g PREMIER SHEHBAZ TERMS OPERATION SOMNATH SYMBOL OF 1965 WAR BRAVERY, LAUDS PN’S READINESS, PROFESSIONALISM AND GLOBAL RESPECT
g SAYS FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL GOVTS UNITED TO PROMOTE EDUCATION, URGING FIGHT ILLITERACY WITH KNOWLEDGE FOR A STRONGER PAKISTAN
The
as
s
of
frontiers and an architect of our future prosperity, he added He concluded with a salute to the sacrifices and achievements of the Navy’s past and present heroes praying for the success of Pakistan s armed forces and the progress of the country Federal, provincial govts united to promote education: PM In a separate message on International Literacy Day (September 8), the Prime Minister said that the federal and
g NDMA WARNS OF URBAN FLOODING IN SINDH WITH HEAVY RAINS THROUGH SEPT 10 FROM GUJARAT–RAJASTHAN SYSTEM
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD/KARACHI
S a l e e m j a d o o n The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued a fresh warning of extremely heavy rainfall in southeastern Sindh from September 7 to 10 cautioning that the downpours could unleash urban flooding in low-lying coastal districts, while Punjab remained on high alert for more floodwaters after India warned of fresh discharges into Sutlej River
According to NDMA the rains are being driven by a weather system over the Gujarat–Rajasthan border moving westward, expected to bring intermittent showers across Sindh, southern Punjab and parts of Balochistan until September 10 The authority cautioned of urban flooding in vulnerable areas and flash floods in the Kirthar and Sulaiman ranges The Met Office forecast widespread heavy to very heavy rains in Sindh districts including Tharparkar (Mithi Islamkot Nagarparkar Chhachhro Dhali Diplo Kaloi) Umerkot Mirpur Khas Sanghar Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Hyderabad, Karachi Thatta Badin Sujawal Jamshoro Dadu Kashmore Sukkur Larkana Jacobabad
Shikarpur and Ghotki from Sunday evening until September 9 On Saturday, Nagarparkar recorded 80mm rainfall, followed by Mithi 51mm Kaloi 30mm and Diplo and Chhor 29mm each The Met Office warned that torrential downpours could cause urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Tharparkar, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana Thatta Badin and Sujawal
rivers and streams,
ter Management Authority (PDMA) issued a red alert for the 10th monsoon spell from September 7 to 9 PDMA Director-General Irfan Ali Kathia said the Indian High Commission had informed Pakistan about high flood levels at Harekay and Ferozpur downstream raising fears of a surge in the Sutlej Discharge at Trimmu Headworks has reached 526 000 cusecs and may rise to 590,000 cusecs within hours, while a massive 650,000-cusec wave is expected at Head Panjnad within 24 hours
According to PDMA Guddu Barrage is likely to receive 700 000–750 000 cusecs while flood conditions in Multan are expected to persist for the next 72 hours The Pakistan Army, civil administration and allied departments remain on high alert Meanwhile the Chenab and Sutlej rivers continue to wreak havoc, breaching embankments and inundating dozens of villages In Lodhran’s Ghulam Shah, the collapse of a protective dyke submerged hundreds of homes and crops cutting off roads and leaving families stranded In Rangpur thousands of acres of farmland have been destroyed as residents brace for more flood waves
At Head Panjnad near Uch Sharif water levels surged to 490 000 cusecs flooding Makhan Bela Beet Bakhtiyari Kachi Lal Chak Kahl, and Rasool Pur, displacing thousands In Arifwala and Qaboola, rising Sutlej waters have engulfed nearly 70 villages forcing more than 30 000 people to flee while destroying homes and crops raising fears of waterborne diseases Over 4 2m affected, 56 dead in Punjab floods The Punjab Relief Commissioner reported on Sunday that more than 4 2 million people have been affected by severe flooding across 4 100 villages in 25 districts with the death toll rising to 56 Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed said over 2 014 million people have been relocated to safer areas A total of 423
provincial governments are united in their commitment to promoting education and raising Pakistan’s literacy rate
“The central objective of the national literacy campaign is to ensure every child not only receives basic education but also acquires higher knowledge skills and technical training to meet the demands of the modern era, he said PM Shehbaz underlined that education is the foundation of development and prosperity describing it as a continuous journey of knowledge training and enlightenment that transforms nations He, however, termed Pakistan s 60 percent literacy rate as “worryingly low,” noting it falls behind global standards and even other South Asian countries
This situation is a reminder that we must urgently prioritize education to ensure the collective progress of our children, youth, and society, he stressed, adding that Islam and Quaide-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah both emphasized the transformative power of education
The Prime Minister said the goal cannot be achieved without national consensus and the involvement of teachers, parents, and citizens at every level “Let us pledge today to dispel the darkness of illiteracy with the light of knowledge and lay the foundation for a stronger developed Pakistan he concluded
January 2025 damage to the Africa-Asia-Europe (AAE-1) cable near Qatar disrupted internet and broadband services The AAE-1 system had suffered multiple faults during 2024, repeatedly affecting connectivity in the country
The federal government has initiated formal steps to privatise major electricity distribution companies, including the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) and the Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) According to a report by The Express Tribune According to official documents obtained by Express News, the Privatisation Commission has directed the Power Division to provide detailed records of assets shareholdings and property title transfers of the companies listed in Batch Two The division has already begun the process of transferring ownership titles and company shares As part of the exercise MEPCO s management
in which he reaffirmed: We continue to stand firmly with the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for the right to self-determination ” In addition to public displays the posters were widely circulated on social media platforms including WhatsApp Twitter and Facebook amplifying
in the matriculation examinations, according to an official notification
on September 4 The order stated that the action was taken on account of producing poor results in SSC annual examinations 2024-2025 ” The suspensions affected schools in Akora Khattak Aman Garh Ghoriwala Haripur-II Hattar Karak KohatI, Kohat-II, Peshawar-II, Mardan, Shehbaz Azmat Khel Swabi Swat Takht Bhai and a higher secondary school Under the arrangement vice principals will serve as acting principals until further orders Where no vice principal is available, the seniormost teacher (BPS-16/17) has been directed to assume charge KP Labour Minister Fazal Shakoor Khan confirmed that the suspensions were linked to the schools’ academic performance “We have zero per cent results in the mentioned schools he told reporters The department has enough teachers, but we lack specialists in subjects other than Islamiyat and Pashto ” The minister further highlighted staffing imbalances noting that 80 to 90 percent of teachers in the department belong to southern KP, and many seek postings in their home districts something he described as “practically impossible ”
Pak- C hina Ac tion Plan 2025–29 will drive peace, development: Prof C heng
ment, and industrial cooperation under CPEC, including infrastructure, energy and manufacturing Expanded trade fields and joint construction of industrial parks he said will help Pakistan upgrade its industry and strengthen resilience in the global economy
Sharif ’s visit to Beijing, has elevated bilateral relations to a new height and created fresh opportunities for both countries and the wider region according to Prof Cheng Xizhong Senior Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute In a statement on Sunday Prof Cheng said the plan builds on the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership that has endured the test of time and is now recognised internationally as a model relationship He added that amid global instability the roadmap represents both a strategic choice for Islamabad and Beijing and a response to the universal demand for peace and development Highlighting its economic importance Prof Cheng noted that the plan seeks to deepen trade, invest-
He further stressed that security cooperation will remain a crucial guarantee for progress, while people-topeople exchanges particularly in education, youth and culture would inject “new vitality” into the bilateral friendship
On the diplomatic front Prof Cheng said the two countries will coordinate closely to amplify the voices of developing nations uphold multilateralism and work towards regional peace through dialogue and consultation
The Action Plan outlines a grand blueprint, he concluded, “and with joint efforts, China and Pakistan will achieve more fruitful results across political economic security and cultural fields while contributing to global peace and stability
US humanitarian aid arrives for Pakistan’s flood-hit areas
through equipment, technical expertise and humanitarian support Lt Gen Patrick Frank lauded NDMA s proactive measures and the role of the National Emergency Operations Centre, stressing that cooperation will be further strengthened through disaster preparedness and joint exercises to safeguard the region from growing climate threats ”
COMMENT
Climate resilience
Preparation for 2026 monsoon must star t now
PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif has apparently been traumatized enough by this year ’s floods to tell a meeting that preparations for the 2026 monsoon must be set in motion This is the attitude that is required of the government, especially as the effects of climate change include a worsening of weather conditions which means among other things, that monsoonal floods will be worse, and as bad as this year ’s floods have been coming years will see a repetition This is likely to be the new normal with which the government will have to contend Speaking very roughly, with a monsoon extending roughly from mid-July to the end of October, The time for preparation is thus about eight months, with about four months of execution Of course, some preparations are only possible in the light of weather forecasts, and while it is now possible to give broad brushstrokes the kind of forecasts needed for proper planning cannot be achieved without forecasts which will only be available much later in the year
While talking about this year ’s floods, which are not yet over, Mr Sharif was emphatic that those affected be given relief and rehabilitation and also issued special directions that the federal government should support the provincial governments in their relief and rehabilitation efforts Indeed, as the governments cannot very well be expected to stop the floods the relief and rehabilitation efforts are where the government is best able to intervene Mr Sharif s direction that preparations for next year ’s monsoon start is a clear indication that he thought this year s effort has fallen short That has been a constant complaint the whole season of citizens, and a couple of dramatic incidents where there was not enough warning given has merely made matters worse
One of the most regrettable aspects to emerge is that the rehabilitation of the victims of the 2023 floods has not been completed Another thing that has been highlighted has been the building of residential societies in flood plains Apart from penalizing those who gave these societies permission how those societies are to be shifted and where, must be a priority The annual ritual of clearing the gutters in urban areas must be replaced by proper urban waste management which would prevent such scenes as those witnessed this season in Karachi especially The government should also advocate for climate justice internationally However it is more important to ensure climate justice at home
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
P
a k i s t a n ’
AKISTAN has recently been hit by one of its worst floods, which has caused loss of life, and has resulted in damages to the rural economy including crops and livestock
Although it is too early to precisely indicate the losses initial estimates indicate the large-scale extent of devastation as pointed out by a recent article Pakistan s flash floods damage rice, sugar in key areas’ published by Bloomberg The article pointed out in this regard ‘Flash floods in Pakistan have destroyed thousands of acres of crops in Punjab the country s largest producer About 60 percent of the province s rice crops and 30 percent of its sugarcane have been lost while cotton production is expected to decline by 35 percent compared to its production target for the year, according to preliminary assessments by the Pakistan Business Forum “Such destruction in Central Punjab due to flooding has never been witnessed before ” Ahmad Jawad chief organizer at the forum said in a statement on Monday A major economic upheaval is already emerging along with a humanitarian
d l o a n s A t
m e t i m e , t h e g o v e r n m e n t s h o u l d c o m e u p w i t h a m i s s i o n - o r i e n t e d , p u r p o s e - d r i v e n p l a n t o b o t h r e d u c e i m p a c t o f g l o b a l w a r m i n g , f o r
n s t a n c e ,
n i t i a t
s s i v e t r e e p l a n t i n g a c t i v i t y , a n d b y a c t i v e l y d o i n g a d v o c a c y a t t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l l e v e l , a n d b y e r e c t i n g m u l t i p l e s m a l l r e s e r v o i r s , a n d l a r g e d a m s
s c o u n t e r - n a r c o t i c s r e s o l v e
A bulwark against the menace
RECENTLY, certain foreign media outlets have attempted to portray Pakistan as overtaking Afghanistan as the world s primary source of opium with Baluchistan purportedly emerging as a new epicentre of narcotics and militancy Such claims are not only dogmatic but also deeply flawed, as they misrepresent the ground realities of Pakistan’s principled and guileless counter-narcotics efforts These narratives often shaped by selective imagery and speculative analysis fail to acknowledge the country s relentless campaign against poppy cultivation and its broader commitment to regional stability In doing so, some Western authors have tended to cast aspersions on Pakistan’s focused and methodical eradication strategy A closer examination reveals glaring inconsistencies and factual inaccuracies Most notably references cited in these epistles include satellite imagery allegedly showing large poppy farms in Baluchistan However, this claim is chronologically implausible Poppy cultivation in Pakistan follows a well-defined seasonal cycle: pre-sowing (September–October) sowing (October–January) germination (January–February) and harvesting (March–May) Given that such material is often published in early September during the pre-sowing phase no poppy fields could be visible, let alone flourish so vividly Climatic variations across Baluchistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh further complicate any such blanket assumptions Thus the satellite imagery cited in these sources lacks temporal credibility and appears speculative at best
Equally problematic is the reliance on social media videos purportedly showing poppy cultivation In an era of deepfakes manipulated content and algorithmic amplification such sources are inherently unreliable The authenticity origin and relevance of these videos remain unverified Using social media as primary evidence in a serious geopolitical narrative undermines journalistic integrity and risks amplifying disinformation It is imperative that responsible reporting be grounded in verifiable data not viral conjecture
The Taliban s 2022 ban on poppy cultiva-
tion in Afghanistan did not eliminate the drug trade it merely restructured it A ten-month grace period allowed existing stocks to be trafficked at inflated prices, creating a temporary lull rather than a lasting solution According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Report 2024 poppy cultivation resurged alarmingly in Afghanistan particularly in border regions adjacent to Pakistan This resurgence not Pakistan s policy is the primary driver of regional narcotics volatility Afghanistan remains the world s narco-epicentre, with over 31,600 acres of land under poppy cultivation compared to just 4 830 acres in Pakistan where this cultivation is being eradicated with unwavering resolve Pakistan has propitiously maintained its poppy-free status since 2001 a distinction well recognized and acknowledged by international bodies Under its national counter-narcotics mandate, Pakistan launched the Poppy Eradication Campaign (PEC) 2024–25 conducting synchronized operations across Baluchistan KP and Sindh These efforts included the deployment of drones targeted weedicides, and a dedicated workforce operating in remote and strife-torn areas During the campaign, approximately 114 Afghan nationals involved in illegal cultivation were apprehended and repatriated Pakistan’s resolve stems not only from domestic imperatives such as its vulnerable youth bulge but also from its international obligations as a signatory to global narcotics conventions
l o b a l c h a l l e n g e P a k i s t a n r e m a i n s s t e a d f a s t i n i t s r o l e a n d r e s o l v e n o t a s a c o n t r i b u t o r t o t h e p r o b l e m b u t a s a b u l w a r k a g a i n s t i t , l e a d i n g t h e w a y t o w a r d a s u s t a i n a b l e a n d s e c u r e f u t u r e Dr Omer JaveD Th e f l o o d s h ave c a u s e d d e e p e c o n o m i c d a m a g e A r e d u c e d i n t e r e s t r a t e w i l l a l l o w g r e a t e r f i s c a l s p a c e , w h i c h w o u l d c u s h i o n e f f o r t s o f t h e g o v e r n m e n t t o s u p p o r t f a r m e r s , a n d o t h e r s i m p a c t e d b y f l o o d s , b o t h i n t e r m s o f p o s s i b l e p r o v i s i o n o f g r a n t s , a n d s u b s i
Fields of reform
In 2024 alone Pakistan s drug seizures ex-
ceeded 361 metric tons with an estimated street value of billions of dollars These interdictions represent a significant contribution to global narcotics control and underscore Pakistan’s role as a responsible sovereign state committed to regional and international stability The scale and precision of these operations reflect a mature and evolving strategy not the chaos falsely attributed by detractors Any portrayal of Baluchistan as lawless and unruly is not only reductive but also geopolitically irresponsible Pakistan has waged a decades-long battle against insurgent groups like the Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) which is designated as a terrorist organization by both the UK and the USA Equating the entire province with militancy ignores the sacrifices of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies (LEAs), local communities, and Pakistan’s allies working toward peace and progress Baluchistan is not a vacuum of governance it is a landscape of resilience where development and security efforts continue despite formidable challenges
It is worth noting that Pakistan s anti-narcotics strategy is both proactive and evolving
The government is already pursuing a comprehensive plan for PEC 2025–26 and beyond Coordination between all relevant authorities and LEAs is underway to ensure pre-sowing surveillance and targeted eradication in identified hotspots These efforts are not reactive they are anticipatory, data-driven, and rooted in a long-term vision of national health and security Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating narcotics is unwavering Allegations based on gross inaccuracies unverified media and speculative analysis do a disservice to the truth and risk undermining regional cooperation The fight against narcotics is a shared global challenge Pakistan remains steadfast in its role and resolve not as a contributor to the problem but as a bulwark against it leading the way toward a sustainable and secure future
The writer can be reached at naveedsafdar13@gmail com
a pivotal role in educating farmers about modern irrigation techniques like drip irrigation sprinkler systems and the use of climate-smart agricultural practices that significantly enhance productivity and water conservation, enabling a sustainable agricultural growth A successful example of agricultural advancement can be seen in the Shah Abdul Latif University in Khairpur, which has established a state-of-the-art Date Palm Research Institute (DPRI) Khairpur is renowned for its dates and this dedicated institution is helping revolutionise the date industry by researching and cultivating multiple species of date palms By employing these and other scientific methods and farmer collaboration the DPRI is enabling local farmers to irrigate date palms more efficiently, and to increase their yields considerably The Agriculture University of Tando-jam, being a major stakeholder in pro-fessional education relevant to agriculture, must replicate such successful initiatives by developing specialised research centres for various crops such as wheat rice sugarcane and cotton and fruits like mangoes and bananas These centres could become hubs for innovation where soil health management pest control crop rotation and water-efficient practices would be researched and then implemented in the field through training programmes Pakistan s agriculture has immense potential to contribute significantly to foreign exchange earnings through the export of surplus produce, especially if backed by technology and research Pakistan is already the fourthlargest producer of mangoes and the fifth-largest producer of sugarcane yet its exports remain limited due to post-harvest losses and low productivity
Alavi’s lasting gift
of a leading multinational logistics, sales and dis-tribution company specialising in pharma-ceutical and hospital-care sectors Alavi raised funds for the marginalised communities of Tharparkar during drought years and even
Trump’s changed attitude to China
over trade security and investment battered its economy and its political stability
Whis administration had taken shape when his cabinet was being scrutinized in the Senate and the Congress, it was clear that nearly every appointee, from the national security leadership to the economic team, carried one unifying agenda: to confront China to cut down its growing influence and to re-
The tone was confrontational the stance uncompromising and the ambition was nothing less than to push China back not only from American shores but from Asia, Europe, and beyond Yet as the weeks unfolded, a sobering reality dawned on Washington The USA no longer had the leverage it once commanded The global order had shifted China was not a fragile power dependent on US markets and technology; it was a formidable actor that had, over the past decade, consolidated its dominance in manufacturing, technology, and finance By 2024 China accounted for nearly 31 percent of global manufacturing output making it the indispensable workshop of the world Its grip on rare earth elements was even more decisive, producing nearly 70 percent and processing about 85 percent of the world’s supply, the backbone of modern technologies from smartphones and electric vehicles to satellites and fighter jets To think that tariffs alone could bend such a power was wishful and it quickly became apparent that the United States was staring at a competitor far too entrenched to be bullied Trump s early declarations that allies like Europe, Canada, and Mexico had been “plundering” the USA found quick results there NATO states under American pressure agreed to hike defense spending from two percent to as high as five percent of GDP, and European negotiators conceded to humiliating trade deals that forced them to buy more US goods while swallowing a 15 percent tariff on their exports to the USA Canada too suffered greatly as disputes
t l e a d e r s h i p i s n o t o n l y a b o u t f o r c e b u t a b o u t j u d g m e n t H e h a s a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t t h e U S A s p o w e r , t h o u g h v a s t , m u s t c o e x i s t w i t h C h i n a s , a n d t h a t a s t a b l e b a l a n c e i s t h e o n l y p a t h t o s a f e g u a r d p r o s p e r i t y a t h o m e a n d s t a b i l i t y
The lure of mar tial law
The people’s struggle to make ends meet contrasts sharply with the privileges their representatives enjoy, such as a monthly housing allowance around 10 times the minimum wage
Jakarta to the cheers of bystanders In comparison the police, which have been the target of public outrage due to their heavy-handed responses to the demonstrations were nearly absent
THE trending phrase state of emergency” on X is no coincidence, as it follows recent statements by President Prabowo Subianto linking the ongoing protests to attempted treason and his subsequent decision to issue the police and military a blank check to restore order
Camo-clad soldiers seemed omnipresent as the Indonesian Military (TNI) began deploying its troops at least in Jakarta Dozens of armed troops on dirt bikes and in vehicles were seen passing major streets in Central
Jayakarta Military Command (Kodam Jaya) commander Maj Gen Deddy Suryadi said the large-scale patrols aimed to ensure public safety in the wake of the series of demonstrations that had turned violent The Army meanwhile confirmed that the patrols were not limited to Jakarta but were also deployed in major cities nationwide The military has dismissed fears that the mobilization of troops might lead to a state of emergency, when martial law can be declared to allow the TNI to take necessary
In those regions Trump s heavyhanded tactics worked because the dependency on the USA remained asymmetric But with China, the playbook misfired Beijing did not bend It retaliated with equal tariffs diverted exports to Africa Latin America and Southeast Asia and doubled down on its Belt and Road Initiative, which by 2025 had already drawn in more than 150 countries and over a trillion dollars in investment Far from retreating, China used the USA’s confrontation to strengthen its global alternatives The attempt to ban Chinese students quickly collapsed as well In 2024 more than 290 000 Chinese students were enrolled in US universities, contributing over $15 billion annually to tuition and living expenses When proposals were made to cut them off university presidents governors and state legislators raised the alarm that such a move would devastate higher education budgets and gut critical research programmes By the summer of 2025, Trump reversed course, openly admitting that these students were vital not only for finances but also for the USA’s scientific and technological advancement What had been framed as a security threat was rebranded as a necessary lifeline for institutions already struggling with deficits
On the military front, too, harsh reality intruded American officials initially talked of quadrupling the US presence in the South China Sea to contain Beijing But the Pentagon’s own assessments made clear that China now had the largest navy in the world by ship count and that sustaining such deployments would bleed the US treasury without altering China s resolve With a defense budget already at $850 billion in 2024, America faced the prospect of draining itself in a contest it could not decisively win It was not Beijing that appeared overstretched but Washington and in the calculus of resources the USA realized that escalation could only sap its strength Even the most powerful weapon in the USA’s arsenal, the dollar, proved less decisive than hoped The dollar still made up about 58 percent of global foreign exchange reserves in 2024 but China and its BRICS partners had been steadily eroding this dominance By early 2025, nearly a quarter of intra-BRICS trade was being conducted outside of the dollar, through local currency
measures to restore security and order including seizing private assets and stifling civil liberties Deputy TNI chief Gen Tandyo Budi Revita reaffirmed the military s allegiance to the Constitution, brushing off speculation that the option of martial law was on the table
The wave of demonstrations descended into rioting and looting in some areas Angry mobs broke into and ransacked the homes of several government officials over the weekend, while an unidentified group attempted to attack an upmarket residential complex in Bekasi, West Java, where many ethnic Chinese reside These violent actions signaled an escalation to a level of crisis that the National Police were not equipped to handle Just a little over two months since the 27th anniversary of the May 1998 tragedy, we have been struck by déjà vu Notwithstanding the TNI’s brushing aside a martial law scenario the mass deployment of soldiers in our cities is a reality
The law allows for domestic deployment of the military to support the police s public order operations
One high-ranking official said no less than 76,000 troops were guarding Jakarta,
A wrong turn in the Indo -Pacific
Chinese officials are clearly betting they c an exploit the c urrent tensions bet ween India and the United States to their benefit
swaps and yuan settlements At the same time, Beijing reduced its U S Treasury holdings to under $775 billion, its lowest in more than a decade subtly weakening America’s ability to weaponize its debt dependence The weaponization of finance so effective against weaker adversaries had limited effect on a China that had prepared its defenses It was on rare earths and supply chains that the hardest lesson was learned Any disruption from Beijing would paralyze entire sectors of the US economy Defence contractors building F-35s tech companies producing semiconductors automakers racing to transition to EVs all were dependent on Chinese supply chains Attempts to reshore production or find alternative suppliers in Africa and Australia were years away from maturity In the meantime tariffs and restrictions only drove up prices at home Walmart Target and Home Depot reported that household goods were rising by 10–15 percent squeezing US consumers and fueling inflationary pressures What had been billed as a strategy to punish China threatened to punish the very voters Trump had pledged to protect Trump is not a leader who easily admits defeat
which is likely why President Prabowo Subianto could take off to Beijing for his China visit after canceling the trip There is no official data on the number of Kodam Jaya troops on the ground across Greater Jakarta, but according to its former commander in 2020 the provincial command had around 15 000 soldiers ready to support flood mitigation efforts in the capital
The chatter about potential martial law has emerged especially on social media as a reaction to escalating tensions due to mass demonstrations in cities across country, particularly where mobs have vandalized public facilities and targeted government buildings including those housing regional legislative councils The arson attack on the Makassar Legislative Council on Aug 29 claimed three lives A potential declaration of martial law as a means to restore public order only indicates authorities’ collective failure to identify and resolve the root cause of the protests People have taken to the streets to vent their disappointment if not anger with officials poor performance and behavior es-
Trump has twice hosted Pakistan s Army Chief General Asim Munir at the White House, providing unprecedented political access to India s regional rival and stoking fears in New Delhi that it could end up being eclipsed as America s preferred South Asian partner
A serious trade dispute is also brewing Back in July, the Trump administration imposed a 25 percent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods after economic talks between the two countries failed to make serious progress Those were doubled last month to 50 percent over India s continued imports of Russian oil In response to all this India is now tilting eastward toward China A process of normalization of bilateral relations has taken off" between Beijing and New Delhi over the past few months, noted Shanthie Mariet DSouza of the Mantraya Institute for Strategic Studies
in economic and strategic terms And India is the world s largest democracy, making it a natural partner for the United States in upholding the international rules-based order
These features position India as a key counterweight to Chinese hegemony in Asia
That was captured in the Trump administration s 2017 National Security Strategy which officially replaced Asia-Pacific with the term "Indo-Pacific " The same year, the White House revived the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue bringing together American Indian Japanese and Australian officials in a
THE latest university leader to resign under pressure by the Trump Administration is Northwestern University President
But that was then, and this is now Ties between Washington and New Delhi have deteriorated dramatically since for both political and economic reasons President Donald Trump has publicly and repeatedly taken credit for defusing the May 2025 military standoff between India and Pakistan over the disputed Kashmir region, contradicting India's insistence that there was no meaningful third-party mediation
A further irritant has been the high-level diplomatic thaw that now appears to be underway between Washington and Islamabad Since the start of the summer, President
As part of that shift the two countries have restarted high level contacts mostly mended fences over their shared (and historically tense) border, and even begun to entertain the idea of an eventual strategic partnership Most recently at their August 31 meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tianjin China the Chinese rolled out the red carpet for Modi in a clear bid to peel India away from America All this is sudden and concerning Not all that long ago, Team Trump seemed to grasp the reasons why India mattered so much to American foreign policy India s location at the heart of the Indian Ocean through which more than half of all maritime trade and most of China s oil imports pass, makes the country a key player in ensuring free regional trade India is also the only regional nation with the population size, military capability and economic potential to give a rising China a real run for its money
nent India is clearly hedging its political bets and consistent with its long-running policy of strategic autonomy trying to use frictions with Washington to improve its bargaining position vis-à-vis Beijing Still, the idea of a Sino-Indian realignment, something that was once a patently absurd notion doesn't seem quite so crazy any longer
The White House meanwhile appears to be banking on the idea that New Delhi will eventually fall in line with its preferences Perhaps it will But Chinese officials are clearly betting they can exploit the current tensions between India and the United States to their benefit and neutralize New Delhi as a serious strategic challenger If they manage to do so America will find its efforts to contain China in Asia and beyond much the worse for wear
Ilan Berman is senior vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington D C
TRUMP, MIRZIYOYEV AGREE TO EXPAND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BET WEEN US AND UZBEKISTAN
Qiang held talks with him, during which they had an in-depth exchange of views on China-Pakistan relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest The two sides released the Action Plan to Foster an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era between the Government of the People s Republic of China and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (2025-2029) which is dedicated to building a ChinaPakistan community with a shared future with even stronger political mutual trust closer economic and trade ties deeper security cooperation and a more solid popular basis The Action Plan will serve as the general guideline, roadmap and construction plan for advancing the all-weather strategic cooperation between our two countries at present and in the time ahead China is ready to work with Pakistan to implement the Action Plan enrich the practice of building a China-Pakistan community
with a shared future by following five aspects hereunder, and set an example for building a community with a shared future among neighboring countries We need to uphold high-level mutual trust and firm support and take the lead in building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries President Xi Jinping stated that China and Pakistan share a resilient bond, a brotherly bond and also a bond built on trust and common values an ironclad friendship that was forged through historical twists and turns and has grown ever stronger over time Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the Pakistan-China ironclad friendship has taken root in the hearts of the over 200 million Pakistani people and that no force can shake this unbreakable bond We are pleased to see that against the backdrop of a volatile and turbulent international and regional situation, unwavering strategic mutual trust has always defined China-Pakistan relations During the 74 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan has withstood the test of the times and remained as solid as a rock and as stable as Mount Tai
The two sides have consistently firmly supported each other in upholding national core interests, which is a vivid illustration of a shared future In particular, Prime Minister Shehbaz visited China last June only three months after he took office Then Premier Li Qiang visited Pakistan in last October and President Zardari visited China this February And few days ago, Prime Minister Shehbaz went to China for attending the SCO Tianjin Summit and the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War The frequent high-level exchanges have enabled our two sides to reach important common understandings on advancing the allweather strategic cooperation between China and Pakistan which has injected a strong impetus to building a China-Pakistan community with a shared future China is ready to work with Pakistan to deliver on the important common understandings between the two leaders implement the Action Plan in a thorough and detailed way, and work together to write the China-Pakistan chapter of building a community with a shared future for humanity We need to stay focused on development and win-win cooperation and work together on the journey toward modernization President Xi Jinping stressed that China supports Pakistan in maintaining unity focusing on development and enhancing national strength China is ready to work with Pakistan to build the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor 2 0
Prophet Hazrat Muhammad s (SAWW) teachings remain a guiding light for humanity Gilani recalled that both the National Assembly and the Senate had earlier passed a resolution to observe Eid Milad-unNabi with national spirit, ensuring that the entire country takes part in the festivities He stressed that the message of
The Islamabad Police commenced the
of 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal and
in
with the recitation of the
and
Fatiha for the martyrs who
and prayed for the well-being of
Ummah On this occasion Inspector General of Police Islamabad (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi extended heartfelt congratulations to the entire Muslim Ummah on the joyous occasion of the blessed birth of the Seal of the Prophets Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) He stated that
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Cambridge University Press & Assessment and the Syed Ahsan Ali and Syed Maratib Ali School of Education (SOE) at LUMS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening teacher education and leadership across Pakistan
The MoU signing ceremony held at LUMS marks the beginning of a long-term partnership focused on enhancing the quality of teaching and learning through evidencebased programmes professional development and research initiatives Under this collaboration Cambridge will bring its global expertise in education including world-class research, qualifications, and quality assurance, while LUMS will contribute through its distinguished faculty research-driven approach
Press
AkzoNobel, BoP join hands to make Lahore a ‘canvas of culture’
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
AkzoNobel Pakistan and the Bank of Punjab (BOP) have entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to transform key public spaces in Punjab into vibrant canvases of art culture and community pride powered by the transformative power of Dulux paints This MOU underscores how shared purpose can drive positive societal change With this partnership, Bank of Punjab will lead the transformation of public spaces across Punjab by providing funding facilitating necessary approvals and supporting scholarships for National College of Arts (NCA) students AkzoNobel through its innovative high-quality and sustainable Dulux paints, will protect and add colours to Punjab s landscape beginning from Lahore By joining forces Punjab’s premier bank and a global paint and coatings company (the makers of Dulux paints in Pakistan) the initiative goes beyond murals It creates opportunities nurtures young talent and fosters a cityscape where culture and community thrive together
Deputy DG Ms Sadia Gohar Khanum, also spoke While describing his stay in Pakistan Dr Cemal Sangu said ' during my posting as the Consul General for Sindh and Balochistan I visited so many areas like Orangi Korangi Baldia town New Karachi Nazimabad North Nazimabad Liyari
GRIEVES JAL ALPUR BOAT TRAGEDY
PTI expels 12 GB lawmakers, including CM Gulbar Khan, over ‘forming for ward bloc ’
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has terminated the basic party membership of 12 members of the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Assembly including Chief Minister Gulbar Khan accusing them of forming a forward bloc and voting against party directives
Most of the terminated lawmakers are currently members of the GB cabinet of the coalition
government
According to identical notices dated September 5 the decision took effect immediately in line with the PTI s policy and procedures
Those stripped of membership include Abdul Hameed, Haji Shah Baig, Mushtaq Ahmad, Syed Amjad Ali Zaidi, Shamsul Haq Lone Dilshad Bano Raja Nasir Ali Khan Maqpoon Surayya Zaman Raja Azam Khan Amacha and Raja Fazal Rahim in addition to CM Gulbar
You are hereby informed that your actions in the GB Assembly especially creating a forward bloc and voting against the party decision constitute a clear violation of PTI s policy Your conduct has harmed the party s interests and reputation, the notices stated The legislators were further directed not to use PTI’s “name, designation or membership in any manner with a warning that non-
compliance could result in legal proceedings
Separately the party also issued a show-cause notice to former GB governor Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon, accusing him of conspiring against the party and approaching members for defection ” He has been asked to submit a written explanation within two days failing which further action would be initiated under party rules Gulbar Khan, who emerged as leader of a PTI forward bloc, became GB chief minister in July 2023 after the disqualification of then-CM Khalid Khurshid by the GB Chief Court for allegedly obtaining a law license from the GB Bar Council on the basis of a fake degree Following Khurshid s re-
moval several PTI lawmakers switched loyalty leading to the formation of a coalition government comprising disgruntled PTI members, the PML-N and the PPP with Gulbar Khan elevated as CM
In response to his election, PTI’s Central Media Department had issued a strong statement condemning what it described as the robbery of public mandate in Gilgit-Baltistan in broad daylight The party subsequently served show-cause notices to 11 members for backing Gulbar Khan including himself Amjad Zaidi Shams Lone Abdul Hameed Dilshad Bano Haji Shah Baig Surayya Zaman and Raja Fazal Rahim many of whom have now been formally expelled from PTI ranks
The Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing concluded with agreements worth $8 5 billion, marking a significant step toward reshaping bilateral economic cooperation, according to a report by China
Economic Net (CEN) The second edition of the conference held on September 4 at China World Hotel saw Pakistani and Chinese executives exchange greetings and explore opportunities across multiple sectors Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed the developments a long march of economic growth and pledged to personally facilitate investors, assuring them that delays would not be tolerated Agreements included $7 billion in MoUs and
$1 54 billion in joint ventures spanning agriculture textiles electric vehicles solar energy health chemicals minerals and steel Business leaders highlighted Pakistan s potential in textiles minerals and IT while also pointing out challenges such as lack of advanced machinery, skilled manpower, regulatory processes, logistics, and language barriers
Executives including Osama Abid (Al-Hammd International) Engr Asad Ahmed (PMDC) and Kashif Mehtab Chawla (Al-Karam Textiles) emphasized Pakistan s workforce raw materials and GSP+ access to EU markets as key strengths for joint ventures Companies like Askari Shoes confirmed transactions in Chinese yuan, reflecting closer financial ties Chinese participants, including Ren Hongbin (CCPIT) and Xu Guimin (Zhongjing Kehui) stressed that applying China’s industrial expertise in Pakistan could unlock win-win outcomes provided business processes and facilitation continue to improve
To address investor concerns Pakistan has established the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to expedite approvals for major projects Officials assured Chinese firms of security, streamlined procedures and direct support for investment
As the conference closed participants agreed the deals signaled more than transactions they marked the beginning of a long-term shift toward making Pakistan a regional manufacturing hub through Chinese partnership and technology transfer a
