Epaper_26-01-22 LHR

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

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 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

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,

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 f f r e

Raza told

that

found inside a shop named Dubai Crockery, located on the mezzanine floor of the plaza He said rescue workers had earlier recovered three bodies taking the toll from 28 to 31 and that the discovery from the gutted shop had pushed the estimated number 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 the 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

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 Treaty

“The world needs no lectures on crimes against humanity from a country that is a serial violator of international law and the UN Charter and a perpetrator of atrocity crimes in occupied Jammu and Kashmir against minorities in India, and against civilians it targets through the sponsorship of cross-border terrorist attacks, he said Ali further accused

Rejecting

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

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

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

CM MARYAM EXPANDS HEALTHCARE

g PUNJAB CM INAUGURATES CATH LAB, ANNOUNCES CARDIAC SURGERY SERVICES IN DHQ HOSPITAL JHANG

Even manhole covers being projec ted as major achievements in K P : A zma Bokhari

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

Rising fast bowler Muhammad Munir Alam’s memorable debut wicket on first ball

KARACHI staff report A new star has emerged on the horizon of Pakistan cricket as Muhammad Munir Alam an 18-year-old right-arm fast bowler, impressed cricket circles with a remarkable debut performance Muhammad Munir

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 are being excessively publicized

Chinese CG expresses condolences to victims of Gul Plaza fire

s ta f f

e p o r t The Chinese Consulate General in Karachi Mr Yang Yundong, expresses the deepest condolences over the lives lost in the saddening Gul Plaza fire accident in Karachi city and extend sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured China and Pakistan are a community with a shared future standing together through thick and thin At this difficult time, our hearts and thoughts stay firmly with the government and people

PAKISTAN WARNS UN OF ‘UNPRECEDENTED WATER SECURIT Y CRISIS’ AFTER INDIA PUTS INDUS WATERS TREAT Y ON HOLD

accelerated glacier melt groundwater depletion and rapid population growth Together, these factors are placing immense strain on already stressed water systems He said Pakistan is taking concrete steps to enhance water resilience through integrated water planning flood protection infrastructure irrigation rehabilitation, groundwater recharge and ecosystem restoration He cited major initiatives such as Living Indus and Recharge Pakistan as examples of the country’s efforts to adapt to climate change and strengthen water security However Ambassador Jadoon emphasised that systemic water risks particularly in shared river basins, cannot be managed by any country acting alone “Predictability, transparency and cooperation in transboundary water governance are not optional they are matters of survival for downstream populations he said Calling for stronger global action he urged that water insecurity be formally recognised as a systemic global risk in the lead-up to the UN Water Conference 2026

Quetta protests flare as police detain Grand Alliance leaders

preconditions

Gohar urges gov t to engage opposition without

ISLAMABAD s ta

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Wednesday called for unconditional dialogue between the government and opposition, emphasizing that negotiations should not be restricted to specific topics He urged the government to engage with the opposition without preconditions to resolve national issues “If you want to hold dialogue you should speak on all topics It is wrong to say that negotiations will be held on one issue but another cannot be included Barrister Gohar told the media At the same time, he clarified that he does not have the authority to negotiate directly with the government That mandate has been given to Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas recently appointed opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate respectively Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had earlier confirmed that PTI founder Imran Khan had authorised Achakzai and Abbas to make decisions regarding talks or protests “I will give them my consultation if they require it,” Gohar said He further stressed that the government must approach the opposition in good faith saying The stick and carrot policy does not work Throwing a punch with one hand and extending the other does not work Gohar also raised concerns

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, particularly 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

The letter also drew parallels with a past electoral reform that made graduation mandatory for contesting elections a requirement that was later withdrawn after being widely criticised as discriminatory and impractical

The leaders suggested that any attempt to raise the voting age

would meet a similar fate

Describing young people as the nation s most valuable asset the jailed leaders said the youth s insight, perception, decision-making power and collective wisdom had the potential to bring about transformative change They warned that the younger generation would not allow the wheel of history to be turned backwards and would resist any effort to strip them of their constitutional right to vote

The PTI leaders expressed hope that all political parties particularly the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would refrain from endorsing any move aimed at suppressing youth participation in the democratic process

In recent days social media platforms have been flooded with commentary highlighting that a significant portion of Pakistan s electorate falls between the ages of 18 and 25 Analysts argue that raising the voting age would dramatically reshape the voter base and disproportionately disenfranchise young citizens Legal experts and commentators have also pointed out that any change to the voting age would require a constitutional amendment which can only be passed with a two-thirds majority in parliament a threshold difficult to achieve amid a polarised political environment