PAKISTAN, BAHRAIN REAFFIRM DEEPENING BIL ATERAL TIES, DEFENCE PARTNERSHIP
g PM SHEHBAZ MEETS
FIELDS
g CONGRATULATES BAHRAIN ON LONGSTANDING SUPPORT FOR PAKISTAN AND PARDON OF PAKISTANI PRISONERS
g TWO LEADERS AGREE TO BOOST BILATERAL TRADE UNDER PAKISTAN–GCC FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
g KING CONFERS ORDER OF BAHRAIN (FIRST CLA SS) ON PRIME MINISTER SHEHBAZ
ISLAMABAD/MANAMA
extended to the visiting dignitary, said a Foreign Office statement During his meeting with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the AlQudaibiya Palace the prime minister commended Bahrain s leadership in promoting peace, tolerance, and coexistence, and thanked the King for his country s
longstanding support for Pakistan, including the pardon of Pakistani prisoners He also acknowledged Bahrain’s role in the establishment of the King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad inaugurated in September 2025 and welcomed recent high-level exchanges between the two nations, the FO statement added On economic cooperation, Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted the potential to expand bilateral trade currently poised to grow under the Pakistan–GCC Free Trade Agreement now in its final stages He invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)
enduring defence partnership agreeing to strengthen cooperation in training logistics manpower and defence production They also discussed developments in Gaza, emphasizing that long-overdue peace and stability are essential for the people of the region who have suffered for decades
COA S Munir, Iran’s NSA Larijani discuss counter terrorism, regional cooperation
IMF SAYS CCP STRENGTHENS ENFORCEMENT AS REPORT URGES DEEPER ACTION AGAINST MARKET BARRIERS
Cabinet orders mechanism to stablise fer tiliser prices as ECC clears gas supply to four plants
the diversion of 110 MMCFD of gas from the Guddu power plant BR cited sources as saying that the Petroleum Division circulated its proposal to multiple ministries including Finance Planning Industries Food Security Power Climate Change and Privatisation for comments Most divisions endorsed the plan, while the Finance Division submitted detailed observations seeking clarification A committee meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister on September 16 reviewed the proposal The meeting attended by stakeholders including the ministers for Privatisation and Climate Change, endorsed the Petroleum Division’s plan and directed officials to complete procedural requirements before submitting it to the ECC During ECC discussions the Petroleum Division briefed the forum on the need for changes in gas allocation due to shifts in supply dynamics The Finance Division raised three key queries: how surplus RLNG would be handled, the strategy for recovering long outstanding Gas Infrastructure Development Cess from
Nawaz calls for accountabilit y of those who ‘aided and abetted’ Imran to power CONTINUED
other decisions are out of our hands The PML-N leader praised voters for supporting the party based on performance and lauded PM Shehbaz Sharif and CM Maryam Nawaz for efforts to restore economic stability, claiming the government had “taken the economy out of the trenches” and averted
COAS: Armed Forces maintain unwavering professionalism, resolute in safeguarding national securit y
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The delegation also held an interactive session with COAS Syed Asim Munir who highlighted the fluid regional environment shaped by geopolitical competition, cross-border terrorism and hybrid threats The Army Chief noted that Pakistan is a country of consequence destined to achieve its rightful place in the comity of nations He added that the professionalism and commitment displayed during Marka-eHaq had further enhanced Pakistan s global stature He stressed that national unity remains the country s greatest strength and reaffirmed that together, Pakistan will defeat the nefarious designs of its foes Insha’Allah Participants were also briefed on national efforts against illegal activities, including crackdowns on smuggling narcotics trafficking and organised criminal networks Updates were shared on enhanced border controls and the repatriation of illegal foreigners to maintain internal order and protect national interests
PTI marks ‘D - C howk massacre’ anniversar y, slams ‘unending state repression’
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
To honour the deceased workers, the party organised a special mega-ceremony on Wednesday at 5:00 PM at the Hayatabad Sports Complex Football Ground Sh Waqas said the event aimed to collectively commemorate the martyrs renew their memory and present a unified national tribute to their unparalleled sacrifices, describing them as the voice of a nation determined to remain unbroken despite oppression Reiterating PTI’s commitment to what he called a “just and noble struggle ” the PTI CIS said party leaders and workers would not relent until genuine democracy was restored the Constitution upheld the people s mandate respected, and Imran Khan along with all political prisoners released He emphasised that the party would continue its political campaign “regardless of oppression or attempts at suppression ” Sh Waqas condemned what he described as the “fascism unleashed on 26 November 2024 as well as what he termed the continuing repression tightening media censorship political vendettas and the complete politicisation and paralysis of state institutions He said the same authoritarian mindset prevailed today, adding that the brutality and reckless abuse of power” had intensified rather than diminished “Tyranny is never permanent ” he insisted “and the voice of the people ultimately triumphs He assured that PTI would neither forget nor allow the sacrifices of the affected families to fade into obscurity describing them as the foundation of democratic rights and Pakistan s future We stand with our martyrs, Imran Khan, and all prisoners of conscience,” he said “This caravan cannot be stopped ” The PTI CIS also raised fresh concerns about the safety and wellbeing of the incarcerated PTI founder who he said remained confined in a death cell under deplorable conditions on politically motivated charges He alleged that
Imran Khan was being denied access to his lawyers family and party leadership in violation of court orders and his fundamental legal rights
Sh Waqas further claimed that Imran Khan s global credibility and political vision made him a threat to international power networks, referencing recently surfaced emails linked to the late Jeffrey Epstein described in the statement as a key figure in a Zionist network claiming these communications showed that powerful actors viewed Khan as a challenge to their agenda He alleged that this was reflected in what PTI calls a Zionist-engineered conspiracy, executed through local collaborators, to remove him from power and place him in arbitrary detention
He also expressed concern over reports regarding a possible transfer of Imran Khan from Adiala Jail noting the suspension of his meeting rights including with lawyers family members and personal doctors for several weeks He said this pattern of restrictions, despite multiple court directives, had caused widespread alarm and raised serious questions about the physical and mental wellbeing of both Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi
Wa
and to maintaining safety standards across all airports in Pakistan
Though Barrick Mining has reaffirmed its commitment, the speculation raised many questions
WGenerative AI and extended realit y
RThe future of immersive content isnÊt just about better graphics or more convincing simulations ItÊs about creating spaces where imagination has no limits, where anyone can be a creator, and where the line between experiencing and creating becomes beautifully blurred. That future isnÊt coming, itÊs already here, and itÊs being generated one stunning moment at a time
2025 inauguration, it was claimed by the NCA management that more than 200 national and international artists from Europe China Iran the UK and Palestine were invited besides more guests from other walks of life The big question which arises here is whether they were invited by the NCA management or they had applied for participation in the Triennale events according to the conditions laid down?
The NCA management undoubtedly extended direct invitations to artists from Germany and the UK but somehow did not extend the same courtesy to a number of Pakistani artists in general and world renowned Pakistani artist Jimmy Engineer in particular How come? Jimmy Engineer ’s participation in various Triennale events on being invited by the institution s management would certainly have added colour grace and prominence It was also pointedly stated by some people desirous of attending the events including artists that they were not invited on one account or the other and this quite obviously led to questions about the NCA management’s selection process
It was also noted by many that the socalled open calls for participation in the Triennale events was intentionally or otherwise not advertised as widely as possible, thus the opportunities for the prospective participants were also limited for updates on the NCA website which possibly had contributed to a lack of viability for the events in the institution
It was just unbelievable that NCA Principal who has since been transitioned to become the first Vice-Chancellor of the art institution after it was upgraded to a University, and most of the faculty members were not aware about Jimmy Engineer and his marvellous achievements as an artist in about 50 years as a professional artist The world renowned artist peace activist and social crusader Jimmy Engineer had joined the NCA after initial education in St Anthony High School But he had left it when he was in the final year saying he wanted to live life as an artist and not with a degree Jimmy Engineer has held a number of his own paintings exhibitions not only in the NCA but also in the adjacent premises of the Educational Auditorium and the Museum besides visiting other paintings exhibitions as well from time to time He had last held his paintings exhibition in the NCA’s Zahoorul Akhlaq Gallery as recently as in May 2024 and NCA ViceChancellor and faculty members were duly present at its inauguration As such, the ongoing NCA Triennale 2025 events had been and were being badly managed and organized by the institution’s management to say the least please There is no denying the fact that the glori-
ous achievements of Jimmy Engineer as an artist par excellence were surely and certainly not matched by any living or deceased Pakistani artist This can easily be confirmed and seen by anyone by visiting Jimmy Engineer s website and downloading a lot of art related information from there But the NCA management somehow had preferred to remain ignorant of Jimmy Engineer ‘s artistic and other achievements and did not invite him for attending the Triennale celebrations Jimmy Engineer had turned professional as a painter in 1976 His paintings are in private collections in a number of foreign countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea Abu Dhabi Bahrain Italy United Kingdom (UK) France Switzerland Sweden Sri Lanka Russia Holland Spain Germany United Arab Emirates (UAE) Jordan India Oman, China, Belarus, Kuwait, Qatar, Vietnam, Nepal, Malaysia, Norway, Ireland, Hungary, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Canada, USA, South Africa, , as well as in Pakistan in fact in every part of the world
He has so far made over 3000 paintings about 1000 abstract and more than 1000 calligraphies over 1500 drawings He has also donated a large number of over seven lakhs prints of his art work for different charities all over the which are in private collections in more than 60 countries around the globe
He has held more than 120 art exhibitions in Pakistan and abroad He has led more than 200 walks for numerous noble causes and has also arranged more than 260 awareness programmes for handicapped and orphan children Artist and social worker Jimmy Engineer has received a pretty large number of awards and medals in his long illustrious career since 1976 He has received more than 130 shields of honour awards and medals of honour from Pakistan and abroad Important awards amongst these are The All Punjab Painting First Prize in 1978, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Islamabad Award in 1981,The National Award for Minorities in 1983 The International Rotary Youth Leadership Award 1986-87 National Endowment of the Arts Award USA 1988 Gold Medal presented by International Rotary Club in 1997, Human Rights Medal presented by Human Rights Society of Pakistan in 2000, Civil Award Sitara-e-Imtiaz by Pakistan Gov-
Governance rush
MuhaMMad Zahid Rifat
IT is no surprise that Pakistan has secured a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility from the IMF a lifeline for a government staggering under debt repayments dwindling reserves and a suffocating fiscal deficit On paper, this appears to be salvation In reality, the IMF s own Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Report (November 2025) makes clear that the country’s economic malaise is not simply about liquidity It is about capture Analytically the report is blunt: corruption in Pakistan is described as persistent and widespread This is notably candid, departing from the usual language of polite diplomacy It describes a system where governance has been hollowed out institutions serve the connected instead of the citizen and resources whether borrowed or earned disappear into inefficiency and rent-seeking
The IMF has publicly stated what Pakistanis have long known: the core problem is not the absence of funds and resources but the presence of a rigged state This economic and governance experts argue is a formal indictment
The report contains bitter facts The report s section related to State Dominance is derogatory Pakistan’s economy is not merely inefficient; it is engineered to privilege insiders especially those who are considered sacred goats For decades the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) many of them loss-making continue to drain public resources while shielding themselves from accountability The Regulatory frameworks are opaque, designed less to facilitate competition than to entrench monopolies for “privileged actors ”
As per the report th is is not accidental but systemic since the system has consistently resisted checks and balances from the regulatory framework Usually,when SOEs operate without transparency, when licences
and tariffs are manipulated to favor the few influentials the result is not just inefficiency it is exclusion or more literally exemption from legal actions The common citizens pay higher prices for electricity, gas, and transport, while politically connected firms thrive under protectionist umbrellas, bypassing all the legal formalities
One will be shocked to know that the language used by the IMF on state capture is critical here as revealed by the report Pakistan s governance problem is not about weak institutions alone; it is about institutions weaponized to serve narrow interests that hold the power In such a system, reform is not resisted passively it is actively sabotaged and the practice is decades old
As regards the taxation system the report s shocking findings on taxation expose the heart of Pakistan s fiscal crisis due to systemic failure The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) operative procedure is “considerable authority and limited oversight ” presiding over a tax system that is very complex and opaque According to the IMF Pakistan faces serious corruption and governance challenges, with weaknesses in fiscal governance and market regulation contributing to problems such as smuggling and under-invoicing in customs administration
This is all because of the tax-to-GDP ratio that shockingly remains the lowest in the region The budget cannot be fixed when the revenue authority itself is compromised or plagued by rampant corruption The government cannot build fiscal space when the system is designed to leak or has loopholes caused by incompetence and graft For common Pakistani people this means a paradox where the state demands more in indirect taxes: increased costs for fuel, electricity, and everyday consumption items, while failing to effectively tax the
wealthy and politically connected It is often public sector employees who contribute the maximum chunk of tax revenue The burden shifts downward, eroding trust in the very idea of fair taxation Imagine a typical household in Karachi: the head of the family works as a schoolteacher and the main breadwinner struggling to make ends meet Each month, the family allocates a sizeable portion of its income to taxes embedded in utility bills and prices of daily commodities When electricity tariffs rise due to the inefficiencies of State-Owned Enterprises the family s budget is strained forcing cuts on essentials like education and healthcare decisions that have long-term impacts on their children s futures For investors, it is clear that there is no ease of doing business in Pakistan The message is equally corrosive Business firms es-
The
and
with backlogs when people wait years even generations for the final verdict Contract enforcement is relatively weak, property rights are also insecure, and the judicial decisions are often influenced by political or financial pressure After the 26th and 27th Amendments the judiciary has been enfeebled by the political elite The responsibility is liable for accountability but amendments protect the rulers with complete impunity The judiciary is divided, and justice is shattered For Pakistanis, with no surprise, it is not a technical problem it is an existential threat Foreign direct investment cannot flow into a country where contracts are unenforceable and property can be seized without remedy Domestic entrepreneur-
ship cannot thrive in a situation when disputes drag on for years in courts seen as compromised The rule of law seems to be an abstract principle, though it is the foundation of markets for safety and security or peace of mind Without it Pakistan’s economy is not simply inefficient it is uninvestable
Conceivably the most sobering section of the report is its analysis of anti-corruption institutions The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) are described as politically influenced, uncoordinated, and lacking credibility
The report also raises the hardest question: can these institutions that are accused of benefiting from the status quo be trusted to dismantle it? When anti-graft agencies are weaponized against political opponents rather than systemic corruption, reform becomes a theatre or a distant dream
The IMF calls for “comprehensive and sequenced reform ” which seems to be a distant dream given the existing hybrid setup But reform requires agents of change If the NAB and FIA are compromised, if the judiciary is distrusted, if the FBR is opaque, then who will implement reform? The danger is crystal clear: Pakistan risks entering yet another cycle where funds are disbursed conditions are promised and structural change is deferred due to the strong political elite
For the average Pakistani the implications are stark The $7 billion EFF may stabilize reserves temporarily,
The real question is: why were such consequential words spoken at all? Was it a deliberate move to provoke China, or did the prime minister speak without realizing the danger encoded in her words? Her true intent remains unclear
the danger encoded in her words? Her true intent remains unclear
“work” demanding protection is the person Beyond its legal implications, the Danish initiative marks a cultural turning point For two decades societies have traded privacy for convenience We handed our faces to social platforms our voices to smart speakers our behavioral footprints to data brokers Only now is the full cost becoming apparent: when identity becomes raw material, trust becomes collateral damage The economic stakes extend far beyond personal privacy Today s AI models are trained on massive datasets containing images, voices, and recordings of millions, often scraped from social networks and public archives without consent With the industry projected to reach $600 billion by 2030, the Danish proposal signals the end of the free-to-take era If enacted it would force technology companies to secure licensing rights from the people whose identities fuel their systems It also challenges a central assumption of Silicon Valley: that innovation necessarily requires unrestricted access to human data Denmark counters with a more discomforting truth technological progress is not an ethical exemption Humans are not training material
HUMAN BOUNDARIES: Under the bill, tech companies and advertising platforms would be required to remove forged content and prove that any reproduced likeness was used with permission That obligation may sound technical but philosophically it is seismic It reasserts a principle many assumed lost in the digital age: that the individual, not the algorithm, defines the boundaries of the self Crucially, Denmark is not attempting to halt innovation It is doing something more subtle and arguably more profound It is demanding that innovation acknowledge human limits Because technology does not ask who we are It reflects what we are willing to surrender Deepfakes revealed that the ultimate vulnerability of the digital age is not technological it is existential When our very image becomes replicable the self becomes negotiable
The digital world originally built as a playground for free expression has evolved into a marketplace of identities Faces, voices, and movements now circulate as tradable assets, extracted and repurposed without permission In this environment Denmark’s proposal represents a new model of self-ownership Once intellectual-property law protected books paintings or patents Now the
This is why the Danish move has reverberated far beyond Scandinavia It touches the core of the global debate on AI: What remains of human identity when anyone can own a version of you? Denmark’s answer is simple: Identity belongs to the individual not to the platform not to the model not to the market In restoring legal ownership of one s likeness Denmark is doing more than regulating deepfakes It is reasserting the most basic right of the digital era: the right to be yourself, even in a world where everything can be copied
The writer is a global trends analyst specializing in the intersection of economics geopolitics and technology
A PA N E S E Prime Minister Sanae
Takaichi s remarks have come like a bolt from the blue During the Nov 7 session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee, while responding to a question about a “contingency” in Taiwan, Takaichi hinted that this could amount to a “situation of existential crisis” for Japan Although her statements till then had followed the script prepared by defense bureaucrats, this particular phrase was not in the official response As she wrapped up her answer, Takaichi repeated former prime minister Shinzo Abe’s words that “a contingency in Taiwan is a contingency for Japan Defense bureaucrats who drafted the prime minister s responses must have been shocked They were probably scratching their heads, trying desperately to figure out how to cover up the blunder The phrase “situation of existential crisis appears in the three security documents of Japan but does not refer to a specific location or scenario It is considered a taboo to say the phrase openly, because doing so effectively means that the deployment of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces is unavoidable Using words that amount to a de facto threat of war against a country with which Japan maintains diplomatic relations is malicious and absolutely unacceptable
Such rhetoric jeopardizes bilateral relations, stokes suspicion of Japan among the Chinese people and fuels anxiety among Japanese citizens Intimidating China only undermines Japan s own security
Under pressure from home and abroad Takaichi later issued a carefullyworded expression of reflection, saying that she would refrain from commenting on the matter in the Diet in the future
However that’s not enough Unless her remarks are officially withdrawn they will not simply disappear
The real question is: why were such consequential words spoken at all? Was it a deliberate move to provoke China, or did the prime minister speak without realizing
What is clear however is that the Japanese prime minister s diplomatic ineptitude stands fully exposed This was the first display of the hawkish tendencies that many feared would surface In her zeal to project strength and “protect the nation and its people”, Takaichi has severely undermined the safety of Japan and its citizens The Japanese prime minister lacks basic knowledge of diplomatic and defense policies She had no idea her remarks would trigger distrust and caution toward Japan, not only in China but across Asia
Even former prime minister Abe refrained from specifying what constituted a “situation posing a grave threat to the nation’s survival She considers Abe her mentor but failed to follow his careful approach
The reckless remarks call into question Takaichi s suitability as a national leader She rose to the highest position of power by focusing on domestic politics, but she lacks experience in diplomacy and defense policies that require meticulous consideration of relations with other nations It seems in her attempt to win favor with hawks in Japanese politics, Takaichi disregarded the broader implications of her remarks
It is deeply regrettable that, despite the need to portray Japan as a peaceful nation and cleanse its image as a former aggressor state regressive movements have started in recent years The Constitution of Japan renounces collective self-defense and the resolution of conflicts through the use of force So the “three security documents” that explicitly state the possibility of a preemptive strike against other countries are in fact violating the Constitution Furthermore the United Nations Charter not only prohibits acts of war against UN member states but also prohibits threats Takaichi s remarks suggested acts of war against China and constituted a threat They went beyond the conventional theory of deterrence and amounted to provocative behavior It is only natural that China responded with full-blown anger
One can only hope that Takaichi realizes her mistake She said she will refrain from making such remarks in the Diet in the future but will not retract them possibly because that would mean admitting her diplomatic blunder and could potentially threaten her continuation in office But refusing to correct course will be another diplomatic misstep The clumsy attempts to cover up the blunder have made matters worse The excuses offered by the Japanese government are contradictory Japan has repeatedly stated that it hopes the Taiwan question will be resolved peacefully through dialogue On the other hand, its prime minis-
ter assumes a Chinese “military invasion”, calls it a “situation that threatens our existence” and hints at armed deployment in case of a possibility
of the Japanese government The
ABDuL RAhmAn mALiK
Kremlin says Russian, Ukrainian representatives met in Abu Dhabi
newspapers The SIA accused the outlet of promoting “anti-India ideology” and made ridiculous charges including the recovery of arms, ammunition, digital devices, and other materials during the operation The agency further levelled charges of “criminal conspiracy” with anti-India groups and spreading inflammatory fabricated and false narratives allegations widely seen as part of India s ongoing campaign to suppress dissent in the occupied territory
In a statement issued on November 20 the Kashmir Times editors rejected the accusations as yet another attempt to silence us stressing that criticism of the Modi government was vital for any functioning democracy
PLAHORE
S TA F F R E P O R T
UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday met the newlyelected members of the Punjab Assembly following the recently held by-elections, congratulating them individually and urging them to begin public service in their constituencies without delay
The meeting held in Lahore marked the party s first major engagement with victorious candidates after the by-polls and underscored the leadership s focus on governance delivery ahead of the new political cycle
During the interaction, the newly elected members attributed their success to the vision of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and what they described as the effective governance and development-focused performance of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz They said voter confidence stemmed from trust in the senior Sharif ’s leadership and the Chief Minis-
ter’s “dedication and diligence” in executing key initiatives across Punjab The assembly members noted that the electorate had strongly appreciated the provincial government s welfare and development efforts They cited the impact of flagship schemes such as ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar ’ and ‘Suthra Punjab ’ saying these programmes resonated deeply with citizens and played a decisive role in their electoral victories CM ORDERS FULL OPERATIONALISATION OF CARDIOLOGY CENTRES IN SARGODHA, MURREE Meanwhile Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a high-level meeting to review progress on cardiology centres in Murree Sahiwal and Sargodha as well as the performance of 57 specialised hospitals across Punjab Expressing strong displeasure over delays in installing medical machinery she directed that construction and equipment setup must proceed simultaneously to ensure timely service delivery The Chief Minister issued firm deadlines for full operationalization: the
BACKED BY PAKISTAN, UNSC EXTENDS VESSEL INSPECTION AUTHORIZ ATIONS OFF LIBYAN COAST
Tresults with respect to the seizure of prohibited items ” Ambassador Jadoon emphasized that capacity-building and training of Libyan departments are crucial for more effective implementation of the embargo and for enabling Libya to progressively assume full responsibility for such operations in the future
Adiala Jail clarifies Imran Khan remains in prison, healthy amid rumours
S ta f f r e p o r t
Adiala Jail authorities on Wednesday dismissed circulating rumours suggesting that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan had been moved out of the facility, reaffirming that he remains inside the prison and is in good health
Officials emphasized that speculation regarding his transfer or wellbeing was baseless assuring the public that the PTI chief continues to receive complete medical attention "There is no truth to reports about his transfer from Adiala Jail," a statement from the Rawalpindi prison said "He is fully healthy and under constant medical supervision
Imran Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023, facing multiple legal cases ranging from corruption to terrorism charges following his removal from office through a no-confidence motion in April 2022 The
clarification comes amid rising speculation on social and mainstream media regarding his conditions behind bars
Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif commented on the PTI founder ’s treatment in prison asserting that Khan s current incarceration conditions were more comfortable than what many political prisoners including himself, had faced in the past "Check the menu of the food that comes for him it is not available even in a five-star hotel " Asif said highlighting the luxury afforded to the PTI chief He added that Khan has access to a television with all channels, as well as exercise equipment, contrasting it with his own past experiences "We slept on cold floors, ate
The minister further revealed that
Outgoing C JCSC stresses robust defence as cornerstone of national securit y at farewell ceremony
the region’s election schedule will be finalised soon adding that the interim administration will focus on neutrality and continuity as G-B moves toward its next electoral cycle If you want, I can raise the punch of the headlines even more in the next batch Bannu police foil terrorist attack, kill one terrorist PESHAWAR
S ta f f r e p o r t The Bannu police on Wednesday successfully foiled a terrorist attack and carried out a swift retaliatory operation in which one terrorist was killed and another injured According to police, terrorists opened fire on police personnel in Shabri Bharat area near Mandan Police Station in Bannu district The police responded with full force effectively repelling the attack During the exchange of fire, one terrorist was killed while another sustained injuries The attackers arrived on a motorcycle and targeted police during a routine checkpoint Upon receiving information about the incident DIG Bannu Sajjad Khan on the directives of DPO Bannu Yasir Afridi dispatched heavy police reinforcements to the site The team was led by SP Rural Mahmood Nawaz Khan, DSP Rural Riaz Khattak and the SHO of Mandan Police Station Following the encounter, police launched a search operation in the surrounding areas The identity of the slain militant is being verified while the search operation is ongoing DIG Bannu Region Sajjad Khan and DPO Bannu Yasir Afridi praised the bravery and swift action of the police personnel, stating that their courage prevented a major tragedy
RAWALPINDI M o n i to r n g r e p o r t Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza said on Wednesday that strong national defence remains an essential pillar of Pakistan’s security, as he delivered his farewell address ahead of retirement on November 27 He made the remarks at a
The joint military counter-terrorism exercise Al Battar-II between the troops of the Pakistan Army and the Royal Saudi Land Forces (18–26 November 2025) concluded on Wednesday Combat teams from the Pakistan Army s Special Services Group (SSG) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Army participated in the exercise and the concluding ceremony of the exercise was at Tabuk KSA according to the military’s media wing Troops from both brotherly countries demonstrated exceptional standards of professionalism, operational skill, and interoperability throughout the exercise, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement on Wednesday According to the ISPR the exercise
Al Battar-II focused on enhancing joint proficiency in counter-terrorism operations with an emphasis on fighting in urban terrain, countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and refining tactical drills and procedures through integrated training
“The exercise also served to further strengthen the deep-rooted and historic military-to-military ties between Pakistan and the KSA said the ISPR The military s media wing further stated that all objectives were successfully achieved, reinforcing the commitment of both nations to regional peace security and collaborative defence preparedness”
The closing ceremony of the drills was attended by senior Saudi and Pakistani officials with the general officer commanding (GOC) of the Special Services Group (SSG) attending as the chief guest of the
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long enjoyed cordial friendly and brotherly relations, grounded in historic religious and cultural ties Over time, these fraternal bonds have strengthened across all spheres of life, with defence and strategic cooperation reaching unprecedented heights The two countries have long shared a multifaceted relationship rooted in strategic military cooperation mutual economic interests, and shared Islamic heritage These ties have encompassed economic assistance and energy supplies, with Riyadh being a significant source of finan-
RAWALPINDI