Amjad
Hussain for GB chief minister ’s post
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday announced Advocate Amjad Hussain as the party’s nominee for the post of Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister a day after the party said it would form the regional government with the support of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) According to an official statement shared on X Bilawal decided to nominate the PPP s GilgitBaltistan president for the top slot in the region The statement said the PPP chairman also spoke to Hussain by telephone and issued directions
regarding the formation of the government as well as the implementation of the constitutional and economic rights of the people Hussain has served as PPP Gilgit-Baltistan president since 2016 and recently won a seat from GBA-I in the general elections He is described as a prominent lawyer with a strong grasp of the region s legal and constitutional matters His previous public offices include membership of the GilgitBaltistan Assembly from 2020 to 2025 and the Gilgit-Baltistan Council from 2009 to 2014 In the 2020 Gilgit-Baltistan general elections, he contested from two constituencies GBA-I Gilgit and GBA-IV Nagar while the PPP was in op-
position at the federal level He won both seats but later vacated the one from Nagar Hussain also served as opposition leader in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly from 2020 to 2023 during the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led government of Khalid Khurshid He was the mover of the GilgitBaltistan Land Reforms Act, passed by the assembly in 2025, which sought to make locals landowners His political campaign centred on Haq-e-Hukumat (Right to Rule) and Haq-e-Malkiat (Right to Ownership) a movement he began in 2016 and which later became part of the PPP s election manifesto He has also been an advocate of provincial status for Gilgit-Baltistan
Minister ’s Office (PMO)
ISLAMABAD/CAIR O S TA F F R E P O R T Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and Türkiye on Sunday welcomed the diplomatic momentum surrounding a United States-Iran peace process urging a “swift” conclusion of negotiations for a lasting verifiable and mutually acceptable settlement to outstanding issues,
Opposition flays govt for ‘no-show ’ in budget session
LAHORE
The Punjab Assembly s budget debate turned confrontational on Saturday as opposition lawmakers accused the government of showing little seriousness toward the proceedings after Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman was absent when the sitting began
The second day of the general discussion on the provincial budget started late because of the minister s absence Treasury members initially sought to carry on with the session saying officials from the finance department were present to note down lawmakers proposals The opposition however, refused to proceed, arguing that only the finance minister could formally receive recommendations on the budget
The standoff drew in Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar who was presiding over the session He also raised concerns over the minister not being present and said the opposi-
tion’s objection was justified He questioned how members’ proposals could be properly recorded without the finance minister in the house
Earlier in the session, Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi criticised the government benches saying neither the finance minister nor other cabinet members were present even though the budget debate was the most important part of the parliamentary calendar He alleged that the government was not interested in listening to lawmakers’ recommendations and said the people of Punjab were seeing the treasury s lack of seriousness
accused were sentenced and 10 were acquitted Family courts granted divorce decrees to four women and issued notices to husbands in six newly instituted family cases One woman was reunited with her son, two women were sent to Darul Aman, and another was permitted to leave the shelter home The courts also issued arrest
The atmosphere in the assembly grew tense as treasury and opposition
The deputy speaker later ordered objectionable comments to be removed from the official record The deadlock eased only after Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman eventually arrived in the assembly allowing the general debate on the provincial budget to resume The opposition maintained throughout the confrontation that budget proposals could not be meaningfully debated without the minister ’s presence and at one stage accused the government of appearing to boycott the proceedings on some occasions while the finance minister was missing on others
The disagreement sharpened when treasury Chief Whip Rana Muhammad Arshad insisted that ministry officials were available to document the proposals The deputy speaker rejected that position and maintained that the finance minister himself should attend the debate Opposition members, including Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan, also argued that replying to the budget discussion was the responsibility of the finance minister rather than the chief whip During the exchange Rana Aftab remarked that the session was not like a village fair
KP budget contracts 28pc, marking steepest setback in years
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded a sharp contraction in its budget during the 2025-26 financial year, with the provincial outlay falling from an initial estimate of Rs2,119 billion to
windfall levy although Rs58 billion had been built into the budget estimates under that head PROVINCIAL INCOME AND MERGED DISTRICTS ALLOCATIONS ALSO LAGGED
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s own revenue collection also remained below target Provincial receipts reached Rs120 6 billion against a target of Rs129 billion General capital income saw an especially steep drop standing at Rs200 million compared with the projected Rs10 3 billion The shortfall was particularly severe in resources meant for the merged districts Non-development grants, current grants and other related heads brought in only Rs88 billion against an expected Rs202 7 billion Development resources for the merged districts were also much lower than planned at Rs98 9 billion compared with the projected Rs270 1 billion
PAT T E R N O F R E P E AT E D S H O RT FA L L S
J E C T I O N S Several major federal receipts missed their projected levels Under the federal tax assignment, the province obtained Rs1,017 billion against an expectation of Rs1,147 billion Compensation linked to terrorism-related losses calculated at 1% of national resources came to Rs122 billion instead of the anticipated Rs137 billion
The province also received only Rs32 billion in net hydel profit, far below the projected Rs106 billion Direct transfers amounted to Rs45 billion compared with an expected Rs57 billion No funds were released under the
The latest figures continue a multi-year trend of missed budget estimates Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s budget targets were missed by 11 8% in FY2022-23, 22 5% in FY202324 and 15 5% in FY2024-25 before the much larger 28% reduction recorded in FY2025-26 The year-end figures show that both federal transfers and provincial resource mobilisation fell short of the assumptions used when the budget was framed, with the largest gaps appearing in hydel profit, windfall levy receipts and funding streams earmarked for the merged districts
China-Pakistan desert agriculture lab opens in Multan
A joint China-Pakistan facility focused on desert agriculture and horticulture has been launched in Multan, with officials and researchers presenting it as a step forward in bilateral agricultural cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor According to Prof Cheng Xizhong a senior research fellow at the Charhar Institute, the new Joint Laboratory for Desert Agriculture and Science and Technology Backyard for Desert Horticulture is Pakistan’s
Afridi reviews Muharram security plan, orders strict arrangements in KP
Lawmakers suppor t push for higher taxes on junk food
ISLAMABAD S TA F
Several lawmakers have backed a campaign by the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) seeking tougher taxation on ultra-processed food and beverage products following a post-budget consultative meeting on the country s rising burden of non-communicable diseases According to the details shared from the meeting, a number of
by MNAs Shazia Aslam Soomro Shahida Rehmani Ramesh Lal, Nazir Ahmed Bughio, Sadiq Ali Memon, Haji Rasool Bux Chandio Khursheed Ahmed Junejo Samina Khalid Ghurki Sophia Saeed Rana Ansar Musarrat Rafiq, Riaz Fatyana, Dr Azeemuddin Zahid Lakhvi, Muhammad Saadullah and Owais Jakhar Former MNA Dr Nisar Cheema Moazzam Ali Khan PANAH Secretary General Sanaullah Ghumman and other participants also joined the discussion C O N C E R N
Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and members of various delegations including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister A t t a u l l a h Ta r a r were also present TALKS CRUCIAL FOR PEACE AND PROSPERITY IN REGION: PM Prime Minister Shehbaz said the talks were crucial for peace and prosperity in the region noting that the crisis had created significant challenges for the world
He thanked US President Donald Trump for his visionary and dynamic leadership that helped bring the parties together in Switzerland
The prime minister also praised US Vice President JD Vance the Prime Minister of Qatar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their leadership and consistent efforts in advancing the peace process
He said the leadership gathered at Bürgenstock had the potential to help shape a future of lasting peace I think together all these efforts have culminated here in this wonderful, humanistic Bürgen-
of Asim Munir we would not be here today ” he said adding that Pakistan had played a key role in advancing the talks He noted that never before have such high-level talks been held between us and Iran, and thanked President Trump for empowering us to find a diplomatic solution ” Vance said significant progress had already been made and expressed optimism about further breakthroughs We would not be here without his statesmanship, he said, again praising Field Marshal Munir as both a military leader and a diplomat
Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani of Qatar also praised PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Munir acknowledging their leadership and role in initiating the process He said the progress achieved so far would not have been possible without their efforts alongside those of other key stakeholders
Describing the meeting as historic he said it was significant not only for regional security but also for global peace, expressing confidence that it marked the beginning of a path toward a lasting agreement
stock It's really very wonderful to be here Hopefully, when we go back to our homes we'll have some wonderful paper in our hands which will promote peace progress and prosperity around the globe, he remarked VA
US Vice President JD Vance in his remarks appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their leadership and sustained efforts in promoting peace “We would not be here without the Field Marshal who is a great military leader statesman and diplomat he said I have a few other notes of appreciation First of all, to the Prime Minister of Pakistan a dear friend of the President, a dear friend of mine, and a guy whose leadership and very careful skilled negotiations have gotten us to this point Also to his Field Marshal in Pakistan Asim Munir I ve probably talked to Field Marshal Munir more than I've talked to anybody else over the last three months We would not be here without his statesmanship Vance stated He also praised the Qatari prime minister describing him as
Earlier Qatar s Foreign Ministry announced the launch of talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland, held with the mediation of Qatar and Pakistan according to Al Jazeera The ministry expressed its hope that the meetings would lead to a comprehensive and permanent agreement addressing all aspects covered in the memorandum of understanding
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the provisions of the understanding between Iran and the United States were largely in the interests of the Iranian people,” adding that negotiations would help Iran access its financial resources and determine how they are utilised Speaking at a seminar on monetary and banking policies in Tehran he said Iran had exported more than 16 million barrels of oil in recent days and described the outcomes of the talks as very clear “We will be able to access our own resources and make our own decisions regarding them he said Pezeshkian expressed hope that the $6 billion in Iranian funds held in Qatar would be unfrozen as negotiations progressed, adding that Central Bank Governor Abdolnasser Hemmati was participating in the Switzerland talks to
an important partner in advancing the diplomatic initiative
“What we're trying to accomplish here is something very simple: through diplomacy and through working together to transform the Middle East Now, we see a future where everybody can work together to promote peace and prosperity for everyone ” Describing the meeting as historic Vance said never before had Iranian and American leaders engaged at such a high level What the President has asked us to do is turn over a new leaf, to transform our relationship with the people of Iran and to extend an outstretched hand That is certainly our goal We ve already made great progress over just the last few hours and I expect that we ll make additional progress in the hours to come Responding to a question regarding the conflict in Lebanon, Vance said President Trump remained committed to achieving a comprehensive regional ceasefire as efforts toward peace continued In his remarks Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also praised the leadership of the US Vice President Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for helping initiate and advance the diplomatic process
discuss the use of the funds
He reiterated that Iran would not seek nuclear weapons saying the position was consistent with long-standing policy and a religious decree
He also accused Israel of opposing the negotiations and attempting to prolong regional conflict, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon, and urged national unity to prevent internal divisions IRAN SAYS NEGOTIATIONS ENTERED WITH POWER AND CAUTION’
Hojjatoleslam Abdollah Haji Sadeghi, the main representative of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said “negotiation is not the primary option” with the United States according to Al Jazeera
We will enter negotiations with power and caution but we are not passive, he said in a post on Telegram
“Our primary option is the field of jihad, whether on the battlefield or in the streets ” he added saying Iran was “not worried about the negotiations failing and did not enter talks out of desperation or helplessness
Iran also said the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon would be a key topic in the talks, according to AFP citing Iran’s IRNA news agency The Zionist regime continues to violate its commitment in Lebanon; this issue will be the main topic of discussion in today s talks, the foreign ministry spokesman said He
COMMENT
More bombings of Lebanon by Israel show that the ceasefire may not mean peace
TH AT Iran threatened to close the Hormuz Strait once again showed how seriously it took the Israeli bombing of Lebanon, and this also showed the world how little value Israel placed on the world’s suffering The ceasefire had been signed only on Thursday and technical talks were to begin in Switzerland on Monday, but Israel continued its bombing campaign, even though it was not militarily purposeful It may serve to prove to the Israeli electorate that the government will not pay attention to US wishes where Israeli interests are concerned It is also true that the end of the fighting would mean that the cases against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will proceed
The USA’s wink at Israel to carry on trying to achieve in Lebanon what it had not sone yet, despite the ceasefire, does not seem to be working Iran will not leave Hezbollah out to dry the way Israel has left the USA Israel may also be trying to re-establish over Hamas the image it had of superiority amounting to invincibility There have been some reports from Lebanon of Israeli ground forces taking a battering at the hands of Hamas armed with drones and munitions provided by Iran Israel is trying to clear the land to the Litani River, saying it is doing so to safeguard its settlements close to the border from Hamas bombardment, but also because it wants to annex the land, and use it to build new settlements Inevitably, Hezbollah will bombard the new settlements, and Israel will use that as an excuse to annex more Lebanese territory until presumably it reaches the sea
Though the primary actor is the USA Pakistan has a role to play, as a mediator which is a signatory of the deal, and which would presumably be embarrassed if the ceasefire fell through even before technical talks began It will have to persuade Iran that it will not use Strait closure as a negotiating tool until it has tried others And it will have to persuade those of its friends like Turkey and Egypt to use their good offices with Israel perhaps with a reminder that Iran had moved from recognition and diplomatic relations under the Shah 50 years ago, to its present implacable opposition
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi
Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
INehru and
was a masterclass in
tional diplomacy It not only allocated the rivers but also provided for a massive infrastructure project The World Bank funded Pakistan to build a replacement canal system to compensate for the water it lost from the eastern rivers For six decades, the IWT was hailed as a beacon of cooperation It is a rare example of two adversaries successfully managing a critical shared resource It proved that even in the face of profound distrust water could be a bridge for cooperation with the Permanent Indus Commission ensuring data exchange and a mechanism for resolving disputes This history of resilience makes India's decision to place the treaty in abeyance
ment that has no provision for unilateral suspension Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar strongly condemned this move and stated India's suspension are not just bilateral disputes but are deliberate acts of hydro-hegemony It was designed to weaponize water and exert strategic pressure on Pakistan
The most significant and alarming challenge from India is its plan to build the ChenabBeas Link Tunnel project This inter-basin project is designed to divert approximately 1 9 million acre-feet of water annually from the Chenab River into the Beas River system Chenab River, a western river, was allocated to Pakistan in IWT Pakistan has denounced the project as a "grave violation" of the IWT and international law including the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties This is not an isolated incident; India is also actively fast-tracking several large hydropower projects on the Chenab It includes,
EV E RY budget season Pakistan performs the same ritual Ministers huddle over revenue shortfalls Businesses lobby against tax increases Citizens brace for higher prices International lenders demand fiscal discipline The question is always the same: where will the money come from? Remarkably the answer is never that perhaps the country should stop subsidising an industry that kills 448 Pakistanis every single day The Global Adult Tobacco Survey, conducted by the Ministry of Health in partnership with WHO and the CDC Foundation puts the scale of this beyond dispute Tobacco causes approximately 164 000 deaths annually and inflicts economic losses of Rs 1 800 billion roughly $6 6 billion every year That figure encompasses healthcare costs, lost productivity, premature mortality, disability, and the damage of second-hand smoke It is seven times greater than what the tobacco industry contributes in taxes which stood at Rs 265 billion in 2025 Pakistan is collecting one rupee from tobacco while spending seven managing the consequences This is not fiscal policy but a subsidised epidemic The governance failure compounds the public health failure Illegal cigarettes now account for more than half
A country serious about economic reform must evaluate industries on their net impact, not their lobbying power or tax receipts alone. By that standard, the verdict on tobacco is not complicated, and the government itself has now put the numbers on record What appears as an industry is in fact a liability, one of the most expensive burdens this country continues to carry It is wrapped in attractive packaging, made easily accessible, and sold within the bounds of law, moving quietly through everyday life going up in a piff of smoke
such as the 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II the 1 856 MW Sawalkote project and the contentious 850 MW Ratle project Pakistan views this coordinated effort as a clear demonstration of India s intent to systematically dismantle the treaty's core allocation Faced with these existential threats Pakistan has escalated the issue to the highest international forum In June 2026 Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar wrote to the President of the UN Security Council, urging the 15-member body to intervene The letter specifically highlighted the Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel and other infrastructure projects as attempts to illegally alter treaty-governed flows on the western rivers Pakistan s UN ambassador delivered the letter warning that India s actions have dangerous implications for Pakistan s water, food, and economic security as well as regional stability and international peace and security"
This diplomatic offensive follows a similar letter sent in April 2026 and Pakistan has also pointed to rulings by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) The PCA has issued awards stating that India cannot unilaterally hold the treaty in abeyance India, however, has rejected the PCA's jurisdiction, calling it illegal It continues to assert its position that the treaty is in abeyance due to Pakistan s alleged support for
terrorism This has created a parallel legal and political conflict where Pakistan seeks international accountability while India stands firm on its unilateral action
Conclusively, India's decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance And its subsequent actions to build projects on the Chenab River is a multifaceted violation of international law The IWT is a binding treaty and its unilateral suspension has no basis in its text or in international treaty law The planned inter-basin diversion of the Chenab's waters is a direct violation of the treaty's foundational principle of allocating the western rivers to Pakistan Furthermore by attempting to alter the flow of trans boundary waters without the consent of the lower riparian state India is violating core principles of international water law While Pakistan s response has been diplomatic and legal, the actions taken by India threaten to unravel the only successful water-sharing agreement between the two nations with devastating consequences for the people of Pakistan and the stability of the entire region
Amna Naz is a research intern at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and can be reached at amnanaz03846@gmail com
AMNA NAZ
Trump Turns Tur tle
Having to change course
peace agreement with Iran advocating reconstruction, supporting the return of frozen Iranian assets, criticizing aspects of Israeli military conduct in Lebanon, and warning against actions that could derail the ceasefire he now champions The question is obvious: What changed? How did a leader who once spoke of destroying Iran s military capabilities become the chief defender of an agreement designed to reintegrate Iran into regional stability? How did the USA move from threats of escalation to discussions of reconstruction and diplomacy? The answer lies in the collision between ideology and reality
At the outset of the conflict, many in Washington appeared convinced that overwhelming military pressure would quickly force Tehran into submission Yet as the confrontation unfolded it became increasingly clear that military victories do not automatically translate into strategic success President Trump himself provided clues to this transformation during his remarks at the G7 Summit Defending the agreement, he openly acknowledged that continuing the war would have imposed catastrophic economic costs on the world economy
If we didn t do this deal Trump declared, we could have dropped more bombs for another three weeks, two years, whatever But you would never have the Strait of Hormuz open Your market would go down at levels nobody had ever seen before " This statement reveals the first and perhaps most important reason for Washington s change of course: economics
The prospect of prolonged conflict threatened global energy markets, international trade routes, and investor confidence Every discussion of peace pushed markets higher Every hint of escalation drove uncertainty into global commerce Trump himself repeatedly noted that financial markets reacted positively whenever negotiations appeared likely to succeed For a president who closely associates economic performance with political success the message from the markets was impossible to ignore The second factor was geopolitical reality The USA is not Israel Israel s strategic focus is naturally centred on its immediate neighbourhood The USA, however, is a global superpower whose interests span every continent Washington must maintain relationships with Europe Asia Africa Latin America and the Muslim world simultaneously
Histor y will determine whether this policy succeeds But one conclusion is already clear: faced with the prospect of economic turmoil, diplomatic isolation, and an open-ended conflict, Washington chang ed course Trump did not simply negotiate a deal with Iran He redefined the USA's approach to the conflict itself And in doing so, he may have altered the future trajector y of the Middle East for years to come
As the conflict expanded US policymakers increasingly recognized that unlimited support for military escalation carried substantial diplomatic costs Relations with Gulf states, broader Muslim-majority countries, and important global partners risked deterioration
This broader perspective became increasingly evident in Trump's remarks Speaking about Lebanon he departed sharply from traditional rhetoric I feel very bad for Lebanon Trump said It was a great culture It was an incredible culture For the last 50 or 60 years they have been living in hell "
Even more strikingly he publicly criticized the Israeli approach to Hezbollah arguing that when two drones are shot into the desert and dropped harmlessly you don t have to knock down buildings in Beirut Such comments would have been almost unimaginable from a US President at the beginning of the conflict
The third factor was the realization that economic warfare and military operations have limits Trump repeatedly emphasized that the objective of preventing nuclear proliferation had been achieved He argued that Israel's greatest security concern was the possibility of an Iranian nuclear weapon His message to Israeli critics was simple: the agreement delivers exactly what Israel has always claimed to want Vice President JD Vance reinforced this position even more bluntly Responding to criticism from members of the Israeli cabinet, Vance stated: "Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time He added a pointed reminder: Two-thirds of the defensive weapons that have protected Israel have been built by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars " Most remarkably, Vance challenged the assumption that military force alone could solve every security challenge "You can't just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have he said Those words represent a profound shift in tone from Washington For decades, US officials often defended Israeli military actions without publicly questioning the underlying strategy Vance's comments suggest growing frustration within the Administration regarding what it perceives as the absence of a long-term political solution A fourth factor was military sustainability Wars consume resources at extraordinary rates Ammunition stockpiles advanced weapons systems naval deployments and logistical support all impose enormous burdens on national budgets Trump himself highlighted the staggering financial cost of continued operations, noting that hundreds of millions of dollars were being spent in a matter of days Even the world's strongest
military cannot wage unlimited campaigns without consequences The fifth factor was the fear of global economic disruption Trump repeatedly argued that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open was essential not only for regional stability but also for preventing worldwide economic turmoil He warned that prolonged conflict could have triggered severe disruptions to shipping, energy supplies, and international trade At one point he bluntly stated that the world was avoiding a potential economic disaster Rather than presiding over a global downturn Trump chose to pursue a settlement that promised lower oil prices, stronger markets, and renewed economic confidence Another revealing moment came when Trump addressed the issue of frozen Iranian assets Historically US administrations have often treated sanctions and frozen funds as permanent leverage Yet Trump acknowledged a fundamental principle that surprised many observers "We have taken their money," he said "It s not our money It s their money " He went even further
Vance acknowledged Lebanon could derail the negotiations, but said S ecretar y of State Marco Rubio is handling de - esc alation effor ts
aimed at "getting the actual structure and negotiation in place "
on," Vance told reporters on Saturday before leaving Washington Driving the news: Vance and White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met on Sunday morning with the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and Qatar and Pakistan s top general, who is mediating talks between the U S and Iran Shortly after the Iranian delegation headed by Speaker of Parliament Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a similar meeting with the mediators Iranian state media reported that after the mediator meetings the U S and Iranian delegations held a trilateral meeting with the Qataris a diplomat with knowledge of the talks confirmed to Axios What they are saying: Vance said Saturday that the negotiations will last "a couple of days" and he will stay "for a day or two " The VP said the first round is
What do we want?
We want complete and pure peace around us and across the globe But how can we achieve that?
He noted that there will also be working-level talks by technical experts that could continue in Switzerland after the first round of talks concludes The other side: The spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry told Iranian state media on Sunday that the talks will focus on the ceasefire in Lebanon the waivers the U S committed to issue in order to allow Iran to sell oil and the issue of Iran's frozen funds
Between the lines: The U S would like the first round of talks to end with an Iranian invitation for UN inspectors to visit its nuclear sites which were bombed by the U S and Israel two regional sources with direct knowledge said The last such visit took place in June 2025
In return, the U S is willing to give Iran access to some of its frozen funds starting with a $6 billion account in Qatar
The Iranians would be able to use those funds to buy humanitarian goods, the sources said What to watch: On Saturday, ahead of the talks Israel and Hezbollah announced they were recommitting to the ceasefire Such statements
C
of Palestine, are the greatest proof of the global community’s rejection of Israel’s bloody actions Third: The West must stop coddling Israel protecting it from condemnation and denunciation in UN Security Council meetings, and supplying it with money, weapons and even volunteers This enabling, protection and arming are precisely what cause Israel to ignore all hu-
manitarian standards and divine laws to achieve its ambitions Fourth: The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries must criminalize anyone who insults or offends any individual from any GCC state on social media whether that individual is a public figure or an ordinary citizen GCC citizens must rise above attacking or insulting any fellow citizen of the council’s states Furthermore the GCC countries must adopt a joint defense network to repel any aggression against any of them Enough with the attacks that the GCC states have endured They must stand together like a solid fortified structure to repel all envious and ambitious forces As the well-known proverb goes: One hand cannot clap by itself Prince Turki Al-Faisal is the former director-general of Saudi Arabia’s
erec ts a new Great Wall
B eijing is tr ying to lock as much money, technology and talent as possible inside its own borders
QAMAR BASHIR
US AND QATAR HAIL ‘HISTORIC’ BÜRGENSTOCK
TALKS,
HOPE
FOR NEW MIDDLE EAST PEACE DRIVE
is the equivalent they say of "the annual footprint of around 35 to 55 French people Fifa defends the president s travel by stressing that its executives choose between commercial and private flights "based on what is most efficient and costeffective" and that in all cases the organisation covers travel costs David Gogishvili a geographer at the University of Lausanne told AFP that Fifa had created a sustainability paradox By reusing existing but geographically dispersed NFL stadiums across a continent, Fifa has created a model that is structurally dependent on high-emission air travel," he said "When leadership sets a precedent by hopping between matches via private jet, it perfectly reflects the broader systemic issue/approach " The way Fifa has organised this World Cup normalises hyper-mobility while simultaneously shifting transport costs and carbon burdens onto the host regions and fans John Hocevar, who is Oceans Campaign Director of Greenpeace USA, is equally curt about Infantino s stadium-hopping "Having executives take daily flights on highly polluting private jets doesn’t exactly send the message that Fifa recognises either the cause or its responsibility to be part of the solution to climate change he posted on Instagram BEIRUT A G E N C I E S
Abed Hachem rebuilt his home when it was damaged in a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2024 but is at a loss now that most of his village has been destroyed in Israel s latest round of strikes Where his house once stood in Qlaileh is now rubble; where his garden bloomed dust with more dust covering the toys and furniture strewn around the remains of his living room Oh dear Oh God There was a building here here there was a building here,” the 46year-old father of three said as he pointed to the husks of buildings that once housed his neighbors The spire of the local mosque is one of few structures still standing The latest round of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel erupted on March 2 Israel carried
out air strikes and a ground invasion that occupied parts of southern Lebanon More than 3 900 people have been killed and 1 2 million people have been displaced with Israel s forced evacuation orders emptying entire villages in southern Lebanon Israel claims its campaign was aimed at Hezbollah’s forces and military infrastructure
Now as people like Hachem return to their homes and try to stitch their lives back together, they are reckoning with the heartbreak of seeing their communities wiped out “The whole village is destroyed My house is destroyed The village is destroyed Where are we supposed to go now? he said There is nothing left A lifetime’s work is all gone ” A view of a house and a shop which were damaged by an Israeli strike in Qlaileh in the Tyre dis-
trict, southern Lebanon Reuters His neighbor, a man Hachem saw as a brother and with whom he shared a cup of tea every morning has been killed along with his
R OME A G E N C I E S A public spat between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump continued on Saturday, with both leaders exchanging new criticism after an earlier dispute over remarks made following this week’s Group of Seven summit in France The latest round came after Meloni had accused Trump on Friday of lying when he said she had begged him for a photograph during the summit Trump repeated the claim on Saturday in a post on his Truth Social platform where he also misspelled her first name as Gigiorgia and said she was trying to repair ties with
Washington to improve her standing at home
Trump wrote Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked over and over for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France He also argued that Meloni s popularity was falling and suggested this was linked to her refusal to help the United States in its conflict against Iran
Meloni responded on Instagram in English, calling Trump s repeated attacks unjustified She said: "President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless " She then added: "My popularity is none of your concern and followed that with: I suggest you focus on yours
Addressing Trump s com-
ments further, Italy’s first female prime minister said on Saturday that being seen as his friend had not helped her politically She also answered his criticism over Italy s stance on the use of US military bases during the war with Iran, which the United States and Israel began at the end of February
Trump had repeated his earlier complaint that Rome had not permitted the use of US bases in Italy for that conflict In response, Meloni said the use of such facilities was regulated by existing agreements that Italy had always respected and could not breach She stated Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected and that cannot be violated
CORPORATE CORNER
Special Education Depar tment
CM MARYAM HIGHLIGHTS ROLE OF FATHERS AS PROTECTORS, MENTORS AND GUIDING LIGHT
PN J A B Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday paid glowing tribute to fathers, describing them as protectors mentors and a lifelong source of strength who love guide and safeguard their children while instilling confidence and courage in them particularly encouraging daughters to face life with determination and self-belief
In a special message on Father ’s Day the chief minister said fathers like a protective shade endure scorching heat and heavy rain themselves to provide comfort and security to their children A father not only teaches his children how to live, but also how to live with their heads held high ” she said She said a father is a beacon of light who dispels darkness in the lives of his children adding that a father s love and prayers continue to provide protection and guidance at every stage of life Referring to her own father, PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz the Punjab government has launched comprehensive and result-oriented development and welfare initiatives in South Punjab, the positive impacts of which are directly improving the lives of the people She said that electric buses represent a major revolution in modern eco-friendly and quality public transport while the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme has emerged as the largest housing initiative in the province’s history, benefiting millions of citizens across South Punjab She added that the Kissan Card and Livestock Card schemes have injected new life into the rural economy, while the School Meal Programme has significantly improved education standards, health conditions and school enrollment rates
According to her initiatives such as Suthra Punjab Clean Water and beautification projects reflect a visible transformation in both urban and rural areas, while road infrastructure development has completely reshaped connectivity and boosted economic activity in South Punjab
Azma Bokhari further said that Ramadan Package Dhee Rani Programme Minority Card and other welfare initiatives are ensuring large-scale public relief, while the restoration of peace and stability in Kacha areas is a historic achievement of the Punjab government marking a strengthened writ of the state and a new era of public welfare
She stated that under the education-focused vision of the Chief Minister, 10,244 laptops have been distributed among students across South Punjab while 33 004 scholarships have been awarded to deserving and talented students to promote higher education and digital access
She said that under the electric bus service, 125 buses are success-
fully operational across South Pun-
jab including 24 in Dera Ghazi Khan, 12 in Muzaffargarh, 22 in Bahawalpur, 18 in Rahim Yar Khan, 15 in Bahawalnagar, and 15 in Rajanpur, providing modern transport facilities to the public
She further highlighted that 8 444 bikes have been distributed under the bike scheme including 1,371 electric bikes and 7,073 petrol bikes, aimed at facilitating students in South Punjab
She said that the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” programme is providing financial assistance of up to PKR 1 5 million to deserving families, with millions already benefiting from the scheme
So far, 64,390 applications have been received from Multan, 60,530 from Muzaffargarh and 45 450 from Bahawalpur reflecting strong public trust in the initiative Thousands of families across all districts of South Punjab are receiving housing loans under this programme
She added that under the Livestock Card initiative a total credit limit of over PKR 32 86 billion has been allocated for livestock farmers in Dera Ghazi Khan Multan Bahawalpur, and Cholistan, with 12,479 farmer accounts being activated to ensure easy financial support
Azma Bokhari further said that the Punjab government has invested
PKR 13 billion under the Chief Minister School Meal Programme to improve nutrition and education outcomes The programme has expanded from 3,527 to 8,319 schools, covering 1 19 million students with over 116 3 million milk packets and 21 7 million biscuit packets already distributed
She said that Suthra Punjab Clean Water, and beautification initiatives reflect the government s vision of providing better living standards and a cleaner environment
She added that thousands of kilometres of road networks have been constructed and rehabilitated significantly improving connectivity and boosting economic activity in South Punjab She further stated that Ramazan Nigehban Package, "Dhee Rani Programme" Minority Welfare initiatives and other social protection schemes are providing direct relief to millions of families Azma Bokhari said that after the restoration of peace in the Kacha areas, a new phase of development has begun bringing longneglected regions into the mainstream of progress
She concluded that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz s vision of One Punjab, Equal Development is being translated into reality through practical actions rather than slogans
Sindh Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboobuz Zaman has removed five officials of the provincial food department from service and ordered the recovery of Rs2 62 billion over the alleged illegal disposal of government wheat stocks, according to findings of a departmental inquiry
The minister also referred the matter to the Sindh AntiCorruption Establishment for further investigation and directed senior department officials to begin court proceedings against those dismissed The action follows an internal probe that found the officials responsible for unlawful sale of wheat purchased from growers, adulteration of wheat reserves, irregular procurement of jute and polypropylene bags, and the preparation of fake dispatch records
Officials removed after inquiry
The dismissed officials were identified as Balkh Sher Shaikh a food inspector posted in Kashmore-Kandhkot; Habibullah Abro a supervisor in Badin; Ali Ashghar Panhwar, a supervisor in Dadu; Deedar Hussain Magsi, a supervisor in Benazirabad; and Muhammad Ali Magsi, a food inspector in Hyderabad
According to the inquiry, Balkh Sher Shaikh was held responsible for the misappropriation of 9 913 tons of wheat causing a loss of Rs780 36 million Ali Ashghar Panhwar was accused of embezzling Rs380 22 million through the misappropriation of 28 375 tons of wheat
The inquiry also found that Deedar Hussain Magsi was responsible for a shortage of 102,863 polypropylene bags and for preparing forged dispatch documents, resulting in losses of Rs1 19 billion Habibullah Abro was said to have caused losses of Rs80 79 million through shortages of jute and polypropylene bags
Officials said Abro was responsible for shortages of 387 jute bags and 4,289 PP bags heav y rains, flood risks loom as ndma issues countr ywide weather warning
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued a nationwide weather alert warning that strong winds, dust storms, thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, urban flooding and glacier-related flood risks could affect several parts of the country over the next 12 to 24 hours with vulnerable mountainous regions facing an elevated threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) The
The
response to any emergency situation
PPP hails Benazir Bhutto as ‘symbol of democratic unity ’ on 73rd bir th anniversar y
ISLAMABAD
The Pakistan People s Party (PPP)
on Sunday marked the 73rd birth anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, paying rich tribute to the first woman prime minister of the Muslim world and describing her as “Chaaron Soboon Ki Zanjeer” the enduring symbol of a united democratic and progressive Pakistan On the occasion President Asif Ali Zardari said Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto inspired those who believe in democracy and championed issues such as education for children opportunities for youth reliable public services and greater participation of women in national life
He said, Today, on the 73rd birth anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the nation remembers a leader whose courage political vision and commitment to democracy left a lasting mark on Pakistan s history She remained closely en-
gaged with the concerns of ordinary citizens Whether speaking about employment education health services or the welfare of vulnerable communities she believed that public office carried a responsibility to improve people s lives Her politics was rooted in the conviction that progress must reach those who had long remained on the margins of development he added
PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman also paid a heartfelt tribute to the life, struggle and legacy of Pakistan’s first female prime minister twice elected and regarded globally as a symbol of democracy and women s empowerment
On her 73rd birthday we honour one of Pakistan s finest leaders, she said Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto s courage, vision and sacrifices continue to inspire not only Pakistanis but millions around the world ” Recalling the difficult and dangerous political environment in which she led, Senator Rehman
said Benazir Bhutto faced immense risks but remained steadfast in her struggle “We walked into one of the largest terrorist attacks Pakistan had ever seen She knew the risks yet she persisted because she was waiting for us not for herself, but for Pakistan’s women, so they would not be left behind,” she said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also paid rich tribute to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto calling her Chaaron Soboon Ki Zanjeer and the enduring symbol of a united, democratic and progressive Pakistan He said her vision of a strong federation empowered federating units constitutional rule and a society based on dignity equality and opportunity continues to guide the party s political direction He added that her legacy remains a beacon for a Pakistan secure in its defence steadfast in protecting citizens’ rights and committed to supporting the just struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir
Pakistan s mango exports are expected to decline sharply this season as the fallout from the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt trade, raise freight charges and weaken demand in key overseas markets according to traders and exporters cited by AFP
The mango season began in June in Sindh, but exporters say the recent preliminary agreement announced by Islamabad between the United States and Iran came too late to materially help this year ’s roughly three-month export window Traders said overseas sales could fall by at least 30pc while domestic demand has also softened as inflation-hit consumers cut back on non-essential purchases Exports and market disruption Pakistan produces more than two dozen mango varieties and typically earns about $110 million a year from international sales, making it the world s fourth-largest
mango exporter In Tando Allah Yar where the Sindhri variety is a major crop orchard operators said the season has become financially difficult, with some contractors walking away despite having paid advances on orchard leases Mohammad Shakeel who manages orchards in the area said losses had mounted to the point that some leaseholders had abandoned their commitments So many losses have been incurred, the contractors have even left their advance money,” Shakeel said Waheed Ahmed chief patron of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporter Association told AFP that nearly four-fifths of Pakistan s mango exports normally go to the Gulf region, Iran and Afghanistan, all of which have faced conflict-related disruption in recent months “Almost 80pc of mango export is to the Gulf region Iran and Afghanistan Waheed Ahmed chief patron of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporter Association, told AFP
tonnes this year down by around 30 000 tonnes from last season Ahmed said border closures with Afghanistan and the conflict in Iran and across the broader Middle East had undermined trade flows “The border to Afghanistan is closed there is war in Iran
He also said the ceasefire-related development this week had not removed the
obstacles facing exporters this season “The main challenges still remain ” he said Freight costs surge, local sales weaken
Exporters said shipping costs