Category: 1. Pakistan

  • Pakistan urges India to abide by Indus Waters Treaty after world court’s supplemental award

    Pakistan urges India to abide by Indus Waters Treaty after world court’s supplemental award


    KARACHI: As evening settles over Karachi, a white and green rickshaw-turned-food truck named Sombrero parks quietly on the city’s bustling Seaview beach. 


    Soon, the aromas of spiced meat and soft corn tortillas begin emanating from the cart, suggesting a seasoned chef at work.


    But the man behind the counter is a top police officer with bullet wounds and decades of service in Pakistan’s most volatile regions.


    Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Usman Siddiqui has spent 23 years chasing kidnappers, leading raids on criminal hideouts and running anti-corruption and narcotics operations across Pakistan’s Sindh and Balochistan provinces. Now, in a surprising second act, Siddiqui and his wife run a food cart, serving Mexican tacos, corn and flour tortillas filled with meat, vegetables, and condiments like salsa or sour cream.


    “We made these tacos at home and they turned out to be really good,” Siddiqui told Arab News. “Friends encouraged us to set up at the Karachi Eat festival in 2022 and the response was immense.”


    The idea eventually grew into Sombrero, first launched as a delivery service and then as a street food cart stationed in the Bukhari Commercial Area and at Seaview.


    Each evening, Siddiqui and his wife, Hubna Usman, personally oversee its operation, ensuring everything from prep to quality control is handled with care.


    “She takes the truck out at 6 or 630pm. It’s here [at Bukhari] till about 9-930pm and then it goes to Seaview McDonald’s until 1am,” Siddiqui explained.


    FROM THE FRONTLINES TO THE FRYER


    Born in Shikarpur, a historic city in Sindh, Siddiqui joined the police force in 2002 and has since held key positions, including Inspector General of Balochistan Prisons, Director General of Narcotics Control, and Director of Anti-Corruption. He has also served as Senior Superintendent of Police in seven districts, including two stints in Balochistan.


    Much of his work has involved high-risk assignments, including the rescue of kidnapped children and operations against organized crime.


    “The most satisfaction I get is when I rescue kidnapping victims, especially kids,” Siddiqui said. “Someone’s child is kidnapped. It’s a very tormenting situation for the entire family.”


    He also survived a gunbattle in 2015 in which nine fellow officers were killed.


    “I took a bullet in my arm,” he recalled quietly. “It was a very difficult encounter.”


    Though few expect a police official to run a food cart, Siddiqui said cooking has always been his passion.


    “I cook myself, even when I’m with my family at home,” he said. “There are certain things that I cook better than most of my staff, even if they’re trained professionals.”


    AUTHENTICIY


    Mexican cuisine, especially tacos, caught the couple’s interest after friends asked for a themed dinner.


    “There was a lot of space for Mexican food,” Siddiqui said. “Nobody is doing it here, right? Nobody is doing it right.”


    Indeed, tacos remain a novelty in Pakistan.


    “Me and Usman both tried this recipe a hundred times to come closer to Mexican food,” said Hubna Usman, a former banker. “It was Usman who told me, ‘Yes, this is the final product.’ Because he’s a foodie, I listened to him.”


    Their children were also involved in the early days of the business.


    “Initially, it was all of us setting it up, me, my kids, and my wife. We used to drive the rickshaw ourselves. We used to wait on orders ourselves,” Siddiqui said.


    Now the cart is run by trained staff but Siddiqui still joins at least once a week.


    “Once a week, at least, we’ll come and assemble it ourselves or cook it ourselves”


    Despite the late hours and his demanding day job as DIG of the Sindh police’s Rapid Response Force, Siddiqui insists the food cart is a labor of love.


    “I can stay in the kitchen for two, three hours and cook without being distracted,” he said. “I like it when people enjoy my food and appreciate it.”


    Customers agree.


    “It’s actually really good because the flavors are really good. Especially the hot shell. It’s amazing,” said Zarian Turab, a regular at Sombrero. “Mexican food is difficult to find in Karachi. But they’re doing justice to it.”


    Another customer, real estate professional Asad Ameen, said he had never tried Mexican food before discovering the cart.


    “I often come here to Seaview for food and snacks, and I discovered Sombrero. I’ve tried their tacos and they’re absolutely delicious.”


    Despite calls to “localize” the menu, Siddiqui remains firm on authenticity.


    “This is about 80 to 90 percent authentic,” he said. “You will never see me making chicken tikka pizza tacos for you because that’s the local taste. It doesn’t work that way.”

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  • Access Alert: Pioneering Pakistan’s Space Future: PSARB and Access Partnership Host High-Level Week of Engagements in Islamabad – Access Partnership

    1. Access Alert: Pioneering Pakistan’s Space Future: PSARB and Access Partnership Host High-Level Week of Engagements in Islamabad  Access Partnership
    2. PM directs making Islamabad pilot smart city: Shaza Fatima  nation.com.pk
    3. No free wi-fi in Islamabad, hotspots to be provided at key locations: Shaza  Samaa TV
    4. Govt to Give 500,000 Google and Microsoft Certifications This Year  ProPakistani
    5. PM Shehbaz launches plan to turn Islamabad into Pakistan’s first smart city  Daily Times

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  • PTI Azad Kashmir chapter leaders join PPP

    PTI Azad Kashmir chapter leaders join PPP

    PTI Azad Kashmir Senator Vice President and MLA Chaudhry Rafique Nayyar along with AJK Transport Minister Javed Butt announced their decision to join the PPP during a meeting with senior PPP leader Faryal Talpur at Zardari House, Karachi. 

    Faryal Talpur warmly welcomed Chaudhry Rafique Nayyar, Javed Butt, and their supporters into the party. 

    Ch Rafique and Javed Butt expressed full confidence in the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. 

    Both leaders said Azad Kashmir is house of Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Azad Kashmir Minister and PPP Azad Kashmir General Secretary Faisal Mumtaz, along with Chaudhry Muhammad Riaz, were also present at the occasion.


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  • Fake News Watchdog dismantles India’s space mission claims

    Fake News Watchdog dismantles India’s space mission claims

    An explosive new report from the Fake News Watchdog has cast a shadow of doubt over the authenticity of India’s much-publicised Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission.

    The 65-page white paper, released recently, claims that the mission was largely a media spectacle rather than a scientific achievement.

    The watchdog reported that live visuals of the moon landing, which were broadcast to millions worldwide, were created using computer-generated graphics (CGI).

    The “live” footage of Chandrayaan-3’s descent and landing was, according to the report, fabricated and presented within a staged environment.

    The command centre scenes shown on national television were also described as being choreographed, giving viewers the impression of a high-stakes space mission.

    The report raises concerns about the transparency of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and challenges the space agency’s claim of landing at the Moon’s south pole.

    Read: India’s satellite launch fails after technical fault in PSLV rocket

    The watchdog contends that the actual landing site was 630 kilometers away from the claimed location.

    Moreover, Chandrayaan-3’s mission reportedly failed to deliver scientific data or post-landing rover footage, with alleged faults in the lander’s navigation system and mechanical limitations preventing the rover from operating as claimed.

    International experts, particularly from China, have questioned the scientific validity of the mission, calling into doubt the authenticity of ISRO’s findings.

    The report criticizes India’s use of the space programme for political purposes, rather than genuine scientific exploration, alleging that the mission served as a tool for regional posturing and image-building.

    Pro-government media in India, according to the report, presented the mission as a triumph of national pride without providing verifiable results.

    Furthermore, the report highlights India’s broader military ambitions in space, linking the Chandrayaan-3 mission to defence objectives.

    The watchdog accuses the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of leveraging ISRO’s advancements for military purposes, especially in its rivalry with Pakistan and China.

    Read More: India achieves space docking milestone with SpaDeX mission

    The paper references India’s 2019 anti-satellite test, “Mission Shakti”, and the establishment of military institutions like the Defence Space Agency (DSA) as evidence of militarisation of space.

    The report also sheds light on India’s satellite programme, revealing that 10 out of the country’s 56 satellites are used by the military for surveillance, navigation and communication during operations like “Operation Sindoor”.

    It criticises the Indian government’s “Space Vision 2047” and “Make in India” initiatives, labelling them as propaganda tools to foster a brand of technological nationalism rather than serving public interest.

    While India’s defence budget has surpassed $86 billion – nearly nine times the size of Pakistan’s – the report underscores the stark contrast between this investment and the fact that over 300 million Indians still lack access to necessities such as clean water, electricity and sanitation.

    The report concludes by accusing India’s media of using artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate national narratives and promote fake news, a practice that has backfired on global platforms.

    The Fake News Watchdog claims that India’s space missions, including Chandrayaan-3, are primarily for political optics, raising serious concerns about the country’s space programme’s ethics, transparency and intent.

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  • Why did India lose jets to Pakistani fire in May fight? | Border Disputes News

    Why did India lose jets to Pakistani fire in May fight? | Border Disputes News

    An Indian naval officer has conceded that the country lost fighter jets to Pakistani fire during their conflict in May and says the losses were a result of “constraints” placed on Indian forces by the government in New Delhi.

    Captain Shiv Kumar, defence attache at the Indian embassy in Jakarta, made the comments at a seminar in Indonesia on June 10. The remarks went largely unnoticed at the time until The Wire, an Indian publication, reported on them on Sunday.

    Kumar’s claims have sparked a political storm in India, where the opposition Indian National Congress party called them an “indictment” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

    So what did Kumar say, how have the Indian government and opposition responded, and what happened between India and Pakistan on May 7?

    What happened between India and Pakistan on May 7?

    Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated into a military confrontation on May 7 when India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine sites in six cities in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir with multiple missile attacks.

    India said it hit “terrorist infrastructure” in response to the killings of tourists on April 22 in Pahalgam in India-administered Kashmir. Pakistan, on the other hand, said dozens of civilians were killed in the missile attacks along with several military personnel.

    Islamabad said it downed six Indian jets in retaliation, including at least three Rafale fighters. Pakistan military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said all the planes were downed inside Indian territory. An information war also ensued, in which India and Pakistan traded conflicting allegations and claims, but they both agreed on one fact: Aircraft from neither side crossed into the other’s territory during the attacks.

    In subsequent days, the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours exchanged tit-for-tat missile strikes and drone attacks on each other’s territory until a ceasefire was reached on May 10. It was announced by United States President Donald Trump, who insisted he brokered it – a claim New Delhi rejects. India insisted all its disputes with Pakistan must be settled bilaterally and there is no room for third-party involvement.

    What has the Indian naval attache in Indonesia said?

    During the seminar organised by Air Marshal Suryadarma University in Indonesia, Kumar said he “may not agree [with an earlier Indonesian speaker’s claim] that we lost so many aircraft, but I do agree we did lose some aircraft”.

    Kumar added: “That happened only because of the constraints given by the political leadership to not attack the military establishment or their air defence” on May 7.

    The naval attache said the Indian military subsequently changed tactics and began to target Pakistani military installations.

    “We first achieved suppression of enemy air defences, and then that’s why all our attacks could easily go through using Brahmos missiles,” Kumar added.

    The Brahmos, a product of an Indian-Russian joint venture, is a long-range missile. Indian media reported that India fired Brahmos missiles at  Pakistani airbases on the night of May 9-10.

    What has India previously said about the fighter jets?

    After Pakistan first said it had shot down six Indian jets on May 7, New Delhi did not officially confirm or deny those assertions.

    When Chinese state news outlet The Global Times reported that Pakistan had brought down the Indian fighters, the Indian embassy in China described it as “disinformation”.

    But subsequently, Indian officials started to suggest that they had lost planes.

    When asked by reporters on May 11 whether Pakistan had managed to down Indian jets, Indian Director General of Air Operations AK Bharti said: “We are in a combat scenario, and losses are a part of it. As for details, at this time, I would not like to comment on that as we are still in combat and give advantage to the adversary. All our pilots are back home.”

    Then, General Anil Chauhan, India’s chief of defence staff admitted that Indian jets were downed by Pakistan, without specifying the number of jets, during interviews on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, which took place May 30 to June 1.

    Chauhan’s acknowledgement, made during interviews with the Reuters news agency and Bloomberg TV, marked the first time an Indian official admitted that Indian jets were shot down. “What was important is why did these losses occur and what we’ll do after that,” Chauhan said.

    When a Bloomberg reporter asked Chauhan about Pakistan’s claims that six Indian jets were downed, Chauhan responded that this information was incorrect. He added that “what is important is … not the jets being downed but why they were downed”.

    Chauhan said India “rectified tactics” after the May 7 losses and then “hit airbases deep inside Pakistan, penetrated all their air defences with impunity, carried out precision strikes” before the May 10 ceasefire.

    How has the Indian government responded to Kumar’s comments? 

    In a statement posted on its X account on Sunday, the Indian embassy in Indonesia said: “[Kumar’s] remarks have been quoted out of context and the media reports are a mis-representation of the intention and thrust of the presentation made by the speaker.”

    The embassy said that in the presentation, Kumar explained that Operation Sindoor was launched to target “terrorist infrastructure” and the attache was trying to emphasise that the Indian response was deliberately not escalatory.

    “The presentation conveyed that the Indian Armed Forces serve under civilian political leadership unlike some other countries in our neighbourhood,” it added in a barb at Pakistan, where the military is the most dominant institution.

    Is this a shift in India’s position?

    Not really. While neither the Indian government nor the military has ever bluntly linked the loss of jets to the Modi administration’s orders to the armed forces on May 7, New Delhi has been consistent in its narrative over its objectives that day.

    In a media statement after India launched missiles on May 7, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the actions of India’s military “were measured, nonescalatory, proportionate and responsible”.

    Colonel Sofia Qureshi of the Indian army, who accompanied Misri to the briefing, emphasised that “no military establishments were targeted”.

    After the ceasefire, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar told reporters that before firing at Pakistan on May 7, New Delhi had “sent a message to Pakistan that we are firing at terrorist infrastructure, we are not striking at the military, so the [Pakistani] military has the option of standing out and not interfering in this process”.

    “They chose not to take that good advice,” Jaishankar said.

    The Indian government argued that the Pakistani military’s response to New Delhi’s May 7 attack forced it to also retaliate, culminating in the missile exchanges on May 10.

    Why has this reignited the row with India’s opposition party?

    The main opposition Congress party has been asking Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party government to inform parliament about India’s air losses during the conflict.

    When Chauhan admitted Indian planes were downed, Congress members demanded a review of India’s defence preparedness.

    “There are some very important questions which need to be asked,” Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge wrote in an X post at the time. “These can only be asked if a Special Session of the Parliament is immediately convened.”

    Kumar’s remarks have revived those calls.

    “The Modi government has misled the nation from the start – failing to disclose the aircraft losses during Operation Sindoor,” Congress leader Pawan Khera wrote on X on Sunday, calling the comments by Kumar an “indictment” of the government.

    “No wonder they are ducking our demand for a Special Session of Parliament like the plague. They know they’ve compromised national security, and they’re terrified of what the Congress Party will expose before the people of India,” Khera wrote.

    Another Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh, posted on X on Sunday: “Why is the PM refusing to preside over an all-party meeting and take the Opposition into confidence? Why has the demand for a special session of Parliament been rejected?”

    What sparked the May conflict?

    On April 22, a group of armed men killed 26 people – almost all of them tourists – in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in India-administered Kashmir. An armed group called The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack.

    New Delhi insisted that the TRF is an offshoot of another Pakistan-based armed group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and has blamed Pakistan for supporting such groups. Islamabad denied the allegation and called for a neutral inquiry into the attack.

    After the Pahalgam attack, the already dwindling relationship between the neighbours worsened. Pakistan and India scaled back their diplomatic engagement, suspended their participation in bilateral treaties and expelled each other’s citizens.


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  • Govt decides to introduce AI in schools’ curriculum – ARY News

    1. Govt decides to introduce AI in schools’ curriculum  ARY News
    2. PM directs making Islamabad pilot smart city: Shaza Fatima  nation.com.pk
    3. Govt to launch AI education at primary level, expand digital access across Islamabad  Daily Times
    4. No free wi-fi in Islamabad, hotspots to be provided at key locations: Shaza  Samaa TV
    5. Govt to Give 500,000 Google and Microsoft Certifications This Year  ProPakistani

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  • Umair Shahid promotes Pak-China cultural ties through music as CPEC arts and media ambassador

    Umair Shahid promotes Pak-China cultural ties through music as CPEC arts and media ambassador

    – Advertisement –

    ISLAMABAD, Jun 30 (APP):Umair Shahid is the Arts and Media Manager at the Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, a flagship project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and part of the China Huaneng Group.

    According to official sources, the plant’s Ambassador for Arts and Media, Umair plays a vital role in promoting cultural exchange and strengthening Pakistan-China relations through the power of art.

    He is the composer and performer of the acclaimed Chinese song “Wo Men Bu Yi Yang” (“We Are Different”), a musical tribute to the enduring “Iron Brotherhood” between Pakistan and China.

    The song has been performed at major cultural events across Pakistan and gained national attention when endorsed by Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong in 2019. Featured on major Pakistani media platforms, Umair continues to use his artistic talent to foster unity and deepen the cultural ties between the two nations.

    He is currently developing another impactful musical project aimed at further enhancing bilateral friendship and understanding.

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  • SCO proved world is listening to Pakistan, not India: Khawaja Asif – Pakistan

    SCO proved world is listening to Pakistan, not India: Khawaja Asif – Pakistan

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said that Pakistan’s stance was recognised and upheld during the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where India was unable to assert its position.

    Speaking to a private news channel, the minister said that Pakistan’s position was based on facts and justice, which is why it was acknowledged at the SCO platform, despite Indian efforts.

    He strongly criticised India for what he called “water terrorism”, accusing New Delhi of attempting to hold 240 million Pakistanis hostage by manipulating shared water resources.

    “No party has the right to unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, which remains binding under international law,” he emphasised.

    Answering a question, he said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political future is in decline, especially after India’s failure on the military and diplomatic fronts. He further said that Modi was trying to salvage political respect through fabricated narratives.

    “After repeated setbacks, Modi’s era of misleading the public is coming to an end,” he stated.

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  • PM Laptop Scheme 2025 Merit List; Download PDF here

    PM Laptop Scheme 2025 Merit List; Download PDF here

    ISLAMABAD – Wait for shining students is over as Higher Education Commission (HEC) officially unveiled provincial merit list for PM Youth Laptop Scheme 2025.

    With stakes high and competition fierce, students are now flocking to the university’s online portal to find out if they’ve made the cut. The list confirms whether students have been selected, waitlisted, or marked ineligible due to academic or administrative issues.

    Several universities posted the merit list on campus notice boards, the official university website, and social media platforms. Specially appointed Student Focal Persons (SFPs) are on standby to assist students in checking their status and submitting any objections.

    PM Laptop Scheme Merit List 2025

    The above list is of Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam

    For those who think they’ve been wrongly rejected, July 4, 2025, is the final date to raise objections or submit corrections with proper documentation.

    University officials are urging students not to delay. “This is a golden opportunity,” officials said. “If you believe you’re eligible, don’t wait. Check your status, and if there’s an issue, act fast.”

    Pm Laptop Scheme 2025 Merit List Download Pdf Here

    Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme is a flagship initiative aimed at empowering bright minds with digital tools for learning, innovation, and research. With thousands of laptops up for grabs, the competition is intense — and for many students, this could be a life-changing moment.

    Criteria

    Category Details
    Eligibility
    University Type Public sector universities/HEC-recognized degree-awarding institutes
    Programs Eligible PhD, MS/MPhil (18 years), 1.5 & 2-year master’s, 4 or 5-year bachelor’s
    Shifts Morning and evening
    Academic Requirement ≥ 70% marks / 2.80 CGPA (semester system) OR ≥ 60% marks (annual system)
    Ineligibility
    Institution Type Private sector institutions
    Repeat Applicants Students who already received a laptop under federal/provincial schemes
    College Type Government degree colleges or affiliated colleges
    Nationality Foreign nationals (except AJK students)
    Application Method Applications not submitted via official portal

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  • Security plan put in place for Muharram: Mohsin – RADIO PAKISTAN

    1. Security plan put in place for Muharram: Mohsin  RADIO PAKISTAN
    2. Bilal Azhar Kayani reviews security and administrative measures for Muharram  Ptv.com.pk
    3. Over 20,000 cops deployed for security in Karachi during Muharram  Dawn
    4. Sindh seeks suspension of cellular services on 10th Muharram  Geo.tv
    5. CM warns against hate speech  The Express Tribune

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