PM, UAE PRESIDENT REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO PEACE, STABILIT Y AND PROSPERIT Y IN REGION
g PREMIER SHEHBAZ, SHEIKH MOHAMED BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN DISCUSS A WIDE RANGE OF BILATERAL, REGIONAL, AND GLOBAL ISSUES OF MUTUAL INTEREST
g THEY AGREE TO MAINTAIN CLOSE COORDINATION AND CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER TO ADVANCE SHARED GOALS OF REGIONAL PEACE AND PROSPERITY
S TA F F R E P O R T Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reiterated his government’s “resolute commitment” to accelerating journey toward a “knowledge economy digital transformation global tech engagement and youth empowerment expressing his confidence that Pakistan s tech future is bright! Insha Allah, according to state media Premier Shehbaz Sharif was addressing the Pakistan’s participation at London Tech Week 2025 held with all global stakeholders on board during his daylong visit to the UAE said a statement issued from the Prime Minister s Office on Thursday The prime minister congratulated
stakeholders on Pakistan s impactful presence at London Tech Week 2025, saying this positions Pakistan as a forward-looking country that is harnessing technology, innovation, and youth potential to engage with the world Our presence at such an important platform reflects our growing digital footprint and global ambition, he said PM Shehbaz commended the Ministry of IT, PSEB, TDAP, and its tech entrepreneurs for presenting Pakistan with vision and purpose He commended the Ministry of Information Technology Pakistan Software Export Board, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, and our tech entrepreneurs for presenting Pakistan with vision and purpose
unbelievable They understood it exactly, they stopped I stopped that war with phone calls and trade,” Trump added He further said that India is negotiating a trade deal in Washington and a Pakistani delegation would arrive I think next week
The K-IV water supply project meant to address Karachi s longstanding water shortages has suffered a major blow as the federal government allocated just Rs3 2 billion for fiscal year 2025–26 far short of the Rs40 billion estimated requirement for completion reported Dawn Officials associated with the project which has been delayed for over two decades, warned that the underfunding may push the timeline back by another decade “Over 63% of the work is already complete and with adequate funding we could finish within a year said a senior project official But with this allocation, we might need ten more years That’s devastating for a city facing a water crisis ” Launched in the early 2000s the K-IV project has repeatedly suffered from cost escalations design changes, and coordination issues between the federal and provincial governments Despite renewed federal attention during previous years this year ’s allocation has cast a shadow over any near-term resolution
The water supply crisis remains one of Karachi’s most urgent infrastructure problems affecting over 20 million residents Experts argue the delay in K-IV is not just a bureaucratic issue, but a public emergency “Karachi can’t wait another decade ” warned one stakeholder “This isn’t just about pipelines it s about survival Former federal minister Asad Umar, who oversaw the project from 2018 to 2022 under the PTI government, criticised the current federal allocation as evidence of a lack of political will The Rs 3 2 bn allocation suggests the government isn t serious, he said It s a political gesture, not a development initiative We had momentum and a launch date August 14, 2023 Now that vision is gone ” Umar had previously advocated for the federal government to assume full financial responsibility, removing the cost-sharing burden on the Sindh government and placing WAPDA in charge of execution Political friction between the PPP-led Sindh government and its federal allies also surfaced following the announcement Sindh In-
formation and Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon expressed strong reservations about the allocation and warned of a broader reassessment of the federal budget We are taking this very seriously, Memon said Not only the K-IV, but the broader pattern of underfunding essential projects concerns us We’ve advised the prime minister to cut unnecessary expenses and focus on meaningful development Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) leader Monem Zafar also condemned the decision, accusing the federal government of reducing Karachi s most urgent infrastructure project to a symbolic gesture Out of Rs133 billion allocated to the Water Resources Division, only Rs3 2 billion is for K-IV just 2 5%,” he said “This is not development This is charity Both PPP and JI demanded a reassessment of priorities and urged the federal government to allocate resources in line with the city’s critical needs As budget deliberations continue the fate of the K-IV project now hangs in the balance again postponed amid competing claims and constrained public finance
TB U D G ET
Pakistan prioritizes green ports and climate-resilient maritime infrastructure in new strategy
04
COMMENT
Taxing e-business
Same mindset at work as wants to roll back solarization
E-commerce is being taxed for roughly the same reason as the sales tax exemption on solar panel imports has been removed: protectionism
While the 2025-2026 Federal Budget saw a number of revolutionary changes in customs duties all with the intention of removing protectionist barriers the new taxes on e-commerce were justified as being meant to protect physical retailers True, physical retailers have to put up a larger investment than e-retailers as they have to pay rent for locations convenient for purchasers, pay for shelves and cupboards, as opposed to e-retailers, who can operate out of a garage or converted warehouse and need have no display cases only efficient warehousing Similarly the removal of the sales tax exemption has been justified on the ground that those who manufacture it would have to pay the tax and thus manufacturers (even the Minister had to give an embarrassed explanation that they were few) were being given a level playing field
In both instances, the government is favouring older technology over newer This surrender to oldfashioned elements who find themselves being edged closer to extinction is symptomatic, almost as if the government is embracing the past That the Budget is no longer prepared on paper with a quill pen is perhaps a relief, for that is the moral equivalent of what has been done to the e-retail and the solarization sectors It was also perhaps too much for the government to resist the temptation to tax a new business when it takes birth That it throws roadblocks in the way that society needs to move is another benefit for those who want to see a return to the simpler times of donkey carts and open drains in the middle of streets
There are a number of developments, each of which has the potential to transform society Indeed, that process has often started The mobile phone, which has placed the power of computers originally as big as a building in the palm of one s hand, and has placed radios, watches, telephones, cameras, and so much more, has not been fully integrated into our lives Artificial intelligence has set off a revolution on its own Climate change is upon us, and solar power is freeing the ordinary consumer from the tyranny of the big power conglomerates There are developments in fusion power that will upend everything Yet for every dying technology, for every business falling behind the times, the government seems determined to help retard progress
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
IN a world fractured by political rivalries wars of words and shifting global allegiances it is often the most elemental resources, land, air, and water; that bear the brunt of conflict Yet, of these, water occupies a unique place: it is both sustenance and sovereignty The Indus River system coursing through the rugged terrains of the Himalayas and flowing into the plains of Pakistan is not just a waterway it is the artery of an entire civilization On April 27, when Pakistan-Administered Kashmir was inundated by an unexpected surge of water from the Jhelum, followed days later by another release from India into the Chenab without prior notice it was not nature's fury that alarmed the region it was India s The consecutive releases occurred alongside India s sudden decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), further intensifying tensions in a region already teetering on the edge of geopolitical instability The move, while strategically timed and theatrically announced not only breached the treaty s foundational spirit but also teetered on the edge of what international law might define as an act of war Water the most basic of rights, has become India s instrument of coercion, and the consequences stretch far beyond the flooded fields of Kashmir Brokered by the World Bank in 1960 the Indus Waters Treaty remains a cornerstone of South Asian stability allocating the western rivers Indus Jhelum and Chenab to Pakistan and the eastern tributaries to India Despite decades of conflict, the treaty endured as a symbol of restraint between two nuclear powers But in 2025, India unilaterally suspended the treaty tying its reinstatement to political demands unrelated to water-sharing This move effectively weaponizes water exploiting India s upstream position to jeopardize 80 percent of Pakistan s agriculture and millions of livelihoods Such action not only destabilizes the region but also violates international law, including the ‘no harm rule’ and principles of equitable water use International law particularly the principles emerging from cases like the Island of Palmas and the Trail Smelter Arbitration, emphasizes
At Penpoint
THE Finance Minister has had his day in the sun and presented his budget but he maintained a sphinx-like silence over how to tackle the basic imbalance in the Pakistani economy, which is at the root of other imbalances: we don’t earn enough from the rest of the world to pay for what we need from it Pakistan s soil is very fertile its land very rich and its people both innovative and hard-working but that still leaves Pakistan dependent for three vital items from abroad The first is fuel oil, which it uses to generate power Here gas and coal can be included, to complete the hydrocarbon triad Then comes palm oil which makes the banaspati ghee in which every Pakistani dish is plunged Then there are pharmaceuticals Here are to be included not just life-saving drugs which are imported after being manufactured and even packaged, but medicine raw materials, after which manufacturing takes place in Pakistan Among the first multinationals to set up plants in Pakistan, based on materials imported from abroad were pharmaceutical firms While these are essentials to be imported the country does not export any essentials Textiles are the mainstay, but people can opt for other clothes materials Similarly, they can adopt other materials to bed covering, towelling, and the other many uses to which Pakistani textiles are put Even on the area of its greatest strength agriculture Pakistan has nothing like the grip of Russia Ukraine or Argentina on grain or of Brazil on biofuel (ethanol from sugarcane) on other countries Its attempts to export wheat or sugar have been hamhanded, and have ended up in domestic shortages and political crises, because the two crops are national staples, and shortages affect a very wide range of people Leather goods suffer from the same problem The solution therefore lies in finding oil or gold Oil exploration has been going on for decades and only some oil deposits insufficient to meet even domestic demand, let
Pakistan must impor t fuel, edible oil and medicine
Pakistan for too long has tried to import essentials while having no essentials to import Until that problem is solved, all other economic problems will remain That provides one standard by which the budget can be assessed Another standard is how far the country has moved to getting out of the IMF’s toils, but that too requires an answer to the basic question of how we are to pay for our imports
that states must refrain from causing transboundary harm Article 7(1) of the UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses solidifies this by obliging countries to prevent significant harm to co-riparian states The obligations do not merely rest on abstract ideals; they are functional guidelines that require proactive cooperation timely notification and an unflinching commitment to mutual benefit and good faith India s abrupt water releases into Jhelum and Chenab rivers without any advance warning to Pakistan not only violated these norms but also represented a gross dereliction of international responsibilities The timing right after India's suspension of the IWT further underscores the calculated nature of the provocation Even if India attempts to justify its action under Article 49(1) of the Articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts (ARSIWA) as a form of lawful countermeasure, this defense collapses under scrutiny For a countermeasure to be legitimate it must be proportional temporary and aimed at inducing compliance with the law not engineered to punish a population by threatening their access to water India s actions therefore, cannot be couched in legality; they are a manifestation of economic terrorism, aimed at coercion through control India’s weaponization of water threatens far more than Pakistan’s agriculture; it risks unraveling South Asian stability As Pakistan faces mounting environmental stress water scarcity could trigger a humanitarian crisis marked by
The Indus is more than a river: it’s a lifeline, a shared heritage, and a symbol of coexistence. India’s unilateral suspension of this promise is an attack not just on Pakistan, but on the principle of peaceful cohabitation. Pakistan’s defense of its water rights is a rightful stand against rising tyranny The world must act now before rivers dry and fields wither to protect treaties, dignity, and the fundamental right to survival
food insecurity, displacement, and economic disruption with consequences spilling across borders The World Bank and international community must not remain silent; inaction will only encourage future violations and weaken the foundations of global order This is no longer just about the Indus, it s about upholding the integrity of international treaties and preventing dangerous precedents in global diplomacy In the face of grave provocation Pakistan has responded with measured firmness vowing to pursue all diplomatic, legal, and political avenues to restore the Indus Waters Treaty and prevent the use of water as a tool of coercion While condemning India’s actions as a breach of treaty and a potential act of war Islamabad remains committed to dialogue and peace Appealing to the UN international courts and the World Bank Pakistan seeks not just resolution but reinforcement of the global principle that water is a basic human right In an age of climate fragility, India’s strategy risks global condemnation not compliance
Ultimately the crisis surrounding the Indus Waters Treaty is not merely about hydrology or geopolitics; it is a test of humanity s collective conscience If one nation can deny another its life source on the basis of disputed political claims, what then remains sacred in the web of international relations? India’s unilateralism is an affront not only to Pakistan but to every principle of fair play cooperation and mutual respect that underpins international diplomacy The Indus is more than a river: it s a lifeline, a shared heritage, and a symbol of coexistence India s unilateral suspension of this promise is an attack not just on Pakistan but on the principle of peaceful cohabitation Pakistan’s defense of its water rights is a rightful stand against rising tyranny The world must act now before rivers dry and fields wither to protect treaties, dignity, and the fundamental right to survival The author is an independent researcher who writes on issues concerning national and regional security focusing on matters having critical impact in these milieus She can be reached at omayaimen333@gmail com
The Mask Slips
His
India’s water terrorism violates international law
even as his approval waned within America Musk s presence was being closely monitored
beyond
borders European policymakers in particular viewed
IT is often said that those who aim for the stars should beware of the gravity that binds them to Earth In Elon Musk’s case, the fall from orbit seems metaphorical yet telling Once celebrated as a symbol of boundless innovation and audacity in the private sector Musk s political detour into Washington s corridors of power appears increasingly like a miscalculated voyage an experiment that promised disruptive reform but delivered disillusionment and controversy Appointed as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under former President Trump Musk s entry into politics was, at first glance, a seamless extension of his technocratic ethos Yet, as events unfolded, it became clear that Musk had entered a realm far more complex than rocket science The question now is whether his decision to serve in
trillion in savings But as reported in The Washington Post, the actual fiscal impact was drastically short closer to $175 billion and riddled with accounting controversies and unverified claims The disillusionment wasn t confined to bean counters Civil servants protested in droves as nearly 200,000 federal jobs were wiped out during Musk s tenure While some Republican hardliners lauded this as necessary downsizing others within and beyond the party decried it as reckless hollowing out key institutions without
political entry as a potential geopolitical disruptor Already rattled by Musk s dominance in satellite communications via Starlink especially during the Ukraine war several European capitals had expressed deep concern over what they perceived as Musk s unregulated influence in areas once squarely in the realm of statecraft An anonymous senior EU official, quoted in Politico Europe, called Musk “the most dangerous private actor in global affairs” and worried aloud about “a Silicon Valley libertarian making unilateral decisions that could shift alliances His political appointment in Washington only heightened those fears reinforcing the belief that Musk s growing techno-political reach could challenge NATO cohesion, energy alliances, and digital sovereignty across the continent Back home Musk’s position within Republican ranks became equally precarious Though initially propped up by the MAGA movement s fondness for outsiders, Musk increasingly found himself alienated from both the traditional GOP establishment and Trump loyalists His fierce independence, unwillingness to toe any ideological line and outbursts like his public condemnation of Trump s massive tax-spending deal as a disgusting abomination only fueled suspicion According to Politico, Trump confided to aides that Musk would leave soon, marking a clear break from their earlier alignment That shift reflected more than just personal differences; it symbolized how Musk s technocratic rigidity was out of sync with a party increasingly driven by populism, performative politics, and tribal allegiance And it wasn’t just politicians who were unnerved Global intelligence circles reportedly raised concerns about Musk’s centralized power over multiple critical infrastructures from internet satellites to electric grids and AI development In France and Germany, policy think tanks like Institut Montaigne and the Körber-Stiftung began analyzing Musk’s role not just as a business magnate but as a geopolitical variable Their studies emphasized that an unelected figure wielding such asymmetric influence could undermine traditional diplomatic channels and global order The fear wasn t only that Musk would make policy errors but that he
China wanted the U.S. to lift expor t restric tions on technology including aviation par ts in exchange for US access to the rare - ear ths components
CHINA’S chokehold on supplies of minerals essential to high-tech goods from electric vehicles to jet fighters has become a formidable advantage in trade negotiations with the U S President Trump said Wednesday that the U S and China had agreed on terms for a truce on trade The framework for the deal which officials from the U S and China negotiated over two days in London this week hinged on access to China s exports of rare-earth magnets, coin-size components that are indispensable for powering car motors, industrial robots and missile-guidance systems Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping need to approve the agreement which would lift some U S export restrictions in exchange for speeding the flow of rare earths Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told The Wall Street Journal that he expects Trump to approve the agreement as soon as Wednes-
day or Thursday The deal appears to allow China to maintain an export-control system for rare earths established in April after Trump heaped extra duties of 34% on Chinese products That would allow Beijing to clamp down on supplies again in the future And licenses for U S manufacturers to import rare earths from China would have a six-month limit people familiar with the deal said “China’s going to want to maintain leverage said Gracelin Baskaran director of the critical minerals security program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington China s dominance “puts American companies at direct risk given that any sort of agreements that have been made can be reneged on ” she said China s decision this year to cut back on exports of the magnets for just a couple of months sent shock waves through the global auto, electronics and defense industries That helped drive the U S and China back to the bargaining table this week China wanted the U S to lift export restrictions on technology including aviation parts in exchange for U S
access to the rare-earths components China said it established export controls to regulate the supply of “dual-use” materials that can be used by militaries After they took effect Chinese magnet exporters requested details from foreign customers about the precise intended use Magnets that didn t contain the restricted rare-earth elements sometimes had to verify that through thirdparty testing further gummed up exports Regulators often came back with more questions sometimes requesting pictures of final products which companies were loath to disclose because of intellectual-property concerns As delays mounted, global manufacturers grew more concerned In April, Elon Musk said China’s magnet restrictions could interfere with production of Tesla s Optimus humanoid robots Ford said it had stopped production of its Explorer SUV at its Chicago plant for a week in May New export licenses were issued in limited quantities to some Chinese magnet companies for certain non-U S clients including Volkswagen and even some U S companies people familiar with the matter said but
US snubs India’s war on terror
We see a remarkable convergence between the three big powers the US, Russia and China on the efficac y of dialogue between India and Pakistan
Isn’t it all too obvious that Shashi Tharoor who led the parliamentar y delegation to Washington was beating a dead horse?
might act outside policy altogether Still not all his battles were without merit Musk s vocal criticism of Trump s trillion-dollar tax-and-spending package reflected a man unwilling to conform, even to a president who had elevated him to national power According to AP News, this outburst hastened his departure from the cabinet and Trump himself was reportedly telling confidants that Musk will leave soon as per Politico Ironically this act of defiance though politically costly, cemented Musk s commitment to fiscal conservatism, showing he hadn’t traded his principles for proximity to power Public reception however did not reward him for this stubborn idealism Musk became fodder for comedians and critics alike He cut everything except common sense, joked Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, while The Guardian chronicled the media ridicule that followed his departure Polls reflected this nosedive Once enjoying cross-partisan admiration as a visionary entrepreneur Musk found his political image reduced to a punchline Approval ratings plunged among independents and moderate Republicans ironically, the very demographics he once captivated as a "doer" among talkers Still it would be unfair to cast Musk’s political tenure as wholly fruitless or entirely cynical His insistence on digital transparency, his push to make federal data systems open-source, and his refusal to bow before entrenched lobbying blocs reflect a man with conviction though perhaps not the diplomatic tools to execute it effectively Musk s problem wasn t a lack of intelligence or effort; it was the mistaken belief that governing is merely managing
many companies around the world struggled to get enough magnets Two weeks ago Bajaj Auto an Indian auto rickshaw maker said rare-earth export licenses now required among other things certification by the Chinese Embassy in India A trade truce between the U S and China in Geneva in mid-May was expected to ease the flow of magnets But rare-earth exports remained constrained and the U S accused Beijing of slow-walking approvals China blamed the Trump administration for breaking the Geneva agreement Earlier this month, Beijing said it would ease rare-earth exports to Europe, but made no such move for the U S Automakers and other companies will seek to use any loosening of export restrictions to stock up on rare-earth magnets Relief could be short-lived Mineral experts deem it unlikely that China will issue enough permits to allow big auto companies to stockpile magnets in large quantities And even if Beijing did free up the flow, companies’ needs for specific magnets shift over time: When a carmaker changes the design of a motor it often needs different magnets Defense companies are expected to face the most serious challenges U S defense companies have moved away from China-
sourced magnets, but few military-grade magnets are completely free of Chinese rare earths “China is very aware of its own capacity and is increasingly showing it is willing to use its own tools if necessary said Deborah Elms head of trade policy at the Singapore-based Hinrich Foundation China s dominance of rare earths was years
only China which maintains ambiguity or double standards” on terrorism per EAM S Jaishankar ’s allegation but even within India there are misconceptions The contesting legacies of Bhagat Singh and Savarkar bear testimony to it We need to tread softly Proposals are being mooted lately that India should rally the Global South in the war on terror There is great risk that we may lethally erode our article of faith that Indian Occupied Kashmir is an internal matter The world-wide perception is already that the periodic eruption of India-Pakistan violence stems from the unresolved Kashmir problem
Our solution lies in diligently picking up the thread of negotiations during the time of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf But no serious attempt has been made in this direction in the past decade or more nor is it ever likely by the ideology-driven present government
If the bilateral track is unproductive or damaged, what is the alternative? Fixation about bilateralism shouldn’t be an alibi for inertia The international environment today has dramatically changed and old dogmas have become obsolete India is no longer vulnerable to external aggression / interference / interventions Indians are a patriotic
people and national unity doesn t have to be promoted if the country faces an existential danger We, our children and grandchildren are all stakeholders, because we live here and this is our only country We see a remarkable convergence between the three big powers the US Russia and China on the efficacy of dialogue between India and Pakistan What drives the big powers may not be altruistic motives, but, quintessentially, there is convergence that all three dread a weakened, failed Pakistani state and will prevent it no matter what it takes IMF / ADB / World Bank etc have been lined up Pakistan is a highly strategic entity in geopolitical terms
Arguably China s helping hand to Pakistan too is not really any different although a powerful lobby in our country is raising the spectre of a military ‘fusion’ between the two countries Their diabolical agenda is to legitimise the hypothesis that our problematic relations with these two neighbours have no real solutions and all that is possible is a cauterisation of gaping wounds This is a defeatist mentality unbecoming of a civilisation state After all, is China doing anything essentially different from what the US did during India s cold-war era wars with Pakistan or for that matter what Russia is doing for India s militarisation and national defence? Where was the fusion then?
Russia has openly acknowledged the US’ good offices in checking the India-Pakistan tensions from spiralling out of control All three big powers offered to promote dialogue So where lies the real problem? Simply put, we remain stuck with the management of Kashmir problem rather than seek a permanent solution There are interest groups that adopt maximalist positions And political leadership lacks the courage or the moral authority to approach the problem in a spirit of give and take Remember, Germany and France also used to be eternal enemies; they even fought two world wars Ironically, even as PM hosted the seven multi-party delegations that returned home in a hearing in the US Congress at the House Armed Services Committee the commander of the US Central Command Gen Michael Kurilla lavishly praised Pakistan as a key partner in counterterrorism The general unequivocally commended a “phenomenal partnership” on the part of the Taliban with Pakistan in the tribal areas on their border in the fight against ISIS with the support of US intelligence which eliminated dozens of ISIS fighters and captured at least five high-value terrorists, who included Jafar, one of the key individuals behind the Abbey Gate bombing Gen Kurilla disclosed that Pakistani army chief Gen Asim Munir called him personally to inform I have caught him [Jafar] ready to extradite him back to the United States, please tell the Secretary of Defence and President Gen Kurilla added, “So we are seeing Pakistan, with the limited intelligence that we provide go after them using their means to do that and we are seeing an effect on ISIS Khorasan And
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Trump said Newsom “had totally lost control of the situation” He should be saying thank you instead of trying to justify his mistakes and incompetence!!! the president added Similar protests also ignited in other cities across the United States, as California prepared on Thursday for a legal showdown over Trump’s deployment of the military A second night of curfew was in place as city leaders tried to get a handle on the after-dark vandalism and looting that scarred a few city blocks in the 1 300 square kilometres
CAIRO A G E N C I E S Israeli gunfire and airstrikes killed at least 60 Palestinians in Gaza on Wednesday most of them near an aid site operated by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the centre of the enclave, local health officials said Medical officials at Shifa and Al-Quds hospitals said at least 25 people were killed and dozens wounded as they approached a food distribution centre near the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim before dawn Israel’s military, which has been at war with Hamas since October 2023 said its forces fired warning shots overnight towards a group of suspects as they posed a threat to troops in the area of the Netzarim Corridor “This is despite warnings that the area is an active combat zone
The IDF is aware of reports regarding individuals injured; the details are under review it said Later on Wednesday, health officials at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip said at least 14 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire as they approached another GHF site in Rafah
The foundation said it was un-
aware of Wednesday s incidents but added that it was working closely with Israeli authorities to ensure safe passage routes are maintained and that it was essential for Palestinians to closely follow instructions Ultimately the solution is more aid which will create more certainty and less urgency among the population,” it said by email in response to Reuters questions “There is not yet enough food to feed everyone in need in Gaza Our current focus is to feed as
A G E N C I E S Egyptian authorities have detained more than 200 pro-Palestinian activists in Cairo ahead of an international march with the stated aim of breaking Israel’s blockade on Gaza, organisers said Thursday As part of the Global March to Gaza thousands of activists planned to travel to Egypt s Rafah border crossing with the Palestinian territory on Friday to demand the entry of humanitarian aid
many people as is safely possible within the constraints of a highly volatile environment In a statement, GHF said it dis-
C hinese, Afric an foreign ministers pledge stronger ties
and
initiatives
by
of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Changsha, capital of central China s Hunan Province These African foreign ministers include the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Therese Kayikwamba Wagner Niger ’s Bakary
PM&DC announces new Syllabus for MDCAT 2025
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has officially uploaded the new syllabus for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2025 on its official website This new syllabus will serve as the core framework for the upcoming MDCAT examination the MDCAT is likely to be held on the last Sunday of September or 1st Sunday of October 2025 However, the final date will be announced in a couple of days in consultation with the admitting universities and with the approval of the council As the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council is the national statutory body responsible for regulating the standards of medical and dental education throughout the country PMDC oversees curriculum development licensing, and accreditation of medical institutions The new syllabus encompasses five key subjects i e, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, and Logical Reasoning with a focus on conceptual understanding and critical thinking The PM&DC encourages all aspiring medical and dental students to begin their preparation following the newly issued curriculum syllabus
NUST hosts assistive technology and inclusion summit
Themed on Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development: the Role of Innovation in Fueling an Accessible and Equitable World,” the Assistive Technology and
Khairpur, Sindh
Police in Karachi have successfully rearrested four more prisoners who escaped from Malir District Jail also known as Bacha Jail, over a week ago This brings the total number of prisoners rearrested to 157, while the manhunt continues for the remaining 68 fugitives
The prison break which occurred over a week ago involved 225 prisoners escaping from the facility, prompting authorities to initiate a large-scale search operation During the operation, one prisoner was killed and authorities have launched raids on the homes of the remaining fugitives in an attempt to capture them
PPP vows to resist government ’s
of
has ordered an investigation with Additional IG Malir tasked with probing the incident
‘elite - centric ’ budget, plans countr y wide demonstrations
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Thursday rejected the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year announcing a nationwide protest campaign against what it termed an elite-centric economic policy Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmad In-charge of PPP’s People’s Labour Bureau strongly criticized the federal government claiming the budget favored the wealthy while ignoring the struggles of the working class and the poor “The rich have made a budget for the rich There is nothing in it
for the common man,” Ahmad stated He added that financial relief had been provided to the elite while the burden continued to fall on the underprivileged The PPP leader announced that the party had begun reaching out to trade unions across the country to mobilize support for the protests Demonstrations will be held in all provinces before the budget is passed in the National Assembly The government s economic policy is anti-people We will
‘KP budget ’: Rif t in PTI c ausing doubts about budget handling, approval
Rafiq Awan
