g IRANIAN PRESIDENT PRAISES PAKISTAN’S ROLE IN STABILISING FRAGILE CEA SEFIRE EFFORTS IN NEARLY 90-MINUTE MEETING
g NAQVI SAYS RECENT CRISIS RESHAPED REGIONAL ALIGNMENTS AND STRATEGIC CALCULATIONS
g TALKS COVER SECURITY, TRADE COOPERATION, WIDER REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN
essential for regional peace and reducing the scope for external interference including what he termed adventurism by extra-regional powers and the Israeli regime The Iranian president also lauded Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement during the recent crisis particularly appreciating the role played by the country’s political and military leadership in ef-
g TEHRAN, ISLAMABAD DISCUSS PROSPECTS FOR REVIVING STALLED US-IRAN PEACE NEGOTIATIONS
ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday held a telephone conversation with his Qatari counterpart expressing gratitude for Doha’s “strong endorsement and support of Pakistan-led peace efforts aimed at de-escalation and regional stability According to a statement shared by
forts aimed at stabilising the ceasefire President Pezeshkian highly commended the active diplomacy of the Pakistani government particularly Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in facilitating and stabilising the recent ceasefire, the statement said Interior Minister Naqvi, in turn, highlighted Pakistan’s continued diplomatic outreach focused on de-escalation and ending hostilities saying recent developments had clarified regional alignments and provided a vital baseline for future strategic decisions The meeting also covered broader regional developments with President Pezeshkian condemning recent military actions against Iran and describing them as unlawful attempts aimed at destabilisation He maintained that such efforts had failed due to national unity and resilience
“The adversaries’ primary objective was to trigger domestic instability and dismantle the Islamic system the Iranian president said On bilateral relations, Pezeshkian expressed interest in expanding trade, scientific cooperation and academic exchanges saying recent developments had created an ideal opportunity to further deepen ties between Tehran and Islamabad Naqvi underscored the “deep historical cultural and grassroots ties” between Pakistan and Iran expressing confidence that political will on both sides would elevate bilateral cooperation
Centcom chief praises Pakistan’s counter ter rorism cooperation
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T The United States Central Command has commended Pakistan for its cooperation in counterterrorism operations with Centcom chief Admiral Brad Cooper describing Islamabad as an important partner in efforts against Daesh in the region
During a briefing to a US Senate committee, Cooper said Pakistan remained central to the regional campaign against the militant group "Pakistan especially is a critical CT partner that is central to the fight against [Daesh] in the region he added According to the briefing, military cooperation between the United States and Pakistan has produced operational outcomes including action against high-value targets connected to attacks on American personnel Centcom said the relationship between the two militaries had yielded concrete results in dealing with individuals accused of involvement in attacks that killed Americans
"Our strong military-to-military (mil-to-mil) partnership with Islamabad has produced tangible results against high-value individuals with American blood on their hands," Cooper said
The command also referred to Pakistan’s role in the arrest of Daesh operative Mohammad Sharifullah who was taken into custody by Pakistan earlier in 2025
The report recalled remarks made in June 2025 by then-Centcom chief General Michael Kurilla, who had said: "They [Pakistan] have extradited back Jaffar who was one of the key individuals behind the Abbey Gate bombing Centcom said cooperation with Pakistan had helped disrupt militant networks operating across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region
Alongside security coordination the US command also highlighted Pakistan s role in humanitarian response efforts It said bilateral coordination had been important in enabling American assistance after severe flooding in Pakistan last September
Centcom said the combined record of security cooperation and humanitarian coordination reflected an enduring friendship and shared resolve between the two countries
The Daesh operative mentioned in the briefing allegedly assisted in carrying out the 2021 suicide bombing outside Kabul airport during the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan
Counterterrorism cooperation highlighted
The remarks by the Centcom chief underscored Pakistan’s role in regional counterterrorism efforts particularly in operations linked to Daesh
The US command s comments focused on both operational cooperation and broader bilateral coordination in response to humanitarian emergencies
The Senate briefing also placed emphasis on the military-to-military relationship between Islamabad and Washington, which Centcom said had contributed to action against militant networks in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region
TAKES
S
of
level a declared nuclear power and an indelible part of South Asia s geography and history The ISPR observed that the remarks reflected the Indian leadership’s continued inability to reconcile with the existence of Pakistan even after more than seven decades The Indian leadership has
tual and comprehensive consequences
Stressing that responsible nuclear states demonstrate restraint and strategic maturity the ISPR said the language of civilisational supremacy or national erasure was reckless and dangerous for regional peace The military’s media wing advised the Indian leadership “not to attempt to push South Asia towards another crisis or war whose consequences would only be devastating for the complete region and beyond “India needs to reconcile with Pakistan’s salience and learn to peacefully co-exist with it Otherwise any attempt to target Pakistan can trigger consequences that shall neither be geographically confined nor strategically or politically palatable for India,” the statement added
below 10% oF psdp as Focus shIFts to coMpletIon oF onGoInG scheMes Pakistan projec ts Rs986b FY27 PSDP, limits new uplift projec ts to below 10%
tive Committee of the National Economic Council by the end of June 2026
According to the Letter of Intent the government is also revising its scorecard-based project selection system to reduce overlapping criteria, introduce negative marking for projects with adverse externalities and increase weightage for climate-related considerations
billion from the originally approved ₨1 01 trillion reducing the development outlay by ₨172 8 billion
and State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad The government has assured the Fund that allocations for new development projects in the FY2026-27 budget will remain below 10% of the PSDP, as fiscal space remains constrained and priority shifts toward completion of ongoing
The authorities informed the Fund that a revised project appraisal framework for the PSDP had been finalised and would be presented to the Execu-
The development comes as development spending during FY2025-26 remained below target despite cuts in allocations due to fiscal pressures According to the Monthly Development Update for May 2026, PSDP utilisation stood at 56% during the first 10 months of FY26 The report showed that ministries and divisions received releases worth ₨571 2 billion during JulyApril, against which actual spending amounted to ₨469 9 billion, reflecting an 18% utilisation gap
The government also revised down the FY26 PSDP allocation to ₨837 2
Separately the Ministry of Finance has set an indicative budget ceiling of ₨1 126 trillion for the FY27 PSDP, significantly lower than the ₨2 9 trillion requested by the Ministry of Planning for ongoing and proposed projects Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal confirmed that the Finance Ministry had shared the indicative ceiling with the Planning Ministry Officials said ministries, divisions and departments had collectively sought nearly ₨4 trillion in development funding for FY27 but the Finance Ministry expressed inability to accommodate the demand due to fiscal limitations According to sources, the Planning Commission subsequently directed ministries to revise and rationalise their demands while prioritising ongoing projects
Punjab cour ts Chinese investment in farm machiner y manufac
Going number two
PAKISTAN’S SEAFOOD EXPORTS SURPASS
C heema seeks provincial sign- off on National D igital M asterplan before budget
s k Federal Minister for Economic Affairs
Ahad Cheema said on Saturday he expected consultations with all provincial governments on the National Digital Masterplan (NDMP) to be completed before the upcoming federal budget to ensure implementation readiness and coordinated resource allocation for
In a related development Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with Egyptian Prime Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the evolving regional situation, according to the Foreign Office (FO) In a post on X, the FO said FM Abdelatty appreciated Pakistan’s “sincere efforts” for promoting regional peace and stability The two sides also discussed matters related to the regional consultative forum of foreign ministers of Pakistan Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt The conversation additionally covered ongoing engagements at the United Nations Security Council and broader multilateral diplomatic developments
Sindh Governor assures ac tion on Karachi industrial issues as NKATI flags security and infrastruc ture concerns
g DELEGATION RAISES EX TORTION THREATS, UTILIT Y SHORTAGES AND DELAYED TREATMENT PLANT, WHILE GOVERNMENT CITES KARACHI PACKAGE FUNDING AND INDUSTRIAL FACILITATION PLANS
proposed the establishment of a dedicated Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) industrial zone to encourage investment and job creation Governor Hashmi said the government fully recognized the role of industrialists in strengthening exports and supporting economic growth, adding that facilitation of the business community remained a priority He said the federal government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was pursuing policies aimed at promoting industrial growth and easing business constraints The governor also noted that under the Karachi Package, funds had been allocated for improving infrastructure in industrial areas including roads drainage systems and other civic facilities
Pakistan intensifies Iran-US mediation as Naqvi holds crucial talks with Pezeshkian
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also attended the meeting Momeni praised Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace including diplomatic efforts attributed to Pakistan s military leadership Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran this week and also held talks with his Iranian counterpart, during which both sides discussed prospects for resuming peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran according to a statement issued by the Pakistani embassy Naqvi arrived in the Iranian capital on Saturday for a two-day visit aimed at facilitating dialogue and promoting regional peace He was received at the airport by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni Pakistan has positioned itself as a key mediator since the conflict erupted following joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28 The strikes triggered Iranian retaliation and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor
through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass
Although a fragile ceasefire announced on April 8 remains in place negotiations between Washington and Tehran have largely stalled after the first round of direct talks in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough Differences over Iran’s uranium enrichment programme and regional security issues continue to hamper progress
Following the welcoming ceremony the two interior ministers held an important bilateral meeting during which detailed discussions were held on IranPakistan relations and the prospects for resuming peace talks ” the Pakistani embassy said The statement added that both sides discussed issues of mutual interest including sustainable peace in the region and recent regional developments
According to the embassy, Momeni praised the “sincere and committed efforts” of Pakistan’s military leadership particularly Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in supporting efforts to resolve the conflict Iran has always been a supporter of peace and we deeply appre-
ciate Pakistan’s efforts in this regard,” Momeni was quoted as saying “We view Pakistan’s initiatives with great respect and admiration
Naqvi also met Iranian Parliament Speaker Dr Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Sunday afternoon, Iran s state-run IRNA news agency reported
“Official meetings of the mediator ’s representative in Tehran with senior Iranian leaders continue IRNA said without disclosing further details
Qalibaf had earlier visited Pakistan on April 11-12 for talks with senior US officials during the first round of negotiations, though the two sides failed to reach a breakthrough A second round of talks had been expected last month but negotiations were postponed after US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit by the American negotiating team, citing differences over Iran’s peace proposals Pakistan which has been accepted as a mediator by both Washington and Tehran hopes to help broker a broader peace agreement while also mitigating the economic fallout of the prolonged conflict
The IMF goes to work
AS the current Extended Fund Facility wind down to a close, the International Monetary Fund makes sure that the country s secondlast budget under it carries its stamp More specifically, it is ensuring that it holds the government’s feet to the fire, and ensures that it obeys the conditions it has agreed to This has meant agreeing to getting approval for between Rs 250 million and Rs 300 million in new taxes as well as agreeing to raise the petroleum levy to 17 6 percent It is presently a Rs 117,40 flat levy per litre on petrol, and Rs 42 60 on high-speed diesel The government aims to impose a combined Rs 160 on both It is not the only effect the government will have on the automobile sector The government is also preparing to make changes in the baggage import scheme, which it has already fiddled with This is to be part of the changes that are to be made in the customs tariff regime At this stage of the programme it would be truly surprising if the IMF came up with something new The nearest to that is the new scheme to tax retailers So far, the government and the IMF have tried several schemes to tax the retailers, but to insufficient avail The IMF remains convinced that there is huge potential in the retail sector for the kind of taxation which would secure its loan It has targeted a primary surplus of Rs 2 881 trillion in the next fiscal year, and the overall deficit is to be kept at below 4 percent of the GDP
These conditions were all agreed to The problem is that while the IMF continues to suggest no measure to improve exports which is the only way out of this debt trap it has also added a blithe ignoring of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, even though its own report on Pakistan says that it will have to deal with the war s economic headwinds This once again raises the suspicion that the IMF people don t know their economics Or else they have deliberately designed their programme so that Pakistan cannot escape from their toils Apart from all else, escape from the IMF, and then potentially from the debt trap, means that the political control of those powers behins international financial institutions like the IMf would be weakened
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
THIS year marks the 250th anniversary of the 1776 publication of the book by Adam Smith– who is called the father of modern economics– The Wealth of Nations While the book holds immense importance, over the centuries a number of its prime messages– for instance ‘invisible hand’ and ‘division of labour ’ –have apparently been misread At the same time following the policy of comparative advantage significantly contributed to lack of built-up of economic sophistication, and perpetuated status-quo of technical know-how in countries, which followed it, or were made to follow it, as was the case in colonized countries For instance while Adam Smith in his book talks about division of labour he leads the argument in the direction of indicating that it should not be followed to the core given its negative impact on human s freedom of thought, and creativity Hence, while it is important to have specialization, division of labour ’ should not pursued in the extreme sense with people having a reasonable extent of variety in their pursuits in turn workers also having meaningful level of freedoms and democracy in choice of work and on questions of how it should contribute to the overall economy in terms of production related decisions, for instance In an August 18, 2025, Project Syndicate (PS) published article ‘Adam Smith at 250’ the importance of specialization is highlighted an important contribution by Adam Smith as follows: Next year will mark the 250th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence the founding document of the United States But another foundational document, fundamental to our understanding of economics, will reach the same milestone in 2026: Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations At a time of rapid economic and structural transformation its insights are worth revisiting Two stand out One is that the invisible hand of markets efficiently allocates resources, as long as certain conditions – including a stable currency, a degree of
H o n o u r, S h a m e a n d t h e V o c a b u l a r y o f S e x u
trust and moral rectitude among economic actors and credible property rights
are in place Externalities (the unpriced impact of an entity s activities on others) and informational gaps and asymmetries diminish the invisible hand s efficiency and performance The second, arguably more important insight is that an economy’s efficiency and productivity are enhanced by the “division of labor ” known today as specialization A specialized economy is powered by various pockets of knowledge and expertise which take advantage of economies of scale learning, and enhanced incentives for innovation Since specialization does not work in the absence of a reasonably efficient method of exchange, it depends on Smith’s invisible hand As specialization advances so does the economy s complexity Having said that his ideas with regard to overreading into Adam Smith s invisible hand and the negative aspects of division of labour which is the basis of specialization, are not brought out in the article in the sense Adam Smith intended in his book The Wealth of Nations World-renowned linguist and political dissident Noam Chomsky highlighting the misreading of Adam Smith pointed out for instance Adam Smith is very rarely read He is worshiped but not read And so for example everyone s heard of the phrase invisible hand, but almost no one knows, well, how he used it The term “invisible hand” actually does appear in his classic Wealth of Nations once It appears in an argument against what s now called neoliberalism What s now called neoclassical economics that we re supposed to worship So we re supposed to worship Adam Smith, and neoclassical economics, and they radically differ on the notion [of] invisible hand ” Adam Smith was
Hence , while it is impor tant to have specialization, Âdivision of labourÊ should not pursued in the extreme sense with people having a reasonable extent of variety in their pursuits, in turn, workers also having meaningful level of freedoms and democracy in choice of work, and on questions of how it should contribute to the overall economy in terms of production related decisions, for instance
to the perpetrator ’s actions
n Such a shift would have practical consequences
n It would weaken the obsession with virginity
Addiction fuels crime
n It would reduce victim blaming
n It would discourage families from hiding crimes to protect honour
n And it would challenge the dangerous idea that women exist as vessels carrying male prestige
Some may dismiss this debate as symbolic or unnecessary But history shows that language shapes social consciousness Oppressive systems survive because they normalize themselves through ordinary words
The same society that now rejects openly racist or colonial vocabulary once considered such language acceptable Change began when people recognized that words are not neutral; they carry assumptions about power and human worth
The same realization is necessary regarding gender violence A society that constantly describes rape as stolen honour will continue producing shamefilled survivors and entitled perpetrators
We must also confront the unequal moral expectations placed upon women in patriarchal cultures Men are associated with authority mobility, and freedom, while women are associated with modesty, sacrifice, and sexual control This imbalance turns women into custodians of collective morality
As a result women become responsible not only for their own conduct but for the social respectability of entire families Their clothing mobility friendships and choices are monitored because patriarchal societies have tied honour to female bodies
n This system harms everyone
n It harms women through fear and restriction
n It harms men by teaching them that masculinity is linked to controlling women
And it harms justice because crimes become filtered through ideas of shame and honour rather than human rights and bodily autonomy A rape survivor should never have to prove she remained “honourable ” Her humanity is enough
The real dishonour lies elsewhere: in the
that fail survivors, and in societies that continue measuring women through the language of purity Pakistan urgently needs a new moral vocabulary one which is centred not on chastity or shame but on consent dignity equality and justice Until that shift happens, we will continue condemning rape
Ramazan market ethics
Ban on flatter y
Nooor Zafar
How the Urdu language reinforces rape culture
Jinping did not approach the negotiations defensively Instead, he projected the confidence of a leader who believes history is gradually tilting in China’s favour
Tequal and in some respects, a challenger to US dominance What made the summit remarkable was not merely the optics of statecraft, but the unmistakable confidence with which Xi Jinping engaged Donald Trump The Chinese leader appeared calm methodical and strategically disciplined while Trump despite his trademark bravado, found himself navigating a political and economic environment far less favourable than during his first presidency Xi entered the talks with the advantage of preparation continuity and long-term vision Trump arrived seeking economic concessions strategic leverage and political victories that could reinforce his domestic standing The contrast was visible throughout the summit For years, Trump built his political image around confronting China He launched tariffs accused Beijing of unfair trade practices and repeatedly framed China as the USA s greatest economic adversary Yet the summit demonstrated the limitations of coercive pressure against a country that has transformed itself into an economic, technological and military superpower Xi
The symbolism mattered enormously Chinese diplomacy traditionally emphasizes patience stability and national dignity Xi used the summit to reinforce all three Beijing ensured that every visual detail underscored China s stature: the ceremonial welcome, the strategic messaging, the carefully calibrated public statements and the emphasis on “mutual respect ” China was no longer presenting itself as a junior partner in global affairs It was demanding recognition as a co-equal architect of the international system
In many ways, Trump walked into a diplomatic environment designed to elevate Xi The US president sought breakthroughs on trade investment access and regional stability but Xi succeeded in reframing the entire conversation around parity between the two powers That alone represented a strategic victory for Beijing For decades, Washington insisted that China adapt itself to a US-led order Now, the summit suggested that the USA itself may have to adjust to a world where China shares and sometimes contests global leadership
Economically the summit highlighted how deeply interconnected the two nations remain despite years of rivalry Trump wanted greater market access for US companies, protection for US industries and assurances regarding trade imbalances Xi meanwhile sought stability in economic relations reduced tariff pressures and a predictable environment for Chinese exports and investments While both sides announced areas of cooperation, it was China that appeared more composed and less desperate for immediate outcomes
The reality confronting Washington is that economic decoupling from China is far
more difficult than political rhetoric suggests China remains central to global manufacturing, supply chains, rare earth processing and increasingly advanced technologies Even after years of trade wars and sanctions US businesses continue to depend heavily on Chinese production networks Xi understood this leverage and used it carefully Rather than appearing confrontational, he positioned China as a responsible global economic stakeholder willing to cooperate provided it is treated with respect Another critical outcome of the summit was the strengthening of China s image across the developing world Many nations in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East watched the meeting closely For these countries, the summit reinforced the perception that the era of uncontested US unipolarity is fading China’s rise is no longer theoretical; it is visible in infrastructure projects technological investments military modernization and diplomatic influence across continents Xi Jinping has successfully cultivated an image of China as an alternative center of global power one that offers investment without political conditions and partnership without overt ideological pressure Whether this perception fully matches reality is another debate, but diplomatically it has proven highly effective The summit with Trump strengthened that narrative considerably For Trump, the meeting still carried important advantages He demonstrated to domestic audiences that he could directly engage the world s most powerful rival and seek practical outcomes rather than engage in endless confrontation Any easing of trade tensions or improvement in economic cooperation would also benefit US markets and businesses Trump likely viewed the summit as an opportunity to portray himself as a dealmaker capable of managing strategic competition while avoiding catastrophic conflict Yet politically and psychologically, the greater beneficiary appeared to be Xi Jin-
ping The Chinese president emerged looking steady, disciplined and globally statesmanlike Trump’s style improvisational confrontational and heavily personality-driven contrasted sharply with Xi s carefully controlled approach In diplomatic contests perception often matters as much as policy, and the perception after the summit was unmistakable: China now possesses the confidence and capacity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the USA Perhaps the most profound consequence of the summit was what it revealed about the emerging world order The post-Cold War era was defined by overwhelming US dominance The USA shaped global finance, military alliances, technological standards and diplomatic norms with limited resistance China’s rise has fundamentally altered that equation Today the world increasingly resembles a dual-power system in which Washington and Beijing compete simultaneously for influence, markets, technology and strategic legitimacy Xi Jinping understands that China does not need to defeat the USA militarily to surpass it geopolitically Beijing s strategy is broader and more patient: expand economic influence dominate key technologies deepen global trade networks, modernize military capabilities and present China as a
Europe
mian abrar
Xi Jinping humbles D onald Trump
China-US trade talks yield positive outcomes
Trump, Nigeria claim ISIS second in command Abu Bilal al-Minuki killed
India scrambles to steady rupee as oil shock bites
Muhammad Saeed Sheikh conferred with Sitara-e-Khidmat by President of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD
S
promoting unity and interfaith harmony
Balochistan par tners with SLIC in landmark People’s Health Program
The Government of Balochistan has signed a landmark agreement with the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLIC) to launch the Peoples Health Program a province-wide health insurance initiative that will provide comprehensive cashless medical coverage to more than 350,000 active government employees, pensioners, and their families across the province The Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony was attended by distinguished and honourable dignitaries including Mr Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party Mir Sarfraz Bugti Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mr Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Health Minister Balochistan, and Mr Shoaib Javed Hussain, Chief Executive Officer of SLIC The agreement was formally signed by Mr Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Panezai Secretary Health Balochistan and Mr Mohammad Ashar Divisional Head Health and Accident Insurance at SLIC Mr Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Health Minister Balochistan, stated: The Peoples Health Program, introduces a fully digital, cashless healthcare system, replacing the conventional manual reimbursement process It enables seamless access to quality treatment at over 1 000 SLIC empanelled public and private hospitals across Pakistan ensuring timely medical care for government employees and their families Through SLIC s scale, operational strength, and established healthcare infrastructure, the programme enhances administrative efficiency and delivers significant cost savings for the Government through streamlined processes reduced delays and improved overall service delivery outcomes
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari on Sunday said that on the special instructions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, two young patients from District Chilas were airlifted to Lahore via air ambulance an act that stands as a shining example of humanitarian service
She informed that 12-year-old Sanaullah and 14-year-old Ataullah, sons of Sabir Hussain and residents of Satniyan, Chilas, are suffering from a hereditary kidney disease Following the Chief Minister s directives two vehicles of Rescue 1122 were dispatched to Chilas to ensure the safe transfer of the children
Azma Bokhari added that both patients have been shifted to Lahore under complete medical supervision and admitted to the Punjab Institute of Kidney and Liver Institute where a specialized team of doctors is providing them with dedicated treatment and care She further said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif ’s vision is to serve the public without discrimination and the timely air ambulance transfer of the children from Chilas is a practical manifestation of that vision Azma lauds Altaf Hassan Qureshi as beacon of principled journalism Meanwhile Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari on Sunday expressed profound grief and sorrow over the
Naya Nazimabad marks
success with grand cricket match KARACHI
A grand cricket match was organized last night in Naya Nazimabad in connection with Marka-eHaq, under the patronage of actor Saud and his wife Javeria Saud, in which several artistes also participated The chief guest of the event was Sindh Governor Syed Mohammed Nehal Hashmi while Chairman Arif Habib Group and Naya Nazimabad Arif Habib CEO Star Marketing Wasiq Naeem Managing Director of Sun Builders & Developers Mahmood Khan along with artists business personalities and other guests were also present Addressing the ceremony Governor Sindh Nehal Hashmi paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the armed forces on the success of Marka-e-Haq and Bunyānum Marsoos, expressing the resolve that every drop of blood would be sacrificed for the defense of the homeland He said the operation had become a golden chapter in Pakistan’s military history and had made it clear to the world that Pakistan’s defense was in invincible hands He added that the courageous leadership of Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the political wisdom of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif united the entire nation on one platform Actor Saud and his wife Javeria Saud said that by defeating India Pakistan had once again proven that it desires peace but would never compromise on its sovereignty and defense
passing of eminent senior journalist, intellectual, and founder of Urdu Digest, Altaf Hassan Qureshi In her condolence statement the Information Minister extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family stating that the late Altaf Hassan Qureshi was a highly respected and prominent name in Pakistani journalism She noted that he consistently upheld principled journalism and promoted high ethical values standards that are rarely seen in today s era Paying tribute to his services, Azma Bokhari said that through Urdu Digest, Altaf Hassan Qureshi made invaluable contributions to Urdu literature and journalism which will always be remembered She added that his writings provided a great source of learning and inspiration
The Punjab Police continued intelligence-based and combing operations across the province, including Lahore, to further strengthen law and order and ensure public safety a police spokesperson said on Sunday Sharing details the spokesperson said that during the current year 152 intelligence-based operations were conducted across the province including Lahore, during which more than 11,000 individuals were questioned and 160 criminals were taken into custody He added that during the same period, 77 501 combing operations were carried out across Punjab including Lahore
Kundi administers oath to five new KP ministers
Rana S anaullah says proposal to raise voting age under consideration
of governance and policy matters
has said a proposal to increase the voting age is being considered as discussions continue over a possible 28th Constitutional Amendment
Speaking on Geo News programme Jirga the PML-N senator referred to the current age requirement for contesting elections and said, “A person cannot contest an election until the age of 25 then [ ] if that is the case the age for contesting elections should also be reduced to 18 while discussing the issue
Under existing election laws a Pakistani citizen may be registered as a voter if they are at least 18 years old on January 1 of the year in which electoral rolls are prepared or revised The law also requires that the individual be or be treated as a resident of the relevant electoral area for voter registration there
Sanaullah said deliberations linked to the possible 28th Constitutional Amendment cover a range
According to him these include the distribution of resources under the National Finance Commission (NFC) population control measures and the construction of new water reservoirs
He said the government would not proceed with the 28th Amendment without consensus among all stakeholders He also said it was not essential to alter the NFC formula suggesting that defence spending could be handled separately from the current resource-sharing arrangement The adviser added that consultations on these issues have been underway and would continue as part of wider constitutional and policy discussions His remarks came amid increasing political debate over reports of discussions on a possible constitutional amendment before Eid ul Adha, which is expected to fall on May 27 Concerns have also been raised that such a move could reverse the 18th Amendment
The 18th Amendment was passed in 2010 during the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government and has remained the subject of repeated
debate, including calls for changes
The PPP however has strongly opposed such proposals and has pledged to resist any attempt to alter the amendment
The amendment transferred powers to the provinces in areas including health, women’s development social welfare and local government
S herr y, Mushaal slam Indian army chief ’s remarks, warn against ‘regional destabilisation’
g FAISAL KARIM KUNDI CALLS ON PM SHEHBAZ SHARIF TO ‘TAKE DIRECT INTEREST’
MATTERS, CAUTIONING KP PEOPLE REACHED ‘CRITICAL POINT’
going global conflicts She urged the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respect the aspirations of its people for peace instead of pursuing confrontational policies that could destabilise the region further Referring to past tensions between the two neighbouring countries, Sherry Rehman said Pakistan had effectively demonstrated
sovereignty and national defence, the senator warned that any act of aggression would be met with a “strong and befitting response” from Pakistan’s armed forces and its people
