PAKISTAN-CHINA STRONGER THAN EVER REL ATIONS ADVANCING TO NEW HEIGHTS: PM
g PM SHEHBAZ INAUGURATES PAK-BUSINESS EXPRESS LAUDS MODERN, EUROPEAN-STYLE TRAVEL FACILITIES NOT JUST FOR THE ELITE, BUT ALSO FOR THE COMMON MAN g CREDITS RAILWAYS MINISTER FOR REVIVING THE RAILWAY SYSTEM, CALLING IT A LONG-AWAITED DREAM NOW BECOMING A REALITY
g A SSERTS PAKISTAN ’S GROWING MILITARY STRENGTH HAD ELEVATED THE COUNTRY ’S GLOBAL STANDING
g DESCRIBES IMPROVEMENT IN ECONOMIC INDICATORS A S A RESULT OF COLLECTIVE EFFORT AND TEAMWORK, CONFIDENT ABOUT FURTHER PROGRESS
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday lauded progress in PakistanKyrgyzstan cooperation and reaffirmed the resolve to work closely for the mutual benefit of the people of two brotherly nations state media reported Talking to a high-level delegation from the Kyrgyz Republic, led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov in Islamabad on Tuesday the
is coming, and together we will announce the party Our youth wing will be with us ” Bhutto Jr categorically ruled out any collaboration with the PPP saying the party had been hijacked and no longer represented the ideals of its founding leadership We reject the Zardari League This is not the PPP of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto or Mir Murtaza Bhutto Shaheed We will never work with this PPP He said the PPP today was working for
and had placed obstacles in the way of
The PPP has ended If the current situation persists it has no future Bhutto Jr announced his intention to contest elections from Lyari and expressed solidarity with the area s residents, particularly those affected by demolitions and the sealing of buildings in the Baghdadi area “I am here for the victims of the Baghdadi incident Around 150 buildings have been sealed in Lyari The PPP s provincial government must provide homes to the affected These people are not begging they are asking for their rights
Criticising recent urban development initiatives in Karachi, he described Shahrah-e-Bhutto as a “useless project” and “a slap in the face of the people of Karachi ” He questioned why such projects were prioritised over housing for the displaced If you can build Shahrah-e-Bhutto why can t you give homes to the people of Lyari?
t Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan urged Chief Justice Yahya Afridi on Tuesday to intervene in the ongoing May 9 trials, alleging constitutional and procedural violations against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders
In a letter dated July 27 2025 Ayub called the trials politically motivated
The PTI on Tuesday rebutted reports claiming party
founder Imran Khan had barred his two sons from coming to Pakistan and participating in any activity for his release Responding swiftly to the reports through a post on X, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said, “The media reports circulating regarding Imran Khan Sahib’s children are completely false Imran Khan Sahib has absolutely not stopped his children from coming to Pakistan I would request those media friends who report from Adiala to only broadcast exactly what Khan sahib says It is inappropriate to take
things out of context selectively or to present conversations according to their own wishes In a follow-up post, he said, “There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Imran Khan’s children will come to Pakistan So far only the date for this has yet to be determined And everyone should remember that when they decided to come they clearly told their father that we are not seeking your permission but informing you So, avoid this propaganda because it is of no use
Earlier in the day, media reports were making rounds, quoting the incarcerated former prime minister that his sons would not be coming to Pakistan and taking part in or leading any protest
PTI founder Imran Khan s sons Sulaiman Khan 28 and Kasim Khan, 26
crackdown by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which arrested five employees of a gold trading business in Karachi last month recovering Rs 12 million and 11 gold biscuits The business owners however fled the scene A similar incident occurred two years ago when law enforcement arrested five jewellers over alleged malpractice, but they were later released after trade bodies promised increased transparency Security officials discuss concerns over gold price speculation,
SBP conducts $7 2b in foreign exchange inter ventions to boost reser ves from June to April 2025
central bank's inter ventions increased reser ves by $885mn, with the remaining amount primarily allocated to manage debt repayments
pharmaceutical company based in Bangladesh The collaboration aims to enhance the distribution and marketing of specialised pharmaceutical products in Pakistan, with a focus on high-burden therapeutic areas including respiratory, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases In an official disclosure to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Tuesday Highnoon Laboratories said that the partnership is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) The company has entered into a strategic partnership with Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited, a leading Bangladesh based pharmaceutical company having state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities accredited by the regulatory authorities of USA Australia European Union Canada and Brazil read Highnoon Laboratories said notice sent to the PSX
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
PM Shehbaz lauded Railways
Minister Hanif Abbasi for reviving the railway system, calling it a long-awaited dream now becoming a reality
This is only the beginning he said Such services will soon be expanded to other cities We must continue working day and night to reform institutions and drive national progress ” he said
The Prime Minister stressed that the nation s future lies in hard work and integrity With sincerity and determination, even the most difficult goals can be achieved, he said, promising to recognize and celebrate the Railways Minister ’s performance
He also acknowledged the efforts of former Railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique during the PDM government, noting his con-
tributions in land recovery and infrastructure improvements
Nation greeted on clear victory in recent Pak-India war
Touching on national defence, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation on what he termed a “clear victory” in recent Pak-India war stating that the armed forces displayed bravery skill and technological excellence in defeating the enemy Pakistan gave India a historic defeat, and the world witnessed our military capabilities,” he said He added that Pakistan’s growing military strength had elevated the country’s global standing
He also referenced US President Donald Trump s repeated claims that the U S helped prevent a fullscale war between Pakistan and India “Every time he says this Modi’s wounds are reopened ” the Prime Minister remarked
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to national security he said the country s nuclear assets were the guarantors of peace and no adversary could dare challenge its sovereignty
Discussing the economy, PM Shehbaz Sharif said the country had made gains on the economic front as well citing a visible decline in inflation He described the improvement in economic indicators as a result of collective effort and teamwork, expressing confidence that further progress would follow Earlier the prime minister toured various sections of the Lahore Railway Station including the newly upgraded passenger lounge and reception desk He later inspected the coaches of the Pak Business Express, which would operate between Lahore and Karachi completing the journey in approximately 18 5 hours
dent in Indian-Occupied Kashmir blaming Pakistan for the attack without any evidence Pakistan firmly denied any involvement in the attack Pakistan has repeatedly shared its stance that if India blocks Pakistan’s strategic waters it will be considered an act of war since millions depend on these waters for agriculture, and hence food security
04
COMMENT
Cashless economy
IT seems that the move towards a cashless economy has been taken over by bureaucrats for the weekly implementation meeting on the Digital Transformation Plan chaired by the Prime Minister was informed of the progress made: rules had been formulated for the Pakistan Digital Authority and the National Digital Commission That is one of the favourite activities of the bureaucracy: formulating rules Mr Shehbaz Sharif will probably be told at the next meeting that the rules have been amended His call to the provincial governments to cooperate with the federal government in the implementation of this plan does not seem to contain anything that would get as much attention as the process of appointments of the Chairman and members of the Digital Authority, which the PM was told was in its final stage It is to be hoped that Mr Sharif does not allow either the Authority or the Commission to become a parking place for bureaucrats and that they do actual work instead of formulating yet more rules
A case could well be made that rules have been strangling growth How, in a digital economy, will payments be made to the government At present, making a payment is perhaps more difficult than having a tooth extracted There is the need (apparently inviolable) for the bank acting as a sub-teasury to issue a challan in triplicate, which the hapless payer must fill out He makes the payment (quite often but not always) by standing in line in the open, keeps one of the bank challan forms as a receipt and stands in another line to give in the other two forms to an accounts clerk at the government office concerned That clerk keeps one challan form for his own record, and passes the other form to another, higher accounting authority
A proposal for utility bills that all have a QR code is needed for official payments a lot of which are provincial However as this would increase the convenience of the citizen, it has no appeal for the kind of people who will staff the Commission and the Authority, if the bureaucracy has its way One bottleneck will be the fact that people will need bank accounts Some of the work has been done by the Benazir Income Support Programme, most of whose potential beneficiaries did not have a bank account However, apart from convenience, the government must also take care of security Otherwise people will prefer to stay with cash
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
C a n T r u m p
IN the high-stakes world of 21st-century geopolitics, even a lunch can tell a deeper story That was certainly the case when US President Donald Trump recently hosted a seemingly low-profile summit with African leaders at the White House Leaders from Gabon Guinea-Bissau Liberia Mauritania and Senegal sat down for handshakes, smiles, and awkward small talk But beneath the veneer of goodwill was a clearer, more strategic subtext: the USA racing to reassert its foothold on a continent whose mineral wealth has become the new gold standard in global competition On paper this summit mimicked similar gatherings hosted by Russia and China in recent years Both powers have successfully established forums with African nations to secure not only resources but also diplomatic and military influence But unlike China’s Belt and Road harm or Russia’s security offerings in the Sahel Trump s summit was a paradox an effort to court African leaders while simultaneously carrying the baggage of past insults, inconsistent policies, and a glaringly transactional tone The awkwardness of the summit was epitomized in a gaffe when Trump asked Liberian President Joseph Boakai where he learned to speak English so well apparently unaware that English is Liberia s official language and that the country itself was established in the early 19th century by freed African-American slaves with US support For many, this was more than a slip it showed a broader ignorance that has long defined Washington’s Africa policy Whereas China sends seasoned diplomats and engineers there the USA often arrives with lectures on governance or, worse, condescension
AMERICAN political parties are in disarray
Instead of being the engines that organize and drive our politics, their roles have been supplanted by partisan social media influencers, non-profit political groups, super PACs, and the billionaires who fund them and consultant groups they hire A few generations ago it was the political parties that organized politics In many communities there was an organic connection between the parties and their members The parties provided structure and access and some benefits to those who belonged to and participated in their work That is no longer the case for most Americans Today the parties have become “brands” to which voters are asked to identify and fundraising vehicles raising money for party operations and the consultant groups who now provide the services message testing, voter data files, advertising, and communications In other words, the connection between most voters and political parties are largely limited to a loose identification with the brand and to being on lists for fundraising emails text messages social media posts or robo-calls asking for money or votes While these efforts do raise some funds, the amounts pale in comparison to the hundreds of millions contributed by billionaire donors who fill the coffers of the parties and the increasingly powerful liberal or conservative “unaffiliated” interest groups and political action committees It has been reported that in the 2024 presidential contest one of these liberal independent committees raised and spent almost as much as the Harris campaign (about a billion dollars) on messaging that
And yet Washington is pivoting With the West losing ground across Africa especially as former colonial powers like France are being shown the door in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger the USA finds its influence waning At the heart of this diplomatic courtship lies pnr word: minerals The five African nations represented at the summit may not wield geopolitical clout, but they sit atop deposits of cobalt, manganese, iron ore, and lithium elements essential to the technological revolutions of our age The problem? China got there first Beijing has built infrastructure and brokered mining deals across the continent for over two decades using a model African leaders often find more attractive: no strings attached, no political preaching The Democratic Republic of Congo is a textbook case home to the world’s largest cobalt reserves and a major hub for Chinese mining firms The Trump Administration by contrast initially slashed aid and tightened immigration from Africa Now it is reversing course but with a narrow focus Guided by Masad Bulos, who has brokered deals in the region and also happens to be related by marriage to the Trump family the USA is eyeing “virgin ground” countries where China s influence is still limited The Bano-Patach mining project in Gabon backed by the US Development Finance Corporation, is being touted as a prototype for how America might play catch-up
But it’s a long road Decades of mistrust, combined with new security challenges especially in the jihadist-infested Sahel make any US investment high-risk Countries like Mali and Niger have already expelled Western forces and opted for Russian security partnerships US firms, unlike their Chinese or Russian counterparts, are often averse to instability and corruption, preferring environments offering legal clarity and security not plentiful in Africa
Another undercurrent to this summit was migration African migrants especially from Mauritania and Senegal have increasingly been reaching the USA via Latin America The Trump Administration is exploring deals with African nations to take back deportees or host third-country asylum processing centres It is a transactional dance Invite a leader to Washington offer some investment or military equipment and secure a backroom deal on migration control But this dual-track diplomacy offering friendship while slapping travel bans undermines whatever goodwill the USA hopes to build Visa denials for African business lead-
was sometimes at cross-purposes with the Harris campaign they were supposedly backing Republican independent expenditure groups did much the same with one spending a quarter of a billion dollars targeting Arab and Jewish voters with disinformation mailings and ads designed to suppress their votes In the end, the billions spent by the campaigns and the independent groups deluged voters with messages and counter-messages causing confusion and alienation Even when the parties provided funding to consultants to make personal contact with voters by hiring canvassers to go door-to-door or phone banks to call voter lists the efforts were perfunctory and unconvincing because the canvassers or callers had no organic ties to the voters they were engaging This is in marked contrast to decades ago when the canvassers and callers were local elected party captains engaging their neighbours with whom they had personal ties
the weakness of the party infrastructures, and the
forms of digital messaging are some of the reasons why party identification is at an all-time low, with 43 percent of Americans now identifying as independent and Republicans and Democrats tied at 27 percent each The parties have also lost their role in governing their
ers and athletes have drawn criticism The message is mixed: come to Washington to talk business, but don’t expect to enter the country freely Trump’s pivot to Africa is consistent with his mantra: “Trade not aid ” While this resonates with African leaders eager for investment over dependency the USA has not made a credible follow-through Aid budgets have been slashed, causing panic among NGOs and public health officials A Lancet study projected that these cuts could lead to over 14 million additional deaths by 2030 if essential healthcare initiatives are defunded
This has created a paradox: Washington wants to win Africa s trust but is not willing to invest in what fosters long-term partnerships schools, hospitals, civil society China and Russia, on the other hand, offer infrastructure or security without attaching moral strings
To many African leaders this summit felt like smoke and mirrors a last-minute bid to play catch-up The Liberian delegation reportedly left Washington humiliated For all the talk of partnership, the lingering legacy of Trump s infamous 2018 remark about African nations still stings
To be sure there are opportunities If Washington can invest consistently partner respectfully and offer security cooperation without neo-colonial overtones it can still be a formidable player in Africa But that requires humility, historical awareness, and long-term vision all often missing in the transactional diplomacy of current US foreign policy This Africa summit was not merely a lunch It was a geopolitical inflection point a sign the USA recognizes it is no longer Africa s default partner China and Russia are not just knocking on the door they re already inside If the USA hopes to regain influence, it must do more than chase minerals It must rebuild trust honor its words with action and treat Africa not as a commodity but as a continent of sovereign partners What happens next whether new mining projects take off, whether migration deals hold, whether security cooperation flourishes will determine if this was the beginning of a new American engagement, or just another awkward half-hearted attempt to reclaim lost ground The race for Africa is on But it s not about who arrives first It s about who stays the longest and who listens best The writer can be reached at: writetomahossain@gmail com
Velour, then void
m a Hossain
Dr James J Zogby
effectiveness and surprise
Iconverting into women’s work, where women are radicalized recruited and repurposed as suicide bombers Women are radicalized whether driven by convictions coercion or the seductive pull of
and
Now terrorism is shifting its dynamics from male-centric to female-centric jobs Terrorist organizations are actively seeking women, educated delusionally and disturbingly inspired to join terror laboratories not just as supporters but as
of global militancy disguised in veils and hijabs This is not feminism gone rogue, but fanaticism wearing mascara In addition to that women are often perceived as solely victims of war and conflict around the world yet they are engaged in multifaceted roles They act not only as innocent survivors but also as supporters sym-
pathizers, recruiters, and even fighters in globally recognized insurgent and terrorist organizations Organizations such as Baluchistan Liberation Army or BLA s Majeed Brigade Nigeria s Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have actively recruited women for their political purposes At the same time women play a significant role in global peace and security, serving as active peacebuilders and peacekeepers in the UN s Peacekeeping missions The inherent duality and complexity in women s roles underscore the need for gender-oriented counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency frameworks Moreover, contemporary counter-terrorism frameworks often lack a nuanced understanding of the complex role that women play in violent extremism activities around the globe The lack of actual understanding of women s roles stems deeply from the entrenched societal essentialism where women are viewed as passive, domestic figures, homemakers, and inherently peaceful, caring and nurturing Such a lack of real understanding of women s role and gendered assumptions based on social constructivism leads to ineffective policy responses to female radicalization and, then, militancy The long history of women s involvement in political assassination shows that women, often
d u a l s a r e m o r e l i k e l y t o p u r s u e m i l i t a n c y a s a p r o f e s s i o n , t h u s f e m i n i s t p e a c e c o r p s a n d e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p h u b s c a n i d e o l o g i c a l l y a n d e c o n o m i c a l l y d i s p l a c e i n c e n t i v e s p r o v i d e d b y t e r r o r i s t o r g a n i z a t i o n s R e - e d u c a t i o n o f f e m a l e m i l i t a n t s l e d b y r e l i g i o u s f e m a l e p e a c e b u i l d e r s t h r o u g h b o t h t r a d i t i o n a l a n d d i g i t a l m e t h o d s c a n r e d u c e t h e r i s k o f f e m a l e i n v o l v e m e n
viewed as peaceful, sometimes play brutal roles such as terrorism
Indeed from long ago women have been involved in violent extremist acts Such as in the ancient Mauryan and Gupta periods and it is well documented in Kautilya s Arthashastra that women were used as spies, poisoners, and seductresses for political motives The same tactics are being used by modern male and female terrorists but in different ways with increasingly changing tactics of warfare and terrorism These examples challenge the existing socially constructed notions of female passivity and highlight that violence does not solely belong to men
The persistent underestimation of women as politically and socially violent has led to the oversight of gendered dimensions of terrorism in counter-terrorism efforts The limited understanding of women based on stereotypical perceptions grounded in social constructive roles has hindered gender-sensitive policy frameworks Effective counterterrorism strategies must move beyond the essentialist approach and recognize the diverse and sometimes violent roles women play in modern times exemplified by the ancient history of conflicts and wars
Women are often recruited by terror groups to achieve specific strategic objectives that male terrorists may struggle to fulfill Firstly women offer tactical advantages particularly in the context of Islamist-inspired terrorists where terrorism intersects with cultural and religious norms In many societies, religion is followed with strict principles for the security of women and children, where women wearing veils or burqas are subjected to less scrutiny at security checkpoints Societies view these security checkpoints as against religious principles and societal norms discouraging women being searched Terrorist organizations utilize this security loophole for their political objectives, using women as transporters of explosive weapons under their garments (burqas) The use of women as transporters reduces the risk of detection as they are not subjected to any security measures disguised under cultural norms Thus women play their role as operational force multipliers by bypassing conventional security measures This freedom of security thus leads to the execution of attacks with greater
Israel ’s declining image in Americ a
Israel is losing the narrative battle par tly because it hasn’t fully and effec tively engaged or has just given up
Among progressives, Israel is often viewed not as a democratic ally but as a liabilit y deser ving of no aid
Only 37% of Americans now sympathize more with Israel, while 32% back Palestinians, and 31% are unsure
Secondly terrorist organizations use women for propaganda and recruitment purposes utilizing their ability to attract the attention of global media disguised under feminist beliefs Women are always considered symbols of care, peace, and vulnerability, and when appearing on traditional or digital media with guns and grenades get more attention This stark contrast between societal expectations and their militant role gains global attention around the world serving ideological motives of their respective terrorist organizations
However, terror groups offer women a mixture of ideological, emotional, and material incentives Ideologically they portray terrorism to women as a divine duty to achieve their political objectives justifying it through basic needs of women and revenge They manipulate and glorify the concept of martyrdom, promising to give them titles of ‘heroines’ and ‘lionesses’ once they sacrifice their lives for the organization’s greater cause Women are told that they should avenge themselves against those in power for the blood of their loved ones (alleged terrorists)
Secondly, terrorist organizations promise to give women empowerment and social inclusion which they fail to achieve in a patriarchal society For instance the BLA has increasingly recruited women by framing their participation based on justified resistance against both state and gendered marginalization Terrorist organizations integrate distorted forms of feminist empowerment into their ideological framework The BLA manipulates the real essence of feminism to serve its own political objectives by turning the quest for liberation into a tool of insurgency
Lastly terrorist organizations use material incentives that address basic human needs and vulnerabilities These material incentives ranging from cash, food, and clothing are used as strategic tools to recruit women with poor and frustrated backgrounds For women it is an opportunity to gain these incentives as they have remained sidelined from the mainstream political spectrum and social structures for a long time For instance, ‘Boko Haram’ distributed food packets and clothing to recruit Nigerian female militants They distributed these food packets and cash in areas abandoned by the state proving poverty leads to frustration and aggression This is a strategic tool used by terrorists to label themselves as protectors and providers while labeling state governments as oppressive and tyrant As a result
gone mainstream – not just on campuses but in Congress and on social media Israel is losing the narrative battle partly because it hasn t fully and effectively engaged or has just given up Israel cannot control TikTok or CNN, but it can control its strategy Yet its public messaging is often late reactive and tone-deaf to American media and political culture
THE ALLIANCE IS NO
LONGER ASSURED
women joined the Boko Haram insurgent group under the false promise of stability protection and empowerment In conclusion, to formulate effective gender-oriented counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency policy frameworks, states must move beyond nominal or symbolic inclusion and structural reforms Governments must establish Female Intelligence Cells (FICs) composed of female staff and female security experts, which would help decode the propaganda and detect the early signs of female radicalization States must include grassroots activists, peace influencers and ex-female militants to dismantle the distorted portrayal of militancy as a source of empowerment Using digital media in the form of podcasts storytelling and transition from militancy to non-violence by former female militants can also offer robust and effective counter-terrorism frameworks Reintegration models must address the psychological needs and stigmatization factors that women face upon returning from militancy Correspondingly, practical security reforms are equally significant while countering terrorism and insurgency
Gender-specific risk mapping must not ignore areas the most vulnerable to women radicalization due to socio-economic and marginalization factors In post-conflict zones individuals are more
curity priority Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer are familiar with the American landscape, they remain tone-deaf, surrounded by sycophants whose messages, even if accurate, fail to resonate with American audiences Israel urgently needs fresh credible voices that can rebuild trust and effectively engage with diverse American communities
1 Centralize and coordinate messaging across the Prime Minister s Office, IDF, Foreign Ministry, and Diaspora groups
Fpressing concern In a July statement Senator Lindsey Graham – a staunch, long-time ally of Israel – criticized the Netanyahu government for failing to protect Christian holy sites His rebuke unthinkable just a year ago reflects how deeply Israel s image is deteriorating Moderate Democratic allies like former US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro recently warned that Israel s efforts to facilitate humanitarian food distribution in Gaza were “deeply insufficient” and risk alienating even friendly policymakers These shifts aren t academic Public opinion influences foreign policy If Israel s defenders in Congress feel they can no longer speak up, political support becomes brittle, especially when Israel needs it most MEDIA NARRATIVES, STRATEGIC VOID
Much of the shift stems from the war in Gaza as media coverage omits context: Hamas embeds its fighters in civilian infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and apartment blocks, turning population centers into battlefields Viewers see destruction, but are rarely shown how asymmetric warfare shapes those scenes Terms like settler colonialism and apartheid once academic jargon have
The current 10-year US-Israel Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed under president Barack Obama provides $38 billion in military aid However the MOU is nearing expiration and the political climate has undergone a significant shift
A recent CNN poll showed that only 43% of Americans believe the US should play a leading global role Among progressives, Israel is often viewed not as a democratic ally but as a liability deserving of no aid including defensive help
A REMINDER TO THE US
This alliance isn t just about shared values or history Israel remains a central pillar of American national security interests, as well as: the most stable and capable US ally in the Middle East
a critical source of intelligence on Iran Hezbollah ISIS and terror networks
co-developer of missile defense systems like the Iron Dome
• a world leader in cybersecurity that protects US infrastructure a counterbalance to Iranian expansionism and Russian and Chinese influence
To weaken this alliance would be to compromise American strategic posture in an increasingly unstable region
WHAT ISRAEL MUST DO
To halt the decline in US support, Israel must treat public diplomacy as a national se-
2 Empower credible American voices –not just Israeli officials – to engage on social media TV and campuses
3 Anticipate and counter disinformation with rapid, fact-based responses for allies and media
4 Prioritize outreach to Gen Z and millennials with value and narrative-driven content CONFRONT THE IMAGE Antisemitism must never be excused under the veil of legitimate criticism But Israel must also confront the fact that its image is deteriorating inside the very
Even traditionally loyal voices are ex-
that they beat him up and forced him to "to secretly dispose of these bodies " He alleged that his supervisor threatened him by saying: "We will cut you into pieces; your body will also be buried like the other corpses We will sacrifice all your family members The man described how he escaped from Dharmasthala in 2014 after a girl in his family was allegedly sexually harassed by a person thought to be connected to the temple supervisors He said he wanted the perpetrators of the crimes to be held accountable adding that he would help exhume the victims bodies so they could receive proper respect and funeral rites AUTHORITIES BEGIN PROBE INTO MASS MURDERS On July 22, the Karnataka government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the mass murders and allegations against the temple authorities It came after S Balan a senior lawyer and human rights activist led a delegation of lawyers to meet Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
Sajjad
C hina opposes using S outh C hina S ea issue to bolster militar
Ethiopian Ambassador, CDA chief discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in urban development
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r
t
H E Jemal Beker Abdula Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Pakistan called on the Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, at CDA Headquarters today The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere in which matters of mutual interest
Pakistani students top Erasmus Mundus S cholarships list for 4th consec utive year
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
As many as 114 Pakistani students including 66 females representing nearly 58% of the cohort are all set to pursue their dream studies at top universities across Europe Pakistan has once again topped the list of Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Programme recipients for 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of this remarkable achievement
To celebrate this milestone, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Pakistan in collaboration with the French Embassy organized a pre-departure ceremony to honor the awardees The event brought together Erasmus+ scholars, alumni, dignitaries, and institutional partners to recognize the growing success of the programme in Pakistan said a press release issued here on Tuesday Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan has played a vital role in facilitating the Erasmus+ Programme since it began operations in Pakistan in 2014 with
HEC s support formally offered in 2016 Through strategic partnerships awareness campaigns and dedicated assistance HEC has promoted Erasmus+ as a flagship initiative for international academic mobility HEC exercised active collaboration with the EU Delegation, higher education institutions, and alumni to encourage participation and strengthen Pakistan’s academic presence on the global stage
HEC promotes various Erasmus+ actions by organizing information sessions for Pakistani universities and their faculty including deans, heads of departments international offices registrar offices students and related organizations These sessions cover Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM), including scholarships, Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (EMDM), International Credit Mobility (ICM), Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) and Jean Monnet (JM) activities Dr Riina Kionka EU Ambassador to Pakistan, emphasized the EU s commitment to youth em-
powerment, educational collaboration, and Erasmus+ as a bridge between Europe and Pakistan She briefed the audience on the evolution of the Erasmus+ Programme which began within Europe and later expanded globally She expressed her delight that Pakistan has continued to secure the highest number of scholarships for four consecutive years and praised the dedication of programme alumni in mentoring and guiding new awardees calling it a commendable example of solidarity
Dr Kionka noted that Erasmus+ is more than just a scholarship programme it is a platform for cultural exchange and mutual learning She highlighted that it provides a legal pathway for young Pakistani students to pursue higher education abroad Urging the scholars to embrace every learning opportunity, she emphasized the importance of mutual respect and shared values She also extended her gratitude to all institutional partners particularly HEC and the EU member states hosting the students
163 held as L ahore Police intensifies ac tion against violations of Tenanc y Ac t
System was a shared responsibility of both landlords and tenants The CCPO noted that the tenant registration system plays a key role in tightening the noose around proclaimed offenders He directed SHOs to ensure all land owners in their jurisdictions register tenants
through the police mobile application Tenant Registration The CCPO added that police were leveraging software and digital tools to track and apprehend criminal elements more effectively He noted that the tenant registration system has improved police documentation of tenants and private employees
Urging citizens to act responsibly, Kamyana called on all property owners and tenants to ensure timely registration with the police to aid in maintaining law and order
FEDERAL GOVT ORDERS STRICT OVERSIGHT OF SUGAR MILL STOCKS TO ENSURE UNINTERRUPTED SUPPLY
TAccording to
or
for the Sindh
Commissioner the by-elections will
of the
in
including Shikarpur Kashmore Ghotki Sukkur Naushahro Feroze Hyderabad Jamshoro Matiari and three districts of Karachi West, Keamari, and East The spokesperson further added that the process for submitting nomination papers will begin on August 21 and will continue until August 23 Election officials are expected to ensure all arrangements are in place for the smooth conduct of elections on the scheduled date In Karachi by-elections will be held for five local government seats across three districts Specifically the seats include: Vice Chairman in Union Committee (UC) 8 of TMC Sohrab Goth (District East); Vice Chairman in UC 10 of TMC Manghopir (District West); Chairman and General Member seats in UCs 1 and 7 of TMC Orangi (District West); and Vice Chairman seat in UC 8 of Municipal Corporation Baldia (District West) The ECP has instructed district returning officers and local administrations to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made to comply with the electoral code of conduct, ensuring a transparent and efficient electoral process
Abdul
Latif
Chitrali’s NA seat declared vacant following cour t verdict
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified Abdul Latif Chitrali, a Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI)-backed member of the National Assembly (NA) following his conviction in connection with the May 9 riots The ECP issued an official notification on Tuesday declaring his seat for NA-1 which includes Upper and Lower Chitral vacant Chitrali s disqualification follows a decision by the AntiTerrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad, which sentenced him to 10 years in prison for his involvement in the violent events of May 9, 2023 The attack on police stations during the riots led to a number of arrests and convictions with Chitrali being among those held accountable for the violence According to the ECP notification Chitrali s disqualification was based on his conviction under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution of Pakistan This provision disqualifies a lawmaker from holding office if they are convicted and sentenced to more than two years in prison Consequently Chitrali’s position in the National Assembly has been vacated and the ECP is expected to announce the schedule for a by-election in the constituency of Chitral
Petroleum product prices are expected to undergo a mixed revision from August 1 2025 with petrol (PMG) and high-speed diesel (HSD) likely to become cheaper while kerosene and light diesel oil (LDO) may see slight increases These projected changes are based on updated international market trends premiums and local cost components though final prices will be determined after Platts assessments are completed over the next two days According to industry estimates, the ex-refinery price of petrol (motor gasoline) is expected to drop by Rs9 07 per litre coming down to Rs159 66 from the current Rs168 73 This reflects a decrease of around 5 4 percent The ex-depot sale price of petrol is also projected to be reduced by Rs9 07, falling to Rs263 08 from the existing level of Rs272 15 marking a 3 3 percent decline This relief if approved would offer consumers some respite amid inflationary pressures High-speed diesel (HSD), the primary fuel for heavy transport and agriculture machinery, is also anticipated to see a downward revision in prices The ex-refinery price of HSD may be reduced by
Rs3 73 per litre to Rs181 06 from the current Rs184 79 while its ex-depot price is projected to drop to Rs280 62 from Rs284 35, indicating a reduction of 2 0 percent and 1 3 percent, respectively However, not all fuels are set to become cheaper Kerosene oil which is commonly used in rural areas for cooking and lighting is expected to register an increase in its price Its ex-refinery price may rise by Rs3 55 per litre to Rs156 60, up from Rs153 05 The ex-depot price of kerosene is also likely to increase by the same amount reaching Rs184 88 compared to the current Rs181 33 This reflects a price hike of around 2 3 percent at the refinery level and 2 0 percent at the depot level Light diesel oil (LDO), which is used in small engines and certain industrial applications is similarly projected to become costlier Its ex-refinery price is expected to rise by Rs2 33 per litre to Rs148 38 from the current Rs146 05, while the ex-depot price is likely to increase to Rs170 09 from Rs167 76 indicating an increase of 1 6 percent and 1 4 percent respectively These calculations are based on several pricing components including the current petroleum levy and customs surcharge, which stand at Rs78 02 per litre for petrol and Rs77 01 per litre for diesel The Inland Freight Equalization Margin (IFEM) for petrol and diesel currently stands at Rs8
DRAP halts supply of three faulty syringes over contamination concerns
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued a recall order for three types of syringes deemed substandard by the Central Drugs Laboratory Karachi
The recall follows concerns over the sterility and potential health risks of the Zindagi Auto Disable Syringe 5ml Ultra Fine SMD Painless Syringe 5ml and Ultra Fine SMD Painless Syringe 3ml Drap has directed the involved pharmaceutical companies to immediately withdraw these products from the market According to DRAP the syringes in question failed crucial
revolves around allegations that he was involved in orchestrating and inciting the violence that occurred after his arrest His legal team, however, argued that at the time of the violence, Khan was in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and, therefore could not have been involved They claim the accusations against him are part of a politically motivated campaign
quality control tests The Zindagi Auto Disable Syringe was flagged for sterility issues, while the Ultra Fine SMD Painless Syringes were found to contain visible black particles in the barrel in addition to failing sterility and description tests DRAP s alert emphasized the significant risk these defective syringes pose, particularly during invasive or intravenous procedures, which could introduce microbial contaminants into the body leading to infections or more severe systemic conditions Vulnerable individuals including those with weakened immune systems, are particularly at risk of life-threatening consequences from these devices
In response to the alert, DRAP
has advised all pharmacists and chemists to immediately check their stocks and cease the sale of the affected syringes Remaining stocks are to be quarantined and returned to the suppliers or manufacturers DRAP also urged consumers who have used these syringes to contact their healthcare providers if they suspect any adverse effects and to report incidents to DRAP
The recall of these syringes is the latest in a series of actions taken by DRAP to ensure the safety and quality of pharmaceutical products in Pakistan Last year DRAP issued a recall for a children s fever syrup due to safety concerns, and in early 2024, nine syrups were recalled for contamination
The Lahore High Court had dismissed Khan’s bail plea stating that there was sufficient evidence linking him to the violence The court cited testimonies from police officers and other witnesses who claimed that Khan had been involved in meetings where plans were discussed to incite violence and attack military targets These meetings allegedly took place in Rawalpindi and Lahore in the days leading up to his arrest In response to the LHC s decision Imran Khan s legal team appealed to the Supreme Court seeking a review of the
