ISL AMABAD IMAMBARAGH ATTACK L ASSOED FROM KP: NAQVI
g INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS ISLAMABAD IMAMBARGAH SUICIDE ATTACK TRACED TO TERROR GROUPS BEING ‘FINANCED, DIRECTED’ BY INDIA AND OPERATING FROM AFGHAN SOIL
g
g SAYS FOUR FACILITATORS AND AFGHAN MA STERMIND ARRESTED IN KP RAIDS, LAUDING KP CTD AND POLICE FOR SWIFT JOINT OPERATIONS
g SAYS PAKISTAN ACTING A S ‘ DEFENSIVE WALL’ AGAINST SPILLOVER OF TERRORISM IN REGION, WARNING WEAKENING OF THIS BARRIER WOULD HAVE CONSEQUENCES BEYOND PAKISTAN ’S BORDERS
the joint efforts of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police Speaking to the media in Islamabad the interior minister praised all security agencies for their swift response, describing the incident as a “test case” for the country’s counterterrorism apparatus F
conducted
and all individuals linked to the incident including the mastermind were apprehended by around 3 a m , Naqvi said, highlighting
Pakistan, Bangladesh explore expanded railway cooperation to strengthen bilateral ties
LAHORE
s ta f f r e p o r t
Pakistani and Bangladeshi officials on Saturday discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the railways sector focusing on technical collaboration capacitybuilding and broader institutional linkages amid both sides determination to expand bilateral ties, according to a statement from Pakistan Railways A spokesperson for Pakistan Railways said that Bangladesh’s Secretary for International Organizations, Farhad Islam accompanied by High Commissioner to Pakistan Mohammad Iqbal Hussain Khan visited the Pakistan Railways Workshop Division in Lahore
The visit comes as Islamabad works to rebuild relations with Bangladesh following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with both countries aiming to strengthen institutional connections and broaden cooperation The Bangladeshi delegation was welcomed at Pakistan Railways headquarters and briefed on the organization s overall functioning technical capabilities and ongoing projects the ministry said The delegation was subsequently given a detailed tour of the Mughalpura Locomotive Workshop, where they were briefed on various stages of locomotive maintenance rehabilitation and manufacturing processes the statement added The distinguished guests described their visit as highly informative productive and encouraging appreciating the technical expertise and professional competence of Pakistan Railways, it said Pakistan and Bangladesh were part of the same country until Bangladesh’s secession following the 1971 civil war a historic event that long cast a shadow over bilateral ties
Funeral prayers for the victims of the deadly terrorist attack on an imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area were offered on Saturday amid stringent security arrangements at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra and Jamia-e-Sadiq The prayers were led by Sheikh Muhammad Shifa Najafi, cleric of Imambargah Jamia-e-Sadiq, and were attended by a large number of mourners, including Inspector General of Police Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi Imamia Scouts presented a ceremonial salute to the martyrs while police maintained a heavy presence and enforced strict security measures All participants were thoroughly searched before being allowed entry into the premises Opposition Leader Allama Raja
Nasir, former adviser to the prime minister Nadeem Afzal Chan and several political religious and social figures were also present Relatives of the martyrs participated in the prayers amid scenes of grief and sorrow Addressing mourners before the funeral, Allama Raja Nasir said the community remained peaceful and united despite the tragedy “This is not a Sunni-Shia issue We will never forget this attack on the imambargah he said adding prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured At least 32 people were killed and around 169 others injured when a suicide bomber targeted worshippers during Friday prayers at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra on the outskirts of the capital according to officials and hospital authorities Explosions and gunfire were reported as congregants gathered for Jumma prayers
Kites and victory cries fill Lahore skies as festival returns after long ban
‘ Terror resurgence’: Tarar acc usation
sparks fierce pTI backlash
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday blamed the PTI for the resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan prompting a sharp response from the party which insisted that the spike in attacks is a direct consequence of the governance of the PML-N and its allied parties
Tarar made the remarks while addressing a press conference alongside religious scholars in Lahore underlining solidarity and unity in the wake of Friday s suicide attack at an Islamabad imambargah
When asked whether the blast indicated a failure of security agencies, Tarar firmly rejected the suggestion “No not at all ” he said emphasizing that Pakistan s security institutions are internationally recognized as models of effectiveness, recalling the safe recovery of abducted passengers during the deadly Jaffar Express attack with minimal casualties
The minister also referenced the May 2025 Pak-India conflict stating, The enemy was brought to its knees, sought mediation, and said ‘I’m sorry’ ” He added that while Friday’s terrorist attack in the outskirts of Islamabad despite the presence of the Safe City system and full deployment of se-
curity forces was tragic it was not a security lapse I did not want to politicize this, but recall Operation Radd-ulFasaad and Zarb-i-Azb when suicide bombings had stopped and peace was restored in Karachi and elsewhere in the country he said
Tarar indirectly criticized former -premier Imran Khan s policies, saying, “Then, a government came someone said ‘these are peaceful people and our brothers we should have talks with them and they were settled in settled areas He added, That same thinking of Taliban Khan we are paying for that today ”
The minister continued that the state had previously acted decisively against terrorists expelling and neutralizing them and
had ended terrorism Ab yeh jo dehshatgardi waapis ayi hai, iss kay peechay PTI hai (The PTI is behind this resurgence of terrorism) ” Tarar quipped smiling PTI responds sharply
The PTI strongly rejected the minister s remarks In a post on X the party s official account said: A day after a horrific terror attack, the information minister chose to joke, recite a hateful rhyme and smile at a press conference It s
ISLAMABAD
SBP GOVERNOR SEES MACROECONOMIC STABILIT Y L ASTING T WO YEARS, RULES OUT AGGRESSIVE RATE CUTS
Nepra fines National Grid Company Rs10m over delay in Integrated System Plan data
ment action following completion of legal proceedings
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority has imposed a penalty of Rs10 million on the National Grid Company (NGC) formerly the National Transmission and Despatch Company, for failing to submit required data for the Integrated System Plan (ISP) 2024–34 despite repeated regulatory directions over the past year
In a detailed order issued on Friday, the regulator said NGC had not met its regulatory obligations and failed to provide a satisfactory response to a show-cause notice Nepra concluded that the company s conduct warranted enforce-
The authority noted that the issue emerged during public hearings and consultations held in August 2024 on the 10-year generation and transmission expansion framework Nepra had raised concerns over the base case of the Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP 2024), which assumed a system load factor of 60% and directed NGC to revise the plan by increasing the load factor to 70% The required addendum was not submitted despite multiple reminders Nepra initiated formal legal proceedings against NGC in December 2024 after continued non-
compliance In its defence the company stated that the proposed revisions were under review by various forums, including the Power Division, the Special Investment Facilitation Council and the Prime Minister ’s Office NGC also cited revisions to project costs and load forecasts as contributing factors to the delay
The regulator rejected these explanations, stating that NGC neither communicated the issues in a timely manner nor responded adequately to regulatory queries Nepra said the submission timeline had been clearly defined in official correspondence and planning documents, contradicting NGC’s claim that no deadline was specified
each own 25% Siddiqui said the mine is expected to begin operations by 2028 or 2029 with projected exports of between 800 000 and one million tonnes of concentrate annually
Exports from the first phase are estimated at about $2 7 billion per year and are expected to rise
following expansion Siddiqui said the
would come solely from Reko Diq, with
in subsequent phases, making it a
earnings
contributor to Pakistan’s
s exports rose 4 5% to $32
last fiscal
Siddiqui said cargo protection would be
despite
for
cerns in
He said the government has committed to
cargo movement noting that any disruption would harm both the projects and broader export ambitions
but fell 7% year-on-year to $18 2 billion in the current fiscal year through January while imports increased 9% to $40 2 billion according to official data Siddiqui said a single project generating $5 billion in exports would materially improve the country s external position Under its agreement with PIBT RDMC will invest $150 million to develop dedicated storage and handling facilities at the terminal as part of the project s broader $7 7 billion investment Construction of the port-side facilities is expected to begin within two months PIBT, which started operations in 2017, was developed with $305 million in investment, including financing from the International Finance Corporation, and is listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange Siddiqui said PIBT is also in talks with exporters of barite rock phosphate iron ore and sand adding that Reko Diq shipments are expected to set a benchmark for future mineral exports He said the terminal remains open to partnerships with Gulf investors, particularly from the United Arab Emirates On
PAKISTAN, EU OFFICIALS DISCUSS PROGRESS ON
s ta f f r e p o r t
PAKISTAN’S eligibility for continued access to the European Union s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) was discussed in detail during talks between the EU ambassador and representatives of the textile industry, signalling focus on compliance with required conventions and legislative measures ahead of upcoming evaluations European Union Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis and Piotr Buszta Head of Political, Trade and Communications
FBR censures customs inspector over liquor consignment listed as destroyed, notification shows
then called for a personal hearing on February 4 2026 At the February 4 hearing Syeda Sadaf Ali Shah Deputy Collector appeared as the departmental representative She told the hearing authority that, in compliance with findings of the Federal Tax Ombudsman a fact-finding inquiry was carried out by Naveed-ur-Rehman Bugvi Additional Collector of Customs (PCS/BS19) which concluded that the officer described as in-charge of the State
Warehouse was negligent for including the liquor consignment in goods shown as destroyed on March 6, 2024 The report says the detention order for the consignment had already been set aside by the Collector of Customs (Appeals) Islamabad on January 17 2023 while the collectorate s appeal was pending before the Customs Appellate Tribunal, which was later dismissed on January 25, 2025 The officer told the hearing that destruction was carried out on the Destruction Committee’s recommendations and that no intimation of the sub-judice status had been provided to him which he said was on record The authority identified in the report
as Member (Admn/HR) held that negligence was established but observed there was no mala fide intention, as no intimation about the sub-judice case was given to the collectorate or the warehouse in-charge before destruction
The authority nonetheless said the officer should have ensured clearance from all angles before listing items for destruction, and imposed the minor penalty of censure under Rule 4(2)(a) read with Rule 7(f), citing the officer ’s forthcoming retirement
The notification states the officer may appeal under the Civil Servants (Appeals) Rules 1977 within 30 days of communication of the order
s
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Jordan's Minister for Industry, Trade and Supply Engr Yarub Quda co-chaired the 10th session of the Joint Ministerial Commission between Pakistan and Jordan Pakistan and Jordan have committed to pursuing a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and expanding bilateral cooperation in 16 priority sectors, including trade, finance, climate change health technology and education The agreement was formalised during the 10th session of the Pakistan-Jordan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) held in Islamabad on February 4-5 The session, co-chaired
by Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Jordan’s Minister of Industry Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah marks a significant step in strengthening economic and institutional ties between the two countries building on historical diplomatic relations Minister Kamal Khan welcomed the signing of the protocol, emphasizing the commitment of both nations to result-oriented cooperation particularly in trade investment and privatesector engagement A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to begin consultations on a PTA to enhance market access and reduce trade barriers Both sides also agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment to lead the PTA process and support the activation of the Pak-
istan-Jordan Business Council to foster business-to-business linkages In addition a Memorandum of Understanding on Information Technology and Telecommunications was signed to promote digital innovation and strengthen collaboration between the ICT sectors of both countries The JMC also focused on expanding cooperation in banking finance agriculture halal standards education healthcare climate change energy mining maritime affairs media culture, and tourism Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Muhammad Humair Karim Kidwai emphasized the importance of structured follow-up mechanisms to ensure the effective implementation of decisions
TH e blast in the Khadijtul Kubra imambargah after Friday prayers was horrific enough as it is with 31 killed in the blast and dozens injured, of whom some are not expected to survive But the first takeaway is that the federal capital is not safe Second, it raises the spectre of sectarian bloodletting something which had barely been brought under control of late It also should be noted that the sectarian terrorist menace has not been eliminated It should not be ignored that the Taliban government in Kabul is ideologically sectarian and its dispute with Islamabad is due to its insistence on continuing to offer safe havens to a particular group of militants, which has formerly engaged in sectarian violence in the past It is also worth noting that after the attacks in Balochistan, which were beaten off with heavy losses to both the law enforcing agencies and the militants That series of attacks was attributed to Baloch separatists and now it appears that their allies, sectarian terrorists, have joined in Not only is the alliance confirmed, but it has become clear that the two of them are actively coordinating their actions That both actions were supported, and perhaps even planned by India, shows that Pakistan must tread carefully Of late Pakistan has offended by refusing to play India in the T20 Cricket World Cup The amount of bloodshed in Islamabad would seem such outtrades have excessive, except for who have the least acquaintance with India’s track record especially under the BJP However there is no need to seek India s motives, for that would be to dignify its mindless hatred of Pakistan It would be helpful if the intelligence outfits kept their ears closer to the ground It is well nigh impossible for even the Tarlai blast to have occurred without something becoming known of the terrorists plans
While going through the motions perhaps someone will dust off the National Action Pla particularly the portions dealing with hate speech At this juncture, it is of critical importance that there be no sudden outburst of sectarian sentiment It is unfortunate but true that few such outrages have been punished and only claims of responsibility have identified the perpetrators Unless the perpetrators are punished, there will be no stopping more outrages like that at Tarlai taking place
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
U n s e e n S c a r s
requires acknowledging
are not side problems They are
and future of the nationeveryday
menstruation, childbirth, defecating
of
They are
carries
precisely be-
it is handled or mishandled
realities that
bodies shorten lives, dim opportunities, and whisper to girls from a young age that their health is unworthy of care The evidence is stark, and the human cost of ignoring it is obvious Start with menstrual hygiene one of the most basic yet neglected aspects of women s health In villages across Sindh Punjab Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan most women do not have access to sanitary products Many rely on old cloth, rags, or improvised materials like ash or sand Some never use any absorbent at all Studies suggest that up to 79 percent of menstruating girls and women in Pakistan do not hygienically manage menstruation because proper facilities products and disposal systems are absent This is not merely uncomfortable Unhygienic menstrual practices increase the risk of reproductive tract infections, urinary tract infections, and pelvic inflammatory disease One study found that over three-quarters of women presenting at clinics with symptoms had reproductive tract infections In rural flood-affected communities women have been observed using
THE Arctic, once a frozen frontier of quiet diplomacy and carefully balanced power, is rapidly becoming a theatre of geopolitical drama What makes this moment striking is not merely China s growing presence in the polar north but the pathway that has led it there In a twist of strategic irony policies designed in Washington to contain Beijing s global reach appear to have instead nudged the USA s closest allies toward deeper engagement with China transforming the Arctic into a new symbol of a shifting world order For decades Canada stood as one of the USA s most dependable partners sharing not only borders and security arrangements but also a sense of political alignment rooted in NATO, democratic values, and mutual defence Canadian soldiers fought alongside American forces in distant theatres, reinforcing the idea of a partnership that went beyond transactional interests Yet recent years have strained that bond as a sharper more unilateral US posture has unsettled long-standing assumptions about alliance and trust The shockwaves intensified when Washington floated the idea of exerting direct control over Greenland framing the move as a preemptive step to block Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic While cast in the language of strategic necessity the message that reverberated through Europe and North America was one of disregard for sovereignty and partnership For Denmark and Greenland, the proposal felt less like an offer of cooperation and more like a declaration of intent, prompting unease across the Nordic region Against this backdrop Canada s reported openness to involving China in Arctic research and development takes on a deeper meaning It is not simply about scientific collaboration or icebreaker technology; it signals a recalibration of strategic options The Arctic’s future hinges on access, infrastructure and year-round navigability and in these areas China has invested heavily Its growing fleet of icebreakers polar research stations and logistical capabilities give it a practical advantage in a region where technological capacity often matters as much as territorial proximity This development forms what some observers describe as a “double pincer” dynamic On one side, China has cultivated research and commercial ties
tree leaves when sanitary products are unavailable, heightening exposure to bacteria Poor menstrual hygiene seeps into every aspect of life Girls miss school not because they cannot learn, but because school toilets are nonexistent or shame-inducing Women skip work because they fear being stared at or ridiculed The mental weight of stigma and silence compounds the physical toll This is period poverty in its rawest form It is a health issue and a dignity issue, and it sits comfortably in public indifference
Childbirth, too, remains mired in harmful traditions In rural areas most deliveries occur at home under the care of traditional birth attendants known as dais There is cultural value placed on these women and family elders often resist clinical intervention as unnecessary or intrusive The result is dangerous Unsterilized instruments are used to cut umbilical cords Contaminated surfaces and unwashed hands are routine Harmful substances like cow dung or ghee are applied to umbilical stumps under the notion of healing yet they introduce infection Field reports confirm that many pregnant women never receive even rudimentary antenatal care In South Punjab, researchers found maternal death often stems from delays in seeking care rooted in poverty low education and ingrained beliefs that pregnancy is a natural process requiring no medical oversight until it turns critical Women are told that complications are normal or that doctors exist to profit from misfortune
These practices compound Pakistan’s maternal mortality situation The World Bank estimates maternal mortality at around 178 deaths per 100 000 live births far higher than regional averages in South Asia Rural women face even greater risk Poverty distance from healthcare facilities, and illiteracy make skilled care a luxury When complications like hemorrhage, sepsis, or obstructed labor occur, transport delays and lack of emergency care turn preventable situations into tragedies Beyond childbirth and menstruation lie the everyday realities of sanitation Many villages lack piped water Women spend hours each day fetching water from distant hand pumps, wells, or contaminated surface sources Sanitation infrastructure is poor; open defecation remains common and the few latrines that exist are inadequate in privacy and hygiene For women this means holding urine until nightfall to avoid public exposure which leads to urinary retention, infections, and chronic health issues Water, sanitation, and hygiene are not side
with Nordic countries under international law and bilateral frameworks On the other, Canada’s engagement opens a transcontinental corridor of cooperation that links North America s Arctic access with Europe s northern gateways The result is a network that extends China s influence across the polar circle without the need for direct territorial claims, relying instead on partnership, investment, and technical expertise The strategic implications are profound Climate change is steadily reducing ice coverage shortening shipping routes between Asia Europe and North America by as much as 40 percent What was once a seasonal passage is edging toward yearround viability, transforming the Arctic into a critical artery for global trade, energy transport, and mineral supply chains Control over icebreaker fleets ports and monitoring systems becomes a form of soft power shaping who sets the rules for access and security China s Arctic engagement also dovetails with its broader Belt and Road Initiative, which has already linked more than 150 countries through infrastructure, logistics, and digital networks The extension of this vision into polar waters reframes the initiative as not merely a land-and-sea project but a planetary one connecting continents through roads ports fiber-optic cables and now ice-cleared maritime corridors For partner countries, the appeal lies in tangible investment and shared development rather than overt military alignment
reading of
European states, facing energy transitions, supply chain vulnerabilities, and economic competition, see value in maintaining multiple channels of partnership The Arctic rich in rare earths hydrocarbons and strategic shipping lanes becomes another arena where diversification seems prudent rather than provocative The ripple effects extend beyond the polar north In the Middle East, China s and Russia s consistent calls for sovereignty and non-intervention have positioned them as counterweights to US influence particularly in countries wary of regime-change rhetoric In Latin America Beijing s infrastructure financing and trade agreements have offered alternatives to traditional US-centric economic models Together, these trends paint a picture of a world where influence is increasingly earned through development and investment as much as through security guarantees For Washington the challenge lies in reconciling the desire to protect national interests with the realities of alliance management in a multipolar era Tariffs, threats, and public confrontations may signal
issues They are drivers of disease Rural women suffer diarrheal diseases hepatitis typhoid parasitic infections and skin infections largely due to contaminated water and poor sanitation Pregnant women and young children are most vulnerable, but the toll is felt across generations Illness reduces productivity distracts from education and income generation and prolongs poverty It is tempting to attribute these conditions solely to poverty or infrastructure deficits But culture and gender norms are equally culpable Deeply entrenched taboos around menstruation and women’s bodies discourage open discussion or education School curricula do not typically include menstrual health education Many women learn about their own bodies from friends peers or older relatives who perpetuate misinformation Illiteracy exacerbates the problem: educated women are far more likely to practice safe menstrual hygiene than those without schooling In matters of maternal health male domination and decision-making mean women often seek care only when it is too late Interviews with healthcare workers in rural districts paint a sobering picture: women do not visit clinics for prenatal checkups because families believe pregnancy complications are normal or because cultural beliefs restrict outside interaction In some cases relatives actively discourage medical care until a crisis necessitates it Solutions exist beyond mere infrastructure provision They require a shift in mindset and in power dynamics Community-led education that respects cultural contexts but does not shy away from health facts is one step Projects that train local women as health educators and produce reusable sanitary pads have shown promise in Thatta and similar districts Such efforts normalise conversation about menstrual hygiene and build local capacity rather than impose external solutions Government action must prioritize water and sanitation infrastructure alongside women’s health services Clinics need skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care within reachable distance Health education must be woven into schools and community programs And critically, women need the autonomy to make decisions about their own health without requiring male permission or suffering social stigma None of this will happen overnight but evidence from local initiatives shows what is possible when communities are part of the solution rather than subjects of it The impact of unhygienic practices and rituals is not confined to statistics It is felt in every avoidable infection, every preventable maternal death and every girl who stops going to school because she bleeds every month without dignity or support This is a failure of policy of cultural inertia and of collective will Pakistan cannot claim to be committed to development while half its population remains excluded from the basic conditions of health and dignity Change demands sustained investment in infrastructure education and women’s empowerment Most of all it requires acknowledging that these issues are not side problems They are central to the health and future of the nation
The writer is a freelance columnist
Who owns data
LaiBa amiN
Qamar Bashir
The zero rated tariffs on EU-based auto sector products can play havoc with the Indian auto industry Coupled with another dominating trading partner, the USA, the Indian free trade honeymoon might be short-lived. India has accrued a lot with its stable foreign policy stances, and its economic policy has been punctuated by regular and gradual steps, very much like the Chinese experience of opening up to the world after a closed-door policy. The current collapse of the house of cards, to say it proverbially, can be the beginning of an end
Mustafizur Rahman prompting Bangladesh to demand all its matches be played in Sri Lanka (India’s co-host for this tournament) and that demand in turn leading to it being thrown out entirely All claims that any of these boycotts are founded on security concerns are, in fact, bogus; security assessments ordered by the ICC had found India sufficiently equipped to handle Bangladesh’s visit while Pakistan had hosted ICC-sanctioned international cricket involving multiple touring teams and Pakistan had played an entire One Day International (ODI) World Cup in India as recently as 2023
What is also clear, however, is that the ICC has now allowed its sport to become the medium through which South Asian states currently as riven as they have been for decades exchange geopolitical blows What s more the ICC has begun to favour one set of geopolitical ambitions over others, India never so much as copping a censure for its refusal to play in Pakistan, while India’s men’s team’s refusal to shake hands with the Pakistan players in last year ’s Asia Cup has now been adopted across the Board of Cricket in Control s (BCCI s) teams – the women s and Under-19 (U19) sides following suit To take the ICC at face value would also require believing that ICC Chair Jay Shah is conducting his business in complete separation from Amit Shah who is India’s home minister It is India s stupendous cricket economy that has chiefly brought about this imbalance
of the World Cup was invoked as well as the “neutrality and fairness of such an event Pakistan s fans may clock of course that they had not attracted such concern before the Champions Trophy in 2025, when India had refused to play in Pakistan for what were, in truth, purely political reasons As it happened a semifinal and the final of that tournament were eventually moved away from Pakistan India s cricketing magnetism pulling the knockouts to Dubai after the ICC had adopted a hybrid model wherein India played all its matches outside the host country This was a key moment setting cricket on its current trajectory In return for India s refusal to play in its home country, Pakistan insisted they would not travel to India for this year ’s T20 World Cup – two of the most storied cricketing nations on the planet descending to reciprocal petulance In the lead-up to this World Cup Bangladesh was also drawn into the fray, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise s jettisoning of Bangladesh bowler
Since 2014 when a Big Three (India Australia England) takeover at the ICC diverted cricket to a hypercapitalist path the game s top administrators have been adamant that it is profits that must define cricket’s contours Because India is the wellspring of much of the game’s finances the ICC has organised for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to receive close to 40 percent of the ICC s net earnings while international men s cricket largely surrenders a fifth of the calendar to the IPL The sport s high-octane driver of financial growth demands protection, or so the official line goes If member boards fail to align with the BCCI agenda at the ICC it has long been taken as read that the BCCI may threaten to cancel India s next tour of that country, which in turn may shatter the smaller board s revenues The vote to issue that ultimatum to the BCB had run 14-2 against Bangladesh A board must never forget at whose table it eats A cricket world that has spent 12 years lionising economic might cannot now be surprised that politics has now begun to overrun even the game s financial imperatives That monopolies tend to lead to appalling contractions in consumer choice has been a fundamental tenet of economics for generations Hundreds of millions of Bangladesh fans are about to discover this over the next few weeks as will the remainder of the cricketing world on February 15, when India and Pakistan were due to play That profit-driven systems, which equate wealth with power, frequently lose the means to check the most powerful is another longstanding principle in political economics The tournament s competitive standards will also undoubtedly slip for Bangladesh s absence Bangladesh have a body of work in cricket that, respectfully, utterly dwarfs that of Scotland, who have replaced them There are warnings here too for other cricketing economies Although broadcast revenues from Bangladesh are a mere sliver of the mountains India presently generates macro-
economic indicators from Bangladesh (a growing population an improving gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) ranking) suggest that market is set to grow in future decades If the ICC is willing to freeze a Full Member with Bangladesh s potential what will it do to more vulnerable boards – Sri Lanka New Zealand and the West Indies for example?
The irony for many boards is that they have largely served the BCCI s agenda at the ICC for a dozen years, helping extend its financial dominance Since the Big Three first carved up governance and finances at the ICC in 2014 most smaller boards have been enthusiastic supporters of the BCCI s programme, believing that only by appeasing India can they survive, which in itself is a tacit admission of a galling lack of ambition And still, a dozen years of carrying this water has delivered them to no less bleak a position In fact several of the smaller Full Members have regressed Sri Lanka Cricket for instance has in recent years been among the BCCI s most loyal allies But it has now been a dozen years since any of their senior teams made the semifinal of a global tournament Their Test cricket survives but barely – the schedule is increasingly thin Sri Lanka men only have six Tests on their slate in 2026 having had as few as four Tests to play last year Cricket West Indies, meanwhile, has not seen a major resurgence on the field either, their men’s T20 fortunes having subsided since 2016 while both their men’s and women’s ODI teams have failed to qualify for the most recent World Cups Zimbabwe Cricket is in no less challenging a footing now than it was two decades ago New Zealand and South Africa have held their own on the field,
US, INDIA UNVEIL INTERIM TRADE FRAMEWORK, MOVE CLOSER TO BROAD PACT
Russia launches large missile, drone strike against Ukrainian energy system
Russian criminals carried out another massive attack on Ukraine s energy facilities,” Shmyhal said on the Telegram app “Energy workers are ready to start repair works as soon as the security situation allows The strikes were launched as temperatures began to drop and are forecast to fall to minus 14 degrees Celsius in the coming days
The new Russian attacks on the energy system also come just days after the latest round of the US-brokered talks between Ukraine and Russia on how to end the war
Despite pressure from US President Donald Trump s administration and rounds of talks, diplomatic efforts have so far brought no tangible results Intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian power sector
Since autumn 2025, Moscow has intensified its attacks on the Ukrainian power grid and other energy infrastructure, forcing frequent blackouts across Ukraine and plunging millions into darkness for hours Ukrainian officials said that
emergency power cuts were introduced across the country Shmyhal said the government asked Poland for emergency power imports to help the Ukrainian grid Regional officials reported attacks across the country, including in the western regions of Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv
The Burshtyn and Dobrotvir thermal power plants in western Ukraine were hit officials said DTEK, Ukraine s largest private energy company, said that equipment was damaged significantly at its thermal power plants in different regions DTEK said it was the 10th attack on its thermal power stations since October 2025
Since Russians have been targeting energy facilities in various regions of our country, power outages may last much longer,” said Maksym Kozytskyi the Lviv regional governor He said air alerts lasted more than six hours in the western Lviv region close to the Polish border Polish authorities said two airports in southeastern Poland were suspended from operations as a precaution due to Russian strikes on nearby Ukrainian territory The airports in Poland later resumed operations
Police remembers mar tyrs of Choki
Punjab Inspector General of Police Rao Abdul Kareem on Saturday paid tribute to the six police martyrs of the Choki Qudrat Ullah attack in Mianwali on the occasion of their 17th death anniversary The Punjab IG Police said that he salutes the great brave sons who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and their families He said that the memory of the police martyrs of the Choki Qudrat
more employment, investment and technology upgrading besides encouraging foreign investment He said the facility has played a huge role in Pakistan’s targeting to a Green Future and Zero Carbon emission as several textile companies expected to achieve zero net carbon emission by 2050 While stressing on continuation of the GSP plus facility until the economic stability of Pakistan, Chairman APTMA said the country’s exports can reap further benefits from the facility through further diversification
RAWALPINDI
S ta f f r e p o r t
Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan on Saturday visited Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic Hospital to inquire about the health of the injured of the tragic suicide attack that occurred in Islamabad’s suburb of Tarlai During the visit the Governor prayed for their speedy recovery and expressed heartfelt sympathy with their families The Governor strongly condemned the attack and stated that terrorism has no religion and targeting innocent worshippers is a heinous crime against humanity
He expressed that the nation mourns alongside the families of the martyrs and stands united in grief Sardar Saleem Haider Khan emphasized that Pakistan, being among
countries affected by terrorism, continues to combat this menace through the relentless efforts of its brave armed forces and security agencies
He highlighted the leadership of Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir in eradicating extremist groups and thwarting Indian-sponsored terrorism conspiracies
The Governor praised the sacrifices of Pakistan Army personnel in the ongoing war against terrorism and reaffirmed that anyone threatening the lives of innocent citizens would face no mercy He vowed that the struggle to eliminate terrorism from the country will continue unabated
Earlier, the Governor attended the Orange Festival in Taxila as the chief guest The festival attended by Prime Minister s advisor Dr Tauqir Shah foreign diplomats Tariq Jadoon, Vice President FPCCI,
She directed the authorities to fix responsibility and initiate legal action against those found negligent, emphasising that negligence in ensuring worker safety would not be tolerated
Muhammad Rauf, Chairman Tourism & Hospitality Rawalpindi Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries and other prominent figures showcased the region s rich cultural heritage The host Zeildar Ahsan highlighted the festival s role in promoting local culture and identity
The event featured traditional horse dances, weightlifting competitions and qawwali performances which received enthusiastic appreciation from attendees
Addressing the gathering the Governor said that cultural festivals like the Orange Festival are vital for promoting Pakistan’s traditions, heritage, and cultural diversity at the global level He emphasized that such events help foreign diplomats and representatives of friendly countries understand Pakistan s historical significance and
T WO PAKISTANIS SHORTLISTED BY CHINA FOR HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT PROGRAMME
TPHC strikes down KP Police Amend Ac t 2024 as ‘unconstitutional ’
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Saturday declared the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Amendment Act 2024 null and void, observing that the impugned law risked transforming the police force into a “political tool” and undermining its constitutional role
ment s move to strip the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the authority to appoint field commanders According to the decision bypassing the IGP and granting the Chief Minister control over individual postings disrupted the police force s command hierarchy and eroded its institutional integrity
the 2024 amendments effectively eliminated the operational autonomy of the police force, thereby violating constitutional principles Senior civil judge dismissed over corruption, incompetence
Dr Ibrahim Mughal categorically rejected India s claim of placing the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance stressing that the landmark agreement remains fully enforceable under international law and cannot be unilaterally suspended, breached, or modified by either party Dr Mughal dismissed the use of the term “abeyance” as having no legal standing in international treaty law describing it as a fabricated expression designed to create ambiguity and mislead public opinion He noted that India itself has acknowledged that it lacks unilateral authority to suspend the treaty a position reaffirmed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in its June 2025 ruling, which clearly established that India cannot hold the IWT in abeyance without Pakistan’s consent He said Pakistan is compelled to pursue a measured and formal response through legal and diplomatic channels strictly in accordance with the treaty s dispute-resolution mechanisms Dr Mughal specifically accused India of deliberately manipulating water flows in the Chenab River, calling it a clear case of “weaponization of water” with far-reaching consequences for Pakistan’s agriculture irrigation systems food security and overall regional peace Explaining the treaty framework Dr Mughal said the IWT does not allocate a fixed volume of water to Pakistan but guarantees the uninterrupted natural flow of the western rivers Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab While these rivers historically followed their natural courses he said recent artificial interventions have severely disrupted irrigation schedules cropping patterns and agricultural cycles Dr Mughal further stated that there was no legal technical, or moral basis for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi s statement regarding the abeyance of the treaty Recalling the historical context, he noted that Pakistan had already made substantial concessions under the IWT by granting India control over the three eastern rivers Ravi Beas and Sutlej As a consequence the Sutlej now remains largely dry except during flood seasons, while the Ravi has effectively dried up, giving India a significant upstream advantage Meanwhile, Chairman Pakistan Economic and Political Forum (PEPF) Noor Muhammad Kasuri said the World Bank as the guarantor of the Indus Waters Treaty should be formally approached to intervene in the matter Kasuri said
In a 28-page written judgment authored by Chief Justice SM Atiq Shah, the court held that the provincial government s attempt to subject the appointment and posting of senior police officers to the approval of the Chief Minister was unconstitutional The verdict was issued on a petition filed by Barrister Muhammad Yousaf Khan
The judgment asserted that an apolitical and practically autonomous police force was not a matter of administrative convenience but a constitutional requirement essential for the protection of fundamental rights the guarantee of fair trials, and the principle of equality before the law
The court took a firm stance against the provincial govern-
The bench emphasized that for police command to remain coherent and discipline to be maintained routine administrative matters particularly transfers and postings must remain strictly within the purview of the IGP
The responsibility of enforcing the law lies with the police chief, and he is answerable only to the law,” the verdict stated clarifying that the Chief Minister s authority was confined to providing broad policy guidance rather than micro-managing individual officer assignments
The PHC further highlighted the distinction between legitimate policy supervision and unconstitutional administrative interference
While the provincial government retains the right to frame policy under the constitutional framework, the judgment observed that
In a related development the Peshawar High Court has dismissed Senior Civil Judge Mardan Ijazul Haq Awan from service with immediate effect after charges of corruption and incompetence were proven against him Disciplinary proceedings against Judge Ijazul Haq Awan were initiated under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2011
During the proceedings, the PHC issued a show-cause notice granted the officer a personal hearing and conducted a detailed examination of his service record and performance evaluation reports
Following the inquiry, the Chief Justice of the PHC approved the immediate dismissal after the allegations were substantiated An official notification of the decision has been issued and all relevant departments and authorities have been formally informed
SC to hear 13 petitions involving Imran K han, Bushra Bibi on Feb 9
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
The Supreme Court has fixed 13 petitions relating to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi for hearing on Monday (February 9) according to a supplementary cause list issued on Saturday
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan will take up the petitions at 9am
Among the cases scheduled for hearing is the Punjab government’s appeal challenging the bail granted to Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi
The court will also hear Imran s appeal against a case registered against him under the Official Secrets Act, as well as proceedings in a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference related to the AlQadir University Trust Additionally a petition challenging the acquittal of Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the ci-
pher case has been fixed for hearing The Punjab government s appeal against bail granted to the PTI founder in the May 9 cases will also come under consideration
The bench will further take up Imran Khan s appeal against a Rs10 billion defamation suit filed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Imran Khan has remained incarcerated since August 2023 following convictions in multiple cases which he maintains were politically motivated after his removal through a no-confidence vote in 2022 His first conviction was in the Toshakhana case involving allegations of the unlawful sale of state gifts Subsequent verdicts resulted in lengthy sentences, including 10 years’ imprisonment in the cipher case and 14 years in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case Last month both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 17 years imprisonment in another Toshakhana reference Separately, the Supreme Court issued a press release announcing the formulation of standard operat-
ing procedures (SOPs for engaging with aggrieved litigants following PTI s approach to the court regarding access to Imran Khan
According to the press release, on January 30 the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and PTI lawmakers gathered outside the Supreme Court to raise concerns over access to the incarcerated PTI founder These concerns were conveyed to the chief justice by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja but were referred to the relevant authorities as they did not directly relate to matters pending before the apex court
In the absence of a response for a week, a delegation including opposition leaders from both houses of parliament again approached the Supreme Court on February 6 with a signed memorandum which was formally received by the registrar
The press release said that concerns regarding access to Imran Khan and the provision of his medical reports were once again communicated to the relevant executive authorities
