ISLAMABAD, OCT 29 /DNA/ – The Command & Staff Conference of Pakistan Navy concluded at Naval Headquarters, Islamabad. The conference was chaired by Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf.

During the conference, Chief of the Naval Staff emphasized on the significance of sustaining perpetual combat readiness to effectively address both conventional and unconventional challenges in the maritime domain. He further highlighted Pakistan Navy’s pivotal role in peace and stability and regional maritime security. Admiral asserted that Pakistan Navy remains fully prepared to uphold national sovereignty and ensure the defence of every inch of maritime frontiers.

The forum also undertook a comprehensive review of operational preparedness, ongoing initiatives and upcoming events, including the conduct and preparations of the Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference (PIMEC), which serves as a premier platform to showcase Pakistan’s maritime potential and promote regional cooperation.

The Command and Staff Conference serves as the apex decision-making forum of Pakistan Navy, wherein the Chief of the Naval Staff, Principal Staff Officers and Field Commanders deliberate on strategic priorities, review operational preparedness and formulate policies to align naval capabilities with national security objectives.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 29 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar received a telephone call from Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf.

Expressing satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral cooperation, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan–Algeria relations, and enhance coordination in multilateral fora, including the UN.

DNA

TEHRAN, OCT 29: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with President of Iran Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran. During the meeting, both sides discussed Pakistan-Iran relations and matters of mutual cooperation.

The Interior Minister briefed the Iranian President on the situation at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. President Pezeshkian offered to play a brotherly role in helping to defuse tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

‎Mohsin Naqvi conveyed Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s message of goodwill to President Pezeshkian.

‎Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that “Iran and Pakistan are partners in promoting regional peace and stability.”

‎President Pezeshkian said that “Iran attaches special importance to its relations with Pakistan and can never forget the boundless support of its brotherly neighbor.”

‎Iranian President also expressed satisfaction over the current state of bilateral relations, adding that both countries possess vast potential to enhance cooperation in various fields.

By Rimsha Fiaz

GUJRAT: A historic and culturally rich exhibition was held at the Farooq Riaz Museum in Gujrat, marking a significant moment as the Chinese Consul General Lahore Zhao Shirin and his delegation visited the city for the first time. The event, organized under the guidance of Mian Imran Masood, celebrated Pakistan’s vibrant heritage and fostered a spirit of friendship and mutual understanding between Pakistan and China.

The exhibition displayed an impressive array of historical artifacts, including ancient utensils, traditional household items, and historic weapons once used in wars. These rare and valuable pieces from Farooq Riaz’s extensive collection offered visitors a window into the daily life, artistry, and traditions of past generations — reflecting Pakistan’s rich cultural identity.

The Chinese delegation’s discipline, humility, and genuine interest deeply impressed attendees. Their respectful engagement and curiosity toward Pakistani heritage highlighted the growing cultural bond between the two nations. Visitors noted how the delegation listened attentively to explanations, interacted warmly, and expressed admiration for the exhibits, turning the event into a true exchange of cultures based on mutual respect and understanding.

Speaking about the exhibition, students and visitors appreciated Mian Imran Masood’s leadership and vision, crediting his consistent efforts to promote education, cultural awareness, and Pakistan’s positive image internationally.

Reflecting on the experience, the writer emphasized the importance of organizing such cultural events more frequently to preserve heritage, strengthen cross-cultural ties, and project Pakistan’s soft image globally.

The Farooq Riaz Museum, through such initiatives, continues to play a vital role in celebrating Pakistan’s historical legacy and connecting it with the wider world — one exhibition at a time.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 29 /DNA/ – The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), in collaboration with the Planning Commission’s RASTA initiative, organized a seminar titled “Pakistan’s Groundwater Crisis: Policy Lessons and a Framework for Sustainable Resource Use” at PIDE. The session featured Mr. Nazam Maqbool, Social Scientist and Project Manager at RASTA, as the keynote speaker, and was moderated by Dr. Muhammad Faisal Ali, Research Fellow at PIDE.

Opening the seminar, Dr. Faisal emphasized Pakistan’s alarming shift from a water-stressed to a water-scarce nation, noting that per-capita water availability has dropped from over 5,000 cubic meters in 1947 to less than 1,000 today. He observed that while surface water scarcity and climate change dominate public debate, the depletion of groundwater—Pakistan’s silent lifeline—remains dangerously neglected. Water, he stressed, forms the foundation of civilization and food security, and its mismanagement threatens both human and economic survival.

In his presentation, Mr. Maqbool explained that Pakistan is among the most arid countries in the world, receiving only 494 millimeters of average annual rainfall. The Indus River system accounts for nearly 96 percent of the country’s total water supply, with 78 percent originating outside Pakistan’s borders. He highlighted that Pakistan possesses the world’s fourth-largest aquifer and is the fourth-largest user of groundwater globally. The Indus Plain alone contains around 88,000 square kilometers of freshwater storage, equivalent to nearly 400 million acre-feet—about eighty times the capacity of all large dams combined. However, the country’s extraction of 65 cubic kilometers of groundwater annually far exceeds its recharge rate of 55 cubic kilometers, creating a growing water deficit.

Mr. Maqbool traced the historical evolution of groundwater use in Pakistan, explaining how colonial-era canal construction between 1870 and 1930 led to widespread waterlogging and salinity, prompting the 1960s Salinity Control and Reclamation Project, under which thousands of tubewells were installed. The subsequent decades saw electricity subsidies and drought-driven policies fueling a massive expansion in tubewell installation—reaching over 1.5 million unregulated wells today, with no effective legal controls on extraction.

Highlighting the scale of the problem, he revealed that 70 percent of Pakistan’s urban and more than 80 percent of its rural populations rely on unsafe drinking water sources, with nearly 60 million people exposed to arsenic contamination. Over 4.5 million hectares of land have been affected by salinity and waterlogging, particularly in Punjab and Sindh, while industrial and agricultural pollution continue to degrade groundwater quality. He further pointed out that Pakistan ranks second globally in groundwater stress within the Indus Basin, with Lahore alone losing three feet of groundwater annually.

Mr. Maqbool identified the lack of a binding national groundwater law, overlapping institutional mandates, weak coordination after the 18th Amendment, and severely underfunded utilities as core governance failures. He noted that electricity subsidies encourage over-pumping while only 24 percent of operational costs are recovered through existing tariffs. Despite tariff hikes after decades of stagnation, Punjab’s water price of just $0.12 per cubic meter remains far below the global average of $2.36. Limited monitoring systems, poor data collection, and minimal investment in drainage and recharge infrastructure have further prevented evidence-based planning and water governance.

To address these challenges, Mr. Maqbool proposed a seven-pillar action-oriented framework for sustainable groundwater management. His plan called for the establishment of a National Groundwater Council to coordinate policy across provinces; the introduction of provincial licensing, metering, and pricing reforms; comprehensive aquifer mapping; real-time data portals; and integrated water management strategies. He advocated for agricultural efficiency through the replacement of input subsidies with performance-based incentives and the promotion of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. He also urged a shift from water-intensive crops such as sugarcane and rice to less water-demanding, high-yield alternatives like pulses and oilseeds.

Drawing from global best practices, Mr. Maqbool cited examples from Israel, which now meets 25 percent of its water demand by reusing 90 percent of treated wastewater, and from U.S. cities such as St. Paul and Duluth, which have successfully reduced urban water use by up to half through efficiency reforms. He emphasized the need for Pakistan to reform its pricing structure, promote transboundary cooperation on groundwater management within the Indus Basin, and invest in human capital through education, training, and awareness programs.

Concluding his address, Mr. Maqbool asserted that Pakistan’s groundwater crisis cannot be solved in isolation but demands systemic reform encompassing governance, science, technology, and behavior. He urged the government to immediately establish a National Groundwater Council, implement monitoring and recharge programs, and improve irrigation efficiency and pricing mechanisms. In the long run, he said, Pakistan must pursue inclusive, climate-resilient, and evidence-based water governance to ensure a secure future. Summarizing the discussion, Dr. Faisal Ali reiterated that the country must prioritize pricing, efficiency, recharge, and transport reforms in water management, viewing groundwater governance not merely as a resource issue but as a pillar of national stability and security.

Barrister Gohar, representing Shibli Faraz, argued that since the Election Commission had de-seated his client, the court should issue a stay order and suspend polling for the vacant Senate seat

ISLAMABAD, OCT 29 (APP/DNA): The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the Peshawar High Court’s order in the Shibli Faraz case and directed the High Court to decide the pending petition after hearing all parties. The apex court also rejected a plea to stop the Senate election.

A five-member constitutional bench headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan heard the appeal filed by Senator Shibli Faraz against the Peshawar High Court’s decision to indefinitely adjourn proceedings on his petition challenging the Election Commission’s notification that de-seated him.

Barrister Gohar, representing Shibli Faraz, argued that since the Election Commission had de-seated his client, the court should issue a stay order and suspend polling for the vacant Senate seat.

Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi asked how many seats were up for election, and Barrister Gohar replied that polling was being held for only one.

The bench observed that the court would not interfere in the election process and dismissed the request to halt the polling.

Counsel for the Election Commission contended that the petitioners must surrender before seeking relief.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar asked whether the Peshawar High Court had ruled on the case’s maintainability, to which Barrister Gohar replied that it had not been dismissed.

Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked that the matter related to fundamental rights, while Additional Attorney General Amir Rehman argued that such rights were linked to punishment, noting that the petitioners had been convicted by an anti-terrorism court.

Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi observed that the High Court should have issued a brief order instead of writing a 31-page judgment.

The Supreme Court then set aside the Peshawar High Court’s decision, disposed of the appeal, and directed the High Court to hear both sides and decide the pending petition on merit.