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Eight terrorists killed Naqvi duE iN TEhraN Today as iraN sETs as Kohat Police Lines clearance operation coNdiTioNs for us rE-ENgagEmENT concludes Sunday, 20 September, 2026 | 7 Rabius Sani, 1448
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IRANIAN FO SAYS VISIT FOCUSED ON BILATERAL TIES, PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS PAKISTAN CONTINUES DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS AMID IRAN-US TENSIONS
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 176 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
SAYS NOT AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC US MESSAGE OR PROPOSAL TO BE CONVEYED TEHRAN SEEKS END TO WAR, RELEASE OF FROZEN ASSETS, US NAVAL BLOCKADE HALT
Dar urges Iran to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies, safe shipping ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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TEHRAN/ISLAMABAD SALEEM JADOON
AKISTAN’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi will visit Tehran on Sunday (tomorrow), Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, describing the visit as “focused on bilateral relations and previous agreements” between the two countries while saying “he was not aware of any specific US message or proposal to be conveyed.” “Pakistan, a key intermediary between Iran and US since Gulf war, is sending Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to Tehran on Sunday,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, describing the visit as bilateral-focused and centred on previous agree-
ments between the two countries. Baghaei said he was not aware of any specific US message or proposal that “Naqvi would convey during the visit.” He acknowledged Pakistan’s continuing mediation role, saying it was “natural for Islamabad to pursue diplomatic efforts,” but said he had no information about “any particular initiative attached to the visit.” Iran’s official news agency, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), also said in a post on X, quoting the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, that the Pakistani interior minister’s visit to Tehran would focus on bilateral relations and that there was no plan to exchange any specific messages regarding mediation. THREE CONDITIONS FOR RE-ENGAGING WITH WASHINGTON
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday urged his Iranian counterpart to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies and the safe and expeditious passage of ships, as escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupt key maritime routes and push up fuel and gas costs for energy-importing countries such as Pakistan. “DPM/FM Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and stressed the importance of uninterrupted energy supplies and the safe and expeditious passage of ships, particularly given their implications for developing countries and global supply chains,” the Foreign Office said in a post on X. Dar reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the “only viable means” to ensure regional peace and stability, according to the statement. The two officials agreed to remain in close contact and meet in New York on the sidelines of the 81st UN Gen-
The development coincides with a statement by Iran’s top security official Mohsen Rezaei on Sunday that Tehran had conveyed three conditions for re-engaging with Washington through a Qatari
eral Assembly. The development comes as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route once used to transport about a fifth of global energy supplies, remains sharply reduced, while escalating fighting involving Iran-backed Houthis has also raised concerns over shipping through the Bab Al-Mandab Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea. Pakistan, which imports most of its energy requirements, has been particularly exposed to disruptions in the Gulf since the US-Iran war began in February. The pressure has increasingly spilled into Pakistan’s domestic economy, prompting the government to repeatedly raise petroleum prices and introduce measures aimed at cushioning consumers from the impact. The government on Friday cut petrol and high-speed diesel prices to Rs389.14 ($1.40) and Rs424.04 ($1.53) per litre, respectively, though they remain sharply elevated amid continued volatility in global energy markets.
mediator and was awaiting President Donald Trump’s response, as Trump weighs whether to resume major attacks on Iran.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
PESHAWAR
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Security forces and police on Saturday completed an overnight clearance operation at Kohat’s old Police Lines, killing eight terrorists following a deadly twopronged attack that left at least 23 people, including 17 policemen and six civilians, martyred and more than 100 injured. The assault began on Friday when a vehicle laden with explosives was detonated near a mosque in the old Police Lines during Friday prayers. Following the blast, terrorists stormed the compound and attacked police facilities, triggering a prolonged exchange of fire. In an official handout, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police said eight terrorists were killed during retaliatory action by police and security forces. Elite Force commandos, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) teams and security personnel subsequently cleared key sections of the compound and adjoining buildings. KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed remained at the scene as the operation was supervised by the CTD additional inspector general, Kohat regional police officer and district police officer, with the Kohat general officer commanding also present. “Law enforcement agencies achieved success following an overnight operation,” the police said. IG Hameed commended the personnel who took part in the operation and announced rewards for those involved. “Police, CTD and security forces fought valiantly; these brave personnel are the pride of the nation,” he said, adding that the terrorists’ designs had been thwarted and that authorities would ensure their complete elimination. The CTD said its additional inspector general was wounded in a grenade attack during the operation. The terrorists had entered the Special Branch building after carrying out the suicide attack near the mosque. According to the CTD, the additional IG had remained on the frontline since Friday afternoon, supervising the operation alongside police personnel. Despite sustaining a hand injury, he received first aid and returned to the frontline to continue overseeing the operation and boost the morale of the personnel. There was, however, a discrepancy in official accounts regarding the number of terrorists killed. While KP police put the figure at eight, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said seven attackers had been eliminated.
02 NEWS
Sunday, 20 September, 2026 | KARACHI
PUNJAB SEEKS PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATION IN OGRA AS PROVINCES OPPOSE REDUCED CCI ROLE
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MONITORING REPORT
HE Punjab government has called for representation of all provinces in the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), alongside federal representatives, as provincial governments raised objections to a proposal seeking to exclude the Council of Common Interests (CCI) from day-to-day administrative affairs of the oil and gas sector, The Express Tribune reported. The federal government has sent a summary to the CCI proposing that routine administrative matters concerning the hydrocarbon sector should not require the council’s involvement. The summary has been circulated for comments to the ministries of finance, planning, development and special initiatives, and law and justice, as well as the Cabinet Division, Attorney General for Pakistan and the governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The provinces, however, have raised concerns over reducing the CCI’s role in administrative matters concerning oil and gas. Punjab partially supported the proposal, saying regulatory bodies should
Pakistan’s mobile phone imports fall 8.85% to $274m in July-August
operate independently in accordance with prevailing laws, rules, regulations and policies. At the same time, the provincial government proposed representation from all provincial governments as well as the federal administration in regulatory bodies. Under Punjab’s proposal, a provincial government dissatisfied with a regulatory or administrative decision would be able to refer the matter to the CCI. Sindh objected to the proposal, citing Article 172(3) of the Constitution, which it said envisaged joint and equal owner-
Pakistan, IMF to begin fourth review talks next week with reforms, privatisation in focus PROFIT WEB DESK
PROFIT
NEWS DESK
Pakistan’s mobile phone imports declined 8.85% to $274.129 million during the first two months of FY27, compared with $300.741 million in the same period last year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). In rupee terms, handset imports fell 10.53% to Rs76.267 billion during July-August 2026 from Rs85.245 billion a year earlier. The decline continued in August, when mobile phone imports fell 13.82% YoY to $133.695 million from $155.129 million. On a monthly basis, handset imports declined 4.80% from $140.434 million in July. Telecom equipment imports, however, moved in the opposite direction over the two-month period, increasing 8.95% to $432.044 million from $395.536 million a year earlier. In rupee terms, telecom equipment imports rose 6.95% to Rs120.211 billion during July-August from Rs112.398 billion last year. The increase came amid continued investment in telecom infrastructure, including network expansion and preparations for the rollout of nextgeneration mobile services. Despite the two-month increase, telecom equipment imports declined in August on both yearly and monthly bases. Imports fell 3.42% YoY to $197.269 million from $204.263 million in August 2025. Compared with July, when imports stood at $234.775 million, the August figure was down 15.98%.
SBP injects Rs2.64tr into banking system through conventional, Islamic OMOs PROFIT
WEB DESK
ship between the federal government and a province over oil and gas located within that province or its adjacent territorial waters. According to Sindh, this gives provinces an equal title and the right to dispose of oil and gas alongside the federal government as co-licensors. It proposed amending the federal proposal to state that administrative matters relating to entities operating in the oil and gas sector should fall within the jurisdiction of both the federal government and the respective provincial gov-
ernment and should not need to be submitted to the CCI. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa also stressed the constitutional role of provinces, saying parliament’s legislative powers could not be denied but could not be exercised contrary to the “true letter and spirit” of Article 172(3). Balochistan, meanwhile, said policy matters and amendments should continue to be formulated with the CCI’s approval, while regulatory decisions should be taken by the relevant regulator under rules and guidelines established at the CCI level. It argued that excluding the CCI from administrative matters was not tenable in light of Articles 154, 156 and 172(3), read with Entry 2 of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, which it said provided for an enhanced supervisory role for the council in the operational framework governing mineral oil and natural gas. Balochistan further maintained that, under Articles 154 and 172(3), it fell within the CCI’s domain to deliberate on and provide policy guidelines concerning the scope and modalities of executive authority exercised by the council and provinces in the operational and management framework for oil and natural gas.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) injected a combined Rs2.640 trillion into the banking system through conventional and Shariah-compliant open market operations (OMOs) conducted on September 18, according to separate auction results. Under its conventional reverse repo purchase operation, the central bank accepted bids with a total face value of Rs2.305 trillion against Rs2.584 trillion offered by participants. The realised value of accepted bids stood at Rs2.230 trillion. For the seven-day tenor, banks offered Rs304.5 billion, all of which was accepted at a rate of return of 11.54%. The realised value stood at Rs288.875 billion, with all five quotes accepted. The 14-day operation attracted Rs2.279 trillion in bids, of which the central bank accepted Rs2.001 trillion at 11.53%. The realised value of accepted bids was Rs1.941 trillion, with 12 of the 15 quotes accepted. Rates quoted by participants ranged between 11.54% and 11.57% for the seven-day tenor and between 11.51% and 11.56% for the 14day tenor. Separately, the SBP injected Rs335 billion on a face-value basis through its Shariahcompliant Mudarabah-based OMO, against total offers of Rs354.5 billion.
Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will begin talks next week for the fourth economic review, with energy sector reforms, privatisation and plans to address electricity and gas circular debt expected to dominate discussions. According to sources, the government will brief the IMF on reforms in electricity and gas transmission systems and measures to increase private-sector participation in the energy sector. The two sides are also expected to discuss changes to the basic electricity tariff, with a revision anticipated in January 2027. The government has set a target of keeping the power sector’s circular debt at Rs1,614 billion. The tariff for the competitive electricity market has been finalised,
although bidding has yet to begin. Meanwhile, expressions of interest have been invited for the privatisation of the Islamabad, Faisalabad and Multan electric supply companies, with both local and foreign investors showing interest. The government has also pro-
posed providing electricity subsidies to eligible consumers through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) next year. However, the proposed shift towards full cost recovery in electricity tariffs and the elimination of crosssubsidies could lead to higher tariffs.
Ghani Chemical plans Rs1.16b rights issue to fund Rs6.02b gas projects PROFIT
WEB DESK
Ghani Chemical Industries Limited (GCIL) plans to raise up to Rs1.164 billion through a rights issue of Class B Tracking Shares to help finance its equity investment in three gas projects with an aggregate estimated cost of Rs6.019 billion. The company has proposed issuing up to 116.375 million Class B Tracking Shares at Rs10 each to eligible existing shareholders. Based on its existing 570.452 million ordinary shares, the issue represents approximately 20.40%, translating into around 204 Tracking Shares for every 1,000 ordinary shares held. The proposals will be placed before shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for October 10. The funds are intended for the Sono Lashari, Jandran and Maiwand gas projects, which will be undertaken through G3 Oil & Gas Conversion LLP, presently under formation, or another board-approved successor project vehicle. The three-project portfolio carries an estimated cost of Rs6.019 billion, comprising Rs2.014 billion in project equity and Rs4.005 billion in project debt. GCIL proposes to provide the full cash equity requirement of Rs2.014 billion, with Rs1.164 billion coming from the proposed rights issue and another Rs850 million from internal resources. Under the proposed structure, the company would hold an 84% interest in
the project vehicle. The proposed project debt of Rs4.005 billion would be raised at the project level or through another permitted financing structure. GCIL is also seeking approval to provide project guarantees and related credit support with aggregate outstanding liability of up to Rs4.005 billion. Sono Lashari, located in Tando Jam, District Matiari, Sindh, is planned as a 1 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) gas processing and recovery facility. It is designed to produce around 19 tonnes of CNG, 3.62 tonnes of LPG and 10.78 tonnes of natural gas liquids per day. The project has an estimated cost of Rs557.183 million and is proposed to be funded entirely through equity. The company’s preliminary estimates put annual revenue at around Rs2 billion, with a gross profit ratio of approximately 55%, a net profit ratio of about 32%, a payback period of around 1.16 years and an indicative internal rate of return of about 100%. The document cautions that these estimates are preliminary and subject to validation. The Jandran project in District Kohlu, Balochistan, is designed for raw-gas feed of 5 MMSCFD and expected LNG production of around 84 tonnes per day. Its estimated cost is Rs3.314 billion, comprising Rs919.780 million in project equity and Rs2.394 billion in long-term financing. The Maiwand project in District Jaffarabad, Balochistan, is planned
with raw-gas feed capacity of 3 MMSCFD and expected LNG production of approximately 46 tonnes per day. Its estimated cost stands at Rs2.147 billion, comprising Rs536.786 million in equity and Rs1.610 billion in long-term financing. Together, Maiwand and Jandran would have raw-gas feed capacity of 8 MMSCFD and expected LNG output of around 130 tonnes per day. Preliminary estimates contained in the disclosure put their combined first-year gross revenue at around Rs10 billion, with a payback period of less than three years and a post-tax IRR of approximately 34%. The company described these as indicative sponsor projections rather than assured outcomes. Under the proposed rights structure, the Class B Tracking Shares would be partially redeemable, convertible preference shares. Holders would collectively be entitled to a preferential dividend equal initially to 57.79% of eligible net distributions actually received by GCIL from the tracked gas business. Based on GCIL’s proposed 84% interest in the project vehicle, this corresponds to an effective 48.54% economic attribution of the Project Silo. The disclosure clarifies that Tracking Share holders would not directly own 48.54% of the project vehicle. Each Tracking Share would initially carry a nominal value of Rs10, comprising a Rs9 redeemable portion and a Rs1 irredeemable portion.
Pakistan, Sweden to renegotiate 45-year old investment treaty, first talks set for November PROFIT
MONITORING REPORT
Pakistan and Sweden are set to begin renegotiating their 45-year-old Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), with the first round of talks scheduled for November 17-18 in Islamabad as Pakistan seeks to address concerns over fiscal exposure arising from international arbitration, The Express Tribune reported. Swedish Ambassador Alexandra Berg von Linde said Sweden was looking forward to restarting negotiations to update the treaty during the launch of the Sweden-Pakistan Business Guide 2026-28. Pakistan had sent a notice to terminate the 1981 treaty as part of a broader strategy to renegotiate its existing investment treaties amid concerns over international arbitration. The government has appointed an investment ombudsman for dispute resolution and approved a treaty template that it intends to use with partner countries. Pakistan is also negotiating an investment treaty with Hungary and is seeking early agreements with both countries. The Swedish ambassador also stressed the need for Pakistan to continue making progress on its international commitments under the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade facility. “Continued efforts need to be made to advance international commitments under the GSP Plus,” she said. Her comments follow similar concerns raised by other European diplomats. EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis said on Friday that Pakistan would need to demonstrate progress on implementing and formulating laws and conventions required to secure GSP+ status under the next framework. Federal Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul said Pakistan had successfully completed its fifth review under the existing GSP+ arrangement and preparations were underway for a formal reapplication. He expressed confidence that compliance with international obligations would allow Pakistan to transition into the EU’s new regulatory framework. A recent EU GSP+ monitoring report called on Pakistan to reverse negative developments recorded between 2023 and 2025 to maintain eligibility and comply with its international commitments. The report cited concerns over the implementation of human rights conventions, including enforced disappearances, minority rights, freedom of the media, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly. It also called for steps to address impunity for human rights violations and reverse negative trends related to enforced disappearances and freedom of expression. The report said laws covering blasphemy, cybercrime, including PECA, defamation, counterterrorism and sedition should be amended or repealed. The European Commission has approved new GSP regulations covering January 1, 2027 to the end of 2036, replacing the 2012 framework. Under the new framework, reduced or zero tariffs will be available on imports from 65 developing countries over the next decade. The revised regime strengthens links between trade preferences and compliance with international standards covering human and labour rights, climate and the environment, and good governance.
Pakistan textile industry, EU begin talks on GSP+ renewal beyond 2027 PROFIT
WEB DESK
Pakistan’s textile industry and the European Union have opened discussions on securing a renewal of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade facility beyond 2027, with compliance on human rights, labour, governance and environmental standards emerging as a key requirement. EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis, accompanied by other EU officials, met senior representatives of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) at APTMA House on Friday to discuss the continuation of the trade facility. Karoblis said Pakistan would need to demonstrate concrete progress in implementing and legislating international conventions required to maintain GSP+ eligibility. He urged the business community, particularly exporters, to accelerate reforms and engage with the government over concerns raised by the European Commission regarding human and labour rights, governance and environmental standards. The ambassador also acknowledged the textile sector’s sustainability efforts, saying these would be an important consideration in the EU’s assessment of an application for renewal. APTMA Chairman Kamran Arshad said the EU was Pakistan’s largest trading partner and that GSP+ allowed the country to export 78% of its goods to the European market duty-free. He said the facility had supported employment, investment and technological upgradation, while contributing to Pakistan’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Citi Pharma shareholders approve expansion into cannabis, industrial hemp business PROFIT
NEWS DESK
Citi Pharma Limited shareholders have approved an expansion of the company’s business scope to include cannabis, industrial hemp, medicinal cannabis, marijuana and related activities, subject to regulatory and licensing requirements. The special resolution was passed at the company’s Extraordinary General Meeting (EOGM) held on September 18, 2026. Under the resolution, Citi Pharma will alter its Memorandum of Association by inserting a new Clause No. 38 under Clause
III, following existing Clause No. 37. The amendment will enable the company to undertake cannabis, industrial hemp, medicinal cannabis, marijuana and allied activities including cultivation, research and development, processing, extraction, manufacturing, storage, transportation, import, export, distribution, marketing, sale and other related and ancillary activities. The change is being made under Section 32(1)(c) and other applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2017 and remains subject to confirmation by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), along with applicable legal
and regulatory requirements. The company said these activities would be undertaken in accordance with applicable laws and after obtaining the necessary licences, registrations, permissions, approvals and authorisations from the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority (CCRA) and any other competent authority. Shareholders also authorised the company’s chief executive officer and/or company secretary to undertake the necessary actions and make modifications, additions or amendments required or advised by the SECP, CCRA, Pakistan Stock Exchange or another competent authority.
NEWS 03
Sunday, 20 September, 2026 | KARACHI
TWIN CITIES BRACE FOR DISRUPTION AS FOUR LONG MARCHES APPROACH
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PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
uthorities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have stepped up security preparations ahead of four separate long marches expected between September 20 and 27. Educational institutions, colleges, universities, hotels, motels, rest houses and inns in Rawalpindi are expected to remain closed from next week as authorities prepare for the protests. ransport and goods terminals will also be shut, while Metro Bus
and Green Electric Bus services are set to remain suspended. Markets and wholesale markets across Rawalpindi are also expected to close during the period. Authorities have activated around 1,500 Safe City cameras in Rawalpindi to monitor protest activity, while drone surveillance will also be used. Mobile internet services are expected to be suspended during the marches. Large containers fitted with spikes are being placed at key entry points to Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including Faizabad, Chungi No. 26, Rawat, Chakri, Adiala Road, Pirwadhai,
Bharakahu and 17-Mile. Hospitals in both cities have been placed on emergency footing, while leave for doctors, nurses and paramedical staff has been cancelled. Additional Rangers and Punjab Constabulary contingents have also been called in, while police have been supplied with tear gas shells and rubber bullets as part of security preparations. Authorities in Attock are also preparing for protesters travelling from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with additional Rangers, armoured vehicles and prison vans deployed in the district.
National Foods board approves five-for-one share split, seeks shareholder approval PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
The board of National Foods Limited has approved a five-for-one subdivision of the company’s ordinary shares, under which each existing share with a face value of Rs5 will be divided into five ordinary shares of Rs1 each. The company’s board considered, approved and recommended the share subdivision at a meeting held on September 18, according to its material information disclosure. The proposed subdivision will increase the number of subscribed and paid-up ordinary shares from 233.115 million to 1.166 billion without changing the amount of the
company’s paid-up share capital. Shareholders will consequently receive five ordinary shares of Rs1 each for every one Rs5 share they currently hold, subject to the required approvals. The effective date will be announced later. The company currently has 233,115,425 ordinary shares with a face value of Rs5 each. Following the subdivision, this will be restructured into 1,165,577,125 ordinary shares carrying a face value of Rs1 each. The company said the subdivision would not result in any change to its subscribed and paid-up share capital. SHAREHOLDERS TO VOTE AT OCTOBER AGM
Alongside the share split, the board approved and recommended amendments to the company’s Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association to reflect the subdivision and comply with the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2017. Both the share subdivision and related amendments will be placed before shareholders for approval at National Foods’ 55th Annual General Meeting. The AGM is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026, in Karachi. The proposals remain subject to shareholders’ approval and the receipt of necessary approvals under applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2017.
LSE Capital signs MoU to sell 54% stake in Digital Custodian Company PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
LSE Capital Limited (LSECL) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an unlisted financial services company for the proposed disposal of its shareholding in subsidiary Digital Custodian Company Limited (DCCL). LSE Capital currently holds 54% of DCCL’s issued share capital, making it the subsidiary’s largest shareholder. The proposed transaction is subject to the completion of agreed terms and conditions as well as the re-
quired corporate and regulatory approvals. The company has set November 15, 2026 as the deadline for closing the transaction. DCCL is jointly owned by three listed companies of LSE Enterprises. Besides LSE Capital’s 54% holding, LSE Financial Services Limited (LSEFSL) owns 36% of the company’s issued share capital, while LSE Ventures Limited (LSEVL) holds the remaining 10%. LSE Capital disclosed the proposed disposal to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on September 18. The disclosure did not specify the identity of the prospective buyer, transaction value or other financial terms of the proposed deal.
The Arkadians brings new luxury living concept to Lahore LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
The Arkadians, a premium residential development backed by AKD Group, is set to showcase its luxury property project at a property road show in Lahore today (September 20). The event will be held from 10am to 7pm at the 3rd Floor, Grand Imperial Hall, Nishat Hotel, Gulberg, where prospective investors and buyers will have an opportunity to learn more about the project, its concept and investment potential.
According to the organisers, The Arkadians has been conceived around the concept of contemporary luxury living, combining globally inspired standards, distinctive architecture and premium amenities. The development is positioned as a high-end residential destination offering expansive views of the golf course and the Arabian Sea, with its design aimed at integrating natural surroundings with a modern luxury lifestyle. The project is being developed under the broader legacy of AKD Group, with the developers describing The Arkadians as an asset
intended to offer long-term value and serve as a legacy investment for future generations. The Lahore road show is part of the project's efforts to introduce its vision and investment proposition to potential buyers and investors in the city. The organisers said the development seeks to establish a distinctive benchmark for luxury residences in Pakistan by bringing together location, architecture and long-term value. The Arkadians is being promoted under the tagline, “Where Luxury Meets Legacy.”
Naqvi due in Tehran today as Iran sets conditions for US re-engagement CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Rezaei told Al Jazeera that Tehran was demanding an end to the war “on all fronts”, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to the US naval blockade as conditions for reaching a settlement. He said Iran remained in contact with the Qatari mediator, who had passed the demands to Washington. Iran and the United States have remained engaged in indirect diplomacy throughout months of fighting and since the collapse of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding. The memorandum, signed in June after Pakistan-hosted talks, was intended to halt the fighting and pave the way for a broader agreement. Both sides later accused each other of violations, and the agreement expired in August without producing a lasting settlement. Trump told Axios on Thursday that he had a “big decision” coming over whether to resume large-scale attacks on Iran, while saying Tehran remained in direct contact with Washington and wanted a deal.
He is due to discuss the war with leaders of six Persian Gulf states in New York next week. Rezaei, meanwhile, adopted a harder military tone, saying Iran had changed its strategy toward Washington after the United States withdrew from the memorandum. He said Tehran had recently tested an anti-ship missile near a US aircraft carrier and claimed Iran was better prepared to confront American air attacks after identifying weaknesses in the US military. NUCLEAR PRESSURE On nuclear policy, Rezaei said Tehran remained committed to the late supreme leader’s fatwa against nuclear weapons and had not changed its nuclear doctrine, though he added that “we do not know what will happen in the future”. He said Israeli and US actions had already provided grounds for Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), but Tehran had not made such a decision and any move would depend on Washington’s conduct. Last month, Rezaei suggested Tehran could reconsider its longstanding rejection of nuclear
weapons, arguing that US attacks on Iran had strengthened the case for acquiring an atomic bomb as a deterrent. Rezaei told state TV that Washington had demonstrated that adherence to the global nuclear non-proliferation system offered countries little protection from military attack. SAUDI-YEMEN ESCALATION In his Saturday interview, Rezaei also said Iran wanted the fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen to end and believed the Yemeni side also sought an agreement with Riyadh. Hours earlier, an air attack struck a jet-fuel storage facility at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, marking the first direct assault on the Saudi capital in months, The Wall Street Journal reported. The Houthis later claimed two operations using missiles and drones, saying they struck “sensitive and important” targets in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu. Military spokesman Yahya Saree did not explicitly identify the airport as a target.
Jamaat-e-Islami is set to begin its long march from Karachi on September 20, while caravans from Rawalpindi division are also expected to start gathering at Liaquat Bagh. JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman is expected to travel from Karachi by train, with the train march scheduled to reach Rawalpindi on September 22. Daily protest sit-ins are planned in Rawalpindi until his arrival. Business and education representatives have criticised repeated road closures, strikes and protestrelated shutdowns, calling for political dialogue to reduce uncertainty and disruption.
Mughal Energy board approves Rs2b increase in authorised capital to Rs4.5b PROFIT STAFF REPORT
The board of Mughal Energy Limited has approved a proposal to increase the company’s authorised capital by Rs2 billion to Rs4.5 billion from Rs2.5 billion, subject to approval from shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). The board approved the proposal through resolutions passed by circulation on September 17, 2026, in accordance with Section 179 of the Companies Act, 2017, according to a disclosure submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday. Under the existing capital structure, Mughal Energy’s authorised capital of Rs2.5 billion is divided into 200 million ordinary
shares of Rs10 each, 27,429,945 Series-A preference shares of Rs10 each and 22,570,055 Class B shares of Rs10 each. Under the proposed structure, the number of authorised ordinary shares would double to 400 million shares of Rs10 each. The number of Series-A preference shares would remain unchanged at 27,429,945 shares of Rs10 each, while Class B shares would also remain at 22,570,055 shares of Rs10 each. The revised share structure would therefore comprise 450 million authorised shares across the three classes, with an aggregate value of Rs4.5 billion. The proposal will now be placed before members for approval at the company’s forthcoming AGM.
04 COMMENT
Sunday, 20 September, 2026
EVERY NEW MAJORITY CREATES A NEW MINORITY
Large scale manufacturing
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A strong start to the fiscal year means space to seek new prospects
The solution, empowering local bodies, is what created the problem in the first place
HAT large-scale manufacturing has shown good growth in the first two months of the current fiscal year is encouraging. It should not be taken to mean that there is an economic recovery, first of all because the year has more than nine months to run, and the Middle-East crisis may well squeeze any incipient recovery into non-existence. Perhaps more to the point, any recovery is not being felt by the common man. That means that increases in large-scale manufacturing have not yet led to increases in income, or creation of new jobs. That would require an expansion of manufacturing that is probably not yet taking place. However, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has disclosed that Large-scale manufacturing grew 7.93 percent in July over June, and 4.54 percent over the previous year. Also of significance is where the growth occurred. It occurred in the automobile sector, which is not just a reflection of the large number of new vehicles launched, but also pent-up demand which has not yet cycled through the economy`completely. That raised another possibility, which has been raised, but not much discussed; that of making it an engine of exports. Re-exporting cars assembled here does not make much sense, but the parts which are manufactured can be exported to other assembling countries. That would mean better quality and price, but it would also require production beyond local demand, which further implies greater capacity. Another place where large-scale manufacturing has picked up pace in is cotton yarn and garments, which is also encouraging because these are export sectors, and this is a sign that traditional exports may finally be picking up. Growth in petroleum products is another growth area, which not only reflects increased indigenization of refining, but a pick-up in industrial activity across the board. There are two things which need to be remembered. First, any celebrations would be too early. Just a months’ figures will not predict a trend for an entire year. However, it is better to have had a good start than to have to recover from a bad one. There is the problem of the US and Israeli war on Iran, and how it will disrupt the world economy so much that there will be no recovery so long as it lasts. One issue is that the increase in prosperity of the ordinary man, in terms of greater disposable income, and increased employment opportunities, has not yet started. Until that happens, the government cannot count itself successful.
EDERALISM exists on several planes simultaneously. A boundary that creates a majority in one area creates a minority at the same time. The most powerful argument for a reorganization of Pakistan's map is an ethical one. The Saraiki speaker in Rajanpur has rarely had a government which views his language as anything but a dialect. Karachi and Hyderabad contain a significant portion of the population of Sindh and, as the MQM(P) contends, accordingly little control over issues of water, sanitation, and waste. To these groups, a new province offers not a clean-up but the possibility of a first majority. This argument merits scrutiny rather than praise, because federalism exists on several planes simultaneously. Consider the South Punjab idea in its most generous interpretation. Draw the line, and there is a Saraiki-speaking province. In it, right away, are Punjabi settlers of the canal colonies, Urdu-speaking urbanites of Multan and Bahawalpur, Balochis of the western districts, and migrants in the cities. Yesterday, they were part of a provincial majority. Today, they are minorities in a province created to respond to somebody else's call for identity. Everything that has happened is simply a change in their relative position, which, in politics, is all that really counts. The mirror image works no matter where the line is drawn. Split Sindh, and you get a predominantly urban province where Sindhis are minorities, and another, rural one, where Urdu-speakers are. Separate Hazara, and the Hindko-Pashtu ratio is inverted in opposite directions at the same time. Every boundary defines not one category of people, but two. Pakistan has too little in place to deal with this. The Constitution recognizes the rights of citizens with distinct languages and cultures to preserve and promote them, but there is no comparable system of reserved representation for linguistic minorities in provincial legislatures, nor a strong framework for protecting them when the provincial majority changes. The 18th Amendment distributed much power to the provinces while Article 140-A required provinces to devolve political, administrative and financial authority to elected local governments. In practice, that devolution remains weak. We have the base, but we lack the railings. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi understands the
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threat. He says new administrative boundaries will have to emerge through a consensus process and not be imposed. He also says identities would not be affected. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal makes the same argument. He says the demand is not directed against Sindhis. He also insists that no territory will be transferred between the provinces. Both assertions may be honest, but they are not enough. Intention is not a barrier. A boundary drawn for administrative purposes creates the same demographic mathematics as one drawn for ethnic reasons. The map is agnostic about the purpose behind it. The reaction in Sindh provides the perfect example. This month, its provincial assembly adopted a resolution against the division of the province. The chief minister pointed to a long series of prior resolutions opposing division, dating back decades. When a demand is framed administratively but perceived existentially, the framing has already failed. The comparative evidence is revealing, even if inconsistent. Ethnicity became constitutionalized as the organizing logic of the Ethiopian federation; territory became identity, identity became entitlement, and movement became a security issue, contributing to the outbreak of civil war. Belgium accommodates its linguistic groups territorially so extensively that the country is regularly left without a functioning government for months because of the unresolved problem of Brussels, where the logic of territorial arrangement breaks down. Spain recognizes autonomy for its historic nationalities and discovers that
Perhaps that is the real question Pakistan should ask before drawing another line on the map: not who gets to become the majority, but what happens to everyone who does not
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Editor Pakistan Today
MOHAMIN ZEESHAN
The writer can be reached at mohaminnnnzeeshannnn@gmail.com
Editor’s mail
The Climate Governance Gap the KP have far exceeded the available re-
The problem is complicated further by ge-
essential for recovering the loss and damages. The entire country has struggled to access funding through green climate funds. Astoundingly, because of the poor policy and absence of clear policies, the whole country is facing the same challenges as the KP government. Surprisingly, the allocated budget for climate adaptation is a question mark for the entire region. Where does the budget go? The government should allocate secure climate finance rather than relying primarily on post-disaster reconstruction. Even when climate-related resources reach the institutions like Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Forest Department, Agriculture Department and the Environment Protection Agencies, they are often fragmented which is reducing their overall effectiveness. Each agency is working with its own planning process, information system and budget, making coordination and implementation difficult in the province. Although the province 2016 Climate Policy (updated in 2022) established an inter-sectoral Climate Change Coordination Committee, it has not been fully operationalized. Sometimes, the donor agencies offer grants to different projects separately rather than as part of a coordinated adaptation strategy. For instance, a farmer in flood-prone Nowshera may receive drought-resilient seeds, a flood shelter and irrigation support through different projects. This lack of coordination may also impact reducing climate-related vulnerability.
in winter, and are frequently cut off by floods and landslides, precisely when emergency assistance and medical support are most needed. Chronic underinvestment in road maintenance means each disaster further degrades access. The government's standard response of restoring the roads to the previous level of service, rather than adapting them to withstand future events, practically it guarantees the same problem again for the next disaster event Climate adaptation policy in KP remains largely top-down and limited participation of local communities have been involved in the planning process. Climate policies are often formulated in Islamabad or Peshawar without involving the local stakeholders. Such policies not merely create procedural limitations but also have significant implications for its effective sustainability and adaptation interventions. The province also lacks the early-warning system and those which are installed are inadequate to respond to the warning effectively. Similarly, these early warning systems require sufficient training for the local community. In many parts of KP, women have been excluded from climate related policies, even though these women are key players in household food security, children, water collection and other activities that are directly affected by climate-related risks. Their participation in adaptation planning remains limited, particularly in more conservative merged tribal districts. Another failure of the province is the repeated role of the government and humanitarian organizations who always respond to disaster through relief and rehabilitation with fewer incentives. They do not invest in longterm disaster risk reduction that affect the entire community in various regions. Repeated disaster response can unintentionally reinforce existing patterns of vulnerability and encourage society to remain exposed to recurring hazards. he government of KP should adopt a participatory approach for climate adaptation by allocating dedicated provincial resources rather than relying predominantly on international reconstruction pledges. The province should bring together all stakeholders to establish effective coordination mechanics among other government departments. The government should involve the affected communities as active stakeholders in adaptation planning rather than treating them merely a passive beneficiary, particularly women. KP risks remaining trapped in a cycle of repetitive reconstruction of the same infrastructure in the same vulnerable location after subsequent disaster without such reforms. Addressing the underlying sources of vulnerability and reducing future climate risks are crucial steps by the KP government.
sources. The government should request inter- ography. highland villages of Chitral and KoThe Case of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa national agencies for the climate finance histan are accessible only by foot or horseback
K
AHMAD ALI SHAH
HYBER Pakhtunkhwa confronts severe climate change threats, including extreme floods, melting glaciers, rising temperatures, and shifting weather patterns that endanger lives, agriculture, and infrastructure. However, the provincial government repeatedly reconstructs the same bridges, damaged roads and provides emergency relief to affected households. Each subsequent flood brings the same catastrophe to the region; however, the government does not adopt a resilience approach to survive the next crisis. This ultimately shows poor governance. According to the official records, the province required an estimated $7 to $14 billion annually to tackle the climate crisis. It is believed that the climate adaptation needs of
The government of KP should adopt a participatory approach for climate adaptation by allocating dedicated provincial resources rather than relying predominantly on international reconstruction pledges. The province should bring together all stakeholders to establish effective coordination mechanics among other government departments. The government should involve the affected communities as active stakeholders in adaptation planning rather than treating them merely a passive beneficiary, particularly women. KP risks remaining trapped in a cycle of repetitive reconstruction of the same infrastructure in the same vulnerable location after subsequent disaster without such reforms. Addressing the underlying sources of vulnerability and reducing future climate risks are crucial steps by the KP government
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autonomy does not necessarily resolve the nationalisms it was intended to accommodate. Nigeria, in turn, divided itself from three to thirty-six states in an attempt to achieve a more balanced ethnic equation, only to end up with states that struggle financially and minorities whose grievances have often been reproduced at a smaller scale. Despite their differences, the message from these examples is unambiguous: territorial recognition does not resolve the minority problem. It fragments it. This is not an argument for rejecting the claims of communities that have been administered as afterthoughts for 79 years. The dismissal of their claims as ethnic mischief, which has been Islamabad's practice for decades, is precisely how grievances turn into movements. But recognition without guarantees simply moves the problem elsewhere. The guarantees therefore have to be incorporated into any amendment redrawing the map. This means language rights for whichever community ends up as the minority in the new province; meaningful representation for minorities in the provincial assembly; an anti-discrimination clause protecting communities from discriminatory provincial policies; and strong local governments in areas with concentrated minorities, so that the community outvoted at the provincial level can still exercise meaningful authority where it actually lives. And this is the guarantee nobody wants. What enables a minority to be a minority without being powerless is functioning local government under Article 140-A. That reform has been on the books since 2010. It has never been fully implemented— not because the mechanism is unclear, but because meaningful devolution would dilute the very provincial power that new-province advocates and provincial defenders alike are fighting over. Perhaps that is the real question Pakistan should ask before drawing another line on the map: not who gets to become the majority, but what happens to everyone who does not.
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Healing family ties
FAMILY conflicts often start with a small misunderstanding, a harsh word, or an unmet expectation. But when ignored, these little issues can grow into a silent poison that slowly destroys love, peace and trust at home. Psychologists say that most problems come from poor communication, lack of patience and unrealistic expectations. When family members stop listening to each other and try only to prove themselves right, emotional distance grows. This leads to feelings of loneliness and mental stress even within a house full of people. The good news is: this can be prevented. Start by talking and listening regularly, even about small things. Be patient during disagreements, and accept that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Use kind words like “I understand” or “I’m sorry” to build bridges, not walls. Also, make time for fun and togetherness. Shared moments bring hearts closer and reduce negativity. Disagreements are natural but solving them with love, respect and understanding is the real strength of a happy family. Don’t let silence ruin what love has built. ARONA SAGHIR KARACHI
Nuclear past repeats
FOR more than 30 years, the world has avoided slipping back into the dangerous cycle of escalation that defined the Cold War era. After the superpowers realised how close they had come to nuclear catastrophe, they slowly built a system of restraint. Arms-control treaties, verification mechanisms, and a shared understanding of mutual destruction pushed nuclear testing into history. This long period of relative calm makes today’s renewed talk of testing all the more worrying. Against this backdrop, United States President Donald Trump’s recent directive to Pentagon to explore new nuclear test possibilities appears historically tone-deaf and strategically short-sighted. It overlooks the hardearned lessons of the Cold War. At the time, both the United States and the erstwhile Soviet Union believed that strength came from building bigger and more destructive weapons. But each new test only provoked another response, pushing both sides closer to the edge. It was a dangerous game where one misstep could have meant annihilation. The world eventually stepped back from the brink, not because of luck, but because leaders finally recognised that nuclear one-upmanship had no winners. Today’s world is far more complex than the bipolar Cold War order. Instead of two major powers, there is now a multipolar rivalry involving the US, China, Russia and several emerging nuclear states. Reintroducing nuclear tests in such an environment is like lighting a match in a room full of fuel barrels. There are more players, more tensions, and fewer rules. The old arms-control framework — the one that helped stabilise the Cold War — has weakened over the years. Key treaties have collapsed, verification has eroded, and trust among major powers is at its lowest point in decades. In essence, bringing back a Cold War-era practice now risks replaying the darkest chapters of the 20th century, but this time without the safety nets that once kept competition in check. A single test by one country could trigger a chain reaction, pushing others to respond with tests of their own. Such a spiral would make diplomatic restraint harder, and strategic miscalculations more likely. Supporters of new testing argue that it strengthens deterrence, but this argument ignores the fact that modern nuclear technology does not require explosive testing to remain credible. Instead, political signalling becomes the real motive — and that is precisely what makes the situation so dangerous. Using nuclear tests as symbols of power invites others to do the same. The world cannot afford to treat nuclear weapons as tools of political theatre. The lessons of history are clear: once the cycle of testing begins, it becomes difficult to stop. What kept the world safe for three decades was not louder threats, but quieter diplomacy and strong global norms. Reviving nuclear testing would not make any nation safer. It would simply drag the world back towards an era of fear — an era we worked so hard to leave behind. SANAULLAH MIRANI DAHARKI
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commeNT 05
A NATO for NATO Sunday, 20 September, 2026
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Outsourcing to local operators NAQI AKBAR
FTER an unconfirmed Houthifired projectile presence in the airspace of the Holy Mosque, the Kaaba, hit the headlines across the social media, X and the news channels, simultaneously voices were noticed; including compromised clergy, government officials as well as media anchors, which without mincing words declared that the red lines have been crossed. After a few hours investigative journalists as well as observers concluded that the targets of the attack were not the religious sites, rather an airbase near the holy city, the city housing the air base on an altitudinal highland; with all probability that any projectile cannot go wayward out of its radius to a wild 60 km. As the news slowly filters in, the Italian Air Force whose combat jets were stationed at the Taif AFB reported damage to its Eurofighter generally known as Typhoon. As the issue fizzles out in the reactive international media, the news item and the reaction did bring to the notice of many who might not have noticed so far, the emergence of the military alliance made up exclusively of the Muslim armies, navies and air forces, which is ready to take on any unidentified enemy as and when required. The Makkah military Alliance made up of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan is in fact the new NATO. Made up entirely of these three states’ resources; a closer look can make any objective analyst conclude that the alliance is in fact a NATO under the informal wings of the original NATO; and it does not matter if the concerned mil-
itary chiefs of the western NATO are meeting the Muslim NATO. The rationale for this conclusion stems from the track record and the trajectory of events which has rocked the region since the early 1980s or more precisely the 1979 upheavals. That year was bad for the USA and Pentagon, on two counts; the fall of a trusted Shah of Iran and the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, which provided new challenges for the US military machine. The USA was without any presence in Iran after that. It had to really rebuild its resources in the area. In that developing scenario, the Saudi Monarchy took over the role which was previously played by the Shah. The financing of the Afghan war, which if Shah had been in power might have been undertaken by the resources in SAVAK, was now entrusted to the Saudi intelligence arms and obviously there was a role for the Pakistani intelligence outfits. What transpired during the 10 long years of a CIA-financed Jihad is history and need not be narrated again. The biggest takeaway from the analysis of the developments has been the replacement of the Shah by two structures, the Saudi monarchy and the role of Pakistani military establishment. It needs to be taken note of that when in the aftermath of the 1988 C 130 crash killing Zia, the Pakistani military dictator, the election of late Benazir Bhutto, the American envoy Richard Armitage and others were not favorably disposed towards giving complete power to the late PPP leader, as the Afghan theatre was still alive and the Americans along with the military establishment wanted certain assurances from the PPP. It would not be out of context to conclude that the late Pakistani leader was literally handed down a ‘motheaten government power’, to paraphrase
The next few weeks will be formative for the things to come; either in a sudden blast or in an attrition build up. For the observers the stances taken by the IRGC in Iran; how much they are stabbed in the back by the reformists will be of value. Consequently, the assertive limits of new Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khomeini will also be tested. For the Islamic NATO, its biggest relevance will be as a NATO for a NATO
the remarks of the Father of the Nation remarks about the Pakistan finally concluded by Redcliffe in 1947. The decade of democracy was a period when US interventions were at the minimum and at that time Pakistan was signalled by the USA, “fend for yourself”. That period saw indigenous developments. Practically the JF17 idea, budgetary allocation and final development in the later years owes its development to the ‘democratic interludes’. Anyhow, the 9/11 developments caused a reentry of Pakistan into the global military plans; earning it the title of ‘major non-NATO ally’ and also its eligibility to receive the coalition support fund. This was despite the fact that cooperation died down, depending upon the administrations in the White House, especially the Obama years. The 2020s however proved to be the turning point for the Pakistani placing in the geopolitical game plan. Though there is no data credible enough to be quoted in that context as it is more cryptic in nature and can be manipulated for reaching any tone of conclusion, the political machinations in Pakistan down to the parliamentary level in the above-mentioned decade smacked of how the Americans stage managed the Turkish and Iranian parliaments during the Kemalist generals and the Shah generals years; the fall of Mossadeq in Iran or Adnan Mandress in Turkey were such episodes when the so-called powerless parliament tried to show power, but was booted out unceremoniously. As things stand, Pakistan is an important partner in global developments. The intervention for peace by Pakistan during the months of April to June in the context of Iran on the US behalf created such an impression that when, after months, Pak-
s things stand, Pakistan is an important partner in global developments. The intervention for peace by Pakistan during the months of April to June in the context of Iran on the US behalf created such an impression that when, after months, Pakistani officials went to Tehran, an impression was created that the visit was inspired by the USA istani officials went to Tehran, an impression was created that the visit was inspired by the USA. That prompted the Pakistani foreign office to clarify that whatever was the visi, itt was a Pakistani initiative and the USA had nothing to do with that. Having understood the trajectory of the events in place, the economic dire straits Pakistan is in since the last one decade, the internal political turmoil, transition from a constitutional to a hard state, the options available for the state itself are aligning with a dominant power as a client state. Understandably opportunities like the Makkah pact give the entry into the international arena with demonstration of one’s military ability, and also create a relevance for the financial handouts, which are invariably necessary for keeping the show running. The current developing scenario is unavoidable for the member states on the count that the localized version of NATO is expected to safeguard and execute operations which were primarily the task of the original NATO, but are being undertaken by local operators. Such jobs are
geopolitically baggage-oriented and state,s despite the foreign office press notes. are reluctant to get into the act as much as they can; until the point of unavoidability comes head on. So as things stand, apparently the theatre might look like created due to the local contradictions, like the border disputes between the Yemenis and Saudis dating back to almost a century. However a closer look reveals that the ultimate beneficiaries are not the participants of the alliance, but the western powers, who might precipitate the formal demise of resistance or the rejectionist front reimagined. The next few weeks will be formative for the things to come; either in a sudden blast or in an attrition build up. For the observers the stances taken by the IRGC in Iran; how much they are stabbed in the back by the reformists will be of value. Consequently, the assertive limits of new Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khomeini will also be tested. For the Islamic NATO, its biggest relevance will be as a NATO for a NATO. The writer is a freelance columnist
Warming New Delhi-Beijing relations
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India has over that time begun to agree more measures to provide greater access to Chinese investment in manufacturing and climate technology
EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS JAMES CRABTREE
HE BRICS summit concluded in New Delhi on Sunday, with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi having hosted the two-day gathering as chair. As with many meetings of the group of emerging economies, this edition brought together the leaders of China, India and Russia and featured plenty of antiWestern rhetoric. This was also Chinese
leader Xi Jinping’s first visit to India for more than six years, in the latest example of Sino-Indian normalisation following a sustained period of tensions. New Delhi’s normalisation with Beijing over the last year looks like more of a tactical de-escalation than a realignment. Nevertheless, India has over that time begun to agree more measures to provide greater access to Chinese investment in manufacturing and climate technology, both areas important for India’s development. This should act as a warning for Europeans. If India cannot source technology and capital from partners in Europe, it will seek to do so from China even while remaining suspicious of Beijing from a security point of view.
SOLUTION New Delhi continues to view Beijing as a threat and seeks deeper security and economic ties with Brussels, as well as with Washington, despite the difficulties President Donald Trump presents. Modi has thus worked to prevent the BRICS from tipping into a purely anti-Western vehicle, since this would run against India’s interests. Europeans also see India as an increasingly vital partner, following the EU-India trade deal agreed earlier this year, as Europeans diversify geopolitically in the face of tense transatlantic relations. But India’s bilateral agreements with China, including on the sidelines of the BRICS meeting, show that the EU must not take the mutual benefits
of closer ties for granted. Ahead of Modi’s anticipated visit to Brussels later this year, the EU should accelerate its plans further to strengthen EuropeIndia ties. For instance, it should enhance the existing Trade and Technology Council to drive cooperation in areas like AI, while also moving forward cooperation on defence and security, and making faster progress on India’s plans to join the Horizon Europe funding programme for research and innovation. The EU and India signed a landmark free-trade agreement in New Delhi in January, alongside a new security and defence partnership. Both sides aim to build on these with wider cooperation initiatives to encour-
age greater cooperation and investment in areas like semiconductors, AI and clean-tech supply chains. India supported moves at the 2023 BRICS summit to agree on a major membership expansion. The group began as a much smaller coalition of just Brazil, Russia, India and China, and South Africa— hence “BRICS”—but has since grown to eleven members, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE as well as a wider grouping of observer and partner countries that attend summits and align themselves loosely with the bloc’s agenda. The group is internally divided, and not just in terms of China and India. Both Iran and the UAE are members, for instance, despite longstanding regional tensions. This year’s summit produced a limited declaration including vague promises to enhance cooperation.
The fightback starts here
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A sharp analysis of the damage wrought by the reckless super-rich, and a progressive toolkit for repairing it
THE GUARDIAN DANIEL TRILLING
HE more power the radical rightwing nationalists of our age accrue, the greater the risk that their destructive brand of politics becomes normalised. We should not, for instance, regard it as normal that the man in charge of one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals casually promises “a whole civilisation will die tonight”. We should not accept that history’s first trillionaire is allowed to spread racist conspiracy theories to a hitherto unimaginable extent. We should be alarmed that in the UK a party tipped to lead a potential future government is trying to cruise to power in the slipstream of this international movement. In fact, we shouldn’t just be alarmed by such developments: we should stop them and urgently repair the damage already done. But how? And what is the nature of that damage? This bold, clarifying intervention from Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor provides some of the answers. “End times fascism” is their term for a convergence of interests that can broadly be understood as a response to the climate crisis. Faced with a world coming under unprecedented strain from environmental shocks and an unequal, resource-hungry economic system, today’s reactionaries
are effectively saying: bring it on. “The most powerful people in the world are preparing for the end of the world, an end they themselves are frenetically accelerating,” Klein and Taylor write, describing a loose alliance of three principal factions rooted in US political and business elites. First are the religious fanatics who see each new disaster as a welcome sign we are entering the end of days, but find common ground with secular demagogues who promise a glorious, prosperous future on the ruins of our present. Think, for instance, of the mirage of a “New Gaza”, a property developers’ fever dream that the Trump administration – heavily influenced by Christian Zionists – claims will arise from the wreckage of Israel’s US-backed genocide. Next are the new tech barons, who preach that only the AI “arms race”, as Klein and Taylor put it, can save humanity – even as its demand for water and electricity scorches the planet – while they themselves dream of sitting out societal breakdown in remote, fortified enclaves. Last come the political entrepreneurs who transform visions of disaster into votes by promising to turn their nations into bunkered garrison states. Migration draws most of the attention, but you can also see this logic at work in an increasingly aggressive global scramble for natural resources: “supersized prepping at the level of the nation-state”, in Klein and Taylor’s words. This is nothing less than a revival of fascism, the authors argue – but only if
we understand “fascism” as something broader and more persistent than the uniformed mass movements that once brought Europe to the brink of destruction. In their definition, it is a recurring tendency among elites that manifests when capitalism no longer works the way they would like it to, and they feel their positions are threatened. “Fascism,” write the authors, who draw on a range of theorists including Walter Benjamin and WEB Du Bois, “is capitalism with bared teeth.” There have been endless academic disputes over whether such a broad definition of fascism is useful. Personally, I think we shouldn’t get too hung up on terminology – the important thing is to write in a way that makes people alive to problems around them and leaves them feeling empowered to respond. The authors succeed on both counts: Klein has spent almost three decades outlining the connections between unrestrained capitalism and violent, antidemocratic tendencies, while Taylor, a Canadian-American film-maker, writer and activist, is a veteran of movements for social justice. They set out how our economic system, “built on limitless growth, and on limitless wealth for the winners”, has collided with the reality that life on this planet is becoming harder to sustain. As a psychological balm, reactionaries offer “bursts of sadistic satisfaction summoned by footage of immigrants in supermax prisons, or soldiers marching through the streets” that only lead to demands for even more extreme measures. At the same time, the right
is prone to splits and overreach, making it vulnerable to challenge by progressives whose ultimate goal must be to dismantle the concentration of wealth and power that got us into this mess in the first place. Klein and Taylor draw particular inspiration from Zohran Mamdani, whose successful run for the New York mayoralty showed it was possible to build a winning coalition by focusing on people’s material concerns – and by celebrating difference rather than trying to deny or apologise for it. They also point to other, creative forms of resistance in the US and elsewhere as the seeds of a new politics “rooted in an expansive, open-armed sense of neighbourliness” that can counter the right’s dystopian visions of the future. The way Venetians challenged Jeff Bezos’s attempt to use their city as a backdrop for his grotesque display of wealth disguised as a wedding, for instance. Or how Minnesotans looked out for one another as their state was bombarded with ICE raids. For the authors, the leftwing, diasporic Jewish idea of doikayt, or “hereness” – fighting for justice and equality wherever you may live – is a guiding principle, but only one of a multiplicity of cultural and political traditions that can be drawn on. Here, the account falters a little. End Times Fascism has due regard for the global context, but this is largely a book about the US. That’s not a problem in itself: the US is still (just about) the global hegemonic power. But it does raise questions about where the best lessons can be learned. Is the rest of the world expected to
take its cue from American progressives? Or is there more we could discover, say, in parts of the world where reactionary, authoritarian politics has prevailed for longer – and where people might have developed longer-term strategies? It’s not Klein and Taylor’s job to answer these questions comprehensively, though. Their valuable contribution is to map out the frightening new territory in which we find ourselves, and point to an escape.
Daniel Trilling is the author of If We Tolerate This: How the British Establishment Made the Far Right Respectable (Picador). End Times Fascism And the Fight for the Living World by Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor is published by Allen Lane (£25).
06 NewS
ARAGHCHI TELLS FRENCH FM TO 'STOP CROCODILE TEARS' OVER HUMAN RIGHTS ALLEGATIONS
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TEHRAN
AGENCIES
RANIAN Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hit back at recent statements by his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot, who accused Iran of human rights violations and criticised Paris for its silence over the killing of Iranian schoolchildren by the United States. Addressing Barrot in a post on X, Araghchi said, “1.5mn Algerians were slaughtered by France in their War of Independence. Less than 1/10 of them have been recorded by Paris, which refuses any apology for its colonial crimes.” “Stop your crocodile tears @jnbarrot. Your silence when the US massacred our schoolkids said it all,” he added. The Minab school strike killed 168 people, including 120 students and 26 teachers. More than 110 people were wounded. Investigations indicate three precisionstrike Tomahawk missiles hit the school. The school was struck three separate times, according to Press TV. South Korea to contribute 'substantively' to Hormuz navigation efforts, top diplomat tells US counterpart South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Friday reiterated Seoul's willingness to contribute "substantively" to efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department. Cho called on Rubio to maintain close communication on the issue, the Foreign
Sunday, 20 September 2026 | karaChi
Ministry said in a statement, according to Yonhap news agency. The remarks come after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ruled out sending combat troops to the Strait of Hormuz, as Seoul considers contributing to efforts to ensure freedom of navigation there amid pressure from Washington. The two sides also reaffirmed their "solid" commitment to the bilateral alliance and agreed to continue efforts to achieve the "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" and promote peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy. Meanwhile, Cho said Seoul would act as a peacemaker to actively support the Trump administration's efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea. "The minister and secretary agreed to continue close communication and cooperation regarding North Korea policy, including efforts for North Korea-U.S. dialogue," the ministry said. Cho also told reporters that he called on Rubio to work together to ensure that ongoing consultations on South Korea's strategic investment projects in the US produce positive results. Under last year's bilateral trade deal, Seoul committed to investing $350 billion in the US. "Secretary Rubio said that the State Department will also make its efforts to ensure that the consultations will be successfully concluded," he added. State Department Spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement that both sides pledged ongoing collaboration across key strategic sectors, including semiconductors.
Rubio reiterated the importance of "cooperating to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and also underscored the critical need for a fair, transparent, and equitable business environment for American companies operating in the Republic of Korea." He also stressed the importance of securing supply chains for key industries. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to North Korea's "complete denuclearisation" and stressed the importance of US-Japan-South Korea cooperation in regional security, Pigott said. US bases in Middle East suffer severe damage from Iranian attacks: report US military bases in the Middle East have sustained heavy damage from Iranian strikes, according to photos and videos ob-
tained by ABC News, as the Pentagon assesses the toll of a war Washington launched more than six months ago. The report said the images show damaged buildings and an aircraft at three bases in Kuwait and a Saudi base hosting US assets, some of which were evacuated. One photo appears to show an E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft, valued at $270 million, damaged in late March at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, the report noted. "These bases have been irreparably damaged. And if we choose to rebuild them, it's going to be a decades-long undertaking," said a senior US service member, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The service member accused the Pentagon of a lack of transparency, saying: "There are drone strikes and ballistic missile strikes
actively landing on bases every day." A Pentagon inspector general report released Monday indicated "hundreds of buildings and structures" were damaged. The watchdog estimated the war's cost at $33 billion, while the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office put it at $38 billion. The Defence Department said 18 US service members have been killed and 824 wounded since the war began on February 28. The deadliest attack came on the second day, when six soldiers were killed at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said force protection is a top priority, though he acknowledged that some Iranian weapons get through. Efforts ongoing to return to Islamabad MoU: Iranian interior ministry Ali Zeynivand, a spokesperson for Iran’s interior ministry said on Saturday that, “Efforts and international diplomatic mediations to resolve issues and return to the Islamabad agreement are ongoing.” Iran demands that “the other party adhere to its commitments in this agreement”, said Zeynivand in a press briefing, according to Al Jazeera, which cited the semi-official Tasnim news agency. The official stressed it was an “agreement that has been approved by the Supreme National Security Council and confirmed by the supreme leader, and is considered an official decision of the system”. “Active diplomacy continues with the president’s participation in the Shanghai and Brics meetings in India and Kyrgyzstan, and through intensive consultations,” Zeynivand added.
Greenland, Denmark say US deal will not cede sovereignty COPENHAGEN AGENCIES
Denmark and Greenland on Saturday said any agreement with the United States would not compromise Greenland's sovereignty, after President Donald Trump said the deal would give Washington "permanent control" over the Arctic island's security, leaving its precise scope unclear. The United States, Denmark and Greenland said late on Friday they had entered into an agreement for the US to develop a significant military presence on Greenland, while prohibiting US adversaries from building their own bases on the island. Key details of the agreement have not been made public, including the degree of US military presence in the selfgoverning Danish territory and whether any formal power over foreign policy and resources would be ceded to Washington. Denmark and Greenland expressed hope that a deal, which is expected to be signed during the UN General Assembly next week, would end months of uncertainty triggered by Trump's threats to seize control of Greenland. "Next week could be a good week — for Greenland, Denmark, and the United States," Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said in a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday. "A time of uncertainty will hopefully
give way to a binding agreement that strengthens security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic, and thereby our shared security within NATO and Europe — while respecting the (Danish) Kingdom's red lines," he said. Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly insisted that Washington respect the sovereignty of the Danish kingdom and accept that Greenland is not for sale. TRUMP’S VISION FOR GREENLAND DEAL Trump said on Truth Social late on Friday that under a deal, "the United States will forever have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of
America." The deal "gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland", Trump said, adding that no adversary would ever be permitted to have a base or military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments there, without Washington's express written approval. Trump made the announcement after Reuters exclusively reported that the US and Denmark were closing in on a deal. "This is probably not the end of President Trump’s ambitions for Greenland and certainly not the end of US strategic interest in the territory and its resources," said Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, a political science professor at the University of Copenhagen.If Copenhagen cedes any
formal power to Washington, it raises the question in Greenland of whether "this is the beginning of replacing the colonial relationship with Denmark with a colonial relationship to the United States", he said. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Saturday that he was pleased with the proposed deal: "The agreement recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination," he said in a post on Facebook. TENSIONS WITHIN NATO ALLIANCE Trump's threats, which peaked in January, triggered a diplomatic crisis that strained relations within NATO and pushed Denmark and Greenland into negotiations aimed at defusing the pressure. A NATO spokesperson on Saturday said the alliance welcomed the agreement, which would "help advance security, stability and cooperation in this vital region". Steffen Nielsen, a 49-year-old sales worker living in Copenhagen, told Reuters: "I think that the US is probably going to get what they could have had the whole time, if they just asked nicely." "I don't like it," Kaj Jorgensen, an 80year-old pensioner also living in Copenhagen, said of the news. "I don't wish the United States to be present anywhere in the Danish Kingdom. I really don't trust Donald Trump."
China opposes unilateral sanctions with no authorization from UN BEIJING
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
China consistently opposes unilateral sanctions that lack UN authorization and a basis in international law, as well as the imposition of so-called secondary sanctions on other countries on the grounds of involvement with third parties, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said on Saturday.
According to reports, the United States has signed the "Lindsey O. Grahan Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" into law. The act authorizes the imposition of so-called secondary tariffs of up to 100% on third countries that import Russian oil or natural gas. Commentaries suggest that China will be one of the targets of US tariffs. In response, the spokesperson said China has always engaged in normal eco-
nomic and trade cooperation with countries around the world on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, adding that such cooperation is neither directed against any third party nor subject to interference or coercion by any third party. "We will continue to closely monitor the subsequent actions of the US side and reserve the right to take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard China's national sovereignty and development inter-
ests, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," said the spokesperson. The spokesperson expressed hope that the US will work with China to meet each other halfway, maintain the stability of economic and trade relations through dialogue and consultation, and contribute more to upholding the world trade order, as well as the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to lead delegation to US for trade talks on September 19-23 BEIJING
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will lead a delegation to the United States to hold economic and trade talks with the US side from September 19 to 23, China's Ministry of Commerce announced on Saturday. The two sides will hold consultations on economic and trade issues of mutual concern, guided by the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, the ministry said. CHINA OPPOSES UNILATERAL SANCTIONS WITH NO AUTHORIZATION FROM UN China consistently opposes unilateral sanctions that lack UN authorization and a basis in international law, as well as the imposition of so-called secondary sanctions on other countries on the grounds of involvement with third parties, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said on Saturday. According to reports, the United States has signed the "Lindsey O. Grahan Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" into law. The act authorizes the imposition of so-called secondary tariffs of up to 100% on third countries that import Russian oil or natural gas. Commentaries suggest that China will be one of the targets of US tariffs. In response, the spokesperson said China has always engaged in normal economic and trade cooperation with countries around the world on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, adding that such cooperation is neither directed against any third party nor subject to interference or coercion by any third party. "We will continue to closely monitor the subsequent actions of the US side and reserve the right to take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard China's national sovereignty and development interests, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," said the spokesperson.
Pentagon UFO files shed light on secret military research into unexplained phenomena PENTAGON AGENCIES
The Pentagon has released a sixth batch of records on unidentified anomalous phenomena, commonly known as UFOs, offering new details about a secretive military programme that studied unconventional aerospace technologies and unexplained encounters. The latest disclosure contains 71 files dating from 1952 to 2025, including 67 records from the US Department of Defense and four from local law enforcement agencies in Colorado. The release consists of 55 PDF documents, 15 videos and one audio recording, with many of the files containing redacted information. A major focus of the records is the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Programme, which was established by the Defence Intelligence Agency in 2008. The programme examined potential aerospace threats and emerging technologies
that could have implications through 2050 before ending in 2012. Among the material are 37 Defence Intelligence Reference Documents covering highly unconventional concepts, including wormholes, warp drives, antigravity, negative-mass propulsion and invisibility cloaking. The Pentagon has stressed that these documents were reference and synthesis papers rather than original research and should not be taken as confirmation that the technologies described were viable or had been proven. Some of the newly released files had previously been made available through Freedom of Information Act requests, but the latest versions include additional details, such as the names of certain government offices involved. One 38-page study from 2010 examined alleged injuries associated with anomalous aerospace encounters. The document reviewed an incident involving three antenna engineers who report-
edly experienced unexplained events and later developed symptoms including skin redness, heat exposure and hair loss. The records also include military footage showing unidentified objects whose movements could not immediately be explained. One 2022 incident recorded in the Middle East involved an unidentified object reportedly travelling at speeds of between 80 and 180 miles per hour. Another recording showed six small spherical objects repeatedly changing direction and displaying unusual manoeuvrability. Historical material included in the release features a 1952 recording of US Air Force officer Edward Ruppelt discussing UFO investigations, during which he said around 20% of roughly 800 reports remained unresolved. The Pentagon has also introduced a legal waiver allowing current and former government employees bound by nondisclosure agreements to provide information about UAP-related matters to authorities.
NEWS 07
Sunday, 20 September 2026 | KARACHI
CM MARyAM SAyS PuNjAB dEvELoPMENT SIFC-backed ITCN ASIA 2026 to position Pakistan Now CovERS ALL 41 dISTRICTS
CORPORATE CORNER
at centre of global tech, investment and digital innovation KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan is set to host a major convergence of global technology, investment and digital leadership as the 28th ITCN Asia takes place from September 22–24, 2026, at Karachi Expo Centre, bringing together international technology companies, investors, government leaders, startups, CxOs and industry decision-makers.With the support of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), ITCN Asia 2026 will provide a major platform to showcase Pakistan’s technology potential, attract international engagement and connect local enterprises and innovators with global markets, investors and technology partners.The three-day event is expected to feature 800+ booths, 3,500+ global brands, 75,000+ trade visitors, 18,500+ CxOs and decision-makers, 350+ international delegates and investors, and 850+ government leaders, creating extensive opportunities for business networking, investment engagement, technology partnerships and knowledge exchange.
Azerbaijan’s tourism potential promoted through roadshows in Pakistan
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PROJECTS BEING PLANNED ACCORDING TO POPULATION RATIOS, CM TELLS MULTAN LAWMAKERS LAHORE
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UNjAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said the province’s development focus is no longer confined to any particular city and now extends to all 41 districts, with development projects being planned for the first time according to population ratios. Speaking at a meeting with members of the Punjab Assembly and ticket-holders from Multan, she said the government was pursuing a development strategy aimed at ensuring that the benefits of progress reached all parts of the province. The chief minister said modern green electric buses had been introduced in farflung areas of Punjab before being launched in Lahore, reflecting the government’s focus on providing modern public transport facilities beyond major urban centres. She said a cancer ablation machine imported from China had also been installed at Nishtar Hospital, Multan, after its introduction at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, and treatment had already commenced. Maryam Nawaz said the machine would provide non-surgical cancer treatment not only to patients from Multan but
also to those coming from other provinces. The meeting discussed development projects and public issues in Multan. The lawmakers thanked the chief minister for the construction of the jalalpur Pirwala and Noraj Bhutta flood protection embankments in a record time. The chief minister agreed to a proposal for construction of a bridge over the Chenab between Shujaabad and Khan Garh and directed the authorities to examine a proposal for converting the existing jail site into a public park. She also ordered the expansion and
redesigning of Khanewal Road and directed that lawmakers be kept involved in development projects in their respective constituencies until their completion. The lawmakers expressed support for the chief minister and praised her government’s development and law-and-order measures. They said the benefits of development had started reaching the people and described the government’s flood response and measures against land-grabbing groups as significant steps. They said Punjab had emerged as an example of development and that the
CDA chief reviews Islamabad Expressway East project, visits Sector E-12 ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB), together with Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and three local tourism industry partners, held a series of tourism promotion events in Pakistan with the participation of Pakistani partners, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Airblue.The events were held in Lahore on 15 September, Karachi on 17 September and Islamabad on 19 September, bringing together more than 360 representatives from Pakistan’s tourism sector.The initiative aimed to promote Azerbaijan’s tourism potential and expand cooperation with Pakistan’s tourism sector. Participants were introduced to Azerbaijan’s historical and cultural heritage, winter tourism and ski resorts, health tourism and ecotourism opportunities. The programme also featured a dedicated presentation on Shusha’s designation as the Tourism Capital of the Economic Cooperation Organization for 2026.B2B meetings between Azerbaijani and Pakistani tourism industry representatives provided a platform to discuss cooperation and partnership opportunities and develop new business connections between the two markets.
Lahore Police chief declares zero tolerance for corruption, negligence in police ranks
LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Lahore CCPO Bilal Siddique Kamyana has declared zero tolerance for corruption within the police department, making it clear that corruption would not be tolerated under any circumstances and that negligence or dereliction of duty by police personnel would not be overlooked. He directed supervisory officers to keep a close watch on the performance of subordinate staff and ensure that all officers and officials discharge their responsibilities with dedication and diligence. The CCPO expressed these views while chairing a meeting to review the overall performance of the Model Town and Cantt divisions, the law and order situation and measures being taken to control crime in both divisions. Bilal Siddique Kamyana directed police to intensify indiscriminate action against those involved in pickpocketing and ensure that organised gangs engaged in the crime were traced and brought to justice. He instructed officers to step up action against pickpockets operating in markets, commercial centres and other crowded places and to effectively proceed against organised gangs under the law. The CCPO also ordered that the arrest of proclaimed offenders wanted in electricity theft cases be ensured and directed officers to adopt an effective strategy to prevent incidents of theft and burglary. He further directed that indiscriminate action against drug peddlers continue, stressing that all necessary measures must be taken to prevent crime and protect the lives and property of citizens.
Azma Bokhari Condoles Passing of Senior Stage Actor Asif Iqbal LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
STAFF REPORT
STAFF REPORT
chief minister had taken a lead in the province’s development. CM hails Balochistan operations Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday expressed appreciation for successful security operations against terrorists in Balochistan, in which 11 terrorists were killed in Panjgur and Chagai districts. The chief minister paid tribute to the security forces for killing five terrorists in Panjgur and six in Chagai. “The nation is proud of its brave armed forces; terrorists will not be able to escape,” she said. The operations were carried out under Operation Radd-ulFitna 3, with weapons, ammunition and explosives recovered. CMIT checks Suthra Punjab machinery in Shorkot Meanwhile, a team of the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT), acting on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, paid a surprise visit to the Suthra Punjab machinery store in Shorkot on Saturday. The team, headed by Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Shoaib Mirza, inspected the machinery and equipment deployed under the Suthra Punjab initiative and checked their operational condition and functionality.
Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad conducted a detailed field inspection of the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East Project, followed by an inspection of ongoing development works as well as extensive encroachment drive in Sector E-12, Islamabad, and reviewed the progress of major infrastructure and development initiatives. The Chairman directed the concerned formations to accelerate the pace of work, remove all remaining bottlenecks and ensure timely completion of projects while maintaining prescribed quality, safety and construction standards. Inspection of Islamabad Expressway East Project During his visit to the Islamabad Expressway Service Road
East Project, the Chairman inspected various sections of the ongoing development, rehabilitation and infrastructure works and reviewed the progress of construction activities at different locations. The Chairman received a comprehensive briefing from the concerned officers and project teams regarding project implementation,
construction progress, site conditions and measures being undertaken to remove impediments affecting the pace of work. A detailed briefing was also given on the enforcement operation being carried out against illegal, unauthorized and non-conforming buildings and construction units along the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East.
Solar Power, BESS and Policy Reforms in Focus at 3rd International SolarPower Conclave
Seven Global Team Toyota Athletes to compete in Asian Games, Asian Para Games
STAFF REPORT
STAFF REPORT
LAHORE
Pakistan’s rapidly expanding solar energy sector, investment opportunities in solar photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), evolving net-metering policies and the challenges facing the renewable energy industry will come under discussion at the 3rd International SolarPower Conclave & Solar Technology Excellence Awards 2026, scheduled to be held on September 24, 2026, in Lahore.Organised by Energy Update, the conclave will bring together policymakers, government representatives, energy experts, solar industry leaders, technology providers, investors, consultants and other stakeholders to discuss the changing dynamics of Pakistan’s energy sector and the growing role of solar power and energy storage in the country’s future energy mix.Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan will attend the event as the Chief Guest. The gathering will also feature senior representatives and leading professionals from the government, academia and private sector, providing a platform for dialogue on policy, investment, technology and the future direction of Pakistan’s solar industry.
ISLAMABAD
As many as seven Global Team Toyota Athletes have qualified to represent their respective nations at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games and Asian Para Games where they would compete in six sporting disciplines. The athletes are M Fadli Imamuddin from Indonesia in Para Cycling, M Ammar Aiman Nor Azmi from Malaysia in Para Athletics, Toh Wei Soong from Singapore in Para Swimming, Carlos Yulo from the Philippines in Gymnastics, Ernie Gawilan from the Philippines in Para Swimming, Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand in Badminton, and Lê Văn Công from Vietnam in Para Powerlifting. “At Toyota Motor Asia, this belief is central to Move Your World and to our continued partnership with the Global Team Toyota Athletes. As they prepare to represent their countries at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, we are proud to stand alongside them, celebrate their journeys and support the communities they inspire,” said Preston Tan, Vice President, Toyota Motor Asia. He added that their participation represents Toyota Motor Asia’s continued partnership with athletes across the region, supporting them not only as they pursue.
Chery Master Pakistan Launches Chery Q, Setting a New Standard in Everyday Mobility KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Chery Master Pakistan has officially announced the limited introductory price of Chery Q at PKR 5,554,000 at the Pakistan Auto Show 2026, as a new proposition designed to change what consumers expect from their everyday car. As a limited-time offer, Chery Q customers will receive a complimentary 7kW home charger worth PKR 100,000. The launch marks the latest step in Chery Master Pakistan’s rapidly expanding New Energy journey. Following the back-to-back introduction of Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9 PHEVs, Chery Master has built Pakistan’s largest PHEV lineup in just seven months. With Q, the company now takes the next step towards pure electric mobility,
continuing its ambition to revolutionize Pakistan’s NEV landscape and make advanced New Energy mobility more accessible to everyday Pakistanis. The journey is driven by a simple belief: mobility must keep moving with the needs of people. As the world moves rapidly towards New Energy vehicles, Pakistan faces its own need for smarter, more effi-
cient and accessible mobility. Rising fuel costs, fuel availability concerns and rapidly growing solar adoption are changing the equation for families and the country itself. At the PKR 4.5–6 million price point, Pakistani consumers have traditionally learned to accept compromises in space, technology, safety, convenience and running costs. Chery Q challenges why these compromises were ever accepted. Q brings the strengths of different categories together in one everyday car: 94% lower running cost than a hatchback, more comfortable than a sedan and more spacious than an SUV. 3 cars in 1. A full package. By bringing together what consumers would normally have to compromise between, Q creates a space of its own: the Q Segment, redefining what an accessible people’s car can offer.
Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the passing of senior stage actor Asif Iqbal, who died of a heart attack.In her condolence statement, Azma Bokhari said that Asif Iqbal’s death was a great shock for his family. She said that Asif Iqbal had made a long-standing contribution to theatre and rendered significant services to the field.Azma Bokhari said that Asif Iqbal had a unique style of conversation and acting, through which he established a distinct identity in the theatre industry.The Provincial Minister for Information and Culture expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family and prayed that Allah Almighty may grant forgiveness to the deceased and give patience to the grieving family.
CCP imposes PkR60m penalty on edible oil tanker owners’ association for cartelization ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has imposed a total penalty of PKR 60 million on the All Pakistan Edible Oil Tanker Owners Association (APEOTOA) for fixing transportation charges and allocating business among tanker owners through a restrictive queue system, in violation of Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2010. The Commission imposed PKR 30 million each for price fixing and market allocation.The case originated from CCP’s market surveillance, which detected circulars fixing transportation charges for edible oil, ghee and fats from Karachi ports to destinations across Pakistan. A suo motu enquiry was initiated in August 2024, followed by a search and inspection in February 2025.The enquiry established from the material impounded during the search that APEOTOA revised transportation rates 89 times between 2019 and 2025, comprising 52 increases and 37 decreases. Corresponding circulars issued by the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) communicated matching rate changes, while APEOTOA representatives acknowledged that transport rates were set through an agreement between the two associations.
Initiative launched to help chilli farmers achieve export quality standards ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Local red chilli farmers are set to benefit from an initiative that will help set a foundation for improving local quality of red chillis to reach the required export standards.Currently, FMCGs struggle to source good-quality red chillis locally and therefore import higher-quality red chillis to eventually export.According to details, the Food Security and Agriculture Center of Excellence (FACE) has distributed geotextile drying sheets to chilli farmers to raise the quality and safety of the country’s chilli and widen the market and export opportunities available to farmers. Under this joint effort with Verdora Ventures, local farmers will replace open-soil drying with a clean, dedicated surface which in turn will help growers produce cleaner, safer, better-graded chilli, lifting incomes and strengthening food security across the value chain. The geotextile sheets keep the crop off the soil and help it dry faster and more evenly, controlling aflatoxin, reducing dirt and contamination, cutting post-harvest losses and improving grade, colour, and fineness, which ultimately help growers widen the market and export opportunities.
DAR ORDERS FUEL RELIEF SCHEME EXPANDED TO ALL OPERATING STATIONS
Sunday, 20 September, 2026
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SALEEM JADOON
EPUTY Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday directed authorities to ensure that every open and operating fuel station was brought onto the fuel relief scheme, while permanently closed stations and those dealing exclusively in diesel were removed from the list so that the scheme’s coverage accurately reflected the situation on the ground. DPM/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy to review implementation of the Prime Minister’s Special Relief Scheme, according to a statement issued by the DPM’s Office. The committee was informed that an overwhelming majority of fuel stations across the country were now operational on the system and citizens were redeeming fuel tokens. Registration continues nationwide through SMS to 9771. The renewed hostilities in the Middle East, which have disrupted major oil supply routes, have caused fuel prices to rise over the past two months. In addition to the crisis in the Strait
of Hormuz due to the US-Iran war, trade through Bab al-Mandab — which has become a vital route for Saudi oil exports in recent months — is also facing a rising threat from Houthi rebels. The committee approved redemption of fuel tokens through SMS for stations located in areas without internet connectivity. Azad Jammu & Kashmir, GilgitBaltistan and the provinces will furnish lists of such stations so that they can be brought onto the scheme without delay. The State Bank of Pakistan informed
D-8 chief highlights regional integration, connectivity and health cooperation at Boao Forum ISLAMABAD
MIAN ABRAR
Secretary-General of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) Ambassador Sohail Mahmood has called for stronger regional economic integration, connectivity, innovation and global health cooperation while representing the organisation at highlevel events of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Haikou, China. At the invitation of BFA Secretary-General Zhang Jun, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood participated in the AsiaPacific Regional Cooperation Roundtable and the 2026 Haikou Conference of the Global Health Forum from September 15 to 17, according to a press release issued on Saturday. The events brought together nearly 300 participants from more than 30 countries and regions, including senior government officials, representatives of international organisations, business leaders, academics, think-tanks, civil society and media. Speaking at a high-level session of the Regional Cooperation Roundtable on “Accelerating Regional Economic Integration Towards the Vision of FTAAP”, Mahmood highlighted the Asia-Pacific’s central role in global growth, trade and investment. He stressed that openness, connectivity and practical cooperation were essential to sustaining regional economic dynamism. He called for stronger policy coordination, resilient supply and value chains, greater synergy among regional trade and economic arrangements, and wider use of innovation and digital transformation. The D-8 secretary-general also highlighted the organisation’s commitment to expanding trade and economic cooperation, noting considerable potential for stronger linkages between its nine member states and partners across Asia. Mahmood subsequently participated in three other roundtable sessions focusing on the Asian economy in the context of the Middle East crisis, regional connectivity and supply-chain resilience for energy and economic security, and the digital economy and global governance in the era of artificial intelligence. At the Global Health Forum, Mahmood participated as a speaker in a panel on “Building a More Multipolar, Efficient and Sustainable Global Health Governance Mechanism”. He outlined three priorities for creating a more equitable and sustainable global health system: stronger institutions and wider ownership, universal health coverage based on equity and innovation, and sustained, result-oriented international cooperation. He stressed that national health systems, regional cooperation and effective multilateral institutions should reinforce one another. He also underscored the potential of digital health, telemedicine and artificial intelligence to help reduce health inequalities and improve access to healthcare.
the committee that all payment claims received over the past three days had been settled in full, with claims received each day processed on the same day. DPM/FM Ishaq Dar appreciated the efforts of the provincial administrations and acknowledged the cooperation extended by the State Bank of Pakistan, stressing that the relief must continue to reach the intended beneficiaries without hindrance. The meeting was attended by the ministers for Petroleum, Economic Affairs, Information & Broadcasting, and
IT & Telecommunication; Deputy Governor, State Bank of Pakistan; Chairman OGRA; Chairman Pakistan Digital Authority; Secretary Petroleum; Chief Commissioner ICT; Additional Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; and senior officials from AJK, GB, Balochistan and relevant federal and provincial departments. PM expands fuel relief scheme amid price pressures Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sep 13 announced a “relief scheme” for users of motorcycles, autos and vehicles of up to 800cc to “alleviate the burden” of rising global oil prices. Under the scheme, owners of motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqis, three-wheelers and vehicles with engines of up to 800cc will receive Rs100 per litre relief on petrol. On Friday, PM Shehbaz approved a revised structure for the public under the fuel relief scheme currently in vogue across the country, expanding it to include more two- and three-wheelers and easing weekly limits to provide motorists with greater flexibility in using the support. He directed that motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws up to 20 years old should also be included in the scheme.
Only Imran Khan can decide fate of PTI's Sept 27 protest, says Raja Nasir Abbas ISLAMABAD STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas on Saturday said only PTI founder Imran Khan had the authority to postpone or call off the party’s planned nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad on September 27. The PTI has announced a countrywide protest, including a long march to the federal capital, to demand Imran Khan’s release and mobilise public support for what it describes as the supremacy of the Constitution. The Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-iAyin-i-Pakistan (TTAP), an opposition alliance led by NA Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, has pledged support for the PTI’s protest. In a post on X, Senator Abbas said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had met him and was informed that no one other than Imran Khan could decide whether the September 27 protest would be postponed. “No one can minus Imran,” Abbas said.
Pressure, threats cannot stop our peaceful constitutional struggle: Sohail Afridi ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Sohail Afridi strongly reacted to the Federal government’s threats to stop the protests, saying that the September 27 long march is a peaceful, democratic and constitutional struggle. He said every Pakistani citizen has the full right to raise their voice for their fundamental rights and protest within the framework of the Constitution, adding that the PTI would exercise this constitutional and democratic right to convey the people’s voice to the relevant institutions. On social media platform X,
TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousufzai told Dawn that the meeting had taken place on September 14 at
Sohail Afridi strongly criticized the federal ministers, saying that the ministers’ persistent threatening statements were a matter of serious concern for any democratic society. He said rulers should listen to public demands, respect constitutional rights and seek solutions to all political issues through serious dialogue, the law and the democratic process instead of confrontation. The PTI leader further said that every sensible Pakistani citizen was currently demanding the restoration of the Constitution to its original form, the immediate release of all unjustly imprisoned political detainees, including PTI founder Imran Khan, free journalism and constitutional freedoms.
Naqvi’s request. He said Abbas and PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan represented the opposition side during the meeting.
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LHC orders Foreign Office to decide pleas over detention of two Pakistanis in UAE LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
The Lahore High Court has directed the foreign secretary to process and decide within 15 days representations concerning the detention of two Pakistani citizens and PTI-affiliated individuals in the United Arab Emirates. Justice Sadiq Mahmud Khurram issued the directions in written orders on September 14 while disposing of two separate petitions filed by the families of Syed Salman Raza Zaidi and Muhammad Junaid Jahangir through Barrister Abuzar Salman Niazi. According to the petitions, Zaidi was reported missing from his residence in Sharjah on September 27, 2024, and was subsequently taken into custody by UAE authorities. His wife, Faryal Zainab, told the court that despite nearly two years having elapsed, the family had not been provided clear information regarding the charges against him, judicial proceedings, any sentence imposed or the complete court record. In the second petition, Muhammad Ibrahim, father of Junaid Jahangir, claimed that his son was detained at Dubai airport on September 24, 2024, after returning from Saudi Arabia. The petitions questioned the alleged failure of the federal government and the Foreign Office to provide effective consular protection and legal assistance to the two detained citizens. Barrister Niazi informed the court that representations concerning the detention of both men had already been submitted to the foreign secretary but had not been processed. The petitioners sought legal and consular assistance for the detainees, access to their judicial records and diplomatic efforts for their repatriation to Pakistan. They also requested details of the steps taken by the state in connection with their cases. After examining the petitions and accompanying documents, Justice Khurram directed the foreign secretary to process the representations concerning Zaidi and Jahangir, if still pending, in accordance with law and without unnecessary delay. The court directed that the representations be decided preferably within 15 days of receipt of a certified copy of its orders. With these directions, the Lahore High Court disposed of both petitions.
Punjab Assistant Advocate General Malik Umar Tahir resigns LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Govt-JI talks fail to break deadlock as Islamabad march goes ahead ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The fifth round of talks between the government and Jamaat-e-Islami ended without a breakthrough on Saturday, with the party refusing to call off its planned long march to Islamabad unless the petroleum levy is withdrawn. The meeting was held at JI headquarters in Mansoorah, where the government delegation asked the party to postpone the march because of security concerns. The government team included Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Senator Rana Sanaullah and Punjab Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique. JI was represented by Deputy Emir Liaqat Baloch, acting Secretary General Nazir
Ahmad Janjua, Special Assistant Umair Idrees, Lahore Emir Ziauddin Ansari and Information Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Tarabi. Government representatives assured JI that practical steps would be taken to provide relief to the public. They also cited pressure from the International Monetary Fund and said an IMF delegation was expected to visit Pakistan soon. Liaqat Baloch maintained that the long march would remain necessary until the petroleum levy is abolished. He said the party expected concrete action from the government and warned that protests would continue otherwise. JI has announced that its long march will begin from Karachi on Sunday
under the leadership of party chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. Hafiz Naeem earlier said negotiations would only move forward if the government presented a formal and serious proposal for eliminating the petroleum levy. He rejected the government’s recent fuel relief package as insufficient and argued that the levy itself should be removed to provide broader relief. The JI chief also criticised high fuel and electricity prices, saying they were increasing transport costs and the prices of essential goods. He said the party had proposed a three percentage point reduction in interest rates as another measure to ease economic pressure.
A key member of the Punjab government's legal team, Assistant Advocate General Punjab Malik Umar Tahir has resigned from his post. According to sources, Malik Umar Tahir sent his resignation to the Punjab law secretary, citing personal reasons for stepping down. He had represented the Punjab government in several important cases before the Lahore High Court. Sources said he had particularly played an important role in presenting the government's position in cases related to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He had also led the team of law officers representing the government in PTI-related cases before the Lahore High Court. Given his familiarity with legal matters and representation of the government in various important cases, Malik Umar Tahir held a prominent position in the Punjab government's legal team. Following his resignation, the Punjab government will consider its future plan regarding his responsibilities, including which law officer will be assigned responsibility for important cases and what changes will be made to the legal team. Malik Umar Tahir has resigned at a time when several important cases related to the Punjab government are pending before the Lahore High Court. Sources said personal matters were the primary reason for the resignation; however, legal circles are also discussing some other issues. It would be premature to say anything conclusively about those matters.
Pakistan urges Houthis to halt 'provocative acts' in Red Sea NEW YORK
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan has strongly condemned Houthi attacks on the merchant shipping in the Bab al Mandab Strait and called for their immediate cessation, as the UN Security Council held its second discussion on Friday on the escalating threat to the strategic waterway in the wake of renewed hostilities. In a statement made at the UN Security Council meeting on “Safe Seas, Shared Security” in New York, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad maintained that Pakistan calls upon the Houthi militia for the immediate cessation of these provocative acts, which could have dire consequences for maritime security and regional peace and stability. The meeting came two days after the Security Council was briefed on the rapidly deteriorating situation around Bab al Mandab, where the Houthis have advanced along Yemen’s western coast and reportedly captured several islands in the southern Red Sea.
Ambassador Asim said the Houthi attacks seriously undermined maritime security and threatened peace and development in regional countries, “especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” which he said was facing “blatant and unprovoked aggression” from the Houthis. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unwavering support” for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity, saying Pakistan stood in “complete solidarity” with its leadership, government and people. “At the outset, we wish to thank the Kingdom of Bahrain for organizing this Arria Formula meeting. Excellency Mr Foreign Minister, we are pleased to see you presiding over this important meeting organised by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bahrain. We thank briefers for their analysis." He said the concept of maritime security has evolved overtime. One of the major achievements of post-World War-II order is open, safe and free maritime space, which ushered in a rapid development of global economy, trade and investment.
He said the global maritime domain is presently in the grip of intractable challenges and it has morphed into a locus of intensifying geopolitical competition and intersecting challenges of 21st century. Myriad non-traditional threats ranging from piracy and terrorism to human trafficking and climate-induced risks have added another layer of complexity to the existing challenges, he added. "Disruption of commercial shipping and attacks on merchant vessels, both in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-Al-Mandab, have underscored that crises at sea have grave implications for continents and countries. The volatility at these maritime choke points has not only imperilled peace and stability but also skyrocketed energy prices and heightened fears of global food insecurity," he added. He said Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime trade route for the transit of onethird of globally traded crude oil and a significant share of global fertilizer trade. "Its geostrategic location also makes it vital for region’s security and stability. Pak-
istan is deeply concerned at the disruptions in the Strait including attacks on commercial shipping. We reiterate our strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our brotherly countries in the region, which are
adversely impacted by the volatility and violence in the Strait. Pakistan calls for an immediate de-escalation of tensions, security of ships and crew members, and restoration of normal passage through the Strait," he said.
Religious leaders vow full support to Saudi Arabia in defence of Haramain ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, religious scholars and leaders of major religious parties on Saturday condemned an attempted Houthi drone attack near Makkah, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and pledging Pakistan’s support for the defence of the Kingdom and the protection of Islam’s two holiest sites. The religious scholars and party leaders were speaking at an “All Parties Conference on the Protection of Haramain
Sharifain”, held amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and renewed focus on Pakistan’s defence commitments to the Kingdom. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said Pakistan was prepared to fulfil its commitments under its defence agreement with Saudi Arabia. “The Government of Pakistan has already made an agreement with the Kingdom ... We are already prepared for this,” he said, adding that Islamabad stood by the commitments made under the pact and its implementation was already taking place.
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