g PREMIER SHEHBAZ MEETS 11-MEMBER CHINESE BUSINESS DELEGATION LED BY IBI CHIEF QIAN XIAOJUN
g CHINESE FIRM EYES SMES ACCESS TO VA ST CHINESE MARKET THROUGH PAKISTAN HUB
g REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN-CHINA ‘ HISTORIC AND IRON-CLAD ’ STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP, WELCOMING IBI DIGITAL ECONOMY HEADQUARTERS ESTABLISHMENT IN PAKISTAN
g SAYS DIGITAL ECONOMY COOPERATION KEY TO INVESTMENT AND INDUSTRIAL GROWTH, EXPRESSING CONFIDENCE IN CHINA’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS UNDER XI JINPING
Day of Living Together in Peace
iran ceasefire a favour to pakistan's ' terrific people, field marshal and pM': trump
WASHINGTON
r e u t e r s
United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that the ceasefire with Iran was made as a "favour" to Pakistan and at the request of other countries "We really did the ceasefire at the request of other nations I would not have been in favour of it We did it as a favour to Pakistan, they are terrific people, the field marshal, the prime minister," he said while talking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his return trip from a state visit to China He also indicated that he could accept a 20-year halt to
Iran s nuclear activity while dismissing the latest proposal from Iran as "unacceptable" Pakistan’s mediation process facing difficulties but remains active: Iran's Araghchi Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Pakistan s mediation efforts regarding regional tensions had “not failed” but were currently facing difficulties He added that Tehran would welcome any constructive role played by China to help ease the situation and support diplomatic progress Speaking at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, Araghchi said Iran was attempting to preserve the current ceasefire in order to
give diplomacy an opportunity to move forward He added that Tehran has "no trust" in the US and is interested in negotiating with Washington only if it is serious Iran is trying to keep the ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance, he told reporters during a press conference "The mediation process by Pakistan has not failed yet but it is in a very difficult course mostly because of the Americans behaviour and the mistrust which exists between us," Araghchi said "Contradictory messages" have made us reluctant about the real intention of the Americans in negotiations Araghchi added
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday held talks with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur in Islamabad where both sides discussed broadening cooperation in security counter-terrorism and anti-narcotics,
according to official statements cited in the source reports The meeting was also attended by Acting
of State Marco Rubio had remained in close coordination to help ensure the smooth return of the 31 Pakistani and Iranian nationals Dar also acknowledged the role of his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, for facilitating the transit of the individuals through Bangkok at Pakistan’s request Officials and missions thanked In
IMF SAYS PAKISTAN’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY REMAINS ON TRACK BUT MIDDLE EAST WAR POSES RISKS
SiFC says refiner y tax distor tion to be removed in FY27 budget
The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) said a major tax distortion affecting Pakistan s oil refinery sector would be addressed in the upcoming FY2026-27 budget to support refinery upgradation and investment Business Recorder reported The development was shared by Additional Secretary SIFC Sajid Mahmood Qazi during a question-and-answer session at the CFO Conference 2026 organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan Qazi said the council had prepared proposals to resolve sales tax and operational issues linked to the Brownfield Refinery Upgradation Policy after changes in tax laws created difficulties for the refinery sector According to him discussions with
the Federal Board of Revenue, Ministry of Finance and Petroleum Division had led to an agreement to resolve the sales tax issue through the next federal budget He said resolution of the issue would allow refineries to accelerate implementation of upgradation projects
Qazi acknowledged that Pakistan remained a difficult destination for investment because of challenges including energy pricing and policy inconsistency He said investors required stable and predictable tax policies to support expansion upgradation and long-term business planning
According to the SIFC official, energy pricing continued to remain one of the major concerns for investors and businesses operating in Pakistan He also noted that several new initial public offerings had recently entered the market, which he said reflected improving investor confidence despite
broader economic challenges Speaking during the conference, former minister of state Ashfaq Tola said Pakistan needed structural reforms and a locally designed economic strategy to attract investment instead of relying on external policy models He questioned the effectiveness of repeated IMF programmes, stating that Pakistan had entered 23 IMF programmes and was now preparing for another one without achieving significant structural reforms Tola also said successive governments had failed to effectively tax agriculture, retailers and exporters Economist Haroon Sharif said foreign investors were more likely to invest when local businesses expanded operations and increased domestic investment He added that geopolitical risks continued to negatively affect foreign investment flows into Pakistan
High smar tphone taxes leave Pakistan with 52% internet usage gap despite 81% network coverage
phone priced internationally at $700 ultimately costs Pakistani consumers around ₨294 500 after taxes and duties with total taxes amounting to approximately ₨98 500 According to the report, the taxation structure has also encouraged expansion of the grey market for smuggled and patched mobile phones
The report referred to illegal modification of devices to bypass the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority s Device Identification Registration and Blocking System Industry estimates cited in the report showed that the PTA blocked nearly 100 million illegal mobile devices during fiscal year 2024-25 including millions carrying cloned or duplicate IMEI numbers
the study
The report argued that although imports of finished mobile phones declined after introduction of the policy Pakistan s foreign exchange burden remained high because manufacturers still depend heavily on imported parts Using Household Integrated Economic Survey 2024-25 data, the study estimated that an entry-level smartphone costing around ₨25 000 consumes nearly 62% of monthly expenditure of the poorest households
The report said the average affordability ratio nationally stood at 31%, indicating continued pressure even on middle-income households
Devices priced
$500
subject to a higher 25% sales tax while premium smartphones can face an effective tax burden exceeding 50% The study estimated that a smart-
Shahab Dehlvi settled in Bahawalpur after
Partition of India He is currently editor of two literary journals viz quarterly AzZubair ’ and monthly ‘Ilham’ The book bears a thoughtful preface by Prof Dr Moeenuddin Aqeel highlighting the life person and achievements of Syed Shahid Hassan Rizvi followed by his detailed biographical sketch by the compiler The essays contained in the book have been contributed by the latter ’s friends, colleagues students and literary contemporaries like Dr Mukhtar Zafar Durdana Nosheen Khan Dr Shahida Dilawar Shah Dr Mazhar Hussain Hafiz Safwan Muhammad, Azra Asghar, Syed Meraj Jami, Qudratullah Shahzad, Hussain Ahmad Madani, Dr Munawar Usmani, Dr Rahim Yar Abbsi, Safdar Hussain, Muhammad Safdar Javed, Prof Almas Fatima Dr Saeed Ahmad Kilasra Muhammad Suhaib Khakwani Saeeda Ali Dr Shaheer Rizvi Syed Tabish Alwari
Dr Hameed Raza Siddiqi Javed Akhtar Bhatti, Dr Muhammad Suhail Shafiq, Dr Shabbir Ahmad Qadri, Muhammad Ahmad
Tarazi and others Some photographs too have been included in the book intended to enhance its
The study also reviewed Pakistan s Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy 2020 and questioned its effectiveness in promoting localisation While Pakistan now assembles more than 30 million mobile phones annually through over 30 assembly units the report said localisation remains below 10% against the policy target of 49% Most manufacturers continue relying on imported completely knocked down kits instead of producing highervalue components locally according to
academic value
Quarterly ‘Az-Zubair ’
Edited by Prof Dr Syed Shahid Hassan Rizvi the journal is published by Urdu Academy Bahawalpur under the patronage of Commissioner Bahawalpur Division The advisory committee of the magazine comprises among others Dr Moeenuddin Aqeel, Dr Abdul Aziz Sahir, Dr Zafar Hussain Zafar Prof Dr Abdur Rauf Rafiqi Dr Shafiq Ahmad Dr Ali Rifad Fateehi Dr Khalil Toqar and Dr Ali Beyat The variegated contents of the magazine include Hamd, Na at, critical and personal essays, book reviews, ghazal, nazm, a special corner for late Dr Abid Siddique, reminiscences, short story, inshaiya, travelogue, comments and letters Some notable authors whose creative work decorates the magazine are Khurshid Beg Mailsvi Bedil Haideri Farhana Kausar Hamid Raza Wattu, Dr Mukhtar Zafar, Prof Dr Najeeb Jamal, Dr Nawaz Kawish, Kaleem Ihsan Butt, Syed Shahab Dehlvi, Anwar Sha’ur Muhammad Iftikhar Shafi Tariq Raees Farogh Fayyaz Tehsin Anwaar
It further noted that expensive digital access disproportionately affects women students freelancers and gig economy workers Pakistan currently has more than 1 5 million freelancers whose work depends on affordable smartphones and internet connectivity according to the report The study recommended harmonising sales tax on mobile phones at 18% removing higher tax slabs on expensive devices and lowering taxes on telecom services
It also called on policymakers to treat digital connectivity as essential national infrastructure rather than solely as a source of tax revenue
Dr
Anjum,
Aurangzeb Alamgir, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Azmi, Prof Nasim Baloch, Rizwan Azim, Uruj Rao, Khalid Siddiqi, Bedar Sar-
madi, and Raja Shafqat Mehmood The learned editor deserves kudos for maintaining the quality and continuity of the journal
prices directly influence food production costs and agricultural operations HSD is also critical for long-haul transportation of goods from ports to markets across the country Any increase in diesel prices typically raises freight charges eventually impacting prices of vegetables flour sugar cement and other essential commodities Industries and backup power generators in several sectors also rely on
04
COMMENT
TH E long-awaited meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, as Mr Trump embarked on his first visit to China The relations between the two countries were supposed to be at the centre of the meeting After all Mr Trump was the one who founded the alarm that China was now vying to replace the USA as global superpower However, there have been developments since, in particular the Iran conflict This dominated the discussions between the two men, though nothing that could be described as a breakthrough took place on this or any other issue
The Iran conflict, it might be remembered, was started by the USA, but the main cause of concern has been the disruption in the oil supply, mainly to the Far East, including China Mr Trump claimed to have Chinese assurance that it would not provide Iran with any more weaponry as well as having a desire to reopen the Strait of Hormuz whose closure has become a global problem However Mr Xi did raise the issue of Taiwan and Mr Trump duly told him that US policy remained unchanged However the success of Iran in resisting the USA, with China s help, has raised the possibility of China defying the USA s guarantee of Taiwan s independence For this reason, the military confrontation between the USA and Iran has been of great interest to China, whose backing of Iran, albeit covert, has turned the conflict into a proxy war against the USA Mr XI also said later at the banquet he hosted for Mr Trump that he hoped the Thucydides Trap, in which a rising superpower goes to war with the one that is already of that status could be avoided He said the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand ” Trade discussions being pursued in North Korea tend in that direction, and China seems to want to address Mr Trump s focus on the US trade deficit with China by purchasing Boeing aeroplanes, as well as buying oil (to diversify from the Middle East and Hormuz), as well as farm goods Clearly, the USA still sees China as a market for primary goods, not understanding that now it can compete in the most sophisticated goods
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
TH E R E comes a moment in every society when silence becomes impossible to ignore In Pakistan that silence has long belonged to women It lives in the stories never reported, the harassment endured quietly on crowded buses, the fear of walking alone after sunset, the dreams abandoned because safety could not be guaranteed For generations, women have learned to shrink themselves to survive They have changed routes lowered voices ignored insults and accepted restrictions in the name of protection The burden of safety has always fallen on women themselves rather than on the systems meant to protect them Today, that conversation is beginning to change Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Punjab has introduced initiatives that seek to address one of the deepest and most painful realities faced by women in Pakistan The Meri Awaz Maryam Nawaz Virtual Women Police Station and the women-focused e-taxi service seek to confront the culture of fear that has shaped women’s lives for decades For too long justice in Pakistan has remained inaccessible to the very people who need it most A woman facing harassment or violence often suffers twice First at the hands of the perpetrator and then within the institutions meant to help her Police stations can be intimidating spaces for women Many hesitate before filing complaints because they fear humiliation disbelief or public exposure In conservative households even speaking about harassment can invite blame and shame The Virtual Women Police Station has the potential to break that cycle By allowing women to report crimes, harassment and abuse through a digital platform or Women Safety App, the initiative creates a safer and more private path toward justice A woman no longer has to walk into a crowded police station to be heard She can speak from the security of her home That shift matters more than many may realise When a state creates systems that recognise women s fears as legitimate rather than inconvenient, it sends a powerful message It tells women
that their voices deserve protection It tells them they do not need permission to seek justice This is especially important in a country where countless women remain trapped between social pressure and institutional neglect Many cases of domestic violence, workplace harassment and public abuse never enter official records because women fear the consequences of speaking up Silence becomes survival A digital reporting system cannot erase centuries of patriarchy but it can create cracks in the walls that patriarchy has built Still, technology alone is not empowerment A portal is only as meaningful as the response it delivers If complaints disappear into bureaucracy, public trust will collapse Women do not need another symbolic initiative designed for headlines They need systems that work They need trained officers who respond with empathy instead of suspicion They need confidentiality They need legal support Most importantly, they need to know that their complaints will lead to action Real empowerment is not about announcements It is about accountability
The second initiative the women centred e-taxi service touches another deeply political issue in Pakistan which is mobility Men often move through cities without thinking twice about safety Women calculate every journey They think about the time, the route, the driver, the crowd and the risk Even education and employment opportunities are often shaped by whether travel feels safe enough Public transport in Pakistan has long been a hostile environment for women Harassment is so common that many women consider it unavoidable Young girls learn early that stepping outside means preparing for unwanted comments, stares and violations of personal space This constant vigilance is exhausting It limits freedom in invisible ways The idea of a dedicated e-taxi service for women challenges that reality It creates not only safer transportation but also economic opportunities for women drivers In doing so, it addresses two major barriers simultaneously,
Governance rush
in civic or human rights groups Without understanding their rights and responsibilities citizens often consider governance as the domain only of politicians As noted by George Jean Nathan, Good citizens who do not vote elect bad officials, which resonates with troubling accuracy in the case of Pakistan Various groups are trying to encourage civic engagement in Pakistan PILDAT studies governance and election whereas FAFEN monitors elections and trains observers Transparency International Pakistan fights corruption and enhances accountability Pakistan Youth Commission Association is an organization in Pakistan established in 2013 that works on youth empowerment in the country through initiatives in their education social cohesion and citizen journalism to inspire youth involvement and Aurat Foundation works on mobilizing the communities and empowering the women in their local politics These campaigns focus on the importance of civil society in strengthening democracy The legal system in Pakistan also encourages civic participation Articles 17 19 and 32 of the 1973 Constitution assure the freedom of association, expression, and role in local governance The Elections Act of 2017 fosters transparency, and the Right of Access to Information Act of 2017 allows the citizens to hold the officials accountable Provincial Local Government Acts are also meant to institutionalize the participation at the grassroots level but in practice, inconsistent implementation has been a challenge Civic responsibility is further enhanced by religious and philosophical traditions Individual accountability is emphasized by the Prophet Muhammad Each of you is a shepherd and
responsible for his flock a principle that resonates with democratic participation Allama Iqbal also highlighted citizen responsibility, stating, “Nations are born in the hearts of poets; they prosper and die in the hands of politicians ” Islamic Scholars such as Ibn Khaldun and Shah Waliullah emphasized justice social responsibility and civic participation as the foundation of good societies Civic responsibility is also important during the time of war The conflicts with India, Afghanistan and recent events of Iran-vs-Israel/USA reveal that Pakistan has managed to strengthen its national resilience not only through military power but primarily through civic unity In the Afghanistan war there were millions of refugees in Pakistan which is an indicator of societal resilience and historically proven that the rivalry with India has contributed to national unity The geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have provoked popular protests and civic expression In the light of these illustrations it is clear that civic participation is crucial in times of crisis to national strength Global case studies have definite solutions Participatory budgeting in Brazil gives people power to determine how the government will spend the public funds which enhances services Online services and voting made possible by E-governance in Estonia increase transparency South Korea has also adopted online measures to track projects and report corruption; these examples show that being actively involved in civic life enhances democracy and governance
It is necessary to restore civic responsibility in Pakistan Democracy is not only in institutions but in knowledgeable and engaged citizens It is important to enhance civic education programs, empower the local governments, motivate the youth and women to engage in civic education and the development of the civil society As Thomas Jefferson said Liberty comes with the price of eternal vigilance The future of Pakistan lies in changing its people into active citizens who will practice democratic values and make Pakistan a strong participatory state
The writer is a Visiting Lecturer of Political Science at GCUF Chiniot Campus He can be reached at Email: mehndiarslan@gmail com
Bhagnari’s basic rights
aRslan mehndi nekokaRa
the same time, it recognises that excessive dependence on the USA also carries risks The result is a strategy aimed at diversification rather than alignment
WH E N Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stood beside Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People earlier this year the image carried more weight than the carefully scripted diplomatic language exchanged during the meeting Only months before, Carney had publicly described China as Canada’s foremost geopolitical challenge Yet there he was, speaking warmly of partnership and welcoming cooperation in what he called a new world order
The shift was not merely symbolic It reflected the growing uncertainty in global politics and the difficult choices facing middle powers caught between competing giants Canada’s changing tone toward China also revealed a deeper reality: countries that once relied almost exclusively on the strategic and economic umbrella of the USA are now reassessing their options in a world increasingly shaped by rivalry, economic nationalism and geopolitical unpredictability
The immediate trigger for this reassessment came from Washington itself US President Donald Trump had once again unsettled allies with remarks about Canada becoming the 51st state of the USA Although many dismissed the statement as political theatre, its implications were serious For Canadians, such rhetoric touched a sensitive nerve regarding sovereignty, identity and economic dependence Relations between Ottawa and Washington have historically been close but they have never been entirely free of tension Trump s comments revived longstanding fears that Canada s overwhelming economic reliance on the USA leaves it vulnerable to pressure from its southern neighbour For decades Canadian foreign policy rested on a careful balance Geography made
close ties with the USA unavoidable, while diplomacy encouraged engagement with Europe Asia and the wider international community Canada projected itself as a moderate middle power committed to multilateralism open trade and international cooperation
However, the global environment that sustained this approach is rapidly changing
The return of aggressive economic nationalism in the USA has created anxiety, not only in Canada but across the Western alliance Protectionist policies trade disputes and unpredictable political rhetoric have weakened confidence in the stability of traditional partnerships In such circumstances, even close allies are exploring alternative economic and strategic relationships
This partly explains Canada’s renewed outreach toward China despite years of strained relations The relationship between Ottawa and Beijing deteriorated sharply after the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver in 2018 at the request of US authorities China responded by detaining two Canadian citizens, leading to a prolonged diplomatic crisis that poisoned public opinion in both countries Concerns over Chinese interference cybersecurity and human rights further deepened mistrust
Yet economics often pushes states toward pragmatism China remains one of the world’s largest markets and a major trading partner for many countries including Canada Canadian industries ranging from agriculture to energy and education have strong interests in maintaining stable ties with Beijing In an era of economic uncertainty, few governments can afford to ignore the opportunities presented by the Chinese market
Carney’s remarks in Beijing therefore reflected realism more than ideological change His government understands that Canada cannot entirely detach itself from China without significant economic costs At
This approach is not unique to Canada Across Europe and Asia many countries are attempting to navigate between Washington and Beijing without becoming fully dependent on either side The emerging international environment is less rigid than the Cold War order Instead of two clearly defined blocs today’s world is characterised by overlapping economic partnerships strategic competition and selective cooperation
China s growing influence has accelerated this transformation Through trade, investment and infrastructure projects, Beijing has expanded its global presence far beyond Asia Countries that once viewed China mainly as a manufacturing centre now see it as a technological financial and diplomatic power capable of shaping international institutions and global economic trends
For Western governments, this creates a dilemma They remain wary of China s political system, strategic ambitions and expanding military influence However they also recognise that China is too important to isolate completely The challenge lies in managing competition without allowing rivalry to escalate into open confrontation
Canada s position is especially delicate because of its deep integration with the USA More than three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the US market Security cooperation between the two countries is extensive and longstanding Any major deterioration in US-Canada relations would have profound consequences for the Canadian economy and national security
Nevertheless, recent developments suggest that Ottawa is no longer willing to place all its strategic assumptions in Washington s hands Carney s Beijing visit signalled an effort to create greater diplomatic flexibility in an increasingly uncertain world Critics within Canada argue that engagement with China risks compromising democratic values and national security interests They point to concerns over espionage foreign influence and Beijing s assertive foreign policy Supporters of closer engagement, however, contend that diplo-
As the international order undergoes transformation, states are increasingly driven by pragmatism rather than ideological cer tainty CanadaÊs diplomatic outreach to China, despite years of tension and mistrust, illustrates how rapidly g eopolitical realities can reshape political choices In a world defined by strategic competition and economic interdependence , even longstanding allies are learning to keep their options open.
ports, aviation, tourism, and logistics plus the near halt of roughly 20% of global oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) flows through Hormuz Goldman Sachs projects GDP hits of up to 14% for Qatar and Kuwait 5% for the UAE and 3% for Saudi Arabia if disruptions persist The United Nations Development Programme estimates the war may cost economies in the region from 3 7 to 6 0 percent of their collective Gross Domestic Product (GDP)” or US$120-194 billion and exceeds the cumulative regional GDP growth achieved in 2025 ” War damages have forced a broader fiscal rethink with at least three GCC governments reviewing trillions in sovereign wealth fund (SWF) deployments, potential pledge reversals, divestments, and sponsorship deals to offset losses and prioritize domestic recovery, defense, and infrastructure hardening Saudi Arabia has ended its partnership with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and the LIV Golf but the real consequences will come from reduced investments in transport energy and water projects in Asia and Africa not image-building projects targeted at well-off consumers in high-income countries PRE-WAR CONTEXT: Before the conflict, Gulf petrostates had been expanding investments in Central Asia primarily Kazakhstan Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan as part of economic diversification away from oil resourceseeking (e g uranium rare earths gas) and geopolitical hedging, totaling US$16 2 billion by late 2025 Examples included UAE logistics and energy deals, Saudi mining and infrastructure, and broader GCC engagement in post-Soviet markets These were modest relative to Gulf investments in the U S Europe or Africa but aligned with Vision 2030style strategies and alternatives to Russian and Chinese influence which also suited Washington s interests DIRECT IMPACTS ON INVESTMENT PLANS: No cancellations of specific
has been damaged, raising costs of capital and making ambitious foreign expansions less attractive This affects not just inbound FDI to the Gulf but also the Gulf states outbound investment plans
RIPPLE EFFECTS ON CENTRAL ASIA: The Hormuz blockade and Iranian route disruptions raised trade and logistics costs for landlocked Central Asian states (which rely on Iranian territory for Gulf access) driving inflation shortages and slower growth This makes the region less attractive for large-scale Gulf investment in the short term though it has accelerated interest in alternative, such as the Middle Corridor, though the latter has limited utility for trade with South and West Asia Specific deals from 2023 to 2025 highlight the momentum that may be endangered: UAE: First Abu Dhabi Bank financed Uzbekistan s 500 MW Zarafshan Wind Power Project (Central Asia s largest renewable project at the time) and supported bond placements UAE sovereign funds and entities were major players in renewables and re-exports
SAUDI ARABIA: ACWA Power and other entities pursued clean energy and infrastructure deals with Kazakhstan and Tajikistan and US$30 million in concessional loans for Tajikistan s Kulob Ring Road) The Saudi Arabia-based Islamic Development Bank has financed energy, transport, and agriculture projects in Central Asia
QATAR: Lesha Bank acquired Kazakhstan’s Bereke Bank (a full bank takeover the first by a Gulf investor) for US$134 million in 2024 The Qatar Fund for Development committed US$50 million to Tajikistan s Rogun Hydropower Project and announced plans to participate in gas processing and hydropower ventures in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan (largest economy) have seen the biggest inflows of Gulf investment The investments went hand-in-hand with high-level diplomacy The first GCC–Central Asia Summit was held in Jeddah Saudi Arabia in July 2023 and a second was planned for Samarkand Uzbekistan in May 2025 but has been indefinitely delayed Ongoing ministerial meetings have focused on transport, communications, energy, trade, economic, and cultural exchanges In April 2026, Kazakhstan’s foreign minister met his UAE counterpart in Abu Dhabi and delivered a message from Kazakh president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the UAE s president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan In March 2026 Uzbekistan s foreign minister and first deputy foreign minister met separately with the ambassadors of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Oman POTENTIAL SHIFTS OR OPPORTUNITIES There are some countervailing dynamics but they
appear limited by fiscal strain: ALTERNATIVE CONNECTIVITY FOCUS: The Hormuz crisis has validated (and accelerated) Gulf investments in bypass infrastructure (e g pipelines GCC rail projects) and partnerships like China-Pakistan Economic Corridor/Gwadar Port to create land corridors linking the Gulf to Central Asia via Pakistan or the Caspian This could open niche opportunities for Gulf capital in Middle Corridor logistics or energy links positioning the petrostates in multipolar trade routes
SUPPLY DIVERSIFICATION: Central Asian states are seeking alternative suppliers (including from the Gulf) for goods previously routed via Iran, which could sustain or modestly expand targeted trade/investment ties though Gulf exporters are themselves strained
ENERGY DIVERSIFICATION TAILWINDS: The Hormuz crisis has highlighted Gulf vulnerabilities accelerating interest in overland/non-Gulf routes China is pressing Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to increase natural gas production, and the crisis may see the revival of discussions on Central Asia-to-China Line D capacity expansion Central Asia s neutrality and lower direct exposure make it a safer diversification play for any residual GCC capital once the ceasefire stabilizes Kazakhstan Uzbek-
Dr muhammaD akram Zaheer
China says Xi-Trump summiT sTrengThened
sindh intensifies crackdown in Kacha areas; 41 dacoits eliminated in 2026 operations
KARACHI S TA F
Sindh Government Spokesperson Sukhdev Hemnani has said that the Sindh government has significantly intensified anti-dacoit operations in kacha areas under the ongoing “Operation Nijat-eMehran ” resulting in major successes against organised criminal networks operating in riverine belts of Sindh He said the operation reflects the Sindh government s zero-tolerance policy against kidnappings, extortion, armed gangs and other violent crimes, while reinforcing the writ of the state in vulnerable kacha regions Sharing official statistics from 1 January 2026 to May 2026 Hemnani said Sindh Police carried out 133 encounters across Sukkur Khairpur Ghotki Shikarpur Kashmore and Jacobabad districts During these operations 41 dacoits were neutralised, 255 dacoits were injured or arrested, 322 dacoits surrendered, 20 abductees were recovered, while 157 weapons were seized Hemnani said the operational data demonstrates the Sindh government’s sustained and aggressive strategy being led by Home Minister Sindh against organised crime in kacha areas He further stated that in 2025 Sindh Police conducted 760 encounters in kacha areas, during which 120 dacoits were eliminated, 527 criminals arrested, 99 abductees recovered, and 1,912 weapons seized
The spokesperson said the Sindh government is simultaneously pursuing rehabilitation and development initiatives in affected areas to ensure durable peace and stability Alongside targeted security operations, the Sindh government is focusing on rehabilitation, infrastructure improvement and better public service delivery in kacha/riverine areas to restore normalcy and support local communities ” said Hemnani Hemnani reiterated that under the leadership President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the Government of Sindh under Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah will continue all-out efforts to strengthen law and order, rehabilitation and development across kacha areas
Israeli occ upiers torch mosque, vehicles in West Bank village
cluding East Jerusalem has seen an increase in Israeli military operations including raids arrests shootings and what the report described as excessive use of force, alongside growing attacks by occupiers on Palestinians and their property
According to official Palestinian figures cited in the report since October 2023 attacks by the Israeli army and occupiers have killed 1,155 Palestinians, wounded about 11,750 and led to the arrest of nearly 22,000 people The latest incidents in Jibiya and Al-Lubban al-Sharqiya add to a series of reported attacks on Palestinian communities and property across the occupied territory
Putin set to visit China soon af ter Trump’s B eijing trip, repor t says
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to travel to China next week only days after United States President Donald Trump wrapped up his visit to Beijing according to a report by the South China Morning Post cited in the source report The report said the one-day trip is planned for May 20 citing sources It added that the visit is part of Moscow s regular engagement with Beijing and is not expected to feature an elaborate parade or major welcome cere-
mony Neither the Chinese nor Russian governments have so far publicly confirmed the date Trump completed his three-day visit to China on Friday During what the source report described as the first visit by a US president to China in nine years he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on trade, Taiwan, the conflict in the Middle East and other matters
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that Putin would be travelling to China soon and that preparations for the trip were almost finished
We will announce them shortly This visit is being prepared One can say that p r e p a r a t i o n s are already complete with only final touches remaining It will take place in the very near future When asked about possible Russia-China contacts after Trump s visit to Beijing, Peskov said the
Russian leadership expected communication with Xi regardless of the American president s trip
On Friday, Peskov said Putin’s discussions in China would cover the full scope of bilateral ties as well as international issues
The agenda is clear first and foremost it s our bilateral relations a special privileged strategic partnership, and a substantial volume of trade and economic cooperation, which consistently exceeds $200 billion And of course international affairs will also be prominently featured
If the visit goes ahead
would be the first time China has hosted the leaders of the two powers in the same month outside a multilateral setting, according to the source report The latest meeting between Putin and Xi took place on February 4 by video link
The source report also said that if Putin s trip materialises China would become the first country to host all four leaders of the other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council within a period of months
CIA chief visits
Citing
s Anarkali Bazaar, Faisalabad s Ghanta Ghar Bazaar, and Rawalpindi s Raja Bazaar, she said these historic locations have now become visually impressive offering facilities of international standards to the public Azma Bokhari reaffirmed that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz s vision is to make every city in Punjab as beautiful, modern, and well-facilitated as Lahore These ongoing projects are not only restoring the aesthetic appeal of cities but are also boosting commercial activities across the province
Cher y: China’s
OPPOSITION RAISES AL ARM OVER UAE DEPORTATIONS AS NA REFERS MATTER TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS PANEL
Shazia Marri defends
after viral press conference exchange
Karachi
police trace alleged ' transnational drug net work' linked to 'Pinky'
Karachi Additional Inspector General Azad Khan on Friday said investigators probing alleged drug kingpin Anmol alias Pinky had uncovered indications of a possible transnational narcotics network involving foreign nationals and operatives across multiple Pakistani cities
Addressing a press conference in Karachi the senior police official said authorities had received information suggesting that several individuals from African countries based in Lahore were allegedly connected to the network
According to investigators, the main supply of narcotics was allegedly prepared in Lahore before being transported to Karachi through a coordinated distribution system
Police said Anmol used riders to deliver drugs, with eight of the nine identified couriers reportedly coming from Punjab When law enforcement agencies began intercepting her riders she allegedly shifted to using local delivery services to avoid detection Authorities said coordination was underway with the Anti-Narcotics Force, Federal Investigation Agency, National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency and Punjab police while financial investigators were also examining suspicious
“We have come across information that some foreigners from African countries are involved in this network, he said, adding that around 20 Lahore-based women were also allegedly linked to the operation
transactions linked to the case AIG Khan said 20 cases linked to Anmol had surfaced in Sindh, including three recent cases, while three additional cases had been traced in Lahore He added that she had previously been acquitted in six cases declared a proclaimed offender in three and remained absconding in another case registered by the ANF Police alleged that Anmol had been involved in drug trafficking since 2014 and expanded online operations in Karachi in 2018 before relocating activities to Lahore after coming under surveillance Investigators conducting forensic analysis of her mobile phone reportedly recovered more than 800 contacts, of which around 300 were identified as being actively linked
