IRAN REJECTS US PROPOSAL FOR CEASEFIRE, DEMANDS PERMANENT END TO WAR
g TRUMP DETAILS RESCUE OF DOWNED AIRMEN DISMISSES WAR CRIME CONCERNS
ceasefire nor would it accept externally imposed deadlines or pressure
The peace plan proposed an immediate ceasefire followed by broader peace talks to be concluded within 15–20 days
According to sources Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Asim Munir maintained overnight contacts with US Vice President JD
STRIKES ON IRANIAN INFRASTRUCTURE
g US-ISRAELI ATTACKS HIT IRANIAN ENERGY AND INTELLIGENCE FACILITIES
Vance special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to coordinate the proposal Meanwhile, Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with further strikes on energy and transport infrastructure if the Strait is not reopened by his set deadline Brent crude futures fell slightly amid market speculation over the ceasefire prospects The conflict has seen intensified US-Israeli attacks on Iranian energy and infrastructure Iranian state media reported the death of Revolutionary Guards intelligence chief Majid Khademi, claimed by Israel, alongside damage to petrochemical complexes and data centres critical for AI and other services Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned of further attacks on Iran s infrastructure and
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei condemned the US and Israeli strikes on bridges,
plants schools and other civilian sites describing them as crimes against humanity and a reckless attempt to push Iran back to the Stone Age Analysts note that while such attacks could constitute war crimes under international law, the International Criminal Court lacks jurisdiction as the countries involved are non-members The escalating violence has already caused widespread damage to Iran s energy sector, with targeted attacks on the South Pars gas field and several petrochemical complexes, heightening fears of a broader regional destabilization g
The Foreign
According
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday stressed the need to introduce environment-friendly electric vehicles across the country, saying the move would help conserve foreign exchange reserves amid the recent regional situation and rising global petroleum prices He was speaking at a ceremony held for the provision of eco-smart electric vehicles to the Islamabad Traffic Police The prime minister said such energyefficient measures should be adopted by all law enforcement agencies as well as the provinces
Shehbaz said 15 electric vehicles had been provided by the interior ministry and noted that these vehicles operate on batteries without using petrol or oil He
added that another batch of vehicles would also be inducted soon
Describing the step as important, the prime minister said such initiatives would have a positive effect on the country’s foreign reserves He also congratulated Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his team for launching the initiative Federal ministers, senior Islamabad police officials and other relevant authorities attended the ceremony Earlier Islamabad Police Inspector General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi briefed the prime minister on the initiative He was informed that each vehicle staff would include a captain, a male responder, one responder and a driver all of whom would wear a special uniform The briefing stated that the vehicles would be deployed on key avenues of the capital to help maintain smooth traffic flow
Operational details shared at ceremony According to the briefing, each vehicle can travel between 350 kilometres and 400 kilometres after a full charge Fast charging takes 60 to 90 minutes while regular charging requires between six and eight hours
The prime
The
between Pakistan and Turkiye one that transcends formal diplomacy’
He said the agreement was not merely a procedural arrangement between courts but represented a shared commitment to reinforce constitutional governance uphold the rule of law, safeguard judicial independence and protect fundamental rights
The chief justice also said judicial institutions could not work in isolation noting that ‘common challenges such as rapid technological change evolving understanding of rights and complex constitutional questions require us to engage in global judicial conversation
He said that through such agreements, courts learn from each other and strengthen their collective capacity to deliver justice’
Concluding his remarks Justice Afridi expressed the hope that the MoU would pave the way for deeper understanding meaningful exchanges and a lasting partnership between our two judiciaries
According to the Supreme Court s statement issued on Sunday, one of the central elements of the proposed cooperation is the professional development of the judiciary particularly at the district level through joint training programmes academic exchanges and exposure to comparative judicial practices
The statement added that the collaboration is also expected to support the use of modern technologies in judicial processes to improve efficiency, transparency and access to justice
It further said the visiting delegation is expected to take part in high-level institutional interactions during its stay along with engagements involving key stakeholders in the justice sector
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday held separate engagements with senior officials from the United Kingdom and Japan focusing on the evolving regional situation and efforts to promote peace and stability In a telephone conversation, Dar spoke with Hamish Falconer, the UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State The two lead-
sumption and stabilising the economy
ers discussed recent regional developments with Falconer appreciating Pakistan s role in promoting dialogue and diplomacy to ensure stability Both sides reaffirmed the strength of Pakistan-UK relations and agreed to remain in close contact Separately Dar received a call from Toshimitsu Motegi during which they exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and the broader region The two leaders underscored the need for urgent de-escalation and peaceful resolution of conflicts
Motegi commended Pakistan s constructive and facilitative role in advancing diplomatic efforts for regional peace In response Dar reiterated Pakistan s commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and achieving
stickier, and more macro-negative, said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo in Singapore
“Investors are treating this as an oil-to-inflation-to-rates problem which is why the dollar remains the cleanest haven for now while gold bonds and yen have all looked far less reliable
despite the better-than-expected outcome in the payrolls report there are only 260 000 more people in work today than 12 months ago implying
that the jobs market has effectively stalled during a period when the U S growth story was healthy
“Our concern is that with the Middle East conflict showing little sign of coming to an imminent conclusion an overlay of heightened geopolitical economic and market angst is not going to incentivise business to suddenly start hiring now, Knightley said The Japanese yen weakened to 159 77 per U S dollar not far from the 21-month low it hit last week as traders watch out for indications of Tokyo intervening in the wake of volleys of strong warnings from officials in the past few days Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama on Friday put currency traders on notice saying the government stands ready to act against speculative moves in foreign exchange markets as volatility has risen significantly Still, many doubt the firepower of any intervention at a time when geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East is fuelling relentless demand for the safe-haven dollar The yen is down 1 5% since the war started stuck near the 160 level
Speculators have also been adding to their short yen positioning, with the latest weekly data showing a short position worth $5 7 billion the highest since July 2024 when Japan last intervened in the FX markets
on technical grounds noting that the matter was already under consideration before the Customs Appellate Tribunal The tribunal subsequently referred the issue to the Classification Committee
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
International observers continue to call for urgent de-escalation but both Tehran and Washington remain firm on their strategic positions US COULD BRING IRAN DOWN TOMORROW NIGHT: TRUMP US President Donald Trump talking about Operation Epic Fury has said that Iran could be taken down in one night , hinting that this might happen tomorrow night Trump while delivering an address about operations to rescue US Air Force personnel who ejected from a fighter jet over Iran last week said that the rescue mission for rescue of two US airmen was launched when military planes were unable to take off with the rescued airman and other personnel “Lighter, faster aircraft” were deployed as a contingency plan and the planes were destroyed he added We blew them up to smithereens because we had equipment on the planes that frankly we d like to take, but I dont think it was
spending another
there taking it off,” he adds “We have the best equipment anywhere in the world we didn’t want anybody examining our anti-aircraft and other equipment
Trump has said: I ordered the US Armed Forces to do whatever was necessary to bring our brave warriors back home A risky decision, because we could have ended up with 100 dead as opposed to one or two It s a hard decision to make but in the United States military, we leave no American behind We don t do it
Detailing the rescue of a downed US airman, US President Donald Trump says that in a “breathtaking display of skill precision lethality and force America s military descended on the real area engaged the enemy, rescued the stranded officer, destroyed all threats and exited Iranian territory while taking no casual-
ties of any kind He adds that the F15 weapons system officer evaded capture for almost 48 hours US President Donald Trump says that in the second rescue mission to extract the downed weapons system officer, Washington deployed 155 aircraft, including four bombers, 64 fighters, 48 refuelling tankers and 13 rescue aircraft, among others “A lot of it was subterfuge ” Trump says “We wanted to have them (Iranian forces) think he (the downed airman) was in a different location, because they had a vast military force out there so we wanted them to look in different areas ” US President Donald Trump says that
COMMENT
Half measures won’t do
multilateral system would not impose uniform solu-
TH E world stands at a difficult crossroads Economic growth, once taken for granted as a natural outcome of globalisation is now uneven fragile and deeply contested Wars persist supply chains are fractured climate pressures are mounting and trust between states is eroding Yet history shows that moments of uncertainty often create space for new ideas The future of the world economy depends not on restoring old models, but on building a new platform for global growth one that is inclusive balanced and resilient This proposal is offered as an open dialogue rather than a fixed blueprint The challenges facing humanity are too complex to be solved by a single ideology or institution What is required instead is a shared conversation that recognises diversity while seeking common ground For decades global growth was driven by liberalisation free
tions but offer adaptable frameworks that respect national contexts This balance between global cooperation and domestic autonomy is essential for restoring trust While global cooperation remains vital regional platforms can play a decisive role in promoting growth Economic corridors, cross-border infrastructure and regional value chains reduce dependence on distant markets and lower vulnerability to global disruptions For South Asia Central Asia Africa and parts of the Middle East regional integration remains underdeveloped despite immense potential Political disputes security concerns and weak institutions have limited progress Yet investment in transport, energy and digital connectivity could transform these regions into engines of growth Regional cooperation should be framed not as a zero-sum competition but as a shared opportunity When neighbours trade more they reduce conflict incentives and create mutual stakes in stability Technology is often presented as a neutral force of progress, but its benefits are unevenly distributed Advanced economies
into global markets A reformed
enabling families to absorb economic turbulence Singapore and South Korea prioritize upskilling programs and flexible labour markets ensuring citizens remain employable even as industries evolve Pakistan cannot afford to lag With half its population underrepresented in the workforce and formal job creation lagging, rising fuel costs and inflation hit hardest where vulnerability is greatest Bold government action is essential: expand employment opportunities incentivize women and youth to enter the labour market and fund vocational and professional training Paired with individual initiative, these measures would create a more resilient society, capable of weathering global shocks without deepening poverty and inequality
The world moves at its own pace fuelled by energy commerce and technology Pakistan cannot pause it Survival and progress requires a dual approach: citizens must adapt, learn, and diversify income, while governments must invest, regulate, and create opportunities Only by combining individual initiative with structural reform can Pakistan build an economy resilient enough to thrive amid uncertainty rather than simply endure the
through a mix of subsidies, structural reforms, renewable energy investment, and workforce development Germany and Nordic nations for example support dual-income households and continuous vocational training
The writer is Ph D in Political Science and visiting faculty at QAU Islamabad His area of specialization is political development and social change He can be reached at zafarkhansafdar@yahoo com and tweet@zafarkhansafdar
Dr Zafar Khan SafDar
Mof Divine mercy The restoration of health, in this noble understanding, is not solely the outcome of pharmacological intervention or surgical dexterity, but a manifestation of the will of Allah, bestowed through those endowed with knowledge compassion and fortitude Across civilizations the medical profession has commanded reverence for it demands both intellectual rigor and moral excellence, a rare confluence that elevates its adherents to a station of profound trust In Pakistan this trust was once embodied with distinction Doctors trained in our institutions earned acclaim not only for their clinical acumen but also for their refined ethical sensibilities Their education extended beyond anatomy and therapeutics into the delicate art of human engagement, where empathy, patience, and decorum were cultivated alongside diagnostic skill The physician s presence itself was often therapeutic; a gentle word a reassuring glance or a measured tone could alleviate the patient s
anxiety even before any prescription was written The Hippocratic ethos was not a mere abstraction but a lived reality shaping the doctor-patient relationship into one of mutual respect and confidence Yet with the passage of time a disquieting transformation appears to have taken root Instead of progressing along the path of excellence, certain segments within the profession seem to be receding into a state of ethical erosion The demeanor once synonymous with civility and compassion is in some quarters being supplanted by indifference impatience and at times outright hostility Reports from various public hospitals paint a troubling picture, where young doctors, entrusted with the sanctity of human life, exhibit conduct that is at variance with the very essence of medical professionalism Instances of altercations within hospital premises reminiscent more of street brawls than of scholarly discourse, have become alarmingly frequent Even more distressing is the apparent disregard for senior counsel, as advice offered by experienced practitioners is met with defiance rather than deference
The erosion of this professional decorum has grave implications for the edifice of medicine rests upon an intangible yet indispensable foundation; trust The patient, often in a state of vulnerability, entrusts his or her most intimate concerns to the physician believing in the sanctity of confidentiality and the sincerity of care This fiduciary relationship once robust now shows signs of fragility When compassion is replaced by callousness, and when ethical restraint gives way to recklessness, the patient’s faith is inevitably shaken
A recent incident in a prominent hospital in Lahore has brought this crisis into stark relief Within the confines of an operation theatre in a gynecology ward an environment that ought to epitomize precision dignity, and solemn responsibility a spectacle unfolded that defies both medical ethics and human decency Two cases of childbirth re-
E q u a l l y t ro u b l i n g a r e r e p o r t s o f c o e rc i v e p r a c t i c e s i n
cl i n i c a l d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n o b s t e t r i c s ,
w h e r e f a m i l i e s a r e p r e s s u r e d i n t o c o n s e n t i n g t o
s u r g i c a l i n t e r v e n t i o n s u n d e r t h e s p e c t e r o f i m m i n e n t
d a n g e r. T h e s u g g e s t i o n t h a t a c a s e i s „ n o t n o r m a l ‰ a n d
r e q u i r e s i m m e d i a t e o p e r a t i v e m a n a g e m e n t , o f t e n
d e l i v e r e d i n a n a t m o s p h e r e o f u r g e n c y, l e a v e s r e l a t i v e s
w i t h l i t t l e c h o i c e bu t t o a c q u i e s c e
portedly became the subject of a grotesque competition among attending doctors, with the proceedings being recorded on a mobile device and subsequently disseminated The gravity of this act cannot be overstated In that moment the operating theatre meant to safeguard the lives of mother and child was reduced to a stage for trivial amusement The presence of male staff further compounded the violation of privacy and propriety, stripping the situation of any semblance of professional decorum
One is compelled to ask; how did we arrive at such a nadir? How did those entrusted with the sanctity of life come to trivialize it so profoundly? It is particularly unsettling to consider that these patients someone’s daughter, sister, or wife were subjected to such indignity at a moment of utmost vulnerability The risks inherent in obstetric procedures including haemorrhage fetal distress and other complications necessitate the highest degree of vigilance and care To compromise this responsibility for the sake of frivolity is not merely negligence; it is a moral transgression of the gravest order
The intervention of the concerned authorities including the health minister is a necessary step yet it addresses only the immediate manifestation of a deeper malaise
Disciplinary action, including the revocation of licenses and the imposition of legal penalties, may serve as a deterrent, but the root cause lies in a systemic failure to inculcate ethical consciousness during medical training The curriculum while comprehensive in its scientific scope must place equal emphasis on medical ethics, professionalism, and the psychological dimensions of patient care The formation of a competent physician is not achieved through textbooks alone; it re-
i r r e f i n e d e t h i c a l s e n s i b i l i t i e s T h e i r e d u c a t i o n
e x t e n d e d b e yo n d a n a t o my a n d t h e r a p e u t i c s i n t o t h e
d e l i c a t e a r t o f h u m a n e n g a g e m e n t , w h e r e e m p a t hy, p a t i e n c e , a n d d e c o r u m w e r e c u l t i va t e d a l o n g s i d e d i a g n o s t i c s k i l l
quires the cultivation of character Equally troubling are reports of coercive practices in clinical decision-making, particularly in obstetrics, where families are pressured into consenting to surgical interventions under the specter of imminent danger The suggestion that a case is not normal and requires immediate operative management often delivered in an atmosphere of urgency, leaves relatives with little choice but to acquiesce While caesarean sections are, in many instances, medically indicated their unnecessary proliferation raises concerns about both ethical integrity and patient welfare Surgical intervention carries its own risks including infection thromboembolic events, and long-term reproductive complications In many advanced healthcare systems, a conservative approach is adopted, allowing natural processes to proceed to the fullest extent before resorting to operative measures
If such trends persist the consequences will extend beyond individual cases to erode public confidence in the healthcare system as a whole The question then arises with poignant urgency; who will entrust their loved ones to institutions where dignity and safety are no longer assured? The sanctity of the medical profession must be restored not merely through punitive measures but through a comprehensive reorientation towards its original principles compassion, integrity, and accountability
The physician must once again become a custodian of hope a figure whose presence reassures rather than intimidates whose conduct reflects the highest ideals of humanity Only then can the noble legacy of this sacred profession be preserved, and the trust that has been so gravely shaken be painstakingly rebuilt
The writer is freelance columnist
t i g a t i o n e x p o s e d c h i l d s e x t r a f f i c k i n g o n F a c e b o o k a n d I n s t a g r a m
T
It
of Justice press releases for trafficking cases that might involve social media I spent hours trawling through criminal complaints transcripts and exhibit filings for these cases on Pacer The results were often shocking I was able to pull transcripts of sale negotiations for teen girls that traffickers were engaging in on Facebook Messenger, the private messaging function In exhibit documents, there were pictures of trafficking victims being advertised for sale in Instagram’s Stories function Money and logistics had been discussed In the cases we found none of these crimes had been detected or flagged by Meta McNamara and I contacted former contract workers who had been employed to moderate Facebook and Instagram, tasked with reporting and removing harmful content Many were traumatised by the content they had had to review each day All said their efforts to flag and escalate possible child trafficking on Meta platforms often went nowhere and harmful content was rarely taken down by the company They felt helpless and believed Meta s criteria for escalating possible crimes to law enforcement was too narrow In July 2022, we went to Washington DC to visit a safe house run by the nonprofit Courtney’s House, which cares for teen girls of colour who are survivors of trafficking or are actively being trafficked Its location is not public and we were only sent the address an hour before our appointment Courtney s House is run by Tina Frundt, a trafficking survivor and former member of the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking during the Obama administration We sat down on the sofas in the living room and recorded our hours-long discussion about how teen girls are targeted by sex traffickers Frundt showed us how Instagram s Stories function was used by traffickers to advertise girls for sex She spoke in detail about how girls and LGBTQ+ youth were targeted, how a family member was involved or complicit in their trafficking, in some cases Then she fell silent for a moment and drew a breath There was a 15-year-old girl who used to come to Courtney s House She was popular with the other girls she loved to dance play board games and swap makeup tips with Frundt She was broken by what she had been through, but was deeply loved by her family and the others at Courtney’s House, Frundt said Then in June 2021 she met a sex buyer who had connected with her on Instagram This 43-year-old man had given her fentanyllaced drugs She went to bed that night and never woke up We gave her the alias Maya in the investigation to protect the privacy of her family On another reporting trip, we visited an assistant dis-
trict attorney’s office in Massachusetts As we spoke about the issues they were seeing – that child trafficking crimes on social media platforms were increasing at a rate of about 30% each year – two police officers and a cyber intelligence analyst also joined us The pandemic only made things worse as children were learning from home, spent more time online, and were not in direct contact with teachers and other adults who might have noticed if something was amiss For traffickers, it was easy to spot the most vulnerable children who would be easiest to
and exploit based on their activity online the
said We re
more and more people with significant criminal records move
this area It s incredibly lucrative, said the prosecutor Now, all the appointments are set up online The money can be exchanged digitally Everything is done seamlessly by the traffickers ” We talked about some of their investigations and ways in which Meta had been used by traffickers to identify potential victims and connect with them We interviewed more prosecutors An incarcerated sex trafficker told us about how Instagram was his platform of choice to commit his crimes
MuhaMMad Mohsin iQbal
‘IF
I HAD MY CHOICE ON IRAN, I'D TAKE THE OIL AND MAKE PLENT Y OF MONEY,’ SAYS TRUMP
Rohingya as well as killings allegedly carried out by Myanmar ’s junta They also said the case had been accepted by Indonesian prosecutors The group said Indonesia s penal code provides for universal jurisdiction in cases involving crimes considered so grave that they may be pursued regardless of the nationality of the victims or the place where the alleged offences took place Indonesia hosts the headquarters of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) of which Myanmar is a member Ties within the bloc have been under pressure since the 2021 military coup led by Min Aung Hlaing The takeover triggered a civil war and a humanitarian crisis, while large numbers of Rohingya Muslims were displaced and pushed into refugee settlements Indonesia the world s largest Muslim-majority country is also among the destinations for Rohingya fleeing Myanmar or leaving refugee camps by boat Background to the allegations In 2017, Myanmar ’s armed forces, then under junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, launched an offensive
AMBASSADOR JIANG ZAIDONG
Against the backdrop of escalating conflict between the U S , Israel, and Iran, and its increasing pressure on regional stability and the world economy on March 31st China and Pakistan jointly issued the Five-Point Initiative of China and Pakistan For Restoring Peace and Stability in the Gulf and Middle East Region in Beijing The initiative calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, start of peace talks as soon as possible security of nonmilitary targets security of shipping lanes and the primacy of the United Nations Charter The Five-Point Initiative represents not only the common position of China and Pakistan, but also aligns with the universal expectations of the international community Consequently it has received high attention and widespread support once proposed As iron-clad friends, China and Pakistan have consistently maintained close communication and collaboration on major hotspot issues dedicated to promoting regional as well as global peace and stability This is not only historical strengths of our all-weather strategic cooperation and also an inherent part of the China-Pakistan community with a shared future Since the outbreak of the U S -Israel-Iran conflict China as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible major power has maintained close contact with relevant parties, including the parties to the conflict, to promote ceasefire and initiate diplomatic negotiations Pakistan has actively facilitated dialogue and mediation using its own advantages making sincere efforts to prevent further escalation of the situation
During this process, China and Pakistan maintained close communication and coordination through channels of Beijing and Islamabad as well as in the UN Security Council Our two Foreign Ministers conducted two phone calls and held talks in Beijing to jointly voice the call for peace and justice Currently, as once-in-a-century
changes accelerate and the international landscape becomes increasingly complex, the fumes of the U S -Israel-Iran conflict has once again made the world fully aware of the heavy price of war Facing escalating hegemonism highhandedness, and bullying, and the repeated erosion of the UN authority, the international community especially the Global South earnestly looks forward to reforming the international governance structure and upholding international fairness and justice
At last year s Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit, President Xi Jinping, bearing in mind the future of humanity and grasping the trends of the times solemnly proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) In the GGI, he emphasized adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law practicing multilateralism advocating the people-centered approach and focusing on taking real actions It is a systematic solution for building a fairer and more reasonable global governance system Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who attended the summit, expressed firm support on the spot
The Five-Point Initiative jointly proposed by China and Pakistan serves as a vivid practice of both sides implementing the Global Governance Initiative with concrete actions
The China-Pakistan Five-Point Initiative has received support and positive responses from many countries and international organi-
zations, pooling efforts to restore peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East This fully demonstrates that a ceasefire and an end to hostilities are what the people truly desire and that peace and stability are what countries around the world looking for History has repeatedly shown that the use of force is not a solution to any problem and that dialogue and negotiation are the only right way forward China will continue to work with Pakistan to unite all peace-loving countries and peoples of the world and urge the parties concerned to stop this war that should not have happened in the first place, so as to restore peace and tranquility to the region at an early date and ensure the unimpeded flow of global energy supplies and international industrial and supply chains
This year marks the inauguration of China s "15th Five-Year Plan" and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan We will work with Pakistan to fully implement the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Pakistani leaders, intensify highlevel exchanges, advance practical cooperation enhance people-topeople connectivity and deepen multilateral coordination We will implement the four Global Initiatives through concrete actions, strive to advance the reform of the global governance system, uphold international fairness and justice and make new contributions to building a community with a shared future for
FAN INDUSTRY URGES CURBS ON RAW MATERIAL EXPORTS TO SUPPORT LOCAL MANUFACTURING
discussion was held regarding the overall performance administrative matters, and ongoing projects of CDA CDA Board members and relevant officers presented updates and details pertaining to their respective areas of responsibility On this occasion Chairman CDA was briefed on the administrative structure of the organization Sohail Ashraf was also updated on the status of ongoing initatives infrastructure improvements public service delivery and other key projects Chairman CDA Sohail Ashraf said that all projects should be completed within the stipulated time to ensure that citizens can benefit from improved facilities as soon as possible He emphasized that the timely completion of development projects in the Federal Capital must be ensured under all circumstances
CCP's Study on Solar Market Flags Barriers to Competition & Investment; Offers Targeted Reform Measures
S ta f f R
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has released a study on the solar market, titled, Unlocking Green Potential: A Market Competition Study of Solar Energy in Pakistan,” proposing targeted reforms to remove entry barriers enhance market transparency and boost investment in the solar sector The study identifies key structural challenges and outlines practical measures to strengthen grid infrastructure, improve policy clarity, and enforce quality standards, aimed at fostering competition and driving sustainable growth in the sector Among the key recommendations the CCP has called for urgent modernization of distribution networks noting that outdated feeders and substations are ill-equipped to handle two-way power flows from distributed solar generation, leading to voltage fluctuations and limiting net-metering expansion The CCP has also emphasized the need for a national smart metering rollout and grid automation
Leaders Unite at HER Summit Karachi Driving Change and Male Allyship
KARACHI
S ta f f R e p o R t HER Summit Karachi brought together some of the country’s most influential business leaders and change-makers for a powerful panel discussion on women empowerment and inclusion for progress The panel titled Male Allyship: From Intent to Impact – Moving Beyond Support to Measurable Change,’ featured a distinguished lineup of experts, including Muhammad Ali Gulfaraz, CEO DIB Pakistan; Saad Zuberi CEO LuckyOne Mall; and Mehvish Waliany Business Leader The session was moderated by Mufarrah Malik Chief Operating Officer Ashrietech Academy and focused on organizational capability to move beyond symbolic support and implement tangible strategies for measurable outcomes in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) Muhammad Ali Gulfaraz emphasized the need for conscientious leadership at HER Summit Karachi highlighting DIB Pakistan s 22% female workforce which is above the industry average and importantly includes women in senior leadership roles He stressed that Inclusion requires consistent action, not just intention, and embedding inclusivity in an organization’s DNA demands strong and consistent commitment ”
GOVT COMMITTED TO BUILD HEALTHIER NATION: PM
Three
security personnel mar tyred in twin Bannu attacks
Two police personnel and a security guard were martyred in separate firing incidents in Bannu on Monday, District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi confirmed The first attack took place outside a NADRA office in the Baka Khel area where unidentified gunmen opened fire on security staff Constable Rafiullah
by unknown attackers Security forces have launched search operations and set up checkpoints across the district Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families Interior Minister Mohsin
Naqvi also paid tribute to the victims calling their sacrifice a symbol of bravery and duty The incidents come days after a deadly suicide attack on Domel Police Station in Bannu, which claimed five lives, including women and a child after explosives detonated in a nearby civilian area when the attacker failed to breach the facility Last week, an IED blast in Lakki Marwat injured seven people, including three police person-
nel Earlier another explosion in the district killed seven policemen including a station house officer Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa continues to face a surge in militant attacks following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, with frequent cross-border incursions targeting law enforcement According to official data the province recorded the highest number of militant incidents in the country last year, highlighting the growing security challenges in the region
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
A Senate standing committee on Monday turned down a private member s bill moved by a PTI senator that sought changes to the Elections Act aimed at increasing women’s participation in politics
The proposal came before the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, which met under the chairmanship of Senator Tahir Khalil to examine the Elections (Amendment) Bill tabled by PTI Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur
Among the key proposals in the bill was a requirement for political parties to ensure that at least 33 per cent of their office-bearers at the federal, provincial and district levels are women It also proposed that parties failing to meet that condition should be denied the allocation of an election symbol
The draft legislation further called for intra-party elections to be held through secret ballot under an accredited independent election authority It stated:
At least 33 pc of positions filled through internal elections must be reserved for women with proportional allocation for non-Muslims and persons with disabilities while another proposed clause said:
The code of conduct shall require parties to allocate 10 pc of party funds to political training, leadership development and election-awareness programmes targeted at women non-Muslims and persons with disabilities
During the meeting, Dr Zarqa argued for stronger representation of women in politics and said the existing five per cent quota for women on general seats under the Elections Act 2017 should be raised She told the committee that women make up nearly half of the country s population and stressed that women, especially those who do not come from political families should be given equal opportunities to contest elections
She also proposed that polling stations should provide facilities for persons with disabilities, including
ramps to improve access for voters
The secretary of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs told the committee that amendments to the Elections Act had been introduced periodically and that proposals under review had been examined in consultation with the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Ministry of Law He said the suggestions had value but their practical feasibility also needed careful consideration Officials of the Election Commission of Pakistan informed the committee that, before elections, a detailed survey had been carried out to identify polling stations offering the greatest available facilities including electricity boundary walls washrooms water supply and ramps They said such matters might be better addressed through the ECP s administrative guidelines instead of being written into the law JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza said existing laws should be implemented effectively and cautioned against introducing provisions that may be difficult to enforce in practice
