T R U M P S AY S I S R A E L - I R A N C E A S E F I R E I N E F F E C T, ‘ P L E A S E D O N ’ T V I O L AT E I T ’
g US PRESIDENT ‘ UNHAPPY ’ WITH ISRAEL, IRAN OVER CEA SEFIRE VIOLATIONS, SINGLING OUT ISRAEL FOR ITS RENEWED MILITARY ACTION AGAINST TEHRAN
g IRAN ’S SUPREME COUNCIL CONFIRMS COUNTRY HA S AGREED TO A CEA SEFIRE, CALLING IT A ‘ NATIONAL DECISION ’
g TELLS ISRAEL, ‘ DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME NOW!’
g ISRAEL ACCEPTS A CEASEFIRE PROPOSAL WITH NETANYAHU CLAIMING ‘OPERATION RISING LION’ HAD FULFILLED ITS GOALS AND BEYOND
ited, Askari Bank Limited, Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited, Al Baraka Bank Limited Bank of Khyber MCB Islamic and Soneri Bank Limited In related developments the federal cabinet approved several proposals from the Power Division to address circular debt financing and settlement This includes empowering CPPA-G to execute a restructuring agreement with
the government and Discos and directing the Ministry of Energy to handle the necessary documentation Additionally the cabinet approved technical supplementary grants for CPPA-G and authorised it to use the raised funds to clear outstanding debt obligations including payments to government-owned power plants and independent power producers (IPPs) Amendments to the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act, 1997, and the Sales Tax Act, 1990, were also approved, with the revised legislation to be included in the Finance Bill 2025-26
The cabinet further authorized CPPA-G to issue Sukuk bonds and make amendments to the Pakistan Energy Sukuk Rules, 2019
The measures are part of the government’s broader efforts to resolve circular debt issues and ensure financial stability in the energy sector The proposed legislation and rules are set to be included in the Finance Bill 2025 following legal vetting by the Law and Justice Division
Gwadar Por t , airpor t hit by outages as power supply from Iran disrupted
Outage affected electricity supply
that electricity supply from Iran, through the 132kV Pishin-Mand and 132kV Polan-Jiwani transmission lines, was disrupted on Monday The outage affected the power supply to all grid stations in the Makran division including 132kV stations in Mand Tump Turbat Hoshab
resumed to all feeders and supply has since been fully restored The spokesperson added that QESCO s management has been in constant contact with Iranian authorities to resolve the disruption and restore the supply from Iran as soon as possible QESCO apologized for the inconvenience caused by the power outage and requested cooperation and patience from consumers during the
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The council stated that Iran’s armed forces delivered a humiliating and exemplary response to attacks on its territory referencing missile strikes on Israel and the US base in Qatar as decisive retaliatory actions
Tehran claimed its military response was proportional and timely, forcing the adversary to “regret and accept defeat” by halting its aggression unilaterally ISRAEL CONFIRMS CEASEFIRE WITH IRAN PROPOSED BY TRUMP
Israel has accepted a ceasefire proposal with Iran following mediation efforts led by US President
Donald Trump
He also thanked Trump for backing Israel’s defence and aiding in efforts to neutralise what he called the Iranian nuclear threat
Further he said Israel has achieved all its military objectives in its operation against Iran
According to a statement from the Israeli government, Netanyahu briefed his cabinet, defence minister, and Mossad chief, declaring that Operation Rising Lion” had fulfilled its goals and beyond
The statement claimed Israel had eliminated dual existential threats posed by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities
The Israeli military reportedly gained full air control over Tehran s skies, inflicted heavy damage on Iran s military leadership, and destroyed multiple key government sites
“In light of the operation’s success, and in full coordination with President Trump Israel has accepted the US proposal for a bilateral ceasefire the statement read adding that Israel would respond forcefully to any breach of the truce
On the other hand, Iran denied any formal truce, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi rejecting claims that Tehran had agreed to a ceasefire
Speaking to local media he said Tehran would halt its attacks only if Israel ends its “illegal aggression by 4 a m local time (00:30 GMT)
While Trump called for an end to the 12-day war, Iranian officials have insisted that no formal agreement has been reached, leaving the situation uncertain and volatile
“The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later ” Araqchi added in a post on X As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran not the other way around
As of now there is NO agreement on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no Twelve-day Israeli war kills 610 injures 4 746
people in Iran
GERMANY BACKS TRUCE EFFORT
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the ceasefire declared by US President Donald Trump between Israel and Iran, calling it a step towards a safer Middle East and world
In a post on X Merz said the ceasefire if successful following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities would be a very positive development I appeal to both Iran and Israel to heed this call, he wrote, urging both sides to respect the truce Merz added that the United States and its European partners would hold talks on the sidelines of the NATO summit later today to explore ways to further stabilise the region
PAKISTAN URGES REGIONAL RESTRAINT
Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the recent escalation in regional security following attacks on the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar
The government strongly condemned violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for all parties to respect international law and exercise restraint
Pakistan reiterated its appeal for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts and urged immediate measures to de-escalate tensions in the region
CASUALTIES IN PRISON STRIKE
Iran’s judiciary spokesperson reported casualties following an Israeli strike on Tehran’s Evin Prison on Monday according to the Mizan news agency
Asghar Jahangir said the attack targeted the administrative section of the prison, resulting in deaths and injuries among staff and visitors
He did not provide specific casualty figures but confirmed that parts of the administrative building were destroyed
Evin Prison located in northern Tehran is known for housing political prisoners and has faced criticism from human rights groups over reported abuses
ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE HITS
RESIDENTIAL AREA
An Israeli airstrike on four residential units in Iran’s northwestern Gilan province killed nine civilians and injured 33 others according
COMMENT
Suppor ts Iran, condemns Israel but not USA
th E National Security Council meeting on Monday didn’t actually have to do anything as no course of action was to be decided upon however, it had come to consider the situation arising out of the fact that its eastern neighbour, Iran, had been attacked by Israel, and then by the USa the NSC meeting dialed back the condemnation of the US attack, satisfying itself with a call on all parties to remove differences by diplomatic means this brought the Pakistani response with that of arab countries, who have been careful not to condemn the USa Some even have diplomatic ties with Israel, though they have given it military assistance however, the meeting did reaffirm Iran s right to self-defence against the attacks on its nuclear facilities the meeting may well have had in mind that Pakistan has similar facilities though the risk of their being attacked came not from Israel but its friend and ally India the conflict seems to be winding down without any diplomacy except for US pressure on Israel mainly because the alternatives are too horrible to contemplate Iran’s next escalatory step would be to close the hormuz Strait as 20 percent of the world’s crude oil production passes through it, that would be catastrophic Oil importing countries, including Pakistan, would be particularly badly hit Iran’s attempt at a response, a missile attack on a US air base in Qatar, resulted in no casualties, and though US President Donald trump had dismissed the attack as inconsequential, he thanked Iran for its warning, which ensured that there was no loss of life It was almost as if he saw the Iranian response as a mere formality, and that now that an ineffectual response had been made it was time to move on though Pakistan’s own response to India’s ‘Operation Sindoor ’ and then its own ‘Operation Bunyanum Marsoos’ gave it confidence that it could defend itself against proxies the NSC should not have ducked the question of what would happen if the USa attempted a direct intervention Just as much as Israel kept drumming in the USa that Iran was developing a nuclear weapon aimed at Israel, with the result that Israel not only attacked Iran itself, but also got the USa to join, so can it be expected that India will try its hardest to be allowed to take out Pakistan’s weapon, and will try to get the USa to take part
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Wh at Netanyahu truly wants is not security peace or diplomacy it is the realization of Greater Israel a dangerous vision that seeks to subjugate all neighbouring nations and occupy any territory perceived as a threat this concept, deeply rooted in biblical scripture and Zionist extremism, envisions Israel stretching from the Nile in Egypt to the Euphrates in Iraq covering not only Palestine but parts of Egypt Jordan Syria Lebanon Iraq and even Saudi arabia though not officially declared by the Israeli government this ideology has been pursued relentlessly through military campaigns, illegal settlements, and wars under Netanyahu s watch already, Israel has occupied parts of Syria, including the Golan heights; Southern Lebanon through repeated invasions; the West Bank and Gaza under siege and colonization; and violated Jordanian and Egyptian sovereignty under the banner of security Now, Netanyahu has turned his guns toward Iran, the last standing regional power that has refused to bow to Israeli-american pressure Yet, it is Iran, and Iran alone, that has finally brought Israel to a position of humiliation and vulnerability With precise retaliatory strikes Iran has shattered the illusion of Israel s invincibility breaking through the Iron Dome and exposing Israel s weaknesses to the world this act has not only rattled tel aviv, but also shocked Washington into recalibrating its unflinching loyalty to Israel Now imagine a scenario where Egypt strengthened militarily and economically joins hands with Iran Imagine turkey Saudi arabia Jordan and Pakistan setting aside political differences and joining the cause What would unfold is not a regional war it would be a pan-Islamic resistance against a rogue nuclear power that has, for decades, dictated war and peace in the Middle East on its own terms Why would such unity be justified? Because Israel has always initiated conflict Since its inception in 1948 it has never been Iran or any of these Muslim countries that launched aggressive wars occupied foreign lands, or imposed sieges Iran has not invaded
anyone Iran has not annexed territory Iran has not built settlements on foreign land In contrast, Israel has been in constant war with nearly every nation around it with Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt turkey and of course the Palestinians historically Iran s actions have been defensive while Israel s aggression has always been pre-emptive and expansionist the evidence lies in decades of occupation, illegal wars, and the horrifying genocide in Gaza Netanyahu’s Israel kills with impunity bombards hospitals and schools displaces millions and justifies it by blaming hamas a group that does not represent the children elderly women journalists, or medics slaughtered in this campaign Now, what is the solution to this deepening crisis, this unending quagmire that threatens not only the Middle East but global peace? the first step is global recognition that Israel’s current course is unsustainable and destructive the United Nations and all its member states must acknowledge that the concept of Greater Israel coupled with unconditional military backing from the USa, is a recipe for regional catastrophe Millions of lives are at risk Entire cities are being flattened Peaceful coexistence is being
The Middle East deserves peace, not permanent war. And the world deserves a future free from genocide, occupation, and imperial fantasies Let this be the turning point Let this be the fall of Greater Israel and the rise of true humanity
Conspiracy against blasphemy laws
Even, I was threatened by these so-called human rights activists from multiple parts of the world with massive social media propaganda campaigns within minutes after approaching rostrum to render my professional legal services for the respondent of the petition who was complainant of the heinous crimes of pornographic religious blasphemy of multiple religions such as Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, hinduism and many more Propaganda campaigns around the world were launched against me with severe threats from these so-called human rights activists who enjoy material benefits in the name of human rights defenders and rule of law I was severely threatened by a blasphemers protection gang for rendering professional legal services for the lawabiding complainant of blasphemy cases who knocked at the door of law enforcement agencies to take legal action against accused persons despite becoming vigilante Complaint has been filed in National Cyber Crime Investigation agency regarding these threats and defamatory posts on May 30 bearing Diary No 48551/25 the same hypocritical behaviour and dualistic approach can be traced in US policy regarding international law and human rights the USa always calls herself a champion of human rights of the world and stresses resolving the Palestinian issue by giving statements about Israel s obligations to stop killing innocent Palestinians by fixing the issue in which thousands innocent Palestinian lost their lives because of Israeli ter-
rorism however, when it comes to practicality, america deviates from her principled stance as she vetoes a UN Security Council resolution regarding the Gaza ceasefire on June 4 the same hypocritical approach is being followed by so-called human rights defenders by creating an environment in which offences under Chapter XV of Pakistan Penal Code 1860, which are called blasphemy laws, could be portrayed as anti-human rights laws, and by making these blasphemy laws controversial to release persons accused of religious pornographic blasphemy so that Pakistan could be pressurized internationally to amend the laws which ensure protection of religious places of all religions, religious beliefs of all religions, holy Qur ’an, holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and stopping disturbing religious assembly trespassing on burial places etc usage of derogatory remarks and so on in respect of holy personages misuse of epithets descriptions and titles, and so on, reserved for certain holy personages or places, and persons of Quadiani group, calling themselves Muslim or preaching or propagating their faith thus the government must remain vigilant of these so-called human rights vigilante activists and blasphemers protection gangs for the supremacy of law and stability of the country by taking stern measures to counter such nonstate actors who threaten laws and rule of law under the slogan of “rule of law”
Concrete chaos
constitutional petition of religious pornographic blasphemy in Islamabad high Court titled Noor Fatima etc VS Federation of Pakistan etc filed by relatives of blasphemers for formation of inquiry commission on more than 300 undertrial cases of blasphemy to escape from trial courts for release of accused persons who have been arrested
of context in different parts of the world on social media by lobbies of these so-called human rights activists who are a blasphemers protection gang
The writer can be reached at Ch changezi sandhu111@gmail com
Changezi sandhu
Treat y of tensions: The NPT’s role in a divided nuclear World
Tbut as a contested battleground of mistrust double standards and selective enforcement What was once hailed as a cornerstone of global security now appears riddled with contradictions where nuclear haves dictate terms to the have-nots while expanding their own arsenals in the shadows of diplomacy Today, the world precariously navigates a maze of nuclear fault lines, where double standards have become doctrine and the principle of equal enforcement lies in tatters With rising tensions between nuclear powers deepening hostilities in
volatile regions like the Middle East and an increasing number of states drifting toward unilateralism the foundational premise of global nuclear governance appears dangerously compromised Conceived as a grand bargain, the NPT rests on three interconnected pillars: nonproliferation disarmament and peaceful access to nuclear technology It promised a fair exchange non-nuclear signatories would abstain from developing nuclear weapons in return for technological cooperation and a global commitment to disarmament by nuclear-armed states Yet this symmetry has long since collapsed Nowhere is the imbalance more evident than in the Middle East where Israel a non-signatory with a clandestine nuclear arsenal is shielded by Western powers, while Iran a long-standing signatory faces relentless sanctions, sabotage, and threats of military action despite continued cooperation with the IAEA
As Princeton physicist Zia Mian sharply remarked the NPT has institutionalized nuclear apartheid legitimizing the arsenals of a privileged few while indefinitely denying others, without offering any credible path to universal disarmament The disarmament clause Article VI of the treaty remains particularly toothless More than half a century since its adoption the world s nuclear superpowers particularly the USA and Russia show little interest in true disarmament According to the SIPRI Yearbook 2024, these two nations alone still control over 90 percent of global nuclear warheads and are actively modernizing their arsenals The USA has committed over $1 5 trillion to upgrade its nuclear triad over the coming decades while Russia parades its hypersonic missiles and tactical nuclear systems with unabashed confidence Such developments starkly contrast with the treaty’s spirit and have rendered Article VI practically aspirational Compounding this disillusionment is the NPT s selective justice which starkly exposes its political and moral inconsistencies States like Israel and India never signed the
NPT yet they suffer little diplomatic or economic consequence Israel in particular continues to straddle the line of nuclear ambiguity refusing to confirm or deny its arsenal while maintaining an estimated 80 to 400 warheads, as cited by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Paradoxically it simultaneously lobbies for preventive strikes against Iran a state that remains a signatory to the NPT and has at multiple intervals allowed extensive IAEA inspections Iran s nuclear programme has long been under international scrutiny, with Western powers especially the USA, Israel, and their European allies issuing sanctions orchestrating cyber operations and even allegedly backing sabotage efforts Yet while Iran s programme is dissected in minute detail Israel s arsenal remains above reproach, creating a deep and understandable sense of injustice across the Middle East and the Global South Even the treaty’s withdrawal mechanism reflects its structural weakness North Korea once an NPT member exited in 2003 by simply issuing a three-month notice without any meaningful penalty It went on to develop and test nuclear weapons openly, revealing a dangerous precedent: any state can simply walk away, shrug off international opprobrium and rearm at will The treaty’s inability to respond effectively to such defections underlines its diminishing relevance in an increasingly multipolar and mistrustful world Legal ambiguity further erodes the NPT s credibility Its clauses particularly those concerning disarmament are deliberately vague and unenforceable There is no clear timeline no enforcement tribunal and no mechanism for arbitration As former IAEA official Tariq Rauf lamented Disarmament is the orphan child of the NPT It is often cited, seldom prioritized, and never fulfilled Additionally, enforcement relies largely on the United Nations Security Council a body dominated by nucleararmed permanent members who can veto any punitive action rendering the system paralyzed when power politics are at stake Indeed, great-power rivalry has become the NPT s most formidable adversary Increasingly hostile US-China relations, a militarized NATO-Russia standoff and growing
proxy conflicts across the Middle East and South Asia have weaponized the treaty s weaknesses Forums like the NPT Review Conference originally intended as cooperative check-ins have become venues for diplomatic gridlock and blame games A Just Security analysis noted that many actions from secret weapons programmes to preemptive airstrikes are now justified under self-defence clauses rather than seen as violations of a global security pact The erosion of shared norms in favor of geopolitical convenience threatens to undo the very foundation the NPT was meant to uphold So where does the world go from here? Mere rhetorical commitments will not suffice What is needed is either a bold reinvention of the NPT or a complete reimagining of global nuclear governance The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), adopted in 2017 by over 90 countries is one such alternative Although dismissed by nuclear-armed states it marks a clear moral shift led primarily by the Global South toward a future free from nuclear threats Similarly, region-specific approaches, such as a Middle East Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (MENWFZ), must be pursued with renewed seriousness Latin America Africa and Southeast Asia already maintain such zones; extending this model to the Middle East could help deescalate one of the world s most volatile regions Another essential reform would be to universalize nuclear transparency Even non-NPT states like Israel and India should be subject to international inspections at least regarding safety and fissile material tracking Likewise disarmament schedules must evolve beyond voluntary pledges The P5 nuclear states must be held to legally binding reduction plans, independently verified and time-bound The New START treaty’s extension is a starting point not a ceiling and must be followed by broader multilateral accords involving China and others Finally enforcement architecture
nuclear sites in ruins, and craters in the ground where underground facilities are presumed to be located
TO the surprise of almost no one, all sides declared victory as they formally accepted Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire on Tuesday morning but the long-term winners
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed significant damage to above-ground and subterranean chambers at Iran s primary uranium enrichment plant in Natanz, and at the better protected plant in Fordow, which had been built into a mountain
The IAEA’s director general, Rafael Grossi, pointed out that even if US bunker-busting bombs did not penetrate as far as the enrichment halls they are expected to have caused very significant damage given the the extreme vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges
A number of other facilities in a sprawling nuclear complex in Isfahan have also been left in ruins, and others around the country have been severely damaged Grossi made clear, however, that the IAEA could no longer account for Iran’s stockpile of 400kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity This highly-enriched uranium (HEU) is one the crown jewels of the Iranian nuclear programme If further enriched to 90%, it would be enough for about 10 warheads
Before Israel s surprise attack, the IAEA had the material under remote surveillance in a storage site deep under the Isfahan complex Since the attack the agency has lost track of it As the HEU can be stored and transported in containers the size of scuba tanks they can easily be moved around the country in nondescript passenger cars Iranian officials publicly suggested that the HEU hoard had been moved before the country came under attack The US vice-president, JD Vance, admitted Washington did not know where the HEU was promising ABC’s This Week programme we are going to work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel That s one of the things that we re going to have conversations with the Iranians about, he said Ian Stewart, the executive director of the Washington office of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) wrote on Bluesky: “There are 10 nuclear weapons’ worth of material (60% HEU) out of control and the IAEA doesn t know where it is It should be the major concern James Acton, the co-director of the nuclear policy programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said: “It’s difficult to overstate what a big deal this is this war could prove a disaster for nonproliferation “Let me put it this way If a nuclear deal had allowed Iran to keep several bombs worth of highly enriched uranium out of IAEA safeguards we d say (correctly) that was a really bad deal he wrote on X Yet, that s the outcome of military force Nuclear experts said that Iran could turn its 60% HEU stock into weapons-grade material relatively easily Since Trump walked out of a multilateral nuclear deal in 2018 the IAEA
some
anonymous industrial building Jeffrey Lewis a CNS professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey said that if Iran did decide to make a dash for a bomb it would take about five months to make enough fissile material for a small nuclear arsenal US intelligence agencies and the IAEA
that decision were made, the other parts of the jigsaw could fall into a place Construction of a workable nuclear warhead would probably take several months too but it could be done in a small space Israel has killed about 15 Iranian nuclear scientists but after more than a quarter of a century the country s reservoir of nuclear knowhow is likely to be far deeper About a half of Iran s ballistic missile arsenal, estimated at about 2,500 warheads, is unaccounted for
The former US secretary of state Antony Blinken said the Biden administration had conducted simulations of an attack on Iran’s nuclear programme but the war games had served to underline the danger that the regime would disperse and hide its assets and then decide to sprint toward a bomb Thus, Mr Trump s strike has risked precipitating what we want to prevent,” he wrote in the New York Times
Israel and the US may be counting on their powerful intelligence capabilities and military dominance to destroy any nuclear work Iran tries to reconstitute with repeated attacks in the years to come But that is a much more violent and risky form of nonproliferation than a deal such as the one agreed under Barack Obama s presidency, which was verified and monitored by the IAEA
There would be greater certainty if the current Iranian government were to be replaced by a more compliant alternative aligned with the west Regime change was an increasingly overt war aim expressed by Trump and Netanyahu s government over the course of the war So far, the Iranian theocratic establishment is bloodied, but shows no signs of internal fractures It is detested by much of the population, but it retains the monopoly of violence that has kept it in power so far For now at least Iranian popular outrage at being bombed overshadows their disgust for their rulers In fact those who rallied to the cry of resistance of Woman, life, freedom in recent years may be among the short-term losers Over time, the regime’s impotence in the face of external assault may prove to be a fatal crack in the whole edifice but there
Iraq
to investigate drone attacks on militar y radar systems
Ag e n c e s Iraq said on Tuesday it will investigate suicide drone attacks on radar systems at two military bases, adding that its forces intercepted several other attempted incursions There has been no claim of responsibility for the attacks and the government has not yet identified any perpetrators Sabah al-Numan, the military spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister, described the attacks as “cowardly and treacherous” He said that early Tuesday “several small suicide drones targeted multiple Iraqi military sites and bases The assault severely damaged radar systems at Camp Taji north of Baghdad and Imam Ali Base in Dhi Qar Province in southern Iraq, he added Iraqi forces also thwarted other attacks against “four additional sites across various locations” Numan said adding that the drones were downed before they could reach their intended targets Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered the formation of “a high-level” committee to investigate the attacks and identify the perpetrators Earlier a security source told AFP requesting anonymity that the first attack hit a radar system at the Taji base and a few hours later another drone struck the radars at the Imam Ali airbase in Dhi Qar A drone fell in the Radwaniya district 10 kilometres west of Baghdad International Airport the source said where US troops are deployed in a base as part of an anti-jihadist coalition The unidentified drone strikes came hours after Iran launched missiles at a US military facility in Qatar in retaliation for the US bombing of Tehran’s nuclear facilities Following the Qatar attack Israel said it had agreed to US President Donald Trump s proposal for a ceasefire and Baghdad announced the reopening of its airspace, 12 days after closing it amid the Iran-Israel war Security sources who confirmed the drone attacks to AFP could not name any perpetrators A source close to the Iranbacked Iraqi factions who had in previous years hit bases hosting US troops, told AFP of course the groups have nothing to do with the drone attacks Another source from the factions suggested Israel and the US might be behind them A senior security official said we don t know yet if the drones were launched from inside or outside Iraq Iraq, which has for years navigated a delicate balancing act between its allies Tehran and Washington, has long been a fertile ground for proxy battles Since the start of the Iran-Israel war Baghdad has worked to prevent the violence from spreading onto its turf especially due to growing fears over possible intervention by Iran-backed armed factions, who have threatened Washington’s interests should it join Israel’s campaign
C hina unveils plan to mark 80th anniversar y of vic tor y over Japanese aggression
China’s State Council Information Office on Tuesday held a press conference on the general arrangements for commemorative activities marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War
China will hold a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on September 3 Chinese President Xi Jinping will review the troops during the parade, which will be held as part of a grand gathering to commemorate the anniversary Xi also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission will deliver a speech at the gathering
The military parade will feature marching formations, armored columns, aerial echelons and new types of combat forces including unmanned and intelligent equipment
China is set to release a new list of national-level anti-Japanese war memorial facilities and sites, as well as a new list of renowned heroes, martyrs and heroic groups from the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression
The country will invite foreign lead-
ers former political dignitaries highlevel officials and heads of international organizations to events marking the occasion Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party veterans who fought in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression will also be invited to observe the parade Foreign envoys military attaches and representatives of international organizations in China, as well as foreign friends who contributed to China s victory in the war
He called on both sides to view and develop bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, build a solid political foundation for bilateral friendship support each other s core interests and major concerns and serve the development of bilateral ties with a higher level of political mutual trust China welcomes Singapore s continued deep integration into China s development, Xi said, urging both sides to deepen Belt and Road cooperation and create landmark achievements in fields such as digital economy green development and artificial intelligence (AI) The Chinese president encouraged efforts to promote exchange visits between the two peoples and deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation China has always believed that the trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation is unstoppable, he said, adding that the world cannot return to hegemony and the law of the jungle China is ready to work with Singapore to stand on the right side of history and on the side of fairness and justice advocate an equal and orderly multi-polar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and promote a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for the world Xi said Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Beijing, China, June 24, 2 0 2 5 Hailing the stable development of bilateral ties Wong said Singapore will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and oppose Taiwan independence Singapore is willing to leverage the opportunities brought by China’s prosperity and development expand bilateral trade and investment broaden cooperation in fields including digital economy, AI and new energy, and enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges to further advance bilateral relations President Xi calls
relations between China and Singapore Xi said the two sides have consistently upheld mutual understanding and respect, providing a solid foundation for the stable and healthy development of bilateral ties Xi said the bilateral cooperation has yielded substantial outcomes such as the Suzhou Industrial Park significantly contributing to each country s modernization efforts and also setting a benchmark for cooperation among regional countries
Sindh provided grants of Rs297m to various journalist organizations, says Sharjeel Memon
s ta f
Senior Minister of Sindh Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that, on the instructions of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the Information Department launched the “iWork for Sindh” app on March 14 2025 So far 7 2 million people
recognition underscores her exceptional leadership in transforming Pakistan s agriculture and fertilizer industry through sustainable innovation, gender inclusion, and climate action Under her guidance, Fatima Fertilizer has become the first company in Pakistan to officially partner with the United Nations Development Programme by adopting the
Sadozai At
Fertilizer,
tainability isn’t
goal; it’s the foundation of everything we do to secure Pakistan s food future and uplift our farming communities, especially women As the first company in Pakistan to adopt the SDGs Impact Framework in partnership with UNDP we are committed to advancing key global goals such as climate
and
nated in pioneering the concept of Salam Kissan, which led to the introduction of Pakistan’s first-ever Kissan Day celebrated annually on December 18th
KARACHI
avoid further destabilization and urged for immediate de-escalation of tensions Ambassador Jiang reassured the Prime Minister of China’s continued support for Pakistan affirming their strategic partnership and commitment to regional peace and stability
Muharram moon likely to be sighted on June 26
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has announced that the crescent moon of Muharram ul Haram 1447 is likely to be sighted on the evening of June 26, with the first day of the month and the new Hijri year expected to begin on June 27 According to Suparco’s forecast the moon is expected to be born on June 25 at 3:32 PM with an age of approximately 28 hours and 15 minutes by sunset on June 26 The expected duration between sunset and moonset at coastal areas will be 75 minutes,
respective headquarters to confirm the moon sighting Suparco also indicated that Youm-e-Ashur, the 10th of Muharram, is likely to fall on July 6 in Pakistan
Amnest y criticizes Pakistan for inaction on ‘repeated quadcopter attacks’ in KP
ISLAMABAD N e w s D e s k Amnesty International on Tuesday condemned Pakistani authorities for their failure to protect civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) amid a surge in suspected drone and quadcopter attacks The rights group called on the government to address the escalating number of attacks and hold perpetrators accountable The statement came in response to multiple drone and quadcopter attacks in the region over the past year which have left several civilians dead and many more injured In March at least 11 people were killed in Mardan in an incident believed to have involved a drone strike In May, a suspected quadcopter dropped munitions in North Waziristan District’s Mir Ali tehsil, resulting in the deaths of four children and injuring five others The military clarified that the attack was carried out by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) not security forces Amnesty s South Asia Deputy Regional Director, Isabelle Lassée, said, Pakistani authorities have failed to take action to protect the lives and property of civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who continue to suffer from an increasing number of drone strikes in the province ” Amnesty s statement further emphasized that drone attacks resulting in the unlawful killing of civilians violate international law particularly when reports suggest that homes and community gatherings, like volleyball games, have been targeted The statement also pointed to the growing frequency of these attacks, particularly since March, and criticized the government for not conducting independent transparent and effective investigations into the incidents Amnesty called for prompt action and fair trials for those responsible for the civilian casualties In addition to the tragic May incident, last Friday, a drone strike in South Waziristan killed one child and injured five others, intensifying concerns among local politicians and residents Furthermore last month 22 civilians including children and young adults were injured when a quadcopter dropped explosives in the Birmal tehsil of Lower South Waziristan district
p o r t
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday while pronouncing a reserved verdict rejected the bail petitions of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan in eight cases of May 9 riots A two-member LHC bench, headed by Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi and comprising Justice Tariq Mehmood Bajwa announced the decision reserved a day earlier upon completion of argument by both parties
The high court rejected the bail pleas of the former prime minister in the Jinnah House attack case number 96/23 registered at Sarwar Road police station of Lahore; in the police attack case registered at Mughalpura police station of Lahore; in the Supreme Court judge’s squad attack case registered at Sarwar Road police station; in the police attack case also registered at Sarwar Road police station Similarly the court rejected Imran s bail pleas in the Shadman Police Station attack case registered at Shadman police station of Lahore; in the Askari Tower attack case registered at Gulberg police station of Lahore; in the Leader Club attack case registered at
Racecourse police station of Lahore and in another police attack case registered at Sarwar Road police station The court had reserved its verdict yesterday Earlier an anti-terrorism court had dismissed the PTI founder s bail applications in all these cases leading the party to appeal the denial in the high court During proceedings in LHC, a prosecutor had told the court
the PTI founder directed
leaders and workers to attack military installations He further said that the PTI founder had been inciting public sentiment against state institutions following his ouster from power
and had repeatedly ignored trial court orders Barrister Salman Safdar, the counsel for Imran Khan argued that his client was falsely implicated in these cases at a later stage as he had already been in custody on May 9 The prosecutor informed the court that the riots caused an estimated Rs40 million in damage to police equipment while the attack on Jinnah House alone led to losses exceeding Rs520 million ATC Islamabad adjourns hearing on 229 pre-arrest bail petitions till July 22
government’s Spokesperson Shahid Rind in a statement extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time said Rind
