Hamas sets six key conditions for lasting truce

Centreline Report

WASHINGTON/CAIRO: US President Donald Trump has said there is a “real chance” of achieving a long-awaited Gaza peace deal, as indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israeli representatives continue in Cairo under Egyptian mediation. The talks come on the second anniversary of the October 7 conflict, marking a critical moment in efforts to end the ongoing hostilities.

Speaking at the White House alongside visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, President Trump told reporters that the United States was “deeply engaged” in the discussions. “We are very close to making a deal that could bring peace to the Middle East,” Trump said. “There’s a real chance that we could do something historic. I think there’s a possibility that we could finally see peace in the region — something even beyond Gaza.”

Trump confirmed that American negotiators were currently in Egypt working closely with both sides. “Our team is over there now, another team just left, and nearly every country in the world has supported the plan,” he added. The President emphasized that the immediate release of all hostages remains a top priority.

According to diplomatic sources, Hamas has presented six key conditions for any agreement to succeed. These include:

1.   A comprehensive ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

2.   The exchange of prisoners, ensuring a “just and simultaneous” swap of detainees and hostages.

3.   Unrestricted reconstruction of Gaza, with international guarantees to prevent Israeli interference.

4.   The lifting of all blockades and restrictions on goods, humanitarian aid, and fuel into the territory.

5.   The right of Hamas to participate freely in Palestinian politics, including future elections.

6.   A commitment to halt Israeli incursions in the West Bank and Jerusalem, especially around holy sites.

Egyptian and Qatari mediators have reportedly made “notable progress,” with both sides showing “unusual flexibility,” according to regional diplomatic sources quoted by Al-Ahram.

If finalized, the deal could mark the most significant step toward peace since the Oslo Accords, with the potential to reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics. However, observers warn that deep mistrust, political divisions within Israel, and skepticism among Palestinian factions could still derail the fragile process.

Trump concluded by saying that the United States would “do everything possible to ensure that all sides adhere to the deal,” expressing optimism that “a new chapter of peace and stability” could finally begin in the Middle East.

RAWALPINDI, Oct 07 (APP): Chairman of the Education Board Rawalpindi, Muhammad Adnan Khan, conducted a surprise visit to various examination centers in connection with the Matric Second Annual Examinations 2025, and took a detailed review of the examination arrangements, the performance of the staff, and the facilities provided to the students.

He said that no compromise is acceptable on merit and transparency in the examination system. Providing the best and fair environment to the students is the board’s primary responsibility.

He further said that in line with the vision of CM Maryam Nawaz, the board is strictly implementing a policy of transparency, justice, and merit in examinations.

The chairman said that monitoring of all examination centers has been intensified to thwart any kind of irregularity or attempt at cheating.

He said that the examination staff should perform their duties considering them a national responsibility; no negligence or carelessness of any kind will be tolerated.

He further said that all teams are active to ensure transparency in the examinations, and implementation of the zero-tolerance policy is being ensured at every level.

Abid Lateef

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has launched a major initiative to modernise the country’s early flood warning and weather forecasting systems under the World Bank-funded Integrated Flood Resilience Adaptation Project (IFRAP).

The project, titled “Modernisation of Hydromet Services of Pakistan (MHSP)”, aims to strengthen the country’s climate resilience by enhancing PMD’s capacity to generate, analyse, and disseminate reliable hydrometeorological data, stated a press release.

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the plan includes the installation of 110 Automatic Weather Stations, four Fixed Weather Surveillance Radars, and a High-Performance Computing System.

The project also entails hiring System Integrator and Radar Consultancy firms, upgrading the Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics (IMG) and the Meteorological Workshop in Karachi, modernising observatories, establishing Regional Climate Data Processing Centres, and formulating both a National Framework for Climate Services and a National Hydromet Policy.

Led by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, the MHSP is designed to enhance flood forecasting, early warning systems, and climate risk management mechanisms nationwide.

The project has been allocated Rs2,998.6 million under the FY2025–26 Public Sector Development Programme. For the current quarter, Rs206 million has been earmarked, while total expenditure so far for FY2025–26 stands at Rs32.78 million, bringing cumulative spending since inception to Rs312.78 million.

Raytheon awarded $41.6m firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract for AMRAAM variants

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Raytheon, a leading US defence contractor, will supply Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Pakistan after a contract modification added Islamabad to the list of buyers.

According to a statement issued by the US Department of War for the US Air Force on September 30, Raytheon was awarded a $41.6 million firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract for the enhanced C8 and D3 AMRAAM variants and their production.

“The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $2.5124 billion from $2.4707 billion. Work will be performed at Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by May 30, 2030,” read the statement.

“This contract involves foreign military sales to United Kingdom, Poland, Pakistan, Germany, Finland, Australia, Romania, Qatar, Oman, Korea, Greece, Switzerland, Portugal, Singapore, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Japan, Slovakia, Denmark, Canada, Belgium, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Norway, Spain, Kuwait, Finland, Sweden, Taiwan, Lithuania, Isreal, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Turkey,” it added.

In recent months, Washington’s ties with Islamabad have improved following US President Donald Trump’s intervention in the armed conflict between Pakistan and India, which resulted in a ceasefire.

Following the intervention, the incumbent government nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 7 /DNA/ – The Government of Pakistan announced today a major fiscal milestone, with the total central government debt registering a substantial decline of Rs. 765 billion as of August 2025. This reduction marks significant progress both in absolute terms and as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), signaling a strengthening of the nation’s economic fundamentals.

This notable achievement is a direct result of the government’s unwavering commitment to fiscal discipline. The strategy has been underpinned by a multi-pronged approach focusing on controlled public expenditures, carefully calibrated borrowing strategies, and prudent debt management practices.

“The reduction in public debt is a clear indicator of our successful economic reforms and commitment to fiscal consolidation,” stated a senior official from the Ministry of Finance. “This disciplined approach is not just about reducing numbers; it’s about building a stable and resilient economy for the future of Pakistan.”

The decline in public debt underscores significant progress toward achieving broader macroeconomic stability. It reinforces confidence in the government’s economic stewardship and demonstrates a clear path toward restoring long-term debt sustainability. This positive development is a crucial step in rebuilding investor trust, both domestically and internationally, and lays a stronger foundation for sustainable economic growth.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 7 /DNA/ – Managing Director of OPF, Mohammad Afzaal Bhatti, and overseas investors called on Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, on Tuesday at the CDA Headquarters. The meeting was attended by Member Planning and Design Dr. Khalid Hafiz, Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch, DG Building & Housing Control, DG Resource and other senior officers. The meeting involved detailed discussions on promoting foreign investment in Islamabad and exploring partnership opportunities in various projects.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that excellent investment opportunities are available in Islamabad. He mentioned that investment in various projects can be made through a joint ventures model with investors in Islamabad.

Chairman CDA said that CDA is providing all possible facilitation to investors. He said that work is ongoing on various projects to promote the hotel and hospitality industry in Islamabad. Chairman CDA highlighted that work is also being carried out on various projects to provide state-of-the-art sports facilities to the citizens. He said that a feasibility study is underway regarding the construction of an Olympic Village in Islamabad. Chairman CDA further said that these projects will help in making Islamabad as an international city.

The delegation of investors expressed deep interest in various projects, including the hotel and hospitality industry.

It was agreed in the meeting that both sides would work together to explore best investment opportunities in the Capital.

Chairman CDA said that all these projects will be mutually beneficial for both the investors and CDA in addition to contributing to the development of the capital. He said that CDA prioritizes partnerships with investors and is prepared to provide the necessary cooperation in this regard.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 7 /DNA/ – Prince Mansour bin Mohammad Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council, arrived at Islamabad today. He will be leading a high-level Saudi business delegation.

During their stay, His Highness and the accompanying delegation will hold meetings with the Pakistani leadership and engage with senior government officials, chambers of commerce and leading business groups to explore avenues for enhanced bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

The visit underscores the deep-rooted and brotherly ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reflects their shared commitment to expanding economic and investment partnerships under the framework of the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council.

Discussions during the visit are expected to focus on trade/investment facilitation and collaboration across priority sectors aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s economic growth agenda.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 7 /DNA/ – A high-level delegation from Acumen, led by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ms. Jacqueline Novogratz, accompanied by Mr. Poul Carsten Stendevad, President and Chief Investment Officer, and Dr. Ayesha Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Acumen Pakistan, called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, at the Finance Division today.

The delegation included members of Acumen’s Global Board and international investors. The members of the Acumen Board present at the meeting included: Jacqueline Novogratz, Karen Zahn Paterson, Nathan Laurell, Matthew Philip Courey, Mercy Miyang Tembon, Poul Carsten Stendevad, Cristina Jane Ljungberg, Juan Carlos Mora Uribe, Shaiza Rizavi, Kirsten Nevill-Manning, Andrea Colombel, Dr. Ayesha Khan, Kashif Thanvi, and M. Yasir Khan.

Welcoming the delegation, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb appreciated Acumen’s continued engagement and its focus on agriculture and climate resilience in Pakistan. He briefed the visitors on Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability and ongoing structural reforms, particularly in taxation and energy sectors. The Minister informed the delegation that Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio is targeted to reach 11 percent by the end of the current fiscal year, supported by AI-led technology, data analytics, and digital integration to widen the tax base.

The Minister highlighted the government’s efforts to address high energy and financing costs, improve the investment climate, and strengthen public–private partnerships. He briefed the delegation on the Prime Minister’s recent visits to Beijing, Riyadh, and Washington D.C., and the strong support expressed by strategic partners for investment and trade flows.

He mentioned that 24 new joint ventures were signed during the visit to China, underscoring the tangible progress being achieved on the investment front. He also discussed ongoing State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) reforms, including the privatization of PIA in its final stage, the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport, and the planned privatization of several power distribution companies in the first phase.

The Minister reaffirmed that the private sector must lead Pakistan’s economic growth, while the government’s role is to provide a supportive ecosystem. He highlighted Pakistan’s move towards an export-led growth model, supported by tariff reforms and responsible fiscal management, aimed at ending the boom-and-bust cycle.

Senator Aurangzeb also discussed Pakistan’s plans to issue its inaugural Panda Bond before the year’s end and its intent to access USD, Euro, and Islamic Sukuk markets in due course. He further highlighted the government’s digital transformation journey, noting that all government payments will be digitized by the end of the current fiscal year.

The Minister emphasized that Pakistan faces two existential challenges in climate change and population growth. He said Pakistan is already experiencing the effects of climate change through increasingly frequent and intense floods, and underscored the importance of decarbonization, child nutrition, girls’ education, and learning poverty reduction. He mentioned that Pakistan’s Country Partnership Framework with the World Bank provides a structured approach to address these priorities.

He also highlighted the clearance of backlog repatriation of foreign profits and dividends, noting that the macroeconomic stability has made such transactions routine and non-disruptive, as evidenced by the recent $500 million Eurobond repayment completed as a standard transaction.

The Minister thanked Acumen for its continued confidence in Pakistan and lauded its efforts in supporting climate-smart agriculture, food system resilience, and poverty alleviation.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO of Acumen, said she and her team have been visiting Pakistan since 2002 and described her experiences in the country as “truly extraordinary.” She reaffirmed Acumen’s long-term commitment to Pakistan, especially in agriculture, climate resilience, energy, and poverty reduction.

Ms. Novogratz acknowledged Pakistan’s dynamic young talent and strong entrepreneurial potential, emphasizing that enhancing access to finance for these entrepreneurs can transform their innovative ideas into scalable businesses. She reiterated Acumen’s resolve to continue investing in Pakistan’s people and ideas that create social and economic impact.

The visit followed the meeting of Acumen Pakistan’s team with the Finance Minister in September 2025 and was part of Acumen’s broader engagement in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi to explore investment opportunities amid Pakistan’s improving macroeconomic conditions. The delegation also discussed progress on Acumen’s $90 million Agriculture Resilience Fund for Pakistan, a blended finance facility focusing on climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture.

‎LAHORE, OCT 7 /DNA/ – No long queues. No hours of waiting. Passport issuance made easy. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid a surprise visit to the Executive Passport Office in Defence, Lahore.

‎The Interior Minister met with citizens who had come to get their passports made and inquired about the arrangements and the passport issuance process. The citizens expressed satisfaction over the excellent arrangements.

‎“Now, it takes only five minutes for our turn to come, and the process is completed quickly. Earlier, we had to wait for hours, and sometimes the system would go down,” citizens told the minister. “The staff fully guides us, and the entire passport-making process is commendable. Passports are also delivered within the stipulated time,” they added.

‎Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi appreciated the performance of the office in-charge and staff for maintaining excellent arrangements and for earning the satisfaction of the citizens.

‎Mohsin Naqvi said, “I am truly pleased to visit the passport office. Indeed, the satisfaction of citizens is our real success.”

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