DAR CONFIRMS 27TH CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND ‘ABOUT TO ARRIVE’, ASSURES ‘TRANSPARENT PROCESS’
g DEPUTY PM VOWS ROBUST DEBATE, NO ‘ HAPHAZARD ’ PA SSAGE OF BILL, SAYING GOVT CONSULTING PPP AND PROMISING TO TAKE ALL ALLIES ON BOARD
g DAR URGES TABLING OF AMENDMENT FIRST IN SENATE FOR ‘PROFESSIONAL INPUT’
g PPP TO FINALISE STANCE AFTER CEC MEETING, SAYS SHERRY REHMAN AS BILAWAL CONFIRMED GOVT APPROACHED PARTY
g DPM DAR BLAMES 2021 POLICY ON TALIBAN FOR CURRENT CROSS -BORDER TENSIONS
Rabbani warns 27th Amendment would undo 18th, threaten federal unity
ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) stalwart and former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani on Tuesday cautioned that the government s proposed constitutional changes reportedly forming part of a 27th Amendment would effectively roll back the landmark 18th Constitutional Amendment, warning that tampering with provincial autonomy could cast deep shadows over the federation The senior parliamentarian s statement came a day after the PPP confirmed that it had been approached by its coalition partner, the PML-Nled federal government, to seek support for the proposed amendment The move has drawn sharp criticism from across the political and legal spectrum with many terming it an attempt to recentralize powers devolved to provinces under the 18th Amendment
S anaullah says Constitution not ‘ final word
and balance powers Political processes never stop; debate and discussion on different issues are essential features of democracy,” he remarked
Four Indian-sponsored terrorists eliminated in Kalat IBO: ISPR
KALAT S ta f f R e p o R t The security forces personnel eliminated four Indiansponsored terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan in an operation in Balochistan s Kalat District, according to the military s media wing on Tuesday In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said “On the night of 1 November 2025 the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Kalat District on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists location, and resultantly, four Indiansponsored terrorists were sent to hell ” The statement said that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities
Sanitization operations were being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area as the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by the security forces and law-enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and -supported terrorism from the country, the ISPR said A day earlier, three Khwarij terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna Al-Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province Movement of a group of Khwarij opposite the general area of Esham in the North Waziristan District who were trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was picked up by the security forces Own troops effectively engaged this group of Khwarij
tarar
says ptI founder ’s false claims against pM Shehbaz ‘fully exposed’ in cour t
LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday said that the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had built his politics on “falsehood and slander reiterating that the false allegations levelled against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Rs10 billion defamation case had been completely exposed in court Talking to the media after recording his statement as a witness in the defamation suit filed by the Prime Minister, Tarar said that all evidence had been submit-
ted before the court and significant progress had been achieved in the proceedings “We are hopeful that justice will soon be served he remarked The minister recalled that the defamation suit was instituted in July 2017, but the PTI founder ’s legal team had sought 120 adjournments to delay the trial Even today their lawyer was absent They have neither any evidence nor any argument left to offer, he stated Praising Shehbaz Sharif ’s decades-long public service, Tarar said the Prime Minister had been part of both the National and Provincial Assemblies since 1988
served three terms as Chief Minister of Punjab and twice as Prime Minister dedicating his entire life to national progress Referring to a foreign individual involved in the same smear campaign later discredited by a London court the minister said the person even provided a social media platform to terrorist Ehsanullah Ehsan which he termed a disgraceful act no civilized nation would tolerate On local government elections, Tarar reaffirmed the government s commitment to timely polls and local empowerment, while on the 27th Constitutional Amendment he said consultations were continuing to strengthen judicial institutions
ptI lawmakers move LHC against punjab Loc al govt Ac t 2025
LAHORE
S ta f f R e p o R t
Lawmakers of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday challenged key provisions of the recently enacted Punjab Local Government Act (PLGA) 2025 in the Lahore High Court (LHC), terming them unconstitutional and an assault on democratic rights The petition filed by Opposition Leader Muhammad Moeenuddin Riaz Hafiz
DOHA
President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday warned that India s violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and attempts to weaponise water would not succeed describing them as an existential threat to Pakistan s people and regional stability
Addressing the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha Qatar Zardari said that Pakistan was simultaneously confronting the devastating consequences of climate change and an emerging challenge in the form of India s unilateral actions over water
“On one hand, we face the brunt of climate change which has caused immense suffering for our people through large-scale floods the president said On the other we are being threatened from across the border with a new danger, the weaponisation
challenge to the design of Indian hydropower projects
Farhat Abbas and Ali Imtiaz argues that several sections of the new law passed by the Punjab Assembly last month amid opposition protests, violate fundamental rights and constitutional guarantees The Punjab government has been named as the respondent, while Justice Sultan Tanvir will hear the case according to counsel Abuzar Salman Niazi The petition challenges Sections 15 32 25 40 55 56 and 57 of the Act declaring them unconstitutional, unreasonable, and illegitimate It asserts that these provisions brazenly contravene Articles 8 9 17 32 and 140-A of the Constitution which safeguard fundamental rights, freedom of association, and the establishment of empowered local governments “The PLGA 2025 is a restrictive law designed to curtail the powers of elected representatives and undermine the political process the petition states arguing that the Act s provision for nonparty-based elections limits political choice and weakens democracy It adds that this arrangement violates freedom of association disenfranchises citizens and fosters alienation
on rivers allocated to Pakistan under the IWT The tribunal concluded that the treaty does not permit India to generate hydroelectric power on the Western Rivers based on its own engineering preferences Instead India must “strictly adhere” to the specifications detailed in the treaty and let flow the waters for Pakistan s unrestricted use Signed in 1960 with the World Bank as guarantor, the IWT divided six rivers of the Indus Basin between the two neighbours granting Pakistan control of the western rivers (Indus Jhelum and Chenab) and India control of the
At the summit, the president also reaffirmed Pakistan s commitment to inclusive development, social justice and global solidarity He endorsed the Doha Political Declaration saying its principles aligned with Pakistan s development vision Pakistan remains steadfast in placing
Pakistan’s banking sector exceeds agricultural loan target, disburses Rs2.58 trillion in FY25 F
for
crease from Rs875 billion the previous year The number of active borrowers grew by 7 3%, reaching 2 9 million
agricultural credit distribution with
Rs2,045 1 billion, 103 6% of its ACEP+ target Sindh followed with Rs453 4 billion (93 1% of target) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received Rs55 2 billion (68 9% of target) Other regions including Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, received a combined Rs23 6 billion Five major commercial banks provided Rs1 442 3 billion meeting 108% of their target Specialized banks like Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd and Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank Ltd disbursed Rs85 6 billion, achieving 81% and 119% of their targets, respectively Microfinance banks and institutions also contributed disbursing Rs252 3 billion and Rs30 billion respectively
SECTOR-SPECIFIC FINANCING: The farm and crop sector received Rs1,443 8 billion, representing 56% of total disbursements, a 19 3% increase from the previous year The non-farm sector including livestock poultry and agri-services received Rs1 113 4 billion or 44% of total disbursements reflecting a 12 8% year-on-year increase S
AND FUTURE PLANS: SBP, in collaboration with federal and provincial
governments, launched several initiatives to further support agricultural financing The Risk Coverage Scheme for Small Farmers and Underserved Areas offers up to 10% first-loss coverage to banks, aiming to generate Rs100 billion in new loans annually and bring 250,000 new farmers into the formal credit system each year The National Subsistence Farmers Support Initiative provides digital collateral-free financing to smallholders while the Prime Minister s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme (PMYB&ALS) achieved 100% of its target in its first two phases, disbursing Rs32 billion through 20 partner institutions by June 2025 The FY26 allocation for PMYB&ALS has been raised to Rs65 billion Additionally, the Electronic Warehouse Receipt Financing (EWRF) system, which allows farmers to secure loans against stored commodities in accredited warehouses disbursed Rs1 996 billion in FY25 bringing total financing through the scheme to over Rs10 billion since its launch in 2022
These efforts continue to enhance access to agricultural finance, promote rural development, and foster economic growth in Pakistan’s agricultural sector
a total of 4 437 million bales a modest 3% increase from the same period last year This increase follows a robust early season performance, with cotton arrivals up 49% year-on-year by September 30 However from October 16 to 31 the volume of cotton arrivals dropped by 46% compared to the previous year
The slowdown in arrivals during the latter part of October has raised concerns about
the overall cotton output for the season with experts warning that total production may fall well below last year s levels This could force textile mills to import more cotton to meet export orders
During the period under review textile mills purchased 3 59 million bales, while exporters bought 153,000 bales Approximately 694,000 bales remain unsold In terms of regional production, Punjab’s ginning units received 1 909 million bales up 4% from the previous year while Sindh s factories received 2 528 million bales an increase of 3% The early season growth in cotton production was attributed to high temperatures and early sowing in Punjab, which helped bring in the cotton harvest earlier than usual However the significant late-season decline has undermined initial optimism for a recovery in cotton output
Experts are increasingly concerned
about rising import dependence with mills potentially turning to more expensive U S cotton due to uncertainties surrounding Brazilian supplies and difficulties with Afghan imports caused by border instability
Furthermore there is growing concern over weak enforcement of crop zoning laws, particularly the lack of restrictions on sugarcane farming in cotton zones, which may hinder government-backed efforts to revive the industry The closure of HVI testing laboratories has also limited local ginners access to critical services
Adding to the uncertainty discrepancies between the PCGA and Crop Reporting Service (CRS) Punjab figures have raised concerns, with the PCGA reporting 1 909 million bales for Punjab by October 31 while the CRS estimates 3 5 million bales This gap could lead to inaccuracies in policy and market planning, according to industry observers
Finance minister calls blue economy a game changer, targets $100b in revenue by 2047
PR OFIT
n e w s D e s k
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has described the blue economy as a game changer for Pakistan’s future growth underscoring its potential to reach $100 billion by 2047 and reaffirming the government s commitment to policy continuity, investment facilitation, and sustainable maritime development
He made these remarks on Monday while addressing virtually as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference (PIMEC) organised at the Expo Centre Karachi by the Pakistan Navy and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs Senator Aurangzeb said that the maritime sector currently contributes only around 0 4 to 0 5% to the national GDP – approximately
$1 billion – but holds vast potential for expansion He endorsed the Ministry of Maritime Affairs’ vision of developing this into a $100 billion blue economy by 2047 coinciding with Pakistan s 100th anniversary and the broader national ambition of becoming a $3 trillion economy He described this goal as both ambitious and achievable, supported by a clear and robust roadmap The minister underlined the importance of enhancing fisheries and aquaculture through value-added processing, modern cold-chain logistics and international-standard hygiene practices He expressed confidence that Pakistan’s seafood exports currently around $500 million could feasibly increase to $2 billion within the next three to four years under the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, which has been developed in strategic partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) He assured
that the government remains firmly committed to ensuring policy consistency and continuity to see such initiatives through their full cycle Muhammad Aurangzeb further emphasised the modernisation and digitisation of port operations at Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar, aligning them with global best practices to strengthen regional trade connectivity He also highlighted the potential of renewable energy projects including tidal and offshore wind generation and the need to explore innovative financing mechanisms such as blue bonds and blended financing to fund sustainable development and conservation initiatives He added that marine biotechnology and regional collaboration present further avenues for growth, with the ultimate objective of integrating blue economy principles into Pakistan’s national economic transformation agenda
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry met with Romanian Ambassador Dr Dan Stoenescu to explore closer cooperation between Karachi Port and Romania’s Port of Constanta The discussions centered on enhancing logistics integration improving trade facilitation and boosting regional connectivity Rear Admiral Atiq-ur-Rehman Acting Chairman of Karachi Port Trust, also participated in the meeting Minister Chaudhry emphasized Pakistan’s vision to play a larger role in global maritime trade by strengthening connections with key regions such as the Middle East
Central Asia Eastern Europe and Africa He highlighted the potential of linking Pakistan s ports with the Port of Constanta to unlock access to European markets and enhance the country’s blue economy Chaudhry shared plans for the expansion of Pakistan s port infrastructure noting that the country s operational ports are expected to increase to six in the coming years, with existing ports reaching full capacity before 2047 He emphasized the importance of upgrading maritime infrastructure to position Pakistan as a leading industrial and trade hub The two sides also discussed collaborative initiatives in maritime safety, port operations, environmental management and digital logistics agreeing to explore training
and exchange programs for capacity building Minister Chaudhry stressed that developing a skilled workforce to manage next-generation port systems was crucial for Pakistan’s modernization Ambassador Stoenescu praised the quality of Pakistani exports particularly in sports goods surgical instruments and agricultural products He expressed Romania s interest in importing these items and reiterated Romania’s commitment to strengthening bilateral economic and diplomatic relations Stoenescu also highlighted maritime cooperation as a practical approach to enhancing regional integration and fostering shared prosperity The talks further covered opportunities
With retail payments reaching Rs 612 trillion, digitization is moving ahead
H
ITn the days before the election for mayor of new York City, a group of rabbis issued a “A Call to Action” attacking public figures like Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani whom they say refuse to condemn violent slogans deny Israel s legitimacy and accuse the Jewish state of genocide The rabbis letter then leaps to the unfounded conclusion that Mamdani s support for Palestinian human rights and his critique of Israeli behaviour is acting to “delegitimize the Jewish community and encouraging and exacerbating hostility toward Judaism and Jews
TIn addition to this logical fallacy there is an inherent danger in conflating Israel with the religion of Judaism and, by extension, conflating criticism of Israel or Political Zionism with antisemitism This matter has long been a subject of debate, in particular, within the Jewish community During the late 19th and early 20th centuries as the idea of Zionism was being debated by European Jews there were competing currents of thought even amongst those who agreed that the Jewish people had a connection with the biblical land of Israel Some saw the connection as spiritual; others had a more secular cultural bond While some in these two camps sought a partnership with the Arabs who inhabited the land the view that came to dominate the new movement advocated instead for an exclusive Jewish state in Palestine It was called Political Zionism and, tying itself to British colonial ambitions in the Middle East, this movement described the Arabs of Palestine in the same way the British defined those whom they subjugated in other lands objects of contempt who were undeserving of rights In the early 1920s a British journalist reported witnessing a group of European Jews carrying flags bearing the Star of David marching through the streets of Jerusalem chanting Jerusalem is ours, and We want a Jewish State ” The journalist observed that
Jerusalem’s inhabitants Christians Muslims and Jews were mostly befuddled The flag with the star was foreign to them as were the slogans Arabs who objected to the march were accused of attacking Judaism because the flags included a Star of David They were not They were objecting to the European Jews claim that Jerusalem was theirs, as well as the marchers’ stated goal of ignoring Arab rights and supplanting them with a colonialist-supported foreign state As the British designs on Palestine and their pledge to the Political Zionist movement became known, the Arabs of Palestine came to understand the portent of that early Jerusalem march During the next three decades, a bloody conflict unfolded While American Jews had some sympathy for their co-religionists in Palestine the majority did not embrace Zionism or Israel as their self-identity This was true even after the 1948 War and Israel s Declaration of Independence In the 1960s, several factors combined to make a change in American Jewish attitudes toward Israel: the USA was in the midst of the Cold War; the McCarthyite anti-communist surge that was tinged with antisemitism; and the anti-Vietnam war and the civil rights movements that combined to challenge the American identity In this context the successful 1960s hasbara film, The Exodus and Israel s victory in the 1967 war played significant roles in moving American Jews to demonstrate greater affinity with Israel But affinity and financial support were not enough for Political Zionists They continued to push the notion that Zionism and Judaism were the same In the 1970s leaders of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) a group that had long been in the vanguard of defending Jews against bigotry, co-authored a book entitled, The New Anti-Semitism, advancing the case that because, in their view, Israel was so central to Judaism and Jewish identity being against Israel was the newest form of hatred against Jews It was decades before this dangerous conflation took hold Efforts by the powerful pro-Israel lobby to pass legislation in Congress equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism were repeatedly stymied by both Republicans and Democrats When the arena shifted to the states, the pro-Israel forces were more successful To date more than three dozen states have passed such controversial bills threatening protected speech
In the wake of the public outrage that followed Hamas s 7 October 2023 attack the ADL and its allies in government and media saw the opportunity to press hard to make the case that the student protests against Israel’s war on Gaza were threatening to the identity of Jewish Americans It didn’t matter to them the protests were against Israeli actions not Jews; nor that polls were showing that Jewish Americans were deeply divided over Is-
of the food-system a development and security issue This is to liaise the trade policy fiscal support and humanitarian planning in such a manner that neither the commercial nor the humanitarian supply lines are cut off in the case of crisis It also requires enhanced early warning systems, preparing logistics beforehand to take food to the areas of its need before hunger has reached uncontrollable levels
This problem can be solved but it will demand efforts on the part of the policymakers to stop considering the shocks as one-off incidents and reorganize the food systems to be volatile When the times are stable, efficiency will offer lower costs; when times are unstable; the resilience will save lives Supply chain strengthening protection of vulnerable households and sustenance of humanitarian finance are complementary of one another and the three together can turn what is becoming a period of growing food insecurity to a period of resilience obtained through hard work
The writer can be reached at kshaharyar999@gmail com
This problem can be solved, but it will demand effor ts on the par t of the policymakers to stop considering the shocks as one-off incidents and reorganiz e the food systems to be volatile . When the times are stable , efficiency will offer lower costs; when times are unstable; the resilience will save lives. Supply chain strengthening, protection of vulnerable households and sustenance of humanitarian finance are complementar y of one another, and the three tog ether can turn what is becoming a period of growing food insecurity to a period of resilience obtained through hard work. How we can stop teetering on the edge of disaster
AI classrooms
Faces of wor th
MuhaMMad Sheharyar Khan
The tale told by figures
great State of Pakistan happy and prosper-
ous, we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people and especially of the masses and the poor
I“dr arShad MahMOOd
want to ask a question from Mr Victor Gao said a young nUSTIAn his voice echoing across the packed auditorium during Islamabad Symposium at nUST last month
“Sir, we see China making so much progress and today it has become a great power I just want to ask can Pakistan also become a great power like China? he spoke his heart out to Victor Zhikai Gao the eminent Chinese scholar and IR expert Gao s response was concise yet profound By reaffirming that Pakistan already occupies a significant position in the international community he enunciated that it possesses immense potential to rise as a great power by virtue of its geostrategic location, abundant natural resources and a young and dynamic population
“But”, Gao added after a brief pause, “Pakistan needs to do three things, ensure internal peace and stability focus on (economic) development and make its defence strong
He summarized Pakistan s performance and potential in one sentence!
Gao s recipe of nation building is neither new nor unique Many scholars, leaders and policymakers have long been emphasizing the role of state institutions– political economic and military– in its rise and fall Robinson and Acemoglu in their joint work– Why Nations Fail– state the following three succinct reasons for a state s success and failure alike: institutions; institutions; and institutions
On 11 August 1947, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah articulated his vision for Pakistan during his historic address to the First Constituent Assembly His golden words continue to serve as doctrinal principles for building a great nation
With regard to internal peace, the Quaid emphasized: The first duty of a government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its citizens are fully protected ” On economic development he declared: If we want to make this
Whereas he reflected his political wisdom and moral clarity in these guiding words: I shall always be guided by the principles of justice and fair play Are we truly following in the footsteps of the Father of the nation? The answer lies in a comparative analysis of Pakistan relative global standing vis-à-vis its potentials– across the political economic and security paradigm
Let s first examine Pakistan s performance as a member of international community – beginning with its political ranking Various political analysts and research organizations around the globe maintain a comparative democratic index based on scores of parameters and group them in four types of democratic categories: full, flawed, hybrid and authoritarian regimes According to The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) annual democracy index published since 2007 Pakistan has never been placed in the first two categories After remaining in the hybrid category till 2022 Pakistan relegated to the last group– the authoritarian regimes Whereas it was ranked 107th among 167 states as a Hybrid Regime, Pakistan’s ranking was downgraded to 118th and 124 h position in 2023 and 2024 respectively The erosion of Islamabad s democracy index reflects weaknesses in several components like: electoral process and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning of government; political participation; and political culture now let’s discuss Pakistan’s economic health through the following indicators in 02024: GDP volume GDP growth GDP per capita trade volume infrastructure development, education system, revenue collection, inflation and control on corruption With a GDP volume of around $373 billion and GDP growth rate of 2 6 percent Pakistan is the 44 h largest economy in the
Z o h r a n M a m d a n i ’ s s u c c e s s i s a w a r n i n g
THE WASHINGTON POST
e d I TO r I a l b Oa r d
with someone they think is unqualified? no doubt
world The other indicators reflect: GDP per capita– meagre $1,391 (60 h position); trade volume – only $89 billion (with over 24 percent in trade deficit); and only 0 12 percent contribution to global export Where states allocate huge budgets on infrastructure development, Pakistan is far below in the list with just 1 9 percent of GDP on Pub0lic Sector Development Programme (PSDP) In education and technological development Pakistan is listed at 139 h position out of 153 countries (2014 data) with a literacy rate of slightly over 60 percent Where others spend 4-6 percent, Pakistan spends less than one percent of GDP on education As regards revenue collection, with its tax-to-GDP ratio at 11 6 percent, the country is at 180th /190 position Furthermore with alarming inflation at over 30 percent in 2023 Pakistan has shown improvement to near 13 percent in 2024
Finally as per Transparency International Corruption Perception Index 2024, Pakistan ranks 135 h out of 180 in the list of cleanest nations now let’s have a look at Pakistan’s security mosaic– which remains complex and multidimensional shaped by both external and internal threat perceptions
Externally, Pakistan s foremost concern is India-centric where Kashmir and other strategic issues define Pakistan’s threat perception Simultaneously, the ongoing conflict with Afghanistan has generated a two-front challenge to collectively test Pakistan s conventional and strategic equilibrium making external security a persistent concern
On the internal front, Pakistan faces a series of interlinked terrorist and sub-state challenges Periodic terrorist attacks continue to claim the lives of both security forces and civilians making the internal security environment volatile and unpredictable Three major characteristics define this internal security landscape: (1) Provincial Variation: the manifestation of threats differs from province to province and even region to region– necessitating specialized responses; (2) Multiplicity of Actors: with
multiple fronts activated simultaneously, a blend of internal and external actors– state, non-state and hybrid– shapes Pakistan’s complex security picture; and (2) Convergence of Adversarial Interests: despite differing motives foreign and local hostile entities share the single strategic goal of destabilization of Pakistan The country’s internal security presents the following picture In KP the security situation remains largely trans-national with threats linked to cross-border terrorism from Indian-sponsored groups in Afghanistan Baluchistan experiences a mix of sub-nationalist and trans-national threats, involving both foreign sponsors and local insurgent networks, aiming to exploit ethnic and economic grievances Punjab and GB face sectarian challenges– though not grown in size and intensity Though Sindh enjoys relative peace after years of unrest criminal mafias and dacoit networks in interior Sindh undermine law and order Finally, in AJK political rivalries and interests have occasionally triggered law and order disturbances adding to the broader internal security pressures Pakistan s security paradox lies in its simultaneous strength and fragility While its armed forces and nuclear deterrence ensure strategic stability, internal fissures, external hostilities, and hybrid threats keep the nation in a perpetual state of vigilance The convergence of internal insurgencies cross-border terrorism and foreign interference creates a multi-front challenge– demanding integrated civil-military coordination regional diplomacy, and socio-economic resilience
Let’s now discuss Pakistan’s potential to rise as a great power through various indicators related to the country’s political economic and security dynamics First the political signs Though Pakistan shades in the last category of democracy index, still it shows many positive signals which include: (1) despite political fragmentation all political parties share unanimity on strategic issues like the nuclear programme Kashmir policy India Afghanistan and po-
litical culture–
he is a generational political talent who has successfully used social media to mobilize voters It’s also fair to assume new Yorkers are unimpressed with what the wheezing political establishment has to offer Cuomo gained some national notoriety for his opposition to Trump during the pandemic but was forced from office amid sexual harassment allegations Eric Adams, the current Democratic mayor, dropped out after a series of corruption scandals Democrats often tell themselves and us that new York s mayoral race doesn t matter beyond the city Because Mamdani was born in Uganda, he s ineligible to seek the presidency Yet when he joined Sen Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-new York) at a massive rally in Queens last week they all made the case that their vision ought to guide the party The best indication that their side is winning the internecine war was the appearance at that rally of new York Gov Kathy Hochul (D) As governor, Hochul will need to greenlight Mamdani’s planned tax hikes It was news when the crowd chanted “tax the rich” during her speech and she replied: “Alright I can hear you Hochul claimed the next day that she thought the crowd was chanting Let s go Bills national Democrats point to their relatively moderate nominees for governor in new Jersey and Virginia as more reflective of the party’s future They’ll make their case but the Democratic Party is up for grabs now and in 2028 Even if new York isn t representative of America Mayor Mamdani would inevitably play a part in the conversation Supporters of free markets have failed to articulately make their case in new York, and Mamdani’s success is a warning to business-friendly Democrats that they’ll have to do better It s not enough to say socialism is bad; defenders of the American system have to show why people s lives are improved by economic freedom and why many American failures are often the result of government intervention rather than a free market run amok Curis Sliwa the Republican candidate in new York could have done that but instead focused on animus for Cuomo and niche issues like no-kill animal shelters The best outcome would be for Mamdani to take a cautiously incremental approach and try pilot programs for his most radical ideas instead of immediately imposing them on the entire city It seems that there are enough voters to put him in power but if new Yorkers begin to flee in droves, it could force him to moderate
In May 2023, when I attended the Palestine Festival of Literature, I had a chance to observe Palestine and be a witness to the lives of Palestinians under apartheid and settler colonialism from the state of Israel
This month for five days after being abducted by Israel from international waters with almost 500 others while attempting to break the over 18-year siege of Gaza to create a humanitarian corridor to allow foods medication and baby formula in I saw the face of the oppressor even more intimately than before From the moment of kidnapping until we were freed on the border of Palestine and Jordan, I began in a way I could never have before, to understand South Africa’s apartheid history and perhaps partial presence in all its intimacy and violence as read from witness prison testimonies like Winnie Madikizela-Mandela s 491 Days and Bongi Mkhabela s Open Earth & Black Roses
After interception, being processed at Ashdod Port and refusing to be deported by Israel my interrogator tells me I am being taken to prison
My name is called and I am led out A three-jailer party works in union with one cable-tying my hands in front, another blindfolding me and yet another cutting off the laces of my tekkies Do they think I will commit suicide with my laces? I am walked to a bus and instructed to sit next to someone I can t see I can hear voices and I want to see who is in there with me My fear that I may get hit if I look to see
CHINESE President Xi Jinping met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Tuesday in Beijing, calling for enhanced cooperation on multiple fronts and better synergy of development strategies
Xi said that since the beginning of this year China and Russia have steadfastly navigated a turbulent external environment with great composure, aiming for higher-level and higher-quality development goals He added that maintaining, consolidating and advancing bilateral relations is a strategic choice for both sides
Noting that new blueprints for bilateral ties were charted during his meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin this year, Xi said the two countries should maintain close coordination, fully implement the im-
portant common understandings reached by the two leaders, and work to expand the pie of cooperation with an eye on the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples so as to contribute more to world peace and development Both sides should steadily expand mutual investment and carry out cooperation in traditional fields such as energy, connectivity and agriculture, Xi said, adding that they should also cooperate in areas such as artificial intelligence digital economy and green development so as to create new cooperation growth points
Noting that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, which concluded last month, adopted recommendations for formulating the plan for national
mission would act as an “enforcement” rather than a peacekeeping force Washington reportedly hopes for a Security Council vote within weeks and the deployment of initial contingents by January
The resolution envisions a transitional period during which Israel would gradually pull back from parts of Gaza while the Palestinian Authority implements reforms to eventually take over governance of the enclave
borders protecting civilians and aid routes and supporting the creation of a new Palestinian police service
The proposed ISF would also be responsible for demilitarising the Gaza Strip, dismantling non-state armed groups and preventing the reconstruction of military infrastructure The force to operate under a unified command approved by a Board of Peace chaired by US President Donald Trump, would have authorisation to “use all necessary measures” in line with international law, the report said A senior US official told Axios the
The draft also calls for the Board of Peace to function as a temporary governing body supervising a non-political Palestinian administrative committee to manage day-to-day civil operations Aid delivery would be coordinated with international agencies, including the UN, Red Cross, and Red Crescent
The plan forms part of the US-brokered Gaza Peace Agreement, which led to the October 10 ceasefire following two years of conflict MUSLIM NATIONS BACKING SOUGHT
The proposal comes as foreign ministers from seven Muslim-majority nations Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the
science and technology energy agriculture and the digital economy strengthen peopleto-people exchanges and enhance multilateral coordination and cooperation
UAE Jordan Turkiye and Indonesia met in Istanbul to discuss the post-war framework for Gaza s governance and security The group expressed support for a UN-sanctioned mission to stabilise the territory Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the task force would require a clear Security Council mandate and legitimacy under international law before countries decide on troop contributions “A consensus on the draft must first be reached and it must avoid vetoes by any
Indian investigators freeze assets in Anil Ambani probe
niques of terrorism suspects that included waterboarding and sleep deprivation Others including the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the UN special rapporteur on counter terrorism and human rights, called these techniques torture His daughter Liz Cheney also became an influential Republican lawmaker serving in the House of Representatives but losing her seat after opposing Republican President Donald Trump and voting to impeach him in the wake of the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by his supporters Her father agreed with her and said he would vote for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in 2024
“In our nation’s 248-year history there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump, said the man who had long been a foe of the left Cheney was troubled much of his life by heart problems, suffering the first of a number of heart attacks at age 37 He had a heart transplant in 2012 Donald Rumsfeld the defence secretary at the time of the Iraq War took to X to express his condolences for Cheney s death Saying that Cheney had a great run , the former defence secretary wrote: “Vice President Cheney was a man of unparalleled patriotism and remarkable courage He never paled before tough decisions never flinched from responsibility and always took the necessary action to keep our country safe
TAKING ON IRAQ
Cheney and then-defence secretary
Rumsfeld who had been colleagues in the Nixon White House were key voices pushing for the March 2003 invasion of
Iraq In the run-up to the war, Cheney suggested there might be links between Iraq and Al Qaeda and the September 11 2001 attacks on the United States A commission on the 9/11 attacks later discredited this theory Cheney predicted US forces would be “greeted as liberators” in Iraq and that the troop deployment which would last around a decade would “go relatively quickly weeks rather than months Although no weapons of mass destruction were found, Cheney in later years insisted that the invasion was the right decision based on the intelligence at the time and the removal of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from power More than a decade earlier as defence secretary under President George HW Bush Cheney had directed the US military operation to expel an Iraqi occupation army from Kuwait in the first Gulf War He urged Bush senior to take an uncompromising line against Iraq after Saddam Hussein sent his troops to occupy Kuwait in August 1990 But at that point Cheney did not support an invasion of Iraq, saying the United States would have to act alone and that the situation would become a quagmire Because of Cheney’s long ties to the Bush family and experience in government George W Bush chose him to head his vice presidential search in 2000 Bush then decided the man doing the search was the best candidate for the job Upon his re-entry into politics, Cheney received a $35 million retirement package from oil services firm Halliburton which he had run from 1995 to 2000
Halliburton became a leading government contractor during the Iraq War Cheney’s oil industry links were a subject of frequent criticism by opponents of the war THE FIRST REPUBLICAN
fended enhanced interrogation tech-
CM Mar yam sets record with most development projec ts in Punjab’s histor
y: Azma
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bukhari on Tuesday said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had emerged as the first provincial chief executive to initiate and complete the highest number of development projects in Punjab s history, reflecting a new era of transparency, merit, and public service
Addressing a press conference at Alhamra Hall the minister said that unlike past governments which only made promises the current Punjab government had delivered concrete results She cited the Rs10 billion financial assistance distributed among flood victims and Rs100 billion provided to over one million farmers under the Kisan Card programme as evidence of performancedriven governance Azma Bukhari said the government had decided to brief the public
Randhawa
on 16 major welfare and development projects initiated by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to ensure that “people know where their tax money is being spent ” She added that corruption had been eliminated from provincial administration noting that
“no rates or commissions of officers are fixed anymore while the bureaucracy s performance is now monitored through KPIs to enhance service transparency
Highlighting achievements under the ‘Sathra Punjab’ initiative, she said 140 000 workers and 2 000 officers were engaged in maintaining the province s sanitation system disposing of over 9 4 million tonnes of waste, the largest cleanup operation in Punjab s history
She said Phase II of the Electric Bus Project was being launched, under which 200 new buses would be added while 1 100 electric buses would be operational in 42 cities by December
The minister described the Apna Ghar, Apna Chhat housing programme as the pride of Maryam Nawaz,” noting that 14,800 families had received housing loans 30 000 houses had been completed and 90 percent of the remaining units were in the final stages of construction
reviews steps to mitigate smog, environmental
ISLAMABAD
protection
s ta f f r e p o r t
An important meeting regarding the mitigation of smog and environmental protection in Islamabad was held on Tuesday at the CDA Headquarters chaired by Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa The meeting was attended by environmental and forest expert Rizwan Mehboob, Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon along with other senior officers The Chief Conservator of the Sindh Forest Department and their team also participated via Zoom link During the meeting several measures were decided to address smog mitigation, eliminate air pollution, and ensure environmental protection in Islamabad Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that, in line with the direction of Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi combating smog reducing air pollution and environmental protection are among our top priorities He emphasized the need to adopt a comprehensive strategy for smog control and ensure the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
PSO Inaugurates
(PSO), recently
with the inauguration of
Village Sher Muhammad Babbar in Dadu Sindh Guided by PSO s corporate values of caring and giving the Trust is dedicated to making a positive impact and driving sustainable development in underserved communities The PSO CSR Trust has provided safe and dignified homes to 101 flood-affected families
by PSO officials and representatives from HANDS the NGO partner highlighting the power of collaboration in driving positive change Through initiatives like the PSO Model Village PSO reaffirms its commitment to creating lasting impact and building a brighter future for all, demonstrating its dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by adversity
Abdul Aleem Khan, Saudi Minister agree to expand cooperation in infrastructure, transpor t
Int ’l M aritime Conference ’25 opens in K arachi to explore Blue Economy potential
as a cornerstone of national development
He emphasized the importance of fostering public-private partnerships, modernizing port infrastructure, and enhancing regional maritime trade to strengthen Pakistan’s economic resilience
under the auspices of Pakistan Navy in collaboration with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs the conference brings together policymakers naval professionals industry leaders and maritime experts from around the world to discuss issues of global maritime significance Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb graced the inaugural ceremony as the Chief Guest In his address the Minister underscored the vital role of the maritime sector in Pakistan s economic revival and sustainable growth He reaffirmed government s commitment to harnessing the immense potential of the Blue Economy
Earlier President (Designate) NIMA Rear Admiral Javaid Iqbal (R) warmly welcomed the distinguished delegates and participants He highlighted the significance of such forums in shaping maritime policy and providing valuable input for the government’s strategic planning and policy formulation
The day s proceedings featured insightful addresses and presentations by Senior Naval Officials, scholars, and maritime strategists
The discussions revolved around the theme of the conference “Harnessing Blue Economy Potential for Sustainable Development exploring opportunities in maritime security ocean resource management, technological innovation, and collaborative frameworks for sustainable ocean governance The two-day conference will continue with thematic sessions expert panels and policy discussions aimed at advancing maritime cooperation promoting regional connectivity and
and investment collaborations as well as explore new areas of connectivity and defence
The visit follows the two leaders last interaction in September this year on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding multifaceted ties, including cooperation in the energy sector and joint ventures under public–private partnerships Sources further disclosed that President Ilham Aliyev
has not stopped workers from coming to Adiala ” she said “He only advised that the focus should remain on legal and constitutional struggle rather than street agitation
Dr Uzma Khan quoted the PTI founder as saying there was no question” of negotiating with the “Form-47 government ” accusing those in power of having no political mandate She added that Imran Khan had criticized what he described as the concentration of decision-making power in a single individual who, according to him, had overseen “cruel and unjust treatment” of political opponents and detainees
“The founder made it clear that he will not negotiate with the current setup or the establishment Uzma said All political communication if any will be through Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas She said Imran Khan had expressed deep concern over the deteriorating political and judicial environment and called upon party members to intensify efforts within constitutional boundaries to ensure the independence of institutions and justice for political prisoners The PTI founder also acknowl-
Toshakhana-II case He
edged and praised the steadfastness of senior leader and cancer patient Dr Yasmin Rashid who remains imprisoned Even in her condition she refuses to abandon the movement this is a testament to her courage and faith, Aleema quoted him as saying Khan also reaffirmed his trust in senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja assigning him the responsibility to coordinate legal and political matters and convey all official directives on behalf of the party All communication with the party will be handled through Salman Raja,” Uzma added The PTI leadership said the founder remains focused on legal recourse and political perseverance rather than backchannel dialogue He said Pakistan s political struggle must remain democratic, peaceful, and anchored in the