best represents Pakistan’s abiding commitment to regional cooperation and integration He said CPEC the flagship project of BRI can serve as a practical demonstration of SCO s vision for regional connectivity and economic integration
the steadfast resolve to uphold the noble values of the Shanghai spirit He reiterated Pakistan s unwavering commitment to the SCO charter For its part, PM said Pakistan seeks normal and stable relations with all its neighbours He said Pakistan will continue its efforts along with all SCO members to promote peace progress and prosperity in the entire region He also called for a comprehensive and structured dialogue to discuss all outstanding disputes to ensure lasting peace in South Asia He noted the SCO is a platform that
The Prime Minister said Pakistan supports and respects sovereignty and integrity of all SCO members and its neighbours He said we also respect all international and bilateral treaties and expect similar principle to be followed by all SCO members He emphasized that uninterrupted access to due share of water as per existing treaties among the SCO members will strengthen the SCO working smoothly and will support the achievement of broader goals for which SCO was established
Alluding to the unparalled sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the war against terrorism, Shehbaz Sharif said we condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including the state terrorism He said Pakistan has irrefutable evidence of the involvement of some foreign
Tourist arrivals in Gilgit-Baltistan hit hard, fall 90% amid climate disasters
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders on Monday strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir s (IIOJK) Pahalgam area, on the Jaffar Express, and in Khuzdar, pledging deeper multilateral cooperation and concrete
hands in the devastating Jaffar express train hostage incident as well as countless other terror attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
He said Pakistan has always believed that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is not only in our own interest but that of the entire region He expressed the confidence that our trilateral meetings involving Pakistan China and Afghanistan will have positive results in the times to come The Prime Minister highlighted the devastation caused by recent rains and floods in Pakistan and appreciated the international community including China s support and solidarity He also mentioned the country s economic recovery achieved over the last eighteen months Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s
The government has approved a framework for $280 million in Azerbaijani investment opening the door for SOCAR to join Pakistan s Machike-Thallian-Tarrujabba White Oil Pipeline (MTT-WOP)
According to industry sources, the government has paved the way for a long-awaited $280 million investment from Azerbaijan clearing the path for the state-owned energy company SOCAR to take a stake in the Machike-ThallianTarrujabba White Oil Pipeline (MTT-WOP) The move follows months of negotiations and a conditional tariff approval by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet Sources said the ECC endorsed the Petroleum Division’s proposals on tariff and regulatory arrangements while clarifying that dollar-linked returns will only apply if foreign investment materializes Under the deal SOCAR is expected to invest around $280 million in the White Oil Pipeline, which is designed to transport petroleum products from central Punjab to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
although heavy rainfall continues to push water levels higher in various tributaries At Nullah Leh in Rawalpindi flood levels reached 19 feet at Katarian Bridge following fresh downpours Authorities briefed the chief minister at Head Trimmu, mentioning that controlled breaches have been carried out in some areas including Rewas Bridge to lessen the pressure on flood-hit districts including Jhang Rising water level It is expected that water from the Chenab will reach Multan on Tuesday, combining with inflows from the Ravi At Sadhnai, a major flood surge could require a breach near Safora overnight potentially affecting 14 villages and 17 000 acres of land Similarly Head Muhammadwala could see flows of up to 650 000 cusecs with officials warning that as many as 16 villages may be impacted if breaching becomes necessary By late tonight, the Chenab River is expected to witness its largest historic flood of 900 000 cusecs Additionally floodwaters from the Ravi River are expected to merge into the Chenab tonight
call for an immediate end to Israeli gruesome violence and heart wrenching bloodshed in Gaza He said Pakistan has consistently supported the UN mandated two state solution which is the creation of an independent state of Palestine with pre-1967 borders and Al Quds al Sharif as its capital PM reiterates Pakistan s commitment to regional peace
During a meeting with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, on the sidelines of the Council of Heads of Member States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Tianjin China Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the importance of further strengthening political and economic ties between Pakistan and Iran
The project has been on the agenda of both governments since Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited Pakistan in July 2024 SOCAR s interest was confirmed during subsequent bilateral talks, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ’s visit to Baku in February 2025 However Baku set firm conditions including a ship-or-pay guarantee requiring oil marketing companies (OMCs) in Pakistan to commit minimum annual volumes to the pipeline Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and Pakistan State Oil (PSO), operating through their joint venture Frontier Oil Company-I (FOC-I), submitted a revised tariff petition to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) The regulator provisionally approved the Machike-Thallian section while the Thallian-Tarrujabba segment is still under review The ECC s approval now gives the regulator the mandate to finalize a commercial framework and enforce OMC commitments
Key elements of the approved framework include a dollar-based tariff structure, which will only apply if foreign investment is secured, and a provision requiring
OMCs to use the pipeline as the default transport mode for petroleum products Any shortfall in committed volumes will be covered through the Inland Freight Equalisation Margin (IFEM), a mechanism that spreads costs across all OMCs nationwide While the Finance Division had earlier recommended changes such as extending the project s payback period from four to seven years and lowering the weighted average cost of capital to prevent high early tariffs the Petroleum Division resisted these amendments warning they could discourage foreign investors The ECC ultimately sided with the Petroleum Division’s approach, reflecting the strategic priority attached to attracting foreign capital
During cabinet-level discussions ministers emphasized the need to expand Pakistan s pipeline infrastructure At present, nearly 70% of petrol
Severe flooding is reported at Trimmu Balloki, Sulemanki, and Ganda Singh Wala, while medium-level flooding affects Khanki, Qadirabad, and Shahdara
Water levels in the Chenab River have begun rising at Head Muhammad Wala with the flow now surpassing 200 000 cusecs Over the next 24 hours a flood surge of 480,000 cusecs is expected to hit Head Muhammad At Head Trimmu, water discharge has reached up to 550,000 cusecs In Rajanpur the protective embankment of Samti village broke due to the flood surge and water has rapidly inundated nearby villages and fish farms The floodwaters coming from Jhang have begun engulfing all settlements in the Jawana Bangla area of Muzaffargarh Currently, a flood flow of 400 000 cusecs is passing between Jhang and Muzaffargarh in the Chenab River The Sutlej River continues to wreak havoc in Bahawalpur with riverbank erosion intensifying Floodwaters have begun to engulf nearby areas, including Mari Qasim Shah, leaving residents stranded A major flood is expected to pass through the city in the next two days The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a warning on Monday
morning regarding upcoming rainfall According to PMD, widespread heavy to veryheavy rainfall, along with torrential downpours at scattered places, is expected over the upper catchments of Rivers Sutlej Beas Ravi and Chenab as well as in Lahore and Gujranwala divisions during September 1 and
TIANJIN
FLOODS, RAINS PUSH VEGETABLE AND FRUIT PRICES HIGHER IN L AHORE
Searle secures
DRAP’s approval for Denosumab biosimilar injections
Company prepares commercial rollout of 60mg and 120mg doses for osteoporosis and oncology
Utilit y stores across Pakistan closed, compensation package approved for employees
the corporation continued to face heavy losses
“The prime minister has made it clear that employees must not suffer due to the closure ” he said A special committee led by the finance minister has been tasked with supervising the process, with support from the Ministries of Finance and Industries and Production to finalise severance benefits Highlighting the scale of the package,
Dr Tariq said it was the first instance in Pakistan where contractual and dailywage employees would receive compensation alongside permanent staff, ensuring equitable treatment for all USC workers Turning to broader issues he said key economic indicators were showing improvement while expressing grief over recent floods particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where around 800 lives were lost He praised the Pakistan Army, NDMA, provincial authorities, and civil society for their rescue and relief efforts and acknowledged Prime Minister
FLOODS KNOCK OUT 437 FEEDERS, PARTIAL POWER RESTORED
FBR empowered to impose Rs 500,000 penalt y for non- compliance with digital invoicing
to consider extending the integration deadline, particularly in light of severe flooding affecting businesses nationwide At the same time they recommended that registered taxpayers complete integration and begin issuing electronic invoices promptly to help curb unregistered or flying invoices
goal to gradually eliminate riba from the financial sector Under the directive, Shariah-compliant institutional investors regulated by SECP are required to route their securities trading transactions through Shariah-compliant securities brokers in a phased approach The mandate covers takaful operators, window takaful operators, and other licensed entities including non-banking finance companies,
collective investment schemes voluntary pension schemes modarabas modaraba management companies private funds and securities brokers In the first phase, entities must prepare an internal policy by December 31, 2025, and begin quarterly reporting of progress and implementation challenges from March 31 2026 By June 30 2026 each entity must include at least one Shariah-compliant securities broker in its approved panel The second phase, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, requires at least 20 percent of securities trading to be routed through Shariah-compliant brokers SECP will review both entitylevel and sector-wide progress to determine subsequent actions Entities have also been encouraged
to adopt takaful for insurance coverage and use Shariah-compliant asset
services via conversion subsidiaries or window operations The Central Depository Company (CDC) has been tasked with increasing visibility for Shariah-compliant intermediaries through dedicated categories on Asaan Connect Emlaak Financials and digital applications of Islamic banks in coordination with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)
porous borders weak governance economic desperation and the manipulation of sectarian and nationalist grievances cannot be ignored Any strategy that focuses solely on military gains without addressing these deeper issues risks becoming another cycle of temporary victories followed by renewed violence
Equally important is transparency The fight against terrorism has historically been obscured by secrecy leading to mistrust between the state
MuhaMMad Murtaza Noor
D U C AT I O N is the foundation on which nations rise societies evolve and economies grow The strength of a country lies not only in its natural resources or infrastructure but in the competence of its educational leadership History and contemporary realities both confirm that when education systems are weakened, nations inevitably decline As the saying goes, “If you want to destroy any nation without war, make the education system of that nation poor If a nation fails to provide a good education it is doomed Merit-based appointments are of critical importance in education as the sector forms the backbone of human development In a country like Pakistan, where 64% of the population is below the age of 30, our single biggest resource for development is the youth It is therefore essential for the younger generation to embrace and promote a culture of merit as this will ensure fairness opportunity hope in the system and sustainable national progress
Unfortunately, in many countries, including Pakistan, questions have been raised for not following merit in certain appointments While specific criteria exist for selecting Vice Chancellors faculty members and other staff one glaring weakness persists: the formation and functioning of search committees These committees play a decisive role in appointing leaders such as Chairpersons of Higher Education Commissions (HECs) and Vice Chancellors Yet, in many instances, no clear criteria or accountability standards are applied in selecting the members of these committees themselves As a result decisions taken by such bodies often lack transparency objectivity and ultimately credibility Search committees act as gatekeepers for the future of higher education Their recommendations determine who will lead universities and commissions that shape the academic destiny of thousands of students When these committees are constituted without clear standards of competence integrity and neutrality the risk of favoritism and politicization increases The irony is evident: while aspiring candidates for key academic positions must meet specific eligibility benchmarks, those judging them often face no such requirements This imbalance undermines the entire appointment process The Supreme Court of Pakistan has repeatedly emphasized the importance of merit and transparency in appointments especially within the education sector Several judgments have laid down
guidelines to ensure that leadership positions in universities and commissions are filled fairly and with due regard to the principles of justice However, the implementation of these directives has often been inconsistent A central question arises here: if leaders of higher education institutions are not appointed through merit-based transparent mechanisms how can they be expected to become role models for their faculty, staff, and students? How can they uphold merit in their tenure when their own selection process was flawed? In the realm of higher education leadership extends far beyond administrative duties A Vice Chancellor or HEC Chairperson is not just a manager but also a visionary responsible for steering an institution toward excellence Leadership qualities, interpersonal skills, and the ability to inspire trust are therefore indispensable Most importantly, the integrity and reputation of the candidate should be key considerations A leader with integrity ensures fairness in governance builds confidence among stakeholders and upholds the principles of accountability Conversely controversial appointments have in the past tarnished the reputation of universities and regulatory bodies, leading to policy deadlocks, loss of trust, and declining standards As one apt quotation warns, “The surest way to destroy a nation is to entrust education to incompetent hands ” The financial challenges facing the higher education sector further underscore the need for capable and visionary leadership With budgetary constraints limiting the
gically with a broader geopolitical landscape
All these circumstances placed Central Asian States to a crucial decisive point and demands a very careful tread As the new events, narratives and positions are being unfold in the world, it’s a need of time for Central Asia to understand the long-term strategic goal behind this war; the expansionism based on religious nationalism While Iran s nuclear program was the stated reason for the attacks by Israel and later the United States, the true motive lay in the identity of those who controlled the nuclear program The relations of Israel with Central Asian states are also very tactical After Iran Central Asia would become the next focus To avoid the victimization of expansionism that is followed by religious nationalism For Central Asia to enjoy lasting prosperity and meaningful cooperation, it must pursue an independent foreign policy which should be rooted in full control over its territory and national identity In the aftermath of the historic and unprecedented strikes of United States in the Middle East actions that extended well beyond its alliance with Israel, there is a pressing need to strengthen regional cooperation frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Collective Security Treaty Organization As a region marked by underdevelopment poverty and political fragmentation Central Asia remains vulnerable to the spillover of radicalized ideologies, which must be tackled through timely by preemptive measures Central Asia may seem as silent region but it sits strate-
The unscathed ceasefire is equally important to central Asia as it for warring states Only those states would thrive the upcoming big unfolding events of the world who are able to far see the dynamics and take the right measures at very right time Although its yet to be seen which way things turn out for Central Asia
The evolving security and economic contours of Central Asia are no longer defined by mere proximity of global powers, but by the region’s capacity to reimagine itself beyond its post-Soviet inertia While external actors continue to pursue influence that remains striking is how regional states must now question whether alignment is a strategy or a substitution for one The crisis in the Middle East serves not only as a cautionary tale of failed external patronage but as a mirror reflecting what happens when local agency is compromised
The task before Central Asia is not to choose sides in a shifting global chessboard but to stop being pieces on it Real power lies in building cooperative security architectures that are not reactive to others rivalries but proactive in protecting regional interests; ideologically economically, and strategically The regions relevance will not be measured by its utility to others but by its ability to act collectively resist instrumentalization and offer an indigenous alternative to dependency masquerading as diplomacy
The writer is a freelance columnist
Sowaiba MahMood
Justice non licet
pair being made to
F“O
for the fantasies of those who commanded it Travel a little further back and see how Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s Federal Security Force (FSF) was not much different In fact the recipe was almost exactly the same: create a parallel force so as to allow the bypassing of necessary bureaucratic judicial and/or constitutional hurdles in order to achieve a quick fix to any given problem In the span of just five years, we saw that the FSF devolved into a personal hit squad and ultimately met its end at the hands of Bhutto’s successor The fact of the matter is that Pakistan s history is replete with numerous examples such as those of the NAB and FSF supra
The CCD is nothing new, just the latest shiny toy delivered by a servient bureaucracy into the hands of a Chief Minister who has yet to learn the Shakespearean lesson her father and uncle were forced to learn that these violent delights have violent ends
Today it feels great to read about the CCD delivering lightning justice to the vermin of Pakistani society No more wrangling with a moth eaten, compromised judiciary; no more having to watch the bad guys walk free Simple instant unavoidable justice as it always should have been But what happens when the constabulary, so accustomed to having its way – no questions asked – starts pointing the gun in directions it is not supposed to? What happens on the day the CCD accidentally encounters upon an innocent? Or when inevitably like almost every government department they become a tool for political persecution?
A particularly recurring theme in a history of recurring themes is one which sees us as a nation rushing to slap band-aids over deep structural flaws It always looks great in the moment but over time the wound con-
A p a r t i c u l a r ly r e c u r r i n g t h e m e i n a h i s t o r y o f r e c u r r i n g t h e m e s i s o n e w h i ch s e e s u s
a s a n a t i o n r u s h i n g t o s l a p b a n d - a i d s ov e r d e e p , s t r u c t u r a l f l aw s I t a lw ay s l o o k s g r e a t i n t h e m o m e n t bu t ov e r t i m e , t h e wo u n d c o n t i nu e s t o fe s t e r a n d ev e n t u a l ly g e t i n fe c t e d I n c r e a t i n g t h e C C D a n d g i v i n g i t a d e f a c t o l i c e n s e t o k i l l , w h a t i s n o t b e i n g
r e c o g n i z e d i s t h a t t h e p ro bl e m w a s n ev e r t h e f a c t t h a t P u n j a b i s ov e r r u n by h a rd c o
tinues to fester and eventually get infected In creating the CCD and giving it a de facto license to kill what is not being recognized is that the problem was never the fact that Punjab is overrun by hardcore criminals For a long time, the problem has
t h e a l l e g e d o f f e n d e r s . A c h i l d a bu s e r f ro m K a s u r e n d e d u p s h o o t i n g h i m s e l f i n t h e g ro i n a f t e r e n c o u n t e r i n g t h e C C D ; a n o t h e r h a r a s s e r w h o
w a s f i l m e d m a k i n g o b s c e n e g e s t u r e s a t wo m e n i n p u b l i c j u s t s o h a p p e n e d t o b r e a k
i n h a l f t h e s a m e f i n g e r h e h a d u s e d t o m a k e t h e u n s a vo r y g e s t u r e s .
I s I n d i a a ‘ t a r i f f k i n g
’ ? N o t r e a l l y
It is true that India maintains justifiable tariff protec tion for its agricultural, dair y, and auto markets for valid reasons But its trade -weighted applied tariff in other sec tors does not justify it being called a “tariff king” at all
US pressure may break Iranian influence in Iraq
Al-Sudani will bend to American pressure because he has no
Ta high-income developed country like the United States of America Traditionally low-income developing countries use tariffs for two reasons: one to protect their domestic industry and two to gain revenue from it Protection of domestic industry is an accepted argument by economists all over the world, especially if the industry is an infant one and the country needs to develop an industrial base Then, there is the revenue gaining function, which is illustrative of a country’s duties on alcohol or luxury motorcycles for instance India’s tariffs which were high in the 1980s were brought down significantly since the 1991 reforms were initiated and during the negotiations related to the Uruguay Round, which led to the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Since then, the secular trend in India has been one of gradual reduction of the applicable tariffs year after year From a technical point of view there are two kinds
trade-weighted tariff? India does maintain relatively high tariffs in agriculture and automobiles In both these cases, the main purpose of the tariffs is to protect domestic industry Agriculture in India is sui generis and like no other major country in the world Around 50 percent of India s mammoth population directly or indirectly depends on agriculture Besides, agriculture in India is not mechanized and land holdings are so small that farming is about survival and not about commerce Asking India to open its farm sector to imports is akin to asking it to commit suicide, which no elected government in India would agree to This demand is especially egregious since Western farmers are beneficiaries of direct and indirect subsidies
Given all of this India does maintain relatively high tariffs for agriculture products, average rates of around 33 percent on meat, dairy, fruits, and cereals But this is not surprising if you consider the fact that the European Union’s average rate is 37 5 percent on dairy products going up to 205 percent and up to 261 percent on fruits and vegetables Compare this with Japan whose rate is 61 3 percent on dairy products going up to 298 percent and up to 258 percent on cereals, and 160 percent on meat and vegetables Or South Korea, whose average is 54 percent on agricultural goods with 800 percent on vegetables, and 300 percent on fruits Who is the tariff king in agriculture you might ask? As for automobiles this sector creates mass employment and is crucial for that reason
Even India s simple average tariff levels at 15 98 percent is in line with global norms for developing economies Bangladesh (14 1 percent), Argentina (13 4 percent), and Türkiye (16 2 percent), which are all countries with comparable or higher GDP per capita, maintain similar or higher tariffs On the U S saying their exports of non-agricultural products face tariff barriers in India it is worth noting that U S exporters often face equal or lower tariffs in India compared to many Asian peers In electronics and technology for instance, India has 0 percent tariff on most IT hardware, semiconductors, computers, and associated
OV E R the past two years Iran’s network of allies in the Middle East has taken painful blows In Syria the regime of President Bashar al-Assad collapsed In Lebanon Hezbollah was forced to lay down its arms under a United States-brokered ceasefire and now faces pressure to disarm In Yemen, the Houthis were forced to stop disrupting maritime traffic through the Red Sea after massive bombardment of infrastructure and civilian areas by US forces On Thursday an Israeli attack killed their prime minister Ahmed al-Rahawi along with several other ministers Iran s once-formidable deterrence has spectacularly shrunk And now it seems it may diminish even further as its influence in Iraq hangs by a thread The Iraqi government faces increasing pressure from the US to rein in Iranian allies in the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) a formation of predominantly Shia paramilitary groups While absorbing the PMF into the Iraqi army – as the US demands – may be a formidable and risky undertaking, if it is achieved, it could strengthen the Iraqi state and sovereignty THE SUCCESS OF US PRESSURE: The PMF’s short history embodies Iraq s broader predicament of struggling to achieve stability security and sovereignty while balancing pressures from the US and Iran Its paramilitary groups were formed in response to the rise of ISIL (ISIS) in 2014, which was the direct result of the security vacuum in the country The Iraqi army had been disbanded in 2003 after the US invasion and the reconstituted force lacked the morale and preparedness to secure the country The PMF was successful in stopping ISIL s advance where the regular army had failed, but many of its members were co-opted by Iran s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as tools of regional influence Today the PMF still wields enormous influence within Iraq It encompasses groups that genuinely seek integration with the Iraqi military and hardline factions that remain unapologetically loyal to Iran Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani faces growing US pressure to dissolve the paramilitary groups but also pushback from
zain Chatha
XI CALLS FOR FORGING AHEAD WITH SOLID STEPS AS SCO CONVENES L ARGEST-EVER SUMMIT
at least 19 people Palestinian officials and witnesses said
The president of the International Association of Genocide Scholars said the body had passed a resolution declaring that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal criteria for genocide Israel did not immediately respond to the group s statement but has previously denied committing genocide Israel is advancing a plan to seize full control of Gaza, starting with Gaza City, with the stated goal of destroying Hamas and rescuing the remaining 48 hostages after nearly two years of war Residents said Israeli forces sent old armoured vehicles into the Sheikh Radwan neighbour-
hood, then detonated them remotely, destroying houses and forcing families to flee Leaflets dropped over the city urged residents to head south warning of expanded operations
People are confused – stay and die, or leave towards nowhere,” said resident Mohammad Abu Abdallah 55 “Explosions never stopped Drones hovered all night Many left their homes fearing death others don t know where to go
The Gaza health ministry said at least 98 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours, while nine more people – including three children – died from malnutrition and starvation raising such deaths to at least 348 including 127 children Israel disputes the figures, arguing the deaths are due to other medical causes Local officials said 19 people including women and children were killed in Israeli airstrikes on houses in Gaza City
The Israeli military did not immediately comment Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet late Sunday to discuss the planned offensive on Gaza City described as Hamas s bastion The military has warned political leaders the operation could endanger remaining hostages Protests in Israel demanding an end to the war and the hostages release have intensified The conflict began on Oct 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel, killing around 1 200 people and taking 251 hostages Twenty of the remaining 48 hostages are believed to be alive Israel s military campaign has killed more than 63,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to local health officials and devastated much of the enclave Ceasefire talks collapsed in July and efforts to revive them have failed
Lieutenant General Thiab Saqer
Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Chief of Staff, Bahrain Defence Force called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force during his visit to Air Headquarters, Islamabad The meeting focused on key areas of mutual interest and exploring avenues of enhanced cooperation between the two countries Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustained military-to-military engagement, emphasizing joint training and collective growth as a unified team Upon his arrival, a smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented Guard of Honour to Lieutenant General Thiab Saqer Abdulla Al Nuaimi
The Air Chief extended a gracious welcome to the distinguished
guests, highlighting that Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy deep-rooted religious and historic bonds, which are
BYD Shark 6 secures 5-Star ANCAP Safet y Rating, raising the bar for pickups globally
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t BYD the world s no 1 new energy vehicles
(NEVs) manufacturer has earned the prestigious 5-star ANCAP safety ranking for BYD Shark 6
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is one of the most trusted, credible and independent vehicle safety authorities globally and the Shark 6 is the first plug-in hybrid vehicle to be tested under its protocols This achievement positions BYD Shark 6 as a new standard for safety in the pickup category globally as well as in Pakistan A 5-star ANCAP rating, recognized as a pinnacle of automotive safety, reflects comprehensive evaluation across critical areas
today’s corporate landscape Mr Jameel Ahmad Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan who was kind enough to grace
ISLAMABAD
Five army personnel including two majors mar t yred in helicopter crash: ISPR
Five Army personnel, including two majors, were martyred when an Army Aviation helicopter crashed in Hudar, Diamer district of Gilgit Baltistan (GB), the military’s media wing said on Monday According to the statement the MI-17 helicopter was on a routine training flight when it developed a technical problem Crew members martyred in the crash included Pilot in Command Major Atif Co-pilot Major Faisal, Naib Subedar Flight Engineer Maqbool, Crew Chief Hav Jahangir, and Crew Chief Naik Amir The ISPR statement further mentioned, “Training missions are part of routine activities of Army Aviation to maintain operational readiness for performing tasks varying from operational support to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of officers and soldiers in helicopter crash In their separate messages, the president and prime minister prayed for high ranks of the martyred crew members They extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for their patience and courage The Chief Minister of GB Haji Gulbar Khan, also expressed sorrow over the incident and rushed the authorities to the crash site A government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said, district administration, local authorities, Commander FCNA DG G-B Scouts and Commissioner Diamer reached the crash site immediately PHC takes up 11 petitions on missing persons
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday heard 11 separate petitions concerning missing persons with Justice Kamran Hayat MianKhel presiding over the
UN launches network in Pakistan to fight human trafficking and migrant smuggling
The United Nations has formally launched the Pakistan United Nations Network on Migration (UNNM) to strengthen migration governance and combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling
The initiative marks a major step toward a unified and collaborative approach in addressing challenges linked to irregular migration
Aligned with global frameworks such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Global Compact for Safe Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), the network aims to improve policy coherence and integrate migration management into broader development goals Hundreds of Pakistanis attempt irregular journeys each year in search of better opportuni-
with many facing tragic outcomes along the way The launch was hosted by UN Resident Coordinator Mohamed Yahya, who also inaugurated Pakistan s first Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund programme The fund supports national efforts on migration management human trafficking and migrant smuggling bringing together government and civil society in a whole-of-society approach
The International Organisation for Migration will act as the coordinator and secretariat of the network while the UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan will serve as chair Speaking at the event Yahya said the initiative reflects a collective resolve to ensure migration is safe, orderly, and regular A video message from Jonathan Prentice Head of the UN
Migration Network Secretariat congratulated Pakistan for its continued leadership in improving migration governance The ceremony also featured the story of Moazzam Ali, a migrant who returned from a difficult journey to Europe and was successfully reintegrated in Pakistan “Life makes us move but journeys should become easier and more dignified he said A high-level panel discussion brought together representatives from key ministries, the National Commission for Human Rights, IOM and civil society organisations to discuss migration governance in an era of complex mobility dynamics The event concluded with the official launch of the network, reaffirming commitment to multi-stakeholder partnerships for safe and effective migration governance in Pakistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has emphasized that Pakistan must not be weakened in the name of provincialism and urged consensus on national projects similar to the Kalabagh Dam He said all concerns must be addressed before such an initiative, stressing that it should be undertaken for future generations and the country’s long-term benefit Speaking to the media, Gandapur highlighted the challenges posed by torrential rains cloudbursts and flash floods in the province He noted that relief operations were underway with available resources and said his government had extended support to Punjab during its flood crisis Punjab is our brother, and we share in its pain We stand with them in difficult times,” he said Turning to politics Gandapur spoke on the release of PTI founder Imran Khan saying there were only two possibilities: either through the supremacy of the constitution and rule of law or through a deal with the establishment He insisted that Khan remained steadfast in his ideology, enduring imprisonment for the nation’s future “Victory will be ours, God willing The people must remain strong in their struggle,” he added On regional matters Gandapur said the KP gov-
