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54 terrorists killed, 42 martyred as Balochistan attacks crushed: dG isPr Thursday, 9 July, 2026 | 23 Muharram, 1448
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DG LT-GEN CHAUDHRY SAYS THREE MAJOR TERRORIST ATTACKS SINCE JULY 5 LEAVE FOUR CIVILIANS, 27 POLICEMEN AND 11 SOLDIERS MARTYRED
SAYS SECURITY FORCES ELIMINATE 54 MILITANTS AS GROUND AND AERIAL OPERATIONS CONTINUE ACROSS MULTIPLE AREAS
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BLAMES INDIA-BACKED PROXIES, SAYING AFGHAN TERRITORY USED AS OPERATIONAL BASE FOR ATTACKS
SAYS HOSTAGE SITUATION IN ZIARAT DELAYED USE OF AIR POWER AS FORCES ENCIRCLED TERRORISTS WITH CAUTION
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head rolls as Balochistan orders ProBe into deadly Ziarat Police-Post attack QUETTA
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RAWALPINDI
saleem Jadoon
NTER-SERVICES Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Wednesday said security forces had neutralised 54 terrorists while 42 people — including four civilians, 27 policemen and 11 security personnel — embraced martyrdom in three major terrorist attacks and the ensuing counterterrorism operations carried out across Balochistan over the past four days since July 5. Addressing a press briefing in Rawalpindi, the DG ISPR said the three
major incidents included an armed attack on the outskirts of Quetta on July 5, an assault on a police post in Ziarat on July 6, and an ambush on an army convoy in Bela on Wednesday. Providing details of the incidents, Lt Gen Chaudhry said 42 people had laid down their lives while defending the country, whereas 54 terrorists had been confirmed killed in the operations, according to the latest update. “So, in the three major operations that I told you about, initially four civilians, and then police and army jawaans were martyred, so our total martyrs are 42,” he stated.
Pakistan, russia agree to deepen security partnership with new interior ministries' mou
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The Balochistan government on Wednesday suspended the Ziarat Superintendent of Police (SP) and constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the deadly terrorist attack on the Mangi Dam police post, which claimed the lives of nine policemen, as authorities moved to determine responsibility, assess security lapses and strengthen the protection of critical installations across the province. On the night between Monday and Tuesday, at least nine police officials, including two station house officers (SHOs), were martyred in the terrorist assault on the Mangi Dam police post. A subsequent clearance operation killed 15 alleged terrorists. Adviser to the Balochistan Chief Minister on Media and Political Affairs Shahid Rind confirmed the suspension of the Ziarat SP, saying the provincial government had issued a notification in this regard. Separately, the provincial govern-
ISLAMABAD
Pakistan and Russia on Wednesday agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between their respective interior ministries to institutionalise and broaden bilateral cooperation in counter-narcotics, counterterrorism, cybercrime prevention and joint police training, while reaffirming their commitment to closer coordination against regional and transnational security threats. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Alexandrovich Kolokoltsev at the United Nations Headquarters on the sidelines of the Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit 2026 (UNCOPS), according to a statement issued by the Interior Ministry. The two ministers held detailed discussions on the prevailing regional security situation and explored ways to deepen collaboration in counter-narcotics, counterterrorism, cybercrime prevention and joint police training exercises. They also exchanged views on developing a coordinated strategy to counter terrorist networks operating in the region, particularly in Afghanistan. Reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, both sides agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between their respective interior ministries to institutionalise and expand cooperation on key security issues. The ministers also reviewed progress on decisions taken during their previous meeting, the statement said. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi invited his Russian counterpart to visit Pakistan, underscoring Islamabad's commitment to expanding engagement with Moscow and enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
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ment also constituted a four-member inquiry committee to probe the incident. According to a notification issued on July 7, the committee has been tasked with establishing the “complete sequence of events leading to, during and after the terrorist attack”. The committee will also ascertain the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident and evaluate the deployment, preparedness, response, command, control and coordination of all concerned law enforcement and security agencies. It will further investigate whether there was any “negligence, dereliction of duty, operational lapse, failure of command and control, lack of coordination or cowardice” on the part of law enforcement officials. The committee has also been directed to assess whether the existing “standard operating procedures (SOPs) and security arrangements for the protection of the installation were adequate and properly implemented”.
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Pakistan urges US-Iran restraint as Middle East tensions spiral despite Islamabad peace accord ISLAMABAD
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staff report
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 104 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
Pakistan on Wednesday voiced deep concern over the rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East and urged the US and Iran to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any further military escalation after the two sides exchanged overnight strikes, with Washington intensifying attacks and Tehran launching retaliatory strikes, while US President Donald Trump declared that the ceasefire was effectively over and warned that the United States would hit Iran “hard”. In a statement, the Foreign Office (FO) stressed that “a renewed conflict is in no one’s interest”. “Pakistan calls on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that may further undermine regional peace and stability. There is no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy to achieve a shared goal of peace in the region,” the statement said. “Pakistan urges all sides to uphold their respective commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which remains an enduring foundation for understanding, mutual respect and shared prosperity for the region and beyond.” The statement came as renewed efforts to end the Middle East conflict suffered a major setback following intensified fighting triggered by Iranian attacks on vessels in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
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dar, saudi envoy reaffirm Push for diPlomacy and Peace ISLAMABAD
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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday held talks with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Malki on the evolving regional situation following the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), as both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing dialogue, diplomacy and closer Pakistan-Saudi Arabia cooperation while also reviewing preparations for the upcoming OIC Ministerial Conference on Women and Pakistan's polio eradication efforts. According to the Foreign Office (FO), Dar met the Saudi envoy to exchange views on the latest regional developments in the wake of the recent Islamabad MoU. During the meeting, both sides underscored the need to advance joint efforts aimed at promoting dialogue and diplomacy to strengthen regional peace and stability, the FO spokesperson said in a post on X.
Pm calls clean, affordable energy cornerstone of national energy strategy ISLAMABAD
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday declared the promotion of clean, affordable and sustainable energy a cornerstone of Pakistan's national energy strategy, describing the proposed 100megawatt solar power project for Gilgit-Baltistan as a gift from the federal government to the people of the region and directing authorities to ensure its timely completion with complete transparency. Chairing a review meeting on the proposed 100MW solar power project for Gilgit-Baltistan, the prime minister instructed the Power Division to complete the installation within the stipulated timeframe and emphasised that the procurement process must remain fully transparent, with all payments to be made only after third-party validation, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Addressing the meeting, the prime minister said the promotion of solar energy was a key component of the government's vision for environment-friendly, clean, affordable and sustainable energy. “The Power Division should fulfill its responsibility regarding the installation and timely completion of the 100 MW solar project,” he emphasised. PM Shehbaz also directed the authorities to ensure complete transparency in the procurement process, reiterating that all payments should be released only after thirdparty validation. The meeting was briefed on the progress of the Gilgit-Baltistan Solar Energy Project. Officials informed the meeting that under the project, 18MW solar systems, along with battery storage, would be installed on the rooftops of 499 government buildings by December 2026. The meeting was further informed that the PC-1 of the 82MW utility-scale solar project had been submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval. Once completed, the 82MW project is expected to benefit around 1.3 million people, improve the quality of electricity services across Gilgit-Baltistan and help eliminate loadshedding in the region. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Power Sardar Owais Leghari, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani and senior government officials. PM PAYS TRIBUTE TO FATIMA JINNAH: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif paid rich tribute to Madr-e-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah on the occasion of her 59th death anniversary, acknowledging her invaluable contributions to the Pakistan Movement and the country's nation-building process. In his message, the prime minister said the entire nation paid homage to Fatima Jinnah for her outstanding national and political services, describing her role in the struggle for Pakistan's independence as a lasting source of pride in the country's history, according to a PM Office Media Wing press release. The prime minister said that by standing shoulder to shoulder with Quaide-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Fatima Jinnah demonstrated unwavering commitment, courage and exemplary dedication throughout the Pakistan Movement. He observed that her relentless efforts and fearless leadership remained a treasured national legacy. The prime minister said Fatima Jinnah continued to inspire younger generations, particularly women, by symbolising resilience, selfless public service and steadfast commitment to national objectives despite difficult circumstances. “She proved that women could play an effective and constructive role in achieving national goals,” he added. Highlighting the contributions of women during the Pakistan Movement, the prime minister said people from all walks of life had rendered historic sacrifices, while Madr-e-Millat provided exemplary leadership and representation for women.
Pakistan, China to deepen counterterrorism, security cooperation NEW YORK
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Pakistan and China have agreed to expand coordination on counterterrorism and broader internal security issues after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met his Chinese counterpart Ling Zhifeng at the United Nations Headquarters, according to state-run PTV. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in security and efforts against terrorism. During the meeting, they also stressed closer work on border
management, curbing illegal immigration and combating drugs. The ministers additionally decided on joint steps to stop assistance and funding for terrorism. The talks also covered the protection of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, visa facilitation and the promotion of public relations. In a separate meeting at the UN Headquarters, Naqvi and Sri Lankan Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala agreed to increase coordination against narcotics and expand cooperation in police training, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.
The two ministers also agreed to enhance collaboration to curb illegal immigration and prevent travel on forged passports. Radio Pakistan said the meeting also included discussion on a possible memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation against criminal networks and money laundering. The two sides agreed to set up a joint working group to further improve cooperation between the interior ministries of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, while Naqvi and Wijepala also agreed to resolve visa-related issues on a priority basis.
Field Marshal Munir vows to crush cross-border terrorism with 'full might of state' ISLAMABAD
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Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday declared that Pakistan's armed forces remained fully alert to statesponsored attempts by hostile intelligence agencies to destabilise the country, vowing that terrorism emanating from across the border would be defeated with the "full might of the state" and that no proxy network would be allowed to threaten Pakistan's peace, security or economic progress.
In a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the CDF reaffirmed that the armed forces remained fully aware of state-sponsored efforts by hostile intelligence agencies to undermine Pakistan's stability and reiterated that such proxy networks would not be allowed to compromise the country's internal security or economic prosperity. Field Marshal Munir made the remarks at the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad during his address to graduating officers of the National Security and War Course, comprising participants from all services.
Earlier in the day, ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry held a press briefing and said four civilians, 27 policemen and 11 security personnel had been martyred, while 54 terrorists had been killed in attacks and subsequent operations in Balochistan since July 5. “Efforts of such proxies and networks, which operate under the tutelage of hostile intelligence agencies, are futile and will not be allowed to undermine Pakistan’s internal security and economic prosperity,” the military’s media wing quoted the CDF as saying. In his address, the army chief also highlighted the changing nature of warfare and
stressed the importance of strategic clarity and institutional professionalism in dealing with complex security challenges. He praised institutions such as the NDU for preparing future military and civilian leaders capable of addressing hybrid, conventional and sub-conventional threats with foresight, confidence and resolve. The CDF further said the Pakistan Armed Forces were adapting their operational and development strategies in line with the evolving character of warfare.
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02 NEWS
Thursday, 9 July, 2026 | LAHORE
AUDIT FLAGS OVER RS7B IRREGULARITIES IN WATER RESOURCES MINISTRY AND WAPDA
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HE stock of delayed and over-budget public sector projects has come under fresh scrutiny after an Auditor General of Pakistan audit found financial irregularities of Rs7.02 billion in the Ministry of Water Resources and its entities, including the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), during FY2024-25. The audit covered 112 formations of the ministry, reviewing expenditure of Rs359.6 billion and receipts of Rs194.2 billion during the year. According to the audit report, only Rs2.821 million was recovered and verified between January and December against the irregularities identified by auditors. The audit pointed to weaknesses in financial management, procurement, contract handling, asset control and project
Dollar hits one-week high as renewed US-Iran tensions lift oil prices
planning across multiple formations. It said repeated irregularities raised questions over the effectiveness of internal audit mechanisms at the Ministry of Water Resources and WAPDA. The largest number of audit observations related to financial management, with 24 cases involving delayed construction of powerhouses, generation losses, unrecovered receivables and failure to open dedicated bank accounts for retention money. Contract management accounted for 18 cases, including projects launched without proper feasibility studies or detailed designs, excessive reliance on variation orders beyond original contract values and unapproved changes in project scope. The report also identified five cases involving human resource and employee-related lapses, including lack of transparency in recruitment and unauthorised or noncompliant allowance payments.
PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
The U.S. dollar held near a one-week high against major currencies in early Asian trading on Wednesday after renewed U.S. strikes on Iran revived geopolitical concerns and pushed oil prices higher.The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against six major currencies, traded at 101.18, its strongest level since July 2. Demand for safe-haven assets increased after the United States launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday and revoked a licence that had allowed the country to sell oil. The move followed attacks on three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Westpac analysts said concerns over the stability of the peace deal had resurfaced after Iran attacked ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. They said renewed inflation concerns had also pushed global bond yields higher. Oil prices extended gains for a second day, with Brent crude rising 2.6% to $76.12 per barrel at the start of Asian trading. Higher oil prices raised concerns that energy costs could add to inflationary pressures. In currency markets, the U.S. dollar strengthened 0.1% against the Japanese yen to 162.28. Bank of Japan board member Toichiro Asada, who dissented against the central bank’s June rate increase, told Reuters on Monday that he would need to see signs of demand-driven inflation before supporting further hikes.
Gold edges higher as investors await Fed minutes amid Middle East tensions PROFIT
STAFF REPRT
Gold prices rose modestly on Wednesday as investors awaited the release of minutes from the US Federal Reserve's June policy meeting, while escalating tensions between the United States and Iran kept inflation concerns in focus and limited further gains. Spot gold climbed 0.4% to $4,123.55 per ounce by 0731 GMT after earlier falling to its lowest level since July 2. However, US gold futures for August delivery slipped 0.5% to $4,135 per ounce. Market sentiment remained cautious after Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait following a wave of US strikes on Iran. The latest escalation came after Washington revoked a licence allowing Iran to sell oil, following attacks on three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The geopolitical developments pushed oil prices up by more than 3%, lifted US Treasury yields and strengthened the US dollar to its highest level in a week. Analysts said the rise in oil prices has renewed inflation concerns, prompting investors to reassess the outlook for US interest rates. According to the CME FedWatch tool, markets are now pricing in a more than 63% probability of a Federal Reserve interest rate increase in September, up from about 57% a day earlier.
Procurement violations were noted in four cases, involving deviations from Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules and Pakistan Engineering Council guidelines, including non-compliance with standard bidding procedures and excess or overpayments to contractors. Another four cases related to asset management, including weak oversight of land and building encroachments, unresolved property disputes and poor inventory management. Project planning failures were also reported in four cases, with auditors noting cost and time overruns caused by unrealistic surveys and poor execution planning. The audit further identified three cases of operational weaknesses in civil and electrical and mechanical works. The Departmental Accounts Committee has directed management to immediately recover and adjust Rs1.339 billion from defaulting contractors.
PROFIT
Global stock markets looked uncertain on Wednesday as investors reassessed the record-breaking artificial intelligence rally, while renewed fighting in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher and triggered selling in bond markets. Asian equities turned volatile, with selling pressure concentrated in South Korea and Japan, while US and European stock futures were broadly steady. The market mood was pressured by fresh US-Iran tensions after Washington said it struck Iranian air defences, coastal surveillance systems and drone launch sites.
review period. The Principal Accounting Officer has been advised to establish a strict monitoring mechanism for project timelines, enforce procurement rules and resolve land and litigation issues to prevent further losses to public funds.
Some payments from Saudi Arabia to UAE face blocks, report says PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
Bank transfers and electronic payments from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates are being blocked in some cases, while other payment corridors are operating normally, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. The report, citing unnamed sources, said both businesses and individuals had faced such problems over the past several weeks. It was not clear how widespread the disruptions were. Saudi Arabia’s central bank said that
there were no direct restrictions on any specific country. “There are no direct restrictions on specific countries; banks apply risk-based measures consistently across all transactions to safeguard the integrity of the financial system,” the central bank said. The central bank did not say whether delays in bank transfers or electronic payments had increased. A UAE official told Bloomberg that the country’s ministry of economy and tourism had not received reports from private companies about such delays. “The UAE and Saudi Arabia maintain
deep and longstanding economic and commercial ties, supported by significant trade and investment flows between the two countries,” the UAE official said. The report said Saudi Arabia and the UAE have growing bilateral trade and share a regional payment infrastructure. However, it noted that relations between the two countries have also faced pressure as both compete to become the region’s main hub for sectors including finance and artificial intelligence. The two countries also differ over military operations in Yemen, while the UAE has said it will leave OPEC, the oil pro-
Govt plans IFRS exemption for state-owned energy firms amid Rs500b loss risk PROFIT STAFF REPORT
The federal government is set to exempt state-owned energy companies from implementing international financial reporting standards that could force them to recognise up to Rs500 billion in credit losses because of unresolved circular debt, The Express Tribune reported. A special committee has recommended that the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises grant a five-year exemption to energy sector firms by relaxing the SOEs Act, 2023 and the SOEs policy. The three-year transition period allowed under the law expired in February this year. The companies likely to benefit include Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, Pakistan State Oil Company Limited, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Government Holding Private Limited. Officials said implementation of IFRS 9 and IFRS 14 without first settling circular debt could require these companies to book expected credit losses of around Rs400 billion to Rs500 billion, weakening their equity and market capitalisation. The gas sector circular debt has crossed Rs3.4 trillion, including Rs1.8 trillion in principal amounts. The government plans to settle around Rs1.5 trillion, but the plan has not yet been cleared by the IMF. The lender has asked the government to issue bonds instead of raising Rs850 billion through dividends from Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Government
Holding Private Limited. Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said the receivables were due from the Sui companies and the government had assured that these dues would be cleared in due course. He said this was why exemption from IFRS applicability had been sought. The Petroleum Division had earlier moved a summary to the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises seeking exemption from IFRS 9 and IFRS 14 for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited for five years, until reforms under the Gas Sector Circular Debt Management Plan take effect. The cabinet body then formed a committee comprising the secretaries of Petroleum, Finance and Law, along with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan chairman, to submit recommendations. The special committee has supported the exemption, arguing that circular debt is a chronic problem and will take time to resolve. It
Global stocks waver as AI rally cools, oil jumps on renewed Middle East tensions STAFF REPORT
The audit also flagged slow progress on major water and hydropower projects, including Diamer Basha Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project and Mohmand Dam. It noted that the Dasu Hydropower Project had achieved only 26.08% progress against a planned target of 70.60% by the end of the
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted the US military in Bahrain and Kuwait, where air raid sirens sounded on Wednesday. The renewed fighting threatened a fragile ceasefire and added to concerns over oil supply risks. Brent crude futures rose 3.2% to $76.54 a barrel. The price remains well below war-time peaks of more than $120 a barrel, but the increase was enough to unsettle bond markets by raising inflation concerns, particularly after months of conflict had drawn down global inventories. Jason Wong, senior strategist at BNZ in Wellington, said the market was reacting negatively to the attacks, but the move did not amount to full panic.
said the federal government could direct the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to grant exemptions on a case-by-case basis. The committee also recommended that companies holding financial assets due from the government should continue to benefit from the existing deferral from the Expected Credit Loss Model under IFRS 9. However, the Central Monitoring Unit of the Ministry of Finance has opposed the proposal, saying exemptions from IFRS 9 and IFRS 14 are not consistent with the reform direction under the SOEs Act, 2023. The CMU warned that the exemption would compromise transparency and hide fiscal risks on the balance sheets of state-owned enterprises. It said proper application of IFRS 14 and related regulatory accounting principles was essential for SNGPL and SSGCL because deferral account balances, tariff differentials and recoverable amounts should be clearly identified.
Washington also moved to withdraw a concession that had allowed Iran to sell oil in global markets. Iran’s foreign ministry said the decision breached the framework agreement aimed at ending the war. US Treasury yields rose as bond prices fell. The 10-year US Treasury yield climbed about three basis points to a one-month high of 4.565%, while the 30-year yield moved above 5%. David Chao, Asia-Pacific global market strategist at Invesco in Singapore, said the latest escalation showed that geopolitical risk had not disappeared. He said Brent was still trading at levels that did not fully reflect continued flare-ups in the Middle East.
ducers’ group largely led by Saudi Arabia. Separately, Reuters reported on Monday that UAE lender Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank said some of its banking services had been disrupted by technological problems over the past week. The bank said the issues had affected payments and transfers through its mobile application and were limited to retail customers. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank said the problems had been resolved. The lender is owned by the Abu Dhabi government through sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company.
Four oil and gas tankers turn back from Hormuz after vessel attacks PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
At least four oil and gas tankers have turned back from the Strait of Hormuz after fresh attacks on vessels near the key waterway raised concerns over maritime security, according to ship-tracking data. The diversions followed damage to a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker and a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker near the strait on Tuesday. The incidents came after reports that Iran had fired missiles at ships in the waterway, prompting maritime authorities to raise the threat level for transiting vessels to “severe”. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes, carrying crude oil, refined products and LNG from Gulf producers to global markets. Data from analytics firms Kpler and LSEG showed that three LNG tankers — Al Ghariya, Duhail and Al Ruwais — had been moving westward towards the Strait of Hormuz before changing course late on Tuesday. The three empty tankers, controlled by QatarEnergy, were heading to Qatar’s Ras Laffan export facility to load cargoes. An Indian-flagged tanker carrying 2 million barrels of Kuwaiti crude also made a U-turn off the tip of Oman at the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to LSEG and Kpler data. The crude had been loaded late last week. Despite the heightened risk, some vessels continued to move through the waterway. At least two crude oil tankers exited the strait on Tuesday, shipping data showed. The VLCC Tenjun, managed by Nippon Yusen KK, left the Strait of Hormuz late on Tuesday while carrying 2 million barrels of Qatari crude loaded in late February. Nippon Yusen declined to comment. The VLCC Pertamina Pride, managed by Indonesia’s state energy firm Pertamina, also exited the strait on Tuesday with its transponder switched off. The vessel was carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi crude loaded in early March. Pertamina did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Shipping flows from Gulf LNG export hubs have continued since the conflict began in late February, but at reduced levels. At least 16 LNG cargoes from Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal and 10 from ADNOC’s Das Island terminal in the United Arab Emirates have exited the strait during the period. That remains well below the roughly 7 million metric tons shipped on average each month from the two export hubs. A backlog of empty vessels waiting to load at Ras Laffan has also developed, reaching more than 10 ships in early July, according to Vortexa analysts.
Data this week showed crude stocks in the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve had fallen to their lowest level since 1983, increasing market sensitivity to future supply shocks. In equities, Asian markets were unsettled by losses in Samsung Electronics, which fell for a second straight session despite flagging a 19-fold increase in profit. A 5% fall in Seoul pulled South Korean stocks down more than 20% from last month’s peak. If sustained through the close, the move would meet some definitions of a bear market, even though the KOSPI index remains up 70% this year. Sara Perring, head of APAC cash equity sales at J.P. Morgan, said short-term profittaking in long-term winners, especially the AI theme, appeared to be a global trend. She said J.P. Morgan Research expected elevated volatility and continued foreign selling in Korean equities in the near term. The pressure followed losses on Wall Street, where the Nasdaq fell through its 50-
day moving average overnight. Japan’s Nikkei declined 1.2% on Wednesday. Hong Kong was a bright spot, with the Hang Seng Index gaining ground and the Hang Seng Tech Index rising 3.8%, putting it on track for one of its best sessions of the year as investors bought lagging technology stocks. In currency markets, the dollar remained firm after easing from recent highs. The euro was pushed back to just above $1.14, while the dollar climbed past 162 yen, raising the risk of a response from Japanese authorities. The New Zealand dollar rose about 0.5% to $0.57 after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand raised interest rates, broadly in line with market expectations. Investors were also awaiting minutes from last month’s Federal Reserve meeting, due later on Wednesday. Traders expect new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh may reduce the level of detail in the minutes to avoid sending a strong policy signal.
NEWS 03
Thursday, 9 July, 2026 | LAHORE
PUNJAB REVENUE AUTHORITY COLLECTION RISES 36% TO RS368 BILLION IN FY26
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UNJAB Revenue Authority collected Rs368 billion in FY202526, posting 36% annual growth and adding Rs97 billion more in tax revenue compared with the previous fiscal year, Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman said. Addressing the Annual Strategic Con-
ference organised by the PRA, the minister said the provincial government would meet its revenue targets in the new fiscal year without imposing any additional tax burden on taxpayers. He said the increase in Punjab’s ownsource revenue was an important step towards reducing dependence on the federal government and reflected the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Rehman said the government’s focus in
the new financial year would be on complete digitalisation of the tax system, transparency, enforcement and improved collection of existing taxes. He said a zero-tolerance policy would be adopted against fake invoicing and tax evasion. The minister said tax defaulters would be encouraged to meet their obligations, while unregistered businesses would be brought into the tax net through registration.
He said the institutional capacity of the PRA would be strengthened further and the use of modern technology expanded to improve enforcement. Rehman added that higher revenues would support public services, including healthcare, education, business infrastructure and welfare projects. He urged citizens to demand proper receipts and discourage businesses that refuse to issue e-bills or accept digital payments.
Pakistan, Russia agree to deepen security partnership with new interior ministries' MoU
Govt forms Finance Task Force to expand SME lending PROFIT STAFF REPORT
The federal government on Tuesday announced fresh measures to improve access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb unveiling a dedicated Finance Task Force and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directing authorities to work with banks on specialised lending products. Addressing the Pakistan Banking Summit 2026 in Karachi, hosted by the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA), Senator Aurangzeb said the task force would
focus on expanding SME financing and supporting economic activity. He said the government had taken steps to promote documentation of the economy, including reductions in advance tax, subsidies and super tax. He added that super tax had been completely abolished for businesses with turnover of up to Rs500 million. Separately, chairing a review meeting on the performance and future roadmap of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the organisation to prepare a financing strategy in coordination with the State Bank of
Head rolls as Balochistan orders probe into deadly Ziarat police-post attack CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
In addition, it will fix responsibility on any individual or organisation, “wherever warranted, in accordance with the applicable laws, rules and service regulations”, and recommend disciplinary, administrative or legal action against those found responsible. The committee has also been assigned to “recommend immediate, medium-term and long-term measures for strengthening the security of Mangi Dam and other critical infrastructure across the province”. The notification further stated that the committee may also propose policy, institutional or operational reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future and has been directed to submit its report within 15 days. “The committee shall have the authority to call for any record, summon any officer or official, examine witnesses, inspect the site, obtain expert opinion and co-opt any technical expert(s), if required, for the effective conduct of the inquiry,” the notification said. On Tuesday, a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti reviewed the law and order situation in Ziarat following the attack. The chief minister also met the families of the martyrs, visited the injured and expressed solidarity with the security forces.
Field Marshal Munir vows to crush cross-border terrorism with 'full might of state' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
“Wars are not won through media rhetoric or political sloganeering but through faith, unity and discipline.” He further expressed confidence in the professionalism, morale and operational readiness of the Pakistan Armed Forces, urging graduating officers to uphold the values of integrity, selfless service and unwavering commitment to the nation, added the statement. Earlier, upon his arrival, the field marshal was received by the NDU president. A series of high-profile terrorist attacks have occurred in Balochistan over the last few days — an armed attack on the outskirts of Quetta on July 5, an assault on a police post in Ziarat on July 6, and an ambush on an army convoy in Bela today.
Pakistan (SBP) and commercial banks. The prime minister said easier credit access was needed to boost exports, encourage entrepreneurship and accelerate economic growth. He also called for measures to improve awareness of available financing options and simplify access to credit. PM Shehbaz directed SMEDA to support entrepreneurs in preparing feasibility studies and provide technical assistance at different stages of setting up, running and expanding businesses. He also emphasised support for farmers involved in value addition through processing of agricultural produce and fruits, saying they should be helped with
finance and business knowledge to build sustainable processing ventures. The prime minister directed SMEDA to introduce measures for youth and women entrepreneurs to help them establish and expand SMEs. Officials briefed the meeting that arrangements had been finalised for around 700 Pakistani SMEs to participate in 16 international exhibitions and trade events this year to improve market access and exports. The meeting was also informed that SMEs in 35 cities had received training in financial regulations and business management.
Pakistan plans fresh Eurobond, Sukuk issues to refinance external debt PROFIT STAFF REPORT
Pakistan plans to issue fresh Sukuk, Eurobonds and its first dollar-settled rupee-linked bonds as part of efforts to return to international capital markets and extend the maturity profile of its external debt, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Tuesday. Speaking at the Pakistan Banking Summit 2026, Aurangzeb said the government had issued requests for proposals for the planned instruments. He said many of the new instruments would be used to replace earlier debt rather than add to the country’s overall debt stock. Pakistan returned to global capital markets in April 2026 after a four-year gap, placing a Eurobond and increasing the issue size to $750 million through the green-
PRA Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Supra said the authority had achieved the highest tax collection in its history during FY2025-26. He attributed the performance to effective strategy, digital reforms and teamwork. Supra said the electronic tax system was helping reduce corruption in tax administration, adding that further reforms in the current fiscal year would improve transparency and strengthen the authority’s institutional capacity. The conference was attended by PRA Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Supra, board members, senior officers and officials. The finance minister also distributed certificates of appreciation among PRA officers and officials for their performance.
shoe option due to strong demand. In May 2026, Pakistan issued its first Panda bond worth $250 million. The bond was oversubscribed five times and carried what officials described as a record-low borrowing cost for a three-year issue. PBA Chairman Zafar Masud said banks had made progress in priority-sector financing, digital transformation and financial inclusion. Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani said the government was advancing its roadmap for a cashless Pakistan through digital payments, technology and public-private coordination. State Bank Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah said the central bank aimed to expand SME access to finance and strengthen the sector’s role in inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
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During the meeting, Naqvi said more than 25 terrorist organisations were currently active in Afghanistan, describing the elimination of extremist groups as a shared international responsibility. "We need to work together and take effective measures to eradicate this menace," Naqvi said, stressing the importance of coordinated regional and international efforts to combat terrorism. NAQVI'S US VISIT AND ENGAGEMENTS Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is currently in the United States to represent Pakistan at the Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit 2026 (UNCOPS), being held at the UN Headquarters on July 7 and 8. The summit has brought together interior ministers, police chiefs and senior law enforcement officials from around the world to deliberate on peace, security and enhanced cooperation against transnational crime, according to the Foreign Office (FO). The central theme of this year's summit is to develop a new vision for United Nations policing to ensure that peace operations remain agile, effective and people-centred in an evolving global security environment. On the sidelines of the summit, Naqvi is scheduled to meet the UN Secretary-General and is also expected to hold bilateral talks with his counterparts from several participating countries. Diplomatic sources said that Naqvi is also expected to meet New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani during his visit. Several other Pakistani ministers and senior government officials, including Ahsan Iqbal, Tariq Fatemi, Rana Mashhood and Khurram Dastgir, are also visiting the United States during the same period. After concluding his engagements in New York, Naqvi is expected to travel to Washington for meetings with senior US officials. Mr Fatemi may also accompany him during the Washington consultations, diplomatic sources added. The meetings are being closely watched because of Naqvi's continuing diplomatic engagement, including his recent meetings in Saudi Arabia, aimed at helping keep the US-Iran peace process on track since the outbreak of the conflict.
Pakistan urges US-Iran restraint as Middle East tensions spiral despite Islamabad peace accord CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The strategic shipping lane has remained a major flashpoint in the conflict, which began in late February with massive USIsraeli strikes on Iran. Tehran insists on controlling the waterway, saying it will charge fees for passage and warning that it could target vessels deviating from its authorised route. Iran's military struck at least three ships in recent days, prompting extensive US strikes against Iranian targets on Tuesday, followed by retaliatory Iranian attacks on Gulf countries. “We’re gonna hit ’em hard tonight,” Trump said at a Nato summit in Ankara in reference to Iran, adding: “They violate the agreement every day.” Asked whether the truce was still intact, Trump said earlier on Wednesday: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.”
“It’s just a waste of time dealing with them,” he added. “I’ll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don’t see it. I don’t like these people.” Both Washington and Tehran said they had struck dozens of targets, placing fresh strain on their interim agreement aimed at ending the conflict. Iranian state media reported a wave of explosions around the Strait of Hormuz, including six on Qeshm Island, seven in the city of Sirik and additional blasts in the key port city of Bandar Abbas. It later reported a series of explosions in the coastal city of Bushehr, home to Iran's only civilian nuclear power plant and located near Kharg Island, the country's main oil export terminal through which nearly 90 per cent of Iran's crude exports pass.
State media reported that a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had been killed, while Iran's foreign ministry said monitoring and observation sites along the southern coast had come under attack. The Foreign Office reiterated that Islamabad remained ready to continue playing its role as a mediator between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan has played a central role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran this year and has repeatedly been acknowledged by the Trump administration for its diplomatic efforts. This is not the first time the two countries have exchanged strikes despite a ceasefire remaining formally in place since April. Last month, the United States carried out attacks inside Iran after President Trump said a US Apache helicopter had
been shot down. Iran responded by launching attacks on bases and other targets in the Gulf. More than a week after those strikes, the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed, providing both sides with 60 days to negotiate a comprehensive agreement on Iran's nuclear programme and related issues. The agreement also requires a complete halt to military operations on all fronts. However, speaking at the Nato summit in Ankara earlier on Wednesday, Trump declared that the ceasefire was “over”, saying: “It’s just a waste of time dealing with them. I’ll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don’t see it. I don’t like these people.” He also warned that the United States would hit Iran “hard” that night.
54 terrorists killed, 42 martyred as Balochistan attacks crushed: DG ISPR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
“Right now, the situation is that the engagements are going on at multiple places. […] The army, FC (Frontier Corps), law enforcement agencies (LEAs), security forces and intelligence agencies are taking them on, both on the ground and in the air,” he said. The military spokesman vowed that all terrorists involved in the attacks would be brought to justice. “All of them will be brought to their logical end, the conclusion that they deserve,” he asserted. Lt Gen Chaudhry said the first of the three attacks occurred during the night of July 4 and 5 when “Fitna al Khawarij terrorists attacked the innocent local population” in Hanna Urak. He said local residents put up a courageous resistance and “forced those terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna Al Khawarij to flee”. The government uses the term “Fitna alKhawarij” (FAK) to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates. “During that, four brave innocent citizens were martyred and six were injured,” Lt Gen Chaudhry said. Explaining the second incident, he said FAK terrorists launched a “multi-directional attack” on a police checkpost guarding Pumping Station No. 3 of Mangi Dam in Ziarat. At least nine policemen, including two station house officers (SHOs), were martyred in the late Monday night attack.
The DG ISPR said the policemen fought with exceptional courage and, during the exchange of fire, “15 kharji were sent to hell”, while nine policemen sacrificed their lives. He said reinforcements from the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps were dispatched immediately, but before they could reach the site, the terrorists abducted the remaining police personnel. “Once the forces reached over there, there were at least 15 bodies of kharji left,” he said, noting that all the policemen were local residents. Lt Gen Chaudhry said FC personnel, army troops and other law enforcement agencies continued pursuing and surrounding the terrorists. “We were very careful because of the collateral damage not to use any aerial assets because they had taken our youth hostage,” he said. The DG ISPR revealed that another 18 policemen were martyred as security forces continued operations against terrorists in the mountains of Ziarat since July 6. “During this time, several khariji were killed as well, and once they knew that the net around them had been absolutely tightened, these cowards, low-lives martyred 18 brave personnel of Balochistan. They did that today,” he said, specifying that they were “18 of our police young boys”. He added that the operation remained in progress and that 11 more terrorists had so far been killed. Providing a casualty breakdown, Lt Gen Chaudhry said nine policemen were mar-
tyred in the initial checkpost attack, while another 18 later embraced martyrdom, taking the total number of police personnel killed to 27. On terrorist casualties, he said: “The dead bodies counted at the checkpost once they left the place were 15, and we have confirmed 11 [today], so total 26 kharijis have been killed.” Turning to the third incident, the military spokesman said an army convoy came under attack by terrorists of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in the Bela-Winder area. “The convoy was attacked and 11 soldiers — one junior commissioned officer (JCO) and 10 jawaans — were martyred, and 14 terrorists of BLA Fitna al Hindustan were killed,” he said, adding that the incident occurred near the N-25 highway. The government uses the term “Fitna al Hindustan” (FAH) to refer to groups it accuses of being sponsored by India to carry out terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. Lt Gen Chaudhry further said security forces also killed six FAH terrorists during an operation in Kharan and another eight in Dalbandin. 'Forces with India using illegitimate Afghan Taliban regime': Speaking about those behind the attacks, Lt Gen Chaudhry blamed India and “those forces with India who cannot tolerate Pakistan’s respect, prosperity and stability”. He reiterated the state's position that these elements were using “the territories under the control of this illegitimate Afghan Taliban regime as a base of operation”. The DG ISPR asserted that the “major-
ity” of terrorists engaged and killed during operations were Afghan nationals. He said three of the four attackers involved in the June 27 assault on a Rangers camp in Karachi were Afghan. “The whole planning, equipping, everything was done from Afghanistan,” he said. Highlighting that the attacks occurred simultaneously at multiple locations, including Winder, Babrai and near Mangi Dam, Lt Gen Chaudhry said there was “a scheme, mastermind, intent, logistics, operational sequence behind it”. Stressing that Afghanistan was “providing the manpower for it”, he said: “You do not want Balochistan to prosper? Because you know that Balochistan is Pakistan’s lifeline and its pride. Because you know that Balochistan’s prosperity is a reality that no one can change. “You cannot digest it? You cannot accept it? You have a problem with the pipeline supplying water to Quetta? You have a problem with everything that is for the people of Balochistan.” “If that be it, then we are absolutely clear,” he said, affirming that the armed forces — under the leadership of Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and the guidance of the government — had complete resolve and clarity on how to deal with such threats. “We will hunt you, and we will hurt you everywhere,” the DG ISPR declared. He said the government and the people of Balochistan shared the same resolve, noting that Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti trav-
elled by road to Ziarat after the Mangi Dam incident and met local residents. Lt Gen Chaudhry said the state's consistent position over the past three years — that terrorists had nothing to do with Islam and that FAH had “nothing to do with Balochiyat” — had created growing concern among terrorist groups. “The government is telling them that we will throw out all these illegal Afghans, then they have a problem with that. They think by carrying out such acts, they can deter us,” he said. “You can only deter someone who knows how to be deterred. Nobody has been born in the world who can deter the Pakistani state,” he declared. “We are here and we will remain here. Pakistan is here, Balochistan is here and the people of Balochistan are here,” he asserted. The military spokesman vowed that security forces would pursue “each and every terrorist, their facilitators, those who harbour them, those who furnish them, those who provide them bases, wherever they are, without any distinction”. “Don’t expect any sort of rationality and proportionality from us if you are going to touch our kids, our brave policemen, our soldiers and our innocent citizens. And then you think we will adopt rationality and proportionality and will hold a dialogue with you?” he said. Concluding the briefing, Lt Gen Chaudhry said the security forces, law enforcement agencies and the people of Pakistan were united in the fight against terrorism and would ultimately prevail.
04-05 Comments 9th July 2026_Layout 1 7/8/2026 11:36 PM Page 1
04 COMMENT
The question of IWT suspension
Thursday, 9 July, 2026
Terrorism rears its ugly head
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The law does not allow it
The PM’s timing could have been better
RIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif told the federal Cabinet in its meeting on Tuesday that the government was committed to eliminating terrorism entirely. The same day, the reality of terrorism was on show in Ziairat, Balochistan where at a police checkpoint, nine policemen were martyred, including two SHOs. This was followed by an operation against the terrorists, in which 15 of them were killed. The idea is not to keep score or to show the ability to inflict retribution, as the Ziarat operation seems to have done. It should be to prevent the need for retribution. The enormity of what happened in Ziarat is no petty incident. The killing of two SHOs should rattle the whole country, for it not only means the loss of two experienced officers, it also means a disregard for law and order that will make it that much more difficult to restore. It should be remembered that the prevention of crime before it occurs, as opposed to detecting it when it does and punishing it afterwards, depends either on the potential miscreant refraining for fear of detection or because he trusts the ability of the state to do justice. The assembled cabinet should not involve itself in the nitty-gritty of intelligence gathering or operational planning, but focus on eliminating those causes deep in the background that provide militant organizations with what seems to be a conveyor belt of recruits. These do not include many of the Baloch-specific grievances, both real and imagined, which give Baloch nationalists so many recruits, but those deficiencies which are common to the whole country, and which should be eliminated anyhow, if the state was providing good governance. These include jobs for the youth, proper healthcare, and education providing a vision of the wider world.There is also the question of being treated with dignity, which is not something that state officials are known for. There is an intensity of operations in Balochistan because along with religious and sectarian militancy, there is also nationalism to contend with. At the moment, the military operations with the Taliban are worsening the situation, as Afghanistan not only provides the Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan safe havens, but has helped them increase their operations. It should be noted that the TTP is primarily involved in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but also operates in the Pashtun areas of Balochistan. The federal and provincial governments must fulfill their responsibilities in this area without treading on each other’s toes.
Taha hussain
N recent days, it has been debated across Pakistan whether the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) could be unilaterally suspended by India or not. This question can be answered quite easily that the Indus Waters Treaty requires the consent of both parties which are Pakistan and India. Thus, any unilateral step towards the suspension of this treaty would be a flagrant breach of the treaty. Because, the provisions mentioned under the Indus Waters Treaty does not allow either party to suspend it on its own. Following the Pahalgam attack on 22 April 2025, India put the treaty into abeyance on 23 April 2025. That act was not in accordance with the contents written in the treaty as Article 12 of the IWT argues that the treaty cannot be suspended or terminated by either Pakistan or India. Hence, any modification or termination of the treaty requires the consent of both parties, and it is the legal obligation of both parties to comply with the treaty and ensure the uninterrupted continuity of it. However, the Indus Waters Treaty was signed between Pakistan and India under the mediation of the World Bank on 19 September 1960 in Karachi. It led to the foundation of the structure of water sharing between Pakistan and India. Through this treaty, Pakistan received three Western Rivers- the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab while India was granted rights over the three Eastern Rivers- the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas. After the independence of Pakistan, one of the major issues that Islamabad continues to face is the water issue with India. Pakistan, being an agrarian society, suffered a lot due to water crisis, as India always threatens to stop the flow of water towards Pakistan. For an agrarian country water acts as a red line. In addition, Pakistan believes that any act of diverting the flow of water or sabotaging the treaty would be considered as an act of war because no state can tolerate a violation of its fundamental right to water. Through the lens of International law, an upper riparian (upstream) state cannot stop or hinder the flow of water towards the lower riparian (downstream) state because if it does so, this will deprive the people of the lower riparian state of access to water. Moreover, the Indus Waters Treaty is based on the principle called Pacta Sunt Servanda, meaning pacts must be fulfilled, upon which all treaties are founded. The Madrid Declaration of 1911 suggests that an upstream state must avoid any alteration or obstruction of the flow of an internationally recognized water body to cause harm to downstream state. This intrinsically obligates an upper riparian state to ensure the safe flow of water towards the lower riparian state. Additionally, Article 4 of chapter 2 of the Helsinki Rules of 1966 and Article 5 of the 1977 UN Watercourses Convention emphasize the fair usage of an international drainage basin by each state that passes through it and equitable sharing of international watercourse. It argues that every state must
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Arif Nizami (Late)
have a right to make use of water fairly without breaching the other riparian states’ rights. Apart from that, United Nations Convention on the Laws of Seas (1982) stipulates that all riparian states must strengthen and maintain the flow of water towards the sea. In this convention, a disruption of the flow of water to the sea by any state is also strictly prohibited, because it may extremely affect marine life and would lead to catastrophic implications for aquatic ecosystems. Resultantly, an attempt to obstruct water flows to a downstream country is an illicit action and would pose a serious threat to the water security of that country. The Vienna convention on the Laws of Treaty (1969) deals with the formation, interpretation, termination of treaties and suggests the legal aspects concerning treaties. Article 54 of this convention states that the suspension of a treaty is linked to the consent of all parties, and a clause inside a treaty permitting its suspension. Furthermore, Article 59 clearly lays down that a treaty can be terminated if a new treaty itself replaces the previous treaty. But in
M. A. Niazi
Babar Nizami
Editor Pakistan Today
Editor Profit
A killing that didn’t work
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Qamar Bashir
YATOLLAH Ali Khamenei lay in state in Tehran, his coffin surrounded by black mourning flags as Iran began a week of funeral ceremonies before his burial in Mashhad. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, senior Chinese lawmaker He Wei, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iraqi President Nizar Amedi were among the foreign leaders and officials joining Iranian clerics, generals and mourners to pay their respects. Their presence gave the ceremony a significance extending far beyond Iran’s borders. The gathering of such senior dignitaries from major powers and important regional states offered a striking answer to those who expected Iran to emerge from the war diplomatically isolated and internally broken. Khamenei, killed with members of his family in the opening USIsraeli airstrike on February 28, was being mourned not merely as Iran’s Supreme Leader but honoured by representatives of countries commanding enormous geopolitical weight. Equally important was the attendance of Gulf delegations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman, at a moment when Israel and the USA had expected Arab and GCC states to stand firmly against Iran. The presence of Saudi and other Gulf representatives sent a chilling diplomatic message: the war had not ruptured Iran’s relationship with its neighbourhood. Despite deep differences, geography, religion, neighbourly necessity and regional fraternity had again pulled Iran and the Gulf states towards one another. The funeral, therefore, is more than the burial of a leader who ruled Iran for 37 years. It is a moment to measure the consequences of the decision to kill him. The USA and Israel apparently expected that removing him would deepen despair, fracture an already pressured society and accelerate conditions for regime change. Four months later, the question is unavoidable: did his martyrdom strengthen its national cohesion? The assumption behind leadership decapitation appeared straightforward. Iran had endured years of sanctions, economic hardship
and recurring internal unrest. Remove the man at the centre of its religious and political structure, deepen the psychological shock by killing members of his close family and the state might collapse under its own contradictions. The calculation proved disastrously wrong. Khamenei’s killing, together with his daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and another close family member, did not tear Iran apart. It transformed a political and military crisis into what millions perceived as an existential national struggle. Domestic disagreements suddenly competed with the image of foreign powers killing the country’s supreme religious leader and members of his family in the opening strike of a war. Martyrdom achieved what decades of speeches, military parades and revolutionary slogans could never have accomplished with comparable force. It brought large sections of Iranian society closer to their armed forces and transformed Khamenei from a controversial political ruler into a symbol of resistance. Even Iranians dissatisfied with their government were confronted with a distinction between opposing domestic policies and allowing foreign powers to determine Iran’s political future through bombs. Instead of creating a leadership vacuum, the strike created a martyr. Instead of producing national despair, it generated anger, defiance and an instinct for survival. The attempt to weaken Iran by eliminating its most recognisable figurehead elevated Khamenei beyond the limitations of a living political leader. The second contradiction is even more consequential. The USA and Israel justified their attack by claiming Iran was racing towards nuclear weapons. An extraordinary atmosphere of urgency was created, as though Tehran were only days or weeks away from converting fissile material into atomic bombs and preparing to use them against Israel. Yet the man killed in the opening strike was arguably Iran’s strongest institutional barrier against nuclear weaponisation. For years, Khamenei maintained a religious prohibition against the production and use of nuclear weapons. His fatwa rested on the argument that atomic weapons are inherently indiscriminate. They cannot distinguish between soldiers and children, aggressors and innocent civilians. Their destructive effects extend beyond battlefields and generations and were therefore, in his religious reasoning, incompatible with Islamic morality and the fundamental principles of humanity. This decree cannot simply be dismissed as ceremonial theology. Iran’s armed forces operate within a system in which the supreme leader exercises ultimate command authority. When that authority explicitly prohibits nuclear weapons on religious grounds, converting enriched material into an atomic arsenal directly challenges the religious and command structure under which Iran’s military and nuclear institutions operate.
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reached
at
Other conditions with regards to the suspension or termination of a treaty are specified under Article 60 of the Vienna Convention of 1969. It stipulates that if a material breach of a treaty is committed by a state, the other party to the treaty may terminate the treaty. However, in the case of the IWT, a material breach was not ever committed by Pakistan. Rather, since the beginning, Islamabad has been acting as the guardian of the IWT and adheres to all its provisions.
Martyrdom that defeated a superpower Founding Editor
the context of IWT, there is no treaty that has replaced it over time, meaning any termination of IWT is the breach of it. Other conditions with regards to the suspension or termination of a treaty are specified under Article 60 of the Vienna Convention of 1969. It stipulates that if a material breach of a treaty is committed by a state, the other party to the treaty may terminate the treaty. However, in the case of the IWT, a material breach was not ever committed by Pakistan. Rather, since the beginning, Islamabad has been acting as the guardian of the IWT and adheres to all its provisions. Thus, India’s claim of its suspension and obstruction, as a result of a material breach committed by Pakistan, is a baseless and flawed argument. From this, India’s move to suspend and obstruct the flow of water under the IWT constitutes a violation of the treaty and also a violation of the water rights of hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis.
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Corruption’s price tag
The uncomfortable question must therefore be asked: who actually prevented Iran from developing an atomic bomb? Was it Israel’s threats and airstrikes? American sanctions and military pressure? Or Khamenei’s fatwa? My conclusion is that the principal internal restraint was neither Washington nor Tel Aviv but the religious prohibition imposed by the very man their bombs killed. This is why the narrative of an immediate nuclear emergency deserves rigorous scrutiny. Israeli explanations have repeatedly blurred the critical distinction between possessing an operational atomic weapon and travelling along a technological path that might eventually provide the capability to manufacture one. A country may possess scientists, enrichment facilities, technical knowledge and fissile material without assembling a bomb or taking the political decision to use it. If Iran was on a path that might have enabled it to produce a weapon years later, that was undoubtedly a serious proliferation concern. It was, however, fundamentally different from being days away from launching a nuclear attack. The image of an imminent Iranian bomb created the urgency necessary to justify war, but urgency cannot substitute for verifiable evidence and technological capability cannot automatically be treated as proof of immediate nuclear aggression. There is another historical irony. Iran has not built its modern national history around repeatedly invading neighbouring countries. Israel, by contrast, has. Yet Iran was presented as the uniquely imminent aggressor whose possible future intentions justified a preventive war before the alleged weapon even existed.
The writer retired as Press Secretary the President, and is former Press Minister at Embassy of Pakistan to France and former MD, Shalimar Recording & Broadcasting Company Limited Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545
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RECENTLY, IMF released its ‘Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Report on Pakistan’. The report admits that Pakistan’s governance indicators rank poorly, reflecting in controlling corruption, enforcing contracts and protecting property rights. Moreover, in the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI), released in early 2025, Pakistan’s rank was 135th out of 180 countries, dropping two spots further from 133rd in 2023. These reports by the noted international bodies show how Pakistan is chronically engulfed in this persistent evil. Corruption in Pakistan has weakened the roots of state as efficient public service delivery is being vanished. This evil is persistent in every government as well as private sector institution of this country. Moreover, the recent IMF report highlights that Pakistan is estimated to lose up to 6.5 percent of its GDP annually due to corruption and “elite capture,” which amounts to approximately $16 billion. This persistent evil has led to hindered economic growth, eroded public trust and poor service delivery. Corruption drains public funds, discourages investment and fuels inflation and poverty. Moreover, politically, it undermines democratic institutions, creates instability and weakens the rule of law by fostering patronage and making public services inefficient. The weakness of anticorruption and anti-graft watchdogs in Pakistan has contributed more severely to this menace as accountability laws have lost their worth. This vicious cycle of corruption is dragging the poor further into poverty while the rich are become richer through their misdoings. As Mario Puzo, in his magnum opus God Father wrote, “Behind every great fortune, there is a crime”. The very maxim seems fit to the context of Pakistan as corruption has made great fortune for the leaders, bureaucrats and some unknowns of this pity nation. May Pakistan see the day free from this persistent evil! ZAIN-UL ABDIN JESSAR LARKANA
Accents don’t define
IT has been years since I left my hometown in Balochistan to pursue higher education. Coming from a certain background, I carried the accent of my community: its sound shaped by dust, distance and dialogue. I once believed that my ideas and efforts mattered more than how I sounded. But over time, I have realised that in Pakistan, accent often speaks louder than competence. In classrooms, most students from rural regions hesitate to speak. A single mis- pronunciation can trigger laughter or quiet correction. The result is not improved fluency, but growing silence that travels with them beyond the classroom. In Pakistan’s schools and offices, the struggle is not about grammar, but about accent. Rural voices, shaped by Sindhi, Punjabi, Pashto, Balochi or Saraiki people, are quietly judged the moment they speak. One different vowel, one uneven rhythm, and the verdict is: ‘uneducated’, ‘unrefined’. A 2025 study found that speakers with local or non-urban accents are rated as less intelligent and employable than those with city or foreign ones. Research from Karachi’s leading business school confirms that employers often favour urban accents. The problem here is not competence; it is prejudice disguised as polish. I have often been told to work on my accent, but I choose not to. My accent is my identity, shaped by the land and people I come from. It does not limit me; it defines me, making my voice distinct, diverse and rooted in authenticity. When Pakistan mocks rural tones and praises borrowed ones, it kills confidence and celebrates imitation. The real divide in this country is not between English and Urdu, but between those allowed to speak freely and those forced to measure every word. Until we learn to respect every voice, we will keep mistaking silence for something it is not. ALMAS KURD KARACHI
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04-05 Comments 9th July 2026_Layout 1 7/8/2026 11:37 PM Page 2
The myth of Israeli self-reliance Thursday, 9 July, 2026
COMMENT 05
Wars are not won merely by possessing Israel cannot do without the USA weapons. They are won by sustaining them.
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M A HossAin
ENJAMIN Netanyahu’s recent declaration that Israel must eventually free itself from dependence on US military aid sounded, at first glance, like an assertion of national self-confidence. Nations, after all, prefer autonomy to dependence. Great powers do not enjoy admitting that their security rests in another country’s hands. But there is a difference between aspiration and reality. The reality is that modern Israel, as a military and diplomatic power, is inconceivable without the USA. This is not a moral judgment or a political slogan. It is a strategic fact. For decades, Israel has cultivated an image of self-reliance. The story of a tiny nation surrounded by hostile neighbours, defending itself through ingenuity and determination, has become part of modern political mythology. There is truth in that narrative. Israel possesses one of the world’s most sophisticated intelligence services, a formidable defence industry, and a military that has repeatedly demonstrated operational excellence. Yet military capability is not the same as strategic independence. Strip away US support, and the architecture of Israeli power begins to look remarkably fragile. The numbers tell part of the story. Since the 1970s, the USA has provided Israel with well over $150 billion in assistance, making it one of the largest recipients of American foreign aid in history. Today, Washington supplies approximately $3.8 billion annually in military assistance, not including supplemental packages that have surged since the Hamas attacks of October 2023. The aid itself is only the visible layer of a much deeper relationship. Israel’s most advanced weapons systems are intertwined with American technology. The celebrated F-35 fighter jets that form the backbone of Israel’s air superiority rely heavily on US maintenance, spare parts and software support. Analysts have estimated that, without access to US spare parts, Israel’s fleet could begin facing operational constraints within a matter of weeks.
This is where dependence becomes glaring. Israel can certainly defend itself for a period of time without Washington. It has substantial stockpiles, a capable domestic arms industry and, by all accounts, a nuclear deterrent. It can launch strikes, intercept missiles and protect its territory. But can it sustain simultaneous campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and potentially Iran without American support? The answer is almost certainly no. The recent wars in the Middle East have demonstrated this reality. Following the October 2023 attacks, the USA reportedly sent tens of thousands of tons of military equipment and munitions to Israel. American naval deployments in the eastern Mediterranean acted as a deterrent against wider regional escalation. US intelligence cooperation remained indispensable. Israel’s military prowess was not operating in isolation. It was operating under a US umbrella. There is an even deeper dimension to this dependence. Diplomatic protection. At the United Nations, Washington has repeatedly exercised its veto power to shield Israel from resolutions that could have resulted in sanctions or international isolation. The USA has spent decades constructing a political environment in which Israel can exercise military force with far fewer consequences than most countries would face. Imagine, for a moment, a Middle East in which this diplomatic shield disappears. International investigations would intensify. Economic pressure would mount. Arms restrictions could become a realistic possibility. European governments, already increasingly uncomfortable with Israel’s conduct in Gaza, might adopt much tougher positions. Israel would not suddenly cease to exist. But it would become a significantly more constrained state. The late Israeli strategist Charles Freilich once argued that the USA is not simply an ally of Israel; it has become an integral component of Israel’s deterrence system. Israel’s adversaries calculate not only Israeli capabilities but also the possibil-
ity of US intervention. That observation deserves careful consideration. Iran does not merely confront Israel. Iran confronts Israel plus America. Hezbollah does not merely calculate the risks of fighting the Israeli military. It calculates the possibility that a regional war could bring US forces into the equation. Remove the US factor, and the strategic calculus throughout the Middle East changes dramatically. This raises an uncomfortable question: has Israel become too dependent on US power? The answer appears to be yes. Ironically, this dependence has also encouraged some of Israel’s more ambitious policies. Knowing that the USA would likely provide emergency military resupply and diplomatic protection has created a sense of strategic insulation. Critics argue that this has enabled policies that might otherwise have been deemed too risky. Even some US analysts now suggest that Israel’s ability to pursue prolonged military campaigns rests partly on an assumption that Washington will ultimately absorb much of the political and strategic cost. History offers numerous examples of allies becoming overconfident because they
At the United Nations, Washington has repeatedly exercised its veto power to shield Israel from resolutions that could have resulted in sanctions or international isolation. The USA has spent decades constructing a political environment in which Israel can exercise military force with far fewer consequences than most countries would face.
How to get Patriot missiles to Ukraine
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THE WASHINGTON POST EdiToRiAL BoARd
ARLY Monday, Russia fired a large salvo of attack drones and missiles at Ukraine, killing at least 22 people — most of them in Kyiv, where rescuers pulled bodies from collapsed apartment blocks. Ukraine’s defenses had swatted down most of the drones. But of the 29 ballistic and hypersonic missiles in the barrage, they intercepted exactly zero. Compare that with three weeks ago, when Ukraine managed to shoot down 15 of the 19 Russian ballistic missiles lobbed at its capital. That’s because Ukraine is out of Patriots, the U.S.-made air defense missiles it has used to defend itself since 2023. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky didn’t mince words. “As long as Patriot missiles remain in our allies’ stockpiles,” he said in a statement on Monday, “Russia is only encouraged to keep ‘vanquishing’ residential buildings.” Zelensky is right. The main impediment to peace is Russian President Vladimir Putin. Negotiators say the outlines of a deal to stop the fighting are visible. But Putin has dug in his heels, demanding Ukraine hand over territory his army has failed to seize by force. The shortage of Patriot interceptors gives Russia a lift. The Iran war has badly depleted U.S. stockpiles. Analysts project Patriot stocks won’t recover for years despite welcome ramp-ups in production and warn that replenishment will take precedence over deliveries to allies. Trump has insisted that the United States will no longer pay to arm Ukraine. He need not go back on his word to help Ukraine’s stockpiles recover. Under the mechanism his own administration built — the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List program — allies foot the bill for American weapons. The hard problem isn’t money; it’s fear. European governments hold interceptors that could be handed to Kyiv in weeks. But that would make a hole in their own defenses. Many European governments don’t trust that Washington, busy refilling its
Allies would share their stockpiles if the US guarantees it will replenish them
Iran-drained magazines, will ever help them rearm. That fear is Trump’s to dispel. At the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, he can make allies a simple promise: Any country that releases Patriot interceptors to Ukraine would move to the front of the line as production ramps up. The promise would have to be more than words. Allies have heard assurances about armaments before and watched timelines stretch further and further into the future. It would need to be paired with delivery contracts. The administration could also expand licensing for European production lines; facilities for Patriot interceptors are already being built in Germany. That of course will mean U.S. plans to replenish its own supplies may have to slip, perhaps to the end of the decade. The Pentagon’s fastest path back to pre-Iran stocks — mid-2028 by some estimates — assumes every new missile goes to American stockpiles and none to allies. That slippage is not trivial, but the Trump administration chose to burn through U.S. defenses by going to war with Iran. Now the Pentagon finds itself with thinner margins than any military planner likes to see. That is the cost of an inconclusive war of choice. But standing by as Kyiv gets battered will underline for both Moscow and Beijing that determination pays dividends. More adventurism is likely to follow. Getting Patriots to Ukraine can help conclude a bloody conflict that continues to chew through lives and money. Putin’s war machine has stalled on the battlefield, and Russian civilians are feeling the sting as Ukrainian drone strikes targeting oil refineries reach deeper and deeper into Russia’s heartland. Leaning into the allied effort to bring Putin to the table is a calculated risk worth taking. Letting Putin believe he can win more concessions from the air only prolongs the carnage.
TRUMP COVERS UP LOW STATE FAIR ATTENDANCE BY CALLING IN BOMB THREAT SATIRE
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THE ONION
LAIMING there were strings of explosive devices planted throughout the National Mall, President Donald Trump reportedly attempt to cover up low attendance at the Great American State Fair this week by calling in a bomb threat. “There’s a series of explosives in unmarked duffel bags all across the fairgrounds,
which are beautiful by the way, so you’d better evacuate everyone as fast as you can, don’t even bother stopping to count how many people there are,” Trump said from his Oval Office phone, pinching his nose in an effort to disguise his voice. “You’ll regret it big time if all the attendees, however many there may possibly be, don’t flee back to their homes this instant. This incredibly successful and beloved event is officially over!” According to sources, the president concluded the warning by casually stating his name was Sleepy Joe Biden and then hanging up the receiver.
Israel is not merely supported by the USA. To a significant extent, the modern strategic posture of Israel has been built upon the USA. And empires, history reminds us, often discover their limitations only when the patron that sustained them begins to hesitate believed a stronger patron would always stand behind them. The South Vietnamese government believed it would enjoy indefinite US backing. The Afghan government made similar assumptions. Even European colonial powers in the post-war era often miscalculated because they expected Washington’s unconditional support. Dependence can create strategic complacency. Israel may not be comparable to these cases in many respects, but the principle remains relevant. Nations that become accustomed to external guarantees often overestimate their own freedom of action. This perhaps explains Netanyahu’s recent rhetoric. His call for greater military independence may not represent a realistic plan but rather an acknowledgement of an uncomfortable truth: no country wants its national security to depend entirely on the political moods of another nation’s voters. American politics is changing. Younger Americans are increasingly sceptical of unconditional support for Israel. Public opinion polls reveal widening partisan divisions. Calls to restrict arms transfers are no longer confined to the political fringes. The assumption that American support is permanent now appears less certain than it once did. This is precisely why Israeli leaders are worried. For all its remarkable achievements, Is-
rael remains a relatively small country of fewer than ten million people located in one of the world’s most volatile regions. It lacks the economic scale, industrial depth and strategic geography of a superpower. Its extraordinary military capabilities have been built in partnership with the USA, not independently of it. Can Israel survive without it? Yes. Can it defend itself in the short term without it? Certainly. Can it continue to fight prolonged wars on multiple fronts, maintain regional military dominance and enjoy near-total diplomatic protection without US support? Almost certainly not. That is the distinction that often disappears in political debate. The more accurate question is not whether Israel can exist without the USA. It can. The real question is whether Israel can remain the kind of Israel that the world has known for the past half-century without US power standing behind it. On that question, the evidence points in only one direction. Israel is not merely supported by the USA. To a significant extent, the modern strategic posture of Israel has been built upon the USA. And empires, history reminds us, often discover their limitations only when the patron that sustained them begins to hesitate.
The great AI data centre cover-up
writer can be reached The at: writetomahossain@gmail.com
António Guterres, the UN secretary-general called Data hubs already devour on all big AI companies to disclose their data more electricity globally centres’ carbon emissions, water and land use than all but 10 countries By 2030, they could be using enough water to meet the basic needs of all 1.3bn sub-Saharan Africans for a year
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THE FINANCIAL TIMES PiLiTA CLARK
T is just over 40 years since a US political journalist wrote something about scandals that should have been mandatory reading in school classrooms from then on. “The scandal isn’t what’s illegal, the scandal is what’s legal,” wrote Michael Kinsley. He was talking about the way rules are written to let powerful insiders, from Wall Street to Washington, get away with unfair but lawful behaviour. People say Kinsley’s adage is outdated in the age of President Donald Trump. They are wrong. Look no further than the gathering environmental misery AI barons are foisting on us as they race to build more data centres. Data hubs already devour more electricity globally than all but 10 countries. About 448 terawatt hours last year if you’re interested. The AI boom means that amount is on track to roughly double within four years. This would be less of a problem if all the new electricity were green. It won’t be because so many countries still get most of their power from fossil fuels. That includes the US and China, the two largest data centre markets by far. So the faster these sites multiply, the more planetheating carbon emissions for the rest of us. It gets worse. The battle to build data centres is so fierce that the tech giants are not hanging around and waiting for a backlogged grid connection like other companies. Instead, they are funding their own off-grid power plants. And because they want features such as super-reliable “five nines”, or 99.999 per cent power availability with only a few minutes of downtime a year, they are often going for systems powered by gas and diesel, which emit air pollutants when burnt. As of this year, analysts say data centre developers in the US have announced about 100GW of off-grid gas generation. It’s unlikely this will all be built, but Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta alone is planning to fund 10 gas power plants across Louisiana for its hubs. And here’s where that Kinsley rule of legal scandals kicks in.
Louisiana is one of a growing number of places trying to lure AI investment with business-friendly rules that in some states mean faster power plant approvals and less public scrutiny. As Reuters reported last month, an Ohio law has allowed some plants to be approved in just 45 days without public hearings. People are understandably angry. An unprecedented 75 US data centre projects worth around $130bn were blocked or delayed in the first three months of this year, nearly as many as in the whole of 2025, says the Data Center Watch research group. It reckons active opposition group numbers have grown from 396 at the end of 2025 to 833 by the end of March. The AI giants’ demand for electricity is only part of the problem. Data centres are a concrete target if you’re worrying about job-killing robots. But they also swallow up land and water. By 2030, they could be using enough water to meet the basic needs of all 1.3bn subSaharan Africans for a year, UN researchers estimate. You can see why it is so important to know exactly what these companies are building and where. But transparency is for the little people. You and I might be fined for not telling the government what we earned last year. An AI company can quietly get the nod for a gas power plant across the road from your home without so much as a public hearing. It’s not needed for private off-grid customers, developers say. All of this is why António Guterres, the UN secretary-general, last month called on all big AI companies to disclose their data centres’ carbon emissions, water and land use. I wish him luck. Meta, Google and other big tech companies have long published data on company-wide electricity and water use, which has often soared since AI took off in 2022. But the figures are not always broken down for their data centres and it is hard to find any reporting on the effect of AI workloads. Last week I asked seven companies if they would heed Guterres’s call. My queries went unanswered by all except Microsoft and OpenAI, who sent me their latest published environmental material, but declined to discuss Guterres’s request. OpenAI’s policy on AI infrastructure is still instructive. “We support policies that require transparency around water, electricity, and government agreements,” it says, “with appropriate exceptions to maintain security, commercial sensitivities, trade secrets, and proprietary information.” The case, I think, is closed.
06 NEWS
US WILL PROBABLY HIT IRAN AGAIN TONIGHT: TRUMP
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Thursday, 9 July 2026 | LAHORE
IRAN CONDEMNS US AIR STRIKES AND WARNS NEIGHBOURS AGAINST AIDING 'AGGRESSION AGAINST IRAN'
Trump rattles NATO summit with attacks on Spain, Iran ceasefire and Greenland
WASHINGTON AGENCIES
United States President Donald Trump warned Iran that the US would likely engage in additional strikes on Wednesday night after attacks the previous day. "I'll give a little warning: We're going to hit them hard tonight," Trump told reporters at the NATO summit in Turkiye before his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. But he did not explicitly say Washington would return to full-fledged war and it was not immediately clear whether the negotiations between the two sides to turn the ceasefire into a permanent deal would still continue or not. "I don't know if we're going to have a deal. We may just do it without a deal," Trump said before his meeting with Zelensky. He earlier said that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to end the conflict was "over", adding he didn't want to engage with Tehran. The interim ceasefire agreement signed between Washington and Tehran — under the mediation of Pakistan — was intended to provide a 60-day window for negotiations on a permanent agreement, but indirect talks in Qatar ended last week with no sign of headway and the US military unleashed a new wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday. "To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them," Trump said ahead of a NATO summit in the Turkish capital Ankara. "They're scum. They're sick people. They're led by sick people," he added alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
A NATO summit meant to highlight allied cohesion was overshadowed on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump targeted Spain, declared he no longer wanted to engage with Iran and renewed his demand that the United States should control Greenland. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary Mark Rutte in the Turkish capital, Trump lashed out at Madrid over burden-sharing in the alliance and over its stance during the Iran war. He said he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to stop trade with Spain, widening an already visible dispute between Washington and Madrid. The summit had been expected to showcase European backing for Ukraine
and underline fresh defence commitments. At least $50 billion in defence initiatives had been announced on Tuesday, part of an effort by European NATO members to demonstrate they were increasing military spending. Trump's intervention cut across that messaging and added to a run of disputes that have strained the alliance. Spain dispute deepens ashington and Madrid have been in conflict, with Spain openly refusing Trump's demand that European countries sharply raise defence spending and shoulder more of their own military costs. Spain's Socialist government has also declined to allow the US to use its airspace or military facilities on Spanish territory for the war involving Iran. Trump said Spain was failing the alliance and went further by calling for economic measures against it.
countries located on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf, to prevent aggressor parties from utilising their territory and facilities to conduct aggressive acts against the Islamic Republic of Iran.” It added that “any cooperation in committing the crime of aggression against Iran constitutes complicity and participation in the crime”. While reminding the UN Security Coun-
cil and the Secretary-General of their responsibilities, the ministry emphasised that Iran’s armed forces “will not hesitate in defending Iran’s territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and national security against US military aggression in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, and will target the source and origin of the aggression”, according to the statement.
ANKARA
AGENICES
"As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them." The US on Tuesday also revoked a license allowing Iran to sell oil after three tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz. Under the interim US-Iran agreement, the US Treasury issued a June 22 general license to allow the sale of crude oil and petrochemical and petroleum products of Iranian origin through August 21. In revoking that license on Tuesday, it gave Iran until July 17 to wind down any transactions. Iran condemns US air strikes and warns neighbours against aiding 'aggression against Iran' The Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the “aggressive attacks and gross violation of the Memorandum of Under-
standing” by the United States following military strikes in southern Iran on Wednesday in an X post. According to Al Jazeera, the ministry said that in the early hours of Wednesday, “the terrorist US military, in clear violation of Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the United Nations Charter, committed military aggression against several monitoring and surveillance centres on the southern coasts of Iran.” It noted that these strikes “constitute a flagrant violation of Paragraph 1 of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Termination of War, which mandates the cessation of military operations”. The statement also highlighted “the international legal obligation of all governments, particularly neighbouring
calls for advancing Meloni says she does not regret building ties with Trump XiChinese modernization ANKARA
AGENCIES
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday she stood by her effort to maintain a close relationship with US President Donald Trump, even after a run of public disputes between the two leaders. Speaking in Ankara after a Nato summit that was also attended by Trump, Meloni was asked whether she had any second thoughts about the political effort she had invested in the US president. She rejected that suggestion and linked her approach to a broader commitment to transatlantic unity rather than a personal
calculation tied only to Trump. "NO, I ABSOLUTELY DON'T REGRET ANYTHING I'VE DONE." Meloni said she had made that choice because she believed in the cohesion of the West and added that it was not a line she adopted only after Trump’s return, but one she had followed with all her counterparts. “I made that political investment because I believe in the unity of the West. It's not a strategy I adopted with Trump's arrival, but one I have pursued with all my counterparts”, she stated. RELATIONS HAVE DETERIORATED IN RECENT MONTHS
Meloni had previously been regarded as one of Trump’s closest partners in Europe. More recently, however, the relationship has come under strain, with Trump criticising her in media appearances and on social media. Trump first publicly rebuked Meloni in April after she criticised him for attacking Pope Leo over the pontiff’s condemnation of the Iran war. In March, Italy also refused permission for US military aircraft heading to the Middle East to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily. Meloni did not respond to a social media post by Trump on Sunday that showed her looking up at him alongside the caption: AREAS OF AGREEMENT REMAIN
Even while acknowledging the state of the relationship, Meloni said there were still issues on which she and Trump remained aligned. She pointed to immigration and opposition to what she described as woke culture as areas of common ground. At the Nato summit, Trump appeared more restrained in his public comments about the Italian leader, calling Meloni a nice person. At the same time, he repeated his criticism that she had not done enough to back his military attacks on Iran, which are expected to resume. Meloni was the only European head of government to attend Trump’s inauguration last year.
JERUSALEM
In a statement, the UN inquiry said the conduct attributed to Israeli authorities in Abu Safiya’s case appeared consistent with a wider pattern it had identified earlier. It said his medical condition was a direct consequence of the actions reported during his detention. The commission said “The actions of the Israeli Prison Service guards towards Palestinian detainees raise grave concerns of violations of international law that likely amount to international crimes. “Dr Abu Safiya’s medical condition is the direct result of these actions,” ISRAELI PRISON SERVICE REJECTS ALLEGATIONS n Israel Prison Service spokesperson rejected the claims on Wednesday, saying the allegations were unfounded.
UN inquiry calls for release of Gaza doctor held by Israel since Dec 2024 AGENCIES
A United Nations inquiry has urged the immediate release of Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Gaza Strip, while voicing concern over reported abuse during his detention in Israel since December 2024. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, said on Wednesday that the reported treatment of Abu Safiya raised serious concerns under international law. Rights groups and his lawyer have said his life is in imminent danger, while Physicians for Human Rights Israel said he continues to be held without charge.
through sci-tech innovation BEIJING
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for accelerated efforts to achieve highlevel self-reliance and strength in science and technology and leverage sci-tech innovation to underpin and drive Chinese modernization. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a meeting in Beijing that brought together the national science and technology award conference, the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the 11th national congress of the China Association for Science and Technology. He said the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) is a critical phase for tackling tough challenges in building up the country's strength in science and technology. "We must seize the historic opportunity, rise to the challenges of the times, accelerate efforts to achieve high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and make steady progress toward the 2035 goal of becoming a leading country in science and technology," he said. At the meeting, Xi presented China's top sci-tech award for the year 2025 to Chen Liquan, a researcher at the Institute of Physics under the CAS and a CAE academician, and Ben De, a researcher at the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation and also a CAE academician. After presenting the medals and certificates to the two scientists, Xi shook hands with them and extended his congratulations. Xi and other Party and state leaders, together with the two top-award winners, presented certificates to representatives of recipients of other awards, including the State Natural Science Award, the State Technological Invention Award, and the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award.
NEWS 07
Thursday, 9 July, 2026 | LAHORE
CORPORATE CORNER
Security remains a drag on business confidence, says OICCI Security Survey 2026 KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) on Tuesday released its Security Survey 2026, cautioning that deterioration in Karachi and continued security challenges in the country's western regions are weighing on investor confidence and business operations despite improvements in parts of Pakistan. The annual OICCI Security Survey 2026, conducted in June amongst the leading foreign investors operating across Pakistan, found that the top leadership of 71 per cent of member respondent companies ranked security among their top three business concerns, highlighting that law and order remains a major impediment to investment and economic activity. The survey shows that security perceptions in Karachi deteriorated compared to last year, with the proportion of respondents reporting a worsening security environment rising to 42pc from 41pc in 2025. Meanwhile, 81pc of respondents in Quetta and 86pc in the rest of Balochistan continued to report a deteriorating security environment. Street crimes remained the foremost concern for businesses, with 50pc respondents reporting an increase in street crimes trend in Karachi, up from 45pc last year.
CAP Media Cell Tauseef Siddiqui Hosts Grand Community Gathering CHICAGO
AGENCIES
Renowned journalist and anchor Tauseef Siddiqui, who has been actively serving the media and Pakistani community in Chicago for more than two decades, hosted a prestigious and memorable community gathering at a famous Indo-Pak restaurant. Chairman Consumers Association of Pakistan Kaukab Iqbal was invited as the Special Guest at the event. The gathering was attended by distinguished Pakistani community members in Chicago, who exchanged views on community affairs, mutual cooperation, and the positive role of overseas Pakistanis. The prominent personalities who attended the gathering included Tauseef Siddiqui, Ismail Siddiqui, Ahmed Karim, Kadar Sodagar, Afzal Sodagar, Pervez Altaf, Tanveer Altaf, Altaf Dandia, Mia Saqlain, Feroz Abubakar, and Kamal Mujahid. During the gathering, Kaukab Iqbal met with respected members of the Pakistani community, including several individuals who have been living in the United States for more than 50 years and have established their identity through hard work, dedication, and valuable contributions to society.
InfraZamin-guaranteed, BOP-led consortium announce financial close of PKR 4.76b ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
A consortium of banks, managed by The Bank of Punjab, together with InfraZamin Pakistan Limited, today announced the successful financial close of a PKR 4.76 billion 10-year Islamic Syndicated Term Finance Facility for Air Link Communication Limited and Select Technologies Limited. The financing consortium comprises Askari Bank Limited, The Bank of Punjab, BankIslami Pakistan Limited, and Pak China Investment Company Limited, acting as Mandated Lead Advisors and Arrangers (MLAAs), while Infra Zamin Pakistan Limited is providing a credit guarantee of PKR 3.57 billion that has enabled a 10-year financing solution for the project. The financing will support the expansion of state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities at the Sundar Green Special Economic Zone, strengthening Pakistan's local manufacturing of smartphones, consumer electronics, and home appliances, and advancing the country's industrialization and import substitution agenda.
inDrive hosts safety workshop for its drivers to promote safer rides KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
inDrive, the global mobility and urban services platform, has successfully hosted a Safety Workshop for 50 of its drivers in Karachi. The initiative is a core component of the platform’s ongoing commitment to responsible mobility, designed to create a safer, more respectful, and highly accountable experience for both passengers and drivers on Pakistani roads. The workshop provided drivers with practical education on road safety, accident prevention, professional boundaries, and conflict resolution.
PUNJAB LAUNCHES ‘APNA GHAR, MEHFOOZ GHAR’ PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE HOUSING SAFETY
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LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has decided to launch the “Apna Ghar, Mehfooz Ghar” (My Home, Safe Home) programme under the existing “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” (My Roof, My Home) initiative to make homes across the province safer and prevent tragedies like the Kahna incident. The decision was taken during a special meeting chaired by the chief minister, where it was agreed to further expand the scope of the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme. The meeting considered introducing two new categories under the “Apna Ghar, Mehfooz Ghar” programme. Under the proposed programme, interest-free loans of Rs500,000 will be provided for the renovation and strengthening of houses with weak roofs or dilapidated structures. Interest-free loans of Rs1 million will also be offered in easy
instalments for constructing an additional storey or floor. The meeting also reviewed progress on the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” and “Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar” (My Land, My Home) programmes. A report on the successful participation of the Punjab Pakistan Pavilion in Baku was presented along with a special documentary. The meeting was informed that interest-free loans had been approved for more than 180,000 homeless families under the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme, while loans had already been disbursed to 170,000 families. An amount of Rs217.8 billion has been released for the programme, and around 27,500 houses are in the final stages of completion. The briefing further stated that 134,343 houses had been completed across Punjab under the programme, while more than 1.278 million applications had been received from homeless families. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed that the second instalment under
the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme be released within three days. She said good governance was reflected through practical measures rather than statements during times of crisis. The meeting approved a new Rs1 million loan category for constructing an additional floor and also approved a Rs500,000 loan category for repairing damaged or unsafe roofs. The briefing further stated that 2,000 plots had been distributed in 23 districts under the “Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar”
programme. A report on rehabilitation and development work in these areas was also presented. The chief minister directed that the process for obtaining housing loans be made even easier. She said the 2,000 homeless families who had received free plots from the government would also be provided loans for house construction. She said the Punjab government would assist families in making unsafe, weak-roofed and dilapidated houses secure and better.
Not even Mughal emperors enjoyed such privileges': Azma slams KP MPs lavish perks LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari strongly criticized the privileges bill passed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly for its lawmakers, saying the legislation was passed overnight in secrecy while attempts were made to conceal its contents from the public. She said that until yesterday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf spokespersons had denied the existence of such a bill, but the truth has now come to light. Misleading the pub-
lic and later backtracking from their position, she added, has become PTI's trademark. Azma Bokhari said PTI representatives falsely claimed that blue passports are provided to lawmakers in every province. She clarified that in Punjab, Members of the Provincial Assembly are only issued a limited official passport for the duration of their tenure, and it is strictly for the member concerned. No family member is entitled to this facility. She said exemptions from toll taxes, the use of government rest houses along with family members,
blue passports, and other unnecessary perks amount to lavish spending at the expense of taxpayers. She added that past instances of the misuse of blue passports are already well known. Expressing serious concern over the clause relating to journalists, the provincial information minister said that allowing only favored journalists into the assembly while barring others would constitute a direct attack on press freedom. She remarked that had such a proposal even been considered in Punjab, PTI would have created an uproar, yet the same party remains silent over this move in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
IMC launches road safety initiative KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Indus Motor Company (IMC) has launched a comprehensive road safety initiative for its employees, combining motorcycle helmet distribution with an in-house learner's driving license facility. As part of the initiative, IMC distributed 300 motorcycle helmets in employees holding valid driving licenses while the company also facilitated an in-house learner's driving license service in collaboration with the Traffic Police During the event, 275 learner licenses were issued to IMC employees. Speaking on the occasion, Ali Asghar Jamali, Chief Executive
Officer, Indus Motor Company, said "By encouraging helmet use, promoting licensed driving and partnering with public institutions, we hope to contribute towards building a safer road culture for everyone in Pakistan". The event was attended by Sajjad Hussain Bhatty, SSP National Highways & Motorway Police (South); Tahir Khan, SSP Traffic,
Sindh Police; Tariq Baig of the Traffic Engineering Bureau (TEB); Prof. Dr. Mir Shabbar Ali, Dean, Faculty of Civil Engineering at Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology; Engr. Yousaf Iqbal, former Senior Director, TEB, KDA; Syed Ameer Hussain, Project Manager, UMIU; and Ali Asghar Jamali, Chief Executive Officer, IMC.
NAB Conducts AML Training for District Judiciary ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has organized the second session of its ongoing series of orientation sessions for the learned judges of the District Judiciary, Islamabad. The session, titled "Investigation Mechanism of Money Laundering Cases and Global Framework," underscores the bureau’s firm commitment to bridging the gap between investigative technicality and judicial oversight in the fight against complex financial crimes. The event featured Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, as the chief guest, while Chairman NAB, Lt Gen (R) Nazir Ahmed, inaugurated the proceedings. Key contributors providing technical insights included Deputy Chairman Sohail Nasir, Prosecutor General Ihtesham Qadir Shah, Director General (SID) Muhammad Tahir, and Ms. Noor-us-Sahar, Master Trainer and resource person from the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU).
Dutch Ambassador Visits FCEPL To Discuss Sector Growth and Talent Potential KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
AKF’s Bano Qabil, Alibaba Cloud launch AI Hackathon 2026 LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Bano Qabil, the flagship education and skills development initiative of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, and Alibaba Cloud today announced the launch of the Alibaba Cloud AI Hackathon 2026, a nationwide competition designed to accelerate artificial intelligence innovation and strengthen Pakistan's emerging technology ecosystem. The initiative was formally launched at a ceremony held at Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan's headquarters in Lahore, bringing together representatives from Alibaba Cloud, Cogniser Pakistan, Cognix Solutions, universities, incubation centers, industry, the corporate sector, and Pakistan's technology community. The Alibaba Cloud AI Hackathon 2026 is expected to become one of Pakistan's largest AI competitions, providing students, software engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs, developers, AI professionals, and early-stage startups with an international platform to develop practical artificial intelligence solutions addressing real-world challenges.
Chairman UMT meets with Bangladesh Education Minister in Dhaka DHAKA
STAFF REPORT
Chairman of the University of Management and Technology (UMT) and former Provincial Minister Ibrahim Hasan Murad held an important meeting with Bangladesh's Minister for Education, ANM Ehsanul Hoque, at the Minister's office in Dhaka. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh in education, research, academic exchange, human capital development and other areas of mutual interest. During the meeting, Minister Ehsanul Hoque commended Ibrahim Hasan Murad for his outstanding contributions to education, social development and public welfare. He appreciated Murad's commitment to expanding educational opportunities and empowering young people, describing his efforts as exemplary in promoting quality education and creating meaningful opportunities for future generations.
LUMS, PSW sign MoU to boost trade facilitation capacity, research ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and Pakistan Single Window (PSW) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on capacity building, executive education, and research initiatives aimed at strengthening Pakistan's trade facilitation ecosystem. The MoU signing ceremony was held at the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) Head Office in Islamabad. The agreement was signed by Aftab Haider,
The Dutch Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E RobertJan Seigert visited FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan Limited (FCEPL) Head Office and met with the company’s leadership team to discuss the organization’s progress, the broader outlook of Pakistan’s dairy sector, and opportunities for future growth and investments in the dairy sector. During the meeting, the FCEPL leadership provided an overview of the company’s performance, ongoing initiatives, and future potential for business growth. The discussion explored the evolving landscape of Pakistan’s dairy sector, including its capacity for expansion and modernization. While exchanging views on the role of local talent in supporting industry development, the importance of skills development and the long-term contribution of Pakistani professionals to the sector, potential areas for future investment with a focus on sustainable growth and strengthening the dairy value chain in Pakistan were also highlighted.
Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Single Window, and Dr. Tariq Jadoon, Provost of LUMS, in the presence of senior officials from both institutions. The University was also represented by Dr. Muhammad Adeel Zaffar, Dean, Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB), and Dr. Syed Muhammad Hasan, Associate Professor of Economics. Under the partnership, LUMS and PSW will collaborate to support capacity-building initiatives under the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) Program for Probationary Assistant Collectors of Customs.
MG Pakistan Marks CKD Line-Off ceremony for all new MG HS Hybrid and Super Hybrid LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
MG Pakistan has achieved another important milestone with the CKD line-off ceremony of the All New MG HS Hybrid+ (HEV) and Super Hybrid (PHEV), marking a significant step forward in the brand’s journey to bring advanced hybrid mobility closer to Pakistani consumers. The successful line-off reflects MG Pakistan’s continued commitment to introducing globally relevant, locally assembled mobility solutions that combine intelligent technology, modern design, efficiency, safety, and everyday practicality. With the MG HS Hybrid+ and Super Hybrid, the brand further strengthens its position in Pakistan’s evolving hybrid SUV segment. This milestone also highlights MG’s focus on making advanced hybrid technology more accessible to local customers. The MG HS Hybrid+ and Super Hybrid bring together a refined driving experience, smart features, contemporary styling, and efficient hybrid performance designed to meet the expectations of today’s modern drivers.
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PAKISTAN RAILWAYS TO BUY 16 NEW TRAIN POWER PLANTS WORTH OVER RS3B NEWS
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LAHORE
staff report
AKISTAN Railways has begun work on a plan to replace ageing power plants installed in express and passenger trains across the country, while also overhauling older units in phases, Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said. Speaking on Tuesday, Abbasi said the department planned to procure 16 new power plants by December this year at a cost of more than Rs3 billion. He said the process related to bidding, tendering and shortlisting was currently under way. Abbasi also said outlived and nonfunctional plants were being sent for overhaul on a phased basis. By March next year all trains will be equipped with either
new or overhauled and properly maintained plants, a move he said would help reduce passenger complaints. Pakistan Railways has 95 plants in total, of which 45 are currently being used on different trains, while the rest are nonfunctional. The department had not given proper attention to maintenance of these plants over the last six to seven years, leading passengers to face problems related to electricity supply, air-conditioning and lighting during travel. In some cases passengers were also affected by fires caused by short-circuits and power fluctuations. There is also a proposal to replace smaller power plants installed in local passenger trains, although work on that project has not yet started. The current project was aimed at adding around seven new or overhauled plants into the
KP police say 341 drone attacks were foiled in first six months of 2026 PESHAWAR
staff report
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police said on Tuesday that they thwarted 341 drone attacks by terrorists during the first six months of the current year, citing the use of modern technology and a newly established specialised unit. In a statement, the police said Pakistan’s first dedicated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Division was set up in March to "disable terrorist drones and conduct further research on them". The claim was shared during a law and order review meeting at the Central Police Office chaired by Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, where officials were briefed on the force’s performance in the first half of the year.
COUNTERTERRORISM OPERATIONS: According to the police statement, the Counter-Terrorism Department carried out 2,004 intelligence-based operations across the province in the last six months. Police said those operations helped prevent major terrorist activity and led to the arrest of 504 terrorists, including 14 high-value targets. The meeting was also told that 182 terrorists were killed in encounters with police during the period. Police said 294 attacks were launched on the force, of which 161 were repulsed. It added that 122 officers and personnel were martyred in the line of duty, while 175 others were injured. Police said CTD operations this year resulted in the seizure of 1,771 kilogrammes of explosive material, 91 hand grenades, two suicide jackets, two RPGs, seven RPG shells, eight shotguns, 52 pistols and 45 submachine guns.
Saad Rafique urges talks to defuse Azad Kashmir standoff RAWALPINDI
staff report
PML-N leader and former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique on Tuesday said dialogue was the only way to address the ongoing situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while urging the Azad Kashmir Action Committee to engage in talks. Speaking at an election gathering at Haji House in Dhoke Ratta, he said the current crisis in AJK should be resolved through negotiations, but added that an offer of talks should not result in the closure of cities. He said a small number of people had disrupted peace in Kashmir in the name of protest, but maintained that he supported negotiations despite what he described as atrocities. “A few people destroyed the peace of Kashmir in the name of protest, but despite all atrocities, as a political activist, I am in favour of talks. The only solution to the current crisis in Azad Kashmir is dialogue, but this does not mean that cities should be closed on the offer of talks,” Rafique said. He also praised the turnout at the gathering despite the heat and described the area as a stronghold of Kashmiris. He said many Kashmiris had moved to Pakistan at the time of the country’s creation while others arrived later, but all of them were Kashmiris and had the right to vote. He also said the seats allocated to Kashmiris in Pakistan could not be reduced. “I will say that the problems should be solved through talks, but the offer of sitting and talking does not mean that the cities should be closed,” he said referring again to the issue of negotiations.
train operation system.
REVENUE CLAIMS FOR 2025-26: Separately, Pakistan Railways management said it had recorded its highest annual revenue so far at Rs115 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year, showing a 24 per cent increase from a year earlier.
In a statement, the department said the rise reflected growth in passenger, freight and commercial operations. Freight revenue increased to Rs41 billion, up 28pc, while sundry revenue rose to Rs16 billion, up 91pc. The statement added that cash inflows reached Rs120 billion, 25pc higher than the previous year, which it said had improved liquidity, working capital and financial resilience. The operating cost ratio improved to around 85pc from nearly 99pc in the preceding financial year. Total revenue of Rs115.157bn comprised Rs50.5bn from passenger trains, Rs3.1bn from other coaching, Rs40.7bn from freight, Rs11.9bn from sundry sources, Rs1.9bn from scrap, Rs2.1bn from commercial operations and Rs316 million from other sources.
Sindh cabinet extends Rangers deployment for another year KARACHI
staff report
The Sindh cabinet on Tuesday approved a one-year extension in the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in the province to support police in maintaining law and order. According to an official statement issued after the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the force will remain deployed in Sindh from July 20, 2026, to July 19, 2027. The provincial government has been extending the deployment under Article 147 of the Constitution, which allows the federal government to send civil armed forces to assist a province on its request.
ACTION AGAINST WHEAT HOARDING: Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, accompanied by Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman, Agriculture Minister Muhammad Bakhsh Mehar and Fisheries Minister Muhammad Ali Malkani, said the cabinet had ordered action against wheat hoarders as part of broader measures related to agriculture, food security and rural development. Memon said Sindh and Punjab had produced bumper wheat crops, but hoarders had tried to create an artificial shortage by buying large stocks di-
rectly from growers. He said the cabinet had decided to seal the warehouses of hoarders and begin a crackdown. The food minister said wheat procurement had been carried out transparently and that Sindh had recorded a historic crop this year. He said the government was taking steps to keep flour prices stable and that strict, across-the-board action would be taken against hoarding and unlawful profiteering. Memon also said a committee made up of the secretaries of food, agriculture and law had been formed to examine the National Wheat Policy 2026-2030. The cabinet also approved digitisation of the food department, reviewed the draft wheat policy and cleared the final draft of the Sindh Farmers’ Agricultural Collectives Act, 2026.
SUGAR SECTOR AND OTHER APPROVALS: The senior minister said the cabinet backed conditional
deregulation and phased trade liberalisation in the sugar sector, but decided against allowing any new sugar mills in Sindh. He said directions had been issued to preserve the province’s regulatory authority in the sector, safeguard the interests of farmers, consumers and the environment, and ensure effective provincial representation in the relevant commission. He said the agriculture department had been directed to formally communicate the cabinet’s decision to the federal government. Memon said the cabinet also approved an agreement between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Aga Khan University to promote inclusive education. The programme includes the establishment of a special education unit at the university, teacher training, research, policymaking, model schools, the development of modern learning resources and government financial support.
Security stepped up at Afghan holding centre in Pindi RAWALPINDI
staff report
Authorities have strengthened security at the Afghan holding centre in Dhoke Syedan as the federal government’s July 10 deadline approaches for action against Afghan nationals staying in Pakistan without valid visas. According to police sources, the security arrangements at the holding facility, established at the Government Associate College for Boys in Dhoke Syedan, were reviewed 72 hours before the deadline. A fresh security plan has been prepared under which 55 police personnel have been deployed in three shifts, while Elite Force commandos have also been assigned to the site. As part of the arrangements, barbed wire has been placed around the centre and CCTV cameras and searchlights installed to monitor movement. An ambulance and Rescue 1122 firefighters have also been
stationed there for emergency response. Women police personnel have been deployed as well to facilitate female Afghan nationals being held at the centre. The three police shifts will run from 8am to 4pm, 4pm to midnight, and midnight to 8am. Personnel have been posted at the main gate, the main entrance, the academic block and the rear side of the block. A verification desk has also been set up to record the details of Afghan nationals brought in by police. At that desk, their mobile phones are being taken into custody and are to be returned when they are deported to Afghanistan. Police sources said food is being provided to Afghans at the facility, while Nadra staff, district administration representatives and medical staff are present at the holding centre. According to the same sources, 6,813 Afghan nationals have been brought to the centre so far and 6,763 have been
deported. Some were released after verification. At present, 48 Afghan nationals are housed at the centre, including 27 men, 10 women and 11 children. Police sources added that five Afghan nationals were brought to the facility from Gujarat on Tuesday. The federal government has already directed provincial governments, the Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK administrations, and the Islamabad commissioner to speed up the repatriation and deportation of Afghan nationals, including visa overstay cases, and to strictly enforce the illegal foreigners’ repatriation plan. Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to immediately detain any undocumented Afghan national found in the country after July 10, while authorities have also sought daily reports from agencies from July 11 on the number of Afghan nationals found without valid visas, the action taken against them and their current status.
Thursday, 9 July, 2026
prayer timings FAJR SUNRISE
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Croatian FM arrives on historic first visit to Pakistan today 4:30
ISLAMABAD
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said on Tuesday that many of the public health and civic problems faced in Islamabad and the provinces can only be addressed through an effective local government system, as he also called for stronger primary healthcare to reduce the country’s disease burden. Speaking at the inauguration of Phase-I upgradation of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Cardiac Centre, the minister said the purpose of decentralisation was to ensure that public issues were resolved quickly at the Union Council level. He said a strong, efficient and empowered local government structure was essential for lasting progress in public health and for fair access to quality healthcare across Pakistan. Mr Kamal said he was not opposed to
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ISLAMABAD
staff report
Croatia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Dr Gordan Grlic Radman, will arrive in Pakistan on Thursday on his first official visit at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, marking the first-ever visit to Pakistan by a Croatian foreign minister and opening a new chapter in bilateral relations. According to the Foreign Office, the two foreign ministers will hold wide-ranging talks covering the entire spectrum of PakistanCroatia relations, with a focus on expanding cooperation in key sectors of mutual interest. “The DPM/FM and the visiting Foreign Minister will hold talks on the entire range of bilateral ties. They would discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest including trade, investment, visa facilitation, education, defence, IT and maritime cooperation. The two Ministers will also exchange views on regional and global developments of interest,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release. During his visit, Dr Grlic Radman is also scheduled to call on the country's top leadership, including the prime minister and the chairman Senate, the statement added. The FO said the highlevel visit would provide fresh impetus to Pakistan-Croatia relations and help strengthen bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors of mutual benefit, while further deepening diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Lahore court extends remand of four suspects in foreign women assault case LAHORE
staff report
A judicial magistrate on Wednesday extended the physical remand of four suspects by five more days in a case involving the alleged abduction and sexual assault of two foreign women. The suspects, including a relative of a senior political figure, were presented before the magistrate at the Cantonment Courts after completion of an earlier five-day remand. The prosecution requested more time in police custody, telling the court that DNA and fingerprint testing of the suspects had already been carried out. A prosecutor said investigators still had to recover a vehicle allegedly used in the incident, along with a laptop, cash and weapons believed to be connected to the case. After hearing the arguments, the magistrate extended the remand of all four suspects until July 13. Advocate Salman Shahid, appearing for two of the suspects, opposed the request for further remand. He argued that his clients were not linked to the alleged offences and said that, the matter concerned a cryptocurrency dispute rather than rape or abduction. He also argued that the case fell under the jurisdiction of the Federal Investigation Agency. The defence counsel told the court that one of his clients worked as a security guard and had no connection to cryptocurrency, while the other was employed in Islamabad and also had no role in the matter. He alleged that the accused had been implicated because of publicity surrounding the case and said they were facing a "media trial."
US consulates in Lahore, Karachi to resume services from July 20 ISLAMABAD
staff report
The United States will restart regular consular operations at its consulates in Lahore and Karachi from July 20, 2026, the US Embassy in Islamabad said in a statement on Wednesday. According to the embassy, the two missions will resume services for US citi-
zens and will also process non-immigrant visa applications. Consular operations at both posts had remained suspended since March after violent protests linked to the outbreak of the US-Israel war with Iran. In Karachi, 10 people were killed on March 1 when protesters clashed with law enforcement near the US Consulate on Mai Kolachi Road. Police used teargas and baton-charge to disperse the crowd, while
US Marines were reported to have opened fire on protesters. Similar protests were also held in Islamabad, where at least two protesters were killed and more than 30 others were injured in clashes with law enforcement near the Diplomatic Enclave. After the unrest, the US State Department on March 4 ordered non-emergency personnel at the Karachi and Lahore consulates, along with their family members,
to leave Pakistan over security concerns. In May, the department also announced the phased closure of its consulate in Peshawar and said its functions would be shifted to the embassy in Islamabad. At the time, The Independent reported that the move had been under consideration for more than a year as part of a wider downsizing of US federal agencies and was not linked to the Iran war.
Strong local govts key to easing Pakistan’s health burden, minister says staff report
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the 18th Constitutional Amendment, but had reservations about what he described as its incomplete implementation. He said that although resources had been transferred from the federal government to the provinces, there was still no effective system to pass those funds onward from the provinces to districts and local governments. According to the minister, around Rs8.848 trillion was transferred to the four provinces during the last fiscal year, but a strong local government mechanism to ensure effective use of those resources at the grassroots level was still missing. He said direct transfer of resources to neighbourhoods and local governments would improve basic services including safe drinking water, sanitation, sewerage and other civic facilities, which in turn would significantly lower the burden of disease. Focus on prevention and primary care
The minister said Pakistan’s health challenges could not be solved only by constructing hospitals, and stressed that disease prevention through a functioning local government system was the more durable answer. He added that weaknesses in local governance had also made it harder to build
public awareness and trust around polio and other immunisation campaigns. Mr Kamal said locally elected councillors, as residents of the communities they represent, are directly answerable to the public and are therefore better placed to win public confidence. He said this makes it easier to carry out health programmes at the community level and improve trust in vaccination efforts. He also said the current administrative arrangement depends on only a few hundred bureaucrats to run the governance structure, while a robust local government system would widen the reach of public service delivery by involving millions of people at the grassroots level.
PIMS PATIENT LOAD HIGHLIGHTED: At Pims, the minister also inaugurated the Patient Facilitation Assistant Service in the Emergency Department, a step
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aimed at improving patient guidance and service delivery. He said Pims is the largest referral hospital for patients from Islamabad as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir, GilgitBaltistan, a large part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other remote parts of the country. Referring to the scale of pressure on the hospital, Mr Kamal said: “Pims receives approximately 7,000 to 9,000 patients every day, and when attendants and family members are included, between 30,000 and 40,000 people benefit from the hospital daily. This is equivalent to the size of a major public gathering every single day, reflecting both the immense trust people place in Pims and the extraordinary burden on the institution.” He said the heavy patient load at public teaching and tertiary care hospitals across Pakistan was largely the result of the poor functioning of the primary healthcare system.