g CM BUGTI SAYS 145 TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED IN 40 HOURS DURING COMBING OPERATIONS ACROSS PROVINCE WITH 17 SECURITY PERSONNEL AND 31 CIVILIANS MARTYRED g W
QUETTA
s ta f f r e p o r t
ALOCHISTAN Chief
BMinister Sarfraz Bugti on Sunday reaffirmed the government s unwavering resolve to fight terrorism, confirming that 145 terrorists were killed in 40 hours after the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched coordinated attacks across 12 locations in the province
We will fight this war for 1 000 years this country is ours and this is our motherland, Bugti declared at a press conference, emphasizing that the government would not surrender even for a second During the attacks 17 security personnel and 31 civilians including women and children embraced martyrdom
The terrorists, affiliated with India-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan carried out attacks targeting civilians in Quetta Mastung Nushki Dalbandin Kharan Panjgur Tump Gwadar and Pasni Bugti revealed that terrorists in Gwadar martyred five women and three children from Khuzdar
Criticizing hostile elements attempting to destabilize Pakistan at India s behest the CM questioned the BLA s legitimacy as a political entity, calling its ideology one imposed through violence
Global condemnation pours in over Balochistan ter ror attacks C
Saudi Arabia, the United States, Türkiye, Qatar, and France on Sunday strongly condemned the recent wave of coordinated terrorist attacks in Balochistan expressing solidarity with the government and people of Pakistan following assaults that killed civilians and security personnel across multiple districts Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said AlMalki cited his country s firm rejection of all acts of terrorism and extremism, emphasizing the Kingdom s support for Pakistan s security forces responding to the violence “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of
“They can destabilize, but they cannot take a single inch of our country ” he said declaring that perpetrators would not escape and the land would be turned into hell for terrorists CM Bugti
Nushki has now been com-
Saudi Arabia strongly condemns the attacks carried out by separatist elements in various areas of Pakistan s Balochistan province he said in a social media statement
The Pakistan military s media wing (ISPR) confirmed that its forces had neutralized 92 militants including three suicide bombers while repelling coordinated attacks targeting civilians and law enforcement personnel in Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, Kharan, Panjgur, and Harnai Operations on Friday alone accounted for 41 militants killed in Panjgur and Harnai bringing the total militant deaths over the past two days to 133
PAKISTAN, CANADA EXPLORE DEEPER TRADE AND INVESTMENT TIES ACROSS MINING,
AGRICULTURE AND ENERGY
stood
Rs752 billion,
Customs
6 percent year-on-year Despite the monthly gains, FBR’s cumulative collection from July to
uary (7MFY26) reached Rs7
trillion falling short of
Rs7 521
target by nearly Rs345 billion The shortfall has been largely attributed to a dip in domestic sales tax, suspension of the super tax, and other factors A re-
cent Federal Constitutional Court ruling upholding the super tax is expected to generate Rs300 billion, potentially narrowing the seven-month gap FBR officials noted that reforms in digital infrastructure enforcement and dispute resolution have strengthened direct taxation enhanced voluntary compliance and expanded the tax base With continued recovery in LSM, the authority remains confident that FY26 targets can still be met The board’s performance shows a positive trajectory outpacing the average 10–11 percent growth observed over the last six months and suggesting that reform measures are beginning to yield tangible results for Pakistan s fiscal outlook
called on all political and religious parties to jointly observe
from some lab where the Chinese were making a biological agent Trump didn t believe it was natural, and didn t believe that lockdowns were needed He believed it could be cured by chugging down some bleach He shares with Imran Khan medical expertise Imran didn t get the Nipah virus but was in the news with a central retinal vein occlusion of his right eye One description is that it is a disease of old age That is so unfair to Imran, who is drawing the youth vote because of his youthful good looks It is another matter that the young people who voted for him in 2018 have got jobs (well some of them) and some have got married and got children Those children have now started going to school Yes, they have started going to that vast and dense network of schools laid down by the Buzdar government The solution to all problems is going to be to spring Imran from
Balochistan Solidarity Week to reinforce national unity against terrorism The spokesperson said that attacks on unarmed civilians in Balochistan were equivalent to attacks on the whole country He alleged that the BLA and other militant groups were pursuing an antistate
Nawaz S harif reviews renovation, expansion of D ata D arbar
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) President Nawaz Sharif on Sunday visited the holy shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Ali Bin Usman Hajveri (Data
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
The Emergency Services Department (ESD) responded to 1,159 road traffic crashes (RTCs) across all 37 districts of Punjab during the last 24 hours, resulting in 18 fatalities and 1 372 injuries officials said on Sunday Of the injured 622 people with serious injuries were shifted to various hospitals, while 750 victims with minor injuries were treated on the spot by Rescue Medical Teams, significantly reducing the burden on hospitals
An analysis of the data revealed that motorcycles were involved in the majority of crashes (73 per cent) underscoring the urgent need for effective enforcement of traffic laws helmet use and lane discipline to curb the rising number of road traffic incidents Further breakdown showed that 763 drivers, 58 underage drivers, 130 pedestrians and 497 passengers were among those affected in the road traffic crashes According to the statistics Lahore topped the list with 108 RTCs affecting 138 people, followed by Faisalabad, where 83 crashes injured 96 persons, and Gujranwala, which reported 82 RTCs resulting in 93 victims
‘ Won’t surrender even for a second,’ Bugti vows relentless fight as 145 terrorists killed
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
He highlighted attempts by militants to target Safe City cameras and announced plans to install CCTV surveillance in eight cities Our soldiers confronted the terrorists in the Red Zone, preventing their vehicle from ramming its target, Bugti said, announcing a high state award for an injured officer for bravery
Rejecting claims linking terrorism solely to deprivation Bugti noted that militants deliberately merge with civilians making operations highly sensitive We could have used heavy firepower but refrained to avoid civilian casualties, he said, citing the killing of a Baloch family in Gwadar as an example of terrorists turning local populations into fuel for violence Bugti revealed that Afghan nationals were operating alongside terrorists and Afghan war weapons are openly circulating in the market All kinds of weapons have been used Today, Bashir Zeb, Rehman Gul, and Allah Nazar are present in Afghanistan,” he said, emphasizing that terrorists have no nationality or tribal identity The terrorists chant Baloch Baloch yet kill Baloch women and turn them into fuel for war A
The data further revealed that a total of 1 390 victims were affected including 1 110 males and 280 females Agewise 301 victims were under 18 years 694 were between 18 and 40 years, while the remaining 395 victims were above 40 years of age Vehicle-wise analysis showed that 1 207 motorcycles 81 auto-rickshaws 151 motorcars 31 vans 14 passenger buses 35 trucks and 78 other vehicles including slow-moving carts, were involved in the reported road traffic accidents
terrorist is only a terrorist Bugti said criticizing the state s previous reconciliation policy as harmful He warned that intelligence-led operations would continue relentlessly and promised that the 145 killed terrorists’ families would receive no sympathy Bugti also reaffirmed the significance of the National Action Plan as the most important counterterrorism framework after the Constitution Meanwhile, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Balochistan CM Bugti, and Corps Commander Quetta visited the CMH Quetta to meet injured personnel Praising their courage Naqvi said They faced the enemy like tigers and foiled their attacks Officers and jawans renewed their resolve to eliminate the militants once recovered Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi also condemned the attacks, calling them a blatant assault on state sovereignty and national security He emphasized that there is no room for weakness in the fight against terrorism and praised Balochistan security forces for their operations affirming that Pakistan will confront extremists with full force Martyrs sacrifices will not go in vain Terrorism is a shared challenge, and we pray for lasting peace in Pakistan,” Afridi said
COMMENT
Titanic attack foiled, but has situation been created for needed political solution?
TH E R E should be no doubt that one of the biggest attacks on Balochistan was launched on Saturday and though they involved Quetta Gwadar Mastung Panjgur Nushki Dalbandin Kharan Tump and Pasni which is a wide area they were obviously coordinated The terrorists had thrown everything and the proverbial kitchen sink at the law enforcing agencies, but fortunately, their professional skill and preparedness, along with their high morale, ensured that they held their ground at all points of attack, and repulsed the attackers with heavy losses The casualty figures tell the tale: there were 15 jawans martyred, while 92 attackers were killed That the fighting took place in populated areas is shown by the deaths of 18 civilians in the terrorists’ initial attacks
The first thing to become glaringly apparent is that the province is not settled Whatever is being tried in Balochistan whatever experiment in governance is being carried out is not working That the militants have been able to find 92 people willing to die is worrisome It may be the last flare from the fire before it dies out, but clearly there are a large number of militants willing to risk their lives while fighting against the state Something must be done differently Whoever is in charge of matters in Balochistan must revise their methods If that means the federal government must intervene, then it should not hang back solely because of a few members of parliament
The Baluchistan members supporting it may mean its ability to amend the Constitution, but not its ability to govern Another thing must be realized There is clearly a massive intelligence failure There was not really one grand operation but several smaller ones taking place at the same time This was not possible except by considerable coordination Yet no prior knowledge was received, which would have allowed some reduction of losses, both civilian, and among the troops
The federal government must also realize that removing the grievances of the Baloch must be done because it is right, not as a means of ending militancy One worrying dimension is that the fight is no longers between terrorists and the law-enforcing agencies, but involves terrorists It is a comment, somewhat pessimistic, on the whole situation in the province, that the highest casualties came during defence rather than during offence
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding
Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
The role of medical centres in plastic pollution
MEDICAL centres are established to treat diseases and serve humanity yet the plastic pollution generated by these same institutions is becoming a silent threat to both the environment and public health Medical waste produced daily by hospitals and healthcare facilities is very different from ordinary solid waste Most medical items such as syringes IV sets catheters gloves masks testing kits and medical packaging are made of plastic and are contaminated with blood bodily fluids and chemical residues after use Research shows that a large hospital generates approximately 300 kg of medical waste daily, of which nearly 71 percent is plastic Even in general waste streams plastic makes up about 2 5 percent contributing significantly to overall pollution If this waste is not disposed of safely it contaminates soil water and air In Pakistan the number of medical centres has increased rapidly, but waste management systems have not improved at the same pace As a result, plastic waste from healthcare facilities is becoming a serious environmental problem According to the World Health Organization about 25 percent of healthcare waste is hazardous and a large proportion of it consists of plastic Local studies in Pakistan
T h e F o g o f A I a n d F r a g i l e D e t e r r e n c e i n S o u t h A s i a .
and
may spread through everyday household items made from contaminated recycled plastic A study conducted in Lahore found that medical waste from hospitals contains the highest proportion of plastic including syringe covers IV tubing gloves and medical wrappers The research also revealed that a large portion of this waste is removed without proper disinfection This increases the risk of infection and allows contaminated plastic to enter the illegal recycling industry, where it is melted down and converted into household products that are widely used by the public In Karachi a local study reported that many private medical centres do not have proper waste segregation systems As a result hazardous plastic waste is mixed with ordinary garbage and transported to municipal dumping sites From there, plastic waste is carried by rainwater into drainage systems and eventually into the sea This plastic is extremely harmful to marine life as fish and other organisms mistake it for food leading to injury or death These toxic particles then enter the human food chain
According to a report by environmental authorities in Islamabad, about 20 percent of medical waste is highly hazardous and contains a large amount of plastic Incinerators used to burn this waste often fail to meet advanced environmental standards When plastic is burned under poor conditions it releases dioxins and other toxic gases into the air These substances contribute to respiratory diseases cancer and other serious health problems
Another major concern is microplastic pollution
Medical plastic waste gradually breaks down into tiny particles known as microplastics, which enter water and food systems Recent studies in Pakistan have detected microplastics in both tap water
Stop digital poison
Mor measure public sentiment This should reinforce deterrence in theory because it allows quicker and more precise decision-making Artificial intelligence is able to analyze satellite imagery cyber indicators and open-source information much faster than human analysts, which seems to be a benefit in an emergency, like a border standoff or a terrorist attack Nevertheless, the tools may be turned against one another
Today AI-driven disinformation campaigns enable opponents to control the opinions of the masses Deepfake videos fake social media accounts and specific propaganda can cause confusion, raise the temperature, or undermine domestic resolve This manipulation may lead to indecision in crucial times in democratic and semi-democratic regimes where the populace influences a policy In the case of Pakistan and India where political signaling and messages to the people assume key roles in times of crisis false perceptions in the minds of the people can work outright against deterrence A more dangerous threat is the poisoning of AI models, which is the manipulation of data utilized by AI systems In the case of feeding the intelligence models with corrupt information or misleading information the intelligence models can either overestimate the enemy capabilities, or they might underestimate the readiness they have These distortions may slow down the response in a crisis of high stakes, such as in a South Asian crisis or may cause overreaction which raises the likelihood of escalation
This produces a different type of fog of war one that is not caused by a lack of information
but by purposeful digital deceit Contrary to the military manipulation of the past the AI-enabled manipulation is very silent and always active distorting reality to the decision-makers even before the first bullet is thrown In the case of South Asia, this has grave consequences Stability of the crisis between the nuclear-armed adversaries is determined by adequate evaluation and prompt signaling In case the AI systems or even the popular discourse are breached deterrence fails not because of weak capabilities but because leaders can no longer rely on the information used to make decisions
The challenge ahead is clear The resilience of the AI systems, the ability to counter the disinformation and the ability of people to be educated about the manipulation of digital reality are the issues that Pakistan and states in the region need to invest in instead of military power Nowadays, deterrence will be determined just as much in the data centers and social media feeds as on the battlefield
The writer is a Strategic Studies graduate from the National Defence University Islamabad focusing on AI information warfare and deterrence in South Asia
This produces a different type of fog of war, one that is not caused by a lack of information, but by purposeful digital deceit Contrar y to the militar y manipulation of the past, the AIenabled manipulation is ver y silent and always active , distor ting reality to the decision-makers even before the first bullet is thrown In the case of South Asia, this has grave consequences Stability of the crisis between the nuclear-armed adversaries is determined by adequate evaluation and prompt signaling In case the AI systems or even the popular discourse are breached, deterrence fails not because of weak capabilities, but because leaders can no long er rely on the information used to make decisions The challeng e ahead is clear
Voices outside power
MuhaMMad danial ihsan
FO R more than two decades, President Vladimir Putin has been the central figure shaping Russia’s political life and foreign policy outlook Yet to speak of a single neatly defined Putin Doctrine risks oversimplifying a system that has evolved over time, responding to domestic pressures, regional shifts, and changing global conditions What can be identified, however, is a coherent set of ideas and practices that together form the guiding logic of contemporary Russian statecraft This doctrine is not set out in one official text but emerges from speeches policy decisions, military actions, and the structure of power within Russia itself At its core lies a belief that Russia is not merely another nation-state but a distinct civilisation with its own historical mission Putin has repeatedly argued that Russia represents a cultural and political world separate from that of the liberal West This conviction draws heavily on interpretations of Russian history that stress continuity between the Tsarist Empire, the USSR, and the present Russian Federation The trauma of the Soviet collapse in 1991 occupies a central place in this worldview Putin has described it as a major catastrophe of the 20th century not only because a superpower disappeared, but because millions of ethnic Russians found themselves outside Russia’s borders, and the state lost both status and strategic depth
From this reading of history flows a second principle: the restoration of Russia s strength and authority The chaotic years of the 1990s, marked by economic hardship, regional fragmentation, and the rise of oligarchic power, are portrayed in official discourse as a period of humiliation imposed by internal weakness and external pressure Putin s domestic project has therefore focused on rebuilding a strong central state Political power has been steadily concentrated in the presidency, independent centres of influence have been brought to heel, and loyalty to the state has been framed as a moral duty Stability order and continuity are presented as higher values than pluralism or rapid political change
This domestic consolidation is inseparable from Russia s external posture The doctrine that has emerged under Putin treats the
international system as inherently competitive Rather than a community of states bound primarily by shared rules it is seen as an arena where major powers pursue their interests test one another s resolve and seek advantageous positions In this view Western talk of universal values often masks geopolitical ambition NATO enlargement, European Union expansion, and Western involvement in post-Soviet states are interpreted not as benign developments but as encroachments into a space Russia regards as vital to its own security
The concept of a privileged sphere of interest is therefore central Russia s leadership asserts a special responsibility for, and entitlement to influence over, neighbouring countries that were once part of the USSR
This is justified through arguments about shared history economic interdependence and the protection of Russian-speaking communities It also reflects strategic calculation
Control, or at least strong influence, over nearby territories provides military depth, buffers against perceived threats, and leverage in dealings with other major powers This outlook helps explain Moscow s willingness to use force or the threat of it in pursuit of political objectives The conflicts in Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine since 2014, and on a larger scale from 2022 onwards, illustrate a readiness to challenge existing borders when the Kremlin judges its interests to be at stake Such actions are framed domestically as defensive necessary responses to Western-backed moves that would otherwise leave Russia exposed International law, while invoked when useful, is treated as subordinate to what the leadership defines as historical justice and strategic necessity
Another defining feature of Putin’s doctrine is the emphasis on sovereignty interpreted in a strict and expansive sense Sovereignty does not only mean protection
from foreign military intervention, but also insulation from external influence over domestic politics media and civil society Laws targeting foreign funding restrictions on non-governmental organisations and controls over information flows are justified as measures to defend Russia s political independence The popular uprisings that have occurred in parts of the post-Soviet space are portrayed not as genuine expressions of public discontent but as operations orchestrated from abroad Preventing similar movements at home has become a priority reinforcing the fusion between internal security policy and foreign policy Economic policy under this doctrine is similarly shaped by geopolitical considerations While Russia remains integrated into global markets especially as an energy supplier there has been a steady effort to reduce vulnerability to external pressure Since the mid-2010s, the state has increased its role in key sectors, built up financial reserves, and promoted domestic production in areas ranging from agriculture to technology Economic resilience is not pursued primarily for prosperity alone but as a strategic asset enabling Russia to withstand sanctions and sustain long-term confrontation with unfriendly powers
Culturally and ideologically, the Putin doctrine presents Russia as a guardian of traditional values The Kremlin aligns itself with the Orthodox Church emphasises conservative social norms and criticises what it depicts as Western moral decline This narrative serves several functions It strengthens ties between the state and influential domestic institutions, offers a sense of purpose that goes beyond material concerns and provides an ideological counterpoint to liberal democracy Abroad it allows Russia to position itself as an alternative centre of attraction for those who are
f p ow e r, a n d d e fe n s i v e r h e t o r i c w i t h a s s e r t i v e a c t i o n . I t h a s r e s h a p e d R u s s i a Ês r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h i t s n e i g h b o u rs , w i t h t h e We s t , a n d w i t h t h e w i d e r wo r l d . W h e t h e r i t w i l l e n d u r e b eyo n d P u t i n h i m s e l f i s a n o p e n q u e s t i o n .
W h a t i s cl e a r i s t h a t i t h a s a l r e a dy l e f t a d e e p i m p r i n t o n E u ro p e a n s e c u r i t y a n d o n t h e
g l o b a l b a l a n c e o f p ow e r, o n e t h a t w i l l c o n t i nu e t o b e fe l t fo r ye a rs t o c o m e
Why a free Palestine matters to the world
Aliberated Palestine will mark the dawn of a new age; otherwise, the Age of Extremes and Catastrophe will linger on, bringing with it economic, ecological, and nuclear holocausts
This piece is written on International Holocaust Remembrance Day My parents German Jews lost members of their families in that terrible chapter of Nazi genocide From that position, I found Tony Blair s initiative in launching this date a cunning and dishonest approach to endorsing the Zionist manipulation of Holocaust memorialization But interestingly in Israel there is very little reference to this day apart from repeating the allegation that opposing the genocide of the Palestinians is a new form of antisemitism Israel prefers a day of remembrance that it controls exclusively, and which conveys the twin messages that Zionism is the only guarantee against another Holocaust and that the Palestinians and their allies are the new Nazis threatening Western civilization Moreover Israel refuses to universalize the Holocaust claiming it cannot be compared to genocides that preceded it and those that followed it Today, however, anti-Zionist Jews all over the world offer an alternative Jewish remembrance of the Holocaust They remember all genocides and boldly point to a much wider context in which mass killings of any group in modern history should be discussed They insist that all genocides should be analyzed as equally crucial for better understanding the human-made catastrophes that plagued the world, ironically, in the age of enlightenment, modernization, and progress the age we are still living in HOLOCAUST MEMORY ZIONISM AND THE AGE OF CATASTROPHE: The recent violence of the West and its allies, spreading now from the killing fields of Gaza to the American threats against Venezuela and Cuba, brings to mind Eric Hobsbawm’s seminal book The Age of Extremes: The Short Twentieth Century (1914–1991) This book begins with the Age of Catastrophe (1914–1945) and ends with a very pessimistic view of the ability of the world to extract itself from the awful years of catastrophe that were Western-made and raged mainly in the West Hobsbawm concluded his book with the following warning: “If humanity is to have a recog-
nizable future, it cannot be by prolonging the past or the present If we try to build the third millennium on that basis we shall fail And the price of failure that is to say the alternative to a changed society is darkness (585) Indeed if the Age of Catastrophe is re-emerging globally, or in Palestine, Hobsbawm s gloom will be validated, and the price of failure, as he calls it, will be paid by the Palestinians Only in a very short reference does Hobsbawm include Zionism as one of the extreme phenomena of that age The worst phenomenon of that age was Nazism Jewish activists such as the late John Rose paid attention to the fact that Zionism was born in an age of extremes, as was Nazism Rose wrote: Zionism is not the same as Nazism It did not have an exterminationist intention at its core though as we shall see Zionism has been and is capable of genocidal outbursts But Zionism is rooted in the traditions of European imperialism That truth alone is sufficient to serve urgent warnings about the implications of Zionism s ruthless colonial ambitions in Palestine Looking at Zionism as a product of the Age of Catastrophe shows how Zionism, instead of being a panacea for that age is rather a product of it one that made the short twentieth century so violent But it is much more than that Zionism exported the Age of Catastrophe to Palestine disrupting a very different trajectory that was unfolding there at the same time When the catastrophe ended in Europe, it began to unfold in Palestine
PALESTINE: A CATASTROPHE IM-
PORTED: Until the 1948 Nakba Palestinian society actually enjoyed an age of hope and prosperity A new professional elite emerged in the cities of Palestine, balancing the influence of Arab-Ottoman notables In rural areas, despite a hostile British colonial policy, new schools appeared built and funded by the villagers themselves while old feuds were settled after the troubled years of the 1936 revolt Despite a British ban on establishing a Palestinian university (while allowing the Zionist community to open two universities), educated young Palestinians were able to continue their academic careers in Beirut and Cairo and further afield For them the hope was that the Western Age of Catastrophe would bypass them but then came the Nakba a catastrophe born out of the ideology and praxis of the Western Age of Catastrophe The disruption of this positive leap forward can best be seen through demographic catastrophes A local, mostly pastoral and rural society had to endure an influx of refugees without any institutional help or proper infrastructure Small towns all over historical Palestine had to absorb within a few months refugees in numbers double and in some cases triple their original population Without adequate infrastructure, a society rooted for centuries in its homeland was flooded at a time of ethnic cleansing with an influx of refugees West Gaza and North Gaza are now experiencing this in a far worse situation than that which existed in 1948 if this is at all possible
Imagine how, in a few days in 1948, the 80,000 residents of the Gaza Strip had to absorb and cater for 200 000 refugees with no government or institutional help and how the 400 000 in the West Bank received within a few months another 300 000 refugees while chaos still prevailed and no real government existed All these refugees were robbed by Israel of all their possessions and arrived in these two areas with nothing
This was when the Age of Catastrophe reached the shores of Palestine imported by the Zionist movement It took time for Palestinians to realize what Europe had exported to their homeland They did not close their homes to the early poor Zionists who arrived in 1882, nor did they fight the British when they occupied Palestine PALESTINE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF AN AGE OF HOPE: In all their negotiations first with the British and later with the international community the Palestinian leadership asked for the two principles meant to help the world extract itself from the Age of Catastrophe: democracy and self-determination Both were denied to the Palestinians by the British and later by UN pro-Zionist policies
Very late in the day when dispossession from both land and workplaces became widespread Palestinians responded with violence
The West did not consult the colonized world when it unilaterally decided the fate of Palestine at the end of the Mandate Palestine was not the only place betrayed in the post-1945 era Getting out of the Age of Extremes today is not only as the West would have it about confronting Islamist extremist groups or rogue states in the Global South Much more urgent is facing the root causes that allowed such organizations and states to emerge, which are symptoms rather than causes of the present and new Age of Catastrophe
One of these root causes by no means the only one but an important one is Western immunity to the Zionist project which brought the European Age of Catastrophe to Palestine and has perpetuated it to this day
A democratic, free Palestine is the only way to avoid the danger so astutely identified by Hobsbawm in the concluding words of his seminal work
This will require a new understanding of where this age emanated from and where effective antidotes can be found It would end a chain that began with the genocide of millions through Western colonialism and imperialism, which generated the genocide of millions of Europeans, including six million Jews, and spread genocide as a political tool in many parts of the world including Palestine A different world does not have to emerge from Palestine but its sacredness to all three major religions shows that there is something very unique about this place something that was lost with the spilling over of
Fr a n c e h a d b e e n s p e a r h e a d i n g a m o n t h s - l o n g
p u s h f o r s i m i l a r E U a c t i o n a l o n g s i d e m e m b e r
s t ate s i n c l u d i n g D e n m a r k , G re e c e a n d S p a i n
national charity Doctors Without Borders in Gaza after the organisation failed to provide a list of its Palestinian staff
The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism is moving to terminate the activities of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the Gaza Strip,” the ministry said
The decision follows “MSF’s failure to submit lists of local employees a requirement applicable to all humanitarian organisations operating in the region it added, stating that the group will cease its work and leave Gaza by February 28
In December, the ministry announced it would prevent 37 aid organisations including MSF from operating in Gaza from March 1 for failing to provide detailed information about their Palestinian staff
It had alleged that two MSF employees had links with Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which the medical charity vehemently denies On Sunday the ministry said MSF had committed in early January that it would share the staff list as required by the Israeli authorities
Despite its public commitment, the organisation refrained from transferring the lists ” the ministry said
“Subsequently MSF announced it does not intend to proceed with the registration process at all contradicting its previous statements and the binding protocol
“In accordance with the regulations, MSF will cease its operations and depart
the Gaza Strip by February 28, 2026,” the ministry added In a statement posted on its website on Friday MSF acknowledged that it had as an exceptional measure agreed to share a list of names of its Palestinian and international staff with the Israeli authorities
“However despite repeated efforts it became evident that we were unable to build engagement with Israeli authorities on the concrete assurances required the charity said These included that any staff information would be used only for its stated administrative purpose and would not [be used to put] colleagues at risk ” MSF said it had not received assurances on these fronts so concluded that we will not share staff information in the current circumstances
Israel to partially reopen Gaza’s Rafah crossing today eanwhile Israel is set to partially reopen the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt today following months of urging from humanitarian organisations, though access will be limited to the movement of people
The reopening comes amid ongoing violence in the Palestinian territory with Gaza s civil defence agency reporting dozens killed in Israeli attacks on Saturday while the Israeli military said it was retaliating against ceasefire violations
The Rafah crossing is a vital gateway for both civilians and aid, but has remained closed since Israeli forces seized control of it in May 2024 during the war with Hamas aside from a brief and limited reopening in early 2025 Israel had previously said it would not reopen the crossing until the remains
of Ran Gvili the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza were returned His remains were recovered days ago and he was laid to rest in Israel on Wednesday The Rafah Crossing will open this coming Sunday (February 1) in both directions, for limited movement of people only ” COGAT an Israeli defence ministry body overseeing civil affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories said on Friday Entry and exit will be permitted in coordination with Egypt, following prior security clearance of individuals by Israel and under the supervision of the European Union mission” it added However key details remain unclear including how many people will be allowed to cross and whether those seeking to return to Gaza will be permitted entry
A source at the border told AFP that Sunday would be largely devoted to preparations and logistical arrangements
The crossing is set to open on Sunday on a trial basis to allow the passage of wounded individuals ahead of a regular reopening scheduled for Monday, three sources at the crossing said However, no agreement has yet been reached on the number of Palestinians permitted to enter or exit the sources added noting that Egypt plans to admit all Palestinians whom Israel authorises to leave the territory
Every day that passes drains my life and worsens my condition,” said Mohammed Shamiya 33 who suffers from kidney disease and requires dialysis treatment abroad I m waiting every moment for the opening of the Rafah land crossing Anxious wait Safa al-Hawajri, who
has received a scholarship to study overseas is also eagerly awaiting the reopening on Sunday I m waiting in the hope of fulfilling my ambition which is tied to the reopening of the crossing said Hawajri, 18
I hope to be able to travel as soon as it opens ” Located on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt Rafah is the only crossing into and out of the territory that does not pass through Israel
The crossing lies in an area held by Israeli forces following their withdrawal behind the so-called Yellow Line under the terms of a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on October 10 Israeli troops still control more than half of Gaza while the rest remains under Hamas authority
The ceasefire has now entered its second phase and calls for reopening the crossing following the release or return of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas Hamas had called for its full reopening in both directions after the remains of Gvili were brought back to Israel
The reopening is expected to facilitate the entry of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) established to oversee the dayto-day governance of the territory s 2 2 million residents
The committee is to operate under the supervision of the so-called Board of Peace chaired by US President Donald Trump
The NCAG headed by former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath is expected to enter the Gaza Strip once the Rafah crossing reopens Violence continued ahead of the crossing s reopening
Iran’s K hamenei likens protests to ‘coup’, warns
would not be tolerated under any circumstances while violations of the Punjab Sound System Act, 2015, would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law Police officers were also directed to continue uninterrupted action against illegal kite flying and the use of metallic strings The CCPO emphasized that during cultural activities due respect must be shown to religious social and moral values
Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and others along highways N-5 to N-80 Eligible firms with an annual net worth of PKR 300 million are invited to participate with financial bids scheduled to open on February 25 2026
NCHR holds meeting with CEO Dar-ul-Sukun Karachi to assess living conditions of special children
KARACHI S
Secretary National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), Islamabad, along with the NCHR Sindh team, held a meeting today with Mr Savio M Pereira, Chief Executive Officer, Dar-ul-Sukun, Karachi, at the Head Office of the institution The meeting was attended by Mr Bonny (General Manager) Sister Catherine and Ms Cockie (Brand Ambassador) During the meeting the Secretary Mr Ghulam Murtaza briefed the participants on the mandate, functions, and statutory role of the National Commission for Human Rights Detailed discussions were held on key human rights issues, with particular focus on the welfare protection, and overall living conditions of children with disabilities residing at Dar-ul-Sukun Subsequently the NCHR team visited Dar-ul-Sukun to assess the overall living conditions of persons with disabilities
KARACHI
S TA F F R E P O R T
Formite, a leading name in high-performance surface materials, is participating in IAPEX 2026, Pakistan’s premier building and construction exhibition taking place from 30 January to 1 February 2026 at Expo
Centre Karachi Operating under the Balochistan Laminates Division of Thal Limited Formite brings over four decades of expertise in precision manufacturing, material science, and design excellence The brand is recognized for delivering innovative laminate solutions that combine aesthetics durability and performance for modern interiors At Stall A76–77 visitors can explore Formite s premium product range including High Pressure Laminates (HPL), Compact Laminates, and Anti-Microbial Laminates, along with a wide variety of finishes such as wood grains, marbles, metallics, 3D textures, solids and patterns Formite’s products are designed to meet the evolving needs of architects designers builders and homeowners by offering long-lasting surfaces that withstand daily wear while maintaining visual appeal
Punjab CM announces ‘Basant holiday ’ as sale of k ites, strings for Lahore Basant begins
caused by sharp strings particularly to motorcyclists and pillion riders as well as celebratory gunfire
cially began in Lahore ahead of the three-day festival
Punjab will enjoy a long weekend with Kashmir Day on February 5, a provincial Basant holiday on the 6th, followed by Saturday and Sunday We hope people across Punjab take this time to relax recharge and make the most of the break the chief minister posted on X
The announcement comes as Lahore prepares for the revival of Basant from February 6 to 8, following the Punjab government s decision to lift an 18-year ban on the historic kite-flying festival, which had been imposed in 2007 due to a surge in deaths and serious injuries
Sale of kites strings begins Meanwhile the district administration confirmed that the sale of kites and strings kicked off on Sunday under a strictly regulated framework, as the provincial capital buzzed with colour and anticipation after more than two decades
According to officials permission has so far been granted to 2 246 traders to sell kites and strings in Lahore out of 2,504 applications received The registration of 163 traders remains under process, while 95 applications have been rejected
The deputy commissioner said that registration through an online portal has been made mandatory for both the manufacturing and sale of kite-flying materials during the Basant season Kites and strings will only be available at officially registered sales points until February 8 Authorities reiterated that only regis-
Pakistan engages Bangladesh, Philippines on migrant workers’ welfare and skills development
ISLAMABAD S
o R t Pakistan held high-level discussions with Bangladesh and the Philippines on shared challenges and best practices for the welfare, skills training, and social protection of overseas workers officials said on Sunday Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain led the meetings on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue engaging with Dr Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment of Bangladesh, and Atty Hans Leo J Cacdac Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers of the Philippines Senior officials from Pakistan and the respective diplomatic missions in the UAE also attended the sessions During the discussions with Bangladesh, the Pakistani delegation briefed counterparts on the initiatives of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and the role of the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) in providing social protection to workers The Bangladeshi side shared insights into the operational framework of its Technical Training Centers Both sides explored avenues to enhance bilateral cooperation in education, health, tourism, and trade, emphasizing structured collaboration in recruitment processes skills training and reintegration mechanisms for returning workers In the meeting with the Philippines Pakistan highlighted its vocational skills development programs under NAVTTC and briefed the Philippine delegation on other key institutions, including the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) and the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) The Philippines shared its pre-departure training model for migrant workers and details of its pension and social security systems Both parties expressed interest in studying each other s models and best practices, particularly regarding legal and regulatory frameworks, registration, training, and reintegration mechanisms
China CG
tered traders are allowed to sell kite-flying materials and warned that strict legal action would be taken against violators Strict safety regulations enforced Under official notifications the production trade and storage of kite-flying materials outside the approved framework have been declared illegal Only kites of approved sizes will be permitted, while strings made of up to nine cotton threads will be allowed
According to an official notification each QRT will be headed by the assistant commissioner of the respective tehsil and will include representatives from Rescue 1122, police Special Branch, health, education and other civic departments
The QRTs have been tasked with supervising cleanliness campaigns establishing Basant awareness camps and educating students and citizens on safety measures and preventive actions during the festival
The use of spinning wheels sharp strings and nylon or plastic strings has been declared a criminal offence Officials warned that violators would face strict legal action under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act, 2025 To prevent accidents motorcycle riders will be required to install iron safety rods during the Basant days with the administration stressing that public safety remains its top priority Quick Response Teams formed To ensure effective monitoring and emergency response the Lahore deputy commissioner has constituted Quick Response Teams (QRTs) in every tehsil
The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Karachi Yang Yundong on Thursday reaffirmed the enduring and ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan highlighting that bilateral relations have grown stronger, more resilient, and more comprehensive over time
Addressing the 2026 Chinese New Year Media Reception the consul general said the Year of the Horse symbolizes vitality determination and success expressing hope that the New Year would bring progress and prosperity for both nations
Yang noted that China-Pakistan cooperation particularly in Sindh and Balochistan continues to advance steadily, achieving new milestones under the strategic guidance of leaders from both countries and with the constructive role of the media
He praised Pakistani journalists for acting as a bridge of understanding between the two peoples highlighting their extensive coverage of China-Pakistan friendship, high-level exchanges, and joint development projects According to the consul general, media professionals have played a key role in introducing China’s achievements in infrastructure, artificial intelligence, semiconductors agriculture and modernization to the Pakistani public
Yang also appreciated the media s participation in exchange visits to China saying firsthand exposure has strengthened people-to-people ties and cultural understanding He added that Pakistani journalists have contributed valuable policy insights and served as a “think tank” in promoting cooperation especially under ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Version 2 0
Highlighting China s economic performance the consul general said 2025 the final year of China s 14th Five-Year Plan marked steady growth despite global challenges, with around 5 percent GDP growth and total GDP reaching 140 trillion yuan (approximately 20 trillion US dollars) He also noted significant progress in green development innovation and economic reforms
Looking ahead Yang said 2026 marks the start of China s 15th Five-Year Plan focusing on high-quality development, innovation-driven growth, AI gov-
Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq
to China during which both sides launched anniversary celebrations and reaffirmed their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership Yang emphasized that China-Pakistan friendship remains a vital strategic asset and a stabilizing force for the region and the world He urged the media to continue playing an active role in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting the vision of a China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future Concluding his address,
showcasing life in Chinese villages and cities highlighting state-of-theart technology in economic development, agriculture, industry, music, and arts was presented The film also emphasized China’s rich cultural heritage alongside its rapid modernization Senior journalists Nasim Iqbal Baloch anchor Raja Anis and Manzar Naqvi who previously visited China shared their views on the country s development, praising the Chinese government s efforts in improving the lives of its people The reception began with the national anthems of both friendly countries, reflecting the deep and enduring bonds of China-Pakistan friendship
