Epaper_26-02-25 ISB-

PAKISTAN SILENCES UNPROVOKED CROSS-BORDER FIRING BY AFGHAN TALIBAN ‘IMMEDIATELY

g PM'S SPOKESPERSON SAYS SECURITY FORCES RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY TO SILENCE UNPROVOKED AGGRESSION

ISLAMABAD Staff report

SECURITYforces responded immediately to stop unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban at the PakistanAfghanistan border on Tuesday amid intense friction between the two countries, according to the prime minister's spokesperson. "The Afghan Taliban regime initiated unprovoked firing along the PakistanAfghanistan Border in Torkham and Tirah sub-sectors. Pakistan’s security forces responded immediately and effectively, silencing the Taliban aggression," said Mosharraf Zaidi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's spokesperson for foreign media, in a post on X.

In a post on the social media platform X, he said, “Pakistan’s security forces responded immediately and effectively, silencing the Taliban aggression.”

He said that any further provocation would be responded to “immediately and severely”. He said Pakistan would “continue to protect its citizens and guard its territorial integrity”. The development comes after Pakistan targeted terrorist camps and hideouts overnight in the Nangarhar and Paktika provinces of Afghanistan over the weekend, with an official saying that “more than 80” terrorists had been killed in the air strikes.

The strikes were the most extensive military engagement between the two neighbours since border clashes broke out in October last year.

According to an information ministry statement, issued in the early hours of Sunday, the strikes were carried out in response to a number of terrorist attacks inside Pakistan — such as the suicide bombing at an imambargah in Islamabad and a number of attacks in Bannu and Bajaur.

“Pakistan has conclusive evidence that these acts of terrorism were perpetrated by Khwarij at the behest of their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers,” it said.

The information ministry said that in a retributive response, Pakistan carried out “intelligencebased selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Pakistani Taliban [Fitna al Khwarij] and its affiliates, and [Islamic State-

AND EFFECTIVELY’

g REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN WOULD ‘CONTINUE TO PROTECT ITS CITIZENS AND GUARD ITS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY’

Khorasan] at the border region of Pakistan-Afghan border with precision and accuracy”. Fitna al Khwarij is the term the state uses to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“Despite repeated efforts by Pakistan to urge the Afghan Taliban Regime to take verifiable measures to deny use of Afghan territory by terrorist groups and foreign proxies to carry out terrorist activities in Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban Regime failed to undertake any substantive action against them,” the statement noted.

Earlier this month, a suicide bomber struck the Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra during Friday prayers in Islamabad, killing 36 people and injuring around 169 others. The attack was the deadliest in Islamabad in more than a decade and the deadliest nationwide since the Peshawar mosque bombing in January 2023.

Immediately following the blast, raids were conducted in Nowshera and Peshawar, resulting in the arrest of four facilitators. The Daeshlinked mastermind, an Afghan national, was also captured. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the network behind the blast was trained in Afghanistan and that authorities had gathered intelligence on the suspects prior to the attack.

In 2023, a UN report also revealed that the

banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had established a new base in K-P in mid-2023. The report shed light on close ties not only between the TTP and the Afghan Taliban but also with anti-Pakistani groups and al Qaeda.

The report further revealed that some Taliban members had also joined the TTP, perceiving it as a religious obligation to provide support.

Interlocutors reported that TTP members and their families received regular aid packages from the Taliban. Importantly, the UN report noted a significant increase in Afghan nationals in the TTP ranks. This supported Pakistan’s stance that a growing number of Afghan nationals were involved in suicide attacks in the country.

More recently, a UNSC report said that attacks on Pakistan by the TTP from Afghanistan have increased, endorsing Islamabad's long-running complaints about militant sanctuaries across the border. The 37th report by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, dated February 4, not only endorsed Islamabad's stance that Afghanistan had become a sanctuary for militants who used its territory to launch attacks on Pakistan, but also came at a time when the country is facing a renewed spate of violence.

2 cops martyred as suicide bomber strikes Dajil checkpost in Bhakkar

BHAKKAR/LAHORE Saleem Jadoon

Two policemen were martyred and another officer, along with three civilians, injured when a suicide bomber struck at the Dajil Inter-Provincial Checkpost in Punjab’s Bhakkar district on Tuesday evening, police officials confirmed. In a statement, Abdul Kareem, Inspector General of Punjab Police, confirmed that Constable Faheem Abbas and Constable Shahbaz Madni embraced martyrdom while performing their duty to protect the nation at the Dajil checkpost. The IG Police described their sacrifice as a shining example of bravery, courage, and devotion to duty. The attack coincided with another terrorist incident in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district, where six law enforcement personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police, were martyred in an attack on a police vehicle. The Dajil checkpost, located near the border of Dera Ismail Khan and Bhakkar, came under attack while police were conducting a search operation in the area to maintain law and order. Bhakkar District Police Officer (DPO) Shahzad Rafiq confirmed that a suicide attacker approached the checkpost and detonated explosives. “Two policemen were martyred and one officer was injured, while three passersby also sustained injuries in the blast,” the DPO said. The deceased policemen have been identified as Muhammad Faheem Abbas and Muhammad Shahbaz Madni, while the injured officer is Constable Muhammad Arshad.

Dar to attend emergency OIC moot in Jeddah as Muslim states rally against Israeli moves

ISLAMABAD Staff report

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to Jeddah on Wednesday to attend an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), convened to deliberate on the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East and Israel’s actions in Palestine. The high-level meeting, scheduled for February 26 at the OIC General Secretariat, will be held at the level of foreign ministers.

NA COMMERCE PANEL TO SEEK DEFENCE, INTERIOR, FOREIGN

TMoNitoriNg Desk

HE National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce has decided to seek detailed briefings from the Ministries of Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs, as well as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), over stagnation and decline in Pakistan’s exports to regional countries. As per media reports, the decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Jawed Hanif Khan while discussing a calling attention notice questioning the lack of export growth. Members observed that despite improved diplomatic ties with neighbouring

Bank of Punjab approves additional Rs1b capital injection into BOP Exchange

board decision aims to meet regulatory capital requirements and support business expansion

PROFIT News Desk

The Bank of Punjab (BOP) has approved an additional capital injection of Rs 1 billion into its subsidiary, BOP Exchange Private Limited, according to a disclosure submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Tuesday. The bank’s Board of Directors, in a meeting held on February 17, 2026, authorised the capital increase to strengthen the subsidiary’s regulatory capital position and support its business growth. “Bank’s Board of Directors in its meeting held on 17.02.2026 have approved the Injection of an additional capital of PKR 1.0 billion in BOP Exchange Private Limited to meet the required regulatory Capital requirements and support Business growth,” read the notice sent to the PSX. The Bank of Punjab had decided in 2023 to establish a wholly owned exchange company with an initial authorised capital of Rs 2.50 billion as part of its diversification strategy. In September 2024, the State Bank of Pakistan granted an Exchange Company License to BOP Exchange (Private) Limited, allowing it to commence regulated exchange operations. The latest capital injection further strengthens the subsidiary’s capital base as it scales up its operations.

countries, trade volumes remain negligible. Concerns were also raised about the government’s $60 billion export target, noting that exports have remained between $25–30 billion for nearly two decades.

The committee chairman remarked that regional trade appears to be influenced by security considerations and supported inviting the relevant ministries for comprehensive briefings. The panel agreed to call officials from all concerned institutions.

During the meeting, the committee endorsed the Ministry of Commerce’s decision to allocate Rs15 billion from the Export Development Fund (EDF) to support rice exporters. Officials informed the committee that rice exports have declined by around

50%, contributing to an overall export shortfall of $1.4 billion, with nearly 60% of the decline attributed to the rice sector.

The support package aims to facilitate approximately $1 billion in rice exports amid global oversupply and increased competition following India’s return to export markets. The EDF Board approved the allocation on January 19, 2026, and the scheme applies to shipments made from January 23, 2026 to June 30, 2026, subject to full realization of export proceeds. The initiative will be digitally managed through Pakistan Single Window in coordination with SBP and customs authorities.

The committee also reviewed the proposed Expo Centre Quetta project, approved

at a cost exceeding Rs4.629 billion, and raised concerns about its location and funding delays. It linked approval of a Rs3 billion export acceleration initiative for SMEs to clearance from the Ministry of Planning.

Officials from the Planning Ministry stated that the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP)

Tribunal upholds CCP’s Rs 40 million penalty on UDPL, IBL for anti-competitive agreement

saDDaM HussaiN

The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) has upheld the cumulative penalty of PKR 40 million imposed by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on United Distributors Pakistan Limited (UDPL) and International Brands (Private) Limited (IBL) for entering into an anti-competitive non-compete agreement in violation of Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2010. In its order, the Tribunal affirmed that the appellants, by their own conduct, acknowledged the agreement as a non-com-

pete arrangement and endorsed the CCP’s finding that the agreement restricted competition and constituted a prohibited market-sharing arrangement.

CCP had initiated proceedings after UDPL publicly disclosed to the Pakistan Stock Exchange that it had entered into a non-compete agreement with IBL. Under the agreement, UDPL agreed not to distribute human pharmaceutical products in Pakistan for a period of three years in exchange for a payment of Rs 1.131 billion from IBL.

CCP found that the agreement effectively eliminated UDPL as a competitor in the relevant market and restricted compe-

tition. The substantial payment was deemed a financial incentive to ensure UDPL’s exit from the market, thereby protecting IBL from competitive pressure and creating barriers to entry. Although the agreement contained a clause requiring regulatory approval, both companies failed to obtain prior exemption from CCP and applied for exemption only after the issuance of show cause notices.

CCP rejected the exemption application, concluding that the agreement did not meet the legal criteria for exemption and that the violation had already occurred. Accordingly, the CCP imposed a

AGP directs HESCO to remove meters of three-month defaulters

g Audit flAgs rs 148.3b ArreArs from 400,420 consumers, cites fAilure to implement disconnection orders

Desk

The Auditor General of Pakistan has directed the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) to remove electricity meters of consumers who have defaulted on three consecutive monthly bills, in line with regulations set by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). The audit of HESCO for the financial year 2024–25 found that 400,420 consumers across different tariff categories had defaulted on payments amounting to Rs 148.3 billion as of June 30, 2025. Although EROs were issued for recovery and disconnection, they were not executed. Under NEPRA’s Consumer Service

Manual, a distribution company is required to issue an Equipment Removal Order (ERO) if a consumer fails to clear the third month’s bill along with arrears from the previous two months within the stipulated due date. The manual mandates removal of the metering installation and assignment of a permanently disconnected status. Electricity supply can only be restored after full settlement of dues and completion of formalities under the reconnection policy. When the matter was raised in November 2025, HESCO management informed auditors that recoveries of Rs 398.6 million had been made between July and December 2025. It stated that special recovery campaigns were underway and disconnection notices had been issued, but confirmed that the

EROs remained pending. The audit observed that failure to implement removal orders indicated weak enforcement and inadequate monitoring of defaulting consumers. It warned that leaving installations in place could result in continued unauthorised consumption, potential theft of electricity and equipment, and further buildup of arrears.

In a meeting held on January 16, 2026, the Departmental Accounts Committee directed HESCO management to submit a revised response supported by documentary evidence. The audit has recommended immediate execution of all pending EROs, strengthening of recovery oversight mechanisms, and fixing responsibility on officials concerned to prevent recurrence of such lapses.

penalty of Rs 20 million each on UDPL and IBL under Section 38 of the Competition Act, 2010, for entering into and giving effect to the anti-competitive agreement. The Tribunal upheld CCP’s findings on the violation and endorsed CCP’s view that, following the dismissal of their exemption application, the appellants did not pursue any further legal remedy,

to determine entitlement will be announced after finalisation of the offer document in accordance with the Companies (Further Issue of Shares) Regulations, 2020. Further details regarding the purpose of the issue, utilisation of proceeds, minimum subscription amount and risk factors will be provided in the formal offer document.

g AnAlysts sAy investor sentiment remAins cAutious despite some eAsing in geopoliticAl tensions

Selling pressure continued to impact the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday, with the benchmark KSE100 Index plunging more than 1,400 points at the close as investors adopted a cautious stance.

Market analysts said investor sentiment remained cautious despite some easing in geopolitical tensions. They noted that uncertainty surrounding global developments and domestic economic fact ors continued to weigh on risk appetite. According to the PSX website, the market opened on a positive note, with

the benchmark index gaining more than 1,500 points in the early minutes of trading. However, the momentum quickly reversed as heavy selling pressure set in, dragging the index sharply lower. The index fell to the lowest level of 163,907.59.

Losses were recorded across major sectors, including oil and gas exploration, oil marketing companies and power generation, cement, chemicals, commercial banks, fertilisers. Heavyweight stocks such as HUBCO, MARI, PPL, SSGC, SNGPL, MEBL, UBL and NBP traded in negative territory. At the end of the session, the benchmark index settled at 166,258.54, down by 1432.54 points or 0.85% from the

regional exports. China remained P akistan’s largest import source in the region. Imports from China increased 24.58% to $11.097 billion in 7mFY26 from $8.907 billion a year earlier. پاکستان’s exports to China, however, slipped 1.02% to $1.467 billion in 7mFY26 from $1.482 billion. China accounted for the bulk of Pakistan’s regional imports, followed by India and Bangladesh. Exports to Bangladesh fell 10.48% to $417.62 million in 7mFY26 from $466.55 million last year. Imports from Bangladesh also declined to $42.17 million from $49.05 million, a drop of 14.02%. Exports to Sri Lanka dropped 28.89% to $184.48 million

previous close. On Monday, the market had closed sharply lower, with the KSE100 Index settling at 167,691.08 after losing 5,478.63 points or 3.16%, amid concerns over geopolitical developments, the upcoming IMF review and the corporate earnings season. In international markets, Asian equities were mixed on Tuesday following overnight losses on Wall Street. MSCI’s broad index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.2%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.7% as trading resumed after a holiday. S&P 500 e-mini futures were marginally higher. Global sentiment remained influenced by uncertainty over US trade policy after President Donald Trump indicated that higher duties could be imposed under alternative trade laws following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down certain tariffs.

GOVT COMMITS TO IMF TO ACTIVATE FBR INTEGRITY CELL, DIGITISE CORRUPTION COMPLAINTS

Tand Integrity Management Committee will oversee its functioning.

As part of the reform plan, the FBR will publish anonymised data on the number and status of complaints received and processed to reduce reputational risks and protect complainants.

The published data will include complaints received, rejected after evaluation, formally investigated and categorised by outcome, without disclosing complaint contents by June 2027.

The FBR will also digitise its Complaint Management Cell through a dedicated online platform to log, scrutinise and investigate corruption-related complaints in a standardised and traceable manner. The IMC webpage on the FBR website will be upgraded. An Internal Affairs Unit will be established within the FBR, reporting directly to the chairman, with a

LHC voids Dispute Resolution Committees’ decisions, transfers 1,500+ property cases to tribunals

g FULL BENCH ORDERS FRESH PROCEEDINGS UNDER AMENDED ORDINANCE; TRIBUNALS TO DECIDE CASES WITHIN 30 DAYS

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday set aside all decisions issued by Dispute Resolution Committees (DRCs) in cases concerning alleged illegal occupations under the Punjab Property Ownership Law and ordered the transfer of more than 1,500 pending petitions to designated tribunals for fresh adjudication.

As per media reports, the order was passed by a three-member full bench headed by Chief Justice Aalia Neelam, with Justice Jawad Zafar and Justice Abher Gul Khan as members.

During the hearing, the Advocate General Punjab informed the court that significant amendments had been introduced to the Punjab Property Ownership Law through a recently promulgated ordinance

while the petitions were under consideration. According to the revised framework, judicial powers have been withdrawn from DRCs and transferred to specialised tribunals. The amended law introduces a biometric system for filing complaints and shifts authority from executive bodies to judicial forums. Serving Additional Sessions Judges will now head the tribunals instead of retired judges, and the tribunals are required to decide cases within 30 days.

The court was told that if a matter is already pending before any court, the complainant may request its transfer to a tribunal. The concerned court will examine the record before deciding whether to allow such transfer. It was further clarified that parties dissatisfied with tribunal decisions may seek remedies before constitutional courts, in-

Ishaq Dar to attend emergency OIC moot in Jeddah as Muslim states rally against Israeli moves

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Diplomatic sources said the session has been called in response to recent developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly Israel’s reported moves to declare lands in the occupied West Bank as illegal Israeli property. Sources indicated that member states are expected to strongly condemn Israel’s legal, political and demographic measures in the occupied Palestinian areas, terming them violations of international law and a threat to regional stability. Participating countries are also likely to discuss a coordinated diplomatic strategy to counter Israeli actions. Dar is expected to present Pakistan’s position with a forceful denunciation of what Islamabad considers unlawful Israeli policies and decisions. On the sidelines of the meeting, he is also anticipated to hold talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and other key leaders attending the session. The emergency meeting comes amid intensifying tensions following remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said during a cabinet meeting ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tel Aviv that Israel would create “an entire system—essentially a kind of hexagon of alliances—around or within the Middle East.” Netanyahu listed India, Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration and unnamed Arab, African and Asian countries as potential partners in what he described as an “axis” aligned against so-called radical blocs. Modi is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday and address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. In Islamabad, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution strongly condemning and rejecting Netanyahu’s remarks, expressing concern that such narratives threaten the unity of the Muslim Ummah. The House criticised any attempt to alter the legal or historical status of the occupied Palestinian territories, including holy sites, and denounced Israel’s settlement expansion and displacement of Palestinians. Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank— including settlement expansion, demolition of Palestinian homes and forced displacement—have drawn widespread international criticism in recent years. Observers say the escalating measures have deepened the humanitarian crisis and further diminished prospects for a just and lasting peace in the region.

Air Punjab to be launched by year-end, provincial finance minister says

Punjab Finance Minister and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rahman

cluding the High Court or the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The chief justice observed that the law had undergone substantive changes and noted that petitions challenging its constitutionality would be heard separately at a

later stage. The bench declared all actions and decisions taken

Pakistan

silences

unprovoked cross-border firing by Afghan Taliban

‘immediately and effectively’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

SHARP RESURGENCE IN TERRORIST

ACTIVITY SINCE AFGHAN TALIBAN

RETURNED TO POWER

Pakistan has witnessed a sharp resurgence in terrorist activity since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, with Islamabad repeatedly urging the Taliban administration to dismantle sanctuaries for terrorist groups on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Officials say these repeated appeals have largely gone unheeded.

Tensions escalated once again following the Feb 16 vehicle-borne suicide attack on a joint security forces post in Bajaur district, near the Afghan border. In the assault, terrorists affiliated with the TTP attempted to breach the Malangi checkpost, ramming an explosives-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall after an exchange of fire. The attack left 11 Pakistani soldiers martyred, along with a young girl, while seven others—including women and children—were injured when a nearby residential building was damaged in the blast.

Investigations revealed that the suicide bomber, identified as Amad, alias Qari Abdullah or Abu Zar, was a member of the Afghan Taliban’s special forces from Balkh province. The TTP subsequently claimed responsibility for the attack.

Barely days later, on Feb 21, a lieutenant colonel and a sepoy were martyred in another suicide attack during an intelligence-based operation in Bannu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting the continued threat posed by militants operating across the border.

In an official statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reaffirmed that terrorists were “using Afghan soil” to carry out attacks inside Pakistan, deliberately targeting the country even during the sanctity of the holy month of Ramazan. The military emphasized that Pakistan would not exercise restraint and operations would continue against perpetrators of such “heinous and cowardly acts,” promising justified retribution against Fitna-al-Khawarij regardless of their location. The escalating violence prompted Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to warn on Feb 19 that Pakistan would not hesitate to conduct strikes inside Afghanistan should cross-border attacks continue, underlining that military options remain viable.

The cross-border tensions are not new. In November 2025, Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban government in Afghanistan, alleged that Pakistan had “bombed” Khost province and carried out air strikes in Kunar and Paktika provinces. Pakistan had at the time neither confirmed nor denied the reports, which coincided with a deadly suicide attack on the Federal Constabulary headquarters, leaving three personnel martyred and 12 injured.

These reported strikes followed a series of deadly border clashes at the Pak-Afghan frontier, which resulted in the martyrdom of 23 Pakistani soldiers and the deaths of over 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists, according to ISPR. The clashes began on the night of Oct 11–12, 2025, after the Afghan Taliban and India-sponsored Fitna-al-Khawarij launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan along the bor-

der, further escalating the cycle of violence.

Officials assert that the recent spate of attacks, including the Bajaur and Bannu incidents, demonstrates that terr orists continue to exploit sanctuaries on Afghan soil to plan and execute operations inside Pakistan. The ISPR reiterated that Pakistan’s military and law enforcement agencies remain fully committed to neutralizing these threats, emphasizing a proactive and decisive approach to defending national sovereignty.

The Feb 16 and Feb 21 attacks, occurring within a week of each other, highlight a pattern of cross-border terrorism, including suicide bombings targeting security forces and civilian populations. Authorities have also noted that such attacks are increasingly coordinated with specialized units of the Afghan Taliban, underscoring the strategic threat posed by well-trained and organized militant factions operating with safe havens across the border.

Senior officials in Islamabad stress that Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operations will continue unabated, both to protect civilians and frontline security personnel and to dismantle terrorist infrastructure along the border regions. The military has also reiterated its willingness to act across the border if necessary, emphasizing that national security imperatives take precedence over diplomatic considerations when terrorist elements exploit foreign soil to target Pakistan.

The spate of attacks has prompted renewed calls for regional coordination to address cross-border terrorism. Islamabad continues to urge the Afghan Taliban administration to take concrete action against the TTP and other militant outfits, dismantling their bases and preventing them from plotting attacks on Pakistani territory. Officials insist that failure to act will leave Pakistan no choice but to safeguard its borders through pre-emptive measures, including military strikes if required.

The Bajaur and Bannu attacks come amid a backdrop of intensifying efforts by Pakistan to strengthen border security and counter-terrorism capabilities in collaboration with local law enforcement and paramilitary forces. These incidents have also reignited public debate on the need for a coordinated regional approach to eliminate sanctuaries used by terrorist groups for launching attacks on Pakistan.

The military has consistently emphasized that such operations are not retaliatory against civilians in Afghanistan, but targeted actions aimed at neutralizing the threat posed by terrorist elements that exploit Afghan territory as a launchpad for attacks on Pakistani soil. ISPR sources reaffirm that Pakistan’s approach remains measured, precise, and legally justified, reflecting a commitment to protecting the lives of its citizens and frontline personnel while adhering to international norms of engagement.

In the wake of these incidents, Pakistani authorities have also stressed the humanitarian cost of terrorism, noting that attacks such as the Bajaur blast not only target security personnel but also endanger civilian lives, including women and children. This underscores the urgent need for Afghan authorities to dismantle terror sanctuaries and for the international community to assist in addressing crossborder militancy.

mandate to enforce integrity and anti-corruption policies, investigate misconduct at all staff levels and coordinate with relevant enforcement agencies. Inquiry recommendations of the IMC will be enforced under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules, with penalties imposed in proven cases. Where criminal

Lawmakers question disappearance of 2,828 cartons from Swabi and Mardan warehouses, cite non-cooperation with FIA

A sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior has directed Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial to appear at its next meeting to discuss the reported theft of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes valued at Rs 250 million from FBR warehouses. The panel, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, expressed dissatisfaction over the chairman’s absence and instructed him to attend

and

formed

that attempts had been made but his mobile phone was switched off. The sub-committee has been tasked by the main committee to investigate the disappearance of the cartons from FBR godowns located in Swabi and Mardan. FBR officials informed the panel that six trucks carrying 1,262 cartons of cigarettes had been seized in Swabi on January 14, 2024, as part of enforcement operations.

2 cops martyred as suicide bomber strikes Dajil checkpost in Bhakkar

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

The identities of the injured civilians are still being ascertained. All injured were immediately shifted to District Headquarters Hospital, Bhakkar for treatment. The IG Police directed that Constable Muhammad Arshad be provided the best possible medical care without delay. He also expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs and reaffirmed that Punjab Police stands like a steel wall against terrorist outfits Fitna Al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan, vowing that the nefarious designs of terrorists will be thwarted at all costs. In a statement, Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan, strongly condemned the terrorist attack, expressing deep grief over the loss of police personnel and offering condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured police personnel. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound sorrow over the martyrdom of the police personnel, as reported by Radio Pakistan. He reaffirmed that the sacrifices of law enforcement officials in the fight against terrorism will not be allowed to go in vain and reiterated the government’s unwavering resolve to eradicate terrorism from the country. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also strongly condemned the attack. In her statement, she paid tribute to the martyred policemen, saluting their courage and dedication. She extended heartfelt sympathies to the families of the slain officers and directed authorities to ensure that the injured policeman and others wounded in the incident receive the best possible medical care. The attack has once again underscored the sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel on the frontlines of Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. Security agencies in Punjab and across the country have intensified counter-terrorism operations to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

COMMENT

Invitation for dialogue

THe invitation by the government to the Pakistan Tehrik Insaf to talks meant to strengthen and take forward the Charter of Democracy was probably not meant to be taken seriously, but PM’s Political Affairs Adviser Rana Sanaullah managed to sneak in an attack on PTI founder Imran Khan’s sincerity in holding talks. Considering PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan’s saying that a Release Imran Force could not be formed, the party seems to have got into a cul de sac. Its inability to get Mr Khan released, or indeed its demands met over his eye disease, have clearly driven KP CM Sohail Afridi to head the advice of hotheads, but as Mr Gohar Ali Khan said, any use of the word ‘force’ would lead to a confrontation with the very forces that the PTI was trying to get on its side.

If that is the case, the PTI seems left with no choice but to talk to the government. The PTI claims that it is merely the product of rigging, and that it would only talk with the ‘power behind the throne.’ The establishment has indicated often enough that the PTI should talk to the government. The PTI has tried its best to avoid this, but has not apparently got much benefit from this strategy. The latest occasion, not yet entirely over, has been the eye ailment of Mr Khan, with the PTI insisting that the very examination had been botched, met alone the treatment. However, talks would provide an opportunity for the opposition to raise governance issues, like the issue of participation in the Gaza Peace Board. The specific mention of the Charter of Democracy, which was between the PML(N) and PPP, should be seen as a reference to the role of the establishment, which the Charter precluded, and which all parties accuse each other, of using support from, to scramble to office.

Rana Sana pinpointed the main difficulty to meaningful talks. The PTI looks to Mr Khan, and he seems in no mood to talk. Somehow, the PTI base has developed the view that talking is somehow treachery. True, talking has been something traditional politicians do, and part of Mr Khan’s appeal is that he is not a traditional politician. Still, the sooner the PTI realizes that dialogue is its job as a political party, and not a sign of weakness, the better.

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)

Founding Editor

M. A. Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit

What Jackson did for Palestine

dr JameS J ZOGby

Rev. Jesse Jackson, who passed away last week, was a larger-than-life figure who made enormous and consequential contributions to American life. He registered millions of voters, laying the groundwork for a substantial increase in the number of Black elected officials across the country. He also succeeded in pressing major corporations to increase economic opportunities for Black Americans thereby significantly increasing the Black middle class. As part of the younger generation of Black leaders who had developed a global consciousness, his agenda moved beyond civil rights to make support for movements for social justice and liberation part of the mainstream of American politics. Because of this, he was the first American political leader to recognize and incorporate into his movement my community of Arab Americans and our domestic and foreign policy concerns.

I first began working with Rev. Jesse Jackson in the late 1970s. His staff approached me to discuss his plans for a visit to Palestine/Israel to see for himself the situation in the occupied lands. The injustices he witnessed left an indelible impression, leaving him committed to addressing the centrality of Palestinian rights to Middle east peace. In 1979, when US Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young was removed from his post for speaking with the Palestine Liberation Organization’s UN representative, many Black leaders, Reverend Jackson included, were outraged. It wasn’t just that Andy Young had been a colleague in the civil rights movement. Jackson could not accept that the USA had committed itself to a “no-talk” policy with the Palestinian leaders.

He resolved to visit Beirut to meet directly with PLO chief Yasser Arafat and demonstrate that “a no-talk policy is no policy at all.” Before leaving, he asked to address my PHRC convention, taking place at that time. His presence and his remarks were electrifying and drew national and international media coverage.

In 1983 Rev. Jackson approached me at a dinner and asked me to leave what I was doing and join his campaign for president. When I replied, “I’ve been organizing my community of Arab Americans for the last four years and I’m not sure I can leave what I’m

doing,” he said, “You will do more for your community in the next four months than you’ve done in the last four years.” He was right. Up until that point, Arab Americans had never been welcomed in American politics as an ethnic constituency, mainly because of our support for Palestinian human rights. Candidates had rejected our contributions and endorsements. No campaign had ever included an Arab American committee. And no candidate had raised the issues about which our community cared deeply.   Rev. Jackson changed all that and the response from Arab Americans was overwhelming. In fact, we were so moved by that 1984 campaign, that we launched the Arab American Institute to focus on lessons we’d learned: increasing voter registration, encouraging candidate engagement, and the importance of bringing our concerns into the electoral arena.  Because Rev. Jackson had made it possible to speak about Palestine, we built coalitions around the issue during the 1988 presidential campaign. We elected a record number of delegates across the country, and built coalitions with Black, Latino, progressive Jewish delegates, and others. We passed resolutions supporting Palestinian rights in 10 state Democratic conventions. And at the national convention in Atlanta, we’d earned enough delegates to call for a minority plank on Palestinian rights.   There had never been a discussion about Palestine at a Democratic convention. In negotiations with the presumptive winner Michael Dukakis’s campaign, they were adamant that the issue would not be raised. In fact, Madeleine Albright, representing the Dukakis people said if the “P word” was even mentioned at the convention, “all hell would break loose.” I told them not to play “chicken little” with us and insisted that the issue be discussed. Rev. Jackson asked me to present our plank from the podium of the convention and I did. It was a heady experience to be able to address the National Convention calling for “mutual recognition, territorial compromise, and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians.” My speech was preceded by a floor demonstration of more than 1000 delegates carrying signs calling for Israeli-Palestinian peace and a two-state solutio n and waving Palestinian flags.  It was the first (and unfortunately, the last) time that that issue was raised at a party convention. The backlash was intense. While Rev. Jackson had secured a position for me on the Democratic National Committee, party leaders told me I should withdraw because my presence would make me a target for Republicans and for some Jewish Democ-

rats, who would use an Arab American in a DNC leadership role to attack Dukakis. Incoming Party Chair Ron Brown thought it best that I withdraw but promised to make it up to us. And he did. He became the first party chair to host Arab Americans at party headquarters, to meet with Arab American Democrats around the country, and to address our national conventions. A few years into his term, he appointed me to fill a vacancy on the DNC where I’ve been ever since. In 1994 in the months after Oslo Accords signing, Rev. Jackson accepted an invitation to be keynote speaker at an international peace conference the Palestinians were convening in Jerusalem. Once there, the Israelis said that we could not meet in Jerusalem or hold a political meeting with Palestinians. Rev. Jackson was determined to go forward.  We spoke with Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin and Foreign Minister Shimon Perez urging them to allow the event to go forward. even though they were

announced that we’d march anyway and so we left the hotel walking through the lines of Israeli soldiers. To be honest, I was frightened, but what happened surprised us. Because of the power of his personality and his work, Jackson’s presence was formidable on the world stage. Once

In all the years I worked with Rev. Jackson, I witnessed not only his commitment to justice and courage in the face of challenges, but also the extent to which he recognized that his personal power could make a difference on the world stage. He freed prisoners.

Weaponized diaspora and Pakistan’s battle of narratives

Editor’s mail

Cover drains immediately

IN the 21st century, wars are increasingly fought not on battlefields but in the realm of perception. Narratives, legitimacy, and credibility have become strategic resources, and the diaspora is one of the most effective tools in this battle. Large communities from developing countries live abroad, often in Western democracies, and their voices carry disproportionate influence. Connected simultaneously to home politics and host-country media ecosystems, diaspora groups become powerful amplifiers of narratives that shape how their homeland is viewed globally. Consider the Afghan diaspora in europe and North America. Their testimonies about corruption and mismanagement in Kabul were widely cited in Western media and policy circles, reinforcing the case for conditional aid and eventually justifying disengagement. Similarly, dissident Iranian voices abroad have played a central role in shaping international perceptions of Tehran, portraying the regime as irredeemably authoritarian. These narratives, while rooted in genuine grievances, dovetail neatly with the strategic interests of great powers, providing external legitimacy to policies of sanctions, isolation, or pressure. For Pakistan, this dynamic is particularly relevant. With millions of Pakistanis living in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Gulf, diaspora voices are frequently amplified in international media. When dissident groups abroad portray Pakistan’s institutions as incapable of reforms, their words are not dismissed as domestic political rhetoric. Instead, they are received as credible external testimony, reinforcing perceptions of dysfunction. This can influence aid conditionalities, investment decisions, and even diplomatic postures. The danger lies not only in reputational damage but also in the gradual erosion of Pakistan’s ability to define its own narrative on the global stage. The weaponization of diaspora networks is not accidental. It reflects a broader shift in geopolitics where information dominance is prioritized over kinetic force. Legitimacy has become a

strategic resource, and undermining an adversary’s legitimacy can yield long-term dividends without the costs of direct confrontation. Diaspora communities, with their transnational reach and perceived credibility, are ideal instruments in this endeavor. Their testimonies, whether motivated by genuine grievances or external inducements, are repackaged into legible stories that align with the interests of powerful actors.

Pakistan’s challenge is twofold. First, it must recognize that perceptual warfare is not a peripheral concern but a central dimension of contemporary geopolitics. Second, it must develop strategies to mitigate the weaponization of its diaspora while simultaneously harnessing diaspora potential for constructive engagement. Suppressing dissent abroad is neither feasible nor desirable, yet ignoring the strategic implications of diaspora narratives is equally perilous.

Pakistan can respond in several ways. One is to invest in proactive narrative management by cultivating credible voices within its diaspora who can articulate balanced perspectives. This does not mean manufacturing propaganda but enabling diaspora members to highlight Pakistan’s achievements, reforms, and resilience alongside its challenges. Structured diaspora engagement platforms—such as cultural forums, professional associations, and academic networks—can provide alternative channels for shaping narratives. equally important is strengthening domestic institutions. Diaspora narratives gain traction internationally when they resonate with observable dysfunction at home. By addressing governance deficits, ensuring transparency, and delivering public services effectively, Pakistan could reduce the credibility gap that dissident voices exploit.

Institutional resilience at home is the most effective antidote to external delegitimization.

Pakistan must also enhance its media diplomacy. This involves training officials and experts to engage with international media, producing content that counters misperceptions, and leveraging digital platforms to project Pakistan’s narrative globally. Partnerships with neutral think tanks, universities, and research institutions abroad can further help contextualize Pakistan’s challenges within broader global trends, thereby diluting the perception of exceptional dysfunction. Finally, Pakistan should adopt a nuanced approach toward diaspora dissent. Not all criticism is hostile. Constructive critique could also be integrated into reform processes, while weaponized narratives must be countered through evidencebased rebuttals and strategic communication. This requires a sophisticated understanding of information ecosystems and the ability to engage in dialogue without defensiveness.

Diaspora networks will remain influential amplifiers. The question is whether Pakistan allows them to become exclusively adversarial or whether it can transform them into assets for narrative resilience. Recognizing the dual potential of diaspora communities—as both risks and resources—will be key to ensuring that Pakistan’s story is not written by others but told authentically by itself.

The writer is a freelance columnist covering current affairs, geopolitics, and disaster management, aiming to contribute informed insights to national discourse. He can be reached at naveedsafdar13@gmail.com

The overall environment has become unhygienic, and the residents are living in constant discomfort. I humbly request the concerned authorities to take immediate action to cover the drains and improve the drainage system in Singanisar. This will help improve public health and make life easier for the residents.

BIBI AYESHA SINGANISAR, BALOCHISTAN

PTC hiring pitfalls

THe provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), in a bid to fix the fractured education system, recently approved the hiring of 10,000 primary school teachers under the Parent Teacher Council (PTC) system on a temporary basis. The step is said to have been taken to ensure the presence of teachers in schools, especially in areas away from the mainstream. However, hiring temporary teachers cannot fix institutional paralysis. The policymakers have not thought about the basic flaws in the approach.

First, a decentralised hiring mechanism set for appointing teachers under PTC is prone to nepotism. Second, the job contract is short, four months for schools in the winter zone, and five months for those in the summer zone. How can a teacher-student bond, which is crucial for learning, be created in this short span? Besides, the honorarium for these new teachers is set at Rs25,000 per month. Keeping high inflation in mind and the designated minimum wage regulation, is this even fair? The KP government is clearly unaware of the ground realities.

Lavish weddings harm society

exTRAvAGANT weddings in Pakistan, marked by excessive events and unnecessary food wastage, are negatively affecting both the environment and society. This growing trend is also distorting our cultural values. Wealthy families often organise lavish, multi-day wedding celebrations which create immense social pressure on poorer families. When lesser privileged people witness such grand displays, many begin to feel a sense of inferiority, leading to stress, anxiety and even depression.

There are even claims that Pakistanis spend up to 200 billion rupees annually on weddings. Traditional values of simplicity and togetherness are being overshadowed by a culture of showmanship. Weddings are no longer cantered on meaningful celebrations; instead, many people focus on creating content for social media platforms such as reels and TikTok videos. As a result, privacy has also diminished significantly. People display fake happiness and performative love merely to gain online attention, often without genuinely

Russia and regional pressures in 2026

Not just Russians

governance, it has instead generated resentment among citizens and lower-tier elites who see it as another step towards the hollowing-out of local self-government.

AS Russia enters 2026, attention is increasingly shifting away from the Kremlin’s grand narratives towards the country’s regions, republics and municipalities, where the long-term consequences of war, economic contraction and political centralisation are becoming harder to contain. From depleted regional budgets to simmering ethnic and social tensions, Russia’s internal landscape is marked less by stability than by accumulated strain. Experts observing domestic politics, social movements and regional security point to a year in which financial stress, administrative reforms and grassroots responses will interact in unpredictable ways, shaping both political management and the possibilities of future transformation.

According to András Tóth-Czifra, a Russia specialist, the most immediate fault line in 2026 will run through regional and municipal finances. Most regions are beginning the year with lean budgets and exhausted fiscal reserves, the result of years of war-related spending, declining revenues and growing dependence on federal transfers. Yet while resources are tightening, social obligations are not diminishing. On the contrary, pressure on social policy including benefits, housing support and services for war veterans and their families is likely to remain intense.

Early warning signs are already visible. In industrial regions such as Kemerovo and Irkutsk, authorities have been forced to juggle rising welfare commitments with weakening economic bases. Other territories dependent on extractive or declining industries may soon face similar crunches, as production slows, investment weakens and tax receipts fall. The political risk lies not only in unpaid bills, but in the erosion of governors’ capacity to absorb shocks through discretionary spending and informal fixes.

Tóth-Czifra also highlights the importance of the ongoing municipal administration reform. Designed to streamline

This backlash may not immediately translate into open protest, but it threatens to weaken the informal coalitions that have traditionally underpinned regional stability. With the 2026 State Duma election approaching, even limited disaffection within administrative layers could complicate electoral management and increase the costs of control. The reform carries another sensitive implication. By reducing the number of lower-tier posts, it narrows the pool of positions into which returning war participants can be quietly absorbed. From the Kremlin’s perspective, these appointments have served as a means of social pacification. Their contraction risks intensifying competition over resources and status, injecting further tension into already strained local political environments.

While fiscal stress shapes the formal political arena, Iliuza Mukhamedianova, a Bashkir social researcher, argues that the deeper story of 2026 will unfold beyond official institutions. In the ethnic republics, she is paying closest attention to grassroots dynamics: local protests, cultural initiatives, educational projects and forms of low-visibility activism that rarely appear in national media but reveal the underlying condition of society.

In Bashkortostan, this includes the aftershocks of the Baymak protests, which exposed the depth of resentment over environmental degradation, governance and cultural marginalization. Environmental conflicts linked to resource extraction and land use remain particularly significant. In rural and Indigenous communities, disputes over quarries, forests and water systems often fuse economic grievances with questions of identity and dignity. These flashpoints are where social inequality, cultural survival and political resistance intersect most clearly.

Mukhamedianova does not expect im-

provement at the institutional level. On the contrary, she anticipates a tightening of control, more repression and a narrowing of permissible public activity. Yet this does not imply social passivity. Across the republics, people are forming new informal networks, rediscovering mutual aid and experimenting with quieter forms of solidarity. These initiatives may lack the visibility of mass movements, but they cultivate skills, trust and narratives that could one day underpin broader change.

In the North Caucasus, the balance between containment and volatility remains particularly fragile. Harold Chambers, who studies nationalism, conflict and security in the region, identifies three sets of variables to watch in 2026: socioeconomic stress, extremist threats and the evolution of both peaceful and violent resistance. Economic pressures are likely to deepen. Infrastructure failures, inflation and unemployment continue to weigh heavily on republics already marked by demographic growth and limited opportunity.

Against this backdrop, the risk of recruitment by extremist groups, including remnants of the Islamic State or more obscure violent networks, cannot be dismissed. Chambers also notes the symbolic and political importance of upcoming events, from Dagestan’s parliamentary elections to the marking of five years since the killing of Aslan Byutukayev, the alleged Islamic State leader in Chechnya. Such anniversaries can serve as triggers, either for insurgent activity or for demonstrative security operations by the authorities.

Two broader dynamics could drive instability. The first is the return of the Ukraine war to the domestic sphere: through the social consequences of mobilisation, the presence of traumatised veterans, and the extension of the conflict into Russian territory via drone attacks or sabotage. The second is the intensifying succession question in Chechnya. As Ramzan Kadyrov promotes

his son Adam more openly, resistance is likely not only from within the republic but also from federal actors wary of hereditary rule. Efforts to undermine or bypass this succession plan could unsett le the delicate equilibrium that has defined Chechnya’s post-war order.

For Lana Pylaeva, a Komi human rights activist and analyst, 2026 will be shaped by a contradiction at the heart of state policy. On the surface, Moscow is paying unprecedented attention to Indigenous communities. Vladimir Putin’s declaration of 2026 as the “Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia” and the introduction of new official holidays project an image of cultural inclusion. Internationally, Indigenous themes are increasingly woven into Russia’s efforts to present itself as a decolonial alternative to Western powers.

Yet this symbolic recognition is accompanied by intensifying repression. Indigenous activists were targeted in a new wave of arrests in December, and Pylaeva expects pressure to grow. Expressions of Indigenous identity are likely to be channelled into tightly managed festivals and exhibitions, while independent advocacy over land rights, language and self-determination faces shrinking space. At the same time, infrastructural and extractive projects in the Arctic and northern regions are accelerating.

Pylaeva is closely monitoring plans ranging from open-air nature reserves and year-round resorts in the Northern Urals to prospective gold mining at the Chudnoe deposit. Particularly controversial are proposals to divert water from the Pechora and Northern Dvina rivers towards occupied Donbas projects that carry profound environmental and social risks. Against this backdrop, local activism in Komi, though constrained, remains a source of cautious optimism, sustaining the idea that resistance has not been extinguished.

Dr Maria Ochir-Goryaeva, an Oirat (Kalmyk) historian and human rights defender, situates 2026 within a longer arc of

Russia in 2026, viewed from its regions, is less a monolith than a mosaic of pressures and possibilities. The budgets may be thin, and the administrative space increasingly cramped, but the social terrain remains active. Whether these undercurrents will one day translate into broader change remains uncertain. What is clear is that the future of the country is being negotiated not only in Moscow, but in its towns, villages and republics, where the costs of the present are felt most directly and where the seeds of whatever comes next are quietly being sown.

Iran’s 400% espionage surge in Israel

Approximately 25 Israelis and foreign residents were indicted in 2025 for espionage on behalf of Iran

ISRAEL’S security establishment has defined 2024–2025 as an unprecedented period of Iranian espionage activity inside the country. According to the January 2026 annual report of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), approximately 25 Israelis and foreign residents were indicted in 2025 for espionage on behalf of Iran, with more than 35 indictments filed and 120 Iranian espionage incidents thwarted during that year. Recruitment attempts increased by 400% compared to 2024 – which itself had already seen a 400% rise over 2023. What was once sporadic has become systematic.

This is according to research conducted by experts at the Dor Moriah Analytical Center, who examined not only the operational dimension of the cases but also the deeper societal patterns that made such recruitment possible.

The escalation is not merely quantitative – it is qualitative. In previous years, Iranian intelligence was believed to rely primarily on marginal individuals. During 2024–2025, however, those arrested included active-duty IDF soldiers, reservists, ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students, immigrants from the former Soviet Union, married couples, and teenagers.

The age range of suspects spans from 13 to 73, with more than half in their teens or twenties. Notably, the majority of those implicated were Jewish Israeli citizens rather than members of the Arab minority.

A Washington Institute review documented 39 Iranian operations in Israel between 2013 and 2025, some 31 of which involved Israeli citizens. In total, more than 45 Israelis were implicated across these cases. Security assessments suggest that as many as 1,000 Israeli citizens may have been approached by Iranian handlers over recent years. The data referenced by Dor Moriah suggests a deliberate Iranian shift from peripheral recruitment to penetration of the societal mainstream.

The recruitment process follows a structured psychological escalation. Initial contact is typically made via Telegram, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, or X. Handlers use aliases and present themselves as activists or intermediaries offering quick money.

Phase one involves minor tasks such as spraying graffiti or photographing public areas, which results in the payment of $50–$200. Phase two escalates to arson or surveillance of malls and hospitals, with payments ranging between $200 and $1,000. Phase three includes full espionage – photographing military facilities, gathering intelligence on senior officials, or recruiting others – paying $1,000–$5,000. Phase four moves toward assassination preparation, with promised payments of $60,000–$200,000 and, in some cases, offers of weapons training abroad and relocation.

Notably, the majority of those implicated were Jewish Israeli citizens rather than members of the Arab minority

In certain cases, the transition from initial contact to assassination planning reportedly occurred within nine days – demonstrating how rapidly individuals can be drawn deeper once psychological leverage is established. Military penetration has been particularly alarming. Two 21-year-old IDF reservists were arrested for allegedly transmitting information about the Iron Dome missile defense system. An active-duty Givati Brigade soldier was accused of photographing sensitive sites inside military bases. Civilian infrastructure – including Ben-Gurion Airport, shopping malls, hospitals, and the homes of senior officials –was also documented by recruited agents.

TURKEY IS A CENTRAL MEETING POINT BETWEEN HANDLERS, RECRUITS: Financial flows are structured to avoid detection. Cryptocurrency, primarily Bitcoin and Ethereum, is split into small transactions before being converted into cash. Turkey has emerged as a central meeting hub between handlers and recruits. Despite the surge, Israeli security services prevented all known assassination attempts during the period. However, intelligence damage did occur. In at least one case, a military base was photographed before being struck by a drone attack.

In July 2025, the Shin Bet launched a national awareness campaign titled “Easy Money, Heavy Price.” The need for such a campaign underscores the seriousness of the problem. As highlighted in the broader analysis by the Dor Moriah Analytical Center, espionage is not only a counterintelligence issue but also a reflection of social vulnerability. Economic hardship, ideological alienation, weakened deterrence, and declining social cohesion create openings that foreign actors can exploit. Espionage in this context becomes a symptom of structural fractures rather than solely an intelligence failure. If the 400% annual growth pattern continues, cases in 2026 could exceed 100. Iran has demonstrated adaptability and a willingness to escalate from intelligence gathering to operational preparation for targeted violence.

Countering this threat requires a comprehensive approach: AI-based monitoring of recruitment patterns, blockchain tracking of illicit financial flows, stronger sentencing, community outreach, and –critically – restoration of public trust.

Espionage thrives where cohesion weakens. The surge of 2024–2025 suggests that Tehran has identified and begun to systematically test those vulnerabilities. Whether the trajectory can be reversed will depend not only on arrests and prevention, but on reinforcing the societal resilience that makes recruitment harder in the first place.

The writer is CEO of the Dona Gracia Center for Diplomacy and an Israel-based journalist. She is the author of Women and Jihad: Debating Palestinian Female Suicide Bombings in the American, Israeli and Arab media.

erosion. Over the past year, she has watched a succession of laws further strip the republics of what remained of their autonomy. In schools, the teaching of Indigenous languages and literature is being steadily reduced, while militarised curricula spread ever deeper into both school and preschool education. The juxtaposition is stark: as families mourn relatives lost in a distant war, the next generation is prepared to continue it. \Yet even here, the picture is not one of unbroken decline. New grassroots initiatives devoted to reviving language, culture and historical memory are emerging, often beyond formal institutions. These projects seek not merely to preserve heritage, but to live it, embedding identity in everyday practice. Ochir-Goryaeva frames 2026 as a moment of existential uncertainty. The global environment, she argues, seems poised between radically divergent outcomes: a possible peace settlement or a dangerous escalation. For Kalmyks and other Indigenous peoples, the stakes are immediate. The question of whether their communities retain a future, she insists, depends increasingly on ordinary citizens rather than political elites, who show little concern for cultural survival.

Taken together, these perspectives suggest that 2026 will not be defined by dramatic rupture so much as by accumulation. Financial stress, administrative centralisation, environmental conflict, cultural suppression and the aftershocks of war are converging across Russia’s regions. The state’s response— tighter control, symbolic inclusion and selective repression— may succeed in postponing open crisis. But it also narrows the channels through which grievances can be mediated. At the same time, beneath the surface of formal politics, new social fabrics are being woven: local networks, cultural initiatives, quiet acts of solidarity. They do not yet amount to a political alternative, but they are shaping mentalities and relationships that could outlast the present configuration of power.

Russia in 2026, viewed from its regions, is less a monolith than a mosaic of pressures and possibilities. The budgets may be thin, and the administrative space increasingly cramped, but the social terrain remains active. Whether these undercurrents will one day translate into broade r change remains uncertain. What is clear is that the future of the country is being negotiated not only in Moscow, but in its towns, villages and republics, where the costs of the present are felt most directly and where the seeds of whatever comes next are quietly being sown.

The writer has a PhD in Political Science and can be reached at akramzaheer86@yahoo.com

Iran cannot defeat

US military

might, but it can still

Capitulation in the form of a deal will not stave off US aggression. Defiance through regional alliances could

LAST week, American diplomats and their Iranian counterparts sat down in Geneva for yet another round of talks mediated by Oman. The outcome seemed unclear. While the Iranians said “good progress” had been made, the Americans claimed there was “a little progress”. Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump threatened once again to strike Iran.

In recent weeks, there has been a heavy US military build-up in the Middle East in preparation for what many observers see as an imminent attack. In this context, it may be apt to question whether the current negotiations are not simply a tactic to buy time to better prepare for the inevitable.

In the face of US military might, some have suggested that Iran’s only option is negotiating an agreement with the US, however unfair it may be. While Iranian military capabilities stand no chance against an army with the world’s biggest budget, accepting capitulation through a debilitating deal that may be broken again by Washington may not necessarily be Tehran’s only choice. There is another way in which Iran can stand up to US bullying and win.

THE FATE OF PAST NEGOTIATIONS: The ongoing US-Iran talks cannot be viewed in isolation. For Iran, any diplomatic engagement with the US is overshadowed by the legacy of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Signed by the US, China, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the European Union and Iran in 2015, the agreement provided sanctions relief in exchange for full transparency of the Iranian nuclear programme. Tehran accepted the deal even though it had some unfair provisions, including some US sanctions remaining in place. Nevertheless, it fulfilled its obligations – a fact that was repeatedly verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In return, however, the US as a signatory did not uphold its end of the deal. In 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed maximum pressure sanctions aimed at crippling Iran’s economy.

It was a stark reminder that American promises are nonbinding. As a leader who has shown no regard for the interests of American allies in pursuit of an “America first” policy, Trump could hardly be expected to respect the interests of American adversaries.

However, even if a Democratic president had been in the White House, there would not have been any guarantee that the JCPOA would have remained in place. In the US’s polarised political climate, an American president’s signature is only valid until the next election.

For the US, negotiations can also be little more than a facade intended to lull adversaries into a false sense of security. Last year, just as US and Iranian representatives were scheduled to meet in Oman for another round of talks, Israel, a key American ally, launched a massive military campaign against Iran.

While the US denied direct involvement, it acknowledged having received prior notice. Given the close ties between the two countries, this prior knowledge strongly

win

implied that the US had given Israel tacit approval for the air attacks. Today, Iran is engaging in negotiations with the US again, and it is being pressured to accept an even more unfair deal. Should it back down and submit to US demands, then Trump – who preys on perceived weakness – would simply move the goalpost. Demands would shift from Iran’s nuclear programme today to its ballistic missiles tomorrow and regime change the day after.

The special US relationship with Israel means that Washington is fundamentally hostile to an Iranian government that sees the Israeli state as an enemy. Consequently, Trump’s goal is not to reach a durable agreement but to ensure that Iran can never fully comply with his demands, thereby justifying a permanent campaign of maximum pressure and hostility. In this context and given its recent experience, it would be foolish for Iran to rely on US promises and negotiated agreements.

LEVERAGE THROUGH STRONG REGIONAL TIES: The current US-Iran standoff is a high-stakes game in which an all-out war is a likely outcome. While the US could achieve an initial victory through overwhelming military superiority, it could also get bogged down fighting a protracted counterinsurgency in Iran’s mountainous terrain. Conversely, while Iran could eventually repel an American invasion – just as its Afghan neighbours did –the country would be reduced to rubble in the process. That does not mean Iran should back down. The Greenland crisis and the China-US trade war have demonstrated that Trump’s propensity for sabre-rattling is tempered by his aversion to losses. Even though the EU and China are far more powerful than Iran, a clear show of resolve could compel Trump to retreat. And Tehran does not have to be alone in its defiance. In its neighbourhood, there are other big players who recognise that another disastrous war led by the US is not in their interests. Iran can and should leverage the regional desire for stability.

UK GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS DISCLOSURE OF FILES LINKED TO PRINCE ANDREW’S ENVOY ROLE

UK Agencies

KEIRStarmer’s government has expressed support for releasing official documents related to the former trade envoy role of Prince Andrew, as scrutiny intensifies in the wake of fresh developments tied to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

The move comes after US authorities published a vast trove of records connected to Epstein, prompting renewed political and public pressure in Britain. The disclosures have fuelled calls for greater transparency and triggered two separate police investigations involving prominent figures.

The Liberal Democrats have tabled a parliamentary motion seeking the publication of vetting documents concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as UK trade envoy, a position he held from 2001 to 2011. The former royal was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office,

while King Charles III has stated that the legal process should proceed without interference.Liberal Democrat leader Ed

Davey described the controversy surrounding Andrew and former minister

Peter Mandelson as damaging to the country’s reputation, arguing that transparency is necessary to restore public trust.

Mandelson, a long-time figure in British politics and formerly the UK ambassador to Washington, was arrested this week as part of a separate misconduct investigation also linked to Epstein. His appointment had already sparked political backlash, leading to the resignation of two senior aides and raising questions over government judgment.

Cabinet Office minister Chris Bryant told parliament that the government backs releasing documents from Andrew’s appointment under then-prime minister Tony Blair. He said such transparency was owed to Epstein’s victims, but cautioned that any disclosures would need to align with ongoing police investigations to avoid compro-

mising them.

Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles last year, is being investigated over allegations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his tenure as envoy. He has denied wrongdoing in relation to the late financier.

Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who died last year, had alleged she was trafficked to Andrew on multiple occasions when she was a teenager. In 2022, Andrew settled a civil lawsuit brought by Giuffre in the United States without admitting liability.

The current parliamentary motion, known as a humble address, follows a similar move that successfully compelled the release of documents concerning Mandelson’s 2024 diplomatic appointment. The government has indicated it intends to begin publishing the first batch of Mandelson-related files in early March, though officials stress that police guidance will determine what can be made public.

Neither Andrew nor Mandelson has been formally charged.

Israeli opposition to skip Modi’s Knesset speech amid dispute over judicial protocol

g THE ISRAELI OPPOSITION PLANS TO BOYCOTT MODI'S KNESSET SPEECH DUE TO A DISPUTE OVER JUDICIAL PROTOCOL. OPPOSITION LEADER YAIR LAPID URGES INTERVENTION TO INCLUDE THE CHIEF JUSTICE

Narendra Modi is set to address the Knesset during his upcoming visit to Israel, but the country’s opposition has announced plans to boycott the session, according to a report by Israeli daily Haaretz. Modi will visit Israel from February 25 to 26, marking his second trip to the country, as confirmed by India’s foreign ministry.

The reported boycott stems from a dispute between opposition lea der Yair Lapid and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. The disagreement centres on Ohana’s decision not to invite Supreme Court President Isaac Amit to attend the special parliamentary session, a move Lapid argues breaks with established practice.

Haaretz said Lapid has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intervene and ensure Amit is invited. In a

Russian ministry estimates up to 23,000 militants active in Afghanistan

RUSSIA stAff RepoRt

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has estimated that between 20,000 and 23,000 militants linked to international organisations are currently operating in Afghanistan, with more than half identified as foreign nationals. The report names several key groups, including Islamic State – Khorasan Province with roughly 3,000 members, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan with an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters, and Al-Qaeda numbering between 400 and 1,500 members. Other organisations cited include the Islamic Movement of East Turkestan, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan — now known as the Islamic Party of Turkestan — and Jamaat Ansarullah. According to the ministry, the TTP remains primarily based in Afghanistan’s southeast and east, where it continues to direct attacks into Pakistan, contributing to strained relations between the neighbouring countries. The report highlights the presence of ISIS-K training camps and sleeper cells across various regions. While the group is not described as an immediate threat to the ruling Taliban authorities, its attacks are said to carry reputational consequences by challenging perceptions of the Taliban’s ability to maintain national security. ISIS-K is reported to be most active in eastern, northern and northeastern Afghanistan, with ambitions of expanding into Central Asia in pursuit of a broader regional agenda. Despite a claimed decline in activity, major attacks have continued into 2025 and 2026, including assaults in Baghlan, Takhar and Kunduz. Al-Qaeda is said to retain networks in provinces such as Ghazni, Laghman, Kunar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Parwan and Urozgan, using Afghanistan as a base to strengthen ties with other extremist factions and expand regional influence.

post on X, Lapid stressed the opposition’s desir e to attend the session but warned that excluding the chief justice would ef-

fectively prevent their participation.

Speaking in the Knesset last week, Lapid cautioned that sidelining Justice Amit would amount to sidelining the opposition, making it impossible for them to be present during Modi’s address. He added that the opposition does not want to see a situation where the Indian leader addresses a sparsely attended chamber.

The report also cited Lapid as saying that the Indian embassy appeared concerned about the unfolding dispute. In response, Ohana reportedly said he would invite former lawmakers to fill any empty seats left by boycotting members. He also called on Lapid not to undermine Israel’s foreign relations with what he described as one of the world’s most significant powers, characterising the boycott as an inappropriate political tactic.

The developments come against the backdrop of broader tensions over the Israeli government’s push to advance legislation aimed at reshaping the powers of the judiciary.

China eyes deepening cooperation with Germany ahead of Merz visit

BEIJING

stAff coRRespondent

China on Tuesday said it is willing to deepen cooperation with Germany, and the win-win collaboration between China and Germany has delivered tangible benefits to both peoples.

Beijing also reiterated its readiness to work with Berlin to support free trade and safeguard the rules-based multilateral trading system.

The remarks came ahead of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's official visit to China from February 25 to 26 – his first trip to the country since taking office.

During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Merz, and Premier Li Qiang will hold talks with him to exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters in a media briefing. As the world's second and third-largest economies, China and Germany share broad common interests, and the steady development of bilateral ties serves both countries and meets global expectations, Mao said.

China is ready to take the upcoming visit as an opportunity to enhance mutual understanding and political trust, deepen practical cooperation, and advance bilateral relations in line with the principles of mutual respect, equality and win-win outcomes, the spokesperson said.

She added that both sides should work together to contribute more to global peace and prosperity.

On the same day, the Ministry of Commerce highlighted the strength of bilateral economic ties. Its spokesperson said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Germany has remained China's largest trading partner and source of foreign investment in Eur ope.

In recent years, bilateral trade has consistently exceeded $200 billion, while two-way investment stock has surpassed $65 billion, accounting for nearly a quarter of China-EU totals. The two economies are deeply integrated, with an increasingly solid foundation for cooperation, the ministry said.According to the spokesperson, Merz will be accompanied by a high-level business delegation comprising executives from around 30 leading German enterprises in key sectors such as automobiles,

chemicals, biopharmaceuticals, machinery manufacturing and the circular economy, reflecting Germany's strong commitment to expanding economic and trade cooperation. The spokesperson noted that China attaches great importance to economic ties with Germany and is working closely with the German side to prepare events, including a meeting of the the China-Germany Economic Advisory Committee, aimed at providing a platform for enterprises to exchange views and explore new cooperation potentials.

Noting that this year marks the beginning of China's 15th FiveYear Plan period (2026-2030), the spokesperson said China welcomes German companies to seize the opportunity to consolidate cooperation in traditional sectors and expand collaboration in emerging fields such as clean energy, embodied artificial intelligence, biotechnology and industrial digitalization.

Heavy lockdown imposed in Srinagar ahead of India’s vice president’s visit

SRINAGAR

Agencies

In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian authorities have virtually fortified the Kashmir valley particularly Srinagar ahead of the visit of Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday. According to Kashmir Media Service, massive contingents of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed across Srinagar, turning large parts of the city—particularly the vicinity of the University of Kashmir at Hazratbal—into a heavily militarized zonewith multi-layered security grids established along all major routes leading to the university campus. Indian forces’ personnel are manning key intersections, erecting barricades, conducting intensified vehicle searches, and subjecting commuters to frisking, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Additional checkpoints have been set up at entry and exit points of the city, while random checking and identity verification drives have been launched. Residents in several areas reported frequent disruptions and heightened surveillance, as authorities imposed strict movement controls under the guise of “standard protocol” for the visit. As part of what officials described as preventive measures, Indian forces carried out speculative Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) in different parts of Srinagar and adjoining areas on Monday. Door-to-door searches were conducted in so-called sensitive localities, further tightening the grip of the occupation forces and reinforcing the perception of collective punishment. The University of Kashmir campus has been placed under an extraordinary military lockdown, with access strictly regulated. Multiple frisking points, barricades, sniffer dogs, and bomb disposal squads have been deployed around the premises. Students and faculty members expressed concern over the overwhelming presence of armed personnel during what is meant to be an academic ceremony. Observers say the massive military build-up once again exposes the fragility of India’s claims of “normalcy” in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Humaara Karachi Movement Launches Street Assembly on Fire Safety at Denso Hall

KARACHI staff report

The Humaara Karachi Movement, led by architect Dr Yasmeen Lari, formally launched its citywide citizen initiative with a Street Assembly at Denso Hall Rahguzar Walking Street, Karachi.The initiative follows the recent Gul Plaza tragedy and marks the beginning of a structured, zero funding, non political effort to improve fire safety standards and civic responsibility across Karachi.Organised by the Humaara Karachi Core Committee in collaboration with the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan, the Institute of Architects Pakistan and the Association of Consulting Engineers Pakistan, the assembly focused on fire protection arrangements for Rahguzar buildings and the adjoining medicine market.The programme commenced with a live fire drill demonstration at 11:30 am, followed by a recitation

PUNJAB RECORDS HISTORIC 50% RAMAZAN PRICE

SECURITY

g CM MARYAM NAWAZ CONDUCTS COMPREHENSIVE, ITEM-BY-ITEM REVIEW OF PRICES OF FRUITS, VEGETABLES, FLOUR, CHICKEN AND OTHER ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

AStandards of Lahore’s development, beauty being extended across Punjab: Azma Bokhari

LAHORE staff report

The Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that the beauty and development of Lahore are now being felt in other cities across Pakistan. Development projects matching Lahore’s standards are now being launched in other cities of Punjab, and the journey of progress and prosperity is no longer limited to Lahore alone. She further stated that Maryam

during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Speaking on the occasion, Consul General Sanjeeva Pattiwila said that both Pakistan and Sri Lanka are currently demonstrating outstanding performances in various sports. He noted that Sri Lanka ensured excellent arrangements during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and a large number of spectators from Pakistan visited Sri Lanka during the tournament and appreciated the hospitality extended to them.Chairman Atif Iqbal briefed the Consul General on the activities and initiatives of RK Sports Management. He stated that the organization is committed to promoting sports by identifying and nurturing talent at the grassroots level. He further expressed interest in organizing sports events in collaboration with Sri Lanka and expressed hope for mutual cooperation in this regard.President Rais Khan stated that Pakistan and Sri Lanka share strong relations, and there are significant opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of sports and culture.At the conclusion of the meeting, the Consul General cut a cake along with the delegation.

Industrial growth must be prioritized in IMF talks: KATI President

KARACHI staff report

Muhammad Ikram Rajput, President of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), has urged the government to ensure that negotiations with the visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission go beyond securing the next loan tranche and focus on easing conditions to accelerate industrial activity and boost exports.He said the IMF visit is crucial for economic stability, but industrialists are increasingly concerned that stringent financial conditions are driving up production costs. Rajput noted that despite a significant decline in inflation, the high interest rate remains a major obstacle to industrial investment and called on the government to reduce the policy rate by at least three percent to provide relief to businesses.He further emphasized that the documented manufacturing sector requires corporate tax relief, suggesting that the current 29 percent rate be lowered to improve competitiveness in global markets. According to Rajput, high energy tariffs and the burden of circular debt have become serious challenges for industrial operations, making it necessary to freeze or reduce electricity and gas prices for industrial consumers to sustain export orders.Rajput also stressed the need to broaden the tax base rather than placing additional pressure on existing taxpayers, urging the government to expand the efforts of the Federal Board of Revenue.

Nawaz has eliminat ed any distinction between Lahore and other cities in Punjab, and now, modern projects in health, education, and infrastructure are being expanded provincewide.

Azma Bokhari emphasized that, for the first time, the taxes paid by the people of Punjab are being spent honestly and transparently for their welfare. That's why no one can question the multi-billion-rupee development projects of the Punjab government. Punjab continues to

Randhawa chairs 2nd meeting of CDA board

ISLAMABAD staff report

The 2nd meeting of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The meeting was attended by Member Administration and Estate Talat Mehmood, Member Finance Tahir Naeem, Member Engineering Syed Nafasat Raza, Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch, Member Planning and Design, Dr. Khalid Hafiz and other senior officers. Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of Punjab University, Dr. Muhammad Ali, participated in the CDA Board meeting via Zoom link. Several agenda items were discussed in the second meeting of the CDA Board.According to details, the second meeting of the CDA Board approved the Islamabad Capital Territory Urban Regeneration/Renewal (Regulations, Upgradation and Relocation) Regulations 2025. CDA Board approved the regulations in light of the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and under the CDA Ordinance 1960. The aim of these regulations is to regularize and upgrade the already recognized Katchi Abadis existing in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) in accordance with the law.It is pertinent to note that these Katchi Abadis were declared regularized by the Federal government between 1995 and 2004. In these Katchi Abadis, only those individuals will be considered entitled residents who were found residing there in the survey conducted up to December 31, 2002.The Spatial Directorate of the Planning Wing CDA will conduct a fresh survey of these recognized Katchi Abadis. Based on these surveys, schemes for the upgradation and resettlement of these Katchi Abadis will be prepared. The upgradation of these settlements will include the preparation of layout plans. Similarly, the schemes for Katchi Abadis will include ensuring the upgradation of existing infrastructure and the provision of basic amenities for the slumps.The steps will also include the beautification of these slums and the construction and repair of roads and streets. Furthermore, the aim of these measures is to integrate these recognized katchi abadis into the well planned urban planning of Islamabad. Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that these measures will promote organized urban planning in the Federal Capital, Islamabad.In the second meeting of the CDA Board, a design proposal was presented for the construction of a model graveyard at the Pandoriyan site in the Federal Capital, Islamabad. Keeping in view the needs of the growing urban population, the model graveyard will be constructed at the Pandoriyan location.

and

lead other provinces in merit, good governance, and development.

She highlighted that there is now no “South Punjab,” “Central Punjab,” or “Southern Punjab,” but one unified Punjab, where every citizen is part of the province’s journey of growth and prosperity.

Azma Bokhari concluded that under Maryam Nawaz’s leadership, transparent and effective measures for the people of Punjab continue, and every project is designed to improve the lives of its citizens.

Hajj 2027:

Govt

vows to implement end to end digital model

ISLAMABAD staff report

In a significant move aimed at overhauling Pakistan’s Hajj operations, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Information Technology to introduce a fully digitalised Hajj management system, in line with directions issued by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.The agreement marks a key step towards implementing an end to end digital model for Hajj 2027, seeking to streamline procedures from application submission to pilgrims’ return to Pakistan.The MoU signing ceremony, held in Islamabad, was attended by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Religious Affairs Secretary Dr Sajid Mahmood Chauhan and IT Secretary Zarrar Hasham Khan, along with senior officials from both ministries.The document was formally signed by Joint Secretary Hajj Muhammad Bakhsh Sangi and Director General of the National IT Board Dr Khalid Rafiq. Among others present were National IT Board CEO Faisal Iqbal Ratyal, Member IT Asfandyar Khan, Deputy Secretary Hajj Operations Fahad Ahmed, Director IT Board Muhammad Owais and In charge of the Hajj IT Cell Muhammad Jameel ur Rehman.Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yousaf said the initiative was being undertaken under the prime minister’s special directives to make the entire Hajj process more transparent, integrated and convenient for intending pilgrims. He said digitisation would help eliminate unnecessary delays and minimise human error, while ensuring transparency in application processing, scrutiny and other procedural stages.Describing the move as a pressing need of the time, the minister said the use of modern technology would not only improve administrative efficiency but also assist Pakistan in meeting international standards in Hajj management.Ms Khawaja said that from next year, a comprehensive end to end digital system would be introduced, covering all stages from submission of Hajj applications to the pilgrims’ return home. She added that a simple and user friendly online Hajj portal would be established to facilitate applicants through a unified digital platform.Under the MoU, she said, the Pak Hajj mobile application would also be further enhanced to make it more effective and easier to use, enabling pilgrims to receive timely information and guidance.

Parliamentarians question impact of Nepra-approved prosumer regulation 2026 on consumers and solar growth

The Parliamentary Forum on Energy and Economy convened a high-level briefing to examine the implications of the recently approved Prosumer Regulation 2026 by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), raising concerns about consumer rights, regulatory predictability, and the future trajectory of distributed renewable energy in Pakistan.The session, brought together parliamentarians, regulator, industry representatives, and policy experts to assess the economic, legal, and structural consequences of the revised net metering framework. Danyal Chaudhary, Secretary of the Parliamentary Forum on Energy and Economy, moderated the proceedings.Opening the session, Sher Ali Arbab, Co-Convenor of the Forum, observed that the rapid expansion of rooftop solar has been driven by rising electricity tariffs and persistent grid unreliability. “Citizens invested in rooftop solar largely as a response to systemic weaknesses in the power sector,” he stated, emphasizing that regulatory stability is essential to sustain public confidence in clean energy investments.Imtiaz Hussain Baloch, Director General Licensing at the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, presented the regulatory rationale behind the Prosumer Regulation 2026. He stated that the revised framework seeks to address concerns related to revenue recovery, cost allocation, and grid sustainability amid the growing penetration of distributed solar generation.Speaking on consumer rights and the public policy implications, Manzoor Ahmed Ali Zai of the Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development (PRIED) warmed that altering the financial terms of net metering undermines the legitimate expectations of households who made long-term investments under an earlier regulatory regime. He emphasized that reforms must not disproportionately burden middle-income consumers who adopted renewable energy in good faith.

Govt notifies upgrades to NIC and POC rules introducing QR-Based Verification, Stronger Fraud Controls

PAKISTAN, QATAR REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO DEEPEN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP TO ‘HIGHER STRATEGIC LEVEL’

DOHA/ISLAMABAD staff report

PRIMEMinister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, on Tuesday reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthen the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Qatar, expressing satisfaction over the positive trajectory of political engagement and underscoring the importance of enhancing cooperation across all areas of mutual interest.

The reaffirmation came during a high-level meeting attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, among other senior officials.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the two leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, reviewing ongoing collaborations and exploring avenues for further deepening political, economic, and institutional engagement.

During the meeting, the two leaders reiterated their shared commitment to enhancing the fraternal relationship that has historically underpinned ties between the two countries. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani reaffirmed Qatar’s dedication to elevating econ omic partnership to a higher strategic level, highlighting the importance of translating strong political relations into tangible economic outcomes.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in turn, underscored Pakistan’s intent to expand bilateral collaboration in trade,

President Zardari

investment, infrastructure, energy, manpower exports, and other sectors of mutual benefit.

The discussions also encompassed regional and international developments of mutual concern. Both leaders emphasized the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the region.

They reaffirmed their support for closer cooperation within multilateral fora and agreed to maintain continuous coordination on key regional issues, reflecting the shared resolve of Pakistan and Qatar to solidify their strategic partnership across political, economic, and security domains.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally extended an invitation to His Highness the Amir to visit Pakistan, which Sheikh Tamim accepted with enthusiasm. The PMO indicated that the visit is expected to take place later this year, reinforcing the ongoing high-level engagement between the two countries. Engagement on Regional Security

'reprimands' Sindh CM, Karachi Mayor over Karachi's deteriorating condition

KARACHI staff report

President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly reprimanded Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab over the deteriorating condition of Karachi, sources revealed. Senior anchorperson Muhammad Malick disclosed the details during ARY News’ program Khabar Muhammad Malick Kay Saath. According to sources, President Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have been in Karachi for the past few days. During internal meetings, President Zardari reportedly took the party leadership to task over the city’s worsening situation. Sources said he particularly criticised the Sindh chief minister and the Karachi mayor, questioning what obstacles they faced in terms of funds or authority. President Zardari is said to be deeply concerned over media and social media criticism of the PPP government, as well as comparisons between Karachi and Lahore. He has given the Sindh government a three-month deadline to bring about significant changes in Karachi, emphasising that public complaints must decrease and tangible progress should be evident within this period.

Opposition leader seeks explanation over Senate live stream 'suspension'

ISLAMABAD staff report

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas on Tuesday condemned what he described as the “suspension” of live broadcasts of the upper house proceedings and demanded clarity on who ordered the move. Speaking on the Senate floor, the opposition leader—appointed with the backing of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)—claimed that live streaming was at times halted during certain speeches without explanation. “The Senate is a constitutional institution. We need clarification on who ordered the suspension of the broadcast,” he said.

and Stability

Earlier,

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence, to discuss regional developments, including the evolving situations in Iran and Afghanistan.

According to the PMO, both leaders emphasized the importance of dialogue, de-escalation, and collective efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. They underscored the need to avoid potential conflicts through proactive communication and cooperation, reflecting Pakistan’s consistent advocacy for diplomacy and regional stability.

The meeting also provided a platform to review bilateral defence and security cooperation, with both sides acknowledging the strong historic ties between the armed forces of Pakistan and Qatar. Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over ongoing military collaboration and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further

strengthening defence partnerships. The Qatari delegation, in turn, appreciated the professionalism and expertise of the Pakistan armed forces and signaled Qatar’s interest in deepening defence ties with Islamabad. Enhancing Trade and Economic Cooperation

Economic diplomacy featured prominently in the Prime Minister’s agenda. In a dedicated session with Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of Qatar and Chairman of the Pak-Qatar Joint Business Taskforce, PM Shehbaz underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral trade volumes and diversifying Pakistan’s exports to Qatar, particularly in agricultural products, food items, and value-added goods.

The discussion reviewed existing trade and economic cooperation and expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in Pakistan–Qatar relations. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to implementing agreed decisions from the 6th Session of the Pakistan–Qatar Joint Ministerial Commission, aiming to translate diplomatic engagement into concrete commercial outcomes. The meeting also highlighted Pakistan’s investmentfriendly reforms and the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in attracting foreign investment, with Qatar expressing interest in exploring opportunities across multiple sectors.

A key outcome of the discussion was the decision to convene a meeting of the Pak-Qatar Joint Business Taskforce during the month of Ramazan to deliberate on tangible investment proposals and explore avenues for Qatari investment in Pakistan.

DSP, inspector among 6 policemen martyred in Kohat terrorist attack

KOHAT/PESHAWAR staff report

Six police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were martyred and three others sustained injuries after a terrorist attack on a police vehicle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district on Tuesday.

Senior Police said confirmed the police mobile van was attacked in the remote area of Shakardara Road, resulting in the martyrdom of six policemen, including a deputy superintendent, identified as Asad Mehmood, an inspector and four constables.

The police officers said that the police team came under the attack while transporting two individuals for a court appearance. Following the attack, the terrorists also set the mobile van ablaze, police added.

Earlier in the day, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported that heavy firing by armed assailants targeted the DSP of Lachi Police near Shakardara Road.

Following the attack, additional police contingents were dispatched to the area, and a search operation was launched to apprehend the attackers. Authorities have cordoned off the area, while investigations into the incident have begun.

School blown up in South Waziristan

PESHAWAR staff report

Unidentified attackers blew up a government school in Birmal tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s South Waziristan late Monday night, partially destroying the building and damaging nearby houses, police said on Tuesday.

According to District Police Officer South Waziristan Lower, Muhammad Tahir Shah Wazir, the explosion targeted Government Middle School (GMS) Boys’ Sharif Khan Kot. Two classrooms, bathrooms, the main gate, and a portion of the boundary wall were destroyed in the blast.

Police confirmed that no casualties were reported. However, the intensity of the explosion was such that it was heard in distant areas.

Nearby houses also sustained partial damage, with solar panels, walls and windows affected.

Condemnations pour in

President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the terrorist attack and paid tribute to the fallen police personnel.

In a statement issued from the

Law enforcement agencies launched an investigation soon after the incident and began collecting evidence from the site. Officials reiterated their resolve to ensure the safety of educational institutions and maintain peace in the region.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi strongly condemned the attack, calling those behind the targeting of an educational institution “enemies of knowledge, development and the younger generation.”

He said the entire nation stands united with the state and its institutions to defeat the malicious designs of Fitna alKhawarij, adding that such cowardly acts would not weaken the country’s resolve but would instead strengthen national unity against forces seeking to disrupt peace and progress.

President’s House, he expressed heartfelt sympathy and condolences to their families and reiterated the national resolve to fight the terrorists to end.

Senate passes resolution reaffirming support for Palestine

the International Court of Justice.

PHC sentences lawyer to six months in prison for derogatory comments against female judge

PESHAWAR staff report

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday sentenced a lawyer to six months in prison for making inappropriate and derogatory comments against a female judge on social media. The court also imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on the accused, Asadullah Advocate. According to the short order issued by the court, the lawyer was found guilty of contempt of court under Section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2004. The case pertains to the use of insulting and offensive language by the lawyer against a female civil judge posted in Swat city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A complaint had been filed against him for using inappropriate remarks against the judge on social media. In its verdict, the court ruled that Asadullah Advocate had committed contempt of court.

The PHC issued a brief order in the contempt case, stating that a detailed judgment will be released later. Earlier, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to the federal government,

petitioner requested the court to direct the government to prohibit and regulate social media use by children under 16. The court observed that the wellbeing and safety of children from online harm are of paramount importance. It noted that unregulated access to social media platforms exposes children to potential risks, including cyberbullying, mental health

Pakistan–Iran ties enter 'most constructive phase' in decades: Envoy

ISLAMABAD staff report Pakistan and Iran are experiencing one of the most constructive phases of their bilateral relationship in recent decades, marked by frequent high-level exchanges, expanding economic cooperation and close coordination on regional issues, speakers said at a public talk in Islamabad on Tuesday. The event, titled “Pakistan–Iran Relations: An Enduring Partnership in a Changing Region,” was organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) through its Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) under the Ambassador’s Platform. Addressing the gathering, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri-Moghaddam, highlighted the deep-rooted ties between the two neighbouring countries, which share a long border and a combined population of nearly 350 million people. He said strong people-to-people connections, strategic geography and complementary, non-competitive economic structures provide vast opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. The ambassador noted that Tehran and Islamabad maintain closely aligned positions on a range of regional and international issues, including Palestine. He stressed that terrorism and separatist movements remain common challenges requiring enhanced cooperation and coordination between the two countries.

Court accepts pre-arrest bails of PTI founder in six cases

ISLAMABAD staff report

A lower court on Tuesday accepted pre-arrest bails of PTI founder in six cases and Bushra Bibi’s bail in one case. Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal heard the bail cases of PTI founder and Bushra Bibi. During the hearing, Raja Naveed Hussain Kayani, Mazhar Bashir and Tahir Kazim appeared in the court on behalf of the prosecution, while Barrister

ISLAMABAD staff report

The resolution took strong exception to statements perceived as undermining regional stability and international legal norms.

The House criticised Israel’s policies and actions, citing disregard for international law, the UN Charter, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the advisory opinion of

The Senate of Pakistan on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution strongly rejecting recent remarks attributed to Israel, expressing concern over what it termed provocative narratives affecting the unity of the Muslim Ummah. The resolution was moved by Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan in the House on behalf of all parties.

The Senate rejected any attempts to alter the legal or historical status of the occupied Palestinian territories, including holy sites, and condemned settlement expansion and displacement of Palestinians. The House deplored what it described as continued provocative steps and statements by Israeli leadership that could threaten regional and international peace.

Mystery shrouds Imran Khan's second eye injection as PTI demands transparency

staff report

Conflicting claims over the second eye injection administered to former prime minister Imran Khan have sparked fresh controversy, with the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) demanding transparency and a transfer to a private hospital, while the government insists all procedures were carried out lawfully and transparently.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan

said he was informed through a message around 2am that the party founder had been taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for an injection in his right eye. He expressed concern over the lack of prior notice and reiterated the party’s demand that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for a comprehensive medical examination in the presence of his personal doctors and family members.

Barrister Gohar stressed the need for

proper medical care and transparency regarding the former premier’s health, maintaining that the party’s stance on shifting him to a private facility remains unchanged. Meanwhile, official statements and media reports said Imran Khan was transported from Central Jail Adiala, Rawalpindi, to PIMS under strict security arrangements, where he received a follow-up anti-VEGF int ravitreal injection as part of his ongoing eye treatment. According to a statement issued by the Executive Director of PIMS, a board of specialists examined Imran Khan prior to the procedure and declared him clinically stable. A consultant cardiologist conducted echocardiography and an electrocardiogram (ECG), both of which showed normal results.

After informed consent was obtained, the second dose of t he intravitreal antiVEGF injection was administered under microscopic guidance by a consultant ophthalmologist and a consultant vitreoreti-

nal surgeon from PIMS and Al-Shifa Eye Hospital. The procedure was carried out as a day-care surgery. The statement added that Imran Khan remained vitally stable before, during, and after the procedure. He was later discharged with follow-up instructions and shifted back to Adiala Jail after receiving medical clearance.

Separately, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said the PTI founder was scheduled to receive his second injection on March 24 as part of his treatment plan. In a post on X, the minister said all legal and humanitarian requirements were fulfilled during the transfer and that doctors had reported improvement in his vision following the first procedure.

Dr Chaudhary maintained that providing medical facilities to prisoners in accordance with the law is a constitutional obligation, adding that all arrangements in this case were made transparently and in line with established procedures.

ISLAMABAD staff report

A broad coalition of international scholars, artists, elected officials, jurists, journalists, faith leaders and human-rights advocates has issued a humanitarian appeal expressing concern over the reported medical condition and treatment in custody of former prime minister Imran Khan. In a letter, signed by more than 40 leading public intellectuals, academics and activists around