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PM PUSHES TRADE REFORMS, VOWS TO MAKE PAKISTAN KEY PART OF GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS Friday, 11 September, 2026 | 28 Rabiul Awwal, 1448
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PM SHEHBAZ ORDERS SWEEPING MEASURES TO CUT TRADE DELAYS, BOOST EXPORTS
AI-BASED RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROPOSED TO SPEED UP CARGO CLEARANCE
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NATIONAL TRADE PERFORMANCE INDEX PLANNED TO TRACK PORT, CUSTOMS EFFICIENCY g
ISLAMABAD
GOVT SETS AMBITIOUS TARGETS FOR PRE-ARRIVAL, GREEN CHANNEL CLEARANCES
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RIME MINISTER Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the government was taking comprehensive measures to make Pakistan an effective part of regional and global supply chains by facilitating trade, reducing business costs and removing unnecessary regulatory hurdles. Chairing the first meeting of the Trade Facilitation Board, the prime minister said facilitating business and promoting trade remained among the government’s top priorities, directing relevant institutions to take practical measures to eliminate delays in trade procedures and boost exports. He said the government was committed to providing maximum facilities to the business community and improving the overall trade environment. “The main objective of the Trade Facilitation Board is to remove obstacles in all trade-related procedures,” the prime minister said, stressing that relevant institutions operating at high-volume ports should provide services to traders under a one-window arrangement. He also called for greater use of joint inspections and joint profiling by different government institutions to avoid duplication and unnecessary delays. The prime minister directed authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of all non-tariff measures and eliminate regulations that unnecessarily hindered trade. He also ordered effective steps to attract direct shipping lines to Pakistani
ports, saying improved connectivity would enable products manufactured in Pakistan to reach international buyers more quickly and efficiently. Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the development of a National Trade Performance Index to measure key indicators, including cargo dwell time, customs clearance, logistics efficiency, ship clearance time, post-clearance audits and preclearance procedures. He said the index would help identify bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of Pakistan’s trade infrastructure. The prime minister also called for special measures to increase the participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in international trade. He directed authorities to map the various stages of the trade journey of SMEs and identify the hurdles they face so that targeted measures could be introduced to address them. The prime minister stressed the need to make the risk management system
more effective to accelerate cargo clearance. He directed authorities to shift controls from the pre-arrival stage towards the post-release stage, allowing customs and other agencies to focus detailed inspections on high-risk consignments. “Use of artificial intelligence should be initiated to make risk management more effective and to speed up the trade process,” he said. The meeting was briefed on targets under the Time Release Automated System for ports. A target of achieving 30 per cent prearrival clearance by the end of the current financial year has been set, while the share of cargo processed through the Green Channel is to be increased to 65pc. The government also aims to increase the number of Authorized Economic Operators to more than 50 during the current financial year. The prime minister approved the targets and also approved the formation of a working group to review non-tariff measures.
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
Staff CorreSpondent
The Foreign Office on Thursday said the Makkah Defence Alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was primarily defensive in nature and aimed at strengthening regional security through deterrence, ruling out any immediate expansion of the three-member pact. Speaking at the weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said the alliance was still in its formative stage and the three countries were focused on consolidating their cooperation before considering the inclusion of other states. “The Makkah agreement is primarily a defensive alliance to ensure regional security primarily through deterrence,” he said. Asked about reports regarding the possible expansion of the alliance, the spokesperson said it was “not on the cards” at present. “Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye must first further consolidate their organisation and cooperation,” he said, adding that the agreement could subsequently be opened to countries sharing similar “stances and perspectives”. He said consultations among the three member states were continuing at various levels under the framework of the agreement. Any decision regarding expansion, he added, would be taken at a later stage. “At this stage, there are no discussions regarding the expansion of the Makkah agreement,” Khan said. The spokesperson said the timing of future meetings had not yet been finalised, although details would be shared as consultations progressed. He added that significant work remained to finalise the alliance’s organisational structure, mechanisms and procedures. The defence pact, signed on August 7, seeks to strengthen collective deterrence and provides for an attack against one signatory to be treated as an attack against all three members. The alliance held its inaugural meeting in Istanbul on August 31, where the three countries agreed to establish a secretariat in Saudi Arabia headed by a secretary general. Pakistan will initially provide the secretary general for a three-year term. The FO spokesperson also strongly condemned what he described as the “systematic” and “state-sanctioned” demolition of Muslim places of worship in India. Responding to a question about Pakistan’s response to the demolition of a mosque in Saharanpur on September 5, Khan said Islamabad was deeply concerned over what he termed the continued destruction of Islamic holy sites in India under various pretexts.
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He directed the group to submit within one month a roadmap for eliminating unnecessary regulations and further facilitating trade. Federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Azam Nazir Tarar and Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Adviser to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani and members of the Trade Facilitation Board attended the meeting. Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the government’s commitment to completely eradicate polio from Pakistan during a meeting with a delegation from the Gates Foundation. The delegation, comprising Gates Foundation representatives Kalpana Kochhar and Anita Zaidi, called on the prime minister and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and the foundation. The prime minister appreciated the Gates Foundation’s continued support for Pakistan, particularly in the areas of polio eradication, health, nutrition, financial inclusion and the welfare of vulnerable sections of society. He said the National Polio Eradication Programme had the government’s highest-level patronage and reiterated the administration’s resolve to eliminate the crippling disease. Prime Minister Shehbaz said digital payments, food security, maternal and newborn health, poverty alleviation and climate change were among the key priorities of the government’s broader governance reform agenda.
IHC CJ admonishes KP AG over PTI protest 'support' for judiciary Staff report
Makkah Defence Alliance not being expanded for now: FO
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 167 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar on Thursday admonished Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel after he described the PTI’s planned September 27 protest as an effort to support the judiciary. The PTI has announced a nationwide protest on Sept 27, seeking the release of party founder Imran Khan and calling for the supremacy of the Constitution. The proposed protest is being challenged before the IHC by citizen Waqas Ahmed, who has argued that the demonstration could disrupt routine life, traffic and business activities in the federal capital. CJ Dogar had
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IAEA reports Iran to UN Security Council over nuclear obligations ISLAMABAD
Staff report
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35member Board of Governors has voted to report Iran to the United Nations Security Council for breaching its non-proliferation obligations, marking the first such referral in 20 years. The resolution follows an earlier finding from June 2025 that Iran was in noncompliance with its safeguards obligations. A separate resolution was required to formally refer the matter to the Security Council. Diplomats said the latest resolution, proposed by the United States, Britain, France and Germany, passed with 23 votes in favour, three against and eight abstentions. Russia, China and Niger voted against the measure. The referral represents a further escalation in the diplomatic standoff between Tehran and Western powers, although significant action by the Security Council appears unlikely because Russia and China are permanent members with veto powers. Iran had warned before the vote that it could retaliate if the resolution was adopted. Its mission to the IAEA later criticised the decision as politically motivated and blamed the current dispute on US and Israeli military action against Iranian nuclear facilities. The original non-compliance finding relates to Iran’s failure to satisfactorily explain uranium traces discovered at undeclared sites that had been under investigation by the agency for years. A separate dispute has since emerged over access to nuclear facilities damaged in US and Israeli strikes. Iran has not allowed IAEA inspectors to return to several bombed sites, including three uranium enrichment facilities that were destroyed or heavily damaged. Tehran has also not fully accounted for its stockpile of enriched uranium, some of which had been enriched to 60% purity before the attacks. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has warned that the agency’s inability to verify the status of the facilities and nuclear material has become a serious proliferation concern. Before the strikes, the IAEA estimated that Iran possessed 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to as much as 60%.
Parliament set to debate creation of new provinces next month: Tariq Fazal ISLAMABAD
Staff report
earlier constituted a larger bench to hear the petition, citing the sensitive nature of the matter. When the KP AG appeared before the court on Thursday, he said the PTI’s planned long march was also being organised in support of the judiciary. “Thank you very much for wanting to strengthen the judiciary,” the chief justice remarked sarcastically before asking, “Is the judiciary so weak that you wish to strengthen it?” Justice Dogar observed that the judiciary was not so weak that it needed the backing of a political party. At the outset, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan told the court that government machinery could not be used for political protests.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Thursday said the debate over the creation of new provinces would formally be taken up by the National Assembly and Senate in their October sessions, stressing that Parliament was the appropriate forum for deliberating the politically sensitive issue. Talking to journalists, the minister said the growing debate over new provinces had moved beyond political circles and was being discussed by people from different sections of society, making it necessary to bring the matter to Parliament. “If this debate about new provinces is happening in the streets and in every media house, and is being discussed by scholars and traders and chambers of commerce, then the proper forum for this discussion is Parliament,” he said. Mr Chaudhry said debate on the establishment of new provinces would begin once the National Assembly and Senate convened in October. He, however, categorically rejected any impression that Islamabad was being considered for provincial status.
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02 NEWS PICG DIRECTORS’ SUMMIT 2026 PUTS GOVERNANCE, LEADERSHIP AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AT CENTRE OF PAKISTAN’S CORPORATE FUTURE
Friday, 11 September, 2026 | ISLAMABAD
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AKISTAN’S corporate boards must move beyond compliance and play a more active role in navigating economic uncertainty, technological disruption, cybersecurity, sustainability and succession challenges, business leaders and governance experts said at the Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG) Directors’ Summit 2026. Held under the theme “The Showcase: Your Leadership, Your Impact,” the Summit brought together more than 350 directors, business leaders, regulators and senior executives to discuss how stronger governance can build resilient and future-ready institutions.
PICG Chairman Muhammad Ashraf Bawany said good governance was increasingly about building trust, creating sustainable value and strengthening institutions rather than simply meeting compliance requirements. “Through better leadership and stronger boards, we can help build a more prosperous and resilient Pakistan,” he said. PICG CEO Shafaq Fauzil Azim also addressed the gathering, while the Summit paid tribute to the late Dr. Shamshad Akhtar for her leadership and contribution to Pakistan’s economic development, governance and public institutions. Chief Guest Muhammad Ali Tabba, Chairman, YBG, said: “Good governance is not the price of doing business — it is the foundation on which business is done.” He stressed that governance must become embedded across organisations,
adding: “History doesn’t remember the companies that moved fastest — it remembers the ones trusted enough to be handed the future.” PSX CEO Farrukh H. Sabzwari highlighted transparency, accountability, market integrity, investor confidence, diversity and greater board inclusion, while former Minister for Investment Muhammad Azfar Ahsan stressed policy predictability, strong institutions and the need for boards to anticipate economic and regulatory shifts. Panel discussion on Agile boards focused on expanding role of boards in managing geopolitical, supply-chain, economic and climate risks through scenario planning, resilient capital allocation and stronger decision-making. The Family Legacy panel examined succession and governance in family-owned
businesses, highlighting the need to balance legacy with reinvention, family ownership with professional management, and continuity with merit and inclusion. "Technology also emerged as a major boardroom priority." The Boards Governing Innovation & Technology panel stressed that boards must strengthen oversight of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital transformation while ensuring technology investments support long-term value creation. A fireside conversation on featuring Narayanan Vaidyanathan of ACCA and Zulfikar Causer of BDO explored AI governance, accountability and emerging risks, emphasising the need for boards to actively oversee both the opportunities and risks associated with AI. Kabeer Naqvi of Abhi Microfinance Bank highlighted governance as an en-
Govt cuts duties on imported mobile phones, premium handset RD falls 20% PROFIT STAFF REPORY
The government has reduced regulatory and additional customs duties on imported mobile phones for FY2026-27, with regulatory duty (RD) on premium smartphones priced above $500 cut by 20% to Rs17,600 per unit from Rs22,000. According to a Ministry of Commerce brief, Additional Customs Duty (ACD) has also been reduced from 6% to 4% across the listed smartphone and cellular-phone categories as part of tariff rationalisation under the National Tariff Policy 2025-30. For completely built-up (CBU) smartphones priced
PM pushes trade reforms, vows to make Pakistan key part of global supply chains CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
He described the transition towards a cashless economy as an important component of the government’s transformation programme, saying it would make life easier for citizens, improve transparency in government systems and ensure that public funds reached deserving people without unnecessary delays or wastage. He said digital payments were expanding through joint efforts by the government and the Gates Foundation. The prime minister stressed that financial assistance should reach deserving women directly, securely and with dignity, and expressed his desire to develop focused partnerships with the Gates Foundation for women’s financial inclusion and economic empowerment. The meeting also discussed measures to further strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and the Gates Foundation in development and social sectors.
IHC CJ admonishes KP AG over PTI protest 'support' for judiciary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
He said government officials were not required to comply with any directive contrary to the Constitution or law. However, he acknowledged that it could be difficult for an officer to refuse an order issued by a provincial chief executive, referring to KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who belongs to the PTI. “If this court issues an order, it will be binding on anyone holding an executive position,” the AGP said, adding that clear judicial directives would make it easier for civil servants to implement them. The chief justice asked whether the KP chief secretary and inspector general of police were bound by an IHC order issued in 2024. “Yes, absolutely; they are bound to implement that order,” Mr Awan replied. The AGP maintained that state resources could not be deployed for political activities even if a protest was peaceful. He cited the PTI’s 2024 demonstration, when the then-KP chief minister personally led the protest. An IHC order issued ahead of the PTI’s planned November 2024 power show had barred the party from holding protests or rallies. Despite the directive, the demonstration went ahead and culminated in clashes between protesters and security forces in Islamabad’s Red Zone before the PTI leadership withdrew from the capital. The bench subsequently called the KP advocate general to the rostrum and sought the provincial government’s position.
up to $30, RD has been reduced to Rs240 from Rs300. For phones priced between $30 and $100, it has been cut to Rs2,400 from Rs3,000. The duty on handsets priced between $100 and $200 has fallen to Rs6,000 from Rs7,500, while the rate for the $200-$350 category has been reduced to Rs8,800 from Rs11,000. For smartphones valued between $350 and $500, RD has been lowered to Rs12,000 from Rs15,000. Phones priced above $500 will attract RD of Rs17,600, down Rs4,400 from the previous Rs22,000 per handset. For smartphones and cellular phones imported in completely knocked-down (CKD) or semi-knocked-down (SKD) condition, regulatory duty has been reduced
to 4% from 5%, while ACD has been cut to 4% from 6%. The tariff reductions come after Pakistan's smartphone and cellular-phone imports rose to $1.888 billion in FY2025-26 from $1.497 billion a year earlier. CBU smartphone imports more than doubled to $357.7 million. The Ministry of Commerce noted that the Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy 2020-25 had expired and a new policy had yet to receive federal government approval. However, incentives available to mobile manufacturers and assemblers under the expired policy remain protected under the Fifth Schedule of the Customs Act, 1969.
Govt weighs Rs46b security plan for gas pipelines, E&P operations PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
The government is considering a proposal to establish 14 dedicated security wings to protect gas pipelines and oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) operations, mainly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, amid mounting losses from terrorist attacks, The Express Tribune reported. The proposed framework includes four dedicated wings for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited's (SNGPL) pipelines and northern gas sources and 10 wings, modelled on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) security framework, for E&P operations. Around 23 sabotage incidents have been reported over the past two years on the Shewa and Bettani pipelines and SNGPL's main northern network, resulting in an estimated loss of 7,624 million cubic feet of gas, equivalent to about 25 liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes. The financial loss is estimated at Rs12.7 billion at a local gas price of $6 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) and around Rs27.7 billion at a re-gasified LNG price of $13/mmBtu. A complete suspension of supplies from northern sources could have a significantly larger financial impact. Diverting expensive re-gasified LNG (RLNG) to meet demand would add Rs97 billion to SNGPL's annual revenue requirement, raising its prescribed price by about Rs333/mmBtu from Rs1,719/mmBtu to Rs2,052/mmBtu during the current financial year. Recent discoveries including Mami Khel, Shewa and Spinwam in the Waziristan Block, OGDC's Bettani under the Wali Exploration Licence and Al-Haj's Koi Palak in the Baska North Block currently contribute 146 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) to SNGPL's northern network. Other northern sources contribute another 410 mmcfd, taking total indigenous inflows through the network to 556 mmcfd. Existing security deployments cover sensitive pipeline corridors including Shewa-Kaka Khel, Kot Palak-DI Khan/Pezzu, Bettani-Kaka Khel, KharappaMarjuwala and Kharappa-Gurguri Makori. Around 1,513 personnel currently protect SNGPL pipelines at an annual cost of approximately Rs3 billion, while E&P companies deploy another 1,828 per-
sonnel at an annual cost of Rs2.174 billion. Combined, the existing security arrangements comprise around 3,341 personnel and cost Rs5.174 billion annually. Following a series of meetings between the petroleum minister, Sui companies and E&P firms, a twopart security mechanism was agreed to strengthen protection of pipelines and exploration operations. Under the first component, four dedicated regular wings are proposed for SNGPL pipelines and northern gas sources. Establishing them is estimated to cost Rs12 billion, with another Rs4 billion in annual recurring expenditure. After adjusting for two wings already deployed, the additional requirement for the remaining two wings is estimated at Rs8.969 billion, along with annual recurring expenditure of Rs2 billion. The second component proposes 10 dedicated regular wings for exploration, seismic data acquisition, drilling, wellhead facilities, gas processing and related E&P activities. Four would be deployed in K-P and six in Balochistan, where security constraints have been delaying exploration and development activity. Establishing the 10 E&P wings is estimated to cost Rs30 billion — Rs12 billion for K-P and Rs18 billion for Balochistan. The Rs30 billion cost is proposed to be shared equally among E&P companies, the federal government and the respective provincial governments, with each contributing Rs10 billion. The E&P companies would also bear the entire Rs10 billion annual recurring cost. Under the proposed arrangement, the E&P security mechanism would have no financing cost, prescribed gas price impact or pass-through to consumers.
Makkah Defence Alliance not being expanded for now: FO CONTINUED FROM PAGE -01
“Pakistan expresses deep concern and condemns the systematic statesanctioned demolition of Islamic holy places in India under different pretexts,” he said. He said such demolitions violated the 1950 Liaquat-Nehru Pact, which guaranteed the rights and security of religious minorities. The spokesperson also pointed to India’s Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, saying it required the religious character of places of worship to be maintained as it existed on August 15, 1947. Khan cited the demolition and alleged targeting of several Muslim heritage sites, including the Akhonji Mosque, Ajgaib Shaheed Mosque and Saharanpur Collectorate mosque, while expressing concern over notices issued to the centuriesold Ganj Shahida mosque. He also recalled the demolition of the Babri Mosque in 1992 as a “dreadful memory” of religious intolerance and prejudice. “Pakistan calls upon the inter-
national community to take immediate notice of this systematic persecution in India against Muslims and continued desecration and destruction of their places of worship,” he said. The spokesperson also rejected a statement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding damage to a Hindu temple in Narowal. “Contrary to India’s claim, the temple’s structure was damaged in torrential rain,” he said. Khan also criticised the prosecution of incarcerated Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik in a decades-old case, describing his decision to forgo his right to defend himself as an indictment of India’s judicial system. Malik was named by India’s State Investigation Agency in June as one of five accused in the 1990 killing of Sarla Bhat. He later submitted an affidavit saying he would not contest the trial, while making clear that the decision should not be construed as an admission of guilt or acceptance of the prosecution’s
allegations. The FO spokesperson said Malik’s decision reflected the state of the judicial process in India-held Kashmir. He described it as “a damning indictment of the Indian judicial system”, alleging that the system had become a tool of the Indian government to suppress Kashmiri voices and deny them access to justice. Khan said Malik’s decision to forgo his right to defence had undermined what he termed the Indian government’s attempt to use the trial to malign Kashmiri leadership. The spokesperson also expressed concern over Malik’s deteriorating health and called on the international community and humanitarian organisations to take notice of his condition. “The international community must not allow the Indian design to mortgage his life and well-being to advance its oppressive occupation of the IIOK,” he said, reiterating Pakistan’s condemnation of the prosecution.
abler of digital banking innovation and financial inclusion. Zaffar A. Khan, Chairman, PCP, stressed governance , leadership and institutional capacity as foundation for non-profit sector, while Dr. Syed Amir Ali, CEO, Meezan Bank Limited, highlighted the integration of sustainability, governance and innovation into Islamic finance strategies. In his closing keynote, Hussain Dawood, Chairman, Engro Holdings Limited, emphasised visionary leadership, responsible decision-making, trust and resilience as foundations for lasting institutional value. The Summit concluded with the PICG Recognition Awards, reaffirming a clear mandate for boards to anticipate disruption, challenge assumptions and act decisively to build stronger, more sustainable organisations.
Parliament set to debate creation of new provinces next month, says Tariq Fazal CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
“Islamabad cannot become a province and is not going to become one,” he said, adding that the federal capital was and would remain a “federal territory”. The minister said the government instead intended to improve Islamabad’s governance model while retaining its constitutional status as the federal territory. He said a five-member committee of federal ministers had been constituted on the prime minister’s directions to examine ways of improving governance in the capital. According to Mr Chaudhry, the committee had proposed the creation of a legislative assembly for Islamabad through which administrative affairs, including health and education, could be managed under a chief executive described as the “mayor of the assembly”. He said the proposed model had been developed after examining governance practices in other countries and was intended to provide a more effective administrative structure for the capital. The minister said he was consulting other political parties and their views would be incorporated into the proposed draft. “All stakeholders, including the public, will be included,” he said, adding that the proposal would subsequently be given the form of an Act. He said the Law Ministry would advise whether the legislation could be passed through a simple majority or would require a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Mr Chaudhry described Islamabad as the “collective area of the federation”, where citizens from across the country had an equal stake. “It is therefore not technically possible to make Islamabad a separate province,” he maintained. The broader debate over new provinces was triggered on July 30 when Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called for the creation of additional administrative units, arguing that structural reforms were necessary to improve governance, ensure access to justice and create greater opportunities for young people. The proposal quickly became contentious in Sindh, with the PPP rejecting any move to divide the province. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah dismissed the demand as outdated and warned against any attempt to redraw the province’s boundaries. The debate gained further momentum in August when MQM-Pakistan backed the creation of new provinces and called for a national dialogue among political parties. The party argued that population growth, governance challenges and the concentration of political power had made greater administrative devolution necessary. The PPP, however, maintained that improving governance and dividing Sindh were two separate issues. Sindh minister Nasir Hussain Shah said the provincial government was willing to discuss administrative reforms and devolution but would not accept linking them to the creation of a new province.
Friday, 11 September, 2026 | ISLAMABAD
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Stepping into a minefield
Tax relief for EVs
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The merger of the EV and automobile policies is only logical
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A new reason for new provinces?
HE approval of the draft automobile policy by the Prime Minister included some tax relief, and was designed to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. The most striking feature was the putting of a number on the economic benefit expected from the switchover to EVs. It was predicted that apart from the saving of $0.95 billion in fuel imports, there would also be Rs 174 billion in electricity utilisation, not to mention about Rs 105 billion saved in health and productivity gains because of cleaner air. This brings up one of the main problems associated with EV introduction, the ability of the electricity distribution systems to handle the increased load. There is also the need to switch to alternative fuels, for it is self-defeating to generate the extra electricity by burning imported fuel. EV introduction has also to depend on the national generation policy. There is also the availability of charging facilities, which is perhaps doing more to restrict the switch than anything else. The National Highway Authority will install 40 fast chargers along the motorways and the N5, the National Highway which runs from Karachi to Torkham, as the first part of a wider programme, in the next six months. The government has targeted 3000 public charging stations by 2030. Perhaps the biggest hurdle in achieving these targets, indeed perhaps the only hurdle, is the dilapidated state of the national electricity grid. Another issue militating against adoption is ignored by the policy, and that is the role of vehicles as a store of value. Very often, the only asset owned by a family is a vehicle. So far, EVs worldwide have not lent themselves to this because their life is limited to the length of time their batteries are rechargeable. Once they are not, the value of the vehicles hits zero, because it is virtually as expensive to change the batteries as to get a new vehicle. Internal-combustion engine vehicles, on the other hand, have a virtually unlimited life, with no real built-in obsolescence. However, there are challenges ahead for the automobile owner, as well as the industry. The era of self-driving vehicles is about to arrive, which will require 6G and even 7G or higher internet. However, that is still far enough for planners to pay it no more than cursory attention.
Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
25 Years Ago M. A. Niazi
Babar Nizami Editor Profit
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NTERIOR Minister Mohsin Naqvi has set the cat among the pigeons this time, by insisting that the country needed more provinces ‘to improve governance’. This makes a third argument for new provinces, the previous two being linguistic homogeneity and development. It could be argued that ‘better governance’ is much the same as the ‘development’, but that would be to ignore Naqvi’s position as Interior Minister, and his emphasis on governance. His Cabinet colleague, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, has made the development argument in saying that there should be 12 to 15 provinces, or 160 empowered districts. Naqvi has spoken about governance, and for an Interior Minister, that means law and order. It must be acknowledged that development and disorder is possible, but it does not satisfy the citizen. The USA looks back to the 1950s not because it was an era of prosperity, but also because crime was under control. To understand what Naqvi is talking about, It seems that two provinces are really getting under the skin of the government, it is necessary to see which of the provinces are suffering the most from disorder. That turns out to be KP and Balochistan, which both face a sectarian terror campaign. Balochistan faces the further complication of a separatist terror campaign as well. Balochistan is something of a historical pathwork, consisting of Pashtun areas, which were conquered by the British from Afghanistan in the First Afghan War. These areas are inhabited by the same people as in South Afghanistan, and thus share with the people of the extribal districts of KP an affection for the Taliban. That has allowed the Tehrik Taliban Pakistsn to establish a foothold in the area.These areas also elected with clockwork-like regularity JUI(F) MNAs every election. It is no coincidence that JUI(F) chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman, and his father Mufti Mahmood before him, is elected from Dera Ismail Khan, which abuts the Waziristan districts, which have been such a stronghold for the TTP. The Balochistan separatists are centred in the Brahvi-speaking areas of the province, which were originally the princely state of Kalat, which was merged as a civil division into West Pakistan when it was created in 1955, and then placed in Balochistan in 1969 when One Unit was broken up into four provinces in 1970. It seems almost as if Sindh and Punjab are being made to suffer for what is essentially a problem of the western provinces. The ghost of One Unit hangs over the whole exercise. The purpose of One Unit was twofold: first, to provide a counterweight against East Pakistan; second, to empower the Centre, so that it did not have to deal with too many provinces. There are some signs that the break-up of One Unit is being carried further. Are the old merged states, like Bahwalpur, Kalat, Khairpur and Dir going to be revived as states?
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Editor Pakistan Today
At Penpoint
Another problem is that there has been no other political movement demanding new provinces. There is no trace of a Hazarawal movement in KP, and the Seraiki Movement in South Punjab is split between support for two Seraiki provinces, one based on Multan, and the other on the old Bahwalpur state. In fact, Seraiki nationalists responded rather huffily to Naqvi\s original proposal, saying that there was no other feasible proposal. Making a new province is a path of nationhood. The path of Bangladesh is instructive. It is essentially the part of Bengal which in 1905 created a controversy. There were protests by Hindus against the division of Bengal by Hindus, The same year, a delegation of Muslim leaders called on the Viceroy, urging him to maintain this division. East Bengal was again defined by the Radcliffe Commission, hived off from Bengal, and became a province of Pakistan. It became the East Wing when One Unit created West Pakistan, and in 1971, became independent as Bangladesh. While there are no such examples in what remains of Pakistan, some places are moving up in the world. Faisalabad started out as Lyallpur, being created as the district headquarters of a district in one of the canal colonies, being carved out of Jang district in 1904. It became the heart of the textile industry, and the country’s third largest country, By the time it had Toba Tek Singh district carved out of it in 1981, and became Faisalabad division, it had been renamed in honour of the Saudi King. If there is to be a creation of more provinces, it should be a strong candidate. One of the problems that seems to be occurring is that of Sindh. The PPP will not agree to its division. This may well cover a fear of a Muhajir province. Certainly, if Karachi and Hyderabad provinces became a province, it would have a Muhajir majority, though there would also be a huge Sindhi-speaking majority. Parties have not really done the math. While all parties have their provincial strongholds, all are overtly (even aggressively) federal. How would a change of the provincial structure affect them? There would not only be new provincial governments to compete for, but there would probably be an effect on national seats. Certainly, if the two districts sharing a seat ended up in different provinces, there would have to be fresh delimitations.
This seems like the time when the government needs to ‘go to the country.’ When the last election was held, no party raised this issue. No party, including the coalition members, obtained a mandate for such drastic change.
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Dr JAmeS J ZOGby
HE horrors we experienced on 11 September 2001, as a result of the terrorist attacks on New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, are impossible to erase. Nineteen terrorists committed heinous crimes, taking the lives of almost 3,000 innocent Americans. The events of that day left such an indelible mark on those of us who lived through them that just hearing the words “9/11” brings back a flood of nightmarish, emotionally draining memories: I was on my way to work that morning. We were stuck in downtown Washington traffic. Waiting for a light to change, I noticed a woman in the car next to me signalling. As I rolled down my window, she shouted, “Did you hear the news?!” “No.” I replied, noting that my car radio was broken. “A plane just crashed into the World Trade Center,” she yelled. “My father works in that building.” Then the light changed and she moved on. I never saw her again but will never forget the look of abject horror on her face. By the time I got to my office, everyone was watching television. That was when the second plane hit. I was stunned and transfixed by the images of the planes slicing through the walls of the World Trade Center, of people jumping from buildings, and finally, later on, of the two towers collapsing into a pile and disappearing forever. It was almost too much to bear. The frightened face of that woman who spoke with me on my way to work was soon joined by hundreds of others— those running from the collapsing towers and those pushing their way in the opposite direction seeking news of their loved ones trapped in the inferno. The entire experience was numbing. I was only shaken from this trance-like state of watching and grieving by other events, some of which were more personal. One of my daughters lived near the Pentagon, which we learned had also been hit by the terrorists. After a few frantic calls, I was relieved to hear from her. Because my office was just two blocks from the White House, she had been concerned for my safety and was trying to reach me as well. Midday on the 11th, the local police arrived
Is there any possibility of present provincial boundaries being crossed? Then the law-and-order concept of the new units becomes clear, for while the tri-state area where Sindh, Baluchistan and Punjab meet would probably not constitute an obvious new province, the cops would certainly like to have it under a single SSP rather than three different IGPs, as it present. The old idea of every division a province would come close to recreating the old One Unit. How is one to reach the promised land? There is some loose talk of a referendum, but would one referendum do the job? It would be a frightfully complicated ballot. Also, what happens if a majority overall favours dividing Sindh, but the majority of those in Sindh oppose a division? Also, considering the two previous referendums conducted, one by Ziaul Haq and the other by Musharraf, what will be the credibility of the referendum? It will always be contentious even after it has been held, and if the new arrangement does not improve people’s lives, there will always be a harking back to how the referendum was conducted. The debate over the new provinces has once again focused attention on the local bodies. It is almost as if someone has accepted the role of the existing provinces as hurdles in empowering the local bodies, and now wants to create new local bodies. This seems to ignore another issue: resources. No matter how many provinces there are, money will remain the same, and the outcomes cannot be improved without more money. A lot of the problems the country is facing are because of a shortage of resources. The problem of elite capture might grow worse, and smaller provinces will probably make dynasticism easier. There is an insistence on following the constitutional path, but does that mean giving two-thirds majorities in both Houses the power to do what it wants? Then there are the assemblies of the affected provinces. A two-thirds majority needs to be obtained in all affected provinces. This seems like the time when the government needs to ‘go to the country.’ When the last election was held, no party raised this issue. No party, including the coalition members, obtained a mandate for such drastic change. Therefore, there should be an early dissolution, and an election held on the basis of creating new provinces.` Or if the Parliament is not dissolved, then the proposals must be brought forward and debated until the next general election, at which it will form a live issue, on which the parties will have to take stands. The writer is a member of staff
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September 10 was the 25th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center
WASHINGTON WATCH
announcing that as a safety precaution our building was being evacuated. I pleaded with them to let us stay because our office was being flooded with calls from Arab Americans across the country frightened by the first signs of an anti-Arab backlash. The police were amazingly supportive. They evacuated the rest of our building and the rest of our neighborhood, but allowed us to remain so we could continue our work and assigned two police cars to protect us. Throughout the day and the days that followed, we mixed responding to frantic calls from our community with watching the continuing horror that was unfolding in New York City. I was asked by the US Commission on Civil Rights to present a report on the extent of hate crimes being committed against Arabs and Muslims, and those thought to be Arab or Muslim. We cataloged hundreds from across the country, noting that a number of the death threats and messages of hate were directed at us. Some were personal: “Jim, you towel head. Death to every Arab. We’ll slit your throat and kill your children.” It was profoundly unsettling. Like other Americans, we were pained by the horror that had been inflicted on our country and people. Like other Americans, we needed to mourn. But we were pulled away from our grieving and forced to look over our shoulders to those who struck out against us with hate. They were
telling us in effect: “You are not part of us.” It only served to compound the pain. A week later, it appeared that the tide was beginning to shift. The work we had done for two decades, to empower our community and tell our story, bore fruit. I was appearing daily on every TV network. The Ad Council of America offered to produce an anti-hate newspaper and television commercial for us. It appeared in hundreds of papers and was broadcast to tens of millions of viewers. The US Senate passed legislation condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim hate. And a coalition of major civil rights groups and religious organizations sponsored a rally in support of our community. All of this was gratifying, and exhausting, and contributed to the rush of emotions and overall numbness that defined those days. While there is so much more to say and many more stories to tell, I felt it was important to try to capture at least some of what we experienced 25 years ago, especially when I calculated that almost one-half of today’s Americans were either not yet born, or of an age to remember, or had not yet come to our shores as immigrants. For them, and for those of us who lived through those days, it remains important to remember. The writer is President, Arab American Institute
Banned but not broken
THREE years ago, I was one of the last girls in Afghanistan to take the Kankor exam under the Taliban regime. I scored 305 out of 360 marks in the national university entrance exam in Afghanistan, and was accepted into the law faculty of Kabul University. My dream career was finally within my reach. I left my home in Jawzjan in great excitement to start my university life but the next day things changed; everything changed. The Taliban regime banned all universities for girls. I packed my bag in silence and returned home. My dreams were shattered, and there was isolation, depression and tears. I stayed home, unable to study, thinking about the future I could no longer reach. Every day felt heavier than the last. I applied for many scholarships, but getting a visa as an Afghan girl was almost impossible. The hope I had slowly faded. One day, I applied for Pakistan’s Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarship for Afghan Students. I did that without expecting anything. One midnight, I got an email stating that I had been selected. I still remember that night. I could not sleep at all. It all felt like a dream, the kind you do not dare to believe is true. However, it was just the beginning of another struggle. I needed a passport, and mine had only four months left before it was to expire. Under the Taliban regime, getting a passport was close to impossible. My sister found someone who promised to get it extended from Iran for a huge amount of money, but he disappeared. I lost hope again, but decided to apply for the visa with the shortvalidity pass-port. Cutting a long story short, I did cross the passport hurdle, and my father accompanied me to Peshawar. He was old and tired, but my father took that difficult journey just to giveme, his child, a future. A couple of months later, I got admission to the Department of International Relations of the Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad. This was the real beginning. Initially, I did not know even a single word of Urdu. When I entered my class for the first time, I felt like an alien. I could not understand the teacher and could not speak to my classmates. But slowly things changed. Teachers were a big help, and I started picking up words; one word from each conversation. Now I can understand Urdu much better and feel like a part of the class. The university has become my home. My classmates are my family. I have spent four Eids here without my own family. I miss them a lot, especially my mother. But I have done all this for a reason, for myself, for my family who believed in me, and for my country that still awaits a better future. Not every journey is this beautiful, but every step can be meaningful. SHOGOFA SHOKORI ISLAMABAD
Slippery standards
While there is so much more to say and many more stories to tell, I felt it was important to try to capture at least some of what we experienced 25 years ago, especially when I calculated that almost one-half of today’s Americans were either not yet born, or of an age to remember, or had not yet come to our shores as immigrants.
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Friday, 11 September, 2026
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Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545
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THE prevailing discount model in the lubricants sector that is being followed by the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) at its retail outlets needs attention. The PSO has mandated dealers to lift a certain quantity of lubricants with every load of petrol and diesel. Consequently, these lubricants are being sold in the market at significantly discounted rates that often range from Rs200 to Rs250. This practice appears to be driven by dealers’ efforts to dispose of the mandated stock quickly, potentially to offset losses. However, it raises serious concerns about two key areas. The heavy discounting on genuine lubricants is distorting the market and putting rather undue pressure on other lubricant brands, especially those maintaining standard pricing and quality. Besides, there is growing concern that non-PSO dealers may be compensating for these discounts by delivering less-than-standard quantity and quality of petrol and diesel to customers, leading to possible consumer dissatisfaction and ethical implications. This situation, if left unaddressed, may impact fair market competition, and will harm consumer trust in fuel retailing practices. The issue merits a closer review, and further broad discussion to find a balanced solution that may protect both market integrity and consumer interests. NAVEED AHMED KARACHI
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COMMENT 05
Iran between Resistance and Diplomacy Friday, 11 September, 2026
Looking at the post-war future
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Dr MuhaMMaD akraM Zaheer
ARS rarely end when the guns fall silent. Their consequences remain in the calculations of states, in the fears of societies and, most importantly, in the doctrines that shape future policy. For Iran, the wars of the past four decades have produced a particularly enduring lesson: survival depends on resisting US and Israeli pressure while avoiding a confrontation in which Iran’s military disadvantages become decisive. That lesson took shape during the IranIraq war of the 1980s. Tehran came to see Iraq’s war effort not simply as an Iraqi undertaking but as part of a wider struggle against the Islamic Republic. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini famously described the conflict as “America’s hand coming through Saddam’s sleeve”. For the Iranian leadership, the war became proof that the USA was ultimately interested in changing the political order in Tehran. Three conclusions followed. First, Washington could not be trusted as a neutral actor. Second, Iran could not depend entirely on outside powers for its security. Third, a direct war with the USA or Israel would carry enormous risks. Iran therefore developed a foreign policy that sought to compensate for conventional military disadvantages through missiles, asymmetric warfare, regional alliances and armed partners. For years, this approach served Tehran reasonably well. Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iraqi militias, Hamas and later the Houthis became important elements of what Iran described as an “axis of resistance”. The purpose was not simply to expand Iranian influence. It was also to keep potential adversaries uncertain about where, when and how Iran might respond to an attack. The central question facing Tehran is no longer whether it can operate through regional partners. It is whether reliance on those partners alone can provide adequate protection when Israel and the USA are pre-
pared to strike targets inside Iran directly. The experience since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 has been especially important. Israel demonstrated that Iranian territory, senior officials and military assets could become direct targets. The old distinction between Iran and the forces operating in its name consequently became less useful. Tehran could no longer assume that strategic distance and the activities of allied militias would keep the conflict away from Iranian soil. Iran is likely to place greater emphasis on its own missiles and drones and on its ability to impose costs directly on its adversaries. The Strait of Hormuz will remain an important part of this calculation. Tehran does not necessarily need to close the waterway permanently to make its strategic value felt. The possibility of disruption alone can affect oil markets, shipping insurance and the calculations of Gulf states and Western governments. This is not conventional warfare in the traditional sense. Iran cannot expect to defeat the USA in a prolonged contest of aircraft carriers, advanced aircraft and precision weapons. Its objective is more limited: to make the political and economic cost of continued war sufficiently high that its adversaries reconsider further escalation. There is, however, a danger in this strategy. A policy based on deterrence through escalation can also produce miscalculation. Once missiles are flying and military commanders are responding under pressure, the distinction between deterrence and uncontrolled escalation can disappear quickly. The Islamic Republic is unlikely to retreat completely into isolation. Its economic difficulties make such a policy impractical. Years of sanctions, damaged infrastructure, inflation and declining purchasing power have placed considerable pressure on the Iranian economy. The leadership may continue to speak the language of resistance, but economic realities will demand engagement with neighbours and wider markets.
Nor is a dramatic transformation on the model of Vietnam particularly likely in the short term. Iran is unlikely to abandon its long-standing security doctrine simply because war has imposed heavy costs. Political systems do not change their basic assumptions overnight, especially when their leaders believe those assumptions have been repeatedly confirmed by events. Iran may seek better relations with the Gulf Arab states while maintaining military pressure on Israel and the USA. It may offer trade, border security and regional cooperation while continuing to develop missiles and drones. It may talk to Washington indirectly while insisting that it does not trust Washington. The Gulf states have their own reasons for reconsidering their strategic position. They watched Iranian missiles threaten the region, but they have also watched the USA struggle to provide an entirely predictable security environment. Their dilemma is not whether to abandon Washington. Rather, it is whether dependence on one external power remains sufficient in a region where another major power, Iran, cannot simply be wished away. This could create space for a new form of Gulf diplomacy. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar and other states have already demonstrated that dialogue with Tehran is possible even amid profound disagreements. The wars could strengthen the argument for maintaining channels with Iran rather than closing them. The easiest US response would be to strengthen military containment: more weapons for Israel, stronger defences for Gulf allies and greater economic pressure on Tehran. Such measures may provide shortterm reassurance, but they could also reinforce the Iranian belief that Washington’s ultimate objective is regime change. That belief matters because Iranian leaders are unlikely to interpret each US action separately. Sanctions, the withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, the killing of Qassem
The choice before Iran is not simply between resistance and surrender. There is a third possibility: resistance combined with diplomacy, military deterrence combined with regional accommodation. Whether that combination produces stability or merely postpones the next war will depend not only on Tehran’s choices but also on Washington’s response. The next war, if it comes, will be shaped by the lessons of the last one. The greater challenge is to ensure that those lessons do not become a permanent blueprint for another conflict.
Ansarallah’s advance on Al-Mokha, Bab al-Mandeb
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PALESTINE CHRONICLE STAFF
HE Yemeni Armed Forces, affiliated with the Ansarallah movement, seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Al-Mokha on Thursday following a major offensive against Saudi-backed forces. A Yemeni military source told AFP that Ansarallah had taken control of the city and was advancing south toward the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Witnesses also told the news agency that they had seen Yemeni forces entering Al-Mokha while chanting, “Death to America, death to Israel.” The capture followed a series of rapid territorial gains along Yemen’s western coast. Ansarallah advanced through Al-Wazi’iyah in Taiz Governorate before taking AlKhokha and Hays in southern Hodeidah. The movement subsequently captured key military installations around Al-Mokha, including Khalid Camp and Jabal al-Nar Camp. The latter reportedly served as the principal command headquarters for Saudi-backed forces operating along the western coast. Local sources cited by Al Mayadeen said Al-Khokha and Hays alone cover more than 1,050 square kilometers of territory along the Red Sea.
WHY IS AL-MOKHA IMPORTANT? Al-Mokha is one of Yemen’s most strategically significant coastal cities because of its port and proximity to Bab al-Mandeb. The city lies north of the strait along the eastern coast of the Red Sea. Its capture gives Ansarallah greater territorial depth and a stronger military position from which to advance south. Al-Mokha was also the principal political and military stronghold of Tariq Saleh, commander of the National Resistance Forces and vice chairman of Yemen’s Saudibacked Presidential Leadership Council. Saleh’s forces formed an important part of the military structure established to prevent Ansarallah from expanding southward from Hodeidah. Following the loss of Al-Mokha, Saleh acknowledged that his forces had been compelled to relocate their command structure, according to Al Mayadeen. “We ordered the establishment of an alternative command center in a safe location to regroup the forces in consultation with the leadership of the Arab coalition and the Presidential Leadership Council,” he reportedly said. The withdrawal indicated that Ansarallah’s offensive had disrupted the Saudi-backed command structure across the western front, rather than merely capturing an isolated coastal position.
HOW DID THE OFFENSIVE DEVELOP? Ansarallah launched its large-scale offensive after Saudi-backed forces reportedly began mobilizing inside Yemen in preparation for a possible invasion. The advance unfolded across several stages: Yemeni forces captured Al-Wazi’iyah in western Taiz. They moved into Al-Khokha and Hays along the Red Sea coast. They seized Khalid Camp and Jabal al-
Suleimani and subsequent military confrontations are viewed in Tehran as parts of a single historical confrontation. Diplomacy, therefore, cannot begin with the expectation that decades of distrust will disappear around a negotiating table. The more realistic objective would be narrower: reduce the incentives for escalation and establish rules that make miscalculation less likely. Agreements on maritime security, missile restraint, prisoner exchanges, nuclear monitoring and regional communication may appear modest, but modest arrangements can sometimes achieve more than grand declarations. The USA also needs to distinguish between deterring Iranian aggression and seeking to transform Iran’s political system. If Tehran believes every negotiation is merely another route towards regime change, compromise will remain extremely difficult. Iran, for its part, faces an equally serious choice. It can emerge from the wars convinced that only greater military strength will guarantee survival. Or it can conclude that military power must be accompanied by regional accommodation and economic en-
Nar Camp. They entered and took control of AlMokha. They began advancing south toward Dhubab and Bab al-Mandeb. They launched operations against islands controlling approaches to the strait. Saudi-backed forces reportedly withdrew south from Al-Mokha toward Dhubab, while the Saudi commander stationed in the city relocated to Aden. AFP also reported that Ansarallah seized Zuqar Island following rocket attacks and a ground assault involving boats carrying fighters. Other reports indicated that Yemeni forces had begun attacking positions around the strategically important Hanish Islands.
WHY DOES BAB AL-MANDEB MATTER? Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. It forms part of the principal maritime corridor linking Asia and the Gulf with the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean and Europe. The strait is approximately 30 kilometers wide at its narrowest point and is divided into two channels by Mayyun Island, also known as Perim. Dhubab lies directly on the Yemeni coast overlooking Bab al-Mandeb, opposite Mayyun. Control over these positions would give Ansarallah a more direct military presence over vessels entering or leaving the Red Sea. The waterway is particularly important for: Commercial shipping between Asia and Europe. Oil and fuel exports moving through the Red Sea. Traffic passing through Egypt’s Suez Canal. Maritime access to Israel’s southern port of Eilat. Saudi shipping moving between the Red Sea and the wider international market. The strait’s importance has increased further since Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz during the wider regional war. Ansarallah’s advance consequently raises the prospect of two of the region’s most important maritime chokepoints coming under the direct influence of forces aligned against the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
WHAT IS ANSARALLAH’S MARITIME STRATEGY? Ansarallah had already declared a ban on vessels entering or leaving Saudi ports as part of what Sanaa described as an “airport for airport and siege for siege” equation. The measure followed Saudi attacks on Yemen and the collapse of the truce that had largely contained direct fighting between Riyadh and Sanaa since 2022. Until now, Ansarallah’s maritime strategy has depended heavily on missiles, drones and naval operations launched from areas farther north. Capturing territory closer to Bab al-Mandeb could give the movement additional surveillance positions, launching areas and coastal access near the strait. Control of AlMokha alone does not give Ansarallah complete control over Bab al-Mandeb. Dhubab,
Mayyun Island and surrounding maritime positions remain critical. However, the advance substantially reduces the geographical distance between Ansarallah-controlled territory and the narrow waterway.
ISRAEL’S REACTION Israeli media described Ansarallah’s advance as a potential threat to maritime traffic linked to Israel. Israeli Army Radio warned that Yemeni control of additional territory along the Red Sea coast could strengthen Ansarallah’s position over Bab al-Mandeb and help it enforce a blockade affecting Saudi Arabia, the Suez Canal and the port of Eilat. Other Israeli reports warned that AlMokha could allow Yemeni forces to establish another strategic chokepoint at the entrance to the Red Sea. From positions around Al-Mokha and farther south, Ansarallah could potentially improve its ability to monitor vessels, prepare operations and restrict shipping connected to Israel. The port of Eilat depends on uninterrupted access through Bab al-Mandeb. Ships traveling between Eilat and the Indian Ocean must pass through the strait. Ansarallah has already demonstrated its ability to disrupt Israeli-linked navigation in the Red Sea. Its territorial advance could reinforce that campaign by providing a stronger coastal position closer to the waterway.
HOW HAS SAUDI ARABIA RESPONDED? Saudi Arabia responded to the offensive by intensifying its air campaign across Yemen. The Yemeni news agency SABA reported that Saudi aircraft carried out approximately 40 strikes targeting Taiz, Hodeidah, Al-Jawf and Marib. Sanaa’s Foreign Ministry said the continuing attacks and violations of Yemeni sovereignty warranted a military response until the Saudi campaign ended. It said the Saudi military buildup inside Yemen had necessitated the offensive and that the Yemeni Armed Forces were responsible for defending the country’s sovereignty and population. The ministry called on the international community to assess the developments objectively and pressure Saudi Arabia to stop its attacks. Sanaa nevertheless maintained that Yemen “has not and will not pose a threat” to neighboring countries and said it remained prepared to participate in a regional security framework based on mutual respect.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT? The next major contest is likely to center on Dhubab, the islands surrounding Bab alMandeb and the remaining Saudi-backed positions along Yemen’s southwestern coast. If Ansarallah advances into Dhubab or gains control of Mayyun Island, it would establish a direct territorial presence overlooking the strait’s shipping channels. Further advances could also isolate Saudi-backed forces along the western coast and place additional pressure on their remaining positions around Aden. At the regional level, the outcome could affect Saudi shipping, Israeli maritime access, traffic through the Suez Canal and the wider balance of power across the Red Sea.
gagement. The first course could produce a more heavily armed but permanently insecure Iran. The second would not require Tehran to abandon its political system or all of its regional ambitions. It would simply recognise that security cannot be achieved through missiles alone. The real legacy of the wars of 2025 and 2026, therefore, may not be found in the amount of infrastructure destroyed or the number of weapons fired. It will be found in the lessons that Tehran and Washington take from them. Iran believes it has spent decades fighting one long struggle for survival. The USA believes pressure can eventually change Iranian behaviour. Neither assumption has produced a durable settlement. The next phase will depend on whether both sides continue to interpret the past as a justification for confrontation or begin to use it as a reason for restraint. Iran may emerge from the latest wars more suspicious, more heavily armed and more willing to confront its enemies directly. But it may also be more conscious of the limits of military power and the necessity of economic and regional diplomacy. The choice before Iran is not simply between resistance and surrender. There is a third possibility: resistance combined with diplomacy, military deterrence combined with regional accommodation. Whether that combination produces stability or merely postpones the next war will depend not only on Tehran’s choices but also on Washington’s response. The next war, if it comes, will be shaped by the lessons of the last one. The greater challenge is to ensure that those lessons do not become a permanent blueprint for another conflict.
The writer is Assistant Professor Pakistan Studies at the Imperial College of Business Studies Lahore, and can be reached at muhammad.akram@imperial.edu.pk
Moby-Dick catch in Hormuz
Iranian defense engineers will successfully reverse-engineer the Dive-LD’s modular systems, accelerating Iran’s rapidly expanding domestic UUV and drone capabilities. This is a technology that Russia and China are keen to acquire
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TEHRAN TIMES
HE successful capture and interception of a highly advanced, unmanned American underwater vehicle at the entrance of the strategic Strait of Hormuz by Iran is a decisive blow to Washington’s technological arrogance, exposing the profound vulnerabilities of the US military’s automated warfare apparatus. Beyond a simple recovery, this tactical victory highlights Tehran’s ability to neutralize stealth and low-observable platforms across multiple domains, completely dismantling Washington’s multi-layered hybrid warfare strategy in the Persian Gulf. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy confirmed that the seizure was carried out in the early hours following a “complex intelligence and operational action,” showcasing Tehran’s absolute mastery over the strategic regional waterway. The captured asset has been identified as the Dive-LD, a cutting-edge autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) developed by California-based defense firm Anduril Industries. Delivered to the US Navy’s Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Group 1 in 2025, the platform represents the pinnacle of modern American subsurface warfare. Measuring 5.8 meters in length with a 1.2meter diameter and weighing roughly 2.7 tonnes, the modular platform boasts an operational depth of 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) and a 10-day endurance capacity. Designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), seabed mapping, mine countermeasures, and critical infrastructure monitoring, the $2.5 million system was deployed to support American maritime operations amid the ongoing conflict. While Iran celebrated the operation as a monumental intelligence victory, Washington predictably sought to minimize its humiliation. The Pentagon claimed the submersible had merely “malfunctioned a day prior” during routine surveying and contained no classified sonar or radar. Manufacturers at Anduril similarly framed the vessel as an “attritable” asset built for high-risk zones. However, media and regional analysts swiftly dismantled the US narrative, noting that retrieve-anddisplay operations of virtually intact, stateof-the-art platforms directly contradict
claims of simple mechanical drift. Defense analysts emphasized that the Dive-LD was engineered specifically with anti-detection features, low-acoustic signatures, and stealth design to avoid tracking—making its capture an even greater operational feat for the IRGC Navy. According to military observers, Washington’s heavy reliance on unmanned systems stems from a critical weakness: the US military simply cannot afford the human cost or operational risk of sending manned assets into an arena dominated by Iranian anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities. Having been effectively deterred from operating manned forces in the region, the Pentagon turned to an uncrewed, three-layered domain strategy—utilizing aerial drones (UAVs), uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), and autonomous submersibles (UUVs). Iran’s armed forces have now systematically crushed all three tiers of this hybrid doctrine. When the Dive-LD lost signal, the US military scrambled an MQ-9 Reaper drone to locate and recover the vessel, only for Iranian air defense systems to promptly shoot down the surveillance aircraft. By intercepting low-surface craft, neutralizing aerial surveillance, and penetrating the cyber and electronic command architecture of the stealth Dive-LD itself, Iranian electronic warfare units bypassed the submersible’s multi-layered network security, hacked its navigation, and brought the vessel safely under control. The seizure fits into a long history of Iranian electronic warfare and intelligence achievements, echoing the famous capture of the RQ-170 Sentinel stealth drone, MQ9 Reapers, and various unmanned surface craft. Historical precedents indicate that Iranian defense engineers will successfully reverse-engineer the Dive-LD’s modular systems, accelerating Iran’s rapidly expanding domestic UUV and drone capabilities. This is a technology that Russia and China are keen to acquire. The intelligence coup unfolds against the backdrop of the devastating regional war ignited by joint US-Israeli aggression in late February. Despite facing heavy aerial attacks, Iranian retaliatory strikes on US installations—including Al Udeid in Qatar, Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, Al Dhafra in the UAE, and the Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain—have severely disrupted Washington’s military footprint. The economic toll on the aggressors has been immense while Washington grapples with dwindling missile stockpiles.
06 news
SECOND STRAIGHT DAY OF HOUTHIS ATTACKS ON SAUDI ARABIA
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SAUDI ARABIA AGENICS
outhi forces targeted several cities in southern Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles and drones on Wednesday, marking the second consecutive day of attacks on the kingdom. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said Abha, Khamis Mushait and Jazan were among the areas targeted, as tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned group continue to rise. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said the Houthis were continuing to strike Saudi national assets and infrastructure, including energy facilities. Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence later lifted alerts in Khamis Mushait and Abha. A day earlier, Houthi attacks on the two cities and nearby areas had injured 73 people and set oil installations on fire.
The Saudi-led coalition said it would respond to the attacks in a manner aimed at protecting the kingdom’s sovereignty, civilian population and national infrastructure. The latest strikes follow one of the most significant Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia since the US-Israeli war with Iran began in February. On Tuesday, the group targeted an airbase in Khamis Mushait as well as oil infrastructure in nearby cities. Fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has intensified in recent months, raising concerns that Yemen could slide back into broader conflict after a UN-brokered truce in 2022 largely brought years of major fighting to a halt. Saudi Arabia leads an Arab coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which was driven from the capital Sanaa by the Houthis around 12 years ago. The Yemen conflict has increasingly become linked to the wider regional confrontation, with the Houthis aligned with Iran
while Saudi Arabia remains a close partner of the United States. In July, the Houthis announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. The Saudi-led coalition later carried out strikes on what it described as Houthi military facilities in Yemen. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have also launched a multi-front offensive against Houthi-held areas after the group attempted to advance on government positions. The Yemeni government says its objective is to retake all territory currently controlled by the Houthis. Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported that at least 32 people had been killed in Saudi strikes on Yemen’s Al Jawf over the past two days. Saudi Arabia has not confirmed carrying out those attacks. Riyadh has described the latest Houthi operations as a dangerous escalation, while the Houthis maintain that their attacks are a response to Saudi military activity in Yemen.
Russian drone alert delays Zelenskiy’s flight from Moldova UKRAINIAN
AGENCIES
A plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was delayed in
Moldova after authorities temporarily closed the country’s airspace following a Russian drone alert, with Norway’s prime minister saying the aircraft was nearly struck as it prepared to take off.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said Zelenskiy’s plane came close to being hit by a drone before departing Moldova for Norway, though he did not disclose the source of the information or specify how close the drone came to the aircraft. Moldovan authorities confirmed that Zelenskiy’s departure was delayed because of the airspace closure. A government spokesperson said the aircraft was cleared for take-off after authorities established that a Russian drone had fallen on Moldovan territory. The incident occurred after two Russian drones entered Moldovan airspace on Tuesday, disrupting operations at Chisinau airport. Several flights bound for the Moldovan capital were diverted to airports outside the country or forced to remain in holding patterns. One of the drones crashed into a field and started a fire, while the second continued into Romanian airspace. Moldovan President Maia Sandu described the incursions as a serious threat to public safety, while the government has warned of a sharp increase in Russian drone activity as Moscow intensifies its aerial campaign against Ukraine. The regional security threat continued on Wednesday when Russian drones struck a Ukrainian border crossing near Moldova, killing two people and injuring
BEIJING
Chinese and US law enforcement agencies have made fresh headway in counternarcotics cooperation, jointly cracking a transnational case involving precursors used to manufacture synthetic cannabinoids, China's Ministry of Public Security said on Thursday. The case was jointly handled by the ministry and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), according to the ministry. In early May, the US side provided information on two Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in drug-related activities. Chinese police later determined that the leads were connected to an ongoing case in China, leading authorities to consolidate the investigations. Following further investigation, Chinese police in mid-August carried out coordinated operations in north China's Hebei Province and elsewhere, arresting 21 suspects and seizing a batch of nonscheduled precursor chemicals commonly used in
Trump promises $5,000 payout to US adults if Republicans keep Congress US
AGENCIES
three others. Traffic at the crossing was suspended following the attack, which came amid intensified Russian strikes on Ukrainian logistics routes. Zelenskiy was travelling to Oslo to attend the funeral of Norway’s King Harald V, who died on August 28 at the age of 89. He attended the funeral on Wednesday alongside other heads of state before leaving Norway shortly afterwards. Stoere had also planned talks with Zelenskiy on Ukraine’s need for additional air defence systems and other military support. The Ukrainian president was also expected to hold discussions with companies participating in the Freyja initiative, a European project focused on developing anti-ballistic missile defence capabilities. The Norwegian prime minister’s account of the near-miss has not been independently confirmed, while Moldovan authorities have not disclosed how close the drone came to Zelenskiy’s aircraft.
China, US make fresh headway in counternarcotics cooperation AGENCIES
Friday, 11 september 2026 | IsLAMABAD
drug production, the ministry said. Previously, the US authorities had arrested two US nationals suspected of drug-related crimes. The two allegedly purchased non-scheduled precursor chemicals to produce drugs in the United States, which were then distributed to inmates at multiple federal and state prisons across the country, according to the ministry. The successful solving of the case, the ministry said, underscores the effectiveness of the China-US counternarcotics law enforcement cooperation mechanism and offers another concrete example of the two sides' efforts to deepen practical cooperation in combating transnational drug-related crimes. Counternarcotics has long been an important area of China-US law enforcement cooperation. The two countries have worked together on cases involving drug smuggling and trafficking, as well as the cross-border trafficking of new psychoactive substances.
US President Donald Trump has promised a $5,000 payment to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress in the November midterm elections. Trump unveiled the proposal during the Republican Party’s first midterm convention in Dallas, placing himself at the centre of the party’s campaign ahead of the November 3 vote. The plan would potentially cost around $1.35 trillion, based on an estimated 270 million adults in the United States. However, details on how the payments would be financed, distributed or legally authorised were not immediately clear. Trump made the announcement during a lengthy prime-time address in which he defended his record in office and urged voters to treat the midterm elections as a referendum on his presidency. The Republican convention comes as the party faces increasingly competitive House and Senate races, with concerns over inflation, the cost of living and the continuing war with Iran shaping voter sentiment. Several Republicans contesting difficult races stayed away from the convention, while others attended and sought to associate themselves closely with Trump. Trump also pledged to campaign extensively in battleground states and districts during the remaining weeks before Election Day.
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Friday, 11 September, 2026 | ISLAMABAD
4.32M STUDEnTS rEGISTEr For CM E-bIkE Pakistani Tobacco users want regulation, not bans, SChEME In Two DAYS national survey finds
CORPORATE CORNER
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
A new national survey finds that most of Pakistan's current tobacco and nicotine users want smoke-free alternatives such as vapes and nicotine pouches brought under strict government regulation rather than banned outright. 87% back a regulated, legal framework over prohibition, according to the Tobacco Harm Reduction Perception Survey, Pakistan, released today by the Endit Foundation. The survey was fielded among 515 adult daily and weekly tobacco or nicotine users across Pakistan by Prodege, a global research and consumer-insights company, in technical coordination with the Endit Foundation, Islamabad. Respondents were surveyed online between 16 June and 2 July 2025, and all were screened to be current regular users of at least one tobacco or nicotine product.
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HE second phase of the Chief Minister’s E-Bike Scheme has been launched on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, with 432,000 students registering for the scheme in just two days. According to Transport Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch, applications from 265,000 students are currently being submitted, while the processing of more than 108,000 applications has already been completed. Students can apply for the CM Electric Bike Scheme through the official portal, bikes.punjab.gov.pk, until Oct 4. A Punjab domicile or CNIC is a basic requirement for applicants, who must be regular students of public or
private degree colleges or universities recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess either a learner’s permit or a motorcycle driving licence. Only one student per family will be eligible for an e-bike. Under the scheme, the down payment has been waived for students, while the Punjab government will bear the interest and insurance costs. Students receiving an electric bike will pay a monthly instalment of Rs3,028. The government will also provide a helmet and safety rod free of cost with each bike. Students will receive two days of training on the use of the e-bike. The chief minister has directed the authorities to ensure delivery of the electric bikes within six weeks after completion of the application process.
Gates foundation delegation meets BISP Chairperson senator Rubina Khalid SMEDA and PM Youth Programme sign MoU to support youth and MSMEs ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a structured framework of collaboration aimed at enhancing outreach, awareness and access to financial and business development support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and aspiring young entrepreneurs across Pakistan. Advisor to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production(Federal Minister), Haroon Akhtar Khan, and Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashood Khan, witnessed the MoU signing ceremony. In the ceremony, CEO SMEDA Nadia J Seth, Joint Secretary for industries and Production Mr Freedoon Akram Sheik, Prime Minister Youth Program Team and other representatives from different sector were present. The partnership will leverage the respective resources, expertise, outreach networks and digital capabilities of SMEDA and PMYP to facilitate inclusive access to the Prime Minister’s Youth Business & Agriculture Loan Scheme (PMYB&ALS).
AbhI Microfinance bank Partners with Mahmood Group to Promote Employee Financial wellness KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
ABHI Microfinance Bank has partnered with Mahmood Group of Industries and MG Apparel to provide Salary Advance solutions to their employees, making financial flexibility more accessible when it matters most. Recognizing that financial wellness is an important foundation for a stronger and more empowered workforce, this collaboration aims to help employees manage their financial needs with greater ease and confidence. Through this collaboration, employees can access a portion of their earned salary when needed, helping them manage unexpected expenses and everyday financial needs with greater ease and confidence. This initiative is part of a broader effort to empower employees with greater control over their finances, while enabling organizations to support the financial well-being of their workforce through innovative and responsible financial solutions. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to promoting employee financial wellness and building stronger, more financially resilient workplaces through smarter financial solutions.
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Digital and Financial Literacy, maternal and child health and immunization, skills development and grievance redressal discussed. 9.7 million free SIMs issued to women beneficiaries under the Digital Wallet initiative; around 2.1 million beneficiaries enrolled in Nashonuma, while 4.2 million beneficiaries have graduated so far; Chairperson stresses Digital & Financial Literacy of beneficiaries and quality skills training and internationally recognized certifications under Benazir Hunarmand Programme A high-level delegation of the Gates Foundation, led by Dr. Anita Zaidi, President, Gender Equality Division and Interim President, Global Policy and Advocacy Division, Ms. Kalpana Kochhar met Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Senator Rubina Khalid at BISP Headquarters today to discuss areas of mutual collaboration for strengthening social protection interventions for women beneficiaries and their families. The meeting focused on Digital and Financial Literacy, training sessions in different regional languages, counselling of women beneficiaries on maternal and child health and immunization through BISP Nashonuma Cen-
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tres, human resource development and strengthening grievance redressal mechanisms. The delegation also proposed an initial pilot phase in 10 districts across Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for collaborative interventions in these areas. Briefing the delegation on BISP’s digital transformation, Senator Rubina Khalid highlighted the progress made under the Digital Wallet initiative, stating that 9.7 million free SIMs have so far been issued to women beneficiaries, marking a major milestone in advancing financial inclusion and transparent delivery of BISP payments. The Chairperson emphasized the importance of integrating different interventions to achieve sustainable and measurable outcomes. She highlighted the opportunity to leverage BISP
Nashonuma Centres for timely counselling on maternal and child health and immunization. She stressed that awareness and behaviour-change messages should be developed in local languages to ensure greater outreach and impact. Senator Rubina Khalid also highlighted the Benazir Hunarmand Programme, under which beneficiaries and their family members are being provided market-oriented skills training. Dr. Anita Zaidi appreciated BISP’s progress and congratulated the Programme on the significant achievement of issuing 9.7 million free SIMs to women beneficiaries under the Digital Wallet initiative. She underscored the importance of interventions focused on maternal and child health, savings and customized skills development for BISP beneficiaries.
IESCO Director PR Asim Nazir Raja Honored with Best Performance Award ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Director Public Relations, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Asim Nazir Raja, has been conferred the Best Performance Award for his outstanding professional performance and significant contribution during the financial year 2025–2026. The award recognizes his effective public relations strategy, proactive media engagement, and valuable efforts in projecting IESCO’s positive image, achievements, public service initiatives, and customer-centric measures. Chairman IESCO Board of Directors Dr. Tahir Masood, honorable Board Members, and Chief Executive IESCO Engr. Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood appreciated Asim Nazir Raja’s outstanding services and professional commitment, stating that effective public relations are essential for strengthening public trust and projecting the positive image and achievements of an organization.
Sindh cabinet approval sought for logistics park and 500 EV buses KARACHI STAFF REPORT
The Sindh government has decided to seek approval from the Sindh Cabinet for the projects of establishing a logistics park and purchasing 500 electric vehicle (EV) buses. In this regard, a meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) Board was held under the chairmanship of Senior Minister of Sindh and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon. Various important issues related to the expansion of the mass transit system in the province, promotion of modern and eco-friendly public transport, establishment of a logistics park, purchase of 500 EV buses, and other matters related to the transport sector were discussed in detail. The meeting was attended by
PICG Directors’ Summit 2026 Focuses on Governance, Leadership and Digital Transformation
SMTA Board members, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Managing Director SMTA Behzad Memon, DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah, and other concerned officials. The meeting also discussed various administrative, technical, and practical issues related to the transport sector, progress on mass transit projects, traffic management, and the provision of modern travel facilities to citizens. It was decided to complete the necessary technical and administrative procedures for the establishment of a logistics park and the purchase of 500 EV buses and seek approval from the Sindh Cabinet. On the occasion, Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the establishment of a logistics park by the Sindh government would be a rev-
olutionary step for the citizens of Karachi. The construction of the logistics park would help significantly reduce the pressure of heavy traffic in the city, while the project would also play an important role in developing the transport and logistics sector in the province along modern lines. He directed the concerned authorities to complete the necessary technical and administrative procedures for the projects at the earliest so that further steps could be taken in a timely manner for their implementation. Sharjeel Inam Memon said that further expansion of the modern public transport system was among the priorities of the Sindh government. He said that the arrival of more EV buses would provide better, modern, and environment-friendly travel facilities to the citizens of Karachi.
Pakistan’s corporate boards must move beyond compliance and play a more active role in navigating economic uncertainty, technological disruption, cybersecurity, sustainability and succession challenges, business leaders and governance experts said at the Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG) Directors’ Summit 2026. Held under the theme “The Showcase: Your Leadership, Your Impact,” the Summit brought together more than 350 directors, business leaders, regulators and senior executives to discuss how stronger governance can build resilient and future-ready institutions. PICG Chairman Muhammad Ashraf Bawany said good governance was increasingly about building trust, creating sustainable value and strengthening institutions rather than simply meeting compliance requirements. “Through better leadership and stronger boards, we can help build a more prosperous and resilient Pakistan,” he said. PICG CEO Shafaq Fauzil Azim also addressed the gathering, while the Summit paid tribute to the late Dr. Shamshad Akhtar for her leadership and contribution to Pakistan’s economic development, governance and public institutions. Chief Guest Muhammad Ali Tabba, Chairman, YBG, said: “Good governance is not the price of doing business — it is the foundation on which business is done.” He stressed that governance must become embedded across organisations, adding: “History doesn’t remember the companies that moved fastest — it remembers the ones trusted enough to be handed the future.” PSX CEO Farrukh H. Sabzwari highlighted transparency, accountability, market integrity, investor confidence, diversity and greater board inclusion, while former Minister for Investment Muhammad Azfar Ahsan stressed policy predictability, strong institutions and the need for boards to anticipate economic and regulatory shifts.
PERMANENT FIVE MEMBERS CLASH IN UN SECURITY COUNCIL ABOUT IRAN SANCTIONS SNAPBACK
Friday, 11 September, 2026
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HE five permanent members of the UN Security Council clashed on Thursday during a high-stakes session about the legal validity of international sanctions against Iran and the reimposition of UN sanctions under the 2015 nuclear accord's "snapback" provision. The snapback clause, established under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was designed to automatically reinstate UN Chapter VII sanctions if Iran breached the deal, intentionally bypassing the veto power of permanent council members. "The mechanism for reinstating previously adopted Security Council resolutions on Iran, a mechanism outlined in Resolution 2231, was not activated, and this for a whole host of legal and procedural reasons," said the Russian representative, demanding a procedural vote to block a scheduled briefing on
the 1737 Sanctions Committee. Moscow argued that UN Resolution 2231, which endorsed the nuclear deal, expired on October 18, 2025, and insisted that the non-proliferation agenda item was struck
Govt removes banks from pension verification process, shifts biometric checks to Nadra
off the council's list of active matters that day. The Russian envoy maintained that the 1737 Committee ceased to exist in 2015 and that no legal grounds remain to discuss its "so-called work".
The Chinese representative supported the move, asserting that the council presidency lacks the mandate to draft or deliver a 90-day report. Warning against unilateral action, Beijing stressed, "A few members, in disregard of differences, insist on forcibly reimposing the Council sanctions against Iran and convening Council meetings under a removed agenda item." The envoy warned that the steps deepen institutional division and impede a political settlement, expressing "grave concern" and “strong opposition" against the moves. Western delegations firmly rejected the challenge, arguing that the sanctions regime had been legally revived following Iranian breaches. "The United Kingdom, with France and Germany, initiated the snapback mechanism in full accordance with Security Council Resolution 2231," said the British representative, explaining that European powers acted because of Iran's "significant non-performance" under the 2015 nuclear pact. Lon-
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The federal government has removed commercial banks from the biometric and Proof of Life Certificate (POLC) verification process for more than three million civilian and military pensioners, transferring the responsibility to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra). Under revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Nadra will undertake biometric verification of pensioners and transmit their Digital Life Signal directly to the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) and Military Accountant General (MAG) through a secure application programming interface (API). The change eliminates commercial banks from the routine verification process and restricts their role to that of Pension Disbursement Agencies. According to official data, Pakistan has 1.848 million civilian pensioners across the federal and provincial governments, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Pakistan Railways. Another 1.326 million are military pensioners, taking the combined number to more than three million. Of the 1,848,151 civilian pensioners, Punjab accounts for the largest number at 610,823, followed by the federal government with 399,058 and Sindh with 320,754. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has 225,112 civilian pensioners, Pakistan Railways 124,230, Balochistan 100,528, AJK 51,641 and GB 16,005. According to a Ministry of Finance communication sent to the State Bank of Pakistan governor and the CGA, the changes were introduced in pursuance of the prime minister's directives. The government has formally eliminated the role of commercial banks in conducting standard banking biometric verification or validating POLCs for pensioners. Banks will have no statutory or administrative role in the verification, collection, retention or validation of POLCs or biometric information under ordinary circumstances. They may, however, operate strictly as an authorised conduit through Nadra's designated system for generating POLCs. The revised procedures also bar banks from rendering pension-disbursing accounts dormant for the processing or payment of pensions. Standard bank dormancy requirements will not apply to these accounts. The new SOPs supersede all previous procedures and formally abolish the physical "Disburser's Half" process, with federal pensions now disbursed exclusively through the Direct Credit System.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Thursday called on political parties, lawyers and the public to join the party’s September 27 “Justice March”, demanding the release of Imran Khan and an independent judiciary and Election Commission. Addressing a lawyers’ convention at the Lahore High Court, Mr Gohar said the PTI had one leader and one objective — securing justice and protecting the rights of the people. He urged the legal fraternity to stand with the party, saying unity among lawyers was essential for restoring judicial independence. “We only want justice and are standing for the protection of the people’s rights,” he said, urging people to participate in the peaceful march. The PTI chairman also questioned the prolonged incarceration of Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, asking whether any housewife in the country’s history had remained imprisoned for
such a long period. He described the treatment of Imran and Bushra as “inhumane” and said such treatment had not been witnessed in previous eras. Mr Gohar warned that continued wrong decisions could push the country into a difficult period and questioned whether the existing political system could genuinely be described as democracy. He called for unity among all stakeholders, saying the country’s problems required collective efforts. He also maintained that Imran Khan had neither struck a deal nor would he do so. Earlier, Senator Hamid Khan told the gathering that Imran Khan was the country’s biggest political leader and could not be discredited through what he described as false allegations. He claimed that people in all four provinces continued to support the PTI founder. Senator Hamid alleged that the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments had been introduced to control the Constitution and judiciary, arguing that people were no longer receiving
Pakistan is seeking around $2.5 billion from a consortium of international lenders to finance construction of the Main Line1 (ML-1) railway project, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) expected to take the lead and potentially provide more than $1 billion, The News reported. Other multilateral lenders, including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the World Bank, are also expected to participate in the financing arrangement for the long-delayed Pakistan Railways project. “The estimated funding requirement will stand at $2.5 billion, which will be raised through a consortium of international lenders. The ADB will assume the major role with possible lending of over $1
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the draft Automobile Policy 2026-31, offering tax concessions to new energy vehicles (NEVs) while continuing protection for existing conventional vehicle assemblers for four more years before reducing customs duty on all cars to 15% in FY2030-31. As per reports, the draft will now undergo legal vetting by the Ministry of Law, while the Ministry of Finance has been directed to take it up with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for vetting. The policy is being brought largely in line with the National Tariff Policy (NTP), with the proposed rates to be implemented from the current fiscal year to offset the impact of the delay. During Wednesday's proceedings, the prime minister made several changes to the proposed framework, including directing that Range Extended Electric Vehicles (REEVs) and Plug-In Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) be treated separately from Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). A committee constituted to develop consensus on the policy had proposed equal treatment for BEVs, REEVs and PHEVs. However, the prime minister decided that BEVs would receive the
most preferential tax treatment, followed by REEVs and PHEVs. Under the approved draft, NEVs, their completely knocked down (CKD) kits, parts, inputs and raw materials will be subject to only 1% sales tax. NEVs will also be exempt from federal excise duty (FED), Capital Value Tax (CVT) and Withholding Tax (WHT). Hybrid electric vehicles and conventional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles will meanwhile be treated equally in terms of duties and taxes. The government will impose additional FED on conventional vehicles to offset some of the price reductions resulting from tariff cuts. However, the prime minister directed that the proposed FED on conventional cars below 1,000cc be abolished. Financing incentives for NEVs will also be expanded, with the maximum loan limit increasing from Rs3 million to Rs10 million and the financing tenor from three years to five years. Customs duty on imported charging stations will be set at 1%, while battery swap stations will be supported through Viability Gap Funding. The policy envisages up to an 80% reduction in automobile tariffs with no regulatory duty, while additional customs duty on imported cars will end after two years. However, overall protection avail-
billion,” a senior government official said. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Senator Ahad Cheema separately confirmed that around $2.5 billion would be required from a consortium of lenders for construction of ML-1, with the financing to be arranged in tranches. The financing push comes as the project moves towards another critical milestone, with ADB aiming to finalise the ML-1 design in October 2026 before proceeding towards procurement and other implementation stages. Cheema held a meeting with an ADB delegation to review progress on the railway project, focusing on completing the design and subsequent preparatory requirements. ADB told the meeting that its technical team and project consultants were working on the project and making efforts to complete the design within October.
Once the design is finalised, the lender intends to work with the government to move ahead with procurement and subsequent stages. The bank also said requirements for further processing and approvals, including consideration by the ADB Board, would be communicated to the government on time. Cheema said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had accorded high priority to ML-1 and wanted the project to move towards implementation at the earliest possible stage. He assured the ADB delegation that the government would complete its requirements on time and provide the necessary facilitation. The minister also called for continued reviews of the implementation schedule to identify opportunities to shorten timelines without compromising technical, legal and procedural requirements. The latest financing arrangement rep-
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don noted that the process concluded Sept. 28, 2025, leaving six Chapter VII resolutions in effect for nearly a year. The French representative affirmed that council resolutions were restored alongside the committee's mandate to report every 90 days. "Regardless of such politically driven matters, the facts are the facts. The 1737 Committee exists," said the US representative, accusing Russia and China of attempting to undermine council decisions to protect Tehran. The American diplomat noted that the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran remained non-compliant with its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. The council voted 11-2 in favour of adopting the provisional agenda, with two abstentions, defeating the Russian and Chinese bid to halt the meeting. Under UN Security Council rules, procedural votes cannot be blocked by a permanent member's veto and require a minimum of nine affirmative votes to pass.
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justice from the courts. He said lawyers had historically made sacrifices for the Constitution and rule of law, but their voice had weakened, possibly because the legal fraternity had become divided. The senator said the Bar and Bench had traditionally worked together and stressed that lawyers would have to reunite to restore judicial independence. He said lawyers had challenged the 26th Amendment in court, while criticising political parties for failing to take similar action. Senator Hamid also alleged that PTI leaders had not received justice in their cases and that even meetings with Imran Khan had become increasingly difficult. He said the party would raise the matter in the National Assembly as well, arguing that the country’s problems should be resolved in Parliament rather than through television debates.
PM approves five-year auto policy draft with major NEV tax relief, phased tariff cuts
ADB COULD PROVIDE OVER $1B AS PART OF MULTILATERAL FINANCING ARRANGEMENT; PROJECT DESIGN TARGETED FOR COMPLETION IN OCTOBER BEFORE PROCUREMENT BEGINS PROFIT
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able to existing assemblers will largely remain in place for the first two years before declining over the following two years. Tariffs for the first two years will remain unchanged, while statutory regulatory orders will be phased out by FY2029-30. The Express Tribune reported, citing government officials involved in policymaking as saying that tariffs for completely built units would remain within the NTP's upper tariff limits except in the final year. The tariff structure will be reviewed after two years based on energy costs, taxes, interest rates, exchange-rate flexibility and export performance. For cars and SUVs above 1,801cc, customs duty will be 40%, FED 60% and sales tax 25% in FY2026-27 and FY2027-28. Customs duty will remain at 40% in FY2028-29 before falling to 30% in FY2029-30 and 15% in FY2030-31, while FED and sales tax will remain at 60% and 25%, respectively. Foreign consultant Stefan Dercon had recommended a 40% customs duty, 30% FED and 20% GST for cars above 1,800cc. For vehicles between 1,001cc and 1,800cc, customs duty will be 50%, FED 15% and sales tax 25% during FY2026-27 and FY202728. In FY2028-29, customs duty will decline to 40%, while FED and sales tax will stand at 15% each.
Pakistan seeks $2.5b consortium financing for ML-1 as ADB takes lead Monitoring report
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Gohar calls for nationwide 'Justice March' on Sept 27
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resents another shift in efforts to fund the long-delayed railway upgrade. ML-1 was initially conceived nearly two decades ago under the National Trade Corridor during the Pervez Musharraf-Shaukat Aziz period, when ADB was among the leading potential financiers. The project was subsequently incorporated into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at Islamabad's request. However, a financing arrangement for the project could not be finalised between 2014 and 2026. ADB is now again expected to assume the leading financing role as Pakistan attempts to move ML-1 from the planning and design stages towards procurement and construction. The meeting was attended by ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan, the ADB deputy country director, Railways Secretary Mazhar Ali Shah, Economic Affairs Secretary Muhammad Humair Karim, the Ministry of Railways' director general planning and other senior officials.
Published by Asad Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk
The government on Thursday increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs3.05 and Rs5.37 per litre, respectively, amid continued volatility in international oil markets. Under the revised rates, petrol will now be sold at Rs370.80 per litre, while HSD will cost Rs398.04 per litre. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the new prices will take effect from Friday, September 11. The government continues to impose taxes and duties of Rs114 per litre on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel. The latest increase comes despite a significant decline in fuel prices from the record highs reached earlier this year following the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict and subsequent disruption in regional oil markets. HSD had climbed to a record Rs520.35 per litre on April 3, after rising from around Rs281 per litre following the outbreak of hostilities on February 28. Petrol had similarly peaked at Rs458.41 per litre on April 3, having risen from Rs266 per litre in the first week of March. The government shifted to a daily fuel pricing mechanism in July in response to heightened volatility in international oil markets following renewed hostilities in the Persian Gulf. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik had announced on July 17 that fuel prices would be revised daily instead of the weekly adjustments that had been introduced in March. The federal government had earlier adopted weekly revisions alongside fuel conservation measures amid concerns over possible disruptions to global oil supplies because of the Middle East conflict.
Pakistan remittances projected to hit record $43.7 billion in FY27 after strong start PROFIT
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Pakistan’s workers’ remittances are projected to reach a record $43.7 billion in FY27, according to Topline Securities, after overseas Pakistanis sent home $7.3 billion in the first two months of the fiscal year, up 14.7% YoY and the strongest start to a fiscal year on record. The projection would surpass the record $41.6 billion received in FY26 and is broadly in line with the State Bank of Pakistan’s outlook of around $44 billion for the current fiscal year. According to SBP data, workers’ remittances stood at $3.656 billion in August, increasing 16.5% from a year earlier and 0.7% from July. July-August inflows reached $7.29 billion compared with $6.35 billion in the corresponding period last year. “Pakistan's remittances stood at $3.7 billion in August 2026, up 17% YoY and 1% MoM. This takes 2MFY27 remittances to $7.3 billion, up 15% YoY,” Topline Securities said, projecting full-year inflows of $43.7 billion. August, however, remained below the monthly record of $4.25 billion recorded in May. Inflows subsequently fell to $3.47 billion in June before recovering to $3.63 billion in July and around $3.66 billion in August. The strong start to FY27 follows a record FY26, when remittances reached $41.6 billion, up 8.6% from $38.3 billion a year earlier. The continued rise has made overseas inflows an increasingly important source of foreign exchange for Pakistan. The latest growth also comes after the central bank ended the telegraphic transfer rebate and Sohni Dharti rewards at the beginning of FY27. Banks continue to offer around Rs2 per dollar from their own resources, making the first two months an early indication of whether formal inflows can sustain their momentum without the previous fiscal incentives. The concentration of remittances in Gulf countries, however, remains a potential risk. Saudi Arabia and the UAE continue to account for a large portion of inflows, leaving remittances exposed to regional tensions and changes in Gulf labour market conditions despite stronger growth from the UK and US. Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee edged up against the US dollar in the interbank market on Wednesday, closing at 277.36 compared with 277.37 in the previous session.