g SAYS ‘ MODI SILENCED AFTER MAY DEFEAT,’ VOWING TO STOP CROSS -BORDER TERRORISM FROM AFGHAN SOIL
g SAYS PAKISTAN PREFERRED ‘A CIVILISED RELATIONSHIP ’ BETWEEN TWO NEIGHBOURS, EXPRESSING HOPE ONGOING TALKS WOULD YIELD A REA SONABLE OUTCOME
g INFORMATION MINISTRY REBUTS AFGHAN TALIBAN SPOKESMAN ’S REMARKS
ISLAMABAD
Minister of State for Interior Talal
Chaudhry on Saturday disclosed that India’s intelligence agency had attempted to recruit a Pakistani fisherman Ijaz Mallah for espionage by bribing him with Rs95 000 a
President eulogises GB’s sacrifices, calls for turning region into
unwavering love sacrifices and loyalty of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for Pakistan, calling them the guardians of the nation s northern frontiers” who stood firm in every test of time He urged that this deep bond of sacrifice and service be matched with a collective resolve to make Gilgit-Baltistan a model of development, justice and equality Addressing a ceremony to mark the 78th Independence Day of Gilgit-Baltistan from Dogra rule, the president said that for more than seven decades, the valiant people of the region had marched shoulder to shoulder with the rest of Pakistan defending its borders contributing to its progress and carrying its flag to the world s highest peaks This region is not only the crown of Pakistan but also our northern gateway a symbol of lasting friendship with China ” he said adding that the Karakoram Highway was a living testament to this part-
model of development
nership while the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had opened new doors of trade, connectivity, and livelihoods for the people of GB He emphasized that it was their shared responsibility to ensure that the dividends of these development projects reached every valley and village creating prosperity and opportunity for all The president said that the freedom of Gilgit-Baltistan s people also reminded the nation of the unfinished journey of their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)
PM hails GB’s valour
LAHORE: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday extended
felicitations to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and the
nation on the 77th anniversary of the region s historic liberation from Dogra rule, paying tribute to the courage and patriotism of those who chose to join Pakistan on November 1 1947 In his message marking Gilgit-Baltistan s Independence Day the prime minister said the day commemorates the unparalleled bravery, unity, and
MINISTER EMPHASISES AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND
the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved the recovery
Pakistan’s listed banks posted a combined profit of Rs170 billion in the third quarter of 2025 (3Q2025), reflecting an 8 percent year-on-year increase and a 2 percent rise from the previous quarter This steady growth demonstrates resilience in the banking sector despite the ongoing challenging economic environment
According to Topline Securities, the Net Interest Income (NII) for the banking sector improved by 6 percent year-on-year, although it remained largely flat compared to the previous quarter The year-on-year growth was largely driven by significant increases in NII at United Bank Limited (UBL) National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and Bank of Punjab (BOP) UBL saw a remarkable 78
NII
sector showed a 10 percent decline on a yearon-year basis
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, NII remained relatively unchanged, as growth in some banks was offset by declines in others Notably, Askari Bank (AKBL) saw an 11 percent increase (Rs2 billion), BOP’s NII rose by 9 percent (Rs1 9 billion) and MCB Bank (MCB) experienced a 3 percent increase (Rs1 3 bil-
lion) Conversely Bank Islami (BIPL) Habib Metropolitan Bank (HMB) and Meezan Bank (MEBL) saw a decline in NII with decreases of 16 percent 9 percent and 2 percent respectively
Non-interest income for the sector rose by 13 percent year-on-year and 1 percent quarter-on-quarter, reaching Rs146 billion in 3Q2025 This slight improvement was attributed to capital gains realized by some banks and higher fee and foreign exchange (FX) income
On the expense side non-interest expenses increased by 19 percent year-on-year and 5 percent quarter-onquarter, totaling Rs329 billion in 3Q2025 This was primarily driven by higher remittance-related costs As a result, the sector ’s Cost-to-Income ratio rose to 47 9 percent compared to 45 9 percent in the previous quarter and 43 3 percent a year earlier
The sector recorded a provisioning reversal of Rs3 1 billion in 3Q2025 a
but down from 56 percent in 2Q2025 following changes in government taxation policies Despite facing challenges Pakistan s
GOVT PROJECTS PUBLIC DEBT RATIO
g FINANCE MINISTRY
data of external debt and IMF obligations from 2008 onwards, including project allocations, creditor categories, and the year of contracting It stressed that verified data was essential for effective parliamentary oversight
India tr ying to keep Pakistan engaged on two fronts: Kh Asif
of the mechanism are expected to be finalised when senior representatives from both sides meet again in Istanbul on Thursday Earlier in the day, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar revealed that a Pakistani fisherman had been coerced by India’s intelligence agency after being detained by the Indian Coast Guard part of what he called a broader disinformation and espionage campaign by New Delhi Only days earlier, Asif had accused India of waging a low-intensity war against Pakistan from Afghan territory to “settle scores” after its setback in the May conflict Ministry rejects Afghan Taliban spokesperson’s claim Meanwhile the Ministry of Information rejected Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid s claim that Pakistan had declined an offer to deport individuals deemed security threats during the Istanbul talks “Pakistan had demanded that terrorists in Afghanistan posing a threat to Pakistan be controlled or arrested ” the ministry said in a statement “When the Afghan side said they were Pakistani nationals Pakistan proposed they be handed over through designated border posts Any claim to the contrary is false and misleading Asif also denounced Mujahid s remarks as malicious and misleading,” adding, “There exists complete unanimity among Pakistan’s political and military leadership regarding the country’s security policies and its comprehensive approach toward Afghanistan
g SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS INCLUDE OGDCL, PPL, MARIENERGIES AND PRIME ENERGY, WITH TURKEY ’S TPAO SECURING A 25% STAKE AND OPERATORSHIP IN ONE OFFSHORE BLOCK; CONSORTIUMS PLEDGE $80M INITIAL EXPLORATION WORK, TOTAL INVESTMENT PROJECTED BETWEEN $750M AND $1B IF DRILLING ADVANCES
by OGDCL PPL Mari Petroleum and Prime Energy collectively pledged about $80 million in exploration work over the initial three-year period, the energy ministry said
Troops for Gaza?
The contrasting stands bet ween Ch Daniyal A ziz and Kh Asif may reflec t PML(N) infighting
THE unseemly sight of Cabinet ministers expressing opposing views has been witnessed Information and Broadcasting Parliamentary Secretary Ch Daniyal Aziz has said if Pakistani troops formed part of the proposed International Stabilization Force for Gaza, they would obviously have to disarm Hamas forces in order to provide security to the Gaza Strip Defence Minister Kh Asif has described these remarks as irresponsible , personal views that did not reflect the government’s stance, or the country’s foreign or defence policies This came on the heels of an Information Ministry statement describing as false an Indian TV channel s report that Pakistani troops were to be deployed to Gaza as part of the proposed ISF, and that Israelli approval was needed for this It would be presently impossible for such a deployment to occur, as long as the validity stamp on the Pakistani passport, ‘for ;all countries except Israel’, continued
At the same time it has been confirmed that Pakistan has been asked to contribute troops, which it has not agreed to do, and which it wants to do under the UN flag Basic issues such as operational control, command and control structure and rules of engagement have also to be settled While Pakistan is willing to help its fellow Muslims in their time of need, it also needs to be sure that it is wanted So far, Pakistan has carefully refrained from any entanglements in the Arab world, such as in Iraq or earlier in Kuwait during the First Gulf War While there is an obvious desire to curry favour with the USA, such a step might provoke a visceral anti-Israel sentiment within the country
However, it seems that the debate on recognizing Israel, and thus winning US favour, is being revived It seems that the debate is dividing the ruling PML(N) but the coming out into the open of these differences mean that either Kh Asif or Ch Danyal must be sacked by the PM //while there is nothing in theConstitution obliging collective Cabinet responsibility and while there have been previous episodes of ministerial dissension without consequence, there is a constitutional convention demanding unity The only way of keeping both in office would be for one to back down publicly Members of the ministry must know that they do not have the right ot personal views, at least not in public
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
A myth or reality?
THE UN is the world’s most representative forum for multilateral dialogue built upon the ideals of peace cooperation and respect for international law Pakistan has consistently upheld these principles through its peacekeeping contributions, peace diplomacy and repeated calls for dialogue with its neighbuors In contrast,
m
Younus also blamed India for interfering in the internal matters of Bangladesh through misinformation on the India media Rather than reciprocating peace efforts, India has adopted a confrontational and accusatory stance It repeatedly blames Pakistan for acts of terrorism without presenting credible evidence whether it be the Pulwama incident (2019) or the killing of 26 civilians in April 2025 in Indian Occupied Kashmir at Pahalgam, and launched a series of strong retaliatory actions against Pakistan The international community responded with concern, criticizing the escalation and urging both nations to de-escalate tensions As India denied the ceasefire US mediation diffused the escalation On the bight of October 11/12 Afghanistan s coordinated aggression along the Pak-Afghan border coinciding with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s India visit, exposes a synchronized Kabul–Delhi game plan to destabilize Pakistan through proxy warfare and propaganda while Pakistan’s forces hold the line with discipline and precision Pakistan alleges that diplomatic activity in
Pakistan, despite being a frontline state in the fight against terrorism and a dedicated UN peacekeeping contributor, remains a victim of Indian aggression and misinformation As a responsible member of international community, Pakistan has not only promoted global peace through its peacekeeping missions but has also paid a heavy price in blood and resources while combating terrorism on its own soil No other country has suffered as much, nor shown as much resilience, in the face of hybrid warfare, cross-border terrorism and political hostility as Pakistan has The contrast between Pakistan’s call for dialogue and India’s repeated provocations illustrates a serious deviation from the UNGA’s aspiration for a peaceful and cooperative world order
M a i d e n v i s i t t o M a l a y s i a
Continuing the PM’s polic y of produc tive engagement
Paid in bilateral deliberations with all and aiming at further stabilizing the upward trajectory of the national economy in a positive and productive manner
It was good to note that none else but Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Is quite appreciatively and committedly heading this campaign marked by greater national interests more than anything else
The PM started October, in this regard, by paying a maiden three-day visit to Malaysia at the invitation of the Malay PM Anwar Ibrahim The invitation was extended by the Malaysian PM to PM Shehbaz Sharif during their bilateral interaction on the sidelines of the SCO Summit 2025 in Tianjin China Earlier the PM had planned to visit Kuala L:umpur in May but it was postponed owing to the short conflict with India This was the PM's first official visit since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two islamic regional countries in 1957 Both Malaysia and Pakistan have since built a partnership premised on mutual respect and shared values which was duly elevated to a Strategic Partnership in March 2019 Both the guest and the host PMs had one-
on-one bilateral discussions prior to the delegation level talks during which Malaysia-Pakistan bilateral ties were reviewed at some length and new areas of collaboration in multiple sectors were also reviewed During their bilateral discussions, the two leaders exchanged views regarding geopolitical issue, particularly the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the grave and deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Rakhine State Myanmar which was adversely affecting the Rohingya Muslim community Both leaders also strongly condemned the ongoing genocide in Gaza and reiterated their unwavering support for the Palestinian people s right to self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign viable contiguous and independent Palestinian state based on pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds as its capital The two sides also called for an immediate unconditional and permanent ceasefire, an end to the blockade on Gaza, the protection of all civilians and for unimpeded flow of direly needed humanitarian assistance to those affected immediately and also commended the international community s efforts for finding pragmatic measures for resolving the question of granting a Palestinian statehood
The two leaders also agreed to reconvene, at mutually convenient time the Joint Commission at the Foreign Ministers level and also reaffirmed their commitment for promoting balanced and sustainable ties through enhanced market access business facilitation and the effective utilization of the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement Both the PMs, while addressing a joint press conference afterwards vowed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade education and regional peace they reiterated their resolve to continue working together for achieving the desired goals
PM Shehbaz Sharif said that relations between the two countries have been strengthened over time Malaysia was like a second home to Pakistanis and during the bilateral discussions they had reviewed Pakistan-Malaysia bilateral ties and explored new avenues for cooperation
The PM's visit to Malaysia was a positive indication of the country's committed and
and
focus on forging economic and trade relations with more and more
and regional countries to the mutual advantage As already mentioned above, it was indeed commendable that PM Shehbaz Sharif was heading this campaign of great
across multiple sectors He also welcomed Malaysia s decision to to import halal meat worth $200 million from Pakistan, describing it as a major step towards expanding the economic engagements between the two brotherly regional countries He said that Pakistan wanted to join hands with Malaysia for mutually beneficial projects that allowed for expertise from both the countries to come together
The visiting Pakistani PM said that Pakistan would continue to expand halal meat trade with the passage of time and also pointedly stated that Pakistan was keen to pursue joint ventures in order to benefit from Malaysia s technological and industrial expertise
On his part, host PM Anwar Ibhrahim stressed the importance of peace between neighbouring countries India and Pakistan and emphatically stated that durable stability in South Asia was crucial for the entire region and assured his country would continue to extend full cooperation in combating terrorism in all its manifestations
Mr Sharif has described his bilateral discussions as very productive It is also worth mentioning here that about 150,000 Pakistanis are in Malaysia contributing to Malaysia's national building efforts in different fields
The PM s visit to Malaysia was a positive indication of the country s committed and improved diplomatic stature and increased focus on forging economic and trade relations with
and
Neglecting special education
The Protest That Tested US Democracy
Wand meticulously organized Civil-rights groups like the ACLU Indivisible MoveOn and teachers unions provided logistical backbone and de-escalation training For all the carnival colours and creative signs the inflatable frogs, the giant We the People” banners, and the diapered Trump balloon there was a serious constitutional heartbeat beneath the festivity Participants cited concerns ranging from ICE s masked detentions to federal overreach in Democratic-led states the militarization of cities, cuts to healthcare, and the ongoing government shutdown caused by partisan paralysis
This was not as some critics claimed a left-wing tantrum It was a civic warning flare The protesters contention is that the Trump administration s approach to power its disdain for oversight, its flirtations with martial imagery, its use of federal agents as domestic enforcers represents not a temporary deviation but a pattern
What made the “No Kings” protests remarkable was not only their breadth but their framing Protesters did not gather around identity politics or isolated policy grievances; they rallied around the principle of constitutional balance This shift matters It suggests that the USA’s cultural left, long preoccupied with social justice and environmental causes has rediscovered the language of classical liberalism: rule of law separation of powers and limits on executive authority
One protester, a veteran from Virginia, captured the essence: “I fought for a repub-
lic, not a dynasty ” That sentiment bridges ideological divides Indeed, what makes “No Kings” potent is its moral inclusiveness It invites both progressives and conservatives anyone who fears the cult of personality to rally under a shared banner of institutional integrity And yet, it is telling that the most theatrical response came not from the streets, but from the Oval Office President Trump mocked the movement with an AI-generated video of himself wearing a crown piloting a fighter jet over the protesters a characteristic blend of bravado and irony H
but only reinforced the perception that he relishes the comparison
The administration s reaction and that of Republican allies was predictable Texas and Virginia deployed National Guard units; House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed the demonstrations as hate America rallies Trump’s defenders invoked law and order, framing the protests as a threat to civic peace The political right long attuned to street unrest as a symbol of chaos seemed unwilling to acknowledge that this particular crowd peaceful, disciplined, and multigenerational embodied not disorder but democratic vitality
To be sure, the movement’s critics raise a fair question: can protest alone restore faith in democracy? Street energy often dissipates when confronted with the slow grind of institutions The Women s March of 2017 the Black Lives Matter wave of 2020 both moved hearts, yet translated unevenly into legislative change The “No Kings” organizers know this Their strategy appears twofold: to dramatize the erosion of norms and to sustain voter mobilization through the 2026 midterms The political implications of the protests are already visible Democrats, sensing the power of the message, have folded “defending democracy” into campaign language Figures like Chuck Schumer and Pete Aguilar have endorsed the movement s spirit linking its energy to efforts to expand voting rights and strengthen executive oversight Yet Democrats also face a paradox: while No Kings” animates their base, it may harden Republican loyalty around Trump who thrives on confrontation For Republicans the calculus is simpler but no less cynical By framing the protests as radical they consolidate the narrative of a besieged administration defending real America from urban elites Polarization, after all, is Trumpism’s oxygen Every march every chant becomes another proof to his supporters that the establishment academia media the coastal intelligentsia is conspiring against him The tragedy, then, is not that the USA is protesting too much, but that it is listening too little “No Kings” is both a rebuke and
Tcion model : a mix of formal export controls and blacklists with old-fashioned opaque pressure customs slow-rolls safety bans whispered orders to firms Its sanctions are deliberately vague with no clear off-ramps and can be dialed up or down without explanation Beijing weaponizes ambiguity It has
M A HossAin
The USA on the cusp
BRIGHTER FUTURE
Turkey to hold Gaza peace plan meeting
CCD, Punjab Police, and Mar yam Nawaz ’s Resolve
Progress and prosperity rest upon one indispensable pillar peace Stability is only possible when those entrusted with maintaining law and order perform their duties with dedication and integrity Punjab stands ahead of other provinces in development largely because it has successfully maintained peace a peace safeguarded by the remarkable sacrifices of its security institutions particularly the Punjab Police It would not be an exaggeration to call the Punjab Police the most professional and courageous force in Pakistan Its ability to assert authority and maintain order has always been unmatched Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has depoliticized the police force and transformed it into a truly professional institution
During the previous administration the police were frequently used for political purposes and the repeated change of Inspector Generals sometimes every six months disrupted the force s internal discipline and operational continuity In contrast under the leadership of the current IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar and with the unwavering support of the Chief Minister the police have emerged as a more organized, capable, and respected force
Maryam Nawaz’s government has equipped the Punjab Police with modern weapons and technology enabling them to effectively counter terrorism and crime Since she assumed office incidents of terrorism in Punjab have almost completely vanished a result of the coordi-
nated efforts of the security forces intelligence agencies, and most notably, the Punjab Police To further strengthen the law enforcement system, the Chief Minister established the CCD (Crime Control Department) a few months ago The CCD was granted full autonomy free from any political interference Under the leadership of Sohail Zafar Chattha, the CCD has been instrumental in cleansing the province of notorious criminal networks Within just six months Punjab has witnessed a 70% decline in crime rates a testament to the effective strategy and strong coordination between the Punjab Police and CCD
Maryam Nawaz has also launched a comprehensive campaign to eliminate illegal weapons from the province As part of this initiative the Home Department has revoked the licenses of 28 arms dealers and sealed unregistered shops Out of 511 registered arms dealers, 393 have successfully verified their licenses through the new digital verification system The process of digital weapon registration is now in full swing IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar has issued a 15-day deadline for individuals to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms Those who comply will be granted amnesty while those who refuse will face strict legal action For the first time security companies weapon licenses are also being thoroughly verified Moreover, a complete ban has been placed on the issuance of new arms licenses and the government is introducing the Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025 to be imple-
mented in three phases Additionally, the provincial government is coordinating with federal authorities to verify federally issued arms licenses within Punjab These bold and practical measures reflect the Punjab government s firm commitment to eradicating crime and maintaining law and order A peaceful Punjab not only ensures safety for its residents but also attracts foreign investment and tourism With enhanced security and confidence investors and tourists alike can explore the province freely and contribute to its economic growth
Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Punjab is rapidly becoming a model of governance development and peace The government s communication strategy led by Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari and supported by Information Secretary Tahir Raza Hamdani is ensuring that the public remains well-informed about government initiatives The newly appointed DGPR Fareed Ahmad is also working diligently to deliver accurate information and promote awareness about welfare and reform programs Through tireless dedication and strategic reforms Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is paving the way for a prosperous and progressive Punjab Her government s focus on institutional strength, security, and transparency is setting new benchmarks making Punjab a true leader among provinces in both performance and progress
Punjab Police promotes 199 officers to SI rank, concludes 11th batch of Internship Program
LAHORE
Punjab Police has accelerated its process of promotions and professional development with 199 officers advancing to the rank of sub-inspector through the P-Cadet Scheme and the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) examination Simultaneously, the force concluded the 11th batch of its Internship Program aimed at fostering education and research in policing
According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, official notifications of promoted officers have been dispatched to their respective districts Among those elevated to sub-inspector rank are 54 officers from Lahore 53 from Gujranwala 25 from Sahiwal and 67 from Multan DIG Establishment-I Dr Suleman Sultan Rana said that as soon as PPSC results for other regions are received, promotion letters will be issued to those districts as well Inspector General of Police Punjab Dr Usman Anwar congratulated the newly promoted sub-inspectors, urging them to serve the people of Pakistan with integrity, professionalism, and a fearless commitment to public protection
Meanwhile, Punjab Police held the closing ceremony of the 11th batch of its Internship Program at the Central Police Office Lahore featuring 24 students from Lahore Garrison University and Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
Infinix, a leading smartphone brand in Pakistan now extends its smart technology expertise to home entertainment with the launch of the Infinix X5W TV Designed to make entertainment truly intelligent, the X5W is powered by a cutting-edge AI-driven recommendation Engine that
The interns specializing in digital forensics, cyber security, and forensic biology were divided into five groups and attached to key departments including the Special Branch, CTD, Safe Cities Authority, Investigation Branch, and IT Branch, for a six-week training
Voice
During the closing ceremony the interns presented reports highlighting their field experiences DIG Training Munir Ahmad Zia Rao distributed certificates among participants and emphasized that
g POLICY TO GRANT INDUSTRY STATUS TO GEMSTONE EXPORTERS AND ALIGN SECTOR WITH GLOBAL STANDARDS
During
meeting, both sides explored policy measures to strengthen Pakistan’s gemstone industry through legal reforms, documentation, and global collaboration
ister
nalised within a month will incorporate international best practices and successful global models Haroon Akhtar said Pakistan is endowed with some
would
The special assistant also visited Plowright s gemstone facility in Islamabad where he was briefed on the diamond polishing, grading, and packaging process Haroon Akhtar said the policy, being prepared on the directives of
industry
to gemstone exporters, enabling
and facilitating exporters and manufacturers He noted that the largely undocumented gemstone trade is estimated at about USD 2 billion and that bringing it into the formal economy could generate significant revenue for the country The draft policy, expected to be fi-
t
Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has upheld the jurisdiction of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to investigate deceptive marketing practices and anti-competitive behavior in the telecom sector The court dismissed petitions filed by Pakistan’s leading telecom operators, including Jazz, Telenor, Zong, Ufone, Warid, PTCL and Wi-Tribe In a detailed 19-page judgment Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas ruled that the CCP lawfully exercised its powers under the Competition Act 2010 by issuing show-cause notices to telecom operators over misleading advertising and additional charges imposed on prepaid customers The court clarified that the CCP’s mandate covers all sectors of the economy, including telecommunications and operates alongside the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) The telecom operators had challenged the CCP s actions related to hidden fees on prepaid cards and misleading marketing of unlimited internet packages, which were found to be subject to fair usage policies The IHC rejected the argument that the PTA held exclusive authority over competition in the telecom sector ruling that the CCP s powers extend to regulating anti-competitive behavior abuse of dominance and deceptive marketing practices The court noted that while the PTA regulates technical and operational aspects, the CCP addresses competition-related issues, including deceptive marketing The court also dismissed the petitions on procedural grounds stating that the CCP s notices were not adverse orders and that the petitioners had adequate remedies available through the Commission s appellate bench and the Competition Appellate Tribunal The IHC s ruling reinforces the CCP’s authority to investigate anti-competitive and deceptive practices in the telecom sector dismissing all seven petitions as “not maintainable In December 2013 the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) issued show-cause notices to telecom operators including Mobilink, Ufone, Telenor, Zong, and Warid for imposing additional charges on prepaid reloads, labeled as “service maintenance fees,” “administrative fees ” and “operational charges ” These charges ranging from 1% to 5% were levied without providing specific services prompting CCP to classify the practice as deceptive marketing under Section 10 of the Competition Act Simultaneously, CCP issued an inquiry report in April 2014 against Wi-Tribe and other Internet Service Providers for promoting “unlimited internet” packages that were actually subject to fair usage limits which could mislead consumers under Section 10(2)(b) of the Act For years telecom companies successfully obtained stay orders some dating back to 2014, which halted CCP s investigations and enforcement actions However, the recent IHC ruling has lifted these legal barriers enabling the CCP to resume its inquiries into these deceptive marketing practices
Haider Zaidi has ruled out any plans to return to politics, saying, “There is no politics left in a country where the corrupt, land grabbers, and extortionists are gifted with power through a rigged election” Zaidi a close aide of PTI founding chairman had stepped away from the party and politics amid the crackdown following May 9 2023 riots during which military installations were attacked following the arrest of Imran Khan, the former prime minister In a post on X, the ex-PTI lawmaker dismissed speculation about his political relaunch, saying: “Let me be clear: I am not planning to enter politics anytime soon Explaining his reasons Zaidi wrote: Firstly my financial circumstances and my personal family obligations don t allow it He went on to criticise the country s political
PTI senior leaders hospitalized amid health concerns
Two senior leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have been admitted to hospitals in Lahore due to deteriorating health conditions while in custody Senior PTI leader Mian Mahmood-ul-Rashid was urgently transferred from jail to Jinnah Hospital Lahore after complaining of severe chest pain and breathing difficulties Initial medical examination revealed a chest infection the sources said Hospital officials reported that Rashid s condition is now stable, but a battery of tests including blood work, X-rays, and CT scans are underway to assess the infection’s severity and underlying causes A team of chest specialists is overseeing his treatment, and the
doctors have advised complete bed rest Separately, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi was shifted to Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) Hospital on October 28 after being diagnosed with gallstones According to medical reports the stones have enlarged increasing the risk of infection spread Speaking informally to the media from the hospital, Qureshi revealed that jail doctors in Adiala Jail had first identified the gallstones while he was in solitary confinement “I wondered where I would get the surgery done ” he said adding that the delay had allowed the condition to worsen Qureshi is under the care of Dr Faisal Saad with diagnostic tests ongoing Doctors have recommended gallbladder surgery, scheduled to take place within the next one to two days
g PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WILL REQUIRE BUSINESSES TO OFFER DIGITAL PAYMENT SOLUTIONS AND EMPOWER LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR ENFORCEMENT LAHORE S ta f f C o r r e S p o n d e n t
