Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | 2 Rabiul Sani, 1448
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XVII No 171 | 48 Pages Islamabad Edition
PM SHEHBAZ STEPS UP RELIEF, DIPLOMACY AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AMID REGIONAL CRISES
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PM ORDERS NATIONWIDE FUEL RELIEF FOR LOW INCOME MOTORISTS
PAKISTAN, LEBANON MOVE TO DEEPEN SECURITY AND INTERIOR COOPERATION
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OVER 42,000 ISLAMABAD RESIDENTS REGISTER UNDER SUBSIDY SCHEME
ISLAMABAD CONDEMNS ISRAELI AGGRESSION, BACKS LEBANON’S SOVEREIGNTY
Pakistan, Lebanon reaffirm commitment to stronger security cooperation
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RAWALPINDI
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday stepped up government efforts to cushion citizens from rising fuel prices, strengthen Pakistan’s security and diplomatic ties with Lebanon and reaffirm the country’s commitment to democratic governance and parliamentary supremacy amid a challenging regional environment. Chairing a high-level meeting to review progress on the special fuel relief scheme, the prime minister directed authorities to ensure maximum outreach to deserving citizens and make the registration process simple and accessible. Under the scheme, owners of motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles with engine capacity of up to 800cc will receive targeted relief on petrol following the recent increase in petroleum prices linked to the situation in the Gulf. Prime Minister Shehbaz ordered that the SMS required for registration be made free of cost so that eligible
citizens could access the subsidy without incurring additional expenses. The relief scheme for residents of Islamabad will be launched during the night between September 14 and 15, while petrol relief will be extended across the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, from the night between September 16 and 17. The prime minister directed Islamabad’s administration, including the chief commissioner and inspector general of police, to remain in the field to guide citizens through the registration process. He also called for elected representatives and volunteers to be mobilised across the country to assist people with registration and other formalities. Prime Minister Shehbaz ordered a comprehensive awareness campaign on the scheme across print, electronic, digital and social media platforms, stressing that all available means should be used to ensure the relief reached the maximum number of deserving citizens.
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Lebanese Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Al Hajjar called on Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) on Monday during his two-day visit to Pakistan. The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, the evolving regional security situation and prospects for further strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the security domain. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening institutional linkages and promoting greater cooperation between the security institutions of Pakistan and Lebanon. Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding relations with Lebanon and expressed Islamabad’s desire to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in areas of shared interest.
02 NEWS
Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | ISLAMABAD
STEEL SECTOR SEEKS FBR INTERVENTION AS DELAYS HINDER FY27 BUDGETARY REFORMS
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PROFIT
MONITORING REPORT
AKISTAN’s documented steel sector has sought urgent intervention from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) over delays and operational hurdles it says are hampering implementation of measures introduced in the federal budget for 2026-27. In a communication to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, the industry called for faster operationalisation of budgetary measures aimed at promoting corporatisation, documentation and digitisation, while curbing tax evasion and broadening the tax base. While welcoming the policy direction, the steel sector said delays at Pakistan Revenue Automation (Private) Limited (PRAL) were creating difficulties for taxpayers, with even routine and relatively minor operational matters remaining unresolved for extended periods. One of the key issues relates to the conversion of Associations of Persons (AOPs) into corporate entities. The industry said prolonged delays at PRAL in merging or linking old and new Sales Tax Registration Numbers (STRNs) and
National Tax Numbers (NTNs) were creating difficulties despite efforts by Inland Revenue Operations authorities. It proposed introducing a timebound mechanism to resolve such cases on an urgent basis. The industry also called for the establishment of a dedicated facilitation team at FBR headquarters, headed by a senior official and supported by a small team, to provide a single-window mechanism for resolving operational issues.
Millat Tractors signs deal to distribute China’s LOVOL agricultural machinery in Pakistan PROFIT
NEWS DESK
Pakistan’s Millat Tractors Limited (MTL) has entered into a distribution agreement with China’s Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology Co. Ltd to distribute LOVOL agricultural machinery in the country, the company disclosed on Monday. Under the agreement, MTL will distribute LOVOL’s high-technology and high-efficiency agricultural machinery in the Pakistani market. MTL said the initiative aligned with the government’s vision to introduce high-tech mechanisation across the country and would support ongoing efforts to enhance food security. The agreement will also broaden MTL’s product portfolio and strengthen its presence in Pakistan’s agricultural machinery market. Incorporated in Pakistan in 1964, Millat Tractors is a public limited company principally engaged in assembling and manufacturing agricultural tractors, implements and multi-application products. It is also involved in the sale, implementation and support of IFS applications in Pakistan and overseas. Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology began operations in 2004 in Weifang, Shandong. Its agricultural machinery portfolio includes tractors, harvesting machines and implements used across different stages of farming, including field preparation, planting, field management, harvesting, straw handling and grain drying. The Chinese company focuses on high-end intelligent agricultural machinery aimed at increasing mechanisation across farming operations.
Cherat Cement issues public announcement of intention to acquire at least 30% of Nimir PROFIT
NEWS DESK
Cherat Cement Company Limited (CCCL) has published its Public Announcement of Intention to acquire at least 30% of Nimir Industrial Chemicals Limited (NICL), representing at least 33,177,164 shares of the company. In a notice dated September 14, Cherat Cement informed the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and NICL that the announcement had been published in two newspapers in accordance with the Listed Companies (Substantial Acquisition of Voting Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2017. According to the accompanying public announcement, Cherat Cement is the acquirer, while Nimir Industrial Chemicals is the target company. The proposed transaction is intended to give Cherat Cement a substantial interest in NICL. Cherat intends to acquire at least 33.18 million shares, equivalent to at least 30% of NICL.
The proposed team would coordinate matters involving PRAL, chief commissioners, commissioners and other relevant formations, with industry-related issues accorded appropriate priority. Another concern raised was FBR’s continued reliance on the traditional DAK and ordinary postal system for correspondence between its headquarters and the offices of chief commissioners and commissioners. The industry said the system con-
sumed considerable time and caused avoidable delays in decision-making and implementation. It proposed transitioning the FBR network to a fast-track official email and digital correspondence system. The steel sector also welcomed FBR’s recent institutional measures, particularly greater delegation of authority and decentralisation to the second tier of leadership. It said the appointment of capable officers at key positions had brought a positive change in the working environment. It also described the creation of the position of Member Strategic Transformation as a practical and forward-looking step reflecting FBR’s commitment to institutional reform. The industry said the budgetary measures had generated considerable hope for the revival and growth of the steel industry, but difficulties in their operationalisation and implementation were preventing their full impact from being realised. It urged the FBR chairman to prioritise the establishment of a dedicated facilitation mechanism and the removal of delays at PRAL to help translate the reforms introduced through the 2026-27 budget into tangible results.
Time restrictions suppressing Rs45-75b in retail activity, costing up to Rs10b in taxes weekly: CAP PROFIT
WEB DESK
Restrictions on retail operating hours are suppressing an estimated Rs45-75 billion in documented retail activity each week and could be costing the exchequer up to Rs10 billion weekly in unpaid taxes, the Chainstore Association of Pakistan (CAP) has warned. The association has called for an urgent review of the restrictions, which have been in place since April 7, 2026, arguing that more than five months of curtailed trading during peak hours have taken a toll on sales, tax revenue, employment and formal businesses. As an immediate measure, CAP proposed allowing all retail shops and shopping malls in Punjab and Islamabad to remain open until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, while permitting restaurants to operate later. CAP based its estimates on FBR data and previously reported declines in retail sales during restricted
hours. It also noted that government officials had acknowledged similar revenue losses during an earlier round of nationwide 8 pm closures. The association said it recognised the energy supply and cost pressures facing Pakistan amid recent regional tensions and supported the need for conservation. However, it argued that the economic cost of restricted trading hours should be weighed against the energy savings they generate. CAP said the effects were not limited to retailers, as falling sales reduce orders for manufacturers and activity across logistics, warehousing, packaging and commercial real estate, ultimately affecting production, employment and household incomes. The association said Tier-1 retailers were among the country’s most documented and tax-compliant businesses, meaning reduced activity in the formal retail sector also translated into lower documented transactions and tax collections.
CAP also questioned the difference in operating hours within shopping malls, where restaurants can remain open until 11 pm while retail stores must shut at 9 pm. It said the gap reduces mall footfall and affects food courts while raising questions over the actual energy savings, as common mall infrastructure continues operating. The association pointed to more relaxed retail timings elsewhere in Pakistan as well as major regional retail markets. It said malls in Dubai remain open until midnight on weekends, while centres in Riyadh and Jeddah operate until around midnight. Retail hubs in Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, it added, remain open until at least 10 pm. CAP urged the government to extend Friday and Saturday retail timings to 11pm, allow longer hours for restaurants and conduct a transparent cost-benefit review of the existing restrictions while continuing energy conservation efforts.
Pearl-Continental owner, Pakistan Services Limited, confirms restructuring negotiations PROFIT
NEWS DESK
Pakistan Services Limited (PSL), the listed company that owns and operates the Pearl-Continental hotel chain, has confirmed that a proposed restructuring of the company is being negotiated as part of efforts to amicably resolve a matter currently before the Islamabad High Court (IHC). In a material information notice issued to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday, PSL referred to an earlier public disclosure made by Thatta Cement Company Limited (TTCL) on September 10 regarding the proposed restructuring. PSL said the negotiations were aimed at amicably resolving the matter sub judice before the Islamabad High Court in Companies Original No. 17 of 2025. The company said the proposed restructuring was still being negotiated and would be finalised through definitive agreements. “This is with reference to the public disclosure made by the Thatta Cement Company Limited (TTCL) on September 10, 2026 regarding the proposed restructuring of Pakistan Services Limited ("the Company"). In order to amicably resolve the matter sub judice before the Islamabad High Court in Companies Original No.17 of 2025, a proposed restructuring of the Com-
pany is being negotiated, which will be finalized through the definitive agreement(s) and will, accordingly, be communicated to the Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited and other relevant authorities,” read the PSL notice. Once finalised, the agreements will be communicated to the PSX and other relevant authorities, according to the disclosure. PSL did not disclose the proposed structure of the transaction, its financial terms or the nature of Thatta Cement's potential involvement beyond referring to TTCL's September 10 disclosure. The company added that any further development requiring disclosure under applicable laws and regulations would be communicated to the PSX in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements. On September 10, Thatta Cement Company announced that it reached an in-principle understanding regarding the proposed restructuring of Pakistan Services Limited, which remains subject to the finalisation of definitive agreements. Last week, a digital media platform reported that five Pearl-Continental properties could be divided between Thatta Cement and Fauji Foundation under a proposed outof-court settlement of a prolonged dispute over control of roughly 56% of PSL’s voting shares.
However, PSL said on September 7, 2026, that it had no knowledge of reports about a purported split of its hotel properties and had received no information from any shareholder regarding such an arrangement. “We would like to clarify that the Company does not have any knowledge about the contents stated in the story nor has it received any information from any shareholder about this matter,” PSL said at that time, adding that it was therefore not in a position to comment further. The underlying ownership dispute dates back to mid-2025, when two major transactions involving PSL shares took place. On July 14, 2025, AKD Group Holding (Private) Limited, formerly M/s Aqeel Karim Dhedhi Securities (Private) Limited, acquired a 27.95% voting stake in Pakistan Services Limited. The acquisition involved 9,089,651 shares at Rs700 per share, taking the total transaction value to Rs6.36 billion. The shares were acquired through AKD Group Holdings and its subsidiary, AKD Securities Limited. AKD Group Holdings holds 24.26% of PSL, equivalent to 7,889,651 shares, while AKD Securities Limited holds another 3.69%, or 1,200,000 shares. Together, the holdings amount to a 27.95% stake in PSL.
Ghani Chemical plans Rs1.16b rights issue for equity investment in Rs6b gas projects PROFIT
NEWS DESK
Ghani Chemical Industries Limited (GCIL) plans to raise up to Rs1.164 billion through a rights issue to partly finance its proposed Rs2.014 billion equity investment in a new project vehicle undertaking three gas projects with an estimated aggregate cost of Rs6.019 billion, according to the company's notice to the PSX on Monday. The company's board has recommended issuing up to 116,374,900 Class B Tracking Shares at Rs10 per share without premium, raising up to Rs1,163,749,000. The proposed issue represents approximately 20.40% of GCIL's existing issued and paid-up ordinary share capital. Eligible shareholders would receive approximately 204 Class B Tracking Shares for every 1,000 ordinary shares held. The entire proceeds of the proposed rights issue would be used towards GCIL's proposed equity investment of up to Rs2.014 billion in a Project Silo that will undertake the Sono Lahsari, Jandran and Maiwand projects. GCIL also plans to contribute another Rs850 million from internal resources, taking its total proposed equity investment to Rs2.014 billion. The company proposes to establish the Project Silo as a limited liability partnership provisionally named “G3 Oil & Gas Conversion LLP”, or another name approved or allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. GCIL proposes to hold an 84% partnership interest in the entity. The three projects have an estimated aggregate cost of Rs6.019 billion. The proposed financing structure comprises up to Rs4.005 billion in project debt, equivalent to approximately 66.54% of the estimated project size, and Rs2.014 billion in project equity, or approximately 33.46%. The filing said the Project Silo proposes to raise up to Rs4.005 billion of project debt through other legally permitted project-financing arrangements. Its principal business will be the processing, conversion, storage, transportation and commercialisation of indigenous raw, low-pressure, stranded, flare, associated and other gaseous feedstock into usable and marketable gas products. Rights issue proceeds may be used by the Project Silo for development of the Sono Lahsari, Jandran and Maiwand projects; acquisition, construction, installation and commissioning of plant and machinery; engineering, procurement and construction activities; pipelines, storage facilities and utilities; feed-gas supply and related arrangements; land acquisition, licences and sitedevelopment expenditure; regulatory approvals; initial working capital requirements; and project contingencies and other directly related expenditure. The Class B Tracking Shares are proposed to be issued specifically to raise dedicated capital for GCIL's investment in the Project Silo. They would be classified as preference shares and carry distinct dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and other rights specified in the proposed amendments to the company's Articles of Association.
Govt approves 90-day cyber security action plan amid heightened threats PROFIT
MONITORING REPORT
The federal government has approved a 90-day Cyber Security Strategic Action Plan amid a heightened cyber threat environment, while directing provinces to accelerate the establishment of Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and implementation of the Pakistan Information Security Framework (PISF) 2026, The News reported, citing official sources. The decision was taken at the second meeting of the National Committee for Information and Communications Security (NCICS), held at the Cabinet Division under the chairmanship of the secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications, who also chairs the committee. The meeting stressed the need for immediate and practical measures to address growing cyber security threats. It was informed that PISF 2026 had already been approved and its implementation must now be ensured at both federal and provincial levels. The National Computer Emergency Response Team (nCERT), which heads the Cyber Security Working Committee, presented the strategic action plan, primarily setting out measures to be undertaken over the next 90 days. The plan covers governance, compliance, resource alignment, incident response and crisis management, cyber security assessment and supply chain security. nCERT has also prepared a National Cyber Security Handbook primarily for government officials. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority chairman stressed the need for careful planning in operationalising the Federal CERT, particularly in the absence of provincial and sectoral CERTs, to ensure relevant ministries and departments could be efficiently integrated.
Privatisation Commission stops PTA from approving proposed rebranding of Ufone as ‘e&’ PROFIT
MONITORING REPORT
The Privatisation Commission has stopped the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) from approving the proposed rebranding of Ufone as “e&”, saying the matter is reserved between the governments concerned and can only be approved by the two governments, BR reported. The PTA chairman, responding to media questions, said the commission had directed the telecom regulator not to proceed with approval for the proposed change in Ufone’s brand name following the merger of Ufone and Telenor Pakistan.
He said the issue involved commitments between the two governments and could therefore not be decided solely at the regulatory level. The development comes as the government has yet to take a final decision on replacing the established Ufone brand with e&, with consultations among relevant authorities continuing. Separately, briefing the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, the Secretary IT and Telecom said Pakistan Telecommunication Mobile Limited (PTML) had approached PTA for permission to change Ufone’s brand name to e&. The secretary said the proposal re-
mained under consultation, with different views emerging from the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and PTA over the proposed change. He told the committee that the government was examining the issue from different aspects and clarified that no final decision had yet been taken on the rebranding. The committee discussed the proposal in the context of the Ufone-Telenor Pakistan merger and sought clarity over the regulatory process required to change Ufone’s established brand. It also examined the regulatory and policy implications of the proposed rebranding and the process through which approval for
a change in the operator’s brand would be granted. The Secretary IT said further consultations would be held before a final decision was reached. Earlier in July 2026, the new management of the merged entity applied to PTA to adopt the e& name following the legal amalgamation of Telenor Pakistan into PTML, which operates the Ufone brand. Telenor Pakistan had been formally merged into PTML earlier that month following final approval from the Islamabad High Court. Sources in PTCL had said the proposed e& name reflected the merged company's association with UAE-based state-owned
Etisalat. PTCL subsequently approached PTA for approval of the new brand. The regulator, however, sought a Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) notification concerning the directors of the merged entity before the new brand could be registered. The proposal encountered a further setback on July 27 when the federal government put the rebranding plan on hold amid legal and governance concerns, including questions over removing the word “Pakistan” from the telecom operator’s corporate identity and whether Ufone's board had the authority to approve the change.
Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | ISLAMABAD
PSX TUMBLES OVER 2,500 POINTS AMID INTENSIFYING MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS
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neWs Desk
EARS tightened their grip on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index plunging more than 2,500 points as investors remained cautious amid fresh attacks in the Middle East, continued energy supply disruptions and rising international oil prices. Sentiment was also weighed by the State Bank of Pakistan’s decision to keep the policy rate unchanged. According to the PSX website, the market opened on a sluggish note, with the KSE-100 shedding more than 1,700 points in the early minutes of trading. Selling intensified after 2 pm, dragging the index to an intraday low of 167,441.63, down more than 3,100 points. Pressure was broad-based, with selling observed in automobile assemblers, automobile parts and accessories, cables and electrical goods, cement, commercial banks, engineering, fertiliser, insurance, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas exploration, oil marketing companies
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and power generation. Later, the market recovered some losses and the index settled at 167,970.65, down by 2541.20 points or 1.49% from the previous close. Investor sentiment had already remained under pressure during the previous week amid renewed tensions between Iran and the United States and an intensifying conflict in the Middle East. Concerns over disruptions to global trade and a fresh surge in international oil prices pushed the KSE-100 down 4,816.95 points, or 2.7%, week-on-week to close at 170,511.86 points. The market is expected to remain sensitive to geopolitical and domestic policy developments in the near term, with three brokerages identifying the US-Iran conflict, the upcoming IMF review and monetary policy decision as key drivers of sentiment. Strengthening economic indicators
PM Shehbaz steps up relief, diplomacy and democratic governance amid regional crises CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Kse-100 Fell To InTraDay low oF 167,441.63 as InvesTors weIgheD polIcy raTe DecIsIon, Fresh aTTacKs In mIDDle easT anD rIsIng global oIl prIces
“Timely information and guidance” should be ensured for the public, he stressed. Officials informed the meeting that more than 600,000 SMS messages had been received from the Islamabad region since the launch of the scheme until Monday afternoon, while 42,933 applicants had successfully registered. Applicants are required to provide only four pieces of information — their identity card number, vehicle registration number, province of registration and vehicle registration date. Meanwhile, the prime minister received Lebanese Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Al-Hajjar and reviewed bilateral relations, with both sides expressing satisfaction over growing cooperation in interior and security affairs. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Housing Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also attended the meeting. Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed the Lebanese minister and reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding fraternal ties with Lebanon, while conveying his warm wishes to the Lebanese leadership. The two sides discussed matters of mutual interest and prospects for further strengthening cooperation in the security and interior sectors. The prime minister strongly condemned Israel’s aggression against Lebanon and expressed deep sympathy over the loss of precious lives and property. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Lebanese leadership and people and reiterated Islamabad’s steadfast support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ahmad Al-Hajjar thanked the prime minister for the warm reception and expressed Lebanon’s desire to further expand bilateral cooperation with Pakistan. The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons in the presence of the prime minister. The agreement provides a legal framework for convicted nationals to serve the remainder of their sentences in their respective home countries. On the domestic political front, Prime Minister Shehbaz, in a message marking the International Day of Democracy, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to democratic values, equality, justice, freedom, the rule of law and parliamentary supremacy. He said democracy vested authority in elected representatives for the welfare and well-being of citizens, while Parliament remained the central democratic institution embodying the voice and aspirations of the people. The prime minister said the Constitution provided the legal framework governing relations between the state and citizens and guaranteed equality before the law. He particularly referred to Article 25, which guarantees equal rights to all citizens. He said Pakistan’s federal parliamentary system entrusted Parliament with the responsibility of legislating in accordance with public interest and Islamic principles, while keeping pace with the changing requirements of the modern era. Prime Minister Shehbaz stressed that strengthening democratic values was essential for addressing contemporary challenges and securing a prosperous future. He also highlighted constitutional provisions aimed at ensuring the participation of women in national life, including reserved seats in the federal and provincial legislatures. Similarly, he reaffirmed the state’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and legitimate interests of religious minorities and ensuring their representation through reserved seats in Parliament and provincial assemblies.
and progress on domestic reforms could provide support to equities, while any deescalation in the Middle East, particularly a potential US-Iran deal, could ease pressure from elevated international oil prices and improve market sentiment. On Monday, the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 11.5% at its meeting on September 14, with seven out of 10 members voting in favour of the decision. The MPC noted that the recent intensification of the prolonged Middle East conflict had further increased already elevated global commodity prices, while supply chain disruptions had persisted. Global stocks also fell on Monday, driven lower by a slide in AI shares, as investors were unnerved by another surge in the oil price ahead of likely interest-rate hikes in the United States and Japan this week.
AI-linked shares took an added hit after the leaders of OpenAI and Anthropic called for a slowdown in development to manage risks and protect humanity. In Europe, the STOXX 600 was down 0.3% as gains in oil and gas stocks were offset by losses in tech, which were swept lower after the concerns expressed in a letter by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, echoed by Elon Musk, who runs xAI, and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. S&P 500 futures fell 0.7%, while Nasdaq futures fell 1.7%, reflecting the premarket slide in shares of AI staples such as Marvell, Intel and Micron, which fell between 4.5% and 5.7%. Tech-heavy markets in Asia, such as Tokyo and Seoul, fell between 1% and 3%. Brent crude futures climbed $3.43, or 3.3%, to $108.04 per barrel by 0924 GMT. WTI futures gained $3.49, or 3.5%, to $103.54 per barrel.
PLL threatens to cut RLNG supplies to K-Electric over Rs8.7 billion dues g
Ke DIspuTes DeFaulT, says IT has paID arounD rs4.2b In excess unDer expecTeD pooleD prIcIng mechanIsm; pll says mechanIsm remaIns unapproveD PROFIT
Monitoring report
Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) has again warned K-Electric (KE) that it could stop RLNG supplies if the power utility fails to immediately clear Rs8.7 billion in outstanding dues, as the two companies remain at odds over the application of a proposed pooled pricing mechanism, Business Recorder reported. In a letter dated September 8, PLL said KE owed Rs8.5 billion in principal and Rs200 million in late payment surcharge (LPS). KE, however, disputes that it is in default and estimates it has already paid around Rs4.2 billion in excess based on the pricing expected under the proposed unified RLNG pool. The disagreement centres on directions issued at a National Coordination and Management Council (NCMC) meeting on July 1, 2026. PLL maintained that the meeting issued two separate directions: one requiring stakeholders to examine a pooled RLNG pricing proposal and another directing KE to clear its outstanding dues on priority and ensure uninterrupted Debt Servicing Surcharge payments. According to PLL, the proposed weighted-average pricing mechanism remains under consideration and has not yet acquired contractual or regula-
tory effect. It said implementation would require guidelines from the Economic Coordination Committee and subsequent notification by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), a process that remains pending. PLL argued that invoices must therefore continue to be settled under the existing OGRA-notified RLNG price in accordance with the Gas Sale Agreement (GSA). It rejected KE’s application of an assumed pooled price to its payments as a unilateral adjustment without contractual or regulatory basis, adding that KE’s own calculations described the adjustment as provisional and subject to OGRA notification. PLL said that once the proposed mechanism was formally approved and notified, it would issue credit notes to KE in accordance with the applicable pricing settlements with Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited. The LNG supplier also maintained that LPS accrues automatically under the GSA on invoices remaining unpaid beyond their due dates and that settlement of KE’s outstanding dues was not conditional on approval of the new pricing mechanism. PLL said it had continued supplying RLNG to KE in the “greater national interest”, but warned that its receivables had reached a critical level
and were affecting its ability to meet obligations to LNG suppliers. It consequently asked KE to release the entire outstanding amount along with applicable LPS, warning that failure to do so could result in PLL exercising its contractual rights, including cessation of RLNG supplies, as well as other remedies available under the agreement or law. KE, meanwhile, maintained that there had been no delay or default on its part. The power utility said the NCMC meeting had agreed to implement a unified or weighted-average RLNG pool pricing mechanism under prevailing force majeure conditions and that it had requested authorities to expedite its implementation so pricing and payments could be reconciled retrospectively from May 2026. KE said it had been making payments based on the actual mix of spot and normal RLNG cargoes received. Based on payments already made and the expected pricing under the unified pool mechanism, the company estimated it had paid approximately Rs4.2 billion in excess. KE said it expected a corresponding credit note from PLL once the mechanism was implemented and reiterated its call for stakeholders to expedite the pricing mechanism and reconciliation of payments.
NADRA-integrated vaccination proof made mandatory for outbound international travel g
Travellers requIre prooF For polIo, menIngITIs, yellow Fever anD InFluenza; umrah anD haj passengers musT use auThorIseD govT vaccInaTIon cenTres PROFIT
Monitoring report
The government has made NADRA-integrated vaccination proof mandatory for passengers travelling internationally from Pakistan, with travellers required to provide proof of vaccination against polio, meningitis, yellow fever and influenza. According to a directive issued by the Airport Health Department, no passenger will be allowed to leave the country without the required vaccination proof from today. Vaccination and online registration
facilities will be made available at international departure lounges in the coming days. Passengers requiring vaccination at the airport have been advised to arrive six hours before their scheduled flight. Payments for vaccinations provided at airports will be processed through Nadra’s e-Sahulat platform. Separate requirements will apply to passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. The federal government’s civil dispensary has been designated as the only authorised vaccination centre for these travellers.
Airlines, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), have been directed to communicate the requirements to travel agents to minimise disruption and inconvenience for Umrah pilgrims. Under the directives, only NADRA-integrated vaccination proof will be accepted for travel. A PIA spokesman confirmed that passengers travelling internationally would not be permitted to fly without vaccination proof and advised travellers to obtain the required documentation before reaching the airport.
PIA, Kam Air sign interline agreement for Afghanistan-Middle East travel via Islamabad PROFIT
Web Desk
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Afghanistan’s Kam Air have signed an interline agreement aimed at providing smoother travel between Afghanistan and Middle Eastern destinations through Islamabad.
First phase launches Kabul-Islamabad-Dammam route; passengers get unified booking, direct baggage transfer and airside transit The first phase of the cooperation will activate the Kabul-Islamabad-Dammam route, according to a PIA spokesman. Under the agreement, passengers will be able to book their entire journey under a single reservation instead of purchasing separate tickets for each leg. Checked baggage from Kabul will also be transferred directly at Islamabad International Airport to the connecting PIA flight, removing the need for passengers to collect and recheck their luggage during transit. Afghan passengers travelling onwards to Gulf destinations will not be required to clear immigration in Pakistan as long as they remain airside during transit, the spokesman said. The arrangement establishes Islamabad as the transit point between Kam Air’s Afghanistan operations and PIA flights serving destinations in the Middle East.
NEWS 03
Pakistan, Hong Kong explore stronger business ties in finance, aviation and digital technology PROFIT
neWs Desk
Pakistan and Hong Kong have discussed strengthening business-to-business linkages and expanding cooperation in trade, investment and key services sectors, including finance, aviation and digital technology. Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held discussions with the chairman and leading business representatives of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce during an official visit on September 13. The two sides explored opportunities to increase direct engagement between their business communities, while also discussing the potential of the Belt and Road Initiative to strengthen connectivity, mutual cooperation and transit routes. Khan called for regular interaction between leading businesses and greater exchange of trade delegations to identify new commercial opportunities. The meeting also discussed prospects for institutional collaboration between the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and major Pakistani trade bodies, including the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The commerce minister said Pakistan could benefit from Hong Kong’s expertise in the services sector, particularly finance, aviation and digital technology. During the visit, Khan also met members of the Pakistani business community and diaspora at a dinner at the Pakistan Club. He highlighted Hong Kong’s opportunities for Pakistani entrepreneurs and professionals and urged the diaspora to use its business networks to promote Pakistan’s economic potential, attract investment and develop commercial partnerships. Khan said the government remained committed to facilitating overseas Pakistanis and strengthening their role in promoting trade, investment and broader economic cooperation between Pakistan and Hong Kong.
Arif Habib Corporation moves NCCIA against AI deepfakes used to solicit investment funds PROFIT
Web Desk
Arif Habib Corporation Limited (AHCL) has lodged a formal complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) over fake social-media accounts, fraudulent calls and AI-generated deepfake videos allegedly using Arif Habib’s identity to solicit funds for unauthorised investment schemes. The company said it approached the NCCIA on September 4, seeking registration of a case, an investigation and the removal or blocking of the fraudulent content. It is also pursuing available legal remedies against those responsible. In a public notice dated September 14, AHCL said unidentified individuals had created fake and fraudulent accounts and pages on TikTok, Facebook and other online platforms. The company said fraudulent telephone calls were also being made to clients of Arif Habib Group and members of the public. According to AHCL, the material misuses the name, photograph, voice and likeness of Arif Habib, chairman of Arif Habib Group and chief executive officer of AHCL. This includes AI-generated or deepfake video content being used to solicit money under fake and unauthorised investment schemes. AHCL categorically denied any association with the schemes, saying neither Arif Habib, the company nor any other Arif Habib Group entity had launched, endorsed or sponsored the investment schemes, platforms, accounts, pages or telephone solicitations. The company said the latest cases were part of a broader pattern of fraudulent activity involving Arif Habib’s name. It referred to an earlier public warning issued by its listed subsidiary, Arif Habib Limited (AHL), on July 31, 2026. AHCL said it had also placed a public caution notice on its official website to alert stakeholders before lodging the NCCIA complaint. The company advised investors and the public not to engage with or act on unauthorised online content or telephone calls.
04 COMMENT
Customs reforms can open a new chapter for Pakistan
Kicking the can down the road?
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HE State Bank of Pakistan was right to leave the policy rate unchanged at 11.5%. With inflation accelerating but domestic indicators still broadly within its projections, an immediate increase could have imposed fresh costs on an economy whose recovery remains fragile. Yet prudence cannot become passivity. The longer the Middle East remains convulsed by conflict, the less credible it becomes to treat each escalation as a temporary disruption that monetary policy can simply wait out. The regional crisis is beginning to resemble a new normal rather than an isolated shock. With no credible political settlement in sight, trade routes and energy infrastructure are becoming instruments of pressure. Disruption around the Strait of Hormuz has already altered assumptions about the security and cost of global energy flows. Houthi attacks add another layer of uncertainty to shipping routes, freight charges, insurance premiums and delivery times. Even when oil supplies are not physically interrupted, markets price in danger. For an energy-importing country such as Pakistan, that premium eventually appears in the exchange rate, transport costs, electricity prices and inflation. The MPC therefore faces an unusually difficult choice. Raising rates cannot reopen a shipping lane or produce cheaper oil. It can, however, prevent imported inflation from becoming embedded in domestic prices and expectations. Holding rates supports growth, but holding for too long risks forcing a sharper and more damaging adjustment later. Pakistan’s present reserve position offers some protection, not immunity. Reserves above $21 billion, strengthened by remittances, financial inflows and a $3 billion Eurobond issue, give policymakers more room than they possessed during the worst of the recent balance-ofpayments crisis. But borrowed dollars and one-off inflows are buffers, not a permanent source of resilience. They can disappear quickly when energy bills rise, capital becomes more expensive and global trade slows. Pakistan should remember how rapidly apparently manageable pressures became an economy-wide emergency between 2019 and 2023. The pandemic, commodity shocks and domestic policy failures fed into one another, leaving the country with depleted reserves, a collapsing currency, punishing inflation and an IMF-dependent stabilisation programme from which it is still emerging. Confidence built on the current reserve number alone would be dangerously premature. For now, the SBP’s wait-and-watch approach remains defensible. But waiting must mean preparing. The central bank should closely track energy prices, shipping costs, inflation expectations and pressure on the rupee, while the government reduces avoidable foreign-exchange demand and resists politically convenient subsidies that obscure the true fiscal cost of the shock. The next MPC decision may require action before all the damage appears in headline data. In a prolonged crisis, delay is not neutrality. If instability has become structural, policy must adjust before the can reaches the end of the road.
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From trade to manufacturing, Pakistan must turn tariff reforms into an investment opportunity for Chinese industry SyeD JawaD ali Shah
AKISTAN’S evolving customs and tariff regime presents an important opportunity to rethink the next phase of economic cooperation between Pakistan and China.For decades, the economic relationship between the two countries has been associated with bilateral trade, infrastructure development and major strategic projects. The next phase, however, should be more ambitious, moving from a relationship driven primarily by trade to one increasingly built around investment, manufacturing, technology transfer and joint production. The Federal Board of Revenue has introduced significant customs measures during 2026. Among them are S.R.O. 1063(I)/2026 concerning Additional Customs Duty and S.R.O. 1064(I)/2026 concerning Regulatory Duty, both issued on June 30, 2026. The FBR’s official record also shows further customs notifications issued during July and August. Pakistan and China have already established a relationship based on mutual trust and strategic cooperation. The economic dimension of this partnership, however, can be taken much further. Pakistan should increasingly position itself not merely as a destination for Chinese products, but as a production base for Chinese companies seeking access to Pakistan and regional markets. There is a fundamental difference between importing a finished product from China and establishing a manufacturing facility in Pakistan with Chinese capital, technology and expertise. The first primarily generates trade. The second can generate investment, employment, technology transfer, local value addition, exports and long-term industrial capacity. This is why customs and tariff policy matters. Customs duties are often viewed primarily as a source of government revenue. In reality, they can have a much wider impact on an economy. The cost of machinery, industrial components, raw materials and production inputs can influence whether an international company establishes a manufacturing facility in a country or simply exports finished products to it. A rational, transparent and predictable tariff regime can therefore become an important part of an investment strategy. Pakistan’s challenge is to ensure that tariff reforms encourage productive investment and local manufacturing, rather than merely facilitating the import of finished goods. This is where Chinese industry can play a particularly important role.
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
WHY PAKISTAN MATTERS TO CHINESE INDUSTRY: China is one of the world’s leading manufacturing and technology powers. Chinese com-
panies are increasingly looking for new markets, competitive production locations and opportunities to strengthen their international supply chains. Pakistan offers several potential advantages: a large domestic market, a strategic geographical location, an established relationship with China, a substantial workforce and access to markets extending toward Central Asia and the Middle East. For Chinese manufacturers, Pakistan should therefore be viewed from a broader perspective. It can potentially become not only a market for Chinese goods, but also a platform for manufacturing in Pakistan for Pakistan and regional markets. The next phase of Pakistan-China economic cooperation should encourage more joint ventures and industrial partnerships. Chinese companies can work with Pakistani businesses in sectors such as engineering, automobiles, electronics, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, agricultural technology, construction materials and industrial machinery. Such partnerships can create a genuine win-win model. Chinese companies can contribute capital, technology, management expertise and international supply-chain experience, while Pakistani partners can provide local market knowledge, workforce, business networks and regional access. Together, they can create products that are competitive in Pakistan and potentially in international markets. Tariff reform alone, however, cannot attract major investment. Investors need certainty. They need clear customs procedures, predictable taxation, efficient ports and logistics, reliable energy, faster regulatory approvals and a stable policy environment. Pakistan should therefore ensure that customs reforms are accompanied by improvements in the broader investment ecosystem. The objective should be straightforward: Make it easier and more commercially attractive to manufacture in Pakistan than simply to import into Pakistan. That would represent a genuine transformation in Pakistan’s economic policy.
Fattah-IV: A landmark achievement M. A. Niazi
Babar Nizami
Editor Pakistan Today
Editor Profit
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Dr M. B. Khan
AKISTAN’S strategic landscape has historically been shaped by the need to maintain credible conventional and strategic deterrence. Over the past three decades, Pakistan’s missile profile evolved through two distinct paths: ballistic missiles and land-attack cruise missiles. The short-to-medium-range ballistic family—spanning from the solid-fueled Hatf and Shaheen series to the liquid-fueled Ghauri—was designed for speed, rapid response, and deep nuclear or conventional counter-strike capabilities. Parallel to ballistic systems, Pakistan developed air-breathing cruise missiles to bypass earlywarning defense networks. This leg of the inventory began with the Babur land-attack cruise missile (LACM) and the air-launched Ra’ad, both designed to fly at low, terrain-following altitudes to evade ground-based radar detection. A prominent milestone in this evolution is the Fatah-IV ground-launched cruise missile, operated by the Pakistan Army’s Rocket Force Command. Flight testing and training launches have validated its operational envelope, confirming a 750 km strike range with a conventional warhead (~330 kg class). The Fatah-IV acts as a bridge between tactical multi-launch rocket systems (such as the guided Fatah-I/II) and strategic ballistic assets. Driven by a solid rocket booster at launch and sustained by a subsonic turbofan engine during cruise, the Fatah-4 flies extremely low (approx. 30–50 meters above ground) to mask itself behind topography and stay beneath enemy radar horizons. Its avionics integrate robust INS (Inertial Navigation System, an onboard system that calculates position using gyroscopes and accelerometers without relying on external signals) backed by satellite navigation like GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System, the umbrella term for satellite networks like GPS or BeiDou). For terminal targeting, multi-mode electro-optical or radar seekers guide the warhead directly to high-value infrastructure with
high precision—even in electronic warfare environments where satellite signals are jammed. To understand Fatah-IV’s tactical niche, it helps to compare it against two benchmark systems: India’s BrahMos and the United States’ BGM-109 Tomahawk.
FATAH-IV VS. INDIAN BRAHMOS: The primary contrast lies in propulsion and design philosophy. BrahMos is a heavy, supersonic missile powered by a liquid ramjet engine, reaching speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0 over ranges from 290 km to 800 km. It relies on brute kinetic force and supersonic speed to overwhelm defensive reaction windows, but its high velocity generates heat and a larger radar footprint. In contrast, Fatah-IV trades speed for subsonic stealth, flying at ~Mach 0.7. It relies on low-altitude terrain masking to avoid detection altogether rather than outrunning it. Furthermore, because turbofan engines are light and fuel-efficient, Fatah-IV features a smaller airframe (~1.5 tons compared to BrahMos’s ~3 tons), allowing a single mobile launch vehicle to carry multiple ready-to-fire canisters.
FATAH-IV VS. U.S. TOMAHAWK: Fatah-IV and the U.S. Tomahawk belong to the exact same weapon category: subsonic, air-breathing, long-range land-attack cruise missiles. Both utilize pop-out wings, a solid boost phase, and an
ultra-low terrain-following flight profile to remain undetected. The Tomahawk, however, represents a mature, heavy-category LACM with over twice the range (1,600+ km) and a larger 450 kg payload. Modern Tomahawk variants (Block V) also integrate two-way satellite communications, allowing them to loiter on station, send real-time imagery back to commanders, and change targets mid-flight. Fatah-IV fulfills a similar low-altitude land-attack doctrine tailored specifically to regional operational depths. By operationalizing systems like the Fatah-IV Pakistan continues to refine its conventional precision-strike architecture—enabling long-range deterrence below the strategic nuclear threshold. Vis-à-vis India’s evolving integrated air and missile defense architecture—such as the S-400 Triumf, Akash, and S-300/Barak-8 systems—the Fatah-IV provides the Pakistan Army Rocket Force Command with a low-cost, mass-producible counter-capability. Its ultra-low, terrainmasking subsonic trajectory is explicitly designed to penetrate ground-radar horizons and exploit gaps in early-warning coverage, providing a high-density conventional salvo option to saturate high-value regional targets beneath the strategic nuclear threshold.
Dr M. B. Khan is a Defense Analyst who previously delivered talks at NDU and Staff College Quetta.
The Fatah-IV acts as a bridge between tactical multi-launch rocket systems (such as the guided Fatah-I/II) and strategic ballistic assets. Driven by a solid rocket booster at launch and sustained by a subsonic turbofan engine during cruise, the Fatah-4 flies extremely low (approx. 30–50 meters above ground) to mask itself behind topography and stay beneath enemy radar horizons.
A MESSAGE TO CHINESE INVESTORS: Pakistan’s latest customs reforms should encourage Chinese companies to look at the country from a different perspective. Instead of asking only: “What can we export to Pakistan?” Chinese companies should increasingly ask: “What can we manufacture in Pakistan?” That change in thinking could unlock a much larger economic relationship. Pakistan needs investment, technology and industrial capacity. China has companies with capital, technology, manufacturing expertise and international experience. The opportunity for both sides is clear. The future of Pakistan-China economic relations should not be measured solely by the volume of bilateral trade or the number of infrastructure projects. The real measure of success should be the number of factories established, jobs created, technologies transferred, Pakistani workers trained, products manufactured locally and exports generated jointly. This should become the next chapter of the Pakistan-China partnership. Customs and tariff reforms are only one component of that journey. But if implemented transparently and supported by wider investment reforms, they can contribute to a more competitive business environment. Pakistan now has an opportunity to send a clear message to Chinese industry: Pakistan does not want to remain only a market for Chinese products. It wants to become a partner in producing them. The future should therefore be about more than “Made in China for Pakistan.” It should increasingly be about: “Made in Pakistan with Chinese Technology, Capital and Expertise— for Pakistan and the World.” That is where the next great opportunity in Pakistan-China economic cooperation may lie.
The author is Senior Advisor of the CPEC Investment Department, Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, China, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Cooperation, and President of the Pakistani Community in Zhejiang Province, China
Editor’s mail
Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively
Breast cancer awareness initiative
I am writing to share my experience as a young female student who recently participated in a Breast Cancer Awareness session held at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in October 2025. Students from multiple universities were invited, and I consider it a privilege to have been among those selected for this insightful and transformative visit. The session was not only educational but eye-opening, as it challenged several misconceptions surrounding breast cancer. One of the most significant myths addressed was the widespread belief that breast cancer is solely a genetic disease. Medical professionals explained that while heredity can be a risk factor, the majority of cases arise due to lifestyle choices, hormonal changes, age, delayed diagnosis, and most critically - a lack of awareness. Experts strongly emphasized the life-saving importance of early detection. We were trained on how to conduct regular self-breast examinations and informed about early warning signs, including unusual lumps, changes in breast shape or skin texture, and abnormal nipple discharge. A particularly striking takeaway was the reminder that breast cancer does not discriminate by age, making early awareness among young women essential rather than optional. This Breast Cancer Awareness initiative reflects Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital’s unwavering commitment to public health education. The clarity, professionalism, and compassion with which the information was delivered reaffirm why the institution is held in such high regard nationwide. Programs like these do more than spread awareness - they empower individuals with knowledge that can save lives. I deeply appreciate and admire Shaukat Khanum’s *continued dedication to serving society with excellence and humanity. MISHAAL AHMED QUAID-E-AZAM LAW COLLEGE
Villagers walk for water
THE Amrio village has no access to safe drinking water. Groundwater is saline and quite dangerous for human consumption. Old village wells, once a major source of fresh water for the residents, have become nonfunctional. A single saline water well with a motor exists at some distance, but it is not enough to meet the needs of the local population. The government-installed RO plants are located at least a couple of kilometres away. These facilities are often non-functional or inaccessible as well. Every day, women walk long distances carrying water containers, and children miss school to help collect the precious commodity. Despite repeated complaints to all local and provincial authorities, no effective solution has been provided yet. The wait continues. ARSHAD ALI JUNEJO THARPARKAR
Surveillance needed
Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965
Tuesday, 15 September, 2026
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Karachi – Ph: 021-32640318 I
Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545
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CCTV cameras act as a strong deterrent to theft, vandalism and other criminal activities because people are less likely to commit offences when they know they’re being watch. CCTV cameras can serve as evidence and play a vital role in criminal investigations. In recent months, there has been an increase in theft and other criminal activities in Turbat. Unfortunately, this town of Balochistan has no security cameras for public safety and monitoring critical areas. Installing cameras at designated places in the town would help in preventing crime, monitoring traffic and ensuring safety of citizens. Installing cameras in busy markets, public places and main roads is essential in the context of providing safety to citizens and reduce crime. Such a step would raise public confidence and contribute to making Turbat a safer place for its citizens. ZEEBJAN AKTHER TURBAT
Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk
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Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk
COMMENT 05
Pakistan and the Yemen trap
Tuesday, 15 September, 2026
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Qamar Bashir
NY indication by the government that Pakistan is actively assisting Saudi Arabia against Yemen’s Houthis would represent a major departure from prudent diplomacy. This would not be an ordinary extension of defence cooperation between two longstanding allies. It could place Pakistan inside a conflict connected with Iran, Israel, the USA, the Gulf states and the future control of one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors. The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, are no longer merely a Yemeni insurgent movement. They control much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sana’a, and possess missiles, drones and maritime-strike capabilities. By attacking commercial vessels and confronting Israel, they have projected themselves into the wider Middle Eastern conflict. Their actions may be disputed strategically, but across much of the Muslim world they portray their campaign as support for Palestinians and resistance to Israel’s war in Gaza. Bab el-Mandeb is central to this equation. This narrow strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and, through the Suez Canal, links Asian trade with Europe. Any force capable of threatening vessels, ports or islands surrounding this corridor can disrupt shipping, raise insurance costs, increase oil prices and force commercial vessels around the Cape of Good Hope. The Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb are therefore two strategic pressure points capable of influencing the global economy. Pakistan must distinguish, however, between protecting commercial navigation and entering Yemen’s civil war on behalf of one party. Intelligence sharing, naval protection of Pakistani shipping and participation in internationally defined anti-piracy operations are different from identifying Houthi positions, supporting Saudi or Yemeni government forces, conducting strikes, or helping one side capture strategically important territory. The first category may serve a legitimate defensive purpose. The second would make Pakistan a party to the conflict. That distinction is particularly important because the Houthis are closely aligned with Iran. Tehran may not control every Houthi decision, but it has provided the movement with political support, military technology and strategic assistance. Direct Pakistani involvement against the Houthis would con-
sequently be interpreted in Tehran as Pakistan joining an anti-Iran regional alignment. This could damage a difficult but indispensable relationship between two neighbouring Muslim states sharing a border of more than 900 kilometres. Pakistan’s strategic plate is already overflowing. Its confrontation with India has not disappeared; it has only been restrained by an uncertain truce and the fear of escalation between two nuclear-armed states. Any new incident could revive that conflict with extraordinary speed. Pakistan is also engaged in an increasingly dangerous struggle with militants operating from Afghanistan, while relations with the Afghan Taliban remain deeply strained. Terrorist attacks continue to take the lives of civilians and security personnel inside Pakistan. Opening a third front—directly or indirectly—in Yemen would disperse Pakistan’s military attention, intelligence capabilities and diplomatic resources. A country confronting threats on its eastern and western borders cannot responsibly volunteer for another conflict thousands of kilometres away, particularly one involving missiles, drones, maritime warfare, proxy organisations and competing global powers. There is also an unavoidable Palestinian dimension. Whatever Pakistan’s assessment of Houthi politics or methods, the movement has publicly connected its Red Sea operations with Israel’s actions in Gaza. If Pakistani assistance weakens the Houthis’ capacity to confront Israel, many Pakistanis will interpret Islamabad’s involvement as indirectly helping Israel rather than merely assisting Saudi Arabia. Whether that interpretation is strategically complete would matter less than its political effect inside Pakistan. Religious parties, opposition forces, student organisations and civil-society groups could mobilise against the government. Demonstrations might portray the civilian and military leadership as exchanging Palestinian solidarity for Saudi financial support. At a time when Pakistan is already politically polarised, economically burdened and institutionally divided, such a perception could produce protests, agitation and prolonged in-
Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, want to pause advanced AI development and permanently ban ‘artificial superintelligence’
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editorial
CRIPTURE warns against false prophets. The Gospel of Matthew says that no one but God, “not even the angels of heaven,” knows the day or the hour of the end times. That’s worth remembering amid the flood of predictions about an artificial intelligence apocalypse. This week saw two prominent researchers at frontier lab Anthropic casually throwing around probabilities for humanity’s extinction at the hands of runaway AI. Evan Hubinger, who leads the company’s alignment research, estimated its probability within the next decade to be greater than 10 percent. Jacob Coxon, who resigned from Anthropic this week, accused the leading labs of “gambling with our lives.” These warnings have received outsize attention. Who can blame the public, already uncertain about the technology’s impact on their lives, for taking them seriously? The forecasts are concerning, but they merit a certain skepticism. People working at the frontier may know more than most about what today’s models can do. But that does not give them special knowledge of what machines that do not yet exist will someday become — or how society will adapt to the challenge. Unfortunately, politicians in both parties are starting to treat these fears as grounds for designing public policy. Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, want to pause advanced AI development and permanently ban “artificial superintelligence” — a term that their proposed legislation defines with chilling sweep. Under their plan, systems that merely match human cognitive performance across a broad range of tasks would qualify. A new Cabinetlevel regulator would be empowered to police the technology. Violating the ban could mean up to 20 years in prison for individuals and dissolution of the offending company. The dawn of the AI era cries out for humility and patience. Politicians
The relevant calculation is not how many billions of dollars Saudi Arabia may deposit or invest. It is whether that assistance compensates Pakistan for possible casualties, retaliatory terrorism, damaged relations with Iran, increased defence expenditure, domestic turmoil and exposure to a prolonged regional war. Measured against these risks, even substantial economic support could become an extremely expensive bargain. Yemen itself offers a warning. Years of Saudi-led military operations failed to eliminate the Houthis. Despite superior aircraft, weaponry and financial resources, the coalition could not impose a decisive settlement. The Houthis emerged more experienced, better armed and politically entrenched. Pakistan must therefore ask what its involvement could accomplish that years of regional military intervention did not. There may nevertheless be a legitimate Pakistani role. Islamabad can defend Saudi territory against external attack under clearly defined bilateral arrangements. It can help train Saudi forces, support mine-clearing, protect Pakistani shipping and participate in diplomatic efforts for a Yemeni settlement. It
Pakistan must distinguish, however, between protecting commercial navigation and entering Yemen’s civil war on behalf of one party. Intelligence sharing, naval protection of Pakistani shipping and participation in internationally defined anti-piracy operations are different from identifying Houthi positions, supporting Saudi or Yemeni government forces, conducting strikes, or helping one side capture strategically important territory.
AI hysteria jumps the shark
WASHINGTON POST
ternal instability. A foreign deployment undertaken in the name of national security could ultimately weaken security at home. Israel and the United States would also view an expanded Pakistani role through their own strategic calculations. They may welcome operations that reduce Houthi attacks on shipping, but they would remain suspicious of the deployment of a major Muslim military force with nuclear capability and extensive combat experience. A Pakistani force introduced today against the Houthis could theoretically be redirected tomorrow under changed political circumstances. Israel would therefore evaluate Pakistan not merely as a temporary partner of Saudi Arabia but as a potentially independent military actor entering its immediate strategic environment. Conversely, if Pakistan limited itself to Saudi defence but refused actions benefiting Israel, Washington and Tel Aviv could still consider Islamabad unreliable. Pakistan could thus acquire the liabilities of intervention without securing the complete trust of either side. In a region where alliances shift quickly, tactical cooperation does not necessarily produce lasting strategic protection.
should not seek to regulate a fast-moving technology they don’t understand. Bad legislation risks undermining the many potential upsides of AI, such as developing breakthrough medicines. Silicon Valley’s doomers are pointing policymakers in the wrong direction — and in a way that happens to let the AI companies off the hook. Scientists at the frontier labs talk about their technology as an otherworldly force — “an alien mind,” in the words of OpenAI’s chief scientist, Jakub Pachocki. This invites an all-of-humanity response to avert the worst-case scenarios — from suffocating domestic legislation to fanciful global treaties. These scientists might instead fret about the fate of their employers, who may be held liable for damages caused by their inventions. In an essay published this past weekend, Pachocki admitted that building AI is more like experimentation than engineering. These researchers are not building complex missiles; they are playing with what might be the digital equivalent of nitroglycerin. When a lab blows up and takes out a city block, do we blame the chemicals? Of course not. The legal system would ask who handled them, what precautions the labs took, what warnings were ignored and who decided the experiment should proceed. Those are exactly the kinds of questions that Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) has begun asking. Last month, his office subpoenaed OpenAI for records related to the Hugging Face lab leak, asking about safeguards surrounding its testing and previous unauthorized intrusions. Unlike prophecy, this is a process that can produce evidence. The prospect of discovery, injunctions and damages ought to make AI companies more diligent about preventing their next experiments from going awry. Liability offers better discipline than overbearing legislation, and it’s much more likely to yield results than negotiating unenforceable treaties with the Chinese Communist Party. Silicon Valley’s prophets of doom want government to fear AI enough to prohibit an unknowable future. The better answer is to make AI companies fear the consequences of behaving recklessly in the present.
can also use its relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran and other Muslim countries to encourage de-escalation. But Pakistani personnel should not conduct offensive operations inside Yemen or become instruments in a wider campaign against Iran and its regional partners. Before any deployment, the government must inform Parliament about its objectives, geographical limits, duration, command structure and rules of engagement. It must clarify whether Pakistani forces are defending Saudi territory, protecting international shipping or operating against the Houthis inside Yemen. Strategic ambiguity may temporarily protect officials from criticism, but it leaves the country vulnerable to mission expansion without democratic consent. Pakistan’s relationship with Saudi Arabia is important, but it cannot override Pakistan’s own national interest. The country needs economic recovery, internal stability, secure borders and balanced relations with neighbouring Iran. It does not need another battlefield. The wisest policy is therefore one of defensive cooperation without offensive entanglement: protect Saudi Arabia from attacks on its territory, safeguard lawful maritime commerce, support negotiations and refuse participation in Yemen’s internal war. Pakistan can stand with Saudi Arabia without becoming an enemy of Yemen, Iran or those who believe they are resisting Israel. That balance may be difficult, but it is far less dangerous than stepping into a regional furnace from which Pakistan may find no easy exit.
The writer retired as Press Secretary the President, and is former Press Minister at Embassy of Pakistan to France and former MD, Shalimar Recording & Broadcasting Company Limited
The great AI slowdown? Nothing is now stopping Anthropic and OpenAI from ‘pacing the frontier’ on their own
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WALL STREET JOURNAL the editorial Board
HE calls by four American tech CEOs for a slowdown in AI development is a big economic and political moment, though to what end isn’t clear. China isn’t about to slow down its AI leaders, while America’s political class may try to seize the moment to stop or take control of the technology. Caution is advised about what the cautioners propose. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei issued a statement on Saturday calling for the slowdown amid the escalating progress of Anthropic’s Claude and other AI models. Sam Altman of OpenAI and ChatGPT quickly agreed, as did Elon Musk, who runs SpaceXAI, and Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis. The four compete in AI development, so their simultaneous warnings are striking. “Over the last few months, I have become convinced that fully addressing the risks requires even more prudence—not just investing in risk prevention, but pacing the rate of capabilities advancement so that risk prevention has time to keep up,” Mr. Amodei wrote.
*** The concerns are over the technology and the politics. The entrepreneurs are worried about episodes when rogue AI agents have broken free of their human instructions to pursue their own ends. The recent raid by OpenAI agents on the Hugging Face platform is the most notable, but others are occurring as the machines learn to teach and improve themselves.
No doubt China doesn’t want to end the human race, but the Communist Party does want to become the dominant global power. It’s worth engaging China to discuss AI’s risks to humanity, especially among technologists
This “misalignment,” to borrow the industry jargon, is a genuine concern. These pages have featured warnings about this, and Cameron Berg is the latest nearby. It’s an important argument. Humans need to be able to keep control of the machines. The CEOs can also see how the politics of AI are moving toward panic. The opposition to data centers based on misinformation is one signal. They can also see the plaintiff bar circling in wait for an incident when rogue agents do more harm than the Hugging Face event. The warnings of Apocalypse are also growing, often uninformed and amplified by those like Bernie Sanders who want government to stop the industry until the politicians can run it. By offering to slow down on their own, and invite outside monitors to inspect their models, the CEOs are hoping to head off such an outcome. But then nothing now is stopping these firms from “pacing the frontier” on their own, to use Mr. Amodei’s phrase. OpenAI and Anthropic are leading the frontier. If what they see in their shops is truly dangerous, by all means be responsible and “align” development. Slow down on your own. The complication comes when these firms seek outside help to aid their cause. One everpresent risk is regulatory capture, in which government rules entrench market leaders—in this case especially OpenAI and Anthropic. If Mr. Amodei wants to bring in an outside referee for its models, go right ahead. But nonprofit monitors come with their own biases and business ties. We should be wary of entrenching them as de facto regulators for everyone. The same caution goes for rewriting the product liability or antitrust laws to let the firms cooperate to define and police the AI frontier. Some cooperative leeway might be warranted.
But “pacing the frontier” shouldn’t become a market-share protection racket. Mr. Amodei also calls for global cooperation on “pacing within democracies,” which is fine. But the main problem here is China, which is the only real competitor to the U.S. models. AI critics want President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to start an AI arms-control process when they meet this month. That would be nice if it were realistic. No doubt China doesn’t want to end the human race, but the Communist Party does want to become the dominant global power. It’s worth engaging China to discuss AI’s risks to humanity, especially among technologists. But Mr. Xi lied when he told Barack Obama that China would end its cyber attacks on the U.S., and China still won’t come clean on what really happened at the Wuhan virology lab. Beijing’s propaganda engines are currently feeding the opposition to data centers in the U.S. Mr. Xi is likely to see a U.S. slowdown as an opening to take the AI lead rather than an opportunity to help mankind. Giving up the frontier lead could also leave the U.S. vulnerable to rogue states or non-state actors that try to use AI to create a bioweapon or other menace. Anthropic to its credit is calling out that risk, and working to protect against it. The Pentagon needs access to that tech leadership. *** These caveats aren’t intended to dismiss the risks from AI, especially given its rapidly growing ability to train itself. But there are also enormous risks from ceding U.S. leadership to others. The effort to reduce the first shouldn’t increase the latter.
YouGov poll reveals funeral for King Charles is public’s top priority SATIRE
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NEWS BISCUIT
gichowdotcom
S conflict rages in the Middle East and Ukraine, with no end in sight, and oil prices continue to climb, fuelling fears that inflation could accelerate, exacerbating an already harsh cost of living crisis, a bombshell YouGov poll has found the British public’s top priority is not world peace, but another royal funeral. With faith in politicians collapsing over the donations scandal and AI threatening to kill us all,
voters say they desperately miss September 2022, when the news cycle stopped for 11 days to discuss where Queen Elizabeth was lying and how her coffin was getting to the next place she would lie. Cedric Churchill-Jones, 41, told us: ‘I yearn for those halcyon days. Remember the queue? Twenty three hours to see a coffin. It gave Britain purpose and hope. Now, all we have to think about is mortgage rates and the cost of butter.’ ‘I just want the bunting back out,’ said Britannia Flagworth, 54, from Tunbridge Wells. ‘We should give Charles a beautiful early sendoff while he’s still around to enjoy the eulogy. I’ve started building a shrine in my shed entirely
out of commemorative tea towels.’ The sentiment has already been channeled into action. A petition on the Parliament website titled ‘Give Us Something To Live For - Early Funeral For King Charles Now’ has already reached 500,000 signatures, guaranteeing a debate in Parliament next week, where Andy Burnham has promised ministers a free vote. While most MPs are thought to be in favour of the proposal, there is considerable debate over the timing. Sir John Haze CBE MP opined ‘Things can still get one hell of a lot worse so we need to keep our seventy seven gun salute powder dry.’
06 NEWS
TRUMP SAYS IRAN WANTS DEAL WITH US 'QUICKLY AND BADLY'
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WASHINGTON agencies
S President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran wanted to reach an agreement with Washington "quickly and badly", while saying he would decide whether the US engages with Tehran. "The failing nation of Iran wants to make a deal, quickly and badly," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. "I will determine whether or not the USA will choose to engage - The concept of which we are open to," he added.
SAUDI CROWN PRINCE RECEIVES US CENTRAL COMMAND CHIEF IN JEDDAH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper and his accompanying delegation in Jeddah, the state news agency SPA reported. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and the US, as well as the latest regional developments. The meeting was also attended by Saudi Minister of State, Cabinet member and National Security Adviser Musaed bin Mo-
Saudi Arabia discovers 110m tonnes of uranium-bearing ore in Madinah Saudi Arabia discovers 110m tonnes of uranium-bearing ore in Madinah
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Saudi Arabia has discovered 110 million tonnes of raw materials containing uranium concentrations in Madinah, the kingdom's energy minister said at the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Saudi state TV reported on Monday. Speaking at the 70th Regular Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the kingdom does not develop its peaceful programme in isolation from the international community or through secret facilities deep within mountains without naming Iran. Saudi Arabia was looking for a comprehensive nuclear programme solely for civil purposes. According to Arab News, he announced the high concentrations of rare earth elements together with a high volume of uranium, confirmed by the geological studies and stratigraphy studies at Jabal Sayid, near Madinah. The US and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement on civil nuclear power cooperation in July that would let Riyadh enrich uranium and build nuclear reactors using US technology. Nonproliferation groups, such as the Arms Control Association, have criticised the planned "123 agreement" for not including the Additional Protocol, which grants the International Atomic Energy Agency extra powers such as the ability to carry out snap inspections at undeclared locations.
hammed Al-Aiban. The statement comes amid escalation between government forces and Houthis in Yemen, and the rebel group's attacks on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia.
IRAN SAYS BRICS AND SCO MEMBERS ARE WORKING TO COUNTER US UNILATERALISM: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said members of the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) use every opportunity to demonstrate their opposition to the US unilateral approach and to seek solutions to counter its consequences, according to IRNA. Addressing his press conference on Monday, Baghaei dismissed the notion that Iran can be isolated, saying that a country which defends itself cannot be sidelined. He pointed to the US’ declining credibility, citing the US attack on Iran and its partnership with a genocidal regime as a serious strategic error. The international community, including the region, has recognized that US actions have undermined international norms essential to global peace and security, he added. Baghaei accused Washington of instrumentalising the UN, politicising the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and violating
Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | ISLAMABAD
the UN Charter's prohibition on the use of force. Countries are using multilateral platforms like the SCO and BRICS both to voice opposition and to devise practical responses to the consequences of US behavior, he stated. He went on to say that even the US’ traditional allies – Canada, Europe, and others — have begun to recognize the need to contain the US’ belligerent and destructive unilateralism.
mation of the Houthi claims regarding damage at the air base. Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued an alert in Khamis Mushait governorate but later said “the danger has passed.” It urged residents to continue following Civil Defense instructions and avoid gathering and filming. The Houthis vowed to continue attacks inside Saudi Arabia as long as Saudi military operations in Yemen continue, warning that any new attacks would be met with “broader and more severe” operations.
HOUTHIS CLAIM LARGE-SCALE MISSILE, DRONE ATTACK ON KING KHALID AIR BASE IN SAUDI ARABIA: Yemen’s Houthis on Monday claimed to have carried out a large-scale missile and drone attack on a Saudi air base in the southern city of Khamis Mushait. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement that the group targeted King Khalid Air Base with dozens of ballistic missiles and drones. He claimed the attack targeted aircraft hangars, radars, runways, ammunition depots and other military facilities, causing “significant losses” at the base. The Houthis said the operation came in response to Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, claiming Saudi F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets had carried out more than 300 strikes across several Yemeni provinces over the past five days. There was no immediate Saudi confir-
IRANIAN STRAIT AUTHORITY ISSUES UPDATED LIST OF SANCTIONED VESSELS: Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority, set up by Iran to manage requests of passage in the Strait of Hormuz, published on Monday an updated list of 77 vessels "violating Iranian protocols for the Strait of Hormuz". Concerns over global energy supply have deepened after the latest attacks around oil transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz and
the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with prospects for peace in the Middle East looking as bleak as ever. The body said the listed vessels will face restrictions on future passage, including fines, detention, or confiscation, and added that vessels cooperating with them will be added to the list. "Insurance companies, P&I clubs, and classification societies are warned to refrain from providing services to these vessels to avoid consequences arising from dealing with them," the authority posted on X. P&I clubs are mutual insurance associations that provide ship owners and charterers with coverage for third-party maritime liabilities. Commodity vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz fell to single-digit numbers per day at the weekend, preliminary ship-tracking data showed on Monday, well below the 10-day average of 14. The figures exclude any vessels that might have crossed the strait with their Automatic Identification System transponders turned off to avoid detection.
India’s BJP vows to expand Uniform Civil Code to all alliance-ruled states by 2029 NEW DELHI
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India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has pledged to expand the Uniform Civil Code across all states governed by its National Democratic Alliance by 2029, renewing debate over religious freedom and personal laws. Home Minister Amit Shah said the government had already introduced the UCC in several states and expected it to be implemented in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led alliance before the next national elections. At least four states have adopted the code so far. India already follows a common criminal law, but personal matters including marriage, divorce and inheritance are governed by different rules based on religious and customary traditions.
The UCC seeks to replace those separate systems with a standard legal framework applicable across communities. The proposal has long been part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political
agenda and remains one of the BJP’s key ideological commitments. Its expansion has drawn particular concern from sections of India’s Muslim community, which argue that replacing
China urges Panama to uphold one-China principle BEIJING
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China on Monday urged Panama to uphold the one-China principle and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations after reports that Panamanian lawmakers had established an inter-parliamentary exchange group with Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing had taken note of remarks by the Panamanian government and hoped Panama would translate its commitment to the one-China principle into action. Guo was responding to reports that some Panamanian lawmakers had recently formed a so-called “inter-parliamentary exchange group” with Taiwan, with US lawmakers also participating in the event online. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino subsequently said foreign policy was formulated by the government and that his administration did not support such contacts. Guo said the establishment of the group nevertheless seriously violated Panama’s longstanding commitment to the one-China principle. “There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part
religion-based personal laws could interfere with religious freedoms. Supporters, however, say the code would strengthen equality before the law, particularly for women. They argue that measures such as ending polygamy, introducing equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters and requiring divorce proceedings to go through civil courts would improve legal protections for Muslim women. India has an estimated 220 million Muslims, making it home to the world’s third-largest Muslim population. The push for wider implementation is also likely to remain politically significant ahead of India’s next national elections in 2029. Modi secured a third consecutive term in 2024 but was forced to govern through a coalition after the BJP failed to win an outright parliamentary majority.
Indonesia rescuers battle turbulent seas in search for 129 people after passenger ship capsizes BANJARMASIN ReuteRs
of China’s territory,” he said. China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges or contacts between countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Beijing and the Taiwan authorities, Guo said, stressing that Beijing would not allow external forces to interfere in China’s internal affairs. He urged a small number of politicians to recognise the situation and warned that crossing red lines on the Taiwan question would have serious consequences.
Guo also called on the United States to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, stop sending what he described as wrong signals to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and refrain from disrupting China-Panama relations. Beijing’s remarks come as China seeks to protect the political foundation of its relations with Panama while reiterating that Taiwan-related official contacts are unacceptable with countries that recognise the People’s Republic of China.
Hundreds of Indonesian rescuers including the coastguard and the navy raced on Monday to board a passenger ship that capsized in the Java Sea over the weekend as they searched for the 129 people still missing, officials said, with the confirmed death toll at six. The Virgo Transport 8 ship carrying 243 people went missing in bad weather early on Sunday, the rescue agency said. Authorities have since rescued 108 people from the ship, which was travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Choppy waters with high waves and strong winds were impeding the search on Monday, said Mohammad Syafii, head of the national rescue agency. The agency has deployed at least 622 personnel, 17 ships, five helicopters and aircraft to find the missing passengers, Syafii added. Some of the ships have arrived at the location but it was difficult for rescuers to make their way intothe capsized ship, he said. "We would also deploy personnel with underwater rescue skills but the current conditions do not allow us to," he said. "While waiting for the weather conditions to improve, we are identifying more personnel with special skills," he said, adding the death toll remained at six.
Gulf-Iran talks postponed as Houthis launch fresh attack on Saudi Arabia TEHRAN
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Arab Gulf states have postponed a planned meeting with Iran as Yemen’s Houthis launched another missile and drone attack on Saudi Arabia, further widening the regional conflict and threatening global oil supplies. The Houthis said they fired dozens of missiles and drones at a Saudi military airbase in Khamis Mushait near the Yemeni border, targeting aircraft hangars, radar systems, runways and ammunition depots. The group said the attack was carried out in retaliation for hundreds of Saudi airstrikes on Yemen in recent days. Saudi authorities briefly issued emergency alerts in Khamis Mushait and three other southern cities that have previously been targeted by Houthi attacks. The latest escalation follows a rapid Houthi advance in Yemen last week, which culminated in the group capturing Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait
at the mouth of the Red Sea. A separate attack on Friday, which Saudi Arabia blamed on fighters in Iraq, also knocked out the kingdom’s east-west oil pipeline. The pipeline is one of the main routes used to transport Middle Eastern oil while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, which has remained largely closed since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran at the end of February. Oil prices jumped more than 3% when markets reopened on Monday. Traders warned that the pipeline shutdown could remove as much as 4% of global oil supply if it remains out of service for several days. Satellite images showed sections of the pipeline damaged by fires, although Saudi authorities have not given a firm timeline for reopening it. Oman had been scheduled to host talks on Monday involving Iran and Gulf states over negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, Omani Foreign Minister
Sayyid Badr Albusaidi announced that the meeting had been postponed in the interest of reaching consensus. Iran said the postponement had been requested by Saudi Arabia. Tehran also released a list of 77 ships that it said had violated Iranian rules for operating in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran warned that listed vessels could face future restrictions, including fines, detention or confiscation, while ships assisting them with cargo transfers could also be added to the list. The renewed fighting in Yemen has created a fresh challenge for Washington, which is under pressure to support Saudi Arabia while avoiding the opening of another military front. The United States has so far resisted Saudi requests to intervene directly against the Houthis. US President Donald Trump said over the weekend that he had spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and that the Houthis had also contacted Washington asking it to stay out of the conflict.
Tuesday, 15 September 2026 | ISLAMABAD
CORPORATE CORNER
Millat Tractors Limited and LOVOL enter Strategic Partnership to Accelerate High Tech Farm Mechanization in Pakistan
LAHORE
NEWS 07
CM PUNJAB WELCOMES PM’S RELIEF PACKAGE FOR PUBLIC
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HIEF Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday welcomed the federal government’s relief package for the people, saying the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership’s concern for the public amid difficult times was commendable. She also thanked PML-N President Nawaz Sharif for his role in the relief package, saying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had introduced the measure on his direction. CM Punjab noted that the rising trend in global oil prices was creating difficulties for people in developing countries.
She said the increase in petroleum prices was affecting people across all segments of society worldwide. Despite the challenging economic situation, she termed the Prime Minister’s relief package a positive step aimed at providing relief to the people. CM Maryam Nawaz Expresses Gratitude over Successful Operation against Terrorists in Mastung Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed gratitude over the successful operation against terrorists in Mastung. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for eliminating several terrorists, including a commander, during the operation.
STAFF REPORT
Millat Tractors Limited (MTL), Pakistan's leading tractor and agricultural machinery manufacturer, has entered into a strategic distribution agreement with LOVOL, China’s largest and one of the world's major agricultural machinery manufacturers, to introduce a range of hightechnology farm machinery in Pakistan. Under the agreement, MTL will have distribution rights for LOVOL's track-type and wheeled harvesters and balers. The product portfolio may be expanded in the future in response to market demand and the evolving requirements of Pakistan's agriculture sector. The agreement is aligned with the Government of Pakistan's efforts to promote high-tech farm mechanization, increase agricultural productivity and improve farm efficiency. The introduction of advanced harvesting and highhorsepower equipment will provide Pakistani farmers with access to modern mechanization solutions that can contribute towards improving productivity and reducing post-harvest losses as well as enhancing national food security. The agreement also provides a framework for future CKD assembly and localization arrangements, subject to achieving sufficient market volumes. This creates the potential for progressively increasing local value addition and developing Pakistan's agricultural machinery manufacturing capabilities. Commenting on the agreement, Mr. Sikandar Mustafa Khan, Chairman, Millat Tractors Limited, said: “Pakistan's agriculture requires a significant acceleration in mechanization, particularly in harvesting and highhorsepower applications.
Total Winners Esports Crowned FFWS Pakistan 2026 Fall Champions
LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Total Winners Esports have been crowned champions of the Free Fire World Series (FFWS) Pakistan 2026 Fall, sponsored by TapShop, following an action-packed Grand Final at Nishtar Park Sports Complex, Lahore.The team dominated the competition with two Booyahs and 151 points, outperforming top contenders including Hotshot Esports and Khan Official to claim the championship title and a PKR 2.5 million prize pool.The Grand Final featured Pakistan’s top 12 teams, with around 1,000 fans witnessing intense battles across Bermuda, Kalahari and Solara.With their victory, Total Winners Esports have secured Pakistan’s spot at the FFWS Global Finals 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, in November, where they will compete against leading Free Fire teams from regions including Thailand, Indonesia and Brazil.The win marks a major milestone for Total Winners Esports and Pakistan’s growing esports community as the team prepares to represent the country on the global stage.Fans can relive the FFWS Pakistan Fall 2026 Group Stage and Grand Finals through broadcasts on YouTube and Facebook, featuring Urdu commentary.
Jazz 5G Supports Inclusion Through Inclusion Rocks, Bringing Music and Stories of Resilience to Pakistan ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Jazz 5G, Pakistan’s leading connectivity provider from JazzWorld, supported Inclusion Rocks, a threecity celebration organized for children associated with Special Olympics Pakistan, bringing together live music, inspiring stories and recognition to celebrate the talent, achievements and resilience of children and people with disabilities.The Inclusion Rocks journey spanned Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore, with concerts held on August 29, September 5 and September 12, respectively, culminating with the final event in Lahore. Accessibility remained an important part of the experience, with arrangements including sign language interpretation to enable broader participation.“Our support for Inclusion Rocks is about celebrating talent, resilience and the ability of every individual to contribute,” said Kazim Mujtaba, President, Jazz GSM. “People with disabilities continue to face barriers that limit participation and opportunity.
Family Member Says Ishtiaq’s Death Was Accidental, Had No Link To Govt Or Punjab Police: Azma Bokhari LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari said that an important revelation was made by a member of Ishtiaq’s family in the presence of Sohail Afridi, changing the complexion of the matter. A video shows a person saying in the presence of Salman Akram and Sohail Afridi that no one had contacted them for 17 days. Azma Bokhari said that, in the presence of Sohail Afridi, a person himself stated that Ishtiaq’s death was an accident and that the government or Punjab Police had nothing to do with it. The same person also said that no PTI leader had contacted them or even inquired about their wellbeing for 17 days. Azma Bokhari said that following this conversation, Sohail
Afridi’s guards started assaulting the man for making these remarks. She added that Sohail Afridi’s guards again misbehaved with journalists in Lahore today when they were making videos. Azma Bokhari also shared a statement by Ishtiaq’s son, in which he himself says that it was an accident. She said, “Listen to the cries of those whom the party did not even bother to ask about.” Azma Bokhari said that YouTubers associated with Tehreek-e-Fasad gave the incident a false colour. She said Sohail Afridi had arrived in Lahore for a public stunt and misbehaved with Punjab Police officers at various places throughout his journey after entering Punjab. She questioned whether such conduct was befitting of any chief executive. She said that the man
Never Miss Out: Buy a TECNO SPARK 50 Pro, Win an E-Bike LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Following the launch of the SPARK 50 Pro, TECNO Pakistan has announced a nationwide lucky draw giving customers the chance to win an E-Bike with their purchase. The promotion is open to SPARK 50 Pro offline buyers across the country. Taking part is straightforward. Customers who purchase the TECNO SPARK 50 Pro during the promotion period simply need to fill out the designated participation form, entering their purchase details. Once submitted, the entry is confirmed and goes into the draw for a chance to win an E-Bike. The promotion is valid for offline purchases only, covering TECNO’s authorised retail network nationwide. The promotion is valid until 30 September 2026, with winners announced on TECNO Pakistan’s official social media channels. The prize fits the campaign it sits inside. Never Miss Out is about not being held back — by a dead battery, a missed photo, or a phone that gives up when the day gets difficult. An E-Bike carries that idea beyond the phone, offering the freedom to move without worrying about being left waiting. The SPARK 50 Pro was built on the same thinking. Its segment-only 60W Super Charge and 6000mAh battery delivers a 15minute reset that gets users through the rest of the day, while a 50MP Sony LYTIA 600 camera with FlashSnap is fast enough to freeze the moments most phones blur. Built for everyday conditions, the device carries IP68 and IP69 protection against water and dust alongside SGS Five-Star Premium Drop certification, so rain, dust and the occasional fall are handled without drama.
had arrived at the home of the deceased Ishtiaq wearing dark glasses to engage in political point-scoring. Azma Bokhari said that no PTI leader had visited the home of deceased Zill Shah for the past three years. “Using dead bodies for politics is an old tradition of the PTI founder and his party,” she said. She said that none of Sohail Afridi’s workers deemed it appropriate to welcome him upon his arrival in Lahore. Azma Bokhari said that four people had been killed in a coal mine in Kohat today, but Sohail Afridi had chosen to come to Lahore instead of going to Kohat. She said he had travelled 530 kilometres from Peshawar to Lahore to offer condolences. She said that the man had come to Lahore for a tour once again after a year.
Local Government Reforms to Strengthen Devolution, Service Delivery in Sindh: Sukhdev Hemnani KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Spokesperson for the Government of Sindh Sukhdev Hemnani said the passage of the Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2026, reflects the provincial government’s continuing commitment to stronger local institutions, greater accountability and improved public service delivery.“Work on these reforms began about a year ago on the instructions of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, well before the recent debate over new provinces. Attempts to link the two misrepresent both the timeline and purpose of these reforms,” Hemnani said.He said the legislation was not prepared unilaterally but finalised through a special committee in which all parties represented in the Sindh Assembly participated.“MQM and all other opposition parties were part of the entire process and remained on board with these amendments, only to back out when the bill reached the House. In MQM’s case, this is the same political inconsistency we saw when it stepped away from the Assembly’s resolution against the division of Sindh. Joining a consensus and abandoning it at the last moment only exposes their political hypocrisy,” Hemnani said.Highlighting the reforms, Hemnani said the amendments would strengthen continuity in municipal administration by providing for the government to approach the Election Commission of Pakistan 120 days before a council’s term expires and allowing outgoing mayors or chairmen to serve as administrators until elected successors take office.
Memon blames MQM for creating ruckus during passage of Local Government Amendment Bill KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that everyone witnessed the Sindh Assembly proceedings today; true to form, the MQM created a ruckus during the passage of the Local Government Amendment Bill. He noted that while the government could have tabled the bill unilaterally, a committee comprising members from various parties had been formed to ensure inclusivity. The MQM had supported all the clauses of the bill within the committee but has now backtracked on its stance upon reaching the Assembly, a longstanding pattern of behavior for the party. Speaking to the media alongside Law and Home Affairs Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar following the Assembly session, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon remarked that the MQM has effectively rebelled against its own
leader. He pointed out that Mustafa Kamal had previously labeled Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui an agent of RAW, yet today, Kamal works under that very same individual. If his past statement was incorrect, Mustafa Kamal should come forward and apologize. He clarified that the bill did not entail major amendments; while the government holds the authority to appoint an administrator upon the
expiration of local government tenures, the administration’s aim is to ensure the continuity of the local government system. The Senior Minister described the MQM’s attitude as hypocritical. He stated that the government advocates for handing over solid waste management responsibilities to local government bodies and ensuring that the police remain accountable to the elected representatives of these institutions.
CDA and JICA Sign MoU for Integrated Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Master Plan of Islamabad
ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
36-month technical cooperation project to develop a sustainable, climate-resilient water management strategy for ICT, with 2050 as the target yearIslamabad, September 14, 2026: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at CDA Headquarters today for the preparation of an integrated Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Master Plan for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Sohail Ashraf, signed on behalf of CDA, while Mr. MIYAGAWA Masahito, Team Leader of the JICA Detailed Planning Survey Team, signed on behalf of JICA. The ceremony was attended by Director General Islamabad Water Sardar Khan Zimri, Joint Secretary (Japan) Economic Affairs Division Ms. Fakhryia Anjum and other officials.The signing marks an important milestone in Pakistan-Japan cooperation for strengthening Islamabad’s water management infrastructure, improving public service delivery and ensuring sustainable water resources for present and future generations. The initiative will support CDA’s commitment to providing water to all citizens of Islamabad and addressing the capital’s growing water requirements through longterm planning and responsible resource management.The 36-month technical cooperation project will cover ICT Zones 1–5, with detailed facility planning focused on Zone 1 and strategic assessment of Zones 2–5.
HBL Microfinance Bank & SUPARCO expand satellite-enabled Agri-financing in Punjab
ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
HBL Microfinance Bank (HBL MfB), in partnership with the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), has announced the expansion of its Climate-Smart Agri-Financing initiative to farmers across Punjab, marking a significant step towards transforming agricultural finance through satellite data intelligence and technology-driven risk assessment. This strategic collaboration moves from pilot implementation to a province-wide scale-up, bringing technology-enabled agricultural financing to farmers in Punjab, which serves as a critical geography given its central role in Pakistan’s agricultural economy. The initiative, which has already moved into implementation, brings together SUPARCO’s satellite-based remote-sensing capabilities and HBL Microfinance Bank’s extensive on-ground presence and agricultural financing expertise. The expanded scope will enable the Bank to leverage satellite data, crop monitoring and remote-sensing analytics at a broader scale. Moreover, this will also support a more informed assessment of land use and crop conditions, enhancing the Bank’s agriculture portfolio resilience. On the occasion, Mr. Amir Khan, President & CEO, HBL Microfinance Bank, said, “Pakistan’s farmers are at the frontline of climate change, facing increasingly unpredictable weather, water stress and other risks that directly impact their livelihoods and our country’s food security.
SBP KEEPS POLICY RATE UNCHANGED AT 11.5% AMID MIDDLE EAST RISKS
Tuesday, 15 September, 2026
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HE State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 11.5% at its meeting on September 14, with seven out of 10 members voting in favour of the decision. The MPC noted that the recent intensification of the prolonged Middle East conflict had further increased already elevated global commodity prices, while supply chain disruptions had persisted. However, recent domestic macroeconomic data remained broadly in line with the MPC’s expectations. Headline inflation increased to 11.1% year-on-year in August from 9.2% in July, while core inflation was slightly lower than expected. External account pressures remained contained, supported by robust workers’ remittances and higher financial inflows. Meanwhile, economic activity, after witnessing a slowdown in Q4-FY26, started
to pick up gradually, as reflected by recent high-frequency indicators. Against this backdrop, the MPC assessed that the current monetary policy stance remains appropriate to guide inflation towards the target range of 5%7% over the medium term. However, the committee noted that uncertainty regarding the outlook had increased, particularly due to the worsening geopolitical environment. The MPC highlighted several key developments since its previous meeting. Pakistan’s sovereign credit rating was upgraded to B3 by Moody’s with a stable outlook. Pakistan also successfully tapped international capital markets to raise $3 billion through Eurobonds. Along with continued foreign exchange purchases, this helped increase SBP’s foreign exchange reserves to over $21 billion. The committee noted that inflation expectations of both businesses and consumers increased in September, while their confidence weakened. Large-scale manufacturing output
declined by 3.5% in June, bringing cumulative FY26 growth to 5.0%. Fiscal consolidation during FY26 turned out higher than the budgetary target. FBR tax collection remained on target during July-August FY27, while the SBP transferred a higher profit of Rs1.9 trillion to the government against the budgeted amount of Rs1.4 trillion. The MPC also noted that central banks had become more cautious amid challenging global economic conditions. While noting these developments and evolving risks, the MPC reiterated its commitment to achieving price stability through close monitoring of incoming data and the ongoing situation in the Middle East. The committee said shocks such as adverse geopolitical events and weather-related disruptions had become more frequent and continued to pose risks to the macroeconomic outlook. Against this backdrop, the MPC emphasised the need to maintain a prudent monetary and fiscal policy mix and further build buffers to absorb supply shocks.
It said timely implementation of structural reforms was essential to enhance resilience, raise productivity and support higher and sustainable growth. Real sector The MPC said economic activity, after moderating in Q4-FY26 amid conflict-related disruptions, appeared to be gradually picking up in the subsequent period. High-frequency indicators, including petroleum sales, private-sector credit, textile exports, business sentiment and satellite imagery of nighttime lights and gas emissions, suggested a recovery in economic activity in July. In addition, increased acreage for rice and sugarcane, along with encouraging initial reports on cotton arrivals, improved prospects for the agriculture sector. The expected improvement in commodity-producing sectors also bodes well for the outlook of the services sector. Against this backdrop, the MPC expects real GDP growth to remain within the earlier projected range of 3.5%4.5% during FY27.
IHC bars use of state machinery for political rallies ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan, Indonesia reaffirm resolve to deepen defence ties RAWALPINDI
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Chief of the Indonesian Navy Admiral Dr Muhammad Ali on Monday called on Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ), where the two sides discussed regional security and ways to further expand bilateral defence cooperation. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, the regional security environment and military-to-military cooperation came under discussion, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Both sides expressed satisfaction over the existing defence relations between Pakistan and Indonesia and reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen military cooperation, particularly in professional training, defence collaboration and joint exercises. Field Marshal Asim Munir reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding and brotherly ties with Indonesia, with particular emphasis on cooperation in the defence and security domains. Admiral Muhammad Ali appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their contributions towards promoting regional peace and stability. The meeting reflected the two countries’ continued efforts to broaden defence engagement and enhance military-to-military cooperation through training, joint exercises and greater institutional collaboration.
FCC admits for hearing petition seeking to declare election of KP CM null and void ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has admitted a petition for hearing that seeks to declare the election of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi null and void. The court issued notices to the KP government and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, while the Attorney General for Pakistan was also issued a notice to assist the court in the case. During the hearing, Justice Aamir Farooq asked the petitioner’s counsel, Sher Afzal Marwat, what constitutional question arose in the case. Marwat argued that former KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had not resigned voluntarily but had submitted his resignation on the instructions of PTI founder Imran Khan. He maintained that the Constitution envisages that a public office-holder can resign only voluntarily. According to Marwat, Gandapur had mentioned in his resignation letter that he was stepping down on the instructions of the PTI founder. Marwat further argued that the governor had not accepted Gandapur’s resignation and that the governor’s acceptance was necessary for the chief minister to be formally de-notified. During the proceedings, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi observed that another resignation had been submitted two days later. Marwat responded that the second resignation may also not have been accepted. Referring to the Supreme Court’s judgement in the Nawaz Sharif party presidency case, Marwat argued that the apex court had held that a disqualified person could not run the state through a proxy. He contended that Imran Khan was disqualified when he instructed Gandapur to resign, adding that running the state through a proxy amounted to undermining the Constitution. The Federal Constitutional Court subsequently admitted the petition for regular hearing and issued notices to the KP government, Sohail Afridi and the Attorney General for Pakistan. Further proceedings in the case have been adjourned until the second week of October.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday ruled that no political party or public office holder has the authority to block roads in the capital and directed federal and provincial authorities to ensure that government machinery and resources are not used for political rallies, marches or protests. A larger bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar, Justice Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif disposed of a petition challenging the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) proposed September 27 long march to Islamabad, issuing a series of directions to federal and provincial governments. The PTI announced the march last month to demand the release of incarcerated party founder Imran Khan. Caravans from across the country are expected to converge on Islamabad, while the party has also planned protests, shutdowns and demonstrations along major highways in Lahore, Karachi, Hyderabad and Quetta. The petition was filed by citizen Waqas Ahmed, who argued
that the planned protest could disrupt his business in Islamabad. His counsel also raised concerns over the possible use of government machinery and referred to the PTI’s previous attempt to enter the capital in 2024. The court directed provincial governments to ensure that state resources were not used for any march, procession or rally. Chief ministers were ordered to ensure that public funds, government vehicles, machinery, officers and personnel were not deployed for political protests. It further ruled that no government employee could be compelled to participate in a march, procession or rally. The IHC directed chief secretaries to initiate departmental proceedings against any government official who failed to implement its orders. It also instructed chief ministers to ensure that no government machinery was used for political protests and that officials did not comply with orders requiring them to participate in rallies. Any official pressured to carry out such an order was directed to immediately inform the provincial chief secretary, chief commis-
sioner or inspector general of police concerned. Government officers were also told not to allow subordinate staff to join any march or protest heading towards Islamabad. The court directed the Islamabad administration and Ministry of Interior to ensure protection of citizens’ constitutional rights, while chief secretaries and provincial police chiefs were ordered to ensure compliance with the directives. The federal interior secretary, Islamabad chief commissioner and Islamabad inspector general were also directed to implement the court’s orders. KP officials submit assurances At an earlier hearing on September 11, the IHC had sought affidavits from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary and inspector general of police confirming that government machinery would not be used for the PTI’s proposed march. The KP Advocate General Shah Faisal had questioned the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the IHC’s authority extended only to Islamabad and could not be exercised over provincial affairs.
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Fuel relief scheme to cost govt Rs25b a month irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
PROFIT
WEB DESK
The government’s Rs100-per-litre fuel subsidy for motorcycles, three-wheelers and cars of up to 800cc will cost the exchequer Rs25 billion every month, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said on Monday. The subsidy will be subject to quantity and frequency limits, with motorcycle owners allowed to purchase five litres of subsidised petrol once a week and eligible car owners 10 litres once every 10 days. The government has opted for an SMS-based registration and token system to administer the programme. Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said applicants will have to send their CNIC number, vehicle registration plate number, the first letter of their province and the vehicle’s registration date to 9771. Once registered, a beneficiary will be required to send “TOK” to the same number before purchasing fuel. A token generated through the system will then be presented at the petrol station to claim the subsidy. The programme covers two- and three-wheelers as well as cars with engine capacities of up to 800cc. Shaza said the registration mechanism had deliberately been kept simple, with limited checks and balances, to allow a larger number of eligible consumers to access the scheme. Malik, while briefing journalists in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Shaza, said the government would provide Rs25 billion each month to finance the programme despite limited fiscal resources. He said the measure was aimed at protecting financially vulnerable consumers from the burden of fuel costs. Tarar said the relief was intended for deserving consumers and that the government would launch an awareness effort to inform potential beneficiaries about the programme and its registration process.
Petrol climbs to Rs380.24, diesel Rs409.42 after sixth straight hike
PROFIT WEB DESK
Govt weighs revival of austerity measures amid Middle East tensions ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
The government is considering reviving austerity and fuel conservation measures introduced earlier this year as renewed hostilities in the Middle East continue to disrupt oil supply routes and push up fuel prices, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said on Monday. Addressing a press briefing alongside Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Tarar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed consultations on previously imposed austerity measures to determine which of them should be brought back. Some measures, he noted, including restrictions on market timings, were still in force. “The austerity measures previously taken were being reviewed to assess which of the previous
measures need to be revived in the present situation,” Tarar said, adding that a decision would be taken soon. The government had announced a package of austerity measures on March 9 to cushion the economy against the impact of the US-Iran conflict. These included a 50 per cent reduction in fuel allowances for official vehicles, salary cuts for lawmakers and partial work-from-home arrangements for public-sector employees. Most of the measures were withdrawn on June 19, although restrictions on market timings remained in place. In July, the government had also considered reverting to fuel conservation and austerity measures amid continuing uncertainty in global energy markets. The latest review comes as renewed fighting in the Middle East has affected major oil supply routes. The Strait of Hormuz remains a major source of concern,
while commercial shipping through the Bab al-Mandab route is also facing growing risks from Houthi attacks. Petrol currently costs Rs375.82 per litre, while highspeed diesel (HSD) is priced at Rs403.32 per litre. The ministers also briefed the media on the government’s fuel relief scheme launched on Sunday, under which motorcycle, rickshaw, Qingqi and vehicles up to 800cc owners will receive relief of Rs100 per litre. Tarar said Prime Minister Shehbaz had directed Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to ensure that transport fares did not increase following implementation of the relief package. He said the steering committee overseeing the scheme would comprise the chief secretaries of all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Petrol will cost Rs380.24 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) Rs409.42 from Tuesday after the government announced another increase in domestic fuel prices, the sixth consecutive upward revision. The price of petrol has been raised by Rs4.42 per litre from Rs375.82, while HSD has become Rs6.10 more expensive from its previous price of Rs403.32 per litre. The revised ex-depot prices will take effect from September 15, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Energy’s Petroleum Division following calculations by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). The latest adjustment comes only days after the government increased both prices in its September 12 review. Petrol was raised by Rs5.02 per litre in that revision, while HSD increased by Rs5.28 per litre. Fuel prices have now been increased in six successive reviews under the government’s current petroleum pricing mechanism. The latest domestic increase comes as international crude prices remain above $100 a barrel amid mounting concerns over oil supplies from the Middle East. Brent crude was trading $2.72, or 2.6%, higher at $107.33 a barrel by 1539 GMT on Monday. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained $2.51, or 2.5%, to $102.56, putting it on course for its highest close since May 19. Oil markets have been rattled by renewed attacks on energy infrastructure and shipping routes in the region. Yemen’s Houthis said on Monday that they had launched dozens of missiles and drones at a Saudi military airbase in Khamis Mushait. Separately, an attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline on Friday, blamed on Iran-backed fighters in Iraq, disrupted a route used by Riyadh to move crude towards the Red Sea while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
PM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to democratic values, parliamentary supremacy ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to democracy, equality, justice, freedom and the rule of law, stressing that Parliament remained the central institution representing the will and aspirations of the people. In his message on the International Day of Democracy, observed globally on September 15, the prime minister said the occasion provided an opportunity to renew the national resolve to respect the will of the people, safeguard human dignity and uphold the rule of law. He said democracy vested authority
in elected representatives for the welfare and well-being of citizens, while Parliament embodied the voice and aspirations of the people. The prime minister said the Constitution provided the legal framework governing the relationship between the state and its citizens. He particularly highlighted Article 25, which guaranteed equal rights to all citizens and equality before the law. He said the Constitution also defined the respective roles of the federating units, protected the constitutional standing of national institutions and provided the framework for governance and administration. PM Shehbaz said Pakistan’s federal parliamentary democratic system en-
trusted Parliament with the responsibility of legislating in accordance with public interest and Islamic principles. He stressed that framing laws in accordance with public aspirations and the changing demands of the contemporary era was among Parliament’s fundamental responsibilities. He emphasised that strengthening democratic values was essential for effectively confronting present-day challenges and laying the foundations for a prosperous future. The prime minister also highlighted constitutional provisions aimed at ensuring women’s participation in all spheres of national life. He noted that reserved seats for women in the federal and provincial legislatures had been provided
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to ensure their effective representation. He said the state was equally committed to protecting the rights, interests and legitimate concerns of religious minorities. Reserved seats for non-Muslim minorities in the federal and provincial legislatures, he added, were intended to ensure their representation in elected institutions. Referring to Pakistan’s international commitments, PM Shehbaz said the country remained fully cognisant of its obligations and supported democratic principles at the global level. He said Pakistan was making concerted efforts to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those relating to democracy, peace, justice and strong institutions.