Hence, I believe we should be careful with foreign organisations like Oxford AQA, which are also instruments of keeping the UK and the English language up, even now three-quarters of a century after Pakistan’s independence. This year’s literature festival used Urdu much more than at earlier festivals when English was more frequently used. This year’s Nobel Laureate in Literature, Jon Fosse (64), is a Norwegian, which I am proud of mentioning. During that time, the Danish language had become the only official, written language. My point here is to say that New Norwegian is good enough even to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that at least some leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will still be able to participate in the forthcoming elections. “It will be the first time that a jiyala would be a prime minister, [Sindh] chief minister, and [Karachi] mayor,” he added. Bilawal said that his party would change the fortunes of Karachi, as well as the province if elected during the polls. To a question about a level-playing field, Bilawal said that PPP has never been provided one in the past as well. Despite facing opposition and conspiracies, the PPP remains determined to compete vigorously in the political field, she proclaimed.

President, PM urge nation to follow Iqbal’s teachings to make country prosperousPresident Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar have paid rich tribute to Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal on his 146th birth anniversary. He said in order to make Pakistan a prosperous nation, we need to follow Allama Iqbal’s teachings on Islam and his philosophy of “Khudi” that believes in the promotion of self-respect and human dignity. The Prime Minister said Iqbal's philosophy of Khudi is a unique transformation for humanity to achieve success in this world and hereafter. The Prime Minister urged the youth to play a key role in the service and development of the country with positive and progressive thinking as envisioned by Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi has said Allama Iqbal's philosophy and thought is a beacon of light for the humanity.

Nation observes birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal todayThe 146th birth anniversary of national poet, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal is being observed with national fervor on Thursday. The Philosopher poet known as Poet of the East, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal was born in Sialkot on November 9,1877. Radio Pakistan and TV channels are presenting special programmes in connection with Iqbal Day to highlight poetry and thoughts of Allama Iqbal. A smartly turned contingent of Pakistan Navy assumed the responsibility of guards at the mausoleum. Station Commander Lahore of Pakistan Navy Commodore Sajid Hussain was chief guest on this occasion.

Smog has become a recurring problem in these regions, causing adverse health effects and environmental consequences. Smog is not merely an inconvenience; it poses significant risks to public health, particularly for children and the elderly, who are the most vulnerable to smog-related health problems. The primary contributors to the smog issue in Punjab are the burning of crop residue by farmers and emissions from substandard diesel. The government’s decision to suspend school and office operations, along with the request for citizens to use facemasks and limit outdoor activities, demonstrates a genuine effort to combat smog. While it is impossible to eliminate smog entirely, stringent measures and responsible behaviour can help control it.

A division bench of the high court comprised of Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto and Justice Amjad Ali Sehto while hearing plea said that deportation of illegal immigrants is a state policy, and the court could not intervene in it. The bench sought arguments on maintainability of the petition, “How petitioner has been affected by this decision of the government,” Justice Phulpoto questioned. “We could not intervene in the state policy,” Justice Phulpoto remarked. “If any Pakistani could stay in Saudi Arabia or any other country after expiry of visa,” bench questioned. Pakistan’s law only protects its nationals,” Justice Phulpoto remarked.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has planned to introduce the ‘Train Driver Assistant System’ (TDAS) for helping train drivers to have a clear view of the railway tracks up to an impressive distance of 700 meters. According to an official of Ministry of Pakistan Railways, “The technology aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of train operations during adverse weather conditions, particularly in the presence of dense smog and fog.”He said that the TDAS system was set to revolutionize the way trains navigate through foggy landscapes. It promised not only to avert potential accidents but also to facilitate smooth rail travel when visibility is severely compromised. The official said this comprehensive approach to training management promises to reduce the risk of accidents significantly. However, Pakistan Railways has outlined a strategic expansion plan, with the ultimate goal of equipping all trains with this life-saving technology in the coming year.

Soft power is the ability to achieve objectives through persuasion and encompasses the principles of cultural diplomacy and economic diplomacy, collectively referred to as public diplomacy. The shift towards public diplomacy is a reflection of the evolving nature of international relations, but its effectiveness can vary depending on a country’s circumstances. Developing countries like Pakistan should also incorporate public diplomacy, especially in terms of economic diplomacy, to effectively harness their resources and strengthen their lobbying efforts. Besides it, the concept of LGBTQ is also becoming widespread by Western countries with the help of public diplomacy. Developing countries like Pakistan should also incorporate public diplomacy, especially in terms of economic diplomacy, to effectively harness their resources and strengthen their lobbying efforts.

SAFE has already given $4 billion in loans that are rescheduled every year due to Pakistan’s inability to pay them back. The Chinese have been extending loans from SAFE deposits, concessionary loans and commercial loans to help Pakistan to stabilise its external sector. Pakistan has budgeted $4.5 billion in foreign commercial loans but it has so far not received any financing due to poor credit ratings, high risks to debt sustainability and a weak macroeconomic situation. Since 2000, China has given $21.2 billion in loans in general budget support, which was 30% of the total lending to Pakistan, according to AidData. AidData reported that with 161 loans worth $69 billion, Pakistan has China’s third largest country-level loan portfolio anywhere in the world, after Russia and Venezuela.

Through this newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of es­teemed individuals in Pakistan who hold positions of power to an alarm­ing narrative concerning the mis­treatment of children. According to the current circumstances, the mal­treatment of children, their exploi­tation through trafficking, involv­ing them in menial tasks, subjecting them to injustice and abuse, and re­garding them solely as a means to generate income have become dis­tressingly pervasive. I aspire to ac­quaint the leaders of our nation with these issues because such treatment of children has a profound and det­rimental impact, playing a delete­rious role in our society. It renders children feeling feeble and vulner­able, leading them to seek retribu­tion, refuse forgiveness, mistreat others, and hold others accountable for their own circumstances. By doing so, we can eliminate these pressing issues and empower individuals to effec­tuate a positive difference in their own lives and the lives of others.

North Andover, MA (01845)TodayMainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph..TonightCloudy with occasional showers overnight. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

From The Tribune staff reportsTRUSSVILLE — UR Keys 2 DRV (Your Keys to Drive), an interactive and educational day for young drivers, is coming to the Trussville Civic Center tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 8. Students will hear personal stories from speakers impacted by teen driving crashes. During small group sessions, students will use driving simulators to experience the challenges of driving distracted. Driver inexperience is a leading contributor to crashes and injuries for teen drivers. Educating teen drivers about the dangers of the road and how to drive safely is the goal of the UR Keys 2 DRV coalition of safety organizations.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Tuesday, while terming shooting skill as the hallmark of a professional soldier, said attaining proficiency at shooting must remain at the heart of basic military training objectives. The army chief made the remarks as Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of 43rd Pakistan Army Rifle Association (PARA) Central Meet held at Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) Jhelum, an ISPR news release said. The mega shooting event was conducted from October 3 to November 7, 2023. Over 2000 firers from Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces including Rangers (Sindh & Punjab), Frontier Corps and Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts as well as civilians participated in the competition.

In the realm of intelligence and national security, this principle is vital as it ensures the agencies can fulfil their constitutional duties while respecting the rule of law. This approach is not just a matter of administrative practice; it is a fundamental safeguard against jeopardising national security. The recent audio leak case has raised pertinent questions about electronic surveillance, privacy, and the security of confidential discussions. Balancing national security with individual privacy and civil rights is a delicate act. The government’s commitment to transparency and addressing the issue is commendable, and by implementing similar steps, a balanced approach to national security and privacy can be achieved.

Before explaining the real cause of the current misery of Palestinians, let us first refresh what Nakba is about? Palestinians around the globe mark the Nakba to reminisce systematically designed ethnic cleansing of Palestine. The remaining 22 per cent was divided into what are now the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip. Amid this Craig Mokhiber, Director of the New York Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, dropped a conscience-jarring letter to his boss, saying he was quitting over UN failures in Palestine and elsewhere. It is a stunning historic irony that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in the same year that the Nakba was perpetrated against the Palestinian people,” Mokhiber wrote.