FIELD MARSHAL ASIM MUNIR REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN, CHINA STRATEGIC BOND AT PL A ANNIVERSARY
g CDF MUNIR PAYS TRIBUTE TO PLA FOR ITS SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHINA'S NATIONAL DEFENCE, INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY
CM I A N A B R A R
H I E F of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal
Asim Munir on Saturday reaffirmed the enduring strength of Pakistan-China relations, describing the friendship between the two countries as "unique, time-tested and steadfast" despite evolving regional and global challenges
Addressing a ceremony at the General Headquarters (GHQ) to mark the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People s Liberation Army (PLA), the field marshal said the armed forces of Pakistan and China remained trusted partners united by mutual confidence unwavering support and a shared commitment to regional peace stability and the protection of common strategic interests
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Field Marshal Munir paid tribute to the PLA for its significant contributions to China's national defence socioeconomic development and international peace and security
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday said the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had responded to his proposal for establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission expressing willingness to engage with the initiative aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
In a post on X, Bilawal welcomed what he described as the committee's positive response saying the proposed commission could serve as an institutional mechanism to address the prevailing tensions He noted that the proposal had already received the backing of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly
The loss of every precious life is a national tragedy Bilawal said, reiterating that his foremost priority was to help end the crisis, provide relief to the people of AJK and restore normalcy as quickly as possible The PPP chairman said he would now consult AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore,
who, in turn, would seek input from the federal government and other relevant stakeholders to assess whether sufficient consensus existed to move forward with a mutually acceptable framework Bilawal has consistently advocated the formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission over the past month as a means of investigating recent violence and facilitating dialogue between the government and protesters
Addressing a public gathering in Muzaffarabad earlier this week, he said lasting peace in the region required fairness, transparency and
political reconciliation, stressing that the proposed commission was neither about the victory of the state nor that of the protesters but about safeguarding Kashmir s future His remarks came as tensions continue between the regional administration and the JAAC over a range of issues, particularly the committee's demand for the abolition of the 12 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir who settled in Pakistan after 1947 The dispute has triggered weeks of demonstrations across the region
Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country ” the ISPR statement said “Such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment of safeguarding our nation at all costs it added The latest operations come amid an intensified national counterterrorism drive Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government was implementing a comprehensive and effective strategy to “completely eliminate” the menace posed by the proscribed Fitna al-Hindustan Fitna alKhawarij and other terrorist outfits operating against the country Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in terrorist violence since the banned TTP ended its ceasefire agreement with the government in November 2022 and announced the resumption of attacks across the country Seven terrorists killed in Nushki operation In a separate statement the ISPR said security forces killed seven Indian-sponsored terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan s Nushki district on the night of July 30/31
The ceremony was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong as
Banks ignore calls to Boost sMe, private-sector lending, reMain dependent on govt Borrowing for profits: report
That ruling was withdrawn on November 4 2019 after the Units of Measurement for goods under various PCT codes were revised through CGO No 15/2019 and CGO No 17/2019
The Directorate said that in the absence of an operative ruling light fittings and fixtures which are regularly imported in considerable quantities were being assessed at varied declared values, creating inconsistency in assessment practices and a potential risk of revenue leakage This prompted the Directorate to initiate a fresh exercise for determination of customs values under Section 25A
A meeting with relevant stakeholders was held on June 18 2026
Participants' viewpoints were heard in detail, and stakeholders were asked to submit documentary evi-
dence to support their positions
To determine the new values the Directorate retrieved and examined 90 days of import data alongside stakeholder input followed by market enquiries conducted under Section 25(7) of the Customs Act
The Directorate found that light fittings and fixtures are imported in various types sizes designs functions specifications and weights with prices varying considerably based on construction material, wattage, technology, dimensions, intended use, quality and net weight
In determining values the Directorate examined the transaction value method but it could not be relied upon due to a lack of complete and verifiable information Methods based on identical and similar goods also could not be used exclusively, given wide variation in declared values and the availability of goods across multiple types sizes and specifications Market enquiries were conducted but the deductive value method alone was found unsuitable due to varying types, qualities and specifications available locally
The Directorate also examined the computed value method by considering customs values of components used in light fittings, but this too could not be relied upon due to inconsistent input costs and the unavailability of complete data on
fabrication, labour, manufacturing overheads and other associated costs Values were therefore determined under Section 25(9) read with Section 25(7) and Rule 121(2) of the Customs Rules, 2001 The ruling sets customs values on a workback cost-and-freight basis based on a standard unit weight of 1 000 grams
previous valuation Valuation Ruling No 2104/2026 issued on July 28 2026 supersedes Valuation Ruling No 03/2025, which was issued by the Directorate of Customs Valuation, Lahore, on July 21, 2025 The earlier ruling had drawn objections from both importers and local manufacturers who filed review petitions before the Director General, Customs Valuation, Karachi The Director General subsequently re-determined customs values for non-goldplated porcelain ware of Chinese origin through Order-in-Revision No 59/2025 on October 17 2025 Importers then challenged that order before the Customs Appellate Tribunal, Karachi, which remanded the matter back to the Director General on April 20 2026 for a fresh review The Director General further re-
manded the ruling to the Director, Customs Valuation, Karachi, through Order-in-Revision No 17/2026 on June 19 2026 directing that a new ruling be issued within four weeks
A stakeholder meeting was held on July 27, 2026, where importers argued that existing customs values were too high and needed downward revision citing prevailing transactional values and import costs Local manufacturers opposed any reduction, instead pushing for higher values in line with domestic market prices and actual landed costs saying this would curb under-invoicing protect government revenue and ensure a level playing field for local industry Manufacturers submitted
to an office order issued by the FBR s Legal Wing on Friday, the committees were formed under Section 133A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001,
Section 47AAA of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and Section 34AA of the Federal Excise Act, 2005 The Islamabad Committee will be headed by former Justice Athar Saeed with Barrister Saad Buttar and former FBR Member Dr Muhammad Iqbal as members, overseeing litigation from LTO Islamabad, RTO Islamabad, RTO Peshawar RTO Abbottabad and DG I&I Islamabad The Lahore Committee will be chaired by former Justice Khawaja Farooq Saeed, with Advocate Mirza Nasar and former FBR Member Shahid Hussain
Asad as members, covering LTO Lahore, LTO Multan, CTO Lahore, and Regional Tax Offices across Lahore-I Lahore-II Rawalpindi Gujranwala Faisalabad Multan Bahawalpur Sialkot Sargodha and Sahiwal The Karachi Committee will be led by former Justice Maqbool Baqir, with Munawar Ali Memon and former FBR Member Seema Shakil as members handling cases from LTO Karachi CTO-I and CTO-II Karachi RTO-I and RTO-II Karachi, RTO Sukkur, RTO Hyderabad and RTO Quetta The committees will examine tax
US business delegation explores investment oppor tunities in K arachi's industrial parks
port operations, modernisation initiatives and investment opportunities in logistics, fisheries, value-added seafood processing and shipyard development followed by a tour of the port facilities
Members subsequently visited Hutchison Ports Pakistan to gain firsthand insight into modern port operations, cargo handling facilities and the terminal's role in supporting Pakistan s maritime trade and regional connectivity
The delegation later met Governor of Sindh Syed Nihal Hashmi, who highlighted the province's improving investment climate and assured full support to US investors He appreciated SIFC's role in facilitating international investment and strengthening Pakistan s engagement with global investors
As part of its private-sector engagements, the delegation met the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) where it was welcomed by the PBC chairperson and chief executive officer along with senior business leaders including the CEOs of the Pakistan Stock Exchange, Pakistan Agricultural Coalition, NRL Mining, Hilton Pharma and Unilever Pakistan as well as the PBC vice chairman
Discussions focused on investment opportunities across capital markets, agribusiness, textiles, energy, mining, healthcare and con-
sumer goods along with reforms aimed at strengthening Pakistan s investment climate Business leaders acknowledged SIFC s role in enhancing investor confidence, ensuring policy continuity and improving the ease of doing business in Pakistan
The delegation also interacted with the American Business Council (ABC) where the ABC president and senior representatives briefed members on Pakistan's evolving investment landscape and the longstanding presence of American companies in the country They also discussed ABC s collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, SIFC, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the US Embassy along with initiatives promoting health and women s well-being ABC appreciated SIFC s continued efforts to facilitate investment and foster a business-friendly environment for international investors
The two-day Karachi programme gave the US business delegation firsthand exposure to Sindh s industrial, maritime and commercial potential through engagements with provincial leadership, key public institutions and the private sector It reinforced the province s readiness to welcome international investment and further advanced Pakistan-US economic and investment cooperation
FTO urges faceless refund system as PTBA flags anomalies in new tax return, fixed tax scheme
cases and recommend whether references should be
FBR's July revenue hits Rs810b, beating monthly target by Rs30b with 7% YoY growth
istration due to departmental neglect
04
COMMENT
Price of dependence The Prett y Tax
TTH E least talked about form of privilege in today's economy is physical attractiveness
We know all about gaps and relationships and wealth gaps and education gaps but we don t talk much about the advantages of being easy to look at
Imagine that two candidates are entering the same interview Same CV, same university, same number of years of experience The one which is conventionally attractive is the one that is well-groomed, polished and easy to look at and the other is not Find any hiring manager off the record and the majority will say that they already know their favorite candidate before they speak one word We don t want to put it this way, but looks work exactly like capital
Just like any other form of capital, it is also not evenly distributed, some people are born with it, some people develop it and others spend their lives trying to cope without it The concept of human capital was used for a long time in economics to account for the difference in income between individuals The theory suggests that individuals invest in various resources, such as education, skills, and health, with the aim of enhancing their future earning potential College, certification even a gym membership counts these are all investments in ourselves that we hope we can reap the benefits of later Whether we like it or not the same holds true for physical attractiveness Some of it is an inherited ability, just like the ability to inherit family wealth,
Two people with the same resume, the same experience, but one walked in with a form of capital that no one put on the transcript and no one will ever claim: that's why they got the job For decades we have been learning how to recognize privilege when it manifests as money, connections or pedigree The same for physical attributes, we don't look There was always going to be a face to meritocracy, but we never asked whose
Aplayers The first and perhaps most influential actor is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Since his assuming power in 2015 relations between Riyadh and Washington have transformed from a traditional security partnership into a strategic alliance built on mutual interests As the conflict intensifies, Saudi Arabia seeks not only security guarantees but also long-term strategic autonomy Reports of a possible US-backed Saudi civilian nuclear programme including discussions surrounding uranium enrichment have raised significant geopolitical questions If such a framework materializes, it would mark a departure from previous US policy In 2009, the United Arab Emirates accepted a civilian nuclear agreement without domestic uranium enrichment Why would Saudi Arabia receive greater flexibility today? One explanation may lie in the changing regional landscape Riyadh s gradual engagement with Israel through the Abraham Accords framework and its shared concern over Iran have altered strategic calculations in Washington and Tel Aviv Yet Saudi Arabia also faces an immediate vulnerability Nearly four million barrels of oil move daily through routes that could be severely disrupted if the Houthis successfully threaten the Bab el-Mandeb Strait From Riyadh's perspective, neutralizing the Houthis has become as much an economic necessity as a military objective
The second major player is Iran Militarily and diplomatically Tehran has demonstrated resilience despite sustained pressure Its strategy appears based on calibrated escalation: responding proportionately to attacks while maintaining leverage through its regional partners The Houthis have emerged as one of Iran's most effective pressure points creating uncertainty over global energy routes and increasing
and
test of endurance: who blinks first? The third player is Pakistan whose position has shifted dramatically from mediator to increasingly involved stakeholder Islamabad initially attempted to facilitate dialogue, hosting diplomatic engagements while maintaining relations with all sides However, developments at sea complicated that balancing act Following Houthi attacks on vessels linked to Saudi energy supplies Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attacks describing them as a threat to Pakistan s own energy security and reaffirming support for Saudi Arabia Critics note that although many countries depend on the same maritime routes, Pakistan s statement appeared particularly explicit reflecting the depth of its strategic partnership with Riyadh Pakistan s room for independent diplomacy remains limited by economic realities, longstanding defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia, and dependence on international financial assistance Simultaneously managing tense relations with India instability along the Afghan border and regional polarization makes strategic neutrality increasingly difficult Any miscalculation could draw Pakistan closer to a conflict it has consistently sought to avoid Finally comes the USA, the architect of much of the region s current strategic architecture Washington continues to balance multiple
objectives: strengthening Saudi Arabia as a regional pillar maintaining strategic partnerships with Pakistan protecting Israel s security and preventing Iran from fundamentally altering the regional balance of power Incentives, security guarantees, economic assistance, and diplomatic engagement all remain central instruments of US policy
Yet one fundamental question persists From a moral and strategic perspective why is a potential Iranian nuclear capability widely regarded as an existential threat while discussions surrounding Saudi nuclear ambitions generate comparatively less international concern? Whether justified or not, this perceived inconsistency continues to shape regional narratives and deepen mistrust
The Middle East today resembles a vast chessboard where every move carries consequences far beyond the battlefield Oil routes, proxy networks, nuclear ambitions, and greatpower rivalry are increasingly intertwined The greatest danger is not simply another exchange of missiles but a cycle of escalation from which none of the principal actors can easily withdraw
The question is no longer who can start the next round of fighting The real question is who possesses the vision and the courage to end it before the entire region pays the price
The writer is a freelance columnist
The Middle East today resembles a vast chessboard where every move carries consequences far beyond the battlefield Oil routes, proxy networks, nuclear ambitions, and great-power rivalry are increasingly intertwined The greatest danger is not simply another exchange of missiles, but a cycle of escalation from which none of the principal actors can easily withdraw The question is no longer who can start the next round of fighting The real question is who possesses the vision and the courage to end it before the entire region pays the price
SAQLAIN ABID
MEERWISE KHAN
TH E social media and the print media international and local are aflush with Pakistani military pacts with a number of states in the Middle East some of them are incidentally in the line of fire between the two warring parties; the CENTCOM and the IRGC This has not been the first time since the creation of Pakistan in 1947 that the country has been mentioned in the context of what is transpiring in the Middle East The start of the freedom movement in the sub-continent was triggered amongst other things by a mobilization also supported by Mahatma Gandhi; from the Khilafat movement; incidentally, if viewed in the year 2026, it was more like regime change moment for a good number of Turks, who did not resonate with the Khalifat of the Ottomans That regime change was orchestrated by the MI5 and MI6 and the western powers to create many compliant states from the disintegrated Ottoman empire Fast forward to 2026, the modalities were a bit different,
with an attempt being made to dismantle the quasi-Imamate The leadership was decapitated while resistance nodes dismantled separately; the motive was the same, the creation of compliant political entities The point to score was to emphasize that the panIslamist character of the South Asian Muslims has been designed mentally as such that they feel for the foreign lands even if the same feelings are not reciprocated Having settled on the South Asian character and how it influenced the Pakistani nation state in its stances, actions and red lines are the points for debate of the following discourse Pakistan since its inception has been destined accidentally or intentionally to follow what happens in the Middle East In the Suez Canal crisis when Pakistan was itself afflicted with internal instability, its cold stances cost the country the breaking point for developing good ties with Egypt and consequently much of the left-wing bloc in the Middle East It may be pointed out that the corridors of power did not let the situation go unnoticed either For many readers it might look like unbelievable that while Pakistan, being a signatory to the CENTO and SEATO military alliances was a reluctant follower of
It goes without saying, with the basics of conflict not even existing in Pakistan, much of the contradictions found in other regional and global trajectories, the saying of Hazrat Ali merits consideration, where he advises the believers that „in the time of crisis act like a child camel, who can neither be sacrificed, nor mountedÊ, because the human nature proved that once the crisis is over, the only thing left for the players, reluctant as well as forced by the circumstances; is the baggage For the players like Pakistan, avoidance of that baggage is an imperative
US expectations in the conduct of war in Vietnam and the adjoining areas, much to the displeasure of the US policy makers in the geostrategic infrastructures especially the intelligence community A document dated 21 July 1965 basically for internal consumption and later declassified as per the US Intel protocol and which can be read through a concerted search through any credible search engine lists out what the US policy makers express as disappointment with Pakistan
If on one hand Pakistan was reluctant to send its troops jets and pilots to the Far Eastern war theatre, it was sending C-130 Hercules military transport spares to the Sukarno led Indonesian Air Force Though the document could not include the Pakistani reaction to the June 1967 Arab Israel war it is an established fact that PAF pilots participated in the Iraqi theatre shooting down IDF Frenchand British-built jets and later went to Jordan
In both the states, one such pilot narrative hit the web; that of Saif Azam Khan, who wore four badges PAF Bangladesh AF after 1971 and also Iraqi and Syrian air forces Ironically the late King Hussain of Jordan took that PAF pilot personally to the Mwafaq Salti AFB, which as of now houses the CENTCOM machinery and is being regularly pounded by the IRGC Aerospace
That same Pakistan was again found on record; a PAF pilot onboard a Syrian Mig 21 in a dogfight with the IDF variant of Mirage 3 the Kfir combat jet in the outskirts of Damascus in April 1974 The remains of the uniform of that IDF pilot still adorn the PAF museum in Karachi; ironically In the same year, in November 1974, Pakistan was part of the Mid Link Navy and Air Forces exercises in the Arabian sea involving USAF Phantoms PAF Mirages IIAF Phantoms and RAF Vulcans The point to make was the ability to stand on its own despite the commitments The quality of leadership was one of the factors which allowed the Pakistani nation state to sail through without much damage to the reputation as well as standing amongst the nations Here it is important to note that in both the subsequent Afghan war in the 1980s and the dismantling of the Jihad Enterprise in the aftermath of the 9/11, Pakistan tried its best to tread among geopolitical sensitivities without antagonizing anyone That treading path can even now be pointed out in the way the Pakistani flagged tankers across the Bab Mandab strait were not intercepted by the Houthis, very specific evidence that Pakistan despite being a member of the US camp commanded respect even amongst the resistance
Is S pain being punished?
Unlike Spain, Morocco is in good relations with Israel. I n 2020, the countr y joined the Abraham Accords
Likewise, at the start of the Houthi war in March 2015 any possible participation of Pakistan in it was stopped by the Pakistani diplomatic sense where it tied any participation to any specific side to approval from Parliament Fast forward to 2026; Pakistan played its cards well as being the voice of reason trying to bring together parties having trust deficit of the highest degree about each other However the efforts made by Islamabad were to deflate in the face of realities As things stand the diplomatic space for the Pakistani establishment is getting narrower with the passage of time Pakistan’s much-publicized defence pacts with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are likely to create testing ground for the state itself and the environment of war It may be pointed out that Iran Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have still managed to exchange notes in a manner that the things have not gotten out of control as such On the face of it, the key questions for the GCC states remain; whether they are willing to get a pounding from the local adversary; the IRGC on behalf of the distant friend the USA; at the cost of alienating a neighbour; as a dictum sounds now and that in diplomatic terms, that geostrategic partners can be traded and changed, but neighbours cannot be traded or changed For the people in charge in the GCC states it is im-
Trump’s
whether they can take on
favourite c able
news
channel is pushing back against his war on Iran
When the war was launched in late Februar y, Spain denied the US use of its militar y bases Prominent Fox News hosts have expressed concern, bewilderment and frustration over US objectives in Iran
never had a very good command of reason and logic preferring instead to propagate an inverted reality according to which the Palestinians being slaughtered en masse are the terrorists and the people doing the slaughtering are the victims Along with the enclave of Melilla Ceuta is claimed by Morocco And unlike Spain, Morocco is in good relations with Israel In 2020, the country joined the Abraham Accords, becoming the fourth Arab nation to normalise relations with the Israelis through this agreement In response to Danon s tantrum on X Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente wrote: Well, everything is getting to be pretty clear –presumably a reference to current speculations that Israel had a hand in the mass influx of migrants into Ceuta as punishment for Spain s transgressions which include opposition to genocide
The speculation has been fueled by public statements by Israeli officials and by pro-Israel commentators In an article published in March former Pentagon official Michael Rubin opined that Moroccans should gather send bulldozers to the border and then enter Ceuta and Melilla unarmed to raise the [Moroccan] flag
Indeed, the Sanchez government has been increasingly critical of Israel, labelling it a „genocidal state‰ and cancelling major arms deals accordingly
of the Ceuta episode Israel – a country where hypocrisy might as well be declared an official state policy – has jumped at the chance to call the Spaniards out for alleged hypocritical behaviour In his X post, Danon went on to argue that “maybe before [Spain] continues lecturing us it’s time it explained to the world why it still maintains colonial enclaves in Africa Of course, you can t get much more hypocritical than complaining about “colonial enclaves” when your own country is perpetrating not only a straight-up genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip but also a brutal
And in a dispatch for the Israeli Ynet News website Amine Ayoub –a fellow at the neoconservative Middle East Forum – proposed that Israel should help Morocco reclaim Ceuta and Melilla In Ayoub s view, the timing for such an operation was particularly ripe on account of the fraught relationship between the US and Spain with the Spanish government having been annoyingly uncooperative in the US-Israel war on Iran
When the war was launched in late February, Spain denied the US use of its military bases The following month reports emerged that the US had suggested suspending Spain from NATO
Noting that the Abraham Accords had introduced a framework for reconfiguring Middle Eastern and North African alliances in ways that serve American and Israeli interests simultaneously ” Ayoub wagered that helping Morocco recover Ceuta and Melilla would serve that framework and punish a NATO member that has repeatedly chosen obstruction over
partnership at the alliance s most critical juncture ” In the very last sentence of his intervention Ayoub arrived at the real reason for Israeli help to Morocco: It is strategic investment in the partner that, across the Strait of Gibraltar, holds the key to one of the world s most vital maritime chokepoints ” Whether Israel is indeed involved in this week’s events in Ceuta remains to be seen But it suffices to recall that the country has never exactly shied away from underhanded meddling in other people s affairs For his part, US President Donald Trump utilised the “invasion” of Ceuta as proof of the Sanchez government’s incompetence – and as a warning of what will happen in the US if the Democrats are voted back into power: It s terrible Remember that picture That s going to be us in three years if the wrong side gets in ” Israel would no doubt have preferred a slightly different takeaway from the US leader – perhaps one claiming strategic Ceuta to be Moroccan territory But apparently the urge to engage in xenophobic fearmongering took precedence in Trump s brain this time around And as Israel continues bleating about Spain’s double standards and otherwise striving to shift the focus away from its own colonial atrocities and genocidal policy, it s safe to say Israeli hypocrisy knows no borders Belén Fernández has written for The New York Times, the London Review of Books blog The Baffler Current Affairs and Middle East Eye among numerous other publications
Ttwo presidencies Donald Trump has leaned on reliable support from the conservative opinion wing of his favorite cable news channel, Fox News But, like a broad swathe of the American public, several traditionally supportive commentators on the channel have recently expressed concerns about whether the war on Iran is succeeding suggesting that Trump is on increasingly dicey footing in the conservative media world he relies on for backing While he isn t close to losing the support of hosts such as Sean Hannity or Jesse Watters, Trump has received scrutiny from one of the network’s top personalities Laura Ingraham who has regularly questioned whether the US has achieved the tactical wins it has
“change” his strategy “I don’t think we’re close in that regard of finishing the job if we are just depending on bombing said Kellogg who left his perch at Fox for a short-lived stint in Trump s second administration as his envoy focused on Ukraine Bombing is not going to get the job done On her 24 July show, Ingraham acknowledged a New York Times report that Trump faced threats that forced him to use an alternative plane to Air Force One and suggested claims that the US has demolished Iran s military seem inaccurate If Iran can credibly threaten Air
NAQI AKBAR
TOP IRANIAN COMMANDER WARNS COUNTRIES SERVING AS
DEFENSIVE SHIELD FOR US WILL 'BURN IN FL AMES OF WAR'
China's defense minister vows to thwar t any attempt at ‘ Taiwan independence’, external inter ference on PLA’s 99th anniversar y
China raises alarm over new US trade curbs in talks with top officials
TA F F R E P
R China s Vice Premier He Lifeng voiced serious concern over recent US economic and trade restrictions during a video call on Thursday with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, as both sides discussed how to manage a relationship strained by fresh tariffs and wider strategic tensions China’s state-run Xinhua news agency said the two sides held candid in-depth and constructive exchanges on implementing the understanding reached by the two countries’ presidents during their meeting in Beijing The talks also covered ways to keep economic and trade ties stable, expand practical cooperation and address each side’s concerns in the next phase The discussion came after the Office of the US Trade Representative announced a 12 5% tariff on Chinese imports Xinhua said the officials agreed to make further use of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism to strengthen communication, build mutual trust, dispel doubts and broaden cooperation They also pledged to support the stable and positive development of bilateral economic and trade relations and contribute to a constructive relationship marked by strategic
over passing of MNA Malik Iqbal Channar
Assembly member Malik Iqbal Channar describing his passing as a great loss and paying tribute to his decades-long public service In a condolence message,the premier said Channar was a sincere public representative,a committed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) worker and a loyal associate of party leader Nawaz Sharif Shehbaz said he had the opportunity to work closely with Channar during their tenure in the Punjab cabinet,recalling his dedication,integrity and commitment to serving the public The PM extended condolences to Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker,Malik Zaheer Iqbal
CM WELCOMES US DELEGATION, NOTING VISIT REFLECTS GROWING CONFIDENCE AMONG AMERICAN INVESTORS IN PUNJAB'S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL, INVESTMENT
Bilawal should seek President, senate chairman’s resignations prior to predic ting govt’s fall: Azma Bokhari
Punjab Information and Culture
Minister Azma Bokhari has said that Bilawal Zardari should first seek the resignations of his father and the Chairman Senate instead of predicting the government s downfall She said that Bilawal Zardari does not appear to be in good spirits these days and has been delivering speeches in a raised voice because he is unsettled by Maryam Nawaz s performance Azma Bokhari said it is not possible for their party leadership to be insulted while they remain silent She added that Maryam Nawaz can be the Pakistan Muslim League (N) s candidate for Prime Minister in the next general elec-
tions and whether the Pakistan Peoples Party seeks reconciliation or confrontation we are prepared for both She further said that Bilawal is short-tempered and lacks restraint in his choice of words She said the Charter of Democracy was signed but it appears that Bilawal himself has trampled it underfoot She added that they only respond when such remarks are made, ignoring 80 percent of Bilawal s statements and responding only to 20 percent, particularly when the line is crossed Azma Bokhari said every political party has its own history including the Pakistan Peoples Party and therefore she is reserving her comments for now She said that if an opposing candidate has to disappear for Bilawal to secure his fam-
Pakistan Influencer Awards Set to Redefine Influence in Countr y’s Creator Economy
ily's seat in Nawabshah and if local government elections are conducted in the manner witnessed by the world then the feudal elite of Sindh should first free the farmers and citizens of interior Sindh from police dominance before talking about elections Referring to Mirpur Division and the refugee seats she said the Pakistan Peoples Party has not won the refugee seats for the past forty years and will face defeat again on the second as well She said that instead of making faces and ridiculing others political leaders should focus on the issues faced by the public She added that similar claims of a government s countdown" had been made in the past by another individual, and everyone knows where he is today
AKU-IED, Sindh Establish a Landmark Partnership for Inclusive Education
This five-year strategic collaboration will establish a pioneering Special Educational Needs Unit train thousands of educators and create lasting change for children with disabilities across Sindh KARACHI In a move set to reshape how Pakistan educates children with disabilities, the Sindh Cabinet has approved a five-year partnership between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) and the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) The Memorandum of Understanding was signed today at Chief Minister House Karachi Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, who witnessed the signing, called it not merely and agreement but “a solemn commitment to every child with disabilities in Sindh that their dreams matter their potential is recognised and their future will no longer be limited by barriers The partnership will establish an Inclusion and Special Educational Needs (SEN) Unit at AKUIED, for training, research,
AbbAsi bACk MohsiN NAQvi's CAll foR CReATiNg NeW PRoviNCes
dently among nations and reduce dependence on institutions such as the IMF administrative reforms are indispensable he said Federal Education Minister and MQM-P Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui echoed those views, arguing that the issue should be viewed as an administrative and constitutional necessity rather than a political controversy He said the debate over administrative units had long been ignored despite rapid demographic changes and insisted that provincial boundaries should not be treated as immutable "The state is indivisible regardless of provincial boundaries " Siddiqui said adding that the MQM had already introduced a constitutional amendment bill in
the National Assembly to facilitate administrative restructuring, which, he claimed, had received support from the relevant parliamentary standing committee He maintained that creating additional administrative units in line with population growth would improve governance strengthen
Addressing
If Pakistan wants to stand confi-
AJK votes
in crucial second phase of polls today as 340 candidates in fray for 21 LA seats
The second phase of elections to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly will be held on Sunday (today) with voters set to elect representatives from nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad division and all 12 constituencies reserved for Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan, as election authorities completed administrative and security arrangements for the crucial electoral exercise According to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission (AJK EC), a total of 340 candidates are contesting the 21 seats Of them 207 candidates are in the field for the nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division including five seats in Muzaffarabad district and two each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts “Another 137 candidates are contesting the 12 refugee con-
stituencies, including six seats representing refugees from the Kashmir Valley and six from Jammu,” the AJK Election Commission said The commission said Muzaffarabad division has a total of 809 621 registered voters including 427 955 men and 381 666 women The combined electorate for the 12 refugee constituencies stands at 438,834 voters, comprising 247 776 men and 191 054 women Meanwhile internet services were suspended again on Friday less than 45 hours after being restored, as part of measures aimed at discouraging elements attempting to disrupt the election process Official sources said the services were likely to be restored on Sunday Despite the temporary suspension of internet services, the Election Commission reaffirmed that polling would be conducted as scheduled in all nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and
the 12 refugee constituencies The commission said polling would continue uninterrupted from 8am to 5pm Election material has already been delivered to all polling stations established for the 12 refugee constituencies The commission added that distribution of polling material had also been completed in all constituencies of Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts while the process had entered its final stage in the five constituencies of Muzaffarabad district Polling staff have also been dispatched to their respective polling stations under stringent security arrangements
According to the Election Commission 1 483 polling stations have been established across Muzaffarabad division including 533 declared highly sensitive, 741 sensitive and 209 normal
Another 1,057 polling stations have been set up for the 12 refugee constituencies
treacherous high-altitude terrain The expedition comprised 10 climbers representing Nepal Pakistan Oman the United States and China Authorities said the group was last in contact on Thursday morning before reports emerged later that day of the devastating avalanche Officials said tracking device data indicated that the climbers were swept hundreds of metres down the mountainside by the force of the avalanche Police in Gilgit-Baltistan said high-altitude porters rescue teams and the Pakistan Army resumed search operations on Saturday after adverse weather had temporarily suspended recovery efforts a day earlier The provincial government said rescue personnel remained at the base camp overnight while army helicopters and specialised mountain rescue teams continued searching the avalanche zone under extremely difficult weather and terrain conditions
The rescue operation is being conducted under extremely challenging terrain and high-altitude weather conditions by the Pakistan Army in coordination with local high-altitude climbers and rescuers," the government said Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy saying the deaths of Purja and his fellow climbers had shocked the nation
The physical journey of all the deceased climbers has been interrupted but the history of their courage dedication and contributions will always remain inspiring," he said in a statement Purja, 43, was widely regarded as one of the world's greatest high-altitude mountaineers A former member of Britain s Brigade of Gurkhas and later the Royal Marines elite Special Boat Squadron he earned global acclaim after becoming a full-time climber and guide
PM, Nawaz review politic al landsc ape, stress democratic values and dialogue
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held an important meeting with former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz
Sharif at Jati Umra where the two leaders held detailed consultations on the country s prevailing political situation, developments in Kashmir, the ongoing Kashmir elections and recent political exchanges with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) according to the Prime Minister s Office (PMO)
According to a statement issued by the PMO Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif met Nawaz Sharif during his stay in Lahore Punjab
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz
Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
also attended the meeting
The two leaders held a detailed discussion on the overall political situation in the country
They also reviewed the situation in Kashmir, the ongoing Kashmir elections and recent rhetoric involving the PPP
During the meeting Nawaz
Sharif emphasised that politics should be conducted with dignity and mutual respect, saying politeness was essential in political discourse and bitterness should be avoided ” He said differences of opinion were a natural part of democratic politics but should never be allowed to turn into matters of personal ego The former prime minister reiterated that democracy remained the best system of governance and that the right to rule rested solely with the people Prime Minister Shehbaz
Sharif said Pakistan continued to play a constructive role in promoting peace in the Middle East and had consistently addressed the concerns of its allies
He said issues should always be resolved through dialogue, adding that operations against Fitna al-Khawarij were continuing successfully PM offers condolences Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Hamza Shehbaz, visited the residence of former Punjab Assembly member Majid Zahoor to express condolences over the death of his mother
The prime minister prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul, sought forgiveness for the deceased and prayed for patience and strength for the bereaved family He also conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the family