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FEDERAL GOVT WEIGHS GOVERNOR’S RULE IN KP AS TENSIONS WITH CM AFRIDI ESCALATE
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Tuesday, 2 December, 2025 | 10 Jamadiul Sani, 1447
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AZAM NAZEER TARAR SAYS GOVERNOR’S RULE IS A LEGITIMATE CONSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XVI No 147 | 48 Pages | Lahore Edition
ATTA TARAR SAYS IT IS AN AVAILABLE CONSTITUTIONAL OPTION IN SITUATIONS WHERE GOVERNANCE APPEARS WEAK
CM AFRIDI PUBLICLY DARES GOVT TO IMPOSE GOVERNOR’S RULE, SAYS, ‘WE ARE NOT AFRAID’ ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
HE federal government on Monday reiterated that the imposition of governor’s rule in any province is a constitutional provision, as debate intensified over the possibility of enforcing the measure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The remarks came amid a sharp response from KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who dared Islamabad to “go ahead and try it.” Officials in Islamabad say the center is seriously examining the option of governor’s rule due to “security and governance issues” in the province. Speaking in the National Assembly, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stressed that governor’s rule was a legitimate constitutional mechanism. “It is not martial law. If the conditions require it, the Constitution allows it,” he said. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar echoed the sentiment, calling it an available constitutional option in situations where governance appears weak. “Let’s see how matters proceed,” he told reporters. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary urged CM Afridi to avoid in-
flaming tensions, saying the federal government had consistently tried to keep him informed on terrorism and security-related developments. He accused the chief minister of resorting to “point scoring” instead of fulfilling his responsibilities. Last week, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss provincial developments, including the possible imposition of governor’s rule. Federal
ministers Amir Muqam and Rana Mubashir Iqbal also attended the meeting, where Islamabad reportedly expressed concern over Afridi’s allegedly confrontational stance toward the Center, the military, and the bureaucracy. Afridi Challenges Centre In Peshawar, CM Afridi publicly dared the federal government to impose governor’s rule. “We are not afraid. If they have the courage, let them try,” he said.
He criticised Islamabad for failing to provide KP’s financial dues, claiming the Centre owed the province over Rs3,000 billion. “Imagine what we could do with that money. This discrimination must end,” he remarked. Afridi also faulted the federal government for poor policymaking and cited the IMF’s recent report highlighting institutional corruption. Political Reactions In Parliament, PTI MNA Asad Qaiser condemned any move towards governor’s rule, calling it “undemocratic” and warning the government of severe political fallout. PTI Chairman Barrister Ali Gohar also dismissed the idea, saying neither the conditions nor legal grounds existed for such a step. “The province is already grappling with terrorism. Instead of creating instability, CM Afridi should be given time,” Gohar said. He insisted KP “cannot bear governor’s rule” and that speculation should end. Gohar also criticised the continued denial of meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan, claiming he had been isolated for nearly a month. “He is the people’s leader and a parliamentary representative. This is wrong,” he said.
Pakistan, Egypt vow to bolster security cooperation RAWALPINDI
Pakistan declares population management fundamental to national economic success ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday that the government has placed population management and human capital development at the core of its national economic strategy, deeming it essential for the success of the Uraan Pakistan initiative. Addressing the Pakistan Population Summit in a virtual session, the minister outlined several significant governmental plans designed to tackle the issue, including a new Population Emergency Framework and a National Strategic Framework on Population and Development. Iqbal emphasized that effective population management is a foundational requirement for the country”s progress and the viability of its key development projects. He cited the examples of Bangladesh, Vietnam, Iran, and Indonesia, noting that these nations achieved rapid prosperity by integrating their population policies with comprehensive economic strategies, advancements in women’s empowerment, and educational reforms. The minister asserted that Pakistan is now embarking on a similar path with decisive action. The implementation strategy will be spearheaded by the Ministry of National Health Services in collaboration with provincial departments. Key focus areas include expanding access to modern contraceptives, improving community outreach programs, and enhancing provincial service delivery to citizens. Furthermore, the government will implement behaviour change communication campaigns to support its population and development objectives.
staff Correspondent
Dr Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) here on Monday. During the meeting, both dignitaries reviewed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, with a particular focus on defence and security cooperation, military-to-military contacts, training collaborations, and regional peace and stability. The discussions reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to strengthen coordination and deepen the long-standing ties in defence and broader strategic domains. The visiting Foreign Minister
ISLAMABAD
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday announced that the Ministry of Information, in collaboration with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), would soon launch a major crackdown against the spread of fake news on social media. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said he believed that “90 per cent of the content on social media in recent days is fake”, though he emphasised that he supported freedom of expression and the right to criticise.
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Pakistan courts major Egyptian conglomerate for investment in mining, IT sectors irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
CAIRO
staff report
Pakistan has invited one of Egypt’s leading multinational groups to expand its investment footprint by pitching major opportunities in the country’s mining and information technology sectors during a high-level meeting on Monday. Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan briefed the leadership of Elsewedy Electric on recent policy reforms aimed at revitalising Pakistan’s mining industry. He outlined investor-friendly regulations and highlighted fresh avenues for public-private partnerships in mineral development. The minister also urged the corporation to examine prospects in Pakistan’s fast-growing IT services sector, stressing the potential for enhanced digital trade cooperation. Eng Ahmed Elsewedy, President and CEO of Elsewedy Electric, expressed satisfaction with the company’s current operations in Pakistan. The Egyptian delegation noted Pakistan’s recent economic progress and signalled a strong interest in advancing commercial engagement between the two countries. Both sides agreed to maintain close dialogue to explore future collaboration and strengthen industrial and investment linkages.
‘Ticking time bombs have exploded’: Sherry Rehman warns of deepening scarcity crisis in Pakistan ISLAMABAD
staff report
also conveyed warm greetings from the leadership of Egypt and expressed Egypt’s continued interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan across all spheres.
Both sides underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to address emerging challenges, especially in light of evolving regional security dynamics.
Naqvi announces major nationwide action against fake news staff Correspondent
IN TODAY’S ISSUE
He explained that unlike mainstream media — where false reporting can be taken up with the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and journalists are accountable to newsroom hierarchies — social media remained largely unregulated. “Anyone can post any picture or create any news and share it. We will not allow this,” he said. Naqvi stressed that credible reporting must be based on evidence. “You cannot just make any allegation, declare someone dead or alive on your own. This cannot be allowed,” he said, adding that the information ministry and
NCCIA would begin action “on a massive scale”. He argued that only those affiliated with established media organisations and functioning within editorial systems were considered journalists. “Those who spread fake news are not journalists for us,” he remarked. The minister insisted that the upcoming action was not against journalists but against those who deliberately spread misinformation. Responding to a question about whether a new regulatory body was being set up, he said one was already in the process of being formed.
Senator Sherry Rehman has sounded an urgent alarm over what she describes as a full-scale “crisis of scarcity,” warning that Pakistan’s long-ignored threats of unchecked population growth, acute water shortages, and mounting climate pressures have silently but decisively erupted. Speaking at the Population Summit, she said Pakistan is no longer facing distant dangers but a present and worsening reality in which rapidly rising numbers are overwhelming shrinking national resources. She noted that the population is expanding by six million people every year, a surge that is crippling essential services. She questioned how the country can expect to feed its children, manage overstretched health facilities, or educate 26 million out-of-school students while needing to create three million new jobs annually just to keep pace. Turning to the water emergency, Senator Rehman said the scarcity once forecast for 2025 has already arrived. With current demographic trends, Pakistan will require an additional 60 million acre-feet of water by 2050 simply to meet basic needs. She warned that consumption now far exceeds available resources, with every drop being contested by millions of new claimants each year. Citing UNFPA data, she pointed out that the population has reached 241.5 million, making Pakistan the world’s fifth-most populous country, with one of Asia’s highest growth rates at 2.55%. She said the economic consequences are severe, explaining that when population growth surpasses GDP growth, percapita income suffers. A one percent rise in population growth, she noted, reduces per-capita income by Rs. 35,000 annually, whereas lowering the fertility rate to 2.1 births per woman by 2030 could raise per-capita income by 37%. She emphasized that women and children carry the heaviest burden. A woman dies every 50 minutes from pregnancy-related complications, 40% of children under five suffer from stunting, and rural women often spend up to nine hours a day fetching water.
CDF notification expected in coming days, says Law Minister ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said on Monday that the notification appointing Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) would be issued “in the coming days,” insisting that the army chief was already “holding the office in all respects.” The CDF post — created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment — replaces the abolished office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which formally ceased to exist on November 27. The new role combines the army chief’s position with overarching command responsibilities. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said a day earlier that the notification would be issued “in due course of time” and urged against speculation. Speaking to reporters at the Pakistan Na-
tional Arts Council, Tarar said the notification was merely a procedural matter. “There’s nothing to worry about. He is holding the office in all respects,” he said, adding that paperwork would be completed once Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — currently in London — returns to the country. The law minister noted that issuing the notification is the defence ministry’s responsibility, requiring coordination with the Prime Minister’s Office. Although officials had expected the notification to be released alongside the formal abolition of the CJCSC post, November 29 was considered a particularly sensitive date as it marked the end of the army chief’s original three-year tenure before his extension. While the government fast-tracked the 27th Amendment through parliament, the unexpected delay in issuing the CDF notification has caused discomfort within the military hierarchy and complicated what
planners hoped would be a seamless transition to the new higher-defence structure. A key related appointment — the commander of the newly established National Strategic Command (NSC), a four-star post inheriting the nuclear command role previously held by the CJCSC — is also on hold until the CDF notification is finalised. Meanwhile, the National Command Authority (NCA) Act must still be amended to reflect the new structure under Article 243. The changes will be complex, including determining how the new CDF and NSC commander will be positioned relative to the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy chiefs — and whether the air and naval services will retain their representation in the NCA once their strategic commands fall under a unified NSC command. Nationwide CNIC scrutiny launched as NADRA enforces new verification regulations NADRA has launched a far-reaching
overhaul of its identity management system by establishing specialised Verification Boards tasked with examining and ruling on doubtful identification records, in what the authority says is one of the most significant reforms to its governance and regulatory framework in years. The new regulations, approved by the NADRA Authority Board and published in the Gazette of Pakistan, introduce wideranging changes to verification procedures, identity card rules and procurement standards. According to a statement issued on Monday, the reforms aim to modernise and secure the country’s national identity architecture by strengthening checks on record authenticity and improving service delivery. Under the revised Verification Regulations, a formal mechanism has been created to investigate questionable identities. The Verification Boards will conduct inquiries,
hold hearings and issue final determinations, with the objective of improving the accuracy, security and overall reliability of NADRA’s database. Key amendments have also been made to National Identity Card regulations. These include updated definitions, streamlined service processes and new procedures for the safe disposal of uncollected or obsolete cards. The rules now outline clear protocols for cases involving individuals who possess multiple CNICs, while also detailing registration pathways for orphanages and child protection institutions. Regulations governing the Pakistan Origin Card have been updated as well. The revised framework clarifies eligibility criteria for overseas Pakistanis and people of Pakistani descent, specifying the types of documentation required to establish lineage and explaining the rights afforded to POC holders during their stay in Pakistan.