PM SHEHBA Z STRESSES RETURN OF ‘MISLED’ BALOCHS INTO NATIONAL MAINSTREAM
g ACKNOWLEDGES LOCAL GRIEVANCES AT BALOCHISTAN GRAND JIRGA, CALLING FOR UNITY TO FIGHT EXTREMISM
g LET US SIT TOGETHER A S BROTHERS A S A STRONG AND PROSPEROUS FAMILY IS BUILT ON UNITY AND CONVERSATION: PM
Pakistan,
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reiterated that Pakistan would not allow India to unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty warning that water cannot be used as a weapon against the country Addressing army officers at the Command and Staff College Quetta, the premier said that India’s repeated provocations including using the Pahalgam incident as a pretext for aggression were firmly countered by
added The Afghan foreign ministry added that this elevation in diplomatic representation between Afghanistan and Pakistan paves the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation in multiple domains Pakistan and Afghanistan have embassies in each other s capitals but they were led by charge d'affaires, not ambassadors
China was the first country to accept an ambassador from the Taliban-run administration in Kabul, though it does not formally recognise its government Several other states including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) followed The statement came a day after Pakistan s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who held a second meeting with China’s foreign minister within a span of 10 days in Hong Kong announced the upgrading of diplomatic ties with Kabul Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are on a positive trajectory after my very productive visit to Kabul with the Pakistan delegation on 19th April 2025 ” Dar said in a statement on Friday To maintain this momentum I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its chargé d'affaires in Kabul to the level of ambassador,” he added “I am confident this step would further contribute towards enhanced engagement deepen Pak-Afghan cooperation in economic, security, CT & trade areas and promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries,” he further stated
The two nations share a porous border spanning around 2,500 kilometres with several crossing points, which hold significance as a key element of regional trade and relations between the people across both sides of the fence
The issue of terrorism remains a key issue for Pakistan, which has urged Afghanistan to prevent its soil from being used by groups such as the TTP to carry out attacks inside the former s territory
However days earlier a commander of the Afghan Taliban, Saeedullah Saeed, warned terrorists of Fitna al-Khwarij against fighting the Pakistan forces, conducting attacks in the name of Jihad
Meanwhile Islamabad and Beijing also agreed to extend the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and economic cooperation
Tensions appeared to ease after a rare meeting between Muttaqi and Dar in Kabul last month where the Taliban s acting foreign minister expressed concern over the deportation of tens of thousands of Afghans from Pakistan
K-Electric (KE) has proposed a targeted strategy to eliminate electricity loadshedding in Karachi calling
300
Initiatives
and
Ahsan Iqbal on Friday chaired a high-level preparatory meeting of the Pakistani side of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC)
The meeting brought together key stakeholders including conveners of CPEC Joint Working Groups (JWGs) and secretaries from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Communications, Maritime Affairs, Science & Technology, Railways, Commerce, and Interior, to review progress and finalize deliverables for the upcoming 14th JCC session according to a news release
Ahsan Iqbal conducted a comprehensive review of CPEC projects across vital sectors, including Gwadar development, industrial cooperation, science and technology, transport infrastructure agriculture and the blue economy
He directed all ministries to rigorously implement the long-term
CPEC plan by ensuring their project roadmaps align fully with established sectoral priorities for effective, resultoriented execution The minister instructed the Board of Investment to immediately begin strategic outreach to 20-25 major Chinese economic zones aiming to attract experienced companies for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) development and industrial relocation to Pakistan
Emphasizing science and technology as the foundation for future export-led growth he tasked the Ministry of Science & Technology with studying China s advancements in emerging scientific fields, formulating a national scientific development agenda, and identifying ten high-potential export products for targeted research and innovation support
Ahsan Iqbal highlighted Gwadar s critical role as a blue economy hub, urging accelerated development in coastal tourism, fisheries, and industry through strengthened engagement with Pakistani and Chinese business communities
He also directed officials to finalize a proposal for introducing third-party participation under CPEC to facilitate broader infrastructure projects, to be presented and approved at the forthcoming JCC session
Concluding the meeting the minister reiterated CPEC s immense potential for investment, industrial relocation, and joint ventures He called for unified, proactive efforts across all government institutions to deliver tangible outcomes for the JCC and emphasized intensified interministerial coordination and strategic planning to ensure the 14th JCC session is a landmark event advancing the CPEC 2 0 vision of a prosperous and connected Pakistan
Ahsan Iqbal underscored that CPEC 2 0 is fully integrated into the broader national transformation agenda under the URAAN Pakistan initiative URAAN Pakistan, as a flagship development framework aimed at turning Pakistan into a $3 trillion economy by 2047, outlines a clear roadmap through its five pillars: Exports E-Pakistan Environment Energy and
Equity CPEC 2 0 s focus on industrialization, connectivity, science and technology, and sustainable growth complements these pillars creating synergies that will catalyze economic modernization and inclusive innovationdriven development across all regions
Highlighting the need to deepen business-to-business (B2B) collaboration, Ahsan Iqbal stressed that private sector partnerships between Pakistani and Chinese companies will be pivotal in CPEC
workforce, and enhance Pakistan’s global competitiveness transforming economic zones into engines of opportunity and prosperity
UN labour body cuts global job forecast amid economic slowdown
of technological advances reach all workers The report also pointed out concerning trends in income distribution The share of global labor income
representing the portion of GDP allocated to workers has declined from 53 0 percent in 2014 to 52 4 percent in 2024 Africa and the Americas have seen the largest decreases in this share Had this share remained steady, global labor income would have been $1 trillion higher in 2024 equating to an additional $290 per worker in real terms This decline has contributed to rising inequality signaling a growing disconnect between economic growth and worker compensation The report further noted a shift toward high-skilled occupations with women leading the way Between 2013 and 2023 the share of women employed in high-skilled jobs rose from 21 2 percent to 23 2 percent, while the proportion of men in these occupations remained at around 18 percent Despite this progress, occupational segregation remains with women underrepresented in sectors like construction and overrepresented in roles like clerical and caregiving jobs
Educational mismatches in the labor market remain significant despite increased educational attainment worldwide As of 2022, only 47 7 percent of workers held qualifications that matched their job requirements While the share of under-educated workers has declined the number of over-educated workers has grown pointing to inefficiencies in matching skills to job needs The report also highlighted the impact of emerging technologies like generative AI Nearly one in four workers may see their jobs transformed by AI with a higher concentration of medium-skilled and high-skilled jobs at risk of automation While the findings of this report may be sobering, they also offer a roadmap for creating decent jobs, said Houngbo He emphasized the importance of urgent action to address these challenges by strengthening social protection systems investing in skills and ensuring that technological changes benefit all sectors of society
Pakistan to finalise sale of majority stake in First Women Bank to UAE next month
i s i t t o S u i S o u t h e r n G a s C o m p a n y L i m i t e d ( S S G C ) , M a l i k t o l d r e p o r t e r s t h a t P r i m e M i n i s t e
y s e c t o r a s o x y g e n t o t h e economy, emphasising that efforts are underway to s t a b i l i s e s u p p l y a n d e n s u r e t a r i ff s r e m a i n a l i g n e d w i t h i n t e r n a t i o n a l m a r k e t t r e n d s H e h i g h l i g h t e d e a r l y s i g n s o f r e c o v e r y i n k e y e c o n o m i c s e c t o r s b u t c a u t i o n e d t h a t s u s t a i n e d m o m e n t u m a n d p o l i c y s t a b i l i t y a r e e s s e n t i a l f o r c o n t i n u e d g r o w t h Malik also informed that the Prime Minister and t h e p e t r o l e u m m i n i s t r y a r e f o c u s e d o n r e s o l v i n g u p s t r e a m a n d d o w n s t r e a m s e c t o
COMMENT
No compromise on IWT
PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif has told the three-day International Conference on Glaciers Preservation that Pakistan will not allow the crossing of a red line by India of holding in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty and as a result holding hostage millions of people for political gains The problem is, the red line has been crossed, especially as there is no one to hold India s nose to the grindstone, and ensure that it obeys the Treaty, which is now well into its seventh decade By holding the IWT in abeyance India has in effect cancelled it, because it has not said what Pakistan had to do to get India to start obeying it once again At the moment, Pakistan is waiting for the other shoe to drop There have been indications of Indian misuse of Pakistan’s water by storing it and them releasing it, India will bot be able to do much damage until it has built the projects necessary to so control the Indus waters that it can create a flood or cause a drought at will It can also use this for military purposes turning a potential battlefield into a morass whenever it wills It can also use floodwater as a weapon, to be unleashed on Pakistani armored or infantry formations in its path
However, Mr Sharif was right to look to the people behind this military maneuvering For Pakistan, that water does not represent a military obstacle but the survival of millions of Pakistanis depending on that water for irrigation It should not be forgotten that the IWT was nothing really new, but merely an application of existing international law to the Indus Basin Waters Even though India has failed in its first objective that of showing Pakistan that it could hit it whenever it wished, it has managed to lay the basis for the IWT to be held in abeyance Pakistan must be vigilant at further Indian moves following up its IWT action Just as its armed forces showed that they could defend the country s territory against Indian aggression they must also be ready to keep the water of the country flowing The country must be prepared for adverse circumstances, and when push comes to shove, Pakistan is less likely to show the respect for international law which saw its putting restraints of the rules of engagement Water is serious business after all
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Tapart under closer scrutiny While the reported tax contributions appear substantial on paper, they pale in comparison to the economic burden caused by tobacco-related diseases which cost Pakistan an estimated Rs 700 billion annually This means that the industry even at its selfclaimed peak performance, is not covering even half the damage it causes to public health and the economy Despite this imbalance, the industry often garners political and public sympathy by positioning itself as a victim of smuggling and counterfeit markets
The illicit trade argument though not unfounded is often exaggerated The industry regularly claims that more than 60 percent of cigarettes sold in Pakistan are illegal However, a recent independent study placed the share of illicit cigarette trade closer to 33 2 percent with a higher prevalence in rural areas (around 37 percent) compared to urban areas (25 percent)
The gap between these figures highlights the industry s tendency to inflate data to shape policy discussions in its favor Dr Minhaj-UsSiraj, CEO of the Health Syndicate, has called out this distortion of facts stressing the urgent need for government-validated data and independent third-party research He notes that the
Ultimately,
THERE comes a time in every nation’s journey when a building ceases to be just concrete and steel and becomes a towering emblem of impunity The Federal Board of Revenue s decision to auction Karachi s Bahria Icon Tower over a staggering Rs26 46 billion tax default is not merely a bureaucratic manoeuvre or a financial headline it is a thunderclap in Pakistan’s
been practiced with brazen impunity Ordinary citizens particularly the salaried and low-income classes have borne the brunt of economic pressures from suffocating inflation to austerity while the privileged few manipulate legal loopholes, move assets offshore, and hide behind power and connections IMF applause echoes in air-conditioned rooms while public misery festers in the sun-scorched streets of Pakistan This bitter irony has become the defining feature of Pakistan s economic narrative a tale that celebrates numerical illusions while the masses are forced to sacrifice their very means of survival While government officials boast about macroeconomic stability and curbed inflation a dangerous disconnect grows ever wider between policy triumph and public despair The recent World Bank report which categorically highlights how Pakistan s regressive sales tax system is the largest contributor to poverty and inequality, tears the veil off a much-glorified fiscal façade that the power corridors, both domestic and international keep parading It underscores a truth that many live daily but few in authority dare to acknowledge The regressive tax regime where over 60 percent of tax revenue comes from indirect taxes like the General Sales Tax (GST), is essentially designed to punish the poor These taxes do not discriminate
Ultimately, the tobacco industry's self-promotion as a major taxpayer must be weighed against the full picture of its economic and health impact Its reported tax payments may seem impressive at a glance, but they are dwarfed by the human and economic costs it leaves behind The real issue lies not just in lost revenues due to illicit trade, but also in regulatory capture, data manipulation, and systematic exploitation of loopholes If Pakistan is to meaningfully reduce tobacco consumption and its associated harms, it must adopt a holistic approach, one that includes stronger data transparency, a rational and progressive tax system, and an uncompromising stance against industry influence in policymaking
real problem lies in the lack of robust data governance and transparency,” allowing the industry to operate with impunity and spread unverified claims without consequence Compounding this issue is the deliberate exploitation of tax loopholes The current tax structure is highly vulnerable to manipulation, and cigarette manufacturers have become adept at exploiting it By tweaking the weight of cigarette sticks and adjusting pack sizes companies can avoid crossing the thresholds that trigger higher tax rates This tactic is known as differential shifting along with brand diversification enables producers to significantly reduce their tax burden while remaining technically compliant Dr Waseem Iftikhar Janjua of SDPI has described this as a “game of manipulation” that reflects a structural weakness in Pakistan’s excise regime whereas he argues for a progressive excise tax system that accounts for the social costs of tobacco use and includes health-specific levies to directly address the damage caused by smoking Despite several reforms over the years, the tax policy remains ad hoc and poorly adapted to inflation or the industry's evolving evasion tactics Muhammad Asif Iqbal Managing Director Social Policy and Development Centre believes the current model is outdated and ineffective and talks about a long-term evi-
dence-based taxation strategy that prioritizes public health rather than focusing solely on revenue generation Moreover the Track and Trace (T&T) system introduced by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to curb illicit trade and improve tax compliance, has shown mixed results For instance, while it has registered an additional 2 to 3 billion sticks since early 2024, the system still fails to fully monitor the scope of tobacco production and distribution There are ongoing concerns about incomplete industry compliance and inadequate enforcement Dr Waseem Saleem affiliated with the WHO Pakistan warns that industry interference continues to undermine regulatory measures Unless tax policy decisions are insulated from tobacco industry influence, reforms such as Track and Trace (T&T) will remain limited in effectiveness While fiscal reforms are critical they must be complemented by behavioural and awareness-based interventions This includes stricter advertising bans, stronger enforcement of existing laws, and large-scale public health campaigns to counter the cultural normalization of tobacco use No amount of tax reform can fix the problem if the industry continues to have free rein to market to youth Ultimately the tobacco industry s self-promotion as a major taxpayer must be weighed against the full picture of its economic and health impact Its reported tax payments may seem impressive at a glance but they are dwarfed by the human and economic costs it leaves behind The real issue lies not just in lost revenues due to illicit trade but also in regulatory capture, data manipulation, and systematic exploitation of loopholes If Pakistan is to meaningfully reduce tobacco consumption and its associated harms it must adopt a holistic approach one that includes stronger data transparency a rational and progressive tax system and an uncompromising stance against industry influence in policymaking Thwriter is s
Don't trust the colonisers
known as the Sykes-Picot Agreement This was done while the British kept up their support for Arab independence in what was known as the McMahon-Hussein correspondence between British High Commissioner in Egypt Henry McMahon and Sharif Hussein bin Ali the king of Hejaz regarding a
radMa NouMaN Shah
How Pakistan’s Tobacco Industr y Uses O utdated Data to Mask Itself
Majid Nabi burfat
The Empire of Untouchables
COMMENT 05
and ensure regional equilibrium, Pakistan must prioritize the modernization of its own military capabilities This includes conventional forces cyber and intelligence units and advanced surveillance systems
favoured strategic partner
sibility toward the safety and future of over
There is no room for war
1 6 billion people
THERE is credible evidence pointing to Indian involvement in supporting terrorist activities within Pakistan The confession of Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadav attest India s role in destabilizing Pakistan Meanwhile the human rights situation in India especially regarding minorities has drawn global concern The safety and rights of minorities are at risk, and incidents of violence and extremism in India often stem from deep-rooted internal issues India has repeatedly attempted to externalize blame often accusing Pakistan without credible evidence Pakistan in contrast has consistently urged India to share verifiable evidence, but India has refused Furthermore, India's alleged involvement in acts of international terrorism, including assassination plots uncovered in the USA and Canada has raised serious questions The issue of Kashmir remains However India continues to treat it as an internal matter while attempting to internationalize its domestic challenges, such as terrorism Despite repeated provocations, Pakistan has shown restraint and maturity In the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam incident the people of Pakistan once again advocated for peace Operation Bunyanum Marsoos was a defensive measure taken in response to Indian aggression, aimed at protecting innocent civilians It sent a clear message: while Pakistan is committed to peace, any aggression would be met with a firm response Pakistan s armed forces are professional and dedicated to defending the country against all threats internal or external The state maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and remains committed to regional peace and stability Both India and Pakistan, as nuclear-armed neighbours bear a respon-
What is needed now is mutual maturity dialogue and a commitment to resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law During the recent conflict with India, Pakistanis viewed the military’s performance with a sense of pride and reassurance In what has been described as one of the largest air battles of the 21st century involving 112 aircraft equipped with beyond-visual-range (BVR) technology, Pakistan claimed a decisive advantage While India reportedly lost five fighter jets including three Rafale aircraft Pakistan emerged without confirmed losses in the aerial combat
The PAF also successfully countered the largest swarm drone attack in the region s history, neutralizing all 77 hostile drones using a mix of soft-kill (electronic disruption) and hard-kill (kinetic) methods In addition Pakistani air defences intercepted multiple ballistic missiles including the technologically advanced BrahMos Despite its hypersonic speed and precision the majority of BrahMos missiles were either destroyed or deflected, marking a significant milestone for Pakistan’s growing air defence capability India launched strikes on nine locations whereas Pakistan responded by targeting 26 across India demonstrating both technological prowess and operational confidence Rather than limiting itself to a proportional response, Pakistan elevated its strategy, executing both defensive and offensive operations with calculated precision The combined strength of Pakistan’s Army Air Force and Navy was on full display Analysts noted that had Pakistan not demonstrated such military competence and restraint, the conflict might have escalated uncontrollably The show of force played a key role in preventing immediate escalation, making clear that a full-scale India–Pakistan war was not only unsustainable but unacceptable to the international community On the diplomatic front Pakistan navigated the crisis without losing international support Despite fears, the IMF did not halt its tranche While global powers called for restraint, Pakistan gained backing from key allies notably China and Türkiye Conversely Israel widely viewed in the Muslim world as ideologically hostile sided with India However the broader Western response leaned toward neutrality, undercutting India s perception of itself as the West s
Domestically the conflict exposed deepseated issues within India particularly its treatment of minorities including Muslims and Sikhs In contrast, Pakistan saw a unifying effect internally, as political divisions narrowed and national solidarity strengthened Pakistan’s narrative gained credibility while India’s claims were widely criticized as unsubstantiated or fabricated Importantly Pakistan used the moment to shed longstanding allegations of being a state sponsor of terrorism Instead, India came under scrutiny for supporting destabilizing elements in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other regions
Regionally the conflict reset geopolitical dynamics India s long-standing effort to de-hyphenate itself from Pakistan in global diplomacy was effectively undone The Kashmir issue, long pushed to the margins, re-entered international discourse with renewed urgency Indian deterrence suffered a visible and public collapse as Pakistan effectively countered India s strikes and asserted strategic dominance The PAF s post-strike briefing became a defining moment Unlike rhetorical claims, it presented verifiable data radar logs, satellite images, jamming signals, and missile trajectory spoofing India’s prized S-400 air defence system at Adampur was mapped and struck while Rafale jets were reportedly grounded and unable to engage effectively in contested airspace India s command-andcontrol satellite links were jammed mid-battle, crippling their beyond-line-of-sight coordination and fragmenting their operational networks
Indian drones were either electronically blinded or shot down Confirmed losses included a Rafale and a Su-30MKI, with debris filmed inside Indian territory Unexploded SCALP-EG warheads landed in Pakistani fields Several of India’s retaliatory missiles misfired or crashed within its own borders with one French M88 engine found in Bathinda and wreckage of a Russian AL31FP engine scattered across the Akhnoor forests Satellite intelligence from China s MizarVision confirmed that Indian strikes on Nur Khan Airbase caused minimal damage, merely scorching ground vehicles rather than achieving mission-critical destruction Meanwhile Pakistan s precision strikes hit 26 military targets including BrahMos storage depots at Bas and command hubs at Barnala The Pakistan Navy maintained un-
derwater dominance tracking Indian submarines without surfacing its own All of this was carried out with calibrated restraint As Pakistan asserted control over the battlefield narrative, India scrambled diplomatically reaching out to the USA, appealing to Saudi Arabia, and seeking a negotiated exit A public comment by US President Donald Trump internationalized the Kashmir issue aligning with one of Pakistan s long-standing strategic goals India s failed Operation Sindoor became a case study in miscalculation Even Indian defense experts acknowledged Pakistan’s edge in training, strategic thinking, and execution India’s attempt at water coercion backfired with the Baglihar Dam gates released more from hydrological panic than any calculated strategy In the end Pakistan didn t just defend itself it dictated the tempo, controlled multiple warfare domains, and shaped the conditions under which the conflict de-escalated Delhi’s attempt at escalation ultimately backfired its stock markets plunged into turmoil and its media resorted to misleading its own population to mask the fallout The conflict didn t conclude with a negotiated ceasefire; it ended with Pakistan conducting a precise, evidence-backed exposure of India’s operational failures The geopolitical dynamics of South Asia have long been shaped by the deeply entrenched and often adversarial Pak-India relationship Recent instances of Indian aggression have reignited strong calls within Pakistan for enhancing its military capabilities In an increasingly volatile regional environment, a robust and well-prepared military is not just a strategic asset it is a fundamental requirement This has been one of the most significant lessons drawn from the recent confrontation with India and Pakistan s swift and coordinated response to it Pakistan’s military preparedness has never been more critical A credible and modernized defence force is the foremost line of deterrence against external threats While Pakistan s nuclear arsenal serves as a strategic shield conventional military strength remains essential to counter low-intensity conflicts, border skirmishes, and hybrid warfare threats that fall below the nuclear threshold but can still destabilize the region India’s substantial investments in its defense sector ranging from advanced fighter jets and missile systems to naval expansion are steadily shifting the regional military balance To maintain strategic parity
Given the ongoing tensions in Kashmir and the
AS the world becomes more volatile and confusing, policymakers, business leaders, and investors will need to rethink the mental models they use to analyze the global economy Specifically they should pay attention to three structural dynamics that are altering the global landscape: capital flows, demographic shifts, and political ideology, which are ushering in a more fragmented and siloed world
Changes to capital flows are driven largely by regulatory requirements (such as the US ban on investments in China) and investors pursuit of new opportunities for higher returns across sectors and regions The United States currently represents nearly 70% of stock-market capitalization world-
wide, attracting more than 70% of flows into the $13 trillion global market for private investments which include equity and credit This is true despite the recent sell-off The US stock market is where investors can generate the most attractive returns because the US is a global innovation leader with broad, liquid, and deep capital markets But global debt has reached 237% of world GDP raising concerns about who owns outstanding liabilities and the extent to which there is hidden leverage in the global financial system The US government alone owes $36 trillion (or 124% of GDP) – a large proportion of which is held by China, with which relations are strained Moreover, hidden leverage and the shadow banking sector ’s debts could become a problem According to S&P Global shadow banks held $63 trillion in financial assets at the end of 2022 – representing 78% of global GDP And further analysis has also shown that in 2024, shadow banking accounted for 70% of US mortgage origination and leveraged lending Investors and business leaders will need to ask themselves who holds what debt and where debt obligations and major pools of financial leverage may lie The second big worry concerns demographics The global population continues to grow at a rapid clip, with the United Nations forecasting that there will be 11 2 billion
people by 2100, up from 8 1 billion now Already almost 90% of the world’s population lives in poorer emerging markets and economically poorer regions – such as Africa India and the Middle East – are projected to experience population growth at or above the replacement rate of 2 1 children per woman Thus, these regions will continue to skew younger Across Africa, 50-60% of the population is below the age of 25 compared to only 20% across the OECD Meanwhile other countries are aging rapidly and registering lower birth rates with forecasts for Europe and China pointing to marked population declines According to Eurostat, the European Union’s population is projected to peak at 453 3 million in 2026 before gradually decreasing to 419 5 million by 2100 And UN data suggest that China s population will fall below 800 million by 2100, from 1 4 billion now Such trends have far-reaching implications for global demand and production across a wide array of commodities such as foodstuffs and energy For example India with its large poorer population is still heavily dependent on coal and fossil fuels as compared to renewables
Demographic changes will also alter financial portfolios as aging populations switch from being capitalists (willing to take on risk) to rentiers (desiring stable predictable fixed incomes) But markets will also have to calibrate for unprecedented intergenerational wealth transfers from baby
Why Modi won’t let go of the BJP ’s reins
The delay in finding a replacement for Nadda is understood as an outcome of the unresolved tussle between Nagpur and New Delhi over a mutually agreeable name
It would really matter ver y little whether Dharmendra Pradhan or Manohar Lal Khattar or Devendra Fadnavis gets the nod to be the replacement for J P Nadda
‘IDEALISM’ AND ‘NOBILITY’
The United States currently represents nearly 70% of stock-market
boomers to millennials Cerulli Associates estimates that this could amount to $84 trillion by 2045 Finally the ideological splits across countries and regions must be factored in The breakdown of multilateralism and the fragmentation of trade capital flows migration, and ideas are all being priced in, and policymakers and business leaders will have to keep these trends in mind America’s largest multinationals still generate more than half of their revenues outside the US
But they now need to consider what strained US alliances and traditional trading relationships will mean for their businesses For business more broadly, deglobalization has forced a shift toward more centralized procurement, hiring, and trade in goods and services It is also jeopardizing carry trades (borrowing cheaply in New York and London to invest in higher-yielding regions) and making it harder to repatriate profits
In the near term, the Trump administration’s tariffs and deportations could affect salaries and fuel higher inflation in consumer goods wages and prices across sectors Higher inflation moreover will likely drive up the cost of capital which could suppress business investment And over the long term deglobalization and
MODI ELABORATELY PREENING HIMSELF AS THE WARRIOR-HERO It is Modi s popularity and stature – and his administrative ability to ensure the playing field remains un-level – that is seen as sufficient to make voters put their seal on the BJP’s candidates Meanwhile, the prime minister is elaborately preening himself as the Warrior-Hero of the Four Day War officially named as Operation Sindoor
TBJP s organisational health and vitality Even the junior-most functionary in the ruling party knows and believes that it is “those two” – a euphemism for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah – who call the shots in organisational matters however small and insignificant Nadda s position, in fact, is far more pitiable than that of Mallikarjun Kharge as the Congress president (vis-à-vis Rahul Gandhi ) In the larger Sangh Parivar – from Nagpur to Jhandewalan – there are many detractors of the Modi-Shah duo and the twosome s stranglehold over the BJP is deeply resented These detractors remain eternally hopeful that at some point or the other, the top RSS leadership would say ‘enough is enough’ with the overdose of the Modi Cult These detractors have convinced themselves that even if the Sangh is in no position to do anything about Prime Minister Modi s defiance of the Nagpur brass Mohan Bhagwat and Co still have the reach and the resolve to impose a president of their choice on the ruling party who would, then, slow down, if not choke, the Modi-Shah sway over the organisation MIDDLE HIERARCHY OF THE RSS IS NO LONGER IN THRALL OF
The realists, however, believe that the prime minister-home minister duo already have a measure of the sanghsarchalak and his intimate advisers Nagpur lost out to New Delhi long ago as the swayamsevaks got a taste of governmental power and patronage; by all accounts, the middle hierarchy of the RSS is no longer in thrall of the idealism and “nobility” that was once famously infused by Golwalkar The vast majority in the Sangh parivar is no longer unfamiliar with the corrupting allure of power With contamination comes compromise and a weakening of the will that the Sangh believes distinguishes itself from other outfits in the land Yet, there is a small minority in the parivar that believes earnestly that in this centenary year the Nagpur bosses would want to recoup their reputation for high moral idealism As it is there is a great deal of discomfort and disillusionment among RSS leaders at the almost institutionalised corruption in the ranks of BJP-led governments across the country The hope is that the Bhagwat team would want to be able to hoist a president of its preference on the BJP The delay in finding a replacement for
Nadda is understood as an outcome of the unresolved tussle between Nagpur and New Delhi over a mutually agreeable name However, there is also a realisation that Nagpur no longer wields, if it ever did, a veto in the matter At best, it is entitled to “consultation” but not “consent ” Even in the best of times a prime minister is obliged to ensure that his/her party does not become a site for resistance and trouble Indira Gandhi had cast this principle in stone in 1969 Whenever a prime minister could not uphold this principle, their authority lost lustre Manmohan Singh had to use all his skills of patience and persuasion to ensure that “10 Janpath was not seen as a source of hostility despite all the talk of Sonia Gandhi exercising extra-constitutional authority And, to be sure, in 2014 Narendra Modi, as a prime ministerial candidate, promised to restore the PMO’s pre-eminence in the constitutional scheme of things As prime minister this is the only promise he can be said to have fulfilled comprehensively So it would really matter very little whether Dharmendra Pradhan or Manohar Lal Khattar or Devendra Fadnavis gets the nod to be the replacement for J P Nadda The partygovernment equation will not change in any radical manner – certainly not to the prime minister s disadvantage Amit Shah would continue to be the de facto president An organsation that once used to pat itself on the back for its integrity and the importance of sanghathan has now fallen prey to the familiar virus of the Leader’s presumed charisma de-institutionalising the political party Even the BJP’s traditional strength – the thousands if not millions of Sangh foot-soldiers making their presence felt on election day – is no longer deemed as a valued asset
S A U D I F M T O M A K E L A N D M A R K
I S I T T O O C C U P I E D W E S T B A N K
Insights into the Growth Opportunities for Sustainable Palm Oil in Pakistan
2024, Pakistan imported about 3 million tonnes of edible oils predominantly palm oil making Pakistan the fourth largest importer of palm oil globally Additionally Pakistan imports other oilseeds such as soybeans, for domestic processing to meet its growing needs In Pakistan, palm oil plays an essential role especially in the food sector due to its unique properties making it a versatility ingredient for a wide range of applications Palm oil has better oxidative stability and resistance to the formation of oxidised polymers, making it the ideal choice for cooking and food processing
The rising consumption of palm oil has prompted the need to raise public awareness about the sustainability efforts underway in the two largest producing countries Indonesia and Malaysia Both countries intensified efforts to ensure the sustainable production of palm oil by balancing environmental protection with economic development Key initiatives
include forest and biodiversity conservation as well as a strong commitment to increasing productivity without expanding the land area under oil palm cultivation
The oil palm industry embraces a holistic approach in sustainable development by promoting continuous improvement across the entire supply chain Most significantly palm oil is the only vegetable oil subjected to stringent sustainable requirements, unlike other vegetable oils that lack such mandatory schemes The Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) and the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) are the mandatory national certification schemes for palm oil to ensure transparency and traceability and sustainable practices across the palm oil supply chain, empowering consumers to make informed, fact-based choices that support responsible consumption The extensive efforts and initiatives by major palm oil producing countries have positioned the oil palm industry as one of the most advanced sectors in terms of sustainable production As a way forward, embracing sustainable palm oil is not only an important step toward protecting our environment and conserving biodiversity but also a strategic approach in shaping a responsible and resilient global economy As Pakistan strives to secure its edible oil supply, a critical element of its broader food security strategy, it has be-
come increasingly important to strengthen diplomatic economic and sustainability-focused ties with major palm oil producing countries, Indonesia and Malaysia, in view of the pivotal role of palm oil in contributing to food security It is crucial in fostering long-term partnerships to navigate global trade uncertainties while promoting sustainable palm oil production and consumption These collaborations also present opportunities to advance environmental stewardship, support fair trade practices and ensure mutual benefits for both producers and consumers as well as for the benefits of the global community Dr Puah Chiew Wei the author is the Director Strategy and Policy at the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) She graduated from the University of Malaya, Malaysia with a Bachelor of Science (Major in Applied Chemistry and Minor in Statistics) and PhD in Chemistry She has more than 20 years of working experience in the Malaysian oil palm industry Dr Puah has authored and coauthored more than 180 publications in journals book chapters technical publications and reports as well as presentations in conferences and seminars at the national and international levels She has five (5) patents filed and granted based on her research findings in the palm oil research including one technology that has been commercialised
Put info on elec tric bus routes, stations and schedule on Google Maps, Randhawa orders
tailed briefing on the operations of feeder electric buses and further improving travel facilities for the citizens of Islamabad Chairman CDA directed that all electric bus routes, stations, and schedule information be made available on Google Maps and effectively promoted to provide the public with maximum eco-friendly and air-conditioned travel facilities
He said that this initiative aims to provide citizens with complete information about electric buses remotely, enabling them to plan their journeys optimally Chairman CDA emphasized that the routes and movement of all buses should be clearly visible on Google Maps with distinct colors and stop details, making it easier for passengers to determine
Minister for Petroleum Mr Ali Pervaiz Malik, shared the vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and stressed for adoption of a holistic energy policy He was on his first official visit to SSGC where he held meeting with Acting Managing Director Amin Rajput along with the senior management of the Company He was given a comprehensive briefing on the overall structure of the organization, customer s complain redressal mechanism, Company s challenges especially in light of widening gas demand-supply scenario steps taken to mitigate these challenges and massive rehabilitation of SSGC’s pipeline infrastructure recently conducted / being currently underway in various Company s franchise areas Earlier soon after his arrival he held a media meet in which he explained in detail the overall scenario of energy in the backdrop of economic factors He said that energy sector is just like oxygen to the economy and we are taking initiatives to keep the supply and tariffs in line with the international market Early signs of recovery in key sectors have started showing up but for that we need to maintain the same momentum and stability while moving forward, he said Mr Malik said that Prime Minister has clearly instructed to make decisions
On the evening of May 30, 2025, Member of China s Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met here in Hong Kong with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar who attended the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) Wang Yi said that Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar s special visit to Hong Kong to attend the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed demonstrated Pakistan’s strong support for China’s initiative
“China is ready to work with Pakistan and likeminded countries to promote the unique advantages of the IOMed so as to provide countries with a new voluntary and efficient option for dispute resolution and offer a new platform for Global South nations to safeguard peace, stability, fairness and justice, he said Mohammad Ishaq Dar said that China’s initiative
to establish the IOMed is timely and represents an important contribution to strengthening the multilateral system The informal trilateral meeting of foreign ministers of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan was recently held successfully in Beijing
He said Pakistan has decided to accept China’s mediation proposal and upgrade its diplomatic relations with Afghanistan to the ambassadorial level
Pakistan fully supports China in hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin and will further deepen all-round cooperation between the two sides, he added Wang Yi stated that Pakistan s upgrading of diplomatic relations with Afghanistan will help improve Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, enhance mutual trust and strengthen cooperation
He said China is ready to work with Pakistan to deepen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership support Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and support Pakistan s assumption of the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in July and its contribution to international peace and security
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday claimed to have foiled a major terror plot and arrested 34 terrorists belonging to banned organisations during 415 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted across the province A CTD spokesperson in a statement issued here informed that two dangerous terrorists affiliated with Fitna al Khawarij were arrested from Lahore along with explosives Fitna al-Khawarij is a term designated for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) by the government Punjab CTD conducted 415 IBOs in different districts of the province to effectively deal with any untoward incident of terrorism,” the statement stated adding 420 suspects were questioned during the operations and 34 terrorists were arrested along with weapons explosives and other prohibited materials
The terrorists were identified as: Muhammad Ashfaq Ismail Khan Naseerullah Irshad Saqib Shoaib Muhammad Usman Muhammad Adeel Muhammad Ki Naam, Muhammad Suleman, Hamza Tariq, Qazi Khan and Sakhi Zaman
The spokesperson also said that the terrorists were affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij and other banned organisations adding that the IBOs were conducted in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Jhelum, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Narowal, Jhelum, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar Bukhara Kasur and Nankana Sahib
The CTD recovered 5 841 grams of explosives 19 detonators, 51 feet of safety fuse wire, one grenade, pamphlets, cash and mobile phones The statement further said that the terrorists had planned to target important buildings in different cities adding that 23 cases had been registered against the terrorists and further investigation was underway
It added that 5,045 combing operations were conducted in May with the cooperation of local police and security agencies 209 518 people were checked 604 suspects were arrested, 561 FIRs were registered and 456 recoveries were made
The statement said that Punjab CTD was “diligently pursuing its goal of a safe Punjab and no stone will be left unturned in its efforts to bring terrorists and anti-state elements behind bars Pakistan has been grappling with an alarming surge in terror activities, especially in KP and Balochistan after the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022
The country ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with the number of deaths in terrorist attacks rising by 45 per cent over the past year to 1 081
Last month the law enforcement agency foiled major attacks by arresting 10 terrorists belonging to banned organisations during 189 operations in different areas of Punjab