PAKISTAN WELCOMES ARBITRATION COURT’S ORDER ON INDUS WATER TREAT Y
g INT’L COURT SAYS INDIA SHALL ‘LET FLOW ’ WATERS OF WESTERN RIVERS FOR PAKISTAN’S UNRESTRICTED USE: FOREIGN OFFICE g
Tg PCA SAYS INDIA DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS TILL DATE, AND REPEATEDLY OBJECTED TO THE COURT’S COMPETENCE
This arbitration concerns the interpretation and application of the IWT to certain design elements of the run-of-river hydro-electric plants that India is permitted by the treaty to construct on the tributaries of the Indus Jhelum and Chenab Rivers Regarding the overall approach to Article 3 (provisions regarding western rivers) of the IWT, the award said: “The general rule is that India shall ‘let flow’ the waters of the western rivers for Pakistan s unrestricted use
in response said it did not recognise the court or its decisions A press release issued on Monday by the PCA said it rendered an award on Friday in an arbitration initiated by Pakistan against India on August 19 2016 pursuant to Article IX and Annexure G to the IWT
There are certain specified exceptions to this rule, including in relation to the generation of hydroelectric power, but these exceptions must be strictly construed: the design and operation of run-ofriver hydroelectric plants must hew strictly to the requirements in the treaty, rather than to what India
might consider an ideal or best practices approach
It further noted that questions relating to the balance between the parties’ respective rights and obligations in this regard were to be identified and addressed through the treaty s procedures for notification, objection and dispute resolution in furtherance of the treaty’s objective and its obligations of mutual cooperation
The PCA said that to date India had not participated in the arbitration proceedings and had repeatedly objected to the court s competence of the court, adding that it had addressed the issue on various counts before
“Throughout these proceedings the court has ensured that India is fully informed in respect of the proceedings and that the opportunity to participate remains open
to it Notwithstanding this the court has endeavoured to ascertain, understand, and consider India s views, drawing on available materials including the records of the commission correspondence between the parties and/or submissions by India in previous dispute resolution proceedings under the treaty, the PCA said
It added that it had also taken steps to test the accuracy of Pakistan’s claims including by requesting further written submissions from Pakistan by questioning Pakistan both before and during the hearing on the merits, by requesting that Pakistan produce historical evidence concerning the operation of the IWT and the Permanent Indus Commission and by considering publicly available materials and jurisprudence not presented by Pakistan
The PCA explained that the Aug 8 award addressed questions concerning the treaty’s overall interpretation and application including in relation to Article 3 and Paragraph 8 of Annexure D (which concerns new run-of-river hydroelectric plants that India may construct on the western rivers)
“The award also addresses a related question on the legal effect of decisions issued by dispute resolution bodies under the treaty (namely, courts of arbitration and neutral experts),” the PCA press release said
i n p
Denouncing Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza, Pakistan has called on the United Nations Security Council to end the Israeli aggression by taking en-
39 GOVT DEPARTMENTS ALERTED TO RANSOMWARE RISKS, WARNED OF POTENTIAL DATA LOSS, OPERATIONAL DISRUPTIONS
Senate body to review dispute on net hydel profit between centre, provinces
The Senate Standing Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Mohsin Aziz, meets Monday (today) to seek an “out-of-box” solution to the dispute over net hydel profit (NHP) between the federal government and provinces particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Business Recorder reported The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has distanced itself from proposing a resolution saying the Power Division and the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guaranteed (CPPA-G) are better placed to address the issue The matter is also being examined by a separate committee headed by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Since the start of this year the Senate committee has held five meetings with representatives of all four provinces the Ministry of Energy and the Finance Division The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination is ex-
pected to share an update on the finalisation process Under Article 161(2) of the Constitution the Council of Common Interests (CCI) determines NHP based on the bus bar sale rate of hydel power stations Disputes have persisted over the calculation methodology, particularly the Kazi Committee Methodology (KCM) leading to ad hoc payments and arbitration without a permanent settlement WAPDA paid Rs6 billion annually to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government until FY15, when the NHP rate was uncapped at Rs1 10 per kWh after an agreement between the federal and KP governments in 2016 The CCI later approved similar settlements for Punjab The rate was raised to Rs1 155 per kWh in FY18 Despite this, KP has again sought payment under the KCM formula
WAPDA says it does not retain profits from hydel power sales treating NHP as a pass-through payment under government rules It reports that outstanding receivables from CPPA-G
have hindered timely NHP disbursements with current dues standing at Rs49 565 billion for KP and Rs114 584 billion for Punjab including Rs13 617 billion in arrears The Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC) has noted that Pakistan’s energy landscape has changed significantly since the KCM’s formulation in 1985-86 with WAPDA unbundled independent power producers in place and hydropower now contributing about 27% of the mix It suggested that NHP payments be made through the federal budget or WAPDA’s hydropower profits rather than electricity consumers The Sindh government has proposed that hydropower stations be transferred to the provinces but noted that most are linked to water reservoir projects and should involve the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) in decision-making Sindh supports the constitutional NHP claims of KP and Punjab but opposes passing tariff increases to consumers
transfers are routine administrative actions, the timing has raised suspicions regarding potential interference in high-stakes investigations Abdul Hameed Abro who was serv-
ing as Commissioner (Ops) Inland Revenue Benami Zone-III in Karachi was transferred after leading a crackdown on benami transactions in vehicle imports
In a social media post, Abro suggested that his transfer was linked to his enforcement actions against powerful lobbies involved in vehicle imports He claimed that his efforts to curb misuse of the baggage and gift schemes in vehicle imports had led to his removal Abro defended his actions, stating that they were in the national interest and aimed at protecting the treasury from significant losses due to fake documentation and the abuse of import schemes Under
KP HEALTH CARD SCHEME FACES SCRUTINY OVER RS28 BILLION IN FINANCIAL IRREGUL ARITIES
a significant decrease in bribery, with only 15% of respondents indicating payment of bribes in the last six months down from 34% in Q4 2024
While business optimism is growing the survey indicates that the longstanding challenges, particularly inflation and energy reliability, continue to weigh on future business confidence
tH E federal government s recent welcome of the Permanent Court of Arbitration s (PCA) decision on the indus Waters treaty (iWt) is not just a diplomatic win; it s a reminder of the ever-present threat to Pakistan s survival that has been looming since india s move to suspend the treaty this court ruling clarifies that india must allow the free flow of water from the western rivers for Pakistan s unrestricted use, a basic principle enshrined in the iWt but the situation goes beyond legalities it is a matter of life and death for Pakistan india’s decision to suspend the treaty in April was in direct response to the attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, an incident for which india blamed Pakistan without evidence in the aftermath Pakistan warned that any attempt to withhold its rightful share of water would be considered an act of war And for good reason Pakistan s very survival hinges on the waters of the indus basin which sustain over 90% of the country’s agricultural sector the treaty signed in 1960 has withstood wars and terror attacks its inviolability has been the cornerstone of peace in the region but india s unilateral suspension of the treaty marked a dangerous departure from decades of stability the decision to halt the flow of water would be a catastrophic move for Pakistan, not just diplomatically but economically For Pakistan the treaty is not merely a legal document; it is vital to national and food security the disruption of water supplies would devastate the economy, which relies on agriculture and hydropower from the indus basin A scenario where india chokes Pakistan’s waterways is one that could push the country to the brink of desperation
india s leadership may believe that imposing such a measure would force Pakistan to yield but this is a miscalculation For Pakistan a nation already under immense strain, the consequences of such actions would eliminate any chance of peaceful coexistence the choice would no longer be diplomatic; it would be
Ghazala aNbreeN
as the coal which was used to burn had high amounts of Sulfur However no concrete action was taken for about a century in Great Smog of london in 1952, a thick, toxic smog covered london for about 5 days (5th to 9 th December) Around 3 to 4 thousand people died in a span of 1 to 2 weeks because of bad air quality it was at that time that there was a great consternation among people because of this which led to a political furor for the resolution of this issue Smog was also there in Paris Copenhagen, Stockholm, and some other cities Eventually, all the affected cities reached an agreement that some steps must be taken to curtail this Pakistan witnessed smog for the first time in november 2016 At that time no one could understand what this was actually After some weeks the weather got clear due to the rain in 2017 there was another spell of smog After that this phenomena became recurring A Commission was constituted by the High Court, which played a key role in raising awareness about the issue the Smog Commission submitted a report in the Supreme Court which recommended some actions like: tree plantation planning an urban development low Sulfur
Here mention may be made of a case study at the international level in China policymakers were exposed to the shocking revelation that air pollution was reducing the life expectancy of every person by 5 to 6 years usually attributed to the EPiC Air Quality life index (AQli) it also led to a 4
Drain the blame
Hof genuine friendship, but rather a commercial strategy to keep their largest market happy to frame this commerce as “true friendship ” Kunhi is either deceiving himself or deliberately deceiving his readers Finally Kunhi s dismissal of turkey Azerbaijan and China as friends of the enemy reveals a simplistic with us or against us mentality He fails to grasp that every nation has
its own historical cultural and strategic relationships that are not governed solely by india s perspective Pakistan s ties with turkey and Azerbaijan are rooted in a shared heritage and the oiC, while its relationship with China is anchored in major economic initiatives like CPEC to reduce these complex dynamics to mere support for Pakistan is tantamount to a failure to understand global politics in conclusion, Mohammad Kunhi s opinion piece is not a fact-based analysis but a propaganda piece written with fervor fueled by indian nationalist ambition it not only distorts reality but also promotes a dangerous ideology that favors war over diplomacy and an arms race over peace the future of the region will not be secured by writing such fictions, but by finally abandoning the 75-year-old tradition of propaganda and committing to resolving the Kashmir dispute according to international law and the un resolutions
The Author is an Assistant Researcher at Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN) at BUITEMS Quetta She can be reached at sadafbaloch620@gmail com
Statebitten
Sadaf Nadeem
The fatal logic of Netanyahu’s war
pressure undermines ongoing diplomatic efforts not just with Hamas but with the international community Ceasefire proposals backed by the U S have collapsed under the weight of this unilateralism Even President Trump’s tacit approval reveals Washington’s discomfort: public diplomacy favors a political solution while private support enables further bloodshed
To speak of Gaza today is to speak of a catastrophe Civilian casualties have soared, famine has taken root, and basic services water, electricity, medical care are collapsing Human rights groups and UN agencies have sounded the alarm: Israel s tactics risk crossing the threshold into collective punishment Under international humanitarian law, occupying powers are bound to protect civilian populations Yet Gaza’s siege, bombardment, and now full occupation suggest not protection but domination The blockade widely condemned as a violation of international law continues to strangle humanitarian relief with reports of children dying from malnutrition and hospitals overwhelmed
The International Court of Justice has already instructed Israel to avoid actions that could constitute genocide Whether Netanyahu listens remains an open question What is clear is that his government is dangerously indifferent to the suffering of Palestinians under the guise of national security
Some Israeli politicians have gone further, suggesting that parts of Gaza be annexed outright or subjected to permanent military rule This is not a security policy it is colonization masquerading as defense The idea that a democratic state can impose military rule indefinitely on a civilian population without rights, citizenship, or political representation is both morally indefensible and strategically suicidal It also throws into disarray the supposed commitment to a two-state solution a com-
mitment that has, for years, functioned
claims to rescue This is a moral paradox dressed as a tactical necessity Worse Netanyahu’s pivot to military
T h e I s r a e l i p e o p l e a r e t u r n i n g o n N e
t a n y a h u
coalition governments teetering on the brink many times On Sunday he came out fighting once again appearing at short notice before the international media to defend his plan to expand military operations in Gaza to Gaza City and blaming Hamas for each and every charge that has been laid at Israel’s door Israel’s goal, he said, was not to occupy Gaza but to free Gaza Israel did not want to prolong the war but to end it Confident though Mr Netanyahu may have seemed the very fact of his appearance on a Sunday afternoon and the point-by-point rebuttals he gave of practically every accusation levelled against Israel, from blocking humanitarian aid into Gaza, to reports of starving children and shooting on people trying to reach food distribution points were in themselves an acknowledgement that the national and international outcry prompted by his new plan had hit home He reserved some of his most excoriating comments for those, such as Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, who have undertaken to recognise a Palestinian state, accusing them of falling for a longstanding canard and risking bringing the next war closer He was also clearly stung by the decision of Germany to suspend deliveries of weapons that could be used in Gaza – Germany s history militating against any move that would hint at any open disapproval of Israel International condemnation is one thing however and was reinforced in no uncertain terms at a session of the UN Security Council, supported by every member bar the United States and Panama But statements and threatened actions by foreign leaders even hitherto staunch allies of Israel such as the UK and Germany may not represent the most serious or effective form of opposition currently confronting the Netanyahu government – or indeed the opposition he had in his immediate sights at his press conference That opposition lies closer to home The Israeli government s five-point plan to expand operations in Gaza, which was approved
seems at times to be given a relatively easy ride by its allies for policies and actions that would if committed by any other country be condemned as repellent The rationale is that these are decisions that have a democratic mandate
Now, in relation to Gaza, this is less and less evident The difficulty that Mr Netanyahu had getting his latest plan through his cabinet the misgivings of the top brass and the immediate highly negative response from the streets could it must be hoped combine to force a rethink
Even if Mr Netanyahu can afford to dismiss international opprobrium, for now, the strength of internal dissent is something that could well be set to rise further, and that, if he values his job, he would be wise to heed sooner rather than later
MY family went to Venice, Italy, this summer We stood in the world’s first ghetto, where guards locked in Jews each night There was a man sitting at a table with pamphlets in support of Israel He asked me Are you Jewish by chance? I am Right now Palestinian children are starving in Gaza Starving, because Israel is starving them But still, right now, there are people who say that speaking against Israel is harm against Jews It isn’t Defending this is I understand the urge for nuance I am not je-
Australia to recognise Palestinian state at UNGA in S eptember
have no involvement in any future state A two-state solution is humanity s best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza,” Albanese said at a press conference Albanese said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Over 600 pilgrims hospitalised after chlorine leak in Iraq
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PANEL TO INVESTIGATE SUGAR MILLERS’ WINDFALL PROFITS, MULLS NEW
Nation to Celebrate Independence on August 14; PTI Plotting Chaos: Azma Bokhari
planned protest
hands Even on August 5 no significant protest was seen in Punjab and the same will happen again she asserted The people of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are now fed up with PTI’s toxic politics ” Advising the PTI leadership she urged them to call off their
Allied Bank Par tners with CeDAR, LUMS to drive Innovation in Blockchain Technologies
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t Allied Bank one of Pakistan s leading commercial banks, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) with the Center for Digital Asset Research (CeDAR) This strategic partnership aims to drive innovation in blockchain technologies explore digital asset use cases and foster talent development in Pakistan The MoU was formalized in the presence of senior leadership from both institutions Representing Allied Bank were Mr Mujahid Ali – Chief Technology & Digital Transformation, Mr Mohsin Mithani – Chief Digital Officer, and Mr Muhammad Zaman – Group Head Digital Transformation & Innovation
OMAP Urges OGRA to Ensure Fair Regulator y Environment for Emerging OMCs
s ta f f r e p o r t
The Oil Marketing Association of Pakistan (OMAP) has called on the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to ensure fairness transparency and impartiality in addressing the concerns of the country s emerging oil marketing companies (OMCs) In a letter to OGRA Chairman Masroor Khan, OMAP Chairman Tariq Wazir Ali highlighted several long-standing industry issues, urging the regulator to take timely action for the growth and sustainability of new market entrants OMAP noted that emerging OMCs have collectively invested over Rs 150 billion in Pakistan s downstream petroleum sector including Rs 81 billion in storage facilities almost half of the country s total capacity and Rs 75 billion in retail networks and allied assets “These investments have reshaped the sector into a more competitive and consumer-focused marketplace ” the letter stated The association expressed concern over what it perceives as unequal treatment compared to established players particularly in relation to the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) OMAP urged OGRA to review the role of such bodies to ensure that all stakeholder
along with other members of the senior leadership team Their presence underscored the leadership s deep commitment to supporting meaningful community-driven efforts At AlGhazi, we believe corporate responsibility goes beyond business it’s about standing with our communities ” said Sakib Eltaff CEO of Al-Ghazi Tractors “I’m proud of our team for leading this initiative and thankful to ChildLife Foundation for giving us the opportunity to support children in their time of need
PM, PRESIDENT REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO MINORIT Y RIGHTS; HONOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS
PE S I D E N T Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on National Minorities Day which was celebrated on Monday reaffirmed Pakistan s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of minorities, celebrating their invaluable contributions to the nation The day commemorates Quaid-eAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah s historic speech of August 11 1947 where he stressed equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religion In their separate addresses, both leaders acknowledged the vital role minorities play in Pakistan’s development highlighting their services in sectors like the armed forces judiciary education and healthcare President Zardari expressed Pakistan s resolve to continue promoting interfaith harmony and unity, emphasizing that the Constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens irrespective of religion
The country stands resolutely against discrimination extremism and intolerance, said President Zardari, stressing that Pakistan s diversity is a strength He also underscored
court (ATC) in Lahore has acquitted PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in two more cases linked to the May 9 riots Meanwhile, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and Mian Mehmoodur Rashid have been sentenced to 10 years in prison On May 9 2023 PTI supporters organized protests in response to the arrest of party founder Imran Khan The protests turned violent leading to widespread unrest and the arrest of thousands The ATC had reserved its verdicts on two cases related to the May 9 events the attack on Shadman police station and the burning of police vehicles near Jinnah House on Saturday These proceedings were held at Kot Lakhpat jail where the judge completed two sessions of hearings Judge Manzer Ali Gill delivered the verdicts today convicting Dr Yasmin Chaudhry Cheema, and Rashid in both cases PTI leaders Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed were also sentenced to five years in the Shadman case Advocate Rana Mudassar confirmed the sentencing to Dawn com In the Shadman police station case the court indicted 25 out of 41 accused while 15 individuals have been declared proclaimed offenders In the case involving the torching of police vehicles 17 individuals were indicted, with seven proclaimed offenders, and statements from 65 prosecution witnesses were recorded Earlier last month the ATC had acquitted Qureshi but sentenced Dr Yasmin Chaudhry Cheema Rashid and others to 10 years over violence during the May 9 riots on Sherpao Bridge In the case PTI leaders were accused of ransacking and setting fire to public property during the protests Chaudhry filed two petitions in the Lahore High Court seeking to suspend his conviction and release him on bail while also requesting an acquittal in the case in the interest of justice PTI s Gohar criticizes the verdict PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan strongly condemned the convictions, stating, If injustice prevails, the voice of the people will be silenced
ter He also pointed out that the protection of minority rights is not only a constitutional duty but a religious obligation as well PPP Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari acknowledged National Minorities Day highlighting the role of minorities in Pakistan s development and stressing the importance of safeguarding their rights The occasion was also marked by statements from Human Rights Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah Minister Tarar called for equality justice and respect for all citizens irrespective of faith while CM Murad condemned intolerance against minorities in the province and reaffirmed Sindh s commitment to peaceful coexistence Despite these statements, challenges remain regarding religious freedom with recurring incidents of mob attacks forced conversions and blasphemy cases The leadership s commitment to minority rights is evident, but challenges persist in ensuring equality for religious minorities in Pakistan
Three brothers poisoned to death in Dera Ghazi Khan
DERA GHAZI KHAN s
f r e p o r t
Three young brothers tragically died in Taunsa Sharif, Dera Ghazi Khan, after their health deteriorated under mysterious circumstances The father of the deceased Khwaja Ghayasullah filed a murder case suspecting that his sons aged one to four were poisoned Local sources revealed that the family was embroiled in property disputes, which may have played a role in the incident
The first victim one-year-old Muhammad Umar died at Taunsa Sharif Tehsil Headquarters (THQ)
Hospital Two other brothers, two-year-old Ghulam Muhammad and four-year-old Moinuddin were transferred to the Children s Hospital in Multan where they also passed away All three children were initially brought to the THQ hospital The local District Police Officer (DPO), Tariq Wilayat, visited the family home and gathered details about the incident Based on the father s suspicion of poisoning the police immediately registered a case under Sections 302 and 324 and began an investigation Samples from the children’s bodies have been sent to a forensic lab for
further analysis A large crowd, including police and administration officials attended the children’s funeral at Darbar Alia Sulaymaniyah following which they were laid to rest In a
Imran K han petitions IHC for regular medic al checks during imprisonment
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has petitioned the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to allow for regular medical examinations during his imprisonment
The 72-year-old leader s petition raises concerns over his significant weight loss and potential underlying health issues
Filed through Khan’s legal team the petition requests that medical staff from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital which maintains Khan s medical records be permitted to conduct monthly checkups
The petition names the Punjab government, Inspector General of Prisons, and Shaukat Khanum Hospital as respondents It emphasizes that Khan’s health must be regularly monitored to prevent any complications arising from inadequate medical care in prison Khan s legal team argues that the prison s medical
facilities are insufficient for the comprehensive health checks required by the former prime minister They stress that having access to a specialized medical team is vital to ensure his health does not deteriorate further KP CM Gandapur framed the issue as one of basic human rights asserting that political differences should not prevent the provision of necessary healthcare In addition to health concerns Khan s legal battles continue to unfold The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for August 12, 2025, to address Khan s bail appeals in relation to the May 9 incidents A threemember bench led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi will hear the case Meanwhile, the hearing for the Tosha Khana II case involving Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi has been postponed Originally set to take place in Adiala Jail the case will now be heard at the Judicial Complex in Islamabad at a later date Khan s political and legal challenges continue to dominate headlines as his supporters and legal team work to secure both his health and freedom amid ongoing court proceedings
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t The second phase for the submission of Hajj applications for 2026 has officially commenced with the Ministry of Religious Affairs now accepting applications via its online portal and designated banks The application deadline is set for August 16, and pilgrims are required to submit their applications along with the first instalment of expenses In this phase unregistered pilgrims have the opportunity to apply and application collection will cease once the government scheme quota is filled The second instalment will be collected from pilgrims on November 1 To be eligible for Hajj, applicants must be born before March 1 2014 Female pilgrims
groups are conducting their antistate activities with India’s backing The Foreign Office in a statement in July has said that it has been and is a frontline state against terrorism and has contributed tremendously towards the achievement of global peace through its counter-terrorism efforts The News quoting intelligence sources had earlier reported that India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has activated its proxies in Balochistan to fuel violence and terrorism It is using groups like the BLA to carry out attacks in Gwadar, Quetta, and Khuzdar Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti welcomed the move, crediting the fed-
