GUL PL A Z A FIRE TOLL RISES TO 7 3 AMID CALLS FOR JUDICIAL PROBE, RELIEF TO TRADERS
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are expected to commence next week A Hangeng official told Gwadar Pro that the approval marked the successful completion of all required inspections, certifications and regulatory formalities The official said the first consignment will be dispatched to China using the company s facilities in the Gwadar North Free Zone including a newly established slaughterhouse developed for this purpose He added that the company plans to export around 50 containers of donkey meat to China each month once regular shipments begin
High-level delegation of Balochistan MPAs holds strategic talks in Türkiye
A high-level delegation of women members of the Balochistan Assembly undertook an official visit to Türkiye to enhance parliamentary diplomatic economic and people-to-people relations between the two countries
The delegation was led by Ms Farah Azeem Shah, MPA, President of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) Women Wing Other members included Ms Salma Kakar (ANP) Ms Hadiya Nawaz (PML-N) and Ms Kulsoom (National Party) a press release stated
During the visit, the delegation held meetings with Türkiye s senior political leadership and parliamentary representatives focusing on bilateral cooperation youth development education investment and the promotion of positive narratives
They met with leaders of Türkiye s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss parliamentary cooperation, regional development, and Pakistan–Türkiye brotherly relations
The delegation also met Senator Dr Mustafa Kaya Vice President of the Saadet Party and member of the NATO Group of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Farah Azeem Shah highlighted Balochistan’s strategic significance, natural resources, and development potential citing initiatives such as the Balochistan Sustainable Development Initiative (BSDI) She invited Turkish investment in sectors including mining, infrastructure youth skills development and education and requested scholarships for Pakistani particularly Baloch students in Turkish universities
The Turkish leadership welcomed the delegation, praising the representation of Balochistan and expressing interest in visiting the
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ISLAMABAD
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S indh ex tends revised school timings till Feb 4
The decision by the ICC to replace Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup is tainted
BA N G L A D E S H remained adamant that it would not play in India even though all its group matches for the T20 World Cup were scheduled there The International Cricket Council made good on its threat to bring in Scotland if Bangladesh stayed out Bangladesh is the only full ICC member which will not be part of the tournament This is yet another example of how India misuses cricket to project its own goals, which are very petty in this case India has shown that it is fully capable of misusing its position if it gets one At the moment, the ICC Presidency is in the hands of India, in the shape of BCCI Secretary General Jai Shah, who is also the son of Interior Minister Amit Shah, which is why it rejected Bangladesh s proposal that it be switched with Ireland, whose group matches are all in Sri Lanka The Bangladeshi proposal that its matches be shifted to Pakistan was also shot down Bangladeshi concerns about team security have been raised after the Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladeshi allrounder Mustafizur Rehman because his security could not be guaranteed The so-called Indian concerns about his security arose because of some protests outside Indian missions in Bangladesh against the sanctuary given to the alleged killer of student leader Hadi Usman who had been murdered in Dhaka Apparently India wants impunity to kill whoever it wants in Bangladesh, and converted protests into a threat to security, which it visited upon Mr Rehman India has already converted cricketing ties with Pakistan into a political battlefield It seems poised to do the same with Bangladesh And then who next? Nepal? Afghanistan? Any country in South Asia? How should Pakistan react? There has been a hint that Pakistan might act in solidarity with Bangladesh, and it should seriously consider pulling out Bangladesh, after all, had almost no chance of winning Pakistan is better placed but the way things are going it will not have much
IN the recently released World Economic Outlook [WEO] Update by International Monetary Fund (IMF) with the title for this edition ‘Global economy: steady amid divergent forces’ while the title along with the assertion in the Report that Global growth is projected to remain resilient at 3 3 percent in 2026 and at 3 2 percent in 2027: rates similar to the estimated 3 3 percent outturn in 2025 The forecast marks a small upward revision for 2026 and no change for 2027 compared with that in the October 2025 World Economic Outlook (WEO) This steady performance on the surface results from the balancing of divergent forces Headwinds from shifting trade policies are offset by tailwinds from surging investment related to technology including artificial intelligence more so in North America and Asia than in other regions, as well as fiscal and monetary support, broadly accommodative financial conditions, and adaptability of the private sector’ rightly points out divergent forces affecting global economic outlook and that this creates a ‘balancing’ effect the writer believes that euphoria needs to be managed with greater care and caution and experiences of the likes of 1990s dot-com bubble should be kept in mind especially as the world overall grapples with a difficult debt distress situation, and important competing demands for investments, like to transition quickly to a green economy in the fast-unfolding climate change crisis because any amount of AI advancement needs an adequately liveable world In addition the related Pandemicene phenomenon to the climate change crisis requires quickly, and deeply building not only the health sector, but also induces greater globalized effort, which in turn, requires adequately reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) and global trade policy – and overall economic policy and financial architecture– away from neoliberal philosophy In that sense more sustainable development and risk mitigation requires more diverse investment than AI sucking unwarrantedly high levels of investment The mistake of following the ‘market fundamentalism’ bandwagon has already cost the global economy– not to mention the likely negative impact of this on the very life and livelihood of people in the first place– dearly from years of allocative inefficiencies– as evidenced from lack of availability of vaccines, to appropriate ways to share it globally, and from the very lack of availability of adequate levels of global health systems in the first place– caused as a consequence of this Aptly depicting major concerns facing the global economy and asking for greater caution in terms of investments into AI renowned economist Mohamed ElErian pointed out in his January 23 Financial Times published article The twin factories spurring global
h e c o s t o f r e c o g n i t i o n
Trade, AI & Resilience
Impor tant global economic determinants
growth are both at risk as The favourable tail is a stronger global economy that benefits earlier than most expect from the productivity surge powered by US AI and Chinese green tech This would solidify a 1990slike period of sustainably higher growth declining debt burdens and better distribution of wealth The other tail is more reminiscent of the era of 1970s-type stagflation marked by global protectionism disruptive bond and currency markets and financial deleveraging Investors also need to be agile and consider the pace of AI adoption rather than just focusing on the companies delivering foundational models They will need to seek out what is likely to be a much smaller set of AIrelated winners Debt investors particularly should be conservative in assessing balance sheet strength and capital structure seniority Overall, investors should not rely on what worked well last year They need to adapt to the eroding power of the two big macro engines that supported markets and economies through what has now become systemic uncertainty and volatility ’ Moreover trade as the primary component among headwinds may carry all the more weight in an environment of inadequate dealing with core issues stemming from neoliberal underpinning of global trade, allowing biased treatment, where developed countries continue to get away with continuing with protections, and support while the developing countries have to grind their way for similar such allowances and that too at the back of very thorny experience during Covid pandemic – where under the garb of intellectual property rights (IPRs) walls more protection was allowing to big vaccine companies, than the universal necessity of vaccine required, especially when a meaningful amount of these vaccines in the first place, received a lot of taxpayer ’s money – has already put serious cracks in the already weak level of trust over the years with uneven application of WTO rules for developed and developing countries
For instance, in the (2008) book Beyond World Bank agenda: an institutional approach to development the apparent lack of action against rich, advanced countries in general against provision of subsidies by WTO where in turn these subsidies suppressing global commodity prices especially in the case of prices for raw commodities like agricultural commodities which are the mainstay of balance of payments of developing countries; not to mention the negative impact of this in terms of exports of farmers in developing countries in particular being outcompeted in terms of market share, both in terms of price and also in terms of quantity produced Such unfair trading system globally not bode well for the macroeconomic stability and economic growth efforts not to mention the negative impact it creates in fighting poverty, inequality, and enhancing resilience, and political voice, which is an important determinant of producing positive impact on democratic outcomes including generating much-needed pressure on political and economic elites to pursue deep nonneoliberal and non-austerity based economic reform
The book pointed out in this regard Subsidies in developed countries have also driven prices downward In a recent submission to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Brazil argued that the United
THorn of Africa, a region already burdened by fragile politics and strategic rivalries has once again found itself at the centre of an unexpected diplomatic storm This time the trigger is Israel s decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, a move that has sent shockwaves far
where borders, sovereignty, and external interference remain deeply sensitive issues Those questions become even more pressing when the nature of Israel’s decision is examined closely Israel s controversial recognition of Somaliland appears less an endorsement of self-determination than a calculated act of geopolitical opportunism Announced on December 26, the surprise declaration jolted the region at a moment of heightened political fragility What makes the move particularly striking is that it comes from Israel a country whose territorial policies and unresolved status in parts of the international system remain a subject of contention due to its prolonged occupation of Palestinian lands That such a state would unilaterally recognize a breakaway region only deepens the controversy The recognition appears to serve as a pretext for advancing Israel s broader strategic vision of Greater Israel while Somaliland eager for international legitimacy, risks being drawn into a geopolitical trap where recognition masks dependency and external control rather than genuine sovereignty
The US response further exposes the political selectivity behind this move Washington has defended Tel Aviv s right to recognize Hargeisa despite having firmly opposed Ethiopia when it pursued
By endorsing Israel s decision
while rejecting Ethiopia’s the USA sends a troubling message: that international rules are applied differently depending on who is acting undermining their credibility and weakening the norms meant to safeguard regional stability Looking at the broader strategic picture, Washington’s defense of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland confirms a pattern I highlighted in an earlier paper The Berbera Port Deal: A Geopolitical Development and its Implication in the Horn of Africa There I argued that Somaliland could one day be leveraged to advance the USA s strategic interests, and that scenario is now unfolding Washington’s backing of Tel Aviv reflects a calculated attempt to counter China’s expanding global influence using Somaliland as a geopolitical lever In this context the territory risks being treated less as a political community and more as a Taiwan of Africa, used to check China s rise and safeguard US dominance The move also fits into wider attempts to undermine initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which have strengthened Beijing s strategic reach and unsettled long-standing Washington dominance Amid competing global ambitions Somaliland risks becoming an object of strategy rather than a subject of its own political destiny The consequences of these maneuvers are already being felt The global backlash was swift and obvious indicating that this is far from a routine foreign policy move At the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) most members rejected Israel s recognition of Somaliland, warning that the move could be tied to plans for the forced transfer of Palestinians from
Gaza and an expanded Israeli military presence in the Horn of Africa The African Union (AU) and the Arab League raised similar concerns calling it an unwelcome outside intervention in Africa s political affairs A group of OIC countries, including Pakistan, described the step as a violation of the UN Charter and a threat to the peace in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region Beyond these legal objections lies a more troubling possibility When recognition is tied to security access and strategic interests real independence can quickly turn into absolute dependence In such a scenario, Somaliland risks becoming less a sovereign actor and more a territory shaped and politically controlled by external powers repeating patterns of influence that Africa knows all too well For now Somaliland s president has welcomed Israel s recognition, and many Somalilanders are celebrating what they see as a long-awaited breakthrough However, this excitement risks overlooking the potential costs of such recognition When recognition comes from a state driven by strategic and territorial interests it often brings influence and control along with it History offers a warning: powerful states frequently act in their own interest, and what looks like support today can limit a nation’s independence tomorrow Somalilanders must now ask themselves: are we truly gaining independence through Israel’s recognition or are we opening the door to external control over our land and future?
The writer is Assistant Research Fellow at the Balochistan Think Tank Network, Quetta
For now, SomalilandÊs president has welcomed IsraelÊs recognition, and many Somalilanders are celebrating what they see as a long-awaited breakthrough However, this excitement risks overlooking the potential costs of such recognition When recognition comes from a state driven by strategic and territorial interests, it often brings influence and control along with it.
The USA also stands to benefit
Shahzadi irrum
Idismantle multilateral constraints That institutional retreat has been paired with a dramatic expansion of hard power The US defence budget for 2026 stands at approximately $901 billion, already the largest in the world by a wide margin President Trump has now proposed raising military spending to $1 5 trillion in 2027 citing “troubled
These are perilous times The January 7 withdrawal from 66 international organizations marks not a tactical adjustment, but a strategic severing from the architecture that once stabilized global politics Power is being centralized, institutions dismantled, and restraint discarded History suggests that such moments rarely end quietly The choice before the world is stark: rebuild collective order or prepare for an era in which power alone decides, and the world order is not merely weakened, but buried
solidation of the American hemisphere This Fortress America doctrine prioritizes economic and security integration from Canada to Chile turning the Western Hemisphere into an impregnable zone of influence Secondary interests are reserved exclusively for the Anglosphere –the United Kingdom Canada Australia and New Zealand – culturally and institutionally aligned nations that serve
The
will close remaining bases cease military aid designed for influence and end its democracy and governance programs Washington s approach is now one of efficient outsourcing Its insatiable need for cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements –the lifeblood of its digital and green economies – will no longer be sourced through messy dealings with individual African states Instead the US will procure these resources via bulk, state-to-state transactions with the continent s recognized managers: China and Russia Africa, to Washington, is now a wholesale warehouse not a diplomatic playground THE EASTERN AND SOUTHERN HEGEMON MASTER OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN: China s sphere, recognized in the tripartite understanding, is vast and economically coherent It encompasses South Asia East Asia and the mineralstrategic spine of Africa: Central Africa (notably the Democratic Republic of the Congo) East Africa (with its ports and belts), and Southern Africa A confidential but binding US-China trade pact has cemented this The terms are a masterpiece of realpolitik: China through its state-owned enterprises and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure guarantees the secure uninterrupted extraction and transit of critical minerals from its African zones to global markets In return, the US has consented to transfer key advanced technologies (as exemplified by the Nvidia chips deal) and more significantly has ceded strategic control of regional security surveillance and satellite dominance in these territories to Beijing China no longer merely invests in Africa; it administers its resource nodes and information domains It is the undisputed, vertical monopolist of the green and digital transition’s supply chain Russia s domain formalized by the impending Putrump accord (the strategic understanding between the Putin and Trump administrations on the general conditions for the Russia-Ukrainian Peace deal and the future of Europe), is one of hard security and political patronage It stretches from a Finlandized Europe across the Mediterranean to North Africa West Africa and key Central African states The US decision to withdraw support for Ukraine was not an isolationist whim but a calculated move to remove the final military hurdle to Russia’s pacification of Europe With Ukraine neutralized European nations lacking credible autonomous defense will gradually accommodate themselves to Moscow s security and energy dictates In Africa, Russia s offering is not economic miracles but political survivability and security Through vehicles like the Africa Corps Russia provides a service no
and Western-instigated instability It trades in the currency of sov-
ereignty making it the paramount power across the Sahel and into the coastal states The colonial ghosts of Europe are being exorcised The influence of France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Portugal, and Spain – maintained through the CFA franc military bases and paternalistic diplomacy – is in terminal decline By 2028 it will be a historical footnote Any African leader still orchestrating their security or economic policy through Paris or London is piloting their nation towards irrelevance and poverty in the new order Africa now exists under a collaborative duopoly: Russian security stewardship and Chinese economic administration and this is a synergistic partnership The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), long viewed as a vehicle for Franco-Nigerian influence, is fracturing The principle of collective security has been shattered by the defiance of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – Mali Burkina Faso and Niger The AES is the prototype for Russia s African sphere: a military-political compact underwritten by Moscow’s security guarantee Its appeal is gravitational I would project that GuineaBissau Togo Ghana Senegal and Mauritania might seek membership by 2026 drawn by the promise of regime security outside Western condemnation Chad and the Central African Republic will likely pivot from their regional bodies to this more potent alliance What could remain of ECOWAS will be a geopolitically insignificant rump of coastal states – Nigeria Ivory Coast Sierra Leone Liberia – technically intact but stripped of its strategic purpose My homeland, Nigeria, exemplifies the new managerial logic The nation is not being torn apart but is being efficiently managed according to zonal competencies The Northwestern and Southwestern regions facing acute internal security challenges naturally fall under Russia s security purview Simultaneously, the Central, Eastern, and Northeastern zones, rich in minerals and requiring massive infrastructure align with China’s economic and developmental framework This is not a conspiracy but a rational division of labor by the resident powers ensuring stability and resource flow without destructive competition Institutions like the United Nations, WHO, and NATO are becoming artifacts of a bygone order which will likely be repurposed as administrative tools for the Tripolar directors The era of aid grants and moralistic conditionalities is over The only remaining -ism is transactionalism Foreign policy is now pure quid pro quo China seeks resources and strategic alignment; Russia seeks political loyalty and economic concessions; the US seeks secure resource flows African leaders should become master dealers, offering clear
were absent Aside from the US, the other four permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council did not join, and the caution and reservations held by many countries toward the “Board of Peace” were evident The international community s skepticism centers primarily on one point: Since the mission definition of the Board of Peace appears to overlap with the UN s purpose of maintaining international peace and security, does it intend to replace or usurp the responsibilities of the UN?
The current international order is undergoing profound transformation and adjustment Its direction should not deviate from the track of consolidating and safeguarding the fundamental interests of the vast majority of countries, nor should it undermine the prevailing trend of economic globalization that benefits all nations The UN is the most authoritative international organization built by humanity after enduring the tribulations of war and making immense sacrifices to avoid conflict and ensure peace It not only entrusts major powers with the significant responsibility of maintaining international peace but also provides the most inclusive and acceptable multilateral mechanism for human development and addressing major global challenges Bypassing the UN is equivalent to weakening the authority of international law, which will sow the seeds of hidden dangers for future conflicts
Achieving lasting peace in Gaza, a land ravaged by war is the shared and urgent aspiration of all peace-loving people around the world including the Chinese people Sustained warfare long ago turned the Gaza Strip into a living hell, while over a million people continue to struggle on the brink of life and death At this moment, we welcome all efforts to promote a political settlement of the Israel-Palestine conflict particularly the UN s continued role in performing its indispensable coordinating function on the
China suppor ts the establishment of an independent State of Palestine
UN flags discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has voiced grave concern over the treatment of Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, pointing to racial bias in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise, forced evictions, hate speech, and the disproportionate use of force by law enforcement authorities In a letter dated January 19 2026 to India s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva CERD
Committee noted India s explanation concerning the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, and the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules 2024 in
ralisation
ipated
K ASHMIRIS TO MARK INDIA’S REPUBLIC DAY AS BL ACK DAY WORLDWIDE TODAY
KA S H M I R I S on both sides of the Line of Control and in different parts of the world will observe India s Republic Day on January 26 as Black Day aiming to draw international attention to what they describe as the continued denial of the Kashmiri people’s
had led to an intensified military siege and the imposition of unjustified curbs on civil liberties in the region However he maintained that India s policy of oppression and suppression had failed to weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people or shake their determination for freedom Reaffirming the Kashmiris’ pledge to carry their liberation struggle to its logical conclusion Prime Minister Rathore said the people of Kashmir were demanding their fundamental right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations resolutions and would continue their struggle until that goal was achieved Kashmiris have shown remarkable courage and resilience against India: Barrister Sultan In his special statement AJK President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry said that since August 5, 2019, India’s actions had resulted in an intensified siege of the occupied territory accompanied by severe restrictions on civil liberties
World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi met national players briefing them on the board s position regarding the T20 World Cup after the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the tournament During the meeting, players praised the PCB chairman's principled approach in the dispute between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the ICC The cricket-governing body replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the T20 World Cup 2026 over Dhaka s refusal to send its team to India for the mega event citing concerns about players safety and well-being In a statement on Saturday, the ICC said that it made the decision after finding no "credible or verifiable security threat" to the Bangladesh national team in India However Naqvi said that the decision reflected "ICC s double standards saying PCB would follow government directives regarding participation in the tournament He added that Pakistan s support for Bangladesh was guided by cricket's golden principles, and cautioned against political interference in the sport "Politics-laden cricket is in nobody's interest; everyone must operate according to cricket’s principles " he said The sources said that the PCB chief is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tomorrow to discuss matters related to Pakistan s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 Meanwhile, Naqvi extended his best wishes to the team ahead of the T20I series against Australia, highlighting the importance of teamwork in achieving success The national players are talented and know how to compete in every aspect he said adding that fans were expecting good performances from them in the upcoming series Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, head coach Mike Hesson, PCB s chief operating officer, director media, director commercial, and team manager also attended the meeting
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has released funds to ensure timely relief for people displaced from Tirah Valley, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan said on Sunday rejecting what he described as baseless and misleading statements issued by the federal government on the issue
In a statement, Shafi Jan said claims by the federal government regarding the displacement of the local population from Tirah Valley were contrary to facts and aimed at misleading the public He said such statements were a deliberate attempt to shift responsibility for the displacement and the ongoing operation onto the provincial government
The special assistant said the objective of the federal government s narrative was to malign Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government He added that the people of the province were politically aware and would not be misled by what he termed false propaganda
Shafi Jan said it was a known fact that residents of Tirah Valley were forced to migrate due to the operation, adding that statements by federal ministers Khawaja Asif and Talal Chaudhry in the National Assembly regarding the operation were on record He said the chief minister had repeatedly clarified his position on the Tirah Valley situation He recalled that during a peace jirga held in the provincial assembly all political parties had opposed the operation He added that the federal government should have taken the provincial government political parties and other stakeholders into confidence before taking decisions, but instead imposed its decisions while leaving the affected population to face hardship
Responding to the federal government’s remarks about the release of Rs4 billion by the provincial government Shafi Jan termed the criticism unreasonable He said the funds were released solely to provide immediate relief to the displaced people and questioned whether the provincial government should have abandoned the affected families in their time of need
He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government acted to ensure timely assistance while describing the federal government s attitude on the issue as insensitive Shafi Jan further said the federal government was under pressure due to the street movement of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf He said Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was leading the movement on the instructions of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, adding that large public participation in recent gatherings, including in Malakand Division reflected public sentiment He said the turnout showed that people were not prepared to accept what he described as a fake government imposed at the federal level and in Punjab, and claimed that public support remained with Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Northern areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan have been gripped by severe cold and heavy snowfall leaving at least 10 people dead in incidents involving landslides avalanches and roof collapses over the past two days According to a preliminary report from the KP’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) the deceased include seven children and one woman while rain and snowfall caused partial damage to at least five houses In Balakot, a tourist couple from Faisalabad fell unconscious due to gas accumulation; the husband later died, while the woman remains stable In Balochistan’s Chaman district the main road in Toba Achakzai remains closed while major highways in Mansehra have reopened Hundreds of tourists stranded in Shogran were evacuated via jeeps and the Kaghan Highway will reopen if conditions improve
