he said
IMF urges Pakistan to fix corruption risks in top 10 state entities, ensure merit-based oversight appointments
