PM underScoreS ‘whole-of-govt aPProach’ to booSt exPortS, addreSS econoMic challengeS
g PREMIER SHEHBAZ INAUGURATES PAKISTAN GOVERNANCE FORUM 2026, LAUNCHES PSDP DATA PORTAL AIMED AT PROMOTING TRANSPARENT GOVERNANCE
g CALLS FOR UNIFIED NATIONAL EFFORT TO MOVE FORWARD ON PATH OF SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH
g RECALLS 2023 DEFAULT THREAT AND SUBSEQUENT ECONOMIC STABILIZATION WITHIN TWO YEARS, SAYING INFLATION CUT FROM 35% TO UNDER 7% WHILE POLICY RATE BROUGHT DOWN TO 10 5%
assures full federal support for Sindh projects in meeting with cM Shah
RAWALPINDI
S ta f f r e p o r t
The security forces neutralized a total of 34 Indian proxy terrorists in in four separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and an operation in Balochistan according to the military s media wing on Wedbesday
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that over the last few days, security forces had conducted a series of “high tempo intelligence-driven operations aimed at eliminating Indian proxies – Fitna alKhwarij and Fitna al-Hindustan Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) while Fitna al Hindustan is a term designated for terrorist organisations in
Balochistan The ISPR said that on Feb 24 26 terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khwarij were killed in four separate intelligencebased operations in KP, while eight terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan were killed in an operation in Balochistan’s Sambaza Giving a breakdown ISPR said that the movement of a group of terrorists trying to infiltrate through the Pak-Afghan border was picked up by security forces in KP s North Waziristan It said troops engaged the terrorists, killing one in the process “It is significant to highlight that the killed kharji has been identified as an Afghan national the statement said The ISPR said that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted in KP s Lakki Marwat district During the operation, troops effectively engaged the terrorists’
location and after an intense fire exchange three militants were killed it said According to ISPR 10 terrorists were killed in Narmi Khel in KP s Bannu district while 12 were killed in North Waziristan s Mir Ali “Similarly, troops also conducted an IBO in Sambaza in Balochistan’s Zhob district and after an intense fire exchange eight terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan were successfully neutralised it said Weapons and ammunition were
PM directs
Cabinet
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasised the need for strong coordination between federal and provincial governments to ensure coherence in policy design and implementation stating that while provinces lead execution, federal ministries must remain fully engaged in planning, oversight and monitoring to maintain national alignment and ownership
The finance minister made these remarks during a meeting at the Finance Division on Wednesday with World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Bolormaa Amgaabazar The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation under the World Bank s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) and advancing key reform priorities of the Government of Pakistan Discussions covered broad areas, including population and human capital development, climate resilience agriculture sector reforms energy sector sustainability and overall portfolio performance
The finance minister empha-
sised the importance of effective operationalisation of the CPF particularly in priority areas such as population management and climate change
He underscored the need for strong coordination between federal and provincial governments to ensure coherence in policy design and implementation
The minister highlighted that while implementation largely rests with the provinces, relevant federal ministries must remain fully engaged in planning, oversight, and monitoring processes to ensure national alignment and ownership
Both sides exchanged views on enhancing institutional coordination, improving transparency in project design and target-setting, and strengthening monitoring mechanisms to achieve intended development outcomes
The World Bank Country Director reaffirmed the Bank s commitment to working closely with both federal and provincial stakeholders and further enhancing information sharing and collaboration
The meeting also reviewed progress in the agriculture sector
with particular emphasis on reforms aimed at improving productivity value chains access to finance and private sector participation
The finance minister stressed the importance of aligning provincial initiatives with broader national reform efforts to promote sustainable growth and job creation The World Bank expressed its readiness to continue supporting agricultural transformation efforts in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Energy sector reforms and financial sustainability were also discussed including options for strengthening the sector s long-term viability Both sides agreed to continue technical-level engagements to explore feasible solutions in line with Pakistan’s reform agenda and fiscal framework
The country director briefed the finance minister on overall portfolio performance and ongoing development operations, reaffirming the World Bank’s continued support for Pakistan’s economic stabilisation, climate resilience and human capital development objectives
is sold on the basis of making charges per gram rather than as a percentage of gold prices They said that when the SRO was issued in 2013, gold traded at around $1,380 per ounce, whereas prices have now risen to over $4
per ounce significantly increasing the effective making charge requirement under the
resentatives
unviable and has contributed to jewellery exports remaining in the range of $30–40 million
The committee took notice of the concerns and instructed the Ministry of Commerce to resolve the issue in coordination with SBP It also directed that the SBP deputy governor attend the next meeting stating that senior officials familiar with the matter
Ttaxes in the upcoming fiscal budget Regretting leakages in tax collection, PM Shehbaz said indirect taxes collected from consumers and end users were not being fully deposited into the national treasury calling it a grave injustice He added that tax revenues had also increased in the sugar cement and tobacco sectors Highlighting the potential of the IT sector, he said it had recorded 34 percent growth but still held vast room for expansion He stressed the need to harness the youth bulge by imparting technical and vocational training saying IT- and AI-led initiatives would transform all sectors of the economy
The prime minister also appreciated the planning minister for the Uraan Pakistan initiative and the whole-ofgovernment framework expressing confidence in its success PAKISTAN S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION AS A CASE STUDY
Addressing the forum, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said international financial institutions and rating agencies were now citing Pakistan s economic transformation as a successful case study He credited the current gov-
ernment with averting national bankruptcy through improved governance and structural reforms
He described governance as the central pillar of the government s Uraan Pakistan transformational agenda and said Pakistan could become a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2035 if it fully utilised its potential He urged all segments of society to focus on an “economic long march” instead of political marches
Explaining the significance of the PSDP Data Portal, Ahsan Iqbal said it would serve as an open and transparent platform, enabling citizens to monitor progress in the national development sector and ensuring accountability Addressing the forum Samuel Rizk Resident Representative of UNDP said governance was not merely a technical issue but a strategic choice about the future He said sustaining livelihoods, managing the cost of living building resilience against floods droughts and heatwaves creating opportunities for youth and strengthening public trust all hinged on good governance Inclusive and transparent governance, he added, was now universally recognised as essential for sustainable development
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott commended Pakistan s focus on sustaining economic reforms, particularly in developing a coherent export strategy She said good governance lowered costs, built confidence and created opportunities for citizens and investors alike
DIGITAL GOVERNANCE
EMERGING AS A TRANSFORMATIVE REFORM IN GB Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Yar Mohammad said digital governance was emerging as a transformative reform in Gilgit-Baltistan He said the GB
civil secretariat was fully operational with integrated systems for case management asset tracking biometric attendance and district monitoring enhancing transparency accountability and evidence-based decision-making
He added that the region was poised to become a model for climate resilience, growth, digital governance and sustainable tourism KP COMPLETED FIVE-YEAR
DIGITALISATION PLAN IN LESS
THAN ONE YEAR: ASLAM Advisor to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Muzammil
Aslam said the province had completed a five-year digitalisation plan in less than one year He said 170 government services had been identified for digitalisation with 56 already fully digitalised and 73 now offering electronic payment options ‘URAAN PAKISTAN’ PROVIDED A CLEAR DIRECTION FOR NATIONAL REFORM
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said Uraan Pakistan provided a clear direction for national reform and reaffirmed the government s commitment to improving governance in a practical and coordinated manner He said sustainable economic growth required investor confidence clear laws protection of rights and their effective enforcement He added that energy reforms required robust regulatory frameworks, environmental protection needed strong legal enforcement, and Digital Pakistan depended on secure and transparent systems making legal reform an integral part of governance reform Highlighting progress in legal reforms, Azam Nazeer Tarar said over 900 updated and consolidated federal laws were now available online free of cost through the Pakistan Code Pakistan prepared to navigate a rapidly transforming global order amid multi-polarity:
neighbour and terrorism emanating from across its western border had not diminished Islamabad s commitment to peace and dialogue He described the unresolved dispute over Jammu and Kashmir as central to regional instability
and regional security, state media reported
Addressing the inaugural session of the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 Dar said the global system established after the Second World War was in flux, with norms, institutions, and alliances undergoing rapid transformation “The emerging trends are multi-polarity, mini-lateralism and mounting geopolitical contestation he said adding that Pakistan s foreign policy was wellequipped to respond to these new realities He emphasized that the security of Pakistan s people and the protection of its sovereignty and territorial integrity remain the country’s foremost priorities Dar highlighted that persistent provocations from Pakistan s eastern
“Pakistan continues to call for a just and peaceful resolution of the dispute in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the Kashmiri people s right to self-determination he said Dar reiterated Islamabad s demand for the reversal of India s August 5, 2019 measures in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir At the same time, he underscored that Pakistan possesses both the will and capability to defend itself citing measured military and diplomatic responses to Indian actions in May 2025
Turning to major power relations, Dar said Pakistan s all-weather partnership with China was deepening through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 2 0 and sustained strategic dialogue
He noted that during his January visit to Beijing both sides reaffirmed convergence on Afghanistan, Jammu and Kashmir, water security, and counter-terrorism
He added that Pakistan had reinvig-
orated ties with the United States expanding cooperation beyond traditional security areas to trade technology and investment citing recent engagements involving Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior U S officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio Dar also highlighted strengthened regional partnerships including a substantive renewal of ties with Bangladesh after a 12-year hiatus in high-level exchanges He noted the launch of a trilateral mechanism involving China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to promote regional cooperation In the Middle East he cited a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia signed in September last year alongside expanded economic cooperation with the UAE, Qatar, and other Gulf states Dar said Pakistan s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025–26 term by an overwhelming majority reflected international confidence in its diplomacy Since assuming its seat Pakistan has advocated for peaceful conflict resolution, adherence to international law, and protection of civilians On Gaza he said Pakistan has used
S ec urity tightens amid threats
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 The agreement was reached during a
Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul
safe haven while Kabul denies the allegations calling militancy Pakistan s internal issue
Dajil checkpoint in Bhakkar that killed two pol i c e m e n Chaudhry said these retaliatory attacks by militants underscore Pakistan s claim that they maintain linkages in Afghanistan He added that security forces have prevented several attacks in recent weeks and arrested numerous suspects, including Afghan nationals
“Security forces have accelerated intelligencebased operations and arrested dozens of suspected militants their handlers and facilitators the minister said Multiple sources confirmed that intelligence agencies have issued alerts warning of a possible surge in terror attacks targeting urban centers, markets, security forces, and places of worship in the coming days
“We have received strong official warnings about potential terror attacks Consequently search operations have nearly doubled nationwide said an intelligence official CENTRE, PROVINCES AGREE ON JOINT STRATEGY TO ENSURE PEACE During the meeting the federal government as-
multilateral platforms to press for an immediate ceasefire unhindered humanitarian access and a durable two-state solution He reiterated support for a sovereign Palestinian state based on pre1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital Regarding developments in Iran Dar said Pakistan is engaging all parties to defuse tensions and promote dialogue including direct contacts with U S and Iranian counterparts He stressed that economic diplomacy is central to Pakistan’s foreign policy, with a focus on investment information technology minerals agriculture and halal food sectors The Foreign Office is coordinating with economic ministries through a whole-of-government approach to advance these objectives On climate change, Dar described Pakistan as one of the countries most vulnerable to its impacts despite minimal contribution to global emissions He said Islamabad will continue advocating for climate finance, loss and damage funding, and adaptation support in multilateral forums, including during its UN Security Council tenure
“Pakistan’s approach will remain anchored in protecting our core national interests through peaceful means meaningful dialogue and engagement he said, adding that leadership-level diplomacy will remain a key instrument in advancing the country’s objectives
COMMENT
The Senate condemns Israel especially after Modi’s visit
TH E Senate resolution condemning Israel had a double timing First was the fact that the resolution was passed just after the government had attended the inaugural meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace Second It came the day before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on an official visit to Israel, including an address to the Knesset It also condemned specifically attempts by India and Israel to form an anti- Muslim axis Though there was no mention of it, the impending US attack on Iran was also at the back of Senators’ minds
It is worth noting that the actions it asked for were not going to happen any time soon Like its call on the international community to stop supporting Israeli actions Led by the USA, the international community is only too ready to let Israel get away with such actions as the recent genocide in the Gaza Strip The call for the swift vacation of Israeli-occupied lands and a return to the pre-1967 borders is in accordance with Security Council resolutions, ones which Israel has been ignoring for the last half a century Again, its impunity was because of US support Therefore, within this context, its support is not ending anytime soon, and the joining of Pakistan of the Gaza Board does not seem to be serving any positive purpose
Because of this, the Senate resolution had better be seen as aimed at the Pakistan government, rather than at Israel However, that merely means that it once again has identified the problem, which is Israel, without proposing a solution It has refused to even name the USA, though even if it did, the only result would have been to make it give the USA loud explanations of how it wished to return relations with the USA to an even keel
At this stage all the government can do is avoid any actions that give aid and succor to the Israeli cause However the policy of support needs to be revisited because it does not seem to have worked
During the Reagan years it used to be said that the USA was willing to fight the USA down to the last Afghan Is Pakistan now willing to fight Israel down to the last Palestinian? Is the Palestinian genocide being used as a means of getting into the USA’s good books? The government must ponder
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M
A
Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Between coercion and conciliation
ON February 22, Pakistan s military launched airstrikes at seven locations in the Afghan provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika The strikes targeted what Islamabad referred to as the hideouts of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) militants Official statements from the Ministry of Information described the operation as “intelligence-based and selective, “ claiming over 70 militants were killed in the strikes in retaliation to the series of attacks on Pakistani soil the February 6 suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad in which 32 people died and many were injured being the most notable The Taliban government in Kabul has strongly criticised these strikes, calling them a serious breach of the sovereignty of Afghanistan They reported at least 17 civilian casualties including women and children in the areas of Behsud and Barmal The Afghan government denies that militants have been targeted and claims that the airstrikes have hit homes a madrasa, and a mosque during the holy month of Ramadan They have lodged a formal complaint through diplomatic channels and have given an assurance of a “calculated response at an appropriate time” as a result of their protest This episode is the latest escalation in a relationship that has deteriorated steadily since the Taliban s return to power in 2021 Pakistan has repeatedly argued that TTP members use Afghan land as a safe haven, from where they have perpetrated cross border terrorist attacks resulting in the loss of hundreds of Pakistani lives in recent years Kabul however rejects the accusation of harbouring such groups and charges Islamabad with attempting to mask its domestic failures by raising security issues while at the same time bringing up such unresolved matters as the Durand Line From a strategic point of view, any military actions taken without the agreement of the other party; no matter how targeted always entail certain risks in this region Pakistani authorities claiming self defence is reasonable as the threat was imminent; however past experiences should serve as a warning Earlier cross border raids, for example, those carried out in the middle of the 2000s, may have resulted in tactical success but they often had the effect of increased recruitment into militant networks the displacement of local people and the deepening of the anti-Pakistan sentiment in Afghanistan Hence the present attacks happening during Ramadan and with the news of civilian casualties, may not only lessen the effects of these measures but also put Pakistan’s overall diplomatic position in jeopardy In addition the issue of the operation signifies the ineffectiveness of using military force only against what is essentially a political and regional
demned in multilateral forums Civil society activists and opposition politicians have urged Modi to acknowledge the genocide and mass suffering during his Knesset address Yet the expectation is not that he will By avoiding any explicit mention of atrocities, Modi mirrors Israel’s own approach to international criticism: deny deflect and normalise In doing so he is actively endorsing policies that violate human and minority rights while consolidating a strategic partnership with a state whose actions are condemned worldwide
This realignment carries implications far beyond optics Muslim-majority states that once engaged India as a reliable partner are being sent a clear signal: India s commitments are conditional reversible and subordinate to its strategic calculations Iran is the most salient example The Chabahar Port was initially conceived as a linchpin for regional connectivity, providing India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan India invested heavily in infrastructure and operational planning yet when strategic pressures mounted it slowed implementation and recalibrated commitments effectively prioritising its emerging Israel axis over historic partnerships This pattern is consistent across other Muslim-majority states engaged in trade energy and infrastructure projects with India The lesson is stark: India s foreign policy is no longer a principled balancing act but a selective alignment driven by transactional gain Israel itself is hardly a stabilising force in the Middle East Its policies in Gaza and the West Bank combined with covert operations and intelligence campaigns across the region perpetuate instability and inflame regional tensions Long-standing hostility with Iran combined with Israel s security operations targeting Muslim-majority neighbours, makes the partnership with India strategically risky By tying itself closer to Israel, India risks entanglement in regional conflicts undermining not only its energy security and trade interests
problem The comeback of the TTP is linked with the lack of governance in Afghanistan the existence of spaces outside the control of the state and also the complex internal Taliban personal dynamics Hence the application of coercive force could result only in a temporary disruption of the militants infrastructure, but if it is not accompanied by diplomatic steps which could be in the form of a renewed mediation by Qatar, Turkey, or China it is unlikely to alter Kabul’s calculus fundamentally
Beyond the tactical calculus lies a deeper imperative for Pakistan to reconsider its overarching paradigm toward Afghanistan For decades policy has oscillated between strategic depth ambitions and reactive securitisation of border threats, often treating the neighbour as an extension of Pakistan’s internal security apparatus rather than a sovereign entity with its own agency and vulnerabilities This mindset has perpetuated mutual suspicion and limited space for genuine cooperation One cannot help but reflect on how persistently we return to the same instruments of coercion, expecting different outcomes A shift toward a more integrative framework one that acknowledges shared Pashtun cultural ties, economic interdependencies and common interests in countering extremism could yield greater dividends Such an approach would require Islamabad to invest in confidence-building measures support Afghan economic stabilisation where feasible, and pursue multilateral forums to address terrorism without unilateral escalation Only by moving beyond coercion to structured engagement can Pakistan hope to transform a perennial source of insecurity into a stabilising neighbour The regional fallout merits equal consideration India has already seized the moment to criticise Pakistan, framing the strikes as an attempt to externalise internal failures” and reaffirming support for Afghan territorial integrity Such rhetoric risks entrenching proxy narratives in South Asia at a time when multiple fronts already strain Pakistan s security apparatus Economic interdependence along the border disrupted repeatedly by closures at Torkham and Chaman further compounds the stakes for both nations
PakistanÊs security imperatives are legitimate and pressing Yet true resolution demands recognising that coercion alone rarely resolves deep-seated neighbourly dilemmas As the dust settles along the Durand Line , one is left to ponder whether we are condemned to repeat the familiar cycle of retaliation and recrimination, or whether this moment might finally compel a more sober reckoning with the limits of force and the possibilities of patience
but also the welfare of millions of Indian expatriates in the Gulf and broader West Asia For Pakistan and other regional actors this is not an abstract concern: the alignment reinforces perceptions of a coordinated axis designed to counter Muslim political agency, escalating mistrust and geopolitical tension Moreover Modi’s embrace of Israel cannot be divorced from the ethical dimension India which projects itself as a global democracy upholding human rights now aligns with a state widely condemned for violations of in-
its defence and intelligence cooperation
Addiction fuels crime
Ramazan market ethics
of policies reminiscent of Israel’s brazen violations of human rights and minority protections Muslim states regional partners and international observers must take note: India s alignment with Israel is selective, transactional, and potentially perilous Trust cannot be assumed; principles can be sacrificed; silence often equates
The writer is a freelance columnist
Ban on flatter y
with India’s long-standing foreign policy identity
The domestic backlash has been sharp and unmistakable The Indian National Congress, alongside civil society and human rights groups, has openly criticised Modi for abandoning India’s historic values and failing to uphold principles in foreign policy Senior Congress leaders have called the visit cynical and morally cowardly highlighting that India is now endorsing policies it once con-
India’s Israel turn and regional fallout
Majid Nabi burfat
From waste to wor th
iv Biodiversity is protected Improved environmental indicators then enhance quality of life increase productivity and support long-term economic stability Conversely, when environmental degradation intensifies due to mismanaged waste, sustainable development efforts in education health and poverty reduction become significantly constrained This mediating role of environmental factors demonstrates that sustainability cannot be achieved through isolated policy interventions Waste management must be integrated into climate policy, urban planning and industrial regulation frameworks
and Public
3 Social
waste disposal disproportionately affects low-income communities Open dumping near marginalized neighborhoods increases exposure to respiratory diseases, vector-borne infections, and contaminated water supplies Thus solid waste management is not only an environmental or economic issue it is a social justice issue Environmental Factors as a Mediating Force Environmental quality acts as a bridge between waste management practices and sustainable development outcomes When waste is segregated recycled composted or converted to energy:
i Air pollution declines
ii Water contamination reduces iii Urban cleanliness improves
Waste is not the end of a productÊs life It is the beginning of a new responsibility The future of sustainable development in Pakistan may very well be determined not by what we produce but by how we manage what we throw away
Digitalization: The Game Changer in Waste Governance If environmental reform is the bridge, digitalization is the accelerator The Fourth Industrial Revolution presents unprecedented tools to transform waste management systems Smart governance is no longer optional it is essential
Smart Collection Systems GPS enabled waste
4 Integration with Circular Economy Platforms Digital marketplaces can connect waste producers with recycling industries, promoting industrial symbiosis and reducing material wastage Digitalization therefore mediates the waste-sustainability relationship by improving efficiency transparency and innovation capacity
Aligning Solid Waste Management with the SDGs To meaningfully contribute to national and global sustainability commitments Pakistan must align waste policies with SDG targets: i SDG
When waste manag ement fails, environmental quality deteriorates. This environmental deterioration mediates the broader relationship between waste systems and sustainable development.
Just bombing Iran is a strategy that will fail
WITH two aircraft carrier strike groups converging on Iran and bombers readied at Diego Garcia, the Islamic Republic of Iran now faces the largest U S military deployment since the 2003 invasion of Iraq
While progressive Democrats and libertarian Republicans question Trump’s authority to act Congress long ago forfeited its credibility on the issue with its failure to stand up to Trump s predecessors While Trump put U S legitimacy on the line when, on January 2, 2026, he declared, If Iran violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue We are locked and loaded and ready to go ” The Iranian regime subsequently murdered upwards of 35 000 protestors and bystanders putting Trump and U S credibility on the line Trump subsequently suggested that he won an agreement to stop imminent executions, but Iranians now say that executions continue Seldom has there been a looming military campaign whose goals are so unclear The elder Bush sent forces to the Middle East to liberate Kuwait His son returned forces to oust Saddam and establish a democracy in the heart of the Middle East Obama entered the Libyan theater due to a responsibility to protect WHAT ARE TRUMP’S GOALS IN AN IRAN ATTACK? Trump’s goals in Iran are not yet clear: Is he seeking regime change? Or simply to pressure Iran to make a deal If the latter are his demands limited to the nuclear program or will they include Iran s ballistic missile programs and its proxy support network? If regime change is the goal, will Trump invest in what comes next? Is the goal only decapitation at the top? Does Trump envision a Venezuela-like model? And could such a model even apply to Iran where there is no clear successor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei? If Trump seeks broader regime change how many layers of regime leadership would he target and how would he fill the vacuum? If Trump killed Khamenei and his son Mojtaba, but Iranians then rallied around other pro-Islamic Republic figures like National Security Council chief Ali Larijani or former President Hassan Rouhani, would Trump conduct a round two of assassinations until then Iranians chose right ? In 2003 the Central Intelligence Agency sought to insert into Iraq both Nizar al-Khazraji a former Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Armed Forces, and Majid al-Khoei, son of grand Ayatollah Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei Both failed Khazraji, whom the CIA reportedly helped spring from prison in Denmark never attracted the following Langley hoped while thugs loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr hacked
If K hamenei and his associates do not find
Qassem S oleimani on the wrong end of a U.S. predator, they should be perp -walked in chains to
If Trump killed K hamenei and his son Mojtaba, but Iranians then rallied around other pro -Islamic Republic figures like National S ec urit y Council chief Ali Larijani or former President Hassan Rouhani, would Trump conduc t a round t wo of assassinations until then Iranians “chose right ”?
al-Khoei to death inside the Shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf Ayad Allawi, the CIA s plan B, likewise never attracted the following in Baghdad that he enjoyed in Washington, London, and Amman In the case of Iran there is renewed U S government interest in former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi but his own office remains in disarray and his aides and supporters seem more intent on attacking each other and other opposition leaders than on the regime itself Even if Pahlavi had the boldness to return to Iran, it is unclear if he could walk the tightrope between security and accessibility If Pahlavi ends up like Al-Khoei, would there be any Plan B for the monarchists or even any figure that could unite disparate factions as Pahlavi does?
Nor is Trump clear on what targeting could enforce humanitarian redlines what sort of targeting would that entail? The Pentagon has the precision to take out prison guard towers and walls, but can it stop a massacre of prisoners?
In war games U S authorities dealt with the possibility that Iran might bomb its own schools or buses to blame the United States and cause international outrage If Pallywood falsehoods incited lasting hatred against Israel, why should the Iranian regime not use the same cynical tactics against the United States? Likewise, if Trump rules out ground intervention, what is to stop the regime from killing hundreds of thousands of protestors instead of just tens of thousands? If Khamenei were to do so what could the United States do to stop it?
It is also unclear if Trump will target the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and if so what that means The Guards are not a monolith: There is national leadership, but also provincial units The Tehran-based leaders are much harder line, but the local units do the dirty work After U S hostilities began in Libya and Iraq criticism of U S planning emerged due to a failure to secure arms caches Iran is four times the size of Iraq and with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps units in every province, it is unclear how Trump plans to secure arms depots absent boots on the ground CAN IRAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TRUMP’S ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER? The basic problem Trump faces is Khamenei s belief that he can outlast Trump Consider Yemen: In March 2025 Trump launched Operation Rough Rider a bombing campaign
to end the Houthis ability to target freedom of navigation Fifty-three days and more than $1 billion later, Trump declared a unilateral deal in which he said the Houthis would cease targeting U S shipping in exchange for an end to the air campaign
Not only did he fail to coordinate his decision with the Yemeni forces fighting the Houthis but his deal also accepted Houthi attacks on international shipping and the Houthis It was a deal that made China Great Again, as shipping insurance rates are now three times lower for Chinese and Russian vessels that the Houthis let pass than for European allies, who must pay extortionate “tolls” or risk Houthi attacks
If Trump is willing to cut a deal that leaves Israel out in the cold on the Houthis Iranian leaders would be right to figure that he would do the same thing regarding Iran itself? While Israel s goal is to eliminate an existential threat, Trump might settle for a declaration of a deal that will further his quest to win a Nobel Peace Prize Iranian leaders of course know that such a deal need not be permanent; it only needs to outlast Trump Tehran can sidestep enforcement in other ways playing anti-sanctions Three-Card Monte by conducting its nuclear work in North Korea, for example A desire to avoid lame duck status more than lite
flow of talent knowledge and technology, and promote dialogue and cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technologies, he said, calling on both sides to correctly grasp the interplay of competition and cooperation explore cooperation pathways that lead to win-win results and jointly keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded Third, both countries should be partners that understand each other and share close bonds through cultural and people-to-people exchanges China and Germany as major countries with profound cultural heritage should strengthen mutual learning in culture and boost people-to-people exchanges so as to cement the popular foundation for ChinaGermany friendship, said the Chinese president
Xi said China and Germany should uphold the central role of the United Nations reinvigorate its leading role and take the lead in being upholders of multilateralism practitioners of international rule of law defenders of free trade and advocates of solidarity and coordination China supports Europe in seeking to increase autonomy and strength, said Xi, adding that he hopes the European side can work with China toward the same direction adhere to the positioning of strategic partners, and uphold openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, so as to deliver greater growth in China-Europe relations and make bigger contributions to world peace and development
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who is on an official visit to China at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, February 25, 2026 /Xinhua
Iran dismisses missile, nuclear claims af ter Trump alleges 'sinister ambitions'
sible
before
Iranian Foreign
Araghchi said an
military confrontation was within reach In a social media post he described a historic opportunity to reach an unprecedented deal addressing mutual concerns, provided diplomacy is prioritised Araghchi stressed that Iran would under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon”, while maintaining its right to pursue peaceful nuclear technology Iran and the United States held five rounds of nuclear talks last year but negotiations stalled after Israel launched an unprecedented attack on Iran, sparking a 12-day conflict Meanwhile, domestic tensions persist inside Iran University students resumed protests at the start of the new semester reviving slogans from earlier nationwide demonstrations against the clerical leadership Verified videos showed clashes between groups of students at a university in Tehran earlier this week
India’s Modi lands in Israel to ‘strengthen cooperation’
Sri Lanka arrests ex-intel chief over 2019 Easter bombings
Ties deepened after Hindu-nationalist leader Modi took office in 2014 Modi visited Israel as prime minister in 2017 before Netanyahu made a reciprocal visit to India the f o l l o w i n g year
Trump signals openness to diplomacy in standoff with Iran WASHINGTON ag e n c i e s US President Donald Trump said the United States would prefer a diplomatic resolution to tensions with Iran despite concerns over Tehran s missile development and nuclear ambitions Speaking during his State of the Union address, Trump claimed that Iran is working on long-range missile technology that could eventually reach the United States They ve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas and they're working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America he said In 2025, the US Defense Intelligence Agency assessed that Iran could potentially develop a militarily
Education under Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting in Murree District was formally marked at a closing ceremony hosted by the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development (IED) in collaboration with NED University of Engineering & Technology at AKU s Karimabad campus Despite receiving high rainfall Murree and Kotli Sattiyan face chronic water shortages due to steep terrain, runoff, tourism pressure, and limited infrastructure The Urban Unit at the Government of Punjab initiated a rooftop rainwater harvesting programme integrating safe storage and filtration systems across more than 1 100 households (phase-I) supported through community education led by IED and NED University Through school-based learning, hands-on activities, and community engagement, the project strengthened hygiene practices water conservation awareness and environmental stewardship
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari informed the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday
building will be constructed to replace the existing headquarters of the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR)
Grants
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) has successfully concluded its 40th Selection Board for recruitment and promotion of faculty under the Officer grade (OG) and Tenure Track System (TTS) streams The Selection Board chaired by Prof Dr Raheel Qamar Rector CUI held interviews and examined cases of appointment in higher grade of 780 faculty members on OG Scale across CUI and 212 Faculty Members on TTS Scale across CUI Marking a major step towards institutional modernisation, the Selection Board, conducted over a span of sixteen days represents the first-ever Selection Board held through electronic means at COMSATS University Islamabad using the University s in-house developed software SmartSelect@CUI This dedicated software was designed, developed, and deployed
RIFT EMERGES BET WEEN IMRAN KHAN'S FAMILY AND PTI LEADERSHIP OVER HEALTH UPDATES
The Genocide Watch has raised serious concerns about what it describes as the “Preparation” stage of genocide unfolding in India, pointing to rising antiMuslim rhetoric weapons training camps run by Hindutva groups and repeated incidents of violence during religious processions
According to Kashmir Media Service, Genocide Watch is a non-governmental organisation based in Washington DC which campaigns against genocide and the various stages leading up to genocide It was founded by Gregory Stanton in 1999 In the seventh part of its Ten Stages of Genocide series on India, the organisation states that “Preparation” is the stage when leaders plan mass killings, often using coded or indirect language It says genocidal plans are usually masked through terms such as self-defence or counterterrorism and are supported by the arming and mobilisation of militias
“An integral aspect of this process is building and arming armies and militias and preparing them to carry out genocide In India this process became apparent when popular Hindu religious and political leaders publicly called for the murder of Muslims Hindutva extremists call for violence against Muslims under the pretext of “self-defense” against imaginary Muslim plans for genocide against Hindus ” The report released on Monday argues that similar patterns are visible in India, where some Hindutva leaders have publicly called for violence against Muslims It claims that extremist groups encourage the formation of armed camps and promote conspiracy theories portraying Muslims as a threat to Hindu society
N: The report names organisations such as the Bajrang Dal, alleging that they have organised “selfdefence camps” where young Hindu men are trained in the use of weapons It also refers to events where trishuls
sharpened tridents with religious significance in Hinduism are distributed among participants who take oaths to protect Hindu society women cows and saints Genocide Watch says such mobilisation reflects organised preparation for targeted violence
The report further states that inflammatory speeches at rallies have increased since 2014 when Narendra Modi became prime minister It highlights a speech delivered in 2023 by T Raja Singh, a suspended BJP legislator from Telangana, who allegedly threatened violence against Muslim men in the context of the “Love Jihad” conspiracy theory If any circumcised [Muslim] indulges in Love Jihad oh son you are half-cut we will cut you completely Singh was quoted as saying at a rally The Love Jihad narrative claims that Muslim men deliberately marry Hindu women to convert them to Islam Critics describe it as an unfounded conspiracy theory used to
Italy to issue 10,500 work visas to skilled Pakistanis; Visa-free entr y for diplomatic passpor t holders agreed
cilitating a structured and regulated pathway for migration
During the meeting, both sides also agreed to allow visa-free entry to Italian territory for holders of Pakistani diplomatic passports The statement said the decision was taken at Mr Naqvi s request with the Italian minister recalling that the matter had been raised in a previous interaction
efforts by law enforcement agencies to dismantle human smuggling networks
meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Rome according to a statement issued by Pakistan s interior ministry Under an agreement reached between Pakistan and Italy in December last year, Italy allocated a labour quota of 10,500 for Pakistani workers The workers are to be employed in various sectors including shipbreaking hospitality healthcare and agriculture
As per the arrangement 3 500 Pakistani workers will secure overseas employment each year under both seasonal and non-seasonal quotas, fa-
The two ministers reviewed cooperation in internal security and discussed measures to curb illegal immigration Talks also focused on enhancing collaboration to combat narcotics trafficking human smuggling and terrorism
Mr Naqvi briefed his Italian counterpart on steps taken by the Pakistani government to address illegal migration stating that strict monitoring at airports and maritime borders had resulted in a significant reduction in such activities He highlighted coordinated
The Italian minister appreciated Pakistan’s policies to counter illegal immigration and commended the performance of Pakistani institutions in tackling human smuggling and drug trafficking Both sides agreed to expand mutual cooperation to promote safe and legal migration channels while strengthening joint action against transnational crime Officials from Punjab Police also gave a briefing on the Police Khidmat
Markaz Global initiative outlining its role in facilitating overseas Pakistanis and improving service delivery Pakistan s Ambassador to Italy, Ali Javed, Federal Investigation Agency Director General Dr Usman Anwar, Punjab Safe City Authority Managing Director Ahsan Younas and other senior police officials were present at the meeting
Four policemen mar t yred as armed men open fire on police patrol in Bajaur
Four policemen were martyred after unidentified armed men opened fire on a police patrol in the Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials confirmed on Wednesday According to police, the incident occurred in the Nawagai Kalay area of Khar tehsil when gunmen targeted the Ababeel Squad during routine patrol duty in Ramadan Four officers died at the scene while two others sustained serious injuries Authorities said the injured personnel and the bodies of the fallen officers were shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Khar, where the wounded are receiving medical treatment Police officials stated that the Ababeel Squad had been conducting security patrols in view of heightened vigilance during the holy month when they came under sudden attack The assailants fled the scene immediately after the shooting A search operation has been launched in the surrounding areas to trace and apprehend those responsible No group has so far claimed responsibility for the assault Security forces have increased patrols in Bajaur following the incident while investigations are under way to determine the circumstances and motive behind the attack
17 fatalities during Basant celebrations repor ted to LHC
has turned into a serious public safety risk rather than a celebration the petitioner argued adding that numerous children were hurt after falling from rooftops The petition also urged the court to initiate criminal and departmental proceedings against officials over alleged negligence and called for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the reported losses The court subsequently issued notices to the relevant authorities directing them to submit details of government spending on the event Earlier Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed satisfaction over the administrative arrangements and security measures during the festival, commending citizens for maintaining order
