PM ORDERS ACCELERATED FLOOD RELIEF AND REHAB, SEEKING DAMAGE REPORT IN ONE WEEK
g PREMIER SHEHBAZ VOWS COMPLETE REHABILITATION OF FLOOD-HIT, VOWING GOVT WILL NOT REST UNTIL ALL ARE SETTLED
g ORDERS NHA TO IMMEDIATELY RESTORE M-5 MOTORWAY SECTION DAMAGED BY SUTLEJ RIVER FLOODS
PR I M E Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the federal and provincial authorities to accelerate relief and rehabilitation operations for flood-affected people, stressing that the government would not rest until the complete rehabilitation of all affected families was ensured Chairing
g DIRECTS URGENT CROP AND INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS TO EXPEDITE COMPENSATION, RECOVERY PLANS
g INSTRUCTS HEALTH AND DISA STER AUTHORITIES TO PREVENT WATERBORNE DISEA SES AND ENSURE CLEAN WATER
pM
S
hehbaz reaffirms commitment to stronger bilateral trade ties with Malaysia
ISLAMABAD/NEW YORK
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday underlined Pakistan s resolve to expand trade and economic cooperation with Malaysia stressing that both countries were taking concrete steps to tap their immense untapped potential, particularly in the export of Pakistani beef Chairing a meeting via video link from New York on promoting bilateral trade the Prime Minister said Pakistan and Malaysia enjoyed decades-long fraternal relations, marked by mutual trust and support He noted that Malaysia had always stood by Pakistan in difficult times which the people of Pakistan held in high regard The meeting conducted a detailed review of trade ties between the two countries, with officials briefing the
to maintain close coordination with provincial governments and their respective disaster management authorities (PDMAs) for swift and effective response Underscoring urgency PM Shehbaz ordered the completion of crop and infrastructure damage assessments on an emergency basis so that planning for recovery, including compensation and agricultural support could be undertaken without delay He asked the authorities to give special attention to the needs of farmers and
concern over the presence of terrorist organisations operating from Afghanistan, including Al-Qaeda, the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other similar groups The four countries issued a statement after their fourth quadripartite meeting on Afghanistan convened
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, in his inaugural meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan at UNGA this week, urged the Afghan interim government to take concrete and verifiable measures to ensure their soil is not used for terrorism against neighbouring countries particularly Pakistan Pakistan has witnessed a surge in cross-border terror incidents since Taliban rulers returned to Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of KP and Balochistan The two nations share a porous border spanning around 2 500 kilometres with several crossing points which hold significance as a key element of regional trade and relations between the people across both sides of the border
solid roadmap for increasing bilateral trade would not only strengthen economic ties but also provide new avenues for Pakistani businesses and farmers PM Shehbaz meets UN SecretaryGeneral On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Session in New York Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held a warm and cordial meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres He commended the Secretary-General’s leadership in advancing global peace and stability and acknowledged the UN s role in amplifying the voice of developing nations
affected households The prime minister also instructed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to expedite the restoration of the M-5 Motorway section damaged by flooding from the Sutlej River
24 pakistanis aboard Lpg tanker attacked by israel in Yemen ‘released,
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday confirmed that all 27 crew members of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker including 24 Pakistanis who came under an Israeli drone attack at a Yemeni port have been “released and are now safe and out of Yemeni waters ”
The confirmation came hours after the Foreign Office (FO) also stated that the Pakistanis aboard the LPG tanker were safe and sound” and making their way out of Yemeni waters Naqvi, in a post on X said the vessel was attacked on September 17 while docked at the Ras Issa port which is controlled by Houthi rebels Israel has repeatedly targeted Houthi positions during the Gaza conflict, as the Iran-backed rebels launch missiles and drones at Israel and Red Sea shipping routes in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians According to the minister, the LPG tanker s crew included 24 Pakistanis, two Sri Lankans and a Nepali, with the ship’s captain also being Pakistani He said an LPG tank had exploded after the strike sparking a fire that the crew managed to extinguish
The vessel was subsequently stopped by Houthi boats and the crew were held hostage aboard the ship ” Naqvi added “The tanker and its crew have now been released by the Houthis and are out of Yemeni waters
The Foreign Office on Saturday distanced itself from the nomination of Dr Shama Junejo as the official delegate of Pakistan after backlash over her presence in Pakistan’s United Nations General Assembly delegation
clarified that the individual in
Expressing gratitude for the coordinated effort that led to the safe release Naqvi said he was profoundly grateful to Secretary Interior Khurram Agha and other Ministry of Interior officers, Ambassador Naveed Bokhari and his team in Oman colleagues in Saudi Arabia and especially the officials of our security agencies who worked day and night under extraordinary conditions to secure the safe release of our citizens when hope was fading ” Earlier the FO said the tanker
had caught fire off Yemen’s coast on September 17 and upon learning of the incident Pakistan s embassies had immediately contacted Yemeni authorities to ensure the safety of the crew It added that diplomatic missions also kept in touch with the families of the crew providing regular updates Today the LPG tanker has departed port and is making its way out of Yemeni waters The entire crew, including Pakistani nationals on board is safe and sound ” the FO reiterated
Fo distances itself from S hama Junejo’s presence at unga
CABINET COMMITTEE APPROVES THIRD QUARTERLY REGUL
Mari Energies to complete 5MW data center
in
according to Arif Habib
think tanks and international partners including GIZ and the World Bank to identify priority areas for cooperation The SSC programme will focus on three thematic areas: energy planning, renewable energy integration and industrial energy efficiency Stakeholders expressed strong support for capacity-building initiatives and technical assistance in these sectors which will continue from Denmark s previous energy transition efforts (DETI) To ensure timely launch, the Danish Embassy has requested the Power Division to share the “SSC Project Document Consultation Note” with relevant agencies including ISMO NGC NEECA and NEPRA for feedback by September 26 2025 and provide input on the MoU approval process planned for November The SSC will be governed by a Steering Committee co-chaired by the Ministry of Energy and the Danish Ambassador, and supported by an Implementing Group comprising representatives from key Pakistani and Danish institutions
impact on production For instance in the Sutlej river belt near Arifwala paddy submerged for a week still produced about 50% of the average yield, though grain quality was affected Meanwhile, India is experiencing greater setbacks In Punjab, around 200,000 hectares or 28% of planted area has been impacted by floods particularly earlymaturing Basmati varieties A concurrent shortage of nitrogen-based fertiliser has further affected yields Indian Basmati planting has already declined by 24% compared to last year, prompting exporters to shift sourcing to regions such as Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh In Pakistan the Basmati crop is now at a critical pollination stage supported by favourable September weather with both Monsoon and Mediterranean Westerly rains helping stabilise production Despite initial panic-driven price surges among global importers, emerging assessments suggest the international market will remain stable REAP
Pakistan, Bangladesh to strengthen trade and investment ties
2 6
Punjab government distributes 811,000 flour bags in effor ts to stabilise market
missioners and food directorate officers from all districts were briefed about the ongoing efforts to maintain market stability Dr Khurshid reiterated that illegal hoarding and price manipulation will not be tolerated and emphasized the importance of maintaining the
Lahore Division alone reflecting a strong push to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities
The Secretary Price Control, Dr Kiran Khurshid confirmed that the arrival of imported sugar is expected to alleviate availability issues and improve price stability in the coming days During a high-level meeting chaired by Dr Khurshid, deputy com-
g achie vement highlights goveRnment ’s sustained RefoRms and modeRnisation effoRts In
Global Market Intelligence the CPPI assessed over 400 container ports worldwide The report attributed performance gains to reduced waiting times at anchor optimised berth operations, investment in digital tools, and stronger coordination among logistics partners
The study also emphasised the importance of maritime and hinterland connectivity noting that ports offering more frequent rail truck and waterway transport options are increasingly attractive to exporters and importers Cargo dwell time and the distinction between total arrival hours and berth hours were also key factors in measuring efficiency In a statement issued on Saturday, Minister Chaudhry credited the port’s progress to reforms and modernization measures introduced in recent years “We remain committed to strengthening the maritime sector and making it a vital contributor to national and regional trade he said The minister praised the role of private operators particularly DP World s Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT), for maintaining operations at international standards He further announced the approval of a long-awaited dredging project for the port channel, which will enable Port Qasim to handle larger vessels and expand its trade capacity
Chaudhry noted that improved performance is likely to attract foreign investment in Pakistan s maritime and logistics sectors while providing exporters and importers with more reliable and cost-efficient shipping options
harlal Nehru Port Prepared in collaboration with S&P
PM’s UNGA speech
Shehbaz Sharif dealt with all the familiar themes
PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif must have felt a little conflicted while addressing the United Nations General Assembly While he praised US President Donald Trump for averting a war in South Asia and mentioned that Pakistan had nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize he also spoke firmly in support of the people of Gaza against Israel, thus contradicting Mr Trump, who had spoken at the same forum only a couple of days earlier, and had done his best to justify Iarael for committing genocide However, while speaking about relations with India, he was clear in declaring that Pakistan wanted improved relations with India even while it refused to accept its bullying The particular problem that India posed was its refusal to grant the people of Kashmir their right of self-determination, and he noted the additional problem of the unilateral suspension, amounting to abrogation, of the Indus Basin Waters Treaty
It was appropriate for Mr Sharif to devote so much of his speech to Pakistan’s bilateral relationship with India because not only is it fraught with the possibility of conflict but because that conflict could be nuclear with the threat of unleashing nuclear winter over the whole world It can only be hoped that his word did not fall on deaf ears, because it is the silence of the world community over Indian bad behaviour and intransigence which has allowed it to go on trampling the rights of the Kashmiris as well as its minorities It is time Pakistan reconciles itself to the fact that if the government of India is a Hindu supremacist, caste-ist, expansionist, murderous and anti-Pakistan state, it will continue its bad behaviour unless the world restrains it
At the moment, Mr Sharif has the attention of the world community, as evidenced by the special treatment he has received from Mr Trump It is thus important that he press for genuine action instead of just going through the motions Pakistan has to face the double whammy of neighbors like India and Afghanistan, all the while in close proximity to a volatile neighborhood Mr Sharif had to deal with the reality that the volatility in the area is produced by the very country, Israel, which is backed by the power Mr Sharif is trying to mend fences with Mr Harif could not make a more depressing speech It is to be hoped that next year the Pakistani PM can make a more upbeat speech
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Pakistan’s socio-economic development Pakistan launched its first satellite Badr-1 on 16 July 1990 Since then the country s space programme has progressed steadily Pakistan subse-
China in 1996, 2001, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2024 and 2025 As of now, Pakistan has seven satellites in
unprecedented progress in recent years SUPARCO has made significant strides in space exploration and satellite technology through indigenous capacity building and with international collaboration
2047,” that aims to launch five geostationary satellites, six Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, send an
satellite launch capability
nt only accelerated Pakistan s technological progress but also elevated its profile in the international spacefaring community On 3 May 2024, Pakistan achieved a historic milestone by sending its first lunar orbiter, iCubeQamar (iCube-Q) into the Moon’s orbit The lunar orbiter designed by the Institute of Space Technology (IST) Islamabad has multiple objectives including capturing detailed images of the Moon s surface, processing visual data in orbit, and testing emerging technologies such as nanosatellite-level communication systems and low-cost platforms for deep space exploration The iCube-Q was launched from China’s Hainan Space Launch Site as part of t
R e g i o n a l I n f l a t i o n T r e n d
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o m o n i t o r a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t
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o f E O - 1 s i g n i f i e s t w o e s s e n t i a l f a c t o r s : f i r s t P a k i s t a n ’s a d v a n c em e n t i n t h e i n d i g e n i s a t i o n o f s p a c e t e c h n o l o g y and second continuing cooperation between Pakistan and China in the aerospace domain I n F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 5 , P a k i s t a n a n d C h i n a s i g n e d a n a g r e e m e n t u n d e r w h i c h C h i n a h a s c o m m i t t e d to selecting and training two Pakistani astronauts, w h o a r e e x p e c t e d t o j o i n a m i s s i o n t o t h e Ti a ng o n g S p a c e S t a t i o n i n O c t o b e r 2 0 2 6 a f t e r a t r a i ni n g p e r i o d o f o n e y e a r i n C h i n a A c c o r d i n g t o C h i n a M a n n e d S p a c e A g e n
p a t e i n t h e j o i n t s p a c e m i s s i o n a s p a yl o a d s p e c i a l i s t a n d w i l l b e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r c o nd u c t i n g e x p e r i m e n t s T h e s u c c e s s i v e a c h i e v e m e n t s o f P a k i s t
cent throughout the year India s central bank's inflation-targeting regime appeared to have anchored expectations quite effectively However , mild fluctuations were largely driven by the seasonal food prices and global oil price movements India's inflation stability has as such stood out in the region and supported its continued economic resilience Bangladesh continued to face persistent inflation with rates staying in the 9 0 percent to 11 7 percent range Structural pressures including currency depreciation , elevated import costs, and energy price adjustments, contributed to its sticky inflation Despite policy efforts inflation continued to be a concern for vulnerable groups particularly in the urban and lower-income households Sri Lanka exhibited a rather rare inflation-
ary trend, especially from September 2024 to April 2025, with inflation dipping to -2 0 percent in April 2025 This reflected the deep impact of ongoing fiscal consolidation and demand suppression following the country's recent economic crisis On the other hand Iran continued to grapple with its elevated inflation, with rates consistently remaining above 30 percent, peaking at 37 1 percent in March 2025 Sanctions, currency depreciation, and structural bottlenecks in supply chains contributed to these persistently high levels Inflation as such continues to remain a serious challenge for the Iranian economy undermining the country s purchasing power and creating uncertainty for long-term investment Annual inflation in March 2024 in Pakistan was 20 7 percent India 4 9 percent Bangladesh 9 8 percent SRi Lanka 0 9 percent and Iran 32 3 percent In December 2024 inflation in Pakistan was 4 1 percent, India 5 2 percent, Bangladesh 10 9 percent, Sri Lanka -1 7 percent and Iran 31 4 percent In April 2025, inflation in Pakistan 0 3 percent , India 3 2 percent, Bangladesh 9 2 percent Sri Lanks -2 0 percent and data for Iran was not available
According to the information gathered from the official sources FY2025 had witnessed a significant decrease in inflation in Pakistan which duly reflected the tireless efforts of the incumbent federal government to tackle this somewhat complex issue which had created sort of uncertainties and affected the households and businesses alike across the country By implementing the administrative relief
and policy measures, the federal government had quite successfully stabilized prices and also ensured food and energy affordability for the masses at large As such the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation had decreased to 4 7 percent during July-April FY2025 quite appreciably from 26 0 percent in the same period the previous year The drop in inflation from 23 4 percent in FY2024 and 29 2 percent in FY2023 was a testimony to the federal government's effective strategy These efforts had duly demonstrated the firm commitment of the federal government for improving the citizens lives and also fostering a stable macroeconomic environment in the country
The official sources claimed that this remarkable decline was the direct result of the incumbent government's balanced policy framework which was effectively combined with fiscal discipline targeted interventions by the State Bank of Pakistan and exchange rate stability Despite various external factors which continued to contribute to inflation, the federal government 's concerted efforts had mitigated these pressures, thereby bringing much-needed relief to the people at large throughout the country The official sources concludingly also emphatically pointed out that this sharp decline in inflation in Pakistan could also be attributed to several factors, including improved food availability, decreased energy prices, and excess production capacity The easing of inflation was also reported to be influenced by the decline in commodity prices globally primarily driven by improved energy supplies and food
Furthermore URAAN Pakistan (National Economic Transformation Plan) initiative had also supported price stability by reducing production costs through energy sector reforms and promoting export-led growth which duly helped in strengthening the currency and lowering import-driven inflation These measures combined with fiscal discipline and structural reforms had also helped in stabilizing the prices and building the investors confidence
The
Stripped
their pain normalised, and their freedom stolen
In many cases, they are isolated from their own families, left to survive in environments that see them as compensation rather than human beings For these girls marriage becomes a lifelong sentence not a union Stronger law enforcement education and community awareness are vital steps to eradicate this
Zeeshan hydeR
Israel and the US Moving to Erase Palestine
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’s sovereignty and
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process Qatar has protested strongly but is effectively powerless Its heavy reliance on US military bases for security leaves it unable to confront Israel directly, especially when those same bases are providing intelligence and logistical support used in regional operations Meanwhile the situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels More than 2 2 million residents of Gaza are trapped with borders closed and no safe passage available Food, water, fuel, and medical supplies are running out, subjecting the entire population to famine and disease on a scale the region has not seen in decades Israel has ordered mass evacuations of northern Gaza telling over two million people to leave their homes without providing anywhere for them to go, meaning that all of them will be slaughtered mercilessly and ethnically cleansed
The West Bank beside heavy bombing is facing an additional threat Israeli settlement expansion has accelerated at unprecedented speed with thousands of new housing units being constructed with electric speed, in areas meant for a future Palestinian state Roads, checkpoints, and security fences are dividing Palestinian
communities into isolated pockets making the possibility of a viable Palestinian state increasingly impossible Palestinian residents face rising violence from heavily armed settlers, while the Israeli army often protects the settlers rather than the victims This an obvious annexation land taken piece by piece until there is nothing left to negotiate
The USA s role in this crisis is central Washington has supplied Israel with over $22 billion in additional military aid since the war began, including precision-guided bombs, artillery shells, and air defence systems It has also repeatedly blocked international efforts to halt the conflict At the UN Security Council the USA has vetoed multiple resolutions calling for a permanent ceasefire, even when the proposals had overwhelming global support Without US protection, Israel would face international sanctions and accountability measures but with Washington’s backing it continues its operations with total impunity
In Europe, there is growing frustration Some countries, including France, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, and Australia, have announced their intention to formally recognize Palestine as a state during the upcoming UN General Assembly These announcements are intended as a diplomatic signal to Israel but their impact on the ground will be limited Even if the General Assembly votes overwhelmingly to recognize Palestine, any meaningful enforcement will require action by the Security Council where the USA has already made clear it will use its veto to protect Israel As a result many observers believe these recognitions, while symbolic, will not prevent the ongoing military and territorial takeover Netanyahu has made his intentions increasingly clear in recent speeches He has stated that Israel will target any threat anywhere and has warned neighbouring countries that any group or leader perceived as hostile will face the same fate as Hamas leaders in Gaza or Qatar His government has publicly rejected any proposals for a Palestinian state and continues to authorize policies that effectively dismantle the possibility of Palestinian self-determination Recent statements by Israeli officials also confirm that permanent security control over both Gaza and the West Bank is part of their long-term strategy
t e rn a t i o n a l r e s p o n s e r e m a i n s f r a g m e n t e d C h i n a a n d R u s s i a h a v e c r i t i c i z e d I s r a e l s a c t i o n s b u t h a v e t a k e n n o c o n c r e t e s t e p s t o i n t e r v e n e T h e E u r o p e a n U n i o n r em a i n s d i v i d e d , w i t h s o m e c o u n t r i e s p u s h i n g f o r s t r o n g e r s a n c t i o n s w h i l e o t he r s c o n t i n u e t r a d e a n d d e f e n s e c o o p e r at i o n w i t h I s r a e l I n t h e M u s l i m w o r l d s t a t e m e n t s o f c o n d e m n a t i o n a r e w i d es p r e a d , b u t n o c o o r d i n a t e d m i l i t a r y o r e c o n o m i c r e s p o n s e h a s b e e n m o u n t e d Q a t a r, S a u d i
ON August 31 TikTok temporarily suspended its live feature across Indonesia, citing safety concerns as nationwide protests escalated after Affan Kurniawan a 21-yearold ride-hailing driver was killed by a police vehicle during demonstrations in Jakarta For 107 million Indonesians the live stream vanished overnight and remained inaccessible for four days
TikTok described the suspension of its live feature as “voluntary” Meanwhile, Indonesia’s communication and digital affairs ministry denied ordering the move and framed it as the result of precaution on the company s part Yet in a country with a history of restrictions, such assurances are hard to take at face value
The timing of the suspension amid protests highlights how global platforms are intertwined with state power and digital infrastructure can be treated as a switch flipped in moments of political crisis
This episode did not occur in a vacuum Indonesia has long favoured an interventionist approach to digital governance, asserting its sovereignty, disciplining foreign platforms and promoting domestic players
Ministry Regulation No 5 (MR5) introduced in 2020 requires platforms to remove flagged content within hours or risk sanctions from fines to deregistration
The state has also used blunt instruments: in May 2019, authorities restricted access to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp during post-election riots in Jakarta and later that year imposed a full internet shutdown across Papua and West Papua provinces during violent protests there In 2023 Jakarta banned TikTok s ecommerce arm, forcing it to merge with Tokopedia, a domestic e-commerce platform Together, these moves signalled that foreign platforms could only operate on government terms
Platforms for their part have learned to anticipate regulators expectations acting pre-emptively to avoid harsher measures Parent company Meta signed up Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to MR5 regulations just one day before the government’s deadline in order to avoid being blocked
TikTok facing restrictions on its ecommerce arm secured a majority-stake merger arrangement with Tokopedia, less a victory than a concession to Jakarta s demands Such acts of anticipatory compliance show how power operates through pressure and expectation rather than explicit orders a dynamic that rarely receives judicial or public scrutiny The four-day blackout of TikTok s live feature had immediate consequences Live streams had served as real-time infrastructure for journalists, civil society organisations and citizens to document events Once that capacity disappeared people relied on asynchronous content from platforms like X and even TikTok but since information was now delayed, it created space for misinformation that was difficult to counter once widely shared
The disruption also hit the economy: thousands of small businesses and creators relied on live features to reach customers Even the temporary suspension cut off income streams overnight, exposing how dependence on a few platforms creates synchronised shocks Indonesia is not alone in restricting social media Across Southeast Asia governments have increasingly intervened in platform operations though in different ways and with varying intensity Vietnam enforces one of the region s most sweeping localisation regimes, while Thailand regularly orders takedowns under its lèse-majesté laws Cambodia has blocked news sites and Facebook during elections and Singapore often portrayed as more calibrated in digital governance as it seeks to be a smart nation has nonetheless required platforms to restrict foreign-origin content during elections Against this backdrop, Indonesia’s approach may not be the most stringent but it reflects a broader regional pattern of governments asserting control over digital spaces
The unfortunate trend across Southeast Asia is that each time platforms bow to political pressure, they become more restrictive in anticipation of future crises In turn, each time authorities notice such compliance they are encouraged to lean more heavily on platforms when it serves their interests Over time this feedback loop produces systemic fragility: a connected ecosystem where interventions in one area cascade rapidly into others
There are ways to avoid this trap In the immediate term governments should refrain from treating live-stream bans as default responses to unrest International standards such as the UN Human Rights Council s 2016 resolution, stress that restrictions on expression must be lawful, necessary and proportionate, a criterion that blanket sus-
Marketing on TikTok and reels
pensions rarely meet Authorities could instead require platforms to maintain crisisspecific channels for verified reporting and emergency communication Responsibility however should not rest solely with regulators Platforms also have a duty to safeguard civic communication in moments of crisis and, over the longer term, must build trust by increasing accountability in their reporting practices Transparency reports should be more granular, going beyond broad categorisations of government takedown requests so that there is greater public awareness of requests that are politically inspired and how platforms respond to them At the regional level, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations could play a convening role While its non-interference norm limits binding action frameworks like the Asean Digital Masterplan 2025 show how members can coordinate voluntary digital standards The blackout of TikTok Live in Indonesia was more than a matter of platform policy It illuminated the contradictions of
U N S A N C T I O N S O N I R A N LO O M
F T E R V O T E T O D E L AY FA I LS
importance
The draft resolution, tabled by China and Russia, received four votes in favor, nine votes against and two abstentions failing to secure the nine positive votes required for adoption The text sought to extend the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for six months until next April, as
Fairness, justice most impor
nance Initiative (GGI), sharing China s wisdom and solutions for navigating global transformations and overcoming pressing challenges, Li said In particular, the GGI, proposed at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit earlier this month underscores the principles of adhering to sovereign equality abiding by international law practicing multilateralism advocating a people-centered approach and focusing on taking real actions, Li said He noted that the initiative provides an important pathway for building a more just and equitable global governance system
mechanism Iran recalled its ambassadors to Germany France and the United Kingdom on Saturday for consultation
member of the United Nations, has always taken an active part in global affairs and worked for the betterment of humanity
Over the years Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity as well as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Gover-
He pledged China’s readiness to work with all parties to take coordinated and effective actions to solve more practical problems and promote world peace and development The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, Li said, noting that unilateralism and Cold War mentality are resurfacing, severely undermining international rules and order and disrupting the international system Humanity once again faces a crossroads Li said Anyone who cares about the state of affairs in the world would want to ask: Why couldn t we humans having emerged from tribulations adopt a greater sense
of conscience and rationality, and treat each other with kindness, coexisting in peace? Li said
“How could we, in the face of deplorable incidents such as humanitarian disasters, turn a blind eye to atrocities that blatantly trample on fairness and justice and sit on our hands? How could we when confronted with unscrupulous acts of hegemonism and bullying remain silent and submissive for fear of might? Li asked
And how could we let the ardent passion and dedication of our forefathers in founding the UN simply fade into the pages of history?” Li added
Quoting a Chinese saying “Never forget why you started and you can accomplish your mission ” Li said the pursuit of peace progress and development is the very essence of commemorating past victories and the shared mission uniting the world s people in common cause
While we may not be able to go back in time and relive the victory, we can definitely create a better future together,” Li said At a time when the world faces intertwined changes and turmoil the Chinese premier called on all sides to build peace and ensure common security In the face of a sluggish global recovery he called for revitalizing cooperation and seeking win-win outcomes
CDA accelerates anti stray dogs measures
ISLAMABAD
IGP
chairs
The Municipal Corporation Islamabad (MCI) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) have accelerated measures to address and prevent the increasing number of complaints regarding stray dogs in the capital city Islamabad Joint teams from CDA and MCI are actively participating in these operations In this regard, the process of registering and resolving public complaints has further been expedited Helpline number 1334 is fully operational for citizens to register their complaints and requests The MCI administration has stated that this helpline is fully functioning 24/7 to address and resolve stray dog complaints from both urban and rural areas of Islamabad Improved arrangements have been made for stray dogs through the Stray Dog Centre located in Tarmri, Islamabad It is important to note that the Trap Neuter Vaccinate and Release (TNVR) method is being used to capture stray dogs neuter administer protective vaccinations and relocate them to safe areas According to CDA records, from July to September 2025, action has been taken on hundreds of stray dog reported from various markets, residential sectors and rural areas of the Capital Details indicate that these areas include sectors such as G-14 D-12 F-6 F-7 I-9 I-10 G-10 F-11 among others Similarly timely resolution of complaints received from areas including Saidpur, Margalla Town, Bara Kahu, the Red Zone and others has been ensured According to the CDA administration, a total of over 550 stray dogs have been relocated to the Stray Dog Centre from the capital city Islamabad
World Pharmacists Day, 2025 marked with great enthusiasm at RIPS
ISLAMABAD
every level, female enrollment is the highest and faculty include Emmy Oscar and Pride of Performance awardees Speaking to Siddiqui’s vision Dean Lauder stressed that the scholarship is more than symbolic
World Pharmacists Day 2025 was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (RIPS) Gulberg Greens Campus Islamabad The celebration commenced with a vibrant Pharmacist Walk under the slogan Think Health, Think Pharmacist”, reflecting the vital role of pharmacists in healthcare The formal program began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an Naat and the National Anthem followed by a warm welcome note Inspiring speeches were delivered by the Campus Director Dr Sarwat Jamila and the Director RIPS, Dr Umair Ilyas, who highlighted the significance of pharmacy education, research, and ethical values Eminent guest speakers, Prof Dr Nadia Shamshad (Professor & HOD Pharmaceutics CUST Islamabad) and Dr Reem Altaf (Assistant Professor & HOD Pharmaceutical Chemistry CUST Islamabad) shared valuable insights on the role of pharmacists, research, and innovation Dr Shifa Khan Bangash (Vice President, PPA) and Dr Alishba Khan (Secretary, PPC) further addressed the importance of professional advocacy and quality education in the pharmacy profession The celebration also featured student poster presentations showcasing their innovative ideas and research contributions
SSGC detects illegal use of gas for power generation during raids in Larkana region
ISLAMABAD staff report
Sui Southern Gas Company has been pulling out all stops to bring down incidences of gas theft in its franchise provinces of Sindh and Balochistan In an intensive anti-gas theft crackdown drive in Larkana region CGTO Larkana along with Theft Section and Distribution Larkana conducted raids at different location of Larkana region and found the consumers/ Customers were using the gas for power generation Recently, team Larkana along with distribution team Shikarpur and local police conducted a joint raid at Plaza Cinema Shikarpur where culprit Rasheed Ahmed Buriro was caught red handed for using gas from domestic meter for power generation through 15 KW generator and supplying electricity to shops and houses as well as for his hotel The meter was disconnected and service line was killed on the spot In another raid, culprit Abdul Hafeez Memon was using gas from three domestic meters for commercial purpose power generation by operating 15KW & 20 KW generator for supplying power to shops and houses Additionally, the culprit was also storing gas in four plastic balloons each sized 15 ×5 which were used to supply gas to generators during gas profiling period It should be noted that this is a highly dangerous practices and SSGC urges its customers to refrain from using it In another raid CGTO Team Larkana
Workshop on NPWMP and Roll-Out of IT-Based Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism held
ISLAMABAD staff report
Pakistan Advances Plastic Pollution Mitigation with Launch of National Plan and IT-Based Monitoring SystemA pivotal workshop on the National Plastic Waste Management Plan (NPWMP) and the roll-out of Pakistan’s IT-based monitoring and reporting mechanism was held today at the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PakEPA) Islamabad The NPWMP has been developed under the World Bank-funded Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project The event was organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) in collaboration with Project Procurement International and Techlogix JV The event convened key stakeholders from across the plastic value chain Participants included representatives of EPAs, waste management companies, bulk users of single-use plastics, and academic institutions Dr Mohsina Zubair, Director (NEQS/Lab) Pak-EPA opened the session by emphasising the urgent need for sustainable plastic production and consumption guided by circular economy principles
CPEC 2.0 FORMALLY L AUNCHED AT 14TH JCC MEETING
designs together Underscoring the
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remarked that the friendship between
and China “has never seen an autumn; it has always blossomed like spring ” He stressed that Pakistan s close ties with China are not at the expense of other partners CPEC s first decade transformed Pakistan s infrastructure, the minister said The next phase will transform lives bringing jobs, innovation, and hope for a more advanced, inclusive economy ” the minister concluded
cancer hospital in Lahore would be completed within ten months She noted that the first Institute of Cardiology for Sargodha Division was nearing completion while 2 500 health centers had been upgraded into fully functional hospitals Field hospitals and mobile clinics were also providing care across the province She recalled that Punjab had recently conducted Pakistan s largest-ever rescue and relief operation, rescuing 2 5 million people and ensuring their shelter and food In the development sector the Chief Minister said that 20 000 kilometers of roads had been constructed or repaired under the Punjab Development Programme and Lahore Development Plan She announced the introduction of anti-smog guns to combat environmental hazards and the establishment of wildlife rangers for the first time in Punjab Urban beautification projects and the restoration of tourism sites were also underway Turning to transport reforms she said that 1 100 electric buses would soon be operational offering citizens eco-friendly travel facilities at just Rs20 per ride Electric buses are not only a mode of transport but also a symbol of innovation and a revolution in Punjab’s urban mobility,” she remarked CM Maryam Nawaz further stated that the Safe City Project launched earlier in Lahore by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had now been expanded to 25 districts She also pointed to the establishment of the
China will provide 85% financing for the realignment of the Karakoram Highway and has endorsed Islamabad s plan to seek multilateral funding for the Main Line-1 (ML1) railway project after Beijing declined to extend concessional loans, The Express Tribune reported The decisions were made during the 14th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting in Beijing co-chaired by Pakistan s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Zhou Haibing, Vice Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Pakistan will begin phased bidding for the 241-kilometer Thakot-Raikot section of the Karakoram Highway which requires realignment after submersion caused by major dams The project is estimated to cost $2 billion (Rs576 billion) In the first phase an 82-kilometer stretch impacted by the Diamer-Basha Dam will be addressed
While China has agreed to finance the highway as a special case to maintain the strategic road link under extreme weather con-
ditions the $7 billion ML-1 project will now be funded through multilateral banks, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
Field surveys for ML-1 are already underway with phased construction planned to ensure safety and continuity
Both sides emphasized coordination on climate resilience and infrastructure projects, including the establishment of a circular account for electricity bill payments under CPEC energy agreements and the development of a 300 MW solar project in Gilgit-Baltistan to end prolonged blackouts China also encouraged Pakistan to review its debt profile and explore financing solutions that avoid further accumulation of public debt Beijing recommended strengthening communication to align progress on the N35 realignment and DiamerBasha Dam operations, including restrictions on water storage until realignment completion to prevent road disruptions Export promotion and industrial collaboration were also discussed Pakistan proposed two
government-to-government special economic zones (SEZs) in Karachi and Islamabad as export-oriented hubs, prioritizing industrial relocation from China in textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, engineering and electric vehicles
A Pakistan-China Industrial Relocation Fund was suggested to mitigate investment risks and accelerate foreign direct investment
Additionally, both sides agreed to maintain electricity price stability for CPEC energy projects resolve disputes amicably and shift the CPEC framework toward business-to-business partnerships
The second phase of CPEC will align China s Five Corridors with Pakistan’s URAAN framework focusing on Exports EPakistan & Innovation Energy & Infrastructure Environment & Climate Change and Equity Ethics & Empowerment
The JCC highlighted that timely implementation of both the Karakoram Highway and ML-1 projects will deliver significant economic and strategic benefits strengthening connectivity between Pakistan and China while supporting regional development
Pakistani diplomat on Friday hit back after an Indian delegate accused Pakistan of being a sponsor and promoter of terrorist acts, asserting that India practices statesponsored terrorism as policy at home and abroad India s hypocrisy is well exposed; it cannot hide anymore its aiding, abetting, and financing of terrorism in Pakistan, its covert terrorist networks across the region and its reign of terror in occupied Kashmir Saima Saleem a counselor at the Pakistan Mission to the United Nations, said while exercising her right of reply in the UN General Assembly Ms Saleem was reacting to the statement made by India’s delegate Ms Petal Gahlot in response to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif s sharp speech earlier in the day in which he made a pointed reference to the brief military conflict with India in May when Pakistan s valiant armed forces repelled an “unprovoked aggression” with “stunning professionalism”, shooting down seven Indian aircraft In her response the Indian delegate accused Pakistan of glorifying terrorism and shielding terrorist outfits like the Resistance Front (TRF), which India claimed carried out the Pahalgam attack, although the group denied any involvement
Rebutting the Indian allegations about terrorism, Ms Saleem said, “Through its proxies like TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan), BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) and (its) Majeed Brigade Indian-sponsored terrorism has not just claimed lives of thousands of innocent civilians in Pakistan, it has turned places of worship, learning, and livelihood into sites of carnage ”
Pakistan blames India for prac ticing state sponsored terrorism as polic y at home, abroad Petroleum Division to raise GST exemption issue with IMF to unlock
