In partnership with Wednesday, 21 October, 2026 | 9 Jumada al-Awwal, 1448
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XVII No 207 | 56 Pages | Islamabad Edition
IRAN TELLS CDF MUNIR ENRICHED NUCLEAR MATERIAL TO STAY IN COUNTRY PUSH TO REVIVE US-IRAN TALKS
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NSA REZAEI INSISTS ALL ENRICHED NUCLEAR MATERIAL WILL REMAIN IN IRAN, CALLING IT A NATIONAL ASSET
SAYS WASHINGTON MUST RETURN TO ‘ISLAMABAD UNDERSTANDING’ AND FULFIL TEHRAN’S SEVEN-POINT CONDITIONS
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PEZESHKIAN URGES WASHINGTON TO LIFT PRESSURE, THREATS AND SANCTIONS BEFORE NEGOTIATIONS CAN RESUME FIELD MARSHAL MUNIR SAYS PAKISTAN-IRAN BORDER REOPENED AFTER TEMPORARY SUSPENSION: IRANIAN STATE MEDIA
SALEEM JADOON
RAN will not allow any enriched nuclear material to leave the country, its top security official told Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Asim Munir, during talks in Tehran on Tuesday, as Islamabad stepped up efforts to revive stalled diplomacy between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan helped broker a June agreement aimed at halting the US-Iran war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and paving the way for negotiations on a lasting settlement. However, the agreement subsequently unravelled, leaving major disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and access to the strategically vital energy shipping route unresolved. Washington wants Iran’s nuclear programme addressed at the outset of negotiations, while Tehran insists that steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end economic and military pressure must come first. The impasse has prolonged a conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February. “All enriched nuclear material will remain in Iran. Not even a single particle of enriched nuclear material will leave the country; these materials constitute a
major asset and national wealth for the Iranian people, intended for domestic use,” Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei told Field Marshal Munir, according to state-run IRNA. Rezaei said Iranian officials and the public were united in opposing negotiations until Washington took concrete steps to build trust, beginning with the fulfilment of Iran’s conditions.
The statement underscored Tehran’s firm position on the future of its nuclear stockpile, which remains a central point of contention in efforts to revive diplomacy. Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes, although enriched uranium can be used to fuel nuclear reactors and, at sufficiently high enrichment levels, can also be used in nuclear weapons. Iran has proposed reopening the
Strait of Hormuz within seven days if its conditions are met, including the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports, easing restrictions on oil exports and an end to regional hostilities. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that the proposal remained on the table. The narrow waterway connects the Gulf to the open sea and, before the war, carried about one-fifth of global trade in oil and liquefied natural gas. Disruptions to shipping through the passage have threatened energy supplies and driven up costs for importing countries. During his visit to Tehran, Field Marshal Munir also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi on Tuesday, according to Iranian state media. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accompanied him. The visit, Field Marshal Munir’s fifth since the June agreement, comes amid Iranian warnings that hostilities with the United States could resume, despite the absence of US strikes on Iran since September. The talks followed a visit to Tehran by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday, as diplomatic contacts continued amid uncertainty over the prospects for ending the conflict.
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Pakistan expects Afghan Taliban to prevent use of territory for terrorism, says Dar DUSHANBE STAFF REPORT
Maldives President arrives for landmark Pakistan visit ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a three-day state visit to Pakistan, marking the first presidential visit from the island nation in 11 years and coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President Muizzu is visiting Pakistan from October 20 to 22 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to state media. A statement issued by the Office of the President of the Maldives said the visit marked the first high-level bilateral engagement between the two countries in more than a decade. Upon arrival at Islamabad International Airport, the Maldivian president and the first lady were accorded a 21-gun salute. An official welcome ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday. A Maldivian delegation led by Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam, comprising cabinet ministers and senior officials, also arrived in Islamabad ahead of the president’s visit, the Foreign Office said.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday said Pakistan had only one expectation from the Afghan Taliban regime: that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan or any other country. “Pakistan continues to be desirous of a peaceful, stable, regionally integrated and prosperous Afghanistan which is at peace with itself and all its neighbours,” Dar said while addressing the narrowformat session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Tajikistan’s capital. He said Pakistan had made sincere efforts to support Afghanistan’s development and the well-being of its people, stressing that preventing the use of Afghan soil for terrorism was its sole expectation from the Taliban authorities. Dar said sustainable economic development could not be ensured without lasting peace and security, adding that stability in Afghanistan was essential for safeguarding peace and stability across the region. “Pakistan remains committed to a peaceful and stable neighbourhood,” he said, describing it as a fundamental condition for regional development and prosperity.
Reflecting on the organisation’s 25-year journey, Dar said the SCO had remained anchored in the principles of mutual trust and respect for diversity while expanding its mandate to cover trade, infrastructure, culture and innovation. He said Pakistan’s engagement with the organisation reflected its commitment to the Shanghai Spirit. Islamabad had hosted the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in 2024 and successfully completed its chairmanship of the SCO AntiTerrorism Structure this year. Pakistan had also shared its experiences and learned from other member states as chair of the SCO Working Group on Poverty Alleviation, he said.
“This year, we intend to highlight the role of small and medium enterprises in reducing poverty,” Dar added. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had unveiled Pakistan’s vision for its SCO chairmanship under the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity”. The priority areas include peace, security and mutual trust; regional connectivity and trade; innovation, artificial intelligence and digital transformation; climate resilience and sustainable energy; and people-to-people exchanges. Dar said targeted investments in key sectors, particularly energy and transport, were essential for achieving seamless economic integration across the region. He also called for greater investment in high-potential sectors, including agriculture, mining, minerals and information technology, to build resilient and interconnected economies. “Strategic investment in transport and energy infrastructure is not merely beneficial; it is absolutely imperative for true regional economic integration,” he said. The foreign minister described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as an opportunity for all SCO partners to participate in and accelerate regional economic integration.
Pakistan, Qatar agree to deepen internal security cooperation ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan and Qatar have agreed to strengthen their security partnership and expand bilateral cooperation in internal security, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior on Tuesday. The two sides held detailed discussions on expanding cooperation in areas related to internal security, the ministry said in the statement. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation between their respective interior ministries and agreed to enhance their partnership in internal security. Naqvi said Pakistan and Qatar were working together for regional peace and stability, reaffirming Islamabad's commitment to working with Doha on matters of mutual interest, particularly those related to internal security and regional stability. The Qatari interior minister said his country attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan. The meeting took place a day after Naqvi addressed the 8th Global Security Forum in Doha, where he said Pakistan and Qatar had worked together to promote regional peace and stability. Addressing the Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday, Naqvi said Pakistan had made every possible effort to bring Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table. He added that there were moments when tensions escalated sharply, but Islamabad did not give up its efforts. His remarks come amid mounting regional tensions, as Yemen’s internationally recognised government forces continue to fight Houthi rebels, who are also targeting Saudi Arabia. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Tehran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days remained on the table, but progress depended on Washington's response to Iran's conditions. Against this backdrop, Naqvi praised Qatar's diplomatic efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, saying Islamabad and Doha had worked together to prevent further escalation in the region. "Peace cannot be achieved in a single meeting. It requires patience, trust and continuous efforts," Naqvi said, underscoring the need for sustained diplomatic engagement to resolve conflicts.
Sohail Afridi in 'protective police custody': Atta Tarar ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has claimed that Sohail Afridi is in police custody in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for his protection and has neither been formally arrested nor charged in any case. Speaking on Samaa TV’s programme Red Line, Tarar said Afridi was taken into protective custody following the imposition of an emergency and governor’s rule in the province. He maintained that Afridi remained in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that Shafi Jan and other individuals had fled when the authorities took Afridi into custody. Tarar alleged that Afridi had been engaged in protests while the province was experiencing terrorist violence. The minister further claimed that Afridi had sought safe passage from terrorists to travel through a particular area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also accused Afridi of having led violent protests in the past. Tarar said some people had been taken into custody, while others had gone into hiding or fled. He added that claims of large public participation in protests had not materialised, alleging that residents of the province had welcomed Afridi’s departure. The minister also referred to a Gallup survey, claiming it showed public support for the government’s action. He did not provide further details of the survey during the remarks quoted in the report.
IMF warns Pakistan of global risks, urges deeper reforms for sustainable growth ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan remains vulnerable to rising energy prices, trade disruptions and tighter global financing conditions, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) director for the Middle East and Central Asia warned on Tuesday, stressing that the country must translate its gains in macroeconomic stability into stronger and more durable growth through deeper reforms, effective implementation and coordination between federal and provincial governments. “Pakistan remains exposed to higher energy and food prices, disruption to trade and supply chains, weaker external demand and an abrupt tightening in global financing conditions, heightening the premium on preserving stability while supporting the recovery,” Jihad Azour said in a televised address to a tax reform workshop in Islamabad. The IMF official acknowledged Pak-
istan’s progress in restoring macroeconomic stability and rebuilding confidence but emphasised that sustaining these gains would require deeper structural reforms to improve competitiveness, encourage investment and expand opportunities for the private sector. His warning comes amid ongoing USIran hostilities and wider instability in the Middle East, which have heightened concerns over energy costs, international trade and economic growth, particularly in countries heavily dependent on imported fuel, including Pakistan. Pakistan is currently implementing a $7 billion IMF programme aimed at addressing longstanding structural weaknesses, including a narrow tax base and persistent fiscal imbalances. Azour said Pakistan had made important progress in rebuilding confidence and strengthening its external buffers despite repeated economic shocks. However, he stressed that the next challenge was to convert these gains into stronger and more sus-
tainable growth. “Pakistan really needs to translate those gains into stronger and more durable growth through reforms that improved competitiveness, encouraged investment and expanded opportunities for the private sector,” he said. He said fiscal policy needed to move beyond meeting primary balance targets and maintaining debt sustainability, and should also support economic recovery, public investment and social spending. The IMF director called for broadening the tax base, strengthening revenue administration, reducing tax concessions and addressing undertaxed sectors, while ensuring a fairer and more equitable taxation system. He also underscored the importance of coordination between federal and provincial governments, institutional ownership and effective implementation of reforms, stressing that sustained progress would depend not only on policy design but also on consistent execution.
President assures IMF of reform commitment, says Pakistan’s economy grows to $452.1b ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fiscal sustainability, energy sector reforms, privatisation and social protection, saying the government was pursuing inclusive and green economic growth as the country moved from economic stabilisation towards recovery. During a meeting with an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation led by its Middle East and Central Asia Director Jihad Azour at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Zardari highlighted the country’s improving economic indicators, including an increase in the size of the economy to $452.1
billion in fiscal year 2025-26 and an acceleration in real gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 3.7% from 3.2% in the preceding fiscal year, according to a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat. “The fiscal deficit had declined to 2.6% of GDP in FY2025-26 and the country recorded a primary surplus for the third consecutive year,” the president said, appreciating the IMF’s continued engagement with Pakistan and its support for the country’s reform programme under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Pakistan remains engaged with the IMF under a $7 billion EFF and a $1.4 billion RSF.
02 NEWS
Wednesday, 21 October, 2026 | ISLAMABAD
PAKISTAN'S FY26 GDP GROWTH REVISED DOWN TO 3.65%, ECONOMY REACHES $450.4B, PER CAPITA INCOME AT $1,896
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ISLAMABAD neWs Desk
AKISTAN'S economy grew by 3.65% during FY2025-26, slightly below the earlier estimate of 3.70%, while growth slowed to 2% in the final quarter as industrial activity contracted by 4.70%, according to revised national accounts approved by the National Accounts Committee (NAC). The revised estimates were approved during the committee's 118th meeting, held at the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) headquarters in Islamabad on October 19, chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The committee also revised GDP growth for FY2024-25 downward to 3.11% from 3.18% and approved the incorporation of revised import data into national accounts estimates covering FY2021 to FY2025. According to the updated figures, Pakistan's economy expanded to Rs126.4 trillion, equivalent to $450.4 billion, in FY26, compared with Rs114.9 trillion, or $408.7 billion, in the preceding fiscal year. Per capita income stood at Rs531,897, equivalent to $1,896, during FY26. The committee revised growth estimates for the first three quarters of FY26, lowering first-quarter growth marginally to 3.89% from 3.92%, while increasing second-quarter growth to 4.31% from 4.05% and thirdquarter growth to 4.42% from 3.99%. However, economic growth slowed to 2% in the fourth quarter, compared with 6.07% in the corresponding period of FY25, reflecting a high base effect and a sharp con-
Govt reviews gas sector restructuring, deregulation roadmap to address circular debt and attract investment
Proposed reforms focus on resolving legacy liabilities, reducing cross-subsidies and gas losses, improving pricing and expanding private-sector participation ISLAMABAD Web Desk
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired a high-level meeting to review the proposed restructuring and deregulation roadmap for Pakistan's gas sector, focusing on financial sustainability, operational efficiency, consumer welfare and greater privatesector participation. The meeting reviewed key sectoral challenges, including circular debt, cross-subsidies, unaccounted-for-gas (UFG) losses and supply-demand imbalances. Discussions focused on addressing legacy liabilities, improving the financial viability of gas utilities and ensuring that existing financial pressures do not undermine the proposed market structure or place an undue burden on consumers. A sustainable resolution of legacy circular debt and a clear approach to addressing cross-subsidies were identified as important to the viability of restructured entities and the transition to a competitive market. The proposed reforms aim to establish a financially sustainable, efficient and competitive gas market that supports businesses, encourages private investment and protects consumer welfare. The meeting discussed a phased transition towards greater competition, supported by effective regulation, improved operational performance and a more sustainable approach to gas pricing and supply. Participants also discussed the expected outcomes of the reform framework, including enhanced energy security, increased private-sector investment, reduced fiscal and sovereign risks, greater business-to-business transactions, more stable and sustainable gas pricing, improved access to competitively priced gas for exporters, and lower system losses through stronger efficiency benchmarks and performance-based incentives. The finance minister emphasised the importance of aligning all stakeholders around a practical and implementable reform framework. The proposed framework draws on international experience, including gas-sector reforms in Türkiye and the United Kingdom, while taking into account Pakistan's institutional structure, market conditions and consumer interests. Participants also stressed the need for careful sequencing to safeguard security of supply, protect regulated consumers and create a predictable environment for private-sector participation. The proposed framework will be presented to the prime minister, following which further technical work and stakeholder consultations will help refine the reform approach and support an orderly transition. The meeting reaffirmed the government's commitment to advancing gas-sector reforms in a phased and consultative manner to strengthen financial sustainability, improve operational efficiency, attract investment and develop a more competitive gas market while safeguarding consumer interests. The meeting was attended by the Federal Minister for Petroleum, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Energy, senior officials from the Petroleum and Finance Divisions, representatives of gas utilities and the World Bank team.
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NATIONAL ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REVISES FY26 GDP GROWTH DOWN TO 3.65% FROM THE EARLIER ESTIMATE OF 3.70%, AS Q4 GROWTH SLOWS TO 2% AMID A 4.70% CONTRACTION IN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY
traction in industrial activity. Industrial output declined by 4.70% during the April-June quarter, compared with growth of 20% in the corresponding period a year earlier. The contraction was largely attributable to the electricity, gas and water supply sector, which recorded negative growth of 33.19% because of lower subsidies, a high deflator and the high base effect of 123.03% in the preceding year. Other industrial segments recorded positive growth during the quarter, with mining and quarrying expanding by 8.90%, largescale manufacturing by 0.41% and construction by 3.52%. The committee attributed the improvement in construction activity to a 1.9% increase in cement production and higher public-sector infrastructure expenditure. Agriculture grew by 3.71% in the fourth quarter, compared with 0.58% in the corresponding period of FY25, while services expanded by 3.62%, against 4.21% a year earlier. Within agriculture, important crops grew by 2.21%, while other crops expanded by 2.62%, supported by increased production of pulses, fruits, tomatoes and green fodder. Pulses production increased by 39.6%, fruits by 4.1%, tomatoes by 14% and green fodder by 0.3% during the quarter. Livestock recorded growth of 3.92%, forestry expanded by 14.96% and fishing increased by 1.33%. In the services sector, information and
communication recorded the strongest growth during the fourth quarter at 15.03%, followed by health and social work at 6.14% and public administration and social security at 5.46%. Education grew by 3.97%, transportation and storage by 3.25%, financial and insurance activities by 2.20%, and wholesale and retail trade by 0.75%. For the full fiscal year, the committee revised agricultural growth upward to 3.50% from the previous estimate of 2.89%, reflecting improvements in important and other crops. Growth in important crops was increased to 1.59% from 0.65%, mainly because of updated wheat and maize estimates. Other crops recorded growth of 4.28%, compared with the earlier estimate of 2.43%, supported by higher production of pulses, fruits, tomatoes, oilseeds and green fodder. According to the release, production of pulses increased by 6.3%, fruits by 1.3%, tomatoes by 44%, oilseeds by 5.4% and green fodder by 2.4%. Livestock growth was revised slightly downward to 3.71% from 3.75% because of increased fodder inputs, while forestry and fishing recorded growth of 10.80% and 1.39%, respectively. Despite the upward revision in agriculture, industrial growth for FY26 was lowered to 3.34% from 3.51%. Large-scale manufacturing growth was revised downward to 5.01% from 6.11%, although several major industries recorded substantial increases in output.
was increased to 9.53% from 7.52%, while financial and insurance activities recorded growth of 4.23%, compared with the previous estimate of 0.32%, following improvements in the insurance industry. Public administration and social security grew by 5.67%, education by 4.17%, human health and social work by 5.52%, and other private services by 4.01%. The committee also updated quarterly sectoral estimates for FY26, with agricultural growth revised upward in all three preceding quarters. Agricultural growth in the first quarter was increased to 3.18% from 2.95%, second-quarter growth to 3.34% from 2.64%, and third-quarter growth to 3.79% from 3.01%. Industrial growth was revised to 7.76% in the first quarter, 6.62% in the second and 4.87% in the third, compared with previous estimates of 7.80%, 6.68% and 4.65%, respectively. Services growth was revised downward to 3.04% from 3.16% in the first quarter but increased to 4% from 3.83% in the second and to 4.54% from 4.18% in the third. For FY25, the committee lowered agricultural growth to 1.32% from 1.53%, industrial growth to 5.46% from 5.56%, and services growth to 3.13% from 3.14%. The revisions reflected weaker estimates for forestry, mining and quarrying, electricity, gas and water supply, and wholesale and retail trade, partially offset by improved transportation and storage activity.
Automobile manufacturing expanded by 57.77%, transport equipment by 42.36%, furniture by 22.69%, electrical equipment by 14.25% and rubber products by 14.19%. Tobacco manufacturing grew by 12.61%, petroleum products by 9.70%, food manufacturing by 7.03% and football manufacturing by 16.62%. However, pharmaceuticals contracted by 8.87%, iron and steel products by 7.84%, chemicals by 2.53% and leather products by 1.95% during the fiscal year. Mining and quarrying growth was revised upward to 1.52% from 0.38%, supported by improvements in gas, crude oil and coal production. The electricity, gas and water supply sector contracted by 10.24%, compared with the earlier estimate of a 10.63% decline, while construction growth was revised upward to 6.30% from 5.73%. The committee attributed the improvement in construction to higher constructionrelated expenditure in the public sector. Meanwhile, services sector growth for FY26 was revised downward to 3.81% from 4.09%, with wholesale and retail trade growth lowered to 2.37% from 3.71% because of weaker manufacturing and imports. Transportation and storage growth was revised upward to 3.23% from 2.31%, reflecting updated estimates for railways, water transport and air transport. Information and communication growth
Foreign companies repatriate $864.3 million in profits, dividends from Pakistan in Q1 FY2026-27 g
PROFIT AND DIVIDEND OUTFLOWS RISE 6.67% YOY, WITH SEPTEMBER REPATRIATION NEARLY DOUBLING TO $306.8 MILLION; FINANCIAL AND POWER SECTORS ACCOUNT FOR LARGEST SHARES PROFIT
Web Desk
Profit and dividend repatriation by foreign companies working in Pakistan increased by 6.67% year-on-year (YoY) to $864.3 million during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data, as stronger foreign exchange reserves supported the continued transfer of earnings abroad. The outflows reflected an improvement in Pakistan's external liquidity position, allowing foreign companies to repatriate profits despite increased import pressures and geopolitical uncertainties. In September alone, profit and dividend repatriation reached $306.8 million, representing an increase of 3.58% month-
on-month (MoM) and 92.96% YoY. Payments against foreign direct investment (FDI) accounted for the largest share of repatriated earnings, reaching $844.4 million during July-September FY27, compared with $785.6 million in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Repatriation against foreign portfolio investment (FPI) increased to $20 million during the quarter from $17.1 million a year earlier. The increase in profit repatriation indicated that foreign companies continued to transfer earnings despite a challenging geopolitical environment and additional pressures on Pakistan's import bill. Pakistan's improved external position, higher foreign exchange reserves and contained current account pressures have sup-
ported the country's ability to accommodate these outflows. The SBP recently reported that the country's foreign exchange buffers had strengthened considerably, with official reserves recovering from less than $3 billion in February 2023 to $21.5 billion as of October 9, 2026. The central bank also maintained that Pakistan's economy had become more resilient to domestic and external shocks following improvements in its external position. Corporate profitability also improved during the second half of FY26, with earnings across companies tracked by a major brokerage increasing by approximately 30% YoY. However, dividend distributions remained broadly stable, except among oil and gas exploration companies, which in-
Pakistan's power sector circular debt rises to Rs1.675trn, gas sector liabilities reach Rs3.631trn PROFIT
Monitoring report
Pakistan's power sector circular debt increased by Rs34 billion to Rs1.675 trillion during FY2025-26, while gas sector liabilities climbed by Rs344 billion to Rs3.631 trillion, according to information submitted by the Power and Petroleum Divisions to the National Assembly. Responding to questions during the assembly session, the Power Division reported that outstanding liabilities in the electricity sector had risen from Rs1.641 trillion at the end of June 2025 to Rs1.675 trillion by June 30, 2026. The division identified unpaid bills for electricity supplied to K-Electric through the national grid as the principal factor behind the increase. It explained that the recovery of these outstanding payments remained linked to an unresolved tariff dispute involving K-Electric, which was currently before a court. A decision in the case was expected, the division informed lawmakers.
The government also outlined several measures introduced to contain the accumulation of circular debt, including changes to contractual arrangements with independent power producers (IPPs). These measures included terminating agreements with costly power producers and replacing the existing take-or-pay framework with a hybrid take-and-pay model to reduce payment obligations. The division further reported that the government had negotiated waivers of late payment interest, reduced interest rates applicable to delayed payments under future contracts, and introduced limits on adjustments linked to rupee depreciation and annual inflation in electricity tariffs. As part of its circular debt management plan, the government secured a Rs1.225 trillion financing facility from commercial banks for a six-year period at an interest rate of KIBOR minus 0.9%. The facility was used to refinance Rs659 billion in previously contracted, higher-cost borrowing carrying interest rates of up to KIBOR plus 1%.
The remaining financing was directed towards settling overdue payments to IPPs, subject to agreements providing for the waiver of late payment interest. Separately, the Petroleum Division informed the National Assembly that gas sector circular debt had increased from Rs3.288 trillion on June 30, 2025, to Rs3.631 trillion at the end of June 2026. The division reported an increase of Rs344 billion over the fiscal year, with accumulated late payment surcharges accounting for Rs1.783 trillion of the total outstanding liabilities. The Petroleum Division also presented information on Pakistan's oil and gas resources and production. According to the figures shared with lawmakers, the country's total recoverable natural gas reserves stood at 68,803 billion cubic feet (BCF), while reported gas production amounted to 48,140 BCF. Total recoverable oil reserves were reported at 1,378 million barrels, compared with crude oil production of 1,102 million barrels.
Load shedding to continue on feeders with 30% or higher losses, says Leghari g
GOVT DEPLOYING TRANSFORMER-LEVEL APMS SYSTEMS TO IDENTIFY ELECTRICITY THEFT AND ENABLE TARGETED DISCONNECTIONS INSTEAD OF PENALISING ENTIRE FEEDERS ISLAMABAD Web Desk
Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has said electricity load shedding will continue on feeders reporting aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses of 30% or higher, while the government introduces transformer-level monitoring systems to identify electricity theft. Speaking during a visit to DG Khan Airport, the minister said load shedding was being carried out according to an established schedule.
He attributed higher electricity generation costs to gas supply and availability constraints arising from geopolitical tensions, which had increased reliance on expensive energy sources. Leghari said the government was deploying APMS systems on transformers nationwide to identify electricity theft and reduce line losses. The technology would allow authorities to identify individual transformers in high-theft areas and carry out targeted disconnections rather than interrupting supply to entire feeders serving thousands of paying consumers.
He said the system would help prevent consumers paying their electricity bills from facing outages because of theft by other users connected to the same feeder. The minister maintained that the government would continue taking action against electricity thieves and chronic defaulters while improving the efficiency of the power distribution network. He reiterated the government's commitment to reducing operational losses, strengthening electricity distribution infrastructure and improving services for consumers.
creased their payouts. Several companies continued to prioritise capital expenditure requirements and investment plans in anticipation of future sales growth, limiting the extent to which higher profitability translated into additional dividend payments. Sector-wise data showed that financial businesses accounted for the largest share of repatriated earnings during the first quarter of FY27, with outflows increasing to $242.5 million from $234.9 million in the corresponding period last year. The power sector followed with repatriated profits and dividends of $217.7 million, compared with $186 million during JulySeptember FY26. Repatriation from the communications sector also increased, reaching $90.1 million against $68.3 million in the same period a year earlier. Together, the financial, power and communications sectors accounted for $550.3 million, or approximately 63.7% of total profit and dividend repatriation during the quarter.
Pakistan's debt-to-GDP ratio falls to 68% as Finance Ministry disputes Rs20b daily borrowing interpretation ISLAMABAD Web Desk
Pakistan's Finance Ministry has disputed the interpretation of a reported Rs20 billion daily increase in government debt, saying the country's debt-to-GDP ratio declined from 75% at the end of FY23 to 68% at the end of FY26, while annual debt growth slowed to 7.7%. The clarification follows a media report stating that federal government debt increased by approximately Rs18.14 trillion between February 2024 and August 2026, equivalent to an average increase of around Rs20 billion per day. The ministry maintained that calculating daily borrowing by dividing the nominal increase in outstanding debt by the number of days did not provide an accurate picture of fresh borrowing or the country's overall debt position. It argued that government debt generally increases in nominal terms over time and that its sustainability should be assessed against the size of the economy, particularly nominal GDP. According to the ministry, government debt growth slowed from approximately 26% in FY23 to 7.7% in FY26, its lowest rate in two decades. The average annual increase between FY07 and FY26 stood at 16.7%. The ministry also cited August 2026 figures showing that central government debt had declined by approximately Rs689 billion compared with June 2026. On external liabilities, it said public-sector external debt fell from 33% of GDP in FY23 to 23% by the end of FY26. In dollar terms, public-sector external debt increased from $100 billion at the end of FY22 to $106.8 billion at the end of FY26, representing an average annual increase of approximately $1.7 billion. This compared with an increase from $54.7 billion to $100 billion between FY15 and FY22, when the average annual rise was approximately $6.4 billion. The ministry further stated that debtservicing costs declined from Rs8.9 trillion in FY25 to an estimated Rs6.9 trillion in FY26. Debt servicing as a proportion of gross federal revenue also decreased from 64% in FY23 to 38% in FY26, according to the statement. The government repaid approximately Rs5.9 trillion in expensive debt ahead of schedule during FY25, FY26 and the early part of FY27, the ministry said.
NEWS 03
MAPLE LEAF CEMENT, PIONEER CEMENT SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE MERGER, AWAIT COURT CLEARANCE
Wednesday, 21 October, 2026 | ISLAMABAD
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PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
HAREHOLDERS of Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited (MLCF) and Pioneer Cement Limited have approved the proposed merger of Pioneer Cement into Maple Leaf Cement, with the transaction remaining subject to any modifications required by the Lahore High Court. In separate disclosures submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on October 20, both companies confirmed that their shareholders had adopted special resolutions approving the merger through a scheme of arrangement under Sections 279 to 283 and other applicable provisions of
the Companies Act, 2017. The approvals were granted at extraordinary general meetings (EOGMs) held on October 19, 2026, following the approval of the proposed scheme by the boards of directors of both companies on September 2, 2026. Under the arrangement, the entire undertaking of Pioneer Cement Limited will be merged into Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited, together with all ancillary matters associated with the transaction. According to the resolutions, the scheme has been agreed, approved and adopted by the shareholders of both companies, subject to any modifications that may be required by the Lahore High Court. Both companies also authorised their
respective chief executives and company secretaries, acting individually, to undertake the necessary measures for implementing and completing the scheme of arrangement. The resolutions establish shareholder approval for the proposed amalgamation, although the disclosures do not confirm that the merger has been completed. The filings also do not specify a completion date, the financial terms of the transaction or the operational changes expected following the merger. The proposed transaction will consolidate Pioneer Cement's entire undertaking into Maple Leaf Cement, subject to the remaining legal requirements and implementation of the approved scheme.
Pakistan's power purchase price projected at Rs27.309/unit in 2027, procurement cost at Rs3.55tr PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan's power purchase price (PPP) is projected to reach Rs27 .309 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in calendar year 2027 (CY27), with the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee Limited (CPPA-G) estimating total electricity procurement costs of Rs3.55 trillion under its base-case scenario. The projections have been submitted for the rebasing of consumer-end electricity tariffs for ex-Wapda distribution companies (XWDISCOs), scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2027. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) will hold a public hearing on November 3, 2026, at 2 pm at Nepra Tower, with online partici-
pation available through Zoom. CPPA-G has projected electricity purchase prices ranging from Rs25.883 per unit under the ideal scenario to Rs29.255 per unit under the secondworst-case scenario. Under the base case, the agency assumes annual electricity demand growth of 2.60%, an exchange rate of Rs279 per US dollar and electricity sales of 130,081 gigawatthours (GWh) to distribution companies. Capacity charges account for Rs1.91 trillion, or Rs14.717 per unit, of the projected procurement cost, while fuel expenses are estimated at Rs1.32 trillion, equivalent to Rs10.141 per unit. Variable operations and maintenance expenses are projected at Rs70.58 billion, or Rs0.543 per unit, while transmissionrelated costs and Ministry of Finance
PIA recovers Rs5.06m from over 20 Lahore airport employees implicated in seat allocation fraud PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has recovered Rs5.06 million from more than 20 employees, including three women, implicated in alleged financial irregularities involving the allocation of premium and extra-legroom seats at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, according to a news report. Official audit documents show that PIA ground staff allegedly collected additional charges from passengers for premium, extra-legroom and bulkhead seats on domestic and international flights but failed to deposit the amounts into the airline's accounts. The irregularities were identified by the Lahore Finance and Audit Committee during an examination of records from May 2024 and 2025, following which Station Manager Ashfaq Hussain Awan was directed to initiate action. The employees reportedly altered booking records after boarding or flight departure to classify the premium seats as standard seats, allowing them to retain the additional payments. According to the documents, Rs5,060,269 was subsequently recovered through salary deductions from the employees identified in the audit and deposited into PIA's account. However, the employees reportedly continued serving in their respective positions despite the findings. Departmental disciplinary proceedings were reportedly halted following intervention by senior officials. Separately, the Airports Security Force (ASF) cancelled the airport entry pass of a PIA employee over allegations of providing unauthorised protocol to a passenger at Lahore airport on May 9, 2026.
Maldives President arrives for landmark Pakistan visit CONTINUED FORM PAGE 01
During the visit, President Muizzu is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour. He will also hold restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to the Foreign Office, the two leaders will review the full range of bilateral relations and explore ways to expand cooperation across several sectors.The discussions are expected to cover trade, investment, health, education, tourism, agriculture, defence, maritime security, climate change and people-to-people exchanges. Pakistan and the Maldives formally established diplomatic relations on July 26, 1966. The anniversary provides an opportunity for both countries to reaffirm longstanding ties and identify new areas of cooperation. The Foreign Office said relations between the two countries were rooted in shared faith, mutual respect, goodwill and close collaboration at regional and international forums. The visit is expected to reinforce this partnership and provide fresh momentum to bilateral engagement after an extended period without a presidential-level visit from the Maldives. Trade, investment and tourism are expected to feature prominently in discussions as both countries seek to broaden their economic partnership. The two sides are also expected to explore cooperation in health, education and agriculture, alongside climate-related challenges and maritime security. The Foreign Office said the visit reflected a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and opening new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation.
charges are estimated at Rs248.30 billion, equivalent to Rs1.909 per unit. Under the two worst-case scenarios, the exchange rate is assumed to weaken to Rs290 per dollar, compared with Rs279 in the other scenarios. The projected purchase price consequently increases to Rs28.835 per unit in Worst Case-I and Rs29.255 in Worst Case-II. The demand-sensitivity scenario assumes electricity demand growth of 0.70%, reducing projected sales to 127,937 GWh and resulting in a purchase price of Rs27.568 per unit. A separate scenario based on the regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) and gas supply mix projects a purchase price of Rs26.441 per unit, while the ideal scenario estimates Rs25.883 per unit, primarily reflecting lower fuel ex-
penses. Across all six scenarios, CPPAG assumes a Karachi Interbank Offered Rate (KIBOR) of 11.70%, Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) of 3.98%, US inflation of 2.10%, domestic inflation of 8.20% and National Grid Company (NGC) losses of 2.50%. The projections will undergo Nepra's regulatory review before the revised reference costs are determined for CY27. The estimated power purchase price does not represent the final retail electricity tariff, which will also depend on applicable taxes, duties, subsidies and other tariff components. Stakeholders have been invited to submit comments and objections during the November 3 hearing before the revised tariff framework takes effect in January 2027.
Punjab cabinet approves Rs1.995tr industrial development programme, targets over 162,000 jobs PROFIT STAFF REPORT
The Punjab cabinet has approved the key features of a Rs1.995 trillion industrial development and export promotion programme aimed at generating more than 162,000 jobs, with Rs1.089 trillion expected from the provincial government and Rs906 billion from private investment. The programme, presented by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb during the 37th cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, focuses on industrial development, export promotion, e-commerce, garments, plug-and-play facilities and testing and certification services. The initiative includes testing laboratories for leather, footwear, sports goods, cutlery, ceramics and fans, alongside export financing for horticulture and floriculture. Agricultural processing parks will be established in Sargodha, Khanewal, Okara and Bhakkar, with additional measures covering wheat, meat and dairy value chains, citrus, potatoes, mangoes, tourism and aquaculture. The cabinet also approved horticulture authorities in 20 districts and Rs9.5 billion in subsidies for 10,000 high-powered tractors under Phase V of the Green Tractor Programme. More than 250,000 applications have been received. Another Rs7.6 billion was approved for agricultural development across 10,000 acres in Mankera and Layyah, including drip irrigation, solar power and water storage facilities. Subsidies for 10,000 low-powered tractors under Phase IV were also approved. Under the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar housing programme, the Bank of Punjab will provide 40,000 loans through an allocation of Rs60 billion. Other decisions included operational arrangements for 1,500 electric buses at tehsil level, the establishment of Maryam Nawaz Medical College and
Teaching Hospital in Mianwali, recruitment of school teaching interns and the creation of the University of Punjab's Pothohar Campus in Gujar Khan. The cabinet approved the donation of six Clinic on Wheels vehicles to Gilgit-Baltistan and 15 to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, alongside funding to clear liabilities of the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department. It also approved higher traffic penalties for overspeeding, overloading and other violations under the Punjab Ring Road Authority, and endorsed hosting the 14th South Asian Games. Recruitment restrictions were relaxed for several departments, including the Punjab Social Protection Authority, Border Military Police and Baloch Levies. Recruitment against 79 posts at the Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre, 37 posts at the Punjab Forensic Science Authority and the creation of 70 posts in the Youth Affairs and Sports Department were also approved. The cabinet approved new Special Branch offices in Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan, the conversion of the University of Rasul scheme into a university and medical college, and continuation of the Maryam Nawaz Social Security Ration Card Scheme. A supplementary grant of Rs81.6 million was approved for assistive devices under the Maryam Ko Batain helpline.
Iran tells CDF Munir enriched nuclear material to stay in country CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
IRAN LAUDS PAKISTAN’S EFFORTS TO REDUCE TENSIONS President Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan for its diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions but maintained that Washington must end pressure, threats and sanctions before negotiations could proceed, according to IRNA. “For any negotiations to take place, pressures, threats, and sanctions must first be removed,” the Iranian president said, while accusing Washington of fuelling regional tensions and disrupting activity in the Strait of Hormuz. Pezeshkian also cited attacks on Iran during previous negotiations as evidence of what he described as Washington’s bad faith. In a separate account of Tuesday’s discussions, IRNA reported that senior Iranian officials told Field Marshal Munir that Washington must return to the “Islamabad understanding” and fulfil Tehran’s seven-point conditions. The agency also reported that Field Marshal Munir received Iran’s response to a message from
the Americans, describing Tehran’s response as clear, serious and explicit. However, the summary did not disclose the contents of either message. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said earlier on Tuesday that discussions with Field Marshal Munir would cover negotiations with Washington, while emphasising that the visit was primarily focused on bilateral relations. The talks would “relate to issues concerning the negotiations, but they are mainly focused on bilateral relations and strengthening interactions and cooperation,” he said. Baqaei also warned that a resumption of hostilities could not be ruled out, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding diplomatic efforts. “We live with this possibility day and night, and we cannot rule it out, even as we speak,” he told reporters on Tuesday. BORDER REOPENED Field Marshal Munir also announced that the Pakistan-Iran border had reopened on Tuesday morning after a temporary suspension of trade left cargo stranded at two major crossings.
“We explicitly state that the issues concerning the Iran-Pakistan border have been resolved, and the border has been reopened as of this morning,” IRNA quoted him as saying. Pakistan suspended trade at the Taftan and Gabd-Rimdan crossings in southwestern Balochistan province on Saturday. Provincial officials said the restrictions were intended to address security concerns, curb smuggling and improve border management. The closure disrupted shipments of goods, including liquefied petroleum gas and fresh food, highlighting the impact of border restrictions on cross-border trade and supply chains. Pakistan’s diplomatic mediation is also unfolding amid wider regional security concerns, including attacks this month by Yemen’s Houthi militia against Saudi energy and civilian infrastructure. Islamabad, which has defence agreements with Saudi Arabia, has pledged to support the Kingdom’s security, adding another dimension to Pakistan’s efforts to contain regional tensions while pursuing diplomatic engagement with Tehran and Washington.
Lotte Chemical urges govt to notify industrial tariff as its grid power demand set to triple to 80 MW by July 2027 PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
Lotte Chemical Pakistan Limited (LCPL), renamed as Noventra Limited, has urged the Power Division to urgently notify the proposed two-part industrial electricity tariff, as its combined grid power consumption with Engro Polymer and Chemicals Limited (EPCL) is expected to increase from 26 megawatts (MW) to 80 MW by July 2027, Business Recorder reported. In a communication to the Power Division, Chief Executive Officer Adnan Afridi said the proposed optional multi-tariff, timeof-use mechanism, known as the Two-Part Tariff (TPT), would encourage industrial consumers to shift from captive power generation to the national grid and support investment in manufacturing. Following its acquisition of EPCL, Lotte expects to become Pakistan's largest single industrial grid electricity consumer, with the two companies representing investments exceeding $1 billion and import substitution worth more than $3.2 billion. Lotte, Pakistan's sole producer of purified terephthalic acid (PTA), shifted its entire 26 MW electricity requirement to K-Electric in March 2025 following the introduction of the captive power levy. EPCL, which requires up to 54 MW, continues to rely on captive gas generation because its facility was not originally connected to the grid. Under the proposed transition, EPCL will shift 28 MW of its load to the grid by January 2027, then its full 54 MW by July 2027. Lotte said its existing two 220-kilovolt transmission lines near EPCL's facility could facilitate the connection. Afridi said electricity costs were a major concern for industrial competitiveness, particularly in caustic soda manufacturing, where energy accounts for up to 80% of conversion costs. He noted that PTA production energy costs had increased from $17 per metric tonne in 2022 to $60 in 2026, representing an increase of approximately 250%. Lotte had previously invested $50 million in a 48 MW captive gas turbine because of grid instability but shut it down within three weeks of the captive power levy's introduction in February 2025. The company cited the incremental electricity consumption tariff of Rs22.98 per kilowatt-hour, effective December 2025, and the prime minister's February 2026 relief package as measures supporting its return to grid electricity. However, it maintained that a predictable long-term tariff was necessary to sustain industrial demand and encourage further investment.
04 COMMENT
The fallout from October 7 and the genocide after
Wednesday, 21 October, 2026
Mother’s milk
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Pakistanis blow almost a billion dollars a year on formula milk
HAT mother’s milk is better for the infant does not apply just to humans; it is so for every mammalian species there is. It is not just an unrivalled source of food, but contains the exact amount of vitamins, trace elements and other micronutrients that are essential for the proper growth of an adult mammal. Its effects are not just limited to the time the child is fed by the mother, but extends into the entire lifespan, because breastfeeding is essential for proper brain development, but also enhances natural immunity. Instead, milk formulas are pushed, based on cow’s milk, which not only lacks many of the benefits of the milk of one’s own species, but also induces a tendency to obesity, with all of the ills that flow from this in later life, such as heart disease, joint problems, heightened blood pressure, brain disease, as well as kidney ailments. And for the dubious privilege of ruing an entire future generation, the country paid about $888 billion a year on importing this formula milk, according to experts addressing the 28th biennial conference of the Pakistan Paediatric Association. The pain is worsened by the fact that some healthcare professionals act as shills for the formula companies, putting their professional imprimatur on their marketing tactics. An additional problem is that formula milk is marketed to poor mothers with inadequate education. To stretch the milk powder, some mothers dilute the milk even further, thus depriving the child of the full benefit of what is already an inadequate product. Much could be said about the water, often ponds in rural areas, in which the formula is prepared. True, formula is convenient, and always there, and the mother escapes all the complications of feeding her child. True, there are some times where the mother is unable to feed her child because of no fault of her own, and yes, fosterage, never all that common in the first place, is now almost totally out of fashion. If nothing else, the government must look on it as an economic burden. Some of the disapproval reserved for tea-drinkers should be diverted to mothers who possess a natural resource, but prefer not to use it. Formula tins do carry a health warning, but it is clearly not enough. Punitive tariffs may be considered. Awareness campaigns should also be launched. After all, future generations are at stake.
Attitudes have changed
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WASHINGTON WATCH Dr JAmeS J ZOGby
SRAEL’S three-year-long war on Gaza has had a transformative impact on multiple levels— all relevant to the Israeli-Palestinian arena. Most obvious are the changes in US public opinion. While the views of Americans toward Israel have been souring for more than a decade and a half, the way Israel has conducted the war have both accelerated and deepened this negative trend and given it new content. Going back three decades, polls showed that Americans had very favourable views toward Israel and not so positive views toward the Palestinians. Even with this, pluralities were opposed to the Israeli government’s policies of violating Palestinian human rights and persistent settlement construction in the West Bank. This disconnect between liking Israel but disapproving of their policies deepened among Democrats during the Obama Administration in reaction to its rejection of the President’s insistence that they freeze settlements and Israel’s very public campaign to oppose the US-negotiated Iran nuclear deal. The US partisan split in attitudes toward Israel widened during the first Trump Aministration in reaction to the President’s full embrace of Israel’s prime minister. But even then, Americans’ favourable ratings of Israel remained higher than those of the Palestinians. In the immediate aftermath of Hamas’ shocking 7 October 2023 cross-border assault on Israeli civilians, President Biden offered Israel some important advice. Noting that he understood their pain and shock, he cautioned them not to make the same mistake the USA made after 9/11. In the wake of that terrorist attack, the US had the support of much of the world, but the Bush Administration pushed that opinion aside and instead invaded and occupied Afghanistan and Iraq, taking the lives of hundreds of thousands, costing it support worldwide. Netanyahu ignored Biden’s public appeal and unleashed a ferocious revenge assault on Gaza’s people and infrastructure. Israel’s excessive vio-
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
Security imperatives vs provincial autonomy M. A. Niazi
Babar Nizami
Editor Pakistan Today
Editor Profit
Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
will be administered separately, under the supervision of a secretariat set up by the federal government, with Parliament expected to endorse the measures in days. An emergency is an exceptional order requiring an exceptional performance of duties to explain and deliver, which in turn requires a prompt retreat.
FAISAl Gul SECURITY AND SELF-DETERMINATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA For most families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a debate over the rule of a governor versus the rule of elected representatives is about whether a student gets to walk to their school, or a shopkeeper can open promptly and a cop can return home at night safely. And that is the frame of reference through which to see today’s story line.
A BIG STEP, AND A BIG RESPONSIBILITY President Asif Ali Zardari, on the advice of the prime minister, imposed an emergency and governors’ rule in the province in exercise of his powers under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, shifting powers from the chief minister and cabinet officers to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, who will rule with the guidance and oversight of an 11-member advisory council, and the assistance of the Army. Twelve districts
The best possible outcome is the restoration of a sense of peace and trust, and the return of voters to their proper roles as empowered citizens, as soon as responsibly possible—that’s the standard by which this process should be measured, and what Khyber Pakhtunkhwa deserves.
WHY SECURITY IS A CONCERN The federal government has attributed a 196 percent rise in terrorism incidents in the province in the past two-and-a-half years to the increasing frequency of attacks on police and security establishments, according to analyst Sahibzada Muhammad Usman, who writes in Eurasia Review, pointing to reports showing that 75 percent of attacks so far this year had targeted police and security installations, while drones have also contributed to the concern. Behind those numbers are officers, parents, students, and shopkeepers who are concerned about a life free from the fear of violence. That sentiment is echoed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which had ruled the province until Sunday, which has reminded the country that the sacrifices made by ordinary citizens and police and its workers in the fight against terrorism are appreciated. The issue of restoring a secure province is not in dispute, but methods are.
WHY PROVINCIALAUTONOMY MATTERS Provincial autonomy is not a luxury, per se; an elected body provides a local connection, farmers in Swat and traders in Bannu have someone close to ask questions to, and to hold accountable—and local police officers and lawmakers can take the pulse of the districts and roads in a way that officers thousands of miles away cannot. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi called for the provincial government, administration, and police to be taken into confidence before new security policies were created prior to the imposition of emergency rule. Regardless of
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lence, which has correctly been termed genocide, horrified a wide swath of Americans, transforming attitudes toward Israel and other deeper consequences that flowed from that shift. It is no longer the case that Americans like Israel but disapprove of its policies. Recent polls show Israel has net-negative numbers. In fact, the favourable ratings given to Palestinians are now greater than those given to Israel. And this outlook is most pronounced on the Democratic side, with 80 percent of Democrats holding unfavourable views of Israel. What the polls also clearly demonstrate is not only animus toward Israeli policies but also a pro-Palestinian component that has never before been a factor in US politics. This shift has had political consequences. Early in the conflict, when the Biden Administration would not act to stop Israel’s war, a progressive coalition mobilized not only on college campuses, but also in over 300 cities nationwide which passed ceasefire resolutions. This coalition brought together young people, people of colour, Arabs and Muslims, and progressive Jews. They made their impact felt in the 2024 election with evidence demonstrating that the Democratic campaign most likely lost support because it would not respond to the movement’s appeals for justice. The impact of this coalition has been felt in this year’s congressional votes and elections. In the US Senate, 40 of the 47 Democratic senators voted to block some military supplies to Israel and more than 40 percent of the Democrats in the House of Representatives did the same. And in hotly contested congressional races, more than a dozen pro-Palestinian candidates have won their elections despite being heavily outspent by pro-Israel groups. Another arena in which Israel’s behaviour has had a profound impact is within the American Jewish community. Long assumed (incorrectly) to be in lockstep with the Israeli government, American Jews are now deeply divided. A Washington Post poll showed that Jewish opinion on Israel’s war in Gaza is evenly divided,
while a Jewish Electorate Institute poll has 50 percent of American Jews favoring stopping US aid to Israel and only 40 percent wanting to maintain this aid. The internal debate within the Jewish community goes deeper, with not just younger, politically active, progressive Jews questioning their attachment to Israel and their understanding of Zionism, but older, wizened members of the community publicly speaking out on these issues as well. All of this has caused a near hysterical reaction from the mainstream Jewish establishment, which has felt compelled to fight a rearguard battle to regain lost ground. They are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into efforts to defeat pro-Palestinian candidates, to intensify efforts to have criticism of Israel equated with antisemitism and punished, and to wage a “hasbara” campaign to whitewash Israel’s actions in Gaza. To date, their flailing about— despite causing real pain to some candidates, students, and intracommunal strife— has not succeeded in moving the dial. Their efforts are reminiscent of the story of the little Dutch boy trying in vain to put his finger in the leaking hole in the dyke. The continuing devastation wrought by Israel on Palestinians has resulted in changes that cannot be erased. The writer is President, Arab American Institute
To date, their flailing about— despite causing real pain to some candidates, students, and intra-communal strife— has not succeeded in moving the dial. Their efforts are reminiscent of the story of the little Dutch boy trying in vain to put his finger in the leaking hole in the dyke. The continuing devastation wrought by Israel on Palestinians has resulted in changes that cannot be erased.
how one views the larger political context, such an approach has merit: Policies carry more weight when they are developed with the eyes of those that will enforce them on their districts. Governor Kundi himself said governor’s rule was a possibility of last resort meant to prevent larger damage, and as such, serves as a reminder of what should be a special order, not the new normal, and was an opportunity to make security and self-rule coexist.
HOW TO EARN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE Powers that come with conditions are best employed by those that employ them, with conditions that can be understood. Four things would help. First, prove goals and timelines and meet the expectations of the people, whether that means laying out specific improvements in terms of safety for communities and announcing them loudly to Parliament and the people. Second, invest in protections that work. The Safe City surveillance system covers only Peshawar, while violence continues to plague Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan, is helpful, but adding cameras, anti-drone measures and other tools provides police with more protection. Third, turn to local elders, police chiefs, trade unions, teachers, civic organizations—those who understand what’s unfolding on a day-to-day basis—- and ask for their input. It makes enforcement and credibility easier. Fourth, map out a return to the rule of elections. The sooner it happens, the earlier the voters will experience a restoration of normalcy—a point that all sides agree on, however quietly it may be expressed. Saying it loudly will reduce tensions and reassure voters.
THE YARDSTICK Security and self-creation are not at odds, and a province that feels unprotected cannot provide effective self-rule, while the sense of abandonment can make protection challenging. Federal authorities and the province’s elected representatives serve the same masters: the people. The best possible outcome is the restoration of a sense of peace and trust, and the return of voters to their proper roles as empowered citizens, as soon as responsibly possible—- that’s the standard by which this process should be measured, and what Khyber Pakhtunkhwa deserves. The writer can be faisalkhan112323@gmail.com
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Feminist leadership rising
FEMINIST leadership is not about replacing one form of control with another; it’s about transforming power itself, turning it from domination into collaboration. In Pakistan, this change is long overdue. Although the Constitution guarantees equality, women’s representation in leadership remains minimal. Yet, feminist leadership is emerging at the grassroots level. From Sindh’s community women’s groups demanding healthcare to the Aurat March’s decentralised activism, we see a growing culture of shared leadership grounded in empathy and justice. True feminist leadership rejects tokenism. It insists that women not only participate but also shape decisions. It values listening to lived experiences as much as formal expertise, recognising that leadership built on trust is far more sustainable than authority imposed from above. As Pakistan grapples with inequality, polarisation and climate challenges, feminist leadership offers a vision of inclusivity and dignity. When power is shared, it multiplies and with it grows the possibility of a just and humane society. TALHA IKRAM LAHORE
Lies that go viral
IN today’s digital world, social media platforms have become a primary source of news for millions of people. But often, it is misused to spread fake news and fake information, misleading the younger generation. The spread of fake news can have both personal and academic consequences. In a perfect world, media reports would always be factbased, and you would be able to trust that the media you consume is reliable. But unfortunately, that is mere fantasy. For example, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, a fake news story spread on social media claiming that drinking concentrated alcohol or bleach could kill the virus. Many people started believing this false information and consumed harmful substances, which led to thousands of poisonings and even deaths, especially in countries like Iran and the USA. Therefore, It is very important for people to verify news before sharing it. The government should introduce strict laws against those who spread fake news deliberately to curtail misinformation and harmful consequences. SAMRANA TARIQ TURBAT
Fear of numbers
LEARNING mathematics is a unique challenge in schools. Basic math skills and data analysis are not just for finance or economics but are important for daily life, as they build reasoning, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills. In Pakistan, schools often fail to teach mathematics effectively because they still use outdated methods that only push students toward passing grades. Math anxiety also creates a major obstacle. For example, when asked to solve a problem, many students feel nervous and fear being disrespected by teachers. According to a survey, 67 per cent of teachers reported that their students face problems with math anxiety. Educators must make the subject exciting and engaging. Math education should be practical, responsive and fun to inspire students both in school and at home. To conclude, mathematical contests should be held at the district level, and students must be given platforms to show their mathematical skills. NIDA AZEEM PIDRAK, KECH
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The next threat isn’t at the border Wednesday, 21 October, 2026
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COMMENT 05
What security really should mean Fareed ahmed Khan KaKar
farmer in Balochistan wakes up early and walks to his fields. The water he needs for his crops is no longer there. His harvest shrinks and his income falls. Paying school fees becomes hard. Before long, the family starts talking about leaving the village and moving to a city in search of work. Hundreds of miles away in Sindh, another family is facing a different kind of loss. Floods have washed away their home, their livestock and the small business that fed them. They are starting again with almost nothing. Neither family has faced an armed attack. Yet both are living through a crisis that could change their future and the stability of the communities around them. This may be where Pakistan’s next security challenge begins. For many years, national security in Pakistan has centred on protecting borders, keeping the armed forces ready and guarding against threats from outside. This work has served the country well and remains essential. But the meaning of security is growing. Today, a country is also secure when its people, its communities and its economy can stay stable in hard times. Water shortages, climate change, food insecurity, disease, energy gaps and economic stress are no longer only questions of development. They are becoming questions of security as well. This wider view is known as non-traditional security. It accepts that threats do not only come from hostile forces. They can also grow out of weak points in the systems that keep people alive, healthy and working. A country can have a strong defence and still be at risk if its people cannot get clean water, affordable food, steady electricity and basic healthcare. Real security means protecting both the state and the people who live in it. Pakistan has already seen what this looks like. According to the World Bank and its partners, the floods of 2022 affected around 33 million people. They caused more than $30 billion in damage and economic losses and left reconstruction needs of over $16 billion. Homes, roads, farmland and livestock were destroyed. Millions of people were forced from their homes and lost their means of earning a living. A single climate disaster turned into a national economic crisis. It put heavy pressure on public finances and slowed the pace of development for years. Water is another serious concern. Farming still provides jobs and income for mil-
lions of Pakistanis, especially in rural areas. But farming depends on reliable water, working canals and weather that farmers can plan around. When water runs short, crops fail, rural incomes fall and food prices can rise in towns and cities alike. Poor families feel this first, because most of what they earn is spent on basic needs. In this way, water is closely linked to food, poverty and the health of the wider economy. If these pressures keep building, they can widen the gap between regions and increase competition over resources that are already limited. Climate change makes all of this harder. Heatwaves make outdoor work slower and more dangerous. Floods break roads, bridges and power lines. Uneven rainfall makes it difficult for farmers and local officials to plan ahead. Balochistan shows clearly why these issues matter. Many families there rely on farming, livestock and local trade. Some districts have limited access to water, healthcare and jobs. One long drought or one destructive flood can hurt household income, children’s schooling, public health and the local economy all at once. Balochistan has great potential, and protecting that potential means making resilience a central part of public policy. None of this means that every social or environmental problem should be treated as a security emergency. Nor should it become a reason for more state control over ordinary civilian life. What Pakistan needs is a practical approach that links security planning with economic growth, public services and disaster preparedness. The aim is simple. Small problems should be dealt with early, before they grow into large crises. The first step is to plan for climate and water risks from the start. Every development project should be judged not only by its economic return but also by whether it can withstand floods, extreme heat and water shortages. Infrastructure that breaks down in every major disaster cannot deliver lasting benefits. Roads, dams, canals, hospitals and
schools should be designed, built and maintained with local climate risks in mind. A slightly higher cost today can prevent much larger losses tomorrow. The second step is to manage water more carefully. Repairing canals, improving irrigation, encouraging water-saving farming methods and keeping track of groundwater use can all ease the pressure on limited supplies. Provinces can work more closely together, and local water bodies can be given the tools and skills they need. Communities must also be part of the effort. Saving water works best when people have practical choices and clear benefits, not only rules to follow. The third step is to warn people early and respond quickly. Weather forecasts and satellite data are only useful when warnings reach families in time and officials know exactly what to do next. District administrations should hold regular drills, mark safe evacuation routes and keep emergency supplies
ready. Schools, hospitals and community groups should be included in these plans, since they are often the first places people turn to in a crisis. Every rupee spent on preparation can save lives and many more rupees later. The fourth step is to make people’s security part of economic policy. Social protection programmes should be able to reach families quickly when floods, droughts or a sudden loss of income strike. Rural jobs, skills training and support for small businesses help communities recover faster. Young people, who make up a large share of the population, can be trained in climate-smart farming, renewable energy, water management and disaster response. This creates new jobs while making the whole country better prepared for the shocks ahead. The fifth step is to build a shared national framework for non-traditional security. Federal ministries, provincial governments, research institutions and local authorities need to share information and be clear about who
The farmer with a dry field and the family rebuilding after a flood will rarely appear in a security briefing. Yet their stories say a great deal about the country’s long-term stability. Security begins long before a threat reaches the border. It begins with steady incomes, clean water, affordable food, strong infrastructure and institutions that act early. Pakistan’s next security crisis may never cross a border at all.
is responsible for what. Security assessments could regularly track signals such as water availability, food prices, disaster risk and access to basic services. These signals would show policymakers which districts are most at risk, so that help arrives before an emergency rather than after it. Pakistan must stay alert to traditional threats. At the same time, it needs to watch the risks that can grow quietly inside its own social and economic foundations. A strong country is not only one that can defend its land. It is also one that can protect people’s livelihoods, keep essential services running and recover quickly when disaster strikes. The farmer with a dry field and the family rebuilding after a flood will rarely appear in a security briefing. Yet their stories say a great deal about the country’s long-term stability. Security begins long before a threat reaches the border. It begins with steady incomes, clean water, affordable food, strong infrastructure and institutions that act early. Pakistan’s next security crisis may never cross a border at all. It may begin quietly, in a dry field, a flooded village or a home that can no longer afford the basics of life.
Fareed Ahmed Khan Kakar is a Research Associate at the Centre of Excellence for CPEC, Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives Govt. of Pakistan. His work focuses on national security, Balochistan’s development and Pakistan-China cooperation. He can be reached at fareedkakar@pide.org.pk.
Is this the beginning of the end of Indian democracy? Yogendra Yadav is an activist and political scientist, and the national convener of Bharat Jodo Abhiyaan, a civil-society group that was established to protect Indian democracy.
NEW YORKER
Isaac chotIner
What has made the past several days of protests different from previous protests against the Modi government? What is different above all is the participation of youth unaffiliated with any organization or any ideology. The sporadic protests in the past were primarily sectoral. This one is cross-sectional, in that it cuts across geographies. It cuts across social boundaries. And it specifically attracts the youth. It also, in many ways, cuts across political boundaries, in that the protesters are not necessarily from anti-B.J.P. backgrounds. In fact, what worries the B.J.P. most is that a very significant proportion of the protesters come from families that have supported Mr. Modi for quite some time. These are middle-class, upper-caste youths, who have been bastions for the B.J.P.
You mentioned the middle-class and upper-caste identity of many of the protesters. Is there a concern that the protests are too focussed on the concerns of people with these identities? No. I should clarify what I said. What I said was that the protests include middle-class and upper-caste youth, who were almost entirely absent in the past. It does not mean that it’s dominated by the so-called middle-class and upper-caste protesters. In fact, it so happens that one of the key leaders of the youth protest from the Cockroach Janta Party, whose name is Abhijeet Dipke, is a Dalit, which is to say ex-Untouchable. And his being a Dalit has actually insured significant participation from the Dalit community. If you look at the participation of the youth on the streets, it includes people from the middle to the lowest rung of the lower middle class.
Can you talk about the voter-roll issue and how it is motivating people? In the case of the current protests, the behavior of the chief election commissioner, the functioning of the election commission, and the disenfranchisement exercise called the special intensive revision (S.I.R.) are again acting as triggers for much wider anxiety, anger, and dissatisfaction with the regime. Now, specifically on the S.I.R.: By sheer numbers, this is one of the largest-ever exercises of disenfranchisement in the history of the world.
Can you explain specifically what has been done?
This exercise, which is called S.I.R., pretends to be a routine revision of electoral rules. But, under the guise of this routine procedure, an extraordinary mechanism has been launched, which has completely inverted the structure of voter registration in India, and disenfranchised millions of voters. In recent history, India has been a country where voter registration is state-initiated. The burden is not on the individual. So, someone comes to your house, puts you on the voters list, does physical verification, and you’re on the voters list. This version of the S.I.R. shifted the onus. For the first time in the history of India, you were required to fill out a form and submit it by a certain date, within a month. If you did not, you were automatically off the voters list. This has never happened in India before. In India, if you were already on the voters list, then you continue to be on the voters list unless you are removed or unless you are dead. Now, even if you had been on the voters-list board for the last fifty years, it carried no weight. You had to register yourself afresh. Another thing is that India is a country with very poor documentation of citizenship. The government of India has never issued anything like a citizenship certificate to any citizen, ever. Historically, electoral-roll registration was based on a presumption of citizenship. If you lived in India, you were presumed to be a citizen unless someone could give evidence that you were not. The S.I.R. exercise completely overturned that assumption. Now the presumption is that you are not an Indian, unless you certify that you are an Indian. This is almost an invitation to disenfranchisement, especially for the poor and the undocumented.
What do we know about the people who have been kicked off the voter rolls, and why the government may have wanted them kicked off? The number of people removed has been reported at a hundred and thirty million. That number is the current estimate, which is likely to change. It is because we know that this is the draft stage, and in each state after the draft stage, the figures go down. So, my suspicion is that it’ll come down to something like a hundred and fifteen million. Now, this is a hundred and fifteen million people who were already on the voter rolls, and whose names have been deleted. The simple figure we should look at is the number of missing voters. For the adult population of India, the government’s official estimate of the adult population is 1.03 billion. When the S.I.R. started, the number of voters was said to be 995 million. It will now be down to something like 880 million. So that is about a 150-million deficit. In 2024, for example, the deficit between those two numbers was less than ten million. So now you see it is more than ten
times that, and that is the real scandal. Now, to your question about what we know about their characteristics: Is it that all the hundred and fifty million were deliberately chosen on the basis of their politics? No, that’s not the case. We are dealing with two types of exclusions. One is structural, and the other is political and targeted. The structural exclusions are that the moment you shift the onus for voter registration onto the people, and say that, unless you submit documents, your name is out. We know from all over the world that this will always disenfranchise the poor, the less educated, and, especially in India, migrants. These are the people who are likely to suffer the most. This does not necessarily mean that all of them are non-B.J.P. voters, but we do know that, given the over-all pattern of voting in India, the B.J.P. tends to do a little worse among the less privileged sections of society. So, if their votes are disproportionately cut out, then, on balance, it’ll work slightly to the B.J.P.’s advantage. We also know that women are deleted more often for this structural reason. India has had a problem of low gender ratio in population, and our gender ratio for voter lists has been even lower than that. And the Election Commission has made efforts to improve it. However, the S.I.R. has reversed that process, and we know that in almost every single state where the S.I.R. has happened, the gender ratio in the electoral rolls has dropped substantially. The second thing is targeted voter deletion. When we look at targeted deletions, which have not happened in all states, but which have happened in a few places, the deletions are excessively targeted at Muslims. Those are clearly the target of the B.J.P., as the B.J.P. does not expect to get votes from them. And so the whole point is to reduce the proportion of Muslim voters as much as you can.
Yes, and you mentioned the Citizenship Amendment Act earlier, which was an attempt by the Modi government, in a previous Modi term, to do something similar. Yes, the intent has always been there. The C.A.A. was not actually about removing Muslims from the voters list. It was about preventing foreigners who are Muslims from coming into India. The latest attempt by the Modi government is clearly targeting those who are in India and are on the voters list. The sharpest example of that comes from West Bengal, which recently had an assembly election that the B.J.P. was very desperate to win. Bengal is twenty-seven per cent Muslim— We should also say that West Bengal is a state that, for a long time, has been pretty hostile to the B.J.P., right? Yeah. So, the B.J.P. was quite desperate
The deletions are excessively targeted at Muslims
to get in there. And the only way it could do so was to reduce the share of the Muslim population, which, of course, it can’t. So what about throwing them off the voters list? This is what the S.I.R. was used for in Bengal, and the B.J.P. won. All kinds of deletions took place, but the most controversial was a deletion of 2.7 million voters. We know the number of Muslim voters deleted was extremely disproportionate. So clearly the point was to reduce the Muslim population, and thus the political power of Muslims in Bengal’s voters list, and the B.J.P. has succeeded at that.
I know you’ve done some work on polling, but it’s shocking to me how few polls there are in India. Still, based on the limited polling data we do have from international groups, Modi has been consistently popular over the past twelve years. I don’t have any reason to doubt that. But do we have any idea about how these protests have affected the government’s popularity? I mean, you could point to the results of recent state elections, but it seems like the state elections can’t entirely be trusted either. All I have are guesses and no more. As someone who did polling for twenty years, I made sure I spent time on the street, speaking to ordinary people, in addition to randomized scientific surveys. Today, we don’t have those polls, but I am still on the ground and gathering a sense of how people feel. So, based on that, I can see that this has definitely, definitely led to some very serious erosion in the B.J.P.’s popularity, as well as Mr. Modi’s personal popularity, and every action of the B.J.P. confirms that. The B.J.P. definitely has access to decent-quality survey data. They know that support is eroding. This is why they are taking the kind of steps that they are taking. Do we have some data to back it up? Unfortunately not. I mean, most of the opinion polls are focussed only on elections. You were on the ground in Delhi. Can you just talk briefly about what happened? There was no formal curfew, but it was a curfew-like situation. If the police spotted three young people walking, they would just grab them, put them in a police van, and
drive away. I was there with this person called Neha Bora, who has emerged as a youth icon, and is from a left-wing student organization, as well as Prashant Bhushan, a leading anti-corruption activist and lawyer. We gathered suddenly, and before the police could reach us, we all managed to start walking. There was one barricade, and the students threw it off. The second barricade they dodged. And so we managed to walk about two kilometres in about forty-five minutes or maybe an hour before we were finally blocked by a massive barricade. We sat down there, protested there, and the police very brutally picked us up one by one. I was one of them. I was in the middle of the crowd. Suddenly, four police officers started dragging me. And I asked them, Why? Obviously, they had no answer. They dragged me, pulled me, and shoved me into a bus, only to realize that they had shoved me into the wrong bus. Then they pulled me out of the bus, and they shoved me into a police van. And that’s not very different from what happened to thousands and thousands of protesters. Then, at 9 P.M., I was driven to the remotest corner of Delhi and released without any formal arrest, without any formal charge, without being told why I was released. I want to end by asking you about your feeling that the government is responding in such a way in part because they may be scared. Well, they are authoritarian by their temperament, yes. They don’t like any dissent, yes. But the proportionality of it, or the disproportionality of it, is astonishing, even by their own standards. And, to my mind, this has to do with the fact that the protests concern an institution which is key to their continuation in power. There is this Indian fable of a king whose heart resided in a parrot. This meant that no matter what you did to kill the king, the king would be unaffected, because his life actually resided in the parrot. That’s a fable being talked about in India again and again. The election commission happens to be that parrot. And anything that touches the parrot is touching the king.
06 NEWS
TRUMP WARNS KANSANS THAT US WILL 'BURN' LIKE FRANCE IF DEMOCRATS WIN
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WASHINGTON AGENCIES
NITED States President Donald Trump on Monday used violent unrest in France as an argument against Democrats in his battle to defend a Kansas Senate seat long held by Republicans but in danger of falling to his political opponents. Trump's rally on behalf of Republican incumbent Roger Marshall was his latest foray into conservative states where Republican candidates are on defence due to voter frustrations over the Iran war and rising prices. "I love you Kansas, but I'm here for a guy named Roger Marshall," Trump said.\ In a new addition to his stump speech, Trump pointed to widespread protests in France as a scenario that could erupt in the US unless Republicans win. He provided no evidence. France in recent days has seen some of the worst unrest in years as huge protests
over the cost of living and underfunded public services descended into riots and looting. Trump himself has struggled to make goods and services more affordable in the US. In his speech, Trump turned to anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric, the type that he used to fuel his three presidential campaigns. "We're not going to let that happen to this country," he said. "When you see burning steeples and raging fires in France, just remember that is what the radical Dumocrats want to do to America." Trump has been mocking Democrats by calling them Dumocrats. Rights advocates have repeatedly criticised Trump for his rhetoric over the years in which he has targeted and mocked immigrants and ethnic minority groups. Civil rights groups say such rhetoric normalises discriminatory attitudes towards those communities. KANSAS COMPETITION Kansas, a conservative Midwestern state Trump won by 16 points in 2024, has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate in 94 years. First-term Senator Marshall is in a
close fight with Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton, pastor of a Methodist megachurch, who is running against Trump’s tariff agenda and what he calls the president's “erratic leadership.” “He wants you to repent for being born
White,” Trump said of Hamilton. Marshall, in remarks to the rally, led his campaign argument on cultural issues like stopping "radical Islam." He called Hamilton "too woke" for Kansas because he supports gay pride parades, which the crowd loudly
Wednesday, 21 October 2026 | ISLAMABAD
booed. "We need someone who can sort heifers and steers," he said. In response, Hamilton's campaign spokesperson called Marshall's campaign "sinking." "Nothing said at the rally can distract from the fact Kansans are being crushed by rising gas and diesel prices, struggling to access affordable healthcare, and are tired of Washington corruption," the spokesperson, Tyson Brody, said. In a Monday video, Hamilton welcomed Trump to the state and said his supporters have “a place” in his campaign. Hamilton said he will work with Trump when it makes sense and stand up for Kansans when Washington policies hurt farmers and rural hospitals. The tightness of the race is emblematic of the challenges looming for Republicans in the November 3 midterm elections as they try to defy political headwinds and retain control of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Trump is deep into a 32-day campaign blitz, frequently going to friendly areas that he won handily in previous elections.
China vows fresh policy measures to support growth BEIJING
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
China will work with relevant departments to expand domestic demand with greater force and more effective measures, said its top economic planner on Tuesday. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is drafting a new strategic implementation plan to expand domestic demand for the 2026-2030 period and will accelerate its release, Zuo Gang, a senior official at the NDRC in charge of economic planning, said at a press conference in Beijing. More efforts will be made to vigorously boost consumption, Zuo said. Zuo specified that the authorities will allocate a greater share of public service spending to fiscal expenditures, strengthen inclusive policies that directly reach consumers, and promote the expansion and upgrading of goods consumption, including new energy
vehicles and smart products. The push comes as consumption shows signs of steady improvement. Total retail sales of goods and services rose 2.6% year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2026, with retail sales of services growing faster than goods and new forms of consumption continuing to emerge, according to official data. Final consumption expenditure contributed
Alberta votes by large majority to remain part of Canada in boost for Carney OTTAWA
AGENCIES
Alberta residents voted by a large majority to remain part of Canada in the province's first-ever referendum on separation, handing Prime Minister Mark Carney a much-needed win as he attempts to unify the country amid a trade war with the US. At 5:45am (1145 GMT) on Tuesday, with three-quarters of the votes counted, 76% of Albertans had backed the "remain" side versus 24% in favour of a binding vote on separation. The referendum was nonbinding. "Albertans made a clear choice," Carney said in a statement. "They chose unity, to build together, and to take care of each other." "Canada is greater than the sum of its parts," he said. Pollsters and analysts had dismissed the possibility of a separatist victory in Monday's vote, citing data that showed only about one-third of residents in the western energy-producing province supported a future referendum on leaving. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who announced the referendum in May, issued a statement saying she was "very pleased" that early results showed widespread support for remaining in Canada. Smith said she would address Albertans at 6:45pm on Tuesday to discuss "where our province goes from here." A small but vocal group of separatists has campaigned for months for an independent Alberta, arguing that the province's energy wealth was subsidising poorer parts of Canada and that it would be far richer freed from Ottawa bureaucracy. Last week, Carney told a rally in Calgary that voting to leave Canada would be "a dangerous bluff that will lead to years of deep division". CARNEY SEEKS TO REDUCE CANADA'S DEPENDENCE ON US There was no immediate reaction to the vote's outcome from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly talked about the United States annexing Canada. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, discussing Alberta in January, said: "I think we should let them come down into the US."
more to overall economic growth during the January–September period. To enhance the effectiveness of existing policies, the NDRC pledged to accelerate the construction of major projects under the 15th Five-Year Plan and the "Six Networks" initiative. The commission will streamline preliminary work for projects not yet under construction, improve approval efficiency, and coordinate
the accelerated deployment of new policy-based financial instruments. In a move to stimulate private investment, China will introduce private capital into major nuclear, hydropower, and water conservancy projects. The NDRC also outlined plans to advance a comprehensive overhaul of aging reservoirs and upgrade high-standard grain warehouses. On the incremental policy front, the NDRC said it will focus on implementing recently announced measures to ensure they take effect swiftly. These include cutting the interest rate on Pledged Supplementary Lending (PSL), increasing central bank relending quotas, offering subsidies on residential mortgage interest rates, and providing financial support for the services sector. The planner added that it will strengthen economic monitoring and policy reserves, and is prepared to introduce new stimulus measures as needed to keep the economy operating within a reasonable range.
Türkiye submits Makkah defence pact to parliament for ratification, sources say ANKARA
AGENICES
Türkiye has submitted a defence pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to parliament for ratification, three parliamentary sources said on Tuesday, moving NATO's second-largest army closer to a formal mutual defence pledge with Riyadh as it faces Houthi attacks. The three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in August, under which an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The agreement's first article says the parties shall use "all necessary means" to eliminate threats to one another's territorial integrity, sovereignty or internationally recognised borders, according to a text seen by Reuters. "In the event one of the parties is subjected to an armed attack or military aggression by another country or group of countries, the parties shall immediately provide assistance to the party under attack, utilising the full range of mutual assistance measures available to them," Article 2 of the agreement says. The provision, similar to NATO's Article 5, refers to Article 51 of the UN Charter, which covers the individual or collective right of states to self-defence against armed attack. The three countries "will decide on the scope and nature of the support to be provided following an ob-
jective assessment of the assistance required" and will cooperate within their available resources, including military capabilities and resources, the same article says. At an emergency meeting of the alliance in Riyadh earlier this month, the three countries agreed to ensure the "rapid deployment" of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia. Türkiye, which has a robust defence industry, has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, expressed willingness to help meet Riyadh's military technology needs and agreed to join a Saudiled coalition to ensure navigational safety in the Red Sea. The agreement also envisages close cooperation on defence industry, intelligence sharing, logistical support and the fight against "all means of terrorism," including at the operational level.
Parliamentary ratification is required for Türkiye to formally approve the agreement. AIM TO “STRENGTHEN COLLECTIVE DETERRENCE” Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, currently visiting Kyrgyzstan, will refer the agreement to parliament's foreign affairs commission upon his return, two of the sources said. The contents and details of the agreement are expected to become public once it is submitted to the commission. The commission could debate the agreement as early as Friday, another source said. President Tayyip Erdogan's communications director, Burhanettin Duran, said that Turkiye's recent step marked an important milestone towards the institutionalisation of strategic cooperation between the three nations.
KARACHI: Former world squash champion Jahangir Khan and Sindh Squash Association President Adnan Asad pose for a group photograph with players participating in the Venus ABC Open International Squash Championship.
UAF, guard agriculture sign loI to advance hybrid wheat research in Pakistan LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Guard Agricultural Research & Services (Pvt) Ltd have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to collaborate on research, development, evaluation and potential commercialisation of hybrid wheat in Pakistan, aiming to strengthen industry-academia linkages and develop climate-resilient agricultural solutions. Under the three-year framework, the two institutions will combine UAF’s expertise in wheat genetics, breeding, agronomy and scientific research with Guard Agriculture’s experience in seed technology, research and development, and the commercialisation of hybrid wheat, according to the document. Shahzad Ali Malik, Chief Executive of Guard Agriculture, and UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfikar Ali signed the document on behalf of their respective organisations in the presence of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Ali Hussam Asghar. The collaboration will focus on developing and evaluating hybrid wheat breeding material, assessing promising combinations across multiple locations, and testing disease resistance, grain quality and adaptability to different growing conditions. The agreement also envisages research on trait mobilisation for climate-resilient hybrid wheat, alongside capacity building through training programmes, workshops, field demonstrations and exchanges involving technical personnel and students.
K-Electric staffer injured in firing incident in Mehmoodabad KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
An extremely unfortunate incident of firing at KElectric staff who were on duty was reported in Mehmoodabad. One injured employee is being provided medical assistance, says K-Electric spokesperson. K-Electric management is in constant contact with the injured employee’s family and is extending all possible support, says KElectric spokesperson. The incident has been reported to law enforcement agencies. K-Electric is extending its full cooperation in investigating the incident and establishing the motive behind it, says K-Electric spokesperson. K-Electric considers the safety of its field staff a top priority and strongly condemns the attack on its personnel while on duty. Strict legal action will be pursued against those involved, says K-Electric spokesperson.
Wang Yi highlights trust, friendship, cooperation, partnership on Eurasia tour SOFIA
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday offered a four-point summary of his justconcluded Eurasia tour, highlighting the importance of trust, friendship, cooperation and partnership in addressing global challenges and advancing international relations. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while jointly meeting the press with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova after their talks in Sofia, the Bulgarian capital. Wang said he was glad to visit Bulgaria, during which he met with President Iliana Iotova, Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Poulev, and held comprehensive and in-depth exchanges with Petrova, reaching broad consensus. Both sides agreed that Bulgaria's development has ushered in new hope, and that
China-Bulgaria strategic cooperation faces new opportunities, Wang said. China is ready to work with Bulgaria to seize the opportunities and act as strategic partners in development and revitalization, Eurasian connectivity, and the upholding of multilateralism, so as to promote the upward and sound development of China-Europe relations through more proactive, practical and dynamic China-Bulgaria relations, he added. During his Eurasia tour, Wang, as special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended the Seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), and paid visits to Azerbaijan, Croatia, Montenegro and Bulgaria. Wang said the world today is intertwined with chaos and changes, and the biggest problem it faces is the deficit of trust. From the Ukraine crisis to the Middle East conflict, resolving conflicts requires trust, and building trust requires communication, he added. As a responsible major country, China has always worked for peace, Wang said.
During the CICA summit, he held separate talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, met with representatives of other Middle Eastern countries, and heard Balkan leaders' views on the Ukraine crisis and the regional situation. Wang noted that the clear message China conveyed to all parties was to remain confident and persistent, pursue dialogue and consultation, show mutual understanding and accommodation, rebuild trust and work together for peace. China will always stand on the right side of history, fulfill its responsibilities as a major country in bridging the trust deficit and resolving crises and conflicts, and play its due role, he added. Wang said that Silk Road relics in Azerbaijan bear witness to the millennium-long friendship between the Chinese and Azerbaijani peoples. Marco Polo, a household name in China, was born in what is now Croatia. The song "Bella Ciao," sung at the Tara River Bridge in Montenegro, evokes fond memories for a generation of Chinese peo-
ple. The first Confucius Institute and the first Chinese Cultural Center in the Balkans were both established in Bulgaria. Wang also said he was delighted to learn that contestants from Montenegro had won the global championship of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition three times.
He noted that these friendly exchanges across time and distance carry forward the spirit of the ancient Silk Road and are vivid practices of mutual learning among civilizations on the Eurasian continent. Such valuable friendships should be given new contemporary meaning and continuously carried forward, Wang added.
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Wednesday, 21 October 2026 | ISLAMABAD
CORPORATE CORNER
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Celebrates Five Years of Patakha Pictures with 2026 ‘Claim Frame’ Fellows
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy celebrated five years of Patakha Pictures, an initiative of SOC Films dedicated to nurturing Pakistan’s next generation of documentary filmmakers, at a special event in Karachi that also spotlighted the eight women filmmakers selected for the 2026 edition of its filmmaking mentorship and funding programme, Claim the Frame.Since its launch in 2022, Patakha Pictures has supported 76 emerging filmmakers, whose work has collectively received more than 22 awards and screened at over 100 film festivals worldwide. Presented in partnership with the British Council and the Scottish Documentary Institute, Claim the Frame marks the eighth cycle of the programme, bringing together eight women filmmakers from Punjab, Sindh and GilgitBaltistan in four creative pairs. Their documentaries explore women breaking barriers in traditionally male spaces, climate change and child marriage, survival and artistic tradition in Cholistan, and generations of women providing healthcare in one of Pakistan’s most remote valleys.Speaking about the programme, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Founder, Patakha Pictures, said, “Five years of Patakha Pictures have reaffirmed a fundamental belief: talent is universal, but opportunity is not.
LAAM Fashion Week Season 2 Unveils Designer Line-Up, Expanded Runway Programming LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
LAAM Fashion Week (LFW) has unveiled the designer and brand line-up for its second edition, taking place in Lahore from 23–26 October 2026, alongside its key programming, partners and creative team for the four-day fashion platform. Co-created by LAAM and Design651, LAAM Fashion Week was launched as Pakistan’s first runway-to-e-tail fashion platform, bringing together the breadth of the country’s fashion ecosystem while connecting physical runway showcases with digital discovery, access and commerce. Season 2 builds on the scale of the LAAM ecosystem, with 5 million+ app downloads, 25 million+ active users and the trust of 6 million+ shoppers worldwide. Bringing together 4,000+ active brands and designers and 250,000+ active products, LAAM has delivered to 1,200+ cities worldwide, with a social media reach of 600 million+. This year, LFW expands its platform further, with 43 shows, bringing together over 50 established fashion labels, independent designers, contemporary and high-street labels, manufacturing and retail-ready brands, and emerging talent within one Fashion Week ecosystem. Speaking about Season 2, Arif Iqbal, Co-Founder & CEO, LAAM, said, “LAAM’s mission is to showcase the best of Pakistani fashion to the world.
Binance Launches Qafila 2026 as Young Pakistani Users Drive Digital Finance Adoption
ABU DHABI, UAE STAFF REPORT
Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and number of registered users, announced today Qafila 2026, a regional initiative bringing eligible users across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan together to celebrate their shared financial journey and explore a broader range of digital financial tools. With US$1 million in USDC rewards, Qafila reflects Binance’s commitment to evolving alongside its community as users’ needs extend across trading, earning, payments, learning and access to global financial markets. Qafila launches against a backdrop of growing digital financial participation in the region, as new Binance user data highlights the rising influence of Gen Z and broader adoption of digital financial services across MENA and Pakistan. Young users aged 18–29, representing the adult Gen Z demographic, account for 50% of Binance’s user base across MENA and Pakistan.
CM MARYAM ANNOUNCES LAPTOPS FOR TOP STUDENTS, FIVE BUSES FOR KINNAIRD COLLEGE
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PUNJAB CM VOWS EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN, SAYS HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED LAHORE
SALEEM JADOON
UNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday announced laptops for positionholding students and five buses for Kinnaird College for Women, reaffirming her government’s commitment to expanding educational and employment opportunities for women and ensuring their greater participation in the workforce. Addressing the 89th convocation of Kinnaird College, the chief minister congratulated the graduating students, their parents and faculty members, describing every girl present at the ceremony as “a complete story of success”. She said the provincial government was determined to reach every household and ensure that every child had access to education, irrespective of their financial circumstances. Acknowledging the additional challenges women face in pursuing their ambitions, Maryam observed that society often judged men’s and women’s professional aspirations by different standards. “When a boy works hard, people say he wants to get ahead. When a girl works hard, they say she is only concerned about herself,” she said, urging women to become empowered, remain determined and prove their capabilities through hard work.
The chief minister said she balanced her official responsibilities with domestic duties, emphasising that women should not be discouraged from pursuing professional careers by the expectation that doing so might lead them to neglect their homes. She said providing a conducive and safe environment for women was the government’s responsibility, adding that she had worked over the past three years to make Punjab a more women-friendly province. Expressing pleasure at seeing young women riding scooters and rickshaws and participating in the workforce, Maryam said women were no less capable than men. She recalled a video of a
student who attended university in the morning and worked as an Uber driver in the evening, citing it as an example of women's determination and ability to pursue their ambitions. CEREMONY OPENED IN ACCORDANCE WITH TRADITION Chairman of the Board of Governors Bishop Alexander John Malik formally opened the ceremony in accordance with tradition. The event commenced with the arrival of flag-bearing students, accompanied by the college anthem. In his address, Bishop Alexander John Malik described Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif as a role model
Tribunal rules in Azma Bokhari’s favour, orders Moeen Qureshi to pay Rs3m LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has won a defamation case against Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Moeen Riaz Qureshi, with the Lahore Defamation Tribunal ordering him to pay Rs3 million in damages to the provincial minister over unsubstantiated allegations made during a television programme. Bokhari had filed a defamation suit against Moeen Riaz Qureshi under the Defamation Act, seeking Rs84 million in damages over remarks he made during a television programme. The case was brought before the Lahore Defamation Tribunal.
During the programme, Moeen Qureshi had alleged that Bokhari arranged for 150 to 200 paid individuals to enter the Punjab Assembly during the visit of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister. He had also claimed that journalists who questioned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi were paid employees of Azma Bokhari.
Labourers’ prosperity key to Pakistan’s development: Ch Salik
Rejecting the allegations as entirely false and fabricated, Bokhari described them as a malicious attempt to damage her reputation and subsequently initiated legal proceedings against Moeen Qureshi. During the proceedings, Bokhari was represented by her counsel, Ali Bokhari, who presented arguments before the tribunal. According to the tribunal, Moeen Qureshi acknowledged that he had made the statements during the television programme but failed to produce evidence to substantiate the allegations. The tribunal further observed that the arguments advanced by his counsel had also failed to establish that Bokhari’s claim was unfounded.
4th Pakistan Marketing Day Summit 2026 Concludes in Lahore
LAHORE TAXILA STAFF REPORT
Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain has said that the welfare of workers, protection of their rights and provision of quality education to their children are among the government’s top priorities.“Respect for the worker is respect for Pakistan. When labourers prosper, Pakistan prospers,” the Federal Minister said while addressing the Foundation Stone laying ceremony of Labour Complex Phase-II in Taxila.The ceremony was attended by Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Ahmed Malik, Member of the Provincial Assembly Mohsin Ayub Khan, former MPA Haji Malik Umar Farooq, Secretary Workers Welfare Fund Zulfiqar Ahmed, Central Information Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Ghulam Mustafa Malik, President Federal Capital Rizwan Sadiq, President Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Intikhab Khan Chamkani, board members, senior officials and representatives of political and social circles.Chaudhry Salik Hussain said that the total approved cost of Labour Complex Phase-II.
STAFF REPORT
The 4th Pakistan Marketing Day Summit 2026, organised by Marketing Associates and Professionals Pakistan (MAP Pakistan), concluded successfully at the Royal Palm Golf & Country Club, Lahore, bringing together leading marketing professionals, business executives, industry experts and thought leaders from across the country.Under the theme “Marketing with Purpose. Leading with Impact,” the Summit provided a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas, sharing professional experiences and exploring emerging trends shaping the future of marketing and business leadership in Pakistan.The proceedings began with a welcome address by Dr. Shahid A. Zia, Chairman PMD, followed by an overview of MAP Pakistan’s journey, vision and objectives by Tariq Asmat, CEO of MAP Pakistan. Zaki Aijaz, Regional Chairman of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), attended as the Chief Guest and highlighted the importance of marketing in strengthening businesses and promoting sustainable economic growth.The Summit featured insightful sessions on key areas of contemporary marketing.
DIG Islamabad Holds Open Court, Directs Prompt Redressal of Citizens’ Complaints
ISLAMABAD: According to the details, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Islamabad Ali Waseem held an open court at his office, which was attended by a large number of citizens. He listened to their complaints and concerns in detail and issued on-the-spot directions to the concerned officers for their prompt resolution.DIG Islamabad Ali Waseem stated that the timely resolution of citizens’ issues on merit is a top priority of Islamabad Police. He added that citizens can attend the open court directly and present their complaints without any recommendation or reference.An open court is held daily at the DIG Office to facilitate citizens and ensure the timely redressal of their grievances. STAFF REPORT
for women and appreciated her initiatives, particularly those aimed at empowering women and supporting female students. Principal Kinnaird College Iram Anjum welcomed the chief minister. Maryam Nawaz awarded gold medals and degrees to position-holding BS and MPhil students and presented awards to faculty members in recognition of their outstanding teaching and research services. Heads of academic departments formally confirmed the degrees awarded to the students. The ceremony witnessed a heartwarming moment when the chief minister showed affection to a special student who received a gold medal, drawing resounding applause from the audience. She also congratulated the parents of the medal-winning students on their daughters’ achievements. Kinnaird College students presented a special song, “Pak Watan Teri Dharti Maa Jaisi”, during the convocation. The college head girl also welcomed the chief minister on behalf of the students and shared her views. NO TOLERANCE FOR HARASSMENT, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN The Punjab chief minister made it clear that harassment and violence against women would not be tolerated in the province, saying the government was working to make public spaces safer and expand employment opportunities for women.
‘Universities-industry linkage essential to address challenges facing food sector’
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
The Department of Food Engineering at NED University of Engineering and Technology organised an event titled “Today’s Innovation, Tomorrow’s Nutrition” to mark World Food Day 2026. The event was presided over by NED University Pro-ViceChancellor Dr. Nauman Ahmed.According to the university’s spokesperson, Farwa Hassan, the event aimed to raise awareness about ending hunger, food security, food quality and safety, modern food technologies, and reducing food waste.Addressing the gathering, NED University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr. Nauman Ahmed expressed his pleasure at seeing academia and industry come together, emphasising that food is a fundamental necessity of human life. He stated that collaboration between universities and industrial organisations is essential to addressing the challenges facing the food sector and generating new knowledge. He further noted that research, practical experience, and modern technologies can help improve food production, quality, and safety.
BISP Chairperson Holds Live E-Kacheri at Headquarters
ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid, listened to the concerns of 28 callers during a live E-Kacheri held at BISP Headquarters today and directed the relevant officials to resolve their complaints on a priority basis.Senator Rubina Khalid stated that the introduction of interoperability in digital wallet payments would enable women beneficiaries to withdraw their funds from any authorized retailer of the six partner banks in any city across Pakistan, on any day and at any time. Under this system, women would no longer be restricted to a particular city or bank. The six partner banks include HBL, Habib Microfinance, Bank Alfalah, Telenor Microfinance, Bank of Punjab, and Mobilink/Jazz Bank.She stated that the digital wallet system had been introduced on the directives of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to ensure secure and transparent payments for women beneficiaries.The Chairperson directed women beneficiaries to obtain their free Benazir SIMs exclusively from BISP offices. They must bring their original Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) and personal mobile phones when collecting their SIMs. SIM activation will be carried out by a representative of the relevant mobile network operator at the BISP office or designated site.She further advised beneficiaries to keep the confirmation messages received after fund transfers and withdrawals for their records.
GOVT URGES OPPOSITION TO JOIN FORCES AGAINST TERRORISM
Wednesday, 21 October, 2026
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Tariq Fazal urges political consensus on terrorism, defends emergency in KP
STAFF REPORT
DVISER to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday said the federal government was ready to invite all political parties to develop a national consensus on counterterrorism, urging the opposition to set aside its other demands and unite against the security threat. Speaking in the Senate, the PML-N leader said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was willing to bring political parties together to discuss a common strategy against terrorism and determine how the entire nation could support counterterrorism operations. “Even now, if all parties can agree to sit down to discuss this issue, then Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is willing to invite them and find a way forward on counterterrorism or how operations can be supported by the entire nation,” Sanaullah said. He urged political parties to put their differences aside and “stand united” against terrorism. His remarks came after the federal government imposed emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11, accusing the PTI-led
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provincial government of deliberately disengaging from counterterrorism efforts. Parliament endorsed the decisions last week amid opposition protests. Sanaullah also criticised National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, saying that although the speaker had approved his appointment, he did not recognise the speaker’s authority and had refused to meet the prime minister, including in the speaker’s chambers. Turning to the security situation, the senator expressed grief over the martyrdom of an army officer a day earlier. He
Gohar rules out 'minus' move against Achakzai, rejects Fazl's elevation ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary on Tuesday urged opposition parties to rise above political differences and develop a consensus against terrorism, reiterating that the imposition of emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had become unavoidable because of the provincial government’s alleged non-cooperation with the Centre and state institutions. Addressing a press conference, he said national security, peace and the future of Pakistan’s children must take precedence over political interests, renewing the prime minister’s invitation to the opposition to formulate a joint strategy against terrorism. “Why can’t we develop a consensus on at least one issue that is directly
accused the opposition of running a campaign against the military’s leadership and making what he described as belowthe-belt remarks.
He also criticised members of the now non-functional PTI-led KP government for their alleged absence from apex committee meetings.
Judicial Commission slams police over 'epic failure' in Raza Ali murder probe KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Monday ruled out any move to remove Mahmood Khan Achakzai as opposition leader in the National Assembly, saying the party had not discussed replacing him with Jamiat Ulema-e-IslamFazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Speaking to media, Gohar said PTI founder Imran Khan had complete confidence in Achakzai and that the party could not decide whether to accept the opposition leader’s appointment. “We accept the PTI founder’s decision and will move forward accordingly,” he said. Gohar said party members were free to express their opinions, but everyone accepted the final decision once it had been made. He added that Imran had nominated Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas as leaders and instructed the party to proceed under their guidance. “The PTI founder gave me instructions, and those are what we accept and follow,” he said, maintaining that neither leader had been disrespected. “If there had to be a ‘minus’, it would have happened by now,” Gohar remarked, adding that Imran could not be sidelined and claiming that 90 per cent of the nation stood with him. The PTI chairman said he had spoken to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq about issuing production orders for 10 arrested parliamentarians. He said lawmakers Adil Bazai and Chaudhry Imtiaz had been arrested and that he had informed the speaker about their detention. Gohar also confirmed that PTI leader Mishal Yousafzai had been issued a show-cause notice, describing the matter as an internal party issue. Speaking separately to the media on Adiala Road in Rawalpindi, Gohar claimed that PTI’s demand for a meeting with Imran Khan had led to the imposition of governor’s rule. “We oppose terrorism in all its forms,” he said, adding that the party had entered negotiations with the government without any preconditions. “We went to get our prayers granted, but instead ended up having to fast,” he remarked, using an Urdu proverb to describe the outcome of the talks. Gohar said PTI had a government in only one province, which he claimed had also been “snatched away”. He cautioned against using terrorism as a pretext to protect political interests, while reiterating the party’s support for implementing the National Action Plan. “The government has done what it wanted to do. It should now reverse it,” he said. Rejecting suggestions that PTI’s negotiating committee was taking instructions from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gohar said he was unaware of any proposal to consult Murad Saeed during the negotiations. He again ruled out any discussion about replacing Achakzai with Fazlur Rehman, saying Imran had entrusted Achakzai with authority and that the decision was not open to debate. Gohar also recounted his meetings with Imran on November 25, 2024, saying he had met the PTI founder three times that day — in the morning, afternoon and at night.
linked to the country’s peace and the future of its children?” he asked. Dr Tariq Fazal rejected the impression that the decision to impose emergency and Governor’s Rule had been driven by political pressure or any agreement, saying it was necessitated by the worsening security situation, rising terrorist incidents and the sacrifices of security personnel. He said the measures were imposed through a presidential order on October 11 under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, respectively, and subsequently endorsed by Parliament and a joint sitting, completing the constitutional requirements. The minister said KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had assumed the powers of the provincial government, while an 11-member advisory council comprising professionals with distinguished records in their respective fields had been constituted to assist him.
A judicial commission investigating the death of businessman Mir Raza Ali has described the police investigation as an “epic failure”, citing serious procedural violations, possible criminal negligence, poor supervision and the failure to establish the truth. The 62-page report, prepared by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial, who headed the commission, was made public after the Sindh cabinet decided to release it at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday. The commission began proceedings on August 28 and held regular hearings to record statements from individuals linked to the case. “This case demonstrates an epic failure by the police in their investigation,” the report stated,
adding that the police had breached the procedures required to withstand judicial scrutiny and secure a successful prosecution. While acknowledging that the initial police response to information about the discovery of a body was prompt, the commission said the subsequent handling of the case “left a lot to be desired”. “It was a murder,” the report declared. It cited the bullet trajectory, the unusual location of the wound in the event of a self-inflicted injury, the absence of blood, the condition of the body, medical jurisprudence principles, acid burns and the presence of anaesthesia in the blood as evidence that ruled out suicide. The commission found that the police had announced their findings before completing a proper investigation, describing the move as premature and below
professional standards. It said that even if the death had been a suicide, investigators should have determined whether anyone had driven the young man to that point through coercion, blackmail or instigation. The police, however, made no such effort. The investigation, the report concluded, “failed in its most basic duty: to establish the truth”. The commission observed that sustained public criticism had contributed to the police retreating into a defensive position, breaking down communication channels and responding out of ego rather than on the basis of sound evidence. It identified a lack of leadership, seriousness and supervision, along with instances of negligence by senior officers. The investigation, it said, had been conducted like a “rudderless ship”, with no clear direction.
Punjab to introduce Prosperous Villages Act 2026 to ensure uplift in 120 villages LAHORE
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Suspect remanded for running over 15-year-old employee
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MULTAN
STAFF REPORT
A 15-year-old orphan was allegedly run over and killed by his employer after trying to flee his workplace in a private housing society in Multan, police said on Tuesday, as a court granted the arrested suspect four days of physical remand. Waseem Abbas, who had been living at an orphanage for five years, had been sent to contractor Tauqeer Nazir to learn electrical work just six days before the incident, according to Shoaib Haider, the orphanage’s general secretary. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of DHA Police Station. Rescue officials said Abbas suffered a severe head injury and died at the scene. His body was taken to Nishtar Hospital under police supervision before being transported to his native Muzaffargarh district for burial. According to police, Abbas was working under Nazir, who was carrying out electrical work at a house in the housing society. Following an argument over work, the teenager allegedly tried to leave, prompting the contractor to chase him in a car and run him over. Another suspect, Amjad Ali, was also allegedly in the vehicle at the time. Investigators said Abbas had been staying at Nazir’s house in Zakariya Town for around a week and a half. He was sent to the housing society on October 11 to learn electrical work and returned to the orphanage on October 15, where he met his friends. He went back to work with Nazir on the morning of October 17, police said. Police said the contractor transported Abbas to and from work each day and that other boys were also working under him. Abbas’s maternal grandfather had enrolled him at the orphanage so he could receive an education. Police arrested Nazir and registered a case against him and Ali. The arrested contractor was produced before Judicial Magistrate Saadia Aslam on Tuesday, who granted him four days of physical remand. As Nazir was brought before the court, lawyers allegedly assaulted him outside the courtroom despite the presence of police personnel. The first information report (FIR), registered on Monday, nominated Nazir and Ali under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code, dealing with murder and acts committed by several persons in furtherance of their common intention. The FIR alleged that the suspects pursued Abbas in a car and deliberately ran him over, inflicting fatal head injuries. According to the report, Sub-Inspector Liaquat Ali Bhatti was patrolling Royal Orchard with other police personnel when a man identified as Mukhtiar Ahmed approached them at around 4:35pm. Mukhtiar told police that his cousin, Abbas, had been working as an electrician for the suspects and that they had allegedly subjected him to violence and threatened to kill him.
PHC seeks replies on Sohail Afridi's alleged abduction STAFF REPORT
each committee will comprise four public representatives and four government officials, including a headteacher, the union council secretary and a doctor from a basic health unit or Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic, among others. The proposed development initiatives include the installation of sewerage and drainage systems and the construction of paved streets in every village. Maryam Nawaz said her government was committed to transforming all villages in Punjab into model settlements, stressing that the benefits of development would
no longer remain confined to major cities but would also reach rural communities. She said local residents would be consulted in planning village development schemes, while quality and transparency would be ensured at every stage of implementation. The chief minister further said members of the provincial assembly and party ticket-holders would oversee development projects in their respective villages. Expressing confidence in the initiative, she said every village in Punjab would eventually become a model of development.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday sought replies from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and senior police officials, including the inspector general of police, on petitions seeking the recovery of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders allegedly detained or abducted following the imposition of governor’s rule in the province. Afridi has not been seen since governor’s rule and an emergency were imposed in KP on October 11. His whereabouts remained unknown on the day, while a federal minister confirmed a day later that the chief minister and some members of his cabinet were in preventive custody. The PTI has also alleged the detention or arrest of several other party leaders, including lawmakers and provincial ministers, whose whereabouts have yet to be disclosed by the government. A bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Farah Jamshed fixed the petitions for hearing on November 3 and directed the respondents to submit their replies. Besides Afridi, the petitions concern the alleged disappearance of KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, MNAs Junaid Akbar and Dr Amjid Ali, provincial minister Amjid Ali Khan, MPAs Ikramullah and Aurangzeb Khan, former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister Muhammad Khalid Khursheed and several other PTI leaders.
Indian military mindset risks nuclear stability, warns ex-SPD chief LONDON
STAFF REPORT
Adviser to the National Command Authority (NCA) and former director general of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), retired Lieutenant General Mazhar Jamil, has warned that an ideology blending mythology with national power is shaping Indian military thinking and posing serious risks to nuclear stability in South Asia and beyond. “Indian military thinking is being shaped by a dangerous ideology, which conflates mythology with national power,” he said in a keynote address at a workshop on Nuclear Deterrence and Strategic Stability in South Asia, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London last week. The institute shared a transcript of his address late on Monday. Jamil said a region’s strategic stability depended on the political beliefs and strate-
gic thinking of states, which shaped their policies and security environment. In South Asia’s nuclearised setting, he stressed, political engagement was essential, while military adventurism and hegemonic ambitions carried unacceptable risks. He identified Kashmir as the central unresolved dispute between Pakistan and India, arguing that it should be settled in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. Instead, he said, India had sought to avoid a political settlement and manage the dispute through military force in Indian-administered Kashmir and aggression against Pakistan. Such an approach had failed to resolve the conflict, leaving Kashmir a persistent nuclear flashpoint that continued to undermine regional security. Jamil argued that Indian revisionist ambitions and the belief that South Asia belonged to Hindu civilisation had contributed to a more confrontational regional outlook.
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The Punjab government has decided to introduce the Punjab Prosperous Villages Act 2026 and launched a pilot project in 120 villages to upgrade rural infrastructure, improve living conditions and extend the benefits of development beyond major cities. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday, where officials briefed the participants on a comprehensive plan to transform villages across the province into model settlements. The chief minister approved the formation of village committees in consultation with elected public representatives and directed that an immediate plan be prepared for their establishment. The committees will oversee local development initiatives, with the relevant assistant commissioner serving as their head and the deputy commissioner supervising the committees and development projects. According to the briefing,
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He cited the display of a map of “Greater Bharat” in India’s parliament as an indication of what he described as expansionist political thinking. He also criticised the rise of the Hindutva ideology, saying it sought to marginalise and delegitimise non-Hindu communities, partic-
ularly Muslims. This, he said, had added another layer of complexity to the region’s security environment and allowed an exclusionary nationalist outlook to influence political, military and societal institutions. The former SPD chief warned that this ideological outlook had also penetrated Indian military thinking, creating a dangerous combination of strategic overconfidence and inadequate appreciation of nuclear realities. Jamil said the Indian leadership needed to draw three fundamental lessons from the history of conflict and nuclear deterrence. First, military operations and wars could not permanently resolve disputes unless they were accompanied by a political settlement. He called for a political process and dialogue to resolve the Kashmir dispute and establish lasting stability. Second, military adventurism between nuclear-armed states could escalate a crisis without delivering meaningful policy gains.
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India, he said, could not impose its objectives on another nuclear power through military aggression. The third lesson concerned the unpredictable nature of war and the risks of escalation. Citing military theorist Carl von Clausewitz, Jamil warned that conflicts often began with an assumption of control but could end with the realisation that escalation had become uncontrollable. In South Asia, he cautioned, such a realisation could come too late to prevent a catastrophe if India continued to pursue provocation under the assumption that it could dominate escalation. He described Pakistan and India as pursuing “two diametrically opposing strategic approaches”. According to Jamil, India sought regional dominance through revisionist political thinking, while Pakistan’s approach centred on resolving disputes politically, promoting shared prosperity and defending its sovereignty.