g CALLS PRIVATE-SECTOR ’S PROPOSALS ‘ COMMENDABLE,’ DIRECTING ITS INTEGRATION WITH OTHER SECTORAL RECOMMENDATIONS
g
MEETS
GOVERNOR, DISCUSSES OVERALL NATIONAL POLITICAL SITUATION WITH KEY FEDERAL MINISTERS IN ATTENDANCE
calling them commendable and instructing that they be merged with recommendations from other economic sectors to formulate a cohesive implementation plan within the national policy framework The Pakistani business community has consistently supported government
policies during challenging times, helping the country overcome economic difficulties By the grace of Allah Pakistan s economic trajectory has improved and the nation is moving toward progress he said while urging all stakeholders to work even harder to achieve national development goals The meeting also included a comparative analysis with regional countries to identify strategies for increasing the competitiveness of Pakistan s industrial sector The prime minister underlined that leveraging these insights would help the country attract greater investment and enhance productivity across key industries PM, KP Governor discuss provincial affairs and national political situation Separately PM Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to review provincial administrative and development matters According to the Prime Minister ’s Office the discussion also covered the broader political situation in the country Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Gilgit-Baltistan and Frontier Regions Engineer Amir Muqam, along with Federal Minister for Public Affairs Unit Rana Mubashir Iqbal, were also present at the meeting
Pakistan, S audi Arabia set to ink landmark deal to resolve ‘Rohingya refugee status ’
KARACHI
s ta f f r e p o r t
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have decided to sign a landmark agreement next week to resolve the longstanding issue “surrounding the legal status” of Rohingya Muslim refugees who migrated from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia decades ago the Interior Ministry announced
The agreement is expected to mark a significant step in addressing the plight of thousands of stateless Rohingya Muslims and strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries
The issue concerns thousands of Rohingya Muslims who had moved from Karachi to Saudi Arabia after being allocated lands by then Pakistani military ruler Ayub Khan following their exodus from
Myanmar s Rakhine state due to military operations While Pakistan had been renewing their passports for decades the process was halted in 2012 leaving many of these individuals stateless Over the years, Pakistani and Saudi authorities have held discussions to resolve the legal status of these Rohingya Muslims The matter was recently reviewed during a meeting in Islamabad between Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed AlMalki, who also discussed broader bilateral relations According to the Interior Ministry both sides expressed satisfaction over the resolution of this longstanding issue The Saudi ambassador thanked the Government of Pakistan for its positive role in
resolving the matter, and a formal agreement on this issue will be signed next week in Saudi Arabia ” the ministry added Karachi remains home to over 400 000 Rohingya Muslims the largest population outside Myanmar and Bangladesh, according to unofficial estimates The community began arriving in the region as early as the 1940s before Pakistan s creation with most settling in the city between 1960 and 1980 They were accommodated in two Karachi settlements, Burma Colony and Arkanabad, after arduous journeys through Bangladesh and India
Since then mass migrations have largely ceased due to tightened border controls by India with Bangladesh and restrictions on movement toward Pakistan
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Federal Constitutional Court (FCC)
Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan on Friday expressed hope that the newly established court would stand as a guardian of constitutionalism and an enduring symbol of justice for generations to come, underscoring the institution’s vital role in Pakistan’s evolving judicial landscape
Established under the recently enacted 27th Constitutional Amendment the FCC aims to ease the Supreme Court s caseload, ensure timely adjudi-
cation of constitutional matters, and reinforce the independence and credibility of the judicial system
Speaking in a message posted on the newly launched FCC website Justice Aminuddin described the creation of the court as an important moment in the nation’s ongoing constitutional journey, one that reinforces our collective commitment to the rule of law and the enduring promise of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
He emphasized that the FCC has been entrusted with a mandate of great significance : to interpret the Constitution with clarity, independence, and fi-
ciated the positive trajectory of Pak-Denmark relations and explored opportunities to enhance cooperation in economy, investment, trade, green energy, and people-topeople exchanges Both sides agreed to maintain close contact at multilateral fora, particularly as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for 2025-26
The meetings with Foreign Minister of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos and Netherlands David van Weel focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, with both sides agreeing to sustain regular contact to further mutual interests Additionally FM Dar met with Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Ma Theresa P Lazaro reviewing the full spectrum of bilateral relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation
Both nations expressed satisfaction with their ongoing collaboration at the UN and other multilateral platforms reaffirming their commitment to stay closely connected
delity; safeguard the fundamental rights guaranteed to the people; and ensure that the constitutional order remains a source of stability justice and balance across all state institutions
The work of this court
GOVT URGES CCP TO FAST-TRACK PROBE INTO ALLEGED GHEE AND COOKING OIL CARTEL
SBP to mark Pakistan Women Entrepreneurship Day on Dec 3
Pakistani origin skin creams, kohl flagged in New York for dangerous mercury, lead levels
PR OFIT
g h u l a M a b b a s
U S authorities have sounded a major international public-health alarm after detecting extremely high levels of mercury and lead in certain Pakistan-origin skin-lightening creams and kohl (surma) products being sold in New York City, raising concerns that the incident could damage Pakistan’s export credibility
According to an official communication received by the Ministry of Commerce the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported mercury concentrations up to 30,000 times higher than the permissible U S limit of 1 ppm and lead levels up to 98 000 times the allowed threshold of 10 ppm These products allegedly originating from Pakistan have been linked to cases of mercury poisoning and elevated bloodlead levels among New York residents prompting U S regulators to alert Pakistani authorities Pakistan s Ambassador to the
United States has warned Islamabad that the development could undermine Pakistan s export reputation, result in trade restrictions, and raise serious questions over the country’s product-safety regime
In response the Ministry of Science and Technology has directed the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) to immediately collect representative samples of all skin-lightening creams and kohl/surma available in the domestic market including where possible, samples meant for export
Both organisations have been instructed to conduct full laboratory analyses for mercury, lead, and other hazardous substances in line with national and international safety standards and to submit a comprehensive toxicology and conformity-assessment report on an urgent basis The findings will be forwarded to the Commerce Division for onward communication to
U S authorities
The New York laboratory results have raised concerns about Pakistan s regulatory controls, including the failure to prevent toxic ingredients in cosmetic products, the presence of unregistered manufacturers in local and export markets and the lack of routine testing for hazardous substances Officials fear that similar contaminated products may also be available domestically, posing potential health risks to consumers within Pakistan Authorities warn that the situation could lead to an international recall of Pakistani beauty products and compel the government to take strict enforcement measures to avoid trade repercussions Health experts say the incident could trigger import bans tighter screening requirements at foreign ports and long-term reputational damage for Pakistan-made cosmetics Officials familiar with the matter said the government is treating the U S alert as “a serious and sensitive issue with national implications ”
Kingbhai Digisol (Private) Limited, an investee company
other constraints that have slowed commerce He urged the government to address these issues to ease the burden on businesses and strengthen trade The session was attended by former SCCI senior vice president Abdul Jalil Jan, WCCIP President Qurtual Ain SVP Zaraa Imtiaz VP Zareen Akhtar executive committee members Sajjad Zaheer Aftab Iqbal Saddar Gul Fazl e Wahid Ishiaq Muhammad Syed Ejaz Ali Shah Rashid Iqbal Siddiqui chamber secretary general Muqtasid Ahsan, and numerous traders and industrialists FBR officials, including Secretary Tax Education and Facilitation Muhammad Mutiur Rehman Second Secretary Abdul Rehman and Javed delivered keynote presentations Mutiur Rehman assured participants that concerns over the digital integration deadline would be raised with senior authorities and resolved promptly He urged the SCCI to connect taxpayers with the FBR facilitation wing for joint problem-solving and suggested uploading a taxpayer checklist on the chamber’s website for convenience He further confirmed that the chamber s recommendations would be incorporated into the upcoming fiscal year s budget
Mo re IMF Pre ssu re
THE IMF has released its report on Pakistan s Governance and Corruption, and lo and behold!! It has found that there is elite capture in Pakistan, and thus corruption It has claimed that while corruption recovery efforts have yielded 5 31 trillion so far that was only a fraction of the actual cost of corruption The IMF’s concern with corruption reflects bothe the pervasive nature of the menace as well as the pervasiveness of the IMF’s oversight of the economy Because the IMF sets tax collection targets it is concerned with the leakages such as corruption that prevent those targets being achieved
However, that may explain why the IMF projections are not always corrupt There is every danger of the corruption charge just becoming an excuse to cover up for the shortcomings of the IMF predictions and assumptions This is problematic, for it will not lead to a correct solution of the economy s problems It is also too much of a cop-out at a time of rising demand for climate justice One of the most used arguments by the indutrialised West is that the Third World countries that need the most help are corrupt and must be lent the money rather than given it Apart from these general issues, the IMF now gets to intrude in areas from which it was previously excluded For example it wants the annual report of the Special Investment Facilitation Council published with a list provided of the investments that have been facilitated The IMF Seal of Good Housekeeping may be needed if the country is to access international money markets but it seems that the cost will be to ensure that any institution still not completely under the IMF’s thumb, must come under it
The government cannot ignore corruption, but at the same time, it must keep in mind that national interests are not sacrificed purely for money Thry may be thrown to the wind in a bid to satisfy foreign interests It should never be forgotten that the IMF is not a benign institution, but very much part of the Washington Consensus which the USA developed after World War II to bend a decolonizing world to its will Pakistan has been down that road before, and the results are not beneficial
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
PAKISTAN stands at a critical crossroads
As a lower riparian state it dependent on the massive Indus River System and it is facing a confluence of threats created by a confluence of upstream treaty uncertainty rapid climate change and longstanding domestic inefficiencies Addressing these in isolation is no longer sufficient; the time has come for a all-inclusive water-resilience strategy that will be rooted in the good governance, modern infrastructure and regional cooperation At the heart of Pakistan’s dilemma is the 1960 Indus Water Treaty (IWT) which for decades regulated the sharing of the Indus system between Pakistan and India However the treaty is increasingly under stress due to evolving hydrology and diplomatic disharmony According to one of the analyses, the treaty “currently lacks provisions for climate-induced variability” in the basin’s water supply In recent years Pakistan has flagged its upstream vulnerability at the United Nations Security Council where its representative warned that increasing water demand coupled with climate-change impacts creates the potential for trans-boundary water disputes Meanwhile, Pakistan’s internal water governance is under strain As one commentary transcripts that “Transformative approaches linking water governance with climate adaptation require institutional restructuring Climate change intensifies everything The Indus basin is identified as a hotspot for rising temperatures, glacial retreat, erratic monsoons and increasing flood and drought cycles The combined effect causes a shrinking glacial storage, more variable flows and heightened risk to agriculture and livelihoods At the same time Pakistan’s water infrastructure from storage capacity to irrigation efficiency lags significantly A recent strategic brief observes that Pakistan can store only about 30 days of water compared with India s 170 days, leaving Pakistan dangerously exposed The inefficiencies are profound that is seepage, evaporation, outdated canal systems and minimal reuse of waste water To turn crisis into opportunity Pakistan must act across four interconnected pillars:
1 Modernize irrigation and agriculture: Agriculture uses the lion s share of Pakistan s water supply improvements here yield outsized benefits Moving from flood irrigation to precision technolo-
S - I n d i a D e f e n c e Pa c t
Implications for Pakistan
TIndian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh signed this pact at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur Hegseth shared this news on X quoting We re enhancing our coordination info sharing and tech cooperation Our defense ties have never been stronger Therefore, the defence pact aims to enhance cooperation in military operations, technology sharing, and strategic coordination, while strengthening both countries' presence and influence in the region Notably the Agreement was signed back in 2005 in Washington DC This agreement covered joint weapons production the transfer of civil and military technology, and cooperation on missile defense US-India strategic ties developed in the post-Cold War era in 1991 Earlier in 1950s India choose non-alignment by r choosing neither the USA s nor the USSR s blocs After the disintegration of the USSR Pakistan ceased to be an attractive ally The USA shifted its focus on India to counterbalance China and its hold on to the Indo-Pacific region Till date, India and the USA have signed four major defense and military partnerships to combat Chinese influence in the South China Sea These agreements include the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), Basic
Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) India is also part of the Quad four state military and economic agreement between to limit Chinese influence in the IndoPacific region over approximately half of global trade passes by Despite its military modernization India failed to counter Pakistan in the four-day-long war in May It is all because of its diversified procurement such as Israeli Heron drones, US surveillance platforms, French Rafale jets, and the Russian S-400 air defence system that it lacked interoperability Even as India moved towards this diverse military modernization leading Indian think-tank Observer Research Foundation underscored that India was hampered by service-specific preferences resulting in the weak integration of weapons and intelligence systems Not only integration was at fault for there was lack of training of military personnel to operate these systems During the war these lacks became clear as India failed to counter Pakistan Pakistan s strategic alignment with China paid off well According to defense security Asia Pakistan’s integrating Chinese origin radars airborne early warning platforms and data link enabled fighters all to be integrated under a China-supported C4ISR system While French Rafales owned by India experienced latency issues, having radar inconsistencies and communication protocols After the war, Indian defence analysts and opposition party strongly criticized Indian he Modi government for buying such non-integrated technology The Indo-US nexus has severe implications for Pakistan Indo-US strategic cooperation is a threat to regional peace and strategic stability The intensification of rivalry and the extreme race between the USA and China has put Pakistan into an extremely difficult situation with both states Pakistan has deepened its ties with
Pakistan should not compromise its ties with China, for making good ties with the USA As the US-Pakistan strategic relationship never stands for long, the Pakistan-China relationship is longstanding After the extension of the agreement, it has been clear to Pakistan that the USA will never compromise its ties with India despite tariff tensions In the last week, a statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cleared that the USA wants to expand strategic ties with Pakistan but not at the expense of its relations with India He further added, India is a great strategic ally of the USA. Consequently, Pakistan should also realize that the USA is not comprising its ties with India while expanding ties with Pakistan Thus, Pakistan should keep its ties stronger with China as in hard times, China has always supported Pakistan while US-Pakistan relations had always been short term and transactional
gies like drip or sprinkler systems can reduce losses
boost yield per drop and free water for other uses
Specialists estimate that irrigation-efficiency improvements could save up to 30% of agriculture water loss The modern farming practices, crop-water accounting, reuse of treated waste water and shifting away from overly water-intensive crops especially where unsuitable must become national priority
2 Expand water storage and smart systems: Without adequate storage Pakistan remains hostage to seasonal swings and upstream developments Expanding reservoir capacity completing key dam projects and investing in regional storage like groundwater recharge and off-channel ponds are critical One policy piece advocates modification through desalination especially for coastal cities and waste water reuse to reduce burden on the Indus system Nevertheless storage alone isn t enough Pakistan also needs real-time hydrological monitoring AI-based forecasting, sediment management in older dams and repair of aging infrastructure
3 Strengthen governance, transparency and institutions: Good infrastructure requires good governance Pakistan’s 2018 National Water Policy acknowledges climate change and institutional reforms but implementation remains fragmented across provinces The effective coordination between federal, provincial water ministries; clear roles for agencies such as the Indus River System Authority; transparent water-accounting; public-participation mechanisms– these are essential for trust efficiency and equity In turn communities must be empowered: water-user associations local irrigation management and participatory decision-making can transform mindset and performance
4 Reinforce transboundary diplomacy and basinwide cooperation: Pakistan’s water security is inseparable from regional dynamics The treaty-regime for the Indus basin must adapt to climate change upstream infrastructure and evolving hydrology Analysts argue that the IWT must be updated to implant climate resilience data-sharing joint forecasting and adaptive management Diplomatic engagement cannot wait The shared river invokes the shared responsibility and Pakistan must actively seek cooperation on floodwarning systems sediment and ecosystem health upstream-downstream coordination and regional water-science collaboration Water diplomacy thus becomes an instrument of both national security and regional peace Water is not just an environmental issue it is an economic, social and strategic matter as well Agriculture remains central to Pakistan’s economy and employs a significant portion of the workforce; interruptions in water supply translate into crop losses food
China, as the Pakistan-US relationship has always been driven by mutual interests Pakistan and China both already have long-standing defence relationships involving multiple pacts including military and arms production In 2020 an MoU was signed between the Pakistan Army and the People s Liberation Army to enhance intelligence sharing The two countries have cooperated on projects like the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft and the Al-Khalid tank which is based on a Chinese design Over the years China provided that China is a longstanding friend During the Indo-Pak war, China provided significant military support to Pakistan, including J-10C fighter jets fitted with PL-15 long air-to-air missiles HQ9 and LY-80 air defense systems The J-10C established air superiority by neutralizing Indian Su-30MKIs and MiG-29s with BVR tactics China also provided real time intelligence by sharing surveillance satellites to detect Indian aircrafts and troop movements Chinese technology helped Pakistan deter an Indian unprovoked attack It also helped Pakistan in establishment of military-industrial complexes like Heavy Industries Taxila and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra China has even always supported Pakistan s stance in United Nations in Kashmir and used its veto power twice It also helped Pakistan at international forums like FATF and blocked Indian moves to blacklist Pakistan Pakistan should not compromise its ties with China for making good ties with the USA As the US-Pakistan strategic relationship never stands for long, the Pakistan-China relationship is longstanding After the extension of the agreement, it has been clear to Pakistan that the USA will never compromise its ties with India despite tariff tensions In the last week a statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cleared that the USA wants to expand strategic ties with Pakistan but not at the expense of its relations with India He further added, India is a great strategic ally of the USA Consequently, Pakistan should also realize that the USA is not comprising its ties with India while expanding ties with Pakistan Thus Pakistan should keep its ties stronger with China as in hard times China has always supported Pakistan while USPakistan relations had always been short term and transactional
Amna Naz is a research intern at the Institute
Print still matters
gridlock
zohA Aziz
No More Silence
the pattern is consistent and public: militants strike Pakistan from across the border, and their enablers lie beyond our control actors who benefit from regional chaos and Pakistan’s distraction
IT
e
unmistakable Pakistan has sought peace with its neighbours including Afghanistan and openly reaffirmed, as COAS Fieild Marshal Asim Munir recently stated that we seek peace with all neighbours but will not allow cross-border terrorism to be perpetrated from Afghan soil Yet, while Pakistan extends the hand of diplomacy, Afghan territory continues to shelter the banned Tehrik Taliban Pakistan and allied militant networks whose attacks across the border have escalated sharply throughout 2025 Pakistan has in effect formally delivered what it termed a final warning to the Afghan regime: tolerance of sanctuaries and protection of militant leadership will no longer be accepted From the east, a similarly dangerous pattern persists Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies have repeatedly asserted that its eastern neighbour is financing and facilitating militant groups operating from Afghan soil or, at the very least, exploiting them to threaten Pakistan s security In April, the Directorate General ISPR stated that “India is the main sponsor of terrorism in Balochistan ” explicitly linking the deadly attack on the Jaffar Express to Indian-backed proxies Though full disclosures remain classified
o b a l c r e d i b i l i t y e v i d e n t i n t h e r e t u r n o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o n f i d e n c e a n d e n g a g e m e n t T h i s t r u t h m u s t b e r e c o g n i s e d : P a k i s t a n i s n o t t h e p r o b l e m ; i t i s t h e s t a b i l i s i n g f o r c e i n a r e g i o n r e p e a t e d l y u n d e r m i n e d b y I n d i a ’ s p o l i t i c a l o p p o r t u n i s m a n d A f g h a n i s t a n ’ s g o v e r n a n c e f a i l u r e s T h e n a r r a t i v e o f “ t e r r o r i s m , ” w e a p o n i z e d f o r y e a r s a g a i n s t P a k i s t a n , h a s s e r v e d a s a s m o k e s c r e e n f o r i n t e r v e n t i o n i s t a m b i t i o n s P a k i s t a n ’ s r e s i l i e n c e p o l i t i c a l , m o r a l , a n d s t r a t e g i c s t a n d s a s t e s t i m o n y t h a t n o p r o p a g a n d a c a n o b s c u r e
This is not mere accusation; it is evidence-based indictment Pakistan has repeatedly presented intelligence, briefed international partners, and demanded accountability The true engine of instability is not simply the flow of militants and weapons but the permissive environment across borders that sustains them Meanwhile Pakistan stands open before the world It has regained global confidence its stability reflected in the return of international cricket, with the South African team’s full tour concluded and Sri Lanka’s team now in the country This is more than sport it is statecraft Our stadiums and cities now host the world again projecting normalcy security and renewal Diplomatically, Pakistan has deepened ties with Qatar, Türkiye, and Gulf partners, while maintaining strategic equilibrium with China and Western allies These relationships have even yielded three rounds of mediated ceasefire talks with Afghanistan yet despite Pakistan s sincerity no tangible results have emerged Indeed the last few days alone have seen fresh terrorist assaults, including the Islamabad attack that again claimed innocent Pakistani lives Yet the regional narrative remains distorted India and some elements within the Afghan regime persist in accusing Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism while ignoring overwhelming evidence of cross-border attacks, train hijackings, and school-bus bombings traced back to externally backed proxies The Balochistan school-bus attack earlier this year which killed three children stands as a grim reminder of how deeply these networks operate under external facilitation
nally cast as the accused
India’s involvement is neither peripheral nor conjectural it is deliberate and integral From Balochistan to information warfare India s fingerprints are evident in the funding arming and amplification of separatist and extremist elements Islamabad has presented dossiers to the UN and bilateral partners, challenging India to face the evidence The burden of credibility now lies with New Delhi which must explain why its intelligence proxies surface wherever instability in Pakistan is engineered The regional crisis has outgrown the old frame of internal insurgencies These are calculated power plays disguised as counterterrorism narratives When Afghanistan seeks Indian patronage when New Delhi embraces the Taliban diplomatically and when Kabul and Delhi coordinate on economic corridors that bypass Pakistan the strategic intent is unmistakable: to isolate and pressure Pakistan from both borders
Pakistan is, therefore, justified in drawing a red line Sanctuaries will be dismantled Networks will be exposed And if required Pakistan will act unilaterally to protect its citizens and sovereignty The April 27 cross-border operation which neutralized dozens of infiltrating militants, demonstrated Pakistan s resolve and capability Ceasefires without guarantees are ticking time bombs; dialogue without verification is theatre
The world must now acknowledge that Pakistan s sovereignty is non-negotiable When militants hijack trains, bomb schools, or ambush civilians, they act under the shadow of states that have chosen duplicity over cooperation That calculus must change Pakistan’s restraint should not be mistaken for weakness It remains the stabilising force in a volatile region its people resilient its state institutions battle-tested and its diplomacy mature
As the world returns to Pakistan s stadiums, its trade corridors reopen, and its partnerships expand a new reality takes shape:
been most appropriate at that moment and filled them with books on the Liberation War our people in general, and the younger generation in particular, would have been far better informed about that glorious moment in our history The truth is that Hasina’s government was in power for 15 consecutive years and did virtually nothing to raise public
LET legal experts discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the ICT trial and verdict Our focus will be on the fact that Sheikh Hasina’s political demise had already occurred and the “guilty verdict” was pronounced by the people especially the younger generation much earlier during the tumultuous days of July-August 2024
The future is always unpredictable, but as of now, her reputation lies in ruins and her political career buried under a mountain of debris of self-righteous arrogance misgovernance and impunity Whatever may be Awami League s narrative about the national or international conspiracy behind Sheikh Hasina s fall, the fact is that the death sentence by the ICT was brought on by her own cruel suppression of political dissent, abuse of the law corruption partisan administration bank looting money laundering suppression of independent media houses and corruption of the compliant ones and finally, the killing of 1,400 citizens including children to stay in power during the last few weeks of her rule Over the years, enforced disappearance and extra-judicial killings became the hallmark of her regime Yes there were some vital infrastructural developments increase in per capita income and growth in many social indicators but the credit for them was swept aside by her de-
struction of democracy and overwhelming dictatorial rule Eventually Hasina’s public acceptance totally collapsed and hatred for her skyrocketed and the death sentence in the people s court was passed due to the killings on the streets, as mentioned above What distinguishes her rule from that of many dictators and autocrats is that very few of them killed so many unarmed protesters in so short a time
It is to Sheikh Hasina s credit that she was able to revive reorganise rejuvenate and re-inspire Awami League (AL) to win elections in 1996 after 21 years out of power Her first stint in office, especially the signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord (which she herself did not implement) and the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty marked a new beginning for AL But over the years she effectively demolished her own party as she destroyed the police, the bureaucracy, the judiciary, etc transforming it from a political powerhouse into an apparatus of extortion, corruption and violence and replacing ideology with sycophancy principles with praise for the leader and service to the people with service to themselves Every nomination was for sale, most promotions within the party ranks came for a bribe, and every development project was treated as their plaything BUET student Abrar Fahad’s torture and murder by Chhatra League was testimony to how the AL s student body was turned into a murderous gang She did not take well either of her electoral defeats in 1991 and 2001 Her view that AL could never be defeated in a free and fair election, but only through rigged ones, partly made her reject these results inventing the term subtle-rigging This marked the beginning of the arrogance and myopia that led her towards ignoring the truth and making massive blunders A miraculous escape from a near-fatal attempt on her life in August 2004, in which 24 AL workers and leaders were killed with no credible attempt by the then BNP government to investigate the grenade attack and punish the perpetrators
probably convinced Hasina that she would always be vulnerable as an opposition politician and thus she may have decided never to give up power if and when she regained it This in our view killed the prospect of democracy in Bangladesh Hasina regained power in a free and fair election in 2008, abolished the caretaker system in 2011, and then manipulated all the following elections held in 2014 2018 and 2024 As her manipulations succeeded she grew over-confident and felt that all her political allies were her pawns all opponents manipulatable, and all dissenting voices easily suppressed She became entrapped in the mindset of never admitting any mistakes, which resulted in her becoming supremely arrogant During a meeting with editors in 2013 I heard her say: In spite of so many attempts on my life Allah has kept me alive for the purpose of carrying out His will So, you all may write anything you like I don t care ” She felt she was divinely guided and, as such, had nothing to worry about Thus, she plunged deeper into isolation on the one hand and became further intolerant on the other both of which distanced her from the people and her party Changing the constitution to do away with the caretaker government system to oversee elections gave the first clear signal of Hasina’s intention to take over the process of holding national elections It was crystal clear that the 2014 election was openly and shamelessly manipulated We have written before but it deserves to be repeated that out of 300 seats in parliament, 153 had only one contestant as others withdrew “voluntarily ” The Election Commission, therefore, declared “elected” the only contestant there was who happened to belong to the AL Thus in the 2014 election before a single vote was cast AL gained the majority in parliament to form a government It was the most blatant, undemocratic, and immoral tinkering with elections ever Could that have happened without the sitting prime minister (PM) and the party chief ’s direct involvement?
The fact that Sheikh Hasina s government was able to get away with such electoral frauds marking a failure on the part of the BNP to make an effective protest gave her and her sycophants a dangerous but ultimately illusory confidence that led them to repeat this manipulation in the 2018 and 2024 elections thereby digging its own grave into which it fell in July-August 2024 The Covid pandemic during 2020-2022 isolated her from her party and the people The day-to-day functioning of the adminis-
tration became an unthinking ritual This was followed by the ostentatious observance of Bangabandhu s birth centenary, which greatly offended the conscientious section of civil society and the public in general It became clear that people’s urgent needs had no place in the PM’s mind; instead creating an infallible personality cult was where her government placed all its attention and resources Hasina totally misread the national psyche, which is fundamentally averse to individual cultism Dubious authors wrote thousands of books that the government bought at exorbitant prices which in fact became a way of siphoning off public money to corrupt bureaucrats teachers and socalled professionals all of whom were in an undeclared competition to curry favour with the AL leadership and, of course, make some money in the process The birth centenary celebration did not produce a single well-researched or intellectually honest account of the leader of our independence movement but instead flooded schools colleges universities and all institutions linked with education with substandard publications not worth even the paper they were written on The hundreds of statues built a culture previously almost non-existent in Bangladesh greatly damaged Bangabandhu s reputation instead of increasing authentic learning about him eventually becoming targets when the anti-government rebellion started The first time I saw his statue near the PMO in Dhaka, the image of Saddam Hussein’s being demolished and dragged through the street flashed through my mind and I intuitively felt that our people would reject it at the first opportunity they would get This was followed by the 50th anniversary celebration of Bangladesh s liberation in 2021 Hasina celebrated this crucial occasion as a continuation of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary Freedom fighters were horrified to see how little tribute was paid to them and how their stories of sacrifice bravery and patriotism remained untold The members of the armed forces who rebelled against the Pakistani rulers in 1971 and played the most crucial role in galvanising young freedom fighters into an effective fighting force hardly received any focus The crucial role of declaring independence played by Major Ziaur Rahman was not even remotely mentioned as was the role of Colonel M A G Osmani (the chief of the Liberation War army) and other sector commanders The significance and central role of the government-in-exile led by Tajuddin Ahmad did not receive much attention Once again everything converged on one man Freedom fighters still alive and the family members of those killed during the war, felt insulted Just to cite another example of arrogance and lack of foresight, Hasina forced every government office every semi-government institution universities both public and private NGOs banks airports etc to open what was called a Mujib corner to display photos and books mostly substandard ones on him If instead she had set up “Muktijoddha corners” which would have
Majid Nabi burfat
MODI HEADS TO SOUTH AFRICA FOR G20 SUMMIT BOYCOTTED BY TRUMP
Explosive weapons caused record child casualties in 2024: NGO
China urges Japan to retrac t ‘erroneous’ Taiwan remarks
Japan should retract its erroneous remarks on Taiwan if it wants to develop the strategic relationship of mutual benefit with China said Mao Ning a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, on Friday Mao made the comments in response to questions over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks earlier in the day that the Japanese side s willingness to develop the strategic relationship of mutual benefit with China remains unchanged Takaichi s blatant and erroneous remarks on Taiwan, which imply the possibility of Japan’s armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait have triggered outrage and condemnation from the Chinese people and eroded the political foundation of ChinaJapan relations, Mao said China has made clear its firm opposition “If it truly wants to develop the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit and build constructive and stable bilateral ties fit for the new era Japan should abide by the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan and the political commitments it has made, immediately retract the recent
erroneous remarks and take practical steps to honor its commitments to China said Mao If Japan follows old path of militarism, it will end in failure, says Chinese spokesperson If Japan wants to follow the old path of militarism abandon its commitment to peaceful development and undermine the post-war international order it will ultimately end in failure Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday Responding to relevant queries, Mao told a regular news briefing that following the WWII victory international treaties and instruments such
as the Cairo Declaration the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender clearly stated Japan s obligations as a defeated country, requiring Japan to be completely disarmed and not to maintain such industries as “would enable her to re-arm for war ” However in recent years Japan has kept easing the restrictions and seeking military buildup said Mao It has increased its defense budget for 13 consecutive years, and adopted the new security laws to remove the ban on exercising the right to collective self-defense she added
Indian jet crash k ills pilot at D ubai Airshow
complicated Paul Reavley, a consultant pediatric emergency physician, explained that children s anatomy, physiology, and psychosocial needs make them disproportionately affected by explosive weapons The conflicts that led to the most child casualties in 2024 were in Gaza the West Bank Sudan Myanmar Ukraine and Syria The deadliest conflict for children was in Gaza, where 20,000 children have been killed since Israel launched its war in October 2023 in response to an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas LUSAKA s ta f f c o r r e s P o N d e N t Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Thursday that China is willing to work with Zambia and Tanzania to advance the development of a prosperity belt along the TAZARA Railway and jointly foster a new economic growth hub He made the remarks in Zambia s capital Lusaka while attending the groundbreaking ceremony of the TAZARA revitalization project, alongside Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Tanzanian Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi Li noted that in September 2024 Chinese President Xi Jinping Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and President Hichilema jointly witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the TAZARA revitalization project in Beijing Over the past year relevant departments and enterprises from the three countries have worked together making significant progress and paving the way for the project s formal commencement, Li said The railway, Li emphasized, serves as a bond that closely ties the peoples of China Tanzania and Zambia He praised the TAZARA spirit as a precious legacy forged through dedication and hard work –one that should be cherished and safeguarded Today, China-Africa cooperation has embarked on a new journey toward the shared dream of
modernization Li said describing the railway as a landmark project of China-Africa cooperation China is ready to work with Zambia and Tanzania to ensure that this railway filled with hope shines with renewed splendor in the new era injecting greater vitality into the development of Tanzania, Zambia and even the entire African continent, he added Li highlighted that
Ambassador of the Netherlands calls on Federal Minister for Human Rights
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
H E Robert-Jan Siegert, paid a courtesy call on the Federal Minister for Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration and exchanging views on ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting and protecting human rights in Pakistan The Federal Minister welcomed the Ambassador and appreciated the Netherlands continued engagement and support for Pakistan s human rights priorities Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing equality, inclusion, and the welfare of all citizens The Ambassador acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts in implementing its human rights agenda and commended the government s commitment to constitutional guarantees including freedom of religion and belief The Minister highlighted Pakistan s diverse and inclusive society, where all religious communities enjoy constitutional protection
LAHORE s ta f
e p o r t
Participants of the ASEAN Member States’ Capacity-Building Conference on Thursday visited the Central Police Office (CPO) Lahore and met Inspector General of Police Punjab Dr Usman Anwar in a key engagement aimed at enhancing regional cooperation in policing, technology exchange and institutional strengthening The delegation was briefed on Punjab Police s modern infrastructure crime-control systems service delivery reforms and the operational challenges confronting law enforcement in the province
During the visit, the ASEAN representatives toured various sections of the Central Police Office including the Punjab Police Museum and the Shuhada & Ghazi
Walls, where they were briefed on the force’s history its sacrifices and the evolution of policing practices in the province Punjab Police also presented souvenirs to the visiting delegates, while Managing Director Safe Cities Authority, Ahsan Younas, presented a special shield to IG Punjab on behalf of the department Speaking on the occasion IG
Punjab Dr Usman Anwar said that cooperation in security and safety matters between ASEAN member countries and Punjab Police had further strengthened through the conference He noted that the sessions held during the event focused on AIbased policing, smart surveillance, and modern traffic management solutions areas seen as crucial for future regional collaboration
Indonesian Diplomatic Reception Lights Up Karachi, Celebrating 80 Years of Independence and Strong Bilateral Ties
Mehmood Member Planning and Design Dr Khalid Hafiz Member Engineering Syed Nafasat Raza, Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch along with other relevant officers Several agenda items were discussed and decisions were made during the 17th meeting of the CDA Board According to details the Planning Wing presented the matter of temporary stalls and kiosks in Islamabad to the CDA Board in light of the High Court s orders The Planning Wing was directed to formulate and present a clear policy in this regard During the 17th CDA Board meeting, proposals for amendments to the Islamabad Land Disposal Regulations 2005 (ILDR) were also considered in accordance with the directives of the sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) The meeting decided that a committee comprising all Director Generals of various Wings will be formed This committee will identify and remove delays and obstacles in the process and procedures of different matters
sion were not unilateral acts but “responses to clear security threats” tied to the Afghan Taliban regime’s continued patronage of terrorist elements targeting Pakistan The onus of delay in opening the border crossing rests with Afghan Taliban Similarly, the projects like TAPI and CASA1000,” he stated, underscoring that major regional connectivity initiatives had also suf-
fered because of Kabul s unwillingness to curb militant groups He reiterated that Afghanistan must stop the misuse of its territory for launching terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, noting that Islamabad had consistently tried to remain engaged despite suffering loss of life Earlier Pakistan had segregated trade and security But then there is a threshold of patience I think that threshold of patience has been crossed We cannot let the trade happen as if trade is to license the killing of Pakistanis from Afghan soil ” he remarked
Responding to queries about inflammatory statements by Afghan leaders including one claiming preparations of 4 000 bombers for deployment against Pakistan, Andrabi said such rhetoric only strengthened Pakistan’s longstanding position regarding the use of Afghan territory as a springboard for cross-border terrorism “The statement proved what Pakistan had been saying he added
Turning to regional developments involving India, Andrabi was asked to comment on US President Donald Trump s recent statement regarding his conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who reportedly assured him that India would not go to war with Pakistan Andrabi replied that such assurances were received cautiously That assurance we obviously take with a pinch of salt It is not backed up by
any cooling down of statements emanating from India, he said He noted that Indian political and military leadership continued to “monger war” and issue hostile remarks, creating an environment of persistent tension in the region
On the Iranian nuclear issue Andrabi reiterated Pakistan s principled and steady position which recognizes Iran s right to nuclear enrichment within permissible limits and in line with Tehran s commitments under international law
Commenting on the latest US congressional report on Pakistan the spokesperson said the document s concluding assessment which acknowledged Pakistan s overwhelming success on certain fronts was quite a telling endorsement of Pakistan s efforts
The spokesperson also provided an overview of Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements during the week He highlighted Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar s visit to Russia to attend the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting and his subsequent trip to Brussels to cochair the 7th session of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue and participate in the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum
On the sidelines of these engagements Pakistan and Hungary signed the renewal of the MoU on Cooperation under the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme 2026-
Boiler explosion at Faisalabad fac tor y kills 19
CM Mar yam, Philippine envoy discuss investment oppor tunities in Punjab
LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t Philippine Ambassador Dr Emmanuel R Fernandez called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on Friday and discussed a variety of issues with her Bilateral relations, investment, climate change, defence cooperation and people-to-people contacts were discussed in the meeting The meeting also discussed political constitutional and parliamentary cooperation The agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the Philippines and Punjab in the meeting Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif congratulated the Philippines on the 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif offered investment in Punjab to Filipino investors and assured full cooperation and facilities Talking on the occasion, Maryam Nawaz said the friendship between Pakistan and the Philippines is a strong and dignified relationship spanning 76 years Maryam Nawaz Sharif said Lahore and the land of Punjab always keep their doors open to friendly countries Spiritual and cultural values peace humanity and harmony between Pakistan and the Philippines are our common heritage, Maryam Nawaz said She said 25 MoUs and the 2022 Defence Cooperation Agreement between Pakistan and the Philippines are giving a new dimension to the relations Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed condolences over loss of lives in recent earthquakes and storms in the Philippines Pakistan stands with the people of the Philippines in this hour of grief, Maryam Nawaz said
13 I ndian prox y terrorists k illed in L ak k i M ar wat, DI Khan IBOs: ISPR
Security forces killed 13 Indian proxy terrorists of Fitna al-Khawarij in separate intelligence-based operations conducted in different area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) according to the military s media wing on Friday In a statement the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) said: The intelligence-based operations were conducted in KP’s Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan districts on the reported presence of terrorists of Finta al-Khawarij During the conduct of operation our troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, ten khwarij were sent to hell ”
“Another intelligence based operation was conducted in Dera Ismail Khan District In ensuing fire exchange three Khwarij were effectively neutralised by the security forces
The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the deceased “Indian-sponsored” militants who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities and target killing of civilians Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji (militant) found in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement KP which borders Afghanistan
Seven killed as ‘ter rorists’ target Aman Lashkar office in Bannu
BANNU/PESHAWAR
S ta f f R e p o R t
Seven people were killed and two others injured in a deadly attack on a government-backed Aman Lashkar committee office in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday police said The assault claimed by state authorities to be carried out by the Fitna al-Khawarij has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls to protect local peace committees engaged in countering militancy Authorities said the motive remains under investigation though the victims family suggested the attack may stem from a family feud Police, however, indicated that this claim may have been made to prevent potential retaliatory attacks An FIR has been registered at
has seen a surge in militancy in recent years The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months
Havaid police station under Sections 302 (intentional murder) 324 (attempted murder) 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon) and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Pakistan Penal Code The complaint states that three suspects, accompanied by other armed men and led by a terrorist commander, barged into the victims’ guesthouse and opened fire before fleeing According to the complainant Abdullah there was pre-existing enmity over a murderrelated dispute Peace committees, or village defence committees, were established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to assist the law enforcement agencies in protecting local communities from terrorism These committees often include former militants sometimes referred to as good Taliban, and have been targeted by terrorists in the past
A day earlier, the security forces said it had killed 23 militants in multiple operations in KP’s Kurram district Islamabad has long accused Kabul of allowing its soil and India of backing militant groups including the TTP, for attacks against Pakistan
