THOUSANDS FEARED DEAD AS EARTHQUAKES WREAK HAVOC IN AND AROUND CARACAS
Pakistan may get inflation relief as oil prices fall after Strait of Hormuz reopens: report
accounts for 2023-25 and without internal audits It also pointed to withheld subsidy claims and stalled transmission projects The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority was criticised for not bringing data centres under its licensing regime and for not penalising Ufone s operator despite established cases of illegal SIM activation The National Telecommunication
COMMENT
TH E US-Iran talks are at their initial stages which might explain why the two delegations seem to be taking maximalist positions that are not conducive to a peaceful conclusion For example the issue of the Strait of Hormuz: closing it had disrupted the economy of the entire world, and reopening it had been the top priority for the USA in agreeing to end the conflict The USA wants the restoration of its prewar status as a free waterway Iran wants to be allowed to charge a toll on all ships passing through The toll issue should be quickly settled, so that the two sides may move on to more contentious issues At present, shipping is being allowed to move freely but only for the 60 days allowed for negotiation
Perhaps the most contentious issue is that of Iran s nuclear programme, and its preparing to make a nuclear bomb The USA claims that Iran had agreed to let back the International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors it had expelled last year, accusing them of spying for the USA Iran has hotly denied the claim On the one hand, it is difficult to see any sort of agreement on what is a very contentious issue without a verification mechanism, which in turn the IAEA is best placed to provide On the other hand, Iranian fears of inspectors acting as spies for the USA, at the very least as sources for human intelligence cannot be dismissed out of hand Another problem that has arisen is what is to be done about the Iranian assets confiscated by the USA, and which it has promised to return US President Donald Trump has said that the money would be used to buy food and medicines On the other hand the Iranian ambassador to the USA has said that the money would be up to the Iranian government to spend as it wished Iran must remain conscious of one thing Just as Mr Trump entered this conflict without complete support from the US public, he has agreed to the ceasefire without complete support from his base The return of confiscated assets, and the transfer of funds to Iran have raised hackles both among the Zionists and the MAGA movement True the funds are not only Iranian, but their having to return reflects the failure of the sanctions under which they were confiscated However, Iran must tread wisely to keep the deal alive
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi
Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
IT is said often enough that Imam Hussain offered his own sacrifice as an example to ensure that the religion of his grandfather (Peace Be Upon Him) was not usurped But that somehow obscures the fact that he provided an example of what a Muslim is to do when the Caliphate has been usurped This lesson becomes all the more relevant today because of the attack that was carried out by the USA on a state dedicated to the Imam’s sacrifice the only Islamic Shia state in the world That state showed that it was possible to do what many had said was impossible: resist the USA Now there has been a ceasefire and it seems the USA has backed down but at one time when US President Donald Trump threatened that ‘an entire civilization will die’ it did seem that the entire Iranian people had reached their Karbala and it was going to be nuclear However another view would be that Iran’s recent ordeal had nothing to do with the Imam’s for it was to do with resisting foreign intervention while the Imam’s problem was essentially internal to do with the state rather than with the international situation Iran may have had to take on the Gulf monarchies but they treated them as fellow Muslims (despite the sharp sectarian differences) On the other hand their main opponents were the USA and Israel The Imam’s main opponent was another Muslim The surrounding non-Muslims were so weak and so distant that the Bani Umayya did not call them in for help The problem which faced the Imam was simple: Yazid had not properly contracted the Caliphate because the bai’a or oath of allegiance he had received was not freely given Ever since the death of Imam Hassan the Caliph Muawiya had tried to obtain the bai’a in advance for his son Yazid and even visited Madina to obtain it from the senior companions of the Prophet including those who had been Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) which he failed to do Thus Yazid’s assumption of the Caliphate was a usurpation and it had not been filled properly in the first place The Imam had to decide what to do He had to restore the Caliphate and he had to either declare allegiance to some third person or put himself forward This was not a matter of ambition It was a situation like when the time for a congregational prayer begins to pass but the imam has not arrived One of the congregants leads the prayer The analogy is exact for the words ‘caliph’ and ‘imam’ were used interchangeably And indeed there is the example of the Caliph Umar who was attacked and stabbed while leading the Fajr prayer: after the initial confusion one of the congregants came forward and completed the prayer The Imam told Muawiya to his face that Yazid drank but that was probably not why he refused the bai’a when the time came It was probably because it was being forced upon him He had told Muawiya
when he had come to Madinah to meet the Imam and other Companions that he would follow the Muslims as they decided after Muawiya which showed the understanding that the Caliphate is for the Ummah to dispose and if anyone takes the Caliphate without the right to do so he is guilty of the same crime as a member of a qabza group and vacating that illegal occupation is to be carried out by force if necessary Now those who can vacate possession from a qabza group are the owners or the authorities In the same way if the Caliphate is to be vacated it is by the rightful possessors of the Caliph’s authority which is the Ummah And that means any member of the Ummah It is lonely enough a furrow to plough but the Imam accepted that the task had to be performed Therefore to say that the Imam s action was political does not carry any implication of selfishness It is also to be noted that he was virtually driven to his action being first told to give the bai a in Madina and then when he moved to Makkah being importuned there He only went to Kufa when he received letters from the men of Kufa inviting him to take the Caliphate The stage had been set for the tragedy of Karbala but it is also noteworthy that the Imam never claimed on the basis of his descent from the Holy Prophet (PBUH) He squarely based his claim on his adherence to the Sharia as well as his expertise in it; in sharp contrast to Yazid The support of people freely given was also a point in his favour His similarity to people today is relevant though there is a significant difference He was faced with a Caliphate
also used as catalysts for igniting war South Asia best exemplifies this equation, where Pakistan s nuclear doctrine is operating in an uncertain security condition largely characterized by its contestation with India, conventional asymmetry, and its recent sabre rattling in 2025 Whether the events that unfolded in the recent past have changed the hawkish mindset regarding nuclear weapons and conventional warfare remain the question of utmost importance It will thus be useful to analyze the nuclear doctrine of Pakistan through the prism of Nuclear Deterrence and Stability-Instability paradox The question that arises is; Does Pakistan s nuclear doctrine, full spectrum deterrence and strategic ambiguity, stabilize or destabilize the South Asian region? Pakistan does not abide by No First Use policy (NFU) It has not officially declared its nuclear policy vis à vis India clearly regarding its nuclear weapons use, thus subscribing to Strategic Ambiguity Owing to this uncertainty from Pakistan s end, India developed its military strategy of Cold Start Doctrine (CSD) Based on CSD, India could seize Pakistan s territory in case any crisis hit
Maintaining credible minimum deterrence for defensive purposes has been a nuclear posture of Pakistan until 2013 In response to India s CSD, Pakistan changed its nuclear posture to full spectrum deterrence (FSD) Under the ambit of FSD, Pakistan developed tactical nuclear weapons in case of any future conflict with India This doctrine lays out four scenarios in which the use of nuclear weapons could be resorted to, namely; spatial threshold, military threshold, economic threshold, and political threshold John Mearsheimer, a leading proponent of Nuclear Deterrence theory, is of the opinion that the more horrible the prospect of war, the less likely it is to occur During the Cold War, both the USSR and the USA possessed nuclear weapons Neither could risk nuclear escalation and war Nuclear weapons helped maintain peace in Europe Similarly, in the South Asian context, India s and Pakistan s possession of nuclear weapons serve as a peacemaker and peacekeeper The ambiguous nature of doctrine has also been helpful in preventing major war(s) between the two actors Nuclear weapons as a source of instability can be best explained through the Stability-Instability paradox In the case of South Asia, both India and Pakistan, even though refraining from full blown war, engage in border skirmishes, supporting proxies and insurgencies, and limited war History is testimony to the fact that such small scale conflicts could shape and alter the course of events Miscalculation on any part could sabotage peace For instance: the crises of 1987 and 1990 where the USA had to intervene to de-escalate the conflict Moreover Pakistan s development of tactical
and
stead
resulted in creating a system which is very easily prone to crisis Pakistan’s shift to Full Spectrum Deterrence (FSD) and India s 2025 aggressive behaviour reflect that India will not stop carrying out attacks no matter how big or small the warning or retaliation threat from Pakistan is According to the SIPRI 2025 yearbook Pakistan possesses 170 nuclear weapons It is building up on its nuclear arsenal In 2025 India s use of conventional military weapons is putting the deterrent strategy of Pakistan in question This could in turn prompt escalation The dynamics of the Indo-Pak nuclear rivalry is far reaching In 2024 the USA imposed sanctions on Pakistan s state-owned organization owing to its modern and developed missile programme It is also suspected by the US intelligence agencies that Pakistan could develop Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) Therefore it is worrisome for many actors if both India and Pakistan engage in the pursuit of nuclear modernization This in turn will have a trickle-down effect ranging from regional to global level
Shayan Sumbal is an MPhil Scholar of International Relations at the National Defense University (NDU) specializing in global security and foreign policy
The e-challan farce
Global rice slump
ShAyAN SuMbAl
Justice for the voiceless
living, sentient beings, capable of pain, distress, comfort, and social response The law, therefore, cannot remain indifferent to their existence ”
This
Altamush spoke with a passionate tone that comes from years of fighting and losing battles yet he remained hopeful He told me about the countless cases he had filed the bureaucratic stonewalling he had experienced and the personal challenges he had faced But he also spoke about small victories A rescued dog A sensitized official A judge who listened That conversation stayed with me long after I left the canteen
A few months before our meeting on April 28 Mr Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro of the Islamabad High Court wrote a landmark judgment that would send shockwaves through legal circles worldwide The judgment which disposed of the petition
filed by Altamush, did something unprecedented in Pakistan s legal history In a detailed and comprehensive ruling, the court permanently banned the poisoning, shooting, and indiscriminate killing of stray dogs across the capital It directed authorities to implement a scientific Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Release programme and to strictly follow the Stray Dog Population Control Policy for Islamabad Capital Territory That policy had been formulated in 2020 but had remained largely unimplemented The court observed that the policy s foundational requirements, such as scientific population surveys, a comprehensive regulatory framework, and transparent record keeping, had been systematically ignored by the authorities
The judgment was a scathing indictment of the state s arbitrary actions Mr Justice Soomro noted that when confronted with photographic evidence showing dead dogs in a Capital Development Authority vehicle, the respondents were unable to furnish any cogent, lawful, or satisfactory explanation
This state of affairs, the court noted, raised serious concerns not only of administrative lapse but of a fundamental departure from the rule of law
What made this judgment truly extraordinary was its philosophical depth Mr Justice Soomro brought together constitutional jurisprudence, Islamic teachings, and modern understandings of animal sentience into a seamless whole He quoted the Holy Quran: There is no creature on the earth or bird that flies with its wings but that they are communities like you The judgment further invoked the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), declaring that a good deed done to an animal is as meritorious as a good deed done to a human being Then came the words that would be quoted around the world Animals are not mere chattels or inanimate objects to be dealt with solely at human convenience, Justice Soomro wrote Rather, they are
Iran proposes ‘Islamic Securit y Belt’
Iranian government and people would not forget the support shown by friendly nations during difficult circumstances
IR A N has proposed the creation of a regional security framework involving major Muslim nations, arguing that closer defense and security cooperation among Islamic countries is essential to counter Israeli aggression and promote long-term stability across the region The proposal was raised during a telephone conversation between Iran s caretaker Defense Minister, Brigadier General Majid Ebnolreza, and Pakistan s Defense Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif The Iranian minister began the call by expressing condolences over the deaths of several Pakistani military personnel in a recent helicopter crash and thanked Islamabad for its support and solidarity with Iran during recent regional tensions
Ebnolreza praised Pakistan s positions on regional developments, particularly its condemnation of attacks against Iran and its support for Tehran in international forums, including meetings of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization He said the
The Iranian minister also commended the Pakistani government and armed forces for their role in facilitating diplomatic efforts and recent understandings aimed at reducing regional tensions At the same time he stressed that Tehran remains cautious despite the signing of a memorandum of understanding emphasizing that Iran’s Armed Forces would respond decisively to any violation of the agreement
Referring to Israeli military actions in Gaza Lebanon and Syria Ebnolreza argued that continued instability in the region serves Israeli interests and called on Muslim countries to adopt a unified approach to confront ‘Israeli aggression and expansionist policies ’ As part of that strategy he reiterated Tehran’s proposal for the establishment of a “Regional Security Belt of the Islamic World ” comprising countries including Iran Pakistan Saudi Arabia Turkey Egypt and other Muslim states
According to the Iranian minister the initiative would provide a platform for enhanced security coordination regional
Moreover, this particular judgment establishes that compassion towards animals is not merely a matter of sentiment but a constitutional necessity and an ecological imperative It declares that the true measure of a lawful society lies not in how it treats the powerful, but in how it safeguards those living beings that are wholly dependent on human conscience and institutional responsibility
The reach of this judgment has been profound An article published by the South African organization Animal Voice has highlighted it as a landmark moment for global animal welfare South Africa, with its progressive constitution that includes economic, social, and cultural rights, is often considered a leader in human rights protection For a judgment from Pakistan to be celebrated there is a moment of immense pride
The article quotes British advocate Zannis Mavrogordato, who noted the court’s recognition of the link between animal welfare and ecological balance, and its invocation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child South African veterinary surgeon Dr Ayoub Banderker welcomed the judgment, stating that it was a most welcome step in implementing the true values of Islam pertaining to animal welfare The fact that the UN has included animal welfare into the child rights framework will certainly carry significant influence in how nations adopt their animal welfare laws
This brings me back to Altamush Saeed He is the lawyer who argued this historic case He has multiple Masters degrees in Environmental, Animal, and Human Rights Law from the United States Someone who could have easily lived in
In
US,
dialogue and collective efforts to address common challenges facing the Islamic world He also announced Iran s readiness to begin consultations with regional governments regarding the proposal
For his part Pakistan s defense minister praised the Iranian nation s resilience in the face of recent attacks saying the country s response demonstrated determination and national unity He added that the resistance shown by the Iranian people and Armed Forces would be remembered as a significant chapter in regional history
Khawaja Muhammad Asif described relations between Iran and Pakistan as deeply rooted and fraternal emphasizing that the people of Pakistan maintain close ties with the Iranian nation and have consistently supported Iran during challenging times Welcoming Tehran s proposal for a regional security framework the Pakistani minister expressed hope that once regional conditions stabilize a new phase of cooperation among Islamic countries could emerge Such cooperation, he said, could contribute to the development of collective security arrangements aimed at preventing aggression, strengthening regional stability, and promoting lasting peace Asif also condemned Israeli actions in Gaza, describing the situation as one of the region s most pressing humanitarian and security challenges, and called for greater unity among Muslim nations in addressing regional crises
supremacist shooters killed three people at a mosque in San Diego last month Whether people are singled out for their ethnicity or religion can be unclear – including, perhaps, for the perpetrators Some people are targeted because they are wrongly believed to be Muslim A crime may be recorded as anti-Muslim if a woman has her hijab pulled off, but not if she is spat at by someone telling her to get out of my country Amnesty International s Northern Ireland director suggested that anti-Muslim sentiment appeared to be a more prominent feature in the anti-migrant
Water is fast becoming one of the defining fights around the AI buildout W H Y I T M AT T E R S: After spending much of the past year defending data centers’ electricity demands major tech companies driving
as water replenishment projects recycled-water use and new cooling technologies Nvidia the world’s dominant AI chip maker claimed this week that water concerns could be largely addressed by its latest generation of technology W H AT T H E Y’R E S AY I N G:
Noor Zafar
Iran's Quds Force chief warns Israel to withdraw from all of Lebanon
Israel must
on your own accord today, you will inevitably be driven out in humiliation and failure tomorrow," he said Earlier senior Israeli and Lebanese officials denied that there had been any Israeli withdrawal from occupied southern Lebanon after a US official said Israel had pulled some of its troops back in a goodfaith gesture toward Lebanon's government Israel and Lebanon have been discussing a US-backed proposal for Israeli forces to transfer some of the Lebanese territory invaded in their war with Hezbollah to Lebanon's military, in a possible step toward restoring Lebanese control of occupied territory
The "pilot zone" proposal has been part of the latest round of Israeli-Lebanese talks in Washington which have gone on even as they appear to be eclipsed by Iran s move to make Lebanon central to its own talks with the United States
by pulling back
A US State Department official said the pilot zone process was aimed at ensuring the complete and verifiable destruction of Hezbollah s weapons and infrastructure and the dismantlement of non-state armed
buffer zone This is a significant demonstration of good faith toward Lebanon’s legitimate government," the State Department official said The (Lebanese Armed Forces) should now move in and verifiably clear out terrorist weapons and infrastructure This model will be repeated across South Lebanon, enabling the safe return of displaced families, reconstruction of the south and the restoration of full Lebanese sover-
CM MARYAM SPEARHEADS UNPRECEDENTED
SECURIT Y, FACILITATION PL AN ACROSS PUNJAB
LAHORE S A L E E M J A D O
ON the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif comprehensive security, monitoring and public facilitation arrangements for Muharramul Haram processions and majalis have remained in place across Punjab for the past eight days with the provincial administration and law-enforcement agencies maintaining
Punjab information minister reviews sec urity, facilitation measures ahead of A shura
Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari, accompanied by Adviser to the Chief Minister Zeeshan Malik visited various districts of the Faisalabad Division and conducted a detailed review of the arrangements made for Muharram-ul-Haram, particularly on the occasion of Ashura, for Majalis, processions and their routes During the visit, Azma Bokhari inspected various Imambargahs Majalis and procession sites in Faisalabad City Toba Tek Singh, Kamalia and Pir Mahal She met with Majalis organizers and mourners and inquired about the arrangements, facilities and other administrative matters Participants of the Majalis and processions appreciated the excellent facilities and effective arrangements provided by the Punjab Government and thanked Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz On the occasion several mourners stated that compared to previous governments extraordinary facilities and better arrangements were being provided for Muharram-ulHaram during the current tenure Majalis organizers also expressed satisfaction with the per-
formance of the Punjab Government and said that due to continuous coordination by the administration, timely provision of facilities and effective security measures mourners were being provided with the best possible environment During the visit Adviser to the Chief Minister Zeeshan Malik, RPO Faisalabad Sohail Sukhaira, and Commissioner Faisalabad Musarrat Jabeen were also present with Azma Bokhari In Toba Tek Singh the Punjab Information Minister was given a detailed briefing at the Deputy Commissioner's Office regarding security arrangements, procession routes, cleanliness, traffic management and other Ashura-related arrangements
Azma Bokhari also visited a historic Imambargah in Kamalia and reviewed the arrangements there She also met and interacted
with women participating in the Majlis The women appreciated the arrangements and facilities provided by the Punjab Government and the district administration during Muharram-ul-Haram Later Azma Bokhari inspected a sabeel established by the District Government in Kamalia, drank the sherbet and also checked its quality She directed the concerned authorities to ensure that the quality of all facilities being provided to mourners is maintained at all costs
Speaking on the occasion Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said that on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, all institutions are fully active to provide the best facilities foolproof security and a peaceful environment to mourners during Muharram-ul-Haram and this process of public service is being ensured at every level
PM-constituted Panel ProPoses telecoM bill changes to Protect ProPert y rights, require owner consent
Prime
of
and
prevention, awareness, rehabilitation and collective action to protect Pakistan’s youth from emerging narcoticsrelated challenges In his message on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, being observed on June 26, the prime minister said the occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on a challenge that continued to affect societies worldwide, including Pakistan, while underscoring the need to adapt responses to evolving drug threats
Shehbaz Sharif noted that alongside traditional narcotics, a new range of highly dangerous synthetic and illicit drugs had emerged in recent years He warned that criminal networks were increasingly exploiting modern communication technologies and digital platforms to expand their operations, connect buyers and sellers, and evade law enforcement agencies The prime minister also expressed
concern over the growing use of cryptocurrencies and other digital payment channels to finance illicit drug activities beyond conventional financial systems
Highlighting the influence of social media and mobile applications he said harmful substances were often portrayed as fashionable harmless or linked with success and social acceptance Such narratives he added were deliberately designed to target young people during a critical stage of their personal and social development “Some circles portray drug use as a symbol of status freedom or modernity but such perceptions
She also directed
establishment of
dedicated dashboard and operational
facilitate
initiative and ensure transparency The meeting was informed that the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha is expected to be inaugurated on July 15 the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Treatment and Research Institute (CTRI) on July 31 while the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology Lahore is likely to be inaugurated on August 15 The chief minister was given detailed briefings on the progress of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research and
the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology Lahore as well as on healthcare service delivery across the province Under the Diaspora Doctor Locum Programme experienced and reputable Pakistani and foreign specialist doctors will be engaged for short-term assignments in Punjab s public hospitals Overseas specialists participating in the programme will be permitted to perform up to eight advanced surgical procedures during their tenure Twelve public hospitals have been selected for the implementation of the programme Overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals possessing specialist qualifications will be eligible to participate The eligibility criteria include postgraduate qualifications at least three years of overseas fellowship experience and a valid fitness certificate
Pakistan, China push for stronger enforcement of UNSC resolutions
Participating doctors will be required to serve in Punjab for a minimum period of 15 days The programme s online portal will facilitate registration credential verification commitments appointment procedures payment mechanisms and reporting systems
The chief minister was also presented with the DDLP dashboard which is expected to become operational shortly She directed the authorities to establish a comprehensive web portal to ensure the programme is managed efficiently and transparently Foreign specialists participating in the programme will also train local healthcare professionals The chief minister further directed the launch of a similar initiative for the nursing sector to strengthen healthcare capacity and professional development UNITED NATIONS
Pakistan and China have jointly underscored the importance of strengthening the implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions co-hosting an informal meeting aimed at examining ways to enhance the effectiveness credibility and authority of the Council
According to Pakistan s Foreign Office the meeting provided a platform for Security Council members and the wider UN membership to dis-
cuss how the international body can ensure the full effective and non-selective implementation of its resolutions The session brought together senior UN officials diplomats and policy experts to assess persistent challenges in translating Security Council decisions into meaningful action on the ground The meeting was addressed by Khaled Khiari United Nations Assistant SecretaryGeneral for the Middle East Asia and the Pacific Shamala Kandiah Executive Director of Security Council Report and Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group The speakers emphasised that the
credibility and effectiveness of the Security Council ultimately depend on the implementation of its decisions They argued that resolutions alone are insufficient unless accompanied by realistic mandates, clearly defined implementation mechanisms, adequate resources, sustained reporting and strong political commitment from member states According to the speakers, effective follow-up measures are essential to transform Council decisions into practical outcomes capable of promoting peace, stability and conflict resolution Speaking at the meeting, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, stressed that Security Council resolutions constitute binding legal obligations under the UN Charter and should be implemented without discrimination or selectivity
cost of Rs431 02 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval underscoring the government’s focus on technology connectivity and infrastructureled growth Chairing the meeting Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman of
omist, Vice Chancellor of PIDE, members of the Planning Commission, federal secretaries, heads of provincial Planning and Development departments and senior representatives of relevant federal ministries and provincial governments The minister said the approved projects were aligned with the vision of Uraan Pakistan,
were the exploration of radioactive minerals in the Marwat Range, installation of CT Scan and MRI machines in DHQ and teaching hospitals of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, establishment of Prime Minister s ESports Arenas and Training Centres in higher education institutions, and development of the Geospatialx