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Friday, 18 September, 2026 | 5 Rabius Sani, 1448

Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 174 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition

‘GOVT, ELITE SACRIFICE FIRST’: PM APPROVES AUSTERITY DRIVE AS GLOBAL OIL PRICES SURGE g

PM SHEHBAZ SAYS FUEL SUBSIDY ALREADY INITIATED FOR ECONOMICALLY VULNERABLE AND MIDDLE-INCOME SEGMENTS GOVT VEHICLE FUEL ALLOCATIONS CUT BY 50PC FOR THREE MONTHS AMID OIL PRICE SURGE

ISLAMABAD

DIRECTS EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF MEASURES TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY EXPENDITURE, ENSURING PRUDENT USE OF NATIONAL RESOURCES NEW GOVERNMENT VEHICLE PURCHASES AND DURABLE GOODS PROCUREMENT BANNED, EXCEPT IT EQUIPMENT

SALEEM JADOON

RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved a nationwide austerity and energy conservation campaign in view of rising global petroleum prices amid tensions in the Middle East, stressing that sacrifices should first be made by the government and the elite. The decision was taken at a highlevel meeting chaired by the prime minister to review austerity and energy conservation measures, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The prime minister said the rise in petroleum prices in the international

market had triggered inflationary pressures across the world, stressing that sacrifices should first be made by the

Petroleum dealers assure full cooperation for PM’s Fuel Relief Scheme ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik on Thursday held a meeting with representatives of petroleum pump and dealers associations to brief them on the mechanism for implementation of the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme. The representatives were given a detailed briefing on the operational mechanism of the relief scheme, including the process for pro-

viding relief to eligible consumers. Queries and concerns raised by representatives of the petroleum pump and dealers associations were also addressed during the meeting. The State Bank of Pakistan briefed the participants on the reimbursement mechanism and assured that claims submitted under the scheme would be processed within 48 hours, ensuring timely reimbursement to participating petroleum dealers.

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Pakistan warns attack on stranded oil tanker would be treated as ‘act of war’ ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan has warned that any attack on an empty oil tanker stranded in the Red Sea near Saudi Arabia’s east-west pipeline would be regarded as an act of war. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said the vessel would have to be moved, although Saudi authorities had asked Pakistan to keep it on standby for the time being. The Saudi east-west pipeline, which provides an alternative route for oil exports when the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted, was shut last week following Houthi attacks and could remain closed for up to six weeks. Malik said Pakistan was considering several options, including waiting for the pipeline to resume operations, rerouting the tanker through Oman or the United Arab Emirates, or sourcing crude from Libya. He also warned that prolonged disruption to crude supplies could create pressure on diesel availability in Pakistan. According to the minister, the country currently has diesel stocks sufficient for this month and the next. The warning comes as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia continue and tensions around Red Sea shipping routes remain elevated. Pakistani-flagged vessels have continued transiting the Strait of Hormuz despite the wider regional conflict. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also reiterated Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia amid recent attacks on the kingdom. Pakistan has said that any armed attack on Saudi Arabia could also have implications under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.

government and the elite. He said a fuel subsidy had already been initiated for economically vulnera-

ble and middle-income segments, under which motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles up to 800cc were being provided a subsidy of Rs100 per litre. The prime minister directed the authorities to ensure immediate and effective implementation of measures aimed at reducing unnecessary government expenditure and ensuring prudent use of national resources. The meeting approved a 50 per cent reduction in fuel allocations for government vehicles for three months. Ambulances, fire brigades, law enforcement agencies and essential service vehicles were exempted from the measure, while administrative and non-operational vehicles would receive no exemption.

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Govt announces fresh set of austerity, fuel conservation measures ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The federal government on Thursday announced a fresh set of austerity and fuel conservation measures with immediate effect, including a 50 per cent cut in fuel provision for official vehicles, a five per cent reduction in the non-ERE budget and a three-month ban on foreign visits and travel. According to a notification issued

by the Cabinet Division, the measures were approved on the recommendations of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures. Under the measures, the government will reduce fuel provision for official vehicles by 50 per cent for three months.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

‘100pc eyed’: Pakistan cuts illegal migration to Europe by 64pc: Naqvi ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday said Pakistan had achieved a 64 percent reduction in illegal migration towards Europe, stressing the need to expand legal migration pathways alongside continued efforts to curb human smuggling and unlawful migration. “The next target is to bring illegal migration down by 100 percent and all efforts would be directed towards achieving this objective,” Naqvi said, emphasising that opening new avenues for legal migration was necessary to further reduce illegal migration. The interior minister was talking to Director General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) Susanne Raab and Executive Director of the European Union Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) Hans Leijtens during separate meetings here, according to a statement issued by the Interior Ministry. The meetings focused on enhancing cooperation to prevent illegal migration, improving border management and strengthening joint efforts in the field. Pakistan, ICMPD and Frontex agreed to expand mutual cooperation to curb illegal migration and

improve border security mechanisms, while reaffirming their commitment to coordinated measures for migration management and border control. Naqvi said achieving a 64 percent reduction in illegal migration despite limited resources had been a challenging task. “The government accepted the prevention of illegal migration as a major challenge and the entire team worked continuously to achieve the result,” he said, stressing that legal pathways could help address migration challenges while ensuring safe and regulated movement of people. The minister underscored the need for modern technology and professional training of officers to further strengthen efforts against illegal migration. He said the government was focus-

ing on enhancing the capacity of relevant institutions in line with modern requirements to make border management more effective. He added that practical measures and coordinated cooperation were required to completely eliminate illegal migration, noting that cooperation with ICMPD and Frontex held significant importance for Pakistan’s migration management efforts. Highlighting future measures, Naqvi said Pakistan aimed to install technologically advanced cameras at 500 immigration counters across all airports in the country. He explained that the modern surveillance system would help authorities identify individuals involved in illegal migration and human smuggling and take immediate action against them.

SC suspends sentences of Imaan, Hadi; ATC sends couple to jail on judicial remand ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Hours after the Supreme Court suspended the sentences of human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday rejected police’s request for their 30-day physical remand and sent the couple to jail on judicial remand. Islamabad ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain passed the order after the two accused were produced before the court late at night in connection with a case registered against them at Kohsar police station. The development came shortly after the couple’s release from Adiala jail following the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend their sentences. Soon after their release, a contingent of Islamabad police led by the SSP Operations reached Adiala jail and arrested Imaan and Hadi again in connection with the Kohsar police station case. The two were subsequently taken to the police station and later produced before the ATC. Former federal minister Shireen Mazari confirmed the arrests, saying that attempts were being made to keep the couple in jail. Imaan’s counsel, Riasat Ali Azad, also confirmed the development, telling Dawn that a large contingent of Islamabad police had shifted the couple to Kohsar police station. The case was registered at Kohsar police station on March 22, 2025, on the complaint of City Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Chandio. According to the case, Imaan and Hadi were accused of chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads. Both were nominated by name in the first information report (FIR). However, no provision of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) was included in the FIR when the case was initially registered. The FIR invoked Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (disobedience of an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant), Section 341 (wrongful restraint), Section 506 (criminal intimidation), Section 353 (assault or use of criminal force against a public servant) and Section 186 (obstructing a public servant in the discharge of official duties). SC suspends sentences The Supreme Court suspended the sentences of prominent lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, and ordered their immediate release. The court granted bail to both lawyers against surety bonds of Rs100,000 each. The apex court accepted their applications for suspension of sentence and expressed concern and displeasure at the repeated adjournments of the case in the Islamabad High Court. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan remarked that both were lawyers and that the court was respecting their dignity, adding that they should also be told to observe courtroom decorum. “There is a difference between a lawyer and an ordinary person,” he said. According to reports, an unusual situation arose at the beginning of the hearing when the case was listed before a threemember bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed. Justice Shahid Waheed pointed out that a fire had broken out in the Supreme Court’s IT section the previous day, and the case had been mistakenly listed before their bench due to a technical error. The case was later corrected and scheduled for hearing at 11:30am before a two-member bench headed by Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, which also included Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim. During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Faisal Siddiqui, read out various orders and order sheets from hearings in the Islamabad High Court. Faisal Siddiqui told the court that the Supreme Court had issued its first order on May 12, directing the High Court to decide the case within two weeks, but the High Court had not complied. He said former Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa used to say that a case could only be adjourned if the judge or lawyer died, but the Islamabad High Court had adjourned this case repeatedly without justification. He added that the High Court registrar’s office had rejected their request for an early hearing, saying that what happened there was extremely surprising.

Pakistan will go ‘to any extent’ to defend Saudi Arabia: DG ISPR ISLAMABAD

MONITORING REPORT

Pakistan will go “to any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia against attack, its military spokesperson told Arab News on Thursday, as escalating Houthi strikes test new collective-defense agreements linking the nucleararmed South Asian state to the Kingdom. The pledge follows a wave of recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Iranaligned Houthi militia on Saudi cities. Falling debris from an intercepted drone killed one person and injured two in Taif on Thursday, while more than 80 people have been wounded in recent attacks. The Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen also said this week it had intercepted a Houthi drone heading toward restricted airspace around Makkah, Islam’s holiest city. Separately, drones originating in Iraq damaged three pumping stations on Saudi

Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, forcing the critical oil-export route to close temporarily. “Pakistan fully stands with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both diplomatically and physically,” Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of Inter-Services Public Relations — the military’s media wing — told Arab News. “And I would like to underscore here the word physically ... We will go to any extent.” Chaudhry said Pakistan’s commitment extends to the protection of Islam’s two holiest sites in Makkah and Madinah. “There should be no doubt on that,” he added. “We will continue to defend Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any aggression.” Chaudhry’s language was more forceful than Islamabad’s public formulation last week, when the Foreign Office said no Pakistani military response was being discussed under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement — a pact under which an armed attack on Pakistan, Saudi Arabia or Turkiye is consid-

ered an attack on all — while adding that Islamabad would act “when the time comes.” The pact, signed on Aug. 7, is intended to strengthen collective deterrence among the three countries, and built on a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025, which similarly treats aggression against either country as an attack on both. Neither agreement’s full operational provisions have been made public, leaving unanswered questions about what kind of military response they require. Pakistan already has a substantial military presence in Saudi Arabia. In May, Islamabad deployed around 8,000 troops, a squadron of JF-17 fighter jets, drones, and an HQ-9 air-defense system to the Kingdom, Reuters reported at the time. “Our commitment to Saudi security is unconditional,” Chaudhry said, adding that “it stems from an emotive, deep-rooted, historical and unbreakable bond” between the

two countries’ peoples, militaries and political leaderships. Saudi Arabia has approached several allies — including Pakistan, Britain, France

and Egypt — for support as repeated Houthi attacks put pressure on the Kingdom’s missile-defense supplies, the Associated Press reported this week.

02 NEWS

SUGAR MILLS WARN OF DELAYED CRUSHING SEASON, SEEK EXPORT OF 1 MILLION TONNES

PROFIT

Web Desk

HE Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has warned that sugar mills may delay the upcoming crushing season as they struggle with surplus stocks, calling on the government to immediately allow the export of at least one million tonnes of sugar. The association said mills want to dispose of excess stocks from the previous season before beginning crushing of the 2026-27 sugarcane crop, warning that otherwise they could face difficulties making timely payments to growers. PSMA Chairperson Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf said that the country was heading into the new crushing season with a surplus stock of 1.25 million tonnes. According to figures presented by the

Trading Corporation of Pakistan receives nine bids for 656,000 tonnes of wheat, lowest at $348.83/tonne TCP has received nine responsive bids for 656,000 tonnes of wheat against a 750,000-tonne tender, with prices ranging from $348.83 to $369.95. PROFIT

Monitoring report

The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has received nine responsive bids for the import of a combined 656,000 metric tonnes of wheat, falling short of the 750,000-tonne quantity sought by the staterun grain trader. The bids ranged from $348.83 to $369.95 per metric tonne for wheat intended for domestic consumption. A total of 13 parties participated in the tender process. Two submitted regret letters, nine were declared technically and financially responsive, while another two were found non-responsive. TCP floated the international tender on September 8, 2026, following federal government directives, seeking 750,000 metric tonnes of wheat with a plus or minus 10% more-or-less seller’s option (MOLSO). The wheat is to be supplied in bulk on a cost and freight (CFR) basis for delivery at Karachi or Gwadar port. The government has planned the wheat imports following requests from the provinces as domestic production is expected to fall short of demand. The first wheat import tender was opened on Wednesday at TCP’s head office, with the nine responsive international suppliers collectively offering 656,000 tonnes. Agrocorp submitted the lowest offer at $348.83 per metric tonne for 55,000 tonnes. LDC submitted the second-lowest bid at $349.97 per tonne for 110,000 tonnes, while Bung Global offered 116,000 tonnes at $356.86 per tonne. Falcon Bridge quoted $357.49 per tonne for 50,000 tonnes, while Soufflet offered to supply 110,000 tonnes at $357.70 per tonne. Aston offered 50,000 tonnes at $360 per tonne, while Ameropa submitted an offer of $363.74 per tonne for 55,000 tonnes. CHS offered 55,000 tonnes at $364.50 per tonne, while the highest responsive bid came from Olam at $369.95 per tonne for 55,000 tonnes. TCP is currently evaluating the bids. Under the tender terms, interested suppliers were required to submit offers for a minimum quantity of 50,000 metric tonnes.

Friday, 18 September, 2026 | ISLAMABAD

association, sugar stocks stood at 271,000 tonnes at the start of the previous crushing season on November 16, 2025, while about 7.7 million tonnes had been produced by August 31, 2026. This took total availability to around eight million tonnes. With monthly domestic consumption estimated by the association at around 560,000 tonnes, PSMA expects approximately 1.25 million tonnes to remain available after meeting consumption requirements through November 15, 2026. The association expects another 1.5 million tonnes of surplus sugar to emerge from the upcoming 2026-27 crop, arguing that the combined stock could be-

come difficult for the industry to manage. The warning comes as the government’s plans for sugar exports face fresh uncertainty. On Tuesday, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) barred the government from exporting sugar without its recommendations, putting on hold the recently approved export of 200,000 tonnes. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had on September 14 approved the export of 200,000 tonnes of surplus sugar, with safeguards intended to maintain domestic price stability. The Sugar Advisory Board had earlier cleared the export after reviewing domestic consumption, require-

ments and available stocks. PSMA, however, termed the approved quantity insufficient. It said the government had also decided to export 108,000 tonnes of previously imported sugar, but argued that these measures would not adequately reduce existing stocks. The association called for permission to export at least one million tonnes, arguing that this would ease pressure on mills, enable payments to sugarcane growers and generate foreign exchange. PSMA also renewed its demand for a permanent sugar export policy, saying recurring surpluses required a longer-term mechanism rather than individual export approvals.

FWO oﬀers to construct Multan-Rohri ML-1 railway section with local bank financing g

FWO PROPOSES BUILD-LEASE-TRANSFER MODEL WITH UP TO 80% LOCAL BANK DEBT AND 25-YEAR LEASE; DEBT REPAYMENTS AND SOVEREIGN GUARANTEES REMAIN UNRESOLVED PROFIT

Monitoring report

The government is considering a Rs470 billion proposal from the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) to construct the Multan-Rohri section of the Mainline-1 (ML1) railway project under a build-lease-transfer model, although questions over debt repayments and sovereign guarantees remain unresolved, The Express Tribune reported. Under the proposal, FWO would construct the railway section within three years, primarily using financing raised from local commercial banks. The financing structure envisages FWO borrowing up to 80% of the project cost from local banks, with at least 20% and potentially up to 40% coming through federal funding. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, however, said the project would not receive viability gap funding (VGF) from the Public

Sector Development Programme (PSDP), adding that other mechanisms could be considered for providing such grants. Based on the Rs470 billion project cost, the proposed federal grant component could range from Rs91 billion to Rs182 billion. Once construction is completed, FWO would hand over the track to Pakistan Railways on a 25-year lease, with ownership transferred after the lease period expires. The government has yet to settle two major aspects of the proposed financing structure: responsibility for repayment of debt raised from commercial banks and the amount of sovereign guarantees that may be required. Pakistan Railways has expressed reluctance to assume full responsibility for repaying the debt that FWO would raise from local banks. The Ministry of Finance also did not give clear consent for sovereign guarantees and instead asked Pakistan Railways

to determine how much debt it could repay from its own resources after taking over the new track. A proposal was also discussed to arrange funding through the National Economic Initiative, which is intended to finance strategic megaprojects through grants from provinces. Officials indicated that the build-lease-transfer structure had been agreed upon, while the financing model remained to be finalised. The Public Private Partnership Authority also presented an assessment of different financing options during the meeting. Iqbal said alternative financing arrangements were needed because PSDP resources were already insufficient for ongoing development projects. He asked the ministries of Railways and Finance to develop workable financing options outside the PSDP. The Multan-Rohri section forms part of ML-I, the railway line running from

Pakistan weighs options for stranded oil tanker in Red Sea near Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline g

PETROLEUM MINISTER SAYS VESSEL MAY REMAIN ON STANDBY OR RETURN VIA OMAN OR UAE; WARNS CURTAILED CRUDE SUPPLIES COULD LEAD TO DIESEL SHORTAGE PROFIT

Monitoring report

Pakistan is considering options for an empty oil tanker stuck in the Red Sea near Saudi Arabia’s east-west pipeline, which may remain shut for six weeks, as the government warned that any attack on the vessel would be considered an “act of war”, Bloomberg reported. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said the tanker would have to be moved eventually, although Saudi authorities had asked Pakistan to keep the vessel on standby for the time being. “We will have to move it one way or another,” Malik said in an interview. “The Saudis have asked the vessel remains on standby.” The government is considering keeping the tanker near the

pipeline until operations resume or bringing it back through Oman or the United Arab Emirates, according to the minister. Pakistan could also seek crude supplies from Libya as an alternative, he said. Malik warned that any prolonged curtailment of crude supplies could create a diesel shortage, saying the country currently has stocks sufficient for this month and the next. The uncertainty follows the shutdown last week of Saudi Arabia’s eastwest pipeline after attacks. The pipeline had served as a key route for circumventing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. The situation has been further complicated by escalating Houthi activity in the region. The group has been carrying

out attacks on Saudi Arabia on a neardaily basis over the past two weeks and has captured additional territory in Yemen, tightening its control around Bab el-Mandeb at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. Since the US-Iran war began in late February, Pakistani-flagged vessels have continued to pass through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf, with Islamabad acting as a mediator in the conflict. Pakistan has also reiterated its support for Saudi Arabia following a drone attack on Mecca. The government has said that an attack on Saudi Arabia could activate the trilateral Mecca Defence Alliance signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan last month.

Punjab govt transfers over 3,000 patwaris in major revenue administration reshuﬄe PROFIT

Monitoring report

The association argued that the current regulatory structure was creating difficulties for the industry. It said sugarcane prices had been deregulated while sugar prices remained subject to controls, including provincial determination of ex-mill prices for domestic consumption. It called for deregulation of sugar prices alongside free import and export of the commodity. PSMA claimed Pakistan had the potential to produce 15 million tonnes of sugar annually during a 150-day crushing season without fresh investment. It estimated that eight million tonnes could potentially be exported to generate $4 billion, while ethanol exports could bring another $1 billion. The association said the sugar industry generates more than Rs1,000 billion in annual business activity and contributes around Rs300 billion in taxes.

PSMA SAYS 1.25 MILLION TONNES WILL REMAIN IN STOCK AT START OF NEW CRUSHING SEASON, WITH ANOTHER 1.5 MILLION-TONNE SURPLUS EXPECTED FROM UPCOMING CROP

The Punjab government has transferred more than 3,000 patwaris in a single day in one of the largest administrative reshuffles at the grassroots revenue level, as part of a wider campaign aimed at curbing corruption and improving governance, The News reported. Official figures indicate that the recent anti-corruption campaign has also resulted in reshuffles or proceedings against officials across several other provincial departments. These include 764 police officials, 179 Food De-

partment officials, 41 Board of Revenue officials, 50 Excise Department officials, 10 Communication and Works Department officials and five Housing Department officials. The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has separately conducted raids resulting in action against 176 officials, according to figures provided by the provincial government. The government has also claimed that action in the Mines and Minerals Department recovered or protected Rs42 billion within one year following measures against alleged manipulation of the system. However, the figures provided do not specify how much of the Rs42 billion was actually recovered, how much represented losses

prevented, or the precise nature of the alleged manipulation. The measures form part of the provincial government’s stated policy of tackling corruption and improving the functioning of government departments. The transfer of more than 3,000 patwaris represents the largest component of the campaign disclosed so far and targets one of the provincial administration’s most citizen-facing functions. The impact of the reshuffle will ultimately depend on whether the administrative changes translate into improvements in the handling of land-related cases, maintenance of land records and reduction in complaints involving revenue services.

Pakistan’s REER rises to 107.92 in August, up nearly 8% YoY

Index remains broadly stable MoM but stands around 6% above three-year average; rupee closes at 277.27 against US dollar PROFIT

PROFIT

“A battery revolution is coming to Pakistan,” Leghari said, adding that the government wanted to increase the use of batteries across the power sector. The plans were disclosed following a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Power, where prolonged electricity load-shedding and the performance of the distribution system came under discussion. Leghari said load-shedding was currently being carried out on around 3,500 of Pakistan’s 14,500 electricity feeders due to power theft and line losses. He maintained that no additional load-shedding was taking place, saying other outages were mainly caused by technical faults resulting from overload-

Web Desk

Pakistan’s real effective exchange rate (REER) index edged up to 107.92 in August from 107.89 in the previous month, remaining broadly stable on a monthly basis but rising sharply compared with a year earlier, according to data published by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The index has increased nearly 8% year-on-year from 100.2 in August 2025 and currently stands around 6% above its three-year average of approximately 102. The rupee has also strengthened slightly in nominal terms over the same period, moving from around 281 to approximately 277.5 against the US dollar. According to market analysis, much of the real appreciation has resulted from domestic inflation running higher than that of Pakistan’s trading partners. A REER at current levels suggests that the rupee is somewhat overvalued in real terms, which, if sustained, could affect export competitiveness while making imports cheaper as economic activity picks up. However, exchange-rate stability has also helped contain inflation and import costs. Continued upward movement in the REER could increase the need for greater exchangerate flexibility to maintain exporters’ competitiveness. Separately, the rupee closed at 277.27 against the US dollar in the interbank market on Wednesday, strengthening marginally from 277.30 in the previous session.

Pakistan developing virtual grid system as govt prepares for battery revolution, says energy minister Monitoring report

Peshawar to Karachi that was included in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). China later declined to finance the project after its estimated cost increased to $10 billion amid concerns that Pakistan could face difficulties servicing $8 billion in loans. Pakistan is separately negotiating with the Asian Development Bank for a $1.2 billion loan to construct the KarachiRohri section, which is estimated to cost $2.5 billion. For the subsequent Rohri-Multan section, the government is now exploring domestic financing, with FWO proposed as the contractor and local commercial banks expected to provide the bulk of the funding. Last month, the government also sought a comprehensive assessment of ML-I’s rolling stock requirements and its existing and future business potential, covering passenger and freight operations, traffic and revenue prospects.

ing of the system. The government plans to shift loadshedding controls from entire feeders to individual transformers within a year, allowing electricity supply to be managed more selectively rather than shutting down a complete feeder. An on-off control system is being introduced for around 190,000 transformers. According to the minister, consumers who regularly pay their electricity bills would not be affected by the new system. The planned upgrades would require significant investment, for which approval would be sought from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra). The minister also linked some re-

cent power-sector pressures to disruption in energy supplies following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which he said had affected the Petroleum Division’s ability to receive LNG cargoes. As a result, the government has had to use locally produced gas for electricity generation. According to Leghari, a gas cargo that previously cost around $30 million now costs more than $95 million, increasing pressure to reduce fuel costs. He said load-shedding had been carried out during peak hours to save fuel costs, arguing that otherwise consumers could face an additional electricity cost of around Rs6 to Rs6.50 per unit. The minister also rejected reports that the government had entered into any new agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs). During the committee meeting, lawmakers criticised continued load-shedding and electricity prices, with concerns also raised over the impact of government powersector policies on consumers.

NEWS 03

Friday, 18 September, 2026 | ISLAMABAD

FeRozSonS SiGnS Gilead licence to ManuFactuRe once-yeaRly HiV PReVention dRuG FoR 120 countRieS

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STAFF REPORT

EROZSONS Laboratories Limited has entered into a royalty-free voluntary licensing agreement to manufacture and sell a generic version of investigational once-yearly lenacapavir for HIV prevention across 120 primarily low- and lower-middle-income countries, subject to regulatory approvals. The agreement with Gilead expands on an existing access strategy for twice-yearly lenacapavir and will support manufacturing

readiness, technology transfer and future supply planning while the Phase 3 PURPOSE 365 trial for the once-yearly treatment remains underway, according to a notice submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday. Ferozsons said it is one of six global partners to have signed the expanded voluntary licensing agreement with Gilead for generic lenacapavir. Once-yearly lenacapavir is being investigated for HIV prevention as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). If approved, the treatment could provide a full year of HIV pre-

vention through a single dose. The company said the expanded agreements represent an early effort to prepare access to the HIV prevention treatment while it remains in Phase 3 development. Under the non-exclusive licence, Ferozsons will be permitted to manufacture and sell its licensed generic of Gilead’s proprietary lenacapavir compound in 120 countries, subject to the required regulatory approvals. The agreement also gives Ferozsons the right to receive a technology transfer of Gilead’s manufacturing process for lenaca-

pavir, enabling the Pakistani pharmaceutical company to scale up production. The injectable drug product will be manufactured by Ferozsons’ joint venture subsidiary BF Biosciences Limited under a contract manufacturing agreement and sold by Ferozsons. The oral variant will be manufactured and sold directly by Ferozsons. The once-yearly treatment remains investigational. The company said twiceyearly lenacapavir is already approved in multiple countries as PrEP to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV among adults and adolescents at risk of acquiring the virus.

Pakistan eyes larger China swap, awaits US decision on $10b facility PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has refused to participate in the federal government’s fuel relief scheme until authorities clarify how dealers will be reimbursed for subsidised fuel, warning that petrol stations could shut down if the programme is imposed on them. The association raised concerns over the payment mechanism of the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme, which provides a Rs100-per-litre petrol subsidy to eligible motorcycles, rickshaws, other two- and three-wheelers and cars with engine capacities of up to 800cc. The PPDA described the relief initiative as commendable but said the gov-

ernment had not clarified which institution or agency would reimburse petrol dealers for the subsidy provided to consumers. The association demanded that the relief amount instead be paid directly to eligible consumers and called for the restoration of the previous mechanism used for fuel subsidies. Dealers said they would not participate in the programme until the government clearly explained who would pay the subsidised amount and how reimbursements would be processed. “If the scheme is imposed on us, we will shut down fuel stations,” the association warned. The PPDA also complained that petroleum dealers were not consulted while the relief scheme was being formulated. It called for consultations with the association before implemen-

Pakistan developing virtual grid system as govt prepares for battery revolution, says energy minister PROFIT

STAFF EPORT

tation and demanded that dealers’ margin be increased to 8%. ccording to the association, it had been attempting to contact the government over the past three days but had received no response. The dealers argued that their working capital was already under pressure because of inflation and that the proposed subsidy mechanism could leave billions of rupees tied up in their accounts. The association also claimed that billions of rupees owed to petroleum dealers by oil marketing companies were already outstanding. It warned that additional financial exposure under the subsidy scheme could push around 14,000 petroleum dealers across the country into a financial crisis. The PPDA further demanded that petroleum product prices be fixed once a month instead of being revised more fre-

Powerus signs drone MoU with Pakistan Army, secures initial order PROFIT

STAFF EPORT

The government is developing a virtual grid system that would allow consumers to generate and store electricity as Pakistan prepares for what the energy minister described as a “battery revolution” in the power sector. Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari said regulations for virtual grids were under development and were expected to be finalised by the last quarter of the current fiscal year. The government has also directed power distribution companies (Discos) to install grid batteries as part of efforts to expand energy storage and improve the electricity system. “A battery revolution is coming to Pakistan,” Leghari said, adding that the government wanted to increase the use of batteries across the power sector. The plans were disclosed following a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Power, where prolonged electricity load-shedding and the performance of the distribution system came under discussion. Leghari said load-shedding was currently being carried out on around 3,500 of Pakistan’s 14,500 electricity feeders due to power theft and line losses. He maintained that no additional load-shedding was taking place, saying other outages were mainly caused by technical faults resulting from overloading of the system. The government plans to shift load-shedding controls from entire feeders to individual transformers within a year, allowing electricity supply to be managed more selectively rather than shutting down a complete feeder. An on-off control system is being introduced for around 190,000 transformers. According to the minister, consumers who regularly pay their electricity bills would not be affected by the new system. The planned upgrades would require significant investment, for which approval would be sought from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra). The minister also linked some recent power-sector pressures to disruption in energy supplies following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which he said had affected the Petroleum Division’s ability to receive LNG cargoes. As a result, the government has had to use locally produced gas for electricity generation. According to Leghari, a gas cargo that previously cost around $30 million now costs more than $95 million, increasing pressure to reduce fuel costs. He said load-shedding had been carried out during peak hours to save fuel costs, arguing that otherwise consumers could face an additional electricity cost of around Rs6 to Rs6.50 per unit. The minister also rejected reports that the government had entered into any new agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

quently. Separately, the association raised concerns about higher costs and longer transit times for petroleum imports through the Red Sea. It said transporting Saudi oil through the Red Sea route now takes more than 23 days, compared with around a week for petroleum products previously reaching Pakistan from Gulf countries through the Strait of Hormuz. The association also opposed the imposition of a “smart lockdown” in response to the fuel price crisis, arguing that such restrictions would severely affect dealers and wider business activity. It said restrictions of this nature may have been understandable during the Covid-19 pandemic but maintained that a smart lockdown was not a solution to the current petroleum price situation.

US drone firm Powerus has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Pakistan Army that includes an initial order related to unmanned aerial systems, company co-founder Brett Velicovich said. The value and specifications of the order were not disclosed, with Velicovich citing confidentiality and security sensitivities. The disclosure follows a meeting between a Powerus delegation led by Velicovich and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the two sides discussed defence procurement, production and capacity building as well as evolving trends in defence technology. Its statement did not mention the MoU or the initial order.

Powerus, which offers aerial and maritime drones for military and industrial applications, is also exploring opportunities to develop technology in Pakistan. Velicovich said the company was looking at a joint technology relationship combining US and Pakistani capabilities. Powerus founder and CEO Andrew Fox described Pakistan's private defence sector as emerging but not yet mature, saying this left room for US companies to move faster. Separately, Powerus is preparing to merge with publicly traded Aureus Greenway Holdings, with the transaction expected to be completed in early October. Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, sons of US President Donald Trump, own a stake in Aureus through investment fund American Ventures, according to US regulatory filings. American Ventures is expected to hold a 9.9% beneficial ownership stake in the combined company following the merger.

Trading Corporation of Pakistan receives nine bids for 656,000 tonnes of wheat, lowest at $348.83/tonne PROFIT STAFF REPORT

The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has received nine responsive bids for the import of a combined 656,000 metric tonnes of wheat, falling short of the 750,000tonne quantity sought by the staterun grain trader. The bids ranged from $348.83 to $369.95 per metric tonne for wheat intended for domestic consumption. A total of 13 parties participated in the tender process. Two submitted regret letters, nine were declared technically and financially responsive, while another two were found non-responsive. TCP floated the international tender on September 8, 2026, following federal government directives, seeking 750,000 metric tonnes of wheat with a plus or minus 10% more-or-less seller’s option (MOLSO). The wheat is to be supplied in bulk on a cost and freight (CFR)

basis for delivery at Karachi or Gwadar port. The government has planned the wheat imports following requests from the provinces as domestic production is expected to fall short of demand. The first wheat import tender was opened on Wednesday at TCP’s head office, with the nine responsive international suppliers collectively offering 656,000 tonnes. Agrocorp submitted the lowest offer at $348.83 per metric tonne for 55,000 tonnes. LDC submitted the second-lowest

bid at $349.97 per tonne for 110,000 tonnes, while Bung Global offered 116,000 tonnes at $356.86 per tonne. Falcon Bridge quoted $357.49 per tonne for 50,000 tonnes, while Soufflet offered to supply 110,000 tonnes at $357.70 per tonne. Aston offered 50,000 tonnes at $360 per tonne, while Ameropa submitted an offer of $363.74 per tonne for 55,000 tonnes. CHS offered 55,000 tonnes at $364.50 per tonne, while the highest responsive bid came from Olam at $369.95 per tonne for 55,000 tonnes. TCP is currently evaluating the bids.

Govt announces fresh set of austerity, fuel conservation measures CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The reduction will not apply to operational vehicles of the Armed Forces, Civil Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies, essential services and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). However, the measure will apply to vehicles of administrative or non-operational formations of these entities. Development projects have also been excluded from the measure. The government has also ordered a five per cent reduction in the Non-ERE Budget for the entire financial year 202627, with deductions to be made on a monthly basis. The measure will also apply to foreign missions and officers/officials posted there, while their obligations relating to rent, educational fees and medical care will continue to be met.

A complete ban has been imposed on the purchase of vehicles of all types, while procurement of all durables has also been prohibited, except IT-related procurements. These restrictions will not apply to development projects. The government has further imposed a complete ban on foreign visits and travel for three months, including obligatory visits, except scholarships offered by international development partners and training and courses arranged through the Economic Affairs Division or under institutional agreements with the Government of Pakistan. Federal govt imposes fresh austerity measures, cuts official fuel by 50pc The notification said ambassadors or high commissioners of Pakistan would represent the country at obligatory and important events. In case of unavoidable

visits, ministers, advisers, ministers of state, special assistants to the prime minister, parliamentarians and government officials will travel only in economy class. The government has also directed that meetings should preferably take place through teleconferencing, except for intra-city meetings. No official dinners will be hosted, except for visiting foreign delegations. The notification also prohibits all official seminars, training sessions and conferences funded by the government. Where such events are unavoidable, government venues, including auditoriums, committee rooms and other official facilities, will be used. Only a single dish will be served at all marriage-related functions and events. The Cabinet Division also retained the

market closing timings notified on June 19, 2026. Under the timings, shops, markets, shopping malls, bazaars, departmental, grocery, general and kiryana stores will close at 9 p.m.; marriage halls, marquees and other commercial venues where festive events are held at 10 p.m.; and restaurants, cafes, eateries and food outlets, as well as standalone fruit and vegetable shops, at 11 p.m. Takeaway and home delivery services will remain exempt. Pharmacies, medical and medical supplies stores, medical laboratories, clinics, hospitals, standalone bakeries and tandoors, standalone milk and dairy shops, fuel/CNG pumps, electric vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities and sports/padel courts, IT companies and call centres will remain exempt from the closing-time restrictions.

Lenacapavir is also approved in multiple countries, in combination with other antiretrovirals, for treating multi-drug-resistant HIV in adults. According to the company, lenacapavir is designed to inhibit HIV at multiple stages of its lifecycle and is being evaluated as a long-acting option across ongoing and planned clinical studies covering HIV prevention and treatment. Ferozsons said it is preparing for future generic availability as part of efforts to make twice-yearly HIV prevention medicine available in regions with significant unmet need.

‘Govt, elite sacrifice first’: PM approves austerity drive as global oil prices surge CONTINUED FORM PAGE 01

The meeting also approved a five per cent cut in the non-ERE budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and imposed a complete ban on the purchase of new vehicles at the government level. A ban was also imposed on the procurement of all durable goods, except IT-related equipment. Government visits and overseas travel would remain suspended for three months. However, in unavoidable cases, ministers, advisers, ministers of state, special assistants and government officials would have to travel in economy class. The meeting also approved maximum use of video and teleconferencing for official business and imposed a ban on official dinners, except necessary dinners hosted in honour of foreign delegations. It was also decided that unnecessary expenditure would be avoided in government-sponsored seminars, training programmes and conferences. The meeting decided to continue implementation of the single-dish policy at weddings and other functions. Under the approved measures, shops, markets, shopping malls and other general business centres would close by 9 p.m., while marriage halls and venues for other functions would close by 10 p.m. Restaurants, cafes, food outlets and standalone fruit and vegetable shops would close by 11 p.m. Pharmacies, medical centres, hospitals,

bakeries, petrol and CNG stations, electric vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities, IT companies and call centres would remain exempt from the specified closing-time restrictions.

Petroleum dealers assure full cooperation for PM’s Fuel Relief Scheme CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The Ministry of IT and Telecommunications briefed the participants on the digital system developed for implementation of the scheme.The meeting was also informed that a dedicated control room had been established to facilitate petrol pumps and address their queries and complaints. Petrol pumps can contact the control room at 9772 for assistance. The meeting was further informed that funds for three months had been earmarked for the Fuel Relief Scheme, out of which Rs25 billion for the first month had already been provided to the State Bank of Pakistan to facilitate timely reimbursement under the scheme. Representatives of the petroleum pump and dealers associations welcomed the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme and assured their full cooperation and support to the government in ensuring its smooth implementation and providing relief to the public.

04 COMMENT

Crossing the Strait

Smarter Austerity Measures

HE government’s decision to revive fuel conservation and austerity measures is understandable given the extraordinary uncertainty in global energy markets. With the Strait of Hormuz severely disrupted and the Bab alMandab increasingly threatened, Pakistan has little room for complacency. Shipping through both routes has fallen sharply, while attacks on energy infrastructure and higher freight costs have added further pressure to already elevated oil prices. The measures announced by the Cabinet Division — including earlier market closures, a 50 per cent cut in fuel for official vehicles, restrictions on foreign travel and a reduction in non-salary government expenditure — are therefore reasonable emergency steps. But austerity should not become synonymous with simply asking everyone to close earlier or government employees to travel less. The present crisis demands a more systematic approach to energy conservation. The government should first establish precisely where fuel is being consumed and where meaningful savings can be achieved. Government vehicle fleets, for instance, should be monitored through fuel cards, mileage records and digital tracking rather than relying only on across-the-board quotas. Non-essential official journeys can be consolidated, while unnecessary vehicle use should be curtailed permanently rather than for three months. The same principle should apply to electricity. Earlier market closures may save some fuel indirectly, but the government should also encourage commercial establishments to reduce peak-hour electricity consumption and introduce stronger incentives for energy-efficient lighting, cooling and equipment. Public buildings, which remain substantial consumers of electricity, should be subject to measurable conservation targets. There is also a need to distinguish between austerity that saves resources and austerity that merely shifts costs. Banning official conferences and foreign travel may produce savings, but cancelling productive engagements or delaying essential procurement can ultimately prove counterproductive. Similarly, restrictions on commercial hours should be periodically reviewed according to their actual impact on fuel consumption, business activity and employment. Most importantly, the government needs a contingency plan extending beyond the present three-month horizon. Pakistan remains vulnerable to imported oil and LNG, and the latest disruption demonstrates how quickly geopolitical events can translate into domestic economic pressure. There are already reports that Pakistan is facing higher LNG costs and concerns over gas availability as regional supply routes remain disrupted. The immediate objective must be conservation, but the longer-term objective should be reduced vulnerability. Greater use of public transport, energy efficiency, distributed renewable generation and better demand management can reduce exposure to future oil shocks. Austerity is necessary in a crisis. But smart austerity should leave the economy more resilient when the crisis passes, rather than merely less active while it lasts.

Yemen just complicates the way At Penpoint M A niAZi

ITH the US-Israeli attack on Iran ongoing, without any end in sight, and the vital Strait of Hormuz closed still, the Houthi offensive has placed a new military pressure in the region which threatens to extend the war considerably, not so much in terms of time as in the number of participants. From a strictly legalistic perspective, the SaudiHouthi contest is not part of the US-Iran conflict, but because Saudi Arabia is a noncombatant ally of the USA, and the Houthis are part of Iran’s Axis of Resistance. Because of that, the conflict between the two has become part of the US-Iran War. It is perhaps worth remembering that there have been previous examples of involvement where none was needed, in support of an ally, Germany’s involvement in North Africa during World War II was essentially in support of Italy, and drew off badly needed forces which could probably been better used in Germany’s invasion of Russia. The ginal result was when Ger,amy had to mount a defence in Italy after its Fascist regime collapsed, and it had to create a Republic of \Salo. The US refusal to launch airstrikes against Houthi forces when they attacked and took important points improving their access to the Bab el-Mandeb strait avoided the sort of mission creep that could get them involved in the sort of conflict they didn’t need to be in. Of course, if that was a consideration, the USA would not have attacked Iran in the first place. Another possibility is that the USA simply didn’t have the resources. It would not be so much an inability of the USA to deploy the air resources necessary as a reluctance to deploy resources which might be needed later against Iran. There is also the possibility that some US commanders might remember the US experience in Afghanistan, for the Yemeni terrain is somewhat like Afghanistan’s being dry and rocky, and the Houthis have a certain resemblance to the Taliban, notably in their vehicle of choice, a Japanese pick-up. The Houthis are as formidable an enemy, and as persistent. US military planners would not want a repetition of the Afghan experience. The opening of a second front will not distract the USA from the fact that the military options remaining to it in Iran are unpalatable. The first is to launch a ground invasion. The losses the USA would suffer would be horrific, for the landing would be followed by a determined resistance, Unlike earlier estimates, the regime has not collapsed. It might be unpopular, but it is less unpopular than the USA. The very young people the USA hoped would rise in its support are now the very stiffening that prevents the ‘realists’ who want a negotiation with the USA on any terms, from doing so. The other option would be to launch a nuclear strike. That would be so outrageous that the whole world would rise up in horror. The prospect of a nu-

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

clear power using a nuclear weapon on a non-nuclear power would be horrifying in the extreme. This is quite apart from the fact that this would represent an environmental disaster of virtually unthinkable proportions. More to the point from the US point of view, the fallout would almost surely affect the Gulf Arab monarchies who are such constant US allies. But more importantly for the USA, fallout would reach Israel. THere is the additional dimension of the untenability of the reason the USA and Israel gave for starting this war: that Iran might potentially build a nuclear weapon. It would seem outrageous to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons by using them. At the same time, the reactions of Russia and China are too unpredictable for the USA to risk. The problem the USA faces is that the USA only has one other option, and that is a ground invasion, which would have to start with an amphibious landing. Iran is said to be so well prepared for it that it would involve slaughter on an unheard-of scale of landing troops. In fact, it might be remembered that when the USA decided to drop a nuclear weapon on Japan, the major concern is supposed to have been the slaughter of invading troops when they invaded the Japanese mainland. The invasion of Okinawa, an island to the south-west of Japan, had resulted in 50,000 casualties to the USA, and 94,000 to the Japanese, and had been the largest amphibious landing in the Pacific Theatre during the War. It is a truism of military science that an amphibious assault is one of the most difficult of military operations. That may be one of the reasons why the US military is supposed to have told President Trump that such an operation was ‘inadvisable’. In other words, ‘we won’t do it’. There were two factors apparently at work. First, top-down loyalty. No matter what Trump said, and their anxiety to obey the President, commanders were bound not to order their men to go

The only possibility that the Houthi dimension provides is an expansion of the conflict. This might mean that it lasts until US and Israeli elections, especially if it does not offer any quick victories. The alternative to quick victory is an admission of failure, and that neither Trump nor Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu are not going to make, until after the election.

From Welfare to Sustainability M. A. Niazi

Babar Nizami

Editor Pakistan Today

Editor Profit

Pakistan’s Poverty Challenge

Abid HussAin

OVERTY remains one of the challenges most confronting Pakistan. Poverty restricts human capabilities, reinforces inequality, weakens social mobility and constrains national development. It is a multidimensional issue and requires more than short-term relief measures. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-2026, the ratio of poverty is increasing rapidly. The poverty figure at the national level has increased from 21.9 percent to 28.9 percent in the current year. Provincial-level poverty estimates indicate that poverty in Punjab, despite its relatively strong economic position and resource base, increased from 16.5 percent to 23.3 percent, while in Sindh it plunged from 24.5 percent to 32.6 percent. In the same way, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the poverty rate increased from 28.7 percent to 35.3 percent, while in Balochistan, it rose from 41.8 percent to 47.0 percent. The economic survey of 2025-26 in Pakistan also underscores that the number of unemployed persons has increased from 4.5 million to 5.9 million. It reflects that there is a big gap between degree-awarding institutions and market-oriented jobs. The unemployment rate rose from 6.3 percent to 7.1 percent, highlighting the need further to accelerate job creation in line with labour force growth. Astoundingly, Benazir Income Support Programme, which is the central pillar of Pakistan’s social assistance system, has been allotted Rs 722.9 billion in FY 2026; however, of which Rs 540.27 billion has been released. Ironically, BISP performs an important humanitarian function in Pakistan and provides essential support to vulnerable households. However, a fundamental question remains in the mind whethe, the BISP genuinely lifts poor households above the poverty line and will it enable them to achieve a sustainable economic independence or not? Surprisingly, a country where millions struggle with inflation, unemployment, inadequate access to basic services, and low wages can prevent vulnerable households from falling even deeper into poverty. At least a middleclass family or marginalized society cannot wait for long-term economic reforms when there is

no food on the table that night. The figures in the economic survey show how the life of the common Pakistani is deteriorating. Inflation can further worsen the situation for low-income households because rising prices of energy, food, medicines and transportation disproportionately affect poorer families. Mostly, Pakistani families devote a larger share of their income to essential consumption, which ultimately brings them down in their current livelihood. Inadequate healthcare is yet another soaring issue for low-income classes because this can push vulnerable households into indebtedness and deeper poverty when illness reduces earning capacity and generates substantial medical expenditures. These challenges are compounded by rural deprivation, unequal access to markets, limited infrastructure and inadequate digital connectivity. It is believed that poverty in Pakistan has been interconnected with several factors that perpetuate poverty in Pakistan; which include limited access to quality education and market-relevant skills, are certain fundamental constraints that have doubled our poverty. Some economists argue that unemployment and underemployment further intensify poverty due to weak industrialization, limited private-sector expansion and insufficient employment opportunities. This leaves substantial segments of the working-age population, particularly the economically vulnerable, in poverty. What should we do? Should the country adopt the Chinese model of moving its people out of poverty? Over several decades, China substantially reduced extreme poverty through a combination of rapid economic growth, rural development, industrialization, expansion of social protections and targeted interventions. The Chinese model of combining macroeconomic and transformational interventions with household-level intervention provide a comparative case for Pakistan. The Chinese model of interventions can consequently be tailored to individual circumstances; education, employment, housing, healthcare, agricultural support and relocation; these are the key determinants that can help Pakistan overcome this menace. Rural industrialization and manufacturing employment can

Karachi – Ph: 021-32640318 I

also create new income opportunities for isolated communities in markets and services. The country can adopt a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to poverty alleviation by integrating transparent BISP and other social protection mechanisms as essential safety nets, particularly for vulnerable households. Relying solely on BISP and recurring cash transfers is not a sustainable longterm solution to poverty. Rather, social protection policies should be complemented by measures that enhance human capital, expand economic opportunities, and enable vulnerable households to achieve greater financial independence. Rural industrialization and small enterprises are crucial factors for sustainable employment and income opportunities. Moreover, employable skills and entrepreneurial skills should be integrated with degree-awarding institutions to better align educational with labor market needs to reduce long-term dependence on welfare. A strong digital infrastructure and integration of public service systems can connect citizens with appropriate social protection services. National and international NGOs operating in Pakistan can reduce poverty by creating employment opportunities for the youth, however; for this, the government agencies should oversee them through regulatory mechanisms. Flexibility in foreign remittances are key factors to encourage overseas Pakistan to use formal banking channels to reduce their disincentives associated with existing taxation and regulatory procedures. Accountability in combating corruption must remain central to Pakistan’s poverty-reducing strategy because it is an unending menace for the country that push the poor into extreme poverty. Misuse of public resources and weak governance in Pakistan undermine economic development and reduce public trust, which ultimately constrain opportunities for inclusive growth.

The writer is a PhD scholar in Public Policy and Governance at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and is associated with the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). He can be reached at abidhussain@issi.org.pk

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

to their deaths. Second, fear of the possibility that such an order would not be obeyed. That leaves Trump with virtually no options, beyond hoping that the air campaign and extra sanctions will work. While he has no means of action, Saudi Arabia has no means of inaction. It will have to launch a counteroffensive to reverse the Houthi gains, but it is only if the operations occur within its terrirotu that it can invoke the Makkah Declaration. Attacks on Saudi Arabia, in the shape of drone attacks have taken place, but whether it commits Turkiye and Pakistan to anything can be debated, And if a government is reluctant to engage, then debatability means refusal. If a government wants to intervene, it can argue that it will support operations against forces launching attacks even if they do so from outside Saudi Arabia, or they could insist that Saudi Arabia had to be physically invaded by Houthis before they moved. Besides, the Makkah Declaration has led to one grand meeting of the foreign ministers, defence ministers and chiefs of general staff whereas they need to meet separately, several times, before any decisions are made. It would be difficult to decide whether there should be a ground invasion, an air drop or an amphibious landing. Logically speaking, the Houthis do not need to be wiped out. They just have to be evicted from the places they presently occupy, which overlook the Bab el-Mandeb. However, that is not all they occupy. They also occupy mountain safe havens. Pakistani troops have relevant experience against the Tehrik Taliban Pakistan in the ex-Tribal Areas, and Turkish forces have experience of fighting Kurds in their mountain redoubts. The latest Houthi attack alleged against Makkah will serve to further inflame sentiment in Turkiye and Pakistan and build public support for intervention. Pakistan has troops in Saudi Arabia already, but Turkiye will have to move up troops. US forces may be used, but in providing air support to ground forces, In that respect, Turkish troops would be at an advantage, as they will have exercised with the US air forces before, unlike either Pakistani or Saudi troops. At the same time, the USA will have to agree to an extension of the conflict which it has already refused. The only possibility that the Houthi dimension provides is an expansion of the conflict. This might mean that it lasts until US and Israeli elections, especially if it does not offer any quick victories. The alternative to quick victory is an admission of failure, and that neither Trump nor Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu are not going to make, until after the election. The problem is that after what might to a bloody campaign, the Hormmuz Strait and the Iranian nuclear programme would remain unsolved. The writer is a member of staff

Editor’s mail

Accountability in combating corruption must remain central to Pakistan’s poverty-reducing strategy because it is an unending menace for the country that push the poor into extreme poverty. Misuse of public resources and weak governance in Pakistan undermine economic development and reduce public trust, which ultimately constrain opportunities for inclusive growth.

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

Friday, 18 September, 2026

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

Grain gains matter

WHEAT is a cornerstone of national food security as well as rural livelihood, serving as the staple diet for over 200 million people and providing essential by-products for livestock feed and agro-based industries. Despite its importance, national wheat productivity remains well below potential. During 2023-24, wheat was cultivated on 9.73 million hectares and produced 31.8 million tonnes, but the average yield (3,268kg/ha) remained far lower than the potential yield of 5,000 to 8,000 kg/ha. This persistent gap is driven by multiple constraints, such as inefficient irrigation, imbalanced fertiliser use, delayed sowing, poor crop rotation, low seed quality, and limited adoption of climate-smart technologies. Post-harvest losses and weak extension services further exacerbate the problem. Addressing these challenges requires integrated, researchbased interventions supported by strong institutional frame-works. Proper land preparation is crucial for achieving the productive potential of wheat, influencing all growth stages from germination to grain formation. Optimised tillage practices, such as a sequence of mouldboard ploughing, disc harrowing, rotavation and planking, can increase yields by 13-30 per cent. Laser land-levelling is also important, enhancing irrigation uniformity, reducing runoff, and improving water-use efficiency. Research shows that laser levelling needs to be repeated every three years, which significantly increases net income and reduces water use by more than half compared to the traditional methods. These improvements can really lay the foundation for better plant establishment and more sustainable wheat production. The sowing method plays a very decisive role in wheat productivity. Conventional methods that are commonly used lead to poor germination and high water consumption. In contrast, modern sowing techniques, such as ridge planting, raised-bed planting, and drill sowing, can increase yields by 9-22pc while significantly improving water-use efficiency. Each method requires specific tillage sequences and irrigation practices to maximise performance. Equally important is the alignment of suitable wheat varieties with appropriate row spacing and timely sowing. Delayed sowing can reduce yields by 8-64pc, while early sowing enables various varieties to escape heat stress and disease, resulting in higher productivity. Poor weed control and disease manage-ment practices result in 1725pc losses in the wheat yield, which is also threatened by fungal diseases, including rust, loose smut, and root rot, that can reduce the yields by up to 50pc. Early planting combined with balanced fertilisation can help mitigate rust infestation across various wheat varieties. Balanced fertiliser use and efficient irrigation scheduling represent additional pillars of sustainable wheat production. Excessive irrigation in conventional systems leads to nutrient leaching, shallow water tables, waterlogging, and ground-water deterioration. Proper irrigation timing and depth ensure that nutrients remain within the root zone, and that water resources are conserved. Pakistan’s wheat productivity challenge is deeply rooted in agronomic, institutional and environmental factors. Bridging the yield gap requires a holistic, climate-smart approach that integrates precision land preparation, advanced sowing techniques, balanced nutrient management, scientific irrigation scheduling, and proactive weed and disease control. Strengthening the extension services, improving access to quality inputs, and aligning agricultural policies with research-based recommendations are critical for sustainable improvement. By adopting modern technologies and evidence-based practices, Pakistan can significantly enhance wheat productivity, ensuring national food security, economic resilience, and a more sustainable future for millions who depend on this vital crop. DR NAZAR GUL HAFIZ ABDUL SALAM

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Friday, 18 September, 2026

MuhaMMad Mohsin iqbal

Here are certain facts buried deep within the annals of history that have been deliberately veiled, whether from motives of political expediency or to shield the interests of powerful parties, under such dense accumulations of silence that even the most diligent searcher after truth might labour long without bringing them fully to light. Yet time, that relentless uncoverer of hidden things, will not forever suffer such concealments to endure. Beneath these obscured realities often lie the misdeeds of individuals or of states—acts that were never meant for public scrutiny, or whose authors could not risk exposure. the history of Hawaii, that distant chain of islands now numbered among the american states, affords a striking illustration of this truth; a history little known to many, and until recently scarcely known even to myself. it reveals how an independent kingdom was wrested from its rightful sovereign, not by open purchase or free consent, but by calculated force and intrigue. and in our own day, the same expansive impulse appears undiminished, whether directed toward distant territories or toward the oil-rich shores of the gulf and beyond. in the year 1893, Hawaii stood as a sovereign kingdom under the rule of Queen Liliuokalani, a monarch of exceptional accomplishment and deep affection among her people. she commanded five languages, possessed a keen intellect, and sought above all the welfare of her subjects. the islands, however, held treasures that stirred the appetites of distant powers: fertile soils yielding sugar and pineapples in abundance, and a strategic harbour in the Pacific of inestimable value. american missionaries had earlier arrived, bringing with them not only spiritual counsel but also a gradual acquisition of land under legal forms that favoured the newcomer. their descendants, together with other businessmen of american and european stock, soon dominated the sugar industry, transforming the economy into one reliant upon plantation wealth. By the late nineteenth century these interests controlled vast tracts and wielded disproportionate influence in the kingdom’s affairs. When Queen Liliuokalani sought to restore greater authority to the native monar-

Politics of Possession

chy and to restrict the franchise to Hawaiian subjects, thereby countering the Bayonet Constitution of 1887 that had been forced upon her predecessor, the planter elite formed a Committee of safety. in January of 1893, they armed themselves and surrounded the royal palace. the american minister, John L. stevens, summoned marines and sailors from the Uss Boston, who landed under the pretext of protecting american lives and property, though their presence served chiefly to intimidate the queen’s defenders. Faced with superior force and unwilling to risk the lives of her people, the queen yielded, writing that she did so “to the superior force of the United states of america,” in the hope that justice might later restore her throne. a provisional government under sanford B. Dole, himself the son of missionaries, was promptly recognised by stevens. President grover Cleveland, upon investigating the matter through Commissioner James Blount, concluded that the constitutional government had been subverted with the active aid of american representatives and the intimidation of armed naval forces. He withdrew a pending treaty of annexation and sought the queen’s reinstatement, yet the provisional authorities refused, and Congress declined to act. native Hawaiians, for their part, gathered the Kū ē Petitions bearing more than twenty-one thousand signatures— representing a majority of the adult native population—pleading that Congress reject annexation. these were ignored. in 1898, amid the spanish-american War and the strategic calculations it inspired, the islands were annexed by joint resolution. in 1959 they became the fiftieth state. a century after the overthrow, President Bill Clinton signed apology resolution on november 23, 1993 acknowledging that the act had been illegal

and that the native Hawaiian people had never relinquished their claims to sovereignty. this resolution, formally known as Public Law 103-150. the resolution was passed by both houses of Congress. Yet the kingdom was never restored. this episode is no isolated curiosity of the past. the same spirit of dominion, driven by valuable resources, has found expression elsewhere. in the Persian gulf, where vast reservoirs of oil lie beneath the sands of sovereign states, american policy has long sought to secure control over the flow of that vital commodity. From the mid-twentieth century onward, arrangements with local rulers, military presence, and interventions have ensured preferential access for Western companies and markets. When threats to that access have

Farid haFEz

t its political assembly in Vienna at the end of June, Ursula von der Leyen’s european People’s Party (ePP) adopted a resolution that treats muslim civic engagement as inherently suspect and collective religious practice as a threat. it extends the approach of germany’s Christian Democrats to “political islam” and echoes French conspiracy theories about “islamist entryism”. the resolution attracted scant media attention, but the effects of this discourse have already been felt by antiracist organisations in Brussels and beyond. the resolution, titled “interference of Political islam in european Democratic Processes”, is a significant gesture from the party’s presidency itself, rather than from an individual member party, national delegation or affiliated group, which gives it particular institutional weight: it reflects the leadership’s collective priorities rather than a single member’s initiative. ideally, such a resolution translates into domestic politics as well, extending beyond supranational efforts at the european level. While the ePP, whose parliamentary group is the largest in the european Parliament, is usually seen as a big tent bringing Christian-democratic, conservative and other centre-right parties together, it has long been dominated by the german Christian Democrats (CDU/CsU), with von der Leyen as european Commission president since 2019 and, by the party’s own count, 14 of the 27 commissioners coming from its ranks. some political scientists see the party as a “german CDU/CsU-dominated empire-by-invitation” not in the sense of coercion, but in that smaller parties actively seek german patronage.

A GERMAN BLUEPRINT: to interpret this resolution, it helps to look at how germany, and the CDU/CsU in particular, has traditionally dealt with what the state terms “political islam”. From a state policy perspective, “political islam” or “legalistic islamism” has served as a means by which the state, drawing on research produced by think tanks and academics, legitimises its interference in muslim affairs. the presumption of innocence is reversed for muslims, whose institutions can be dissolved and wealth confiscated without any act of violence, because the alleged ideology of “political islam” is treated as a breeding ground for it. muslims who participate in civil society, who organise and speak out against racism, are portrayed as using the law to subvert their european nation-states. the ePP’s resolution presents itself as a defence of a europe “united in its diversity”, “respectful of everyone’s beliefs, and protective of individual freedoms”, and insists that it seeks to ensure both “the peaceful practice

arisen—whether from regional powers or from internal upheavals—force has been employed, as in the liberation of Kuwait or the broader campaigns that followed, all framed as defence of vital interests yet serving the practical end of guaranteeing the oil itself. in more recent times the pattern has manifested with striking clarity in Venezuela, possessor of the world’s largest proven oil reserves. in January of 2026, american special forces seized President nicolás maduro and his wife, conveying them to new York to face charges of narcoterrorism and related offences. an interim administration under Delcy rodríguez was installed, and within months a sweeping agreement was announced whereby the United states secured majority control over

In more recent times the pattern has manifested with striking clarity in Venezuela, possessor of the world’s largest proven oil reserves. In January of 2026, American special forces seized President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, conveying them to New York to face charges of narco-terrorism and related offences. An interim administration under Delcy Rodríguez was installed, and within months a sweeping agreement was announced whereby the United States secured majority control over some sixty-five billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves through a private partnership, together with rights of first refusal on production and oversight of revenues channelled through American institutions.

Europe’s most powerful party is stoking a Muslim scare MIDDLE EAST EYE

COMMENT 05

The resolution, titled ‘Interference of Political Islam in European Democratic Processes’, is a significant gesture from the party’s presidency itself

of every religion” and the integrity of democratic processes. in substance, it channels germany’s doctrine of “defensive democracy”, born of the post-nazi era to protect the democratic order against totalitarian movements. this is not the first initiative of its kind. the short-lived Vienna Forum on Countering segregation and extremism, launched by the austrian government in 2021 with French, Danish and Belgian participation, was an earlier attempt to consolidate the criminalisation of muslim civil society in europe. in 2017, stop extremism presented itself as a european popular petition calling on parliament to effectively create a surveillance system that would curtail muslim civil liberties. austrian investigations alleged that the Uae financed it.

GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION: For all its talk of diversity, the resolution stresses individual rights, explicitly stating that it seeks to ensure “equality among citizens, rather than collective claims” - a formulation that leaves the collective expression of islam unprotected and hollows out the very idea of religious freedom. From Christians in churches to muslims in mosques, religion is by definition not only an individual belief but a communal practice, and religious infrastructures do not stop at the doors of synagogues or temples - they extend into social welfare, education and many other spheres of life. this restriction to individual rights already amounts to a reinterpretation of a fundamental right. Borrowing from the French discourse on “islamist entryism”, the ePP defines the term as “a strategy of gradual infiltration of institutions, parties, associations, and administrations to push for a fundamentalist interpretation of a religion, meant to shape the public and political life according to a rigorist vision”. entryism, it says, “manipulates the democratic concepts by adopting a double discourse, to appear compatible with commonly accepted democratic principles, while its actual agenda runs counter to those values in many ways”. in other words, muslims who participate in european public life through their religious institutions become suspect. the ePP suggests this is more than a european problem, citing russian and Chinese “meddling in democratic procedures” while pledging to coordinate “with relevant partner parties in europe and other parts of the world, such as the mena region and the Western Balkans”. it names the muslim Brotherhood and “its affiliated associations” as an example of entryism. the abu Dhabi secrets revelations docu-

mented emirati covert operations in europe aimed at legitimising the Uae’s designation of the non-violent muslim Brotherhood as a “terrorist organisation” in western countries. the juxtaposition of China and russia with cooperation across the gulf and the Balkans is revealing; in the Balkans, anti-muslim politics has already been weaponised by secessionists.

MAPPING MUSLIMS: the resolution builds on notorious precedents set by other governments led by Christian Democrats, stressing the importance of “mapping islamist organisations networks”. the venue was telling, for Vienna is home to the projects that pioneered this approach. the infamous islam map, run by the government-backed Documentation Centre Political islam, plotted virtually every muslim association in the country on a digital map, and sparked an outcry from civil society and criticism in the Council of europe. as Brussels commentator shada islam has argued, the resolution is “eerily reminiscent” of austria’s discredited operation Luxor raids of 2020, which produced no convictions. its proposed monitoring would take the Documentation Centre model to the eU level. that monitoring would track “undesirable foreign funding” from actors seen as “promoting the same illiberal agenda”, and the resolution calls for the “termination of eU support for these radicalised movements”. it also demands “further academic research” - a cornerstone of german domestic strategy, where the interior ministry’s expert Circle on Political islamism has long called for academic chairs dedicated to the study of political islam. the european network against racism (enar), a pan-european network of antiracist organisations based in Brussels, has already felt the impact of this discourse. in June, days before the resolution was adopted, Fabrice Leggeri - the former Frontex director, now a far-right French meP - claimed the network was close to the muslim Brotherhood, an allegation enar rejected as baseless. He pushed for the network’s exclusion from a meeting on the european antiracism strategy, delegitimising anti-racism advocacy work in the process. People and institutions that speak out against anti-muslim racism will feel the effect of this resolution, as Christian-democratic mePs push to defund work against islamophobia.

Farid Hafez is Assistant Professor of Sociology of Racism(s) at the University of Limerick and Senior Researcher at Georgetown University’s The Bridge Initiative in Washington DC.

some sixty-five billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves through a private partnership, together with rights of first refusal on production and oversight of revenues channelled through american institutions. the wealth of the land, long the foundation of Venezuelan sovereignty, thus passed under effective external direction, while the former president remained in custody awaiting trial. nor has the appetite for territorial influence abated nearer home. open declarations have expressed the desire to bring the Panama Canal once more under direct american administration, to draw Canada into closer subordination as a prospective fiftyfirst state, and to acquire greenland for strategic command of the arctic. these aspirations, voiced without concealment, echo the earlier seizure of Hawaii and the present dominion over Venezuelan petroleum: wherever resources or position promise advantage, the means of acquisition—whether by force, by pressure, or by arrangement under duress—are readily employed. thus the pattern persists across the generations: territories or resources deemed indispensable are drawn into the american sphere by means that history later judges irregular or unjust. Hawaii’s fertile lands and harbour once beckoned; the gulf’s petroleum and Venezuela’s vast reservoirs continue to exert a similar pull, while neighbouring lands are contemplated for the same purpose. time may yet reveal further layers of these transactions, but the essential character of the enterprise remains clear to those who examine the record without partiality. The writer is a freelance columnist

World held to ransom by Middle East crisis

Regional countries should take charge of their own security, reject external interference, build a new security architecture through dialogue and consultation, and treat development as the foundation of stability

CHINA DAILY Editorial

emonstrating how energy markets can be weaponized with just a threat of blockade, the Houthi seizure of positions on greater and Lesser Hanish this month was more than a symbolic victory. the islands lie near Bab elmandeb, the narrow passage linking the red sea with the gulf of aden. together with mokha and Perim, they could help the organization threaten one of saudi arabia’s remaining oil-export routes. Days earlier, a drone attack had damaged the east-West Pipeline, which carries saudi crude to the red sea port of Yanbu, pushing oil prices to a new high. this is the logic of the “twin-chokepoint” strategy of the strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-mandeb strait. the Houthi campaign serves multiple purposes, as the conflicts in Yemen, Lebanon, syria, gaza and the gulf are increasingly interconnected, with developments on one front affecting calculations on the others. With the midterm elections approaching in the United states, the Us administration has little appetite for another military commitment in Yemen. it wants to contain iran without triggering an oil shock or opening a new conflict. When riyadh reportedly sought Us assistance, Washington offered intelligence and a limited number of noncombat personnel, but no direct intervention. that looks more like paralysis than restraint: the Us administration is avoiding the immediate political costs of action. although the Us imports relatively little gulf oil directly, a new crisis that begins in the red sea can eventually reach Us petrol stations, factories and supermarkets. that Washington recognizes these risks yet still avoids intervention reveals the strength of domestic political constraints. the midterm calendar has become an invisible actor in the Us’ middle east strategy. saudi arabia’s security pact with turkiye and Pakistan has exposed the gap between diplomatic solidarity and operational commitment. israel, meanwhile, is a quiet beneficiary of the disorder. its military operations in Lebanon and syria, and its efforts to expand security zones around gaza and Damascus, unfold as iran’s partners face

pressure and their networks are disrupted. Yet tactical advantage is not strategic success. israel’s larger aims, including permanently neutralizing iran’s nuclear capabilities or reshaping its political system, remain unattained. territorial expansion may create symbolic buffers, but it cannot produce legitimacy or lasting security. nor can reliance on a Us security shield guarantee that the shield will always hold. Put together this is neorealism in its harshest form: states and armed groups pursuing short-term benefits, enlarging spheres of influence and presenting coercion as deterrence. But none of the parties truly profits in the long run, as none of their immediate tactical gains is sustainable, defensible or conducive to lasting peace and strategic stability in the region. the middle east is not a chessboard on which choke points can be exchanged indefinitely. it is home to hundreds of millions of people whose grievances — above all the unresolved Palestinian question — cannot be bombed, blockaded or postponed into silence. israel eggs the Us on to stir the pot. regional powers that cannot beat or rely on the Us take it out on each other. the Us cannot reopen the strait, so the Us put another lock on it. this is a true portrait of international politics stuck at a low ebb. Political resolve, strategic vision and diplomatic wisdom have become scarce commodities in this region’s endless geopolitical struggle. Beijing has been consistent in calling on all related parties to end the hostilities and resolve the conflicts through negotiations. regional countries should take charge of their own security, reject external interference, build a new security architecture through dialogue and consultation, and treat development as the foundation of stability. the Un Charter and international law should provide the rules, while the Palestinian question must remain central. a two-state solution remains the indispensable political horizon. this is not a quick fix. But it starts from a necessary premise: control of a strait is not the same as order, and coercion is not the same as security. Unless the parties pursue political settlement, a comprehensive ceasefire, reconstruction and renewed trust, the twin straits will remain hostages to whoever controls the nearest island — and the world economy will continue paying the ransom.

06 NEWS

WORLD'S WATER CYCLE BECOMING MORE UNPREDICTABLE, UN WARNS

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

HE planet's water cycle is becoming increasingly erratic, swinging between too little and too much, the United Nations warned Thursday, with an unprecedented El Nino expected to exacerbate the long-term trend. Last year was among the driest for the world's rivers in over three decades, the UN's World Meteorological Organization said in a report. In 2025 one of the warmest years on record glaciers also shrank across all regions, even as groundwater levels in many parts of the world are in multi-year decline, it found. Overall, the WMO's annual State of Global Water Resources report showed that the Earth's freshwater storage the total amount of water stored in groundwater, lakes and rivers, soil moisture, vegetation and ice and snow continued a decade-long decline. Some elements of the water cycle change rapidly like precipitation, river flow and soil moisture, responding to weather within days or weeks.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo voiced particular concern about the decline in "slow reserves", like groundwater and glaciers, which she said had traditionally served as the planet's "savings account". They have served as "a buffer that absorbs bad years, so that a single drought or dry season does not translate directly into a water crisis," she told reporters. AD ICON ADVERTISEMENT Glaciers have also been shrinking at a precipitous rate, with 2025 marking the fourth consecutive year where they shed significant ice mass across all regions. Between 2023 and 2025, the report estimated that glaciers lost a cumulative global glacier mass of 1,400 gigatonnes of water -roughly equal to the water required to fill 560 million Olympic-sized swimming pools, or about a third of the world's annual freshwater withdrawals. "Groundwater tells a similar story: nearly two-thirds of monitored wells worldwide showed conditions outside the historical norm in 2025," Saulo said. She highlighted that this was happening in parallel with "more water-related disasters." In

particular, she pointed to the current El Nino pattern, which is expected to be the strongest since comparable records began four decades ago. El Nino is the warm phase of a natural climate cycle that occurs every two to seven years and is characterised by above-average ocean temperatures across the Pacific and brings worldwide changes in winds and rainfall patterns and erratic weather. "The strengthening El Nino will increase the risk of drought in some areas and flooding in others," Saulo cautioned. Already before El Nino hit, rivers worldwide were showing "abnormal" flows, WMO said, with 2025 among the three driest years for rivers in 35 years. For a seventh year in a row, the number of river basins globally experiencing "normal" conditions were in a clear minority in 2025. Only around 36 percent saw normal flows, while an equal percentage saw belownormal discharge conditions, and 21 percent were above normal, the report found. The WMO stressed the importance of good data to map the developments in the water cycle, warning that significants gaps remained in hard-hit areas.

Maharashtra: 3.75m voters left out of draft rolls in Muslim-heavy seats MUMBAI

AGENCIES

A large number of voters have been left out of Maharashtra’s draft electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, with particularly high numbers reported in 38 Assembly constituencies where Muslims account for more than 20 per cent of the population. An analysis by The Indian Express found that nearly 3.75 million voters across 38 Assembly constituencies were classified as ‘uncollectable’ — meaning

voters whose enumeration forms could not be collected and their names were therefore not carried forward to the draft rolls. The analysis found that 77.49 per cent of enumeration forms had been collected across these constituencies, compared with 21.14 per cent across Maharashtra as a whole. The figures have drawn particular attention because several of the affected constituencies are among the most densely populated parts of Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The analysis showed particularly

high proportions of voters classified as ‘uncollectable’ in several Assembly constituencies. In Bhiwandi East, the proportion was at 10.49 per cent, while it stood at 72.44 per cent in Bhiwandi West. In Mumbra-Kalwa, 91.42 per cent of voters were classified as ‘uncollectable’, while the figure was 31.42 per cent in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar. Mumbai’s Chandivali Assembly constituency recorded a rate of 44.41 per cent, while Sion Koliwada and Pune Cantonment also recorded rates of around 40 per cent. The figures point to a substantial im-

pact on the draft electoral rolls in some of the state’s most densely populated urban constituencies. The large-scale classification of voters as ‘uncollectable’ in several densely populated constituencies, particularly in Mumbai and the MMR, is likely to become a significant political issue during the claims and objection process. The key question now is how many names will be restored after claims, objections and verification are completed and the final electoral rolls are published.

US House passes Russia sanctions bill, raising alarm for India WASHINGTON AGENICES

The US House of Representatives has passed a sanctions and tariff bill targeting Russia, raising concerns for India over the potential impact of its continued purchases of Russian energy. The legislation gives President Donald Trump authority to impose additional tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas. It also provides for further sanctions targeting Russian officials, financial institutions, the energy sector and the network of oil tankers used to circumvent sanctions. India and China, among the major buyers of Russian energy, could therefore come within the scope of the tariff provisions.

Friday, 18 September 2026 | ISLAMABAD

Chinese FM Wang Yi holds phone talks with Rubio on high-level interactions BEIJING

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held phone talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, during which they had an in-depth discussion focusing on high-level interactions between China and the United States. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that for some time, China-US relations have generally been moving along the track of constructive strategic stability set by the two heads of state, which is conducive to meeting the expectations of the international community. Wang stressed that head-ofstate diplomacy serves as the anchor for China-US relations. The two sides should prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, strengthen communication, advance cooperation and manage differences, he noted. The two sides should respect each other's core interests and send a positive message that China and the United States are committed to advancing a constructive bilateral relationship of strategic stability and jointly promoting world peace and development, Wang said. The two sides also exchanged views on issues including the situation in the Middle East. Chinese, US trade teams in close contact on tariff reduction plan he Chinese and US economic and trade teams are maintaining close communication on issues including tariff reductions, China's Ministry of Commerce said Thursday. Ministry spokesperson He Yadong made the remarks at a regular press conference when asked about the latest progress in consultations on a reciprocal tariff reduction framework arrangement that would cover $30 billion worth of products from each side. Further developments will be released in due course, the spokesperson said.

NEWS 07

Friday, 18 September 2026 | ISLAMABAD

CORPORATE CORNER

NO ROOM FOR POOR RESULTS’: MARYAM ORDERS ACTION OVER CLASS IX PERFORMANCE

P g

Karachi: Prof. Dr. Shaista Tabassum presents shield to a student at the conclusion of Seerat Conference organized by Hamdard Naunehal Assembly. Ms. Sadia Rashid, President Hamdard Foundation Pakistan and Prof. Dr. Imran Amin,Vice Chancellor Hamdard University are also present on this occasion. PR

ETS Hosts TOEFL Experience Day in Lahore for Pakistan’s English-Language Trainer Community LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

ETS, a global education and talent solutions organisation and the creator of the TOEFL iBT test, hosted a TOEFL Experience Day at LAHORE on September 17, 2026. Marking ETS’s first official in-person TOEFL Experience Day in Pakistan, the programme brought together 140 participants, including English-language trainers, TOEFL preparation professionals, counsellors, educators and channel partners. Led by ETS experts and senior leaders from its South Asia team, the structured training introduced participants to the four strategic pillars of TOEFL: Fair, Agile, Smart and Tailored (FAST). The programme also provided focused guidance on the four skills assessed by the TOEFL iBT test: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The sessions enabled participants to better understand the enhanced test format, delivery and assessment approach, clarify testrelated questions and align their preparation practices more closely with the test.

SIMPACT 2026 Brings AI to Forefront of Simulation Education

KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Aga Khan University's (AKU) Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME), Karachi, hosted SIMPACT 2026, the only health care simulation conference in Pakistan and East Africa, connecting clinicians, educators, leaders, innovators, and students from both regions in real time. This year's theme, "Simulation Reimagined: AI & Beyond," explored how artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, analytics, and next-generation learning systems are reshaping health training and, ultimately, patient safety.The conference included pre-conference workshops, more than 80 research presentations, keynote talks and exhibits of home-grown innovations as well as the latest industry exhibits in healthcare simulation technology.A central highlight of the conference was SIMVENTION, an exhibition of locally-developed, AI-powered health care technology and software reflecting the breadth of innovation emerging from Pakistan. Shortlisted projects included an Urdu-English talking avatar for medical training, a culturally sensitive chatbot for adolescent reproductive health and an AI-assisted tuberculosis screening pipeline.“Artificial intelligence is already transforming healthcare, from drug discovery and medical diagnosis to precision medicine and patient care,” said Professor Atta-ur-Rahman, Professor Emeritus at the University of Karachi and former Chairman of the Higher Education Commission.

Meezan Bank Continues Blood Donation Drive in Partnership with Indus Hospital KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

Meezan Bank, Pakistan's premier Islamic bank, once again partnered with The Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), a major nationwide, non-profit healthcare system in Pakistan, to host a two-day Blood Donation Drive, reaffirming the Bank's longstanding commitment to community healthcare. The initiative is part of a recurring series of donation drives the Bank has organized in collaboration with IHHN, reflecting a sustained institutional focus on public health rather than a one-time gesture.Employees across the Bank volunteered to donate blood, in support of patients receiving freeof-cost treatment at IHHN, one of Pakistan's largest providers of charitable healthcare. Each donor underwent general health screening and blood group testing administered by the Hospital's medical team, with individual health reports shared directly with participants; giving employees a tangible health benefit alongside their contribution.The drive represents a broader principle in Meezan Bank's approach to corporate social responsibility: that sustainable community impact is built through consistency, not isolated events. By embedding initiatives like blood donation into its regular calendar, the Bank aims to create a dependable resource for institutions like The Indus Hospital, while fostering a culture of civic participation among its own employees.

PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER INAUGURATES MULTAN ELECTRIC BUS SERVICE LAHORE

SALEEM JADOON

UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday expressed displeasure over the poor performance of Class IX students in examinations and ordered immediate action against teachers associated with results below 20 per cent. A decision was also taken to link teachers’ performance with students’ examination results and introduce monthly and annual examinations in schools. The chief minister directed education authorities to present a comprehensive timeline and reforms plan next week. She ordered that schools achieving the best results be rewarded, with prizes to be given to top-performing schools in each district. The meeting also decided to introduce evening coaching for academically weak students in government schools and discourage the practice of removing weaker students from schools. The chief minister directed that vacant head teacher posts be filled within 45 days and subject specialists appointed in government schools. She also directed

the education minister to ensure monitoring and inspection at all levels. The chief minister expressed satisfaction over the performance of Government Girls High School Bhon in Jhang, which secured the top position in terms of results. Government girls’ high schools in Muzaffargarh and Layyah stood second and third, respectively. She sought district-wise monthly per-

formance ratings of schools and approved the introduction of a “Unified Monitoring App” for school monitoring. The meeting also decided to launch a pilot project of “Library on Wheels” from Lahore. The three-wheeler mobile library, equipped with solar-powered charging, will carry more than 20,000 digital books and offer video-learning lectures. The Punjab CM also sought a per-

UN nomination of Maryam Nawaz for award true honour for 140m Punjabis: Azma LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” project is among the five major projects in the world and is the largest project in Pakistan. The “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” project has been developed by the Punjab government through its own resources. She said that in the history of Pakistan, no other government had ever received an award of such magnitude as the one being awarded to Maryam Nawaz. Under the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” project, 202,913 houses have been built, while 118,088 houses have been completed. Another 53,233 houses are under construction.

Azma Bokhari said that providing deserving and homeless people with their own homes was Maryam Nawaz’s dream. Alhamdulillah, in just two years, Maryam Nawaz has succeeded in providing homes to more than 200,000 people. Maryam Nawaz has set a target of providing “Apni Chhat” to 500,000 people within five years. She said that after the “Suthra Punjab” project, the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” project was another global recognition of Maryam Nawaz’s good governance. Maryam Nawaz’s successful projects are bringing recognition to Punjab and Pakistan around the world. Her twoyear performance is a clear testimony to her achievements. Did Fawad Ch delete His Tweet After Falling Victim to

Foolproof security to be ensured for Pakistan, England-Sri Lanka trination cricket series: CCPO LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

Capital City Police Officer Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana has directed strict departmental action against police personnel found involved in corruption and called for a zero-tolerance policy regarding such complaints. He issued these directions while chairing a meeting at the Capital City Police Headquarters to review the performance of the Civil Lines and City divisions. The meeting discussed the overall crime situation, police performance and measures being taken to improve law and order across both divisions. The CCPO also instructed officers to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the PakistanEngland-Sri Lanka Tri-Nation Series scheduled for October. He emphasized that the visiting teams must be provided with comprehensive security during their stay, movement and matches in Lahore. Furthermore, the meeting was briefed on measures to curb theft and mobile snatching at identified hotspots. The CCPO directed the police to intensify security arrangements in these target areas and launch indiscriminate action against elements involved in pickpocketing. Bilal Siddique Kamyana urged all police units to maintain effective coordination to prevent crime, stressing the need for a comprehensive strategy to curb theft and burglary, particularly in vulnerable areas. He instructed officers to install barriers, deploy security guards and step up patrolling in burglary-prone locations.

Propaganda? Meanwhile, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari, reacting to the fake propaganda surrounding the payment of funds by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, said that she had heard former Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry had deleted his tweet after falling victim to the propaganda. Azma Bokhari said that, in a way, this was a good thing, but if even a person of this stature could believe propaganda and spread false information, people should consider what the situation would be for an ordinary citizen. She also questioned what became of the “esteemed journalists” who tweeted in service of the propaganda cell.

Anti-Corruption Establishment arrests Patwari red-handed in trap raid NOWSHERA

STAFF REPORT

Under the explicit directions of Director AntiCorruption, Dr. Muhsin Habib, a specialized team led by Assistant Director Anti-Corruption, Humayoon Khan, executed a successful trap raid, arresting corrupt Patwari Naveed red-handed in the presence of a Judicial Magistrate while receiving bribe money. Case Breakdown Suspect: Patwari Naveed (Halqa Revenue Official) Supervising Authority: Director Anti-Corruption, Dr. Muhsin Habib Raid Lead: Assistant Director Anti-Corruption, Humayoon Khan Magisterial Oversight: Executed in the presence of a Judicial Magistrate Bribe Money Recovered: PKR 40,000 in initial marked currency xtortion Details: The suspect had previously extorted PKR 1.5 million (15 lakh) from the applicant (trap agent) and demanded an additional PKR 1.5 million (15 lakh) to process the property transfer mutation for the applicant's mother. Operation Overview Acting on a formal complaint regarding the exorbitant bribe demand for a property transfer, Assistant Director Humayoon Khan constituted a dedicated raiding team under the supervision of Director Dr. Muhsin Habib. The team, accompanied by the Judicial Magistrate, set a trap for the revenue official. Patwari Naveed was caught red-handed at the scene immediately upon taking PKR 40,000 in marked bribe money from the trap agent. Current Legal Action The suspect, Patwari Naveed, was taken into custody on the spot and sent behind bars. Formal proceedings have been initiated, and further comprehensive investigation is actively underway.

Turkish higher education delegation concludes landmark tour to expand AI, Tech, and research ties ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

An 18-member delegation of Turkish higher education leaders, headed by Prof. Dr Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education (CoHE), Türkiye, has concluded a comprehensive visit to Pakistan aimed at deepening academic, research, and institutional cooperation between the two nations. The high-profile engagement brought together academic leadership from both countries to chart a shared roadmap for long-term educational partnership and joint scientific innovation.

The visit commenced with an opening session at the HEC Secretariat in Islamabad, where the delegation held high-level discussions with HEC senior management and Vice Chancellors representing leading universities across Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Welcoming the distinguished delegates, Chairman HEC Prof. Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar underscored the immense value of aligning higher education leadership from both nations. “There is an immense potential for Higher Education Commission, Pakistan and Council of Higher of Higher Education, Türkiye as welll as academia on both sides to create meaningful

collaborations,” said Dr Niaz. He highlighted key priority areas for collaboration, including expanding research partnerships, increasing student and faculty mobility programs, and building robust inter-university linkages. On this occassion, Prof. Dr Erol Özvar expressed sincere gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the people and academic community of Pakistan. He shared his strong conviction that the visit would yield concrete, mutually beneficial outcomes, reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to facilitating joint research endeavors, institutional exchanges, and academic mobility.

formance report of outsourced schools. “Point-scoring alone will not improve government schools; there has to be actual improvement,” she said, adding that teachers’ efforts should be reflected in students’ results. CM inaugurates Multan electric bus service In a related development, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the electric bus service in Multan on Thursday. The chief minister boarded an electric bus from the e-bus stop established at Agro Mall on Shujaabad Road and travelled to the venue of the ceremony at Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture. The chief minister received a warm public welcome on Old Shujaabad Road, where thousands of children, youngsters, students and elderly citizens gathered to greet her. Rose petals were showered on her vehicle, while children carrying flowers and pictures walked alongside her car. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz formally launched the electric bus project through a digital ceremony. She was warmly received upon arrival at the venue, where chants in her support continued.

Mediavest Crowned No. 1 Agency at Dragons of Pakistan Awards KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

Mediavest, the media agency of Brainchild Communications Pakistan, has been named the No. 1 Agency at the Dragons of Pakistan 2026, marking a significant achievement for the agency and its teams. The recognition comes in a year that saw increased participation from agencies and clients, making the competition at the Dragons of Pakistan more extensive than in previous editions. Securing the top position against a stronger and broader field underscores the significance of Mediavest’s achievement. The recognition reflects Mediavest’s continued focus on strategic thinking, effective media solutions and impactful work for its clients, further strengthening its position within Pakistan’s advertising and communications landscape. Commenting on the achievement, Farhan Khan, CEO, Brainchild Communications Pakistan, said: “Winning awards is a significant achievement on its own. To win it three years in a row is not just a milestone-it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and our refusal to settle for “good enough”. In our industry, consistency is the hardest thing to maintain. Trends shift, technology evolves, and consumer behaviors change rapidly. However, our team has proven that when you combine bold creativity with rigorous strategy, you create a standard of work that stands the test of time. These wins belong to every single member of our team who pours their passion into every project, and to our clients who trust us to push the boundaries.”

LIIBS 2026 Concludes with Framework on ‘The Next Move’ for Economy, Technology, and Global Positioning

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The 9th edition of the LEADERS IN ISLAMABAD BUSINESS SUMMIT (LIIBS) 2026, themed "The Next Move," concluded at Islamabad with a firm commitment from policy makers, global business heads, and thought leaders for decisive action to convert Pakistan's economic potential into sustained advantage.In his inaugural ministerial keynote, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue, said, "We had about 3.7% GDP growth last fiscal year, and the momentum is continuing into this fiscal year. Large-scale manufacturing has turned around, while strong remittance inflows and IT exports are supporting the external account. The direction of travel is clear that we need to move beyond a consumption-led growth model and build an economy supported by sustainable and productive growth."Muhammad Ali, Federal Minister & Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation, in his ministerial address, said, "Pakistani cannot just be a consumer of technology; we need to be the creator. Our ambition is to have productive businesses at a scale that compete with global entities. We need stronger education and equal workforce participation. We need to extend talent to manufacturing, defense, and other technologies of the future. We need to build a Pakistan where cities are more productive than congested, and with young people possessing the skills to participate in the economic future." Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways, added, "We have good people and we should do better for them. We need structural reforms with better governance. Federal and provincial governance alignment is crucial. We need to break away from the cycle of spending ungoverned and then turning towards IMF loans.

ISLAMABAD POLICE DETAIN MEDICINE CONTAINERS AHEAD OF PTI PROTEST

Friday, 18 September, 2026

PRAYER TIMINGS

NEWS

ISLAMABAD

RAJA KASHIF ASHFAQ

HE detention of containers has begun in Islamabad ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned protest on September 27, with police taking a large number of containers into custody to block possible protest routes. According to container owners, some of the detained vehicles were carrying medicines from Karachi to Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including insulin and medicines for the treatment of various diseases. The owners expressed concern that the heat could damage the medicines if the police kept the containers in custody for an extended period. The owners said police had also taken possession of the vehicle keys and documents, including driving licences, consignment receipts and other paperwork. They said they had not been informed how long the containers would remain detained and questioned who would be responsible if medicines worth millions of rupees were damaged. Meanwhile, President of the All Pakistan Goods Transport Ittehad, Malik Shahzad Awan, said Islamabad and Punjab police had forcibly taken around 700 vehicles and containers into custody. According to Shahzad Awan, the detained containers were carrying goods

worth millions and billions of rupees, including food items and essential materials required by various industries. He warned that, besides possible damage to the vehicles, the cargo could also suffer significant financial losses. He demanded that the federal and Punjab governments immediately release all detained vehicles and containers. He warned that if the authorities did not release the vehicles and containers, transporters would soon announce a course of action. Following reports that medicineloaded containers had also been detained, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi took immediate notice of the matter. He

contacted the Inspector General of Islamabad Police and the Chief Commissioner Islamabad to enquire about the situation. Naqvi ordered the immediate release of all detained containers carrying medicines and made it clear that medicine containers and vehicles transporting medicines must not be stopped under any circumstances. The Interior Minister also directed the relevant police and administrative authorities to ensure strict compliance with the orders and facilitate the uninterrupted movement of medicines. Meanwhile, the Islamabad administration and police have stepped up secu-

rity preparations ahead of several announced marches and protests. Jamaat-eIslami has announced a September 20 inflation march, while Kisan Ittehad Chairman Khalid Hussain Baath has announced a million march in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on September 25. The PTI has also announced its September 27 march towards Islamabad. Authorities have been making arrangements to deal with the expected gatherings, including the deployment of containers at key entry and exit points. Preparations for the PTI protest had already included plans to arrange more than 1,000 containers and additional security personnel. Meanwhile, reports of arrests of PTI workers in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have also emerged, although the law-enforcement agencies have not released a final figure. On Thursday, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja was reportedly taken into custody by Neelor police after attending the funeral of PTI worker Ijaz Satti. He was allowed to leave after around two hours. Islamabad Police denied the incident, while a PTI spokesperson confirmed that Salman Akram Raja had been detained. The developments come amid heightened security arrangements in the federal capital ahead of the planned protests and marches.

PTI condemns Salman Akram Raja's 'abduction', calls it violation of human rights Diesel rises Rs3.47 to Rs424.92, petrol edges down 43 paisa PROFIT

AHMAD AHMADANI

The government has raised the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs3.47 per litre to Rs424.92 for September 18, while reducing petrol price by 43 paisa to Rs390.79 per litre under the petroleum pricing mechanism. According to Petroleum Division, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) revised the exdepot prices of petroleum products for September 18 in line with the petroleum pricing mechanism. The price of high-speed diesel has been increased from Rs421.45 to Rs424.92 per litre, marking a rise of Rs3.47 per litre. In contrast, the price of motor spirit (petrol) has been reduced from Rs391.22 to Rs390.79 per litre, providing consumers a marginal relief of 43 paisa per litre. The latest revision means that diesel has crossed the Rs424-per-litre mark, further increasing the cost burden on consumers and businesses that rely heavily on diesel for transportation, agriculture, power generation and other economic activities. Diesel is widely used by heavy transport vehicles, buses, trucks and commercial fleets, while tractors and other agricultural machinery also depend heavily on HSD. Any increase in its price can therefore feed into transportation and logistics costs and, in turn, put pressure on the prices of goods transported across the country. The increase is also significant for the agriculture sector, where diesel is used for tractors, tube-wells and other farm machinery. Higher diesel prices can raise farmers’ operating expenses and increase the cost of transporting agricultural produce from farms to markets. The transport sector is likely to remain particularly sensitive to the latest HSD increase, as commercial vehicles generally consume substantially more fuel than private cars and motorcycles. Higher operating costs can eventually translate into increased freight and passenger transport charges, depending on how transport operators adjust their fares and rates. For ordinary motorists, however, the petrol price has seen a marginal reduction of 43 paisa per litre. At Rs390.79 per litre, petrol remains close to the Rs391 level, meaning the reduction is relatively small compared with the overall fuel expenditure faced by households using petrol-powered vehicles. The Petroleum Division attributed the latest revision to global developments, including changes in Platts rates, premiums and other incidental factors. The latest adjustment will apply to the revised ex-depot petroleum prices for September 18, 2026, with HSD becoming costlier while petrol receiving a marginal reduction.

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram strongly condemned the abduction of PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja, along with other party leaders who were travelling to attend the funeral prayers of senior PTI leader Ijaz Hussain Sethi, who died in police custody on Wednesday, terming the incident an alarming disregard for basic human values, constitutional freedoms and the dignity of citizens. In a strongly worded statement issued by the PTI Central Media Department on Thursday, the PTI CIS said that Salman Akram Raja, along with Latasab Sethi and Akhlaq Sethi, was stopped and detained for several hours while travelling to attend the funeral prayers of the late Ijaz Hussain Sethi. He said they were detained for the sole purpose of preventing them from attending the funeral and offering condolences to the bereaved family, describing the incident as shameful

and unfortunate. Waqas vehemently denounced the unlawful use of police and administrative powers to prevent a political leader from attending the funeral of a fellow party leader. “A funeral is a moment of grief, humanity and solidarity. Turning a funeral into an occasion for political restrictions, harassment and detention is a deeply troubling abuse of authority,” Waqas said. PTI CIS said that the current regime was setting a dangerous precedent that could have farreaching negative implications for the country. Waqas also criticized the increasingly coercive campaign by the Punjab government and police against PTI leaders, ticket holders, office bearers, workers and supporters. He said the detention of PTI leaders and workers, raids on homes, damage to property, harassment of women, elderly citizens and family members, and the use of police personnel to intimidate political workers were deeply alarming. He condemned the detention of PTI MPA Tariq Saeed from Mandi

Bahauddin, as well as other PTI leaders and workers across Punjab, saying that political workers were being targeted simply for exercising their peaceful political rights and standing with Imran Khan. “The police and administration are public institutions and must serve the people; they cannot be turned into instruments of political confrontation or used to settle political scores,” PTI CIS said. Waqas said PTI workers would not be intimidated by the government’s coercive tactics. He stressed that political disagreement was not a crime and that constitutional rights applied equally to government supporters and opposition parties. He said PTI leaders and workers were standing for constitutional supremacy, the rule of law, an independent judiciary, genuine democracy and a welfare-oriented Pakistan. Waqas further called upon the Punjab government to immediately end the political misuse of police and administrative machinery and respect the constitutional freedoms of citizens.

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Maryam Nawaz pays Rs27.194m to settle aircraft expenses during her private visit to London LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has paid Rs27.194 million to settle the expenses of the government aircraft used during her private visit to London, according to payment documents. A cheque for Rs27,194,004 was deposited at the Valencia Branch of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) in Lahore. The payment was made through a Bank of Punjab cheque, while the amount was deposited into the Punjab government’s treasury account. The bank pay-in slip is dated 17 September 2026 and records the depositor as a citizen named Umar Abbas. The payment follows earlier government statements that Maryam Nawaz would personally bear the expenses of the aircraft used for her London visit. The reported payment amount is Rs27.194 million, following revisions to the aircraft expense bill. CM Maryam travelled to London last week to attend the graduation ceremony of her daughter Mahnoor and returned to Lahore. The government insisted the CM bore all expenses of the trip. Responding to criticism that the CM used the official jet for a private visit, Punjab Inf¬ormation Minister Azma Bokhari rejected the allegation. “Absolutely incorrect. The Punjab chief minister paid all expenses for her London trip out of her own pocket,” she said in a post on X. Opposition leaders, meanwhile, continued to target the chief minister over her use of the official aircraft. Former federal minister and PTI leader Moonis Elahi, in a post on X, linked the controversy to the rising cost of fuel. The 2019-manufactured Gulf¬stream G500, reportedly valued at around $38 million to $42m — more than Rs10 billion — has remained under scrutiny ever since reports emerged about its acquisition by the provincial government.

Punjab education minister dismisses smart lockdown rumours in schools

10 Indian-sponsored Khwarij killed in KP engagements; six soldiers martyred RAWALPINDI

STAFF REPORT

Ten militants belonging to Indiansponsored Fitna-al-Khwarij were killed in multiple engagements with security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between September 15 and 17, while six soldiers embraced martyrdom after an improvised explosive device (IED) targeted a security forces convoy, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan District following reports about the presence of militants in the area. During the operation, troops

effectively engaged the militants’ location, and after an intense exchange of fire, six Khwarij were killed. In a separate encounter in Hangu District, security forces successfully neutralised four more militants, taking the total number of Khwarij killed during the threeday period to 10. The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the militants, who had remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area. However, on September 17, six soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice when an improvised explosive device exploded on a security forces convoy. The military’s media wing

said sanitisation operations were being conducted in the area to eliminate any other militants who might be present. It said security forces and law enforcement agencies were continuing the counterterrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. The ISPR reiterated that the campaign would continue at full pace to eliminate what it described as the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country. “The sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs,” the statement said.

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has rejected reports suggesting that educational institutions across the province could face a smart lockdown. Speaking in Lahore, the minister said there was currently no proposal under consideration to impose such restrictions on schools. He urged parents not to believe misinformation or unverified claims circulating about possible closures. Hayat said academic activities would continue as normal across Punjab. He added that schools were currently operating five days a week, from Monday to Friday. The minister also said he personally favoured keeping educational institutions open five days a week. His remarks came amid speculation over possible restrictions on schools, which had raised concerns among parents and students.

4,700 Pakistanis killed’: Envoy highlights ‘deep nexus’ of Afghan Taliban, TTP, BLA at UN UNITED NATIONS STAFF REPORT

Pakistan on Wednesday highlighted what it called the “deep nexus” between the Afghan Taliban and groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), saying terrorism emanating from Afghanistan had killed 4,700 Pakistanis over the past three years. Speaking at a UN Security Council debate on Afghanistan, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the situation was being compounded by external actors who supported proxies inside Afghanistan to target Pakistan and other neighbouring countries, while the Afghan Taliban had failed to act against those groups. “The situation is made worse by external actors, the spoilers who support proxies inside Afghanistan to target Pakistan and other

neighbouring countries, but the Afghan Taliban failed to act against those groups,” he said, in an apparent reference to India. The Pakistani envoy warned that Islamabad could not remain idle in the face of what he described as a terrorist onslaught. “We will respond in self-defense, as and when needed and in accordance with international law,” he said. Ambassador Asim Ahmad noted that international forces had left behind a huge cache of arms and ammunition for use by the previous Afghan government. He encouraged the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to report on the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons, as well as illicit money laundering through hawala networks. Pakistan had supported Afghanistan’s stabilisation through engagement, humanitarian assistance and regional cooperation, he said, but hopes had given way to concern

as Afghanistan had again become a haven for terrorists. Opening the debate, Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative and Officerin-Charge of UNAMA, told the 15-member Council that five years after the Taliban returned to power, Afghanistan stood at a crossroads. “Key risks to Afghanistan’s stability are accumulating, and they mainly stem from the de facto authorities’ own policies,” she said. “The message is clear: Peace is not only the absence of armed conflict. Sustainable peace requires dignity, inclusion, opportunity, and hope.” In his remarks, Ambassador Asim Ahmad said the hopes and expectations of the international community at that critical juncture five years ago had not materialised and had instead gradually turned into despair and disappointment. “We agree with the assessment (in the Sec-

retary-General’s report) that the risks associated with human rights violations, lack of political inclusivity, acute economic pressure, and the increasing terrorist threat from Afghanistan

Published by Asad Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

are a cause of grave concern for the international community,” he said, drawing attention to indicators showing a declining trend as Afghanistan faced significant challenges.