The premier made these remarks while hosting a luncheon at the PM House in honour of the cricket teams of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, who are participating in the ongoing Tri-Nation Series
Addressing the gathering PM Shehbaz Sharif commended the passion skill and dedication demonstrated by
t Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday held a substantive meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with both sides expressing deep satisfaction over the “positive trajectory of Pakistan-Russia ties reaffirming their commitment to further strengthen cooperation across political, economic and multilateral domains The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government in Moscow featured a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations Senator Dar congratulated his Russian counterpart on the successful convening of the SCO-CHG meeting and noted that the steady progress in Pak-
istan-Russia relations reflected the visionary role of the leadership of both countries as well as the contribution of robust bilateral institutional mechanisms Both leaders also exchanged views on a wide range of regional and international developments Taking note of the excellent coordination between Islamabad and Moscow at multilateral platforms including the United Nations and the SCO they agreed to deepen that cooperation further in pursuit of shared objectives of regional stability connectivity and sustainable economic growth
On the sidelines of the SCO-CHG meeting, the deputy prime minister also held a series of bilateral engagements with the prime ministers of Russia China Uzbekistan Tajikistan Qatar and senior leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic
use nationwide, which they described as insufficient to meet growing demand for high-speed data They added that the government intends to auction 600 MHz of additional spectrum across various bands with the process linked to the planned rollout of 5G services Standing Committee Chairman Syed Amin ul Haq instructed PTA officials to deploy special teams to assess the quality of internet services being provided to consumers, and to submit comprehensive findings at the committee’s next session Reviewing progress on the Islamabad IT Park the committee was briefed that the consultant s contract had expired on October 31 and that renewal was under way The panel
SHIELD SEEKS EXIT FROM PSX CITING LOW LIQUIDIT Y AND ANNUAL LOSSES
Pakistan, Russia FMs express satisfaction over ‘positive trajector y’ of bilateral ties CONTINUED
strengthening coordination at multilateral platforms The deputy prime minister also held an informal interaction with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, during which issues of mutual interest came under discussion
the United Arab Emirates ($95 1 million) the Netherlands ($113 8 million) Germany ($37 1 million), and Switzerland ($35 4 million) In monthly stats, China led the repatriation in October with $166 7m representing around 43pc of total monthly outflows The United Kingdom was next with $95 9m followed by the United Arab Emirates at $46 6m Pakistan had seen restricted repatriations through FY23 and FY24 due to acute foreign exchange shortages The resumption of smoother outflows this fiscal year reflects the government s commitment under the IMF programme to normalise external payments, while also signalling stronger profit recoveries in sectors benefiting from a stable exchange rate and improved corporate performance Profit repatriation rises 39% to $1.14b in four months of FY26
also recorded notable outflows of $76 million $75 million and $7 8 million respectively
The power sector was also the largest contributor, with profit and dividend payments of $155 6m in October accounting for roughly 40% of the month s total repatriation Financial business followed at $42 8m and pharmaceuticals and OTC products at $41 6m The data showed smaller but steady outflows from industries such as tobacco and cigarettes ($66 million) petroleum refining ($46 6 million) and transport ($49 3 million) By contrast repatriations from tex-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Ambassador Ahmad highlighted UfC s compromise proposal which envisions longer-term re-electable non-permanent members This approach, he said, is inclusive, balanced, and in accordance with the UN Charter, allowing broader representation and rotation while respecting the principle of sovereign equality
“Only an acceptable formula with an increase in non-permanent members and fair rotation through regular elections can provide more equitable representation for all States on the Council This is also the essence of democracy, he said
He strongly criticized the concept of additional individual permanent members, calling it outdated and inconsistent with modern multilateral norms “Nothing is more anachronistic than the individual permanent membership a category of members who unashamedly pursue their own national interest represent no body and are accountable to no one Permanent membership and the veto have often been the root causes of the Council s paralysis and non-transparent working methods, Ambassador Ahmad added The envoy also stressed the importance of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process which has expanded areas of convergence and narrowed differences among member states over time He said member states should be given sufficient time and space to reconcile divergences across the five interlinked clusters of reform Ambassador Ahmad concluded that the Uniting for Consensus proposal represents an objective flexible and inclusive approach capable of accommodating the legitimate interests of all member states and regions The reform of the Council should enhance the voice of all UN Member States and ensure that expansion strengthens representation rather than entrenching privilege for a select few ” he said reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to a more democratic accountable and effective Security Council Pakistan urges inclusive UNSC reform, slams G4 for blocking Council ’s restruc turing
Deputy PM D ar engages EU leadership on GSP+, trade and strategic par tnerships
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 The upcoming GSP+ monitoring mission, initially scheduled
While ISG resolution goes through the UNSC, the Saudi PM expresses an interest in joining the Abraham Accords
NO matter what else is happening in Europe US President Donald Trump should be satisfied that things are moving in the right direction in the Gaza Strip The Bun Security Council has approved a resolution that calls for the setting up of an International Stabilization Force and a Board of Peace to supervise it On the same day, he hosted Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Muhammad ibn Salman at the White House, where he agreed to let Saudi Arabia buy F35 stealth fighters MBS also signed a deal on civilian nuclear cooperation which would allow the USA to sell it nuclear fuels That was probably why the Crown Prince expansively said that Saudi Arabia wanted to be part of the Abraham Accords (through which initially Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, and then Morocco and Sudan, recognized Israel It was to prevent Saudi Arabia from acceding to these Accords that Hamas carried out the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel However, as a sop to the Arab Street, he laid down as a condition that there be a two-state solution Both the Trump Peace Plan and the Abraham Accords are problematic The proposed ISF would be mandated to disarm ‘non state actors’ (read Hamas) in cooperation with Egypt and Israel It seems to have slipped notice that the Gaza Strip is still on the UN s
which make it impossible for the West Bank to remain contiguous To expect Mr Trump to propose or support anything that remotely diabetes from the Zionist wish list is unrealistic
Though Saudi Arabia has great respect within the Islamic world, and has been a firm friend of Pakistan in its most trying times blindly doing what is in the interest
support, apart from the example it has set
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Tit was a futile debate Why I call it a futile debate would require a reference to the Constitution itself and the position and powers of Parliament The Constitution acknowledging the sovereignty of God over the entire Universe recognizes the people of Pakistan as sovereign within the state of Pakistan in conformity with the limits prescribed by Him and their right to exercise this sovereignty through their chosen representatives which is Parliament
The Constitution has been framed by Parliament and in that respect it is the mother of all state institutions created through the Constitution The Constitution empowers Parliament to amend any article It has absolute power in this regard as the amendment made by Parliament cannot be challenged in any court of law Article 239 (5-6) of the Constitution says No amendment of the constitution shall be called in question in any court on any ground whatsoever For the removal of doubt it is hereby declared that there is no limitation whatever on the power of the Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament) to amend any of the provisions of the constitution ” Therefore the judiciary which is regarded as protector of the Constitution and those who believe in its sanctity and unassailable position of Parliament should not question any amendment made by it Logic and gumption also dictate that all institutions of the state including judiciary need parliamentary oversight to ensure implementation of the will of the people In recognition of the ascendant position of Parliament Article 66(1) and 69(1) rightly debar the courts from questioning deliberations of Parliament or anything said by any member of Parliament on the floor of the House
The amendments in the Constitution are made to cope with the emerging challenges changed circumstances constitutional crises and to remove impediments in the smooth functioning of the state The Article of the constitution authorizing the parliament to amend any provision therefore represents the futuristic vision of the architects of the Constitution
The perennial political instability in the country is due to the fact that the Constitution
prises to adopt advanced refining technologies and supported collaborations between companies and research institutes These steps helped Karamay shift from being merely an oil-extracting city to a comprehensive energy innovation centre enhancing productivity while reducing environmental impact
SY years after the discovery of oil first put Karamay on China’s industrial map the city stands as one of the most compelling stories of governance-led transformation in the country s northwest What began in 1955 as a lonely outpost surrounded by desert and harsh winds has grown into a thriving, orderly, modern city whose achievements reflect not only the strength of its energy industry but also the long-term vision discipline and innovation of its local government Karamay s journey is often described through the lens of oil yet its deeper success lies in how its leaders used that resource as a foundation rather than a limit, building a stable, diverse, and future-facing economy for generations to come From the earliest years, the Karamay government recognised that the discovery of oil brought both opportunity and responsibility Oil could power national development but it would take thoughtful governance to turn that initial advantage into sustained prosperity In the 1950s and 1960s, local authorities focused on establishing strong public services, knowing that a city could not grow on industry alone
They built housing for workers and their families, invested in medical clinics and later full-scale hospitals established schools and vocational institutes and created a governance culture centred on community welfare These early decisions formed the social foundations of the city and ensured that development was not limited to industrial output but extended to the quality of life of its people Over time as China modernised Karamay’s government kept pace with the national emphasis on highquality growth Instead of relying solely on petroleum officials pushed for diversification even when the oil industry remained strong This decision was pivotal In the 1990s and 2000s, significant resources were allocated to building petrochemical facilities that produced value-added products rather than exporting raw material alone The government encouraged enter-
has been flouted with impunity The judiciary is to a great extent responsible for political instability in the country There is a long list of the judicial decisions that were delivered in violation of the Constitution that created political chaos and crisis in the country For example the invention of the doctrine of necessity which the judges used to justify military coups by arrogating the power to amend the Constitution to themselves and then authorizing the dictators to make changes in the Constitution according to their will, was the biggest violation of the Constitution The country has also witnessed unchecked judicial activism after the movement for restoration of the judiciary The Supreme Court under Mr Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry acted more like a popular court, flouting all internationally recognized principles of jurisprudence It challenged the 18th Amendment clause regarding the appointment of judges and almost forced Parliament to bring another amendment to accommodate its viewpoint in violation of Article 239(5-6) of the Constitution Some judges have even tried to rewrite the Constitution which they are not authorized to do The opinion rendered by the Supreme Court on Article 63-A is a horrific example of judicial activism and breach of the constitution They have done that with impunity The judiciary has also been guilty of entertaining petitions challenging constitutional amendments in violation of Article 239 (5-6) It entertained and heard petitions against the 18th and 21st amendments Although the petitions were rejected by majority decision it was maintained that The Supreme Court had the power and right to review any amendment That also constituted violation of Article 239(5-6) Perhaps it is in view of that decision of The Supreme Court that petitions have been filed against the 26th amendment and now the proposed 27th amendment The ongoing debate is also a consequence of that decision The judiciary in its capacity as custodian
away refused to entertain those petitions By
In the past decade diversification has broadened even further The creation of digital industry parks, big data centres, and high-tech innovation hubs has propelled Karamay into the digital economy Tech entrepreneurs, software startups, and research organisations have found a supportive environment in the city – thanks to streamlined government policies infrastructure incentives and a clear strategy to attract expertise
The leadership s determination to ensure that Karamay does not remain tied to a single-resource identity has allowed the city to become a model for other resource-based regions seeking long-term resilience It is noteworthy that a city born from petroleum is now becoming an important player in intelligent manufacturing cloud computing and modern services Another area where the Karamay
The transformation of Karamay did not happen overnight It took decades of steady leadership, firm policy direction, and a commitment to adapt to new circumstances The city today is not only a symbol of industrial achievement but also a testament to what thoughtful, responsible governance can achieve
Therefore, more than any other institution we need drastic changes in the judiciary which discourage judges from committing unconstitutional indiscretions In this regard the idea of creating a constitutional court is a step in the right direction
they have been approved by two-thirds, therefore means nobody should have any
Grief and responsibilit y
The Constitution has been framed by Parliament and in that respect it is the mother of all state institutions created through the Constitution. The Constitution empowers Parliament to amend any ar ticle . It has absolute power in this regard as the amendment made by Parliament cannot be challeng ed in any cour t of law.
Afghan farmers exodus
Malik MuhaMMad ashraf
Achilling shadow has once again fallen over the Earth After his meeting with the South Korean
NATO’s military expansion, besieged by economic sanctions and confronted by Western-backed forces in Ukraine President Vladimir Putin interpreting this as an existential threat has responded in kind ordering his own defence industry to finetune, modernize, and reactivate both strategic and tactical nuclear weapons For Russia nuclear deterrence has once again become the last bastion of sovereignty Putin s rhetoric reflects not mere arrogance but genuine alarm Facing what he perceives as a united Western effort to dismantle Russia s regional influence, he has signalled readiness to escalate reviving Cold War-era nuclear doctrine that views atomic weapons as instruments of both defence and coercion
If Trump follows through on his directive nuclear tests would likely resume at long-dormant sites in the American deserts such as in Nevada or New Mexico or possibly in new offshore facilities But each test no matter how contained releases radiation destabilizes local geology and leaves irreversible scars on ecosystems Underground detonations fracture rock layers and contaminate aquifers, while atmospheric tests eject radioactive isotopes into the jet stream, spreading silent poison across continents Even so-called “low-yield” or controlled tests can emit deadly isotopes like cesium-137 and strontium-90 which linger in the environment for decades The shockwaves alone are enough to damage fragile habitats, destroy marine life near coastal testing sites, and accelerate the degradation of already threatened ecosystems In the era of COP climate summits where nations convene to curb emissions and reduce environmental damage, the idea of reviving nuclear tests borders on
ecological insanity Each detonation negates years of progress in reducing carbon footprints and combating global warming Nuclear tests not only pollute air, water, and soil they symbolically announce that the military might once again supersede environmental stewardship
The strategic consequence of the US decision is perhaps even more dangerous than its environmental one Once Washington resumes testing, other nuclear powers will inevitably follow Russia and China will not allow the USA to hold exclusive technological advantage India and Pakistan already uneasy neighbours may feel compelled to upgrade and validate their arsenals Even undeclared nuclear states like Israel and North Korea could exploit the situation to justify fresh tests under the pretext of “national security ”
This domino effect risks dismantling decades of non-proliferation progress The nuclear genie once unleashed again will not be confined Each new test brings humanity closer to normalizing the idea of nuclear use something the post-1945 world has spent generations trying to prevent Trump’s nuclear rhetoric also fits within a pattern of psychological warfare a deliberate attempt to intimidate adversaries and reassert US supremacy His claim that the USA is 25 years ahead of China and Russia” in nuclear technology may be partially true, but it is equally reckless Both Moscow and Beijing view such statements not as confidence but as provocation China in particular has been rapidly advancing its own nuclear triad modernizing land-based missiles, submarines, and air-launched systems By Trump’s own admission,
nuclear testing the USA has effectively reopened Pandora s box inviting others to follow Trump s announcement cannot be separated from Moscow s growing anxiety Russia today finds itself encircled by
spouse refused to cooperate Who better to clarify that than the Presidency? I copied the Chief Justice who better to understand a legal impossibility? I copied leaders of the Muslim community in South Africa, in case there was any cultural nuance I had missed And I copied anyone else who might help me make sense of a situation that made no sense at all Then with no warning Nazira blocked me on WhatsApp I respected her silence But more was to come I learned that my wife had applied for an Interim Protection Order in the Randburg Magistrates Court From 8,000 kilometres away I have not set foot in South Africa since September Now suddenly I was no longer her husband but was now accused of harassment for trying to register our marriage and writing to state institutions In her sworn affidavit for the Interim Protection Order Nazira stated that she was single and the Magistrate s Court accepted that status exactly as presented, issuing a signed and stamped order on that basis It is a peculiar kind of loneliness to wake up and discover that your attempts at transparency have been recast as threats That you are legally married in one country and legally unmarried in another the country where your wife lives I am not writing this to blame her People act from fear, shame, panic, confusion Some withdraw Some run Some cannot face the truth of what they once wanted I am writing because I cannot believe I am the only foreign spouse who has found himself trapped between two legal systems with no way to move forward What happens in cross-border
QaMaR BashiR
C hinese premier says determination to
HBL MFB, SUPARCO begin first disbursements under climate smar t agri finance using satellite data intelligence
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
HBL Microfinance Bank (HBL MfB), in partnership with the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), has commenced disbursements under Pakistan’s first climate-smart agri-finance by using satellite data intelligence The initiative represents a major milestone in the country s journey toward sustainable technology-driven agriculture This pilot, previously announced as a pioneering collaboration between HBL MfB and SUPARCO, uses satellite data intelligence, crop monitoring, and remote-sensing analytics to assess crop health support risk management and enable more accurate and timely agri-credit decisions With the first loan now disbursed the partnership moves from planning to impactful execution Speaking on this development, Amir Khan, President & CEO, HBL Microfinance Bank, stated: “Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy yet highly vulnerable to climate shocks By integrating satellite intelligence into agri-financing we are equipping farmers with the tools to withstand climate risks, improve productivity, and contribute to national food security Furthermore, it also strengthens
farmers will receive more accurate assessments of land use, crop patterns, and vegetation stress The partnership enables HBL MfB to extend financing that is smarter faster and better aligned with farmers real conditions on ground MR ZAFAR IQBAL, MEMBER (SAR), SUPARCO, REMARKED:
“This collaboration showcases how Pakistan’s space technology can directly support economic development By applying satellite analytics to agriculture we are strengthening livelihoods and contributing to national climate resilience With agriculture employing nearly half of the country s workforce and contributing significantly to GDP, the shift toward data-driven, climate-smart financing models is critical This collaboration between HBL Microfinance Bank and SUPARCO will serve as a blueprint for scaling satellite-enabled agri credit across the country
TORKHAM BORDER CLOSURE ENTERS 38TH DAY, DISRUPTING TRADE AND AGRICULTURE
g ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS MOUNT FOR LABORERS, FARMERS, AND TRADERS AS CROSS-BORDER MOVEMENT HALTS AMID ESCALATING TENSIONS BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN
CDA Chairman directs restoration and upgradation of all sectors of Islamabad
restoration and upgradation of all sectors of Islamabad was made during a meeting held at the CDA Headquarters chaired by Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa The meeting was attended by Member Engineering Syed Nafasat Raza, DG Works and relevant officers from the Engineering Wing In the meeting it was decided that the construction and repair of roads, re-carpeting, and patchwork would be carried out indiscriminately across all sectors of Islamabad It was further decided that under the sector restoration and upgradation project existing footpaths would be repaired and new footpaths would also be constructed Under this project, faulty street lights and poles in the sectors will be repaired, and new street lights and poles will also be installed Similarly for the guidance of citizens the installation of signage lane marking and rubber speed breakers will also be carried out under this project The meeting was informed that the construction and repair of the sewerage and drainage system including manholes and kerb stones in the sectors would also be part of the project
Briefing the meeting it was informed that the survey of all sectors and marakiz marked for restoration and upgradation including roads, streets, markets, and marakiz has been completed The meeting was informed that in this regard the En-
gineering Wing has also completed the initial cost estimate after surveying all the old sectors Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa directed that restoration and upgradation work be commenced uniformly in various sectors, including Super Market, Jinnah Super Abpara Karachi Company and the Blue Area He also directed that the trader community and business community be taken on board during the repair work in commercial centers and markets Chairman CDA further directed that a comprehensive strategy be adopted to further improve the cleanliness system in the old sectors
Ahsan Iqbal inaugurates most power ful computing facility of Pak istan at PIEAS
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r
Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal inaugurated Center for Mathematical Sciences (CMS) along with a stateof-the-art High-Performance Computing (HPC) facility at Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) here on Tuesday Chairman PAEC Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar accompanied the minister during the inauguration and showed him various CMS laboratories Talking to media persons on this occasion Prof Ahsan Iqbal said, "I am very excited to inaugurate the Center for Mathematical Sciences and HPC facility at PIEAS and I would like to congratulate both PIEAS and PAEC for this achievement It is high time that we start initiatives which serve to improve the stature of our dear motherland rather than prioritising individual impact factors Universities should focus on introducing such research programmes which help convert the country's economy into a technology-based economy " The CMS and HPC facilities were approved in 2017 under the Vision 2025 he added Prof Ahsan Iqbal further said that successful nations are those that gain high levels of knowledge and technology and this advancement adds to the URAAN Pakistan initiative to have the best research and development facilities in Pakistan Chairman PAEC thanked the Federal Minister, Prof Ahsan Iqbal for his vision, support and pa-
KARACHI ( s ta f f r e p o r t )
Usman Asif, Founder and CEO of Devsinc, a Pakistan-grown global technology services company has been inducted into the Forbes Business Council, one of the world’s most influential communities for accomplished entrepreneurs, business owners, and industry leaders Out of more than 900 Forbes Business Council members worldwide, only 11 represent Pakistan and notably just four are from the IT sector Usman Asif s inclusion underscores Devsinc’s global stature and reflects the growing recognition of Pakistan s technology leadership on the international stage The Forbes Business Council provides a powerful platform to amplify Pakistan’s potential in the global technology and innovation ecosystem said Usman Asif We look forward to contributing insights and opening more pathways for collaboration and growth
tronage to help make this dream come true
The Center for Mathematical Sciences (CMS) at PIEAS was approved through the Higher Education Commission (HEC) by the special interest of Prof Ahsan Iqbal back in 2017 during his previous tenure as Federal Minister for Planning and Development
Major facilities developed under the project included the HPC facility and eight other high-tech specialized laboratories related to Applied Mathematical Sciences and Computational Mathematics A dedicated Academic Block and a Researchers Hostel have also been developed under this project The HPC facility developed in the project would serve to bring Pakistan and its universities at par with the infrastructure required for High Performance Computing needed to carry out cutting-edge Mathematical and Applied Research The long-term benefit of the project is the production of highly trained personnel leading towards technological self-reliance
