G O V T F O C U S I N G O N E X PA N D I N G TA X B A S E , R E D U C I N G TA X B U R D E N O N P O O R : P M
IFJ urges CJP to review PECA Law, citing threats to journalists, press freedom
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan expressing concern over the challenges faced by journalists in the country, particularly under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) The letter, also sent to the prime minister and the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court
Naqvi attends trilateral talks in Tehran on pilgrims ’ issues, border concerns
emphasized that the trilateral talks would play a significant role in easing the issues concerning pilgrims and border management Naqvi also conveyed his best wishes to Iran s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian during his discussions with Iranian officials The Iranian Interior Minister expressed confidence that Naqvi s visit would strengthen the relations between
Pakistan and Iran Upon arrival at Tehran s Imam Khomeini International Airport, Naqvi was warmly welcomed by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni The trilateral meeting was convened at Pakistan s request to facilitate cooperation on these pressing issues
Zulfi Bukhari to testify before US Congress body on ‘political repression’ in Pakistan
LONDON
s ta f f r e p o r t
PTI leader Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari a former aide to ex-premier Imran Khan, is set to offer testimony on political repression in Pakistan before the United States Congress’ Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission it emerged on Monday
According to its website the bipartisan commission was established in 2008 and is charged with promoting, defending and advocating for international human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments The commission s hearing no-
tice states that the session will take place on Tuesday (tomorrow) at 3:30pm (12:30am PKT on Wednesday) and will “examine the government of Pakistan’s persecution of opposition political figures and journalists and its actions to control media communications and prevent free and fair elections in Pakistan” The session is open to the public and the media
“Many date the current phase of repression in Pakistan to 2022 when with the involvement of the Pakistan military popular Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted, and soon after, arrested, convicted of corruption and imprisoned,” the notice read
Parliamentary elections in February 2024 were, according to the US State Department, marked by ‘undue restrictions on freedoms of expression association and peaceful assembly as well as electoral violence and restrictions on the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms , it added
The commission provided a list of witnesses who would provide testimony during Tuesday’s hearing Besides Bukhari the list includes Amnesty International s Advocacy Director for Europe and Central Asia, Ben Linden; Perseus Strategies Managing Director Jared Genser; and Afghanistan Impact Network founder Sadiq Amini
foLLowinG dEaL with indUStRy
CM Murad sets firm deadlines for major Karachi road projec ts
efficient link between the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M-9) and the N-5 significantly reducing travel time and facilitating cargo movement from Port Qasim to the motorway network and key provincial destinations
pressway features six interchanges, toll plazas and other modern amenities aimed at boosting traffic efficiency and industrial connectivity
is nearing completion The project is being developed into a four-lane dual carriageway to replace the older congested routes that have long obstructed industrial and commercial traffic “This project is set to transform connectivity for freight and commuter traffic between Port Qasim Karachi’s industrial zones and the broader national highway network CM Murad remarked Once completed the 22kilometre corridor will provide a direct,
The Rs3 53 billion project is being executed in collaboration with the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) Notable progress has been made on the new interchange at kilometre 34+740 of the M-9 The interchange construction has been divided into three segments: Southbound, bridge over M-9, and Northbound The Southbound section is expected to be completed by next month CM Murad instructed the PPP Unit to finish the Southbound portion in time for a formal opening on July 25 He also announced that the old link road would be permanently closed once the new route is opened to traffic Work on the bridge and Northbound sections began on April 24 and is progressing steadily The CM directed that the full interchange be completed by October 2025 to further improve traffic flow on the M-9
Meanwhile, the 39-kilometre Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway an access-controlled three-lane highway linking DHA to the M-9 near Kathore is 82% complete The ex-
The segment from Qayyumabad to Quaidabad is 99% finished, while work on the Quaidabad-to-Kathore stretch has reached 65% completion Interchanges at EBM Shah Faisal and Quaidabad are complete with steady progress being made at Jam Sadiq and Memon Goth despite delays from utility relocation and concurrent Yellow Line corridor construction The Samo Goth elevated section spanning 4 kilometres over the Malir riverbed to protect local villages has achieved 48% physical progress since its launch in August 2024 Preparations for the Kathore Interchange on the M-9 are also underway, with the Finance Department having approved a competitive bidding process Progress is also underway on the Rs6 1 billion Korangi Causeway Bridge which is 80% complete The 26-meter wide structure is expected to be finished by November 2025 Administrative approval has been granted for the junction linking Shahrah-e-Bhutto with the Korangi Causeway, with tenders issued and construction set to begin by mid-August Once operational the current causeway road will be decommissioned
M o n i to r i n g D e s k The National Highway Authority (NHA) has rejected allegations regarding irregularities in the awarding of the ADBfunded Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Tranche 3 project formally submitting a detailed status report to the Prime Minister s Office The project, which involves the construction of an additional two-lane carriageway along the 330 km stretch of National Highway N-55 from Rajanpur to Dera Ismail Khan is financed under ADB Loan No 4416-PAK The NHA clarified that the entire procurement process adhered to strict ADB guidelines and was carried out under the ADB Prior Review Mechanism, requiring prior approval from ADB at every stage both technical and financial In response to claims of awarding the project to a blacklisted firm the NHA asserted that the successful consortium comprising M/s Ningxia Communications Construction Co Ltd (NXCC) of China, along with local partners M/s Rustam Associates (RA) and M/s Dynamic Constructors (DC) was not blacklisted by any Pakistani agency including the NHA FBR PEC PPRA or the donor agency The NHA emphasized that these firms were in good standing with the Pakistan Engineering Council and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), with the local partners being registered in the “No Limit” category with PEC The NHA also addressed concerns regarding NXCC s performance on the Lodhran–Multan project noting
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Islam in the hands of white women and men
standing the world s great intellectual traditions be it philosophy science or theology islam at its core invites human beings to ponder, to analyze, and to implement the divine commands of the Qur an in a way that enriches their lives spiritually, morally, and intellectually Today an astonishing phenomenon is sweeping through the heart of the West particularly in the USA: white and Black men and women many of them formerly living flamboyant, secular lives are embracing islam and doing so publicly, confidently, and eloquently These new Muslims are not hiding in corners or whispering their faith in shame instead, they are lighting up TikTok instagram and YouTube with videos that radiate clarity pride and profound spiritual wisdom One such TikToker a graceful white woman once immersed in the glamour of beach life now walks confidently across sandy shores in a full-body islamic swimsuit She is elegant, serene, and joyous not ashamed of her faith but proudly showcasing its beauty Her modesty wrapped in style turns heads not in ridicule but in reverence Viewers comment not with mockery but admiration one said she looked like an angel on the beach Another white Muslim woman, glowing with dignity, walks through a shopping mall in a flowing abaya and beautifully draped hijab Her golden hair peeks through the scarf edges her confidence glowing from her face like divine light A fellow shopper an American white woman approaches her and says We thought an angel descended from heaven into this mall Such moments are no longer rare they are part of a growing trend that is reshaping how islam is perceived in the West A newly converted Black Muslim woman recently spoke on TikTok about cosmetic surgery She explained with poise and deep medical understanding that altering one s natural features purely for beauty goes against the divine perfection with which Allah created us However, she clearly distinguished that reconstructive surgery such as restoring facial features after injury is not only allowed but compassionate and essential Her blend of islamic ethics medical reasoning and elegance offered one of the most balanced and intelligent perspectives on the topic Another famous TikToker once a celebrated pop singer, has now become known for her breathtaking Qur an recitation Her voice once used for entertainment now delivers verses of divine truth
With sincerity and mastery of tajweed, she recites Qur ’anic passages so beautifully that it fills the hearts of listeners with tears awe and the overwhelming presence of Allah s word Millions have watched her recitations and many say they felt the purity of islam for the first time just by listening to her voice now repurposed for the highest calling Another white TikToker brought a deeply thoughtful and socially relevant explanation of why islam permits polygamy She contextualized it during times of war particularly in early islamic history when many men were martyred and society was left with a disproportionate number of women and orphans She explained that, rather than leave widows and children vulnerable, islam allowed up to four wives but only if the man could do justice to all it was not about lust but mercy it was about social balance and the care
Today, IslamÊs most powerful voices are no long er coming from fanatic mullahs in ivor y towers or palatial TV studios. TheyÊre coming from ordinar y, beautiful, educated people white girls, Black women, Western men who wear Islam like a crown, not a chain. They speak with knowledg e , with dignity, with depth, and with joy. They are spiritual, confident, fashionable , and fearless.
Global gold at the crossroads of crisis
or supply increases, which could reduce inflationary pressure;
● De-escalation in the Iran–Israel conflict which may quickly deflate gold s risk premium; ● Active profit-taking or reserve selling by central banks like china or Turkey in such a case, gold could consolidate at lower levels temporarily However, the broader bullish macro trend shaped by post-pandemic liquidity and longer-term inflation concerns would remain intact
False pride
Orangi hazards
policies restored confidence in the dollar and US institutions capital shifted to equities and bonds 3 SECOND BULL MARKET (1999–2011): Gold rebounded 654% on the back of post9/11 uncertainty the 2008 crisis and global central bank buying especially from emerging markets
4
An Analytic al Study of G old Price D ynamics Amid Wars, Inflation, and Monetar y Polic y (1973–2025)
said the EU is willing to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and China as an opportunity to further consolidate existing cooperation with China, strive to find more new opportunities for cooperation, adhere to multilateralism and promote the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement
China, India
leaders vow to be par tners as members of Global S outh
BEIJING s ta f f R e p o R t
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Monday met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Beijing Han said last October Chinese
President Xi Jinping had a successful meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan leading China-India relations to a new starting point Noting that China and India are both major developing countries and important members of the Global South Han said it is the right choice for both sides to be partners contributing to each other s success Han called on both sides to further implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries adhere to the high-level guidance steadily advance pragmatic cooperation respect each other s concerns, and promote the sustained healthy and stable development of China-India relations Jaishankar said that following the meeting between Prime Minister Modi
rounds of talks that began in April and were the highest-level contact between the two countries since Washington abandoned a landmark nuclear agreement in 2018 The Omani-mediated negotiations were halted as Israel launched its surprise attack on Iranian nuclear and military facilities on June 13 with the United States later joining its ally and carrying out limited strikes "We have been serious in diplomacy and the negotiation process, we entered with good faith, but as everyone witnessed before the sixth round the Zionist regime in coordination with the United States committed military aggression against Iran Baqaei said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a statement on Monday that Iran supports diplomacy and constructive engagement" "We continue to believe that the window for diplomacy remains open, and we will seriously pursue this peaceful path " Israel and Western nations accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons a charge Tehran has consistently denied While it is the only non-nuclear weapons power to enrich uranium to 60-percent purity -- close to the level needed for a warhead -- the UN's atomic energy watchdog has said it had no indication Iran was working to weaponise its stockpiles Israel's offensive, which it said was aimed at thwarting a nuclear threat from the Islamic republic killed nuclear scientists and topranking military officers but also hit residential areas
EU warns of tariffs on $84b in US goods if trade talks fail
prepared a separate list of US imports worth 21 billion euros that it is ready to target over earlier tariffs from Trump on steel and aluminium
The bloc announced on Sunday that it would further hold off putting that list into force as it searches for a deal with the United States by August
Trump sends weapons to Ukraine, gives Russia 50 days to stop war
istration continue to eliminate inflation profiteering and encroachments?
of terror for the oppressor I thank Allah Almighty for making the idea of PERA a reality a few months earlier In a short period of eight months, the idea of establishing PERA has become a reality ” She said, “I felt profound happiness to see the training and preparation of the PERA force She highlighted After becoming CM I realized that there was no formal institution in Punjab to control inflation, hoarding and profiteering The services of the Commissioner, DC and Revenue Department were taken for price control management How long will the admin-
ruption in mega projects She further remarked that even PTI's voters have acknowledged that development funds in KP have been swallowed by corruption Ali Amin Gandapur has now emerged as the de facto Chairman
of the Loot Association, she quipped “Ironically, his cabinet members, while travelling on GT Road have themselves witnessed the progress and prosperity unfolding in Punjab Highlighting Punjab s governance, Azma Bokhari praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, stating that she has established a practical model of merit transparency and good governance in the province Every small and large project in Punjab is being completed with complete transparency, and no one can raise a finger on Maryam Nawaz’s development agenda,” she said Bokhari concluded by stating that under Maryam Nawaz s leadership Punjab is setting new benchmarks in development integrity, and public service, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to suffer under hollow slogans and rhetorical speeches
leadership of Ali Amin Gandapur
Meezan Bank and The Hunar Foundation Join Hands Under ‘Meezan Justuju’ to Bridge the
ZEB V O W S TO TRANSFO RM MACRO ECO NO MIC
STAB IL IT Y INTO SUSTAINAB L E G RO W TH
lakes This includes a complete ban on construction near Duiker Lake citing the area’s fragile mountain ecology and limited carrying capacity Similarly the Baltistan Division Deputy Commissioner issued a separate notification enforcing a region-wide moratorium on new hotel constructions in ecologically sensitive areas, emphasizing compliance with the Ecologically Sensitive and Critical Areas Rules of 2023
The concerns over the impact of tourism on the region s environment were raised in a GB-EPA report which identified several areas in Skardu including Upper and Lower Kachura Lakes and several other local hotspots, where unchecked hotel construction had begun to damage the ecosystem These regions are now under scrutiny for environmental violations
The GB-EPA also raised alarm over the deteriorating environmental conditions around the lakes in Hunza due to the widespread construction of hotels lacking proper wastewater systems In addition to water pollution, the report highlighted the air pollution caused by diesel-powered generators commonly used by the hotels, which poses a respiratory hazard to both tourists and locals Moreover the unregulated tourism activities such as boating in Attabad Lake were found to disrupt nesting birds and other wildlife further damaging the ecological functions of the area
The GB-EPA s recommendations included a five-year ban on construction and hotel expansion near Attabad Lake, restricting boating and tourist activities to protect the lake’s water quality and preserve its ecological balance The report emphasized the need for a shift toward ecofriendly community-based tourism in the region As part of the proposed reforms, the GB-EPA stressed the need for responsible tourism policies to ensure the sustainable development of the tourism
Power outages, flash floods hit multiple cities as rain continues across Pakistan
s ta f f r e p o r t
Widespread rainfall continues to affect various regions of Pakistan causing significant disruption to daily life with power outages and flash floods reported in several cities
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the current weather spell is expected to persist until July 17
In Lahore the rain brought relief from the intense heat reducing humidity levels but it also caused several power breakdowns across the city Multiple areas experienced electricity outages due to tripped feeders
The rain also caused water to accumulate on streets with poor drainage systems exacerbating the situation
The temperature dropped to a minimum of 27 C and a maximum of 33°C is expected in the coming days
Faisalabad also experienced rainfall, accompanied by a light breeze, which eased the heat and made the weather pleasant for resi-
dents However the rain turned heavier in other parts of Punjab including Dera Ghazi Khan Kamalia and Kohlu, causing significant flooding in low-lying areas In Dera Ghazi Khan and Taunsa water entered homes and shops forcing people to move to safer locations In Kamalia roads including those around the courts the Assistant Commissioner s office, and Iqbal Bazaar, were submerged Several electricity feeders tripped, leaving large parts of the area without power The sewage system near Mamu Kanjan Road also collapsed further complicating the situation for residents In the eastern parts of Taunsa, over 20 villages were submerged, displacing families and prompting them to seek refuge in safer places
Despite claims from local administrations that arrangements are in place many residents remain hesitant to leave their homes, as floodwaters have blocked roads, trapping people and their livestock
in dangerous conditions
Meanwhile in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa (KP) the Met Office has forecasted rain for several districts including Peshawar Nowshera Mardan Charsadda and Swabi Flash floods are expected in local streams and landslides in areas such as Chitral, Swat, Shangla, and Buner Authorities have advised the public to stay on high alert especially in the upper regions where the risk of landslides is higher In the northern areas of Pakistan, including KP s mountainous regions, the rainfall has been particularly intense, and flash floods have caused extensive damage The public has been urged to exercise caution with ongoing efforts from the local administrations to provide relief In Sindh and Balochistan, conditions remain hot and humid, with light rain expected in cities like Sukkur and Larkana Though the rainfall may not be as severe as in the northern regions there is still a risk of localized flooding and residents are advised to remain cautious The ongoing rainfall and flash floods have caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, power lines and drainage systems leading to widespread disruption Emergency services local authorities and relief teams are working to assist affected communities, but the situation remains tense as more rainfall is expected Local administrations are also focusing on ensuring that flood-prone areas are monitored and that flood relief is swiftly provided to those in need
