DNA

ISLAMABAD: The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Islamabad, successfully hosted a seminar titled ‘Shifting Battlefields: Impact of Emerging Technologies on the Character of Warfare in South Asia’. This event convened distinguished experts from the defence, technology, and academic sectors to discuss the transformative role of emerging technologies in modern warfare, with a particular focus on South Asia.

Air Marshal Farooq Habib (Retd), Senior Director at CASS, opened the seminar by stressing the complexity and unpredictability of technological evolution in military contexts. He emphasised the necessity for Pakistan’s defence sector to adapt and evolve in response to these advancements to maintain strategic and tactical superiority.

Lieutenant General Aamer Riaz (Retd), former President of the National Defense University, in his Keynote Address, underscored the profound influence of technological advancements on the character of warfare. He predicted a technological upheaval, highlighting the need for strategic adaptation to innovations in space, cyber, AI, and more. General Riaz called for a revision of traditional warfare strategies to include emerging technologies that are redefining conflict dynamics.

Mr Fawad Zahir, a Defence and Strategic Studies Expert, focused on the importance of airpower, enhanced by big data analysis, quantum computing, and Machine Learning. He urged for robust civilian-military collaboration to harness technological advancements for defence purposes. Mr Zahir also strongly advocated strategic investment in technologies that align with Pakistan’s core defence needs, given the country’s budgetary constraints.

Prof. Dr Yasar Ayaz, Chairman/CPD of the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI), highlighted AI’s potential to revolutionise warfare, marking it the third major evolution after gunpowder and nuclear power. He stressed the importance of indigenous development of AI technologies to ensure strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty, highlighting the need for a balance between innovation and regulatory oversight.

Mr Khawaja Mohammad Ali, a Cyber Security, Data Privacy, and Digital Forensics Expert, delineated the critical role of cyber operations in modern conflict, advocating for the establishment of a national cybersecurity authority; extensive training and awareness programmes; cyber diplomacy; and indigenous development in cybersecurity solutions.

Senior Journalist and Columnist, Mr Zarar Khurro, focused on the strategic importance of narrative building in the context of advanced technological warfare. He discussed the long-term process of narrative construction facilitated by technology,

pointing to the need for authenticity and the significant impact of social media on public opinion. President CASS-Islamabad, Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan (Retd), in his Concluding Remarks, reiterated the critical importance of first-shot capability in modern warfare, driven by advancements in sensors and detection technologies. He called for an indigenisation strategy that supports the development of homegrown technologies, ensuring that Pakistan’s defence sector remains competitive and innovative.

The seminar underscored the urgent need for Pakistan to embrace indigenisation and support homegrown technologies for enhanced national security and defence autonomy. As emerging technologies continue to reshape the landscape of modern warfare, strategic, policy-oriented approaches are essential for Pakistan to deal with the challenges and opportunities presented by this new era of conflict.

The presentations were followed by active participation from a diverse audience, including retired military officers, scholars, journalists, and students, who engaged in an interactive Question and Answer session, further enriching the discourse on this critical subject.

ISLAMABAD/DNA: Chairman of National Business Group Pakistan, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, and All Karachi Industrial Alliance, and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain said on Friday that the wrong decisions of economic managers have never allowed financial stability in the country.

He said that merit has always been ignored for the benefit of a small group, and the direction of the economy was deliberately kept wrong, which bankrupted the country.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that Pakistan is currently surviving because of IMF loans and support from some countries that are fed up with providing continued help.

Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that the new government should hand over the economy to serious people instead of illusionists to improve matters.

The business leader said that Pakistan’s economy can no longer bear the burden of power theft, line losses, and capacity charges.

The only options for running the country are immediately selling failed government agencies, expanding the tax base, and observing merit.

Mian Zahid Hussain said the economic steps taken for the short-lived benefits resulted in applause and headlines. Still, they also shake the foundations of the economy, which the masses must brave.

He said the incoming government should choose serious people to manage the economy instead of magicians seeking cheap popularity.

Failed politicians consider it necessary to cheat the masses. Sometimes, the public is told that people from the United States and other rich nations will come here for jobs, and occasionally, such benefits are doled out, which many rich countries cannot afford.

We don’t need rulers tackling circular debt and other problems through borrowing. Instead of ensuring economic development, some rulers try to increase GDP to cheat the public by increasing imports.

A former prime minister set a record of $72 billion in imports to boost GDP, shaking the country’s foundations but managing to fool the people.

He questioned how someone could reduce the dollar’s value and increase the value of the local currency without increasing exports when the economy is on the verge.

A performer recently jumped into the economic arena, damaged the economy by his policies, and ruined a deal with the IMG before leaving the country.

Mian Zahid Hussain further said that the new government should avoid such people, avoid quick actions to give an impression of development, and ensure merit in decision-making; otherwise, it will pay a cost in the shape of failure.

      ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (DNA):The European Union and its Member States will organize the popular, family-focused festival ‘EuroVillage’ on February 17 at Jinnah Convention Center, Islamabad.

“The doors of the family event will open at 2 pm to welcome the Pakistani public to get a taste of European food, culture, music, and sustainable actions,” said a news release issued here on Thursday.

The EU and Member States are centering this year’s celebration around the theme of co-creating a sustainable future.

Titled “Stronger Together – Sustainable Forever,” the event aims to showcase the 60+ years of a strong connection between the EU and Pakistan.

This celebration underscores the collaborative partnership in development, economics, culture, research and education, and political engagement, demonstrating how the EU and Pakistan are stronger together.

EuroVillage is co-organized by the diplomatic missions of the European Union and of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Spain.

It will include information and activity booths for both adults and children with interactive games, selfie corners, food, and an opportunity to meet the diplomatic teams and learn about areas of our evolving partnership.

The event will feature live performances by European performers and Pakistani artists including Farhan Saeed and

Qurat-ul-ain Baloch.

Army should do its work and courts will do their job, remarks CJP Qazi Faez Isa

Court Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has sought assurance from the attorney general that the army would only work on defence-related matters and not run any business.

The assurance was sought from CJP Isa during a hearing of a petition filed against commercial activity being done on military land.

During the hearing, CJP Isa remarked that the army was conducting business and had set up marriage halls on military lands. He then sought assurance from the attorney general that the army would remain the “protector” and not do any business.

“Can you get this assurance?” CJP Isa asked the attorney general. He also added that everyone should work as per their mandate.

“The army should do its own work and courts will do their job,” said CJP Isa.

In response, AGP Mansoor Usman Awan stated that as per principle, everyone should do their job.

However, CJP Isa insisted that if the AGP had the directives then he should give the assurance to the court.

On this point lawyer for the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) intervened and told the court that the building from which the dispute started belonged to his client. He added that the allottees sold the land based on fake documents and now a five-story building sits there.

At this, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that the ETPB was a bystander when the five-story building was being constructed.

However, CJP Isa observed that it would not have been possible without the involvement of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). He then further remarked that the assets of officers above the rank of inspector at the SBCA should be checked.

“The Karachi sub registry’s assets should also be audited by the FBR. The residents of demolished buildings should receive money from all assets beyond means,” said the CJP. He also added that the Sindh government would never do an inquiry on this.

On this point, the director general of the SCBA appeared in court and the CJP inquired how many inspectors and officers were part of the department.

The DG informed the court that currently there are 1,400 employees with the SCBA out of which 600 are building inspectors and 300 are senior inspectors.

Abid Raza

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday granted PTI President Parvez Elahi bail in a case pertaining to an alleged illegal appointment made in the Punjab Assembly during his recent stint as the chief minister.

Initially taken into custody on June 1 last year, the former Punjab CM has faced a series of releases and re-arrests, and has remained in detention ever since. The legal challenges coincided with the state’s crackdown on the PTI that followed the violent May 9 protests that saw important government and military installations vandalised.

The case at hand pertains to the alleged illegal appointment of Muhammad Khan Bhatti as the principal secretary to the chief minister during Elahi’s tenure as the Punjab CM.

However, Elahi is not expected to be released as he is still under arrest in other cases.

Today, Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhary presided over the hearing while Advocate Amir Saeed Rawn and Farman Munis appeared as Elahi’s counsels.

During the hearing, Rawn informed the court that a judicial magistrate had discharged Bhatti from the case.

He argued that the notification for Bhatti’s appointment as the principal secretary had been issued by the Punjab chief secretary before Elahi assumed the role of the CM.

Rawn said that the provincial chief secretary had not been made a respondent in the case, adding that the case was filed on a “political basis”.

Subsequently, the court granted Elahi bail against surety bonds worth Rs100,000.