IMF MD L AUDS AS PM AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO FISCAL DISCIPLINE, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
g PM SHEHBAZ APPRISES IMF CHIEF GEORGIEVA OF PAKISTAN ’S ECONOMIC REVIVAL, HIGHLIGHTING IMPROVING ECONOMIC INDICATORS
g FUND ’S MD ACKNOWLEDGES REFORM EFFORTS, STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PACE OF REFORMS TO ENSURE LONG-TERM ECONOMIC RESILIENCE
g PREMIER ALSO ENGAGES PALESTINIAN PM MUSTAFA, REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR PALESTINIAN CAUSE
g DPM DAR LAUNCHES PAKISTAN PAVILION, HOLDS BILATERAL TALKS WITH CANADA, FINLAND FOCUS ON TRADE, INVESTMENT, AND COOPERATION
g FINANCE MINISTER AURANGZEB MEETS ADB PRESIDENT, SPOTLIGHTS PRIVATISATION AND REFORMS
DAVOS/ISLAMABAD
PM Shehbaz also met Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa who expressed his gratitude for Pakistan s consistent principled and unwavering support for the Palestinian people
with the aim of attracting investment and fostering economic cooperation
importance of maintaining the pace of reforms to ensure long-term economic resilience,” the post said “Both sides exchanged views on the global economic outlook challenges facing emerging economies and the significance of multilateral cooperation in preserving economic stability Earlier on the sidelines of the WEF,
According to the PMO, Mustafa personally greeted PM Shehbaz and thanked Pakistan for supporting the Palestinian stance at international forums and its role in advancing the Palestinian cause
The premier s three-day visit to Davos (Jan 20–22) includes engagements with global trade and investment partners,
In a post on X, PM Shehbaz said, “Pakistan’s ongoing economic reform journey is unlocking profound opportunities driven by a resilient and entrepreneurial workforce and significant potential across energy, agriculture, minerals, and emerging technologies He added that Pakistan is ready to convert this potential into mutually beneficial economic cooperation and longterm investment Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar inaugurated the Pathfinder Group s Pakistan Pavilion, highlighting the country’s economic potential start-ups and innovation He underscored the role of youth-led entrepreneurship in driving socio-economic development and reaffirmed the government s commitment to supporting start-ups and emerging businesses FM Dar also held bilateral meetings with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen discussing ways to strengthen trade investment and bilateral cooperation Both sides emphasised advancing forward-looking, mutually beneficial partnerships and exchanged views on key regional and global developments
KARACHI s ta
of fatalities to 61 However the police officer cautioned that the final death toll would only be confirmed after DNA analysis of the recovered remains Raza said relatives of missing persons and shopkeepers had earlier indicated that a large number of people were likely present inside the shop at the time of the fire
He said information suggested the victims had believed the situation would be brought under control and that they would remain safe,
but they eventually died due to suffocation while waiting Commenting on the visit of a bomb disposal squad to the site the South DIG said no evidence of sabotage or foul play had emerged so far during the initial investigation
A local resident, Rasheed, told Dawn that the shop had announced a wedding season sale and had decided to remain open until 2am despite its usual closing time of 10pm
The fire broke out at Gul Plaza on Saturday night While officials said the blaze at the shopping centre on MA Jinnah Road was brought under control after more than 24 hours on Sunday, firefighting operations had to resume on Monday after flames reignited from smouldering debris
The plaza portions of which collapsed during the fire was a ground-plus-three-storey structure spread over approximately 8,000 square yards and housing around 1,200 shops
Inquiry committee visits site Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi who is convener of an inquiry committee formed by
the Sindh government to probe the incident, visited the gutted plaza along with Karachi Additional Inspector General Azad Khan a member of the committee Speaking to reporters the commissioner said the inquiry was at an initial stage He pointed to the condition of nearby structures saying that Rimpa Plaza located adjacent to Gul Plaza had also been affected though it had not yet been declared unsafe Naqvi said fire safety arrangements inside
buildings did not meet international standards The additional IG said that no indication of sabotage had been found so far We are investigating the incident thoroughly, he said, rejecting reports that two dumper trucks carrying debris from the site to KMC ground had gone missing Karachi Metropolitan Corporation official Zafar Khan told the media that firefighters were still working at the plaza despite extreme heat, while cooling operations continued at two locations He said one section of the building had been cleared while two others were still being cleared
by holding perpetrators accountable that we can take a meaningful and concrete step toward restoring the honour and dignity of victims ” he stressed Referring to the International Law Commission s draft articles for the proposed treaty he described them as a useful starting point but emphasized that provisions on prevention and punishment particularly for crimes such as enslavement, torture and enforced disappearance must be fully aligned with relevant UN conventions Pakistan he added hoped the Preparatory Committee would be able to harmonize differing perspectives to ensure the future convention was widely embraced by the international community, including states that are not parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) The Pakistani delegate’s remarks on the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir prompted a response from an Indian representative Luther Rangerji Legal Adviser at India s Ministry of External Affairs, claimed Pakistan had no locus standi on Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the region was part of India He also alleged that Pakistan raised the Kashmir issue to divert attention from its treatment of minorities
Responding sharply Zulfiqar Ali rejected the claims saying India had violated Pakistan s sovereignty by targeting civilians including children blinded by pellet guns He said New Delhi continued to defy UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and violated the Indus Waters
NA CLEARS ELECTIONS AMENDMENT BILL TO LIMIT
Aurangzeb, Visa president hold talks on digital payments at WEF
CAT UPHOLDS PKR 205M CCP PENALTIES, DISMISSES BANKS’ APPEALS IN ESA CARTEL CASE
Aurangzeb says PIA sale has revived Pakistan’s privatisation push, boosted investor confidence
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The initiative is intended to contribute to security and stability for all countries and peoples of the region Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shared the joint statement on X reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation for peace in Gaza Pakistan has been and will continue to work with our brotherly Arab-Islamic countries for lasting peace in Gaza and for ensuring the right to self-determination of our Palestinian brothers and sisters,
support US-led mediation efforts, focusing on ceasefire consolidation, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction, while reinforcing the Palestinian right to self-determination and statehood
Earlier in the day Pakistan formally accepted an invitation from United States President Donald Trump to join the so-called
“Board of Peace”, a newly proposed international body initially focused on achieving lasting peace in Gaza and overseeing post-war governance and reconstruction The Foreign Office (FO) announced on Wednesday in an official statement that the invitation was extended
According to the FO, Pakistan s participation is aimed at supporting the implementation of the Gaza peace plan under the framework of United Nations
CM aide pitches Punjab’s Digital Future to US envoy at Lahore meeting
governance and public sector service delivery
She further explained that the IT Department was working to enact legislation focusing on the provision of high-speed internet, including satellite-based connectivity, while also creating pathways for youth to join the global workforce through enhanced digital access
Under the leadership of the Punjab chief minister she said the youth of Punjab were making significant progress in the field of information technology
Senator Rahman noted that the commitments made in the PML-N manifesto led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Punjab were now translating into tangible outcomes She said Pakistan ranked among the top three freelancing countries globally, with a substantial contribution from Punjab To further strengthen IT education and skills, she added, incubation centers and Centers of Excellence were being established across the province
the party’s sustained commitment to leveraging technology to improve governance and create employment opportunities She highlighted flagship initiatives including ICT for Girls National Incubation Centers the Digital Skills Programme, the rollout and availability of 3G and 4G spectrum, and landmark projects aimed at extending affordable internet connectivity to remote and underserved areas of the country She said these initiatives had helped position Pakistan as an emerging player in the global digital landscape Discussing progress on the Nawaz Sharif IT City project under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for Digital Punjab, Senator Rahman said the chief minister was fully committed to creating dignified employment opportunities for youth through advanced technologies In line with this vision she said the Punjab IT Department had been established to strengthen the digital economy and enhance the use of digital technologies in
She also emphasized that the Punjab government was actively welcoming international investment in the technology sector and providing maximum facilitation to investors As part of these efforts, she said, companies operating in Nawaz Sharif IT City Lahore were being offered a ten-year income tax exemption along with customs duty relief She expressed the desire for Nawaz Sharif IT City Lahore and Silicon Valley California to be accorded sister city status US Consul General Mr Stetson Sanders appreciated the Punjab government’s initiatives in modern technology and expressed keen interest in various digital projects particularly Nawaz Sharif IT City He said the technology-driven public welfare initiatives in Punjab were highly commendable and welcomed the proposal to establish sister-city relations between Lahore and California in the technology sector He further remarked that Pakistani youth possessed immense talent and expressed optimism that the Punjab government’s ongoing technological initiatives would yield positive and far-reaching results
COMMENT
Balochistan tried to deal with perhaps the most emotive issue in the province
TH E Balochistan cabinet has tried to deal with the missing persons issue by making sure that no more take place It seems to be a sort of request of the people to stop worrying about past disappearances on the assurance that there will be no more that all the families of all those picked up would be informed within 24 hours allowed visitation rights and provided medical facilities Numerous court decisions guarantee the rights already, but the proposed Balochistan Prevention of Detention and Deradicalisation Act represents an official attempt to tackle a basic problem, and one of the most emotive charges against all previous and present governments, that it allowed secret agencies pick up suspects, and then make them disappear, with their families not knowing what had become of them Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti was right to tell the Cabinet that the issue affected all provinces but he must recognize that the missing persons issue had bec ome peculiarly associated with his province because of the protests which took place in the province because of it
Originally a tool in the War on Terror because of the forced disappearances of religious extremists, it had been extended to Baloch separatists In a vicious cycle, the disappearances led to more turning to separatism, which in turn led to disappearances Though there have been many forced disappearances in other provinces, Balochistan is the only one where there have been disappearances of other than religious militants One of the principal defences of the disappearances is that supposedly disappeared persons have been killed in encounters with the law enforcing agencies while many are apparently with armed groups on the run It could be argued that the Balochistan law merely admits that rights under the Constitution have been frequently violated but that would ignore the reality that the Balochistan government is facing tremendous public pressure to tackle the problem It should also be noted that the policy of forced disappearances is not working, and is now being followed merely to spare the blushes of a few officials If the act makes a difference, it describes imitation by the other provinces, for though Balochistan has the focus, it is a national problem, and one that defies solution despite numerous court decisions and commissions being set up, though more than two decades have passed
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami
Arif
Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Christian communities in states such as Chhattisgarh Uttar Pradesh Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh While exact figures vary by source organizations tracking religious freedom violations have repeatedly pointed to an upward trend since the mid-2010s, particularly during religious festivals The repetition of such incidents across multiple states undermines the claim that
Moving beyond Europe
The Venezuelan case also highlights how diplomatic recognition and political signalling have become tools of influence At a time when Russia s relations with Europe remain deeply strained, visible engagement elsewhere serves to counter perceptions of isolation It allows Moscow to demonstrate that it still commands attention and retains partners willing to engage on their own terms
AS the war in Ukraine grinds on with no clear resolution in sight, it has become tempting to view Russia s foreign policy almost exclusively through the prism of conflict Yet focusing solely on the battlefield risks obscuring a quieter more calculated process underway beyond Europe In late 2025 Russia has continued to adjust its international posture through selective diplomacy and economic coordination, particularly in the Global South and the energy sector
These moves reveal not a state paralysed by war, but one seeking to preserve leverage, relevance, and room for manoeuvre in a changing global order
One notable development has been Moscow s swift response to political shifts in Venezuela Russia was among the first countries to articulate a formal position, reaffirming its engagement with Caracas at a moment of uncertainty The speed and clarity of the response were significant In a crowded diplomatic landscape where many states hesitated or adopted cautious language Russia’s stance signalled continuity rather than ambiguity Venezuela has long occupied a special place in Russia s external relations Over the past two decades, the relationship has encompassed energy cooperation, arms sales, financial assistance, and political backing during periods of intense international pressure By responding decisively to developments in Caracas Moscow reinforced its image as a consistent partner particularly to governments that see Western diplomacy as unpredictable or conditional This engagement must be understood within a broader strategic framework Russia s outreach to Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia reflects a deliberate effort to deepen ties with countries often described collectively as the Global South While these states differ widely in political systems and economic structures many share a scepticism towards Western dominance in international institutions Russia has sought to position itself as a counterweight, emphasising sovereignty, non-interference, and political pluralism in global affairs
highlights a widening gap between constitutional commitments and their implementation International observers have increasingly taken note of this disconnect The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its recent annual reports has repeatedly expressed concern over what it describes as a deteriorating environment for religious minorities in India The commission has cited instances of violence, vandalism and the alleged misuse of laws related to religious conversion, arguing that these developments warrant closer scrutiny by the international community The issue has also received attention in the global media The Wall Street Journal in its reporting on India s internal challenges has highlighted how attacks on minority communities, including Christians, risk undermining India s claims of democratic inclusivity While acknowledging India’s diversity and institutional strength such reporting underscores the reputational costs of persistent intolerance particularly for a country seeking a greater role in global leadership and a rule-based international order Critics argue that the rise of majoritarian politics has contributed to an environment in which extremist elements feel emboldened Political rhetoric centred on cultural dominance and religious identity has at times blurred the line between nationalism and exclusion In such an atmosphere acts of vandalism or harassment may be perceived by perpetrators as low-risk, especially when state responses appear hesitant or inconsistent Accountability remains a central concern Data compiled by rights groups indicate that while cases are occasionally registered following attacks on churches or prayer gatherings investigations are often slow and prosecutions rare This perceived impunity deepens insecurity among minority communities and weakens public confidence in law enforcement institutions It also reinforces the impression that constitutional protections are selectively enforced rather than universally applied
Beyond its domestic implications rising religious intolerance carries regional and international consequences India has long projected itself as a pluralistic society where multiple faiths coexist under a secular constitutional
Yet this strategy is not without limits Russia s economic capacity to sustain extensive overseas commitments has been constrained by sanctions and the demands of war As a result, its diplomacy has become more selective, prioritising countries and regions where political alignment and strategic returns are judged to be highest Latin America where historical grievances against Western intervention persist fits neatly into this calculus
Alongside diplomacy energy policy remains a central pillar of Russia s external strategy Discussions among Russian officials about increasing oil production in line with OPEC+ quotas underscore the continued importance of hydrocarbons to Moscow’s economic and geopolitical positioning Despite efforts by Western states to reduce reliance on Russian energy the country remains one of the world s leading
The question is not whether Russia will re-emerge as a dominant global power, but whether it can sustain relevance in a world where power is increasingly dispersed For now, Moscow appears determined to try In doing so, it is reminding observers that even amid conflict, foreign policy is rarely fought on a single front
order This image has been central to its soft power in South Asia and beyond Continued reports of intolerance risk eroding that narrative, particularly when contrasted with India’s stated commitment to democratic norms on global platforms
From a regional standpoint developments within India are closely observed by neighbouring countries Religious polarisation in a major South Asian state has the potential to inflame cross-border tensions and reinforce competing narratives of exclusion and victimhood In a region already marked by political volatility such internal divisions complicate prospects for dialogue and cooperation
The role of civil society and independent media is therefore critical However, journalists and activists documenting incidents of religious intolerance increasingly face legal pressure and social backlash This narrowing space for scrutiny limits informed public debate and weakens democratic accountability a trend that international watchdogs have repeatedly flagged as a matter of concern
Addressing the issue requires more than symbolic condemnations following high-profile incidents Effective responses must include impartial law enforcement judicial oversight and political restraint in public discourse Equally important is a reaffirmation of constitutional values through education and institutional practice ensuring that secularism remains a lived reality rather than a formal declaration
Acts of Christmas vandalism should thus be seen not merely as seasonal disturbances but as indicators of a deeper challenge confronting Indian society How the state responds through law policy and political will shape not only the future of its minority communities but also the credibility of its democratic project Ultimately, protecting religious freedom is central to preserving social cohesion in a diverse nation Without consistent enforcement of constitutional guarantees isolated acts of intolerance risk becoming entrenched patterns A recommitment to pluralism grounded in both law and practice, remains essential if India is to arrest this troubling trajectory
The writer can be reached at omayaimen333@gmail com and tweets @OmayAimen
Democracy without decency
Burewala campus failure
Now Christians are under attack in India
How Venezuela became the latest test case
a test case Today it is Caracas Tomorrow it
Htarianism Washington has tolerated worse, and often for longer His cardinal sin was ideological defiance combined with material leverage Like Hugo Chávez before him Maduro framed the US dollar not as a neutral medium of exchange but as an instrument of US power Venezuela joined ef-
forts to trade energy outside the dollar system flirted with alternative payment mechanisms and aligned itself rhetorically and diplomatically with countries eager to weaken dollar dominance That is where history turns instructive In 2000, Saddam Hussein announced that Iraq would sell oil in euros rather than dollars Three years later, Iraq was invaded on the pretext of weapons of mass destruction that were never found The euro experiment ended Iraqi oil returned to dollar pricing In 2009 Muammar Gaddafi proposed a goldbacked African dinar that would allow oil trade beyond the dollar s reach Two years later, NATO planes flew over Libya in the name of humanitarian protection Gaddafi was dead by October Libya collapsed into chronic instability Its oil once again was denominated in dollars The pattern is not subtle Challenge the monetary architecture that underpins global energy trade, and consequences follow The stated reasons vary terrorism, human rights narcotics but the outcome is remarkably consistent The currency regime survives The country does not
What distinguishes the Maduro operation is not the motive but the method Never before has the USA directly removed a sitting South American head of state through overt military action Central America and the Caribbean have long histories of intervention South America by contrast was usually managed through pressure proxies or coups with plausible deniability This time, the gloves came off That shift reflects more than presidential bravado It signals a recalibration of US strategy in a post–war-on-terror world As jihadist networks recede from centrestage Washington has rebranded its security doctrine around narco-terror Drug cartels now occupy the conceptual space once reserved for al-Qaeda Criminal networks are cast not merely as law enforcement problems but as existential threats justifying military responses In that framework Venezuela becomes
could be elsewhere Trump’s language has been suggestive He has mused about reclaiming the Panama Canal floated the annexation of Greenland joked about Canada as the 51st state, and repeatedly declared that the cartels are running Mexico His Secretary of State has issued warnings to Cuba Rhetoric, in this administration, has a way of becoming rehearsal Supporters argue that such assertiveness restores American credibility They are wrong Credibility does not come from demonstrations of force alone It comes from outcomes And the historical record of regime change is not encouraging Iraq did not become a stable democracy Libya did not become a functioning state Afghanistan did not become a reliable ally In each case the removal of a ruler was easier than the construction of a political order Venezuela now faces the same dilemma With Maduro detained, the country’s Supreme Court installed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president She promptly demanded Maduro s release and declared him Venezuela s only president The scene was less a transition than a standoff Institutions that were already brittle are now under extreme strain The economy, already battered by sanctions, mismanagement and capital flight faces deeper uncertainty Oil production which Washington claims to covet
Venezuela now faces the same dilemma With Maduro detained, the countryÊs Supreme Cour t installed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president She promptly demanded MaduroÊs release and declared him VenezuelaÊs „only president.‰ The scene was less a transition than a standoff. Institutions that were already brittle are now under extreme strain. The economy, already battered by sanctions, mismanagement, and capital flight, faces deeper uncer tainty.
n g . I n 2 0 0 9 , M u a m m a r G a d d a f i p ro p o s e d a
g o l d - b a ck e d A f r i c a n d i n a r t h a t wo u l d a l l ow o i l t r a d e b eyo n d t h e d o l l a r Ês r e a c h . Two y e a rs l a t e r, N ATO p l a n e s f l ew ov e r L i bya i n t h e n a m e o f h u m a n i t a r i a n p ro t e c t i o n
Palestinians will throw the Board of Peace into the dustbin of histor y long before the same happens to Trump himself
Blair inhabits an alternative world One in which genocide did not happen, and Hamas will have to disarm while the occupation remains in place
To i nv i te t h e s a m e c a s t o f c h a ra c te r s w h o a l l owe d Is ra e l to ex p a n d
to t h e p o i nt at w h i c h G a z a ex p l o d e d, a n d ex p e c t t h e m to e n d t h e co n f l i c t, i s m o re t h a n j u s t i n s a n e. I t ’s c r i m i n a l
wealth Office (FCO) said: That is entirely accurate
This isn t even really in contention Blair has no position within the British government His activities in terms of the Tony Blair Institute are as a private citizen That’s not to say that there aren’t contacts but he really
It is significant that Saudi Arabia is staying out of this And it is wise to do so
Keir Starmer who before becoming a prime minister marched against the Iraq war and called it illegal as recently as 2020, has studiously avoided endorsing Blair as Britain s representative on Trump s board He said Blair was a “great leader” and would make a “huge contribution” to the peace board but repeatedly refused to endorse him for the role Middle East Eye contacted the Cabinet Office about Powell s remarks but has received no reply until the time of publication Also, FCO refused to comment On Monday, Starmer said that Britain was talking to allies about the Board of Peace
each member of the executive board will have
port-
much lower down the chain of command which will have none This is confusingly called the Gaza Executive Board It includes four of the seven members of the founding board but adds Hakan Fidan, the Turkish foreign minister; Qatari minister Ali Al Thawadi and Major General Hassan Rashad the Egyptian intelli-
Gaza but Turkey Qatar and Egypt have been brought on as window dressing The White House statement defined their task in the following terms It said the board “will help support effective governance and the delivery of best-in-class services that advance peace stability and prosperity for the people of Gaza Which could mean anything or nothing It is significant that Saudi Arabia is staying out of this And it is wise to do so
A DEEPLY PROBLEMATIC HISTORY: Nikolai Mladenov, a Bulgarian diplomat, will be Gaza’s “high representative” which in EU parlance could mean its foreign minister To support them are a spate of advisors with deeply problematic recent histories Men such as businessman and rabbi Aryeh Lightstone a staunch defender of the settlers who was heavily involved in the creation of the Israeli-backed aid distribution mechanism, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) at whose sites more than 2000 Palestinians were killed by live fire L
cratic government that is supposed to govern Gaza
Only two of the names that were put forward by the Palestinians factions have made it onto the list The most problematic character is the man in charge of security Sami Nasman, a retired senior Palestinian Authority security officer was sentenced in absentia by a Gaza court to 15 years in prison for inciting chaos
WITH A CAST OF CHARACTERS
For Hamas or Islamic Jihad fighters to disarm under these conditions would be tantamount to committing suicide
announced the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the same way as he announced the ceasefire itself
He put all the onus on Hamas to deliver In his statement, Witkoff said that Phase Two was about the full demilitarisation of Gaza “primarily the disarmament of all unauthorized personnel” He said the US expects Hamas to comply fully “Failure to do so will bring serious consequences There was not one word about Israel s obligation to withdraw from the yellow line, from which it has been advancing It now occupies over 60 percent of Gaza’s territory Nor did Witkoff acknowledge over 1000 ceasefire infringements and the death of up to 450 Palestinians since the ceasefire was signed in October Blair s statement was similar in tone Trump s 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza according to Blair was an extraordinary achievement The war did end, he declared This will be news to Gaza, which apart from the daily Israeli air strikes, have suffered untold hardships with floods the heaviest winter in years and the destruction of over 100 000 tents Israel has continued to deny Gaza either the food or the reconstruction aid it needs It is unbending too about not allowing two-way traffic at the Rafah border crossing So much so, sources tell me, that the new technocratic committee, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, will have to meet in Cairo not in Gaza itself
ALTERNATIVE WORLD: Israel has continually broken the terms of the ceasefire both in terms of its air strikes and its failure to keep to the yellow line Blair, however, inhabits an alternative world One in which genocide did not happen, and Hamas will have to disarm while the occupation remains in place
As Blair knows only too well Powell Blair s chief negotiator with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) would never have gotten the Republican movement to end its armed campaign without a power-sharing agreement in Northern Ireland s Stormont But today he sings a very different tune with Hamas “For Gaza and its people we want a Gaza which does not reconstruct Gaza as it was but as it could and should be ”
As dictated by whom? By an Israel duty bound to keep Gaza a living hell in order to force as many Palestinians out as possible and make agreements with breakaway parts of Somalia to enable that to happen? Ever the faithful
M a Hossain
Journalists
India-occupied Kashmir asked to sign pledge vowing to keep peace
A spokesperson for Srinagar police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters The Indian Express, one of India’s most respected dailies said its journalist was summoned four times between January 15 and 19 and asked to sign the pledge on January 16 He has not signed the bond as asked by the police The Indian Express is committed to doing what is necessary to uphold and protect the rights and dignity of its journalists ” the paper s chief editor Raj Kamal Jha said in the report Two other journalists
interest in Greenland is also linked to legacy ambitions potentially expanding US territory on a scale not seen since Alaska and Hawaii became states in 1959 In an unusual breach of diplomatic protocol, Trump publicly released the text of a private message from French President Emmanuel Macron who urged him to meet G7 leaders in Paris after Davos NEW DELHI ag e n c i e s Police in India-occupied Kashmir asked at least three journalists working in the region to sign a pledge vowing not to disturb peace” in the region, two of them told Reuters on Wednesday A third journalist an assistant editor with the Indian Express newspaper was summoned to a police station in Srinagar the capital of the federal territory, but did not sign the pledge, the newspaper said in a report published on Wednesday India has imposed several restrictions in the region after revoking its constitutional autonomy in 2019 laying out rules for how the region is covered and reported
Lahore Police launch crackdown on kite-flying ahead of Basant
g PUNJAB CM INAUGURATES CATH LAB, ANNOUNCES CARDIAC SURGERY SERVICES IN
HOSPITAL JHANG
Even manhole covers being projec ted as major achievements in K P : A zma Bokhari
project Speaking in a sarcastic tone Azma Bokhari added that people are often criticized for saying that no work is being done but now even pictures of manhole covers before and after installation have been officially released The Provincial Minister for Information and Culture said that the public is no longer swayed by mere images and publicity campaigns People want real development basic facilities, and visible performance not the glorification of routine tasks as major accomplishments,” she emphasized Azma Bokhari further stated that in Punjab large-scale public welfare projects are visibly taking shape on the ground whereas in other provinces, even minor works
PAKISTAN WARNS UN OF ‘UNPRECEDENTED WATER SECURIT Y CRISIS’ AFTER INDIA PUTS INDUS WATERS TREAT Y ON HOLD
Naqvi sets up committee to address issues of religious scholars
Jailed PTI leaders rejec t any move to raise voting age, question ‘fear of youth power ’
At least five senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders imprisoned at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail on Wednesday strongly opposed any proposal to raise the voting age warning that such a move would amount to rolling back democratic rights and betraying fear of the country’s youth In a joint letter sent through their advocate Shah Mahmood Qureshi
Dr Yasmin Rashid Ejaz Chaudhry Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed and Omar Sarfraz Cheema questioned the intent behind the ongoing debate on increasing the voting age from 18 to 25, asking whether those “operating in the dark” were afraid of the political awareness and collective power of young voters
The statement comes amid an intensifying national debate, par-
ticularly on television talk shows and social media over the possibility of raising the voting age
While no formal bill has been tabled in parliament so far, the discussion has triggered widespread concern, especially among opposition parties and youth groups
Recalling Pakistan s electoral history the jailed PTI leaders noted that the country s first general elections in 1970 were held when the voting age was 21
However, they said the realities of the 21st century marked by rapid communication digital connectivity and real-time access to global events had fundamentally changed societal awareness and political understanding
They pointed out that Pakistan itself recognised this transformation when it reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 a reform that was accepted without resistance
from any segment of society
That decision reflected trust in the maturity insight and judgment of the youth the letter stated
The leaders argued there was no rational justification for increasing the voting age when the state already recognises 18 as the threshold for obtaining a national identity card entering into marriage and assuming other legal responsibilities If an 18-year-old is deemed mature enough to make life-altering decisions, on what basis are they considered unfit to vote?” the letter asked
Raising a pointed question the PTI leaders said the debate appeared to reflect a fear-driven mindset rooted in distrust of the youth s conscience and political choices They warned that attempts to curtail youth participation would only deepen alienation and weaken democratic legitimacy
protests
as police detain Grand Alliance leaders
had consistently spoken in favour of unity consensus and cohesion and enjoyed respect across religious and political divides
ISMAIL KHAN
The Dera Ismail Khan Range Police killed 189 terrorists in over 550 search-and-strike and intelligencebased operations carried out across the region during 2025 marking a major success in the fight against terrorism and serious crime, a police spokesman said on Wednesday
Presenting the Annual Performance Report 2025 the spokesman highlighted the range s overall achievements under Regional Police Officer (RPO) Syed Ashfaq Anwar, noting significant progress in counterterrorism, crime control, police welfare, and infrastructure development
According to the report the police conducted 336 search-andstrike operations and 215 intelligence-based operations during the year These actions neutralized 189 terrorists and led to the arrest of 74 others involved in terrorism, target killings and subversive activities Additionally 1 549 proclaimed offenders wanted in serious criminal cases were apprehended
The operations also yielded a substantial seizure of weapons and ammunition including 74 Kalashnikovs, 119 rifles, 160 shotguns, 1,226 pistols, nine hand grenades, 36 knives, and over 128,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers The police intensified their crackdown on narcotics recovering 858 kilograms of hashish 94 kilograms of heroin two kilograms of opium, 170 kilograms of ice, and 1,286 liters of liquor A total of 1,192 cases were registered under the Control of Narcotics Substances Act resulting in the arrest of numerous drug traffickers and dealers Progress was also recorded in police welfare and internal accountability The RPO office held 23 orderly rooms to address personnel issues with 379 officials participating and 118 officials were reinstated following departmental inquiries To boost morale RPO Syed Ashfaq Anwar visited remote police stations and check posts in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank districts awarding cash prizes and commendation certifi-
cates for outstanding performance against terrorist threats
A highlight of the year was the October 11, 2025 attack on the Police Training School in Dera Ismail Khan RPO Syed Ashfaq Anwar personally led the operation killing four terrorists including a suicide bomber and ensuring the safe evacuation of all trainees The operation drew appreciation at both provincial and national levels For public safety, comprehensive security arrangements were implemented on the CPEC Motorway (M-14) including the establishment of new police posts at sensitive points Policing capacity was further enhanced with the approval of 350 new posts for Dera Ismail Khan and 120 for Tank district The report also highlighted the launch of Safe City projects in both Dera Ismail Khan and Tank districts aimed at improving surveillance and emergency response Extensive infrastructure development, including con-
