Afghanistan’s struggling economy is closely tied to the rise of terrorism within its borders. With a per capita GDP of just $372.62, Afghanistan is among the world’s poorest nations. Poverty affects 90% of the population, leaving millions dependent on foreign aid for survival. This economic despair provides fertile ground for terrorist groups to recruit young, unemployed individuals. A major factor driving terrorism is Afghanistan’s illicit drug trade, particularly opium production. The country produces around 85% of the world’s opium, which generates significant revenue for extremist groups like the Taliban. According to the United Nations, the Taliban earned approximately $125 million…
Author: Web Desk2
KARACHI: Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir delivered a powerful address to Karachi’s business community, emphasizing his unwavering faith in Pakistan’s bright future and urging collective efforts to ensure the country’s progress. General Munir highlighted the significant economic turnaround, stating that the despair overshadowing the nation a year ago has dissipated. He reassured the audience that all current economic indicators are positive and projected further improvements in the coming year. Criticizing those who propagated fears of default, he questioned their accountability, asserting that “nothing, including politics, should come before the country.” He appealed to the audience to prioritize Pakistan above…
In the Qarabargh region of South Waziristan, a bomb attack orchestrated by Khawarij militants destroyed a high school building, further highlighting their hostility toward education. This act is part of a broader strategy to stifle knowledge, deprive children of their right to learn, and perpetuate ignorance—a practice that starkly contradicts Islamic principles, which emphasize the importance of education. The Shadow of Terrorism in South Waziristan South Waziristan has long been a hotspot for militant activities. Over the years, schools, especially those dedicated to girls’ education, have been frequent targets. These attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic…
In Auckland, over 37,000 Sikhs participated in the Khalistan Referendum, advocating for an independent Sikh state within India. The event, organized by the independent Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC) and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), was held at Aotea Square. Due to high turnout, voting hours were extended. Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu, President of the Council of Khalistan, highlighted the referendum’s significance, criticizing the Indian government for attempts to suppress the event. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, SFJ’s legal counsel, called the peaceful voting a significant move against India’s “Hindutva policies” and announced the referendum’s next phase in Los Angeles. The event saw slogans…
In October 2024, the United States retained its position as Pakistan’s top export destination, with shipments totaling $575.89 million, an impressive 18.5% increase from $485.79 million in October 2023. China, despite being the second-largest export market, experienced a 20.2% decline in Pakistani exports, amounting to $254.39 million compared to $318.74 million last year. The United Kingdom ranked third, with exports rising by 15.9% to $198.63 million. Other significant export markets included the UAE ($153.78 million, up 9.7%), Germany ($151.51 million, up 23.5%), and the Netherlands ($133.53 million, up 15%). Exports to Spain, however, dropped 17%, bringing in $124.08 million. Over…
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has extended the deadline for registering non-registered VPNs by two weeks, moving the cutoff to November 30. This decision follows a review meeting after the Interior Ministry’s directive to block unregistered VPNs due to concerns over misuse, particularly in terrorist activities. Sources indicate a crackdown on non-registered VPNs will begin on December 1. PTA has successfully registered over 20,000 VPNs, including those used by companies and freelancers. For registration, applicants must submit an online form with details such as CNIC, company registration, and taxpayer status, with approvals processed in 8 to 10 hours. A second…
In a swift and efficient operation, Pakistan Army personnel successfully rescued locals stranded in Deosai, near Skardu, due to heavy snowfall. The group of travelers, who had been traveling from Giltri to Skardu, got marooned in the Deosai plains, which are known for their extreme weather conditions. The travelers were in two cars when they were trapped by the snowfall, and their family members, along with local residents, immediately sought the Army’s assistance. Despite the harsh weather, including torrential snowfall, the Army launched both ground and air rescue operations. After being safely transported to Giltri, the rescued locals expressed their…
The recent success of cloud seeding experiments in Punjab marks a groundbreaking step in environmental management and weather modification in Pakistan. The experiment, a joint initiative involving the Armed Forces Research Institutions, SPARCO, and international collaboration, was conducted to address severe air pollution and smog issues in the region. Lahore, which has long struggled with high pollution levels, became the focal point of this pioneering experiment. As part of the cloud seeding procedure, flares were deployed over multiple areas of the city, with the Shahdara area being a key target. The process aimed to induce rainfall and help clear the…
WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded a constructive staff visit to Pakistan from November 12 to 15, focusing on economic policy and reform measures under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) approved earlier this year. Nathan Porter, IMF’s Pakistan mission chief, commended Pakistan’s renewed commitment to reforms aimed at reducing vulnerabilities and laying the groundwork for sustainable growth. The discussions, though preliminary, highlighted significant economic weaknesses. Key concerns included a revenue shortfall of nearly 190 billion rupees ($685 million) in the fiscal year’s first quarter, an external financing gap of $2.5 billion, and the…
The Interior Ministry has instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block unregistered Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) across Pakistan, citing their misuse in terrorist communications, financial crimes, and access to prohibited content such as pornography and blasphemous material. This directive aligns with PTA’s ongoing efforts to tighten VPN regulations. The authority revealed that it has already blocked over 100,000 URLs containing blasphemous content and more than 840,000 pornographic websites. Additionally, nearly 20 million attempts to access such material are intercepted daily at the international gateway level. The Interior Ministry’s letter highlighted the rising misuse of VPNs by terrorist groups to…