COLONEL , SEPOY MART YRED, 5 INDIAN-PROXY TERRORISTS KILLED IN DEADLY BANNU ATTACK
g FORCES FOIL MAJOR CATA STROPHE BY INTERCEPTING A VEHICLE-BORNE SUICIDE BOMBER DESIGNED TO TARGET INNOCENT CIVILIANS/LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL IN BANNU CITY
g SECURITY SOURCES CONFIRM ‘ITTIHAD AL-MUJAHIDEEN,’ A SUB-GROUP OF FITNA AL-KHAWARIJ BEHIND DEADLY ATTACK
troops from the front” and 28-yearold Sepoy Karamat Shah from Peshawar embraced martyrdom ‘Ittihad Al-Mujahideen’ claims responsibility
Security sources on Saturday confirmed that “Ittihad Al-Mujahideen ” a sub-group of Fitna AlKhawarij claimed responsibility for the recent suicide attack in Bannu highlighting the ongoing cross-border threat emanating from Afghan soil, according to state broadcaster
g OVER 70% OF TERROR ELEMENTS IN PAKISTAN LINKED TO AFGHANISTAN-BASED NETWORKS
citing security officials reported that Ittihad Al-Mujahideen operates under the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group of Fitna Al-Khawarij
“The central leader, Gul Bahadur, and key commanders are taking refuge in Afghanistan and have repeatedly used Afghan territory to orchestrate terrorism and sow sedition in Pakistan, the post said The report highlighted a history of attacks linked to the group On 4 March 2025 during the holy month of Ramazan the same group carried out an assault on Bannu Cantonment planned from Afghan soil On 2 September 2025, during another attack on the Federal Constabulary in Bannu, Major Adnan Shaheed was martyred while bravely countering the assault The group has also claimed responsibility for multiple terrorist incidents in North and South Waziristan, including attacks in Mir Ali, with investigations confirming
WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD
a resolution
Assembly of Sindh on Satur-
the
scribed as a conspiracy to
The resolution moved by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, was supported by members of PTI and Jamaat-e-Islami, while MPAs of MQM-Pakistan opposed it Presenting the strongly worded resolution on the floor of the House the chief minister condemned what he termed divisive statements about breaking up Sindh or separating Karachi, declaring that the province s
unity and territorial integrity are non-negotiable and constitutionally protected In a detailed address, Murad Ali Shah said Sindh was not merely an administrative unit but one of the world’s oldest living civilisations ” tracing its identity from Mohenjo-Daro to the historic Sindh Legislative Assembly which passed the Pakistan Resolution in 1943 A province that played a foundational role in the creation of Pakistan cannot allow the fragmentation of its historic homeland,” he asserted Condemning calls to carve out Karachi as a separate province the chief minister maintained that the city historically known
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Colonel, sepoy mar tyred, 5 Indian-prox y terrorists killed in deadly Bannu attack
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Security sources stressed that the presence of central Fitna Al-Khawarij leaders, including Hafiz Gul Bahadur, in Afghanistan demonstrates that Afghan soil continues to provide a sanctuary for terrorists They pointed out that the Afghan Taliban regime s backing of terrorist networks undermines regional peace and security Investigations reveal that over 70 percent of individuals involved in terrorism in Pakistan are either of Afghan origin or connected to Afghan-based networks according to the sources They expressed concern that the Afghan Taliban s continued patronage of terrorists is sabotaging efforts to maintain stability in the region
The ISPR statement reiterated that terrorists were “using Afghan soil” for carrying out attacks inside Pakistan “violating the sanctity of the holy month of Ramazan This clearly indicates that they have no link with Islam, the ISPR declared It also noted that the Afghan Taliban Regime has yet again failed to stop the khwarij from use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities inside Pakistan that too in the holy month of Ramazan Pakistan will not exercise any restrain and operations would continue against the perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act for justified retribution against khwarij, irrespective of their location,” the ISPR asserted The military’s media wing added that the counter-terrorism campaign under vision
‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreignsponsored and supported terrorism from the country
“Such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment [to] safeguarding our nation at all costs the military affirmed
President PM vow to completely eliminate terrorism
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have strongly condemned the cowardly terrorist attack on the convoy of security forces in Bannu
In their separate statements, they expressed grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of Lieutenant Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz and Sepoy Karamat Shah
Paying tribute to the sacrifices of security forces, the President emphasized that there is a firm resolve that operations against the Khawarij will continue relentlessly and without discrimination and there will be no compromise on the safety and security of the nation
He said terrorists who desecrate the sanctity of Ramadan have no connection with Islam
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the terrorism by Fitna al Khawarij during the sacred month of Ramadan is proof that terrorists have no religion
Shehbaz Sharif said the security forces took timely action, preventing the city from a major disaster He said the entire nation stands with the armed forces in the war against terrorism He said we are determined to completely eliminate all forms of terrorism from the country
challenging opponents to identify even a single clause that violated the law He emphasised that the essence of the resolution was straightforward: the House does not accept any division of Sindh “If you want to ensure that Sindh is never divided you must support this resolution he said clarifying that it was
ceedings He, however, acknowledged that a meeting on related matters had taken place at the Governor ’s House Responding to remarks by Provincial Minister Jam Khan Shoro the chief minister defended references to history urging the opposition to reflect on its own past Rejecting claims of a hidden conspiracy behind the resolution he retorted: You say you smell something, but I smell something from your conduct
Pakistan is a nation in motion
PUBLIC debate in Pakistan often swings to extremes A crisis becomes a verdict A political dispute becomes a national obituary Economic strain is treated as permanent decline Yet nations are not defined by their most turbulent moments They are defined by direction Step back from the daily noise and a more balanced picture emerges: Pakistan is not collapsing It is adjusting reforming and strengthening its foundations Healthcare provides one of the most visible signs of Pakistan s institutional evolution For years, citizens have questioned whether the state could reliably support them in moments of serious illness The Sehat Sahulat Program, commonly known as the Sehat Card has introduced a meaningful change in how social protection reaches those in need Built on the principle that serious illness should not push families into financial ruin the programme has expanded access to lifesaving treatment across multiple provinces Eligible families receive coverage for complex
It seems that Pakistan might have over-estimated the presidential power of imposing tariffs and may now have to recalibrate its policy to the USA It might find that the praise showered by Mr Trump at the meeting itself is not worth much as it does not translate into any tangible benefits for Pakistan
Though the USA has approached Pakistan after the Indo-Pak conflict last summer and though it seems to have absorbed the lesson that India will be of no help against China, Pakistan has done its best in the post-tariff world to show that it is useful Mr Trump has said that he will use other paths to the imposition of tariffs His remarks about feeling betrayed by the judges he named to the Court verge on contempt, but his claim that he would use alternative authorities has been lessened, for there is no guarantee that he can impose tariffs that can stick Pakistan will be one of many countries that may feel that they have attempted too hard to deal with an irrational obstreperous individual who does not enjoy the untrammelled unchecked powers he claims he had
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi
Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
We are not a failed state. We are a state in motion, a nation defined not by despair but by the courage to move forward despite adversity. Every road built, every hospital strengthened, every young professional reaching across the globe with skill and ambition is proof that Pakistan is alive with potential and determination. Recognizing this motion is not complacency. It is clarity, a deep understanding that progress is not instant but earned through persistence, vision, and the tireless efforts of millions of citizens who refuse to give up on their homeland. It is the awareness that a nation’s strength lies not in the absence of challenges but in the resilience and courage with which it confronts them. And it is this clarity, this shared commitment, that lays the foundation for a future that is stable, inclusive, and prosperous, a future that every Pakistani has the right to inherit and to build together
India’s Transnational Repression Exposed Again
Tofficials described the target as a victim of transnational repression for exercising constitutionally protected speech The case, unfolding in a US courtroom under evidentiary standards far removed from diplomatic rhetoric, establishes a factual matrix: an Indian national acknowledged participation in a murder-for-hire plot and US authorities formally linked the conspiracy to an Indian government employee
The implications reverberate beyond the USA In Canada, the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023 triggered a national security investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Canadian officials publicly identified the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang as a transnational criminal organization implicated in targeted violence The gang led by incarcerated Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, was formally designated a terrorist entity by Canada on September 22 Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated before Parliament that Indian diplomats collected intelligence on Canadian citizens critical of the Modi government and that such intelligence reached criminal organizations like the Bishnoi network, resulting in violence on Canadian soil These declarations were not
speculative commentary but official statements delivered in the sovereign legislature of a G7 state The pattern that emerges is neither episodic nor isolated The US court proceedings the Canadian terrorist designation and the RCMP s investigative disclosures collectively outline a documented architecture of transnational coercion When democratic governments publicly acknowledge that intelligence gathered by foreign diplomats was funneled to criminal syndicates to facilitate violence the issue transcends bilateral friction; it enters the domain of systemic statecraft For Pakistan, these developments vindicate a position articulated consistently for years The arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav in 2016 was presented by Islamabad as incontrovertible proof of Indian intelligence operations aimed at destabilizing Pakistan Islamabad has long maintained that New Delhi supports militant outfits such as the Balochistan Liberation Army and the Balochistan Liberation Front, as well as networks linked to Fitnat-ul-Hindustan
While India has denied these charges, the judicially recorded facts emerging in North America lend renewed credibility to Pakistan’s contention that India employs covert proxies beyond its borders Internally, India s trajectory reveals an equally troubling consolidation of coercive governance Across Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Ladakh, minority communities and dissenting voices have confronted an increasingly securitized state apparatus International human rights organizations have documented constraints on civil liberties curbs on press freedom, and legal measures perceived as disproportionately targeting marginalized groups The domestic contraction of civic space mirrors the external projection of covert force: repression at home intimidation abroad
The designation of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity by Canada crystallizes a stark reality A criminal syndicate headquartered in India has been formally recognized by a Western democracy as a vehicle of political
In the final analysis, the issue is not merely India’s bilateral relations with Pakistan, Canada, or the USA It is the integrity of international norms themselves A state that tolerates or directs extraterritorial coercion undermines the foundational principle that political dissent must be contested through dialogue, not silenced through violence. The unfolding record suggests that the world is witnessing not isolated aberrations but the exposure of a broader doctrine one that projects repression beyond borders and recalibrates the calculus of sovereignty
violence When intelligence sharing and organized crime intersect across borders the distinction between statecraft and criminality erodes
The rule-based international order depends upon the inviolability of sovereignty; yet here, sovereignty has been breached not by rogue actors alone but through structured networks acknowledged by law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities
This moment constitutes more than diplomatic embarrassment for New Delhi It signals a paradigm shift in how India s security doctrine is perceived globally For decades, India cultivated an image of democratic exceptionalism a bulwark of pluralism in a volatile region The documented cases in the USA and Canada complicate that narrative revealing a willingness to extend coercive reach into the heart of Western democracies
For Pakistan, the strategic implications are profound Islamabad has consistently framed itself as aligned with international law, advocating dialogue and multilateralism while decrying covert destabilization The convergence of judicial admissions terrorist designations and parliamentary declarations in North America affirms Pakistan s longstanding assertion that regional instability cannot be divorced from India’s clandestine interventions
History will likely judge this period as an inflection point When sovereign courts record admissions of assassination plots tied to foreign officials and when allied democracies designate criminal networks linked to that foreign power as terrorist entities, the veneer of plausible deniability fractures What remains is a documented chain of actions that redefines global perceptions
In the final analysis the issue is not merely India s bilateral relations with Pakistan Canada or the USA It is the integrity of international norms themselves A state that tolerates or directs extraterritorial coercion undermines the foundational principle that political dissent must be contested through dialogue not silenced through violence The unfolding record suggests that the world is witnessing not isolated aberrations but the exposure of a broader doctrine one that projects repression beyond borders and recalibrates the calculus of sovereignty
The writer is a freelance columnist
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regretfully other than the US resolve to
down the Nezam is the internal dissension in the Iranian leadership Generally it is presumed that the supreme leader has a final say in the matters However practically the political governments call the shots as and when they feel they need to make their presence felt Towards that end, the birth of the reform movement in Iranian society is the turning point which for good and bad has benefited Iran and also created a leadership chaos The emergence of the Reform factor in running Iran was heralded by the election of Khatami in 1997 Another landslide in 2001 allowed him to strengthen whatever gains the movement wanted to accrue in the process In the domains of culture the reform movement was able to make an impact which benefited the Iranian image abroad to a greater extent A country apparently run by theologians was able to make a place for itself in the field of art and cinema which was recognized by the world without prejudice Iranian cinema was able to attract the attention of the global cine festivals more than Lollywood or Bollywood, which working in apparently more liberal societies were not able to make it to the Oscars; a feat Iranians in recent cinematic history have repeatedly experienced Having done with that the other issue where the reform movement was adamant to make difference has been the era of foreign policy The reform movement went against anything which elevated the Islamist character of the Nezam The movement did not approve with wholesome heart Iran’s infatuation with Pan-Islamist causes especially the Palestine issue The
famous slogan Iran first; not Gaza
Lebanon’ spelt out what the reformists wanted the Nezam to do in the first place In the same thrust they felt that it was imperative that Iran should come out of its diplomatic isolation and shake hands with the USA At this point there is evidence that the mainstream leadership might not be averse
politics Trump annulled the JCPOA unilaterally and pushed for the worst sanctions against the Iranian Nezam The four years under Biden saw talks going off and on despite the fact that a radical president in Iran Raeesi allowed these talks to take their logical route and though they remained inconclusive Here comes
The final scenario, a fluid one which is emerging, seems that the West having read the decision disarray in Tehran is emboldened to threaten even more Iran now is carrying an image courtesy the Reformists that it can be brought to its knees in one way or another The blame rests much on the group failure to adjust to the new realities; just like if the Syrian file was a bad dream for the IRGC, the JCPOA was similarly the same for the Reform camp; the solution rests for the Reformist group is to recognize the faultlines in the present, not the ones already done with
This was also the prevailing sentiment among journalists I knew many of them far older and more experienced than I was When Iran and the United States began a second round of talks in February follow-
ever for a brief moment wonder whether
least, was what
veyed to Iranian counterparts according to what we heard But as the days passed our skepticism was confirmed While speaking about how diplomacy is always its "first choice", the Trump administration began enhancing its military presence around Iran By February 20 it had added two carrier strike groups 13 warships 50 fighter jets and new airdefense batteries to its already expansive assets in West Asia Some argue that it remains unclear whether this buildup is intended as leverage in negotiations or preparation for direct military action But either explanation points to the same conclusion: this is not the behavior of a party invested in diplomacy If the buildup is meant to pressure Iran it violates basic norms of good faith If it is meant for war, it suggests diplomacy is already considered expendable What remains for Iran to do is what it has always done: pursue diplomacy even when the other side cannot be trusted and prepare to defend itself But the lengths it
residential building in my neighborhood housing an Iranian nuclear scientist initiating a war that U S President Donald Trump later admitted he was in charge of from the beginning Those 12 days were difficult, to say the least It was the first time in my life that I experienced war unlike my parents who had lived through and even fought in the eightyear war of the 1980s At night I heard airdefense systems firing; during the day there were explosions That my hometown had finally become part of the war the United States had threatened since my childhood was deeply unsettling It was also profoundly sad When I heard that Iran had agreed to a ceasefire requested by the U S and Israel the sounds of air defense stopped almost all at once A few weeks later, when I spoke with some of the people who had been operating those systems on the sidelines of a memorial ceremony it became clear that while the noise had faded the war had not It continued through economic sanctions through the exploitation of legitimate protests and as one officer told me, was very likely to return to military confrontation like the one we had just experienced In fact, he said he was certain Washington would attack again because in his words “their issue isn’t Iran’s nuclear capabilities missiles or even the Islamic Republic Their issue is Iran itself
would go to defend itself would be different this time Iranian officials have made it clear that they view any future conflict as a far different one After a nuclear deal thrown away, years of sanctions multiple coup attempts and unprecedented military aggression no one in Iran would think it possible to make things work with the U S should a war break out again in the middle of an active diplomatic process Iran, as its officials have warned, would no longer care about preventing excessive escalation This time they would be focused on making the Americans back off for good and to do that they may have to reap the results of every military and regional project they have pursued over the past decades
Below are the steps Iran is likely to take in response to the United States in a future war
SINKING THE ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL ARMADAS’
The two aircraft carriers Trump has deployed to Iran s doorstep the USS Abraham Lincoln, already in the Arabian Sea, and the USS Gerald R Ford, currently en route are the assets he boasts of most when discussing potential strikes against Iran
Together these two carriers possess over 120 aircraft and are accompanied by 10 to 15 destroyers and approximately three littoral combat ships It is estimated that around 13,000 sailors are required to operate this vast array of equipment
As the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei pointed out this week such carriers are formidable threats to any target However the very factors that make them dangerous their massive size and scale are exactly what make them vulnerable More dangerous than the American warship is the weapon that can send it to the bottom of the sea,” the Leader stated during a meeting on Tuesday Iran possesses a diverse arsenal to counter these naval assets most notably its hypersonic missiles which are considered impossible for any current defense system to intercept Even if Iran, for some reason, chose not to deploy its hypersonics, it retains a wide range of other lethal options
Chief among these are Iran s anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles Key systems include the Zolfaghar Basir ballistic missile equipped with an optical seeker for moving sea targets and a 700km range; the Abu Mahdi cruise missile, which features AI-enabled path planning and a sea-skimming radar-evading seeker with a range exceeding 1 000 kilometers; and the Qader cruise missile known for its high destructive power and radar-evading capabilities Iran s strategy could involve using its vast arsenal of drones and loitering munitions to first overwhelm the Aegis defense systems on U S destroyers and carriers This would be followed by large missile salvos launched from underground bases along Iran s exten-
sive southern coastline and its strategic islands in the Persian Gulf including Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs Complementing this is the IRGC Navy s massive fleet of high-speed boats designed for "swarm tactics" in the narrow waters of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz These
would be the deployment of mines Iran s low-cost, easily deployed mines, including advanced smart versions like the Nafez-2 and Arvand with acoustic and magnetic sensors, can be laid quickly by
US AND IRAN SLIDE TOWARDS CONFLICT
AS MILITARY BUILDUP ECLIPSES TALKS
Trump imposes 10% global tariffs for 150
122 of the Trade Act of 1974 partly replacing tariffs of 10% to 50% under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act that the top court declared illegal, and ending collection of the now-banned duties The orders continued exemptions already in place for aerospace products; passenger cars and some light trucks; goods from Mexico and Canada that are compliant with the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement; pharmaceuticals and certain critical minerals and agricultural products Trump s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the new 10% du-
ties and potentially enhanced tariffs under the Section 301 unfair practices statute and the Section 232 national security statute would result in virtually unchanged tariff revenue in 2026 "We will get back to the same tariff level for the countries It will just be in a less direct and slightly more convoluted manner, Bessent told Fox News, adding that the Supreme Court decision had reduced Trump s negotiating leverage with trading partners The never-used Section 122 authority allows the president to impose duties of up to 15% for up to 150 days on any country to address "large and serious" balance of payments issues It does not require investigations or impose other procedural limits After 150 days Congress would need to approve their extension We have alternatives, great alternatives," Trump said "Could be more money We'll take in more money, and we'll be a lot stronger for it " Trump said of the alternative tools
The 10% tariff order justified the use of the Section 122 statute noting that the US had a large and serious balance of payments deficit" and said the situation was getting worse While the administration will likely face legal challenges the Section 122 tariffs would lapse before any final ruling could be made said Josh Lipsky,
investigate "certain unreasonable and discriminatory acts policies and practices that burden or restrict US commerce, but did not identify any specific targets USTR already has open probes on China and Brazil and could aim for other big trading partners including Vietnam and Canada
immediately available Nine other agreements and memoranda of understanding were finalised on Saturday the foreign ministry s spokesman said, touching on digital cooperation, health, entrepreneurship and other fields
“Brazil is India’s largest trade partner in Latin America We are committed to taking our bilateral trade beyond $20 billion in the coming five years Modi said Our trade is not just a figure but a reflection of trust
Lula, who arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a summit on artificial intelligence is accompanied by a delegation of more than a dozen ministers as well as business leaders On Saturday he was given a ceremonial welcome and paid his tributes to India s independence hero Mahatma Gandhi before going into the meeting with Modi With China holding a near-monopoly on rare earths production some countries are seeking alternative sources Rishabh Jain,
S ta f f r e p o r t
U N J A B Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday said language is not merely a means of expression but the most visible marker of a nation’s identity, stressing that the importance of mother tongues cannot be diminished even in the digital age as they embody a nation s culture heritage and traditions
In her message on International Mother Language Day, the chief minister said education imparted in the mother tongue positively influences children’s mental development and learning abilities She observed that mother languages enjoy an established status as a source of national identity and a treasured civilisational and cultural heritage Language, she added, is a social asset transmitted from one generation to another and plays a vital role in promoting awareness of cultural historical and social traditions across the world
Maryam Nawaz emphasised that the protection of mother tongues is in essence, a guarantee of cultural autonomy and intellectual freedom She said the Punjab government has further activated the Punjab Institute of Language Art and Culture to safeguard and promote mother languages
Reaffirming her government’s commitment the chief minister said sustained efforts are underway to develop and promote mother tongues, which form an essential part of collective identity She noted that initiatives are being taken to connect the younger generation with their mother languages so they remain conscious of their culture and history She added that concrete measures are being introduced through the educational curriculum to support the growth, research and promotion of languages, and the government would continue to play its full role in protecting and advancing mother tongues Over 300 ‘Nigehban Dastarkhwans’ set up across Punjab on CM’s directives More than 300 Nigehban Dastarkhwans’ were established across Punjab, with the support of philanthropists and organisations on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz as thousands of people gathered to break their fast on the first day of Ramazan The chief minister expressed gratitude to donors and institutions for their cooperation and paid tribute to their spirit of generosity, saying the initiative reflected the true essence of compassion and brotherhood Large numbers
ent distribution of assistance
The Information Minister stated that the Christian community is also receiving financial assistance separately under the same program reflecting interfaith harmony and equality She added that this is the largest Ramazan relief package in Pakistan s history, providing direct support to millions of families Azma Bokhari further said that Punjab is the only province where 74 Sahulat Bazaars have become fully operational Under the Maryam Dastarkhwan initiative Iftar is being arranged daily for 2 000 fasting individuals in every tehsil Criticizing the Khyber
CCP holds awareness session on competition law at Hamdard School of Law
ISLAMABAD S
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) in collaboration with Hamdard School of Law Hamdard University Karachi organized an awareness session on Competition Law of Pakistan, highlighting the role and functions of the Commission The session was held at the University premises as part of CCP’s ongoing academia advocacy drive to promote awareness of Competition Law among students faculty members and researchers The CCP delegation was led by Ms Bushra Naz Malik Member (CCP) and included Dr Ikram ul Haq, Director General (Market Intelligence Unit); Ms Marryum Pervaiz, Secretary to the Commission; and Ms Maliha Qudus, Director Cartels & Trade Abuse The delegation was welcomed by Mr Anwar Ahmad Associate Dean Faculty of Legal Studies; Mr Kaleem Ahmed Ghias Registrar; and senior faculty members of the University During the session, CCP officials presented case studies to illustrate various forms of cartelization in Pakistan’s economy and explained how the Commission detects and penalizes such anti-competitive conduct Dr Ikram ul Haq provided an overview of CCP s mandate and core functions Ms Marryum Pervaiz in her
Pakhtunkhwa government she said that it has neither announced its Ramazan package nor completed the required digital data collection She claimed that last year the KP government distributed its Ramazan package based on lists prepared by party members of the National and Provincial Assemblies
She further stated that the KP government s priorities appear to be focused on matters other than public relief, whereas the Punjab government is taking practical steps to provide real facilitation to citizens
The Minister reaffirmed that the Punjab government will continue to ensure timely and dignified delivery of assistance to deserving families
Event by Mariya Khan Per fumes Celebrated with Distinguished Personalities in Karachi
Dil event at the elegant Mövenpick Hotel Karachi The event brought together prominent figures from the corporate, media, social, and public sectors, creating an atmosphere of sophistication inspiration and celebration The ceremony was graced by the Chief Guest Mr Tariq Ali Nizamani
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Adding
prestige to the occasion was Mr S T Mustafa Civil Service of Pakistan Principal Advisor to the Governor Sindh, whose presence reflected the significance of the platform in fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors Among the distinguished guests and speakers were Mr Qazi Asad Abid, Chairman Abrat Group; Mr Amjad Shah GM PTV Karachi Center; Ms Khursheed Haider from HUM TV; Ms Elishba Johan GM People & Culture at Sindh Integrated Emer-
PHC SEEKS REPORTS IN MISSING PERSONS CASES FROM PESHAWAR, MARDAN
PESHAWAR s ta f f r e p o r t
TH E Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Saturday issued written orders on petitions seeking the recovery of several missing persons from Peshawar and Mardan Justice SM Atiq Shah passed the orders on written applications filed before the court
According to the court order, five individuals Muhammad Abrar, Muhammad Sohail Muhammad Farshid Muhammad Zubair and Muhammad Khurshid reportedly went missing from the jurisdiction of Khazana police station in Peshawar
The court noted that allegations regarding their disappearance have been levelled against the Station House Officer (SHO) of Khazana police station The SHO has been directed to submit a detailed report within seven days In a separate petition, the disappearance of Payo Khan from the limits of Mathra police station has been alleged against the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Peshawar The SHO CTD Peshawar and the SHO of Mathra police station have been ordered to file their replies within seven days In another case, the disappearance of Kashif Usman from Mardan has been attributed to CTD Mardan The in-charge of CTD Mardan and the SHO of the rel-
Nor th Waziristan youth freed by militants after abduc tion over viral girl cricketer video
ag e n c i e s
A young man from North Waziristan who was reportedly abducted for sharing a viral video of a girl playing cricket in the region has been released it emerged on Saturday The clip showing eight-year-old Aina Wazir bowling confidently in her hometown, drew widespread attention across mainstream and social media platforms However the alleged abduction of the man who filmed and shared the footage sparked concern and debate in the area According to local police Zafran Wazir was allegedly taken by unidentified individuals from the Shewa subdivision During his captivity, a video surfaced online in which he described sharing the cricket clip as his mistake and said he was in the custody of unknown persons In the same recording the abductors claimed that filming and circulating footage of a minor girl playing cricket was “against Islam and Pashtun traditions ” Following negotiations by local tribal elders through a jirga Zafran was safely recovered and returned home
evant police station have likewise been directed to submit their responses to the court within the same timeframe
Videos circulating on social media showed residents welcoming him with garlands and warm greetings District Police Officer Sajjad
However, Assistant Attorney General Barrister Zain Mansoor contended that the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance contains a comprehensive framework defining
and institutions subject to Zakat and that the university
statutory
does not
from compliance The court observed that
3(2) of the Foundation University Ordinance 2002 defines the university as a “body corporate” with perpetual succession and the authority to acquire hold and dispose of property Justice Hassan noted that these attributes establish the university as an independent juristic person separate from the federal or provincial government The preamble to the statute situates the establishment of the petitioner university within the broader framework of national interest, but that alone does not confer charitable status for fiscal purposes,” the judgment stated The court further examined the university s statutory powers including entering into agreements charging fees appointing staff and investing funds and concluded that it operates on a revenue-generating model rather than a purely charitable basis It also noted that the Higher Education Commission classifies it as a private sector university Referring to Section 1(2) of the Zakat Ordinance the court held that any company association of persons or body of individuals incorporated or otherwise with majority shares owned by Muslim citizens of Pakistan is liable to Zakat As a body corporate, the university falls within the ordinance s definition of "person "
The court s orders aim to ascertain the facts and ensure accountability in the reported cases of enforced disappearance
Dar, Azerbaijan FM discuss regional cooperation, inaugural Board of Peace meeting
ISLAMABAD
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday held a telephonic conversation with Jeyhun Bayramov Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international developments including the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, D C , which both leaders attended, state media reported According to a statement by the Foreign Office of Pakistan on X (formerly Twitter) DPM Dar conducted the conversation while in London
The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation, regional and international developments, including the inaugural Board of
Peace meeting in Washington, which they both attended,” the Foreign Office said
Both Pakistan and Azerbaijan are among the founding members of the Board of Peace established after the Trump administration, in collaboration with Qatar and Egypt, negotiated a ceasefire in October to halt two years of devastating Israeli attacks in Gaza
The Board s second phase focuses on the disarmament of Hamas During the inaugural meeting in Washington, US President Donald Trump pledged $10 billion, while five Muslim-majority nations Morocco Albania Indonesia Kazakhstan and Kosovo offered funding and troops to support Gaza At the same meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif under-
scored the importance of ending ceasefire violations in Gaza, calling it “very important” for lasting peace in the war-torn Strip
Addressing the inaugural Board of Peace meeting formally established last month following a September 2025 proposal Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted the urgency of halting ceasefire violations emphasizing that it is critical to achieving durable peace
The people of Palestine have long endured illegal occupation and immense suffering To achieve lasting peace, it is essential that ceasefire violations end to protect lives and advance reconstruction efforts he said He added that Palestinians must exercise full control over their land and future in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions
Naqvi, GB caretaker CM review security, tourism plans ahead of elec tions
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin
Naqvi met Gilgit-Baltistan Caretaker Chief Minister Yar Muhammad Khan to review security arrangements, law and order measures, and efforts to promote tourism ahead of upcoming elections in the region
During the meeting the two sides discussed steps to ensure a peaceful electoral process and strengthen the overall security framework in Gilgit-Baltistan
The caretaker chief minister informed the interior minister that the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) would soon be made operational in the region The CTD is a specialised wing of provincial police forces in Pakistan tasked with preventing, detecting and investigating terrorism-related offences It conducts intelligence-based operations against militant networks handles terror financing cases, and coordinates with federal agencies on counter-extremism efforts CTD units operate under provincial home departments and have authority to register and investigate cases under anti-terror laws
Naqvi assured full federal support for operationalising the CTD, stating that modern technology and weapons would be provided to enhance its effectiveness He also pledged that all requirements of Gilgit-Baltistan would be fulfilled and said additional personnel
would be deployed during the elections to maintain order Law and order will be maintained at all costs the interior minister said, stressing that a secure and peaceful environment was essential for boosting tourism in the scenic region
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a safe atmosphere for residents and visitors alike during the election period and beyond
Pakistani militar y engineers battle S outh S udan floodwaters to protec t people in countr y ’s unity state: Repor t
PESHAWAR