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Imran Khan’s sisters PM DUBS LAPTOP SCHEME ENABLING ECOSYSTEM among 400 booked FOR YOUTH TO UNLOCK POTENTIAL, GAIN EXCELLENCE under terror charges Thursday, 18 December, 2025 | 26 Jamadiul Sani, 1447

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PREMIER SHEHBAZ LAUNCHES PM’S LAPTOP SCHEME 2025 IN KP AT UNIVERSITY OF HARIPUR WITH OFFICIALS, YOUTH LEADERS, AND BENEFICIARIES IN ATTENDANCE

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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 163 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition

STRESSES MERIT-BASED OPPORTUNITIES, HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ALL PROVINCES, SAYING OVER ONE MILLION STUDENTS BENEFITED FROM SCHEME SINCE INCEPTION

ANNOUNCES DAANISH SCHOOL IN HARIPUR, WOMEN’S CAMPUS, AND HARIPUR BRIDGE, REVEALS SENDING YOUTH DELEGATIONS TO CHINA FOR AI AND ADVANCED TECH TRAINING HARIPUR

Staff RepoRt

RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme 2025 distribution in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling the initiative a transformative platform for youth empowerment that goes beyond merely handing out laptops. Speaking at the University of Haripur, he said the scheme creates an ecosystem enabling students to unlock their potential, achieve excellence, and gain global recognition. The event high-

lighted the government’s commitment to education, technology, skill development, and holistic regional development across all federating units. The ceremony, attended by government officials, youth leaders, and beneficiaries, celebrated the impact of the scheme, which has already benefited over a million students nationwide. A special documentary showcased the scheme’s success since its inception in 2013 and outlined the ambitious 2025 vision for Pakistan’s youth under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister underscored his long-standing vision for youth empowerment, stressing the

Imran Khan’s sons plan Pakistan visit in January amid father’s ‘death cell’ detention

importance of opportunities based on merit. “The future of this nation lies in the hands of our students, who are not just brilliant but capable enough to conquer the world,” he said, reflecting on his youth-fo-

cused initiatives dating back to 1997. He emphasized that national progress depends on holistic development across all provinces, citing efforts such as sending 600 students to China during his tenure as Chief Minister Punjab, training 1,000 students in agriculture, and distributing laptops to young learners nationwide. Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to the people of KP and Hazara Division for their resilience against terrorism and ongoing security challenges, and he lauded police, law enforcement agencies, and armed forces for their sacrifices in securing the nation.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

‘Hostile countries’ behind campaign to malign Pakistan after Bondi shooting: Tarar

LONDON (STAFF REPORT): Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim and Suleiman, have applied for visas and plan to visit Pakistan in January, revealing in an exclusive interview with Sky News that their father is being held in what they described as a “death cell.” The interview coincided with another protest outside Adiala Jail by Imran Khan’s sisters, who were demanding access to meet the former prime minister and were dispersed using water cannons, which PTI claimed contained chemicals. In the interview with Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim, the London-based brothers discussed their attempts to communicate with Pakistani authorities to seek permission to meet their father. Despite being previously discouraged from travelling, Kasim said, “We are now planning to because they said it openly. So—unless they go against their word—we should hopefully be going in January. We have applied for our visas. It hasn’t come through yet. We are expecting it to come through, so we are planning a trip in January.” When asked what message they would convey to their father and whether they would urge him to negotiate a deal, Kasim stressed that Imran Khan’s political struggle is deeply personal. “What you have to understand is it’s his life. It’s literally his passion and his goal. He calls it his life’s purpose to help rid Pakistan of corruption,” he said.

ISLAMABAD (STAFF REPORT): Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday strongly condemned a false media campaign linking Pakistan to the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia, calling it a “deliberate attempt by hostile countries to malign the nation.” He asserted that unverified claims circulated in international and Indian media alleging that one of the attackers was from Lahore were entirely baseless and deliberately spread to damage Pakistan’s reputation. Briefing foreign media, Tarar described the December 14 attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration as “a very sad and highly condemnable incident.” The shooting left 15 people dead, including a rabbi, a Holocaust survivor, and 10-year-old Matilda Britvan, while two police officers remained in critical but stable condition, according to New South Wales police. He paid tribute to a Syrian-origin Australian citizen who subdued one of the attackers, saving multiple lives. Tarar emphasized that Pakistan, having suffered decades of terrorism, fully empathizes with the pain of the Australian people. He noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and the government had expressed categorical condemnation and solidarity with Australia.

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over Adiala Jail sit-in RAWALPINDI

Staff RepoRt

Police on Wednesday booked the sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan along with around 400 others on terrorism and multiple criminal charges after an overnight sit-in outside Adiala Jail turned confrontational when authorities stopped them from meeting the jailed former prime minister, officials said. A first information report (FIR) was registered at Police Station Saddar Beroni against Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi, Qasim Khan, Aliya Hamza, Salman Akram Raja, Naeem Panjotha, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and others under provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The case also invokes Section 120 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) for allegedly planning a criminal conspiracy against the state, attacking police personnel and violating Section 144. According to the police, Khan’s sisters, accompanied by hundreds of PTI supporters, staged a sit-in outside the prison late last night after the authorities barred them from meeting the former prime minister. The FIR states that the protesters raised slogans against the government and the state, blocked the road, interfered in official duties and incited other PTI workers. The report further alleges that the suspects pelted stones and hurled glass bottles at police personnel. Police said 14 suspects were arrested on the spot and were produced before an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi on Wednesday. Imran Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023, faces multiple cases ranging from corruption to terrorism following his ouster from power through an opposition-led no-confidence motion in April 2022. His incarceration has repeatedly emerged as a flashpoint between the government and the PTI, with protests, scuffles with police and confrontations with jail authorities continuing over meetings with the former premier. Last week, police forcibly dispersed an hours-long sit-in staged by Imran Khan’s sisters outside Adiala Jail after official visiting hours ended. In November, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also held a 16-hour sit-in outside the facility. The most recent meeting with the jailed PTI founder took place on December 2, when his sister Uzma was allowed to see him after the party raised concerns about his health and threatened protests outside the Islamabad High Court before marching towards the jail. Amid the continued tensions, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah have hinted at the possibility of transferring Imran Khan to another prison.

02 NEWS

Thursday, 18 Deceember, 2025 | ISLAMABAD

51,000 PASSENGERS OFFLOADED AT AIRPORTS THIS YEAR OVER IMMIGRATION ISSUES, NA COMMITTEE TOLD

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ISLAMABAD

staff CorrespoNDeNt

HE National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis was informed on Wednesday that 51,000 passengers were offloaded at Pakistani airports this year after failing immigration checks, with most cases reported at Lahore and Karachi airports. The briefing was given during a meeting of the committee chaired by Aga Rafiullah, amid growing concern over passengers being denied boarding despite possessing valid travel documents. The issue gained prominence following a nationwide crackdown on migrant smuggling launched after the 2024 Greece boat tragedy that claimed

several Pakistani lives. Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Riffat Mukhtar Raja told the committee that a total of 66,000 passengers were offloaded during the year, of whom 51,000 were stopped by the FIA due to insufficient or unverified documentation. “Passengers are offloaded based on document verification, data checks and online authentication,” the DG FIA said, adding that many travellers lacked complete information regarding their educational courses, universities or overseas employment. He said several passengers attempted to travel through agents using incomplete or incorrect details, particularly under visit, Umrah and work visa categories. During the year, 8.5 million Pakistanis travelled abroad,

PTI condemns Punjab Police brutality, terror charges on Khan’s sisters among dozens supporters ISLAMABAD

staff report

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday launched a scathing condemnation of the Punjab Police, accusing them of unleashing “chemical-laced” water cannons, using excessive force, and detaining peaceful protesters—including former prime minister Imran Khan’s sisters—during a sit-in outside Adiala Jail, while slapping terrorism charges on participants in what the party termed a “brazen act of political victimization.” In a strongly worded statement issued by the PTI Central Media Department, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lashed out at the illegitimate regime for employing brutal and naked force against peaceful sit-in participants, subjecting women, senior citizens and non-violent protesters to chemical-laced water cannons, physical violence, and the unlawful forcible arrest of multiple PTI workers—calling it as the worst manifestation of political victimization. PTI strongly denounced the blatant misuse of the AntiTerrorism Act against peaceful sit-in participants outside Adiala Jail last night, by filing a case against Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan, Azma Khan, Noreen Niazi, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, PTI Punjab Organiser Aliya Hamza, and 35 others—bringing the total number of accused to 400— under Section 120 for criminal conspiracy against the state. The party stated that all of these actions were a stark reflection of a fearful government’s panic and moral bankruptcy. PTI condemned the misuse of law to target citizens and peaceful political activists, calling it an attack on democracy, justice, and fundamental human rights. The party also flayed the regime for deliberately, systematically, and repeatedly obstructing the legally mandated bi-weekly meetings of PTI founder with his family, lawyers, and friends, effectively reducing the court’s clear orders to mere scraps of paper. PTI asserted that the mandate-less regime was blatantly violating the clear, written, and unequivocal orders of the Islamabad High Court, thereby setting a dangerous precedent in the country, as these actions are far from mere administrative failures and instead constitute a direct assault on the Constitution, the rule of law, and the authority of the judiciary. As per the court’s explicit directives, Tuesdays are reserved for meetings between Imran Khan and his family and lawyers, and despite full compliance with the law and submission of the official list, his sisters and legal counsel were once again obstructed at Adiala Jail, proving that the rulers respect neither the courts nor the law nor basic human values, it was said. The party stated that PTI founder remained in arbitrary detention for the past 865 days in a so-called “death cell” under deplorable conditions, on the basis of fabricated and politically motivated cases, subjected to prolonged illegal isolation and mental torture in dire jail conditions, while his wife, Bushra Bibi, has also endured unlawful detention for nearly 600 days.

while 226 cases were registered for various immigration-related offences. Raja informed the panel that 180 FIA officials involved in corruption had been dismissed and that all major airports had been linked to NADRA’s online database to strengthen immigration controls. He stressed that no passenger had been cleared under political influence or VIP pressure. The committee was also told that cameras had been installed at immigration counters and monitoring was being carried out from the central control room. The immigration system, he said, now uses artificial intelligence to flag suspicious cases in advance. Over the past three months, 450 individuals were arrested while attempting to illegally cross into Iran, while several

Bangladeshi nationals were intercepted attempting to travel to Europe via Pakistan on tourist visas, the DG FIA added. He further revealed that 287 people were deported last year and 170 this year for using fake documents, while 24,000 individuals accused of begging were deported from Saudi Arabia during the current year. Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry informed the committee that Saudi Arabia was set to receive $1 trillion in investment under Vision 2030, creating significant employment opportunities. He said 451,000 Pakistanis travelled to Saudi Arabia last year, while more than 500,000 have gone during the current year. Committee chairman Aga Rafiullah criticised the National Vocational and Technical

Training Commission for poor performance, while committee member Muhammad Ilyas Chaudhry questioned the provision of drivers to community welfare attachés posted in Europe, highlighting the financial burden of assigning drivers to Grade 17 and 18 officers. Earlier this month, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reiterated that passengers with complete and genuine travel documents were not being stopped, while those carrying incomplete or bogus documents would not be allowed to travel. In November, the FIA had clarified that offloading or denial of boarding only occurs when passengers lack valid documentation or are suspected of involvement in migrant smuggling, adding that legal action had also been initiated against those spreading false information on social media regarding the issue.

FDI holds steady at $179.7m in November as China-led inflows continue PROFIT

News Desk

Foreign direct investment into Pakistan remained broadly stable in November, inching to $179.7 million, up 0.45% month-on-month from $178.9m in October. However, net FDI was 22% lower year-on-year, compared to $231.9m in November 2024, according to State Bank data. Net inflows in the fiscal year to date stood at $927.4m during July–November FY26, higher than $735.3m in the same period last year.

SECTOR BREAKDOWN: The power sector led activity in November with net inflows of $90.1m, fol-

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Direct investment up marginally mom, Down yoy; power anD finance sectors Drive activity, country flows mixeD

lowed by financial and insurance services at $69m, and manufacturing at $16.8m. Mining and quarrying saw the largest withdrawal at –$21.9m, with information and communication (–$3.1m) and transport (–$1.3m) also posting outflows. Over the first five months of FY26, power accounted for $401.3m in net inflows, financial services $333.1m, and manufacturing $135.3m, while mining and quarrying recorded –$55.1m.

COUNTRY-WISE FLOWS: China

remained the single largest contributor in November with $81.6m net, followed by Hong Kong ($23.3m), Switzerland ($16.8m), the UAE ($14.5m), and the Netherlands ($6.8m). It is important to note that the US recorded inflows of $2.8m, while the UK posted an outflow of –$5.6m. For July–November FY26, China led at $308.4m, followed by Hong Kong ($143.3m), the UAE ($100.8m), Switzerland ($89.4m), and Canada ($38.3m). The US posted net outflows of –$64.6m, while UK flows stood at $55.6m.

Political instability, not policy failure, holding Pakistan back: Ahsan Iqbal ISLAMABAD

staff report

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said Pakistan’s struggle for sustained development is rooted in political instability and policy disruption rather than a shortage of ideas, strategies or technical expertise. Speaking at a policy discussion, the minister said repeated breaks in governance and development planning have prevented Pakistan from building a solid socio-economic foundation, warning that investment in infrastructure alone cannot deliver progress in the absence of stability. He said physical development loses its value when the social framework remains weak, adding that roads, bridges and buildings amount to little more than concrete structures if human development and institutional continuity are neglected. Referring to past national frameworks such as Vision 2010 and Vision 2025, Ahsan Iqbal said continuity was clearly recognised as essential, yet none of the plans were allowed to run their course due to political upheavals. As a result, he said, Pakistan failed to convert long-term strategies into measurable outcomes. Describing the present phase as a defining moment for the country, the minister said Pakistan must decide whether it wants to continue repeating historical mistakes or adopt a fundamentally different development trajectory based on stability and consistency. He likened public policy to agricultural seed, saying outcomes depend not just on design but on conditions. Without political calm, institutional support and time, even the best policies cannot bear fruit, he said. Drawing lessons from global experience, Ahsan Iqbal identified peace, political stability, long-term policy continuity and ongoing reform as the core pillars of sustainable growth. He stressed that development policies require a decade or more to show results, warning that premature disruption resets progress entirely. He cited countries including India, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Singapore as examples where extended periods of stable governance enabled steady eco-

NEW YORK

Pakistan on Wednesday accused India of sponsoring terrorism and carrying out targeted killings abroad, as it responded to remarks made by the Indian delegation during a United Nations Security Council meeting. Speaking in reply to Indian representative Harish Parvathaneni, who had raised Pakistan’s internal political and constitutional matters, Gul Qaiser Sarwani, counsellor and political coordinator at Pakistan’s mission to the UN, said Islamabad possessed credible evidence of Indian involvement in terrorist activity inside Pakistan. Sarwani told the Council that India was supporting proscribed militant groups including Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan, Fitna al-Khawarij and the Balochistan Liberation Army. He also alleged that India was backing militants operating from across the border in Afghanistan. The Pakistani diplomat further claimed that India had been involved in targeted killings of individuals it considered adversaries in North America and other countries, saying there was concrete proof of such actions. Rejecting India’s criticism of Pakistan’s constitutional amendments, Sarwani said constitutional

Pakistan’s current account posts $100m surplus in November; $812m deficit in 5MFY26

imports fall nearly 12%, exports dip by 10%; remittance inflows decrease by 7% on a monthly basis PROFIT

News Desk

nomic transformation. However, he cautioned that stability alone is not sufficient. Without continuous reform and modernization, he said, stability merely entrenches outdated systems instead of driving progress. Addressing governance challenges, the minister said Pakistan suffers from a persistent gap between knowledge and implementation. He noted that government institutions are rich in research, reports and expert advice but poor in execution. Quoting academic research, he said organizations fail not because they lack knowledge, but because institutional resistance, vested interests and fear of change block action. He said similar patterns exist across Pakistan’s public sector. Turning to human development, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that education, child health and welfare must be treated as national imperatives. He warned that while Pakistan shows economic indicators comparable to middle-income countries, its social indicators remain alarmingly weak. Citing the 2023 census, he said population growth has accelerated to around 2.55 percent annually, with more than 6.5 million children born each year. He questioned whether the state is adequately prepared to meet the educational and health needs of this growing population. Without sustained investment in children and human capital, he warned, Pakistan risks falling further behind in an increasingly competitive global environment.

Pakistan presents evidence of India’s support for terrorism in UNSC News Desk

TOTAL FOREIGN INVESTMENT: Total foreign investment — including direct, portfolio and public flows — showed a net outflow of $32.4m in November, while the July– November FY26 period showed $313.7m net inflows, supported by $305m in portfolio gains. While November did not signal a directional shift, analysts note steady inflows across power and finance continue to underpin the investment profile, tempered by selective withdrawals in mining and technology sectors and uneven country flows.

and legislative matters were the sole prerogative of Pakistan’s elected parliament and could not be questioned by external actors. He said Pakistan’s constitutional changes had been adopted through a two-thirds majority, in line with democratic norms, adding that India lacked the standing or moral authority to comment on Pakistan’s internal processes. Sarwani also accused India of persecuting religious minorities and criticised what he described as an atmosphere of impunity under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Turning to Kashmir, the Pakistani representative said India had unleashed systematic repression in the disputed region and reiterated that Kashmir was not, and had never been, a legitimate part of India. He noted that India had itself taken the Kashmir issue to the United Nations and committed to allowing the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their future through a UN-supervised plebiscite. Sarwani said Pakistan had consistently exercised restraint despite provocations, adding that Indian statements at the Council were marked by denial and factual distortions. India has previously rejected Pakistan’s allegations, maintaining that Islamabad sponsors militant activity in the region, a claim Pakistan denies.

Pakistan’s current account recorded a surplus of $100 million in November 2025, following a $291 million deficit in October. This improvement contrasts with a surplus of $684 million in the same month last year, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The surplus was largely driven by a significant decline in imports. Total imports for November 2025 stood at $5.68 billion, a drop of nearly 12% from the previous month. In comparison, Pakistan’s total exports of goods and services amounted to $3.09 billion, down over 10% from October’s $3.44 billion. Remittance inflows, which have been a key component of Pakistan’s current account, fell by 7% month-onmonth, amounting to $3.19 billion in November, down from $3.42 billion in October. For the first five months of the fiscal year (FY26), the current account posted a cumulative deficit of $812 million, a significant shift from a surplus of $503 million during the same period in FY25. Despite this, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, excluding the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Cash Reserve Ratio (SCRR), saw a notable rise, reaching $14.68 billion. This reflects a 21% year-on-year increase, signaling stronger external buffers amid persistent pressures on the current account.

Thursday, 18 Deceember, 2025 | ISLAMABAD

NATIONWIDE GOODS TRANSPORTERS’ STRIKE DISRUPTS SUPPLY CHAINS, EXPORTS AND MEDICINE DELIVERIES

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GOODS TRANSPORT STRIKE LEAVES THOUSANDS OF CONTAINERS STRANDED; PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLIES HIT HARD, CREATING SHORTAGES, PARTICULARLY IN BALOCHISTAN PROFIT

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AKISTAN’S ongoing nationwide strike by goods transporters has led to severe disruptions across multiple sectors, including industrial production, exports, and the supply of essential goods, including medicines. As per reports, the strike, which entered its 10th day, has resulted in impacted port operations in Karachi, with thousands of export and import containers left stranded. The disruption has prompted industrialists to raise alarms over the eco-

nomic fallout, warning of irreparable damage if the strike continues. Exporters are now considering costly air consignments to meet delivery deadlines, while several hundred containers, already loaded on vessels, remain stranded at sea. The Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMEA) described the ongoing halt in port activity as economic sabotage. The PHMEA emphasised that the strike has brought Pakistan’s supply chain to a standstill, endangering daily exports worth around $92 million, with the textile sector alone contributing $52 million daily.

‘Hostile countries’ behind campaign to malign Pakistan after Bondi shooting: Tarar CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Highlighting the misinformation campaign, the minister said certain media outlets quickly alleged that one of the attackers was from Lahore, without any evidence or verification. “The campaign proliferated in Israel and India across social media platforms and electronic media,” he said, noting that it coincided with Pakistan’s commemoration of the Army Public School attack in Peshawar on December 16, 2014—one of the country’s most tragic terrorist incidents. Tarar stressed that Pakistan had always been a frontline state in the global fight against terrorism. “Every segment of Pakistani society, from children to soldiers, officers, professionals, security personnel, and police, has paid a heavy price over more than a decade in combating terrorism,” he said. He reiterated that no credible evidence linked Pakistan to the Bondi Beach attackers and called the narrative a deliberate misinformation campaign. The minister pointed out that Indian authorities later clarified that the suspect was from Hyderabad, India, and his passport had been issued by the Indian embassy in Sydney. Philippine authorities also confirmed his travel using the same passport. Tarar criticized international media for failing to verify information before publishing and praised Australian authorities for conducting a professional investigation and refraining from speculation. He questioned who would compensate Pakistan for the reputational damage caused by the false reports and whether apologies or legal action would follow. Tarar also linked the episode to broader concerns over transnational terrorism, citing the assassination of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and other attacks.

Despite ongoing negotiations with the federal and provincial governments, goods transport unions have declared they will continue the strike until their demands are met. The transporters are protesting the implementation of stricter regulations under the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 2025, which imposes heavy fines, penalties, and vehicle impoundments. In addition to industrial and trade disruptions, the strike has significantly impacted the availability of essential medicines across the country. Pharmaceutical manufacturers report that the lack of transport has resulted in shortages of critical medications, particularly in Balochistan, where 80% of

medicines are sourced from Karachi. Chronic disease medicines, including those for diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions, are in short supply. The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) representatives highlighted that factories are facing difficulties in dispatching medicines, leading to a backlog of products in warehouses. As the strike continues, stocks of life-saving drugs are dwindling, and patients, especially in remote areas, are struggling to find the medicines they need. The Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association also voiced concerns, urging the government to prioritise the transportation of essential medicines. The association emphasised the urgent need for action to ensure that pharmaceuticals reach medical stores and healthcare facilities across the country.

PM dubs laptop scheme enabling ecosystem for youth to unlock potential, gain excellence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

“Your sacrifices, which the nation may sometimes forget, will be remembered in golden words,” he remarked. He also praised parents and teachers, acknowledging their crucial role in shaping Pakistan’s future. Touching upon broader national challenges, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of skill development in sectors like IT, agriculture, and mining. “We have pulled the economy back from the brink of default, and now it is time for us to boost growth. It will require modern skills, and our youth must lead this charge,” he said, announcing plans to send delegations from all provinces to China for training in AI and other advanced technologies. Responding to local demands, Shehbaz Sharif announced the establishment

of a Daanish School in Haripur with separate campuses for boys and girls, as well as a women’s campus at Haripur University. He also pledged the construction of Haripur Bridge to connect educational institutions and improve access to resources. “I respect and acknowledge the culture of KP, and I promise that this women’s campus will be built to honor the students and their aspirations,” he said. The Prime Minister concluded with a message of unity and national pride, urging youth to draw inspiration from Allama Iqbal’s vision. “The future of Pakistan is in the hands of our youth, and they will lead this country to unprecedented heights,” he said. Several students shared personal stories of how the Laptop Scheme transformed their lives. Ghalib Hassan, son of a martyr from Peshawar, said the laptop helped him pursue freelancing proj-

ects and secure an income. Maham Batool from Karak credited the laptop for enabling her to achieve her career goals, now serving in Grade 17 at Askari Bank. Wareesha Eman from Lakki Marwat expressed gratitude for the laptop and the PEEF scholarship that allowed her to study in Punjab. Aimal Abbass, son of a Pakistan Army martyr, praised the scheme for bringing joy and opportunity to his family. The event featured a guard of honor by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and a performance by the Police Band, drawing applause from attendees. Earlier, newly elected MNA from Haripur, Babar Nawaz highlighted the constituency’s educational and development challenges, requesting the establishment of a women’s campus at Haripur University to overcome cultural barriers for female students.

Imran Khan’s sons plan Pakistan visit in January amid father’s ‘death cell’ detention CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

He added that asking Imran Khan to leave politics and relocate to England would leave him emotionally burdened, explaining, “And so if he just took a deal and came over to us and lived in England, I know there would be this burning desire and this aching that he has left his country for dead. And he would be depressed, to be honest. I know he would.” Kasim emphasized that while the family wishes their father could be closer,

they respect his sense of purpose. “This is his goal, and as much as we’d love to have our father watching all of our cricket matches or football matches over here, he has a purpose which is far greater. So, you can only respect it,” he said. Reflecting on his frustration and helplessness, Kasim said, “I want to know how we can get him out, how we can help because the main point is we feel so helpless at this point. I mean, there’s so much to catch up on.” He also shared that Imran Khan avoids discussing his imprisonment

conditions during their conversations, focusing instead on the family’s wellbeing. “He’s like, ‘Oh, you know, don’t worry about me. How’s everything?’” Kasim noted, adding that his father regularly asked about their grandmother, Lady Annabel Goldsmith, who passed away in October. The interview underscores the continuing tension surrounding Imran Khan’s detention and highlights the personal and political stakes for his family, as protests and legal battles around his incarceration continue in Pakistan.

Transforming SSGC’s Operational and Financial Landscape Syed Imran ahmed EING one of the country’s two premier gas utilities, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) manages gas transmission and distribution in its franchise provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, with a network spanning a massive 55,000 kms. The Company caters to 3.2 million customers, including 4,500 industries. Historically, SSGC suffered from a host of external and internal challenges and the gas utility’s financial statements were not finalized for several years. Losses continued to accumulate, and Unaccounted-for-Gas (UFG) or line losses had become uncontainable. Cumulative inter-enterprises liabilities swelled, resulting in gas sector circular debt that ran into more than a trillion Rupees. Meanwhile, the depleting indigenous gas reserve situation worsened the condition. In this bleak scenario, a firm commitment had to be made to introduce extensive changes, and transform the culture of the organization to deliver positive results. Relentless efforts needed to be channelized towards developing and implementing a new corporate strategy to make SSGC operationally and financially sustainable. Besides strengthening the Company’s financials, the priority before the Company’s Board and Management was to deal with legacy issues, lift the financials, drastically reduce UFG, reform HR systems and pursue business diversification. Exemplary leadership, along with strategic foresight was indispensable to steer the Company through economic headwinds, regulatory challenges, and sectoral transformation.

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STRATEGIC UFG REDUCTION AND OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE A cornerstone of the agenda was the consistent and focused reduction of UFG which is critical for sustainable growth, financial well-being, and positive investments. Backed by a comprehensive and improved strategy, UFG reduction plan and institutional framework was restructured to allow for coordinated and holistic action at the zonal level. SSGC management has been undertaking extensive initiatives to improve its bottomline through vigorous and sustainable reduction in UFG. Targeted efforts in FY 2023-24 contributed to a year-over-

year reduction in UFG, resulting in a cumulative reduction of over 40 BCF of UFG from FY 2018–19 till FY 2023-24. UFG in SSGC witnessed a five-year consecutive decline, falling from over 17.10% to 10.59%, culminating in 8.84 BCF reduced in FY 2022–23 alone. This was imperative for ensuring the muchneeded operational discipline. Upper Sindh Region achieved a 3 BCF reduction in UFG year over year, with a percentage decrease from 13.24% to a single digit figure. On the other hand, Balochistan remained a primary focus for UFG reduction, with aggregate UFG remaining at 15 BCF during FY 2023-24 which is a net reduction of 11 BCF over the previous year.

NETWORK REHABILITATION: To reduce gas leakages and strengthen the measurement and billing system, SSGC Board authorized investments that have upgraded its gas pipeline network through an unprecedented enhancement of rehabilitation capacity. Completion of approximately 1,500 km of pipeline rehabilitation in 2023-24, as part of an initiative that involves rehabilitation of 7,500 kms distribution network over the next 3 years, especially in high-loss areas of Karachi, Upper Sindh, and Balochistan, has significantly strengthened system integrity and better service to the customers.

FINANCIAL TURNAROUND AND ENHANCED SHAREHOLDER VALUE The Company achieved yet another milestone by overcoming fiscal pressures and regulatory constraints to reposition itself on the path to financial recovery. The upshot was financial turnaround from a loss of Rs. 8 billion in FY 2021–22 to a profit of Rs. 9 billion in FY 2023–24. Earnings per share (EPS) surged from negative Rs. 12.99 in FY 2021–22 to positive Rs. 7.76 in FY 2023–24. A Negative Equity of Rs. 23.7 billion to positive equity of Rs. 5.9 billion, and outcome of well-planned financial strategy and a foundation of SSGC sustainable future. CAPITALIZATION Capitalization of development projects rose from Rs. 8 billion to Rs. 17.5 billion per year, boosting the Company’s assets base and improving Return on Capital. New resources, strategies and systems are in place to target further capitalization to around Rs. 40 billion by the next two years. In addition, operating expenditures have been ke pt within OGRA-approved

limits, avoiding disallowances and reinforcing new-found fiscal discipline.

METER MANUFACTURING PLANT – TOWARDS LOCALIZATION Over the last several years, SSGC’s Meter Manufacturing Plant also achieved several milestones, one of them being the indigenization of meter parts under technology transfer agreement and revision of production processes as per international standards, to ensure sustainable and quality-oriented production of gas meters. Localization of G4 / V3 meters from 53% to 97% and G-1.6 to 98% is indeed a notable feat. The Company has also made extensive efforts to export locally manufactured gas meters to Middle East and African countries. Production of meters has soared and targets which were once thought difficult were surpassed.

STRENGTHENING SUBSIDIARIES AND ENERGY DIVERSIFICATION In the wake of gas shortages, SSGC has been positioning itself as a diversified energy company. SSGC LPG Limited (SLL), a fully-owned subsidiary of SSGC, is being harnessed to enhance LPG supplies. SLL achieved record sales of 98,700 MT and a 7.7% market share, earning of Rs. 770 million in net profit in FY 2022–23 and Rs. 1.5 billion in 2023-24. In order to enhance its value proposition, SSGC has been promoting business diversification through SSGC Alternate Energy (Pvt.) Ltd., a relatively new subsidiary formed to focus on multiple clean energy fronts, including biogas, biomethane, LNG, and hydrogen.

INNOVATION, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION, AND RISK MANAGEMENT With a strong emphasis on modernizing systems and processes, automation of procurement, complaint resolution, and customer service through online platforms and process automation is also underway. Morever, implementation of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and Information Security Management System (ISMS) frameworks have also laid the foundation for a robust governance infrastructure. A specialized GIS-based UFG reduction application was zealously implemented, integrating network monitoring with actionable insights for field operations. The Company remains confident that continued focus on digital transformation will lead to improved operational efficiency and service delivery.

GOVERNANCE, TRANSPARENCY, AND REGULATORY ADVOCACY SSGC has also attempted to meet formidable challenges of Key Monitoring Indicators (KMI) targets set by OGRA. Following active engagements with the Authority, SSGC achieved an unprecedented 99% KMI acceptance of gas volume claims under OGRA’s KMIs in FY 2023–24. In addition, the Company has engaged itself proactively with OGRA and government stakeholders to resolve critical issues such as UFG allowance on RLNG, tariff differentials, and circular debt.

HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT The Company’s Human Resources function has played a pivotal role in supporting organizational transformation, workforce development, and operational readiness. Recognizing the role of the Company workforce in achieving strategic goals, over 5,580 man-days of training programs were conducted to build technical, managerial, and safety competencies. In addition, new leadership development programs and talent acquisition strategies were implemented to ensure long-term organizational vitality and growth. Improvement in the incentive framework also includes introduction of a new salary scale, a competitive, merit-based and transparent recruitment system, and best practice performance management system backed by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Skill gap analysis is underway to hire the best qualified and most talented team possible. Even international talent was hunted for top positions to ensure qualitative as well as quantitative transformational changes in work culture of the organization, which have already started showing trickledown results. The achievements by SSGC in diverse functional areas, especially over the last three years have laid a strong foundation for future growth, strategic agility, and national energy security. Corporate reforms and investments to enhance the accessibility and sustainability of its network are expected to deliver cost efficiency and results delivery effectiveness. Moreover, stronger financial results, and UFG reduction should generate resources for increasing investments in the rehabilitation of the transmission and distribution system.

NEWS 03

Pakistan Navy launches fourth Hangor-class submarine in China ISLAMABAD

Staff CorreSpondent

The Pakistan Navy on Wednesday launched its fourth Hangor-class submarine, PNS Ghazi, at the Shuangliu Base in Wuhan, China, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. Terming the development another “significant milestone”, the ISPR said all four submarines being constructed in China are currently undergoing rigorous sea trials and are in the final stages of handover to Pakistan. According to the military’s media wing, Pakistan signed an agreement with China for the acquisition of eight Hangor-class submarines, under which four are being built in China while the remaining four will be constructed at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works Ltd (KS&EW) under a transfer of technology arrangement. The ISPR said the submarines will be equipped with advanced weaponry and sensors capable of engaging targets at standoff ranges, adding that the Hangor-class fleet would play a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. Senior officials from Pakistan and China attended the launch ceremony, reflecting the growing defence cooperation between the two countries. The first Hangorclass submarine was launched in April 2024, followed by the second and third on March 15 and August 15 this year, respectively. The Hangor-class is a diesel-electric attack submarine equipped with air-independent propulsion technology, enabling it to operate underwater for extended durations. The class is named after PNS Hangor, which made history during the 1971 Pakistan-India war by becoming the first submarine since World War II to sink an enemy warship. The submarine was later decommissioned and is now displayed at the Pakistan Maritime Museum in Karachi.

Inter-ministerial meeting discusses ways to strengthen Pak-Iran cooperation ISLAMABAD

Staff CorreSpondent

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday chaired an inter-ministerial meeting on Pakistan–Iran relations wherein the participants reviewed the existing bilateral cooperation in diverse areas. The participants also discussed ways to identify new avenues for strengthening economic and trade cooperation. The deputy prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to expanding bilateral engagement with Iran across priority sectors. The meeting was attended by the Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, SAPM Tariq Bajwa, the Secretary of Petroleum, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries.

04 COMMENT

From Fentanyl to WMDs

Russian oil

F

Is it wise to put the country’s head in the lion’s mouth?

INANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has disclosed in an interview to the leading Russian news agency RIA, formerly the Novosti Press Agency, that the two countries’ energy ministries are in talks over an oil deal. Such a deal, it might be recalled, had caused a great deal of grief for India, after the USA imposed extra tariffs on it because it was importing Russian oil at a discount. India was supposed to have been importing oil at a heavy discount from Russia, and then selling it on at the full price on the global market, pocketing the difference. Russian oil had become a political football when the PTI after dismissal hinted that then Prime Minister Imran Khan had been in Russia on the day it had invaded Ukraine, and that he had struck, a deal for Russian oil discounted below the global price. The PTI had accused the Shehbaz government which replaced is, of giving up a golden opportunity to benefit the country. The coalition caved under the pressure, and obtained a cargo of Russian crude. However, it transpired that it could not be processed by Pakistani refineries. This was swiftly followed by the imposition of sanctions this year by US President Donald Trump. Pakistan was given lower tariffs than India, which penalized even further because of its oil purchases. The USA is particularly irritated by such sales of Russian oil because they bypass US sanctions, and provide Russia the hard currency it needs to prosecute the war in Ukraine. Senator Aurangzeb’s remarks did not explain whether the refining issue had been overcome or not. The use of oil as a diplomatic weapon by Pakistan was demonstrated when it purchased crude from the USA, with one cargo having already arrived, which it had done to reduce its trade surplus with the USA. The recent Russia-India rapprochement, which followed the US tariff rebuff to India, is probably the reason for Pakistan trying to create some goodwill with Russia. This is despite the tilt towards the USA which followed recent interactions between the two governments. Pakistan may be relying on its expected role as a UN peacekeeper in the US Gaza peace plan, but it still does not seem wise to vacillate quite so wildly in its policies. It should remember that the USA can see though its machinations, and if the Shehbaz government wishes to take it on, it should be ready to do so fully, for the Trump Administration suits only itself.

Is the Iraq saga being repeated?

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Qamar Bashir

N December 15, US President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order formally designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction. In his signing statement, Trump argued that fentanyl is not merely a narcotic but a chemical weapon silently killing Americans in numbers exceeding the casualties of modern wars. He stated that no foreign enemy since World War II has inflicted comparable annual losses on US civilians. The order reframes fentanyl trafficking as a national security threat, elevating drug enforcement into the strategic domain traditionally reserved for terrorism, proliferation, and existential threats to state survival. Trump justified the order on three grounds. First, fentanyl’s lethality is unprecedented: two milligrams can kill, and a kilogram can produce hundreds of thousands of fatal doses. Second, trafficking is organized, transnational, and violent, funding cartels that destabilize entire regions. Third, conventional law enforcement has failed to deter production and distribution. According to Trump, extraordinary deaths demand extraordinary measures. Congressional leadership reinforced this view. Speakers in both the House and Senate declared fentanyl a threat to national survival, arguing that when a substance kills tens of thousands annually and finances violent networks, it functions as a weapon regardless of delivery method. The statistics driving this argument are severe. In 2023, the United States recorded 107,543 overdose deaths. More than 81,000 involved opioids, and nearly three quarters were linked to synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. Although deaths declined in 2024, totals still approached 80,000. By comparison, total U.S. military deaths since 1945 across Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan remain under 110,000. Fentanyl alone now approaches that figure every two to three years. The administration argues that ignoring such losses would represent a moral and strategic failure unprecedented in American history. Law enforcement data confirms scale. In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized 79.5 million counterfeit fentanyl pills and over 12,000 pounds of powder. In 2024, seizures exceeded 60 million pills. By late 2025, more than 45 million pills

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late)

had already been intercepted. Fentanyl is cheap to produce, easy to conceal, and extraordinarily potent, making it ideal for criminal economies. Congressional assessments estimate annual fentanyl revenues for cartels between $ 700 million and $1 billion. These funds finance corruption, private militias, weapons acquisition, and sophisticated money laundering networks across the Western Hemisphere. The supply chain is well documented. Precursor chemicals, many produced abroad in industrial quantities, move through intermediaries before being synthesized primarily by Mexican cartels such as Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation. Distribution routes span land borders, maritime channels, and air cargo. Peer reviewed research estimates Mexican criminal organizations collectively employ between 160,000 and 185,000 people, rivaling state security forces in manpower. They recruit hundreds weekly to replace losses from arrests and killings, sustaining a violent labour economy. This reality explains why fentanyl trafficking increasingly resembles insurgency rather than conventional organized crime. Yet the danger lies not in recognizing fentanyl as an existential threat, but in how that recognition is operationalized. Declaring a substance a weapon of mass destruction carries historical baggage. WMD labels have repeatedly justified preemptive and preventive action, bypassing diplomacy and international consent. Iraq remains the clearest warning. Once weapons of mass destruction dominated the narrative, diplomacy collapsed, military action followed, and a functioning state was dismantled. The result was sectarian conflict, mass displacement, and a prolonged cycle of instability that generated terrorism far beyond Iraq’s borders. Today, similar logic risks normalization. Under a WMD framework, preemptive and preventive strikes become politically defensible, even when they violate sovereignty. Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, and upstream suppliers are increasingly portrayed as failing links. If perception becomes justification, escalation becomes inevitable. History shows such actions do not eliminate threats but transform them. Civilians, not traffickers, bear the immediate cost. Economies collapse, institutions weaken, and populations are pushed into desperation. In such environ-

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A path toward accessible justice

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muhammad Zahid rifat

RIME MINISTER Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM /Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and a couple of other Federal Ministers were quite frequently visiting friendly countries, meeting top leaderships and others for boosting Pakistan’s relations, seeking foreign investment, trade and joint partnership in different sectors. It was indeed very appreciable that this was not just one way traffic but rather welcomely two way traffic as dignitaries from friendly and regional countries also were also visiting Islamabad every now and then, holding talks here with their counterparts and others concerned for enhancing bilateral relations in different sector and fields and thereby strengthening and boosting bilateral relations between Pakistan and their respective countries. Such exchange of visits of dignitaries go a long way to further enhancing relations in a mutually beneficial manner in due course of time. Pakistan enjoys very friendly brotherly relations with Egypt and Turkiye And top level mutual exchanges every now and then were further strengthening these relations and enhancing cooperation in different sectors. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Dr Badr Ahmed Muhamed Abdelatty was in Islamabad recently for a couple of days during which he held quite useful exchanges of views with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister/foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar. among others. The visit of the Egyptian Foreign Minister has quite obviously further strengthened the longstanding bilateral relationship and provided a significantopportunity to both the countries to deepen bilateral cooperation across political, economic, defence, cultural, and educational sectors. Both sides have reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together forregional peace, stability, and shared prosperity. While addressing a joint press conference after their deliberations, the Foreign Ministers stated that Pakistan and Egypt have agreed to significantly upgrade their economic cooperation through a new Pakistan-Egypt Business Council and also a Pakistan-Egypt Business Forum there by marking the most structured

commercial engagement between the two nations in more than decade. They also unveiled twin platforms for energizing trade and investment with Islamabad providing short-listed 250500top firms for Business to Business (B2B) engagements, both nations pledged to take concrete, solid steps for boosting connectivity and economic cooperation, Cairo to mirror. Islamabad’s business whitelisting process, ease visas, besides doubling scholarships for Pakistani students in religious studies. Both the Foreign Ministers reaffirmed commitment to bring business, trade and investment ties with longstanding political goodwill between the two counties. As per the announcement made on the occasion, the first meeting of the Pakistan-Egypt Business Forum will be held in Cairo in the second quarter of 2026while the Joint Ministerial Process will also be revived after 14 years. As a matter of coincidence perhaps, just when the Egyptian Foreign Minister was visiting Islamabad, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan was in Cairo courting the major Egyptian conglomerate for investment in mining, and information technology sectors in his country. At the heels of the Egyptian Foreign Minister’s visit, a Turkish delegation, led by Energy and Natural resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar arrived in Islamabad for high-level talks for expanding collaboration between the two brotherly countries across oil, gas and mineral sectors. The Turkish Energy Minister along with his delegation called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif ,who had returned home bit earlier from extended stay in London for medical checkup after visiting Bahrain, duly emphasized the importance of expanding collaboration between the two countries in energy, petroleum and mineral sectors, expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to further expanding cooperation with Turkey, particularly in the energy sector. The PM availed the opportunity to convey his satisfaction over the Turkish Petroleum’s joining offshore and onshore

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ments, radicalization follows. Those unable to confront overwhelming force directly retaliate asymmetrically, often against soft targets far removed from original battlefields. This pattern has been repeated after wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Middle East, followed by retaliatory violence across Europe and beyond. Militarizing fentanyl risks extending this cycle into the Western Hemisphere. There is also a strategic contradiction. Drugs flow toward demand. As long as millions of Americans remain addicted due to despair, mental illness, and decades of pharmaceutical over prescription, markets will adapt. Destroy one route, another emerges. Bomb one laboratory, smaller decentralized operations replace it. No military doctrine can substitute for demand reduction and treatment at scale. Fentanyl devastates not only consumers but also producer and transit societies. Mexico loses tens of thousands annually to cartel violence. Canada has recorded tens of thousands of opioid toxicity deaths since 2016. Drug economies rot societies from within. This is not a unilateral assault but a shared human catastrophe. That reality demands collective action: precursor controls, financial tracking, intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement, and massive investment in treatment and rehabilitation. Such measures require legitimacy and cooperation. The United Nations framework exists precisely to prevent powerful states from normalizing unilateral force as routine policy. The lesson of Iraq is not that threats should be ignored, but that force without legitimacy multiplies threats. Declaring fentany1, a weapon of mass destruction may awaken urgency, but if it institutionalizes preventive war, the cure will prove deadlier than the disease. Drugs kill silently. Wars kill loudly. Both destroy societies. Leadership is measured not by how fiercely a threat is named, but by how wisely it is confronted. Ending fentanyl requires saving lives, restoring dignity, and rebuilding trust, not violating sovereignty and creating new graveyards across an already fragile world. The writer retired as Press Secretary the the President, and is former Press Minister at Embassy of Paikistan to France and former MD, Shalimar Recording & Broadcasting Company Limited

The lesson of Iraq is not that threats should be ignored, but that force without legitimacy multiplies threats. Declaring fentanyl, a weapon of mass destruction may awaken urgency, but if it institutionalizes preventive war, the cure will prove deadlier than the disease. Drugs kill silently. Wars kill loudly. Both destroy societies. Leadership is measured not by how fiercely a threat is named, but by how wisely it is confronted.

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Rawalpindi’s death trap

exploration activities in Pakistan, also invited the Turkish companies to increase their investment footprint in Pakistan’s energy market. He underscored the historical and fraternal ties between the two brotherly countries. and indicated that a Pakistani Ministerial delegation will shortly be visiting Turkiye to explore possibilities for further cooperation between the two countries. The PM quite fondly recalled his numerous interactions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and stressed the dire need for ensuring close coordination between the two sides in view of the fast-evolving regional and global environment. The PM and the Turkish Minister for Energy and Natural Resources also witnessed the exchange of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and signing of agreements between Turkiye and Pakistan in the field of mining. The visits of the Egyptian Foreign Minister and the Turkish Minister for Energy and Natural Resources one after the other to Pakistan certainly augurs well for further enhancing, promoting, and strengthening bilateral relations between brotherly countries Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye in mutually beneficial manners in the coming days, weeks, months and years, as the top leaders of these countries committed and determined to continue making efforts to boost their relations to new heights.

The writer is Lahore-based Freelance Journalist, Columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News) , Radio Pakistan, Islamabad and can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail.com

The visits of the Egyptian Foreign Minister and the Turkish Minister for Energy and Natural Resources one after the other to Pakistan certainly augurs well for further enhancing, promoting, and strengthening bilateral relations between brotherly countries Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye in mutually beneficial manners in the coming days, weeks, months and years, as the top leaders of these countries committed and determined to continue making efforts to boost their relations to new heights.

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THE dilapidated and pothole-ridden 6th Road in Rawalpindi practically serves as a death trap for thousands of commuters every day. The road, as such, has already been in abysmal state for well over a year, but it has been further damaged by digging for pipeline installations. Unfortunately, the situation turns worse during peak hours coinciding with school timings, compounded by road blockades caused by containers. Despite the fact that this road serves as an artery, its maintenance is in a state of utter neglect — riddled with wide-open manholes, unfilled trenches, and potholes large and deep enough to damage vehicles. The inconvenience is further aggravated by dust, causing respiratory problems. Merely issuing advisories for people to use alternative routes and wear masks to avoid dust is not a solution. Rather, speedy pipeline work and prompt civic repairs are needed to resolve this and other critical issues. The authorities must take up the matter with due seriousness, and make life easy for the people. MICHAEL SAMUEL RAWALPINDI

Development at the cost of disorder

IF one really wants to know what is the cost that the people of Karachi pay for the so-called development in the city, one must visit Gulshan-i-Iqbal’s block 13-D/1 area, which is seriously affected by the ‘development work’ that is being carried out across University Road for the last several years. Daily commute is a huge challenge faced by the residents as there is no immediate respite in sight. Making matters worse is the work on K-4 water pipeline project. The whole scenario is rather bleak as no development project in the city has ever had any specific completion deadline. As a matter of fact, there is no concept of environmental assessment and impact before the start of any project, which leads to chaos in surrounding roads and streets, which are already in a bad shape. Those who are officially supposed to manage such situations prefer to project their ‘performance’ on social media. The biggest disappointment, however, is how the routine maintenance work is carried out; simple tasks are made difficult. As such, a case in point is the cleaning of sewerage lines on Sehba Akhtar Road using obsolete methodology. The age-old phenomenon of placing all the garbage and filth right beside the sewers adds to the problems of commuters and area residents alike. There is a great deal of talk about mental health these days, but no one pays much attention to the mental torture the people in Karachi are constantly subjected to. ANJUM AMIN SIDDIQUI KARACHI

Attendance matters most

THE recent initiative taken by the Sindh Education Department to introduce a digital system for monitoring students’ attendance is a welcome and progressive move. For many years, education policies have focused mainly on ensuring teachers’ attendance, while the issue of student absenteeism remained largely ignored. In many institutions across the country, enrolment numbers are high, but actual classroom attendance continues to remain abysmally low, which weakens the already fragile learning process. To curb student absenteeism as well, the new digital attendance system, which directly addresses this problem, should be expanded to all higher classes and colleges across the province. In its core essence, a classroom full of students encourages effective teaching and meaningful learning. While we are still at it, the authorities concerned within the provincial Education Department should also take strict steps against the cheating and copying culture by introducing digital verification systems during examinations. Ensuring transparency and merit at all tiers is essential for restoring the lost public trust in the provincial education system. WAQAR ALI KHUSHK HYDERABAD

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COMMENT 05

Questions surrounding the Indian government

Thursday, 18 December, 2025

Its stability, decision-making and links to global scandals

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abdul basit alvi

NDIA is portrayed as facing a period of deep political turbulence, intensified by Dr subramanian swamy’s explosive allegations that senior leaders may be vulnerable to foreign blackmail through compromising material, including claims involving a former Union minister and potential pressure on the Prime Minister. these accusations challenge the leader’s cultivated moral image, trigger a polarized public reaction, and reinforce doubts about ethical governance. they also reveal systemic concerns such as internal fractures, foreign interference, delays in decision-making, and erosion of public trust. swamy’s long history of criticizing economic data, corruption handling, and policy failures adds weight to the current claims, which now threaten not just governance but national sovereignty and institutional credibility. the controversy connects with wider public distrust in democratic institutions like the judiciary, investigative agencies, and media, which critics argue have been weakened or politicized. Accusations of external leverage deepen skepticism and make citizens doubt the fairness and strength of accountability systems. the situation is amplified by psychological and social-media dynamics in which suspicion spreads faster than verified facts. As a result, Indian politics stands at a critical crossroads, with the handling of these claims likely to determine whether democratic institutions can withstand the strain. this moment demands strong public vigilance and pressure for transparency, independent investigations, and real accountability. Regardless of swamy’s motives, his allegations have opened a crucial national debate about leadership stability, foreign influence, and institutional resilience— one that could significantly reshape political culture, governance practices, and public expectations in the long term.

When a figure possessing the stature and background of Dr subramanian swamy— a veteran ideologue associated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a former Union Minister, a respected Harvard-trained economist, and one of India’s most politically uncompromising insiders with a history of confronting powerful figures— publicly and explicitly attempts to connect members of India’s political ruling class to the global criminal web surrounding the notorious Epstein scandal, the impact extends demonstrably far beyond conventional political mudslinging or elite infighting. Dr swamy is unequivocally not a fringe commentator operating on the periphery; he remains an establishment heavyweight who possesses decades of privileged access to India’s most influential power networks, an individual who has previously challenged the authority of sitting Prime Ministers, and who speaks with the undeniable authority and insight of someone who fundamentally understands the internal workings of the system from the deepest perspective. His calculated public decision to question whether the Modi government will ever initiate a genuine, impartial investigation into Indian names allegedly connected to a vast international criminal enterprise, combined with his pointed condemnation of what he describes as coercive police actions deployed against dissenting voices within the ranks of the BJP itself, serves to expose far more fundamental, deeper structural fractures within the core ruling architecture of the nation. the essential significance here is not solely confined to the precise content of his various claims, but rather resides in the highly charged and revealing fact that such profoundly explosive and nationally sensitive concerns are being forcefully raised by a senior, authoritative insider who has, for a long time, been positioned at the ideological core of the BJP-Rss worldview.

For political analysts and seasoned observers, Dr swamy’s repeated and intense interventions do not merely reflect predictable elite infighting or standard political maneuvering— they collectively raise a far more serious, existential question for India: is the sovereignty of India’s critical policymaking still genuinely intact and autonomous, or is it, as swamy hints, becoming demonstrably susceptible to external leverage and manipulation when senior, authoritative voices themselves are publicly alluding to significant vulnerabilities and dangerous foreign pressure points? When high-ranking political insiders begin to imply that the national leadership may be exposed and compromised by the threat of international manipulation or profound reputational blackmail, it acts as a decisive signal that the underlying political structure is rapidly losing its vital internal trust, is deeply struggling to successfully maintain its necessary moral authority over

The notion is forcefully advanced that the purported Âreal faceÊ of the regime, previously concealed beneath a carefully constructed political veil of integrity and strength, is now being exposed for the entire world to scrutinize, and that the unavoidable consequence is the uncomfortable fact that Prime Minister Modi and, by extension, the international credibility of India itself, have suffered a significant and perhaps irreparable loss of trust in the global arena

Banning dynasties in the Philippines Among the world’s most unequal societies, political families dominated a maximum of 40 percent of seats in Mexico and around 10 percent in Argentina

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PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER RichaRd heydaRian

ERHAPs nothing better captures our “negative exceptionalism” than the brazenly totalistic capture of our elected offices by a few families. Even at the height of political reform under the Benigno Aquino III administration, more than 80 percent of legislative seats were occupied by political dynasties. Across the nation, as few as 178 political dynasties dominated 73 out of a total of 81 provinces (before the division of Maguindanao into Maguindanao del Norte and del sur). Even when compared with our peers in the region and the postcolonial world, the situation is singularly anomalous: among the world’s most unequal societies, political families dominated a maximum of 40 percent of seats in Mexico and around 10 percent in Argentina. From the thaksins in thailand to the Jokowis in Indonesia and the Lees in singapore, many southeast Asian nations have also been dominated by family politics, but none as perniciously and incompetently as the Philippines. Not even relatively underdeveloped and feudalistic semidemocracies such as Pakistan, which was once dominated by the Bhutto family, nor India even at the peak of the Nehru-Gandhi family dominance before the rise of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. In short, neither our “Asian” nor our “Latin” cultural history can properly explain the anomalous hegemony of political dynasties in the Philippines. Perhaps the best explanation was provided by the great political scientist Benedict Anderson, who, in his trenchant essay “Cacique Democracy,” traced our dynastic politics to the peculiar ability of our mestizo-comprador ruling class’ ability to preserve its privileges and entrench itself under the aegis of multiple colonial powers. After all, few countries have been colonized so thoroughly by so many alien imperial powers throughout the modern age. As historian Vicente Rafael has eloquently argued, even our revolutionary forefathers were not so “revolutionary” in social terms, since they never had a goal beyond “uniting” the Philippine colony under their leadership for the sake of overthrowing spain. Rarely do the

the populace, and is becoming increasingly perceived as unstable and fragile at the precise moment it is strategically imperative that it project an image of unbreakable coherence and strength on the global stage. this is not just fleeting partisan drama or standard political theatrics; it serves as a critical, revealing window into a ruling system that is clearly under intense and multifaceted stress, a structure torn between the operational necessity of centralized power and the severe limitations imposed by compromised credibility, all of which carry direct and immediate implications for the institutional reliability and crucial regional strategic posture of the Republic of India. Dr swamy has, for a significant period now, been consistently utilizing his socialmedia presence to broadcast openly on highly sensitive political and national security issues. His most recent posts have, in a remarkably direct and unambiguous manner, openly questioned the Indian government’s

Katipunan documents make mention of social categories. What they sought, Rafael argues, was more political regime change than what Alexis de tocqueville understood as the comprehensive “revolving” of the social order, namely the empowerment of the masses and the aspirational middle class at the expense of the Ancien Régime. “[Katipuneros] never had a program for addressing social inequities, only for instituting legal equality within the terms of spanish civil law,” Rafael observes. “[t]he Katipunan never planned to redistribute land or to democratize social relations.” Lest we forget, our political oligarchy is perfectly mirrored in our economy. Just as the World Bank hailed the Philippines as “Asia’s Rising tiger Economy” in the early 2010s, the country’s 40 richest families devoured 76 percent of newly created growth, leaving the bottom 99.9 percent to scramble over barely a quarter of fresh prosperity. the comparable number in thailand was 33 percent, and only 5.6 percent for Malaysia and just 2.8 percent for Japan. In short, the Philippines has suffered from simultaneous market and democratic failure, as oligopolistic competition defines the “dynamism” of our social system. By and large, our elections, therefore, have been a relatively managed, peaceful way of rotating power among competing factions of our oligarchic class. the only “democratization” following the collapse of the Marcos dictatorship, which temporarily suspended the liberal oligarchic order in favor of kleptocratic despotism, was the addition of new layers of the “elite,” namely celebrities, businessmen, and (yes!) contractors, who quickly built their own dynastic bases with the characteristic rapaciousness of the nouveau-riche. this “cacique democracy,” however, reached its apogee under the Marcos-Duterte axis, which has overseen an era of hyper-impunity on both corruption and human rights fronts. In response to social anger, more than a dozen antidynasty bills have been passed to enable a long-standing, fossilized provision of our Constitution (see Article II, section 26). the problem, however, is that most of the bills are performative or politically infeasible given the dominance of dynasties, who clearly are in no mood for political hara-kiri. More crucially, even outright banning dynasties alone wouldn’t solve our problem, since they could just end up funding their proxies in the next elections. the reality is that running for any elected office is too prohibitive for any ordinary citizen, no matter how well-intentioned and competent. this is why what we need is nothing short of a comprehensive reform package, which creates real political parties, punishes corruption and vote-buying, and creates sufficient prosperity to empower all voters in the face of oligarchic rapacity.

core internal stability, its functional efficacy in decision-making, and its potential exposure to vast, damaging international scandals. the underlying implication, as suggested by Dr swamy and amplified by public reaction, is a simple, if politically devastating, one: that scandals often gain public traction and spread based upon a discernible degree of underlying reality. the implicit reasoning is that significant, lasting scandals do not typically disseminate widely or sustain public interest when they are exclusively targeted at genuinely innocent individuals, and therefore, it is argued, there must always be a substantial element of underlying reality and verifiable truth hidden somewhere beneath the surface of the scandalous allegations. Dr swamy’s comprehensive and persistent revelations have, in the eyes of critics, forcibly opened a Pandora’s Box concerning the very nature of so-called Indian democracy, the claimed levels of transparency, and the deeply contested truth about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the moral and political integrity of his governmental administration. the notion is forcefully advanced that the purported ‘real face’ of the regime, previously concealed beneath a carefully constructed political veil of integrity and strength, is now being exposed for the entire world to scrutinize, and that the unavoidable consequence is the uncomfortable fact that Prime Minister Modi and, by extension, the international credibility of India itself, have suffered a significant and perhaps irreparable loss of trust in the global arena.

The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

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SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST alex lo

t’s not for nothing that John Locke famously wrote that “life, liberty and property” are inalienable rights. the West, after all, has taught the world that property ownership, legally obtained, is sacrosanct. But what the West has imposed, it can also break. that is the real meaning of the rules-based international order, as opposed to international law: do what I say, not as I do. so the hardline European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been pressuring member states to support the seizure of more than €190 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets – currently held in Belgium – to fund her proxy war in Ukraine. that’s because the European Union is running out of resources and the United states has refused to provide more support. the EU has just moved to freeze the Russian assets indefinitely as a precursor to full seizure. though any such move by the EU would be illegal, von der Leyen’s even more hardline foreign minister Kaja Kallas, has reportedly dismissed the legal concerns and consequences in a private meeting with a group of EU lawmakers, according to numerous reports. “Which court was Russia going to go to? Which judge would ever rule for Russia on this?” she reportedly claimed. Well, in October, south Africa’s supreme Court of Appeal ruled in favour of a Moscow Arbitration Court judgment ordering Google International to repay 10 billion roubles (HK$972 million) in a bankruptcy case. It authorised the seizure of the company’s south African assets to comply with the Russian court order. Most independent legal experts have observed the EU proposal, if carried out, would violate international law. they have pointed to the Belgium-Luxembourg-Russia Investment treaty of 1989, which protects the assets of investors and states against expropriation and uncompensated seizure.

they also point to the 1958 New York Convention, an international treaty adopted by a United Nations conference, to facilitate international arbitration by ensuring that foreign arbitral awards are recognised and enforceable between contracting states. Russia has just launched a lawsuit in the Moscow Arbitration Court against Euroclear, the Brussels-based financial settling and clearing house where most of the assets in question are deposited. No wonder Belgium, along with Italy, Hungary, Malta and Bulgaria, are worried and resisting EU pressure. they have warned an asset seizure would expose Belgium and the entire euro zone to unquantifiable risks and liabilities. After all, who would trust the EU again with their financial assets? Euroclear’s chief executive Valérie Urbain said any move “resembling confiscation” would violate international law, and that Euroclear, which settles and clears transactions for financial institutions from more than 120 countries, could face Russian retaliation. the European Central Bank has refused to provide a backstop to any amount seized as a loan to Ukraine. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the White House has apparently acted with imperial arrogance by warning the International Criminal Court (ICC) not to investigate President Donald trump or any of his top officials for war crimes. the explosive Reuters exclusive also said the trump administration has repeated its demands for the ICC to cease any investigation into alleged war crimes committed during Israel’s war in Gaza, and Us troops previously operating in Afghanistan. Otherwise, it will impose further sanctions against ICC judges and officials. to force compliance, the Reuters report continues, the trump administration has demanded that the ICC amend its founding document known as the Rome statute, established as an international treaty, to ensure blanket immunity for Us and Israeli officials. since september, the Us military has been carrying out lethal strikes against alleged drug-carrying small boats in the Caribbean, killing at least 87 people. Most independent legal and military experts and some members of the Us Congress consider them extrajudicial killings potentially amounting to war crimes. the ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence chief Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza war. More than 70,000 Palestini-

The writer is a freelance columnist

ans have been killed in Gaza since Hamas carried out terrorist attacks inside Israel in October 2023. As Israel’s closest ally, Washington has so far sanctioned nine ICC officials including judges and prosecutors. While the ICC has publicly deprioritised a probe into possible war crimes committed by Us troops in Afghanistan, it has not closed it completely. the Us could sanction the ICC as an entity, effectively rendering it inoperative. According to a legal submission made by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, who is currently on leave, the previous British Conservative government had threatened to defund the ICC and quit the court over the Israeli arrest warrants. the second trump administration has already sanctioned Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, an unprecedented move against a UN official. Now, in another Reuters exclusive, it is reportedly preparing another unprecedented move to hit UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA with terrorism-related sanctions, potentially putting the lives and welfare of millions of Palestinians at risk. the ICC is the only international permanent war crimes tribunal with 125 member states, including the entire EU, but China, Russia, Israel and the United states are not members. there is also an outstanding arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, primarily relating to allegedly kidnapped Ukrainian children. Both the Us and Israel have argued the ICC has no jurisdiction over them as sovereign states. While that’s true, it just means they have no legal duty to arrest anyone, including each other’s officials, for the court. ICC member states are still legally obligated to arrest anyone with an outstanding warrant if found within their territories. It’s highly unlikely any senior Israeli or American officials will ever face the court. Israel will not tolerate it; America has an actual law that authorises the president to commit troops to rescue any military personnel or officials of the Us and its close allies from detention at the Hague. It’s long been observed that ICC was only meant to go after tinpot dictators and strongmen from the developing world, not leaders from the West or its allies. Alex Lo has been a Post columnist since 2012, covering major issues affecting Hong Kong and the rest of China. A journalist for 25 years, he has worked for various publications in Hong Kong and Toronto.

06 NEWs

Thursday, 18 December 2025 | IsLAMABAD

NO EVIDENCE ALLEGED BONDI GUNMEN RECEIVED TRAINING IN THE PHILIPPINES: SECURITY ADVISER

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MANILA

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He Philippines’ national security adviser on Wednesday said that the father and son who allegedly opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s famed Bondi Beach did not receive any form of military training while in the country last month. The alleged father-and-son perpetrators opened fire on the celebration at Sydney’s famed Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing 15 in an attack that shook the nation and intensified fears of rising anti-Semitism and violent extremism. Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, emerged from a coma on Tuesday afternoon after also being shot by police. On Tuesday, it emerged that Sajid was originally from the Indian city of Hyderabad, with police saying his family did not know about his “radical mindset”. In a statement, Philippine National Security Advisor eduardo Ao said that a mere visit to the country does not substantiate allegations of terrorist training and the duration of their stay would not have permitted any meaningful or structured training. Ao said the government was investigating the two men’s travel from November 1 to 28 and coordinating with Australian authorities to determine the purpose of the visit, dismissing media reports portraying the southern Philippines as a hotspot for violent extremism as “outdated” and “misleading”. Immigration records show the pair landed in Manila and travelled to Davao City in Mindanao, a region long-plagued by militancy, before the attack that Australian police say appeared to have been inspired by the Islamic State. Since the 2017 Marawi siege, a fivemonth battle in which the Islamic State-in-

spired Maute group seized the southern city and fought government forces, Philippine troops have significantly degraded ISIS-affiliated groups, Ao said. “The remnants of these groups have been fragmented, deprived of leadership, and operationally degraded,” he added. earlier today, one of the alleged gunmen was charged with 59 offences, including murder and terrorism, police said. New South Wales Police said on Wednesday that a man had been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of wounding with attempt to murder, as well as a terror offence and other charges. “Police will allege in court the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community,” it said in a statement. “early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia”. A court filing on Wednesday named Naveed, who remains in a Sydney hospital under heavy police guard, as the man charged. AUSTRALIAN STATE TO PASS EMERGENCY GUN LAWS Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales state where the attack took place, told a news conference on Wednesday that parliament would return on December 22 to hear “urgent” reforms, including capping the number of firearms allowed by a single person and making certain types of shotguns harder to access. The state government will also look at reforms making it harder to hold large street protests after terror events, in order to prevent further tensions. “We’ve got a monumental task in front of us. It’s huge,” he said. “It’s a huge responsibility to pull the community together. I think we need a summer of calm and togetherness, not division.”

Alarming rise in income and wealth inequality in Pakistan due to an unequal system KARACHI

staff report

Naveed remains in a Sydney hospital under heavy police guard. The men accused of carrying out Sunday’s attack had travelled to the southern Philippines, weeks before the shooting that Australian police said appeared to be inspired by Islamic State. US President Donald Trump told a Hanukkah event at the White House late on Tuesday that he was thinking of the victims of the “horrific and anti-Semitic terrorist attack”. “We join in mourning all of those who were killed, and we’re praying for the swift recovery of the wounded,” he said. Trump called for a global fight against “radical Islamic terrorism”. “All nations must stand together against the evil forces of radical Islamic terrorism, and we’re doing that,” he said. FUNERALS BEGIN Funerals of the Jewish victims of Sunday’s attack began on Wednesday, amid anger over how the gunmen — one of whom was briefly investigated for links to extremists — were allowed access to powerful firearms. A funeral for Rabbi eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at Chabad Bondi Synagogue and a father of five, was held on Wednesday. He was known for his work for Sydney’s Jewish community through Chabad, a global organisation fostering Jewish identity and connection. Schlanger would travel to prisons and meet with Jewish people living in Sydney’s public housing communities, Jewish leader Alex Ryvchin said on Monday. Albanese is facing criticism that his centre-left government did not do enough to prevent the spread of anti-Semitism in Australia during the two-year Israel-Gaza war. “We will work with the Jewish community, we want to stamp out and eradicate antiSemitism from our society,” Albanese told reporters. The government and intelligence services are also under pressure to explain why Sajid was allowed to legally acquire the high-powered rifles and shotguns used in the

The leader of Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) state said on Wednesday he will recall parliament next week to pass wideranging reforms of gun and protest laws, days after the country’s deadliest mass shooting in three decades. The alleged father-and-son perpetrators opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s famed Bondi Beach on Sunday, an attack that shook the nation and intensified fears of rising antisemitism and violent extremism. Funerals of the Jewish victims began on Wednesday, amid anger over how the

gunmen — one of whom was briefly investigated for extremist links — were allowed access to powerful firearms. NSW Premier Chris Minns told a news conference that parliament would return on December 22 to hear “urgent” reforms, including capping the number of firearms a single person can own and making certain types of shotguns harder to access. The state government will also consider reforms to make it harder to hold large street protests after terror events to prevent further tensions. “We’ve got a monumental task in front of us. It’s huge,” Minns said. “It’s a huge responsibility to pull the community together. I think we need a summer of calm and togetherness, not division.”

attack. The government has already promised sweeping reforms to gun laws. His son, meanwhile, was briefly investigated by Australia’s domestic intelligence agency in 2019 over alleged links to Islamic State, but there was no evidence at the time he posed a threat, Albanese said. MAN PRAISED AS HERO TO UNDERGO SURGERY Albanese said Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, the man who tackled one of the shooters to disarm his rifle and suffered gunshot wounds, was due to undergo surgery on Wednesday. Al-Ahmed’s uncle, Mohammed alAhmed in Syria, said his nephew left his hometown in Syria’s northwest province of Idlib nearly 20 years ago to seek work in Australia. “We learned through social media. I called his father and he told me that it was Ahmed. Ahmed is a hero, we’re proud of him. Syria in general is proud of him,” the

uncle told Reuters. The family of 22-year-old police officer Jack Hibbert, who was shot twice on Sunday and had been on the force for just four months, said in a statement on Wednesday that he had lost vision in one eye and faced a “long and challenging recovery” ahead. “In the face of a violent and tragic incident, he responded with courage, instinct, and selflessness, continuing to protect and help others whilst injured, until he was physically no longer able to,” the family said. Health authorities said 22 people were still in several Sydney hospitals. Holocaust survivor among victims Other shooting victims included a Holocaust survivor, a husband and wife who first approached the gunmen before they started firing, and a 10-year-old girl named Matilda, according to interviews, officials and media reports.

SYDNEY

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China’s UN envoy stresses need for comprehensive, durable ceasefire in Gaza UNITED NATIONS

staff correspondent

Founder and Chairman of Saylani Welfare International Trust, Maulana Muhammad Bashir Farooq Qadri, while commenting on the World Inequality Report—which states that wealth in Pakistan is concentrated in the hands of a few—said that the fundamental reason behind this situation is the deviation from Islamic teachings and the absence of the Nizam-e-Mustafa, as Islam is inherently based on a system of equality. In his statement, he said that the system of justice and the uniform application of laws are not being implemented equally for all in the country. This, he added, is the reason why reports by research institutions continue to present an adverse picture of Pakistan. Commenting further on the report, he said it is tragic that due to the prevailing system of inequality, Pakistan is witnessing an alarming increase in unequal distribution of income and wealth. He noted that the richest 10 percent of the population controls nearly 42 percent of national income and 59 percent of total wealth, while the poorest half of the population receives only 19 percent of the income. He stated that according to the report, the richest 1 percent holds 24 percent of the total wealth, whereas the country’s per capita average income is approximately €4,200, and the average wealth stands at around €15,700. Maulana Bashir Farooq Qadri said that it is a fact that unequal distribution of income and wealth in Pakistan is not only giving rise to economic instability but is also aggravating social problems. Due to this unjust distribution of wealth, the pace of poverty reduction has significantly slowed down. Referring to the report, he said that between 2014 and 2024, there was a substantial increase in the wealth of the richest 10 percent, while the income growth of the poorest 50 percent remained extremely limited. He further remarked that the level of inequality in the country is such that hardly any institution appears to be implementing even the government-mandated minimum wage laws. He added that the promotion of a class-based education system and the discouragement of religious seminaries have also contributed to widening class divisions. He urged the government to immediately consult economic experts, dismantle the system of inequality, and establish a just and equitable system.

Australia to rush emergency gun law reforms after Bondi attack

Mr Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, on December 16 said a comprehensive and durable ceasefire in Gaza must be achieved during a UN Security Council open meeting on the IsraeliPalestinian issue. He said that over the past two months, incidents violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement have occurred frequently, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians. Reaching a ceasefire agreement should mean ending all hostile actions, not just de-escalating intense conflicts into low-intensity attacks. Any reckless act violating the agreement may end the fragile ceasefire. China calls on all relevant parties, especially Israel, to immediately fulfill their commitments under the ceasefire agreement, stop actions that exacerbate tensions, and promote the realization of a true comprehensive and durable ceasefire. Relevant mediating parties should take action to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. Fu Cong stated that China urges Israel to earnestly fulfill its obligations under international law, open all border crossings, lift restrictions on the access of humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip, and support the

United Nations and other agencies in carrying out aid work. China calls on Israel to immediately stop settlement activities in the West Bank, curb settler violence, and stop undermining the governance foundation of the Palestinian National Authority, including the prompt return of collected taxes and the lifting of restrictive measures on the Palestinian economy. He emphasized that implementing the “two-state solution” and enabling Palestine to achieve independent statehood is the only feasible way to resolve the Palestinian issue. Any arrangement for Gaza’s future must adhere to the principle of “Palestinians governing Palestine,” and any attempt to alter Gaza’s territorial and demographic structure should be firmly rejected. The international community must pool greater efforts to advance the “two-state solution” and support Palestine in becoming a full member of the United Nations at an early date. He reaffirmed that China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights. China will continue to work with the international community to promote a comprehensive and durable ceasefire in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and make unremitting efforts for the early comprehensive, fair and durable settlement of the Palestinian issue.

Four Indian Cricketers Banned Over Corruption Claims NEWS DESK

The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) has imposed an immediate suspension on four state-level cricketers following allegations of corrupt practices during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025 in Lucknow. The players are accused of trying to improperly influence other members of the Assam squad, triggering parallel investigations by the BCCI and local law enforcement authorities. The ACA confirmed that Amit Sinha, Ishan Ahmed, Aman Tripathi, and Abhishek Thakuri have been barred from all cricket-related activities with immediate effect. ACA Secretary Sanatan Das stated that the decision was taken to prevent any further escalation of the matter and to safeguard the integrity of the game. Under the suspension order, the four in-

dividuals are prohibited from competing in state tournaments, participating in ACA-affiliated club matches, or engaging in any official cricketing roles, including coaching, umpiring, or match officiating. District cricket bodies have been directed to ensure full compliance. POLICE CASE AND BCCI FINDINGS In response to the allegations, an FIR was registered with the Crime Branch in Guwahati, citing attempts to influence teammates during Assam’s SMAT 2025 campaign, which ran from November 26 to December 8. The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) also carried out its own inquiry and reportedly uncovered prima facie evidence of serious wrongdoing. Das noted that the alleged conduct compromises the sport’s credibility and justified immediate disciplinary action.

Industry support essential to rehabilitate prisoners into respectable citizens: IG Prisons KARACHI

staff report

Inspector General of Prisons Sindh, Fida Hussain Mastoi, has stressed that prisons should not function merely as centers of punishment but must play a meaningful role in the rehabilitation, training and reintegration of inmates as productive members of society. He said the lack of social acceptance after release often pushes former prisoners back into crime, making rehabilitation a key factor in reducing repeat offences. Speaking during a visit to the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), the IG Prisons said the Sindh Prisons Department was introducing modern vocational and skills development programs for inmates. However, he emphasized that the success of these initiatives depends on active and sustained cooperation from the industrial sector. The meeting was attended by KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput, Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya, Senior Vice President Zahid Hameed, Chairman Standing Committee on Law and Order Danish Khan, former chairman Farhan-ur-Rehman, DIG Prisons Karachi Region Muhammad Aslam Malik, SSP Central Jail Karachi Ghulam Murtaza Sheikh, SP District Jail Malir Karachi Faheem Anwar Memon, and others. IG Mastoi informed participants that Sindh’s prisons currently house around 28,000 inmates, exceeding capacity by more than 12,400 prisoners. Despite severe overcrowding, he said, the department was working on multiple reform initiatives aimed at transforming inmates into responsible citizens. He proposed the formation of a dedicated task force under the supervision of a DIG, comprising representatives from KATI and experts from various industrial sectors. The task force would work on providing modern machinery and equipment inside prisons, imparting market-relevant skills, and facilitating industrial orders and projects for inmates.

China willing to consolidate, enhance cooperation with Middle Eastern countries: Wang Yi BEIJING

staff correspondent

China is willing to strengthen the alignment between its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and the development visions of Middle eastern countries, consolidating cooperation in traditional areas while deepening collaboration in emerging and frontier sectors, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said. In an interview with Chinese media following his visit to three Middle eastern countries from December 12 to 16, namely the United Arab emirates (UAe), Saudi Arabia and Jordan, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said China will further advance cooperation with Middle eastern countries in innovation-driven development, investment and finance, energy, trade and cultural exchanges, while continuing to be a trustworthy and reliable friend and partner in their

modernization efforts. Guided by the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, China will encourage the international community to respect the independent choices of the people of the Middle east and the legitimate concerns of regional countries, and resolve differences and disputes peacefully through dialogue and consultation, he noted. Major countries should continue to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Middle eastern countries, promoting and supporting sustainable development in the region, Wang said. He added that major countries should also support Middle eastern countries in resolving longstanding conflicts and enhancing unity and cooperation to foster long-term stability. Regarding the resolution of the Palestinian issue, Wang said that the two-state solution remains the only viable path, with “Palestinians governing Palestine” serving as an important foundation.

Any arrangements concerning Gaza’s future should respect the will of the Palestinian people and take into account the legitimate concerns of Middle eastern countries, he said, adding China will continue to support Palestine’s primary role in post-war governance in Gaza, urge the international community to assume its responsibilities, prevent the resurgence of conflict, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and bring the Palestinian issue back onto the right track. Wang also praised the three Arab states for adhering to the one-China principle, supporting China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and backing China’s efforts toward national reunification. Wang stressed that mutual support in safeguarding core interests forms the historical foundation and political essence of the friendship between China and Arab states. He added that the Arab states’ support for China’s legitimate position on the Taiwan question upholds the fundamental principles

of international relations and demonstrates that the one-China principle is deeply rooted in people’s hearts. Commenting on the role of the second China-Arab States Summit, to be held in China in 2026, in shaping relations between China and Arab states, Wang said that China will leverage head-of-state diplomacy to guide the way forward and elevate strategic mutual trust to a higher level.

China will deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Arab states through the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative to advance modernization on both sides, and promote peace and stability through a shared, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable approach so as to make new progress in resolving hotspot issues in the Middle east, he said.

NEWS 07

Thursday, 18 December 2025 | ISLAMABAD

CORPORATE CORNER

Leghari seeks ADB’s support in addressing power sector debt repayment challenges ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Federal Minister Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has sought ADB’s support in addressing power sector debt repayment challenges, and in building confidence among private investors. Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, met with a delegation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) led by Ms. Leah Gutierrez, Director General, Central and West Asia Department. The Minister welcomed the ADB delegation and thanked them for their visit. Ms. Leah Gutierrez shared that this was her first visit to Pakistan in her current role and appreciated the opportunity to engage with the Power Division. The Minister briefed the delegation on key challenges facing which the power sector is facing .He highlighted constraints in financing, issues related to rupee cover, and high upfront costs. He added that the government is engaging local investors through the Pakistan Business Council to attract private investment in the power transmission sector and to improve market visibility. Sharing ongoing reforms, the Minister highlighted progress on IGCEP-aligned transmission projects.

CM MARYAM ORDERS OVERHAUL OF 188 PUNJAB MARKETS, WARNS OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CORRUPTION

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PUNJAB CM REVIEWS SWEEPING MODERNIZATION PLAN FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MARKETS AND TRANSPARENT AUCTIONS LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday reviewed sweeping measures to modernize Punjab’s 188 fruit and vegetable markets, directing authorities to ensure cleaner facilities, transparent auction systems, technologydriven monitoring, and waste-to-value initiatives, while warning of strict action against price manipulation, corruption, and public safety lapses. Chairing high-level meetings, she also ordered decisive steps against open manholes, dog-bite incidents, and administrative negligence, stressing zero tolerance for what she termed governance failures. Presiding over a meeting on Punjab’s fruit and vegetable markets, the chief minister reviewed steps aimed at their modernization, including improved cleanliness, installation of streetlights, functional toilets, auction sheds, transparent auctions, waste-to-value initiatives and

promotion of off-season vegetable cultivation. Officials briefed her that help desks, online monitoring through the Safe City Authority, cleanliness arrangements, street lighting, and fully functional toilets were being ensured in all 188 modern markets. They informed her that to curb fraud and malpractice, direct auctions had been introduced across Punjab’s vegetable markets and dedicated auction sheds established. She was told that water filtration plants had been restored in all 188 markets to provide clean drinking water to buyers and commission agents, while a new cleanliness system with dedicated staff and an organized waste collection mechanism was being introduced. Clean and hygienic toilets, officials added, were now fully functional in all modern markets. Authorities further briefed the chief minister that help desks had been set up for buyers, rate boards prominently displayed, and more than 266,000 streetlights made operational across these

markets. They said a ‘Waste-to-Value’ programme had been launched, under which green waste from markets would be used for biogas production and poultry feed. Drainage systems had been restored in every market, they added, and covers installed on all manholes. For the first time in Punjab, officials said, a ‘Tracking on Wheels’ system had been implemented to maintain records of supply and demand of fruits and vegetables. Every truck transporting fruits and

vegetables into Punjab had been linked with the Safe City Authority for tracking and monitoring purposes. The chief minister was also briefed that new modern vegetable markets would be established in Pakpattan, Kasur, Sahiwal, Mian Channu, Sheikhupura and Mandi Bahauddin. To ensure affordable fruits and vegetables for residents and tourists in Murree, a dedicated supply chain system would be set up to provide edibles at wholesale rates.

NUML hosts mental health awareness session to equip students as first responders PC Hospitality, Global Palace mark new era of hospitality with PC Legacy Hyderabad HYDERABAD

STAFF REPORT

Hashoo Group’s Hospitality Division has formally launched PC Legacy Hyderabad, a fourstar hotel developed in strategic partnership with Global Palace. The launch marks a significant milestone for the city’s hospitality sector, introducing an internationally benchmarked lifestyle destination aimed at strengthening Hyderabad’s tourism and business infrastructure. The launch ceremony, held at PC Legacy Hyderabad, was attended by distinguished guests including Mr. Chela Ram Kewlani, Director, Global Palace; Mr. Muhammad Aslam Siddiqui; Mr. Muhammad Hassan; Mr. Ali Hassan; Ms. Ramnani Hari Simran; Mr. Aakash Kumar; Mr. Ratan Kumar; and the Global Palace team, along with Mr. Bastien Blanc, Chief Executive Officer, Hospitality Division – Hashoo Group, and senior leadership from both organizations. Prominent figures from Pakistan’s business and social circles were also present, reflecting the significance of this landmark development for the region. Strategically located on the Hyderabad Bypass, just five minutes from the city’s major attractions, PC Legacy Hyderabad offers exceptional connectivity to cultural, commercial, and residential hubs.

Opening ceremony of 29th CNS Open Golf Championship held KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

The opening ceremony and media brief of 29th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Open Golf Championship 25 was held at Karachi Golf Club (KGC). The championship is scheduled from 17 to 21 Dec 25. Commander Karachi and President KGC, Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The Golf Championship will be played in Professionals, Senior Professionals, Junior Professionals, Ladies Professionals, Senior Amateurs, Junior Amateurs, Ladies Amateurs, Veterans and Pro-Amateurs categories. A large number of professional golfers from across the country are participating in the tournament. There are awards and cash prizes in various categories including special prize for ‘Hole in One’.

Breathe better, live better: GREE tackles indoor air pollution

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

A mental health awareness session titled “Breaking the Silence on Suicide” held at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad, focused on recognising suicidal distress and responding safely to individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts. The session was organised under the “Milkar Ao Baat Karein” mental health initiative, supported by the Mir Khalil ur Rehman Foundation and The British Asian Trust, in collaboration with the NUML Department of Psychology and Project Suicide, a youth-led mental health initiative. The event brought together students for an open and thoughtful discussion on how emotional pain often goes unnoticed in everyday environments such as classrooms, hostels and social circles, and how peers can play a critical role in identifying distress and guiding individuals toward appropriate help. Addressing the students, psychologist and public

health professional Dr. Sheraz Akbar explained that suicide is rarely an impulsive act and is typically preceded by identifiable emotional, behavioural and communication-related warning signs. He noted that withdrawal, persistent hopelessness, drastic mood changes and difficulty coping with daily life are common indicators that peers are often best positioned to observe, provided they are aware of what to look for. Consultant psychiatrist, Dr Haris Kamran shed light on how suicidal thoughts are managed once a person is referred for professional care. He emphasised that suicidal ideation is treatable and that timely referral, appropriate intervention and consistent follow-up can significantly reduce risk.

Religious leaders can play vital role in promoting child protection awareness: Secretary ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The inclusion of religious leaders in efforts to raise awareness about child protection can yield meaningful and lasting results, said Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr Syed Ata ur Rehman on Tuesday. He was speaking while presiding over a consultative meeting with interfaith religious leaders held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, organized in collaboration with UNICEF and Islamic Relief Pakistan. The meeting was attended by Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr Mufti Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Country Head Islamic Relief Pakistan Asif Shirazi, Allama Arif Hussain Wahidi, Mufti Zamir Ahmed Sajid, Allama Sajjad Hussain Naqvi, Maulana Haroon ur Rasheed Bala Kotay, Pir Azmat Sultan, Hafiz Muhammad Iqbal Naeemi, Christopher Sharaf, Pandit Rakesh Chand, Huma Arif child protection specialist Unicef, Afshan Javed child protection expert at Islamic Relief

Pakistan, Sahibzada Ali Sultan, Dr Ghulam Dastagir, Dr Ashfaq Ahmed from the Council of Islamic Ideology, Deputy Director Religious Affairs Muhammad Khaliq and Ayesha Ejaz. The secretary appreciated the recommendations presented through the Child Protection Forum and stressed that positive social change is not possible without the active involvement of religious communities. He said dialogue and collective efforts were essential to address social issues and bring about meaningful reforms. Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr Raghib Naeemi said that following the Zainab case, the council had issued several recommendations regarding legislation and prevention of physical, sexual and psychological abuse of children. He recalled a time when elders in neighbourhoods collectively looked after all children, reflecting a strong sense of shared responsibility. Participants agreed on the importance of raising awareness among parents and teachers regarding children’s education, upbringing, protection and emotional and mental development.

Fatima Fertilizer, IFC announce $60m renewable liquidity facility to support food security, agri resilience KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, announced a renewable liquidity facility of US$60 million per year to help maintain uninterrupted domestic fertilizer production by enabling Fatima Fertilizer to import essential raw materials, machinery, and technical services. Pakistan has faced shortages of foreign exchange and delays in clearing imports, which can disrupt access to key inputs and risk fertilizer shortages. The new Fatima Fertilizer facility addresses a critical market gap by providing hard currency liquidity when access to USD financing is limited. The new facility also

LAHORE

enables the company to import essential materials and run at full capacity. By sustaining about 1.46 million tons of annual output of fertilizer and preserving more than 850 direct jobs at the company’s Sadiqabad complex, the facility will help maintain a steady fertilizer supply, support thousands of small businesses across the distribution network, and protect yields for staple crops like wheat and rice. “This partnership represents an important milestone not only for Fatima Fertilizer but also for Pakistan’s agriculture sector,” said CEO Fatima Fertilizer, Mr. Fawad Ahmed Mukhtar. “Access to dependable liquidity allows us to maintain operational resilience, ensure stable delivery of essential nutrients to farmers, and contribute to a more food-secure future. We value IFC’s confidence in our vision and look forward to expanding our collaboration.” “A partnership like this helps unlock the liquidity needed to keep essential inputs flowing to Pakistan’s farmers,” said Ashruf Megahed, Regional Industry Head, Manufacturing, Agribusiness & Services, Middle East, Central Asia & Turkey at IFC – International Finance Corporation.

STAFF REPORT

As air pollution and smog continue to affect millions across Pakistan, GREE’s air purifiers, represented in Pakistan by the DWP Group, are helping families tackle indoor air pollution, a growing health concern. Many people focus on outdoor smog, but indoor air can be even more hazardous. According to the EPA, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, as dust, smog particles, and allergens remain trapped and circulate inside homes. Over time, this exposure quietly affects health, making air purification a critical need for every household. Recognizing this growing concern, GREE, through the “Breathe Better, Live Better” campaign, provides advanced air purifiers designed to help families create cleaner, safer indoor environments, particularly during the most hazardous smog seasons, reflecting GREE’s commitment to protecting health and well-being in urban households.

Extortion in Karachi reaches alarming levels KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

Incidents of extortion in Karachi have increased to a dangerously alarming level, with builders, developers, and the business community being systematically harassed. Extortionists and land-grabbing mafias have effectively taken Pakistan’s economic engine— Karachi—hostage. These elements are allegedly operating under the patronage of Fitna-al-Kharij. The lives and property of builders and businesspeople face severe threats. Extortionists are making calls from Iranian phone numbers to

demand ransom. If red warrants are not issued against these extortionists and no action is taken, options such as shutting down businesses and staging sit-ins will be considered. These views were expressed by Chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), Muhammad Hassan Bakhshi, while addressing a press conference at ABAD House, accompanied by former chairman Mohsin Sheikhani, Senior Vice Chairman Syed Afzal Hameed, Vice Chairman Tariq Aziz, and Southern Region Chairman Ahmed Owais Thanvi. The ABAD chairman stated

that individuals including Ahmed Ali Mugazi, Jameel Chhanga, and others are involved in extortion activities. He revealed that over the past five months, at least 10 ABAD members received extortion calls, with a total demand of Rs. 50 million, made from numbers based in Dubai and Iran. These extortionists issue written slips; if the slip is refused, firing begins. He added that 10 ABAD members have formally lodged complaints with the association. Despite the fact that extortionists even write their names, phone numbers, and bank account details on these slips, no action has been taken against them.

Ch. Muhammad Zaka Ashraf Chairman, and Members of SRDB, after BOG 37th Meeting at Mr. Bilal Israeel Khan’s Farm House Sadiqabad.

K-Electric continues crackdown, removes 200kg of illegal wiring in Orangi KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

K-Electric (KE) continued to take action against electricity theft to bring down distribution loss, removing nearly 200 kilogrammes of illegal hooked connections (kunda) in Metroville, Orangi Town. KE’s enforcement teams removed illegal connections that were causing a loss of around 350,000 units per month. This is not the first kunda removal drive in the area. During the ongoing fiscal year, KE’s field teams have conducted 209 kundaremoval drives across Orangi on 64 PMTs, removing around 6,000kg of illegal wiring used for electricity theft that was contributing a loss of 11 million units per month. A series of targeted operations have been carried out in Metroville as well Al-Fateh Colony, Abidabad, Sultanabad, Bijli Nagar, Ibrahim Ali Bhai, Ali Garh Bazar, Haryana Colony, and surrounding pockets. These zones continue to report theft-driven losses, impacting KE’s distribution network, damaging infrastructure, and creating safety hazards for residents.

Beacon House and Five Star School teams reach semi-finals KARACHI

SPORTS REPORT

The inter-school cricket tournament organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board and in collaboration with Naya Nazimabad is underway in the city of Quaid. Beacon House School and Five Star School have made it to the semi-finals. According to tournament organizer Rahat Ali Shah In the match played at the National Stadium, Five Star School defeated Beacon House School by ninety runs. Batting first, Five Star scored 226 runs in the allotted 40 overs. Mohammad Yaqoob of the winning team played a brilliant innings of 110 runs. Mohammad Yaqoob hit 17 fours and 4 sixes. Hamza Nadeem took 4 wickets. In reply, Beacon House were bowled out for 136 runs. Furqan Akram scored 46 runs. Shazal Farooqi took 4 wickets and Abdullah Ahmed Butt took 3 wickets.

Lahore Police pay tribute to martyred sub-inspector Muhammad Idrees LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

A contingent of the Lahore police paid homage to martyred Sub-Inspector Muhammad Idrees on his death anniversary by presenting salute at his grave and offering Fateha. A floral wreath was laid at the martyr’s final resting place, while family members of the fallen officer were also present. Sub-Inspector Idrees laid down his life on Dec 17, 1985, during an operation against criminals while posted at the New Anarkali police station. Meanwhile, Capital City Police Officer Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana, while paying tribute to police martyrs, said those who laid down their lives in the line of duty were a valuable asset to the nation and the police force, adding that the supreme sacrifices of police heroes would always be remembered. The CCPO said that the courage and bravery of martyred Sub-Inspector Idrees served as a guiding light for the entire force.

Thursday, 18 December, 2025

SALAM KISSAN — A DAY TO COMMEMORATE THE EFFORTS OF THE FARMERS, COMMITTED TO MAKE PAKISTAN A FOOD-SECURE NATION

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INCE the birth of Pakistan till 2019, many national days were set by the country to recognize the valuable services of the various sections of life, which is the hallmark of living nations. To express the same gratitude, Fatima Fertilizer took the historic decision in 2019 to celebrate Farmers' Day on December 18, to pay tribute to the hardworking farmers of Pakistan at the national level. This national day was named "Salam Kissan" so that the nation can salute the resilient, hardworking and patriotic farmers of Pakistan, who fulfill the food needs of the country. This is a day of gratitude, a moment to recognize our unsung heroes and reaffirm our firm belief that the tireless hard work of 11.1 million farmers forms the true backbone of Pakistan’s food self-sufficiency and economic growth. In a very short span of seven years, Salam Kissan has not only become the voice of farmers of Pakistan, but it has also gained acceptance among Government circles, the Pakistani Armed Forces, and Agro allied businesses. All stakeholders are taking the lead in expressing their devotion and love for farmers by paying tribute to them on December 18. Today, Salam Kissan is more than a slogan. It is the story of a country acknowledging the true custodians of its food security and economic prosperity. It is the story of farmers finally receiving long-overdue acknowledgment, and it is the story of a company, Fatima Fertilizer, stepping forward to drive change through its innovative Sarsabz fertilizers, Agri knowledge and services to enhance per acre yield of the crops and profitability of the farmers. WHY KISSAN DAY MATTERS MORE THAN EVER BEFORE Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan, a statement repeated so often, it risks losing meaning unless we confront the facts behind it. Despite contributing nearly 23.5% to Pakistan’s GDP and employing over 37% of the national labor force, the sector continues to struggle under the weight of structural inefficiencies. Farmers are encountered with climate vulnerability, rising input costs, crashed commodity prices coupled with low

per acre crop yields thus resulting in marginalized farm income. Data presented in ‘Economic Survey of Pakistan, 2024 – 25’ revealed that growth of Agri-GDP crashed to 0.56% from 6.4% in preceding year with 13% drop in crops’ contribution. The major decline was due to more than 50% drop in commodity price of wheat – sown on around 23 million acres and failure of cotton crop. Prices of maize, vegetables, sesame & other crops also dropped considerably, moreover, flash rains and floods aggravated the miseries of the farmers. Small farmers, occupying less than 12.5 acres of land, comprise 97% of farming community are seriously facing financial constraints. SALAM KISSAN, AN INITIATIVE BY FATIMA FERTILIZER – REALIZING THE CORE PHILOSOPHY OF THE COMPANY TO INCREASE PER ACRE YIELD OF THE CROPS & PROFITABILITY OF THE FARMERS Fatima Fertilizer’s contribution to increase farm productivity and income of the farmers through its innovative products and quality services, have been realized in Govt wheat yield competition; where out of 40 districts of Punjab, Sarsabz Nitrophos and CAN user farmers have not only achieved top 3 provincial positions but also 97 Sarsabz farmers won top districts’ positions – a success that reflects perfect alignment with the company’s core philosophy to contribute towards national food security by increasing per acre productivity of the crops and profitability of the farmers on sustainable basis. Here it is worth mentioning that average yield of wheat per acre is around 33 maunds, whereas Sarsabz brand user provincial winners achieved around 70 maunds per acre, which is 212% higher than the national average. Over the last several years, the company has been investing in achieving global benchmarks to bring a positive change in the lives of the farmers. In 2024, Fatima Fertilizer became the first private-sector company in Pakistan to partner with UNDP to adopt the SDG Impact Assessment Framework, pioneering a sustainability-driven approach that aligns agricultural development with global best

practices. This set the company apart not only as a fertilizer manufacturer but as a national thought leader committed to climate resilience and farmer-centric innovation. These achievements affirm the effectiveness of Fatima Fertilizer’s decades-long commitment to agronomic excellence and farmer support. The company’s leadership in innovation was further recognized at the national level when it received the “Best Innovative Agricultural Products Company” award from the President of Pakistan at the 12th FPCCI Excellence Awards. CLIMATE RESILIENT AGRI TECHNOLOGIES – A NEW VISION Fatima Fertilizer has been actively working with the Government and other stakeholders to modernize Pakistan’s agricultural landscape on multiple fronts. Under corporate Agri farming initiative, establishment of high efficiency irrigation system, modern Agri machinery integrated with digital technologies including satellite imagery-based decisionmaking tools, weather forecasting, crop yield prediction models, nutrient management, to name a few, are being implemented. The company is also providing free of cost soil and water testing facility through its accredited Lab in order to provide site-specific fertilizer recommendations as per crops’ needs to the farmers across Pakistan. On farmers’ education front, crops specific mega farmers seminars are arranged on extensive level to sensitize farmers to follow best crop management practices to improve farm productivity and income. Company’s commitment, to comply with global standards, is further strengthened its position as industry champion holding excellence award under IFA’s ‘Protect & Sustain’ certification, which means that Fatima Fertilizer is providing products and farm advisory services to the farmers as per global benchmark. THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION: A FOUNDATION FOR A 2ND GREEN REVOLUTION IN PAKISTAN The most exciting initiative in Fatima Fertilizer’s digital journey is the development of Sarsabz digital platforms, adopted by extensive users’ base within a short span due to in-built innovative features, serving updated knowledge and market intelligence to serve

business stakeholders on real-time basis. 1- Sarsabz Pakistan App: The Farmer’s Digital Companion With more than 800,000 downloads, a 22% monthly active user base, and over 50% retention, the Sarsabz Pakistan App is the testament of innovative and updated advisory of Sarsabz Pakistan App. It has become one of the most widely adopted digital farming tools in the country, offering timely insights and bridging the information gap that has long held smallholders back from optimizing their crop yields. Additionally, integrated banking support through Mobilink’s Dost app enables digital financial access, making the Sarsabz Pakistan App a comprehensive digital companion for modern farming. 2- Training and Financial Inclusion: Breaking Barriers Fatima Fertilizer has significantly narrowed the long-standing gap between farmers and financial institutions by introducing digital wallets, forging strategic partnerships, and integrating fintech solutions into the agricultural ecosystem. These efforts are helping farmers access the financial support they have historically lacked, enabling them to manage their farming cycles with greater stability and confidence. Through initiatives such as FasalPay, farmers can now benefit from input financing, advisory-backed loans, and seamless connectivity between retailers, banks, and growers. The Grow Now Pay Later (GNPL) model further eases financial pressure by reducing upfront costs and encouraging the adoption of modern farming practices. Partnerships with JazzCash, Mobilink Bank, and ZTBL are expanding financial inclusion for previously unbanked farmers, supported by more than 50,000 active digital wallets that are helping transform how rural communities access and manage financial services. Recognizing that true financial inclusion must also address gender gaps, Fatima Fertilizer launched Sarsabz Tabeer in 2022 to integrate rural women into Pakistan’s agricultural economy. Built on four pillars- education, financial aid, skill development, and health, the initiative equips women with the tools needed for financial independence and long-term resilience.

Published by Asad Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

Under this initiative, Fatima Fertilizer and the Akhuwat Foundation have partnered to support rural women entrepreneurs through financial inclusion and skill development. Multiple structured training sessions, led by USAID-certified trainers, have empowered 2,500+ rural women countrywide with food processing and value-addition skills, enabling them to convert surplus produce into marketable goods and generate sustainable income. 3- Digital Agri Retail: A transparent ecosystem The Sarsabz Agri Mart, is redefining how farmers purchase agricultural inputs by introducing a transparent and technology-enabled retail experience, designed to ensure provision of quality products at controlled prices. By offering authentic products, transparent pricing, digital payment options, and fully traceable order fulfillment, the Sarsabz Agri Mart creates a modern, trustworthy ecosystem that empowers farmers and strengthens confidence in the supply chain. This model is setting the foundation for a nationwide transformation in how agricultural inputs are purchased and distributed. SALAM KISSAN - STANDING WITH FARMERS IN CRISIS When catastrophic floods wiped out vast tracts of farmland, Fatima Fertilizer in collaboration with government of Punjab, responded swiftly with a comprehensive relief plan to support flood-affected farmers. The company distributed 3,054 bags of certified wheat seed and 55,720 packs of vegetable seeds in 15 flood affected villages, ensuring that farmers had immediate access to the quality seeds to initiate rehabilitation of flood affected farmers. On Kissan Day, Fatima Fertilizer reiterates a bold message: this is not mere a celebration day, but it calls for an action by all stakeholders; government, private sector, academia, and global development partners under a shared mission of agricultural transformation. Fatima Fertilizer stands at the heart of this transformation, championing a future where farmers are empowered, food security is strengthened, and Pakistan’s agriculture stands resilient against every possible challenge.