PAKISTAN, MAL AYSIA CALL FOR GA Z A CEASEFIRE, COMMEND EFFORTS FOR PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD
g SHEHBAZ, ANWAR AGREE TO EXPLORE COLLABORATION IN HEALTHCARE, PHARMACEUTICALS, AND MEDICAL DEVICES
g
g BOTH LEADERS AGREE TO FURTHER DEEPEN BILATERAL DEFENCE COOPERATION, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND INDUSTRY
ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also reiterating his government s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment and ease of doing business, said that efforts were under way for reforms to support startups and early-stage investors through investment facilitation and better infrastructure access In a meeting with a delegation from the Malaysian business group Gobi Partners, led by Co-Founder
leaders strongly condemned the ongoing genocide in Gaza and reiterated their unwavering support for the Palestinian people s right to self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign, viable, contiguous, and independent Palestinian state based on pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds AlSharif as its capital The leaders also agreed to reconvene, at a mutually convenient time, the Joint Commission Meeting at the level
Supreme Cour t permits live broadcast of 26th Amendment hearings
ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t An eight-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Ameenuddin Khan heard petitions challenging the 26th Constitutional Amendment and approved a request for live streaming The proceedings will now be broadcast live At the outset, lawyer Shahid Jameel, representing Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, said objections had been raised against their request for a full-court bench and that an appeal had already been filed He asked that the chamber appeal be decided first Jameel added that objections had also been raised to the formation of the current bench and requested that their petition be heard with related cases After consultation, the bench directed that the petition be numbered Later Khawaja Hussain Ahmad representing Justice Jawad S Khawaja requested live streaming of the proceedings Justice Ameenuddin Khan noted that notices had been issued for both petitions and said that if objections were raised against the bench, another bench would hear them; otherwise, the same bench would proceed with the live-streaming request He said the question of full-court formation would be decided first followed by the live-streaming matter Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked that live streaming had been intended to educate the public but had also exposed the court Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman appeared before the bench as Justice Ayesha Malik sought the government’s stance on live streaming He replied that live streaming falls under the administrative side and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar observed that the government would accept the bench s decision
of the Foreign Ministers They reaffirmed their commitment to promoting balanced and sustainable economic ties through enhanced market access, business facilitation, and the effective utilisation of the Malaysia–Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA) Malaysia expressed its intention to
expand palm oil exports to Pakistan and also agreed to ensure a stable and sustainable supply chain, while upholding environmentally responsible practices They also acknowledged the growing global demand for halal products and services and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of halal
US approves sale of advanced AMRAAM missiles to Pakistan through Raytheon contract
ISLAMABAD S
The United States has approved the sale of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Pakistan following a modification in Raytheon’s existing contract with the US Air Force which added Pakistan to the list of buyers
According to a September 30 press release from the US Department of War, Raytheon was awarded a $41 6 million firmfixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract for the production of the enhanced C8 and D3 variants of the AMRAAM missiles The adjustment raises the total contract value from $2 47 billion to $2 5 billion
The work will be carried out in Tucson Arizona and is expected to be completed by May 30 2030 The contract covers foreign military sales to multiple countries including Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, Finland, Australia, Romania, Qatar, Oman Korea Greece Switzerland Portugal Singapore Japan and others
The AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, compatible with the Pakistan Air Force s F-16 fighter jets, were previously excluded from the
list of buyers in a
for the
Pakistan, C hina, Russia, Iran vow coordinated ac tion for stable, terror-free Afghanistan
Uzbekistan, China, Russia, and Pakistan are convening to discuss political and security developments in Afghanistan Pakistan s special envoy to Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq Khan who is leading the Pakistani delegation, shared details of the quadrilateral discussions on X The participating states unanimously reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to a stable sovereign and peaceful Afghanistan underscoring the necessity of a country free from the scourge of terrorism and external intervention, he said Khan added that all four countries agreed to enhance coordination and adopt collaborative counterterrorism measures to prevent militant activity across regional borders In separate meetings the Pakistani envoy held bilateral talks with his Chinese Iranian, and Russian counterparts to strengthen coordination on security and humanitarian matters With Iranian envoy Muhammad Reza Bahrami discussions focused on counterterrorism and the evolving security situation in Afghanistan Both sides emphasised the importance of continued dialogue and coordination to address common challenges, Khan said In talks with China’s special envoy Yue Xiaoyong both sides reaffirmed the value of a coordinated regional approach for lasting peace and stability highlighting the strong partnership between Islamabad and Beijing in addressing shared regional threats and promoting economic connectivity
During his meeting with Russia s special envoy Zamir Kabulov, the two discussed ways to deepen regional cooperation on Afghanistan’s integration into regional development frameworks and counter-extremism initiatives For the first time the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is participating in the Moscow Format as an official member The Afghan delegation arrived in Moscow on Monday to present Kabul’s position on strengthening regional ties and economic engagement According to Afghan deputy spokesperson Hafiz Zia Takkal the participation marks a milestone for the Taliban s diplomatic outreach Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson
EXPORTERS WARN OF MA JOR LOSSES AS DPP REMAINS HEADLESS DESPITE COURT ORDERS
and a rebound in private consumption and investment
The report highlighted a five-year tariff reform plan (2025–2030) aimed at reducing Pakistan s historically high tariffs by half, which is expected to support export growth Inflation in Pakistan fell to single digits in FY2024-25 as food and energy price increases eased However disruptions to food supply chains due to floods are expected to raise inflation through 2027 The World Bank also noted that poverty at the lower-middle-income line in Pakistan declined by 9 4 per-
centage points between 2011 and 2018 Economic shocks and natural disasters since 2020 have slowed this reduction, and Pakistan accounts for a significant share of the MENAAP region’s poor population The report pointed out that Pakistan has one of the highest fertility rates in the region with projections indicating a fall below replacement level within one generation It added that greater female
Industry leaders and experts on Tuesday urged Pakistan to accelerate the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles through consistent policy reforms, investment in charging infrastructure and financial incentives during a stakeholder dialogue organised by the Indus Consortium in collaboration with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) The event, titled “Shifting Gears: Launch of Automotive Study and Stakeholder Dialogue ” also marked the release of a research study Green Transition – Barriers and Opportunities for the Automotive Industry in Pakistan, which identified gaps in the country s green mobility sector and recommended steps for decarbonisation Ali Asghar Jamali, CEO of Indus Motor Company (IMC), said the company has installed rooftop solar
apex body for
and introduced hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) He noted that hybrid and plugin hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) remain relevant, given that 62% of Pakistan s electricity is generated from fossil fuels Hussain Jarwar, CEO of Indus Consortium, highlighted the role of the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Policy in promoting adoption if financing and infrastructure challenges are addressed Aamir Allawala former chairman of the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM), said localisation of parts is critical and warned that EV battery disposal could be a future challenge Muhammad Armughan of FPCCI presented the study which examined Scope 3 emissions across IMC s value
Pakistan s business, industry and trade community has established a dedicated Business & Human Rights (BHR) Desk at its Karachi head office with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sheikh said the desk will serve as a central hub for awareness, capacity-building,
ShEhba z URGES PaKiStaN-Mal
SBP to gauge polic y rate cuts on flood impac t and IMF review; Governor SBP
said inflation may temporarily exceed the upper bound of the 5%-7% medium-term target range in early 2026 but on average will remain within the target in the current and next fiscal years The SBP governor confirmed that the central bank’s tight monetary stance has contributed to controlling inflation and that monetary-fiscal coordination is progressing Regarding the IMF program, Ahmad said the $7 billion loan program is advancing, with the central bank
meeting its foreign reserve targets Over the past three years, SBP purchased approximately $20 billion from the interbank market reversing its previous net-seller position The strategy ensured that foreign reserves were not affected by Pakistan s $500 million Eurobond payment in September 2025 Ahmad also noted that Pakistan’s recently agreed 19% tariff rate on exports to the United States has generated increased inquiries from textile importers Separately he confirmed that the government is developing a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency, which will include strict vetting and oversight for market participants The framework aims to mitigate risks associated with virtual assets while allowing new entrants into the market
Pakistan, Malaysia call for Gaza ceasefire, commend effor ts for Palestinian statehood
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
Both leaders acknowledged the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and agreed to explore joint research, innovation, and the development of sustainable agricultural production methods The leaders expressed satisfaction with the strong ongoing defence collaboration under the purview of the Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) platform since its establishment in 1997
Cooperation between the two countries has been tremendously strengthened through high-level visits regular bilateral meetings at ministerial and military levels military-to-military engagements and defence industry linkages
Both sides also agreed to further deepen the bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in the field of defence science, technology, and industry, through knowledge and technology transfer
The two sides welcomed further cooperation in education including technical and vocational training and the enhancement of institutional partnerships Recognising the importance of aviation in fostering greater connectivity and promoting people-to-people exchanges the leaders agreed to enhance air travel services and explore opportu-
nities for increased connectivity between Malaysia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Efforts will focus on increasing air traffic rights to enable the expansion of flight routes and facilitating the growth of air travel thereby strengthening economic business and tourism ties between the two nations The leaders agreed to explore collaboration in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices with the aim of enhancing public health and commercial exchanges in these sectors Both leaders expressed optimism in expanding tourism cooperation, particularly in light of Malaysia s Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) and “Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026” (MYMT2026) campaigns
Malaysia extended a warm welcome to Pakistani travelers and the leaders agreed to enhance tourism promotion and cultural exchanges from both sides Both leaders recognised the importance of people-to-people ties and welcomed the positive contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Malaysia to national development
They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in the area of labour, including technical training and skills development
Acknowledging the importance of energy security and sus-
tainability, the leaders agreed to explore cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, energy transition, and climate resilience, including knowledge-sharing joint research and investment in clean energy projects
Both leaders reaffirmed their support for enhanced collaboration in science, technology, and innovation (STI), including cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation They underscored the critical importance of regional cooperation in disaster management and risk reduction and committed to enhancing the exchange of knowledge and best practices in humanitarian assistance, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery and reconstruction The leaders expressed their commitment to enhance cooperation in cybersecurity and efforts in combating transnational organised crimes terrorism, terrorism financing as well as cybercrime They agreed to continue exchanging information and expertise to address emerging security challenges
The leaders noted the active cooperation on key issues within the framework of international organisations particularly the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Developing-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8)
COMMENT
Shehbaz ’s visit has led to nothing dramatic, but renews an impor tant relationship
N the face of it the increase in quota by Malaysia for their import of halal meat to $200 million does not seem a major development but it indicates the potential for trade between the two countries as well as the reason Both are Muslim countries, and thus there are aspects of cultural compatibility contained in the halal meat agreement There is a demand for meat in Malaysia which does not have much of a livestock industry and because the population is Muslim, the meat must be halal Pakistan is a natural source of exports It should be remembered that Pakistan is one of the Muslim countries importing Turkish jellies because they are made of halal gelatin It should be noted that this Malaysian agreement will provide a fillip to the livestock sector in Pakistan, which is growing in importance within its agriculture However perhaps more important it provides a further opportunity for Pakistan to make its mark in the whole of ASEAN, which include the Muslim countries of Brunei and Indonesia as well as Singapore Thailand and the Phillipines all three with significant Muslim minorities Halal food is not the only point of interest Malaysia is also the leading source of palm oil, upon which the vegetable ghee industry relies Malaysia also has a strong streak of Islamic solidarity Its first PM, Tunku Abdur Rahman, played a key role in the calling of the first Islamic Conference in 1969, which was held to express resentment against a Zionist arson attack on the Masjid Al-Aqsa More recently, Mr Imran Khan got into a tangle when he first agreed to attend a summit in Malaysia intended to create a non-Arab OIC, but buckled under Saudi pressure and decided not to attend thus making the whole plan fail
Another commonality is that both countries are former British colonies The result of that is that their peoples have an ability to communicate which has led to Pakistanis increasingly going to Malaysia for higher studies as well as work The visit has been important in refreshing the close ties between the countries, all the more necessary to counter hostile moves from India which has a British-era diaspora mostly of South Indian origin, to act as a boosters club
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
N o w t h e h a r d w o r k b e g i n s
Implementing Trump’s plan
IF US President Donald Trump really wants to earn a Nobel Peace Prize, he s going to need to do better than his 20-point Comprehensive Plan to End Gaza’s Conflict ” While in his characteristic style of exaggeration, Mr Trump called the release of his plan “one of the greatest days in human history poring over Arab Israeli and US press reveals that most analysts are not inclined to see it that way After reading commentaries by writers across the board what is most striking is how widely divergent their views are toward Mr Trump’s effort While a few in all three regions express hope that the plan represents a pathway to peace there’s a significant group of Israelis Arabs and Americans who see it as flawed and dangerous albeit for different reasons Israeli hardliners, for example, suggest that if Mr Trump s 20-point plan were implemented, it will inevitably lead to the creation of a Palestinian state that will pose a mortal threat to Israel’s security Meanwhile a sizable body of Arabs express the concern that if followed Trump s plan will make Israel s occupation permanent resulting in the dissolution of the Palestinian cause In fact the only issues on which there is agreement are that the plan would stop the further devastation in Gaza and allow for the return of Israeli hostages and some Palestinian prisoners The reasons behind this wide range of interpretations about the plan’s intentions are many: the Arabs well-earned lack of trust in both Trump and Netanyahu; the belief of hardline ideological Israelis that Netanyahu will do whatever it takes to remain prime minister; the deliberate vagueness of most of the plan’s key points; and, especially galling for Palestinians, the fact that they were handed the plan as a fait accompli without having been asked to provide input and told to accept it or as Mr Trump put it all HELL like no one has ever seen before will break out against Hamas Of all of these factors, it s the vagueness that is problematic for all sides Israeli hardliners, for example, fret over the mention of an Israeli withdrawal, the presence of Arab peacekeepers Palestinian police and the possible return of the PA (which in their
minds, means a link between the West Bank and Gaza leading to a Palestinian state) Palestinians on the other hand reading the document closely see that none of these provisions are guaranteed And while there is mention of a phased Israeli withdrawal, the plan provides for Israeli forces to remain in a security perimeter inside Gaza For Palestinians this means a continuation of the twodecades-long stranglehold Israel has had over all access into and egress from Gaza They see this plan as too focused on Israeli security with little regard for justice and Palestinian security Another glaring problem is the lack of definition of terms and an enforcement mechanism that will ensure that the terms of the plan are implemented What, for example, is the definition of the “technocratic apolitical Palestinian committee” that is to be created to run day-to-day operations in Gaza? Will its members be vetted by the Trump-led board? Will the Israelis be able to veto members? And without any clarity on these points, will this committee be viewed as having legitimacy by Palestinians? And finally, without a defined neutral mechanism for enforcement will the USA allow Israel to act in Gaza as they have with regard to the ceasefires in Lebanon and Syria where they act as the sole arbiter and enforcer of the agreements? (Their interpretation of ceasefire is apparently you cease, while we continue to fire ) The plan mentions an economic development plan to attract foreign investment that is to be de-
ILadakh Manipur and Indian Occupied Kashmir the Modi government has resorted to a familiar playbook: deflect distort and demonize However this time the mask is slipping The world is watching, and the truth is impossible to suppress AJK remains a region of political representation, constitutional protection, and democratic continuity within Pakistan Its people vote the media operates freely and the judiciary functions independently There are no curfews no lockdowns and no military sieges The region is not only peaceful but also participatory its governance reflects the will of its people In stark contrast, India’s occupied territories are suffocating under boots and barbed wire Indian-Occupied Kashmir has become a garrison state its youth silenced its leaders jailed its identity erased The contrast between self-governance and subjugation is not just visible it is damning India’s internal collapse is most glaring in Ladakh Once a bastion of BJP support, the region has turned into a crucible of defiance The abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir into Union Territories were sold as masterstrokes of centralization and control Instead, they triggered betrayal and backlash Ladakh s people especially its Buddhist communities feel disenfranchised, deceived, and discarded Their demands for Sixth Schedule protections have grown louder their protests more resolute and their arrests more frequent The Modi regime s intolerance of dissent has been laid bare The image of
man has crumbled
by
as
in Galwan but
of Ladakh’s
and Kuki
of
not only by
has
the northeastern state into chaos Entire villages have been razed, thousands displaced, and hundreds killed The central government s apathy and the Chief Minister ’s partisan conduct have turned a crisis into a catastrophe The silence from New Delhi is not just negligent it is complicit The Indian media ever eager to amplify
India’s human rights record in Indian-Occupied Kashmir is a litany of horrors Extrajudicial killings enforced disappearances demographic manipulation and collective punishment are not allegations they are documented facts The United Nations Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have all raised alarms Journalists are harassed, civil society is crushed, and dissent is criminalized The region has been turned into a laboratory of repression where constitutional guarantees are suspended and human dignity is trampled In contrast Pakistan s AJK continues to uphold democratic norms Political parties operate freely, the media reports without fear, and courts maintain their independence India cannot conceal this contrast, no matter how loud its propaganda The Modi government’s calculus is clear: weaponize nationalism to survive the fallout of military diplomatic and moral collapse Amplifying AJK is not about truth it is about distraction It is a manufactured hysteria designed to rally domestic support, deflect international scrutiny, and delegitimize Pakistan’s principled stance on Kashmir Nevertheless the strategy is failing The world is no longer buying the narrative The crisis is not across the Line of Control it is within India itself The fires of Ladakh, the bloodshed of Manipur, and the suffocation of Indian-Occupied Kashmir cannot be extinguished by rhetorical pyrotechnics Pakistan has responded with clarity and
conviction It rejects India’s disinformation and reaffirms its commitment to the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination under UN Security Council resolutions Islamabad has called on New Delhi to reverse its illegal actions of August 2019 end its occupation of Indian-Occupied Kashmir, and cease using false narratives to justify repression Pakistan s position is rooted in international law, moral clarity, and historical responsibility It stands firm undeterred by India’s noise The people of Kashmir are not pawns in a geopolitical game they are a nation denied a voice silenced and a cause that will not fade India s obsession with AJK is not strategic it is symptomatic It reflects a regime that has lost control of its own narrative and is now grasping at external scapegoats to mask internal decay The truth is unambiguous: Ladakh is defiant Manipur is bleeding and Indian-Occupied Kashmir remains under siege The Modi government can amplify all the rhetoric it wants but it cannot drown out reality The crisis is not in Pakistan-administered Kashmir The crisis is in India’s soul And no amount of diversion can change that
The writer is a free-lance columnist who writes on current affairs geopolitics and disaster management aiming to contribute informed insights to national discourse He can be reached at naveedsafdar13@gmail com
is now grasping at external scapegoats to mask internal decay The truth is unambiguous: Ladakh is defiant, Manipur is bleeding, and Indian-Occupied Kashmir remains under siege
The silence of Sialkot
Saving the game
The law wasn’t listening, so Nepal got loud
Lessons for Pakistan
SarMad Sattar
by unemployment corruption and systemic exclusion this became the proverbial last straw But the deeper reasons lie elsewhere The sweeping ban on social media platforms imposed in September failed this test It was not a regulation of harmful content it was collective punishment of citizens for the state s own insecurity By silencing voices online the government silenced dissent itself And in doing so it violated not only domestic constitutional protections but also international human rights obligations to which Nepal is a party From a legal standpoint this decision is indefensible From a political standpoint it was catastrophic As one political scientist in Kathmandu observed This was a textbook pressure cooker situation The state tried to shut down dissent, but instead shut down the only mechanism that kept dissent manageable ” There is an old Roman line by the satirist Juvenal: the people demand only two things bread and circuses So long as rulers provide food and entertainment revolts
gravity asser ts itself Otherwise , as Nepal shows, when law is absent, the street will become the only cour t left And its verdict is rarely merciful.
Is Pakistan the Middle East’s new securit y provider?
vestment, economic opportunities, and a longer-term partnership that resulted in CPEC and infrastructure development
S R A E L S attacks on Doha on September 9 signalled a change in the Israel-Gaza war–even US partners were not safe from Israel’s growing agenda While the United States faced issues of credibility in the region Pakistan was negotiating a new regional security guarantee with Saudi Arabia to ensure that there are other actors involved in defending the security of the Gulf States Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long held close ties with one another, but have not agreed to a formal security defense pact until now Pakistan has a long history of sending its troops to Saudi Arabia for training and combat most notably in 1979 during the siege of Mecca Islamabad has experience in extending its troops beyond its borders, making it a pragmatic choice for this kind of regional role Of course, an agreement of this magnitude could not have occurred without tacit approval from the Trump administration With its America-First agenda the United States current posture has demonstrated its lack of interest in remaining a regional watchdog particularly given its strong support of Israel s expansionary project Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Field Marshal Asim Munir were invited to the White House to celebrate their cooperation with the United States signalling a warmer relationship than what has existed before For Pakistan this turn of events puts Islamabad in a position it has long wanted: an involved partner in the Muslim world, a military power that rivals India, and a recipient of American goodwill and weapons, via Saudi Arabia Additionally Pakistan and the United States are expanding their partnership in mining critical minerals Pakistan shipped its first batch of enriched rare earth minerals to the United States on October 2 the start of a longer-term memorandum of understanding with trade valued at $500 million Islamabad is also hoping that Washington will invest in a new port at Pasni in the Gwadar district, which would give the United States easier access to the critical minerals needed for it to remain competitive in the semicon-
While the two countries remain strategic partners China cannot shepherd additional diplomatic and economic initiatives but benefits greatly from its partners diversifying their security options away from relying solely on the United States Saudi Arabia has provided economic support for Pakistan for decades, particularly after it finished testing its nuclear weapons to offset any sanctions Pakistan’s current economic forecast is looking grim especially after catastrophic flooding this year and Islamabad desperately needs an ally who will help bail it out of this economic pit
Additionally, China has never sent its troops far beyond its borders and therefore cannot act as a regional security guarantor in the way that Pakistan can After the Israeli attacks in Doha the Arab Gulf States were left to find a strategic partner that would remain involved in the region The GCC has acted jointly in the past to provide security for one another, but this has been limited to law enforcement and defensive positioning, such as during the Arab Spring In order to counter a force like Israel, the Arab states will need a partner with much more military might and experience
On the sidelines of UNGA the Pakistani delegation has made significant efforts to maintain its advantageous position after the war with India in May Pakistan emerged from the conflict relatively unscathed, having demonstrated both its military and diplomatic prowess Prime Minister Sharif met with Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani after the September 9 attacks reiterating that the Muslim world must come together to confront Israeli provocations signalling Islamabad s desire to be a player on the world stage, particularly in regard to defending Gaza
While the exact details of this new PakistaniSaudi pact remain unclear, what is certain is that Pakistan is making diplomatic moves to show how its non-aligned status can benefit not only the United States but also regional actors Pakistan has been strengthening its ties with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as well indicating its desire to strike while the iron is hot after India s staunch denial of a US-brokered ceasefire in May While Pakistan may remain plagued by economic and financial issues, its diplomatic efforts indicate that the nation may be poised for a new role in the Middle East-South Asia nexus While Islamabad must remain careful to stay in the Trump administration s good graces as it navigates bilateral and multilateral agreements, its diversification away from the United States as its primary economic partner will serve it well
Minna Jaffery-Lindemulder is the program manager at the Institute for International Law and Human Rights Previously she did research at Columbia University s Tow Center for Digital Journalism the Center for American Progress Hanover Research and the National Partnership for Women & Families
AL M O S T every time India faces any uncomfortable situation in Bangladesh, New Delhi’s present and former foreign policy practitioners come up with statements that alarm Bangladeshis conscious of their independence sovereignty and national interests The latest case in point is the comment made by India s ex-foreign secretary and high commissioner to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shrinhla recently Now a member of the upper house of Indian parliament Rajya Sabha he said: “When it comes to countries with whom we share borders there is no such thing as purely internal affairs He expressed his views speaking at a discussion on Are we Prepared for the Bangladesh Elections? at the India International Centre on September 11
A pertinent question arises as to whether Mr Shringla forgets or disregards diplomatic norms and principles of international laws or reflects on wholesale insensitivity towards the domestic affairs of another country Election in Bangladesh is an internal affair to be dealt with by Bangladeshis isn t it?
In fact, a journalistic question as to why the Indians preparedness for the Bangladesh ballot should be discussed offers the insights of how India’s unreadiness about free and fair elections in the neighbouring country may matter unlike the culture of rigging polls during the one and a half decades of reign of Sheikh Hasina He is not alone to make aggressive comments or act aggressively when it comes to Bangladesh affairs in their eyes
In December 2013, the month before the scheduled parliamentary polls in Bangladesh, India’s then external affairs secretary Sujatha Singh had “pressured” General Ershad, the head of Jatiya Party an ally of prime minister Hasina’s Awami League to join the ballot which all other opposition parties decided to boycott suspecting unfair play in the absence of an election-time caretaker government
There is reason to believe that New Delhi continued to have some involvement with Hasina s regime one accused of sacrificing national interests, violating public rights and embezzling and siphoning off billions during its rule The Indian authorities have also been blamed for acting as conspirators in prolonging undemocratic rule and repression of Bangladeshis In return for Delhi s support to her government, Hasina remained subservient to India she herself said that the Indians would never forget what she had given them
The Indian leaders also reciprocated - she was given shelter in Delhi following the fall of her regime in the face of a popular uprising on August 5 2024 Though initially thought to be a stopover for her to go to a third country Hasina has since then been living there
Hasina s permanent sojourn
GA Z A NEWBORNS SHARE OXYGEN MASKS AS STRIKES KILL WOMEN, CHILDREN IN THIRD YEAR OF WAR
an end to the conflict It s been two years that we are living in fear horror displacement and destruction he said We are hoping with these new negotiations, to reach a ceasefire and a final end to the war " Israel increasingly isolated on world stage Israel is negotiating from a position of strength It responded to the 2023 attack by launching its offensive to eliminate Hamas in Gaza while also assassinating the top Hamas leaders outside the Strip and other Iranian-backed groups such as Lebanon's Hezbollah and weakening Yemen's Houthis It also killed Iran s top military commanders and attacked Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day war which was joined by the United States
FROM A HEAD TO A HEAD, THROUGH A HEAD: THE GEOPOLITICAL CLIMATE THAT SURROUNDED THE FALL OF DHAKA
BY ABDULLAH HYDER
India had established a close strategic partnership with the Soviet Union as Nehru introduced his non-aligned policy post-independence This strategic partnership between the two parties eventually culminated in a treaty of peace, friendship, and cooperation signed on the eve of war, two months prior to the fall of Dhaka Bellicose in her stature Indira Gandhi successfully managed to sway the narrative in line with her ambitions Her intention was not merely to liberate the people of East Bengal, but also to create a satellite state that would extend India’s sphere of influence across Southeast Asia India had the naval and military might of the monstrosity that was once the Soviet Union behind it; such support was not limited to military equipment alone, as it was widely reported that the soviets were involved in operational aspects of
the naval war as well This begs the question of why the state of Pakistan was not able to materialize similar tangible support when it needed it the most, Pakistan had placed itself on the global map prior to the debacle of East Pakistan as it helped the United States cash in on the Sino soviet rift post-DeStalinization The USSR had played a keen role in helping establish the communist party of China and then helping said party establish its stronghold over China post the Chinese civil war The PRC and the USSR were of the same ideological kith and kin but the changes that occurred in the USSR post the demise of Stalin created animosity between the two states, which later on developed into threats of invasion and potential preemptive nuclear strikes The United States had remained largely detached from China on the diplomatic front post the Japanese surrender although it is pertinent to note that the two sides were at arms against one another
during the forgotten Korean War The national security establishment was mobilized during the Nixon era courtesy of Henry Kissinger, to cozy up to the PRC in order to balance soviet influence in the region An attempt was made in Warsaw through an intermediary on Kissinger ’s behalf by using the ambassador of the US based out of Warsaw as a conduit to woo the Chinese such attempts did not materialize due to the then ongoing tension in Vietnam and the wider Indochina region which saw the United states of America and the PRC backing opposing parties to the conflict The president of Pakistan, General Yahya Khan, later acted as an intermediary between the two states after being asked by Nixon to convey a message to Zhou Enlai at a UN General Assembly meeting in the October of 1970 Henry Kissinger later made a covert trip to China through Pakistan in order to lay the
ground for the first visit of an American president to the PRC Pakistan s efforts materialized and the US was able to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC Tensions between the two powers persisted, but they came together to put a conclusive end to soviet revanchist designs in Afghanistan Pakistan as a complete unit did not survive to see the day On paper the fact that an all-weather strategic partner of China and a member of two American anti soviet pacts was not able to obtain conclusive international support in its favor comes off as utterly appalling Nixon was adamant in his support of Pakistan, but the public narrative was to the contrary due to the anti-Vietnam movement, which was slowly transforming into Nixon’s Achilles heel Nixon had come into office with the promise of settling the Vietnam issue once and for all but he was not willing to withdraw on
g PAKISTAN ’S LARGEST IPP PLANS EV ROLLOUT, NATIONWIDE CHARGING NETWORK AND EXPLORES INDUSTRIAL VENTURES TO ADDRESS SURPLUS ENERGY AND IMPORT NEEDS
HLAHORE
Mr Husain has been celebrated worldwide for his pioneering work at the intersection of advanced technology business innovation and global impact Among his many distinctions are the University of Texas at Austin s Presidential Citation, the institution’s highest honor, as well as recognition as Austin Business Journal s Top Entrepreneur and inclusion in Austin s 40 Under 40 His ventures have consistently achieved international acclaim, with appearances on CNBC s Fastest Growing Companies lists and coverage in leading outlets such as The Wall Street Journal The New Yorker BBC Fortune Forbes and Proceedings of the U S Naval Institute
Together with his wife, Zaib Husain, Mr Husain has also demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing knowledge and nurturing future innovators The couple endowed a Machine Learning Laboratory at UT Austin reflecting their belief ine the transformative power of education and research
Reflecting on his new role at LUMS, Mr Husain said: LUMS is one of Pakistan's premier institutions of learning And after decades of hard work by Pakistani researchers entrepreneurs and students Pakistan s time on the global stage has arrived It is a great honor to be part of the team that will steward LUMS into a future that is brimming with possibility and success for Pakistan, for its partners and for the world ” Mr Husain s entrepreneurial record spans multiple groundbreaking ventures He founded SparkCognition, which achieved unicorn valuation under his leadership, and went on to establish Argon Mechatronics (humanoid robotics) SpecFive (mesh networking) and Navigate (data platforms) He also co-founded SkyGrid a joint venture with Boeing focused on autonomous aviation, and created SparkCognition
Government Systems (SGS) chaired by former U S Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work Today he serves as Chairman of WorldQuant Foundry, supporting startups that leverage exponential technologies to solve global challenges
A prolific inventor Mr Husain holds over 30 patents in AI and distributed systems He also serves on the UT Austin Computer Science Advisory Council, the President s Advisory Council, and the board of Global Venture Bridge while also being a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) reflecting his deep engagement with international policy and global affairs
Beyond his leadership in technology and entrepreneurship, Mr Husain is an accomplished author His works include the international bestseller The Sentient Machine the co-authored Hyperwar: Conflict and Competition in the AI Century, and his more recent books Serious Machines, Generative AI for Leaders, and The Cybernetic Society Mr Husain’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for LUMS as it strengthens its University Advisory Board to reimagine learning and knowledge creation for the Global South His global experience, combined with the enduring support of Zaib Husain will help position LUMS as
CASS holds webinar on book titled ‘Methodologies in Critical Terrorism Studies' ISLAMABAD
The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) Islamabad organised a webinar on the book titled Methodologies in Critical Terrorism Studies: Gaps and Interdisciplinary Perspectives under its Author's Talk Series on 1 October 2025 CASS is an independent think tank that continues to arrange academic events for academia and practitioners interested in national security in its wider context Dr Usman Chohan Advisor to President CASS introduced the speaker and the book s author, Mr Carlos Yebra Lopez, and praised his contributions to Critical Terrorism Studies He stressed that in Pakistan we have lived in the shadow of terrorism over the last few decades Recognising the importance and relevance of the subject it is imperative to study the methodologies involved in Critical Terrorism Studies Mr Carlos Yebra Lopez revealed that terrorism in its modern form emerged alongside mass media, citing the 1972 Munich attack and similar attacks He noted that such events spurred US government initiatives such as "Cabinet Committee to Combat Terrorism” eventually leading to the creation of Terrorism Studies as an academic field He remarked that Terrorism Studies boomed following 9/11 However, its theoretical, epistemological, ethical, and methodological shortcomings became apparent subsequently Mr Lopez comprehensively explained the four major critiques of traditional Terrorism Studies including Ontological Methodological Political and cultural critiques leading to Critical Terrorism Studies The author cited the overuse of discourse methods lack of sufficient quantitative or empirical analysis
NUML and PANAH Unite to Combat Hear t and Lifest yle Diseases
ISLAMABAD staff report The Department of Arabic, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), in collaboration with the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), organized an awareness seminar titled “Prevention of Heart and Non-Communicable Diseases President PANAH Maj Gen (R) Masud-ur-Rehman HI(M) was the keynote speaker while Rector NUML, Maj Gen Shahid Mahmood Kayani HI(M) (R), graced the event as the chief guest DG NUML, Brig (retd) Nadeem Asghar, Pro-Rector (R&SI), Dr Safeer Awan Secretary General PANAH Mr Sanaullah Ghumman Dean Faculty of Languages Dr Jameel Asghar Jami Head of Arabic Department Dr Abu Bakkar Bhutta Deans faculty members and a large number of students attended the seminar At the outset, Dean Faculty of Languages Dr Jameel Asghar Jami delivered the welcome address, highlighting the importance of maintaining good health and adopting a balanced lifestyle to prevent heart and other chronic diseases In his keynote address President PANAH Maj Gen (Retd) Masud-urRehman HI (M) emphasized that taking care of one s heart is the responsibility of every individual He urged participants to abandon unhealthy habits and lifestyles that endanger life and health He advised adopting a disciplined routine that includes daily exercise healthy eating cleanliness and quitting tobacco use He also highlighted the importance of mental well-being spirituality and stress management for a healthy heart He drew attention to the alarming rise in obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases caused by the excessive consumption of junk and ultra-processed foods He informed the audience about PANAH’s future initiatives such as the School Food Policy which restricts the sale of sugary drinks within a one-kilometer radius of educational
SEVEN INJURED AS BL AST DERAILS JAFFAR EXPRESS IN SHIK ARPUR
Former prime minister Imran Khan s lawyer, Salman Safdar, on Tuesday urged the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to restrain the trial court from issuing a verdict in the new Toshakhana case against the PTI founder and his wife Bushra Bibi Justice Raja Inam Amin Minhas heard the petitions seeking acquittal in the case Taking the rostrum, Safdar pointed out that the same witnesses, including Inaamullah Shah were involved in earlier Toshakhana proceedings He noted that Bushra Bibi despite being acquitted in the Iddat case was re-arrested immediately outside Adiala Jail Safdar argued that multiple agencies including the Election Commission NAB FIA and even Kohsar Police had already investigated the Toshakhana matter calling it a violation of the legal principle against double jeopardy “A person cannot be punished mul-
tiple times for the same offence he said requesting the court to stop the trial judge from announcing a final verdict in the Toshakhana-II case
He informed the court that 19 of 35 witnesses had recorded their statements and the accused had received a questionnaire to be answered the following day potentially leading to sentencing soon after If a stay is not granted, my arguments serve no purpose, he warned Safdar further claimed that two
Toshakhana cases were initiated and while sentencing in the first was suspended by an IHC division bench, the second was now nearing conclusion He maintained that even witnesses such as Sohaib Abbasi and Inaam Shah were also listed as accused in the ongoing case
Justice Minhas directed Safdar to submit references to previous relevant court rulings and adjourned the hearing, saying the next date would be announced later
and supplying limited quantities Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti had earlier directed the Gwadar Port Authority to oversee transparent water deliveries from Mirani Dam The GDA subsequently invited private tanker operators to formalize an emergency distribution system MPA Hidayatur Rehman confirmed that a feasibility study for the Mirani–Gwadar pipeline is already in progress and that a provincial assembly resolution has been tabled to fast-track the project
Former senator Mushtaq Ahmed returns to safet y af ter release from Israeli c ustody India releases 60,000 cusecs of
AMMAN s ta f f r e p o r t
Former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan has been released by Israeli forces and is now at the Pakistan Embassy in Amman, Jordan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on Monday In a post on platform X Ishaq Dar said that Mushtaq Ahmed is in good health and high spirits following his release He added that the senator is currently under the care of the embassy staff in Amman Mushtaq Ahmed was part of the Global Samoud Flotilla, whose members were detained by Israeli occupation forces during a humanitarian mission Reports indicate that Israel deported 131 members of the flotilla including the former senator, who were later transported to Jordan The foreign minister said the embassy stands ready to assist Mushtaq Ahmed in returning to Pakistan according to his preference and schedule He also thanked friendly nations that coordinated with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in ensuring the release of the senator and the safe deportation of other flotilla members
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t Rana
PTI to challenge repor ted transfer of Imran Khan from Adiala Jail: Barrister Gohar
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said on Monday that the party would approach the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court if its founder, Imran Khan, is transferred from Adiala Jail
Speaking to reporters outside
Parliament House Gohar said the party had received reports about the possible transfer and would challenge any such move in court
We have heard about the transfer of our party founder from Adiala We will approach both the High Court and the Supreme Court against any such action he said He urged authorities to refrain from taking measures that could heighten political tensions, stressing that the PTI founder a former prime minister and popular national leader should not be held in a suffocating environment Gohar added that Pakistan could not move toward true democracy while such actions continued Earlier, the National Assembly passed a resolution condemning alleged threats made by Imran Khan
to senior journalist Ejaz Ahmed inside Adiala Jail The resolution accused Khan of launching a campaign of harassment against journalists and called for the protection of media professionals It also condemned the recent killing of journalist Imtiaz Mir in Karachi demanding strict action against those involved in targeting journalists online or offline
During the debate, Barrister Gohar objected to the resolution, warning it could “spoil the environment of the House He said he had not yet met Imran Khan but would do so soon to review the allegations We salute the role of media, but I will personally look into the matter of senior journalist Ejaz Ahmed ” he said
Iran plans major air force upgrade with 48 Russian Su-35 jets
kilograms of armaments Designed for long-range and beyond-visual-range combat the jet competes with leading Western fighters such as the F-15E Strike Eagle F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Eurofighter Typhoon making it a key part of Russia s defense export portfolio
