Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday repeated his call on the “traditional old guard politicians” to step back, emphasising that the country’s youth deserved a chance to shape their future without anyone else’s political baggage. Read more: Bilawal slams ‘traditional politics of electables’“Over the last 18 months, our coalition partners claimed to tackle citizens' challenges. 18th AmendmentExpressing optimism for change, the PPP chief championed the need for a transfer of leadership to younger figures, saying the upcoming February 8 general elections would serve the masses only if entrusted to youthful leadership. Also read: Send old guard home, Bilawal tells peopleTo realise the dream of development of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the PPP chairman stressed the need for a strong chief minister in the province. We will invite Aseefa Bhutto Zardari [Bilawal’s sister] to contest the election for the National Assembly seat from Chitral.

Former federal minister for privatisation and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senator Waqar Ahmed Khan on Wednesday announced his decision to join the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Uniting all political parties on a common platform demands skill, he noted, emphasising the country’s requirement for stability and experienced leadership. Waqar emphasised that political stability was essential for any country, serving as a prerequisite for achieving economic stability. Read more: PPP, PML-N will form a coalition govt: Makhdoom predictsAmir Maqam stated that, guided by Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, politicians nationwide are aligning themselves with the PML-N. He said that all political parties have the aim of coming to power by hook or crook.

“It is reform or rupture,” he said, outlining unfolding fractures in global economic and financial systems. This rupture manifests itself in Pakistan in the evolving socio-economic, financial and development policy landscape saddled by a myriad of fast-converging challenges. Published this month, the 2024 UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Human Development Report (Pakistan included) tells us that the region’s human development story is one of ‘progress, disparity, and disruption’. Pakistan must therefore work towards building a resilient economy that deliberately chooses innovation and reform or risk stagnation. As such, the choice may appear clear between ‘reform or rupture’, but it must be translated into bold and decisive action to pave the way for a prosperous, resilient Pakistan.

0 0Author: Dr Shalini Chawla, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Air Power StudiesKeywords: TTP, Pakistan Military, Afghan Refugees, Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations, Af-PakPakistan’s tensions with the Afghan Taliban have intensified and recent developments have been significant, suggesting alterations in Pakistan’s Afghan policy. [3] This was mainly to encourage trade with Afghanistan and also allow trade with Pakistan without pressuring its depleting foreign reserves. Other than this, till now, 64 Afghan citizens were killed while fighting Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies during the counterterrorism campaign”. The TTP has imitated the tactic of the Afghan Taliban of naming ‘shadow governors’, who oversee five or six regional deputies. [9] Kamran Yousuf, “Pakistan Shifts Stance on Afghan Taliban”, The Express Tribune, November 09, 2023, https://tribune.com.pk/story/2445604/pakistan-shifts-stance-on-afghan-taliban.

The tunnel where workers are trapped in Uttarkashi in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, November 21, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERSThe first images emerged on Tuesday of 41 men trapped for more than a week in a highway tunnel in the Indian Himalayas, showing them standing in the confined space and communicating with rescue workers. Read also: Rescuers drill to send more food to trapped workers in Indian tunnelDrilling had been suspended on Friday after a machine snag and fears of a fresh collapse. The trapped men are low-wage workers, most of them from poor states in India's north and east. "He said he is doing fine," Sunita Hembrom, the sister-in-law of one of the workers trapped in the tunnel, Surendra Kisko, told reporters after she spoke to him.

Dr. Ishrat Hussain’s astute observations regarding the challenges stemming from frequent changes in government leadership offer profound insights into Pakistan’s political landscape. The incessant alterations in policies accompanying shifts in leadership thwart sustained development and plunge our nation back to square one. For over 25 years, Pakistan has witnessed a staggering turnover of 12 prime ministers, exacerbating political uncertainty and stymieing consistent policy execution. Dr. Hussain’s emphasis on political stability, consensus building, and meritocracy resonates as vital components for effective policymaking and implementation. Excessive dependence on external borrowings, as cautioned by Dr. Hussain, stifles the nation’s investment and savings initiatives, impeding self-sufficiency and long-term stability.

Namira Salim (left) and Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi. — Facebook/Namira Salim/APP/FileISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Tuesday said that first Pakistani Astronaut Namira Salim was pride of the nation, and a torchbearer for the youth and inspiration for women. Addressing a press conference along with Namira Salim, the minister said that the government was proud that it had supported Namira’s space mission. “It was my dream to represent Pakistan,” Namira Salim said, “and I proudly carried the Flag of Pakistan to space.” The first Pakistan astronaut said through space diplomacy, she was giving the message of peace in the world. She said after commercialization, the cost of space travel had decreased and aspiring Pakistani astronauts would be able to fulfill their dream of space tourism in near future.

The prime minister strongly condemned the ongoing grave human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The prime minis­ter highlighted that the rapidly changing geo-strategic environ­ment had a profound impact on Pakistan and rest of the region. “Therefore, the situation de­mands advancements in space networks, cyber technology, nano technology and artificial in­telligence,” he said. Earlier, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu received the prime min­ister on the venue. The prime minister witnessed a thrilling fly-past of the formations of PAF jets including Mirage, F-7P, JF-17 Thunder and J-10C.

Despite a slight widening in the rupee-dollar exchange rate between the markets to Rs2, it remains within the IMF-recommended level of 1.25%. Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER)In October, Pakistan’s Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER), which measures the local currency against the currency basket of trading partner countries, experienced a significant appreciation of 6.9 within just a month. The central bank has traditionally maintained REER around 95-96 during periods of satisfactory foreign exchange reserves. The positive stance from the IMF and the subsequent boost in foreign exchange reserves are contributing factors. However, experts advise cautious optimism, emphasising the need for continued economic reforms to ensure sustainable growth and stability in the foreign exchange market.

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has found himself in hot water after making controversial remarks about Bollywood actors Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty during the World Cup final commentary on November 19. The camera was panned towards Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty in the stands, amplifying the impact of Singh's comments. Another demanded an apology, tweeting directly to Harbhajan Singh, "What do you mean that the ladies understand cricket or not? Critics expressed their discontent with the sexist undertones of Singh's commentary. Gender-based comment would also be okay because most girl[s] don't understand cricket like we don't understand splitsvilla.

The region is facing persistent human rights challenges due to armed conflicts involving insurgent groups, state forces, and paramilitary organisations. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has been a contentious issue, granting broad powers to security forces and facing criticism for potential human rights abuses. In the context of Indianadministered Kashmir, human rights violations have garnered international concern. Various countries and human rights organisations have called for a peaceful resolution and expressed concerns over reported human rights violations. Frustration with the policies of the Modi government and its human rights violations against minorities has grown, leading to a decline in support for the BJP-led government.

LAHORE: Amid security fears, the Counter Terrorism Department personnel carried out hundreds of intelligence-based operations throughout Punjab during which they have arrested seven terrorists including a key commander. A CTD spokesman informed media on Monday that 248 IBOs were conducted in several cities across the province. According to the CTD spokesman, the raids were carried out in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Pakpattan and Sahiwal. The CTD personnel also seized explosive material, two hand grenades, two IEDs and cash. The arrested terrorists were identified as Musa, Khalid, Salman, Nadeem, Akmal, Yasir and Yaseen.

Still Searching For a Complete Effort, Hayes’ Big Weekend, and Other Blackhawks BulletsThe Blackhawks lost their fourth straight game on Sunday night. The magic number appears to be three for the Blackhawks this season. As a reminder for those in the social media comments, replies and mentions who have forgotten recently that this is a young team that’s still in a rebuild, that’s where we’re at. “I think that happens to every team, the momentum changes on certain whiffs, whether it be a good play or a bad play. Hayes scored this beautiful short-handed goal in the third period, his 14th already this season in just his 19th game.

Bilawal, while addressing a party convention in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Nowshera district, expressed concerns that “pre-decided outcomes” could undermine the democratic essence of the electoral process, Express News reported. Bilawal's criticism of the PML-N and his skepticism about the electoral process are consistent themes in his recent addresses, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He expressed confidence in the Election Commission of Pakistan, asserting that the environment in the country is conducive for transparent polls. Bilawal, however, in today's address, emphasised the critical importance of a free and fair electoral process for addressing pressing issues such as the struggling economy and the surge in terrorism. Bilawal also criticised the "ask-no-question" policy suggested by Nawaz Sharif to investors, cautioning against decisions that could violate people's rights.

PM terms children as most precious asset of any nationCaretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar says children are the most precious asset of any nation and the sole guarantee for its future prosperity. In a message on social media platform X on World Children's Day being observed on Monday, he said we are determined to ensure inclusive development, education, healthcare, participation, dignity and security for all our children, as envisaged in the "UN Convention on the Rights of the Child". Meanwhile, in another message on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said he interacted with differently-abled children on World Children's Day. The Prime Minister said he was amazed by their intellect, perseverance, and desire to positively contribute to the social sphere. Their spirit for proving their talents against all odds is simply impressive.