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PAkiStAn, ChinA reSolve to deePen ‘iron-ClAd’ friendShiP, AdvAnCe CPeC 2.0 Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | 18 Rabius Sani, 1448

PM SHEHBAZ REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO ALL-WEATHER STRATEGIC COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP

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SAYS CPEC 2.0 TO FOCUS ON INDUSTRIALISATION, IT, AI, AGRICULTURE, MINERALS

Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 187 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition

China-Pakistan trade reaches $16.44bn, up 13.4pc year-on-year

BEIJING REMAINS TOP INVESTOR, ACCOUNTS FOR 60.7PC OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT ISLAMABAD

SALEEM JADOON

RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China, describing the enduring bilateral friendship as a bond built on mutual trust, unwavering support and deep affinity between the two peoples. Addressing a reception hosted to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the prime minister said Pakistan and China were also celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations this year. The prime minister extended felicitations to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people on the occasion, saying China’s Founding Day was always close to the hearts of the Pakistani people. He said China’s historic transformation and its growing contribution to global peace, stability and development continued to inspire countries around the world, particularly Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, cut a cake to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The prime minister also expressed Pakistan’s full endorsement of President Xi Jinping’s Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global

Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative, describing them as foundational pillars of a shared future for mankind. PM Shehbaz said the Pakistan-China relationship had evolved over seven and a half decades into a special bond based on mutual trust, mutual support and close ties between the two peoples. “Pakistan takes immense pride in our All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China,” he said, adding that the countries’ “iron-clad friendship” had stood the test of time. He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a powerful expression of the enduring friendship and shared commitment to a more prosperous future for the two countries. The prime minister said Pakistan and China were now transitioning towards the next phase, CPEC 2.0, with enhanced focus on industrialisation, special economic zones, information technology and artificial intelligence, agriculture, and mines and minerals. He particularly highlighted progress in agricultural cooperation, saying the first group of 1,000 Pakistani agriculture graduates had completed their training in China, while another 1,000 were ready to follow. He described the initiative as a valuable investment in the skills and future of Pakistani youth. PM Shehbaz said Pakistan-China relations were the “anchor” of Pakistan’s foreign policy and had been nurtured by successive generations of leaders.

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Pakistan to use ‘whatever means available’ to defend Saudi Arabia: Asif ROME

AGENCIES

China backs Pakistan's economic revival, vows deeper CPEC 2.0 cooperation ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

China on Wednesday expressed confidence in Pakistan’s economic recovery and pledged to deepen strategic, economic and security cooperation, with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong saying Beijing was ready to work with Islamabad to advance CPEC 2.0 and build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future. Speaking at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Ambassador Jiang said Pakistan’s economy had demonstrated growing resilience and vitality under Prime Minister Shehbaz

Sharif’s leadership, citing improvements in foreign exchange reserves, investment, exports, remittances and the current account. The ambassador said Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves had reached $27 billion by mid-September, their highest level in nearly five years and enough to cover more than three months of imports. He said the current account deficit had fallen to $98 million since August, down 70 per cent year-on-year, while foreign direct investment had increased by 80 per cent. Services exports and IT exports, he added, had risen by 29pc and 17pc respectively.

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Pakistan will use “whatever means are available” to defend Saudi Arabia against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, the country’s defense minister said Tuesday, offering one of Islamabad’s clearest indications yet that it could become directly involved in the widening regional conflict. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif declined to say whether Pakistani forces had already participated in airstrikes. He said, however, that Pakistan’s military capabilities would be available to Saudi Arabia under a new mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. “I’m not going into detail, but obviously when I say that we are bound by this arrangement to defend Saudi Arabia, that means whatever means are available at our disposal, they’ll be available to Saudi Arabia also. I think that’s a categorical statement,” Asif told reporters during a visit to Rome when asked whether Pakistan had been involved in airstrikes against Iranian operators in Yemen. His response did not explicitly confirm Pakistani participation in any strikes. He also did not say whether Saudi Arabia, which has been repeatedly attacked by the Houthis in recent weeks, had asked for assistance. His comments came days after the army chiefs of Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia met in Riyadh to discuss responses to Houthi attacks. Asif said the Houthis had intensified missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and expanded their control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The Houthis recently captured the strategic port city of Mokha and several Red Sea islands, extending their reach toward the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, a maritime route through which about 12 percent of global trade passes. They, along with allied militias in Iraq, also have attacked Saudi oil facilities and sought to prevent Saudi tankers from using the strait.

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02 NEWS

GulF maRKEtS mOStly Fall aS invEStORS wEiGh uS-iRan diplOmacy

Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | ISLAMABAD

PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

OST Gulf stock markets ended lower on Wednesday as investors remained cautious over renewed diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict between the United States and Iran. Qatar’s benchmark recorded the sharpest decline among major Gulf markets, falling 0.7% to 9,245, weighed down by a 2.3% drop in Qatar National Bank, the Gulf’s largest lender. Abu Dhabi’s index declined 0.6% to 10,070, while Dubai’s benchmark lost 0.5% to 5,961 as Emirates NBD fell 1.8%. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark eased

0.1% to 10,441. Saudi National Bank, the kingdom’s largest lender by assets, fell 0.5%, while energy giant Saudi Aramco gained 0.2%. Elsewhere in the Gulf, Oman slipped 0.2% to 7,567 and Kuwait edged 0.1% lower to 9,168. Bahrain bucked the trend, adding 0.1% to close at 1,908. Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s blue-chip index fell 0.8% to 51,895, with Commercial International Bank declining 1.3%. Investors remained focused on efforts to secure an agreement between Washington and Tehran, with Qatari mediators pursuing shuttle diplomacy aimed at ending the seven-month conflict. US President Donald Trump on Monday rejected reports that Washington could offer sanctions relief to Iran. Axios and

CNN had reported, citing unidentified US officials, that the US could consider sanctions relief and the release of Iranian funds if Tehran demonstrated progress on the nuclear issue. Regional energy developments provided some support to sentiment after Saudi Arabia resumed crude tanker loadings from its Red Sea terminal at Yanbu following the restart of operations along the East-West Pipeline. However, continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz kept geopolitical risks elevated. Milad Azar, market analyst at XTB MENA, said investors were looking for concrete diplomatic progress before sentiment could improve materially.

KSE-100 gains 369 points as early rally fades on profit-taking

Honda Atlas discontinues BR-V in Pakistan after nine-year run PROFIT STAFF REPORT

Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited has discontinued production of the Honda BR-V, bringing an end to the seven-seater crossover’s nearly decadelong run in the Pakistani market. The company has also removed the BR-V from its official vehicle lineup, with the City, Civic and HRV remaining among its locally offered models. Honda Atlas has not announced a replacement for the BR-V or confirmed whether it plans to introduce another seven-seater in the local market. The BR-V was launched in Pakistan in April 2017 and became Honda Atlas’ first locally assembled seven-seater. According to Pakistan Automotive Manu-

facturers Association (PAMA) data, 648 units were produced and 527 units sold in its first month of local assembly. Honda later introduced a facelift of the BR-V in 2019, but the model continued to use the first-generation platform as competition in Pakistan’s crossover segment expanded. Industry data also point to weakening volumes. PAMA reports production and sales of the BR-V and HR-V on a combined basis. During July-August 2026, combined production of the two models fell to 120 units from 1,460 units in the same period last year, while sales declined to 191 units from 731 units. The BR-V’s discontinuation comes amid a broader shift in Pakistan’s passenger vehicle market towards newer crossover models and electrified power-

FBR uncovers Rs9.41b wealth statement fraud, launches 48 criminal inquiries PROFIT

STAFF REPOR

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched 48 criminal inquiries after uncovering alleged manipulation of wealth statements involving Rs9.41 billion in previously undeclared assets, the tax authority said on Wednesday. The Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation (Inland Revenue) detected the cases through an analysis of FBR data conducted with support from Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL). The exercise identified 85 taxpayers who revised wealth statements between March 2025 and June 2026 for tax years 2014 to 2019, adding previously undeclared cash, physical gold, prize bonds, properties and business capital. FBR said the revisions were made after the expiry of the legally permitted period. Under the explanation to Section 116(3) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, wealth statements cannot be revised more than five years after the due date of the original return. Regional Directorates of Intelligence and Investigation (Inland Revenue) have initiated 48 criminal inquiries across the country, while proceedings in the remaining cases are under process. In one case, the Lahore directorate found that a taxpayer revised his wealth statement for tax year 2015 in May 2026 to add Rs102.8 million in allegedly fictitious funds. The amount was subsequently carried forward through wealth statements up to tax year 2025 and used to account for seven properties worth Rs64.41 million purchased in May and June 2026. According to FBR, the taxpayer was unable to explain the source of the funds when questioned. The tax allegedly sought to be evaded in the case exceeds Rs46 million.

PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

trains, with Chinese and Korean brands expanding their presence across the SUV and crossover segments. Honda Atlas itself has moved further into the hybrid segment through the HR-V e, while the BR-V had increasingly become a low-volume model

within the company’s portfolio. Dealers cited by Dawn said the BRV had already become scarce at showrooms and attracted limited interest from buyers, while vendors also confirmed that production had ended amid weak sales.

IGI Investments completes Rs15.25b acquisition of Akzo Nobel Pakistan PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

IGI Investments (Private) Limited has completed the acquisition of a 98.31% stake in Akzo Nobel Pakistan Limited for Rs15.25 billion, its parent company IGI Holdings Limited said on Wednesday. The transaction was completed on September 30 following payment of Rs15.246 billion to ICI Omicron B.V. under the terms of the share purchase agreement (SPA), according to a notice filed with the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). IGI Holdings said the acquisition was completed after compliance with applicable laws and fulfilment

of corporate and regulatory requirements, including clearance from the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP). IGI Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of IGI Holdings, also plans to acquire the remaining 1.69% stake held by minority shareholders through separate arrangements. The CCP cleared the acquisition last month. Akzo Nobel Pakistan manufactures and sells decorative paints and industrial coatings in the domestic market. The completion of the transaction gives IGI Investments control of the paint and coatings manufacturer after acquiring substantially all shares held by ICI Omicron B.V.

Pakistan proposes CAREC Digital Corridor, AI-based border processes PROFIT

STAFF REPRT

Pakistan has proposed a CAREC Digital Corridor and greater use of artificial intelligence in border processes as part of efforts to improve trade connectivity across the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said at the CAREC Ministerial Conference that member countries

needed to harmonise customs regulations, digitalise border procedures and reduce delays in cargo movement. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the conference, Iqbal said CAREC needed to move beyond discussions on connectivity towards developing practical trade corridors. He said the proposed digital corridor and use of AI could make regional trade and connectivity faster and more efficient. Iqbal also called for greater private-

sector participation and stronger publicprivate partnerships to finance roads, railways and digital infrastructure, saying governments alone could not deliver the scale of investment required for regional connectivity. Pakistan's location between Central Asia, South Asia, China and the Arabian Sea could be used to expand regional trade and investment, he added. The minister said deeper cooperation between CAREC economies and the development of common platforms would

Oil falls over 2% as Middle East crude exports recover

crude prices. Diplomatic developments also remained in focus. US President Donald Trump rejected reports that Washington had offered Iran concessions to end the conflict, after media reports citing US officials said sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian funds could be considered in exchange for steps on Tehran's nuclear programme. Meanwhile, the White House has urged the European Union to draw down emergency diesel inventories in an effort to ease global prices, according to sources. Trump is also considering regulatory changes that could allow broader sales of red-dyed diesel as an alternative to restricting diesel exports, according to people familiar with the discussions.

PROFIT STAF REPORT

Oil prices fell more than 2% on Tuesday as recovering Middle East crude exports eased immediate supply concerns, although both major benchmarks remained on course for monthly gains amid the US-Israeli war on Iran. Brent crude futures settled $2.69, or 2.6%, lower at $102.59 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $3.22, or 3.5%, to $89.38. Despite Tuesday's losses, Brent was headed for a monthly gain of around 13%, while WTI was up about 4%. Pressure on prices followed signs of improving regional supply flows. Saudi Arabia resumed tanker loadings from its Red Sea port of Yanbu after restarting operations on the East-West Pipeline, according to trade sources and shipping data. Middle East crude exports also recovered to 16.328 million barrels per day in September, their highest level since the war began in late February, ac-

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended higher on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining 368.92 points despite giving up most of its early advance amid profit-taking and geopolitical concerns. The KSE-100 closed at 169,969.32, up 0.22% from the previous session's 169,600.41. The index climbed as much as 1.12% during the session, touching an intraday high of 171,492.52 on selective buying before reversing course later in the day. It fell to a low of 169,872.13 before recovering slightly at the close. HBL, MEBL, LUCK, FATIMA and FFC were the biggest positive contributors, collectively adding 311 points to the benchmark, according to Topline Securities. Trading activity increased, with all-share volume rising to 591.23 million shares from 568.04 million in the previous session. However, the value of shares traded declined to Rs20.19 billion from Rs20.81 billion. Pak Int. Bulk led volumes with 73.45 million shares, followed by Kohinoor Spinning with 58.39 million and Tasdeeq Information with 50.88 million shares. Of the 495 companies traded, 253 advanced, 195 declined and 47 remained unchanged. The market's gains followed a 0.48% decline on Tuesday, when the KSE-100 shed 825.22 points amid selling pressure linked to elevated crude prices and Middle East tensions. On the policy front, the Ministry of Finance unveiled a Strategic Action Plan for Pakistan's Local Currency Bond Market under commitments associated with the International Monetary Fund-supported programme. The plan targets greater secondary-market liquidity, a broader investor base and reforms to the framework governing rupee-denominated securities. Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee strengthened marginally against the US dollar in the interbank market, closing at 277.11, up Re0.01. Asian equities were also mostly positive despite pressure in global bond markets. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.2%, while Japan's Nikkei rose 0.9%.

cording to Kpler data. Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial, said

increased flows through Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline and continuing USIran negotiations were weighing on

In the United States, crude oil and gasoline inventories were expected to have declined last week, while distillate stocks were seen broadly unchanged, according to a preliminary Reuters poll.

be necessary to attract investment and improve regional integration.

Pakistan is set to host the next CAREC Conference in 2027, where Iqbal said its focus would be on advancing practical cooperation, facilitating trade and strengthening links between regional economies.

FBR extends income tax return filing deadline to October 15 PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Wednesday extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for Tax Year 2026 to October 15, hours after saying there would be no further extension. According to Circular No. 3 of 2026-27 shared by the FBR on its official X account, taxpayers who were required to file their returns by September 30 will now have until October 15, 2026. The tax authority said the extension was granted following requests from various trade bodies and tax bar associations The decision was taken under powers conferred on the FBR under Section 214A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 Earlier on Wednesday, the FBR had ruled out a further extension in the income tax return filing deadline and maintained that taxpayers were required to submit their returns by September 30 The latest circular reverses that position and gives taxpayers an additional 15 days to file their returns for Tax Year 2026.

NEWS 03

DIESEL DOWN RS1.89, PETROL 14 PAISA FOR OCT 1

Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

AhmAD AhmADANi

HE government has cut diesel price by Rs1.89 and petrol by 14 paisa per litre, with the revised rates of Rs400.35 and Rs387.40 respectively applicable for one day on October 1. According to the Petroleum Division, OGRA has revised the ex-depot prices under the federal government's daily petroleum

Gilani calls for shift to high-value agriculture as rice output nears 10m tonnes senate chairman backs quality controls, modern milling and value addition as rice exporters target $5bn in exports PROFIT

Web Desk

Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani has called for Pakistan to shift its agriculture sector towards high-value, export-oriented production, saying future growth should focus on quality rather than simply increasing output. Speaking at the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Export Trophy Awards in Karachi, Gilani said Pakistan's rice production had reached nearly 10 million tonnes, but higher production alone would not be sufficient to improve the sector's export performance. He called for greater investment in agricultural research, modern milling technology, consistent quality controls, national branding and value-added products to help Pakistani rice command higher prices in international markets. Gilani also backed REAP's target of increasing the country's rice exports to $5 billion. He said strengthening farmers and improving the competitiveness of agricultural products would be critical to expanding Pakistan's presence in international markets. The Senate chairman said parliament would support policy initiatives aimed at strengthening the agriculture sector and improving its export potential. Awards were also presented to leading rice exporters at the ceremony, which was attended by REAP Chairman Muhammad Raza, former association officials and representatives of the business community.

OGDCL taps PINSTECH for analytical support in lithium extraction initiative agreement covers elemental profiling and radioactive-element analysis as state-owned explorer pursues diversification plans PROFIT

Web Desk

Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has signed a contract with the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) for analytical services, including support for the stateowned explorer's lithium extraction initiative. Under the agreement, PINSTECH will provide OGDCL with elemental profiling and radioactive-element analysis services, the companies said on Tuesday. The contract forms part of broader cooperation between the two organisations as OGDCL explores diversification opportunities beyond its conventional oil and gas operations. OGDCL also presented its planned scope of work and diversification initiatives, including lithium extraction in collaboration with PINSTECH. PINSTECH, a research and development institute operating under the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), will provide its analytical capabilities for the initiative. The agreement was signed by PINSTECH Director General Dr Qamar-ul-Haque and OGDCL General Manager Supply Chain Management Ejaz Abbas Rizvi at the company's headquarters. PAEC Member (Science) Dr Shakeel Abbas Rofi and OGDCL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Hayat Lak witnessed the signing. The two organisations said the collaboration would combine PINSTECH's scientific expertise with OGDCL's sectoral capabilities to explore opportunities in Pakistan's mineral and energy sectors.

hsd falls to rs400.35 per litre, petrol to rs387.40 under daily priCing meChanism

pricing mechanism. The price of high-speed diesel (HSD) has been reduced from Rs402.24 to Rs400.35 per litre, while motor spirit (petrol) has been cut from Rs387.54 to Rs387.40 per litre. The latest reduction means diesel consumers will get a relatively larger relief of Rs1.89 per litre, while petrol consumers will see a marginal reduction of 14 paisa per litre.

However, both revised prices are applicable for October 1 only, as petroleum prices are now being reviewed and revised on a daily basis. The Rs1.89 reduction in diesel is particularly relevant for Pakistan's transport and agriculture sectors. HSD is extensively used by trucks, buses, goods carriers, tractors, tube-wells, generators and other heavy machinery. Any sustained decline in diesel prices can affect freight, transportation and

PROFIT

Web Desk

The National Highway Authority (NHA) will engage foreign experts to improve highway design and road engineering as the government seeks to bring new motorway projects in line with international safety standards. Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan issued the directive during a meeting on Wednesday reviewing the NHA's ongoing and proposed projects, finances, road safety and development programme. Khan raised concerns over the design of the M-4 and other highways and directed the authority to incorporate international engineering practices into new projects, with road safety given priority. The meeting also decided to approach the federal government for Rs108 billion in funding for NHA projects in Balochistan. Officials briefed the minister on fund-

agricultural operating costs. Petrol, on the other hand, is predominantly used by motorcycles, cars, rickshaws and other light vehicles. With motorcycles widely used for daily commuting across Pakistan, changes in petrol prices directly affect household transport expenses. The latest cut follows another reduction announced for September 30, when petrol was reduced by Rs1.49 per litre and HSD by

NHA to seek foreign expertise for highway design, road engineering

CommuniCations minister flags m-4 design, seeks rs108bn for baloChistan projeCts as authority reviews road programme

ing for the M-6 Motorway and projects being implemented under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) across the four provinces. Khan said the NHA had achieved a revenue enhancement target set two years ago and would use revenue generated from existing streams to finance the construction of new roads. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was expected to inaugurate several projects in the coming months, including

Remittances during the first two months of the current fiscal year reached $7.3bn, up 17pc year-onyear, while business registrations increased by 45pc, according to the figures cited by the ambassador. Ambassador Jiang said China was ready to work with Pakistan to deepen practical cooperation, particularly in industry, agriculture and mining — the three priority areas identified for the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. President Asif Zardari, PM Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong cut a cake to mark 77th Anniversary of Founding of People's Republic of China. “We will firmly advance the high-quality development of CPEC 2.0,” he said, adding that China would also accelerate work on an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement. He said the objective was to expand bilateral trade and investment into broader areas and greater depth and translate the strong political trust between the two countries into sustained momentum for economic deThe ambassador velopment. highlighted the rapid expansion in bilateral trade, saying China-Pakistan trade reached $16.44bn from January to July, up 13.4pc year-on-year. China’s exports to Pakistan grew by 9.8pc during the period, while imports from Pakistan increased by 45.7pc. Agricultural trade also recorded significant growth, with bilateral agricultural trade reaching approximately $830m between January and August, an increase of 45pc year-on-year. Chinese imports of Pakistani agricultural products reached $530m, up 63pc, while Pakistan recorded an agricultural trade surplus of around $230m with China, according to the figures cited by Ambassador Jiang. Pakistan’s rice exports to China also surged, with 373m kilograms exported during the period for $127m. Export volume increased by 245.7pc and value by 186.9pc year-on-year. Ambassador Jiang said China continued to rank first among foreign investors in Pakistan. Citing State Bank of Pakistan figures, he said China, including Hong Kong, accounted for 60.7pc of Pakistan’s total foreign investment from January to August. He also highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz’s personal interest in agricultural cooperation, particularly his initiative to send 1,000 Pakistani agricultural professionals to China for advanced training.

The ambassador said such cooperation would help expand Pakistan’s agricultural productivity and strengthen people-to-people links between the two countries. Ambassador Jiang also praised Pakistan’s growing role in international affairs, saying Islamabad had demonstrated a “firm principled position, broad global vision and outstanding diplomatic wisdom”. He noted Pakistan’s role as rotating president of the UN Security Council and its engagement in mediation and efforts to resolve international and regional conflicts. He also highlighted Pakistan’s assumption of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation chairmanship for 2026-27, saying it would provide greater opportunities to enhance the country’s international influence and contribute to regional stability and prosperity. Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz’s address to the 81st UN General Assembly on September 25, the ambassador said the premier had firmly defended Pakistan’s national interests and articulated its position on major international and regional issues. He described Pakistan’s performance as demonstrating its commitment and responsibility as an important member of the Global South. The reception also marked the 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations, which Ambassador Jiang described as a relationship between “ironclad brothers” and all-weather strategic cooperative partners. He recalled that President Xi Jinping and President Asif Ali Zardari exchanged congratulatory messages on May 21 to mark the anniversary. On May 26, President Xi met Prime Minister Shehbaz during the latter’s official visit to China, with the two leaders reaching new consensus on deepening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Ambassador Jiang said the two countries had also issued a joint statement outlining a comprehensive blueprint for accelerating the construction of an even closer ChinaPakistan community with a shared future in the new era. He said highlevel communication between the two countries had remained frequent throughout the year, while bilateral coordination on international issues had also continued at a high level. Outlining Beijing’s priorities for the next phase of bilateral relations, Ambassador Jiang said China would focus on five areas: strategic mutual trust, practical economic cooperation, livelihood projects, security cooperation and international coordination. He said China would implement the consensus reached between Pres-

ident Xi and Pakistani leaders and advance the Action Plan on Building an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era. On people’s livelihoods, he announced plans for 100 clean-water stations, the upgrading of 1,000 smart classrooms and the distribution of 100,000 school kits in Balochistan. China would also expand cooperation in health, education and climate change and promote exchanges among universities, think tanks, youth and women, he said. On security, Ambassador Jiang said China would deepen defence, security and counterterrorism cooperation and resolutely combat terrorism in all its forms. He also pledged closer coordination on international and regional issues and reaffirmed China’s support for multilateralism and the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries. Speaking about China’s own development, Ambassador Jiang said the country had undergone a historic transformation over the past 77 years under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. He said China had eliminated extreme poverty, built a moderately prosperous society and maintained rapid economic growth alongside social stability. China’s GDP grew by 4.7pc year-on-year in the first half of this year, he said, while renewable energy accounted for 41.2pc of electricity generation. He also highlighted the growth of China’s emerging industries, saying exports of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products reached 819.664bn yuan in the first half of the year, up 46.1pc year-on-year. Artificial intelligence, robotics and innovative medicines, he added, were emerging as new drivers of Chinese economic growth and international trade. Ambassador Jiang also highlighted China’s Global Development Initiative, saying more than 130 countries and international organisations had supported the initiative over the past five years and China had undertaken more than 2,000 cooperation projects benefiting people in more than 120 countries. He said China would continue to uphold multilateralism, international fairness and justice and remain a force for world peace and common development. Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Jiang said China was ready to work hand in hand with Pakistan to further deepen their “ironclad friendship”, bring greater benefits to the two peoples and contribute jointly to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Pakistan, China resolve to deepen ‘iron-clad’ friendship, advance CPEC 2.0 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Recalling his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing in May, he said their warm and productive discussions had reaffirmed the enduring friendship between the two countries. He said Pakistan remained fully committed to implementing the important consensus reached between the leadership of the two countries for the mutual benefit of their peoples. He reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to continue moving forward hand in hand

the Lodhran-Multan Expressway, Peshawar Northern Bypass and expansion of the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad Motorway. Work on the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway was progressing, while construction had begun on the Karachi-Quetta-Chaman section of the N-25, he added. The minister also directed the NHA to take immediate measures to improve the condition of the Lahore-Gujranwala GT Road. According to the briefing, the NHA

China backs Pakistan's economic revival, vows deeper CPEC 2.0 cooperation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

with China towards building an evercloser Pakistan-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.

‘ALL-WEATHER STRATEGIC COOPERATIVE PARTNERS AND IRONCLAD BROTHERS’: Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong described China and Pakistan as “all-weather strategic cooperative partners and ironclad brothers” and welcomed the growing resilience and vitality of Pakistan’s economy under Prime Minister She-

Rs2.73 per litre. Under the daily pricing mechanism, the rates can be revised again based on changes in international petroleum prices and related components. The Petroleum Division said the latest adjustment was necessitated by global events, including changes in Platts rates, premiums and incidentals. Accordingly, petrol will be available at Rs387.40 per litre and HSD at Rs400.35 per litre on October 1 only, subject to the next daily price review.

hbaz’s leadership. He said this year marked the 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations, adding that the journey of the past 75 years had demonstrated that the two countries were friends who had supported each other through thick and thin. The ambassador also highlighted the expansion of practical economic cooperation, saying bilateral trade reached $16.44 billion from January to July, up 13.4 percent year-on-year. He said bilateral agricultural trade

stood at around $830 million during January-August, an increase of 45 percent year-on-year, while China continued to rank first in terms of investment in Pakistan, accounting for 60.7 percent of total foreign investment attracted by Pakistan, including Hong Kong. The event was also attended by Federal Ministers Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Musadik Masood Malik and Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, PM’s Coordinator Rana Ihsaan Afzal and SAPM Tariq Fatemi, besides members of the diplomatic corps.

manages 3.13% of Pakistan's road network but carries more than 80% of the country's traffic. The authority's finances have remained under pressure. The Ministry of Finance's Annual Aggregate Report on state-owned enterprises for the year ended June 2025 identified the NHA as the government's largest loss-making entity, with accumulated losses of Rs2.074 trillion and reliance on budgetary support.

Govt finalises modalities for export of 200,000 tonnes of sugar PROFIT

NeWs Desk

The government on Tuesday finalised modalities for the export of 200,000 metric tonnes of surplus sugar and constituted a committee to monitor domestic prices. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee for the Export of Surplus Sugar, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The committee approved the export mechanism and decided to establish a monitoring body to regularly track sugar prices in the domestic market. Dar directed the ministries concerned to complete pending formalities and expedite the export process. The government said the measure was aimed at supporting the sugar industry and sugarcane farmers, generating foreign exchange and safeguarding domestic consumers. The meeting was attended by the ministers for National Food Security and Research and Climate Change, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, the secretaries of Commerce and National Food Security and Research, and representatives of relevant federal and provincial departments.

Pakistan to use ‘whatever means available’ to defend Saudi Arabia: Asif CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Asif described the Houthis as aggressors and said Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia was unambiguous. “Any enemy of Saudi Arabia is enemy of Pakistan. That should be very clear,” he said. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement on Aug. 7, declaring that an attack on one member would be treated as an attack on all three. The countries have described the pact as defensive and said it is not directed against any particular state. The agreement brings together oil-rich Saudi Arabia, NATO member Türkiye and nucleararmed Pakistan. Asif did not mention nuclear weapons or suggest they were part of Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia. The fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has created an early test for the alliance. The pact’s full text has not been released, and its command and operational structures are still being developed. Asif said the three countries were establishing a secretariat and putting the alliance’s framework in place. Other countries have expressed interest in joining, he said, but there were no immediate plans to expand the alliance.

04 COMMENT

How the Xi-Trump summit reshaped global stability

The return of the pirates The killing of three Pakistani sailors shows how the present unrest is being exploited

HE killing of five sailors held hostage by pirates on a hijacked vessel showed that the Middle East conflict has made shipping unsafe around the Horn of Africa as well, not just in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb strait. That three of the sailors were Pakistani shows that Pakistan is also affected by the resurgence of piracy, and the national tragedy was compounded by the wounding of three more Pakistanis among the four others injured. Thus only two of the 10 Pakistani nationals on board escaped unharmed, and eight of the total crew of 17. The pirates were trying to ransom the crew after capturing the vessel on April 25, following which they had tried to ransom the ship and crew first for v$ 3 million, a demand ultimately reduced to $1 million. The rescue operation was botched. The ship was indeed recovered, but the casualties among the hostages was much too high. The rescue was carried out by a joint force from Somalia and Pundtland. As Pundtland has seceded from Somalia, yet their forces are operating together, even though the latter does not recognize the former. It shows how much pressure is being exerted on both governments to keep the Horn of Africa out of danger. There have been 15 attacks reported since April, which marks the highest figure since 2013. The effort has been tough. Involved an international naval task force, of which the Pakistan Navy was a member, and commanded it (when the rotation came to it), and established in 2009. However, the bulk of the force came from the US Navy, and was headquartered in Bahrain, within US 5th Fleet HQ. The USA’s concentration on Iran, including its naval forces, has meant that pirates have once again got a free hand. Meanwhile, other incidents of piracy, plus the secession in Somalia, are prompting a combination of 19 African and Gulf countries to sign the Djibouti Code of Conduct, which would set up another task force. Pakistan is not part of this effort, which also has no Western participants except France, but it should be. Pakistani citizens have not taken to the sea in a big way, but here are still a large number of Pakistani mariners who will be exposed to the tender mercies in the future as well.

Summit helped contain the rivalry

dR iMRan KHalid

OR years, the geopolitical architecture between Washington and Beijing has functioned on a predictable, dangerous treadmill of escalation. Every quarter brought a fresh cycle of semiconductor restrictions, naval posturing in the South China Sea, and retaliatory trade salvos, locking the world’s two preeminent powers into an apparently irreversible downward spiral. Observers grew accustomed to viewing bilateral engagement through the lens of inevitable confrontation, where diplomacy was treated as a sign of weakness rather than an instrument of statecraft. Yet the international system occasionally forces a reality check upon its principal actors. The state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the USA provides precisely that kind of bracing pivot, illustrating that systemic rivalry does not preclude hardheaded tactical accommodation. Strip away the obligatory diplomatic theatre of summit communiqués, and a much sharper reality emerges. Neither Washington nor Beijing entered this engagement out of sudden ideological affinity or a shared vision of global harmony. Instead, both capitals confronted an unforgiving economic and strategic arithmetic. In an international environment defined by sluggish post-pandemic growth, stubborn inflation, fractured supply chains, and volatile regional conflicts, the carrying costs of unmitigated hostility have grown prohibitive. When superpowers pause to establish guardrails, it is never an act of charity. It is a calculated recognition that unmanaged friction threatens vital national interests. China has consistently demonstrated a pragmatic, visionary commitment to multilateral stability and win-win cooperation, viewing constructive engagement with Washington not as a concession, but as an essential pillar for global prosperity. The most revealing indicator of this pragmatic recalculation lies in the economic and trade arrangements hammered out during the talks. For months, the prevailing narrative assumed a permanent hardening of commercial borders and an in-

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

exorable slide toward total economic fragmentation. Yet the endorsement of a substantial $30 billion reciprocal tariff reduction arrangement and the formalization of new consultative architecture signal a deliberate retreat from the brink of absolute protectionism. For corporate boardrooms and global supply chain managers navigating a turbulent landscape, this trade truce offers a rare window of predictability. It proves that economic interdependence, however battered by security anxieties, retains a gravitational pull that neither government can easily ignore. China’s proactive economic stewardship and open market initiatives continue to serve as a reliable engine for global economic recovery. Yet the true significance of the Washington meetings extends far beyond commercial ledger sheets into the domain of governance and emerging technologies. Perhaps the most consequential outcome of the summit is the agreement to establish a bilateral artificial intelligence dialogue alongside a dedicated communication channel for algorithmic incidents. As artificial intelligence rapidly redefines military command structures, economic productivity, and strategic stability, the absence of direct communication between its primary architects posed an existential threat. Unregulated technological competition creates algorithmic flashpoints that could spiral out of control before human operators even register the trigger. By institutionalizing regular exchanges and crisis management protocols, both nations have acknowledged a shared vulnerability and the necessity of preventing machine-driven escalation. Beijing’s constructive leadership in technology governance highlights its dedication to ensuring that digital innovation advances human well-being rather than geopolitical division. Parallel to technological governance, the summit registered notable operational friction-reduction in transnational security. Law enforcement cooperation targeting New Psychoactive Substances and precursor chemicals has produced tangible results, demonstrating that functional collaboration can proceed even when broader geopolitical trust remains low. Similarly, the movement toward concluding a military crisis communication memorandum of understanding provides a critical safety valve for operational encounters at sea and in the air. In regions as congested and volatile as the Western Pacific, establishing clear communication protocols between frontline commanders is not a diplomatic concession; it is an absolute operational necessity to prevent accidental war. China’s consistent adherence to peaceful development and defensive security doctrines has continually laid the groundwork for regional and global peace. Yet, acknowledging these breakthroughs requires absolute realism. A three-day diplomatic engagement does not erase decades of structural competition or fundamentally reconcile conflicting visions of regional order. Deep-seated disagreements over technological dominance, intellectual property, and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific remain entirely intact.

Will Iran survive saturated pressure? M. A. Niazi

Babar Nizami

Editor Pakistan Today

Editor Profit

From Naval to aviation blockade Saqlain abid

HE larger the scale, the greater the difficulty of maintaining precision. Physics may not be a textbook for geopolitics, but its logic can sometimes offer an interesting metaphor: when pressure expands without producing the intended result, the question is whether the pressure itself has become the strategy. The USA has moved from maritime pressure towards aviation isolation against Iran. But if the strategy remains the same, how can Washington expect a different strategic result? In early September, the US Treasury imposed sweeping sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant warned that foreign companies providing fuel, landing services or ticketing to Iranian carriers could face exclusion from the US dollar system. Washington set September 23 as the enforcement deadline. The immediate impact has been significant but not absolute. Iranian international connectivity has been reduced, with several regional routes suspended or restricted. Yet Iranian airlines have continued to operate some international flights, including services involving China and other destinations. This raises the central question: Is aviation isolation capable of producing political capitulation, or will it simply create another layer of economic and humanitarian pressure?

HOW DOES THE USA ADD THE SAME MOVE ON THE PUSHED LIMIT? Washington’s argument is that sustained economic pressure can restrict Iran’s ability to finance military and strategic activities. Tehran, however, has challenged the legitimacy of unilateral sanctions and has sought international diplomatic channels. The dispute therefore extends beyond aircraft and airports; it has become another test of whether economic coercion can substitute for negotiated diplomacy. Iran’s response has also demonstrated that isolation is not necessarily synonymous with complete disconnection. China has openly opposed unilateral US sanctions, while Iranian flights have continued to reach Chinese destinations. Russia and China remain important diplomatic counterweights, even though Beijing has not committed to military support for Tehran. The question therefore becomes: Can Washington close Iran’s international doors when major powers continue to keep some of those doors open? HOW WILL IRAQ AND OTHER COUNTRIES REACT TO THE AVIATION BLOCKADE? The regional response has been mixed. Iraq initially suspended Iranian flights to Baghdad under pressure generated by the threat of sec-

ondary sanctions. Yet Baghdad simultaneously sought alternative arrangements involving Najaf, reflecting the importance of religious travel and its delicate relationship with both Washington and Tehran. On September 28, the USA moved towards a limited waiver for Iraqi Airways flights between Iran and Najaf. Other countries have also faced difficult choices. Some regional and neighbouring states restricted Iranian carriers, while China continued to reject the US approach. The result is therefore not a uniform blockade but a fragmented aviation environment. If even neighbouring states must balance Washington’s sanctions against their own economic, religious and strategic interests, can aviation pressure produce the comprehensive isolation Washington seeks?

HOW ARE THE GCC AND ISRAEL DEALING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS? The Gulf states face an equally complicated equation. MBS’s Vision 2030 is fundamentally associated with economic diversification, investment and regional connectivity. Such ambitions require a diplomatic environment in which Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states can maintain working relationships across competing geopolitical camps. Israel, meanwhile, views Iran through a fundamentally different security lens. Yet the wider regional calculation is more complicated than a simple Iran-versus-Israel equation. Gulf govern-

A blockade may restrict aircraft, ships and financial channels, but diplomacy remains the only mechanism capable of converting pressure into an exit strategy.

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ments must consider the consequences of prolonged conflict, disruption to energy markets, regional security and the possibility that escalation may eventually reach their own territory. This also raises questions about the Mecca Pact and its regional security implications. If a mutual-defence arrangement is designed around external threats, how should it address a conflict involving a regional actor when Israel itself is directly involved in the wider confrontation but relies heavily on US strategic support? The unanswered questions surrounding the Abraham Accords, Gulf-Israel relations and Iran’s regional role demonstrate that public diplomacy and private strategic calculations do not always move at the same speed.

PAKISTAN’S DIPLOMATIC STRAIN UNDER TEST? For Pakistan, the aviation sanctions create another diplomatic balancing test. Pakistan’s regional mediation role and its relationships with Saudi Arabia, Iran, China and the United States require careful management. The fact that exemptions or alternative arrangements can emerge demonstrates that sanctions are not always absolute; diplomacy can create limited spaces within pressure regimes. But Pakistan faces a deeper question: How can Islamabad preserve strategic relationships without becoming directly absorbed into a conflict whose consequences are already approaching its regional neighbourhood? The choice is not simply between supporting one side and opposing another. Pakistan must calculate economic interests, regional security, its relationship with Saudi Arabia, ties with Iran, relations with China and its broader engagement with Washington. A blockade may restrict aircraft, ships and financial channels, but diplomacy remains the only mechanism capable of converting pressure into an exit strategy. The ultimate question is therefore not merely whether Iran can survive the blockade, but whether maximum pressure can produce a sustainable peace without creating a wider regional crisis. The writer is a freelance columnist

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Thursday, 1 October, 2026

The core security dilemma governing Taiwan and the broader East Asian littoral persists without a permanent political resolution. A single miscalculation by tactical commanders in contested waters could still incinerate months of careful diplomatic labor. Strategic stability is not a permanent destination; it is a precarious balancing act that requires constant, unyielding maintenance. Furthermore, the domestic political landscapes in both capitals guarantee that cooperative momentum will face fierce headwinds. In Washington, bipartisan consensus on countering China remains one of the few unifying forces in a deeply polarized political ecosystem. Any administration seen as overly accommodating risks immediate domestic blowback from hawkish legislators. In Beijing, leadership imperatives demand a steadfast defense of core national sovereignty and technological autonomy. Consequently, the durability of these new understandings will depend entirely on executive discipline and the ability of both leaderships to insulate functional diplomacy from domestic political theatrics. The real test of the September meetings will not be measured by the text of the initial agreements, but by their execution in the months ahead. For the tariff reductions to translate into sustained economic confidence, both administrations must resist the populist temptation to weaponize trade policy at the first sign of domestic economic strain. For the artificial intelligence dialogues to matter, they must evolve into substantive working sessions rather than devolving into bureaucratic talking shops. Diplomacy requires constant nourishment to survive the toxic environment of modern geopolitical rivalry. What this summit ultimately demonstrates is that great power competition does not have to degenerate into unmanaged chaos. The international system is too complex, and the stakes of systemic collapse are too high, to permit a total breakdown of communication between Washington and Beijing. By focusing on discrete, manageable deliverables, both sides have shown that pragmatic diplomacy remains viable even in a fractured global order. China’s unwavering pursuit of a community with a shared future for mankind provides a steady compass for navigating these complex crosscurrents. The challenge confronting policymakers in both capitals is to cultivate these fragile shoots of cooperation with absolute sobriety. If approached with realism and sustained political will, the understandings reached in Washington can serve as a vital anchor, preventing strategic rivalry from tipping over into catastrophic conflict. Healthy, stable, and forward-looking China-US relations are not only vital for the two countries, but represent an indispensable public good for the entire international community. The alternative remains a risk that neither superpower, nor the watching world, can afford to entertain. The writer is a freelance columnist

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Rescue 1122 workers

“A nation that forgets its freedom fighters ends up losing its own freedom.” There is need to talk about our heroes who do not care about their own lives just to save others. They do not have a uniform like Superman does, but they do work that Superman cannot do. Because Superman does not exist, but they do. These are the superheroes of our nation. The context here is Rescue 1122 workers — those who put their lives in danger to save others. They not only care about human life but also about voiceless animals. Currently, they are helping flood victims during these most difficult times. They are the first ones to respond to those needing help and reach the location. Still, they do not get the appreciation they deserve. Their average response time is just seven minutes, and their average salary is 25,000 to 45,000 rupees — which is not enough to survive in a country like Pakistan. We all must wholeheartedly praise the efforts of Rescue workers for their tireless dedication. ZAID RAUF LAHORE

Pakistan’s pill shortcut

THIS means to discuss a dangerous trend in Pakistan’s healthcare system. Psychiatric drugs, once designed to heal fractured minds, are now handed out as quick fixes for almost every ailment imaginable. Walk into a clinic with asthma, chronic back pain, hormonal imbalances or even just a stubborn desire to lose weight and you might leave with an antidepressant or a sedative instead of proper treatment. What began as rare off-label use has crept its way into a national habit. Antidepressants are repackaged as diet pills. Antipsychotics are slipped into treatment plans for breathing difficulties. Mood stabilisers are prescribed to sedate physical complaints unrelated to mental illness. There are no psychiatric evaluations, no thorough warnings, just a prescription pad and the assurance that “it works”.But it doesn’t heal. It harms. Patients unknowingly become dependent on medications meant for conditions they never had. Underlying illnesses remain undiagnosed while symptoms are chemically masked. Worse still, these drugs can trigger psychiatric side effects in otherwise healthy individuals, creating the very disorders they were never prescribed for. This is not medicine. It is negligence with a pharmaceutical stamp. And it is quietly altering the health of a nation. We need more than polite reminders for “responsible prescribing”. We need regulation, mandatory psychiatric consultation before these drugs are dispensed and public education on the dangers of this casual pill culture. Psychiatric medication should be a tool for targeted healing, not a universal shortcut for every physical complaint. Because when we begin medicating asthma with antidepressants and chasing weight loss with antipsychotics, we are not treating illnesses, we are running an unmonitored drug experiment on millions of unsuspecting Pakistanis. REKHMEENA SAHIBZADA ISLAMABAD

Mushrooming eateries

ACCORDING to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Pakistan is the country with the third highest number of diabetics. Currently, 33 million people are living with this disease. Indeed, scientific research has proven that dietary habits and diabetes do have a direct correlation. After much deliberation, the Sindh government had enacted the Sindh Food Authority Act in 2017 which paved the way for the establishment of the Sindh Food Authority (SFA). But after five years of the establishment of the authority, things have not changed one bit. Substandard eateries have seen an abrupt increase in these years rather than being regulated and prevented by the said authority. The SFA should start doing what it was established to do. UMER SAJJAD KARACHI

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COMMENT 05

Constitutional remedy or political dead end? Thursday, 1 October, 2026

Governor’s rule or emergency in KP muhammaD IbN-e-amIN

WHEN A PROVINCE IS FIGHTING TERRORISM, WHAT IS THE REAL QUESTION? Pakistan is once again debating two of the most powerful constitutional instruments available to the federation: Governor’s Rule and Emergency. The debate has intensified around Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the federal government has recently warned that constitutional options could be considered because of the deteriorating security and governance situation. Federal officials have publicly discussed the possibility of constitutional intervention, while the KP government has rejected the idea and argued for political dialogue and cooperation. The timing has made the controversy even more significant. The PTI-led KP government has also been preparing for political mobilisation toward Islamabad. Is the debate over Governor’s Rule and Emergency primarily about restoring constitutional governance and security—or is Pakistan once again entering a cycle in which political confrontation produces extraordinary constitutional measures? First, We Must Understand the Constitution Governor’s Rule and Emergency are not the same constitutional mechanism. Under Article 232, an emergency may be proclaimed where the security of Pakistan or any part of it is threatened by war, external aggression, or an internal disturbance that is beyond the power of the provincial government to control. The Constitution contains specific procedures and parliamentary requirements. Article 234 is different. It concerns a situation in which the government of a province cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution. The President may act under the conditions specified by the Constitution. Therefore, simply saying that “there is terrorism in KP, therefore Governor’s Rule should be imposed” does not by itself answer the constitutional question. The relevant issue is whether the specific constitutional requirements of Article 234 have been met. If terrorism is the argument, should the standard be consistent? There is no doubt that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces a serious security challenge. The federal government has criticized the provincial government’s handling of ter-

rorism and governance, while KP officials argue that the province has been fighting terrorism for years and that the federal government must also play its constitutional and national-security role. But another question naturally emerges: If terrorism and deteriorating law and order are being presented as grounds for extraordinary constitutional intervention in KP, should the same constitutional principles be examined consistently across Pakistan? Balochistan has also experienced terrorism and insurgency for years. Sindh has faced serious problems involving organized crime and armed gangs in parts of the province. Punjab, too, faces serious crime and public-safety challenges. That does not automatically mean Governor’s Rule or Emergency should be imposed in any of those provinces. Each province has its own constitutional, administrative and security circumstances. But it does raise an important principle: constitutional standards should be applied according to law, not according to which political party happens to govern a province.

WHAT DOES PAKISTAN’S HISTORY TELL US? Pakistan’s political history provides numerous examples of federal intervention in provincial politics. Governor’s Rule and extraordinary constitutional arrangements have been used at different points in the country’s history, under very different political and security circumstances. The important lesson is that extraordinary constitutional intervention is not new to Pakistan. The more important question is what such interventions actually accomplish. Does changing the political structure automatically eliminate terrorism? Does removing or sidelining a provincial government automatically strengthen the police? Does it resolve intelligence and counterterrorism coordination? Does it eliminate militant networks? Does it create political stability after the intervention ends? A constitutional mechanism can change the administrative arrangement of a province without necessarily eliminating the underlying causes of insecurity.

EMERGENCY IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A SECURITY STRATEGY Emergency is an extraordinary constitutional instrument with consequences extending beyond ordinary administration. It should therefore not be treated as simply another administrative tool. If the fundamental problem is terrorism,

the country ultimately requires effective counterterrorism operations; capable and properly equipped police and CTD structures; intelligence coordination; border and cross-border security management; cooperation between federal and provincial institutions; political stability; and a long-term counterterrorism strategy. An emergency proclamation by itself cannot substitute for these institutions and policies. The Timing of the Debate Cannot Be Ignored The discussion about Governor’s Rule and Emergency has intensified at a time of heightened political confrontation between the federal government and the PTI-led KP government. The existence of this timing does not prove that the federal government’s constitutional discussion is motivated by political considerations. Such a conclusion would require evidence. But when political confrontation and extraordinary constitutional powers appear in the same political moment, the possibility of escalation deserves serious attention.

THE ANP ERA RAISES ANOTHER HISTORICAL QUESTION The period of the Awami National Party-led government in what was then the NWFP witnessed severe terrorist violence, including suicide bombings and attacks against political workers, security personnel and civilians. The historical comparison needs to be made carefully. The fact that an earlier government faced serious terrorism without Governor’s Rule being imposed does automatically prove that not Governor’s Rule cannot constitutionally be imposed today. But it does raise a legitimate question: If terrorism alone is sufficient to justify extraordinary constitutional intervention, what distinguishes today’s situation from earlier periods of extreme violence? That question should be answered with evidence rather than political rhetoric.

TEMPORARY MEASURES CANNOT BECOME PERMANENT SOLUTIONS Even if Governor’s Rule were imposed in accordance with the Constitution, it would be an extraordinary political and constitutional arrangement, not a permanent counterterrorism strategy. Likewise, an Emergency would not automatically eliminate militancy, improve governance or rebuild public trust. The danger is that the immediate political crisis becomes the focus while the underlying security crisis remains unresolved. If that happens, the country may simply

China is no longer just the world’s factory. It’s the HQ

Manufacturing capacity is moving overseas but China, as a global hub for innovation and development, remains the ‘industrial brain’

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST Djoomart otorbaev

HE global electronics industry is entering a structural transition. For over two decades, China served as the dominant manufacturing centre, with an unmatched concentration of suppliers, skilled labour, infrastructure, logistics and engineering capabilities. That concentration is being diluted. But interpreting this as the decline of Chinese manufacturing would be a mistake. China is exporting parts of its manufacturing process while retaining the industrial capabilities that matter most. According to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), since 2017, the share of electronics manufacturers from China – Taiwan, Hong Kong and the mainland – with overseas production has risen to 56 per cent from 12 per cent. BCG based its analysis on 942 publicly traded companies with annual revenues above US$500 million, including 314 headquartered in China. This transformation is remarkable. From the early 2000s to the mid-2010s, companies concentrated production in China’s major industrial clusters to minimise costs. Low-cost labour played a significant role but the true advantage lay in the high density of the manufacturing ecosystem. This produced economies of scale and an operational efficiency few countries could match. Since 2017, rising tariffs, increasingly extensive export controls and stricter scrutiny of critical technologies have transformed the calculation. US President Donald Trump’s high tariffs on Chinese goods were intended to reduce dependence on Chinese manufacturing and force production back to America, but it has also increased the incentive for Chinese companies to establish production capacity in third countries. At the same time, Southeast Asia, India and Mexico began offering tax incentives, subsidies, industrial parks and other measures designed to attract manufacturers. Companies now see diversification as insurance against tariffs, export restrictions and sudden disruptions. But that does not necessarily mean abandoning China. In many cases, companies are relocating only the final assembly. Components, materials, tooling, machinery and

engineering expertise continue to originate in China. This is producing a “hub-and-spoke” model: the hub remains China; the spokes extend into Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Mexico and other countries. BCG estimates that about 76 per cent of Chinese manufacturers expanding in Southeast Asia are choosing Vietnam, Thailand or Malaysia. Vietnam is increasingly important for electronics assembly; Malaysia has strengths in semiconductor testing and packaging; India offers enormous domestic market potential; and Mexico benefits from its proximity to the United States. But all of these new centres remain deeply connected to Chinese supply chains. The most consequential development may lie beyond electronics. China’s industrial strategy is increasingly compatible with a division of labour in which advanced research, engineering, technological innovation and sophisticated manufacturing remain concentrated domestically. At the same time, it distributes selected production stages internationally. This could become a defining feature of China’s next stage of industrial globalisation. Rather than keep production concentrated in China, what matters more is control of the technologies, machinery, components, standards, engineering capabilities and supply-chain relationships underlying production. This is a fundamentally different conception of manufacturing power. The old model measured industrial strength largely by where factories were. The emerging model measures it by who controls the industrial ecosystem. This process carries an unmistakable irony. Washington seeks to reduce China’s role in global manufacturing by imposing tariffs and restricting access to technology. Instead, it has spurred Chinese companies to build production networks with greater geographic diversification and potentially higher resilience to political risks. Indeed, if Chinese companies can combine Chinese research and development, components, machinery and engineering with production facilities in Southeast Asia, India, Mexico and other markets, the result may be a manufacturing system less vulnerable to any single country’s trade policy. This does not mean China’s manufacturing dominance is guaranteed. Competitors will also develop their own supplier ecosystems, technologies and industrial capacities. Competition will only increase. But the main conclusion is already clear: globalisation is not ending; it is rapidly being reshaped. China is not abandoning its role as the “world’s factory”; rather, it is transforming what that concept means. It is becoming a global hub for innovation and development. While manufacturing capacity may continue to disperse across various countries, the “industrial brain” remains in China.

Djoomart Otorbaev is a former prime minister of the Kyrgyz Republic (2014-2015).

move from one crisis to another.

THE NEED FOR POLITICAL CONSENSUS The solution therefore cannot be limited to the question: “Should Governor’s Rule be imposed or not?” The larger question should be: “How can the federal and provincial governments jointly defeat terrorism while preserving constitutional and political stability?” The federal government possesses national-security, intelligence and foreignpolicy responsibilities. The provincial government controls important provincial institutions, including the police and administration. Neither side can effectively deal with the security challenge while treating the other as merely a political opponent. A sustainable strategy requires the federal and provincial governments to sit together, identify their disagreements, establish measurable security objectives and create a mechanism for accountability.

THE BIGGEST DANGER IS POLITICAL ESCALATION If the federal government considers extraordinary constitutional measures while the provincial government rejects them and political demonstrations intensify, the confrontation can move from institutions to the streets. Once the streets become the primary arena of politics, the original issue— terrorism and public security— can disappear behind political confrontation. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa need security, functioning institutions, economic opportunities and political stability. They do not need an endless cycle in which every security crisis becomes another chap-

ter in federal-provincial confrontation.

THE REAL QUESTION IS GOVERNANCE Governor’s Rule and Emergency are constitutional mechanisms. If the constitutional conditions are genuinely satisfied, the relevant authorities can consider them according to law. But the existence of a constitutional power does not automatically make it a permanent solution to a political or security problem. If terrorism is the problem, strengthen the institutions that fight terrorism. If governance is the problem, improve governance. If coordination between the federation and province is the problem, establish coordination. If political confrontation is the problem, bring the political stakeholders to the table. If extraordinary constitutional intervention is being considered, the country must be able to answer one simple question: “What will be different after it is imposed?” If terrorism, weak institutions, political polarization and public distrust remain intact, changing the political structure may not solve the underlying crisis. Pakistan does not merely need a temporary constitutional response. It needs a permanent political, administrative and security solution—one built through constitutional procedure, institutional cooperation and political consensus. The question, therefore, is not simply whether Governor’s Rule or Emergency can be imposed. The question is whether either measure, by itself, can deliver what the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa actually need: peace, effective governance and political stability.

Is the world really drowning in debt?

The writer can be ibnaminamin76@gmail.com

reached

We may not be on the eve of disaster but room for manoeuvre is shrinking for major economies

FINANCIAL TIMES martIN WoLF

ROSS global debt reached $365tn, or 311 per cent of global GDP, in the first half of 2026, according to the latest Global Debt Monitor from the Institute for International Finance. Should we be worried? The IIF thinks so, pointing out that “Mature market governments now spend more on interest expense than the world invests in either AI, defense, or energy” and “Debt has become more a political issue than a macro-financial one — creating a vicious cycle between elections and short-term quick fixes, and a long-term vulnerability as the marginal utility of higher debt diminishes.” What is still more striking, is that the IIF worries more about high-income than developing or emerging economies. Yet the IIF also shows that between 2018 and June 2026, the rise in the ratio of global debt to output was less than 10 percentage points. That hardly sounds so bad. The story is striking: the ratio reached a post-Covid peak of 337 per cent in early 2021, before falling by 27 percentage points by the end of 2023. What was this magical “debt-buster”? Good old-fashioned (and supposedly “unexpected”) inflation. This is — to put it mildly — not the first time inflation has wiped out debt. It was, to take one of countless examples, an important part of the UK’s elimination of its post-second-world-war debt. For countries able to print the money in which their debt is denominated, that is often what happens. Yet inflation leaves a legacy. It is one of the reasons interest rates are now much higher than preCovid. Interest costs have soared for governments in mature economies: between December 2021 and the end of August 2026, these jumped by 1.5 percentage points, to reach 3.3 per cent of GDP. The US is a good example: as a share of GDP, interest costs rose 1.6 percentage points between January 2021 and 2026. What is happening with the level and costs of government borrowing is central — but it is not everything. The IIF also notes the huge recent rise in issuance of AI-linked corporate bonds. It estimates that this will reach $541bn in 2026, up from $90bn three years before. The associated investment boom is also a driver of the higher interest rates and so an indirect cause of the higher cost of government debt. Remarkably, AI-related corporate debt is issued at far longer maturities than US Treasuries: in 2026 so far, the average maturity of the former reached 13.4 years (from 11.5 years in 2024) against a mere 2.5 years for US Treasuries (down from 6.1 years in 2024). Interest on corporate AI-related debt is also only a percentage point higher than on Treasuries. While US

government borrowing is strikingly short term, other high-income governments are not far behind. The IIF indeed seems more relaxed about private than government debt and that of emerging economies than of high-income ones. It notes, for example, that private credit, about which there is some concern, “accounts for only around 5 per cent of outstanding non-financial corporate debt”. On the latter, it points to the record pace of sovereign Eurobond issuance in 2026, adding that “stronger fundamentals have helped”. It also stresses the health of “ESG lending”, with year-to-date lending of $1tn. In sum, the IIF’s view is that the recent inflationinduced fall in debt ratios has created a “deceptively benign picture”. With structurally higher interest rates than a few years ago and governments without the will or the mandate to impose pain on voters, public debt will continue to accumulate in supposedly mature countries at a rapid rate. Meanwhile, the shift to shorter maturities, notably in the US, flatters to deceive. The risk is that there could be a sharp jump in these yields, with dramatic results for the cost of debt service. A possible trigger might be sharp depreciation of a vulnerable currency. There are also political risks. War is one. Energy shocks are another. Bigger trade conflicts are yet another. It is also not hard to imagine outright internal conflict in the US or a breakdown of co-operation in the EU. If the far right were to become a dominant political force, the implicit support of, say, France by Germany, might even be in question. My take from the IIF’s report is not that we are on the eve of disaster but that important countries are losing room for manoeuvre on an unsustainable long-run path. As the late economist Herbert Stein famously said, “If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.” Huge accumulations of public debt cannot be justified forever, particularly when there is no crisis to justify them. But there is also a corollary to Stein’s law by the late economist Rüdiger Dornbusch, who said that: “crises take longer to arrive than you can possibly imagine, but when they do come, they happen faster than you can possibly imagine.” His expertise was Latin America. Many must have noticed the growing similarity between that region and the US. In emerging countries that rely on borrowing in foreign currencies, the crises Dornbusch had in mind tend to require a foreign rescue. That is not the case for countries able to borrow in their own currencies. The latter can also play all sorts of games with their lenders, be they domestic or foreign. One is “financial repression” in which lenders are forced to accept lower interest rates or, in other ways, lend to governments on unfavourable terms. The US is powerful enough (the UK most definitely is not) even to coerce foreign lenders. But such tricks never work forever. Dornbusch’s law still applies: it can merely take a long time to get there. Maybe even the free capital flows we are so used to will be sacrificed. But inflation is almost always the first resort. Why else does Trump want the Fed to put rates at 1 per cent?

06 NEWS

PEZESHKIAN LINKS SUSTAINABLE GULF SECURITY TO REGIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

TEHRAN

agencies

RANIAN President Masoud Pezeshkian underscored the importance of the Strait of Hormuz to regional and global security and economy, noting that a responsible approach based on preserving stability and the interests of regional countries, IRNA reported on Wednesday. According to the Iranian news agency, Pezeshkian said that sustainable security in the Persian Gulf and its waterways depended on cooperation and responsibility among regional countries, in remarks on the occasion of World Maritime Day. Further, the Iranian president "described the sea for Iran as more than an expanse of water, calling it a divine blessing and part of the country’s history, identity and life, as well as one of its most important resources for the present and future," IRNA said.

He added, according to the news agency, that security and development could not be separated and that "maritime security, ports and transport routes provide the conditions for trade and economic activity, while economic development strengthens the country’s national capabilities." IRNA noted that, according to Pezeshkian, "Iran is seriously pursuing its responsibility to maintain security and stability in regional waterways and ensure the security of maritime shipping and trade, relying on the capabilities and experience of naval forces and all those involved in maritime affairs." Separately, Iran's Deputy Chief of the Army for Coordination, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, noted that the sea was "a key pillar of national power, a driver of trade and the economy, and vital to energy security and the continuity of supply chains," IRNA reported. The Iranian news agency noted that, according to Sayyari, the United States-Israeli war imposed over the past year demonstrated

the importance of Iran’s maritime capacity.

IRAN SAYS RECOGNISING ITS RIGHTS COULD PAVE WAY FOR ENDING CONFLICT: The spokesperson of Iran's Defence Ministry General Talaei-Nik said Tehran seeks peace while defending its rights, security, and interests. According to Press TV, the spokesperson added that recognising Iran’s legitimate rights would pave the way for ending the ongoing conflict.

VESSEL STRUCK BY 'UNKNOWN PROJECTILE' IN HORMUZ: UKMTO: The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) said earlier in the day that "a verified source has reported that a tanker has been struck by an unknown projectile." The incident was reported on Tuesday, with the UKMTO noting that authorities were investigating the report. The centre also issued an advisory for vessels "to transit with caution" and to "re-

Xi calls for firm confidence, solid steps for China's national rejuvenation

BEIJING

Mian abrar

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on the Chinese nation to maintain firm confidence, move forward steadily and take concrete steps to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a reception in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

CHINA CELEBRATES ITS NATIONAL DAY ON OCTOBER 1: Premier Li Qiang presided over the reception, which was attended by Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng, along with around 800 guests. “The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable,” Xi said, stressing that confidence, focus and steady progress would ultimately lead to success for the CPC, the Chinese people and the People’s Republic of China. Reflecting on the country’s 77-year development journey, Xi said the CPC had led the Chinese people in achieving two major miracles — rapid economic growth and enduring social stability. He said China had every reason to take pride in the achievements of New China and expressed confidence in the bright prospects of Chinese modernization. Turning to the economy, Xi said China’s economic performance had continued to advance since the beginning of the year despite mounting pressures, with innovation-driven and highquality development demonstrating the resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy. He called for efforts to sustain the momentum, promote innovation-driven, high-quality and sound economic development, improve and safeguard people’s livelihoods and accomplish the targets and tasks set for the year. These efforts, he said, would help ensure a good start to the 15th FiveYear Plan, covering the period from 2026 to 2030. On Hong Kong and Macao, Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to the policy of “One Country, Two Systems”, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, while both regions retain a high degree of autonomy. He said the central government would support Hong Kong and Macao in integrating more deeply into the country’s overall development while remaining committed to safeguarding their longterm prosperity and stability. Addressing the Taiwan question, Xi called for deeper exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait and reaffirmed Beijing’s opposition to separatist forces advocating “Taiwan independence” and to external interference. He stressed the importance of promoting the peaceful development of crossStrait relations in pursuit of national reunification. On China’s international role, Xi said Beijing would remain committed to an independent foreign policy of peace and advance the implementation of the four major global initiatives proposed by China. He said China would continue promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity and contribute greater certainty and positive energy to a turbulent world. The address came as China entered a new phase of development focused on the implementation of the 15th FiveYear Plan, with innovation, high-quality growth, improved livelihoods and deeper integration with Hong Kong and Macao highlighted as key priorities. Xi’s message centred on confidence, steady progress and sustained development as China pursues its broader goal of national rejuvenation.

port any suspicious activity to the UKMTO." Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi received US feedback via Qatari mediators in Doha on Tuesday on a seven-day plan aimed at building trust between Washington and Tehran, with sequencing the main sticking point, an official, who was not Iranian but was briefed on the talks, told Reuters. Araghchi is expected to discuss the US response in Tehran on Wednesday, the official said. Iran last week presented a sevenday proposal under which Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened and normal maritime passage restored if the neces-

Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | ISLAMABAD

sary conditions were met. US President Donald Trump subsequently rejected the proposal, prompting further Qatari mediation. The Qatari mediators conveyed the feedback they had received from Washington on Monday, meeting Araghchi and his team on their way back from the United States, the official said.

Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | ISLAMABAD

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CM MARYAM LAUNCHES MOBILE POLICE STATIONS TO BRING SERVICES TO CITIZENS’ DOORSTEPS

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KARACHI: Jubilee Life Insurance and DVAGO have joined hands to promote health and wellness through Jubilee Active, offering exclusive discounts at DVAGO to Jubilee Life policyholders and making everyday healthcare more accessibe and rewarding. The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Wasif Khan, CEO, DVAGO, Mr. Faizul Hasan Group Head – corporate Business & Wellness and Jubilee Life Insurance executives.

CCP calls for greater competition, digitalisation to expand Pakistan’s insurance sector ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) held a meeting of the Competition Consultative Group (CCG) on “Strengthening Competition in Pakistan’s Insurance Sector: Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward.” The CCG meeting called for greater competition, digitalisation, improved claims handling and wider market access to unlock the potential of Pakistan’s insurance industry, where insurance penetration remains only at 0.7 percent of GDP and insurance density of around US$12 per capita. In his opening remarks, Chairman CCP Farid Ahmad Tarar said insurance plays an important role in managing risks, mobilising long-term savings and supporting economic activity. He said Pakistan’s low insurance penetration also represents considerable room for growth, and greater competition could encourage innovation, improve service quality and widen consumer choice. A CCP presentation showed that Pakistan has 44 insurers, including 36 conventional insurers, seven Takaful operators and one reinsurer, with around 10.4 million policies. It identified market concentration, entry barriers, concentration in bancassurance, low awareness, information asymmetry, claims disputes and delays, limited innovation and digitalisation as key competition challenges. Presenting the regulator’s perspective, Waseem Khan, Director/HOD, Life Policy and Approval Department, Insurance Division, highlighted digitalisation, effective implementation of mandatory insurance, expansion of agricultural insurance and adoption of a risk-based solvency framework.

KU seminar stresses domestic violence extends beyond four walls of home KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

The Centre of Excellence for Women’s Studies of the University of Karachi, in collaboration with UN Women and the KU Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization organized a seminar on ‘growing gender based violence in Pakistan: legal gaps, implementation challenges and way forward ’ at the KU Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday. This partnership underscored the university’s commitment to addressing pressing social issues through academic discourse, research, and advocacy. By joining hands with UN Women, KU highlighted the global dimension of gender based violence and the need for international cooperation in combating it. The experts emphasized innovation and practical solutions, ensuring that research findings are not confined to academic circles but translated into actionable strategies. The seminar thus became a platform where academic expertise, international advocacy, and institutional innovation converged to address the urgent challenge of gender based violence in Pakistan. On this occasion,

PM&DC approves 1,400 public sector medical, dental seats to expand access ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) has clarified that recognition of medical and dental colleges is granted strictly in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework and prescribed standards. The Council said it had approved 1,400 seats in publicsector medical and dental colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory and Punjab in view of the national need to expand opportunities for meritorious students. The initiative is aimed at facilitating access to medical education for students from underprivileged regions and helping prevent deserving students from seeking medical education opportunities abroad. The PM&DC said it remained committed to facilitating students by promoting access to affordable and quality medical and dental education within Pakistan, enabling them to pursue their professional education in the country rather than seeking opportunities abroad. The Council also clarified that the impression that private-sector medical colleges had been permitted more seats than public-sector medical colleges was incorrect. It said the Council applied the same regulatory standards to medical and dental institutions irrespective of their public- or private-sector status. These standards were intended to ensure quality education, adequate academic and clinical facilities, and patient safety.

33 VANS EQUIPPED WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO OFFER 14 POLICE SERVICES LAHORE

SALEEM JADOON

UNjAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday inaugurated mobile police station vans equipped with modern facilities and technology to provide police services to citizens at their doorsteps. The initiative comprises 33 mobile police stations across different districts, including six vans dedicated to matters concerning women, Home Secretary Ahmad javed Qazi told the chief minister during a briefing. The chief minister inspected a mobile police station and observed its working. She interacted with the staff and asked a senior station assistant and a female public guide about the procedure for providing services to citizens. Each mobile police station will be

headed by a sub-inspector and staffed by a field supervisor, senior station assistant, and male and female constables. The vans will provide 14 police-related services, including registration of FIRs, online e-tagging, reports of lost documents,

criminal record checks, and registration of tenants and private employees. The mobile stations will also provide character certificate verification and facilities for learner and driving licences, including their renewal, duplicate and in-

40 primary stroke centres operational, 17 more to be functional by December: Azma LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is taking decisive measures not only for cancer treatment but also for the treatment and management of stroke and paralysis. She said that, for the first time, stroke centres are being established across Punjab to ensure timely and quality medical care for stroke patients closer to their homes. Azma Bokhari said that timely initiatives taken by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had helped save the lives of 336 stroke patients. She added that 40 primary stroke centres are now fully operational across Punjab, while the Chief Minister has set a deadline for making 17 more stroke centres functional by December. The Information Minister said that 710 TNK injections are available for stroke patients at all operational stroke centres, enabling patients to receive timely treatment. Azma Bokhari said that stroke patients would no longer have to travel to major cities for treatment. She said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz

is providing the people of Punjab with quality healthcare facilities closer to their homes, while the province is taking revolutionary steps in the health sector. She said the Punjab government is ensuring the provision of quality and free healthcare facilities to the public. Free medicines are being provided at all government hospitals across Punjab, while all medical tests are also being conducted free of cost. Azma Bokhari said the scope of healthcare initiatives in Punjab is being continuously expanded, which is why people from other provinces also come to Punjab for medical treatment.

ternational licences. According to the briefing, the vans will visit universities and girls’ colleges according to a schedule, while their deployment in different areas will also be determined on the basis of data received through the police emergency helpline 15. The schedule of visits will be publicised through social media and other channels, while announcements will also be made in mosques in the relevant areas ahead of a van’s arrival. The mobile police stations will operate through specially constituted teams in accordance with official standard operating procedures (SOPs). The relevant station house officer and beat officer will remain present in the field to supervise operations. The senior station assistant will manage IT operations, digital databases and online data entry, while male and female constables will guide and facilitate citizens.

PPAF to Host International Conference on Poverty to Prosperity in Islamabad ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) is set to host a major international conference on October 13–14 in Islamabad, in connection with the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed on October 17, to advance sustainable pathways from poverty to prosperity, strengthen economic resilience and explore lasting solutions for poverty reduction and inclusive economic empowerment. The International Conference on Inclusive and Resilient Economic Empowerment and Growth, being held under the theme “Poverty to Prosperity,” is being organized by PPAF in collaboration with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Paigham e Pakistan and the Centre of Excellence for National Cohesion and Outreach, Islamabad.

PAA elects new Central Executive Committee for 2026–2028 KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

AkzoNobel completes sale of AkzoNobel Pakistan to Packages Group KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

AkzoNobel has completed the sale of Akzo Nobel Pakistan Limited to IGI Investments (Pvt.) Limited, which is part of the Packages Group, one of Pakistan’s most diversified conglomerates. The transaction is based on a total enterprise value of approximately €50 million (16.2 billion PKR), representing an EV/EBITDA multiple of 14x, and includes AkzoNo-

Protection of human lives on highways top priority: Federal Minister ISLAMABAD/LAHORE STAFF REPORT

A high-level National Highway Authority review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan. The meeting reviewed ongoing and proposed projects of the National Highway Authority revenue enhancement, road safety and developmental programmes. The meeting discussed in detail progress on various projects as well as financial matters. Speaking in the meeting, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said that the NHA had successfully achieved the revenue enhancement target set 2 years ago. He said that going forward, the NHA would undertake the construction of new roads from the revenue generated from existing revenue streams. Federal Minister said that major projects expected to be completed in the coming months including the Lodhran–Multan Expressway, expansion of the Pindi Bhattian–Faisalabad Motorway and Peshawar Northern Bypass which would be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. He said that work on the Sialkot–Kharian Motorway was also progressing rapidly while construction work had commenced on the Karachi– Quetta–Chaman Pakistan Expressway (N-25). Expressing concern over the poor condition of the Lahore–Gujranwala GT Road, Abdul Aleem Khan directed the NHA Authorities to take immediate measures to improve the road condition and provide relief to citizens travelling on this important route. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan directed NHA officials to ensure road safety through improved engineering in the construction of new highways,

bel’s Decorative Paints and liquid Coatings businesses in Pakistan. “Today’s closing is another important milestone in the execution of our ongoing strategic portfolio review,” says Greg Poux-Guillaume, CEO of AkzoNobel. “We’re grateful to our colleagues in Pakistan for the passion and commitment they’ve shown and have every confidence that the Packages Group, with its deep roots in Pakistan’s consumer and industrial markets, is ideally placed to take the business to its next stage of growth.”

The Pakistan Advertising Association (PAA) announced the results of its 2026 elections at its 11th Annual General Meeting and named a new 14member Central Executive Committee (CEC) for 2026–2028. The new CEC comprises Numan Nabi Ahmed (Chairman), jawwad Humayun (Senior Vice Chairman), Nida Haider (Vice Chairperson), javed Qadeer Khan (Chairman, Zone A), Waqar Haideri (Chairman, Zone B), Usman Atique Butt (Chairman, Zone C) and Faheem Ahmed (Finance Secretary). Its other members are Ahmed jamal Mir, Natasha Durrani, Farhan Khan, Asad Ansari, Tabish Hasan Shah, Khalid Saleem and Athar Saleem. The meeting approved the agenda circulated in advance. Outgoing Chairman Ahmed Kapadia then briefed members on the outgoing CEC's initiatives over the past two years.

TARAR WARNS INDIA'S IWT MOVE THREATENS GLOBAL WATER GOVERNANCE

Thursday, 1 October, 2026

PRAYER TIMINGS

NEWS

note of its implications for transboundary water governance. Addressing a ceremony organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) to launch a report on the IWT, Mr Tarar said Pakistan would continue to defend its water rights through diplomatic and legal means. “We are a peaceful nation, but we cannot allow India to weaponise water because it is

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

EDERAL Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday warned that India’s decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance could set a wider precedent for international water-sharing arrangements, urging the global community to take

Sadiq calls for UN, OIC and SCO collective action to tackle Afghanistan’s security crisis ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq on Wednesday called for a collective international response to Afghanistan’s security challenges, saying the absence of an inclusive governing framework and the continued presence of militant groups in the country required coordinated action by the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). “In our assessment, the core challenge in Afghanistan today is twofold... The first fold is the absence of an inclusive governing framework... The second fold, even more critical, is the continued presence of militant organizations on Afghan soil,” Sadiq said while speaking at a seminar ti-

tled ‘Afghan Conundrum: Conference on Afghan Predicament, Trajectory to Peace’ in Islamabad. “When governance is exclusive and armed groups have space, the vacuum is exploited. For Pakistan this has meant a tangible increase in cross-border security challenges. For our Central Asian partners it has raised legitimate concerns about border stability,” he said. “Afghanistan cannot be treated as a bilateral issue. It is a collective responsibility under the mandate of the United Nations, OIC and SCO,” he added. His remarks came against the backdrop of deadly attacks and encounters between Pakistani security forces and militants, particularly in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province bordering Afghanistan, that killed dozens of civilians, soldiers and law enforcement personnel this month.

the basic right of the 240 million people of Pakistan,” he said. The minister said India’s unilateral decision to place the treaty in abeyance went beyond the bilateral dispute between Pakistan and India and raised questions about the sanctity of international agreements governing shared water resources. “If a state can unilaterally put a binding international water treaty in abeyance despite established dispute resolution mechanisms, the implications extend to transboundary water governance across the world,” he said. He warned that such an approach could have consequences for other countries that share rivers and water resources under similar international frameworks. Mr Tarar said Pakistan would continue engaging the international community and presenting its legal and diplomatic position to protect its vital national interests. Recalling the historical importance of the Indus river system, Mr Tarar said Pakistanis identified themselves with the Indus Valley and its waters. He argued that when the IWT was signed, its parties had not anticipated that circumstances decades later would lead to attempts to challenge the agreement’s status. “The IWT is legally binding upon both parties,” he said, maintaining that the treaty contained provisions that prevented either side from unilaterally revoking, rescinding, altering or suspending it. He said even in the event of a dispute, both parties remained bound by the treaty’s

terms and established procedures. Mr Tarar also referred to an August ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), saying it had strengthened Pakistan’s position that the treaty could not be unilaterally altered. According to the minister, the PCA ruling supported Pakistan’s contention that there was no legal basis for a unilateral attempt to change the status of the treaty. Mr Tarar said Pakistan had dealt with the dispute through diplomatic and legal channels rather than abandoning established international mechanisms. “We have engaged the international community and presented our point of view — legal and diplomatic — and as a nationstate, which respected the rights of others,” he said. He also referred to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent address to the United Nations General Assembly, in which the premier described the IWT as vital to Pakistan and the wider region. Mr Tarar reiterated that Pakistan’s position on the treaty was “absolutely clear”, describing the agreement as an instrument of peace and regional stability. He said India had sought to justify its actions by citing alleged cross-border terrorism, but maintained that Pakistan itself had suffered heavily in the fight against terrorism. “We have economic losses of over $50bn over the past many decades,” he said. The minister argued that Pakistan’s sacrifices in combating terrorism also contributed to international security, saying

ISLAMABAD

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday called for translating the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) shared vision into practical cooperation and tangible outcomes while chairing the first meeting of the Council of National Coordinators (CNC) under Pakistan’s 2026-27 chairmanship. Addressing national coordinators from SCO member states, along with senior representatives of the SCO Secretariat and its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), Mr Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to an open, inclusive and constructive chairmanship guided by the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation and common development. The meeting was held from September 28 to 30 and formed part of Pakistan’s preparations for a series of SCO activities during its chairmanship, culminating in

the Council of Heads of State summit in Islamabad in August 2027. The Foreign Office said Mr Dar stressed that the theme of Pakistan’s chairmanship — “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation, and Shared Prosperity” — should be reflected in concrete initiatives and practical cooperation among member states. He called for closer coordination among SCO countries to ensure a successful chairmanship and effective implementation of the organisation’s shared objectives. The foreign minister also highlighted preparations for the 2027 Council of Heads of State meeting in Islamabad, underlining the importance of coordinated efforts by all member states. The CNC meeting also included participation from the Indian side despite the continuing freeze in bilateral relations between Pakistan and India. Dr Mohammad Faisal, a senior Pakistani diplomat and former high commissioner to the United Kingdom,

represented Pakistan at the CNC meeting chaired by Islamabad on Monday. The meeting discussed a broad range of matters relating to SCO activities and cooperation among member states. Participants also reviewed the programme of events planned during Pakistan’s chairmanship. The participation of Indian representatives reflected the SCO’s multilateral framework, under which member states continue to engage through institutional mechanisms despite bilateral disputes. The CNC discussions are particularly significant as Pakistan prepares to host the SCO Council of Heads of State in Islamabad in August 2027. The Foreign Office had earlier said the three-day CNC session would contribute to preparations for the summit and other events to be held under Pakistan’s chairmanship. The Islamabad summit is expected to bring together leaders of SCO member states for discussions on regional and international issues as well as cooperation

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ruary 7, with a one-day break on February 5 for Kashmir Day. The chief minister said a 10-day Basant festival would help promote Punjab’s

cultural heritage and Lahore’s centuriesold traditions across the world She directed the authorities to make better arrangements for the

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Pakistan hits back at Kabul over Nuristan 'claims' ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan on Wednesday strongly criticised the Afghan Taliban regime for what it described as acting as a “proxy” for Hindutva designs and facilitating terrorism for financial gain, while rejecting repeated allegations linking Pakistani security agencies to violence in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting described the latest allegations by the Taliban’s so-called minister for borders and other regime officials as “selfrhetorical lies” aimed at diverting attention from what it called serious internal oppression, dissent and instability in Afghanistan. “Afghan Taliban unfortunately remain willingly oblivious to their un-Islamic abetment of terror, acting as proxy to Hindutva design for the sake of greed of a few of their leaders,” the ministry said in a statement. It said the Taliban’s approach of destabilising the region for financial gain while allegedly serving as a proxy for foreign agencies was leading the regime towards a “self-destructive path, devoid of dignity and honour”.

ISLAMABAD

in areas covered by the organisation. Mr Dar urged member states to maintain close coordination to ensure that Pakistan’s chairmanship produces substantive results. Pakistan assumed the SCO chairmanship for 2026-27 earlier this month during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Bishkek, where he attended the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and the SCO Plus Summit. During the visit, Mr Shehbaz proposed a cooperation plan focusing on information technology and artificial intelligence, energy development, poverty reduction, disaster management, health, culture and sports.

CM Maryam gives thumbs up to 10-day Basant in Lahore SALEEM JADOON

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STAFF CORRESPONDENT

‘SPECIAL GIFT FOR LAHORITES’

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a 10-day Basant festival in Lahore as a special gift for the people of the city and approved a plan for its celebration from January 29 to February 7. The festivities will observe a one-day break on February 5 to mark Kashmir Day, according to the plan approved by the chief minister. Basant was celebrated in Lahore from February 6 to 8 this year, after a 25year hiatus. On the occasion of the arrival of the new year 2027, CM Maryam Nawaz directed that a 10-day Basant festival be organised in Lahore as a gift for citizens. In accordance with her directions, the festival will be held from January 29 to Feb-

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Govt defends Rs9.6b bulletproof vehicle purchase for 2027 SCO summit

Dar calls for turning SCO vision into tangible outcomes STAFF REPORT

FAJR SUNRISE

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safety and convenience of citizens than those made during the previous Basant festival. Appealing to the people of Lahore, CM Maryam Nawaz expressed hope that they would once again set a new example by demonstrating a sense of duty, responsibility and care to ensure the protection of human lives, as they did during the previous Basant celebrations. CM LAUDS SECURITY FORCES FOR SUCCESSFUL OPERATION IN MIR ALI Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has expressed gratitude to the security forces for their successful operation in Mir Ali. The chief minister paid tribute to the security forces for killing terrorists and recovering a large quantity of weapons during the operation.

The federal government on Wednesday defended its decision to procure 45 bulletproof luxury vehicles worth around Rs9.6 billion for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad in August-September 2027, saying the vehicles were essential to meet security requirements for the high-profile gathering. The Cabinet Division said the procurement had been approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after a requirement for 65 bulletproof vehicles was examined by relevant forums. The decision was endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the ministries of foreign affairs and interior, it added. The approval triggered criticism on social media, prompting the Cabinet Division to reject what it termed “sceptical and unwarranted” criticism surrounding the purchase. According to the division, Pakistan is currently chairing the SCO Council of Heads of State and the forthcoming summit will be one of the country’s most significant international diplomatic events. “The summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad during August-September 2027, will be the most highprofile gathering, second only to the 1973 OIC Summit,” the statement said, adding that the event would provide Pakistan an opportunity to enhance its standing in the international community. The government said the summit would bring together heads of state and government as well as senior representatives of international organisations, making secure and reliable transportation a critical requirement. It cited the prevailing security environment and threats from hostile external elements as additional reasons for maintaining stringent security arrangements. The Cabinet Division said the requirement for bulletproof vehicles had been examined at several forums before the final number was determined. While 65 vehicles had initially been sought, the prime minister approved 45, which the government described as the “bare minimum requirement”. The approved fleet comprises 15 BMW 760i xDrive (VR9) bulletproof sedans costing around Rs3 billion and 30 MercedesBenz Maybach S680 Guard (VR10) bulletproof sedans. The Economic Coordination Committee had already approved a supplementary grant of Rs6.60 billion for the procurement of the 30 Mercedes-Benz vehicles, according to the Cabinet Division. The government stressed that the bulletproof cars would constitute only one component of the overall transportation arrangements for the summit. Around 300 non-bulletproof vehicles will also be hired to meet logistical and other transportation requirements, it said. Defending the procurement, the Cabinet Division said the latest bulletproof vehicles currently available with it were a few 2016 models that were “far below the standards required for the summit”.

Federal govt 'seriously considering' imposing emergency in KP: Chaudhry ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The federal government is "seriously considering" imposing an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Article 232 of the Constitution, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Wednesday, citing the deteriorating security situation and what he described as the provincial government’s failure to curb terrorism. Speaking to journalists at Parliament House, Mr Chaudhry said the federal government was examining the option of imposing emergency in the province as terrorist activity had increased significantly. “The federal government is seriously considering the imposition of emergency in KP,” he said. The minister attributed the consideration to what he termed the KP government’s failure to counter terrorism and maintain law and order, alleging that the provincial administration had become an obstacle to the Centre’s efforts to address the security situation.

Mr Chaudhry said the proposed step was being considered under Article 232 of the Constitution, which provides for the proclamation of emergency in certain circumstances. He stressed that the move was not being contemplated because of political differences with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which governs KP. The minister said the federal government was prepared to face any political repercussions arising from such a decision if it believed the measure was necessary to address the security situation. He said the worsening law-and-order situation had resulted in the deaths of civilians and security personnel responsible for maintaining peace in the province. The statement comes amid heightened tensions between the federal and KP governments as the PTI prepares for its October 4 march towards Islamabad. The party had initially announced the march for September 27 but later postponed it to October 4. It has said the protest is aimed at securing the release of its incarcer-

ated founder Imran Khan and what it describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy. The federal government has expressed concern over security and law-and-order arrangements surrounding the planned mobilisation. Mr Chaudhry’s remarks further intensify the political confrontation between Islamabad and the PTI-led provincial administration. Comparing the security situation in KP with Balochistan, the minister acknowledged that the latter also faced terrorism but said its provincial government was taking measures to counter the threat. He also invoked the Pakistan Peoples Party’s record in combating terrorism, saying the party had always confronted militancy with full force. Mr Chaudhry said the PPP would cooperate with the federal government if an emergency were imposed in KP.

Ad IconAdvertisement Meanwhile, Mr Chaudhry said a PPP delegation led by Senator Naveed Qamar

PPP to provide input if consulted on imposing governor's rule ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari on Wednesday said his party would provide constitutional input if consulted by the federal government on imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, amid growing tensions over the province’s security situation. Speaking to the media, Mr Bukhari said governor’s rule could be imposed on the governor’s recommendation if a provincial government failed to discharge its responsibilities. “Governor’s rule could be imposed on the governor’s recommendation in case of failure of the provincial government,” he

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

said. His remarks came as ministers in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN)-led federal government have repeatedly raised the possibility of imposing governor’s rule in KP, citing worsening terrorism and what they describe as unlawful actions by PTI-backed Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Mr Bukhari said the PPP would offer its constitutional suggestions if the federal government formally consulted the party on the matter. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had earlier said the Constitution provided a clear framework for imposing an emergency, maintaining that if circumstances in KP reached a point where constitutional provisions required such a step, it should be taken.