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PM PLEDGES RS160B FOR KP UPLIFT, VOWS ‘EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT’ TO RESTORE PEACE Friday, 23 October, 2026 | 11 Jumada al-Awwal, 1448
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ PROMISES TO EXPEDITE DEVELOPMENT, STRENGTHEN POLICE AND STREAMLINE ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS PLEDGES RS160 BILLION TO ACCELERATE DEVELOPMENT AND REVIVE STALLED PROJECTS IN PROVINCE
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 209 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
ASSAILS PTI'S 'CALLOUSNESS,' ATTITUDES AND DETACHMENT DURING ITS TENURES
SAYS CENTRE PROVIDED OVER RS800B TO PROVINCE SINCE 2010 FOR BEING A FRONTLINE AGAINST TERRORISM
REITERATES EMERGENCY AND GOVERNOR’S RULE IMPOSED ‘UNDER EXTREME COMPULSION’ PESHAWAR
SALEEM JADOON
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday pledged Rs160 billion for development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), vowing to accelerate stalled initiatives under emergency and governor’s rule and make every possible effort to restore progress, improve security and bring prosperity to the province. On his first visit to the province since the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule on October 11, the prime minister promised to expedite development work, strengthen the provincial police force by providing it with equipment and weapons, improve security and streamline administrative affairs in the province bordering Afghanistan. “The federal government will provide Rs160 billion for development work in the province,” the prime minister told tribal elders and members of a council overseeing emergency measures in the tribal districts. He also chaired a meeting of the apex committee in Peshawar, where he arrived earlier in the day on his first visit to the province since the imposition of governor’s rule and the declaration of emergency. The meeting, attended by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff
Field Marshal Asim Munir and KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, reviewed the overall security situation in the province. Federal ministers and newly appointed provincial advisers also attended. Addressing the committee, PM Shehbaz reiterated that emergency and governor’s rule had been imposed “under extreme compulsion”. “I promise that we will leave no stone unturned in bringing back the happiness and era of progress to this province, and in the practical realisation of the wishes, aspirations, and
Three militants killed, seven surrounded in ongoing Gwadar operations GWADAR
STAFF REPORT
Security forces have killed three militants and surrounded seven others during ongoing operations in Gwadar, officials said. The operations were launched after intelligence indicated the presence of militants in the area. Security personnel engaged the group, killing three during an exchange of fire. Officials said seven other militants had been encircled as the operation continued. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from those killed. Security forces have also begun sanitisation operations in surrounding areas to prevent militants from escaping and to clear possible hideouts. The operation comes amid heightened security activity in Balochistan following repeated militant attacks targeting security personnel, civilians and infrastructure. Authorities said further details would be released once the operation is completed.
Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye to meet European trio in Istanbul today ISTANBUL
REUTERS
Turkiye will host an R-4 and an R-4+E-3 meeting of foreign ministers in Istanbul on Friday (today), the Turkish foreign ministry said on Thursday. The R-4 group, which comprises Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, emerged in March and has been focusing on regional security and mediation efforts between the United States and Iran. The E-3 group is a trio of European powers — France, Britain and Germany — that was set up more than 20 years ago to advance diplomatic coordination over Iran’s nuclear programme. The Foreign Office in Islamabad has yet to comment on the planned meetings and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s participation. A Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters that the seven countries would meet in the R-4+E-3 format for the first time at Turkiye’s initiative as wars involving Iran, Yemen and Ukraine threaten shipping routes and regional security. The ministers are expected to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the latest situation in the Strait of Hormuz, developments related to Yemen, efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and opportunities for closer cooperation between the regional and European countries, the source added. Fidan is expected to emphasise the need for a diplomatic solution to the war between the United States and Iran, the importance of freedom of navigation in the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, and reiterate Turkiye’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security against attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Islamabad, Ankara, and Riyadh, they said.
dreams of this province’s people that have been shattered due to the worst actions of recent years,” he said. The emergency and governor’s rule were imposed as KP faced persistent security and governance challenges. The prime minister has maintained that the situation compelled the federal government to take the measures on October 11, removing the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI)-led provincial government. The prime minister affirmed that the Centre “will place all possible resources
at your feet”. He said he, the Advisory Council led by the governor, the president and the CDF would work together to ensure that the province not only caught up with other provinces in development but also moved ahead of them. “I would be extremely happy if it moves even further ahead,” he said. ‘NO WORSE CALLOUSNESS, CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE TOWARDS NATIONAL INTEREST’ The prime minister regretted that “terrorists were summoned back here” after peace had been established, saying the move had washed the sacrifices made to restore peace “down the drain”. “There can be no greater enmity with the country than not honouring and respecting such sacrifices, not holding them in esteem,” he remarked, highlighting that young soldiers left their homes and families to defend the country. Calling for an “all-encompassing analysis as to why this happened”, he said there was “no worse callousness, criminal negligence, and hostility towards the national interest than this”. “All issues of the people were pushed aside — whether it is education, healthcare, or protecting the lives and property of the people — and [having] matters with terrorists instead.
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Pakistan, EU agree to deepen counterterrorism cooperation ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan and the European Union have agreed to strengthen cooperation against terrorism, with both sides emphasising intelligence sharing, capacity building and coordinated action against emerging security threats. The understanding was reached during talks covering counterterrorism, violent extremism and wider regional security challenges. Pakistani officials highlighted the country’s security concerns and
the continuing threat posed by militant groups operating across borders. Both sides agreed on the importance of closer institutional cooperation to prevent terrorist financing, disrupt militant networks and improve the exchange of relevant information. The discussions also covered measures to counter online radicalisation and the misuse of digital platforms by extremist groups. Pakistan stressed that an effective counterterrorism strategy required sustained international cooperation as well as action
against groups using foreign territory to plan or facilitate attacks. The EU side reiterated support for efforts aimed at combating terrorism while underlining the importance of international law and human rights in security operations. Both sides also discussed regional developments and agreed to maintain regular engagement on security matters. Pakistan and the EU said they would continue working through existing dialogue mechanisms to expand practical cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism.
Sindh to form JIT to probe Mir Raza's death on judicial commission's recommendation KARACHI
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said on Thursday that a joint investigation team (JIT) would be constituted to probe the death of businessman Mir Raza Ali in line with the recommendations of a judicial commission that concluded he had been murdered and identified serious lapses in the police investigation. “The JIT will be formed under the West Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Irfan Baloch, and the summary has been sent to the chief minister,” Lanjar told the media in Karachi. The proposed appointment of DIG Baloch follows the recommendation of a judicial commission headed by Sindh High Court judge Justice Omar Sial, whose report was submitted to the provincial government on October 15. The commission recommended a JIT under DIG Baloch’s leadership to “balance the need for public accountability with preserving Sindh Police morale and reputation”. It described the formation of the team as the “most viable path” to address the reputational damage caused by the case. Lanjar said he had also recommended to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah that the JIT’s terms of reference include submitting a charge sheet after completing the investigation. However, he said the court would have the final say on whether to accept the findings, adding that it would be for the court to determine the circumstances of the death, including whether it was murder or suicide. The commission had further recommended including senior representatives of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in the JIT to ensure an impartial, comprehensive and credible investigation. The notification announcing the JIT’s formation and composition has yet to be issued. In another step recommended by the commission, Lanjar said a committee headed by DIG Zulfiqar Ali Larik had been formed to take action against police officers found responsible for negligence. The 62-page report authored by Justice Sial described the police investigation as an “epic failure”, concluding that investigators had failed in their basic duty to establish the truth. The commission examined 49 witnesses and the available record. It made several recommendations concerning further investigation, police training and possible legal or departmental action, and identified three police officials against whom it found “criminal negligence”. Mir Raza, a 25-year-old businessman and graduate of the Institute of Business Administration, went missing on July 28 after leaving his home in Karachi’s PECHS area. His body, bearing gunshot wounds, was found the following day in bushes in Gulistan-i-Jauhar.
two terrorists killed as dSP, SHo among four policemen martyred in Karak operation KARAK/LAKKI MARWAT STAFF REPORT
Four police personnel, including a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and a station house officer (SHO), were martyred and two terrorists killed during a joint search and strike operation against terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak district on Thursday, police said. According to a statement issued by KP Police, a joint team comprising personnel from the CTD, Rapid Response Force and police launched the operation in the Charpara area of Karak at noon, where ter-
rorists had established a blockade on Wednesday night. Banda Daud Shah and CTD deputy superintendents of police led the operation, which also involved personnel from the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU), a drone team, Rescue 15 and the Rapid Response Force, the statement said. During the operation, law enforcement personnel raided the hideout of terrorist commander Qaiser Iqbal, triggering an exchange of fire in which two terrorists were killed, police said. The martyred personnel were identified as CTD DSP Imranuddin Khan, Latambar Station House Officer Sub-Inspector Afzal Awan, Constable Kazim and
STAFF REPORT
BDU Head Constable Amjad. The statement said the operation was still under way. Paying tribute to the fallen personnel, KP Police said the brave officers had set a shining example of dedication to duty, courage and commitment to public safety by sacrificing their lives in the fight against terrorism. The sacrifices of the martyred policemen reflected the force’s “unwavering resolve” to continue making every possible effort to eradicate terrorism and establish lasting peace in the region, the statement added. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of the
four police personnel. “The sacrifices of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police in the fight against terrorism are unforgettable. The blood of our martyrs will not go to waste; our resolve against terrorism will be further strengthened, and the struggle for the establishment of peace will continue,” he said. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has long faced terrorist attacks and security challenges, including repeated attacks targeting police personnel. Thursday’s operation came around 20 days after several terrorist hideouts were destroyed during a joint search and strike operation in Karak. FUNERAL PRAYERS OF MARTYRED PERSONNEL Later, the funeral prayers of the four police personnel, including CTD DSP Imranuddin Khan, who were martyred during the search and strike operation against terrorists in Karak, were offered with full state honours.
Pakistani pilgrims to Iran, Iraq urged to verify flights amid disruption risks ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Thursday issued an advisory urging Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Iran and Iraq to verify their flight connections before departure and make alternative arrangements in case of cancellations. The advisory specifically concerns Pakistani pilgrims, known as Zaireen, travelling between religious sites in Iran and Iraq, particularly those using Iranian airlines for flights between Tehran or Mashhad and Najaf. The advisory comes amid heightened regional security tensions involving Iran, although the government did not explicitly link the travel guidance to the security situation. “Zaireen who combine visits to Iran and Iraq, use Iranian airlines or plan
onward travel between Tehran/Mashhad and Najaf should be advised to verify every Iran-Iraq air sector before departure,” the ministry said in a circular dated October 22.
The ministry said it had received the advisory from the Foreign Office, which conveyed travel guidance issued by Pakistan’s embassy in Baghdad. Iran and Iraq are major
destinations for Pakistani Shiite pilgrims, who visit religious shrines in both countries and often combine the visits in a single journey. The circular also advised registered Zaireen Group Organizers (ZGOs), which arrange pilgrimage travel, against relying on unconfirmed flight connections and urged them to prepare contingency plans for possible disruptions. The ministry instructed organizers to avoid depending on unconfirmed Iranian flight connections and to maintain alternative land routes or air travel arrangements, sufficient contingency funds and accommodation plans in case of cancellations. The advisory does not prohibit travel to either Iran or Iraq. However, it directs organizers to brief all pilgrims travelling in their groups about the guidance before departure to help ensure their safety and minimize inconvenience.
02 NEWS
Friday, 23 October, 2026 | ISLAMABAD
AI-dIsCOvErEd PHP vUlnErAbIlITIEs fOrCE OffICIAl wEbsITEs OfflInE ACrOss EUrOPE, TrIggEr glObAl CybErsECUrITy wArnIngs
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PROFIT
REUTERS
OVERNMENT websites across Europe were taken offline on Wednesday, October 21, after critical security vulnerabilities were discovered in PHP, a widely used programming language that powers much of the internet. Authorities in the Netherlands, France, Denmark and Finland temporarily suspended online services as a precaution, while cybersecurity agencies urged website operators to install emergency security updates or take vulnerable systems offline. PHP developers released fixes on Wednesday after researchers discovered vulnerabilities that had remained undetected in the software for more than a decade. Cybersecurity companies warned that hackers had already begun attempting to exploit the flaws, raising concerns about widespread attacks before affected websites could be updated. According to internet intelligence company Censys, approximately 1.5 million of the 2.6 million identified hosts were running PHP versions for which no fix was available. PHP is used by major website man-
agement platforms, including WordPress, Drupal, Joomla and Magento. According to W3Techs, it powers roughly 75% of websites whose server-side programming language can be identified. Two cybersecurity companies, Calif and Alphabet-owned Wiz, independently reported discovering the vulnerabilities using artificial intelligence. Wiz said its research involved its autonomous vulnerability detection system, Wiz Atlas, alongside Google's Gemini 4
Pakistan Textile Council to assess impact of EU-India trade deal on exports PROFIT
WEB DESK
The Pakistan Textile Council (PTC) is preparing an assessment of the potential economic impact of the European Union-India Free Trade Agreement on Pakistan's exports at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The council will share its findings with the Foreign Ministry, the Prime Minister's Office and the EU Delegation to support policy discussions on the implications of the trade agreement for Pakistani exporters. The initiative comes as Pakistan's textile and apparel industry seeks to maintain its competitiveness in the European market and safeguard preferential trade access under the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). During a meeting with EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis, PTC representatives reaffirmed their commitment to working with the government and European authorities on measures required to maintain Pakistan's preferential market access. The council also expressed its intention to support efforts aimed at protecting the competitiveness of Pakistan's textile and apparel exports.
Uzbekistan Airways to increase Islamabad flights to three weekly from October 26 PROFIT
MONITORING REPORT
Uzbekistan Airways will increase its TashkentIslamabad flight frequency from two to three services per week starting October 26 to improve air connectivity between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, APP reported. According to the revised schedule, flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, replacing the existing Tuesday and Saturday schedule. The additional service will increase the total number of scheduled weekly flights between the two countries from eight to nine, including connections between Tashkent and Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. The airline currently operates four weekly flights on the Tashkent-Lahore route and two on the Tashkent-Islamabad route, alongside services to Karachi. The expansion is aimed at facilitating tourism, business travel and transit connections, while providing Pakistani travellers with greater access to Uzbekistan and other Central Asian destinations through Tashkent. Tourism between the two countries has been increasing, with more than 20,000 Pakistani visitors travelling to Uzbekistan in 2025, while nearly 20,000 visited during the first nine months of 2026. The additional flights are also expected to support travel to Uzbekistan's historic cities, including Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, and strengthen bilateral trade and cultural exchanges.
Argon and OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Sol. The company said AI tools had made it possible to identify and exploit weaknesses that would previously have required extensive manual research. Amazon also reported detecting attempts to exploit the vulnerabilities against its security testing systems as early as October 17, four days before public disclosure. Amazon security chief CJ Moses said additional attempts were recorded
on Wednesday, although it remained unclear whether the attacks would have succeeded against operational websites. The company warned that the vulnerabilities were being actively exploited. In the Netherlands, the National Cyber Security Centre took its website offline, while other affected services included government portal Overheid.nl, the Port of Rotterdam, hospital websites and the websites of major political parties. France's Interior Ministry placed its websites under preventive maintenance, while Finland's government IT services provider Valtori suspended public network services as a precaution. Denmark's municipal IT provider Kombit also shut down several services, including its national school communication platform. The operator of Wikipedia temporarily disabled some systems, while the Internet Archive reported a brief interruption. Automattic, which operates WordPress.com and Tumblr, said users of its hosted services were protected against the vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity specialists warned that smaller websites and organisations relying on older PHP versions could face greater risks because they often lack the resources needed to apply security updates quickly.
Meta ordered to pay $25b in US data privacy case PROFIT
REUTERS
A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta Platforms to pay $25 billion after a jury found that the Facebook parent misled consumers about data privacy and other practices, imposing one of the largest corporate financial penalties in US history. Judge Francis Mathew issued the ruling on Wednesday, October 21, following a September verdict that identified more than 43 million violations of New Mexico's consumer protection laws. The lawsuit, filed by the state's attorney general in 2021, arose from the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which the British political consulting firm obtained personal information from as many as 87 million Facebook users through a third-party application without their consent. New Mexico accused Meta of misleading Facebook users about
third-party access to their personal data and the company's handling of hate speech and misinformation. Jurors found that Meta and its leadership had made 26 misleading statements concerning privacy, harmful content and other issues. The judge determined that penalties exceeding $219 billion were justified under state law but reduced the amount to $25 billion. Meta rejected the ruling and said it would appeal. The company's chief legal officer, C.J. Mahoney, said Meta was confident of succeeding on appeal and argued that the decision would make it extremely difficult to conduct business in New Mexico. During the proceedings, Meta had sought to limit the penalty to $3.45 billion, maintaining that it did not sell user data and that the state had failed to establish that individual consumers were misled. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez described the judgment
as a significant step towards holding technology companies accountable for consumer protection violations. The ruling follows a $5 billion penalty imposed on Facebook by the US Federal Trade Commission in 2019 over the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Meta also reached settlements worth $459.2 million with six other states over related claims in August, as part of a broader $17.1 billion multistate settlement. Separately, New Mexico secured $942 million in two cases against Meta earlier this year involving allegations of child sexual exploitation and misleading statements about platform safety. Gil Luria, head of technology research at D.A. Davidson & Co, said the latest penalty was substantial but unlikely to materially affect Meta's valuation, given the company's market value of nearly $2 trillion and the prospect of prolonged appeals.
Pakistan receives second LNG cargo from Qatar in October as winter gas supply concerns mount PROFIT WEB DESK
Pakistan received its second liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment from Qatar this month, restoring operations at a key import terminal amid concerns over declining domestic gas supplies and uncertainty surrounding winter imports. The LNG carrier Ejnan arrived at the port and berthed at the Pakistan GasPort Limited (PGPL) terminal, where the imported gas will undergo regasification before entering the supply network.
The shipment enabled the terminal to resume operations after remaining inactive since October 9 due to insufficient LNG inventories. Earlier, Pakistan received its first LNG cargo of the month from Qatar aboard Al Areesh on October 13. The latest delivery comes as the country faces growing pressure on its gas supply system, with indigenous gas availability declining on the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) network while demand from power producers and industrial consumers continues to increase.
Concerns have also emerged over the reliability of LNG imports ahead of the winter season, as regional tensions affect production and shipping operations. Pakistan is estimated to require 24 LNG cargoes during the winter of 2026-27 to meet its gas requirements. Although the arrival of Ejnan has allowed the PGPL terminal to restart regasification activities, uncertainty over future shipments remains a concern as the country prepares for the seasonal increase in gas consumption.
PC proposes separating electricity distribution networks from supply businesses under privatisation reforms PROFIT MONITORING REPORT
The Privatisation Commission has proposed restructuring Pakistan's electricity distribution sector by separating network operations from power supply businesses, transferring legacy generation contracts and capacity-payment obligations to private suppliers, and introducing performance-based regulation ahead of distribution company (DISCO) privatisation, Business Recorder reported. According to its policy paper, titled Post-Privatisation Regime for
Power Distribution Companies, the proposed framework would divide electricity distribution into four functions: Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), Competitive Suppliers (CSs), Suppliers of Last Resort (SoLR) and separately managed ancillary businesses. The commission has argued that privatisation alone would not resolve the power sector's structural problems, including circular debt, high tariffs, declining grid demand, capacity payments and operational inefficiencies. Under the proposed arrangement, DNOs would continue to op-
erate distribution networks as regulated monopolies under the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), while licensed private suppliers would gradually compete in electricity procurement, billing, collections and customer management. A central proposal involves transferring existing power purchase agreements and their associated capacity-payment obligations from the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPA-G) to competitive suppliers, together with corresponding customer portfolios.
fbr sets dec 30 deadline for steel manufacturers to install production monitoring systems PROFIT
NEWS DESK
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed all registered steel manufacturers to install and operationalise electronic production monitoring systems at their manufacturing facilities and active production lines by December 30, 2026. Through Sales Tax General Order (STGO) No. 29 of 2026, issued on Wednesday, the FBR made the system mandatory for steel melters, re-rollers and composite manufacturing units under the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and Sales Tax Rules, 2006. The directive covers manufacturers producing billets, ingots and primary steel products, as well as units converting semi-finished steel into bars, rods, reinforcing bars and other finished products. Under the prescribed mechanism, the system will electronically track production through product identification, counting, dimension verification and weight measurement, while dispatches will be recorded through integrated weighbridges. It will capture production volumes, estimated weights, vehicle registration numbers and dispatch details, allowing the FBR to reconcile recorded production with actual shipments and identify discrepancies. Manufacturers must install the equipment through FBR-authorised vendors, including M/s ISSM Labelling Solutions and M/s Obsidian, and ensure uninterrupted operation and secure transmission of data to the FBR's Central Control Unit. The order requires manufacturers to report system failures, damage or tampering within one hour and provide 30 days' advance notice of changes affecting production lines or dispatch arrangements. The FBR has prohibited the removal or supply of specified steel products unless their production and dispatches have been recorded through the approved monitoring system. Manual records, private cameras and standalone weighbridge entries will not be accepted as substitutes. Chief Commissioners Inland Revenue have been directed to identify operational steel units, oversee installation and monitor compliance. The FBR warned that failure to install or operate the system, unauthorised removal of goods, concealment of production facilities or tampering with equipment would result in action under the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and relevant rules.
TI seeks world bank probe into gabral Kalam hydropower project procurement PROFIT
MONITORING REPORT
Transparency International (TI) Pakistan has asked the World Bank to investigate alleged procurement irregularities in the prequalification of a joint venture for the electro-mechanical contract of the 88MW Gabral Kalam Hydropower Project in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Business Recorder reported. In a letter to World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar, TI Pakistan raised concerns over the eligibility and financial qualifications of the IMPSA-BITC joint venture, which was prequalified by the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (PEDO). The project is financed under the World Bank's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hydropower Renewable Energy Development initiative. According to TI Pakistan, the joint venture declared in its May 17, 2024, bid submission that it was not a state-owned entity, although its Argentine partner, IMPSA, had been nationalised in June 2021 following financial difficulties and liabilities exceeding $500 million. The organisation said Argentina's federal government held 63.7% of IMPSA, while Mendoza province owned another 21.2%, bringing combined government ownership to 84.9% during 2024. TI Pakistan argued that IMPSA did not satisfy the World Bank's eligibility requirements concerning the legal and financial independence of stateowned enterprises. It also questioned the joint venture's financial capacity, citing tender requirements for average annual revenue of at least $25 million over five years and access to a $6 million working capital facility. According to the organisation, a reference letter submitted by the joint venture from Banco Patagonia was conditional and did not confirm an established credit facility or financing arrangement. TI Pakistan requested a review of the bid evaluation process and called for the prequalification exercise to be repeated if violations were established. It also forwarded its concerns to the Prime Minister's Office, the KP chief minister, the parliamentary committee on economic affairs and the World Bank's integrity division.
Pakistan to reapply for EU GSP+ in January 2027 as bloc seeks stronger compliance PROFIT
MONITORING REPORT
Pakistan will have to submit a fresh application for the European Union's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) from January 2027, with the existing preferential trade arrangement continuing until December 2028 under a two-year transition period, The News reported, citing sources. The new GSP+ regulation will take effect on January 1, 2027, allowing existing beneficiaries, including Pakistan, to apply for continued preferential market access. The transition period, running until December 31, 2028, will allow the European Commission and Parliament to complete the assessment and approval process for the new arrangement. Officials said Pakistan
would need to strengthen compliance with international commitments and intensify diplomatic engagement to qualify under the revised framework. Meanwhile, EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis has called for measurable improvements in human rights and the rule of law, emphasising that continued GSP+ benefits would depend on the implementation of existing commitments rather than the adoption of new standards. Speaking during a meeting with Pakistan Textile Council (PTC) representatives in Karachi on Tuesday, Karoblis said the European Commission would increase engagement with Pakistan following its assessment covering 2023-2025, published on July 16, 2026. He called for immediate progress in
areas of concern, followed by an implementation plan containing specific measures, timelines and measurable targets. The ambassador acknowledged the government's willingness to cooperate but stressed that commitments must translate into action at ministerial and working levels. The EU remains Pakistan's largest export destination, with textiles and clothing accounting for approximately 70-76% of the country's exports to the bloc, according to the EU assessment. PTC Chairperson Fawad Anwar said continued GSP+ access was essential for Pakistan's textile and apparel exporters, supporting employment, tax revenues and businesses linked to the sector. He also warned that the proposed EUIndia Free Trade Agreement could increase
competition for Pakistani exporters even if the country retained its preferential status. PTC Vice Chairman Anees Khawaja
noted that the EU assessment recognised progress in human rights, labour, environmental protection and governance.
NEWS 03
Friday, 23 October, 2026 | ISLAMABAD
FINANCE MINISTRY FORMS COMMITTEE TO REVIEW GAS LEVY POLICY, CALCULATION FORMULA AS EXPORTERS RAISE CONCERNS
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STAFF REPORT
HE Ministry of Finance has constituted a committee involving relevant government and industry representatives to review the gas levy policy and calculation formula and recommend possible refinements, participants were informed during a highlevel consultative meeting on export-related challenges. Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan chaired a follow-up highlevel consultative meeting with leading exporters and senior government officials at the Ministry of Commerce to understand the issues hampering Pakistan’s exports and
identify practical solutions to address these challenges. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani, senior officials of the Ministry of Commerce and representatives of concerned government ministries and departments. Leading exporters participated both in person and virtually. The consultation followed an earlier high-level meeting convened to identify challenges affecting Pakistan’s export competitiveness, including energy costs, taxation, financing constraints, regulatory procedures and international market access. At the outset, a consolidated presentation was made reviewing the concerns raised by leading exporters during the pre-
vious meeting and the responses provided by the relevant government departments. The discussion focused on assessing progress, clarifying outstanding issues and identifying practical measures requiring further policy intervention. The meeting reviewed industrial energy costs, particularly the gas levy and its impact on export competitiveness. Participants were informed that the Ministry of Finance had constituted a committee involving relevant government and industry representatives to review the levy policy and calculation formula and recommend possible refinements. The Punjab infrastructure cess was also discussed, with exporters highlighting con-
cerns regarding its application, collection mechanism and additional costs. The meeting emphasized the need for clarity regarding the legal framework, exemptions and coordination with relevant provincial authorities. On taxation, participants discussed proposals to rationalize existing export-related eligibility thresholds and explore proportionate super tax relief linked to export-derived income. The meeting also reviewed concerns regarding additional sales tax and refund arrangements for non-traditional exporters. Relevant proposals would be examined in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and FBR.
Pakistan’s pharma exports fall over 30% in FY26, decline further in first quarter of FY27 PROFIT STAFF REPORT
Pakistan’s pharmaceutical exports declined 30.26% in FY26 and fell another 25.53% in the first quarter of FY27, with the industry attributing the downturn largely to disrupted trade with Afghanistan, previously one of the country’s major markets for medicines. According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data, pharmaceutical export earnings fell to $319.012 million in FY26 from $457.456 million in FY25, a decline of $138.444 million. Export volumes decreased 26.14%, from 112,517 tonnes to 83,104 tonnes, representing a reduction of
29,413 tonnes. The downward trend continued during July-September FY27, when pharmaceutical exports declined to $73.301 million from $98.428 million in the corresponding period of FY26, a decrease of $25.127 million, or 25.53%. Export quantities fell 31.40% during the quarter, dropping by 7,514 tonnes from 23,924 tonnes to 16,410 tonnes. Average declared export value per tonne increased approximately 8.6% in the first quarter of FY27, from $4,115 to $4,469, as export volumes declined faster than earnings. However, the average export value per tonne had fallen approximately 5.6% in FY26, from $4,065 to $3,838. These averages may reflect changes in the composition of exported products rather than changes in
medicine prices. The pharmaceutical export figures exclude surgical goods and medical instruments, whose exports increased 8.8% to $121 million in the first quarter of FY27, while annual exports remained unchanged at $451.527 million in FY26. Afghanistan accounted for a lion’s share of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical exports before the disruption in bilateral trade. According to destination-wise data available on the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan’s Pakistan Pharma Portal, sourced from PRAL, Pakistan exported medicines worth $155.68 million to Afghanistan in FY25, representing approximately 34.1% of total pharmaceutical exports of $457.456 million that year.
PM pledges Rs160b for KP uplift, vows ‘every possible effort’ to restore peace CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
I believe that no other example can be found of such hostility against the country, in terms of their attitudes, detachment, and callousness,” he said. PM Shehbaz asserted that 5,000 police vacancies had not been filled, Safe City projects remained incomplete, the capacity of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) had not been significantly enhanced, and no special measures had been taken to improve police training. He recalled that all provinces had agreed at the time of the 2010 National Finance Commission Award that KP, being on the front line of the fight against terrorism, required adequate resources. MORE THAN RS800BILLION IN FUNDS “From 2010 to today, more than Rs800 billion in funds have either already been provided or are being provided under this,” the prime minister stressed. “However, not only did it resurface, but the weapons needed to counter terrorism, the required capacity, and the trained officers needed were nowhere to be found,” he added. Without going into further details, PM Shehbaz said he had assured the provincial governments led by former chief ministers Ali Amin Gandapur and Sohail Afridi of the federal government’s full support in the fight against terrorism. “But nothing was done regarding this,” he regretted, adding that the federal government could not remain a “silent spectator” when, in his words, a political party was displaying such hostility towards the country while the economy and society were being damaged. “Therefore, on this occasion we made this one last effort,” the prime minister said, referring to the province’s interim handover to the federal government under governor’s rule. Highlighting the Centre’s efforts to stabilise the economy over the past two and a half years, PM Shehbaz said the progress would not have been possible without an “unprecedented partnership between political and military hierarchy”. He said the federal government could not remain a silent spectator when, according to him, terrorists were
moving freely across KP, exercising control over some areas in the evenings and collecting extortion, at a time when Pakistan’s economic stabilisation was being acknowledged internationally. The prime minister recalled the breakdown of talks between the Centre and the provincial government on October 3, reiterating that his government had been “compelled to make this decision” to impose governor’s rule. He said the province had been “shattered with wounds due to the circumstances created in the past several years”. Referring to the poor law and order situation over the past six years, he recalled the sacrifices made by security forces and law enforcement agencies to establish peace in KP. The premier also cited alleged corruption amounting to Rs100 billion in the clean drinking water component of the Cities Improvement Project and Rs37 billion in what he described as “infamous looting” in the Kohistan District Accounts Office case. He said that “80,000 people were martyred and the economy suffered a loss of several hundred billion dollars. Only then, in 2018, was peace completely restored in this country”. Describing KP as a “very beautiful” province, PM Shehbaz expressed hope that concerted efforts would enable the government to accelerate development and prosperity. “This is the province that is the first extremely strong wall of the homeland,” he said. CENTRE ANNOUNCES RS160BN UPLIFT FUNDS, OTHER MEASURES PM Shehbaz later attended a meeting of the Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC), constituted for 12 KP districts facing serious security challenges. CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir was also present. The council covers Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan, South Waziristan Upper and South Waziristan Lower. It comprises 48 tribal elders and prominent personalities from the districts to ensure local representation. Addressing the ARDC, the prime minister announced that the federal government would provide Rs160 billion to KP for development projects. To address the province’s wheat shortage, he also pledged to supply “as much wheat as is needed” from the stocks of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco). “However, there should be no hoarding. And whatever price the Centre provides wheat at, the common man should get wheat at that very price,” the prime minister emphasised. He assured the council that the federal government would provide whatever assistance, operational support and resources were required to fight terrorism. He also said directives had been issued to strengthen the CTD and complete Safe City projects. PM Shehbaz further assured the participants that obstacles to the completion of federal government projects in KP would be removed, while the governorled administration would address issues relating to provincial projects. The prime minister appreciated the tribal elders for their consistent and unequivocal sup-
port for Pakistan, saying the ARDC now carried an “immense responsibility”. Referring to remarks by ARDC Chairman Shaukatullah Khan, PM Shehbaz said: “He stated that development work is zero, corruption is 100 per cent, and terrorism is at its peak. I completely agree with him.” The prime minister also pointed to weaknesses in police performance, saying arrests were not being made in cases involving theft and robbery. Citing corruption allegations, including the Kohistan scandal, he expressed concern over the alleged misuse of provincial resources. “You will feel great pain and sorrow over how the province’s resources were looted. God willing, this will be fully controlled, and every single penny of your development and prosperity will be delivered to your doorstep,” he said. MERGED DISTRICTS’ DEVELOPMENT A ‘SPECIAL PRIORITY’ Addressing the apex committee meeting, Governor Kundi described the establishment of peace and stability in KP as a “collective priority”, stressing that it was in the interest of the entire country. Referring to the federal government’s decision to impose emergency and governor’s rule, he said the peaceful transition demonstrated that the people of the province wanted peace and stability. “I want to pay tribute to my people who showed restraint despite the turmoil,” he said, adding that no untoward incident had occurred in the region following the measures. The governor also paid tribute to those who had sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism, including personnel of the police, Army, Frontier Corps and Federal Constabulary. “These sacrifices demand a more effective strategy to combat terrorism,” he stressed. Kundi reiterated that restoring peace and eliminating terrorism remained the foremost priorities of the KP Advisory Council. He described the development of the merged districts as a “special priority”, saying residents of these areas had paid a heavy price in the fight against terrorism and now deserved better educational, healthcare and economic opportunities. “The federal government’s cooperation in establishing peace and stability in the province is very significant,” the PPP leader said, expressing his determination to play his role in the collective effort. The governor maintained that the people of KP should not have to choose between peace and development. “This is our collective responsibility to provide people with both,” he said. Kundi said the KP Advisory Council would continue working to integrate the merged districts into the broader national development framework. “The public’s trust is the only metric of measuring our success in the war on terror,” he asserted, reaffirming that the entire terrorist network would be dismantled and that facilitators and financiers of terrorists would also be targeted. “I seek constant support and supervision by the federal government,” he said, expressing hope that the Centre would continue extending its cooperation.
HUBCO’s 660MW coal power unit in Balochistan goes offline after major transformer fault PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
The Hub Power Company Limited (HUBCO) has reported a forced outage at Unit 1 of the China Power Hub Generation Company Limited (CPHGC) plant in Balochistan following a serious electrical fault in its main transformer. In a disclosure submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the company said the affected unit would remain unavailable for electricity generation while the fault is investigated and repaired. The CPHGC plant, located in Hub
tehsil, Gadani, Lasbela district, comprises two imported coal-fired power generation units with a capacity of approximately 660 megawatts (MW) each, along with an integrated coal jetty. The facility has a combined installed generation capacity of approximately 1,320MW. The plant is owned and operated by CPHGC, a joint venture between Hub Power Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of HUBCO, and China Power International (Pakistan) Investment Limited. The company did not specify the expected duration of the outage or provide a timeline for restoring the affected unit to operation.
The Export Facilitation Scheme was reviewed, particularly procedural requirements, eligibility criteria and possible improvements to facilitate exporters. Participants also proposed enhancing incentives under the export growth scheme to encourage businesses to increase their international sales. Exporters raised concerns regarding certification charges and repeated documentation amendment fees imposed by the Department of Plant Protection. The meeting emphasized that regulatory charges should be rationalized to ensure institutional sustainability without placing unnecessary financial burdens on exporters. The Ministry of Commerce was already examining the matter.
PSX plunges over 2,000 points as Middle East tensions rattle investors PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) came under heavy selling pressure on Thursday, plunging 2,000 points by close as the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, compounded by fresh Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, unsettled investors and raised concerns over further escalation of the conflict and disruptions to crude oil supplies from the world's key exporting region. According to PSX data, the market opened on a cautious note, with the benchmark index declining by more than 500 points during the opening minutes of trading. Selling pressure subsequently intensified after midday, pushing the KSE-100 to a low of 163,782.41 points, declining over 2,100 points from the previous close. At close, the benchmark index settled at 163,924.31, down by 2006.67 points or 1.21% from Wednesday's close of 165,930.99 points. Selling pressure was broadbased, impacting key sectors, including apparel, automobile assemblers, automobile parts and accessories, cement, chemicals, commercial banks, fertiliser, food and personal care products, oil and gas marketing companies, pharmaceuticals, power generation and distribution, refineries, and technology and communication. The decline follows a recovery in the previous session, when renewed institutional buying, optimism over diplomatic efforts to resolve the US-Iran conflict and expectations surrounding the draft Auto Policy 2026–31 supported investor sentiment. On Wednesday, the KSE-100 gained 779.34 points, or 0.47%, to close at 165,930.99 points. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is weighing on the global economic outlook, particularly through its impact on energy production and supply. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday forecast a 1.3% decline in economic output across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan this year due to the US-Israeli-led war against Iran, followed by a recovery to 6.6% growth in 2027. The IMF also warned that further disruptions to energy production could worsen the economic outlook. Asian stocks retreated on Thursday as technology shares led a broad selloff, with Wall Street earnings failing to quell worries over soaring AI investment costs, while escalating Gulf tensions boosted oil and weighed on risk sentiment. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slumped 1.8% to the lowest level in nearly three months and was on track for a fourth straight week of decline.
04 COMMENT
Friday, 23 October, 2026
THE DAGGER IN THE HEART
PTI Dirty linen
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Rift between Gandapur and Raja too big to hide
Both 9/11 and 10/7 have Israel at the core
S if the Pakistan Tehrik Insaf did not have enough problems, two of its leading figures have engaged in a very public exchange, on social media no less, with former KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur demanding that party Secretary-General withdraw his allegation, after the latter’s tweet against ‘snakes and snakelets’. Apart from any personal animus between the two, there are two specific issues. First, the attempt by Mr Gandapur to take over as acting KP PTI President after the imprisonment of incumbent Junaid Akbar Khan. It might be remembered that Mr Gandapur had held the office along with that of KPCM, and his removal from it was the last step before he was removed as CM. His return, in an acting capacity, would imply a return to the centrestage, to which he had partially returned when his successor, incumbent CM Sohail Afridi, gave him a prominent role in the controversial Long March, which he began from Mr Gandapur’ native Dera Ismail Khan. The PTI may be overshooting the mark. Its belief in its hold on KP may be a little exaggerated. The belief that there might be an attempt to bring down the Afridi government and replace it by another, after enough members are broken off is farfetched, but not impossible. Mr Gandapur has not come into the open with a declaration of intent, he is a potential leader of such a movement. This might explain Mr Raja’s insistence that the party’s main goal is founder Imran Khan’s release from jail. Another bone of contention has been the failure of the Long March. It did not have to be crushed by the federal government, as it just fizzled out. The PTI’s internal spat serves to highlight the problems the party faces. It has lost its KP government, though it may be only a matter of time before it regains it, because Governor’s Rule cannot be kept imposed forever, provided its KP Assembly party stays united. With 34 seats in a House of 145, the opposition needs about 39 more members to form a government. While the JUI(F) has 18 members, the 92 PTI members will have to yield a forward bloc of 21, and if the JUI(F) refuses to play ball, the forward bloc will have to go up to 39, leaving only 53 in opposition. The PTI is now in a precarious situation, and its leadership must think hard as to why this is so. While blaming others may be natural, it will not help.. Both Mr Gandapur and Mr Raja should remember that.
The focus seems to remain on the Crusader spirit. That spirit brought Israel into existence, but it has caused Muslims to react almost reflexively. So long as Israel remains, an anachronism, the last settler colony, there will be turmoil, not just in the region, not just the Arab world, but the whole Muslim world
Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M. A. Niazi
Babar Nizami Editor Profit
M A NIAZI
HE 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001 marked its 25th anniversary and the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023 marked its third anniversary on October 7, right in the middle of a war that started with an American and Israeli attack on Iran. While the anniversary of the World Trade Center attack and the Hamas attack on Israel will always be linked by their proximity, the US war with Iran could have been stopped, and is only continuing because of US and Israeli intransigence. At the same time, it is possible to see the war on Iran as flowing out of the 9/11 attacks, and more immediately out of the 10/7 attacks. There is an element of blowback, for would the 9/11 attacks have been staged if the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Palestine had not happened? Palestine has been called ‘a dagger in the heart of the Arab world’ ever since the original UN partition plan created Israel. If the USA had not frequently tried to twist that dagger, would it have been at the receiving end of 9/11? Indeed, 9/11 was a sort of revenge for all the evils that are supposed to have befallen the Muslims of the world, starting with the Indian occupation of Kashmir, which occurred a few months before Israel took over most of Palestine. However, 9/11 seems to have unleashed the USA against the Muslim world. With invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq coming virtually immediately after, its attack of Iran brings another Muslim country in its aegis. Before 9/11, there had been the vIranian Revolution, and then the Afghan Jihad. Indeed, the Afghan Jihad played a seminal role in the creation of Al-Qaeda, which carried out 9/11. 9/11 unleashed Islamophobia throughout the West, while this may have been a thinly disguised racism in essence. The first victim of post-9/11 outrage in the USA was a Sikh attacked and killed in Arizona. Was he killed because od his beard, his turban or his colour? US President Donald Trump
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Editor Pakistan Today
At Penpoint
The writer is a member of staff
Borrowing dollars to buy cars A policy meant for SUV owners, not taxi drivers
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DR ZAFAR KHAN SAFDAR
N FY 2025-26, Pakistan spent approximately $2.5 billion importing cars and car assembly kits. In the same year, Pakistan drew approximately $2.5 billion from its IMF Extended Fund Facility, tranche by painful tranche, on conditions that raised electricity bills, compressed wages, and extracted from every household in the country a price for the fiscal discipline the programme demanded. The two numbers are not coincidentally similar. They are the same number, wearing different clothes. Pakistan borrowed billions of dollars from the IMF under conditions that affected every salary slip and every electricity bill in the country, and spent two and a half billion dollars importing vehicles for a market that produces virtually no exports, generates no foreign exchange, and serves disproportionately the upper and upper-middle income households that can afford what it sells. It is, as a village elder would understand immediately, the behaviour of a man who borrows Rs 50,000 and spends Rs 25,000 of it the next morning on a phone he does not need, leaving himself unable to buy the cart or the tools that might help him repay the loan. According to official trade and industry data for FY2026, the situation has worsened instead. CKD kit imports, the component kits assembled into vehicles by Pakistani manufacturers, surged 92 percent from $1.1 billion in FY2025 to $2.118 billion in FY2026. CBU imports, fully built vehicles imported directly, jumped 441 per-
cent in the seven months to January 2026 compared to the same period a year earlier. Car import spending in July and August 2026 alone rose 36 percent year on year to $81.4 million. Used car imports through the Gift Scheme climbed from 48 units in May 2026 to 2,276 units in September, a 4,642 percent increase in four months. Pakistan’s automotive sector is not recovering from suppressed demand in a way that creates industrial capacity, export earnings, or lasting employment. It is recovering in the way that an import-dependent assembly industry always recovers when credit eases and consumer demand returns: by sending more dollars abroad. The structural problem beneath these numbers is the one that Pakistani auto policy has consistently failed to address for 30 years. Pakistan’s domestic automobile industry is overwhelmingly an assembly operation. CKD kits are imported, bolted together in Pakistani factories, and sold into the domestic market. The local content is limited, the technology is foreign, the design is foreign, the intellectual property is foreign, and the export ambitions are almost entirely unfulfilled. The Auto Development Policy 201621 successfully introduced new entrants including Kia, Hyundai, and several Chinese manufacturers, disrupting an incumbent oligopoly and bringing over $1 billion in fresh foreign investment. Its export benchmarks remained largely unfulfilled. The proposed Auto Industry Development and Export Policy 2026-31 is being developed against the backdrop of $2.5 billion in annual import spending. Unless it is built around a genuine export requirement rather than another set of unfulfilled benchmarks, it will repeat the same cycle on a larger scale. The international comparison reveals the distance between where Pakistan is and where a serious industrial policy would take it. South Korea in 1970 had no significant automobile manufacturing capacity. By 1990, Hyundai, Kia, and Daewoo were exporting to Europe and North America. By 2025, South Korea was the world’s fifth-largest vehicle exporter, generating tens of billions in annual foreign exchange earnings from an industry built on precisely the policy discipline Pak-
Pakistan borrowed the IMFÊs money on conditions that every Pakistani felt in their electricity bill and their grocery receipt. It spent that money, in effect, on cars. Until auto policy is restructured around export performance, genuine localisation, and the foreign exchange discipline that the countryÊs reserves position demands, that transaction will repeat itself in every fiscal year.
Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965
has banned citizens of certain Muslim countries, which indicates that his primary motivation is racist. Meanwhile, 9/11 allowed both India and Israel to engage in anti-Muslim campaigns of their own. India’s did not grow, but Israel used 7/10 to engage in genocide in Gaza, which in turn is behind its attack on Iran, into which it inveigled the USA. Islamophobia seems to have percolated from a few extremists into the right generally, with resulting victories for them in Israel, India, the USA, Italy and Germany. One result has been the violence of the Israeli response to 10/7. It was doubtless an extremely shocking event for Israel, indeed for Jews everywhere, but the sense of safety that Israel gave them yielded the ensuing genocide because the government in place was pro-settler, pro-extremists. (The so-called left was not anti-settler nor anti-extremist, as shown by opinion polls which have been broadly supportive of the massacre of Palestinians, but the Netanyahu government is more combative, more inclined to violence.) One result of this violent reaction was that it backfired. Instead of intensifying the image of Jews as victims, the sight of Israeli soldiery slaughtering Palestinian children, which was spread by social media platforms, revulsed the rest of the world. The number of countries recognizing Palestine increased, and the image of Israel and Israelis took a beating. The infrastructure which had created support for Israel in the first place was intact, and swung into action, but it did not work as well as before. Lord Acton’s famous saying, about absolute power corrupting absolutely, seems to be being proved by Israel. It has depended on the special relationship with the USA, and in that dependence, it seems to have assumed impunity. There has been no lessening of that impunity. Funding continues as before. However, certain topics are now being discussed that were never spoken about before. The first is the existence and influence of the Zionist lobby. The Gaza massacres particularly illustrated how closely the Israelis were beginning to repeat Nazi tropes, how their genuine victimhood before and during World War II was no longer considered
sufficient for the carte blanche that it assumed. Perhaps most damaging to Israel was the sleaziness of Benjamin Netanyahu personally, as it became increasingly obvious that not only were Palestinians being slaughtered, but Israeli servicemen were being killed solely to protect Netanyahu from avoiding corruption charges. The result has been showing up in US elections. The US midterms are still in the future, but some attempts by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee to defeat unfavourable candidates in the primaries, have instead been defeated. The myth of the invincibility of AIPAC has been broken, thus breaking, or rather cracking, that very invincibility. Because of the fallout from Gaza, it became essential for Israel to exploit its still strong position in the USA, as well as the presence in the White House of Danald Trump, about as pro-Israel a US President as it could hope for, by attacking Iran, not just once (in 2025) but twice. Thus the attack on Iran was a direct effect of the Israeli attack on Gaza. Even Israel realizes that the Arab countries surrounding it will not just magically disappear. Therefore the Abraham Accords have been dreamt up after 9/11 to provide a framework under which Muslim countries can recognize Israel. The US campaign against Iran is not just directed against its nuclear programme, but its antagonism to Israel. Iran had broken through the covering of Arab nationalism that had been given to the Palestinian cause, and laid bare the truth that Palestine was a Muslim cause, and the desire for the liberation of Jerusalem was not merely a desire for the limited goal of Palestinian nationalism, but the universalist goal of Muslim fraternal feeling. FRom the ‘dagger in the heart of the Arab world’, Israel is now a dagger in the heart of the Muslim world. Iran’s investment in the Palestine issue should not be seen as part of some ani-Arab or even sectarian design. It is visceral for any state claiming an Islamic provenance. 9/11 and 10/7 were both world-changing events. It is possible to discern the trends that they gave a fillip to. There was Islamophobia before 9/11, resentment of Zionists (as opposed to Jews) before 10/7. But both events proved catalytic. While 10/7 was spawned by 9/11, its effects on the world have probably not played out yet. One of the consequences of both events is to raise consciousness among Muslims. They were already feeling left out of the wave of global homogenization that was taking place in parallel, and the years since 9/11 brought what seemed a continuous stream of insults. The fierce Western campaigns against terrorism do not seem to have cowed Muslims into either abandoning their faith or loving their chains. The focus seems to remain on the Crusader spirit. That spirit brought Israel into existence, but it has caused Muslims to react almost reflexively. So long as Israel remains, an anachronism, the last settler colony, there will be turmoil, not just in the region, not just the Arab world, but the whole Muslim world.
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Karachi – Ph: 021-32640318 I
istan has consistently lacked: domestic market protection tied to mandatory export performance, technology transfer requirements with enforcement teeth, and a refusal to allow the domestic market to become a permanent sanctuary for assembly operations with no export ambition. Malaysia built Proton in 1983 through a state-owned manufacturer that achieved genuine localisation, sold vehicles across Southeast Asia, and eventually partnered with Geely of China to access global platforms. India’s automotive sector generates approximately $35 billion in annual exports. Pakistan’s automotive sector generates virtually nothing in exports while consuming $2.5 billion in annual imports. The IPP parallel that the original piece draws is not metaphorical but structural. The IPP contracts created dollar-denominated obligations against rupee-earning assets, ensuring that every devaluation raised the debt burden and every rise in the debt burden raised the tariff. The CKD assembly model creates the same architecture at the consumer level: dollar-denominated input costs, rupee-denominated sales revenue, and a foreign exchange gap that the state must finance through borrowing while the assembler books profits in rupees and remits dividends abroad. The concessions in both cases went up the income ladder, and the debt came down it. The Land Cruiser and Fortuner owners moved into Tanks and Prados. The Corolla and Civic buyers moved into Changs and Havals. The daily wage worker who spends Rs 500 filling his motorcycle received nothing from an auto policy that directed its benefits toward consumers already far above him on the income distribution. Pakistan’s $16.863 billion annual petroleum import bill dwarfs anything that vehicle efficiency improvements can save. Importing $2.5 billion worth of vehicles annually to eventually reduce petroleum consumption by an estimated $70 million at best, before accounting for the imported electricity needed to charge electric vehicles and the imported components in the EVs themselves, is not an energy transition strategy. It is a foreign exchange transfer with environmental branding. A genuine energy transition would prioritise affordable electric mobility for the motorcycle owner and the rickshaw driver who actually consume the petroleum Pakistan is trying to save, not the SUV buyer who consumes vastly more and pays for his vehicle in dollars that Pakistan has to borrow. Pakistan borrowed the IMF’s money on conditions that every Pakistani felt in their electricity bill and their grocery receipt. It spent that money, in effect, on cars. Until auto policy is restructured around export performance, genuine localisation, and the foreign exchange discipline that the country’s reserves position demands, that transaction will repeat itself in every fiscal year. The wants will continue to consume what is required for the needs, and foreign currency will remain treated as a commodity to spend rather than capital to build.
The writer has a PhD in Political Science, and is a visiting faculty member at QAU Islamabad. He can be reached at zafarkhansafdar@yahoo.com and tweets @zafarkhansafdar Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545
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Editor’s mail
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Karachi collapse
THE latest Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index has ranked Karachi 170th out of 173 cities. Sadly, this comes as no surprise to those of us who live here. I have travelled across Pakistan, and I can say with confidence that no other major city is in such a poor state. Karachi no longer feels like a city; it feels like a vast, neglected slum. Every day we deal with broken roads, garbage piling up, and water and electricity shortages. Despite all this, the Sindh government keeps making tall claims. But the truth is plain to see. The provincial government’s performance is all around us, and it is pathetic. Karachi has incredible potential, and its people are hardworking and resilient. We need serious action and real leadership before things get even worse. The recent Karachi ranking should be an eye-opener for the Sindh government. But I think this is something too much to ask. SAAD ALI KARACHI
Stinking oversight
THE Karachi chapter of the Arts Council of Pakistan has earned a reasonable reputation as a place where arts and culture are allowed to flourish and thrive. This is definitely good for society at large, and those running the show deserve due acknowledgment. However, the job is apparently so hectic, time-consuming and stressful that the administration is unable to find the time or the focus to keep its washrooms clean. I recently had the misfortune of visiting the place after several years in connection with a fund-raising event for a charity hospital in Karachi’s Koohi Goth area. The programme, which also featured an Urdu theater play, lasted a few hours. Visiting the washrooms, as such, was an inevitability that could not be put on hold beyond a limit. To call the smell merely ‘foul’ would be a rank understatement. All sorts of adjectives hit my senses the moment I stepped in. Pungent, acrid, putrid, acerbic, stinking and many more; all blended into one ‘Arts Councilish’ odour. It was noxious to the point of being obnoxious. I am sure the cause of arts and culture can still be served with clean and fragrant washrooms. All that the administration has to do is to at least try. Once it does, it will be surprised to know that the two targets are not mutually exclusive. Just try. DR SYED SHAH TALHA IQBAL KARACHI
Tax houdinis
IRRESPECTIVE of which political party, or dictator, happens to be at the helm of affairs at any given point in time, the targets of political economy have always overruled economic imperatives. Those who have the muscle and the clout continue to evade taxes under state patronage. Beyond rhetoric, no government has ever done anything concrete to make the elite pay taxes. To fill the gap, all that the governments have ever done is to impose indirect taxes, which is a way of passing on the burden to those who survive from pay-cheque to pay-cheque, and those who afford nothing more than two square meals a day and some level of basic education for their children. All through the subsequent year, they hear the usual pep talk of the ruling elite that justice would be done the next year. After all, someone has to make a sacrifice, and it seems it is their destiny to be the nation’s sacrificial lambs. The lower and middle classes of the country must be prepared to make sacrifices for the nation so that our non-tax-paying elite continue to lead their luxurious lifestyles, be beneficiaries of subsidised land allotments, play golf and, of course, spend their vacations abroad. MALIK TARIQ ALI LAHORE
Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk
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Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk
COMMENT 05
The Drone Age Friday, 23 October, 2026
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How Pakistan, India, Ukraine and Russia Are Racing to Master Unmanned Warfare DR M.B. KHAN
HE drone has evolved from a niche surveillance tool into the defining weapon of modern conflict. From the skies over Ukraine to the contested airspace of South Asia, nations are pouring resources into unmanned systems and the means to destroy them. Here is where four key players stand. Pakistan: From Surveillance Pioneer to Strike Contender Pakistan's drone journey began in the private sector. Firms like Integrated Dynamics and SATUMA developed early surveillance platforms, with SATUMA's Jasoos Bravo+ inducted in 2004. The military soon shifted to state-owned enterprises for larger programmes. A turning point came in 2008 when the Pakistan Air Force licensed Italy's Selex Falco, with the first locally manufactured unit flying at Kamra in 2009. This experience enabled the 2013 induction of the Burraq armed drone and Shahpar-I tactical UAV, both from NESCOM and GIDS. Today, Pakistan operates a layered fleet. The Shahpar-III represents the pinnacle of indigenous MALE design, capable of 30hour endurance for deep surveillance. The Burraq and Aqab handle tactical reconnaissance and fire correction. On the strike side, Pakistan has unveiled long-range loitering munitions. Heavy Industries Taxila's D-248 reaches 2,200– 3,000 km with a 30–50 kg payload, while the S369 covers 1,500–2,000 km. The Turkish Baykar K2 kamikaze drone adds a 200 kg warhead at 2,000 km range with AI-powered navigation. Private firms are also fielding turbojet munitions like the HiMark-25 TJ for high-speed strikes. To defend against drones, Pakistan is building a multi-layered shield. The Chinese HQ-17AE missile offers 20 km engagement range, while Turkish Korkut and ŞAHİN gun
systems provide cost-effective hard-kill options. Indigenous efforts include the P-905 interceptor and the Safra Jammer Gun, which can disable commercial drones within 1.5 km, together with the rapid-fire gun mobile platform able to shoot down incoming drones at an impressive distance of up to 5 km. INDIA: SCALING UP INDIGENOUS AND IMPORTED SYSTEMS India operates a diverse mix of imported and domestically produced drones. The backbone of its surveillance fleet remain the Israeli IAI Heron and Searcher platforms, supplemented by the leased US MQ-9B SeaGuardian for maritime missions. Domestic options include the Drishti-10 Starliner. For strike missions, India fields combatproven loitering munitions like the IAI Harop and Nagastra-1, both used in Operation Sindoor. The ambitious Ghatak stealth UCAV project, a flying-wing design for SEAD missions, has four squadrons approved. India's counter-drone strategy is equally layered. DRDO is mass-producing a 30-kW laser system with a 5 km intercept range, while a 2-kW version is already manufactured by Adani, Astra and BEL. A 450 MW high-power microwave prototype is under testing to disable drone swarms. Domestic programmes like Bhargavastra and Indrajaal combine radars, AI, jammers and micro-missiles. Private industry is laying the groundwork for a further layer: turbojet-powered interceptors that could run down slower, propeller-driven drones. Bharat Forge has validated its KGT45 small turbojet, Paninian India announced its Yantur 4.5 kN turbojet and turbofan programme in July 2026, and Azad Engineering built DRDO's first indigenous 350 kgf expendable turbojet. On the airframe side, Hyderabad's Apollyon Dynamics says its electric Ahuti Mk-II interceptor reached 498 km/h in trials supported by the Indian Army. Russia: Mass Production and TowerMounted Defenses Russia's drone campaign in Ukraine centers on the Geran (Shahed) family. The pro-
Ukraine, fighting for survival, has become the world's most agile drone innovator. The lesson is clear: in modern warfare, air superiority begins with unmanned systems· and the ability to destroy them
peller-driven Geran-2 carries a 50-kg warhead but is slow and interceptable. Russia has since developed jet-powered variants reaching 500–650 km/h with ranges near 900–1,000 km. Production has scaled to an estimated 4,500 units per month, relying on foreign components, including Western electronics. To counter Ukrainian drones, Russia has innovated. Pantsir-S1M systems are mounted on 35-metre towers to protect cities like Moscow, improving firing angles against low-flying swarms. The Yolka interceptor, a 1.3-kg kinetic drone, crashes into enemy UAVs at up to 230 km/h. Ground-based guns like the Derivatsiya-PVO add another layer. Ukraine: Innovation Under Fire Ukraine relies on domestic and Britishsupplied long-range strike drones. The British Nyan (range >240 km) and another platform (range ~960 km) have hit oil refineries deep inside Russia. For interception, Ukraine developed cheap drones like the P1SUN (370 km/h), Bars and the Sting, sometimes launched from modified An-28 aircraft. Ukraine's anti-drone strategy combines F-16 and Mirage fighter jets, surface-to-air missiles, heavy-caliber gun turrets and electronic warfare. The goal is cost-effective interception, as using expensive missiles against cheap drones is unsustainable. Interceptor drone production is scaling to thousands per month, with systems like Blade and SPYS designed specifically for jet-powered Shaheds. The Sting, built by the Ukrainian engineering group Wild Hornets, is the best known of these. This FPV-style quadcopter costs roughly $2,000 to $2,500, has been demonstrated at up to 315 km/h, and, according to the company, has downed more than 3,000 Shahed-type drones since entering regular service in June 2025, at a small
A turning point came in 2008 when the Pakistan Air Force licensed Italy's Selex Falco, with the first locally manufactured unit flying at Kamra in 2009. This experience enabled the 2013 induction of the Burraq armed drone and Shahpar-I tactical UAV fraction of the cost of a missile. Drones are also reshaping armoured warfare. FPV and drop-munition drones can attack a tank from above, where its armour is thinnest, placing a small shaped-charge or fragmentation warhead on the roof, engine deck or turret top. Costing a few hundred dollars, they now do work once reserved for top-attack guided missiles such as the US Javelin or France's MMP, which cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per shot, allowing small units to disable armour at a tiny fraction of the price. The drone war is a race between offence and defence. Pakistan and India are building layered capabilities with a mix of imports and indigenous systems. Russia is mass-producing cheap strike drones while innovating in counter-drone defences. Ukraine, fighting for survival, has become the world's most agile drone innovator. The lesson is clear: in modern warfare, air superiority begins with unmanned systems— and the ability to destroy them. The May 2025 conflict between India and Pakistan was the first large-scale
The Middle East's next energy boom By 2060, 92% of MENA electricity generation will be non-fossil, up from 14% in 2024, while 35% of energy demand will be supplied by electricity, up from 17% today
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OILPRICE.COM ALAN MAMMOSER
new Middle East energy system came into view at the Energy Trading Week Middle East conference in Dubai last month. The region’s world’s-lowest costs for solar energy appeared with enormous potential to transform how countries consume and export energy in low-carbon products. “Renewable power is actually very competitive now, so the spotlight for this region when it comes to energy transition is around three low carbon products," said Saravanan Manivel, Director for Low Carbon Fuels at ENGIE Global Energy Management & Sales. “Renewable power itself is actually a very interesting product," he said. “There are plans to add capacity, and I think it's going to grow to about one-third of the energy mix in Gulf countries by 2030, which brings a lot of challenges and opportunities as well.” Low-cost renewable power is in turn the basis for green ammonia, in a region that is one of the largest producers of ammonia fuel with supply chains in place. Meanwhile, blue ammonia made with natural gas requires carbon capture and storage (CCS), for which the region has ample infrastructure and natural storage capacity. “CCS has a lot of potential for the region, where Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and also Qatar are actually planning a lot of capacity in the next few years. "This region is quite well placed for both green and blue ammonia, which are very relevant for the energy transition," he said. And natural gas will play a critical role as a 'transition fuel' in a region that is a major LNG supplier. Exporting countries are compelled to lower their carbon footprint as they face upcoming EU regulations on methane leakage. They will be further incentivized to lessen the carbon footprint further with CCS, where again they enjoy cost advantages. TIPPING POINT IN 2040 The huge potential of renewable power in the Middle East and North Africa is seen in the recent report Energy Transition Outlook 2026: Rise of Renewables in the Gulf
Region, from risk management firm DNV. The report foresees 860 GW of solar PV installed from now to 2040 and a further 2,200 GW of solar and wind power installed between 2040 and 2060. By 2060, 92% of MENA electricity generation will be nonfossil, up from 14% in 2024, while 35% of energy demand will be supplied by electricity, up from 17% today. This robust outlook assumes significant population and economic growth in a region with intense energy demand for cooling, industry and new data centers. These needs will continue to push up power demand. Therefore, according to the authors, “'MENA has yet to reach the point of additionality: when growth in non-fossil electricity generation outpaces growth in electricity demand.” While the analysts foresee dramatic growth in renewable power and electricity generation, only in 2040 do they expect to see a tipping point when renewable generation increases faster than growth of demand. At this point, fossil fuels in power generation will peak and an actual energy transition will begin. BATTERIES BOOMING The build-up of renewables is leading to the development of supportive infrastructure as countries seek to maximize the advantages of solar power. This is enabled by steep declines in battery energy storage systems (BESS) costs, as these are co-located with utility-scale renewable energy. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman are leaders. With their utility-scale solar projects now achieving lowest costs in the world to provide electricity, they are adding large amounts of batteries. The economics are indisputable as the falling cost of energy storage increasingly enables firm, dispatchable power supply from solar. “The region has entered an exponential phase of growth,” says Fadi Maalouf, a Dubai-based energy technology consultant. He writes that BESS has moved from an experimental add-on to the backbone of the region’s grid infrastructure. Tracking projects across 18 countries, he sees total capacity 166 GWh by 2030, more than six times current operational capacity. He cites the importance of plans such as Saudi Arabia's Vision2030, Oman’s Vision2040 and the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. “The Gulf region’s pipeline is dominated by GW/GWh-scale standalone assets as well as co-located with landmark renewable energy parks to deliver round-the-clock ‘firm’ renewable capacity,” writes Maalouf. He notes impressive growth also in countries such as Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan. The progress is tracked in a new report from industry think tank Dii Desert Energy, The battery boom: Scaling giga-scale storage across Middle East and North Africa
(MENA). The authors see the market for battery energy storage crossing an inflection point. According to their tracking, there are 33 operational utility-scale battery energy storage projects totaling 20,785 MWh (5,477 MW) across the region (as of August 2026). The pipeline to 2030 adds 84 projects and 128,573 MWh (37,585 MW). Total installed capacity will rise to an estimated 149,358 MWh (43,062 MW), representing a nearly 8-fold increase from 2026 to 2030. Saudi Arabia, which had very little investment in battery storage just five years ago, now accounts for the bulk of operational capacity in the region, with the UAE, Egypt, Oman and Morocco also with large shares of planned projects. “The drivers are national decarbonization and energy security targets, plunging technology costs, and record renewable energy capacity additions,” write the report authors. They cite concern that the technology is advancing more quickly than the regulatory regimes of the countries, with Saudi Arabia being a notable exception with its independent storage provider framework. BASELOAD SOLAR A remarkable project in Abu Dhabi shows how solar power and batteries are changing the energy dynamics of the region. Engineers can now produce clean power that integrates BESS to overcome the intermittency of renewables. The first ‘round-the-clock’ 24-hour solar power and storage project is currently being developed by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) in partnership with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC). The $6 bn project, slated to start operation next year, will have sufficient solar and storage capacity to supply 1 GW of continuous, reliable electricity. Many more such projects are expected. NEW FUELS FALL BEHIND While carbon-free electrons rapidly gain scale, their necessary counterpart – low-carbon molecules – are barely produced. Most announced projects remain in early stages of development. A landmark moment was reached this year with the commissioning of the NEOM Green Hydrogen project in Saudi Arabia. Beginning next year, the $8 bn project will deploy 4 GW of renewable power capacity to produce 600 Mt per day, representing some 3% of global hydrogen demand. This will produce ammonia (1.2 Mtpa ‘green’ ammonia) to be shipped worldwide. According to the Hydrogen Council’s recent Compass Report (2026), the region ranks fourth in committed investment, after China, Europe, and North America. It will host some of the largest individual hydrogen projects in the world, with approximately $11 billion committed across just 15 projects
with total capacity of approximately 500 Ktpa. However, its momentum has been flagging as projects await the rise of an export-oriented offtake market. HYDROGEN NEEDS LEADERS Frank Wouters, Chairman of MENA Hydrogen Alliance, authors an insightful essay, Hydrogen is a stupid idea, in which he argues that new hydrogen fuels will follow a path similar to solar PV energy (which seemed senseless until it suddenly gained scale at low-cost), but different in critical ways. The transmission, distribution and storage infrastructure doesn't yet exist for carbon-free hydrogen and it remains expensive. Meanwhile, potential exporters are waiting for Europe, Japan and Korea to issue clear and specific regulations. The nascent industry in the Middle East remains hampered. “Like solar energy in the past, because we are not yet producing hydrogen at scale, it is mostly more expensive than conventional alternatives,” writes Wouters. Yet he argues that it will be needed. “Hydrogen is not a nice-tohave but an indispensable part of a future clean energy system,” he writes. “Molecules dominate energy storage, for example, which is essential to guarantee a functional, affordable and secure energy system.” He suggests creating an office of ‘hydrogen czar’ in Europe, to unify and guide policy at the level of the European Commission. This office would work on all critical aspects, such as setting up a hydrogen reserve
drone confrontation between the two neighbours. Drones, loitering munitions and counter-UAS systems featured prominently on both sides, and both drew lessons on cost, scale and the value of a domestic defence-industrial base. Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces has warned that reliance on imported niche technologies weakens long-term readiness, while Pakistan has pushed ahead with Turkish drone assembly facilities alongside its own indigenous programmes. The real lesson is that in drone warfare, the defence-industrial ecosystem, not the size of the arsenal, determines who adapts faster. Ukraine, fighting for survival, has become the world's most agile drone innovator. The lesson is clear: in modern warfare, air superiority begins with unmanned systems— and the ability to destroy them. The Author is a Defence Analyst and Senior Fellow NUST Institute of Policy Studies. He previously delivered invited talks at NDU and the Command and Staff College, Quetta.
system (similar to petroleum and gas reserves) to create initial demand, and establishing ‘book and claim’ trade of ‘green’ certificates linked to low-carbon hydrogen. Such a high-level position might work as well in a country such as Saudi Arabia, where a large domestic market for hydrogen in refining, chemicals and other sectors already exists. An international ‘book and claim’ system could be very helpful in reorienting Saudi hydrogen production from distant export markets toward its large domestic market. “There is demand for green ammonia in Europe,” says Wouters. “But the regulatory regime in Europe at the moment doesn't allow for book and claim, so it needs mass balance with physical transport of the molecule from, let's say, Saudi Arabia to Europe. “If they could keep the hydrogen inside the Kingdom, for their own industry, and sell the certificate to Europe, that would let them engage with a big potential market while they build the industry.” This kind of flexible policy adaptation would require high-level agreement in a realm where the ‘hydrogen czar’ could be effective. Wouters thinks it’s feasible, as he is already working with stakeholders in an international context to develop eSAF (synthetic sustainable aviation fuel from hydrogen and carbon precursors) production in MENA countries. For now, Wouters takes a long view. He sees clean hydrogen as inevitable but realizes it is complex in an energy-exporting region with large subsidies in place for oil, gas, and electricity. ‘It needs more leadership,” he says. Alan Mammoser writes about energy, environment, cities, infrastructure and planning.
SATIRE
Trump to run for French presidency NEW BISCUIT JEREMYNH
'Failing Emmanuel Macron has been totally letting down the French people with these riots,' wrote US president Donald Trump on his media site, Truthless Sociopath. 'That's why I am going to change my name to Jean-Con Donald Le Trompe, wear a lurid red beret, and do the job properly,' continued the post, which included an off-putting video of Trump chomping on a hamburger wrapped in a baguette. 'Have you French rioters even thought yet of storming the National Assembly? My supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington and ransacked it for hours, and I pardoned them all afterwards. That's what I mean by doing riots properly. 'And all you French riot police who've been getting grief for firing rubber bullets
and hurling grenades at the rioters. I'd let you do what ICE agents do in the US shoot people out on the streets with highcalibre handguns at point blank range and never get prosecuted.' 'The president is eminently suited for the role,' said a White House spokes-escargot, 'since he eats French fries for breakfast, lunch and dinner and dreams about French kissing every blonde on his staff. 'And the President will be bringing some traditional, wholesome American political values to the degenerate French,' croaked the spokes-grenouille. At press time, Donald Trump was posting pictures of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris with a vulgar Arc de Trompe built on top of it, vowing to change the name of the Champs Elysee to the Champs Ivanka, and offering every French voter a 5,000 euro election bribe.
06 NEWS
Friday, 23 October 2026 | ISLAMABAD
foodpanda introduces IRAN THREATENS TO TARGET US DATA CENTRES, AI-Powered telematics UNDERSEA INTERNET CABLES IF WAR BREAKS OUT technology to improve
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RAN'S security chief Mohsen Rezaei on Thursday said negotiations with the United States have been suspended, warning that undersea internet cables, data centres and AI facilities could be targeted by Iran if war breaks out, IRNA reports. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that it had targeted four ships in the northern part of the Arabian Gulf that it said were transferring oil cargoes from one vessel to another. The IRGC’s naval forces said in a statement that "fires were still burning on the targeted ships." It added that the four vessels had been spotted transferring oil between ships and were targeted simultaneously for sailing along “unauthorised routes.” The IRGC accused the US of “encouraging ships to cross a maritime passage planted with mines,” saying this was leading to an “increase in maritime incidents.” The statement warned Washington that if the US continued with this approach, the scope of Iran’s response
“would also include American bases in the region.” Earlier, the IRGC Navy said on that four vessels involved in illegal oil transfers in the northern Persian Gulf were simultaneously hit and caught fire after being tracked by its forces on Wednesday. The IRGC added that three more vessels collided with mines west of the Strait of Hormuz, and warned the US military that continued provocations could lead to a wider response against its regional bases. Iran would consider US political assets and infrastructure belonging to countries participating in a new war against it as “legitimate targets” if Iranian officials were assassinated or civilians killed, a senior Iranian security official warned on Wednesday, according to the Fars News Agency. The Tehran-based official said Iran assumes that the US and Israel will launch another attack and considers Washington’s diplomatic gestures “unreliable.” The official said this perception had intensified following remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Athens, which Tehran interpreted as giving a historical and civilisational justifi-
cation for Washington’s war against Iran. According to the official, Iranian political and intellectual leaders have increasingly concluded that US Middle East policy is directed by Israel, which they believe is preventing Washington from pursuing a diplomatic solution. The official claimed that Israel takes priority in US President Donald Trump’s regional policies. Iran already considers itself at war with the US and views Washington’s economic and naval blockade, along with restrictions on Iranian airspace, as a continuation of the military aggression that began on February 28, the official said. He added that growing pressure from different segments of Iranian society was pushing authorities toward “decisive action” to break the blockade under what Tehran considers its right to self-defence. According to the official, Iran has instructed various operational units that, in the event of another large-scale conflict involving the assassination of Iranian officials and the killing of civilians, it would consider US political assets and the infrastructure of countries participating in the war as “legitimate targets.” The warning comes amid heightened
tensions between Tehran and Washington over the US naval blockade and restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump says US ‘not negotiating’ with Iran, something will happen ‘fairly soon’ US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Washington is not negotiating with Iran, adding that “something one way or the other” will happen “fairly soon.” “No, I think we’re not negotiating,” Trump told reporters upon returning from a rally in South Carolina. “We are going to have something one way or the other that’ll happen fairly soon.” “Most people seem to think it’s after the election, and we’re going to see what happens,” he added. Earlier, during his remarks at the rally, Trump said the US could end its war with Iran now but wants to ensure that the outcome is lasting. “It’ll end very soon. We could leave now, but we want to make sure it lasts for a long time,” he said. He claimed the US had defeated Iran militarily and financially, adding that Tehran would “never have a nuclear weapon.”
From Courtroom to Citizen: Supreme Court Expands Access to Justice
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SHUMAILA NAZ
OR a citizen seeking justice, the journey should not become a struggle in itself. Finding the right office, understanding procedures, seeking information about a case, or simply knowing where to turn for assistance can often be as daunting as the legal process itself. The Supreme Court of Pakistan is taking steps to change this experience by bringing essential facilitation closer to the people and making access to justice simpler, more responsive, and increasingly technology-driven. The Public Facilitation Center (PFC) was established with this very purpose. Designed as a one-window facility for litigants and visitors to the Supreme Court, the Center brings together a range of services at a single point. Instead of requiring citizens to move from one office to another, the PFC coordinates with the
relevant branches internally so that citizens can access the required assistance through one window. The objective is simple: justice must not only be served but also facilitated. The Supreme Court is now taking this initiative a step further by establishing a Legal Aid Cell within the premises of the Public Facilitation Center. The Legal Aid Cell will complement the administrative and facilitation services already available at the Center by extending legal assistance to deserving persons who require guidance in pursuing or defending their legal rights. A dedicated Legal Assistant has been appointed to facilitate such individuals and guide them towards appropriate legal assistance. This new initiative also forms part of the Supreme Court’s broader transition towards online and technology-enabled public services. Nearly 20 services are already available online through the Public
Facilitation Center Portal on the Supreme Court’s website. Citizens can therefore access a growing number of services without having to physically visit the Court. The underlying philosophy is clear: technology should reduce, rather than add to, the burden on a litigant. But accessibility does not end with putting services online. A citizen may still have a question, may need help understanding a procedure, or may simply need to know the status of a case. To bridge this gap, the Supreme Court has introduced 1818, a dedicated helpline through which members of the public can seek information regarding their cases, obtain assistance with online services, and raise administrative queries. With the introduction of the Legal Aid Cell, the same point of contact will also provide a channel for those seeking legal assistance. The idea is to ensure that a citizen
does not have to know which branch to approach, whom to contact, or where to go merely to obtain an answer. Whether the need is administrative, technological, or legal, the system is increasingly being structured around the citizen rather than requiring the citizen to navigate the system. The Public Facilitation Center, its online portal, the 1818 helpline, and the newly established Legal Aid Cell are therefore not isolated initiatives. They are interconnected steps towards making the Supreme Court more accessible, responsive, and citizen-oriented. At its heart, the initiative carries a simple message: the doors of justice should not merely be open; people should be helped to find their way through them.
The writer is associated with judicial reform initiatives. iamnaz.shumaila@gmail.com
Wang Yi, Djibouti counterpart discuss deepening cooperation BEIJING
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti, here in Beijing on Wednesday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Djibouti relations have maintained a healthy and stable momentum of development. He noted that political mutual trust has deepened and that cooperation across various fields has brought benefits to the people of Djibouti. China appreciates Djibouti's adherence to the one-China principle and hopes that Djibouti will continue to
Wang Yi, Djibouti counterpart discuss deepening cooperation BEIJING
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti, here in Beijing on Wednesday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Djibouti relations have maintained a healthy and stable momentum of development. He noted that political mutual trust has deepened and that cooperation across various fields has brought benefits to the people of Djibouti.
firmly support China on issues concerning its core interests, Wang said. Wang said that China values the comprehensive strategic partnership be-
tween China and Djibouti and is willing to further deepen pragmatic cooperation with Djibouti, adding that both sides should give full play to China's zero-tariff policy and Djibouti's geographical advantages. China encourages its enterprises to invest and operate in Djibouti, Wang added. Since the beginning of this year, Wang said, China has proposed four principles on the constructive participation of relevant parties in the resolution of African hotspot issues, and proposed a series of initiatives on promoting peace and security in the Middle East. These efforts, he noted, demonstrate China's role as a responsible major country and align with people's aspirations for peace in the region. China is willing to work with Djibouti and other countries to enhance communication and cooperation, strive to ease ten-
OGDC commences gas and condensate production from Bitrism east-1 well in Khairpur, Sindh ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) has commenced gas and condensate production from its Bitrism East-1 exploratory well located in Khairpur district of Sindh province, marking significant progress in bringing new hydrocarbon discoveries into production. The Bitrism East-1 exploratory well is currently producing 7.0 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMSCFD) and 200 barrels of condensate per day from the Basal Sands. Production is expected to increase gradually as the well’s flow stabilises. OGDC announced the gas and condensate discovery at Bitrism East-1 on October 1, 2025, in the Massive and Basal Sands of the
Saudi-led coalition intercepts, destroys drone in Riyadh region ROYADH
AGENCIES
sions, and earnestly maintain peace and stability in the region, Wang said. Omar said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Djibouti has been developing relations with China based on the principles of mutual trust and mutual respect for each other's core interests, adding that Djibouti is willing to further enrich the connotation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Omar expressed Djibouti's appreciation for China's contributions to promoting lasting world peace, adding that the two countries share broad consensus on abiding by the purposes of the UN Charter and peacefully resolving disputes, and Djibouti stands ready to enhance communication and dialogue with China on international issues.
The Saudi-led coalition announced on Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone in the Riyadh region. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said in a brief statement on X that the drone had been intercepted and destroyed, without providing further details on its origin or intended target. Following the attacks, Saudi Aramco instructed staff to evacuate its headquarters in Dhahran and work remotely, six sources with
knowledge of the the matter said during the day. Aramco did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier, Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation said two people were killed, and eight were injured in an attack on Wednesday evening on King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia's eastern oil city of Dammam. Those killed were a Saudi citizen and an Indian national, the authority said. The injuries ranged from minor to serious. Damage was being assessed, it added. Airport operations had resumed, and air traffic had returned
Lower Goru Formation. To accelerate production from the discovery, OGDC used its in-house resources to lay an approximately 28-kilometre, 8-inch-diameter flowline connecting the well to the Sinjhoro Plant for processing. The processed gas is now being supplied to the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) network, adding to Pakistan’s indigenous gas supplies. OGDC is the operator of the Bitrism Exploration Licence with a 77.5 percent working interest, in a joint venture with Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL), which holds the remaining 22.5 percent. The commencement of production from Bitrism East-1 reflects OGDC’s continued focus on bringing new discoveries into production, enhancing domestic hydrocarbon supplies and contributing to Pakistan's energy security. to normal, the authority said. Meanwhile, the US State Department has ordered some diplomats and family members to depart from its missions in Saudi Arabia and plans to withdraw family members from a number of other US missions in the region, US officials told Reuters. The order came amid attacks in Saudi Arabia that killed at least one person and injured eight others at a civilian airport in Dammam, and two people were killed in a drone attack on an oil field. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a post on X that the department ordered the departure of "non-emergency US government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only" amid attacks by the Houthis in Yemen on civilian targets in the country.
delivery riders’ safety KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
foodpanda has introduced a new rider safety feature powered by advanced telematics technology in its rider mobile application. Developed in partnership with Sentiance, a global provider of behavioral analytics technology, the feature will help delivery riders better understand their driving habits, receive personalized safety insights, and improve their driving through actionable guidance. Sentiance’s Software Development Kit (SDK) has been integrated directly into poodpanda’s rider app. Using on-device edge computing, the technology processes raw data collected from smartphone motion sensors, including GPS, accelerometers, and gyroscopes, directly on the rider’s phone. Through a dedicated Safety Center within the app, riders can access analytical insights into their driving behavior. These include their personalized “Safe Trip Rate” and safety recommendations, designed to encourage cautious driving, reduce road risks, and improve the safety of the entire delivery fleet over the long term. Ahsan Malik, Director of Logistics at foodpanda Pakistan, said: “The physical safety and wellbeing of our delivery partners are among foodpanda’s top priorities.
Nestlé Pakistan maintains strong business momentum in Q3 2026 LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Nestlé Pakistan’s net sales for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2026, amounted to PKR 160 billion, representing growth of 6.3%. The sustained sales performance was mainly driven by increased investment behind brands, consumer-centric innovation and renovation (I&R), focused marketplace execution, and strengthened export routes to market. An improved topline, disciplined overhead management, and a continuous focus on value chain optimization initiatives resulted in an increase of 8.1% in gross profit compared to the same period of the prior year. However, at the operating profit level, this improvement was reduced to 5.9%, mainly due to increased investment behind brands and higher distribution costs, driven by rising fuel prices. Net profit after tax improved by 3.1% compared to the same period of the prior year, despite the impact of higher taxation expense. Due to ongoing geopolitical instability, continued volatility in energy and other input costs, and elevated inflation driven by fuel prices, the Company maintains a cautious outlook for the full year 2026.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia releases Rs144.50m of total annual grant for IIUI ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Employees and staff of International Islamic University have extended heartfelt thanks to the Worthy President and Acting Rector, Prof Dr Ahmed Saad Alahmed for securing the release of Rs. 144.50 million grant from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for the university. This amount is a part of the total grant that the Kingdom has released for ad hoc relief allowance 2026-27 of all employees from BPS 1 to BPS 21. The complete grant of Saudi Support Fund covers recurring expenditures, infrastructural development, faculty development and quality enhancement. The year 2026's grant is continuation of the graciousness and generosity of the Kingdom of the Saudi Arabia with which it continues treating the university, year upon year.
NEWS 07
Friday, 23 October 2026 | ISLAMABAD
CM MARyAM GIvES POLICE FOUR-WEEk US Consul General visits CBD Punjab, appreciates ULTIMATUM TO FIx LAW AND ORDER
CORPORATE CORNER
planning of proposed diplomatic enclave
LAHORE STAFF REPORT
A United States delegation led by Stetson Sanders, U.S. Consul General in Lahore, visited the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), and received a detailed briefing on its master plan, development projects, and the proposed Diplomatic Enclave at CBD Bab District.Chief Operating Officer CBD Punjab, Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua, warmly welcomed the delegation, which comprised representatives from architecture, design and security teams. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase CBD Punjab’s integrated development vision and its efforts to strengthen Punjab’s economic potential through modern infrastructure and globally oriented urban planning.Director Architecture and Planning CBD Punjab, Sameer Aftab Sial, delivered a comprehensive briefing on the authority’s master plan, highlighting the architectural vision and key development features of CBD Quaid District and CBD Bab District. He explained how the districts are being planned to accommodate modern commercial requirements and support a dynamic business ecosystem.Director Project Management CBD Punjab, Asif Iqbal, briefed the delegation on the infrastructure developed across CBD Punjab, highlighting its adherence to international standards and its capacity to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses and urban development.
HBL posts 9M’26 profit before tax of Rs115b, while creating sustainable value for its clients and stakeholders
KARACHI
HBL today declared a record quarterly profit before tax of Rs 41.9 billion for the third quarter of 2026. The Bank’s total profit before tax for nine months ended September 30, 2026, increased to Rs 115 billion while the profit after tax rose to Rs 54.1 billion. EPS for 9M’26 increased to Rs 36.84. Along with the results, the Bank declared an interim cash dividend for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, at Rs 6.0 per share. This is in addition to the interim cash dividend already paid at Rs 12 per share i.e. 120% HBL’s balance sheet grew by 16% to Rs 8.9 trillion, with total deposits closing at Rs 5.9 trillion. Domestic deposits increased to Rs 5.1 trillion, driven by strong current account mobilization. Consequently, the domestic CA mix improved from 37.6% in December 2025 to 40.2% in September 2026. HBL’s leading lending book continued to strengthen, with total advances increasing to Rs 2.2 trillion. STAFF REPORT
ACT Alliance Welcomes FBR Enforcement, Calls for Prosecution of Illegal Cigarette Trade ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
ACT Alliance Pakistan welcomes the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) enhanced enforcement against illegal cigarette networks in 2026. Mubashir Akram, Country Director of ACT Alliance, a civil society platform addressing illegal trade, smuggling, counterfeiting, and tax evasion, commended the increased focus on illegal cigarette manufacturing and distribution. He thanked the Prime Minister for his leadership and recognized the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to protecting public revenue, promoting lawful commerce, and combating illegal business activities.“We appreciate the Prime Minister’s leadership and the government’s commitment to addressing the illegal cigarette trade and other criminal business networks. Continued support for FBR’s enforcement teams will help consolidate these efforts and prevent illegal businesses from regaining a foothold in the market,” Akram said.A review of public reports from January 1 to August 31, 2026, identified 675 raids in FBR’s Inland Revenue Enforcement Network data. These returns record tobacco-related raids, including those involving raw tobacco, but do not represent the number of criminal prosecutions. The review also found at least four separately reported registered cases related to cigarette manufacturing, machinery violations, or restricted manufacturing inputs. These are reported instances, not a national total. The reviewed sources confirmed no completed prosecutions resulting in convictions and punishments.
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PUNJAB CM ORDERS STRICT ACTION AGAINST CRIMES TARGETING WOMEN AND CHILDREN, CORRUPTION AND ILLEGAL WEAPONS LAHORE
SALEEM JADOON
UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday gave police four weeks to improve the overall law and order situation, particularly crimes against women and children, warning that officers concerned would be removed if the situation failed to improve. Expressing concern over the law and order situation in Rawalpindi Division, the chief minister directed police to intensify action against serious crimes, corruption within the force and the illegal possession of weapons. She issued these directives while chairing a special meeting on law and order, attended by regional police officers (RPOs) and district police officers (DPOs) through video link. Detailed briefings were given on the law and order situation in every division and district. The IG Punjab briefed the chief minister on the overall security situation across the province, including the Multan incident and other serious crimes. Maryam Nawaz directed police to ensure strict enforcement of the ban on cameraequipped glasses and other surveillance devices. She also ordered preventive action and the recovery of illegal weapons from individuals possessing them unlawfully. Expressing dissatisfaction with traffic management, she directed police to take action against overspeeding and ensure effective enforcement of traffic regulations. She also ordered an intensified anti-corruption campaign within the police department, directing strict action against personnel involved in corrupt practices. The chief minister directed police to prevent wheat smuggling from all districts, particularly areas along
provincial borders. She instructed all RPOs to hold weekly meetings to review every category of crime and submit performance reports of the relevant DPOs. She further ordered province-wide police patrolling to ensure a visible presence of law enforcement personnel and instil a sense of the law's authority among criminals. She also directed police officers to personally visit the organisers of the Tablighi Ijtema. The chief minister praised the RMC police force for its effective performance during the proposed sit-in and paid tribute to police personnel who lost their lives while performing their duties. She directed that lifetime salaries and financial packages be provided to the fam-
CCPO Lahore urges Sindh trainee DSPs to put public service, citizens’ relief first LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana on Wednesday urged trainee police officers to prioritise public service, ensure swift resolution of citizens’ grievances and strengthen public trust in the police, stressing that policing was not merely a job but a way of life dedicated to serving the community. He said the traditional culture of police stations had been transformed into dignified public service centres, where citizens were being provided prompt and transparent justice. The CCPO expressed these views while addressing a 33-member delegation of trainee deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) from Sindh Police, currently undergoing training at the National Police Academy, during their visit to the
Capital City Police Headquarters. Led by SP Aurangzeb, the delegation was received by DIG (Administration) Imran Kishwar and SSP (Discipline) Kashif Aslam. DIG Imran Kishwar briefed the visiting officers on the administrative and operational affairs of Lahore Police, professional training, ongoing reforms and strategies for crime prevention. ‘PUBLIC TRUST GREATEST
MCB Bank Delivers Strong Nine-Month Performance
ACHIEVEMENT OFTHE POLICE’ Addressing the participants, CCPO Bilal Siddique Kamyana said public trust was the greatest achievement of the police. He emphasised that protecting the lives, property and honour of citizens was the fundamental responsibility of the force, adding that Lahore Police was striving to improve service delivery through modern community policing initiatives.
Meezan Bank, UNIDOITPO Bahrain and ICEI join hands to support Entrepreneurs and MSMEs in Pakistan KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
LAHORE STAFF REPORT
MCB Bank Limited is pleased to announce its financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, reflecting resilient performance underpinned by strong fundamentals, disciplined execution, robust deposit mobilization, and sustained growth across key business segments amid a challenging macroeconomic environment. The Board of Directors of MCB Bank, chaired by Mian Mohammad Mansha, reviewed and approved the Bank’s financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2026. The Board declared a third interim cash dividend of Rs. 9.00 per share (90%), bringing the cumulative cash dividend declared for 2026 to Rs. 27.00 per share (270%). The continued dividend distribution reflects the Bank’s strong financial position, prudent capital management, and commitment to delivering sustainable returns to shareholders.
Meezan Bank, Pakistan's leading Islamic bank, has signed two exchanges of letters with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization - Investment and Technology Promotion Office, Bahrain (UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain) and with the International Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ICEI) to support startups, women and youth entrepreneurs, and MSMEs. Meezan Bank shall set up a dedicated in-house Focus Group offering non-financial services based on the Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion (EDIP) methodology, a programme developed by UNIDO ITPO Bahrain to help entrepreneurs and small businesses become investment-ready.The letters were signed by Dr. Syed Amir Ali, President & CEO - Meezan Bank, Dr. Hashim Hussein, Head UNIDO ITPO Bahrain; and H.E. Sheikh Ebrahim Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) and the ICEI.Based within the Bank, the Focus Group will provide structured advisory and non financial services to help entrepreneurs and MSMEs grow sustainably, attract investment and stay competitive. The Focus Group’s planned services include:• Enterprise development and business advisory services•
SCP’s market outlook highlights investment opportunities amid evolving global, domestic landscape
LAHORE: Standard Chartered Pakistan (SCP) hosted its latest Market Outlook session in Lahore, bringing together the Bank’s Affluent clients and leading investment experts to discuss the evolving global and domestic economic landscape and its implications for investors.The session explored Pakistan’s progress towards macroeconomic stabilisation alongside developments shaping global markets, including geopolitical uncertainty, energy prices and the direction of US interest rates. The discussion also examined how investors can navigate changing market conditions through disciplined asset allocation, diversification and a longer-term approach to wealth creation. Saadya Riaz, Head of Wealth & Retail Banking, Standard Chartered Pakistan, stated, “As Pakistan’s economic landscape evolves and global markets remain complex, investors need to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on building resilient, diversified portfolios. At Standard Chartered, our role is to combine our global perspective. STAFF REPORT
ilies of martyred police officers. Maryam Nawaz also directed police to ensure effective patrolling by the Dolphin Force in Lahore and provide it with motorcycles and other necessary facilities. She said there would be no tolerance for hooliganism in Punjab and warned that those involved would not be spared. She ordered an intensified crackdown on narcotics and comprehensive measures to identify crime hotspots and dismantle criminal networks. The chief minister also directed the authorities to continue building the capacity of the specialised RMC police force to enable it to deal effectively with crowds and maintain law and order.
PIA unveiles reimagined cabin crew uniform ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is bringing runway glamour back to the skies. In a celebration of heritage, modern elegance, and warm hospitality, the national flag carrier has officially unveiled its reimagined cabin crew uniform collection, masterfully crafted by celebrated couturier Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY).The collection marks a stylish leap forward in PIA’s ongoing transformation under its consortium-led new management, refreshing the onboard experience with an elevated, contemporary aesthetic that puts passenger comfort and crew pride at the forefront.PIA has long held a singular tradition of bridging commercial aviation with world-class fashion. In 1966, legendary French designer Pierre Cardin designed PIA’s pioneering Aline tunic and hood, defining aviation chic across the globe. That heritage was enriched in the 1970s by Queen Elizabeth II’s royal couturier, Sir Hardy Amies, who brought refined tailoring to the skies, followed in recent years by contemporary master Nomi Ansari whose uniform inspiration lasted PIA for 12 years. Now, that mantle passes on to HSY— one of South Asia’s most formidable fashion forces. Known globally for his red-carpet presence, roots extending into Hollywood styling, and dressing international celebrities, HSY is frequently chosen as the creative ambassador representing Pakistan’s fashion artistry on world stages. With this collection, he fuses Pakistan’s rich textile soul with sleek, international tailoring. "Designing for our national flag carrier is about capturing our collective pride and the genuine warmth of Pakistani hospitality," said Hassan Sheheryar Yasin. "We wanted uniforms that our crew feel extraordinarily confident and comfortable apparel that respect our heritage, reflect modern fashion, and tell our story beautifully in every airport across the globe."
MG Motor Launches Customer Engagement Campaign for MG HS Super Hybrid Owners
LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Reinforcing its commitment to putting customers first, MG Motor Pakistan has launched a customer engagement campaign for MG HS Super Hybrid owners, offering selected participants the opportunity to win a complimentary 7kW home charger by sharing their genuine ownership experiences. Running from 15 October to 15 November 2026, the initiative reflects MG Pakistan’s focus on building lasting customer relationships and enhancing the ownership experience beyond the drive. Through the initiative, MG HS Super Hybrid owners are invited to record a video sharing their personal experiences with the vehicle and publish it on their public Facebook or Instagram profiles. Participants must tag @MGMotorsPakistan and email the video link, along with the requested details, to info@mgmotors.com.pk, using the subject line “MG HS Super Hybrid Experience.” Participants must keep their profiles public until the verification process is complete.
PM orders fast-track Plan for direct flights between Pakistan-Maldives
Friday, 23 October, 2026
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ISLAMABAD
SALEEM JADOON
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the importance of strengthening connectivity between Pakistan and the Maldives, including air and maritime links, announcing that he had directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation to prepare a feasibility study for launching direct flights between the two countries. “I want to say that connectivity is very important. We don’t have direct flights from Malé to Islamabad or Karachi, so this air link is very important,” the prime minister said. “I have already given instructions to our Ministry of Civil Aviation to prepare a quick feasibility [study], be it Pakistan International Airlines or any other airline in Pakistan, to find the ways and means to take the first flight comprising tourists [and the] business community to Malé,” he announced. The premier was addressing the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum, attended by visiting Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a three-day visit at the invitation of PM Shehbaz. The visit marks the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and
coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in 1966. The prime minister said President Muizzu had informed him that he had also instructed his country's airline to develop a plan for launching flights between the Maldives and Pakistan. “I have given instructions to our civil aviation department to immediately invite a delegation from [the] Maldives and work out a plan whereby we can start these air flights between the two countries as early as possible,” PM Shehbaz added. Emphasising the importance of mar-
atc replaces state counsel after imaan, hadi raise objection
itime connectivity, the premier said that without a reliable, direct shipping schedule linking Karachi or Gwadar with Malé, the two countries would struggle to achieve their trade targets efficiently. He added that, following President Muizzu's return to the Maldives, a delegation of Pakistani government officials and business representatives would visit Malé, expected within the next week or so. Describing Muizzu as a “very sincere friend of Pakistan”, PM Shehbaz termed his visit a “turning point in further strengthening our bilateral, brotherly relations” and a “game-changer in terms
of promoting our bilateral trade and investment portfolios”. “I would like to convey this message to our great entrepreneurs, traders, investors and businessmen from both [the] Maldives and Pakistan,” he said, urging them to seize the opportunity and translate it into “a concrete action plan”. Citing figures provided by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, the prime minister said bilateral trade between Islamabad and Malé currently stood at approximately $13 million. “My brother, President Dr Muizzu, on my request, readily agreed to make a firm understanding to increase our bilateral trade from $13m to $200m in the next two years, and now it’s all up to us to make use of this opportunity, do our homework and make full preparation to achieve these targets through joint efforts and very close coordination,” PM Shehbaz stated. MUİZZU ANNOUNCES MALDIVIAN AIR LINK PLAN Addressing the forum, President Muizzu echoed the prime minister's emphasis on connectivity and called for establishing an air corridor between Pakistan and the Maldives. “In this regard, I am pleased to announce that Maldivian, our national airline, aims to establish [a] direct air link between Malé and Karachi soon,” he said.
Govt seeks consolidated foreign nationality disclosures from civil servants ISLAMABAD
RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
STAFF REPORT
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday replaced state counsel Taimoor Janjua with Atif Mehmood in a security breach case against lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha after the couple objected to Janjua’s previous conduct while representing them in another case. ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra made the decision during proceedings at Adiala jail, where the couple is facing trial in a 2024 case concerning an alleged disruption of an international cricket team’s security route and incitement to public unrest. The couple, accused of removing barriers along the route, was indicted on October 7. Janjua had been appointed state counsel a day earlier to cross-examine prosecution witnesses after the defence lawyers failed to do so during the proceedings. During Thursday’s hearing, Imaan told the court that Janjua had previously represented her and Hadi as state counsel in the controversial social media posts case, in which they were sentenced in January. Hadi also objected to Janjua’s conduct, alleging that the lawyer had told people he received Rs500,000 and completed the cross-examination in a single day. Janjua challenged the allegation and retorted that the accused should accompany him to a private case outside the court to see whether he performed his professional duties properly. The exchange prompted defence counsel Advocate Aimal Khan Mandokhail to question Janjua’s role, asking whether he was representing the accused or working against them. Judge Sipra also expressed displeasure over Janjua’s conduct and questioned his manner of appearing before the court. “Has no one ever taught you how to appear in court?” the judge asked. Imaan subsequently told the court that she and Hadi did not require state counsel because they already had their own lawyers. Hadi explained that their lawyers were frequently occupied with cases at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), while the ATC had scheduled daily hearings at Adiala jail, making it difficult for them to attend every proceeding. No prosecution witness could be cross-examined on Thursday amid the dispute over the appointment. The court directed the witnesses to appear again on Friday and warned that the cross-examination would proceed without further delay. Addressing the couple, Judge Sipra directed them to ensure their lawyers conducted the cross-examination at the next hearing. If they failed to do so, the newly appointed state counsel, Mehmood, would undertake the exercise. The court adjourned further proceedings until 9am on Friday. Janjua had previously been appointed to represent Imaan and Hadi in the controversial social media posts case, an arrangement to which the couple had objected.
The federal government has directed all ministries and divisions to compile and submit details of civil servants’ foreign nationality, travel documents and the nationality status of their dependants. The Establishment Division issued the directive under the Civil Servants (Disclosure and Regulation of Foreign Nationality) Rules, 2026. Under the rules, government employees are required to declare whether they hold the nationality of another country, possess foreign travel documents or are married to a foreign national. They must also disclose the nationality and foreign travel-doc-
ument status of their dependants. Civil servants were given 90 days from the publication of the rules in the official gazette to submit the required declarations. The Establishment Division warned that failure to submit the information, or providing false details, would constitute misconduct under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020. Ministries and divisions have now been directed to submit consolidated information for officers working under their administrative control. The data must include each officer’s name, designation, basic pay scale, confirmation of whether the required declaration has been submitted, and details of any foreign nationality or travel docu-
ments held by the officer or their dependants. Officials belonging to the Pakistan Administrative Service, Police Service of Pakistan, Secretariat Group and Office Management Group have been excluded from the latest reporting requirement. Earlier this month, the government had also directed civil servants to disclose foreign citizenship, travel documents and marriages to foreign nationals within a specified deadline. The measures are part of the government’s implementation of the Foreign Citizenship Rules 2026 and apply to officials holding dual nationality as well as those whose dependants have foreign citizenship or travel documents.
TTAP sets two conditions for Shehbaz-Achakzai meeting ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz Aiyeen-e-Pakistan has proposed two conditions for a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai as efforts continue to revive political dialogue. TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain said the alliance wanted the initial meeting to take place outside the Prime Minister’s Office, proposing Parliament’s Constitution Room as the preferred venue. He said Achakzai had invited the prime minister to his opposition chamber for coffee, after which the two leaders could move to the Constitution Room for formal discussions. As an alternative, the opposition has proposed holding the meeting at the residence of either Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah or Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.
Govt says agenda, not venue, should drive renewed political dialogue ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has said the substance of any political dialogue is more important than where the talks are held, as the government continues efforts to revive negotiations with the opposition. He said the government remained open to talks and maintained that political differences should be addressed through dialogue rather than confrontation. Chaudhry said the venue for negotiations should not become an obstacle if both sides were serious about discussing substan-
The second condition is that the opposition would be prepared to visit the Prime Minister’s Office
tive issues. His remarks came amid renewed efforts to restart engagement between the government and opposition following the collapse of earlier negotiations. The minister said the agenda of the talks should focus on issues that could realistically be resolved through political consultation. He added that both sides would need to approach the process with flexibility if negotiations were to produce meaningful results. The government has repeatedly said its doors remain open for dialogue with PTI and other opposition parties.
for subsequent negotiations once Shehbaz and Achakzai had first met at one of the proposed venues.
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lhc summons Punjab officials over continued detention of imran's sisters LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday summoned the Punjab home secretary and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail over the continued detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s three sisters, despite the expiry of their 30-day detention orders. Justice Abher Gul Khan adjourned further proceedings until October 28, directing the two officials to appear before the court and explain why Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi remained in custody after their detention period had ended. The three women were detained in September under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, ahead of PTI’s planned protest march towards Islamabad on September 27. Aleema was taken into custody on September 20, while Uzma and Noreen were detained a day later. The 30-day detention orders were issued by the Lahore deputy commissioner on the basis of police reports alleging that the sisters’ activities posed a threat to public safety and the maintenance of public order. The women subsequently challenged their detention in the LHC, seeking the annulment of the orders and their immediate release. On September 25, the court declined to suspend the detention notifications against Uzma and Noreen at that stage and sought responses from the relevant authorities. The latest petition was filed by Shahrez Khan, Aleema’s son, seeking the recovery of the three women. It argued that their continued detention had become unlawful following the expiry of the orders. During Thursday’s hearing, Justice Abher Gul asked the petitioner’s counsel, Rana Mudassar Umar, why the Lahore deputy commissioner had not been impleaded as a respondent. The counsel replied that the official had not been made a party because the detention notification he issued had expired. Uzma’s husband, Ahed Khan, then approached the rostrum and requested that the court summon the deputy commissioner as well. The judge observed that the deputy commissioner had not even been named as a respondent in the petition and directed the counsel to satisfy Ahed on the matter.
Pakistan to host Un conference on space technology, disaster preparedness ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan will host a five-day United Nations–Pakistan international conference from October 27 to 31 to explore how space technology can strengthen early warning systems, improve disaster risk assessment and support climate action, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) said on Thursday. The United Nations–Pakistan International Conference on Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All (EW4All), Climate Action and Disaster Risk Assessment, will take place at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad. It is expected to attract 200 to 250 participants, including 60 to 70 international delegates and around 150 national participants. The conference aims to advance the use of space-based technologies, satellite observations and geospatial data to improve early warning systems, strengthen disaster risk assessment and support climate-related initiatives, according to an official release. It is being co-sponsored by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), through its UNSPIDER programme, the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation (APSCO) and the InterIslamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET). The event will bring together experts, policymakers, diplomats, educators, researchers, UN agencies, development organisations and representatives of the space industry to promote international cooperation, knowledge-sharing and technical dialogue.
Pakistan warns Kosovo-Serbia tensions threaten Balkans’ stability, urges EU-led dialogue UNITED NATIONS STAFF REPORT
Pakistan has urged Kosovo and Serbia to address their unresolved disputes through sustained and meaningful engagement in the European Union (EU)-facilitated dialogue, warning that continuing inter-communal tensions and outstanding bilateral issues threaten regional stability and must be curbed before they take root. “We unequivocally condemn all actions directed against any people on the basis of their faith, belief or ethnicity, and hope that relevant authorities would take decisive action against such activities,” Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Usman Jadoon said following a briefing to the UN Security Council on the activities of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Expressing concern over statements relating to the diversion of shared hydro resources, Ambassador Jadoon said
transboundary waters between co-riparians should not be used for political point-scoring or to advance narrow geopolitical objectives. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 after years of ethnic tensions, but Serbia has not recognised the declaration. The European Union has since been facilitating dialogue between the two sides to address a range of outstanding challenges. “We firmly believe that sustained and meaningful participation in the EU-facilitated dialogue, with earnest implementation of all agreements and understandings reached between the authorities in Belgrade and Pristina remains the only viable path for overcoming challenges, and to ensure lasting peace, and stability in the region,” the Pakistani envoy said. In this regard, he emphasised that trustbuilding between the two sides remained essential to moving the process forward. Ambassador Jadoon also expressed support for UNMIK’s efforts to promote harmony and foster a spirit of coexistence and tolerance among Kosovo’s diverse communities.
Pakistan, he said, enjoyed friendly relations with both Serbia and Kosovo and remained a resolute supporter of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Balkans. “We encourage both sides to work together in the spirit of peaceful co-existence, mutual respect, recognition of mutual sensitivities, and to safeguard social and economic rights of all peoples in the region,” he added. REINFORCED PERCEPTIONS OF UNEQUAL TREATMENT Briefing the Security Council, Peter Due, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK, said tensions in Kosovo and the wider region had increased over the past six months, noting that peaceful elections in June had been followed by political uncertainty and heightened rhetoric. Property disputes, stalled reintegration of Kosovo Serb judicial personnel and allegations of police ill-treatment had eroded trust and reinforced perceptions of unequal treatment, he said. Referring to the convictions of former
President Hashim Thaci and three other former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders for war crimes, Due expressed concern over legislative amendments that limited the powers of the Specialist Chambers. Judicial independence “must be re-
Published by Asad Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk
spected”, he stressed. Welcoming the formation of new institutions, Due called for effective governance that served all communities and renewed engagement in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.