Pakistan, türkiye eye ma jor agri-tech Push to deePen economic PartnershiP
The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with a four-member delegation of Türkiye s Agricultural Technologies Cluster (TUME) led by its Board Chairman Abdulkadir Karagöz, according to a news release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office
Welcoming the Turkish delegation Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan attached great importance to its historic and time-tested relations with Türkiye and was keen to transform these ties into a robust economic partnership He highlighted that vast untapped opportunities existed for expanding collaboration in agriculture and livestock particularly through the adoption of modern technologies and innovation
The prime minister noted that the government was fully committed to modernising Pakistan’s agriculture sec-
tor in line with global developments, drawing inspiration from Türkiye’s successful experience in agricultural commodities and livestock production Allah Almighty has blessed Pakistan with abundant resources in the agriculture sector We are striving to fully harness this potential through the use of modern technology and comprehensive planning ” the prime minister said underscoring the need for technology-driven growth to boost productivity ensure food security and enhance exports He stressed that closer bilateral cooperation in modern agricultural technologies and expertise could enable both Pakistan and Türkiye to play a meaningful role in the global food value chain while also benefiting farmers and agribusinesses in both countries
During the meeting, TUME Board Chairman Abdulkadir Karagöz briefed the prime minister on the use of advanced technologies employed by his organisation to enhance agricultural productivity and efficiency He expressed keen interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan in the agriculture and livestock sectors, describing Pakistan as a country with immense potential Karagöz said the brotherly leadership and strong political understanding between Pakistan and Türkiye served as a guiding force for deepening ties and promoting closer collaboration between the business communities of the two countries
President , Premier reaffirm commitment to national struggle against all forms of extremism
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan s commitment to combatting violent extremism terrorism and hatedriven ideologies, underscoring that the country would continue its national struggle against all forms of extremism In a message on the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism the president said Pakistan’s approach was aligned with United Nations efforts and reflected in its National Policy on Prevention of Violent Extremism 2024 which focused on prevention rather than reactive responses He said Pakistan was party to key international human rights conventions and that its counter-extremism framework was grounded in pluralism, human rights and the rule of law Referring to Pakistan’s experience in combatting terrorism he said the country had made significant sacrifices but believed lasting peace could not be achieved through force alone The president expressed concern over extremism in conflict zones, including Kashmir and Palestine, and called for collective international action that did not stigmatise any religion or community He also urged greater global focus on youth empowerment countering hate speech and strengthening communities to prevent extremist narratives In his message, the prime minister said extremist and violent ideologies undermine peace and stability in societies and weaken core human values, including tolerance, mutual respect and humanity Highlighting Pakistan’s experience he said the country had made unprecedented sacrifices over several decades in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism He paid tribute to the sacrifices of security personnel and civilians, calling them a source of national pride and a reflection of Pakistan’s resolve
Pakistan, US agree to boost mining, energy relations and counter terrorism cooperation
in Islamabad and Quetta and expressing condolences to the victims and their families
Pakistan urges Afghanistan to act against TTP
Pakistan (TTP) The report, he noted, highlighted that Afghanistan s interim government continued to provide a permissive environment for terrorist outfits He said the UNSC report also pointed to al-Qaeda acting as a “multiplier and service provider to armed groups in Afghanistan and observed that the TTP enjoyed greater operational freedom, enabling attacks inside Pakistan
ISLAMABAD
BUSINESS, FARMERS REJECT NEW NET METERING REGUL ATIONS
Solar at a crossroads
TH E word sportsmanship was once spoken with reverence, not as a slogan but as a lived tradition, especially on the playing fields of South Asia In earlier decades, when tempers between neighbouring states often ran high sport still retained a rare dignity Pakistan and India despite wars diplomatic breakdowns and enduring political hostility continued to meet in hockey cricket and other games under tense circumstances, yet the tension seldom poisoned the spirit of play Teams travelled to each other’s countries, crowds watched with passion but restraint and the field itself remained a neutral ground where humanity quietly prevailed over hostility Those who witnessed that era still recall small but telling gestures that defined sportsmanship Fielders tying the shoelaces of an opposing batsman, sharing a laugh after a fierce contest, or applauding a good shot regardless of the flag on the jersey were not seen as acts of weakness They were expressions of confidence of a belief that sport was larger than politics A particularly luminous example occurred on December 22 1989 during a ODI match between Pakistan and India at Lahore s Gaddafi Stadium Waqar Younis appealed to Indian batsman Srikanth to be given out LBW on an in-swing ball, to which umpire Shakoor Rana raised his finger in the air Srikanth protested and hesitated to leave At that moment Pakistan’s captain Imran Khan did something almost unthinkable by today s standards; he invited the Srikanth to continue despite the decision of Umpire Srikanth resumed his innings, only to be dismissed on the very next delivery, caught behind the wicket by Salim Yousaf The scorecard recorded an ordinary dismissal, but history recorded an extraordinary act of grace Contrast that ethos with more recent scenes where even the courtesy of a handshake after the toss has been denied When an Indian captain declined to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart it signaled more than personal discourtesy; it marked the visible entry of state politics into the arena of sport What was once a sanctuary from power games has increasingly become an extension of them International sport is always governed by federations and councils each claiming independence neutrality and adherence to rules that transcend borders Yet doubts about their impartiality grow louder with each selective decision The International Olympic Committee provides a striking illustration Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 the IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee in October 2023 barring Russia from competing as a nation including at the 2026 Winter Olympics Funding was withdrawn and athletes were denied the right to participate under their national banner The message was unambiguous: state actions
would carry sporting consequences regardless of the individual athlete s stance Yet in another theatre of human tragedy, after nearly two years of devastating violence in Gaza, the IOC adopted a markedly different tone It maintained that athletes should not be held responsible for the actions of their governments
authority Cricket too has not been spared The International Cricket Council has repeatedly adjusted venues and formats in ways widely perceived as accommodating political pressure from powerful boards, particularly India s During the 2025 Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan, India refused to travel, citing security and political reasons The ICC responded
The Karachi squeeze
one prompt away?
This argument is not an attack on innovation Technology has always been a driver of progress However tools must be used responsibly Children and adults alike should treat AI as an aid, not a replacement for thinking Mental effort must remain a core human discipline Social scientists are beginning to study these trends but their consequences are approaching faster than many realize The restructuring of society may take decades but cognitive decline could appear much sooner Some believe that regulators or powerful institutions will eventually intervene and limit
AI’s influence This is unlikely Competition among technology companies is fierce Profit not ethics is the primary driver Companies that were medium sized only a few years ago are now valued in the trillions No corporation voluntarily abandons growth Capitalism rewards expansion, not restraint AI adoption is growing exponentially If the intention was to enhance human well being the outcome may ironically be the opposite Physical and mental laziness are gradually weakening our species in ways we have not yet fully understood This is not a warning about robots taking over the world or science fiction style domination The danger is far more subtle It is the gradual erosion of human mental capacity A brain that is rarely challenged becomes fragile A society that avoids thinking becomes vulnerable AI may not destroy humanity through violence It may weaken us through comfort Living without intellectual struggle will not kill us instantly It will slowly paralyze our ability to reason, innovate, and adapt In that sense, artificial intelligence may ultimately inflict greater long term damage on the human mind than conventional weapons ever inflicted on the human body
The writer is a freelance columnist
Now consider AI models like ChatGPT They have become another form of opium for an already comfor t seeking mind Today, more than 800 million people around the world turn to such tools for academic, professional, and personal problems. Instead of thinking through an issue or struggling to find a solution, many simply ask an AI. The answer arrives in seconds. Effor t is eliminated.
Privacy undone
bahadar ali Khan
Pakistan’s Bull Market and the economy it doesn’t represent
Macroeconomic indicators tell a similar stor y Recent estimates place GDP growth at around 3.0–3.2%. Both the World Bank and IMF warn that it could slow fur ther this year Based on data from the State Bank of Pakistan, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the countr y declined sharply by 26 percent in the first four months (JulyOctober) of fiscal year 2026
Lifelines amid a deepfake flood
AI
shared memes parodying the chatbot s sycophancy Some planned a Mass Cancellation Party in San Francisco a sardonic nod to the GPT-4o funeral that an OpenAI employee had floated, poking fun at users who are mourning the model’s impending retirement Still, others are protesting against what they see as a deepening entanglement between OpenAI and the Trump administration OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment As of December 2025, ChatGPT had nearly 900 million weekly active users, according to The Information While it’s unclear how many users have joined the boycott QuitGPT is getting attention A recent Instagram post from the campaign has more than 36 million views and 1 3 million likes And the organizers say that more than 17,000 people have signed up on the campaign’s website, which asks people whether they canceled their subscriptions will commit to stop using ChatGPT or will share the campaign on social media There are lots of examples of failed campaigns like this, but we have seen a lot of effectiveness, says Dana Fisher, a sociologist at American University A wave of canceled subscriptions rarely sways a company’s behavior, unless it reaches a critical mass she says “The place where there s a pressure point that might work is where the consumer behavior is if enough people actually use their money to express their political opinions MIT Technology Review reached out to three employees at OpenAI, none of whom said they were familiar with the campaign Dozens of left-leaning teens and twentysomethings scattered across the US came together to organize QuitGPT in late January They range from pro-democracy activists and climate organizers to techies and self-proclaimed cyber libertarians, many of them seasoned grassroots campaigners They were inspired by a viral video posted by Scott Galloway, a marketing professor at New York University and host of The Prof G Pod He argued that the best way to stop ICE was to persuade people to cancel their ChatGPT subscriptions Denting OpenAI s subscriber base could ripple through the stock market and threaten an economic downturn that would nudge Trump, he said “We make a big enough stink for OpenAI that all of the companies in the whole AI industry have to think about whether they’re going to get away enabling Trump and ICE and authoritarianism says an organizer of QuitGPT who requested anonymity because he feared retaliation by OpenAI, citing the company s recent subpoenas against advocates at nonprofits OpenAI made for an obvious first target of the movement he says but “this is about so much more than just OpenAI Simon Rosenblum-Larson a labor organizer in Madison Wisconsin who organizes movements to regulate the development of data centers, joined the campaign after hearing about it through Signal chats among community activists “The goal here is to pull away the support pillars of the Trump administration They’re reliant on many of these tech billionaires for support and for re-
sources, he says QuitGPT’s website points to new campaign finance reports showing that Greg Brockman and his wife each donated $12 5 million to MAGA Inc making up nearly a quarter of the roughly $102 million it raised over the second half of 2025 The information that ICE uses a résumé screening tool powered by ChatGPT-4 came from an AI inventory published by the Department of Homeland Security in January QuitGPT is in the mold of Galloway’s own recently launched campaign Resist and Unsubscribe The movement urges consumers to cancel their subscriptions to Big Tech platforms including ChatGPT, for the month of February, as a protest to companies driving the markets and enabling our president ” “A lot of people are feeling real anxiety,” Galloway told MIT Technology Review “You take enabling a president proximity to the president and an unease around AI he says and now people are starting to take action with their wallets Galloway says his campaign s website can draw more than 200,000 unique visits in a day and that he receives dozens of DMs every hour showing screenshots of canceled subscriptions The consumer boycotts follow a growing wave of pressure from inside the companies themselves In recent weeks tech workers have been urging their employers to use their political clout to demand that ICE leave US cities, cancel company
cation He stressed that quality medical education is a fundamental right of all students across Pakistan regardless of their financial background regardless of their financial means or social standing He emphasized that PM&DC has repeatedly issued public notices and awareness messages advising students and parents not to pay any excessive fee beyond the approved cap He further informed that PM&DC has already taken strict action against non-compliant institutions and issued show-cause notices to 12 medical and dental colleges found violating the fee capping policy
In line with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi and under the direction of Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, the CDA has achieved another significant milestone CDA has launched formal digital processing of property-related matters
According to details Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa formally inaugurated this facility on Thursday The ceremony was attended
UIC, UBL Ameen, and Hajj organizers association of Pakistan
A significant milestone was achieved at UIC House Karachi, where United Insurance Company of Pakistan Limited (UIC), UBL Ameen, and the Hajj Organizers Association of Pakistan (HOAP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch a joint venture for the issuance of guarantees through UBL Ameen under UIC s arrangement This agreement marks a breakthrough for the industry and brings substantial benefits to Hajj Group Organizers (HGOs) Under the arrangement, HGOs will now be able to obtain guarantees from UBL Ameen in line with the requirements of the Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony (MORA) on highly economical terms facilitated by UIC
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah visited the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Islamabad During the visit, the Minister spoke to the media and shared details regarding the disbursement, transparency and effectiveness of educational scholarships being pro-
SWCON Hosts BS Nursing Orientation Ceremony
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing (SWCON) organized the Orientation Ceremony of the BS Nursing Program (4-Years) for Morning and Evening Sessions 2026 at Fatima Memorial Hospital warmly welcoming newly admitted nursing students into the profession The ceremony was attended by senior leadership and distinguished guests including Mrs Shahima Tariq Rehman Chairperson NUR–Fatima Memorial System; Prof Dr Tayyab Abbas, Principal, School of Health Sciences, NUR-FMS; Mrs Farzana Iqbal Controller Nursing Examination Board Punjab who graced the occasion as Chief Guest; Prof Misbah Zafar, Director Academic Nursing, SWCON; and Mr Mansoor Jamal Butt Group Head Operations FMH Addressing the students the speakers highlighted the legacy of the Fatima Memorial System its long-standing commitment to excellence in healthcare and education, and the critical role of nurses as compassionate caregivers and frontline leaders in the healthcare system Emphasis was placed on professionalism, ethical practice, lifelong learning and patient-centered care as core values of the nursing profession
vided by Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal While addressing the media the Federal Minister stated that under Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal s Individual Financial Assistance (Education)
International Expo Opens in Karachi
OPPOSITION DECRY ‘CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE’ AS SC REPORT REVEALS IMRAN LOST 85PC VISION IN RIGHT EYE
PESHAWAR
S ta f f r e p o r t
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet, following directives from Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, approved the Ramzan Relief Package during its 47th meeting aimed at providing financial assistance to families across the province facing economic hardship Under the approved plan, around 1 063 million families will receive cash support averaging Rs12,500 per family during the holy month of Ramzan This marks a 25 per cent increase over the Rs10 000 per family provided under the 2024 relief initiative reflecting the government s response to rising inflation and the growing cost of essential commodities A provincial spokesperson for
Economy and Finance said the increase was necessary due to sharp rises in sugar wheat flour and other basic food prices which have put additional strain on low-income households
The spokesperson added that the package demonstrates the provincial government’s commitment to cushioning vulnerable communities and ensuring financial relief during Ramadan a period of both religious significance and heightened household expenses
The Ramadan crescent moon is expected to be sighted in Pakistan on February 18, 2026, according to astronomical forecasts The new moon is projected to appear on February 17 at 5:01pm and the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will convene in Peshawar to formally confirm the sighting The month of Ramadan is anticipated to
begin immediately after the committee’s announcement
This initiative is part of KP s broader social protection strategy which includes cash transfers and relief programs aimed at strengthening the economic resilience of households during critical periods
Officials said that timely disbursement of the package would help families meet their daily needs including food utility expenses and educational costs, while also promoting social stability across the province
The provincial government has emphasised that such measures are critical in times of economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures ensuring that the most disadvantaged citizens can observe Ramadan without additional financial strain
COURT ORDERS
minister Imran Khan Mianwali may be far on map, but close to my hear t: Punjab CM
LAHORE S ta f f r e p o r t Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday announced multi-billion-rupee development projects for Mianwali, including the establishment of a medical college reiterating that the Punjab government was firmly committed to ensuring equal development across the province and that residents of far-flung areas would no longer be forced to travel elsewhere to access their rights and basic services Addressing a large public gathering the chief minister conveyed greetings from Nawaz Sharif and expressed gratitude to the people of Mianwali particularly women mothers daughters elders and youth for their affection and support Mianwali may be far on the map, but it is close to my heart,” she said Recalling her multiple visits to the district over the past two years Maryam Nawaz said that during her first visit she struggled to find visible signs of development She stressed that her government believed in delivering tangible results rather than making hollow promises
ISLAMABAD S ta f f C o r r e S p o n d e n t Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to confer a posthumous national civil award on 22-year-old Oun Abbas, who lost his life while attempting to stop a suicide attacker targeting an imambargah in Islamabad On February 6 a suicide bomber struck during Friday prayers at the Imambargah Qasr-i-Khadijatul Kubra on the outskirts of the capital, killing at least 38 worshippers and injuring more than 150 others Eyewitnesses said Abbas who was inside the prayer hall interrupted his worship and tried to
tackle the attacker He was killed when the bomber detonated explosives In a letter dated February 11 to the prime minister Governor Kundi praised Abbas s exceptional gallantry and supreme sacrifice noting that while others sought safety amid chaos, the young man chose to confront the assailant He said Abbas’s bravery helped prevent a far greater tragedy and saved “countless innocent lives ” adding that he “embraced martyrdom in the process
The governor recommended that Abbas be awarded a posthumous civil honour such as the Sitara-i-Shujaat or Tamgha-i-Shujaat, stating that the gesture would not only honour his memory but also inspire Pakistan’s youth by
highlighting courage and sacrifice in service of the community Kundi expressed hope that the prime minister would consider the proposal with urgency and approve the award as a fitting national tribute Earlier, during a visit to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where the injured are being treated, the governor had made a similar appeal A day prior Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Rs10 million for Abbas s heirs He also announced Rs5 million for the families of each person martyred in the attack, Rs3 million for those critically injured, and Rs1 million for those who sustained minor injuries and were later discharged
‘If Imran Khan goes blind, many others will lose their vision too’, Junaid Akbar warns
ISLAMABAD S ta f f r e p o r t
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar has voiced alarm over the reported deterioration in Imran Khan s eyesight, cautioning that the consequences could extend far beyond the party’s founder
Speaking to the media Junaid Akbar
said that if Imran Khan were to lose his vision the impact would not be limited to one individual, warning of wider repercussions He criticised authorities for what he described as neglect of the former prime minister ’s medical needs and urged them to prioritise his treatment He also accused
those disregarding constitutional principles of undermining the country’s future and called for broader reflection beyond political divisions Earlier PTI expressed serious concern over findings submitted to the court by Barrister Salman Safdar following his meeting with Imran Khan at Adiala Jail
The party stated that the 73-year-old former prime minister is reportedly experiencing significant vision loss while in custody and has not been granted adequate medical care or access to doctors including Dr Faisal Sultan and Dr Asim Yousaf According to the seven-page report filed by Salman Safdar, an immediate and thorough eye examination was recommended The lawyer also suggested that the PTI founder ’s condition be reviewed by a specialist ophthalmologist In addition he advised that books be provided to Khan citing his solitary confinement and lack of access to television The report stated that Imran Khan informed his legal counsel that his eyesight had been normal three to four months ago before he began experiencing persistent blurriness He said he repeatedly raised concerns with Jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum but no effective action was taken Eventually he reported a sudden and complete loss of vision in his right eye
