PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN SEAL ‘DOHA TRUCE’ TO END HOSTILITIES; PL AN NEXT ROUND IN ISTANBUL
g CEA SEFIRE AGREEMENT FINALIZED AND TERROR ATTACKS FROM AFGHANISTAN ON PAKISTAN’S SOIL WILL CEA SE IMMEDIATELY: KH A SIF
g SAYS BOTH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES WILL RESPECT EACH OTHER’S TERRITORY AND PLEDGE END TO CROSS-BORDER ATTACKS
g CEA SEFIRE TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY A S BOTH SIDES PLEDGE TO RESPECT EACH OTHER’S SOVEREIGNTY, FOLLOW-UP MEETING SET FOR OCT 25 IN ISTANBUL
R t Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday on the country’s overall law and order situation and ongoing development projects in Islamabad as the government reviews internal security amid recent counterterrorism operations and protests, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister s Office (PMO) The meeting comes a week after the premier and the interior minister last met ahead of a police operation to dismantle the protest camp of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Muridke The TLP had announced plans to march on Islamabad and stage a demonstration outside the US embassy “in solidarity with Gaza ” During Sunday’s meeting, Minister Naqvi updated the prime minister on the latest law and order situation nationwide The premier appreciated the efforts
IMF can’t
impose
conditions against Pakistan’s national interest, says FinMin
taneously funding reconstruction and relief activities
He appreciated the support of the CVF–V20 Secretariat in preparing Pakistan s Climate Prosperity Plan, and noted that financing under the Country Partnership Framework was helping to operationalise the plan
Calling for greater urgency on climate finance the finance minister urged the early operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund and faster decision-making at the Green Climate Fund to ensure timely assistance for vulnerable nations On the sidelines of the meetings, Aurangzeb also met with Turkey’s Minister of Treasury and Finance, Mehmet Şimşek where both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen Pakistan–Turkey economic relations and continue high-level bilateral engagement
were progressing smoothly under the current programme He said several American companies had shown a strong interest in investing in Pakistan while Chinese investments would continue to create new development opportunities in the months ahead Earlier, speaking at the 15th V20 Ministerial Dialogue on “Cost of Capital, Debt & Growth Pathways,” held on the sidelines of the annual meetings Aurangzeb reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening climate resilience and achieving sustainable growth He said Pakistan continues to bear the cost of the 2022 floods through its own resources while simul-
The finance minister briefed his Turkish counterpart on Pakistan s ongoing reform agenda, including steps in tax policy, energy, state-owned enterprises, privatisation, and public finance management He highlighted efforts to improve the tax-to-GDP ratio and integrate data systems across departments to enhance transparency and efficiency In a separate meeting with International Finance Corporation (IFC) Managing Director Makhtar Diop, Aurangzeb welcomed the IFC s decision to designate Pakistan as a regional hub, calling it a “vote of confidence” in the country’s economy He also updated the IFC chief on progress in the Reko Diq mining project expressing hope that the EXIM Bank would soon join the venture
PUNJAB SETS UP SPECIAL REVENUE UNIT
falling to 12th place with visa-free access to 180 destinations Similarly the UK passport has dropped from sixth to eighth, marking its lowest rank since it was once the topranked passport in 2015 China’s passport also slipped moving from 59th to 64th with a decrease in its visa-free score
and Research on Thursday unanimously approved the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) Ordinance 2025 merging the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) and the Animal Quarantine Department (AQD) to bring Pakistan’s agricultural trade framework in line with international
SINDH GOVT DEMANDS BANK GUARANTEES ON OIL
Attock Petroleum and Huawei par tner to develop EV charging network in Pakistan
both sides reaffirm their commitment to peace, mutual respect and the maintenance of strong and constructive neighbourly relations the statement said It further noted that neither country would undertake any hostile actions against the other nor support groups carrying out attacks against the Government of Pakistan ” Both sides also pledged to avoid targeting each other ’s security forces civilians or critical infrastructure while reaffirming their commitment to diplomacy as the primary means of conflict resolution The Taliban statement described the deal as a “comprehensive and meaningful ceasefire” and said a mechanism would be established “under the mediation of intermediary countries to review bilateral complaints and ensure effective implementation of the agreement Mujahid later clarified his remarks about
not supporting groups attacking Pakistan, reiterating that “the Islamic Emirate does not allow Afghan soil to be used against any other country It does not support any attack against anyone and has always emphasised this stance he said CEASEFIRE CONFIRMED BY QATAR, PAKISTAN MEDIA
Earlier, PTV News, citing the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the talks resulted not only in an immediate ceasefire but also in an agreement to establish a permanent mechanism for bilateral peace and stability The ministry said both delegations would continue follow-up meetings “to ensure implementation and sustained continuity” of the truce “These measures will prove beneficial in promoting security and stability in both Pakistan and Afghanistan it added According to sources familiar with the talks, the Doha session was intense and de-
tailed, covering issues of border management, counterterrorism cooperation, and future monitoring frameworks Qatar hosted the dialogue while Turkiye participated as an observer and mediator Pakistan s Foreign Office had earlier in the week reiterated that Islamabad does not seek escalation and urged the Afghan authorities to act against “terrorist entities” operating from their soil in line with commitments made to the international community “Pakistan appreciates the mediation efforts of Qatar and hopes these discussions contribute to peace and stability in
COMMENT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has cause for celebration, but there are potholes ahead
R I M E Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan has achieved economic stability, and its financial indicators were positive and the country was moving forward to economic growth, while addressing MPAs and MNAs in Jahanian at the residence of MNA Ch Iftikhar Nazir That forex reserves have improved, and inflation has come down is undeniable Equally undeniable is that growth has not picked up The latest large-scale manufacturing figures do not show any growth occurring, which means that industrial activity is yet to pick up Perhaps one reason that the fall in inflation has not been noticed is that incomes have not increased That will not happen without increasing growth
Mr Sharif is taking political credit for what benefit has happened, and is talking up the economy However he is working against a legacy of stimulated growth, which has led to collapse, followed by yet another recourse to the International Monetary Fund, which has set stringent conditions for its loans There is a fear among business owners and managers that there will be another collapse, and the country will once again find itself on the edge of default and obliged to seek IMF help agreeing in its panic to conditions that are harsh for the people while not positioning the country on a growth path The IMF has perhaps secured its own loans against default, but it has not developed a path where the economy will get out of the debt trap it is in The path to economic growth it proposes, requires a large trade surplus, which can only be exported by greater imports The IMF s prescriptions do not seem to provide for that apart from pious exhortations
Another problem getting on the growth path is the recent flooding Floods come every year, and they are going to cause more damage with time The government also needs to review the current growth model, because it is likelier than not that growth will be eaten away first by flood destruction, and then by reconstruction That leads to another reason for caution: external shocks Improvement in indicators can be ascribed to the softness of global oil prices; growth would depend on demand abroad, which is presently weak Neither are in the government’s control There are other challenges such as rising food imports, thus making the government realize that it will never be able to relax
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi
Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
T‘H E October 2025 update of the Brook-
ings-FT TIGER (Tracking Indexes for the Global Economic Recovery) reveals an economic landscape that seems benign in some ways but unsettled in others with household and business confidence weighed down by uncertainty about trade policy, political upheavals in many countries, and geopolitical volatility Advanced economies are grappling with rising debt burdens aging populations and political gridlock while emerging-market economies despite being helped somewhat by a weaker dollar (which alleviates financing pressures), are showing signs of strain – An excerpt from an October 10 Project Syndicate (PS) published article Is the global economy as resilient as it seems?
Three observations to start with, about the excerpt above Firstly given the fast-unfolding nature of the climate change crisis with a number of highly climate change vulnerable countries including Pakistan facing relatively more frequent and intense climate catastrophes and given a highly unsettling geopolitical economy over the medium-term– and which sharply unfolded as a deeply global recession-causing covid-19 pandemic was only starting to significantly taper– unlike the findings highlighted in the excerpt above global economic outlook is not benign but rather quite under the pump for a number of reasons including the reasons indicated above
Secondly, while the emerging economies may have only gotten some cushion in their foreign exchange reserves in the wake of an overall weakening US dollar that benefit has most likely been significantly undone by the high level of increase in interest payments at the back of over-board austerity policies on external loans; in addition to fiscal pressures with regard to similarly rising domestic debt related interest payments as central banks in many emerging economies, including Pakistan, apparently increased interest rate partly to compete for otherwise highly volatile foreign portfolio investment (FPI)
Thirdly while it is indeed the case that over-board austerity policy has significantly contributed to increase debt burdens in advanced economies yet apparently an even greater pressure in terms of debt
distress has been seen building up in many emerging economies/developing countries in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, when although sharply rising inflationary pressures were due to both pandemic-induced lock-downs-caused recessionary pressures and due to deep cracks produced in the global supply chains and required a significant policy emphasis on the aggregate supply-side, most policy focus was placed on reining-in inflation through practicing overboard austerity policies in many countries Hence recession on one hand dented economic growth and rising policy rates both overall globally and in many emerging economies/developing countries domestically significantly contributed to the sharp build-up of debt distress, especially given an overall weak spirit of multilateralism, mainly in the shape of both lack of debt relief, and provision of financial support in particular from a very limited allocation of International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) special drawing rights (SDRs) allocation towards developing countries
Having said that the IMF in its recently released October edition of its World Economic (WEO) report more aptly described the difficult economic outlook globally as follows: ‘The rules of the global economy are in flux The world’s economies, institutions, and markets have been adjusting to a landscape marked by greater protectionism and fragmentation with dim medium-term growth prospects and calling for a recalibration of macroeconomic policies Global growth is projected to slow from 3 3 percent in 2024 to 3 2 percent in 2025 and to 3 1 percent in 2026 This is an improvement relative to the July WEO Update but cumulatively 0 2 percentage point below forecasts made before the policy shifts in the October 2024 WEO with the slowdown reflecting headwinds from uncertainty and protectionism even though the tariff shock is smaller than originally announced As per the report, in the particular case of Pakistan, during the decade 2007-16 (where in the case of Pakistan, 2007 means fiscal year 2007-08) growth in real gross domestic product (GDP
projections for 2025, and 2026) is also not much different standing at 3 4 percent; where economic growth projections for the current fiscal year, as per the report, do not include recent floods-related damages, which are being
The overall global economic situation– for instance , as reflected in a paltr y performance of economic growth both overall globally, and with regard to developing countries, and the built-up in debt repayments related pressures– both point towards the need to move away from Neoliberalism induced policies overall globally.
What might this look like in Pakistan? Three steps stand out First mandatory disclosure: any AI-generated media whether a political ad a campaign speech or a news clip should be clearly labelled Citizens deserve to know whether they are engaging with human or machine-made content Second, independent audits Organisations that use AI to influence public opinion, such as political parties PR firms or even major news outlets should be subject to external reviews of their algorithms and targeting practices This would discourage manipulative techniques and promote ethical standards Third, stronger oversight A dedicated AI media regulator, or at least a specialised unit within existing agencies should be empowered to investigate amplification systems demand transparency reports and enforce corrective action Relying only on PECA prosecutions or PTA takedowns is not enough in the AI era But regulation must also protect freedoms Overly broad enforcement risks turning AI laws into another tool for censorship Safeguards are essential: clear thresholds for violations independent appeals and public reporting of enforcement actions Industry self-regulation could complement state action with certifica-
tion schemes for ethical AI tools and standards for labelling political ads or synthetic content
At the same time, citizens must be empowered Media literacy campaigns should teach people how to identify AI-generated content, understand targeting techniques and question the authenticity of what they see Public awareness is the best defence against any manipulation
Pakistan s National AI Policy approved in 2025, provides a starting point But policies are only aspirations until they are translated into enforceable law Without concrete legislation, the risks will multiply: fake videos could distort elections’ transparency automated propaganda could deepen polarisation and trust in journalism could erode further
The opportunity is clear With balanced, transparent, and forward-looking laws, Pakistan can harness AI to strengthen media and PR industries while protecting democratic values Without them the digital public sphere risks being overwhelmed by synthetic content and opaque algorithms that leave citizens guessing what is real AI is here to stay The real question is whether Pakistan will shape the rules in time or allow its media landscape to be reshaped without oversight
The writer can be reached at qudratu@gmail com
Stinking oversight
and citizens increasingly take refuge in mob justice This is how anarchy spreads: when justice is denied, people lose faith in the rule of law and the crowd becomes judge jury and executioner
AT
nafew Sajjad joy
One incident illustrates this descent vividly On 28 August at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, senior citizens had gathered for a discussion when a group of individuals, styling themselves as “warriors of July,” stormed the venue and physically assaulted participants Regardless of guilt or innocence institutions exist to investigate and prosecute crimes But instead of due process what prevailed was vigilantism masquerading as heroism Excessive glorification under such labels only breeds resentment and normalizes mob violence as a legitimate form of justice Even Dhaka University Bangladesh’s most prestigious academic institution is not immune In late August a student from the 2014 session allegedly attacked his roommate When police came to arrest him, students confined him in his dormitory and then beat him publicly as he was escorted away Videos of the assault quickly spread across social media What followed was an alarming display of selective justice While the accused student was jailed and faces trial no meaningful action was taken against those who carried out mob violence This imbalance exposes a deeper rot: in today’s Bangladesh, the accused may be prosecuted, but the mob often walks free For the public the message is unmistakable mob justice is now the norm The image of students the supposed conscience of the nation beating their own classmate strips away any pretence of moral superiority Such acts reduce students to nothing more than terrorists in uniform, no different from the mob that tortured a mentally ill man to death in a university dormitory last year on suspicion of theft This is why we must
in decades of impunity Dhaka University’s residential halls have long been politicized, creating enclaves of lawlessness where certain groups operate beyond accountability Over time delayed justice or no justice at all has convinced students that they must assume the power of judge and executioner themselves
tacks,
exposed
to
and
tions by the Arakan Army Inside Bangladesh the report recorded 159 cases of violence against women and girls, including 64 rapes and 18 gang rapes, as well as 133 cases of child abuse 17 of them fatal Even workplaces are unsafe: 21 workers died in preventable industrial accidents due to unsafe conditions
Taken together these figures are not a series of isolated tragedies; they expose a systemic collapse of accountability State institutions are either paralyzed or complicit,
within political and diplomatic circles as both South African and French authorities continue to piece together the final moments of a man who served at the heart of government and diplomacy French prosecutors confirmed that the 58-year-old former police minister had a fall from the 22nd floor, detecting no signs of foul play Last week, as Spring dawned, the 5am news bulletin stopped me mid-step en route to my first cup of piping hot coffee
The headline was devastating: South Africa s ambassador to France Nathi
Mthethwa had died under tragic and mysterious circumstances in Paris
Only days earlier, he had presented his credentials to the principality of Monaco, home to Princess Charlene, South Africa’s Olympic swimming champion Now he was gone his body found in the courtyard of the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile reportedly he plunged to his death
The shock reverberated across South Africa Mthethwa, a former minister of police, and of sports and arts and culture, was a prominent figure in the ANC and a veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle His death suspected to be suicide raised painful questions: Why are our liberation-era leaders those who fought for justice and dignity dying in such tragic solitude?
The parallels are haunting: During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, ANC minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson was found dead at her Rondebosch home in June 2023
bers the community and the ANC remain suspicious about the bizarre death Family members, including the late ambassador s son, performed a traditional “fetching of the spirit” ritual at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris where Mthethwa’s body was found last week According to French
Her passing followed allegations of extortion involving a R600 000 bribe linked to the Section 194 Inquiry into suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane In her final interview, Joemat-Pettersson reportedly said, “I have no life and no future,” a chilling expression of emotional distress
Her death remains under investigation but the shadow of suicide looms large Turn back the clock to 1988 when in London I received the heartbreaking news of Dulcie September s assassination in Paris She was gunned down while serving as the ANC’s chief representative in France
Now decades later another ANC stalwart has died in the same city this time not by an assassin s bullet but by a fall that has left more questions than answers
The French police are renowned for their methodical approach to investigating deaths, murders and assassinations Their clinical precision was evident in the handling of Princess Diana s fatal crash in 1997
just conclude that someone willingly jumped from a building only 12 hours after their death it doesn t make sense What kind of investigators are those? Are they sangomas? They claim a phone was found elsewhere and that he sent a message before 11 Are we supposed to
Cele s remarks reflect growing unease
Now they are tasked with piecing together the final moments of a South African diplomat whose life spanned from the trenches of struggle to the corridors of power Mthethwa’s journey began in Clermont and Klaarwater outside Durban His rise through the ANC ranks culminated in ministerial appointments under presidents Kgalema Motlanthe Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa His KwaBonambi homestead, once a symbol of political stature, became a gathering place for mourners family,
comrades and community members united in grief and disbelief The news of his death travelled swiftly French newspaper Le Parisien was among the first to report the incident noting that Mthethwa had been reported missing by his wife after she received a distressing message His body was later found at the foot of the Hyatt Regency in the Porte Maillot district The Wall, the Mercedes-Benz, and the Whispered Orders: Nathi Mthethwa and the Architecture of State Capture: Once hailed as a loyal foot soldier of the ANC Mthethwa now stands as a spectral figure in South Africa s long and painful confrontation with State Capture His sudden death in Paris, far from the dusty corridors of power he once patrolled casts a pall over the unfolding Madlanga Commission inquiry and raises uncomfortable questions about accountability memory and the cost of silence Mthethwa s name surfaced repeatedly in the Zondo Commission, tethered to allegations of personal enrichment via Crime Intelligence slush funds A luxury Mercedes-Benz and a R200 000 wall built around his KwaZulu-Natal home became symbols not just of excess but of a deeper rot: the repurposing of state resources for private comfort and political shielding But it is the testimony emerging from the Madlanga Commission that cuts closer to the bone KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi s account of political interference of being summoned by Mthethwa and instructed to halt the prosecution of then SAPS crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli is not merely a footnote in bureaucratic dysfunction It is a chilling reminder of how intelligence structures were weaponised to protect allies and suppress dissent Mkhwanazi s words The worst political interference I have ever experienced, echo like a warning shot across the bow of democratic accountability They speak to a culture where loyalty trumped legality and where ministers blurred the line between governance and patronage The tragedy of course is not just institutional It is human The whistleblowers who risked careers and reputations to speak truth to power The citizens whose safety was compromised by a politicised police force The journalists who chased leads through a fog of obfuscation And now SAPS investigators commissioned by acting Police Minister Feroz Cachalia must still piece together a puzzle whose central figure has exited the stage His death may close one chapter, but it
U KEEPS RAFAH
TBODIES Hamas in a statement late on Saturday said Netanyahu s decision constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and a repudiation of the commitments he made to the mediators and guarantor parties It also said the continued closure of the Rafah crossing would prevent the entry of equipment needed to search for and locate more hostage bodies under the rubble and would thus delay the recovery and handover of the remains Israel said it received two more bodies late on Saturday, meaning 12 out of 28 bodies have been handed over under a US-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal agreed between Israel and Hamas last week
The war has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, with nearly all inhabitants driven from their homes, a global hunger monitor confirming famine and health authorities overwhelmed The dispute over the return of bodies and shipments of life-saving humanitarian aid underlines the fragility of the ceasefire and still has the potential to upset the deal along with other major issues that are in-
cluded in US President Donald Trump’s 20point plan to end the war As part of the deal Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages it had been holding for two years in return for almost 2 000 Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners jailed in Israel FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES TO PEACE
But Israel says that Hamas has been too slow to hand over the bodies of deceased hostages it still holds The militant group says that locating some of the bodies amid the vast destruction in Gaza will take time
The deal requires Israel to return 360 bodies of Palestinian militants for the deceased Israeli hostages and so far it has handed over 15 bodies in return for each Israeli body it has received Rafah has largely been shut since May 2024 The ceasefire deal also includes the ramping up of aid into the enclave, where hundreds of thousands of people were determined in August to be affected by famine according to the IPC global hunger monitor
After cutting off all supplies for 11 weeks in March, Israel increased aid into Gaza in July, scaling it up further since the ceasefire HAMAS DENIES US STATEMENT ON GROUP’S ‘CEASEFIRE VIOLATION’
Hamas rejected on Sunday a statement from the US State Department in which it cited credible reports indicating the Palestinian militant group would imminently vio-
M ar yam Nawaz will not be blackmailed by anyone
escalated to an unacceptable level, the state was compelled to play the role of a strict father It is simply impossible for any group or faction to attack state institutions destroy public and private property and endanger lives while the state stands idly by The state is bound to fulfill its responsibilities at all costs The events of October 13 in Muridke widely covered by international media showed how members of the religious group attacked police officers and set both public and private property ablaze Such acts became intolerable for the state, prompting a firm and lawful response To re-establish its writ, the Punjab government decided to utilize all available resources Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz two highlevel meetings on law and order were held, where it was decided that no leniency would be shown to this group The Punjab Cabinet subsequently approved a formal recommendation to the federal government to impose a ban on the organ-
ization and the summary has already been dispatched The Punjab Police bore the brunt of the October 13 violence Despite facing unprovoked aggression, the police demonstrated professionalism and restraint to prevent large-scale loss of life Hundreds of officers were injured in attacks by these rioters and extremists yet they fulfilled their duties with exemplary commitment The Inspector General of Police and the entire force deserve praise for their courage and sense of duty in maintaining peace across the province Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz by standing firm like a wall of steel against the extremist elements has proven herself to be a leader of strength and composure She is not one to be blackmailed or intimidated by any faction or pressure group She possesses the determination and capability to take tough decisions in the interest of Punjab s citizens and their safety By upholding the writ of the government, she has demonstrated that she truly is a competent and strong-willed Chief Minister Ordinarily, in such situations, political leaders succumb to pressure from re-
ligious groups and are forced into retreat This time however the circumstances are entirely different Maryam Nawaz has refused to yield to the extremist elements and their supporters within religious circles She has resolved to fully implement the decisions taken by her government It is worth noting that in the past three years this particular religious organization has been involved in at least 25 reported incidents across Punjab where places of worship belonging to various faiths were attacked These repeated incidents severely damaged Pakistan’s international image yet the group s leadership never expressed remorse or accountability There is, however, a limit to the state s patience When an entity continually challenges the state’s authority, endangers lives and violates the rights of minorities the state must react That reaction is now being faced by Tehreek-eLabbaik In the coming days this organization is likely to face even greater difficulties, as the Punjab government has resolved not to bow down, not to be blackmailed, and not to show any softness toward such extremist elements
AHMED MIRZA
In the past few months Pakistan has been facing one of its most severe climate-related humanitarian crises in years:catastrophic monsoon floods that have impacted vast regions of the nation The impacted areas consist of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Gilgit-Baltistan Azad Jammu & Kashmir Punjab and Balochistan Thousands of residences have been ruined, roads and bridges eroded, complete communities inundated, and essential infrastructure healthcare, water supply sanitation transportation severely harmed or eliminated The flooding has forced millions to flee with many still lacking stable housing seeking refuge in temporary camps, schools, or with family members Clean drinking water has become limited; waterborne illnesses are increasing Healthcare institutions have been swamped or made inoperative Food resources and means of earning a living have been drastically reduced, as fields are flooded, crops ruined, and livestock gone Reports from ACAPS, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, and IFRC highlight that the effects areparticularly challenging for marginalized and low-income populations Numerous individuals are encountering a worsening crisis: displacement + food scarcity + income loss + restricted access to health care ACAPS The government and global aid agencies are requesting immediate help as weather reports indicate additional rainfall With the escalation of climate extremes, the durability of infrastructure and readiness is undergoing scrutiny The humanitarian crisis carries broader social economic and security consequences Displaced individuals frequently reside in unstable cramped envi-
MUHAMMAD SAADAAN
Oxford University Press Pakistan Hosts S chool Leaders ’ Conference to Empower Learners for Impac t
School Leaders Conference in Lahore, bringing together educators, policymakers, and academic experts from across the region As Pakistan’s cultural heart and a leading center of education and innovation Lahore offered an inspiring backdrop for insightful discussions on advancing teaching learning and assessment nationwide In his welcome address, Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director, OUP Pakistan, speaking about the challenges facing education in Pakistan, said, “Schools must prioritize skills-based curricula robust teacher development contemporary pedagogy holistic learning and digital competence only then can we equip students to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape
He concluded by saying: Oxford University Press will continue to be on this journey with you We bring our heritage of excellence, our commitment to teacher development and our belief that every child in Pakistan deserves learning that is engaging rigorous and humane
The conference themed Empowering Learners for Impact, featured a strong lineup of education leaders and panellists, including Dr Faisal Bari, Nausheen Adnan, Aisha Amir Ahmed, Tina Hameed, Shakeel Amjad Ali Raza and Zarin Shoaib They shared their perspectives on how innovation and collaboration can drive meaningful change in schools Dr Penelope Woolf Director of Impact & Learning Design, OUP said, At Oxford University Press, we are committed to developing educational solutions that deliver real impact in the most effective way possible By combining the best in research-informed learning design and pedagogy with our extensive ed-
ucational experience and expertise globally, we develop products and services that will support teachers, advance knowledge and learning, and deliver the best educational outcomes for all ”
Dr Faisal Bari Associate Professor of Economics and Education at LUMS spoke about the importance of strong school leadership in improving learning outcomes He said, School leaders need to create environments where teachers can try new approaches and students can thrive, emphasizing that empowering educators leads to stronger communities ”
The most successful schools are those led by individuals who invest in people not just processes Sustainable change happens when leaders empower teachers to lead from within, he added
Throughout the day, presentations and panel discussion focused on key issues such as preparing students for a rapidly evolving world leading change through innovative teaching developing collaborative leadership in education and embracing a digital future with OUPP s blended learning resources
The event ended with an interactive Q&A session, giving educators a chance to engage directly with the OUP leadership and assessment experts
The three-day event, organized by Everest International Expo Pvt Ltd , hosted around 200 companiesfrom Pakistan and China and attracted over 20 000 professional visitors The exhibition showcased modern industrial solutions in CNC machinery, power and energy, automation, and manufacturing technologies, aligning with Pakistan’s Vision 2025 and industrial modernization goals under CPEC Yousaf Fa CEO of Everest International Expo said the expo has evolved into a powerful symbol of sustained economic partnership, adding that this year s record business activity reflected “growing investor confidence in Pakistan s industrial potential Armughan Muqeem, Managing Partner of Everest, emphasized the company’s commitment to developing human capital and industrial capacity “We are not only facilitating trade but also investing in people training youth and expanding our industrial ecosystem, he noted Zishan Hashmi, General Manager, highlighted that the event
FOR
GOVERNOR KUNDI, INTERIOR MINISTER REVIEW
KP’S SECURITY SITUATION, BORDER MANAGEMENT
agencies in their operations against militant groups “The nefarious designs of Indianbacked terrorists will never succeed Pakistan s law enforcement and intelligence agencies are working in close coordination to neutralize every threat to national security, the minister asserted Naqvi highlighted that the sacrifices of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been instrumental in ensuring the country’s overall security and unity He acknowledged their steadfastness in the face of repeated
Police gets first
Delhi ranks most polluted city in world
stream upon inhalation IQAir recommended on its website that residents in Lahore avoid outdoor exercise run air purifiers and prioritise wearing masks
It also recommended closing all windows to avoid dirty air from outdoors
toring of trucks and trolleys transporting construction materials now in effect Additionally the entry of heavy vehicles not complying with standard operating procedures (SOPs) has been banned in Lahore
(PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) Any IQAir AQI ranking above 150 is considered “unhealthy” and above 200 is considered very
The AQI reading for Lahore stood at a very unhealthy 189; it was just beaten by Delhi, which registered a reading of 212 around 7:30pm Additionally, levels of the pollutant PM2 5 were measured at 109 microgrammes per cubic metre of air (μg/m³) 21 8 times higher than the World Health Organisation s annual PM2 5 guidelines PM2 5 particles are floating particulate matter in the air measuring 2 5 micrometres in diameter or less, according to IQAir PM2 5 is so small that it can be absorbed into the blood-
Lahore has historically dealt with smog and poor air quality in the winter months Around this time last year, the air quality in Lahore was recorded at 394 amid the smog crisis primarily fuelled by crop residue burning and industrial emissions The smog caused widespread health issues among residents including coughing, breathing difficulties, eye irritation and skin infections
To combat smog this year, the Punjab government has introduced ‘smog guns’ with Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stating that they were already in use across Lahore
Through this modern machine tiny droplets of water are sprayed into the air to combat smog, she explained “The water mist helps clean pollution and dust particles present in the atmosphere This modern machinery is also being used in countries like China India and others to reduce smog
Meanwhile, measures to combat smog and air pollution are actively underway in Lahore, with 24-hour moni-
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a zero-tolerance policy will be strictly implemented against vehicles emitting smoke Daily action will also be taken against overloaded trolleys and the transportation of sand gravel soil and other construction materials without proper covering will be strictly prohibited on city roads
The EPA enforcement force is conducting continuous inspections at all entry points to Lahore Heavy fines will be imposed and non-compliant vehicles may be impounded for violating environmental laws Furthermore water sprinkling operations will be carried out at construction sites and in dust-prone areas to control airborne particles In coordination with the EPA, WASA, and the district administration water spraying activities will begin at night to manage dust and improve air quality Authorities stress that effective dust control is essential in efforts to prevent smog, and all relevant institutions will remain active and present in the field
to discuss avenues for establishment of peace in the province In a statement on X, Afridi said, For the establishment of peace, a grand peace jirga of tribal elders, leaders, and youth transcending political affiliations will be held on Saturday October 25 2025 in Khyber District Bara Tehsil
closed rooms on the people ” he said vowing that the KP government will stand with Imran Khan s ideology and the interests of the people The development comes as the province witnesses a rise in terrorist attacks, which escalated after the TTP broke a fragile ceasefire deal with the state in November 2022 and vowed to target security officials police and LEAs personnel In July Security forces backed by gunship helicopters and artillery launched Operation Sarbakaf against terrorists in Lowi Mamund in KP, which was then opposed by the provincial government of KP In July a jirga was organised by the Awami National
ISLAMABAD