g MILITARY SPOKESPERSON SAYS INDIA YET TO PRESENT A ‘ SHRED OF EVIDENCE’ TO SUBSTANTIATE ITS ACCUSATIONS
g
I R E C TO R General (DG)
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry rejected India s baseless accusations following the Pahalgam attack and provided evidence of India s statesponsored cross-border terrorism in Pakistan particularly Balochistan
Addressing an important press con-
ference to inform the public about the current security situation in Pakistan and address India’s baseless allegations, the DG ISPR said “It has been seven days since the Pahalgam attack yet not a “a shred of evidence has been provided to substantiate the baseless allegations levelled against Pakistan Pakistan-India relations plummeted to lowest ebbs in years following Pahalgam attack a tourist attraction in IndianIllegal Occupied Kashmir on April 22 in which gunmen killed 26
pakistan has credible evidence of ‘regional adversaries’ sponsored Jaffar express
Pakistan shoots down two Indian quadcopters near LoC
BHIMBER/ISLAMABAD
tourists
further said that Pakistan had been one of the worst victims of terrorism for over two decades With the loss of more than 80,000 lives and thousands more injured, Pakistan remains inspired by the resilience and strength of its nation “We pay tribute to the families of the martyrs from our law enforcement agencies and armed forces who have made countless sacrifices to defend our motherland he added The international community had a responsibility to support survivors of brutal terrorist attacks and the families of victims whose lives were permanently altered by such tragedies ”
ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to becoming the next major tech destination in light of $700 million foreign investment pledged in in IT sector, inviting international investors to capitalise on the country’s vast talent pool and digital infrastructure Pakistan is not waiting for the future but shaping it Premier Shehbaz Sharif stated while speaking at the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) conference started in Islamabad Delegates from around 45 countries arrived in Islamabad to participate in the DFDI conference, the first-ever DFDI conference held in Pakistan Over 75 foreign investors and CEOs of more than 50 global companies attended the event The digital sector has long been recognised as a key segment for foreign direct investment (FDI), yet Pakistan has struggled to attract substantial digital FDI Addressing the DFDI conference on Tuesday PM Shehbaz hailed investment in the IT sector calling on international stakeholders to continue supporting Pakistan as it was ready to lead the global digital economy The premier highlighted the government’s initiatives in the IT sector including the launch of federal and provincial IT parks incubation centres and a largescale research and development (R&D) ecosystem He
to the prime minister I talked to them through what happened, India’s psyche, its history and our concerns about what intentions it may have in light of that history ” he added
DPM Dar pointed to past incidents like the Pulwama attack noted that New Delhi had used the incident as a pretext to revoke Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir
He firmly denied Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam incident stating “What we do say with full confidence is that Pakistan has nothing to do with this [attack]
He said China and Türkiye have expressed their support for Pakistan during detailed discussions He warned that India might be looking to escalate tensions said that Pakistan would not initiate any conflict If India acts aggressively we will respond accordingly he added Dar also claimed that India had been attempting to alter the 1960 Indus Water
“The Pakistan Army is always ready to give an immediate and effective response to any aggression from the enemy the report read adding that the entire nation stood united with the armed forces to give a befitting response to the enemy on every front”
downgrades including the suspension of World Bank-sponsored decades-old Indus Water Treaty (IWT), that governs water sharing between the two countries
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tion and announced that Huawei will train 200 000 boys and girls through a joint skill development programme in collaboration with the government The youth are the architects of our digital future”, he said PM Shehbaz said that in March Pakistan received a recordbreaking $4 1 billion in foreign remittances signalling growing trust in the country s digital potential
We re not just building a digital economy we’re creating a digital Pakistan From transforming agriculture through AI to expanding exports with smart technology this is the moment for global investors to join us, the premier said Over 100m strong youth greatest digital asset of Pakistan: Shaza Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja also spoke at the conference highlighting Pakistan s exponential growth in IT export
Treaty for the past two years citing changing circumstances I have my doubt, much like other people, that this drama was staged to suspend this treaty,” he said while referring to the Pahalgam attack Ishaq Dar said that there was no mention of the Indus Waters Treaty in
over
young professionals in IT skills this year alone She also spoke about Pakistan s evolving regulatory landscape and called for the development of robust digital infrastructure CEO of Pakistan Software Export Board Abu Bakar announced that IT exports were set to exceed $4b this year calling it a testament to public-private
I L L I O N
Bank likely to ex tend C ASA-1000 deadline to 2028: repor t
Irrefutable evidence proves India waging cross-border terrorism: DG ISPR
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
However Islamabad has strongly rejected the allegations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a neutral probe into the incident
The DG ISPR said that India is actively involved in spreading terrorism within Pakistan, operating and supporting terrorist networks on Pakistani soil
“We will present to you how India has been found to operate a terror network inside Pakistan in which explosives IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and other materials are being provided to terrorists to target not only military but also innocent civilians he said The army s spokesperson said the evidence he was presenting was just one small part of India s statesponsored terrorism” “Four days ago, on April 25, an Indian-trained and sponsored terrorist who was a Pakistani citizen was arrested near the Jhelum bus stand from whom one IED two mobile phones and Rs70 000 were recovered he said adding that further investigation yielded an Indian-origin drone from his house along with Rs1 million in cash The DG ISPR said that a forensic analysis of the retrieved materials showed “irrefutable” evidence that could be examined by any credible independent agency “The handler was a junior commissioned officer (JCO) of the Indian army Subedar Sukvinder Lt Gen Chaudhry revealed The Indian officer had sent an IED and instructed the terrorist to collect it from a point The evidence I m putting forth before you shows how India is carrying out terrorism in Pakistan through serving officers and JCOs of the Indian army ” He said further forensic analysis showed the involvement of four Indian army officials in the
situation: Major Sandeep Verma alias Sameer the main handler and a commanding officer of the Indian army in occupied Kashmir; Subedar Sukvinder alias Sikander; Havildar Amit alias Adil Aman, and another Indian soldier He said that Major Sandeep had hired terrorist Abdul Majeed and aired an alleged audio exchange between the two discussing the mode of payment Just see just hear what is being said by an Indian serving major He is saying that we conduct terrorism from Balochistan to Lahore; He is telling the details of entry and how terror financing is carried out, Chaudhry added The DG ISPR said the audio clip was “what you call irrefutable evidence of state-sponsored terrorism collected from just one terrorist cell that the military was putting forth in today s press conference Lt-Gen Chaudhry said the Indian-trained terrorist had carried out four terror acts through IED attacks and that the IEDs were transported through drones He added that it was not the Indian intelligence agency RAW but the Indian army that was doing such activities of state-sponsored terrorism “The terrorist’s fourth attack took place after the Pahalgam incident he said adding that a location near Nadala was shared with Majeed to retrieve the IED on April 22 and carry out the attack the next day at a populated bus stand The DG ISPR said the terrorist was apprehended on April 25 “Post-Pahalgam, because of the designs of terrorism that they have they tasked all their assets the terrorists operating in Balochistan and we have credible intelligence for that the Fitna-al-Khawarij and the independent terrorist cells to increase their activity he said, using the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
COMMENT
tH e plan to build six new canals on the indus to irrigate the Cholistan desert was put on hold and the Council of Common interests has decided that canals would only be dug if there was a consensus among stakeholders With that, the CCi in its meeting on Monday decided to walk back the February 15 Green Pakistan initiative, and the Cabinet s April 25 decision to withdraw the February 7 eCneC approval, as well as to return the certificate of water availability issued by the indus rivers system Authority Chairman A committee has been set up, which is supposed to examine not just the canals feasibility but also the provinces water use plan for the future that kind of planning should not have needed a crisis to cause it, because one persistent reality exists, which is that water availability is declining as the population burgeons and no source of water has become available, or has any new storage been constructed
Apart from that, climate change’s impact will be felt as the globe grows warmer Floods will be more devastating than before as they did year before last this year, the prediction is of a drought, which perhaps dooms the rice crop to failure, but means that underground aquifers will not be sufficiently charged, nor will enough water be stored in reservoirs, on top of that, india has just announced the suspension of the indus Waters treaty even if that suspension does not stick, it indicates that it has intentions on the indus Waters indian chafing at the restraints the treaty places on it have been obvious for decades now, as it tries to divert those waters to its own use How it treats a lower riparian state even if its government is as eager for its goodwill as any puppy, can be seen by the way it has over the teesta river
One view could be that sindh alone has been able to stop the canals, while it had to combine with KP to stop the Kalabagh dam it is somewhat cynically said that now the provinces will have to share the shortages it is a sombre reality that even if indian demands could be fended off global warming will probably ensure that there will be no water to share between provinces even countries
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Pr e s i d e n t donald trump’s erratic dance with tariffs continues to confound not just global markets but even his own team On April 22 in a move that underscored the White House s habitual policy incoherence trump declared that the very high tariffs on Chinese goods would soon be substantially reduced this comes after days of raising them dramatically at the start of the month then selectively exempting key electronics sectors- moves that reflect both strategic confusion and political expediency there was no solemn excuse for this U-turn of course there never is But trump s tone, uncharacteristically tempered, spoke volumes For an administration that has long relished the adversarial theatre of economic brinkmanship, the shift reads like a quiet concession: the strategy has failed to yield the wins it promised the tariffs- which at one point soared to 145 percent on some Chinese imports- have not yet coerced Beijing into concessions nor they appear to be rescuing Us manufacturing from its decades-long decline in the near future the timing of trump’s admission is no coincidence - it aligns with growing signals from treasury secretary scott Bessent that the tariff war with China is unsustainable in a private summit on the same day as trump s public reversal Bessent attempted to soften the edges of the administration s rhetoric, suggesting that the trade war would “de-escalate” even though no formal negotiations with Beijing were underway it was a diplomatic smokescreen for a fundamental truth: the American tariff regime under trump s watch has become a parody of strategic statecraft Perhaps the most telling detail in this week s series of developments is not what was said in Washington, but what hasn t been heard from Beijing Unlike other nations caught in trump’s tariff dragnet- countries that have eagerly sought exemptions side deals or at least a seat at the negotiating table- China has so far refrained from requesting any meetings it is a calculated silence in Beijing s reading trump s inconsistencies speak louder than his tariffs China s Ministry of Commerce minced no words in its response Pointing out that tariffs on certain Chinese exports to the UsA had ballooned to an eyewatering 245 percent the ministry accused Washington of weaponizing trade in a manner devoid of strategic logic it characterized trump s numbers game as little more than performative populism- an apt description for an administration that confuses spectacle for strategy this entire saga reveals a deeper malaise at the heart of Us trade policy: the abandonment of long-term thinking in favor of erratic theatrics there was a time when Us economic diplo-
macy, for all its flaws, followed discernible objectives- liberalization, multilateralism, strategic containment now under trump it is driven more by press cycles and poll numbers than by principled engagement or economic logic the irony here is particularly bitter trump campaigned- and govern -as the self-styled defender of Us workers Yet his tariff policies have imposed higher costs on the very people he claims to champion Us manufacturers dependent on foreign components have seen their production costs steadily climb Farmers caught in retaliatory crossfire from Beijing have been forced into dependency on government bailouts And consumers have felt the sting of higher prices across retail sectors What we re witnessing isn’t collateral damage from a coherent strategy - it’s the signature chaos of economic self-sabotage Worse still trump’s exemptions for electronicsdevices that constitute a significant portion of UsChina trade- only add to the incoherence Why carve out Apple s supply chain while leaving steel and solar panels to twist in the wind? if the goal is national economic security, why selectively protect the
This moment, then, is not just a turning point for TrumpÊs trade agenda - it is a referendum on American governance in a globalized world A world where power is no longer measured solely in economic volume or military might, but in strategic coherence, institutional memory, and the ability to negotiate without bullying For now, the Trump administrationÊs tariff whiplash serves as a cautionary tale It is a reminder that power, when wielded without purpose, invites decay That policy, when driven by impulse, devolves into farce
Strengthening Ankara-Islamabad par tnership
manner to the people of both the countries According to the reports available sharif availed the opportunity to emphasize the importance of enhancing economic collaboration, especially through launching of joint ventures and making bilateral investment, and highlighted the vast potential for further promoting cooperation in energy and mining joint ventures in defence and agricultural production enhancing regional and bilateral connectivity for boosting mutual trade and enhancing people-to-people exchanges, as well as further deepening cooperation in the emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (Ai) and cyber security needless to mention that the fast changing and developing technologies were direly needed by developing countries like Pakistan
On his part President erdogan duly appreciated Pakistan s consistent support for the Palestinian cause and its ongoing humanitarian assistance for the war-hit Palestinian people the Pakistani PM and the host turkish President during their bilateral discussions also deliberated on a number of regional and global issues and matters and reaffirmed their mutual support for each other on issues of national interests and also expressed their heartfelt deep concern over the humanitarian situation in wartorn Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire and the unhindered and unobstructed humanitarian assistance to the war-hit people during the discussions Pakistani and turkish leaders also deliberated over the follow-up actions being taken at the appropriate levels both in
Ankara and islamabad regarding the decisions taken during the 7th High-Level strategic Cooperation council (HLsCC) which was held in islamabad in February 2025 during the turkish President s important and friendly visit Both Pakistan and turkiye are long-standing strategic partners and they duly ensure to maintain frequent high-level exchanges which quite obviously reflect the exceptional bonds of brotherhood between the two nations the recent visit by the PM to Ankara represented continuation of this robust dialogue and also underscored the shared commitment to continue making mutually beneficial efforts and elevating the multifaceted partnership between turkiye and Pakistan the PM’s visit to turkiye and his interaction with turkish President erdogan has once again quite emphatically reaffirmed the unshakeable and time -tested friendship between Pakistan and turkiye their enduring brotherly relationship, which was deeply rooted in the shared history, common values and mutual respect has quite successfully continued to flourish across diverse mutually beneficial domains from strategic partnerships and defence collaborations to launching of joint economic ventures and frequent people-to-people exchanges this augurs well for both the brotherly countries and their people in short and long terms
The writer is Lahore-based Freelance Journalist Columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News) Radio Pakistan Islamabad and can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail com
Women in bureaucracy
Wake up call
world body s security Council resolutions in indian-Occupied Kashmir to enable the struggling, suffering and bleeding Kashmiris for more than seven and half decades to secure freedom from indian shackles of slavery and decide their future themselves turkiye s stance was also reaffirmed by turkish President erdogan when he had addressed a joint session of the Parliament during his visit to Pakistan a couple of months back it is certainly and surely good to note that the top leadership of both the brotherly countries, Pakistan and turkiye have vowed to further strengthen their partnership for regional peace and development this quiet appreciable and welcome development had taken place when in continuation of his recent visits to a number of brotherly countries during last couple of months, PM shehbaz sharif had paid a two-day visit to turkiye this was his fourth visit to turkiye PM shehbaz sharif and host President recep tayyip erdogan had held a bilateral meeting in a free and frank manner in Ankara and expressed their complete satisfaction on the ongoing positive trajectory of the multi-faceted bilateral relationship and reiterated their commitment to continue making concerted efforts for further strengthening their bilateral strategic partnership fostering peace stability development and prosperity in the region they also underscored the enduring fraternal ties between Pakistan and turkiye and reaffirmed their firm commitment in a quite categorical manner to further deepening
sectors in the mutually beneficial
The PMÊs visit to Turkiye and his interaction with Turkish President Erdogan has once again quite emphatically reaffirmed the unshakeable and time -tested friendship between Pakistan and Turkiye their enduring brotherly relationship, which was deeply rooted in the shared history , common values and mutual respect has quite successfully continued to flourish across diverse mutually beneficial domains from strategic partnerships and defence collaborations to launching of joint economic ventures and frequent people-to-people exchanges.
Green and clean
MuhaMMad Zahid Rifat
LEADERS of Pakistan, past and present, have continuously shown deep affection and commitment toward Kashmir The country’s founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah laid the ideological foundation of Pakistan s bond with Kashmir His iconic statement Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan continues to echo through generations, symbolizing the significance of Kashmir in Pakistan’s national identity The Quaid believed that Kashmir due to its Muslim-majority population and geographical proximity was a natural part of Pakistan From the very beginning, he extended diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people, setting the tone for Pakistan’s enduring stance Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan also demonstrated unwavering dedication to the Kashmir issue playing a pivotal role in bringing the matter to the international spotlight particularly through the United Nations During his time in office, Liaquat Ali Khan actively engaged diplomatic avenues to push for the enforcement of United Nations resolutions advocating a plebiscite in Kashmir He consistently underscored that Pakistan s support for the Kashmiri cause extended beyond political or territorial interests, grounding it firmly in moral and humanitarian principles a stance that would shape Pakistan’s Kashmir policy for generations ]
Among Pakistan’s leaders, few have matched the emotional fervor and unwavering advocacy for Kashmir demonstrated by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto As both Foreign Minister and Prime Minister he championed the Kashmir cause at every major international platform At the United Nations Security Council, he famously tore up proposals he deemed unjust to the Kashmiri people and walked out in protest an act that earned admiration both domestically and internationally His speeches were powerful declarations of solidarity filled with emotion and resolve One of his most quoted statements We will wage a thousand-year war for Kashmir if needed” while symbolic captured the profound depth of Pakistan’s emotional ideological and strategic connection to the region In addition to his passionate advocacy Bhutto also worked to strengthen Pakistan s defence capabilities, aligning the country s military preparedness with its stance on Kashmir His daughter, Benazir Bhutto the first female Prime Minister in the Muslim world carried forward his legacy with equal fervour and compassion Her addresses often high-
Enduring solidarit y of Pakistan and its Militar y with Kashmir and anti-state agendas
lighted the human rights abuses faced by civilians in Indian-Occupied Kashmir She mobilized public opinion through mass rallies and became a beacon of hope, particularly for Kashmiri women and youth Under her leadership Kashmir Solidarity Day gained prominence as a national observance further embedding the cause in Pakistan s collective consciousness She consistently affirmed that Pakistan s moral and diplomatic support for Kashmir would never waver Nawaz Sharif, who served as Prime Minister three times also upheld Pakistan’s enduring support for Kashmir with a strong emphasis on diplomacy and international engagement During the 1990s and again in the 2010s, he raised the Kashmir issue at major global forums In one such address, he declared: “Kashmir is not an internal matter of India; it is a matter of humanity and international concern ” He advocated for confidence-building measures while ensuring Kashmir remained at the core of any dialogue with India As both a military leader and later as President, Genl Pervez Musharraf approached the issue with a mix of strength and pragmatism While maintaining a firm stance on Pakistan s position he introduced several confidence-building initiatives with India He also proposed a four-point peace plan that although never formalized, was widely seen as a sincere effort His leadership demonstrated that even within a firm national framework, space existed for dialogue Today Pakistan’s current political and military leadership continue to uphold the country s unwavering commitment to Kashmir On every national and international platform, they reaffirm Pakistan s support, condemn human rights violations, and highlight the issue through diplomatic channels Kashmir Solidarity Day remains a key observance while efforts to amplify Kashmiri voices through media international forums and humanitarian outreach persist
Since taking over as COAS Gen Asim Munir has consistently reiterated Pakistan s firm resolve He has emphasized the nation s unwavering support Speaking at the Azadi Parade on 14 August 2023 at PMA, he strongly criticized India’s decision to revoke Article 370 in August 2019 calling it an illconceived act He has repeatedly called on the international community to facilitate a UN-mandated plebiscite Meeting the UN Secretary-General in December 2023, stressed that “peace in South Asia will remain elusive until a peaceful resolution to the longstanding Kashmir dispute is achieved in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people
During a visit to the LoC in December 2022, General Munir reiterated that Pakistan’s armed forces are “ever ready not only to defend every inch of our motherland, but to take the fight back to the enemy if war is ever imposed on us He emphasized that India s ambitions in Kashmir would not succeed In February 2025 he made a bold declaration: Pakistan has already fought three wars for Kashmir, and if ten more wars are required, Pakistan will fight them ” He underlined that Pakistan would not be deterred by India s military might or technological advancements reaffirming the country s readiness to defend Kashmir and its people under any circumstances
Speaking at the Defence Day ceremony at GHQ, General Munir strongly condemned India’s occupation of Kashmir and the oppression faced by its people He accused New Delhi of attempting to change the region s demographic makeup and warned of the genocide of Muslims in Indian-Occupied Kashmir He emphasized that a just resolution of the Kashmir conflict is essential for sustainable peace in South Asia and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to extending political moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people until their aspirations are fulfilled Beyond the Kashmir issue General Munir
has also highlighted Pakistan s broader commitment to global peace and security He emphasized the country’s dedication to enhancing its role in UN peacekeeping missions, pledging to diversify and strengthen contributions Together his actions and statements reflect Pakistan s steadfast resolve to stand by the Kashmiri people while also affirming the country s commitment to peace, justice, and international cooperation His steadfast position continues to inspire national and international efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful and just resolution to the Kashmir conflict Kashmiris and Pakistanis share a strong and heartfelt bond However
s a n d K a s h m i r i s i s a r e m a r k a b l e , u n b r e a k a b l e
c o n n e c t i o n t h a t t r a n s c e n d s p o l i t i c a l , g e o g r a p h i c a l , a n d r e l i g i o u s b o u n d a r i e s I t i s
ro o t e d i n s h a r e d h i s t o r y, c u l t u r e , r e l i g i o n , a n d a c o l l e c t i v e s t r u g g l e fo r j u s t i c e T h i s
b o n d c o n t i n u e s t o d e f i n e t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e t wo p e o p l e s K a s h m i r i s r e c o g n i z e a n d h o n o r t h e r e m a r k a b l e c o n t r i bu t i o n s o f Pa k i s t a n a n d t h e Pa k i s t a n i m i l i t a r y t o t h e i r c a u s e , a n d n o fo rc e c a n d i v i d e t h e m o r fo s t e r h a t r e d b e t w e e n t h e m
W h y C h i n a i s w i n n i n g
IT is impossible to be certain – journalists are lousy soothsayers – but if we take a cold hard logical look then China will win In the conflict for supremacy that is now raging between the Communist Party leadership in Beijing and President Trump’s Washington, we should bet on China
This isn’t a cheerful thing to say It has momentous consequences for the UK But what is going on now too often obscured by our local politics is a unique combination of geopolitical and technological change that will rock the rest of this decade And Donald Trump is quite right to bring his confrontation with China to a head now Because of AI, rather than economics or industrial heft more generally, the fight between these rival superpowers may be decided within the next couple of years
Even without a hot war the conflict will cause pain to both sides – lost jobs lost production higher inflation – and across the world Will the Americans or the Chinese tough it out longer? Below the surface, whose patriotic determination is the stronger?
The proximate casus belli is Trump’s imposition (at time of writing; he changes his mind more often than his socks) of 145 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports with some exemptions for smartphones and electronics China has responded with its own 125 per cent tariffs So far neither side has
Unlike Trump, Xi has no term limits, no democratic elections and no hostile media to worr y about. He can direct resources as if he were at war. Trump can cajole American capitalism, but as his failing relationship with even Elon Musk shows, he does not control it
In terms of nominal GDP, the US remains the bigger beast (with a $29.7trn economy last year, against China’s $18.8trn). But adjusted for real price levels, GDP PPP (purchasing power parity), the position reverses and China is ahead with $32 8trn to the US’s $25 1trn
The Maga leaders may think ordinar y folks share their romantic view of the nation’s manifest destiny and are ready to make sacrifices to reclaim it. But is that true? Consumerism, the child of liberal democratic individualism, has so far proved profoundly unpatriotic
regardless of their politics are having their options and opportunities crushed by the policies of Beijing and Washington When I say bet on China I don t do it simply for the obvious reasons – the expansion of the Chinese military, or Chinese ownership of so much US sovereign debt, or of so many critical minerals, or the interlacing of Chinese tech in American daily life There are reasons which are deeper and more urgent In terms of nominal GDP the US remains the bigger beast (with a $29 7trn economy last year against China s $18 8trn) But adjusted for real price levels GDP PPP (purchasing power parity), the position reverses and China is ahead with $32 8trn to the US s $25 1trn In population, China has about 1 4 billion people, although that’s falling while the US is smaller at around 345 million boosted by net immigration History warns us to be careful about numbers like these; demography while important is not everything and mighty economies can swiftly crumble Both powers have awesome military strength – the US may be ahead in terms of naval and air forces, but the Chinese has a bigger army, a huge naval programme and is further advanced in hypersonic missiles The big question is what gives one power the vital advantage – and when?
The answer is artificial intelligence – and very soon Key figures in the industry believe that we are nearing the singularity – defined as the moment when the growth of technological intelligence becomes uncontrollable and irreversible People have been theorising about this since the 1950s but the word was popularised by the late American scientist and sci-fi writer Vernor Vinge more than 30 years ago He predicted the singularity would bring about the end of the human era as an artificial superintelligence upgraded itself, and advanced at an incomprehensible rate He suggested this would come to pass after 2005 and before 2030 – so around about now
This whole subject, for obvious reasons, attracts hype paranoia and false dawns But that doesn’t mean we should look away Geoffrey Hinton described as the godfather of AI told me recently that he thought AI had already probably achieved consciousness and was beyond human control Former Google boss Eric Schmidt has argued that artificial superintelligence (or ASI) is “under-hyped” Computers “are learning how to plan and they don’t have to listen to us any more It is not understood in our society; there is no language for what happens with the arrival of this
We can debate the philosophical implications But the nation that deploys AI at full force and effectively will have a huge initial advantage over any rival The rival military establishments believe ASI could transform everything from logistics to missile targeting, drone swarms to biological weapons Whether it is Beijing s Academy of Military Sciences or the Pentagon that jumps ahead in the military use of AI, that may determine the confrontation between the superpowers And that makes it a trade question The White House has desperately tried to stifle the transfer to China of cutting-edge AI tech and in particular the graphics processing units (or GPUs) on which so much of the work is based But, as the launch in January of the Chinese AI DeepSeek showed, trying to hold China back may already be impossible Trump called the DeepSeek moment “a wake-up call for America” He has restricted the export of H20 GPUs – created by Nvidia the world s largest semiconductor company – for the Chinese market in response to previous restrictions Jensen Huang, the Taiwanese-American boss of Nvidia, rushed to Shanghai on 17 April to talk through what to do next With tech supply chains so deeply integrated, and China already so far ahead it seems unlikely that the US will be able to stall China s advance to the most powerful AI for very long Now ask again who you would bet on The undemocratic but disciplined and long-termist Chinese leadership, which has fused Communist doctrine with surging nationalist sentiment and is able to direct strategic investment at pace (solar panels, then electric vehicles, now AI)? Or a US led by a volatile publicity-addicted businessman promising to make America great again but bringing in the short term only inflation and job losses? At the most basic level this is about the nature of the two societies The Chinese are tougher Their middle class enjoys its prosperity, but remembers the long, hard years that came before We choose to forget it, but for the Chinese, the experience of decades
video statement shared by the Press Trust of India He was rooting for Pakistan during a local cricket match while shouting Pakistan Zindabad , Parameshwara said, adding that the individual succumbed to shock-related complications after the assault “He didn’t die on the spot he died later because of the shock ” The incident took place last week amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir that left 26 people dead, mostly tourists India has accused Pakistan of backing the attackers without presenting evidence, while Islamabad has denied involvement and called for a neutral probe So far 10 to 12 suspects have been arrested in connection with the lynching and further investigations are underway The minister urged the public not to take the law into their own hands We will definitely take this very seriously because such incidents should never occur anywhere,” he said “If anyone commits an offence, they should be handed over to police not punished by the public Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal described the incident as a brutal and unprecedented attack according to India Today He said the victim received extensive injuries and died due to lack of timely medical attention
Abdul Aleem Khan, Kazakh Minister discuss enhancing bilateral trade, mutual relations
CM-LED HUDDLE OK AYS PHASE-wISE CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR PROJECTS IN
Sumsum
Group celebrates launch of Grand II Project in Karachi
Securit y Papers announces increased profit for nine months Ended Q3 F Y 2024-25 KARACHI
In a magnificent display of ambition and celebration, Sumsum Group hosted the splendid inauguration ceremony of its Grand II Project in Karachi graced by luminaries from the business political and social spheres The evening was brought to life with vibrant performances of traditional folk dances and spirited stand-up comedy, enchanting the distinguished gathering Among the esteemed guests were Mr Hassan Bakhshi, Chairman of ABAD; Mr Khurram Jaffrani, CEO of AdPulse; and Mr Johar Iqbal, President of DEFCLAREA (Defence & Clifton Association of Real Estate Agents) Chairman Mr Asif Sumsum alongside Directors Mr Murtaza Sumsum and Mr Mujtaba Sumsum extended a heartfelt welcome to all attendees, eloquently recounting the Group s remarkable journey thus far and sharing an inspiring vision for the future Guests lavished praise upon the endeavours of Sumsum Group voicing their firm belief that the Grand II Project would herald not only fresh success for the Group but also enduring benefits for the wider community The ceremony stands as a glittering milestone in the Group s illustrious journey, symbolising the dawn of a new chapter in Karachi’s vibrant business and social tapestry
BDS graduation ceremony for Palestinian students held at UOL
under
of
noted that these scholarships are not only a means of recognizing talent but also aim to support deserving students in completing their education Professor Dr Irshad Ahmad Arshad, speaking at the ceremony, remarked, Education is a fundamental right of every individual
auspices of the
College of Medicine and Dentistry (UCMD), in which
Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan attended as the chief guest, while Provincial Health Ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique and Khawaja Imran Nazir attended as guests of honor The graduation ceremony was attended by a large number of faculty members and students including the Chairman of the University of Lahore Owais Rauf Deputy Chairman Uzair Rauf, Palestinian Ambassador to Pakistan, Zahoor Zahid At the ceremony, UCMD presented certificates to Palestinian students upon completion of their BDS clinical hours Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan Health Ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique Khawaja Imran Nazir
welcomed the probationary officers and engaged them in a dialogue to obtain their perspectives on the structure, functions, and operational challenges of the organization He attentively listened to their observations regarding their field experiences and appreciated their proactive engagement
‘Game-chanGer’: Pm directs work on feasibilit y of Pak-k a z akh rail link
after an incident and those after a delay The judgment maintained that the medical board s uncertainty could not negate the causation between injury and death According to case details, Muhammad Saifullah, the respondent’s husband, was injured in a crossfire with robbers on February 15, 2009, during which he sustained severe bullet wounds Despite medical treatment including removal of a kidney he passed away on May 8 2017 at District Headquarters Hospital Okara Following his death his widow applied to the police department for shaheed status, but after facing rejection, she filed a constitutional petition in court The court granted the petition in October 2022 a decision the authorities later contested through an intra-court appeal The division bench upheld the widow s stance rejecting the government s appeal and affirming Muhammad Saifullah s recognition as a martyr
Police arrest 72 protesters in late -night raid on GHA sit-in in L ahore
72 protesters including 52 women and 20 men during a late-night crackdown on a sit-in organized by the Grand Health Alliance (GHA) at Charing Cross
The protesters, mostly healthcare workers and young doctors had gathered to demonstrate against the alleged privatization of government hospitals and recent disciplinary actions taken by the health department A heavy police contingent moved in late Monday night, dismantled the protest camp, and detained the participants Protesters belongings were also confiscated during the operation
Tensions escalated further on Tuesday as clashes broke out between police and protesters attempting to march toward the Chief Minister House, located in a designated high-security zone According to eyewitnesses a stretch of The Mall between Charing Cross and Alhamra Hall turned into a confrontation site, disrupting traffic and daily business in the area Police officials claimed that some protesters used syringes and blades reportedly taken from hospital stocks to injure officers Protesters, in turn, accused the police of using excessive force and targeting women demonstrators The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Punjab a leading force behind the agitation condemned the arrests and announced a series of retaliatory steps These include suspending all scheduled surgeries
Sindh law yers c all off protests after CCI shelves controversial c anals projec t
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vehemently condemned the illegitimate government for keeping PTI founder Imran Khan in solitary confinement in a death cell in fake, fabricated, and politically-motivated cases, blatantly mocking the judiciary and brazenly defying court orders without fear of accountability PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram Sheikh Waqas Akram in a strongly-worded statement on Tuesday described these actions as part of a deliberate and systematic campaign to isolate the country s most popular and unifying leader from the public Sh Waqas said
A wave of relief swept through Sindh on Tuesday
lawyers officially ended their ongoing protests following the Council of Common Interests (CCI) decision to
draw the controversial
canals project from the Indus
The decision marks a significant victory for the province which had witnessed widespread protests over concerns regarding the project s potential environmental and socio-economic impact
The protests, led by the All Sindh Lawyers Action Committee, had seen hundreds of lawyers and activists staging sit-ins across various cities demanding the halt of the proposed project
The withdrawal of the project was hailed as a major victory, particularly by those at the Baberlo Bypass protest site in Khairpur which had entered its 12th day The protesters celebrated the development seeing it as a triumph for Sindh s unity and resistance
The announcement of the end to the protests was made by the All Sindh Lawyers Action Committee which confirmed that all sit-ins would be called off except for the one at Baberlo Bypass The committee clarified that while most protests and court strikes would cease by April 30, the Baberlo sitin would continue until several other demands including the cancellation of corporate farming projects were addressed Sarfraz Metlo a prominent lawyer leader stated
that talks with the Sindh government would take place in Sukkur in the coming days to push forward with the remaining demands
These include the abolition of corporate farming, the withdrawal of legal cases against protesting lawyers, and the return of confiscated vehicles The committee made it clear that while the withdrawal of the canals project was a positive step the fight would continue on other fronts In Karachi, Aamir Nawaz Warraich, the President of the Karachi Bar Association, echoed Metlo’s sentiments adding that although the Baberlo protest was still ongoing it no longer posed a traffic disruption Warraich reiterated that the cancellation of the new canals project should be followed by the cancellation of corporate farming initiatives which had also sparked significant opposition
The protests had taken a toll on the province with over 40 000 vehicles stranded due to blockades Traffic in many parts of Sindh, especially in areas like the Sindh-Punjab border, had been severely disrupted However following the CCI’s decision protests at the Sindh-Punjab border and other regions ended restoring normalcy to the roads
Ambassador Jiang attends distribution ceremony of Chinese agri equipment and tools
