Epaper_25-8-22 ISB

PM SHEHBA Z REAFFIRMS RESOLVE TO DEEPEN PAKISTAN–CHINA ‘IRONCL AD’ PARTNERSHIP

g PREMIER DESCRIBES BOND BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES A S A CORNERSTONE OF REGIONAL PEACE, STABILITY, AND DEVELOPMENT

g STRESSES DESIRE TO EXPAND COLLABORATION WITH CHINA IN TRADE, INVESTMENT, ICT, AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRIALIZATION, MINES, AND MINERALS

the World Anti-Fascist War He added that he was keenly anticipating meetings

g WANG YI REITERATES CHINA’S COMMITMENT TO PAKISTAN, CALLING TWO NATIONS A S ‘ IRONCLAD FRIENDS ’ AND ‘ALL-WEATHER STRATEGIC PARTNERS ’

Pakistan, China’s FMs pledge to strengthen cooperation, mutual suppor t on global forums

ductive and meaningful exchange He

r t Pakistan and China s foreign ministers have pledged to strengthen cooperation and mutual support on global forums During a joint press conference following the 6th Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue Ishaq Dar and Wang Yi expressed their commitment to work together for regional peace stability and prosperity Both countries vowed to further enhance cooperation at all levels and continue strong support for each other in international forums Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan-China relations are founded on brotherhood and both nations are determined to deepen collaboration at every level He welcomed the Chinese Foreign Minister to Pakistan, describing the sixth strategic dialogue as a pro-

with President Xi Jinping Premier Li Qiang, and other senior Chinese leaders Highlighting the importance of economic cooperation, Prime Minister Shehbaz stressed Pakistan’s desire to expand collaboration with China in trade investment ICT agriculture industrialization mines and minerals He particularly underscored the significance of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for Pakistan’s socio-economic development and regional connectivity expressing satisfaction with the steady progress of CPEC Phase-II

C JP-led SC bench accepts Imran Khan’s bail pleas in eight May 9 cases

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

The Supreme Court on Thursday accepted the bail pleas of former prime minister Imran Khan in eight cases related to the May 9, 2023 riots, with Chief Justice Yahya Afridi observing that “the evidence will be proven in the trial court ” A three-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi delivered a short order on the PTI founder s plea against rejection of his bail petition by the Lahore High Court (LHC) in eight cases related to the May 9 riots The bench included Justices Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Hasan

Azhar Rizvi after he replaced Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb Barrister Salman Safdar appeared on behalf of the PTI founder, while Punjab Special Prosecutor (PSP) Zulfiqar Naqvi represented the state Both concluded their arguments following which the CJP announced the bench s decision However, Imran has multiple other cases against him Imprisoned since August 2023 in a case related to state gifts, the PTI founder is serving a sentence at the Adiala Jail in the £190 million graft case and faces pending trials related to the May 9 riots The PTI hailed the SC ruling, using the hashtag Victory For Imran Khan in its X post In November 2024 a Lahore anti-terrorism court had denied Imran bail in the cases related to the May 9, 2023 riots, including an attack on the house of the Lahore corps commander On May 9 2023 PTI supporters protesting Imran s arrest staged

SECP releases Insurance Industr y S tatistics 2024

A ssembly

president mentioned that during his previous tenure, he visited China 14 times to gain a deeper understanding of the development and progress of the country, which proved to be a precursor to the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) He said that 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China and Pakistan is planning to celebrate this important milestone in a befitting manner He said both the countries can use this opportunity to pass on the finest traditions of Pakistan China friendship to our younger generations The President regarded CPEC, which is part of President Xi s flagship Belt and Road Initiative, as having immense strategic significance for both Pakistan and China He said CPEC is an important component to realize our joint vision of enhanced regional connectivity economic integration and a peaceful neighborhood Expressing his views, Mr Wang Yi

acknowledges Pakistan s support to China at key junctures Matters relating to bilateral cooperation and regional security also came under discussion Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister; Ahsan Iqbal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives; Syed Mohsin

COMMENT

New Leaders of the Opposition

Is the PTI accepting the inevitable?

The news of PTI Patron-in-chief Imran Khan’s nominations for the Leaders of the Opposition in both the National Assembly and the Senate came on the same day as the Election Commission of Pakistan announced byelections on those National Assembly seats which had been declared vacant after their holders were convicted by an anti-terrorism court for being guilty of the attacks on military installations of 9 May 2023 Those convicted had included Shibli Faraz the Leader of Opposition in the Senate, and Umar Ayub Khan, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly The conviction had meant that they would lose their seats Mr Khan has so far not named anyone to replace Ahmad Khan Bhachar the erstwhile Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, who has also been denotified from his post Previously, the PTI had vowed to resist what amounted to a decapitation strike but it seems that now it seems to be reconciling with the unpleasant reality, and is not willing to concede anything which it has won It has not got the Prime Ministership it claims Mr Khan has won and is not willing to give up even the Leaderships of the Opposition positions it has by virtue of being the largest opposition party in both Houses It is possible to see a comedown

of the Opposition in the Senate, with Azam Swati a member of the federal cabinet The decision shows its acceptance of the decision while it is still not clear whether it will put up candidates in the by -elections on the vacated seats Leaving those seats to the government may not be the wisest course,

T h e h e i r a p p a r e n t

Who will Trump give his machine to? At Penpoint

US President Donald Trump had first set off something of a bombshell in Washington saying that he expected to be succeeded by either Vice-President J D Vance or Secretary of State Mark Rubio and then going off to the Anchorage summit with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin Both his prediction and his trip were about legacy, for while the trip was help build his reputation carefully promoted in his present term while his prediction recognizes the fact that while he will personally come to the end of his political career at the end of his current term his political machine will remain in existence, and is a valuable legacy for whoever gets a piece of it The prediction is in a way more typical of Trump’s style of politics both domestic and foreign The recent summit showed him trying to make peace between Russia and Ukraine but when the action shifted to Washington it seemed Ukraine was not ready to come on board As for his prediction, it is useful to remember that Trump may well be bigger than the Republican party, and certainly likes to think so Crucial to his ability to transfer his machine will be the midterm elections next year when he will once again be tested The renomination he received in 2024 after his defeat in 2020 was the result of the power he showed in the 2022 midterms, when he showed that his endorsement counted, not in the general election against the Democrat nominee, but in the Republican primary The result has been the imposition of more uniformity on the party than before This is not really an imposition so much as a reflection of what the Republican party now stands for Unlike modest other populist figures, Trump does not really offer anything, but does indicate to the voter who can be trusted and who cannot This might help explain his apparent untouchability by scandal: while that would be fatal for someone of whom something is expected it is forgiven by voters and supporters for whom he is fulfilling a wish That means that every act of racism every act of misogyny, every display of ignorance, is forgiven by voters who secretly wish to be able to voice any of these things, but dare not It is worth seeing whether Trump’s connection with the late Jeffrey Epstein will outdo this because Epstein who was convicted of paedophilia and who died in prison in 2019 was seen by Trump supporters as one figure in an alleged paedophilia ring The Biden Administration is alleged to have covered up the facts revealed by the investigation after he died, because of the large number of Democrat leaders who would be revealed as Epstein companions Instead of releasing the information collected it seems the Trump Administration is now sitting on the evidence collected A recent newspaper report has in-

dicated that Trump’s relationship with Epstein was closer than he has admitted so far That would mean that Trump is part of the elite that he has led the fight against In the midst of all this he has created rivals for the succession Vice President J D Vance and Secretary of State Mark Rubio, who hold positions that lead to the Presidency It is easier for Vice Presidents, who have only to preside over the Senate, to plug in to the fund-raising machine that is needed in recent times Vice-Presidents have had a better chance Discounting Teddy Roosevelt Calvin Coolige Harry Truman Lyndon Johson and Gerald Ford who were sitting Vice-Presidents who became President after their principal died on them, VicePresidents have done well in the last century or so Dwight Eisenhower ’s Vice-President Richard Nixon lost immediately after in 1960 to Kennedy but won the nomination and Presidency in 1968 Nixon s Vice President Gerald Ford lost in 1976 but won the nomination though after a strong challenge from Ronald Reagan Reagan himself won in 1980 Reagan s Vice-President, George Bush, won in 1988 Jimmy Carter’s Vice-President lost to Reagan in 1976 Al Gore Clinton’s Vice-President lost in 2000 George Bush’s Vice-President Dan Quayle ran in 2000 but failed to win the nomination withdrawing early in favour of the younger Bush Bush s Vice-President Peter Cheyney, never ran for President, having two huge disadvantages His daughter had come out as gay, and he had had a multiple coronary bypass

Trump controls the Republican Par ty like no one as ever before . Peace in Ukraine is almost a sideshow as the world now focuses on who will inherit his mantle , or rather be given it

T h e d e s i w e d d i n g

ing weddings)! Desi weddings are excruciatingly tedious unnecessarily long and painfully predictable No wonder ladies love them so much What with the difference between men and women diminishing by the day, it seems so do more and more men too There are other reasons too At weddings many gentlemen and ladies for reasons hitherto unknown insist on dancing While there is nothing wrong with the sentiment per se, the problem is that as a rule they cannot dance to save their lives, which means that the whole thing can be quite cringeworthy for those endowed with an aesthetic sense [It is interesting to note that societal norms and standard views on acceptable behaviour in mixed company held by a broad section of the community remain suspended or held strictly in abeyance for the duration of the festivities So it is that even the ladies who, in ordinary circumstances, are extremely careful about their dress and demeanour with strangers around suddenly display an extraordinary freedom from such inhibitions So it is that they do not seem to mind one bit the fact that what they like to refer to as their dance moves are being recorded (as are all other proceedings) for the benefit of posterity And it is not only the official cameraman and his able assistants the light-man and the cable-holder

doing the filming (as was the case up until 20 years ago) but everybody along with his uncle and aunty have their mobile phones out religiously video-documenting everything ] Dressing without regard to the weather conditions (in fact in plain defiance of them), excessive make up all around, and typically bad (and too loud) music are some of the other hallmarks of the desi wedding that take a heavy toll on the sensibilities of those unfortunates who happen to be aesthetes Throw in having to choose between uncomfortable silence and unbearable small-talk and having to endure the long queues for the mandatory photo with the bride and the groom, and staying home becomes an infinitely more attractive prospect in comparison Not being invited to a wedding is generally considered the ultimate insult and has traditionally caused much long-lasting bad blood among otherwise perfectly reasonable individuals For my part, I love not being invited In fact, I feel extremely indebted to the host For my policy is to avoid weddings if I can at all help it; and having been ignored obviates the need to conjure up credible excuses I admit that I was not able to avoid the one that needed avoiding the most– my own, that is In my defence, I gave the matter serious thought but decided to go ahead because absenting myself on my own wedding would have been way too impertinent

The author is a connoisseur of music literature and food (but not drinks) He can be reached at www facebook com/hasanaftabsaeed

Not being invited to a wedding is g enerally considered the ultimate insult and has traditionally caused much long-lasting bad blood among otherwise perfectly reasonable individuals. For my par t, I love not being invited. In fact, I feel extremely indebted to the host. For my policy is to avoid weddings if I can at all help it; and having been ignored obviates the need to conjure up credible excuses.

Enduring Pakistan

Humans have long been celebrated as the most intelligent species on Earth Our languages, our art, our ability to reason, and the civilizations we have built are held up as proof of that superiority But a troubling question lurks behind this pride: are our thoughts truly our own? Or as Rousseau once wrote, are we in chains at every step, shackled not by visible iron but by invisible forces that dictate what we think, what we value and even what we dream?

When examined closely the idea of intellectual freedom begins to look more like an illusion Identities values tastes and judgments are often not the organic products of individual experience but the result of careful shaping by powerful forces These forces work subtly yet relentlessly through education media history religion and ideology embedding themselves so deeply in the human mind that those controlled begin to think of their chains as ornaments

From our notions of morality to our diets, from dress codes to religious rituals, from aesthetic preferences to career ambitions everything carries the fingerprints of regulation But the regulators are often not our immediate communities; they are the distant but pervasive legacies of colonialism reinforced by today s neo-colonizers: global institutions, multinational corporations, and political powers that understand control is most effective when it is invisible French philosopher Michel Foucault offers one of the sharpest tools for understanding this phenomenon discourse Discourse is more than conversation It is the structured framework that determines what can be said, what is deemed truth, and what must be dismissed as falsehood In the realm of medicine for instance discourse has the power to decide what counts as a legitimate disease who can claim authority to treat it and what treatments are acceptable For decades Traditional Chinese Medicine was dismissed in the West as unscientific, not because it failed to heal but because it did not fit into the Western medical framework Its eventual acceptance came only when it was reframed

How power, culture and education shape human consciousness

narratives are labeled as radicals conspiracy theorists or threats to stability

process

in Western terms Truth here was not about efficacy; it was about power about who gets to define it Foucault s insight that knowledge and power are inseparable dovetails with Louis Althusser s idea of Ideological State Apparatuses (ISA) and Repressive State Apparatuses (RSA) These are the tools sometimes subtle sometimes blunt through which the state and ruling powers shape belief and behaviour Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci took it further with his notion of cultural hegemony: the ruling class maintains dominance not only through coercion but through consent, by convincing the ruled that the ruler ’s worldview is the only rational one Colonial history offers countless examples of this The British Empire for instance did not rule solely through armies It ruled through stories, textbooks, and narratives that convinced colonized people that British civilization meant progress order and morality Colonized populations came to measure their worth by their ability to imitate their rulers learning English dressing in Western fashion, adopting European manners The chains were internalized The most lasting victory of colonization was not territorial it was psychological Eurocentrism seeped into education fashion science and even self-worth Even after the political end of colonialism the intellectual and cultural structures remained intact

Today global education systems still largely privilege Western history Western philosophy and Western scientific narratives often sidelining or erasing the contributions of other civilizations The innovations of Muslim scientists in algebra, optics, and medicine, for example, were often repackaged under European names or omitted altogether from mainstream curricula This rewriting of history has consequences It conditions people in developing nations to look toward the West as the epicenter of innovation, culture, and intelligence The West becomes the standard; everything else becomes the “other ” This is not a historical relic it is an ongoing project Global media and cultural exports continue to frame Western lifestyles as modern and desirable while portraying non-Western ways of living as outdated or inferior Philosophically, this condition mirrors Plato’s Allegory of the Cave Most of humanity like the prisoners in the cave sees only shadows on the wall images projected by the systems of education media and ideology The puppeteers whether political leaders, corporations, or cultural institutions, decide what shadows appear And when someone escapes the cave and tries to describe the outside world the more complex and uncomfortable truth they are often ridiculed silenced or dismissed as dangerous We see this today when whistleblowers dissidents and critics of dominant

The psychological aftermath of colonization runs deep Many in post-colonial societies grow up with an unspoken sense of inferiority, aspiring to migrate to countries that once exploited their homelands Neocolonizers eagerly welcome this migration of talent benefitting from the labour creativity and innovation of the developing world while the home countries are drained of their brightest minds Meanwhile, in the global arena, control is maintained through monopolies on technology on nuclear power on financial systems Neo-colonizers claim the role of guardians of global security while ensuring that only they hold the most strategic advantages Efforts by developing nations to assert independence, whether in military capacity, economic policy, or cultural narrative, are often met with economic sanctions, regime-change operations or diplomatic isolation The message is clear: challenges to the existing order will be neutralized swiftly and decisively Escaping this matrix is no easy task It begins with a willingness to ask uncomfortable questions: Who am I? What do I believe? Why do I believe it? These questions cut through the comforting illusions that dominant systems provide They are difficult even dangerous because they threaten the mental architecture that has been carefully built to sustain power Education real education, not just formal schooling is essential to

Power will always shape the world The question is whether it will continue to shape human consciousness unchalleng ed A society that surrenders its capacity to question is a society that has surrendered its future But a society that nur tures awareness, cultivates critical thought, and refuses to mistake shadows for reality may yet find the courag e to step out of the cave And when enough people step out, the puppeteers lose their grip not because the chains have vanished, but because the people have learned how to live without them

sumers who downtrade to illicit brands are generally unlikely to smoke less and rather consume products that circumvent regulatory requirements including health warnings, ingredient disclosures, and quality standards – undermining several public health objectives, including risk communication efforts and smoking cessation goals

This however should not be misread as evidence that excise hikes are ineffective Rather, it spotlights a fundamental policy implementation gap – for strong taxation to succeed, it must be coupled with strong enforcement In the absence of sufficient enforcement efforts increasing volumes of tax-evaded products in the market undermine the fiscal case for higher FED rates

With illicit trade already causing an estimated PKR 300 billion in annual revenue losses for the government raising the FED on compliant businesses without closing enforcement gaps will only shrink the volume of legal cigarette consumption, and in turn, reduce the taxable base – further diminishing revenue collections from the industry

The adoption of a balanced effective tobacco control strategy must consider the full market landscape –not just the legal segment – and invest in strengthening industry-wide regulatory and fiscal compliance To do so successfully Pakistan must draw from global lessons where countries have faced comparable challenges Australia s tobacco control efforts centered heavily on taxation for many years – aiming to curb smoking incidence by pressuring the affordability of cigarettes

not-paid brands often manufactured in areas that lie beyond the Federal Board of Revenue s (FBR) authorized jurisdiction The products bypass both fiscal regulation and product quality and safety oversight, putting consumers at risk and effectively eroding the integrity of the tax system In pricesensitive markets like Pakistan tax hikes often result in downtrading –causing smokers to shift from compliant, taxed products to cheaper, illicit alternatives In 2023 Pakistan’s Federal Excise Duty (FED) on cigarettes was raised sharply The move was praised by public health experts

The sharp increase in tobacco prices however led to a substantial unintended consequence with many consumers –particularly price sensitive ones –simply turning to the black market, fueling a significant surge in illicit tobacco trade

With one of the world’s highest tobacco taxes Australia stands as evidence of the implications of when tax outpaces enforcement efforts

The government s tobacco control strategy has long relied on incremental excise hikes on tobacco through annual increases of 12 5% from 2013 to 2020 followed by a further 5% increase from 2023 to 2026 – pushing the price of a legal pack of cigarettes above AUD 50 ( PKR 9,000) The result? A thriving illicit market In 2012 the year prior to the initial excise hike the contribution of illicit

2017, and by 2019, illicit contribution stood at a striking 20 4 percent According to data from the Australian Taxation Office the illicit tobacco market accounted for a tax gap of 14 3 percent between 2022 to 2023 – a figure that rises to 33 1 percent when attempted but intercepted products are included These products resulted in an estimated AUD 2 7 billion in lost revenue for the Treasury with roughly AUD 2 3 billion in losses caused by illicit imports and AUD 0 4 billion by tax-evaded, locally manufactured products

Without adequate enforcement efforts to match the escalating tax reforms illicit trade in Australia has rapidly become associated with organized crime among gangs resulting in increased cases of arson and extortion, as well as the firebombing of retailers who refuse to sell illicit tobacco products

In March 2025 recognizing that tax police alone cannot curb smoking prevalence or dismantle the parallel economy it s created, the Federal Executive Government of Australia course corrected, announcing a substantial escalation in nation-wide enforcement efforts

Building on the AUD 188 5 million package from the year prior –which provided funding for Border Force and strengthened collaboration between the Commonwealth, states, and territories – an AUD 156 7 million investment was committed to further accelerate enforcement efforts

This announcement marked a decisive policy shift – balancing a formerly tax-centered approach with strong, targeted measures to effectively tackle the illegal supply chain

Key measures introduced in the March 2025 package included expanding criminal asset seizures strengthening border protection and enhancing coordination among national enforcement authorities

Above all, this strategic shift signaled the government’s acknowledgement that impactful tobacco control requires more than simply price pressures – to truly be viable it must be complemented with stringent enforcement, cross-agency coordination, and international cooperation

Tobacco taxation will continue to remain a vital public health tool – but in isolation it cannot dismantle a rapidly growing black market worth hundreds of billions of rupees To ensure that national taxation efforts remain impactful and sustainable, Pakistan must pair its fiscal reform with

nition

steps on aid, annexation, a ceasefire, and a political process This comes on top of well over a hundred countries that already recognize Palestine On the one hand the world s momentum looks detached from realities on the ground A one-sided state declared into a vacuum cannot resolve core issues that still define the conflict: Hamas s rule and arsenal in Gaza, a fractured Palestinian polity, Israel s legitimate security needs along and beyond the 1967 lines and the basic requirement that any state exercise a monopoly on force and accept Israel’s right to exist Recognition without a workable security architecture governance reforms and a credible plan for disarmament risks becoming an act of symbolism that hardens maximalists on both sides and leaves civilians no safer On the other hand, the poll also tells us something uncomfortable about Israel’s standing and our own diplomacy After almost two years of war it is nearly impossible to maintain broad international support without a clear political horizon even among Americans who remain instinctively pro-Israel When friends move ahead with recognition, it reflects not only their domestic pressures but also their sense that Israel is not offering a plan others can rally around That perception is sharpened when headlines focus on settlement expansions and coalition infighting rather than a coherent “day after” strategy ISRAEL NEEDS TO GET ITS DIPLOMATIC ACT TOGETHER: Israel must get its act together diplomatically fast and we should do so on two tracks at once First, we need

recognize

and the greatest common divisor for the three countries and other countries in the region Wang said He said a peaceful, stable, developing and prosperous South Asia serves the common interests of all parties and meets the common expectations of people in South Asian countries

The three countries are ready to enhance good-neighborly friendship deepen exchanges and cooperation, and seek mutual benefit and win-win results with China, their largest neighbor, Wang said Facing the pressure of unilateral and bullying practices the three countries all believe that it is necessary to uphold multilateralism safeguard their legitimate rights and interests and work for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic global-

ization Wang added

Noting that China will be a trustworthy partner for South Asian countries Wang said that China and South Asian countries are natural partners and have broad space for cooperation

The relations between China and Pakistan between China and India and between China and other neighboring countries do not target any third party nor will they be influenced by any third party he said

Noting that Pakistan became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council this year, Wang said China has one more partner upholding fairness and justice in the Security Council

Both China and Pakistan will maintain close coordination and collaboration to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the vast number of developing countries and the Global South, he said

Russia dismisses Uk raine peace talks without Moscow as ‘road

to nowhere’

on

of

on Ukraine, the chair of the alliance’s military committee said “Priority continues to be a just, credible and durable peace ” Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone wrote in a post on X A Western official told Reuters that a small group of military leaders continued discussions in Washington on security guarantees shortly after the bigger virtual meeting After Polish officials said that an object that crashed in a cornfield in eastern Poland overnight was likely a Russian drone Poland accused Russia of provoking NATO countries just as efforts to find an end to the war were intensifying “Once again, we are dealing with a provocation by the Russian Federation with a Russian drone We are dealing in a crucial moment when discussions about peace (in Ukraine) are under way De-

fence Minister Wladyslaw KosiniakKamysz said Lavrov’s comments highlighted Moscow’s demand for Western governments to directly engage with it on questions of security concerning Ukraine and Europe something it says they have so far refused to do Moscow this week also restated its rejection of “any scenarios involving the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine ” Lavrov accused the European leaders who met Trump and Zelenskiy of carrying out a fairly aggressive escalation of the situation rather clumsy and in general, unethical attempts to change the position of the Trump administration and the president of the United States personally We did not hear any constructive ideas from the Europeans there

Trump said on Monday the United States would help guarantee Ukraine s security in any deal to end Russia s war there He subsequently said he had ruled out putting U S troops in Ukraine, but the U S might provide air support as part of a deal to end the hostilities Zelenskiy s chief of staff speaking after a meeting of national security advis-

ers from Western countries and NATO, said work was proceeding on the military component of the guarantees “Our teams above all the military have already begun active work on the military component of security guarantees chief of staff Andriy Yermak wrote on social media Yermak said Ukraine was also working on a plan with its allies on how to proceed “in case the Russian side continues to prolong the war and disrupt agreements on bilateral and trilateral formats of leaders meetings Lavrov said Russia was in favour of truly

Entrepreneurial Ac tivit y in Uzbek istan

Demonstrates Steady Growth

M i a n a b r a r

On the eve of Entrepreneur s Day the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) presented an overview of the business climate in Uzbekistan, based on a nationwide survey

The results show that more than one-third of entrepreneurs report improved business activity while the majority expect higher demand and increased employment in the coming months Overall, the business environment has continued to strengthen, maintaining the positive trajectory of recent years

CERR presented the results of its July analysis of the business climate

Based on the findings, a Business Climate Index was compiled, reflecting both current assessments of business conditions and expectations for its development in the near future BUSINESS CLIMATE ANALYSIS

In July, the composite business climate indicator rose by 5 points compared to the same period last year, reaching 52 The improvement was driven primarily by higher current activity as the current situation index increased to 44 points (+14) year-on-year

The index of current business conditions reflects entrepreneurs perceptions of the actual situation and business environment including sales employment demand access to resources and operational stability At the same time, the expecta-

tions index adjusted from 66 to 59 points, while remaining at a relatively high level, which reflects stable confidence among entrepreneurs regarding future prospects

According to the survey entrepreneurial activity in the country demonstrates positive trends More than one-third of respondents (37%) reported that their business conditions improved over the past three months, while 42% noted increased demand for goods and services One in four entrepreneurs (24%) stated that their workforce had expanded indicating business growth and the need for additional labor In terms of expectations for the coming months overall optimism persists The majority of respondents (66%) forecast further growth in demand More than half (53%) expect employment to expand, and onequarter (25%) anticipate higher prices, reflecting the influence of inflationary expectations on the business environment SECTORAL ANALYSIS

In

index rose to 50 points, 6 points above last year ’s level More than half of entrepreneurs (51%) assess the current situation as satisfactory while 21% reported employment growth over the past three months Expectations remain positive, with 74% forecasting further improvements A key factor was the sharp increase in the current situation index which rose from 20 to 44 reflecting a significant recovery in industrial activity In services, the business climate index in July reached 54 points, 3 points higher year-on-year The current situation index strengthened considerably rising from 34 to 48 Almost half of respondents (47%) rate their business situation as good, and 39% reported improvement over the past three months Expectations remain generally positive, with 64% projecting further growth in demand although this figure is slightly lower than last year s 69% In construction the business climate index strengthened to 50 points, 5 points above last year s level The current situation index rose from 28 to 38 while expectations increased from 62 to 63 remaining at a high level Improvement in business conditions over the past three months was noted by 42% of construction entrepreneurs (compared to 25% last year), and 24% of respondents expect further progress in the near future reflecting positive market sentiment

Funding c uts threaten UN Rohingya evidence probe

CM MARYAM MEETS TOKYO DEPUT Y GOVERNOR, INVITES JAPANESE DAIRY GIANT TO INVEST IN PUNJAB

g PUNJAB CM SEEKS JAPANESE EXPERTISE IN CLEAN ENERGY, URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROJECTS

t

The government has announced that Ashra Rahmatul-lil-Alameen will be observed across the country from 1st to 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal with devotion and reverence, featuring national and provincial-level programs in connection with the 1 500 birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf chaired an inter-provincial meeting on Thursday where key decisions were taken to mark the occasion The meeting was attended by Federal Secretary Religious Affairs Dr Syed Atta-ur-Rehman Additional Secretary Dr Sajid Mahmood Chauhan, provincial Auqaf secretaries, Minister of Auqaf AJK Hafiz Muhammad Ahmad Raza Qadri Parliamentary Secretary Balochistan Shahnaz Umrani and other senior officials

Highlighting the importance of the commemorations Sardar Yousaf said the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony will organize the 50th International Seerat-un-Nabi Conference in Islamabad, with

CDA reclaims 210 kanals in anti-encroachment drive at Saidpur Model Village

ISLAMABAD

s ta f f r e p o r t

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has intensified its anti-encroachment drive in Saidpur Model Village, reclaiming 210 out of 370 kanals of illegally occupied estate land, officials said on Thursday The ongoing operation, carried out on the directions of CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa aims to clear the historic village of unauthorized constructions and restore its planned development CDA reclaims 210 kanals in anti-encroachment drive at Saidpur Model VillageDeputy Director General Enforcement, Dr Anam, is supervising the campaign CDA teams demolished 11 illegal houses and 12 shops using heavy machinery The Enforcement Wing has been instructed to compile detailed data on all remaining unlawful structures to ensure the complete eradication of encroachments, the authority said in a statement Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the site earlier this week to review the progress of both the anti-encroachment drive and beautification works He directed officials to continue indiscriminate action against illegal constructions and announced plans to establish outlets of well-known national food chains in the area According to him, the move will not only create employment opportunities but also provide citizens with a new recreational spot enhancing the beauty of Islamabad The CDA has urged residents to cooperate with its enforcement teams and to report any cases of illegal occupation Authorities have also assured that the drive will continue until Saidpur Village is fully cleared, enabling its transformation into a “world-class recreational center ”The centuries-old

PSO marks 78th I-Day with commitment to progress

KARACHI

s ta f f r e p o r t Pakistan State Oil (PSO) marked the 78th Independence Day of Pakistan with a grand ceremony highlighting its dedication to the nation s progress and growth The event was led by PSO s Managing Director & CEO, Syed Taha, who emphasized the company's commitment to outstanding performance, technological innovation, and environmental stewardship The event was made special by a soul-stirring performance by students from the Karachi Vocational Training Centre As the company looks to the future it remains focused on delivering value to its stakeholders while contributing to the nation's prosperity

PM INAUGURATES FACILITATION CENTER AS ONE

STOP SOLUTION TO INVESTORS, ENTREPRENEURS

Mohsin Naqvi lauds US President Trump’s effor ts for world peace

Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday said that the US

han-i-Imtiaz

Defence Production

In related development Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium Charles Idesbald held separate meetings with Federal Minister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Harraj here Thursday The minister welcomed the ambassador of Azerbaijan and highly appreciated the brotherly feelings of the Azerbaijan government for Pakistan on all international forums said a press release Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj appreciated existing defense cooperation between the two countries and desired to expand it further He emphasized that Pakistan and Azerbaijan have deep roots in common faith cultural affinities and shared traditions The minister proposed more frequent exchange of visits to each other s institutions to explore

had been injured including several in critical condition Four of the injured were described as being in serious condition, one requiring immediate surgery Ten individuals were treated at Civil Hospital while others received care at nearby medical facilities Firefighting teams struggled for hours to douse the flames, with ten fire tenders involved in the operation Rescue workers remained at the site, continuing efforts to cool the area

ISLAMABAD

s ta f f r e p o r t

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of torrential rains accompanied by wind and thundershowers in various parts of the country from August 23 to 29, with possible flash floods, urban flooding, and landslides in vulnerable regions

According to the Met Office strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are likely to penetrate upper parts of the country from August 22 while a westerly wave is expected to approach the northern regions on the night of the same day Under the influence of these weather systems, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to experience widespread rains with heavy falls at times from August 23 to 27

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will see widespread rains from August 23 to 26, particularly in Swat, Dir, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Mardan Charsadda and adjoining districts Punjab and Islamabad are expected to receive widespread downpours with heavy falls in Rawalpindi Murree Lahore Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and other areas from August 23 to 27, while southern Punjab districts including Multan, Bahawalpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan may see scattered heavy showers on August 24 and 27 Sindh districts including Tharparkar Umerkot Mithi and Mirpurkhas are forecast to receive rains from August 23 (night) to 26 Eastern and southern Balochistan are likely to face heavy rains from August 27 to 29, while Barkhan, Musakhel, Loralai, and Khuzdar may see rain spells earlier between August 23 and 26 The PMD