g PM REITERATES PAKISTAN DESIRES PEACE, BUT WILL DEFEND ITS SOVEREIGNTY WITH FULL RESOLVE IF CHALLENGED
PFatemi, and senior officials The two leaders held in-depth and wide-ranging discussions covering various aspects of bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest
COAS urges
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal
Asim Munir on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan s firm stance on regional sovereignty saying that Pakistan will never accept India s hegemony and drawing a firm line on issues ranging from water rights to the Kashmir dispute Speaking during a special wideranging session with vice chancellors principals and senior faculty members of various universities Field Marshal Munir described water issue as Pakistan s red line
Asserting that the fundamental rights of Pakistan’s 240 million citizens would be defended uncompromisingly he warned This right will not be allowed to be violated Addressing the gathering at General Headquarters Field Marshal Munir underscored Pakistan s unwavering stance on key national issues, particularly the country's water security, the Kashmir dispute and the threat of terrorism He emphasised that safeguarding natural resources territorial sovereignty and national unity remain top priorities for the armed forces He lauded educators as the biggest asset of Pakistan, crediting them for shaping future generations “Whatever I am today I am because of my parents and teachers ” he said calling on teachers to instil a strong national narrative in youth and guide them with values of patriotism, integrity, and service
Reaffirming Pakistan's position on Kashmir, he said, “No deal for Kashmir is possible We can never forget Kashmir Pakistan will never accept India’s monopoly ” He criticised India s ongoing attempts
Kashif Raza from Chakwal district, 35-year-
F R E P O R T Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir NI (M) interacted with participants of Hilal Talks at the Army Auditorium Thursday Spanning interactive sessions and group discussions on a range of international regional and national issues Hilal Talks are intended to
members, principals and students from institutions across Pakistan; majority of whom participated in the Talks through virtual mediums Special emphasis was on participation from southern districts in Balochistan AJK and GB While addressing the participants, the COAS encouraged the academia to play proactive role in promoting national narrative of harmony, stability, peace and progress Emphasising the need for critical thinking and imperatives of knowledge-driven economies the COAS stated that our academic institutions must serve as centres for critical thinking, reasoning and organic innovative solutions for Pakistan’s progress The COAS acknowledged the challenges being faced by higher education including in the field of research and reiterated Army s commitment in supporting Government s initiatives to improve academic environment and promote innovative research – encourages academia to play proac tive role in promoting national narrative of harmony
According to a statement issued by ISPR this evening one of the two engagements was an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan s Loralai district
During the operation our own troops effectively engaged the terrorists location, and after an intense fire exchange, four Indian-sponsored terrorists were successfully neutralised ” the ISPR said adding that weapons ammunition and explosives were recovered
According to the ISPR, the dead terrorists were involved in numerous terrorist activities including attacks on the N-70
encounter : police
brave young officer who was leading his troops from the front fought gallantly and embraced shahadat (martyrdom) along with his three men, the statement said The three other soldiers martyred in the operation were 42-year-old Naib Subedar
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived here to
Internal review brands Pakistan’s Faceless Customs Assessment system a failure: report
has failed to meet its objectives, according to an internal review committee report
Business Recorder reported that the review committee’s final analysis covering data from July 2024 to April 2025 and comparing it to the period before FCA s implementation found that clearance times have increased despite a reduction in documentation requirements
The report attributes this to a rise in examinations escalations to higher officers lab test calls and multiple layers of review by Principal Appraisers and Assistant Collectors
The decrease in document calling
was negated by more examinations referrals and reviews leading to longer overall dwell times under FCA clearances, the report stated Furthermore, the report highlights a decline in assessment quality, with a significant increase in first and second review filings indicating more errors at the Assessing Officer level
This deterioration has hampered revenue growth, with additional customs revenue falling from 16% to 13% after FCA’s introduction, undermining Pakistan’s efforts to meet its fiscal targets
While the report acknowledges that various factors such as import volumes and commodity mix affect revenue collection, it found no exceptional improvement under FCA
The committee also criticised two core FCA design elements: concealing trader information from Assessing Officers and abolishing specialized
assessment groups These concepts were previously tested and discarded 20 years ago with the Pakistan Customs Automated Clearance System (PACCS) due to limiting officers’ ability to conduct thorough assessments and increasing clearance times
Based on these findings the committee recommended halting any further FCA rollout until its effectiveness is verified or its fundamental design is revised It urged Pakistan Customs to audit high-risk sectors like vehicle imports commercial fabric and chemicals to assess any overlooked revenue losses
The FCA was introduced to curb collusion between importers and customs officers, presumed to cause revenue leakage However, the report suggests either the FCA is ineffective at preventing such collusion or that the collusion s impact on revenue was minor as no significant revenue gains
have followed FCA s enforcement Senior Customs officials speaking on condition of anonymity, criticised the rushed and poorly planned FCA rollout They noted the unrealistic expectation that appraisers could efficiently handle diverse goods declarations across sectors within strict timelines They also pointed out that the system lacks integration with essential databases like the IRS, and criticized the decision to launch FCA first at Karachi port rather than testing it in Lahore or Rawalpindi, where issues could have been resolved before a wider rollout
Sources said the FCA has weakened pre-clearance controls making it ineffective in achieving its goals They stressed the need for integration with advanced IT solutions, recruitment of well-trained staff, removal of corrupt employees and strengthening postclearance audits to improve efficiency and revenue collection
and geography, the leaders expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation and resolved to elevate the strategic cooperation to a new level, for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples
On CASA-1000 the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to positioning it as a pivotal project for regional integration
Welcoming the holding of CASA1000 Inter-Governmental Council in Dushanbe on 15 May 2025 the Prime Minister assured the shared commitment to its early operationalization
Regarding economic cooperation, the two leaders, acknowledging the untapped potential in bilateral trade, underscored the importance of actively pursuing new avenues of cooperation in line with the
decisions taken during the 7th Session of Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific Technical Cooperation held in Islamabad in December 2024 They also agreed to effectively leverage the existing institutional frameworks including twelve Joint Working Groups (JWGs), to further enhance collaboration between the two countries, especially in oil & gas and energy sectors
They took good note of growing bilateral cooperation in the field of defence & security and reiterated their resolve to further boost the same in order to overcome the common security challenges faced by the two countries
They emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism combating cross-border organized crime and human and drug trafficking
The leaders also exchanged perspectives on regional and global geopolitical developments They emphasized the importance of working together to promote peace stability and economic development in the region
On peaceful resolution of TajikKyrgyz border dispute the Prime Minister felicitated the President on this milestone and appreciated the President s
prudence and wisdom in resolving the issue through peaceful means The Prime Minister hoped that this historical development would usher in a new era of cooperation and progress in the region The two leaders expressed satisfaction on cooperation at the multilateral fora, including at the UN, OIC, SCO and ECO and reaffirmed their resolve to continue collaboration on global and regional issues of common interest
The Prime Minister reaffirming Pakistan s historical and cordial ties with Tajikistan, underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to ongoing structured and multifaceted engagement with Tajikistan, for mutual gains
The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan s commitment to strengthening connectivity linkages with the Central Asian region Towards that end he highlighted China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a linchpin of Pakistan’s connectivity with the region
The Prime Minister also briefed President Rahmon on the latest situation in the South Asian region
He underscored that our region could not afford India s irresponsible and unlawful actions since 7 May 2025,
which amounted to acts of war and violation of the UN Charter and international law The Prime Minister urged the international community to hold India accountable reiterating that Pakistan desires peace but will defend its sovereignty with full resolve if challenged
He also underscored that the resolution of Jammu & Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions remains fundamental to securing lasting peace in the region
In response President Rahmon said that as a staunch friend of Pakistan, he too was very worried at the events of early May, adding that he would always promote peace and stability in the region He added that he was deeply impressed by the Prime Minister s remarkable leadership that was critical to the restoration of peace and security in the region
President Rahmon reaffirmed Tajikistan s desire for further intensifying bilateral cooperation in all fields, terming Pakistan as a trusted partner Noting regular high-level exchanges he underlined the importance of closer collaboration in the areas of science and technology, agriculture, industry, hydro power generation, and tourism
S alaried class alliance urges tax relief in upcoming budget
COMMENT
The world gets hotter
Global temperatures are rising faster than predic ted
THE World Meteorological organization has said that the global temperature is expected to increase by 1 5°C by 2029 This is it There are no palliative actions There are none of the cutbacks on greenhouse gas emissions or reductions recommended by the WMO, that would stop this increase in temperature It is happening, and we all are watching Global warming can now no longer be put off as a future problem It is happening now and its consequences will be upon us The significance of the 1 5°C figure is that is what the world vowed to keep the temperature down to, allowing the temperature, to rise no more than 1 5°C about the global average from 1850 to 1900 when there was a sudden increase in the burning of fossil fuels when mankind entered what has been called the Anthropocene Era, when human activities finally had an effect on the climate All countries had agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in 2014 as a first step However US President Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement in his first term, saying that climate change was just a conspiracy by the Chinese to stop America becoming great again
The problem is that the USA is the worst offender in emitting GHG The problem cannot be fixed without it playing its part The USA rejoined the Paris Accord under the Biden Administration, but Mr Trump has withdrawn ywt again This ding-dong approach to a serious matter is very unhelpful Mr Trump seems antagonised by the restraints that would have to put on oil exploration and shale-oil fracking but the alternative is being borne by countries like Pakistan, which is one of the countries experiencing worst floods and greater heatwaves It does seem unfair that poor countries like Pakistan should suffer even though they gig not produce enough GHG to cause the global warming Though the recent COP28 called for $1 trillion a year in financing, experts say that is far from enough However, matters seem to have gone too far for there to be much concern to spare about climate justice
Perhaps the biggest problem the world faces is that it is divided in nations-states on the old Westphalian model The problem facing the world is that it is far too great for one country to fix It requires a global effort a global leadership a global authority which is presently nowhere on the horizon
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
EVER since the British came and imposed their Raj, one way of escaping that slavery was by obtaining an education It not only qualified one for the invader ’s jobs but could lead to upward mobility One of the most sought-after goals was an education in the home country Then there began to sprout up educational institutions in the Subcontinent patterned on British models However, it was still considered better to go to England and obtain one’s degree Not only were there better prospects, but pays and promotions were better This was college and professional education: sending boys to school was rare both because of the expense and because the boys were considered children And note: one sent sons, not daughters While Jawaharlal Nehru sent off his daughter Indira to Oxford just as he had gone, he schooled her in India, even though he had himself been sent to Harrow What was the purpose of education? To get ahead of course Though only Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah attained eminence as a lawyer, such people as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Vallabhai Patel and Jawahirlal Nehru all went to England and became barristers and Liquat Ali Khan was an Oxonian like Nehru However, from the point of view of educators the purpose was acclimation absorption into society making the subject being educated a useful member of society and making him fit into that society That is one reason why all students are taught the history of their country; not so much the history as the tribal myth which holds them together A shared history is an important component of nationhood and when young colonized Indians went to British and later American colleges they joined ranks with their native classmates who had been imbued with the national myth since childhood They then absorbed that myth, while the history of India was taught such that it justified, indeed glorified, the Raj Then there are immigrants’ children, who learn one national myth at home and then learn another in school They have different coping mechanisms running from joining Al-Qaida or the Islamic State to joining the Tory or Republican parties They also have to cope with racism, which was more open in
the earlier years However that seems to be falling apart at the seams Donald Trump in an attempt to support Israel is attacking Harvard University Not only has he cut off its federal funding, and the research grants given to it, but he has prevented it from admitting foreign students, and indeed, removing those already enrolled who must now transfer or lose their legal status About 27 percent of Harvard’s students are from abroad (according to Trump 31 percent) 6800 As they pay full fees they subsidise American students Trump wants those places taken up by American-born students Trump might be disappointed to know that socalled American-born students may include nonwhite people His actions are throwing a spanner in the works of AI development There is an undercurrent of racism in what he is doing because it deprives mainly non-white students By also stopping diversity, equity and inclusion admissions, Trump is targeting impeccably US-born African-Americans through such admissions
The excuse he has is that foreign students have taken part in the campus protests including at Harvard against Israeli atrocities in Gaza However this ignores the fact that campuses are supposed to be safe spaces where anything can be discussed, in pursuance of the right to free speech However, Zionists have latched on to the fact that free speech is guaranteed by the US Constitution, and no one has yet made the claim that there is any sacredness about the Constitution Free speech is not absolute: for example Holocaust denial is illegal in Canada but not the USA However it is a good way of committing academic suicide, not because of Israeli pressure (though that is there) as because it is so flagrantly against the evidence and historical methodology However the sort of freedom allowed to Holocaust deniers is to be denied to pro-Palestine protesters Is this because Holocaust deniers can be shown to be whackos but pro-Palestine demonstrators are right: the Israeli Defense Forces are undeniably killing children? Because free speech is not sacred, it is not to be enjoyed by foreigners Their right to a Harvard education is to be denied An element of Trump’s actions are fuelled by the need to give something to his base that Middle America of the 1950s which is highly suspicious of liberals So depriving deserving (white) Americans to make way for foreigners is exactly the sort of wrong that Trump was elected to right
CORRUPTION remains a significant challenge within Pakistan’s social political and economic systems often embedded in daily interactions with public institutions Rather than being universally condemned, it is sometimes perceived as a necessary means to traverse a complex and often inefficient bureaucracy This perception has evolved over decades, shaped by political uncertainty administrative shortcomings and uneven judicial enforcement As a result practices like bribery or favouritism are at times seen not as moral failings but as pragmatic responses to structural barriers Individuals striving to act with integrity may even be considered idealistic in an environment where systemic reform has been slow to take root The idea that powerful individuals are immune to the consequences of corrupt behaviour has also taken deep root in the public psyche Politicians, bureaucrats and business elites are frequently seen as operating above the law, protected by their wealth, connections and influence This perception of impunity discourages ordinary citizens from reporting corruption or resisting it because they believe nothing will come of it The result is a toxic feedback loop corruption breeds public apathy which in turn enables further corruption The lack of accountability at the top tiers of government also makes institutional reform difficult, as those who benefit from the existing system have no reason to change it In such a scenario corruption becomes less about individual moral failures and more about survival within a broken system Pakistan s consistent underperformance on Transparency International s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), where it ranked 135 out of 180 countries in 2024, reflects the entrenched nature of systemic corruption Despite the presence of anti-corruption bodies like the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) meaningful institutional reform remains elusive Transparency
International and Human Rights Watch have both raised concerns over the politicization of accountability processes in Pakistan, noting how investigations often target opposition figures while sparing political allies This selective enforcement undermines public confidence and impairs institutional integrity Bodies like the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and provincial anti-corruption departments often lack independence and capacity, making consistent enforcement difficult The prolonged duration and low conviction rate of high-profile corruption cases only reinforce the perception of impunity among the powerful Meaningful reform requires a long-term coordinated approach that goes beyond rhetoric Strengthening institutional integrity is essential particularly by enhancing judicial independence and insulating accountability bodies from political influence Ensuring merit-based appointments and establishing clear safeguards for investigators and judicial officers can help protect the process from undue pressure Equally important is improving transparency by digitizing public services and making financial and administrative data openly accessible Such steps not only increase efficiency but also empower citizens to hold authorities accountable, creating a culture where integrity is both expected and enforced Another critical area of reform is political financing Unregulated campaign donations and opaque fundraising mechanisms fuel the culture of patronage that sustains corruption Legislation mandating full disclosure of political contributions and expenditures is essential, along with strong enforcement and penalties for violations A robust legal framework to protect whistleblowers is also urgently needed as those who expose corruption often face retaliation Protecting them is both a moral duty and a practical necessity Civil society must be empowered to hold the powerful accountable While groups like Transparency International Pakistan have made notable contributions they need greater institutional backing and protection Public awareness campaigns about the consequences of corruption can also help shift societal attitudes Without such engagement, even the best-designed reforms may struggle to take root The costs of corruption in Pakistan are not abstract they manifest in very real and damaging ways in critical public services In healthcare corruption leads to the embezzlement of
funds, the distribution of substandard or counterfeit medicines, and the demand for bribes in exchange for basic services These practices disproportionately affect the poor who rely on public hospitals for treatment
In the education sector corruption results in the diversion of funds meant for schools the hiring of unqualified staff through patronage, and the operation of ghost schools These failures contribute to poor educational outcomes and perpetuate the cycle of poverty In law enforcement corruption undermines the rule of law Police officers may accept bribes to overlook crimes protect certain individuals or harass others Political interference in police operations further erodes public trust in the justice system and emboldens criminal behaviour
Over the long term, corruption inflicts deep and lasting harm on society It erodes trust in institutions discourages political participation and fuels public cynicism Economically it distorts markets and discourages investment by creating an uneven playing field Resources that could be used for development are instead siphoned off for private gain, leading to poor infrastructure, inadequate public services, and slow growth Socially corruption exacerbates inequality by concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a few Those without connections or resources are locked out of opportunities, deepening divisions and fuelling resentment Politically, corruption can destabilize governments and incite unrest, as citizens become frustrated with their leaders’ inability or unwillingness to act The erosion of ethics within society is not a mere byproduct of individual failings but a consequence of collective indifference and institutional inertia To reverse this decline, we must not only reform our institutions but also reawaken the moral consciousness of our society Without unwavering dedication to these ideals the cycle of decay will persist silently draining the very essence of our national potential leaving us to reckon with the profound costs of complacency
The writer is Ph D in Political Science and visiting faculty at QAU Islamabad His area of specialization is political development and social change He can be reached at zafarkhansafdar@yahoo com and tweet@zafarkhansafdar T h e E t h i c s o f E r o s i o n
Cures by the clueless
at risk
Dr ZAfAr KhAN SAfDAr
AAccording to the Global Nuclear Warhead Inventories 2025 estimated by the Federation of American Scientists India had an estimated 180 nuclear warheads at the beginning of 2025 That means that New Delhi added eight nuclear warheads per year between 2023 and 2025 According to the same two sources Pakistan’s nuclear warheads inventory remained at 170 over the past two years These estimates are demonstrative of India s rapidly expanding nuclear weapons programme, which is certainly the fastestgrowing in nuclearized South Asia Hitherto, Pakistan was always projected to possess a few nuclear warheads more than India The SIPRI reports also highlight a number of alarming trends concerning India s nuclear posture shift in policies on mating of nuclear warheads with launchers and nofirst-use (NFU), and counterforce temptations First, India’s warhead stockpile is likely to continue to increase Second placing missiles in canisters and conducting sea-based deterrence patrols suggest that India could be shifting in the direction of mating some of its warheads with their launchers in peacetime Third, India has been focusing on the development of “longer-range” missiles to
enhance its capability to target states outside South Asia Fourth keeping a portion of India s nuclear arsenal at a higher state of readiness has raised concerns about New Delhi s commitment to its NFU policy and questions as to whether India might be transitioning towards a nuclear weapons counterforce posture to target an adversary’s nuclear warheads earlier in a crisis even before they could be used These threatening developments in nuclear posture and doctrines of a country that has evil designs on and a jingoistic attitude towards its nuclear neighbors have serious implications for deterrence and strategic stability in the region and beyond India is clearly abusing the favors granted to it under the US 123 Agreement (civil nuclear deal) of 2007 and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver of 2008 by either diverting imported nuclear materials from its eight unsafeguarded nuclear reactors for weapons programme or using imported nuclear materials for peaceful uses and its own fissile material for the production of nuclear weapons In a bid to contain China Western countries have showered India with strategic favours while turning a blind eye toward its fast-growing nuclear stockpile The 123 Agreement and NSG waiver practically removed all nuclear trade barriers for India These agreements mainstreamed New Delhi into the international nuclear market without requiring it to become a Party to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists report titled Estimating India’s Nuclear Weapons-producing Capacity assessed in
w o u l d p o t e n t i a l l y l i m i t I n d i a s a b i l i t y t o p r o d u c e n u c l e a r w a r h e a d s , a t t
2018 that India could produce around 1 044 nuclear weapons if it decided to exploit its reactor-grade fissile material alongside military-grade plutonium production capabilities According to the International Panel on Fissile Material, in 2023, India possessed around 680 kg of weapon-grade plutonium, which is enough to produce 130 to 210 nuclear warheads Multiple reports by Harvard University s Belfer Center have also pointed to the rapid expansion of India s fissile material production This unchecked expansion of fissile material poses a serious threat to regional and international peace and security Strategic capabilities are a function of fissile material stockpiles as weapon-grade or weapon-usable fissile material is directly related to the number of warheads a nuclear country can produce That is why existing asymmetries in fissile material stockpiles remain the major obstacle in the Conference on Disarmament to the proposed Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) which aims to halt future production of fissile material for nuclear weapons However several countries, spearheaded by Pakistan, have been pressing for a Fissile Material Treaty (FMT) that should also include existing fissile material stockpiles in its scope India’s unchecked nuclear expansion and shift in its nuclear force posture threaten regional power balance and strategic stability With India s longstanding unresolved territorial disputes and political tensions with nuclear neighbours, the potential for miscalculation or the likelihood of escalation during a crisis situation remains high as was the case during the Balakot crisis of February 2019 and Indian attack on Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam false flag operation India s rejection of dialogue with Pakistan, weaponization of water, false flag operations, blame game, belligerency, state-sponsored international terrorism and Hindutva-driven extremism is a recipe for disaster in South Asia which will also impact global stability Lasting peace in South Asia is unlikely without the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, a nuclear flashpoint
A nuclear conflict between India and P
quences both regionally and globally According to a study How an India-Pakistan N
Global Consequences, published by the
e r i a l s t o c k p i l e s r e m a i n t h e m a j o r o b s t a c l e i n t h e C o n f e r e n c e o n D i s a r m a m e n t t o t h e p r o p o s e d F i s s i l e M a t e r i a l C u t - o f f T r e a t y ( F M C T ) , w h i c h a i m s t o h a l t f u t u r e p r o d u c t i o n o f f i s s i l e m a t e r i a l f o r n u c l e a r w e a p o n s H o w e v e r , s e v e r a l c o u n t r i e s , s p e a r h e a d e d b y P a k i s t a n , h a v e b e e n p r e s s i n g f o r a F i s s i l e M a t e r i a l T r e a t y ( F M T ) t h a t s h o u l d a l s o i n c l u d e e x i s t i n g f i s s i l e m a t e r i a l s t o c k p i l e s i n i t s s c o p e
Police, media and cour ts converge to turn a Muslim scholar into a threat – on the flimsiest of words and the strongest of biases
PROFESSOR Ali Khan Mahmudabad a professor of political science at Ashoka University, has become the latest hate figure manufactured by Hindu nationalists in India with backing from the police and judiciary A crime that Mahmudabad has not committed is being attributed to him and he is now being asked to prove his innocence –a classic case of guilty until proven innocent The more he pleads his innocence, the deeper the suspicion grows against him as the Supreme Court of India has already cast doubt on his intent and made adverse observations about him before setting up a Special Investigative Team (SIT) to scrutinise two Facebook posts containing 1 530 words Despite the clarity of his posts, Mahmudabad is expected to explain himself and dispel suspicions created by the highest court in the land In these posts Mahmudabad criticised Pakistan for harbouring terrorists while praising India s military action against its neighbour He highlighted the applause re-
ceived by two female military officers – one of them Muslim – who presented India s case on the global stage However he warned that if the daily persecution of Muslims in India did not cease, these optics of inclusivity would remain mere hypocrisy What Mahmudabad wrote had been expressed by countless others before him in different ways Yet suddenly Renu Bhatia the head of the Women s Commission of Haryana, appeared fuming at a news conference, accusing Mahmudabad of insulting the two female officers Her charges left many bewildered Mahmudabad responded through his lawyers explaining his posts thoroughly But Bhatia was unsatisfied even if failing to substantiate her allegations When questioned by a TV anchor to identify specific words or sentences demeaning to the female officers, she could find none Still, she insisted that her feelings of offence were sufficient proof that something must be wrong with Mahmudabad’s posts – that he must have written something horrible She argued it wasn t her job to pinpoint offensive phrases; it was the police s responsibility to uncover what might offend her After her accusations, Mahmudabad’s posts underwent intense scrutiny by numerous individuals and media outlets No distasteful or insulting content was found Academics and members of civil society rallied behind Mahmudabad expressing outrage over the actions of the Women s Commission When the absurdity of Bhatia s claims became public fodder, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the ruling Hindu nationalist party filed a complaint with the Haryana police alleging that Mah-
Public reaction to the court delegating its interpretive duties to the police was one of shock Was it so difficult for the court to read, analyse and interpret the posts itself? Did the members of the court not have analytical minds to read and understand what was written by Mahmudabad? Was this not their job? S t r a t e g i c c a p a b i l i t i e s a
mudabad had said something hurtful to him and others Referring to the same Facebook posts the complainant claimed they offended him Taking his grievance seriously the police charged Mahmudabad with serious offences, including inciting enmity between religious groups, offending the religious sentiments of a community and outraging the modesty of women Mahmudabad was promptly arrested Confident that a careful reading of his writings would expose the baselessness of the charges, Mahmudabad s lawyers approached the Supreme Court to seek his release and a stay on the police investigation Before the hearing, however, 200 academics, including vice chancellors and heads of academic institutions issued a statement urging the court to take a hard line against him They accused Mahmudabad of trying to destabilise communal harmony, undermine institutional integrity, and erode gender equity” They described his posts as “veiled misogyny cloaked in pseudo-academic inquiry” and urged the Supreme Court to consider their broader socio-legal implications
During the hearing, Mahmudabad’s lawyer read aloud the posts in question The court responded sceptically suggesting that his words carried double meanings and amounted to dog whistles Someone with an analytical mind will understand the language The words used may seem innocuous but can target unintended audiences,” the bench remarked
The Supreme Court then constituted an SIT comprising three senior police officers to understand the complexity and properly appreciate the language used in the posts Thus, the Supreme Court s orders created the impression that Mahmudabad’s words could not be accepted at face value While his statements might appear benign there must be some hidden meaning or ulterior motive lurking beneath the surface Public reaction to the court delegating its interpretive duties to the police was one of shock Was it so difficult for the court to read, analyse and interpret the posts itself?
Did the members of the court not have analytical minds to read and understand what was written by Mahmudabad? Was this not
their job? Or was the court shying away from committing itself to a position?
The SIT will operate under the shadow of the presumptions made by the court which already lean against Mahmudabad How can he possibly dispel such preconceived notions?
Meanwhile, the fog around Mahmudabad thickens Details of his family background, devout Muslim identity, ancestral ties to Pakistan and foreign travels are being investigated by the police These factors will now serve as the context in which his posts are to be read and interpreted
The media are busy demonising Mahmudabad Soon, his actual words will vanish into the dense fog of propaganda, replaced by the image of a devious, cunning, scheming Muslim etched into the collective Hindu imagination Mahmudabad has appeared before the SIT Meanwhile the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) the student wing of the BJP, has announced plans for a public demonstration against him It is asking Ashoka University to sack him because he has written “antinational posts” The mouth organ of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh the parent body of the ruling BJP and ABVP has also joined the chorus asking for action against Mahmudabad
We see the same playbook unfolding –the one used to vilify scholars like Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, turning them into enemy figures within the BJP ecosystem with the help of the media police and judiciary
One can only hope that the police officers remain steadfast unaffected by judicial remarks or shrill propaganda and read Mahmudabad s plain lines with constitutional eyes His words
Apoorvanand
The world looks for ward to the new role of C hina’s Hong Kong as ‘c apital of mediation’
As the world's first intergovernmental international legal organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation, the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) marks a milestone in global governance
tion Co-initiated by 19 countries including China the organization represents a contribution from developing countries to the international rule of law Unlike zero-sum or adversarial approaches, mediation offers disputing parties greater flexibility, allowing room for compromise and reconciliation It also has "the advantages of greater flexibility convenience lower costs and more effective implementation making it particularly valuable for small and mediumsized countries to participate fairly Grounded in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the IOMed complements existing institutions and dispute resolution mechanisms in a constructive manner The founding of the IOMed embodies the true spirit of multilateralism On the day of the signing ceremony, high-level representatives from nearly 60 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe, as well as around 20 international organizations including the UN will attend the signing ceremony for the Convention The strong interest and enthusiasm shown by the international community underscores IOMed s relevance and importance in today's world
The idea that everything can be resolved through consultation resonates with the current global pursuit of peace and development and also reflects the shared aspiration for a more just and equitable international order China is one of the main initiators and driving forces behind the establishment of the IOMed The concept of the IOMed embodies the ancient Chinese philosophy of Hehe (harmony and unity) while also reflecting the rule-of-law spirit grounded in international law It emphasizes resolving conflicts through dialogue and consultation, and pursuing harmonious coexistence In recent years China's successful practices in international mediation have further proven the viability and deep potential of this path From facilitating the handshake between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Beijing, to promoting the signing of the "Beijing Declaration" among 14 Palestinian factions despite decades of internal rifts mediating a ceasefire agreement among various parties in Myanmar in Kunming and consistently contributing to the Afghan peace process guided by the Eastern wisdom of resolving conflicts in an "amicable way," China has
helped to resolve longstanding grievances through sincere dialogue Mediation as a means of dispute resolution has become a vivid example of China's diplomatic approach to building a community with a shared future for mankind On May 27 Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee told the media that the IOMed is a high-level international organization on par with the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague The IOMed s establishment demonstrates China's commitment and efforts to uphold an international order based on international law while also opening a new chapter for the peaceful resolution of global disputes This marks the first time an intergovernmental international organization is being headquartered in Hong Kong, showcasing the empowerment brought to the city under the principle of "one country, two
CM MARYAM VOWS TO LOWER ‘ROTI’ PRICE COMMENSURATE
AC T Alliance Pakistan Cautions Against Donor Driven Inter ventions in Tobacco Taxation
Mubashir Akram National Convenor of ACT Alliance Pakistan, has emphasized the need to safeguard Pakistan s fiscal sovereignty by ensuring that tax policymaking remains anchored in national interests and grounded in local realities
Speaking at a media briefing in Islamabad Akram expressed concern over the recurring pattern of international interventions in Pakistan s tobacco taxation discourse, particularly in the weeks leading up to the federal budget
He noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently taken a more prominent role in advocating for tax increases on tobacco products, following years of similar activism by foreign-funded entities such as the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) and Vital Strategies These organizations he pointed out operated in
Pakistan for extended periods without securing the required No Objection Certificate from the Economic Affairs Division and registration with the Ministry of Interior " "While we value public health as a national priority, it is essential to ensure that our tax policies are developed through transparent consultative processes and not imposed through externally funded campaigns, Akram stated These campaigns often overlook the complex enforcement environment in Pakistan and fail to differentiate between legal tax-compliant businesses and those operating outside the regulatory net Akram further questioned the consistency of WHO's global advocacy, highlighting the contrast between its policy prescriptions for Pakistan and the regulatory practices in its host country Switzerland Despite championing the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) globally,
Switzerland has yet to ratify it The country permits tobacco sponsorships advertising and retail marketing practices that run counter to FCTC principles, with some basic restrictions only coming into force as recently as late 2024," he remarked He stressed that any call for aggressive tax hikes must be tempered with practical considerations of enforcement and market dynamics "Pakistan's tobacco sector suffers an annual revenue loss of over Rs 30 billion due to illegal trade tax evasion and regulatory noncompliance The legal industry already burdened by high tax rates implemented in 2023, cannot sustain further pressure without risking a complete market imbalance " He added that Pakistan will risk losing nearly Rs 300 billion in tax revenue that the legal industry pays to the national exchequer and this will further embolden the illegal cigarette industry
PM REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN’S COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHEN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS
KP raises concerns over forced cut in local oil and gas production amid rising LNG imports from Qatar
the integrity of gas reservoirs amplifying long-term damage
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has voiced serious concerns over the forced reduction of domestic oil and gas production, blaming the ongoing influx of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar is causing significant revenue losses to the province in the form of diminished royalties and windfall levies, according to a news report Local exploration and production companies, including Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and MOL contribute royalties and levies that are now at risk due to reduced output from various KP hydrocarbon fields
The issue has been raised with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif During a recent meeting the KP s special assistant on energy highlighted that the forced reduction not only results in production losses but also threatens
The gas supply restrictions have also intensified circular debt challenges faced by exploration companies, as Pakistan relies more heavily on costly LNG imports from Qatar Meanwhile power producers have hesitated to procure LNG as per commitments complicating the situation for Pakistan State Oil (PSO) a primary LNG importer
Amid falling indigenous production, Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) announced the shutdown of its main crude distillation unit until June 1 which has a capacity of 32 400 barrels per day citing critically low crude stocks ARL attributed the shutdown partly to high-pressure issues faced by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) which led to forced curtailment of gas from local fields and disruptions in oil and gas supply Industry sources criticised the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) govern-
ment for signing the LNG purchase agreement with Qatar hastily without an adequate assessment of Pakistan s gas demand This move has burdened the energy sector with rising circular debt
The private sector ’s efforts to import LNG have been hindered by bureaucratic and political obstacles leading to missed opportunities and higher LNG prices that now challenge import feasibility Pakistan’s two LNG terminals are underutilised, with one operating at partial capacity due to mismanagement
The KP government has urged the establishment of a mechanism to prevent such forced curtailments in the future, emphasising mutual benefits for both the province and the federal government Both federal and provincial authorities acknowledged the gravity of the situation agreeing to resolve the matter through consultations with all relevant stakeholders
D ar to represent Pakistan at IOMed signing in
Hong Kong
raid on the hideouts of the abductors in the Katcha area “An intense fire exchange took place between Rajanpur Police and the Katcha criminals forcing the criminals to flee leaving the abductees behind the spokesperson said Similarly, the Rahim Yar Khan Police, under the leadership of DPO Irfan Ali Samo, carried out an IBO against dacoits in the Katcha area “The dacoits resorted to heavy firing on the police personnel as soon as they raided a hideout to safely recover the 3year-old abducted child Zain he informed The dacoits retreated during the fire exchange and Rahim Yar Khan DPO Irfan Ali Samo, ASP Inam Ullah, and police officials took the recovered child, Zain to his home The police spokesperson said that all three abductees were safely recovered and handed over to their families The families and local residents offered prayers for the police and chanted slogans in favor of Punjab Police Rajanpur DPO Farooq Amjad and Rahim Yar Khan DPO Irfan Ali Samo said the culprits would be arrested soon and brought to justice Punjab IG Police Dr Usman Anwar congratulated the DPOs of Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan and their teams on the recovery of the two citizens and the minor child
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will embark on a twoday visit to Hong Kong the Special Administrative Region of China starting Wednesday to participate in the signing ceremony for the Convention establishing the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) During the visit Ishaq Dar will sign the IOMed Convention and deliver a keynote address at the ceremony on May 30 Alongside the event, he will hold several bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the meeting, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release Pakistan is one of the founding members of the IOMed and has expressed strong support for the organisation s aims and objectives The country recognises
