AT MEETING WITH SHEIKH TAMIM, PM URGES MUSLIM UNIT Y, CONDEMNS ISRAELI STRIKE ON QATAR
g PM SHEHBAZ CALLS ATTACK ‘ FLAGRANT VIOLATION ’ OF SOVEREIGNTY, REITERATES FULL SOLIDARITY WITH DOHA
g NOTES DOHA SUMMIT DELIVERED STRONG MESSAGE THAT ISRAEL’S AGGRESSION WOULD NO LONGER BE TOLERATED
g HOLDS TALKS WITH IRAN ’S PRESIDENT, REAFFIRMS RESOLVE TO DEEPEN BILATERAL RELATIONS
g REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN ’S FULL SUPPORT, VOWS TO STRENGTHEN PAKISTAN–QATAR ‘ HISTORIC RELATIONS ’
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to prepare a comprehensive and realistic assessment of human and financial losses caused by the recent rains and floods, including damages to crops, livestock, and communication infrastructure Chairing a review meeting on the flood situation the premier said a clear rehabilitation strategy could only be framed after completion of the assessment, enabling the government to restore damaged areas and extend meaningful support to the affected population According to a statement issued from the PM Office Media Wing the meeting reviewed the loss of lives and properties across the country, as well as initial estimates of damages to crops and livestock The prime minister instructed all federal and provincial institutions to work in close coordination and extend full cooperation to ensure accuracy and speed in the exercise
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema chief secretaries of all provinces NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, and senior officials of relevant departments
The prime minister noted that provincial governments particularly the chief ministers had taken commendable and timely measures in response to the crisis He emphasized that reports must not only cover human and property losses but also crop and livestock damages, which have direct implications for food security PM Shehbaz proposed seeking SUPARCO s technical assistance for satellite-based assessments and called for urgent steps to protect submerged crops from diseases He also directed officials to promote the cultivation of suitable alternative crops in flood-affected areas
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held talks with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian in Doha on the sidelines of the summit
Reiterating Pakistan s strongest condemnation of Israeli aggression against Qatar, both leaders expressed solidarity with Doha and called for unity within the Ummah in confronting Israeli hostilities
The Prime Minister noted that the
Doha summit had delivered a strong and unified message from the Muslim world that Israel s aggression would no longer be tolerated Recalling President Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Islamabad’s desire to expand bilateral relations with Tehran across all
areas of mutual interest The Iranian president appreciated Pakistan s principled stance on Palestine and voiced readiness to work closely with the prime minister to further strengthen ties Both sides agreed to maintain close contact in view of the rapidly evolving regional situation
Imaan moves SJC against IHC C J af ter female judge stripped of harassment c
ase powers
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t Advocate Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir on Tuesday approached the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar, after the court administration stripped Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz of her authority to entertain harassment complaints soon after she took cognizance of Mazari s complaint against him Last week Justice Dogar had warned Mazari of a contempt of court case and reportedly made remarks along the lines of “getting a hold of her ” His conduct drew condemnation from multiple lawyers’ bodies which demanded his dismissal as IHC chief justice Following this Mazari filed a complaint before the IHC s workplace harassment committee and submitted a misconduct reference against him before the SJC
After Justice Imtiaz took up her complaint, the IHC administration de-notified her as the “competent authority” and replaced her with Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas effectively removing her powers to hear harassment cases
In a post on X Mazari said she had filed an addendum to her original SJC complaint following this “alarming development ” She alleged Justice Imtiaz was “arbitrarily and with mala fide” removed only hours after she entertained the complaint and formed a three-member inquiry team
The additional complaint a copy of which is available with Dawn com, claimed that various IHC offices including the registrar ’s office, dispatch branch, and member inspection team had refused to forward her complaint to the competent authority Ultimately she said Justice Imtiaz s staff had to directly receive it
Mazari argued that instead of raising objections through proper procedure, the IHC chief justice used his administrative powers “to influence the inquiry committee” by removing the only female judge willing to hear the case She described the move as brazen misconduct and an alarming abuse of power
She further alleged that cases of hers, which had previously not been fixed for hearing, were suddenly placed before Justice Dogar after she filed the complaint A request for transfer was rejected she said while the judge repeatedly tried to drag the proxy counsel into discussion on the incident of harassment
Mazari also pointed to apparent abuse of authority” in a separate cybercrime case lodged against her She said the Ministry of Interior nominated a special prosecution team days after the harassment incident and a challan covering incidents from 2021 to
2025 was hastily filed in a trial court, which immediately fixed the matter for hearing on Wednesday She maintained she had yet to receive formal summons but had been informed through media reports and a voice note from an NCCIA officer
Urging the SJC to take up her complaint
Mazari said unchecked abuse of power by the IHC chief justice directly affected her legal practice and clients She requested that her addendum be treated as part of her earlier complaint Licence cancellation reference Separately a lawyer filed a reference before the Islamabad Bar Council (IBC) seeking the cancellation of Mazari s practising licence for alleged anti-state activities and a smear campaign against state functionaries ” The reference filed by Advocate Adnan Iqbal alleged that Mazari had engaged in hate speeches against state institutions and law enforcement agencies negative campaigns against
“She has been supporting every movement with an agenda of rebellion against the state the reference stated claiming there was strong persuasive evidence against her
ISLAMABAD
PAKISTAN MISSES KEY IMF DEADLINES, INCLUDING GOVERNANCE REPORT PUBLICATION
is on the right track under PM Shehbaz s leadership Mashreq Bank Chairman Abdulaziz Al Ghurair said the bank was proud to begin its financial journey in Pakistan and to contribute to economic reforms development and foreign investment CEO Mohammad Humayun Sajjad added that digital payments in Pakistan have grown by 30% in the past year, stressing that the country s youth represent the digital future of the financial sector At the conclusion of the ceremony Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Abdulaziz Al Ghurair jointly inaugurated Mashreq Digital Bank in Pakistan PM Shehbaz inaugurates Mashreq Digital
The event was attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Railways
according to media reports Shakeel Shah Member Customs Operations unveiled the plan during a press briefing on Monday attended by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial and senior customs officials Shah emphasized that the new center would reduce corruption and ensure fair treatment for genuine importers in line
with the government s objective to enhance the effectiveness of the FCA The initiative follows recent internal audit leaks suggesting that revenue collection had dropped by Rs53 billion to Rs100 billion after the FCA system was introduced However FBR leadership rejected these findings calling them flawed Shah reaffirmed the government s commitment to expanding the FCA and tackling corrupt networks within the customs department “We will not roll back the system ” he stated adding that future efforts would focus on tightening the framework
The leaked audit reports have caused considerable controversy, with some alleging that certain officers, affected by departmental promotions and changes, spread misinformation To address the issue FBR has set up
an inquiry committee to investigate the l e a k s a n d t
i s c i p l i n
y a c t i o n against those responsible for premature disclosure Imran Khan Mohmand, Director General of Reforms and Automation (Customs) revealed that the new Islamabad center would be staffed primarily by fresh graduates hired on a three-year contract, with performance reviews to ensure only the most capable are retained Existing appraisers in Karachi will be reassigned due to staff shortages Despite the controversies Khan presented data showing that the revenue collected per GD at Karachi port and dry ports has increased over the past seven months, countering the claims in the audit reports He highlighted that customs oversight had improved with more irregular-
FLOOD RECOVERY
Pakistan faces dollar shor tage as floods disrupt exchange market: repor t
reveals major irregularities
remains uncollected from blacklisted individuals, while Rs249 78 million was found to be inadmissible in input tax adjustments
In the area of income tax the audit showed that 22 FBR field offices failed to realize minimum tax worth Rs22,874 66 million across 1,652 cases Meanwhile, 20
and
Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) dropped to 37 7 points in September from 40 5 points in August signaling increased pessimism among consumers This decline was accompanied by a rise in inflation expectations which increased to 22 5 points in September, up from 20 3 points in August The survey also showed that concerns about unemployment grew, rising to 70 1 points from 69 points Expected income for households also fell to 49 points down from 56 points the previous month
The CCI, calculated on a scale of 0-100, assesses consumer sentiment
about both the current economic situation and future expectations A value below 50 indicates pessimism, which is consistent with the current outlook Meanwhile, the Business Confidence Index (BCI) also experienced a decline dropping by 2 1 points to 55 6 in September Conducted by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in collaboration with the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), the Business Confidence Survey (BCS) revealed that both the industry and services sectors saw a dip in their respective confidence indices
The industry sector s BCI fell by 2 6 points to 55 3 while the services sector saw a decrease of 2 points to 55 6 The overall BCI is composed of two sub-indices: the Current Business Confidence Index (CBCI) and the Expected Business Confidence Index (EBCI)
The CBCI which reflects business sentiment over the month declined by
0 9 points to 54 4 while the EBCI which measures expectations for the next six months, fell by 3 5 points to 56 6 Inflation expectations among businesses also rose, with the Inflation Expectations Index (IE) increasing by 2 1 points to 11 7 Notably the industry sector saw a sharp rise of 3 7 points bringing its inflation expectations to 71 8 Additionally, the Expected Employment Index decreased by 1 2 points to 56 1, signaling concerns over future job growth However the Manufacturing sector saw an improvement in its capacity utilization with the Average Current Capacity Utilization (ACCU)
COMMENT
TH E Doha Extraordinary Summit was conceived to concert measures after the attack by Israel on Qatar While the expressions of support for Qatar were unanimous, as was the condemnation of Israel no actual measures were proposed It was not to be expected that a meeting with Egypt, the UAE, Oman, Morocco and Jordan in attendance would call for stronger measures against Israel, which is in a special relationship with the USA Indeed the aggrieved country s Prime Minister, Sh Muhammad bin Abdur Rehman Al- Khalifa, was in the White House on the eve of the Summit, meeting Vice President J D Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and dining with President Donald Trump However, the final Summit Resolution could not avoid some semblance of action, and said that relations with Israel could be reviewed
None of the states which had recognized Israel even offered derecognition It might be remembered that there has been a constant refrain over the decades since the Camp David Accords started the slow still unfinished, process of recognition: that diplomatic relations would be used to further the Palestinian cause That has culminated in the genocide in Gaza Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ’s proposal of a ArabIslamic force may appear reasonable, but in this era of AI and missile warfare, how would it work to prevent further attacks? That there will be further attacks is no certainty but it is a strong possibility considering the impunity Israel seems to enjoy, combined with a lack of the morality that prevents bad behaviour most of the time If a close US ally like Qatar could be attacked so wantonly who is safe? The very presence of Israel is a challenge, not a matter of sympathy for an oppressed people, but a threat to all other states Clearly, recognition has not worked However the alternatives are unappealing to the oil-rich monarchies which are supporting the USA, and have dialled down opposition to Israel on its say-so This Summit might be said to mark the demise of pan-Arabism for the most that the entire Arab world could come up with in response to an attack on one of its own, is not even a slap on the wrists Just as the Palestine cause may be said to have been destroyed by the Oslo Accords and Pan-Islamism by the demise of the Ottoman Cailphate, so too has pan-Arabism, Arab solidarity, and any intention of joint action
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
WH AT to do or say about Israel s war on Gaza has establishment Democratic consultants and the elected officials for whom they work in a tizzy One recent news account reported that Senate and House Democratic leaders are worried about the Mamdani effect meaning their concern that should Zohran Mamdani win the 2025 mayor s race in New York City, it may scare moderate voters away from voting for Democrats in November 2026 Additionally, a slew of commentary pieces have cautioned Democratic candidates against embracing progressive policies urging them instead to hue to more centrist positions While other issues factor into this concern at the top of the list is Mamdani s and other progressives criticism of Israel and support for Palestinians, both of which establishment Democrats view as too radical for voters In this context it was interesting to note that during the recent Democratic National Committee debate over a resolution criticizing Israel and calling for an end to US arms supplies to that country the major argument raised by the consultant groups was that if the resolution were to pass it would damage the prospects of Democrats’ winning control of Congress in the 2026 elections Then there are the articles suggesting that “leftist” Democrats are pushing to make Israel s war against Palestinians a litmus test for 2026 candidates Many of these pieces report on a few Democratic elected officials or leading 2026 candidates who, in recent weeks, have felt forced to retract comments supportive of Israel in the face of backlash from voters The consultants and Democratic Party congressional leaders are wrong It’s not some insidious leftist conspiracy that has caused candidates to change their views Rather it s the mood of voters that has changed, and candidates who have their finger on the pulse of the electorate know they must change too We’ve seen recent polls that show a dramatic shift in voter sympathy for Palestinians over Israelis and support for stopping military supplies to Israel To learn how these shifting attitudes might translate into voter behavior at the end of
Stopping militar y aid to Israel is
Tthirds majority in the concerned provincial assembly to redraw boundaries followed by similar approval in both the Senate and National Assembly This makes the process politically arduous, especially given resistance from Punjab and Sindh, which would fear loss of influence and resources Financially, the creation of new provinces entails substantial costs Establishing new assemblies bureaucracies and infrastructure would require billions in public expenditure In a country already grappling with fiscal deficits and IMF conditionalities, this burden could further strain national coffers The critics opine that Pakistan should instead focus on reforming governance and improving service delivery within the existing boundaries There is also the risk of exacerbating ethnic and linguistic divides In a politically volatile environment, redrawing boundaries could fuel identity politics, deepen polarization, and even trigger separatist sentiments Pakistan’s history of regional tensions from Baluchistan’s autonomy movements to Sindh’s urban-rural divide suggests that any restructuring must be handled with extreme care and consensus-building Moreover political parties may resist the move due to fears of losing vote banks and influence The status quo benefits centralized leadership and patronage networks, which thrive on concentrated power Without broadbased political will and civil society engagement the proposal risks being derailed or manipulated for partisan gains
Despite these concerns, the argument for smaller provinces remains compelling if pur-
sued strategically The current model has failed to deliver on key development indicators: Pakistan ranks 140th on the Sustainable Development Goals Index 164th on the Human Development Index, and 109th on the Global Hunger Index Nearly 25 37 million children remain out of school, and only 38% of the population has access to safe drinking water These are not just statistics; rather symptoms of a governance model that is too centralized too distant and too unresponsive to the peoples needs
The solution lies not in arbitrary redistricting but in a governance-centric framework built on national consensus A phased approach starting with administrative divisions that already exhibit distinct identities and developmental needs could pave the way for broader reform Political parties civil society and the media must be engaged in a transparent dialogue to ensure that restructuring serves the people, not power brokers
The creation of more provinces in Pakistan is not a panacea, but it is a viable step toward addressing the country’s core governance challenges If implemented with constitutional safeguards fiscal planning and inclusive dialogue it could strengthen the federation empower marginalized communities, and unlock Pakistan s developmental potential The alternative clinging to a colonial-era framework that no longer serves the nation risks perpetuating inequality resentment and stagnation
The writer is a researcher and a freelance writer who can be reached at naveedsafdar13@gmail com
Neglecting our pride
Digital dining
Real estate ruined
Politically
The question of new provinces Naveed Safdar
OChina has become the world’s economic powerhouse
matter what the USA and its allies do to obstruct that process it has become unstoppable in achieving that distinction Over the last 40 years the GDP of China has been expanding at an average rate of 9 5 percent, a phenomenal rate The result is that China now accounts for 30 percent of global GDP The reforms set in train in 1978 were premised on special economic zones in several provinces; introduction of the household responsibility system that allowed households to contract land, machinery and other facilities from collective organizations; the consolidation of stateowned enterprises and accession to WTO in 2001 These policies boosted foreign investments exponentially besides encouraging entrepreneurship The willingness of the Chinese leaders to implement pragmatic and impregnable economic policies enabled the country to escape the poverty trap and gave its 800 million people upper-middle class income status China s rise to number two economic power has not only benefitted China and its people but it has also helped many countries of the world in improving their economic profile through investments made by China It is reportedly the third biggest source of foreign investments In 2024 China’s outbound non-financial direct investment reached over $84 5 billion with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) alone seeing $51
Notwithstanding the US hostility toward BRI and Indian opposition to CPEC, it is an irrefutable reality that China is destined to lead the world within the next two decades as its economic prowess and future potential amply sugg est Connectivity has become the buzz word of the 21st centur y which has turned the tide against those who are vying to protect their vested global interests and resist the chang e
Nepal reshaping the grammar of politics
NE PA L a small republic pressed between giant neighbours is once again breathing through smoke and slogans From Baneswar, Maitighar to Basantapur, from tea stalls to bus rides in public, one hears the same restless refrain: aba ta feri ladnu parchha (now we must fight again)
In every generation Nepal seems condemned to replay the cycle of hope and disillusionment revolution and betrayal Yet this time, something feels different This time, the young those born after 1990, raised in the aftermath of the Maoist war, and socialised in the language of TikTok and memes are at the front They call themselves ‘Gen-G’ (not Gen Z; in Nepal’s revolution the term Gen-G has become colloquial in posters and wall writings) a digital generation that has turned despair into anger, and anger into collective action Here lies the generational maturity: anger, yes, but also a refusal to abandon democratic gains Nepal’s federal, secular, inclusive republic though crippled by corruption remains a historic achievement The youth are not demanding monarchy or dictatorship; they are demanding a republic that works Rumours swirl in Kathmandu like autumn dust: the army may hand power back to the palace, neighbours may be scripting events from behind the curtain, the republic may collapse overnight For now, those fears have not materialised The constitution remains intact though cracked And in a move both unexpected and symbolic President Ramchandra Paudel named Sushila Karki Nepal s first female Chief Justice, known for her integrity as interim Prime Minister Some had imagined Balen Shah, Kathmandu’s 35-year-old mayor, in that role But he himself refused cleverly, knowing that accepting interim office would disqualify him from the coming elections Thus Sushila Karki carries the nation s fragile hope Around her name gathers a collective sigh of relief yet also a storm of suspicion The streets have quietened, but not stilled Youthful anger remains, waiting to erupt again should betrayal return SYMBOLS AND THE FRAGILITY OF TRUST: Sociology teaches us that symbols carry more power than institutions in times of rupture Karki though one individual became the symbolic answer to chaos She embodied something rare: credibility in a system corroded by patronage and lies For a brief moment, her appointment seemed to turn bloodied streets into cautious prayers But Weber reminds us: charisma alone is never
whisper that the time has come to restore their lost throne Opportunists circle like crows In teashops across the valley, one hears the same scepticism: K garla ra? Ekdamai garo cha (What can she really do? It’s extremely difficult ) Yet there is also quiet admiration: Kam se kam safa cha (At least she is clean ) These mixed voices capture Nepal s fragile trust Symbols can soothe anger but if they collapse disappointment is deeper than before The names of Kulman Ghising, Rameshwor Khanal, and Om Prakash Aryal have been selected for ministerial positions While their reputation for integrity and competence is widely admired this may not be the moment for them to deliver the kind of substantive policy outcomes the public might expect The central task of the interim government must remain singularly focused on conducting fair and credible elections Nevertheless, the inclusion of such respected figures whose contributions are well recognised and appreciated across society carries symbolic weight Their presence may help win public trust calm scepticism and persuade citizens to rally behind the electoral process as the legitimate pathway forward
HIJACKERS OF HOPE: Every revolution risks hijack; Pratap Bhanu Mehta notes that youths’ revolutions have more chances of being hijacked during big revolutions The Gen-G protests began as a raw authentic cry against corruption and political crookedness Young men and women many still in their twenties marched with banners demanding transparency, jobs, dignity Yet soon, other forces joined the royalists, hoping to use youth anger to reopen the palace gates; the new populist parties, eager to claim visibility; even old party factions, pretending to be vigilantes Reports suggest these groups were the most violent smashing property torching vehicles throwing stones actions that diluted the moral clarity of the youth The question spread quickly on talk shows: were the protests about justice, or about power?
Durkheim would call this moment one of “collective effervescence” a flood of shared emotion binding people into one body But effervescence is fragile; it can be redirected by skilled opportunists Here lies the double edge of rebellion: it awakens possibility but also invites hijackers In this sense, the youth are both powerful and vulnerable Their voices carry authenticity, but their platforms can be stolen
DIGITAL SQUARES AND STREET POLITICS: One cannot understand this uprising without understanding its digital heartbeat The 1990 People s Movement had the street as its stage The 2006 uprising used FM radios, pamphlets, and clandestine networks The 2020s belong to TikTok, YouTube, Discord, or Reddit The Gen-G protest did not begin in a square but in comment sections memes and livestreams When teenagers in Baneshwor uploaded videos of police violence those clips travelled faster than any newspaper headline The digital sphere became a new public sphere, echoing Habermas but transformed for the algorithmic age On TikTok, Oli and Deuba were mocked through parody songs On Reddit threads, anonymous youth drafted manifestos demanding free healthcare fair taxation and the end of afno manche politics (nepotism) while lambasting the NepoBaby (hinting at one s career success attributed to their parents in politics) On YouTube young creators uploaded fiery speeches comparing Nepal s corruption to a poison in the national bloodstream This digital rebellion spilled into the physical
What had been likes and shares became marches and chants Baneshwor Maitighar Ratna Park all became extensions of the digital commons; young protesters were seen on the screen of Kantipur TV with the background of a vandalised studio during the protest STATE VIOLENCE AND THE COLLAPSE OF LEGITIMACY: The bloodthirsty state s response was predictable yet devastating Instead of dialogue it sent police with batons, tear gas, rubber bullets Teenagers, some barely 20–28, fell injured or dead In Chitwan, a young girl was filmed crying, holding her wounded brother asking “Why did they shoot us? We were only shouting ” That clip went viral crystallising anger across the country When a government kills its youth it loses its moral right to rule This was true when the Rana regime fell, true when the monarchy collapsed, and remains true today Institutions the police, parliament, cabinet appeared not as guardians but predators Nepalis are no strangers to betrayal But there was a rawness this time Whether in tea stalls of Jhapa or in bus queues of Pokhara people whispered over television news: Sarkar afnai chhora chhori lai marna tayar cha (The government is ready to kill its own children ) That sentence contains the deepest sociological meaning of distrust when the state is no longer father but predator THE FLAME OF ANGER AND THE ARCHITECTURE OF RENEWAL: And yet even as blood dried on the streets something else was born: an insistence that this republic, however broken, must not be surrendered Youth slogans declared: 2063 ko ragat 2082 ma raja lyauna bageko hoina ” (The blood of 2006 was not shed to bring back the king in 2025 ) The challenge now is to institutionalise this energy Strengthen the Election Commission so it cannot be bought Reform the bureaucracy so a driver s licence does not require bribes Create spaces for youth in local governments, not as token ward members but as decision-makers If this does not happen, today s anger will fade into cynicism But if it does, the GenG rebellion will mark not just a rupture but a rebirth BETWEEN TEA SHOPS AND TIKTOK: EVERYDAY POLITICS TRANSFORMED: Perhaps the most enduring change is not in parliament but in everyday conversations Tea shop debates now host fiery arguments about youth futures, unemployment, digital taxation Bus rides echo with debates about Balen’s refusal of the premiership Farmers in the hinterland wonder aloud if the republic will ever protect their crops Migrant workers in the Gulf send money home while streaming TikTok lives of the protest Politics is no longer distant
ISRAEL STARTS GROUND OPERATION, SAYS GA Z A IS BURNING
China urges US, Japan to withdraw Typhon missile system deployment
Kazakh envoy, communications minister discuss direct flights, two-year visa
s ta f f
Kazakhstan s Ambassador Mr Yerzhan Kistafin called on Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan They both discussed key matters concerning bilateral relations, trade cooperation, and strengthening institutional ties between the two countries During the meeting, they deliberated on the initiation of direct flights between Pakistan and Kazakhstan facilitation for the business community and collaboration between the Chambers of Commerce of both brotherly countries Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan emphasized that enhancing mutual connectivity is a top priority for both countries in order to significantly increase trade volume He announced that Kazakhstan’s business community will be granted two-year visas within 24 hours from Pakistan Moreover a proposal is under consideration to issue five-year multipleentry visas to members of the Chamber of Commerce to enable seamless business travel between the two countries Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin welcomed the idea of organizing a Business Forum in Lahore and agreed to host joint business meetings in major Pakistani cities He confirmed that similar to Karachi a business forum will also be held in Lahore to further boost bilateral trade relations
DAR SAYS PAKISTAN’S ‘EFFECTIVE’ ARMED FORCES READY IF MIDDLE EAST FORMS UNITED FORCE AGAINST ISRAEL
maintain peace in the world And if its resolutions are just put in the bin, as it is happening since so many years by Israel in Gaza and Palestine and by India in Kashmir what do we expect from the multilateral system? Dar maintained that all states regardless of size, deserved equal dignity and respect Referring to India, he said, Some country had claimed to have hegemony, to be the net security provider, to be the captain of the entire region
CM Murad vows to wipe out Katcha dacoits, orders comprehensive development plan
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday declared that the elimination of Katcha dacoits was “non-negotiable and must be ensured ” directing the Chief Secretary to prepare a comprehensive development plan for Katcha areas including roads schools hospitals dispensaries and transport facilities Reviewing the ongoing crackdown on dacoits in the Katcha belt at a meeting, Shah stressed the need to accelerate intelligence-based operations “The Katcha areas have been flooded and the outlaws have moved out of their safe havens This is the time to eliminate them and the operation must be intensified at all costs he emphasized The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon Home Secretary Iqbal Memon Principal Secretary Agha Wasif Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi Senior Member Board of Revenue Khalid Haider Shah Secretary Local Government Waseem Shamshad Additional IG Azad Khan, COO Water Board Asadullah Khan, and other senior officials The Chief Minister directed Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah to prepare a detailed plan for infrastructure development in the Katcha region He assured that rehabilitation and uplift projects would begin once the flood situation subsides Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar and IG Ghulam Nabi Memon briefed the meeting on the progress of operations Since October 2024, technology-driven crackdowns have been scaled up in the Katcha belt So far 760 targeted operations and 352 search operations have been conducted Since January 2024 police have killed 159 bandits including 10 in Sukkur 14 in Ghotki 46 in Kashmore and 89 in Shikarpur while arresting 823 criminals Eight most-wanted outlaws were also neutralized, and 962 different types of weapons recovered Shah noted that construction of the Ghotki–Kandhkot Bridge would open up the
IHC bars Justice Jahangiri from judicial work over
t
An Islamabad High Court (IHC) division bench, headed by Chief Justice (CJ) Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar and comprising Justice Mohammad Azam Khan on Tuesday barred Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri from performing judicial duties until the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) decides on the matter of his allegedly fake degree A complaint over Justice Jahangiri’s law degree was submitted to the SJC in July last year while a petition challenging his appointment was filed in the IHC earlier this year The controversy arose after a letter purportedly from the University of Karachi s controller of examinations regarding his law degree began circulating on social media
During the hearing of the petition the bench not only restrained Justice Jahangiri from judicial work but also appointed Barrister Zafarullah Khan and Ashtar Ausaf as amici curiae while seeking the attorney general’s assistance on the maintainability of the plea It ruled that the case would remain adjourned until the SJC s decision The court has to consider an important question: if a matter is pending before the Supreme Judi-
RAWALPINDI
s ta f f r e p o r t
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Amin Gandapur on Tuesday defended his party while criticising what he called attempts to politicise the sacrifices of martyrs Speaking to media in Rawalpindi Gandapur said he came from a military family and highlighted that his brother had fought in the Kargil war He described the use of martyrs for political point-scoring as “disgraceful” and termed recent remarks by federal ministers as deeply regrettable The chief minister also announced he would personally visit the home of Shaheed Major Adnan On national issues, Gandapur c
‘ fake degree’ c ase
cial Council, can the high court still be approached on it,” the bench observed At one stage Islamabad Bar Association s counsel Raja Aleem Abbasi said We believe in the rule of law, stressing that bar associations were also stakeholders in the matter He warned that if the practice of filing such petitions became a trend it could prove “dangerous ” Following the order the IHC issued a revised duty roster which excluded Justice Jahangiri from any bench The Petition
The petition against Justice Jahangiri filed under Article 199 of the Constitution seeks a writ of quo warranto (by what authority) against him arguing that his foundational qualification an LLB degree from the University of Karachi is “invalid ” It cites correspondence from Karachi University as evidence highlighting dual enrollment numbers for Justice Jahangiri s LLB Part-I and Part-II exams The university has previously stated it is impossible to allot two enrollment numbers to a single student ” According to the petition enrollment number AIL-5968/87 which appears on his Part-I mark sheet had been allocated to another individual, while Govern-
ment Islamia Law College’s principal confirmed that no student by the name of “Tariq Mehmood s/o Qazi Muhammad Akram was admitted under enrollment AIL7124/87 during the relevant period
The KU controller of examinations also reportedly termed the degree and mark sheets “invalid ”
The petitioner argues that appointing a judge without the requisite qualification is not a minor administrative lapse but a violation of citizens fundamental rights, undermining public confidence in the judiciary Justice Jahangiri is among the five judges who last year wrote to the SJC alleging interference by intelligence agencies in judicial matters He was also hearing election petitions concerning alleged rigging in Islamabad constituencies when the degree controversy surfaced Islamabad Bar’s Reaction Representatives of the Islamabad Bar Council strongly condemned the IHC s decision to stop Justice Jahangiri from judicial work Speaking at a press conference, Bar Council member Aleem Abbasi called it the “darkest day ” saying “This is the first time that one judge has stopped another from working A wrong tradition is being set
s through policies and concrete actions,”
ISLAMABAD