TRUMP SAYS 'VERY GOOD CHANCE' OF DEAL WITH IRAN TO SETTLE CURRENT CONFLICT
g TRUMP CL AIMS THE CONVERS ATIONS THAT TOOK PL ACE ON SUNDAY CONTINUED ON MONDAY
g INSISTS THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ WOULD BE OPEN VERY SOON 'IF THIS WORKS'
s ta f f r e p o r t
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian by telephone on Monday, emphasising the "urgent need" for collective efforts aimed at de-escalation in the Middle East and a return to dialogue and diplomacy
The phone call came as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East entered its fourth week The war began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran which also led to the assassination of then-supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Gulf tensions and strained ties
During the course of the war Gulf countries have also been targeted by attacks While Tehran has accepted responsibility for some retaliatory strikes aimed at US bases and assets in the region, it has denied involve-
ment in others These developments have placed significant strain on relations between Iran and Gulf nations PM conveys serious concern According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Premier Shehbaz conveyed his "serious concern" to President Pezeshkian over the dangerous ongoing hostilities in the Gulf region during Monday s conversation The prime minister underscored the importance of collective action to bring about de-escalation and urged a shift towards diplomatic engagement to address the escalating crisis in the region
The telephone call between the two leaders reflects Pakistan's continued diplomatic engagement with Iran amid the widening conflict in the Middle East which has drawn in multiple regional actors and raised concerns about further destabilisation of the Gulf region
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
Pakistan along with Turkiye and Egypt is engaged in active back-channel diplomacy to bridge the gap between the US and Iran, an official confirmed to Dawn on Monday
The official said that through “active back-channel diplomacy” involving US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Pakistan, Turkiye and Egypt were engaged in “quiet communication” to restore peace
The source said a “strategic synergy between Ankara Cairo and Islamabad had established a vital diplomatic conduit, demonstrating that regional cooperation is the most effective antidote to escalation”
This “mediation effort” was more than just crisis management the source said adding that there were reports of tangible progress toward resolving outstanding issues and finding a sustainable end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East
The development has emerged after US President Donald Trump said he had given or-
ders to postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants for five days hours ahead of a deadline that threatened further escalation in the conflict and claimed Washington and Tehran had held very good and constructive” talks over the past two days While Iran has denied holding any talks with the US in the
hours its foreign ministry has admitted receiving messages from friendly countries that it said indicated requests for talks by the US
The ministry maintained that it had not responded to the messages
TEvaluation Report 2024-25 indicate that key targets have not been met LESCO reported reducing T&D losses from 15 8% to 13 4% but Nepra benchmarks required losses to fall to 10% in FY2023-24 and 9 46% in FY2024-25 Actual losses stood at 15 92% and 13 7% during these years, exceeding allowed limits The shortfall resulted in a financial impact of Rs39 4 billion in FY2023-24 and Rs35 17 billion in FY2024-25 according to Nepra data Analysts said the reported savings reflect partial improvements rather than compliance with regulatory targets In October 2025, Nepra imposed a Rs25 million penalty on LESCO for excessive losses indicating non-compliance with performance standards LESCO reported a Rs23 billion improvement in recoveries and near 100% year-end recovery rates However, Nepra noted continued fluctuations in recovery ratios accumulation of receivables and limited reduction in overdue amounts Sector-wide data in the State of Industry Report 2025 shows that circular debt and receivables remain unresolved, suggesting recovery gains are incremental The company has also cited projected savings of Rs60–70 billion from AMI meters but experts said these remain unverified until full implementation and operational results are
have major points of agreement I would say almost all points of agreement he said
He did not name who in Iran the US had spoken to, but described him as "the man who I believe is the most respected and the leader " Trump said the US had not heard from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei He said he did not know if Khamenei was alive adding that he did not wish for him to be killed
"They will never have a nuclear weapon," Trump said, referring to Iran "They've agreed to that " He said Iran had initiated contact because it did not want the US to strike its energy infrastructure as Trump had threatened would happen unless the Strait of Hormuz was reopened "I think this is something that s going to happen, and why wouldn t it happen?" referring to a deal with Iran "So tomorrow morning sometime their time we were expected to blow up their largest electric generating plant that cost over $10 billion to build It s a very good one Why would they want that? So they called, I didn't call They called," he added "They want to make a deal, and we are very willing to make a deal " he said before adding We have a very serious chance of making a deal
Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would be open very soon "if this works" "The price of oil will drop like a rock as soon as the deal is done," he said Trump earlier said he had given instructions to postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants for five days just hours ahead of a deadline that threatened further escalation in the conflict now in its fourth week
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the US and Iran have had "VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE" conversations with Iran over the past two days about a "COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST
In his message, written entirely in capital letters, he said he had instructed the defence department to postpone the strikes pending the outcome of current talks The price of the Brent crude oil bench-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
He laid a floral wreath and offered Fateha at the grave Meanwhile ISPR has released a special national song Meri Mitti Meri Jaan, Pakistan Zindabad' in connection with Pakistan Day The national song carries a strong message of patriotism and national unity in relation to Pakistan Day It may be recalled that President Asif Ali Zardari cancelled parade by the armed forces in view of the Gulf oil crisis and austerity measures, on PM s advice A post on the President s X account said: “President Asif Ali Zardari approves summary to cancel Pakistan Day parade and related events on March 23 2026 in view of the Gulf oil crisis and austerity measures on PM s advice The investiture ceremony has been rescheduled to 28 April A statement issued from the Prime Minister ’s Office (PMO) on March 17 stated that in the backdrop of the ongoing Gulf oil crisis and the consequent austerity measures announced by the government it was decided that the Pakistan Day parade and associated ceremonial events shall not be held on March 23
The Armed Forces of Pakistan on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to defending national sovereignty, combating terrorism and ensuring internal security saying that they remain unwavering in their resolve to eradicate threats to the country s security Pakistan Day, observed on March 23 every year, commemorates the passing of the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940 when the All-India Muslim League demanded a separate nation for the Muslims of the British Indian Empire In a statement marking the 86th anniversary of Pakistan Day, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the country continues to confront the menace of terrorism and extremism, adding that the armed forces in coordination with law enforcement agencies and the
mark LCOc1 was down around 7% near $104 at 1127 GMT
On Saturday, Trump had warned that Iranian power plants would be destroyed if Tehran failed to "fully open" the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping within 48 hours
Trump set a deadline of around 7:44pm EDT (2344 GMT) on Monday
His comments sparked threats of retaliation from Iran s Revolutionary Guards, which said in a statement on Monday they would attack Israel's power plants and those supplying US bases across the Gulf region if Trump followed through with his threat to obliterate Iran s power network
More than 2 000 people have been killed in the war that the US and Israel launched on February 28, which has upended markets, driven up fuel costs, fueled global inflation fears and convulsed the postwar Western alliance The threat of strikes on Gulf electricity grids raised fears of mass disruption to desalination for drinking water and further rattled oil markets Trump on Saturday threatened to obliterate" Iran's power plants if it did not, within 48 hours, end its partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz the narrow waterway into the Gulf through which one-fifth of the world s oil flows
The deadline based on the time of his social media posting, would be 23:44 GMT, early morning Tuesday in Iran and Monday evening in Washington
Iran's military command responded defiantly saying that if Trump goes ahead it would strike Israel s power plants energy information and communications technology infrastructure along with power plants in regional countries hosting US bases and companies with American shareholders
The statement seemingly retracted earlier threats to desalination plants in the region which are crucial for providing drinking water in Gulf countries The lying US President has claimed that the Revolutionary Guards intend to attack the water desalination plants and cause hardship to the people of the countries in the region," the statement shared on state media said On Saturday US President Donald Trump warned that Iranian power plants would be targeted if Tehran failed to fully open the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping within 48 hours
public remain steadfast in ensuring national security
The statement said the armed forces reaffirm their enduring commitment to defending the country’s frontiers safeguarding sovereignty and maintaining internal stability against all forms of aggression and terrorism
Extending congratulations to the nation, Chief of Defence Staff (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu lauded the spirit of the people and paid tribute to their resilience
Recalling the significance of March 23, 1940, the statement described it as a defining moment that laid the foundation for an independent homeland reflecting the collective vision and determination of the Muslims of the subcontinent It said Pakistan continues to progress under democratic principles, guided by faith, hope and resilience, while remaining committed to strengthening state institutions and ensuring the well-being of its citizens
Highlighting Pakistan s global role the ISPR said the country stands as a responsible member of the international community, advocating peace, stability and cooperation
The ISPR added that the nation united in purpose continues its journey forward with resilience and a firm commitment to long-term prosperity
The statement comes as the Pakistan Army responded to the Afghan Taliban’s unprovoked attacks, resulting in the killing of more than 700 Taliban operatives and banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and the destruction of several important Afghan infrastructure
Meanwhile, Pakistan announced a temporary pause in the ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against terrorists in view of the Islamic festival of Eid ul Fitr In an X post Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that upon Islamabad s own initiative as well as on the request from the brotherly Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye,
We are determined to respond to any threat at the same level as it creates in terms of deterrence If you hit electricity, we hit electricity," the Revolutionary Guards said "If the United States' threats regarding Iran's power plants are carried out the Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed and it will not be reopened until our destroyed power plants are rebuilt a process that could take years the operational command warned Iran's powerful parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that vital infrastructure across the region would "be considered legitimate targets and will be irreversibly destroyed And the energy minister said US-Israeli strikes have already inflicted heavy damage on Iran s water and energy infrastructure
After more than three weeks of heavy US and Israeli bombardment that officials say has sharply reduced Iran’s missile capabilities Tehran has continued to demonstrate its ability to strike back Air raid sirens sounded across parts of northern and central Israel, including in Tel Aviv, and the occupied West Bank overnight on Sunday, warning of incoming missiles from Iran
The Israeli military said early Monday it had begun a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure in Tehran
Iranian news agencies said at least one child was killed and several people were injured in the bombing of a residential area in western Khorramabad city A residential neighbourhood in the northwestern city of Urmia was damaged by an air strike Iranian news agencies reported Iranian Red Crescent rescuers were shown in a video searching for survivors There were no immediate reports of casualties
Trump's threats drew rare concern from exiled Iranians supportive of the war, launched weeks after the Islamic Republic crushed widespread demonstrations killing thousands of people
Reza Pahlavi son of the late shah ousted in the 1979 Islamic revolution, called on Washington and Israel to target the "apparatus of repression" but to protect "Iran's civilian and vital infrastructure which our people need to rebuild the country"
Trump has offered varying timelines and objectives for the war saying Friday he was considering winding down the operation, a day before his threat to power plants,
the government has decided to announce a temporary pause in the ongoing military operation against the terrorists
“The pause shall be applicable from midnight 18/19 March 2026 to midnight 23/24 March 2026 ” he added The minister also said that Islamabad offers the gesture in good faith and in keeping with the Islamic norms
NAQVI CALLS FOR UNITY AND PAKISTAN DAY SPIRIT TO TACKLE CHALLENGES: Federal
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that Pakistan is a priceless blessing of Almighty Allah and the result of a great ideology and everlasting sacrifices, adding that even today the country needs the spirit, unity and solidarity of Pakistan Day to overcome internal and external challenges
Extending greetings to the nation on Pakistan Day Mohsin Naqvi said that March 23 is an unforgettable story of resolve and loyalty and a symbol of national unity and steadfastness
He paid glowing tribute to the founders of Pakistan and the martyrs of the Pakistan Movement
He said that March 23 1940 is a golden chapter in history when our forefathers laid the foundation of a separate homeland, adding that the promise made at the historic gathering in Lahore was fulfilled in the form of Pakistan just seven years later
He stated that Pakistan is a great blessing of Allah Almighty and the outcome of a ideology and unparalleled sacrifices, adding that the Lahore Resolution conveyed a clear message that Muslims are a separate nation and require political economic and geographical independence He said Pakistan Day reminds us that nations survive through ideology, unity and continuous struggle Mohsin Naqvi said that this day marks the renewal of national unity self-respect and the commitment to progress adding that to deal with the internal and external challenges faced by Pakistan, the same spirit of Pakistan Day, unity and solidarity is still needed today
which would mark a significant escalation Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken of a long-term campaign against Iran's government, a rare state sponsor of Hamas, which carried out the unprecedented October 7, 2023, attack against Israel, which responded by devastating Gaza Citizens of Israel we face more weeks of fighting against Iran and Hezbollah Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said In Lebanon, where Israel occupied a southern section for 18 years until 2000, Israeli forces were given orders to destroy bridges they said were used by Hezbollah to cross the key Litani river 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of the border
More than 1 000 people have died in Lebanon since Israel launched strikes, according to the health ministry, with more than one million people displaced Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned that the bridge attacks "represent a dangerous escalation and flagrant violation of Lebanon s sovereignty and are considered a prelude to a ground invasion
But the country's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also blamed Hezbollah, which began firing on Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei in the beginning of the war It was declared that this war was in retaliation for the assassination of Khamenei, so this means this war was imposed upon us," Salam told the Al Hadath network Israel has prided itself on air defences, and Trump and Netanyahu both claim to have knocked out key Iranian military sites
But Iranian missiles on Saturday managed to land in two southern towns including Dimona, close to Israel's desert nuclear facility Dozens were injured
"We thought we were safe," Galit Amir, a 50-year-old care provider told AFP in Dimona "We didn't expect this " AFP journalists heard blasts early Sunday in Jerusalem as Iran fired a fresh barrage of missiles Netanyahu vowed to pursue senior commanders of Iran's Revolutionary Guards "personally" as he inspected the damage in Arad the other town struck by an Iranian missile According to rescuers a missile landed about five kilometres from what is widely believed to be the Middle East s only nuclear arsenal, although Israel has never
admitted to possessing nuclear weapons insisting the site is for research Iran said the Dimona strike was in re-
COMMENT
TH E apparent tactical pause in the US-Israeli confrontation with Iran should not be mistaken for deescalation President Donald Trump’s decision to defer strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure has merely stretched a 48-hour ultimatum into a longer, more ambiguous window of uncertainty The shift in tone from threats of obliteration to talk of productive conversations signals not a breakthrough but a recalibration Tehran s categorical denial of meaningful engagement coupled with explicit warnings of retaliation across the Gulf and the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz underscores a stark reality: the risk of a prolonged, disruptive conflict remains high For Pakistan, this is not a distant geopolitical drama It is a direct economic threat
Roughly a fifth of the world s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz Any disruption whether through formal closure or even heightened insecurity would send global energy markets into turmoil Prices would spike supply chains would tighten and import-dependent economies like Pakistan would feel the shock immediately Given the country’s fragile external position and persistent inflationary pressures, the margin for complacency is effectively zero Islamabad must therefore act not reactively, but preemptively
First the government should begin a calibrated increase in domestic petrol prices now rather than waiting for global shocks to force abrupt and politically costly adjustments later Gradualism though unpopular is far less destabilising than sudden spikes It also signals fiscal seriousness to markets and international partners
Second, genuine austerity measures must be implemented without delay Symbolic cuts will not suffice A structured shift toward work-from-home policies in both public and private sectors can reduce fuel consumption significantly particularly in major urban centres Similarly expanding home-based or hybrid learning models at least temporarily can further ease transport-related
M A Niazi
K I S
N’S
Psuffers from a quiet but troubling contradiction On paper official curriculum documents speak confidently of preparing students for the future They invoke ideas of active citizenship, sustainable development and global awareness, suggesting a system that encourages informed, responsible participation in society Inside classrooms however the reality tells a different story Teaching remains dominated by rote learning examinations reward memorisation and students are rarely encouraged to question debate or reflect The result is a widening gap between what education policy promises and what it actually delivers This gap becomes particularly visible when one looks closely at Pakistan Studies a subject that should lie at the heart of civic education Instead of helping young people understand society, power, rights and responsibilities, the subject increasingly functions as an exercise in recalling approved facts A review of the Sindh Curriculum (revised 2020) and the National Curriculum of Pakistan (2023) reveals that despite differences in structure and presentation both documents fall short of their stated ambitions The true priorities of any curriculum are not found in its opening statements or guiding principles They are embedded in Student Learning Outcomes, which determine what teachers teach, what textbooks include and what examiners test In Sindh’s secondary-level Pakistan Studies curriculum for Grades IX and X a majority of learning outcomes ask students to define terms list events or describe developments These tasks may be easy to measure, but they demand little intellectual engagement They do not ask students to weigh evidence, make judgments or connect historical knowledge to present realities The national curriculum introduced as part of a broader effort to promote conceptual learning appears more progressive in language but not substantially different in substance While it refers to themes and competencies, many of its learning outcomes still stop short of encouraging deeper thinking Students are told what conclusions to reach rather than being guided through the process of reaching them Knowledge flows in one direction from textbook to student, leaving little space for inquiry or interpretation This reflects a deeper structural problem Provincial and federal authorities may use different frameworks, one emphasising historical progression and the other thematic organisation but both ultimately reproduce the same classroom culture Textbooks remain predictable teachers feel constrained by examina-
PU B L I C
Rizwan ahmad
debates on governance usually re-
volve around policies institutions and political personalities While these elements are essential societies also need a deeper ethical framework that guides leadership and decision-making History shows that some of the most enduring reflections on human responsibility and morality have not come from political texts but from poets and philosophers who explored the human condition with honesty and clarity Among them the teachings of Rumi Waris Shah and Bulleh Shah remain remarkably relevant when reflecting on the moral dimensions of leadership and governance Sufi thought rarely speaks directly about politics, yet it consistently emphasizes values that are indispensable for any society seeking justice and stability Compassion humility accountability and awareness of human suffering are recurring themes in Sufi literature These ideas although rooted in spiritual reflection provide a valuable lens through which modern governance can be examined In many societies, governance has increasingly become a technical exercise focused on efficiency, management and political competition However administration alone cannot create trust between a state and its citizens Effective governance requires more than systems and procedures; it requires a moral compass Institutions may create rules, but ethical leadership ensures that those rules serve the public good rather than narrow interests The writings of Rumi repeatedly emphasize selfawareness and humility Rumi believed that true authority begins with the ability to understand one s own limitations Leaders who lack introspection often mistake power for wisdom and authority for moral superiority Such attitudes gradually distance leadership from the people they are meant to serve
Similarly, the poetry of Waris Shah reflects a deep understanding of society and human relationships His work explores the tensions between personal aspirations and rigid social structures Waris Shah observed human emotions injustice and social pressures with remarkable clarity His reflections remind readers that societies flourish when dignity and fairness are protected and decline when power ignores compassion
The message of Bulleh Shah carries a similar spirit Bulleh Shah challenged divisions created by class status and rigid thinking His poetry repeatedly emphasizes humanity above hierarchy For him the worth of a person was not determined by social position but by character and humility This insight holds particular relevance for leadership Authority that forgets human equality risks becoming distant and unaccountable These ideas are not merely philosophical reflec-
tion demands and students learn quickly that success depends on reproducing authorised answers Reform, in this sense, becomes more about relabelling than transformation The treatment of global citizenship and sustainable development offers a clear example In the Sindh curriculum students are typically asked to identify environmental problems or name their effects The national curriculum sometimes goes a step further asking for general solutions Yet international educational standards expect students to analyse underlying causes, consider competing priorities and propose realistic interventions within their own communities The difference is not merely technical One approach trains students to repeat information; the other prepares them to engage with realworld challenges Equally concerning are the silences within these curricula Digital citizenship, online rights, ethical use of technology and basic economic or entrepreneurial skills receive little attention Students are required to memorise long historical timelines often inherited from colonial-era frameworks but are given minimal guidance on how to navigate the political social and economic pressures of contemporary life In a society where public debate, activism and even livelihoods increasingly unfold online, this omission carries serious consequences
The problem is not simply that content is outdated but that complex ideas are reduced to checklists Values such as patriotism civic responsibility and empathy are presented as fixed statements rather than explored as lived experiences shaped by social context Learning outcomes overlap excessively, creating crowded textbooks that prioritise quantity over coherence In some grades important conceptual threads disappear altogether leaving gaps that teachers are ill-equipped to address Assessment practices reinforce these weaknesses When examination questions repeatedly ask students to “state”, “describe” or “discuss”, textbooks respond by offering ready-made paragraphs Students quickly learn that questioning the material is risky while reproducing it is safe Critical engagement becomes not a skill to be rewarded but a liability to be avoided Closing this vision gap requires more than cosmetic changes Reprinting textbooks, adjusting headings or introducing new terminology will not be enough What is needed is a shift in
tions They offer practical guidance for governance
When leaders approach power with humility and responsibility institutions function more effectively Citizens are more likely to trust systems that demonstrate fairness and empathy
Modern governance operates within complex structures of law, economics, and international relations Yet the central challenge remains unchanged: how can power be exercised responsibly and fairly?
Across many countries today public trust in institutions has been strained Citizens demand transparency accountability, and responsiveness from their leaders
While institutional reforms are important, ethical leadership remains equally essential Laws may define authority but integrity determines how that authority is used Without moral discipline even well-designed systems struggle to deliver justice
The ethical lessons found in Sufi thought therefore remain deeply relevant today Compassion encourages leaders to understand the struggles faced by ordinary citizens Humility prevents power from turning into arrogance Accountability ensures that authority remains aligned with the public interest When these principles guide governance leadership becomes more responsive and humane Policies affecting education healthcare employment and justice are not merely administrative decisions; they shape the everyday lives of millions of people Leaders who recognize this responsibility approach governance with greater care and seriousness At the same time ethical governance is not solely the responsibility of those in office Citizens civil society the media and institutions all play a role in strengthening accountability A society that values fairness and transparency encourages its leaders to act accordingly Conversely, when ethical standards weaken, governance becomes vulnerable to misuse of authority and erosion of trust The health of a political system therefore depends not only on legal frameworks but also on shared values This is where the wisdom
Ultimately, institutions may build the structure of governance , but
is values that give that structure life Without
courag e , authority becomes distant and
The wisdom of Rumi, Waris Shah, and Bulleh Shah reminds us that power must
rooted in humanity
how learning outcomes are framed and how learning is assessed The language of instruction must move beyond recall Students should be asked to analyse policies evaluate historical decisions and propose solutions to contemporary social problems Such changes would naturally push classrooms away from memorisation and towards meaningful engagement Citizenship education must also reflect the realities students already inhabit Discussions of rights and responsibilities cannot remain confined to abstract constitutional ideals They must include digital spaces, online behaviour, access to information and economic participation Civic identity today is shaped as much by screens as by streets, and education must acknowledge that fact Similarly global development goals should be linked to action rather than slogans Instead of merely identifying problems students should be encouraged to design small practical initiatives within their communities Even limited projects can teach responsibility, cooperation and problem-solving more effectively than abstract definitions Assessment reform is equally critical Examinations should test how democratic principles social responsibilities and legal frameworks apply to current challenges such as environmental stress, inequality and governance failures This would signal to teachers and students alike that understanding matters more than memorisation
Education does more than prepare individuals for employment; it shapes citizens If Pakistan s curricula continue to speak the language of the future while teaching the habits of the past, the gap between policy ambition and social reality will continue to widen Bridging this gap is not merely a technical task It is a political and moral choice about the kind of society Pakistan hopes to become
The writer is a freelance columnist
Education does more than prepare individuals for employment; it shapes citiz ens If PakistanÊs curricula continue to speak the languag e of the future while teaching the habits of the past, the gap between policy ambition and social reality will continue to widen
Generations United
shared humanity that binds them Born in the 1980s and 90s, the Millennials are the bridge between tradition and modernity They inherited a world in transition Shaped by analogue childhoods and digital adolescences, they are often praised for their research-oriented mindset and respect for elderly footprints the wisdom of prior gene-rations Their moral consciousness rooted in community-driven values emphasises stability and incremental progress
This generation s ability to balance tradition with emerging technologies allowed the Millennials to navigate early globalisation and economic shifts However, critics argue that some of them cling to outdated norms, resisting critical change in favour of nostalgic ideals
Gen Z born into a hyper-connected post-recession world thrives on adapt-ability Fluency in emerging digital trends and emphasis on individualism reflect a pragmatic response to rapid technological and social change While older generations may perceive them as emotionally driven or dismissive of tradition, Gen Z s focus on inclusivity, mental and emotional health awareness, and climate activism reveals a profound, albeit different, moral compass The willingness of Gen Z to challenge wellentrenched systems from workplace hierarchies to societal norms can be misread as irreverence but it often stems from a sincere desire to redefine values in a fractured world
The tendency to label the Millennials as the last moral generation and Gen Z as the spiritually shattered generation ignores the broader context Both these generations have faced unprecedented pressures: Millennials grappled with crises and shifting job markets, while Gen Z is confronting algorithmic polarisation and climate anxiety Nostalgia for the ‘human nature of the 1990s’
Hate season
AI, Proxies, and Precision: The emerging triad and the erosion of deterrence in the Middle East
TH
node within hours What it could not do was collapse the system that node sat inside Iran’s constitution had long anticipated exactly this scenario Under Article 111 an Interim Leadership Council comprising President Masoud Pezeshkian Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Guardian Council cleric Alireza Arafi assumed supreme leader powers within hours By March 8 the Assembly of Experts had elected Mojtaba Khamenei the assassinated leader s own son as his successor a choice that sent an unmistakable signal of institutional defiance The IRGC, meanwhile, never relinquished operational control over proxy forces or missile inventories Retaliatory barrages diminished in scale but did not stop Proxy activity intensified This is precisely the pattern that Pape (2003) and Johnston (2012) documented across decades of leadership targeting: decapitation rarely produces systemic collapse in ideologically
cohesive regimes It tends instead to push them toward asymmetric protracted modes of warfare dispersed, deniable, and far harder to terminate through kinetic pressure alone The lesson is not that decapitation failed It is that it succeeded tactically while failing strategically and that distinction is the thread running through the entire triad Iran s proxy architecture did not need Khamenei alive to function That is the point and it is what makes the second element of the triad so strategically significant Hezbollah intensified exchanges along the northern Israeli border Houthi forces resumed maritime disruption in the Red Sea Iraqi militias struck U S forward positions in Syria and Iraq None of these required a phone call from Tehran to authorize They are designed to operate under exactly the conditions that a decapitation strike creates: leadership disruption, communication degradation international pressure for restraint The sponsor modulates intensity in calmer times; in crisis the networks run themselves This distributed model forces adversaries into an impossible calculation Israel must manage a Lebanon front while sustaining operations elsewhere; the United States must decide how hard to hit Iraqi and Syrian proxies without triggering the broader Iranian conventional response it is trying to avoid
The triad s deeper logic emerges here: precision strikes degrade the center, but the periphery holds, and the periphery is where the war actually continues Proxies do not merely complement the triad they insure it They are what survives when everything else is struck Frontier AI is where the triad becomes something genuinely new rather than a so-
phisticated variation on familiar patterns The scale of AI integration in Operation Epic Fury is documented and striking According to reporting by the Washington Post and NBC News the U S military leveraged the Maven Smart System built by Palantir and integrating large language model capabilities to identify, score, and prioritize targets at a pace that enabled over 1,000 strikes within the first 24 hours and more than 5 500 across the first eleven days of operations Admiral Brad Cooper head of U S Central Command confirmed that AI systems allowed analysts to process vast intelligence volumes within seconds, compressing the observation-orientation-decision-action loop from hours to near-real time Paul Scharre of the Center for a New American Security described this as planning at machine speed instead of human speed That phrase deserves to sit with the reader for a moment because machine speed is not simply faster human speed It is
The region already understands this, even if the theorists have not caught up Gulf states are not debating deterrence frameworks; they are buying AI-enabled early warning systems and precision counterstrike capabilities as fast as budg ets allow Israel is learning, expensively, that multi-domain operations against distributed proxy networks consume resources at a rate that conventional force planning did not anticipate
W a t e r o n t h e b r i n k : A w a r n i n g t o t h e G u l f i n a n a g e o f A m e r i c a n m i l i t a r i s m
a categorically different decision environment, one in which the pause that deterrence requires the moment of calculation of signaling of deliberate restraint is structurally compressed out of the process The consequences are already visible When AI-generated targeting recommendations move faster than human oversight can interrogate them, miscalculation stops being an aberration and starts being a design feature The bombing of a girls’ school during the campaign prompted congressional demands for a full impartial review into whether AI had already cost civilian lives, per Representative Mark Beall That single incident captures the core problem: in a targeting architecture optimized for speed, the error is often discovered after the strike not before it In a region where misperception triggered war in 1967 and again in 1973 this is not a technical problem awaiting a software patch It is a structural feature of the new operational environment and one that no existing arms control framework is equipped to govern Taken together the triad does not merely complicate deterrence It inverts it Classical deterrence whether mutual assured destruction, tit-for-tat reciprocity, or red-line signaling was built on the assumption that both sides had time to think Time to receive a signal, interpret it, calculate a response, and communicate intent The triad eliminates that assumption at every level simultaneously Decapitation removes the node that sends and receives signals Proxies obscure who is actually responsible for an escalatory act AI compresses the interval between provocation and response to the point where deliberate restraint becomes operationally difficult to execute What remains is a system that rewards the side willing to move
S i l e n ce i n t h e f a ce o f t h at re a l i t y i s n o t n e u t ra l i t
TIt would be a grave misreading to see the United States today as a reluctant actor suddenly wary of escalation What is more accurately visible is a power confronted by the consequences of its own long-standing policies The architecture it built of bases alliances and coercive leverage has created a region where escalation cannot be easily contained The fear now evident is not of war itself, but of losing control over its trajectory For the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council this moment demands more than cautious diplomacy It demands a structural reckoning To continue hosting foreign military bases under the assumption of protection is to ignore the shifting realities of conflict These installations do not merely deter adversaries; they invite them They anchor the Gulf within external strategic agendas that do not prioritise the safety of its populations In doing so they transform sovereign territory into forward positions in conflicts that are neither locally rooted nor locally controlled
The question that must now be asked with clarity and without evasion, is whether the security of Gulf populations can ever be guaranteed under such conditions
A policy reorientation is not only desirable; it is urgent The gradual but decisive dismantling of foreign military presence must be placed on the regional agenda not as an act of defiance but as an assertion of survival This is not a call for isolation but for autonomy an insistence that security frameworks be grounded in regional cooperation rather than external domination
Such a transition would require courage from Gulf leaderships many of whom have long relied on external guarantees But the cost of inaction is becoming increasingly clear As long as the Gulf remains a staging ground for great power projection its most essential systems will remain exposed to the logic of retaliation
Water infrastructure, in particular, cannot be defended indefinitely in a militarised environment It can only be protected by reducing the conditions that make it a target This is the central warning of the present moment
The threat to desalination plants is not simply a military risk; it is a political indictment It reveals the extent to which the region s security has been outsourced, and in doing so, compromised If the Gulf is to avoid a future where access to water itself becomes a casualty of geopolitical rivalry it must begin to disentangle itself from the structures that have made such a scenario conceivable
The time for calibrated dependence has passed What lies ahead demands a different imagination one that places sovereignty, human security, and regional self-determination above the imperatives of external power In the end, the choice before the Gulf is stark It can remain embedded in a system that renders its lifelines vulnerable or it can begin the difficult process of reclaiming control over its own security and future The warning has been issued What remains is whether it will be heard
Afew weeks ago in Tel Aviv on my first days there – before what has now become an extended stay due to the war – I stopped at a small place to grab lunch I began my order in hesitant Hebrew, think-
aleena Saif Ullah
ISRAELI FINANCE MINISTER CALLS FOR ANNEX ATION OF SOUTHERN LEBANON UP TO LITANI RIVER
with
the
potential threats to its
suggests that
The
is prepared to
its
and the
of Hormuz as
position along
against
The condition requiring coordination with Iran for
through the
of Hormuz for nonbelligerent nations adds a layer of complexity to an already tense maritime environment Such a requirement could significantly impact international shipping and naval movements in the region Iran s control over its northern coastline of the strait has long been a factor in regional security calculations and the latest pronouncement from the Defence Council reaffirms Tehran s willingness to use this strategic advantage if provoked The warning comes as tensions in the broader Middle East and Persian Gulf region continue to remain elevated, with multiple stakeholders closely monitoring developments that could affect the free flow of maritime commerce through one of the world s busiest waterways WASHINGTON a n a d o l u ag e
More than 40 energy assets across nine countries in the Middle East have been severely or very severely damaged amid the ongoing conflict, the International Energy Agency said, according to media reports on Sunday IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said the damage could prolong disruptions to global supply chains even after the conflict ends It will take some time for the oil fields, refineries and pipelines to come back online, he said Birol said more than three weeks of fighting have disrupted the entire energy supply chain and nearly halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz Read More: Iran to completely close Hormuz if Trump executes threats on Iranian energy, Revolutionary Guards say He said the impact of the disruptions is comparable to the two major oil crises in the 1970s and the 2022 natural gas crisis all put together Not only oil and gas, but some of the vital arteries of the
Mideast war threatens energy crisis worse than 1970s oil shocks, warns IEA chief
A K I S TA N's opening batsman Sahibzada Farhan has been named the ICC Player of the Month following his recordbreaking performance during the 2026 ICC Men s T20 Cricket World Cup
L ahore Resolution is defining turning point in Pakistan's freedom struggle:
Mar yam Nawaz
an independent homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent was paved She said
that the Lahore Resolution holds a landmark position in the struggle for freedom and the achievement of a separate country She emphasized that Pakistan Day represents the unforgettable beginning of the Pakistan Movement, adding that unity, organization, hard work, and integrity are the essential principles for progress She noted that the sacrifices of our forefathers demand that we continue striving towards the independence Maryam Nawaz Sharif further stated that in order to achieve a dignified position in the international community, it is imperative to follow the vision and principles of Muhammad Ali Jinnah She reaffirmed the commitment to making Pakistan a respected nation in the world and emphasized that on this day, we must renew our pledge to shape the country in accordance with the ideals of the founding leaders of Pakistan
KARACHI
s ta f f r e p o r t
DSP Ahsan Zulfiqar who had been critically injured during a raid in connection with the Mustafa Amir murder case, has died after months of battling for his life
Police said DSP Zulfiqar had been receiving treatment at Liaquat National Hospital following multiple gunshot wounds sustained during the operation at Armaghan Qureshi s residence Funeral arrangements will be announced later Mustafa Amir, 23, went missing from DHA, Karachi, on January 6, 2023 and his body was recovered 39 days later in Balochistan confirming he had been murdered Police and the CPLC had raided Armaghan s bungalow on February 8, 2025, in an effort to rescue Mustafa During the four-hour standoff, Armaghan fired at officers injuring DSP Zulfiqar and Constable Muhammad Iqbal before being arrested Investigations revealed that Mustafa and Armaghan were involved in drug-related activities, par-
ticularly in the cannabis trade Armaghan a known drug user with prior criminal cases including a 2019 drug importation charge, had a personal dispute with Mustafa He allegedly lured Mustafa to his bungalow under the pretext of consuming drugs assaulted him with an iron rod bound him and dragged
him down the stairs Armaghan and his accomplice Shiraz, then placed Mustafa s body in a car and set it on fire in Hub The investigation further uncovered efforts by Armaghan to conceal the crime, including instructing employees to clean bloodstains and seizing Mustafa s belongings including
KARACHI s ta f f r e p o r t
Over 23,000 vehicles in Karachi have been blacklisted by traffic authorities for number plate tampering and other violations making them wanted by the police Traffic police and Excise Department data show that out of more than seven million registered
(SBNT) meaning they had been sold but the ownership had not been officially updated resulting in fines still being recorded in the name of the previous owners
K I S TA N V O W S C O N T I N U E D A C T I O N A G A I N S T T E R R O R T H R E AT S
Dar Monday, expressed the hope that amid the austerity measures adopted by the Government in view of the recent ongoing regional conflicts, the nation while sticking to the values of unity faith and discipline would be steadfast and together they would successfully navigate this challenge as well He said they were celebrating
Rain Aler t: PMD warns of thunderstorms, hail and flood risks across Pakistan
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecast widespread rainfall and thunderstorms across the country from March 24 to March 30, with occasional gaps, as a strong weather system approaches In a press release, the Met Office said a western disturbance is expected to enter southwestern parts of Balochistan on March 24 (evening/night) intensify from March 27 night and persist until March 31 Across Balochistan rain wind and thunderstorms including heavy downpours and isolated hailstorms are expected in areas such as Gwadar, Turbat, Quetta, Khuzdar, Chaman and surrounding districts between March 24–25 and again from March 27–29 In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rain and thunderstorms with snowfall over hilly areas are likely in Chitral Swat Abbottabad Peshawar and other areas from March 25–26 with a second more widespread spell from March 28–30 Isolated hailstorms are also expected For Punjab, including cities such as Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan, the PMD predicted rain, wind and thunderstorms with possible hailstorms from March 25–26 and again from March 28–30 Similar conditions are expected in Islamabad Murree and the Galiyat region In Sindh areas including Karachi Hyderabad Sukkur and Larkana are likely to receive rain and thunderstorms on March 25–26 and March 28–29 Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir are expected to experience rain, thunderstorms and snowfall in mountainous areas during March 25–26 and March 28–30 with chances of isolated heavy falls and hailstorms The PMD warned of potential landslides in vulnerable areas of upper KP Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir Flash floods are also expected in parts of Balochistan between March 25–28 and in local streams and nullahs of KP from March 28–30 Strong winds, hailstorms and lightning may damage weak structures such as electric poles, billboards and solar panels while standing crops in Punjab KP and Sindh could also be affected The Met Office advised farmers to take precautionary measures while tourists and travellers were urged to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary movement during the forecast period Authorities have been directed to stay vigilant and
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) said on Monday that former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was administered his third dose of an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection
“Prior to the procedure he was examined by ophthalmologists and was found to be vitally stable the PIMS administration said in a press release
Imran was first taken to the hospital in late January for a minor eye procedure Five days later, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said doctors at PIMS conducted another examination and after obtaining written consent carried out a minor procedure lasting around 20 minutes
Earlier this month, a medical check-up at Adiala Jail showed significant improvement in Imran s vision following his second dose of the intravitreal antiVEGF injection
According to Monday s statement, the third injection was administered “under guidance of microscopy by surgeons” after informed consent was obtained The hospital said the procedure was carried out under standard monitoring and precautionary protocols in the operating theatre
The procedure was performed as day-care surgery PIMS added that Imran remained vitally stable before during and after the pro-
homeland where they could live according to the principles of Islam Dar said the brave nation rendered countless sacrifices to achieve the homeland envisaged in this resolution Dar further said Pakistan remained firmly committed to eradicate the menace of terrorism Pakistan’s actions inside Afghanistan against the menace of Fitna-al-Hindustan and Fitna-ulKhawarij/TTP were directed towards this goal, he added Dar said Our brave sons of the soil are sacrificing their lives in its pursuit We pay tribute to our martyrs and heroes who have rendered supreme sacrifice for the betterment of our collective future
cedure, and was discharged with follow-up care instructions
However PTI raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the treatment In a statement on X the party questioned the timing and transparency of the process, noting that a press release had been issued in the early hours regarding his transfer from Adiala Jail
The party also questioned why Imran s personal physicians were not allowed access and why his family had been denied a meeting calling for greater clarity on the situation Imran has been in custody since August 2023, serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in a £190 million corruption case while also facing pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023 protests
The PTI has intensified calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court stated that vision in his right eye had dropped to 15 per cent
Government officials, however, maintain that he is receiving appropriate medical care
Last month a medical board reported improvement in his eyesight and did not recommend hospital transfer According to the report, his right eye vision improved from 6/36 to 6/9, while his left eye remained at 6/6 with glasses
The examination conducted by Dr Nadeem Qureshi and Dr Arif Khan at Adiala Jail found the anterior segment of both eyes normal, with a clear cornea It noted mild intragel haemorrhage in the right eye and moderate retinal haemorrhage across all quadrants Swelling in the macula was also subsiding with thickness reduced from 550 to 350 microns
The board recommended further tests, including OCT angiography and fundus fluorescein angiography, after completion of anti-VEGF therapy but did not advise hospitalisation
ISLAMABAD
a f p
Mavra Bari had intended to take part in a march for International Women s Day in Islamabad on March 8, but spent it in a cramped prison cell What was meant to be a celebration was instead a terrifying 12hour ordeal in a suffocating space with a broken toilet and the smell of damp concrete and sweat
Over 30 others women, men and children were also held “We were in a horrible prison ” said Bari a 36-year-old sociologist and activist We were beaten
An AFP journalist saw detainees when they were released All looked shaken from the experience, and some had signs of ill-treatment, such as bruises and swelling Outside the police station one man said tearfully: My daughter
came here just to observe the march She did nothing wrong ” On the face of it the Women’s Day march like those elsewhere in the world should have posed little concern for the authorities in Islamabad Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif himself posted on X on March 8 that women’s empowerment was “central to our government’s vision for Pakistan’s development Today we celebrate their strength resilience leadership and the invaluable contributions they make to our families, our communities, and our nation,” he wrote Human rights monitors however have repeatedly voiced concern about the increasing use of arrest to stifle free speech and peaceful assembly in Pakistan
A m n e s t y I n
s warned that there is a “shrinking space for dissent”, with the au-
gatherings
Those who find themselves detained are rarely told why Human Rights Watch has also documented cases of intimidation, enforced disappearances and legal harassment of activists, lawyers and journalists Protest movements women demanding equality or opposition groups have frequently found themselves blocked or banned while state-aligned groups are allowed to march freely “Anything and everything is a national security issue these days anyone can be punished for it said Usama Khilji a digital rights activist Khilji pointed to the case of human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari, who has taken on some of the country’s most sensitive cases
