SINDH ROLLS OUT COMPENSATION, CREDIT SUPPORT FOR GUL PLAZA FIRE LOSSES AND REBUILT PLAN
Azerbaijan’s SOCAR to finalise
being faced by valueadded textiles and apparel, which account for around 55% of national exports, as well as by fruit, vegetable and other agro-based exporters They argued that these sectors are also major contributors to the EDF Industry representatives have urged the government to ensure that EDF
BY subsidising electric vehicles, the government is trying to speed up the changeover from internal combustion engines to electric but it has yet to tackle in a meaningful way the biggest hurdle in the whole affair, the availability of chargers
The scheme will provide Rs 100 36 billion in subsidies for electric bikes, rickshaws, loaders, cars, buses and trucks The first phase will target 41,000 vehicles, the second 78 170 If the stress on two-wheelers is maintained, it will help reduce the pollution afflicting the country, but there must be provision of adequate charging facilities While it is presently possible to charge an EV from a domestic connection, if EVs charge in sizeable numbers, they might cause battered distribution systems to collapse Plans to mass-convert to EVs may run up against the bitter reality that while there might be the generation capacity, the distribution network is in bad shape
While EVs are much cheaper than ICE vehicles to run, there is the problem of resale value When an EV battery dies, replacing it is usually as expensive as replacing the entire vehicle In other words such vehicles do not have any resale value Both twowheelers and four-wheelers here have a resale value which makes them seen as stores of value representing a substantial portion of the family savings The prospect opens up of used EVs crowding landfills or garbage dumps and new ones filling up dealers’ lots
The conversion will only be beneficial if it means a reduction in the petroleum import bill to counterbalance the imports of EV kits for at the moment assembly is all that is contemplated Pakistan does have the rare earths and other minerals needed to make batteries, and the situation must be avoided where the ore is exported processed and manufactured abroad, and then exported back as car batteries That would mean the return of colonialism
One of the problems is that these subsidies wo; have to be run past the IMF, which may want to shoot them down,
Dedicated
THamza al-Ghamdi in Afghanistan has reignited serious concerns within regional and international security circles While Afghanistan has long been viewed as a fragile post-conflict environment the presence of such high-profile extremist figures signals a potentially dangerous shift: the country s gradual reassertion as a hub for transnational terrorist activity For counter-terrorism planners, this development is not merely symbolic; it suggests a convergence of ideological leadership operational expertise and permissive terrain that could recalibrate the global terrorism threat landscape Hamza bin Laden, the son of Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, occupies a unique position within the global extremist ecosystem Unlike many militant leaders whose influence is confined to operational capabilities Hamza’s relevance is deeply rooted in symbolism and legacy His reappearance carries immense propaganda value reviving the emotional and ideological resonance of the bin Laden name among Al-Qaeda supporters For a movement that thrives on narratives of continuity, resistance, and historical struggle Hamza’s presence reinforces the perception that Al-Qaeda remains intact adaptive and ideologically resilient despite years of sustained counter-terrorism pressure From a recruitment and fundraising perspective, Hamza bin Laden s role cannot be overstated His symbolic leadership serves as a rallying point for disillusioned militants and dormant extremist supporters across the Middle East South Asia and parts of Africa In an era where terrorist organizations compete for relevance and manpower the revival of a familiar and emotionally charged figure provides AlQaeda with a potent tool to re-energize its global networks, particularly among younger recruits seeking ideological legitimacy and a sense of historical continuity
This symbolic capital is further reinforced by the reported presence of Hamza al-Ghamdi a figure associated with operational planning and militant coordination Unlike Hamza bin Laden’s primarily ideological appeal, alGhamdi is believed to bring tactical depth and organizational discipline to Al-Qaeda’s activities His experience in orchestrating attacks managing clandestine cells and overseeing logistics suggests that the group s ambitions extend beyond messaging and symbolism Together, the pairing of a legacy figure with a seasoned operational commander reflects a deliberate leadership configuration one that blends inspiration with execution
This convergence underscores a broader structural concern: Afghanistan s ungoverned and under-governed spaces continue to offer strategic sanctuaries for extremist actors These
PA K I S TA N stands at an educational crossroads With its demographic dividend approaching its peak and knowledge-driven economies reshaping global labour markets, universities have become central to national progress Yet, despite rapid expansion in enrolments, Pakistan’s higher education system continues to lag behind regional peers in research impact institutional reputation and global competitiveness
A critical though insufficiently examined factor behind this gap is the leadership model governing universities specifically, the tension between civil service–style administrative control and academic leadership grounded in scholarship and institutional autonomy Public sector universities in Pakistan largely operate within a bureaucratic governance framework inherited from colonial administrative traditions Leadership appointments from vice-chancellors to key administrative positions are frequently influenced by civil service norms that prioritise seniority, procedural familiarity, and administrative experience over academic distinction or strategic vision While such an approach promises order compliance and financial oversight its consequences within academic institutions are less benign Excessive bureaucratic control often constrains academic freedom, slows decision-making, and marginalises research-driven leadership at precisely the moment when universities must innovate and compete In contrast academic leadership models emphasise scholarly credentials research orientation and collegial governance These models prevalent in successful universities worldwide integrate academic judgment with participatory decision-making structures that empower faculty, prioritise quality education and student-centred outcomes, and align institutional goals with global knowledge frontiers Rather than undermining accountability such systems embed it within academic processes linking performance to research output teaching quality and societal relevance
Regional comparisons illustrate the implications of these choices Across South Asia, differences in governance models are reflected in measurable outcomes India for example places more than 40 universities within the top 1 000 global rankings and around 18 among Asia s top 200 while Pakistan has only a small number of institutions with limited international visibility This gap cannot be explained by resources alone Both countries face comparable demographic pressures and fiscal constraints yet India’s partially
environments provide relative freedom of movement, opportunities for training and indoctrination and the logistical flexibility required to sustain transnational terrorist networks The absence of robust enforcement mechanisms and the complexity of local power dynamics allow high-value individuals to operate with reduced risk, turning the country into both a symbolic refuge and a functional operational base The implications extend well beyond Afghanistan’s borders Intelligence assessments indicate that the presence of recognized Al-Qaeda leadership has encouraged cross-border terrorist collaboration drawing foreign militants from diverse conflict zones Individuals from the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa reportedly view Afghanistan as a legitimizing destination a place where affiliation with senior extremist leadership enhances their standing within the global terrorist hierarchy This influx not only internationalizes the threat but also facilitates the exchange of skills, tactics, and resources across regions Equally significant is the propaganda dimension of this development Al-Qaeda has long relied on strategic communication to project strength and relevance particularly in competition with rival extremist organizations The visibility of figures such as Hamza bin Laden and Hamza al-Ghamdi enables the group to counter narratives of decline and fragmentation that followed years of targeted operations against its leadership By signalling continuity and organizational cohesion Al-Qaeda seeks to reaffirm its position as a central actor within the
autonomous universities where academic leadership plays a more central role demonstrate stronger research productivity and global engagement Bangladesh though still developing its higher education base also shows that institutions led by academically credible leadership perform better in regional assessments
Within Pakistan, empirical evidence reinforces this pattern Studies across multiple universities indicate that strong academic leadership correlates positively with educational quality faculty satisfaction and institutional performance These findings suggest that governance structures rather than faculty capacity are a primary constraint on progress
At the national level, Pakistan s higher education system remains burdened by structural weaknesses that undermine academic credibility One persistent challenge is the politicisation of university governance and the resulting erosion of institutional autonomy
Research published in the Critical Review of Social Sciences shows that senior academic appointments and administrative decisions are often shaped by political considerations and bureaucratic preferences rather than merit or research credentials This practice weakens faculty trust, disrupts leadership continuity and encourages short-term complianceoriented decision-making
Compounding this problem is a leadership capability gap Many university leaders assume senior positions without formal preparation in academic leadership, strategic planning, or contemporary higher education governance While administrative experience is frequently emphasised, limited exposure to research management international collaboration frameworks and performance-based academic systems restricts institutional capacity to compete regionally or globally
These challenges are further reinforced by deeply hierarchical organisational cultures Evidence from the Qlantic Journal of Social Sciences suggests that rigid reporting structures and paternalistic management discourage faculty participation suppress initiative and inhibit intellectual risk-taking conditions fundamentally at odds with innovationdriven institutions A mixed-method study of vicechancellors in Pakistani universities confirms that leaders often operate under intense pressure to balance bureaucratic expectations with academic needs The result is cautious leadership focused on procedural compliance rather than bold research agendas or institutional transformation International experience offers a clear alternative Globally high-performing universities operate under shared governance models where academic leadership is central University leaders typically emerge from distinguished academic careers and are selected for their scholarly credibility and strategic vision In the USA public universities are overseen by governing boards that appoint presidents based on academic stature and leadership capacity, supported by professional administrators who manage compliance and finance Evidence consistently shows that effective academic leadership improves faculty retention research output and institutional reputation outcomes rarely achieved through bureaucratic control alone European and East Asian systems similarly balance autonomy with accountability Leadership development programmes emphasise transformational qualities collaboration, vision, and research advocacy
global extremist landscape
Crucially, available intelligence suggests that these leaders are not merely symbolic figureheads but are actively involved in strategic oversight and attack planning This indicates that Afghanistan’s role is evolving from a passive safe haven into a functional command-andcoordination hub Such a shift elevates the threat profile as it implies the potential for externally directed or inspired terrorist attacks emanating from Afghan territory, targeting both regional states and distant adversaries For regional and international counter-terrorism efforts the re-emergence of these figures represents a critical inflection point The combination of experienced leadership operational expertise, and permissive operational space demands intensified monitoring, intelligence sharing, and coordinated strategic engagement Failure to address these dynamics risks allowing Afghanistan to once again become a focal point for global terrorism repeating patterns that the international community has previously sought at great cost to dismantle In sum, the reported presence of Hamza bin Laden and Hamza al-Ghamdi is more than a fleeting intelligence concern It is a warning signal that underscores the evolving nature of the extremist threat and the enduring importance of Afghanistan in terrorist calculations For policymakers and security practitioners alike recognizing and responding to this development with urgency and coherence will be essential to preventing a broader resurgence of transnational terrorism
The writer is a freelance columnist
Flight of loss
Universities in crisis
The Trillion-Yuan Pivot
Ta combination of infrastructure investment and evolving lifestyle preferences among the middle class
A primary driver of this revenue growth is the emergence of destination-style resorts
These facilities are modelled less on the traditional, sport-focused alpine villages of Europe and more on integrated leisure complexes While these high-end destinations represent only about 4 percent of the total number of ski areas in China they capture nearly 29 percent of all skier visits nationwide
This concentration of demand reflects a consumer preference for lifestyle tourism over pure athletics These resorts have successfully decoupled their revenue from the limitations of the winter season by positioning themselves as four-season hubs At Taiwoo Ski Resort in the Olympic zone of Chongli for instance nearly 70 percent of its 2 6 million annual visitors now arrive during the summer months By offering mountain biking, music festivals, alpine water parks, and pet-friendly camping, these resorts maintain high occupancy rates throughout the year ensuring the long-term viability of the heavy capital investments required for their construction
The rapid scaling of this industry is inextricably linked to the expansion of China s high-speed rail network Infrastructure has been the great equalizer in the winter sports market turning remote mountain ranges into accessible weekend destinations for urban professionals A commute from Beijing to the premier slopes of Hebei now takes less than an hour, facilitating a short-break culture where two- or three-day trips have become the industry standard Beyond transportation, the physical infrastructure of the resorts themselves has seen a massive upgrade According to the 2024–2025 China Ski Industry White Book the number of drag and aerial lifts has increased by 643 percent over the last decade This shift toward modern lift systems is significant; although these well-equipped resorts make up only a quarter of the total facilities they account for over 60 percent of all skier visits This indicates a maturing market where participants are moving away from beginner slopes toward more challenging terrain that requires professional-grade infrastructure
A unique characteristic of the Chinese market is its heavy reliance on indoor skiing which
By integrating sports with culture, technology, and year-round tourism, China has established a winter sports ecosystem that is unique in its scale and speed of development
The „cold‰ economy is no longer a seasonal curiosity; it is a permanent and growing component of the national economic strategy, providing a blueprint for how leisure and consumption can drive high-tech manufacturing and regional growth in the 21st century.
Gaza Board of Peace?
Yis this person and what does a real estate investor know about rebuilding a war zone?
When Gabay talks about the plan, in Hebrew, behind closed doors, with the intensity of someone who’s spent the last 16 months thinking about little else he sounds like he s explaining a complicated deal structure not a framework for ending a war
How Trump and envoy Jared Kushner see victory: bring the hostages home, don t return to fighting, dismantle Hamas The last part is the hardest: disarmament He knows the obvious loophole: Hamas could just absorb itself into the new police force weapons and all But he thinks there s
back to fighting isn t good
The way he sees it the sequencing creates its own logic If the first mission fails voluntary disarmament through pressure from Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and the international community, then the IDF goes in and neutralizes Hamas’s weapons by force But there’s a chance he believes that the pressure works That Hamas isolated and surrounded by Arab states that have signed on to the framework chooses survival over resistance He can be heard saying in the halls of Davos, Right now, Hamas is isolated The soldiers dying and getting wounded, that’s stopped Even if the IDF has to go back in, it’s part of the terms Even the worst scenario is better than the scenario from five months ago
THE RECONSTRUCTION PART IS HIS : Gabay wrote the reconstruction and rebuilding component himself Not the security stuff, not the demilitarization He’s emphatic
tum during Trump’s campaign and accelerated in recent months Kushner and colleague Steve Witkoff assembled the core team Everyone has different expertise Everyone can give their opinion and advice on the issues There s a deadline for Hamas s disarmament, so said Kushner on Thursday, a time frame of “100 days,” but with hedges It’s more than a paraphrase but they won’t let it drag out If they see the conduct isn’t cooperative the goal is to give it a chance Gabay believes voluntary disarmament can happen He has been following military, security, and political issues very closely for decades Not involved His approach is that the way previous rounds ended sourly, the axis of evil with Iran at the head was a mistake not to confront them as has happened during this war October 7 he tends to say woke him to action He thought: This time my capabilities can change the face of reality Other businesspeople heard about his work a year and a half ago The White House had asked him to develop something even during Joe Biden’s term He has good relationships with Tony Blair and Kushner and when Trump won the elections it became easier to push the issue This administration s model fits better for Gabay: The strong hand, the business lingo It’s his first time being publicly involved in anything political He doesn’t like the spotlight
It’s one of the prices he’s been paying since his name was revealed He is one of those businesspeople who probably pay to make sure their name doesn t appear in the media not the other way around But the experience of thinking through ideas, translating them into presentations and videos, sitting with people, and watching it become reality lifts his heart Everything is volunteer work he tends to tell those who speak with him about these matters
THE TURKEY AND QATAR PROBLEM:
One thing that confuses outside observers: Turkey and Qatar, both Hamas supporters, are part of the framework Gabay sees this as a feature not a bug Trump’s consideration of the Board of Peace is in full consensus from all sides This is the American model that s succeeded so far beyond Hamas He explains to those who ask mainly Israelis, that, We would have gotten a veto in the UN if Turkey and Qatar weren’t on the BoP Ninety percent of the people [on the BoP] support our ideas ” The UN Security Council approved the Board of Peace to handle peace in Gaza instead of the UN itself which has an overwhelming majority against Israel When asked about this new entity during Davos discussions, he says that the BoP is like a sovereign A body with authority Miraculously there was no veto The day before the UN
decision, Arab states supported this resolution “Turkey and Qatar are a drop in the ocean ” he tends to say When participants in Davos pressed him on whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fully supports the plan (it doesn t sound like it from the outside), he was careful but positive From the acquaintance that’s developed in recent work he sees him as completely businesslike and professional On the peace process more broadly he s pragmatic to the point of fatalism If we solve Gaza, then we ll solve that too, he says about the West Bank to diplomats who ask that million-dollar question “Because in Judea and Samaria, the difference is the mixing of populations Gaza Israel doesn’t want Gaza ” he told a participant at the World Economic Forum on Thursday Does he really believe in this initiative? His opinion is that the other initiatives failed Gabay thinks it s worth being flexible An administration that supports us like this has the leverage to put pressure He’s hawkish on security issues Very hawkish But also willing to take risks on frameworks that might work The Jewish side of his identity has always been there: Jewish education philanthropy, dozens if not hundreds of contributions He co-chairs the Israeli-American Council s New York gala with Miriam Adelson
THE HONEST BET: Here’s what Gabay is actually betting on: that material conditions shape political possibilities That if you can deliver reconstruction fast enough and at scale if Gazans see schools opening and clinics functioning, the gravitational pull toward normal life outweighs the pull toward resistance He’s also betting that Egypt will be the
GUARDIAN
How China transformed winter spor ts into a national industr y?
Trump revokes Canada’s invitation to join B oard of Peace
Greenland galvanises Europe to confront new US reality
foreign direct investment in the EU
s tariff negotiations this time they made it clear he was crossing a red line by asserting that Greenland s status as an autonomous territory of Denmark was non-negotiable
“All this shows that you cannot let the Americans trample all over the Europeans said a European Union official who requested anonymity to speak candidly about US ties
We did the right thing to push back,
to be firm in what we said but it is not over My sense is that we will be tested constantly on issues like this, the official told Reuters
While Europe may have learned the value of standing up to Trump the challenge is ensuring it is less exposed next time It s a hard route and it s going to take time said Rosa Balfour director at Carnegie Europe, adding that Europe had far more leverage than it has dared to use” EUROPE NOT SEEKING A SPLIT
An emergency summit of Europe’s leaders on Thursday called for last year s EU-US trade deal to be put back on track after lawmakers suspended its ratification in protest over Greenland
“Despite all the frustration and anger of recent months, let us not be too quick to write off the transatlantic partnership ” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in Davos beforehand
While seeking to stabilise the partnership, Europe is also taking steps aimed at “de-risking” it, given the open antipathy from Trump, whose new national security strategy accuses the continent of freeloading on defence and demands it open its markets to US companies
Europe is only too aware of how long it can take to reach agreement among 27 nations with different histories, politics and economies a weakness highlighted this week by taunts from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
Two EU officials said the Greenland
row has accelerated discussions on how the approach taken on Ukraine in which countries offer security guarantees on a voluntary basis and no one has a right of veto could be extended
“We should do more with coalitions of the willing and leave it open for others to follow if they want said one official adding that joint efforts to boost Europe s development of artificial intelligence technology could be one example
Coalitions such as the “E3” group comprising France Germany and Britain which focuses on security matters also allow non-EU states to take part a model that resonates with other countries on the rough end of Trump policies The middle powers must act together, because if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a Davos speech to warm applause
Another route under consideration is using the leeway afforded by EU law In December, EU states used an emergency provision to indefinitely immobilise hundreds of billions of dollars of Russian assets removing the risk of a pro-Moscow country such as Hungary blocking the roll-over of the measure and forcing the EU to return the money NEW EUROPEAN DOCTRINE
Europe also plans to toughen its economic policy stance Next month it will kickstart legislation that includes “Made in Europe” requirements for strategic sectors and stronger conditionality clauses for any
Some provisions were originally conceived to reduce reliance on China, but in reality they will help us to de-risk from other markets,” European Commissioner for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stephane Sejourne told Reuters
This will totally change the European doctrine on those sectors Sejourne added Unlike Canada, Europe has no plan to pivot more towards China to compensate for transatlantic strains, but the bloc is actively pursuing diversification elsewhere While the impact of higher US tariffs on European goods remains unclear Europe s trade surplus with the US initially rose in 2025 as companies front-loaded exports ahead of new levies recent data shows German companies nearly halved their investments there last year
After the signing of the EU-Mercosur pact this month the largest in EU history European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc was now “on the cusp” of a deal with India
However, few believe Europe
AKU par tners with Federal Gov t to upgrade National Museum and Safeguard Heritage
The Aga Khan University (AKU) has partnered with the Federal Ministry of National Heritage and Culture to upgrade the National Museum of Pakistan The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremony held at the AKU campus in Karachi The event was witnessed by Mr Aurangzeb Khan Khichi Honourable Federal Minister for
Pakistan session at Davos, Arsen Tomsky, Founder and CEO of inDrive discussed Pakistan’s digital economy its growth potential and the steps needed to support the country s transition toward an inclusive digital economy through fair choice The session brought together a distinguished panel of speakers, including Maria Basso, Head of AI Applications & Impact at the World Economic Forum; Khalifa AlShamsi, CEO, e& life; Zarrar Sehgal, Chairman, Pathfinder Group; and Muhammad Salman Ali CEO VRG Tomsky positioned Pakistan as a priority market within inDrive s global mission to challenge injustice I believe that three assets make Pakistan especially powerful: a young population an entrepreneurial culture and its remarkable resilience, he said We see ourselves as a long-term partner in Pakistan’s digital economy, enabling livelihoods, supporting communities and building technology that makes everyday services more accessible and fair Highlighting the country s rapid yet uneven progress
G U L P L A Z A D E AT H T O L L C R O S S E S 7 0 A S K A R A C H I F I R E T R A G E D Y D E E P E N S
tragedy has once again sparked urgent debate over building safety enforcement failures, and the human cost of regulatory neglect in the country s largest city
CM Mar yam warns of stric t rules as Lahore prepares for ‘safe Basant revival’
LAHORE
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday issued a strong warning against violation of rules for Basant scheduled to be celebrated in Lahore from February 6 to 8 saying a comprehensive safety plan had been devised and promising to brief the public in detail in the coming days
Addressing a meeting on Basant preparations the chief minister said Basant is an 800-year-old festival; it is not just a festival but a metaphor for renewal It is our heritage and celebrated around the world
She announced that the festival is returning to Lahore after 18 years noting that the government had designated it as a government-sponsored and organised event I want to give the good news to the people that for the first time, Basant will be celebrated under full government supervision from February 6 to 8 ” she said regretting that negligence in previous years had linked the festival with accidents The CM said Lahore had been divided into three
Rumpus in
zones high-risk medium-risk and low-risk with strict rules and regulations applied across the city Over one million safety rods will be provided free-of-cost to bikers by the traffic police to ensure their protection,” she added
Maryam Nawaz said the government had also registered the entire value chain of kite manufacturers and traders with over 2,000 registrations completed and geo-tagged so far Authorities had already arrested those flying kites prematurely, registering 621 cases confiscated over 27 000 kites and taken more than 10 000 surety bonds from violators She emphasised that violation of kite-flying rules, including using prohibited materials, could result in imprisonment of one to five years
“These punishments are set to save precious lives not to punish the people she said Only pinna (twine balls) would be allowed; charkhi (spools) are prohibited Cotton strings with no more than nine threads will be permitted, while strings containing metal or nylon are strictly banned Violations can lead to fines up to Rs5 million Flying a kite before
the official festival period could result in imprisonment and fines up to Rs2 million with guardians held responsible for underage children Highlighting motorcyclists as the most vulnerable, the CM warned that no bikers would be allowed in red zones without safety rods with violators facing a Rs2 000 fine She urged citizens to follow rules saying This is for your safety, for your life, and for your health If something happens to you, it is Maryam Nawaz Sharif ’s responsibility ” She added that those reporting violations would be rewarded by the district administration
Basant kites larger than 35 inches will be allowed Maryam Nawaz stressed that the preparations reflected a whole-of-government approach with over 4 000 police personnel deployed on the ground To encourage safe transportation the CM announced free rides for Lahore residents during the festival: 500 buses operating free-of-cost; 6,000 Yango rickshaws providing 60,000 rides on 24 routes covering the entire city; Orange Line Green Line metro buses and electric buses also free during the three-day festival
Senate as PTI alleges electoral fraud, govt fires back with ‘economic terrorism’ charge
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
Heated exchanges dominated the Senate on Friday as the opposition accused the government of institutional overreach election manipulation and economic mismanagement prompting the treasury benches to hit back with allegations of economic terrorism and reminders of the Results Transmission System (RTS) failure during the 2018 polls
Speaking on a calling-attention notice PTI parliamentary leader in the Senate Ali Zafar said Parliament had been rendered irrelevant and meaningless , with key decisions on the economy, security and foreign policy being taken outside the House
He alleged that agreements shaping the country s future were signed without parliamentary oversight, calling it a betrayal of civilian supremacy and the Constitution “Will this Senate remain a rubber stamp or will it rise to
face the storm? he asked, urging lawmakers to reclaim lost civilian space
Zafar said a full-blown constitutional crisis had emerged following the February 8 2024 general election claiming the public mandate was systematically destroyed through violence and manipulation He cited Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and former prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan to stress that democracy was rooted in the will of the people Terming the current setup a house built on sand , Zafar argued that a government without moral and legal authority could not unite the nation or steer it through crises He also warned of what he described as the economic slaughter of the people blaming soaring inflation, rising public debt now at Rs80 trillion and a lack of vision for exports, jobs, IT growth and support for small and medium enterprises
He further alleged political
victimisation through the weaponisation of laws, saying manufactured cases were eroding public trust in the state and weakening Pakistan’s foreign policy positions
Calling the PTI an alternative government Zafar demanded the formation of a special parliamentary committee to probe alleged election fraud and institutional overreach and sought a Senate resolution rejecting policies that he said deepened inequality and crushed the poor Responding to the speech, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani accused the PTI’s 2018–2022 government of economic mismanagement that pushed millions below the poverty line and brought Pakistan close to default He said the PTI changed four finance ministers, mishandled negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and later sabotaged the programme for political reasons
