Sri Lanka removes Pakistan from negative visa lists
applications ” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister s Office on Tuesday PM Shehbaz was talking
support for the IAEA’s role in the promotion of responsible use of nuclear technology in areas such as cancer diagnosis and treatment agriculture nuclear power generation and industrial
for possible detentions Strategy Meeting Underway
in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and the high quality of its engineers scientists and technicians Among other things he appreciated Pakistan s contribution to the work of the IAEA in the areas of nuclear safety and security,” the statement said It said that Grossi further said that Pakistan was “well placed” to help other member states in the peaceful applications of nuclear technology
A high-level consultative meeting chaired by Achakzai is ongoing in the Opposition Chamber to determine the next phase of the protest Sources said the opposition is weighing options ranging from expanding parliamentary agitation to intensifying legal recourse Lawmakers have reiterated that the sitin will not end until former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan is shifted to a specialised medical facility and granted access to his family and personal physicians Medical Board Report and PTI’s Rejection A federal medical board comprising senior ophthalmologists Dr Nadeem Qureshi and Dr Arif examined Imran at Adiala Jail on Sunday According to the report, his unaided vision in the right eye was 6/24 (partial) improving to 6/9 (partial) with corrective lenses while the left eye measured 6/6 with correction
The report noted mild vitreous haemorrhage and moderate retinal haemorrhage in all four quadrants of the right eye It added that swelling in the macula had reduced significantly from 550 to 350 microns
and outlined ongoing medication, recommending OCT angiography and fundus fluorescein angiography after completion of anti-VEGF therapy However it did not advise hospital transfer
PTI leaders, however, questioned the transparency of the medical evaluation Latif Khosa wrote to Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi expressing concern over what he described as secrecy surrounding the examination
Imran s sister Aleema Khan categorically rejected medical reports circulating in the media and demanded his immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of Dr Asim Yousuf, in the presence of family members Security Lockdown Around Adiala Jail Rawalpindi authorities placed the area surrounding Adiala Jail on high alert Multiple checkpoints were established along Adiala Road, including at Chakri Interchange, Gorakh Pur, Factory Naka, Dahgal and near the jail entrance Heavy police contingents and prisoner vans were deployed at each point Section 144 remains in force across
TO il stead y as traders weigh suppl y risks heading into key US -Iran talks
Pakistani freelancers earn $557million in H1 FY26, driving growth in ser vices expor ts g FREELANCE SECTOR SEES 58% YOY GROW TH, WITH STRONG
initiatives to further support freelancers These include improving digital infrastructure expanding affordable broadband access, simplifying digital payment systems, and launching targeted training programs Additionally partnerships with the private sector and policy reforms are aimed at integrating freelancers into the formal economy Pakistan Freelancers Association Chairman Ibrahim Amin emphasised the role of freelancers in generating foreign exchange and creating employment opportunities particularly for youth He called for more collaboration between government academia and industry to sustain the sector s growth, with a focus on expanding training programs and offering industry-relevant certifications
is implementing
OFIT M o n i to r i n g D e s k
M/s CIHC Pak Power Company (Pvt ) Limited, the Chinese company behind the 300MW Gwadar coal-fired power plant, has expressed willingness to evaluate alternative sustainable power solutions for the region The company’s Chairman Zhao Bo wrote to Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, highlighting the importance of this project under the CPEC framework and seeking further support from the Ministry, Business Recorder reported The company acknowledged the complexities of inter-agency coordination and raised concerns over a procedural matter that may benefit from the
Ministry s facilitation Specifically, it requested an extension of the Financial Closing Date outlined in the existing Letter of Support (LoS) for the project This request follows a series of official communications from the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) advising the company to extend the validity of its Performance Guarantee and submit the Financial Closing Date extension fee In line with PPIB’s guidance the company submitted the required documents including an extended Performance Guarantee valid until 2028 The company also processed a payment of $150,000 in compliance with PPIB instructions However, despite fulfilling all requirements the company noted that the formal extension letter amending the Financial Closing Date has not
yet been issued by PPIB In response, the company has requested the Planning Ministry’s intervention to facilitate coordination with PPIB for the issuance of the updated extension letter
The company also referred to discussions held during Prime Minister s visit to China in September 2025, where alternative power solutions, including a photovoltaic scheme, were suggested in case the coal-fired project faced commercial viability challenges A formal analysis of these alternative solutions was submitted to PPIB in December 2025 CIHC Pak Power reaffirmed its commitment to addressing Gwadar’s energy needs and pledged to assist the Ministry and other relevant authorities in exploring sustainable and integrated power solutions for the region
PAKISTAN ON TRACK TO MEET IMF BENCHMARKS, BUT FBR TA X SHORTFALL REMAINS A CONCERN: REPORT
Federal Minister for Power Awais Leghari has directed all electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) including K-Electric
Pakistan suppor ts IAEA’s role in promoting responsible use of nuclear technology: PM
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 He also looked forward to Pakistan s active participation in the Nuclear Energy Summit being organised by France in March 2026, the statement said Later, an agreement was signed on the designation of the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL) in Lahore as an IAEA collaborating centre The statement said that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who was also present, and Grossi signed the agreement In a post on X, Dar said it was “good catching up” with Grossi
“We discussed the vital role of the IAEA in advancing peaceful uses of nuclear technology and strengthening global nuclear safety and security, he said Conveyed my best wishes for his continued efforts in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear technology and sustainable development ” he added Grossi said in a post on X on Monday night that he was honoured to welcome PM Shehbaz His visit underscored Pakistan s commitment to the safe and responsible use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes,” he said He further said that he was proud to designate INMOL as an IAEA collaborating centre as we strengthen our cooperation to expand cancer care radiopharmaceutical production and nuclear medicine services, among others
‘P
Later in the day PM
Shehbaz addressed an event titled Sustainable Development: Pathway for Global Peace and Prosperity”, calling for development to be inclusive and equitable The premier called for a renewed global commitment to sustainable and inclusive development He maintained that a renewed commitment was the only viable pathway to durable peace and shared prosperity in a world facing intertwined crises”
The prime minister said the world stood at a crossroads where geopolitical hostility climate stress and technologi-
cal disruption were converging into a single destabilising force
“The defining danger of our time is not any single threat, but the combination of many ” he said warning that poverty debt distress mass displacement and unresolved political conflicts were intensifying global instability
The prime minister further emphasised that sustainable development must be inclusive and equitable, leaving no one behind “Development cannot be called sustainable if it excludes millions from the promise of a better life he added
Highlighting the disproportionate burden borne by developing countries, he said nations contributing least to global emissions were paying the heaviest price in terms of climate change economic volatility and debt distress
The prime minister said Pakistan contributed less than one per cent to global emissions but remained among the most vulnerable to climate-induced disasters He also recalled the devastating floods of 2022 that claimed over 1 700 lives destroyed crops and infrastructure and displaced millions adding that subsequent floods had compounded the challenges
These disasters erode human security at its core,” he said, stressing that sustainable development must be anchored in equity justice and fair play
Reaffirming Pakistan s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the prime minister said the government had integrated them into national development planning, focusing on human development, education, healthcare food security and social protection particularly for women and youth He said that Pakistan s large youth population presented both a challenge and an opportunity, underscoring the need for investment in skills, digital transformation and institutional strengthening to harness their potential
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan s advocacy for dialogue diplomacy and multilateralism as the only viable means to resolve disputes and prevent conflict, despite facing aggression and violations of international commitments He stressed the need to reinforce and re-
form the United Nations system to enable it to effectively serve as a pillar of global peace and cooperation
Highlighting Vienna’s unique role within the UN system he said the city hosted key institutions dealing with counter-terrorism crime prevention industrial development and the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and outer space Pakistan, he said, greatly valued its constructive engagement with IAEA United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other Vienna-based entities and remained committed to supporting their mandates
He also underscored the importance of capacity building knowledge sharing and technology transfer to ensure that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology benefited all humanity rather than a privileged few “Unaddressed digital divides will soon become entrenched development divides ” he warned urging the international community to address the root causes of global challenges instead of merely managing their consequences
Later, the prime minister attended a ceremony for the signing of the UNIDO Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) Pakistan 2025–2030 the UNODC Country Programme Pakistan and a cooperation agreement between the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Lahore (INMOL) and the IAEA Grossi also attended the event, during which he said he had visited different nuclear facilities in Pakistan including the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit which he said was quite impressive
He expressed commitment to continue collaboration with Pakistan, which he said will continue and strengthen DPM and FM Ishaq Dar, while addressing the event said Pakistan remained steadfast in its commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter recognizing the indispensable role of the United Nations in global peace, security, sustainable development, and the promotion of human rights
New regulations tr y to reverse the solar revolution, but one company shows why it is a must
Ignoring Palestinian rights won’t bring peace
WH E N President Donald Trump convened his so-called Board of Peace in Davos, Switzerland, a key item on the agenda was to endorse his son-in-law Jared Kushner ’s extravagant (and, I might add, detached from reality) plan for a “New Gaza ” The rendering of Kushner ’s scheme shows it to be more of a luxury resort for wealthy tourists than the foundation of a just future for the Palestinian victims of Israel s genocide But since the raison d être of the Board of Peace was supposed to be dealing with the aftermath of Israel s war on Gaza, the conversation, by necessity, had to address the needs of hundreds of thousands of now-homeless Palestinians Thus Kushner presented a proposal for a model Palestinian community the New Rafah he intends to build to house Palestinians in Gaza The plans for this New Rafah have been circulated since the meeting Everything is covered: how Gaza s economy will run, how its educational and health systems will create a new generation of hale and non-ideological Palestinians and how the “new cities” will be laid out function and be governed And everything has been calculated down to how many teachers doctors judges religious leaders and labourers will be needed per capita in each community If Kushner were preparing an owner s manual for a complex piece of machinery or the instructions for installing and operating new software this plan might seem flawless But Palestine isn’t a video game and Palestinians are human beings not Lego pieces to be assembled as per the instructions Like every other people on earth, Palestinians have emotional ties to their homes and families, and memories of the personal and collective injustices they have endured This failure to consider the fullness of Palestinian humanity is the fatal flaw that will either stop the New Rafah before it begins or cause it to unravel soon afterward The refusal of those who have held power over
Palestine to acknowledge the grievances and aspirations of its indigenous Arab people isn t new In fact it has defined their history For example, in 1919, when the British Lord Balfour was presented with the findings of the UScommissioned survey of Arab attitudes, which demonstrated their overwhelming rejection of his intent to grant the Zionist movement a homeland in Palestine he famously responded In Palestine we do not propose even to go through the form of consulting its inhabitants as to their wishes Zionism [is] of far profounder import than the desire and prejudices of the 700,000 Arabs who inhabit that ancient land ” And Palestinians were not consulted when the UN drew up grossly unfair maps to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states Those maps gave the Jewish community over one-half of the land (despite its being less than a third of the population) The maps were rejected by Palestinians because more than half a million of them were disenfranchised without any say in the matter Nor did Palestinians receive support when 650 000 of their brethren were expelled from the newly created Israel in 1948 or when after the Oslo Accords neither the UN nor the US would hold Israel accountable for sabotaging the peace plan through settlement expansion, land seizures, the erection
than as a bulwark against insurgency and hybrid warfare Freedom of speech, similarly, is invoked in absolutist terms, not as a constitutional right balanced with responsibility, but as an elastic shield that at times appears to rationalise or sanitise narratives aligned with militancy The dangerous conflation of dissent with destabilisation is rarely acknowledged An even more disquieting pattern is the transformation of anti-state actors and internationally funded proxies into purported humanitarian icons Individuals and groups whose rhetoric undermines national cohesion are often framed as victims or champions of justice while the structural threats confronting Pakistan particularly externally sponsored terrorism are relegated to the margins of discourse It has become a recurring observation that segments of civil society weaponise what critics describe as the “Aurat card” to smuggle international agendas into Pakistan s socio-political matrix Movements and organisations such as Aurat March the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), and certain NGOs are frequently cited in this debate The AJC itself is perceived as employing gender discrimination narratives as a moral shield portraying itself as an innocent advocate for women while challenging the cultural and social fabric rooted in Islam and constitutional identity Advocacy for women s rights is indispensable; however, when framed in adversarial terms that pit one segment of society against another, it risks deepening fissures rather than healing them Most striking is the conference s consistent reluctance to unequivocally condemn terrorism within Pakistan The country has sacrificed more than 94,000 lives in its war against terror and endured economic losses exceeding $150 billion In Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa security forces continue to confront Fitna-tul-Khawarij
and
forces did not elicit categorical condemnation from the AJC Nor has the conference foregrounded solidarity with the families who have borne the ultimate sacrifice Instead, the conference has amplified calls for the release of figures such as Mahrang Baloch, associated with the BYC, framing such advocacy within the idiom of human rights This asymmetry harsh scrutiny of the state coupled with empathetic framing of controversial actors has fuelled perceptions of selective activism The inconsistency extends to global human rights crises In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir the mass killings enforced disappearances and sexual violence persist Yet explicit condemnation of India is conspicuously muted In Palestine where the humanitarian catastrophe since October 2023 has claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives, including over 21-000 children, the moral clarity displayed toward Pakistan’s domestic policies appears diluted While the AJC has hosted discussions on IIOJK and Palestine as humanitarian crises it has refrained from directly censuring India and Israel in unequivocal terms Conversely, the deportation of undocumented Afghan refugees has drawn direct condemnation of the Pakistani state
The April 2024 episode involving then German Ambassador Alfred Grannas further exposed contradictions A young participant who attempted to raise concerns about Gaza reportedly faced a shut-up response, triggering nationwide criticism In 2026, the irony deepened when a conference themed around “Freedom of Expression” and “Human Rights” witnessed another instance of a participant being removed for highlighting Israel s actions in Gaza The optics were unmistakable: a forum professing open dialogue appeared intolerant of dissenting voices that challenged dominant narratives within its own halls
Questions surrounding financial transparency remain unresolved Despite operating on a significant scale the AJC has not publicly disclosed audited funding sources In an era of hybrid warfare and information manipulation such opacity inevitably strengthens suspicions of international actors seeking to destabilise Pakistan
The bottom line is that Palestinians have never been permitted the human right to make their own decisions The results have been devastating both for them and for the region The reason behind the wars that have been fought and the aberrant behavior of some elements of Palestinian society can be found in one simple fact: the refusal to allow Palestinians the freedom to determine their future in a manner that recogniz es the fullness of their humanity
through internal agitation and external proxies
The controversy reached a crescendo when Akhtar Jan Mengal was invited to address the conference and reportedly spoke about the separation of Balochistan Mengal, a political leader of Balochistan National Party (BNP) registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan has long leveraged the missing persons issue and anti-state rhetoric for political capital That such secessionist discourse was delivered from the AJC stage and met with applause from sections of an audience that included legal professionals was nothing short of astonishing Civil society forums ought to contribute solutions to Pakistan’s complex challenges not exacerbate them When discussions drift into legitimising separatist thought or eroding confidence in state institutions without acknowledging external aggression and terrorism, they cease to be constructive and become corrosive
A sovereign state cannot afford selective accountability Would a similar conference convened in Balochistan by Baloch in Sindh by Sindhi residents or in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by Pashtun receive identical latitude if it broached separation? The silence of state institutions in the face of such provocations raises legitimate concerns about double standards and elitist impunity Pakistan’s sovereignty is sacrosanct Constitutional order is non-negotiable Those who platform endorse or applaud rhetoric that undermines the federation must be held accountable within the ambit of law Akhtar Jan Mengal and any individual who transgresses constitutional boundaries should face legal scrutiny, not as an act of repression but as a safeguard for unity and stability The future of Pakistan depends on cohesion institutional respect and an uncompromising stance against terrorism and secessionism Human rights advocacy must be principled, not partisan; balanced, not selective Until the Asma Jahangir Conference aligns itself unequivocally with Pakistan’s sovereignty and constitutional integrity it will remain emblematic not of reform but of a narrative that risks eroding the very state whose freedoms it purports to defend
The writer is a freelance columnist
The future of Pakistan depends on cohesion, institutional respect, and an uncompromising stance against terrorism and secessionism. Human rights advocacy must be principled, not par tisan; balanced, not selective . Until the Asma Jahangir Conference aligns itself unequivocally with PakistanÊs sovereignty and constitutional integrity, it will remain emblematic not of reform, but of a narrative that risks eroding the ver y state whose freedoms it purpor ts to defend
Tax evasion by design
Tariq Khan Tareen
The 3G Blueprint: Coding a Greener, Smarter, and Self-Reliant Pakistan
If you walk into a modern vocational college today you might be surprised by what you see The old image of dusty workshops and repetitive manual training is fading fast In its place, a quiet revolution is happening one that is turning students into environmental guardians tech experts and business owners all at once This is the era of the 3 Gs and it is changing how we think about work from the streets of Addis Ababa to the high-tech hubs of Singapore and even the industrial corridors of Pakistan This shift is not merely a trend It
become a critical service for sustainable living
GOING DIGITAL: Is the nervous system of modern TVET Digitalization is no longer a separate subject; it is the way every subject is taught and practised UnESCO s global reports emphasize that digital skills are foundational not optional and must be integrated into vocational training to prepare learners for the future labour market From basic digital literacy to advanced technologies like artificial intelligence robotics Internet of Things, and 3D printing, digital competencies are now essential across industries The world is full of examples Vietnam’s partnership with the European Union is reshaping vocational training to focus on ecodigital skills using AI and IoT to manage sustainable factories In China institutions such as Shenzhen Polytechnic are leading international workshops on using virtual reality to simulate complex repairs that would be too dangerous or expensive to practise in real life Whether it is a farmer in Thailand using drones to spray crops precisely or a builder in Europe using 3D digital twins to design a zero-emission home, digital tools are the bridge that makes green goals possible Digitalization also transforms how TVET is delivered Learning can now be blended accessible and adaptive AI-powered career guidance tools can help students choose pathways aligned with real labour market demand In many countries realtime job market platforms now guide cur-
riculum reform ensuring that training matches what employers actually need This is crucial because the speed of technological change means that training programmes can become outdated quickly unless they are continuously updated GOING ENTREPRENEURIAL: Is the engine that makes TVET meaningful In a world where technology changes every few months the safest job is often the one you create for yourself Entrepreneurship in TVET is not only about starting big companies; it is a mindset of resourcefulness, problem-solving and self-reliance It is about equipping learners to turn skills into sustainable livelihoods Countries across Asia have already started building startup incubators inside vocational schools A student learning professional cookery, for example, is not only taught how to follow recipes but also how to build a brand manage digital finances and use social media to attract customers In Latin America private-sector collaborations with TVET institutions are embedding soft skills such as leadership, communication, and innovation into technical training These skills are vital because the modern economy rewards not only competence but also creativity and initiative The UnESCO strategy for TVET (2022–2029) clearly supports this shift emphasising the integration of entrepreneurial skills and mindsets into TVET systems The idea is to move from a model of “job-seeker graduates” to “job-creator
p ro b l e m s t h ro u g h „ d i g i t a l a p p r e n t i c e s h i p s ‰ T h i rd , t h e i n fo r m a l s e c t o r mu s t b e
e m p o w e r e d . M u c h o f Pa k i s t a n Ês s k i l l s l i e i n s m a l l , i n fo r m a l wo r k s h o p s ; by p rov i d i n g
In the rarefied environment of the West Wing, the ghosts of the “Twelve-Day War” that transpired last June still linger in the Situation Room For President Trump the goal remains unchanged: the same triad of demands that Iran ceases its enrichment activities dismantles its missile program, and severs its axis of resistance connections But as Washington pursues a policy dictated almost entirely by Israeli security imperatives and the Zionist donor class, the calculus on the ground and in the water has fundamentally changed due to the reality of the new tri-polar world that has emerged
The Trump administration finds itself trapped between competing imperatives: the operational caution of the foreign policy establishment and the political demands of a donor class for whom Iranian capitulation is non-negotiable The recent White House visit of Prime Minister netanyahu conducted while he faces the shadow of an International Criminal Court warrant for the devastation in Gaza was marked by the highest levels of diplomatic ceremony P
don’t care about international law, only about my m
scores the ideological foundations guiding current US policy
The aborted January operation was not as armchair strategists argued, a genius-level baitand-switch meant to test Iranian defenses Rather, US military planners reached a pragmatic realization: the theatre of operations in the
supplier that cannot be permitted to fall under Western control As China s Foreign Ministry stated in a recent declaration on Cuba that applies equally to Iran: China strongly urges the United States to immediately cancel all sanctions in accordance with the United nations Charter and international law ” The loss of Iran to a nATO-aligned entity would constitute an unmitigated economic and geopolitical disaster that Beijing is manifestly unwilling to permit
RUSSIA’S “UNSEEN” SUPPORT: Moscow s contribution, while less visible than China’s naval deployment may prove equally consequential During the twelve-day conflict that tested Iranian infrastructure and resolve Russian support transcended mere rhetoric When Israeli and American cyberattacks crippled Iran s communications network a sophisticated operation designed to blind Tehran s command structure Russian technical teams arrived within 48 hours working alongside Iranian engineers to restore critical infrastructure
While China secures the waves Moscow secures the wires Since the June 2025 ceasefire an uninterrupted sequence of Russian military cargo flights has delivered what intelligence officials describe as unseen capabilities, reportedly including:
*Advanced air defenses: Upgraded S-400 components replacing batteries lost to Israeli strikes
*Hardened communications: Encrypted systems designed to withstand the cyber-tsunamis that temporarily disabled Iran s grid
*Satellite intelligence: The recent Jam-e Jam 1 satellite launch aboard a Russian Proton-M rocket has dramatically enhanced Iran’s ability to coordinate regional operations even under total internet blackout conditions
THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW REALITY: The regional security architecture continues evolving in directions profoundly unfavorable to American interests Each month without resolution sees deeper integration of Iranian, Chinese, and Russian systems militarily economically and in intelligence sharing What began as tactical cooperation is crystallising into a strategic partnership creating the adversarial coalition American policy precisely has historically sought to prevent Washington s current negotiating posture predicated on conditions resembling unconditional surrender confronts an immovable object Iran views itself as a sovereign nation operating outside the U S -led financial system now possessing the technological buoyancy provided by great power patrons that eliminates any imperative to capitulate What the administration must confront is the prospect of another January-style hesitation Should Trump choose to “knock down” Iran’s nuclear program as he has publicly threatened he will not face the Iran of the past He will face a nation operating under a Sino-Russian intelligence umbrella that has transformed every U S naval movement into a publicly observable event in Tehran As joint Iran-China-Russia naval exercises approach in mid-February the “new Axis” delivers an unmistakable message to Washington: the Persian Gulf is no longer an American lake and the cost of carrying out an Israeli-driven mandate may soon prove too steep for this administration to bear
From the American perspec tive, there are three pressing issues: the nuclear program, the ballistic missile program, and Iran’s regional proxies These seem to have taken precedence over any prac tical suppor t for the popular uprising against the regime
On January 12, when riots and violent protests had been wreaking havoc across Iran for more than two weeks US President Donald Trump posted a message on his social media platform Truth Social Iranian patriots he wrote Keep protesting Take over your institutions I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops Help is on its way This was not his first message of encouragement to the hundreds of thousands who had taken to the streets of Iran’s cities and towns protesting against the regime and the hardships it was inflicting on the people In a Truth Social post in the early hours of Friday January 2 he had already written that if Iran violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” adding: “We are locked and loaded and ready to go ” The nationwide insurrection can be dated back to December 28 when a sudden currency collapse coming on top of already severe inflation and falling purchasing power led to bazaar strikes and street demonstrations in Tehran The Iranian rial had plunged to a historic low of around 1 42 million per dollar, destroying price stability for import dependent traders, and making normal bazaar commerce impossible Rapid exchange-rate swings and rising costs meant that shopkeepers could not set or honor prices Facing possible bankruptcy they closed their shops and struck in protest at what they saw as regime mismanagement of the economy
IRANIANS RISK THEIR LIVES ON TRUMP’S
WORDS: The many slogans chanted by protesters include calls for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei demands for an Iranian republic and nostalgia for the deposed monarchy ( Reza Shah may your soul be blessed which honored the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty) This is the final battle; Pahlavi will return is chanted in places, explicitly calling for Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi to lead a reborn Iran These monarchist slogans do however coexist with strong anti monarchical and republican currents and the insurrection’s center of gravity is essentially anti
TARIQUE RAHMAN SWORN IN AS BANGL ADESH’S
PM AFTER L ANDSLIDE ELECTION VICTORY
France is seeking to expand its military partnership with New Delhi with discussions expected on a potential contract for 114 additional French fighter jets
Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived around midnight on Monday in Mumbai, India s financial capital, for his fourth visit to India since taking office in 2017
He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Tuesday Macron will then travel to New Delhi for an artificial intelligence summit on Wednesday and Thursday
responsibility The remarkable presence of distinguished personalities from the judiciary bar bureaucracy politics business academia and civil society lent the ceremony a truly historic character Meaningful Participation of the Higher Judiciary ISLAMABAD ag e n c i e s
The visit follows New Delhi’s confirmation last week that it intends to place a major order for Rafale jets as well as the signing of a landmark free trade agreement between India and the European Union in January ‘Contract of the century’ New Delhi has sought over the past decade to reduce its dependence on Russia its traditional main
supplier of military equipment turning to other countries while also pushing for more domestic production
An Indian defence ministry statement last week said the proposed purchase of Rafale jets had been cleared with “the majority” of them to be manufactured in India
The statement did not specify the exact number of jets New Delhi would purchase, but a New Delhi defence ministry source said that 114 was likely Christophe Jaffrelot an India specialist at Sciences Po Center for International Studies in Paris described the potential $35 billion deal for 114 Rafales as the contract of the century and a potential crowning achievement” for bilateral ties
If finalised, the jets would add to the 36 Rafales India purchased for its air force in 2016 and 26 it has ordered for its navy Negotiations over the additional aircraft still need to be concluded with manufacturer Dassault Aviation, but the French presidency has voiced optimism that what it calls a “historic” agreement could be reached ‘Good chemistry’ Modi and Macron will also inaugurate on Tuesday India s first helicopter final assembly line via videoconference from Mumbai, a
joint venture between India’s Tata Group and Airbus
The facility in Vemagal in the southern state of Karnataka near the tech hub of Bengaluru, will manufacture the Airbus H125, the company’s best-selling single-engine helicopter France has emerged as one of India s most important defence and economic partners in the last decade
Through this visit, we seek to further strengthen cooperation with India, and to “diversify” France’s economic and trade partnerships Macron’s office said India the world s most populous country with 1 4 billion people, is on track to become the fourth-largest economy globally
This week’s talks are also expected to address global economic uncertainty triggered by tariff policies under US President Donald Trump as well as China s influence in the region
Modi s office said discussions would focus on cementing the strategic partnership and further diversifying it into new and emerging areas”
Ramadan begins as crescent confirmed in S audi Arabia and Gulf states
The Ramadan crescent was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday evening, marking February 18 as the first day of fasting The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia officially announced the start of the holy month for the year 1447 AH after confirming reports of the moon s visibility The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait also confirmed the sighting of the crescent declaring Wednesday February 18 as the first day of Ramadan The UAE s Presidential Court said the decision
followed verification by the country s official moon-sighting committee, according to local media reports In contrast several countries reported that the crescent was not visible on Tuesday Azerbaijan Kazakhstan Uzbekistan the Philippines, Oman, Japan, Turkey, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei announced that the moon had not been sighted As a result, these countries will complete 30 days of Shaaban on February 18 and begin fasting on February 19 Meanwhile moon-sighting committees in Pakistan, Iran, India, and Bangladesh are set to convene on Wednesday, February 18, as
Tuesday corresponds to the 28th of Shaaban in those countries Muslims around the world welcome Ramadan with deep devotion as more than a billion people observe the month through fasting reflection and acts of charity Islamic months last either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon, which determines the beginning and end of each month
Because the Islamic calendar follows a lunar cycle that is about 10 days shorter than the Gregorian year, Ramadan shifts earlier each year and does not fall on the same date annually
g PUNJAB CM LAUNCHES RAMZAN RELIEF DRIVE, NIGEHBAN CARDS
PTI now playing ‘eye c ard ’ af ter collapse of false narrative: Azma
LAHORE S ta f f r e p o r t
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that several key roads across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have remained blocked for the past five days, causing severe disruption to daily life She said multiple ambulances have been stuck in traffic, putting patients’ lives at serious risk Azma Bokhari said that due to the personal priorities of the PTI founder and the political use of the so-called Eye Card the lives of ordinary citizens are being jeopardized She criticized the provincial government, alleging that public safety is not its priority; instead it is more concerned
about the PTI founder s eye condition than the welfare of the people
The Information Minister further said that people are reportedly dying in ambulances while the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government remains focused on organizing rallies blocking roads and staging sit-ins rather than resolving public issues
She added that under the leadership of Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government is delivering facilities and services to every district, tehsil, and union council In contrast she claimed that the writ of the KP government is limited to Peshawar while in areas such as Mardan Chitral, and Kurram, effective government presence is barely visible
a leading humanitarian organization dedicated to the care of orphaned and underprivileged children, hosted a spectacular Charity Dinner and Musical Night at the Marina Club Karachi The evening brought together Pakistan’s business elite community leaders and celebrated artists to raise vital funds for the foundation s nationwide initiatives, including the Feed the Hungry" and "Parent an Orphan" programs The gala was graciously hosted by Dr Danish Aman, whose efforts highlighted a powerful sense of unity and collective commitment to social welfare The evening s star-studded guest list featured some of the country s most beloved personalities including: * Humayun Saeed, renowned actor and Almarah Foundation Goodwill Ambassador
* Hamza Ali Abbasi, acclaimed actor and Brand Ambassador
* Bushra Ansari legendary actress
* Muneeb Butt popular television star
* Sophiya Warraich Chairperson of the Almarah
Azma Bokhari stated that after the failure of what she termed a false narrative and propaganda campaign, a new Eye Card is being played
She remarked that one eye has 6/9 vision and the other 6/6 adding that the PTI founder can even see his watch and its hands clearly
She urged that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should not be allowed to suffer or die in ambulances due to political actions Emphasizing that protecting citizens’ lives and addressing their problems is the fundamental responsibility of any government she said the Punjab government is taking all possible measures to ensure public safety and the provision of essential services
BOP Posts Record Financial Per formance yet another year
LAHORE
S ta f f r e p o r t
In a meeting held on February 17, 2026, the Board of Directors of The Bank of Punjab (BOP) approved the audited financial statements for the year ended on December 31 2025 The Board expressed appreciation for the Management on Bank s exemplary performance by delivering exceptional financial results across all areas of operations Building on the strong foundation laid in previous years, the Bank successfully navigated squeezing margins intensified competition global economic certainty and evolving regulatory environment including the implementation of IFRS 9 while maintaining prudent risk management and a disciplined approach to cost optimization During the year, the Bank further advanced its digital transformation agenda, making significant investments in technology cybersecurity and datadriven innovation to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency These strategic initiatives supported by a diversified business model and a robust governance framework, enabled the Bank to deliver its highest-ever pre-tax profit of Rs 35 80 billion in 2025, reflecting an exceptional 46% year-on-year growth Operating profit before provisions also registered a remarkable increase of 99% reaching Rs 40 74 billion In recognition of this strong financial performance the Board declared a final cash dividend of Rs 1 50 per share in addition to the interim cash dividend of Rs 1 00 per share already paid for the year 2025, reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to delivering sustainable value to its shareholders This achievement marks yet another milestone with the Bank recording one of the highest profit levels and dividend payouts in its history
SC to hear key cases involving
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday expressed strong displeasure over road closures caused by protests of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and directed authorities to immediately reopen all blocked routes without delay Hearing a petition filed against the road blockages a bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Farah Jamshed ordered the provincial administration to initiate action at once and submit a compliance report to the court The Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed appeared before the bench During proceedings, the Advocate General informed the court that parliamentarians had travelled to Islamabad to ensure implementation of a Supreme Court order The bench observed that Islamabad did not fall within its jurisdiction and instructed authorities to take action against those staging protests within the province When the IG sought two days time to address the situation, the court rejected the request, directing that action begin immediately instead of seeking further delay The judges remarked that it was unfortunate that the ruling party was causing hardship to its own people Counsel for the petitioner informed the court that two individuals had died while en route due to road closures linked to the protests The bench stressed that under no circumstances should the motorway be blocked and directed that protests should not be allowed anywhere in Peshawar noting that children were unable to leave their homes due to the disruptions Questioning the duration of the blockades the court was told by the IG that protests were initially taking place at 16 points, which had been reduced to 10
Pakistan, seven Muslim nations condemn Israel's West Bank ‘state property ’ move
Eight Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, on Tuesday strongly condemned Israel’s decision to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as state property calling it a grave violation of international law
According to Al Jazeera, the Israeli government approved the proposal the first such move since its occupation of the territory in 1967 despite international law prohibiting an occupying power from confiscating land in occupied territories In a joint statement, the foreign ministries of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia Türkiye Saudi Arabia and Qatar denounced the step as an illegal escalation aimed at accelerating settlement expansion land confiscation and entrenching Israeli control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory
The statement said the measure sought to impose “a new legal and administrative reality designed to consolidate control over the occupied land undermining the two-
state solution and jeopardising prospects for a just and comprehensive peace
The ministers described the decision as a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention as well as relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions including Resolution 2334
They further noted that the move contradicted the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which underscored the illegality of measures aimed at al-
tering the legal historical and demographic status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and reaffirmed the prohibition on acquisition of territory by force Israel s foreign ministry, however, claimed the measure would enable “transparent and thorough clarification of rights to resolve legal disputes
Separately Antonio Guterres Secretary-General of the United Nations, described the measure as destabilising and unlawful, according to his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric
President, PM felicitate Bangladesh’s new premier Rahman, hope for stronger ties
ISLAMABAD s a l e e m j a d o o n
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday extended warm felicitations to Tarique Rahman leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on his election as Bangladesh s prime minister and his party s decisive victory in the general elections, expressing hope for stronger Pakistan-Bangladesh ties and regional peace, according to state media
Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh s prime minister on Tuesday following his party s sweeping parliamentary victory Rahman, 60, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and assassinated president Ziaur Rahman assumes office amid pressing challenges including restoring political stability rebuilding investor confidence and reviving key industries such as the garment sector after the prolonged turmoil that followed the Gen Z-led uprising which toppled the government of Sheikh Hasina in 2024
Bangladesh was governed during the transition by an interim administration headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus which oversaw the country until the elections
In a post on social media platform X, the President s Secretariat said President Zardari appreciated the interim government’s role in ensuring “a peaceful and fair election” and conveyed his best wishes for stability and prosperity The president hopes for stronger Pakistan-Bangladesh ties and regional peace,” the post added
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended warm felicitations to Rahman saying he looked forward to working closely with the new Bangladeshi leadership I look forward to close and meaningful engagements with my brother to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation across mutually beneficial areas and to deepen the historic ties between our two countries the prime minister said Separately Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who attended the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka,
conveyed best wishes and prayers for Rahman in steering the country towards new heights of progress and development
It was an honour to witness and be part of this historic moment in the history of Bangladesh on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan ” he said Earlier the minister met Professor Muhammad Yunus who had served as the country s interim leader I warmly congratulated Professor Yunus and the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of elections and the historic democratic transition I conveyed Pakistan s sincere good wishes for continued stability progress and prosperity for Bangladesh under its new leadership, Iqbal said He said discussions focused on opening a new, forward-looking chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations” “I expressed appreciation for the positive momentum in bilateral ties including growing trade engagement revival of direct air connectivity, and renewed people-to-people contacts
had adopted encounter killings as a matter of policy undermining constitutional safeguards and the rule of law in the province Citing press reports, HRCP said at least 670 CCD encounters were recorded during the first eight months of 2025, in which 924 suspects were killed In comparison, only two police officials reportedly lost their
(NCHR) However, it said there was
clear evidence of such compliance in the cases reviewed In one instance a court had directed the FIA to conduct an inquiry
ISLAMABAD