President Donald Trump faces a critical legal deadline on Friday that could determine the future of US military operations against Iran, even as his administration signals it may rely on a controversial legal interpretation to bypass congressional approval.

Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, a US president must terminate military action within 60 days of notifying Congress unless lawmakers authorise the operation.

The Trump administration formally notified Congress on March 2 following joint US-Israeli strikes launched on February 28, setting up a May 1 deadline.

But administration officials now argue that the deadline may not apply, claiming that a ceasefire with Iran — in place since April 7 — effectively ended “hostilities” under the law. A senior official told reporters the conflict had “terminated” for War Powers purposes, allowing the White House to continue operations without seeking congressional approval.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced that position during congressional testimony on Thursday, saying the statutory clock “pauses or stops in a ceasefire.”

The claim has triggered sharp pushback from lawmakers and legal experts, who argue that the War Powers Resolution contains no such provision.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine rejected the interpretation outright, saying “the statute does not allow the president to suspend the 60-day limit” based on a truce. His objection reflects broader concerns among Democrats that the administration is attempting to sidestep Congress’s constitutional authority to declare war.

The War Powers Resolution was enacted in the aftermath of the Vietnam War to prevent presidents from engaging in prolonged military conflicts without legislative oversight. It requires presidents to either obtain congressional authorisation or withdraw forces within 60 days, with a possible 30-day extension in limited circumstances.

Legal analysts say the administration’s reliance on a ceasefire loophole is highly questionable. Experts note that the law makes no mention of ceasefires as grounds for resetting or pausing the clock, particularly when military pressure — including a naval blockade — continues.

Some legal scholars also point out that previous presidents have stretched or ignored the War Powers Resolution, often arguing that it is unconstitutional or does not apply to limited military engagements.

However, critics argue that the scale of the current conflict with Iran — including sustained strikes and economic warfare — makes that argument harder to sustain.

The political response in Congress remains deeply divided. Democrats have repeatedly introduced resolutions to compel the administration to either seek authorisation or end military operations. All such efforts have failed in both chambers, largely along party lines.

Republicans, who control Congress by narrow margins, have mostly backed the president or avoided direct confrontation. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated “there are no immediate plans to hold a vote authorizing the war, reflecting a broader reluctance within the party to challenge Trump’s authority.

At the same time, some Republicans have expressed unease. Senator Susan Collins said the 60-day limit “is not a suggestion; it is a requirement,” and warned that any further military action must be supported by a clear strategy and congressional approval.

The debate underscores a longstanding constitutional tension in the United States between the executive and legislative branches over war-making powers. While the president serves as commander-in-chief, the Constitution grants Congress the authority to declare war — a balance that has increasingly tilted toward the executive in recent decades.

Beyond Washington, the legal uncertainty comes amid a fragile and incomplete ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Although direct military exchanges have paused, both sides continue to exert pressure through economic and strategic means.

Iran has effectively restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy supplies, while the United States has responded with a naval blockade targeting Iranian oil exports. The standoff has contributed to volatility in global oil markets, with prices rising sharply in recent days amid fears of prolonged disruption.

Diplomatic efforts have so far failed to produce a breakthrough. President Trump, speaking at the White House, dismissed suggestions that negotiations had stalled, saying only a small circle of officials was aware of the details and insisting that Iran “wants to make a deal badly.”

Meanwhile, US military planners are preparing options should the ceasefire collapse. Reports indicate that the US Central Command has developed plans for a “short and powerful” wave of strikes aimed at forcing Iran back to negotiations.

Other options under consideration include securing Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium or expanding control over key maritime routes.

Analysts say the Trump administration may ultimately choose to ignore the deadline or reinterpret the ceasefire as marking the end of one phase of the conflict and the beginning of another — effectively resetting the legal clock.

Such a move would likely intensify legal and political challenges, potentially setting the stage for a broader constitutional confrontation between Congress and the White House.

PESHAWAR: A police constable was martyred on Friday when militants targeted an armoured police vehicle with a rocket and sniper attack at Kingar Jan Bahadar, within the jurisdiction of Mandan Police Station near the Fatah Khel police post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district.

The attack occurred while the vehicle was on a routine patrol.

According to the police, the assault was sudden, causing severe damage to the vehicle and leaving driver, a constable, critically injured. He later succumbed to his injuries.

A civilian present at the scene was also injured and was taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment. Hospital sources confirmed that the injured civilian is out of danger.

Following the incident, police and security agencies cordoned off the area and launched a large-scale search and combing operation.

Police officials stated that all available resources are being utilised to arrest the militants, while security in the area has been placed on high alert.

Bannu district has been the scene of repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security forces coming under attack amid a broader surge in militant violence. The violence has included attacks on police and jirga members, prompting targeted operations by police and security forces in various localities to disrupt militant networks.

At least six terrorists were killed early on Wednesday when the Bannu police successfully repelled a major attack on the Mazanga police post, according to officials.

On Sunday, a police head constable and his five-year-old daughter were injured when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire near Bannu’s Shahdev area. The same day, the bomb disposal squad defused an improvised explosive device (IED) in the jurisdiction of Kakki police station, averting a major tragedy.

I ONCE made the mistake of watching one Republic TV reel, and now my algorithm refuses to believe I want nothing to do with Arnab Goswami and his nightly shouting festival. Lately, the familiar theatre has returned on my timeline, and this time, the speculation-fuelled ‘geopolitical analysis’ is pure comedy. And that too not the sharp wit of satire, but the kind of ‘comedy’ associated with the comedian Carrot Top in full performance mode.

“This just in: our sources say US Vice President J.D. Vance would turn back mid-flight rather than reach Pakistan for talks,” declared one anchor in a reel. Another gravely informed viewers that Donald Trump was “scared” for Vance’s security in Pakistan. Yet another featured Arnab Goswami on the verge of a literal meltdown, demanding to know how Pakistan could mediate between the US and Iran.

And the theatre continues, as usual. Anyone who has ever watched these studios knows the format: shouting anchors, flashing graphics and outrage dressed up as analysis. None of that is new. What is new this time is the target of the anger: peace talks between the US and Iran, hosted and mediated by Islamabad.

On the face of it, they are criticising Pakistan for facilitating diplomacy. But that invites a simple question: is this war not hurting India too? The conflict has already pressured the Indian rupee, raised fuel costs, disrupted gas supplies, and unsettled markets. India’s dependence on Middle Eastern energy, its shipping exposure around the Strait of Hormuz, and its large workforce in the Gulf mean regional instability carries real economic consequences. Even Indian markets recovered on hopes of de-escalation. In other words, Pakistan-backed peace efforts stand to benefit ordinary Indians as much as anyone else.

Rather than explain why peace serves Indian interests, the ‘Godi media’ sells anger against Pakistan.

And yet a substantial segment of the Indian media — sarcastically called ‘Godi media’ for its perceived closeness to Narendra Modi and his government — chooses hostility over honesty. Rather than explain why peace serves Indian interests, it sells anger against Pakistan. Which raises another obvious question: if peace serves Indian material interests, why the visible rage? And the answer is simple: because outrage rates better than economics.

To understand this, one has to deconstruct what I call the ‘Outrage Machine’, a conceptual model I developed to explain the political economy of hate. It applies with unsettling consistency across countries and contexts: in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the US, and nearly anywhere resentment can be converted into revenue, ratings, votes or influence.

At its core, the Outrage Machine is a system in which rage and hate are not accidents of public life but are deliberately manufactured, amplified and monetised products. Politicians harvest it for power, media outlets package it for attention, platforms reward it with reach and audiences are conditioned to consume it daily. Hate in this model becomes the actual currency of the system.

The mechanics of the Outrage Machine are cyclical, which is why it is so effective.

Television studios manufacture nightly anger through sensational framing, selective panels and theatrical language. But much of this content is now designed for social media first: short, explosive clips built to travel fast and provoke reaction. Platforms then amplify the loudest material because outrage drives engagement. Political demagogues harvest that sentiment, posing as defenders against permanent enemies they often helped invent in the first place. Citizens absorb and repeat the narratives, mistaking repetition for truth.

That public anger is then fed back into newsrooms as proof of ‘national mood’, giving media an even clearer strategy for the next cycle of rage. Media creates it, platforms spread it, politics weaponises it, the public performs it, and the machine begins again. It is a closed loop of profit, power and prejudice, and every major player profits.

Once audiences are repeatedly fed a diet of grievance and perpetual threat, they begin to require stronger doses. What once seemed extreme becomes normal. What once seemed theatrical becomes expectation. Calm starts to feel dull. Negotiation appears weak. Peace becomes suspicious because it interrupts a revenue model built on conflict. The deeper tragedy is that societies eventually pay a price for consuming too much synthetic rage. Public debate becomes infantilised. Citizens are encouraged to think in binaries rather than interests. Economic pain is ignored if hatred remains emotionally satisfying. Diplomacy is judged theatrically rather than strategically.

Pakistan’s role in peace talks did not create the backlash. It merely exposed the dependence. When media systems, digital platforms and political entrepreneurs become accustomed to extracting value from hostility, any gesture that lowers tensions becomes a threat to business. In such an environment, peace is not opposed because it fails. It is opposed because it works. This is why it is too simple to describe what we are witnessing as mere hate, especially about the case at hand, ie, the peace talks mediated by Pakistan. Hate suggests raw emotion. What often appears on screen is more calculated than that. It is curated antagonism, and conflict packaged for ratings, monetised through clicks, rewarded by algorithms and repurposed into political capital.

Brewing hate for use against an external enemy is like overloading a nuclear plant to generate more power. For a while, the energy seems useful: ratings rise, votes consolidate and the crowd stays mobilised. But systems built on dangerous excess eventually turn inward. Pressure builds, safeguards erode and what was meant for the outside begins exploding within. India has already seen warnings of this blowback. BBC reported that from 2016 to 2018, at least 31 people were killed in lynchings linked to rumours spread largely through social media. Hate manufactured for export rarely stays at the border; sooner or later, it detonates at home.

The writer is the founder of Media Matters for Democracy.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026

ACCORDING to the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS, Pakistan has one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in Asia. Meanwhile, WHO’s Global Hepatitis Report 2026 identifies Pakistan as the single largest contributor to the global burden of hepatitis C. Are these two facts coincidental? Sadly, no. They are tragically intertwined. Both HIV and hepatitis C are blood-borne infections, transmitted when infected blood ent­ers the human body. Both can also spread through sexual contact. And both, if untreated, are potentially fatal. The pathways through which these diseases spread are ubiquitous in Pakistan’s healthcare and social practices. But we also suffer from a dangerous form of collective myopia.

When there is a media report of an outbreak of HIV — Taunsa being the latest — we have a hysterical fit, we hyperventilate, we deny, we defend, we look for a conspiracy, we blame, we want to kill the messenger who brings the bad message and we also quietly desire in our hearts, and even pray, that it passes quickly so that we can go back to our comfortable slumber. If you are finding it difficult to understand this description, then please see the press conference of a provincial health minister held after the BBC’s documentary on Taunsa. Before we can control these diseases, we must treat this myopia.

Should we not feel a sense of national shame that Pakistan is home to one of the world’s largest populations of hepatitis C patients — an estimated 10 million — many of whom continue to suffer and die unnecessarily? At the same time, HIV has been knocking at our doors, yet our response is fragmented and inadequate. Domestic investment in HIV/AIDS is minimal and we continue to rely heavily on the Global Fund. Our attention shifts from one outbreak to another, without building sustained, systemic responses.

The persistence of blood-borne infections in Pakistan reflects a broader failure of governance.

Globally, the trajectory is different. In most countries, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are declining. The world has learned hard lessons, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemic once devastated societies and economies. Through a combination of political commitment, widespread testing, effective antiretroviral therapy, stigma reduction and strong infection prevention measures, countries have reversed the trend. Critical interventions have also included reducing unnecessary injections, eliminating the reuse of disposable syringes, introducing auto-disable syringes and ensuring rigorous screening of all transfused blood. Pakistan, regrettably, has lagged on most of these fronts, and the consequences are visible in the rising number of new infections.

Can this trajectory be reversed? Yes — and Egypt offers a compelling example. In 2008, Egypt had one of the highest hepatitis C prevalence rates in the world, with nearly 10 per cent of its adult population infected. Much of this was attributed to past medical practices involving the reuse of contaminated syringes. Recognising the scale of the crisis, Egypt established a National Committee for the Control of Viral Hepatitis. In 2014, it launched an ambitious nationwide campaign — ‘100 Million Healthy Lives’. More than 60m people were screened. Over 80pc of infected individuals were diagnosed, and more than 4m received free treatment. Within just seven years, prevalence dropped dramatically — from 10pc to 0.5pc. In October 2023, WHO declared Egypt the first country to achieve ‘gold tier’ status for hepatitis C elimination.

I had the opportunity to live and work in Egypt for some years with WHO. In many ways, Egypt is as complex and challenging as Pakistan. The difference lies in one decisive factor: political will. Egypt mobilised its institutions, aligned its policies and executed a clear national strategy. Today, it is not only hepatitis C-free but also supports other countries to replicate its success. Some Egyptian experts have visited Pakistan, yet we remain entangled in bureaucratic rigmarole, unable to launch a comparable national programme for years now. HIV in Pakistan presents an additional, deeply troubling dimension.

Globally, HIV is concentrated among high-risk groups such as people who inject drugs and sex workers. This is also true for Pakistan. However, we face a unique and alarming phenomenon: large numbers of young children are becoming infec­ted. In over 90pc of these cases, the infection is not transmitted from mother to child — the mothers are HIV-negative. Instead, these children are infected through unsafe medical practices: the reuse of disposable syringes, contamination of multi-dose vials and unsafe intravenous infusions.

This pattern was evident in the 2019 outbreak in Ratodero and has resurfaced in Taunsa. In fact, Taunsa represents at least the ninth recorded HIV outbreak in the country. These outbreaks are only the visible tip of a much larger, hidden epidemic. In 2019, when the Ratodero outbreak occurred, I visited the area alongside Sindh’s health minister, Dr Azra Pechuho. What we witnessed was heartbreaking: mothers carrying infected children and running from pillar to post in search of care. Nearly 1,000 children were ultimately diagnosed with HIV — most infected through unsafe injections.

I immediately established a national Task Force on Injection Safety, which developed a comprehensive National Action Plan. A key recommendation was to ban the manufacture, import and use of reusable disposable syringes. This policy was implemented, despite resistance from manufacturers, who were required to transition to auto-disable syringe technology. Eventually, the industry complied.

It is therefore deeply troubling to learn that some manufacturers are reportedly still producing reusable syringes and mislabelling them as auto-disable. This is not merely a regulatory lapse; it is a criminal act. Law-enforcement agencies must act decisively to shut down such operations, and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan must strengthen post-market surveillance which is currently very weak.

The persistence of blood-borne infections in Pakistan reflects a broader, long-standing failure of governance. Successive governments have not prioritised health, particularly primary healthcare, as evidenced by chronically low public spen­ding. Many of our public health challenges are not technical but failures of governance, accountability and behaviour. The unchecked spread of HIV represents a gathering storm — one that threatens social stability, economic productivity and national development. It must be recognised and addressed as a matter of national security, demanding the same level of political ur­gency and financial commitment. More on this, later.

The writer is a former SAPM on health with ministerial status, adjunct professor of health systems and president of the Pakistan Association of Lifestyle Medicine.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026

KARACHI: The All Pakistan Newspaper Employees Confederation (APNEC) has called for the immediate restoration of advertisements to Dawn, saying the suspension has pushed thousands of media workers into a severe financial crisis.

The demand was made at a meeting of APNEC held at the office of the Pakistan Herald Workers’ Union (PHWU) on Thursday.

According to a statement, the meeting, presided over by APNEC Chairman Shakeel Yamin Kanga, discussed in detail the problems being faced by Dawn employees and other media workers.

The meeting reaffirmed the need for united and practical steps to resolve the issues of media employees.

It also assured full support to PHWU General Secretary Kalbe Ali and urged the federal and provincial governments to immediately resume advertisements for the newspaper.

On the occasion, Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) President Tahir Hasan Khan stressed unity among journalists and media workers and called for a joint struggle.

The meeting unanimously passed a resolution demanding the immediate restoration of advertisements to Dawn.

Besides PHWU office-bearers, APNEC Vice Chairman Dara Zafar, Assistant Secretary General Rana Yousuf, Additional Secretary General Obaidullah, Finance Secretary Muhammad Irfan Ali, KUJ General Secretary Sardar Liaquat Kashmiri, Imtiaz Faran and others attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026

THE annual observance of May Day should move beyond statements about the state’s commitment to the rights of workers and serve, instead, as a stock-taking exercise to see how far the nation lags behind in securing fair wages and decent working conditions for the toiling masses.

Currently, many workers in Pakistan have to deal with job insecurity, safety hazards at workplaces, and next to no benefits beyond their meagre wages, which, too, at times are held up on flimsy pretexts. It is also a fact that most workers in the country are part of the informal sector, with only 2-3pc of the workforce unionised. This situation suits most tycoons and business magnates as they can concentrate on maximising profits at the expense of workers’ welfare.

Trade unions have been active in the country since the time of independence, and saw their heyday during Zufikar Ali Bhutto’s government. But since the time of Gen Zia onwards, their power and influence have been diminishing. Today, experts point out, a considerable number of human resource managers themselves are unaware of the labour laws. Ignorance allows employers to deny even those labour rights that are enshrined in the law.

The struggle for securing the legitimate rights of workers across all sectors must continue. Here, the state, unions and progressive employers must all play their part. While unions have also at times affected the working atmosphere negatively through strong-arm tactics, arguably, without effective unions, employers have had a free hand in denying workers their rights. In many instances, employers do not even pay the minimum wage set by the provinces, while contractual hiring is resorted to in order to save on regular employee benefits.

The state is not without blame either; it looks the other way when labour rights are trampled on. For the country to progress, workers deserve fair wages, safe workplaces and quality health and education facilities for their families. These goals can be achieved if the state enforces the labour laws and addresses legal lacunae. Meanwhile, undocumented workers should be registered.

Employers must realise that satisfied and well-paid workers will raise productivity and should refrain from cutting corners and denying workers their rights. Workers are not asking for the moon; they only want dignity, better working conditions and a living wage to help battle the tidal wave of inflation.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026

KARACHI: An accountability court issued perpetual arrest warrants against property tycoon Malik Riaz, his son and others in the Bahria Town Karachi (BTK) land grab case, it emerged on Thursday.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed a reference in 2025 against the owners of Bahria Town, senior PPP leaders and government officials for allegedly converting, exchanging and transferring government land to Bahria Town for its BTK project.

The perpetual or lifetime non-bailable warrants were issued by Accountability Court Judge Syed Nadeem Hussain Shah for the arrest of Malik Riaz, his son Ahmed Ali Riaz, Zain Malik, former Board of Revenue official, Ahmed Baksh Narejo, former land utilisation secretary, and others.

The court declared them ‘proclaimed offenders’ and directed the investigating officer of the NAB to arrest them and produce before the court for further proceedings as well as to block their passports.

It is pertinent to mention here that an inquiry was initiated by NAB in 2015 after it received complaints regarding the alleged usurpation of government land by Bahria Town for its BTK project in Malir, near the M-9 Motorway. The inquiry was subsequently upgraded to an investigation in 2016.

In a reference filed in 2025, the anti-graft watchdog alleged that the entire hierarchy of the executive, the revenue board, the Malir Development Authority (MDA) and others conspired to cede valuable public property to Bahria Town. It named 33 individuals as the accused, including Bahria Town Chairman Malik Riaz, senior PPP and Sindh government figures, including Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, and ex-CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah, and others.

It said the accused, acting in connivance, grabbed around 17,000 acres of public property for Bahria Town under the grab of adjustment / exchange / consolidation in 2013-14 in sheer violation of the law, causing a colossal loss of over Rs708.08 billion to the national exchequer.

The reference said CM Qaim Ali Shah connived with the co-accused by not approving the “summary for CM” dated Jan 12, 2016, forwarded by the prosecution witness / the-then member

Board of Revenue Sindh Mohammad Waseem for cancellation of earlier order issued on Dec 26, 2013, by Ahmed Baksh Narejo in violation of MDA Act, 1993.

On the contrary, CM Qaim Ali Shah with mala fide intentions directed the local government department secretary to issue a corrigendum on May 5, 2016. The CM neither had jurisdiction nor was competent to issue such corrigendum, it claimed.

It further alleged that Sharjeel Memon, was the MDA chairman and local government department minister at the time and he approved “regulation regarding consolidation / adjustment / exchange of private Kabuli survey lands & state land alleged by the board of revenue etc.” in violation of Section 49 of the MDA Act.

It claimed that in the first MDA meeting held on Jan 24, 2014, Memon also approved the adjustment of the government land to Bahria Town while he had also approved the preliminary concept plan of 32 dehs as well as a layout plan of Bahria Town Karachi in violation of law and regulations.

However, both PPP leaders had secured per-arrest bail from Sindh High Court in the case.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tele­communication Company Limited (PTCL) said on Thursday that its managing shareholder ‘e&’ (formerly Etisalat) remains closely engaged with it, with a shared focus on delivering long-term value and advancing Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.

Referring to a Dawn report, titled ‘Emirati telecom giant mulling exit’, published on Apr 30, regarding a potential change in e&’s investment position in Pakistan, the company said it was not aware of the sources referenced in the reports.

“PTCL’s shareholders remain fully committed to the company’s long-term strategy and growth trajectory. This is reflected in key strategic initiatives, including the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers, Ufone’s 5G spectrum acquisition, and the continued expansion of the company’s fibre network across the country,” it said in a statement.

When contacted for response prior to the publication of the report, PTCL had simply stated that a long-term business plan had recently been approved by its board, and that it was not aware about any change of plan by its shareholders.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Islamabad/Rawalpindi on Thursday secured the transfer of 6,500 kanals of amenity plots and public utility land from two private housing societies to the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

The NAB’s intervention addressed long-standing gaps in regulatory compliance, including delayed transfers and unlawful utilisation of land earmarked for public use within housing societies.

A high-level meeting convened last week had resolved to expedite the transfer of amenity land within the prescribed legal and regulatory framework, NAB’s press release said. Under the direct supervision of Director General NAB Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Waqar Ahmed Chauhan and through sustained, coordinated efforts of senior officers, the transfer process has been formally completed.

In the first phase, 5,484.76 kanal of amenity land in Gulberg Residencia and 999 kanal in Margalla View D-17 have been formally transferred in favour of CDA. A registration ceremony was held at NAB Islamabad/Rawalpindi to mark this transition, while cases pertaining to additional housing societies have progressed to advanced stages of execution.

Total value of transferred land said to be approximately Rs41 billion as per Deputy Commissioner rates

Based on available assessments, the total value of the transferred land is said to be approximately Rs41 billion as per Deputy Commissioner (DC) rates, while the estimated market value of the public utility component is Rs. 25.43 billion. In aggregate, land valued at approximately Rs. 66 billion has been secured and transferred to CDA. A further 4,500 kanal of land from other housing societies is scheduled for transfer in the coming weeks.

Specifically, approximately 4,793 kanal of public and amenity land across multiple housing societies has been transferred through mutation in favour of the regulator. For instance, the Civil Employees Housing Society case, pending for nearly 31 years, has now been conclusively processed.

In addition, mutation of more than 2,500 kanals of land is currently under active consideration and is being processed for early finalisation. Meanwhile, NAB Chairman retired Lt-Gen Nazir Ahmed, called on the Federal Minister for Housing & Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada at the Ministry of Housing & Works.

While discussing the ministry’s affairs, the minister noted that certain decisions taken in previous administrations had resulted in significant financial losses to national exchequer.

According to the NAB, the chairman discussed various proposals aimed at optimising the utilisation of the ministry’s valuable assets for housing development across different cities in Pakistan.

He highlighted the importance of adopting successful international housing models and suggested initiating pilot projects in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), which could later be replicated nationwide.

NAB chief underscored the need for transparent and fair policies regarding government assets and assured NAB’s full support in the Ministry’s efforts to prevent maladministration and corruption in such projects. Federal Secretary Housing & Works, retired Capt Muhammad Mehmood, briefed the participants on the status of estate properties in Karachi.

He informed that over 3,000 residential units, spread across approximately 512 acres of land, were currently under the jurisdiction of the Estate Office, an attached department of the Ministry of Housing and Works.

Many of these properties were affected by legal disputes, unauthorised occupations, and entitlement issues, resulting in substantial losses to the national exchequer.

The secretary emphasised that these challenges could be effectively addressed through a comprehensive and revitalised policy framework, supported by strong institutional coordination, including NAB and the judiciary.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Persistent governance failures and weak community-level systems continue to undermine Pakistan’s ability to prepare for and respond to climate disasters, a new report has warned, calling for urgent reforms to build long-term resilience across vulnerable districts.

The findings, compiled by the think tank Jinnah Institute, come in the wake of the devastating 2025 floods, which submerged entire districts, displaced millions, and wiped out livelihoods, exposing critical gaps in preparedness despite years of policy frameworks, institutional reforms, and international commitments. The report argued that reliance on reactive disaster management has proven insufficient in the face of intensifying climate stress.

Based on insights from more than 330 participants, including 36 focus group discussions and 24 key informant interviews conducted nationwide, the study highlighted how communities experienced, coped with, and recovered from climate shocks. It shifts the focus from traditional vulnerability assessments to a more comprehensive understanding of resilience rooted in lived experiences.

A key feature of the report is Pakistan’s first district-level Resilience Index, which ranks 130 districts across five dimensions: human capital, economic well-being, standard of living, urbanisation, and digital access.

The index revealed stark disparities, with Lahore scoring 0.72 compared to just 0.14 for Lehri in Balochistan. These findings underline deep regional inequalities and provide a baseline tool for policymakers and development partners to monitor progress over time.

Communities identified seven core drivers of resilience, including access to education and vocational skills, women’s ownership of assets, digital literacy, strong community networks, social protection programmes such as the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), availability of public services, and proximity to urban centres.

Notably, respondents described resilience in practical terms as a gradual process of moving away from conditions that perpetuate vulnerability.

The report also sheds light on the social dimensions of vulnerability. Women with asset ownership and decision-making authority demonstrate stronger adaptive capacity, yet continue to face barriers in accessing documentation, financial services, and mobility.

Persons with disabilities highlighted both physical and societal barriers, while transgender individuals reported reliance on urban anonymity for safety, with limited access to healthcare, education, and family support.

Youth in remote areas face constrained opportunities, often forced to choose between unaffordable education and limited local employment.

The report said that informal support systems and community-based organisations play a critical role in filling service delivery gaps, although it cautions that these cannot replace formal state mechanisms.

Governance challenges remain a central concern. Early warning systems frequently fail to reach at-risk populations in time, while coordination between institutions is fragmented. Environmental mismanagement, including deforestation, illegal construction in floodplains, and the neglect of wetlands and drainage systems, continues to exacerbate the impact of disasters.

The absence of effective local governments further compounds the problem, leaving communities without grievance redressal mechanisms or meaningful channels to communicate their needs. Marginalised groups, including refugees, religious minorities, and persons with disabilities, face compounded risks due to documentation barriers and exclusion from social protection systems.

The report outlines a policy roadmap urging federal and provincial authorities to revitalise local governance structures, reform welfare systems, and strengthen early warning and accountability mechanisms. It also calls on development partners to support community-led adaptation strategies and invest in district-level data, while encouraging the private sector to move beyond short-term corporate social responsibility initiatives towards long-term investments in climate resilience.

Above all, the report emphasises that effective resilience-building must be grounded in community participation, warning that without inclusive and coordinated action, Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations will remain exposed to recurring climate shocks.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday upheld the Capital Development Authority (CDA) decision, canceling lease of iconic skyscraper One Constitution Avenue owing to the multi-billion rupees default.

IHC Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar announced the decision on the appeals filed by M/s BNP (Private) Limited and the occupants of flats in the skyscraper.

The court in February this year had reserved its verdict in the high-profile case concerning the cancellation of the lease of Grand Hyatt building located in the Red Zone near Constitution Avenue.

Counsel for the CDA Kashif Ali Malik advanced arguments on behalf of the civic agency.

IHC in February this year had reserved the verdict in the high-profile case

The case pertains to the controversial five-star hotel project, which was awarded to BNP Group nearly two decades ago. However, instead of functioning as a five-star hotel, it was converted into residential apartments and commercial areas.

Apartments in the building were also reportedly owned by prominent personalities, including PTI founder Imran Khan, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, Shandana Gulzar Aurangzeb, former minister Burjees Tahir, former caretaker prime minister Nasirul Mulk and Kashmala Tariq.

The CDA contended that despite the lapse of 21 years, BNP failed to fulfil its financial obligations. It said under the auction terms, ownership rights were contingent upon 100 per cent payment of the land cost. Out of the assessed Rs17.5 billion liability, only Rs2.9 billion, around 16.6 per cent, have been paid.

The civic body relied heavily on the Supreme Court’s conditional order dated January 9, 2019, authored by the then chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar, arguing that BNP failed to comply with the stipulated conditions.

Reference was also made to the subsequent review order of the Supreme Court, which observed that the 2019 order had been “overtaken by time events” and was no longer of material significance.

On this basis, the CDA asserted that the 2018 division bench judgement of Islamabad High Court, authored by Justice Amir Farooq, stood revived, resulting in the vesting of the land and superstructure in the authority.

The CDA also cited BNP’s letter dated July 25, 2022, wherein the company admitted its inability to continue the project or pay annual installments of Rs2.92 billion due to adverse economic conditions and negative country ratings by Moody’s and Fitch.

The letter acknowledged that completing the project and paying the December 2022 installment had become ‘impossible’.

The authority argued that BNP, having unequivocally admitted default and financial incapacity, was stopped from challenging the lease cancellation, regardless of whether the notice period was 28 or 30 days.

During the earlier hearing, Chief Justice Dogar questioned whether former Supreme Court judge Ijazul Ahsan, who had earlier represented BNP, was the same individual who later sat on the bench in related proceedings.

The CDA counsel confirmed that an objection had been raised at the time by then CDA lawyer Munir Paracha but was declined, adding the former chief justice had expressed displeasure over the objection.

The court was further informed that the matter had been investigated by the FIA, leading to registration of an FIR against BNP’s CEO and former CDA officials.

The case was subsequently transferred to the National Accountability Bureau, where proceedings remain pending.

The Public Accounts Committee has also examined the issue.

Regarding third-party purchasers, CDA relied on paragraph 37 of the 2018 judgement, which held that sub-lessees ‘sink or sail with the appellant’.

It was argued that claims of bona fide purchase involved disputed questions of fact not amenable to adjudication under Article 199 of the Constitution and must be pursued before a competent forum.

CDA emphasised that Islamabad had been deprived of a planned five-star hotel for nearly two decades, causing logistical challenges during high-level state visits and diplomatic events.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The weaponisation of the country’s cybercrime laws is one of the most serious threats to media freedom in Pakistan, press freedom watchdog Freedom Network said.

In its report, Regulatory Repres­sion of Freedom of Expression — Legal Controls and Peca Undermine Media and Journalism in Pakistan, the watchdog said that amendments to the Prevention of Elec­tronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016 had created a climate of fear, where journalists are compelled to self-censor to avoid legal repercussions.

The report was released to mark World Press Freedom Day, observed globally on May 3.

The report highlighted high-profile convictions of human rights lawyers, including Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, as examples of how custodial sentences were used to deter dissent.

Freedom Network report says custodial sentences being used to deter dissent

In addition, dozens of journalists have faced charges under expanded provisions of Peca, while defamation suits, regulatory suspensions and internet shutdowns further constrained independent journalism.

The report also notes that state-led efforts to counter disinformation and hate-speech are often accompanied by increased surveillance and selective enforcement. Regulatory bodies monitoring online content, coupled with vague definitions of “fabricated news,” blur the line between misinformation and legitimate dissent.

In terms of journalist safety, the report documented at least 129 verified incidents of violations during the review period, which ranged between April-2025 and March-2026. Legal threats and physical violence accounted for nearly two-thirds of these cases.

Among these violations include two murders, five cases of threats to murder, 58 legal cases (mostly Peca-invoked), 16 cases of assault, 11 cases of threats to harm and two cases of kidnapping and enforced disappearance.

Punjab and Khyber Pakhtun­khwa emerged as the most dangerous regions for journalists, while murders in Sindh and Balochistan underscored the persistent risks.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026