PAKISTAN OPTIMISTIC AHEAD OF NOV 6 TALKS AS KABUL ‘CONCEDES’ TTP PRESENCE, SAYS FO
g ISLAMABAD CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC A S FRESH ROUND OF PAK-AFGHAN TALKS BEGINS ON NOV 6 IN ISTANBUL
g FO SPOKESPERSON SAYS AFGHAN AUTHORITIES OFFERED ‘ VARIOUS JUSTIFICATIONS ’ FOR NOT ACTING AGAINST TERRORISTS
Hussain Andrabi said the acknowledgment by Kabul marked a critical development in the ongoing discussions “The Afghan Taliban government has acknowledged the presence of TTP and other
organizations, he said Afghan authorities have given various justifications for not taking action against these organisations but their presence reinforces Pakistan’s security concerns ” The FO spokesperson underscored that Pakistan s engagement with Kabul over the past four years had been consistent and professional, even amid deteriorating security conditions and escalating tensions along the border “We are not extremely optimistic but maintaining optimism in diplomacy is a professional requirement he added
CHITRAL/ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed the federal government s firm commitment to support the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government in restoring peace defeating terrorism, and accelerating socio-economic development across the province, particularly in its remote districts like Chitral
Addressing a large public gathering in district Chitral the prime minister congratulated Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on his election and assured him of the Centre s full cooperation in combating terrorism and maintaining peace “I hope he will accept my offer, and together we will work for the development and prosperity of the country he said The Prime Minister announced a comprehensive development package for Chitral, covering the education, health, and energy sectors The projects include
g STRESSES ISLAMABAD ’S COMMITMENT TO DIPLOMACY, SAYS OPTIMISM IS ‘A PROFESSIONAL NECESSITY ’
had not received payment creating a severe liquidity crunch for the sector Industrialists are struggling to meet operational costs and import raw materials, which is disrupting production cycles, Rehan said, adding that prolonged non-payment could jeopardize the entire industry’s sustainability He said the PVMA had repeatedly raised the issue with the finance industries and commerce ministries but no practical steps had been taken The delay in payments is eroding business confidence and damaging the government s credibility, he added Rehan urged Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries Haroon Akhtar Khan to personally intervene initiate an inquiry and ensure immediate disbursement of the dues He stressed that the ghee and cooking oil sector plays a vital role in food security and employment generation, and timely government payments are essential to support its
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) will hold a public hearing on November 6 to review and revise Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) prices set over the past decade following litigation and protests by industrial and CNG consumers against retrospective billing worth Rs150 billion, Dawn reported Officials said the hearing will “actualise” RLNG prices from April 2015 onward, after the regulator issued provisional monthly tariffs to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) without public consultation
The move follows court directions and rising consumer complaints about backdated billing In its notice, Ogra said the review covers imported gas costs, terminal and port charges, PSO and Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) margins transmission losses and exchange rate impacts The regulator had earlier issued revised RLNG notifications in December 2024 and March 2025 based on audited data, prompting SNGPL to bill consumers retrospectively for seven years The Lahore High Court’s Multan Bench ruled on
September 11 that Ogra
GOVT TO COMPLETE PIA PRIVATISATION BY YEAR-END AFTER
RS45B LIABILIT Y SETTLEMENT
PM assures KP CM of Centre’s full cooperation against terrorism
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Earlier the Prime Minister inaugurated the Danish School System in Chitral built on 148 kanal of land featuring state-of-the-art facilities and separate campuses for male and female students He said the initiative reflected his vision to provide quality education and modern facilities to the youth of remote regions including Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Chitral adding that the school would offer free-of-cost education along with boarding and lodging for deserving students
Terming Chitral one of KP s most beautiful and patriotic regions, the Prime Minister praised the bravery and contributions of its people, saying their services to national unity and development would always be remembered He also recalled that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had paid special attention to Chitral s development Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON, Engr Amir Muqam, lauded the Prime Minister ’s leadership saying that under Shehbaz Sharif ’s guidance Pakistan’s economy was stabilizing and the country had achieved significant diplomatic and defence successes He also recalled that Nawaz Sharif had allocated special funds for the development of Lowari Top The Prime Minister was also briefed on the Danish School Project, while Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar was present on the occasion
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
“Optimism is an integral part of our diplomatic process ” Talks to Resume Under Ceasefire Understanding: The announcement came as Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to continue a ceasefire following a brief but intense armed clash earlier this month that left ties between the two neighbours severely strained The agreement was reached after a five-day round of talks in Istanbul the second such round after the Doha negotiations held on October 18–19 The Istanbul dialogue which began on October 25 was marked by tense exchanges and appeared close to collapse midweek, when Islamabad insisted that its “long-standing concerns over terror attacks emanating from Afghan soil” were being ignored However diplomatic sources confirmed that mediation by Turkiye and Qatar helped salvage the process at the last minute, paving the way for a temporary truce and a follow-up meeting on November 6
“The talks were initially scheduled for two days but Pakistan continued in earnest for four days to reach an amicable agreement Andrabi said Pakistan positively engaged with the Taliban regime without compromising on its clearly stated position that Afghanistan’s soil should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan ” Pakistan’s Position: No Compromise on Security: Andrabi made it clear that Islamabad did not seek further escalation but expected Kabul to meet its obligations Pakistan expects the Afghan Taliban regime to honour its commitment to the international community and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns by taking concrete and verifiable actions against terrorist entities including Fitna alKhawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan he said using official state terminology for the TTP and Balochistan-based militant groups respectively He reminded that Pakistan had for
years shared “credible information” about the presence of the top leadership of these banned groups in Afghanistan Despite repeated assurances in the past, there has been a surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan from Afghan territory,” Andrabi said “Consistent disregard for our legitimate concerns and unprovoked aggression across the border this month led to violent exchanges The spokesperson recalled the incidents of October 11–12 and October 14–15, when Pakistan said it was compelled to “decisively respond” to Afghan provocation aimed at destabilising the border and facilitating terrorist activity “Pakistan will respond resolutely if provocations continue in the future he warned ENGAGEMENT DESPITE STRAINS
Andrabi reaffirmed that Pakistan s strategic vision remained anchored in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan “Pakistan has always desired a peaceful regionally integrated and prosperous Afghanistan which is at peace with itself and its neighbors he said With the Taliban takeover in August 2021, we expected that this vision of regional peace and connectivity would finally materialize
ROLE OF TURKIYE AND QATAR
The FO spokesperson lauded the mediation efforts of Turkiye and Qatar, saying both “brotherly nations” had played a constructive role in defusing tensions and keeping dialogue alive “They have been making their best efforts for an amicable and peaceful resolution of the issue he noted Diplomats from both countries are expected to facilitate the next round of talks on November 6, which will focus on establishing a joint monitoring and verification mechanism to oversee the ceasefire and address violations When asked about the Torkham border crossing which remains closed since early October due to heightened tensions, Andrabi said he had no information on reopening” and referred the matter to the interior ministry “Contact is being maintained with Pakistani residents traders and businesspeople in Afghanistan he said adding that traders could return via direct flights while authorities were assessing how many wished to do so The border will remain closed until further notice ” he added DEFENCE MINISTER: ‘CEASEFIRE
MEANINGLESS WITHOUT ENDING TERRORISM’
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, speaking separately on a TV programme, confirmed that an interim ceasefire agreement had been reached through Turkiye and Qatar ’s mediation However he cautioned that there have been some ceasefire violations from Afghanistan and warned that the truce would hold only if Kabul took visible action against terror outfits operating from its soil
“Another round of negotiations will be held on November 6 ” Asif said “Our primary demand remains the cessation of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil There is a ray of hope but not because of Afghanistan only because of Qatar and
Veteran journalist, ac tivist Syed Ali Nawaz is no more
founded the China Radio Listeners Club Peshawar He was also a regular contributor of China-Pakistan friendship and wrote articles in leading newspapers on a regular basis Mr Gilani s late father Syed Mohammad Hassan Gilani was also a journalist and worked for Daily Dawn Peshawar He also worked for the daily Nawa-i-Waqt Rasm-e-Qul for Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani would be held at his residence in Phase-6 of Askari Housing Society Nasir Bagh Road, Peshawar today (Saturday) at 4pm
A sif slams ‘ irresponsible’ remarks on G aza peace force
argue that Pakistan s participation would underscore its global credibility in peacekeeping and its longstanding commitment to international stability Pakistan remains one of the largest troop contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations having deployed over 200,000 personnel to more than 40 missions across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East “Pakistani
Turkiye’s influence ” BACKDROP OF ESCALATING TENSIONS Pakistan and Afghanistan have seen their relations deteriorate sharply over the past month The trouble began with a crossborder attack on the night of October 11, which Islamabad said was carried out by militants operating from Afghan territory The Taliban had accused Pakistan of launching airstrikes inside Afghanistan, a charge Islamabad neither confirmed nor denied Subsequent days saw a series of skirmishes along the border, with Pakistani forces targeting hideouts of the Gul Bahadur
Ecological Threat Repor t raises red flag on India’s suspending the IW
TH AT India s suspension at the beginning of the summer of the Indus Basin Waters Treaty was meant to weaponize the river waters became clear when it used the stored waters of the Baglihar and Salal Dams to send water into the Chenab and thus flood thousands of miles of farmland in the Punjab and Sindh were flooded This was not the only reason for this monsoon s floods being among the most harmful the country has ever seen but were a contributing factor
That India’s use of water as a weapon has not escaped notice is clear from the Ecological Threat Report 2025 by the Sydney-based Institute for Economics and Peace, which describes how it used it in the present monsoon, now virtually over One of the most significant factors identified by the report is how the absence of sufficient storage to buffer variations means that even small disruptions at the right times can negatively impact Pakistani agriculture
The Report also took cognisance of how the IWT suspension was also upsetting the entire region The signing of a Pakistan-Saudi military agreement meant that if Pakistan had a conflict with India, Saudi Arabia would support it Then there is the precedent set, with China and Afghanistan getting involved, the former in support of Pakistan the latter of India The Report noted that India presently did not have the infrastructure to divert water from Pakistan, tensions in the Middle East could lead to problems It also detailed how India violated the IWT as soon as it suspended it, by carrying out ‘reservoir flushing’ in the Baglihar and Salal Dams without notifying Pakistan Such reservoir flushing is forbidden under the IWT, or at least tightly regulated, because it causes sudden downstream flow changes
The conclusion becomes inescapable that the world community must intervene and make India obey the IWT As the upper riparian it is still bound by international customary law, with the IWT just summarizing its responsibilities under that law If it is allowed to get away with this, it would mean that the rules-based international order would receive another blow India’s internal violations of human rights have extended to disobeying international Law, not just by tearing up treaties, but by assassinating foreign citizens It should have become clear that previous failure to check its bad behaviour has led it to assume that it can renege on treaties It must be stopped noq before it leads the world to some sort of conflagration
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
they are being put into practice Afghanistan is a clear example where 20 years of US intervention failed to bring peace and ultimately ended with the return of the Taliban Similarly, Russia anticipated a swift victory over Ukraine, but has been dragged into its fourth year of war without a definite result The same repeat cycle can be seen in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict where every pause in the violence is followed by a new spell of violence These along with several other recent conflicts, demonstrate that contemporary wars often go far beyond their original plans, with no clear difference between war and peace acquiring the status
SO M E T H I N G important has slipped out of our public life, and it s not just money, electricity, or jobs, though those are often missing too What has truly vanished is basic civility which is the simple art of treating others with respect speaking kindly and showing patience It s not a small thing The way we treat one another shapes our daily lives more deeply than any policy or political slogan ever could Walk through a crowded market or a government office and you’ll see what I mean People shout instead of speaking, push instead of waiting and suspect each other before
the best interest of either state Military preparedness and deterrence are not sufficient to break this vicious cycle Despite its challenges, sustained diplomacy is the way forward In such a scenario, even Track-II and backchannel diplomacy can be meaningful Although it may not end the conflict but can help prevent risks add predictability and avoid miscalculations Without dialogue pauses are tenuous phases but with effective communication, the reasoning behind forever wars can be undermined, and avenues to stability can be opened However, the political motives of the BJP regime make the conflict resolution through diplomacy a wishful thinking
Cold cases haunt Pakistan
discussed by scholars and experts worldwide In addition, the recent developments also revealed the aggressive rhetoric of India and its increasing indications such as threats of Operation Sindoor 2 0 This depicts the constant cycle of escalation and pause Moreover, a careful assessment of these patterns reveals the latent Indian aim of maintaining a constant state of war Besides, structural impediments also add to an already difficult situation making sustainable conflict resolution elusive For instance nuclear deterrence limits escalation the lack of dialogue prevents settlement and the existence of mistrust maintains hostility, trapping the region in forever wars There is a need to acknowledge that, in the long term, hostility will not be in
The May 2025 episode demonstrates that when one side continues to escalate even definitive solutions are insufficient to ensure long-term stability in a political environment As long as the objective is to consistently engage in hostile politics, the threat of war will never go away True security in this age of forever wars is centred on being ready and working diligently to bring about lasting peace through constant diplomatic engagement credible defence, and vigilance
The writer is a Research Assistant at the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) Lahore Pakistan She can be reached at info@casslhr com
Moreover in Pakistan several incidents of
Ezba wilayat Khan
Impacts of Social Media on Civic Engagement in Pakistan
PTI is one of the examples of digital activism redefining politics Since its opposition days it relied on social media to trend hashtags mobilize crowds and engage young people in a conversation But retweets and a profile update seldom guarantee true change The case of PTI demonstrates the potential and traps of clicktivism: mobilization but not engagement The use of campaigns such as #ReleasePTIWorkers
(2023-24) questioned crackdowns and viral petitions provoked discussions on gender violence and corruption Research indicates that the Twitter campaigns in Pakistan have even led to legal reforms in some instances In addition to politics, social movements have taken advantage of social media to raise causes The Aurat March has been symbolic since 2018 Despite big city marches a large portion of the discussion takes place on the Internet where it is represented by hashtags like AuratMarch and MeraJismMeriMarzi
This has helped most young women talk straight without the patriarchal filters and that has been empowering However, backlash is also very strong as trolling and harassment reveal the bad side of digital participation In 2018 a landmark case was with the hashtag #JusticeForZainab following the brutal rape and killing of a seven-year-old at Kasur, and most recently, the 2025 killing of
sity but also chaos to the concept of civic engagement By early 2025 there are 116 million internet users and 66 9 million social media users, or 26 4 percent of the population in Pakistan It is indicative that over a quarter of Pakistanis are currently active on such platforms as Facebook X Tik Tok and Instagram The scale is notable: campaigns can spread nationwide in hours, and local problems can reach international audiences in a matter of hours Young people who may have never even stepped in a political rally or set up a protest march are now protesting in the language of trending hashtags, viral videos on TikTok, and Twitter storms The political parties, civil society and activist groups are aware of this transformation and they are putting the digital platforms to good use in shaping the narratives However there is a lot of debate over whether these online activities are a true measure of the strengthening of democracy
possible to transform anger into
demonstrations in both cases; both are led by the Aurat March group and civic activists putting pressure on the government compelling the state and media to take action The campaign demonstrated the strength of social media in holding people accountable In Balochistan, online platforms have documented the demonstrations against enforced disappearance and suppression but activists are arrested and content deleted This shift revolves around
There is a need to combine offline and online life The right to citizenship cannot be limited to hashtags; it requires voting, volunteering and long term advocacy. It needs the firm civic education, inclusive access (affordable phones for women, rural Wi-Fi), and safeguarding of digital rights Civil society needs to channel online interest into organized campaigns, and political par ties need to use social media as a tool of actual interaction, rather than propaganda
BNP leader S alahuddin Ahmed recently hinted at a widening distance bet ween the militar y and Dr Yunus a political barometer wor th noting too
‘ The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters,’ wrote Italian Mar xist philosopher Antonio Gramsci Clearly, the man had a front-row ticket to Dhaka’s political circus
AH, Bangladesh! My beloved nation perpetually at a critical crossroads, much like a master s student who’s read too much Gramsci to remain confused “The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters wrote Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci Clearly the man had a front-row ticket to Dhaka s political circus If ever there were a residency programme for Gramsci s monsters, it s here as Bangladesh stumbles from kleptocracy towards something vaguely resembling democracy The real challenge isn’t spotting the monsters; it’s finding anyone with enough brain cells to slay them The country’s interim government shoulders a responsibility so heavy it s practically collapsing under it To its absolute credit it prevented an economic meltdown, allowed the financial sector to thrive, and kept social chaos from boiling over But its weaknesses are dazzling Governance gaps, unmet reform promises, and a noticeable disconnect from public sentiment have produced a splendid cocktail of confusion The erosion of secular political plurality the gradual rise of far-right populism among our power falcons and that sporadic mosaic of violence continues to blur the line between who wags whom the dog or the tail The interim s definition of public feels alarmingly familiar: much like the Awami League’s version, where “public” meant “our voters ” and the rest were decorative extras Yet after the signing of the July National Charter Bangladesh has apparently once again become a new Bangladesh a convenient avowal that has become a cliché! Meanwhile, the Election Commission s roadmap remains elusive Even Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed exasperation and humming about proportional representation, while the BNP ever-evolving now talks of restoring the credibility of the electoral process All parties agree on one point: reform within the interim cabinet reflecting a growing lack of confidence in some advisers! Irony! At the same time social media gladiators armed with echo chambers and homophily,
would ensure they pick the right public officials, beyond political prejudices, to run an election? And then, the National Citizen Party (NCP) voiced that some advisers were already seeking safe exits The optics to put it mildly are not inspiring confidence The reform commissions fare no better ticking boxes with the enthusiasm of retired bureaucrats and NGO-intellectuals in a fire drill Professor Rehman Sobhan once quipped that proposing 84 reforms ensures “no one will take you seriously ” The result is a theatre of “tick-mark national consensus ” Civil society meanwhile has outdone itself in disappointment Its moral authority now hovers somewhere between a late-night talk show and frustration vented through conferences and meetings Unsurprisingly, this blend of chaos and confusion is brewing instability Anxiety, fear of extremism, and the social post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) of July’s mass murders still haunt the streets Add to that the coercive charm of mobs bulldozer justice and weakened law enforcement and you have a society oscillating between trauma and hysteria BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed recently hinted at a widening distance between the military and Dr Yunus a political barometer worth noting too The armed forces, once the silent arbiter in moments of crisis, now appear cautious wary of being drawn into partisan theatre That distance good or bad also deepens the vacuum of authority that the interim seems unable to fill Yet the government s greatest peril lies elsewhere: the disturbing discourse on the politicisation of the International Crimes Tribunal Seasoned observers like David Bergman have warned that weaponising war crimes justice for political leverage would destroy the very legitimacy it seeks to preserve Bangladesh cannot afford another chapter of selective justice masquerading as national healing If the tribunal becomes a political instrument rather than a moral reckoning the time of monsters will stretch indefinitely Time will tell Which brings us, inevitably, to the question everyone s talking about: elections Delays wrapped in reform rhetoric, “inclusive–exclusive” gymnastics or constitutional hairsplitting are nothing but transparent excuses Good thing that a large section of the public is punching these narratives out The nation awaits a credible election by February 2026
JULY NATIONAL CHARTER: A CONSENSUS IN NAME ONLY? And if this interim experiment is to drift plagued by obscurity, elitism, or disconnect what would be the solution then? BNP recently has asked the interim to play a neutral role like that of a caretaker government at a recent meeting according to one of the advisers It is worth noting that narratives of corruption allegations have already returned to the blackboards this time, the writing is not just about the political parties! Joseph de Maistre reminded us that every nation gets the government it deserves Ours might still deserve a fighting chance unless this current situation continues and the interim its beloved so-called civil society and the parties all fail
This is not a law about protec ting
about protec ting power from criticism
s death Kenyan President William Ruto signed into law the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime (Amendment) Bill, 2024 This is a draconian piece of legislation that effectively criminalises dissent The law states that if you post something that “offends” someone online you could be fined up to KSh20 million or jailed for 10 years Ten years for a tweet a meme a Facebook post or a TikTok video that the state finds uncomfortable This is not a law about protecting the public from cybercrime It is a law about protecting power from criticism It is a desperate attempt by a failing regime to silence the country’s most vocal and politically awake generation the Kenyan youth Ruto s obsession with control and fear is fast becoming the defining feature of his presidency He came to power branding himself a hustler , the voice of the ordinary people But that mask has fallen What
ArslAn Mehndi nekokArA
C H I N A T O W O R K W I T H J A PA N T O B U I L D C O N S T R U C T I V E , S TA B L E B I L AT E R A L R E L AT I O N S SEOUL M i a n a b r a r C
HINESE President Xi Jinping said Friday that China is ready to work with Japan to build constructive and stable bilateral relations that meet the requirements of the new era
While meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at her request on the sidelines of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in the South Korean city of Gyeongju, Xi pointed out that as China and Japan are close neighbors, promoting the long-term, healthy, and stable development of China-Japan relations meets the common expectations of both peoples and the international community
China is willing to work with Japan to uphold the principles and directions set out in the four political documents between the two countries, maintain the political foundation of bilateral relations advance the strategic mutually beneficial relationship Xi said Xi emphasized that China-Japan relations are facing both opportunities and challenges He hoped that Japan s new cabinet would establish a correct understanding of China, value the efforts of the older genera-
tion of statesmen and various sectors in both countries who have contributed to the development of China-Japan relations, and adhere to the broad direction of peace friendship and cooperation between the two nations First Xi called for adherence to important consensus He urged the two countries to implement the political consensus of comprehensively advancing the strategic, mutually beneficial relationship,” “being partners and not threats to each other,” and “taking history as a mirror and opening up the future Xi urged the two countries to adhere to and fulfill clear provisions on major issues such as history, Taiwan as outlined in four political documents between China and Japan, ensuring that the foundation of China-Japan relations is neither damaged nor shaken The Murayama Statement he added which deeply reflected on Japan s history of aggression and apologized to the victimized countries, embodies a spirit that should be upheld Second Xi called for upholding cooperation and mutual benefit The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee outlined the 15th Five-Year Plan, the development blueprint
for China, he said, noting that there is vast potential for China-Japan cooperation He called on the two
China ready to work with Canada to bring ties back to right track: Xi
perspective of the common and long-term interests of the two countries
The two sides should uphold mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and expand practical collaboration in economy and trade energy and other areas he said Xi also urged both countries to enhance people-to-people exchanges support all sectors of the two countries in increasing mutual understanding, and cement public support for bilateral relations China is ready to enhance its coordination and cooperation with Canada within such multilateral frameworks as the United Nations, promote the build-
guard international fairness and justice
Xi added For his part Carney said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 55 years ago, Canada and China have maintained a good relationship for a long time The new Canadian government attaches great importance to its relations with China and looks forward to seizing the opportunity to improve and develop bilateral relations, reviving the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations, making up for lost time, restarting bilateral cooperation and achieving greater results in Canada-China relations in a practical and constructive manner Carney said He said Canada is ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with China promote cooperation in agriculture energy, climate change and other fields, achieve win-win results and bring more benefits to the people of both countries In international affairs, Canada and China are like-minded and can enhance collaboration to jointly practice multilateralism, safeguard free trade, and promote the reform of the international economic order said the prime minister The two sides agreed to resume or restart exchanges and cooperation in various fields move forward in solving the specific economic and trade issues of mutual concern, consolidate the momentum in the turnaround of their relations and jointly advance the China-Canada strategic partnership
Record increase in tax return filings reflects growing compliance and public confidence
their civic duty and the convenience of filing returns through digital platforms
The rise in return filings is the outcome of a comprehensive outreach campaign jointly executed by the Prime Minister ’s Office, the Ministry of Information, and the FBR As part of these efforts, nationwide robocalls and WhatsApp messages were disseminated to remind citizens of their civic duty to file tax returns In addition FBR sent a series of behaviorally informed messages to taxpayers using third-party data beginning with congratulatory notes, followed by informational messages about rights and obligations, and finally cautionary reminders, with nearly 800,000 such nudges issued across the country
individuals
The FBR appreciates the growing cooperation of citizens and reiterates its commitment to facilitating honest taxpayers through simplified processes digital tools and responsive communication ensuring that Pakistan s tax system becomes more fair, transparent, and inclusive This robust growth in compliance is attributed to FBR’s extensive outreach campaign and the whole-of-government efforts led by the Prime Minister ’s Office and the Ministry of Information
The campaign aimed to make taxpayers aware of
Closing ceremony of Russian language course held at Universit y of Karachi
T he Sardar Yaseen Malik Professional Development Center (SYM-PDC) at
DWP Group Par tners with NUST to Empower Pakistan’s Future through Education
KARACHI
In a significant step toward nurturing Pakistan s future leaders DWP Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) to support higher education for deserving students Under this partnership, DWP Group will sponsor scholarships for talented and deserving students covering their complete undergraduate degree programs from September 2025 to August 2029 This initiative reflects DWP Group s strong commitment to promoting education, equality of opportunity, and socio-economic development in Pakistan The MoU was formally signed between Sabah-ud-Din, representing DWP Group and Arooba Gillani Director of Advancement at NUST in a ceremony held at the university campus Speaking on the occasion Sabah-ud-Din representing DWP Group said At DWP Group, we believe that education is the foundation of progress and empowerment By supporting talented students who face financial barriers, we aim to create opportunities that help shape Pakistan’s next generation of innovators and leaders Our partnership with NUST is a reflection of our long-term commitment to nation-building through knowledge and inclusion
Complementing these initiatives targeted emails were also sent to around 70 000 taxpayers highlighting indicative income levels of comparable peers to encourage accurate and timely filing These concerted efforts have received a positive response from citizens
The figures reported are as of 7:00 p m today, and FBR expects the numbers to further improve by the close of the deadline at midnight as more returns continue to be filed across the country
As per the directions of the Prime Minister no blanket extension in the filing deadline has been granted However, taxpayers facing genuine hardships may approach their respective field formations through FBR’s IRIS system for an extension in filing their returns
Exceptional 9M’25 results: NBP income soars 54% to PKR 232 6b market capitalisation surpasses US$ 1.5b
KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t
The Board of Directors of National Bank of Pakistan “NBP” “the Bank” met on October 28th 2025 to approve the interim condensed financial statements of the Bank for the nine-months period ended September 30 2025 Maintaining
PPP POISED TO FORM GOVT IN A JK TO REAFFIRM ‘LIFELONG COMMITMENT’ TO K ASHMIR CAUSE: BIL AWAL
ated
CM Afridi ’s 13-member KP Cabinet
sworn in ‘after weeks of delay ’
the governor by the provincial government confirmed that CM Afridi had finalized his team also naming Muzammil Aslam and Taj Muhammad as advisers and Shafi Jan as special assistant The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) KP chapter had endorsed the list of cabinet members in a post on social media platform X Former KP finance minister Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra also congratulated the new cabinet and wished them success Afridi, who was elected provincial chief executive earlier this month, had maintained that he would announce his
Those sworn in as provincial ministers included Meena Khan Afridi, Arshad Ayub Khan, Amjad Ali, Aftab Alam Afridi, Fazal Shakoor Khan, Khaleequr Rehman, Riaz Khan, Syed Fakhar Jehan Aqibullah Khan and Faisal Khan Tarakai An official summary earlier sent to
Punjab keeps schools open as citizens await closure or online classes amid hazardous smog
once again chokes under a
As
toxic smog, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 985 in several areas this week many are questioning why the Punjab government has not ordered school closures or shifted to online classes as it did last year when the AQI crossed 1,000 Last year, when air pollution reached similar levels, the government imposed emergency restrictions closing schools shifting classes online and limiting outdoor activities This year however the provincial administration has opted for a different strategy
Instead of shutting down schools, officials have adjusted school timings, urging institutions to start later in the
morning to avoid peak smog hours
Authorities cite the introduction of new smog guns high-pressure mist sprayers designed to suppress dust and particulate matter as part of the government s proactive response
While the initiative is commendable in theory, it has failed to produce visible results so far Lahore’s skies remain shrouded in brown haze and air quality continues to fall into the hazardous category Health experts and parents are alarmed Prolonged exposure to poor air quality poses serious risks for children, who are more vulnerable because they breathe faster and spend time outdoors during arrival recess and departure hours
Doctors warn that high levels of PM2 5 the fine particulate matter responsible for smog can lead to res-
piratory infections, eye irritation, reduced lung function and long-term cardiovascular issues in children
The AQI is well above safe limits Keeping schools open in such conditions is effectively exposing students to poison in the air, said a Lahore-based pulmonologist
Public health advocates argue that online learning though not ideal would at least limit children s direct exposure during the worst days of the smog crisis
Environmental experts say that vehicular emissions remain one of the biggest contributors to Lahore’s smog Thousands of cars buses motorcycles and rickshaws many running on outdated engines emit pollutants that combine with industrial smoke dust and crop residue burning to form the deadly haze
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan s resolve to boost cross-border trade and connectivity with Iran, pledging to remove logistical hurdles and ensure smoother movement of goods under a coordinated plan with the National Logistics Cell (NLC) He expressed these views during a meeting with the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, who called on him here said a press release The minister voiced optimism that bi-
lateral trade between the two brotherly countries could reach $10 billion, adding that all necessary measures would be taken to address issues related to the entry and exit of Iranian trade trucks at border points
He said steps would be taken in coordination with the NLC, while a meeting would soon be arranged between the Secretary of Communications and officials of the Iranian Embassy to expedite progress Acknowledging that bureaucratic red tape often delays procedures Abdul Aleem Khan said consistent follow-up and persistence help overcome such challenges He reaffirmed his support for the vision of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz
to further enhance trade and connectivity between the two nations “The
Pakistan and
and goodwill
Iranian Ambassador thanked the minister for successfully organizing the Regional Transport Ministers Conference (RTMC), which brought together transport ministers and experts from several countries He noted that the visit of Iran’s Minister for Transport and Urban Development Ms Farzaneh Sadegh was of great significance as the conference provided valuable opportunities for regional dialogue and cooperation The envoy lauded the minister s efforts to
