PM CALLS FOR UNIT Y, BROTHERHOOD, AND SHARED SACRIFICE TO DRIVE NATIONAL PROGRESS
g PREMIER SHEHBAZ SAYS IT ’S COLLECTIVE DUTY TO MOVE TOGETHER ON
PATH OF PEACE, PROSPERITY, AND HARMONY
WEALTH WORTH TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS, ANNOUNCING RS180B ANNUAL ALLOCATION TO REBUILD KARACHI–CHAMAN ‘ BLOODY ROAD ’
natural resources of Balochistan saying the province was blessed with immense wealth worth trillions of dollars still lying untapped beneath its rugged mountains What happened in the past few years calls for deep introspection,” he added
Pakistan
The Pakistan People s Party (PPP) has formally decided to form its own government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) after President Asif Ali Zardari reportedly gave the go-ahead to unseat incumbent Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq through a noconfidence motion The decision came after a series of high-level consultations held in Islamabad on Saturday including separate meetings chaired by President Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Senior party leaders Faryal Talpur, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, and Qamar Zaman Kaira were also in attendance According to party sources, President Zardari, during the meeting at the Presidency approved the plan to move a no-confidence motion against the AJK premier The president will also finalise the party s nominee for the top slot after consultations with the PPP leadership the sources added Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who earlier served as the country s foreign minister, is expected to formally announce the government formation on Monday Party insiders said that Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin and Chaudhry Latif Akbar are under consideration for the position of AJK prime minister PPP leaders claimed that the party has secured the required numbers to ensure the success of the noconfidence motion if the incumbent premier refuses to resign voluntarily Confirming the development, PPP AJK leader Chaudhry Yasin said that all parliamentary members had endorsed the move to form a new government All parliamentary party members attended detailed meetings and unanimously supported the inhouse change, he told reporters, adding that the final decision on the new prime minister would rest with the party leadership
RAWALPINDI S ta f f r e p o r t Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Saturday reaffirmed the resolve to further strengthen strategic coordination between Pakistan and Egypt, underscoring the need for deeper cooperation on regional security, economic engagement and matters of mutual interest according to the military’s media wing In a statement the Inter-Services Public
The prime minister recalled that during the creation of Pakistan, leaders and sardars of Balochistan had gathered in Quetta and decided to join Pakistan a
eyes
historic moment that, he said, symbolized the province s enduring commitment to the federation
counter terror mechanism as 2nd round of talks with Afghanistan begins
ISLAMABAD/ISTANBUL S ta f f r e p o r t
A crucial second round of Pakistan–Afghanistan talks opened in Istanbul on Saturday with Islamabad pushing for the establishment of a concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism to ensure the Afghan Taliban’s compliance in curbing cross-border terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil The discussions co-facilitated by Turkiye and Qatar build on the political breakthrough achieved in Doha earlier this month (Oct 18–
19) when both sides agreed to a permanent ceasefire following days of border skirmishes, Pakistani airstrikes on Hafiz Gul Bahar group hideouts in Afghanistan and the temporary closure of bilateral trade routes Pakistan s Foreign Office
Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, in his maiden media briefing on Friday, said Islamabad was entering the Istanbul round with “the same sincerity of intent” shown in Doha but now sought a verifiable framework to prevent further violence
Afridi demands Rs550b
PESHAWAR S ta f f r e p o r t
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday demanded that the federal government immediately convene a meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC), claiming that the Centre owed the province Rs550 billion in overdue funds
Addressing a large jirga in the province s Khyber district the chief minister said the province
had borne the brunt of Pakistan s prolonged battle against terrorism and would no longer accept decisions taken “behind closed doors” without provincial consultation
“After 9/11 Pakistan entered a foreign war without our consent Our homes markets and mosques were destroyed yet we gave sacrifices for Pakistan, Afridi told participants “We were made scapegoats then, and we will not allow that to happen again ” Afridi warned that any new
Pakistan looks forward to the establishment of a concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism to address the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil and prevent any further loss of life of Pakistanis ” Andrabi said According to Afghan interim government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid the Afghan delegation is led by Mullah ahmatullah Najeeb, deputy minister of interior He confirmed the delegation departed Kabul for Istanbul on Friday night saying the remaining issues with Pakistan will be discussed in this round
military operation in the province s tribal districts would face strong resistance from local communities He said the people of KP stood with the state in maintaining peace but would “never support collateral damage If any innocent life is lost this time, there will be accountability, he said, urging that all future security and development decisions regarding the tribal belt must involve the provincial government and elected parliamentarians
TNepra fines Lesco Rs25m over rise in power losses, poor recover y per formance
Regulator says lesco failed to meet
Govt defers decision on tighter vehicle import rules under personal baggage amid stakeholders’ concerns
The federal government has deferred the approval of proposed amendments to tighten the procedures for importing vehicles under the personal baggage, transfer of residence, and gift schemes
reduce transmission and distribution (T&D) losses and improve recovery performance during fiscal year 2023–24 compared to the previous year According to Nepra the penalty follows a review of the Circular Debt Report for June 2024 submitted by the Central Power Purchasing Agency–Guarantee (CPPA-G) The report showed that overall electricity purchases by distribution companies (DISCOs) fell by 1 percent to 115 142 gigawatthours (GWh) in FY24 while losses increased to 18 31 percent from 16 84 percent a year earlier The regulator noted that DISCOs collectively breached the allowed T&D loss target of 11 77 percent by 6 54 percent, contributing around Rs276 billion to the circular debt during FY24 This was despite an approved investment allocation of Rs163 1 billion for network improvement Lesco was identified as a key contributor to the overall increase in system losses Its T&D losses rose to 15 92 percent in FY24 from 11 88 percent in FY23, pushing financial losses to Rs47 6 billion from Rs25 8 billion the previous year During the hearing, Lesco admitted to overbilling consumers in violation of the Nepra Consumer Service Manual The company said its officers were unable to focus on operational performance because of ongoing inquiries by law enforcement agencies into excessive billing practices Nepra said this admission confirmed the allegations outlined in its show-cause notice
Pakistan-Afghanistan
trade suspended amid border securit y concerns
fBR says customs staff on standby to resume clearance once situation normalises
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) announced on Friday that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has
According to reports the decision was made after the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Friday raised concerns over the harshness of the measures which some stakeholders believed could effectively halt all vehicle imports
The Ministry of Commerce had submitted a summary to amend the current vehicle import procedures, but the ECC postponed its approval due to differing opinions among stakeholders There were concerns that the proposed changes could lead to unintended consequences and disrupt imports
The commerce ministry had recommended restricting vehicle imports to those from the country where the sender resides However, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) opposed this proposal, citing that most people live in countries with left-hand-drive vehicles making the suggestion unfeasible
Another point of contention was the Ministry of Industries proposal to abolish both the gift and baggage
The most stringent proposed measure was raising the minimum stay abroad for eligibility from 180 days to 850 days for all
SBP expec ted to maintain status quo on polic y rate due to concerns over spiraling inflation: repor t
in the food supply chain while managing the country s import bills, the research firm said Despite recent spikes in food prices AKD Research expects inflation to remain at the lower end of the SBP s target range of 5–7% The firm attributes this stability to a strong currency, lower global com-
evated real interest rates, a positive current account surplus, foreign exchange reserves that cover 2 7 months of imports and credit rating improvements from global agencies However, the firm revised its previous forecast for a 150-basis point (bps) rate cut, moving the expectation from December 2025 to June 2026
Inflation is expected to ease from the peak of 5 6% year-on-year recorded in September 2025 with some residual pressure towards the end of the year We foresee inflation remaining at the lower end of the SBP’s medium-term target range of 5–7% in FY26 supported by moderation in the Food Transport and Housing indices the report added Food prices, in particular, are expected to normalize, with the impact of the recent floods anticipated to be less severe compared to previous episodes thanks to stricter regulation of retail market prices
AKD Research pointed to subdued oil and commodity prices as a key factor in offsetting potential declines in rice exports which would help keep inflationary pressures under control
“Subdued oil and other commodity prices would help offset any potential drop in rice exports thereby keeping persistent inflationary pressures at bay it said
The report also highlights that a strong currency will help mitigate persistent inflationary pressures We expect the currency to remain strong supported by strong workers remittance inflows, lower interest payments, adequate foreign exchange buffers and renewed access to international markets following credit rating upgrades it stated Structural improvements in the foreign exchange market and better governance are also expected to outweigh the effects of reduced subsidies
FBR CONSIDERS VIDEO ANALYTICS SYSTEM AS SUPPLEMENTARY
REPORT
TPunjab launches ‘S urrender of Illegal Arms Ac t 2025,’ offers 15- day amnesty for unlicensed weapons
Counter Crime Department (CCD) Sohail Zafar Chattha also attended the briefing Dr Anwar stressed that the law represents a major step towards ensuring law and order declaring “Every citizen must surrender illegal arms within 15 days After that strict action will be taken without discrimination Those keeping weapons for personal reasons or out of enmity will not be spared In addition to the amnesty, Dr Anwar revealed plans to reverify and audit over one million licensed firearms across Punjab to ensure transparency He noted that operations to inspect and scrutinize weapons would soon begin with a particular focus on eliminating the dalaa culture the public display and misuse of firearms
PM c alls for unity, brotherhood, and shared sacrifice to drive national progress
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
“Balochistan has always taken pride in its traditions and hospitality ” he noted The Baloch people are known for their generosity and for embracing those who have settled in the province over generations including Punjabis and other communities living in harmony and peace ” Highlighting Balochistan’s unique geography the prime minister observed that its sparse and scattered population made infrastructure development particularly challenging “Without proper road networks, mobility becomes a major obstacle,” he remarked He cited the example of the Karachi–Chaman highway which residents grimly refer to as the bloody road due to frequent accidents and casualties Transforming this deadly route into a safe and modern corridor,” he said, “will cost around Rs350 billion ”
when petrol prices were reduced,
road s construction When I made that decision my only objective was to promote national harmony, affection, and
Turning to the security situation the prime minister said terrorism had been eliminated by 2018 but unfortunately resurfaced in recent years an issue that required serious answers and renewed resolve
He reaffirmed that peace, unity, and equitable development were inseparable goals and that the federal government would continue prioritizing Balochistan s uplift infrastructure connectivity and integration into national progress Balochistan s progress is Pakistan’s progress,” the prime minister concluded urging all stakeholders to work with sincerity empathy and shared purpose to build a stronger and more united nation
Flood-driven inflation
THE Sensitive Price Index shows a 5 03 percent increase year-on-year over the prices last year The SPI has gone up for 12 consecutive weeks now, with the present increase being 0 22 percent more than last week’s level There has been an increase in the prices of tomatoes onions and potatoes which is a clear indication of the floods having created this though the effect has probably been increased by the closure of the border with Afghanistan Then there has been the increase in the price of sugar, which is now retailing at between Rs 180 and Rs 200 per kg However, with the floods it is apparently a case of winning on the swings what one has lost on the roundabouts because they have allowed higher targets to be set for Rabi crops
This is because the storages have been filled by the rains, and the provinces have been allocated 33 814 million acre feet for the coming Rabi Also factored in is the fact that a support price of Rs 3500 per maund has been set by the Punjab in a reversal of the previous decision abolishing the support price As a result the Federal Committee on Agriculture set a wheat production target of 29 68 million tons, roughly the same as achieved last year, but less than the record of 31 6 million tons, achieved the year before that Committee also set targets for gram, potato, onion and tomato crops, against high but not record levels
The effects of the floods were visible not so much in the yields of kharif crops as in the areas sowed While rice and mungbean registered increases in production of 2 7 percent and 1 2 percent respectively, their cropped area was up 21 9 percent and 22 9 percent respectively Sugarcane, however, showed an increase of 5 5 percent in area and 5 9 percent in production indicating an increase in productivity This indicates that the decision last year to export sugar was basically meant to benefit the millers The only reason the crops, which includes rice, the country s secondary staple, produced beyond last year was because of a large increase in cropped area If the floods had not caused losses, yields would probably have been better As it is one of the long-known benefits of flooding is the depositing of silt which means a renewal of the land
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
Niazi
ANetflix series, The Diplomat has a line that, it might be dangerous to be America s enemy, but to be its friend its fatal ” This could well have been written about Pakistan Few relations in modern geopolitics embody this paradox more explicitly than Pakistan s with Washington The Pakistan- USA relationship used to be an aid fueled relationship, and Islamabad danced between dependence and disillusionment with Washington as if it was a partnership that thrives during crisis and fades in calm But now as the new political events being unfold in the world followed by new global alignments and the emergence of new economic realities Pakistan got a chance to redefine itself as a strategic and material partner to the USA rather than a needy ally Pakistan took the
old security baggage In an era of rethinking supply chains and energy routes the geography would instantly be converted into a potential corridor of cooperation which was once a curse for conflicts Two sizzling questions arises here, one is, what if it’s another phase of transnationalism masquerading as
policy consistency, and strategic patience If Pakistan plays its cards wisely, it may finally rewrite the decades-old script, no longer the girlfriend for the USA’s rainy days, but a partner for clear skies
must grow from the soil of cooperation among provinces the private sector and the people themselves The private sector ’s hesitancy must give way to participation Incentives for export-oriented industries renewable energy partnerships, and digital ventures can bring entrepreneurs into the fold Pakistan s innovators must see CPEC not as China’s project in Pakistan, but Pakistan’s opportunity with China And while we look inward we must not lose sight of the horizon CPEC s true genius lies in its outward reach linking Gwadar to Central Asia through energy routes to the Middle East through maritime trade, and eventually to Africa through new export pathways It is a map not just of geography, but of possibility one that can redraw Pakistan’s global identity from being a security state to a commerce state from a gateway of crises to a gateway of connectivity Of course none of this will come easy Institutional silos remain stubborn, project delays remain routine, and political short-termism continues to erode investor confidence The debt overhang with CPEC-related obligations possibly adding $40 billion to external liabilities is a shadow we
Where peace feels foreign
from marble halls in Islamabad It
economic story The fusion of its five corridors with Vision 2050 s five E s is not bureaucratic jargon it is the synthesis that could lift Pakistan from stagnation to self-sufficiency If pursued with focus, transparency, and courage, this integration could propel Pakistan toward 7% sustained growth,
Sowaiba MaHMood
US, CHINA RACE TO EASE TENSIONS AHEAD OF TRUMP-XI MAL AYSIA TALKS
Over
60 UN members sign cybercrime treat y opposed by rights groups
strengthen international cooperation to fight digital crimes from child pornography to transnational cyberscams and money laundering More than 60 countries were seen to sign the declaration on Saturday, which means it will go into force once ratified by those states UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described the signing as an “important milestone ” but that it was “only the beginning ” “Every day sophisticated scams destroy families steal migrants and drain billions of dollars from our economy We need a strong connected global response, he said at the opening ceremony in Vietnam s capital on Saturday
The UN Convention against Cybercrime was first proposed by Russian diplomats in 2017, and approved by consensus last year after lengthy negotiations
Critics say its broad language could lead to abuses of power and enable the cross-border repression of government critics
Ukraine, Russia, US close to ‘solution’ on conflic t, says Putin envoy WASHINGTON ag e n c e S Russia, the United States and Ukraine are close to securing a diplomatic solution to end the conflict in Ukraine
That’s the view of Kirill Dmitriev Russian President Vladimir Putin s special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, speaking after arriving in Washington for talks with US officials Dmitriev said that a meeting between Donald Trump and Putin had not been canceled as the US president described it, and that the two leaders would likely meet at a later date The planned summit was put on hold on Tuesday as Russia s rejection of an immediate ceasefire cast a cloud over attempts
SAUDI, KUWAITI INVESTORS IN K-ELECTRIC SERVE $2B DISPUTE NOTICE TO PAKISTAN GOVT: REPORT
g SAUDIA’S AL JOMAIH GROUP, KUWAIT’S DENHAM INVESTMENTS ALLEGE INVESTMENT RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, WARN OF POSSIBLE ARBITRATION UNDER OIC INVESTMENT ACCORD
Pakistan, Iran explore blue economy initiatives with focus on
connectivit
y, maritime trade
need to strengthen regional connectivity to boost trade, investment, and people-to-people relations They discussed initiatives to improve maritime trade, port infrastructure, and logistical routes that link the two countries by sea land and rail Minister Chaudhry proposed launching a ferry service between Pakistan and Iran to provide an affordable and efficient
but also provide a more economical travel option for pilgrims, said Chaudhry In 2025, around 60,000 to 70,000 Pakistani pilgrims attended Arbaeen by air; the ferry service could increase those numbers several times ” Chaudhry also shared plans to implement a centralized pilgrim management policy starting in 2025 which would require all pilgrims to travel through registered tour operators for improved safety and coordination Minister Sadegh welcomed the proposal, recognizing the potential of both countries ports as key economic assets She emphasized the shared commitment to enhancing port-to-port cooperation and exploring new trade routes through the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf Our ports are the financial strength of our economies, she stated By improving maritime and transport connectivity, we can unlock new opportunities for regional trade and economic growth ” Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties in the maritime and transport sectors focusing on the blue economy to drive greater cooperation between Pakistan and Iran
Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif
Chaudhry held an interactive session with teachers and students from various universities and seminaries in Mardan on Saturday Participants included representatives from Abdul Wali Khan University Women University University of Engineering and Technology and several madaris (religious seminaries)
During the session, Lt Gen Chaudhry discussed several key topics, including Operation Marg Bar Kharij, recent PakistanAfghanistan tensions and the overall security situation in the region
He emphasised that Pakistan has taken effective measures against terrorism and extremist elements adding that in the face of any aggression from the enemy the Pakistan Army and the nation will stand together as an unbreakable wall
On this occasion students and teachers paid rich tribute to the country s martyrs and heroes
The teachers remarked that the ISPR DG s address had cleared many misconceptions about the Pakistan Armed Forces, saying the nation deeply values the army’s role in peacebuilding and national development
The students stated that the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army for the nation s security and stability They said they now better understand how hostile elements use social media to spread propaganda against Pakistan and its forces
The students further added that the Pakistan Army has made immense sacrifices to protect the nation, and it is now their duty to stand firmly beside the armed forces in defence of the country
FIA arrests 21, including ser ving officials, for embezzlement
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has uncovered a major corruption network targeting the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) arresting 21 suspects including three serving BISP officials, on charges of fund embezzlement and bribery, according to a news report
The arrests followed a raid on the BISP Center at Nagori Hall in Mirpurkhas Sindh The detained individuals include 18 alleged subagents and three BISP employees Preliminary investigations reveal
and briber y in BISP funds
a systematic exploitation scheme aimed at defrauding vulnerable BISP recipients
The suspects were reportedly using electronic devices registered in the names of legitimate beneficiaries to process payments unlawfully deducting between PKR 1 500 to PKR 2 000 per beneficiary These funds were then distributed as bribes among BISP officials and franchise owners involved in the scam
Recipients who resisted or failed to comply with the deductions faced severe penalties including the blocking of their beneficiary IDs
During the raid FIA recovered substantial evidence including PKR 2 53 million in cash nine electronic devices and several tools such as silicone thumb impression moulds and a glue gun machine, which were used to facilitate the fraudulent transactions A formal case has been registered and further investigations are ongoing The FIA expects more arrests as the probe expands, with the agency identifying additional leads from the detained suspects that may uncover further corruption within the BISP framework
QUETTA s ta f f C o r r e s p o n D e n t
Most parts of Balochistan are facing a severe water crisis with groundwater levels in Quetta and several other districts dropping at an alarming rate The provincial capital Quetta and its surrounding areas including Mastung, Pishin, Kharan, Nushki, Qila Abdullah, and
remarks on the Kashmir dispute prompted a response from his Indian counterpart Parvathaneni Harish who claimed the disputed territory was an integral part of India Pakistan s Gul Qaiser Sarwani,
Chagai are currently experiencing acute water shortages Experts report
Counsellor and Political Coordinator at its UN Mission immediately rejected the claim reaffirming that Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory Upholding multilateralism amid global challenges
Ambassador Asim Ahmad lauded the UN’s pivotal role over the past eight decades in promoting peace human rights and development saying it remained an indispensable pillar of global governance From enshrining the inalienable right of peoples to self-determination and supporting struggles against colonialism and foreign occupation, to affirming the dignity and worth of every individual the UN has left an indelible imprint across virtually every dimension of international affairs he said However he warned that amid deepening inequalities, erosion of international law, eco-
nomic fragility and mistrust among major powers the world faced new and complex threats ranging from climate change and pandemics to cyber vulnerabilities and the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence
“Yet multilateralism is under stress,” he cautioned, “at
and the premier platform to address global issues ” Call for Palestine’s just resolution Ambassador Asim Ahmad also drew attention to the prolonged suffering of the Palestinian people describing it as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a just and lasting solution
He reiterated Pakistan’s support for a twostate solution the establishment of an independent viable and contiguous State of Palestine, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, based on pre-1967 borders and in accordance with UN resolutions and international law Pakistan, he added, hoped that the TwoState Solution Conference and