Epaper_26-01-20 ISB

PM SHEHBA Z PITCHES CHINA MODEL TO ACCELERATE PAKISTAN’S GROWTH

industrial supply chains according to experts familiar with regulatory reforms As per reports, the system relies on the use of Unique Identification Marks (UIMs), which are affixed to goods at the production stage and allow authorities to monitor production volumes and product movement across the supply chain from manufacturing to retail The electronically

stocks in sectors where the system is operational The use of UIM-based data has shifted enforcement away from routine raids toward intelligence-led action Beyond revenue protection experts noted that the system also benefits consumers by enabling verification of legitimate, tax-paid products This, they said, helps distinguish genuine goods from counterfeit or illicit items supports public health objectives and strengthens confidence in branded products

UBL , Ja zz SeaL PakISTan’S BIggeST-eveR

Gul Plaza inferno: SHC moved for ac tion against

As the death toll from the devastating Gul Plaza fire climbed to over 26, a petition was filed in the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday seeking criminal, departmental and contempt proceedings against government officials accused of gross negligence and failure to enforce fire safety laws calling the tragedy a result of systemic maladministration rather than an unavoidable accident

The fire, which broke out late Saturday night raged for nearly 24 hours before being brought under control Rescue operations continued on Monday amid fears that several people remained trapped or missing in the charred commercial building

The petition, filed by Advocate Saleem Michael and Karachi resident Muhammad Haris names the Sindh government Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Karachi s chief fire

officer the director general of Sindh Emergency Rescue Service the South district deputy commissioner and the director general of civil defence at the home department as respondents

Filed in public interest on behalf of affected citizens, traders, shopkeepers and victims, the plea argues that the Gul Plaza fire was a “direct consequence of gross negligence failure of inspection non-enforcement of safety laws and blatant maladministration by authorities legally bound to ensure building and fire safety

The petition draws particular attention to an SHC order dated December 8, 2020, which laid down comprehensive directions on fire prevention and protection of human life That order had mandated the availability and functionality of fire tenders, activation of the fire emergency helpline 16, and the constitution of divisional, district and sub-divisional task forces with defined inspection mechanisms random inspections complaint redressal within 48 hours and strict enforcement of fire safety laws

Pakistan outlines power sec tor reforms to World Bank, IsDB delegations

updated net metering regulations Market reforms include liberalization of the wholesale electricity market institutionalized energy planning through a five-year national electricity plan, and restructuring of key institutions including the national grid company, system operator and private power board Analytical and IT support is being strengthened through the Ministry s technical unit PPMC Leghari stressed Pakistan s transition to clean energy as essential for long-term economic growth and energy security Both Ousmane Dione and Dr Rami Ahmad praised Pakistan s progress noting that efficiency improvements financial sustainability measures, and sector reforms

her mother without providing any written justification despite her being a blood relative and Tuesday being the designated day for family meetings The plea had further expressed concern over Bushra Bibi s physical, emotional and psychological well-being, arguing that the denial of visitation amounted to mala fide intent and misuse of authority by the jail

TW

A failing city responds with announcements, shifting responsibility between agencies and the quiet expectation that residents will adapt to dysfunction

The Pakistan Peoples Party, which has long held political power in Sindh, continues to govern Karachi as if the city s resilience

Iwoke up today and as I opened my laptop and scrolled down my Facebook feed a news channel was airing reports of US airstrikes in Venezuela The probable invasion had recently been discussed on social media platforms by experts and social media users alike, but I did not see it coming this brazenly The news felt like it was quietly tilting the furniture in the room Explosions in Caracas low-flying aircraft a president said to be seized and carried away by a foreign power The morning was not furtive or coy It read like a proclamation The United States had announced that it had carried out strikes After a

There is a psychological turn in how authority imagines its audience Secrecy once produced awe and fear Now bluntness has replaced mystery Power increasingly seeks not to be unseen but to be unmistakable I am seeing feeds on Trump saying, Maduro doesn t want to around with the United States What an Alpha statement, jaws open! We are invincible The spectacle of a captured president broadcast across platforms is meant to end ambiguity and to signal control But the move from secrecy to spectacle has costs It normalizes a posture in which the strongest perform sovereignty in front of the

a tool Seeing does not equal justice Perceive it that way: the new openness can constrain lies Satellite images, open-source investigators, and a thousand civilian cameras make cover stories harder to maintain Yet this very relevance does a service to the bigger powers It creates legitimacy in the eyes of viewers or those

juridical rhetoric are wedded in plain sight

When funerals per form

long-term experimentation and collaboration with industry Consequently research with high societal relevance often receives less institutional support than purely academic outputs

A shift in evaluation criteria is essential Universities must recognise patents, prototypes, pilot projects, industry-funded research, and policy engagement as indicators of academic excellence Without redefining success innovation will remain an exception rather than a norm within higher education institutions The weak relationship between universities and the energy industry further compounds the problem Power utilities, distribution companies and regulators rarely engage universities as partners in addressing operational challenges At the same time universities often lack formal mechanisms to approach industry with implementable solutions This disconnect limits the practical exposure of students and deprives the energy sector of locally developed, cost-effective innovations Structured collaboration could yield significant benefits Universities can act as testing grounds for new technologies operational strategies and regulatory approaches before large-scale deployment Such partnerships would reduce risk for utilities while promoting data-driven decision-making They would also ensure that graduates enter the workforce with relevant skills and practical understanding

Globally the energy sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by decentralisation digitisation, and decarbonisation Smart grids, electric vehicles, demand-side management, and energy storage are redefining power systems However, many engineering programmes in Pakistan continue to focus on conventional systems with limited exposure to emerging technologies This mismatch risks producing graduates trained for a system that is already becoming obsolete Universities must modernise curricula to

reflect contemporary energy realities Training should integrate technical knowledge with an understanding of energy economics regulation, and policy Engineers today must not only design systems but also understand how those systems operate within regulatory and market frameworks

Another overlooked role of universities lies in policymaking support Energy policies in Pakistan are often formulated with limited technical grounding, resulting in unintended economic and operational consequences Universities can contribute by providing independent, technically sound analysis through policy briefs impact assessments and scenario modelling As relatively neutral institutions they are well placed to offer evidence-based input into politically sensitive decisions Pakistan s large youth population is frequently described as a demographic advantage, but without opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship this potential may remain unrealised Universities are the primary platforms where technical knowledge creativity and ambition can be transformed into practical solutions Energy-focused innovation centres and incubators within universities can encourage students to develop startups, technologies, and services that address local challenges

For universities to play a meaningful role in energy innovation a coordinated approach is required Research incentives must reward impact alongside academic output Industry collaboration should be institutionalised rather than occasional Energy innovation hubs must be supported through sustainable funding mechanisms and curricula must evolve in line with future energy systems Equally important universities must actively engage in national policy discourse rather than remaining confined to academic boundaries Pakistan’s energy crisis cannot be resolved through policy adjustments or infrastructure investments alone It requires locally grounded innovation driven by technical expertise Universities are uniquely positioned to fulfil this role but only if they move beyond traditional academic models Until higher education institutions are fully integrated into the national energy strategy, Pakistan will continue to import solutions for problems that could and should be solved at home The writer is a freelance columnist

Iran unplugged

WI T H I N the span of a single week, two university students attempted to take their own lives an alarming and deeply troubling development that demands serious reflection While such tragedies are often the result of multiple, interrelated factors, they point to systemic shortcomings that extend beyond individual circumstances

Public discourse has highlighted a range of possible underlying pressures including escalating tuition fees financial strain on families intense academic stress strained teacher–student relationships poor academic performance, and rigid attendance policies Each of these factors can place immense psychological burden on young people, particularly in highly competitive and unforgiving academic environments

However beyond these commonly cited causes lies a more fundamental and often overlooked issue: the systematic exclusion of youth from educational planning and academic decision-making processes When students are treated merely as recipients of education rather than active stakeholders their voices concerns and lived realities remain unheard This disconnect can foster feelings of alienation powerlessness and disengagement conditions that significantly heighten emotional vulnerability Education systems that prioritize compliance over consultation risk overlooking the emotional and psychological needs of learners Young people need spaces where they are listened to respected and meaningfully involved in shaping their academic experiences Inclusion in curriculum design, assessment practices, institutional policies, and support mechanisms not only enhances relevance and motivation but also affirms students sense of belonging and self-worth These recent incidents should compel universities, regulators, and policymakers to look beyond surface-level explanations and address deeper structural gaps within higher education Safeguarding student wellbeing requires more than reactive measures; it demands a proactive shift toward student-centered participatory and empathetic educational models Only by recognizing

youth as partners in education rather than passive subjects can institutions begin to create environments that support both academic success and mental wellbeing

For Pakistan, where more than 64% of the population is under the age of 30 youth engagement in education reform is not optional it is essential If young people are to be genuine co-creators of education their voices must be systematically and meaningfully embedded in the design of curricula, assessment systems, courses, and co-curricular activities Education cannot remain a oneway transmission of content decided solely by policymakers and academics detached from the lived realities of learners When students are engaged in shaping what they learn how they learn, and how their learning is assessed, education becomes more relevant, motivating, and transformative Learning should be experienced not merely as preparation for examinations or employment but as an enriching journey of personal growth identity formation and the development of a positive, resilient mindset Research consistently shows that student engagement, wellbeing, and learning outcomes improve when learners feel heard, respected, and valued within educational environment

The consequences of excluding youth from the learning process can be severe When education systems prioritize grades over growth, competition over compassion, and compliance over creativity, they risk alienating learners Tragically, Pakistan has witnessed instances where overwhelming academic pressure lack of emotional support and fear of failure have led to devastating outcomes such as the widely reported suicide of a University of Lahore student, which sparked national debate on student mental health, assessment pressures, and institutional accountability

Such incidents underscore a painful truth: when young people feel invisible un-

heard

guard dignity mental wellbeing and hope In this context integrating mindfulness social-emotional learning and mental health literacy into education is no longer optional it is essential UNESCO and WHO both emphasize that schools and universities must play a proactive role in promoting psychological wellbeing, stress management, and emotional regulation

Mindfulness-based practices help students develop self-awareness empathy patience and emotional balance skills that are critical in an increasingly fast-paced, uncertain, and digitally saturated world Teacher training programs must also equip educators to recognize early signs of distress and create safe supportive learning environments where seeking help is normalized rather than stigmatized

Schools and universities must reclaim their role in character education, helping young people distinguish right from wrong, develop moral courage, and practice empathy Ethics education should not be limited to textbooks; it must be lived through daily interactions institutional culture and leadership practices

Teachers are central to this process Beyond delivering content, they are role models whose attitudes, behaviors, and values leave lasting impressions A teacher who models fairness patience respect for diversity and integrity teaches far more than any syllabus can Continuous professional development must therefore emphasize teachers roles as mentors, guides, and character builders not merely instructors Pakistani culture, at its best, promotes acceptance respect for elders hospitality and dignity of the individual Education systems should consciously draw upon these cultural strengths to foster inclusion and social cohesion, particularly for marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities,

grounds

mation

spread

sationalism

and

Algorithms

increasingly

distinguish truth from falsehood, knowledge from noise Without critical media literacy social media can fuel anxiety comparison polarization and even radicalization Education must therefore equip learners with critical thinking skills, ethical digital citizenship, and the ability to question, verify, and reflect

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cricket venues or match logistics Instead the question has become a crucible where multiple combustible elements converge: A diplomatic freeze between two neighbouring nations systematic visa restrictions and the presence of exiled Awami League leaders and activists in Kolkata who harbour openly stated ambitions to destabilize Bangladesh s current government If India’s own cricket board with all its resources and influence felt unable or unwilling to guarantee the security of Mustafizur Rahman against pressure from BJP politicians who celebrated his removal as a victory for Hindus across the whole country, then how could Bangladesh trust that adequate protection would be provided for an entire national team? The answer, articulated clearly by Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul, is that they can’t His statement that Bangladesh would not play the T20 World Cup 2026 on Indian soil while compromising the security and dignity of its cricketers spectators and journalists represents not diplomatic posturing but a fundamental assessment of risk that should concern anyone who cares about cricket s future as a truly international sport ICC’s security assessment stated that “the assessed risk to Bangladeshi nationals and supporters attending fixtures” in Kolkata would be “moderately high particularly those wearing team colours and travelling in isolated groups to the stadium This is not speculation from Bangladeshi officials The report further notes that the presence of Mustafizur Rahman may be problematic if religious extremism becomes kinetically engaged” bureaucratic language that translates to a very real possibility of violence Nevertheless despite these acknowledged risks the ICC s conclusion remains that the risk associated with Bangladesh s scheduled fixtures in Kolkata and Mumbai is assessed as low with no indication of risks that cannot be effectively managed through security planning The question that must be asked

According to investigative reporting by The Print, approximately 1,300 Awami League leaders supporters and affiliated individuals have established themselves in Kolkata primarily in the New Town area since Sheikh Hasina s departure from Bangladesh in August 2024 These are not passive refugees seeking shelter but politically active individuals who maintain an organizational structure, hold regular meetings, and explicitly state their goal of returning to power in Bangladesh

The presence includes senior figures such as former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal who maintains a spacious apartment in New Town where he entertains regular visitors his party colleagues and travels weekly to Delhi for party meetings and consultations with high-level functionaries of the Indian establishment ” This is not speculation but documented reporting from credible Indian media outlets

Bangladesh is expected to hold elections on February 12 2026 just days after the T20 World Cup begins on February 7 2026 During this sensitive electoral period the national cricket team would be in a city where political opponents maintain an active, organized presence While there is no evidence of specific plots against cricketers, the volatile combination of elements creates an environment where security cannot be assured with confidence The ICC s position essentially asks Bangladesh to trust that security planning can overcome deeply rooted political animosity religious extremism in mainstream politics diplomatic hostility, and the presence of political opponents actively working to destabilize their government

Let’s consider a few practical scenarios that could unfold Bangladeshi journalists attempting to cover matches might encounter exiled Awami League supporters at restaurants shopping areas or transportation hubs in Kolkata Sports ministry officials accompanying the team could face confrontations from those who view the current Bangladesh government as illegitimate Cricket sponsors in Kolkata might find themselves navigating an environment where their national identity marks them as targets for harassment How can security forces prevent all possible confrontations between Bangladeshi cricket fans and hostile elements in a city of millions? How can they guarantee safety for journalists working outside the controlled environment of stadiums? The answer is that they can t, which is precisely why Bangladesh s concerns can t be dismissed as mere diplomatic posturing The ball is now in the ICC’s court The governing body faces a choice between upholding the principles of safety and setting a dangerous precedent that security concerns can be dismissed when they conflict with logistical convenience For Bangladesh, the position is clear: Kolkata, with all its cricketing history and iconic venues, has become a place where the pitch can’t be separated from the powder keg Zulker Naeen is Research Coordinator FactWatch and Adjunct Faculty Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB)

LA S T week just as Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip intensified United States presidential envoy Steven Witkoff announced on social media that the ceasefire is entering its second stage In the following days the administration of US President Donald Trump unveiled the makeup of a foreign executive committee and a peace board that will oversee the provisional administration of Gaza composed of Palestinian technocrats This setup reflects the wishes of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that neither Hamas nor the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority (PA) would be involved in Gaza’s future Although the latter is mentioned in Trump s peace plan it supposedly first has to carry out a set of unnamed reforms to have any role in Gaza What this means in reality is that Fatah, too, can easily be blocked from returning to govern the Gaza Strip with the excuse that these vague reforms have not been carried out The problem with the present setup and Israel s insistence on no Hamas no Fatah is that they reflect a profound ignorance of the fabric of Palestinian society, its politics and history The idea that a Palestinian political entity can be created by outside forces and fully integrated into the occupation to manage Palestinian affairs is unrealistic Over the past 77 years various Palestinian national movements and revolutions have emerged united by a single common denominator: the rejection of Israeli colonial presence No Palestinian collective regardless of its form, has ever publicly agreed to integration into the Israeli colonial project

Within the framework of resistance, the collective Palestinian consciousness was forged political parties

Russia, India invited to join Trump’s G aza ‘Board of Peace’

threatened by conflict,” the charter says ‘Failed institutions’

The document was sent to dozens of world leaders who were invited to join the board The Times of Israel reported It appears to take a swipe at international institutions such as the United Nations, saying that the board should have “the courage to depart from approaches

and institutions that have too often failed Trump has regularly criticised the United Nations and announced this month that his country will withdraw from 66 global organisations and treaties roughly half affiliated with the UN Membership of the board would be limited to states invited to participate by the chairman , according to the full draft charter published by the Times of Israel Trump would have the power to remove member states from the board, subject to a veto by two-thirds of members and choose his replacement should he

leave his role as chairman The Board of Peace began to take shape on Saturday as the leaders of Egypt, Turkey, Argentina and Canada were asked to join Trump also named his Secretary of State Marco Rubio former British prime minister Tony Blair and senior negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff as members Israel has objected to the line-up of a “Gaza executive board” to operate under the body, which includes Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi

LONDON R e u t e R s

British Prime Minister Keir

Starmer said on Monday that calm discussion between allies was needed on Greenland and that a trade war was not in anyone’s interest, after United States President Donald Trump threatened tariffs to secure the territory Starmer told an emergency press conference on Monday that the alliance with the US had provided security and prosperity to Britain for decades, and said he would work to maintain those ties and defuse the tensions around Greenland that have thrown the future of NATO into doubt However, he said Trump s threats to impose escalating tariffs on Britain and European allies until the US was allowed to buy Greenland was wrong He said the future of Greenland must be decided by its people and Denmark alone and that historic alliances must endure Tariffs should not be used against allies in this way, Starmer said, adding that Britain would be pragmatic and not passive but he was not looking to escalate a tariff war at this point A tariff war is in nobody s interests, and we have not got to that stage And my focus, therefore, is making

sure we don t get to that stage Trump has threatened tariffs on eight countries which sent small numbers of military personnel to Greenland last week following Trump s repeated statements that he wanted to take over Denmark s vast Arctic island

Starmer said he had spoken to Trump on Sunday and told him that those forces were “clearly there to assess and work on risk from the Russians He said he hoped that there was now real clarity about that Starmer s suggestion that Britain would not retaliate against US tariffs contrasts with the response of the European Union, where officials have discussed options to respond including a package of tariffs on 93 billion euros

($107 7 billion) of US imports

The prime minister said the threats risked causing a “downward spiral” for Britain in terms of trade and the weakening of alliances I do not want to see that happen he said adding that doesn t mean that we put to one side our principles and our values Quite the contrary, we’re very clear about what they are ” Starmer has built a solid relationship with Trump and in May last year became the first leader to secure a deal to lower some tariffs When asked if he thought Trump was genuinely considering military action, Starmer stated, “I don’t actually I think that this can be resolved and should be resolved through calm discussion

IESCO issued facebook e-kachary schedule: spokesperson

ISLAMABAD Staff report

IESCO administration has provided various platforms to esteemed users for timely registration and redressal of electricity related complaints and advancing the same vision on 21st January 2026 (Wednesday) From 09:30 AM to 11:30 AM all Operational Circles incharge will attend valuable customer complaints according to above schedule For registration and rectification of complaints on spot customers can contact on facebook ID SE IESCO Islamabad E-Kachery Phone No 0519260194 For Rawalpindi City Circle SE IESCO

Rawalpindi-City E-Kachery Phone No 0519292675 For Rawalpindi Cantt Circle SE IESCO Rawalpindi-Cantt E-Kachery Phone No 0519293048, For Attock Circle, SE IESCO Attock E-Kachery Phone No 051-4950343, For Chakwal Circle, SE IESCO Chakwal E-Kachery Phone No 0543-668500 For Jhelum Circle SE IESCO

Jhelum E-Kachery Phone No 0544-9270377

Valuable customers are requested to provide their name billing reference No and Contact number while calling in E-Kachary for forwarding complaints to relevant office

Pakistan Cables signs MoU with Pakistan Engineering Council for Graduate Engineer Trainee Placement Program

KARACHI

Staff report

Pakistan Cables Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the PakistanEngineering Council (PEC) for the Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) Placement Program on 9 th January2026, at PC Hotel GET is an initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic learning andprofessional practice by placing fresh engineering graduates with industry partners for five months ofstructured training As part of this program Pakistan Cables will intake 15 Graduate Engineer Trainees to be shortlisted by PEC from within Sindh in line with the Company s operational requirements andlocation This reflects the Company s continued commitment to supporting STEAM education and youthempowerment in Pakistan

SECP facilitates capital raising for Listed Companies

ISLAMABAD

Delegation from United Ulama Council of Pakistan Meets Iranian Consul General

KARACHI Staff report

A delegation from the United Ulama Council of Pakistan led by Maulana Muhammad Amin Ansari visited the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Karachi and met with Consul General Akbar Eissa zadeh The delegation expressed best wishes for the success of the new Consul General and conveyed solidarity with the Iranian government and people regarding recent developments in the country During the meeting Consul General Eissa zadeh thanked the Pakistan government and people for their strong support during the twelve-day war imposed by Israel and the United States against Iran, as well as for their support of the Palestinian resistance He also addressed the impact of Western media propaganda on perceptions of Iran s Supreme Leader

KP CM ASSURES SUPPORT, DIGNIFIED RESETTLEMENT FOR DISPL ACED TIRAH FAMILIES

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted one-day protective bail to human rights lawyer and activist Advocate Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, barring their arrest until Tuesday and directing them to appear before the court providing temporary relief in the controversial social media posts case Justice Azam Khan heard the petition filed by Mazari and Chattha challenging the trial court’s decision to issue non-bailable arrest warrants against them The court approved protective bail for one day restrained law enforcement authorities from arresting the couple till Tuesday and adjourned the hearing, ordering both petitioners to ensure their ap-

pearance before the high court

During the proceedings, counsel for the petitioners, Kamran Murtaza, informed the court that the couple’s bail had been cancelled twice and arrest warrants had already been issued He argued that the trial court was conducting proceedings with unusual haste, saying the case was being taken up repeatedly within short intervals “Even if there is any grievance against a lawyer a judge should exercise restraint he submitted Murtaza also drew the court s attention to Mazari s health, stating that she was unwell and highlighting that she was a woman accused Stressing the need for judicial prudence he said “After Allah Almighty judges hold an important position and urged the court to grant relief to prevent ir-

reparable harm

Separately, proceedings continued before Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka who issued direc-

order The prosecutor informed

from the Islamabad High Court and had been directed to appear there on Tuesday Judge Majoka ordered that Mazari and Chattha must appear before the trial court within one hour of their appearance before the IHC He directed that the accused would present themselves before his court, where their statements under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code would be recorded The trial court subsequently adjourned the proceedings until Tuesday

Eleven Umrani gang members surrender after police operation in Rajanpur katcha area Gulmina Bilal appointed

At least 11 highly wanted and dangerous members of the Umrani gang surrendered to police following a large-scale operation against criminal elements in the katcha areas of Rajanpur, police said on Sunday Rajanpur police carried out a targeted operation in the Katcha Umrani Sukhani and Katcha Karachi areas employing modern technology including drones to shell the hideouts of the criminals

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, the operation led to the surrender of 11 key members of the Umrani gang The hideouts and bunkers of the dacoits were

destroyed while the surrendered suspects handed over heavy weapons and other arms to law enforcement authorities District Police Officer (DPO) Rajanpur Muhammad Imran said the arrested dacoits were long wanted in multiple cases including kidnapping murder and armed robbery He added that the suspects would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law and awarded due punishment

The DPO said an intense exchange of fire was still underway between police and the remaining dacoits in the area He warned other criminal elements to surrender immediately or face strict action Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar lauded

the performance of the Rajanpur police and commended the officers involved in the operation He said the campaign to eliminate crime from the katcha areas would continue with full force Last week notorious katcha area dacoit Mera Lathani who was carrying a head money of Rs10 million surrendered to police along with his accomplices Fida alias Rathor Lathani and Zulfi Lathani in Rahim Yar Khan Earlier in October last year at least 72 wanted dacoits from Sindh s Shikarpur district also laid down their weapons Many of them were carrying bounties, and officials described the development as a turning point for areas long affected by crime and lawlessness