g DIG OPERATIONS KAMRAN SAYS NO SPECIAL TREATMENT GIVEN TO SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY LINKED TO ‘ SENIOR POLITICAL FIGURE’
g FIFTH SUSPECT ARRESTED A S INVESTIGATORS AWAIT FORENSIC AND DNA REPORTS TO STRENGTHEN PROSECUTION g DIG SAYS VICTIMS ESCAPED AFTER CAR CRA SH, CONTACTED POLICE THROUGH WHATSAPP CONFERENCE CALL
g CM MARYAM DIRECTS ‘100PC MERIT ’ A S POLICE PROBE POSSIBILITY OF ORGANISED CRIMINAL GANG
g APOLOGISES OVER SHO ’S ENTRY INTO MAGISTRATE’S RESIDENCE, SAYS LEGAL URGENCY PROMPTED ACTION
The police officer identified the suspect as Muhammad Raza Dar On Thursday, police registered a case against five suspects over the alleged abduction and sexual assault after the two foreign women were rescued Four suspects including a close relative of a senior political personality were arrested and later remanded into police custody for five days
Kamran said that once the possible family connection surfaced investigators verified the information through the family obtained the suspect s contact number and began tracing his whereabouts "As soon as this was flagged, we had to confirm the information, and we confirmed it from the family; we got the number (of the suspect) from them and began tracing his location he said The family definitely would have told him to surrender, the police official added Kamran said he immediately informed the senior police command and the government about the suspect's reported links to a high-profile political figure
We received strict orders from the government to treat him no differently than any other criminal he said adding that the investigation also indicated the possibility that a criminal gang, rather than a lone individual, was involved in the incident The DIG said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had also directed that the suspects be dealt with on 100 per cent merit
He recalled that police conducted raids in Sargodha, Shahdara and DHA, drawing increasing public attention to the investigation
According to Kamran, the suspect later told the women he was taking them to the airport after claiming he had received the ransom
Govt makes landowners ’ consent mandator y in telecom bill overhaul
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
The government has agreed to revise the proposed Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill to make the consent of property owners mandatory before any telecommunications infrastructure can be installed on private land, with a committee constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif unanimously endorsing the changes after concerns raised by coalition partners and the opposition
The prime minister had constituted the committee following strong criticism of the proposed amendments by both government allies and opposition lawmakers who called for a comprehensive review of the bill and revisions to its contentious provisions
Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the revised draft
of The Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill now explicitly requires the consent of a property owner before any right-of-way can be granted over private land
He said the amended draft also provides clearer definitions of key terms, including right-of-way, above-ground and underground infrastructure and the installation of telecommunications equipment to eliminate ambiguity Explaining the revisions, the law minister said the earlier draft had referred to "mutual consent", but the new version makes such consent an explicit legal requirement
Initially it only stated that negotiations would take place Now we have made it clear that if access is required through any private property whether a house, shop, vacant plot or agricultural land the owner's permission must first be obtained It is now a precondition he said Tarar said that if the two parties failed to agree on the terms and conditions, they could approach the rel-
evant authority However, he stressed that since the arrangement would be based on mutual consent and the free will of both parties the usual enforcement mechanisms would not apply at that stage
He added that once an agreement had been concluded and the agreed consideration paid, neither party could unilaterally withdraw from the contract If the terms and conditions have been settled payment has been made, and all matters agreed upon, one party cannot later decide not to continue with the agreement In such cases, the appropriate authority will deal with the matter " he said
The minister said that if an operator failed to make agreed payments, the authority would issue the necessary directions Likewise, if a property owner, after voluntarily entering into an agreement and receiving payment attempted to obstruct or terminate the arrangement during the contract period the matter would also be addressed under the law
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, US Chargé d'Affaires Natalie Baker on Sunday reaffirmed Washington's commitment to deepening its partnership with
However, when the vehicle turned towards Bhatta Chowk, the women became suspicious The DIG said the car subsequently collided with another vehicle, allowing the women to escape and seek refuge in a nearby shop
During the incident, one of the women remained in contact with her father through WhatsApp messages and voice calls
PAKISTAN COURTS TURKISH INVESTMENT WITH FRESH PUSH ON PRIVATISATION, ENERGY AND MINING
He also referred to Pakistan s recent diplomatic role in helping reduce tensions between the United States and Iran saying the effort, undertaken with the support of President Erdogan and other friendly countries, had resulted in a ceasefire and the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding by the presidents of Pakistan Iran and the United States Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said Ankara was committed to opening new avenues of economic cooperation with Pakistan, describing bilateral ties as a partnership built on brotherhood rather than shared interests alone He praised Pakistan's mediation efforts between Iran and the United States saying regional peace was essential for economic development, and reiterated the two countries' target of increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion through the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council
was rooted in centuries of shared history and had consistently been reinforced through mutual support during wars, earthquakes and floods
Punjab broadens housing loan programme with Rs1m financing c ap for low-income families
upcoming fiscal year According to the minister, broadening the scheme beyond new house construction would help more deserving families improve existing homes while promoting access to safer and better-quality housing He said the expansion was also expected to support economic activity by generating employment in
the construction sector and creating additional demand for building materials and related industries Bilal Yasin instructed the departments concerned to ensure the scheme was implemented through a transparent and efficient mechanism so that financial assistance reached eligible beneficiaries without delay The meeting was briefed on the implementation framework by Bank of Punjab President Zafar Masud Housing Secretary Noor-ulAmin Mengal and PHATA Director General Sikandar Zeeshan
OFIT W E B D E S K The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department in Multan Division exceeded its annual revenue target for fiscal year 2025-26 collecting more than Rs5 37 billion against a target of Rs5 15 billion to achieve an overall recovery rate of 104 percent The annual performance report, released by Deputy Director (Administration) and departmental spokesperson Khalid Hussain Qasuri credited the result to coordinated efforts by Excise and Taxation Officers (ETOs) inspectors and field staff across the division's four districts Motor Vehicle Tax remained the department's largest source of revenue with collections reaching Rs3 38 billion against a target of Rs2 75 billion translating into a recovery rate of 123 percent
Excise Duty also surpassed its target generating Rs150 million compared with the assigned target of Rs122 5 million to post a recovery rate of 122 percent Property Tax collections stood at
Barbarossa and Enduring Freedom
territory
YO
two assumptions which were among the assumptions of Enduring Freedom One was that the defenders would simply fold up before a vastly superior military machine Well at least the Wehrmacht had broken the French Army but the US Army s most recent outing had een against Iraq True, the Iraqi military would not really bear comparison with the French Army so the US armed forces might be very good but battle-tested is not the right word for them Well the Red Army did not collapse and nor did the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Also, the Germans expected the USSR s subject peoples to rise, and the Russians as well; the USA expected the Iranian people to rise
FINANCE MINISTER CALLS FOR DIGITAL INCLUSION, SKILLS TRAINING FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
PIACL gets first fresh equity injec tion as
the satisfaction of conditions precedent under the SPSA, according to the Privatisation Commission The Privatisation Commission said the conditions completed after the signing of the SPSA included domestic and overseas regulatory approvals, lessor and commercial consents, aviation policy reforms, corporate approvals, restructuring of taxation related to legacy liabilities, aircraft financing arrangements, governance changes, airport infrastructure arrangements and transaction security by the investor consortium Under the first closing, the consortium paid Rs10 billion to the Government of Pakistan as sale proceeds and injected Rs 80 billion into PIACL as
third with 69 RTCs affecting 74 victims The statistics further showed that of the 1,513 victims, 1,257 were men and 269 were women In terms of age, 340 victims were below 18 years, 759 were between 18 and 40 years, while the remaining 427 were above the age of 40 According to the ESD, the vehicles involved in the crashes included 1,365 motorcycles, 105 auto-rickshaws, 144 motorcars, 27 vans, seven passenger buses, 45 trucks, and 68 other types of vehicles and slow-moving carts
Earlier in the day police had said that a PAF officer was shot dead while trying to protect a woman during an altercation with a man near the PAF Headquarters and that efforts were underway to apprehend the suspect who had fled after the attack Police spokesman Muhammad Taqi
process
cember 23, 2025, resulted in a total investment commitment of Rs180 billion by the consortium, comprising Rs55 billion payable to the Government of Pakistan for the sale of PIACL and Rs125 billion to be injected into PIACL for its long-term transformation
The second closing is scheduled within 12 months of the first closing under
COMMENT
PM in Turkiye
Strategic relationship burgeoning
nO T since the heady days of the Baghdad Pact and CenTO have Pakistan and Turkiye been forced into such close strategic proximity as at present One result has been that as a follow-up of his visit to iran for martyred Supreme Leader ali
Khamenei’s funeral Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif was in ankara for strategic discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip erdoğan apart from the usual mutual good wishes the recent US-israel attack of iran mat have provoked further discussions because there are indications that Turkiye may be next even before the achievement of its strategic objectives in iran, israeli voices, including those of Cabinet ministers, could be heard saying that Turkiye should be next This search for a new opponent postulates that after the Shia axis of Resistance assembled by iran, a Sunni axis is developing, headed by Turkiye, which israel and the USa must take apart Pakistan is also thrown into this can of worms and it seems that any attempt it makes to increase cooperation with Turkiye will be seen as evidence of the so-called axis, while if it pays any attention to this, it will merely distance itself from a friend mr Sharif was right to reiterate the need to build up trade to the previously agreed target of $5 billion Considering that it is presently around $1 3 billion it is perhaps now time to give this target a deadline if only an indicative one
There are many cultural and religious affinities between the two countries which make trade easier ranging from similar food to sectarian identity (the majority of the citizens of both countries follow the same Sunni school) now there is a geopolitical pressure driving them together Turkiye is more deeply committed to the \\\us alliance, being still a member of naTO, and having recognized israel
The problem for both countries is that while their cooperation is necessary for the emerging regional security architecture which is also wanted by the USa it will also be viewed with suspicion by the Zionists within both israel and the USa This suspicion will also be enhanced if the cooperation occurs Because the cooperation contemplated is very basic very strategic and will involve cooperation in defence production, the chances increase of its being seen as a threat in Tel aviv However, there is a certain inevitability in PakistanTurkiye cooperation because they are a good fit for one another and the two governments cannot be stopped
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Ever y Universit y should solve the problems of its own region
Im a g i n e if every public university in Pakistan became responsible for solving the biggest economic and social challenges within a 100-kilometre radius of its campus Faisalabad’s universities would become global centres for textile innovation Sialkot would lead research in sports engineering and surgical technologies Rahim Yar Khan would pioneer precision agriculture fertilizer efficiency and food processing gwadar would emerge as Pakistan’s hub for the blue economy and maritime logistics Within a decade universities would no longer be viewed merely as degree-awarding institutions they would become engines of regional prosperity This is not an idealistic vision; it is an economic necessity Pakistan’s higher education system has expanded significantly over the past two decades yet one fundamental disconnect persists: universities and regional economies often operate in parallel rather than in partnership industries struggle to find graduates with relevant skills while thousands of young graduates struggle to find meaningful employment Research is too often driven by publication targets instead of local challenges as a result innovation remains disconnected from economic growth
The solution lies in adopting a simple but transformative national principle: One University One Regional mission every university should have a clearly defined Regional Development Charter that aligns its teaching research innovation and community engagement with the economic strengths and development needs of its own region Success should not be measured only by rankings or publications but also by the number of local problems solved industries supported startups created patents commercialized and communities empowered Pakistan’s regional diversity offers enormous opportunities for such specialization in Punjab universities in Rahim Yar Khan should
lead research in smart agriculture, fertilizer technologies, seed biotechnology, food processing, irrigation efficiency, and sustainable water management by working closely with fertilizer manufacturers, sugar mills, seed companies, and agro-industries Faisalabad should strengthen its global reputation through advanced textiles, industrial automation, artificial intelligence for manufacturing, and sustainable production Sialkot should become a centre of excellence for sports engineering, surgical instruments, biomedical technologies, and export-oriented product innovation Lahore should continue leading in artificial intelligence, software engineering, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, digital health, and entrepreneurship in Sindh, Karachi should focus on maritime logistics, port management, fintech, manufacturing, and international trade, while Hyderabad and Sukkur should advance agricultural engineering, irrigation technologies, food processing, and water resource management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, universities should specialize in tourism, gemstones, mining, forestry, renewable energy, and cross-border trade in Balochistan, Quetta and gwadar should become national leaders in mining technologies, livestock sciences, fruit processing, fisheries, port logistics, and the blue economy This approach is neither experimental nor unprecedented germany s Universities of applied Sciences have long partnered with regional industries to drive manufacturing excellence South Korea s remarkable industrial transformation was built upon strong collaboration among universities, industry, and government China has strategically aligned universities with regional industrial clusters to accelerate technological innovation and economic development Their experience demonstrates a simple lesson: universities become most valuable when they solve the problems closest to them Pakistan has already established important foundations through Offices of Research, innovation and Commercialization (ORiCs), business incubation centers, and academia-industry collaboration initiatives The next step is not creating new institutions but giving existing universities a sharper regional purpose This transformation must also reshape what happens inside the classroom Curricula should be designed with industry par-
ticipation rather than academic isolation every student should graduate with meaningful industrial experience through internships, apprenticeships, field projects, or capstone assignments that address realworld challenges a PhD thesis should not merely satisfy academic requirements; wherever possible, it should contribute practical solutions for farmers, manufacturers, hospitals, municipalities, or public institutions equally important is community engagement Universities should become problem-solving partners for the communities around them engineering students can improve drinking water systems agriculture departments can help farmers adopt climate-smart practices Business schools can strengthen small enterprises and rural entrepreneurs Computer science departments can accelerate the digital transformation of local industries When universities engage directly with society, learning becomes more relevant and research becomes more impactful The Higher education Commission should now institutionalize this vision through a national One University, One Regional mission policy every public university should prepare a
poet allama muhammad iqbal saying that the poet s message continued to inspire unity among muslim nations The great poet-philosopher s
Playgrounds build healthy kids
from the moU which was signed with the USa in islamabad The iranian President opened his address by reciting verses of renowned philosopher and
year had also visit allama iqbal s mazar and paid his rich tributes The iranian President observed that Pakistan and iran shared not only a border but also a common destiny shaped by similar aspirations concerns and hopes Pakistan for us is not only a neighbouring country it is a brotherly and friendly country adding that iran firmly believed that peace stability sustainable security development and prosperity in West asia and the Persian gulf region could only be achieved through sincere dialogue regional cooperation and engagement based on mutual respect Pm Shehbaz Sharif on his part said on this occasion that islamabad and Teheran shared each other s joys and sorrows announced to visit Tehran to reiterate solidarity with iranian leadership and people warned of spoilers who were attempting to derail emerging peace framework as both sides have pledged to open a new chapter in their bilateral ties and assured that Pakistan will never let iran down Though the iranian President s visit was short it was certainly going to further strengthen deepen and consolidate the mutually beneficial bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries in the coming weeks months and years
The writer is Lahore-based Freelance Journalist Columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News) Radio Pakistan Islamabad and can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail com
Revise Pakistan’s curriculum
Roads clogged this Ramazan
TH E rise of modern China is one of the defining stories of 21st century geopolitics In less than half a century, a country that was once synonymous with poverty, agricultural backwardness and international isolation has risen to become the world s second largest economy, a technological powerhouse, a manufacturing giant and a diplomatic actor of increasing influence At the heart of this amazing transformation is the Communist Party of China, the organization that has guided the strategic direction of the country since 1949, and increasingly, has portrayed itself as the architect of China s national rejuvenation
The CPC s journey has not been smooth, nor without critique But few observers deny that the party has presided over one of the fastest, and most extensive, national transformations in history Since Xi Jinping took over as General Secretary of the CPC in 2012, China has entered an ambitious new phase of reforms that are not simply about keeping the economy growing but about transforming what development means altogether Innovation, ecological civilisation, technological self-reliance, national security and high quality growth have become hallmarks of China s modern governance model
This has created a China that wants to export its influence not only through its economic power but also through scientific innovation, environmental stewardship, infrastructure diplomacy and military modernisation
The CPC inherited a country that had been ravaged by decades of civil war, foreign occupation and economic stagnation In the first decades after the founding of the People s Republic, the party stressed political consolidation and industrial bases But the watershed was the reform and opening-up policies launched in 1978, which gradually integrated China into the global economy
These reforms unleashed economic dynamism as never before China lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, built modern cities at a breakneck pace and became the world s manufacturing hub
Instead of giving up state planning, the CPC adopted what it called socialism with Chinese characteristics, which blended extensive state direction with market forces
The hybrid model has permitted Beijing to
Silent Ascendance
marshal resources for strategic industries and keep political continuity
The success of this model has made China a global economic engine, whose decisions increasingly shape international markets, supply chains and technological standards When Xi Jinping took over the party leadership, China faced new challenges The era of double digit growth was ending, public health was under threat from environmental deterioration, demographic strains were emerging, and technological rivalry with more developed economies was rising Xi s answer was not simply to increase growth but to change its nature
His concept of high-quality development changed the focus from quantity to sustainability China started investing heavily in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, aerospace, renewable energy and digital infrastructure instead of relying on exports and heavy industry
The new development philosophy outlined five interrelated priorities: innovation, coordination, green development, openness and shared prosperity
Innovation was the key driver for future growth This strategic shift recognised that long-term competitiveness would depend less on cheap labour and more on scientific leadership
Thus China invested heavily in research and development, universities, laboratories and high-technology industries Chinese companies have quickly built up large positions in electric vehicles, telecommunications, batteries, robotics and renewable technologies
Today
Chinese companies are competing globally in industries that were once the preserve of Western economies
One of the most important aspects of Xi Jinping’s reforms has been to raise environmental protection from a secondary policy concern to a national strategic priority
China’s rapid industrialisation has come at a heavy ecological cost Air pollution, contaminated rivers, and environmental degradation became big domestic problems
The
The CPC understood that economic progress could not be sustained without environmental protection and adopted the concept of an ecological civilisation
This philosophy incorporates environmental stewardship into economic planning, not as an afterthought
After that came massive investments in renewable energy, reforestation, electric mobility and pollution control
The world s biggest investor in solar, wind and hydro power, China is also rapidly expanding its electric vehicle industry and modernising urban transport
The country s 2060 carbon neutrality target is a long-term policy framework for balancing industrial development with environmental sustainability
While the major environmental problems still exist, China’s green transition is at least an attempt to combine economic modernisation and ecological responsibility
Technology is the arena where global competition is defined
The CPC has acknowledged this reality, and it is increasingly viewing technological independence as a matter of national security
Numerous sectors, such as semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, advanced telecommunications, aerospace, quantum science and biotechnology are racing toward indigenous innovation
Strategic industries have benefited from government support and have established extensive collaboration between universities and research institutes and private enterprises
The Chinese space programme provides a good example of the transformation
Beijing has been steadily improving its scientific capabilities and decreasing its dependence on foreign technologies in areas like lunar exploration, space station development, Mars missions, and satellite technologies
Digital infrastructure including 5G networks, industrial automation and smart manufacturing also has become a pillar of China’s future economic strategy
While the world has been watching China’s economic rise, another transforma-
tion has been taking place with relatively little visibility: the wholesale modernisation of the People s Liberation Army (PLA)
The CPC has spearheaded a long-term effort over the last two decades to transform the PLA from a large but technologically uneven force into a modern military capable of fighting contemporary warfare Much of this development occurred incrementally, with capabilities coming into the public eye only as new systems entered service
Under Xi Jinping, military reform accelerated with organisational restructuring, professionalisation, improved joint operations and a greater emphasis on science and technology
China has invested heavily in its own defence industries, high-tech ship building, aerospace engineering, cyber capabilities and space support systems
The modernization programme has led to increasingly sophisticated combat aircraft, naval vessels, missile systems, unmanned platforms and command-and-control networks The navy s growth– including aircraft carriers, large surface combatants and advanced submarines– reflects Beijing s increasing focus on maritime security and protecting its broader strategic interests
The air force has also deployed new generations of combat aircraft and increased long-range transport, aerial refuelling and early warning capabilities All of these developments, as well as improvements in precision strike systems and integrated information networks, are part of a continuing trend toward a more technologically advanced military
China’s defence strategy is increasingly about quality, integration, innovation and the ability to operate across multiple domains rather than just numerical strength
The CPC’s transformation of China has not just been in the domestic development
Through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, greater engagement with developing countries and deepened involvement in multilateral institutions Beijing has sought to boost its international influence
China has a development experience that can be an alternative path for countries that want
China
The
underestimate the deeper signals and strategic warning it conveys Rare earths are the “vitamins” of modern industry and core strategic materials for high-end military industries Elements such as dysprosium and terbium are constituent elements for highperformance permanent magnets, which are essential components in missile guidance systems, drones, fighter jet radars, and other equipment One detail deserves particular attention: this recycling effort from old air conditioners is being led by Mitsubishi Electric As a vital military-industrial complex in Japan, Mitsubishi Electric is deeply involved in defense electronics, radars, missile systems, and other fields, which is why it has been placed on China’s Ministry of Commerce’s export control list This means the rare earths for permanent magnets extracted from civilian air conditioners are highly likely to flow back into Japan’s dual-use production chain, even becoming raw materials for its military expansion - fundamentally altering the nature of the entire endeavor
In fact, extracting rare earths from air conditioners is technologically difficult, costly, and faces major challenges in recovery rates and purity Yet how can anyone view a country that is rummaging through garbage to build missiles as just a laughing matter?
Since the Takaichi administration took office last October, Japan has taken frequent steps toward remilitarization: pushing to revise the pacifist constitution, sharply increasing defense spending to record highs, and amending the “Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology” to lift the ban on exporting lethal weapons Right-wing forces in Japan have grown ever louder in whitewashing the history of aggression, while frequently issuing provocative statements on issues related to Taiwan question and the South China Sea affairs
The stirrings of “neo-militarism” have put the international community on high alert
This somewhat embarrassing so-called “resource self-rescue” effort reflects, from one
angle, the precision, necessity, and timeliness of China s upgraded export controls on rare earths and other dual-use items to Japan China s Ministry of Commerce has stated clearly: The country prohibits the export of all dual-use items to Japanese military users, for Japan s military use, and for any other end-users and end-use purposes that help enhance Japan s military capabilities The purpose is to curb remilitarization and nuclear ambitions These measures are entirely legitimate, reasonable, and lawful Recently, reports emerged of Japanese nationals in China suspected of smuggling rare earths Why is Japan in such a panic? Since January this year, exports of dysprosium and terbium from China s controlled rare earth categories to Japan have dropped to zero, while yttrium exports have plummeted by more than 90 percent year-on-year Faced with such a sharp drop in rare earth supply, what will Japanese right-wing forces use to sustain their ever-expanding military-industrial complex? Whether it is shifting defense budgets toward long-range strike capabilities, reorganizing the Air and Space Self-Defense Force, or upgrading defense equipment in southwestern Japan, all of these depend on rare earths Therefore, China s controls are not aimed at restricting normal rare earth trade, but rather serve as a valve to check and constrain Japan s ambitions for remilitarization Japan s attempt to pry open this valve by extracting rare earths from old air conditioners precisely exposes the strategic predicament of its remilitarization To break free from its dependence on China for rare earths, Japan has searched far and wide - from Namibia in Africa to Greenland, located within the Arctic Circle, and even the seabed mud near Minami-Torishima Yet today, Japan is farther than ever from rare earth freedom Japan s unprecedented anxiety over critical minerals exactly demonstrates that forming small circles and decoupling from China cannot deliver truly stable and resilient supply chains Today s rare earth dilemma is merely a microcosm of Japan s series of strategic miscalculations The root cause lies in the delusions of right-wing forces They mistakenly believe that military expansion will achieve normal nationhood, and that they can contain China by ganging up with others - underestimating China s resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security, development interests, and world peace Extracting rare earths from air conditioners is far more than an international joke - it exposes the
military ambitions of Japan s rightwing leaders and sounds a dangerous alarm for regional peace and the
risk is often upstream of the donation received by a political party Attribution needs to be done on a case-by-case basis, but crypto creates
itics not just as a form of political donation, but as a well-resourced industry seeking to shape regulation, a source of personal and campaign-related wealth, and a financial technology that can move value rapidly across borders,” Eliza Lockhart, a senior research fellow, at the Centre for Finance and Security at the RUSI think tank in the UK, told DW “Its political influence is rising as crypto businesses become more integrated into mainstream finance and governments make increasingly consequential decisions about how the sector should be regulated ” Edoardo Beretta, adjunct macroeconomics professor at Swiss university USI, agreed, while also noting that a recent downturn which came after the period of Trump’s financial filings has generally had a cooling effect With bitcoin’s price having more than halved since its peak on October 6, 2025, and the crypto market capitalization having behaved similarly, there is currently less political but also economic hype around cryptocurrencies However, this does not mean that economic actors might have lost their interest in the crypto market: the environment surrounding them has simply become a little bit quieter,” he told DW DO CRYPTOCURRENCIES MAKE FOREIGN POLITICAL INTERFERENCE EASIER?
The anonymity and speed of digital wallets across borders make tracking campaign donations and suchlike a much trickier task than traditional transactions This, in turn, makes tipping electoral scales a simpler task for those inclined to do so, said Lockhart “A blockchain records transactions, but it does not necessarily reveal the real-world identity of the person controlling a wallet or the original source of the funds,” she said “Money can also be moved through multiple wallets, exchanges and jurisdictions before reaching politics Therefore, the principal foreign interference
Mian abrar
On the other hand, calls have rung out for the killing of US President Donald Trump in the crowd of hundreds of thousands of mourners in Iran’s capital, Al Jazeera reports
Posters and graffiti at the Grand Mosalla called for the killing of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Mohammad Rasouli, a poet who emceed the event before the funeral prayers, drew out calls of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” Speaking to the crowd over loudspeakers, Rasouli asked, referring to Trump: “Why is the most b*****d man in the world still alive?” The question drew cheers from the crowd Meanwhile, Bandar Abbas residents alerted of 'controlled explosions' as unexploded projectiles being neutralized The Hormozgan Governorate has said citizens may hear loud, controlled explosions in Bandar Abbas today as planned operations to neutralise unexploded “enemy projectiles” are underway, IRIB reports
MEDIA REPORTS: Meanwhile, Maritime trade between Iran and Qatar has resumed after a roughly five-month suspension, Iran’s commercial attaché in Doha told state media,
PU N J A B is undertaking one of the country's comprehensive prison reform programmes, seeking to transform correctional facilities from overcrowded places of detention into institutions that emphasize rehabilitation, education, healthcare and human dignity alongside security Through investment in infrastructure, administrative reforms and technological innovation, the provincial government is pursuing a correctional model that aims not only to enforce the law but also to prepare prisoners for successful reintegration into society The reforms come as Punjab s prisons continue to face severe overcrowding The prison population fluctuates between 68,000 and 79,000 inmates Nearly 73 percent of prisoners are undertrial detainees, highlighting the need for faster criminal trials and stronger probation and parole mechanisms To ease the pressure, prison capacity has already increased from 30,000 to 39,000, with a target of expanding it further to 43,718 by 2027
Reuters reports Abbas Abdolkhani said shipping between Iran’s Dayyer port and Qatar ’s Al Ruwais port had resumed following coordination between the Iranian embassy in Doha and Qatari authorities
ag e n c i e s Opec+ has agreed a further increase in output targets from August, the group said in a statement on Sunday, adding to global supply at a time when oil prices are falling due to the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports The oil-producing group agreed during an online meeting to increase quotas by 188,000 barrels per day from August, on top of similar increases for June and July The seven core members of Opec+, which groups Opec and allied producers including Russia, have hiked their output quotas from April through July by almost 800,000 bpd Yet the increase has remained largely on paper because of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which closed the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic for some of the most important Opec+ members, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq
P R O D U C T I O N B E G I N S TO R EC O V E R: Opec+ output fell to 33 13 million bpd in May according to Opec data from 42 77m bpd in February It began to recover in June thanks to US
Punjab Jail Reforms
Infrastructure development remains central to the reform agenda An additional Rs1 3 billion has been allocated to accelerate construction of the Nankana Sahib prison, while new prisons at Nankana Sahib and Samundri are scheduled for completion this year Construction of 27 additional barracks is also underway across Punjab, with new correctional facilities planned for Chiniot and Murree
Alongside expanding prison capacity, the provincial government is introducing measures to improve inmates welfare and access to justice A formalised Legal Aid Agency is providing free legal assistance to financially disadvantaged prisoners, while work is underway to strengthen probation and parole systems and support quicker disposal of criminal cases Prison hospitals are now subject to regular inspections by the Punjab Healthcare Commission Between January and June 2026, 91,266 prisoners received medical screening and treatment, while 74 professional psychologists have been engaged to improve mental healthcare within prisons
Women and children have become an important focus of the reforms Mothers living in prison with children up to six years of age are receiving nutritional support, while improved hygiene facilities have been introduced for female inmates Three modern women's prisons are under construction in Lahore, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi At juvenile correctional institutions, education, vocational training and recreational facilities are being expanded to promote rehabilitation rather than punishment
efforts to help the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Opec+ nations export more oil, but is still below pre-war levels Despite persisting supply disruptions, oil prices have returned to pre-war levels, pressured by lower Chinese imports, higher exports from non-Middle East producers, and a record global strategic stock release coordinated by the International Energy Agency (IEA)
The group of seven kept unwinding their production cuts as widely expected, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said The near-term focus will remain on how many tankers will manage to cross the Strait of Hormuz and how quickly demand and Chinese crude imports recover A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran to end the war has also helped convince traders that supply will ultimately return to normal levels
I R A Q P R E S S I N G F O R H I G H E R Q U O TA S: Brent crude prices traded near $72 per barrel on Friday, down from recent peaks of more than $120 per barrel and back to levels traded just before the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28
Education and skills development are at the heart of Punjab's correctional strategy Under the Chief Minister s Literacy Programme, 4,141 inmates have enrolled in formal education Through the "One Barrack, One Library" initiative, 472 prisoners have completed matriculation, 367 intermediate education and 140 graduation Vocational training is being provided in computer applications, mobile phone repair, welding, tailoring, cooking, motorcycle and tractor maintenance, while prison industries operating in 15 correctional facilities produce furniture, carpets, tuff tiles, melamine crockery, sports goods and household products, helping inmates acquire employable skills before release Technology is also modernising prison administration Digital remission management, biometric verification, X-ray screening systems and integrated security mechanisms are being introduced to improve transparency and efficiency Eleven district lock-ups have already been upgraded, while five major prisons have shifted to solar energy Prisoners now have access to audio and video calling facilities, along with 80 minutes of weekly telephone communication through prison PCO services Since 2024, 2,554 inmates have been transferred to prisons closer to their home districts, making it easier for families to maintain regular contact The provincial government is also remodelling 30 prison transport vehicles with air conditioning, onboard washrooms, surveillance cameras and improved seating to ensure safer and more dignified transportation
Besides agreeing production targets, Opec+ is also facing other challenges after the UAE left the group and Iraq signalled it wants higher quotas Opec+ includes 21 members, including Iran, but in recent years only the seven nations and the UAE until its departure have been involved in monthly production management Those seven producers Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan and Oman are boosting output as part of the phased rollback of a 1 65m bpd supply cut agreed in 2023, when the group still included the UAE The UAE quit the alliance in late April because it wanted to align its capacity more closely with its production, free of production restraints imposed by the group From August, taking into
The reforms are grounded in Pakistan's constitutional and legal framework Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees the inviolability of human dignity, while prison administration is governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 and the Punjab Prison Rules Pakistan is also a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and
Rights (ICCPR), the Convention against Torture (CAT), the Convention on the Rights of the
(CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) The reform agenda also reflects the principles of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), the internationally recognised benchmark for humane prison administration The reforms are equally consistent with Islamic teachings that emphasise justice, compassion and respect for human dignity The Holy Quran states, "Indeed, We have honoured the children of Adam" (17:70), affirming the inherent dignity of every human being By combining expanded infrastructure with healthcare, legal assistance, education, vocational training and modern prison management, Punjab is seeking to
a correctional system that protects society while offering prisoners a genuine opportunity for rehabilitation and a productive return to their communities to start a new phase of life
The writer is a Lahore-based public policy analyst and can be reached at qudratu@gmail com
CM MARYAM PAYS TRIBUTE TO CAPT K ARNAL SHER KHAN SHAHEED, HAILS US TIES
Customs Warehouse Sukkur for further legal proceedings Inspector General Railways Police Muhammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan, commended the Railways Police Sukkur team for their successful operation
Gillani calls July 5, 1977, a dark day in Pakistan’s democratic history
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gillani on Sunday termed July 5 1977 a Dark Day (Yaum-e-Siyah) in the nation s history, saying it was the day when the constitutional and democratic government of the country’s first elected prime minister, Quaid-e-Awam Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was unlawfully overthrown In his message on the occasion the Senate chairman said the unconstitutional act of July 5 was not merely the end of a government but a severe blow to Pakistan s Constitution federation and democratic institutions He said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gave the nation the consensus Constitution of 1973, which serves as the ultimate guarantee of the country’s survival and security adding that its suspension pushed the nation into the darkness of dictatorship Yousaf Raza Gillani paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Quaid-e-Awam Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for democracy and the rights of the people He said the leadership and workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had historically endured floggings, imprisonment, and even laid down their lives for the restoration and survival of democracy The Senate chairman added On this day we must reiterate our resolve that the supremacy of Parliament, the sovereignty of the Constitution, and the sanctity of the people s vote will never be compromised
began in Narowal on Sunday with the inauguration of the Maryam Nawaz School for Special Children Centre of Excellence established under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to promote inclusive education and empower children with special needs across the province Acting on the chief minister’s directions Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Special Education Sania Ashiq inaugurated the institution Himmat Cards and modern assistive devices were also distributed among special children during the ceremony
Addressing the gathering Sania Ashiq said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was taking practical measures to ensure the education, rehabilitation and empowerment of special children She added that every new project launched for special children in different cities reflected the chief minister s unwavering commitment to their welfare and development Sania Ashiq said the chief minister often asked “Sania are you taking care of my children?” She added that special children were as dear to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif as her own children She said the Himmat Card, Meal Programme, Khud Mukhtar Programme, health screening initia-
tive and the provision of assistive devices were revolutionary measures introduced for the welfare and empowerment of special children Sania Ashiq said only a compassionate mother could introduce such welfare programmes for special children adding that Punjab was fortunate to have a caring chief minister like Maryam Nawaz Sharif She further said the Punjab Special Education Department was actively working for the education and rehabilitation of special children in line with the chief minister s vision Secretary Special Education Syed Shoaib Iqbal and Director General Special Education Lt (Retd) Shoaib Jadoon also attended the inauguration ceremony
In line with the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the Government s unwavering commitment to the welfare and uplift of the working class, the Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry
Salik Hussain, has issued special directives to the Secretary of the Workers Welfare Fund, Zulfiqar Ahmad to ensure the implementation of a landmark initiative aimed at providing educational facilities to an additional 100 000 children of registered workers across the country, from Grade 1 to 12 This initiative is not merely an expansion of educational opportu-
nities; it is a reflection of the State’s trust respect and commitment to securing a brighter future for the working class and their families said a press release issued here Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain stated that this historic decision is a practical manifestation of the Government’s commitment under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to providing equal opportunities for prosperity, and social advancement to every working family in Pakistan “Pakistan’s progress is not solely dependent on industries; it is equally linked to the education of the children of those workers whose hard work and dedication keep these industries running Today, we are not merely providing educational facilities to another 100,000 children; we are giving hope dignity and a better future to 100 000 families he mentioned
Dar calls for economic reset in Pakistan–türkiye ties amiD shifting global traDe l anDscaPe
At least eight people were killed and a minor girl injured in two separate firing incidents linked to tribal and family disputes in Balochistan s Qila Abdullah and Dera Bugti districts on Sunday, prompting protests, a temporary highway blockade and a police investigation officials said According to police four people were killed and a minor girl injured in a firing incident stemming from an old enmity in the Badwan area of Qila Abdullah district
Qila Abdullah Deputy Commissioner Munawar Hussain Magsi confirmed the incident identifying the deceased as Obaidullah Ziaullah Eimal and Mohammad Shahid while the injured girl was identified as Bibi Saniya "All the bodies and the injured were shifted to the Trauma Centre Mazai Adda where doctors confirmed the deaths " he said adding that the injured girl was later referred to Quetta for further treatment
After completion of medicolegal formalities, the bodies were handed over to their heirs The deputy commissioner said
enraged family members later placed the bodies on the QuettaChaman National Highway and staged a protest sit-in bringing traffic on the busy road to a standstill
He said the district administration and police reached the site and held negotiations with the protesters "After lengthy talks, the protesters agreed to reopen the road for traffic," Magsi said The victims' relatives demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and strict punishment while officials assured them that the case would be investigated on merit
Local elders and political figures also condemned the incident and called for the immediate resolution of tribal disputes and better protection of civilians In a separate incident in the Drenjan area of Sui in Dera Bugti
According
s Kohli branch escalated from a financial disagreement into an exchange of heavy gunfire, triggering
and
He
"The
of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed in the most adverse circumstances is a shining chapter in the military history of Pakistan which is a testimony to the highest traditions of loyalty to the motherland and bravery The prime minister added: "Defence of the beloved homeland is a sacred duty, and the great sacrifices made by the sons of the pure land are the guarantor of our peace and sovereignty today " He reaffirmed the government's and the nation's unwavering resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces against every external and internal threat facing the country This great sacrifice of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed reminds us that our freedom and sovereignty are due to the sacred blood of our martyrs," he added Armed forces, services chiefs pay tribute The Armed Forces of Pakistan also paid glowing tribute to Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed (Nishan-eHaider) on the 27th anniversary of his martyrdom honouring his extraordinary courage exemplary leadership and supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation during the 1999 Kargil conflict
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Marking the 250th anniversary of American independence the US Embassy in Islamabad and the US Consulate General in Lahore illuminated some of Pakistan’s most iconic landmarks in the colours of the American flag as part of the global Freedom 250 celebrations underscoring the enduring cultural and political ties between the two countries
The US Mission to Pakistan also expressed its appreciation to the Government of Pakistan for supporting the commemoration of America s 250th anniversary As part of the five-day celebration the Pakistan National Monument in Islamabad was illuminated in red, white and blue from July 1 to July 5, 2026, in a gesture of friendship carried out in coordination with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Throughout the commemorative
period Globe Chowk on Constitution Avenue was also lit up in the colours of the American flag In Lahore the US Mission coordinated the illumination of the historic Alamgiri Gate and Picture Wall at the Lahore Fort, along with the Quaid-e-Azam Library and the National Institute of Technology extending the Freedom 250 celebrations to one of Pakistan s foremost cultural capitals
Chargé d Affaires Natalie Baker said America s 250th anniversary represented “a moment of renewal” and an opportunity to reinforce institutions reaffirm leadership and deepen partnerships based on mutual respect and reciprocity
With Pakistan, we are building on sovereignty, strength, and shared prosperity, translating mutual respect and aligned interests into real results As we step into this next chapter America moves forward with confidence in our values and a clear sense of purpose, committed to a partnership
that delivers lasting security and shared opportunity for generations to come she said The illuminations form part of the US Mission to Pakistan s Freedom 250 campaign, the United States’ year-long global initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence adopted on July 4 1776 The campaign provides an opportunity to celebrate the historic milestone alongside friends and partners who have shared in America’s journey
According to the US Mission the illuminations symbolize the enduring values of freedom democracy and opportunity that continue to underpin the U S -Pakistan relationship It said the bilateral partnership is expanding through increased trade and investment cooperation in critical minerals economic development and efforts to promote regional peace delivering mutual benefits for both countries
