IRAN DENIES SEEKING CEASEFIRE AS MISSILE ATTACKS AND REGIONAL TENSIONS ESCAL ATE
ITEHRAN/WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV
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R A N has said it has not requested a ceasefire or sought negotiations with Washington reaffirming its commitment to continue defending itself amid the ongoing conflict as the United States and Israel continue attacks on Iranian territory, with missiles striking several sites in the central Isfahan province Dozens of people have reportedly been killed according to state and international media US President Donald Trump said Iranians had reached out
BAJUR/ISLAMABAD
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Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday condemned the Afghan Taliban regime for “deliberately targeting the civilian population with artillery and mortar fire from across the border in Tabesta Letai, Salarzai area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s Bajaur district” at around 3:30pm, resulting in the martyrdom of four innocent civilians Meanwhile Pakistan s security forces carried out overnight strikes in Afghanistan s Kandahar province targeting terrorist hideouts and military infrastructure,” as part of ongoing military action against the Afghan Taliban, state-run Pakistan Television reported citing security sources Pakistani forces launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in late February following what officials described as unprovoked cross-border actions by the Afghan Taliban at multiple points along the border with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa In a statement Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said the Afghan Taliban government carried out a cross-border mortar attack on civilian areas in Bajaur on Sunday afternoon resulting in casualties and damage to property According to the minister the attack deliberately targeted residential areas, damaging homes and
killing four brothers Sajid Ayaz Riaz and Moaz while a five-yearold child was critically injured Four innocent civilians have embraced shahadat while a five-yearold child is seriously injured after a house was struck in this attack,” he said Separately district police spokesperson Israr Khan confirmed that residents from nearby villages rushed to the scene shortly after the incident and recovered the deceased and the injured from the debris He said a police team from Salarzai police station led by the station house officer visited the area inspected the damaged house and collected evidence
FO slams India’s
PCDMA SAYS RS55 FUEL PRICE HIKE HURTING TRADE, RAISING BUSINESS COSTS
PAKISTAN TO BEGIN 5G PILOT PROJECTS NEXT WEEK IN MA JOR CITIES, SAYS IT MINISTER
tasked with providing a detailed report on the incident
s l
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India, a serial violator of human rights and international law, continues to illegally occupy Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in violation of the United Nations Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions and has been responsible for perpetrating state terrorism in the occupied territory, the FO statement said Andrabi further maintained that under its “Hindutva extremist ideology,” India continued to “systematically marginalise its minorities spread Islamophobia and has even weaponised water in contravention of its treaty obligations India has not only played the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan, but also across the entire region, the statement added The FO stressed that India was in “no position” to issue such statements given its “shameful credentials,” and urged the neighbouring country to instead focus on refraining from stoking terrorism inside Pakistan from Afghan soil For its part Pakistan remains determined to take all appropriate actions in self-defence and to protect its citizens in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter,” the statement concluded Earlier on March 10 during a debate on Afghanistan at the UNSC Pakistan also rebuffed India s criticism of cross-border strikes Pakistan s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said India s remarks were no surprise, citing what he described as India’s “animosity towards Pakistan and the sole objective of its Afghan policy being to destabilise Pakistan ”
4 civilians mar tyred in Afghan mor tar attack as Pakistan continues Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
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In a post, Tarar described the assault as a “cowardly and heinous deliberate targeting of civilians” allegedly carried out by the Afghan Taliban regime “in cohorts with the terrorist organisation Fitna alKhawarij He said the attack was a grave violation of international law and basic human values, reflecting frustration and desperation amid what he termed heavy setbacks faced by militant groups due to Pakistan’s ongoing military operations under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq Local residents strongly condemned the incident, expressing outrage against the Afghan Taliban government Tarar said Pakistan’s armed forces were actively responding and targeting Taliban positions and infrastructure through precise and forceful operations after militants suffered significant setbacks on multiple fronts during the operation The minister emphasised that Pakistan would continue to take appropriate and decisive measures to protect its citizens and respond strongly to such attacks
684 AFGHAN TALIBAN COMBATANTS KILLED: Earlier the information minister said that 684 combatants of the Afghan Taliban regime and Fitna
al-Khawarij had been killed during Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
Providing a summary of losses at 1600 hours Tarar said 252 posts had been destroyed, while 44 others were captured during the operation He added that over 912 Afghan operatives were injured during the military campaign According to the minister around 229 tanks armoured vehicles and artillery guns had also been destroyed He further said that about 70 terrorist and support locations across Afghanistan had been effectively targeted through aerial strikes
OPERATIONS UNDER OPERATION
GHAZAB LIL-HAQ CONTINUE:
Meanwhile Pakistan s military carried out overnight strikes targeting facilities used by the Afghan Taliban and affiliated groups” to support attacks against Pakistani civilians, according to Pakistan Television Security sources said Pakistan s armed forces successfully struck military installations and terrorist hideouts belonging to the Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) The state broadcaster reported that the armed forces destroyed technical support infrastructure and an equipment storage facility in
‘Ready For Long War ’: Iran denies seeking ceasefire as missile attacks and regional tensions escalate
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“We are stable and strong enough We are only defending our people ” Araghchi said in an interview with CBS s Face the Nation We don t see any reason why we should talk with Americans because we were talking with them when they decided to attack us ”
U L F T I E S: Tehran has said its relations with Arab Gulf states may require a serious review in light of ongoing USIsraeli military operations targeting Iran Iran s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, said in a written response to Reuters that although the conflict raised concerns about bilateral ties the two countries remained inseparable neighbours We cannot do without each other; we will need a serious review, he said What the re-
gion has witnessed over the past five decades is the result of an exclusionary approach and excessive reliance on external powers
Enayati denied that Iran was responsible for recent attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure including the Ras Tanura refinery and attempted drone strikes on the Shaybah oil field near the UAE border Iran is not responsible for these attacks, and if Iran had carried them out, it would have announced it,” he said, without specifying who might have been behind them
The envoy said he remained in contact with Saudi officials and described relations as progressing naturally particularly in facilitating Iranian pilgrims and providing medical assistance
He added that Tehran was also discussing assurances with Riyadh that Saudi territory would not be used for attacks on Iran
Kandahar which was allegedly being used to facilitate cross-border militant activities In another strike the military targeted a tunnel in Kandahar housing technical equipment used by Afghan Taliban elements and allied militants
“Operations under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq will continue until the attainment of objectives ” Pakistan Television quoted a security source as saying In a post on X later on Sunday Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the overnight strikes in Kandahar and shared footage of the operation
“On the night of March 14/15, Pakistan Armed Forces targeted military installations including terrorist hideouts of Afghan Taliban and Fitna alKhawarij he said In these attacks, Pakistan s forces also destroyed technical support infrastructure and an equipment storage facility in Kandahar that was being used by Afghan Taliban and terrorists against innocent Pakistani civilians he added
Tarar said the footage demonstrated precision engagement by Pakistani forces against militant installations No civilian population or infrastructure was targeted contrary to the false claims propagated by Afghan regime officials and media he asserted
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he was sceptical about expanding the European Union s Aspides naval mission to the Strait of Hormuz Speaking to Germany’s ARD broadcaster Wadephul said the existing mission aimed at protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea had not been effective That is why I am very sceptical that extending Aspides to the Strait of Hormuz would provide greater security,” he said
founder and managing director of the China Market Research Group (CMR), said China was maintaining a neutral and non-military stance in the Middle East Speaking to Al Jazeera Rein said China s diplomacy was guided by its policy of non-interference They re not going to take sides in military conflagrations, he said
PM Shehbaz directs ‘strategy’ for Gulf food expor ts while ensuring domestic supply
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During the meeting
terrorism
Declaring victor y
Attack on Kharg brings new dimension to fighting
US President Donald Trump has declared victory over Iran, saying that it has been thoroughly defeated The Iranian leadership does not seem to agree, even though the US attack on Kharg Island, targeting military facilities there, may have degraded its ability to close the Strait of Hormuz Kharg Island is also the energy hub of Iran, as it handles 90 percent of the country s oil exports
The USA has claimed it has avoided oil facilities, but it is difficult to see how long it will manage to continue this restraint A further weakening of that restraint will occur if Iran comes good on its promise to make attacks on any facility in the region with US ties It has claimed to have targeted a US base in Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi once again warned Gulf States to shut down US bases in them or face attack So far both sides are hanging back from attacking oil facilities though there have been some attacks on UAE and Qatari facilities
If that restraint was to disappear it would be as damaging, if not more, than the closure of the Hormuz Strait After all, while the Hormuz Strait can easily be reopened, simply by the assurance that vessels will not be shot at (and even if mines were laid, which has not yet happened, minesweeping is relatively simple); drilling and refining facilities may involve years to build again) The Strait closure seems to weight heavily on the USA too, with Mr Trump accompanying his victory declaration by saying that several countries would send warships to help open the Strait Mr Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the UK, France China, Japan and South Korea would send ships Meanwhile the Iranian military’s spokesman said that the aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln had left the operational area after it had been ‘neutralized’ That would represent a significant reduction in airpower in the theatre
Mr Trump has declared victory and should be ready to get out of the war, but he has not been making the right moves Oman, which has previously mediated, has been trying again, but has been rebuffed by the USA It seems that there is no country which can act as a mediator Mr Trump has not had his easy victory, and might find the war costing him the midterms However, he will find that just saying so will not give him the win he so badly wants
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
T h e 1 . 5 ° C L i n e
SWhere can children go for treatment?
health crisis but a failure of governance Decades of investment in health infrastructure, domestic funds, and donor support have done little to stop children from being exposed to HIV through the very systems designed to protect them Health authorities and regulatory bodies have been called to account yet oversight remains weak and enforcement is sporadic
ME D I C A L negligence in Pakistan is often discussed in the abstract as a systemic problem a lack of resources or an unfortunate by-product of poverty
But when nearly 4000 children in Sindh are living with HIV, many infected not at birth or through personal behaviour but in healthcare facilities meant to heal them negligence ceases to be abstract
It becomes a crime unfolding in plain sight
The Pakistan Medical Association has recently issued a high-level alert on the alarming rise in paediatric HIV cases, which should jolt authorities out of their habitual inertia The numbers alone are damning There are 3995 registered HIV-positive children in Sindh and over 100 new cases reported in Karachi in 2025 These figures point to a collapse of basic infection control and regulatory oversight not a mystery This is not Pakistan s first warning In 2019 an unprecedented outbreak in Ratodero infected hundreds of children after exposure to unsafe medical practices By mid-2019, nearly 900 people had tested positive for HIV in that outbreak with children accounting for the overwhelming majority
That tragedy should have been a turning point Yet six years later the PMA finds itself reiterating what ought to be incontrovertible Preventable medical practices such as unsafe injections, reused syringes, unregulated blood transfusions, and clinics run without oversight, continue to expose Pakistani children to one of the world’s deadliest viruses
Globally health systems monitor and regulate basic practices such as single-use injection protocols sterilization standards and blood safety because breaches can be catastrophic Research shows that HIV transmission through contaminated medical procedures is not theoretical but demonstrable, with risk rising dramatically where equipment is reused without proper sterilization In Pakistan basic safeguards go unenforced
More than 600 000 unqualified practitioners operate in Sindh alone, with a large proportion concentrated in Karachi, where three to four new paediatric HIV cases are reported weekly Unsafe injections, unscreened blood, contaminated dental tools, and unregulated clinics are rampant This is not merely a
The consequences extend far beyond immediate infection Families affected by paediatric HIV face lifelong treatment costs, repeated hospital visits, and the erosion of income and social standing Stigma and discrimination add a secondary burden with reports of children being denied school admissions and families ostracized by their communities Pakistan s situation stands in stark contrast to the global response to similar challenges In sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV prevalence has been high, public health programmes focus on maintaining stringent injection safety standards regulating blood banks and expanding preventive and treatment access even under resource constraints Countries such as Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), despite limited resources and structural challenges, have introduced advanced preventive interventions, particularly in the area of mother-tochild transmission (MTCT) prevention Through early antenatal screening near-universal access to antiretroviral therapy for pregnant women and immediate prophylactic treatment for newborns Eswatini has reduced new HIV infections among infants to historically low levels Rwanda offers a similar illustration Operating in a post-conflict, low-income setting, it has built an integrated community-based health system that ensures early detection continuous treatment for mothers and close follow-up of exposed infants As a result preventable transmission has been sharply curtailed Together these experiences demonstrate that effective prevention is achievable even in constrained and high-risk environments, provided there is political will coherent policy design and sustained investment in primary healthcare delivery The crisis reflects a deeper failure of health governance Regulation exists largely on paper and not in practice Clinics that violate basic hygiene standards operate with impunity, while unqualified practitioners treat vulnerable populations without fear of sanction Official responses remain reactive rather than preventive and children continue to bear the
of top-down management Reports of administrative bottlenecks nonfunctional sensors and concerns over the transparency of fund utilization have highlighted a critical integrity gap For Pakistan s September 2025 NDC 3 0 goal which requires a staggering $565 7 billion to succeed, we must pivot toward a model of radical transparency We don t just need more funding; we need a management system that is community-owned and strictly audited ensuring that every dollar reaches the high-altitude valleys where it is needed most Switzerland built a billion-dollar economy on retreating glaciers through strategic diversification Pakistan can do the same but unlike Switzerland we are operating on a compressed timeline with far fewer resources That glaciers are melting is not negotiable But whether our communities face that future with prosperity or loss depends entirely on our ability to scale our solutions and hold the global community to the 1 5°C line The cryosphere cannot wait and neither can the demand for accountable community-led action
Climate Fund While the project aimed to shield 30 million people it has also served as a sobering lesson in the dangers
The writer is a PhD scholar from Zhejiang University, China Currently he is working in Weather and Climate Services, Islamabad as a Research Analyst
Switzerland built a billion-dollar economy on retreating glaciers through strategic diversification Pakistan can do the same, but unlike Switzerland, we are operating on a compressed timeline with far fewer resources That glaciers are melting is not negotiable But whether our communities face that future with prosperity or loss depends entirely on our ability to scale our solutions and hold the global community to the 1 5 C line The cryosphere cannot wait, and neither can the demand for accountable, community-led action.
Playgrounds build healthy kids
Roads clogged this Ramazan
dr Zafar Khan safdar
Zahid Masood
ment s most
as a water-rich region the policy warns that climate variability threatens seasonal water flows and hydropower sustainability Glacier retreat and erratic rainfall patterns increase the risks of both floods and water shortages The state ignored this warning and continued to treat water abundance as a permanent reality rather than a fragile balance The policy also highlights ecological degradation as a
driver of climate vulnerability Deforestation, soil erosion, and unplanned land use weaken natural defenses against
and landslides These environmental losses do not remain confined
ecosystems They directly affect human settlements agriculture and infrastructure The policy implicitly questions development models that prioritize short term gains over long-term ecological stability Another major warning focuses on disaster preparedness The policy anticipates an increase in climate-related disasters and stresses the need for early warning systems institutional readiness and local response capacity Recent floods and landslides reveal that the government failed to act on this warning Emergency responses often remain reactive, delayed, and under-resourced The policy also recognizes social vulnerability as a core concern It explains how climate change disproportionately affects women, rural populations, and marginalized communities Increased water scarcity, agricultural stress, and disaster exposure deepen existing inequalities The state has yet to integrate this social dimension into climate planning in any meaningful way
Climate
Environmental
T h e I r a n w a r w i l l i n c r e a s e n u c l e a r w e a p o n s g l o b a l l y
c o n c l u d
T h e I r a n w a r c o u l d t r i g g e r a g l o b a l f o o d c r i s i s
u z c o u l d d i s r u p t a g r i c u l t u re
wo r l d w i d e a n d p l a c e m o re t h a n
1 0 0 m i l l i o n p e o p l e a t r i s k o f a
h u m a n i t a r i a n c a t a s t ro p h e
R o u g h l y 7 0 % o f t h e f o o d
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t h e U n i t
d A r a b E m i r a t e s, S a u d i A r a b i a , a n d I r a q m o
French president Leaders of nonnuclear European countries occasionally muse out loud about developing their own nukes: in mid-February Polish president Karol Nawrocki said that efforts to shore up the country s security could be even based on nuclear potential ”
The country’s prime minister Donald Tusk said that Poland will not want to be passive when it comes to nuclear security in a military context Other European countries have voiced enthusiastic willingness to take part in a Franceled nuclear deterrence planning process dubbed “forward deterrence European statements around France s plans take pains to portray it as an add-on to the coverage provided by US nuclear weapons, and most of Europe has cautiously supported verbally or materially the United States in its attacks against Iran But that very caution speaks to a more durable change in global nuclear-weapons politics, one further solidified by those attacks
Recent US administrations have taken a rather slack attitude to possible proliferation scenarios especially if they involve countries the United States sees as allies The Biden administration s response to a 2023 announcement by then–South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol that South Korea would consider building nuclear weapons of its own was muted to say the least
The Trump administration seems set on concluding a deal with Saudi Arabia that would provide it with the means to produce nuclear power Saudi Arabia, which has been supportive of US and Israeli attacks on Iran has openly indicated that it would develop a nuclear
if Iran
since the attacks began: on March 2 in a speech at the Île Longue submarine base in Brittany, French president Emmanuel Macron announced that the country would be expanding its nuclear arsenal, which currently consists of about three hundred nuclear weapons The next fifty years will be an era of nuclear weapons in the words of the
Colby responded to
national defense Above all this latest step toward further normalizing and embedding nuclear weapons as a basis for global politics into an indefinite future has been sped on by the United States conducting preemptive attacks with no real effort at a coherent justification for its actions
As the war in Ukraine drags on Europe is making efforts to develop its constituent states military-manufacturing capabilities and to create and sustain links between different European national military industries Given enough time and the right contingencies additional European nuclear weapons programs could be spurred on by the sharing, overt or otherwise, of technological information, expertise, materials, and facilities among European governments
This would not even have been conceivable were it not for the fact that the United States is gradually abandoning efforts to prevent the emergence of new nuclear-weapons countries, despite its legal obligation to do so under the Non-Proliferation
Treaty It s tempting to brush the attack on Iran off as fundamentally not more brutal than US foreign policy of preceding decades
But it s equally important to notice who is feeling vulnerable here
If some of the United States’ closest allies now see benefit in moving toward the long road to independence from that country s nuclear umbrella, it s a real indication of the limits of its power, and an indication that its status as global hegemon has an expiration date
An estimated 30-40% of the world’s traded nitrogen fertilizers pass through the strait
SI N C E the start of the US-Israeli campaign against Iran, only a handful of the 100 vessels that once transited the Strait of Hormuz each day have managed to pass through Now with Iran reportedly laying sea mines in the narrow waterway the possibility of its closure lasting days – or even months – is no longer hypothetical Shockwaves are already coursing through global energy markets, but the most immediate and dangerous consequences of a prolonged closure may show up at the dinner table not the gas pump The Strait of Hormuz after all is not just a shipping lane for oil tankers; it is a critical artery of the global food system Key food staples – including wheat, corn, rice, soybeans, sugar, and animal feed – travel through the Strait on their way to the Gulf countries, and farmers around the world depend on the fertilizers and fuel that flow out of it The Gulf states which rely heavily on imported food are particularly vulnerable To secure grain rice, animal feed, and cooking oil, they depend on open waterways and a constant flow of international shipments As the COVID-19 pandemic showed, supplychain fragility is not just a wartime problem Over the past few years many Gulf countries have taken steps to strengthen their food systems expanding strategic reserves and investing in domestic production They have also explored alternative shipping routes, with some cargo moving overland or through ports that bypass the Strait of Hormuz, such as Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Islamic Port on the Red Sea These measures have improved resilience but
JACOBIN MAGAZINE
IRANIAN OFFICIAL ACCUSES 'EPSTEIN NET WORK' OF PLOTTING 9/11-ST YLE ATTACK TO IMPLICATE IRAN
Indian troops mar t yr youth in Uri, launch ‘Operation Diggi 2’ in Baramulla
Punjab’s AI Roadmap for South Asia’s Tech Lead
QUDRAT ULLAH
the Buchhar area of Uri The troops launched a joint operation during the night between Saturday and Sunday and opened fire in the area During the operation the youth was killed in the area Indian forces frequently label such killings as infiltration attempts to justify their actions and continue their brutal operations in the occupied territory Meanwhile, the Indian Army said the operation, dubbed “Operation Diggi 2 ” was continuing in the area MSF demands immediate release of all Kashmiri political detainees The Muslim Students Federation (MSF) while welcoming the grant of bail to senior APHC leader Shabbir Ahmad Shah, has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all Kashmiri political detainees, including leaders held in Indian and IIOJK jails
According to Kashmir Media Service MSF
President Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman Zargar in a statement issued in Srinagar expressed grave concern over the deteriorating health and continued illegal detention of political prisoners and Kashmiri youth languishing in jails
The statement said thousands of Kashmiris including leaders and activists are being held under black laws that allow detention without trial for years adding that the charges against them are politically motivated The organization expressed serious concern over the continued imprisonment of these leaders and activists and called for their immediate release
The MSF statement said India cannot suppress the freedom sentiment of the Kashmiri people through illegal detentions It added that the day is not far when the people of Kashmir will achieve freedom from Indian occupation Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman Zargar also appealed to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and international human rights organizations including Asia Watch and Amnesty International to use their influence for the release of jailed Kashmiris and the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions
The global race for artificial intelligence is no longer confined to traditional technology hubs such as Silicon Valley or East Asia Around the world, governments are recognizing that the next phase of economic growth will be driven by data algorithms and digital innovation In this evolving landscape the approval of Punjab s first provincial Artificial Intelligence Roadmap by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif represents an important step toward positioning the province as a competitive technology player in South Asia Artificial intelligence is expected to reshape the global economy in profound ways Estimates suggest that AI could contribute up to $15 7 trillion to global economic output by 2030, transforming industries ranging from healthcare and agriculture to finance and governance For emerging economies this shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity Regions that adopt AI strategically can accelerate productivity, create new employment sectors and expand their technological capabilities For Punjab the roadmap arrives at a critical moment The province home to more than 120 million people, has one of the youngest populations in the region Harnessing this demographic potential requires new avenues of growth that extend beyond traditional sectors By embracing artificial intelligence Punjab aims to align itself with the technological transformations shaping modern economies while empowering its youth with the skills and opportunities of the digital era
One of the most distinctive aspects of the initiative is the establishment of the world s first AI Delivery Unit, a specialized institutional mechanism designed to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence across governance and public services Operating under the chief minister the unit reflects a commitment to translate strategic vision into practical implementation By placing the highest political office at the center of the initiative, Punjab is signaling its determination to ensure that the roadmap leads to real measurable outcomes
The economic expectations associated with the initiative are substantial According to Adviser on AI Mr Ali Dar, the programme has the potential to create more than 100 000 new jobs over the next three years In addition the integration of AI across key sectors could increase Punjab s GDP by an estimated 5 to 10 percent Technologydriven innovation and exports may also contribute between $10 billion and $20 billion to Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves highlighting the broader national significance of the project
These projections illustrate how artificial intelligence can function as a catalyst for economic diversification The roadmap outlines six major pillars that will guide implementation: AI infrastructure AI administration citizen-centric services workforce development AI-driven economic growth and effective governance Together, these pillars form a comprehensive framework aimed at modernizing government operations while encouraging private-sector innovation and entrepreneurship
Human capital development remains central to this vision Recognizing that technological progress depends on skilled talent, the provincial government has already introduced AI education in 100 schools with an additional 155 institutions scheduled to begin teaching artificial intelligence in the coming months
Early exposure to emerging technologies can nurture a generation of programmers engineers and data specialists capable of contributing to both domestic and global digital economies
Beyond education, the roadmap emphasizes practical applications that address real-world challenges Artificial intelligence will be integrated into environmental monitoring systems to improve smog detection and mitigation a pressing concern for urban centers such as Lahore In healthcare, digital tools and AI-enabled platforms can enhance service delivery and data management Meanwhile the proposed Kissan AI Board aims to provide farmers with timely information on crop management weather patterns and modern agricultural techniques Agriculture remains a corner-
stone of Pakistan s economy contributing roughly 24 percent to national GDP and supporting a significant portion of the workforce Introducing AI-driven advisory systems into this sector could improve productivity strengthen food security and increase rural incomes demonstrating how advanced technology can support traditional industries rather than replace them
Equally significant is the emphasis on governance and oversight The AI Governance Policy will address issues such as data protection, transparency and ethical use of artificial intelligence As AI systems become increasingly integrated into public decision-making, responsible frameworks will be essential to maintain public trust and ensure that technological progress benefits society as a whole
Of course, the success of any ambitious initiative depends on sustained effort and collaboration
Developing a robust AI ecosystem will require investments in digital infrastructure high-speed connectivity and cloud computing capabilities Partnerships with global technology firms, universities and research institutions will also play a vital role in strengthening Punjab’s innovation landscape Nevertheless the AI Roadmap represents a forward-looking vision that aligns Punjab with the direction of global economic transformation By integrating education, governance and technology into a unified strategy Punjab is laying the groundwork for a future in which innovation becomes a central driver of development
If implemented with consistency and inclusivity, Punjab s initiative could serve as a model for other regions seeking to harness artificial intelligence for sustainable growth More importantly it has the potential to empower millions of people with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the twenty-first century digital economy In an increasingly competitive world such strategic foresight may well determine the region’s place in the global technology landscape
(The writer is a public policy analyst and can be reached at qudratu@gmail com)
Iran acc uses US and Israel of plotting false flag drone attacks to implic ate Tehran
TEHRAN ag e
Shahed-136 drone and are using these copies to conduct attacks in the region The ministry claimed that these operations are designed to frame Iran and escalate tensions in the Middle East The Iranian foreign ministry stated The US and Zionist regime have copied Iran s Shahed-136 drone and are carrying out
i e s
António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, has stated that Muslims around the world face institutional discrimination socioeconomic exclusion and biased immigration policies In his message on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on Sunday, March
CORPORATE CORNER
PUNJAB CM UNVEILS CLIMATE LEADERSHIP INTERNSHIP, URGES YOUTH TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE
Ramzan Nigehban Package distribution enters final phase as 95pc target achievest: Azma Bokhari
S ta f f R e p o R t
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that the distribution of the Punjab government s Ramzan Nigehban Package has entered its final phase, with the government achieving significant progress in the initiative Azma Bokhari said that the Punjab government had set a target of distributing three million financial assistance cards across various districts of the province, out of which more than 2 802 million cards have already been delivered to citizens She added that the Punjab government has thus achieved over 95 percent of its target
She further stated that more than 90 percent of citizens have already received financial assistance through the Ramzan cards, while over
Rs25 29 million has been provided to beneficiaries so far
The Information Minister said that on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, 422 “Maryam Ke Mehman” Iftar Das-
PFC urges reforms to curb power losses, improve efficiency for industr y
The Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) has called for urgent reforms in the power sector highlighting that inefficiencies, electricity theft, and high line losses are increasing costs for industries and undermining economic growth PFC Director
Shahbaz Aslam said that the sector ’s structural weaknesses if left unaddressed not only strain public finances but also affect manufacturing and production including the furniture industry which relies on reliable and affordable electricity
Shahbaz Aslam pointed out that governmentowned DISCOs continue to face massive losses, with a significant portion stemming from technical inefficiencies theft and poor billing recovery He noted that such inefficiencies translate into higher electricity tariffs and unreliable supply for industrial zones increasing production costs and weakening competitiveness in both domestic and international markets He highlighted the example of LESCO, which has demonstrated strong operational performance through initiatives like the 118 Smart Call Center LESCO s monitoring systems prompt complaint redressal and accountability mechanisms provide a model for reducing losses and improving service, he said He stressed that other DISCOs and sectors should adopt similar measures to enhance efficiency and customer service
tarkhwans have been established across the province to facilitate the public, where millions of people are being served Iftar daily She added that Food Safety teams have been deployed at the dastarkhwans and cooking centers to ensure the quality and hygiene of the meals being served Azma Bokhari said that Maryam Nawaz has set an example by establishing large-scale public Iftar arrangements while the Punjab government has ensured that Ramzan Nigehban cards are delivered to the doorsteps of deserving citizens strictly on merit
She further remarked that those claiming to compete with Maryam Nawaz have failed to show transparency in their own provinces where even the public remains unaware of who received Ramzan packages and where they were distributed
could gradually weaken the flow of foreign exchange sent by expatriate workers He said that while the impact may not be immediate, prolonged uncertainty in the region could affect employment prospects for thousands of Pakistanis working abroad He noted that the government has projected remittance inflows of around 42 billion dollars during the current fiscal year 2025-26 which remain a crucial support for the country s balance of payments and foreign exchange reserves However, if the conflict continues and regional economies begin to slow down, many small and medium-sized companies in Gulf countries may struggle to sustain expatriate employment which could ultimately reduce remittance inflows to Pakistan Faheemur Rehman Saigol said that Pakistan receives a significant portion of its remittances from countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where millions of Pakistani workers are employed in construction, services, transport, retail and hospitality sectors
PM, PRESIDENT CALL ON WORLD TO COMBAT
ISL AMOPHOBIA AND UPHOLD MUSLIM RIGHTS
PTI condemns rising Islamophobia, c alls for global ac tion against anti-Muslim hatred
ISLAMABAD
s tA f f
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday strongly condemned the rising prejudice hatred and discrimination against Islam and Muslims around the world saying such acts of intolerance not only violate fundamental human rights but also undermine the principles of tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence necessary for building harmonious and inclusive societies In a statement issued on the occasion of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, PTI Central Information
Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said that, in recent years, Islamophobia had emerged as a deeply concerning trend in several Western countries where Muslims were increasingly being targeted and discriminated against because of their religious beliefs traditional dress, and cultural identity He said the world must recognise that Islam is a religion that promotes peace, tolerance, justice, and compas-
He noted that the occasion, observed following a UN General Assembly resolution, serves as a reminder to stand against hatred discrimination and intol-
sion Targeting the faith of more than 1 5 billion Muslims because of the actions of a few individuals was not only unjust but also detrimental to global harmony and peace Sheikh Waqas said that PTI Chairman-for-life and former prime minister Imran Khan had forcefully raised the issue of Islamophobia during his tenure in government and consistently highlighted it at international forums, including the United Nations As a result of these efforts, he said, the UN officially recognised March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia acknowledging Pakistan s leadership and Imran Khan s persistent advocacy on the issue Today, the global community must move beyond mere statements and take concrete steps to effectively counter Islamophobia The religious sentiments of Muslims must be respected and strong legal frameworks should be introduced to prevent hate speech, discrimination, and all forms of religious intolerance, he said
erance directed at Muslims globally “The day calls attention to the rise in prejudice and violence faced by Muslim communities and underscores the need for tolerance and respect for religious diversity he said President Zardari added, Islam teaches peace, compassion, and justice It calls for respect for all humanity, regardless of faith race or background
In a statement the spokesman
LAHORE s A l e e m j A d o o n
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Sunday that the provincial government has decided to take legal action against those involved in a malicious campaign targeting the chief minister and her family over the use of an official jet In a statement on X, the senior minister took note of a “deliberate malicious campaign of lies and fabricated stories about the use of the official plane of the Punjab government , which she said was being run by known pathological liars and peddlers of fake news ” “Disinformation will no longer go unanswered ” she added The minister stated that the provincial government had decided to take legal action against every individual and platform involved under the Defamation Law 2024
No truth in reports that Junaid Safdar is in Vienna, says Sharif family Meanwhile rubbishing reports doing rounds on social media the spokesman for the Sharif family on Sunday said that Junaid Safdar son of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, had not gone to Vienna
said that Junaid was at his home in Raiwind along with his wife
He further said that Junaid reserved the right to take legal action against those spreading fake news
Last month Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz faced severe criticism from the opposition and some journalists regarding the government s purchase of the aircraft
The Gulfstream 19-seater jet is estimated to be worth between $38 million and $42m (over Rs10b) and was acquired for the CM’s use More recently there has been speculation on social media about Maryam s son Junaid Safdar using the jet to travel to Europe
The PTI-led opposition has maintained that “spending billions on a VIP aircraft is unjustifiable when a large portion of the population lives below the poverty line Similarly Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had also assailed the provincial government, saying that while the prime minister celebrated the sale of the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines his niece CM Maryam went ahead and purchased a luxury aircraft for elite travel The Punjab
administration had remained tightlipped about the acquisition initially but later claimed that it was part of a proposed airline project When questions arose about the absence of a roadmap for the airline, the government later stated that the previous plane used by CM Maryam had become old and needed to be replaced with a safe new jet
Marriyum Aurangzeb warned that those who think they can malign institutions and mislead the public without consequence should prepare to face the law”
She said that the provincial government will aim to seek recourse to the maximum penalty under the law to ensure a clear and unequivocal message
The minister held that fake news was not “real journalism” but rather defamation “Pathological lying lunatics will not be tolerated; enough is enough she stressed Pakistan s food import bill rises 18 41% to $6 41bn in JulyFebruaryThe senior minister has previously accused PTI activists and others of running a vilification campaign
