Category: National

The Indus Conclave, a three-day event that brought together a diverse group of policymakers, writers, and members of civil society at Alhamra in Lahore, was incredibly successful in pulling in the general public, especially students.

The weather was also on the side of the Conclave, with students and young people engaging in conversation, buying books and coffee, playing music, and attending back-to-back sessions.

The sessions that truly stood out were the ones that addressed issues that mattered to the youth.

The workshop done by Jordanian-Bangladeshi chef Nahla Tabbaa, which required people to sign up earlier since it started before the conference, was exceptional. She took participants all across Lahore to discuss and experience street foods and how they impact cultures and society. The workshop went all over Lahore, including the markets of the old city.

Sessions also focused on major international issues affecting the world, which included Palestine, Iran, and Ukraine.

Sudanese activist and author Yassmin Abdel-Magied, a strong and fiery speaker who really connected with the Pakistani audience, was part of many sessions, including ‘Sudan Beyond the Headlines,’ ‘Covering Conflict,’ and ‘Building New Institutions: Supporting Culture on the Outside.’ She educated people on the genocide in Sudan in such an impressive way that whoever attended her sessions left with a deeper understanding of a conflict that doesn’t get much airtime.

Kenyan Angela Wachuka was another person who really resonated with the audience. She is the founder of a Nairobi-based organization that is dedicated to restoring public libraries as centers of learning and culture. Her journey was inspiring for many young people who attended the sessions.

Palestinian Elias Deis was another speaker who really stood out. Executive Director of the Holy Land Trust in Bethlehem, Palestine, he has dedicated his life to helping vulnerable communities become more resilient. His personal story of living life in the West Bank was an eye-opener for Pakistanis attending and showed how difficult it is for Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.

Notable Pakistani speakers that really added a spark to the three-day event include Mian Amer Mahmood, who spoke briefly about the devolution of provinces, journalist Zarrar Khuhro on the United Nations’ work this year, writer Muhammad Hanif, and actress Mira Sethi.
The event was a success that showed how much Pakistanis are interested in being part of such conversations. With jam-packed audiences and a buzz like none other, the Indus Conclave 2025 really made its mark.

Pakistan has dispatched its first-ever shipment of rare earth and critical minerals to the United States, marking the operational launch of a $500 million strategic partnership between the two nations.

The historic cargo comes after US Strategic Metals (USSM) and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO) signed a deal at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad last month, according to PR Newswire. Senior authorities from both countries attended the ceremony.

The agreement sets a framework for joint exploration, processing, and production of mineral concentrates, with plans to establish refining facilities within Pakistan in the next phase.

“In a historic milestone for bilateral cooperation, Pakistan has successfully delivered its first batch of enriched rare earth elements and critical minerals to US Strategic Metals in the United States,” PR Newswire reported.

 
USSM CEO Stacy W. Hastie hailed the partnership as “a major step forward” in strengthening economic ties. 

“We see this as the first step in our exciting journey together with the Frontier Works Organization of Pakistan to provide critical minerals to the United States and bolster trade and friendship between our two countries,” he said.

Analysts view the development as a potential game-changer for Pakistan’s underdeveloped mineral sector, which holds vast untapped reserves of copper, gold, lithium, and rare earth elements.

With this shipment, Pakistan is emerging as a key player in the global critical minerals market, aligning its resource potential with the strategic needs of advanced industries in the US and beyond.

Saudi Arabia’s GO Telecommunications Group has announced plans to launch “GO AI Hub Pakistan”, a centre focused on artificial intelligence and digital innovation. The announcement was made during a meeting at the company’s Riyadh headquarters with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

An official statement indicated that both parties talked about collaborating in areas such as digital infrastructure, AI development, and enhancing human capital. The initiative aims to foster joint innovation, knowledge exchange, and capacity building between the two nations.

The “GO AI Hub Pakistan” is planned for a formal launch in October 2025, with senior officials from both governments and industry stakeholders expected to participate. The project signifies a major advancement in technological collaboration between Saudia Arabia and Pakistan.

Talks also included upcoming initiatives related to data centre development, expansion of digital infrastructure, and training technical personnel in Pakistan. The partnership is part of broader efforts to improve regional digital connectivity and establish a foundation for innovation-driven growth.

Minister Shaza Fatima recognized GO Group’s proficiency in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data-driven solutions, highlighting the company’s role in promoting technology adoption in the region. She also reiterated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Digital Nation Vision Pakistan, which seeks to establish the country as a regional leader in digital transformation and innovation.

The creation of GO AI Hub Pakistan is anticipated to facilitate ongoing collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in emerging technologies and the nurturing of digital ecosystems. It underscores an increasing focus on incorporating AI-driven solutions across public and private sectors to align with evolving global technological standards.

Cyclone Shakti, currently traversing across the northeastern Arabian Sea, is moving closer to the coast of Pakistan as it gains strength, a report from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has stated. 

The weather system is situated approximately 390 kilometers south-southwest of Karachi. In the past 12 hours, it has continued to progress westward due to favorable atmospheric conditions. 

The PMD indicated that the cyclone is expected to follow this path until October 5, after which it may shift northwest towards the central-northern Arabian Sea. In the next 24 hours, a further change in direction is anticipated, with a movement toward the east-northeast while gradually weakening.

Wind speeds at the center of the cyclone were measured between 110 and 125 kilometers per hour on Saturday evening. The department cautioned that this will result in high sea waves in the northern Arabian Sea. 

Winds along the Sindh coast could reach speeds of up to 55 kilometers per hour, creating rough and hazardous sea conditions. Fishermen have been urged to refrain from deep-sea activities until conditions improve.

The Cyclone Warning Centre in Karachi is diligently monitoring the movement and intensity of the weather system.

At least 14 terrorists linked to Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan were killed during an operation in the Zehri area of Balochistan’s Khuzdar, reports quoting security sources said Saturday.

According to reports, the operation was carried out on intelligence regarding the presence of said terrorists in the area, resulting in the killing of at least 14 whereas 20 others were injured.

Residents of Zehri praised the operation, acknowledging the efforts of the security forces in restoring peace and stability in the region.

Reports said that security forces remained fully committed to eliminating the remaining militants of the organisation. 

The Zehri operation comes days after security forces killed seven India-sponsored terrorists in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in the Sherani district of Balochistan.

According to the military’s media wing, security forces conducted an IBO on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij — the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“During the operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an intense fire exchange, seven Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,” the military said in a statement.

Pakistan has witnessed an alarming 46% surge in overall violence in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, data from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) has shown.

The country reported at least 901 fatalities and 599 injuries, including civilians, security personnel and terrorists, in a total of 329 incidents of violence, which also included terror attacks and counter-terror ops.

Pakistani journalist Haider Hayat Khan on Friday trolled Indian anchor Arnab Goswami for claiming he had “detailed intelligence reports of destruction caused by Indian forces in Pakistan” during May’s military clashes between the two neighbours.

“I have seen the technical evidence. I get everything from national security sources… that how many radar systems, command control structures, hangars, runways, fighter jets and F-16s were destroyed,” Goswami said while furthering the Indian narrative repeatedly rejected by Pakistan on the global stage.

The claims did not sit well with Khan, who interrupted Goswami by trolling him over the credibility of the firebrand anchor’s sources. “Are these the same sources of yours who claimed Pakistanis were sitting on the fifth floor of Serene [Hotel] in Kabul?” he asked.

The question was in reference to Goswami’s 2021 faux pas when had claimed that Pakistani army officers were staying on the fifth floor of the luxury Serena Hotel in Kabul to support the Taliban in their fight against resistance fighters in Panjshir.

The anchor, who is notorious for his war-mongering and aggressive journalism that supports the interests of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had been left red-faced as it emerged the Serena Hotel in Kabul only had two floors — not five.

“These intelligence sources reporting to your army and air chiefs must be the same as the same as the ones who reported Pakistani officials’ presence on the fifth floor of Serene in Kabul,” Khan said, leading to an unintelligible war of words between the two.

Khan went on to say that he had “only saved time of Goswami’s audience” by telling them the sources claiming damage to Pakistani defence structures were the same as the ones who reported that Pakistani defence personnel were present on a non-existent floor of the hotel in Kabul.

Both Pakistan and India maintain heavy losses on either side as a result of the military clashes that took place in May this year. Pakistan claims to have downed at least six Indian fighter jets – a claim independently verified by neutral foreign observers – whereas India claims to have inflicted heavy damage to military establishments in Pakistan.

New Delhi’s claims, however, have repeatedly been rejected by Islamabad as well as several other countries, in the absence of any evidence to support the same.

Lahore’s notorious crime saga took a major turn on Saturday, as Interpol arrested prime suspect Teefi Butt in Dubai in connection with the murder of Ameer Balaj Tipu, the son of famous transporter Tipu Truckanwala. 

The arrest was made with the help of international law enforcement authorities, according to media reports.

Khawaja Tareef Butt alias Teefi Butt had been wanted by Lahore police since Balaj Tipu’s killing. Reports confirmed that legal formalities are being completed, and Butt will soon be brought back to Pakistan.

In August 2024, another key suspect in the case, Ahsan Shah, was killed in an alleged police encounter. According to reports, Shah was injured by his accomplices’ gunfire during an attempted rescue when police took him for identification. He later died at the hospital.

Ameer Balaj Tipu was shot dead on February 18, 2024, during a wedding ceremony near Thokar Niaz Baig in a private housing society. Reports said Tipu was attending the wedding of a former DSP’s son when a gunman opened fire, injuring Balaj and two others. Balaj later succumbed to his injuries, while his guards shot the attacker dead on the spot.

In September 2025, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report revealed that Khawaja Aqeel alias Gogi Butt planned the murder. Reports added that Gogi Butt stayed in contact with Teefi Butt before the killing. Gogi has been named in multiple murder cases involving the Tipu family.

The JIT is expected to request the cancellation of Gogi Butt’s interim bail in the upcoming hearing. He currently remains on bail until September 15, while Teefi Butt was declared an absconder until his arrest in Dubai.

Police have now started the process to bring him back to Pakistan for further investigation.

The Indus Conclave — a thought-leadership forum — is taking place in Lahore over the weekend.

As the weather cools down, the event has already started with a bang on Friday with sessions on Day 2 of the conclave that are must-attends.

If you decide to come in early and stay late, they’ve got a session lined up for you for every hour you’re there. With food stalls and places to hang out at Alhamra Arts Council, where the event is taking place, you won’t need to leave.

Starting Day 2 with the session everyone has been waiting for: 

11-12 pm: Crazy Young Asians will take place in Hall 1, the biggest hall at Alhamra for good reason. The panel includes Dur e Aziz Amna, the author of the highly acclaimed American Fever, which was her debut novel, and the recently-released A Splintering. Amna has been lauded for understanding the emotional mindset of Pakistanis stuck between two worlds and how her characters go through emotional rollercoasters to overcome them.

The second speaker for the session is French-Chinese-American writer, Aube Rey Lescure, whose book River East River West was shortlisted for the 2024 Women’s Prize for Fiction. In her book, she tells the story of a bi-racial teen growing up in Shanghai with her American expat mother and Chinese stepfather. It’s a coming of age story that is funny and original and heartbreaking as well. The session is being moderated by Raza Goraya, who is the chief editor of Dunya Digital. 

12:15-1:30 pm: Punching Down the Walls of the City: The Thrilla’ in Manila at 50 will feature Malaysian writer Eddin Khoo discussing the fight of the century in Hall 1. Keep your seat and don’t move as Khoo takes the stage with cultural commentator Fasi Zaka to commemorate the golden Jubilee of the fight that both boxing legend Muhammad Ali and Joe Fraiser described as ‘the closest thing to death’.

Take a break and hang out and eat till 2:30 pm when the next sessions begin.

2:30-3:30 pm: Future of Education in the Age of AI will be an introduction of artificial intelligence and how it has become unavoidable in our day to day lives. But how will it shape the way we learn, teach and research? This session in Hall 2, with Dr Moeed Yusuf, who is the vice chancellor of Beaconhouse National University; Annum Sadiq who is the co-founder of EdKasa; Dr Athar Usama of STEMx and Dr Hammad Naveed of the University of Central Punjab, will discuss how our world in education is set to change. The session will be introduced by Indus Conclave co-founder Khadija Amer.

4-5 pm: The last two years have made a lot of people feel that reporting in and from conflict and war zones has exposed biases, so much so that there seems to be an apparent shift from traditional media to new media. How do reporters feel about reporting bias-free on conflicts and is that even possible?

Join senior journalist Mubashar Zaidi, New Zealand journalist Thomas Mutch, who covers Ukraine; Sudan’s Yassmin Abdel-Magied and a reporter from the Middle East who was based in Palestine as well, Alex Shams, in conversation with Marium Chaudhry from The Current in Hall 3 as they navigate through the challenges of ‘Covering Conflict’.

6-7 pm: Ever wondered what it would be like to create platforms that encourage us and the people around us to collectively and creatively produce something with meaning? Former Bloomsbury chief editor and trustee of Bradford Literary Festival Alexandra Pringle, trustee of the Edinburgh Festival Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Nairobi Litfest & Co-Founder of Book Bunk Angela Wachuka and founder of the Sangam Residency DW Gibson will be in conversation with Mariam Tareen to discuss ‘Building New Institutions: Supporting Culture on the Outside’ in Hall 4.

If you have an idea on how to help support your culture (or other cultures) head on over.

Other notable sessions include the keynote by former finance minister Miftah Ismail on Pakistan’s governance challenges, with Jibran Nasir, and a closing keynote by chairman of the Punjab Group and former mayor of Lahore Mian Amer Mahmood, who will share his views on the way forward for devolving administrative powers in the country.

An open to the public round table on what is Pakistan’s way out of its growth trap will also be moderated by Haroon Sethi with Dr Faisal Bari, Dr Rabia Kamal and Sakib Sherani among others.

Check out the Indus Conclave website for more.