Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan on Monday defended his move to file a disqualification reference against 26 opposition members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) over un-parliamentary conduct
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the speaker said he has always tried to fulfil his responsibilities as a good custodian of the House “I have always acted as a good custodian of the House but I cannot permit the use of vulgar language on the assembly floor he added
Responding to criticism over the use of constitutional provisions, Malik Ahmad said: While I personally oppose Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution they do grant the speaker the authority to take action when lawmakers violate the rules of parliamentary conduct His presser comes days after he filed a disqualification reference against 26 PTI-backed opposition MPAs with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)
Speaking to the media after holding a meeting with ECP officials in Islamabad Malik had said that he had already submitted the reference and today s meeting was held to seek legal advice on related matters
The disqualification reference was filed following the unrest during the Punjab Assembly budget session when opposition members raised slogans and disrupted the proceedings In an order dated June 27 the speaker while exercising powers conferred under Rule 210(3) of the Rules of Procedure 1997, suspended the opposition members for a total of 15 assembly sessions P r ov i n c e s a d d e d t o c a s e a g a i n s t P E C A A m e n d m e n t s, I H C b e g i n s h e a r i n g
multiple petitions seeking the annulment of the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Act 2025 The petitions, filed by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), prominent TV anchors, and the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Journalists Association challenge the amendments made to the PECA Act In response the federal government submitted a written reply to
s Office had been resolved
During the proceedings the IHC directed the petitioners’ lawyers to begin presenting their arguments Dr Yasir Aman Khan counsel for PFUJ, began by providing the historical context of the PECA Act, highlighting that it was originally introduced in 2016 He stated that the 2025 Amendment removed several provisions from the original act and added new ones including the establishment of a Social Media Complaint Council, which significantly expands the law s scope Justice Inam Amin Minhas instructed the petitioners to clarify the changes in the Code of Conduct and explain how they differed from the previous version The court emphasized the need to understand the scope and impact of the amendments Earlier this year the National Assembly passed amendments to the PECA under a supplementary
agenda greatly expanding the government’s authority to regulate online content and penalize digital offenses The PECA Amendment Act 2025 includes provisions for the formation of a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), which will be empowered to remove online content restrict access to prohibited material and impose penalties on individuals who share such content
The amendments also broadened the definition of social media platforms” to include various communication tools and software
Additionally the amendments mandate the disbanding of the FIA Cybercrime Wing and its replacement with a stricter framework for enforcement Individuals found sharing expunged material from parliamentary or provincial assemblies on social media could face imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of Rs2 million
OGDCL increases output at Rajian-05 through ESP installation
18% general sales
(GST) on
goods and services purchased online with additional taxes applying to nonfilers and platforms Furthermore, banks and online payment intermediaries will be required to maintain transaction records for quarterly filing with penalties for failing to collect taxes or submit required documents to the FBR The report cited a senior PR executive who
these policies, particularly in light of the lack of understanding and the potential harm to the e-commerce sector The PEA along with the Chainstore Association of Pakistan (CAP) has organized protests and plans to continue their advocacy via social media and official channels
Although the new laws aim to support women entrepreneurs the uncertainty surrounding their implementation has caused panic within the industry Courier companies are advising e-commerce
(PEA) has voiced its opposition to the new tax measures fearing they will reduce profit margins and burden consumers Chairman Omer Mubeen expressed concerns over the impact of
or ship orders through courier companies or online marketplaces
“Where
TDAP uNvEILS STrATEGIC INITIATIvES TO BOOST PAKISTAN’S EXPOrTS IN F Y 2025-26
the directive will result in strict penalties, including misconduct charges and suspension of promotions Officers from the Police Service of Pakistan Pakistan Administrative Service Secretariat Group and Management Group will submit their declarations directly to the Establishment Division by July 25 Officers posted in provinces must also send their declarations
KSE-100 surges to new all-time high as PSX begins FY26 on strong note Index gains 1,421
COMMENT
MA L I K Muhammad Ahmad Khan, the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, has responded to mounting criticism over his decision to seek the disqualification of 26 opposition lawmakers in a manner that raises more questions than it answers
The speaker faced a barrage of criticism following his attempt to disqualify PTI lawmakers for unparliamentary conduct Suspending an MPA from the house is far from unprecedented, and in the loud and often ruly houses that represent the will of the people there are even times when it is warranted The real issue arose when Khan decided to escalate the matter using it as a basis to approach the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) with the aim of permanently disqualifying the MPs because he is generally considered a reasonable figure not despite it
IThe Speaker s dismissive stance toward criticism and his decision to frame such protests as a constitutional violation rather than procedural disruptions are worrying His remarks yesterday during a press conference make it clear that he is unwilling to take the criticism seriously Instead of reflecting on the media and legal pushback to his overreaching actions, he chose to attack those who rightfully questioned the parameters of
recently attended a professional development event that brought together a diverse group of attendess men and women from various industries and backgrounds At first glance the gathering appeared to reflect progress: inclusion diversity and collaboration However what unfolded during the session left me disheartened and frustrated It served as a reminder that while there is a visible respect for women in professional spaces, true inclusivity especially in practice still has a long way to go Unfortunately the session was poorly planned
Although women were present in the audience every activity example and interaction seemed designed exclusively with men in mind From the outset it was clear that no consideration had been given to creating an inclusive environment As a woman in attendance, I felt not only excluded but deeply uncomfortable
The discomfort did not stem from being in the minority a familiar experience for many women in maledominated fields like engineering but from the blatant disregard for gender sensitivity
Throughout the session, patriarchal jokes were made, often at the expense of women These were neither harmless nor humorous; they were offensive, tone-deaf and entirely inappropriate for a professional setting Even more disturbing was the casual manner in which they were delivered and the laughter that followed from most of the male participants
The few women present accomplished experienced professionals were visibly uneasy, their confidence evidently shaken Some made efforts to engage, but gradually withdrew as the environment failed to foster equal participation A handful of men noticed the imbalance and attempted to advocate for fairness and respect but the dominant group which appeared unwilling to examine its own behavior quickly dismissed them directly or indirectly
This experience was a powerful and painful reminder of why gender equity remains such a critical and urgent issue in our society particularly in professional environments In sectors like engineering and technology where women remain significantly underrepresented such experiences can be especially disheartening They echo the early challenges many women face in their careers: often being the only woman in the room, constantly needing to prove their capabilities, working twice as hard for recognition, and confronting biases rooted not in merit but in gender There is often hope that things are moving in the right direction that professional spaces are becoming
Transitioning to a climateready economy
Amore inclusive and equitable Many individuals do actively foster such environments by mentoring young women advocating for diversity and ensuring all voices are heard and respected, regardless of gender Yet, experiences like this serve as sobering reminders that progress is not as widespread as it may appear The attitudes encountered are not isolated; they remain deeply embedded in professional culture
What is most disheartening is realizing that many young women entering the workforce today continue to face the same challenges that previous generations encountered Despite some areas of progress, the underlying structures of bias and inequality remain largely intact This persistent reality is not only disappointing it is deeply discouraging We must understand that the gender gap cannot be closed through token gestures or one-time diversity initiatives It requires sustained systemic change The first step toward that change is acknowledging the problem Too often, concerns about gender bias are dismissed as exaggerated or irrelevant But those of us who experience it know the reality all too well In societies like ours where patriarchal norms are deeply entrenched the burden of change cannot fall solely on women s shoulders Men especially those
It is time to move beyond surface-level solutions and commit to deep, meaningful chang e . Gender awareness and sensitivity must be integrated across all sectors especially education, industr y, and policy. Gender studies should be made a compulsor y subject from school through university, just like religious studies. Early education plays a crucial role in shaping mindsets.
Poetr y of forgetfulness
Mahnoor raza
How BeiDou Won the Wars for Pakistan and Iran
signal scrambling, and location degradation methods longused by the Pentagon to retain navigational supremacy in conflicts from Iraq to Kosovo But BeiDou changed that equation It gave Iran independence It gave Iran accuracy And it gave Iran the capacity to strike in ways that stunned Israeli defences and shook the strategic confidence of its Western allies Until recently the USA maintained unchallenged dominion over satellite-based navigation Its GPS system launched in 1978 and globally operational since 1995, was the invisible backbone of the modern world from military command centres to Uber rides GPS offered civilian accuracy of around five meters and classified military accuracy within centimeters Its 31-satellite constellation blanketed the Earth making it indispensable not only for warfare but for commerce, transportation, communication, and finance Over 160 countries still rely on it But reliance breeds vulnerability China observing this vulnerability took a different path In the early 2000s following several episodes in which Chinese military manoeuvres were exposed to potential disruption via US GPS control, Beijing began rapidly constructing its own alternative: The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System By 2020, BeiDou achieved full global operational capability Today it features over 45 active satellites and provides coverage that matches GPS worldwide while delivering superior accuracy across Asia and the Middle East, where Iran happens to be But BeiDou is not merely a mirror of GPS it is in
were starting to challenge US primacy In both wars the side relying on BeiDou emerged victorious This silent yet transformative transition from American to Chinese satellite guidance marks a game-changing shift in global warfare and digital sovereignty Without access to BeiDou Iran’s ability to hit critical Israeli targets with such devastating effect would have been close to impossible Had Iran relied on US GPS it would have been vulnerable to jamming,
ideologies with precision It elevates secular liberal values It applies Western gender theory as default It promotes individualism as the highest good It ranks content through alignment with existing academic sources: journals in English peer-reviewed studies from US-based institutions and news reports from Atlantic publications A child in Lagos asks about family roles and receives an answer formed by New York sociology departments A teenager in Almaty asks about love and receives scripts from Netflix The world enters the algorithm’s frame Every belief outside the system becomes a footnote a curiosity and a fragment to be processed With each response the model affirms its cultural lineage It arrives as information It functions as indoctrination At the level of infrastructure, the conquest deepens Cloud dependencies form the skeleton of the new colonial order Countries install data centers to reduce latency yet ownership remains elsewhere National agencies rely on platforms governed by foreign terms AI-driven public services – identity verification, health triage, and tax fraud detection – rely on external application programming interfaces Developers use tools that require alignment with large-scale American open-source repositories Disputes over content moderation, ethics, or accuracy return to Silicon Valley for resolution The empire never sleeps; it syncs and updates Policymakers, programmers and designers across Africa and Central Asia adjust their workflows to match the cadence of corporate model updates Each patch changes the conditions of reality Sovereignty becomes a variable Nations with no hardware capacity adapt their institutions to imported logic Parallel systems now emerge In Kenya Swahili datasets grow with local stories songs and legal codes In India Sanskrit and Hindi language models find presence inside public sector research labs In Indonesia, Qur anic ontology shapes new knowledge graphs for ethical recommendation systems In Venezuela, community coders map folk medicine into structured datasets These are not replicas
These are creations of new forms They stand inside their own cosmologies The datasets draw from poems, rituals, and oral testimony Models train on memory rather than just on print Universities in Brazil,
South Africa and Iran develop multilingual transformers seeded with regional epistemologies These initiatives require time, electricity, and loyalty They grow slowly, with patience and pride Each line of code bends towards independence Generative sovereignty begins with voice It expands with a procession It endures through ceremony and command The countries once mapped as
IF the word revolution implies etymologically a world turned around then what unfolded in Russia in 1917 was just that Everything changed Old-school deference was dead; the proletariat was in power The communist American journalist John Reed witnessed a contretemps that captured the suddenness of the change In simpler times, sailors would have yielded to senior ministers, but on the day of the storming of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg they weren’t having it When in a last-ditch effort to save the Provisional Government two liberal grandees demanded that they be let in one of the sailors replied, We will spank you! And if necessary we will shoot you too Go home now, and leave us in peace!” Here was an anecdote confirming Trotsky’s lofty pronouncement that the revolution marked the forcible entrance of the masses into the realm of rulership Where Trotsky was coolly detached in his bird seye The History of the Russian Revolution, Reed was breathless in his wide-eyed, worm’s-eye memoir, Ten Days that Shook the World Reed had the zeal of the convert Born into a pig-iron fortune in Oregon he rebelled against his preppy upbringing by embracing the bohemia of Greenwich Village: delicatessens, bookshops, art studios and saloons, its long-haired men and shorthaired women ” Thereafter, he was fired up by the silk weavers’ strike in New Jersey in 1913 Four years later a sense of adventure and a folie à deux with his socialist wife Louise Bryant took them to Saint Petersburg (then Petrograd), where they witnessed the revolution s great set pieces first-hand Warren Beatty’s portrayal of him as a true believer in the biopic Reds leafleting and dodging bullets got him down to a tee So it was hardly surprising that he was
Qamar Bashir
GUARDIAN
IRAN PRESIDENT SAYS ISRAEL
TRIED TO ASSASSINATE HIM
C hinese premier urges BRICS to lead global governance reform
In the face of growing conflicts and differences it is necessary to enhance extensive consultation based on equality and mutual respect In the face of deeply intertwined common interests, it is necessary to pursue joint contribution through solidarity In the face of mutually beneficial development opportunities it is necessary to hold an open mind to seek mutual success and shared benefits, said Li As the leading force of the Global South, BRICS countries should uphold independence and self-reliance demonstrate a sense of responsibility and play a greater role in building consensus and synergies, Li noted The Chinese premier called on the group to hold fast to morality and justice and
CORPORATE CORNER
measures for Majalis and processions during Muharram measures unmatched in previous years In Faisalabad and across the province district and divisional administrations peace committees police rescue teams, and other departments remained fully alert and active throughout She expressed gratitude for the Chief Minister's strong support and close supervision adding that mourners were praying for the CM in appreciation of the remarkable arrangements a clear reflection of public trust Sharing details of the action taken against those attempting to
disrupt religious harmony, Azma Bokhari stated that strict action has been taken against elements spreading religious hatred on social media Over 417 social media accounts have been blocked and legal proceedings have been initiated against individuals responsible for spreading hateful content, resulting in arrests and FIRs
Naqvi, Memon discuss political, law and order situation
Iraqi envoy calls on Chairman CDA
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
H E Abdul Qadir Suleiman Al-Himeiri Head of Mission Embassy of the Republic of Iraq called on Mr Muhammad Ali Randhawa Chairman CDA Chief Commissioner Islamabad and DG Civil Defence at CDA Headquarters The meeting held in a very cordial atmosphere in which matters of mutual interest came under discussion with a particular emphasis on furthering cooperation and establishing city level linkages
H E Abdul Qadir Suleiman Al-Himeiri appreciated CDA s significant initiatives and efforts under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Randhawa Chiarman CDA Chief Commissioner Islamabad and DG Civil Defence in maintaining the capital s development, beautifcation, and environmental sustainability
The meeting focused on formalization of the twinning arrangement between Baghdad and Islamabad
H E Abdul Qadir Suleiman Al-Himeiri Head of Mission Embassy of the Republic of Iraq agreed on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to declare Baghdad and Islamabad as sister cities, aimed at fostering enduring people-to-people contacts, cultural exchange, and collaboration in municipal management and urban regeneration as MOU will pave the way for structured engagement in areas such as heritage conservation infrastructure develop-
KP POLICE USE ANTI-DRONE JAMMING TECHNOLOGY FOR FIRST TIME DURING ASHURA
The 26th martyrdom anniversary of Kargil Hero Havildar Lalak Jan Nishan-e-Haider was solemnly observed on Monday, with the Armed Forces of Pakistan paying heartfelt tribute to his unparalleled courage and supreme sacrifice in the Kargil conflict of 1999 Havildar Lalak Jan laid down his life while defending the motherland against enemy attacks during the Kargil war On this day in 1999 he exhibited extraordinary valour repelling enemy assaults and fiercely defending his post despite sustaining critical injuries Refusing to be evacuated, he continued to fight until he embraced martyrdom in the line of duty The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) highlighted that Havildar Lalak Jan’s legacy remains a beacon of inspiration for the current and future generations of the Pakistan Armed Forces The ISPR release expressed deep gratitude for his sacrifice acknowledging his role in ensuring the security of the nation during the intense Kargil conflict Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) alongside the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Chief of Naval Staff Chief of Air Staff and the entire armed forces of Pakistan paid their solemn tribute to Havildar Lalak Jan Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, on the anniversary of his martyrdom We remember Havildar Lalak Jan Shaheed with immense respect and gratitude His act of courage, his dedication, and his sacrifice for the defence of Pakistan are unmatched ” stated the ISPR His sacrifice continues to inspire the Armed Forces of Pakistan as we reaffirm our resolve to uphold the sacred trust of the martyrs and continue the Shuhada-ePakistan mission, defending the motherland with courage, dedication, and honour The observance of this anniversary serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Pakistan s military personnel and strengthens the resolve of the Armed Forces to continue their mission to safeguard the country against all challenges
Israel attacks Houthi targets in three
harmony” and provided foolproof security to the mourners’ processions and gatherings From Muharram 1 to Ashura an effective and coordinated security plan was successfully implemented Naqvi said All forces and field formations demonstrated exemplary discipline and unity day and night ”
SC releases updated framework for bench formation, judicial decisions in 2025
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
The Supreme Court of Pakistan s Practice and Procedure Committee has unveiled a new procedural framework for 2025, marking a significant step towards streamlining judicial operations and enhancing transparency in decision-making
The new rules approved during a committee meeting chaired by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, come into effect under the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023
Along with Chief Justice Afridi the committee comprises Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Aminuddin Khan These rules aim to improve the functioning of the court, particularly in the areas of bench formation and handling emergency decisions
Under the updated framework the Chief Justice of Pakistan now has the authority to convene committee meetings either physically or virtually A minimum of two members is required for a meeting to proceed ensuring that the process remains efficient and inclusive The committee will now form benches on a monthly or bi-weekly basis Once a bench is established its composition cannot be altered unless specifically permitted by the established procedure
In cases where the Chief Justice is unavailable or abroad a special committee may be created to make necessary adjustments to the bench in the event of a judge s ill-
ness, absence, resignation, or death These measures ensure that the court can continue to function effectively despite unforeseen circumstances
A key provision of the new rules is the requirement for all emergency decisions to be recorded in writing, along with the reasons behind these decisions
These records must then be presented at the committee’s next meeting for further review ensuring accountability and transparency in the court s emergency actions
The Supreme Court Registrar has been assigned the responsibility of maintaining comprehensive records of all meetings decisions and amendments This initiative will contribute to long-term consistency and accountability within the judicial system
The new procedural framework also supersedes any prior
The Ministry of Law and Justice has issued notifications for the permanent appointment of chief justices to all four high courts of the country following the approval of President Asif Ali Zardari
According to the notification Justice Sarfraz Dogar has been appointed as the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court Justice Junaid Ghaffar has been named as the chief justice of the Sindh High Court In Balochistan, Justice Rozi Khan Bareech has been appointed as the chief justice of the Balochistan High Court while Justice Atiq Shah has been notified as the chief justice of the Peshawar High Court
The development came a week after the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) nominated permanent chief justices for four high courts In February, five IHC judges had moved the apex court against the appointment of Justice Dogar as the acting chief justice of IHC as well as the transfer of three high court judges to their court
conflicting regulations, granting the committee the power to amend the rules as necessary in the future Separately the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench recently ruled on a plea from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
and
The bench upheld an earlier decision by the Peshawar High Court which allowed the distribution of these seats among other political parties Justice Salahuddin Panhwar recused himself from the case during the final hearing, citing a need to review his brief verdict
This ongoing effort to bring clarity accountability and consistency to the court s operations
The plea was filed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri Justice Babar Sattar Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan and Justice Saman Riffat Imtiaz
However, the top court, on June 19, dismissed pleas filed against the transfer of judges and ruled that Justice Dogar could continue to work as IHC's acting chief justice Later on President Asif Ali Zardari formally declared Justice Dogar the senior-most judge of the IHC, following the issuance of a revised seniority list by the Ministry of Law and Justice
It is pertinent to know that the five IHC judges filed an intra-court appeal (ICA) against the SC s June 19 verdict In their plea the judges urged that the Constitutional Bench s order should be recalled and set aside [ ] in the interest of justice
During the pendency of the instant appeal this Hon ble Court may graciously grant interim relief as prayed for in the accompanying interim relief application Any other relief that this Hon ble Court may deem fit and proper may also be granted," the petition stated
