TEHRAN VOWS SELF-DEFENCE WITH ‘FULL FORCE’ AFTER US STRIKES THREE NUCLEAR INSTALL ATIONS
WASHINGTON ag e n c i e s
IR A N s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned a US military strike on its nuclear facilities, calling the action an unprecedented breach of international law and a grave violation of the UN Charter
The statement comes in wake of US attack on Iran s three main nuclear sites
President Donald Trump said and he warned Tehran it would face more attacks if it did not agree to peace Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the the U S strikes were committed in flagrant and unprecedented violation of the most fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the international law Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has vehemently condemned the brutal U S military aggression against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, noting that the world should not forget it was the United States that started a dangerous war against the Islamic Republic
In reaction to the U S attacks, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Sunday categorically denouncing the savage military aggression
The U S strikes were committed in flagrant and unprecedented violation of the most fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the international law, the statement read Earlier on June 13 the Israeli regime had started a war with Iran The Israeli regime attacked residential buildings in Tehran in an unprovoked act of aggression overnight Top Iranian military officials were assassinated in targeted strikes Civilians died when houses were directly struck Entire population centers were affected
Seyed Abbas Araghchi Iran s foreign minister and nuclear negotiator said that Israel and the US had repeatedly derailed diplomacy just as talks were underway
“Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy Araghchi posted on X formerly Twitter
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (A E O I ) said in a statement early on Sunday that the United States has claimed responsibility for the strikes on nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan
These attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and the IAEA Statute, he added
While noting Iran s right to self-defence as enshrined under Article 51 of the UN Charter the premier stressed the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path forward
He also called for urgent collective efforts to de-escalate the situation and reiterated Pakistan s readiness to play a constructive role in this context
President Pezeshkian conveyed his deep appreciation for Pakistan s support to Iran He thanked PM Shehbaz, the government and the people of Pakistan, including the military leadership for standing in solidarity with the Iranian people and its government
The two leaders emphasised the need and urgency of forging unity among the Ummah at this critical juncture They also agreed to remain in close contact
KP govt unwilling to give up power at any cost: Governor Kundi
said that the KP government is desperate to pass its budget even if it is using indirect means He added that despite the Chief Minister s threats meeting Imran Khan is not an option for the government and it will find excuses to ensure the budget gets approved He warned that the possibility of an emergency in the province could not be ruled out, and predicted that Gandapur would resort to any tactic necessary to retain power
During the meeting which included journalists Muhammad Rehan Naveed Sultan M Salahuddin Ahmad Mughal Abdullah Jan, Hammad, Nusrat, Adil Waqar and others, regional issues and public grievances were discussed in detail
The Governor expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the province and criticized the provincial gov-
Eight-member Kashmiri delegation leaves for Geneva to attend UNHRC session
ISLAMABAD I N P
An eight-member high-level delegation comprising Kashmiri leaders and human rights activists has departed for Geneva to participate in the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) The delegation is being led by Chairman of the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), Altaf Hussain Wani During their visit, the delegation will brief diplomats UNHRC officials and representatives of international human rights organizations on the grave and ongoing human rights violations perpetrated by Indian forces in the UN-recognized disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir In addition to highlighting the continued plight of the Kashmiri people the delegation will host seminars hold corner meetings and engage in interactive discussions The delegation will also urge international human rights organizations to take notice of India s persistent violations of religious freedoms and other fundamental rights in occupied Jammu and Kashmir Particular attention will be drawn to the arbitrary application of draconian laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA) as well as the continued detention of political leaders, extrajudicial killings of unarmed civilians, and the discovery of unmarked mass graves in various areas within and beyond the Kashmir Valley The delegation includes Convener of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter Ghulam Muhammad Safi, KIIR Executive Director Sardar Amjad Yousaf, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, Mrs Shamim Shawl, Dr Saira Shah, Naila Altaf Kayani and Ms Mehr-un-Nisa
ernment s lack of interest
He said that the survey for the Dera Ismail Khan International Airport is in progress and the Lift Canal project has entered the re-tendering phase under Wapda with phased planning underway
Addressing the issue of load shedding, Governor Kundi said the power outages in Dera Ismail Khan are unbearable He rejected Wapda’s justification regarding low recoveries and pressure from Islamabad saying that the public should be given control over feeders and that load shedding should be proportionate to recovery rates
Highlighting the injustice stemming from the 1991 water agreement, he said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has not received its due water share and urged the federal government to grant the province its rightful share He also demanded that the provin-
cial government take control of local electricity distribution companies (DISCOs)
The Governor revealed that 14 000 out of 24 000 Wapda posts in the province remain vacant exacerbating the
He criticized the excessive
shedding and low voltage, calling
a form of cruelty, especially amid the ongoing heatwave in the region He announced plans to hold another meeting with Wapda officials in the coming days to resolve the crisis and suggested that power management would improve significantly if the province were
KP IGP visits Babusar Top, Naran to review security arrangements for ongoing tourism season
N
Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed, conducted an important visit to Babusar Top and Naran two key tourist and strategic locations situated near the Gilgit-Baltistan border to inspect police establishments and review security arrangements for the ongoing tourism season The visit aimed to evaluate the preparedness of police personnel for ensuring the safety of thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visiting these scenic destinations during the summer months The IGP was accompanied by District Police Officer (DPO) Mansehra Shafiullah Gandapur, who briefed him in detail on the deployment of manpower, available infrastructure, and emergency response mechanisms across the region from Naran to Babusar Top During the visit IGP Zulfiqar
Hameed inspected police posts checkpoints, and entry and exit points along the Naran-Babusar route, with a particular focus on sensitive areas frequented by tourists He examined the condition of police infrastructure and discussed the operational challenges faced by law enforcement during peak tourist activity
Addressing the personnel stationed at Babusar Top and other posts, the IGP issued clear directives for maintaining respectful and courteous behavior with all tourists He emphasized that officers deployed in tourist areas must project a positive image of the police and ensure the complete safety and
comfort of visitors To strengthen interprovincial coordination IGP Hameed directed DPO Mansehra to form joint teams with the DPO of Chilas GilgitBaltistan and enhance cooperation to manage emergencies effectively and facilitate the smooth movement of tourists across the border region Focusing on infrastructure, the IGP ordered immediate steps to improve police facilities in the area He stressed that better infrastructure directly impacts performance and directed that new buildings be constructed for police posts at Batakundi, Jalkhad, Gatti Das, Barwai, and Besal He instructed the DPO to prepare and submit detailed proposals to the Central Police Office without delay IGP Zulfiqar Hameed reiterated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police is committed to ensuring a secure and welcoming environment for tourists and will deploy all available resources to promote safe and organized tourism in the region
SETTLEMENT OF K ASHMIR DISPUTE IMPERATIVE FOR L ASTING PEACE: DPM
cordance with the relevant UN Resolutions and aspirations of the local people “This attention, however, must not be aimed at legitimizing the status quo Illegal and lopsided solutions cannot be unilaterally imposed Only those solutions could bring the lasting peace which are in conformity with the international law The true peace is characterized by prevalence of justice, not absence of violence,” he remarked He recalled that India attacked Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir without any verifiable evidence or a credible investigation into the Pahalgam attack of 22 April 2025 Pakistan real estate listings
is essentially the same with particular reference to egregious human rights violations and blatantly illegal attempts to changing the demographics, he explained He was of the view that the situations were worsening and called for the urgent attention of the international community for a peaceful resolution in ac-
It chose the path of belligerence and aggression despite an offer by the Prime Minister of Pakistan for a transparent and independent probe into this tragic incident Most deplorably India did not pay heed to the calls for restraint made by the international community, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,” he added “During the intervening night of 6 and 7 May 2025, India deliberately targeted the civilian areas on the false pretext of presence of terrorist infrastructure resulting in the martyrdom of innocent men women and children India s unprovoked firing and shelling at the Line of Control also resulted in the loss of precious lives, houses and other assets In view of India’s unabated aggression Pakistan was constrained to respond in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity Our response, in the early hours of 10 May 2025, was mature, calibrated, restrained, and targeted only against military installations The purpose of our action was to demonstrate our
right, will and capability to defend our territory and people ” The Deputy Prime Minister said, “Today, Pakistan remains firmly committed to upholding the ceasefire and promoting an environment of regional stability However at a time when international efforts are being made for regional peace and stability, the statements emerging from India reflect an aggressive and belligerent approach India is fabricating misleading narratives to justify aggression These rhetorical statements must stop ” He informed that the Indian authorities exploited the Pahalgam attack to launch a massive crackdown in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir There are reports that over 2800 Kashmiris were arrested or questioned in the immediate aftermath of the attack The draconian Public Safety Act was slapped on at least 75 of them The police carried out extensive searches at multiple residences of the locals Around three dozen houses were razed to ground through the use of explosives Ishaq Dar said, “In the last 78 years, India has tried different methods to consolidate its occupation of the large parts of Jammu and Kashmir However an intensified campaign to Indianize Kashmir and transform its people into a disempowered community, has been in full swing since 5 August 2019 In last six years, the Indian authorities have taken a series of legislative, judicial and administrative steps aimed at altering the demographic structure and political landscape of the IIOJK he added To crush dissent the Indian authorities have created an environment of fear and intimidation in IIOJK Draconian laws such as Public Safety Act (PSA), Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Unlawful Ac-
tivities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) offer impunity to the Indian forces to arrest or kill any person, and destroy any property Since 5 August 2019 990 Kashmiris have been killed Another 2465 were injured or tortured The number of political prisoners remains in thousands Properties of Kashmiri activists are being confiscated as a punishment, he continued He told that the Indian authorities had outlawed 16 political parties under a counterterrorism law the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act The office of All Parties Hurriyat Conference in Srinagar had also been seized Eid prayers at Srinagar s historic Jamia Masjid have not been allowed for last seven consecutive years Friday prayers at the Mosque are also prohibited at times The chief cleric at the Mosque and a renowned Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is intermittently placed under house arrest denying him the opportunity to address important religious congregations He said, The international human rights organizations and civil society have extensively documented human rights violations in IIOJK
bint Abdulaziz AlJabreen and Engineer Salem bin Ali Al-Shahrani Ayaz Sadiq extended a warm welcome to the delegation and conveyed his best wishes for the leadership and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia He commended the Kingdom s exemplary arrangements for pilgrims during Hajj and acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s unwavering support to Pakistan during times of need Ayaz Sadiq emphasized that Saudi Arabia is a close and trusted brotherly country of Pakistan with deeprooted ties founded on shared religion, history, and fraternal bonds He underscored that the world today needs peace, not conflict, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and peaceful coexistence Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the significance of enhancing parliamentary linkages noting that parliamentary diplomacy plays a crucial role in bringing the peoples of both countries even closer He said that the Pakistan-Saudi Parliamentary Friendship Group in the National Assembly is actively working to promote mutual understanding and coordination between the legislatures of the two nations Ayaz Sadiq also noted that such exchanges provide valuable opportunities for lawmakers from both countries to learn from each other ’s experiences and perspectives The visiting Saudi delegation appreciated the efforts of the Speaker in advancing
parliamentary engagement Major General (R) Dr Abdulrahman
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
This week we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy He criticised Britain and the European Union for urging Iran to “return” to talks, saying Tehran never left the negotiating table How can Iran return to something it never left let alone blew up? he added Khamenei adviser says Iran s enriched uranium remains despite US attacks An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that the country still has its stockpile of enriched uranium despite attacks by the United States on key nuclear sites AFP reports Even if nuclear sites are destroyed [the] game isn t over, enriched materials, indigenous knowledge, political will remain,” said Ali Shamkhani in a post on X He added that the “political and operational initiative is now with the side that plays smart avoids blind strikes
I
TA C K: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that as of now there have been no reports of increased offsite radiation levels following the US strikes on Fordow Isfahan and Natanz Following attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran – including Fordow – the IAEA can confirm that no increase in offsite radiation levels has been reported as of this time ” the international nuclear energy agency said in a social media post IAEA will provide further assessments on situation in Iran as more information becomes available It is worth mentioning here that President Donald Trump said the US military
has carried out a very successful attack on three Iranian nuclear sites including the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan ” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site Fordow Trump added that all planes are safely on their way home Congratulations to our great American Warriors ” Donald Trump’s announcement came just two days after he said he would decide within two weeks whether to join key ally Israel in attacking Iran
Earlier on Saturday there were reports that US B-2 bombers which carry socalled “bunker buster” bombs were headed out of the United States Trump did not say what kind of US planes or munitions were involved Tehran had threatened reprisals on US forces in the Middle East if Trump attacked but the US president called for peace There is not another military in the World that could have done this NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!” he said S TAT
E N T: The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned that the world cannot absorb limitless war amid escalating military operations in the Middle East, urging all parties to uphold international humanitarian law
In a statement the ICRC called for the protection of civilians and safe access for medical personnel and first responders including those with the Iranian Red Crescent Society and Magen David Adom
The organisation said it is scaling up operations in both Iran and Israel but stressed that humanitarian aid cannot re-
The USA’s bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities has just extended the war
S President Donald Trump managed to do what he had accused his predecessor Joe Biden of doing: getting the USA involved in a ‘forever war ’ when he ordered airstrikes at three Iranian nuclear facilities, even after they had been pounded for the last week by Israeli bombers and drones That he had done so reflected the failure of the Israeli bombardment to achieve its aim of eliminating Iran s ability to enrich uranium to weaponsgrade After about 20 years of warning that Iran was months away from making a nuclear weapon Israel has finally got the USA to intervene militarily on its side The issue of Iran s nuclear potential will be of importance in the USA, because it is still a matter of debate whether Mr Trump acted constitutionally or not and memories have still not faded away of how the USA invaded Iraq toppling its President, Saddam Hussain, on the pretext that he, despite the destruction of the Osirak reactor by an Israeli air raid he was developing a nuclear weapon Despite a prolonged US occupation no traces of the alleged activity was found, in accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency report before the invasion This time, the USA does not have any boots on the ground perhaps to avoid the embarrassment of finding nothing
Apart from the constitutionality of his action, there is bound to be some resentment of how it has been mainly to Israel’s benefit Though the Israeli lobby remains immensely powerful in Washington Israel’s brutality in Gaza has finally turned the tide of opinion of the man in the street The need to get involved in a war that Israel started, may not be easily discernable by the US voter Even some voices in Trump’s so-called Make-America-Great-Again (or MAGA) movement are beginning to voice discontent, as this new issue comes on top of the tariffs Trump had ordered which had hit the consumer hard Iran has so far not retaliated against the USA its initial response being to launch 27 missiles, spanning the Golan Heights, and Northern and Central
Dedicated
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
IN the fog of war truth is often the first casualty
As the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies a dangerously false narrative is being pushed by Israelilinked media outlets one that falsely accuses Pakistan of issuing nuclear threats and aligning militarily with Iran It alleges that Pakistan warned the USA and France that it would retaliate if Iran is attacked with nuclear weapons These claims have no basis in reality no official statements no credible sources no historical precedent Yet amplified by a sophisticated propaganda network these unsubstantiated claims are being given the weight of fact, threatening to create justification for future aggression This narrative collapses under strategic scrutiny Pakistan’s missile programme is regionally focused, designed only to counter threats from India Its delivery systems are not capable of reaching Israel and Pakistan has never developed the long-range missile capability or refuelling infrastructure needed for such operations Furthermore, Pakistan lacks the aerial refuelling capacity to sustain long-range missions, making any such threat logistically impossible The very suggestion that Pakistan could or would launch nuclear weapons toward Israel is not only implausible it is militarily impossible Likewise comparing Pakistan to the USA as a strategic threat is absurd Pakistan is a struggling economy with limited global influence, whereas the USA remains a superpower By any metric military strength economic capacity or diplomatic reach Pakistan is not in a position to challenge US interests These claims are not only false; they are constructed to incite fear provoke conflict and shift the global narrative in Israel s favour What we are witnessing is not misinformation it is information warfare For the first time in modern history Iranian missiles rained down on major Israeli cities shattering the long-held illusion of invincibility In response Israel pivoted toward narrative control By framing itself as a victim and targeting Pakistan with baseless accusations it seeks to expand the war narrative and preemptively neutralize any potential Muslim voice of dissent
Pakistan’s record stands in direct opposition to this manufactured threat Time and again it has demonstrated military restraint and strategic maturity From the Kargil conflict to the Pulwama-Balakot standoff and to the recent standoff between Pakistan and India after the Pahalgam terrorist attack Pakistan has shown that it acts defensively even when provoked The capture and swift return of an Indian pilot in 2019 reflected its desire to de-escalate, not inflame, conflict Its nuclear doctrine is deterrence-based and region-specific It has never engaged in offensive nu-
clear signalling beyond the India-Pakistan context Pakistan does not seek global military entanglements; its entire military posture is defensive and grounded in regional stability Internally, Pakistan faces serious challenges economic volatility, inflation, political instability, and a worsening poverty crisis These conditions alone make foreign military engagement an untenable proposition Pakistan is focused on survival not strategic adventurism The idea that it would involve itself in a Middle Eastern war especially one involving Israel the USA and possibly NATO is not just far-fetched, it is suicidal It lacks the resources, alliances, and intent to fight such a war The urgency of caution became even more pronounced after President Donald Trump fired his National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on allegations of collusion with Israeli interests Waltz was reportedly briefing Israeli officials from within the White House and encouraging the impression that the USA was fully backing Israel s military operations His dismissal revealed how deeply Israel’s influence has penetrated not just Congress, but the American executive and intelligence establishment This same covert lobbying network that engineered political consent for Israel s attack on Iran could easily be redirected against Pakistan The machinery that shaped the US perception of Iran can be repurposed to vilify Pakistan, manufacturing a threat where none exists In light of this,
Pak Army’s Civil Engagement Drive
Gujranwala the Corps Commander conveyed messages of national unity, patriotism, and civic responsibility In Bahawalpur, the Corps Commander delivered a special address on “Marka Haq” and national cohesion
TISPR’s engagements are vital for shaping public perception and delivering timely, accurate information The current DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry frequently conducts interactive sessions with students and educators These meetings provide direct communication channels to dispel misinformation For example, after successful operations against external aggression or internal terrorism, the DG ISPR personally engages with students reaffirming the strength of the military and the resilience of the nation While not formal civil engagement the DG ISPR s regular press briefings serve as a key platform to inform the public about military operations, security issues, and policy positions During and following Operation Bunyan Marsoos, these sessions have played a crucial role in conveying an accurate and detailed account of the situation The DG ISPR s office actively leverages social media platforms to share information highlight positive stories and engage in real-time dialogue, reaching millions of digitally connected young Pakistanis In various cities across the country, senior Army officers visited key educational institutions participating in special interactive sessions with teachers and students These sessions were organized by the Corps Commanders of Mangla Multan Lahore Karachi, Quetta, Gujranwala, and Bahawalpur During these visits, the Corps Commanders encouraged students to harness modern technology, and use social media positively In Lahore, the Corps Commander referred to Operation Banyan Marsoos as a reflection of the nation s unity discipline and faith Calling students the conscience of the nation and future builders of the country, the Corps Commander in Karachi affirmed that Pakistan would never compromise on its security, dignity, or sovereignty, emphasizing the crucial role of youth in securing a prosperous future In Quetta the Corps Commander spoke at the Quetta College of Medical Sciences and Nursing Institute where he spoke about Balochistan s development and addressed students concerns and questions Meanwhile, in
The Army’s broad civil engagement campaign has brought significant benefits By actively involving diverse groups the Army reinforces the concept that national security is a shared responsibility Regular, transparent communication helps dispel myths about the military and counters negative stereotypes When citizens perceive military leaders as accessible knowledgeable and genuinely concerned for their welfare trust in the institution grows Engagement with youth serve as important tools to shield vulnerable populations from extremist ideologies By emphasizing civic duties, national identity, and the destructive impact of terrorism the Army offers a powerful counter-narrative Clear statements from the Field Marshal linking terrorism to foreign adversaries further help unify public opinion against these threats
The relationships and trust established through these civil engagements prove invaluable during natural disasters Coordinated responses between military and civilian authorities, built on mutual understanding lead to more effective and life-saving actions The Army s educational and vocational programmes directly contribute to developing the skills of Pakistani youth
This ongoing initiative also highlights the military s role within a democratic framework By engaging with academic institutions and encouraging critical thinking these efforts subtly promote principles of open discourse and civilian participation Statements from military leaders emphasizing adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law, and stressing the importance of institutions operating within their prescribed roles, reinforce this broader democratic understanding
The Pakistan Army’s dedication to this initiative is clear and unwavering By continuously engaging its senior leadership especially the Field Marshal and DG ISPR and broadening its community-level programmes the Army is playing a vital role in fostering a more informed, united, and resilient Pakistan This strong commitment to bridging the gap between the military and the public reflects a deep understanding that true national strength rests not only on military power but on the enduring connection and shared purpose of its people
The writer is a freelance columnist
The Pakistan ArmyÊs dedication to this initiative is clear and unwavering. By continuously engaging its senior leadership especially the Field Marshal and DG ISPR and broadening its community-level programmes, the Army is playing a vital role in fostering a more informed, united, and resilient Pakistan.
Ease Commute
The empire of lies
How Israel’s War Propaganda endangers the World
to the IAEA’s ongoing inspections of Iranian facilities However because peace with Iran has never fit Israel s agenda Israel which has its own undeclared nuclear warheads and has refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), continues to spread the myth of an impending Iranian bomb A vilified Iran is more beneficial to Tel Aviv than a diplomatic one
international laws, particularly those outlined in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) At the urging of Israel which has continuously pushed for conflict over diplomacy Donald Trump sabotaged that laboriously negotiated agreement not Iran The lies didn t end there though In 2020, Israel committed an act of international terrorism under the pretext of “defense” when it killed Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Iran’s top nuclear negotiator and scientist in a move so blatant it would make even the most seasoned warhawk blink Fakhrizadeh was not in charge of a programme to develop weapons He served as a bridge to possible peace and the cornerstone of Iranian diplomacy That bridge was not desired by Israel They blew it up as a result Literally Iran s nuclear programme has long been the subject of intense international scrutiny despite the scare tactics promoted by Israeli officials and those in the West who support them Iran was enriching uranium at just 3 67 percent, far below the 90 percent weaponsgrade threshold prior to the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 a deal that Israel vigorously lobbied to sabotage Iran s enrichment remained a reaction to provocation rather than a step toward weaponization even after the deal fell through Iran has reportedly enriched small amounts of uranium up to 60 percent as of 2024; this is still below weapons-grade and falls within the technical rights of a nation whose security has been threatened on numerous occasions There is still no concrete proof of a weapons programme, according
Israel has intensified its aggression ever since Under the fictitious guise of preemptive defense, Tel Aviv has continuously targeted Iranian officials, civilian convoys, and infrastructure in a campaign of illegal airstrikes throughout Syria and Lebanon These aren’t military surgical procedures These are calculated acts of war intended to cause regional instability and elicit a reaction from Iran that might warrant a full-scale conflict Israel has intensified its aggression ever since Under the fictitious guise of “preemptive defense ” Tel Aviv has continuously targeted Iranian officials civilian convoys and infrastructure in a campaign of illegal airstrikes throughout Syria and Lebanon These aren t military surgical procedures These are calculated acts of war intended to cause regional instability and elicit a reaction from Iran that might warrant a full-scale conflict
The most horrifying example of Israeli aggression is not in its conflicts with Iran but rather in Gaza, where a genocide has been taking place for two years while the world watches Since 2023, Israel has carried out an ethnic cleansing campaign that is so vicious and unrepentantly brutal that even Western media which has long been complicit in the crimes committed by Tel Aviv has been forced to acknowledge the extent of the carnage Whole communities collapsed Hospitals were bombed Murders of journalists Children buried under debris As of June
2025 the Gaza Health Ministry reports that since the outbreak in October 2023 more than 55 000 Palestinians had been killed and more than 127,000 had been injured Women and children make up the majority of those killed According to the UN, in the last 20 months alone, more than 50,000 children have been killed or injured Nevertheless Israel s propaganda apparatus fabricates the tale of self-defence with the help of US media outlets that refuse to refer to it as genocide To be clear, the situation in Gaza is not a conflict It s not a “war ” Extermination is what it is White phosphorus and missiles are used to enforce apartheid And it is taking place with the full financial and military backing of the USA whose $3 8 billion annual military aid to Israel finances every war crime, bullet, and bomb
Like its predecessors, the Trump Administration has demonstrated unquestioning allegiance to Israel’s war machine Washington says nothing when Israel attacks Baghdad and Damascus The USA vetoes international resolutions when Israeli snipers target UN shelters and aid convoys The USA magnifies Israel s lies about Iranian nuclear weapons In addition to giving Israeli aggression more confidence Washington and Tel Aviv’s unholy alliance has also protected it from criticism The world is now on the verge of collapse The shadow war between Iran and Israel has intensified to terrifying new heights in recent weeks Drone strikes in Syria and Iraq have targeted Iranian military advisors and Quds Force commanders Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles at Israeli-affiliated locations in Erbil sending a message to the world and not
Israel and Iran are no long er the only topics of discussion It concerns the essence of international law It has to do with the breakdown of diplomacy It concerns our worldÊs future Because the question of whether a world war will break out will no long er be relevant if the current course is followed if America continues to provide suppor t, if Israel continues to escalate , and if the world continues to look on in silence When will be the question And histor y will remember who poured the fuel, lit the match, and stood back and referred to the fire as „defence‰ on that day It wasnÊt Iran It wasnÊt The empire of lies was what it was It was Israel
Begum Wilayat Mahal, the queen of nowhere
Give me my robe put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me Cleopatra, Antony and Cleopatra (Act V Scene II)
IN 1993 in a dilapidated hunting lodge tucked inside Delhi s Ridge Forest Begum Wilayat Mahal swallowed crushed diamonds and died A tragic yet deliberate act of defiance, it eerily resonated with Cleopatra’s penultimate moments in William Shakespeare’s play, Antony and Cleopatra, where the Egyptian queen chooses to die by asp bites rather than be paraded on the streets of Rome by Caesar Like Cleopatra Wilayat refused to let a colonially divided post-imperial world strip her of dignity and possibly the last remnants of royalty However, this is where the similarity between them ends Wilayat s story is not granted a regal ending – it is one of exile, bureaucratic suspicion, political apathy and fractured memory
A LIFE IN TRANSIT: In The House of Awadh: A Hidden Tragedy authors and journalists Aletta André and Abhimanyu Kumar give a stirring objective yet sensitively written account of Wilayat Mahal s life and the generations of history she carried, contested, and reimagined, perhaps reconstructed too Part oral history, part political inquiry and part elegy the book is divided into three segments – Memory History and Identity – perfectly poised on an uneven terrain of remembrance Anchored first in the dispassionate and professional rigor of historians and the tenderness and warmth of personal human experience later, André and Kumar unearth the checkered lives of Wilayat Mahal and her children – Sakina and Ali Raza – “the self-proclaimed royals of Awadh (Oudh)” whose claims of descent from Wajid Ali Shah and Begum Hazrat Mahal were challenged ridiculed and dismissed by both the Indian and international press together with humanity at large Wilayat Mahal, along with Sakina and Ali Raza, spent over a decade at railway stations – at the Charbagh station in Lucknow, then in the first-class waiting room of New Delhi Railway station – turning waiting rooms into stations of protest or defiance These waiting rooms became surreal placeholders that screamed both royalty and rootlessness Before moving to Delhi in the 1970s Wilayat and her children had stayed for some time in Kashmir in the mid-1960s Later in Lucknow, Wilayat claimed Chattar Manzil as her ancestral home and demanded restitution for the annexation of Awadh by the British In a tussle between legitimate or illegitimate claims personal and public memory and fundamental rights to a decent life the reader is drawn into a world where imperial legacies collide with post-colonial neglect, and memory becomes both weapon and wound DOUBLY
nial disruption: the abolition of princely states the dissolution of Privy Purses the partition of families and identities across India and Pakistan In this shuffle of geopolitics, personal histories are often erased or never documented – especially those of women who do not fit easily into officially sanctioned narratives Wilayat Mahal emerges as a figure of protest: a Shia woman who refused state accommodations in Lucknow and instead demanded a return of her kingdom The web of conflicts and confusions gets thicker Wilayat s name was not included in the pensions list for the royals and their descendants, an omission both political and symbolic This detail is crucial not because it debunks her claim, but because it adds texture to it – foregrounding the tangle of kinship gender and legitimacy in both pre-colonial and post-colonial India In this context it is important to understand Wilayat s social and religious identity A Shia woman who claimed direct descent from Hazrat Mahal, but whose actual ancestry, as the book details later, traced her lineage to a certain Zohra, a mu’tah (temporary) wife of Wajid Ali Shah (who had hundreds of wives), opens doors to further controversies This connection through the maternal line and via Shia traditions was doubly removed and scorned in the eyes of the state As a Shia and a descendant of Zohra – also a grandchild of Wajid Ali Shah – Wilayat s link to royalty was not easy to accept or validate Mut ah marriages, temporary in nature and considered illegal by Sunni orthodoxy, were often dismissed as akin to prostitution Hazrat Mahal herself had been one such wife (referred to as a concubine) making their roles in resistance even more subversive
The authors commitment to following every clue –from Zohra s mut ah lineage to Asafi Kothi in Sheesh Mahal – is exemplary They excavate not only the ruins of palaces but also the layered wounds of inheritance, belonging, and trauma Wilayat’s story, the authors suggest is not in the facts but in the “cracks of memory” From Lucknow to Kashmir to Karachi the authors traverse the complex geographies of a family and its fractured identity Inayatullah Wilayat s husband once the Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University, migrated to Karachi after Partition with four sons Wilayat, reportedly the second wife, and her children were looked down upon – again doubly marginalised for their gender and historical lineage
A TRAILING SHADOW: Kumar and André s deep dive into the historical context of Awadh – its annexation, the legacy and significant role of Hazrat Mahal in the Revolt of 1857, the dissolution of the princely states, and the fallout of Partition – is as thorough as it is moving What they achieve is not just a biographical excavation but a rebalancing of how we perceive madness protest and feminine agency in post-colonial India
Wilayat s life as the authors show uncannily mirrored that of Hazrat Mahal – not just in resistance but in its tragic arc Hazrat Mahal, a formidable leader of the 1857 Revolt, had led armies against the British and sent delegations to London to protest the annexation of
Awadh by the East India Company Her mission failed She died in exile in Kathmandu and her dreams remained unfulfilled Wilayat s lifelong protest against the same historical wrong also ended in futility – her claims never fully acknowledged, her requests never quite granted, her memory left to rot along with the ruins of Malcha Mahal Her fight was less about restoration and more about recognition
This is where the book s most powerful and poignant subtext lies: how women s memories oral histories and lived experiences are routinely invalidated only because they don t complement or validate official records
Wilayat s insistence that her family was wronged may never have been fully provable, but it was not a figment of imagination either There was truth however fragmentary in what she claimed And that truth this book argues deserves its place in our historical imagination The authors let Wilayat s contradictions to breathe: a woman fiercely protective of her identity, who once broke the locks at Sheesh Mahal to reclaim what she said was hers; a woman of noble defiance and psychological fragility, who planted a neem tree at Malcha Mahal as a marker of rootedness in a land that refused to see her as one of their own The book neither confirms nor denies her royal claim; instead it interrogates the very frameworks – bureaucratic journalistic and colonial – that attempted to define her Was she a fraud, a revolutionary, or a symbol of post-colonial displacement? The book refuses any definite resolution, and in doing so, offers something far more valuable: nuance
MALCHA MAHAL – A SITE OF MADNESS AND
MEMORY: In 1985 the family was granted residence in Malcha Mahal – a 14th-century Tughlaq-era hunting lodge The palace had no electricity, no water, no guards Home to bats, snakes, Wilayat’s pedigreed dogs, fine china dinnerware, and an air thick with grief, it was a place of haunting decay By the time the family moved into Malcha Mahal they had already endured decades of homelessness and societal derision Wilayat died there So did her daughter Sakina And in 2017 Prince Ali Raza – also known to some as Cyrus – died alone in its decrepit halls – his demise marking the ultimate end of the family line During their time at the New Delhi Railway Station and Malcha Mahal the family was harassed by local boys and goons highlighting the vulnerability of their situation The neglect was not just administrative but societal Michel Foucault s Madness and Civilisation (1961) finds an echo here and, in the book too, in how melancholy and grief were used as tools to discredit and isolate Wilayat’s narrative was alternately romanticised and dehumanised – hailed as a mysterious melancholic royal one day dismissed as a delusional imposter the next The foreign press dubbed her a fake queen mentally ill fraud – a treatment reminiscent of Bertha Mason, the so-called madwoman in the attic from Charlotte Brontë s Jane Eyre (1847), whose dissent is pathologised And like Bertha,
Farzeen nadeem
WORLD LEADERS REACT TO US ATTACK ON IRAN
India arrests two for allegedly aiding Pahalgam attackers in IIOJK
US strikes on Iran 'incredible success', says Pentagon chief
total water reserves were at their lowest level in 80 years On the slopes above Dukan lies the village
Gwadar delegation visits Zhengzhou enhancing cooperation in agriculture sector
experts and enterprise representatives engaged in extensive knowledge-sharing and explored numerous collaboration opportunities during their packed itinerary Gwadar Pro reported on Sunday Their first stop was the Zhengzhou Garden Expo s state-of-the-art tissue culture laboratory and nursery base, where they gained firsthand experience of China’s advanced
delegation held detailed technical discussions with researchers at the Laser Manufacturing Research Institute about potential applications of laser technology on Gwadar s agricultural sector A subsequent visit to Zhongmu County s garlic planting base provided valuable insights into high-yield cultivation methods and post-harvest processing techniques that could be replicated in Gwadar A major milestone was achieved at Henan Agricultural University with the signing of a landmark Sino-Pak Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement focusing on the introduction and comprehensive utilization of Paulownia and other plants The agreement paves the way for joint research initiatives and technology transfer between the two sides The visit also included
effects of climate change experiencing rising temperatures, year-on-year droughts and rampant desertification At the end of last month, the country’s
der creative exchange
MUHAMMAD SIDDIQ KAYANI
After a clean sweep in the recent T20 series against Bangladesh Shaheen Eleven is now set to face both Bangladesh and the West Indies in T20 and ODI series during July and August These series carry great significance as top cricketing nations currently dominate the shorter formats of the game Teams like Pakistan Bangladesh West Indies, and Sri Lanka are lagging in rankings, while India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and England continue to perform exceptionally well across formats Pakistan is yet to announce its final squad However a training camp is underway in Lahore where 22 players, including Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, and Mohammad Rizwan, have been called up for fitness and form assessments by the selection committee Both new and senior players are seen in full action Team captain Salman Ali Agha has expressed satisfaction with the performance of emerging players such as Hassan Nawaz Mohammad Haris Saim Ayub Sahibzada Farhan and notably Hassan Ali all of whom impressed during the recent Bangladesh series New head coach Mike Hesson, known for his high-performance coaching style, is focusing on improving team rankings collective performances fielding bowlers line and length and batters strike rates He is also playing a key role in refining Salman Ali Agha s captaincy Against the Bengal Tigers, Agha led with strategic brilliance, utilizing his bowlers and batters efficiently and maintaining excellent working relationships on the field Shaheen Eleven appeared rejuvenated in all departments, with young players displaying an aggressive style, often scoring at strike rates above 200 an essential element in modern cricket
The current team seems to have found a new identity playing self-
SRINAGAR
s ta f f r e p o r t
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has said that people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir view Indian Home Minister Amit Shah as a communal and criminal person who is attempting to further the anti-Kashmir and anti-Pakistan agenda in the internationally-recognized disputed territory
According to Kashmir Media Service Indian Home Minister Amit Shah in an interview with Times of India on Saturday said, India will never restore the Indus Waters Treaty with Islamabad and the water flowing to Pakistan will be diverted to Rajasthan by constructing a canal
The 1960 treaty had guaranteed water access for 80% of Pakistan s farms through three rivers in IIOJK APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas in a statement in Srinagar said that being mastermind of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A and the subsequent landing of thousands of Kashmiri
lessly for team victories rather than personal milestones It is suggested that with just a few tweaks, the same T20 squad could be extended for the ODI format However the performances of Haris Rauf Shadab Khan Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf in the Bangladesh series were below par Despite this, they are likely to continue featuring in upcoming matches Shadab Khan’s continued selection despite underwhelming performances even against weaker sides like Bangladesh has previously sidelined quality spinners such as Usman Qadir, Usama Mir, Zafar Gohar, and Zahid Mahmood Despite consistent domestic success, quality spinner Sufiyan Muqeem has yet to convince selectors Similarly promising young spinners Mehran Mumtaz Saad Masood Faisal Akram, Arafat Minhas, and Mubasir Khan remain dependent on selection committee discretion Pacer Akif Javed who performed well in New Zealand and top PSL performers Khurram Shehzad and Ali Raza also deserve a chance These emerging pacers could serve as reliable alternatives to Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf A rotation policy is essential to give young players exposure against weaker teams and provide rest to senior players Continuous play has affected
our elite pacers Three years ago, Shaheen, Haris, and Naseem were considered world-class bowlers, but excessive participation in international leagues has worn them out Now they are struggling even in T20s and have failed to win any major tournaments The need for replacements is urgent Naseem Shah’s recurring fitness issues stem largely from his high-arm bowling action which puts undue strain on his back Without making adjustments to his technique his career could end prematurely
For the upcoming tours of Bangladesh and the West Indies, promising young players like batter Shahzaib Khan spinner Sufiyan Muqeem and pacer Ali Raza must be included In ODIs Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan should be part of the squad as their roles are vital in the 50-over format Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah should be rested while a fit Shaheen Afridi should lead the bowling attack as a senior pacer
In a promising development the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to form a new oversight committee to supervise all cricket matters including selection coaching and domestic structure The committee will include two former cricketers: former national captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and senior analyst Sikander Bakht They will review squad selections and monitor all cricket affairs, including domestic reforms The official announcement is expected soon Reliable sources indicate that Shaheen Afridi Babar Azam Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, and Sufiyan Muqeem will be part of the upcoming Bangladesh and West Indies tours
All these players are highly talented and only those performing well deserve a spot in the squad This approach will help in building a strong winning combination of seniors and juniors ahead of the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup
PTI SL AMS US STRIKES, SEEKS URGENT APC TO CRAFT CLEAR, UNIFIED NATIONAL POLICY
consequences at both regional and international levels
He maintained that the excuse for the Israeli attack on Iran was even more absurd than India s recent strike on Pakistan under the pretext of the Pahalgam attack Waqas observed that the US and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
blatantly
proach towards
pursuit of
acknowledged
He demanded that
and
while
and OIC urge
IAEA to
of nominating Donald Trump for Nobel peace Prize, the PTI CIS blasted the government for its habit of flattering, which now had crossed our national boundaries and its visible inter-
KW&SC, Rangers launch crackdown on organised water theft in Karachi
The Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) in coordination with Pakistan Rangers has launched a targeted operation against organised water theft in the Manghopir area, focusing on the illegal extraction and sale of municipal water The operation, led by the Anti-Water Theft Cell, dismantled unauthorised connections in Ramzan Goth and Zebo Goth where water was being siphoned through illegal pipelines linked to the
S
nationally He recalled that PTI Patronin-Chief had stated on the floor of the House that Pakistan could be a partner with the US in peace, but not in war, as the country had already paid an immeasurable cost in terms of both lives and resources for siding with the US in its meaningless and unnecessary wars He pleaded that Israel could not have invaded Iran without the strong backing and support of the US, which was evident from the airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities even after Tehran was given a two-week ultimatum simply at the behest of Israeli Prime Minister PTI CIS stated that the US not only violated Iran s sovereignty but also breached the UN Charter an act that could have far-reaching and catastrophic
audi Arabia
s
s nuclear sites and work toward a nuclear-free Middle East, rather than targeting Iran under false pretexts just as was done with Iraq despite the IAEA s repeated and clear stance that Tehran is nowhere near acquiring a nuclear weapon Waqas added that Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes
PTI CIS lamented that much like the League of Nations the United Nations has also proven to be an ineffective and teethless body serving primarily to safeguard the interests of Israel and powerful nations, while miserably failing to prevent wars across the globe
He emphasized that it was high time for the Muslim world to pay serious attention to the rapidly changing global situation and take bold steps to strengthen the OIC so it could serve as a shield against foreign aggression rather than merely functioning as a platform for issuing condemnation statements
expresses deep concern over US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites
official statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Kingdom reaffirmed its earlier condemnation on June 13 2025 denouncing the violation of Iranian sovereignty
The statement emphasized the importance of exercising restraint de-escalating tensions and avoiding further conflict in the region Calling for a peaceful resolution, Saudi Arabia urged the international community to intensify efforts to reach a political solution that could end the current crisis and pave the way for regional
FM Dar reiterates Pakistan’s demand for end to Israel’s ‘genocidal campaign’ in G aza
of Foreign Ministers meeting, hosted by the
of
Cooperation “Millions remain displaced and entire communities and neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble Life-saving and humanitarian aid is being deliberately denied, along with [the] targeting of humanitarian workers ” Dar noted that Pakistan co-
sponsored a UN Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza earlier this month, which was vetoed
“We demand an immediate unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza along with unfettered humanitarian access and accountability for Israeli war crimes, the foreign minister demanded
“Lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without allowing Palestinians their inalienable right to self-determination for a viable secure contiguous and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital ”
Earlier in a meeting with Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of 51st Session of OIC CFM, emphasized the urgency of galvanizing efforts to bring an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression in Gaza and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza
