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Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | 1 Jumada al-Awwal, 1448
Rs 50.00 | Vol XVII No 199 | 52 Pages | Lahore Edition
KundI vOws tOugh antI-teRROR Push, says KP POlIcIes wIll cOMe FROM IslaMaBad g
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GOVERNOR PLEDGES MODERN WEAPONS, BETTER PAY AND ENHANCED COMPENSATION FOR SECURITY PERSONNEL NAQVI CALLS FOR A UNIFIED COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY, STRONGER POLICE FORCE
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ADVISORY COUNCIL BEGINS WORK ON A 'WAR FOOTING' AS GOVERNOR VOWS ACTION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND ALLEGED MISMANAGEMENT
NAQVI REJECTS PROVINCE’S DIVISION, PROPOSES STRONGER ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURES AND GREATER FUNDING FOR AFFECTED AREAS
Sohail Afridi, KP cabinet members taken into 'preventive custody' ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT
HYBER Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday pledged closer coordination between the federal and provincial administrations, declaring that the province’s policies would be formulated in Islamabad rather than Kabul, as the government launched a renewed drive against terrorism following the imposition of governor’s rule. “The days when people fought with the federal government are now over, and you will see coordination between the provincial and the federal government. Our policies will come from Islamabad and not from Kabul, Jalalabad
or Kandahar,” Kundi told a news conference in Peshawar. He pledged full support to the provincial police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Frontier Corps and armed forces, promising modern weapons, better equipment, higher salaries and enhanced compensation for the families of security personnel killed in the line of duty. The governor said the police and security forces were fighting on the front lines and would receive the resources required to confront militant threats. He had directed the inspector general of police and chief secretary to work on increasing police salaries and improving compensation packages for bereaved families. Kundi also said modern armoured vehicles offered by the federal govern-
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Monday confirmed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and some members of his cabinet had been taken into preventive custody following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in the province. “Yes, I can confirm that the [nowdysfunctional] chief minister [Sohail Afridi] and some of his cabinet members have been taken into preventive custody,” Chaudhry told Reuters. He said those facing cases would be charged and tried in accordance with the law, while the remaining detainees would be released. The detentions took place on Sunday, he added. President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday approved the imposition of emergency
ment had not been received by the previous provincial administration, while vehicles provided by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had now been received. He said members of the newly constituted advisory council had assumed their responsibilities and were receiving briefings on a “war footing”, adding that
and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, citing the deteriorating security situation in the province. According to a statement issued by the President Secretariat’s Media Wing, the president approved and signed the summary on the prime minister’s advice under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution. The decision followed recommendations from the federal cabinet, formal advice from the prime minister and law-and-order reports submitted by relevant security institutions. The move drew strong criticism from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan termed the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule a “grave political mistake”, warning that the decision would undermine democratic rights and provincial autonomy.
the administration aimed to address years of alleged mismanagement within three months. “Our first priority remains the fight against terrorism,” Kundi said, stressing that security would take precedence over development.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Dar defends KP emergency, says 'no choice' but to act against terrorism ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Pakistan, Brazil move to deepen military ties RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan and Brazil have agreed to strengthen military-tomilitary cooperation and expand defence and security ties, as a high-level Brazilian military delegation held talks with Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) on Monday. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the delegation was led by Brazil’s Admiral Renato Rodrigues De Aguiar Freire, chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces. During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, the regional security situation and opportunities to broaden bilateral defence and security cooperation. Both military leaders expressed satisfaction with the longstanding cordial relations between Pakistan and Brazil and agreed to further strengthen military-tomilitary collaboration, the statement said. Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding defence ties with Brazil, while Admiral Freire appreciated the professionalism and operational preparedness of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their contributions to regional peace and stability.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday defended the federal government’s imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the decision was driven by the need to protect citizens from terrorism and was not politically motivated. “Can we keep sleeping and looking towards another because it's a political move? No, it's not,” Dar said while addressing a conference on Pakistan’s evolving counter-terrorism landscape, stressing that safeguarding citizens’ lives and property was the federal government’s responsibility. The federal government imposed governor’s rule in K-P on Sunday after President Asif Ali Zardari approved Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice under Article 234 of the Constitution. The move came amid a deepening standoff between the Centre and the PTI-led provincial government over security and counter-terrorism policies. The PTI has rejected the decision as unconstitutional and vowed to resist it. Dar said the government had concluded that there was no alter-
native to the measures taken to address the province’s persistent security challenges, which he said had plagued it for the past 15 years. He maintained that the government was prepared to bear the political cost of difficult decisions if they helped protect lives, property and the national economy. He expressed hope that the measures would yield results in the coming weeks and months, restore peace and prevent further radicalisation. Recalling the government’s engagement with the PTI during its 126-day sit-in in Islamabad in 2014, Dar said political differences had never prevented dialogue, but public safety had to take precedence when decisive action became necessary. Terrorism's $150bn toll Highlighting the enormous price Pakistan had paid in its fight against terrorism, Dar said the country’s economic losses had exceeded $150 billion — more than its total external debt of $130 billion, according to the figures he cited. He said terrorism had inflicted irreparable damage on Pakistan’s international reputation, weakened confidence in the country and deprived it of opportunities whose full economic cost was dif-
ficult to calculate. Pakistan, he added, had borne a double burden: fighting terrorism while also countering perceptions that often overshadowed the sacrifices made by its people and security forces. Recalling the massacre of children at the Army Public School in Peshawar, bombings at mosques, markets and bus stops, the hostage-taking of train passengers and the killing of labourers, Dar said the victims represented the human cost of a prolonged national struggle. He said the government had renewed its commitment to counter-terrorism, prioritised implementation of the National Action Plan and strengthened coordination between civilian and military leadership through the Federal Apex Committee. Dar also highlighted the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative, approved by the prime minister with the consensus of the provinces and other stakeholders. The initiative seeks to coordinate military, intelligence, law-enforcement and diplomatic efforts against terrorist groups and the networks supporting them, while addressing the conditions that foster extremism.
IN TODAY’S ISSUE
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Russian Interior Minister arrives for key Pakistan talks
irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation, with the visiting dignitary scheduled to hold important meetings with the country’s leadership. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior, the visit is taking place at the invitation of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and marks the first visit to Pakistan by a Russian interior minister. Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry received Kolokoltsev upon his arrival in Islamabad, the statement said. During his stay, the Russian minister is expected to participate in high-level discussions on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest. He will also hold key meetings with Pakistan’s leadership, according to the ministry. The visit comes amid growing engagement between Islamabad and Moscow, with both countries seeking to expand cooperation across political, economic and energy sectors. In January, Russian President Vladimir Putin described relations between the two countries as “genuinely mutually beneficial”, reaffirming Moscow’s close cooperation with Islamabad. He also highlighted Pakistan’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which provides a regional platform for economic and diplomatic engagement. Last July, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk described Pakistan and Russia as “natural allies”, emphasising that Putin regarded Islamabad as an important strategic partner, particularly in the fields of economy and energy. Economic considerations have played a significant role in bringing the two countries closer in the recent years. Russia has sought to diversify its energy export markets amid Western sanctions imposed over the Ukraine conflict, while Pakistan has explored alternative and more affordable energy supplies to reduce its import bill. The growing energy partnership gained a significant boost in 2023, when Pakistan began importing Russian crude oil as part of efforts to diversify its energy sources. Kolokoltsev’s visit provides another opportunity for the two countries to build on these developments, strengthen institutional cooperation and explore further avenues for bilateral engagement.
Oman FM to visit Pakistan for joint ministerial talks ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi will arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday for a two-day official visit, during which the two countries will review bilateral ties and explore avenues for expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) on Monday, the visit, scheduled for October 1314, is taking place at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The highlight of the visit will be the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), to be held in Islamabad and co-chaired by the foreign ministers of the two countries. The FO said the meeting would provide an important opportunity to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Albusaidi is also expected to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his stay. Describing the visit as a reflection of the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Oman, the Foreign Office expressed confidence that the engagement would deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across several sectors.
PM directs completion of production monitoring system in manufacturing sector by year-end ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Monday, directed the completion of a production monitoring system for sales tax purposes across all manufacturing sectors by the end of this year. Chairing a review meeting on FBR reforms in Islamabad, the prime minister observed that production monitoring through cameras under the faceless taxation system was being made more effective and directed the removal of obstacles in the installation of automated monitoring systems. He warned that those businesses who had been collecting taxes from consumers but pocketing the same amount instead of depositing it with the government exchequer did not deserve any concession. Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Dr Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Prime Minister’s Adviser Haroon Akhtar and senior officials concerned
attended the meeting, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The prime minister appreciated those in the manufacturing sector that were voluntarily installing production monitoring systems and said the government would take all necessary measures to achieve the country’s full tax potential. He commended the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Transformation Team for preparing a comprehensive assessment of the country’s tax potential in the production sector. He also appreciated the audit report on the production monitoring system in the cement sector and directed the Ministry of Information Technology to audit the system in other sectors to assess its effectiveness. The prime minister said collecting taxes in accordance with the country’s full revenue potential was a meaningful service to the public. The meeting was briefed that the production monitoring system had been fully installed in the sugar, cement, tobacco, tiles and fertilizer sectors while the installation process was underway in the textile, pack-
aged water, packaged juice and packaged milk sectors, with procurement of the required equipment had been completed. The meeting was further informed that procurement of equipment for the steel, poultry and tyre sectors would be completed by October 15, while procurement for the tea, household electronics, leather, paper and board, and oil and ghee sectors would be completed by October 30. The monitoring system was expected to become fully operational across all these manufacturing sectors by December 31 this year. The prime minister was also informed about resistance from several industries to installing monitoring systems in the textile sector. However, Nishat Mills, Alkaram Textile, Alkaram Cotton Mills, J.K. Spinning Mills, Surti Enterprises, Interloop Limited, Faisal Spinning Mills, Ibrahim Fibres Limited, Sapphire Textiles Limited and Nishat Chunian had voluntarily installed the systems in compliance with government measures. The prime minister appreciated these
companies for their cooperation. The meeting was also presented with a review report on the gap between tax collection and the country’s tax potential, including an assessment of the revenue that could be generated through improved tax compliance and enforcement.
It was informed that government measures had resulted in the collection of an additional Rs1.3 trillion in taxes over the past three years, representing a 40% increase in tax collection. The meeting was told that the additional revenue had been generated through enforcement measures.
02 NEWS
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | LAHORE
PAKISTAN SEES GROWTH ABOVE 4%, LOOKS TO RAISE MORE THAN $1B FROM PRIVATISATION, SAYS FINANCE MINISTER
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PROFIT
REUTERS
AKISTAN's economy is expected to grow by more than 4% this fiscal year despite elevated oil prices, as the government looks to push for the privatisation of five to six entities that could raise upwards of $1 billion, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told Reuters on Monday. Pakistan's economy is considered to be highly vulnerable to a prolonged Middle East conflict given its dependence on Gulf energy imports, remittances and financing support from the region, even as it remains reliant on external financing to bolster foreign exchange reserves and meet debt repayments. The South Asian country of 255 million people has been able to procure adequate quantities of fuel, successfully avoiding any shortages, and critical sectors such as agriculture were holding up, Aurangzeb said. "So I'm still quite clear that we should clock north of 4%," he said in an interview on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Bangkok. "And on the inflation side, obvi-
ously, we are keeping a very close eye because it does have a knock-on impact in terms of commodity prices." Following a period of severe economic turmoil exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the cash-strapped economy has recovered some of its footing, supported by a $7 billion, 37-month IMF loan program known as the Extended Fund Facility signed in 2024 that includes some tough measures such as raising tax revenue on farm income. Exchange Stabilisation Facility The US-Israeli-led war with Iran, now in its eighth month, and the inflation and
Political uncertainty, regional tensions drag PSX into the red PROFIT
Torkham border closure causes up to Rs400b in trade losses as thousands lose livelihoods, traders say PROFIT
AZIZ BUNERI
NEWS DESK
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) came under selling pressure on Monday as domestic political uncertainty following the imposition of governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), coupled with escalating regional tensions, including Houthi attacks on Saudi airports and threats to energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, weighed on investor sentiment, pushing the benchmark KSE-100 index down by more than 1,900 points during intraday trading. According to data available on the PSX website, the KSE-100 index opened on a bearish note, shedding more than 900 points in the opening minutes of trading. The index subsequently extended its losses and closed at 165,124.41, shedding 1964.86 points or 1.18% from the previous close of 167,089.27. Selling pressure was visible across major sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, oil and gas exploration companies, oil marketing companies and power generation. The decline followed a volatile week for Pakistan's equity market, during which continued attacks on key shipping routes and the expansion of Houthi strikes to Saudi civilian and energy infrastructure weighed on investor confidence. The KSE-100 index lost 1,066 points, or 0.6%, during the previous week to settle at 167,089 points.
Pakistan explores Libyan crude oil imports to diversify supplies amid Middle East energy disruptions PROFIT
NEWS DESK
hardship it has caused, will dominate the agenda and sideline conversations during the meetings that are being held outside Washington for the first time in three years. Pakistan, which reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF last week potentially unlocking about $1.21 billion in financing under the Extended Fund Facility and a climate program, is continuing discussions with the United States for a proposed $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility, Aurangzeb said. But he declined to provide a time frame for the conclusion of negotiations. "If it comes through, this will be a
Pakistan has encouraged domestic refineries to explore crude oil imports from Libya to diversify energy supplies, while a Turkish seismic vessel is expected to arrive next month to begin data acquisition in the Indus Basin, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said during bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 17th International Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to an official statement issued on Monday. During a meeting with Libyan Minister of Oil and Gas Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, Malik said Pakistan was seeking alternative crude oil suppliers to strengthen energy security and reduce exposure to disruptions along major maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. He informed his Libyan counterpart that Pakistani refineries had been encouraged to consider importing crude oil from Libya. Abdulsadek described Pakistan as an important partner and said he would encourage Libya's national oil company to allocate larger crude oil volumes to Pakistani companies. He also expressed interest in Pakistan's experience with refinery upgrades as Libya prepares to modernise its own refining facilities.
great help for us," he said, referring to the facility, which is in addition to ongoing talks with the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). "If it doesn't come through, this does not, you know, create any problem for us in terms of access to market." Privatisation Push Following the privatisation of flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines last year, Aurangzeb said the government has around another dozen entities in the pipeline, including state-owned power distribution companies and the outsourcing of airport operations. "I expect about five or six of these to go through during this fiscal year," he said, adding that they could raise more than $1 billion. Privatisation has been seen as a key test of Pakistan's reform credibility with the IMF, with officials previously underlining that failure to offload loss-making state firms risked renewed pressure on public finances. "We are quite clear that we want the private sector to lead the country," said Aurangzeb. "So our role is to help support, assist any way we can in terms of the ecosystem."
The year-long closure of the Torkham border crossing since October 2026 has caused estimated economic losses of Rs380 billion to Rs400 billion, leaving thousands unemployed and disrupting trade, transport and business activities in Landi Kotal and other areas dependent on cross-border commerce, according to local traders and business representatives. As the closure completes one year, traders, customs clearing agents and residents associated with Pakistan-Afghanistan trade continue to face economic hardship, with the suspension of commercial activities affecting exports, imports and the livelihoods of labourers, taxi drivers, transporters, hotel owners and shopkeepers. Former president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Zahid Shinwari said trade with Afghanistan was economically important for Pakistan because it provided access to a nearby market at relatively low transportation costs. He said geographical proximity allowed Pakistani products to remain competitive, while disruptions to regional trade affected exporters and restricted access to Central Asian markets. Shinwari stressed the need to legal trade with promote Afghanistan and other neighbouring countries to increase exports and strengthen Pakistan's economy. He said Pakistan's annual exports stood at approximately $32 billion against imports of around $75 billion, adding that expanding trade with Afghanistan could help narrow the trade deficit and create new markets for Pakistani products. He estimated Pakistan's imports from Afghanistan at between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion.
According to Shinwari, Torkham remained a major trade route, alongside other crossings such as Chaman, Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi and Angoor Adda. He said disruptions to crossborder commerce had affected businesses, industries, transport and service sectors across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the tribal districts, where industrial activity and alternative employment opportunities remained limited. A substantial proportion of the population in these areas depended on trade, daily wages, transportation and small businesses, he added. Shinwari urged the government to restore legal trade and introduce alternative employment opportunities for affected communities. Senior customs clearing agent Haji Wahid Khan Shinwari said Pakistan had historically exported goods worth approximately $1.5 billion annually to Afghanistan, while imports from the neighbouring country exceeded $1 billion. He said the border closure had caused substantial losses to Pakistani exporters, affected foreign exchange earnings and reduced government revenue from customs duties and other taxes. Traders, clearing agents, transporters and labourers associated with cross-border commerce had also suffered financial losses, he added. Wahid Khan Shinwari called for restoring trade with Afghanistan and improving access to Central Asian markets to support exports and revive business activity. Meanwhile, Torkham Customs Agents Association President Mujib Shinwari estimated daily export losses at approximately $2.5 million and import-related losses at around Rs540 million. He said cumulative losses from the prolonged closure had reached between Rs380 billion and Rs400
billion, according to estimates compiled by trade circles. Mujib Shinwari said customs clearing agents, labourers, vehicle owners, taxi drivers, hotel operators and other businesses dependent on border activity had been severely affected, leaving many families struggling to meet daily expenses. Local estimates suggested that approximately 2,500 taxi drivers and 3,000 labourers in Landi Kotal had lost their livelihoods because of the closure. Some taxi drivers had reportedly been forced to sell their vehidue to prolonged cles unemployment and difficulties meeting household expenses. Traders said the daily earnings of labourers and drivers previously supported commercial activity in Landi Kotal's markets, benefiting shopkeepers, hotels and other small businesses. However, declining customer numbers had made it increasingly difficult for businesses to pay rent and meet operating expenses. Local traders said markets that previously generated millions of rupees in daily business had experienced a sharp slowdown, with activity in several areas falling to a fraction of previous levels. Mujib Shinwari argued that political differences and security concerns should not result in a complete suspension of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said a workable mechanism could be developed to maintain legal cross-border commerce while addressing border security requirements. Traders and business representatives urged the government to restore commercial activity at Torkham, saying the resumption of trade was essential to protecting livelihoods, reviving local markets and supporting economic activity in the border districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Gross inflows into Roshan Digital Accounts reach $14.16b by September 2026 PROFIT
NEWS DESK
Cumulative gross inflows into Pakistan's Roshan Digital Accounts (RDAs) reached $14.157 billion by the end of September 2026, increasing by $251 million from $13.906 billion in August, according to data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) compiled by Arif Habib Limited (AHL). Of the total funds received since the scheme's launch in November 2020, $2.146 billion had been repatriated, while $8.937 billion had been utilised locally, leaving a net repatriable liability of $3.074 billion. The cumulative amount repatriated increased by $16 million during September from $2.130 billion in August, while locally utilised funds rose by $170 million from $8.767 billion. Consequently, net repatriable liability increased by approximately $65 million from $3.009 billion in the preceding month. According to the investment breakdown, cumulative net investments through RDAs stood at $2.268 billion by September 2026, comprising conventional and Islamic Naya Pakistan Certificates (NPCs) and Roshan equity investments. Islamic NPCs accounted for the largest share of investments at $1.375 billion, up $43 million from $1.332 billion in August. Investments in conventional NPCs increased by $24 million to $740 million, compared with $716 million in the previous month. Meanwhile, Roshan equity investments declined by $2 million to $153 million from $155 million in August. The balance maintained in RDA accounts also decreased by $4 million to $725 million, compared with $729 million a month earlier. Other liabilities increased by $2 million to $80 million from $78 million in August. The investment breakdown showed that Islamic NPCs accounted for approximately 61% of total net investments, followed by conventional NPCs at around 33% and Roshan equity investments at nearly 7%. The data also showed that monthly repatriations stood at approximately $16 million in September, compared with $23 million in August, indicating a decline in funds transferred abroad during the month. Roshan Digital Accounts allow non-resident Pakistanis to open bank accounts remotely and access investment opportunities in Pakistan, including Naya Pakistan Certificates and the stock market.
Textile exporters fear sharp decline in Q2 FY27 amid weak Western demand, rising freight costs PROFIT
MONITORING REPORT
Pakistan's textile exporters have warned of a sharp decline in exports during the second quarter (October–December) of FY27, citing weakening demand in Western markets, rising freight charges and high production costs. Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) Patron-in-Chief Khurram Mukhtar said on Sunday that sea freight charges had increased by 1.5 to 2.5 times, while inflation in Western markets had reduced demand from international buyers. He warned that the downturn was affecting the entire textile value chain, including ginning, spinning, weaving, processing and knitting, and could result in a lasting loss of export markets. Mukhtar urged the government to introduce temporary support under the Duty Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL) scheme at 6–8%, clear outstanding refunds and remove crosssubsidies from industrial electricity tariffs.
Pakistan plans to refinance short-term external debt into longer maturities to reduce rollover risks PROFIT
MONITORING REPORT
Pakistan plans to refinance part of its short-term external debt into longer-term obligations over the next two to three years to reduce repayment and rollover risks, while maintaining its overall external debt stock at approximately $100 billion, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Monday, while speaking to Bloomberg News during “Bloomberg: The China Show”. Aurangzeb said the government's pri-
ority was to improve the maturity profile of its foreign debt rather than increase the total amount borrowed, adding that Pakistan was not facing an immediate need to bridge its external financing gap during the current fiscal year but wanted to reduce its dependence on frequent refinancing of short-term liabilities. The proposed approach would involve replacing existing obligations with longer-tenor financing, allowing the government to spread repayments over a longer period and reduce exposure to rollover pressures.
"We want to keep the overall quantum of our external debt, which is close to $100 billion," Aurangzeb said, adding that the focus would be on refinancing, diversification and extending maturities. The finance minister also indicated that Pakistan was not under immediate pressure to raise funds through international bond markets during the current fiscal year. He said the government had already issued mandates for Islamic Sukuk and a new category of rupee-denominated bonds settled in US dollars, which had attracted interest from potential investors.
Pakistan was also preparing to issue requests for proposals for the remaining planned Panda bonds, which would allow the country to raise financing in China's domestic bond market. Aurangzeb further disclosed that the government was exploring the possibility of tokenising its existing Eurobonds for the first time. The proposed initiatives form part of Pakistan's efforts to diversify external financing sources, broaden its investor base and improve access to international capital markets.
Port Qasim Electric Power Company opposes one-year cap on coal supply contracts PROFIT
MONITORING REPORT
Port Qasim Electric Power Company (PQEPC) has opposed a proposed one-year limit on coal supply agreements, warning that the restriction could undermine fuel security and disrupt procurement for coal-fired power plants, Business Recorder reported. In comments submitted to the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPA-G), the operator of a 1,320MW coalfired power complex also challenged proposals to benchmark procurement prices against the highest discounts offered in comparable tenders. PQEPC argued that discounts could not be compared without accounting for differences in coal quality, quantities, contract du-
ration, payment terms, delivery arrangements and supplier guarantees. It disputed the Power Division's comparison of discounts ranging from $0.20 to $7.12 per tonne, saying the highest discount related to an unimplemented contract backed by an inadequate performance guarantee. The company also cited tighter Indonesian coal supplies and higher quality requirements as factors affecting procurement prices. It maintained that lower discounts or premiums should not automatically be treated as evidence of irregularities. Opposing the one-year contract limit, PQEPC said international suppliers generally required longer-term arrangements and that repeated annual tendering could create delays and supply risks. It also argued that backup procurement
at less favourable prices could be necessary when principal suppliers failed to deliver. PQEPC said its existing tariff framework already allowed NEPRA to scrutinise fuel costs through monthly fuel price adjustments. The company claimed it had incurred losses of approximately Rs1.62 billion under spot coal procurement guidelines and a further $0.58 per tonne in its latest fuel price adjustment. On proposals to allocate costs arising from supplier defaults, PQEPC sought dueprocess safeguards and exemptions for force majeure and circumstances beyond its control. It urged the government to assess procurement against its approved tariff and contractual obligations rather than discount comparisons alone. PQEPC also proposed assigning coal
procurement and supply for power plants to a designated public-sector agency, in line
with an option outlined in NEPRA's June 2026 recommendations.
NEWS 03
FBR IDENTIFIES RS1.6TR TAX GAP ACROSS 18 SECTORS, EXPANDS DIGITAL PRODUCTION MONITORING
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | LAHORE
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ISLAMABAD
shahzaD paracha
HE Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has identified an estimated Rs1.6 trillion tax gap across 18 economic sectors and informed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that it is expanding real time production monitoring to detect under reporting by manufacturers, as the government seeks to increase revenue through technology driven enforcement rather than relying solely on higher tax rates. During a briefing to the prime minister on Monday, the FBR Transformation Team presented its assessment of the country's tax potential, progress on automated productionmonitoring systems and plans to integrate industrial output data with digital invoicing, sales tax returns and tax payments. Sources familiar with this briefing informed that the 18 sectors covered by the latest assessment collectively account for around 1.1% of gross domestic product (GDP). Officials also informed the prime minister that enforcement measures had generated an additional Rs1.3 trillion in tax revenue over the past three years, representing a 40% increase in collections. The prime minister appreciated the FBR Transformation Team for identifying gaps between actual collections and estimated revenue potential and distributed shields among team members in recognition of their efforts. The FBR's broader transformation programme seeks to address a longstanding weakness in Pakistan's tax administration: the difficulty of independently verifying how much businesses actually produce and sell compared with what they declare to the tax authority. The initiative aims to establish a continuous digital record of economic activity, allowing the FBR to identify discrepancies earlier, improve compliance and concentrate enforcement resources on higher-risk businesses. The FBR informed the meeting that some textile businesses had resisted the installation of production-monitoring systems, although several companies had voluntarily complied with the requirements. The companies named during the briefing were Nishat Mills, Alkaram Textile, Alkaram Cotton Mills, J.K. Spinning Mills, Surti Enterprises, Interloop Limited, Faisal Spinning Mills, Ibrahim Fibres Limited, Sapphire Textiles Limited and Nishat Chunian. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated these companies for their cooperation and urged other manufacturers to install the systems. He directed the relevant authorities to remove obstacles to implementation and
Kundi vows tough anti-terror push, says KP policies will come from Islamabad CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
He said the government would not compromise on law and order or tolerate vandalism, adding that efforts would focus on tangible results rather than symbolic measures. The governor thanked residents for remaining peaceful during the recent political mobilisation by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claiming that the party’s protests had failed to attract the public response its organisers expected. He also criticised the previous provincial administration, accusing it of failing to ensure adequate security and effectively present the province’s case before the federal government. Kundi said the new administration would put forward its demands with facts and arguments, adding that all those found involved in corruption would face legal proceedings. Responding to a question, he said former chief minister Sohail Afridi was in “protective custody”. The governor also announced that the provincial Apex Committee had decided to deport undocumented Afghan nationals, declaring that those without valid documents would be sent back. Earlier, Kundi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi co-chaired the first provincial Apex Committee meeting following the imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule. The meeting was attended by members of the advisory council and senior officials. Kundi said the people of the province wanted peace, development and prosperity but continued insecurity had restricted their freedom of movement and economic activity. He argued that restoring peace would help attract investment and unlock the province’s potential in agriculture, tourism, energy and natural resources. “There should be no situation in which we are not aligned,” he said, calling for sustained coordination between the federal government, provincial administration and security institutions.
NAQVI CALLS FOR UNIFIED COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Apex Committee meeting marked a significant improvement in coordination between the federal and provincial administrations, claiming it was the first time in two-and-a-half years that he could confidently say both governments were on the same page. He paid tribute to security personnel who had fought militants despite what he described as inadequate government support, arguing that security forces could not be expected to defeat terrorism without political leadership and institutional backing. “A war cannot be won unless the government there leads it,” Naqvi said, adding that the federal government had repeatedly sought provincial cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts. He cautioned that improvements would not come overnight and that difficult challenges lay ahead, but expressed confidence that the governor, advisory council, police and federal administration could confront them through coordinated action.
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FIVE SECTORS FULLY EQUIPPED WITH MONITORING SYSTEMS AS GOVERNMENT TARGETS ROLLOUT BY DECEMBER 31; IMF ESTIMATES RS94BN IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM MONITORING AND DIGITAL INVOICING IN FY27
stressed that businesses collecting taxes from consumers but retaining the money instead of depositing it with the government did not deserve concessions. The prime minister also directed the Ministry of Information Technology to audit production-monitoring systems in sectors beyond cement to assess their effectiveness and ensure that the technology was delivering the intended results.
FROM DECLARED PRODUCTION TO INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION For decades, the FBR relied substantially on production and sales figures declared by taxpayers, particularly in manufacturing industries where independent verification of factory output was difficult. The transformation programme seeks to change this approach by enabling the tax authority to measure economic activity as it happens rather than relying exclusively on conventional audits conducted months or years after transactions take place. Under the programme, the FBR is deploying cameras, automated counters, video analytics, digital-eye systems, track-andtrace technology and other electronic monitoring solutions according to the requirements of individual industries. Video analytics can use automated object detection and counting to record production in real time, with minimal human intervention. The data can subsequently be compared with production figures reported by manufacturers. For example, if a factory's monitoring system records production of 100 units but its invoices and tax declarations account for only 70 units, the difference could trigger further examination by the tax authority. Such discrepancies would serve as compliance-risk indicators rather than automatic proof of tax evasion, as differences may also arise from inventory accumulation, timing differences, wastage or other legitimate business factors. The objective is to provide the FBR with an independent and auditable evidence trail, reduce reliance on continuous physical inspections and allow enforcement resources to be directed towards cases where discrepancies are more likely. The system could also help create a more level playing field for compliant manufacturers by reducing the competitive advantage of businesses that under-report
production or sales. According to details, the tax-gap assessment undertaken in 2024, with technical input from McKinsey and FBR officers, sought to identify major revenue leakages and determine where technology could improve tax compliance. The FBR Transformation Plan received approval in principle in September 2024 and broadly focuses on three areas: people, processes and technology. Its workstreams include value-chain digitalisation, transformation of Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), digitisation of internal systems, human-resource and capacity enhancement, operational reforms, customs modernisation and tax-policy reforms. The latest programme represents an extension of earlier tax-administration reforms rather than an entirely new effort to digitise the FBR. The Tax Administration Reform Project (TARP), launched in 2005 and completed in 2011 with support from the World Bank and other development partners, focused on institutional and administrative modernisation. Its measures included the integration of domestic taxes, establishment of Large Taxpayer Units and Regional Tax Offices, business-process re-engineering, self-assessment, taxpayer services, IT infrastructure and electronic filing. Subsequent assessments identified challenges in sustaining reform ownership, aligning tax policy with expansion of the tax base, developing a comprehensive information and communications technology strategy and institutionalising new systems. The present transformation builds on those foundations but places greater emphasis on real-time data, integrated digital systems and technology-based enforcement. In practical terms, earlier reforms largely sought to modernise how the FBR administered taxes. The current programme aims to go a step further by digitally measuring the economic activity on which those taxes arise.
FIVE SECTORS FULLY EQUIPPED, ROLLOUT CONTINUES The prime minister was informed that production-monitoring systems had been fully installed in the sugar, cement, tobacco, tiles and fertiliser sectors. Installation was under way in textiles,
liabilities. Together, production monitoring and digital invoicing could help reduce the information gap between businesses and the tax administration. The IMF estimated in its April 2026 assessment that production-monitoring measures could generate approximately Rs48 billion in additional revenue during fiscal year 2026-27, while digital invoicing could contribute another Rs46 billion. These amounts are projections, not confirmed collections.
packaged water, packaged juice and packaged milk, with procurement of the required equipment completed. The procurement process for steel, poultry and tyres was scheduled for completion by October 15, while equipment for tea, household electronics, leather, paper and board, and oil and ghee was to be procured by October 30. The government aims to make the systems operational across all identified manufacturing sectors by December 31, 2026. The programme is sector-specific because manufacturing processes differ considerably. A system designed to count units on a production line may not be suitable for monitoring tonnes of cement, sugar or fertiliser, requiring different combinations of electronic counters, video analytics and other technologies. Sugar, cement, fertiliser and tobacco were among the original sectors covered under the FBR's track-and-trace framework. Subsequent phases have expanded the use of electronic production monitoring to additional industries, including textiles, tiles and beverage subsectors. The International Monetary Fund reported in April 2026 that production-monitoring solutions had been deployed in sugar, cement, tobacco and fertiliser, while textile and beverage industries were among the sectors in the subsequent implementation pipeline. The FBR's latest briefing outlined further progress and procurement deadlines.
SUGAR SECTOR PROVIDES EARLY EVIDENCE OF POTENTIAL GAINS The sugar industry has emerged as a key example of the potential impact of production monitoring. According to sources familiar with the matter, estimated tax evasion in the sector declined from around Rs70 billion before the introduction of production monitoring to approximately Rs12 billion afterwards. The Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26 reported an annualised increase of approximately Rs37 billion in sugar-sector tax collection through production monitoring, alongside the blocking of Rs9.8 billion in fraudulent sales-tax claims. Separately, the FBR's Revenue Division Year Book for FY2024-25 recorded additional collections of Rs25 billion from sugar and Rs12.8 billion from cement through real-time production monitoring. The FBR's background working also reported approximately Rs240 billion in recoveries across five sectors and 182 sites during FY2024-25 and FY2025-26. The precise contribution of production-monitoring systems to this aggregate figure, as distinct from other enforcement measures, requires clarification. In the tobacco sector, reported federal excise duty and sales-tax collection increased from Rs284 billion to Rs329 billion in FY2025-26, an increase of Rs45 billion. However, the increase cannot be attributed exclusively to production monitoring because enforcement against illicit and unstamped cigarettes was also intensified. The figures indicate the potential scale of improved compliance, but the programme's overall performance will depend on independently verified revenue gains and clear separation between additional collections, blocked fraudulent claims, estimated tax gaps and recoveries generated through other enforcement actions.
LINKING PRODUCTION WITH INVOICES AND TAX PAYMENTS Production monitoring is only one component of the FBR's digital transformation. Its broader objective is to integrate production data with digital invoicing, Point-of-Sale information where applicable, dispatches, sales tax returns and tax payments. This integration would allow the FBR to compare the quantity of goods manufactured with the goods invoiced and sold, and then reconcile those transactions with tax declarations. If production records, invoices and tax returns are consistent, enforcement resources can increasingly be directed elsewhere. Where material discrepancies emerge, the FBR can investigate whether they reflect under-reporting or another explanation. Digital invoicing is intended to provide transaction-level information and improve the calculation and monitoring of sales-tax
World Bank proposes $200m financing to help KP nearly double tax revenue by 2031 g
PROGRAMME AIMS TO RAISE KP'S OWN-SOURCE TAX REVENUE FROM RS64 BILLION TO RS122 BILLION IN REAL TERMS BY JUNE 2031; $650 MILLION INITIATIVE ALSO TARGETS IMPROVEMENTS IN HEALTH, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SPENDING PROFIT
Web Desk
The World Bank has proposed $200 million in financing to help Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) expand its tax base and improve public services, targeting an increase in the province's own-source tax revenue from Rs64 billion to Rs122 billion in real terms by June 2031. According to a World Bank document, the proposed Pakistan Public Resources for Inclusive Development Multiphase Programmatic Approach for KP will cost $650 million, including $450 million from the provincial government and $200 million from the World Bank. The proposed financing comprises a $100 million International Development Association (IDA)
credit and a $100 million IDA loan. The programme is expected to run from FY2027 to FY2032, with World Bank approval scheduled for October 29, 2026. The programme will focus on three areas: increasing provincial tax collection, improving health and education spending, and strengthening the province's statistical system. The World Bank noted that KP remains heavily dependent on federal transfers, while its own-source revenue covers only a small and declining share of expenditure. Rising salaries, pensions, inflation and spending pressures associated with the merged districts have further constrained public investment. Under the proposed reforms, the province will broaden its tax base, simplify tax administration and intro-
duce digital systems across the KP Revenue Authority, Excise Taxation and Narcotics Control Department, and Board of Revenue. The bank identified inadequate taxation of property, agriculture and parts of the services sector, along with fragmented administration and limited data sharing, as major obstacles to revenue growth. In health and education, the programme seeks to improve budget allocation, procurement and financial management to strengthen service delivery. By June 2031, it aims to bring 60% of primary schools currently failing minimum functional standards into compliance. The programme also targets electronic verification and payment of 60% of contractual payments, alongside a 15% reduction in procurement cycle times in health and pri-
Digital transformation could generate up to $80b in economic benefits for Pakistan over five years ISLAMABAD
ghulaM abbas
Pakistan could unlock economic benefits of $60 billion to $80 billion over the next five years through digital transformation, with agriculture, real estate and healthcare among the sectors expected to gain substantially, according to a working paper prepared by the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA). The paper identifies fragmented government digital systems and a lack of interoperability among public-sector platforms as major obstacles to realising the country's digital economy potential, calling for a coordinated national framework to integrate government services, data and digital infrastructure. Forwarded to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the working paper proposes a National Digital Master Plan to establish common digital standards, improve coordination between federal and provincial governments, and reduce administrative bottlenecks. According to the document, digital transformation could generate more than $9 billion in economic benefits for agriculture by 2030. Digital reforms in healthcare could yield savings exceeding $450 million, while the real estate sector could attract an additional $15 billion in
investment by the same year. The projections underline the potential economic gains from digitising key sectors, although the paper's estimates depend on the implementation of the proposed reforms and supporting infrastructure. The authority has proposed developing a Pakistan Digital Stack to integrate digital identity, payment systems and data exchange mechanisms, enabling government departments to share information securely and provide services more efficiently. The framework envisages the adoption of common standards and interoperable systems to allow public-sector institutions to exchange data without maintaining disconnected platforms. Such integration could reduce duplication, simplify administrative procedures and improve access to government services. The paper notes that more than 100 digital platforms have already been established in Pakistan. However, the absence of effective coordination and integration among these systems continues to limit their overall effectiveness. The proposed National Digital Master Plan would provide a common direction for digital initiatives across government departments and different tiers of administration. It is also intended to strengthen coordination between fed-
eral and provincial authorities, whose digital systems often operate independently. Agriculture is among the sectors identified as having significant potential to benefit from digitalisation. Improved digital services and data integration could support more efficient processes and better-informed decisions across the sector. In healthcare, digital reforms are expected to generate savings of more than $450 million, while the proposed transformation of real estate processes could help attract additional investment by improving efficiency and facilitating digital services. The PDA has also proposed strengthening data governance and oversight mechanisms to ensure the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence in Pakistan. The paper places particular emphasis on secure data sharing and the development of national digital standards, which it considers essential for improving the efficiency of public administration and enabling different digital services to work together. The proposed framework seeks to move Pakistan's digitalisation efforts beyond the creation of individual platforms towards an integrated system capable of supporting economic growth, improving public service delivery and facilitating investment.
mary education. The proposed reforms come amid significant social challenges in KP. According to the World Bank, 35.3% of the province's population lived below the national poverty line in FY2025, while around 40% of children under five were stunted. The bank also reported that 36% of school-age children were out of school and only 58% of children were fully immunised. The programme will additionally establish a KP Development Data Hub to improve economic data, integrate administrative records and support evidence-based planning. The World Bank assessed the operation's environmental and social risks as moderate, citing potential digital exclusion, data privacy concerns and possible distributional effects of agricultural income tax reforms.
Intercity bus service suspended in Lahore as terminals reportedly sealed amid PTI protest call PROFIT
Monitoring report
Intercity bus services from Lahore to several destinations across Pakistan were suspended on Sunday after authorities reportedly sealed the city's general bus terminals late on Saturday night, leaving passengers stranded. The disruption affected travel to Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, southern Punjab and other parts of central Punjab, with passengers reporting ticket cancellations and difficulties reaching their destinations. Major private bus operators also suspended services amid reports of restrictions on public transport movement along motorways and national highways. Transport representatives said buses were not being dispatched because of the reported restrictions. However, motorway police spokesperson Imran Shah said motorways and highways remained open to traffic, adding that he was unaware of any instructions to suspend bus operations. Another motorway police official linked the suspension of bus services to the PTI's protest call, saying buses were not operating on motorways or highways, although private vehicles could continue using the roads.
04 COMMENT
The wrong FDI race
Privatizing gas
P
T
OGRA’s licence opens up the gas sector to competition
HE gas market is opening up. For the first time, a private firm has been given a licence by the Oil and Gas Development Authority to sell gas to consumers of all varieties, thus providing the gas consumers a choice for the first time since they became customers of either Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, which serves Punjab and Khaiber Pakhtoonkhwa, or Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, which serves Sindh and Balochistan. Essen Gas Marketing and Distribution (Private) Limited has been given a licence subject to its executing a sale and purchase agreement with United Energy Pakistan Limited for supply of gas from its Kalchas South Block gasfield. This means that a gas producer might set up its own distribution company on the basis of a gasfield, instead of having to sell to SNGPL or SSGC, as at present. Consumers will also have a choice. Essen will not set up its own distribution network, but use existing SNGPL or SSGC pipelines. They will pay them a fee, and thus will actually increase the availability within their own systems, thus enabling them to spread their distrivution networks more than at present. Essen does not intend to stop with selling Kalchas gas, but is looking towards import of liquefied natural gas, as well as setting up virtual pipeline operations though transporting LNC through road bowsers and compressed natural gas through tube trailers. The latter should overcome some of the limitations of pipeline infrastructure, and enable provision of gas to offgrid consumers. The ability of Essen to provide connections to consumers, especially commercial or industrial, who would prefer to avoid the losses involved in being connected to the grid. Though this development will not overcome the woes of the gas sector at once, they mark a beginning. The involvement of the private sector in the gas sector is to be welcomed not just because of the innovativeness and fresh approach that will be brought, but also because of the breaking of the monopolies hitherto enjoyed by state gas companies. This is parallelled by the choice that is being opened up in electricity supply. While that was motivated by the demands of privatization, the gas sector has not needed that particular impetus, and the private sector has begun to come in of its own accord.
rafia ali
AKISTAN is chasing bigger investment numbers when it should be chasing better ones; the kind that build suppliers, exports and skills, not just headlines. In 2025, Pakistan received foreign direct investments worth $1.85 billion. India received $38.9 billion in FDI inflow. The FDI inflow into Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia was valued at $21.4 billion, $20.35 billion and $15.4 billion, respectively. Generally considered a cautionary tale as compared to Pakistan, Bangladesh ranked just a little bit behind with expenses of $1.78 billion. The figure is also moving the wrong way as FDI fell from $2.67 billion in 2024 to $1.85 billion in 2025 as reported by UNCTAD (2026). However, the important question is not why Pakistan attracts less investment than its neighbours, but how those countries have been able to translate foreign capital into stronger industrial capabilities. It is more important than ever since the world game of FDI has narrowed. According to UNCTAD (2026), total global FDI in 2025 is $1.6 trillion, with the top 20 host economies accounting for over 80 percent. Strategic sectors, such as electronics, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals and energy technology made up 44 percent of the global greenfield project value compared to 16 percent in 2020. The competition for capital is no longer confined to the national level. Countries compete directly within specific supply chains. A country still offering blanket tax concessions across dozens of sectors is playing a game that was largely discontinue five years ago. Pakistan’s manufacturing figures provide a small bright spot in an otherwise weak economic picture. The share of Electrical machinery in total FDI increased from $79 million in FY24 to $176 million in FY25, while electronics increased from $37 million to $45 million and then to $114 million in 8MFY26. Textiles also improved, moving from a small net outflow in FY24 to $48 million in FY25, although investment remained relatively modest at $32 million in 8MFY26. By contrast, food, beverages and tobacco fell from $165 million in FY24 to $46 million in FY25 and stood at $39 million in 8MFY26 as supported by UNCTAD (2026). It is not evidence of widespread industrial change, it is evidence of a couple of pockets reaping real, sustained impetus and the remainder staying flat or volatile. Pakistan has an entry point in electronics and electrical machinery. It doesn’t yet have much beyond that. Higher FDI inflows do not compensate for a weak domestic base. In FY2026, the investment-to-GDP ratio stood at 14.38 percent and has remained stable for several years past now and is lower than the regional average. This is a gap that cannot be compensated for by foreign investments. But the real power of its influence will be catalytic, whereby the efficiency, technology, marketing channels of Pakistani firms are enhanced, not just foreign names appearing on the investment ledger without changing the existing local capabilities. Four countries offer four distinct lessons, and each translates into something concrete. Vietnam developed supplier depth by focusing their incentives on a few industrial clusters instead of dispersing them through-
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
When an oil shock becomes a time shock M. A. Niazi
Babar Nizami
Editor Pakistan Today
Editor Profit
A
Dr Nayeem ul HassaN aNsari
N oil shock is usually measured in barrels, dollars and exchange rates. Ordinary people experience it differently: in minutes. A parent spends more time arranging school transport because fuel charges rise. An office worker changes two buses instead of driving. A delivery driver waits in traffic while diesel is burned without moving goods. A small business shortens operating hours because transport, power and generator costs have climbed together. A university employee travels across a city for a meeting that could have been held online. This is why one of Pakistan’s cheapest energy policies may have very little to do with discovering new oil. It is about redesigning time and movement. The current Middle East crisis has made this more than an efficiency debate. The International Energy Agency describes the conflict as the largest oil-supply disruption in global market history. Around 20 million barrels a day of crude and petroleum products normally moved through the Strait of Hormuz before the conflict. The IMF says 81 per cent of Pakistan’s fuel imports come from the GCC region. At home, petrol was notified at Rs375.82 a litre and high-speed diesel at Rs403.32 for Sept 12-14. Weekly inflation stood 8.62pc higher than a year earlier for the week ending Sept 10, with petrol and diesel among the major contributors. Pakistan cannot remove the global risk premium from oil. It can, however, ask whether every journey, opening hour and administrative routine is still economically sensible at today’s energy prices. The IEA’s present oil-shock guidance is useful because it treats behaviour as part of energy security. It recommends working from home where possible, lower highway speed limits, greater public-transport use, car sharing and more efficient freight operations. The key words are “where possible”. Good demand management is selective, not indiscriminate. Pakistan should apply that principle institution by institution. Manufacturing cannot be done from a dining table. Hospitals, laboratories, shops, construction sites, farms, ports and most logistics require physical presence. These sectors should be protected from poorly designed blanket restrictions. But the administrative layer around them is different. Finance teams, HR departments, IT support, back-office staff and many professional services can often work part of the week remotely. If a factory needs six days of physical production, it does not automatically follow that every head-office employee must make six separate commutes. The same distinction matters in education. Primary schooling depends heavily on face-toface interaction and should not casually be pushed online. Universities and professional programmes, however, already possess learning-management systems and can move selected lectures, consulta-
tions, research supervision and administrative meetings online during an energy emergency. The objective should not be fewer learning hours; it should be fewer unnecessary journeys. Cities can use time more intelligently too. Staggered office and market hours reduce the number of vehicles competing for the same road space at the same moment. Freight windows can move deliveries away from peak congestion. Public offices can cluster citizen-facing services into predictable schedules while moving paperwork online. Employers can coordinate car pools and staff buses instead of reimbursing individual fuel bills. There is also a daylight argument. Pakistan should examine whether temporary seasonal working hours can reduce evening electricity and transport demand without harming productivity. Such measures should be tested with data, not announced symbolically. If a change does not reduce energy use or congestion, it should be withdrawn. That leads to a larger principle: during an energy shock, institutions should measure mobility as seriously as they measure electricity. How many employee kilometres are generated each week? How many meetings require inter-city travel? How many university activities can be delivered effectively without a commute? How much diesel is spent moving halfempty freight vehicles? How many government services still force citizens to travel simply to submit a document?
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
out many industries and the same approach can be used for Pakistan as it is making progress in electrical machinery and electronics; it can choose a few clusters and develop its local suppliers for components within those clusters. Malaysia advanced the value chain within electronics testing facilities, certification, component manufacturing and eventually to design. Pakistan’s increasing figures in this sector mark the start of the similar opportunity provided that policies target it rather than just assembly. Indonesia discontinued raw minerals exports and started processing them; while for Pakistan’s projects related to copper and other minerals, there is a need to establish the refineries from the very beginning itself instead of making it a separate policy question for later, without following the footsteps of Indonesia. India linked its own technical manpower resources with the global production systems; Pakistan’s freelance-heavy software exports are the foundation, but attracting foreign-owned engineering, development and R&D centres is a different job and it is more challenging, requiring more predictable operating conditions than investors currently get. Call the resulting approach an FDI-to-Capability Strategy, built around four platforms: in the electronics and electrical machinery, where the task is to develop the suppliers, component manufacturing and testing and certification infrastructure; in the minerals
and downstream processing, linking the extraction to refining and manufacturing instead of seeing ore as a finished export, in digital and engineering services, marketing and engaging multinationals’ engineering and shared services centres rather than waiting for freelance exports to scale on their own; and in logistics and regional production, where Pakistan’s location will be persuasive for the companies diversifying their supply chains from single country dependence. In fact, OICCI itself has flagged electronics, electrical machinery, digital services, logistics and light manufacturing as realistic targets, provided the basics reliable power, faster approvals, credible execution are actually delivered. On all four platforms, incentives should shift away from blanket tax concessions and toward outcomes that can be measured: exports, workforce training, upgrading technology, developing a supplier base and conducting R&D. Pakistan’s demand for more than $1.85 billion next year is certainly justified. However, the success of this regimen shouldn’t be measured by whether or not it makes that number $5 billion or $10 billion. It should be evaluated by how many Pakistani firms enter multinational supply chains, how far exports rise, how many skilled jobs get created and how much technology stays behind once the investment itself moves on. The FDI race Pakistan must win is not for capital. It’s for capability.
Rafia Ali is Research Associate at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and she can be reached at Email: rafia.ali@pide.org.pk
Higher FDI inflows do not compensate for a weak domestic base. In FY2026, the investment-to-GDP ratio stood at 14.38 percent and has remained stable for several years past now and is lower than the regional average. This is a gap that cannot be compensated for by foreign investments. But the real power of its influence will be catalytic, whereby the efficiency, technology, marketing channels of Pakistani firms are enhanced, not just foreign names appearing on the investment ledger without changing the existing local capabilities.
These questions sound operational, but at national scale they become macroeconomic. A million unnecessary journeys do not appear in one budget line. They appear as higher petroleum imports, foreign-exchange demand, congestion, lost working hours and household expenditure. Conversely, every avoided journey is small on its own but meaningful when multiplied across a city. There should be safeguards. Remote work must not become an excuse for poor public service. Hybrid education must protect learning quality. Commercial-hour restrictions should not punish small retailers while large businesses receive exemptions. Digital alternatives must account for unreliable connectivity and the realities of lower-income workers. Demand management works only when the burden is fairly distributed. Pakistan’s instinct in an energy crisis has traditionally been to debate prices: how much should be passed on, how much should be taxed, and how much should be subsidised. Those questions matter. But price is only one policy lever. Time is another. If the crisis lasts, Pakistan may discover that the most practical energy reform is not asking people to stop working, studying or producing. It is asking whether we can organise the same work, learning and commerce with fewer unnecessary kilometres. A country that imports most of its fuel from a region in conflict should treat every avoidable commute as a cost worth examining. Sometimes resilience begins not with a new oilfield, but with a better calendar.
Dr. Nayeem ul Hassan Ansari is an Associate Professor of Finance at Salim Habib University, former CFO and researcher. His work spans corporate finance, sustainable finance, Islamic finance, financial distress, business education and economic policy.
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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
Petrol pirates persist
THE Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) recently conveyed to the media that there has been 82 per cent jump in oil-related taxes in the July-November period as a result of a crackdown on smuggling. The news is heartening. Smuggled petrol and diesel result in huge losses to the exchequer. However, unfortunately, the sale of smuggled petrol and diesel continues in the capital city. This commodity reaches the capital after crossing more than a thousand miles and passing through several Pakistan Customs checkposts. There are two kiosks doing this shady business in the sector where I live. The residents have complained in writing to the local police, but to no avail. I would tend to take such media reports with a pinch of salt. Perhaps the prime minister is either unaware or not being kept informed of the ground realities. FORMER AMBASSADOR JAVED HAFEEZ ISLAMABAD
Sick without support
THE medical facility for employees and pensioners of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) is in a severely pathetic state. My mother, a pensioner, needs regular medication that costs Rs3,000 twice a week. The situation has worsened drastically following the KWSC’s abrupt suspension of medical facilities. This means a life-saving treatment has now become a luxury not many can afford. Ironically, while payments to panel medical institutions remain frozen, various reports allegedly suggest that substantial advanced payments are being diverted to insurance companies under some new, but largely ineffective medical insurance scheme. This transition would only add to the grievances of those who solely rely on direct medical support. Furthermore, the annual medical budget is frequently curtailed. There are persistent allegations that funds allocated for employees’ and pensioners’ medical care are being diverted to unrelated projects. This is pathetic, showing a careless attitude of a bureaucratic leadership towards what is an already fragile low-income class. SALEEM GHANI KARACHI
Security demands unity
Cities can use time more intelligently too. Staggered office and market hours reduce the number of vehicles competing for the same road space at the same moment. Freight windows can move deliveries away from peak congestion. Public offices can cluster citizen-facing services into predictable schedules while moving paperwork online. Employers can coordinate car pools and staff buses instead of reimbursing individual fuel bills.
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WITH 2026 already having entered our lives, it is clear that the new year demands serious and renewed resolve to control the escalating incidents of terrorism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. There is a palpable concern that the focus of the top-tier political leadership on confrontational politics among various parties is inadvertently allowing space for terrorist groups to operate with in-creasing confidence and boldness. As such, recent events tragically underscore a perception of a vanishing state writ in certain regions. The security situation across the country appears to be deteriorating, with major urban and supposedly secure centres, including Islamabad and Peshawar, also experiencing various shades of terrorism. This emboldened pattern of aggression necessitates a comprehensive and immediate shift in strategy. To effectively counter this grave national security challenge, it is imperative that all institutions and political stakeholders set aside their differences and forge a united front. The current trajectory, characterised by a loss of precious human lives and a growing sense of impunity among militant groups, is unsustainable and warrants immediate attention. Sustained stability and security require an immediate pivot from a reactive approach to a robust, co-ordinated and proactive response. National consensus and unified insti-tutional action are the only means to reassert the state’s authority, dismantle all terrorist networks, and ensure the safety, security and sovereignty of the affected regions and the nation at large. ANWAR SAYAB KHAN BANNU
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COMMENT 05
Pakistan’s IMF Trap: The long road to economic independence
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
P
MuhaMMaD MohSin iqBal
AKISTAN’S recurring dependence on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has become an enduring feature of its economic history. Every new programme brings temporary relief, helps restore confidence in the country’s ability to meet its external obligations and offers another opportunity to place the economy on a sustainable path. Yet, as one agreement follows another, a fundamental question remains unanswered; why has Pakistan repeatedly needed external assistance to finance its needs and stabilise its economy? The problem extends beyond the burden of debt. It lies in the structural weaknesses that have made borrowing an almost habitual instrument of economic management. Pakistan’s real challenge is not simply to negotiate another loan or secure the next tranche, but to reform the economic system that repeatedly makes such assistance necessary. Pakistan’s predicament is particularly instructive because repeated recourse to the Fund has not produced lasting independence from it. Narrow exports, weak revenue collection, persistent fiscal deficits, expensive energy and insufficient investment have contributed to a recurring cycle. Whenever foreign exchange becomes scarce, the government seeks assistance; once immediate pressures ease, the urgency of deeper reforms often diminishes. The result is temporary stability without a durable solution. The latest IMF programme must be assessed against this history. In October 2026, Pakistan reached a staff-level agreement on reviews under its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, the agreement could release approximately $1.2 billion in additional financing. While this support may strengthen short-term stability, it cannot guarantee that Pakistan will avoid another programme. That outcome depends on what the country does with the breathing space it receives. Economic stabilisation is necessary, but it is not equivalent to economic transformation. Moderating inflation, rebuilding foreign-exchange reserves and maintaining fiscal discipline are important achievements. Their benefits, however, will remain fragile
unless Pakistan expands production, creates employment and earns substantially more foreign exchange. A sustainable economy must finance its development through productive activity rather than rely repeatedly on external assistance. Tax reform is an essential starting point. Pakistan cannot maintain a fair and effective fiscal system by placing a disproportionate burden on salaried employees and documented businesses while significant economic activity remains undertaxed. The tax base must be broadened, exemptions rationalised and collection modernised through digital monitoring and transparent administration. Agriculture, property and retail sectors should contribute fairly according to their economic capacity and the law. Provincial governments must also improve revenue mobilisation. Sustainable public finances require cooperation between the federation and the provinces, not the shifting of responsibility from one to another. Energy reform is equally urgent. Circular debt, electricity theft, distribution losses and weak recoveries continue to burden public finances and undermine industrial competitiveness. Repeated tariff increases, without corresponding improvements in efficiency and governance, cannot provide a lasting remedy. Distribution companies must perform better, losses must be reduced, and private participation should be encouraged where it improves efficiency. Energy must become financially sustainable without making domestic production prohibitively expensive. The decisive test, however, is Pakistan’s ability to earn foreign exchange. The gov-
‘One thing I have learned from studying the history of rich people is that extreme wealth makes you weird’
‘[Garfield] depicts Altman as a manipulative, power-hungry psychopath who lies as easily as he breathes and will use anyone, anytime, anywhere to get what he wants’ ERiCa PanDEy
Hollywood’s hottest villain right now is the tech billionaire. Four films hitting theaters this fall put some of Silicon Valley’s most powerful and controversial figures in the spotlight: Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman and Elizabeth Holmes. Why it matters: Hollywood’s portrayal of Silicon Valley and its leaders is getting darker as negative headlines about the tech industry seep into pop culture. Once portrayed as brilliant but flawed innovators, tech leaders are increasingly being cast as creepy villains whose ambitions may do more harm than good. Zoom in: This fall’s tech billionaire films span genres, from documentaries to thrillers. “The Social Reckoning,” Aaron Sorkin’s follow-up to his 2010 hit, “The Social Network,” opened Friday with Jeremy Strong portraying a more sinister Mark Zuckerberg during the 2021 Facebook whistleblower leak. Sorkin takes some cinematic liberties with chronology and other details. “Musk,” the four-hour documentary (including a 10-minute intermission) about Elon Musk’s rise, is playing in select theaters and opens nationwide on Friday. The roller-coaster rollout of the film, directed by Oscar-winning documentarian Alex Gibney, included critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival and legal threats from Musk’s team. “You Can See Everything,” out Friday, is an experimental documentary from Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim that follows ex-Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes in the weeks before she went to prison. The studio, A24, says an “intimate portrait of an enigmatic felon becomes a mind-bending three-year journey into the abyss. “Artificial,” a drama directed by Luca Guadagnino, stars Andrew Garfield as Sam Altman and hits theaters Christmas Day. In the film, “[Garfield] depicts Altman as a manipulative, power-hungry psychopath who lies as easily as he breathes
that fails to improve ordinary lives cannot command the public confidence needed to sustain difficult decisions. The ambition to conclude the present IMF programme without requiring another is worthy of serious commitment. Yet an exit date is not an exit strategy. Fiscal discipline, energy-sector reform, export growth and institutional improvements must survive political transitions and changes in leadership. Short-term political convenience must no longer take precedence over long-term economic resilience. The experiences of other borrowers offer further lessons. Argentina’s enormous IMF
Tax reform is an essential starting point. Pakistan cannot maintain a fair and effective fiscal system by placing a disproportionate burden on salaried employees and documented businesses while significant economic activity remains undertaxed. The tax base must be broadened, exemptions rationalised and collection modernised through digital monitoring and transparent administration. Agriculture, property and retail sectors should contribute fairly according to their economic capacity and the law. Provincial governments must also improve revenue mobilisation. Sustainable public finances require cooperation between the federation and the provinces, not the shifting of responsibility from one to another.
Silicon Valley’s horror shows AXIOS
ernment’s Uraan Pakistan framework envisages merchandise exports of approximately $63 billion by 2029. This ambition will remain unrealised without predictable policies, competitive energy costs, access to finance, modern technology and efficient trade procedures. Pakistan must move beyond excessive dependence on traditional exports by developing higher-value textiles, information technology, engineering goods and processed agricultural products. Export diversification is not merely a growth strategy; it is essential to reducing the need for external borrowing. Investment requires confidence in the continuity of public policy. Investors are reluctant to commit capital when taxation, regulations and economic priorities change unpredictably. State-owned enterprises must be governed professionally, with restructuring or privatisation pursued where appropriate. Public expenditure should support productive investment rather than sustain inefficiencies that consume scarce national resources. Institutional credibility is therefore as important as financial incentives in attracting long-term investment. Reform, however, cannot succeed if its social costs are ignored. Fiscal discipline must not become a justification for transferring the burden of adjustment to vulnerable citizens. Savings from wasteful expenditure and poorly targeted subsidies should help strengthen healthcare, education, vocational training and social protection. Pakistan’s young population can become a powerful engine of economic growth, but only if education, skills and employment opportunities prepare it for a competitive world. Stability
and will use anyone, anytime, anywhere to get what he wants,” The Verge reports. The studio, NEON, calls it “the story of OpenAI and a two-decade artificial intelligence arms race. ... As the technology becomes more powerful and more valuable than anyone ever imagined, a battle rages over who should control the tech that could change the fate of humanity.” These projects represent a sharp turn away from some earlier movies and documentaries about Silicon Valley, like “Jobs” and “Something Ventured,” which celebrated the ingenuity of founders and venture capitalists. “With tech, it was an ardent love affair,” says Margaret O’Mara, a University of Washington historian who studies Silicon Valley. “And when you fall out of love, you fall out of love fast.” “Our popular understanding of Silicon Valley and the products it makes has changed drastically.” Zoom out: Hollywood is reflecting the public’s growing disillusionment with the tech industry. Polls show Americans of all ages are quickly souring on AI and think it’s moving too fast. Two in three Americans say social media has been bad for democracy, per Pew Research Center polling. “Popular movies hold up a mirror to current social anxieties,” says writer and editor-in-chief of Film Quarterly J.M. Tyree. Right now, “people are thinking about power consolidating in the hands of the few at the expense of the many.” The intrigue: Tech founders are compelling on-screen villains, Tyree says. They bring together two archetypes: the ruthless businessman who’s corrupted by greed, as seen in movies like “Citizen Kane” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and the mad scientist who’s morally ambiguous and employs science and technology recklessly, like in “Metropolis” or “Frankenstein.” Plus, their eccentricities make for good entertainment. The bottom line: O’Mara, the Silicon Valley historian, notes: “One thing I have learned from studying the history of rich people is that extreme wealth makes you weird.”
exposure, Ukraine’s wartime financing needs and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s deep poverty and insecurity demonstrate that debt distress has different causes and consequences. Economic structure, governance, conflict and external shocks all matter. Pakistan must draw lessons from international experience while pursuing reforms suited to its own circumstances. The IMF is neither Pakistan’s permanent adversary nor a substitute for sound economic management. Its assistance can provide valuable breathing space, but the responsibility for using it wisely rests with the nation’s own leadership and institutions. Repeated borrowing will end only when the weaknesses that necessitate it are addressed. Ultimately, success will not be measured by another agreement or the arrival of another financial tranche. It will be measured by an economy capable of meeting its obligations through competitive exports, fair taxation, productive investment and prudent public finances. Pakistan must escape not only its present debt burden but also the economic habits that continually recreate it. Temporary relief can be negotiated across a table; lasting independence must be built at home through courage, consistency and the willingness to undertake reforms long postponed. That is the road Pakistan must travel if it is to replace recurring dependence with genuine economic sovereignty.
All is quiet on the Israeli elections front Prosecutors alleged that Netanyahu traded state regulatory benefits for favorable media coverage
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JERUSALEM POST yiSRaEl MEDaD
RACKING the electioneering vagaries of the parties in the run-up to the October 27 polling day for the 26th Knesset is not an easy task. With all the latest possibilities available to publicize party messages, whether touting your own platform or attacking your opponent, there are many pictures, clips, memes, speeches, and interviews. On the other hand, every election campaign has its quiet side. Or even a silent side. Some things are avoided or even suppressed. Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu will probably not refer to the term “responsibility” in his campaign. On the other hand, I am not sure there is anything National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir will not say. As for Netanyahu’s opposition leaders, issues are being avoided. The media is also muting its references to those issues, if not ignoring them, since they do not help the cause. One example is the renewed sessions of the Netanyahu trials. In the past month, one witness, former MK Eitan Cabel, basically undermined Case 2000. In it, Netanyahu is charged with criminal corruption for allegedly exchanging favors with Yediot Aharonot. His testimony also affected Case 4000, the Bezeq-Walla affair. Prosecutors alleged that Netanyahu traded state regulatory benefits for favorable media coverage. In June 2023, the three judges told the parties they saw “difficulties” in proving the bribery offense and suggested that the prosecution consider withdrawing that count. In June 2026, they repeated their earlier assessment and made clear it had not changed. A tantalizing media spin-off resulting from that trial was the revelation that in November 2015, prominent journalist Ben Caspit, a foe of Netanyahu, met with police investigator Eran Kamin. Irregularly, Caspit urged Kamin to open Netanyahu’s baggage at the airport, and that of his wife, as evidence of embezzlement would be found. That development is
The writer is freelance columnist
If the media goes silent on a hot story and lets it peter out, that may be a sign that something was wrong in the first place, or that the media is supporting one of the sides
absent from mainstream media coverage. There is quiet regarding why the investigation into former military advocate-general Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, a second example, has stalled with no prosecution entered. Now dismissed from service but still receiving financial benefits, she perpetrated the illegal disclosure of the Sde Teiman securitycamera video to Channel 12. The person who edited it so maliciously is still unknown. Afterward, she also misled the High Court and other officials about the source of the leak. The most senior IDF officer in the army’s justice corps is suspected of obstruction of justice, fraud, breach of trust, and abuse of office, too. Since last February, the case has gone nowhere, and we still do not know whether Attorney-General Gali BaharavMiara or people in her office were involved. A third matter that has gone very quiet is Qatargate with its overlapping Bild classifieddocument leak connection. That was highly publicized even as a matter of national treachery. It also seems to be meriting the quiet treatment, and the media is not relating to the matter. High-profile figures close to Netanyahu were presented to the public as arch criminals. These included Yonatan Urich, Netanyahu’s close media adviser; Eli Feldstein, a former Prime Minister’s Office spokesman; Srulik Einhorn, long-time Likud campaign strategist; and even Tzachi Braverman, Netanyahu’s chief of staff and current ambassador-designate to the United Kingdom.
WHY IS THERE QUIET? With all those figures, why is there quiet? Could it be that there really isn’t anything to make noise over? One possible reason is that the former Mossad chief David Barnea said in April 2026 that he had not identified damage to Israeli national security or to the hostage negotiations resulting from Qatargate. The 2024 unauthorized transfer of a highly classified Israeli intelligence document to the German newspaper Bild by some of those same Netanyahu advisors is also under the radar. We are still waiting for the full report on Brig.-Gen.
(res.) Oren Solomon’s internal inquiry into the IDF’s actions and failures during October and his accusation that senior military leadership tried to suppress his critical findings. To remind us, that article (printed in Israel Hayom with the censor’s approval, incidentally) indicated that Yahya Sinwar and Hamas were deliberately preventing a hostage agreement, including by using the hostages to pressure Israel. The anti-Bibists fulminated, and the media loudly accused the Netanyahu clique of manipulating public opinion. However, with now-former White House coordinator for the Middle East Brett McGurk’s admission that “the idea that Hamas just was ready to release all the hostages is complete bulls***,” the Bild leak is in its proper proportion. McGurk said Israel repeatedly agreed to proposals while Hamas resisted. In other words, the extremely loud campaign in Hostage Square that the government was preventing any deal was unsupported by the facts. Actually, now the tables are turned, and the role of the Kaplan Camp in the Hamas decision to go ahead with its invasion plans should be highlighted. Did their activities encourage the idea that Israeli society was imploding? Why is the media silent? There is quiet because the public relations principle is: if an item serves your goal, quash it and ignore it. Don’t even mention it. This is true especially if it turns out your own source goes on television to contradict and disavow the fairytale you spread. Of course, there are two more weeks in the campaign, and I am not a prophet; nor do I suggest any one side is unblemished. I think it fair that the public be reminded that the many media storms we have experienced over the last few years have either been proven wrong or led nowhere. If the media goes silent on a hot story and lets it peter out, that may be a sign that something was wrong in the first place, or that the media is supporting one of the sides. The writer is a researcher, analyst, and commentator on political, cultural, and media issues.
AI HAS DISCOVERED ALL JOKES AND COMEDY HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED
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SATIRE
NEWS BISCUIT BillClay
T has been announced that AI has discovered all jokes and there are no new humorous phrases or actions left. All humour is now just Gemini copies of a Claude version of a Co-pilot reproduction of a racist Grok comment. AI has absorbed all the internet, been fed
books and watched all of the Chuckle Brother’s work. As the last book of 1001 dad jokes was scanned and shredded, AI stated that comedy is now complete. Any phrases in comments sections or in your “encrypted” personal texts that has a laughing emoji or the word lol after it have been fed into The Algorithm. It then exponentially extrapolates into all possible versions to ensure that maximum comedy has been actualised. It is now creating
quantum comedy, which is both funny and not funny at the same time, like how people view Mrs Brown’s Boys. Apart from the funny half. It is now literally impossible for the puny fleshy sentient meat bags to create any original material, as all possible versions of all possible comedy have been created. Full content has been provided; there is no more. The last ever original joke was Trump trying to rename AI as Super Intelligence.
06 NEWS
INDIA BLOC MARCHES TOWARDS SUPREME COURT IN FRESH POLITICAL SHOWDOWN
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Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | LAHORE
NEW DELHI agenCies
NDIA’S electoral controversy has triggered another political confrontation in New Delhi. Opposition parties are challenging the voter-list revision process, while restrictions have tightened around key areas of the capital. The dispute has raised fresh questions over electoral accountability and the right to peaceful protest. The Congress-led INDIA bloc planned a march towards the Supreme Court on Monday. The opposition seeks action over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and demands the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, staged a counter-protest outside the Congress headquarters, according to the cited video report. The opposition has accused the Election Commission of India of irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. It alleges that the process could disenfranchise eligible voters and undermine electoral fairness. The Election Commission has denied
favouring any political party. It says names were removed for reasons including deaths, relocation and inability to trace voters. It has also said people whose names were wrongly deleted can seek re-enrolment. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called on opposition parties, civil society groups and
China-EU consensus on vehicle trade averts escalation of trade frictions BEIJING
staff CoRRespondent
The consensus reached between China and the European Union (EU) on hybrid and electric vehicle trade has helped prevent an escalation of trade frictions, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said on Monday. The spokesperson made the remarks in response to speculation by some foreign media outlets over details of the trade arrangements, particularly those concerning hybrid vehicles, following the latest meeting of the ChinaEU trade and investment consultation mechanism in Beijing. The spokesperson said China and the EU had engaged in sustained dialogue under the mechanism and reached consensus on a number of outcomes, helping maintain a stable and balanced relationship between these two key trading partners. Guided by the principles of mutual respect and equal consultation, the two sides held intensive talks on hybrid and electric vehicle trade, addressing economic and trade differences and each other's concerns in a balanced manner, the spokesperson noted. Regarding hybrid vehicles, the two sides emphasized and confirmed three basic principles: respect for facts, non-discrimination and compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Citing Eurostat data, the spokesperson said the EU imported 107,000 hybrid vehicles from China in 2024 and 302,000 in 2025. Building on the 2025 level, the two sides reached an arrangement allowing for further increases, ensuring room for Chinese enterprises to maintain exports and achieve steady growth while taking into account the legitimate concerns of industries on both sides based on actual conditions, the spokesperson said. Under the principle of nondiscrimination, no measures will specifically target Chinese products, let alone discriminate against Chinese enterprises. The quota allocated to China will be no lower than that granted by the EU to any other source of imports, according to the spokesperson. The two sides also confirmed that the trade arrangement should comply with WTO rules. China reserves all its rights under the WTO framework, including the right to resort to dispute settlement and seek trade compensation, the spokesperson said. Regarding electric vehicles, the spokesperson said China and the EU achieved a "soft landing" in the EU's anti-subsidy case in January this year, with the bloc issuing a general guidance document on price undertakings. The EU will continue to advance relevant procedures concerning price undertakings by companies involved in the case, as well as other review procedures, the spokesperson added. The spokesperson stressed that the consensus, reached on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit, has effectively safeguarded the interests of Chinese enterprises, prevented an escalation of China-EU trade frictions and provided a stable, predictable and sustainable environment for bilateral trade and investment, contributing to the stable, balanced and sound development of China-EU economic and trade relations.
citizens to join the march. The bloc intended to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, seeking a halt to the revision exercise and accountability over the allegations. Delhi authorities imposed prohibitory restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
(BNSS). Police erected barricades and deployed security personnel around central Delhi ahead of the planned demonstration. Entry and exit were temporarily closed at six metro stations for security reasons. The closures and traffic diversions disrupted movement in parts of the capital.
The security measures came amid days of demonstrations and detentions linked to the electoral controversy. They have also intensified debate over how authorities should balance public order with citizens’ rights to assemble and protest peacefully. Chief Justice Surya Kant declined the opposition leaders’ request for a meeting. Reports said he advised them to pursue the matter through legal proceedings, as related issues were already before the court. He also reiterated that citizens could approach the judiciary through established legal channels. The Supreme Court had separately addressed concerns over protest-related restrictions. During a hearing on Sunday, it stressed that peaceful protesters should not be illegally detained and directed authorities to ensure normal metro operations and uninterrupted internet services, subject to law. The continuing confrontation highlights the growing political dispute over electoral rolls and the Election Commission’s role. The controversy now extends beyond party rivalry to questions of public access, peaceful assembly and institutional accountability.
US launches immigration raid of Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar's home WASHINGTON ReuteRs
US authorities conducted a predawn Monday raid on the Washington-area home of Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar as part of an ongoing investigation, the Justice Department said. The raid followed a criminal fraud investigation into the Somali-born lawmaker's immigration paperwork, which was filled out by her late father when she was a child, Fox News Digital reported, citing unidentified sources. "Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice. This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal investigation," a Department of Justice spokesperson said in an email. A representative for Omar did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The raid came a little more than three weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, when President Donald Trump's Republicans will be trying to defend their thin majorities in the US
Congress. Omar has been a frequent target of political insults from Trump, who has cast the Somali American community as a threat to Minnesota in a burst of anti-Somali and anti-Muslim rhetoric. 'CREEPY OBSESSION' Omar, an outspoken critic of Trump, has
called his focus on her an "unhealthy and creepy obsession." Last week, Trump called Democratic candidate for US Senate from Michigan Abdul El-Sayed, who is Muslim, a "RADICAL Extremist" and "Terrorist Sympathizer" while offering support for the Republican candidate,
Riyadh airport closure extended after deadly Houthi attacks
RIYADH
staff RepoRt
Saudi authorities have extended the closure of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport following deadly Houthi attacks that killed three Saudi nationals and injured several others.
The airport has remained shut as security and emergency teams assess damage, inspect facilities and work to restore normal operations. Flights scheduled to arrive in or depart from Riyadh have been cancelled, delayed or diverted to alternative airports, affecting domestic and
international passengers. Authorities have advised travellers to remain in contact with their airlines and confirm updated schedules before travelling to the airport. The closure follows missile and drone attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement amid a broader escalation in regional hostilities. Saudi air defences remain on heightened alert as authorities continue monitoring the threat of further attacks on civilian and strategic infrastructure. The latest strikes have added to pressure on aviation and transport networks across the Gulf as regional tensions continue to disrupt commercial travel. Saudi officials have not announced a firm date for the full reopening of the airport, saying operations will resume once security and safety assessments are completed.
President Xi, Papua New Guinea's governor-general exchange congratulations over 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties BEIJING
staff CoRRespondent
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bob Dadae, governor-general of Papua New Guinea, on Monday exchanged congratulations on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In his message, Xi noted that Papua New Guinea is a good friend, good partner and good brother of China in the Pacific island region. Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have deepened political mutual trust, achieved fruitful results in mutually beneficial cooperation and expanded people-to-people exchanges, raising bilateral relations to new heights, Xi said. These achievements have benefited the two peoples and injected strong impetus into building a China-Pacific Island countries community with a shared future, said Xi. Noting that he attaches great importance to the development of
China-Papua New Guinea relations, Xi said that he stands ready to work with Dadae to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen exchanges and cooperation across various fields, and elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Papua New Guinea to a new level, so as to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples. For his part, Dadae said that over the past 50 years, bilateral relations have made significant progress, benefiting both countries and their peoples. Papua New Guinea cherishes the longstanding friendship with China, firmly upholds the one-China principle and looks forward to taking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to further deepen and advance bilateral relations, he said. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang also exchanged congratulations with Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape.
Mike Rogers. Civil rights advocates have criticized the Republican president's rhetoric towards minorities and immigrants, including when he previously called Somalis "garbage." Trump in February said that Omar and Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, who is also Muslim, should be "institutionalized" and sent back to "where they came from." Both lawmakers had criticized Trump during his State of the Union address as he touted his administration's hard-line immigration crackdown and its immigration enforcement actions. The progressive lawmaker has repeatedly said she and her family have faced death threats, which she attributes to "hateful political rhetoric" especially from Trump. Last month, a Minnesota man who squirted vinegar on Omar was sentenced to one year and two months in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting a federal official. Anthony James Kazmierczak admitted to attacking Omar because he disagreed with her progressive political views.
Americans Hall and Woodford win Nobel economics prize for work on stabilisation
WASHINGTON ReuteRs
US academics Robert Hall and Michael Woodford won the 2026 Nobel economics prize for "for microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation", the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said on Monday. The prestigious award, formally known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, is the final prize to be given out this year and is worth 12 million Swedish crowns ($1.2 million). The two laureates developed new macroeconomic models that improved our ability to implement effective stabilisation policy, enabling well-timed fiscal and monetary policy measures that can reduce the intensity of damaging swings in the economy. "The laureates’ work has provided us with a stable theoretical foundation for the models that are now used by central banks and governments around the world," John Hassler, Chair of the Committee for the Prize in Economic Sciences, said in a statement. "With them, we are better equipped to deal with shocks in the economy, such as energy crises or sudden changes in how much households consume." The economics prize, first awarded in 1969, is not one of the original five awards created in the 1895 will of industrialist and dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel, but was established by Sweden's central bank. The majority of previous laureates have been from the United States. Only three women have ever won, most recently Claudia Goldin in 2023 for work on how gender has affected pay and employment over time in the United States. Analysis by the Institute for Scientific Information, part of Clarivate, had picked researchers working on monetary policy, the economics of information technology and evolutionary economic theory as possible recipients. Last year's winners, Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt, won for work on "creative destruction" and how new technology and production methods can boost growth and living standards.
Tuesday, 13 October 2026 | LAHORE
CORPORATE CORNER
UBL Rural Bank and Universal Agri Tractor Company Sign Strategic Alliance to Expand Tractor Financing for Farmers
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
United Bank Limited (UBL) Rural Bank and Universal Agri Tractor Company (UATC), part of the G.M. Group, have entered into a strategic alliance aimed at accelerating farm mechanization, expanding access to agricultural financing and empowering Pakistan’s farming community. The agreement was formally signed at Governor House Sindh on October 5, 2026, in the presence of Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi, Governor of Sindh, alongside senior government officials, business leaders, senior executives and industry stakeholders. Representing UBL Rural Bank at the ceremony was Mr. Abdul Sattar Narejo, Head Rural Bank, while Mr. Zain Wahab, Managing Partner of UATC, and Mr. Wahab GM, Owner of UATC, represented Universal Agri Tractor Company. Addressing the gathering, Governor Sindh Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi emphasized the importance of initiatives that support the growth and development of the agricultural sector.
Engro Fertilizers Supports Government of Punjab to Raise Awareness of Mandatory Vehicle Emission Testing
LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Engro Fertilizers is honoured to support the Punjab Transport Authority, Government of Punjab, in raising awareness about mandatory vehicle emission testing - an important step towards improving air quality and creating healthier communities across the province.The initiative aims to monitor and reduce harmful vehicle emissions by encouraging vehicle owners to have their vehicles tested and certified. As sustainability is a shared responsibility, the campaign seeks to build greater public awareness of the role everyone can play in contributing to cleaner air.In the first phase, all vehicles with Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) are required to undergo emission testing and obtain certification by 15 October 2026, with Lahore serving as the first city.The campaign aligns with Engro Fertilizers THRIVE framework, which reflects the company’s commitment to creating a healthier and more sustainable future across its areas of impact. With one of the key pillars of THRIVE being ‘Energy & Emissions Stewardship’, THRIVE reinforces the importance of responsible action for people, communities, and the environment. Supporting this awareness campaign is a natural extension of that commitment beyond Engro Fertilizers’ own operations.
DWP Technologies Wins Four Honours at Cisco Partner Awards FY 2025–26
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
DWP Technologies took home four awards at the Cisco Partner Awards, held at the Marriott Karachi, for its performance during FY 2025–26: Partner of the Year, Commercial Partner of the Year, CX (Customer Experience) Partner of the Year and the Excellence in Action Award. The awards were received on behalf of DWP Technologies by Taha Muhammad Naseem, Director – DWP Group; Waseem Sher, National Manager – Networks and Adnan Saleem, Regional Manager – Networks. Together they span the company’s work with Cisco, from overall partnership and commercial performance to customer experience and delivery, and reflect a year of consistent focus on real-time results from its sales, technical and service teams, whose expertise and commitment made the achievement possible.This recognition marks a further milestone for DWP Technologies as it continues to deliver enterprise technology solutions that create measurable value for its customers.
NEWS 07
PUNJAB LAUNCHES MOBILE HEALTH SERVICES FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS
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LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
HIEF Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated a mobile health programme comprising 65 units to provide medical services to industrial workers and their families at their workplaces and doorsteps. The initiative will initially cover Lahore, Kasur and Sheikhupura, benefiting more than 4.6 million industrial workers and their family members. The government aims to extend the programme to Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Rawalpindi by March 2027. The programme includes 10 mobile hospitals, five mobile clinics, dedicated dental and cardiac units, 40 motorcycles and 10 scooters. The motorcycle and scooter teams will provide basic medical assistance, first aid, essential medicines and health awareness services to workers and their families. The mobile hospitals will be
equipped with outpatient departments, diagnostic facilities, X-ray and ultrasound services, basic laboratories and medical staff, including doctors, female doctors, radiologists, nurses and laboratory and Xray technicians. The mobile clinics will also offer telemedicine facilities, while the dental units will provide dental examinations and treatment. During her visit to the Nawaz Sharif Social Security Hospital, CM Punjab’s
inspected the mobile hospitals, dental unit, motorcycles and scooters and received a briefing on the medicines and medical equipment available. She also visited the outpatient department and the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Cardiac Centre, where she interacted with patients and inquired about their health. Officials briefed the chief minister on a mobile rheumatic heart disease screening initiative, which will cover 29,845
factories, industrial establishments and other workplaces in Lahore, Sheikhupura and Kasur. The mobile units will also be deployed to screen around 54,000 children enrolled in workers’ welfare schools across Punjab for heart conditions. According to the briefing, the field operations of all mobile health units will be connected to a digital hub at the Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI) headquarters to enable real-time monitoring of their routes and activities. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the province’s 24 social security hospitals were providing treatment and medicines to more than 10 million industrial workers and their family members. The mobile health programme would facilitate early diagnosis and treatment while reducing the burden on hospitals, she added. She said 250 medical outlets under PESSI would also provide healthcare services to workers across the province. The chief minister said the programme was intended to ensure that registered workers could access quality healthcare at their workplaces, while their families would receive medical services closer to home.
Azma Bokhari Exposes PTI’s Propaganda Over Protest Videos LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that the truth behind the fake protest videos circulated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has come to light. She said an old video of a boiler in Jamshoro was attributed to the protest in Peshawar, while an Indian citizen, Ashok Swain, attributed a
video of a protest at Jantar Mantar to the Islamabad protest. “Fake leadership, fake revolution, fake protest! Next time, hold a rally on the moon as well and use a video from NASA,” Azma Bokhari remarked. She said that when terrorists feel safe under the protection of a provincial government, the police are left unarmed and the public is abandoned to their mercy, it is a
karachi: Group photo taken on the occasion of World Mental Health Day 2026 during a seminar held at Karachi Psychiatric Hospital, with the chief guest Dr. Iqbal Afridi, Psychiatrist & Managing Director of Karachi Psychiatric Hospital Dr. Syed Abdul Rehman, Dr. Meraj-ul-Huda Siddiqui, Muhammad Farhan Iqbal (CIO) and Business Development Manager Syed Haider, along with the doctors and staff who received the Special Award. PR
Zong’s Digital Scholars Program, Empowering Young Women For Pakistan’s AI-Ready Future ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Marking the International Day of the Girl Child, Zong, Pakistan’s Leading Technology Services Enterprise, in partnership with Knowledge Platform have launched the next phase of the Zong Digital Scholars Program, advancing its commitment to digital inclusion, future-ready skills, and greater participation of young girls in Pakistan’s technology-driven economy.Building on an established foundation of impact, the program has reached more than 50,000 students, including over 5,000 young women, across 300+ schools in 35 cities across Pakistan. The phase marks a strategic evolution from broad-based digital education outreach towards equipping the next generation with the skills and capabilities required to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.Over the next year, the program aims to reach 10,000 college and university students, delivering self-paced, game-based digital learning focused on artificial intelligence, analytical thinking, and problem-solving. By strengthening these critical capabilities, the program seeks to bridge the gap between access to digital learning and the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the emerging digital economy.Empowering young women is central to this next phase. With approximately 6,000 young women targeted for participation, representing 60% of the program’s intended reach, the initiative aims to expand access to technology education and create pathways for greater female participation in Pakistan’s digital and technology ecosystem.
state of emergency. The Punjab Information Minister said that a chief minister who lacks respect for the national anthem and the national flag is worthy of condemnation. “What has the PTI government given this province in 13 years?” she asked, adding that the way the PTI government has treated the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is evident to all.
NUML Celebrates 580th Hangul Day - Korean Ambassador Han Sungho Highlights Language as a Bridge Between Cultures
karachi: Wasif Siddiqui, Engineer Syed Anwar Ali, and others are sharing details regarding the 4th Engineers Premier League at the Karachi Press Club. PR
Fatima Fertilizer Becomes First Company to Join Hands with Government of Punjab’s EP&CCD for Environmental Sustainability
LAHORE STAFF REPORT
ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
The Islamabad King Sejong Institute (IKSI), department of Korean Language and Culture at NUML celebrated the 580th Hangeul Day with great enthusiasm, highlighting the significance of the Korean language in fostering cultural understanding and strengthening people-topeople ties between Pakistan and the Republic of Korea.The ceremony was graced by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Pakistan, H.E. Han Sungho, as the Chief Guest. Rector NUML, Maj Gen Shahid Mahmood Kayani, HI(M) (Retd), Director General NUML, Brig Muhammad Rafiq Khan, along with Deans, Directors, faculty members and students, also attended the celebrations.The event featured an essay writing competition, a calligraphy competition and vibrant cultural performances showcasing the richness of Korean language and culture. The activities provided students with an opportunity to demonstrate their linguistic abilities, creativity and appreciation of Korean traditions.In his welcome remarks, Rector NUML, Maj Gen Shahid Mahmood Kayani, HI(M) (Retd), commended the Korean people for their profound love for their language and their enthusiasm for celebrating Hangeul Day. He reaffirmed NUML’s commitment to promoting languages as a means of fostering mutual understanding and strengthening people-topeople connections between Pakistan and friendly countries.
Chairman CDA Visits Islamabad Expressway East Project; Directs Timely Completion with High Quality Standards
ISLAMABAD: In line with the vision of Federal Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi to transform Islamabad into a developed, beautiful and modern capital, development activities across the city are progressing rapidly. In this regard, Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Sohail Ashraf visited the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East Project to review the progress and quality of ongoing development works. He directed the concerned officers to accelerate construction and ensure timely completion of the project while maintaining the highest quality standards.The Chairman CDA was briefed on the progress achieved, ongoing construction activities and the next phase of development. He highlighted the importance of the Islamabad Expressway East Project in improving road connectivity, enhancing traffic flow, reducing congestion and strengthening the capital’s road network.Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Islamabad, concerned Assistant Commissioner and CDA officers were present during the visit. STAFF REPORT
Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited and the Environment Protection & Climate Change Department (EP&CCD), Government of Punjab, have established a Joint Collaborative Framework to strengthen collective efforts towards environmental sustainability, climate action and sustainable development across the province.The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to bringing public- and private-sector stakeholders together to support environmental priorities, encourage responsible practices and build greater awareness of the challenges facing Punjab. It will provide a platform for facilitating partnerships, mobilising stakeholder participation and promoting initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.Through this framework, Fatima Fertilizer and EP&CCD aim to encourage meaningful engagement with industry, academia, youth, civil society and other relevant stakeholders. Areas of potential collaboration include environmental awareness, air quality improvement, smog mitigation, water conservation, waste management, biodiversity protection and green innovation.
Khushhali Microfinance Bank Secures Two Prestigious Awards At PMN Annual Conference
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Khushhali Microfinance Bank Limited (KMBL), Pakistan’s pioneering microfinance bank, received the “Best Turnaround Microfinance Bank” and “Best Housing Finance MFB” awards at the Pakistan Microfinance Network’s 10th Annual Microfinance Conference (AMC-X). The Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN) organised the AMC-X conference, in collaboration with UNIDO under the EU-funded PAIDAR programme. The honours reflect KMBL’s momentum in driving financial recovery—marked by reduced risk, stronger institutional fundamentals, and expanded support for affordable financial services including housing finance, Microenterprise and Agriculture Financing.
ACHAKZAI LEADS OPPOSITION CHARGE AGAINST KP EMERGENCY
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
PRAYER TIMINGS
NEWS
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ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
PPOSITION leaders on Monday denounced the federal government’s imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai accusing the Centre of applying a political double standard by targeting the province while allegedly overlooking the deteriorating security situation in Balochistan. Speaking to the media outside Parliament House, Achakzai claimed that the state had lost its writ in half of Balochistan but the federal government had refrained from imposing similar measures there because the provincial chief minister was politically favoured by the ruling coalition. The federal government on Sunday imposed emergency in 12 districts of KP and placed the province under governor’s rule, citing what it described as the provincial government’s deliberate disengagement from counterterrorism efforts. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who chaired the federal cabinet meeting that approved the measures, had expressed anguish over the killing of civilians, police personnel, security officials, women and children in terrorist violence in KP and Balochistan.
Both provinces have experienced persistent militant attacks. According to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, 199 terrorist attacks were recorded across the country in August, including 54 in KP, excluding the merged districts, and 89 in Balochistan. Senate Opposition Leader Raja Abbas Nasir, who appeared alongside Achakzai, also questioned the government’s decision to single out KP. “If terrorism and peace were an issue, you should have imposed emergency in Balochistan first,” he said. Nasir accused the government of un-
Imposition of emergency, governor’s rule challenged in PHC PESHAWAR
Section 144 imposed in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
STAFF REPORT
The Federal government’s imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been challenged in the Peshawar High Court, with a plea seeking that the decision be declared unconstitutional. The petition was filed in the Peshawar High Court by Advocate Salman. In accordance with constitutional and legal requirements, the President, Prime Minister of Pakistan and Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been formally named as respondents. The petitioner submitted that the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in the province is wholly unconstitutional, illegal and mala fide and constitutes an open violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan and the democratic system. The detailed petition argues that the federal government’s step amounts to an attack on the clear democratic mandate of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It states that suspending or disabling the elected provincial government and representatives through administrative measures, without justification, exceeds constitutional limits. The petition requests that the high court review the constitutional status of the measure and declare the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule void.
Pakistani national killed, 11 people seriously injured in attack by Houthi rebels on airport RIYADH
STAFF REPORT
dermining constitutional and democratic principles, alleging that it had first come to power through a disputed electoral process and had now targeted an elected provincial government that enjoyed a two-thirds majority. 'Assault on Constitution' Declaring the federal government’s decision an assault on democracy, Achakzai called on political parties and other national stakeholders to unite against the move. He said opposition parties would be asked to launch a democratic struggle against the decision from Tuesday in
areas where they wielded influence. “We will not abuse anyone; we will not fire bullets — we don’t have any — and we will not throw even a stone on anyone,” he said, emphasising that the opposition’s response would remain peaceful. Achakzai maintained that resisting the move was the responsibility of every Pakistani, including judges, military officers, government officials and political leaders. The imposition of emergency and governor’s rule came amid escalating tensions between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which has been organising a long march to Islamabad to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan. The march was led by suspended KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Achakzai defended Afridi, saying his demand was limited to securing access to Imran Khan and ensuring that he received appropriate medical treatment. He reiterated that the opposition wanted meetings with the former prime minister and assured that PTI leaders would not disclose details of their conversations if access was granted. They would only inform the public about Imran’s health, he added. Despite denouncing the government’s actions, Achakzai said the opposition remained willing to engage in negotiations, while continuing its political struggle against the existing system.
Section 144 has been imposed in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, banning gatherings, rallies, processions, protests and carrying arms, according to official notifications. The administrations of Shangla, Buner, Hangu, Chitral, Lower and Upper Dir districts of KP have declared the imposition of Section 144 to ensure the law and order. The district administration of Shangla has imposed a ban on political rallies, processions, gatherings and prohibited hate speeches for the period of 30 days. Deputy Commissioner Buner has also slapped a complete ban over political gatherings, hate speeches and exhibition of arms for the period of 30 days. The district administration has warned of action under section 188 in case of violation of the law. The ban will remain imposed in the district for 30 days.
District administrations of Hangu, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Upper and Lower Chitral have also imposed section 144 with a complete ban on gatherings of five or more persons and unauthorised rallies and announced legal action against those violating the law. The authorities have announced closure of all academic institutions in Chitral and called on the general public to extend cooperation in the enforcement of the orders. Meanwhile, the federal government has notified the deployment of Pakistan Army troops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to assist the civil administration. The deployment has been approved under Article 245 of the Constitution for the duration of the emergency declared on October 11. According to the notification, the deployment aims to protect the lives and property of citizens and government installations in the province. The Pakistan Army will
assist the civil administration in maintaining law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the notification stated. It said the KP governor, in consultation with General Headquarters (GHQ), would determine the number of troops and resources required for the deployment. Security has been placed on high alert in the garrison city of Rawalpindi and adjoining areas to maintain the law and order situation, ARY News reported, citing police. Police stated that arrests will be made for violations of Section 144, while strict surveillance has been established at all entry and exit points of the city. Additional police forces have also been deployed in key areas of the garrison city. To maintain law and order, police conducted a special flag march across the city. Meanwhile, City Police Officer (CPO) Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera visited various areas of Rawalpindi to inspect security arrangements.
Two Pakistan Army pilots martyred in trainer aircraft crash near Quetta QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
A Pakistani national was killed and 11 people were seriously injured in a projectile and missile attack by Houthi rebels on Passenger Hall 4 of King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. According to international media, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the incident, saying the projectile struck Terminal 4 of the airport directly, causing a fire in the hall and severe material damage to the infrastructure. The Saudi-led military coalition said air defence systems intercepted another missile launched by the Houthi rebels in mid-air. However, the intensity of the attack caused two powerful explosions to be heard over the capital, spreading fear and panic in residential areas. A day earlier, 12 people had been killed and 309 injured in a violent incident at the airport, following which flights were suspended and a high alert was issued across the region.
Two Pakistan Army pilots were martyred after a trainer aircraft crashed near Quetta during a routine training mission. The aircraft went down in the vicinity of the Balochistan capital, killing both crew members on board. Military authorities confirmed that the aircraft was on a training flight when the incident occurred. The pilots were identified as members of the Pakistan Army Aviation Corps. Emergency and security teams reached the crash site after the incident and secured the area. The cause of the crash was not
immediately known. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the accident. Training flights are routinely
conducted by Army Aviation to maintain operational readiness and pilot proficiency. Further details are expected after completion of the initial inquiry.
FAJR SUNRISE
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Rear Admiral Shifaat promoted as Vice Admiral ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Rear Admiral Shifaat Ali Khan of Pakistan Navy has been promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral. Vice Admiral Shifaat Ali Khan was commissioned in Operations Branch of Pakistan Navy in 1993. The Flag Officer is a graduate of Pakistan Navy War College Lahore, Naval Staff College, USA and National Defence University, Islamabad. The Admiral has an illustrious career with vast experience of various Command and Staff appointments. His major Command appointments include CO PNS MUNSIF, CO Ex PNS SHAHJAHAN, Commander 10th Patrol Craft Squadron, Commander Central Punjab/ Commandant PN War College and Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST). His key staff appointments include Fleet Operations Officer to Commander Pakistan Fleet, Naval Attaché of Pakistan in China and DCNS(W&H) at Naval Headquarters. Currently, the Admiral is serving as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) and Director General C4l at Naval Headquarters, Islamabad. In recognition of his meritorious service, the Admiral was awarded Hilal-Imtiaz (Military).
PTI may challenge imposition of emergency, governor’s rule in KP in court: Minister ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Monday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) can challenge the imposition of an emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in court if it has reservations over the decision. Speaking to the media, Chaudhry said the constitutional validity of the emergency would be examined by parliament, adding that the measure had been taken due to PTI’s alleged stubbornness and failure to cooperate with the federal government on counterterrorism efforts. He said the government had sought PTI’s cooperation in combating terrorism, but the provincial government had allegedly continued to create obstacles in the federal government’s efforts. “The opposition should challenge the imposition of an emergency and Governor’s Rule in court,” he said, adding that the opposition should also invite the government to its all-parties conference (APC) so that all relevant data could be presented before the participants. Chaudhry said the federal government had made repeated offers of dialogue to the opposition leader and insisted that the government had always been open to negotiations on political issues. He clarified that the government had not asked PTI to postpone its long march but had sought cooperation on counterterrorism efforts. The minister said special security arrangements had been made in 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that these emergency measures were aimed at restoring lasting peace in the province. He said the emergency would remain in force until the objectives of peace and stability had been achieved. Chaudhry further said the imposition of the emergency had not been an abrupt decision. He added that affected areas would be cleared before being handed over to the civil administration. Claiming that the people of KP had welcomed the decision, the minister said no protests had taken place anywhere in the province against the imposition of emergency or governor's rule. He also attributed public dissatisfaction with PTI to what he described as a lack of development in the province over the past 13 years. The remarks came amid heightened political tensions following the imposition of governor's rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan urges UN Security Council to implement its resolutions on Kashmir for lasting peace UNITED NATIONS STAFF REPORT
Pakistan has called on the international community to implement the long-standing UN Security Council resolutions guaranteeing the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people, saying those resolutions have no expiry date. Addressing the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee deliberations on decolonization and special political affairs, Pakistan’s Acting Permanent Representative, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, underscored the systemic denial of these core freedoms, framing the resolutions on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as an essential obligation for global peace and stability. The Pakistani envoy, who was speaking on ‘Implementation of the Declaration on Decolonization’, said while settler colonialism was an enduring reality in certain occupied territories, the promise of self-determination also remains unfulfilled for the peoples of Occupied Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Since independence, he said Pakistan
had stood firmly with peoples struggling to determine their own future, pledging to continue its political, diplomatic and moral support for their legitimate struggle. Ambassador Jadoon said Security Council resolutions provide for a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices, and were accepted by both India and Pakistan. “Time does not extinguish these commitments,” he pointed out. The Pakistani envoy also spotlighted ongoing concerns regarding intensifying restrictions on fundamental freedoms in occupied Kashmir, alongside deliberate legislative and administrative attempts to alter the demographic and political character of the region. India’s illegal measures of 5 August 2019 and subsequent unilateral actions, he warned, cannot alter Jammu and Kashmir’s internationally recognized disputed status. “Domestic legislation and sham electoral exercises cannot substitute for self-determination.” Ambassador Jadoon demanded that India halt these violations, release detained political leaders and human rights defenders, reverse its unlawful measures imposed in the occupied territory since 5 August 2019,
allow independent international human rights scrutiny, and implement UNSC resolutions to ensure that Kashmiri people realize their right to self-determination. Pakistan, he said, seeks peaceful relations with all its neighbours, emphasizing that durable peace in South Asia requires a just settlement of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. “The international community must actively advance this objective.” On the Palestinian tragedy, the Pakistani envoy said despite the ceasefire, continuing violence, displacement and restrictions on assistance perpetuate the humanitarian catastrophe. Since October last year, he said, more than 1,400 have been killed. “The ceasefire must be fully implemented; humanitarian assistance must flow safely, unimpeded and at scale, with UNRWA enabled to fulfill its mandate.” Pakistan supports the US-proposed Gaza Peace Plan and implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2803. Recovery of war-shattered Gaza must uphold Palestinian ownership and the en-
clave’s unity with the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Ambassador Jadoon said. “Forced displacement and demographic alteration must be rejected,” he said, stressing that illegal settlements, organized settler violence and land seizures threaten the twostate solution of the Israel-Palestine dispute. The E1 project would undermine Palestinian territorial contiguity and must stop, he said.
Published by Asad Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk
“Lasting peace requires an end to occupation and an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous State of Palestine on the pre1967 borders, with Ambassador Jadoon’s sharp words in favour of Kashmiri people’s self-determination, drew a response from an Indian delegate, who accused Pakistan of abusing the forum.