PAKISTAN INVITED TO JOIN US-LED GA Z A BOARD OF PEACE TO OVERSEE POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION
g
g WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED BOP TA SKED WITH GAZA RECONSTRUCTION, GOVERNANCE, AND HAMA S DISARMAMENT
Governance security and reconstruction in Gaza Under the US plan, Gaza will
stabilise daily life while preparing the ground for long-term governance Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov has been appointed High Representative for Gaza, serving as the primary link between the BoP and the NCAG, with executive authority on the ground Security responsibilities will fall to an International Stabili-
of
Rubio, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, for-
British
Minister Tony Blair and
Kushner President Trump’s son-in-law Other members include Marc Rowan CEO of
Global Management; World Bank President Ajay Banga; and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel Leaders from more than 60 countries have been invited to serve on the Peace Council with confirmations from Canada and Argentina Turkey Egypt and Jordan have also received formal invitations, with consultations ongoing
Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, Egypt’s General Hassan Rashad, UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashimy Dutch diplomat Sigrid Kaag and Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay alongside several BoP members
Tchemicals pharmaceuticals iron and steel machinery and equipment and furniture
Analysts said the increase in domestic production may be linked to lower imports, but questioned the sustainability of growth amid weak external demand Exports have declined for five consecutive months, raising concerns
the site Law enforcement officials cordoned off the area to secure the scene and prevent further incidents
to Maulana Waheed Gul’s house including the main gate as well as a parked vehicle Windows and parts of the house structure were also affected by the explosion Maulana Waheed himself confirmed the incident and stated that, fortunately, no one was injured Following the explosion a heavy contingent of police personnel rushed to
Residents reported panic and fear in the neighbourhood as authorities began initial investigations District Police Officer Waqas Rafiq said that initial investigations suggest an improvised explosive device (IED) was used in the blast Police have launched a detailed probe to determine the perpetrators and motive behind the attack Despite the intensity of the blast no casualties were reported Police and Maulana Waheed both confirmed that no loss of life or injuries occurred in the incident The incident comes just a week after a senior Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader, Maulana Sultan Muhammad Wazir succumbed to injuries sustained in a bomb blast near a seminary in Wana Police said a remote-controlled IED had been planted in the Konra Cheena area near a religious seminary to target him He was shifted to Dera Ismail Khan for treatment but died on the way Police officials said investigations into the Bajaur blast are ongoing and evidence is being collected from the site Security has been heightened in the area following the incident
Pakistan–PhiliPPines Pharma
LAHORE/RAJANPUR s
Punjab Police Rajanpur achieved a major breakthrough against Katcha-area criminals by conducting a highly targeted operation against armed dacoits in Katcha Umrani Sukhani and Katcha Karachi areas According to the Punjab Police spokesperson, the Rajanpur Police employed modern surveillance tools and carried out drone strikes on the hideouts of the notorious Umrani gang Several bunkers and fortified shelters used by the criminals were completely destroyed dur-
ing the operation As a result of sustained pressure and an effective strategy by the police 11 highly dangerous and most-wanted dacoits belonging to the Umrani gang surrendered before law enforcement authorities The accused laid down their weapons and handed over heavy arms to the police Rajanpur District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Imran said
for students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir through the launch of the MAGIS 20261 merit-based admission and scholarship programme by Pak-Turk Maarif International Schools and Colleges MAGIS, also known as the Maarif Entrance Exam, is a competitive assessment aimed at identifying high-achieving students and providing them access to quality education financial support and international learning opportunities Successful candidates can secure admission and scholarships at Pak-Turk Maarif campuses across Pakistan For the first time, the programme has
been extended to Azad Jammu and Kashmir marking a significant milestone for students in the region The initiative coincides with the establishment of the Pak-Turk Maarif International AJK Muzaffarabad Campus, expanding access to international-standard education According to programme details, students can apply for admission in Grades 4 to 9 as well as IGCSE-1 The scheme offers merit-based scholarships tuition fee concessions financial assistance and affordable admission charges Students will also be exposed to international curricula and Turkish language learning opportunities Pak-Turk Maarif officials said MAGIS had gained strong nationwide recognition with more than 25 000 stu-
dents appearing in the exam to date
Around 5 000 students participate annually making it one of the country s leading education-focused scholarship initiatives promoting academic excellence and equal access to learning The registration deadline for MAGIS 2026-1 is February 5, 2026, while the test will be conducted on February 15 Results will be announced on February 26 after which shortlisted candidates will be called for interviews MAGIS is conducted in 10 major cities across Pakistan Students and parents have been encouraged to register online to benefit from the opportunity and pursue higher academic pathways supported by Turkiye-backed education initiatives
Leghari rejec ts NEPR A’s repor t as ‘fac tually incorrec t,’ asser ts circ ular debt reduced by Rs780b in a year
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Federal Minister for Power Sardar
Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Sunday strongly rebutted claims made in the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority s (NEPRA) State of Industry Report 2025, terming several conclusions “factually incorrect” and asserting that deep-rooted reforms have already delivered tangible relief to electricity consumers while putting the power sector on a sustainable path
Addressing a press conference
Leghari said NEPRA s report was based on outdated and insufficient data, leading to misperceptions about the sector ’s performance He highlighted that the report which should have been released in August 2025 failed to reflect the government s achievements including improvements in debt management, tariff rationalization, and consumer empowerment initiatives The minister emphasised that the government’s six-year circular debt settlement plan is firmly on track noting that circular debt which once stood at Rs2 4 trillion, has been reduced to Rs1 6
trillion within a year marking the first significant decline in decades He said that contrary to NEPRA s assertions, the government has fully serviced existing debt through the debt service surcharge and is committed to completely eliminating circular debt within five to six years
Responding to NEPRA s claim that Pakistan has around 8,700 megawatts of surplus electricity capacity, Leghari acknowledged the presence of surplus capacity but said it was inaccurate to suggest the government had not reviewed take-or-pay and must-run contracts He explained that extensive negotiations with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) had resulted in the termination or revision of several costly contracts and the closure of inefficient power plants These measures he said saved consumers billions of rupees while ensuring sector sustainability
The minister highlighted a historic merit-based decision to cancel nearly 8,000 megawatts of future expensive power projects, including 7,967 MW selected purely on merit “These actions eliminated unnecessary surplus power and will save consumers an estimated $17 billion in future costs he said
Leghari also discussed the ongoing issue of K-Electric, stating that non-payments by the utility up to June 2023 caused a Rs640 billion increase in circular debt with more than Rs300 billion still outstanding as of November 30 2025 He noted that KE has received over Rs600 billion in subsidies over five years, adding to the national fiscal burden, and warned that regulatory targets had been comparatively relaxed Addressing NEPRA’s claim regarding a Rs780 billion reduction in circular debt the minister clarified that the figure comprises Rs193 billion from lower DISCO losses Rs260 billion from IPP negotiations, and Rs300 billion from macroeconomic improvements “All these figures were formally shared with NEPRA; its apparent ignorance is surprising he said The minister also detailed improvements in DISCO operations reporting that recoveries rose from 92 4% to 96 6% in FY2025, shrinking the recovery gap from Rs315 billion to Rs132 billion a reduction of Rs183 billion He said recovery performance continued to improve in FY2026 with an additional Rs43 billion collected compared to the same period last year
TH E Gaza ceasefire is moving to the next stage, and the Trump Administration has sent letters of invitation to over 60 leaders and intends to send out more if needed, to join the Board of Peace, supposed to supervise the process of administration, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the battered Gaza Perhaps the most noticeable thing about the Board is its pronounced proIsrael tilt US members named include not just Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but also Trump son-in-law and ardent Zionist Jared Kushner and Trump fixer (and prominent Zionist) Steve Witkoff as well as billionaire Marc Rowan The Muslim leaders invited to the Council include the Presidents of UAE, Turkey and Egypt, Muslim countries which have recognized Israel Israel remain unhappy with its composition, with the initial official reaction being a huffy statement that the membership of the Board is not according to Israeli policy It might be noted that the Board does not include any Palestinians or any leader of a Muslim country not recognizing Israel
One of the main questions about the whole affair was answered by the naming of a US major general as the commander of the proposed stabilization force Maj Gen Jasper Jeffers, who since 2024 was busy supervising the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire in Lebanon, which has not stopped Israel launching strikes against the Hezbollah In short he can be expected to continue allowing Israel to continue launching strikes in Gaza, on the ground that they were against Hamas The 15-member governing committee of Palestinian technocrats is to be headed by a former Palestinian Authority deputy planning minister Ali Shath, whose main priority will be clearing the rubble created by Israeli bombing and artillery bombardment, which he has promised to do in three years A diplomatic source in Washington has said that Pakistan has been invited to join the Council, which would probably be necessary if it was to join the stabilization force However it might be well for it to think hard before it joins in any body so heavily tilted in favour of Israel Pakistan
From regional defence to extended deterrence?
AStrategic Mutual Defence Agreement was signed in September between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan According to media and policy deliberations, the agreement could be a sign that Pakistan will no longer have the regionally based defensive strategy but some open form of regional deterrence to Saudi Arabia These propositions are of concern to the strategic priorities of Pakistan,proliferation, regional stability and so on Is the Saudi deal a major reorientation of nuclear policy in Pakistan or do opinions about extended deterrence overstate the implications of the deal based on the nuclear and strategic factors and not considering the overall diplomatic/economic factors? What are the official views historic behavioural tendencies and technology reaction?
Beginning in the late 1970s, consistent discourses have emerged about an Islamic bomb due to the close military collaboration between Pakistan and Riyadh and Saudi support of the defence sector in Pakistan
These stories now resurfed on a grand scale following the SMDA because of its declaration that violence against one nation would be seen and dealt with as violence against the two nations
These interpretations were also influenced by the time when the agreement was reached Saudi Arabia is experiencing an increasing insecurity in the region following Israeli military activities and concerns surrounding the certainty of the US security provision owing to its weak reactions to the recent regional upheavals In this view, the role of Pakistan as a nuclear power and defence ally appeared to other observers as an alternative source of strategic security
However, these ideas are hampered by the historical behaviour of Pakistan Within the context of military relations Pakistan has largely escaped actual conflicts in the Gulf notably its non-intervention in the Saudi war in Yemen In the same vein the nuclear policy of Pakistan, which has always been based on the concept of deterrence in the South Asian region, has had no active interactions toward extending security to areas outside its immediate vicinity
To start with there is the great problem of interpretive ambiguity The general term of mutual defence creates external interpretations which are outside the face value of the agreement Such assumptions would have a risk of inflated expectations in Saudi Arabia and also create alarm among the regional actors without proper clarification
The other consideration is the policy credibility Pakistan has not signaled any change of its doctrines that it would employ its nuclear arms in supporting another state neither has it made any command structures, operational arrangements or deployments that
D econstruc ting misleading narratives from Tirah to the tribal belt
istan
IN Pakistan’s former tribal districts particularly the Tirah Valley security operations are increasingly misrepresented through emotionally charged and strategically curated narratives These portrayals, amplified by networks aligned to the PTM and foreign-based echo chambers, frame counterterrorism measures as collective punishment rather than lawful security responses Such discourse not only obscures ground realities but also undermines public trust in institutions tasked with protecting civilians from organized violence A fact-based examination reveals a far more complex, legally grounded, and security-driven picture At the heart of the controversy lies the deliberate conflation of lawful security protocols with repression Temporary curfews movement restrictions and access controls are portrayed as tools of displacement or coercion In reality, these measures are internationally recognized counterterrorism instruments, employed to isolate armed threats disrupt militant mobility and reduce civilian exposure to imminent danger Depicting them as arbitrary evictions ignores their core preventive purpose and distorts their protective intent Similarly, allegations of nightly bombings and indiscriminate drone strikes often circulate without credible verification What is consistently omitted is a critical operational reality: terrorist groups deliberately embed themselves within or near civilian populations using human proximity as tactical cover This strategy significantly complicates security responses and elevates risks for local residents
and procedural safeguards The law applies when actions cross into incitement, disruption of public order, or facilitation of violent networks Accountability is determined by courts not by slogans or social media campaigns Reducing complex legal proceedings to simplistic persecution narratives erodes respect for judicial institutions Economic hardship and relocation costs are also highlighted without acknowledging their temporary and security-driven nature Restrictions imposed during operations are not punitive but preventive aimed at averting loss of life
Long-term peace development and investment in tribal districts are impossible without first neutralizing persistent security threats Stability is a prerequisite for prosperity, not its byproduct A significant driver of misinformation is the recycling of old or decontextualized footage, such as protest videos from PTM Canada repurposed to suggest ongoing or fabricated crises Detaching visuals from their timeline and operational context creates false impressions and fuels outrage divorced from reality This practice exemplifies the echo chamber effect, where repetition substitutes verification and perception replaces fact More broadly sweeping claims of “decadeslong systematic violence flatten a complex history shaped by cross-border terrorism regional instability, and the unprecedented burden of hosting millions of Afghan refugees Pakistan s tribal regions have been battlegrounds not by choice, but by geography Ignoring the role of external militant sanctuaries and focusing blame exclusively on the state serves divisive interests rather than the people of the region
Equally dangerous are narratives alleging ethnicity-based targeting Pakistan s counterterrorism doctrine is threat-centric, not identitydriven Pashtuns, like all citizens, have been both victims and frontline defenders against terrorism Oversimplified accusations risk inflam-
would bring to reality the political assurances
There are also concerns about the international constraints Saudi Arabia a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is a non-nuclear state Though Pakistan is not a signatory of the treaty, it has never been a rogue nuclear actor A presumption of extension of nuclear protection by Pakistan will have backlash sanctions and negatively affect its own nonproliferation record Regional balancing may also be instigated Strengthening security agreement with Saudi Arabia is not only dangerous to Pakistan Iran relations, but also would involve Pakistan in Middle Eastern conflicts inwhich Pakistan has no direct interest The response of Pakistan has been defined as moderate and ambiguous with calculated patience The immediate post-SMDA official communication has emphasized on the continuity rather than the change and has claimed that the agreement was in line with decades of defence co-operation and that it did not aim to introduce new strategic commitments Instead of referring to nuclear assurances Pakistani officials have framed the agreement as a political statement of unity Politically the agreement allows Pakistan to be relevant beyond South Asia but also benefit economically and diplomatically, particularly Saudi financial
DHA Badar dog nuisance
ing ethnic polarization and obscuring the shared sacrifices made by local communities and security personnel alike Pakistan s sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism are unmatched Tens of thousands of civilians and security personnel have lost their lives to restore peace These sacrifices reflect commitment to national stability not hostility toward any community Yet foreign-based online networks frequently amplify selective claims while sidelining official briefings, institutional transparency, and on-ground reporting The result is an international discourse shaped less by verified realities and more by external agendas
Finally peace in the tribal belt cannot be achieved through misinformation or institutional erosion It requires trust development and an honest confrontation with the sources of violence Tribal traditions rooted in honour and hospitality have often been exploited by militant actors who coerce or intimidate locals into silence Civilians remain caught in the middle and responsible security responses aim to protect them while dismantling violent networks
In an era of hybrid warfare and information manipulation, truth itself has become a contested space Genuine advocacy for the people of Tirah and the broader tribal districts lies not in weakening the state through distorted narratives but in confronting terrorism rejecting propaganda and strengthening the institutions that safeguard life law and sovereignty The writer is a freelance columnist
Human edge
to local armed groups or lashkars in areas facing organized terrorism History has shown that such arrangements frequently escalate inter-tribal conflict and lead to the militarization of communities themselves Rejecting lashkars is therefore not a dismissal of dialogue but a deliberate policy choice to prevent
Tariq Khan Tareen
guage of human rights risked being instrumentalized not to advance justice, but to reinforce domestic political narratives
DThis is why cricket has historically served as a soft diplomatic channel in South Asia Matches between rival nations have allowed symbolic engagement even when formal dialogue was frozen When nations meet on the field they enact a form of regulated confrontation one that affirms competition without denying dignity
Politicizing participation itself by making eligibility contingent on selective moral judgments about a player s country undermines this ethical foundation It transforms cricket from a space of regulated rivalry into one of collective punishment
In doing so, it erodes the very civic lesson that sport offers: that difference need not imply exclusion Rabindranath Tagore’s observation that sport is the joy of life made visible carries a deeper ethical meaning It suggests that play, governed by fairness, allows societies to encounter one another without fear or suspicion When sport is burdened with political sanction, that joy and its civic function begins to disappear The BCCI s justification for its decision cited recent violence in Bangladesh including the killing of Dipu Das a young Hindu man in Mymensingh The killing is undeniably tragic and deserves unequivocal condemnation The strength of a democracy lies in safeguarding minorities Bangladesh acted swiftly arresting suspects and must now follow through with transparent investigation and firm accountability In India, the tragedy was swiftly politicized, transforming genuine grief into nationalist spectacle Kolkata Knight Riders quickly complied with the directive, noting that they would be allowed to sign a replacement player But the public discourse that followed especially among political figures and sections of the media went far beyond concern for minority rights Shah Rukh Khan, the team s co-owner, was publicly labeled a “traitor” by senior BJP leaders for signing a Bangladeshi player Social media amplified this rhetoric turning a professional sporting issue into a nationalist spectacle
This shift matters When moral concern mutates into political theatre, its credibility erodes What emerged was less a principled defense of minority rights and more a performative assertion of national and religious loyalty Cricket became a proxy battleground for anxieties about identity belonging and political allegiance In this process the lan-
The killing of Dipu Das must be acknowledged and mourned But ethical seriousness requires consistency India itself has faced repeated communal violence from Gujarat to Delhi exposing similar failures of protection and accountability India itself has witnessed repeated episodes of communal violence over the past two decades: Gujarat in 2002 Muzaffarnagar in 2013 Delhi in 2020 and persistent incidents of mob lynching targeting Muslims and Dalits
These events exposed not only social prejudice but also institutional failures in prevention, policing, and accountability
These are not isolated national anomalies They reflect a broader regional pattern in South Asia where communal identities are politicized majoritarian narratives gain electoral traction, and democratic institutions struggle to restrain polarization To single out Bangladesh for moral censure while overlooking India’s own record is to engage in selective morality
As Hannah Arendt warned selective indignation condemning injustice abroad while normalizing it at home undermines the ethical force of moral claims It does not strengthen minority protection; it weakens it by turning justice into a geopolitical instrument When morality is applied asymmetrically it ceases to be universal and becomes strategic
At its core democracy is not only about electoral competition or constitutional form It is also about ethical discipline: the ability to exercise power without abandoning fairness empathy and self-critique Democratic leadership begins with inward accountability not outward blame
Excluding a Bangladeshi cricketer because of crimes committed in Bangladesh violates a basic democratic principle: individual moral agency Mustafizur Rah-
But
man is not a representative of state violence or social prejudice He is an athlete operating within a transnational professional system To treat him as morally liable for events beyond his control is to substitute collective blame for individual responsibility History shows that sport heals precisely when politics divides To weaponize cricket now is to squander one of the few spaces where trust can be rebuilt Despite deep political hostility, India–Pakistan cricket has often softened public attitudes, most notably during the 2004 series widely described as “cricket diplomacy ” Beyond South Asia Nelson Mandela’s embrace of South Africa’s rugby team during the 1995 World Cup helped heal a deeply divided post-apartheid society Earlier still, ping-pong diplomacy reopened communication between the USA and China during the Cold War In none of these cases was sport reserved for morally perfect societies; it was deployed precisely because societies were imperfect India has long promoted its Neighbor-
Cricket, at its best, has been a shared moral space where rivalry is disciplined and competition rehearses coexistence. Leaders, institutions, and citizens must resist the temptation to weaponize sport for political gain. They must confront their own failures honestly and preserve cricket as a space of fraternity rather than exclusion. The maturity of nations is measured not by how selectively they moralize, but by how consistently they uphold dignity at home and abroad. The true measure of neighborliness is not how nations quarrel, but how they play.
Over time such practices erode
WHY TRUMP WANTS GREENLAND:
Will Europe compromise?
America’s nex t targets might be Iceland, Nor way, Sweden, or even Canada
Economically, the EU is the US’ largest trading par tner Targeted trade countermeasures could precisely strike sensitive US sec tors such as agriculture and manufac turing
Greenlanders are watching their traditional way of life vanish as the ice disappears
Tsome NATO allies hope to temper Trump by offering to station a military force on the island to counter Russia and China in the Arctic In an apparent effort to stave off Trump s appetite for Greenland UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reportedly told Trump that he shares his view on Russia s threat to the region and that he would consider sending troops to help defend against it Meanwhile Germany is proposing establishing a joint Arctic NATO mission and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said a U S takeover of Greenland would mark the end of NATO Given the massing opposition to Trump’s quest for Greenland, and questionable security benefits from annexing the island what’s really going on here?
The Trump administration can’t seem to decide why it needs to seize Greenland At first the president claimed “Russian and Chinese ships are all along the coast a claim rejected by senior Nordic diplomats: I have seen the intelligence There are no ships, no submarines Later, Trump warned, “If we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I’m not letting that happen ” Vice President JD Vance has pivoted to missile defense arguing the entire missile defense infrastructure is partially dependent on Greenland There is no debating the strategic value of Greenland The U S base on the island, Pituffik Space Base, provides early-warning radar coverage of Russian or Chinese bombers and missiles However boosting that capability does not depend on Washington taking ownership of the island itself Existing defense agreements already allow the U S to project power and modernize its capability without the diplomatic catastrophe of annexation
NATIONAL SECURITY OR CORPORATE GREED? The mainstream media has extensively covered Trump s Greenland ambitions, emphasizing Arctic security competition with China and Russia as well as strategic shipping routes opening due to melting ice Most mention Greenland’s vast deposits of critical minerals essential for electric vehicles and renewables
But they stop short of examining the forces that may be actually driving the minerals agenda: tech billionaires like Peter Thiel and Elon Musk, who see Greenland not just as a source of rare earths but as a laboratory for their libertarian economic and social experiments
These tech-billionaires envision unregulated freedom cities in Greenland free from democratic oversight, environmental laws, and labor protections
Ken Howery, Trump’s ambassador to Denmark and a PayPal co-founder with Thiel and Musk has reportedly been in talks to set up these low-regulation zones
There s an ironic clash of interests here: the national security establishment wants strong state control over strategic territory
The tech-billionaire funding Trump want the opposite: a deregulated playground for their anarcho-capitalist experiments Both share a common blindness to Greenlandic sovereignty and Indigenous rights
It s profoundly disturbing how the cli-
mate crisis is being reframed as opportunity Greenland s ice sheet is melting faster due to rising temperatures Indigenous
The 56 000 Greenlanders 89% of whom are Indigenous Inuit have made their position clear: 85% oppose joining the U S The last parliamentary elections delivered victory to parties that openly reject Trump s advances But you wouldn t know it from the way Washington talks about Greenland Their voices are barely a whisper in all these discussions of annexation At the same time most Americans oppose the idea of buying or invading Greenland
BY ANY MEANS: The White House is trying every angle to get its way U S officials have discussed paying every Greenlander a lump sum from $10 000 to $100 000 essentially trying to buy approval from a population that keeps saying no
The White House is also trying to enter a Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreement with Greenland In such an agreement the U S only provides mail delivery and military protection operations in exchange for the U S military to operate freely and duty-free trade Such agreements exist with islands like Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia However, this arrangement is unlikely to succeed with Greenland COFA agreements have previously been inked with independent countries and Greenland would need to separate from Denmark for such a plan to proceed
RISKS FOR AMERICA: This crisis extends far beyond Greenland This is about what kind of country America wants to be and how it leads on the world stage Will the U S lead through partnership and mutual benefit or through threats and coercion? Does Washington respect self-determination (a principle we claim to champion) or only when it’s convenient?
with
R E E N L A N D S fate remains uncertain Hours after Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen traveled to Washington for talks with US officials several European countries began sending military personnel to Greenland for joint exercises with Denmark The troop movements were intended to portray unity among Europeans amid heightened tensions Greenland is witnessing a geopolitical pressure test within the West but it is not merely a matter between the US and Europe Europe s efforts to defend Greenland so far have remained largely symbolic Take the multinational troop deployment as an example Germany sent a reconnaissance team” of only 13 people on Thursday, carrying out an “exploration” mission, while Britain and Sweden sent one and two people respectively Compared with the US blatant threats of force and its existing military bases in Greenland Europe s small-scale military operations seem more like a gestural response, an attempt to save face and appease Denmark while avoiding truly angering the US Many analysts believe that some in Europe may have already accepted the idea of ceding Greenland hoping Washington will grant them dignity Will Europe compromise? The whole world is watching This is not only a matter of face and interests for Denmark and Europe, but it’s a matter of whether Europe has the courage to stand up and defend hardwon regional peace and justice when international rules and order it has relied on are facing threats Both World Wars either originated in Europe or had Europe as one of the main battlefields, and Europeans should understand even more clearly that the “law of the jungle” results in no winners only a major regression of civilization The initial intention of postwar European integration was essentially a reflection on and rejection of this bloody set of rules For decades, Europe has touted itself as a defender and promoter of the rules-based international order,” and now, the time has come to test it Some Europeans believe that Europe cannot afford the cost of an armed conflict with the US and subsequent NATO s collapse However history has proven that the exclusive, confrontational, and power-based security concept represented by collective security mechanisms like NATO cannot bring true security to Europe Denmark today is in a situation of “pos-
sessing a treasure and thus inviting trouble ” Europe should be clear that if it cannot
dr Golam rasul
PENTAGON READIES 1,500 TROOPS TO POSSIBLY
SAY
Tapplication submission verification processing tracking and delivery replacing fragmented workflows with integrated digital pipelines The outcome is a governance model where speed, traceability and accountability are built into the system by design At the center of this ecosystem is the GoPb application which functions as a unified digital gateway for government services From a technical perspective it reflects a shift toward centralized digital identity management and service orchestration, allowing citizens to access multiple departmental services through a single authenticated interface This consolidation reduces data duplication standardizes service protocols and enables interoperability across departments Such
TEHRAN Ag e n c e s Iranian authorities have said they are considering gradually restoring internet access after imposing a communications shutdown 10 days ago, as nationwide protests in the country began to subside following a crackdown by security forces
Demonstrations sparked in late December by anger over economic hardship exploded into protests widely seen as the biggest challenge to the Iranian leadership in years Iranian officials have said the demonstrations were peaceful before turning into riots and blamed foreign
Ta p s, N o t Q u e u e s
architecture is essential for AI-led governance as it generates clean structured datasets that support advanced analytics predictive modeling and automated decision-support systems
Women have emerged as major beneficiaries of Punjab’s mobile governance framework Applications such as Dastak enable doorstep delivery of essential government services including documentation and facilitation tasks without requiring visits to government offices For women facing mobility constraints, safety concerns or time limitations, this represents a significant expansion of access Similarly the Meri Awaz application integrates SOS alerts complaint lodging and rapid response mechanisms linking users directly to centralized monitoring systems These platforms rely on realtime data transmission, geo-tagging and automated escalation protocols widely used in advanced smart-city deployments
Children and families benefit through education and welfare-related applications that provide digital access to enrollment information, institutional updates, examination data and complaint mechanisms Parents can interact with education departments remotely, reducing dependence on informal intermediaries From a governance standpoint these applications generate continuous data flows that help identify attendance gaps, infrastructure deficiencies and service delivery trends Over time, such datasets can support AI-based education planning tools enabling evidence-driven resource allocation and early detection of systemic weaknesses
influence, namely from Iran s foes, the United States and Israel The rallies subsided after the crackdown carried out by security forces amid a communications blackout that started on January 8 as the protests grew in size and intensity
Government officials have said calm has been restored, with schools reopening on Sunday Iran’s weekend falling on Thursday and Friday after a week of closure
Late Saturday the Tasnim news agency reported the relevant authorities announced that internet access would also be gradually restored , but gave no further details
Citing an unnamed “informed
For persons with disabilities mobile governance has replaced historically exclusionary processes with accessible digital workflows The assistive devices and wheelchair application allows eligible individuals to apply for mobility aids from home, upload documents digitally and track application status in real-time The system integrates eligibility verification inventory management and distribution tracking ensuring transparency and efficiency More importantly it embeds inclusion into governance design, demonstrating how digital systems can dismantle, not reinforce, structural barriers Economic facilitation further illustrates the depth of Punjab s digital strategy Agriculture-focused applications such as bardana registration digitize farmer onboarding, procurement and subsidy access These platforms generate structured agricultural datasets that allow policymakers to shift from reactive interventions to data-led planning With sufficient historical data such systems can support AI-driven forecasting models for crop yields, demand estimation and supply-chain optimization, strengthening food security and market stability Consumer protection and market transparency have also improved through applications like Qeemat Punjab and AMIS Punjab which publish real-time prices of essential commodities across districts These applications function as live data dashboards for citizens while simultaneously feeding regulators with upto-date market intelligence By replacing delayed manual reporting with continuous data streams the Punjab government
source , the agency said local messaging applications “will soon be activated” on Iran’s domestic intranet On Sunday morning AFP was able to connect to the internet from its Tehran office though the vast majority of internet providers and mobile internet remain cut Outgoing international
has strengthened price monitoring and reduced information asymmetry
Public safety and urban management applications show how mobile devices are being integrated into broader digital command-and-control ecosystems Apps linked to the Punjab Safe Cities Authority allow citizens to report incidents and interact with centralized response systems Technically, this reflects a convergence of mobile computing, citizen inputs and centralized analytics, an earlystage smart-city model capable of evolving into AI-assisted incident prediction and optimized resource deployment
From a systems perspective Punjab s mobile applications rely on standardized backend architectures, automated workflows and digital audit trails Service requests are time-stamped, tracked and routed algorithmically improving predictability While fully autonomous AI governance is still emerging the infrastructure already supports rule-based automation, performance monitoring and data-driven oversight
Collectively, Punjab’s 49 mobile applications signal a recalibration of the state–citizen relationship Women accessing services from home parents managing education digitally farmers engaging directly with procurement systems and differently-abled persons receiving assistive support through mobile workflows are tangible indicators of progress In an era where digital capacity defines governance effectiveness Punjab s mobile-first strategy positions the province as a national leader and an emerging contender in Asia s digital governance landscape (The writer is a Lahore-based public policy analyst and can be reached at qudratu@gmail com)
AIOU offers 82 academic programs
for International Students
ISLAMABAD Staff report
Allama Iqbal Open University has announced admissions for the Spring Semester 2026 for overseas Pakistanis and international students residing around the world offering 82 academic programs Detailed information about all programs is available on the university s official website Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Nasir Mahmood stated that Allama Iqbal Open University takes pride in providing modern and quality education to students living in different regions of the world ” He added that the university’s online education system has been specially designed to meet the needs of international students enabling them to obtain globally recognized education from their homes
across healthcare systems around the world has taught me that technology alone does not transform care; context trust and clinical reality do, said Dr Haider Artificial intelligence gives us a powerful opportunity to strengthen systems of care at scale, but only if it is built responsibly, governed thoughtfully and grounded in real clinical needs ” By establishing the role of chief AI officer Carle Illinois is signaling that artificial intelligence is not peripheral but foundational to the future of medicine, said CI-MED Dean Mark Cohen Dr Haider brings a unique combination of academic rigor, clinical expertise, and entrepreneurial experience His leadership will help ensure that AI at Carle Illinois is innovative ethical and meaningfully improves health outcomes transforming our clinical research innovation and educational missions for the future Dr Haider will also serve as Medical Director for Informatics at Carle Foundation Hospital, helping align academic innovation with real-world clinical practice He will additionally serve as a Visiting Professor in the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science within the Grainger College of Engineering strengthening collaboration across medicine, engineering, and computing
The university’s active Directorate of International and Collaboration is providing guidance and support to students throughout the admission process and during their academic journey Currently students from 37 countries are enrolled at the university and a 26 percent increase in international student admissions has been recorded compared to the previous semester It is worth noting that all programs for international students are offered through the online Learning Management System (LMS) under which admissions assignments workshops and examinations along with all academic activities will be conducted entirely online
ANF Sindh conducts anti-narcotics awareness session at NCR-CET College
KARACHI
Staff report
ANF Sindh, in collaboration with NCR-CET College successfully organized a student awareness session focused on anti-narcotics and drug abuse prevention at the NCR-CET campus The session aimed to educate students about the growing menace of drugs and to promote a healthy, drug-free society
Assistant Director DDR ANF, Ms Nida Memon, graced the event as the Chief Guest In her comprehensive and impactful address, she highlighted various aspects of drug abuse its social and personal consequences and the vital role of youth in combating this menace Her speech was highly appreciated by students and faculty alike The second keynote speaker, Dr Sana Aslam, Clinical Psychologist, delivered an informative presentation on the psychological and physical consequences of drug use She also guided students on practical ways to avoid drugs and seek help for rehabilitation emphasizing awareness counseling and positive lifestyle choices The session was attended by ANF Focal Person Sindh Mr Hammad Anwar, Sub-Inspector Hamza Mehsud (Investigation Officer), along with other ANF officials and staff, who actively supported the awareness initiative Director NCR-CET Mr Ghulam Mehmood
Desmukh praised the ANF Sindh team for organizing such a healthy and informative session stating that initiatives like these play a crucial role in shaping responsible and informed youth
65 Motor way Police officers promoted to next higher ranks
ISLAMABAD Staff report
A meeting of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) of the National Highways & Motorway Police was held at the Central Police Office Islamabad under the chairmanship of the Deputy Inspector General (Human Resource Management) During the meeting promotions of 65 officers to the next higher ranks were approved The promotions were formally endorsed by the Inspector General of National Highways & Motorway Police, Sultan Ahmed Chaudhry As a result of the meeting, 54 Sub-Inspectors/Patrol Officers (BS-14) were promoted to the rank of Inspector (BS-16) while 11 Inspectors (BS-16) were granted promotion to the Higher Time Scale (BS-17)
The promotion process was carried out strictly in accordance with the prescribed rules, seniority, and merit Congratulating the promoted officers, Inspector General Sultan Ahmed Chaudhry stated that these promotions are recognition of the officers’ hard work dedication and professional performance He expressed confidence that the promoted officers would continue to discharge their duties with honesty, responsibility, and professional competence in the future as well Inspector General further remarked that promotion in service is an important milestone that brings greater responsibilities He emphasized that public service remains the top priority of the National Highways & Motorway Police and expressed hope that these promotions would prove beneficial for both the department and the country
Akhuwat hosts donors’ event in Bahria Town, Lahore
LAHORE Staff report
Akhuwat organized an event in Bahria Town which was attended by Akhuwat’s donors members from various walks of life and representatives of civil society While addressing the gathering, Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib, Founder and Chairman of Akhuwat, stated that Akhuwat is successfully running an interest-free microfinance program across the country To date more than four million families have been provided with interest-free microloans with an impressive recovery rate of 99 9 percent
He further shared that Akhuwat College Kasur is providing free, high-quality education along with residential facilities to hundreds of deserving students from across the country Similarly, Akhuwat Women College Chakwal is offering free quality education along with free residential facilities to female students from all over Pakistan
He emphasized that all these initiatives have been made possible through the generous support of donors At the conclusion of the event, participants appreciated the work of Akhuwat and reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting the organization
GOVT BORROWS RS1.19TR FROM BANKS
unrest had inflicted severe losses on lives, homes and businesses He also called for comprehensive rehabilitation packages for affected families Referring to decision-making without consultation Afridi warned that policies framed behind closed doors had contributed to instability stressing that durable peace required inclusive engagement with tribal elders and the provincial government We will not be part of any failed policy,” he declared The chief minister praised Bajaur ’s residents and tribal leadership for their role in preserving peace On the merger of former FATA he said the federal government had promised Rs100 billion annually but only Rs168 billion had been released over seven years, leaving Rs532 billion outstanding He also criticised delays in releasing funds under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP) Afridi directed authorities to increase the upper age limit for police recruitment in the merged districts expedite the Bajaur martyrs package and ensure security for tribal elders who played a role in restoring peace He further announced the upgradation of schools and hospitals under the Roshan Qabail Package to improve access to education and healthcare in the merged areas Terror in KP
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed a sharp rise in terrorism in 2025 with over 500 attacks reported a 50 per cent increase from the previous year
According to a recent security assessment, the province recorded 1,588 terrorism-related incidents, indicating an escalating militant threat across both settled and tribal districts Security forces thwarted 320 major attacks while 137 police personnel embraced martyrdom in the line of duty
Bannu Dera Ismail Khan Lakki Marwat Hangu and Peshawar remained the worst-affected districts, with many attacks traced to planning and execution from across the Afghan border
WASHINGTON
s ta f f r e p o r t
Relations between the United States and India have come under their most serious strain in years following the May 2025 PakistanIndia ceasefire, according to an analysis published by the US magazine Foreign Affairs
The magazine said New Delhi s long-held claim of being a dependable strategic partner of Washington was facing renewed scrutiny after India rejected American mediation in the ceasefire, while Pakistan publicly welcomed the role played by US President Donald Trump
According to the analysis repeated public references by the US president to Pakistan s diplomatic and military positioning, along with warm remarks about Pakistan’s leadership, created discomfort for India and exposed underlying tensions in bilateral ties
The report noted that strains deepened after the US president declined to sign a proposed trade agreement with India and imposed additional tariffs on Indian
exports, moves that further complicated relations between the two countries Foreign Affairs observed that these developments had fuelled a growing perception in Washington that India may not be a consistently reliable strategic partner, particularly when diplomatic disagreements arise
Experts cited in the analysis argued that if India is willing to distance itself from the US over limited disputes it raises questions about the durability of a partnership built over the past 25 years They described the relation-
Policeman mar tyred
ship as overly dependent on political optics rather than strong institutional foundations
The magazine also stated that the Pakistan-India ceasefire was facilitated through US engagement at India s request but New Delhi has avoided acknowledging this publicly due to domestic political considerations
Analysts said India’s rejection of US mediation while simultaneously seeking firm American backing against China reflected a contradiction in its foreign policy approach and highlighted growing friction in US-India relations
in targeted attack as KP faces rising militant threat
s ta f f r e p o r t
A policeman was martyred on Sunday in an apparent targeted attack by unidentified motorcycleborne assailants in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa s Bannu district police officials confirmed According to a police statement, the incident occurred in the Mamma Khel area under the jurisdiction of Haved Police Station
The martyred officer identified as Iqbal was deployed at the Mazanga police checkpoint when he was shot District Police Officer (DPO)
Yasir Afridi said, “Iqbal was in his native village of Akhund Mamma Khel after offering evening
prayers when motorcycle riders opened fire on him in front of his house killing him on the spot
Following the attack, a heavy contingent of police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation Investigation into the incident is ongoing
The security situation in KP has deteriorated over the past three years, with a surge in terrorist attacks, particularly after the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke its ceasefire with the government in 2022 vowing to target security forces and police personnel
Last month Bannu Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sajjad Khan revealed that 27 police personnel were martyred in 134 ter-
rorist attacks in the district during 2025 while 79 sustained injuries In retaliatory operations police killed 53 terrorists and injured 163 others Additionally, 168 intelligence-based operations led to the arrest of 105 terrorists, with successful action taken against 170 militants overall Meanwhile an important jirga was held in Bannu under Brigadier Umair Niazi, commander of 116 Brigade, and Deputy Commissioner Faheem Khan, with elders of the Jani Khel community The meeting reviewed the district s security and administrative situation
During the jirga demands were raised regarding law and order, road repair, action against absentee teachers, and restoration of 4G internet services Brigadier Niazi assured the elders that peace and stability would be maintained directed government employees to resume duties stressed avoiding contact with terrorists under a zero-tolerance policy, and announced that all roads in Bannu would reopen after completion of security arrangements
The jirga elders appreciated the steps taken by law enforcement and pledged full cooperation to restore normalcy