27th Amend bid to control judiciar y, says JI leader
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The 27th Amendment Bill which passed the Senate with a twothirds majority and now awaits approval from the National Assembly, includes 59 clauses several of which have sparked fierce criticism Among them are changes to Article 243 restructuring military command and amendments to Article 248 granting lifetime legal immunity to the president
Rehman warned that under the proposed Article 200 the president would gain authority to transfer high court judges between provinces, while the creation of a Constitutional Court would “fundamentally alter” the judicial balance of power
He also objected to the proposal to rename the Chief Justice
of Pakistan as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, arguing that it would allow the prime minister to “handpick” the country’s top judge Now the head of the constitutional court will be whoever the prime minister chooses This is direct interference in the judiciary, he said
Criticising the government’s broader agenda the JI chief said the reforms violated the principle of equality before the law No individual regardless of their power, should be given immunity above the law, he declared Turning to the economy, Rehman dismissed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ’s claims of recovery saying improvements in the stock market did not reflect the hardships faced by ordinary Pakistanis The real economy and lives of ordinary people tell a com-
pletely different story, he said He further accused mainstream political parties of hypocrisy in their dealings with the establishment When the establishment supports us we say zindabad ; when it supports someone else, we say murdabad This hypocrisy must end, he remarked
Rehman also alleged that Senate seats were being influenced by financial interests and criticised Punjab for not holding local government elections since 2015 He rejected the province s new Local Government Act, which allows non-party elections, calling it “unacceptable and undemocratic ”
The JI leader demanded a transparent party-based local government system saying true democracy begins at the grassroots level
JUI-F to oppose 27th constitutional amendment
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Earlier in the day, the 27th Constitutional Amendment was laid in the National Assembly by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar The amendment has already been passed by the Senate
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The 27th Amendment Bill, tabled by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar was approved by the Senate on Monday It proposes sweeping institutional changes including the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court, alterations in the appointment process for high court judges revisions to provincial cabinet limits and a restructuring of the military s top command
Criticising both the speed and substance of the amendment, Aurat March Lahore said, “The manner in which the amendment is being passed as well as its content assails every aspect of accountability and justice and consolidates the powers of the military at an unprecedented level
By comparison, the group
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Following the attack, an emergency has been declared at PIMS, and medical assistance to the injured is underway,” the spokesperson said “All resources are being utilised to assist the injured ”
The PIMS spokesperson added
Thirty-six injured people were brought to PIMS out of which 18 have been discharged after treatment, while 14 have been moved to wards, three are in the emergency section, and one is in the operation theater ”
In the evening Health Minister
Mustafa Kamal visited the injured at PIMS and directed hospital staff to provide the best possible care
‘Perpetrators will bear consequences’
Providing details of the blast, Naqvi said CCTV footage showed the attacker standing outside the court for around 12 minutes before detonating the explosives
He first attempted to go inside the court but then targeted the police vehicle after he was unable to do so, he said Naqvi said identifying the attacker was the top priority “I assure you we will identify him in the next
Law Minister Tarar outlined the main features of the amendment which envisages the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court The amendment provides for equal representation of federating units in the court, in line with the spirit of the
Charter of Democracy, and includes representation for the Islamabad High Court
The Federal Constitutional Court will have jurisdiction over constitutional matters and the interpretation of the constitution Its permanent seat will be in Islamabad
noted the 18th Amendment took a year of consultations and the 26th Amendment was debated for over a month, whereas the 27th Amendment appeared to have progressed from draft to approval in less than a week Although Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik denied that the process was rushed, he confirmed that the cabinet meeting to finalise the bill was held with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attending virtually from Baku Azerbaijan
The Aurat March Lahore claimed the amendment changes the character of the Constitution and strips citizens of the few safeguards” allowing them to hold those in power accountable It drew particular attention to the redrafting of Article 243 which defines the command and control of
the armed forces The revision abolishes the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and establishes a new post, the Chief of Defence Forces
The statement warned that the amendment “grants life-long constitutional protection to five-star officers and the president placing them above the law It accused the government of shielding the powerful under the guise of reform
The group also rebuked the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) calling their support for the amendment a cowardly capitulation and a betrayal of their own history of opposition to military overreach
“This will remain a permanent stain on their legacy the statement concluded
days, we will be very clear about it ” He noted the symbolic timing of the attack saying it carried “a lot of messages Without directly naming India he hinted at
H
ITN the days after Israel was attacked on 7 October 2023, the thenn US President Biden cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to make the same mistakes the USA made following 9/11 Biden never publicly spelled out what he meant but it was understood as a warning to Netanyahu in response to the shock generated by the attack, not to overreact or overreach, as President George W Bush had done by invading and occupying Iraq and proposing a US-led democracy agenda that would transform the Middle East That war lasted more than a decade with tremendous cost in lives treasure and US prestige It also emboldened Iran and spawned extremist groups across the Levant and North Africa, like ISIS If that is what Biden meant, and administration officials made it clear that it was, then it was sound advice maybe the soundest Biden had to offer the Israelis during his tenure in office The problem of course was that Netanyahu didn t listen and the USA did nothing to apply restraints when the Israelis did exactly what they were urged not to do In fact the Biden Administration did exactly the opposite It embraced Netanyahu’s goals in Israel’s assault on Gaza It gave Israel tens of billions in military arms and defended its actions at the United Nations As it became clear that the Israelis were committing war crimes and genocide Biden and company threatened sanctions on the international jurists that were investigating these crimes
About all the US administration did during all this time was timidly challenge Netanyahu to think about “the day after” and offer a few ceasefire proposals Although the Israelis never fully accepted the terms of the Biden proposals and made it clear what Netanyahu s government had in mind for the day after the USA did nothing to rebuke them The Biden crowd should have known that Netanyahu didn t want to end the war, nor did the governing coalition with which he was aligned They
were driven by fantasies of Greater Israel that would evict Palestinians from Gaza annex the West Bank and expand its security perimeter by gaining control of parts of Lebanon and Syria As the war dragged on, it metastasized into a regional conflict Lebanon s Hezbollah and Yemen s Houthi government entered the fray with disastrous consequences for all involved Israel responded by assassinating Hezbollah’s leaders and cadre in a massive bombing campaign and a terrorist attack using explosive personal devices in Lebanon and extending the war into Syria and then to Iran Hezbollah s main military backer After entering the White House, President Donald Trump followed the Biden playbook by giving the Israelis a free hand and political backing while also as is
to create something new a way of being modern without losing soul The choice isn’t between East and West faith and reason or tradition and progress The real challenge is to blend them intelligently to build a Pakistan that draws strength from its past without being trapped by it Our own history offers clues The golden age of Muslim civilization flourished through curiosity science philosophy and art all rooted in faith not divorced from it Islam s earliest thinkers didn t see knowledge as a threat to belief but as its completion That same spirit of confidence can guide us today Our traditions like poetry, generosity and family bonds don t need to fade in the modern age They can soften it, give it meaning Pakistan’s task now is not to choose a side but to grow into itself We need to become a country that uses technology without losing empathy which values family yet respects individual choice, which keeps faith alive while letting thought breathe For decades we ve been arguing about which direction to take Maybe the time has come to stop choosing between the two worlds we inherited and start building the one we actually want
The writer is serving as Director of the Institute of Humanities and Arts at Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan
AI classrooms
Faces of wor th
Dr MuhaMMaD anwar Farooq
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southern Punjab await sowing
But the consequences of this reduction would not stop at Pakistan’s borders Afghanistan itself stands to suffer perhaps even more deeply Nearly 80 percent of Afghanistan s essential food imports including wheat flour rice pulses and vegetables originate from Pakistan Any disruption to Pakistan s agricultural output would inevitably drive up prices and reduce supplies flowing to Afghan markets In other words every drop withheld upstream risks becoming a meal lost downstream on both sides
No one disputes Afghanistan s sovereign right to develop and manage its natural resources However, the notion that damming the Kabul River will grant Afghanistan economic independence is a dangerous illusion Large-scale hydropower and irrigation projects require vast sums of money technical expertise and long-term maintenance capacities that remain limited under the current interim setup Experts doubt whether such projects can materialize in the near future without massive external support
That external support unfortunately is coming from a problematic direction India’s recent pledge of $1 billion in assistance to
Afghanistan, supposedly for infrastructure and water projects, carries political undertones History shows that New Delhi has long weaponized water diplomacy manipulating the Jhelum and Chenab flows in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty
To imagine that its interest in Afghan dam-building is purely benevolent would be naïve Rather, it fits into a broader strategy of encircling Pakistan and sowing discord in the region Afghanistan must ask itself: will it allow itself to become a pawn in someone else s hydro-political game?
Pakistan has consistently respected Afghanistan s legitimate riparian rights on the Chitral-Kunar system It has never unilaterally diverted upstream flows, even though technically it could have explored such measures within its territory This restraint stems from a recognition that water disputes must never override the bonds of culture faith and fraternity that link the two nations
Unfortunately, no formal water-sharing agreement exists between Pakistan and Afghanistan despite more than two decades of sporadic dialogue One reason has been the international community s non-recognition of the Taliban-led interim government making formal treaty negotiations diplomatically complex However, this should not prevent informal, technical, and confidencebuilding mechanisms from taking shape Shared hydrology requires shared management not unilateral decisions
The Kabul River should be treated as a shared ecological asset and not a political tool A joint commission, scientific data exchange, and seasonal coordination could prevent misunderstandings and ensure equitable use This is not about one country’s domina-
tion over another; it is about survival in an era of accelerating climate stress Afghanistan s growing population and its need for irrigation are genuine So too are Pakistan’s concerns about food security But re-
S
i
t i m e fo r w i s d o m t o p r e va i l ov e r r e s e n t m e n t , a n d fo r d i p l o m a c y t o r e p l a c e h o s t i l i t y.
T h e i n t e r i m Ta l i b a n g ov e r n m e n t s h o u l d n o t l e t I n d i a n i n f l u e n c e d r a g i t i n t o a w a t e r w a r t h a t b e n e f i t s n o o n e . T h e s h a r e d r i v e r s o f o u r r e g i o n mu s t c o n t i n u e t o f l o w n o t
j u s t w i t h w a t e r, bu t w i t h g o o d w i l l , t r u s t , a n d h o p e fo r a p e a c e f u l , i n t e rd e p e n d e n t
f u t u r e . L e t t h e r i v e r s f l o w, a n d , a t t h e s a m e t i m e , l e t t h e b ro t h e r h o o d a n
Nu r t u r i n g P a k i s t a n ’ s di g i t a l s a v i n g s m i n ds e t
Bto save and invest whether through term deposits stock market participation or digital savings accounts This shift toward a structured digital finance ecosystem is accelerating, driven by the State Bank and the government s vision of a cashless economy The development of essential digital financial infrastructure is allowing Pakistanis to spend save and invest more conveniently than ever A major milestone in this journey is the establishment of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) The authority will function as an independent regulator to license, monitor, and supervise virtual asset service providers (VASPs) aligning with international standards and national regulatory priorities Pakistan is home to nearly 40 million virtual asset users with estimated annual trading volumes exceeding $300 billion, making it one of the world’s largest unregulated virtual assets markets globally Formalising these activities would provide people with safer more reliable ways to protect and grow their income
E I J I N G has every reason to express its firm opposition to the remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi with regard to Taiwan and to lodge the solemn representation and strong protest it did with Tokyo On Friday, Takaichi implied that Japan would mobilize its armed forces in the event of a “Taiwan contingency saying it would constitute a survival-threatening situation Takaichi s provocative remarks in the Diet seem driven by a deliberate intention to establish the position as official government policy, which actually harms Japan’s interests and threatens regional peace and stability Not surprisingly therefore there are concerns within Japan that Takaichi is creating unnecessary diplomatic tensions with China As The Asahi Shimbun observed, her remarks go beyond the government’s existing stance It reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan tried to downplay Takaichi s remarks as her personal opinion
Takaichi’s remarks blatantly interfere in China’s internal affairs and seriously violate the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan as well as the basic norms of international relations It should not be forgotten that her wrongful comments and actions concerning Taiwan on the sidelines of APEC meetings in Gyeongju the Republic of Korea prompted the Chinese side to express its firm opposition and make serious demarches and protests to Japan on Nov 1 As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian pertinently asked, what signal is the Japanese leader trying to send to the “Taiwan independence” separatists with her remarks? Is she attempting to challenge China s core interests and obstruct China s reunification? And where is she trying to steer SinoJapanese relations?
This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th anniversary of Taiwan s restoration to China Given its long history of colonial rule over Taiwan, Japan bears undeniable historical responsibilities on
the Taiwan question and therefore should all the more act with extra prudence
The Japanese authorities attempt to intervene in cross-Strait affairs is not only a trampling on international justice and a provocation against the postwar international order, but also does serious damage to Sino-Japanese relations In her meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting on Oct 31 Takaichi clearly said that Japan would abide by its position on the Taiwan question stated in the 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement, which acknowledges and respects Taiwan as an inalienable part of China and that her government would work to advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit in solid steps so as to build a constructive and stable relationship between the two countries But she is saying one thing and doing another The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair and at the core of China’s core interests How it is handled bears on the political foundation of China-Japan relations and basic trust in Japan Japan should work with China to better shoulder its responsibility for peace
FARHAN HASSAN
Stopping Kabul River flows may choke Afghanistan’s own food supply
Pakistan to ex tend full cooperation if K abul takes on T TP, other militant groups: PM
g PREMIER SHEHBAZ DESCRIBES A PEACEFUL AFGHANISTAN AS KEY TO REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY, PROSPERITY AND GROWTH
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called for decisive action against militant groups operating from Afghan soil pledging Pakistan s full cooperation in counterterrorism efforts while urging the international community to unite for peace, sustainable development, and regional security
Speaking at the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in Islamabad the premier underscored that collective efforts among nations can anchor lasting peace strengthen democracy and advance shared prosperity
Addressing the gathering under the theme of “Peace, Security, and Development ” Shehbaz Sharif welcomed parliamentary leaders dignitaries and participants highlighting Pakistan s resilience in the face of repeated terrorist attacks Our armed forces, with their unmatched professionalism, have foiled
the nefarious designs of the enemy he said reaffirming the country s unwavering commitment to protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity
The Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan has always supported dialogue and diplomacy as the cornerstone of peace “If the Afghan government takes decisive action against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups operating on its territory, Pakistan stands ready to provide full cooperation, he stressed He described a peaceful and stable Afghanistan as essential for regional connectivity economic growth and prosperity while warning that extremist elements continue to pose a threat beyond Afghanistan s borders
The prime minister also outlined his government s wide-ranging reforms aimed at promoting sustainable development institutional strengthening and empowerment of youth and women He highlighted initiatives to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) job cre-
ation digital skills training for women and broader financial inclusion Peace and security are the foundation of sustainable national and regional development, he said, adding that Pakistan s progress is closely linked to active engagement with the global community and multilateral institutions
Reflecting on Pakistan s security challenges the Prime Minister recalled the unprovoked aggression faced in May from the eastern front He lauded the armed forces for their swift and decisive response, which not only thwarted the enemy’s plans but also reaffirmed Pakistan s resolve to defend its sovereignty Having won the war we must now win peace through sincere and honest efforts, he said Premier Shehbaz stressed that militant attacks on Pakistan’s border posts last month were met with a firm and measured response demonstrating the country s readiness to protect its people and borders A peaceful Afghanistan holds
S ta f f R e p o R t
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday ordered the blocking of passports of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders Omar Ayub and Zartaj Gul in connection with the Sangjani protest case while also issuing a bailable arrest warrant for former minister Sheikh Waqas Akram over his continued absence from proceedings
the key to regional growth and prosperity he added urging Kabul to rein in TTP and other terrorist groups to achieve lasting peace
The Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s ongoing reforms to promote inclusive growth strengthen institutions and empower women and youth
He noted that Pakistan has actively engaged with international financial institutions and development partners to foster fiscal reforms, climate resilience, and investment facilitation “No nation can prosper in isolation; our destinies are closely intertwined ” he said reaffirming Pakistan s commitment to global cooperation and multilateralism
PM Shehbaz Sharif further emphasized the unique and indispensable role of parliaments in improving the lives of citizens “Legislative bodies must serve as instruments of guidance ensuring that policies foster equitable development while addressing emerging challenges he said
Ishaq Dar calls for reforms in global financial, governance systems to strengthen multilateralism
Deput y prime minister urges equitable access to technology, climate finance, and debt relief for developing nations at Margalla Dialogue
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Monday called for renewed global commitment to multilateralism and urgent reforms in international financial and governance systems as he inaugurated the Sixth Margalla Dialogue 2025 hosted by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) Speaking at the opening session themed The Future of Global Order: Cooperation or Confrontation,”
plazas, and crime-affected areas At least 12 people were killed and more than 20 injured in the Islamabad blast which damaged nearby vehicles and motorcycles Lanjar condemned the attack stating that suicide bombers and terrorists have no religion and are enemies of humanity He also instructed officials to review security plans for upcoming events and improve coordination between law enforcement and intelligence agencies Previously Punjab and Balochistan had also extended Section 144 in response to heightened security concerns Balochistan s order valid for a month included bans on pillion riding and face coverings, while Punjab extended the measure for a week
The case was heard by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sapra, who directed that the relevant authorities block the passports of the two PTI leaders and submit a compliance report to the court The judge also instructed the police to ensure the implementation of the arrest warrant issued for Waqas Akram The case pertains to protests held by PTI activists in the Sangjani area following the events of May 2023 The court later adjourned further proceedings until December 3
In a related development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the admissibility of a petition seeking to bar Sessions Judge Nasir Javed Rana from performing his judicial duties
The petition filed by Osama Riaz was heard by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, who questioned the petitioner s timing in raising a matter linked to a
27th Amend bid to control judiciar y, says JI leader
LAHORE (STAFF REPORT): Jamaat-e-Is-
Supreme Court observation made in 2004 Where were you for twenty-two years? the chief justice asked, noting that the issue appeared to have been revived only after being highlighted in the media in October 2025
The petitioner s counsel Riaz Hanif Rahi argued that the matter gained relevance after recent media reports revealed that the judge was still serving despite the earlier observation He said the challenge was based on documentary records and maintained that the court’s earlier comments carried judicial weight
After hearing the arguments the IHC reserved its decision on whether the petition was admissible for further proceedings
ISLAMABAD
