point agenda focused squarely on the dismantling of terrorist networks particularly those affiliated with the Gul Bahadur faction and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistan blames for recent deadly attacks inside its territory “Pakistan has made it clear that the Afghan government must eliminate terrorist
organisations and their hideouts, a senior official said, describing the discussions as “direct, firm, and security-centric ” The Doha dialogue marks one of the most significant diplomatic engagements between Islamabad and Kabul in recent months following weeks of border clashes that
Resolution of Pak , Afghan
tensions
lies
in
compliance with D oha Agreement: Talal
ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Saturday said that the only viable path to resolving tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan lies in Kabul’s full compliance with the Doha Agreement, which explicitly bars the use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities against any country For the first time a third country is involved in facilitating communication to ensure Afghanistan abides by the Doha accord and prevents the use of its soil for acts of terrorism by any group ” the minister said in a televised interview s ta f f
have left dozens dead on both sides
Sources said the next round of talks will continue tomorrow, with deliberations expected on mechanisms for cross-border coordination and intelligence-sharing
economy stabilised, country now moving forward to achieve sustained economic growth: pM
JAHANIAN s ta f f r e p o r t
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said Pakistan’s economy had achieved stability key financial indicators were showing positive trends and the country was now moving towards sustained growth remarking that We are serving Pakistan day and night with hard work, honesty and sincerity Speaking to ministers and lawmakers at the residence of MNA Chaudhry Iftikhar Nazirduirng his visit to Khanewal on Saturday the prime minister said his government had inherited a difficult economic situation and had to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to avert default
He said that over the past one and a half years both the federal and Punjab governments had served the people effectively particularly in the wake of floods, and praised Chief Minister Punjab and her team for their performance in health, education, transport and infrastructure development The prime minister also paid tribute to the armed forces saying Pakistan had defeated India in a four-day war through the bravery of its soldiers and the prayers of its people He said the country s armed forces, led by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber had written “a new chapter with their victory while the government also achieved diplomatic success by signing a defence pact with Saudi Arabia
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Saturday said it was giving its coalition partner the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) more time to meet its key demands after weeks of friction between the
multi-domain capabilities of Pakistan s armed forces which successfully neutralised all threats and reinforced the nation s confidence in its military He said Pakistan had displayed its operational strength by downing advanced Rafales targeting multiple bases including S-400 systems and exhibiting superior strategic preparedness India s politicisation of
of earlier victories “Pakistan once again emerged triumphant against a treacherous enemy blinded by hubris and hegemonic ambitions he said adding that the legitimacy and clarity of Pakistan s victory had earned the admiration of both the nation and the international community The COAS also paid homage
He said the Saudi leadership had reaffirmed its strong ties with Pakistan and during his recent visit to New York and Washington he met then US President Donald Trump and, along with leaders of Islamic countries, played a role in ending the violence in Gaza
“The situation in Gaza was tragic with women children and the elderly being martyred as schools and hospitals were destroyed he said adding that the ceasefire was the result of efforts by Islamic countries and President Trump Urging political parties to work together for Pakistan’s progress the prime minister said national unity was essential to achieve the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal
revived the spirit
Meta and PTA launch ‘Is This Legit?’ c ampaign to raise awareness about online sc ams in Pakistan
NEECA urges development authorities to adopt energy conservation building code 2023 FBR presents transformation plan as global case study at IMF–WB meetings
The Power Division s National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) has directed district and regional development authorities across the country to incorporate the Energy Conservation Building Code 2023 (ECBC-2023) into their building by-laws
According to a news report in letters issued by the NEECA Managing Director the authority urged chairpersons and directors of key development bodies including those of Lahore Rawalpindi Faisalabad Multan Gujranwala, Karachi, Quetta, Gwadar, Mardan, Swat, Galiyat, Gilgit-Baltistan, Skardu, Mirpur, and Muzaffarabad, to begin adopting the code in their regulatory frameworks Under the NEECA Act 2016 the authority is
and
of
Malaysia offers to mediate as PM Shehbaz , Anwar discuss Pakistan Afghanistan tensions
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
During the conversation, Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated that Pakistan desires peace and stability in Afghanistan but continues to face cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghan soil He emphasized that Kabul must take immediate and effective steps to dismantle terrorist networks operating from its territory, the Prime Minister ’s Office (PMO) said in a statement The prime minister noted that Pakistan had agreed to a temporary ceasefire at Afghanistan s request to facilitate dialogue in Doha but stressed that tangible action was required against all terrorist entities, including Fitna al-Khawarij, Fitna al-Hindustan, the TTP and the BLA, to restore peace along the border Anwar Ibrahim, voicing concern over the developments assured that Malaysia stood ready to play a constructive role in reducing tensions and restoring peace and stability in the region The two leaders also reviewed other regional developments Prime Minister Shehbaz briefed his Malaysian counterpart on his participation in the signing ceremony of the Gaza Peace Agreement held in Sharm el-Sheikh and expressed hope that the accord would help end the suffering of the Palestinian people ensure unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, and pave the way for lasting peace in the region Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact The phone call followed Prime Minister Shehbaz’s state visit to Malaysia earlier this month during which the two sides agreed to reignite bilateral cooperation through a forward-looking economic partnership, including potential collaboration under the ASEAN framework
Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar Minister of State Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju Special Assistant Talha Burki and Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Several PML-N leaders including MPAs Rana Muhammad Saleem Hanif, Chaudhry Usman Fazal, former MNA Malik Abdul Ghaffar Dogar, Zohaib Ahmed Khan Daha, and Khanewal Vice President Mian Ikramullah Kamboh were also present
Pakistan to K abul: Dismantle terror sanc tuaries as ‘single -point ’ dominates Doha talks
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
VERIFIED GUL BAHADUR CAMPS TARGETED
Meanwhile Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that Pakistan had struck verified camps of the outlawed Gul Bahadur group in border areas of North and South Waziristan during precision operations along the PakAfghan frontier In a post on X, Tarar said that during a 48hour ceasefire terrorists operating from Afghan soil made multiple infiltration attempts all of which were effectively repelled by Pakistani security forces
During the effective responses by security forces more than 100 kharjis were sent to hell, he said, using the state s term for militants He added that terrorists carried out an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in North Waziristan, martyring a soldier and several civilians and injuring others “Against kharjis of the Gul Bahadur Group precision strikes were undertaken last night Based on confirmed intelligence reports 60–70 kharjis and their leadership were eliminated Tarar said
Rejecting allegations of civilian casualties, the minister said, All assertions about targeting civilians are false and aimed at generating sympathy for terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil ” He stressed that Pakistan remains committed to resolving the issue through dialogue but retains the right to safeguard its territorial integrity and citizens
lies in addressing Indian-sponsored
FRESH PRECISION STRIKES AFTER CEASEFIRE EXTENSION
On Friday, Pakistan once again targeted terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan s Paktika province, conducting precision strikes across Urgun and Barmal districts, hours after the two countries had extended a temporary ceasefire The renewed action followed an attack on a military installation in North Waziristan earlier in the week and coincided with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announcing its withdrawal from a T20 tri-nation series in Pakistan, alleging the killing of three Afghan cricketers in the strikes a claim Islamabad has firmly denied Security officials said the two-day ceasefire, initially announced on Wednesday and largely observed without vio-
lations had been mutually extended until the end of the Doha talks However, the fresh exchanges briefly overshadowed the fragile truce Earlier, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan reiterated that Afghanistan had become a “central breeding ground for global terrorism ” “We do not have to wait for a large-scale disaster before taking remedial action This fire will spread if left unchecked Khan warned at a weekly briefing in Islamabad The initial Doha round was made possible after mediation efforts by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, who persuaded both sides to halt hostilities The talks, originally slated for Thursday or Friday were delayed due to logistical issues and hesitation within the Taliban leadership KEY TERRORIST RINGLEADERS ELIMINATED
According to security sources the Kharji Gul Bahadur group blamed for numerous attacks on Pakistani soil suffered significant losses in precision strikes conducted on the night of Oct 17, which killed several senior commanders Among those eliminated were: Farman alias Al-Karama; Sadiqullah Dawar; Ghazi Madakhel; Muqarrab; Qismatullah; Gulab alias Deewana; Rehmani; Adil and Fazlur Rehman a close relative of Gul Bahadur himself
Additional ringleaders Ashiqullah alias Kausar and Younas were also killed, marking what officials described as a major operational success in Pakistan s ongoing counterterrorism drive Security officials said the group had also attempted a vehicle-borne IED attack on Oct 17 in Khadi North Waziristan killing three women two children and a soldier before being foiled BORDER TENSIONS ESCALATE AFTER AFGHAN FIRING
Tensions along the Pak-Afghan border surged last week after unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban forces at multiple locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan prompting a swift and forceful response from the Pakistan Army which destroyed several Afghan posts and inflicted heavy casualties
The coordinated assault originated across key sectors including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral, and Baramcha Security officials said the firing was aimed at facilitating infiltration by the banned TTP, referred to by Islamabad as the “Fitna al-Khawarij ”
The Pakistan Army responded immediately and decisively a security source said The counteroffensive destroyed multiple Afghan posts and killed dozens of Afghan soldiers and Khawarij
Resolution of Pak, Afghan tensions lies in compliance with Doha
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
The only constructive way forward is for Afghanistan to fulfil its commitments under the agreement and stop all actors using its territory to stage attacks, he added Chaudhry said that despite Pakistan’s repeated diplomatic and military-level engagements with Kabul “the Afghan side has shown neither resolve nor commitment” to curbing cross-border terrorism When asked if Islamabad would consider targeting militants on Afghan soil he said Khawarij are trained and sponsored there before entering Pakistan this must stop His remarks came as a high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, held talks with a Kabul delegation in Doha on Saturday amid continued border clashes between the two countries The meeting facilitated by Qatar was confirmed by the Foreign Office which said discussions were focused on reducing tensions and ensuring border stability Referring to militant threats, the minister said that Fitna al-Khawarij a term used for terrorists linked to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Fitna al-Hindustan referring to India-sponsored groups in
Agreement: Talal
Balochistan, continue to target Pakistan He accused Kabul of aligning with India and recognising occupied Kashmir as Indian territory saying “We kept warning that they are proxies and now they have proven it ”
Chaudhry reiterated that Pakistan would take all measures necessary to defend its sovereignty If terrorism is an internal issue, then why do they come from Afghanistan? he asked, responding to Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s recent remarks “We have shared multiple dossiers detailing their camps and infiltration routes yet no action has been taken ” he stressed Tensions have escalated since last weekend when 23 Pakistani troops were martyred and around 200 Taliban and affiliated militants were killed in cross-border clashes after an attack from the Afghan side, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Afghanistan claimed the attack was in “retaliation” for alleged Pakistani air strikes on its soil last Thursday an accusation Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied Clashes resumed on Tuesday along the Kurram border followed by Pakistan s precision strikes in Kandahar and Kabul on Wednesday targeting terrorist hideouts
Only a Palestinian State Can Break the Cycle of War
The only path to peace
TWhile Israel continues its military campaigns under the rationale of security and deterrence the conflict reveals the limits of force as a means of ensuring long-term peace The recurring cycles of violence demonstrate that Israel is waging a war it cannot decisively win, because military supremacy alone cannot extinguish the political social and historical aspirations of an entire people A sustainable resolution requires recognition of Palestinian statehood not as a concession but as an indispensable precondition for regional stability In this context, the international community must take a leading role in shaping a viable path toward peace Israel s military power is widely acknowledged as the most advanced in the region reinforced by cutting-edge
technology intelligence networks and unwavering US support Yet despite its superiority Israel has repeatedly failed to achieve durable peace through military means The wars of 2008–09 2012 2014 and the most recent escalation in Gaza underscore the cyclical nature of hostilities
Each round of conflict has left Gaza more devastated Palestinian resentment more entrenched and Israel more isolated diplomatically
This military-centred approach is inherently flawed because it reduces a deeply political struggle to a matter of force Palestinian demands for sovereignty, dignity and recognition cannot be silenced through bombardments or territorial control Instead violence tends to radicalize communities perpetuating a cycle of resistance and retaliation Israel s insistence on security-first policies, without parallel political concessions, has thus failed to achieve its objectives of deterrence or normalization
The war in Gaza has created a humanitarian catastrophe of staggering proportions Thousands of civilians including women and children, have been killed, and much of Gaza s infrastructure has been reduced to rubble Access to food, water, electricity and healthcare has collapsed with the United Nations repeatedly warning of famine and epidemic outbreaks
These conditions are not only morally indefensible but also politically counterproductive for Israel Images of destruction and human suffering have galvanized international criticism, fueling mass protests across Europe North America and the Muslim world Countries in the Global South already skeptical of Western double standards increasingly view the Palestinian plight as emblematic of broader injustices in the international order The longer Israel prolongs its military operations, the deeper its legitimacy crisis becomes even among its traditional allies
At the heart of Israel’s predicament lies the impossibility of containing the Palestinian national movement indefinitely History provides abundant evidence that nations cannot be subdued permanently through coercion From Algeria to Vietnam, colonial and occupation regimes collapsed under the weight of indigenous resistance, despite initial military superiority Similarly the Palestinian struggle is not merely a local rebellion but a national liberation movement rooted in identity memory and international solidarity
Israel s attempts to divide Palestinians between the West Bank and Gaza, between Fatah and Hamas may have achieved shortterm tactical gains but they have failed to extinguish the demand for statehood On the contrary continued occupation and blockade have reinforced the collective sense of dispossession, deepening the legitimacy of resistance among younger generations This reality underscores why Israel is fighting a war it cannot win: the conflict is not about defeating an organization but about denying the aspirations of a people
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict must also be understood within the broader context of global geostrategic realignments
The United States, Israel’s chief ally, faces mounting challenges to its global influence particularly from China and Russia
The Ukraine war the emergence of BRICS as a counterweight to Western dominance, and shifting energy politics in the Middle East have all contributed to a more multipolar world order In this environment, the Palestinian issue has regained prominence as a moral and strategic fault line
The Abraham Accords which sought to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab states without addressing Palestinian rights, have revealed their fragility While some Gulf monarchies may have pursued pragmatic economic and security cooperation with Israel the ongoing violence in Gaza has reignited popular anger across the Arab and Muslim world Public opinion in these societies strongly supports the Palestinian cause, constraining governments from deepening normalization Hence, regional realignment cannot bypass the Palestinian question; rather, it must confront it directly
The two-state solution long considered the cornerstone of peace efforts remains the only viable framework to resolve the conflict A sovereign Palestinian state, ex-
Societies in which atrocities are not hidden but absorbed so routinely that they no longer shock That is India today: Muslim killings happen in daylight, but the majority sees them as background
isting alongside Israel, would address the core grievances of dispossession, occupation, and statelessness
Without such a political resolution neither Israel s security concerns nor Palestinian aspirations can be satisfied Critics argue that the two-state solution has become unfeasible due to settlement expansion, territorial fragmentation, and mutual distrust While these obstacles are real, they do not diminish the necessity of a political settlement Indeed the absence of alternatives underscores its indispensability A one-state solution whether democratic or apartheid-like would only perpetuate conflict, while indefinite occupation guarantees instability Hence, reviving a credible path toward Palestinian statehood is not only desirable but also urgent The global community must shoulder responsibility in steering the conflict toward resolution Historically international actors have oscillated between mediation, neglect, and complicity The USA has played a dominant role but has often been constrained by domestic political considerations particularly its pro-Israel lobby The European Union despite its rhetorical support for Palestinian rights has lacked the coherence to exert meaningful pressure Meanwhile, the United Nations has repeatedly condemned Israeli actions but remains hamstrung by vetoes in the Security Council In the emerging multipolar world however new opportunities exist for collective
some, even though it is the heartbeat of a community The Urdu poet Sahir Ludhianvi once wrote “jinhe naaz hai Hind par woh kahan hain? ( Where are those proud of India now? ) The question echoes today: If this is India s greatness, why does it demand Muslim humiliation every day as proof?
sual indifference of Americans during the lynching of Black people and the cheering of Israeli crowds during bombings in Gaza all stand as reminders that entertainment built on hate eventually devours the society itself India is not exempt So I
EVERY morning in today s India begins with two parallel news cycles
One, broadcast on television
screens is carefully curated: Panel debates on Pakistan Hindu pride and endless theatre about a new India The other untelevised but deeply real is the daily routine of Muslims being lynched, harassed, jailed, and demonised Between the two, the message is chilling: Muslim suffering is either erased or turned into a spectacle, consumed like evening entertainment for the majority while Muslims themselves are forced to live as if they are perpetual criminals always accused and never heard
Take the killing of a seven-year-old Muslim boy in Azamgarh this September
His body, stuffed into a bag, was discovered with chilling indifference by neighbours who were later arrested For a fleeting moment local reports carried the story but it quickly disappeared from prime-time television replaced by fiery debates on love jihad , border tensions, or the India-Pakistan cricket match A Muslim child s death did not fit the script of national outrage Instead it became part of the silent archive of normalised violence Sociologist Stanley Cohen once wrote about states of denial : Societies in which atrocities are not hidden but absorbed so routinely that they no longer shock That is India today: Muslim killings happen in daylight, but the majority sees them as background noise At the same time hate is not just silence; it is a performance When Muslims in Kanpur raised placards saying I love Muhammad (PBUH) the police responded not with protection but with FIRs against 1,300 Muslims and mass arrests The act of love itself was criminalised Yet when Hindutva mobs gather in Maharashtra or Madhya Pradesh chanting open calls for genocide television crews either glorify them or quietly look away Violence against Muslims has become a kind of theatre, a script where Muslims are always on trial, and Hindutva forces play the role of guardians of civilisation This selective visibility is deliberate The
How Iran’s defiance exposes the
rise of “jihadi-mukt bazaars” in Indore, where Muslim traders were expelled overnight, is an economic lynching Entire families lost their livelihoods children were pulled out of school and women were left to beg neighbours for food Yet national media framed it as a law and order adjustment , barely noting the human cost Hindutva groups celebrated on social media, turning the dispossession of Muslims into viral entertainment What should have been a national scandal was packaged as routine local tension Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath embodies this culture of spectacle From his official stage, he spews venom against Muslims, calling them “infiltrators” and “terror sympathisers” These are not fringe voices; they are the ruling elite And yet the so-called opposition parties respond not with outrage but with their own diluted versions of Hindutva competing to prove who can appear more pro-Hindu while Muslim fears are silenced This bipartisan consensus has made it clear: Muslims are not political subjects in India anymore; they are political props The toll of this is more than physical; it is psychological and existential To live as a Muslim today is to live as a permanent suspect – watched in the mosque, judged in the market, doubted in the classroom Every Friday prayer feels like a risk Every loudspeaker call of the azaan feels like a provocation to
The Ugandan-born Muslim scholar Mahmood Mamdani offers a framework that helps us name this reality In his famous work Good Muslim Bad Muslim he explains how states and societies divide Muslims into two categories: The acceptable one who submits quietly, and the dangerous one who resists or even asserts dignity In India, this division is weaponised daily The Muslim who hides his faith who stays invisible is tolerated But the Muslim who affirms his identity – who says I love Muhammad (PBUH) in public who asks for equal rights who resists erasure – is instantly cast as mujrim, the criminal Mamdani reminds us that this is not about theology, it is about power: Who has the right to define legitimacy, and who must live under suspicion This is why lynching videos circulate on WhatsApp like memes why anchors smirk when peddling conspiracy theories about Muslim population explosion , and why mobs laugh after torching shops Hatred is not just politics anymore; it has become collective leisure When cruelty becomes comedy when humiliation becomes a prime-time script the line between democracy and fascism has already collapsed History warns us: Societies that turn minority suffering into entertainment do not remain immune from the rot The silence of German liberals during Nazi rallies, the ca-
E3 have
to
extend the restrictions invoking the “snapback” mechanism that was meant to be dormant Iran backed by Russia China and more than 120 countries of the Non-Aligned Movement has categorically rejected the legitimacy of this move In a joint letter sent this week to the UN Secretary-General, Tehran, Moscow, and Beijing announced that they “do not recognise the validity of any unilateral extension of Resolution 2231 framing it as a violation of international law and an abuse of multilateral institutions For Iran, this is more than a legal argument it is a political declaration that the era of Western monopoly over global norms is ending What makes this moment historically significant is not merely the defiance itself but the chorus of support Iran now finds across the Global South During the recent meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, 120 nations collectively declared that they “do not recognise any continued enforcement of
UNSCR 2231 aligning their position with Tehran s Such a collective stance would have been unthinkable a decade ago when US sanctions held near-universal weight Now, however, the world s emerging economies from Latin America to South Asia increasingly see these Western-led enforcement tools as outdated relics of a unipolar past This episode reflects a much broader structural transformation: the fragmentation of the post-1945 international order The United States and its allies are struggling to maintain control over the institutions they built while new powers particularly in the East and Global South are asserting a new legitimacy rooted in pluralism sovereignty and non-intervention Iran s challenge to Resolution 2231, then, becomes emblematic of a wider revolt against Western legalism For Tehran, the timing could not be more strategic After the temporary ceasefire in Gaza and Iran’s deliberate absence from the Sharm el-Sheikh conference which Tehran dismissed as a political theatre aimed at legitimising Western mediation the Islamic Republic has shifted its focus toward consolidating ties with Russia and China The presence of Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s
Supreme National Security Council, in Moscow this week underscores that the message Tehran is sending is not merely diplomatic but security-oriented: Iran’s strategic future lies with the East
This reorientation comes amid the growing appeal of alternative institutions such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, where Iran sees frameworks free from Western conditionality Tehran’s longterm vision as articulated in its strategic cooperation agreements with both Beijing and Moscow is to create parallel financial and security architectures capable of resisting Western sanctions and political coercion
The Non-Aligned Movement s stance reinforces this trajectory For the first time in decades a collective bloc representing the majority of the world’s population is openly defying the US-European interpretation of international law This in turn accelerates the polarisation of global governance between two competing systems: one rooted in Western-dominated institutions, and another emerging around the Eurasian and Global South nexus From a geopolitical standpoint this split mirrors the global redistribution of power following years of economic decoupling and technological rivalry The sanctions once seen as the hallmark of Western power have lost their deterrent effect Iran, once isolated,
now finds itself part of a growing coalition of sanctioned or disillusioned states including Russia China and several members of BRICS that are collectively rewriting the rules of engagement At the heart of this transformation is a simple reality: legitimacy is shifting
Dr MuhaMMaD akraM Zaheer
year after Trump returned to office promising sweeping tariffs At one point, duties on both sides climbed to tripledigit levels stalling trade as firms awaited clarity While both countries have since eased levies their truce remains fragile
Iran
VIENNA AUSTRIA AG E N C E S Iran said on Saturday that it was no longer bound by restrictions on its nuclear programme as a landmark 10year deal between it and world powers expired though Tehran reiterated its “commitment to diplomacy ” The 2015 deal signed in Vienna by Iran China Britain France, Germany, Russia and the United States saw the lifting of international sanctions against the Islamic Republic in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program
But the pact had already been in tatters after Washington unilaterally withdrew during President Donald Trump s first term, with Iran later pulling back from its commitments
The reimposition last month of UN sanctions at the urging of three of the deal’s European signatories rendered the accord effectively moot
From now on, all of the provisions (of the deal), including the restrictions on the Iranian nuclear programme and the related mechanisms are considered terminated Iran s foreign ministry said in a statement on the day of the pact s expiration Iran firmly expresses its commitment to diplomacy,” it added Western powers have long accused Iran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons something it has repeatedly denied insisting its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes such as energy production The deal s termination day” was set for October 18, 2025, exactly 10 years after it was enshrined in the UN’s Security Council resolution 2231
The accord capped Iran s uranium enrichment at 3 67 per cent in exchange for sanctions relief and provided for strict supervision of its nuclear activities by the UN’s nu-
clear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
But Washington left the deal in 2018 and reinstated sanctions after which Tehran began stepping up its nuclear programme
According to the IAEA, Iran is the only country without a nuclear weapons programme to enrich uranium to 60pc That is close to the threshold of 90pc required for a bomb and well above the level needed for civilian nuclear use
‘Irresponsible actions’
In July, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA following the war with Israel, with Tehran pointing to the agency’s failure to condemn Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear facilities
The unprecedented bombing campaign by Israel and the retaliation by Iran during the 12-day war derailed ongoing nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington
WASHINGTON
PUNJAB CM REVIEWS MEGA PROJECTS, APPROVES
TOURISM AUTHORIT Y
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Indian forces have sharply increased military operations across Indianadministered Jammu and Kashmir carrying out extensive surveillance and cordon-and-search activities in an apparent effort to tighten control and suppress dissent According to the Kashmir Media Service personnel from the Indian Army Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have expanded their use of advanced monitoring equip-
ment while conducting aggressive search and frisking operations in villages along the Line of Control (LoC) and in the interior regions of the Kashmir Valley and Jammu Reports indicate that troop deployments have been reinforced with additional bunkers being constructed in several areas The measures have intensified an atmosphere of fear among residents, disrupting daily life and increasing insecurity across the territory Military infrastructure is being strengthened in locations including Gurez Uri Karnah Tangdhar
Doodhpathri and Sunderbani where troops are undergoing regular training and fortifying positions Meanwhile, Indian forces continued large-scale cordon and search operations for the second consecutive day in the Kirchi and Latti-Dudu-Basantgarh areas of Udhampur district after reports of suspicious movement In a separate operation in Budgam s Budran Magam area, two young men identified as Muzammil Ahmad Butt and Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar were arrested Indian police officials said
LAHORE
s ta f f r e p o r t
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Saturday that Pakistan and Afghanistan must establish clear and lasting rules for coexistence, stressing that geography binds the two countries together
Commenting on the upcoming Pakistan–Afghanistan talks in Doha he said the dialogue was
crucial to resolving recent tensions and setting a foundation for stable relations Permanent clear rules for living together must be agreed upon on the principle of coexistence, because geography cannot be changed,” he said Rafique noted that despite recurring challenges in bilateral ties millions of Muslims on both sides of the border share cultural and linguistic bonds that
and
experts from China and Bulgaria also participated Dr Saleem congratulated the IAEA, NIAB, and all participants for the successful completion of the training, emphasizing that Pakistan’s rapidly growing population and exposure to climate change demanded innovative approaches in agriculture and food science Pakistan is blessed with diverse landscapes and climates, yet it faces the harsh realities of climate change, malnutrition, water scarcity and emerging pathogens,” he said “Mutation breeding offers solutions to these challenges by allowing us to alter the genetic architecture of crops and livestock We must also revisit our dietary patterns and make better use of pulses, cereals and mushrooms to meet nutritional needs ” He added that Pakistan, as an active member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) remained committed to advancing food safety standards and was ready to collaborate globally through IAEA-led initiatives
Earlier, Dr Uzma Maqbool, Director NIAB, said the course marked another milestone in Pakistan’s long-standing collaboration with the IAEA for sustainable agriculture Our partnership with the IAEA is now bearing fruit for the Asia-Pacific region,
Economic
cilitating a ceasefire in Gaza and said the country s role had been recognized internationally He added that Pakistan s ties with Saudi Arabia and the United States have strengthened, citing a new mutual defense agreement with Saudi Arabia Looking ahead the minister announced that 2026 would be declared the Year of Reform
Former senator Mushtaq joins opposition alliance TTAP
n e w s d e s k
Former senator Mushtaq Ahmed recently released from Israeli detention has joined the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) days after parting ways with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ahmed met TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas on Saturday, where they discussed the country’s political situation and the need to uphold the constitution and rule of law A formal announcement of his inclusion in TTAP is expected soon TTAP formed in April this year is an alliance of six opposition parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) Balochistan National Party (BNP-M), Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), and Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen (MWM) The coalition is led by PKMAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai Mushtaq Ahmed’s decision to join TTAP follows his return to Pakistan after being freed from Israeli custody earlier this month
Four held for assaulting polio workers in Karachi
KARACHI
n e w s d e s k Police have arrested four men accused of assaulting members of a polio vaccination team during an anti-polio campaign in Karachi s Federal B Area officials said on Saturday The incident occurred in Block 14 of the locality, where the workers were attacked while administering vaccines to children Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Central Zeeshan Siddique said a case had been registered at the Joharabad Police Station The arrests come amid growing concerns over attacks targeting health workers and security
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Senator Rana Sanaullah Khan has said that Pakistan seeks peaceful relations with its neighbours but will deliver a strong response to any act of aggression
Speaking to reporters after visiting the residence of Political Secretary to the Prime Minister Murad Khan to offer condolences he said Pakistan s policy was based on peace and mutual respect Our policy is very clear Pakistan will not attack any neighbouring country However if anyone attacks us
we will not keep that debt unpaid, he said, warning that the response “may not remain zero-six, it could go beyond that ” Rana said Pakistan had always supported Afghanistan but had repeatedly faced losses from cross-border attacks He said the country could no longer afford to bury its soldiers and had clearly conveyed that there must be a distinction between terrorists and ordinary citizens On domestic politics he said the PML-N had never supported banning any political or religious party but noted that protests by a particular religious group had often turned violent He said the Punjab
government had submitted its report to the federal government, which would make the final decision on the matter He said Pakistan remained open to dialogue but ruled out talks with those involved in terrorism There is no concept of good or bad terrorists, he added Anyone whose ideology is based on violence and opposition to the state cannot be engaged in dialogue ” Rana also accused India of involvement in destabilising activities in Pakistan calling it an open secret and warned that any misadventure would draw a firm response from the armed forces
ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t
Pakistan s Supreme Judicial Council
(SJC) has approved sweeping reforms to the decades-old Code of Conduct for superior court judges, introducing strict new rules on their public and private conduct while moving forward on dozens of complaints against members of the judiciary
The SJC, chaired by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, met at the Supreme Court on Saturday to deliberate on judicial matters Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar joined the ses-
sion virtually, while Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum and Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar attended in person
After detailed discussions the council endorsed revisions to the 1965 Code of Conduct, which will be published in the official gazette and circulated among the superior judiciary according to an official statement The updated code reinforces judicial integrity and independence, barring judges from attending political or diplomatic functions or accepting foreign invitations without clearance It also sets new stan-
dards for public communication, management of external influence and the timely disposal of cases
The council reviewed 67 complaints filed under Article 209 of the Constitution dismissing 65 deferring one, and allowing one to proceed Following the recusal of the Islamabad High Court Chief Justice the council was reconstituted with Peshawar High Court Chief Justice S M Attique Shah joining to address pending matters
The reconstituted panel examined a further seven complaints, dismissing five and advancing two for further action
unmatched sacrifices for the Constitution and democracy October 18 was not just the day Benazir Bhutto returned it was the day democracy itself returned to Pakistan,” she said, adding that the PPP would continue her mission under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz
Bugti said the Karsaz tragedy was a dark but defining chapter in the country s political history He said the attack was a blow to democratic values but also a testament to the strength and perseverance of the people’s movement He said Benazir Bhutto’s leadership gave Pakistan a message of unity courage and hope and that the martyrs of Karsaz kept the candle of democracy burning with their blood