PM L AUNCHES BOLD INNOVATION PUSH, UNVEILS $20M VENTURE FUND
g PREMIER SHEHBAZ CALLS FOR UNIFIED NATIONAL INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM TO DEVELOP INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGIES
g URGES ROBUST REGULATORY AND ETHICAL FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE SAFE, TRANSPARENT AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Indus RAS – Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo 2026 the prime minister said Pakistan must seize the opportunities presented by the global technological revolution while ensuring that its benefits reach every segment of society
Let our universities research and development centres startups industries and farmers become part of one national innovation ecosystem, ensuring that the knowledge behind these technologies is indigenous, owned, and continuously ad-
g PM SAYS ROBOTICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS MUST EMPOWER FARMERS, STARTUPS, WOMEN AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
g LAUDS ARMED FORCES ’ INDIGENOUS DEFENCE CAPABILITIES, SAYS DRONES HAVE ACHIEVED OVER 60% INDIGENISATION
g SPARK AND ELEVATE PROGRAMME LAUNCHED TO TURN RESEARCH INTO GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISES AND HIGH-VALUE JOBS
of
and autonomous systems in Pakistan The first, the Spark and Elevate Programme, is designed to transform Pakistan's research into world-class technologies globally competitive enterprises and high-productivity employment opportunities
the Azm-eIstehkam strategy approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan would continue in coordination with law enforcement agencies to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from Pakistan
Pakistan, Russia reaffirm stronger strategic cooperation as Dar holds flurr y of meetings
Pakistan and Russia on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to further expanding bilateral cooperation in trade energy connectivity and other key sectors while also pledging to enhance coordination at multilateral forums as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a series of high-level diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila According to the Foreign Office (FO) Dar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ahead of the ministerial session where the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-Russia relations and discussed ways to further strengthen their growing partnership The two foreign ministers underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement in advancing bilateral ties and reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding cooperation in trade energy connectivity and other areas of mutual interest They also exchanged views on key regional and international developments and agreed to remain in close contact to further deepen bilateral engagement and coordination
Mr Khalilur Rehman, on the sidelines of the ARF Ministerial Meeting
Pakistan seeks S amsung investment to turn loc al mobile phone produc tion into expor t oppor tunity
furbished devices while generating employment and promoting technical expertise
The Samsung delegation briefed the commerce minister on the progress of Pakistan s mobile phone manufacturing sector and highlighted the company’s investment in local assembly
The delegation highlighted changes in the taxation structure and the narrowing of the tariff differential between Semi Knocked Down (SKD) and Completely Built Unit (CBU) of mobile phones, which had significantly reduced the competitiveness of locally manufactured mobile phones They requested the government to maintain a reasonable tariff differential to encourage continued investment and local manufacturing
Responding to the proposals Jam Kamal Khan said Pakistan’s mobile phone industry had made significant progress over the past few years, and future policy should focus on genuine manufacturing, higher local value addition, technology transfer and export growth He observed that the country now possesses sufficient manufacturing capacity and that industrial policies should encourage investment rather than dependence on imported used products
also appreciated the proposal of Samsung establishing certified mobile phone refurbishment facilities in Pakistan He said a regulated refurbishment ecosystem would not only strengthen local industry but could also create export opportunities for professionally re-
The delegation also expressed concerns over the commercial import of used mobile phones stating that it undermines domestic manufacturing despite Pakistan having sufficient production capacity It proposed replacing commercial imports of used phones with certified refurbished phones under which original equipment manufacturers would establish authorised refurbishment facilities in Pakistan, enabling consumers to purchase quality-assured devices backed by warranties
The minister acknowledged the industry’s concerns regarding taxation and said these would be examined within the broader fiscal framework He emphasised however, that any incentives should be linked with investment, localisation, exports and value addition Jam Kamal Khan further directed the industry to submit detailed proposals on certified refurbishment export potential investment commitments and international best practices to support the formulation of the revised Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy
He stressed that any decision regarding commercial imports of used mobile phones should be evidencebased, phased and supported by the availability of certified locally refurbished alternatives to safeguard consumer interests
FBR collec ts Rs329b in excise duty, sales tax from tobacco sec tor in FY26
PM launches bold innovation push, unveils $20m venture fund
I have seen simulators that are 100 percent manufactured and assembled in Pakistan Drones have already achieved more than 60 percent indigenization, he said
The prime minister also commended the Ministry of Information Technology, experts, professionals and technocrats for their contributions to advancing Pakistan's technological capabilities
ening
and
Minister Herath
role in
and
in
expressed hope that recent regional tensions would be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue paving the way for lasting peace and stability across the region
D A R, A S E A N C H
T Deputy Prime Minister Dar also met ASEAN SecretaryGeneral Dr Kao Kim Hourn on the sidelines of the ARF Ministerial Meeting The two sides reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and ASEAN and reviewed opportunities to deepen cooperation in trade, connectivity, investment and people-to-people exchanges Dar reiterated Pakistan's desire to further expand its engagement with the dynamic ASEAN region Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn acknowledged Pakistan s strategic location immense economic potential and the broad convergence of interests between Pakistan
the threshold of a historic opportunity that it could neither afford nor allow itself to miss “Pakistan will not
that
inherits the choices made by others We will shape our own destiny through innovation enterprise self-reliance and untiring efforts God willing he said He stressed that through hard work, determination and sacrifice, Pakistan would build a brighter, stronger and more prosperous future for generations to come
Describing the Indus RAS Expo as a landmark initiative the prime minister said it reflected Pakistan's determination to become a leading player in the technologies that would define the 21st century
Recalling that Pakistan hosted the Indus AI Summit earlier this year, he said the summit had brought together governments, technology leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs to chart Pakistan s course in the era of artificial intelligence while the RAS Expo translated that vision into practical innovations capable of strengthening the economy enhancing national security and improving people s lives We stand at an extraordinary moment in history where machines no longer merely calculate they can perceive, decide and act swiftly What once belonged to the realm of imagination has become part of our everyday reality ” he observed The prime minister noted that for generations Pakistan s farmers had struggled against water scarcity rising input costs fragmented landholdings and the growing impacts of climate change
He said emerging technologies were now transforming the agriculture sector, while in times of crisis they also provided vital access and helped save lives in areas where roads and bridges had been washed away
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan had also made remarkable progress in developing indigenous autonomous capabilities in the fields of defence and national security Under the dynamic leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir our armed forces have adopted cutting-edge technologies, some of which I have just witnessed on display outside this hall
Referring to last year s historic Marqa-e-Haq he said the world had witnessed how Pakistan s armed forces effectively safeguarded the country s physical and cyber frontiers through the use of advanced autonomous systems under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir with the support of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer
Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf He said the armed forces had demonstrated beyond doubt that Pakistan possessed not only the unwavering resolve to defend its sovereignty but also the indigenous technological capability, operational excellence and expertise required to employ advanced autonomous technologies in defence of the country
“These remarkable military advancements are an integral part of our national defence
They will further strengthen our security architecture make our defence more impregnable and enhance our resilience against emerging and future threats, he added
Earlier Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the countries leading in emerging technologies would shape the global economy of the future She said Pakistan was determined to build complete value chains in robotics and artificial intelligence, describing technological self-reliance as a national priority Shaza Fatima said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the government had adopted the Digital Nation Pakistan agenda under which technology was no longer viewed merely as a sector of the economy but as a key engine of productivity employment and national competitiveness She said the government was creating an enabling environment for startups, investors and young innovators to compete successfully in global markets
“The results are already visible,” she said, adding that Pakistan's ICT exports had grown by nearly 21 percent this year reflecting the resilience of the country s technology industry and the effectiveness of government policies
Pakistan rejec ts Amnesty's allegation, says repor t ignores cross-border terrorism threat
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Officials acknowledged that any civilian death was tragic and deserved serious examination However, they argued that accountability could not be selective and that any credible investigation must examine the complete chain of events including the intelligence that led to the target selection the possible co-location of military assets within a civilian-labelled complex, and the responsibility of Taliban authorities for allowing or placing terrorist and military infrastructure near civilians
According to the sources Amnesty
The sources said the central question was not merely why Pakistan acted, but why the Afghan Taliban had allowed its territory to become a platform for attacks against a neighbouring state despite repeated diplomatic engagement and international counterterrorism obligations
Pakistan they said would support any impartial examination provided its scope included Afghan support, sanctuary and facilitation provided to anti-Pakistan terrorist groups
International could not fairly assess the legality of the strike by examining only the impact site while excluding the operational context that led to Pakistan s defensive action They said that context was years of sustained cross-border terrorism Pakistan has repeatedly demanded verifiable action against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), described by the sources as a UN-designated terrorist organisation and associated groups operating from Afghan territory These networks the officials said had planned attacks, trained fighters, moved weapons and dispatched suicide bombers into Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of civilians, soldiers, police officers teachers and religious scholars They added that repeated denials by Kabul had not ended the violence
Where operationally feasible, Pakistan would release declassified evidence document Pakistani victims of cross-border terrorism and seek international scrutiny of TTP infrastructure in Afghanistan Officials further stated that human rights could not be invoked only after Pakistan responded to attacks The right to life, they said, also belonged to Pakistanis targeted by terrorists sheltered across the border
They concluded that selective outrage that ignored preceding aggression would produce neither justice, deterrence nor a basis for lasting peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan
04
COMMENT
Running out of power
The attempt to privatise three distribution companies may be running into trouble
THE roadshows by the Privatization Commission in Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and China, trying to pushFesco (Faisalabad Electric Supply Company), Gepco (Gujranwala Electric Power Company), and Iesco (Islamabad Electric Supply Company) were not wild successes, but nor could they be described as flops They accompanied eight roadshows in the country, with 30 local business houses and 23 international investors contacted This all served to make one important change in the terms of privatization which may point out a flaw in the corporatisation of WAPDA, with a view to privatisation The privatized entities are to be allowed permission for self-generation, while both foreign and local investors expressed concerns about regulatory interference and policy continuity It may well be too late to discuss the whole privatisation concept, but it should be noted that the only previous power privatisation, that of K-Electric, gave the only distribution company with permission for self-generation, which it intends to use effectively It thus makes sense for interested parties to want self-generation What effect this will have on the privatisation of the three generation companies which have been hived off, is not known
The claim of the government that the rate of return could go up to 30 percent, while a rate of 14 percent was assured does beg the question of why it was necessary to privatize DISCOs with such potential, even as it seems that the only real motive has been to keep the IMF happy The IMF s constant pressure on the energy sector has been something the government has had to accept as the price of doing business with tjr IMG, but that ford not seem to have led to positive results
The failed PIA privatization of 2024 see,s have cast a long shadow across the entire privatization programme, even though PIA was successfully privatised a year later, many of the fears now being expressed by potential buyers, especially foreign investors, can be traced back to that transaction It almost seems as if that transaction is being held over the government s head as a stick to beat it with rather than as a genuine cause of concern The government needs to be particularly cautious as privatisation means the ability to allow electricity theft by certain individuals in return for support moves into private hands This is the privatization which more than most changes the power equation
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
T h e n
The frustrated societ y-but why?
leads to anger and hostility in their behaviour In ad-
A problem best solved by education
SOCIAL frustration is a prominent hallmark of our society People are observed frequently everywhere quarreling on tiny issues leading to grave consequences later on Frustration is notably caused due to injustice unequal opportunities and economic constraints However ill-mannered and unethical attitudes of people are also triggering frustration and anger among the social beings Internalizing frustration depends upon the interpretation and perception of the situation Experts view that the same story and event is perceived and interpreted in different ways by different individuals and their interpretations are arguably embedded in their personal understandings observations and historical experiences The frustrated folk spare no time to take revenge from the opponents on minor issues
The practice is commonly observed each day, in each office institution market family public place and between the father and son with relatives colleagues and across all spheres of life However the responsible forums and concerned authorities have never thought of this issues seriously; though this parameter is the root cause of many social issues and potentially harming our social fabric grievously Hundreds of events backed by anger and frustration occurred in our society but these issues are taken for granted and no serious debate or discussion is carried on to sort out this situation Schools and other formal institutions are the most relevant forums nurturing children to behave positively and decently, but unluckily our institutions are completely failed to instill good manners and maintain our traditional sublime values in the students’ minds It is because from the playgroup up to graduation level we have no discipline in our courses or relevant teachers that may guide students or shape their personality in a productive way on how to manage anger, frustration, or resolve problems; or how to behave in certain situations or to control emotions in proper manner or navigate their future
Our students may be quite competent in English physics chemistry geography or computer science but unfortunately they are found extremely intolerant and indecent in their routine life, which ultimately
e w e r a o f m a r i t i m e p o w e r
dition to this our religious institutions have also failed to nurture folks in an ethical way But on the contrary, advanced countries train their children in the other way since the very beginning classes of the school to internalize in them positive and productive features Frustration-aggression theory of the social psychology in this connection advocates that a person deprived of his fundamental rights or mistreated by a powerful person makes him to think himself as helpless and forces him to take revenge in any way, which promotes frustration ultimately This frustration consequently converts into aggression The founder of the theory John Dollard contends further that this aggression does not remain in thoughts for long and is directed towards a weaker or soft target to quench the frustration, worsening the situation further In society and families, we always pass through such practices that the frustrated employees and common men turn their aggression to family members or other marginalized segments Recently in Quetta a government employee shot his wife and four innocent children and later himself while releasing a video blaming two officers of his department for teasing him for some reason The helpless government employee directed his frustration towards his wife and children, finding no other way than that Countless events are evident in this connection most often in our society In addition to this the strain theory by Robert K Merton maintains that frustration erupts among the society when a society is promoting cultural goals such as wealth, progress or success but is not providing equal opportunities to its members to achieve them The consequences of inequality and
Schools are preferably suitable platforms to provide skills and guidelines for handling the uneven situations or resolving problems and conflicts satisfactorily. Contents in the syllabuses should be included to socialize students in a better way, strengthening family support, participatory socialization of children at home; equal opportunities should be given to the maximum level, sources of income should be increased, rule of
namism, technological advancement, and maritime outreach According to the realist school of international relations in the absence of a supreme global authority capable of guaranteeing security every state must rely upon its own military preparedness economic resilience and balance of power for survival This strategic reality has stimulated a new era of military partnerships, security alliances, and maritime cooperation Within this framework arrangements such as the Quad and AUKUS are far more than diplomatic initiatives; they represent essential components of a broader strategic architecture designed to shape the balance of power across the Indo-Pacific In response, China has advanced its Belt and Road Initiative, the Maritime Silk Road, and extensive port development projects to transform economic geography into a cornerstone of its foreign policy These initiatives reinforce a fundamental truth of the modern age: highways of influence are no longer confined to land; the seas themselves determine the destiny of nations India, meanwhile, seeks to establish itself as the preeminent maritime power in the Indian Ocean through expanding naval capabilities regional diplomacy and strategic partnerships Japan Australia and other regional actors are similarly attempting to balance their economic interests with evolving security concerns Together, these developments indicate that the international system is gradually transitioning from a unipolar order toward an increasingly dynamic multipolar structure in which the distribution of power the nature of alliances and the pursuit of national interests are undergoing profound transformation Within this evolving strategic environment, Pakistan occupies a uniquely significant geopolitical position Serving as a bridge between
Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the Arabian Sea, it possesses considerable strategic potential Gwadar Port and the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) enhance this geographical advantage by connecting maritime and overland trade routes If supported by coherent economic policies industrial modernization, and a comprehensive maritime strategy, Pakistan could emerge not merely as a transit corridor but as a regional hub for commerce, energy and investment Such a transformation however depends upon sustained political stability institutional continuity economic reform and long-term strategic planning
The future demands that national security be viewed through a broader lens Military strength alone is no longer sufficient Geo-economics, the blue economy, maritime research, port development technological innovation and balanced diplomacy must become integral components of national strategy History consistently favors those nations that successfully convert geographical advantages into economic prosperity and strategic influence Otherwise, even the most favorable location remains an unrealized opportunity
As the Qur ’anic principle reminds us: “And these days We alternate among the people ” The centres of power continually shift strategic routes acquire new significance and the rise and decline of nations remain inseparable from these transformations If Pakistan responds to this changing global environment with wisdom, moderation, and strategic foresight grounding its national vision in geo-economics scientific advancement and maritime capability it can emerge in the coming multipolar order not as a passive observer but as a respected influential and decisive regional power
The writer is a freelance columnist
Librar y misuse rising
Unprepared
It is the lifeline of international trade the principal artery of global energy supplies a vast repository of natural resources and home to the world s largest concentration of population Extending from the eastern shores of Africa to the distant islands of the Pacific, this maritime domain has become the grand chessboard upon which major powers are manoeuvring their final strategic pieces to preserve or expand their political influence economic interests, and military superiority If the history of previous centuries was written through the conquest of territories, the history of the coming age is likely to be written through ports straits and maritime corridors The decisive contests of the future will depend less upon conventional firepower than upon naval reach technological innovation, and control of strategic sea lanes The ancient Greek historian Thucydides observed that the rise of a new power almost inevitably leads to confrontation with an established one That principle has acquired re-
Drowned by design
Dr M rahiM naSar
The sea remains decisive
Dr MuhaMMaD Tayyab Khan Singhanvi
THE youth of the country is considered as the most crucial segment of human capital, a driving force behind every nation’s economic growth innovation and social progress Yet across the globe an alarming number of young individuals are found indulging in substance abuse The age of glory times when dreams are formed, talents are discovered, personalities are shaped, are turned into the dark and neglected years of life Today we witness a number of digital and physical campaigns spreading awareness against drug abuse Young people are aware of the adverse consequences of drug addiction They know it abruptly affects their mental and physical health, but they still consume this slow poison It is evident that this issue is beyond complex #SAYNOTODRUGS awareness campaigns seem to be ineffective in recent times For taking impactful measures and productive outcomes we need to evaluate the root cause behind why people get into such things and how this addiction cycle works Drug abuse in the youth has become a global pandemic and no longer confined to any single country region or socio-economic group From developed economies to lower and middle-income nations the misuse of narcotics and psychotropic substances has become the pressing concern According to The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNDOC) an estimated 6 7 to 7 6 million people across Pakistan which is roughly around 6 percent of the total population use drugs
Why do an individual get into substance abuse? Answers are linked with different possibilities, some get into this out of curiosity just for exploring and adventure Some were introduced by their friends; due to peer pressure they induced into such practices and later on became habituated While mental health crises diminished emotional state factors such as unemployment poverty social exclusion, academic pressure and easy access to drugs through online and physical platforms, have collectively contributed to
this growing inclination towards drugs Pakistan has seen a rise in the online sale of narcotics with digital transactions making access much easier and young people are being manipulated not just consuming One prominent case involves a dealer known as Anmol alias Pinky, alleged to have sold cocaine in colleges, universities, schools and in the posh gatherings in Karachi Substance abuse including heroin opioids marijuana cannabis cocaine and prescription drugs including sedatives and tranquillizers are commonly traded and consumed For understanding drug addiction, we need to unfold how this pathway works
The brain has a built-in system for reinforcing behaviours that are good for survival such as regularly exercising eating your favorite food spending time with loved ones and pursuing hobbies and achievements by releasing dopamine when engaging in these activities that generates the sense of fulfilment and joy Normally dopamine rises adequately in response to these natural rewards, reinforcing the behaviour just enough to make you repeat them However addictive substances hijack this system circuit These substances; such as heroin and cocaine, can spike dopamine to several times higher than the natural baseline Neuroscientists describe this as a shift from the brain reward system to its stress taking over system That means the person is now not taking it to feel good anymore but to feel normal or stop feeling terrible In the long term, a person gets resistant to the drugs, and the same amount is not enough to give the same spike This is how addiction becomes more severe and people in its grip often describe feeling emotionally drained or joyless without the dosage In recent years drug addiction has increased to an alarming level and has become a pressing concern In Pakistan, the most vulnerable demographic for drug initiation is the 16 to 25 age bracket while 71 5 percent of the drug abusers are less than 35 years old These are
at Karachi
of university and college
admitted to drug use, 53 percent males and 31 percent of females with the growing trend of online procurement The growing numbers are contrasting against functioning public rehab centres trained addiction psychiatrists, or provincial mental health budgets; the mean age of individuals admitted to rehabilitation centers in Pakistan is 28 5 years The most vulnerable victims are students inside schools colleges and universities Campuses are often discussed
d r u g m a r k e t s a n d i n v e s t i n y o u t h r e c r e a t i o n , e d u c a t i o n a n d e m p l o y m e n t T h e f i g h t a g a i n s t d r u g s c a n n e v e r b e o v e r c o m e b y o n e m i n i s t r y , o n e f o r c e , o r o n e p r o v i n c e I n s t e a d , i t r e q u i r e s a c o o r d i n a t e d a p p r o a c h t o r e f o r m
s c h o o l s , c o l l e g e s , u n i v e r s i t i e s , h e a l t h d e p a r t m e n t s , l a w e n f o r c e m e n t , r e l i g i o u s i n s t i t u t i o n s , m e d i a i n t e r v e n t i o n a n d c o m m u n i t i e s w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r
He finally conceded to realit y late Tuesday that ‘it is clear that we do not have the independent legal authorit y to enforce this [ICC] warrant ’ But to placate his followers he added that ‘B enjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York Cit y, nor is any other war criminal at large’
but we won’t be writing our own laws to that end,” Mr Mamdani said OK, but what does the law let him do? “That’s an active conversation with our legal department he replied However what we ve seen at the national level is a desire sometimes to write your own laws to go outside of the bounds of legality That s not something we have an interest in Well, that s big of him
Don’t doubt the sincerity of his desire to see Mr
Netanyahu in handcuffs Or his willingness to cede U S sovereignty and put the NYPD at the command of the International Criminal Court This is the mayor s worldview The U S isn t subject to the ICC’s jurisdiction, but if it sought to indict American troops for some alleged conduct abroad, Mr Mamdani would probably go along with that too With Mr Netanyahu the mayor insists New York will do whatever the law allows which is bupkis Foreign policy is for the federal government not freelancing mayors A 2002 law broadly prohibits U S cooperation with the ICC Heads of state visiting the U S are under protection of the Secret Service Did Mr Mamdani imagine that when Mr Netanyahu’s motorcade leaves the U N the NYPD can pull it over on First Avenue? The idea is preposterous He finally conceded to reality late Tuesday that it is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this [ICC] warrant ” But to placate his followers he added that “Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City nor is any other war criminal at large What a reckless thing for the mayor of New York to suggest Rather than apologize for selling progressive voters a batty idea he can t deliver, Mr Mamdani is raising the tension and stirring up the “globalize the intifada” agitators Will they resort to the streets in protest against Mr Netanyahu once they discover that the mayor ’s pledge was little more than left-wing wish-casting?
US President Donald Trump has approved a landmark 30-year civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could eventually allow uranium enrichment inside the kingdom under American oversight according to administration officials cited by the Wall Street Journal
The agreement expected to be signed this week by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, is reportedly valued at tens of billions of dollars and is designed to place American companies at the center of Saudi Arabia’s emerging nuclear industry while excluding competing foreign powers According to the WSJ the deal is expected to be submitted to Congress in the coming days
URANIUM ENRICHMENT OPTION: A central feature of the agreement would permit the construction of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia if a joint USSaudi feasibility study concludes that domestic enrichment is commercially justified
The WSJ reported that under the arrangement any enrichment facility would be designed built and operated by American companies through a so-called black box system intended to prevent the transfer of sensitive nuclear technology to Saudi authorities Administration officials argue the American role would ensure that enriched uranium could not be diverted for military purposes and that spent nuclear fuel would not be reprocessed into weapons-grade material
If Washington ultimately rejects domestic enrichment following the study, Saudi Arabia would be prohibited from pursuing enrichment independently or with another foreign partner for ten years, according to the report
CONGRESSIONAL SCRUTINY: Although the agreement is expected to face criticism on Capitol Hill lawmakers will face significant procedural hurdles if they seek to block it, according to the WSJ Preventing the deal from taking effect would require a joint congressional resolution and potentially a two-thirds majority to override a presidential veto The agreement departs from longstanding US policy discouraging uranium enrichment by Middle Eastern states Unlike the United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia has refused to adopt the so-called gold standard under which countries permanently renounce domestic uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing
PROLIFERATION CONCERNS: According to the report supporters argue that the agreement strengthens US influence over Saudi Arabia s nuclear ambitions while
in the S audi nuclear program’
preventing Russia or China from becoming Riyadh s principal nuclear partners The agreement could help revitalize the US nuclear industry strengthen US-Saudi ties and deny Russia and China a strategically important
Maria iMran
INDIAN EX AM PROTEST FORCES PARLIAMENT SUSPENSION, ADDING PRESSURE ON PM MODI
Wang Yi urges US to respect China's core interests, uphold one-China principle
Foreign Minister Wang
on Wednesday urged the US side to respect
interests and uphold the one-China principle Wang also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee made the remarks during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila, the Philippines Noting that this is a pivotal year for China-US relations, Wang said the two heads of state held a successful and historic meeting in Beijing agreeing on a vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability and outlining the direction for joint efforts This represents significant progress made by the two major countries in exploring a path of peaceful coexistence, serves the fundamental interests of both peoples and meets the shared expectations of the international community said Wang Our responsibility now is to follow the course charted by the two heads of state remove distractions and overcome obstacles to ensure that the consensus reached by the leaders is translated into consensus and action across the entire government and all sectors, promote global peace through China-US strategic stability and provide major momentum for international cooperation through constructive bilateral interaction he said
China asks Philippines to immediately stop maritime provocations
make concrete efforts to stabilize bilateral relations Wang also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee made the remarks during his meeting with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma Theresa Lazaro in Manila Wang expressed China's strong protest over the Philippine personnel's violent collision with Chinese law enforcement vessels at Ren ai Jiao and elaborated on China s solemn position on the incident Wang said that in recent years, China-Philippines relations have continued to face difficulties and challenges, which is clearly not in the interests of either side and has also harmed the Philippines own development Facing a world full of changes and uncertainties the two countries should work together to safeguard the hardwon peace and development in the region, he said However, the Philippines' actions have gone against the trend among regional countries and become a
Lebanese president links Hezbollah disarmament to Israeli withdrawal, state-led reconstruction
urgency of disarmament, it made the approach to achieving it more critical AOUN CITES DISARMAMENT
MODELS: Referring to other conflicts including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland, Aoun said the way forward was disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration ” He said the first step was removing what Hezbollah has long cited as the reason for retaining its arms: Israel s occupation of Lebanese land
Aoun said the next stage required the Lebanese army to take full and exclusive operational authority, adding that this depended on immediate and unconditional backing for the military as the country’s only legitimate defender
source of disruption to regional peace and stability, Wang pointed out Facts have proven that allowing external forces to meddle in regional affairs and deliberately hyping up maritime disputes will only reduce the Philippines to a pawn manipulated by others, Wang said He noted that whenever China and the Philippines are about to engage in dialogue some forces in the Philippines particularly within the military and police sectors deliberately create incidents and undermine the progress of talks China-Philippines relations are now at a crossroad, and the Philippines needs to make the right and rational choice on where to go next Wang stated
Wang stressed that the key to developing China-Philippines relations is to
follow the right direction "China has never constituted a security threat to the Philippines and has never invaded or colonized the country in history He said disputes between China and the Philippines over territory and maritime delimitation are objective facts China has always been committed to managing differences and stabilizing the situation through bilateral dialogue and consultation Wang added However the Philippines has deviated from the channel of bilateral negotiations and encouraged by external forces, set up a temporary so-called arbitral tribunal and fabricated an illegal and invalid so-called award he noted China did not accept or participate in it from the very beginning and will never recognize it Wang said
“Hezbollah
PRIME MINISTER COMMENTS ON ISRAELI PULLBACK: In a separate development, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the beginning of Israel s withdrawal from Lebanese territory represented the start of a process that the state would pursue until all Lebanese land was vacated He made the remarks during a visit to Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon, according to a statement from the Prime Minister ’s Office The visit came a day after Lebanese army units began deploying in the town under the first phase of a framework agreement
Pakistan
achieves best ever IMO per formance with two bronze medals
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Pakistan achieved its most successful performance in the history of the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) by winning two bronze medals and two honorable mentions at the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2026 The event was held in Shanghai China The national team also recorded Pakistan s highest-ever aggregate score since the country s participation in the world s most prestigious mathematics competition Moreover, the Pakistan team also participated in a Chinese Mathematics Competition organized by the Beijing Institute
CM’S SWIFT MONSOON RESPONSE CLEARS RAINWATER WITHIN HOURS AS PUNJAB RAMPS UP FLOOD VIGIL
HEC completes quality assurance review of computing programmes across KP varsities
ISLAMABAD
A comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) Review of Computing Programmes offered by public and private universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been successfully conducted in line with the directives of the Prime Minister aimed at strengthening the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of higher education in Pakistan
The review covered computing-related academic programmes offered by different institutions of the province including University of Technology Nowsher; Northern University, Nowshera; Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan; Women University Mardan; University of Buner; University of Swabi; Women University Swabi; Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology; The University of Agriculture Peshawar; Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU) Peshawar; Brains Institute; University of Lakki Marwat; Gomal University; Khushal Khan Khattak University; and FATA University
identify opportunities for continuous improvement in computing education said a news release issued here
The evaluation was conducted against eight quality standards such as Programme Mission, Objectives and Outcomes; Curriculum Design and Organisation; Subject-Specific Facilities; Student Advising and Counselling; Teaching Faculty and Staff; Institutional Policies and Process Control; Institutional Support and Facilities; and, Institutional General Requirements
During the review process, expert panels examined academic documentation governance mechanisms curricula laboratory facilities student support systems faculty credentials, institutional resources, and quality assurance practices The assessment also involved extensive interactions with university management faculty members students review of facilities and meeting with relevant
Rawal Dam cleanup drive removes two tons of waste
ISLAMABAD
S
In line with the direction of Chairman (Capital Development Authority) CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad CDA and MCI in collaboration with Jazz World successfully organized a cleanliness drive at Rawal Dam The special cleanliness drive was aimed at promoting environmental protection and raising public awareness regarding cleanliness The cleanliness drive was led by Chief Officer MCI Dr Anum Fatima alongside representatives of Jazz World with over 200 volunteers from CDA MCI various NGOs students and civil society participating enthusiastically During the campaign, volunteers collected 80 bags of garbage and removed approximately 2 tons of solid waste from the surroundings of Rawal Dam cleaning the area Speaking on the occasion Chief Officer MCI said that this cleanliness drive was undertaken in the larger public interest to ensure environmental protection and highlight the importance of responsible waste disposal
stakeholders to gain a holistic understanding of programme implementation and effectiveness
The review analysed the significant efforts being made by universities throughout the province to enhance the quality of computing education and align their programmes with evolving academic and industry requirements The participating institutions demonstrated a strong commitment to improving educational standards, strengthening learning environments and promoting student success through ongoing institutional reforms and capacity-building initiatives
The findings of the review were intended to support universities in further strengthening their academic systems and quality enhancement mechanisms Recommendations provided by the review teams focus on fostering continuous improvement, promoting outcome-based education, enhancing industry engagement, improving student support services and ensuring the sustained development of academic and institutional resources
PIEAS holds 12th convocation, confers degrees on 270 gradu ates
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
The Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS University) under the auspices of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), held its 12th Convocation at the Inam-ur-Rehman Auditorium on July 22, 2026 Chairman Board of Governors (BoG) PIEAS University and Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar graced the ceremony as the chief guest and conferred degrees upon 270 graduates in various disciplines of engineering and applied sciences Degrees were awarded in Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Materials and Metallurgy Engineering Chemical Engineering Physics and Computer and Information Sciences The convocation was attended by Scientist Emeritus Dr Inam-ur-Rehman (SI), Members of the Commission, Director Generals, Directors, distinguished faculty members, graduates, and their families
According to the FO, both sides discussed the broader impact of
regional developments on
trade and supply chains They emphasized that continued dialogue adherence to international law, and diplomatic engagement remained essential for addressing regional challenges and preventing further escalation Earlier Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Manila along with a delegation to participate in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting Upon his arrival, he was received by Elmer G Cato, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Intelligence and Security Services (OISS) at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Asima Rabbani and officials of the Embassy of Pakistan the FO said During the meeting, HR/VP Kaja Kallas warmly recalled her recent bilateral visit to
Islamabad for the eighth round of the Pakistan-European Union Strategic Dialogue The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing cooperation under the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan and expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations Deputy Prime Minister Dar also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the effective implementation of all international conventions underpinning the GSP+ framework and underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to its economic partnership with the European Union
PAKISTAN, EGYPT DISCUSS EXPANDING BILATERAL COOPERATION: Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended a dinner meeting hosted by Egypt s Minister of Foreign Affairs Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr Badr Abdelatty, on the eve of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
2026 in Manila, the Foreign Office said in a separate post on X The two foreign ministers held wideranging discussions on further strengthening Pakistan-Egypt bilateral relations with particular emphasis on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, economic development, and collaboration at multilateral forums Reviewing the evolving
At least 20 people have lost their lives and 19 others have been injured in rainand flood-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since July 19, as torrential monsoon rains battered several districts triggering flash floods roof collapses and widespread damage according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) The deceased included seven men, eight children and three women, while the injured comprised 11 men, four women and four children The affected districts include Peshawar Nowshera Khyber Mardan Buner Bajaur Shangla Swabi Upper and Lower Dir Lower Chitral Abbottabad Mansehra Tor Ghar, Kurram, and North and South Waziristan
The PDMA said at least 30 houses had been damaged including seven that were completely destroyed and 23 partially affected In North Waziristan two men from Eidak drowned after being swept away by a sudden flash flood in the Tuchi River while collecting firewood carried downstream Rescue 1122 teams, assisted by local volunteers recovered both bodies after an hours-long search near Zerki Kallay Rescue officials warned residents to stay away from rivers and seasonal streams during heavy rainfall, cautioning that water levels can rise dangerously within minutes
They also cited disparities between federal pay structures and compensation offered by the judiciary and specialised institutions such as the National Accountability Bureau and Federal Board of Revenue
Under Article 240 of the Constitution, All-Pakistan Services comprise civil services whose members can serve in positions shared by the federal and provincial governments These in-
clude the Pakistan Administrative Service and Police Service of Pakistan
The cabinet also approved calculating the existing 150% executive allowance on the basis of running basic pay as of June 30, 2026, instead of linking it to the 2017 pay scale
The executive allowance applies to officers in grades 17 to 22 posted by the Establishment Division against sanctioned positions in the federal secretariat Prime Minister s Office and President s Secretariat
Covered positions include section officers, deputy secretaries, joint secretaries, senior joint secretaries, additional secretaries additional secretaries in-charge special secretaries and secretaries The allowance was later extended to other service groups following objections over unequal treatment, raising the possibility that additional groups may seek the new parity allowance as well
In Upper South Waziristan, four members of the same family, including a husband, wife, son and daughter, were killed when the roof of their house collapsed in Bangi Wala village following torrential overnight rain District authorities launched relief operations and assured the bereaved family of government assistance Meanwhile, flash floods in Lower South Waziristan washed away large tracts of agricultural land after seasonal streams overflowed Residents urged the provincial government to construct protective embankments to safeguard farmland from recurring flood damage Elsewhere, heavy rains disrupted public infrastructure In Peshawar, rainwater inundated the women's ward at Naseerullah Babar Teaching Hospital forcing staff and patients to seek higher ground as videos of flooded wards circulated on social media Another government hospital had experienced similar flooding a day earlier In Nowshera, floodwaters