COMMITMENT TO ELEVATE STRATEGIC TIES
g PREMIER SHEHBAZ PLEDGES ACCESS TO KARACHI, GWADAR, AND BIN QA SIM PORTS FOR LANDLOCKED KYRGYZSTAN
g LEADERS REAFFIRM SHARED COMMITMENT TO REGIONAL PEACE, STABILITY, AND PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGES
g PRESIDENT ZHAPAROV HAILS PAKISTAN A S A RELIABLE PARTNER IN SOUTH A SIA, VOWS TO STRENGTHEN BROTHERLY BONDS
g 15 MOUS SIGNED ACROSS TRADE, ENERGY, EDUCATION, CULTURE, AND TOURISM SECTORS
pti decries as govt bans meetings for uzma Khanum, others over violating prison code
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
The federal government on Thursday categorically ruled out any further meetings for Uzma Khanum and others who violated prison regulations during a visit to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, reiterating that political discussions are strictly prohibited within incarceration facilities This decision comes amid rising political tensions and speculation surrounding the health and wellbeing of former prime minister Imran Khan Uzma Khanum had managed to meet Imran Khan in prison on Tuesday after weeks of effort, amid circulating rumors both domestic and international about the former prime minister s condition These speculations were fueled by the government s reluctance to permit visits by key family members, legal counsel, and other close associates over recent weeks
According to reports Uzma Khanum relayed instructions from Imran Khan regarding party strategies and other political matters, prompting a swift government response At a press briefing, Federal Information Minister Attaullah accompanied by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasized that prison rules are clear: no inmate is authorized to conduct political discussions during visits There is no room in the prison rules for political discussions and it was reported that
political discussions occurred Therefore meetings are now banned for Uzma Khanum This will not happen again Attaullah asserted
He added that reports of incitement against the state and its officials had surfaced and warned that violators of the rules would face strict consequences “There is zero room for a circus the minister stressed underlining the government s commitment to maintaining discipline and order in detention facilities
Criticising the self-promotion of the PTI founder, he said the “mein mein mein” narrative reflects a prioritization of personal interests over national interests
According to him such surrender of country s priorities to personal gains will never be allowed, stressing the principle of “First Pakistan ” Tarar said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister s participation in the National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting was
welcomed, with calls for him to play his role
Responding to a question he said that half of the social media X accounts linked to PTI leadership are operated from India and the other half from Afghanistan, citing X’s ability to specify their origin Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar further detailed the prison rules governing visitor access noting that all meetings are conducted under the supervision of the Superintendent of Prisons He asserted that Imran Khan enjoys privileges unprecedented in Pakistan’s history and that the government has provided him facilities far superior to those extended to other prisoners No prisoner in Pakistan s history has enjoyed the level of facilities granted to the PTI founder,” Tarar said He emphasized that access to legal counsel family members and essential amenities is fully ensured in accordance with regulations
INDUSTRY WARNS NEPRA AGAINST HIGHER POWER TARIFFS, SAYS RISING ELECTRICIT Y COSTS HURTING EXPORTS
to 5.133m bales
Bahawalpur Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan remained Punjab s highest contributors while Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur and Bahawalnagar recorded the weakest arrivals Meanwhile, Sindh registered modest growth with Sanghar alone providing 1 23 million bales followed by Sukkur and Khairpur while Jamshoro Mirpur Khas and Nawabshah reported lower numbers Balochistan also showed an uptick, rising
and provinces Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the session marking the first step toward structured dialogue on the next NFC Award In his opening remarks, the finance minister thanked chief ministers, provincial finance ministers, secretaries and other members for attending He said the meeting fulfilled a constitutional obligation and provided an important opportunity for cooperation Aurangzeb added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken a personal interest in ensuring the NFC convened without further delay, while provinces also showed willingness to move ahead in a timely manner Aurangzeb underlined the NFC’s role in the equitable distribution of resources financial stability and sustainable economic development He said the forum brought together expertise from across the government and enabled collective decision-making The meeting had been deferred several times including a scheduled sitting on November 10 due to member unavailability The maiden meeting, planned for August 28, was postponed at the request of the Sindh government because of a flood-related emergency Sources said the inaugural session is expected to approve the formation of tech-
nical sub-groups and endorse a structured negotiation roadmap for the coming months Ahead of the meeting, the Sindh government reiterated its commitment to protecting the province’s constitutional rights and fiscal share in the NFC process Sindh government spokesperson Sukhdev Hemnani said the NFC Award is a constitutional guarantee of fairness and balanced development He added that Sindh’s stance is based on constitutional clarity and economic rationale noting that stronger provinces lead to a stronger federation
NA FINANCE PANEL FL AGS CONCERNS OVER INCOME TA X AMENDMENT
n e w s d e s k
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad said that financing to women entrepreneurs reached Rs230 billion over the past year, with 974 000 loans disbursed between November 2024 and October 2025 but the portfolio remains heavily concentrated in microfinance Speaking at an event marking Pakistan Women Entrepreneurship Day, he said the data shows strong outreach but limited progress in helping women transition into larger-scale ventures Ahmad noted that nearly 93% of these loans, amounting to Rs113 billion, fall under microfinance, indicating that women borrowers continue to be clustered in entrylevel and small-ticket segments At the upper end of the market he said only 611 women-led corporate and commercial enterprises secured financing of Rs58 billion, representing just 1% of all loans provided by commercial banks, a reflection of continuing structural
President Zardari, Zhaparov agree to inject new momentum in Pakistan-Kyrgyz ties
CONTINUED FR OM PAGE 01
President Zardari welcomed President Zhaparov noting that the visit would bring fresh momentum to PakistanKyrgyzstan relations rooted in shared faith common heritage, and cultural affinity Both leaders agreed that current trade levels fall short of the two countries’ economic potential and emphasized the need to broaden commercial exchanges Highlighting economic collaboration the President lauded the Kyrgyz completion of its CASA 1000 segment and reaffirmed Pakistan s commitment to its advanced-stage portion They also discussed regional connectivity, expressing satisfaction with the operational Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit road corridor President Zardari underscored Pakistan’s readiness to provide Kyrgyzstan the shortest and most economical route to the Arabian Sea while stressing the expansion of direct flights to promote trade tourism and peopleto-people contacts The two sides welcomed the participation of a Kyrgyz business delegation at the Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum and agreed on facilitating visa procedures for mutual business engagement President Zhaparov shared recent domestic reforms including reserving 30 percent of parliamentary seats for women and thanked Pakistan for backing Kyrgyzstan s candidacy for a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries, including key ministers, secretaries, parliamentarians, and ambassadors Following the talks a state banquet was held in honour of President Zhaparov attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif parliamentary leaders federal ministers provincial governors military chiefs and the diplomatic corps President Zardari also extended advance birthday wishes to President Zhaparov, with the orchestra performing “Happy Birthday” on the violin to mark the occasion
and cultural barriers The governor said Pakistan has made progress in expanding women s access to financial services Women s financial inclusion has increased from 4%to 52% and the gender gap has narrowed from 47% in 2018 to 30% in 2025 More than 17 6 million women-owned bank accounts have been added since 2021 showing deeper engagement with the financial system
Ahmad said the SBP s National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2024–28 aims to raise overall financial inclusion to 75% and reduce the gender gap to 25% by 2028 He cited support from the Asian Development Bank s Women Inclusive Finance Programme and Challenge Fund initiatives which are helping finance women-led businesses and improve their market access
He acknowledged the contribution of the banking industry saying more than 14 600 women have joined the sector in the past three years raising female representation from 13% to 17% Banks now have women on their boards, established
diversity councils and deployed women-specific finance teams, which he said will help encourage more women to participate in the formal economy
While acknowledging the progress achieved, the governor said significant gaps remain, particularly in enabling more women to enter and stay in the labour force He pointed to the need for reliable transport flexible work hours and daycare facilities saying these are crucial services that many women count on so that they do not have to choose between their careers and their families ” Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event the governor also highlighted broader macroeconomic improvements stating that Pakistan s external debt-to-GDP ratio had fallen to 26% in FY25 from 31% two years earlier, driven by higher inflows of workers’ remittances He said the country’s foreign debt has remained stagnant for the past three years at June 2022 level, countering assumptions of a sharp increase
A launches nationwide crackdown on substandard and unlicensed produc ts
These include units located across six districts in the Lahore Zone Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara, Sheikhupura Lahore and Kasur Manufacturers have been directed to meet all licensing requirements and adhere strictly to national standards
action against terrorist entities threatening Pakistan The leaders also reiterated support for the Palestinian cause, advocating for a sovereign, contiguous, and independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital based on pre-June 1967 borders President Zhaparov on Pakistan as a Strategic Partner In his remarks President Zhaparov lauded Pakistan s warm hospitality and termed the visit historic highlighting Pakistan as a reliable and brotherly partner in South Asia We view Pakistan s dynamic development, economic potential, and ambitious infrastructure projects as a reflection of effective leadership ” he said Zhaparov stressed the importance of activating collaboration in trade investment transport logistics education, and science He noted the role of the KyrgyzPakistan Business Council as a key mechanism for strengthening business ties and emphasized full utilization of transport and transit potential between the two countries The Kyrgyz president also highlighted the Central AsiaSouth Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000) describing it as pivotal for a unified energy network between Central and South Asia The $1 2 billion project is expected to become operational by January 2027, benefiting Tajikistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan Academic cooperation was another highlight with Zhaparov noting that over 12 000 Pakistani students are currently enrolled in higher education institutions in Kyrgyzstan The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism, extremism, and transnational crime while strengthening coordination between security agencies for regional peace Zhaparov extended invitations to PM Shehbaz for a state visit to Kyrgyzstan participation as guest of honor in the
PA K I S TA N I exports may face trouble from importing countries restrictions, according to World Bank economist Anna Tsum She said that 70 percent of Pakistan’s exports could face loss of market access unless exporters could upgrade compliance with emerging global requirements, particularly enhanced traceability mechanisms and enhanced labour standards She made these remarks at a Tadlab event, Trade Tariffs and beyond- Building Pakistan’s Export Economy’ Thus she managed to highlight an issue that deserves more attention, that of non-tariff barriers
An issue that is causing increasing concern among Western economists is how the goods they are importing are produced Especially with manufactured goods like garments Western governments have placed requirements that prescribe certain rules for the labour that has been engaged in the production of the goods This is not purely a do-gooder requirement, for often the requirement has been lobbied for by local manufacturers who resent the price advantage Pakistani manufacturers enjoy because of cheaper labour Particularly irksome is the cost of compliance (with stringent labour laws) Western manufacturers face, which Pakistani manufacturers avoid because the laws are not there, or because inspectors are routinely bribed It needs to be understood that these requirements are also supported by consumers with a socially active conscience, who refuse to buy clothes made by exploited labour Manufacturers should realize that they are not limited by compliance with these standards only for the markets they are required but can export to other markets using their compliance as a selling point Also, it should be noted that these standards will be increasingly adopted worldwide, so if Pakistan wishes to sell it should ensure that it is in compliance
At the same time the government should keep a weather eye open for the conversion of these non-tariff barriers into a weapon, the
Dedicated
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Hardening the frontier
US President Donald Trump may think that by preventing immigrants from entering the USA he is making the country safe but he may be creating the circumstances where the USA is unable to maintain its lead in cutting-edge technologies which have so far enabled it to dominate the world It might seem a far leap, but Trump’s refusal to do anything about the climate change crisis indeed to accept that it is occurring is a sign that the USA (and the rest of the West) is moving from what historian Arnold J Toynbee called a creative minority into a dominant minority Toynbee, in his monumental A Study of History, explained how a ‘creative minority’ solved problems Examples include the leaders of decolonization movements and the codifiers of the Peace of Westphalia (which created the concept of nationalism) It is a small group of individuals within a larger society who respond to challenges with innovation driving progress and evolution It should be noted that Toynbee saw civilizations as the proper units of study, and saw a single Western civilization composed of various states Therefore a creative minority does not exist within a state alone but the states are that creative minority However the movement is towards becoming a dominant minority, which dominates the state by virtue of its economic and military power States can become part of a dominant minority too A creative minority would find some solution to the climate change problem It might involve using that very tool that has thus far guaranteed its dominance in the world technology Trump is trying to defend US superiority in technology but the best he can do with the climate change problem is to pretend it isn t there US superiority is maintained by sheer brute force, not so much of its personnel as of its machines This has led to the plea that the USA is no longer upholding its core values but imposing its will Actually the white majority Trump represents subdued the USA by force, killing off the Native Americans and enslaving the African Americans Trump’s ban on migration would mean that he is trying to establish what Toynbee called a limes, or military frontier in place of a limites which is a more permeable border Toynbee got these concepts from Roman history (he was basically a Romanist by training) A civilization he postulated would have a limites, where it gradually tailed off, and even beyond the political boundaries,its influence would continue As today you can get a Big Mac at many places in Pakistan’s major cities It’s probably deeper now than in Roman times when you can at best get clothes or wine; you can stream American TV over the internet The l i m i t e s however, marked the end of civi-
lization Beyond were barbarians, who wanted to enjoy the benefits and comforts of civilization They could come over freely and settle within the empire They were not really encouraged nor were they helped and they were left to fend for themselves It could be barbarians trying to get into the Roman Empire, Hittites trying to get into pharaonic Egypt, or Mongols trying to get first into China and then into Persia That was when empires felt it necessary to establish a limes a military frontier which they controlled The West is experiencing this There was a time when it was possible for anyone to travel anywhere The restriction came from people not having the fare, the gumption to get a passport, but most of all, the lack of inclination However, now the desire to go to the West has led people to trust human smugglers to use any means necessary with some torturous (and dangerous) routes used The USA has not exactly established a military
tively open However, its sea and air boundaries are now much more controlled The military is not used though it has a specialized agency for the job It is interesting that Trump’s grandparents all four
of how Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was radicalized in South Africa: he was dressed in European clothes, as befitted a qualified barrister, yet he was thrown out of his first-class compartment on a train onto a railway platform After a struggle he won the right of coloureds and Indians to travel first-class if they were dressed in European clothes One is also
Trump might think that closing US borders to all countries, especially those which send non-whites to the USA, might be sound policy However, while such racism might appeal to some of his suppor ters, it will end by impoverishing the USA, which has so far only benefited from the talent that has been brought in
formed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, es-
lated the basic structure of the Constitution
Astreets or soldiers at the gates of parliament Increasingly it is undone more quietly through paperwork, parliamentary votes, and carefully drafted amendments This slow, legal transformation has a name: authoritarian legalism Authoritarian legalism describes a process in which governments use legal and constitutional mechanisms to weaken democratic institutions, limit accountability, and consolidate power, all while appearing to act lawfully It is not a rejection of the constitution, but a strategic rewriting of it Instead of dissolving courts, governments redesign them Instead of eliminating checks and balances they rearrange them in their favour Nowhere is this trend more visible than in South Asia Over the past decade, several South Asian countries have introduced or attempted significant constitutional and institutional changes affecting the judiciary While these changes are often justified in the language of reform efficiency or stability taken together they suggest a broader regional shift: the steady erosion of judicial independence through constitutional means In Bangladesh, the government passed the 16th Amendment in 2014, giving Parliament the power to remove Supreme Court judges Critics argued that this placed judges under political threat making it difficult for them to rule against the government Although the country s judiciary eventually managed to strike the amendment down several years later, the episode revealed how easily a legal system could be reshaped to weaken its own
Even so the attempt itself signalled a growing tension between elected power and judicial independence In Sri Lanka constitutional change has come in waves Amendments in 2010 and in 2020 strengthened executive authority while reducing the power of independent institutions including the judiciary These reforms have given the president increased influence over appointments and weakened the systems meant to check that power Although some earlier reforms tried to swing the balance back toward independence, the overall pattern has been one of constitutional instability and creeping centralization In Nepal the situation is different but no less concerning Rather than one dramatic amendment politicization has been built into the judiciary s structure itself The body responsible for judicial appointments and discipline includes political actors, leaving the system vulnerable to influence The result is a judiciary that is constitutionally recognized as independent but practically entangled with political interests Each country s story is unique Yet the pattern is unmistakable: the region is witnessing an increased willingness to touch the constitution itself in order to reshape the judiciary
Nowhere is the trend more pronounced than in Pakistan In 2024 and 2025 Pakistan passed its 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments which together represent one of the most extensive judicial restructurings in the country s history These changes have done more than simply adjust legal procedures They have altered the very architecture of judicial power The
lowing the government and parliament to play a much larger role in deciding who becomes
from the idea that the judiciary should be primarily self-regulating in order to preserve independence
The amendments also introduce a new Federal Constitutional Court which takes over many of the functions previously per-
The question for South Asia is no longer whether constitutions can be changed. It is whether they can still protect the very values they were written to defend
pecially in constitutional and fundamental rights matters Creating a new institution for such an important role is not just a technical reform It redefines where ultimate constitutional authority resides
In addition, the changes increase administrative control over judges, including the possibility of transferring them across provinces or between courts In legal systems around the world such powers have often been used to reward compliance or punish disobedience even when done subtly and legally
All of this is happening not through martial law or suspension of the constitution, but through the constitution itself That is precisely what makes authoritarian legalism so difficult to confront Everything is technically legal The procedures are followed The votes are counted
The documents are stamped And yet the effect is to hollow out the very institutions designed to limit power
Judiciaries are not perfect Courts often move slowly, sometimes make poor decisions, and can be disconnected from public life But in a constitutional system they play one vital role: they stand between the citizen and unchecked power
When courts are weakened, politicized, or structurally subordinated to government authority, ordinary people lose one of their last lines of defense Constitutional rights still appear in books but there is no independent institution truly capable of enforcing them
Authoritarian legalism is especially dangerous because it normalizes institutional damage There are no dramatic moments or sudden collapses Only a series of amendments, reform bills, new commissions, new courts and new rules each one justified as progress each one reducing independence just a little more Over time what was once unthinkable becomes constitutional
South Asia is not alone in this struggle
Similar processes have taken place in other parts of the world as well But what makes South Asia distinct is both its size and its symbolism This is a region that produced some of the world s most ambitious constitutions and some of the most powerful judicial visions of rights and freedoms Today, those constitutional promises are being edited line by line If authoritarianism once arrived wearing military boots it now arrives holding a legal brief and quoting constitutional clauses That transformation should concern not only lawyers and judges but every citizen who believes that power should have limits, even when those limits are rewritten The question for South Asia is no longer whether constitutions can be changed It is whether they can still protect the very values they were written to defend The writer is a
Pension misuse
Fueling the crisis
Noor ZAfAr
Can Eastern and Western Canada ever bridge the divide?
icant public traction Economically the divide is rooted in two competing visions of Canada The East depends on manufacturing, technology, service industries, and global finance, particularly in the Ontario–Quebec corridor These sectors naturally align with progressive environmental targets carbon pricing renewable energy strategies and the climate agenda that Ottawa frequently pursues Western Canada by contrast, relies heavily on oil, gas, mining, forestry, and agriculture industries that suffer whenever federal regulations tighten The federal carbon tax pipeline restrictions and environmental review delays are not simply policy disagreements they are viewed in the West as existential threats to the livelihood of entire communities When the East pushes for rapid energy transition, the West hears a call to dismantle its economic engine Politically, the divide is equally stark Ontario and Quebec are strongholds for the Liberal Party and the NDP both of which promote centralized federal governance climate policy multiculturalism and social spending The western provinces overwhelmingly vote Conservative and emphasize lower taxes, deregulation, and provincial autonomy Because federal governments are almost always elected through the population-heavy provinces of the East the West often feels politically irrelevant There have been national elections where Alberta and Saskatchewan voted nearly unanimously for one party, only to watch the opposite party form a government with limited representation from the West The feeling of disenfranchisement grows deeper every electoral cycle Culturally Eastern and Western Canada have grown in different directions as well The East has experienced waves of immigration since the 1960s, reshaping Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa into diverse global cities Western cities like Calgary and Vancouver are also highly multicultural but maintain a stronger frontier-style identity independent pragmatic entrepreneurial and often skeptical of federal narratives French–English linguistic duality heavily influences Eastern political attitudes while Western provinces tend to view national identity through an economic and practical lens rather than a historical or linguistic one Attempts by federal leadership to bridge the divide have been well-intentioned but largely unsuccessful Ottawa has tried to modify equalization formulas, negotiate pipeline deals expand interprovincial trade or offer climate subsidies to resource provinces But each attempt has run into structural limitations When the federal government approves pipelines, environmental groups and Eastern provinces challenge them in courts When Ottawa imposes carbon taxes, Western provinces challenge the federal government When the East demands quicker climate action the West accuses Ottawa of destroying the resource economy The federal government sits between two visions of the coun-
federal decisions consistently limit their growth while forcing them to shoulder financial burdens through equalization payments Many Western Canadians believe that they pay into a system run by the East that redistributes money back to the East, and this sentiment has fuelled movements like the Alberta independence campaign and the Wexit movement which at one point gained signif-
CanadaÊs future will depend on whether it sees its internal differences
Pakistan, including of jets that Pakistan’s military said it used to shoot down Indian fighters during a brief border conflict earlier this year One of those jets according to Pakistani officials was a Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 Russian Su-30 jets currently make up the majority of India s 29 fighter squadrons, according to Reuters This week’s talks with Russia will likely cover a potential arms deal for its most advanced fighter the Su-57 Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday But in recent months, it s New Delhi s economic ties with Moscow that have been in the headlines –and have caused the biggest headache When Western sanctions over the 2022 invasion of Ukraine caused the price of Russian oil to plummet India seized the opportunity Keen to secure a bargain to fuel its booming economy and support a population of over 1 4 billion, the nation significantly ramped up its purchases of Russian crude, becoming one of the Kremlin’s top buyers In response to condemnation from the West India consistently argued that its primary responsibility was to its own people and economy We have hundreds of millions of poor people We need to raise them out above the poverty line to deal
Qamar Bashir
other on issues concerning each other s core interests and major concerns, and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations
The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, outlining a blueprint for China’s development over the next five years and providing the world with a list of opportunities Xi noted China and France should seize the opportunities and expand the scope of cooperation, consolidating cooperation in traditional fields such as aviation, aerospace and nuclear energy, while tapping into the potential for cooperation in areas including the green economy digital economy biopharmaceuticals artificial intelligence and new energy Xi said China is willing to import more highquality French products, welcomes more French enterprises to develop in China, and also hopes that France will provide a fair environment and stable conditions for Chinese enterprises Xi said
Noting that the Chinese and French people share a natural sense of affinity Xi urged both sides to deepen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as culture, education, science and technology, and at the subnational level Xi stressed that the world today is far from tranquil with complex intractable hotspot issues flaring up in many places As founding members of the United Nations and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and France should practice
tered international
tional
Azerbaijan, Iran discuss bilateral ties in Tabriz meeting
sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthen political economic and cultural relations The meeting also underscored the importance of diplomatic engagement at the consular level, aiming to facilitate trade, people-to-people exchanges, and regional cooperation
Iranian officials including Ali Akbar Nazari, Director General of Protocols, and Manouchehr Moradi, Director General for Eurasia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
During the meeting Ambassador Alizadeh formally introduced Taleh Zohrabov the newly appointed Consul General of Azerbaijan in Tabriz to the Iranian delegation Zohrabov handed over his consul patent to Ali Akbar Nazari, completing the official process of assuming his diplomatic post
The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral ties and addressing areas of mutual interest with both
Officials highlighted the historical ties and longstanding cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran noting that continued dialogue would serve as a foundation for further collaboration on regional and international issues sides agreed to maintain close communication to ensure the effective functioning of the new Azerbaijani consulate in Tabriz and to support initiatives that promote bilateral understanding and joint development projects The Tabriz meeting is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to reinforce engagement between the two neighboring countries, reflecting a shared interest in stability, economic growth, and strengthened regional connectivity
WASHINGTON ag e n c
“Ukrainian representatives will brief their colleagues in Europe on what is known following yesterday s contacts by the American side in Moscow and they will also discuss the European component of the necessary security architecture,” Zelenskyy said He said earlier that the “most sensitive things and the most difficult issues in the peace talks concern territories, frozen Russian assets and security guarantees for Ukraine Third Afghan national arrested in US, accused of providing ‘material suppor t to ISIS-K’
MIAMI ag e n c e s US President Donald Trump s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will meet Ukrainian officials on Thursday in Miami Florida two days after their attempt to promote a revised peace plan in Moscow fell short, the New York Post reported on Wednesday Rustem Umerov secretary of Ukraine s National Security and Defense Council and the country s lead negotiator, accepted an invitation from the Trump administration to visit Florida for discussions, said the report, citing a senior U S official Witkoff will brief the Ukrainians on what Russia demands for a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict during Tuesday s five-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow said the report Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov said on Tuesday that no compromise option has yet been found during the U S -Russia meeting
“Some of the American proposals appear more or less acceptable They
in the coming days
NAWA Z-LED HUDDLE THUMBS UP FOR GUJRANWAL A MASS TRANSIT PROJECT
During
The Directorate General of Special Education (DGSE), Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training (FE&PT) observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 with a special ceremony at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Developmental Disorders (RCCDD), H-8/4 Islamabad The event was held under this year s global theme, Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress ”Minister of State for FE&PT Ms Wajiha Qamar attended as Chief Guest while Parliamentary Secretary FE&PT Ms Farah Naz Akbar participated as Guest of Honor Speaking at the event, Farah Naz Akbar praised the children s performances and described them as specially
Faith leaders unite to advance child protection across Pakistan
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
Child safety can be ensured through religious guidance and a shift towards healthier social attitudes, Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs Dr Atta-ur-Rehman said on Wednesday He was speaking at an interfaith dialogue on child protection organized by Islamic Relief Pakistan in collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and UNICEF The dialogue aimed to build a unified faith-based framework for child protection across the country and to review how communities can offer children safer environments, affection, education, health care and opportunities for growth Addressing participants as the chief guest the federal secretary said that safeguarding children and ensuring their education development and wellbeing were among the world s most pressing responsibilities He reiterated the ministry s readiness to support efforts related to child protection, awareness among scholars, and community outreach He noted the need for greater attention towards children working in homes and workshops emphasizing that their education and training required urgent investment
Upgrades Long-term Entit y Rating of Sindh Bank Limited
graded the
of earnings ability will likely improve, as the sector at large faces thinner margins and higher taxes NBF hosts launching of Farzand Ali Hashmi’s Book Mohabbat ke Bahattar Chiragh
Pakistan–Italy Move Towards Deeper Agricultural Ties with New Projects and MoUs
Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida, in Rome last evening The meeting took place during the Minister ’s visit to Italy where he is representing Pakistan at the FAO Council Both sides expressed satisfaction with their longstanding friendly ties and agreed to work towards building a stronger and more practical partnership in agriculture and food security The two Ministers reviewed progress on the ongoing olive sector projects including the Olive Culture Scale-Up Project funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)
ISLAMABAD
Pak istan par tially reopens Tor k ham and Chaman crossings for UN aid
Islamabad and Moscow agree to test cargo shipments along Nor th-South corridor
ISLAMABAD
Aurat M arch says state obstruc ted press conference on Baloch disappearances
s ta f f r e p o r t
Police on Thursday briefly detained female rights activist Sara outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Thursday ahead of a press conference organised by Aurat March to highlight enforced disappearances in Balochistan
The activist was released within hours according to the organisers and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)
The press conference was scheduled for 3pm to address the abductions of two Baloch women 15-year-old Nasreen Baloch and 24year-old Mahjabeen Baloch Aurat March and civil society representatives have repeatedly urged authorities to account for the girls whereabouts Mahjabeen was reportedly picked up from Quetta Civil Hospital in May while Nasreen was abducted from Hub in November according to the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) Ahead of the event, Karachi police increased security around the KPC Women officers were de-
ployed at entry points, and roads leading to the press club were temporarily blocked, reopening later in the afternoon Social media videos showed activists being physically restrained Sheema Kirmani an Aurat March organiser was seen protesting being grabbed by officers, saying, You have no right to touch me Another activist, Shakeela from the Joint Minority Development Committee showed a permit for entry while police attempted to stop her Journalist Zofeen Ebrahim was also prevented from attending the briefing She said police questioned her movements and initially denied her access, prompting her to call the organisers who were also uncertain about the situation Ebrahim described the scene as intimidating and shared her concerns on social media asking what was happening in the city
During the briefing, Kirmani said authorities had obstructed the organisers and were attempting to intimidate both activists and the families of the missing girls What right does the state have to stop them from demanding answers? she asked
Moneeza Ahmed of Aurat March highlighted the lack of transparency, questioning why families could not obtain information about Nasreen and Mahjabeen HRCP Sindh Vice Chairman
Qazi Khizar said the KPC was surrounded by police creating an atmosphere of fear He stressed that young activists demanding accountability should not be equated with militant groups operating in remote areas Kirmani also noted that police had attempted to arrest BYC activist Sammi Deen Baloch as she approached the venue Aurat March organisers criticised the state for conflating ordinary Baloch women with members of the banned Baloch Liberation Army They demanded the immediate recovery of Nasreen and Mahjabeen an end to enforced disappearances, protection for the families, and transparency from state institutions Thursday’s incident follows a series of similar actions by Karachi police On November 27 24 PTI leaders and workers were detained during a protest at KPC over former Prime Minister Imran Khan s health
