PM SHEHBA Z DIRECTS FORMUL ATION OF ROADMAP TO BOOST TRADE, INVESTMENT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed from London on Monday for
he added
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t The Supreme Court (SC) registrar s office has returned constitutional petitions filed by five judges of the
learning that the person was 57 years old Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail asked Do you consider 57 to be old? sparking laughter
GOVT
FLOOD VICTIMS ENDURE POWER CUTS AS RESTORATION INCHES FORWARD
US urges Pakistan to allow parliamentar y oversight of defence and intelligence budgets
PM S hehbaz direc ts formulation of roadmap to boost trade, investment
minister as saying The prime minister further said that they took pride in standing alongside their Saudi brothers and sisters in the Kingdom’s remarkable journey of development which continued under the visionary leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
during his recent historic visit to Riyadh a very warm reception and heartfelt hospitality were accorded to him and his delegation
Pakistan joined him in thanking King
“The ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are rooted in the religion Islam history brotherhood and mutual trust and these will remain strong and everlasting, PM Office Media Wing, in a press release, quoted the prime
Today he said Saudi Arabia enjoyed a prominent place among the comity of nation that was a brilliant manifestation of foresightedness and wisdom “The Pakistani nation will always remember the solidarity expressed by the Saudi leadership and the people during tensions with India in May this year We never forget the economic support extended by Saudi Arabia which provided much-needed support to our economy,” he added The prime minister said millions of Pakistanis considered Saudi Arabia as their second home and were actively contributing to its progress and development
These contributions by the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia were source of strength for the bilateral friendly relations progress and prosperity between the two brotherly nations he added He also prayed for the progress and prosperity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
among farmers as key contributors to low yields Dr Abid Ali, a Pakistani agriculturist explained the challenges of pesticide use in Pakistan stating that many farmers resort to unregulated chemical spraying which leads to pesticide resistance, soil degradation, and threats to biodiversity and human health The collaborative research team, including Pakistani Ph D candidates Jawad Hassan and Miss Sana Anjum tested the innovative 3MP strategy (Multidimensional Management of Multiple Pests) in the tomato-growing region of Chak # 48 NB in Sargodha This method moves away from relying solely on chemicals, combining two key techniques: adjusting fertilization to enhance the tomato plant’s natural resistance and planting companion crops like Sesamum indicum and Verbena hybrida These companion plants act as a natural pest control system: Sesamum indicum serves as a trap crop, luring pests away from tomatoes, while Verbena hybrida provides nectar to support beneficial insects that prey on the pests The results were significant The 3MP strategy led to a 40% reduction in chemical pesticide use while maintaining or slightly increasing tomato yields Additionally, it improved fruit quality, soil health, and biodiversity, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with farming This initiative which began in 2023 is part of a larger global validation of the 3MP strategy which is also being tested in China Vietnam Thailand, and several European nations The European Commission, through the Horizon 2020 program “ADOPT-IPM,” has funded some of these collaborative activities Dr Ali noted that the next phase of the project will focus on policy adoption with plans to conduct workshops for farmers extension workers, and policymakers to integrate the 3MP strategy into national pest management guidelines
not sense the nostalgia that makes those moments precious That said, dismissing AI outright would be a mistake For a country like Pakistan, where access to education and information is unequal, AI tools can democratize knowledge A farmer in Sindh could ask a chatbot for weather predictions in Sindhi A student in Balochistan could get instant help with English grammar Journalists can use AI to sift through massive amounts of data on social issues or election results These are real benefits AI can also act as a mirror By analyzing what Pakistanis write online, whether tweets, articles, or comments it
CCricket diplomacy then is less about building bridges and more about reflecting divides The refusal of courtesies such as handshakes the suspension of bilateral tours, and the heightened rhetoric around each fixture all indicate that the game is now primarily a projection of broader politics Rather than offering room for dialogue, it has become a mirror of confrontation For Pakistan the challenge lies in maintaining the integrity of its cricketing institutions and ensuring competitiveness at the international level, regardless of political pressures Cricket remains the country s most visible cultural export, and its performance on the field carries symbolic weight far beyond sport itself In a regional context where politics has narrowed opportunities for engagement success in cricket is one of the few arenas where Pakistan s image and resilience continue to be asserted
The Asia Cup fixture, therefore, was not just another game It encapsulated how Pakistan and India now encounter each other: reluctantly, competitively and under the gaze of global audiences Cricket has become an extension of politics rather than a respite from it In this environment the pitch is not a ground for reconciliation but a tightly contained stage where rivalry is performed, broadcast, and reinforced
Suleman Zia is a transnational educational consultant freelance columnist and policy analyst based in Lahore
Feeding children screens
Burnout in the classroom
End crime, educate
Dr muhammaD anwar Farooq
Suleman Zia
India: World’s Largest Democracy in retreat
AMay 2024 Hindutva has been central to the Modiled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has close ideological and organizational ties to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) a Hindu paramilitary organization On 29 May 2015, Professor Dr Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, a renowned Indian historian, in his presentation titled “Hindutva Agenda of the BJP ” delivered before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States Congress underscored that in recent years the BJP-RSS combine has brought about a radical shift in the country s socio-political agenda By appealing to the sentiments of the majority community, the BJP has successfully extended its influence in electoral politics and managed to come to the helm of affairs Its communal agenda
carried out through the RSS has prompted minorities to reconsider their place and future in India In fact, this agenda has threatened to undermine the sanctity of the Indian state This has led to a sense of superiority among Hindus and a feeling of insecurity among minorities ” Dr Rebecca de Souza Associate Professor at San Diego State University has opined that Hindutva deploys primordial and xenophobic discourses to frame Muslims and Christians as the enemy, while building solidarity among those who identify as Hindu ” According to Hannah Ellis-Petersen South Asia correspondent for The Guardian Hindu nationalism has been part of Indian politics for decades and at various points has been deployed as a populist political tool to win the vote of the country s Hindu majority ” Prime Minister Modi has been advancing an anti-minorities agenda, especially against Muslims and Christians He has a strong proclivity for anti-Muslim rhetoric during his public meetings political rallies and electoral campaigns His speeches were often criticized for invoking anti-Muslim tropes during the last three general elections He frequently makes a scathing reference to Muslims as “infiltrators ” The scornful choice of words used against the country s most significant religious minority belies the image of a global leader that he untiringly presents on the world stage During the 2024 general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi frequently referred to the construction of the Ram Mandir, the abrogation of Article 370 the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (2019) and the criminalization of Triple Talaq as some of his most significant achievements during his previous tenure These developments were advertised as forerunners to an exclusive Hindu Rashtra, and ultimately, the Akhand Bharat
According to a report titled “India: Hate Speech Fueled Modi’s Election Campaign ” published on 14 August 2024 by Human Rights Watch he was found to have made Islamophobic remarks in 110 out of the 173
speeches he delivered during the 2024 election campaign The report analyzed all of his speeches after the Model Code of Conduct was implemented for the parliamentary poll, which prohibited appealing to “communal feelings for securing votes Narendra Modi always presents himself as a leader deeply committed to Hindu values, blending religious symbolism Ironically, his anti-minorities policies and public persona have resonated with a broad segment of the Indian population mainly Hindus who consider him as the protector of Hindu heritage amid perceived threats from secularism and external influences Christophe Jaffrelot in his book titled Modi s India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy, remarks that “Narendra Modi had become the Hindu Hriday Samrat – the Emperor of Hindu Hearts
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PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
AT the end of July, a broad spectrum of Iranian dissidents gathered in Munich for an event demonstrating a united opposition to the Islamist regime in Tehran What to do with the Iranian regime has been the subject of much debate across the political spectrum since the Israeli and US strikes on Iran s nuclear facilities over the last few months The strikes demonstrated the weakness of the Iranian government, raising the question of regime change or transition While the United States and its allies should hope that a post-Mullah Iran is a thriving democracy policymakers should prepare for a power vacuum
The ease with which Israel and the United States struck the Iranian nuclear program and achieved air superiority demonstrates the debilitated state of the Iranian regime For the Iranian people the implications are clear Thousands have been killed tortured and oppressed at the hands of the Ayatollahs Moreover there is reason to believe that the views of the regime are not aligned with those of many Iranians In other words, the average Iranian is far more moderate than the fundamentalists
Israel against Iranian proxies, these groups remain threats to Western military personnel and civilians
Second is the nuclear question Iran has made clear its desire to destroy Israel and harm US interests in the region Given Iran s persistent violent rhetoric and actions towards Western nations it is possible that Iran would threaten to use nuclear weapons to achieve its objectives Israel and the United States demonstrated the capability to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities, but just because they were successful this time doesn’t mean that will always be the case A pro-Western regime that doesn t want to nuke American and Israeli cities is
on from its current Islamic theocracy that change has to come from the Iranian people Examples of failed regime change operations include Iraq Syria Libya and Afghanistan The United States spent thousands of lives and billions of dollars trying to bring democracy to nations that had never had it A democratic, pro-Western regime in Iran would certainly be preferable to the current state of affairs Ideally the unified group of dissidents that gathered in Munich will be part of a transition away from Islamist theocracy and toward democracy However policymakers would be wise to proceed with caution There were high hopes for Iraq and Afghanistan, but the former was one of the breeding grounds for ISIS, and the Taliban retook the latter There’s no telling what extremist groups may spring from the woodwork to contend for the future of Iran should the Ayatollahs fall So what should the West do? From a military standpoint Washington should not attempt regime change US interests are strictly in stopping Iran from building a nuclear weapon and ending its support for terrorism However, if a popular uprising ensues, it is in the United States’ interest to support it
Sanctions on the Iranian government and intelligence-sharing with dissidents are among the measures we can take Specifically Iran s oil industry needs to be targeted through secondary sanctions on importers The Iranian economy is dependent on oil revenue, so sanctioning its oil imports will starve the regime of the funds it would need to crush a rebellion Most importantly, policymakers need to remember that regime change is the right of the Iranian people US troops should not be involved in regime change or nation-building If chaos does ensue the US would be wise to become involved indirectly Intelligence involvement with the Iranian Kurds would be a good start, as the United States has previously worked with them against ISIS Such a partnership would give our defense officials eyes and ears on the ground to keep an eye out for anti-American terrorists
For decades Iran has been a major source of terrorism across the Middle East providing weapons
Ssingle president, but the scourge of corruption itself, which has thrived under every administration before and after the Edsa People Power Revolution under presidents clad in red or yellow and back again Irony has a funny sense of timing for on the day the country recalls Ferdinand Marcos Sr s declaration of martial law (which historians note actually happened two days later, Sept 23, 1972), Filipinos are once more rallying on Edsa encouraged by no less than the sitting president and the late dictator ’s own heir As corruption scandals sent furious citizens of Nepal and Indonesia marching into bloody and literally fiery demonstrations, the skeptics among us leapt to the conclusion that Filipinos had grown too jaded and too weary to bother anymore
‘DO YOU BLAME THEM?’ They were wrong The rallies at Luneta in Manila and the People Power Monument on Edsa in Quezon City and smaller mobilizations across the country prove that beneath the public s apathetic exterior, the embers of people power are still smoldering Do you blame them for going out on the streets?” President Marcos asked last week “Of course, they are enraged they are angry I’m angry ” Indeed who could blame the people? After billions of pesos worth of flood projects went to funding the lifestyles of crooked officials and their nepo babies it would seem protest is the only logical choice In a healthy democracy, the people s fiscalizing participation in governance is not confined to the election season Rather, it continues between elections, by holding leaders accountable through acts of vigilance discernment and when necessary protest said Cardinal Jose Advincula the archbishop of Manila The political fallout has been nothing short of staggering Manuel Bonoan quit his job as public works secretary, while many of his former subordinates now face criminal or administrative charges
CORPORATE CORNER
expected to also formally recognise a Palestinian state on Monday Some have said there would be conditions and others have said normalisation of diplomatic ties would be phased and dependent on how the Palestinian Authority advances in its promises to reform In Gaza, Palestinians were fleeing Israeli attacks on Gaza City on Sunday Displaced Palestinian Nabeel Jaber expressed doubts that recognition of a Palestinian state would bring tangible progress because no countries will push Israel enough to agree to a two-state solution Even if countries such as Australia, Canada, and France who are now among those initiating this recognition acknowledge Palestine I believe there will still be no serious pressure on Israel to grant the Palestinians their rights he said I also hope that diplomatically, this recognition by major world powers with global influence will serve as a tool to pressure, strong enough to push for a complete ceasefire and an end to the war ” Residents of the Israeli-occupied West Bank where Palestinians want to establish a homeland appeared more optimistic It is a victory for the historic rights of the Palestinians, said Mohammed Abu Al Fahim Israel’s ensuing campaign in Gaza has killed more than 65 000 Palestinians most of them civilians according to local health authorities spread famine and displaced most of the population – often multiple times
five other states are
United States
s move in particular has put Prime Minister Starmer at odds with US President Donald Trump, following a July ultimatum issued to Israel Starmer had warned that Britain would formally recognize
unless Israel took steps to end the situation in Gaza including halting settlement expansions and committing to a two-state solution Husam Zomlot, the head of the Palestinian Mission in London, called the recognition “long overdue” and said it was “not about Palestine but about Britain’s fulfilment of a solemn responsibility He hailed it as a step toward justice, peace, and the correction of historical wrongs Although reactions to the move in Britain have been mixed the decision has significant implications Some see it as a necessary acknowledgment of Palestine s rights, while others argue that it undermines Israel In addition to recognition, it could lead to changes in how Britain interacts with Palestinian diplomatic missions potentially upgrading them to embassy status Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin welcomed the move, calling it an irreversible step toward Palestinian sovereignty and independence She emphasized that while it may not end the war immediately it is an important step forward It is a move bringing us closer to sovereignty and independence, she said
The recognition of Palestine by these three Western nations signals a shift in international diplomacy and provides new momentum for the pursuit of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict
NEPAL Ag e n c i e s
Nepal’s interim government, led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has established a three-member panel to investigate the violence that erupted during anti-corruption protests earlier this month The protests, initially sparked by a youth-driven movement against corruption and unemployment, escalated into the deadliest violence Nepal has seen in decades resulting in the deaths of 74 people and over 2 100 injuries
The protests led by Generation Z turned chaotic, with demonstrators setting fire to key government buildings including the office complex housing the prime minister s office the Supreme Court and parliament Luxury malls and hotels, allegedly owned by individuals close to corrupt politicians, were also targets of the protests
A panel headed by retired
judge Gauri Bahadur Karki has been tasked with investigating the loss of life and property, as well as the actions of both protesters and the authorities The panel is expected to complete its probe within three months according to Finance
Minister Rameshwore Khanal
Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has also called for an investigation into the violence, denying that his government ordered the police to fire on protesters He claimed that the protests were infiltrated by outsiders and that the police were not equipped with the weapons used to shoot at the crowd Judge Karki known for his honesty and integrity previously chaired Nepal s special court that deals with corruption cases His appointment to lead the investigation is seen as a step towards a fair and transparent inquiry
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng expressed hope on Monday that the U S side will work with China to promote the stable sound and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade ties
When meeting with a U S congressional delegation led by Representative Adam Smith in Beijing, He said phone talks between the Chinese and U S heads of state last week had provided strategic guidance for the stable development of bilateral ties in the next stage As the two countries have broad space for cooperation and extensive common interests it is hoped that the U S side will engage in candid communication with China and jointly build up mutual trust and dispel misgivings by following the principles of mutual respect,
trade ties
CM MARYAM NAWA Z INAUGURATES ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ELECTROBUS SERVICE IN SAHIWAL
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari strongly criticized Sindh s Provincial Minister Sharjeel Memon saying that despite decades in power, the PPP has left Sindh and Karachi in a primitive state She said, “It is unfortunate that Sharjeel Memon cares more about Punjab and the Federation than about the people of Sindh and Karachi Azma Bokhari added that Bilawal Bhutto himself has acknowl-
edged Maryam Nawaz s leadership and performance If Karachi and Sindh s people are also placing their trust in Maryam Nawaz, then why does Sharjeel Memon refuse to accept it?” She noted that while PPP leaders only appear after the rains subside Punjab s Chief Minister and entire cabinet stood firmly with flood victims Rejecting rumors, the minister clarified that Punjab faces no wheat shortage, with ample stock available She credited Maryam Nawaz’s
sector leaders and global experts, panel discussions exploring critical issues in policy, innovation, risk, and outreach and provide opportunities for networking among key stakeholders in the financial inclusion arena Speaking about the upcoming conference Mr Amir Khan Chairman PMN and Mr Ahsan Gaylani, UNIDO Representative emphasized that AMC-9 will serve as a national
and LUMS Sign Landmark Agreement on Postgraduate Diploma Programme for FBR Officers
Postgraduate
(PGD) Programme for FBR officers The initiative is aimed at strengthening the professional capacity of Pakistan’s tax administration The signing ceremony was held at the FBR Headquarters Islamabad and was presided over by Chairman FBR Mr Rashid Mahmood Langrial It was attended by Members of the Board, senior FBR officers, Director Generals of Inland Revenue and Customs Academies, and officers of the Transformation Delivery Unit (TDU) Representing LUMS Provost Dr Tariq Jadoon and Dean of Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) Dr Adeel Zafar were present on the occasion In his remarks Chairman FBR Mr Rashid Mahmood Langrial, congratulated both FBR and LUMS teams for designing a rigorous and customized diploma programme which shall equip FBR officers with essential skills in modern tax administration particularly in the domains
OGDC Collaborates with AKUH to Organise Hepatitis ‘C’ Elimination Camps
ISLAMABAD staff report
Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) has collaborated with Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) to organise a series of Hepatitis C Elimination Camps offering free screening and treatment across its healthcare facilities in Punjab and Sindh The camps will provide free screening, diagnostic tests, medical consultations, and essential medicines The initiative is part of OGDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme to provide free healthcare facilities to communities in its operational areas The camps will be organised at OGDC healthcare facilities in Chakwal, Attock, Gujjar Khan (Rawalpindi), and Dera Ghazi Khan districts of Punjab, as well as Hyder-
89
says CTD
between our two countries have withstood the rigours of the political weather because these are rooted in principles geography and permanent human values Reflecting on his own longstanding ties with Chinese leadership during his tenure as Speaker and Prime Minister, Gillani reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to walking alongside China through history He stressed that the friendship remains a positive force for regional stability economic integration and joint responses to global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and economic uncertainty Thanking Ambassador Jiang Zaidong and the Chinese Embassy for hosting the event the Senate Chairman reiterated Pakistan s resolve to further deepen its all-weather strategic partnership with China Chinese Ambassador Mr Jiang Zaidong, in his speech, gave an overview of the upward trajectory of China, Pakistan cooperation and said that the backto-back visits of Pakistani leadership of China refcelted the firmness of the bond and that the future generations would take this bond to new highs
13 521 combing operations across Punjab These operations resulted in the arrest of 1 131 suspicious individuals the registration of 1 061 FIRs and the recovery of various items The department emphasized that the arrested individuals had been planning attacks on important buildings across several cities The CTD remains committed to ensuring the safety of the public and bringing terrorists and anti-state elements to justice In a separate security operation earlier this week the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CTD neutralized three terrorists including an Afghan national during an IBO in Khyber district Two of the militants killed in the operation were involved in a suicide bombing in Peshawar,
TIRAH s ta f f r e p o r t
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed deep shock on Monday after reports emerged that several civilians including children were killed in an alleged aerial bombing in the Tirah area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The HRCP has called for an immediate and impartial inquiry into the incident
A statement shared by the HRCP on social media condemned the attack demanding accountability from the authorities The state is constitutionally bound to protect all civilians right to life, which it has repeatedly failed to secure, the commission said No official statement has been issued by the authorities regarding the incident Dawn com reached out to the Deputy Commissioner of Khyber Bilal Shahid and the Dis-
trict Police Officer, Mazhar Iqbal, but has not yet received a response
According to a senior police officer in the area who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity the jets targeted four houses completely destroying them However, the officer did not confirm who was responsible for the attack
The Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Babar Swati has called for a transparent investigation into the incident urging both the federal and provincial governments to identify those responsible and provide immediate relief and compensation to the affected families
Sohail Afridi the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Communication and Works also raised concerns over the incident in the KP Assembly, describing it as a “horrifying tragedy” that occurred at 2 am in Tirah He alleged that mortar shells and bombs were
dropped on the local population, resulting in the deaths of 25 people including women and children
However it is still unclear who was behind the attack
In a video message shared with the media, Mohammad Iqbal Khan Afridi, a Member of the National Assembly from Khyber, expressed his condolences for the victims and condemned the shelling by jets in Tirah He urged the people to protest the killings adding that such incidents had become all too frequent
This incident follows a similar one in May, when 22 people, including seven children, were injured in a suspected quadcopter strike in South Waziristan Earlier in North Waziristan four children were killed and five others injured in a suspected quadcopter munitions drop, although the military later clarified that the attack was carried out by the banned Tehreeki-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday issued a bailable arrest warrant for Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) senior leader Asad Qaiser in connection with the March 2023 clashes outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC)
The violent confrontation erupted on March 18 2023 when former Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived at the FJC for a hearing in the first Toshakhana case During the clashes, which lasted several hours, PTI workers confronted Islamabad police Khan was subsequently arrested in August 2023 and has remained in custody since then
On the same day Punjab police had also entered Khan s residence in Zaman Park Lahore which had been the site of an earlier standoff between law enforcement and PTI supporters
The hearing on Monday was presided over by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra Advocate Sardar Masroof Khan Amna Ali and others appeared on behalf of the PTI leaders, while Advocate Sardar
Muhammad Razzaq represented former Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi
The court issued a bailable arrest warrant for Qaiser and ordered his production before the ATC Applications for exemption from appearance were accepted for Elahi
former Finance Minister Asad Umar, and PTI s Shibli Faraz, who was recently disqualified from his role as Senate opposition leader The proceedings were adjourned until October 6
The case registered at the
Counter-Terrorism Department police station under Section 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, also named Imran Khan Authorities had written to the law ministry regarding the proceedings against the former premier and a response was awaited
The Islamabad Police had by March 22, 2023, arrested a total of 316 PTI supporters for allegedly attacking officers and creating chaos outside the FJC
The FIR invoked multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code including 148 (rioting armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 186 (obstructing public servant) 353 (assault to deter public servant) 380 (theft in dwelling house) 395 (punishment for dacoity), 427 (mischief causing damage), 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance), 440 (mischief committed after preparation for causing death or hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation)
Sindh flood risk reduces as river levels recede
