Epaper_26-10-08 ISB by Pakistan Today

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Profit RISING TERRORISM IN KP ‘MUST BE STOPPED’ AT ANY COST: PM Thursday, 8 October, 2026 | 25 Rabius Sani, 1448

Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 194 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition

PREMIER SHEHBAZ MEETS AMIR MUQAM, SAYS DEVELOPMENT, WELFARE OF KP, AJK AND GB REMAIN GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES

PREMIER ORDERS REMOVAL OF HURDLES IN HOUSING, AGRICULTURE, SME FINANCING

REITERATES DESIRE KP SHOULD ALSO DEVELOP LIKE OTHER PARTS OF COUNTRY, LAUDING SACRIFICES OF PROVINCE AGAINST TERRORISM

SME PORTAL TO GO OPERATIONAL BY END OF NOVEMBER FOR REAL-TIME LOAN MONITORING

GOVT WEIGHS GOVERNOR'S RULE AS KP TENSIONS ESCALATE ISLAMABAD

staff report

ISLAMABAD

staff report

RIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said rising terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa “must be stopped” at any cost, reiterating the government’s desire for the province to develop and prosper like other parts of the country. “It is our desire that KP should also develop like other parts of the country and… We regard with appreciation the sacrifices of the people of KP against terrorism,” the prime minister emphasized. Prime Minister Shehbaz made the remarks during a meeting with Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and GilgitBaltistan Amir Muqam in Islamabad, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). During the meeting,

views were also exchanged on matters relating to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the PMO said. The federal minister also briefed the prime minister on ongoing matters and progress in AJK and GB, according to the statement. The prime minister directed that effective measures be continued to ensure the welfare, development and provision of basic facilities to the people of AJK and GB. He said the development of AJK and GB and the prosperity of their people were among the government’s priorities, according to the statement. Prime Minister Shehbaz on Tuesday had expressed dismay over the “unfortunate events” in AJK in recent months, adding that, however, the law took its course.

Dar, Aamer Raza stress close coordination on national security

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Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said the federal government was trying to avoid imposing Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), but warned that the constitutional option could be exercised if no other course remained available. Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Asif said there was nothing preventing the federal government from taking the step, but described it as a “last option” that the government was reluctant to use. “If there is no other way left, then we can use that option,” he said. The minister’s remarks came amid escalating tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led KP administration over the province’s deteriorating security situation and the party’s ongoing long march towards Islamabad. Asif sharply criticised the PTI, urging it to behave as a political party rather than, in his words, a “terrorist organisation”. “We cannot leave the capital at their mercy so that every two or three months they join hands with the Taliban and march on the capital,” he said.

He described the Taliban as an “anti-Pakistan power” and said the federal government had both the right and responsibility to protect Islamabad if the PTI allied itself with the militant group and attempted to march on the capital. The defence minister also accused the PTI leadership of failing to condemn militant attacks or attend the funerals of victims, arguing that such conduct raised questions about the presence of what he described as a militant component within the KP government. Asif termed the PTI’s planned long march an “attack on Islamabad” and said previous attempts to march on the capital had also been driven by political parties seeking to strengthen their position among their supporters. He attributed the failure of recent negotiations between the government and the opposition to growing differences within the PTI. “Differences within the PTI have intensified,” he said, adding that PTI lawmakers, members of its negotiating team and even its allies were seeking a solution acceptable to the country.

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Pakistan troops already in Saudi Arabia in 'multiple capabilities': DG ISPR ISLAMABAD Web desk

ISLAMABAD

staff report

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Commander National Strategic Command (CNSC) General Syed Aamer Raza on Wednesday underscored the importance of close institutional coordination to advance Pakistan’s national interests and contribute to regional peace and security. According to the Foreign Office, General Raza called on Mr Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the deputy prime minister congratulated him on his promotion and appointment as the first commander of the National Strategic Command and wished him success in his new responsibilities. The two sides discussed matters relating to national security and exchanged views on regional and international developments, the FO said. “They agreed on the importance of close institutional coordination in advancing Pakistan’s national interests and contributing to regional peace and security,” the Foreign Office statement added. General Raza assumed charge as the first CNSC on July 31 after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promoted him to the rank of four-star general and appointed him to the newly created position on July 24.

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Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Wednesday confirmed that Pakistani troops are already stationed in Saudi Arabia in “multiple capabilities”, amid heightened security tensions involving the kingdom and Yemen’s Houthi movement. In an interview with CNN, the military spokesperson said Pakistani forces had maintained a presence in Saudi Arabia for decades and were deployed across “multiple domains”. “I do confirm that the forces of Pakistan are already there ... the Pakistani troops have been there for decades in multiple capabilities,” the DG ISPR said when asked whether Pakistani personnel were present in the kingdom under the Makkah defence arrangement. He stressed that the presence of Pakistani forces in Saudi Arabia was not a new development resulting from the recently concluded defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. “The Makkah pact was not borne out of a vacuum,” Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif said, pointing to longstanding diplomatic, political, military and people-to-people ties among the three countries. His remarks come days after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye moved to operationalise their collective defence commitments under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA). The trilateral arrangement was formally established on August 7 as a framework for strengthening defence cooperation, collective deterrence and regional security. At an emergency meeting of the Strategic-Political and Defence Committee of the alliance in Riyadh on Monday, the three countries agreed to activate the pact’s practical mechanisms and deploy the agreed military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia in response to security threats. The development comes as Saudi Arabia faces heightened security challenges linked to the conflict with the Houthis in Yemen and attacks targeting

strategic and economic assets in the kingdom. The DG ISPR’s remarks provide the first detailed public confirmation from Pakistan’s military leadership that Pakistani troops are already present in Saudi Arabia in a range of roles, while stopping short of disclosing their numbers, locations or operational responsibilities. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had on Tuesday rejected what it termed “speculative” reports about the implementation of the defence pact, saying operational details relating to the collective deterrence mechanism remained confidential. The clarification followed a Reuters report claiming that Pakistan had deployed between 30,000 and 40,000 troops to Saudi Arabia to help protect the kingdom’s land borders and assist in countering drone and missile threats. The report, citing a Pakistani official, also said Islamabad had not taken a decision to deploy troops inside Yemen in a combat role. Pakistan has previously maintained that its military cooperation with Saudi Arabia is primarily aimed at defence, training and security cooperation, while the precise scope of the newly activated arrangements remains undisclosed. The latest developments have placed the Makkah agreement at the centre of regional security discussions, particularly as Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara seek to translate their longstanding strategic and military ties into a more structured collective defence framework.

Indus Waters Treaty and terrorism emanating from Afghanistan,” the statement said. Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to international peace and highlighted the country’s contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. He also appreciated the UN’s role in advancing peace, stability and humanitarian cooperation. The UN secretary general, according to ISPR, paid tribute to the sacrifices and contributions of Pakistan and its armed forces in the fight against terrorism and in UN peacekeeping operations. Guterres also acknowledged Pakistan’s continued commitment to international peace and security and specifically appreciated its efforts towards the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts, ISPR said. The meeting came a day after Guterres held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq

Dar during his official visit. During that meeting, the UN chief appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the United Nations and its diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, mediation and de-escalation. Speaking at a joint press interaction with Dar, Guterres also praised Pakistan’s “pivotal role” in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran and called on the parties to end the conflict and return to diplomacy. President Asif Ali Zardari separately conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz on Guterres in recognition of his distinguished international service, leadership of the United Nations and contribution to global peace and development. The president also held a meeting with the UN chief and appreciated his leadership and efforts to advance international peace, dialogue, diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Govt renews dialogue offer as PTI march enters fourth day ISLAMABAD

staff report

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday renewed the government’s offer of talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as the party’s long march towards Islamabad entered its fourth day. Sanaullah said the government’s doors remained open for negotiations but maintained that political demands could not be secured by putting pressure on the state. The PTI launched its march seeking the release of jailed party founder Imran Khan and what it calls the restoration of constitutional supremacy. The latest offer comes after negotiations between the government and opposition failed on Saturday to produce an agreement that could have prevented the October 4 march. Both sides have since blamed each other for the collapse of the talks. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has said the main dispute centred on the federal government’s demand that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa take ownership of counterterrorism actions initiated by the Centre. Sanaullah, however, urged PTI to set aside what he described as personal interests and return to negotiations, arguing that political disputes should be resolved through dialogue. He accused the party of pursuing a politics of instability and said attempts to march on Islamabad had remained a recurring part of PTI’s political strategy since 2014. The prime minister’s aide also alleged that resources belonging to the KP government were being used to support the current mobilisation. Turning to the security situation in the province, Sanaullah said intelligence-based operations against militants would continue but stressed that no new large-scale operation was being launched. He said the federal government had made clear that the counterterrorism campaign would not result in fresh displacement of residents. Sanaullah also criticised the KP government’s handling of security, saying Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had chaired only one provincial apex committee meeting during his 11 months in office. He claimed five districts in KP did not have police stations, while around 17,000 sanctioned police positions remained vacant. According to Sanaullah, the provincial Counter-Terrorism Department had around 3,300 personnel, with only 25 serving on a permanent basis and the remainder employed on contract. He also accused the provincial government of failing to provide adequate funding to the police and CTD. On Afghanistan, Sanaullah said Pakistan had repeatedly asked the Taliban authorities to prevent Afghan territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan. He said Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China had also engaged with the Afghan authorities over the issue, while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had travelled to Istanbul twice for related discussions. Sanaullah maintained that Pakistan would act against any militant threat planned from Afghan territory and said counterterrorism operations would continue where supported by intelligence and evidence.

Dar, Guterres call for stronger multilateralism, diplomacy to tackle global challenges ISLAMABAD

staff report

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday called for strengthening multilateralism, upholding international law and placing diplomacy at the centre of international relations to address emerging geopolitical and global challenges. Addressing an interaction with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Foreign Service Academy, the Deputy Prime Minister said the international order was undergoing profound change, with shifting balances of power, geopolitical competition and technological advances reshaping relations among states. He said that despite growing interdependence, the willingness of countries to act collectively was weakening, while armed conflicts, selective application of international law, widening inequalities and climate emergencies were compounding instability.

CDF Munir, Guterres discuss regional security, Pakistan's peace role RAWALPINDI

staff Correspondent

Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to international peace during a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres at General Headquarters. According to the military’s media wing, the UN chief called on CDF Munir during his two-day official visit to Pakistan. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, the prevailing regional security environment and the UN’s role in promoting international peace and security. “Views were exchanged on regional stability, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, India’s abeyance of the

02 NEWS

Thursday, 8 October, 2026 | ISLAMABAD

PAKISTAN’S DIGITAL PAYMENTS SURGE 65% TO 13.2B TRANSACTIONS IN FY26

PROFIT STAFF REPORT

IGITAL payments in Pakistan surged 65% year-on-year to 13.2 billion transactions in FY202526, accounting for 92% of all retail payments conducted through formal banking channels, up from an 88% share a year earlier, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The central bank's Annual Payment Systems Review of FY26 showed that overall retail payments through formal banking channels reached 14.3 billion transactions worth Rs673 trillion during the year. Transaction volumes increased 58% year-on-year, while their value rose 10%. Of the 14.3 billion transactions conducted through formal banking channels, 13.2 billion were carried out digitally, representing 65% year-on-year growth and underscoring the continued shift away from conventional payment channels. Mobile phone-based solutions dominated digital activity, processing more than 11.1 billion transactions during FY26, an increase of 79% from the previous fiscal year. Internet banking portals, meanwhile,

processed 0.3 billion, or 300 million, transactions, registering year-on-year growth of 15%. The SBP said consumers, businesses and financial institutions increasingly used mobile applications, internet banking, emoney wallets, QR-based payments and other digital channels during FY26, supported by policy measures, improved digital infrastructure and industry-led initiatives. The expansion was also reflected in the number of people using smartphone-based financial services. Branchless banking mobile app users increased to 99.1 million, while banks' mobile app users reached 30.4 million, highlighting the growing role of smartphones in routine banking and payment activity. Merchant payment infrastructure expanded alongside the increase in digital usage. The country's point-of-sale (POS) network grew to 337,791 terminals spread across 295,367 merchant locations. The expanded POS network supported nearly 1.5 million card payments every day during FY26, compared with 1 million daily card payments in the previous fiscal year, an increase of around 500,000 transactions a day. E-commerce transactions also continued shifting towards account-based payments.

Govt authorises over Rs220b under PSDP in first quarter PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

Gold prices fell on Wednesday as the US dollar strengthened, while investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve's September meeting for indications of whether policymakers remain inclined to raise interest rates further. Spot gold declined 0.8% to $4,130.37 per ounce by 0627 GMT, while US gold futures fell 0.7% to $4,157. The US dollar index rose 0.3%, making dollar-denominated precious metals more expensive for buyers using other currencies. Investors are now focused on minutes from the latest Federal Open Market Committee meeting, due later on Wednesday, for further signals on the direction of US monetary policy. Recent comments from Federal Reserve officials have continued to emphasise concerns over inflation, although softer economic data have reduced expectations of an immediate rate increase. San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly said the need for further rate increases would depend largely on whether the factors driving inflation faded or persisted. Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid said interest rates still needed to rise further to bring inflation down. Expectations of an October increase have weakened following recent economic data, but traders were still pricing an 88% probability of a rate increase by December, according to CME's FedWatch tool. Higher interest rates generally weigh on gold because the precious metal does not generate interest, increasing the relative appeal of yield-bearing assets. Despite Wednesday's decline, expectations for gold prices remain elevated. Delegates at the London Bullion Market Association's annual conference in Sorrento, Italy, forecast that gold could reach $5,013 per ounce over the next 12 months.

Such payments accounted for 96% of total e-commerce transactions conducted through banking channels during the year. The figures show digital adoption extending across mobile banking, branchless

World Bank says 48% of MENAAP region’s extreme poor live in Pakistan PROFIT STAFF REPORT

Pakistan accounts for 48% of people living in extreme poverty across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) region, with its poverty rate at the $3-a-day threshold rising sharply over the six years to 2024-25, the World Bank said in its latest report, “Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan Economic Update, from Divide to Opportunity: AI, Jobs, and Growth”. The World Bank's October 2026 MENAAP Economic Update said Pakistan's poverty rate at the $3a-day threshold increased by 6.4 percentage points between 2018-19 and 2024-25, while the rate measured at the $4.20-a-day line rose by 3.2 percentage points over the same period. The increase followed a succession of adverse shocks, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the devastating 2022 floods, a macroeconomic crisis marked by high inflation and currency depreciation, and a prolonged period of economic adjustment that weakened real household incomes and employment opportunities. Pakistan's deterioration has been significant enough to drive much of the increase in poverty across MENAAP, which the World Bank said is now the only region in the world where poverty remains above prepandemic levels and continues to rise. Pakistan alone accounts for about 48% of the region's people living below $3 a day. Afghanistan,

Syria and Yemen together account for another 47%, meaning the four countries account for about 95% of MENAAP's extreme poor. The regional poverty rate also remains substantially above the global level. In 2024, 14.3% of MENAAP's population lived on less than $3 a day, compared with 10.4% globally. At the $4.20-a-day threshold, 26.9% of the region's population lived in poverty, against a global rate of 18.9%. The World Bank said MENAAP now accounts for 14% of the world's extreme poor, second only to SubSaharan Africa. Poverty reduction in the region had already slowed around 2019 before reversing following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Bank expects adverse poverty trends across MENAAP to persist through 2026, with poverty increasingly concentrated in fragile and conflict-affected economies. akistan also faces significant disparities in poverty within the country, with the World Bank highlighting wide differences across subnational regions. The worsening poverty picture comes despite a gradual recovery in Pakistan's headline economic growth. The World Bank estimated Pakistan's GDP growth at 3.7% in FY2025-26, up from 3.2% in FY2024-25, and projected growth at 3.8% in FY2026-27. However, improvements in income per person remain modest. Real GDP per capita growth is estimated at 2.1% in 2026, compared with 1.6% in 2025, and is

Pakistan’s broadband, electricity gaps constrain AI ambitions: report PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan's relatively weak mobile broadband penetration and gaps in electricity access are constraining the infrastructure needed for widespread artificial intelligence adoption, even as the country positions itself as a talentled AI services exporter backed by 75,000 annual IT graduates and record ICT services exports of $4.6 billion in FY2025-26, according to the World Bank. The World Bank's October 2026 Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) Economic Update said internet use across the region is often higher than income levels would predict, but the greater constraint lies in the quality and depth of connectivity and reliable access to electricity. Pakistan is among eight MENAAP economies

banking, merchant payments and e-commerce as Pakistan's formal payment ecosystem continued to expand during the fiscal year. The SBP said FY26 witnessed strong

momentum in the transformation of the country's payments landscape, with mobile apps, internet banking, e-money wallets and QR-based payments increasingly being adopted by consumers and businesses. The central bank also highlighted the introduction of PRISM+ in August 2025 as a major development in Pakistan's payment infrastructure. PRISM+ marked the migration of Pakistan's Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system to ISO 20022, an international financial messaging standard. The upgraded platform is intended to improve efficiency, transparency and security in payment processing across retail and large-value segments. With the implementation of PRISM+, Pakistan joined countries where both wholesale payments and the retail Instant Payment System operate on ISO 20022, according to the SBP. The central bank said it remained committed to developing secure, efficient and inclusive payment systems and strengthening the country's financial infrastructure in line with technological developments and international practices, while maintaining public trust, resilience and stability.

with lower mobile broadband subscriptions than would be expected relative to their income levels, alongside Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Syria and Yemen. The report does not give a standalone percentage for Pakistan's internet usage in the accompanying discussion and therefore does not characterise Pakistan simply as having low internet use. Instead, it identifies mobile broadband penetration and electricity access as more fundamental infrastructure constraints for advanced digital and AI adoption. Electricity access in Pakistan stands at 95.7% of the population, according to the report. Pakistan is one of five MENAAP economies where access remains below 99.5%, alongside Djibouti at 69.2%, Libya at 77.4%, Afghanistan at 87.8% and Syria at 89.3%. The remaining 15 economies covered by the electricity comparison have universal access. The World Bank said reliable electricity and con-

nectivity substantially expand the reach, continuity and productive potential of AI tools. THE INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRAINTS CONTRAST WITH PAKISTAN'S GROWING AMBITIONS IN AI. The World Bank categorises Pakistan among MENAAP's "talent and ecosystem builders" and said the country is positioning itself as a talent-led AI services exporter, drawing on 75,000 annual IT graduates and record ICT services exports of $4.6 billion in FY2025-26. At the same time, Pakistan is pursuing what the report describes as an ambition for "AI sovereignty" through a $1 billion programme running through 2030. The programme spans different layers of the AI ecosystem and includes shared graphics processing unit infrastructure, development of a sovereign multilingual model, 1,000 AI PhD scholarships and AI training for one million non-IT professionals.

Gold slips below $4,150 as dollar gains ahead of Fed minutes PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan's economy comparatively resilient despite Hormuz energy shock: World Bank PROFIT STAFF REPORT

Pakistan's economy has remained comparatively resilient despite the energy shock caused by the Persian Gulf conflict and disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, with growth expected to rise to 3.7% in FY2025-26 even as higher commodity and transport costs put pressure on inflation and external balances, according to the World Bank. The World Bank's October 2026 Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) Economic Update said developing oil-importing economies have remained comparatively resilient during the conflict, with growth for the group projected to rise from 3.9% in 2025 to 4.3% in 2026. Unlike oil exporters, these economies are not directly affected by disruptions to hydrocarbon production and exports. Instead, the conflict is being transmitted

through higher energy, food, freight and insurance costs, weakening external balances and adding to inflationary pressures. In Pakistan, growth is expected to increase from 3.2% in FY2024-25 to 3.7% in FY2025-26 as services, manufacturing and livestock production remain resilient despite rising import costs. The World Bank said higher commodity prices and transport costs are creating pressures on inflation and external balances in Pakistan, Egypt and Morocco, but these are being outweighed by continued strength in domestic economic activity. The resilience comes despite a major regional energy shock following the conflict that erupted in the Persian Gulf on February 28, 2026 and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait is a critical maritime chokepoint through which 27% of global oil and 20% of liquefied natural gas exports typi-

cally flow. The disruption transformed the regional conflict into a global energy and trade shock. Gulf tanker traffic was cut by more than half, while oil production fell from about 26 million barrels per day before the conflict to around 16 million barrels per day in March. Brent crude rose above $100 per barrel in March before falling to around $70 in June as tensions eased, and subsequently increased again as the conflict intensified in August. The World Bank said energy prices were expected to remain elevated for the rest of 2026. Pakistan, as part of the developing oilimporter group, has largely experienced the shock through higher energy, food, freight and insurance costs rather than the direct loss of hydrocarbon production and exports faced by Gulf economies. The effect has been particularly visible in domestic fuel prices.

The World Bank said gasoline price increases were 40% or higher in Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria and the United Arab Emirates following the start of the conflict. Diesel prices have exceeded 40% in Pakistan and the West Bank and Gaza since the conflict began, while increases averaged more than 80% in Lebanon and nearly 70% in the United Arab Emirates. The extent of fuel-price increases across the region has varied according to governments' use of administered pricing mechanisms, fuel subsidies and other measures intended to cushion consumers from international price shocks. Pakistan has introduced targeted fuel and farm assistance as governments across the region face the competing demands of protecting households from higher prices and preserving fiscal space. Higher prices have nevertheless fed into domestic inflation. The World Bank said in-

flation in Pakistan rose to about 11% by midyear, with the increase occurring as inflationary pressures strengthened across several oil-importing economies. Pakistan's relative resilience contrasts with the severe impact of the conflict on the region's hydrocarbon exporters. The World Bank projects the overall MENAAP economy to contract by 2.1% in 2026 after growing by 3.3% in 2025. GCC economies are projected to contract by 4.3%, while developing oil exporters are expected to shrink by 5.4%. The pattern is the reverse of the energy shock following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when higher oil prices boosted hydrocarbon revenues and supported growth across the Gulf. This time, the World Bank said the binding constraint is the volume of oil and gas that exporters can produce and ship rather than the price received for those exports.

NEWS 03

Thursday, 8 October, 2026 | ISLAMABAD

PRice-leD gRowth liftS PAKiStAn PhARMA PRofitS 28% to RS42.2b in fY26

PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

AKISTAN'S listed pharmaceutical sector recorded a 28% YoY increase in profitability to Rs42.2 billion in FY26, supported by price-led sales growth and lower finance costs, while annual gross margins reached an all-time high of 42.8%, according to Topline Pakistan Research. The sector's net sales increased 10% YoY to Rs377.9 billion during the year from Rs342.6 billion in FY25, which Topline attributed mainly to higher prices. Abbott Laboratories Pakistan accounted for the largest share of sector sales at 20%, followed by GlaxoSmithKline Pakistan at 18%, Haleon Pakistan at 11% and The Searle Company at 10%. Excluding Searle, listed pharmaceutical companies posted a 22% YoY increase in profitability during FY26. The improvement in earnings, however, was not matched by stock market perform-

ance. The listed pharmaceutical sector's market capitalisation, excluding Liven Pharma, increased just 2.3% YoY as of June 30, 2026, despite the 28% increase in sector profitability. Excluding both Searle and Liven Pharma, the sector's market capitalisation increased only 0.4% YoY, compared with the 22% rise in profitability excluding Searle. Gross margins expanded to a record 42.8% in FY26 from 38.9% in FY25, with Topline attributing the improvement primarily to higher product prices. AGP Limited recorded the highest gross margin among the companies highlighted by the brokerage at 60.4%, followed by Highnoon Laboratories at 56.1% and Searle at 52%. The sector maintained average inventories of around 60 days during the year. Selling and distribution expenses increased 21% YoY to Rs69.5 billion in FY26, while finance costs declined 42% to Rs3.6 billion amid a stable interest-rate environ-

ment and lower company debt levels. Other income increased 2% YoY to Rs6.5 billion during the year. The sector's effective tax rate rose to 42.5% in FY26 from 39.8% a year earlier. Quarterly earnings weakened towards the end of the financial year, with sector profitability falling 2% YoY and 26% QoQ in 4QFY26 due to a loss reported by Searle. Excluding Searle, however, sector profitability increased 6% YoY to Rs9.3 billion during the quarter, although it was 4% lower on a sequential basis. Fourth-quarter sales stood at Rs88.9 billion, increasing 3% YoY but declining 3% QoQ. Gross margins remained at 42.8% in 4QFY26, compared with 40.4% in the same quarter a year earlier and 42.7% in 3QFY26. Selling and distribution expenses reached Rs17.6 billion in the quarter, up 11% YoY but down 2% QoQ. Finance costs declined to Rs822 million, falling 29% YoY and 13% QoQ. Other income climbed to Rs2.5 billion

in 4QFY26, increasing 85% YoY and 2.7 times QoQ, mainly due to a higher contribution from Hoechst Pakistan Limited. The sector's effective tax rate increased to 50.4% during the quarter from 42.2% in

Pakistan’s salaried class pays Rs144b in tax in Q1, Rs90b more than retail, realty sectors PROFIT STAF REPORT

Pakistan's salaried class paid Rs144 billion in income tax during the first three months of the current fiscal year 202627, Rs90 billion more than the combined contribution of retailers and the real estate sector. Provisional Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) data for July-September showed income tax collection from salaried individuals increased by Rs13.4 billion, or 10.2%, from the same period last year. By comparison, retailers and the real estate sector collectively contributed around Rs54 billion during the quarter. The salaried class's annual income tax contribution has increased from Rs391 billion before the start of the IMF programme in 2024 to Rs629 billion in the fiscal year ended June 2026. The in-

Dar, Aamer Raza stress close coordination on national security CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

crease has continued despite tax relief announced for salaried individuals in the federal budget for FY27. The government estimated the relief at Rs52 billion after reducing applicable tax rates by up to three percentage points and abolishing a 9% surcharge calculated on the highest income tax rate of 35%. It also raised the annual income threshold for application of the maximum 35% tax rate from Rs4.1 million to Rs7 million. Meanwhile, income tax collection from the real estate sector fell 38% to Rs35.2 billion during July-September, declining by Rs22 billion compared with the corresponding period last year. The decline followed reductions in advance income tax rates on property transactions introduced through the budget. The government reduced advance tax rates on the sale and purchase of immovable property by 50%. For property sales, three slabs were consolidated into a single rate of 2.75%, compared with

the previous rate of 5.5%. Advance tax on property purchases was reduced from 2.5% to 1.25%. Following the changes, advance income tax collected on property sales dropped 42% to Rs23 billion during the first three months of the fiscal year from Rs39.5 billion in the same period last year, a decline of Rs16.5 billion. Collection on property purchases fell 31% to Rs12.2 billion from Rs17.7 billion, representing a reduction of Rs5.5 billion. The real estate sector had contributed Rs200 billion in income tax in FY2023-24, rising to Rs236 billion in FY2024-25 before the latest reductions in transaction taxes. Tax collection from the trading sector showed little movement during the quarter. Wholesalers and retailers together paid Rs18.4 billion in withholding taxes during July-September, up only Rs244 million, or 1.3%, from the same period last year.

Around 40% of Faisalabad power loom units shut amid Chinese imports, high costs: report

His appointment followed the restructuring of the country’s higher military command under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which amended Article 243 and abolished the office of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The constitutional changes created the posts of Chief of Defence Forces and Commander National Strategic Command, while also expanding the constitutional framework governing the country’s senior military leadership. Under the new arrangement, the CNSC is appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces and the Chief of Army Staff for a three-year term. The prime minister may reappoint the commander for another three-year term on the recommendation of the CDF. The amendment also provides that the appointment, reappointment or extension of the CNSC cannot be challenged before any court. It further states that provisions relating to retirement age, service tenure and removal under the Army Act would not apply to the CNSC while he continues to serve as a general in the Pakistan Army.

PROFIT STAFF REPORT

Around 40% of power loom units in Faisalabad and adjoining towns have shut down amid competition from cheaper Chinese textile imports, rising utility costs and taxes, with industry representatives claiming more than 100,000 workers have lost their jobs, Dawn reported. Faisalabad's power loom sector comprised nearly 800,000 looms, ranging from small workshops to factories operating between 1,000 and 5,000 machines. Textile, Power Loom and Garment Workers Union Faisalabad President Aslam Meraj said power looms were shutting down daily as locally produced goods struggled to

compete with imported yarn, grey cloth and finished textile products. Other industry representatives said much of the yarn imported from China was polyester-based and used by exporters to produce grey cloth, some of which entered the domestic market when exports declined. Faisalabad Sizing Mills Association President Shakil Ansari said small power loom and sizing units were particularly affected. He said border closures had also disrupted shipments of locally produced cloth to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, while road closures towards Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had affected grey cloth trade and delayed payments from traders. Power loom operators also cited high electricity bills, FBR taxes and

Govt weighs Governor's Rule as KP tensions escalate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Asked about the PTI’s demand for a meeting with party founder Imran Khan before deciding whether to call off or postpone the long march, Asif said he was unaware of the demand. He instead criticised the PTI over its treatment of opposition leaders during its tenure in government. “Look at your past. When we were imprisoned, what facilities did you provide us? Did you keep us at the Marriott?” he asked. In a later post on X, Asif intensified his criticism of the KP government, alleging “complete collusion” with terrorists and claiming there was sufficient evidence of what he called a “facilitator ecosystem” in the province. He accused the provincial government of showing “criminal indifference” towards terrorism while focusing on its political campaign. The minister specifically referred to the October 6 attack in Dera Ismail Khan in which five people, including two customs officials, were killed. He alleged that the provincial government, including Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, had neither condemned the deaths nor offered condolences to the victims’ families or attended their funerals. “Completely numb to this serious matter, the entire provincial cabinet, including the chief minister, is fully en-

Wholesalers contributed Rs6.2 billion, down Rs701 million, or 10%, while retailers paid Rs11.3 billion, an increase of Rs945 million, or 8.3%. The FBR has introduced a fixed tax scheme for traders as part of efforts to increase tax collection from the retail sector, but collections during the first quarter indicate that its contribution remains substantially below that of salaried individuals. The disparity has widened further following the decline in propertyrelated tax receipts, leaving the salaried class's Rs144 billion contribution nearly three times the roughly Rs54 billion collected from retailers and the real estate sector combined. Salaried households are also facing higher indirect costs from energy taxation, including a petroleum levy of Rs80 per litre and a climate support levy of Rs5 per litre, alongside the government's policy of passing international oil prices on to domestic consumers.

grossed in their political failed long march,” Asif said. He also criticised Afridi over a reported late-night meeting in which the chief minister allegedly reprimanded the inspector general of police and chief secretary for attending a security meeting convened by KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. According to Asif, the provincial government had “completely abandoned” the people of KP to the mercy of terrorists. He claimed protests were being held in different parts of the province against the provincial government, warning that the situation could no longer be tolerated. “Enough blood of KP’s people has been spilt,” he said, alleging “complete collusion” between the provincial government and terrorists. Asif also drew a comparison between the PTI government’s treatment of PMLN leaders and the latter’s conduct while in opposition. He said Nawaz Sharif, his family members and other PML-N leaders had been imprisoned during the PTI government but the party had continued to perform its parliamentary role within the constitutional framework. “It did not hold the country and institutions hostage. It fought a legal and constitutional battle in the courts and parliament. It did not ally with the Taliban,” he said. The minister said the time had come

to take “crucial decisions”, arguing that KP could not be left at the mercy of what he called “incompetent, insensitive rulers and Taliban allies”. He also warned against putting national unity at risk, saying an entire province could not be “held hostage”. The question of Governor’s Rule has been at the centre of an increasingly bitter dispute between Islamabad and the KP government. On September 21, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government was consulting the law ministry on legal options, including Governor’s Rule, if the PTI proceeded with its long march. Information Minister Atta Tarar subsequently said the federal government had no intention of removing the PTI administration. Other federal ministers have since publicly discussed the possibility of intervention in the province, while KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has rejected such warnings and vowed to resist any attempt to impose Governor’s Rule or emergency. The confrontation intensified after negotiations between the government and opposition parties failed to resolve

labour-related costs as pressures on the industry. Meanwhile, the Council of Loom Owners Association has asked Commerce Minister Jam Kamal to strengthen checks on alleged under-invoicing of textile imports, particularly fabrics and yarn from China. The association proposed requiring importers to submit Chinese export customs declarations alongside goods declarations filed in Pakistan, allowing authorities to compare declared values, HS codes, quantities and product descriptions. It said Pakistan and China already have an Electronic Data Exchange mechanism between their customs authorities, but called for it to be strengthened to allow consignment-level verification of import declarations.

differences over the PTI’s demands and the security situation in KP. The federal government blamed the KP administration, particularly Afridi, for the deadlock, while the PTI maintained that the talks collapsed primarily because Islamabad refused to facilitate a meeting between its negotiating team and Imran Khan. With the negotiations stalled, Afridi launched the PTI’s long march towards Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif subsequently offered to resume dialogue if the PTI ended its march and sit-ins, but the party rejected the offer as the convoy continued its journey on Wednesday, entering its fourth day under the leadership of the KP chief minister. The escalating confrontation has thus brought the federal and provincial governments into a direct political and constitutional standoff, with Governor’s Rule once again emerging as a possible, though still publicly described as a lastresort, option.

4QFY25 and 40.6% in 3QFY26. Topline expects pharmaceutical volumes to begin recovering from the first half of 2027, citing the low base of 2026 and expanding product portfolios across the sector.

Pakistan’s Zarea raises Rs2b through short-term Sukuk PROFIT

STAFF REPORT

Zarea Limited, a B2B e-commerce marketplace, has raised Rs2 billion through the issuance of a rated, unsecured and privately placed short-term Sukuk, with the entire issue subscribed by institutional investors. The company said in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) that the Sukuk had been successfully issued and disbursed. Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited (PACRA) has assigned an A-1 credit rating to the Sukuk. Zarea said the financing would strengthen its liquidity and balance sheet and was expected to contribute positively to profitability and overall financial performance. The company said institutional investors subscribed to the entire Rs2 billion issuance, which it viewed as reflecting investor confidence in its financial position, operating performance and longer-term growth prospects. The Sukuk also forms part of Zarea's efforts to diversify its funding mix through Shariah-compliant financing instruments. Zarea operates a business-to-business e-commerce marketplace connecting buyers and sellers of commodities through its proprietary technology platform. The company generates revenue through platform usage fees as well as the direct purchase and sale of agricultural commodities, using technology to digitise and streamline procurement and trading processes. Zarea was incorporated in Pakistan as a private limited company in September 2020 and converted into a public limited company in April 2024.

Rising terrorism in KP ‘must be stopped’ at any cost: PM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The government and the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Action Committee (JAAC) have been at odds over various issues, most notably the committee’s demand to abolish the 12 refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, which resulted in violence-marred protests across the region. KP has also been witnessing terrorist attacks and security challenges for a long time. The province, excluding the merged districts, recorded 54 terrorist attacks in August compared with 36 in July, representing an increase of 50 per cent, according to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). PM ORDERS REMOVAL OF HURDLES IN FINANCING HOUSING, AGRICULTURE, SME SECTORS Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the relevant authorities to remove obstacles hindering the provision of financial resources to the housing, agriculture and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sectors, stressing the need to make the lending system more effective. Chairing a review meeting regarding access to finance, the prime minister also directed that the SME Portal be made operational by the end of November to facilitate the provision of loans to small and medium-sized enterprises. “The SME Portal will enable real-time monitoring of the latest status of loans being provided by banks, as well as business facilities including Letters of Credit (LCs),” he said. The prime minister instructed the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to take effective measures to enhance the capacity of SMEs, promote modern technology, increase productivity and integrate them into global value chains. The meeting reviewed the performance of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and First Women Bank with regard to lending. The prime minister said that a 76 per cent loan approval rate in housing finance by the National Bank of Pakistan was commendable.

04 COMMENT

How the Xi-Trump summit reshaped global stability

The IMF comes calling

Good news does not mean the country can get off the hook

HE International Monetary Fund review team carrying out what should be the last review of the current programme has received two bits of good news: first, the Central Board of Revenue exceeded its quarterly target of Rs 3.053 trillion by Rs 30 billion; second, the government plans to eliminate the subsidy given to lifeline electricity consumers. The information given to the IMF team coincided with the abysmal failure of yet another scheme to bring the retail sector into the tax net, and with the virtually routine extension in the last date for the filing of income tax returns. It is therefore no surprise that income tax collection has missed the first-quarter target, as has customs, which the IMF had also fiddled with, claiming the enhancement of market efficiency. One sign of a pick-up in the economy is that the CBR managed to meet its target because of stronger collections than targeted in sales tax and excise duty, the former reflecting a picking up of commercial activity, the latter of manufacturing. The failure of income tax collection to reach target reflects not just a failure to expand the tax net, but also the CBR;s not squeezing existing taxpayers. It seems there is little or no blood left in that stone. The IMF and the government may both preen themselves on those first signs of recovery, which are accompanied by others, such as rising foreign exchange reserves and the successful return to the capital markets with a successful bond issue.. However, there are still problems which persist, and which IMF programmes are not designed to address, such as the need for a breakneck pace of job creation, and thus a pressing need for constant growth. The IMF should not be carried away by its success, and continue to dampen growth. As the present IMF programme winds down, it is almost as if both the government and the IMF are looking ahead to the next programme. While there might be clever banker’s tactics enabling Pakistan to keep nose above water, there is getting away from the fact that only by exporting more will Pakistan stay ahead of the debt trap it has got into. While Pakistan be far away from the default it was nearing when the IMF took it in hand, it is no nearer increasing its exports in the dramatic fashion that is needed.

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

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

Thursday, 8 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

Editor’s mail

Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

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, 8 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,

INTERCEPT

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

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.

The US military struggles to protect its bases amid failing Iran war From Jordan to Kuwait to the United Kingdom, US outposts are increasingly vulnerable to attack

The writer can be ibnaminamin76@gmail.com

reached

Despite months of claims by Trump and Hegseth that Iran’s military was annihilated, Iran has attacked more than 15 bases across the Middle East

Nick Turse

HE U.S. military is struggling to protect its overseas bases amid a conflict with Iran that has spun out of self-styled War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s control. After a string of damaging attacks on bases throughout the Middle East, U.S. long-range bombers stationed in the United Kingdom fled back to their American home bases on Sunday amid fears of an impending Iranian strike. A U.S. official described the threat as a “sophisticated plot to attack” Royal Air Force Fairford air base with “multiple drones” that could have turned into a military and public relations nightmare. The U.S. official suggested that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may have recruited U.K. nationals to play roles in the plot, which so unnerved the Pentagon that they took the extraordinary step of removing 12 B-1 Bombers from the base that has played a key role in the U.S. war. A second official called it a “complex plan” and part of a “hybrid strategy” of asymmetric warfare by Iran that forced the Pentagon to take drastic measures. “There were some threats,” President Donald Trump admitted on Monday when asked about the bombers, adding that leaving the aircraft would only tempt an attack. The inability to safeguard U.S. aircraft at a base northwest of London comes at a time of mounting attacks on U.S. outposts around the world. Complex Iranian drone and ballistic missile strikes have killed and injured U.S. troops, placed many more in harm’s way, and damaged or destroyed numerous outposts across the Middle East. Some crucial bases have sustained so much damage that U.S. operations have been radically disrupted and, according to the second official, “base posture in the region may never recover.” The strikes have also targeted joint facilities operated by U.S. allies. In March, Iran launched a drone attack on a British air base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, causing damage to a facility the U.S. military has long relied on. Iran also targeted a joint U.K.–U.S. base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia that has become increasingly central to the U.S. war effort. What Trump called a “little excursion” has become a festering wound for the U.S. military. Despite months of claims by Trump and Hegseth that Iran’s military was annihilated, Iran has attacked more than 15 bases across the Middle East. The official U.S. casualty toll stands at 19 dead and close to 900 wounded, most of the dead occurring since July, after the Trump administration claimed the war had ended. The real casualty toll is higher and has been consistently obscured and manipulated through what one defense official called a “cover-up.” The first U.S. official said Iran is engaged in a “go for broke” strategy, banking that it can absorb economic ruin longer than the U.S. can sustain a failing war and an expensive and difficult Naval blockade and escort program in the Strait of Hormuz, while dealing with global economic upheaval from stubbornly high fuel prices that have not shrunk to pre-war levels despite the oil flow from other Gulf Nations returning to normal. The withdrawal of the bombers from Fairford came just days after the British government arrested six suspects in connection with a suspected attack on that same base. U.K.

The US oﬃcial suggested that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may have recruited UK nationals to play roles in the plot, which so unnerved the Pentagon that they took the extraordinary step of removing 12 B-1 Bombers from the base that has played a key role in the U.S. war

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran played a role in the incident. The men were later released on bail, prompting criticism by Trump. The IRGC warned in July that “any base used to launch attacks on Iranian territory is a legitimate target for our forces.” On Monday, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s army, Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami, “stressed the need for any creative act capable of disrupting the enemy’s calculations,” according to a report by Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency. The U.S. officials referenced additional threats against other bases in Europe, including Ramstein Air Base in Germany. This isn’t the first time the U.S. has scrambled to protect its assets from a supposed Iranian threat. In July, Trump himself snuck into a catering truck and fled Turkey on a military aircraft due to U.S. fears of a possible Iranian attack on Air Force One. Trump had earlier said he was Iran’s “No. 1 target” during the NATO summit in Ankara. Unlike their commander-in-chief, U.S. troops have been unable to flee their bases and ships when Iran has overwhelmed U.S. air defenses during attacks in the Middle East. A recent Pentagon inspector general report revealed Iranian strikes “damaged and destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan during the conflict.” Air Force personnel, alone, endured more than 1,200 “alarm reds” — the official code for imminent attack by missiles, aircraft, or ground forces — during just 38 days earlier this year, according to Air Force chief of staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. A March 1 drone attack on the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait killed six U.S. troops, the deadliest known Iranian strike on U.S. personnel during the war; dozens more were wounded. In July, an Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan killed three soldiers from air defense units although they were “not actively engaged in anti-aircraft activity” during the attacks, according to a “defense official” who spoke on background because they were not authorized to disclose the information. Multiple U.S. military aircraft were also damaged in the attack, including an A10 Thunderbolt and eight F-15 fighters. These were among dozens of U.S. aircraft so far destroyed or damaged in the war, including four F-15 fighter aircraft, 12 KC-135 refueling aircraft, and as many as 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones, according to the inspector general report. The U.S. and its allies burned through more than 11,000 munitions, including large amounts of defensive missiles, in the first 16 days of the war alone, according to a March analysis by the Royal United Services Institute. About 65 percent of Patriot interceptors were expended between February and July, leaving fewer than 830 remaining from a pre-war total of 2,330, according to an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The number of THAAD interceptors dropped from more than 450 to less than 270.

Adm. Brad Cooper, the chief of U.S. Central Command, downplayed the risks of depleted stockpiles of such missiles last month, telling CBS’s “60 Minutes” that he wasn’t worried for the safety of U.S. troops. “I’m not concerned at all,” he replied when asked about defending against Iranian attacks. CENTCOM did not reply when asked if Cooper would resign if U.S. troops were killed or wounded in future attacks. An Iranian missile and drone attack at the start of the war destroyed Navy facilities in Manama, Bahrain, the most critical U.S. logistics hub in the region. The Pentagon claimed for months that the strikes did not significantly impact military operations but acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao admitted last month that “they blew the hell out of Bahrain.” A Wall Street Journal investigation previously found that rebuilding the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters, barracks, and communication towers at Naval Support Activity Bahrain may cost more than $400 million, which the first U.S. official told The Intercept could be an underestimate if it’s ever attempted. Naval Forces Central Command referred questions about the cost estimate to CENTCOM, which did not respond. With the home of the Fifth Fleet knocked out and other ports in the region within range of Iranian missiles and drones, the Navy found itself facing the daunting challenge of maintaining a flotilla of more than 24 ships — including two massive aircraft carriers and numerous guided-missile destroyers and cruisers, attack submarines, or supply ships deployed at any one time. This means Navy ships need to haul food and fuel more than 2,000 miles from the base on Diego Garcia. The inspector general report noted that the shift in “naval bases and support ports posed significant challenges,” pointing specifically to the “issue with shifting logistics support and infrastructure to Diego Garcia” and the challenges of “extended sea transit requiring 14- to 18-day logistics cycles.” Sailors and Marines have been subjected to constant danger as a result. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group completed a record-breaking 11-month deployment that also included the invasion of Venezuela. (Under normal conditions, a carrier would visit port about once a month to allow its crew to rest.) The ship was, according to a Presidential Unit Citation, under “persistent threat from enemy missiles and one-way attack drones” during its deployment to the Middle East. More recently, the IRGC targeted another aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer with ballistic missiles, according to Central Command. And Marines were injured in an Iranian attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last month; the two U.S. officials said those Marines potentially suffered brain trauma, among other injuries. Amid the floundering war with Iran, U.S. forces withdrew from neighboring Iraq last week, ending twoplus decades of U.S. military occupation and operations that unleashed waves of bloodshed and civilian suffer-

ing. “The expulsion of America from Iraq was the result of … the country’s steadfastness in its independence,” the IRGC announced, in a missive touting the power of national resistance. Politicians in Baghdad also celebrated the withdrawal, with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali alZaidi officially declaring October 1 a “Day of Sovereignty and Independence.” Despite the Trump administration’s claims, the Iran war continues to expand. Last month, Yemen’s Iranbacked Houthi forces seized virtually all of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including the shoreline along the crucial shipping lanes of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is the southern entrance to the Red Sea. On Tuesday, the Houthis claimed to have killed or wounded more than 200 Saudi-backed fighters seeking to retake territory.

Trump latest: ‘I won the Presidents Cup for the US’

SATIRE

NEWS BISCUIT chipchase

N an early morning post on the world’s most ironically named social media platform, its owner posted a message claiming he personally won all twelve singles golf matches in yesterday’s Presidents Cup at Madinah Golf and Country Club. When asked about the accuracy of the post at a White House briefing later in the day Trump said: ‘I saw our team was struggling after day two. Trailing by 10.5 to 7.5 against the Internationals, and we needed a bit of help from a truly great golfer. Fortunately, that’s what I am. A truly great golfer. Everyone says so. They tell me that. ‘By the way, did you know I won the club championships at two of my own clubs on the same day despite not playing in either competition? That’s how good I am. Now, some sad people, very sad, say I didn’t do that. Well how come then my name is on both of the champions’ boards? ‘So yesterday I told our loser of a captain and his failing team to butt out and I would play all twelve singles matches simultaneously. And as you can see by the final score, 17 to 13, for USA!-USA!-USA! I aced all twelve games. Never been done before. Never. That’s amazing. I think perhaps they ought to give the trophy to me now to keep for good. It’ll look real swell beside the FIFA prize my good buddy, Jeeeaneee, gave me when I brought peace to the world. ‘I won all the women’s singles, too.’

06 NEWS

IRANIAN PRESIDENT SAYS US DEAL 'NOT OUT OF REACH' IN CALL WITH PUTIN

TEHRAN

AGENICES

RANIAN President Masoud Pezeshkian said during a call with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that reaching an agreement with the United States was “not out of reach” if Washington adhered to international legal frameworks, according to the Iranian presidency. The two leaders discussed regional developments, Iran-US negotiations and relations, according to a statement. Pezeshkian briefed Putin on negotiations between Iran and the US mediated by Pakistan, describing Washington’s “double standards and maximalism” as the biggest obstacle to reaching a fair agreement. He said Tehran was prepared to reach a “balanced and fair” agreement that would ensure lasting peace and security in the region. “Our red line is Iran’s national interests and the rights of the Iranian people,” said Pezeshkian, adding that if Washington adhered to international legal frameworks, reaching an agreement would not be out of reach.

Thursday, 8 October 2026 | ISLAMABAD

The Iranian president also described Gulf countries as Iran’s “brothers” and expressed regret about the use of US military bases in those countries for attacks against Iran. He said Tehran was ready to cooperate with neighbouring countries to achieve regional peace and security without the presence or involvement of powers from outside the region. Putin reiterated Russia’s support for diplomatic efforts to reach a political settlement to the war and said Moscow was ready to keep helping find a diplomatic solution, according to the statement. He also stressed the need to respect Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and backed Tehran’s demands for compensation for damage caused during the war and long-term security guarantees against additional attacks. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty and maintaining close coordination in international forums. Iranian official says 'illegal routes' in Strait of Hormuz to soon be blocked Transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz deemed illegal by Iran will soon be closed,

an adviser to the Revolutionary Guards' Commander told the semi-official Fars News Agency on Wednesday, referring to the southern pathway hugging Oman's coast. Mohammadreza Naqdi said these "few routes" had been created by blasting and damaging some of the rocky passages in the strategic waterway and were used by "small boats smuggling oil and transferring it to tankers", challenging the narrative that Gulf oil exports are regaining pre-war levels. "The Strait of Hormuz is closed, and the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have full control over it. This situation will continue until Iran’s legitimate demands are met,” he added. A seven-day moving average for crude exports from the region was 18.3 million barrels per day on September 30, provisional data from Kpler showed, with volumes topping pre-war levels on 14 days in September. That included Gulf oil sent via Hormuz, the Red Sea, and from terminals and ship-toship transfers in the Gulf of Oman. The IRGC has consistently denied that seaborne crude flows in the strait are rebounding thanks to US Navy help, with another IRGC adviser, Majid Mirahmadi, saying on Thursday that a daily average of

10 ships transit the waterway against an average of 125 before the war, which started on February 28, when the US and Israel killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a Tehran airstrike. Despite growing oil flows in September, Iranian attacks on tankers and logistical constraints have persisted and call into question whether higher flows can be sustained durably. Iran will never give up its right to enrich uranium: senior Iranian official Earlier, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran would never give up its right to enrich, but details could be discussed

Yemen's Houthis claim attacks on Saudi airports, military bases SANA'A

AGENICES

Yemen’s Houthi group claimed early Wednesday that it carried out a series of drone and ballistic missile attacks targeting airports and military installations in Saudi Arabia. In a statement on the US social media platform X, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the forces targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with several drones, claiming the strike was "precise" and disrupted air traffic there. He also said Houthi forces conducted two operations targeting Abha International Airport and Khamis Mushait Air

Base using a combination of ballistic missiles and drones. He claimed the attacks disrupted air traffic at the airport and caused damage to the military base. He added that the armed forces targeted Saudi military supplies, resulting in the "killing and wounding" of Saudi officers. In a separate statement, Saree said Houthi forces targeted three military camps — Dagharir in Jizan, Aakifah in Asir and Al-Mawsim in Jizan — with a large number of ballistic missiles and drones. Separately, the Saudi-led coalition said Wednesday that it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis toward the Riyadh area.

Coalition spokesman Brigaider General Turki al-Maliki said on the US social media platform X that the missile was intercepted north of Riyadh after being launched by the “terrorist Houthi militia.” Al-Maliki also said that coalition forces had tracked the missile’s launch platform using the coalition’s intelligence systems in the skies over Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. “We are tracking the launch platform with the Coalition's intelligence system in the skies over Sanaa, and we will destroy it,” he said. YEMENI GOVERNMENT FORCES SEIZE KEY MOUNTAIN PEAK IN TAIZ PROVINCE

Russia hits Ukraine with drones and missiles, killing at least 15 KYIV

AGENCIES

Russia pounded Ukraine with waves of missiles and drones on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and hitting residential buildings, industrial facilities and infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said. One Russian missile hit an apartment block in the northern city of Pryluky, killing at least nine people, including three children, regional governor Vyacheslav Chaus said. Dozens of rescuers picked through the rubble at the site where several sections of the five-storey building collapsed, Reuters video showed. Emergency workers used ladders to get to the upper floors of what remained of the building. Around 40 people were wounded, the

Yemeni government forces said late on Tuesday that they seized a key mountain peak in Taiz province after clashes with the Houthi group. The Nation’s Shield Forces said on the US social media platform X that their troops captured the highest peak in Jabal Habashi district as part of ongoing military operations in the province. It provided no further details and there was no immediate comment from the Houthis. Earlier on Tuesday, the Nation’s Shield Forces launched a large-scale military operation against the Houthis in Taiz’s Al-Wazi’iyah district as part of the broader Operation “Dawn of Yemen.”

governor said. BIG JUMP IN REPORTED DRONE INTERCEPTIONS President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said six other people were killed in Kyiv, Oleksandria and Kremenchuk during the heavy overnight attack. "This was one of the most vile strikes: 70 missiles in total, many of them ballistic," Zelenskiy said on the Telegram app. "One of the key targets was our energy infrastructure. The Russians wanted to strike painfully and demonstratively." Russia's defence ministry said its forces had carried out a "massive strike" on military-industrial facilities in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions, using high-precision land-, sea- and air-launched weapons, as well as drones. Ukraine's air force said it had downed just over 80% of the 46 jet-powered drones launched by Russia — a sharp increase from recent weeks when, on average, air defences took down 50% to 60%. Since the summer, Russia has used increasing numbers of the new high-velocity drones in round-the-clock attacks on Kyiv and other cities, stretching Ukraine's air defences, which have struggled to cope with their speed. The air force did not explain the jump in the interception rate and did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Zelenskiy said that the Russian ballistic missiles remained the major challenge for Ukraine, adding that he and his team were "every day looking for Patriot (missile interception) systems that can and must protect people's lives". The US-made Patriot system is the only weapon in Ukraine's arsenal capable of stopping high-velocity ballistic missiles but tight global supplies have been drained by the war on Iran this year as well as the Ukraine conflict. Ukraine's energy ministry said that it had started to roll out partial emergency power cuts in five Ukrainian regions due to the attacks. Russia's defence ministry said its targets included sites where Ukrainian defence company Fire Point manufactures and stores its Flamingo cruise missiles and medium- and longrange drones in Kyiv as well as regions of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava and Kharkiv. Last week, Zelenskiy said Ukraine had fired its first domestically made ballistic missile in combat, produced by Fire Point. In an interview with Reuters last week, Zelenskiy said he expected the company to have a longer-range FP-9 missile ready by the autumn. The company has said that weapon will be able to reach Moscow. PEOPLE SHELTER OVERNIGHT IN KYIV METRO Zelenskiy said Ukrainian troops hit four targets in Russia over the past 24 hours, including two Russian oil facilities and a training ground in the Perm, Samara, and Astrakhan regions.

later, adding that US ideas about Iran’s nuclear programme were at odds with Iran’s demands. The official's comments came in response to earlier comments made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Vice President JD Vance. The official said Vance’s comments on Iran’s nuclear programme were the Americans’ “ideas and requests”. There have been no negotiations between Iran and the US about Tehran’s nuclear programme, the official said, adding that the US must first meet Tehran’s conditions before the nuclear issue can be discussed.

BYD Shark 6 marks one year in Pakistan with exclusive anniversary edition variant ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Mega Motor Company (MMC), the official partner of BYD in Pakistan, recently marked one year of the BYD Shark 6 in Pakistan with an exclusive anniversary edition colour, “Outback Orange.” The BYD Shark 6 is Pakistan’s first and most powerful plug-in hybrid pickup, combining electric performance, capability and off-road technology for those who seek thrill and are hungry for adventure. The anniversary edition was unveiled at the recently held Pakistan Auto Show (PAPS) 2026 in Lahore. Commenting on this milestone, Danish Khaliq, Vice President Sales & Strategy, BYD Pakistan – MMC, said, “From the beginning, we saw an opportunity to offer Pakistani customers something that was not available in this segment, a pickup that combines the capability people expect with the technology and driving experience of a plug-in hybrid.

Thursday, 8 October, 2026 | ISLAMABAD

CORPORATE CORNER

Fudan University delegation visits COMSATS University Islamabad ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

A high-level delegation from Fudan University, China, accompanied by Dr. Zafar Uddin Mahmood, Prime Minister’s Special Representative to China for Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation, visited COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) on Monday to explore new avenues of cooperation in higher education, research, faculty and student mobility, joint academic programmes and cultural exchange. The delegation was received by Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, T.I., Rector, COMSATS University Islamabad, along with senior officials and faculty members of the University. The Fudan University delegation was led by Prof. Chen Yan, Associate Vice President and Executive Dean of the Graduate School, Fudan University. Other members of the delegation included Prof. Xian Menghan, Vice Dean of the Graduate School; Prof. Zhang Junliang, Department of Chemistry; Prof. Xiao Jiang, Department of Physics; Ms. Zhu Yanjun, Program Manager, International Students Office; and Mr. Chen Jiehong, Program Manager, Office of Global Partnerships, Fudan University. During the formal meeting, the respective heads of the international offices of CUI and Fudan University presented overviews of their institutions.

PSW brings trade, finance and enterprise support together to advance women-led businesses KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Single Window (PSW) brought together key institutions from Pakistan’s trade, financial and enterprise development ecosystem for a Khadijah Women Entrepreneurship Program session in Karachi focused on “Access to Opportunity: Enabling Women Entrepreneurs” equipping women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, financial linkages and institutional support needed to strengthen their businesses and pursue opportunities in international trade. Organized in collaboration with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Mashreq Bank, the session also brought together other key institutions, including the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), and IBA Centre for Entrepreneurial Development, Innovation & Research (IBA-CEDIR). The session connected women entrepreneurs with expertise spanning digital trade facilitation, business development, financial inclusion, export readiness and international market access.

Punjab Police resolves over 98,000 complaints through 1787 IGP Complaint Center LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

Punjab Police continues to address citizens’ grievances through the 1787 IGP Complaint Center, with more than 98,000 complaints received during the current year successfully resolved as part of its ongoing efforts. Inspector General of Police Punjab Abdul Kareem said complaints received from citizens were being resolved within the prescribed timelines in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs). He said the monitoring mechanism had also been further strengthened to enhance the effectiveness and performance of the 1787 IGP Complaint Center. The IG Punjab further said that District Police Officers (DPOs) were personally monitoring complaints received through the 1787 Complaint System to ensure their prompt resolution. According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, significant progress had been made in resolving complaints across various categories, including 47,152 complaints related to registration of cases and 22,339 complaints regarding delayed investigations. Similarly, 7,163 complaints related to police services and 21,851 departmental and other complaints had been resolved.

Ali Haider Elected Senior Vice Chairman of LPG Marketers Association KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

Muhammad Ali Haider has been elected Senior Vice Chairman of the LPG Marketers Association for the year 202627. His election has been warmly welcomed by LPG marketers, traders and stakeholders associated with the industry, while various personalities have congratulated him on his appointment. Speaking after his election as Senior Vice Chairman, Muhammad Ali Haider thanked the officebearers and members of the association for placing their trust in him. He said he would make every possible effort to live up to the confidence reposed in him. He said resolving the genuine issues of LPG marketers and protecting their rights would remain his top priority.

NEWS 07

OMAn CALLS PUnjAB’S InTErEST-FrEE HOUSInG MOdEL BETTEr THAn ITS LOAn PrOGrAMME g

MARYAM BRIEFS OMAN MINISTER ON ‘APNI CHHAT, APNA GHAR’ HOUSING SCHEME

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday met Oman’s Minister of Housing and Urban Planning Dr Khalfan bin Said bin Mubarak Al Shueili in Muscat, who described Punjab’s interest-free housing scheme, ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’, as a better model than Oman’s existing housing loan programme. The Omani minister warmly welcomed the Chief Minister and her delegation and congratulated her on Punjab receiving the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award. He also expressed keen interest in the province’s low-cost housing initiative. The meeting discussed urban planning and development, with the Chief Minister briefing the Omani delegation on the scheme and responding to their queries. She also outlined details of other initiatives, including ‘Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar, Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar and

Apni Chhat, Mehfooz Chhat’. CM Maryam Nawaz said more than 200,000 people had been provided loans to build homes under ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ within just 18 months, calling it an “extraordinary achievement”. She said Rs260 billion in interest-free loans had been disbursed under the pro-

gramme and recovery of instalments had also begun. More than 125,000 families, she added, had already moved into their homes. “Merit and transparency are the hallmarks of Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar. No recommendation is required to obtain an interest-free loan,” she said.

Maryam’s UN Housing honour puts Punjab, Pakistan in global spotlight: Azma LAHORE

to move forward at the same pace. Azma Bokhari said ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ was Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s flagship initiative, under which interest-free loans were being provided to deserving families for construction of their own homes. The programme was launched in August 2024 and millions of families had benefited from it within a short period. She said the success of Punjab’s initiative to provide homes to the people had been recognised globally. The ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ programme was selected for the United Nations-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, which Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif received in Muscat, Oman, on October 5. Azma Bokhari said the Punjab government’s provision of interest-free loans to ordinary citizens for construction of homes was a unique programme of its kind in Pakistan. She said the initiative was providing deserving families not only with financial assistance but also an opportunity to own a home and live with dignity.

CDA’s citywide tree plantation drive continues in full swing; citizens appreciate CDA’s eﬀorts ISLAMABAD

and landscaping work is underway along major roads and avenues, green belts, parks, recreational areas, public spaces, interchanges and other prominent locations. Special attention is also being given to the landscaping and beautification of major entry points and key roads of the capital. During the plantation campaign, suitable species of trees and plants are being selected and planted according to the requirements and environmental suitability of different locations. Improvement of existing green belts, development of new green areas, landscaping of major roads and corridors, and beautification of important public spaces are also key components of the campaign. The CDA is also paying special attention to the protection and maintenance of newly planted trees and plants to ensure their healthy growth and longterm sustainability. The concerned formations have been directed to regularly maintain plantation sites, ensure adequate watering and take all necessary measures for the protection of newly planted trees and plants.

SKT Welfare Concludes Compassionate Mission to Jordan for Displaced Palestinians KARACHI

Binance’s AI-driven risk systems helped protect more than 8 million users and prevent approximately US$4.6 billion in potential losses during the first half of 2026, as the company expanded the use of artificial intelligence across security, anti-fraud and compliance operations. Binance said its systems intercepted millions of scam and phishing attempts, blacklisted more than 42,000 malicious addresses and issued over 14,000 realtime risk warnings daily. The company currently operates more than 100 AI models, with AI handling 80–90% of real-time risk decisions while human analysts remain involved in complex and high-risk cases. AI is also being used across identity verification, account security, payments and transaction monitoring. Binance said its AI-enabled KYC processes have delivered up to 100x operational efficiency gains in specific workflows, while more than 24 AI initiatives have been deployed across compliance and user onboarding.

Boltlike launches next-Generation audience intelligence ecosystem at MAdsemble 2026 LAHORE

Boltlike Solutions, a Brillanz Group company and Official Audience Intelligence Partner of MADsemble 2026, today formally launched its next-generation audience measurement and intelligence ecosystem at The Nishat Hotel, Lahore, spanning television, digital and connected TV. The launch coincided with a Boltlike-hosted industry conversation, "The Audience We Think We Know - One Audience. Many Screens.", bringing together PEMRA, broadcasters, media agencies, advertisers and OTT platforms to examine how audiences are changing - and how the industry needs to evolve the way it measures and understands them. As audiences increasingly move between television, YouTube, social video, streaming and connected screens, Boltlike unveiled three propositions designed to give advertisers, broadcasters and media agencies a richer and more independent understanding of where audiences are, what they watch and where their attention is moving: BoltTAM - a PEMRA-licensed television audience measurement platform designed to measure television viewing at individual-viewer level through a representative audience panel. BoltAI - Pakistan's independent digital audience intelligence platform, continuously monitoring and analysing millions of videos and audience signals across YouTube.

Times new ranking catapults UoG into top tier varsities GUJRAT

STAFF REPORT

SKT Welfare completed a deeply moving humanitarian deployment to Jordan, standing in solidarity with Palestinians displaced from Gaza, including brave individuals undergoing vital medical treatment far from home. The compassionate delegation included humanitarian workers alongside a visiting group of prominent actors from Pakistan. The team from Pakistan included showbiz personalities like Jawed Shaikh ,Khaled Anam, Saba Hamid, Shagufta Ejaz, Kubra Khan ,Gohar Rasheed ,Ahmed Ali Akbar ,Ally Khan and Nabeel Zafar ,, Working side by side with local teams, the delegation packed food cartons at SKT Welfare’s warehouse before delivering 500 essential food parcels directly to displaced Palestinian families. Throughout the week, team members reached out to those injured in the conflict—visiting patients in hospitals and at their homes to offer comfort and a listening ear. Bringing moments of joy back into children's lives,

ABU DHABI, UAE

STAFF REPORT

The Capital Development Authority (CDA), under the directions of Federal Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and the effective supervision and guidance of Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Sohail Ashraf, is carrying out tree plantation, landscaping and beautification activities across the federal capital in full swing. The comprehensive campaign is being implemented by the CDA Environment Wing, headed by Member Environment Abdullah Khurrum Niazi. The primary objective of the ongoing tree plantation campaign is to further strengthen Islamabad’s unique green character, improve the urban environment, enhance the city’s green cover and further establish the federal capital as one of the world’s clean, green, beautiful and environment-friendly capitals. Thousands of trees and plants were planted across Islamabad by the CDA last year, while the current tree plantation campaign is also continuing in full swing. People from all segments of society, particularly citizens, businessmen, the business community, traders, civil society and students, are actively participating in the ongoing campaign. The active participation of people from different walks of life reflects a collective commitment to making Islamabad greener and more beautiful. On the directions of the Federal Minister for Interior and the Chairman CDA, the CDA Environment Wing has further intensified plantation activities at various locations across the city. Extensive plantation

Binance AI systems prevent US$4.6b in potential losses in H1 2026 AGENCIES

STAFF REPORT

Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz did not receive a global award for “cattle and calves” but brought pride to Pakistan, while the United Nations has also recognised Punjab’s housing initiative, with no one having received the honour before. “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar is the flagship initiative of the Punjab CM, with a target of constructing one million homes in five years. As many as 230,000 people have received the benefit of a roof over their heads, while interest-free loans are being provided to empower ordinary citizens,” Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari emphasised. She was addressing an important press conference along with Provincial Minister for Housing Bilal Yasin at the DGPR. Azma Bokhari said another May 9 would not be tolerated under any circumstances and those who had been staging sit-ins for 14 years would no longer receive any “Faiz”. She said those political stuntmen who had been in government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 13 years should first build homes for the people of their own province. She said CM Maryam Nawaz had worked day and night on public welfare initiatives and the ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ programme was a practical manifestation of that commitment. The Chief Minister had set a target of constructing one million homes in five years and, God willing, the initiative would continue

The Chief Minister said she wanted to build one million houses under the programme but economic constraints remained a challenge. “We will, however, achieve the target of building 500,000 houses for low-income people in five years,” she said. She said the programme’s recovery rate had exceeded 99 per cent, largely because of the affordable monthly instalment of Rs14,000. The Punjab Socio-Economic Registry had enabled the government to compile comprehensive data across the province and determine housing needs on the basis of that data, she added. “Every house built under Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar has a heart-touching story,” CM Punjab said. Dr Khalfan bin Said bin Mubarak Al Shueili said a large Pakistani community in Oman was making valuable contributions to the country. He said Oman was like a second home for Pakistanis as well as for CM Maryam Nawaz.

the team also hosted a special afternoon of play and a shared hot meal for young children from Gaza. For patients evacuated from Gaza, healing away from home presents immense challenges, requiring a safe place to stay, nourishing meals, and reliable transport to critical medical appointments. SKT Welfare has proudly provided this vital safety net—covering accommodation, meals, and transport—year-round. This ongoing care follows a profound 2025 effort in Jordan, where dedicated volunteers distributed food parcels and hygiene kits across refugee camps to support approximately 76,000 people.

The University of Gujrat has climbed in the Times Higher Education Rankings 2027, expanding its footprint from one discipline to three within a year. Engineering and Life Sciences both stand in the 501–600 global band, while Physical Sciences is placed at 601–800. Institutionally, the varsity, which stood at 10th in Pakistan in 2025, is now placed 7th in Pakistan and 5th in Punjab, with an overall global band of 801–1000. It is pertinent to mention here that improvement in various performance indicators such as quality of teaching and research, research environment, industry liaison and better international outlook have played a big role in the varsity’s current standing. The transformation is credited to Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zahoor ul Haq, recipient of the prestigious Tamgha‑e‑Imtiaz, whose emphasis on academic quality and research and, especially, student-centric policies has strengthened the university’s profile nationally and internationally.

SC RECOGNISES SHIQAQ AS GROUND FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE NEWS

Although the family courts found the allegations of cruelty unproven, they dissolved both marriages through khula and directed the women to return their dower. The appellate court and Peshawar High Court largely upheld the decisions. The petitioners challenged the conversion of their claims into khula, arguing that they had neither sought nor consented to such dissolution because their cases were based on alleged cruelty. They also challenged the decisions concerning their financial claims.

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

HE Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that a marriage may be dissolved on the ground of shiqaq — a state of serious and continuing marital discord — under the residuary provision of the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, even where cruelty has not been proved. A five-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justices Naeem Akhter Afghan, Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb issued the 15-page judgement while deciding two connected petitions filed by Zainab Bibi and Imran Naz Begum against separate orders of the Peshawar High Court. Both cases originated from family suits in which the wives had sought dissolution of their marriages on grounds of cruelty, along with maintenance, dower and dowry articles.

Killing of two Afghan nationals in Kurram Operation uncovers fresh evidence of cross border terror network ISLAMABAD app

Fresh evidence of Afghan nationals’ involvement in cross-border terrorism within Pakistan has come to light following a security operation in the Kurram district. Two foreign terrorists neutralized during an intelligence-based operation against Fitna-al-Khawarij on October 5 were identified as Afghan nationals, security sources said on Wednesday. The deceased terrorists were identified as Sifat Ullah, alias Saifullah Jamshid, son of Tajalli, a resident of Janikhel in Afghanistan’s Paktia province, and Omar Fidai. Their identification brings the documented count of Afghan citizens involved in terror activities inside Pakistan to over 257. Reports indicate that the condolence gatherings were held in their home provinces in Afghanistan. During a memorial for Sifat Ullah in Rabát village, Janikhel district, posters featuring the Fitna-alKhawarij flag were publicly displayed. The incident is part of a broader pattern of crossborder involvement. Hafiz Muhibullah, alias Khalid, a resident of Kandahar, was among seven terrorists killed five days ago in North Waziristan. Additionally, Abdullah Jan—an associate of the Gul Bahadur group and close aide to Commander Gohar—was killed in a separate security operation three days ago.

Three remaining Pakistani sailors from hijacked tanker return to Karachi

SC DISTINGUISHES KHULA FROM SHIQAQ: In its judgement authored by Justice Waheed, the Supreme Court drew a clear distinction between khula and shiqaq. The court explained that khula was based on a wife’s voluntary election to seek release from the marriage and ordinarily carried financial consequences. Shiqaq, on the other hand, arose where there was an objectively established and serious breakdown of

the matrimonial relationship and did not require a wife to surrender her dower as consideration for dissolution. The Supreme Court held that the family courts had erred by converting the women’s claims for dissolution on grounds of cruelty into decrees of khula without obtaining their clear and voluntary consent. The khula decrees, to the extent that they rested on such involuntary conversion, could not be sustained, the court ruled. However, the SC did not set aside the dissolution of the marriages altogether. Instead, it held that the marriages could lawfully be dissolved on the separate ground of shiqaq under Section 2(ix) of the 1939 Act. “The matrimonial relationships have undergone a serious and continuing rupture; reconciliation has failed; the evidence does not establish the statutory ground of cruelty; and the record, taken as a whole, establishes a condition of ‘shiqaq’,” the court observed. The SC said this condition was contemplated

DOWER CANNOT BE FORFEITED: The court consequently set aside directions requiring the petitioners to return, surrender or waive their dower merely because their marriages had been dissolved through khula. Their entitlement to dower, it said, would instead be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939. The judgement stressed that neither spouse should be deprived of a lawful right or burdened with a legal stigma without a foundation in law and evidence. “The law should neither rush towards separation nor prolong a matrimonial relationship which has ceased to serve its lawful purposes,” the court observed. It said that where reconciliation had failed and a marriage had reached a state of shiqaq, courts were required to bring the re-

Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chattha indicted in Islamabad protest case ISLAMABAD

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Wednesday formally indicted lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a case pertaining to the alleged violation of a designated route and incitement during the arrival of an international cricket team. The charges were framed by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra during a hearing in which both accused were produced through video link from Adiala Jail. The indictment was opposed by the defence, which maintained that mandatory legal requirements had not been fulfilled and that the accused had neither received copies of the case documents nor been allowed to consult their lawyers. Hadi objected before the court that he had still not been provided copies of the case documents, arguing that charges could not legally be framed until the required documents had been supplied. Defence lawyer Zainab Janjua also told the court that neither Imaan nor Hadi had received copies of the relevant documents or been allowed to meet their legal team. “The court cannot frame charges without fulfilling all legal requirements,” she argued. The court, however, proceeded with the indictment. Responding

to the defence objection, Judge Supra said the order could be challenged. The court directed that Imaan and Hadi be physically produced at the next hearing and summoned prosecution witnesses for October 9. The proceedings were subsequently adjourned until October 9. The indictment had originally been scheduled for October 6, but the proceedings were deferred after the accused could not be produced before the court because of a power outage at Adiala Jail. The court had subsequently directed jail authorities to ensure their production through video link at the next hearing and warned that failure to comply could result in contempt proceedings against the officials concerned. During Wednesday’s hearing, Jan-

KARACHI

ISLAMABAD

Pakistan Navy’s PNS YARMOOK has seized narcotics worth approximately $96 million in two counter-narcotics operations conducted in the Arabian Sea, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday. According to the military’s media wing, the naval vessel, while deployed in the Arabian Sea, intercepted two dhows operating at extended ranges from the Pakistani coast. During the operations, naval personnel recovered around 850 kilogrammes of ice and 2,000kg of hashish and cannabis from concealed compartments inside the vessels, ISPR said. The seized narcotics, valued at ap-

jua told the court that she had waited outside Adiala Jail for around two hours but was not allowed to meet her clients despite having a court order permitting access. She also reiterated that copies of the case documents had not been provided to Imaan and Hadi and requested that they be brought before the court. “I have the jail authorities’ reports with me,” Judge Supra remarked. Janjua questioned why the two accused were not being produced before the court when other prisoners from Adiala Jail were being brought to court. Imaan’s mother, Dr Shireen Mazari, also appeared during the proceedings. Lawyers Eemal Khan Mandokhail and Zainab Janjua represented the defence, while prosecutor Raja Naveed appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

proximately $96 million, were taken into custody and will be handed over to the relevant authorities for further disposal and legal proceedings. ISPR said the operations reflected the Pakistan Navy’s sustained presence and vigilance at sea, as well as its commitment to regional maritime security and efforts to curb illicit trafficking through maritime routes. President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated the Pakistan Navy and its officers and crew on the successful operations, praising their vigilance, preparedness and commitment to combating drug trafficking at sea. “The Pakistan Navy’s role in preventing illegal activities in maritime waters and safeguarding regional maritime security is commendable,” the

president said. The latest seizures follow another major counter-narcotics operation in the Arabian Sea last month, when PNS HUNAIN and PNS YARMOOK jointly seized more than 2,800kg of narcotics estimated to be worth around $750 million. According to ISPR, the two ships were conducting a routine patrol when they intercepted a suspicious boat. A boarding operation led to the recovery of the narcotics from concealed compartments. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf commended the officers and crew for their professionalism and vigilance and reaffirmed the Pakistan Navy’s commitment to maritime security and combating illicit trafficking. In a separate operation on September 23, the Pakistan Navy and Coast Guard, working with the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre, confiscated a sizeable quantity of liquor and illegal medicines in the Pishukan area of Balochistan. The intelligence-based operation, conducted on actionable information, thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large cache of contraband items, according to the military. The successive operations underscore the Navy’s continuing efforts to prevent the use of Pakistan’s maritime domain for drug trafficking and other illicit activities.

Sohail Afridi accuses Kundi of holding 'unconstitutional' meetings PESHAWAR

Staff RepoRt

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday accused Governor Faisal Karim Kundi of holding “unconstitutional” meetings, describing the move as an attack on the Constitution and democracy amid growing tensions between the PTI-led provincial government and the Centre. Addressing the 60th meeting of the provincial cabinet in Peshawar, Mr Afridi criticised the governor for chairing a security meeting a day earlier with the provincial chief secretary and inspector general of police. He said the governor’s decision to convene such a meeting despite the presence of a functioning provincial government and a two-thirds majority in the assembly was unacceptable. “The provincial assembly, cabinet and government are fully functional and in-

tact,” the chief minister said, alleging that the governor’s actions were aimed at provoking the provincial government and forcing it to react. Mr Afridi, however, urged PTI workers to remain peaceful and follow the Constitution and law. Addressing the chief secretary and police chief, he said they should not comply with any order that he considered unconstitutional or illegal unless it was issued by him. He also warned that following unconstitutional orders could harm the province and the country.

AFRIDI TARGETS PPP: The chief minister then turned his criticism towards the Pakistan Peoples Party, accusing former president Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Gen Yahya Khan of being responsible for the separation of East Pakistan. He alleged that President Asif Ali Zardari intended to create “another East Pakistan” in the country, without providing

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lationship to a lawful conclusion without unnecessarily assigning blame or depriving either spouse of their rights.

NOT EVERY DISAGREEMENT IS SHIQAQ: The Supreme Court cautioned that shiqaq could not be established merely because spouses were incompatible, had occasional disagreements, experienced anger or temporary separation, or were involved in matrimonial litigation. The court said there must be evidence of a genuine, serious and continuing breach that had rendered the matrimonial relationship dysfunctional and that reasonable efforts at reconciliation had failed. “Mere incompatibility, occasional disagreement, anger, short separation or the existence of matrimonial litigation cannot, by themselves, satisfy the test,” the judgement stated. It added that courts must determine whether the relationship had ceased to function according to the essential purposes of marriage and whether meaningful efforts at reconciliation had failed. The court also emphasised that a wife should not be compelled to surrender her dower by involuntarily converting her statutory claim into khula. At the same time, it said a husband should not be judicially branded as cruel or guilty of matrimonial misconduct unless the allegations were supported by the evidence required under law.

Pakistan warns India against using water as 'instrument of coercion' at UN rights council Staff RepoRt

Navy seizes $96m narcotics in Arabian Sea

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pRayeR timingS

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Three Pakistani crew members of the hijacked MT Honour 25 returned to Karachi on Wednesday, completing the repatriation of the surviving Pakistani sailors from the vessel. The returning crew members were identified as Muhammad Yasin of Peshawar and Karachi residents Imran Ali and Syed Hussain Yousuf. They underwent medical examinations after arriving at Jinnah International Airport. Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and relatives of the sailors received them at the airport. Wahab welcomed their return while expressing grief over the crew members who were killed during the monthslong hostage ordeal. The Palau-flagged petroleum products tanker was seized by Somali pirates on April 21 around 30 nautical miles off the coast of Puntland. Seventeen crew members were aboard, including 10 Pakistanis. Puntland authorities launched an operation in September that freed the tanker and resulted in the capture of 16 pirates. Five crew members — three Pakistanis, one Indian and one Myanmar national — were killed before the rescue operation, while four others were injured. Earlier this week, injured Pakistani sailors Usman Ghani, Aqeel Khan, Ameen bin Shams and Yasir Khan returned to Karachi alongside the bodies of Rafiullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmad Ansari.

by verse 35 of Surah An-Nisa of the Holy Quran and recognised under Muslim law.

Thursday, 8 October, 2026

evidence for the claim. “We will not allow any conspiracy to break up Pakistan to succeed,” Mr Afridi said. He accused the PPP of having historically placed “personal interests” above national interests, saying the party’s role in the breakup of Pakistan was an example of that policy. The remarks came as tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led opposition intensified over the latter’s ongo-

ing protest march and disagreements on counterterrorism policy. The PTI proceeded with its long march despite warnings from the Centre, while negotiations between the government and opposition ended in a deadlock over several issues. The possibility of imposing governor’s rule in KP has also added to tensions, with Governor Kundi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi having discussed the matter.

'POLICY SHIFT NEEDED': Mr Afridi also reiterated his opposition to the federal government’s counterterrorism policy, claiming that the approach had failed to restore lasting peace in KP despite years of military operations. He defended his government’s support for the police and said efforts had been made since he assumed office to strengthen the police, Counter-Terrorism Department and Special Branch.

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

Pakistan has warned at the United Nations against the use of water as a tool of political pressure, describing India's actions concerning the Indus Waters Treaty as a “weaponisation of water” and stressing that water must not become an instrument of coercion, political leverage or war. Pakistan's First Secretary Adeel Mumtaz Khokhar made the remarks during the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council as the body considered a resolution on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. The resolution, presented by Germany and Spain, was adopted without a vote. Pakistan had played an active role in retaining an explicit reference to transboundary water cooperation in the final text. According to Pakistan, India had sought to remove the reference, arguing that transboundary water cooperation fell outside the scope of a resolution dealing with human rights. Pakistan maintained that cooperation over shared waters was directly linked to the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. Speaking during consideration of the resolution, Khokhar set out Islamabad's position on shared water resources and the Indus River system. "Where water is shared, responsibilities are also shared," Khokhar said. He said cooperation over shared waters between neighbouring countries was not a matter of favour or concession but a shared responsibility. "No upstream country can use water as a tool of political pressure or influence," Khokhar said. He stressed that water should be managed according to the principles of cooperation and mutual responsibility rather than being used as an instrument of political pressure.

18 terrorists killed in KP, Balochistan operations ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

Security forces killed 18 terrorists in separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, state media reported on Wednesday, as authorities vowed to continue operations against militant groups until the complete elimination of terrorism. In KP, security forces killed 13 terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij during an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan. The operation targeted militant hideouts in North Waziristan and adjoining areas as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts under the Azm-eIstehkam strategy. Separately, security forces killed five Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists in an operation in Mastung, Balochistan. Heavy weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, while clearance and search operations continued in the area under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3, according to the report. The government uses the term Fitna alKhawarij for militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, while Fitna alHindustan refers to terrorist groups operating in Balochistan that the state accuses of being backed by India. President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for the successful operations, praising their bravery and professional capabilities. The president particularly commended the forces for eliminating 13 Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists in North Waziristan and five Fitna al-Hindustan militants in Mastung. He said the operations demonstrated the nation’s determination and courage in confronting terrorism and reflected the state’s firm resolve to defeat terrorist elements. President Zardari said the conspiracies of terrorists, their foreign sponsors and local facilitators would be foiled, adding that security forces would continue taking decisive action against those threatening the country’s peace and security. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised officers and personnel involved in the North Waziristan operation. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier commended the security forces for killing 13 Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists and successfully targeting their hideouts in North Waziristan and surrounding areas. Prime Minister Shehbaz said counterterrorism operations would continue until terrorism was completely eliminated and lasting peace established in the country.