PAKISTAN REJECTS 'GREATER ISRAEL' PL AN, TERMING IT THREAT TO REGIONAL SECURIT Y
Yi said adding “In the face of growing global uncertainties promoting strong Pakistan–China relations is highly beneficial for regional peace and stability Wang Yi said China has always given top priority to Pakistan in its neighborhood diplomacy He said that despite tough times Pakistan–China relations have grown even stronger He said the two countries have established a strong traditional friendship
FAISALABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Faisalabad sentenced on Monday senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Omar Ayub Shibli Faraz and 57 others each to 10 years in prison in the May 9 case about an attack on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader Rana Sanaullah s residence
Wang Yi said China will continue to fully support Pakistan in safeguarding its regional integrity and national security China welcomes Pakistan s growing role in global affairs he added According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said during his meeting with Wang Yi that China is Pakistan’s “iron brother and both countries have always shared each other s joys and sorrows Pakistan–China strategic partnership is as solid as a rock, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said and added that maintaining friendly relations with China is the unanimous stance of the entire Pakistani nation
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership for its valuable contribution to Pakistan s economic and social development He said that the Pakistani army is ready to actively enhance counter-terrorism and security cooperation
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said that efforts
protection of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan He
Of the 59 persons convicted in the case, 17 were PTI leaders Sixteen other accused were also convicted and sentenced to three years in prison each The latter group included MPA Sheikh Shahid Javed of PP-115 Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry and PTI lawmaker Zain Qureshi were acquitted The case was part of a series of trials relating to the violent unrest that erupted during protests against the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan from Islamabad High Court premises on May 9 2023 On July 31 ATC in Faislabad sentenced top Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders to up to 10 years in prison in cases on the May 9 protests Opposition leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub opposition leader in Senate Shibli Faraz Zartaj Gul MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza and former MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafiq were among the 108 PTI leaders convicted out of the 185 implicated in the cases while 77 others were acquitted Around 60 of those convicted including Faraz Ayub Gul and Raza were sentenced to 10 years in prison each while other convicts were each handed prison terms of three years Meanwhile, Fawad Chaudhry was ac-
quitted along with Zain Qureshi Khayal Kastro Faizullah
SECP issues standard board resolution format for corporate bank accounts
format, subject to their internal due diligence
The measure is expected to reduce verification delays improve compliance efficiency and deliver time and cost savings for both companies and banks
The SECP said the initiative reinforces regulatory oversight while promoting a paperless and secure framework reflecting its commitment to digitalization and improving Pakistan s ease of doing business
The Standard Board Resolution format is available for download on SECP s official website
provincial shares of federal resources, Dawn reported KP Finance Minister Muzammil Aslam said the province would push for disincentivising population and backwardness in both vertical and horizontal resource allocation As much as 82 percent of resource distribution among provinces is currently
based on population and 10 6% on backwardness he explained at the Prosper Pakistan conference in Peshawar, organised by the FPCCI Regional Office in collaboration with KP’s Board of Investment and Trade “KP will advocate including prosperity and forestation alongside reducing reliance on population for allocation The move could place larger provinces, Punjab and Sindh, under pressure to revise the current formula, while benefiting Balochistan, the largest but sparsely populated province Officials said federal ministers particularly Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal have publicly supported reducing the emphasis on population in the
Fintech pioneer Haball sec ures PSO/PSP approval
payments space Historically, initiating a payment in Pakistan s digital ecosystem required fintech companies to rely on commercial banks to complete the process often resulting in bad user experiences and limited real-time control As a Raast PISP Haball is now uniquely positioned to initiate payments directly from customer bank accounts while keeping the entire experience, from invoicing to payment confirmation, within its own platform
“This is about ownership of the journey said Omer bin Ahsan CEO of Haball We re not just digitizing supply chains we re redesigning them With Raast integration and the upcoming PSO/PSP license, we’re enabling a model where every invoice is digital, every payment is instant and every SME can access financing without friction The move enables instant settlement reducing delays and liquidity gaps that plague traditional B2B payments, especially in supply chains where timing can be everything For distributors and SMEs the ability to receive or make payments in real time could be transforma-
tional Here s how the system would work in practice using Haball s combined PISP and PSO/PSP capabilities: a distributor logs into a corporate portal powered by Haball to view outstanding invoices from a manufacturer The invoices are digitally generated and integrated with the manufacturer s ERP system in real time The distributor selects the invoices to pay and initiates the payment directly through the Haball platform Since Haball is a licensed PISP, it can connect securely with the distributor ’s bank via Raast Pakistan s instant payment system to request payment authorization The distributor authenticates the transaction via OTP or biometric verification and the payment is immediately initiated without the need to log into their bank’s portal or app Because Haball also operates as a PSO/PSP it can process and settle the transaction instantly update payment statuses and notify both parties in real time
This eliminates manual reconciliation, reduces delays, and gives the manufacturer immediate visibility of funds received The entire process from invoice selection to payment settlement happens
within Haball s ecosystem Haball’s journey has been anything but ordinary Among the few fintechs handpicked by the SBP the company was selected and funded under the central bank s regulatory innovation initiative making it not just compliant but
sustained and secure humanitarian access to all civilians in need and the protection of aid workers, medical teams and UN personnel Reinforce international support to UNRWA which remains indispensable to the survival of millions of Palestinians with the OIC playing a proactive role in this end An end to forced displacement, illegal settlements and annexation of Palestinian land, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem The implementation of the OIC’s reconstruction plan for Gaza which represents a vital framework for post-conflict recovery and rehabilitation sustainable development and the restoration of dignity of the people of Palestine The revival of a genuine process to achieve a just, comprehensive and a lasting two-state solution in accordance with international law and relevant UN and OIC resolutions
called Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s
COMMENT
IN Geneva, expectations dissolved into disappointment as ten days of marathon talks on a global plastics treaty ended in stalemate The fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee session (INC-5 2) intended to deliver a legally binding blueprint to curb plastic production and pollution, unraveled dramatically 80 countries rejected even the first draft, and a hastily convened plenary adjourned in mere seconds amid palpable frustration Despite the participation of nearly 180 nations the summit exposed deep rifts: those advocating full lifecycle accountability caps on plastic production elimination of toxic additives binding corporate responsibility were stonewalled by petrostate blocs (including the USA, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China) determined to preserve production interests, cloaking resistance in recycling-friendly rhetoric Two draft texts failed to gain traction no resumption date was set and the treaty s momentum now hangs in doubt The collapse drew sharp criticism The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty representing hundreds of companies from Unilever to L’Oréal warned that delay stifles both environmental action and economic opportunity Civil society networks such as Break Free From Plastic lamented being sidelined while environmental advocates stressed that the window to curb plastics toxic tide is narrowing Pakistan s delegation, led by Climate Minister Dr Musadik Malik, injected an equity lens, noting that countries most harmed are the least resourced His proposal for a “global plastic fund” or credits market ensuring polluters finance recycling capacity and technology transfer in developing nations garnered attention but not commitments The urgency is undeniable The world produces more than 400 million tonnes of plastic annually, much of it discarded almost immediately Roughly 85 percent of global plastic waste is never recycled; barely 9 percent finds a second life What remains clogs waterways poisons oceans or smoulders in open dumps As plastic fragments micro- and nanoparticles contaminate air soil food water and our bodies found in lungs, bloodstreams, placentas, and breast milk Scientists warn of endocrine disruption, respiratory disease, cancers, and developmental harms The estimated annual cost of plastic-linked health damage and environmental fallout is already counted in the trillions Geneva s breakdown exposes a deeper failure: managing plastic waste without cutting production is a losing game By 2060, global plastic output is projected to triple locking in planetary harm Yet major producers backed by petrochemical interests continue to dilute treaty ambition The USA circulated language opposing full lifecycle framing an unmistakable retreat from climate leadership The European Union, while vocal about responsibility, insisted it would not accept a treaty “at any cost,” wary of being boxed into obligations without universal buy-in Meanwhile vulnerable countries remain stranded tasked with financing cleanup while bearing the brunt of pollution There are, however, examples of courage and clarity Kenya s 2017 plastic-bag ban, enforced with meaningful penalties, changed market behaviour France has outlawed many single-use plastics and harmful microbeads Chile’s Extended Producer Responsibility regime compels firms to finance waste management Rwanda s nationwide ban since 2008 helped transform its cities into some of Africa s cleanest and lifted eco-tourism Across the European Union, directives on single-use plastics and circulareconomy measures push producers toward redesign, reuse and safer substitutes In Amsterdam plasticfree supermarket aisles show how policy can catalyze consumer demand and business innovation when public and private sectors pull together Conversely, the costs of delay are stark Indonesia s rivers routinely turn into plastic soup, choking aquatic life and livelihoods In the Philippines, open dumps breed disease, clog drains, intensify flooding, and spread microplastics now detected in human placentas and breast milk These realities foreshadow what inaction guarantees: higher health burdens degraded ecosystems and diminished futures Pakistan stands at a similar crossroads The Indus has become a conveyor belt for plastic debris In Lahore and Karachi, microplastics are turning up in tap water Burning trash and open dumps bathe dense neighbourhoods in toxic fumes hitting children the elderly and the urban poor hardest Provincial bans such as Sindh s restrictions on single-use plastic bags, are commendable yet patchy hampered by weak enforcement, public indifference, and a
Broken
futures, child labour in Pakistan
dren
Dental
exploitation
campaigns
Many communities accept child labor as normal or unavoidable but this can change if people understand the harm it causes and the benefits of education Targeted assistance for vulnerable groups such as minorities and bonded labor families is crucial Providing vocational training legal support and safe shelters can help these families escape exploitation Partnerships between the government NGOs and international organizations can bring in expertise and resources to design and run effective programs Child labor in Pakistan is not only a violation of basic human rights it is a national crisis that threatens the country’s development The numbers are clear with
and knowledge
are already known What is needed now is the will to act and the belief that every child deserves more than just survival Muhammad Bilal Khan is Journalist based in Islamabad specializing in non-traditional security threats currently affiliated with the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad He can be reached at mbkh0107@gmail com
Child labour is a direct cause of high illiteracy rates in the country. PakistanÊs current literacy rate stands at about sixty one percent with male literacy around sixty eight percent and female literacy at roughly fifty two point eight percent.
Drugged classrooms
Forecast
MuhaMMad Bilal Khan
‘Putin’s plan: A chance for peace or escalation?’
Tit clear that a ceasefire would not precede the agreement but would only take effect after its implementation, making Ukrainian concessions a precondition to ending the war
This land-for-peace proposal was quickly labeled unacceptable in Kyiv yet Trump described the discussions as productive and even suggested the two sides were close to a deal He left the impression that if Zelensky accepted the plan, Trump would claim credit for ending the war while still insisting
Ukraine must make the final choice Trump s envoy later revealed that Putin had agreed in principle to allow the United States and Europe to extend NATO-style security protections to Ukraine This appeared to be a potential breakthrough, though it was far from clear whether such guarantees would amount to anything as robust as Article 5 of the NATO treaty which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all The ambiguity was deliberate: Trump sought to preserve flexibility, while Putin insisted that border changes be recognized internationally, a condition flatly rejected by Kyiv and its allies
The immediate reaction from Europe was alarm France s Emmanuel Macron Germany s Friedrich Merz the European Commission s Ursula von der Leyen, and the UK s Keir Starmer, among others, pressed urgently to be included in the next round of talks They feared that a one-on-one Trump–Zelensky meeting in Washington could result in Zelensky being humiliated or pressured into territorial concessions under duress The White House initially resisted but eventually relented under mounting pressure, confirming that the meeting in Washington would now be a multilateral summit involving European leaders alongside Trump and Zelensky Europe’s stance was clear: there could be no peace imposed without Ukraine s consent no recognition of territorial conquest, and no settlement without a verifiable ceasefire as a starting point For Europe, the stakes go beyond solidarity with Ukraine The concern is existential If Ukraine is forced into surrender Russia would feel emboldened to threaten Poland the Baltic states and perhaps even Central Europe This explains why European leaders have demanded not only robust NATO-style guarantees for Ukraine but also assurances that Russia will not use any peace
settlement as a staging ground for further ex-
pansion They know that if the United States withdraws its military and financial support under Trump s threats, the burden will shift onto Europe alone That prospect is politically and financially untenable, and so the Europeans are determined to anchor themselves firmly in the negotiations The human cost of the conflict adds urgency Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, thousands of lives lost, and entire cities reduced to rubble The war has devastated supply chains for energy, grain, and minerals, driving up food and oil prices fueling inflation and worsening hardship across the globe Developing nations in Africa Asia and Latin America have been particularly hard hit with rising bread prices triggering political unrest and shortages of fuel crippling fragile economies Sanctions on countries trading with Russia have further compounded the crisis, choking commerce and punishing populations far from the battlefield A resolution however imperfect could lift these burdens stabilize markets and release billions of dollars currently being spent on weapons back into reconstruction, humanitarian relief, and development Trump himself framed the Alaska meeting as an opening rather than an outcome claiming progress on “many points” but offering few specifics His tone was optimistic yet evasive carefully avoiding commitments that might limit his room to maneuver Putin, meanwhile, presented his maximalist plan as if it were already the only acceptable solution Zelensky, speaking from Kyiv, rejected the idea of trading land for peace and emphasized that Ukraine s sovereignty and territorial integrity were not negotiable His message was clear: no deal could be reached if it forced Ukraine to concede regions without the consent of its people In this tension lies the fragility of the mo-
t h a t a o n e - o n - o n e Tr u m p – Z e l e n s k y m e e t i n g i n
Wa r i s c r u e l , a n d i t s wo u n d s a r e l o n g - l a s t i n g , bu t
p e a c e e v e n f r a g i l e
ment Trump sees an opportunity to present himself as a peacemaker and deal-maker potentially reshaping his image at home and abroad Putin sees a chance to lock in gains achieved by force, turning temporary occupation into permanent sovereignty Zelensky faces the impossible
d
Wa s h i n g t o n c o u l d r e s u l t i n Z e l e n s k y b e i n g h u m i l i a t e d
o r p r e s s u r e d i n t o t e r r i t o r i a l c o n c e s s i o n s u n d e r d u r e s s
C a n I s r a e l s u r v i v e a s a p a r i a h n a t i o n ?
We are well on the road to becoming a pariah nation, similar to how S outh Africa was seen during the apar theid period
Washington’s WorldData.Inc maintains a running list of pariah states, and Israel is already on its current roster of 13 countries
O ur diplomats will find doors closed to them, our citizen tourists will continue to be attacked as they travel the world, Israel will be fur ther vilified in international forums, sovereign wealth funds will withdraw their investments in our companies
anti-Israel and antisemitic intentions of NGOs worldwide who have been demeaning our existence for years Funded primarily by bad actors in some of the same countries who claim to be working on finding an equitable path to peace for us and the Palestinians, their volunteer “troops” were at the ready, the protest signs were printed the tents for the university encampments were ordered and the professionally trained leadership was just waiting for the proper catalyst to cause chaos October 7 was, for them, the firecracker that set the whole house ablaze Sadly, even with our sophisticated intelligence network we are not ready to respond even today Secondly our political echelon reflecting the attitude of too many of our leaders, simply does not believe in allocating the same resources for the information battle that we authorize for our defense activity The budget for influencing the public sphere is minuscule in comparison to the military budget and the results or lack thereof reflect that mentality
A look at the state s 2024 budget tells the whole story In a budget of NIS 513 7 billion, NIS 64 4b (12 5%) was for defense, while the combined budget of the Prime Minister’s Office (which handles public relations for Israel) and the Foreign Ministry was NIS 4 6b (8/10 of 1%) Is it any wonder that our hasbara efforts are failing us? And for those who say it does not matter how much we spend, it will not change the minds of those who hate us; that is probably a true statement But not funding the effort leaves the playing field to our enemies and supplies the fuel needed by them and even some of our friends to make us a pariah nation
thony] Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia s Jews Netanyahu was criticizing the Australian prime minister for his decision to recognize a Palestinian state Given that type of rhetoric coming from us, I am not sure why we are surprised by, or upset at, Australia’s action against Rothman Diplomacy is after all a two-way street Unless we are prepared to recognize the fact that the public relations war is every bit as important as our military efforts in Gaza and other places, we will continue to see our worldwide image deteriorate Our diplomats will find doors closed to them our citizen tourists will continue to be attacked as they travel the world Israel will be further vilified in international forums sovereign wealth funds will withdraw their investments in our companies, institutional investors will give second thought to investing here,
well on the road to becoming a pariah nation similar to how South Africa was seen during the apartheid period For sure we are not guilty of apartheid but once a country becomes a pariah nation it almost doesn t matter what the core problem is that made this happen In our case, we are smart
Finally, by dismissing the actions of even our friends who have turned against us as irrelevant, we should not be surprised if they react accordingly We need to understand that they too have constituencies they must answer to and often doing so is not beneficial to us The most recent case of Australia canceling the visa of MK Simcha Rothman as he was preparing to travel there is a case in point Earlier in the week Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on X/Twitter that: History will remember [An-
national president of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel and a past chairperson of the board of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
TH E hastily struck tariff deal with the Trump administration has brought a measure of relief to Bangladesh both economically and politically But if the early signs are any indication the story is far from over Reports in the media have mostly focused on the positives most notably, a surge in orders for readymade garments, in some cases rerouted from neighbouring countries facing higher tariffs In the short term this has led to a boost in apparel exports Encouraging as this may be for the apparel sector the bigger picture is still unfolding and the long-term impact remains uncertain Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin stated that the government is working to reduce the US-imposed reciprocal tariff from 20 percent to 15 percent Speaking to reporters on August 12 he said talks with Washington were ongoing and that a reduction could come before the final agreement We hope that the steps we have taken to reduce the US-Bangladesh trade deficit will reduce the duty,” Bashir said He also promised that the government would disclose the much-debated Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) once approval comes through from the US That NDA has been at the heart of a storm fuelling controversy and criticism of the government for months NDAs are nothing unusual in bilateral trade negotiations Confidentiality often gives negotiators an edge especially when global competitors are watching However secrecy makes little sense
deal has been signed The expectation now is that the government will publish the NDA sooner rather than later Other countries
QamaR BaShIR
FIVE JOURNALISTS AMONG 20 KILLED IN ISRAELI STRIKES ON GA Z A HOSPITAL
Iran nuclear talks with European powers to be held in Geneva
and US strikes on its nuclear facilities The unprecedented bombing by Israel and the United States on Iran derailed Tehran s nuclear negotiations with Washington The European trio have threatened to trigger a snapback mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal which would reimpose UN sanctions that were lifted under the agreement unless Iran agrees to curb its uranium enrichment and restore cooperation with IAEA inspectors Iran disputes the legality of invoking the clause accusing the Europeans of not honouring their commitments under the accord Britain, France and Germany, along with China, Russia and the United States reached an agreement with Iran in 2015 under a deal formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA The deal provided Iran with sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme to guarantee that Tehran could not develop a nuclear weapon something it has always denied wanting to do But Washington’s unilateral withdrawal from the accord in 2018 during President Donald Trump’s first term in office and the reimposition of biting economic sanctions prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its commitments particularly on uranium enrichment At the time of the US withdrawal, London, Paris and Berlin reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement and said they intended to continue trading with Iran As a result UN and European sanctions were not reinstated though Trump restored US sanctions But the mechanism envisaged by European countries to compensate for the return of US sanctions has struggled to materialise and many Western companies have been forced to leave Iran, which is facing high inflation and an economic crisis
bloodied bodies Footage from the immediate aftermath of the attack showed smoke filling the air and debris from the blast on the floor outside the hospital
Pakistan Air Force — Always Second to None
AIR VICE
This Independence Day holds extraordinary significance for Pakistan, especially considering the resounding success of Operation Banyan-ul-Marsoos a landmark military achievement that demonstrated not only strategic brilliance but also national resolve The operation reinvigorated patriotic fervour and reminded the world of Pakistan s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty As the country marks its 78th year of independence August 14th becomes more than a commemoration of freedom; it becomes a reaffirmation of strength unity and dignity on the global stage
The roots of Pakistan s air power trace back to 1948, when Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah during a visit to the PAF Academy in Risalpur stressed the vital role of air dominance in national defence His words still echo with timeless clarity:
“A country without a potent air force is at the mercy of any aggressor Pakistan must build up its air force that must be second to none
This visionary statement became the cornerstone of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) doctrine a force built not just to fly, but to defend and to inspire
The true transformation of the PAF began in the 1950s under Air Marshal Asghar Khan the first na-
tive Commander-in-Chief He led a comprehensive modernization drive, focusing on discipline, strategic planning, and technological advancement The acquisition of advanced jets like the F-86 Sabre and F-104
Starfighter put the PAF on par with top-tier global air forces By 1959 the PAF demonstrated its vigilance when it shot down an Indian Canberra bomber near Rawalpindi a lesser-known but symbolically significant event that marked the readiness of the force even before full-scale war When war broke out in 1965 the PAF was fully prepared Under Air Marshal Noor Khan s leadership, the PAF swiftly established air superiority Its pilots carried out bold and precision-based missions that halted the Indian advance The war birthed legends none more iconic than Squadron Leader M M Alam, who famously shot down five Indian aircraft in under a minute an unmatched feat in air combat history The PAF’s performance during the 1965 war earned global admiration and cemented its reputation for excellence
Entering the 21st century, the PAF faced new threats this time from within In the post-9/11 landscape, the focus shifted to counterterrorism and internal security operations Precision airstrikes in FATA and Swat supported by intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets, showcased the PAF s ability to conduct surgi-
cal operations with minimal collateral damage earning recognition from allies and adversaries alike
On February 27, 2019, the PAF once again proved its combat effectiveness during Operation Swift Retort a response to the Balakot airstrikes In a calculated and measured retaliation the PAF shot down two Indian jets capturing Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman The event sent a clear message: Pakistan’s airspace is sacrosanct and any violation would be met with swift consequences In 2025 amidst escalating tensions the PAF reportedly downed six Indian aircraft within 48 hours, marking one of the most decisive air engagements in the region’s recent history This success was not merely tactical it was technological The PAF employed next-generation radar systems BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missile technology, and integrated command-and-control networks to ensure dominance Operation Banyan-ul-Marsoos exemplified the PAF’s evolution into a multidimensional force capable of meeting both conventional and hybrid threats Today, the PAF plays a pivotal role as the air-based leg of Pakistan’s nuclear triad, contributing to strategic stability in South Asia The integration of air-launched cruise missiles like Ra ad and Ra ad-II ensures credible minimum deterrence without fuelling an arms race
Trump administration’s aid freeze disrupts Pakistan’s social sec tor: repor t
Anadolu Agency reported Announced days after Trump began his second term in January under the America First policy the move compounded an already strained funding environment in Pakistan, where declining donor interest and shifting global priorities have reduced international aid in recent years Despite the initial shock, Pakistan’s development sector adapted by diversifying funding sources, drawing on support from the domestic government and the Pakistani diaspora Naseer Memon a social sector expert based in Islamabad said that the country s long-established NGOs pursue multi-donor strategies to avoid dependence on any single funding source, allowing them to maintain continuity in health, education, and community welfare programs even after USAID’s sudden withdrawal
Some organisations however were directly affected
The Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) a major USAID recipient had to suspend three health projects in southern Sindh resulting in staff layoffs Mohammad Dittal Kalhoro, SRSO head, said nearly 90% of affected employees were re-employed within months through project restructuring, cost-cutting, and later reinstatement when one previously paused project was restored by USAID in June
Diaspora contributions have increasingly supported these efforts With over eight million Pakistanis living abroad and remittances exceeding $30 billion annually overseas funding has helped NGOs complete health, education, and water projects in underserved rural areas
Ali Mohsin, a Pakistani-Canadian engineer, said Canadian Pakistanis funded 12 major projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between 2012 and 2024 with 10 more underway in 2025 through Al-Khidmat Foundation
importance of maintaining friendship and expanding shared interests during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung s special envoy Park Byeongseug in Beijing on Sunday which marked the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Korea Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist
I N N E R H O S T E D B Y E X - T H A I P M
Farewell reception held for outgoing Turk iye envoy
SBP invites applic ations for First Cohor t of Regulator y S andbox to foster Innovation
via email (regulatory sandbox@sbp org pk) for any queries and/or feedback on the RSB
COURT GRANTS PHYSICAL REMAND OF FARHAN GHANI IN TERRORISM CASE
S ta f f
AN Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Karachi has handed over Sindh provincial minister Syed Ghani s brother, Chanesar Town Chairman Farhan Ghani, along with two co-accused, to police on a four-day physical remand in a case of allegedly assaulting and threatening government employees
The three accused including Farhan Ghani, Shakeel, and Qamar Ahmed, were produced before the ATC by Karachi police on Monday During the hearing, the court questioned the prosecutor and the investigating
PTI secretar y general Salman Akram Raja steps down LAHORE S
S
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) faced a fresh leadership jolt on Monday as Secretary General Salman Akram Raja announced his resignation, while senior leader Hammad Azhar withdrew from contesting the upcoming Lahore by-election Taking to X Raja said an incident had compelled him to step down My life is an open book None of my actions contradicts any principle I do not accept compromise on intellectual and economic integrity Tomorrow, I will resign from office by requesting Imran,” he posted He said he was not a traditional politician but had stood firm despite internal and external pressures “We endured subtle attacks accepted economic uncertainty and faced false cases but I regret nothing I am not afraid of jail Raja said highlighting his role in key cases such as the Tyrian, Iddat, cipher, military courts, and reserved seats disputes Raja’s departure from the secretary general position stems from what he characterised as irreconcilable differences regarding his responsibilities within the party structure He revealed that he had requested Imran through Advocate Ali Bukhari to allow him to focus on legal battles earlier but he had declined Meanwhile, Azhar s withdrawal from the NA-129 constituency race adds another layer to PTI’s electoral challenges The seat became vacant following the death of his father veteran politician Mian Azhar creating expectations that the younger Azhar would seek to continue the family s political legacy in the constituency Instead Azhar designated his cousin Chaudhry Arsalan Zaheer, as the family s preferred candidate Zaheer previously chaired Lahore s fruit and vegetable market committee during PTI’s tenure in government and has collaborated with the Azhar family in previous electoral campaigns
ATC grants Aleema Khan exemption in protest case
RAWALPINDI
S ta f f C o r r e S p o n d e n t Imran Khan’s sister Aleema has been exempted from appearing in court to face charges of protesting for her brother ’s release last year The anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi will next hear the case a week later on September 2 The Sadiqabad Police had registered a case against her after the violent November 26 protests in Islamabad On Monday, Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court judge Amjad Ali Shah granted her lawyer Advocate Muhammad Faisal Malik’s request for exemption Aleema Khan is out on bail However her sons were arrested in Lahore last week On August 22 police detained Shershah Khan a day after his brother Shahrez Khan was taken into custody in connection with the May 9, 2023, riots Family said plainclothes men intercepted a car driven by Aleema’s husband and took Shershah away by force Aleema Khan condemned the arrests saying they were aimed at silencing her family and PTI Party officials also denounced the detentions calling them unlawful and politically motivated In Lahore, another ATC remanded Shahrez Khan into police custody for eight days He was arrested late August 21 from Aleema’s residence, with the PTI alleging the household staff was assaulted and family members harassed KARACHI
Tehran pledges suppor t for Pakistan’s flood vic tims, expresses solidarity
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f r e p o r t
Iran has extended an offer of assistance to Pakistan as the country reels from torrential rains and devastating floods that have claimed lives and displaced thousands particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and GilgitBaltistan The assurance came during a telephone conversation between Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi Expressing deep sorrow over the widespread destruction Momeni said Pakistan is our brotherly neighbouring country and we are ready to provide every kind of assistance in this time of trial He added that Tehran was “deeply saddened to see the devastation caused by floods in Pakistan underscoring that Iran stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Pakistan The Iranian interior minister conveyed his condolences over the loss
‘Flash Floods ’: Govt to build new village in Gilgit
Baltistan for displaced families
GILGIT S ta f f r e p o r t Relief and rehabilitation operations are underway in the flood-hit areas of Gilgit-Baltistan following recent devastations According to government spokesperson Faizullah Firaq, relief camps have been set up for the affected families in Tali Das while significant progress has been made in restoring clean water electricity and communication systems Work has also begun on the restoration of Ghizer Highway He said the only sustainable solution for the displaced residents of Tali Das is establishment of a substitute village which the provincial government will build
in collaboration with the federal government Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan has directed relevant departments to accelerate rehabilitation work Firaq added that the water level in the artificial lake formed in Tali Das is gradually decreasing However, at Dain, the lack of restoration of the old bridge has left a population of 3,000 people cut off from the main town Authorities are currently using temporary boats to facilitate movement He said clean water supply has been restored for Dain residents while electricity has been partially restored and further work is in progress According to Firaq, shepherds who risked their lives to save
people during the floods have been sent to Islamabad on the Prime Ministerís directives, where they will be honored A special ceremony will soon be held at the Chief Ministerís Secretariat to award the shepherds and other volunteers with certificates and shields AJK emerges most affected by natural catastrophes in country: SDMA Meanwhile, Secretary AJK, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and Civil Defense Chaudhry Muhammad has said that Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) emerged as one of the most affected areas in natural disasters in the country, where people suffered loss of lives and properties due to cloudburst
Naqvi
families trapped in their homes Rising flood levels in rivers At Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej the water flow has surged to 133,000 cusecs, categorised as a high-level flood At Head Sulemanki, inflow stands at 94,000 cusecs with an outflow of 87 000 Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) officials have warned that the Sutlej will remain in high flood for several days depending on Indian releases, while Rivers Chenab and Indus are expected to reach high flood levels within 24 hours A moderate flood threat also
used to evacuate