Issuu

g INTERIOR MINISTER CARRIES ‘ REPORTED MESSAGE’ FROM FIELD MARSHAL A SIM MUNIR ADDRESSED TO AYATOLLAH SEYYED MOJTABA KHAMENEI

g PAKISTAN INTENSIFIES DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT AMID REGIONAL VOLATILITY AS NAQVI RECENTLY HELD SCO SIDELINE TALKS WITH IRANIAN COUNTERPART MOMENI

g VISIT FOLLOWS SERIES OF HIGH-LEVEL CONSULTATIONS IN ISLAMABAD AS PM SHEHBAZ SHARIF ALSO BRIEFED AHEAD OF TEHRAN MISSION, SOURCE SAYS

lasting

in the

According to the Interior Ministry, Naqvi had met Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni on the sidelines of a special meeting of Interior and Public Security Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek Kyrgyzstan The two sides reviewed efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East amid renewed regional instability and ongoing diplomatic activity between Washington and Tehran

g NO OFFICIAL DISCLOSURE ON MESSAGE CONTENT A S VISIT DRAWS DIPLOMATIC ATTENTION

uS, iran trade strikes in latest gulf flare-up

ership rejected all allegations and reaffirmed that the planned long march scheduled for June 9 would go ahead, a day after the government imposed a ban on the group under anti-terrorism laws

The crackdown follows the AJK government’s decision to ban JAAC accusing it of involvement in terrorism promoting hatred and creating anarchy in the region ahead of the announced protest In a statement, AJK Police said the arrests were part of efforts to maintain law and order and ensure the protection of citizens’ lives and property

The police claimed that weapons communication devices and suspicious documents had been recovered during the operation It further alleged that material linked to plans to disturb public order, along with evidence indicating organised protest and violent activity patterns had also been seized According to the statement investigators had also found indications of suspected contacts with foreign individuals and inquiries into the recovered material were continuing It added that preliminary evidence suggested certain elements were planning to dis-

BEIRUT, LEBANON A F P

Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal left Lebanon for Pakistan on Saturday where he will meet his counterpart Asim Munir the Lebanese military said, with a source telling AFP the visit is linked to broader Iran-US talks In a statement the army said that Haykal left Lebanon for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir" A source with knowledge of the matter told AFP Haykal's visit is "linked to the Pakistani mediation to resolve" issues between the United States and Iran who are negotiating an end to the Middle East regional war "Lebanon is critical part of the negotiations," the source added requesting anonymity Field Marshal Munir is Islamabad s key negotiator between the United States and Iran to end the war launched by America and Israel, which quickly spread across the region Lebanon was drawn into the war when Hezbollah attacked Israel on March 2 to avenge the February 28 US-Israeli killing of Iran s supreme leader Israel responded with an extensive campaign of airstrikes and a ground invasion that have killed nearly 3 600 people and exchanges of fire with Hezbollah have not stopped despite an ongoing truce Iran insists Lebanon be included in

rupt public order damage public and private property influence the electoral process and incite hostility against state institutions through what it termed unconstitutional and violent agitation Law enforcement agencies are examining the recovered material digital evidence and other information in accordance with legal procedures the statement said The Inspector General of Police said the state respects peaceful expression, constitutional demands and lawful protest “However, no individual or group will be allowed to engage in violence incitement use of weapons road blockades damage to public property or disruption of citizens daily lives he was quoted as saying The police further said all those arrested would face investigation and judicial proceedings under relevant laws

Appealing to the public police urged citizens to remain calm avoid rumours and inflammatory content cooperate with law enforcement agencies and stay away from sensitive locations and unlawful gatherings

Reaffirming its commitment to law and order, the police said all roads and markets across the state remained open adding that no attempt to disturb peace or promote violence would be allowed to succeed AJK PM defends ban on JAAC Meanwhile, AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Faisal Mumtaz Rathore defended the decision to ban JAAC, saying it had be-

any agreement with the United States to end the regional war

But Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in an interview with CNN aired on Friday that Iran must stop interfering in Lebanon which has engaged in its own direct talks with Israel "It's not your country, it's our country " he said "It s not your job to interfere into our country " They are using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in their negotiation with the United States It s unacceptable," he added Lebanon s military said earlier on Saturday that three soldiers were killed in an Israeli strike on the country's south A new conditional truce was announced by Lebanese and Israeli envoys this week in Washington

come unavoidable given the evolving situation in the region

Speaking to a private television channel, he said progress had been made on most of the points agreed between the government and the committee

Referring to negotiations he said that out of 38 points several of the agreed measures had already

export competitiveness, productivity, logistics infrastructure and fiscal capacity According to the study Pakistan faces

greater economic pressure under inflationary conditions because of structural weaknesses, including a narrow export base and limited industrial capabilities

The report notes that Türkiye has continued to record economic growth despite experiencing exceptionally high inflation due to its diversified industrial sector which includes automotive manufacturing machinery and equipment production Pakistan, by contrast, remains heavily reliant on traditional industries such as textiles, leather products and food processing

These three sectors account for more than 73% of Pakistan s exports while the country s share in global exports has remained around 0 2% despite repeated currency depreciations aimed at improving competitiveness

The ADB said currency depreciation generates different outcomes in the two

economies In Türkiye a weaker currency often boosts exports and foreign exchange earnings as firms can quickly expand production and compete in international markets In Pakistan, however, depreciation primarily raises the cost of imported fuel, machinery raw materials and other essential inputs contributing to inflation without producing a comparable increase in exports Pakistan s tradable sector is too narrow to offset rising

Shehbaz

naqvi discuss tehran visit and securit y situation, Pmo says

Govt approves Rs100b sovereign guarantees for PSO financing, tightens

Turnover

The federal government ’s agreement to a turnover tax fulfills a longstanding demand

BY imposing an income tax on the turnover of a business, rather than its profits, the government has accepted a longstanding demand of the traders’ community This demand is so old, that it was made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif back in the early 1980s when he was President of the Lahore Chamber of Business and Industry It was not accepted because the government wanted traders to pay income tax after filing details of their expenditures and incomes, on their profits However, traders did not want to come into the tax net at all so they came up with the turnover tax idea They would pay a small percentage of their turnover and that could act as full and final settlement of their income tax Traders with a turnover of under Rs 200 million a year can opt for the new scheme, and provided they pay one percent of that turnover will get freedom from tax audits with tax inspectors not being allowed on the premises The government intends to implement the scheme from the coming fiscal in replacement of the failed Tajir Dost scheme, and hopes to raise Rs 250 billion the first year

This raises a host of questions Like how is the turnover to be estimated? What happens to a business that is losing money though sales are vigorous? Businessmen will have the option of filing regular returns It seems as if the government has channelized the resentment against its tax machinery into a scheme which keeps tax inspectors away from business premises, and thus unable to suggest ways to keep them out of the tax net It becomes possible for a businessman to pay the fixed tax in profitable years, and opt to file a return in less profitable or losing years In short, it is possible to look at it as a sort of rolling amnesty

An important element is the sales tax, The paperwork involved in it for them has got businessmen and manufacturers all riled up This scheme does not address it, something which may be done later One effect contemplated is bringing a large category of persons into the tax net This is better than squeezing the salaried class, the low-hanging fruit of tax collection, because once in the tax net traders will have to face future exactions

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit

Stre ngthe ning, Sino - Pak Strate gic Par tne rship

Republic of China

TI M E-T E S T E D all-weather iron-brothers mutually beneficial strong higher than the highest mountains strategic partnership and enviable,neighbourly relations between China and Pakistan,continue to grow and gaining strength with every passing,day, particularly,when the top leaders of both the countries were engaged in high-level bilateral interaction and deliberations in Islamabad and Beijing or even at some international forums around the globe

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif had visited China in September last year and again in,April/May 2026, one after the other, interacted with top Chinese leadership and further strengthened and promoted mutually beneficial bilateral relations

This year 2026 was quite important in ever-growing mutually beneficial relations between the two countries as this marked the 75th year of establishment of,diplomatic relations on 21 May 1951 and launching of the second phase of the great gamechanger, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor any time in 2026 after quite successful completion of the first phase in 2025

Historically speaking it may be mentioned here that following the founding of the People s Republic of China on 1 October 1949, Pakistan had accorded formal,diplomatic recognition to the new Chinese government in January 1950 despite its close ties with the West Pakistan and China had established diplomatic relations on 21 May 1951 marking Pakistan as one of the very first countries and the first Muslimmajority nation to officially recognize the People s

The foundation of the partnership was cemented through early trade agreements primarily involving the exchange of Pakistan's raw cotton for China's coal which helped Pakistan during its initial economic challenges The diplomatic breakthrough had occurred at the 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung Indonesia Pakistan s Prime Minister Mohammad Ali Bogra and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai held highly successful talks forging a personal rapport and mutual understanding based on peaceful coexistence Both nations then had found common ground in adhering to the " Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (mutual respect for sovereignty nonaggression and peaceful coexistence ) which laid the groundwork for enduring political economic and strategic cooperation A colourful function was held in Islamabad on May 21, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan Both countries were celebrating this milestone occasion of diplomatic ties with renewed pledges by their top leaderships for strategic cooperation This great event was participated and addressed by President Asif Ali Zardari Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National,People's Congress of China, Cal Dafeng and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong They also joined hands to cut a big cake on this great occasion President Zardari termed CPEC a transformative project driving Pakistan s socio- economic progress while PM Shehbaz Sharif said PakistanChina friendship was time-tested and unbreakable, China has always stood by Pakistan like a solid rock during every challenge and crisis He also praised President Xi Jinping's leadership for lifting 800 million people out of poverty To mark the great occasion The Chinese and Pakistani Presidents also exchanged messages reaffirming rock-solid friendship of both the countries , Following this colourful commemorative,function, PM Shehbaz Sharif paid a four day official visit to China in the last week of May 2026 at the invitation of the Chinese Government The visit was split into two stages He first visited Hangzhou where he interacted with a large number of Chinese investors and businessmen, at the forum of Business-to-Business (B2B) conference Deliberations on this occasion followed by signing of a number of

The PM's yet another visit to China was quite productive and result-oriented and augurs,well for fur ther augmenting, cementing and expanding strategic cooperation and par tnership between the two ironclad brothers,with ever y passing day

TH E suffering of Pakistani victims of terrorism deserves equal visibility in international discourse Any narrative that erases the plight of victims of terror while amplifying unverified allegations against Pakistan is not balanced reporting it is lopsided propaganda The world must ask the real question: why does terrorist-linked infrastructure continue to exist and operate inside Afghanistan? Until that question is answered, Pakistan s defensive measures will remain both justified and necessary

Naveed Safdar

The recent BBC portrayal of the Kabul strikes presents a skewed narrative that isolates a single incident from the broader counter-terrorism environment By narrowing its lens the article disregards years of sustained cross-border militancy endured by Pakistan and sidesteps the central question: not merely what was struck, but why terrorist-linked compounds and dual-use facilities continue to operate unchecked inside Afghanistan For decades Pakistan has withstood the worst of relentless violence emanating from Afghan soil Networks such as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction, and affiliated proxies have exploited Afghan territory for recruitment indoctrination training and launching attacks across the frontier These sanctuaries thrive with impunity often under the indifferent gaze or tacit complicity of the Afghan Taliban The past 48 hours alone underscore this grim reality: assaults in Bannu and Lakki Marwat claimed the lives of 22 policemen and civilians, leaving more than 36 wounded These atrocities were traced directly to Hafiz Gul Bahadur s infrastructure documented to be based in Afghanistan Such tragedies are not anomalies; they form part of a sustained campaign of bloodshed against Pakistani citizens and security personnel No sovereign nation facing unrelenting cross-border terrorism would indefinitely tolerate operational sanctuaries functioning across its frontier Pakistan firmly rejects attempts to create false equivalence between defensive counter-terrorism measures and the deliberate violence directed against its civilians The Kabul strikes were neither indiscriminate nor reckless Pakistan’s stance remains consistent:

no hospital or civilian population was targeted The objectives hit were identified terroristlinked facilities threatening Pakistan s national security Publicly released footage confirms this fact To suggest otherwise is to ignore the documented presence of militant networks inside Afghanistan and the repeated carnage they inflict on Pakistani soil Militant groups increasingly embed themselves within civilian structures abandoned compounds and urban settings precisely to generate propaganda value This tactic is deliberate, not incidental By situating training camps and hideouts in or around civilian areas, these groups seek to manipulate international opinion and delegitimize counter-terrorism responses The responsibility for this lies squarely with the Afghan Taliban By permitting terrorist infrastructure to operate in proximity to civilian areas, they create conditions where defensive strikes are misrepresented as attacks on innocents This cynical strategy must be exposed rather than echoed uncritically by international media

The BBC article devotes extensive space to allegations against Pakistan while offering no scrutiny of the documented presence of TTP and allied networks inside Afghanistan This imbalance is not balanced journalism it is selective storytelling By isolating one strike and ignoring the broader context the article erases the suffering of Pakistani victims of terrorism and obscures the operational realities of cross-border militancy Hundreds of Pakistani soldiers policemen, and civilians have been killed in attacks traced back to Afghan sanctuaries Their stories deserve equal visibility To highlight alleged civilian harm in Afghanistan while ignoring the daily toll on Pakistani lives perpetuates a double standard that undermines the credibility of international reporting Pakistan s evolving response doctrine reflects a necessary shift from reactive border defense to proactive disruption of terrorist ecosystems before attacks materialize inside Pakistan This is not escalation it is survival When sanctuaries across the border continue to function Pakistan has no choice but to act decisively to protect its citizens The issue ultimately is not Pakistan s right to defend itself against cross-border terrorism That right is inherent and

undeniable The real issue is why anti-Pakistan militant infrastructure continues to survive and operate inside Afghanistan despite repeated assurances from Kabul that Afghan soil would not be used against any neighbour

The Afghan Taliban bear responsibility for the persistence of these sanctuaries By ignoring the presence of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, TTP, and affiliated proxies they enable the continuation of violence against Pakistan International media must hold them accountable rather than deflect blame onto Pakistan s defensive measures Counter-terrorism operations are not acts of aggression; they are acts of necessity Pakistan s strikes target terrorist-linked infrastructure, not civilians To conflate the two is to distort reality and embolden those who thrive on propaganda

The BBC s portrayal of the Kabul strikes as an isolated incident is misleading and incomplete It ignores the sustained campaign of cross-border terrorism faced by Pakistan the documented presence of militant networks inside Afghanistan, and the deliberate embedding of terrorist infrastructure within civilian settings Pakistan s position is clear: it will not tolerate sanctuaries that enable violence against its people

The suffering of Pakistani victims of terrorism deserves equal visibility in international discourse Any narrative that erases the plight of victims of terror while amplifying unverified allegations against Pakistan is not balanced reporting it is lopsided propaganda The world must ask the real question: why does terroristlinked infrastructure continue to exist and operate inside Afghanistan? Until that question is answered Pakistan s defensive measures will remain both justified and necessary

The author can be reached at naveedsafdar13@gmail com

To play safe, the reformist taking the back seat, can be part of the balancing act within the Islamic Republic; and at the same time might also decide; to what extent the Southern district of Beirut still stays relevant to the Iranian power structure actors in the long run

Lessons in smoke

A perilous presidency

DR ZAFAR KHAN SAFDAR

The Lebanese connection

as pointed above was enough for the USA to press the IDF to do away with its plans Apparently the IDF has put on hold its plans to attack Beirut; with the Lebanese speaker Nabi Berri, a Shia politician, as the French-mandated constitution binds the Lebanese government to appoint a Shia Muslim to be the Speaker of the National Assembly; doing the needful on behalf of the Hezbollah on the political front; the Hezbollah members whom Trump claimed to have talked to The question is why the ‘Lebanese file’ has been that important to the Iranian clerical hierarchy It does not simply pertain to the Iranians and Hezbollah professing the same set of beliefS In that context the Iraqi clerical establishment might be apparently having a greater claim over affinity with the Iranian system But on the ground that is not so The Iraqi clerical establishment settled in Najaf the burial place of Hazrat Ali have been traditionally apolitical in nature with very few sporadic responses to the issues affecting the general public and their welfare

The exception amongst them, the father of Islamic banking, Syed Baqir Sadr, was unceremoniously killed by Barzan Takriti, Saddam’s half-brother and intelligence chief, in April 1980 in an Abu Gharaib cell At that time he had no one mourning his killing in Najaf while he was eulogized to the highest degree in Iran It may be pointed out that the rule of cleric clauses of the Iranian constitution had the intellectual backing of the slain Ayatollah Baqir Sadr

In contrast to that the Lebanese Shia clerical establishment has been more intimate with the Iranians dating back to the Safavi period when the clerics from Jabel

Amel enclave in South Lebanon, the area recently bombed by the IDF were transported to Safavi Iran which is how the seminary infrastructure in that country developed over the centuries That connection was visible during the periods of monarchy even Shah secret police SAVAK had to clear Musa Sadr, incidentally also the first cousin of Baqir Sadr as the Lebanese clerics had appealed to Ayatollah Borujerdi an otherwise play-safe senior Iranian Ayatollah to send someone to organize the community The late cleric being close to the court made efforts to send Musa Sadr to Lebanon The arrival of Musa Sadr in Beirut was welcomed by the Lebanese clerical community and once he was in Lebanon his political stances synced well with the Lebanese foremost amongst them the stance on Israel where Sadr stood along the PLO and even sent the militants of the first Shia outfit in Lebanon Amal to be trained in weapon handling by the PLO It was around the same time that many Iranian revolutionaries escaping the Shah’s SAVAK were forced to take exile in Lebanon and in the process also had hands-on experience in weapons training from PLO It was no coincidence that that very generation of revolutionaries were the ones who acted as the vanguard of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Until his disappearance in Libya over serious issues with the then Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi he had activated the Lebanese Shia community to the awareness

level that it found the newly installed clerical regime in Tehran fellow travellers There were many people in the interim setup and later in IRGC like Mostafa Chamran; who had spent years in Lebanon and had family ties there It may be pointed here that the closeness of the Iranian dissidents like Mostafa Chamran otherwise a plasma

NASA

enough rapport with Musa Sadr to work with him that when the Shah SAVAK caused renowned Islamic

Shariati to die of cardiac ar-

in UK in June

The news of his demise, keeping in view the fact that he was

Water as the missing link in the new architec ture of Middle East energy securit y Megawatt Diplomac y refers to a new model of regional cooperation in which elec tricit y net works, desalination technologies, renewable energy projec ts and water management become central pillars of strategic engagement

and renewable energy projects

Other countries possess valuable water resources but often lack investment technology or energy infrastructure

These asymmetries create opportunities for cooperation rather than competition

As the region seeks to maintain its energy leadership while adapting to climate change and economic transformation water is emerging as a decisive factor in the future of energy security THE FORGOTTEN FOUNDATION OF ENERGY SECURITY Energy and water have long been treated as separate policy do-

mains across much of the Middle East In reality however the two are deeply interconnected Oil and gas extraction require water Refineries consume water Thermal power plants depend on water for cooling Petrochemical industries require reliable water supplies Even renewable energy projects and the production of green hydrogen rely on significant quantities of water

This means that future energy security cannot be measured solely by reserves production capacity or export infrastructure It must also be assessed through the availability and sustainability of water resources Countries may possess abundant hydrocarbons, but without sufficient water, their ability to sustain energy production and industrial growth

will become increasingly constrained Electricity diplomacy: The new power in the Middle East MEGAWATT DIPLOMACY IN AN ERA OF SCARCITY

The concept of energy diplomacy has traditionally revolved around oil contracts pipeline politics and gas exports The emerging reality of the twenty-first century demands a broader framework one that may be described as Megawatt Diplomacy” Megawatt Diplomacy refers to a new model of regional cooperation in which electricity networks desalination technologies renewable energy projects and water management become central pillars of strategic engagement

The Gulf states have invested heavily in desalination infrastructure

Manila appears to be "silly " It seems to believe that by deepening its alignment with countries such as Japan and hosting additional US militar y facilities, it can assume the role of a "Pacific deput y sheriﬀ " and openly challenge China

compensation for the wrongful detentions On the contrary, after the operation concluded, the Philippine Department of National Defense even issued a statement praising the participation of various military and police agencies in the joint enforcement In recent years Manila has often portrayed itself internationally as a weak party playing the victim and repeatedly fabricating narratives of "China bullying the small" and "aggressive maritime law enforcement " From the way Philippine armed agencies treat vulnerable groups today we can finally see where the raw material for those stories comes from Even more disgraceful is the fact that some politicians in Manila are now unwilling to spare even the most basic forms of humanitarian assistance The fertilizer and fuel that China provided when the Philippines faced poor agricultural harvests and energy shortages offered tangible relief to farmers struggling to make a living from the land and to ordinary families burdened by soaring fuel prices Yet Philippine Defense Secretary

Regional electricity interconnections, shared desalination initiatives and cross-border investments in water and energy infrastructure could generate forms of interdependence that strengthen regional stability GREEN HYDROGEN AND THE NEW GEOGRAPHY OF POWER

Across the Middle East governments are positioning themselves for the emerging hydrogen economy Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates and Oman have announced ambitious plans to become major exporters of green hydrogen Yet there is a critical reality often overlooked in discussions about the energy transition: green hydrogen requires water As global demand for low-carbon energy sources grows, access to sustainable water resources will become a strategic advantage

Gilberto Teodoro has openly smeared these timely supplies as a form of packaging and deception This reveals a troubling reality: for some politicians, even the welfare of the Filipino people can be exploited as political fuel for their anti-China agenda We have noted that since President Marcos Jr took office whenever China-Philippines relations have shown signs of improvement certain anti-China forces have rushed to undermine the process through various means Recently, China and the Philippines resumed diplomatic dialogue and have already held three rounds of talks People-to-people exchanges have increased more direct flights have been launched and economic and trade cooperation has been presented with new opportunities Yet at this critical juncture, some Philippine politicians have begun orchestrating what can only be described as "law-enforcement farces " This demonstrates that anti-China sentiment is by no means the mainstream view in the Philippines but rather the work of a small group of politicians pursuing their own agenda Such actions seriously damage the Philippines' business environment and drive a new wedge into China-Philippines relations Should the situation deteriorate further, China may consider imposing sanctions on specific Philippine individuals or entities Manila appears to be silly It seems to believe that by deepening its alignment with countries such as Japan and hosting additional US military facilities, it can assume the role of a "Pacific deputy sheriff" and openly challenge China But what exactly is to be gained from confronting its largest trading partner? Perhaps even those pursuing this course cannot clearly explain their reasoning

NAQI AKBAR

TRUMP SAYS US MAKING 'GREAT SUCCESS' WITH IRAN

Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that the UN nuclear watchdog should avoid turning technical reports into tools of political pressure if it wanted to contribute to a diplomatic solution He said that the loss of the agency's oversight at some facilities resulted from the attacks rather than a lack of cooperation by Iran, adding that the International Atomic Energy Agency was using the consequences of US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to create ambiguity about Tehran s nuclear programme Bahrain condemns Iranian attacks on its territory, as well as on Kuwait Bahrain's Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned Iranian attacks on the Bahraini and the Kuwaiti territories calling them "a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the two countries" and a "threat to the security and stability of the Gulf region The missiles were successfully intercepted the ministry said in a statement according to the Bahrain News Agency

It also accused Iran of violating the UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which condemned Iranian attacks and any attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz or disrupt international maritime navigation Manama also urged Tehran to immediately halt the unjustified attacks fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions disclose the locations of naval mines and facilitate the safe departure of over 20,000 stranded sailors from the region The ministry said Bahrain's patience does not signify weakness,” stressing that the defence of its sovereignty is a red line and pledged to take all legitimate measures to safeguard its security Iran hits US bases in Kuwait Bahrain

New Delhi students stage first street protest led by viral ‘Cockroach’

Janta Par ty

CORPORATE CORNER

Sindh executing projects wor th over Rs2tr in Karachi: Shah

KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Sindh Minister for Local Government Housing and Town Planning Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that development projects worth more than Rs 2 trillion are currently underway in Karachi, with many nearing completion while others are at the initial stages He noted that the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) is assisting in the execution of several projects while development work is in progress on nearly 140 roads across the city Speaking at a meeting with industrialists at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Shah said that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had allocated Rs9 billion in development funds for Karachi’s business community including Rs2 billion specifically for the Korangi Industrial Area The event was attended by KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya, Standing Committee Chairman Masood Naqi, Senior Vice President Zahid Hameed, Vice President Muhammad Talha Ali, KITE Limited CEO Saleem uz Zaman former chairmen and presidents including Junaid Naqi Johar Qandhari Danish Khan Sheikh Umer Rehan and Ehteshamuddin CPLC Chief Zubair Habib Secretary Local Government Dr Waseem Shamshad Ali, KDA Director General Asif Jan Siddiqui, SBCA Additional Director Sindh Region Shakeel Ahmed, Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation COO Asadullah Khan MD Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Tariq Nizamani Kanwar Qutubuddin senior government officials and a large number of industrialists and KATI members

Sindh Governor pays tribute to Sohail Akhtar Asri’s literar y work, announces purchase of 100 books in personal capacit y KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Governor Sindh Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi has said that in political history, only those personalities are remembered who are associated with a vision and ideology, while those engaged in mere personal politics fade with time He stated that like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto the name of Mian Nawaz Sharif will remain prominent and enduring in Pakistan s political history He expressed these views while addressing as chief guest at the launch ceremony of author Sohail Akhtar Asri s book titled “Nawaz Sharif ke 101 Tareekhi Kaam” A large number of political social and media personalities attended the event including Saleem Zia Ali Akbar Gujar and Karachi Press Club member Abdul Jabbar Nasir The Governor Sindh said that development projects initiated under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif, particularly Gwadar Port, motorways, and other infrastructure initiatives, are symbols of Pakistan’s economic progress and regional connectivity He emphasized that continuity of development is only possible when political leadership prioritizes national interest and public service over personal gain He further said that the book not only highlights the development vision of a political leader but also reflects the role of Pakistan Muslim League (N) in addressing Karachi’s longstanding issues and improving law and order He added that such literary and documentary works play an important role in preserving political

nehal Hashmi greets Ayesha Baloch on winning Gold Medal at Asian Games 2026

KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Governor Sindh Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi has extended heartfelt congratulations to Ayesha Baloch for winning the gold medal in wrestling at the Asian Games 2026, defeating her Indian opponent in the final The Governor Sindh said that Ayesha Baloch has brought international recognition to Pakistan through her exceptional performance unwavering determination and remarkable talent He added that this historic achievement is a matter of great pride for the entire nation, especially for young women across the country He further stated that Ayesha Baloch has proven that Pakistani youth possess the ability to excel at the international level and bring laurels to the country This achievement reflects hard work dedication, and consistency in sports Governor Sindh expressed hope that Pakistani athletes will continue to raise the national flag in international competitions with the same spirit and determination He said that the success of female athletes is a symbol of a brighter future and the promotion of sports in Pakistan He reiterated that the government remains committed to supporting young athletes, promoting sports, and providing better opportunities for emerging talent

Punjab Information and Culture

Minister Azma Bokhari said that chants of Sheir Sheir and Sheir are resonating across GilgitBaltistan, reflecting the public's strong confidence in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)

She stated that the people have consistently supported PML-N on the basis of its performance public service, and development initiatives

Azma Bokhari said that instead of competing through public service and performance, opposition parties attempt to secure votes by leveling baseless allegations and engaging in smear campaigns against PML-N

However she added that the public is now fully aware of such tactics and continues to support PML-N in order to sustain the journey of development and progress

She maintained that no political party other than PML-N has delivered significant development and welfare projects in Gilgit-Baltistan Through the construction of roads, infrastruc-

ture and other public development schemes PML-N has set a practical example of serving the people

The Information Minister further stated that Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) does not possess a substantial vote bank in GilgitBaltistan yet for the past week it has been attempting to create the impression that it is being prevented from conducting its election campaign

She questioned the basis on which certain parties are raising allegations of pre-poll rigging when they have not even fielded a complete slate of candidates Azma Bokhari said that every political narrative advanced by PTI has ultimately proven unsustainable over time She noted that the public now prefers politics based on performance and service delivery rather than false promises and negative propaganda She emphasized that if opposition parties wish to compete with PML-N, they should do so on the basis of performance and public service as false accusations mudslinging and propaganda have repeatedly failed as political strategies Expressing confidence in the party's vision, Azma Bokhari said that PML-N is committed to taking Gilgit-Baltistan to new heights of development prosperity and modern facilities She added that the party aims to transform GilgitBaltistan into a beautiful developed, and prosperous region on the model of