NAQVI, AFGHAN COUNTERPART DISCUSS COUNTERTERRORISM, BORDER MANAGEMENT
g TERRORIST ORGANISATIONS CAUSING CHAOS AND INSTABILITY AND WE MUST STOP THEM TOGETHER, NAQVI TELLS SIRAJUDDIN HAQQANI
g TWO LEADERS ALSO DISCUSS PROCESS OF REPATRIATION OF AFGHAN CITIZENS ILLEGALLY RESIDING IN PAKISTAN
g BILATERAL RELATIONS, PARTICULARLY COUNTERTERRORISM, INFILTRATION, AND THE BANNED TTP DISCUSSED IN THE MEETING: INTERIOR MINISTRY
g AFGHAN INTERIM DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER WELCOMES INTERIOR MINISTER UPON ARRIVAL IN KABUL ON DAYLONG VISIT
Sirajuddin Haqqani during her daylong visit to Kabul, the Interior Ministry said in a post on X It said that Naqvi was warmly welcomed by interim Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani upon arrival at the Afghan Ministry of Interior The visit comes in the backdrop of a series of steps between both nations to improve ties, such as the revival of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and the upgrading of each country s diplomats from the rank of chargé d affaires to ambassador Both countries also held the inaugural round of the Additional Secretary-Level Mechanism talks earlier in the month
Discussion on bilateral relations, particularly counter-terrorism, infiltration, and the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan ” took place according to the interior ministry
Effective management of the Pak-Afghan border prevention of narcotics, and mechanisms for regulating cross-border movement were also discussed, the post said “Terrorist organisations are causing chaos and instability and we must stop them together Naqvi was quoted as having said to his counterpart Pakistan has selflessly hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades; the doors are open for the legal entry of Afghan citizens the interior
minister said The process of repatriation of Afghan citizens illegally residing in Pakistan was also a subject of the conversation between Naqvi and Haqqani
Afghanistan s Senior Deputy Interior Minister Ibrahim Sardar Pakistan s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq, Federal Interior Secretary Khurram Agha and other senior diplomatic officials were there as part of the country s delegation Officials from the Afghan Ministry of Interior were also present on the occasion On his arrival at the Kabul airport Naqvi was received by Afghan Interim Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Nabi
Omari, radio Pakistan reported Pakistan has witnessed an alarming surge in terror activities over the past year especially in KP and Balochistan after the proscribed TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022 Earlier in the week Pakistan Uzbekistan and Afghanistan signed the Framework Agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study for the UzbekistanAfghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project in Kabul Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had made the announcement in a post on X from Kabul where he had arrived on a day-long visit for the signing On Wednesday, the UN special representative for Afghanistan Roza Otunbayeva proposed a prioritised regional dialogue with Pakistan Iran and Central Asian states to halt the disorderly return of Afghans and uphold the principle of voluntary, dignified and safe repatriation On Friday security forces foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists along the PakistanAfghanistan border and arrested five alleged suicide bombers , state-run PTV News reported
PAKISTAN SEES 90PC RISE IN NET FDI FROM CHINA , REACHING $1.22B IN FY25
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal has called for the urgent revitalization of Pakistan’s agricultural sector emphasizing the need for longterm planning and innovation Speaking to the media during his visit to a cotton research farm on Defence Road in Lahore on Saturday, Iqbal pointed out that the devolution of powers under the 18th Constitutional Amendment has not been fully implemented especially in the context of agriculture The minister highlighted that although the 18th Amendment transferred authority and resources to the provinces, agriculture has not received the attention it deserves at the provincial level “After the 18th Amendment agriculture became a provincial subject and it was the responsibility of the provinces to uplift the sector Unfortunately, they failed to deliver tangible progress, he said Accompanied by renowned agricultural expert Engineer Javed Saleem Qureshi who has developed a new cotton seed variety after 25 years of research Iqbal stressed that the lack of focus and commitment at the provincial level has hindered improvements in peracre yield and the introduction of highquality seeds for critical crops “Our
research institutions also failed to play an active role ” he added
Iqbal emphasized the need for comprehensive planning to increase agricultural productivity, particularly for crops like cotton, canola, and rice We must now plan for the next ten years with clear goals Time is slipping by, and unless we act decisively we will continue to lag behind he said calling for a united forward-thinking approach to compete with global standards
The minister also expressed concern about the absence of long-term national planning for the agricultural sector noting that Pakistan must aim for self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imports for essential crops We cannot afford to rely on imports for essential crops any longer, he stated During his visit, Iqbal praised Engineer Javed Saleem Qureshi for his groundbreaking work in developing a climate-resilient cotton seed variety that can thrive in temperatures up to 50 C The new seed has the potential to significantly increase cotton yield, from the current 15 maunds per acre to 40–50 maunds per acre, marking a major advancement in the agricultural sector
“This is nothing short of an agricultural revolution Iqbal remarked pledging the government s full support for experts from the private sector who bring innovative solutions He also
highlighted the potential for increased domestic production of canola oil, which could save the country billions of dollars in foreign exchange currently spent on imports In response to questions about the recent heavy rains Iqbal stated that the federal government has formed a committee with representatives from all provinces to assess the damages He also mentioned that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is collecting data to evaluate the scale of impact and formulate future response strategies Iqbal reiterated that the government is committed to supporting agricultural innovation and stressed that agriculture must become the cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic self-reliance in the coming years
Hurriyat leaders in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) reaffirmed on Sunday that the ongoing freedom movement in the region is a wholly indigenous struggle, driven by the collective will and historical aspirations of the Kashmiri people
In statements issued from Srinagar, the leaders emphasized that Kashmiris are engaged in a just and legitimate fight for their UN-recognized right to self-determination
enced by external forces but is deeply rooted in the region s history and the people’s desire for freedom from In-
dian occupation They firmly rejected India s repeated claims of external involvement, stressing that the daily sacrifices made by Kashmiri youth and civilians challenge
English I suppose the speakers of Caddo will probably be a little like him Another analogy is exceedingly common among my relatives There was a Punjabi-speaking generation that insisted on speaking Urdu to their children So you had a couple who spoke Punjabi to one another but who spoke Urdu with the kids The kids naturally learned no Punjabi unless it was from the servants And then those children started getting married So here you have two native speakers
of Urdu albeit with thick Punjabi accents (learned from the parents that you could cut with a knife) They spoke Urdu with one another and naturally did so with their children Of course, the accents of parents and children were so strongly Punjabi that a true Urdu speaker whether affiliated with either Delhi or Lucknow would weep I m thinking of what a couple from the Caddo tribe native English speakers who had learned some Caddo, would do to the language I m expounding about the Caddo at such length because of the Native American contribution to the science of linguistics While the Europeans got into linguistics by having to deal with ancient texts (Chaucer needs translating but is discernibly English, but earlier texts are basically German, only no modern German can follow them), the American scholars had to deal with the Native American languages And the application was not just historical but practical Missionaries spreading Christianity had to do a lot of work and for a number of languages the first book is a translation of the Bible
Well, that’s all in the background In the foreground is the question of whether he was indeed the last native speaker? I mean who did he speak it with? Others who had learned
it as a second language? Well, you can’t speak natively with such a person Going back to the Urduphone couples I mentioned they re native speakers because they re not translating from a native language as they go along, but use Urdu as their language of thought, both abstract and concrete Why
“This is not just a learning journey it is a transformational opportunity He also emphasized that the initiative reflects the Prime Minister s vision to strengthen Pakistan s agriculture sector through technology adoption and international exposure The Secretary encouraged the graduates to fully utilize the training to enhance Pakistan s agricultural landscape upon their return The event also featured briefings from Additional Secretary Alam Zaib Deputy Secretary Shafqat Abbas, and other senior officials, who discussed the training schedule, modules, and expected outcomes This initiative is aligned with the Prime Minister ’s vision to modernize Pakistan’s agriculture
Shaanxi in June 2024 It will proceed in three batches, with the first batch of 300 graduates already having completed their training at a Shaanxi-based institution The MNFSR worked alongside HEC MOFA, MoIT, NITB, and Pakistan s Embassy in Beijing to implement the program, with a special focus on inclusivity, including a 10% quota for Balochistan The initiative also features a digital portal for registration communication and reporting designed by NITB
This capacity-building initiative represents a significant investment in human capital, which is expected to bring long-term benefits by enhancing Pakistan’s agricultural productivity climate resilience and global competitiveness
The program aims to equip graduates with advanced technical knowledge innovative ideas, and practical skills to modernize Pakistan s agricultural practices and boost exports
Four ‘Fitna al-H industan’ ter ror ists neutralized in K alat operation: ISPR
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
“A sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country and reaffirm the nation s unwavering resolve to bring the perpetrators of terrorism to justice, the statement concluded Aesident PM pay tribute to security forces for killing terrorists in Kalat
Meanwhile President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to security forces for killing terrorists in the Kalat operation
President Zardari paid tribute to security forces for killing the four terrorists in a statement from his office
The security forces are always determined to eradicate terrorism the president was quoted as saying Terrorism will be defeated at all costs with na-
tional unity ” The statement added that operations against terrorism will continue Fitna al-Hindustan will be pursued till the end, the president was quoted as saying
In a separate statement issued from the Prime Minister ’s Office Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said Security forces are always determined to eradicate terrorism Terrorism will be defeated at all costs with the unity of the nation, he said, adding, “The state will continue to take action against terrorism with full force ” He said the terrorists of Fitna alHindustan will be pursued till the end
While praising the security forces the prime minister said, The entire nation stands with security forces in the war against terrorism ” The government was firm in its drive to eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country he added
Balochistan has witnessed a sharp rise in attacks on the security forces in recent times On Saturday a senior officer of the security forces was martyred in a bomb attack at the Western Bypass in Quetta, according to the ISPR statement Police said a magnetic explosive device was attached to the officer s vehicle which exploded in the Jabl-i-Noor area a locality on the outskirts of Quetta
CCTV footage from a nearby camera showed a motorcyclist passing close to the vehicle moments before the explosion He reportedly attached the explosive device to the driver ’s side door A few seconds later the blast took place
On Friday a Balochistan Constabulary acting deputy superintendent of police (DSP) along with a constable, was martyred, and two others suffered injuries when unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle on the National Highway in the Mastung district provin-
cial government spokesperson Shahid Rind said According to Rind s statement A police convoy coming from Kalat to Quetta was targeted by terrorists Acting DSP Inspector Abdul Razzaq and Constable Raza Muhammad Jam were martyred in the attack while Constable Taj Muhammad and Constable Khursheed Ahmed were injured he said Rind further said that the dead bodies and injured personnel were transferred to Quetta by helicopter Terrorist incidents are a manifestation of the despair of the enemies of peace The morale of the people of Balochistan and the security forces cannot be diminished the spokesperson said Pakistan ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with the number of deaths in terrorist attacks rising by 45 percent over the past year to 1,081 KP has seen an increasing trend of terrorismrelated incidents
Monsoon claims 135 lives across Punjab as four th spell looms large: PDMA
S ta f f R e p o R t
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) as many as 135 people were killed and 479 were injured so far this monsoon season across Punjab, issuing an alert for the fourth spell of the monsoon season According to the spokesman for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) the fourth s pell of the monsoon season which would begin today would last until July 26
He said that water levels in the rivers of Punjab would increase significantly from July 22
The spokesman further said that on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, all district
administrations and concerned departments in the province had been put on high alert There is 49 percent water in Mangla Dam, while 79 per cent in Tarbela Dam ” he informed On the other hand PDMA DG Irfan Ali Kathia said that most of the people died due to roof collapse lightning and while taking a bath in swollen rivers On the instructions of the CM, bereaved families are being compensated, he added
The DG informed that presently, water levels in most of the rivers of Punjab and barrages were normal “However the River Indus is in medium flood at Tarbela Chashma and Taunsa he said adding that the PDMA had completed its arrangements to deal with floods Kathia went on to say that there were fears of urban flooding in Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Gu-
jranwala due to torrential rains He said that the Authority s control room and district emergency operation centers were monitoring the situation 24/7
The DG directed the WASA and district administrations to complete their arrangements to drain out rainwater from low-lying areas
He said that there was a complete ban on taking a bath in rivers, canals and nullahs during the rainy season Action will be taken against the violators,
KP governor administers oath to 25 MPAs on reser ved seats amid ‘t wists and turns of politics’
CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE
The speaker also asked Ahmad to state the relevant provisions requiring so and issued a ruling to count the MPAs in attendance at which it emerged that only 25 lawmakers were present
Addressing PML-N s Dr Ibadullah, Swati said: Opposition leader sahib, there are 25 members present The quorum is incomplete; ring the bells ” The opposition lawmakers then came to the front of the speaker s dais to protest Swati then adjourned the session, saying: As the quorum is incomplete, the sitting is adjourned till 2pm on Thursday, July 24 ” Governor to administer oaths after PHC order
The ECP had approached the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday requesting that Chief Justice Syed
Mohammad Attique Shah appoint a person to administer the oath to the notified MPAs-elect under Article 255(2) (oath of office) of the Constitution
Subsequently, after today s session, the PHC registrar issued an order by Justice Shah that accepted the ECP request and nominated Governor Kundi to administer the oaths at the earliest It stressed that the governor should ensure that the oaths are administered in the manner prescribed and proper record be maintained in accordance with the official procedure” The judge also directed the KP Assembly secretary to facilitate the newly notified MPAs to sign the Roll of the Members
A notification by the KP Governor s secretariat, seen by Dawn com, said Kundi would administer the oaths to the MPAs-elect at 6pm today
The ECP has changed the timing for
the Senate elections from 9am to 11am Earlier in the day the ECP had issued a statement announcing that Kundi will administer the oaths at 9am tomorrow at Governor House It ordered KP Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed, the chief secretary and the Federal Constabulary IG to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the ceremony
Speaking outside the KP Assembly after the session, Ibadullah said he would approach the courts against the delay in the oath-taking, assailing the PTI government “Do not hand over whatever political space is left to others he said No one can stop these oaths [ ] at which forum will they (PTI) challenge it? the PMLN lawmaker said Ibadullah stressed that the opposition’s women and minority members had not had representation in the Senate for
one and a half years since the 2024 general elections Terming the PTI politically immature , he pointed out that it was the PTI government s responsibility to ensure a proper quorum, given their majority in the KP Assembly Before the assembly session the PTI held a parliamentary party meeting in which it decided that none of its MPAs would attend the proceedings, calling the oaths a theft of its right Opposition MPAs oath insult to public’s opinion: Barrister Saif Meanwhile in a statement Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif Adviser to KP Chief Minister on Information labeled it a black day in the parliamentary politics and history and a murder of democracy,” terming the oath of opposition MPAs on reserved seats insult to the public’s opinion
COMMENT
Traders’ strike
Traders’ strike makes stability less difficult to claim
PR I M E Minister Shehbaz Sharif has every right to feel hard done by His entry into politics as President of the Lahore Chamber of Chamber and Industry, but instead of supporting its only former President to have become Prime Minister by refusing to take part in the shutterdown strike on Friday it joined the other chambers in closing down business all over the country The strike had been called by the chambers to protest the powers given to taxation officials to arrest businessmen in the recent budget After an initial outcry, the Prime Minister personally intervened to place restrictions on these powers, but the business community was dissatisfied Talks with PM’s Adviser Haroon Akhtar Khan led to the hope of a postponement but the business community went ahead with a one-day strike
Mr Sharif may have forgotten why the chambers and associations exist: to not pay taxes The IMF has tightened the screws on in many areas, but seems to have fallen in with the Federal Board of Revenue’s opinion that the only way to make these businessmen cough up was to throw them into durance vile The psychology is devilish; a businessman who has suffered the indignity of being arrested will be ready to declare income or sales that will get him released It should not be forgotten that the power to arrest means an addition to an already vast repertoire for extracting money Even the threat of arrest is enough to make a businessman cough up
The government has two issues to address First the business community’s fear of the taxman which is the reason for the existence of the associations and chambers of commerce Second, the output in the shape of what is done with the taxes once they are collected At the same time, the government must never forget that no one likes to pay taxes just as no one likes having a tooth pulled without anesthetic How the business community is to be persuaded to pay their fair share is probably best managed by Mr Sharif, who was a business leader At the same time, he must also reassess whether his party can continue to rely
Automobile Industr
Beyond the Junction
TH E federal ministry of industries and production earlier last month unveiled the new energy vehicle (NEV) policy for the years 2025-2030 This marks a significant moment in Pakistan s automobile industry as the NEV policy with its ambitious goals aims to encourage the industry and users to shift towards environment friendly vehicles to decarbonize the country s transport sector This has further been backed by a NEV levy on all Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Hybrid Vehicles (HEVs) indicating a clear focus of the government to promote use of Electric Vehicles in the country
The automobile industry in the last decade has taken major strides towards improvement Following the introduction of the Automotive Development Policy (2016-2021), numerous global companies entered the Pakistan market breaking the nexus of the traditional Big Three in the automobile industry of Pakistan This increased competition among firms allowed for the introduction of new vehicles in Pakistan particularly in the C-SUV segment which was absent from the local automobile market prior to this The enforcement of safety and security measures in line with the global standards in the Auto Industry Development and Export Policy (2021-2026) along with mandating export of a share of production has supplemented the growth of the industry in Pakistan
Despite the significant improvements numerous momentous issues still persist High and ever increasing cost of production, low production volumes, delayed vehicle deliveries, vulnerability to external shocks such as exchange rate devaluation and import restrictions among the major issues that continue to impair the growth of the automobile industry
Numerous vehicles are available in the Pakistani automobile sector in the B segment and above categories, with a recent influx of hybrid C-SUVs in the last couple of years as well; however, the entry level
A segment still remains a highly untapped market In addition the continuously rising costs of vehicles has made automobile ownership much more difficult for the general public The only 660cc engine capacity vehicle now costs over Rs 3 0 million meaning that even the cheapest of vehicles in Pakistan are unaffordable for a majority of the population As a result, just on the basis of pricing alone, the automobile industry’s consumer base is limited to just a small percentage of the population While the government s resolve to actively take part in the global transformation towards the decarbonizing of road transport through increased use of electric vehicles is commendable, increasing cost of ownership for ICEVs and HEVs in Pakistan s context will prove to be detrimental for the automobile industry
The automobiles in Pakistan are already highly taxed on top of high production costs which has to date limited the vehicle ownership in the country The production capacity of vehicles increased beyond half a million vehicles annually, but the production remains around 200,000 to 250,000 vehicles in a good year Increasing the cost of ownership for these ICEVs and HEVs through the NEV levy will further reduce the vehicular affordability Considering that the EVs cost much higher than similar ICEVs or HEVs due to newer technology and hence higher costs, the EVs remain affordable for an even smaller proportion of the population This leaves the automobile industry at a crucial junction where though the government is putting in the efforts to promote EV adoption but they remain a financially unviable option particularly due to the high upfront cost On the contrary, the ICEVs and HEVs, which remain relatively high in demand but have undergone repeated price hikes, have been further taxed, making them more expensive for the consumers and possibly impacting the consumer affordability and hence the demand for these vehicles So what must the automobile industry do? The automobile industry
e r e d t h e Pa k i s t a n m a r k e t b r e a k i n g t h e n e x u s o f t h e
t r a d i t i o n a l B i g T h r e e i n t h e a u t o m o b i l e i n d u s t r y o f Pa k i s t a n T h i s
i n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n a m o n g f i r m s a l l o w e d fo r t h e i n t ro d u c t i o n
o f n e w v e h i cl e s i n Pa k i s t a n , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e C - S U V s e g m e n t
w h i c h w a s a b s e n t f ro m t h e l o c a l a u t o m o b i l e m a r k e t p r i o r t o t h i s
grappling with unmet expectations and discontent with governance, infrastructure, economic opportunities and accountability while PTI voters join the chorus of discontentment If we look at the data disinterestedly it reveals widespread dissatisfaction with governance economic performance and public service delivery of PTI s government The report claims to have only two to three percent of margin of error at 95 percent confidence, which means we can depend on these findings to determine the performance of PTI in KPK where they are in the government for the last almost 12 years now According to the report only 57 percent respondents reported that they did not witness any new road projects that were initiated in the last one year where as 63 percent expressed dissatisfaction with the public transport facilities and 60 percent were not happy with general development projects under the current PTI government It is surprising to notice disappointment of 51 percent PTI supporters on the development in their areas The data which surprised me the most is about the perception of corruption in KPK about PTI’s current government Report suggests that 52 percent of respondents believe that development funds have been misappropriated due to corruption while only 32 percent think they were used properly It is indeed a huge mistrust on PTI’s government which should ring the alarm among PTI decision makers because at the end of the day what matters is the perception of people in the province about the integrity and transparency in managing public funds It is because of this reason that 71 percent of respondents including 62 percent of PTI voters desired to have formal investigations into alleged corruption in mega projects during PTI’s rule I was shocked to notice that 48 percent people in KPK believe that corruption in government departments has increased and 40 percent feel it is more prevalent in KPK than in Punjab It means people do monitor performance of other provinces and also have access to the information about the affairs of their neighbouring provinces It would have been an excellent report if the agency would have included the comparison with all other provinces anyhow it is still an eye-opener for the leaders of PTI that
how quickly they are losing the public trust
This most recent report contends that 59 percent of respondents report rising unemployment, and 67 percent declare that the government has failed to create jobs or business opportunities A staggering 73 percent respondents believe that it is only personal connections not merit that determines access to government jobs, which speaks volumes about the prevailing mistrust among the public in KPK We learned from our early childhood that “aawaz-e-khalq ko naqar-e-Khuda samjho” meaning thereby public sentiment determines one s fate Therefore it will be better for PTI leaders to focus on serving the people who brought them into power because 60 percent of respondents believe that the KP government wasted time in protests and demonstrations rather than focusing on governance Again this finding suggests that previous actions of the KP government including its long march and others are not looked upon favourably by KP residents As a safe conclusion one can say that by and large the PTI s performance in their stronghold is not that enough, at least as for now to help them secure the next election whenever it happens unless they focus their energies to serve the people of KPK with utmost honesty and determination
The writer is Associate Professor of Management Sciences and head, Center of Islamic Finance COMSATS University Islamabad Lahore Campus
Bring back student unions
to solve their problems Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Donald Trump survived shocks and were running their presidential offices apparently with comfort However, Imran Khan severely depends on the performance of the KP government for a comeback But the report in hand suggests some serious challenges for the PTI and Imran Khan both to seek public trust in coming
This most recent repor t contends that 59 percent of respondents repor t rising unemployment, and 67 percent declare that the government has failed to create jobs or business oppor tunities. A staggering 73 percent respondents believe that it is only personal connections, not merit, that determines access to government jobs, which speaks volumes about the prevailing mistrust among the public in KPK.
Joint Civil-Military stance against Indian Water Aggression
Aand
aquifers globally Notable examples include the Nile River (shared by 11 countries) the Danube River (19) the Mekong River (six) and the Indus Basin (India and Pakistan) At the heart of the UN s legal approach is the 1997 Convention on the Law of the NonNavigational Uses of International Watercourses, commonly known as the UN Watercourses Convention This provides comprehensive legal principles for using managing and conserving international watercourses It upholds the right of all countries sharing a watercourse to a reasonable and equitable share of its resources Determining this equitable use involves factors such as population needs, socio-economic considerations, climate, and existing usage patterns Moreover states must manage their activities to avoid causing significant harm to other countries within the same water system If such harm occurs the responsible state is obligated to take steps to prevent, mitigate, or rectify the damage
The Convention also mandates regular data sharing, joint scientific studies, and advance notification of any planned measures that could significantly impact the shared watercourse Consultations are required if potential impacts are identified
The Indus Waters Treaty has had a significant and wide-ranging impact on both
India and Pakistan, influencing their agricultural development, energy security, and bilateral relations Reliable water supplies are fundamental to regional development supporting agriculture industry and urbanization Beyond direct economic impacts the IWT s role in maintaining stability between two nucleararmed neighbours is invaluable By managing water disputes within a legal framework, the IWT reduces the risk of conflict, which could have catastrophic economic and security consequences for both nations
The World Bank served as the key mediator and facilitator throughout the nine years of negotiations, successfully bringing India and Pakistan together to reach a mutually acceptable agreement More than just a witness, the World Bank is a signatory to the Indus Waters Treaty and acts as a procedural guarantor of its dispute resolution mechanisms Its responsibilities include appointing a Neutral Expert upon request establishing a Court of Arbitration when necessary, and managing a Trust Fund financed by member countries to cover the costs of these experts and arbitrators The World Bank holds the original treaty document and plays a vital administrative role in overseeing its implementation India s role however has been widely criticized as disappointing, with accusations that it has used water as a tool against Pakistan Following the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government announced the suspension of the IWT on April 23 The Ministry of External Affairs alleged Pakistan s violation of the treaty s principles of goodwill and friendship Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed a parliamentary committee that Pakistan had disregarded the spirit of the 1960 agreement, leading India to place the treaty “in abeyance” until Pakistan unequivocally and permanently renounces its support for cross-border terrorism
This marked a significant shift in India s position, as the treaty had long been seen as one of the few stable agreements between the two The decision was widely viewed as a retaliatory measure, based on India’s unsubstantiated claims that Pakistan was behind the Pahalgam attacks Notably the Indus Waters Treaty does not include any provision for unilateral suspension; Article XII clearly states that the treaty can only be modified or terminated through a mutually ratified agreement between both governments India however invoked the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties which allows treaty suspension in cases of fundamental changes in circumstances
This action sparked debate among inter-
national law experts many of whom argue that India s suspension breaches international legal norms and could set a dangerous precedent for unilateral treaty abrogation
Following the treaty’s suspension, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025 targeting Pakistani cities and utilizing eleven airbases A ceasefire was brokered on May 10 following India s request for mediation by US President Donald Trump
The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty carries profound consequences for Pakistan, which relies heavily on the Indus River system for agriculture industry and domestic use About 80 percent of Pakistan’s cultivated land depends on water from the Indus Although India s current capacity to block or divert water flows is limited by infrastructure constraints, the move poses a long-term threat to Pakistan’s water security Additionally, India’s cessation of data sharing an essential treaty requirement for transparency and flood management further exacerbates Pakistan s vulnerability The international community has voiced concern over the rising tensions between India and Pakistan The World Bank, which facilitated the original treaty, clarified that it would not get involved in the current dispute as its role is confined to that of a facilitator Countries with a vested interest in regional stability such as China and the USA have urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue However, the complex geopolitical dynamics of the region, combined with India’s aggressive actions make mediation efforts challenging Pakistan s civil and military leadership has responded with clarity and force to India s unilateral IWT suspension interpreting it not merely as a diplomatic shift but as an outright act of water-based hostility Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has labelled the move “a blatant violation and an act of water aggression ” and affirmed that Pakistan would deploy its
H o w d o e s y o u r p h o n e k n o w s o m a n y p r i v a t e d e t a i l s ?
IN 2023 an engineer went to an amusement park with his family They had a stroller, and one of the parents stayed behind to keep an eye on it while the others went on a ride When they got off, the park’s app detected that someone had been waiting sent a notification and let them in via the fast-track skipping the lines This anecdote is just a small example of the precise use of geolocation via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on our cell phones But like all technologies that collect personal data, they can be abused Similar incidents sparked investigations led by Spanish researchers, which will be presented at the prestigious Pets privacy conference in Washington D C , which began on July 14 This research explores how some apps exploit Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permissions to track our location indoors or that of users who don t enable GPS for that purpose Technically it s no secret that these antennas can detect which cells are passing nearby What s new in this research is the hidden ecosystem of those who extract this information, buried in thousands of apps, to target us with ads profile us or simply know where we are at all times There are a lot of mysterious uses says Juan Tapiador co-author of the article and a professor at Carlos III University in Madrid You can apply this to any anecdote like the girl who went to an abortion clinic and then saw an ad that made her nervous, or the guy who traveled to a place without telling anyone and then came across an ad that shocked him The most extreme case is if you go to a supermarket or a liquor store or to pick up a book and then
In
issue is that it can be used to identify your movements and who you re with says Narseo Vallina co-author of the paper a researcher at the Imdea Networks Institute and co-founder of the privacy firm Appcensus Location data isn t just used to track where someone goes, but can also be used to determine whether they enter a mosque or a sauna or even the speed of a vehicle or the location of an undocumented immigrant These data merchants can sell information not only for commercial purposes but also for example concerning who was on Jeffrey Epstein s island
PREFABRICATED TOOLS: Apps aren t usually programmed from scratch They use so-called SDKs (software development kits), which are prefabricated tools that are taken as is and save a lot of programming work SDKs perform functions that the app needs and others that are more hidden
This is an SDK ecosystem that no one has studied says Vallina Many previous studies of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi abuse data were at a theoretical level But there were no empirical studies of what types of SDKs implement this, and we started looking for SDKs that advertised themselves as location services and that also provided Bluetooth and Wi-Fi services ”
If you speculate about the possibilities of this system the hypotheses are unimaginable: You install a dating app and you give it access to Wi-Fi Then you connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot at a location, and at the same time, your dating app scans nearby Bluetooth devices
That way, they know who your date is and where you are,” Vallina explains The problem isn’t that your dating app to which you’ve given permission knows this but rather a thirdparty app that has an SDK installed We identify 52 SDKs with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning features integrated into at least 9 976 apps with an estimated cumulative install count [historically] on around 55 billion devices, the study says These apps are widespread, from banks to football clubs, hotels, academic centers, and media outlets
“On a subway there may be a Bluetooth beacon whose purpose is to count passengers But nothing prevents an SDK in an app from doing what we re suggesting which is to say knowing precisely that you are on the subway says Tapiador This means you can then re-identify that person and associate whoever passed through here with whoever passed through there,” he adds The impossible challenge of these investigations is figuring out exactly where that data ends up and what use it makes of it: knowing what data an SDK extracts is one thing but knowing how it s then processed is quite another They re associated with the Android Advertising ID which is a marker that identifies you and your device, which suggests they re using it to track the user They can send you an email, an alert, or aggregate it on a server to create a profile of you with that information,” says Vallina This method is designed to obtain something as valuable as a user s location avoiding the entire process of obtaining their consent If you were to ask a company that thrives on tracking what interests them most about a person and they could only choose one thing, they would probably say location, explains Tapiador It s not surprising that, technologically,
of
Tfull institutional capabilities civilian military federal and provincial to counter the threat Emphasizing unity in what he termed a battle of justice, Sharif likened the defence of Pakistan’s water rights to confronting an external military threat Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar echoed these concerns in Parliament equating India s action to a declaration of war He revealed that Pakistan has lodged formal protests and is actively pursuing redress through international legal mechanisms Dar also highlighted Pakistan s extensive diplomatic outreach to allies such as China, Türkiye and the European Union Political voices across the spectrum have reinforced the national alarm PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned India s decision as unlawful and warned that Pakistan might assert its right to control all six rivers governed under the treaty if India persisted Other government spokespersons and provincial authorities have echoed the central leadership s firm tone describing India s actions as water terrorism and warning of severe consequences for regional peace and stability On the military front, Prime Minister Sharif has acknowledged the armed forces critical role in addressing this crisis, participating in strategic briefings alongside COAS Syed Asim Munir who was elevated to field marshal following the 2025 Field Marshal Munir has made Pakistan s position unmistakably clear asserting that India s treaty suspension crosses a red line and vowing that Pakistan will not compromise its water rights under any circumstances He characterized India’s approach as both illegal and a form of “hydro-terrorism ” and warned that any attempt to divert or restrict water flows to Pakistan would be met with a unified and decisive national response DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry also played a significant role in articulating the military’s stance He called India’s intentions delusional as “only a madman would think they can stop water from
H E R E is something profoundly grotesque about a government that funds freedom campaigns through secret payments to social media stars, complete with non-disclosure agreements forbidding them to reveal who’s really pulling the strings Yet that s precisely what Britain s Foreign Office has been caught doing A recent investigation by Declassified UK revealed that the UK government had covertly paid dozens of foreign YouTube influencers to promote messages aligned with British foreign policy – under the familiar, pious banners of “democracy support” and “combating disinformation Of course those slogans sound wholesome enough Who wouldn t be in favour of democracy or against lies online? But this framing is the point: it launders raw geopolitical interests into the comforting language of values In reality, this is simply propaganda Slick decentralized modernized – but propaganda nonetheless This covert campaign didn t happen in a vacuum It s merely the latest incarnation of Britain s longstanding approach to managing inconvenient narratives abroad During the Cold War, the UK ran the notorious Information Research Department (IRD) from the bowels of the Foreign Office, quietly subsidising global news wires encouraging friendly academics even feeding scripts to George Orwell himself Back then it was about containing Soviet influence Today the rhetorical targets have shifted – Russian disinformation, violent extremism, authoritarian propaganda – but the machinery is strikingly similar Only now it’s all camouflaged beneath glossy behavioral science reports and “evidence-based interventions Enter Zinc Network and a clutch of similar contractors These are the new psy-ops specialists, rebranded for the digital age Zinc, in particular, has become a darling of the UK Foreign Office, winning multi-million-pound tenders to craft campaigns in Russia’s near abroad, the Balkans Myanmar and beyond Their operational blueprint is remarkably consistent: conduct meticulous audience research to understand local grievances find or build trusted social media voices funnel them resources and content, and ensure they sign binding agreements not to disclose their British backers
A few years ago leaked FCDO documents exposed exactly this approach in the Baltics There the British government paid for contractors to develop Russian-language media platforms that would counter Moscow s narratives – all under the pretext of strengthening independent journalism They weren’t
Iranians told to use less water as heatwave worsens shortages
APHC
raises
serious concerns over deteriorating situation in Kashmir
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has voiced grave concern over the deteriorating situation in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir underscoring the urgent need for international intervention to address the long-pending dispute
According to Kashmir Media Service, APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas in a statement in Srinagar highlighted the severe impact of over one million Indian army and paramilitary troops in the territory and said that resolving the Kashmir dispute through a UN-supervised plebiscite is essential for ending the sufferings of Kashmiris and establishing peace in the South Asian region
The APHC called for immediate international intervention to address the human rights violations and persistent disregard for UN resolutions by India
The APHC spokesman lamented the continued illegal detentions of political leadership lawyers journalists and youth some of whom have been jailed for over eight years, and called for their immediate release He emphasized the need for dialogue and urged the authorities to end arbitrary arrests Minhas stressed that resolving the Kashmir dispute is essential for fostering peace between Pakistan and India and that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir should be determined through a UN-supervised plebiscite The statement while condemning Indian BJP govt s persistent disregard for UN resolutions supporting Kashmiris' right to self-determination has argued that New Delhi's hegemony and rigidity have obstructed a peaceful resolution for over seven decades contributing to increased militarization and nuclear tensions in South Asia
Since the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019, by the BJP-led Indian government,
human rights violations in Kashmir have surged despite official claims of normalcy and development The spokesman also strongly denounced the BJP regime s development promises as deceptive, revealing a stark contrast between government rhetoric and the actual situation on the ground
The APHC spokesman urged the global community to exert pressure on India to resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN resolutions KMS-10R 10 detained as India intensifies crackdown on youth across Kashmir valley Indian police have arrested around a dozen Kashmiris in a sweeping crackdown across multiple districts of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir as part of an ongoing campaign to stifle pro-freedom sentiment in the territory According to Kashmir Media Service at least 10 individuals were detained by the counter-intelligence wing of Indian police during coordinated raids and search operations in Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, and Ganderbal districts The detainees mostly local youth were accused of using encrypted messaging apps and having social media contacts outside the Kashmir Valley grounds authorities allege may lead to radicalisation
Tehran says air defence systems restored after Israel conflict
CORPORATE CORNER
PUNJAB UNVEILS SCHOOLS ON WHEELS,
France celebrates National Day in Karachi
The Consul General of France in Karachi, H E Mr Alexis Chahtahtinsky, hosted a grand reception to mark Bastille Day, France’s National Day, commemorating the historic revolution of 1789 and the values of Liberté Égalité and Fraternité The event was attended by Sindh Governor Mohammed Kamran Khan Tessori, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani diplomats business leaders students and members of the French and Pakistani communities Addressing the gathering, Mr Chahtahtinsky said Today we celebrate the unity of the French people and their enduring commitment to liberty equality and fraternity –values born out of the French Revolution, 236 years ago
CDA
par tners with Mac ter to tackle obesity, promote public health in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Experts emphasized the importance of obesity management in building a healthy society citing the role of healthy eating and regular exercise in preventing diabetes hypertension heart disease and kidney-related ailments These views were shared during the two-day Obesity Management Workshop organized by Macter International Limited at a local Islamabad hotel On the first day of the workshop productive sessions and discussions focused on advances in diabetes and endocrinology Obe-
sity is a pressing concern in Pakistan with the World Obesity Federation ranking the country among those with the highest rates of overweight and obese individuals, affecting half of the population Alarmingly, the federation predicts that 5 4 million Pakistani school-aged children will be obese by 2030 Professor Bilal Bin Younis stressed the importance of preventing and controlling obesity to build a healthy society He noted that most pre-diabetic individuals in Pakistan are obese and are at high risk of developing diabetes if they do not take proper measures Creating awareness about the neg-
ative impacts of obesity is crucial to preventing future health issues Dr Ayla Khan highlighted the need for specialized obesity management setups and their global standards Aamir Naveed presented Macter s vision for obesity awareness and management outlining the project s scope and suggesting ways to prevent obesity in society During the concluding session, Macter International Limited signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with partnering organizations including the Capital Development Authority OlaDoc Marham Sehat Kahani and Lions Club
FETÖ led by Fethullah Gülen infiltrated our institutions over decades using deception and manipulation, calling it not only a terrorist organization, but also an espionage organization with a ‘cult’ character ” “No one should forget that the name of democracy is Türkiye ” he remarked Recalling the dramatic scenes from that night he said: Tanks rolled into our streets jets flew low over our cities and soldiers attempted to seize control of key installations But under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, “innocent civilians unarmed and defenseless stood up against the coup plotters showing immense bravery and resolve Hundreds of our fellow citizens lost their lives, and thousands were injured in the struggle to protect our democracy So, the name of heroism is Türkiye,” he added Despite the darkness of the night, the Consul General highlighted the unity and strength that followed: The people of Türkiye regardless of
political affiliation came together to defend our democratic institutions Our unity and determination in the face of such adversity were nothing short of inspirational “Therefore, the name of courage and faith is Türkiye,” he said He informed the audience that the government of Türkiye took swift action after the coup: Thousands of arrests were made and a thorough investigation was launched to bring those responsible to justice because the name of independence is
KP GOVERNOR ADMINISTERS OATH TO 25 MPAS ON RESERVED SEATS AMID ‘T WISTS AND TURNS OF POLITICS’
Alam revealed that the PTI parliamentary party had decided to boycott the session citing internal dissatisfaction among members Our lawmakers are unhappy and have chosen not to attend today s session he stated The assembly meeting was initially scheduled for 9am, and failure to meet quorum now puts the scheduled oath-taking of 25 members on reserved seats in jeopardy These include 21 women and 4 minority representatives Among those expected to take oath were 7 women each from JUI-F and PML-N, 4 from PPP, 2 from ANP, and one from PTI-P Minority members Askar Parvez and Gurpal Singh (JUI-F), Suresh Kumar (PML-N) and Bihari Lala (PPP) were also on the list Guest attendance at the assembly session had already been restricted in anticipation of the event Addressing a presser following the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Kundi
Gandapur condemns horse-trading, vows disciplinar y action against PTI rebels
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has vowed to take strong disciplinary action against disgruntled leaders within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who defy party decisions Speaking to the media in Peshawar Gandapur condemned the practice of horse-trading in Senate elections labeling it a nefarious action and stating that such unethical practices should be condemned at all levels He further emphasized that under the directives of PTI founder Imran Khan, the party is committed to ensuring transparency and integrity in the Senate election process Gandapur ’s remarks came after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senate candidate Waqas Orakzai withdrew his candidacy following a meeting with the CM Orakzai clarified that his doubts had been resolved with support from PTI leaders Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Barrister Gohar Salman, and Akram Raja, who confirmed that the list of candidates was approved by Imran Khan The CM stressed that PTI had taken significant steps to discourage buying and selling votes in Senate elections noting that this was the first time in the province s history such measures had been implemented Gandapur further explained that PTI had suffered losses in the previous Punjab Senate elections due to candidates who withdrew their papers, resulting in PTI securing only six seats while the opposition gained five He confirmed that the PTI’s alliance with opposition parties was solely for the Senate elections and that the 8-3 formula had been agreed upon Gandapur reiterated that all decisions made during the election process were based on the directions given by PTI s founder, Imran Khan, and promised that the party would not tolerate any deviation from these instructions
Nine killed, over 40 injured as buses over turn in Thatta and Khairpur
THATTA KHAIRPUR s ta f f r e p o r t
At least nine people have been killed and more than 40 others injured in two separate bus accidents in Sindh The first incident occurred at Darsgah Muhammad Ali on the National Highway where a bus carrying picnickers from Karachi to Keenjhar Lake overturned due to speeding according to rescue officials Six people were killed, and over 20 others were injured in the incident The bodies of the victims, along with the injured, were transported to
highlighted that the provincial government reneged on an agreement it had made with the opposition A formula of 6-5 was agreed upon and our opposition candidates withdrew the KP governor said All of them agreed that they will contest five seats two will be contested by the JUI-F, two by the PPP, and the PML-N will for one “The PTI founder [Imran Khan] then made a decision and their information secretary said our Senate candidates are not in our control If your Senate candidates are not in control, then how are the MPAselect in your control?” Kundi asked “The point is, we had a deal in place, we had an agreement But their members were not completely on board The KP governor highlighted that there are between 30 and 35 independent members of the assembly We have spoken with them, and we
are hopeful that we can move towards 65 As soon as the leader of the opposition briefs us we will have a strategy ready for tonight and then we will contest tomorrow s [Senate] elections Kundi said Earlier Afridi s remarks on quorum pointation, PML-N s Sobia Shahid contended that a lack of quorum could not be pointed out between the recitation of the Holy Quran and the oath-taking “You (KP government) have been making a joke out of this province for a year she said Swati asked her to point out the legal provisions for her argument instead of giving a speech Ahmad Karim Kundi, the PPP’s parliamentary leader in the KP Assembly also spoke on the floor of the assembly backing Shahid He asserted that the administration of oath was mandatory citing Article 255 of the Constitution
DIAMER s ta f f r e p o r t
A soldier of the Federal Constabulary was martyred when unidentified assailants opened fire at a forest checkpoint along the Karakoram Highway in GilgitBaltistan s Diamer district police said on Sunday Confirming the incident in a statement, Diamer Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Farrukh Rasheed said “The deceased has been identified as Muhammad Gul Sher from Dera Ismail Khan He said the motive behind the attack is yet to be known, and the police have launched an investigation into the incident
“Unknown assailants opened fire at the checkpoint while the deceased was on duty and his colleagues were asleep Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Hameed told the media He added that police teams were raiding nearby areas to look for the suspects In his statement he speculated that the case appeared to be related to terrorism ruling out personal enmity or a timber smuggling attempt
The forest checkpoint was situated at the Thore Road, primarily to inspect vehicles for wood smuggling via the road which connects the KKH with forest areas in the district
GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan condemned the attack saying Firing by terrorists on state personnel is an unacceptable act According to a statement, he directed the police to bring the
Seven cops of Ladha, Sarwakai police stations ‘abducted’ in South Waziristan: police
PESHAWAR s ta f f r e p o r t
Seven police personnel of two police stations Ladha and Sarwakai were allegedly abducted by unidentified individuals while patrolling in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s South Waziristan district, police said on Sunday
The police confirmed the incidents elaborating that seven police personnel of two police stations were abducted in two separate incidents
The abduction comes a day after nine terrorists were killed and three security officers were injured during a fire exchange as security forces and police carried out a joint operation in Hangu s Zargari Shinawari area Hangu DPO Khalid Khan, the Doaba station house officer (SHO), and an officer of the security forces were injured
perpetrators to justice and sought
a report on the incident from the home department GB government spokesman Faizullah Faraq said in a separate statement that funeral prayers for the martyred soldier were offered at the Police Lines in Chilas and
in the exchange of fire a statement by KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed read While confirming the abduction Upper South Waziristan District Police Officer (DPO) Arshad Khan said efforts are underway to locate the policemen who went missing during routine patrolling He said that the seven police personnel were patrolling when unidentified individuals took them away He said three policemen Insaf Abid and Ismail were on patrol in the limits of the Ladha police station when they went missing In a separate but similar incident four policemen went missing from Tanga Chagmalai in the limits of the Sarwakai police station They include sub-inspector Abdul Khaliq and constables Irfanullah, Habibullah, and Imran
preparations were underway to send the body to his hometown In 2023, at least nine people lost their lives and 21 passengers received injuries after an Islamabad-bound bus came under fire in a terrorist attack near Chilas in Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan
QUETTA
s ta f f r e p o r t
Balochistan National Party (BNP)
leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal was stopped from boarding an international flight to Dubai on Sunday after immigration officials cited his name on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) Mengal was offloaded from a private airline flight at Quetta International Airport, with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) confirming that his name appeared on the PNIL a government watchlist used to restrict international travel
In a statement on social media Mengal confirmed the incident stating, I was traveling to Dubai when immigration staff informed me that my name is on the PNIL, and I was offloaded ” He expressed his frustration at not being notified in advance about the restriction
The move has sparked widespread condemnation from BNP
officials with former federal ministers Agha Hassan Baloch and Ghulam Nabi Marri calling the action illegal and unconstitutional
They emphasized that Mengal remains a sitting Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and that his resignation which was submitted earlier has not yet been accepted by the authorities
The leaders of the BNP called for an immediate explanation from the government asserting that the restriction on a serving MNA s international travel lacked legal grounds
This incident is expected to further fuel criticisms from political and human rights advocates, who view it as part of a broader effort to stifle dissenting voices in the country especially from Balochistan where Mengal has been a vocal advocate for human rights and against enforced disappearances
