The Country Programme Framework (CPF) 2026-2031 is a new agreement between the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This five-year framework outlines how nuclear science and technology will be used to support Pakistan’s socio-economic development. Key Areas of Cooperation The CPF 2026-2031 identifies five key areas where nuclear techniques will be applied to address Pakistan’s national priorities: Food and Agriculture: Nuclear techniques will be used to boost crop yields, improve pest control, enhance livestock health, and ensure food safety. This will support Pakistan’s commitment to food security and climate-resilient farming, including through…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
Opposition leaders and critics in India have repeatedly alleged that the country’s electoral rolls are being systematically manipulated. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has denied all charges. In his latest criticism, Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, 55, accused the ECI of withholding key data that could help identify those responsible for tampering with electoral rolls. He specifically accused ECI chief Gyanesh Kumar of “protecting the people who are destroying and attacking the constitution.” The ECI called the accusations “incorrect” and “baseless,” stating that it had itself filed a police complaint against “certain unsuccessful attempts” to delete voters from the…
The water cycle is becoming increasingly erratic and extreme, with more frequent swings between deluge and drought, according to the latest report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The report, titled “The State of Global Water Resources 2024,” highlights the significant and cascading impacts of these extremes on global economies and societies. Key Findings The WMO’s report on global water resources reveals several concerning trends: Imbalanced River Basins: For the sixth consecutive year, only about one-third of the world’s river basins had “normal” conditions in 2024. The remaining two-thirds experienced either excessive or insufficient water levels. Glacier Loss:…
A U.S. immigration judge, Jamee Comans, has ordered the deportation of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil to either Algeria or Syria. The order, dated September 12, stems from claims that he willfully omitted material information from his green card application. Grounds for Deportation Order According to the court order, Judge Comans found that Khalil’s failure to fully disclose information on his green card application was a deliberate act. The judge asserted that this was not a simple oversight by an “uninformed, uneducated applicant” but rather a purposeful misrepresentation “for the sole purpose of circumventing the immigration process and reducing…
With world leaders converging on New York for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80), the escalating crises in Gaza and Qatar are reshaping global diplomatic priorities, with significant implications for Pakistan’s engagement with the United States. Key Issues and Pakistan’s Role The crises in Gaza and Qatar have made Palestine a central topic of discussion at UNGA 80. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to address the General Assembly and is also expected to participate in a high-level international conference on the “Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation…
For years, Donald Trump has blamed Antifa for various wrongdoings, from violence against police to being behind the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot that aimed to block Joe Biden’s presidential election win. On Wednesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he would “be strongly recommending that those funding ANTIFA be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices,” calling Antifa “A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER.” According to a 2020 Congressional Research Service analysis, Antifa has no central leadership or national organization and is composed of “independent, radical, like-minded groups and individuals.” The White House did…
Responding to a call from trade unions, protesters staged a day of nationwide actions, with public transport stalled, schools closed, and people taking to the streets for demonstrations marked by sporadic clashes with the police. One trade union, the leftist CGT, stated that over a million people across the country had participated in the demonstrations. French authorities, whose count is typically much lower than that of unions, reported that more than 500,000 people had protested nationwide, including 55,000 in Paris. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, Macron’s seventh head of government since 2017, vowed a break from the past to defuse a…
Iran has put forth a “creative, fair, and balanced proposal” that “addresses genuine concerns and is mutually beneficial,” Araghchi stated on X. He added that the proposal was delivered on Thursday to Britain, France, and Germany—collectively known as the E3—as well as the European Union. Araghchi said that “turning this idea into action can be prompt and resolve the respective bottom lines to avert a crisis,” arguing that “Iran cannot be the sole responsible actor.” These comments were made as the United Nations Security Council was scheduled to vote on Friday on reimposing biting economic sanctions on Tehran over its…
The Islamabad Safe City Project, initially launched in 2016 for Rs6 billion, is set for a major overhaul to replace outdated technology and expand its surveillance capabilities. The existing system, which currently covers 13 police stations, will be upgraded and expanded to cover 28 police stations, with a total budget of Rs7.4 billion. Project Budget and Breakdown The project’s approved budget is allocated across several key areas to ensure the successful implementation of the new system. The breakdown is as follows: Technology Cost: Rs7.23 billion Staff Salaries: Rs13.6 million Utilities Expenses: Rs31.164 million Consultancy: Rs144.68 million ISP Connectivity: Rs1.4 million…
President Asif Ali Zardari met with senior officials from China’s Xinjiang region, where discussions focused on enhancing economic and security cooperation. President Zardari met with Chen Xiaojiang, the secretary of the Communist Party in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and the region’s governor, Erkin Tuniyaz. According to the Presidency, the meeting aimed to deepen existing ties and cooperation between the two sides. During the meeting, both leaders discussed increasing collaboration in agriculture, manufacturing, livestock, industry, mining, and new technologies. They also emphasized their shared security concerns. Chen affirmed that China and Pakistan “would continue to maintain zero tolerance against terrorist…
