PAKISTAN INTENSIFIES DIPLOMATIC OUTREACH, DEEPENS GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT ON PEACE AND TRADE
g TWO LEADERS REVIEW PAKISTAN ’S PEACE AND DE-ESCALATION EFFORTS, STRESSING DIPLOMACY, DIALOGUE A S ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE CONFLICT
g PM LUXON LAUDS PAKISTAN’S OUTREACH TO WASHINGTON AND TEHRAN, WITH TWO LEADERS AGREE TO STRENGTHEN PAKISTAN–NEW ZEALAND BILATERAL RELATIONS
g PM SHEHBAZ INVITES NEW ZEALAND COUNTERPART FOR OFFICIAL VISIT TO PAKISTAN
g EU DELEGATION PRAISES PAKISTAN’S FACILITATION OF BUSINESS FORUM AND INVESTMENT CLIMATE
UN chief, Iran envoy laud Pakistan’s diplomatic push as Islamabad emerges key regional facilitator
s ta f f r e p o r t United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam on Tuesday commended Pakistan s ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability and expressed deep appreciation for Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for his facilitation of talks with the United States according to the Foreign Office (FO) In a post on X the FO said that DPM/FM Dar received a telephone call from the UN Secretary-General during which both sides discussed the latest regional developments as well as Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic engagements and outreach with relevant parties
The FO stated that the UN Secretary-General appreciated Pakistan s continued efforts, conveying the international community s deep appreciation and support for Pakistan’s
constructive role in regional and international peace and stability It added that Guterres also expressed the United Nations full support for Pakistan s ongoing diplomatic initiatives Earlier, Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam in a post on X extended appreciation for what he described as the veteran competent and career diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Pakistan
He termed diplomats trusted harbingers of international harmony” and described them as architects of peace entrusted with managing complex international relations through dialogue empathy and understanding
The ambassador also praised FM Ishaq Dar and officials of the Foreign Ministry for their “tireless efforts in facilitating coordinating and meticulously preparing arrangements for delegations and talks often long before the talks themselves commenced
having effectively responded to national challenges strengthened its international standing, and contributed to ongoing global peace efforts Turning to HIV/AIDS, Kamal shared details of the 2024–26 programme stating that $65 million had been allocated for Pakistan Of this only $3 9 million was received by the government while $61 1 million was channelled to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and a private NGO He noted that while the government maintained full transparency regarding funds directly handled by it, there was limited visibility over the utilisation of funds managed by external organisations adding that certain NGOs had declined to share detailed expenditure data Highlighting progress in screening and detection, the minister said that in 2020, 37,944 individuals were tested at 49 centres, identifying 6,910 positive cases By 2025, the number of testing centres had increased to 97 with 374 126 tests conducted and 14 182 cases detected
RAWALPINDI
s ta f f r e p o r t Pakistan s Army Rocket Force Command on Tuesday carried out a successful training launch of the indigenously developed Fateh-II missile system, underscoring the country’s growing advancements in missile technology According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)
formance of various sub-systems
and the
ISLAMABAD s ta f f C o r r e s p o n d e n t
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Tuesday approved the transfer of three judges from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to other provincial high courts in a move that comes against the backdrop of deepening institutional tensions and ongoing judicial reshuffles
A meeting of the commission, chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi at the Supreme Court endorsed the relocation of Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani to the Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Babar Sattar to the Peshawar High Court (PHC), and Justice
Saman Rafat Imtiaz to the Sindh High Court (SHC) The decision was approved by a majority of members According to an official statement the session was convened under Article 175A(22) of the Constitution after a requisition by one-third of JCP members despite the chairman s initial reluctance to call the meeting The commission also ruled that vacancies created by such transfers would be filled strictly through further transfers not fresh appointments effectively reshaping the mechanism of judicial placements Meanwhile, proposals to transfer Justice Arbab M Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro were withdrawn by the
as Iran’s attacks on regional US bases have called regional stability in question
The Strait of Hormuz should not be used as a pressure card he said adding that the act of blocking navigation cannot be justified US no longer in a position to dictate policy to independent nations Iran’s deputy defence minister said the US can no longer “dictate” what other countries do as Washington reviews Tehran s new proposal
The US is no longer in a position to dictate its policy to independent nations Reza Talaei-Nik was quoted as saying by state TV, according to Al Jazeera
member who had originally moved them The development coincides with ongoing deliberations over new inductions to the IHC Several prominent lawyers including Ayyaz Shaukat Usman G Rashid Cheema Umair Majeed Malik and Sultan Mazhar Sher Khan are under consideration, alongside serving district judges Shahrukh Arjumand and Humayun Dilawar Notably Chief Justice Afridi had earlier expressed serious constitutional reservations about such transfers warning they could undermine federal balance create instability, and risk being perceived as punitive actions without due process He stressed
ISLAMABAD
Business Recorder reported Issued through SRO 692(I)/2026 under the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act, 1997, the Concurrence Regulations 2026 take immediate effect and require developers to obtain prior concurrence from NEPRA before proceeding with project development
Under the framework any entity planning to establish a generation facility must submit a detailed application covering technical, financial, environmental, geological hydrological and safety aspects along with a prescribed fee and supporting documentation Applications will first be reviewed by the Registrar within 15 working days for completeness Once accepted, they will be registered, assigned a tracking number and published in newspapers to invite public comments and objections NEPRA will decide on applications within 28 working days with the option to seek additional information, conduct hearings or invite third-party input The regulator has the authority to approve or reject projects based on demand requirements, economic viability technology suitability environmental considerations and grid
compatibility For hydropower projects, NEPRA will also assess impacts on river systems, including irrigation, drinking water and flood management while ensuring necessary federal and provincial approvals are in place Once concurrence is granted any change in capacity technology or interconnection will require fresh approval, while companies must notify NEPRA of changes in corporate details within 14 days The regulations do not apply to prosumers governed under separate rules G R
pendently deliver the e-gate system,
raising questions over the applicability of the rule
Under Rule 42(f), procurement through state-owned entities is permitted only if the project is executed entirely using their own resources without involvement of private partners joint ventures or subcontractors
The complaint alleges that this condition was not met, making the process potentially non-compliant
It further states that where multiple eligible state-owned entities exist the rules require limited competition through transparent processes and price checks which were not followed in this case
TIP also noted that key disclosures required under Rules 35 and 47, including the evaluation report and contract agreement, were not available on the PPRA website raising concerns about transparency
Additional issues highlighted in the complaint include non-disclosure of beneficial ownership details, absence of
a performance bond estimated at around Rs2 billion and the contract reportedly being awarded at nearly double prevailing market rates It also pointed to noncompliance with integrity pact provisions which could carry penalties linked to the alleged loss
The complaint questioned the cancellation of earlier tenders for the project before the final award
In its preliminary assessment, TIP said the allegations appear to have merit and may indicate violations of procurement rules potentially qualifying as mis-procurement under Rule 50
The organisation also raised concerns over reliance on Rule 42(f), citing the reported lack of in-house capability of the executing firm, which could indicate circumvention of procurement safeguards TIP has recommended that the PAA Director General initiate a formal inquiry and consider retendering the project through open competitive bidding in line with PPRA rules
PSX EXTENDS LOSSES AS SBP RATE HIKE,
TUN chief, Iran envoy laud Pakistan’s diplomatic push as
Islamabad emerges key regional facilitator
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
He said these efforts transform political will and principled intent into practical diplomatic frameworks, adding that such work represents diplomacy in its truest sense “not merely words, but the quiet persistent labour that makes dialogue possible and peace attainable Earlier DPM/FM Dar held key telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Canada and Egypt, during which they discussed the evolving regional situation According to the FO he stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as essential tools for maintaining peace FM Dar has received wide international recognition for his diplomatic engagement, as Pakistan positioned itself at the centre of mediation efforts during the evolving Iran–US–Israel crisis
Over recent weeks, senior officials and influential voices from more than ten countries including Saudi Arabia Iran the United States China Türkiye Azerbaijan Bahrain and Uzbekistan have acknowledged Pakistan s facilitating role in ceasefire-related diplomatic efforts Pakistan emerged as a key facilitator in the sensitive diplomatic track, positioning itself as an “honest broker” amid sharply divided positions between Washington and Tehran
Following 40 days of airstrikes US and Iranian negotiators held discussions in Islamabad earlier this month, focusing on a potential framework involving nuclear restrictions in exchange for economic relief During the talks US negotiators reportedly proposed a 20-year suspension of Iranian nuclear activity while Iran suggested a pause of three to
five years, according to sources familiar with the discussions However the second round of talks did not produce results A day earlier Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein AmirAbdollahian visited Islamabad for the second time in two days Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit to Islamabad by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner Separately DPM/FM Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting with Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review the latest regional developments, the FO said in another post on X The deputy prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue playing a constructive role through dialogue and diplomacy to promote peace and stability in the region
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Talaei-Nik said Washington would have to “accept that it must abandon its illegal and irrational demands Al Jazeera reported that the spokesperson also said that Iran was ready to share its defensive weapons capabilities with “independent countries, especially members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Iran s Deputy Defence Minister Reza Talaei-Nik was quoted as saying by state media We are ready to share the experiences of America s defeat with other members of the organisation,” Talaei-Nik said during a meeting of SCO defence ministers held in Kyrgyzstan according to Al Jazeera The Iranian official recently held talks with Russian and Belarusian defence personnel, who stressed their willingness to continue cooperating with Tehran IRAN HAS RIGHT TO CONTROL
S T R A I T O F H
M U Z: R U S S I A N A M B A S S A D O R TO U N: Iran has every right to limit traffic and control the Strait of Hormuz, Russia s ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said, while also accusing Western countries of hypocrisy and piracy “There was an attempt to pin full responsibility on Iran as if it was Iran which attacked its neighbours he said according to Al Jazeera In times of war, a coastal state that is under attack may limit navigation in its territorial waters for security ” Nebenzia then compared Western states to pirates calling out the European countries supporting Ukrainian strikes on Russian trade vessels in the Black Sea, according to Al Jazeera Unlike pirates who raise their black flags with a skull and crossbones in their vessels,
Western countries are attempting to conceal their lawless actions with references to unilateral coercive measures
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired a consultative meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Jeddah on Tuesday, state media said, the first in-person meeting of Gulf leaders since their states became a front in the Iran war two months ago A Gulf official speaking on condition of anonymity said the meeting aimed to craft a response to the thousands of Iranian missile and drone attacks Gulf states have faced since the US and Israel launched the war with strikes on Iran on February 28 Saudi state media said the summit discussed topics and issues related to regional and international developments and the coordination of efforts regarding them The Iran war has seen key energy infrastructure in all six GCC states damaged with US-linked firms and other civilian infrastructure as well as military installations also targeted Attacks have subsided since the US and Iran entered a ceasefire on April 8, though Gulf capitals remain wary of resumed conflict, with US-Iran talks for a permanent deal to end the conflict so far inconclusive Qatar ’s emir Kuwait’s crown prince Bahrain s king and the United Arab Emirates foreign minister attended the summit, Saudi state media reported It was unclear who represented Oman, the remaining member of the GCC along with Saudi Arabia, which hosts the council’s headquarters
The GCC has faced some criticism from the UAE over what it said has been an inadequate response to the war
Pakistan warns UN maritime disruptions threaten
of Hormuz and its cascading effects on food and energy security and supply-chain disruption is a case in point he said Ahmad added that if the crisis continued immediate effects on the procurement and pricing of oil, gas and essential commodities such as fertilisers would increasingly lead to broader consequences for inflation, growth current account pressures and balance of payments with developing countries likely to suffer the most
and
PAKISTAN SAYS IT IS DIRECTLY AFFECTED: The ambassador said Pakistan, as a littoral state in the Indian Ocean region located near major maritime chokepoints and heavily reliant on sea-borne trade, was fully aware of the importance of secure waterways "Like many developing countries from the region and beyond Pakistan is concerned and directly impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz he said Ahmad also said Pakistan, with support from China, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt, had led constructive diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and broader stability between the United States and Iran He said Pakistan remained committed to diplomacy and dialogue and would continue to pursue all possible steps in that direction
It is true that logistically the GCC countries supported each other but politically and militarily, I think their position was the weakest in history, senior UAE official Anwar Gargash told a conference in the UAE on Monday “I expected such a weak position from the Arab League and I am not surprised by it but I have not expected it from the GCC, and I am surprised by it
The war has seen key energy infrastructure in all six GCC states damaged, with US-linked firms and other civilian infrastructure as well as military installations also targeted Attacks have subsided since the US and Iran entered a ceasefire on April 8, though Gulf capitals remain wary of resumed conflict, with US-Iran talks for a permanent deal to end the conflict so far inconclusive
The GCC has faced some criticism from the UAE over what it said has been an inadequate response to the war
US President Donald Trump is unhappy with the latest Iranian proposal on resolving the two-month US-Israeli war on Iran a US official said dampening hopes for a resolution
and underwater digital infrastructure and the protection of human rights at sea He said addressing these issues required collective and coordinated action rooted in international law, dialogue and diplomacy He described the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as one of the key foundations of the international maritime order since its adoption OPERATIONAL ROLE OUTLINED:
04
COMMENT
In search of peace
TH O U G H there was no meeting between US and Iranian delegations in Islamabad over the weekend diplomatic activity to find a solution to the crisis created by the USA s and Israel s attack on Iran continued While US President Trump studied the latest Iranian proposals, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi went to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he received unknown assurances Iran has not received any material help from Russia which is itself entangled in Ukraine However, Mr Aragchi got a public expression of support Mr Putin also said that Russia was willing to do whatever was necessary to bring peace
Of course, there are wheels within wheels Russia will be pleased to see the USA bleed because it is indirectly opposed to it in Ukraine The USA is getting the help of Ukrainian anti-drone fighters which would be of interest to Russia because it has used Iranian-made drones extensively in its war with Ukraine The spike in oil prices has also been of benefit to Russia, which is,like Iran, an oil exporter labouring under US sanctions That to Russian oil uses the Hormuz Strait has meant that it is demand, because shipments from it are more capable of delivery It must be also noted that Russia is also closely allied with China which has its own direct connection with Iran, and which has its own fourpoint framework for peace Saudi Artabia is involved, with its Foreign Minister Faisal ibn Farhan Al-Saud has also been active coordinating with regional and global partners, including reaching out most recently to Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council One party that has no hand in this diplomatic activity has been Israel, not just because it is an international pariah no one wants to engage with, but because it continued its savagery in Lebanon, with Monday seeing renewed bombing of the Bekaa Valley
The first hike of the interest rate in three years in Pakistan is an illustration of the costs of this conflict Pakistan does not solely wish to stop two friends fighting but it also has to ensure that its economy does not go down the drain The problem seems to be that the two countries are still too far apart to come to an agreement without another trial of strength That is precisely what everyone wishes to avoid, for now both only have the other ’s own or allies’ oil infrastructure to damage
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A
PA K I S TA N, with less than five percent of its total land area under forest cover, has experienced a significant increase in both the frequency and intensity of wildfires in recent years This growing trend poses a serious environmental concern threatening biodiversity local livelihoods and overall ecological stability Limited attention from government authorities and relevant stakeholders has further exacerbated the situation Coupled with prolonged heatwaves, erratic rainfall patterns and expanding human activities what were once seasonal fire events have now evolved into recurring environmental disasters
These developments have substantially accelerated environmental degradation across the country
Empirical evidence from forest departments and ecological studies indicates that hundreds of wildfire incidents have been recorded over the past decade
Notably the Margalla Hills near Islamabad alone witnessed nearly 300 fire events between 2005 and 2025 resulting in the destruction of more than 25 000 hectares of vegetation
Similar patterns have since expanded into other regions, particularly during extremely hot summer months when dry vegetation and strong winds allow flames to spread rapidly across hillsides and grasslands
The geographic spread of fires demonstrates that the issue is no longer confined to a single ecosystem
The Margalla Hills National Park remains one of the most frequently affected zones, where annual fire seasons begin as early as April and continue into peak summer In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the forested landscapes of Hazara and Malakand divisions have repeatedly faced wildfire outbreaks especially within chir pine forests whose resin-rich needles ignite easily under dry conditions
Northern valleys and mountainous terrain have also reported growing fire vulnerability due to rising temperatures and increased human pressure on forests In Balochistan, fires frequently occur in dry woodlands and rangelands destroying grazing areas
essential for pastoral communities and accelerating desertification processes The former Federally Administered Tribal Areas have similarly experienced recurring fires linked to land clearing, fuelwood collection and drought-induced vegetation stress demonstrating that wildfire risk now spans diverse ecological zones across Pakistan
The environmental consequences of these fires are severe and long-lasting Biodiversity loss represents one of the most significant impacts, as fires destroy habitats supporting mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and native plant species Wildlife loses nesting grounds food sources and shelter forcing migration and increasing competition for survival Studies conducted after fires in the Margalla ecosystem reveal reductions in soil organisms and microfauna indicating deep ecological disruption beyond visible tree loss
Woodland destruction converts dense forests into sparse shrubland, while repeated burning prevents natural regeneration Rangeland degradation reduces fodder availability for livestock directly affecting rural economies dependent on grazing Fires also remove protective vegetation cover from slopes increasing soil erosion, landslides, and sediment accumulation in rivers and reservoirs This degradation weakens watersheds, reduces water retention capacity and contributes to downstream flooding risks Additionally forest fires release large quantities of stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere weakening forests role as carbon sinks and intensifying climate change feedback loops
Human activity remains a dominant cause of forest fires in Pakistan Careless disposal of cigarettes, unattended picnic fires, agricultural residue burning, and deliberate ignition for land clearing frequently trigger outbreaks Rapid population growth and expanding settlements near forested areas have increased pressure on natural ecosystems Climate change further magnifies these risks by extending dry seasons and producing extreme heat waves, sometimes pushing temperatures beyond fifty
underinvesting in health; it is also failing to shield families from ruin while producing weaker outcomes
Lessons in smoke
This is the heart of the matter: Pakistan s health system is underfinanced at the national level and overburdened at the household level It spends too little collectively and asks too much individually
Icompared with 27 7 in India, 30 6 in Bangladesh, 26 5 in Nepal, and just 6 1 in Sri Lanka So the country is not only
The answer is not complicated even if it is politically inconvenient Public spending on health must rise Primary care must be strengthened so people are treated earlier and more cheaply Essential medicines must become more affordable And financial protection must become a serious policy goal not a slogan
A decent society does not force its citizens to choose between treatment and survival It does not wait for sickness and then hand over the bill to frightened families Until Pakistan reduces its dependence on out-of-pocket payments, illness will remain more than a health problem It will remain a pathway to poverty That is not just bad economics It is a moral failure
The writer is a researcher and writer with 32 published articles and two book chapters in reputable academic journals He is currently associated with Northwest A&F University (NWAFU) Yangling Shaanxi China His PhD research focuses on Artemisia argyi a medicinal plant known for its therapeutic potential against more than 50 diseases He can be reached at jamahad@nwafu edu cn
A perilous presidency
oric
dation of any credible foreign policy abroad The second pressure point is economic, and it is perhaps even more immediate Pakistan is acutely vulnerable to energy shocks
A sustained disruption in oil flows through the Gulf particularly via the Strait of Hormuz, would translate almost instantly into higher import costs, inflation, and fiscal strain At the same time, millions of Pakistani workers in Gulf economies send remittances that form a critical lifeline for the country s balance of payments
Any instability that affects economies of the Gulf states or the employment prospects of workers in these economies would ripple back into Pakistan with force In this sense, the war is not just a geopolitical event; it is a potential economic shock of the first order Managing this risk requires a dual approach securing short term financial support from Gulf partners while accelerating longer term efforts to diversify energy sources and build strategic reserves Neither is easy, but both are essential The third challenge lies along Pakistan’s western border Pakistan is already engaged with Afghanistan in a war of its own Relations with Iran have historically been complicated but manageable defined by a mix of cooperation and quiet tension A broader regional war risks upsetting that balance Militant activity could increase, misunderstandings between security forces could escalate and the border itself could become a point of friction Here restraint and communication are key Even as Pakistan maintains its broader neutrality, it must prioritize direct channels with Tehran to prevent local incidents from spiraling into larger confrontations In a volatile environment, small miscalculations can have outsized consequences
Beyond these immediate
called active neutrality This is not the neutrality of disengagement, but of calibrated involvement It means maintaining open lines of communication with all sides, avoiding military commitments and consistently framing its position around de-escalation and regional stability There is precedent for this approach Countries such as Qatar and Oman have demonstrated that it is possible to
priorities from securing maritime routes to backing southern forces and countering political Islamists increasingly diverged from other regional strategies The UAE is fast adapting to the changing realities of global politics and affirming its new status as an active middle power that keeps up with the latest in global conversations ” Abdulkhaleq Abdulla professor of political science wrote in The National Its energy strategy follows the same pattern The UAE completed the Barakah Nuclear Plant, the first in the Arab world, now supplying about a quarter of domestic electricity while pushing Adnoc towards a production target of five million barrels per day For Ebtesam Al Ketbi president of the Emirates Policy Centre, the Opec exit marks a transition from collective quota-based commitments to sovereign flexibility in managing production enabling a faster response to disruptions such as those linked to the Strait of Hormuz she wrote on X
As an elected member of the UN Security Council for 2022-2023, the UAE served as a unifying force and made a significant impact addressing regional and international challenges and drafting resolutions using the platform to project its own positions rather than simply echo those of allies During the recent Iran war, the UAE was the country most targeted by Tehran Key civilian infrastructure was hit despite the Emirates having no involvement in the conflict The UAE s response was the sharpest in the Gulf It officially labelled the strikes unprovoked and terrorist attacks, closed its Tehran embassy and withdrew all diplomatic staff It said the US-Israeli ceasefire with Iran was “not enough” calling for a conclusive outcome against Tehran including addressing its ballistic missile programme The UAE s foreign policy shaped by multilateralism and strategic autonomy, reflects a deliberate effort to diversify options in an increasingly fragmented world ” wrote the Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Policy Centre in January This is most evident in areas such as food and health security the energy transition advanced technologies and global trade Abu Dhabi seeks not merely to consume solutions, but to act as a partner and producer – while remaining agile in a rapidly evolving and increasingly unconventional global economic environment it added In a fragmented
TH E Fiscal Year 2027 funding for the Golden Dome is likely only a drop in the bucket, as independent estimates have suggested the program could cost trillions to complete The Golden Dome is the centerpiece of President Donald Trump s national defense strategy and of his proposed Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget The concept calls for a layered missile defense system with space and ground integration, designed to intercept ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, and cruise missiles The Golden Dome is likely to receive massive funding in the years ahead and the programs within it are technically ambitious But their ultimate feasibility is far from certain naturally inviting comparisons to President Ronald Reagan s Strategic Defense Initiative in the 1980s, which depended on concepts that would not be feasible for several decades and was only saved from its technological shortcomings by the end of the Cold War HOW MUCH WILL THE GOLDEN DOME COST? NO ONE REALLY KNOWS: The official estimate holds that the Golden Dome will cost about $180 billion over the course of 10 years Independent estimates however suggest the program could cost anywhere from $250 billion to $3 6 trillion
This discrepancy is so large far larger than typical cost estimates at the Pentagon because it depends on a number of factors that are subject to future conditions and could change over time such as the number of space interceptors system scale and redundancy requirements The point is that the final cost of Golden Dome remains highly uncertain and
has the potential to expand dramatically
Initial Golden Dome funding for FY26 has already begun, with about $24 billion already allocated The FY2027 request is for roughly another $18 billion Beyond that another $15 billion per year is planned Structurally the proposal relies heavily on reconciliation funding as the program transitions from concept to actual infrastructure buildout
In other words, the FY27 spending breakdown is unlikely to be the last word on Golden Dome funding for the year Still, the proposal already includes several illuminating details: Space-based interceptors (SBIs) will eat up $3 2 billion of the initial contracts for companies like Lockheed Northrop Anduril and others; Missile warning and tracking, with a focus on LEO and MEO satellite constellations, will eat another $6 8 billion; Space domain awareness for the purpose of monitoring threats to the Golden Dome system itself will receive $1 6 billion; Additional smaller-scale investments include moving target indicator satellites and AI-driven command-and-control systems
In other words, the lion’s share of the early money is going to sensors and infrastructure not the interceptors themselves an understandable priority set THE GOLDEN DOME’S FRAMEWORK IS COMING TOGETHER: What the Pentagon is trying to build, from scratch, is a layered system featuring space lasers, interceptors and command-and-control nodes The space layer includes satellites for detection tracking and interception The interceptor layer involves kinetic kill vehicles designed to destroy missiles in their boost phase The command-and-control layer is an
is not just a single platform, but a networked system of systems Despite the billions of dollars being poured into the program major technical challenges remain The scale is daunting; thousands of satellites will be required to pull off the system as designed The program also has inherent flaws The largest among these is the cost-per-
azHar dogar
CORPORATE CORNER
BISP Chairperson meets delegation led by founder of Federal Youth Parliament Pakistan
CM MARYAM ORDERS STRICT WORKPL ACE SAFET Y ENFORCEMENT ACROSS
of the visiting dignitaries
The minister, accompanied by Punjab Secretary Information Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani, warmly welcomed the delegation During the meeting both sides held detailed discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the cultural sector and promoting shared heritage between Punjab and ASEAN member states
The delegation was also briefed on initiatives undertaken by the government of Punjab under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for the revival preservation and promotion of the province s cultural identity Speaking on the occasion, Azma Bokhari said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was making dedicated efforts to restore and preserve Punjab’s rich cultural traditions and civilizational heritage adding that the province s culture remained distinct vibrant
and deeply rooted in history
She said Punjab, under the leadership of Maryam Nawaz was witnessing significant progress across various sectors particularly in cultural preservation and promotion Indonesian Ambassador Chandra Warsi thanked the Punjab government for its warm hospitality and appreciated the province’s rich cultural environment especially that of Lahore
He said he was deeply impressed by Lahore s cultural vibrancy and praised the people of the city for their warmth, hospitality, and lively spirit
During their visit, the ASEAN delegation was taken to some of Lahore’s iconic landmarks including the Wagah Border and Shalimar Gardens where they appreciated the region s historical significance and architectural beauty Later, the minister presented honorary shields to the members of the visiting delegation The delegates described their visit to Punjab as memorable and thanked the provincial government for the arrangements and hospitality extended to them
PM PUSHES SWEEPING DIGITISATION DRIVE TO BOOST INVESTMENT AND EXPORTS
early repatriation of 54 Pakistani nationals detained in Siem Reap province These individuals were arrested following a raid on a scamming compound According to the Foreign Office embassy officials are also working to ensure the wellbeing of the detained Pakistanis It said the detainees would leave Cambodia once flight arrangements are completed The statement further said that, as a goodwill gesture by the Cambodian authorities, the 54 Pakistanis would be sent back without any legal proceedings being initiated against them Embassy engagement and repatriation process
The Foreign Office said the embassy had remained engaged with the host government over the issue and that the agreement on early repatriation followed those efforts It did not provide a timeline for the return beyond saying that travel would take place as soon as flight arrangements were finalised The case has drawn attention amid broader concerns linked to scam operations in Cambodia According to experts cited by AFP a multibillion-dollar scam industry has expanded in the country in recent years involving thousands of people,
Haroon Akhtar Khan and senior relevant government officials
Imran Khan receives fourth eye injection at PIMS amid ongoing health concerns
ISLAMABAD
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Tuesday confirmed that Imran Khan was administered a fourth intravitreal injection as part of his ongoing eye treatment
According to an official statement, Imran was brought to PIMS on April 28 for a follow-up procedure Prior to the injection, ophthalmologists examined him and found him clinically stable while optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans indicated improvement in his condition
The procedure, carried out under microscopic guidance in a controlled operation theatre environment followed all standard protocols after obtaining informed consent PIMS said the treatment was conducted as a day-care surgery, with Imran remaining stable throughout and discharged the same day with follow-up instructions
Meanwhile, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that Imran had been taken to the hospital for the injection and a medical checkup He reiterated concerns over the former premier s health, demanding that both Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, be shifted to a hospital for treatment under their personal doctors and in the presence of family members
Imran s eye treatment began earlier this year, when he was first taken to PIMS for a minor procedure Doctors later confirmed he
Aleema
Khan raises concern over Imran Khan health, seeks hospital
transfer
RAWALPINDI: Aleema Khan on Tuesday expressed concern over Imran Khan s health saying his condition is deteriorating and calling for his transfer to Shifa International Hospital in the presence of his family She said his condition was worsening day by day and warned that after one eye, there was now a risk of the other eye also being affected She added that earlier improvement following an injection had reversed with his health declining again She also alleged that jail authorities were sharing misleading information about his condition Commenting on legal matters she said Salman Safdar is a professional lawyer and clarified that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was not involved in any campaign against him Earlier, she had said that Imran Khan remains the party s leader and reiterated that she is not seeking any formal role, stating that her focus is to support him during what she described as a critical period She added that after his removal from government he launched what she called a resistance movement which she said had increased public awareness about democratic rights and political accountability S ta f f r e p o r t
was suffering from right central retinal vein occlusion and had been receiving anti-VEGF intravitreal injections
A medical report submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan had earlier revealed that his right eye vision had significantly deteriorated, though subsequent treatments showed improvement from 6/36 to 6/9 while his left eye remained normal with corrective lenses
Medical boards have since reported steady progress following multiple doses, including earlier injections administered in Febru-
ary and March Separately Bushra Bibi also underwent eye treatment in recent months including surgery on April 16 after being diagnosed with posterior vitreous detachment, along with myopia and astigmatism
Both Imran and Bushra Bibi remain incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi following their conviction in the Toshakhana-II case in December 2025 Imran in custody since August 2023, also faces other legal proceedings, including a £190 million corruption case and trials related to the May 9 protests
The case was originally filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) which had accused the pair of involvement in alleged corruption within the PPDC They had previously been declared proclaimed offenders in the reference Following amendments to accountability
comply with arrest warrants issued during the NAB investigation The order, issued by Judge Syed Najamul-Hassan Bukhari, came after authorities were unable to secure his arrest
According to the allegations Imran Yousaf received a bribe of
and played a role in facilitating
Naveed as CEO
The court has now deferred further proceedings while granting temporary relief to the accused
