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Sunday, 30 August, 2026 | 16 Rabiul Awwal, 1448
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 155 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
‘PIMS FIRE’: PM SUSPENDS 8 OFFICIALS, ORDERS CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AFTER INTERIM PROBE g
PIMS ED AMONG OFFICIALS SUSPENDED OVER DEATHS OF 14 NEWBORNS AS INQUIRY PANEL SUBMITS INTERIM REPORT
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PM ORDERS IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF INQUIRY COMMITTEE’S PRELIMINARY REPORT
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ISLAMABAD
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SECURITY FIRM, OFFICIALS ALSO FACE ACTION OVER DEADLY HOSPITAL BLAZE
VOWS EXEMPLARY PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE
SALEEM JADOON
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered the suspension of eight officials, including the Executive Director (ED) of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), and directed initiation of criminal proceedings against them over the deadly hospital fire that claimed the lives of 14 newborns. The prime minister took the decision on the recommendations of the inquiry committee, whose interim report was presented at a high-level meeting chaired by him in Lahore, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The eight individuals named in the report are PIMS Executive Director Prof Dr Imran Sikandar; Prof Dr Sadia Riaz, Head of Neonatology at Children Hospital, PIMS; Dr Nagham, Senior Registrar in the Neonatology Department; Dr Mutahir Shah, Joint Executive Director, MCH; Ch Waris Ali Raza, Joint Executive Director (Non-Medical), PIMS; Dr Nosheela Amjad, Director, MCH; Dr Abdul Rehman, Director General, CES, CDA; and Muhammad Usman, Assistant Director (Security). The prime minister specifically directed that those identified by the inquiry committee face not only departmental action but also criminal proceedings under the relevant laws, the PMO said. He also ordered criminal proceedings against those responsible without discrimination and approved action against the company tasked with providing security
at the hospital and its officials. The premier further directed that National Institutes of Health (NIH) Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohammad Salman be appointed acting Executive Director of PIMS. He also ordered the immediate appointment of new officials to replace those removed from their positions. The prime minister directed the immediate release of the inquiry committee’s preliminary report, the PMO said, adding that the document would be published on the Health Ministry’s website. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz said those responsible for criminal negligence would not be given any leniency and vowed that those responsible for the incident would be brought to justice. “The deaths of these innocent children are a heartbreaking tragedy that has
left the entire nation grieving. My sympathies, along with those of the entire nation, are with the children’s parents,” he said. PM Shehbaz added that those responsible would be given exemplary punishment to ensure that no mother was separated from her child again because of criminal negligence. ‘Exact cause of fire couldn’t be established’ The interim report of the inquiry committee probing the deadly fire at the Mother and Child Healthcare Centre of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) said the precise source of ignition had not yet been “conclusively established”, but identified serious deficiencies in fire safety, emergency preparedness and evacuation arrangements that could have contributed to the scale of the tragedy. The report presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif noted that questions
requiring forensic, technical or documentary examination — including the exact ignition source, the contribution of specific deficiencies to the incident and the final determination of individual responsibility — had been left for the committee’s comprehensive report. “The committee considers it important that uncertainty regarding the first spark should not prevent examination of the protective systems that should have prevented an initial fire from becoming a mass fatality event. The cause of ignition and the causes of the consequences are related but analytically distinct,” it said. The report reconstructed the incident through CCTV footage, describing it as providing “the most objective reconstruction” of what happened. According to the footage, the first visible sign of an emergency appeared at around 6:38:15am, when charge nurse Nasreen hurriedly emerged from the nursery and sought assistance. About 20 seconds later, she and security guard Maria entered the nursery, with reflections of flames visible. Staff nurse Razia entered the nursery at around 6:38:56am and emerged eight seconds later carrying a baby, thereby rescuing the child. She then attempted to re-enter the nursery shortly afterwards. Dr Abdul Rehman emerged at around 6:39:12am, while Camera 16 was largely obscured by smoke by about 6:39:15am. The adjoining corridor door visible on Camera 12 was opened at around 6:39:45am, while that camera was also obscured by smoke by about 6:40:08am.
Pakistan emerges as ‘peacemaker’ amid diplomatic, economic turnaround: Dar g
DPM CREDITS GOVT’S RELENTLESS EFFORTS FOR IMAGE TRANSFORMATION, DESCRIBING DIPLOMATIC ACHIEVEMENTS AS ‘MIRACULOUS’ ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday termed Pakistan’s transformation of its international image, strengthening economy and diplomatic achievements as “miraculous”, attributing the progress to the sincere and relentless efforts of the incumbent government. Addressing a gathering of the Pakistani diaspora in London, the DPM/FM said Pakistan had played a historic role in bringing warring countries during the Gulf conflict to the negotiating table, leading to the signing of the Islamabad MoU. On the ongoing tensions, he reiterated that Pakistan was still making efforts, with the cooperation of other key countries, to find a permanent solution to the issue. Dar also lauded Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their leadership throughout the crisis. “Pakistan is now known as the peacemaker,” he added. In his address, broadcast on national TV channels, the DPM/FM reiterated that the joint “Makkah Defense Agreement” signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was defensive in nature and was not directed against anyone. He said the aim of the agreement was to combine strategies for regional stability. Dar informed the gathering that an inau-
gural meeting of the three countries would be held soon to deliberate upon the structure and framework of the agreement, adding that several other countries were aspiring to join it. The DPM/FM also appreciated the role of the Pakistani diaspora and urged them to conduct their financial transactions through Pakistani banks to further contribute to the national economy. He said economic stability had been achieved and further steps were being taken to attain economic growth, with per capita income increasing and living standards improving. He said the country, which was once predicted to default, had overcome the threat through drastic measures taken by the gov-
ernment, and there were no more economic threats looming over it. Speaking about Pakistani nationals held hostage by Somali pirates, Dar said he had held positive interactions with the relevant authorities and counterparts regarding the matter. The DPM/FM also termed his visit to the UK and his meetings with British counterparts and authorities “very encouraging”, saying both sides had agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, IT and other sectors. Dar also advised office-bearers and workers of the PML-N to promote tolerance and forgiveness and concentrate on strengthening the country’s economy.
India can't unilaterally suspend Indus Waters Treaty: Pakistan envoy ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said India’s unilateral announcement of April 2025 could not alter the legal status of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) or extinguish the rights and obligations arising under it, asserting that the Treaty remains valid, operative and binding. “For more than six decades, the IWT has provided a rules-based framework for managing one of the world’s most important transboundary river systems. Its resilience has rested not on political goodwill, but on the fact that it replaced unilateral discretion with binding rules and procedures for resolving disputes,” the ambassador wrote in an article titled “India Must Respect Indus Waters Treaty,” published in Newsweek.
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CDF Munir reviews POF production capabilities, indigenisation drive at Wah RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir NI (M) HJ on Saturday visited Pakistan’s largest defence industrial complex, Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) Wah, where he reviewed its production capabilities, export potential and ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s indigenous defence industrial base. The visit focused on POF’s production capabilities, export potential and contributions towards strengthening Pakistan’s defence industrial base, said a news release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). During the visit, the CDF was briefed on various aspects of POF’s operations and its role in strengthening national defence through the indigenous development and production of a diverse range of military equipment. He also witnessed tests and trials of locally designed and manufactured arms and ammunition, underscoring POF’s commitment to innovation, self-reliance and enhancing Pakistan’s defence production capabilities, the news release said. The Field Marshal was also presented with an overview of progress on the corporatization process following the enactment of the DIPRA Ordinance. He was further apprised of ongoing indigenisation and upgradation efforts, including the installation of two new industrial plants, which are likely to commence production by the end of the current year. The visit underscored the military’s commitment to advancing self-reliance, indigenous production and technological innovation in Pakistan’s defence sector.
PM Shehbaz, Modi to share stage at SCO Summit in Bishkek ISLAMABAD AFP
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will share stage during the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Group (SCO) Summit in Kyrgyzsan, beginning on August 31. Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping are expected in Central Asia's Kyrgyzstan Monday for a two-day sum-
mit, also attended by Iran's, Pakistan’s and India's leaders, of a regional bloc seeking to be a counter-influence to the West. Around a dozen heads of states will head to the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek to mark 25 years of the Shanghai Cooperation Group (SCO). The group brings together Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, four Central Asian countries and Moscow-allied Belarus.
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02 NEWS
Sunday, 30 August, 2026 | KARACHI
Pakistan exPlores Private financing for rohri-Multan Ml-1 section after china declines to fund full Project
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MONITORING REPORT
AKISTAN is exploring private investment options to upgrade the Rohri-Multan section of the ML-1 railway line, estimated to cost over Rs450 billion, after China declined to finance the entire ML-1 project. According to a news report, the first phase of ML-1, running from Karachi to Rohri/Sukkur, will be financed by international creditors including the Asian Development Bank at an estimated cost of $2.5 billion, with civil work targeted to begin in January 2027. Co-financing options are also being explored with other lenders, including the World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Islamic Development Bank. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal chaired a meeting at the P-Block Secretariat on Friday of a committee formed on the prime minister's directions to explore financing for the Rohri-Multan section, calling upgradation and modernisation of the ML-1 line a key government priority and urging a comprehensive, viable financing strategy. The meeting reviewed several financing options for completing the ML-
govt, Pso discuss measures to strengthen fuel security and strategic reserves
1 project, including the Public Sector Development Programme, foreign financing, public-private partnerships, and financing through local commercial banks and domestic capital markets, while deliberating on a firm financing plan for the project's completion. Officials briefed the meeting on a proposal from the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to develop the RohriMultan section through private investment, confirming its estimated cost at over Rs450 billion. Iqbal stressed that a modern, safe and efficient railway system is essential
Weekly inflation rises 0.05%, hits 9.04% YoY as fuel prices climb PROFIT NEWS DESK
PROFIT
NEWS DESK
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik on Friday reviewed measures with Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to strengthen domestic fuel security, including proactive international procurement, diversification of supply sources and expansion of strategic reserves. The minister visited PSO’s head office along with Secretary Petroleum Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh and Additional Secretary (Policy) Zafar Abbas. PSO Chief Executive Officer Jawwad Ahmed Cheema and members of the company’s executive management received the delegation. The discussions focused on volatile international fuel prices, disruptions to key maritime corridors and their potential impact on Pakistan’s energy supply. The minister assured PSO of the government’s support for maintaining a balanced energy ecosystem focused on consumer interests and economic stability. Ali Pervaiz Malik reviewed PSO’s work on energy security and retail modernisation and appreciated the company’s efforts to maintain an uninterrupted nationwide fuel supply chain amid geopolitical challenges. He reaffirmed the government’s focus on expanding storage infrastructure, accelerating digitisation and automation, strengthening supply chain resilience and improving customer experience. He also called for coordinated efforts among industry stakeholders to develop a modern and resilient energy sector. Jawwad Ahmed Cheema briefed the minister on PSO’s financial performance, recent operational milestones and future plans. PSO said that as the country’s national oil marketing company, it remained committed to improving industry standards and providing reliable and sustainable energy to support Pakistan’s economic growth.
ntc retains up to 19.32% anti-dumping duty on chinese polyester yarn for five years PROFIT
NEWS DESK
for strengthening economic activity, improving passenger services and facilitating the movement of goods nationwide. The meeting was also briefed on the deteriorating condition of the railway line, with 399 train derailments and 158 accidents recorded over the past decade due to poor infrastructure. Iqbal said work on the ADB-financed Karachi-Rohri section would begin during the current fiscal year, directing relevant authorities to complete all necessary preparatory measures on time. On the Rohri-Multan section, he directed a credible, independent third party
to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study to assess the project's technical, financial, and economic viability and support the development of a workable financing model. The minister also directed the Ministry of Railways to comprehensively assess future requirements for locomotives, freight rolling stock and passenger coaches, including the financing needed, and incorporate these into an integrated plan for a modern railway system. Iqbal observed that continued reductions in the development budget were affecting projects of national and public importance, underscoring the need to make effective use of available resources and explore alternative financing mechanisms. He described ML-1 as not merely a railway infrastructure project but a major national initiative with significant implications for Pakistan's transport network, trade, industry and economic activity, saying its timely completion would contribute substantially to modernising the country's transportation system. Senior officials from relevant ministries and organisations attended the meeting, holding detailed discussions on financing options for the ML-1 project, development of the Rohri-Multan section, the feasibility study, and the railway sector's future requirements.
The National Tariff Commission (NTC) has retained definitive anti-dumping duties of up to 19.32% on imports of polyester filament Yarn– Drawn Textured Yarn (DTY) from China for five years. According to a news report, the duties on products classified under Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT) Codes 5402.3300 and 5402.6200 will apply from November 15, 2024, to November 14, 2029. The duty rates vary by exporter. Xinfengming Group companies will face 3.07%, Shenghong Group 3.18%, Hengyi Group 4.50% and Tongkun Group 4.57%.
Weekly inflation, as measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), rose 0.05% for the week ended August 27, driven mainly by higher fuel and energy prices, with LPG climbing 3.46%, diesel 2.44%, first-quarter electricity tariffs 2.06%, and petrol 1.71%. According to SPI data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday, other items posting increases included pulse gram (up 0.88%), wheat flour (0.39%), eggs (0.34%), mustard oil and pulse masoor (0.30% each), prepared tea (0.20%), pulse mash (0.17%) and beef (0.06%). Notable declines were recorded in tomatoes, which fell sharply by 18.65%, along with chicken (down
4.41%), onions (2.87%), bananas (2.80%), garlic (1.02%), rice irri6/9 (0.42%), broken basmati rice (0.41%) and potatoes (0.39%). Of the 51 items tracked, prices of 20 items, making up 39.22% of the SPI basket, rose during the week, while 11 items, or 21.56% of the basket, saw declines. Prices of the remaining 20 items, also 39.22% of the basket, held steady. On a year-on-year basis, SPIbased inflation climbed 9.04%, driven by sharp increases in onions (125.86%), LPG (55.66%), wheat flour (45.28%), tomatoes (36.69%), diesel (36.33%), petrol (29.84%), first-quarter electricity tariffs (25.24%), chilli powder (16.37%), mutton (16.01%), bananas (14.50%), beef (13.61%) and plain bread (9.37%). Year-on-year declines were
recorded in potatoes (down 31.33%), sugar (19.33%), eggs (17.97%), salt powder (13.96%), pulse gram (12.01%), pulse masoor (11.77%) and gur (6.21%). By income group, households earning up to Rs17,732 a month saw the steepest weekly decline, with SPI falling 0.17%, from 350.03 to 349.42 points. The Rs17,733-22,888 bracket recorded a 0.10% drop, from 350.90 to 350.55 points. Households in the Rs22,889-29,517 range saw a 0.08% decrease, from 372.18 to 371.88 points, while the Rs29,51844,175 bracket fell 0.07%, from 359.39 to 359.15 points. The highest income group, earning Rs 44,175 and above, was the only bracket to see an increase, up 0.13%, with SPI rising from 359.26 to 359.71 points.
Listed banks post Rs168b profit in 2Q2026, flat YoY but down 4% QoQ on higher expenses PROFIT MONITORING REPORT
Pakistan's listed banks reported combined profitability of Rs168 billion in the second quarter of 2026, flat year-on-year but down 4% quarter-on-quarter, taking firsthalf earnings for the year to Rs342 billion, also flat year-on-year, according to Topline Securities. The quarterly decline was driven by a 7% rise in non-interest expense to Rs361 billion and a 2% drop in Net Interest Income (NII) to Rs527 billion, partly offset by 4% quarter-on-quarter growth in noninterest income to Rs177 billion. NII fell 2% both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, and was down 1% year-on-year for the first half, reflecting the lagged repricing impact of the April 2026 rate hike, cushioned somewhat by banks' focus on current account deposits and volumetric growth. Banks posting relatively stronger year-on-year NII growth included JS Bank, Bank of Punjab, Bank Alfalah and Askari Bank, ranging between 6% and 24%. Samba Bank, Soneri Bank, National Bank and Habib Metropolitan Bank, by contrast, saw declines of 16% to 31% year-on-year. Non-interest income climbed 23% year-on-year and 4% quarteron-quarter to Rs177 billion, driven by higher FX income. Askari Bank, United Bank, Bank AL Habib and MCB Bank posted the sharpest gains, up 128%, 87%, 49% and
29% year-on-year, respectively. Non-interest expense rose 15% year-on-year and 7% quarter-onquarter, pushing the sector's cost-toincome ratio to 51.3%, up from 48.0% in the previous quarter and 45.9% a year earlier. Askari Bank, UBL, Meezan Bank and Bank AL Habib recorded the steepest cost growth, between 20% and 41% year-on-year, largely reflecting branch expansion and inflationlinked staff costs. The sector booked a provision reversal of Rs6.2 billion in 2Q2026, compared with a Rs8 billion reversal in 2Q2025 and Rs1.8 billion in 1Q2026, largely driven by a Rs3.8 billion reversal at UBL; excluding this, the sector-wide reversal stood at Rs2.4 billion. The effective tax rate for the quarter came in at 52.5%, down from 55.8% in 2Q2025 but slightly up from 52.4% in 1Q2026. By bank, UBL led the sector with earnings of Rs37.5 billion, fol-
lowed by Meezan Bank at Rs26.2 billion, Habib Bank at Rs18.4 billion, National Bank at Rs16.6 billion and MCB at Rs15.0 billion. On earnings growth, JS Bank posted the sharpest year-on-year increase at 704%, though from a low base, followed by Askari Bank at 91%, UBL at 31% and Bank Alfalah at 27%. Bank of Khyber, Standard Chartered, Habib Metropolitan Bank and National Bank recorded declines of 21% to 74% year-onyear, while Bank Makramah posted a loss of Rs3.9 billion. Most banks maintained their quarterly dividend payouts. Meezan Bank raised its payout to Rs8.0 per share, matching UBL's Rs8.0 per share, while MCB announced Rs9.0 per share, HBL Rs6.0 per share, Allied Bank Rs4.0 per share, Bank AL Habib Rs3.5 per share, Habib Metropolitan Bank Rs2.5 per share, Askari Bank Rs2.0 per share, and both Bank Alfalah and Faysal Bank Rs1.5 per share. Standard Chartered,
ogra slashes rlng prices by up to 27.7% for august, citing single Pso cargo import PROFIT
NEWS DESK
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has announced a significant month-on-month cut in regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) prices, effective August 1, 2026, with the new rates based on a single LNG cargo imported by Pakistan State Oil (PSO). The downward revision comes even as severe gas load-shedding continues to disrupt supply nationwide, with rates falling between $6.15 and $6.95 per MMBtu across transmission and distribution networks compared to July 2026. For the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) network, the transmission price has been set at $17.4880 per MMBtu and the distribution price at $19.0276 per MMBtu. On the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) network, transmission stands at $16.0724 per MMBtu and distribution at $18.1345 per MMBtu. Compared to July, SNGPL's transmission price fell by $6.2140 per MMBtu, or 26.22%, while its distribution price dropped by $6.8112 per MMBtu, or 26.36%. For SSGCL, the transmission price declined by $6.1527 per MMBtu, or 27.68%, and the distribution price fell by $6.9527 per MMBtu, or 27.71%.
cPec secretariat endorses $3.5b falcon oils refinery in sindh, project moves toward joint Working group PROFIT
MONITORING REPORT
A $3.5 billion Falcon Oils Refinery & Storage Complex proposed for Dhabeji in Sindh's Thatta district has cleared an important institutional hurdle, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Secretariat endorsing the plan and asking the Board of Investment to bring it before the Joint Working Group on Industrial Cooperation, The News reported. The development could rank among the country's largest privately sponsored industrial investments in recent years, marking a significant push toward drawing private-sector capital into Pakistan's petroleum and energy infrastructure. According to an Office Memorandum issued by the CPEC Secretariat at the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives on August 24, 2026, Falcon Oils (Pvt) Limited has proposed a 100,000-barrels-per-day deep-conversion refinery, alongside a major petroleum storage complex and captive power generation facility. The memorandum, numbered CPECS/IC(14)/601/2026, supports including the project within the CPEC framework as a businessto-business initiative, in line with CPEC's second phase and both governments' stated emphasis on deeper private-sector collaboration. The proposed complex is expected to feature 4 million tonnes of crude and petroleum-product storage capacity alongside a 50MW captive power plant, with the refinery planned to produce Euro-Vcompliant fuels that could strengthen domestic refining capacity and reduce reliance on imported finished petroleum products. The project has already secured a Chinese technical and engineering partnership: the feasibility study was prepared by Xinjiang Petroleum Engineering Design Co Ltd, while EPC arrangements have been signed with CEEC-GEDI/CGGC, according to the CPEC Secretariat's memorandum. Located in Dhabeji, part of Sindh's coastal industrial belt near Karachi's port facilities and crude-import infrastructure, the site is strategically positioned for a refinery built around imported crude and domestic petroleum-product distribution. For Pakistan, the project could carry broader implications for energy security, as expanded domestic deep-conversion refining capacity is intended to shift a portion of the petroleum import bill away from finished products toward crude oil, while adding substantial storage capacity. Falcon Oils says the refinery and storage complex will be developed and financed entirely by private sponsors on a fully non-recourse basis, with no sovereign guarantee and no financial or other recourse to the Government of Pakistan. The project is also expected to generate significant employment during construction and create permanent jobs in Thatta district, potentially adding a major industrial anchor to the Dhabeji area. Falcon Oils CEO Sirhaan Ahmed Khan confirmed the development, describing the CPEC Secretariat's endorsement as an important step toward advancing the project through the formal CPEC industrialcooperation mechanism. With the Board of Investment now tasked with taking the proposal to the Joint Working Group, the project enters a potentially decisive next stage that could shape how the refinery progresses within Pakistan's broader CPEC industrialisation strategy.
Foreign investors pour $171m into Pakistan government securities in 50 days PROFIT
MONITORING REPORT
Foreign investors channelled around $171 million into Pakistan’s government securities during the first 50 days of FY27, with most of the investment going into short-term Treasury bills (T-bills), according to the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan. T-bills accounted for $126.9 million of the inflows, while Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) attracted $44 million. However, the investment pattern shifted further
towards short-term instruments in August, as foreign investors placed another $46.7 million in T-bills during the first 21 days of the month, with no fresh investment recorded in PIBs. Market participants attributed the renewed interest in domestic debt to relatively attractive yields of around 12%, making it competitive with several international markets. The return of foreign investors to PIBs is also being viewed positively by analysts, as long-term government bonds had attracted limited interest over the past two years. Some
of the latest investment may also represent reinvestment of maturing holdings. Foreign investment was not limited to government debt. Investors also brought $82.8m into Pakistan’s equity market during the first 50 days of FY27, taking combined inflows into equities, T-bills and PIBs to approximately $253 million. Total outflows during the period were around $214 million. T-bills recorded $126.9 million in inflows against $81.4 million in outflows, resulting in net inflows of $45.5 million. PIBs, meanwhile, received $44 million but
saw outflows of $64 million. Gulf investors have traditionally been significant participants in Pakistan’s domestic debt market. However, regional economic conditions have changed amid the prolonged conflict between the US and Iran, which has affected oil-producing economies. Data for individual countries showed mixed investment patterns. Investors from the UAE placed $10 million in T-bills while withdrawing $10.4 million. In PIBs, the country recorded both inflows and outflows of $20 million.
The UK remained a major source of Tbill investment, with inflows of $51.4 million against outflows of $28.5 million. It did not invest in PIBs during the period. US investors put $23 million into T-bills without any recorded outflows. They also invested $6m in PIBs, while withdrawals from the instrument stood at $1.9 million. Bahrain recorded $20 million in T-bill inflows against $42.5 million in outflows. It made no fresh investment in PIBs, while outflows from PIBs reached $40.2 million, suggesting withdrawals of matured holdings.
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Sunday, 30 August, 2026 | KARACHI
PETROL PUMP OWNERS URGE GOVT TO SCRAP DAILY FUEL PRICING, RESTORE MONTHLY MECHANISM
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ETROL pump owners have approached Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, seeking the replacement of the daily petroleum pricing mechanism with a monthly system, citing inventory losses, cash-flow uncertainty and rising operating costs. The All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPOA), in a letter dated August 29, 2026, requested the prime minister’s intervention to restore a monthly petroleum pricing cycle. The letter, signed by APPPOA Vice Chairman Nouman Ali Butt, acknowledged the government’s objective of making petroleum prices responsive to international market conditions but said daily revisions had created significant financial and operational difficulties for petroleum dealers and owners. APPPOA said the petrol retail business was fundamentally inventory-based, with
dealers purchasing and storing fuel before selling it to consumers. Under the daily pricing system, dealers could purchase fuel at a higher price and subsequently be required to sell it at a lower price following a price reduction, resulting in direct inventory losses. The association said such losses could not be recovered through the fixed per-litre dealer margin, while frequent price changes also created uncertainty in inventory management, cash flow and working capital. According to APPPOA, dealers had no control over international oil prices, exchange-rate fluctuations, procurement costs or the timing of petroleum price revisions, despite being exposed to the financial consequences of these changes. It added that rising operational costs were putting further pressure on the viability of petrol pump businesses. The association also acknowledged the recent increase in the dealer margin but said the revision had not addressed the underlying financial risks created by the daily pricing mechanism.
APPPOA has proposed a monthly pricing cycle, arguing that it would allow the government to continue adjusting petroleum prices in line with international market conditions while giving dealers greater certainty over inventory, procurement and cash-flow
PM Shehbaz, Modi to share stage at SCO Summit in Bishkek CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Putin and Xi have previously used SCO summits to promote their vision of a multipolar world and present a united front against the West. It takes place four-and-a-half years into Moscow's Ukraine invasion and six months into the war between Washington and Tehran. Iran will be represented by its president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Putin, Xi, Pezeshkian as well as India's Narendra Modi and Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif are due to take part in a plenary session chaired by Kyrgyz leader Sadyr Japarov. Putin is also expected to hold separate bilateral talks with Iran's Pezeshkian and China's Xi, among other leaders, Kremlin spokesman Yuri Ushakov said. Russia and Iran -- among the most sanctioned states in the world -- have
massively deepened their military and economic ties during the Ukraine war. US President Donald Trump has warned Moscow and Beijing against arming Iran. Putin's meeting with Pezeshkian comes days after the CIA's director John Ratcliffe made a rare trip to Moscow, with US media speculating he could have discussed Ukraine and Iran with his Russian counterparts. The SCO has historically focused on economic issues. It gained momentum in recent years under Moscow's and Beijing's leadership. n top of its 10 members, it now has 15 "dialogue partners", including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It also has two observer countries: Afghanistan and Mongolia. The SCO's founding declaration says the group is "not an alliance directed against other states".
But Putin and Xi have repeatedly made anti-Western speeches during its summits. At last year's gathering, Putin accused Western countries of provoking the Ukraine war, while Xi denounced "acts of intimidation", referring to USChinese tensions. - REAL AND TRADE WARS The Bishkek summit takes place as some SCO members are in the midst of real wars -- the Ukraine and Iran conflicts -- or trade wars, with the imposition of US tariffs on Chinese and Indian goods. This month, the US slapped secondary sanctions on Iran's trading partners in the sectors of gold, technology, digital assets, aviation, and maritime transport, aiming to cripple the Iranian regime. Washington also threatened Iran's allies with sanctions. China, a major importer of Iranian oil, responded by saying it will "firmly de-
management. The association clarified that it was not seeking an undue concession from the government or an additional burden on consumers. Instead, it said it wanted a predictable and sustainable pricing mecha-
fend" its interests. Iran, living under sanctions since its 1979 revolution ended with Islamic authorities taking charge, has regularly said it will not cave to economic pressure. But Pezeshkian has acknowledged his country faces "economic difficulties". Iran only joined the bloc in 2023. Mohammad Hassan Najmi, an international relations expert, told AFP that Tehran "believes its membership and active participation in these alliances can enable it to circumvent US and European sanctions". But concrete benefits of the group are uncertain, he said, as "in times of crisis, these alliances have rarely allowed Iran to resolve its difficulties". While the bloc claims to represent some 40 percent of the world's population and 25 percent of global GDP, it remains diverse, with some disagreements among members. Russia and China compete for influence in Central Asia -- a resource-rich region crucial for the transport of goods between Europe and Asia -- while Beijing at times has had strained relations with India.
‘PIMS Fire’: PM suspends 8 officials, orders criminal proceedings after interim probe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The report said the footage established that conditions inside the nursery deteriorated “catastrophically” within approximately two minutes. The footage of the incident was also shown to the prime minister and other meeting attendees. CAUSE OF IGNITION REMAINS UNDER PROBE The interim report said various accounts had attributed the fire to an air conditioner, an incubator or warmer, or an electrical short circuit or overloaded plug. According to the report, IESCO records showed no contemporaneous fault or tripping on the external feeder, shifting the focus of the electrical-causation inquiry to PIMS’s internal electrical distribution system, including sockets, plugs, wiring and connected equipment. The report noted that preventive maintenance records
showed several incubators had recently been serviced and returned to working condition. However, it said those records did not conclusively establish the electrical safety of the equipment, plug, socket or associated circuit. “Accordingly, an internal electrical/equipment-related origin remains plausible, but it would be premature to identify any particular appliance or component as the established cause,” the report said. Charge nurse Nasreen and security guard Maria had been directed to remain off duty and not perform any duties until further orders. A decision on whether to proceed against them would be taken after the inquiry committee submits its final report, added the interim report. FIRE SAFETY, EVACUATION GAPS The initial findings showed that PIMS had no detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) or training for dealing with fires or other emergency situations.
Of the hospital’s 13 SOPs, references to fire or emergency situations were found in only two subsections, the meeting was told. The interim report said the record showed that rescue and evacuation efforts had been made, but did not establish that there was an approved, communicated, trained and rehearsed fire and evacuation SOP specifically for the neonatal nursery. It noted that while PIMS had SOPs covering various clinical and administrative functions, no comparably detailed procedure had been produced for fire detection, alarm activation, external notification, incident command, extinguisher use, oxygen or electrical isolation, unlocking emergency exits, evacuation priorities or the safe relocation of non-ambulatory newborns. The report, however, pointed out that PIMS’s Security Department SOP, dated May 27, 2023, expressly recognised fire safety as an institutional responsibility.
India can't unilaterally suspend Indus Waters Treaty: Pakistan envoy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
He said any attempt to undermine a time-tested water treaty with the malicious aim of weaponizing transboundary rivers would not only erode certainty and predictability but also pose a serious threat to peace and stability in an already volatile region. Responding to an article titled “A Treaty Pakistan Destroyed Long Before India Set It Aside,” written by India’s Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra, Ambassador Sheikh said New Delhi had been advancing this narrative with increasing frequency since its unlawful pronouncement in April 2025 to place the Treaty “in abeyance.” “It appears intended to retrospectively justify a unilateral action that finds no basis either in the Treaty itself or in international law,” he emphasised. The ambassador said the IWT was a binding international agreement concluded on September 19, 1960, after decade-long negotiations facilitated by the World Bank. It was neither an act of Indian generosity nor a concession to Pakistan. Rather, it was a carefully negotiated legal settlement designed to replace upstream discretion with clearly defined and binding rights and obligations, thereby providing certainty, predictability and stability in the management of
the Indus River System, he added. Under the settlement, the ambassador said, India secured unrestricted use of the three Eastern Rivers — Ravi, Beas and Sutlej — while Pakistan’s rights over the waters of the three Western Rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — were protected through a comprehensive legal regime. Pakistan, for its part, relinquished its historic dependence on the Eastern Rivers and undertook extensive replacement works to reconfigure its irrigation system in accordance with the new allocation, he added. Rizwan Saeed Sheikh further said that describing the arrangement as inherently unfair was to disregard the circumstances in which the Treaty was negotiated and the carefully calibrated balance embodied in its provisions. The limitations governing India’s uses of the Western Rivers reflected the hydrological realities of an upstream-downstream relationship and were essential to safeguarding the rights and water security of the lower riparian State. They were integral to the bargain on which the IWT was concluded and had contributed to its durability for six decades, he added. “Equally misplaced is the assertion that Pakistan has sought to impede India’s hydropower development. The Treaty expressly permits India to construct run-of-
river hydroelectric plants on Western Rivers, subject to Treatyprescribed design and operational criteria,” the ambassador said. Sheikh said Pakistan’s recourse to dispute-settlement mechanisms under Article IX was not obstruction but the exercise of rights expressly afforded by the Treaty. He said questions concerning pondage, spillways, outlets, intakes, freeboard and operating criteria went directly to safeguards negotiated by the two sides. Seeking clarification, neutral determination or arbitration on such matters constituted implementation of the IWT, not its abuse. “India cannot reasonably claim the benefit of the Treaty’s provisions permitting hydropower development while dismissing the technical limitations and disputeresolution procedures that form part of the same negotiated framework,” he added. The ambassador said the Court of Arbitration had reaffirmed the continuing validity and operation of the Treaty and the binding nature of its safeguards. Its Awards, including the Supplemental Award of May 2026, reinforced the principle that hydroelectric projects on the Western Rivers must conform to the limitations prescribed by the IWT. “Any unrelated political or security allegations cannot absolve a state of its obligations under a binding international agreement.
Baseless allegations of terrorism or other bilateral disputes cannot create a unilateral right to suspend, disregard or rewrite the IWT,” he asserted. The ambassador said the legal position was clear: the IWT contained no provision allowing either party unilaterally to suspend it, place it “in abeyance” or terminate it. “Article XII provides that the IWT shall continue in force until terminated by a duly ratified treaty concluded between the two governments,” he said. He further said Pakistan remained committed to the faithful implementation of the IWT in its letter and spirit. India should rescind its unilateral measures, return to full compliance with its Treaty obligations and engage through the institutional and dispute-resolution mechanisms established under the Treaty. “Pakistan will continue to defend its legitimate rights under the Treaty through all available means. For a country whose agriculture, food security, livelihoods and economic wellbeing are intrinsically connected with the Indus Basin, the issue is not one of political advantage. It concerns water security and well-being of 250 million Pakistanis and the integrity of a binding international agreement that has helped preserve stability in South Asia for generations,” he added.
nism that would allow petroleum dealers to operate effectively and maintain uninterrupted fuel supplies. APPPOA has specifically requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to direct the Ministry of Petroleum, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and other relevant authorities to replace the daily pricing mechanism with a monthly system. The demand comes after the government introduced daily petroleum price revisions to make domestic fuel prices more responsive to movements in international oil prices and other market factors. APPPOA maintains that while more frequent revisions can pass international price movements to consumers more quickly, they also expose dealers to greater pricing risk because they must maintain inventories purchased before each revision. The association has now placed its request before the prime minister and relevant authorities, seeking a shift back to monthly petroleum pricing.
Sindh CM urges petroleum minister to speed up decisions on Hidan Block, stranded gas fields PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday urged Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik to expedite federal decisions on several pending energy-sector matters, including the allocation of the Hidan Block, stranded gas fields and supplies from the Soho and Kandhkot fields. The two held a meeting to discuss Sindh’s energy resources and ways to use them to support industrial activity, employment, energy security and economic growth. A key issue was the Hidan Block (2767-3), for which Sindh Energy Holding Company Ltd (SEHCL) submitted an application in February 2025 under decisions of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and the Petroleum Exploration and Production Policy 2012. Murad Ali Shah said the matter remained pending despite repeated correspondence from the Energy Department, Chief Minister’s Office and Directorate General Petroleum Concessions (DGPC). He maintained that Sindh had completed all legal and procedural requirements and was entitled to the block under the existing policy framework. He said an early decision on the Hidan Block would allow Sindh to contribute more to the national energy sector and attract additional investment. The chief minister also sought federal support for allocating stranded and dormant gas fields to Sindh for industrial use, saying the province had repeatedly called for the productive utilisation of untapped gas reserves. He said industries across Sindh were facing significant energy constraints and that bringing dormant gas reserves into production could improve energy availability, generate employment and support industrial growth. The meeting also discussed gas allocation from the Soho discovery in Sujawal Block and surplus gas available from the Kandhkot Gas Field. Referring to Article 158 of the Constitution, Shah said gas-producing provinces should receive priority in the utilisation of their natural resources. He noted that Sindh is the country’s largest gas-producing province and called for the constitutional provision to be implemented in letter and spirit. He said timely allocation of gas from the Soho and Kandhkot fields could help ease energy shortages and facilitate industrial expansion. Pending matters concerning Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) were also discussed.
Investors get more time to bid for IESCO stake as deadline extended PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
The Privatisation Commission (PC) has extended the deadline for investors to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the privatisation of Islamabad Electric Supply Company Limited (IESCO) to September 21, 2026, giving prospective
local and international investors more time to participate in the process. Under the government’s privatisation programme, private sector participation is being sought in three major power distribution companies, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) and IESCO.
04 COMMENT
From AI Ambition to Global Influence
Sun and gas
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LNG as a player in the solarization process
HE dialogue ‘The Sun and the Pipeline:Energy Contracts in an Era of Solar Disruption in Pakistan’, organized by the Parliamentary Forum on the Energy and the Economy on Friday, highlighted an important but frequently neglected aspect of the energy debate: the role of liquefied natural gas. LNG is a ‘good’ fuel source, because it does not produce anything like the greenhouse gas and other pollutants oil does. But it is considered a sort of halfway house, for it does produce carbon dioxide, and is not a permanent solution the way solar energy is, which generates electricity without generating any GHGs. It should also be remembered that gas-fired thermal generation plants need a constant flow of imported RLNG, which will only increase as Pakistan’s own gas deposits are depleted, losing upto 16 percent a year already. Forum Convenor Dr Nafisa Shah warned against further long-term contracts that could lock Pakistan in take-and-pay obligations raising the circular debt. Solar power, only requires the import of panels, and that too only as long as indigenous production capacity is not developed. There has been a revolution in the country’s energy profile, with solar power, with an estimated 50 GW installed, generating 54.75 TWh of electricity a year, the equivalent of 1279 million cubic feet a day of gas-fired generation. This means that not only that gas was not imported, but oil was not either. That has been another way the contribution of solar power to the country’s energy security was shown. The dialogue contained a number of contributions calling for the integration of solar power into both generation and planning. This shows once again that the time for opposing solarization is over, that the utilities should not leave the consumer to install generation equipment, but to use solar power as a cheap non-polluting source itself. What the dialogue addressed only obliquely is that consumers have been driven to solarization, which is hardly the most hassle-free of processes, only by the high tariffs that are in vogue. If the distribution companies could use the savings that solar power affords to reduce tariffs, it would find a reduction of the drive towards solarization. However, solarization remains the renewable od the future. Its pote ]ntial is almost limitless, and the country has just begun to scratch the surface.
Bangladesh’s Emerging Technology Diplomacy
OU physically stay at home but feel like you are doing the same things at the office or keeping surveillance over both the office and home; despite staying in one place; this is made only possible by the blessing of Artificial Intelligence. Actually, this world is truly fascinated by AI, undoubtedly. Geographical strategic advantage, Military development, and even economic dynamics are quietly influenced through the advancement of AI. Likewise, all companies, corporations and even countries are engaged with it deliberately. According to the WIPO Global Innovation Index 2025, Bangladesh ranks 106th out of 139 economies, placing it 8th among 10 economies in Central and Southern Asia; its innovation-input rank is 115th, while its innovation-output rank is 95th, indicating that the country still faces a significant gap in research, infrastructure and institutional capacity despite producing relatively better innovation outputs. In the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index 2025, Bangladesh ranks 75th out of 195 countries, with particularly strong performance in Public Sector Adoption (82.78/100) and Policy Capacity (69/100), but much weaker scores in AI Infrastructure (39.02), Development & Diffusion (26.97) and Resilience (29.64). These figures suggest that Bangladesh is making meaningful progress in government-led AI adoption and digital public services, but remains a middle-tolower-tier player in technological innovation and AI ecosystem development, primarily constrained by limited computing infrastructure, research capacity, skilled talent, private-sector innovation and AI governance. Overall, Bangladesh has moved beyond the stage of being merely an AI consumer, but it has yet to develop the technological ecosystem required to become a significant regional AI innovator.
Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M. A. Niazi
Babar Nizami Editor Profit
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NISAR ALI
AKISTAN holds a vast treasure of Himalayan Pink Salt, often called pink gold, yet sells it for the price of dirt. The world’s second-largest salt mine, Khewra Salt Mine in Punjab, contains over a billion tonnes of salt reserves. This mine is the only source of genuine Himalayan Pink Salt, which is famous for its rarity, unique characteristics, rich mineral content, health benefits, and significant appeal in international markets. Pakistan mainly exports it as raw salt at $0.15-$0.30 per kg. This salt sells for $8-$15 per kg in Western markets. From Toronto to Dubai, it holds even greater value in the wellness segment. In foreign markets, it is labeled "Himalayan"; it doesn’t say Pakistan, nor is there any mention of Khewra. The global Himalayan salt market is worth more than $1 billion. Yet, as the only undisputed source of every gram of genuine Himalayan Pink Salt, Pakistan captures only a small fraction of the global market, with annual revenue from salt exports of only about $76 million. It is a striking paradox: a country that holds some of the world's largest reserves of one of the most sought-after premium commodities derives only a small fraction of the total global salt market. This is not a missed opportunity; it is a national embarrassment, not for lack of resources, but for lack of policy, value addition and ambition. The economics of the Himalayan Salt trade in Pakistan is a textbook case of how to lose a game in which you have no losing option. The average exporters in Pakistan get less than a dollar per kg of raw salt exported. The same kilogram, after being processed and branded in New York or London, is sold for $8 to $15 per kg in the branded retail market. The mineral's composition is the same. It is only its presentation that is taking place in factories in India, the USA and Europe, not in Lahore or Karachi. India was the boldest beneficiary over the years. Before 2019, Pakistan was exporting more than 74,000 metric tons of raw Himalayan Pink salt to India every year. It was refined by Indian traders, repackaged by them, and sold abroad with the Indian trademark without giving credit to the source. However, after 2019, the exports to India dropped due to political reasons and high tariffs. However, the structural issue still exists. It was never a failure with India; it was a failure of Pakistan's inability to add value. The global Himalayan Pink salt market is expected to reach over $3 billion with a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 8 percent by 2034. The product has evolved from gourmet kitchens to spas, skin care, wellness centres and decorative interiors. Pakistan dominates the supply of Himalayan salt, but it does not get the full value. By targeting high-value products such as salt lamps, premium gifts, spa sets, bath salts, body scrubs, cooking blocks, along with proper processing, premium packaging, branding, and marketing, Pakistan can increase its current salt export revenue many times. The opportunity lies in this value gap; therefore, the following con-
As a developing country, Bangladesh has a great opportunity to absorb this technological innovation to keep up with the rest of the world. Bangladesh has recently joined the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), led by China, comprising 29 countries earlier this month. It is worth noting that, alongside this, another AI alliance, Pax Silica, was formed by the USA last July, comprising the European Union and 23 other countries. Again, in a recent visit, US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor has proposed that Bangladesh join the US-led Pax Silica initiative, saying the country has significant potential to become a partner in the global economic security alliance focused on artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical mineral supply chains. Interestingly, Bangladesh has faced two tiers of difficulties: where will they join, or which side will give them proper support in the upcoming days. So, technological diplomacy should be smartly implemented by Bangladesh. There are multiple key Sectors where Bangladesh can accelerate development through AI. From an economic perspective, AI can enhance Bangladesh’s productivity, reduce production costs, boost export competitiveness, and foster innovation. Particularly, in the readymade garments sector, AI can improve demand forecasting, quality control, inventory management, production planning, and supply-chain efficiency. By analysing global fashion trends and consumer preferences, AI can help manufacturers respond faster to international demand while reducing waste and lead times. Integrating AI with skilled labour could therefore help Bangladesh shift from a low-cost export model toward a more technology-driven, high-value, and globally competitive RMG industry, ultimately strengthening export earnings. Apart from that, skilled expatriates from Bangladesh would be diversified among various countries. From a strategic-geographical perspective, AI can help Bangladesh capitalize on its location between South and Southeast Asia by improving smart logistics, ports, trans-
It is important to note that Bangladesh faces several challenges in adopting and effectively utilising AI, including a shortage of skilled professionals, data protection and privacy concerns, cybersecurity risks, infrastructure limitations, and the need to ensure the ethical use of AI. Against this backdrop, Bangladesh must carefully assess its national interests and strategic priorities before deciding whether to join Pax Silica or WAICO. The decision should be guided by which platform can better address these challenges while advancing BangladeshÊs technological capabilities, economic interests, strategic autonomy, and global AI diplomacy
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Editor Pakistan Today
MUHAMMAD AL-AMIN
Selling Treasure for Pennies Himalayan pink salt is not being profited from
crete strategies can narrow this gap. First, a five-year Himalayan Salt Value Chain Programme. Pakistan should discontinue raw mineral export and start exporting the finished product by establishing Common Facility Centres in Khewra, getting FDA and EFSA certifications for "Khewra Pink Rock Salt" and introducing a national "Khewra Certified" brand. Rock salt used as raw material is worth $0.15 - $0.3 per kg, whereas certified and branded Himalayan Pink salt is worth 50 times more in the Western market. That's the difference. The second is the Regional First Strategy. Pakistani exporters have targeted distant markets like the USA and EU, where they have less brand recognition, less control over distribution, and no readiness to comply with regulations. This is proven in research to be an incorrect sequence. China, Japan and South Korea are geographically closer, growing more and more in the premium salt consumption and wellness segment, and much easier and controllable for Pakistani SMEs to enter and run. There are hun-
dreds of millions of consumers in China, Japan, and South Korea. TDAP should start immediately using the trade facilitation resources on these three markets, opening dedicated desks, fast-tracking certifications, and registering Pakistan's GI claims. Khewra is by no means a unique situation. It is part and parcel of Pakistan's overall attitude towards the utilisation of its natural resources: a resourceful state, always poor in monetisation of natural resources. From European living rooms to American kitchen shelves, Himalayan Pink Salt has become a global lifestyle product. What many consumers do not realize is that the origin of this rare resource is Pakistan. The resource is ours, but too often the value is not. It is not flowing here because Pakistan has not yet taken a serious decision to streamline the structural issues and to claim what is its own.
The author is a Staff Economist at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). He can be reached at Email: nisarali@pide.org.pk
Khewra is by no means a unique situation. It is part and parcel of Pakistan's overall attitude towards the utilisation of its natural resources: a resourceful state, always poor in monetisation of natural resources. From European living rooms to American kitchen shelves, Himalayan Pink Salt has become a global lifestyle product. What many consumers do not realize is that the origin of this rare resource is Pakistan. The resource is ours, but too often the value is not. It is not flowing here because Pakistan has not yet taken a serious decision to streamline the structural issues and to claim what is its own
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Sunday, 30 August, 2026
portation, border management, and maritime surveillance. By integrating AI into connectivity and infrastructure, Bangladesh can strengthen its role as a regional trade, transit, and digital connectivity hub, while enhancing economic and strategic resilience, on its proximity to major markets such as India, China, and ASEAN, while strengthening its role in regional trade, logistics, and digital connectivity. In the area of military dynamics, AI can strengthen Bangladesh’s defence capabilities through intelligent surveillance, border monitoring, maritime security, threat detection, and data-driven decisionmaking. AI-enabled systems can enhance situational awareness, improve disaster and crisis response, and support more efficient use of defence resources. This could help Bangladesh build a smarter, more agile, and technologically advanced defence system while maintaining strategic autonomy. Fostering Technological Innovation: AI can accelerate innovation in Bangladesh by supporting local research, automation, smart manufacturing, digital services, and the development of home-grown AI solutions. Reducing Dependence on Other Countries: AI can help Bangladesh develop domestic technological capabilities, automate critical services, and strengthen local industries, thereby reducing reliance on foreign technology, expertise, and imported solutions. Now, If Bangladesh joins WAICO (World AI Cooperation Organisation), it could strengthen its position in global AI governance by gaining a platform to represent the interests and priorities of the Global South. Membership could also facilitate technology and knowledge sharing, capacity building, research collaboration, and international partnerships. Moreover, it would enhance Bangladesh’s AI diplomacy, create opportunities for investment and technological cooperation, and allow the country to contribute to shaping emerging global norms and standards on AI. Overall, WAICO membership could strengthen Bangladesh’s position as an emerging voice of the Global South in global AI governance. On the other hand, if Bangladesh joins Pax Silica, it could strengthen its engagement with the Global North and leading technology economies, creating opportunities for technology transfer, investment, innovation partnerships, and access to advanced semiconductor and AI ecosystems. Such engagement could also enhance Bangladesh’s technological and strategic relevance, diversify its international partnerships, and support the development of domestic capabilities in AI, semiconductors, and critical digital technologies. It is important to note that Bangladesh faces several challenges in adopting and effectively utilising AI, including a shortage of skilled professionals, data protection and privacy concerns, cybersecurity risks, infrastructure limitations, and the need to ensure the ethical use of AI. Against this backdrop, Bangladesh must carefully assess its national interests and strategic priorities before deciding whether to join Pax Silica or WAICO. The decision should be guided by which platform can better address these challenges while advancing Bangladesh’s technological capabilities, economic interests, strategic autonomy, and global AI diplomacy. The writer is a freelance columnist
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When law fails
A viral video of a couple being killed in cold blood for marrying of their own free will and against the tribal laws somewhere in Balochistan has attracted condemnation from all quarters as is the unfortunate routine. The government has voiced its resolve to give exemplary punishment to the culprits. These resolves do not materialise due to weak judicial system and laws. Every other day, a woman or a girl is killed in cold blood by some close relative, mostly on the pretext of honour. Honour killing has a long history. Its roots are found in different cultures and societies. During the dark ages in ancient Rome, a male family member was prosecuted for not taking action against a female adulterer. In Europe, honour killing was also common, which is reflected in their literature and dramas. For instance, the fourth wife of King Henry VIII was beheaded for adultery. Honour killing is predominant in Asian and Middle Eastern countries, and in tribal cultures where the law is lenient towards such killings. During the Ottoman Empire, in some Arab countries, a killer man would sprinkle the blood of the victim on his clothes and walk proudly in the streets with the murder weapon. Today, scattered cases are still reported from Europe, the United States and Canada among Asian immigrants, but the culprits are tried and punished. The worst part of this whole tragedy is that in Pakistan, the killer is pardoned by the family of the deceased for blood money. Sometime the murder is confined to being a ‘family affair’, as usually the killer is a close relative of the deceased. This is done without even investigating the motive of the cold-blooded murder. Though the jirgas are illegal in Pakistan, they are still active. Their verdicts are solemnly accepted and followed in tribal society. Those cases are hardly reported in the media. Considering the sensitivity of the issue, there is a need for the saner elders to sit together and find a way to stop this spree of crime against women in society. MALIK UL QUDDOOS KARACHI
Bullying in white coats
WE have all heard about the issues fresh medical graduates face and about women’s harassment by men at workplace. But women house officers at Mayo Hospital in Lahore are facing a unique kind of bullying at what is one of the country’s leading public hospitals, and that, too, by senior women doctors. Yes, you read it right; women harassing women. Several women house officers, who are young doctors undergoing professional training, have faced harassment and bullying by senior female staff for not wearing a hijab. These house officers are in clinical scrubs that are widely considered professional, modest work clothes in hospitals worldwide. Despite being fully covered and adhering to professional dress codes, these young doctors are considered ‘vulgar’ and blamed for ‘spreading indecency’. Rather than focusing on the conduct of male attendants who are reportedly engaged in inappropriate staring, some senior women doctors have chosen to blame the young women doctors for supposedly provoking such a behaviour. This assertion is both regressive and insulting. In one contrasting instance, a house officer, who recently started wearing a hijab, was mocked for her personal choice, revealing the hypocrisy and bias at play. This behaviour is deeply unprofessional and damaging. Wearing a hijab or not does not define a woman’s character, nor does it justify labelling her as ‘vulgar’. Such bullying violates workplace ethics, and undermines the mental health, dignity and learning environment of young professionals. Medical institutions should be centres of excellence, where staff are judged solely on their competence and dedication, not personal appearance or religious choices. Hospital administrations, especially in premier institutions like Mayo, must enforce strict anti-harassment policies, ensure ethical conduct training for one and all, and create a safe, respectful environment for all medical professionals. AFIFA SHAHID LAHORE
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COMMENT 05
On the Powder keg Sunday, 30 August, 2026
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Iran has not yet decided NAQI AKBAR
HE passing week was likely the doomsday for the Iranians. The analysts predicted internal rebellion on account of complete economic blockade. The response was diverse, with a group of Iranians rushing to quote the events in the Islamic history from the mouth of the grandson of the founder of the republic as the only favorable path. The political elite. including the speaker of the parliament and the President, did not mince words to express their helplessness in front of the threat, which was not even carried out by the US administration in its true sense. While the sitting political dispensation was being threatened with economic blockade. There was the hope that they would buckle under the pressure. It might look like a coincidence or planned move; as explained in the Pakistani foreign office clarification that the Pakistani CDF was in Tehran on Tuesday on his own and not as the representative of the USA, however, it seems evident that the USA sought the help of countries like Pakistan or Qatar to go to Iran for what can be called testing the waters for; either restarting the MoU or further tightening the noose around the proverbial necks of the political government. Here it may be pointed out that the USA could not hide their inherent feelings for the IRGC and while the testing of waters for restarting the MoU was in process. About
five random IRGC figures were pinpointed for a head money exercise. Ironically one person has been long killed, during the March-April 40 days conflict. The head money exercise looked more of a psychological tool than any serious effort to go after them. However, the new national security council secretary Mohsen Rezai’s stances, besides the Iranian insistence on Oman, to stop the traffic from the Omani side in the Hormuz Strait, strongly suggested that the radical faction within the Iranian establishment was asserting its role and consequently the reformists did not have the freedom of action required to restart the MOU or carry out what the radicals accuse the reformists of, ‘virtual capitulation’. Predictably with such a stalemate, it was all natural that the pro-MOU faction within the establishment. Instead of a frontal attack, launched a rumour campaign, asking questions about where the current supreme leader Mujtaba Khamenei was. The coordinating of queries can be gauged from the fact that on Wednesday, in a conversation with the journalist, US President Donald Trump talked about what he described the current state of injuries to Mujtaba. Likewise credible Iran watchers’ articles found their way into the social media, prominent amongst them Arash Azizi, the celebrated author of a book The Shadow Commander, a biography of legendary IRGC general Qasem Soleimani. These queries, if addressed simplistically, were meant to encircle the radicals, to ask them in a cryptic manner from whom they were seeking the authority to derail the peace process with the USA. Predictably there might be an equally suggestive stream of videos or pictures from the radical X ac-
Any repeat of such political confrontation is ill affordable, though a meticulous handling by the veterans and the supreme leader towards a firmer response from Iran will make a good ground for a peace deal; which the considerable section of Iranian society believes, the section of society which the media suggests actually stopped the February 2026 coup in the aftermath of slaying of Ali Khamenei. Going forward, fireworks within Iran and in the Persian Gulf are likely to continue in the form of attrition, targeted strikes with possible complete escalation
counts to drive home what they want to communicate. For the external world, the situation is fast inching towards the February-March scenario. There are voices around, within both factions of the Iranian establishment, meaning reform camp and the radical camp; and also, external well-wishers like Pakistan, Qatar; however, the type of capitulation sought by Trump and his team; has the potential to talk the game completely from the hands of the reformists. The resultant scenario can bring in two scenarios; the economic sanctions increase and thus the pressure on the pro-MoU elite. The radical group, having the support of the IRGC and the sections of society which support the 1979 movement, is likely to oppose that accommodation for the USA. Here it is important to understand the dynamics of the 1979 movement, the support base; the inherent support base and the distractors of the system. The 1979 movement, despite the participation of the urban and rural sections of the society and the poor and the middle income groups, not to ignore the rich; has been characteristically a movement which brought the neglected sections of the society to the forefront, rather to the decision-making infrastructure with the help of the democratic process which was preserved by the founders of the Islamic republic whether there was a military conflict raging or armed insurgency going on in the urban centres. In the Iranian context, the revolutionary institutions especially like the agriculture Jihad like Jihad Sa Zindagi, the IRGC allowed the urban and rural poor to elevate their social possibilities; become a committed ‘soldier of the Nezam’ and at the same time ‘an expert of a skill’. The top names in the military strategy, missile development
particularly the ICBM and other weapon systems have been the product of that middle income and the poor generation for whom the 1979 movement was the route to social mobility and elevation of status in the process. So, it has been a natural outcome that the system invested more in that section of society and in turn generated a breed of system loyalists, who were ready to take on any threat. In modern history, the failed coup against the Islamist party in July 2016 was one such instance where the groups of loyalists battled the rogue coup plotters on streets and in the process made the plotters, whether they were in the army or in the air force, to run for their lives. Similarly, the nocturnal crowds in Tehran and the other major cities of Iran soon after the killing of the supreme leader was another instance in the modern history where the coup plotters, if there were any in Iran on the morning of February 28, soon after the rain of Tomahawks on Bayat Rahbari; had to squarely decide that the time and the street were not on their side of the political divide. In the case of the economic sanctions promised by the USA, there is a fair chance that the street would again respond to the threat to the system. In that context the reformists administration will be in a fix, how to save the MoU and its wish of mending fences with the USA. That situation can embolden the IRGC, the Rahbar and other centres of power and influence to wage an aggressive strategy aimed at creating a situation, which would invariably end on the negotiating table, but with the Iranians seating themselves at the negotiating table from a position of strength as against what many distractors to the reformist administration
Is Europe ready for Ukraine’s defeat?
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The drones failed to deliver a strategic breakthrough, Russian forces are advancing, and Western Europe is still refusing to confront what comes next RUSSIA IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS
MICHAEL VON DER SCHULENBURG
S recently as July 26 of this year, Ursula von der Leyen appeared full of confidence in victory during her visit to Kiev. She claimed the tide of the war had turned, that Ukraine had regained the initiative, and that Russia was on the defensive. The cause of this supposed turnaround, after four and a half years of a devastating war, is said to be a new ‘wonder weapon’: drones which, with the help of AI provided by Palantir and others, can carry the war deep into the Russian hinterland and precisely destroy oil refineries and other critical infrastructure there. The Russian economy – particularly the energy sector – is said to be severely weakened, and the war Russia started has now hit the country itself “with full force.” On the battlefield too, according to these accounts, Ukraine has achieved considerable success with autonomously operating “killer drones.” These drones are said to be capable of automatically detecting and destroying all life at a distance of 30 kilometers on the front line. Technology, it is claimed, has thus more than compensated for the shortage of Ukrainian soldiers. Russian soldiers, by contrast, are now said paying a heavy price in lives without being able to demonstrate any military successes. This must be wearing down the aggressors and forcing Putin to acknowledge that he is going to lose the war. These accounts were accompanied by media-effective drone attacks on Moscow and St Petersburg. No wonder, then, that the mainstream Western media have been full of victory reports over the past two months. Some even speculated that Russia could only hold out for another six months; a coup in Moscow was deemed possible. The strategically important Crimea was said to have been largely cut off from Russia by Ukrainian attacks. Putin would now be forced to the negotiating table as the loser – and on the terms of the European NATO states, which
Russian territorial gains are said to have occurred not only in Donbass but also around Kharkov and in Zaporozhye
would amount to a Russian surrender. Their policy of providing massive military, political, and financial support to Ukraine, while refusing any talks until Russia was ‘brought to its knees’, seemed to have paid off. But is that really the case? Or may the tide actually have turned in Russia’s favor? It is striking that for the past week there have been hardly any reports on the course of the war, and the victory announcements have largely fallen silent. This is because doubts are mounting, both in the US and in Ukraine itself, about the success of the drone war deep within the Russian hinterland. One need only heed the warnings of Valery Zaluzhny: the drone war is not very successful and far too expensive. As former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and current ambassador to the UK, he should know. According to the pro-Ukrainian war monitors ‘Dron-Bomber’, the Russians are now reportedly achieving a high shoot-down rate of Ukrainian drones. The dismissal of Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov is also likely to be linked to the looming failure of the drone war. Is the realization taking hold that this conflict cannot be won by drone warfare alone? This means that developments on the battlefield remain decisive. However, there can be no question of a military stalemate claimed by the Western media. Even some Ukrainian Telegram channels admit, that “the pace of the Russian armed forces’ offensive is increasing.” Russian territorial gains are said to have occurred not only in Donbass but also around Kharkov and in Zaporozhye. This is still proceeding slowly, but it is a war of attrition whose primary aim is the destruction of the enemy’s armed forces. Could this objective be achieved by capturing the last remaining fortified defensive positions around the Donbass cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk? Even more serious for Ukraine is the fact that its drone attacks have led to a hardening of the Russian position. The Russian leadership is now openly speaking of a war – in-
The Ukrainian Black Sea ports in and around Odessa are said to have been bombed so heavily that Ukraine has effectively become a landlocked country
cluding a war by NATO against Russia – and has significantly intensified the conflict. In the cruel logic of war, the destruction in Ukraine now far exceeds that in Russia. Another crucial factor is that Ukraine has no air defenses to speak of and is barely able to defend itself against massive Russian drone and missile attacks, while the intensity of Ukrainian attacks is reportedly waning. This is already having consequences. The Ukrainian Black Sea ports in and around Odessa are said to have been bombed so heavily that Ukraine has effectively become a landlocked country. If these reports are accurate, this would be a severe blow: to date, around 70% of all Ukrainian imports and exports, as well as 90% of agricultural exports, have been handled via these ports. Key bridges, such as the Zatoka Bridge, which connects Odessa with the Romanian Black Sea ports, have also been destroyed. Furthermore, rail and road links, petrol stations, the power grid, industrial facilities and warehouses are being systematically destroyed. The European NATO member states can do little to change this – they lack the military capabilities. Plans to station a ‘coalition of the willing’ in Poland or even to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine are completely unrealistic. The United States has recently announced that it will hand over leadership of the NATO center in Wiesbaden, which coordinates military support for Ukraine, entirely to European NATO member states. There is even talk of disbanding this NATO facility, which is crucial for Ukraine. Further, with the Iran war ranging, the US has hardly any weapons left to spare. There can therefore be little question of renewed US military involvement in the war in Ukraine. Even before the latest escalation of the war, there were clear indications that the Ukrainian army was experiencing considerable difficulty. Upon taking office as defense minister in January, Fedorov spoke of around 200,000 deserters; other MPs cited significantly higher figures. Furthermore, some two million Ukrainian men are said to have evaded conscription orders. Whichever figures are accurate, they point to an alarming state of affairs within the Ukrainian armed forces – a situation that cannot be remedied either by forced recruitment on the streets or, as is now becoming apparent, by drones controlled by artificial intelligence. Similarly, a proposal now being discussed by the EU – to withdraw refugee status from Ukrainian men who have fled, in breach of international law, and to send them back to Ukraine to face the war – is further evidence
of the hopelessness of the situation. In May, Ukrainian Minister for Social Affairs Denis Ulyutin stated that the population in the government-controlled part of the country had shrunk from 52 million (at the time of independence in 1991) to possibly as low as 22 million. Of these, around 11 million are on social security, predominantly pensioners and war invalids. He expects the population to continue to fall after the war ends, as young men – once exempt from military service – would follow their families to the West. He does not expect any significant return of Ukrainians living abroad. Added to this demographic decline are increasing impoverishment, deep social inequalities, pervasive corruption, astronomical public debt and the country’s economic collapse. This is hardly a state – let alone an army – to which the media could realistically attribute an imminent military turnaround or even victory. Of course, such forecasts must be treated with caution. Yet the apparent failure of the drone war to bring about a strategic turning point should make it clear to European NATO states that, at the end of this escalation which was accompanied by such fanfare, Ukraine may not emerge as the victor, but is instead sliding into an increasingly devastated, depopulated, and bled-dry country. This should give us cause for great concern for the suffering people in Ukraine. European NATO-states must ask themselves whether a continuation of the war – which they have demanded and supported – can still be morally justified at all. European NATO states are only harming Ukraine with their illusions of victory and wonder weapons, and must finally base their policy on a more realistic assessment of how the war is unfolding. It is therefore time to consider what would happen if the Ukrainian army’s resistance were to collapse one day
say is the current position of weakness, where they feel the president and the speaker are themselves making noises of despondency. As things stand, the internal power struggle can intensify side by side as the pressure campaign by Trump in coming days, a mix of economic sanctions as well as a sporadic military campaign, can escalate to levels, where if on one side the reformists might cry ’ceasefire and capitulate’ and on the other side the radicals; parked politically in the parliament, the guardian council and the leadership council, might use their political clout to block the reformists. For those familiar with the history of the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq, after nine months, the parliament advised the supreme leader of that time Ayatollah Khomeini to impeach the then president Bani Sadr as the parliament thought the conduct of war was not at the desired level; as many areas were still under the Iraqi occupation. That impeachment episode caused an armed insurgency unleashed in the summer of 1981. Any repeat of such political confrontation is ill affordable, though a meticulous handling by the veterans and the supreme leader towards a firmer response from Iran will make a good ground for a peace deal; which the considerable section of Iranian society believes, the section of society which the media suggests actually stopped the February 2026 coup in the aftermath of slaying of Ali Khamenei. Going forward, fireworks within Iran and in the Persian Gulf are likely to continue in the form of attrition, targeted strikes with possible complete escalation. The writer is a freelance columnist
Fedorov spoke of around 200,000 deserters; other MPs cited significantly higher figures. Furthermore, some two million Ukrainian men are said to have evaded conscription orders and Russia were to capture Kharkov and Odessa as well. Any remnant of Ukraine that remained would scarcely be viable. It must be in the top interest not only of Ukraine but also of its Western backers to prevent such a scenario. But how? Certainly, this cannot be prevented through direct military intervention by NATO. This would make the situation only much worse – also for Ukraine – as such a course of action would inevitably entail the risk of a nuclear war, which nobody can win. Diplomacy therefore remains the only realistic option. After almost five years of war, it is high time that the European NATO states actively sought dialogue with Russia. Germany – given its role as the strongest country in the EU, its geographical location, and its historical responsibility – should take the first step. To move beyond the entrenched positions of both governments, an initial rapprochement through a civil‑society initiative involving respected and influential figures may be advisable. Such an approach could open a first, cautious pathway toward renewed understanding after years of silence and mutual demonization. Europe needs peace, and lasting peace can only be achieved with Russia, not against it. There is not much time left for this. Michael von der Schulenburg is a Member of the European Parliament.
SATIRE
Scotland's birth rate falls to record low NEWS BISCUIT WALLYDUG
The number of babies being born in Scotland fell to a record low for the third consecutive year, new figures show. The figures from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show live births of 45,067 in 2025, the lowest number since records began in 1855. NRS spokesperson Gail Winds suggested that part of the reason could simply be due to the unattractiveness of Scotland and the Scottish people.
'Scotland is cold, wet and windy,' she said. 'And that's just the summer; winter is usually worse. Add to that the general lack of attractiveness amongst its population, so it's no wonder that the birth rate is down. I mean, most people here have a face that only a mother could love. New mothers are often seen pulling their babies' prams' Further data released today by NRS also showed that for the 11th consecutive year, deaths continue to outnumber births. 'That proves,' continued Winds, 'that people are dying to leave Scotland.'
06 NEWS
RESCUERS CLAW THROUGH MUD AS NEPAL, CHINA FLOOD DEATH TOLL CLIMBS TO 682
D
KATHMANDU AGENCIES
EVASTATING floods near Nepal’s border with China this week have killed at least 675 people in Nepal, the Himalayan nation’s disaster authority said on Saturday. Chinese state media earlier confirmed seven dead in Tibet following Wednesday’s disaster, taking the total killed to 682. Rescuers in both countries were battling to locate thousands of people missing days after a deadly, tsunami-like wall of water and debris swept through the Himalayan region, engulfing entire villages. The number of missing in Nepal remained constant at 2,426, after a sharp hike in numbers on Saturday morning. That missing list includes 517 foreigners, as well as
933 workers on hydropower projects on the river where the torrent smashed down, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The number of missing also includes 45 Nepali Army soldiers, 40 police officers, and 19 immigration and customs officers. In India, authorities said they had recovered seven bodies from rivers flowing from Nepal, believed to be flood victims. However, they are not included in the toll. Rescue worker Kawan Koirala, from the Nepal Scout Disaster Response Team, said they were struggling in thick, legsucking mud. “People want their want their family’s body back, either dead or alive, but we cannot find them… you can see the mud,” he told AFP, exhausted after an 18 hour shift. “It is very traumatic for me too. It is my first time seeing these types of things. Every-
where is mud. We faced floods in Nepal before, but not like this.” The US Geological Survey said the disaster on Wednesday on the Tibet-Nepal border was caused by a glacial collapse that created a torrent of debris downstream. Those that made it out say they have lost everything and now face an agonising wait to discover the fate of missing loved ones, and the prospect of rebuilding their lives from nothing. “There is nothing left.” At Bidur’s army base, a key rescue hub in the same district, relatives crowded around lists of rescued people pasted on a wall. Samjhana Thing said she had been waiting three days for news of her missing brother. “We don’t know anything. Hopefully he is in a safe place,” she said. “I have come here looking for my son,” said Kalka Sharda, scanning the list in des-
peration. “He was a labourer at the hydropower plant, but I can’t find his name, and the authorities are not saying anything.” In an area home to vast energy infrastructure projects, Nepal’s disaster authority listed 933 hydropower workers among the missing, along with 517 foreigners, including trekkers and pilgrims to Tibet’s sacred Mount Kailash. RISK OF LAKE BURST NEAR DISASTER SITE WANES The threat of a lake formed after the glacier collapse has eased, Chinese authorities said on Saturday, as it appears to have shrunk. Satellite images from Thursday to Saturday morning suggest that water in the lake, which straddles the border between China’s Tibet region and Nepal at the confluence of two rivers, has been slowly flowing out and gradually reducing the reservoir,
Sunday, 30 August 2026 | KARACHI
state broadcaster CCTV reported, citing the Water Resources Ministry. The ministry said satellite imagery of the lake on the Purepu Tsangpo river showed it covered 99,000 square metres early on Saturday, roughly the size of 14 soccer pitches, having shrunk by 21,000 square metres since Thursday. ‘ENORMOUS’ TRAUMA The trauma of Wednesday’s catastrophe has been “enormous”, and as many as 93,000 people may have been affected, the Red Cross said, with the death toll expected to rise. Emergency teams worked flat out to find survivors as widespread devastation left communities short of food and water. Fears of further flooding have compounded the search for the missing. The deluge of ice and mud caused huge lakes, and one of these formations has become a risk of further floods. While the exact cause of the collapse is unclear, climate change is causing glaciers to melt worldwide, increasing the risks of such disasters. In Tibet, where Chinese authorities are the only source of information, Beijing had paused its rescue operation at the hardest-hit area of Gyirong over the risk of renewed flooding.
Iranian president urges Trump to avoid creating Russian strike on Kyiv-area ammunition turmoil, says dialogue can resolve problems depot triggers blast, killing 37 TEHRAN
AGENCIES
Iranian leaders are acknowledging the economic toll of war with the US, with the supreme leader urging the government to address the hardship and the president saying foreign trade has shrunk by a third due to the American sanctions and blockade. Yet Tehran signalled no retreat
on Saturday, vowing to withstand US pressure, pursue diplomacy and maintain what it said was control over the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway giving Iran leverage through its ability to disrupt global energy markets. The government said in a statement on state media that addressing economic pressures caused by sanctions and war was a central focus, including curbing in-
flation, managing markets, creating jobs, directing investment towards domestic production and gradually reducing dependence on the dollar. Six months after the US and Israel launched the war, negotiations are at an impasse and President Donald Trump’s administration has stepped up efforts to punish Iran financially with what it has billed as an “economic D-Day”.
KYIV
AGENCIES
At least 37 people were killed after a Russian drone attack on a Kyivarea ammunition depot sparked a detonation, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday, vowing to punish suspected negligence in the second such incident in two months. The deadliest Russian strike in the Kyiv area this year came as Moscow's air attacks on the Ukrainian capital and surrounding region dragged into a third straight day, killing residents, damaging homes and derailing daily life. Dozens were also injured and hundreds evacuated from the area of the strike late on Friday on the village of Myla, Zelenskiy said, where nearby infrastructure including residential buildings and a facility for the elderly and people with disabilities suffered "significant damage". The attack sparked widespread fires, officials said. Among those killed was the head of a neighbouring village who rushed to help. "A terrible situation and terrible negligence on the part of those who stored explosives right next to people," Zelenskiy said in a video address. SECOND STRIKE-RELATED DETONATION IN TWO MONTHS
The site of Friday's blast was a military facility that held artillery shells, mines and drones, among other ammunition, he added.
It followed a similar incident in the Kyiv-area town of Vyshneve last month, when 10 people were killed and hundreds of houses damaged after a strike triggered secondary explosions. "Another such crime – after what happened in Vyshneve – is absolutely unacceptable," Zelenskiy said. "I expect the details to be presented to the public promptly." He added that criminal cases had already been opened on charges of official negligence. Ukrainian officials rarely disclose damage to military targets from Russian attacks. In a statement on Saturday, Ukraine's Defence Ministry said all those responsible for weapons storage should complete a full audit of their locations. DRONE SWARMS GRIP KYIV FOR DAYS Nine other regions had been targeted in overnight strikes by Russia, Zelenskiy added, saying Kyiv in particular was under "virtually nonstop attack" from jet-powered drones. Russia has escalated its air war on Ukraine with increasing numbers of elusive ballistic missiles and new high-speed drones, which Kyiv lacks the air defences to shoot down. On Saturday, sirens blared throughout the morning and afternoon for a third straight day as Ukraine's air force warned of new waves of drones approaching the capital.
The sound of air defences boomed across the sky. Kyiv region governor Tymur Tkachenko said a 14-year-old girl was killed in a morning drone strike on the Boryspil district. In Kyiv, a 2year-old girl was killed by a downed drone, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Saturday. Strikes in and around the city on Thursday and Friday had damaged residential buildings and storage facilities belonging to major retailers, part of what some Ukrainian officials said was a campaign aimed at "paralysing" the city of several million. Offer my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims,” he said, according to CNN. Russia says overnight Ukrainian strikes hit Ozon logistics facility in Rostov region Moscow said that overnight Ukrainian strikes hit a logistics facility of Russian online retailer Ozon in the southern Rostov region. Rostov Governor Yuri Slyusar said on Telegram that his region came under attack overnight, and that seven people were injured, with one in critical condition, in Rostovon-Don, the administrative centre of the southern Russian region. Slyusar said that two apartment buildings in the regional capital were damaged due to the attack, while drone debris was found on the grounds of warehouse facilities in the region's Aksaysky district.
Xi Jinping champions 'Shanghai Spirit' to drive SCO cooperation, regional peace and shared development BEIJING
STAFF CORROSPONDENT
Chinese President Xi Jinping has consistently promoted the “Shanghai Spirit” as the guiding principle for cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), helping translate the bloc’s shared aspirations into concrete initiatives and practical outcomes across security, economic development and peopleto-people exchanges. The SCO was founded on June 15, 2001, when the leaders of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Shanghai to establish a new regional organisation in Eurasia. It remains the only international organisation named after a Chinese city. As the SCO prepares to hold its 26th summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, its 25-year evolution has highlighted the enduring relevance of the Shanghai Spirit, which is built on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilisations and the pursuit of common development. In a signed article published in Kyrgyz media on Friday, Xi said he looked forward to working with his Kyrgyz counterpart to make further progress in building an SCO community with a shared future. “China is convinced that with the concerted efforts of all sides, this year’s SCO summit will be a crowning success and provide fresh impetus for carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit and building an SCO community with a shared future,” Xi said. Since 2013, Xi has attended every SCO summit either in person or via video
link, putting forward major initiatives and promoting practical cooperation in a wide range of areas. These efforts have helped turn the Shanghai Spirit from a set of common principles into a driving force for regional peace, development and prosperity. STRENGTHENING MUTUAL TRUST At his first SCO summit in Bishkek in 2013, Xi called on member states to uphold the Shanghai Spirit and strengthen mutual trust and cooperation. At the 2018 SCO summit in Qingdao, which he chaired for the first time, Xi described the Shanghai Spirit as a “shared asset” of
SCO members and the organisation as “our shared home”. He said the spirit had transcended outdated concepts such as a clash of civilisations, Cold War mentality and zero-sum thinking. At the 2022 Samarkand summit, Xi stressed that the Shanghai Spirit was the source of the SCO’s vitality and urged members to act in its spirit to build their region into a peaceful, stable, prosperous and beautiful home. Guided by these principles, the SCO has developed a model of regional cooperation that brings together countries with different social systems, development paths and cultural traditions.
Sunday, 30 August 2026 | KARACHI
CORPORATE CORNER
Restoration begins at Badri Pond to improve water security, climate resilience in DI Khan KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Restoration works have commenced at Badri Pond in Burzawali Village, Dera Ismail Khan, marking a major milestone under the Recharge Pakistan project. The intervention aims to restore one of the area's important seasonal freshwater systems while improving water security and strengthening climate resilience for surrounding communities. Highlighting the importance of investing in Naturebased Solutions to address Pakistan's growing climate challenges, Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan said, “Pakistan’s floods and droughts are symptoms of a changing climate that is placing increasing pressure on our people, ecosystems and water resources. Part of the answer lies in restoring nature’s own capacity to capture, store and regulate water. Investments in ecosystems such as Badri Pond are investments in long-term climate resilience.” The commencement of physical works at Badri Pond marks a major milestone for Recharge Pakistan, advancing one of the project's key on-ground Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) interventions to enhance water storage capacity, improve groundwater recharge and strengthen climate resilience. The intervention follows extensive technical assessments, and close collaboration with government partners and local communities to ensure the restoration responds to both ecological needs and local priorities. Recharge Pakistan is a USD 72.9 million, sevenyear climate adaptation initiative implemented by WWF-Pakistan in partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, the Federal Flood Commission under the Ministry of Water Resources, and supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), The Coca Cola Foundation (TCCF) and WWF. Working across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan, the project seeks to reduce flood and drought risks, improve groundwater recharge, restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience in Pakistan through Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
FBR Crackdown on Illicit Cigarette Trade Could Boost Revenue, Strengthen Formal Economy KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) intensified crackdown on illicit cigarette manufacturing is being seen as an important step towards protecting government revenue, improving tax compliance and creating a level playing field for legitimate businesses.The illicit cigarette trade is estimated to account for more than 50% of the market, causing annual economic losses of over Rs300 billion. Bringing a greater share of the illicit market into the formal tax system could therefore generate significant revenue while strengthening compliance across the sector.Recent FBR enforcement actions against clandestine cigarette manufacturing facilities assume greater significance in this context. In a major operation in Chakwal, FBR teams sealed a facility and seized around 12,600 kilogrammes of raw tobacco, along with unstamped cigarettes, machinery and other manufacturing materials. The overall economic impact of the operation was estimated at around Rs211 million.The seized tobacco was estimated to be sufficient to manufacture approximately 630,000 packets of cigarettes, with potential tax evasion of around Rs90 million. The operation also involved the seizure or sealing of machinery, cigarette manufacturing inputs and other stocks.According to the FBR, the facility had not been integrated into the mandatory Track and Trace System and was manufacturing cigarettes without the required tax stamps.
Toyota Sets Sustainability Benchmark, Becomes First Automotive Company in Pakistan to Plant One Million Trees KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Indus Motor Company Limited (Toyota) has achieved a landmark environmental milestone by becoming the first automotive company in Pakistan to plant one million trees, reinforcing its leadership in corporate sustainability and its commitment to building a greener and more resilient Pakistan.The Million Tree Plantation Project reflects this approach by creating green spaces while supporting biodiversity and strengthening local environmental resilience. Implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Association of Pakistan (UNAP) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), alongside institutional and community partners, the project has established a significant footprint across Pakistan.Plantation activities have covered Sindh, Punjab and Islamabad, with extensive work across Karachi’s urban, industrial and coastal areas, including Port Qasim, Bin Qasim, Gadap, Malir, Korangi, Clifton, SITE, Hawksbay, Shahrah-e-Faisal and University Road. The initiative has also extended to Nooriabad, Thatta, Shaheed Benazirabad District, Kashmore, Lahore and Islamabad.The project’s impact goes beyond the number of trees planted. Toyota has incorporated a diverse range of fruitbearing, shade-giving, flowering and environmentally beneficial species, including mango, jamun, guava, pomegranate, mulberry, neem, peepal, arjun, moringa, gulmohar and kachnar. The selection has been guided by the environmental and community needs of different locations.
NEWS 07
CM MARyAM PITChES PunjAB-GuIzhOu InvESTMEnT, TECh PARTnERShIP
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PUNJAB CM SEEKS CHINESE EXPERTISE TO DRIVE LOCAL MANUFACTURING, DEVELOPMENT LAHORE
SALEEM JADOON
UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has proposed holding a Business and Investment Conference with Guizhou province to promote technology transfer and local manufacturing, while offering to establish a joint working group on digital cooperation, artificial intelligence (AI) and smart agriculture. The proposals came during her meeting with He Zhongyou, Party Secretary of Guiyang, and a Chinese delegation on the sidelines of the International Big Data Expo in Guiyang, Guizhou province. The chief minister also proposed cooperation in medical diagnosis through artificial intelligence and invited the Guizhou delegation to visit Lahore to explore new avenues of practical cooperation. During the meeting, Maryam Nawaz expressed her wishes for further successes for China and a brighter future for the Chinese people, and prayed for further strengthening and consolidation of Pakistan-China friendship. “Punjab is ready and keen for foreign investment. Punjab is ready for develop-
ment and partnership. China is changing the direction of the world through a digital revolution,” she said. The chief minister said the digital technology being developed in Guizhou was highly commendable and could serve as a model for others. “We want to learn from China's experiences and successes. The beauty, development and remarkable transformation of Guizhou are impressive. Like China, we are also working on infrastructure development and increasing forests and greenery,” she said. She said Guizhou had emerged as
China's digital hub through technological advancement. “We want to learn and understand how millions of people can be lifted out of poverty through industry, digitalisation and rural development,” she added. Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan and China should transform their historic friendship into tangible projects, investment and employment opportunities. “We want to turn our friendship into real benefits. We want to learn from China about industrialisation, digitalisation and rural development and how millions of people have been lifted out of
Gilani leads delegation in call on Cambodian King PHNOM PENH
STAFF REPORT
flected growing trust and a shared sense of purpose between the two countries. He also praised Cambodia’s progress in peace, reconciliation and national unity, describing it as an inspiration. He stressed that at a time when the world was facing conflicts and economic challenges, parliaments must keep dialogue alive and build bridges among nations. The Senate chairman under-
KCFR hosts insightful debate on ‘Rethinking Governance in Pakistan’ KARACHI
Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR) organized a high-level public debate on "Rethinking Governance in Pakistan" here, earlier today. The programme brought together prominent political leaders, policymakers, parliamentarians, academics, and analysts to deliberate on Pakistan's governance systems and the institutional, political and administrative challenges affecting governance in the country. The discussion centered on the need to reassess existing governance structures, strengthen institutions, improve coordination between federal and provincial governments, enhance accountability and transparency, and develop systems that are more responsive to citizens' needs. Renowned philanthropist and Chair KCFR, Nadira Panjwani stressed on the urgent need for institutional accountability, sustainable development, and human-centered policy making. Panjwani stressed that governance is not merely an exercise in administration, it is a moral commitment to the well-being and dignity of every citizen. Distinguished analyst and host of Global Sach, Dr Nasir Baig, framed the core issue around structural trust, social digital transformation and empowerment of the ordinary citizen. He said that Pakistan's greatest strength is the resilience and labour of its citizens. Dr. Baig noted that meaningful governance reform requires genuine, selfless intent rather than shortterm calculation, and cautioned against restructuring decisions made without accounting for the country's changing needs over time. Imran Ismail, former Governor of Sindh, addressed the structural obstacles to effective public administration, emphasizing political reform and fiscal decentralization. STAFF REPORT
lined that the ISC provided a vital platform for promoting peace and cooperation, underscoring the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing shared global challenges. He also announced with pleasure that the 3rd ISC would be hosted by Indonesia. Gilani prayed for the King’s good health and for peace and prosperity in Cambodia, saying, “Long live the friendship among our nations.”
Petroleum Minister Engages Business and Industry Leaders on Energy Security, Investment
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik held separate meetings with the leadership of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) and the management of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) in Karachi on Friday, reviewing key developments in Pakistan's petroleum sector, energy security, investment opportunities and ongoing reforms.During his visit to OICCI, the Minister met the Chamber's senior leadership, industry stakeholders and representatives of foreign investors. The meeting was also attended by prominent media representatives, who participated in discussions on developments, reforms and investment opportunities in the petroleum sector.The Minister briefed participants on the government's efforts to strengthen exploration, modernise refining infrastructure and advance reforms across the petroleum sector. He highlighted the government's efforts for energy security, including bonded storage and strategic petroleum reserves initiatives.
NHA Wins Landmark Court Case, Saving Trillions For National Treasury ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The National Highway Authority (NHA) has secured a major legal victory in the Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan, saving the national treasury trillions of rupees. The court ruled in favor of NHA in a long-standing land compensation case (Civil Review No. 95 & 96/2010: Chairman NHA vs.
iWork4Sindh becomes complete digital career ecosystem for youth of Sindh: Sharjeel KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan and Founding Chairman of the InterParliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC), Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, on Saturday led a delegation in a courtesy call on King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, reaffirming the growing importance of parliamentary dialogue, peace and cooperation among nations. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 2nd ISC, which is being hosted by Cambodia. The Senate chairman conveyed gratitude to the King for his warm hospitality and appreciated Cambodia’s successful hosting of the conference. He said parliamentary leaders from across the world had gathered in Phnom Penh, united by a shared commitment to dialogue, peace and cooperation. Gilani noted that the journey from Islamabad to Phnom Penh re-
poverty,” she said. She said relations between Pakistan and China could be taken from the national level to the provincial and people-to-people level. “We seek to work with the Guizhou team in the journey of development and seek China's support for people living below the poverty line,” she added. “We are all great admirers of China's esteemed President Xi Jinping. His vision, iron resolve and relentless pursuit of success are exemplary,” the chief minister said. She said she was personally an enthusiastic follower of President Xi Jinping's philosophy of shared prosperity, shared human goals, security, stability and sovereignty of all nations. The chief minister said Guizhou was witnessing not merely development but a complete transformation. “The credit for turning the vision of development into reality goes to the great leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping,” she said. Maryam Nawaz appreciated the leadership role and extensive experience of Party Secretary He Zhongyou and his team in publicity, media regulation, cyberspace, administration and governance, as well as in Shanghai, central government organisations and Guizhou.
Amir Khan Afridi etc.). The judgment clarifies that landowners who did not go to court cannot claim the higher compensation rates awarded to those who did. This decision changes a 2010 ruling. The issue began in 2007 when a landowner from Nowshera, Amir Afridi, successfully asked the court for higher land payment rates that had been given to other landowners in separate court cases. That earlier decision led to over 300
similar lawsuits on the M-1 Highway project alone, as non-litigating landowners demanded billions of rupees in extra payments. By winning this review petition, NHA has put an end to unnecessary lawsuits and prevented massive financial losses for the government. The ruling protects not only NHA but all federal and provincial government departments involved in acquiring land for public projects.
Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that iWork4Sindh has become a complete digital career ecosystem for the youth of Sindh, where young people are being provided with employment opportunities, modern courses, and various facilities to align their skills with the global market.In a statement, he said that the number of active job opportunities on the platform has increased from 16,200 to 19,973, while the number of registered candidates has reached 121,000. Similarly, the number of jobs posted has increased from 23,400 to 26,890, which is clear evidence of the platform’s continuous growth and the increasing interest of the youth.Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that more than 457,000 job applications have been submitted through iWork4Sindh so far, reflecting the commitment of the youth of Sindh to practical engagement and employment.He said that the Sindh government’s aim is not only to provide jobs to the youth but also to prepare them for the demands of the modern economy. The number of youth completing courses under the Learn and Earn Program has also increased from 2,735 to 3,270, while more than 1,200 international courses are being offered to prepare the youth of Sindh for the global job market. He said that the Sindh government’s aim is to make the youth not just job seekers but job-ready. In this regard, a modern facility, the AI Auto CV Creator, has been introduced, providing young people with an opportunity to effectively present their skills and experience to the world through artificial intelligence and modern technology. Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Sindh government is providing opportunities to the youth and taking practical steps to connect their skills with employment opportunities.Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Sindh government is determined to ensure that employment opportunities for the youth are not limited to traditional offices but also reach their doorsteps through digital platforms.
Freelancers Pakistan’s Future Workforce, says Sindh governor
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Governor Sindh Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi has said that Pakistani freelancers are an emerging digital workforce, playing an important role in the national economy, earning valuable foreign exchange and projecting a positive image of Pakistan around the world.He expressed these views while addressing the first National Recognition Ceremony organised by the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) as Chief Guest.The Governor Sindh said Pakistan’s large youth population could play a key role in the country’s future and socioeconomic development. He stressed the need to equip young people with quality education, modern IT skills, entrepreneurship and market-oriented training.He said the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Governor House, has launched various skill-development initiatives for the youth of Sindh to provide them with modern, market-relevant skills and better employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.Governor Nehal Hashmi said Pakistan has nearly 3 million full-time and part-time freelancers, while Pakistani freelancers earned more than US$1.76 billion through their digital services during the last financial year. He said the digital economy offers enormous opportunities for Pakistani youth and urged them to develop their skills in line with modern technologies and compete in the global marketplace.The Governor Sindh said that the Prime Minister’s vision is to increase Pakistan’s IT exports to US$25 billion by 2030. Addressing the young participants, he asked whether they would play their part in turning this vision into reality.
Sunday, 30 August, 2026
Power Division NEGLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE LEADING TO apologises for night DEATHS CAN’T BE TOLERATED: MUSADIK MALIK load-shedding amid
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LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
EDERAL Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik on Saturday stressed the need to strengthen service delivery in public institutions, warning that the loss of children’s lives due to inadequate arrangements at hospitals or other institutions raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the system. “The provision of basic healthcare and education is the fundamental priority of the government as social justice could only be achieved through equal access to essential services and accountability for negligence in public institutions,” Dr. Musadik Masood Malik stated while addressing the Health and Education Summit Pakistan (HESP) 2026 at Expo Centre here on Saturday. The minister said the state’s primary responsibility was to ensure a dignified life for ordinary citizens. For a poor family, he added, the most important concerns were whether it could provide quality education to its children and ensure dignified healthcare for its parents and elders, rather than economic indicators such as GDP growth, inflation or the
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fiscal deficit. Referring to the PIMS incident, he said any negligence or lapse at any level must be investigated and those responsible held accountable. He emphasized that negligence in providing safe and quality healthcare could not be tolerated. The minister said basic education was the right of every child and the state had a responsibility to provide quality education and healthcare to all citizens without discrimination. Dr. Musadik said the government,
Gul Plaza management knew of fire safety flaws but failed to act: inquiry commission KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
The judicial commission investigating the Gul Plaza fire, which claimed the lives of more than 72 people, has held the shopping mall’s de facto management responsible for failing to address known fire safety deficiencies despite being aware of them. The Commission of Inquiry observed that the mall’s failure extended across all three critical components of fire safety — prevention, detection and firefighting — indicating the absence of an integrated fire safety system. “In such circumstances, the occurrence of fire cannot be regarded as an unforeseeable event, but rather as a foreseeable consequence of operating the building in a hazardous condition,” the commission said in its report issued by the Sindh Home Department. The Sindh government had constituted the single-member judicial commission on February 4 after the Sindh High Court nominated Justice Agha Faisal to investigate the devastating blaze and determine its causes. The fire broke out on January 17 at Gul Plaza, Karachi’s largest shopping complex, and rapidly engulfed the three-storey building on MA Jinnah Road. The complex housed nearly 1,200 family-run shops dealing in wedding garments, toys, crockery and other merchandise. According to the commission, the building was being operated without even the minimum capacity required for fire safety. Civil Defence inspection reports from 2024 and 2025 had repeatedly identified the absence of essential firefighting infrastructure, including hydrants, hose reels and fire pumps. The reports also found that the fire alarm system was unreliable and non-functional.
25 Pakistani fishermen repatriated from Indian jails through Wagah border LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Twenty-five Pakistani fishermen were repatriated from Indian jails on Saturday, crossing into Pakistan through the Wagah-Attari border after completing their sentences and immigration formalities. The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi said its officials facilitated the repatriation and remained present at the border as the fishermen were handed over to Pakistani authorities. “The Government of Pakistan will continue its efforts for the release and repatriation of all Pakistani citizens detained in Indian jails,” the mission said. The Fishermen’s Cooperative Society (FCS) welcomed the release, saying the 25 fishermen hailed from Karachi and Thatta. FCS spokesperson Ghulam Rasool Sheikh said the fishermen were handed over to the Punjab Rangers following their return.
under the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, was utilizing all available resources to improve health and education facilities. While basic facilities were available in public schools and hospitals, he said, their quality and service delivery needed further improvement. He said social justice required equal access to education, healthcare and other essential services, adding that no child should be deprived of these basic rights merely because of financial constraints.
The minister said the world was undergoing a major revolution in health sciences, driven not only by advances in medical sciences but also by developments in nanotechnology, biotechnology, cognitive sciences and information technology. The convergence of these fields, he added, was already contributing to major breakthroughs in healthcare. He said health and education could not be viewed in isolation from modern technologies, adding that sustainable progress in both sectors would require the effective use and integration of emerging technologies. The minister also highlighted the close link between health, education and environmental protection. He said a clean, safe and healthy environment was essential for improving public health, while environmental degradation and pollution could undermine efforts to achieve better health outcomes. He said the government was working to integrate education, healthcare and environmental priorities to improve the overall quality of life of citizens. A healthy society, he added, could only be built when children had access to basic education, citizens received quality healthcare and every individual had a clean and safe environment.
FC to be deployed to guard vital installations in Bannu, Lakki Marwat MIRANSHAH
STAFF REPORT
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police have sought deployment of nine platoons of the Federal Constabulary (FC) to protect vital installations in Bannu and Lakki Marwat amid a deteriorating law and order situation and an ongoing protest by members of the Police Amman Committee. The KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) office made the request to the Home and Tribal Affairs Department on Saturday, citing security concerns and difficulties faced by district administration, judicial officers and other government officials in the two southern districts. According to a letter, nine FC platoons have been requested to guard eight vital installations — five in Bannu and three in Lakki Marwat. For Lakki Marwat, two platoons have been sought for the district jail and one each for the District Judicial Complex and district administration. In Bannu, one platoon each has been requested for the district jail, District Judicial Complex, deputy commissioner’s office, High Court Bannu Bench, and KTN and Grid Station. The request followed a letter from Bannu District Police Officer
Captain (retd.) Muhammad Furqan Bilal to the Bannu Regional Police Officer on August 28, seeking at least 10 FC platoons comprising around 450 personnel for sensitive security duties. The DPO said the security situation had become increasingly difficult because of the ongoing protest by personnel associated with the Police Amman Committee. The protest had created “extreme” difficulties in the movement of district administration officials, members of the judiciary and other government officers. The police cited threats to officials, obstruction of official movement, road blockades, aerial firing, withdrawal of police personnel from sensitive installations and the possibility of renewed agitation as reasons for immediate intervention. Meanwhile, the KP police have transferred 57 lowranking personnel in a move that has also affected members of the protesting committee. The IGP on August 28 ordered the transfers with immediate effect, including that of Police Amman Committee President Hazrat Umar. Nine personnel posted in Bannu were transferred to other districts, including Shangla, Lower Kohistan, Buner, Bar Swat, Haripur, Torghar and Nowshera.
The transferred officials were directed to report to their new places of posting and assume their duties immediately. Separately, personnel from different districts and police units were posted to Peshawar, the Counter Terrorism Department, Security Division, Elite Force, ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor Special Security Unit, Telecommunication and other districts. Police sources said the transfers were intended to meet manpower requirements in different districts and units. They added that all nine personnel transferred from Bannu were associated with the Police Amman Committee. The transfers have come amid an ongoing protest by police personnel in Bannu over the relocation of seven officials. Three days earlier, Police Peace Committees in Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Tank had called on affected personnel to report to police lines and boycott duties in protest against the transfers. The action resulted in reduced security deployment and disruption to traffic management in parts of Bannu. Amid the worsening security situation, the proposed transfer of KP IGP Zulfikar Hameed was also put on hold three days ago.
Hina Javed murder case: Court extends husband, servant's remand by four days RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
A judicial magistrate on Saturday extended by four days the physical remand of two suspects arrested in connection with the murder of digital designer Hina Javed. Hina, 45, was found dead at her in-laws’ residence on August 20 after her father-in-law alerted police to an alleged burglary. Police found her body tied to a shower in the bathroom, with her hands bound behind her back. Her husband, Faisal Asghar, and domestic worker Zeeshan were subsequently arrested and had earlier been granted consecutive three-day physical remands.
On Saturday, the suspects were produced before Duty Judicial Magistrate Nadia Yaqoob after the expiry of their previous remand. The court extended their physical remand for four days and directed police to complete the investigation and produce them again on September 2. The Station House Officer of Civil Lines police station had sought a seven-day extension, saying investigators needed more time to recover a screwdriver and other tools allegedly used in the crime, as well as documents relating to Asghar’s first marriage and divorce. The police also told the court that a rope, wire and cloth allegedly used during the murder
had yet to be recovered. The SHO said the suspects had already spent six days in police custody but investigators required further time to collect evidence. He reportedly did not allow the suspects to be questioned during the proceedings. A day earlier, police had claimed that Zeeshan confessed to the murder. According to the preliminary post-mortem report, Hina suffered a fracture to a neck bone as well as injuries to her ribs and hip. Samples, including those required for DNA testing, were sent to a forensic laboratory. Police said the exact cause of death would be established after the complete postmortem and forensic reports.
PROFIT
Pakistan is on track to meet nearly all seven Quantitative Performance Criteria (QPCs) of the IMF program, whose team is expected to visit Pakistan in September 2026 for the fourth review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the third of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), Arif Habib Limited (AHL) said in its latest report titled "Pakistan's Economic Outlook — A Cautious Reacceleration". Working from publicly available data, AHL said one data point had yet to be disclosed, and that because the QPCs are the programme's "hard benchmarks", meeting them would clear the way for "a smooth review with limited risk of waivers". The mission will measure performance at the end-March and end-June 2026 test dates. Its visit follows the Executive Board's completion in May 2026 of the third EFF review and the second RSF review, which re-
leased about $1.1 billion and $220 million and brought cumulative disbursements under the two programmes to roughly $4.8 billion. AHL framed the September review as a test of consistency in implementation rather than a negotiation over new commitments, and noted it is the first full review since the Moody's and S&P upgrades and the country's debut Panda Bond. A clean outcome, the brokerage said, would support the view that better ratings and market access reflect real reform progress rather than sentiment running ahead of the fundamentals. AHL warned, however, that a fiscal deficit widening to 3.9% of GDP, mark-up payments rising 22% to Rs 8.5 trillion, a current account deficit widening to 0.78% of GDP and average inflation climbing to 8.22% will test the FY27 arithmetic the programme rests on. AHL marked six of the criteria as likely met at both test dates. The seventh is the cumulative floor on
the number of new tax returns from new filers, which requires 750,000 by March 2026 and one million by June 2026. The brokerage said the data for it was not known. Figures for the floor on net international reserves of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have also not been released, against programme targets of negative $5,600 million for March and negative $4,800 million for June. Net domestic assets of the SBP stood at Rs 11,095 billion in June 2026 against a Rs 15,798 billion ceiling, while targeted cash transfers reached Rs 706 billion where the floor was Rs 694 billion. Two routes to a difficult review A repeat revenue miss and slippage on structural benchmarks are the developments most likely to disturb the review calendar. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) fell Rs 1.1 trillion short of its FY26 target, which had been set initially at Rs 14.1 trillion, and the brokerage forecasts FBR revenue of Rs 14.1 trillion for FY27.
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RLNG shortage PROFIT
AHMAD AHMADANI
The Power Division has apologised to electricity consumers for 1.5 to 3 hours of temporary load management during nighttime peak hours due to RLNG non-availability, delayed LNG cargo and a 195megawatt reduction in Mangla generation. According to a spokesperson for the Power Division, the non-availability of RLNG and the failure of an LNG cargo to arrive on time resulted in a shortfall of around 3,600 megawatts in power generation. Generation from Mangla also declined by 195 megawatts, adding to pressure on the electricity supply system during nighttime peak hours. The combined impact of reduced generation and RLNG non-availability forced the power sector to undertake temporary load management ranging from 1.5 to 3 hours during the night peak period. The spokesperson said furnace oil-based power plants were also brought into operation during peak hours to help meet electricity demand at night. The Power Division said the temporary load management would be reduced as soon as the RLNG cargoes arrive and fuel availability improves. The spokesperson urged electricity consumers to exercise restraint in power consumption during nighttime peak hours, saying moderation in electricity use during this period would help minimise load management. The Power Division clarified that there is no load management during daytime hours. However, load management is being carried out in areas where high distribution losses necessitate it, with electricity supplied according to the prescribed schedule. The Power Division expressed regret to consumers over the temporary nighttime load management caused by RLNG non-availability and said the situation would improve after the arrival of the delayed RLNG cargoes.
BLA plot to turn minor girls into suicide bombers foiled in Balochistan: minister QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langau on Saturday claimed that security forces foiled a plot by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to use two minor girls as suicide bombers in southern Balochistan. Addressing a press conference in Quetta, the minister identified the girls as 16-year-old Zainab and her 12-year-old cousin Fatima, saying they had allegedly been indoctrinated and prepared for suicide attacks after members of their families were killed. Langau said security agencies acted on “sensitive intelligence” and conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in southern Balochistan, recovering the girls safely while they were allegedly being shifted from one location to another. He said the case demonstrated that security institutions were not merely responding to terrorist attacks but were also disrupting planned attacks through intelligence-based operations. According to the minister, members of the BLA had targeted the families of the two girls and subsequently exploited their grief and anger to recruit them. He claimed Zainab’s husband, Saif, was killed after allegedly refusing to cooperate with the militant group. A local commander then allegedly contacted her and attempted to convince her to carry out a suicide attack in retaliation. The two girls, who were present at the press conference, also spoke about their alleged recruitment and indoctrination. Fatima alleged that her father, Nisar, was killed by terrorists and that she was subsequently told that state institutions were responsible for his death. She claimed she was then encouraged to carry out a suicide attack. The girls alleged that they initially sought to return home but faced pressure and mistreatment after refusing to cooperate. They said the alleged local commander continued contacting them and trying to persuade them to join the militant organisation. Langau said Fatima remained in contact with the alleged commander because of her close relationship with Zainab, adding that the girl had also lost her father in a militant attack and was subsequently subjected to emotional manipulation. Zainab and Fatima thanked the security forces for rescuing them and saving their lives, while appealing to the government and people of Pakistan to forgive them. The minister’s allegations come amid continued concerns over militant recruitment and indoctrination in Balochistan. In January 2025, a former BLA member had claimed that the banned group brainwashed ordinary citizens into adopting its narrative about Balochistan and participating in terrorist activities.
Pakistan clears six of seven IMF targets before September review: report NEWS DESK
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Among structural commitments, it singled out foreign exchange liberalisation and energy-tariff notifications as the points where slippage would matter most. Interest costs swing back Mark-up payments are forecast at about Rs 8.5 trillion, equal to 6.0% of GDP, an increase of 22% on the Rs 6.9 trillion paid in FY26, driven by higher interest rates and heavier government borrowing. FY26 had gone the other way, with yearly interest spending dropping from Rs 8.9 trillion to Rs 6.9 trillion and the share of government revenue absorbed by interest falling to 35% from 61% in FY24. The headline deficit is forecast at Rs 5.6 trillion, or 3.9% of GDP, against Rs 3.3 trillion and 2.6% in FY26. The primary surplus is expected to shrink to roughly Rs 2.9 trillion, equal to 2.0% of GDP, from Rs 3.6 trillion and 2.9%, while total spending rises to Rs 17.8 trillion from Rs 15.3 trillion. Reserve target leans on an unsettled package
Servicing of external debt is projected at $21.5 billion for FY27 against $26.5 billion, with $6.1 billion settled in July 2026, $7.3 billion expected to roll over and $3.5 billion to be refinanced. AHL expects SBP reserves near $20.5 billion by June 2027, a projection it sets out alongside a proposed $10 billion United States financial cooperation package that has not been concluded. Reserves stood at $17 billion in August 2026, after ending FY26 at $18.38 billion. The debt-to-GDP ratio eased to 68.3% from 70.2% a year earlier, helped by a record Rs 2.9 trillion of debt retired early during FY26, which stretched the average maturity of the stock beyond 3.8 years against 2.7 years in FY24. Prices climb before they fall Average national CPI inflation is put at 8.22% for FY27 against 7.05% in FY26, moving from 9.20% in July 2026 to about 9.48% in February 2027 before falling to a low of 5.01% in August 2027.
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