Epaper_26-02-3 KHI

CHALLENGE’

DE F E N C E Minister Khawaja

Asif said on Monday that Pakistan was compelled to deploy large numbers of troops in Balochistan due to the province s vast geographical expanse and the severity of the security situation particularly in the wake of a recent spate of coordinated terrorist attacks

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Asif said Balochistan which makes up over 40 percent of Pakistan s total landmass posed unique security challenges that could not be compared to those of densely populated urban centers

“Balochistan constitutes over 40 per cent of Pakistan geographically To con-

trol it is far more difficult than a populated city or area, and it requires the deployment of massive forces ” he said

Our troops are deployed there and are actively engaged but they are physically constrained by the need to guard and patrol such a vast territory

His remarks came a day after coordinated attacks were carried out at multiple locations across the province

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) terrorists of what it described as Indian-sponsored Fitna alHindustan launched assaults around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni on Saturday

The military said security forces repelled the attacks killing 92 terrorists during initial operations while 15 security personnel were martyred Security

Kazakhstan president set for two-day official trip to Pakistan

t President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will reach Islamabad on Tuesday for his first official visit to Pakistan a trip viewed as an effort to advance bilateral engagement and regional cooperation According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, President Tokayev is undertaking the visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Officials describe the trip as an important diplomatic exchange between the two countries They say the visit demonstrates a shared intention to expand cooperation across various sectors The Kazakh leader will be accompanied by a high-level delegation made up of senior cabinet ministers and other leading officials

Security forces remain on high alert as clearance operations continue across the province to eliminate remaining militant elements and restore stability g

Rana Sanaullah

sources later said that 22 more terrorists were killed during overnight follow-up actions, bringing the total number of militants killed over the past three days to at least 177 Asif told the House that

16 security personnel and 33 civilians had lost their lives during the recent violence, underlining the gravity of the threat facing the province

Chief of Defence Staff (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Libya the military’s media wing said According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Libyan Arab Armed Forces Commander-inChief Field Marshal Khalifa Abual-Qasim Haftar accompanied by Deputy Commander-in-Chief

Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, called on Field Marshal Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ)

“During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest with particular

focus on regional security dynamics and avenues for professional cooperation, the statement said

The discussion underscored the importance of sustained engagement and collaboration between the armed forces of Pakistan and Libya it added Field Marshal Munir wel-

comed the Libyan delegation and reiterated Pakistan s support for peace, stability and institutional development in Libya, the ISPR said “The meeting was held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere reflecting the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Libya the statement added

Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni Security forces responded swiftly with sustained clearance operations and armed standoffs, killing 92 terrorists on the first day of the operation According to ISPR 18 civilians were martyred in the attacks while 15 security personnel fought gallantly and embraced martyrdom during the counterterrorism response Chief Minister Bugti accused the terrorists of deliberately targeting civilians and exploiting vulnerable populations Referring to an incident in Gwadar, he said militants killed five women and three children at a family labour colony despite pleas to spare their lives He also revealed that terrorists attempted to disrupt security operations by damaging surveillance infrastructure, including Safe City cameras in Quetta However, he said the surveillance system had since been upgraded and expanded to enhance urban monitoring and improve response capabilities Highlighting the complexity of the operations Bugti said militants used children as human shields during attacks in Quetta complicating operational decisions for law enforcement agencies

They brought an 11-year-old child with them Should the police kill an 11-year-old?” he asked, underscoring the challenges faced by security personnel while conducting precision-based counterterrorism actions

PM S hehbaz, World Bank President pledge closer ties for Pakistan’s development

TWafi Energy plans up to $100m investment to expand Pakistan operations

government to align reforms with industry requirements

The finance minister reaffirmed the government s focus on reforms, privatisation, digitisation, and public-private partnerships adding that sustained strategic engagement with international partners would continue to strengthen economic cooperation and investor confidence

agitation was aimed at recovering losses after enforcement was tightened Asif further claimed that criminal networks were operating under the banner of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and were providing protection to smugglers In Balochistan, tribal elders, elements within the bureaucracy, and those running separatist movements have formed a nexus ” he alleged Calling for political unity Asif urged all parties to stand behind the Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism

We should set aside our differences On this issue, we all have to be one,” he said while criticising what he termed political point-scoring over the funerals of martyrs It cannot happen that we go to

offer funeral prayers for martyrs and someone does not attend for political interests We will absolutely not allow this he added The defence minister said the state would not allow violence to be justified under the guise of a freedom struggle, describing such narratives as a cover for criminal activity

“Pakistan’s state narrative is clear nobody will be allowed to rationalise violence he said Calling it a freedom movement is unacceptable It is simply a way to legitimise criminal acts

Asif categorically ruled out negotiations with groups the government considers terrorists, vowing a forceful response to violence “There will be no negotiations with these people The way terrorists are using brutal force we will respond with the same force he said Turning to governance and development, Asif rejected what he described as a narrative of deprivation surrounding Balochistan citing what he said were expanded public services in the province

He said Balochistan had 15 096 schools 13 cadet colleges and 13 major hospitals, adding that the province s share under the National Finance Commission Award stood at Rs933 billion

He also claimed that smuggled Iranian oil was openly sold across the province including at fuel stations in central Quetta Blaming the tribal sardari system for looting resources and obstructing development, Asif described corruption as a termite afflicting Balochistan, other provinces and the federal government alike, saying national unity was needed to tackle it

He further said Balochistan had more airports than any other province and that efforts were underway to make non-operational facilities functional

On the issue of missing persons, Asif alleged that some individuals listed as missing were living abroad and that their families were receiving financial support without providing further details The defence minister questioned the source of advanced weapons used by militants, claiming they possessed arms superior to those held by security forces

“These terrorists have weapons worth $20 000 Someone should tell us who is supplying them They are using American weapons he said Referring to an attack on the Jaffar Express, Asif condemned the killing of labourers and questioned how violence

against civilians could be justified

“Killing innocent people what narrative is that?” he asked

Meanwhile, opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s speech in the National Assembly was not broadcast on YouTube and its audio was cut in the press lounge triggering protests by opposition lawmakers who sought a ruling from the speaker to ensure the speech was aired live

Addressing the House, Achakzai said he opposed terrorism “in any form” but questioned intelligence failures and delays in response to the attacks

There have been hundreds of attacks they moved from place to place Why didn t our security forces know such a large attack was being planned? he asked He called for accountability, questioning how militants were able to operate across 15 districts “If there was an intentional lapse then a very big injustice was done he said Achakzai also linked Pakistan s terrorism problem to past policy decisions, referring to the Afghan conflict and the legacy of armed mobilisation

Tcollateral damage, eliminating the possibility of lo-

fuels

cals being used as human shields by them as well as thwarting as their attempts to store explosives and IEDs within the population

TH E provincial government of KPK and the federal government are presently locked into blame-game over the situation in Tirah While the KPK government and leaders of the ruling party are crying hoarse from every convenient roof-top that the security forces were carrying out military operation in the area and the local residents were being forced to leave their homes putting the families in great distress the federal government and the security forces are vehemently denying any proper military operation in the area Their position is that only intelligence based operation (IBOs) were being carried out against the Kharjis like in other areas of the country and the people leaving the area were going voluntarily as per their traditional seasonal movement out of the area during extreme conditions in winter They further claim that the provincial government has all along been on board in the consultation process and the arrangement that was agreed to deal with the Kharjis I have talked to a number of local journalists as well as security sources to ferret out the truth The security sources categorically deny military operations like Swat and North Waziristan that were carried out in the past maintaining only IBOs were being conducted to eliminate the Kharjis During the last year 75000 such operations were conducted by LEAs including police, intelligence agencies and Army These IBOs have proven very effective as far as taking out terrorists and their facilitators are concerned During last year 2597 kharjis were liquidated the highest number ever in a calendar year LEAs have further honed their efficacy by related tactics technology and procedures These operations are also desirable from the perspective that they exclude the possibility of collateral damage and sufferings of the people So full-fledged military operations are not an option

Tirah is infested with Kharjis supported with terror economy of drugs and its political patrons which is an undeniable reality Reportedly 12000 acres of land are under poppy cultivation in the area Therefore the strategy of IBOs has been adopted to deal with them According to authentic bureaucratic sources in the KP government a local Jirga, military representatives and KPK government authorities met in last September to evolve a strategy to deal with the Khrjis living forcibly within the populace to avoid

price fluctuations and exchange rate pressures Without indigenous innovation, these vulnerabilities will continue to deepen Pakistan has significant solar and wind potential yet renewable energy alone cannot resolve structural problems within the power system Challenges such as grid flexibility energy storage forecasting and system reliability require engineering solutions tailored to local conditions Universities are uniquely positioned to develop such solutions, provided that institutional incentives align with national priorities

One of the main barriers to meaningful innovation within universities is the way academic performance is evaluated Faculty members are primarily assessed based on publication counts rather than the practical impact of their work This discourages applied research, long-term experimentation, and collaboration with industry Consequently research with high societal relevance often receives less institutional support than purely academic outputs A shift in evaluation criteria is essential Universities must recognise patents, prototypes, pilot projects, industry-funded research, and policy engagement as indicators of academic excellence Without redefining success, innovation will remain an exception rather than a norm within higher education institutions The weak relationship between universities and the energy industry further compounds the problem Power utilities, distribution companies, and regulators rarely engage universities as partners in addressing operational challenges At the same time universities often lack formal mechanisms to approach industry with implementable solutions This disconnect limits the practical exposure of students and deprives the energy sector of locally developed, cost-effective innovations Structured collaboration could yield significant benefits Universities can act as testing grounds for new technologies, operational strategies and regulatory approaches before large-scale deployment Such partnerships would reduce risk for utilities while promoting data-driven decision-making They would also ensure that graduates enter the workforce with relevant skills and practical understanding

Globally, the energy sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by decentralisation digitisation and decarbonisation Smart grids electric vehicles demand-side management and energy storage are redefining power systems However, many engineering programmes in Pakistan continue to focus on conventional systems with limited exposure to emerging technologies This mismatch risks producing graduates trained for a system that is already becoming obsolete

Universities must modernise curricula to reflect contemporary energy realities Training should integrate technical knowledge with an understanding of energy economics, regulation, and policy Engineers today must not only de-

Three options were discussed in the huddle which were: The Jirga should engage with the Kharjis and ask them to leave Tirah; Security forces should continue and increase the intensity of IBOs; local population may come out voluntarily and allow security forces to exclusively deal with them

The Jirga comprising provincial government representatives and other stakeholders engaged with Kharjis asking them to leave the area which they flatly refused in disregard to cultural and pkhtunwali norms The Jirga deliberated on the situation for a month and thereafter opted for voluntary exit of the population in line with normal yearly migration while the provincial government committed to provide compensation to the migrating people In this regard Rs 4 billion were also allocated by the government A friend from Tirah has also corroborated the position taken by the federal government and the security forces saying that there were no visible signs of military operation on the ground because no security and screening posts for checking the people coming in or going out the area

The reality is that it is not for the first time that PTI and its government in KPK was lying to complicate counter-terrorism effor ts of the state, create confusion about armed forces and facilitate Kharjis. It aligns with perennial propaganda and agenda of the par ty and its leadership.

A curable neglect

sign systems but also understand how those systems operate within regulatory and market frameworks

Another overlooked role of universities lies in policymaking support Energy policies in Pakistan are often formulated with limited technical grounding resulting in unintended economic and operational consequences Universities can contribute by providing independent, technically sound analysis through policy briefs, impact assessments, and scenario modelling As relatively neutral institutions, they are well placed to offer evidence-based input into politically sensitive decisions

Pakistan s large youth population is frequently described as a demographic advantage but without opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship, this potential may remain unrealised Universities are the primary platforms where technical knowledge creativity and ambition can be transformed into practical solutions Energy-focused innovation centres and incubators within universities can encourage students to develop startups, technologies, and services that address local challenges

For universities to play a meaningful role in energy innovation, a coordinated approach is required Research incentives must reward impact alongside academic output Industry collaboration should be institutionalised rather than occasional Energy innovation hubs must be supported through sustainable funding mechanisms, and curricula must evolve in line with future energy systems Equally important, universities must actively engage in national policy discourse rather than remaining confined to academic boundaries

Pakistan s energy crisis cannot be resolved through policy adjustments or infrastructure investments alone It requires locally grounded innovation driven by technical expertise Universities are uniquely positioned to fulfil this role but only if they move beyond traditional academic models Until higher education institutions are fully integrated into the national energy strategy Pakistan will continue to import solutions for problems that could and should be solved at home

The writer is a freelance columnist

are earning this much then we should adopt the methods that ensure that water remains free of contamination every industry should install wastewater treatment plants Chemicals used by them should be earth-friendly Most of the bigger textile mills have abided by the regulations because countries where they export their products restrictions are imposed that they should use organic products and have their wastewater treatment plants This practice needs to be enforced rigorously in all the industrial units whether big or small The questions of what smog is what we are doing to curtail it and what our responsibility is are important It is a combination of smoke and fog primarily caused by particulate emissions from vehicles, agriculture, and industries It is so heavy that in the atmosphere it stays like an inverted dome Until it rains or it is a sunny day it remains persistent in our atmosphere The disadvantages are that there are lung diseases especially for asthma patients which can be highly dangerous Then our business activities for hours or for days are suspended In particulate emissions, the smoke from vehicles contains cancer-causing elements even if the tuning is done and the smoke is not black if the combination is not right then the smoke will be more fatal as it will contain

t e m m a t ch e s t h e

p a r a m e t e rs , t h e n t h ey m ay i s s u e t h e c e r t i f i c a t e I t m ay b e va l i d fo r o n e ye a r o r m o r e I t i s n o t a p p l i e d t o t h e n ew c a rs B u t s o m e t i m e s p e o p l e t a k e o u t

How far will China go to back Iran if the US strikes?

D uring the protests, China repor tedly assisted Iranian authorities in implementing a nationwide communications blackout

‘China did not emerge as a forceful defender of Iran after the 12- day war with Israel, and it is unlikely to do so in the event of a possible US militar y inter vention’

US blunders in Afghanistan

The US inter vention, which cost over $148 billion, failed to deliver so - called ‘democrac y ’

SIGAR had identified 1,327 cases of waste, fraud, and abuse, involving over $26 billion

AS tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high China’s role is under growing scrutiny how far would Beijing go to support Iran and where are the limits if conflict broke out with the US? China has emerged as a key player in Iran s escalating confrontation with the United States as mass protests and economic collapse strain the Islamic Republic from

at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (SWP) in Berlin cautions against overestimating Beijing s commitment to defending the Iranian government he said China s involvement in Iran and the wider region remains largely pragmatic China did not emerge as a forceful defender of Iran after the 12-day war with Israel, and it is unlikely to do so in the event of a possible US military intervention,” Azizi told DW By contrast China has provided more robust support to other regional partners During the 2025 clashes between India and Pakistan over Kashmir Beijing offered Pakistan tangible military assistance according to sources including Indian military officials No comparable level of support has been extended to Iran, Azizi noted

CHINA’S LIMITED FOOTPRINT IN IRAN: Iran’s relationship with China is primarily shaped by confrontation with Washington While US sanctions have pushed Iran closer to China they have also constrained Chinese investment and limited China s ability to expand its economic footprint in Iran For now, Beijing appears more focused on opposing unilateral US action than on ensuring the survival of the Iranian regime itself,” Azizi said “Years of recurring unrest and widespread corruption in Iran have also reinforced perceptions in China that the country under the current leadership represents a high-risk environment for investment

This caution is particularly evident in the huge gap between China s trade with Iran and its trade with other Gulf countries In 2024, China s total trade with the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab emirates, reached roughly $257 billion (€217 billion) according to a report by the London-based think tank Asia house China s bilateral trade with Iran was only a fraction of that and totaled less than $14 billion the same year according to Chinese government data So while China does want the region to remain stable to protect its broad economic and energy interests, it is unlikely to go out of its way to defend the government in Iran itself,” Azizi said

CHINA, IRAN, AND THE AXIS OF UPHEAVAL In the US the partnership between Iran and China is often cited as part of what has been portrayed as an Axis of Upheaval The term refers to the growing strategic, military and economic alignment between China, Russia, Iran and North Korea sometimes abbreviated as CRINK aimed at challenging the US-led global order european and NATO officials have also noted this convergence NATO chief Mark Rutte speaking at the meeting in the european Parliament on January 26 said It is undeniable that as we speak Russia China North Korea and Iran are aligning more and more he added that while the partnership is not yet well structured, these countries are increasingly willing to challenge Western influence In US policy circles, this perspective has sometimes framed the idea that weakening Iran could help curb China s power According to Azizi such thinking has contributed to a more confrontational approach toward Tehran and has been a key factor in pushing Iran closer to China and Russia But the truth is, Iran needs China more than China needs Iran, Azizi said So to think that pressuring Tehran will hurt China is mistaken Overestimating the importance of this alliance would be a miscalculation both for the Iranian government and the US ”

Th e final report of the United States Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction reads less like an audit and more like an autopsy Released in December, the report systematically exposes the failures and culpability of the US two-decade “reconstruction” in Afghanistan Drawing on nearly a thousand audits and investigations the report reveals that the US intervention which cost over $148 billion failed to deliver so-called democracy

The main cause of the systemic failure was the fundamental miscalculation of trying to create a “democratic utopia” Washington sought to reshape the war-torn country characterized by low development and distinct tribal and religious traditions into a Western-style democratic model The approach disregarded Afghanistan s historical traditions and complex national conditions

The US Afghanistan policy was also fraught with internal contradictions The SIGAR report highlighted that the government set impractical timelines equating rapid spending with reconstruction progress which directly fueled corruption and rendered many projects ineffective

Rampant corruption turned the $148 billion into a fat lamb to be divided for interest groups As of September 2025, SIGAR had identified 1 327 cases of waste fraud and abuse involving over $26 billion More than 17 percent of congressional appropriations were squandered or embezzled The ghost soldier phenomenon was widespread, with Pentagon overpaying hundreds of millions in salaries

Arrogance and closed-mindedness also characterized the US decision-making on Afghanistan At the Bonn Conference Washington deliberately excluded the Taliban from the political process for Afghanistan In 2020 it made a hasty withdrawal decision without adequately consulting the Afghan government Several former senior US officials have admitted that the country never truly understood Afghanistan and that its intervention was doomed to fail Washington s ineffective control over corruption was the crux of the problem The absence of effective fund-tracking mechanisms and the use of decentralized accounts made fraud detection difficult Some US officials pursuing “political success” deliberately overlooked clues of wrongdoing and even thwarted investigations Furthermore civilians were neglected While Washington claimed to improve livelihoods Afghanistan s core development indicators remained among the world s worst One-third of Afghans faced acute food shortages, life expectancy was just 59 1 years in 2021, far below the global average and female literacy was under 30 percent Besides the US colluded with corrupt Afghan warlords to pursue shortterm

Fourth the US should aid Afghanistan in post-withdrawal reconstruction and development focusing on fundamental sectors such as agriculture, health care and education to help the country develop self-sustaining capabilities

In this context, China’s stance on the issue offers valuable references China has consistently adhered to the principle of noninterference in Afghanistan s internal affairs respecting its sovereignty and independence while playing a constructive role It has promoted dialogue and consultation among Afghan parties to build a consensus on peace Since 2021, China has consistently supplied food medicine and vaccines benefiting millions of Afghan people It is committed to integrating Afghanistan into the Belt and Road Initiative enhancing collaboration in energy minerals and infrastructure and expanding imports of Afghan goods China also aims to improve Afghanistan’s connectivity with neighboring countries and facilitate its integration into the regional economic system It maintains close cooperation with Afghanistan and its neighbors firmly opposes the cross-border spread of terrorism and actively promotes regional security and stability

The final SIGAR report has, with solid evidence, exposed that instead of bringing stability and “democracy” to Afghanistan the US intervention resulted in corruption civilian suffering and regional instability

The author is the director of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies in the China Institute of International Studies

INDIA ANNOUNCES RECORD $85B DEFENCE BUDGET, UP 15PC FROM L AST YEAR

Iran signals readiness for nuclear talks with Washington amid rising tensions

United States would be limited strictly to nuclear-related issues though no timeline was mentioned The report was also published by the staterun newspaper Iran and the reformist daily Shargh Earlier on Monday, Iranian officials said they were finalising a framework and mechanism for negotiations, with indirect messages between the two sides being conveyed through regional intermediaries Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said several aspects of the diplomatic process had already been discussed and that details of each stage were being reviewed, with the aim of concluding preparations in the coming days Trump has warned that “time is running out” for Iran to reach an agreement over its nuclear programme which Western countries believe is intended to develop an atomic weapon Baqaei however said Tehran would never accept ultimatums and added that he could not confirm receiving any such message from Washington Regional powers have stepped up efforts to promote diplomacy in an attempt to ease tensions Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Turkiye last week and has since held calls with his counterparts in Egypt Saudi Arabia and Turkiye according to a message he shared on Telegram In an interview with CNN on Sunday Araghchi said Iran agreed with Trump s position that it should not possess nuclear weapons, calling that

r

t e r S Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on Monday permitting a tightly restricted number of Palestinians to enter and leave the enclave on foot for the first time in months, according to Reuters

The crossing which lies in Israeli-controlled territory in an area that was once a densely populated city remains the only exit and entry point for almost all of Gaza s more than two million residents It has been closed for most of the conflict and its partial reopening marks one of the final steps required under the first phase of a United States-brokered ceasefire agreed in October A Palestinian source said that on the first day around 50 Palestinians were expected to enter Gaza, facing strict Israeli security screening while a similar number would be allowed to leave Those permitted to return are among the more than 100,000 Palestinians who managed to escape the enclave during the early months of the war By mid-morning it was still unclear how many people had crossed though an Israeli security official confirmed the crossing was open for both entry and exit Israel seized control of the Rafah crossing in May 2024, roughly nine months into the war

in Gaza, which was later brought to a fragile halt under the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump Reopening the crossing was a key requirement of the deal s initial phase In January Trump announced the start of a second phase aimed at negotiations over Gaza s future governance and reconstruction Despite the reopening, violence continued Israeli strikes killed at least four Palestinians on Monday including a three-year-old child in separate incidents in northern and southern Gaza The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the reports During the first nine months of the conflict about 100 000 Palestinians crossed into Egypt through Rafah some with assistance from aid groups and others reportedly paying bribes After Israeli forces moved into the area, the crossing

was shut, reopening only briefly in early 2025 to evacuate medical patients during a temporary truce

The closure severely restricted access to medical care abroad for wounded and sick Palestinians

Over the past year only a few thousand were allowed to leave Gaza for treatment via other routes through Israel Egyptian sources said Palestinians seeking to cross through Rafah will now need prior Israeli security approval Reinforced concrete walls topped with barbed wire have been erected around the crossing, and travellers must walk roughly 2 5 kilometres through the Israeli-held Philadelphi corridor They will pass through three separate gates including one run by the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority under the supervision of a European Union mission but remotely controlled by Israel

China urges U.S. to stop ‘unwarranted interrogation’ of Chinese enterprise personnel

Highnoon Laboratories Limited Holds

Ceremony

11TH NFC PROCESS STALLS AS SECOND MEETING DEL AYED, WORKING GROUPS INACTIVE

Din Properties Breaks Ground on Lahore’s

Largest Private SEZ , Signaling Major Boost for Industrial & Export Growth

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

In a significant development for Pakistan s industrial and investment landscape Din Properties held a dua ceremony to mark the groundbreaking of United Business Park, a large-scale private Special Economic Zone (SEZ) located adjacent to the Sundar Industrial Estate Positioned as a nextgeneration industrial hub United Business Park is set to become the largest privately developed SEZ in Lahore aimed at accelerating industrial expansion boosting exports and attracting both local and foreign investment at a time when Pakistan is actively seeking sustainable economic growth The project offers investors direct access to SEZ incentives under the SEZA Act, 2012, making it a highly competitive destination for manufacturing export-oriented units and valueadded industries These incentives include a one-time customs duty exemption on the import of plant, machinery, and equipment, along with a 10year income tax holiday, alongside other fiscal and regulatory facilitation measures Industry stakeholders view the development as a timely intervention particularly as demand grows for well-planned industrial zones with modern infrastructure and policy-backed incentives Located strategically near Sundar Industrial Estate L a h o r e P o

LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t The Lahore Police have put in place special security arrangements for 14,000 polio workers during the ongoing anti-polio campaign in the provincial capital According to the Lahore Police spokesperson over 1 000 officers and personnel including 381 upper subordinates have been deployed citywide under the supervision of SHOs while 498 motorcycle squads and 83 mobile patrolling units are actively providing security to polio teams CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana said that security would remain on high alert throughout the campaign, adding that special teams had been formed and supervisory officers directed to personally oversee the arrangements to ensure the safety of polio workers

SHINE Humanity Pakistan and the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Aga Khan University have formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening maternal newborn child health and nutrition outcomes across underserved communities in Pakistan The collaboration brings together SHINE Humanity s extensive communitybased healthcare delivery experience with AKU s clinical, research, and academic expertise Under the MoU both institutions will work jointly across key areas including nutrition counselling and crosslearning development and adaptation of malnutrition treatment guidelines for community settings, and the introduction of intravenous (IV) iron therapy for women suffering from moderate to severe anaemia during pregnancy A major pillar of the partnership also includes data and artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration where SHINE Humanity s Electronic Medical Record (EMR) data will be explored for joint research and predictive modelling This work aligns with AKU s broader efforts, including its AI Hub for Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition, being developed in collaboration with leading academic partners Commenting on the partnership Faheem Khan CEO of SHINE Humanity said that this MoU is about collaboration and learning together

HBL Zarai Approved as Agricultural Services Provider under ‘Zarkhez-e’, Asaan Digital Zarai Qarza Scheme

Staff RepoRt

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), through the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA), has conveyed it’s no objection to onboarding HBL Zarai Services Limited (HBL Zarai) as an approved Agricultural Services Provider (ASP) under the Zarkhez-e Asaan Digital Zarai Qarza Scheme The approval enables participating banks to facilitate structured in-kind agricultural financing, strengthening transparency and improving farmer economics

Commenting on the significance of structured in-kind financing Saleem Ullah Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan said:

PRESIDENT, PM URGE FAIR ENFORCEMENT OF INDUS WATERS TREAT Y

ISLAMABAD s

t

Pakistan and Kazakhstan have strengthened their cooperation in education research and human resource development through a high-level engagement held on Monday in Islamabad

The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training hosted a 25-member delegation from Kazakhstan led by Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek The group included senior officials from Kazakhstan’s science and higher education ministry, university leadership and representatives of academic and research institutions Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui welcomed the delegation, highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to expanding educational collaboration with Kazakhstan A bilateral meeting chaired by Dr Siddiqui was attended by officials from MoFE&PT the Higher Education Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of Pakistani higher education institutions and other stakeholders

The discussions reviewed existing frameworks for cooperation and explored opportunities in higher education, science and technology, medical education, research, inno-

vation, and academic exchange

Both countries emphasized strengthening institutional linkages and fostering people-to-people connectivity through education

As a key outcome eight Memoranda of Understanding were signed between Pakistani and Kazakh higher education institutions

The agreements involve Quaid-i-Azam University National University of Sciences and Technology International Islamic University Islamabad Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, National University of Modern Languages King Edward Medical University and the University of Health Sciences The MoUs are aimed at promoting joint research faculty and student exchanges, collaborative academic programs, and capacity-building initiatives

The agreements will be facilitated by MoFE&PT and coordinated by the Higher Education Commission to ensure effective implementation

During the visit Pakistan–Kazakhstan Educational Centers, also called Educational Corners, were inaugurated at NUST, IIUI, and Quaid-i-Azam University

The Al-Farabi Center at QAU Satbayev Center at NUST and Akhmet Yassawi Center at IIUI were inaugurated by the federal minister in the presence of the Federal Secretary MoFE&PT, Acting HEC Chairman Nadeem Mahbub and the respective rectors and vice chancellors These centers will provide platforms for information sharing academic orientation, and facilitation of cooperation between Pakistani and Kazakh institutions

ue operations continue

evacuated, while two others suffered

KARACHI

s ta f f r e p o r t

A fire that broke out on Monday evening at a mobile market in Saddar has been brought under control, according to police and rescue officials

The blaze started around 7:45pm on the seventhfloor parking area of the Al Najeeb mobile market a high-rise building South Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza said Three vehicles were damaged, and cooling operations continued after the flames were contained Rescue 1122 reported that two people were safely