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Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Dr Musadik Masood Malik, Attaullah Tarar Ali Pervaiz Malik Bilal Azhar Kayani along with the FBR Chairman and senior officials from relevant departments
Naqvi, Omani Minister discuss deeper cooperation
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S ta f f R e p o R t Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday met Oman s Royal Minister General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu amani in Muscat to discuss ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation and address issues faced by the Pakistani community in the Sultanate During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the state of Pakistan-Oman relations and held in-depth discussions on visa facilitation for Pakistani nationals living and working in Oman They also exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and agreed on the need for enhanced engagement and collaboration across multiple sectors Minister Naqvi underscored the deep-rooted religious, cultural, and historical bonds between the two brotherly nations noting that millions of Pakistanis were making valuable contributions to Oman’s growth and development He said easing visa procedures would open new avenues for skilled Pakistani professionals and strengthen people-to-people connectivity Pakistan is committed to expanding its partnership with Oman at all levels,” Naqvi affirmed, voicing optimism that bilateral cooperation would continue to grow in trade security and manpower development General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu amani reaffirmed Oman s enduring and brotherly relationship with Pakistan, stressing the importance of continued collaboration, mutual trust, and regional stability Meanwhile, the Interior Minister paid rich tribute to Pakistan’s security forces for their successful operations in Balochistan that resulted in the elimination of 18 Indian-sponsored terrorists Commending the professionalism and courage of the forces Naqvi said the timely action had foiled the nefarious designs of the Indian-backed proxy network, Khawarij “I salute the security forces for sending 18 terrorists to hell,” the minister remarked “We are proud of the bravery and professionalism of our officers and soldiers ” He said Pakistan s security institutions had achieved remarkable successes in the fight against terrorism and remained unwavering in their resolve to ensure lasting peace and stability in Balochistan and across the country
PESHAWAR S ta f f R e p o R t
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Thursday reaffirmed that Pakistan desires peaceful relations with all neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan but made it clear that Islamabad will not allow its soil to be targeted or cross-border terrorism to be perpetrated from Afghan territory according to the military s media wing According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief made these remarks during his visit to Peshawar where he held an extensive interactive session with a Jirga of tribal elders
K h A sif sees ‘ray of light ’ in Pak-Afghan talks, urges c autious optimism
t Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Thursday said that a ray of light had emerged from the Istanbul negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan amid weeks of escalating border tensions urging guarded optimism for a breakthrough even as he cautioned that nothing conclusive could yet be stated The minister s remarks came during an interview on a private TV channel hours after the second round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks mediated by Turkiye and Qatar concluded in Istanbul The discussions, which began on Saturday, revolved around Pakistan s long-standing demand for decisive
action against terror groups launching attacks from Afghan soil, an issue that has kept the process deadlocked As of now there are some faint signs of progress Asif said noting that hope which had completely flatlined before, was beginning to reappear Different drafts are being exchanged for an eventual agreement You can say that some ray of light is visible; there is very guarded optimism Let s hope something concrete takes shape
He explained that the negotiations followed a step-by-step process “When one side agrees to a draft it’s sent to the other for review and amendments after which it comes back for further discussions, the minister elaborated
Acknowledging the diplomatic role of the mediators, Asif praised both Qatar and Turkiye, calling them “respected and trusted friends of Pakistan Turkiye openly supported us during our conflict with India and we value their opinion, he said, revealing that Turkish officials had persuaded the Pakistani delegation to stay in Istanbul when talks appeared to be collapsing They literally brought us back from the airport saying Let s try this again A certain kind of diplomacy is still ongoing, and various scenarios are being worked out ” When asked if the government expected a formal written agreement to emerge the defence minister was categorical: We are not backing off from that
18 indian-sponsored terrorists eliminated in two Balochistan iBos: iSPR
RAWALPINDI
S ta f f R e p o R t
As many as 18 Indian-sponsored terrorists were eliminated in a fire exchange with security forces personnel during two intelligence-based operations carried out in different areas of Balochistan, according to the military’s media wing A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said “On 28 and 29 October 2025 18 terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan were killed in two separate operations in Balochistan
The ISPR said that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted in the general area of the Chiltan Mountains in the Quetta District on the reported presence of terrorists “During the conduct of the operation our own troops effectively engaged the terrorists location and after an intense fire exchange 14 Indian-
sponsored terrorists were sent to hell
“In another IBO was conducted in the general area of Buleda in Kech District where a terrorist hideout was busted and four terrorists were successfully neutralized the statement said
It added that weapons ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities
“Sanitization operations were being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area as the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision Azm-e-Istehkam (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and -supported terrorism from the country, the ISPR statement concluded
The suspension of food trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan for the past two weeks has halted the import and export of vegetables, fruits, dry fruits, and other essential goods sharply increasing food inflation in Rawalpindi and Islamabad markets Market data shows tomato prices have reached Rs450 per kilogram, garlic Rs600, ginger Rs800, peas Rs400, onions Rs180, and radish Rs150 Fruit prices have also risen steeply with Kandhari pomegranates selling at Rs450 per kg and grapes from Chaman surpassing Rs550 Traders said the closure of key border crossings including Chaman Torkham Kharlachi Ghulam Khan Bab-e-Dosti Kurram and both Waziristan routes, has disrupted the flow of Afghan produce, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded on both sides Many containers carrying perishable goods have reportedly spoiled Supplies from Afghanistan typically including tomatoes apples grapes, pomegranates, and dry fruits have stopped entirely despite being peak harvest season
PR OFIT N e w s D e s k The Collectorate of Customs (Appraise-
The suspension has driven domestic shortages, while recent floods have destroyed local crops, compounding the supply crisis Meanwhile chicken prices have declined due to the halt in poultry smuggling to Afghanistan but the costs of beef mutton milk and bread have risen Dairy vendors
and
cranes, loaders, excavators, tractors, and bulldozers He added that LiuGong also provides technical training to its partners in agricultural machinery and sugarcane harvesting technologies Haroon Akhtar emphasised the need for joint ventures between Pakistani tractor manufacturers and LiuGong to strengthen local production capacity and encourage technology transfer He said that integrating advanced agri-
and
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Sindh defers 45% agriculture income tax for one year, restores 15% rate through new ordinance
Rs2 4 million will pay 5%, and incomes up to Rs4 8 million will be taxed at 10% The maximum rate of 15% applies to income exceeding Rs4 8 million In contrast the federal tax structure imposes rates between 30% and 45% for comparable income brackets, along with a 10% surcharge at the top tier
According to officials this means agricultural income which accounts for about one-fourth of Pakistan s GDP will continue to generate only a few billion rupees in provincial taxes In comparison, salaried individuals paid Rs575 billion in income tax during FY2024–25 alone
The move aligns Sindh with Punjab, which last month issued a notification delaying enforcement of the higher rates until the next fiscal year
The Express Tribune cited a senior official from the Sindh Revenue Board who confirmed that the province followed Punjab s lead as both faced practical challenges in implementing the revised rates mid-fiscal year Under the ordinance the old progressive tax structure has been reinstated Farmers with annual income up to Rs1 2 million remain exempt from taxation, while those earning between Rs1 2 million and
Provincial governments had earlier committed to the IMF to align their agriculture income tax regimes with federal rates under the Extended Fund Facility The original plan required implementation from January 1, 2025, with tax collection starting in July 2025 However both Punjab and Sindh have now deferred enforcement by one year citing administrative difficulties and resistance from influential landowners represented in provincial assemblies
The new ordinance also gives the Sindh government executive authority to amend income tax rates through simple notifications by-
passing the provincial assembly The notification states that the government may revise schedules at any time during a financial year provided that such changes are later presented to the assembly during the next budget session
Furthermore, the ordinance allows the government to apply any future tax changes retrospectively “from any previous date specified in the notification a clause that analysts say could undermine transparency in provincial fiscal management
It remains unclear whether the IMF and World Bank were informed prior to the decision However officials involved in fiscal negotiations said that the lenders were aware of the implementation challenges but expected provincial governments to honor reform timelines agreed under the IMF program
With the new ordinance both Sindh and Punjab have effectively delayed the start of higher agricultural income tax rates to July 2025 pushing their practical enforcement to FY2025–26 Other provinces are expected to take similar measures, further postponing the federal government’s plan to integrate agricultural income taxation into the national fiscal framework
G h u l a m a b b a s
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has assured exporters that Kinnow (mandarin) exports to Uzbekistan will continue smoothly during the upcoming season, after disruptions in the previous year
During a meeting with Kinnow exporters led by Ahmed Khan of Milat Trading Company Quetta the minister said he would direct the concerned departments not to make fruit treatment mandatory for exports to Uzbekistan, as the importing country has no such requirement Ahmed Khan informed the minister that this year ’s Kinnow crop is expected to be bumper particularly in smaller sizes preferred in Central Asian markets and that Pakistan can export between 20,000 to 25,000 metric tons to Uzbekistan alone He added that further opportunities exist for expanding exports to other Central Asian countries provided trade routes remain open and border movement through Afghanistan continues smoothly throughout the season
Exporters emphasized that uninterrupted exports are essential this year, as the quality and quantity of Kinnow are both promising “The smaller-sized fruit is in high demand in Uzbekistan and Russia and we need to focus on these markets said another exporter Last year Kinnow exports to Uzbekistan faced disruptions due to administrative issues and controversy over export documentation, which led to an inquiry by relevant authorities Officials said measures have since been taken to ensure better coordination between exporters and regulatory departments to avoid a repeat of such problems
The food minister assured that the government is committed to facilitating fruit exporters removing unnecessary procedural hurdles and promoting Pakistan s agricultural products in new and emerging markets
Representing
TH E first oil imported from the USA has reached Pakistan as Pakistan works on balancing out its trade surplus with the USA in the least painful way It leaves the USA increasing its exports marginally with the sale of a primary product instead of the manufactured goods it seems it is no longer able to sell to the world The transaction is largely revenue-neutral, for the US oil, being imported at an international price, is going to be imported anyhow, so it merely means that the oil will not be imported from a more usual source That source so far has been the Gulf and as all the Gulf states are US allies none will dial down ties with Pakistan because of this One complication was highlighted when Saudi Arabia renewed the oil credit facility along with the rollover of its $5 billion in bank deposits American oil companies will expect payment in cash, because the purpose is not to give Pakistan aid, but to reduce its trade surplus Oil is obviously of great interest to US President Donald J Trump, whose tariffs Pakistan is trying to reduce by importing from the USA He, after all, is the originator of the slogan, drill, baby, drill with which he reversed the bans on drilling imposed because of their being behind climate change, which he described as a ‘con job’ to the UN He is also bent on getting India to stop buying discounted Russian oil because of which he had imposed a
evincing a deep interest in the sector Pakistan s relationship with the USA was once defined in geostrategic terms, but now is defined in geoeconomic ones There are the traditional avenues, such as oil and textiles, but new ones are opening, such as the US venture capital firm that wishes to spread stable coin in Pakistan There are other opportunities opening up with even a forecast that the USA might sell Pakistan arms Though that might reflect a return to geostrategic considerations it does have economic implications favouring the USA Under those circumstances, the oil import will prove crucial
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
TH E ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan showed that this was a conflict that no one wanted, and merely was the result of Afghan miscalculation of how far it could go against Pakistan Pakistan s escalation of the conflict which had already been running at a sub-war level for some time showed that it would not tolerate the attacks on its soil directed against the armed forces
The reason for the conflict was not just the Tehrik Taliban Pakistan The Taliban did provide them safe havens a clear overestimation of their capabilities
Apart from the safe havens the TTP had free access to the US arms which had been left behind by the US forces when they scuttled from Afghanistan in 2021
Their use against Pakistan troops in the fighting around Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan has been particularly painful since Pakistan has been making cautious moves towards mending fences with the USA
The Taliban may have overestimated the intentions of Pakistan It does not really wish to dominate Afghanistan the way the British did then the Soviets and most recently the Americans The three great empires foundered in Afghanistan because they first tried to achieve regime change, and then found themselves having to support the puppet they had installed Their inability to keep them in power is the result of the refusal of the Afghan people to accept them and thus to carry out the will of the imperial power British friction with Afghanistan was over the border, and because Afghanistan was not willing to allow Britain to exercise complete sovereignty over the area The first Afghan War occurred because Amir Dost Muhammad Khan wanted to receive a Russian diplomatic mission The British Government feared that Russia would invade India through Afghanistan and thus wanted an Amir who would not let them in Shah Shuja a grandson of the Father of Afghanistan Ahmad Shah Abdali and an ex-Amir, was willing to keep the Russians out, so long as he was allowed to invade Punjab (Maharaja Ranjit Singh was still alive) The’Army of the Indus’ invaded Afghanistan through the Bolan Pass in 1839 and succeeded in installing Shah Shuja on the throne But keeping him there was another matter and an ensuing rebellion in 1842 ended with the slaughter of all but a single British Army doctor who rode into Jalalabad (Other soldiers, but no officers arrived later) Britain had its revenge with another invasion of Afghanistan and it did bring Afghanistan firmly into the British sphere of influence Point made Dost Muhammad was allowed to return to the Afghan throne which he retained until his death in 1863 The Second Afghan War also owed itself to the Great Game The Afghan Amir, Sher Khan, accepted a Russian envoy in 1878 The British wanted to send an envoy too but the Afghans refused The envoy arrived nonetheless but was slaughtered in an uprising The British then took revenge sending in an
army Amir Sher Ali fled north but died His heir
was Yaqub Ali Khan but he abdicated and the British helped his cousin Abdur Rehman become Amir The War ended with the Treaty of Gandamak of 1879, when Amir Abdur Rehman conceded British control over Afghan foreign policy, as well as substantial territory in the south in what are now the Pushtun areas of Balochistan as well as Chitral which is now part of KP There was a Third Afghan War in 1919 in which the Afghan Army got beaten, but Afghanistan regained control of its foreign policy in the Treaty of Rawalpindi ending the war Afghanistan failed to regain its lost provinces and once again recognized the Durand line border since 1893 That War gave rise to a number of uprisings in Waziristan After that there has never been a prolonged clash across the Durand Line, though there have been incidents during the Soviet and US occupations of Afghanistan First the USSR occupied Afghanistan It tried to prop up the regime of Noor Muhammad Tarakki, who had himself overthrown Sardar Daud who had himself overthrown his cousin King Zahir Shah After Tarakkki was killed by his prime Minister Babrak Karmal who replaced him the Soviets brought in Najibullah Amin, who survived briefly after the USSR withdrew Ultimately, sometime after the Mujahideen took over Kabul, he was dragged out of the UN compound and hung from the nearest lamppost Earlier the USSR had withdrawn its forces in good order across the land border between the two countries Next came the USA which quickly occupied Afghanistan in 2001 after 9/11, but then spent the next two decades propping up Hamid Karzai and then Ashraf Ghani The USA finally had to withdraw, leaving Kabul in 2021 to the Taliban, but had to leave by air It suffered no major disaster to its forces such as the British suffered after the First Afghan War but still the withdrawal was not really in good order their former employees showing great desperation and fear of the Taliban The recent clash seems to resemble the Third War more than anything else There was no attempt at regime change because previous attempts have required a substitute which Pakistan does not really have In fact the present Taliban regime might be seen as the Pakistan nominees Following ancient tradition and not recent inspiration, Afghanistan is now an Emirate Then there is the Great Game Russia is no longer trying to invade, not even in the most fevered imagination However, Pakistan now faces the threat of India It has become more intense because of the Indian withdrawal from the Indus Basin Waters Treaty
Next came the USA, which quickly occupied Afghanistan in 2001 after 9/11, but then spent the next two decades propping up Hamid Karzai and then Ashraf Ghani The USA finally had to withdraw, leaving Kabul in 2021 to the Taliban, but had to leave by air.
erations of self-preservation and personal happiness and satisfaction they would have perished as a species long ago There is nothing in all of this for anybody to be embarrassed about Of course, one motivation could be better than another; but to say that man can possibly act completely selflessly is an exercise in self-delusion Those who understand this save themselves the trouble of feeling obliged to be apologetic or defensive about Paradise being the major motivating force behind their efforts The Quran presents man precisely as he is–no more and no less No wonder, because who would know human nature best but its Creator! So it is that the reader can find almost on the same page of the Quran instructions regarding praying and those regarding using the toilet The latter is jarring for the sensibilities of those with unjustifiably lofty ideas about human nature (the human nature that is found nowhere except in their fertile imaginations) The Quran recognizes the human condition for what it is: with its need to use the toilet and to eat being no less important than considerations of prayers and earning an honest living In fact one common criticism of the Quran is that it is too practical to be a holy text Some have complained that it contains nothing more than common-sense As if that were a crime! The Quran states as a given that to be a human being is to be attracted to wealth comfort and other temptations of life Even the best of men and women are no exception to this
rule– only they opt for a wiser course of conduct than others after appreciating their susceptibility It is in this spirit that Islam forbids men and women from getting themselves into situations that, despite being apparently harmless in themselves are likely to make them overstep inviolable boundaries Similarly prohibition of liquor even in small quantities takes on board the fact that human nature being what it is once on this slippery slope it is only a matter of time before the individual will impair his senses and cloud his judgment The Quranic education is based on a realistic assessment of human nature as opposed to some utopian ideal that makes men coin pithy but hopelessly unrealistic slogans like Drink responsibly Imbibe in moderation and Do not drink and drive That is why its guidance is practical, effective and timeless Having too favourable a view of human nature is almost as calamitous as going to the other extreme and declaring man to be no different from animals While the latter assessment absolves man from any sort of accountability whatsoever unjustifiably rosy pictures of human nature form the foundation of philosophies that are bound to fail on account of being hopelessly naïve and utterly impractical The truth and the wisdom lies somewhere in between the two extremes That is man’s animalistic side being every bit as real as his rational and moral sides needs to be reckoned with It is only after acknowledging this that he can take the necessary steps to ensure that it is always reason that is in control
The author is a connoisseur of music literature and food (but not drinks) He can be reached at www facebook com/hasanaftabsaeed
The blackout bias
ernance in Gaza under a transitional “Board of Peace” and eventual self-administration but not the full sovereign state The plan is about demilitarization reconstruction and security guarantees and not about political sovereignty The plan bypasses long-standing international consensus as UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative all call for a twostate solution on 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as the capital Here Trump s plan breaks with this consensus aligning instead with Israel s territorial claims Not only this, the plan risks legitimizing occupation and displacement Settlement blocs in the West Bank are effectively legitimized instead of dismantled Earlier drafts from Trump allies even floated ideas of relocating Palestinians out of Gaza whom Pakistan and other many countries strongly rejected that Palestinians fear is right that the plan could normalize permanent occupation rather than end it as this has happened many times earlier Every time a “peace initiative” comes without addressing core rights it ends up entrenching occupation instead of ending it Oslo Accords in 1993 cannot be forgotten in this regard when Palestinians accepted a staged process, hoping it would lead to a sovereign state within 5 years Instead that Israel expanded settlements, retained control over borders
It is likely to stripping them of their right to a real state Moreover, the plan does not restore pre-1967 borders Instead, it accepts Israeli security control around Gaza and keeps Israel’s hold on settlements and most of the West Bank Palestinians are offered gov-
In the last two days news scenario reflects that though Pakistan cautiously welcomed „peace effor ts‰ but stressed that their core conditions like 1967 borders and East Jerusalem must be met. Pakistan emphasizes reconstruction with sovereignty and peace with justice When Trump unveiled the plan in January 2020, PakistanÊs Foreign Office issued a cautious but clear rejection.
Intelligence Minister Ismail Alkhatib revealed Tehran’s deepest fear during its recent 12- day confrontation with Israel and America: that the regime was battling blind, unable to distinguish patriots from traitors among its own ranks
The Asian grammar of power
TH E war itself might have lasted twelve days Still, Iran will be living with its echoes for years, not with the missiles or the scorched targets, but with the knowledge that during those twelve days the regime discovered the enemy within: spies sabotage and assassination of the regime s key figures The spectre of penetration had shifted from legend into reality In a revealing Iranian radio interview, Intelligence Minister Ismail Alkhatib revealed Tehran s deepest fear during its recent 12-day confrontation with Israel and America: that the regime was battling blind, unable to distinguish patriots from traitors among its own ranks Alkhatib s admission of perhaps 50 intelligence agencies regional and international targeting Iran during the war with some 30 groups performing assassination and sabotage within Iranian territory alone in the first few days These facts reveal a horror of strategy that goes far beyond basic military arithmetic As onetime CIA Chief John Brennan once said “The most dangerous opponent is not the one who has more firepower but the one who knows your secrets before you use them The 12-day War presented an existential danger to Iran Worse still was the battlefield math Iran had endured decades of sanctions, proxy wars, and missile attacks Israel’s and America’s bombs were painful, but Iran’s greatest fear was not the explosion radius it was the inside job Senior commanders vanished or went AWOL A chilling tape came out in which an Israeli agent told an Iranian general in Farsi: You have 12 hours to flee with your wife and son The war as Tehran saw it, was never just on the outside The evidence filtered through the smoke Iranian lawmakers claimed Israeli drones had crossed over from Azerbaijan into Iran during the war Iran did not retaliate because it feared a greater conflict if Turkey intervened to protect Azerbaijan The vast geography that had once been a plus now seemed a minus THE PENETRATION PARADOX: Iran s leaders were faced with a historic test The country’s physical extent provided it with strategic depth against conventional attack and the missile capability demonstrated that Iran possessed the ability to inflict devastation on Israel But all these tactical advantages were meaningless if the regime could not count on its own institutions President Masoud Pezeshkian s frank remarks to journalists in New York discussing succession arrangements in the event of his assassination betray the paranoia in the power corridors of Tehran
The spectre of balkanization hung over Iranian
strategy With dozens of foreign intelligence agencies, joint operations, and domestic political and ethnic fault lines the Islamic Republic has been confronted with what intelligence thinkers call “systematic institutional compromise According to Georgetown University s Bruce Hoffman writing in his book on asymmetric warfare, When a state can no longer ensure the loyalty of its security apparatus, it has already lost the most important battle ”
THE AZERBAIJAN FACTOR: Most telling of all was Iran s restraint towards Azerbaijan even as there had been credible indications that drones and possibly fighter jets had originated from Azerbaijani airspace
This cautious non-action illustrates the regime s increased sensitivity to its weaknesses The Tehran leadership feared that attacking Azerbaijan would trigger Turkish intervention and turn a manageable crisis into a runaway regional conflagration
This constraint bears witness to what Israeli military commentator Yossi Alpher has called deterrence through anticipated escalation where the threat of spreading violence restrains military action more powerfully than the suffering of genuine battlefield loss Iran’s inability to strike back against attacks originating within its own border exposed not strength but immobility caused by the collapse of intelligence
THE NUCLEAR SHELL GAME: But Iran had one decisive advantage: nuclear foresight in its facilities Before the 13 June attacks, Tehran had relocated sensitive equipment and materials from accessible plants, so President Trump’s claims of dismantling Iran’s nuclear program were premature hyperbole This thinking-ahead action suggests that while Iran s intelligence network had been penetrated it had sufficient operational security for its most critical programs
MOSCOW’S MEDIATION: The dispatch of Iran’s National Security Council Secretary General Ali Larijani to Moscow only two days into the conflict revealed the desperation of the regime Carrying a letter from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin Larijani s trip brokered Russian technical assistance to rebuild the communications infrastructure that Israel destroyed As Russian analyst Mark Galeotti has written, “When Iran looks to Moscow for emergency repairs to its infrastructure it is not indicating alliance but dependence That Russia was able to provide immediate technical assistance fostered an umbilical while at the same time reminding Tehran of its vulnerability and isolation THE FUNDAMENTAL CALCULUS: Ultimately, Iran faced the ancient dilemma of warfare: Cui bono? Who benefits from prolonging the war? In inflicting quantifiable damage against Israel in precision-guided missile strikes Iran s strategists perceived an asymmetry in their favour against their adversaries With compromised intelligence networks, dubious military loyalty, and the spectre of regime overthrow by
uprising, Iran’s political calculation took a firm turn The regime could survive physical destruction but not institutional disintegration When American intermediaries and third
off-ramps Tehran acquiesced The decision to end the war was not based on military necessity, but on an intelligence disaster
US President Donald Trump is visiting Malaysia Japan and South Korea this week and enjoying another batch of spotlights as he usually does However many in Asia feel uncomfortable, and it is unclear whether he is communicating effectively with Asians He prides himself on being a smart realist, often invoking a tough, transactional style that he and his followers associate with Machiavelli Yet political traditions in Asia are different Many insist that power is most effective when it wins compassion from the people rather than mere obedience, and when it places legitimacy before spectacle and coercion If Trump is willing to listen, he will be far more likely to communicate effectively with Asians and achieve positive results from this tour In the Confucian world politics is not simply a technology for extracting compliance; it is a moral craft aimed at building trust The classics contrast two archetypes The politics of force relies on intimidation punishment and fear The politics of virtue relies on example, justice and benevolence The first may secure short-term concessions; the second consolidates longterm stability Confucius pictured the virtuous ruler as the North Star: steady unmoved by provocation and therefore a reference point that others naturally orbit The metaphor still resonates A leader who demonstrates self-control, fairness and respect does not need to shout His or her consistency is the message; the dignity is the policy When leaders embody credibility, attention arrives on its own Respect therefore is not a luxury sentiment; it is the operational core of durable rule Fear can halt dissent for a season but it cannot command devotion People may comply with what they resent yet they rarely defend it when it is threatened Respect grows when leaders demonstrate fairness to opponents, courtesy to partners and restraint toward the weak The goal is not to appear soft or weak; it is to be unassailable because one is recognized as just A ruler ’s dignity must rest on respect not fear and on trust not calculation That kind of dignity multiplies power because others choose to align with it Asian statecraft also insists that good policy depends on good timing Mencius said that success requires mastery of “heaven, earth and human harmony,” that is time space and morale Though he ranked harmony the highest the lesson also teaches that even a brilliant plan fails if pursued at the wrong moment or in the wrong place Modern
The best vic tories are those that make conflic t unnecessar y. A Chinese militar y strategist, S unzi, c alled
trial and supply chains ‘CHINA U S SHOULD BE PARTNERS AND FRIENDS’
During Thursday s meeting, President Xi emphasized that China’s development and revitalization go hand in hand with President Trump’s vision to “Make America Great Again China and the U S are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together, Xi said The findings of the survey by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, released on Tuesday show that 53 percent of Americans now say the U S should undertake friendly cooperation and engagement with China up from 40 percent in 2024 China and the U S should be partners and friends, Xi said “That is what history has taught us and what reality needs ” Given different national conditions the two countries do not always see eye to eye with each other and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, he said In the face of winds, waves, and challenges President Xi said the two heads of state should stay on the right course navigate through the complex landscape and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U S relations Trump said the U S and China have always had a “fantastic” relationship, and it will be even better “We will make both China
closer China-U S economic and trade cooperation not only benefits both economies but also provides a key safeguard for the stability of global indus-
Israel kills 46 children, 20 women in strikes to ‘avenge’ soldier ’s death
ceasefire in Gaza despite its retaliation for the death of an Israeli soldier with day-long bombardment that Gaza health authorities said killed 104 people Even as the military affirmed it still intended to uphold the truce in the Palestinian enclave, it announced it had carried out another airstrike in the north of Gaza where it said weapons had been stored Medics said two people were killed in that attack The killing of an Israeli soldier in Gaza on Tuesday has triggered the worst escalation there since the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump came into effect on October 10 after two years of war triggered by deadly Hamas-led attacks on Israel Israel says the soldier was killed in an attack by gunmen on territory within the “yellow line” where its troops withdrew under the truce Hamas has rejected the accusation Israel described Wednesday s attack as a targeted strike near Beit Lahia in the north of the strip, where it said weapons had been stored It said it would continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement while responding firmly to any violation “We want to ensure that the goal that President Trump and we agreed on of disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza is ultimately achieved Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said later on Wednesday during a visit to a military facility in southern Israel where US troops are monitoring the truce There is a real effort here in cooperation, with security being maintained in our own hands,” Netanyahu said, according to a statement released by his office n response to the soldier ’s death the military launched what it described as strikes targeting dozens of Hamas fighters across the enclave as well as weapons depots and tunnels belonging to the group It named 24 targets, including one it described as a Hamas commander who took part in an attack on a kibbutz during the October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel that ignited the war The Gaza health ministry said 46 children and 20 women were among the 104 people killed in the airstrikes The Hamas-run Gaza government media office issued a statement saying Israel s list of targets was a product of a systematic campaign of misinformation, forgery, and lies
truck Crowds
the
As I understand it
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force
So the Israelis hit back and they should hit back When that happens, they should hit back,” he added
“Nothing is going to jeopardise” the ceasefire Trump said “You have to understand Hamas is a very
part of peace in the Middle East and they have to behave
He has touted the truce and hostage-prisoner exchange deal as one of the top foreign policy achievements of his second term, and he and his top aides have sought to keep the ceasefire from unravelling The latest flare-up has underscored the stumbling blocks to a lasting peace Key questions of Hamas disarming further Israeli troop pullbacks and future governance of Gaza remain unresolved Qatar s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, who has acted as a mediator, said on Wednesday that the attack on the Israeli soldier and subsequent Israeli airstrikes had been “very disappointing and frustrating for us”
WASHINGTON Ag e n c e s US President Donald Trump ordered the US military on Thursday to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, minutes before beginning a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping Trump made the surprise announcement on Truth Social while he was aboard his Marine One helicopter flying to meet Xi for
by its commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing and uphold the global strategic balance and stability
It was not immediately clear whether Trump was referring to nuclear-explosive testing which would be carried out by the National Nuclear Security Administration, or flight testing of nuclear-capable missiles No nuclear power, other than North Korea, has carried out explosive testing in more than 25 years
NUCLEAR TESTING SITES TO BE DETERMINED LATER Later on his way back to Washington Trump said testing was needed to ensure the US keeps up with its rival nuclear powers With others doing testing, I think it s appropriate that we do also,” Trump said on board Air Force One, adding that nuclear test sites would be determined later
Asked whether the world was entering a more risky phase around nuclear weapons Trump dismissed the threat saying US stocks were well locked up before adding he would welcome denuclearisation
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13,700 smoke-emitting vehicles, while more than 21,000 vehicles were penalized for not possessing valid fitness certificates and 5,600 vehicles were fined for operating without tarpaulin covers In addition more than 3 000 vehicles were impounded during the anti-smog drive in October CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana stated that stern action is being taken against vehicles, factories, brick kiln owners and individuals responsible for causing smog, including those engaged in burning agricultural residue He said that Lahore Police is extending full support to the relevant departments in their antismog operations The CCPO further mentioned that the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) cameras are being utilized to identify and act against vehicles contributing to pollution
scribed Islamabad’s demand as straightforward and based on international law He said Pakistan had presented evidence of cross-border militant activity that in his view was indisputable and urged Afghan authorities to set up an effective mechanism to prevent their soil being
for
is a one-line demand there is no flexibility in it he said while stressing that Pakistan still regarded Afghanistan as a brotherly country after decades of hosting Afghan refugees and providing support He added however that patience in Islamabad had limits if militant attacks continued Sanaullah accused external actors of influencing Afghan policy alleging India was encouraging elements in Kabul to adopt an anti-Pakistan stance and offering them incentives He did not provide independent corroboration for those claims during his remarks The adviser underlined Pakistan s right to self-defence and said the military
was prepared to act if necessary He recalled previous operations and warned that forces would secure this guarantee ourselves should Afghanistan not stop
The air quality in Lahore plunged to hazardous levels on Thursday, with the city recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 603 the highest in the world as thick smog continued to blanket the provincial capital
cross-border attacks
The comments come amid growing tension along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, where Islamabad has repeatedly accused certain groups of operating from Afghan soil Kabul’s authorities have generally denied state support for such groups and recent rounds of diplomacy have sought with limited success to establish mechanisms to curb cross-border violence
No immediate response to Sanaullah’s statement was available from the Afghan foreign ministry International mediators and neighbouring states have repeatedly urged both sides to exercise restraint and revive dialogue to prevent further escalation along the border
of Pakistan’s
industry As per details the
meeting co-chaired by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries Haroon Akhtar Khan attended by representatives of PAMA (Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association) and PAAPAM (Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers) The discussions took place just days after the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had deferred approval of proposed amendments to these vehicle import schemes following sharp differences among stakeholders over the stringent conditions proposed by the Ministry of Commerce The ECC directed the ministry to hold further consultations with all parties and resubmit the proposal Officials familiar with the deliberations said the government is seeking to tighten eligibility under the baggage and gift schemes which allow overseas Pakistanis to send vehicles to relatives or bring them back upon returning home These schemes, meant for personal facilitation, have long been used as a channel for commercial car imports, undercutting locally assembled vehicles Under the existing framework, an overseas Pakistani must have stayed abroad for at least six months to qualify for importing a car under the baggage scheme However the Commerce Ministry has proposed increasing this requirement to three years with a minimum cumulative stay of 850 days abroad, and making imported vehicles non-transferable for one year The Ministry of Industries has gone further proposing to abolish the gift and baggage schemes entirely leaving only the transfer of residence option while the Commerce Ministry argues for retaining all three but with stronger safeguards The FBR has cautioned that overly strict measures could effectively halt all imports, especially since most Pakistanis abroad live in left-handdrive countries At Wednesday’s meeting, local auto assemblers and parts manufacturers reiterated their opposition to the unrestricted inflow of used cars warning that it discourages investment hurts employment and undermines localization efforts These schemes were meant for genuine expatriates, not for dealers using passports to import vehicles commercially,” one industry representative said
According to real-time air monitoring data pollution levels in some parts of the city reached alarming highs, with the AQI soaring to 816 near Fortress Stadium Lahore was followed by India s capital, New Delhi, which ranked second on the global pollution index In several localities the AQI remained critically high measuring 788 in Allama Iqbal Town 696 near the Cantonment Office 652 at the University of the Punjab 647 in Samanabad 617 along Shalamar Road 615 on Syed Maratab Ali Road, 597 near the Pakistan Engineering Council, 593 at Sanda Road, and 589 around Ravi Road and Government College University Meteorological experts have warned that weather conditions are likely to worsen the situation in the coming days Low wind speeds and cooler temperatures are trapping particulate matter close to the ground preventing pollutants from dispersing Additionally, easterly winds blowing in from India s Punjab region are expected to contribute to further smog accumulation in Lahore
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast dry weather for the next 24 hours with daytime temperatures expected to reach 31 C and drop to 19 C at night The stagnant weather pattern officials said would make it difficult for pollutants to dissipate
Meanwhile Karachi also featured among the world s most polluted cities on Thursday ranking fourth with an AQI of 161 The Met Office reported a minimum temperature of 26 C and a maximum of 35°C, with dry conditions expected to persist Winds were recorded at 16 kilometres per hour from the northeast, with humidity levels at 49 percent
Health experts have warned that Lahore’s air has reached levels considered “extremely hazardous” by the World Health Organization (WHO) Doctors have urged residents particularly children the elderly and those with respiratory illnesses, to remain indoors and wear protective masks if venturing outside becomes unavoidable
Medical professionals cautioned that prolonged exposure to such high pollution levels could lead to severe respiratory and cardiovascular complications eye irritation and long-term health risks They also stressed the need for government intervention including restrictions on industrial emissions and vehicular pollution, to curb the worsening crisis Environmental activists have criticised authorities for inaction saying that recurring winter smog in Punjab has become a “public health emergency ” Despite repeated advisories burning of crop residue unchecked traffic emissions and industrial smoke continue to contribute to Lahore s deteriorating air quality
Experts warned that unless urgent measures are implemented to address the root causes of pollution, Lahore could face prolonged smog seasons and rising health emergencies in the coming years
and emergency coordination under highpressure conditions, according to a PAA statement issued on Thursday The Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS) demonstrated exceptional efficiency responding within the prescribed ICAO response time swiftly controlling the blaze and launching rescue and medical evacuation operations A key highlight of the drill was the participation of Army Aviation s MI17 helicopter, which conducted an aeromedical evacuation of a critically injured dummy patient to a healthcare facility a move that showcased excellent air-to-ground coordination and effective civil-military collaboration in emergency response The exercise codenamed AIRCON-25, was conducted under the supervision of Syed Aftab Ali Shah Gilani, Chief Operating Officer/ Airport Manager, with Chief Fire and Rescue Officer Muhammad Tariq serving as Exercise Coordinator Both officials noted that the successful completion of AIRCON-25 reflected the airport s high operational readiness and strict adherence to ICAO safety protocols Prof Dr Muhammad Umar (SI HI) Vice Chancellor of Rawalpindi Medical University, who attended the exercise as Chief Guest, praised the professionalism, teamwork, and dedication displayed by all participating agencies He emphasized that such coordinated efforts significantly enhance national capacity to respond