PAKISTAN, TURKIYE REAFFIRM MUTUAL RESOLVE TO FURTHER DEEPENING MULTIFACETED PARTNERSHIP
g DPM DAR SAYS ISLAMABAD PURSUING ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE FOR TURKISH ENTREPRENEURS IN KARACHI
g MENTIONS OTHER ENGAGEMENTS, INCLUDING REVIVAL OF ISTANBUL-TEHRAN-ISLAMABAD TRAIN SAYING ‘DELEGATIONS WILL MEETING SOON TO FINALISE ROADMAP FOR REVIVAL’
g TURKISH FM SAYS MUTUAL DEFENSE COOPERATION WILL BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED, CALLING IT A ‘ STRATEGIC STEP,’ VERY IMPORTANT FOR SECURITY OF BOTH COUNTRIES
g REITERATES TO INCREA SE TRADE VOLUME TO $5B, EXPRESSING FIRM RESOLVE TO TAKE PAKISTAN-TURKIYE RELATIONS TO A HIGHER LEVEL
g DAR, FIDAN CO-CHAIR FIRST MEETING OF A JOINT COMMISSION SET UP IN FEBRUARY DURING PRESIDENT ERDOGAN ’S VISIT: FO
India using state sponsored terrorism as a policy to destabilise Pakistan: DG ISPR
RAWALPINDI
S ta f f R e p o R t
India is using state-sponsored terrorism as a policy against Pakistan especially in Balochistan said InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Wednesday In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera TV, the military spokesperson said India s support for terrorist activities is aimed at destabilizing Pakistan’s security particularly in the volatile region of Balochistan These nefarious designs of India are a systematic conspiracy to destabilize Pakistan especially in Balochistan he said He added that India had admitted multiple times to supporting terrorism within Pakistan Lt Gen Chaudhry reiterated that Pakistan views any aggression against its sovereign territory as a direct threat to regional stability “India’s political leadership has repeatedly admitted to supporting terrorism in Pakistan said Gen Chaudhry naming Ajit Doval India s National Security Advisor as the mastermind behind New Delhi s network of state-sponsored terrorism The military spokesperson also referred to the recent attack in Waziristan, claimed by the proscribed TTP, which martyred 16 Pakistani soldiers and injured over 20 others Pakistan has consistently maintained that India is directly involved in such attacks India is supporting and financing terrorist activities in Pakistan reiterated LtGen Chaudhry while speaking to Al Jazeera TV The term Khawarij has been widely used by Pakistan s military and media recently to refer to armed groups that attack the state and its military forces These nefarious designs of India are a systematic conspiracy to destabilize Pakistan especially in Balochistan The current Fitna al-Khawarij is a continuation of the misguided ideology that has historically led to the killing of Muslims under a false religious narrative, he said In Islam, only the state has the authority to wage holy war (jihad) or engage in combat and no individual organisation or group has this power he said “The Khawarij have no relation to Islam humanity Pakistan or Pakistani traditions maintained Gen Chaudhry DG ISPR added that the term Fitna al-Hindustan was used in Pakistan to describe terrorists supported by India Fitna alHindustan is particularly active in destabilizing the country, especially in the province of Balochistan ” he said He emphasized that several countries including the United States and Canada have acknowledged Indian statesponsored terrorism on their soil
g DEPUTY PM EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH PROGRESS OF ALL 12 JSCS WORKING UNDER HLSCC FRAMEWORK
PM reaffirms commitment to fur ther strengthening
cooperation with Turkey in key
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with Turkey in key sectors, including trade investment technology and defence inviting Turkish companies to increase their investment and share their expertise in Pakistan s structural reforms, economic growth, and development Premier Shehbaz made the remarks in a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasar Güler who called on him in Islamabad on Wednesday said a statement from the Prime Minister s Office (PMO) after the meeting The PM stressed the need for concerted efforts from both countries to enhance bilateral trade aiming to reach the mutually agreed target of $5 billion the PMO release said PM Shehbaz also emphasised the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, which are deeply
Khan (28) and Qasim Khan (26), would join the proposed upcoming PTI protest move-
ment She claimed that the PTI founder s sons would go to the United States to present their father’s case before coming to Pakistan to join the movement On Monday Qasim uploaded a post on X calling for his father s release saying that the PTI founder had been imprisoned for 700 days and cut off from his family and even his personal physician In a rare public appearance in May, Imran Khan s sons Suleman Khan and Qasim Khan had called attention to their father ’s incarceration imprisoned since August 2023 It was the first time the two had publicly talked about their father s incarceration Talking to a TV channel State Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said the government had no issue with Qasim and Suleiman entering Pakistan, provided they do not engage in protests or political activity ” “Being British nationals both Qasim and Suleiman could not legally participate in Pakistani political activity he noted alleged that the boys are coming to spread discord and there is no permission for this If
ISLAMABAD
Pakistan’s
Expor
ADB repor t c alls for reform in Pakistan’s tax system to tackle informal economy
policy It reveals that while nominal income tax revenue has increased over the years, real revenue growth has remained stagnant, reflecting the country s inability to make substantial progress in expanding the formal tax base or increasing compliance among existing taxpayers The ADB suggests that a more targeted approach is needed to improve tax collection Expanding the number of registered taxpayers as has been attempted in recent years has not resulted in meaningful revenue gains Instead, many new filers either report minimal taxable income or fail to comply fully with tax obligations, leading to increased administrative costs without corresponding benefits According to the report Pakistan s tax system remains heavily dependent on indirect taxes with limited success in taxing the informal economy The country s tax-to-GDP ratio remains at just 10%, far below the regional average of around 20%
Additionally, the formal sector in Pakistan is small relative to other countries, with only 7 6% of the labor force registered for income tax compared to countries
like Vietnam, which have higher taxpayer participation in the formal system One of the key findings of the report is that the expansion of the tax base, while it may seem successful on paper has not resulted in a corresponding increase in revenue For instance the total number of tax filers has increased but a substantial portion of these filers report zero tax payments undermining the overall effectiveness of tax reforms
The ADB report states that while Pakistan s formal sector has tripled since 2014, this expansion has not led to an increase in tax revenue The government’s strategy of incentivizing compliance through increased withholding tax rates on non-filers has not proven effective The report further highlights that many new businesses or individuals registering for taxes do so only to avoid higher penalties, often without genuinely contributing to tax revenue
The ADB also points to the ongoing problem of the country’s informal sector which remains outside the tax net hindering revenue growth Despite efforts to curb informal economic activities such as restricting nonfilers from engaging in high-value transactions or imposing penalties, the informal economy continues to flourish In its analysis, the ADB compares Pakistan s approach to that of other developing countries like Rwanda South Africa and Uganda where expanding the tax base alone did not lead to higher revenue collections The ADB argues that Pakistan s focus on increasing the number of registered taxpayers has not been effective because many new filers either remain non-compliant or contribute very little in terms of tax
Atlas announces
hike of up to Rs 201,000
increases on Honda’s locally assembled models, effective
that such activities will not be allowed under the guise of protest The SAPM claimed that PTI s real motive behind protests is incitement and vandalism not democratic expression and therefore the party will not be granted permission to hold such events Sanaullah reiterated that peaceful protests and rallies are a hallmark of democracy, but PTI has never shown readiness to adopt democratic behavior Dialogue with the party would only be possible when it demonstrates a democratic approach he added The SAPM asserted that the state cannot be held hostage by 10 000–15 000 people in a country of 250 million He confirmed that PTI has called for a movement on August 5, and the government will respond according to the law Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he added, has always emphasized resolving political issues through dialogue No arrests intention in wake of PTI plan to launch anti-govt movement: Irfan Siddiqui Senator Irfan Siddiqui has ruled out that the government has an intention to make arrests in the wake of PTI plan to launch a movement against the government Senator Irfan Siddiqui said the government will see the aspects of the protest when it is launched, adding the founder's children have the right to run a movement for their father Smoke has now stopped from the PTI's narrative factories he added He said that there is no discussion at any level regarding Asif Ali Zardari adding he is fulfilling his responsibilities The state and the government have no complaints against Asif Zardari Irfan Siddiqui said adding when Nawaz Sharif was the Prime Minister, he himself went to Bani Gala The founder s cases are in the courts
trillion in FY24 marking a decrease of Rs 2 336 trillion The majority of the borrowing in FY25 came from scheduled banks as the IMF had placed restrictions on borrowing from the SBP In comparison, the federal government borrowed Rs 276 5 billion from the SBP, significantly down from Rs 608 3 billion net retirement in the previous year Government borrowing from scheduled banks fell by 38% decreasing by Rs 3 22 trillion bringing total borrowing from the domestic banking sector to Rs 5 277 trillion in FY25,
Fidan was appreciative of Pakistan s wisdom-oriented attitude Radio Pakistan stated He noted that Turkiye and Pakistan were intensifying their cooperation in the field of energy, including mining, precious stones, natural gas and oil The minister also highlighted that the two nations have expanded their relations in other fields such as the economy education and culture Fidan reiterated the countries aim to increase their commercial relations to $5bn and expressed the firm resolve to take Pakistan-Turkiye relations to a higher
compared to Rs 8 498 trillion in FY24
The reduction in borrowing was largely due to a record Rs 3 4 trillion profit transferred from the SBP to the government’s account, which facilitated fiscal improvements and allowed for the first-ever buyback auction of government securities
The Ministry of Finance repaid Rs 1 5 trillion in public debt during FY25 Notably Rs 500 billion of debt owed to the SBP was retired four years ahead of its maturity This early repayment, along with a buyback of Rs 1 trillion in market debt, helped reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio from 75% in FY23 to 69% in FY25 Provincial governments also made strides repaying Rs 532 billion to SBP and scheduled banks in FY25, up from Rs 387 5 billion the previous year Sindh led with Rs 145 billion in repayments, while Punjab repaid Rs 28 5 billion Khyber Pakhtunkhwa borrowed Rs 12 billion, and the governments of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan repaid Rs 15 billion and Rs 7 billion respectively
stated goal of expanding Shariah-based financial solutions DIB served as the sole Islamic global coordinator and jointly acted as mandated lead arranger and bookrunner alongside Standard Chartered Bank, according to details reported by Business Recorder Other participating banks in the consortium include Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Ajman Bank and Sharjah Islamic Bank Ad powered by advergic com The financing deal marks the first instance of the ADB providing a Policy-Based Guarantee for a commercial transaction in Pakistan, a move interpreted as a sign of confidence in the country s economic reform efforts “This landmark financing arrangement not only underscores the strong confidence of regional and international financial institutions in Pakistan’s economic reform trajectory but also marks an important step in expanding our access to innovative and Shariah-compliant funding solutions said Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb Dr Adnan Chilwan, Group CEO of DIB, described the deal as a “key
level, Radio Pakistan added Following their meetings, Dar wrote on X: “Held productive discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchanged views on key regional and global developments Pakistan and Türkiye share deep-rooted bonds of brotherhood mutual trust and strategic cooperation the deputy PM stressed Pakistan and Türkiye enjoy strong bilateral ties built on shared cultural, religious, and historical bonds, as well as mutual respect In February the two countries pledged to boost bilateral trade to $5 billion as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Islamabad DAR FIDAN CO-CHAIR FIRST MEETING OF JOINT COMMISSION Meanwhile, Dar and Fidan co-chaired the first meeting of a joint commission established in February during President Erdogan’s visit, the FO said in a statement Dar expressed satisfaction with the progress of all 12 Joint Standing Committees (JSCs) working under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) framework, saying they have either already met or are scheduled to meet in the coming weeks Established in 2009, HLSCC is the highest decisionmaking forum between the two countries guiding bilateral relations through joint standing committees
covering trade, investment, defense, energy, agriculture, IT, health, and education
During the press briefing, Dar said that the JSC on security defense and intelligence was scheduled to meet on July 24 in Islamabad while the committee on transport and communication was expected to meet next week The trade and investment JSC met on June 20 Dar noted, adding that the committee on defense industries was scheduled to meet later in September “Similarly, other committees health, science and technology; social sector development; culture and tourism; agriculture and
FI N A N C E M I N I S T E R Muhammad Aurangzeb
was worth at the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics at a meeting on Tuesday, for not providing accurate statistics, which led the rest of the government to plan on the basis of incorrect figures The complaint is that the PBS gives information based on old surveys thus failing to provide an accurate picture of the economy The Finance Minister, himself with an extensive background in banking, would only too aware of the need for accurate and up-to-date information PBS is part of the Planning Ministry but it is supposed to feed all government ministries the information they require If it gets the figures wrong, all ministries will get their planning wrong, but the ministry which suffers the most is the Finance Ministry It needs the PBS to get things right for it to calculate future resource demands It has its own statistical mechanism in the form of the office of the Economic Adviser, which partially duplicates the work of the PBS, by presenting its own analysis
Anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of statistics knows raw data can be manipulated Here we are not talking about massaging the figures to give the result wanted, though that has been known to happen It has happened that figures that have been sent by the Economic Adviser to his political masters have been returned with the direction that ‘more acceptable’ figures be sent again Here the desire is not so much to please one s masters, as to avoid the appearance of incompetence No one replies that he doesn t have the figures because there hasn’t been a survey for a long time One pulls the statistician’s favourite trick: one extrapolates There are many ways of doing that but all of them involve taking old figures, finding the historical rate of change, and then applying it to find out what the figure should be now
The problem with that as Mr Aurangzeb fears the new figure which may not be entirely accurate then becomes the basis of future calculations The people at PBS are not lazy, just strapped for both time and money However, it should not be forgotten that the PBS supervises the Pakistan Census Organization which handles the census which has become controversial It is controversial for precisely the reasons that Mr Aurangzeb wants reliable figures: so that financial allocations are made where needed It therefore naked political and practical sense to make sure that the government’s figures are accurate
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
that case is blaming the spouse Of course declaring somebody to be the root-cause of a problem is a far cry from solving the issue to anybody s satisfaction; especially when all evidence points to the fact that the blamed party tends not to take the criticism in the best of spirits, and therefore typically demonstrates an even more dastardly and uncooperative behaviour thereafter
SH O W me a disgruntled wife and I will show you an equally disgruntled husband and vice versa The wrong-spouse problem has been defying resolution ever since the advent of the institution of holy matrimony, if not earlier Despite this history and the ubiquity of the problem, its gravity and intractability typically go unappreciated among the unmarried community Any wonder they keep entering marriage in absolutely the wrong frame of mind thereby supplying a constant supply of fresh victims of the problem?
For the benefit of eligible bachelors and fair maidens, here is a brief progression of the malady: In most marriages, one of the parties soon comes to suspect that it has got the raw end of the deal (in other words that the party of the second part is having an absolute ball at the cost of the party of the first part)
Evidence piles on with time and the suspicion grows until it finally acquires the status of an unwavering conviction The intermediate stages include temporary and, as it ultimately turns out, excruciating flashes of hopes such as ‘Adaptability can only be a matter of time’ (no it is not) ‘Talking the issues out will surely help (it certainly will not) It is darkest before dawn (yes but only when there is a dawn) and No issue ought to be too difficult for mature adults (yeah, right!)
The party of the second part, on its part, is usually of the same considered opinion– only in the reverse direction There notoriously being no auto-correct function in marriage once the first symptoms start appearing a couple of weeks after the wedding ceremony the problem persists before progressively getting worse Said symptoms include the various shades of unpleasant sentiments not very different from the ones felt upon getting delivered something that has no resemblance whatsoever to the item one had ordered online Or the feelings that prompt one to brood on questions such as Why do bad things happen to good people? In arranged marriages it is natural to blame for this predicament the parents, the matchmakers and the go-betweens, the significant other, the in-laws and sheer bad luck, whichever comes first When it happens to be one’s own choice however the number of available options reduces drastically For the only recourse available to thoughtful individuals in
Ceasefire Triumph
allies it led the charge in uncovering India’s hypocrisy and defending regional truth In a region riddled with shifting alliances and hesitant diplomacy Pakistan charted a course entirely its own one grounded in conviction, not convenience As the Iran-Israel confrontation intensified, Islamabad quietly took on a role few expected but many now acknowledge: that of a behind-the-scenes stabilizing force Unlike others who either played both sides or remained strategically mute Pakistan offered Iran unwavering moral and diplomatic backing, even while pursuing parallel conversations with Washington to cool tensions Field Marshal Asim Munir ’s high-level visit to the USA during this critical period wasn’t coincidental it reflected Islamabad s deeper intent to prevent a broader regional eruption through calibrated engagement not submission While others hesitated to even speak, Pakistan moved with strategic precision This principled positioning also opens a new chapter in Iran–Pakistan relations where trust forged in crisis can now translate into joint efforts including a long-overdue reckoning with anti-Pakistan elements entrenched near the border Stability after all, must be mutual to be real If this conflict has underscored anything, it is this: military strength is not just deterrence
Inexperience is often cited as the reason why so many good men end up with the wrong women and vice versa The compatibility-statistics of second third, and subsequent attempts at matrimony hardly support this opinion Though a very useful commodity, experience has its limits It is clearly out of its league when it comes to the institution of marriage
Recognizing the nature and the degree of impenetrability of any problem is crucial if one is to realistically address it If the history of marriage is any guide this is the sort of problem that can only be managed not solved This is the only spirit in which one has a valid excuse to go ahead and tie the knot It would be a gross understatement to say that this spirit is rare Marriage is a wonderful thing– let there be no mistake about it It is just not for the weak of heart Far
t e l l – a s t o r y t h a t i s a n e p i c a n d a s a g a a t t h e
s a m e t i m e ; w i t h s u r r e a l h u m o u r, b l a ck c o m e d y, f a rc e , d r a m a ,
s u s p e n s e , my s t e r y, a n d h i g h t r a g e d y a l l ro l l e d i n t o o n e . Â W hy m e ? Ê , yo u a s k ? We l l , w hy n o t ?
it s destiny In an era where wars are no longer confined to borders and threats emerge without warning, the professionalism and readiness of Pakistan’s armed forces remain the backbone of its sovereignty The Iran-Israel standoff proved how swiftly regional flashpoints can escalate and how only nations with disciplined dynamic militaries can shape outcomes rather than suffer them For Pakistan, the lesson is clear: with a restive adversary on the eastern front nursing old ambitions, complacency is not an option We must invest deeper in capability innovation and morale not for conflict but for credibility Because in every sense the strength of our forces is the strength of Pakistan itself visible not just in parades or operations, but in the confidence they instill across every inch of our soil In the silence between wars, real power lies in preparation Iran-Israel conflict may have quieted on the battlefield but its deeper impact has redefined regional credibility Iran s resilience reshaped perceptions of deterrence, while Israel s struggle to impose its will revealed cracks in its strategic calculus Amid this shift, Pakistan emerged not just as a spectator, but as a steady force Its stance wasn’t loud but it was consistent and that consistency resonated By aligning principles with pragmatism and security with diplomacy Pakistan proved its relevance in shaping outcomes beyond its borders In a volatile region, that distinction is not just rare it’s powerful
The writer is a freelance columnist and can be reached at zartajchaudhary@gmail com
Stinking oversight
for trade and optics, New Delhi wasted no time in openly siding with Israel when tensions peaked exposing its transactional mindset and lack of regional loyalty This wasn t just diplomatic betrayal; it was strategic opportunism at its worst On the information front, India waged an
of truth and perception, Pakistan didn’t just defend its
I r a n - I s r a e l c o n f l i c t m ay h av e q u i e t e d o n t h e b a t t l e f i e l d , bu t
i t s d e e p e r i m p a c t h a s r e d e f i n e d r e g i o n a l c r e d i b i l i t y I r a n Ês
r e s i l i e n c e r e s h a p e d p e rc e p t i o n s o f d e t e r r e n c e , w h i l e
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ZArTAj CHAuDHAry
Rmotorcycles and overloaded rickshaws The risk is increased by narrow highways lax enforcement and vehicle modifications Despite initiatives like
axle-load management by PHP 1124 and NHMP deaths continue because of corruption and a lack of compliance This year alone the province of Punjab has seen a 29 percent increase in crashes, according to Rescue 1122 In the absence of funding for road safety infrastructure, more stringent laws and driver education, this situation will worsen There are different types of accidents such as side-impact head–on rollover runoff road (ROR) crash and equipment breakdown vehicle accidents Almost 92 percent of accidents happen due to human error, 3 percent vehicular problem, 4 percent road condition (Engineering) and 1 percent environmental factors Population explosion and increase in traffic volume is another crucial factor of accidents on roads The increase in the ratio of accidents is a growing threat to public health Road traffic injuries (RTI) have a colossal impact on the survivors Accidents cause not only fatalities, injuries but also incur economic difficulties for the families in case of death of bread winner There are multiple reasons for road traffic accidents The road commuters do not bother to abide by traffic rules The drivers of Rickshaws/Chingchees and motorcycles are mostly under age and without licence The inadequate knowledge about traffic rules and signs is another cause of road crashes and nuisance on roads Furthermore the use of mobile phones not wearing a safety helmet or seat belt makes riding hazardous and renders the rider and driver vulnerable to injuries and even death in case of accident The infringement of one-way, jumping the red signal, violation of lane-line discipline and not maintaining safe distance cause grievous accidents on roads Furthermore the distraction failure to recognize danger and unsafe environmental factors imperil the life of road commuters Moreover, the usage of high beam lights blurs the eyesight of other side and coming drivers and causes mishap
this unwise driving practice leads to rear-end collisions Road rage and the red mist phenomenon are examples of how emotional instability and stress can cause people to drive recklessly, putting lives in danger More to say, controlling anger while driving a vehicle is awfully essential to avert road accidents Drivers should maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front There is a
ond golden formula to avoid rear-end collisions; that is, allow at least two seconds of lead time in normal weather conditions, and more in the event of inclement weather Furthermore the driver needs to watch out for erratic drivers No matter how conscious and careful you are it is often the mistake of other drivers that puts you in danger Therefore, expect others to make mistakes This way of thinking will help keep you alert to wayward and reckless drivers Public awareness of road safety is alarm-
NO W that the Iranian nuclear issue seems to have been resolved, the United States is turning to the rest of the Middle East Despite Tehran s predictable denials and the skepticism of many analysts the U S air campaign targeting Iran s nuclear infrastructure achieved what diplomacy could not It looks to have ended the country s nuclear weapons program This outcome, though largely downplayed in official statements marks a major shift in regional security dynamics It also opens the door for a broader strategic pivot one that President Donald Trump appears poised to seize Trump is returning to familiar ground: the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors With his sights now set on brokering peace across the Middle East, he faces a less complicated landscape but a higher bar than the one that produced the initial normalization deals Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on July 7, Monday, with the future of the war in Gaza, including a possible ceasefire, at the center of their conversation But the wars that Trump promised to end Gaza-Israel and Russia-Ukraine are still burning Worse a new conflict erupted on his watch between Israel and Iran with the United States not just observing from the sidelines but also participating militarily HOW TRUMP CAN CEMENT HIS ‘DEALMAKER’ REPUTATION: Trump cannot rely on partial wins or symbolic handshakes If he wants to earn the dealmaker mantle that supposedly defines his legacy he must go bigger That means not just ending the Israel-Gaza war but also delivering a comprehensive settlement in the region That road runs through Palestinian statehood Saudi Arabia has made it clear: There will be no expansion of the Abraham Accords and no normalization with Israel without a credible path to Palestinian statehood Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman now the most influential voice in the Arab world, has drawn a line The rules of the game have changed Without addressing Palestinian statehood head-on, no serious peace can be achieved As I wrote in The Hill, Netanyahu’s miscalculation most notably his refusal to allow a Saudi-led delegation to visit the West Bank has unified Arab states around formal recognition of a Palestinian
state Now with Europe aligning behind that same goal, the momentum is undeniable To his credit, Trump seems to recognize this shift He began the process of lifting U S sanctions on Syria on June 30, a move clearly aimed at clearing the deck for broader regional talks TIME TO UP THE ANTE IN MIDDLE EAST RELATIONS: It s a pragmatic step Not a reward for Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, but a signal to other regional actors that Washington is preparing to engage on all fronts, especially to Saudi Arabia, which has basically guaranteed the new leadership in Syria Even more telling: Trump summoned Netanyahu to the White House While it was spun as Bibi is visiting the reality is unmistakable Netanyahu is being called in The demand is simple: End the Gaza war, now With the Iranian nuclear threat neutralized for now and Arab states increasingly unified in their support for Palestinian statehood along with European backing led by French President Emmanuel Macron Netanyahu is running out of cover The longer the war drags on in Gaza, the more isolated Netanyahu becomes The Arab world, led by Riyadh, isn’t budging Europe is moving toward recognition of a Palestinian state And even in America political patience is wearing thin Trump s instincts have always leaned transactional He values wins There is no bigger win in the Middle East today than a deal that ends the Gaza war brings the Israeli hostages home, recognizes a Palestinian state and brings Saudi Arabia fully into the Abraham Accords That’s the prize That’s the legacy move That deal requires more than pressure It demands vision Trump must not only persuade Netanyahu to end the war but also present a credible political solution one that addresses both Israeli security and Palestinian sovereignty Saudi Prince bin Salman has already laid the diplomatic groundwork The region is more aligned than it has been in decades What’s needed now is American resolve This is Trump’s moment to prove that his foreign policy is more than rhetoric and rallies The military action in Iran gave him leverage Now he must use it The Middle East doesn t need another round of photo ops It needs action And that begins with recognizing that Palestinian statehood is no longer optional, it’s essential This requires political capital, diplomatic toughness and strategic clarity If Trump succeeds and it is a big if he will have achieved what no other president has: ending multiple wars and establishing lasting stability in a fractured region The clock is ticking The pieces are moving The opportunity
EE R wonder why Instagram has no dislike button? You re not alone Maybe you ve asked yourself why it s all hearts, thumbs-up and smiley faces but never a simple “your-post-is-nofun-at-all ” It’s not a glitch It’s a design
Welcome to the dark side of digital addiction
In an age where smartphones practically live in our hands digital addiction is far from hyperbole It covers everything from endless scrolling on Instagram and compulsively watching YouTube Shorts to binge gaming and obsessively checking notifications Addictive behavior isn’t new we’ve battled gambling, smoking and even coffee dependence but our flickering digital world makes it worse Why? Because digital space is always on always connected and hard to escape It hijacks our psychology; our brains crave quick dopamine hits triggered by every buzz, swipe and glowing heart
This constant stimulation is especially harmful for teenagers Adolescence is a time of major brain construction, especially in areas like impulse control, decisionmaking and delayed gratification all functions governed by the prefrontal cortex During this period the limbic system which drives emotion and reward-seeking often develops faster than the cortical areas responsible for regulation, creating a neurological imbalance that makes teens more susceptible to impulsive behavior That fragile system is easily overwhelmed by dopamine-spiking digital temptations Teens are wired to seek novelty and approval and Big Tech knows exactly how to exploit that Picture this: You re a 15-year-old faced with algebra homework tedious stressful and hardly satisfying Meanwhile, your phone offers instant relief Just one more video Just one more like That tiny dopamine hit feels irresistible And here lies the sinister brilliance of digital addiction: It offers a fast escape from discomfort while dulling the brain’s ability to regulate impulses
Dr muhammaD rizWan Bhatti
Saudi Arabia and Iran hold talks after Tehran’s truce with Israel
was hit by waves of drone and missile fire from Iran, which Israeli authorities said left at least 28 people
The United States which had been in talks with Iran about its nuclear programme since April joined Tel Aviv s war and carried out its own strikes on Iran on June 22, targeting several nuclear sites The talks between Tehran and Washington have since stalled but the ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in place since June 24 I
Two pilots killed as Indian fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan
titude of 650 feet, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and the rest on the ground The investigation into the Air India crash is focusing on the movement o
analysis of the 787
flight and voice data recorders
is expected to be released by Friday, three sources with knowledge of the matter said, with one adding the probe had narrowed its focus to the movement of the plane’s fuel control switches
SSGC Hyderabad’s dedication to embracing technological change
Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan successfully completed 2,100 clean water projects across the country last year, benefiting more than 550,000 individuals For the current year, the organization aims to complete 2 320 water related projects Under its WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) Program Alkhidmat is not only ensuring the provision of clean drinking water but also playing a key role in raising awareness and providing facilities related to hygiene and sanitation These projects were implemented across a wide geographic area, including Central, Southern and Northern Punjab Sindh Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Balochistan Azad Jammu & Kashmir Gilgit-Baltistan and Waziristan The breakdown of completed projects includes 579 small hand pumps, 923 community hand pumps, 206 water wells, 248 water submersible pumps, 59 solar-powered submersible pumps, 22 gravity-flow water schemes 27 water filtration plants 35 cold-water coolers along with maintenance initiatives Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan Vice President Syed Ihsan Ullah Waqas said that the clean water programme is a key component of the foundation s humanitarian mission “Access to clean water and sanitation is a basic human right
PTI's audit claims expose corruption in their own tenure: A zma Bokhari
s ta f f r e p o r t Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has issued a strong rebuttal to a recent statement by PTI leader Barrister Saif calling him a fake intellectual and urging him to read the audit report thoroughly “The audit figures being used by PTI for propaganda actually belong to the tenures of Usman Buzdar and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi she clari-
Exper ts from Baku brief CDA meeting on measures taken for Islamabad ’s beautific ation
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
An important meeting was held at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) headquarters under the chairman ship of Chairman CDA, Chief Commissioner of Islamabad and Director General of Civil Defense, Muhammad Ali Randhawa The meeting was attended by horticulture experts from Baku along with CDA Member Administration & Estate Talat Mahmood Member Finance Tahir Naeem Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch Member Engineering Syed Nafeesat Raza Member Planning Dr Khalid Hafiz, and other senior officers
The horticulture experts from Baku provided a detailed briefing to Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa regarding the measures taken for the city's beautification They apprised the meeting that work is progressing rapidly on the beautification of Srinagar Highway Melody Market and Saidpur Village as well as the upgradation of the CDA Model Nursery During the briefing, it was shared that under the "Gardenia Hub" project, the nursery is being modernized with international-standard flower shops, plants and advanced greenhouses This project is being completed with
the support of architects and horticulture experts from Baku Chairman CDA stated that nursery staff would be given specialized training to ensure the optimal operation of this modern facility in the future Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa issued directives emphasizing the use of locally compatible and eco-friendly plants and trees for urban beautification He
the city s aesthetic improvement Chairman CDA further stated that, under corporate social responsibility (CSR), the private sector and renowned brands would also be engaged in the city’s beautification and tree-plantation campaigns to further strengthen Islamabad’s mission of becoming an
79 lives lost to monsoon floods, KP hit hardest
The ongoing monsoon season has claimed at least 79 lives including 38 children in floods and rain-related incidents such as landslides and house collapses, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) The NDMA issued fresh warnings for flash flooding and glacial lake outbursts in the northern and northwestern regions of Pakistan particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as rising temperatures exacerbate the situation The authorities have reported that the Indus River in Torghar and Jabba nullah in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have claimed the lives of two boys who drowned Additionally heavy landslides blocked the Karakoram Highway in Gilgit-Baltistan s Gonar Farm and Mola Dad Pari area Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the most vulnerable province to the monsoon crisis with critical infrastructural gaps and poor governance worsening the impact of the floods The province has suffered extensive damage with over 29 lives lost, widespread destruction to infrastructure, and severe flooding exacerbated by a lack of water management systems These floods, though annual occurrences highlight the province s vulnerability especially in its economic centers
Notably K-P’s famous tourist destinations including Swat Kalam and Chitral are among the hardest hit These areas heavily reliant on tourism for economic survival, have seen significant damage to roads, bridges, hotels, and entire villages The floods have not only disrupted the tourism industry but have also devastated livelihoods and local economies The rugged terrain has hindered rescue and reconstruction efforts, with effective preventative measures still lacking Other districts in K-P, such as Mohmand, have also reported severe losses with livestock and crops destroyed in the heavy rains Flooded roads have isolated communities while power outages have further worsened the crisis
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted widespread rain and thundershowers across the country including heavy falls in several regions, particularly in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and parts of Balochistan The department has issued warnings for flash floods landslides and urban flooding in lowlying areas of cities like Islamabad Rawalpindi Lahore and Peshawar Authorities have urged the public to take necessary precautions The PMD also predicts that temperatures will remain high, with hot and humid conditions expected in Sindh and parts of Balochistan However rain and thunderstorms are anticipated in isolated areas of these regions with heavy falls likely at certain places
Senators express concern over NHA’s handling of Indus Highway project
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f r e p o r t
A parliamentary body on Tuesday raised serious concerns about the awarding of a major highway construction contract to a blacklisted firm questioning the transparency, procedural lapses, and funding delays surrounding the Rajanpur-Dera Ismail Khan section of the Indus Highway project The Senate Standing Committee on Communications chaired by Senator Pervaiz Rasheed grilled officials from the National Highway Authority (NHA) over the stagnant progress of the project, inadequate funding in the current PSDP, and the controversial de-
cision to award the contract to a blacklisted contractor
NHA officials reported that five bypasses are planned between Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan While some bypasses have secured funding, others remain pending A total of Rs6 7 billion has been released for the project but an additional Rs11 billion is required Some funds for the Jampur segment have already been transferred to the national exchequer
The committee was informed that 11 bypasses will be built under the project with land acquisition costs estimated at Rs11 billion However there remains a Rs5 billion funding shortfall for land acquisition, and NHA ex-
pressed concerns that the necessary funds had not been allocated in the current fiscal year s PSDP Senator Zameer Hussain raised concerns over the contractor ’s history, claiming the company had been blacklisted He questioned how the NHA board approved the contract while Senator Saifullah Abro called it a major blunder He further criticized the NHA s handling of the situation, accusing the authority of releasing a press statement that contradicted the Senate’s media release “NHA’s press release amounts to disrespecting the entire Senate he said demanding the formation of a subcommittee to investigate