PM SHEHBA Z SETS UP COMMITTEE, VOWS TO RESOLVE ALL ISSUES FACED BY KP
g BODY WOULD SIT TOGETHER WITH TRIBAL ELDERS, KP GOVERNOR AND CM TO FORMULATE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDRESSING ISSUES: PM
g AFFIRMS IMMENSE SACRIFICES RENDERED BY PEOPLE OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
with targeted relief measures
The upcoming budget, which will be presented by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on June 10 had originally been scheduled for June 2 but was delayed due to extended negotiations with the IMF over tax relief and other fiscal issues
Regarding internal reforms Sharif emphasized the government s commitment to instituting long-term reforms within national institutions, with the goal of transforming Pakistan into a competitive and stable economy The Prime Minister concluded by underscoring the importance of sustainable reforms for the country s future
Inspector General of Police
The participants offered Fateha for the martyrs of Pakistan paying tribute to both civilian and military personnel who have laid down their lives for the nation
S
RAWALPINDI
ministration s tenure under the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sharif ’s comments come amidst ongoing debates between the government and the IMF over key fiscal policies While the IMF has raised concerns over certain budget targets and subsidies, the prime minister expressed optimism that the final budget would balance economic stabilization
The revised federal budget, heavily influenced by IMF guidelines, will also feature significant cuts in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) with development spending now pegged at Rs1 096 trillion, down from an initial Rs1 4 trillion Turning to foreign policy, Sharif also signaled his willingness to engage in dialogue with India proposing talks on critical issues such as Kashmir water disputes trade and counterterrorism efforts
Fauji Foundation, Kot Addu Power intend to acquire majorit y stake in Attock Cement
Fauji Foundation and KAPCO, intend to buy 84 06% stake (Fauji Foundation 42 03% KAPCO 42 03%) of Attock Cement Pakistan Limited This move is subject to the completion of necessary corporate and regulatory formalities The official announcement is set to be published in newspapers within two working days, adhering to the regulatory framework Copies of the announcement have also been shared with the PSX for public record and transparency Founded in 1981 and listed on the PSX Attock Cement operates from its manufacturing base in
C hashma-5 Nuclear Power Plant to add
completed On a tour of the facility media representatives were shown both operational and under-construction units where they received information on plant safety protocols, technical systems, environmental standards, and plant performance Engineer Rehman highlighted that with six nuclear reactors currently in operation Pakistan ranks among the top 20 nuclear power-producing countries globally, with a combined generation capacity of 3,530 MW This capacity is expected to rise to 4 730 MW following the completion of Chashma-5
The Chashma-5 plant is based on the advanced Hualong One (HPR1000) design, a third-generation pressurised water reactor developed in collaboration with the Pakistan Atomic Energy
Commission (PAEC) and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)
The plant s first concrete pour took place on December 30 2024 Rehman also noted that nuclear energy, once considered a diminishing sector, has gained renewed global attention Several countries including the United States Japan the United Kingdom and South Korea which had previously scaled back or planned to phase out nuclear power, are now re-engaging with the sector and constructing new plants According to Rehman, nuclear energy remains a cost-effective safe and environmentally friendly source of electricity In 2024 nuclear power contributed approximately 13% of Pakistan s total electricity supply, with its share peaking at 26 5% in December alone
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
These funds were released to strengthen the provincial police force, develop the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies,” he added
“The decision to allocate one percent of the NFC Award for KP agreed by all provinces was just and appropriate decision as KP has remained the frontline province in the war against terrorism he said
On the NFC Award the prime minister said: Ali
Amin said it has been 15 years since the last NFC Award; it should now be revisited I had instructed the formation of a committee regarding the NFC Award The chief minister has informed me that names have been sent for provincial representation
Highlighting the province s unwavering commitment and support to Pakistan the prime minister said that KP s people had voted in favour of the country during the referendum and had stood by the armed forces through all challenges
“The sacrifices of KP’s people who laid down their lives and sustained injuries for the defence of Pakistan are deeply revered and will be remembered in golden words he added
Referring to the tragic Army Public School (APS) attack on December 16, 2014, the prime minister paid tribute to the students and teachers who lost their lives in the brutal incident
Speaking on recent security developments Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had given a strong response to last month s unprovoked Indian aggression under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff Field
Marshal Syed Asim Munir
He reiterated that Pakistan s decisive retaliation had frustrated India’s nefarious plans, adding that “India will never forget this decisive response of Pakistan ”
The prime minister further shared that during recent visits to Turkiye Iran Azerbaijan and Tajikistan
leaders of these countries expressed joy over Pakistan s historic victory against India He said that the Indian Prime Minister Modi was left frustrated and in a state
of panic after the defeat
Reaffirming Pakistan’s rights under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 the prime minister asserted that India cannot deprive Pakistan of its rightful share of water and suspend the treaty unilaterally
He emphasized the need to expand existing water storage capacity and accelerate work on major dam projects, including Diamer Bhasha and Dasu dams
Calling for national unity in the face of external threats, PM Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the people of KP for offering special prayers for the country’s success against India
KP CM seeks KP s role in peace process with Afghanistan halt to drone attacks Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur urged the federal government to include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the peace process with Afghanistan and to stop drone attacks in the province
Addressing a jirga in Peshawar on Tuesday CM Gandapur congratulated the entire nation for responding decisively to the cowardly enemy s aggression
He stated that the founders of PTI have united the nation against the enemy, proving their leadership, and that despite political differences, they have demonstrated unity for the country’s defence and integrity Ali Amin Gandapur called on the federal government to refrain from imposing taxes on the former FATA and PATA regions and emphasized the need for thoughtful investment to assist terrorismaffected tribal areas He insisted that drone attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should be stopped, as innocent civilians suffer losses due to these strikes
He demanded that the share of tribal areas in the N F C Aw ard be trans ferred to the province and that
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Gandapur also called for
If the growth target is to be
Th e budget has already taken shape, but it is also gaining substance While taxation measures have yet to be finalized, the development budget is being pitched at Rs 1 trillion, even though Rs 3 trillion had been demanded That means that the development budgets of all departments, as well as the provinces, have already faced a drastic downward revision True, the demands adding up to Rs 3 trillion included an element of wishful thinking, but a budgeting process which leads to the requests being slashed by two-thirds has got to be an inefficient one The heavy hand of the IMF can be detected, but more usually, the reductions take place in the course of the financial year as the government tries to meet budgetary targets Finance Ministers can probably have the greatest effect by defending the development budget With the current budget tied to an anemic growth of 4 3percent for the coming fiscal year, it is all the more important that the development spending be maintained It should be remembered that growth targets are usually optimistic, indeed over-optimistic Another threat to growth, though one not necessarily incompatible with it, is inflation, which has finally undergone an uptick, reaching a level last seen in December This had been predicted but it now means an end to the chances that the State Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee will lower the interest rate Indeed the business community should be satisfied if MPC keeps the rate where it is By the nature of things the government cannot do much about the inflation rate but a lower rate would mean a lower interest rate which should in turn mean lower debt servicing costs The budget is as much as Rs 1 trillion below last year ’s because of savings in debt servicing The problem with cutting the development budget is that it
Th e murders of two young Israeli embassy staff members Sarah Milgrim and Yaron
Lischinsky shook Washington and provoked conflicting reactions What follows are some observations on the murders and the disturbing way they were viewed and used by pro-Israel organizations and a few pro-Palestinian advocates Let me clear from the outset that I believe what elias Rodriguez did was terrorism plain and simple And regardless of stated intent the murders were antisemitic They were certainly neither heroic revolutionary, nor an act of justice
The classic definition of terrorism is the use of violence or intimidation to create fear in order to accomplish a political objective There can be no argument about this as Rodriguez acknowledges that this was his goal There should also be no doubt that the act was antisemitic he went to a Jewish event and randomly shot and killed two people, not knowing who they were or what they did All he knew was that it was an event at the Capital Jewish Museum and that his victims would most likely be Jews And, as he made clear in his “manifesto ” he thought that while peaceful protests hadn t stopped the mass murders in Gaza maybe the shock created by his act held the possibility of hastening political change
The murders have generated commentary in articles and on social media A few outlier pro-Palestinian voices have dangerously argued that the murders were a justified response to the massive loss
have used their influence with the White house, university administrators and allies in Congress to expand the definition of antisemitism to include criticisms of Israel using this to silence protesters through intimidation punishment and force when possible The reality is that there is a power imbalance in this debate over Gaza Israel s backers have the wind in their sails They have most elected officials and many university administrators with them The pro-Palestinian activists do not They can be arrested suspended from school silenced or cancelled and have their diplomas withdrawn By ignoring the legitimate outrage that spawned the protests against Israel s war on Palestinians, and by accusing the protesters of fostering the environ-
policies are indeed grotesque and have horrified a generation of young people who for 19 months have been witnessing this genocide play out in real time While Israel s supporters denounce the growing anti-Israel pro-Palestinian activism on campuses as if it grew out of thin air they are loath to give any credence to the reality that Israel s actions are the root cause of growing anti-Israel sentiment With the tide of public opinion turning against Israel, pro-Israel organizations have worked hard to stifle anti-Israel or pro-Palestinian manifestations They
status must replace as ribbed status
Tor scientist In this kind of status a person does not obtain the benefit of his inborn or paternal legacy but relies on his own capabilities The developed world and advanced countries always encourage and value achieved status to achieve the sublime targets They ask for knowledge and skills, rather than what can someone does for them They never ask for a tribal or even racial background how someone’s tribe is more powerful or his father was legendary Both statuses are contrary to each other in terms of their preferences and scope Regrettably, in the tribal societies ascribed status is still given more importance than the achieved status The tribal status is preferred more than the achievements and hard work of any other person Tribal background is set as a yardstick to assess the individuals The prominent causes behind the intense tribal mindset in developing societies are the limited resources, inadequate government jobs, and the fear of their ancestral land being grabbed by the aliens Moreover, greed and acquisition for better education healthcare and other opportunities and facilities more representation in political power and official structures occupying a larger number of positions in the government offices than the other tribes, and preventing settlers and aliens from availing their jobs are the outstanding causes making people tend towards a tribal mentality Tribalism is a societal cancer It can be minimized when the people are given standard ed-
ucation They are given awareness about the drawbacks and negative impacts of this ulcer Create the atmosphere of competition and promote merit highlight the stories of successful nations in order to discourage the limited approach and thinking of the people establish joint sessions, programmes and stress upon humanity and the nation as a whole rather than having a fragmented tribal mindset Call for the golden principles of Islam stressing upon collectiveness pluralism and brotherhood Additionally the parents should also socialize their children in terms to promote cohesion and mutual peace, denounce narrowmindedness and prejudice Moreover, the notables and influential should also play their sincere role in bringing the people closer to one another Nevertheless political parties can also contribute significantly in reducing tribalism and to promote a holistic approach The trends of the modern era like individualism, competition, merit, quality and achievements should be given more importance So that the people feel more proud of their nation rather than the tribe
The situation can be best articulated in the words of former Jordanian ambassador and deputy prime minister Marwan Muasher when he grieved upon the uncontrolled tribal monopoly and said that I wish to see people proud because they are part of a professional organization, not because they are members of a big tribe” he further desired that the people may feel proud of their personal achievements not of their cousins and family and above all he wished the people were proud of no other surnames but Jordanians only
The writer holds a PhD in sociology and is on the faculty in the department of sociology University of Balochistan Quetta He can be reached at rahimnasar83@gmail com
Dr m rAHIm NASAr
The concept of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) formally adopted by the United Nations in 2005 marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of global humanitarian norms
Grounded in the commitment to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, R2P rests on three pillars: the responsibility of states to protect their populations the international community s duty to assist in building this capacity and the obligation to take timely and decisive action when a state fails to safeguard its population Poland s response to Russia s aggression against Ukraine since 2014 and particularly following the full-scale invasion in February 2022 provides an important and often overlooked case of how a neighbouring state can meaningfully engage with the R2P framework Poland s multifaceted engagement encompassing humanitarian aid, diplomatic initiatives, legal measures and military support demonstrates that non-superpower states can act as effective agents of atrocity prevention and response Through its actions Poland has not only fulfilled its moral and strategic interests but has also emerged as a model of regional responsibility in operationalizing R2P principles Although the R2P doctrine traditionally emphasizes international organizations and powerful states
Bieńczyk-Missala underscores the potential of neighboring countries to act as pivotal actors in mass atrocity contexts Neighbours possess intimate geographical, cultural and historical knowledge of the conflict zone and often have strategic motivations for regional stability Pillar II (capacity-building and assistance) and Pillar III (timely and decisive response) provide the normative and operational framework for such states to act proactively in crisis situations In the case of Ukraine, Poland utilized all three types of Pillar II mechanisms: encouragement, capacity-building and protection assistance Over the years Poland has supported democratic development in Ukraine
Helping an invaded neighbour
through various development aid initiatives including reforms in education local governance anti-corruption efforts and the strengthening of independent media These efforts have contributed to the long-term prevention of conflict by fortifying Ukraine s democratic and legal infrastructure
Poland’s engagement with Ukraine began well before the outbreak of large-scale conflict Following Ukraine s independence in 1991 Poland prioritized democratic transition and regional cooperation After the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, Poland intensified its developmental assistance, often working in collaboration with other international partners like Canada under programs such as the Polish-Ukrainian
Democracy Support Program however the nature of assistance shifted drastically after 24 February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion Poland quickly became a major logistical and humanitarian hub, welcoming over a million refugees and providing services through a robust legal framework that included the special law on assistance for Ukrainian citizens These measures granted refugees access to housing, medical care, education and social services
By August 2022, over 1 2 million Ukrainians had registered in Poland primarily women and children
Simultaneously the Polish government in partnership with NGOs international organizations and local governments, created temporary shelters, container towns and emergency medical services, many of which were tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly The Governmental Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS) coordinated deliveries of
food medicine and fuel including over 11 000 tonnes of food and 70 000 cubic meters of fuel between 2022 and 2024 Poland did not limit its efforts to humanitarian assistance It became a strong voice in international forums demanding accountability for war crimes and violations of international law by Russian forces Polish leaders condemned the annexation of Crimea the sham referendums in eastern Ukraine and the invasion itself labeling them as blatant breaches of international norms Poland s active role in the United Nations human Rights Council and the General Assembly included co-sponsoring resolutions that condemned Russian aggression and promoted investigations into human rights violations
The Polish government also supported the expulsion of Russia from the Council of europe and initiated or participated in various investigative and accountability efforts, such as the creation of the International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine and the Joint Investigative Team at eurojust Notably Poland was the first country outside Ukraine to open legal proceedings concerning war crimes committed in the conflict
The establishment of the Core International Crimes evidence Database (CICeD) and Poland’s support for a special tribunal to prosecute crimes of aggression demonstrate a comprehensive approach to legal accountability aligning closely with the aims of R2P s third pillar These legal mechanisms serve not only justice but also as tools of deterrence and moral censure
While Poland’s primary focus remained humanitarian it also supported Ukraine militarily in line with the principle that the use of force under R2P must be a last resort and proportionate to the threat Poland facilitated arms deliveries, coordinated training for
Ukrainian military personnel and served as a transit point for military assistance from other NATO allies These actions reinforced Ukraine s defensive capacity and served as a deterrent against further Russian expansionism Moreover, Poland worked within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in europe (OSCe) framework invoking the Moscow Mechanism multiple times to investigate human rights abuses Its leadership within the OSCe particularly during its 2022 leadership, highlighted the intersection of diplomacy, legal
PolandÊs response to the war in Ukraine represents a comprehensive and multilayered operationalization of the Responsibility to protect doctrine Its strategic location, historical ties and democratic values positioned it to act decisively. Through development aid, humanitarian suppor t, legal accountability mechanisms and diplomatic activism, Poland fulfilled both its regional obligations and broader international responsibilities This case demonstrates that middle powers and neighboring states can be instrumental in atrocity prevention and response PolandÊs actions reaffirm the relevance and adaptability of R2P in contemporary conflicts, especially when implemented through a balance of moral conviction, legal reasoning and strategic foresight.
France’s Muslim Brotherhood repor t is manufacturing a threat
of what it is, part of a widespread frustration with a failed voting system manipulated from the top but because of what it disrupts: a well-established political machinery - the right and far right s race to dominate the narrative rally conservative voters and monopolise the field as the only viable custodians of republican order But what do we actually know about the Muslim Brotherhood’s real presence in French political life?
Drawing on my 20 years of research on Islamist activism in France and my recent report on Muslim voting and political representation, I find no evidence of any coordinated electoral ambition linked to the Brotherhood networks On the contrary my fieldwork shows that the narrative of a Muslim political project has been disproportionately shaped by political actors - especially from the right and far right - who weaponise visibility to preemptively delegitimise future candidacies
What exists instead is a scattered, often localised landscape of civic engagement shaped less by religious ideology than by territorial injustice and political exclusion If religion plays a role in electoral decisions, it intersects with class position, local trust in institutions, and varying interpretations of democratic participation According to field interviews, Muslim voters are primarily motivated by concrete everyday concerns: safe neighbourhoods functioning public schools and access to decent housing
This civic engagement often takes the form of defensive participation - attempts to protect one’s dignity in a system where being Muslim and politically visible remains highly suspect My research shows that even the most basic forms of civic expression such as voting are shaped by a desire to escape territorial discrimination rather than promote a religious agenda
A significant share of socially conservative Muslims abstain, due to mistrust and a lack of credible representation by candidates who stigmatise them all year long but ask them to mobilise during elections to block the far right The myth of a Muslim bloc vote is sustained less by sociological reality than by political fantasy - often co-constructed by extreme-right anti-Muslim rhetoric and opportunistic mobilisation on the left
My findings show that such projections of cohesion obscure the diversity of political opinions among Muslims, which range from abstention to votes for mainstream left, centrist, or even conservative parties depending on the context When minority candidates from Muslim backgrounds are elected they rarely position themselves along sectarian lines Instead they embody a sociological normalisation of France s diversity where Muslim mayors and MPs are no longer considered exceptions Imams, when they do offer voting in-
structions, do so more often at the request of candidates who canvass all their potential “constituencies” before elections than from their own initiative - much like in synagogues or churches before elections POLITICAL UTILITY: Despite the disengagement of Brotherhood-inspired leadership and the disconnection between younger generations and any such legacy, the label persists Not because it reflects a coherent political project but because it offers the perfect scapegoat In fact Muslim electoral mobilisation in France is far behind that of comparable european countries where Muslim elected officials have become a structural feature of democratic life The government’s strategy depends on ambiguity The report’s vagueness is not a flaw - it is intentional By invoking an invisible enemy the state gains rhetorical power: to justify increased surveillance repress dissent and perform toughness for conservative audiences Despite this, even explicitly Muslim political formations like the Union des Démocrates Musulmans de France/Union of French Muslim Democrats (UDMF) or Parti Égalité Justice/equality Justice Party (PeJ) have struggled to gain traction and acknowledgement, revealing that the Muslim vote is less an organised force than a projection of political anxiety This securitarian agenda has deepened since 2017 Under the pretext of combating “separatism” France has closed mosques dissolved NGOs and restricted public expressions of dissent These moves do not address violence; they police visibility Muslim citizens are cast as a democratic firewall - useful only when voting against the far right, never empowered to vote for themselves THE REAL QUESTION: This is not to dismiss all concerns about the rise of a rupture-oriented Islam among some young people as fabricated, but rather to argue that legitimate challenges - from addressing genuine disaffection to fostering authentic integration - are better addressed through inclusive democratic processes and representative politics than through surveillance and exclusion When citizens feel their voices can be heard through the ballot box and institutional channels, they are less likely to seek alternatives outside the democratic framework Many are tired of this Fatigue is growing The equation - vote for us to block Marie Le Pen’s National Front - no longer resonates After Gaza the feeling is not just one of betrayal but of dispossession This stems from France s political alignment with Israel during the war, its refusal to recognise the scale of civilian suffering in Gaza, and the repression of pro-Palestinian expression at home - from banning marches to silencing slogans Amel Boubekeur is a sociologist and senior fellow at the Arab Reform Initiative She teaches at the American University of Paris
HS S A M 13 and Muhammad 14
by air-dropped cluster bombs These bombs were made by the United States and were dropped in a military campaign supported by the British government hussam and Muhammad were born in Baghdad and died in 2003
The bomblet ripped off their legs and ultimately killed them, according to human Rights Watch They were two of about 200,000 civilians who were killed in the Iraq war For years after that conflict, the government tried to resist several attempts to establish an inquiry into the policymaking of British officials however it could not prevent the inevitable – and in 2016 we had the publication of the Chilcot inquiry I was the leader of the Labour party when the report was published, and it found grave failings within the British government After I had responded to the Chilcot inquiry in parliament that day I then went over the road to Church house where we had invited war veterans Iraqis and the families of British soldiers who had lost their lives I apologised on behalf of the party for its catastrophic decision to go to war in Iraq Today, history is repeating itself – and a Labour government is making another grave mistake
After 20 months of Israeli bombardment the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 54 000
As for the survivors the injured and the bereaved – they will face lifelong scars for generations to come Israel has not been acting alone It has relied on military economic and political support from governments around the world
Britain may have had a change in government since 7 October 2023 but one thing has remained constant: the steady supply of arms to Israel Last year, between October and December alone, Labour approved more arms exports licences to Israel than the Conservatives approved between 2020 and 2023 This was in spite of the government s announcement of a part suspension in September 2024 Many of us have continued to express our disgust over the continued supply of components to the F-35 jet fighter programme I remain astounded that the government openly admits it is making an “exception” to its part suspension Is this an exception to
MIDDLE
Dr muHAmmAD AkrAm ZAHeer
B e Eid Ready and O utsmar t S c ams
a verified number from their website or company info not the one the scammer gave you Pakistan is on an exciting journey of growth,
Organizes
Awareness
all, your generosity should go to those who truly need it, not some scammer's pocket Delivery Scams: With online shopping surging fake delivery alerts claiming issues or customs fees are common These messages contain phishing links or requests for sensitive info, often impersonating logistics companies or government services CONSUMERS ARE GETTING SMARTER While fraudsters often take advantage of the distractions of the holiday season
real-time alerts from your bank If any unfamiliar charges appear whether for qurbani shopping or donations you ll be able to report them immediately
● Protect your accounts: If you receive a call or message asking for your OTP, don t respond Legitimate services will never ask for it Always be cautious, especially during busy Eid transactions Beware of suspicious emails and calls: If you get a call or message asking for payment details or personal info double-check Call the company back using
27 killed, dozens injured by Israeli fire near G aza aid site
forces operating overnight in Rafah
to much of the enclave Reuters could not independently verify the reports in northern and southern Gaza The Red Cross confirmed that its field hospital in Rafah received 50 wounded individuals two of whom were declared dead on arrival A third fatality was reported at Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis
Three Palestinians were killed in an Israeli drone airstrike that targeted the school of Al Aysheya in Deir Al Balah
central Gaza Medical staff said most injuries were caused by gunshots or shrapnel and included women and children
Witnesses said large crowds had gathered in the area early Monday to receive aid when they came under fire The Israeli military published drone footage it claims shows armed men firing at civilians heading to aid sites though the BBC said it could not verify the footage s location or date Israel’s military wing admits to firing shots on Gaza aid distribuition site
On an X post IDF admits to their
They claim they spotted several individuals approaching them outside the designated routes and that they fired warning shots to deter individuals approaching them However they continue to insist it was under full Israeli control and that the incident occurred about half a kilometre from the aid distribution site, with troops having acted to prevent several suspects from approaching ” It claims that it is aware of the casualty reports and is investigating GHF which also operates with US support and Israeli endorsement claims that no incident occurred at or near its center stating there were no injuries fatalities or incidents during our operations This claim stands in contrast to the IDF’s statement, which presents a differing account of events Furthermore a journalist in Rafah told the BBC that Israeli tanks opened fire on a crowd near the al-Alam roundabout close to the GHF site
UN SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ATTACK
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed outrage over the repeated loss of civilian life during humanitarian operations I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza, Guterres said in a statement on Monday He called for “an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable ” The United Nations and international aid organizations have raised alarm about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the population of over two million is facing acute food shortages and famine-like conditions following months of restricted access to aid The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation which opened its first aid distribution sites last week, is supported by the US and operates with Israeli coordination
methods of
care Their expertise in treating amblyopia strabismus and other visual problems is unforgettable The COAVS Principal, while highlighting the role of orthoptists, said, Orthoptists play a vital role in diagnosing and treating visual impairments through specific exercises and therapies Collaboration between ophthalmologists optometrists and orthoptists is key in solving vision problems in both children and adults Orthoptist Ayesha Sarfaraz said Orthoptists change people s lives by improving vision Today we pay tribute to their dedication! The event
CM MARyAM-LED CABInET hUDDLE GREEnLIGhTS
Interns NIPP Research Team distinguished guests and journalists Dr Naveed Elahi opened the discussion and introduced the gravity of matter to the audience and explained how India had used Pehalgam incident to start a suspend Indus Water Treaty unilaterally and started an intense war against Pakistan
KSE-100 hItS rECord 120,450 aS
buLLISh SENtIMENt rEturNS to PSX
PPP, PML-N failed to ‘win’ public suppor t in Sambrial bypolls: Chan
Pakistan People s Party (PPP) Central Information
Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan on Tuesday acknowledged that both the PPP and the PML-N failed to garner public support in the Sambrial by-election, attributing the loss to growing voter disillusionment and skepticism over electoral fairness He strongly criticized the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for what he called biased conduct and lack of transparency in the recently held Sambrial by-election Speaking to journalists alongside other party leaders, Chan said the ECP appeared to be favoring thePML-N, mockingly referring to it as “Election Commission (N) ” “I ask why does the Election Commission put the people in trouble? Let them issue a letter People will not vote for those who align themselves with the PML-N Chan stated Chan claimed the PPP was deliberately weakened in Punjab through a systematic approach and criticized the role of the ECP in what he described as an unfair electoral process People believe the PPP has been wronged in Punjab During our campaign voters told us to either side with or distance ourselves from the PML-N They clearly said leave the PML-N and we will vote for you he said Referring to the performance of the provincial government, Chan said public perception of the Chief Minister s development projects was superficial It s all for show Farmers have lost three crops, and Punjab, being an agriculture-dependent province, is suffering Despite investing billions there are no tangible benefits for the common people he said He further alleged that government machinery was used to influence the election outcome Had we the machinery, we would ve secured 45,000 votes too They even took away ballot boxes While those claiming victory deserve congratulations, the truth is the election wasn’t transparent ” he added Chan reaffirmed PPP’s commitment to democratic principles and vowed to continue the political struggle The PPP is a democratic party We will contest the next election with lessons learned from this one If the Election Commission demands evidence, we will present it, he concluded
Pakistan’s diplomatic offensive at UN: Bilawal leads effor ts to resolve
K ashmir dispute, address regional tensions
In
N E W S D E S K Former prime minister Imran Khan currently incarcerated, on Monday refused to undergo a lie detector test for the fourth time A team comprising police officials and members of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) had to return after waiting for four hours at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi The antiterrorism court (ATC) in Lahore had authorized the tests as part of investigations related to cases filed against Imran and other PTI leaders following the May 9 and 10, 2023, attacks on army installations The investigation team, led by DSP Asif Javed and including PFSA inspectors and a technical expert, arrived at the jail to conduct polygraph photogrammetric and voice matching tests Despite being informed about the court order Imran declined to participate Earlier Khan had insisted on undergoing the tests only in the presence of his lawyers When the team returned with his legal counsel, Imran provided a written response citing Article 13, which protects individuals from being compelled to self-incriminate Lahore ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill had ordered completion of these tests within 12 days of May 14 permitting the prosecution to meet Imran in jail during this period
and
Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is spearheading a significant diplomatic campaign at the United Nations (UN) to highlight Pakistan’s stance and urge the international community s intervention for peace in South Asia
Leading a nine-member parliamentary delegation, Bilawal has articulated Pakistan’s position clearly on multiple fronts: the imperative resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute condemnation of India s unilateral actions including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), and Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue restraint and peace Kashmir dispute: the core issue
At the heart of Bilawal s diplomatic engagement is the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, a decadesold conflict that remains the primary source of instability between India and Pakistan Bilawal underscored in various international forums including a televised interview on a Chinese network that no lasting peace can be achieved without resolving this fundamental issue in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and reflecting the aspirations of the Kashmiri people
This emphasis reflects Pakistan s long-held policy that peace and security in South Asia hinge on addressing Kashmir s political status through dialogue and negotiation Bilawal stressed that the current ceasefire along the Line of Control should serve as a foundation for permanent peace which he said would only be possible through a just resolution of the Kashmir dispute
Condemnation of India’s unilateral moves Bilawal strongly condemned India’s recent unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance calling it a blatant violation of international law and treaty obligations
The IWT, brokered in 1960, governs the distribution of water resources between the two countries and has historically been a rare example of cooperation despite political tensions By suspending the treaty India
according to Bilawal has set a dangerous precedent that threatens regional stability and security Further, Bilawal rejected India s baseless accusations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack on April 22, describing these claims as a pretext for aggressive military actions including crossborder
that have
civilians and infrastructure on the Pakistani
He characterized Pakistan s response as measured and guided by restraint and international law, aimed at preventing escalation into a wider conflict Diplomatic outreach to international community The delegation led by Bilawal has been actively engaging with representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), permanent members of the UN Security Council and diplomatic missions from key countries such as China and Russia
NCCIA uncovers ‘huge network ’ of child sexual exploitation gang in Muzaffargarh
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
The National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has uncovered a “huge network” of a child sexual exploitation gang operating in Punjab s Muzaffargarh district and arrested two suspects besides recovery of 10 children
The revelation was made by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry at a press conference in Islamabad saying the gang was busted during an operation conducted on May 23
The Minister of State for Interior informed that a German citizen masterminded the international gang operating a child sexual exploitation group in Muzaffargarh asserting efforts will be made to arrest the German national They set up a small club
where children aged 6-10 years were taught games They provided state-of-the-art facilities and modern cameras ” he said
He added that children from disadvantaged families were brought there given money and then blackmailed to exploit them, and their videos were uploaded on the dark web daily and sold for thousands of dollars ”
“Some videos were livestreamed and seen around the world from Muzaffargarh the state minister said adding as many as 50 children had been victimised by the grooming gang, while ten children were handed over to the Child Protection Bureau ”
He mentioned that on May 23 the NCCIA launched an operation lasting five hours with assistance from other agencies leading to the arrest of two suspects
The minister regretted that un-
fortunately, families and parents of some children were also involved in the nefarious crime and action has been initiated against them
The minister went on to say that the workforce of the agency should be increased threefold and a branch should be set up in every district The interior minister and prime minister have been requested to increase funds for the NCCIA in the budget ” he said
Minister Chaudhry revealed that the NCCIA takes prompt action when the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), an international organization, provides information in this regard
He detailed that 178 first information reports have been lodged against child exploitation 198 suspects have been arrested and fourteen were jailed between four to ten years