g PREMIER SHEHBAZ FLAGS SHARP SURGE FROM $300M PRE-WAR LEVEL TO $800M, TERMING THIS HIGHLY CHALLENGING SITUATION
g SAYS PAKISTAN’S RESERVES STABLE DESPITE DEBT REPAYMENTS AND $3 45B UAE DEPOSIT
g SAYS NEW FUEL PRICE EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY, NOTING SITUATION ‘ CHALLENGING ’ BUT EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN COORDINATED RESPONSE
g PRAISES SAUDI ARABIA FOR EXTENDING $5B FACILITY FOR THREE YEARS DEPOSITS $3B SUPPORT
g LAUDS PETROLEUM MINISTER FOR MANAGING FUEL SUPPLY PRESSURES, AND KEEPING SITUATION SATISFACTORY
the nearly closed Strait of Hormuz and the nuclear issue
The sources, however, did not provide details on the formulae from either side, saying that Pakistan's focus was on finding a "middle way" on the two simmering issues Washington and Tehran are currently deadlocked over a fresh Iranian peace proposal conveyed by Pakistan following two visits to Islamabad last week by Abbas Araghchi, Iran s foreign minister The proposal offered to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the US lifting its blockade of Iranian ports Tehran has also suggested that talks on its nuclear programme should be postponed for the next round of discussions an offer President Donald Trump has not so far shown an interest in accepting , according to sources "Nothing [in the formulae] is definitive as exchanges are ongoing,” said the source
Hopefully the two sides will reach common ground soon the source added saying that FM Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir were "personally engaged" in the ongoing backdoor diplomacy to break the stalemate The two have been actively participating in the mediation process as CDF Munir has spoken to Trump several times in recent weeks Iran s current stance is that since the nuclear issue is a complex one and [it] requires long and comprehensive talks, the Strait of Hormuz matter should be discussed in the first phase, which is easier to resolve The US side however doesn t agree with the proposal and wants an agreement on both issues concurrently " the source said But Trump is still discussing the proposal with his advisers they added S L I M C H A N C E S O F WA R R E S U M I N G: Pakistan hosted the first round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran on April 11-12 but failed to produce an agreement to end the war The talks followed a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on April 8 which was later extended by Trump Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said today that Islamabad's diplomatic efforts were continuing
(Tehran) doesn t seem to be in a hurry the source added Washington believes that Iran s increasing economic predicaments will force the Islamic republic to reach an agreement, which suits the US, the source said "Forget about media statements Both sides have to satisfy their domestic audiences " another source said
EV
the loadshedding Instead of paying any attention to their own inefficiencies and line losses the DISCOs are doing roughly what the police do to force an accused to surrender: arrest one or both of his parents or rather take them into illegal custody Power is not stolen because the consumer is naturally vicious but because
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan
THE conventional substitute for nuclear deep-
strike is not a weapon It is an assumption And assumptions, as Fordow demonstrated, have geological limits Operation Midnight Hammer narrowed the functional gap between conventional and nuclear strike It did not close it The Pentagon s own budget documents say so The analytical conclusion that has settled over the strategic community since Operation Midnight Hammer is seductive in its simplicity: that the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator ’s June 2025 employment against Fordow demonstrated that conventional precision strikes can now achieve what once required nuclear weapons rendering tactical nuclear weapons strategically redundant in at least one operationally critical category The conclusion is wrong not directionally, but in the precision that serious deterrence analysis requires And the evidence that it is wrong comes not from academic theory but from the Pentagon’s own procurement decisions Iran s own geology and the arithmetic of a weapons inventory that Midnight Hammer left critically depleted Start with what Midnight Hammer actually achieved Seven B-2 Spirit bombers delivered 14 GBU-57s against Fordow and Natanz on 22 June 2025 in the weapon system’s first operational combat employment The Pentagon s damage assessment concluded Iran s nuclear programme had been set back by approximately two years That characterization matters not for what it claims but for what it carefully does not: it does not claim destruction It does not claim elimination It claims a setback measured in years not permanence against a facility built into a mountain massif under 80 to 110 meters of rock lined with ultra-high-performance concrete exceeding 30 000 PSI compressive strength
The GBU-57 is officially rated to penetrate approximately 18 meters of reinforced concrete at 5,000 PSI Against Iranian-specification materials, independent analysts had assessed prior to the strike that effective penetration depth would be sharply and nonlinearly reduced The employment architecture reflected this constraint precisely: multiple weapons delivered sequentially into the same penetration channel a methodology known as double-tap each successive weapon following the shaft drilled by its predecessor, compounding penetration depth through repeated impact at the same aim point One weapon was not enough The question the substitution thesis must answer is what happens when the target is deeper harder or better engineered than Fordow and whether the answer is conventional or nuclear
The double-tap methodology resolved the immediate tactical problem while generating a secondorder strategic problem that has received almost no analytical attention The existing GBU-57 inventory estimated at roughly 20 units before classified expansion programmes was depleted significantly by the Midnight Hammer employment The Air Force initiated emergency procurement described in budget documents as critically needed to restore strategic readiness, covering replacement munitions, tail kits, guidance components, and fuze systems
The reconstitution timeline runs to years This inventory constraint is structurally different from the deterrence logic of nuclear weapons in a way the substitution thesis does not address A tactical nuclear weapon deters through the credible threat of use The GBU-57 deters only through actual use and actual use at the scale required against the hardest targets consumes an inventory whose depletion degrades the deterrence capability it was supposed to provide The weapon that defeats the target destroys the deterrent This is the double-tap paradox: the employment methodology required to defeat the hardest facilities is precisely the methodology that most rapidly exhausts the inventory required to deter adversaries from building the next generation of equivalent facilities deeper and harder than the last
None of this would be analytically decisive if the Pentagon believed the conventional gap had been closed by Midnight Hammer It does not The FY26 Congressional Justification for the National Nuclear Security Administration submitted to Congress before Midnight Hammer and not revised downward after it sought funding for a prototype air-delivered nuclear delivery system specifically designed to address what US Strategic Command identified as a capability gap in hard and deeply buried target defeat to be completed by 2029, employing F-15E and B-2 aircraft and examining several nuclear warhead options
The language is unambiguous The military that employed the GBU-57 against Fordow simultaneously identified a hard and deeply buried target defeat gap that the GBU-57 does not fill and proposed a nuclear solution If Midnight Hammer had closed the
The conventional-nuclear functional boundar y is not dissolving It is migrating moving deeper underground, to harder materials, to the margins where conventional physics reaches its limits and nuclear physics does not. Midnight Hammer demonstrated how far the boundar y has moved since Fordow was designed
TBeyond infrastructure artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming the nature of work Technology leaders warn that AI could disrupt labour markets sooner than many governments anticipate Automation powered by AI is already reshaping industries such as software development finance and customer service Software companies increasingly rely on AI tools that can write code, analyze data, and automate routine tasks While these tools significantly boost productivity, they also raise challenging questions about employment and workforce skills Some firms have begun restructuring their teams to adapt signalling a profound shift in the landscape of white-collar work Simultaneously, venture capital continues to flow aggressively into AI startups Robotics, cybersecurity, and AI-powered platforms are attracting record investment as investors bet on the next generation of technological breakthroughs Recently an AI robotics startup secured hundreds of millions of dollars in funding reflecting strong confidence in embodied AI machines capable of interacting with the physical world Yet, rapid AI growth also brings ethical and security concerns Governments around the world are debating regulations on autonomous weapons surveillance technologies and data privacy Policymakers face the difficult task of balancing innovation with citizen protection For developing countries like Pakistan, the global AI race presents both opportunities and challenges Pakistan has taken tangible steps to position itself in the digital economy Initiatives under the Digital Pakistan Vision aim to expand high-speed internet connectivity promote IT exports and integrate AI and data science into education and industry Startups in fintech, health tech, and e-commerce are leveraging AI to enhance services and reach underserved communities Pakistan’s universities are increasingly offering specialized programs in AI machine learning and robotics to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of contributing to local and global technology markets Public-private partnerships are fostering innovation hubs, incuba-
tion centers and research programs providing startups with mentorship funding and access to international markets Yet challenges remain: limited infrastructure slow adoption of highend computing, and regulatory hurdles could hinder progress
Policymakers, academia, and industry must collaborate to build robust technology ecosystems supporting R&D promoting entrepreneurship investing in connectivity and advancing digital literacy among youth The world is entering a new industrial revolution driven not by steam or electricity, but by data, algorithms, and intelligent machines Countries that grasp this shift and invest wisely in technology will define the global economy Pakistan with sustained investment and policy support has the potential not just to consume technology but to actively shape the AI-driven world
The question is no longer whether artificial intelligence will transform our world The real question is whether Pakistan will rise from the sidelines to become a hub of innovation rather than a mere consumer of technology It is time for bold action: invest massively in AI research forge global partnerships empower startups with funding and infrastructure and equip the next generation with digital and data skills
Every day Pakistan delays, other nations pull ahead but with decisive leadership, visionary policy and entrepreneurial courage Pakistan can leapfrog into the forefront of the AI revolution turning potential into global influence and securing its place in the economy of tomorrow
The writer is Director Institute of Physics Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology Rahim Yar Khan Pakistan
Ever y day Pakistan delays, other nations pull ahead but with decisive leadership, visionar y policy, and entrepreneurial courag e , Pakistan can leapfrog into the forefront of the AI revolution, turning potential into global influence and securing its place in the economy of tomorrow.
Food makers star ving
TH E conflict involving the USA Israel, and Iran has entered a phase where perception and reality are dangerously misaligned Publicly, the language of mediation, ceasefire and diplomacy dominates official statements Privately and on the battlefield however the tempo of war continues to intensify What appears to be a pause for peace is, in fact, a calculated window used by all sides to reposition militarily, economically, and strategically for what could become a far more devastating phase of conflict
At the core of this crisis lies a deep distrust of US-led diplomacy Iran s skepticism is not theoretical; it is rooted in recent experience During earlier rounds of negotiations in mid-2025 and again in early 2026, diplomatic engagement coincided with military escalations To Tehran, this pattern suggests that negotiations are being used as a tactical cover buying time for force buildup rather than genuinely seeking peace This perception has shaped Iran s current posture: resistant, cautious, and unwilling to accept any framework that resembles surrender
The USA, under Donald J Trump, has reportedly advanced a comprehensive mediation framework often described as a 15point proposal These demands include dismantling Iran s nuclear facilities surrendering enriched uranium stockpiles, halting its ballistic missile programme, ending support for regional allies such as Hezbollah and other groups, accepting intrusive international inspections and aligning its regional policies with US and Israeli security interests
Additional expectations reportedly extend to granting oversight of critical waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz and contributing toward war-related compensation From Iran’s perspective, these are not negotiation points but conditions of capitulation Accepting even a fraction would dismantle its deterrence capability undermine sovereignty and expose it to future vulnerabilities Consequently, Iran has rejected these
proposals outright and presented its own counter-framework: guarantees against future attacks recognition of its right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to pursue peaceful nuclear enrichment under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision preservation of its ballistic missile program, refusal to abandon regional alliances, and compensation for war damages
This stark divergence has rendered the mediation process effectively a non-starter Countries such as Pakistan Oman Turkey and Egypt have attempted to bridge the gap but their efforts are constrained by the fundamental incompatibility of the positions Meanwhile, Israel has used the current operational window to intensify its campaign against Iranian targets Its objective appears clear: degrade Iran s military infrastructure energy facilities and command networks as much as possible before any ceasefire takes hold Iran, in response, has escalated its missile and drone operations with increasing effectiveness Despite Israel’s advanced defense systems Iron Dome David’s Sling and Arrow there have been instances where Iranian projectiles have penetrated these layers causing damage in key urban and industrial areas The asymmetry of geography and scale is critical here Israel’s small territorial footprint makes it particularly vulnerable to sustained bombardment In contrast Iran’s vast size large population of approximately 85–90 million and extensive military reserves including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and hundreds of thousands of trained personnel position it for prolonged resistance Historical precedents reinforce this reality: even non-state actors such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have withstood sustained campaigns A state-level adversary like Iran presents a far more complex challenge For the United States, the situation is increasingly
food, and operational continuity
has
plicitly warned that any entity supporting these supply chains could become a target raising concerns about the sustainability of prolonged deployment The economic dimension of the war is equally significant and perhaps even more consequential The partial disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of global oil supply flows has triggered volatility in energy markets Oil prices have surged driving inflation across major economies In the USA rising gasoline prices are translating into higher living costs, increased transportation expenses, and broader economic anxiety For Middle Eastern economies, the impact is even more severe Countries that rely heavily on oil exports are facing declining revenues due to disrupted production damaged infrastructure and soaring shipping in-
she was hiking with that morning got a few feet ahead When he turned around to check that he hadn t lost her, she waved and smiled When he looked back again, she had vanished The friend immediately called the police, who are still searching for her McCasland and Reza are two of about a dozen
‘ There are no conspiracies, but there are no coincidences’
The alleged connections between the cases of a dozen people linked to the US govt and militar y have led to two official investigations promoted by Trump
smell test ” “Congress is very concerned about this Our committee is making this one of our priorities now because we view this as a national security threat the Republican congressman told Fox News last Sunday The FBI said last week in a statement that it will coordinate with the Departments of Energy and Defense in its investigation
The House committee traces its suspicions back to the 2023 death of Michael David Hicks, who like Reza also worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory between 1998 and 2022 during which time he developed his career in the field of comets and asteroids according to the obituary published by the American Astronomical Society
The cause of his death has not been released, but his daughter expressed her surprise to CNN last week at seeing her father on that list “I can’t help but laugh about it but at the same time it’s getting serious she said
The congressional tally is completed by four missing scientists and three dead ones They are Frank Maiwald and Carl Grillmair, who also worked for NASA; Melissa Casias and Anthony Chavez, professionals associated with Los Alamos National Laboratory which is part of the Department of Energy and focuses on the design and maintenance of nuclear weapons; Nuno Loureiro a renowned physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Jason Thomas, an executive at the pharmaceutical company Novartis; and Steven Garcia, a government contractor at a plant that manufactures components for atomic weapons The map of connections places four of the incidents in New Mexico the same number as in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area and two in Massachusetts
about the “10 missing scientists with
and
to classified
I hope it s random but we re going to know in the next week and a
the president
The deadline set by Trump (who has certainly been
to
deadlines lately) has not yet passed, but so far, no convincing evidence has emerged to prove that for example an enemy power is behind these deaths and disappearances as feared by those who suspect something strange is happening in the United States Meanwhile suspicion is growing among those who subscribe to the phrase that hangs in the Washington office of Trump ideologue Steve Bannon: “There are no conspiracies, but there are no coincidences ” For James Comer chairman of the House Oversight Committee the body that launched the investigation from Capitol Hill this doesn t pass the
Among these latter cases, Loureiro s is the one that attracted the most attention at the time This Portuguese man directed an institute called the Plasma Science and Fusion, and died in December, murdered by Claudio Neves Valente at his home in Brookline a city adjacent to Boston that is home to Harvard University and MIT
A couple of days earlier Neves Valente had killed two students and wounded nine others at a university in Providence, Rhode Island After committing his last crime, he took his own life Loureiro’s murder fueled conspiracy theories Almost six months later the investigation into the perpetrator s motive remains open but all indications point to a personal matter: the two met while studying in Lisbon, and the strongest hypothesis is that Neves Valente, an unsuccessful scientist, resented his compatriot’s success Another case that leaves little room for doubt is the other murder on the list Grillmair an astrophysicist specializing in exoplanets was shot to death one morning last February in front of his home in Llano California Police arrested a suspect that same day, who is also accused of assault and armed carjacking
“It’s typical of these kinds of lists: there are a lot of supposedly mysterious deaths but when you examine them closely you discover that there are only two truly enigmatic cases and the rest are included without much sense explains Jesse Walker author of The United States of Paranoia: A Conspiracy Theory, about the history of this country s fascination with conspiracy theories, in a phone interview “It’s part of the success of this kind of thing: adding names until the number seems overwhelming ” In his book Walker divides conspiracy theories into five categories He places the scientists conspiracy theory in the section that plays on the external enemy trope Underlying it is the idea that Iran or China may be responsible, explains Walker, who cites precedents such as the list of political rivals the Clintons supposedly eliminated or the people who “died mysteriously after JFK’s assassination When asked if there are precedents of the FBI or Congress investigating similar cases, or if, on the contrary, these investigations are a product of the climate created by the administration, led by the inventor of the concept of “alternative facts,” Walker responds: “I’m sure that any FBI not just Trump’s would investigate the mysterious disappearance of a nuclear scientist However its officials wouldn t have made public statements based on sensationalist reports and then linked the case to other alleged events that don t seem to be related Despite these warnings (and articles like the one published by The Atlantic with the headline “The ‘Missing Scientist’ Story Is Unbelievably Dumb”) the opening of official investigations has revived interest in the death at age 34 of Amy Eskridge cofounder of the Institute for Exotic Science in Huntsville, Alabama, home to a major NASA facility She took her own life in 2022, and a month before that, she recorded herself talking about burns on her hands which in the video she attributed to an attack by a guided energy weapon A newly created website dedicated to tracking the deaths or disappearances of people potentially linked to sensitive investigations and government programs focuses on the entire world (with particular attention to China) and has included Eskridge’s case on a list that continues to grow (now totaling 35 stories according to
