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‘FUTURE OF NATION’: PM VOWS TO EMPOWER YOUTH WITH GLOBAL SKILLS, BOOST EMPLOYMENT

g PREMIER SHEHBAZ SAYS COMPREHENSIVE NAVTTC PROGRAMS ALREADY SHOWING POSITIVE RESULTS NATIONWIDE

g NOTES MATRIC-TECH AND UPCOMING INTER TECH PROGRAMS TO EXPAND TECH TRAINING

g SAYS PM YOUTH HUB, IT, HEALTHCARE, TOURISM, LOGISTICS SECTORS OFFER GROWING JOB OPPORTUNITIES g

Fitna

Khawarij a

for members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan In the first operation carried out in the Bara area of Khyber District, security forces killed 10 militants following what officials described as an intense exchange of fire The ISPR said troops effectively engaged militant positions resulting in the elimination of all targets at the site A second operation in Bannu District led to the killing of three more militants further underscoring the ongoing counterterror campaign in the region The military said follow-up sanitisation operations were underway to clear the area of any remaining militants It reiterated that operations under the “Azm-eIstehkam strategy approved under the National Action Plan would continue at full pace to eliminate what it termed foreign-sponsored terrorism Asif Ali Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the successful operations In separate statements, both leaders reaffirmed the country’s resolve to eradicate terrorism President Zardari emphasised that such operations would continue to ensure national security and safeguard citizens while Prime Minister Shehbaz described the armed forces as a solid wall defending the country against militant threats The operations come amid a surge in militant activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies fatalities in the province rose sharply from 1 620 in 2024 to 2 331 in 2025 reflecting a worsening security environment In response to the resurgence of militancy, particularly in KP and Balochistan, authorities have stepped up intelligencebased operations targeting militant networks ISLAMABAD s TA

g HIGHLIGHTS HEC TRACKING EMPLOYMENT OF GRADUATES FROM 282 UNIVERSITIES TO SHAPE POLICIES

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that while several countries are struggling to maintain the demand-supply balance of essential commodities amid global challenges Pakistan is managing the situation successfully and effectively, state media reported The Prime Minister made these remarks during a review meeting aimed at devising a comprehensive strategy to shield the country from the financial and economic impacts arising from the ongoing regional conflict, said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) PM Shehbaz commended the timely and effective measures taken by institutions to prevent any emergency situation concerning the supply of essential goods He praised the mutual coordination among ministries and relevant institutions to tackle economic and financial

A crucial trilateral meeting between Pakistan Afghanistan, and China in Urumqi ended without a breakthrough on Wednesday, highlighting persistent tensions and deep divisions between Islamabad and Kabul The talks marked the first significant diplomatic contact since Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on February 26 an operation that led to a sharp downturn in bilateral engagement Despite the high stakes, officials familiar with the discussions described the outcome as inconclusive A Pakistani official, speaking anonymously, said the meeting produced no major progress though it helped reopen channels of communication China reit-

challenges and directed them to further strengthen their cooperation After meeting domestic needs for food and essential items progress is being made on a comprehensive strategy to export surplus production,” the Prime Minister said He reiterated that the government would continue to take all necessary steps to ensure the stability and development of the national economy and safeguard public welfare Considering rising global prices, PM Shehbaz directed the formulation of a comprehensive medium- and longterm strategy to address the economic and financial impacts on Pakistan The strategy he said should focus on economic stability, growth, and resilience, and be prepared in close coordination with relevant ministries and institutions

The Prime Minister emphasized that while preparing the strategy both external and internal macroeconomic impacts must be carefully evaluated

T In what is being hailed as Pakistan s formal entry into the global carbon market and a major breakthrough in climate diplomacy, Pakistan and Norway on Wednesday signed a landmark carbon market agreement under the Paris Agreement according to an official statement The Ministry of Climate Change and

erated its commitment to stay engaged with both sides, positioning itself as a stabilising force amid growing regional uncertainty According to officials the meeting was not intended as formal mediation but rather as a platform to exchange views on escalating security concerns Discussions focused heavily on finding a balance between addressing militancy and preserving economic cooperation Islamabad once again raised alarm over the presence of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan safe havens in Afghanistan a concern it has repeatedly flagged since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power Afghan representatives while expressing a willingness to engage maintained that TTP s cross-border activities are not their direct responsibility

well located in the Waziristan Block, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

In separate notices to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Wednesday Mari Energies Limited and Oil and Gas Develop-

ment Company Limited (OGDCL) said they have commenced gas and condensate production from the Spinwam-1 discovery in the Waziristan Block of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Both companies confirmed that production has started under the Extended Well Testing phase, with the well completed in the Lockhart reservoir The inauguration ceremony was held at the company’s head office and attended by Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik who lauded the joint venture s technical expertise and operational performance He emphasized that discoveries such as Spinwam-1 play a crucial role in strengthening Pakistan’s energy security, reducing reliance on imports and supporting economic growth Managing Director and CEO of Mari Energies Faheem Haider stated that the project reflects the joint venture s commitment to developing indigenous hydrocarbon resources meeting rising energy demand, and ensuring a reliable gas supply Participants at the ceremony also paid tribute to the sacrifices of Shuhada and injured personnel including

TNo major outcome as Pak-Afghan Urumqi talks end amid China push for CBMs CONTINUED FROM PAGEI 01

Despite the impasse, both sides explored confidence-building measures Beijing reportedly pushed for the reopening of trade routes and broader economic engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan as a way to ease tensions China s involvement proved central to the meeting with diplomatic sources revealing that Kabul had sought Beijing s assistance in bringing Islamabad back to the negotiating table Alongside Pakistan’s concerns, China also highlighted the threat

‘Future of Nation’: PM vows to empower youth with global skills, boost employment

CONTINUED FROM PAGEI 01

The Prime Minister noted that reforms within NAVTTC had led to significant improvements in the quality and accessibility of technical training The meeting was briefed on measures to create employment opportunities for youth at both national and international levels The PM Youth Program in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has already identified multiple international job opportunities for Pakistani youth with additional avenues under exploration the statement added It was highlighted that the PM Youth Hub has become a central platform for information on job opportunities, particularly in the IT, healthcare, construction, tourism, and logistics sectors, which currently offer numerous employment options The meeting also noted that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is monitoring the employment status of graduates from 282 univer-

sities through a digital application, maintaining a database of employed graduates to inform future education policies the PMO said In terms of education-to-employment pathways the Matric-Tech program has been introduced in 32 institutions under the Federal Ministry of Education, with an Inter-Tech program for technical and vocational training slated for launch soon

Federal ministers Dr Musadik Malik Ahad Khan Cheema Muhammad Aurangzeb Attaullah Tarar Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Dr Ahsan Iqbal, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiani, HEC Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan and senior officials of the relevant departments attended the meeting

In a related development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government is providing all possible facilities to investors in the digital and

telecom sectors to promote Pakistan s digital economy

“The recent successful auction of 5G spectrum reflects that the government is moving in the right direction the Prime Minister said while meeting VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu and his delegation at the PM House, the PMO said in a separate statement He stated that Pakistan is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to boost foreign investment and innovation in information technology emphasizing the use of IT to advance a cashless economy and ensure transparency Following the 5G auction, the Prime Minister noted that all relevant institutions are working in close coordination with telecom operators to provide high-quality internet services to the public He stressed that the youth can play a pivotal role in strengthening the economy and improving service delivery through active participation in IT and digital platforms

Trump disc usses Iran ceasefire talks with S audi crown prince

CONTINUED FROM PAGEI 01 Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets At least 13 US service members have been killed since the war began according to US figures, and the conflict has driven up energy prices and affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint with a significant portion of global oil shipments passing through it Iran rubbishes Trump s baseless claim its new regime president asked for ceasefire Iran earlier rubbished the claim from Trump that a new leader had just asked the US for a ceasefire "Iran s new regime president much less radicalised and far more intelligent than his predecessors has just asked the United States of America for a ceasefire, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social Washington would consider the request only when the strait was "open, free and clear" he said warning it would continue striking Iran into oblivion or as

they say back to the stone ages" in the meantime

According to Iran s IRIB news agency

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no ceasefire proposal was made

He also said that a five-point plan allegedly proposed by Iran was "media speculation" adding that the war would continue until the aggressor is punished and full compensation is paid to Iran

Araghchi told Al Jazeera the same saying that Iran was seeking an end to the war and guarantees that such aggressions would not be repeated

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman

Esmaeil Baqaei rejected Trump's claim saying that Tehran asking for a ceasefire did not reflect reality

Axios, citing three US officials, reported that discussions were underway about a ceasefire in exchange for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz

Officials said Trump was actively discussing the possibility with figures inside and outside his administration but cautioned that it remained unclear whether a deal could be reached Sources did not specify whether the discussions were tak-

ing place directly with Iran or through mediators such as Pakistan Trump separately told Reuters today hours before he was scheduled to make a primetime address to the nation, that the US would be "out of Iran pretty quickly" and could return for "spot hits" if needed Trump also said he would express his disgust with NATO for what he considered the alliance s lack of support for US objectives in Iran He said he was absolutely considering an attempt to withdraw the US from NATO

Pakistan steps into global c arbon market with

Living from day to day

TH E closure of the Hormuz Strait through which almost all of the country’s oil passes has hit hard The global oil price has reached $118 per barrel, and the country is staring down the barrel The good news is that the country is still avoiding further measures beyond those that have already been taken The bad news is that they are still under consideration One of the signs that things are getting worse is that the provinces have agreed to share some of the burden of the subsidy on petrol meant to hold prices down despite their increase, If the provinces had agreed when the proposal was made it would simply have been the provinces alleviating the federal burden, but now it means that things are getting worse One of the issues is the targeting of the subsidy, so that motorcyclists rather than car-owners benefit The government will have to ensure that diesel continues to be subsidized because on it depend the cost of transporting both goods and people, as well as the upcoming wheat harvest and Kharif sowing

One task the government seems to have in hand is the supply of both diesel and petrol and while there can be no certainty as long as the Hormuz Strait is closed, stocks are sufficient to avoid a shortage However, the inability of Qatar to supply liquefied natural gas means that gas loadshedding has started even though it is not extensive in urban areas

Electricity loadshedding has not increased, being an option rejected by the government after it was proposed However, it should be noted that operating oil-fired and LNG-fired generation plants may not remain feasible for that long and the option will then be brought back on the table So will that of a smart lockdown , which means that weekend movement of traffic will not be allowed

It is in the context of the all-round disruption of ordinary life that has resulted from the US-Israel-Iran war that the meeting of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Tuesday is so important Mr Dar and Mr Wang have prepared a fivepoint proposal which is in effect a second proposal alternative to the 14 points given by Mr Trump and stressing the security of the Strait The decision of accepting it as the guarantee Iran wants of safety from attack rests on it, but it is a solid beginning

Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

M A Niazi

Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit

vealed that many students are now using AI to generate degree theses and academic reports, raising concerns about declining critical thinking and originality

PA K I S TA N S universities are at a critical juncture in their academic evolution The introduction of the semester system across higher education institutions was intended to modernize assessment, promote continuous learning, and align with global frameworks such as the Bologna Process

According to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan adopted unified semester guidelines to create a consistent credit-based measure of student learning outcomes, skills, and competencies that would be understood by students, employers, and international counterparts alike

These guidelines were developed by a national task force and shared with universities to help shift the focus from end-of-year exams to a more distributed and objective semester assessment model However more than a decade since their inception significant gaps remain in how assessments are designed and executed, with profound consequences for educational quality and integrity

The semester system theoretically encourages instructors to use a variety of assessment tools quizzes presentations assignments midterms lab work and final exams with diverse weightage contributing to a student s overall grade A 2022 survey by the Associated Press of Pakistan found that most institutions follow this approach, yet many lack external moderation and quality review, which are essential for fairness and consistency

Despite the policy s intention to make evaluation more objective Pakistani universities still struggle to move beyond memorization-based questions and superficial grading practices that fail to test analytical reasoning or real competence In many classes, written assignments are not subject to rigorous verification handing students an opportunity to copy or to rely on readily available online solutions

This vulnerability has been dramatically amplified by the rapid spread of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and other advanced language models A recent parliamentary briefing re-

6 percent), Punjab (2 2 percent), and Balochistan (1 2 percent) This is the first-time official statistics allow us to understand how digital and platformbased work varies across provinces highlighting the role of urbanisation infrastructure and local economic opportunities The survey also captures the growing role of subsidiary or secondary gig work Among workers with subsidiary employment, 10 6 percent are engaged in gig activities, with women more active online than men (15 0 percent vs 9 8 percent) Teaching and selling goods dominate at 22 3 percent each while taxi services account for 10 8 percent delivery for 10 1 percent freelancing for 9 2 percent, and digital content creation (YouTube, TikTok, vlogs) for 11 4 percent These statistics confirm that gig work often functions as a coping mechanism a way for workers to supplement household income amid inflation unemployment and limited formal opportunities

The first-time data also underscores the policy gap Most gig workers operate outside formal labour protections, lacking minimum wage

In response, the HEC has adopted upgraded versions of plagiarism detection software like Turnitin to counter such activities signalling awareness at the highest levels of governance The trend underscores a core truth: assessment policies that do not produce demonstrable proof of genuine student competence are increasingly easy to subvert in the digital age

Internationally, universities have recognized similar pressures and are adapting with a mix of strategies that Pakistan’s universities can learn from For example the University of Sydney is launching a two-lane assessment model that bans smart devices and AI from secure exams while allowing controlled AI use in open assignments, aiming to balance integrity with realistic preparedness for an AI-connected professional world

Such models emphasize that the role of assessment should be to measure understanding and reasoning not merely to reward submission of text In contrast Pakistan s current practice still relies heavily on unchecked take-home assignments and traditional written exams without systemic verification such as viva voce or oral defense, which can reveal whether a student actually understands what they have written

The absence of such safeguards leaves room for academic dishonesty and anecdotal evidence including student discussions on public forums reveals widespread perceptions of cheating and misuse of external aids even during supervised assessments This not only undermines student learning but also erodes public trust in the degree granted by these institutions The HEC’s longstanding role in shaping assessment policy is both an asset and an under-leveraged resource The Policy Guidelines for Implementation of Uniform Semester System were designed to encourage valid, reliable, and objective evaluation across institutions )

guarantees social security health insurance or pensions The state’s focus on promoting freelancing and IT exports does not address the reality that the majority of gig work is physical and urban Without regulation, protection, and inclusive digital policies, the gig economy risks institutionalising informality rather than fostering sustainable livelihoods The LFS 2024–25 is crucial in highlighting the scale of these gaps and providing an evidence base for intervention

This historic data finally allows Pakistan to understand the true nature of its gig economy It shows a labour market that is small in size but vital in function, reflecting resilience and adaptation in the face of economic pressures Gig work in Pakistan is less about high-tech digital opportunity and more about survival strategies whether it s a taxi driver navigating fuel hikes a woman tutoring online from home or a delivery worker supplementing meagre wages Policymakers, researchers, and platform operators now have the first official evidence to design interventions that balance flexibility with security digital access with inclusion and urban opportunity with regional equity This includes legal recognition of gig workers gender-sensitive inclusion programs expansion of digital access, provincial infrastructure investments, and mechanisms for social protection By addressing these gaps, Pakistan can move from a gig economy of necessity toward one that offers stability security and real opportunities for all segments of the workforce

The writer is a freelance columnist and can be reached out at sehrish irfaan@gmail com

Easy access to drugs among teenagers and within educational institutions

education

off by leading scholars representing all recognized schools of thought in Pakistan Sunni, Shia, Deobandi, Barelvi, Ahl-e-Hadith, and others? Has the federal or any provincial government formally notified such a version through a gazette? If yes is it being used consistently across all public schools colleges and exams from Karachi to Khyber? If no and from what I have seen in official records, the answer appears to be no then why has this clear constitutional duty under Article 31(4) remained undone for decades?

Provinces like Punjab have passed the Quran Compulsory Teaching Ordinance 2018 and others have similar laws but they dodge the translation question or pick versions without consensus This is not a fight over faith or personal belief It is about good government proper policy, administrative order, and strict duty under constitutional law Pakistan is a nation that constitutionally respects multiple schools of thought as affirmed in various judgments and the Council of Islamic Ideology framework When staterun schools, boards, and exams use different translations at random sometimes one scholar ’s work in Lahore another ’s in Quetta it creates real confusion for our children who must pass the same national exams Classical tafsir that great and beautiful work of dedicated scholars over fourteen centuries from Imam Tabari to modern times, needs no government approval or rubber stamp to live on It has stood alone through empires and caliphates But when the State

Courts do not create religious law or pick between scholars they have no power and no business doing so. Their job is to interpret and enforce what the Constitution already says in clear terms The Holy QurÊan guides the lives and conscience of most Pakistanis, rich and poor alike Its teaching in state institutions must therefore be set by clear rules, uniform across the land, and true to the letter and spirit of the law. That is no mere policy choice for politicians It is a legal command from the supreme law of the land The question now rests squarely with the Federal Constitutional Court. We Pakistanis lawyers, teachers, parents, citizens must meet it with care, truth, determination, and one united voice

signed

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sisters, in two days we will celebrate the holiday of Purim 2,500 years ago, in ancient Persia, an enemy rose against us with the exact same goal of completely destroying our people But Mordechai the Jew and Queen Esther with their courage and resourcefulness saved our people In those days of Purim, the lot was cast, and the wicked Haman fell along with it Even today on the holiday of Purim, the lot was cast, and the end of the evil regime will also come Netanyahu has also compared Iran to the biblical Amalekites (a theme he has used to refer to Hamas in Gaza drawing criticism from the United Nations) The Amalekites were arch enemies of the Jewish people, who the Old Testament God ordered to be completely destroyed, “men and women, children and infants cattle and sheep camels and donkeys” Netanyahu s government rests on an alliance with religious Zionists who frequently invoke religious references to justify Israel s policies AMERICAN EVANGELISM: The first amendment of the US constitution, meanwhile guarantees freedom of religion and effectively prevents one faith being favoured over any others That said about 70% of Americans identify with a religious faith (the vast majority are Christians) and there is evidence of the growing influence of evangelical Christianity on the Maga movement and the Trump administration On March 5 the US president was joined for prayers in the Oval Office by a group of evangelical pastors Placing their hands on him prayed for your grace and protection over him and over our troops The video of the American president engaging in a group prayer while engaged in a major war went viral At the start of the war hundreds of US troops reported being told by their commanders that the war was part of God s divine plan and that: President Trump has been anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to Earth Evangelical movements have vastly increased their political influence in the US and across the world They often support rightwing politicians domestically and Israel internationally believing in Christian Zionism or that the strengthening of the state of Israel will ultimately lead to the erection of the Temple in Jerusalem and hasten the arrival of the day of judgement Challenged by evangelical movements the Catholic church in contrast has condemned the war as immoral and unjust and denounced Israel s attacks on Christians

in Lebanon Pope Leo, himself an American, has called the war a “scandal to the whole human family”

IRANIAN MARTYRDOM: The Israeli killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei broke a norm in international relations in more ways than one It is the first assassination of a head of state by a foreign country in many decades And it is the first time in centuries – perhaps ever – that one of Shi’ism’s most senior Grand Ayatollahs has been killed by a foreign power

Many other senior Shia clerics – some of whom had had a difficult and sometimes even antagonistic relationship with Khamenei and the system he represented –declared him a martyr Assuming his father ’s role as supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei delivered remarks that heavily emphasised martyrdom and messianism – including an opening reference to the Hidden 12th Imam who is meant to return on the day of judgement, according to Shia doctrine

In Iran, Twelver Shia messianism and Iranian nationalism have long been interwoven especially since the revolution of 1979 Now Iran’s Shia clerics have declared the defence of the homeland as a sacred duty

What the other branches of Islam think of the war is more complicated Some senior non-Shia clerics, including the mufti of Oman – a prominent scholar of the Ibadi branch of Islam – declared Khamenei a martyr The Sunni mufti of Iraq even argued that all Muslims should support Iran There have been protests denouncing the war in Pakistan India Yemen Indonesia and beyond

But other major Sunni clerical institutions or movements have not been so vociferous in their condemnation for the death of Khamenei or the need to support Iran This –quite apart from the at times bitter antagonism between Sunnism and Shi ism – also has to do with the fact that Iran swiftly started attacking major Sunni-majority countries that host American military bases Messianic and apocalyptic elements of all three major Abrahamic faith traditions have been instrumentalised by increasingly authoritarian leaders in a global confrontation While there are voices in all three traditions criticising this use of religion it is setting a dangerous precedent And while the war has been criticised as being in breach of international law, the reckless use of religion to support this war has not This should change Toby Matthiesen is a Senior Lecturer in Global Religious Studies University of Bristol

TRUMP SAYS US TO LEAVE IRAN 'PRETT Y QUICKLY' AND RETURN IF NEEDED

AG E

I E S Japan and France agreed on Wednesday to coordinate closely in pushing for an end to the US-Asraeli war with Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to oil and gas tankers, Japan s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said "Because the international situation is so challenging I believe there is great significance in the leaders of Japan and France deepening their personal ties and making our cooperation even stronger," Takaichi said after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Tokyo on security ties and industrial cooperation We share a belief in international law and in the international order based on the United Nations Charter, and we also believe in the democratic values that we defend This is why we both advocate the return to peace to a ceasefire to calm and to the free movement of people and goods through the Strait of Hormuz," Macron said Takaichi echoed his words, saying the two leaders had agreed "on the importance of ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz maintaining a stable supply of essential materials and calming the situation as soon as possible With the Middle East conflict now in its fifth week, Japan, France and other countries are grappling with rising energy costs Unless the conduit for about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas flows reopens they could face shortages of petroleum products Japan, which normally gets around 90% of its oil from the Middle East, has begun drawing on its oil reserves to cushion the economic blow France has held talks with dozens of countries as it seeks proposals for a mission to reopen the waterway once the conflict ends

NATIONS AG E N C I E S

A United Nations diplomat has resigned from his post warning that the organisation may be preparing for a scenario involving the use of nuclear weapons against Iran Mohamad Safa, who represented the Patriotic Vision Association (PVA) at the UN, said he stepped down in order to share information he considered critical The PVA is a non-governmental organisation with special consultative status at the UN Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) Safa accused senior UN officials of acting in the interest of a powerful lobby” rather than the UN In a social media post Safa said that he resigned from his role in order to leak the information before claiming

that some senior figures at the UN had been serving a powerful lobby and not the UN itself This is a picture of Tehran For you uneducated, untraveled, never-served, warhawks licking your chops at the thought of bombing it It s not some low population desert " he wrote in a social media post accompanied by a photo of the Iranian capital There are families children family pets Regular working class people with dreams You re sick to want war Tehran is a city of nearly 10,000,000 people Imagine nuking Washington Berlin Paris London or beyond bombed with nuclear weapons he said I don t think people understand the gravity of the situation as the UN is preparing for possible nuclear weapon use in Iran I gave up my diplomatic career to leak this information I sus-

pended my duties so as not to be part of or a witness to this crime against humanity, he added According to the UN Environment Programme’s Champions of the Earth, Safa has served as PVA executive director since 2013 and was appointed its permanent UN representative in 2016 His resignation comes amid rising tensions in the region In recent days several Iranian lawmakers have suggested that Tehran should withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) following attacks on civilian nuclear facilities by the United States and Israel Ebrahim Rezaei spokesman for

5 5 million ordinary shares to eligible STL shareholders on record as of March 25, 2026 The shares are being issued in the ratio of 11 ordinary shares of STL for every one ordinary share held in addition to the company approved the allotment and issuance of 101 619 million ordinary shares of STL to eligible shareholders of GEMSPNL also based on GEMSPNL s record date of March 25 2026

An awareness seminar was held at the head office of Alkhidmat

CM MARYAM HAILS HISTORIC SMOG REDUCTION, PLEDGES STRONGER ACTION IN 2026

ments: Rawalpindi Multan Bahawalpur Lodhran, and Mandi Bahauddin saw better air quality indicators Rawalpindi,

‘High Aler t ’: 30,000 policemen to guard Easter, Good Friday events in Punjab

The Punjab Police have devised a comprehensive security and traffic plan for the Christian community’s Good Friday (April 3) and Easter Sunday (April 5) deploying over 30 000 personnel across the province to ensure safety during the religious observances The arrangements were reviewed during a video-link meeting chaired by Additional IG Operations (AIG) Punjab Muhammad Ali Naikokara at the Central Police Office with all RPOs DIGs SSP Operations Lahore and other senior officers in attendance Regional police officers briefed the participants on security and traffic plans in their respective jurisdictions Acting on directives from the Punjab Inspector General of Police the meeting decided that entry to churches would be strictly regulated, with all individuals allowed access only after thorough checking and identity verification

Naikokara directed that community volunteers should work alongside police personnel remain vigilant and keep a close watch on any suspicious individuals or activities The meeting also emphasised intensifying search, sweep and combing operations ahead of Good Friday and Easter along with continued monitoring of suspicious elements through door-to-door checks Special attention was directed towards Fitna al-Khawarij and other miscreant elements Authorities were instructed to maintain close coordination with the Safe City Authority and district

AKU Surgical Expo 2026 showcases latest innovations in surgical technology

KARACHI

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University (AKU), is drawing strong interest from clinicians, trainees, and healthcare professionals as it showcases the latest advancements in surgical instruments implants and medical technologies Held as part of the 11th AKU Annual Surgical Conference & Expo 2026 (#11AASC) the Expo is taking place on March 31 and April 1 at the Gymnasium, Sports and Rehabilitation Centre, AKU, featuring more than 30 stalls by leading industry partners The exhibition floor is offering attendees a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge innovations in surgical care engage directly with manufacturers and distributors and gain hands-on exposure to new tools and technologies shaping modern operating rooms From advanced surgical instruments and implant systems to evolving medical devices and digital solutions, the Expo is serving as a key interface between clinical practice and industry innovation Healthcare professionals attending the Expo are engaging with exhibitors through live demonstrations product walkthroughs, and technical discussions, allowing them to better understand the practical applications of emerging technologies in improving patient outcomes LAHORE

administrations to ensure continuous monitoring of religious events Officers were also directed to remain in contact with church administrations Christian community leaders and scholars of other faiths to promote interfaith harmony

Separately, a Punjab Police spokesperson said a comprehensive and integrated security plan had been finalised with the force placed on high alert to ensure effective protection of the Christian community Senior officers will remain present in the field to oversee security arrangements across all districts

media, legal, and social sectors Among the notable attendees were Dr Musarrat Jabeen (former Director Women Sindh), Shehr Bano (renowned journalist), Dr Rana Khan (Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan) Jahan Ara Hai Sabiha Shah Abdul Rahim Mousvi senior journalist Faqeer Saleem Rehana Afroz from Working Women Forums and well-known naat reciter Sara Moeen from Cross Society A large number of educationists, artists, journalists, and professionals from the development sector also participated in the event Speakers on the occasion paid tribute to Ms Faika Gul Sahibzada for her valuable contributions to literature culture and international engagement highlighting her efforts in promoting Urdu literature and Pakistani culture while residing abroad In her remarks, Ms Faika Gul Sahibzada expressed gratitude to the organizers for hosting the event and reaffirmed her commitment to continue working for the promotion of literature culture and social development in the future

TLAHORE

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar

Hayat’s latest change in position on school operations has renewed scrutiny of the province’s education decision-making process after he reiterated support for a five-day school week only for an official notification later to announce Friday closure for all public and private schools and revised timings from Monday to Thursday On March 30, the minister had announced that educational institutions across Punjab would reopen from April 1 and operate five days a week He had also rejected as fake a circulating notification claiming schools would shift to a four-day schedule He repeated the same position on Wednesday morning, saying schools in Punjab would continue to function five days a week in the interest of academic continuity and educational standards Later on Wednesday however the official position changed It was announced that all public and private schools in Punjab would remain closed on Fridays until further orders, while school timings for Monday to Thursday were reduced

He was instrumental in introducing legal organ transplantation and helping establish renal transplant units in private hospitals across the city He also has close familial ties to prominent figures, including former KP police chief Malik Naveed and senior police officer Malik Saad, who was martyred in a 2007 suicide attack The incident adds to a worrying trend of targeted attacks in the province In recent weeks multiple professionals have come under fire including a dialysis technician killed in Wana and a senior food authority official injured in another attack in Peshawar Earlier, a woman doctor was shot dead in Kohat triggering protests by the medical community Authorities say investigations are ongoing as concerns grow over the safety of professionals amid a surge in violence across the region

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A notable decline of 35 per cent in combat-related fatalities was recorded across Pakistan in March coinciding with the launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, according to fresh data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies The report revealed that 331 people were killed during the month a sharp drop from 506 fatalities recorded in February Analysts attributed this reduction to the impact of Pakistan s cross-border strikes targeting militant hideouts in Afghanistan Despite an increase in the number of militant attacks the overall lethality of such incidents declined The think tank noted a visible drop in high-profile attacks suggesting that militant capabilities may have been disrupted The timing suggests these opera-

tions may have contributed to reducing the intensity of attacks, the report observed However, in response to the military operation, groups including Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar and Ittihadul Mujahideen announced an escalation in their activities against Pakistan Despite this the impact remained comparatively limited, as reflected in the declining casualty figures Civilian fatalities saw the most dramatic reduction, falling by 70 per cent from 132 in February to just 39 in March Fatalities among security forces dropped by 26 per cent from 80 to 59 while militant deaths also decreased by 22 per cent, from 294 to 228

Overall injuries also declined significantly, falling by 37 per cent from 333 to 210 Civilian injuries recorded the sharpest drop decreasing by 62 per cent while injuries among security personnel saw only a slight dip In contrast, militant injuries surged,

indicating increased engagement during operations

The report also highlighted a shift in militant tactics While large-scale attacks declined, there was a rise in lowintensity operations The number of militant attacks increased to 146 in March from 83 in February even as suicide bombings dropped sharply from five to just one Security forces arrested 41 suspected militants during the month, while militants abducted 19 individuals There was also a worrying rise in attacks on pro-government peace committee members suggesting a shift towards softer targets

Regionally Balochistan recorded the highest number of fatalities, though deaths dropped significantly from 285 in February to 189 in March Civilian deaths in the province saw a steep decline while militant and security forces’ casualties also decreased In the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (erstwhile Fata) fatalities fell by 42 per cent, although injuries rose sharply The only suicide attack of the month was reported from this region

Mainland KP witnessed relatively stable fatality figures though injuries dropped significantly However attacks on peace committee members increased, underscoring evolving militant strategies Punjab and Sindh reported no militant attacks during March, though security operations continued, resulting in arrests and the killing of a few militants In Gilgit-Baltistan an attempted attack on a security post near the Diamer-Bhasha Dam was successfully foiled without casualties