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PM PLEDGES SWIFT RESOLUTION OF PUBLIC ISSUES, DEVELOPMENT IN KP

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Sunday, 11 January, 2026 | 21 Rajabul Murajjab, 1447

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PREMIER SHEHBAZ MEETS PARTY LEADERS, LAWMAKERS FROM KP, SAYS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AWARE OF KP’S CHALLENGES, TAKING TANGIBLE STEPS

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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 187 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition

SAYS TIMELY COMPLETION OF FEDERAL FUNDED PROJECTS, RESOLUTION OF PUBLIC ISSUES, AMONG TOP PRIORITIES

FORMS COMMITTEE LED BY AHSAN IQBAL TO REVIEW PROGRESS OF UPLIFT PROJECTS IN PESHAWAR, URGING ELECTED REPS TO PRIORITIZE RESOLUTION OF CITIZENS’ PROBLEMS ISLAMABAD

staff report

RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said the federal government was fully aware of the problems faced by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and was taking tangible steps, within its jurisdiction, to ensure sustainable solutions to these issues. “Timely completion of ongoing federal government-funded development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the resolution of public issues are among the top priorities of the incumbent federal government,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) cited Shehbaz Sharif as saying. The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with political representatives from KP, where a detailed discussion was held on the overall political situation in the province and the challenges faced by the public. Matters related to public welfare, development projects, and governance were also discussed, according to the PMO. The meeting was attended by a

broad range of federal and provincial leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Minister Amir Muqam, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana

Religious scholar Maulana Hafiz Sultan Muhammad martyred in IED attack

Sanaullah, Captain (Retd.) Safdar, MNAs Babar Nawaz and Samar Bilour, Ikhtiar Wali (Coordinator to the Prime Minister), former Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi, former Senator Zahid Khan, MPA Dr. Ibadullah, Pir Sabir Shah, former MNAs Sardar Mushtaq and Shah Jee Gul Afridi, Shahabuddin Khan, Rehmat Salam

Khattak, and Behramand Tangi. Participants highlighted that the provincial government had failed to ensure effective governance, with no clear policy on health, education, infrastructure, or public welfare, and that public issues remained largely unaddressed. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged political representatives to prioritize the resolution of public problems. He also highlighted the recent distribution of laptops, provided on merit, to male and female students across KP in Haripur, describing the youth as a future asset of Pakistan. “The policy of distributing laptops on merit will continue so that these young people can play their due role in the country’s development,” he added. Regarding federal governmentsponsored uplift projects in KP, the prime minister announced the formation of a committee headed by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal. The committee will visit Peshawar and, in coordination with public representatives, review progress on ongoing development projects to ensure timely completion and maximum public benefit.

Iraqi air chief shows interest in JF-17 jets during meeting with Pakistan’s air chief

SOUTH WAZIRISTAN

staff Correspondent

A deadly terrorist attack in South Waziristan has claimed the life of prominent religious scholar Maulana Hafiz Sultan Muhammad, who succumbed to injuries after an improvised explosive device (IED) blast that also targeted his young daughter. Terrorists targeted Maulana Hafiz Sultan Muhammad and his daughter in Wana, a key town of South Waziristan. Maulana Sultan, who was critically injured in the IED explosion, later succumbed to his injuries. The attack did not spare his family, as his young daughter was also injured in the explosion. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, which has strongly condemned the targeting of civilians and religious figures. According to reports, foreign terrorists were involved in the attack that led to the martyrdom of the religious scholar. The assault is being described as part of a broader pattern of militant violence in the region. The Pakistan Ulema Council expressed deep sorrow and regret over the martyrdom of Maulana Hafiz Sultan Muhammad. The council strongly condemned the killing and called it an attack on peace, religion and humanity. Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said that terrorists were targeting every Pakistani without discrimination. He stressed that such acts of terrorism aim to destabilise the country and spread fear among the public. Religious leaders and community members urged unity against extremist violence. They emphasised that targeting scholars and innocent families would not weaken Pakistan’s resolve to stand against terrorism.

ISLAMABAD

staff report

The commander of the Iraqi Air Force expressed keen interest in JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) during a meeting with Pakistan’s air chief, the military’s media wing said on Saturday. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), PAF Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, who is on an official visit to Iraq, called on Iraqi Air Force Commander Lt Gen Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi. The meeting took place at the Iraqi Air Force headquarters, where ACM Sidhu was presented with a guard of honour upon arrival. ISPR said discussions focused on strengthening bilateral military cooperation, with particular emphasis on joint training, capacity building and enhanced operational collaboration. During the interaction, ACM

Sidhu highlighted the deep-rooted religious, cultural and historical ties between Pakistan and Iraq, and reaffirmed PAF’s commitment to supporting the Iraqi Air Force in training and capacity development. Both sides agreed to pursue joint exercises and training initiatives aimed at improving interoper-

ability between the two air forces. The Iraqi air chief commended the PAF’s professionalism and technological advancement and expressed interest in benefiting from its world-class training facilities. He also showed keen interest in the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, the statement added. The Iraqi commander further appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional stability. ISPR said the visit underscored the shared resolve of both air forces to further strengthen defence ties and professional cooperation. The JF-17 Thunder is a multirole combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China. Earlier this week, Bangladesh also expressed interest in the potential procurement of the aircraft.

Pakistan Navy test fires surface-to-air missile in Arabian Sea ISLAMABAD

staff report

The Pakistan Navy has demonstrated its operational readiness through a comprehensive naval exercise in the North Arabian Sea, featuring live missile firing and advanced unmanned systems, according to ISPR. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the exercise was conducted to validate Pakistan Navy’s combat preparedness in line with evolving naval warfare. The drills showcased both

conventional and unmanned capabilities across multiple operational domains. A key highlight of the exercise was the successful live firing of the LY-80(N) Surface-toAir Missile from a Vertical Launching System at extended range. The missile accurately engaged and neutralised an aerial target, validating the long-range air defence capability of Pakistan Navy’s modern systems. The exercise also included successful engagement of surface targets using Loitering Munition (LM).

Turkiye seeks entry into Pak-Saudi defence pact: Bloomberg ISLAMABAD

staff report

Turkiye is reportedly seeking to join a strategic mutual defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, a move that could reshape regional security dynamics in the Middle East and beyond, according to a Bloomberg report. Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg said discussions are at an advanced stage and that an agreement is likely. The defence pact, signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in Riyadh in September last year, commits both countries to treat any aggression against one as an attack on both. The report said Turkiye views the arrangement as a means to strengthen security cooperation and deterrence at a time when questions persist over the reliability of the United States and US president Donald Trump’s commitment to Nato, despite Washington’s strong military ties with all three countries. According to Bloomberg, Turkiye’s strategic interests increasingly align with those of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia across South Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa, making its inclusion in the pact a logical expansion. Analysts cited in the report highlighted the complementary strengths of the three countries, with Saudi Arabia providing financial resources, Pakistan offering nuclear capability, ballistic missile capacity and manpower, and Turkiye contributing military experience and a developed defence industry. Nihat Ali Ozcan, a strategist at Ankara-based think tank TEPAV, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying that shifting regional dynamics and the fallout from ongoing conflicts were prompting countries to develop new frameworks to identify allies and security partners. Pakistan’s information ministry and Turkiye’s defence ministry declined to comment on the development, while Saudi authorities were not immediately available for comment, Bloomberg said. The report noted that Turkiye’s potential entry into the pact would underline a new phase in its relations with Saudi Arabia, following years of strained ties. The two countries are now expanding cooperation in the economic and defence sectors and recently held their first-ever naval meeting in Ankara. Pakistan and Turkiye already maintain close defence ties. Ankara has been involved in building corvette warships for the Pakistan Navy and upgrading Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jets. Turkiye is also sharing drone technology with both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and has proposed their participation in its Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet programme, according to Bloomberg. The trilateral defence discussions follow a ceasefire between Pakistan and India that ended a brief but intense military confrontation in May 2025. Bloomberg also noted ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as mediation efforts by Turkiye and Qatar that have so far failed to yield a breakthrough.

Security forces kill 11 Khwarij in North Waziristan IBO RAWALPINDI

staff Correspondent

Eleven Khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna Al Khwarij have been killed by security forces in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. According to ISPR, an intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in North Waziristan District. During the operation, the troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, six khwarij were killed. Another joint intelligence-based operation by police and security forces was conducted in Kurram District. In the ensuing fire exchange, five khwarij were effectively neutralised. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the Indian sponsored khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces, law enforcement agencies, and target killing of innocent civilians. Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji in the area.

Pakistan advises nationals against unnecessary travel to Iran amid protests ISLAMABAD

staff report

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday advised its nationals to avoid all unnecessary travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until conditions improve, citing the prevailing security situation, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a press statement. In a travel advisory, the FO urged Pakistani nationals currently residing in Iran to exercise extreme caution, remain vigilant, minimize non-essential movement and stay in regular contact with Pakistani diplomatic missions in the country. For assistance, the Foreign Office shared the following contact details of Pakistan’s missions in Iran: Embassy of Pakistan, Tehran: +98-2166-9413-88/89/90/91 (landline); +98-2166-9448-88/90 (landline); +98 910 764 8298 (mobile) Consulate, Zahidan: +98 54 33 22 3389

(landline); +98 904 614 5412 (mobile); Consulate, Mashhad: +98 910 762 5302; +98 937 180 7175 The advisory was issued amid anti-government protests and unrest across Iran, triggered by what protesters describe as rising prices and worsening economic conditions, according to media reports. “For their safety and security, Pakistani nationals are advised to avoid all unnecessary travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until conditions improve,” the advisory said. It further urged Pakistanis living in Iran to remain in close and constant contact with the country’s diplomatic missions and to use the provided numbers in case of any emergency. Meanwhile, Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani reported extensive damage to the capital’s infrastructure, stating that rioters had targeted 26 banks, two hospitals, 25 mosques, police facilities and 48 fire trucks during the unrest. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali

Khamenei, on Friday, insisted that the government would “not back down” in the face of protests, which have marked the largest demonstrations in nearly two weeks amid public anger over the rising cost of living. Reacting to the situation, US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran’s leadership, saying the United States could come to the aid of protesters. “I just hope the protesters in Iran are going to be safe, because that’s a very dangerous place right now,” he said. Iran, in a letter to the United Nations Security Council, accused the United States of turning the protests into what it described as “violent subversive acts and widespread vandalism.” Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during a visit to Lebanon, alleged that Washington and Israel were “directly intervening” to try to transform peaceful protests into divisive and violent ones.” In a thread posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Iran’s

Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam termed the protests a “conspiracy,” saying that “this latest conspiracy, like

all previous ones, will be defeated, and the Islamic Revolution will continue its principled and independent path.”

02 NEWS

Sunday, 11 January, 2026 | ISLAMABAD

PAKISTAN’S ECONOMY SET TO GROW 3.5% IN 2026, DESPITE EXTERNAL RISKS AND CHALLENGES, SAYS UN REPORT

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ECONOMIC RECOVERY ON TRACK WITH ROBUST IMF REFORMS; Q1 FY26 GROWTH AT 3.71% SIGNALS IMPROVED OUTLOOK, BUT RISKS REMAIN PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

AKISTAN’S economy is projected to grow by 3.5% in 2026, driven by the continued implementation of the IMF reform programme and a steady economic recovery, according to the

‘World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026’ report released by the United Nations. The report, published by the UN Department of Social Affairs (DESA), highlights that Pakistan’s economic fundamentals are improving. The current account posted a surplus for FY25, fiscal targets for the primary balance were ex-

ceeded, inflation remained under control, and external reserves strengthened. However, the report warns that adverse shocks, such as the recent floods, could pose risks to ongoing economic and development progress, potentially undermining growth, fiscal consolidation, and poverty reduction efforts. Pakistan’s economy has shown early

signs of recovery, with a reported 3.71% growth in the first quarter of FY26, marking a sharp improvement over the 1.80% growth during the same period in FY25. This 2.15 percentage point year-on-year difference indicates a positive shift in the macroeconomic trajectory compared to last year’s gradual growth pattern. Earlier, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal pointed to strong industrial performance as a key driver. Industrial output expanded by 9.38% in Q1 FY26, a significant increase from the 0.12% growth in Q1

APTMA urges FBR to withdraw video analytics at spinning stage of textile value chain g

TEXTILE MILLS ASSOCIATION CALLS FOR ENHANCED MONITORING AT GINNING LEVEL TO TACKLE DISCREPANCIES IN COTTON MOVEMENT AND ENSURE SECTORAL TRANSPARENCY PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to withdraw the implementation of video analytics at the spinning stage of the textile value chain. Instead, APTMA has recommended that the system be installed at the ginning stage, where it believes the core issue of undocumented cotton movement begins.

In a letter to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, APTMA Chairman Kamran Arshad reiterated concerns about the Sales Tax General Order (STGO) and its aim to control undocumented cotton bales and the illegal ‘golmaal’ trade, emphasising that the problem of ‘golmaal’ originates at the ginning stage, not at the spinning stage as currently addressed by the FBR. According to APTMA, discrepancies in cotton production figures, partic-

PSX to maintain positive momentum due to further monetary easing: report PROFIT

Auto parts body urges removal of Rs3M car financing cap to boost local auto industry growth g

STAFF REPORT

The positive momentum in the benchmark KSE100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) is expected to continue, fueled by further monetary easing, a strengthening external account position, and ongoing reforms supported by political stability, according to a weekly outlook note by AKD Research. The brokerage firm projected that the KSE-100 Index is expected to hit 263,800 by December 2026. Investor sentiment is anticipated to improve due to the potential inflow of foreign portfolio and direct investments, bolstered by stronger ties with the US and Saudi Arabia. According to the brokerage note, the market moved upwards sharply during the week ended Friday, with the KSE-100 Index advancing 5,375 points, or 3% week-over-week, to close at 184,410 points. Market participation also strengthened by 25% WoW, with Average Daily Trading Volume up to 1.6 billion shares, compared to 1.3 billion shares in the prior week. Momentum was driven by positive sentiments due to favourable macroeconomic indicators alongside improved relations and news of potential military equipment deals with multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and Azerbaijan. Moreover, positive meetings with China to strengthen coordination at bilateral and multilateral forums and towards CPEC phase-II further helped improve the sentiment. On the macroeconomic front, remittances for December 2025 totaled $3.6 billion, up 17% YoY, bringing the total for 1HFY26 to $19.7 billion, up 11% YoY. Central government debt fell by Rs 345 billion in 5MFY26 to Rs 77.5 trillion. Additionally, T-bill yields declined by 29, 34, 32, and 33 bps for the one-month, three-month, six-month, and 12month papers, respectively, in the first auction following declining inflation. Cement offtakes grew by 1.5% YoY in December 2025, due to higher local dispatches. Furthermore, SBP’s foreign exchange reserves increased by $141 million WoW, ending the week at $16.1 billion as of January 2nd. On the currency front, the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) appreciated by 0.03% WoW against the US dollar, closing the week at 280.02 PKR/USD. Other major news during the week included: 1) Gas circular debt rises to Rs 3.2 trillion, 2) Government considers a Rs 5/liter levy on MS and Diesel to aid the gas sector, 3) OGRA moves to scrap fixed returns in gas pricing, and 4) Pakistan cuts national average power tariff for CY26. Sector-wise, Transport, Pharmaceuticals, Insurance, Refinery, and Leather & Tanneries were among the top performers, up 7.2%, 6.5%, 6.3%, 6.0%, and 6.0% WoW, respectively. On the other hand, Textile Spinning, Vanaspati & Allied Industries, Jute, Miscellaneous, and Close-End Mutual Funds were among the worst performers, with declines of 6.6%, 4.7%, 1.4%, 0.7%, and 0.5% WoW, respectively. In terms of market flows, major net buying was recorded by Mutual Funds and Companies, with net purchases of $71.5 million and $35.5 million, respectively. Conversely, Banks and Foreigners were the major sellers, with net sales of $56.3 million and $42.5 million, respectively.

ularly those reported by the Crop Reporting Service (CRS) and the Pakistan Cotton Ginners’ Association (PCGA), indicate significant leakages at the ginning stage. The CRS has estimated Punjab’s cotton production for the 2025–26 season at 3.81 million bales, while the PCGA reports that only 2.45 million bales arrived at ginneries, revealing a discrepancy of about 1.35 million bales in Punjab alone. “This discrepancy points to ‘gol-

maal’ occurring at the ginning stage, where raw cotton enters the formal supply chain. Spinners only process documented bales, and shifting monitoring to the spinning stage would not effectively address the issue,” said Kamran Arshad in the letter. APTMA argued that focusing video analytics at the spinning stage would be ineffective and could lead to an increase in unregulated cotton trade in the informal sector. The association insists that a national cotton traceability system at the ginning stage is essential to prevent the leakage of undocumented cotton and ensure compliance.

PAKISTAN ASSOCIATION OF AUTOMOTIVE PARTS & ACCESSORIES MANUFACTURERS CALLS FOR EASING FINANCING TERMS TO SUPPORT SALES, STRENGTHEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN, AND EXPAND LOCAL MANUFACTURING PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) has called on the government to remove the Rs3 million cap on car financing imposed by the State Bank of Pakistan. The auto industry body argues that this restriction is limiting consumer demand and hindering growth in the local automotive sector. As per a news report, the PAAPAM request follows a visit by Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, to the Bin Qasim automotive cluster, where he toured several key production facilities. The association’s officials said that easing the financing terms would lead to higher vehicle sales, strengthen the domestic supply chain, and unlock the sector’s expansion potential. During the visit, Khan was briefed on the local parts

manufacturing process and ongoing efforts toward indigenisation. He expressed satisfaction with the quality of locally produced automotive parts, calling it a positive contribution to Pakistan’s GDP growth, job creation, and the adoption of modern technologies. He also described the automotive sector as a vital driver of economic activity. Khan expressed optimism that sales of locally manufactured vehicles would increase in the coming years, especially with government policies aimed at reducing the import of used cars. PAAPAM representatives welcomed these policies, stating they support domestic parts manufacturers and strengthen the local supply chain. Looking ahead, Khan highlighted the potential for Pakistan’s car production to grow from less than 200,000 units annually to between 500,000 and 1 million units, creating new investment opportunities and boosting economic activity.

Punjab unveils Wheat Policy 2026, shifts procurement responsibility to private sector g

GOVT WILL NO LONGER BE INVOLVED IN STOCKHOLDING OR WHEAT PROCUREMENT EXCEPT REGULATORY ROLE; PRIVATE SECTOR WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PURCHASING, FINANCING, STORING, MAINTAINING, AND SUPPLYING STRATEGIC WHEAT RESERVES PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

The Punjab government has approved the Wheat Policy 2026, introducing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework aimed at enhancing food security and market stability while eliminating government procurement costs. The policy will be overseen at the Cabinet level by the Standing Committee of Cabinet on Food Security, with divisional-level management and independent monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure transparency. Under the new policy, the government will no longer be involved in stockholding or direct wheat procurement. Instead, the private sector will take responsibility for purchasing, financing, storing, maintaining, and supplying strategic wheat reserves, with the government retaining an oversight and regulatory role. The shift is intended to reduce public expenditure while maintaining stability in the wheat market. Private sector aggregators, se-

lected through a competitive process, will buy wheat directly from farmers at a benchmark price of Rs 3,500 per 40kg, based on import-parity assessments for the procurement period. This ensures that farmers have assured market access, timely digital payments, and protection from delays often seen in traditional public procurement methods. The Punjab government will not engage in wheat purchases but will ensure fair and competitive markets for farmers without distorting prices. The policy guarantees no public procurement expenditure, subsidies,

stock accumulation, or fiscal liabilities, with the private sector fully responsible for the costs and maintenance of the wheat reserves. To protect consumers, the government will release strategic wheat reserves in a staggered manner from September to March, matching seasonal consumption patterns and addressing market pressures during winter and Ramadan. Profit margins for private partners will be capped on a monthly basis through competitive processes, ensuring stability and preventing market manipulation.

FY25. This marks a broader base for the economy, signaling a “qualitative change” in growth composition. Iqbal emphasised that despite challenges such as the 2025 floods, the withdrawal of energy subsidies, fiscal tightening measures, and ongoing foodprice pressures, the economy showed resilience. He expressed confidence that the stronger performance in Q1 FY26 would provide a more stable foundation for recovery, though risks related to inflation, external financing needs, and industrial activity remain.

Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu appointed Chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

The federal government has appointed Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), according to a notification issued on January 9, 2026. This appointment comes in line with the provisions under Section 6 of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan Act, 1997. Dr Sidhu, who has also been serving as Chairman of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and a Commissioner at the SECP, will now lead the Securities and Exchange Commission with immediate effect. His remuneration and allowances will be determined as per the relevant provisions of the SECP Act, 1997. He holds extensive experience in market regulation, public policy, and financial law. He completed his Bachelor of Law (LLB) and an LLM in Banking, Insurance, and International Business Law from the University of Manchester. Dr. Sidhu also holds a PhD, with his doctoral thesis focusing on the Regulation of Market Abuse and Manipulation. Additionally, he has earned a postgraduate diploma in Civil Litigation from the Manchester Law Society and certifications in Mortgage and Financial Advice from the London Institute of Banking and Finance. He has more than 20 years of experience in various sectors, which include working for insurance companies, law firms, compliance departments of financial institutions in the UK and various law firms and government ministries in Pakistan.

Bank lending to private sector plunges 79% to Rs395b in 1HFY26, despite rate cuts, economic recovery PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

Bank lending to Pakistan’s private sector declined by 79% to Rs395 billion from July to December 2025, compared to Rs1.871 trillion in the same period last year, despite interest rate cuts and signs of economic recovery, according to data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The drop in private sector borrowing contrasts with the continued high demand for loans from the government. The federal government borrowed Rs 1.512 trillion from commercial banks in the first half of FY26, while it retired Rs 1.09 trillion in loans during the same period last year. The Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA) reported a steady rise in banking sector activity, with the advance-to-deposit ratio (ADR) increasing to around 38% by November. This growth was driven by an injection of Rs 1.5 trillion into private sector credit this fiscal year, as banks have begun to deploy liquidity more actively, particularly following a reduction in government borrowing. The PBA highlighted that the banking sector remains instrumental in supporting industrial output and job creation. The SBP’s monetary policy statement for December showed a Rs 187 billion expansion in private sector credit from July to November FY26. This was attributed to easing financial conditions, improved consumer sentiment, and a stable macroeconomic environment. However, year-on-year private sector credit declined by 0.3%, largely due to the high base effect from an extraordinary credit expansion in the second quarter of the previous fiscal year. In response to improving conditions, the SBP reduced its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 10.5% in December, signaling a continued effort to support economic growth. Since 2024, the central bank has cut rates by a total of 1,150 basis points, reflecting a shift towards more accommodative monetary policy.

Federal govt transfers Secretary Petroleum over rising circular debt, delays in reforms g

MOMIN AGHA REMOVED AMID CONCERNS OVER BALLOONING GAS SECTOR CIRCULAR DEBT AND STALLED OIL SECTOR DIGITALISATION; MIRZA NASIR-UD-DIN MASHHOOD AHMAD TO LOOK AFTER ROLE UNTIL NEW APPOINTEE PROFIT

AhmAd AhmAdAni

The federal government has transferred Secretary of Petroleum Mohammad Momin Agha with immediate effect, amid mounting concerns over the rapidly rising circular debt in the gas sector and delays in key reform initiatives. According to sources, Momin Agha was removed after failing to rein in the balloon-

ing circular debt despite “loud and clear” instructions from the Prime Minister. He also remained unsuccessful in implementing the long-promised digitalisation of the oil sector, covering refineries, imports, supply chains, and sales at petrol pumps. Sources added that several other undisclosed factors also contributed to the decision. The Petroleum Minister, sources said, had been pressing for the appointment of a more energetic and proactive Secretary to

steer the division through the critical challenges facing the oil and gas sector. It is also learned from sources that current Chairman of the FBR, Rashid Mahmood Langrial, is likely to become the next Secretary of the Petroleum Division. They, however, added that the name(s) of the next candidate(s) for the important position will be revealed within a week. The Establishment Division has already issued a formal notification directing Mo-

hammad Momin Agha to report to the Establishment Division with immediate effect. In a separate notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat’s Establishment Division, Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Mashhood Ahmad, a BS22 officer of the Secretariat Group and currently serving as Special Secretary, Petroleum Division, has been assigned the look-after charge of the post of Secretary, Petroleum Division. He will hold the additional charge alongside his existing responsibilities until the posting of a regular incumbent. The change comes at a time when the gas sector’s circular debt has surged to alarming levels.

According to industry estimates, the gas circular debt now stands at around Rs 3.2 trillion (Rs 3,200 billion) or even higher. In April 2025, the debt was estimated at around Rs 2.3 trillion, which increased to Rs 2.6 trillion by November–December 2025, before climbing sharply in early January 2026. Sources said a significant portion of the gas sector’s circular debt, approximately Rs 1.45 trillion, comprises Late Payment Surcharges (LPS), indicating that the actual principal liability is comparatively lower. However, the continuous accumulation of LPS has further complicated efforts to stabilise the sector.

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Sunday, 11 January, 2026 | ISlamabad

TRUMP ADMIN EXPLORES LUMP SUM PAYMENTS TO GREENLANDERS TO ENCOURAGE SECESSION FROM DENMARK AND JOIN US: REPORT

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PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

S officials have discussed sending lump sum payments to Greenlanders as part of a bid to convince them to secede from Denmark and potentially join the United States, according to four sources familiar with the matter. While the exact dollar figure and logistics of any payment are unclear, U.S. officials, including White House aides, have discussed figures ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, said two of the

sources, who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The idea of directly paying residents of Greenland, an overseas territory of Denmark, offers one explanation of how the U.S. might attempt to “buy” the island of 57,000 people, despite authorities’ insistence in Copenhagen and Nuuk that Greenland is not for sale. he tactic is among various plans being discussed by the White House for acquiring Greenland, including potential use of the U.S. military. But it risks coming off as overly transactional and even

Short-term inflation rises 3.20% YoY, driven by persistent food, energy price hikes PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week ending January 8, 2026, showed a 3.20% year-on-year (YoY) increase, reflecting ongoing pressure on household budgets amid sustained food and energy price inflation. According to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the SPI, which tracks the weekly price movements of 51 essential commodities across 50 markets in 17 cities, rose by 0.12% on a week-on-week (WoW) basis. This increase was seen across all consumption quintiles, with lower- and middle-income groups (Quintiles 1–4) experiencing slightly higher inflation at 0.12% to 0.13%, compared to the highest-income group (Q5), which saw a lower WoW increase of 0.11%. On a YoY basis, inflation was most pronounced in the lower-middle and middle-income households, with Quintiles 2 and 3 experiencing increases of 3.65% and 3.43%, respectively, compared to 2.42% for Quintile 1 and 2.58% for Quintile 5.

FBR reduces time limit for condonation of sales tax matters to two years Registered taxpayers now have two years, instead of three, to apply for time-limit condonation in sales tax matters, with decisions to be made within 30 to 45 days PRFIT

STAFF REPORT

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a new policy directive that shortens the time frame for granting condonation in sales tax matters from three years to two years. Under this revised measure, the Commissioner Inland Revenue (IR) may now condone time limits for registered taxpayers up to two years, instead of the previous three-year period.The new rule empowers the Commissioner-IR to approve condonation requests for sales tax-related matters, provided the application is made within the two-year limit. The FBR has modified its earlier guidelines under the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and notification No. SRO 1444(1)/2024, as part of this shift. According to the notification, registered taxpayers, or those authorised by them, are required to submit an application to the Commissioner-IR explaining the reasons for the delay in filing their sales tax returns or completing required actions within the designated time frame. If no further documentation is needed, the Commissioner-IR is mandated to decide on the application within 30 days. In cases where additional information is required, the Commissioner-IR has up to 45 days from receiving the necessary documents to make a decision on the case. The Commissioner is also instructed to provide clear reasons for either approving or rejecting the condonation request. This move by the FBR is part of its broader strategy to streamline sales tax compliance and reduce delays in the filing process.

The increase in the SPI for the week was largely driven by rising prices of staple food items and utility costs. Wheat flour saw the most significant price surge, rising by 5.07%, followed by chicken (2.86%), garlic (2.44%), and chili powder (1.01%). Energy-related costs also edged higher, with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices climbing by 0.88%. Other processed items like prepared tea (0.73%), sugar (0.58%), bread (0.51%), and broken Basmati rice (0.41%) also contributed to the weekly inflationary pressures. However, some relief was observed in perishable food prices, with potatoes falling by 3.73%, onions by 2.20%, eggs by 1.44%, and pulse gram by 1.51%. Modest declines were also seen in bananas (0.21%) and tomatoes (0.05%), though these decreases were not sufficient to offset the impact of rising staple and utility costs. On an annual basis, the 3.20% YoY increase in SPI was primarily driven by sharp price hikes in wheat flour (31.12%) and gas charges (29.85%). Other notable increases included beef (13.15%), chili powder (11.43%), sugar (11.18%), and bananas (10.57%).

SBP injects Rs 1.59tr to maintain market liquidity through OMO SBP injects Rs 1.29tr through Reverse Repo Purchase, and Rs 294 billion via Shariah-compliant Mudarabah OMO STAFF REORT

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) injected Rs 1,590.1 billion into the market through its latest Open Market Operations (OMO) on January 9, 2026, aimed at maintaining liquidity levels. This included both Reverse Repo Purchase and Shariah Compliant Mudarabah-based operations. The central bank allocated Rs 1,296.1 billion through Reverse Repo Purchase for 7- and 14day tenors, accepting 9 bids at varying rates. In addition, Rs 294 billion was injected through the Shariah-compliant Mudarabah-based OMO. For the 14-day tenor, the SBP received six bids, totaling Rs 750.5 billion, with return rates ranging between 10.53% and 10.56%. The full amount was accepted at a rate of 10.53%. Similarly, for the 7day tenor, three bids offering Rs 545.6 billion were accepted at a rate of 10.52%. The SBP also carried out a Shariah-compliant Mudarabahbased operation for both tenors. For the 7-day tenor, two bids totaling Rs 284 billion were accepted at a return rate of 10.55%. A single 14-day bid offering Rs 10 billion at 10.54% was also fully accepted. This action by the central bank reflects its ongoing efforts to manage liquidity and stabilize short-term market conditions.

Sugar mills urge Punjab to align Sugarcane Development Cess with other provinces PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has called on the Punjab government to align the Sugarcane Development Cess (SDC) rate with other provinces, citing the growing financial challenges faced by local sugar mills. The SDC, which has been in effect in Punjab since 1964, is imposed annually during the sugarcane crushing season. It is collected equally from both sugar mills and farmers and is intended for infrastructure development, including road repairs from sugarcane fields to mills, bridge construction, and support for sugarcane research and promotion. However, the PSMA raised concerns that the cess rate in Punjab is significantly higher than in other provinces, particularly Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The association’s spokesperson noted that while the tax is meant to benefit the

agricultural infrastructure, district governments are not utilizing the funds effectively, and the condition of farm-to-mill roads remains poor. The PSMA also pointed out the already high production costs due to taxes, such as the 18% sales tax on sugar, which is much higher than the tax rates in countries like India (5%), Thailand (7%), and China (13%). In addition, rising costs re-

lated to expensive imported chemicals, high interest rates, and increasing minimum wages are further burdening sugar mills. The industry is seeking a reduction in the SDC rate in Punjab, from Rs 5, to match the rates in other provinces, in order to ease the financial strain on sugar producers and promote a more competitive market.

degrading to a population that has long debated its own independence and its economic dependence on Denmark. “Enough is enough … No more fantasies about annexation,” Greenland’s Prime Minister JensFrederik Nielsen wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday after U.S. President Donald Trump again told reporters the U.S. needed to acquire the island. EUROPEAN LEADERS SAY DECISION FOR GREENLAND, DENMARK Leaders in Copenhagen and throughout Europe have reacted to comments by Trump and other White House officials asserting their right to Greenland in re-

cent days with disdain, particularly given that the U.S. and Denmark are NATO allies bound by a mutual defence agreement. On Tuesday, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark issued a joint statement, saying only Greenland and Denmark can decide matters regarding their relations. Asked for comment about discussions to purchase the island, including the possibility of direct payments to Greenlanders, the White House referred Reuters to remarks by press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday.

04 COMMENT

Sunday, 11 January, 2026

DISCOs solarizing at last?

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PM’s ordering loss-making DISCOs to solarize may start them on a path towards sustainability

RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif, by telling lossmaking distribution companies Peshawar Electric Supply Corporation and Quetta Electricity Supply Corporation to opt for solar power on their high-loss feeders, has initiated a process that should have begun a long time ago. This process should not be allowed to generate into an avenue of corruption over the acquisition of land on which to set up the requisite solar panels, but should be taken together with the government’s planned privatization policy. It brings PESCO and QESCO into the business of generation as well, where they should have been a long time ago. Neither of these DISCOs should fall into the trap of imagining that generation is only possible by huge installations. The consumer, who has gotten into generation, had shown that solarization meant a democratization of generation. One advantage for the generation companies was they did not have to mobilize resources for new generation. However, the DISCOs found they had to buy all the solar power generated, even as they had to pay for all the rental power which was being billed even when not generated. One of the reasons why solarization has worked is because there has been no land acquisition cost, as consumers have used their roofs. Rather than acquire vast tracts to plunk solar panels, the DISCOs need to develop a model where consumers use their own roofs. There is also confident talk of developing micro-grids, so that certain areas could use power from the grid, or the solar power generated, if there was a grid power shutdown. One of the key factors would be the development of storage, which consumers cannot afford, and for which large entities are better suited. In short, it is up to the DISCOs to ensure that the consumer continues to benefit from remaining on the grid. The cost advantage of solar power is too much to ignore, and the DISCOs must get on the bandwagon they have missed. The move of the courts to solarization has been approved by the Lahore High Court on the ground of continuity, though cost savings will also be visible. It is now the turn of the federal and provincial governments to convert their vast roofs to a means which is more preserving of the taxpayers’ money than merely depending on the grid. Grid electricity simply costs too much.

How 2025 Chose Not to Choose The year crises got worse

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HE most dangerous years are not the ones that explode, but the ones that lull us into believing nothing urgent is required of us. 2025 was such a year. It did not arrive with revolutions, sweeping reforms, or irreversible breakthroughs. Instead, it passed quietly— deceptively calm, outwardly stable— reshaping the future not through decisive action, but through the slow poison of sustained avoidance. Such years rarely feel disastrous in real time. They are filed away as periods of “holding steady” or “buying time.” Only later does it become clear that the time borrowed was squandered, and the interest will be ruinous. As 2025 draws to a close, much of the commentary is busy tallying familiar metrics: growth rates nudged upward, inflation partially tamed, conflicts contained rather than resolved. But history is not shaped only by what societies do; it is shaped more profoundly by what they choose not to confront. The most honest report card for 2025 is not found in the achievements we claim, but in the long list of decisions deferred, reforms postponed, and moral responsibilities quietly sidestepped. It was a year marked less by spectacular failure than by the chilling normalisation of doing nothing. On the global stage, this inaction had a name: climate delay. 2025 was meant to be the moment when ambition finally caught up with scientific reality— the year global greenhouse gas emissions

History will not remember 2025 as a year of collapse— and that is precisely what makes it so dangerous. It will be remembered as the year we learned how to stand still while everything beneath us was already shifting. Delay was mistaken for wisdom, caution for foresight. We were not brought down by a single overwhelming crisis; we were slowly diminished by our own refusal to act. And unless this habit of avoidance is confronted—not only by the state, but by society itself— the future will force upon us far harsher and more painful choices than those we so easily avoided in 2025

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

M. A. Niazi

Babar Nizami

Editor Pakistan Today

Editor Profit

Majid Nabi burfat

would peak and begin to fall, preserving the fading promise of the 1.5°C Paris target. Instead, emissions continued their stubborn upward climb. Climate pledges lost urgency, and the catastrophe we once feared became background noise, a chronic illness we collectively decided to live with. The world did not merely fail to cut emissions; it failed to change direction. Renewable energy expanded, but as an accessory rather than a replacement. The old fossil fuel system remained largely intact. We did not dismantle it; we simply draped a thin green layer over it, ensuring that the reckoning ahead will be sharper, more painful, and deeply unequal. Nowhere was this failure of will more visible than in South Asia. The brief but dangerous military flare-up in May— sparked by the Pahalgam incident— was a stark reminder of how close the region lives to catastrophe. For a fleeting moment, diplomacy appeared unavoidable. Yet once the immediate danger passed, so did the urgency. The opportunity was not seized; it was allowed to evaporate. No durable crisis-management framework emerged. No regional dialogue on climate security was initiated— an astonishing omission as the Himalayas melt faster than any comparable ice system on earth, threatening the water supply of over a billion people. Silence returned, familiar and frozen. While other regions deepened cooperation, South Asia remained the least integrated part of the world, imprisoned by unresolved histories and an inability to imagine a shared future. This broader paralysis found its clearest and most painful expression in Pakistan. Economic stabilisation was celebrated as an achievement, but treated as an endpoint rather than a window for reform. The breathing space was not used to fix structural flaws. The tax system remained unjust, placing a crushing burden on the salaried middle class while wealth and privilege stayed largely untouched. State-owned enterprises continued to bleed billions, yet meaningful reform was deemed politically inconvenient. We did not repair a broken economic model; we borrowed more to keep it running, quietly transferring the cost to the next generation. The human consequences were severe. The

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HINA’S remarkable advancement in nuclear energy has become a global focal point, reshaping the world’s strategic and political landscape. Having overtaken the USA in nuclear technology, China’s progress is not just a scientific milestone but a declaration of technological and political ascendancy. This development holds far-reaching consequences for global diplomacy, defence, the environment, and energy security. While the world debates the implications of China’s growing dominance, countries like Pakistan see both opportunities and challenges emerging from this transformation. It is worth exploring China’s achievements, international reactions, and the ways Pakistan can strategically benefit from China’s expanding nuclear capabilities. In today’s world, national power is no longer measured solely by military strength or economic output. Energy independence and technological superiority have become central to global influence. Recognizing this, China has made nuclear energy a cornerstone of its longterm development strategy. Currently, China operates more than 50 nuclear reactors and is building over 20 additional ones, aiming to establish the world’s largest nuclear power system by 2035. The country has invested heavily in advanced technologies such as high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, fast breeder reactors, and thoriumbased systems. China’s ambitions extend beyond domestic needs. Through what experts call “technology diplomacy,” Beijing is offering nuclear technology and infrastructure to developing countries, expanding its political and economic reach across Asia, Africa, and beyond. This integration of science, strategy, and diplomacy has elevated China from a major power to a potential global energy leader. The USA, once a pioneer of nuclear energy, is now struggling to maintain its former supremacy. Bureaucratic delays, high operational costs, and limited government support have hindered progress. With most American nuclear projects under private ownership, consistent policy execution has become difficult. In contrast, China’s centralized system al-

For Pakistan, China’s progress presents both a challenge and an opportunity. By learning from China’s experience, enhancing domestic capacity, and maintaining international transparency, Pakistan can harness this partnership to achieve energy security, technological advancement, and economic independence. In this new age of nuclear transformation, Pakistan has the chance to turn collaboration into self-reliance— and self-reliance into progress

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Party, peril, repeat

Opening new prospects for Pakistan

lows for long-term planning, rapid implementation, and large-scale investment. The USA has labeled China’s progress as part of a broader technological diplomacy strategy and is now seeking ways to counterbalance Beijing’s growing influence through international partnerships and renewed domestic investment. China’s nuclear advancements have triggered mixed reactions worldwide. Russia sees the development as an opportunity for greater cooperation rather than competition. Both countries are strengthening their energy alliances and conducting trade in national currencies, which could challenge the dominance of the dollar. India views China’s nuclear progress as a potential threat to regional security and is therefore enhancing its own nuclear and defence capabilities. The European Union and Japan are less focused on competition and more on ensuring stricter global safety standards to prevent nuclear mishaps or misuse. These shifting dynamics indicate the possible emergence of a new geopolitical bloc centered around nuclear energy— a factor that could reshape international power relations in the years to come. Despite its promise, nuclear energy carries significant risks. Disasters such as Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) remain stark reminders of the dangers associated with technological failure or human error. The safe disposal of nuclear waste is still a major global challenge. Furthermore, the risk of nuclear materials falling into the hands of nonstate actors or extremist groups poses a serious threat to world peace. If nuclear development is militarized, it could trigger a new global arms race, undermining decades of international disarmament efforts. As China’s long-standing strategic and economic partner, Pakistan is uniquely positioned to benefit from this nuclear revolution. Through cooperation and technology sharing, Pakistan can strengthen its energy infrastructure, scientific capacity, and economic resilience. Pakistan faces chronic electricity shortages that hinder industrial growth and economic progress. Collaboration with China in building modern nuclear power plants— like the Chashma, K-2, and K-3 projects— has already contributed significantly to Pakistan’s energy mix. Continued access to China’s advanced, cost-effective reactor technologies could further reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imported fuel and stabilize its power supply. China’s cost-efficient reactor models and

The writer is a freelance columnist

Editor’s mail

China Leads in Nuclear Energy Too Mahtab abbasi

most consequential failure of 2025 was our neglect of Pakistan’s youth. With more than 60 million young people, the country sits atop a demographic opportunity, yet treats it as a problem to manage rather than a future to build. The skills gap remained vast. Nearly half of educated youth struggled to find meaningful work, as the economy demanded capabilities an outdated education system failed to provide. Climate adaptation followed the same reactive pattern. Heatwaves and floods were anticipated, yet cities like Karachi and Lahore were not redesigned for resilience. Each disaster was treated as an exception, never as a predictable feature of a changing climate. But institutional failure tells only half the story. The most uncomfortable truth of 2025 is that this paralysis was also internal. The state’s retreat from responsibility mirrored a retreat within society itself. Fatigue replaced engagement. Cynicism displaced hope. We saw decay in our cities and desperation among our youth, yet turned inward, focused on personal survival. Public debate fractured into hostile echo chambers. We demanded integrity from leaders while tolerating everyday dishonesty around us. The failure was not confined to government offices; it lived in our neighbourhoods, our classrooms, and our homes. As the year ends, the true balance sheet of 2025 is not economic. It is moral. It is measured in the reforms we delayed, the peace we declined to pursue, and the potential we allowed to wither. The cracks we entered the year with did not disappear; they widened beneath a fragile surface of stability. History will not remember 2025 as a year of collapse— and that is precisely what makes it so dangerous. It will be remembered as the year we learned how to stand still while everything beneath us was already shifting. Delay was mistaken for wisdom, caution for foresight. We were not brought down by a single overwhelming crisis; we were slowly diminished by our own refusal to act. And unless this habit of avoidance is confronted—not only by the state, but by society itself— the future will force upon us far harsher and more painful choices than those we so easily avoided in 2025.

expertise in safety management provide Pakistan with a chance to upgrade its nuclear infrastructure. By adopting Chinese designs and methods, Pakistan can develop its own capabilities in reactor design, safety protocols, and waste management, fostering technological selfsufficiency. Through joint research programmes and academic partnerships, Pakistan can train engineers and scientists in the latest nuclear technologies. Such collaboration would strengthen Pakistan’s institutional capacity and ensure the safe, long-term operation of nuclear facilities. Reliable and clean nuclear energy can power Pakistan’s industries, attract foreign investment, and boost GDP growth. The expansion of nuclear power will not only meet domestic energy needs but also contribute to industrial modernization and job creation. A stronger, energy-secure Pakistan would play a more active role in regional and international affairs. Through collaboration with China, Pakistan can maintain strategic balance in South Asia and enhance its position in platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). While these opportunities are promising, Pakistan must carefully manage potential risks. Increased dependence on China could limit Pakistan’s economic independence and expose it to geopolitical pressures from Western powers. It is also essential for Pakistan to comply fully with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regulations to ensure transparency and international credibility. China’s dominance in nuclear energy marks a historic shift in global power dynamics. If guided by peaceful intentions and sustainable goals, this transformation could revolutionize the global energy landscape and help mitigate climate change. However, if driven by political or military motives, it could heighten tensions and jeopardize world peace. For Pakistan, China’s progress presents both a challenge and an opportunity. By learning from China’s experience, enhancing domestic capacity, and maintaining international transparency, Pakistan can harness this partnership to achieve energy security, technological advancement, and economic independence. In this new age of nuclear transformation, Pakistan has the chance to turn collaboration into self-reliance— and self-reliance into progress.

The Writer is an Islamabad based disabled journalist and can be reached at mehtab.abbasi847@gmail.com Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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ISLAMABAD has witnessed a surge in music concerts and live events, drawing thousands of people. Many youngsters openly use drugs at these events, putting their health and safety at risk. Such a behaviour threatens their physical and mental wellbeing, and creates a negative example for other impressionable youth as well. If left unchecked, this could lead to addiction, accidents and long-term social problems. Authorities and event organisers should strengthen monitoring at concerts, educate the youth about the dangers of drug use, and ensure a safe and secure environment for one and all at such concerts. Parents and community leaders should also guide young people towards healthy recreational activities. MUHAMMAD ANFAL ISLAMABAD

Toxic labour trap

The tragic deaths of sanitation workers highlight a grave failure in protecting some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens. Workers are routinely sent into sewers without proper safety equipment, exposing them to toxic gases and life-threatening conditions. Human rights reports and observations made by the Islamabad High Court have pointed to discrimination as a factor that perpetuates this dangerous and demeaning labour. Each year, around hundred workers lose their lives — not due to accidents, but as a result of systemic neglect and irresponsibility. Pakistan must ensure safe working conditions for all. To make this possible, urgent reforms are needed to uphold the dignity of these essential workers. SHABAZ INTEZAR TURBAT

Taliban rule and buried freedoms

AFGHANISTAN has often been called the graveyard of empires. The Afghan people have endured far more than most nations, having survived invasions, civil wars and decades of uncertainty. But behind the familiar tales of resistance lies something that is not talked about nearly as much; Afghanistan has also become a graveyard of hopes, prosperity and human rights. The Afghan Taliban regularly celebrate their victories against world powers, presenting them as a proof of ‘strength’ and ‘national pride’, but their failure to build a functioning society negates their claims. Deep-rooted traditions, rigid attitudes and fear of change continue to slow down the country’s social development. Inside these limitations are rights and values that should never have been controversial in the first place: justice, equality, girls education, safety for minorities, protection for children, and the freedom to express art, music and literature. These are the things that help a society move forward, but they remain sidelined or dismissed as ‘foreign’ ideas. The saddest part of Afghanistan’s story, perhaps, is that every foreign withdrawal gave the country a new chance to rebuild itself, but almost every time, the moment slipped away. Women still face restrictions in their daily lives, girls lose access to classrooms, and minorities worry about their security. Artists, poets, and musicians find themselves silenced. A country that once produced some of the region’s richest cultural expressions now struggles to keep them alive. On the other hand, Afghan Taliban export terrorism to Pakistan. Afghanistan has no shortage of strength when it comes to resisting outsiders,but it hesitates when it comes to confron- ting its own internal problems. Pride becomes more important than progress. Weapons become symbols of authority, while welfare and wellbeing fall behind. Afghanistan should not remain a place where dreams are buried deeper than fallen empires. A true empire is built where all communities cherish their dreams and live in peace enjoying collective freedom. Bravery is useless when every right is usurped and people have to live under constant threats. SADAM HUSSAIN KORAI LARKANA

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COMMENT 05

Sunday, 11 January, 2026

The New World Disorder under the Republicans

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Implications for the regions across the world naqi aKbar

F the Trump Administration-inspired trade wars, which have literally fractured the WTO regime within the period of a calendar year, were not enough to sow chaos in the unipolar world, the January 3 midnight operation by the US Special Forces ‘Delta Force’ to get the Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife quite unceremoniously like criminals had in fact changed the definition of what can be termed as a new global geopolitical “New Normal”. The IDF counteroffensive lin Gaza after 7 October 2023 left nothing intact with reference to the dictates of the so-called Geneva convention in any conflict. True, there have been instances of inadvertent omissions by the armed forces the world over; however, the one-and-a-half-year-old conflict witnessed deliberate razing to the ground, residential complexes, hospitals and any other human dwelling. Given the fact that all the front-line bombers used by the Israeli air arm are US-built, specifically by Lockheed Corporation, F-16s and F-35s. That silent approval, rather sustained supplies, meant the USA agreed with the IDF over goals. In contrast to that, the USA has been very particular about whether its supplied gadgetry has been used according to the mandate or not. In a snub to the then Ayub government in the then United Pakistan; in

an internal memo circulated by the Intelligence directorate to the relevant stakeholders within the Johnson Administration dated 21 July 1965, the US policymakers took offence at what they called the Pakistani armed forces’ refusal to take part in the Indo China conflict, siding with the leftist Sukarno government; supplying the Indonesian Air force with C-130 spares and possibly using the US-supplied weapons systems in the Rann of Kuch campaign in April 1965. In the case of the IDF the US government and the law makers preferred to look the other way; conveniently. The IDF Hamas model as encouraged by the US government was first replicated, though unsuccessfully in the Operation Sindoor. The Indian conflict timeline has been generally marked with even a lukewarm adherence to the Geneva convention; even in the recent conflicts like Kargil, or Swift Retort, where the targets were seemingly military. The Sindoor operation was a radical departure from the usual Indo-Pakistani protocol. The targeting of the seminaries and even individual places of worship was never the part of engagements between the two states. If the 1965 and 1971 conflicts were in the days of unguided ammunition where chances of error remain, the year 2025 was in the era of guided ammunition; with no room for doubt or omission regarding the entity which committed aggression. Likewise, in the week just passed there has been a drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence in Moscow, which raised eyebrows at that point of time.

Whatever might be the scenarios in place for the region now or the intended ones in weeks to come, the job to finish the republic will be a desperate one and a planned one too. This time, the reformist government very much bows to the supreme leader and the IRGC. The way the forex crisis was dealt with, a quick change in the management of the Iranian central bank, the sitting government negotiating with the currency market stakeholders, all point out cautiously to the lessons learnt by the Iranians

However, the Venezuelan drama where the US/CIA moles within the military allowed the Chinooks to have their way right to the Presidential palace has thrown the world into an unprecedented situation. A constitutional postmortem of the situation shows that the President is abducted while the state he has headed as an administrator is not occupied; a legal lacuna if debated in the international legal circles. That same contradiction might be the subject of the value judgement for the international forums, like the UNO or the ICJ. Practically, the intervention in Venezuela looks like an updated version of the 1953 coup in Iran which ousted the pre1979 nationalist Head of the Government, Mohammad Mossadeq, as the issues under discussion were the same: the availability of oil reserves. It may be pertinent to note that as of now the Venezuelan proven oil reserves are the most in the world, followed by Saudi Arabia and Iran. In both cases the CIA was the main culprit, in Tehran of August 1953 financing small time clergy and the ‘Mulla Muzaffar (analogy for street strong-arms) for fomenting unrest in the capital; in the case of Caracas, ensuring the air defence, radar and interceptors were neutralized well in time to allow the CIA and the Delta Force do its job. In 1953, the USA restored the Shah for the British oil interests; in the case of the strike on January 3 (the same date the former victims, Iranians, remember for the assassination of IRGC chief Maj Gen Qasem Soleimani in 2020) the USA did not even show any regard to the international law and acted recklessly. In fact, the two January 3 scenarios are unique in the sense in the 2020, a serving officer on the government of Iran payroll was killed, while in 2026 here the top executive of the government was unceremoniously abducted. But where the world is headed? Flight radar scans indicate a flurry of USAF flight refueling tankers, available for reconnaissance jets or for the ones likely to take part in the strike packages, seconded by the RAF operating from its forward base in Cyprus. In another war theatre, India does not seem to let go the aggressive momentum it flared up intentionally in October 2025 with PM Modi on board INS Vikrant with new NOTAMS near the Pakistani border and the missile launches along the Orrisa/Odisha coastline close to

Bangladesh. Here it is worth mentioning to state that these developments are not for any electoral exercise, rather look like exploitation of an international trend for one’s own gain. Given the strong indications that an attack on the Islamic Republic is in the new year itinerary of both the IDF and the CENTCOM/USAF, the threats of Trump himself acting in defence of the Iranian people’s democratic rights all indicate that any charge from drugs to human rights to terrorism (the last named a very vague term for anyone to exploit) can be the punchline for the ‘new normal’ or a very disorderly new world order as defined by the Trump Administration. The new normal being a pretext to launch aggression on any ‘noncomplying state’. In the developing scenario, the intended strikes might not be the ones undertaken in isolation with only the moles in Iranian society, but those in the military and polity to be activated, as Caracas was on a coastline, while similar kidnappings in Tehran can be a difficult ball game. Here it may be pointed out that the Tabas attack on 27 April 1980, US Embassy Hostage release bid, was an early version of the operation now wished; at that time the air defence batteries were removed around the main installations for facilitating the USAF CH 54 Super Stallion helicopters. The con-

Why the once loyal bazaar merchants are now protesting in Iran

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Two decades of economic changes have eroded the bazaar’s economic power and political sway in Tehran

AL JAZEERA

Kayhan Valadbaygi

N his first public remarks since mass protests broke out in Iran, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei sought to draw a sharp line between what he deemed the “legitimate” grievances of the bazaar and outright rebellion across the country. “We talk to protesters; the officials must talk to them, but there is no benefit to talking to rioters. Rioters must be put in their place,” he said. The distinction was deliberate. Khamenei went on to praise the bazaar and its merchants as “among the most loyal sectors” of the Islamic Republic, insisting that the enemies of the state could not exploit the bazaar as a vehicle to confront the system itself. Yet his words failed to mask the reality on the ground. Protests continue in the Tehran Bazaar, prompting authorities to deploy tear gas against demonstrators chanting antistate slogans, including ones targeting the supreme leader. The state’s attempt to symbolically separate the bazaar from the broader unrest failed in practice, exposing the limits of its narrative control. Khamenei’s invocation of the revolutionary legacy of the bazaar is rooted in historical facts. The bazaar played a decisive role in the 1979 revolution that overthrew Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi and remained aligned with conservative politi-

cal networks in the following decades. But this historical loyalty no longer guarantees political quiescence. Over the past 20 years, the economic standing of the bazaar has been steadily eroded by state favouritism towards the economic machinery of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and large religious-revolutionary foundations (bonyads), sanctions management, and chronic inflation. As a result, what was once a staunch base of the regime has become another casualty of systemic dysfunction. In the aftermath of the 1979 revolution, powerful bazaar merchants, often operating through the bazaar-affiliated Islamic Coalition Party, were folded directly into the architecture of the new state. They gained influence over key institutions and ministries, including the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, the Ministry of Labour, and the Guardian Council. This political access translated into material advantage. Despite the enthusiasm of powerful figures in the new revolutionary state for total nationalisation, including control over foreign trade, the bazaar maintained a dominant role in Iran’s commercial trade throughout the 1980s. Bazaar merchants secured import licences, ran the largest trading firms under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce, and benefitted from preferential access to the official exchange rate, which was far below market value. These imported goods were sold to Iranians at market prices, generating substantial profits.

When the Islamic Republic turned towards economic liberalisation in the 1990s, political forces tied to the bazaar, often described as the “traditional right”, backed President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in sidelining Islamist leftists from both the cabinet and the Majles. Although some of Rafsanjani’s market reforms later collided with bazaar interests and gave rise to the so-called “new right”, most notably the Servants of Reconstruction Party, the bazaar and its allies retained substantial influence within the state. The reformist agenda of Rafsanjani’s successor, President Mohammad Khatami, also did not fundamentally threaten the economic position or political clout of the bazaar. Key institutions—the Guardian Council, the Assembly of Experts, and the judiciary—remained firmly under the control of the “traditional right”, insulating the bazaar from meaningful challenge. Although the bazaar overwhelmingly supported the presidential bid of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005, the economic and foreign policies of his administration ultimately accelerated the erosion of its economic power. During Ahmadinejad’s presidency, “privatisation” became a vehicle for the transfer of major state assets to firms affiliated with the IRGC and bonyads. Reclassified as “public, nongovernmental entities” under a new interpretation of Article 44 of the Constitution, these bodies absorbed vast swaths of the economy. Backed by the supreme leader and a cabinet dominated by military and security fig-

ures, many of them former IRGC officers, this redistribution of wealth encountered little institutional resistance. The result was a profound shift in Iran’s political economy. The IRGC emerged as a dominant economic actor, expanding its reach across infrastructure, petrochemicals, banking, and beyond. Major bonyads, including the Mostazafan Foundation, the Imam Reza Shrine Foundation, and Setad, similarly consolidated their power by acquiring state firms and building sprawling corporate empires. Together, these entities formed an extensive web of interlocking conglomerates that fused revolutionary foundations with military institutions, giving rise to a powerful new political bloc within the state: the Principlists. THE BAZAAR’S DISCONTENT This consolidation came directly at the expense of the bazaar and the political forces historically aligned with it. Disillusioned by the economic policies of the Ahmadinejad government, bazaar merchants coordinated their first open act of defiance since the revolution, staging strikes in several cities in 2008. Their position deteriorated further as international sanctions escalated in response to the hardline nuclear policies of Ahmadinejad’s government. By 2012, US and EU restrictions on Iran’s oil and banking sectors and its exclusion from the SWIFT system placed the country under severe economic constraints. The state responded by developing sanction-evasion mechanisms, including smuggling routes through neighbouring countries. The IRGC played a central role, exploiting ports and airports under its control to import goods. Over time, this sanc-

fusion created by the seasonal windstorm saved the day for the Iranians, by bringing bthe helicopters down. At that time in 1980 the IRGC was not calling the shots. Now the situation has changed radically 45 years fast forward. In a practical scenario, any such Delta force incursion from any neighbouring state will incur a long helicopter flight into mainland Iran. Only Azerbaijan can be of some benefit for the Americans as well as the IDF. Whatever might be the scenarios in place for the region now or the intended ones in weeks to come, the job to finish the republic will be a desperate one and a planned one too. This time, the reformist government very much bows to the supreme leader and the IRGC. The way the forex crisis was dealt with, a quick change in the management of the Iranian central bank, the sitting government negotiating with the currency market stakeholders, all point out cautiously to the lessons learnt by the Iranians. Anyhow the world sits with crossed fingers for what is in store for them; an agent provocateur attack signified as a human rights episode or a repeat of last year’s June 13 strikes, remains to be seen; in Tehran or elsewhere! The writer is a freelance columnist

tions economy entrenched the dominance of the IRGC and bonyads while further marginalising the bazaar. Politically, the consequences were equally stark: the Principlists consolidated control over the state, sidelining the “traditional right” and dismantling the longstanding arrangement that had traded the bazaar’s loyalty for access and influence within the Islamic Republic. A CHALLENGE TO THE REGIME The ongoing bazaar protests are not an anomaly but a warning. They reveal a political-economic transformation years in the making—one that is hollowing out even the traditional backbone of the state. For decades, the regime relied on the bazaar as a stabilising force: a guarantor of economic compliance in times of crisis and a bedrock of political loyalty. Yet the unrest originated in the bazaar and continues there, even as Khamenei insists on their loyalty. His remarks signal not confidence, but anxiety, and the bazaar’s open defiance demonstrates that the challenge confronting the Islamic Republic is far harder to contain. In theory, the Islamic Republic could still seek to win back the bazaar by easing sanctions and curbing the dominance of IRGC-linked conglomerates. In practice, this is increasingly difficult to do. Sanctions relief remains remote amid deepening tensions with the United States and Europe over Iran’s nuclear programme, while rolling back the economic and political power of the IRGC and the bonyads offers the regime little incentive and even less strategic logic. Confronted with these constraints, the state’s room for manoeuvre is narrow, leaving repression as its most readily available option, even at the cost of further alienating a traditional constituency it once relied on for stability and loyalty Kayhan Valadbaygi is a Research Fellow at the International Institute of Social History (IISH) in Amsterdam and CEO of Middle East Risk & Reform Advisory.

Iran’s internet shutdown is chillingly precise and may last some time Experts note the blackout is unprecedented in its extent but also selective, allowing some government communications

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THE GUARDIAN aisha down

RAN’S internet shutdown, now in place for 36 hours as the authorities seek to quell escalating anti-government protests, represents a “new highwater mark” in terms of its sophistication and severity, say experts – and could last a long time. As the blackout kicked in, 90% of internet traffic to Iran evaporated. International calls to the country appeared blocked and domestic mobile phones had no service, said Amir Rashidi, an Iranian

digital rights expert. This is far from the first time a country has blocked the internet for political reasons. Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak blocked the internet for six days during the 2011 Tahrir protests, and the Taliban shut down Afghanistan’s for 48 hours in September, ostensibly to curb “immorality”. But the level of shutdown in Iran is unprecedented and in some ways far harsher than its 2019 digital blackout, which internet observers described at the time as the most “severe disconnection” they had seen anywhere. “There is no reception on the phones. There is no antenna. It’s like you are living in the middle of nowhere, with no BTS towers,” said Rashidi. Even Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite system, which was a lifeline for Iranians during the 2022 protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody, was being jammed, Rashidi said, al-

though the extent varied from one neighbourhood to another. While Iranians across the country were suddenly cut off from the internet, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, continued to post on X. He did so at least 12 times on Friday, inveighing against Donald Trump and US action in Venezuela. This is what makes this blackout different from previous internet blockages in Iran, said Doug Madory, an expert in internet infrastructure who studies such disruptions. It is more sweeping, but also appears to be more fine-tuned, which potentially means Tehran will be able to sustain it for longer. Rashidi said: “There are things that are important for the government to do. If they want to put out their propaganda they need to have access to Telegram, they need to have access to Twitter, they need to access Instagram.” Alluding to Mubarak’s 2011 shut-

down, Madory said there were “big costs to taking everything down”. “If you look at what happened in Egypt … the government couldn’t operate,” he said. “People really use the internet for a lot of things, and when they take it all down, nothing works.” Based on external evidence, Madory and Rashidi believe the Iranian government has whitelisted some sites, allowing some officials and institutions to continue to access the internet. Some of its Telegram channels appeared to be working, Rashidi said, indicating that its administrators must have internet service. The government appeared to soften the blackout briefly for university websites on Friday, then shut service down again. All of this suggests Iran has developed more precise tools for censoring the internet. “If they end up implementing a whitelist, and it works as planned it may enable them to operate in some kind of degraded state for

an extended period of time,” said Madory. “What they’re doing is trying to set this up so that they don’t have to turn everything back on. They want just the bare necessities to be able to communicate and then shut everything else off.” Iran has been working to upgrade its ability to censor the internet for some years, said Rashidi and Madory, trying to build an internal service similar to China’s that connects domestic users while cutting them off from the outside world. It is not alone in trying to refine government control over the internet. India is building a government-managed messaging app to rival WhatsApp, and Russia is pushing a state-backed “super app” similar to China’s WeChat. Iran’s national model may not yet be working, however, because sites linked to it are currently inaccessible, said Rashidi. National internet or no, however, Madory suspects the blackout may last some time. “This might be for the long haul,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for a while and I think it’s going to be a big one.”

06 NEWS

IRAN: NO COUNTRY HAS RIGHT TO MEDDLE IN INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF OTHERS Iran’s security forces detain riot leaders across multiple provinces TEHRAN

agencies

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TEHRAN

agencies

RANIAN Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says no country has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of independent states. Araghchi made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi in Tehran on Saturday after nearly 1.5 hours of private talks behind closed doors. “The independent sovereignty of countries is a main principle in international law and internal affairs of countries cannot be settled except through talks,” he said. Iran, Oman firmly oppose Yemen’s disintegration Araghchi said Iran and Oman regu-

larly hold close consultations on regional issues, including the latest developments in Yemen. “Iran and Oman oppose any plan to disintegrate Yemen and this is the firm stance of [countries] in the region that the Zionist regime should not be allowed to reach its goals to weaken and disintegrate regional countries because such a scheme will lead to instability, unrest and tension in the region,” the top Iranian diplomat added. He stressed the importance of maintaining integrity of Somalia, Syria and other countries in the region, warning of the Israeli regime’s plots to fragment countries. He emphasized that issues in Yemen must be solved only by its own people. The Iranian foreign minister noted that regional countries which are concerned about peace and stability in the region

Death toll climbs after trash site collapse buries dozens in Philippines

Iranian security officials say more than 100 people have been arrested in several provinces in connection with recent riots, while senior officials cited foreign involvement, including the United States and Israel, for turning economic protests into violent disturbances. Police in Lorestan province said security forces, working alongside other military and intelligence bodies, had identified and detained more than 100 people for involvement in riots and acts of insecurity in several cities over recent days, according to reports by the Tasnim news agency. Lorestan police also said two “terrorist teams,” consisting of four and seven members, had been identified and dismantled in the cities of Borujerd and Khorramabad.

would strive to play a role in this regard. He said both Iran and Oman are committed to cooperation with the purpose of maintaining stability and security in the Persian Gulf and establishing peace and stability in the region. Iran, Oman resolved to improve allout ties Araghchi said Iran and Oman have

The groups were said to be equipped with firearms and bladed weapons, planning unrest and fatalities in the province. Police authorities thanked residents for their cooperation and urged citizens to report security-related information through emergency police lines and intelligence hotlines operated by the Ministry of Intelligence and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. Separately, a security source in North Khorasan province told Tasnim that key leaders of recent riots in the provincial capital, Bojnourd, had been arrested. The source said the individuals had been identified following investigations into disturbances that occurred in the city. According to the source, investigations confirmed direct links between those arrested and foreign institutions and organizations involved in directing and organizing riots.

always strived to promote relations based on good neighborliness and prevent foreign plots to sow discord among regional countries. “We are determined to continue and expand relations with Oman based on mutual respect and good neighborliness,” he reiterated. He said a joint economic commission will be held in Tehran in the near future.

Fear grips Uttar Pradesh village as Muslims warned to leave or face death

MANILA

agencies

Hard hat-wearing rescue workers and backhoes dug through rubble in search of survivors on Saturday in the shadow of a mountain of garbage that buried dozens of landfill employees in the central Philippines, killing at least four. About 50 sanitation workers were buried when refuse toppled onto them on Thursday from what a city councillor estimated was a height of 20 storeys at the Binaliw Landfill, a privately operated facility in Cebu City. Rescuers were now facing the danger of further collapse as they navigated the wreckage, Cebu rescuer Jo Reyes told AFP on Saturday. “Operations are ongoing as of the moment. It is continuous. But from time to time, the landfill is moving, and that will temporarily stop the operation,” she said. “We have to stop for a while for the safety of our rescuers.” Information from the disaster site has been emerging slowly, with city employees citing the lack of signal from the dumpsite, which serviced Cebu and other surrounding communities. Joel Garganera, a Cebu City council member, told AFP that as of 10:00am (0200 GMT), the death toll from the disaster had climbed to four, with 34 still missing. “The four casualties were inside the facility when it happened … They have these staff houses inside where most people who were buried stayed,” he said. “It’s very difficult on the part of the rescuers, because there are really heavy (pieces of steel), and every now and then, the garbage is moving because of the weight from above,” Garganera said. “We are hoping against hope here and praying for miracles,” he said when asked about the timeline for rescue efforts. “We cannot just jump to the retrieval (of bodies), because there are a lot of family members who are within the property waiting for any positive result.” At least 12 employees have so far been pulled alive from the garbage and hospitalised. ‘Alarming’ height “Every now and then when it rains, there are landslides happening around the city of Cebu. How much more dangerous is that for a landfill or a mountain that is made of garbage?” Garganera said in a phone call with AFP. “The garbage is like a sponge; they really absorb water. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to say that eventually, the incident will happen.” Garganera described the height from which the trash fell as “alarming”, estimating the top of the pile had stood 20 storeys above the area struck. Drivers had long complained about the dangers of navigating the steep road to the top, he added. Photos released by police on Friday showed a massive mound of trash atop a hill directly behind buildings that a city information officer had told AFP also contained administrative offices.

LUCKNOW agencies

Muslims in the village of Bhonkhera in Sikanderabad region of BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh state were shocked to begin the new year with a chilling threat. A derogatory pamphlet distributed in the village warned them to vacate their homes within 24 hours or face being burned alive. The threatening note, typed in Hindi, explicitly targeted Muslim

families, ordering them to leave or suffer horrific consequences. The pamphlet read: “All Kathmullas [a derogatory term for Muslims] must vacate the village within 24 hours, or you will be burned alive.” The name “Kattar Sanatani Vikram” appeared at the bottom, with religious slogans like “Jai Shree Ram” and “Har Har Mahadev” inscribed at either end. One of the village residents, Sajid Ali, found the pamphlet early on January 1 while heading to the

mosque for Fajr prayers. “I was taken aback. I couldn’t step forward. While I was standing there, people from nearby houses began coming out, all echoing the same shock and wondering who could have done this,” Sajid said. He said that most of the villagers stayed inside their homes that day, fearing that something might happen. The threatening message has turned the peaceful settlement into a highalert zone. Bhonkhera village is home to at least 15 Muslim families, all related to one another, while Hindus live there in large numbers. Residents say the two communities have lived together peacefully for over six generations. Yet fear continues to grip the village days after the pamphlets were discovered, with residents saying the threat has altered daily life. Local lawyer Muhammad Hanif, who is assisting the residents, called this incident a direct and grave threat aimed at breaking decades of communal harmony in the region.

Sunday, 11 January 2026 | ISLAMABAD

Chinese FM Wang Yi puts forward proposals to further deepen China-Africa friendship DAR ES SALAAM

staff coRRespondent

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Thabit Kombo on Friday in Dar es Salaam, calling for further strengthening of ChinaAfrica friendship. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Tanzania share a longstanding and enduring traditional friendship. Chinese President Xi Jinping chose Tanzania as one of the destinations of his first visit to Africa in 2013, where he put forward the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith in China’s Africa policy, marking a new milestone in the history of China-Africa relations, Wang said while meeting the press together with Kombo. This year’s visit continues the tradition of China’s foreign ministers making Africa their first overseas destination at the start of the year for 36 consecutive years, a practice China will continue to uphold and carry forward, he said. China-Africa cooperation, he noted, is an important component of South-South cooperation, with strong internal momentum and bright development prospects. The Chinese foreign minister summarized China-Africa friendship and mutual trust in three key aspects. First, jointly upholding justice. China and Africa once stood shoulder to shoulder in the struggles against imperialism and colonialism, in the fight for national liberation and in the pursuit of development and revitalization, he said. Today, the two sides continue to firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests, safeguard the common interests of the Global South, uphold the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and act as a stabilizing force in a world marked by turbulence and change, he added. China supports Tanzania in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests; supports the Tanzanian people in pursuing a development path suited to their national conditions; and opposes any external interference in Tanzania’s internal affairs under any pretext, he noted. Second, jointly pursuing progress. President Xi has proposed that China and Africa work together to advance modernization characterized by six features and build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, providing direction for South-South cooperation, Wang said. China-Tanzania relations, Wang said, have gone beyond the bilateral scope and align with the historical trend of the collective rise of the Global South. Third, jointly advocating mutual benefit. China and Africa’s shared pursuit of modernization is anchored in mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, Wang said. China stands ready to further align development strategies with African countries, promote faster and broader implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Africa and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing, advancing hand in hand on the path to modernization, he said.

China, Russia, Iran start ‘BRICS Plus’ naval exercises in South African waters CHINA

ReuteRs

China, Russia and Iran began a week of joint naval exercises in South Africa’s waters on Saturday in what the host country described as a BRICS Plus operation to “ensure the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities”. BRICS Plus is an expansion of a geopolitical bloc originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – and seen by members as a counterweight to U.S. and Western economic dominance – to include six other countries. Though South Africa routinely carries out naval exercises with China and Russia, it comes at a time of heightened tensions between US President Donald Trump’s administration and several BRICS Plus countries, including China, Iran, South Africa and Brazil. The expanded BRICS group also includes Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia,

Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Chinese military officials leading the opening ceremony said Brazil, Egypt and Ethiopia participated as observers.

“Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026 brings together navies from BRICS Plus countries for … joint maritime safety operations (and) interoperability drills,”

South Africa’s military said in a statement. Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Mathebula, acting spokesperson for joint operations, told Reuters all members had been invited. Trump has accused the BRICS nations of pursuing “anti-American” polities, and last January threatened all members with a 10% trade tariff on top of duties he was already imposing on countries across the world. The pro-Western Democratic Alliance, the second largest party in South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s coalition, said the exercises “contradict our stated neutrality” and that BRICS had “rendered South Africa a pawn in the power games being waged by rogue states on the international stage”. Mathebula rejected that criticism. “This is not a political arrangement … there is no hostility (towards the U.S.),” Mathebula told Reuters, pointing out that South Africa has also periodically carried out exercises with the US Navy.

Trump doubles down on Nobel Peace Prize pitch, claims he stopped eight wars WASHINGTON agencies

US President Donald Trump has continued making a case for his Nobel Peace Prize win, reiterating the number of wars he has claimed to stop through his intervention. He has highlighted his role in stopping the Pakistan-India war in May 2025, once again at a media event after a meeting with oil and gas executives in Washington. “Whether people like Trump or don’t like Trump, I settled eight wars — big ones,” says Trump “Some going on for 36 years, 32 years, 31 years, 28 years, 25 years. Some just getting ready to start, like India and Pakistan, where already eight jets were shot out in the air,” he said, pointing out that he arranged a ceasefire between the two countries in “rapid order without nuclear weapons”. Trump was asked about Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado’s offer to share her Nobel Peace Prize with him. Trump’s refusal to initially support

Machado as Venezuela’s leader stemmed from her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize win. According to international media, Trump viewed her acceptance as the “ultimate sin” because he had lobbied for the prize himself. Machado has since offered to “share” or give the prize to Trump to mend the relationship ahead of their meeting next week. The wars that Trump has managed to stop from escalating in question are, as reported by BBC, the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the other seven were between Israel and Iran, Pakistan and India, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Thailand and Cambodia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Serbia and Kosovo. A number of these conflicts lasted only a few days, although they were the result of long-standing tensions. Whether the peace treaties signed have held up or not is an ongoing debate. “In theory, you should get the Nobel prize for every war you stopped. Every war was major. But I don’t care about that; I care

about saving lives. I’ve saved tens of millions of lives,” he added, before recalling his Oval Office meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in September. “The prime minister of Pakistan came here, and he made a very public statement. He said that President Trump saved minimum of 10 million lives having to do with Pakistan and India, and that was going to be raging.” The US president says, recalling former president Barack Obama’s Nobel Prize win, “I can’t think of anybody in history that should get the Nobel Prize more than me, and I don’t want to be bragging, but nobody else settled wars. Obama got the Nobel Prize. He had no idea why. He still has no idea.” “You should get the Nobel prize for every war you stopped. These were major wars. These were wars that nobody thought could be stopped. President Putin called me. He said about two of the wars that he’s been trying to stop them for 10 years. He wasn’t able to do it. He couldn’t believe it,” he said. In an event at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida in December, he repeated his

claims that he helped prevent a war between Pakistan and India in May 2025. He praised Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, calling him a “highly respected general”.

“You know, eight planes were shot down. That war was starting to rage, and he actually said the other day that President Trump saved 10 million lives, maybe more,” he said.

Sunday, 11 January 2026 | ISLAMABAD

CORPORATE CORNER

Evidence-Based Policy, Women’s Inclusion and Youth Engagement at Core of PSER Vision, Says Jahan Ara Wattoo

LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

Jahan Ara Manzoor Wattoo, Vice Chairperson of the Punjab Social Protection Authority, emphasized that evidence-based decision-making is no longer a choice but a necessity for effective and transparent governance in Punjab. She has stated that the Punjab SocioEconomic Registry (PSER) is a landmark initiative that addresses long-standing gaps in public planning by providing credible, verified, and real-time socioeconomic data. Such data-driven systems enables policymakers to design targeted interventions, optimize public spending, and ensure that resources reach the right beneficiaries across key sectors, including health, education, and social protection. She further highlighted that PSER’s use of modern IT infrastructure, advanced data analytics, and proxy means testing (PMT) marks a decisive shift from assumption-based policymaking to objective, transparent, and measurable decisions. By institutionalizing data as a core governance tool and breaking departmental data silos, PSER is strengthening accountability and transparency while improving the quality of policy formulation and implementation in Punjab in this regard PSER is expected to set a benchmark and serve as a role model for other provinces.

CBD Punjab sets new urban benchmark with 100-year sewage system at NSIT city

LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (CBD Punjab) has once again raised the bar in urban development by introducing a revolutionary 100-year life sewage system at Nawaz Sharif IT City (NSIT City), marking a firstof-its-kind initiative in Pakistan’s urban infrastructure landscape.Designed to be four times more durable than conventional sewage networks, this state-of-the-art system represents a significant advancement in long-term sustainability, resilience, and smart city planning. While traditional sewage systems are typically designed for a lifespan of around 25 years, CBD Punjab’s innovative solution is engineered to remain functional for a full century, significantly minimizing future reconstruction requirements and operational disruptions.The advanced sewage infrastructure has been meticulously planned to cater to NSIT City’s future expansion, high-density development, and evolving urban needs. By prioritizing durability and performance, CBD Punjab aims to ensure uninterrupted services for residents, businesses, and technology enterprises operating within Pakistan’s first STZA-approved IT city.

Greenwich University to hold convocation on Jan 17

NEWS 07

CM MARYAM ORDERS SWIFT COMPLETION OF PROVINCE-WIDE CARDIAC CATH LABS

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PUNJAB CM SAYS DISTRICT-LEVEL CATH LABS TO EASE PRESSURE ON MAJOR HOSPITALS AND ENSURE LIFE-SAVING TREATMENT WITHIN GOLDEN 60–90 MINUTES LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the relevant authorities to ensure the early and timely completion of the District Cardiac Cath Lab Project, a flagship healthcare initiative aimed at providing state-of-theart cardiac treatment facilities in every district of the province. Launched under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the provincewide cardiac cath lab project seeks to strengthen district-level healthcare infrastructure, improve emergency response, and reduce the burden on major tertiary hospitals in large cities. Following the successful establishment of a cardiac cath lab at DHQ Hospital Jhelum, similar facilities in Jhang, Mianwali and Vehari have been completed and will be made operational shortly. According to official details, the project will be expanded further in its second phase, during which cardiac cath labs will be established and made functional in

Bhakkar, Chakwal, Hafizabad, Khanewal, Mandi Bahauddin, Rajanpur and Toba Tek Singh, ensuring wider geographical coverage and equitable access to advanced cardiac care. Each district-level cardiac cath lab will be equipped to provide advanced diagnostic and interventional services, including angiography, angioplasty and primary Per-

cutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Health officials said the availability of these life-saving facilities at district hospitals would enable the treatment of heart patients within the critical 60 to 90-minute window during cardiac emergencies, significantly improving survival rates. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has also instructed the Health Department to

Punjab Police salutes GPO Chowk bombing martyrs on 18th anniversary LAHORE

PEC Mobilizes Pakistan’s Industrial Giants to Power National GET Revolution

Staff RepoRt

Punjab Police on Saturday paid rich tribute to the police martyrs of the GPO Chowk–Lahore High Court suicide bombing on its 18th anniversary, with Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar and Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana reaffirming that the nation and Punjab Police would never forget the supreme sacrifices made by officers who laid down their lives in the line of duty. According to a police spokesperson, a suicide attack near GPO Chowk and the Lahore High Court on January 10, 2008, claimed the lives of 16 police officers and officials. The martyrs included ASIs Sheesh Ahmad and Ruftaj Ahmad and constables Muhammad Saleem, Manzoor Ahmad, Muhammad Ahsan, Muhammad Arif, Shahbaz

Ahmad, Riaz Ahmad, Naeem-urRehman, Asghar Ali, Muhammad Yaqoob, Muhammad Mansha, Zaheer Shoukat, Ijaz Ahmad, Shahid Ghafoor and Muhammad Asghar, who embraced martyrdom while performing their duties. Punjab IGP Dr Usman Anwar said the memories of the police martyrs of the GPO Chowk tragedy would always remain alive in the hearts of the people, adding that every officer and official of Lahore Police continued to stand as a frontline force for the protection

BoK among top performing banks in Asia-Pacific in 2025: S&P Global KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

Bank of Khyber (BoK) has been recognized among the top-performing banks in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of total shareholder returns for 2025, according to a recent report by S&P Global Market Intelligence. The report highlights the exceptional performance of banks, with Pakistani institutions leading the regional rankings.As per S&P Global’s analysis, Bank of Khyber delivered a total return of 177.4% in 2025, placing it among the leading banks across Asia-Pacific. Pakistani banks collectively dominated the rankings, securing six positions in the top ten, reflecting strong investor confidence and robust performance of the country’s banking sector.The strong showing of Bank of Khyber is attributed to prudent financial management, improved asset quality, strategic business growth, and Pakistan’s broader stock market rally during the year. The recognition underscores BoK’s continued commitment to sustainable growth, value creation for shareholders, and contribution to the country’s financial stability.

HU names IDEAL in honor of Jaffer Family Foundation

KARACHI

of the country and the nation. He said the brave officers and officials who attained martyrdom were a valuable asset of the Lahore Police and reiterated that employment had been provided in the police department to the families of the GPO Chowk martyrs. He added that all possible resources were being utilized to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of the heirs of police martyrs, terming their sacrifices a guiding light for present and future generations of the force.

Money Matters Wealth Expo Emerges as a National Movement for Financial Inclusion and Awareness KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

In a country where conversations around money, investment, and financial planning have long been considered complex, intimidating, or even taboo, the Money Matters Wealth Expo is redefining the narrative. Positioned as more than just an event, the Expo is fast becoming a nationwide movement for financial inclusion, education, and empowerment, bringing financial literacy to people of all ages and backgrounds.The Money Matters Wealth Expo is built on a powerful mission: to democratize financial knowledge and make conversations around wealth creation, savings, insurance, investment, and financial instruments accessible to the mass public. By breaking long-standing barriers, the Expo openly encourages financial discussions among children, students, women, first-time investors, and underserved communities, groups that have traditionally been excluded from mainstream financial dialogue.At the heart of this initiative is the belief that financial awareness is not a privilege—it is a necessity.

IGP Islamabad reviews police affairs and development projects

Staff RepoRt

Ms Seema Mughal, The Chancellor, Greenwich University, appreciated the presence of media at the presser, extended the convocation invitation to media personnel, and briefed the media on the day’s plan. She announced that Greenwich University will host its 17th Convocation on January 17, 2026 at 05:00 pm, at Sindh Governor’s House. Convocation 2026 follows the theme of “Fasl-e-Gul”, intending to rejuvenate the positive image of our beloved country amongst the youth. Elaborating upon the program, she mentioned that Greenwich University Convocation 2026 will witness over 500 graduates, at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels, phasing into their professional lives. 25 high achievers will receive Gold Medals for their outstanding academic and co-curricular performance. The Gold Medals are sponsored by Industry. With conferment of Associate, Undergraduate, Graduate, M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees, the Convocation will honor the parents of graduates, the graduates for their achievements, and overall, the efforts of Greenwich Fraternity in nurturing the Pakistani youth for the betterment of society.

ensure the deployment of specialist doctors, interventional cardiologists and fully trained paramedical staff at district cardiology centres. To attract and retain skilled professionals at the district level, the provincial government has approved a special pay package for doctors performing duties at district cardiac cath labs. “All district-level, state-of-the-art cardiac cath labs will provide the best possible treatment for heart diseases in accordance with international standard operating procedures (SOPs),” Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif said. She added that during heart attack emergencies, patients would no longer need to travel to distant major cities, as immediate and life-saving cardiac treatment would now be available at nearby district hospitals. The Chief Minister noted that the establishment of cardiac cath labs at the district level would significantly strengthen the healthcare system, improve emergency response, and ease overcrowding at large public hospitals. “Who could have imagined that DHQ hospitals would be equipped with cath labs offering advanced cardiac treatment?” she remarked.

KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

Habib University (HU) today held the naming ceremony of the Jaffer Family Foundation Institute of Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership (IDEAL), marking a landmark endowment gift by the Jaffer Family Foundation in support of the University’s commitment to ethical and future ready leadership education. IDEAL is a flagship academic initiative of Habib University, established to place leadership, innovation, and real world problem solving at the center of the undergraduate experience. The naming recognizes the Jaffer Family Foundation’s long term investment in strengthening and sustaining this vision through institution building rather than short term intervention. “At a time when the world is facing a profound crisis of leadership, universities must go beyond conventional models of education,” said Wasif Rizvi, President of Habib University.

ISLAMABAD

According to the details, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi chaired meetings at the Central Police Office Islamabad with AIG General Syed Inayat Ali Shah, AIG Logistics Abdul Haq Umrani, SP City Dr. Ayaz Hussain, and AD Development. During these meetings, the IGP Islamabad conducted a detailed review of administrative matters related to the police force, progress on ongoing and proposed development projects, police logistics affairs, and the measures being taken to provide better facilities to police officers and officials. IGP Islamabad paid special attention to the pace and quality of administrative affairs and development projects and also held detailed deliberations on future requirements. Staff RepoRt

KARACHI

Staff RepoRt

Karachi witnessed a landmark moment in Pakistan’s engineering history Yesterday as the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) signed strategic MoUs with the country’s leading public and private sector organizations to launch the Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) Placement Program at scale. The MoU signing ceremony was held at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi, under the chairmanship of PEC Chairman Engr. Waseem Nazir, and was attended by Vice Chairman Sindh Engr. Mukhtar Sheikh, PEC Governing Body Members, senior PEC officials, and representatives of partner organizations.The ceremony brought together the leadership of Pakistan’s critical national institutions and industrial champions— sending a clear message that industry has fully aligned with PEC to transform how engineers are produced, trained, and deployed. Public sector partners include Pakistan Airports Authority, Karachi Port Trust, Naval Research & Development Institute, Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, Pakistan Machine Tool Factory, and DHA Pakistan, representing the backbone of Pakistan’s aviation, maritime, defense, and infrastructure ecosystem.The private sector coalition—Dewan Cement, H. Nizam Din & Sons, Mak Power, Alsons Industries, Harbin Electric, Cnergyico, Pakistan Cables, Yunus Textile Mills, and Inbox Business Technologies—represents a broad spectrum of energy, manufacturing, ICT, textiles, and industrial innovation.

Randhawa, Lashari visit first Organic Community Market at F-7/3 Park

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, along with former Chairman CDA Kamran Lashari, visited Islamabad's first Organic Community Market managed by MCI at F-7/3 Park on Saturday and inspected the various stalls set up in the market.Relevant officers briefed Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, about the Organic Community Market, apprising him that stalls offering various items have been set up in the community market and stalls featuring natural, chemical-free, fresh and healthy food items and products are a focal point for citizens.During the briefing, Chairman CDA was briefed that special activities for children and families have also been arranged at the organic community market, making it a beautiful blend of recreation and health.Chairman CDA was briefed that the various stalls include fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade bakery items, delicacies prepared by artisans, and high-quality cheese, among other natural goods and these natural products are receiving an enthusiastic response from citizens.During the briefing, it was informed that free entry for families has also been provided at the market. Similarly, under the management of MCI this organic community market is organized for citizens every weekend. The briefing further said that the Organic Community Market remains open for families every weekend from 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa.

Sunday, 11 January, 2026

KP CM REJECTS ‘POLITICAL-TERROR NEXUS,’ MOBILIZES SINDH FOR PTI ‘STREET MOVEMENT’

prayer timings

NEWS

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HYDERABAD/KARACHI staff report

HYBER Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday evening categorically rejected allegations of a “political-terror nexus” in his province, asserting that KP was being treated “step-motherly” by federal institutions that were meant to strengthen democracy and uphold the rule of law in Pakistan. Afridi made the remarks while addressing a ‘meet the press’ event at the Hyderabad Press Club (HPC) during his second leg of a Sindh visit, which aims to galvanize public support ahead of the planned February 8 protests. During his address, Afridi highlighted a 15-point agenda presented before Pakistan, emphasizing that all stakeholders had agreed that a military operation was not a solution to the province’s challenges. “The actual problem is that decisions are always taken in closed rooms,” he said, criticizing the opaque manner in which policies affecting KP are often formulated.

Afridi further warned that if a military operation were launched in the province, the provincial government would stand with its people. “I have asked my administration to facilitate all those people, whether they leave voluntarily or are forcibly expelled,” he added. The KP chief minister also criticized the federal government for depriving the province of its due rights, claiming that

Pakistan–US joint counterterrorism exercise Inspired Gambit–2026 begins at NCTC Pabbi RAWALPINDI

staff report

The 13th Pakistan–United States bilateral joint military exercise, Inspired Gambit–2026, commenced on January 9 at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Pabbi, the military said on Saturday. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two-week-long exercise is being conducted in the counterterrorism domain and involves professional contingents from the armies of Pakistan and the United States. Officials from both sides attended the opening ceremony. The exercise aims to enhance mutual understanding and interoperability through the sharing of counterterrorism experiences, while further refining tactics, techniques, and procedures essential for effective CT operations. ISPR said special emphasis is being placed on marksmanship skills during urban warfare, as well as on familiarisation with each other’s operational doctrines and best practices. Such joint training exercises, the statement added, are vital for addressing evolving security challenges, improving professional military standards and strengthening the capacity of both forces to operate effectively in complex counterterrorism environments.

PTI’s electoral mandate had been stolen. “It is a fake federal government that is ruling after a regime-change plan,” he remarked. Afridi underlined his unique position as the first chief minister elected from the merged districts of KP, noting that these tribal areas had been historically neglected for 78 years. He lamented that the sacrifices of tribal people were often cited in rhetoric but rarely

acknowledged through tangible benefits or development. Afridi recalled that when his name as provincial chief executive was announced, a spokesperson of a federal institution rejected it outright. He contrasted his position with other chief ministers, noting that they frequently traveled via Pakistan Air Force jets, with even breakfast being served onboard, privileges denied to KP. Turning to financial matters, Afridi highlighted that while the federal government had pledged funds for Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs) in merged districts, KP had been forced to provide Rs7.5 billion from its own resources. He emphasized the ongoing exclusion of merged districts from the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, describing it as a constitutional violation. “The NFC is meant to be disbursed among four provinces, but it is technically shared among only 3.5 or 3.75 provinces,” he said. He further noted that KP’s share in the NFC exceeds Rs1,300 billion, but only Rs132 billion had been disbursed, leaving a liability of Rs568 billion.

New dams planned to tackle water shortages issue of twin-cities ISLAMABAD

staff report

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting that decided to construct new dams to address persistent water shortages in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, according to a report. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Prime Minister’s Adviser Syed Tauqeer Shah attended the meeting as special participants, along with senior officials from relevant departments. The meeting reviewed both short-term and long-term strategies to improve water supply in the twin cities. Officials briefed participants on the progress and scope of the Chahan, Dothara, and Shahdara dam projects. It was decided that the Dothara Dam, with a storage capacity of 110 million gallons per day (MGD), would be completed within two years. Participants also held detailed discussions on the construction of additional small dams and water reservoirs, as well as proposals to address deficiencies in Islamabad’s

existing water supply system. Emphasis was placed on identifying weaknesses in the water distribution network and developing a more efficient mechanism to ensure reliable delivery. Representatives from WAPDA and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) presented various options, feasibility studies, and proposed timelines aimed at increasing water availability. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi directed the concerned authorities to submit a comprehensive implementation plan for the approved roadmap within 10 days and instructed them to fast-track all procedural requirements to initiate

the projects without delay. He also ordered a strict crackdown on water theft and the misuse of water connections, stressing that ensuring adequate water supply for Islamabad’s residents was a top priority. The minister further directed officials to take immediate and effective measures to guarantee water availability, adding that under the shortterm plan, all available resources must be utilized to maintain an uninterrupted supply. The meeting was attended by the interior secretary, additional interior secretary, CDA chairman, Rawalpindi commissioner, CDA members, and other senior officials.

FAJR SUNRISE

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Punjab govt bans use of mobile phones in hospitals during working hours LAHORE

staff Correspondent

The Punjab government has imposed a complete ban on the use of mobile phones during working hours in all public hospitals across the province. According to a notification issued by the Department of Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education, hospital staff below BPS-18 are prohibited from using mobile phones while on duty, especially in clinical and service delivery areas. The restriction applies to wards, intensive care units (ICUs), neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and operation theatres, where video or audio recording has also been strictly banned. Officials said the decision was taken after taking serious notice of mobile phone usage disrupting medical services. However, staff assigned purely administrative duties have been allowed limited use of mobile phones for official purposes. In addition to the phone ban, the department has ordered stricter surveillance measures to prevent theft and improve accountability, particularly in hospital pharmacies. CCTV cameras will be installed at pharmacy stores and medicine dispensing counters, while pharmacy staff will be required to wear body-worn cameras during duty. The notification stated that body cameras must be used during stock receipt, issuance and reconciliation. Security guards deployed at pharmacy areas, as well as at internal and external hospital entry points, will also be required to wear body cameras. All CCTV and body camera footage must be preserved for at least 30 days and monitored through a central control room operating under authorised administrative and security supervision. Medical superintendents have been directed to ensure the availability of surveillance equipment, while chief pharmacists and chief security officers have been instructed to strictly implement the new directives.

Sindh govt approved PTI gathering outside Bagh-e-Jinnah: Nasir Shah

Punjab extends winter vacations to Jan 19 as Sindh revises school timings amid severe cold LAHORE/KARACHI saleem jadoon

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat on Saturday announced the extension of winter vacations for all public and private schools in Punjab until January 19 due to “extremely low temperatures,” while the Sindh government issued revised school timings across the province in view of the “prevailing cold weather.” The decision comes a day after Minister Hayat denied circulating rumors and fake news on social media about the extension of holidays, reaffirming that schools would reopen on January 12. However, the minister later conducted a poll on his X account, asking users whether schools and colleges should reopen on January 12 or 19, with the majority voting in favor of January 19. In his latest post today on X, Hayat said, “In view of the prolonged severe winter spell and the forecast of extremely low temperatures in the coming days, and on the advice of PDMA, the Government of Punjab has decided to extend winter

vacations until January 19.” Meanwhile, the Punjab Higher Education Department issued a separate notification extending winter vacations for higher education institutions from January 10 to January 16 due to the severe weather. “All colleges (public and private) shall re-open on Monday, January 19, 2026, resuming [the] full/normal week

for all classes,” the notification, available with Dawn, read. It added that BS four-year programmes would continue as scheduled, and all examinations would be held according to the notified schedules of boards and universities. Earlier, the Punjab government had initially announced winter vacations for all public and private schools and col-

leges from December 22 to January 10. Earlier this week, a fake notification claiming to be issued by the Punjab School Education Department went viral on social media, spreading confusion among parents and students. The false notice had stated that “due to severe weather conditions,” vacations were extended until January 17, with schools reopening on January 19. Sindh government announces new school timings until January 26 In related development, the Sindh government on Saturday notified adjusted school timings for all educational institutions in the province in view of the cold spell. A weather advisory from the Met Office forecast cold and dry weather across most districts of Sindh, with minimum temperatures around 9ºC and maximum reaching 25ºC. The advisory also warned: “Moderate to dense fog is likely to persist over Sukkur, Rohri, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Larkana, Tando Jam, Mohenjodaro and surrounding areas.”

KARACHI

staff report

Provincial local government minister Nasir Shah on Saturday clarified that Bagh-e-Jinnah has been under the control of the federal government, and the Sindh government has consented for the PTI public meeting outside Bagh-e-Jinnah. Nasir Shah said that the PTI would have to avoid extremism and bad-mouthing. “Any act in a democratic manner will not be prevented by the People’s Party,” Sindh’s minister said. The minister said that the chief minister as well as the entire Sindh government is providing facilities to the visiting Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “We have told the PTI to avoid gatherings on roads and they understand it and reviewed their decision of holding rallies across the city,” he said. Nasir Hussain Shah said that the PTI has given a call for protests in February. “They should avoid giving these calls, which create difficulties for the party’s supporters,” he said. “The PTI has a future if it engages in peaceful politics,” the provincial minister said. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi arrived in Karachi on Friday for a four-day visit of Sindh as part of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) street mobilisation campaign.

Lawmakers slam Nepra over Rs2.2 trillion capacity charges, load-shedding crisis KARACHI

staff report

Senior Pakistani lawmakers on Saturday sharply criticized the country’s power regulator, accusing it of prioritizing electricity producers over consumers as capacity payments and persistent load-shedding continue to burden households and industry. The criticism came during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on the Cabinet Secretariat at the Sindh Secretariat, where officials of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) were questioned over tariffs, capacity charges, and the performance of Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Senator Saleem Mandviwala told the committee that NEPRA, established nearly three decades ago to protect consumers, had instead become “an advocate for power producers.” “Consumers are being charged Rs2.2 trillion for electricity that was neither generated

nor used,” Mandviwala said, referring to capacity payments that remain payable even when electricity demand falls in winter. “It has been 28 years. If low-cost electricity is not available to the public, the system has clearly failed.” Mandviwala pressed NEPRA to move beyond technical explanations and explain how affordable electricity would be delivered to ordinary citizens. “What charges are being applied per unit, and what precisely is NEPRA’s role?” he asked. The meeting, chaired by Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan, was convened to review the Solar Net Metering Policy and other regulatory matters. Senators Kazim Ali Shah, Muhammad Abdul Qadir, and Attaur Rehman attended, while Sindh Assembly members Shariq Jamal and Asif Musa participated at the committee’s invitation. Prominent businessman Zubair Motiwala was also present. Supporting Mandviwala, Senator Abdul Qadir said government claims of falling elec-

tricity prices and power sector reforms had failed to translate into relief for the public. “Despite audits of IPPs and shutdowns of inefficient plants, electricity remains unaffordable for 250 million people,” he said. Abdul Qadir also questioned why applications for 1,000MW of new electricity connections were stalled and warned that high energy costs were constraining exports. “You are collecting Rs2.2 trillion in capacity charges. What is being done about it?” he asked, alleging that IPPs had “held the entire country hostage” without facing **forensic scrutiny of their earnings.” The committee chair noted there was unanimous agreement on the need for a forensic audit of IPPs, covering both new capacity being added to the grid and forthcoming power projects. Abdul Qadir added that audits should also examine project feasibility, land valuation, fuel consumption, machinery output, and annual technical inspections of plants. Responding to criticism, a NEPRA offi-

cial explained that electricity tariffs consist of capacity charges and energy charges, with the former unrelated to actual consumption. “Capacity charges cannot be reduced,” the official said, adding that only two million of Pakistan’s 40 million consumers use three-phase connections. Increasing electricity sales, he added, is the only way to ease the burden of capacity payments. Senator Abdul Qadir rejected the explanation, arguing that people are paying for unused capacity while remaining underserved. He suggested seasonal industrial tariffs, proposing electricity at Rs10 per unit during winter to stimulate demand. NEPRA officials maintained that governance and shareholding issues in distribution companies fall outside their remit, noting their role is limited to performance regulation, while sales remain the responsibility of distribution companies. Businessman Zubair Motiwala said fuel adjustment surcharges and quarterly circular debt adjustments offset any reduction in unit

Published by Asad Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

prices. He also claimed multiple NEPRA orders against K-Electric had been stayed by courts, making it “the most protected utility in the country.” “With a system capacity of 42,000MW, only 28,000MW is operational, yet payments are being collected for the remaining 14,000MW,” Motiwala said, warning that industry would increasingly turn to alternative energy sources. “Major exporters have already arranged their own power. There will come a time when no one will buy electricity from the grid.” Motiwala also questioned peak-hour tariffs, noting that circular debt had risen by Rs79 billion between July and September, and said: “When sales fall, prices are raised. This is unsustainable.” Sindh lawmaker Shariq Jamal said bill-paying customers were being penalized for electricity theft and non-payment by others, noting that 65% of his constituency faced load-shedding of up to 18–20 hours, despite an officially declared 12-hour schedule.