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PM vows ongoing Public service, ProMises transParency, quality as hallMark Friday, 19 December, 2025 | 27 Jamadiul Sani, 1447
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PM SHEHBAZ INAUGURATES T CHOWK FLYOVER, ISLAMABAD EXPRESSWAY SIGNAL-FREE CORRIDOR PROJECTS COMPLETED IN RECORD 77 DAYS WITH RS1.4B
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LAUDS INTERIOR MINISTER, CDA, AND TEAMS FOR SWIFT PROJECT COMPLETION, SAYING ISLAMABAD EXPRESSWAY SIGNAL-FREE CORRIDOR TO EASE TRAFFIC FROM GT ROAD TO CAPITAL
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— highlights it, raast as engines of econoMic growth and financial inclusion ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday highlighted the pivotal role of Pakistan’s information technology (IT) sector in driving economic growth, emphasizing that the industry continues to thrive despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges. The prime minister also underscored the transformative impact of Raast, Pakistan’s national payment system, in promoting a cashless economy
and financial inclusion nationwide. Chairing a meeting of the private sector working group on IT-led economic development, PM Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the recommendations presented by the committee headed by Asif Peer, describing them as timely and aligned with the government’s reform agenda. He noted that the gradual rise in IT exports is a positive signal of the sector’s resilience and untapped potential.
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Field Marshal Munir reaffirms strengthening defence ties with Libya RAWALPINDI
Staff RepoRt
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening defence ties with Libya, based on shared interests, according to the military’s media wing on Thursday. In a statement, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir was currently on an official visit to Libya, where he called on the Libyan Armed Forces’ commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Haftar, and deputy commander-in-chief, Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar. “On arrival, the field marshal was accorded a guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Libyan Armed Forces,” the ISPR said. In a meeting with the Libyan
Armed Forces’ commander in chief, CDF Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening defence ties with Libya “based on shared interests”, the statement said. It added that during the meeting, the two discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics, and avenues for enhancing bilateral defence and military-to-military cooperation. “Both sides underscored the importance of collaboration in training, capacity building, and counter-terrorism domains,” it said. “Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan armed forces and expressed his desire to further expand defence cooperation between the two countries,” the ISPR statement added. In July, Lt Gen Saddam Khalifa had called on Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, where the two had agreed on their countries’ collaboration in the defence industry.
ISLAMABAD
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 164 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
APPROVES HALAL MEAT EXPORT POLICY WITH THREE YEAR STRATEGY TO BOOST EXPORTS AND FOCUS ON DISEASE-FREE PRODUCTION, INT’L-STANDARD PACKAGING, AND COLD STORAGE
Staff RepoRt
RIME MINISTER Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated the T Chowk flyover and the Islamabad Expressway Signal-Free Corridor, landmark projects designed to significantly improve traffic flow in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The premier also approved the Halal Meat Export Policy, directing a comprehensive threeyear strategy to boost Pakistan’s share in the global halal meat market. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, PM Shehbaz Sharif said the projects would greatly ease congestion for commuters traveling from GT Road to Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He commended Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), and their teams for completing the infrastructure projects in record time, demonstrating efficiency and commitment to public service. The T Chowk flyover, also known as Iqbal Chowk flyover, was completed in just 77 days at a cost of Rs1.4 billion. Along with the Islamabad Expressway Signal-Free Corridor, the projects aim to resolve long-standing traffic bottlenecks and enhance the overall commuting experience for resi-
dents and transporters alike. The Prime Minister assured that the government would maintain transparency and quality in all infrastructure initiatives and continue its journey of public service. He praised officers involved in removing encroachments and addressing decades-old illegal constructions, noting that such obstacles had previously hindered the planning and execution of city projects. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed attendees about the flyover projects and highlighted efforts to ensure a steady water supply for Islamabad residents. He also unveiled Vision 2027 for Islamabad, a broader development blueprint aimed at modernizing infrastructure and improving urban amenities in the capital. Federal ministers, parliamentarians, and senior officials attended the inauguration.
HALAL MEAT EXPORT POLICY APPROVED: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the Halal Meat Export Policy, issuing directives to present a three-year comprehensive strategy within two weeks, outlining practical measures to enhance halal meat production and exports.
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‘No Plan Finalized’: FO denies reports of CDF Munir’s US visit ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday denied reports that Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir is scheduled to undertake another visit to the United States, dismissing claims that a trip has been agreed or planned. The statement came amid conflicting media reports suggesting that the field marshal would meet US President Donald Trump in the coming weeks. Speaking at the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi clarified that the “Reuters report” indicating a confirmed visit was inaccurate. “The Reuters story was showing as if the visit had been planned, and there was a finality about it. So, I am contradicting that and I’m contradicting the fact that a visit has been agreed or planned,” Andrabi said. He added that he had no information regarding the timing or occurrence of any future visit by Field Marshal
Munir and emphasized that “we would wait for an official announcement before confirming such a trip.” “Official announcements are issued ahead of official visits to foreign capitals carried out by political and military leaders,” he said. Reuters had reported a day earlier that Field Marshal Munir was expected to fly to Washington to meet President Trump, citing sources familiar with the matter, including a key player in the CDF’s economic diplomacy. Andrabi reiterated that he had no such information and could not confirm the report. Addressing additional queries about the army chief’s potential visit, he said, “I have seen the reports, but I have no information to share with you.” Field Marshal Munir is currently on an official visit to Libya, where he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening defence ties with Tripoli, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
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fake news on social media biggest threat of digital age, says tarar ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Thursday warned that the spread of fake news on social media has emerged as the most serious challenge of the digital age, stressing the need for responsible online behaviour and a balanced approach amid fast-changing technologies. Addressing the concluding session of the National Cyber Security Seminar, the minister said any meaningful understanding of cybersecurity must begin with demographic realities. He pointed to Pakistan’s rapidly expanding digital footprint, noting that the country now has more than 117 million internet users, 148 million mobile broadband subscribers, and over 79 million active social media accounts. Tarar said digital life today is divided across generations. He described digital immigrants as those who entered the online world later in life and have had to adjust to its constant transformation, while digital natives were born into a connected environment and are fluent in digital communication from an early age. Referring to this generational divide, he said digital natives generally interact with technology instinctively, whereas digital immigrants continue to learn how to use social media in a responsible manner. He added that cybersecurity awareness cannot follow a uniform model, arguing that effective engagement requires customised approaches that reflect different audiences, platforms, and communication styles.
ihc de-notifies Justice tariq Jahangiri over invalid law degree
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ISLAMABAD
Staff CoRReSpondent
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday denotified Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri after ruling that he did not possess a valid law degree at the time of his appointment. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan declared Justice Jahangiri’s elevation to the high court “illegal,” holding that the possession of a valid L.L.B degree is a mandatory constitutional requirement under Article 175-A. The bench ordered him to immediately vacate office and directed the Ministry of Law and Justice to take steps for his formal removal from the judiciary. The court noted that despite being given “ample opportunities,” Justice Jahangiri failed to submit a reply or produce valid educational credentials, compelling the bench to decide the matter on the basis of the available record. All miscellaneous and connected petitions were disposed of, with detailed reasons to be issued later. Justice Jahangiri left the court premises around half an hour before the verdict was announced. The controversy surrounding his academic credentials surfaced last year after a letter, purportedly issued by the University of Karachi’s controller of examinations, circulated on social media. Subsequently, a complaint was filed with the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in July, seeking an inquiry into the alleged fake degree. Advocate Mian Dawood, who challenged Justice Jahangiri’s appointment, said the judge’s past decisions would remain unaffected and that any benefits or privileges already received would also stand.
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02 NEWS
KSE-100 HITS NEW ALL-TIME HIGH AS BUYING LIFTS INDEX NEARLY 1,650 POINTS
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Friday, 19 December, 2025 | ISLAMABAD
lower PiB yieldS, current account SurPluS SuPPort inveStor Sentiment At close, the KSE-100 Index settled at 171,960.64, up 1,646.79 points, or 0.97%. According to Topline Securities, buying interest from local funds supported the rally after a decline in Pakistan Investment Bond (PIB) yields improved investor confidence. ENGROH, FFC, UBL, LUCK and BAHL led the advance, together contributing about 1,504 points to the index. Losses in PIOC, DHPL and MLCF partially offset gains, trimming around 176 points. Investor sentiment was further supported by macroeconomic developments, including data showing a $100 million current account surplus in November 2025, re-
PROFIT
staff report
HE Pakistan Stock Exchange closed at a new all-time high on Thursday, as strong buying interest and broad-based participation pushed the benchmark KSE-100 Index sharply higher. The index maintained an upward trajectory through most of the session, with gains accelerating in the afternoon to drive the benchmark to an intra-day high of 172,248.94 points. Some consolidation followed toward the close, but momentum remained firmly positive.
leased by the State Bank of Pakistan on Wednesday. Separately, cargo transporters operating between Karachi ports and factories across the country called off their wheel-jam strike on Wednesday after the government agreed to address key demands, including extending operating hours for certain cargo vehicles. The strong finish followed a volatile session on Wednesday, when selective profit-taking pulled the index marginally lower after it touched a historic intra-day peak. The KSE-100 had closed at 170,313.86 points, down 133.44 points, or 0.08%. In the currency market, the Pakistani
rupee posted a marginal gain against the US dollar, closing at 280.26 in the inter-bank market, compared with 280.27 a day earlier. Trading activity moderated, with allshare index volume declining to 950.14 million shares from 1,068.51 million in the previous session. The value of shares traded
SBP injects Rs983b through conventional and Islamic OMOs to stabilise overnight liquidity g
three-day oPerationS accePted at 10.54% and 10.56%, Signalling Short-term ruPee funding SuPPort PROFIT
staff report
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) injected a combined Rs983 billion into the money market on Thursday through conventional and Shariahcompliant open market operations (OMOs), providing short-term rupee liquidity as banks sought funding ahead of the weekend settlement cycle. The central bank accepted Rs661 billion via its conventional 8-day re-
verse repo (injection) at a rate of return of 10.54%, after banks offered the full amount at ranges between 10.62% and 10.54%, according to SBP data. All eight bids submitted were accepted at face value. In a parallel operation, the SBP injected Rs322 billion through an 8-day Shariah-compliant Mudarabah-based OMO, accepting the entire amount at a 10.56% return, with two quotes offered and accepted at face value. OMOs are short-term liquidity operations through which the SBP either
Iranian firm issues tender to buy 10,000 tonnes of Pakistani basmati rice
jahad Sabz seeks type 1121 white basmati; bids due december 30
Chinese firm proposes €2b integrated maritime industrial complex at Port Qasim g
Plan includeS revival of Steel jetty, ShiPBuilding and ShiPBreaking facilitieS, and Port-linked Steel mill PROFIT
PROFIT
staff report
staff report
Iranian company Jahad Sabz has issued an international tender to procure 10,000 metric tonnes of rice from Pakistan, according to a tender document circulated to European traders on Thursday. The tender specifies Type 1121 white basmati rice, a premium variety exported by Pakistan. Price offers must be submitted by December 30, the document said. The development comes at a time when exporters have raised concerns over a slowdown in rice shipments, citing pressures on demand and pricing in key markets.
PVARA, SBP discuss digital asset framework as Pakistan steps up crypto regulation
talks focus on adoption, cBdc roadmap amid recent mou with Binance PROFIT
staff report
injects (reverse repo purchases) or absorbs (repo sales) funds to keep money
Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Chairman Bilal bin Saqib and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad on Thursday held discussions on digital asset adoption, central bank digital currency (CBDC) implementation, and Pakistan’s evolving regulatory framework for virtual assets. In a post on its social media platform, PVARA said the meeting reviewed key aspects of Pakistan’s digital asset roadmap, including regulatory coordination and the role of emerging technologies in the financial system. The engagement comes days after the Ministry of Finance signed a memorandum of understanding with Binance, a global blockchain and digital asset technology firm, aimed at exploring the use of blockchain-based solutions to strengthen Pakistan’s capital markets and broaden investor access. The MoU was signed at the Finance Division by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Binance Chief Executive Officer Richard Teng, in the presence of Adviser to the Pakistan Crypto Council Changpeng Zhao. According to officials, the agreement provides a framework to examine potential collaboration on tokenisation and blockchain-based distribution of real-world and sovereign assets, including government bonds, treasury bills, commodity reserves and other federally owned assets. Subject to regulatory approvals and applicable laws, assets of up to $2 billion could be considered under the initiative to improve liquidity, transparency and access to international markets.
market rates aligned with the policy rate. Thursday’s sizeable injection suggests banks required additional liquidity to meet funding obligations, with the accepted rates indicating borrowing costs edging just above the recently cut policy rate of 10.5%. A heavier liquidity footprint by the central bank typically reflects tighter rupee conditions early in the week and ahead of settlement cycles, while the dual use of Islamic and conventional channels continues to expand liquidity access across the banking system.
China’s Shandong Xinxu Group has proposed a €1 billion to €2 billion Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex (IMIC) at Port Qasim, focusing on shipbuilding, shipbreaking, and steel production linked to port operations. A five-member delegation led by Shandong Xinxu Group Chairman Hou Jianxin met Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry to discuss the proposed investment, which aims to strengthen Pakistan’s maritime and heavy industrial base. According to officials, the proposed IMIC comprises three main components: re-
vival of the Iron Ore and Coal Berth (IOCB), commonly known as the steel jetty; establishment of shipbuilding and shipbreaking facilities; and development of a steel mill integrated with port infrastructure. The IOCB was originally built to handle bulk cargo such as iron ore and coal for Pakistan Steel Mills and can accommodate vessels between 55,000 and 75,000 deadweight tons. The jetty is linked to the steel mill through a dedicated conveyor system spanning several kilometres, connecting directly to stockyards and blast furnace areas. During the meeting, the maritime minister welcomed the Chinese group’s interest and asked the delegation to submit an unsolicited proposal outlining the project’s scope, implementation plan, and feasibility.
Pakistan’s IT exports rise 14% in November to $356m, five-month total hits $1.8b g
rose to Rs54.07 billion from Rs51.80 billion. TPL REIT Fund I led volumes with 75.80 million shares, followed by Hascol Petrol and Siddiqsons Tin. Of the 482 companies traded during the session, 217 closed higher, 228 declined, and 37 ended unchanged.
Pakistan forex reserves jump past $21bn after IMF inflows SBP holdings rise by $1.3bn in a week, strengthening external buffers and near-term stability PROFIT
staff report
Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves climbed to $21.09 billion as of December 12, 2025, following a sharp weekly increase driven by fresh inflows from the International Monetary Fund. Data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed that reserves held by the central bank rose by $1.3 billion during the week to $15.89 billion. The increase was primarily due to the receipt of SDR 914 million, equivalent to about $1.2 billion, under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Net foreign reserves held by commercial banks stood at $5.20 billion, taking the country’s overall liquid reserves to $21.09 billion. Based on the weekly change, SBP reserves were around $14.59 billion a week earlier, while total liquid reserves were close to $19.79 billion before the IMF inflow. The latest data therefore reflects one of the strongest weekly increases in reserves in recent months. The rise in reserves improves Pakistan’s short-term external position by strengthening the central bank’s ability to manage foreign payments and meet external obligations. Higher reserves also provide support to the rupee, help reduce rollover risks on external debt, and improve confidence among investors and lenders. However, officials and analysts note that the sustainability of the reserves position will depend on continued programme inflows, export performance, remittances, and containment of the current account deficit in the coming months.
SIFC prioritises brownfield refinery upgrades amid tax deadlock PROFIT
staff report
SBP’S higher retention limit and overSeaS equity inveStment facility SuPPort inflowS; government targetS $5B it exPortS in fy26 PROFIT
staff report
Pakistan’s information technology (IT) exports rose to $356 million in November 2025, marking a 14 percent increase from a year earlier, though declining 8 percent from October, according to industry data compiled by Topline Pakistan Research. Despite the month-on-month dip, November exports exceeded the 12-month average of $337 million. Cumulative IT exports for the first five months of FY26 reached $1.8 billion, up 19 percent year-on-year. Daily export proceeds improved to $17.8 million in November, compared with $16.8 million in October, reflecting steadier inflows despite seasonal volatility. Analysts attributed the annual growth to several factors, including expansion of Pakistani IT firms’ global client base, particularly in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)markets, along with regulatory changes by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). These include rais-
ing the permissible retention limit in Exporters’ Specialised Foreign Currency Accounts from 35 percent to 50 percent, allowing equity investment abroad through these accounts, and relative stability in the rupee, which has encouraged exporters to repatriate a larger share of earnings. A recent Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) survey showed that 62 percent of IT companies are maintaining specialised foreign currency accounts, indicating growing uptake of the SBP’s facilitative measures. Net IT exports, calculated after
adjusting for imports, stood at $309 million in November, up 13 percent year-on-year but down 8 percent from October, and remained above the 12month average of $295 million. The government has set an IT export target of $5 billion for FY26 under its broader economic agenda, while the ‘Uraan Pakistan’ plan envisages exports reaching $10 billion by FY29, implying an annual growth rate of around 27 percent. Market estimates, however, project IT exports to reach about $4.5 billion in FY26, representing growth of 18–20 percent from $3.8 billion in FY25.
SIFC seeks information on projects facing delays or stuck in arbitration The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has placed brownfield refinery upgrades at the top of its agenda, signalling renewed government focus on modernising Pakistan’s existing refining capacity, The News reported. Officials told refinery executives during a review meeting that SIFC would extend full support to remove obstacles delaying upgrade projects. Refinery upgradation projects have remained stalled due to a prolonged dispute over sales tax treatment of petroleum products. The deadlock intensified after key fuels were shifted from zerorated status to sales tax exemption, a move that removed refineries’ ability to adjust input taxes on imported machinery and services required for upgrades. Industry sources said the resulting increase in capital and operating costs has rendered major investments financially unviable. While the government proposed reintroducing sales tax at a reduced rate to allow input tax recovery without raising consumer prices, the International Monetary Fund has opposed the move, arguing it would weaken revenue mobilisation. As uncertainty persists, refineries have delayed financial closure and procurement, raising concerns over future compliance with fuel quality and environmental standards. Without timely upgrades, Pakistan may face higher reliance on imported refined fuels, adding pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
Government engages Ant Group to accelerate digital payments, financial inclusion PROFIT
staff report
The government on Thursday held discussions with global fintech firm Ant Group part owner of the Easypaisa Digital Bank to advance digital payments, financial inclusion, and technology-led financial services in Pakistan. Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb met a delegation comprising Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International and Senior Vice President of Ant Group, Irfan Wahab Khan, Chairman of
Easypaisa Digital Bank, and Jahanzeb Khan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Easypaisa Digital Bank, at the Finance Division. The meeting focused on accelerating Pakistan’s shift towards a cashless and digitally enabled economy. Aurangzeb said the government’s digitisation drive has gained momentum, with clear performance targets being pursued through coordinated efforts across digital infrastructure, payment systems, and digitisation of government-related payments. Feagin reaffirmed Ant Group’s com-
mitment to supporting Pakistan’s digital economy agenda by sharing global experience and technology capabilities developed across Asia. He noted that Easypaisa’s licensing as a digital bank provides an opportunity to expand outreach, build capabilities, and accelerate the adoption of digital transactions. Aurangzeb highlighted the role of digital banks and fintech platforms in enabling inclusive credit, particularly for underserved segments such as small farmers. He said expanding agriculture lending to smallholders remains a priority and that
scalable digital platforms can improve outreach and sustainability. The finance minister also underlined the importance of broadening the investor base for domestic public debt and reducing distribution costs by enabling retail participation through digital platforms. He said digital channels could allow citizens to invest in government securities in a secure and accessible manner. Irfan Wahab Khan said Easypaisa is moving beyond payments towards broader financial services, with a focus on financial inclusion, customer education, and the de-
velopment of savings and wealth management products. The discussion also covered improvements in wallet-based and crossborder payments and efforts to reduce transaction friction. Aurangzeb shared the government’s view on the growing scale of virtual asset activity and stressed the need to bring such activity within a regulated framework. Participants also exchanged views on tokenisation and the use of technology-enabled channels to support secure financial products, including government securities and capital market instruments.
Friday, 19 December, 2025 | ISLAMABAD
MAPLE LEAF CEMENT LAUNCHES PUBLIC OFFER TO ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL 11.72% STAKE IN PIONEER CEMENT
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OFFER PRICED AT RS478.43 PER SHARE TARGETS ADDITIONAL 11.72% HOLDING; CCP HAS ALREADY CLEARED TRANSACTION PROFIT
staff report
Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited (MLCF) has formally launched a public offer to acquire an additional 26.62 million ordinary shares, representing 11.72% of Pioneer Cement Limited’s issued share capital, as part of a broader plan to take control of the cement producer. According to a Public Announcement of Offer submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) by Next Capital Limited, the manager to the offer, Maple Leaf Cement has offered Rs478.43 per share to public shareholders. The offer is being made under the Securities Act, 2015 and the Listed Companies (Substantial Acquisition of Voting Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2017. The public offer follows earlier share
purchase agreements through which Maple Leaf Cement is acquiring 131.82 million shares, equivalent to 58.03%, from a consortium of existing shareholders. Upon completion of both transactions, Maple Leaf Cement’s shareholding will exceed 69%, giving it effective control of Pioneer Cement. The acquisition has already received clearance from the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), which approved the transaction on November 27, 2025, following a pre-merger application filed on November 19. The CCP concluded that the acquisition would not create a monopoly or substantially lessen competition in Pakistan’s cement sector. In its Phase-I review, the regulator defined the relevant market as the production and sale of grey cement within Pakistan and classified the transaction as horizontal, as both Maple Leaf Cement and Pioneer
Cement operate at the same level of the supply chain. Maple Leaf produces both grey and white cement, while Pioneer operates exclusively in the grey cement segment. The CCP noted that despite the overlap, the combined market share of the merged entity would remain moderate and that competition from several other large cement producers would prevent the company from exercising market power independently. The Commission also ruled out risks of coordinated behaviour or foreclosure, stating that the market structure and absence of vertical integration would restrain anti-competitive conduct. Maple Leaf Cement, a subsidiary of Kohinoor Textile Mills Limited, already held an indirect stake in Pioneer Cement through its associated company, Maple Leaf Capital Limited. The shares being
ac quired under the transaction are being purchased from a consortium that includes Vision Holdings Middle East Limited, Inship Management Limited, Imperial Developers and Builders (Pvt.) Limited, Sealog (Pvt.) Ltd, Inshipping (Pvt.) Limited, Inservey Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd, and Forbes Shipping Company (Pvt.) Limited. Ad powered by advergic.com
Pakistan’s power generation falls 19% in November on lower demand g
HYDEL OUTPUT HITS RECORD FOR MONTH AS LOWER FUEL COSTS DRIVE NEGATIVE FCA REQUEST PROFIT
staff report
Pakistan’s power generation declined by 19 per cent in November compared to October, reflecting lower seasonal demand, while year-on-year output remained largely unchanged, sector data showed. Total electricity generation during November stood at 8,050 gigawatt-hours (GWh), marginally higher than 8,032 GWh recorded in the same month last year. During the first five months of FY26, cumula-
tive generation reached 58,869 GWh, broadly flat year-on-year. Hydel output rose 10.2 per cent yearon-year to 3,153 GWh, the highest ever for November, exceeding reference levels by over 21 per cent and contributing to lower fuel costs. In contrast, RLNG-based generation fell 23.3 per cent year-on-year, while coal-based output also lagged projections. Analysts said November generation remained 1.0 per cent below the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s reference level, partly due to rising distributed
Auto loans extend recovery to Rs318b in November as rate cut supports demand
Finance Division rolls back pension policy for re-employed government retirees PROFIT
PROFIT
staff report
Pakistan’s auto loans rose to Rs318 billion in November from Rs315.4 billion in October, marking the 12th consecutive month of growth, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Despite the continued uptick, industry experts say the recovery remai ns limited compared to June 2022, when annual car sales were about 240,000 units and auto financing peaked at Rs368 billion. Market participants attribute the recent improvement mainly to a sharp reduction in interest rates, with the policy rate cut from 22% in June 2024 to 11% by May. The SBP’s latest 50 basis point cut on December 15 is expected to provide additional support to auto financing in the coming months. However, constraints remain, particularly the Rs3 million cap on auto loans, which limits financing options for buyers amid higher vehicle prices. Analysts have suggested revising the cap upward to better align with prevailing market costs.
staff report
The Finance Division has reversed its recent policy on pension entitlements during re-employment, withdrawing with immediate effect the notifications issued earlier this year that regulated how retired officials could receive salary and pension concurrently. In an Office Memorandum, the Finance Division announced the withdrawal of two earlier memoranda dated April 22, 2025 and June 19, 2025, which had laid down new rules governing pension payments for re-employed government retirees. The April 2025 notification, issued on the recommendations of the Pay and Pension Commission 2020, had required officials re-employed after the
‘No Plan Finalized’: FO denies reports of CDF Munir’s US visit CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
generation and subdued system demand. Hydel and nuclear power continued to dominate the generation mix. Lower oil and coal prices reduced the adjusted fuel cost to Rs6.16 per unit, below the reference of Rs6.88. Distribution companies have sought a negative fuel cost adjustment of Rs0.72 per unit, supported by a higher share of hydel generation and softer global energy prices. Analysts expect December generation to remain stable, with hydel output continuing to support lower fuel costs.
The army chief has visited the US three times this year. In June, he met President Trump for a luncheon, marking the first time a Pakistani army chief was hosted at the White House without senior civilian officials. In August, Field Marshal Munir described another visit as a “new dimension” in ties between Washington and Islamabad, engaging with senior political and military leadership and members of the Pakistani diaspora. In September, he visited the White House alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss regional security, counter-terrorism, and broader cooperation. Speaking to reporters before that meeting, President Trump described the visitors as “great leaders” and praised both the prime minister and the field marshal. INDIA’S UNANNOUNCED WATER DISCHARGE THREATENS REGIONAL STABILITY During the briefing, FO spokesperson Andrabi also condemned India’s sudden and unannounced release of water into shared rivers, terming it an act of water aggression. He warned that violations of the Indus Waters Treaty pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability. The spokesperson expressed grave concern over India’s failure to provide prior notification before releasing water, calling it a clear breach of the landmark water-sharing agreement. He urged the international community to take notice of repeated violations, including the recent sudden discharge into the Chenab River. An unusual fluctuation in the Chenab River’s water level was recorded on December 7, raising alarm in Pakistan over potential risks associated with unannounced water releases.
age of 60 to opt for either a pension or a salary during their re-employment period, disallowing the receipt of both benefits at the same time. Following objections raised by various stakeholders, the Finance Di-
vision had subsequently issued a revised notification in June 2025, partially relaxing the restriction. Under that arrangement, pensioners were allowed to continue drawing their pension during re-employment, provided their salary was reduced by an amount equal to the gross pension. This framework applied to re-employment under BPS, MP Scale, project pay scales, SPPS, and standard pay structures of autonomous and statutory bodies. With the latest decision, both amendments have now been annulled, effectively restoring the position that prevailed before April 2025. The Finance Division has not specified whether fresh instructions will be issued or whether earlier long-standing rules will automatically apply.
IHC de-notifies Justice Tariq Jahangiri over invalid law degree CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
However, he stressed that it was the government’s responsibility to initiate further proceedings, warning that failure to do so would be “regrettable.” The IHC order declared that Justice Jahangiri did not possess a valid LL.B degree at the time of his appointment or confirmation, rendering his elevation “without lawful authority.” The court ordered his immediate de-notification and directed the law ministry to act accordingly while disposing of all pending applications and objections. Dawood also called for accountability at the University of Karachi, alleging that fake mark sheets for L.L.B Part One and Two had been prepared, and urged action against any individuals or institutions that facilitated or protected the judge. Justice Jahangiri has challenged the IHC decision, arguing that the order was passed without affording him the right to be heard, in violation of Article 10A of the Constitution. In his petition, he maintained that the issue involved disputed questions of fact that could not be adjudicated in quo warranto proceedings without recording evidence, which he argued falls outside the jurisdiction of a high court.
He further contended that the IHC relied on a University of Karachi report without allowing him to contest its validity, despite related proceedings being pending before the Sindh High Court, where the university’s actions have been suspended. Justice Jahangiri denied the allegations, stating that his academic credentials have remained on record throughout his legal and judicial career. Through a petition filed by Advocate Uzair Bhandari, Justice Jahangiri sought leave to appeal, conversion of the petition into an appeal, setting aside of the December 9 order, and dismissal of the writ petition on grounds of non-maintainability. The case has followed a prolonged legal course. In September, the IHC had initially restrained Justice Jahangiri from performing judicial functions, an order later set aside by the Supreme Court, which ruled that a high court cannot bar a sitting judge from functioning while hearing a quo warranto petition. The apex court directed the IHC to decide the matter in accordance with law. Justice Jahangiri was also among six IHC judges who last year wrote to the SJC alleging interference in judicial affairs by intelligence agencies, triggering a wider debate on judicial independence.
NEWS 03
PM vows ongoing public service, promises transparency, quality as hallmark CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
He emphasized the need for coordination between federal ministries and provincial governments to strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global halal meat market, particularly in Muslim countries. The premier asked the committee tasked with expanding halal meat exports to propose actionable measures to improve production, cold storage, and other critical infrastructure. Special attention was to be given to increasing halal meat output in livestock according to international standards, ensuring competitiveness with regional producers. PM Shehbaz Sharif stressed the urgent need to establish organized centers for processing, packaging, and quality control in cooperation with federal and provincial authorities. He noted that Pakistan has considerable potential to increase its export share and assured full government support for international certification of slaughterhouses and bilateral registrations with other countries. The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of maintaining disease-free conditions and international-standard hygiene in slaughterhouses nationwide. Measures to minimize costs and establish special zones for exporting high-quality halal meat were prioritized to boost competitiveness in the regional and global markets. During the briefing, the premier was informed that Pakistan’s total halal meat production currently stands at six million metric tons, with a substantial portion available for export after fulfilling domestic requirements. Officials also briefed him on ongoing initiatives to enhance production and ensure international-standard packaging. The meeting was attended by Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar, and other relevant government officials.
Fake news on social media biggest threat of digital age, says Tarar CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The minister also outlined the rapid development of Pakistan’s cyberspace over the past four decades. He recalled a gradual and structured transition from traditional media to electronic platforms, describing it as a natural evolution. According to Tarar, print media underwent a complete transformation through a systematic shift to electronic formats. He said that during this phase, strong editorial controls were in place, boards of directors operated within media organisations, and the establishment of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority in the early 2000s provided a formal regulatory structure. This organised framework, he said, supported the orderly growth of the media sector. In contrast, Tarar said the move from electronic to digital media occurred abruptly and without preparation. He noted that the transition was accepted as it unfolded, but its speed meant that regulatory mechanisms, public awareness, and institutional understanding lagged behind. He added that it took considerable time to comprehend the realities of cyberspace and cybersecurity, contributing to the challenges now faced in the digital environment.
GB bans seasonal hotels, commercial activity in Deosai National Park PROFIT
staff report
The Gilgit-Baltistan government has imposed a complete ban on the establishment of seasonal hotels and all commercial activities within Deosai National Park for the upcoming tourist season. According to a notification issued by the Forest, Parks and Wildlife Department, the decision aims to protect the park’s fragile ecosystem and prevent further environmental degradation. Authorities have directed hotel owners and operators not to set up accommodation facilities inside the protected area. The notification warned that legal action would be taken against individuals or businesses found violating the ban. Deosai National Park, located at an average altitude of over 4,100 metres between Skardu and Astore, remains one of Pakistan’s most visited summer destinations, attracting both domestic and international tourists between June and November.
— highlights IT, Raast as engines of economic growth and financial inclusion CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The prime minister emphasized that the government is actively working to enhance technical training for the IT workforce, introduce tax facilitation measures, and remove structural bottlenecks to support sustained growth. “All initiatives in technical education are focused on equipping Pakistani youth with globally competitive skills so they can enter the international IT market as an experienced and reliable workforce,” he said. Focusing on employment generation, PM Shehbaz Sharif directed that further measures be implemented to expand opportunities for youth, particularly through digital platforms and emerging technologies. He
also instructed relevant ministries to improve IT infrastructure across the country, noting that the promotion of a digital economy is directly linked to citizens’ access to reliable and affordable internet services. During the meeting, the prime minister tasked a high-level committee, headed by the finance minister, to review the recommendations and submit a comprehensive report within two weeks. He was briefed on proposals aimed at expanding the digital economy, increasing IT exports, and implementing broader sectoral reforms, including the development of a data-driven governance model. Private sector participants lauded ongoing government initiatives, including efforts to increase export market share, the full dig-
itization of the Pakistan Software Export Board, the e-Rozgar scheme, and the strengthening of the startup and innovation ecosystem. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Dr Ahsan Iqbal, Jam Kamal Khan, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Dr Musadik Masood Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, and Shaza Fatima Khawaja; Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiani; Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar; the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue; and senior officials from relevant departments. RAAST DRIVING FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND CASHLESS ECONOMY In a separate engagement on Thursday,
PM Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the crucial role of Raast, Pakistan’s national payment system, in advancing financial inclusion and a cashless economy. He called for accelerated efforts to encourage businesses nationwide to adopt the Raast platform for payments. Speaking to members of the Raast Board at the PM House, the prime minister congratulated them on assuming their responsibilities and expressed confidence that they would help improve the department’s performance. During the briefing, board members reported that Raast had facilitated nearly three billion transactions amounting to Rs80 trillion, with over 48 million consumers and 53 partner financial institutions. The prime minister was informed that Raast, a department
of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), has most of its members drawn from the private sector based on their relevant expertise. Board members also briefed the prime minister on plans to transfer all B2G (business-to-government) and G2B (government-to-business) payments to Raast across the country, ensuring that every individual has access to a safe and reliable digital payment platform. The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Governor SBP, Raast Board members, CEO, and other senior officials.
04 COMMENT
The short end of the stick
Stability and growth
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Reopening and old can of worms
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EDERAL Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, speaking at a policy discussion on Thursday, said that political instability, not policy failure, was holding Pakistan back. This is taken as an article of faith by the present government, but itself is hotly disputed in the present highly partisan atmosphere. It does not help that Mr Iqbal is apparently contradicting the PML(N) traditional stance by saying that infrastructure spending was the measure of progress. The position seems an abandonment of the view that democracy is the best guarantor of prosperity, because it means that the people collectively decide on measures that lead to prosperity. However, one of the problems of democracy is that the debate is usually full of noisy exchanges, and a cacophony that many find frightening. They seem to forget that the most perfect silence is that of the grave, and that silence may conceal frightening misery, even bestiality. The quest for stability at all costs may have its proponents, but it is not compatible with the constitutional presence we have at present. What Mir Iqbal may have in mind are the PTI’s efforts to claim victory in the 2024 election, and the release of its founder, Mr Imran Khan, from jail. Political instability, Mr Iqbal implies, means not reversing predecessors’ policies, and allowing a continuity presently absent, He did not exemplify which PTI policies he thought were dropped even though worthy of retention. He also did not mention what he thought should happen if the party taking office thought the policies in place were actually wrongheaded. He seems not to take account of the fact that the world over, policies are usually preserved, and the only difference political stability or instability makes is who enjoys the sweets of office. The PML(N) does not so much have different policies, as the promise that it will manage the economy better. Mr Iqbal’s defence of the policy mix, when he says there has been no policy failure, is also interesting, because it implies belief in the IMF prescriptions, which have not worked so far. However, he was right to note that resistance to change is one of the great failings of the public sector, and that human development, despite a burgeoning population, remained weak. Also, at the same time, seeking any destination must be normative. To achieve the level of China or that of the USA is not just a matter of degree of development, but of type. China has Uighurs, the USA the homeless.
Will there have to be another IMF programme? At Penpoint M A NIAZI
O sooner had the IMF released the new conditions it had set during its last review that rumours started of moving into another IMF programme after the current Extended Fund Facility expires. That has serious implications for it not only means that the current programme has not worked, but also that the IMF has got its economics wrong. More dangerous is the possibility that Pakistan is following on the path of Argentina, which has not been able to get off the IMF’s life support system for most of the 21 st century, ever since it defaulted in 2001 on $80 billion in foreign debt, 19 days after the IMF pulled out of the Stand-By Arrangement it had at the time. In 2018, Argentina reached an SBA with the IMF for $50 billion. Only this April, the IMF Board approved an Extended Fund Facility of $20 billion, including $12 billion disbursed at once. Argentina, the second-,ost powerful state after Brazil in Latin America, is bound for survival to the IMF. The 11 new conditions which the IMF set for Pakistan, bringing to 64 the total, are denied hotly by the federal Finance Ministry to be new at all, merely clarifying existing conditions. They do focus among other things on corruption, though that was in the original programme. . That was perhaps inevitable after the IMF’s diagnostic assessment report, when it ponderously arrived at the conclusion that corruption was rampant, something a babe in arms could have told it. The attempt to uproot corruption is to start with making public the assets declared by public servants (a federal list by year-end, provincial officials to follow by next October). It makes a certain sense to have election candidates make declarations, with electors, but essentially other candidates, challenging misstatements. Here who will challenge except for colleagues and juniors hoping to occupy the slot, or get promoted. If the official is dismissed? Corruption is not acceptable, for it rots any system. Impunity is how corruption becomes entrenched. However, the approach of the PTI, that of shaming people without a judicial process, is also dangerous in its own way. More relevantly, it provides a convenient cudgel to beat someone over the head with. It is not as if the West is intrinsically honest. When the East India Company started off, it allowed its employees to trade on their own behalf as well as on the Company’s. This gave rise to the phenomenon of nabobs, Company men who made large fortunes from private trading and cut a dash in London. This was the era when virtually everything was up for sale, including seats in the House of Commons. Nabobs bought their wat into the Commons, and made sure their interests were protected. The British government wanted to dip its finger in the wealth coming in, and to bring the Company under a Board of Control. One of the tools used was the charge of corruption. Warren Hastings, the first Governor-Gen-
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
The limits of legal silence M. A. Niazi
Babar Nizami
Editor Pakistan Today
Editor Profit
Is there rape within marriage?
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SuleMAN ZIA
AKISTAN’S criminal law defines rape with apparent clarity, yet one exception continues to shape the boundaries of legal protection within marriage. Under Section 375 of the Pakistan Penal Code, sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife is excluded from the definition of rape, provided the wife is above a prescribed age. This marital exemption, rooted in colonial-era legislation, has remained part of the statute despite broader constitutional developments concerning dignity, equality, and personal liberty. Public discussion of marital rape often gravitates toward moral or cultural framing. In legal terms, however, the issue turns on how consent is understood and how criminal law interacts with marriage as a recognized social institution. The exemption reflects an assumption that consent within marriage operates differently from consent outside it, an assumption embedded in statutory language rather than judicial interpretation. Pakistan’s constitutional framework places strong emphasis on human dignity and personal autonomy. Article 9 guarantees the right to life and liberty, Article 14 declares the dignity of man to be inviolable, and Article 25 affirms equality before the law. Over time, superior courts have interpreted these provisions to include bodily integrity, decisional autonomy, and privacy. In cases involving forced marriages, personal choice, and family life, courts have emphasized that constitutional rights continue to apply within private relationships. At the same time, when questions have arisen directly concerning the marital rape exemption, courts have approached the matter with institutional caution. The prevailing judicial position has been that the definition of rape, including its exclusions, is a matter determined by statute. Courts have generally held that any expansion of criminal liability, particularly in an area carrying severe penal consequences, must come through legislative amendment rather than judicial reinterpretation. This approach reflects a long-standing principle of criminal jurisprudence: that offences must be clearly defined by law.
The Federal Shariat Court, when considering challenges related to Section 375, has taken the view that sexual relations within a valid marriage, as currently defined under Pakistani law, do not fall within the offence of rape. The Court’s reasoning has focused on the structure of the penal code and the limits of judicial authority in redefining criminal offences. Importantly, this position does not amount to a denial of dignity or autonomy as constitutional values; rather, it reflects a separation between constitutional interpretation and the strict construction of criminal statutes. This distinction has significant practical consequences. According to the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2017– 18, around 28 percent of ever-married women reported experiencing physical violence, while approximately 6 percent reported sexual violence. Experts widely acknowledge that sexual violence within marriage is underreported, influenced by social stigma, economic dependence, and the absence of criminal recognition. Where the law does not classify an act as an offence, it also limits the ability of institutions to record, investigate, and respond to it. The social implications of this legal position are complex. The marital exemption shapes how consent is understood within households, reinforcing the idea that sexual autonomy is diminished by marriage. This understanding is reflected not only in social attitudes but also in institutional responses, including policing practices and access to legal remedies. Survivors of sexual harm within marriage often find that available legal frameworks, such as family law or domestic violence statutes, do not fully address the nature of their experience. There are also public health dimensions to consider. International research by the World Health Organization and UNFPA has linked sexual violence within intimate relationships to adverse mental health outcomes, reproductive health complications, and increased vulnerability to long-term illness. In Pakistan, where women already face disparities in healthcare access and decision-making, the absence of legal recognition for coerced sex within marriage can compound existing risks. These outcomes affect not only individuals but also public health systems and social support structures. Concerns about misuse of the law are frequently raised in discussions around marital rape. These concerns have informed both legislative caution and judicial restraint. Pakistan’s
eral, was sacrificed, and accused of immense corruption. In a convoluted fashion, one of the charges against him was the judicial murder of one Nandkumar– who had been accused of forgery for corruption, and who had been hanged. Hastings was acquitted after a lengthy trial, but the Company was brought under government control. It was thus easier to convert India into a Crown colony after the Mutiny, abolishing the Company. Corruption of the previous regime has been one of the charges used by every Martial Law administrator to justify his takeover. That particular charge has also been used by every President while justifying his dissolution of the National Assembly under the Eighth Amendment. It is not that corruption does not exist, but its use for political purposes has taught the wrong lesson: not that corruption must be avoided, but that corruption must be protected by the grabbing of the levers of power. The use of corruption for political purposes was practised first by the Musharraf regime, then by the PTI. One unfortunate aspect of this is that corruption may well have become a partisan issue, one which the mainstream political parties de-emphasised. The use of the NAB Ordinance against political opponents by the Musharraf regime and then the PTI witnessed a strange twist when Imran Khan ended up in prison on corruption charges, a case of the biter bit, the anti-corruption crusader himself caught with his hand in the till. Thus it seems that the IMF has switched from sniping at military spending, which was once the lowhanging fruit of the IMF’s criticism of Pakistan’s spending, to an adoption of part of the establishment’s agenda: combating corruption, and trying to break the ban on reducing the provincial share in the National Finance Commission Award. It is interesting that none of the IMF conditions relates to the NFC Award, even though it formed part of the discussions for the first review as well as for the actual granting of the package. So far, it seems, corruption is only being used as an all-too-familiar trope, of native fecklessness, which will only be relieved by First-World white intervention. Instead of political action, it is being used to suppress an entire nation. It is worth noting that corruption was not a concern during the Cold War, Indeed, so-called development loans were easy to embezzle. They were made by Washington Consensus international financial institutions like the IMF itself, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, and were conditioned on political support for the
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USA, being meant to embezzle. This meant that the ruling elite was doubly compromised: their personal economic interests were tied to the embezzlement, and the USA had knowledge it could use to keep the particular official on its side. Should the government be worried about the IMF’s economics? Perhaps it should. This government has obeyed the IMF more than any previous one, However, the economy has not entered a growth phase that would enable the government to oversee the creation of jobs for the youth bulge. Or is the IMF only good for keeping a country in the debt trap? That seems to be what the IMF has done to Argentina, and what it seems to be doing to Pakistan. Is there any commonality between the two? Actually, there is, and more than would seem apparent. Argentina supported Pakistan in 1948 at the UN, when it needed help for a Kashmir resolution. Apart from that, both have experienced military rule, both are large countries dwarfed by a neighbour (Brazil for Argentina, India for Pakistan), and both had nuclear weapons programmes. Argentina fought a war against the UK in 1983, after which it began a nuclear weapons programme, which it ended after the military regime gave up power. Pakistan, on the other hand, has been a nuclear power since 1998. Recourse to the IMF is probable if Pakistan wishes to continue getting access to the world money markets. It should be clear that the IMF economics is not designed to get a country out of its debt trap. The focus is to ensure that it can service its debt. It is likely that the debt trap is the result of those capitalist policies that the IMF propagates, quite apart from the elite capture it represents. Perhaps the only way out of the debt trap is to construct an economic programme beyond the Washington Consensus, rather than try to work that Consensus to one’s advantage. The writer is a member of staff
It is likely that the debt trap is the result of those capitalist policies that the IMF propagates, quite apart from the elite capture it represents. Perhaps the only way out of the debt trap is to construct an economic programme beyond the Washington Consensus, rather than try to work that Consensus to oneÊs advantage.
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Devotion or display?
courts have historically emphasized the need for clarity and safeguards in criminal law, particularly where allegations arise within private relationships. Similar concerns have accompanied debates on domestic violence and harassment legislation, where procedural protections and evidentiary standards have been developed over time to balance competing interests. Comparative legal experience suggests that different jurisdictions have addressed this balance in varying ways. Some have revised statutory definitions to clarify that marriage does not negate the requirement of consent, often alongside procedural safeguards. While comparative developments are not determinative for Pakistan, they illustrate that legal systems have approached the issue incrementally rather than abruptly. The current legal framework therefore reflects not a singular policy choice, but the interaction of statutory history, judicial interpretation, and institutional caution. Courts have operated within the confines of existing law, emphasizing legislative competence in defining criminal offences. At the same time, constitutional discourse around dignity and autonomy continues to evolve, shaping how rights are understood in broader contexts. As Pakistan’s legal system continues to develop, the question of marital rape remains situated at the intersection of criminal law, constitutional values, and social reality. Addressing it requires careful consideration of legal definitions, evidentiary standards, and institutional capacity. The issue is not one of confrontation between institutions, but of legal coherence: how principles affirmed at the constitutional level are reflected, over time, in statutory frameworks governing private life.
Suleman Zia is educational consultant
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transnational
As PakistanÊs legal system continues to develop, the question of marital rape remains situated at the intersection of criminal law, constitutional values, and social reality. Addressing it requires careful consideration of legal definitions, evidentiary standards, and institutional capacity.
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Friday, 19 December, 2025
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GIVEN the inflation and poverty prevailing in the country, the lavish spending at religious fairs — called urs or mela in the vernacular — boggles one’s mind. Devotional donations are offered to the pirs by wealthy businessmen and politicians in the presence of poor people who need those donations more than anybody else. Costly silk palls embellished with gilded embroidery, golden sequins and gemstones are spread over the graves of saintly figures. The palls are carried in full fanfare of devotees dancing, singing and reciting devotional songs and hymns in praise of the saints and holy figures. All this while, the poor devotees and their children wander in search of money or something to eat. The boy’s eyes in the accompanying picture implore vociferously, “Please, someone give me a few rupees. I need them more than anybody else.” The way he stares at the donated money can easily move a touching heart. Such scenes are common in our society, and equally common is our apathy towards the needy and deserving people at such events, which are held to nurture moral values in the attendees. The child, not well aware of the ways of the world, must have been curious why the people were not giving him money. It can be argued that we have probably more tombs and shrines than schools. The visitors to these places outnumber the parents who attend parent-teacher meetings or visit the schools to enquire about the progress of their children. Mystical philosophers and theologians assert that in a society with warped doctrinal priorities, when people create the burgeoning chasm between their beliefs and actions, they hanker after proxies and mediations — like Geoffrey Chaucer’s ‘pardoner’ and ‘parson’ — between their Sustainer and themselves. They shy away from direct communication with their Creator. Such ill-aimed practices stand in stark contrast to the actual teachings of Sufism and the lives of genuine saintly figures. The likes of Baba Bulleh Shah, Data Ganj Bakhsh, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and Fareedud Din Attar stressed through their poetry and philosophy empathy for the poor, the heartbroken and the untended. M NADEEM NADIR KASUR
Nationalism unchecked
EXTREMIST nationalism has pushed many nations toward the dangerous belief that their own race or culture is superior to all others. History provides countless examples of societies that embraced this mindset and ultimately brought destruction upon themselves. The supremacist ideologies of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Joseph Stalin inflicted irreversible damage on their countries and on humanity at large. Today, a similar pattern can be seen in India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi promotes the idea of Hindu cultural supremacy. This is grounded on suppressing other communities and erasing their identity. What Hitler did to the Jews in Germany was a brutal act of dehumanisation, justified through the rhetoric of national superiority. That ideology led to genocide and immeasurable suffering. Disturbingly, the 21st century is witnessing echoes of the same mindset as several nations attempt to project themselves as exceptional and untouchable. National identity and cultural pride are not inherently harmful. People naturally work together to strengthen their traditions and collective achievements. However, when nationalism evolves into the belief that one nation is inherently superior, it becomes dangerous. Such thinking fuels division and hatred. It weakens societies from within, tearing apart the social fabric and leaving vulnerable groups further marginalised. Extremist nationalism should serve as a warning from history, not a roadmap for the future. Nations must learn from past tragedies rather than repeat them. SADAM HUSSAIN KORAI LARKANA
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COMMENT 05
A quiet crisis of conscience
Friday, 19 December, 2025
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Inside the Ladies’ Bar Room
Noor Zafar
came to the legal profession carrying a certain kind of innocence. I was trained at elite law schools, shaped by ideas of constitutionalism, dignity, and professional ethics. the law, as it was taught to me, was a tool for justice, a discipline grounded in reason, restraint, and moral responsibility. My friends who joined law firms in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad spoke of long hours, demanding seniors, and ruthless competition, but never of waiting rooms. never of bar rooms. never of sitting for hours in a shared space simply because there was nowhere else to go. So when my senior lawyer, during my first week at the Multan high Court, told me to “sit in the ladies’ bar room,” I was taken aback. It was not a suggestion. It was a fact of practice. that room, crowded, watchful, and heavy with unspoken hierarchies, became my introduction to a legal culture I had not been prepared for. It was here, not in courtrooms or textbooks, that I began to learn how power actually operates. the ladies’ bar room frightened me from the beginning. not because of anything overt, but because of the constant sense of being evaluated. For weeks, no one spoke to me. Eyes followed my movements. Conversations stopped when I entered. People seemed to be assessing who I was, where I came from, and perhaps most importantly, what “kind” of woman lawyer I would turn out to be. In a profession that prides itself on objectivity, judgment arrived swiftly and silently. over time, patterns emerged. Some women came to the bar room only during election season, seeking votes and allegiance. others tried to create pockets of warmth in an otherwise sterile environment, bringing homemade food and forming informal support circles that offered brief relief from isolation. And then there were senior women lawyers who asserted authority in ways that felt deeply unsettling, asking juniors to fetch them water or run personal errands, replicating the same power dynamics they themselves claimed to have suffered under. Watching this, I
began to understand how hierarchy reproduces itself, even among those who know its harms intimately. none of this was taught to me in law school. Yet, because of the chronic lack of office space, my senior’s practice shifting between cities, and the quiet judgment that awaited women at the canteen tables dominated by male lawyers, the bar room slowly became unavoidable. I found a few friends there, small mercies that made the days bearable. Some shared insights about areas of practice my senior lawyer did not engage in. others simply shared silence, which, in that space, felt like solidarity. It became routine to see familiar faces, to exchange knowing glances, to sit and wait. I told myself this was part of professional growth, part of learning the real world of litigation. I reminded myself that every profession has its unspoken rules, its uncomfortable rites of passage. then something happened that unsettled me far more deeply than awkward silences or unspoken rivalries. A senior female lawyer, someone who routinely told me that women are not respected in this city and that I should move to Lahore if I wanted dignity, stormed into the bar room one afternoon. I was sitting alone. Without provocation, she shouted at me. I did not respond. I told myself that this, too, was something to endure, another reminder to keep my head down. A week later, she returned, not with anger, but with gossip. She went from one woman to another, whispering, leaning in close, pulling out her phone. What she was showing were leaked videos of a female lawyer. She made sure everyone saw them. She narrated the story
with authority, dismissing the woman’s claim that her husband had leaked the videos and insisting that the victim was lying. the videos circulated hand to hand, screen to screen, while a room full of women lawyers watched, women trained in law, evidence, and rights. I refused. I told her I would not watch the video. I told her she should delete it. I told her she should have shut down the person who sent it to her instead of amplifying the violation. She laughed and said I would see it anyway, if not from her, then from someone else. her certainty was chilling, not because it was true, but because it reflected how normalized such violations have become. outwardly, I stood my ground. Inwardly, I felt as though something had broken. I had chosen this profession inspired by
The ladiesÊ bar room should have been a place of refuge. Instead, it has become a site where idealism waits, erodes, and sometimes dies. And the tragedy is this. When juniors leave the profession, when idealists grow disillusioned, the system does not lose troublemakers. It loses conscience
Asma Jahangir, by her courage, her refusal to bow, her uncompromising belief in dignity. I looked up to women like nighat Dad, who intervene, who protect, who show up when a woman’s honour is under attack. these were the examples that taught me the law could be a tool for justice, not cruelty, for protection, not spectacle. And yet here was a senior woman lawyer, someone who constantly spoke of her own suffering, publicly humiliating a colleague, participating in the very violence she claimed to oppose. the contradiction was devastating. It forced me to confront an uncomfortable truth. representation alone does not guarantee justice. gender does not automatically produce solidarity. If the person in those videos had been a man, no one would have questioned his competence. no one would have whispered about his “character.” his career would not have been reduced to a few stolen moments of private life. But for a woman, privacy becomes proof, and violation becomes entertainment. her body becomes evidence. her dignity becomes negotiable. Leaked videos are not “truth.” they are an invasion. they are a crime. And turning them into gossip is not moral vigilance. It is complicity. It is the quiet endorsement of a culture that punishes women for existing outside carefully drawn boundaries. What shook me most was that every single woman in that room, after watching and listening, said the same thing. “We feel
ashamed of being a part of this community.” For the senior lawyer, it may have been just another incident. For the rest of us, it became a memory that refuses to fade, a moment that lodged itself permanently in our understanding of the profession. Since that day, walking into the courtroom feels different. I am acutely aware of my body, my presence, my gender. I feel as though I am being judged not only as an individual, but as part of a collective that has failed itself. I wonder if merely existing within court premises as a woman invites scrutiny. I wonder if silence is mistaken for consent, and dignity for weakness. People often say that women lawyers are disrespected in smaller cities. I used to disagree. I believed respect was something we could claim through competence and integrity. now I understand that disrespect does not only come from men or from institutions. It also comes from within, from senior women who choose power over principle and gossip over solidarity. the ladies’ bar room should have been a place of refuge. Instead, it has become a site where idealism waits, erodes, and sometimes dies. And the tragedy is this. When juniors leave the profession, when idealists grow disillusioned, the system does not lose troublemakers. It loses conscience.
The writer is a lawyer (L.L.B LUMS, L.L.M. Notre Dame Law School) practising in Multan
How the battle against Asian Australia’s social media scam networks went global ban: Dragging tech companies into action
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DEUTSCHE WELLE olE taNgEN Jr
trial got underway in Seoul last week for 46 South Koreans, mostly men in their 20s, accused of participating in online scam operations in Cambodia. Since midoctober, South Korea has repatriated 107 nationals from Cambodia, where officials estimate upwards of 1,000 of its citizens are working either “voluntarily or involuntarily” in scam compounds. the repatriation effort follows public outrage over the death of a South Korean college student who was reportedly lured to Cambodia and forced to work in a scam center. the 22-year-old man’s body was discovered with injuries consistent with torture, suggesting that he may have been beaten to death. An autopsy revealed he “died as a result of severe torture, with multiple bruises and injuries across his body,” according to a Cambodian court statement. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said, “the government’s greatest responsibility is to safeguard the lives and safety of our people. “We must protect the victims and swiftly repatriate those involved in these incidents back to Korea.” South Korea recently joined the uS, uK and Singapore in imposing sanctions on Cambodia’s Prince holding group, a multinational network whose founder is accused of running large-scale fraud operations across Southeast Asia — charges the company has rejected. “What we have seen recently is that, like South Korea, there has been a push towards following the money and putting sanctions and freezing people’s money,” said Brian hanley, Asia-Pacific director for the global Anti-Scam Alliance (gASA), a global non-profit fighting online fraud. “And we think this has started to make a dent.”
BILLIONS LOST TO SOUTHEAST ASIA SCAM NETWORKS: Southeast Asia has become a major hub for digital scam operations. the united nations estimated in 2023 that over 200,000 people have been trafficked into countries like Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia under the guise of lucrative job offers. there, they work in massive scam centers that are part of a multibillion-dollar cyber fraud industry that runs online scamming schemes. these large scam operations are concentrated in remote conflict zones of Southeast Asia, particularly along thailand’s borders with Cambodia and Myanmar. recent clashes between thai and Cambodian forces have included strikes on suspected scam compounds in Cambodia. In Myanmar, such centers have proliferated and are reportedly financing both sides of the country’s ongoing civil war. Scam center workers are typically citizens of Asian countries who are often victims of human trafficking. the scams primarily target people in Western, English-speaking nations. “We’re talking about human trafficking and slavery so obviously this is a major human rights issue,” said hanley. “But it is also a national security issue, not just for the region but for the whole world.” In its State of the Scams 2025 report, gASA estimates that $442 billion (€375.4 billion) has been lost to scams worldwide in the 12 months ending october 2025. that figure could be higher, as many people do not report their losses to online scams. gASA also found that 57% of adults worldwide have had a scam experience in the last 12 months. Examples of scams include online shopping, investment and romance scams, which fraudsters refer to as “pig butchering,” a term referring to “fat-
tening” victims by gaining their trust, often through fictitious romantic relationships. once trust is established, scammers convince victims to transfer funds into fake cryptocurrency investment platforms, which are then laundered through accounts across Asia, making recovery extremely difficult.
WHY THE US IS A TOP TARGET FOR SCAMMER NETWORKS: the uS Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) estimates that the scam industry in Southeast Asia defrauds Americans of $9 billion to $10 billion (€7.7 billion to €8.5 billion) per year. the gASA report says that $64.8 billion was stolen from Americans in the year ending in october 2025, with each victim losing an average of $1,087. It added that the average American now encounters a scam attempt every single day. In response to rising instances of cyber fraud, uS authorities established the Scam Center Strike Force in november. It is an interagency task force focused on investigating, dismantling, and prosecuting scam centers and those who finance them. “My office will not stand by as these Chinese organized crime enterprises empty out the bank accounts of hardworking Americans,” said uS Attorney Jeanine Pirro when launching the task force. the uS partnered with the uK in 2025 to sanction individuals and entities that operate illegal scam centers across Southeast Asia. Australia and Singapore also made strides in enacting legislation to protect their citizens from scams and also cooperate with the uS on law enforcement operations and sanctions. For Jacob Sims, a visiting fellow at the Asia Center at harvard university who has been tracking transnational crime in Cambodia and greater Southeast Asia, the issue of scams has gained significant political traction in the uS over the past year. “A year ago today in [Washington, DC], there was one sanction,” said Sims. “And today, a large number of the prominent names and entities have been sanctioned, and there are a dozen bills in Congress.” however, these actions have also been hampered by cuts to uSAID programs in Southeast Asia that monitored human trafficking along the thai-Myanmar border and in Cambodia, which were eradicated under the Department of government Efficiency (DogE).
THE ROLE OF CHINA IN SCAM CENTERS: Many of the massive scam centers across Southeast Asia are said to be run by Chinese criminal networks. China has taken steps to shut down scam centers in Cambodia and Myanmar — but only those targeting Chinese people. A report submitted to the uS Congress in July found few links between these criminal networks to the Chinese government or members of the Chinese Communist Party (CPP), but stated that the actions of these organizations often further fuel these regional conflicts through corruption and crime. Even with the recent announcements of sanctions and criminal investigations, countries like South Korea and even the uS appear reluctant to criticize the governments of China or Cambodia and instead target the criminals and their networks directly. According to Sims, as long as Phnom Penh performs just enough cooperation to preserve the illusion that it remains strategically “in play,” Western capitals have proven reliably willing to tolerate industrialscale scams targeting their own citizens. “Many governments hesitate to confront Cambodia directly because they still view it as a pivotal chess piece in a China-versus-the-West geopolitical game,” he said. Ole Tangen Jr is a DW reporter and editor based in Bon.
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Children under the age of 16 needed protecting and the moral argument wasn’t winning. Government regulation can change the terms of debate THE GUARDIAN Editorial
n 10 December, the world watched as Australia enacted the first social media ban for under-16s. Whether it will have the desired effect of improving young people’s lives we are yet to find out. But what the ban has achieved already is clear. Many politicians, along with academics and philosophers, have noted that self-regulation has not been an effective safeguard against the harms of social media – especially when the bottom line for people like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk depends on keeping eyes on screens. For too long, these companies resisted, decrying censorship and prioritising “free speech” over moderation. the Australian government decided waiting was no longer an option. the social media ban and similar regulation across the world is now dragging tech companies kicking and screaming toward change. that it has taken the force of the law to ensure basic standards – such as robust age verification, teen-friendly user accounts and deactivation where appropriate – are met shows the moral argument alone was not enough. While Malaysia, Denmark and Brazil are looking at similar bans, countries such as the uK have decided to see if platforms can be made safer before prohibiting young people from using them. to what extent this is possible remains a question. Features such as infinite scroll – which encourages users to spend whole hours, even days, on their phones – and variable reward systems that mimic gambling, making these platforms like neverending slot machines, have been deemed problematic enough for the state of California to plan to limit teenagers’ exposure to “addictive feeds” to one hour a
day unless their parents allow otherwise. In the uK, there are currently no such limitations. As Australia’s ban was rolled out, young people gave powerful testimonies, including a 15-year-old quadraplegic, Ezra Sholl, who explained how the ban would isolate him further. Countries considering similar bans must involve teenagers in these discussions and consider how regulation would impact children differently. the dangers of children feeling isolated should not be used as an excuse to dampen down regulation. Young people are right to be angry: the speed at which social media and smartphones have become part of their lives makes it seem like a violation to take them away, and the voracity of these platforms should never have been allowed to outpace regulation. Australia will provide a useful case study, helping to strengthen a strong body of research that has struggled to prove causality between social media use and mental health outcomes. Critics of the ban argue that it will simply drive young people into unregulated spaces or teach them how to circumvent the law. the spike in VPn use after the introduction of Britain’s online Safety Act suggests that these arguments hold water. But behavioural change is a marathon, not a sprint. Similar policy, whether in relation to speed limits, drink-driving or smoking, shows that resistance often comes before long-term change. Australia’s social media ban has provided a circuit breaker for a system on course for an explosion. It also warns tech companies of a new ceiling, should nations grow inpatient of inaction. In Britain, and elsewhere, online-safety campaigners are watching closely how tech companies respond to regulation that stops short of a ban. But with many children spending as much time on their phones as they do at school, companies must know that governments will take a lack of progress seriously.
Ballots must not be silenced by bullets
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The people of this country must feel assured that they can campaign, assemble, and vote without fear of intimidation or gunfire DHAKA TRIBUNE Editorial
hroughout 2025, Bangladesh has witnessed a disturbing increase in shootings and politicallymotivated attacks. At a time when the nation should be celebrating the rejuvenation of democracy, such violence has steadily been eroding confidence in democratic processes. gun violence in particular, once a relatively rare phenomenon in Bangladesh’s political landscape, has become alarmingly frequent. When candidates are gunned down in the streets, when rallies are marred by violence, when fear replaces free expression, it is elections that begin to lose their legitimacy. With the Election Commission having announced polls in less than two months now, there is an immediate need to take tangible actions to curb violence if we do not want the credibility of these upcoming elections to be severely com-
promised. the people of this country must feel assured that they can campaign, assemble, and vote without fear of intimidation or gunfire. While recent announcements of enhanced security protocols for political parties is an obvious step, there is much more to be done. Beyond ensuring that all contenders, regardless of affiliation, receive adequate security, cracking down on illegal firearms is equally important. the rise in gun violence demands a nationwide operation to address this, and it starts with ensuring that these weapons do not continue to be in the hands of such criminal groups. there is also the need to bring these attackers to book and not allow them to melt away into anonymity. Arrests, prosecutions, and convictions must follow swiftly and transparently if we want to minimize these attacks. the rejuvenation of our nation after the events of the Monsoon revolution of 2024 cannot be derailed - not by the callous actions of armed groups nor the complacency of our administration. We must ensure, above all else, that the February elections do not get overshadowed by fear and bloodshed. Bangladesh deserves better.
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Friday, 19 December 2025 | ISLAMABAD
US IMPOSES SWEEPING BAN ON AFGHAN VISAS, ASYLUM AND GREEN CARD PROCESSING WASHINGTON Agencies
The Trump administration has imposed sweeping new immigration restrictions on Afghan nationals, citing national security concerns linked to the Taliban’s extremist policies and alleged support for terrorist networks. The measures include the suspension of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa programme and a complete halt to immigration, asylum, citizenship, and green card processing for Afghan citizens. According to The Washington Post, the crackdown follows a new presidential directive by Donald Trump that revokes longstanding security exemptions for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders, including interpreters who previously worked with US forces. Afghanistan has now been placed among 12 countries subjected to a full travel ban in-
troduced earlier this year, alongside additional limitations on special immigration pathways. The White House has justified the decision by pointing to persistent failures by Afghan authorities in vetting, screening, and sharing critical security information. Officials argue that these shortcomings pose unacceptable risks to US national security. The tightening of restrictions was accelerated after last month’s fatal shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, DC. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national granted asylum under Operation Allies Welcome, allegedly killed one guard and wounded another. Prosecutors have charged Lakanwal with murder, assault, and multiple firearms offences. Operation Allies Welcome was established to resettle Afghans who assisted the US military and diplomatic missions. However, the White House has now confirmed that the programme has been paused pending
a comprehensive review. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned in a recent television interview that as many as 100,000 Afghans admitted under the scheme may not have been adequately vetted. Former CIA covert operations officer Mike Baker echoed those concerns in an interview with Fox Business yesterday, arguing that admitting individuals without thorough background checks undermines US security interests. He said the vetting system must be strengthened before any resettlement efforts can safely resume. The impact of Afghanistan’s deteriorating security situation is being felt globally. Germany has suspended its refugee intake programme, the United Kingdom has issued a stringent travel advisory, and Australia has imposed tough entry restrictions on Afghan nationals while signalling the possible closure of the Afghan em-
bassy in Canberra. Western governments increasingly view the Taliban-led administration as a source of regional and international instability. The
growing wave of diplomatic and immigration restrictions underscores mounting international alarm over Afghanistan’s trajectory and its implications for global security.
Saudi, French and US officials push Hezbollah disarmament plan PARIS
Agencies
French, Saudi Arabian and US officials held talks with the head of the Lebanese army in Paris on Thursday aimed at finalising a roadmap to establish a mechanism for the disarmament of Hezbollah, diplomats said. Israel and Lebanon agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire in 2024, ending more than a year of fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed group, which was significantly weakened during the conflict. Since then, the two sides have traded accusations of violations, with Israel questioning the Lebanese army’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah. Israeli warplanes have increasingly targeted Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon and even in the capital. Speaking after the meeting, French foreign ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said the talks agreed to seriously document, with evidence, the Lebanese army’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah and to strengthen the existing ceasefire mechanism. Amid growing fears the ceasefire could unravel, the Paris meeting sought to create more robust conditions to identify, support and verify the disarmament process and to dissuade Israel from escalation, four European and
Lebanese diplomats and officials told Reuters. With legislative elections due in Lebanon in 2026, diplomats and officials said there were concerns that political paralysis and party rivalries could further fuel instability and reduce President Joseph Aoun’s willingness to press ahead with disarmament. “The situation is extremely precarious, full of contradictions, and it won’t take much to light the powder keg,” one senior official said on condition of anonymity.
“Aoun doesn’t want to make the disarming process too public because he fears it will antagonise and provoke tensions with the Shi’ite community in the south.” Given the Lebanese army’s limited capacity to disarm Hezbollah, diplomats and officials said the plan would be to reinforce the existing ceasefire mechanism with French, U.S. and possibly other military experts, alongside U.N. peacekeeping forces. The parties also agreed to hold a conference in February aimed at reinforcing the Lebanese army, Confavreux said. As officials met in Paris, multiple Israeli strikes hit towns in southern Lebanon and areas of the Bekaa Valley on Thursday, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA reported. The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah targets across several areas, including a military compound used for training, weapons storage and artillery launches, saying the activity violated understandings between Israel and Lebanon and posed a threat to Israel. It also said it struck a Hezbollah militant in the Taybeh area of southern Lebanon. Commenting on the attacks, parliament speaker and Hezbollah-allied Amal Movement leader Nabih Berri said the strikes were an “Israeli message” to the Paris conference, NNA reported.
Chinese FM holds calls with Cambodian, Thai foreign ministers BEIJING
Protesters march to Indian High Commission in Dhaka against Hasina’s stay
stAff correspondent
DHAKA
Agencies
A protest march towards the Indian Indian High Commission was taken out in Dhaka to demand the return of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others who fled during and after last year’s July uprising.Several hundred protesters under the banner of “July Oikya” gathered near Rampura Bridge and began marching around 3:15 pm. As the procession advanced towards Uttar Badda, police erected barricades to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the mission. Protesters managed to breach the first barricade but were stopped again further ahead. Unable to proceed, they sat on the road, raised slogans, and addressed the gathering through loudspeakers, chanting messages such as “Delhi na, Dhaka; Dhaka, Dhaka.” Earlier on Wednesday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Md Riaz Hamidullah, and expressed strong concerns about Bangladeshi politicans’ statements regarding the possible breakup of India’s Seven Sisters. National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah had publicly threatened to isolate India’s northeastern region and offer refuge to separatist groups India made an attempt to destabilize Bangladesh.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held separate phone calls with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. Both the Cambodian and Thai sides briefed Wang on the latest developments in the Cambodia-Thailand border clashes and expressed their willingness to de-escalate tensions and implement a ceasefire. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that, as a friend and close neighbor of both Cambodia and Thailand, China least wants to see the two sides resort to armed confrontation and is deeply saddened by the civilian casualties caused by the conflict. He noted that the intensity of this round of clashes far exceeds previous incidents and that allowing it to continue would benefit neither side while undermining ASEAN unity. The top priority, Wang stressed, is to make a prompt decision to cease fire, stem losses, and rebuild mutual trust. Wang said that China has consistently upheld an approach of encouraging peace talks and acting with fairness and impartiality in the Cambodia-Thailand border issue, and that it supports ASEAN’s mediation efforts. Wang said a special envoy for Asian affairs from China’s Foreign Ministry has already departed for Cambodia and Thailand to conduct shuttle diplomacy, adding that China will continue to play a bridging role and make constructive efforts to promote the restoration of peace between the two countries. Prak Sokhonn and Sihasak highly appreciated China’s objective and impartial stance and its role in facilitating dialogue and promoting talks. They welcomed China’s special envoy’s shuttle mediation and expressed
hope that China will play an even more important role in de-escalating the situation and rebuilding peace. Thailand’s military said in a statement on Thursday that the latest round of clashes between Thailand and Cambodia has left 21 Thai soldiers and 21 civilians dead. Cambodia’s Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said in a press briefing on Thursday morning that as of Wednesday at 6 p.m., the total number of Cambodian civilians killed in the conflict had reached 18, and the number of injured had risen to 78.
Bangladesh shuts down Indian visa centres over ‘security threat’ DHAKA
Agencies
Bangladesh on Thursday shut down two Indian visa application centers in Rajshahi and Khulna in view of the security situation in the country. An official notification on the IVAC website read: “In view of the ongoing security situation, we wish to bring to your kind notice that IVAC Rajshahi and Khulna will be closed today (18.12.2025). All applicants who have appointment slots booked for submission today will be given a slot at a later date.” A day earlier, Dhaka police intercepted a massive protest march heading towards the Indian High Commission in the Gulshan area of Dhaka. Demonstrators under the July Oikya banner demanded the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who currently resides in India. The march started from Rampura Bridge but was halted by heavy police blockades near North Badda to prevent any security breach. In response to the escalating situation, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Bangladeshi High Commissioner in New Delhi to express grave concern. Consequently, the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka has suspended its operations indefinitely. This development highlights the growing diplomatic friction between the two nations ahead of the upcoming general elections scheduled for February. The recent demonstrations are deeply rooted in the aftermath of the July uprising that led to the ouster of the Awami League government in August 2024. Tensions have intensified since a special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia for crimes against humanity. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, is currently preparing for general elections on 12 February 2026, amidst a volatile security environment. Recent incidents, including the shooting of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, have further fuelled anti-India rhetoric among certain factions. These groups accuse New Delhi of sheltering individuals responsible for the previous regime’s crackdown. Consequently, the relationship between the two neighbours remains strained as both sides navigate the complex transition towards a new political order. Relations worsened as Bangladeshi leaders accused New Delhi of sheltering “fugitive terrorists” and interfering in domestic security. Further friction arose from controversial remarks by student leaders threatening to destabilise India’s northeastern “Seven Sisters” region. These developments have transformed a historical artnership into a complex readjustment phase marked by mutual suspicion and frequent diplomatic summons. On Wednesday, 17 December 2025, the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka suspended all operations at 2 pm, citing an escalating security threat. This decision followed a planned march by the “July Oikya” group toard the Indian High Commission. Earlier, India summoned the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to demand immediate measures for the safety of its personnel. This closure significantly impacts thousands of traders and medical tourists who rely on trans-border travel.
China urges US to stop ‘dangerous act’ following US approval of massive arms sales to Taiwan region BEIJING
stAff correspondent
The United States should immediately cease its “dangerous act” of arming China’s Taiwan region, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday when commenting on the U.S. approval of a package of arms sales worth around $11 billion to the Taiwan region. The U.S. blatantly announced its plan to sell massive advanced weapons to Taiwan, which grossly violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, Guo said at a regular news briefing. The U.S. move infringes on China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and sends a gravely wrong signal to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, Guo said. “China firmly opposes and
strongly condemns it,” he said. The Taiwan secessionists on the island attempt to advance their “independence” agenda and resist reunification through military buildup, squander the taxpayers’ money to purchase weapons, and even risk turning Taiwan into a “powder keg,” he said. Guo said such moves will not reverse the inevitable failure of “Taiwan independence,” and will only push the Taiwan Strait into the danger of military conflict at a faster pace. For the United States, assisting the “independence” agenda by arming Taiwan will only backfire, and using Taiwan to contain China will never succeed, he added. Noting that the Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests, and is the first red line that must not be crossed in ChinaU.S. relations, Guo said no one shall underestimate the firm will and strong capability of the Chinese government and the Chinese people in safeguarding national sovereignty
and territorial integrity. China urges the United States to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, act on its leaders’ serious commitments, and immediately stop the dangerous act of arming Taiwan, he said. China will take resolute and strong measures to defend its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, the spokesperson added. CHINA URGES US TO IMMEDIATELY STOP ARMING CHINA’S TAIWAN REGION China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Thursday urged the United States to immediately stop arming China’s Taiwan region. Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the office, made the remarks while commenting on the U.S.’s latest announcement of a package of arms sales to China’s Taiwan region worth up to $11 billion. Chen said that the Taiwan question is at
the core of China’s core interests and the red line in China-U.S. relations that must not be crossed, and that the U.S. announcement of the massive arms sale to Taiwan constitutes a flagrant interference in China’s internal affairs. The action has violated the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, severely un-
dermining China’s sovereignty and security interests and sending a grave and wrong signal to secessionists in Taiwan. Chen urged the U.S. side to stop condoning and supporting secessionists seeking “Taiwan independence” and to adhere to the one-China principle and the three ChinaU.S. joint communiques.
NEWS 07
Friday, 19 December 2025 | ISLAMABAD
CORPORATE CORNER
CM MARYAM DECLARES 2026 ‘YEAR OF YOUTH’, UNVEILS MEGA PACKAGE FOR HER ‘SUPERHEROES’
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Son of soil of Talagang, Muhammad Munib Tariq achieved masters degree in BBA from Capital University of Science and technology Islamabad. During the studies not only Munib maintained high academic scores but also completed many international certifications, including in consumer behaviour and market research and in digital marketing. Moreover, Malik Munib also did extensive internship in corporate world, including in Defence Housing Authority as finance internee while also working voluntarily in Al-Khidmat Foundation for community welfare of underprivileged sections of society.
HF catalyzes peace, community resilience through social enterprises incubation KARACHI
staff reort
In a landmark celebration of youth innovation and social impact, Hashoo Foundation (HF), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), and with financial support from the European Union (EU), proudly hosted its second Pitch Fest, spotlighting youth-led social enterprises developed by young Agents of Change at the Social Lab, Swat, under the Partnerships for Change Project - Phase ll. Held under the broader framework of the EU-funded Countering and Preventing Terrorism in Pakistan (CPTP) project, the Pitch Fest showcased social enterprises incubated at the Social Lab, HF’s flagship social impact incubator, designed to equip youth from peripheral regions with technical and soft skills, mentorship, and hands-on learning opportunities to help them develop viable, community-centered social enterprises. In a region deeply affected by violent extremism, the Social Lab provides a future-forward pathway for youth to build social enterprises that harness local resources, strengthen micro-economies, and foster peace and social cohesion within communities.
NAB signed landmark MoU with Nigeria's EFCC ISLAMABAD
staf report
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) signed Landmark MoU with Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria, on the sideline of 11th Conference of States parties (CoSP11) in Doha, Qatar, marking a pivotal step in strengthening international cooperation against corruption and financial crimes. The MoU was signed by Chairman NAB, Lt. Gen (R) Nazir Ahmed, and Executive Chairman EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyode, formalizing a partnership rooted in mutual commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. This collaboration aligns with Pakistan’s and Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and reflects a shared vision to combat transnational corruption through sustained bilateral engagement. Chairman NAB, Lt. Gen (R) Nazir Ahmed emphasized that "this partnership will not only bolster our investigative and prosecutorial capabilities but also reinforce the global fight against corruption. Together, NAB and EFCC will work to ensure that justice prevails across borders.”
Magnum begins operations in Pakistan as an independent company KARACHI
staff reporter
Magnum, the Netherlands–based global manufacturer of frozen desserts and ice cream, has begun operations in Pakistan as an independent company. The company has expressed its intention to invest in expanding manufacturing capacity, strengthening cold-chain infrastructure, and enhancing digital capabilities in the near future. The establishment of Magnum Ice Cream Company Pakistan Limited (Magnum Pakistan) took place earlier this year following the global separation of the ice cream business from the Unilever Group. Although the ice cream division has been serving Pakistani consumers for the past three decades, the separation from Unilever Pakistan will now allow greater focus and dedicated attention to this sector. Magnum Ice Cream Company Pakistan plans to invest in expanding manufacturing capacity, reinforcing cold-chain infrastructure, and developing digital capabilities.
PUNJAB CM ANNOUNCES 100,000 E-BIKES, LAPTOPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS EACH ANNUALLY FOR STUDENTS LAHORE/LODHRAN staff report
UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday unveiled an ambitious youth-focused roadmap by declaring 2026 as the “Year of Youth” and announcing a series of major initiatives, including the annual distribution of 100,000 electric bikes, 100,000 laptops and 100,000 scholarships from next year, along with the launch of the “Parwaz Card” to facilitate skilled youth in their professional growth and overseas employment, and the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center in Lahore. The chief minister made these announcements while addressing a ceremony of the Honhar Scholarship and Laptop Scheme in Lodhran, where she outlined wide-ranging development, education, employment and welfare measures aimed at empowering students and young people across Punjab. Addressing the students, CM
Maryam Nawaz said, “My dear children are my superheroes. I salute my sons and daughters.” She congratulated Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat on the successful launch of the laptop and Honhar scholarship schemes and praised the students who received laptops and scholarships, saying their success was the result of hard work and determination. She added that the achievements of students fulfilled not only their own dreams but also those of their parents and the government. She said that holding the laptop distribution ceremony in Lodhran rather than a major city demonstrated her vision of equal development across Punjab and an end to discrimination between large cities and smaller districts. She emphasized that all regions of the province, including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Layyah, Bhakkar and Sahiwal, were equally important and assured that development would reach every corner of Punjab. Addressing students directly, the chief minister pledged that their dreams would
be turned into reality. She said that had the scholarship and laptop schemes been launched five years earlier, many more students could have benefited. She announced that 2026 would bring major relief and incentive packages for students throughout the province. Highlighting governance and service delivery, CM Maryam Nawaz said her government believed not merely in an-
Nation enjoying freedom due to sacrificies of armed forces: Minister LAHORE
staff report
“Today, our freedom and national survival are indebted to the Pakistan Army and the blood of every martyr is a debt on all of us. Every Pakistani pays tributes to the martyrs and their families who sacrificed their lives for our beloved homeland.” These remarks were made by Federal Minister for Communications & President of the Istehkam Pakistan Party Abdul Aleem Khan while speaking as the chief guest at a ceremony held on the occasion of Christmas. He said that during the aggression by the enemy in May, the personnel of Pakistan’s Army, Navy and Air Force responded with outstanding valor. “For the first time in national and global history, someone shot down seven enemy’s aircraft while not a single one of ours was affected,” he added. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan paid tributes to the parents who sacrificed their children for the future of the nation, saying, “It is shameful to speak against those who sacrificed their only son or husband in the national interest.” He emphasized that politics can be done freely but anyone speaking a single word against the Pakistan Army will face the wrath of every patriotic citizen. Abdul Aleem Khan stated that he is fully aware of everything within and outside that Party involved in anti propaganda. He added “I know the actions of every individual associated with an anti-national narrative but my upbringing does not allow me to respond in any
CAP chief honoured by Pakistani-American community in Houston KARACHI
staff report
A reception and meet-and-greet was hosted by Najeeb Ahmad, a respected business leader, in honor of Kaukab Iqbal, Chairman of the Consumers Association of Pakistan (CAP). The event brought together prominent members of the Pakistani-American community and business leadership in Houston. Distinguished attendees included Abdul Rashid Godil, former Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan; Faheem Akhoond, a renowned leader associated with Karachi University; and Arif Azeem, along with several other notable figures from the Pakistani business community. The gathering served as a platform for meaningful interaction and community engage-
Zong drives Pakistan’s digital future by pioneering national blockchain degree attestation system with HEC ISLAMABAD
staff report
Zong, Pakistan’s leading Information Services and Technology Innovation Company, is set to launch the nation’s first-ever Blockchain-based Degree Attestation System in a landmark strategic partnership with the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Leveraging the immense experience and technological expertise of its parent organization, China Mobile, Zong’s new system will replace legacy, paper-driven processes with a secure, transparent, and fully digital ecosystem. The platform ensures that academic records are 100% tamper-proof using the core strengths of blockchain; immutability, transparency, and decentralized security.
nouncements but in launching and completing projects. She cited the ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ scheme, under which 125,000 houses are being constructed, with 50,000 already completed and more than 70,000 under construction. She further announced that three-marla plots would be provided under the ‘Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar’ scheme to people without land ownership.
BYD-MMC leads climate action dialogue, urges shift to clean mobility LAHORE
staff report
negative way.” He offered high praise for the Pakistan Armed Forces, especially Field Marshal and Chief of Defense Forces Hafiz Syed Asim Munir and led slogans in support of the Pak Army. Federal Minister & IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan also spoke on the formation of new provinces, saying, “Establishing new provinces is part of our Party’s Manifesto. How can anyone object to creating new provinces to solve people’s problems as in Balochistan, the capital Quetta is 1,100 kilometers away and in Punjab, traveling 600–700 km from Rajanpur to meet a Secretary or relevant officer is frustrating. He proposed a practical solution: “Without changing the existing names, divide each province into four regions named South, West, North and Central and create new province.
PTCL showcases long-term digital infrastructure vision at Connect 2025
Pakistan continues to grapple with hazardous air pollution, ranking as the world’s third-most polluted country according to IQAir data, with average PM2.5 concentrations of 73.7 µg/m³, far exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. In urban centers such as Lahore, winter smog regularly pushes PM2.5 levels beyond 145 µg/m³, a reality that guided much of the discussion at the Climate Action Dialogue hosted by BYD Pakistan - Mega Motor Company (MMC) in Lahore this week. Research by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE, 2024) identifies the transport sector as a major contributor to Pakistan’s emissions challenge, accounting for over 43% of national emissions and up to 80% in dense urban centres like Lahore. Against this backdrop, speakers at the dialogue emphasized that cleaner, more sustainable transportation represents one of the most immediate and controllable intervention points to reduce emissions and significantly improve air quality, particularly in highly populated cities. As Pakistan continues to battle worsening smog each year, driven by multiple structural factors, BYD-MMC brought together energy researcher Dr. Naveed Arshad, climate expert Ali Tauqeer Shaikh, and climate finance expert Mehak Masood to examine how clean mobility solutions can be deployed at scale.
Lahore Police cracks down on wheelies ahead of Xmas and New Year LAHORE
staff report
PTCL Business Solutions hosted Connect 2025, its flagship corporate event, bringing together customers, partners, and industry leaders to present its expanding enterprise portfolio, upcoming product pipeline, and continued focus on strengthening Pakistan's digital infrastructure. Held at a Movenpick Karachi, Connect 2025 attracted senior executives and decision-makers from across Pakistan's corporate sector. The daylong event featured interactive solution demonstrations, networking sessions, and in-depth presentations on PTCL's cloud services, data centres, cybersecurity offerings, international connectivity solutions, and managed digital platforms currently serving enterprises nationwide.
In view of Christmas and New Year celebrations, Lahore police have intensified their crackdown against one-wheeling, arresting 2,372 offenders so far this year, spokesperson Lahore Police said on Wednesday. According to the spokesperson, 2,221 cases have been registered against one-wheelers at various police stations across the city. The spokesperson added that arrests included 536 suspects from Model Town Division, 519 from Cantonment, 456 from Civil Lines, 330 from City Division, 290 from Iqbal Town and 241 from Saddar Division. Meanwhile, Capital City Police Officer Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana said that indiscriminate action was underway against those involved in one-wheeling and motorcycle racing. He said Dolphin Squad and Police Response Unit (PRU) teams had been deployed in the field to ensure complete control over the menace.
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staff report
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staff report
National Tennis Icon Aisamul Haq Kicks Off PSO’s ‘RISE’ Employee Wellness Program staff report
Pakistan State Oil (PSO), the nation’s leading energy company, has launched RISE, a nationwide employee wellness initiative aimed at energizing employees and promoting healthier, more active lifestyles across all levels of the organization. The program aligns with PSO’s commitment to employee wellbeing, recognizing that healthier and more engaged staff contribute directly to organizational productivity, innovation, and long-term growth. RISE encourages staff to adopt sustainable habits that improve physical and mental wellbeing, including daily activity, balanced nutrition, stress management, and mindfulness practices. By nurturing a resilient and engaged workforce, PSO aims to strengthen its capacity to meet the evolving demands of the energy sector and deliver consistent value to stakeholders. The initiative was kicked off by Pakistan’s internationally acclaimed tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq, whose participation reinforces the importance of discipline, focus, and self-care.
Yango Pakistan partners with Al Meezan Investments to empower partner drivers with financial literacy KARACHI
Yango Pakistan, part of the global tech company Yango Group, has announced a strategic partnership with Al Meezan Investments, Pakistan’s Largest Asset Management Company, aimed at promoting financial literacy, long-term savings, and investment awareness among its partner’s drivers. Through this collaboration, Yango will facilitate access for partner drivers and couriers to Shariah-compliant investment solutions, allowing them to invest their earnings in a structured and informed manner. The initiative is designed to help couriers and drivers plan for important life goals, whether it's purchasing a home, funding education, supporting family milestones, starting a business, or any other personal aspiration by smartly investing and compounding their income over time.The initiative will be supported through in-app communication, on-ground financial literacy sessions, and monthly engagement events where Al Meezan’s advisors will interact directly with drivers and couriers.
UN rePort CoNFIrmS ArreSt oF IS-K SPoKeSPerSoN SUltAN AzIz AzzAm By PAKIStAN NEWS
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AKISTANI authorities arrested Sultan Aziz Azzam, a key spokesperson of Islamic StateKhorasan (IS-K), earlier this year, according to a recent report submitted to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The UN’s 16th report by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team said IS-K’s operational capability in the region has been significantly weakened due to high-profile counterterrorism actions by Pakistan, including Azzam’s arrest from the
Bugti signs administrative reforms, orders merit based hiring
border region in May. State-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported that intelligence agencies apprehended Azzam during an operation near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The report added that his arrest dealt a major blow to IS-K’s propaganda network, particularly its media arm, the Al-Azaim Foundation. “Overall, the capability of [IS-K] has been degraded as a result of counter-terrorism operations,” the UN report said, noting that several senior commanders and ideologues had been neutralised, fighter numbers reduced, and planned attacks disrupted. While acknowledging that IS-K’s crossborder operations have been curtailed, the re-
port rejected Taliban claims that no terrorist groups operate from Afghan soil. It stated that multiple militant organisations continue to function in Afghanistan with varying levels of autonomy. The report further warned that IS-K has reportedly indoctrinated children in madressahs in northern Afghanistan and areas near the Pakistani border, including training minors for suicide attacks. On December 8, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, formally requested that the findings be circulated among members of the Security Council. According to the UNSC, Azzam has served as IS-K’s spokesperson since the
group emerged in Afghanistan in 2015. Islamabad-based platform The Khorasan Diary described him as the group’s secondin-command, while the European Council said he oversaw IS-K’s media operations. Analysts note that Azzam, a native of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, previously worked as a journalist and radio presenter before becoming IS-K’s chief propagandist. He authored books and poetry aimed at radicalising and recruiting fighters, including Travelers of the Maze, which glorified IS militants operating in the Spin Ghar mountains. The UNSC said Azzam played a central role in amplifying IS-K’s violent ideology
PTI made no formal contact for talks, negotiations limited to media statements: Fazl CHAKWAL
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Staff RepoRt
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Thursday approved a series of reform measures aimed at enhancing departmental efficiency, protecting public health, and strengthening transparency in governance. The decisions were taken during a meeting where one of the key measures approved was the phased relocation of dairy farms from within Quetta city to locations outside the municipal limits. The chief minister said the move was intended to ensure a healthier living environment for residents, ease traffic congestion, curb pollution, and support modern urban planning in response to environmental and public health concerns. To oversee the implementation of the relocation plan, a special committee was constituted comprising the secretary of the Services and General Administration Department and the secretary finance. The committee has been directed to examine all aspects of the proposal and submit a detailed report within one week. The meeting also approved recruitments from Grade 1 to Grade 15 in the Livestock and Dairy Development Department. Chief Minister Bugti issued clear instructions that all hiring must be conducted strictly on merit through a transparent process, warning that political interference or favoritism would not be tolerated. He said no job would be sold and no individual would be deprived of their rightful opportunity, reiterating that merit remained the foremost priority of the provincial government with no room for compromise. Highlighting the wider impact of reforms in the livestock and dairy sector, the chief minister said the measures would generate new employment opportunities across the province. He added that the initiative would help increase milk and meat production, strengthen the provincial economy, and contribute to improving living standards.
FPSC revises CSS exam schedule starting 2026 ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
The Federal Public Service Commission has announced a significant change in the conduct of compulsory papers for the CSS Competitive Examination, which will take effect from 2026 onward. According to a public notice issued by the FPSC, only one compulsory paper will be held per day during the CSS examinations. Previously, candidates were required to sit for two compulsory papers on the same day. The commission said the revised schedule is intended to ease the burden on candidates and help ensure a smoother examination process. The FPSC added that a detailed examination timetable will be released separately. Candidates have been advised to regularly check the official FPSC website for updates and further information related to the examination. The notice was issued from Islamabad on December 17, 2025, and was signed by Zafar Abbas Memon, Director (CE) at the Federal Public Service Commission.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has not made any direct or formal contact with him, adding that talk of negotiations remains confined to media statements. Speaking to journalists after offering condolences over the death of Maulana Abdul Rahim in Chakwal, he said PTI had merely issued statements about forming a negotiation committee but had not approached him formally. Criticising recent constitutional developments, Fazlur Rehman said that following the 27th Constitutional Amendment, some individuals had begun to see themselves as all-knowing. He alleged that the amendment was passed through the use of power and a two-thirds majority, unlike the 26th Amendment, which he said was
achieved through dialogue and consensus. He described the Constitution as a national covenant. The JUI-F chief said the PML-Nled government was effectively operating as a minority government and claimed the Pakistan Peoples Party had gained nothing from supporting it. He also questioned the proposals for creating new provinces, asking how their
governance would be managed. Fazlur Rehman announced that a meeting of religious scholars would be held on December 22 to oppose what he termed un-Islamic legislation, followed by an All Parties Conference (APC) in Karachi on the same day. He warned that legislation in violation of the Constitution amounted to hostility towards it, adding that a government’s mandate automatically lapses if the Constitution is breached. Referring to the merger of the former FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said his party had warned of its consequences, claiming it was enforced through power and had weakened the state’s writ by allowing armed groups to gain influence. He concluded by saying Pakistan’s Afghan and counterterrorism policies had remained flawed for decades, stressing that major national decisions must be taken by elected representatives rather than imposed by powerful forces.
Pakistan, WB discuss roadmap for gas sector reforms g
TALKS FOCUS ON LNG MANAGEMENT, EFFICIENCY GAINS AND RESTRUCTURING OF GAS UTILITIES of surplus liquefied natural gas (LNG), describing it as a complex issue that has required sustained policy intervention. She reaffirmed the Bank’s continued support for gas sector reforms and expressed readiness to cooperate on reforms in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector as well as capacity building for the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). The ministry said the World Bank is already working with the Petroleum Division on developing a comprehensive reform roadmap, covering measures to improve performance and efficiency in the gas sector and options related to the unbundling of the Sui gas companies.
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The Pakistan government and the World Bank on Thursday reviewed a proposed roadmap for gas sector reforms, focusing on long-term sustainability, efficiency improvements, and structural changes, according to the Petroleum Ministry. The discussion took place in a meeting between Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Bolormaa Amgaabazar. The World Bank official appreciated the Petroleum Division’s handling
Minister Malik welcomed the World Bank’s engagement and said international input would help shape effective and sustainable reforms. He reiterated the government’s commitment to structural and institutional changes aimed at ensuring the longterm viability of the gas sector. The minister also highlighted air quality as a government priority and said efforts were underway to improve fuel standards, which would require upgrades to domestic refineries. Both sides agreed to continue collaboration in support of energy sector reforms and Pakistan’s broader sustainable development objectives, the ministry said.
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and claimed responsibility for several highprofile attacks, including the August 26, 2021 suicide bombing near Kabul airport. He also circulated IS-K messages following deadly attacks in Afghanistan between 2020 and 2021. The report concludes that Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations have significantly disrupted IS-K’s leadership and propaganda machinery, though the group continues to pose a regional security threat.
NCCIA uncovers alleged Ponzi network in Karachi, foreign nationals held KARACHI
MonitoRing RepoRt
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency on Thursday said it had uncovered an alleged Ponzi scheme network in Karachi and detained several foreign nationals during a joint operation carried out with intelligence and law enforcement agencies. According to an NCCIA statement, the raids were conducted in Defence Housing Authority Phase 1 and Phase 6, where multiple foreign nationals were taken into custody on suspicion of running a fraudulent investment operation. The agency said that important and sensitive data had been recovered from the suspects during the operation and was now being analysed as part of the investigation. Preliminary findings indicate that the detained individuals were allegedly operating a well organised Ponzi scheme network, which authorities believe affected thousands of people and resulted in serious financial losses for investors. However, officials said further details regarding the scale of the fraud and the number of people involved had yet to be confirmed. Authorities said legal proceedings would be initiated against those involved, while investigations were continuing to determine the full scope of the operation and to identify additional suspects linked to the network. A Ponzi scheme is a form of financial fraud in which returns paid to early investors are funded using money from later investors, rather than from profits generated by a legitimate business. The NCCIA has previously taken action against similar operations. In July, the agency raided a factory in Faisalabad and arrested 149 suspects, including 48 Chinese nationals, in connection with a Ponzi scheme. In February, the National Accountability Bureau Lahore also launched a crackdown on several entities accused of drawing thousands of people into fraudulent investment schemes. The term Ponzi scheme is derived from Charles Ponzi, who in the 1920s promised high returns through a fake investment model involving international postal vouchers. Instead of making genuine investments, he used funds from new investors to pay earlier ones, a model that continues to surface in online fraud today.
Transporters end nationwide strike after talks with Punjab govt LAHORE
Staff CoRReSponDent
Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb on Thursday announced the end of the nationwide transport strike following successful negotiations with transporters, with both sides agreeing to form four joint committees to address the sector’s concerns. The strike was withdrawn after talks between representatives of the All Pakistan Transporters and the Punjab government. In a joint statement, transporters said they had called off the protest after receiving government assurances and agreed to continue engagement through formal consultative committees. The strike had been launched to press for amendments to transport laws, withdrawal of FIRs and fines against
drivers and vehicle owners, allocation of designated container parking spaces at ports, clearance of vehicles stranded at the Pakistan-Afghan border, and deployment of mobile licensing units on highways and motorways for issuing LTV and HTV licences. In Sindh, the strike had severely disrupted cargo movement from Karachi Port and Port Qasim, leading to a backlog of containers. According to the All Pakistan Customs Agents Association, around 25,000 import containers and nearly 15,000 export containers were held up, raising concerns among business leaders over supply chain disruptions and potential financial losses. A government statement said transporters welcomed the decision to grant industry status to the transport sector and agreed to a joint review of the Traffic Or-
dinance 2025. Four committees — covering goods transport, mini-mazda transport, public transport, and staff-duty vehicles — have been formed to prepare recommendations in consultation with stakeholders. The committees will function yearround and review transport-related issues in coordination with the government. Transporters’ representatives are expected
to visit Lahore in the coming days to continue discussions. Speaking to the media, Maryam Aurangzeb said dialogue was the only way forward, adding that deadlock served no one’s interests. She said the transport and traffic system would be developed in line with international best practices, with a focus on safety and efficiency. The senior minister noted that 2.1 million driving licences have been issued under recent reforms and said unnecessary fines would be avoided. She added that transport-related issues in areas such as Badami Bagh and Chiniot would be prioritised, alongside plans for a modern bus terminal, vehicle inspection stations, and technology-driven enforcement measures. Transporters, meanwhile, reiterated their commitment to continued dialogue through the newly formed committees.
President reaffirms commitment to strengthening ties with Bahrain ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to further deepening its fraternal relations with the Kingdom of Bahrain, underscoring Islamabad’s desire to expand cooperation across political, economic and people-topeople domains. The president expressed these views while speaking to the Ambassador of Bahrain to Pakistan, Mohamed Ebrahim Mohamed Abdulqader, who called on him at Aiwan-eSadr, according to a Presidency news release. President Zardari highlighted the close and brotherly bonds between Pakistan and Bahrain, rooted in shared religious and cultural values, and said Pakistan greatly valued its longstanding relations with the Kingdom. Referring to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Bahrain, he said the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to the prime minister reflected the depth and warmth of bilateral ties.
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The president recalled that the prime minister had invited the Bahraini leadership, including the King, the Crown Prince and the Deputy Crown Prince, to visit Pakistan, adding that Islamabad looked forward to hosting them. He appreciated the King of Bahrain’s gracious acceptance of the invitation to visit Pakistan. President Zardari congratulated Bahrain on its election to the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term and thanked the Kingdom for its solidarity and support following recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan. Highlighting economic cooperation, the president said Pakistan was keen to further strengthen trade and investment ties with Bahrain and welcomed initiatives aimed at expanding bilateral economic engagement. He invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in priority sectors, including food security, information technology and tourism. The president also expressed appreciation for the Pakistani community in Bahrain, noting their valuable contribution to the Kingdom’s economy and their role in sup-
porting Pakistan through remittances. He thanked the Bahraini leadership for the respect and opportunities extended to more than 100,000 Pakistanis living there and conveyed gratitude for His Majesty’s generous pardon of Pakistani prisoners. Parliamentary Leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman, and Senator Saleem Mandviwala were also present at the meeting.
PAKISTAN-TAJIKISTAN CULTURAL TIES REAFFIRMED: Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday high-
lighted the centuries-old historical and cultural ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan, forged through the ancient Silk Route and a shared Persian linguistic and cultural heritage, while inaugurating the Week of Tajikistan Culture in Pakistan. Addressing the inaugural ceremony at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), the president warmly welcomed the Tajikistan Cultural Delegation led by the Minister for Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan, Sattoriyon Matlubakhon Amonzoda. The president was flanked by the Tajik minister and Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi. President Zardari said the visit of the cultural delegation reflected the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two brotherly countries. “For centuries, our regions were linked through the Silk Road, which connected South Asia with Central Asia. These routes carried not only trade, but also ideas, languages, poetry and traditions, helping shape a shared cultural heritage that still brings our peoples close today,” he said.
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The president underscored the special role of the Persian language in this shared history, noting that for many centuries it served as a language of learning, poetry and administration in the region now comprising Pakistan. He said Tajikistan remained a proud guardian of this rich heritage, adding that the great poets and thinkers of the Persian tradition were admired and respected in both countries. Highlighting Pakistan’s emphasis on cultural diplomacy, President Zardari said he was pleased to see cultural exchanges taking practical shape through events such as the Week of Tajikistan Culture. He expressed confidence that the cultural programmes in Islamabad and Lahore would be warmly received by the Pakistani public and invited the Tajik minister to visit all four provinces to host the concluding events. The president further noted that as members of regional organizations such as the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Pakistan and Tajikistan shared a broader vision of regional cooperation, connectivity and harmony.