Israel rejects Trump’s 15-point Gaza plan

ISLAMABAD: A proposal to reduce the passing threshold for medical college admissions to 50 percent has emerged amid concerns over vacant seats despite efforts to lower merit requirements. The matter was discussed during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, chaired by MNA Mahesh Kumar. The committee also examined complaints alleging that some medical colleges were charging fees above the permitted limit. Committee Chairman Mahesh Kumar said medical colleges are allowed to charge annual fees of up to Rs1.8 million. He directed officials to provide details of institutions allegedly collecting higher fees from students. The chairman also questioned why seats were still remaining vacant after merit requirements had already been relaxed. He suggested that the passing marks could be set at 50 percent and that the proportion of difficult questions in the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s entrance examination could also be reviewed. Federal Health Minister said 61 medical colleges had applied for permission to increase their fees. However, he clarified that colleges cannot raise fees independently and that only 35 of the 61 institutions had fulfilled the required conditions for a fee increase. Colleges failing to meet the prescribed criteria would not be permitted to charge higher fees. The President of the PMDC informed the committee that notices had been issued to medical colleges against which complaints of excessive fee collection had been received. Committee member Mustafa Kamal said vacant seats were also a concern for the authorities, but argued that high fees alone could not explain the situation. He pointed out that colleges charging around Rs3.5 million had not faced vacant seats, suggesting that other factors may also be contributing to the problem. The PMDC president further informed the committee that 468 additional seats had been approved for government medical colleges in Punjab, while 315 seats had been added for students from the former FATA region. When the committee chairman asked about an increase in medical seats in Sindh, the PMDC president said no additional seats had been allocated because the province had not submitted an application for an increase.

Tensions across the Middle East intensified on Saturday as senior Iranian military and political officials issued strong warnings to the United States and its regional partners, while Kuwait reported intercepting drones it said were launched from Iran. Major General Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, accused Washington of deliberately widening the regional conflict. In a statement shared on X and reported by Iranian state media, he alleged that the United States was pursuing a strategy aimed at expanding the war and increasing its influence across the Middle East. According to Abdollahi, the recent confrontation with Iran demonstrated that Washington was prepared to target the interests and resources of Muslim nations to achieve its objectives. He further claimed that the US was relying on the wealth, infrastructure, and strategic assets of regional countries to protect its military presence while reinforcing Israel’s security. The Iranian commander argued that the balance of power in the region had shifted in Iran’s favor, asserting that the United States and Israel failed to achieve their goals during the latest conflict. He also claimed they were now attempting to continue the confrontation through the territory of neighboring Muslim countries. Abdollahi urged regional governments to reconsider their cooperation with Washington, warning that nations acting as a “defensive shield” for the United States could eventually face the consequences of war. Separately, Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei, a member of the parliament’s National Security Commission, warned that any future attack on Iran would have devastating consequences for the region. He claimed that such a conflict could reduce regional infrastructure to the “Stone Age” and cautioned against further military action. Meanwhile, Kuwait strongly condemned what it described as Iranian aggression after reporting drone attacks on key facilities. Kuwaiti authorities said their air defense systems detected and destroyed multiple hostile drones that entered the country’s airspace early Saturday. Officials stated that a government installation in northern Kuwait and civilian vehicles on Bubiyan Island sustained material damage from falling debris, although no casualties were reported. Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry described the attacks as a serious violation of the country’s sovereignty and said it reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its national security, interests, and critical infrastructure. Iran also warned that continued US maritime pressure could trigger broader consequences. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said ongoing American actions could ultimately lead to restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz and other strategic waterways, warning that such developments would have significant consequences for global energy markets and the wider economy. At the same time, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that Iran had emerged victorious from the recent conflict but stressed that the country must strengthen its long-term stability and national resilience. He emphasized expanding the authority of Iran’s supreme leadership as a key step toward securing the country’s future. Elsewhere, maritime security concerns remained high. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a commercial tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman, damaging its engine room and leaving it temporarily unable to maneuver. Authorities are investigating the incident. In Yemen, the Houthi movement denied reports that it planned to charge commercial vessels for passage through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, insisting that its maritime transit services remain free. However, the group claimed that its blockade had already forced several Saudi oil tankers to reroute around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope, underscoring the continuing disruption to regional shipping routes.

Rawalpindi: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has clarified that the recent statement made by Noreen Niazi regarding the “Battle of Truth” (Maarka-e-Haq) does not reflect the official policy of the party. Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi, Barrister Gohar emphasized that the remarks were Noreen Niazi’s personal views and should not be interpreted as PTI’s official position. During the media interaction, Barrister Gohar said that every Pakistani takes pride in the country’s success in what he described as the Maarka-e-Haq. He stressed that Pakistan’s defense is strong and capable of protecting the country from any external threat. According to him, the nation remains united when it comes to safeguarding its sovereignty, and no enemy has the ability to defeat Pakistan. Addressing questions about Noreen Niazi’s comments, Barrister Gohar explained that, according to the information available to him, the interview in question had actually been recorded around three months ago. He stated that the remarks expressed during that interview represented Noreen Niazi’s personal opinion and not the official stance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He reiterated that the party’s policies are determined through its official leadership and decision-making process, not through individual statements. The PTI chairman further said that the party has consistently been trying to improve the overall political atmosphere in the country. He noted that political leaders should avoid reopening old controversies and instead focus on reducing tensions. According to Barrister Gohar, this is a time for restraint and reconciliation rather than confrontation. He remarked that everyone should avoid revisiting past disputes if the goal is to create a more stable political environment. Speaking about the current political climate, Barrister Gohar also referred to comments made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He pointed out that the senior politician had already clarified his earlier remarks. Barrister Gohar observed that, during emotional speeches, public figures may sometimes say things that they later need to explain. However, he added that if a statement is incorrect, it should be acknowledged as such regardless of who made it. He further emphasized that certain sensitive matters should not be discussed publicly if doing so could worsen the political situation. According to him, some issues are better left untouched in order to help the country move toward greater political stability and national harmony. He urged political leaders and stakeholders to exercise caution in their public statements and avoid comments that could increase tensions. Barrister Gohar also spoke about PTI’s position regarding the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. He stated that, at present, the party’s official decision is to boycott the elections. However, he indicated that the decision is not necessarily final and could be reviewed if political conditions improve in the future. He revealed that there had been internal discussions within the party about reconsidering the boycott. According to Barrister Gohar, some members believed that PTI should revisit its decision and participate in the elections. Nevertheless, he explained that the party leadership could not reach a consensus on changing the existing policy. As a result, the decision to boycott the AJK elections remains in place for now. The PTI chairman concluded by reiterating the party’s commitment to promoting political stability and constructive dialogue. He stressed that while differences of opinion are a normal part of politics, all political actors should prioritize national unity and work toward creating an environment that supports peace, democratic processes, and institutional stability.