R I M E Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday declared the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan as his government s paramount priority while Pakistan and China signed agreements worth nearly $440 million in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, marking another major step towards expanding business-to-business cooperation under the second phase of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
The prime minister made the remarks while addressing the PakistanChina Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Business-to-Business Investment Conference in Islamabad one of the largest sector-specific investment events held under CPEC Phase-II which brought together around 300 Chinese delegates
along with leading Pakistani and Chinese business representatives
The conference took place amid heightened security concerns surrounding Chinese interests in Pakistan Earlier this week Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said Islamabad had received security concerns from Chinese operators at the Saindak copper and gold mine in early July and had directed all relevant agencies to enhance security for installations, personnel and cargo
According to Pakistan's National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) 20 Chinese nationals were killed and 34 injured in militant attacks between 2021 and December 2024 I would like to say with fullest force at my command that the security of Chinese brothers and sisters in Pakistan is paramount for us it is most important Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said We will leave no stone unturned to provide them with best possible security
China, Pakistan urge US, Iran to halt
fighting, revive dialogue as regional tensions deepen
SHANGHAI
S TA F F R E P O R T
China and Pakistan on Friday jointly called on the United States and Iran to immediately halt hostilities and return to dialogue, expressing deep concern over the renewed escalation in the Middle East and urging all parties to preserve hard-won diplomatic gains through peaceful negotiations The appeal came during a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Shanghai, after which China s foreign ministry issued a statement outlining the two countries' shared position on the deteriorating regional situation According to the statement, Wang Yi and Ishaq Dar jointly "expressed concern over the deterioration of the current situation calling on the involved parties to immediately cease hostilities (and) return to dialogue China and Pakistan have both sought to facilitate diplomatic efforts during the months-long Middle East conflict, which reignited with fresh fighting over the Strait of Hormuz a month after the signing of a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the war Describing that agreement as hard-won Wang stressed the importance of safeguarding the progress already achieved through diplomacy Peace is before our eyes (we) cannot fall at the last hurdle and even more so cannot lose what we have gained," he said US, Iran exchange more strikes Meanwhile the United States and Iran exchanged another round of strikes on Friday with Tehran accusing Washington of targeting civilian infrastructure including an airport a railway station and two bridges
The prime minister said the agreements signed during the conference would be transformed into “actions and implementable documents ” describing them as another significant milestone in advancing the second phase of CPEC under which both governments envision shifting from state-led infrastructure development to business-to-business investment, industrial collaboration and technology partnerships He appreciated Pakistani entrepreneurs and industry leaders for their contribution to the country's pharmaceutical sector saying they had made great efforts just to show that these agreements will most definitely convert into action and implementable documents that would further strengthen CPEC Phase-II
Govt shifts to daily petroleum pricing amid regional tensions, vows greater transparenc y
Govt raises petrol, diesel prices
The federal government on Friday announced that petroleum product prices would henceforth be determined on a daily basis replacing the existing pricing mechanism with a market-linked system designed to immediately reflect international oil price movements, following renewed regional tensions triggered by the recent exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran
The decision was announced by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik during a joint press conference with Information Minister Ataullah Tarar after a meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Malik said the new mechanism was aimed at making the fuel pricing system more transparent while protecting the state from financial risks arising from volatile international oil markets
The federal cabinet and the prime minister decided that without exposing the state to any risk, the responsibility would be assigned to Ogra to determine petroleum prices daily in line with international market trends Ogra will not only publish on its website the Platts benchmark rates which are used globally to determine petroleum prices, but will also disclose the components that make up the final price consumers pay at petrol pumps Ogra has been directed to publish all these details so that people know why these prices are unavoidable," he said The minister said it was unfortunate that despite Pakistan's leadership making "tremendous efforts" to steer the region towards reconciliation and a lasting ceasefire tensions had once again escalated
"It is unfortunate that despite the sincere efforts made by our lead-
ership especially Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, to move the region towards reconciliation and a permanent ceasefire, tensions are once again rising," he said Malik noted that petroleum prices which had already experienced sharp fluctuations during previous periods of regional instability, were once again moving upward in response to the latest developments
EU flags setbacks in Pakistan’s compliance with GSP+ obligations
g REPORT SAYS PROGRESS REMAINED LIMITED DURING 2023-2025 AS CONCERNS PERSISTED OVER HUMAN RIGHTS, RULE OF L AW AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
steps to establish a National Commission for Minorities, reduce the scope of the death penalty and retain the de facto moratorium on executions
The country also adopted implementing rules for the Anti-Torture Act and introduced a Domestic Violence Bill for Islamabad The report described Pakistan’s first marital rape conviction as an important milestone It said the National Commission for Human Rights together with the Ministries of Law and Justice and Human Rights had emerged as a key institution in Pakistan’s efforts to meet its human rights obligations Progress on labour rights included the ratification of the International Labour Organisation’s 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention 1930 and the expansion of monitoring mechanisms
administrative proceedings that could lead to imprisonment, asset confiscation or restrictions on foreign travel
The report said recent constitutional amendments had been criticised for weakening judicial independence compounding concerns over fair trials and access to justice Forced labour also continued to affect a large number of people
To retain GSP+ eligibility and comply with international commitments particularly under revised GSP rules expected from 2027 the EU identified several priorities for future engagement These included ensuring accountability for human rights violations intensifying efforts against torture reforming prisons and capital punishment and reversing negative trends involving enforced disappearances and freedom of expression
EU reached €7 5 billion in 2024 led mainly by textiles and clothing while tariff exemptions were estimated at €732 million Pakistan s exports to the EU have increased 91 45% since the country received GSP+ status in 2014 reflecting the scheme s role in supporting export growth The report said EU imports worth €7 1 billion from Pakistan entered under GSP+ preferences in 2024 with a utilisation rate of 95 1% indicating extensive use of duty-free access by Pakistani exporters
However the EU said trade gains had been accompanied by continuing economic fragility climate vulnerability and negative political developments During the monitoring period Pakistan made progress in some legislative and administrative areas including
New action plans were also adopted to address child labour although the report said child labour rates were declining only slowly and enforcement of labour protections remained weak It noted that most advances were legislative or administrative and had yet to produce sufficient improvements on the ground
The EU raised concerns over the rule of law and the shrinking space available to civil society It said enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings had increased without accountability for those responsible
Freedom of expression also deteriorated following amendments to cybercrime anti-terrorism and blasphemy laws according to the report It said broadly defined provisions had been used against dissidents human rights defenders journalists minorities and ordinary citizens
The measures included criminal and
The report also called for stronger action against violence targeting women improved access to education for children an end to child marriage and effective implementation of provincial and territorial plans to eliminate child labour
Other priorities included enforcing laws against forced labour curbing discrimination against minorities and strengthening the independence impartiality and operational capacity of federal and provincial anti-corruption bodies Pakistan has maintained its ratification of all 27 conventions required under GSP+ and introduced no new reservations during the monitoring period
Although the country was largely compliant with its reporting obligations to international monitoring bodies the EU said Pakistan lacked an effective system to follow up on treaty bodies concluding observations and maintained limited engagement with United Nations Special Procedures
Senate panel refers BISP hiring dispute to austerity committee
Pakistan and Kuwait discuss expanded defence pact , sources say
PM declares security of Chinese nationals ‘paramount ’ as Pakistan, China sign $440m healthc are investment deals
CONTINED FROM PAGE 01
“We have just witnessed a ceremony of agreements between the Pakistani and Chinese entrepreneurs valuing almost $440 million
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the conference was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, representatives of Pakistani and Chinese pharmaceutical companies federal ministers special assistants senior government officials and a large number of business leaders
The PM Office said the agreements were signed between the private pharmaceutical sectors of both countries and covered local vaccine production biotechnology pharmaceutical manufacturing technology exchange and hepatitis prevention
An agreement on cooperation relating to Pakistan s national protective vaccination programme was also finalized during the conference
Describing China as Pakistan s most trusted and most dependable friend, Prime Minister Shehbaz said Beijing had played a pivotal role in Pakistan's economic development
“China has supported Pakistan on all global forums and $30 billion in investment has come under CPEC
1 0 he said while thanking the Chinese leadership for its unwavering support
The prime minister praised Chinese President Xi Jinping as a “visionary leader who had completely transformed Chinese society and economy
He described China's economic and strategic development as unprecedented,” while paying tribute to the Chinese people for their achievements in education research innovation and other sectors
The prime minister also appreciated the contributions of the business communities of both countries, the federal minister for health, the special assistant on industry and production the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan and Pakistan s ambassador to China for promoting bilateral economic cooperation
Referring to the recent US-Iran
war PM Shehbaz said the conflict had created significant challenges for the international community
He said Pakistan had played an important mediating role between the United States and Iran with friendly and brotherly countries including China extending full support to those diplomatic efforts
The premier added that President Xi Jinping had also fully backed the initiative
Reaffirming the enduring Pakistan-China partnership the prime minister said the friendship between the two countries remained higher than the Himalayas sweeter than honey and stronger than steel
He also said China had supported Pakistan's mediation efforts between the United States and Iran that resulted in the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (Islamabad MoU) naming President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi among those who supported the initiative
Recalling the achievements of CPEC Phase-I the prime minister said China had invested more than $30 billion in Pakistan, while the second phase would focus on strategic sectors including agriculture, information technology, manufacturing and healthcare
He said the newly signed agreements would enable Pakistan to manufacture life-saving medicines and vaccines domestically while expanding exports to neighbouring countries, reiterating that China remained one of Pakistan's “most trusted and most dependable friends
The latest agreements follow an even larger round of investment understandings signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to China in May when the Prime Minister's Office announced that 123 Pakistani and 436 Chinese companies had concluded around 207 memorandums of understanding worth $7 54 billion during a business conference in Hangzhou, covering sectors ranging from battery storage and artificial intelligence to seeds fisheries and vaccine manu-
Meanwhile, the federal government on Wednesday announced enhanced security arrangements around the Saindak copper and gold mine in Balochistan after terrorist violence disrupted supply routes linked to the Chinese-
project
Talal Chaudhry had said the gov-
tection of installations, personnel and cargo
“We have directed the provincial authorities and all concerned security agencies to beef up deployment for all of their installations, personnel, logistics and transportation, Chaudhry told Reuters
“It is our priority to safeguard all projects run by international companies in Pakistan
” he said adding that logistics and cargo shipments to the site would receive additional security protection Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, hosts several major Chinese-backed development projects including the strategically important deep-water port of Gwadar
The Financial Times reported that the managing director of the Saindak project had warned Pakistan's energy ministry that mining operations could become unsustainable within a month because deteriorating security conditions were disrupting supply routes
The Saindak mine is operated by the state-owned Metallurgical Corporation of China under a lease extended in 2022 with most of its production exported to China
China s foreign ministry said it was unaware of the reported developments but reaffirmed that Beijing would continue working closely with Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of Chinese citizens, projects and institutions operating in the country
ON E of the inevitable, but less prominent, effects for Pakistan of the US-Israeli attack on Iran, has been the drying up of foreign investment In addition to the driving up of global oil prices this has placed a burden on the Pakistani economy There have been two dimensions to the drying up First, Gulf countries, which have been major investors in Pakistan, have been withdrawing their investments because they needed the money urgently at home It should be noted that these investments have been financial rather than bricks and mortar That category has also suffered more out of businessmen’s caution than anything else, mainly because Pakistan falls within the region which will be most affected, for not only does it have a plethora of ties to the Gulf, but it also shares a long border with Iran
The immediate sign has been the Gul countries walking back investments Most recently has been the withdrawal of Bahrain from $30 million in Pakistani bonds, while the United Arab Emirates has also withdrawn the $3 5 billion it had on deposit with the State Bank of Pakistan though that money was replaced by Saudi Arabia to avoid an immediate foreign exchange crisis for Pakistan It should be noted that this was happening at a time when both the UAE and Saudi Arabia were hosting US bases from which Iran was being attacked At the time, Pakistan was also trying to mediate in the crisis, an effort which could be seen as fruitful because of the ceasefire between the USA and Iran or fruitless after the ceasefire broke down Another worry for Pakistan is how far the conflict will affect remittances Remittances, which set a new record last fiscal year, have so far not decreased, but will do so sooner or later if the conflict continues, particularly in the present on-off fashion Not only are the Gulf economies themselves going to be adversely affected but the general economic climate is headed for a downturn, if the conflict continues Pakistan is coming to accept that the ceasefire is over, but it is still continuing efforts for the establishment of peace so that matters can return to normal The strong condemnation of daily price revisions by the gas station owners’ association does not just mean that a government decision will lack stakeholder support, but that there is a dissolution of the already thin glue holding society together
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
data
SI N C E gaining independence, Pakistan has transformed its constitutional framework, political institutions and national identity
Yet one institution has remained remarkably resilient: its bureaucracy Governments have come and gone, constitutions have been amended, and political priorities have shifted, but the administrative architecture inherited from the colonial state continues to shape how power is exercised and public policy is implemented This raises an important question: can a bureaucracy designed for colonial administration fully meet the demands of a democratic republic? This question is not an indictment of individual civil servants Pakistan’s bureaucracy has produced many competent, dedicated and honest officers who have served the country under extraordinarily difficult circumstances The issue is institutional rather than personal It concerns whether the incentives, culture and structure of the administrative system are aligned with the expectations of a modern democratic state
The bureaucracy that Pakistan inherited in 1947 evolved from the British Indian administrative system
Its primary purpose was to maintain law and order, collect revenue and preserve imperial authority across a vast colony Administrative efficiency was valued, but democratic accountability was not Officials answered primarily to their superiors rather than to citizens Decision-making was centralized, hierarchical and designed to ensure control over the population Independence changed the political leadership of the state but did not fundamentally transform the institutional philosophy of its administration As Pakistan adopted democratic constitutions and expanded the role of the state in education, healthcare, infrastructure and social welfare, the bureaucracy increasingly found itself performing functions for which its original design was not intended The challenge today is not simply one of capacity; it is one of institutional adaptation One of the defining characteristics of Pakistan’s administrative culture remains its emphasis on proce-
Therefore, according to the world economic forum, currently the major global risks affecting states include cyber-attacks and disinformation Additionally, non-state actors such as armed groups, pirate groups, criminal organizations, and insurgent groups have become a serious challenge for international peace and security, and even for state security Non-state actors are also posing serious threats to state interest and are used by different states as their proxy They carry out activities across international borders and become a reason for bad governance in different states Pakistan has been a victim of violent non-state actors, because Pakistan has been suffering from security risks along its western border, creating challenges for good governance According to the Global Terrorism Index, every year thousands of civilians are killed by violent non-state actors and as a result they are becoming a serious concern for global security Consequently, the post-World War II international order is increasingly confronting grave obstacles since it was never set up for addressing such challenges In recent times, the world is largely moving towards multi-polarity, where the rise of the People s Republic of China is being significantly witnessed globally and Russia is also enhancing its position in international politics
The resurgence of great power rivalry and power politics is now shaping the current international order In the evolving global landscape, the powerful states are often engaged in multiple wars to maximize their influence in the world They often leverage their diplomatic influence to obtain their strategic interests The Russia-Ukraine
dure over outcomes Success is often measured by compliance with rules rather than by improvements in citizens lives Files move through multiple layers of approval while innovation is frequently discouraged because it carries administrative risk In such an environment avoiding mistakes can become more important than solving problems The result is a bureaucracy that is often cautious process-oriented and slow to respond to rapidly changing policy challenges
This institutional culture has significant consequences for governance Pakistan faces increasingly complex policy issues ranging from climate resilience and digital transformation to public health energy security and economic competitiveness These challenges require technical expertise evidence-based policymaking and close coordination across multiple institutions Yet senior administrative positions continue to be dominated by generalist officers who are frequently transferred between departments with vastly different policy responsibilities While administrative versatility has its advantages modern governance increasingly depends on specialized knowledge that cannot be acquired through frequent rotations alone Frequent transfers also undermine continuity Long-term reforms require sustained leadership institutional memory and consistent implementation When key officials are moved before policies mature governments often begin the reform process anew instead of building upon previous progress This cycle contributes to policy discontinuity and weak implementation regardless of the quality
war showcases the efforts of Russia to ensure its survival by keeping NATO away from its borders and projecting its power in the international arena Moreover the US-China rivalry over strategic interests illustrates how both are pursuing their own national interests States are now more focused on attaining hard power to compete with their rivals and survive in an anarchic international system On the other hand international cooperation and peace receive less attention The reports of SIPRI suggest that states are investing more on their defense capabilities and military expenditures amid security dilemmas and geopolitical turmoil
The United Nations was established in 1945 but since then there have never been any changes or modifications to its structure or charter Institutions formed after World War II were capable of dealing with the issues exited in the 20 h century However we are living in the 21s century where there are lots of challenges and threats faced by every nation of the world as discussed in the above paragraphs
The United Nations the IMF the World Bank and other bodies were set up to address challenges of the post-1945 era But they seem to face difficulties in resolving issues of the 21s century as they were not designed for modern complications Thus they require urgent structural reforms institutional modernization and the adaptability to contemporary impediments At the same time the supremacy of international law effective governance and the political will for collective action are mandatory to counter non-traditional security threats in order to bring lasting peace security and prosperity in the world
The writer can be reached at tahahussainseeker@gmail com
Madrasas need serious oversight
and perpetrators continue their harmful practices unchecked It is imperative for the government to not only enforce existing laws but also introduce stricter oversight within schools and madrasas Institutions must be bound to establish child protection committees, ensure transparent reporting channels and provide psychological support for affected children Public awareness campaigns and teacher training are also essential to create a safer educational environment
A society that fails to protect its children undermines its own future Through effective law enforcement and genuine institutional accountability, we can ensure that spaces of learning truly become spaces of safety and growth
SABIHA KASHIF KARACHI
Honour languages
NO language comes into existence on its own; every language has its own history and culture Take Saraiki for example It is an Indo-Aryan language with its own history and associated culture, spoken in South Punjab as well as in parts of Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa According to the 2023 census about 28 8 million people in Pakistan speak Saraiki This language is often compared with Punjabi and referred to as a dialect of Punjabi, which is not true; it has its own distinct history Its writing system is also derived from the Persian-Arabic script with some additional letters added specifically for this language Punjabi is the most widely spoken language in Pakistan, whereas Urdu which is the national language of Pakistan according to the 2023 census is spoken as a first language only by about nine per cent of the population Although the number of Saraiki speakers is smaller than that of Punjabi and Urdu speakers, they are often not
muhammad Taha hussain
T h
e S u n , t h
e S o i l a n d t h e S i n k i n g S h i p
Historically,
prohibitive cost of electricity and diesel acted as a natural, albeit unintended, regulator Farmers only pumped water when absolutely necessary The advent of solar panels, however, has upended this calculus With the sun powering the pumps for free, extraction has become costless, leading to injudicious and ceaseless pumping
When water is free, it is treated as limitless But the crisis does not end with quantity; the quality of our groundwater is equally under siege This is where the specialized wings of the Water Resources Zone (WRZ) of the Punjab Irrigation Department play an indispensable, yet underappreciated, role
The Surveyor Wing conducts meticulous circle-level surveys to monitor groundwater levels and quality parameters This data is then handed over to the Salinity Research Wing, which interprets the nuances of waterborne salinization and determines water fit for irrigation Working inseparably, these two wings have uncovered a deeply disturbing trend: the unchecked pumping of fit irrigation water is rapidly altering the aquifer dynamics, pulling up saline water and causing secondary salinization in the soil body
The Salinity Research Wing, through its salinity assessments and bioremediation efforts at PID research farms, has long warned about this water-soil relationship The white, crusty salt encroaching on our fertile lands is the ghost of mismanaged water Furthermore, contemporary research highlights a high risk of arsenic and heavy metal contamination in Punjab s groundwater hotspots carcinogenic and mutagenic threats that are already turning rural drinking water into a slow poison Amidst this doom and gloom, the Water Resources Zone has proven to be the vital institutional anchor In a monumental step toward data-driven governance, the Water Resources Zone has recently completed a geo-referenced database project, enumerating and geo-tagging every single tubewell across Punjab This digital footprint is the bedrock upon which any future regulation must be built You cannot manage what you cannot
measure and the Water Resources Zone has finally given us the measuring stick Yet the bureaucratic and political response has been sorely lacking Under the Punjab Government the instinct has been to lean on command-and-control tactics licensing tubewells and imposing extraction tariffs This is a recipe for disaster Such price-based deterrents will only make farmers miserable and open the floodgates of rent-seeking and corruption at the
The Salinity Research Wing, through its salinity assessments and bioremediation effor ts
The government must launch a dedicated Annual Development Programme to subsidiz e farm-level recharg e wells boreholes that drain excess rainwater back into the aquifer, simultaneously preventing waterlogging and recharging depleted reser ves
Why Iran is returning to war
w i l l fo rce Tru m p to b l i n k f i r s t I f wa r i s i n e v i t a b l e, I ra n i s b e t te r o f f wa g i n g i t b e fo re t h e U S h a s h a d t i m e to re g ro u p f u l l y, a n d
t h e g l o b a l e co n o my h a s h a d t i m e to re cove r f ro m
e n e rg y a n d s u p p l y c h a i n s h o c k s
i n g t h at i t s ow n p re s s u re o n t h e g l o b a l e co n o my by c l o s i n g t h e
St ra i t o f Ho r m u z a n d p o te nt i a l l y t h e B a b e l - M a n d e b s t ra i t a n d t h e R e d S e a
Ne a r l y h a l f o f t h e D e m o c rat s i n t h e
Ho u s e o f R e p re s e nt at i ve s, 1 0 3 , vo te d fo r a n a m e n d m e nt to c u t o f f a i d to Is ra e l
‘I definitely think you have seen this ver y discreet, ex tremely well-funded c ampaign to tr y to derail the negotiation and tr y to derail the deal ’
Islamic republic or barring that to force it to accept an American diktat constraining its nuclear programme and regional role Instead the war handed Iran a strategic victory: control over the Strait of Hormuz a setback that compelled the US to agree to the MoU Iran s leaders suspected that the MoU was a temporary retreat by the US intended to relieve pressure on the global economy and prepare for another round of war US vice-president JD Vance even suggested publicly that President Donald Trump liked the agreement because it would give America time to replenish its dwindling strategic oil reserves
They saw plenty of evidence to support their suspicions There was
no unfreezing of Iranian assets; a USbrokered deal between Israel and Lebanon disregarded Iran’s demands for ceasefire there; more US military assets began to arrive in the Gulf region; and Washington encouraged commercial vessels to disregard Tehran’s instructions to co-ordinate with its authorities and navigate through Iranian channels as they transited the Strait of Hormuz Some ships then passed through channels close to the Omani shoreline instead Washington expected that this would weaken Iran’s claim of control of the strait and ability to enforce it Each of these on its own may not have been major violations of the MoU but together they represented a concerted effort to erode the leverage Iran had gained during the war and reflected in the ceasefire agreement Iran’s current rulers believe that any display of restraint will only invite further American pressure To deter the US and to compel it to negotiate in earnest for an end to the war and a broader nuclear deal that would give Tehran the security and economic relief it craves they believe Iran has to be aggressive and escalate the conflict beyond what the US is prepared to countenance The one point of leverage Iran is not prepared to part with is its claim to the Strait of Hormuz and its ability to control access to it Losing dominance in the strait would leave Iran without any leverage in future negotiations Iran s leaders have decided that retaining control of the strait is essential to securing future wins at the negotiating table and ensuring that the US implements the deal rather than walking away from it Last week s mammoth turnout for the funeral of the slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei was also important in convincing Iran s leaders that the population would support a hard stance on the strait which has become a popular nationalist cause It was in this
context that Iran decided to thwart US plans to open the strait by attacking two tankers sailing close to the Omani coast That show of force provoked a deliberately massive US response: an extended bombing campaign to destroy Iran’s drone and missile batteries along the Gulf coast and military and civilian infrastructure across the country to raise the cost of resistance But Iran had been expecting war It may have resumed sooner than anticipated but Tehran sees advantage in that: if war
AS grim as the political scene is in Israel today – with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s coalition bulldozing through contentious and damaging legislation on the final days of the Knesset before the October election – the view on the other side of the world in Washington regarding Israel is just as worrisome
Two events overnight Wednesday emerging from the US Capitol one a vote and the other an interview exemplified the rockslide – turning into an avalanche – of anti-Israel sentiment that has taken hold in the hallowed halls of decision-makers The degree to which both the Republican and Democratic parties are sharpening their claws against Israel and hyper-focusing on it to the exclusion of critical issues indicates that the long-standing US-Israel bond is in a real crisis Nearly half of the Democrats in the House of Representatives 103 voted for an amendment to cut off aid to Israel The amendment was defeated 314-104 It was sponsored by Rep Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) whose disagreement with his party on Israel is his signature issue He recently lost the GOP primary to run for reelection in the November midterms Lest we breathe a sigh of relief that Republicans en masse voted against the amendment US Vice President JD Vance demonstrated that Israel has just as much to worry about from the Right in the US In an interview with highly popular America First podcaster Joe Rogan who has labeled Israel s war efforts in Gaza as genocide Vance suggested that shadowy Israeli influence campaigns exist in the US I definitely think you have seen this very discreet extremely well-funded campaign to try to derail the negotiation and try to derail the deal he told Rogan An article in Time magazine on
macy seriously The Iranian regime is engaged in an existential battle It is betting that its willingness to endure greater pain gives it an advantage which will stand it in good stead at a future negotiating table
The writer is a professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of Iran s Grand Strategy
DR MuhAMMAD MEhbOOb hASSAN KhAN
in
on
tating that process he added Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in Shanghai east China July 17 2026 Anutin Charnvirakul is here to attend the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai and on his official
Xi said China has always been a reliable and trustworthy strategic cooperative partner for Thailand
He said the two countries should accelerate the building of a more stable prosperous and sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future to bolster their respective modernization and contribute to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region
Xi also called on both sides to accelerate the construction of the China-Thailand railway and the railway connectivity among China Laos and Thailand and expand cooperation in emerging sectors including artificial intelligence, aerospace and clean energy
Xi stressed that China and Thailand
will continue to step up efforts to combat cross-border crimes including online gambling and telecom fraud in order to foster a secure environment for practical cooperation and people-topeople exchanges between the two countries China supports Thailand in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs he said Properly handling the ThailandCambodia border dispute serves the common and long-term interests of both countries and their peoples, he said, expressing the hope that the two sides will remain committed to dialogue and consultation and settle the dispute peacefully China stands ready to continue playing a constructive role in this
process he added Thailand is committed to deepening relations with China by maintaining close high-level exchanges and expanding practical cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, high technology and connectivity, Anutin said Thailand is willing to work with China to jointly combat online gambling and telecom fraud strengthen cooperation on global AI governance and enhance coordination and collaboration to promote regional and global peace, stability, development and prosperity, he said Thailand remains committed to the peaceful settlement of the ThailandCambodia conflict and appreciates China s fair and impartial role in facili-
Rubio set for Asia meetings as Trump-Xi summit preparations come into focus
MANILA A G E N C I E S
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is due in Manila this weekend for a series of Asia-Pacific meetings where he is widely expected to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi ahead of a possible summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in September
The US State Department said Rubio will leave for Manila on Sunday to attend the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting He will also meet senior government officials from Indo-Pacific countries during the trip which is scheduled to run until next Thursday In a statement the department
vances a clear US priority: a free and open Indo-Pacific that delivers safety, security, and prosperity for the region and for the Ameri-
with the Philippines Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is also expected in Manila next week for meetings involving the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations alongside Wang Yi and ministers from Japan Australia Canada and Britain The gatherings are taking place during a period of wider global instability, with the war involving Iran disrupting trade flows and adding to economic pressure across Asia
and Beijing have not officially confirmed
between Rubio and Wang on the sidelines of
and
lysts
have
discussion
on preparations for a second Trump-Xi summit this year after their last meeting in May Trump has said Xi will travel to the United States at the end of September Strained relations between the US and China have steadied under a temporary trade truce reached by Trump and Xi in October although major disagreements continue to shape the relationship and many analysts see the two powers locked
have overlapping territorial claims
CORPORATE CORNER
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CM MARYAM SAYS SCHEME LAUNCHED IN MEMORY OF KAHNA ROOF COLLAPSE VICTIMS TO IMPROVE HOUSING SAFETY
Landmark reforms in education, healthcare and public transport transforming lives: Azma Bokhari
education healthcare and public transport, ensuring that the benefits of development reach every city and every segment of society across Punjab Azma Bokhari said that the Punjab government is investing in the future of the youth by providing laptops, scholarships and electric bikes to students She added that the Nawaz Sharif School of Eminence project will mark a new era of aca-
The Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore and the Cardiology Hospital in Sargodha have been completed, while patients at government hospitals across Punjab are receiving free medicines and all essential diagnostic tests at no cost ensuring access to quality healthcare for every citizen
The Information Minister said that to provide modern, safe and environmentally friendly transport facilities, the network of green electric buses is being expanded
from district headquarters to tehsil level across Punjab She added that during the intense summer heat, airconditioned electric buses have become a major source of comfort and convenience for the general public Azma Bokhari said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ensured that government resources and public services reach every corner of Punjab She remarked that while people once had to run from office to office in search of government assistance today the government itself is reaching citizens at their doorstep She said this commitment to public service effective governance and welfare-oriented policies is what distinguishes the Maryam Nawaz government from previous administrations
SSGC disconnects 400 illegal gas connections
KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T
Sui
cross-border crimes through enhanced bilateral cooperation, institutional coordination and sustained information-sharing
24 Indian prox y terrorists neutralized in Bannu intelligence -based operations: ISPR
RAWALPINDI
S TA
Security forces killed 24 terrorists in a series of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in KhyberPakhtunkhwa's (KP) Bannu district and adjoining areas over the past 24 hours, following a recent spike in attacks on police and vehicle-borne suicide bombing in the district the military s media wing said on Friday In a statement the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operations were launched "in the backdrop of a recent surge in terrorist activities against Police and vehicle-borne suicide bombing in Bannu District in which Indian Proxy Fitna al-Khawarij targeted law enforcement agencies and innocent civilians" Fitna al-Khawarij is the term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
Security forces had initiated extensive joint intelligence-based operations to hunt the perpetrators of these heinous attacks and their support infrastructure," it added The military s media wing said In the last twenty-four hours following the fierce fire exchanges in Bannu district and adjoining
areas, twenty-four khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities and the killing of innocent civilians"
“Azm-e-Istehkam”
PM, President commend security forces In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces and law enforcement agencies "The timely and effective op-
against those responsible for the recent terrorist attacks, particu-
ter said He added that the entire nation stands with its brave security personnel " Reaffirming the government's commitment to counterterrorism PM Shehbaz said "The
objectives General Sadat further alleged that the current Afghan authorities provide operational support to anti-Pakistan militant groups, effectively enabling them to plan and carry out attacks inside Pakistani territory He said external funding was being redirected to sustain militant networks and claimed that Indian financial assistance specifically reached groups identified as Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna alHindustan to execute terrorist attacks within Pakistan
of
ister Mohsin Naqvi also praised the security forces for their successful intelligence-based operations commending their professionalism and bravery
UN rights chief calls for calm, dialogue amid A JK unrest
ISLAMABAD M O N I T O R I N G R E P O R T United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Friday appealed for calm in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and called for meaningful and inclusive political dialogue to address the underlying issues amid a wave of unrest ahead of the region's legislative assembly elections later this month His appeal came as the situation in AJK remained tense after the government banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) the group leading the protests, under anti-terrorism laws The JAAC has continued its sit-in and vowed to sustain the protest until its "legitimate demands" are met
Several protesters and law enforcement personnel have been killed in clashes since June ahead of the Legislative Assembly elections scheduled for July 27
Türk called for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all deaths linked to the unrest including those of protesters and
security personnel
The UN rights chief also expressed concern over the ban on the JAAC under anti-terrorism laws, saying the criminalisation of a civil society organisation and the imposition of strict restrictions on public gatherings raised serious concerns about possible violations of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association
He also called for detained JAAC leaders to be granted access to legal representation and their families stressing that their rights to due process and a fair trial must be fully guaranteed
Türk further voiced concern over restrictions on internet access in the region, saying they disproportionately curtailed the right to freedom of expression including the freedom to seek receive and impart information at a time of heightened tensions We urge the authorities to ensure full Internet access throughout the territory," he said
The UN rights chief also reiterated his call for meaningful and inclusive political dialogue to address the grievances and concerns
of the local population
Background
The recent unrest and deadly clashes broke out in areas, including Rawalakot, where the JAAC had been holding a sit-in outside the Combined Military Hospital Rawalakot AJK police allege that armed JAAC members opened fire on deployed law enforcement in a planned attack, leaving four personnel dead and around 20 injured JAAC however disputes this account claiming security forces used tear gas and fired shells toward the hospital
According to the AJK police, three individuals linked to the JAAC and four law enforcement personnel were killed during the protests JAAC however said in a statement that seven individuals were killed and dozens were injured when street firing was carried out in the dark after electricity was allegedly cut off The clash came as the AJK government and the JAAC witnessed a face-off as the election date for AJK was announced for July 27
