DPM Dar
‘underscores
cooperative

federalism,
coordination

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime The meeting was
Minister/Foreign Minister altended by the ministers
Senator Muhammad Ishaq for planning and inter-pro-
Dar, Saturday, reiterated vincial coordination (IPC),

GB CM seeks
special financial
_package
from SBP

By Shabbir Mir

GILGM: Gilgt-Baltistan Chief|
Minister Amjad Hussain Satur-
day urged the governor Slate
Bank of Pakistan to introduce
special financial measures
aimed at improving access to
affordable credit for residents
and businesses in the moun-|
tainous regon.”

The request comes 2 week
after Amjad Hussain took oath
as the region's chief minister
following the July elections,
making economic revival and

that the government's collec> SAPM Tariq Bajwa, sccretar- | employment

tive commitment remained fes of the Cabinet Division,
focused on strengthening Council of Common Inter-
cooperative federalism, ests, Planning, Petroleum,
promoting effective intere Water Resources, Power,
governmental coordination Health, Overseas Pakistanis
and advancing decisions that & Human Resource Devel-
serve the national interest. opment (OP&HRD) and

The DPAVFM chaired a other relevant stakeholders,
mecting of the PreCouncil the DPM Office said in a
of Common Interests (CCI) press release.       °
Committee, which wascon- —_ After detailed deliber-
stituted by the prime minis- ations, the committee rec-
ter‘chairman CCL The com- ommended to the prime
mittee held a preparatory minister/chairman, CCI,
mecting at the depuly prime that the next meeting of the
minister's office ahead of council be held in August
the 53ed meeting of the CCL this year. —APP

Trump threatens to
increase Canada
‘tariffs over wildfire
-smoke pollution

NEW YORK: US President


generation among
the first major poticy priorities
of his new administration.

In a letter to the State
Bank, the chief minister said
Gilgit Baltistan’s unique geo-
graphical and socio-cconomic,
conditions warranted targeted
financial support. He noted
thal residents and businesses
continue to face significant dif
ficulties in obtaining loans and
other banking services despite
the region's vast economic
potential.

The GB Ch requested the|
State Bank to introduce con-
cessional financing schemes
tailored to the region, particu.
larly for young entrepeencurs,
women, farmers, startups and
small and medium-sized enter-
prises (SMEs), The chief minis
ter alsourgad the State Bank to
instruct commercial banks to
expedite the procesaing of loan
applications from Gilgit Baltis-
tan, establish dedicated facili-
tation desks across the region
and simplify documentation
and collateral requirements

Asof Saturday, there were [to improve access to formal

Donald Trump threatened 937 active fires in Canada, |credtt. ,

on Friday a tariff increase on most of which were buming
Canada to cover the cost of out of control, according to
smoke pollution from wild the Canadian Wildland Fire
fires that have choked large Information System.
parts of the United States,        .. “Thisis Willful Neghigence,
~. Dense wildfire smoke bil- and becoming a ycarly occur-
lowing down from Canada rence, costing the United
and northern Minnesota has States Billions of Dollars,”
set off unhealthy air quality

alerts across the US.             Contloved on page 9

The® chief minister

expressed the hope that the
State Bank would take the

« |region’s unique development

needs into account, saying
greater financial inclusion
would stimulate investment,
Seherale employment and con-
tribute to sustainable ccononiic
growth across Gilgit Bakistan.

_ duly 19, 2026 =

8

Maryam gives
symbolic keys of new
machinery to. Wasa.

Says Wasa network expanded from
two districts to 41 districts; pays glowing
tribute to Nelson Mandela; lauds security

forces for foiling terrorist attempt in Wana _

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Mine Provincial Minister for
ister Maryam Nawaz on Sat- Housing Bilal Yasin and
urday launched a major init Housing Secretary Noor-ul-
ative to modemize sewerage Amin Mengal briefed the chief
and drainage infrastructure minister that the new machin-
across the province by hand- ery inchided sewer cleaning
ing over symbolic keys of machines, desilting equip-
newly-procured machinery ment, dewatering pumps,
to the Water and Sanitation water bowsers, tractors,
Agency (Wasa),                            excavators, suction machines

Addressing 3 ceremony and other equipment aimed at
here, she said efficient sew- improving maintenance and
erage and drainage services. emergency response opera-
were essential for improving tions...
ban life and the Puna gov-        Maryam  said the Wasa
emment was making signifk network had been expanded
cant investments to upgrade from two districts to oat dis-

Karachi Edition


Iraq, US sign

B     te  NY mayor says still
“Guing | mulling Netanyahu
PMsvisit_ | arrest during UN meet:

BAGHDAD:   Iraq.  signed  48/NEW YORK: New York bly, a major  gathering  of
agreements and partnerships | Mayor Zohran Mlamdanl is in workd leaders, takes place In
with American companics, | talks over whether to try to September at UN headquar
many in the of] sector, during j arrest Isracli Prime Minister. tersin New York

a visit to the US by Prime Min-] Benjamin Netanyahu during . - The Haguebased ICC sald
ister Ali al-Zaidi, his office said | an upcoming UN summit, he in 202 that it had reasonable
Saturday,                                    said in aninterview published grounds to believe Netanyahu

Otsich Iraq bas been trying                     Tompting asharp was responsible for alleged
to move past decades of war|/rebuke from Netanyahu's warcrimes and crimes against
and unrest, but stil suffers from | camp,                              . humanity related to Isracl’s
poor infrastroctore, failing pub-] - “I believe that Prime Min- offensive in Gaza following
le services, mismanagement | ister Netanyahu belongs in  the unprecedented Octaber 7,
and endemic conuption.           The Hague,” Mamdani told 2023 attack by Hamas.

It is in urgent need of an] The New York Times. *He's = Danny Danon,  Israel's
economic boost, especially] a war criminal who hasbeen ambassador to the UN,
after losing revenue due to aj charged by the International quickly called out Mamdani. -
hak inoil exports caused by the | Criminal Court.”.              “Instead of focusing on his
Middle East war,             ‘The leftist Mamdand, who responsibilities a3 mayor and

“A total of 48 agreements, | has calied Israclan “apartheid confronting the rising wave
memoranda of understanding, | regime,” added: “That is an_ of antisemitinn in his city, he

cooperation agreements, and | opinion that is held by many, has chosen to incite hostility
oooh declarations were | purely because of what his and generate headlines by
signed between public and pri-| actions have wrought over attacking the State of Isracl,"

civic facilities across the prov tricts, calling It a major step | vate sector entities in Iraq and
ince. She said the first phase towards providing uniform | the United States,” the Iraq

of the program had been municipal services across
completed with the delivery Punjab. She said the gov-
of 272 modern machines of ernment. was committed
12 categories to Wasa fore to upgrading sewerage and
mations in 15 districts, while addressing urban fleoding


procurement and distribution and                  issues,.         GE Vermova, Shell, and Halli-] team.
of 606 additional machines for                                            burton," 23 well as soweral deals
Al districts was underway.                          Coatlaued on page 9} related to the construction
of a major crude oil pipeline
Tar.          fora agred dal with |
b                    ,                               .
Lebanon’s president |sztes wie sinc
7                                                                            7                                sector, to introdi              vices to
departs for Washington jitsu"
to meet'Trump   Doral Tray pad Za
the White House. ~        .
BEIRUT, Lebanon: Lebanese with ‘several American oft   Zaidi, a businessman, came!
President Joseph Aoun left. cials on the situation in Leb- [to power this year with US

Beirut on Saturday for Wash- anon and ways lo airengthen

Ieoder’s media office sid.
‘They include “cooperation
and partnerships involving the

ministries of off and electric-| cign

ity... with ExxonMobil, KBR,

blessing after Trump vetoed
candidate,

ington, where he is expected. the ceasefire’, particularly in | another:

to meet Donald Trump, his the south, as well ag on “the
office said, after the latest withdrawal of Isract from the
round of Lebanorelsraci talks Lebanese regions it oceupks",
wrapped up in Italy...                 the presidency said.

It will be the first trip to | Israel and Lebanon —
Washington by a Lebanese which do not have formal
head of state since Miche! diplomatic relations = began
Sleiman was received by  US-sponsored negotiations
Barack Obama in 2009,

Aoun will hold discussions ‘                     Continued on page 9

He has vowed to boost
Iraq's fragile economy and
disarm pro-lran armed groups
in Iraq that have targeted US
facilities.

Iraq has long walked a
tightrope between the com:
peting influences of allies the
United States and neighbour.
ing bran. —AFP

these last many years.”

Mamdani admitted he was
not sure if he has the power
to order the New York Police
Department to detain a for-
leader but is discussing
the matter with the city’s legal

“Whatever the law allows
me to do in New York City,
that’s what we will do,” he

said.
The UN General Assem-

* Danon wrote on X, *

“It will not change a thing.
Isracli Prime Minister @net-
anyahu will come to New
York, address the United
Nations Gencral Assembly
with pride, and stand before
the world to state Isracl’s
truth and its unwavering right
to defend its citizens,” he said

* "And if anyone should be
arrested, it is G@NYCMayor
Zo