PAKISTAN, CHINA PUSH FIVE-POINT ROADMAP FOR PEACE AS IRAN WAR THREATENS GLOBAL STABILIT Y
g BOTH COUNTRIES C ALL FOR RESTRAINT TO PREVENT REGIONAL ESC AL ATION AND HUMANITARIAN CRISES
law They urged all sides to immediately halt attacks on civilian populations and non-military infrastructure including energy facilities desalination plants, and nuclear installations The statement warned that targeting such infrastructure could lead to catastrophic consequences including environmental disasters and long-term disruption of essential services for millions of people
The initiative places special emphasis on ensuring the security of maritime trade, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz a critical artery for global energy supplies Pakistan and China called for the
protection of commercial vessels and crew operating in and around the strait urging all parties to guarantee safe passage and avoid any actions that could disrupt international shipping They stressed that any prolonged blockage or instability in this corridor could trigger a global energy crisis and severely impact international markets
The final component of the fivepoint plan focuses on reinforcing multilateral cooperation under the framework of the United Nations Both countries called for renewed global efforts to establish a comprehensive peace framework grounded in the UN Charter and international law
They emphasised the need to uphold the principles of collective security, dialogue, and cooperation, warning against unilateral actions that undermine international institutions and norms
During the visit China reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic coordination with Pakistan describing the bilateral relationship as an allweather strategic cooperative partnership ” Both sides agreed to maintain close communication on the Iran situation and work jointly to advance peace initiatives
The diplomatic push comes at a time when Pakistan has taken on an increasingly prominent role as a mediator in the conflict Officials have confirmed that indirect communication between Washington and Tehran is ongoing, facilitated through structured message exchanges and supported by regional partners
sion of the conflict Pakistan and China
Provinces agree to share oil subsidy burden, govt shelves smar t lockdown plan
ISLAMABAD
and unjustified, the ministers said such actions constituted a “flagrant violation of international law” and an infringement on the fundamental right to freedom of religion They stressed that these measures undermine the long-standing legal and historical status quo governing Jerusalem s holy sites The statement further emphasised that Israel, as an occupying power, does not possess sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem and is bound by international obligations to ensure access to religious sites for all communities
PSX extends suspension of 8 companies over compliance failures
companies are also facing regulatory and legal proceedings, including winding-up pe-
shutdown of commercial production PSX said trading in the shares will remain suspended until the companies address the regulatory breaches or until completion of the extended period The decision has been taken under powers conferred by Section 19 of the Securities Act, 2015
The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has issued revised customs values for imported aerated beverages and soft drinks, replacing a valuation framework that had remained unchanged since 2016 The new ruling applies to a range of branded products including Pepsi Coca-Cola Mirinda Fanta Sprite 7Up Kinza, Glinter, Freez, Schweppes, and other similar beverages from all origins
come outdated, prompting a fresh assessment The directorate initiated consultations with stakeholders, who maintained that their declared import values were consistent with market trends and did not reflect under-invoicing Authorities reviewed stakeholder submissions along with import data from the past 90 days, supported by market surveys and online price analysis A brand-wise evaluation was also conducted to account for differences in quality and product standards
transaction value method and other comparative approaches unsuitable due to insufficient data and variations in declared values
As a result the customs values were determined using the market inquiry method under Section 25(7) based on field surveys of wholesale and retail markets and analysis of prevailing prices
Officials said the earlier valuation, notified through a 2016 ruling had be-
Officials said the updated valuation framework is intended to provide a more transparent and standardised basis for assessing duties and taxes on imported beverages, reflecting current market conditions Customs
The directorate examined valuation methods under Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969, but found the
percent by the Ministry of Finance Officials said inflationary pressures have increased due to disruptions in global fuel supply chains following the conflict in the region
The current account deficit is projected at 0 5 percent of GDP equivalent to around $2 billion for FY26 Earlier internal projections had placed the deficit at
COMMENT
TH AT Pakistan is playing such a prominent role in the efforts to bring about a deescalation between Iran and the USA is an indication that not only is the country seen as having the weight that will allow it to play a role, but it is trusted by the USA as well as Iran It has not only hosted a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of four countries which are trying to play peacemakers, but now Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has visited China to concert measures with his Chinese counterpart Wang Li It is worth noting that there has been a shift in balance, for before the IS-Israel attack of February 48, China was accounted one of Iran’s principal backers That China has felt the need to reach out to Pakistan on the issue shows that it is not entirely certain about what Iranian wishes were It is also a sign that Pakistan is acting as a bridge between China and the USA who are at daggers drawn and are busy competing with each other globally It is worth noting that China is getting briefed on the quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad by Pakistan, rather than any of the other participants, despite its relations with them being strong Indeed, its interaction with one of the countries, Saudi Arabia, was to mediate peace between it and Iran
This was meant to secure oil supplies, not jeopardize them as is happening The effects pf the closure of the Hormuz Strait have apparently not fully unfolded and China is going to be particularly badly hit It therefore wants the war to end So does Pakistan for basically the same reason Russia which should have been in Iran’s corner is meanwhile doing nothing being busy with its own war in Ukraine Besides, as an oil exporter with no exposure to Hormuz, it stands to benefit most from the rise in oil prices
Pakistan must be careful to be a genuinely honest broker, and avoid being seen, especially by Iran, as merely a US agent It also needs a strategy to deal with Israel, which is an attacker, but do far left out of peace efforts, presumably because it is assumed that it will follow the US lead, whatever it is This is incorrect for Israel has shown often enough that it dictates US policy not the other way around
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar
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IN the days following US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s February speech to the Munich Security Conference the press reviews were glowing Unlike President Donald Trump and Vice President Vance both of whom had delivered remarks before European fora using insulting, harsh, or threatening language Rubio was praised for his respectful tone that eased the concerns of the USA’s European allies That initial shallow reaction so typical of US mainstream media reporting soon gave way to political analysts who looking beyond Rubio s softer tone exposed the deeply troubling underpinnings of his remarks A few quotes from his speech stand out for consideration First, there is this gem, which encapsulates the worldview of White Christian Nationalism Rubio told the assembled European leaders: We are part of one civilization Western civilization We are bound to one another by the deepest bonds that nations could share forged by centuries of shared history, Christian faith, culture, heritage, language, ancestry, and the sacrifices our forefathers
ethics around that forest This is the antithesis of the “silo” model; it is a holistic engagement with reality Similarly the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework used globally emphasizes Inquiry-Based Learning Instead of being told what to think, students are presented with “Global Contexts ” They are asked to explore how their local actions impact a global scale In contrast our traditional systems often produce siloed specialists engineers who don t understand ethics or economists who don t understand the environmental cost of growth This mismatch is becoming increasingly incompatible with a world that faces multi-dimensional challenges like climate change and the rise of Artificial Intelligence Furthermore we must address the Economic Anxiety that fuels this muzzling In a precarious job market parents and schools view education as a survival tool This survivalist mindset forces children into silos because specialization feels “safer ” We have turned the pursuit of wisdom into a “possession” of certificates However we are entering an era where the “sheep” who can only follow instructions will be the first to be replaced by machines The only truly human skill left the one that AI cannot yet replicate is the ability to connect disparate dots, to feel empathy, and to ask the “why” that leads to innovation
made together for the common civilization to which we have fallen heir Rubio noted that this civilization of which he speaks has had a long run: “For five centuries before the end of the Second World War the West had been expanding its missionaries its pilgrims its soldiers its explorers pouring out from its shores to cross oceans, settle new continents, build vast empires extending out across the globe It was this civilization that gave the world, he said, “the rule of law, the universities, and the scientific revolution ” Rubio lamented that since the end of the World War this Western civilization has been forced to face down several challenges which he describes as: communism; what he termed the foolish rules-based global order ; free trade; international agreements to address the climate crisis; and migration Each of them, Rubio argued, erodes national sovereignty and weakens the power and independence of the West visà-vis the rest of the world Rubio described the danger posed by each of these challenges but focused his greatest attention on mass migration which he warned threatens the cohesion of our societies, the continuity of our culture, and the future of our people ” In most of the press commentary and analysis devoted to Rubio’s remarks three items were largely ignored While it was true that the secretary s remarks were less threatening than those of President Trump and Vice President Vance his views were a pure distillation of the same White Christian Nationalism so fervently espoused by Vance, the core tenets of which are shared
The Singaporean System often cited for its rigour has also begun to pivot Recognizing that high test scores do not always equal innovation, they introduced the Teach Less, Learn More initiative This was a deliberate attempt to reduce the “muzzling” effect of a heavy syllabus and give students more “white space” to think They realized that a student who is constantly under the pressure of a ticking clock will never develop the innate demand for meaning required to solve the problems of tomorrow So, how do we move beyond the factory of excellent sheep? It requires a radical shift from an “education of possession” to an “education of practice ” We must stop celebrating the student who has the most answers and start rewarding the one who asks the most difficult questions We need to dismantle the silos and allow history to bleed into science, and math to dance with music If we continue to treat knowledge as a static, finished product handed down from a pedestal, our classrooms will remain graveyards of innovation Our students will remain trapped in the eye of the storm possessing high-grade degrees but lacking the vision to navigate a world that is increasingly non-binary and complex It is time we realize that a classroom without curiosity is just a room full of people waiting for the bell to ring We must demand a system that honors the natural innate hunger for meaning We must stop muzzling the future by muzzling the why Only then can we hope to raise a generation that doesn t just fit into the world, but has the courage to change it
The writer is a freelance columnist
Fake surgeries in Lahore
Indian media fuels fear
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this expansive constitutional vision abruptly collapses, treated as though it were optional This contradiction was confronted directly by the Islamabad High Court in Islamabad Wildlife Management Board v Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (PLD 2021 Islamabad 6) where the Court held that life is sacred and not confined to human beings alone Recognising animals as sentient beings with intrinsic worth, the Court linked animal welfare directly to Article 9 holding that the human right to life is inseparable from the protection of animals plants and the environment
The Court further clarified that cruelty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Act, 1890, is not limited to overt acts of vi-
olence It includes any act or condition that causes unnecessary pain suffering or deprivation whether through neglect confinement or indiscriminate killing Animal welfare the Court emphasised is not a matter of administrative discretion; it is a constitutional obligation of the State Punjab, notably, is not without a legal framework to address stray dog populations
The Animal Birth Control Policy 2021 was formulated precisely to move away from cruel and ineffective culling practices The Animal Birth Control Policy, 2021, was formulated precisely to move away from cruel and ineffective culling practices It acknowledges that stray dogs may pose public health concerns while affirming that population control must be humane scientific and legally regulated
This framework was tested in Anila Umair v Federation of Punjab (W P 3787/2024), where the Lahore High Court was asked whether authorities could carry out blanket culling operations without distinguishing between harmless and aggressive dogs The Court s answer was unequivocal: only incurably ill or mortally wounded dogs, diagnosed by a qualified veterinarian, may be euthanised and even then, strictly in accordance with humane procedures prescribed under the Policy
The Court highlighted that once a policy governing stray dog control is in place authorities are bound to implement it in its true letter and spirit Any deviation the Court held, gives rise to a fresh cause of action
Despite this clarity, local governments continued business as usual
The consequences of this disregard were laid bare in Eiraj Hassan & Others v Government of Punjab (W P 17741/2025) where the Lahore High Court found that local authorities were still engaging in mass killing of dogs, including healthy animals, often without veterinary supervision and in direct violation of the Animal Birth Control Policy The Court categorically held that
stray dogs cannot be culled arbitrarily including those merely suspected of rabies; that euthanasia may only be performed by a qualified veterinarian appointed by the competent authority; and that healthy dogs must be sterilised and vaccinated, not killed
Pursuant to this judgment the Government of Punjab issued binding directives on 22 April mandating strict compliance across the province These directives are legally enforceable
Yet by January 2026, the Rawalpindi Bench was compelled to issue a stay order in WP 9/26 after reports emerged of dogs being targeted by municipal authorities
The Court made it clear that any ongoing culling in Rawalpindi would amount to contempt of court At this stage, the issue is no longer ambiguous in law It is institutional non-compliance The continued reliance on mass culling is often defended as a necessary response to rabies This argument does not withstand scrutiny Globally three approaches are used to manage stray dog populations: mass culling, sheltering and adoption, and Catch–Neuter–Vaccinate–Return (CNVR) Pakistan has historically relied on culling despite overwhelming evidence that it does not work Studies from Albania Armenia Moldova and Ukraine demonstrate that culling fails to control dog populations or reduce rabies transmission, instead creating a vacuum effect where killed dogs are rapidly replaced Culling also produces serious environmental and public health consequences Poisoning contaminates ecosystems harms wildlife and forces children to grow up watching suffering they cannot understand But beyond toxins in the soil and water, we must also ask: what are we teaching our children when dogs are publicly shot and left to bleed to death in front of them? These scenes not only kill animals but they also normalise violence and leave lasting trauma
The Iran war is being fought at the gas pump
“Never Kill Policy ”
WInvestHK’s director general Alpha Lau Hai-suen recently said that companies using Dubai as a hub had mostly shifted to Hong Kong after the outbreak of the Iran war the instinct to leverage the city s position as a safe haven for investment was understandable Hong Kong should absolutely try to capture capital and
IRAn SetS gIAnt oIl tAnkeR Abl A ze off DubAI AfteR tRuMP wARnIngS
that the British government hopes will help to repair relations with President Donald Trump damaged by the war against Iran Charles and his wife Queen Camilla, will visit the US in a longplanned trip to mark the 250th anniversary of that country’s independence from British rule before the couple visits Bermuda Their majesties programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States,” Buckingham Palace said, adding the trip was being made on the advice of the British government It will be the first state visit by a British monarch since 2007 when Charles mother, Queen Elizabeth, made what was her fourth such US trip of her reign Trump said the king and queen s visit would begin on April 27 with a banquet dinner at the White House the next day I look forward to spending time with the king, whom I greatly respect,” he wrote on Truth Social “It will be terrific!” Relations strained over war on Iran
Previously good relations between the US president and UK
Prime Minister Keir Starmer have been strained over the British
leader s reluctance to get involved in the war with Iran and refusal to let the US use British bases to launch initial attacks
While US forces have since been permitted to carry out what Starmer calls defensive strikes, Trump has repeatedly criticised the prime minister, saying he was “not Winston Churchill” and had ruined the historically close alliance
Trump has derided Britain s offer to send more military assets to the region and even as the state visit was being announced, he launched yet another verbal assault on countries that had failed to help and were now struggling to get jet fuel singling out the United Kingdom
You ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself the USA won t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren t there for us,” he wrote on Truth Social
As well as Iran, Trump has also changed his mind on a British deal with Mauritius to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands home to the strategically important US-British Diego Garcia air base, calling it a great mistake, to the delight of some of Starmer’s domestic opponents
Starmer a former human rights lawyer has cast doubt on the lawfulness of the attacks on Iran which are not popular at home and have raised concerns about rising energy costs
But he has avoided any direct criticism of Trump and publicly stated that their relationship remained good Royal influence
Since Trump returned to office, Starmer has used the soft power of the royals to mollify the US president who has been gushing in his praise for the king and his family to keep him onside over the war in Ukraine and to soften possible trade tariffs
Charles hosted Trump for an unprecedented second state visit to Britain last September treating him to a carriage ride and state banquet at Windsor Castle where Trump hailed the special relationship between the two nations, a bond he then described as irreplaceable and unbreakable” Starmer will hope that the 77year-old king can again help smooth the current turbulent relations before heir-to-the-throne Prince William is expected to visit the US in the summer during the FIFA World Cup
While Trump said on Thursday the state visit would not be affected by the fallout with Starmer it places the king in a tricky position requiring him to praise a president who is deeply unpopular with Britons, according to polls
Furthermore, Trump’s views on climate change are a world away from those of the monarch who has spent a lifetime campaigning on environmental issues Charles could also face questions about his younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who is under police investigation for misconduct in a public office over his ties to the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
NATIONS a f p The outgoing head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) supporting Palestinian refugees said on
PUNJAB MOVES AGAINST DOCTORS, OFFICERS
ADY WELLINGTON HOSPITAL VIDEO CASE
Unilever Pakistan, FESF partner to expand employment opportunities for Deaf Community
Unilever Pakistan Limited has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF) to facilitate greater inclusion of members of Deaf community in the workforce with a structured programme focused on recruitment training and workplace integration While Unilever Pakistan has worked on similar initiatives for their own operations, under this agreement, FESF, through its Deaf Reach network will support Unilever Pakistan in hiring Deaf candidates for the salesforce and the extended value chain The collaboration aims to create a more inclusive hiring pipeline while equipping both employees and employers with the tools required for effective workplace communication To ensure accessibility throughout the recruitment process, FESF will provide Pakistan Sign Language (PSL) interpretation support during interviews and coordination between candidates and Unilever teams Additionally at least two structured PSL training sessions will be conducted for Unilever staff and supervisors to enable basic communication with Deaf employees FESF will deliver Deaf awareness and sensitization sessions for Unilever employees focusing on Deaf culture communication practices and addressing unconscious bias aligning with Unilever s broader equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) agenda
Hundreds held as Lahore Police intensif y crackdown on
power theft
LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t
Lahore Police have intensified an ongoing campaign against electricity theft, leading to the arrest of 430 individuals during the month of March According to the Lahore Police spokesperson, 4,220 individuals involved in electricity theft have so far been apprehended this year with 3 960 cases registered in this regard Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana stated that Lahore Police are extending full support
with further expansion planned as part of Mashreq’s broader global operating strategy
Pakistan's pioneering ‘intelligence and securit y studies’ program produces first graduates with groundbreaking research
The School of Integrated Social Sciences (SISS) at the University of Lahore has successfully concluded the first cohort of its Master of Philosophy (M Phil) degree program in Intelligence and Security Studies Seven students including one international graduate from Nigeria completed the program marking a milestone in Pakistan s higher education landscape Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Dr Rabia Akhtar, a leading scholar in security studies, praised the achievement noting the diversity of the inaugural class “It has been a privilege teaching and learning from this pioneering group Each student brought unique perspective and professional background, enriching the classroom experience, she said The program, now in its third year, is taught by leading academics, subject experts, and industry professionals
PAKISTAN’S FUEL STOCKS REMAIN STABLE, DIESEL
CABINET PANEL TOLD
Islamabad Police claims of
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Haroon Akhtar Khan on Tuesday chaired a highlevel meeting with a delegation of Kisan Ittehad to discuss opportunities and challenges in Pakistan s agricultural sector
The meeting, attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production Capt (r) Saif Anjum and CEO of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) Nadia Jahangir Seth, focused on enhancing the preservation, processing, and export potential of fruits, vegetables, and fisheries, according to a news release
During the discussions the president of Kisan Ittehad high-
lighted that the lack of modern preservation packaging and cold storage facilities leads to substantial wastage of agricultural produce, limiting export potential and causing financial losses to farmers
Addressing the delegation Haroon Akhtar Khan emphasized that value addition and modern packaging are crucial to increasing exports of fruits and vegetables He underscored SMEDA s role in equipping farmers and exporters with contemporary techniques and skills to boost product quality and market competitiveness
The SAPM noted that adopting advanced food processing technologies could substantially enhance the value of agricultural products while minimizing waste He also stressed the need to im-
prove cold chain infrastructure and expand production capacity in the fisheries sector, calling for investment in aquaculture technology and related systems
Haroon directed SMEDA to work closely with Kisan Ittehad and other stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive policy and actionable plan for the sector He emphasized that ensuring strict quality control and establishing a strong export brand would enable Pakistan to secure a prominent position in global agricultural and fisheries markets
This meeting aligns with the prime minister s vision of leveraging value addition and modern technology to strengthen Pakistan s agricultural exports and enhance the livelihoods of farmers nationwide
Torkham border reopens for Afghan repatriation
S ta f f r e p o r t
Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives
Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday outlined the vision for Phase-II of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), stating that the next stage of the flagship initiative would prioritise innovation, industrial growth and stronger peopleto-people linkages
Speaking at an annual award ceremony honouring outstanding Pakistani and Chinese professionals working on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects, the minister said the new phase would include growth corridors innovation corridors livelihood initiatives and broader regional development programmes
He paid tribute to engineers and technical experts from both countries, calling them the true architects of CPEC who played a vital role in transforming development plans into reality The ceremony he noted was not just about awards but a recognition of their dedication and service
Highlighting future priorities, Iqbal stressed the importance of adopting solar energy solutions
and modern meteorological systems to meet Pakistan’s evolving needs He also underscored the significance of human resource development urging Pakistani students studying in China to return and contribute to national progress
The minister revealed that discussions were underway on establishing a China-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor to expand access to quality higher education for young Pakistanis
Reaffirming the strength of bilateral ties he said Pakistan placed great importance on its all-weather strategic partnership with China
Recalling the early days of CPEC Iqbal said Pakistan had faced severe energy shortages
with power outages lasting up to 18 hours He credited Chinese investment for helping the country overcome the crisis adding that the corridor had played a pivotal role in driving economic development over the past decade Friends are those who stand by you in times of need, he remarked, noting that without CPEC, Pakistan might still be grappling with acute power shortages
The minister added that agreements signed at the event would further accelerate development projects and deepen PakistanChina cooperation He also highlighted the growing geopolitical significance of Gwadar as a result of CPEC
IHC adjourns Imran, Bushra Bibi sentence suspension
that his clients had been convicted on January 17, 2025, and despite the passage of more than a year the prosecution had repeatedly delayed proceedings He emphasised that the defence had consistently appeared before the court and urged it to consider suspending the sentences and granting bail, citing medical grounds as well However, the bench questioned whether the defence was prepared to proceed with arguments on the main appeals against conviction even suggesting a structured hearing schedule of two days per week to expedite the case Safdar informed the court that he had been unable to meet or receive instructions
from Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi for the past five months making it difficult to advance arguments on the appeals He stressed that meaningful representation required direct consultation with his clients and requested time for that purpose Chief Justice Dogar observed that if the main appeals were fixed for hearing, the suspension of sentence applications might not be considered separately The defence reiterated its position insisting that without instructions it could not proceed effectively
in £190m c ase till April 6
The prosecution, meanwhile, argued that while bail matters were typically brief, appeals required detailed and substantive arguments questioning the defence’s hesitation if its case was straightforward After hearing both sides the court granted the defence additional time to consult their clients and adjourned the hearing until April 6 The case, commonly referred to as the Al-Qadir Trust case, stems from allegations that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi received billions of rupees and valuable land from a private housing society in exchange for facilitating
