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    Flash floods cut off lower Chitral

    ByJustpaste.in

    Heavy rains have once again triggered flash floods in the Broz and Gumbas Gol streams of Lower Chitral, causing widespread damage and disrupting road connectivity. The powerful floodwaters swept away the remaining section of Gumbas Bridge, further worsening transportation problems in the area. Flood debris covered the Chitral-Peshawar Road, forcing authorities to suspend traffic. A petrol station also suffered damage as floodwaters rushed through the area. The National Highway Authority (NHA) has deployed heavy machinery to clear debris and restore the road for traffic. Meanwhile, flash floods blocked routes in Baroz Gol and Sheedi village, leaving several communities cut off from the main road network. The flooding has also disrupted communications after the main fibre-optic link was damaged, cutting internet services across affected areas. Thousands of residents remain stranded amid difficult conditions, with limited access to food, shelter and communication. The destruction has spread across a large part of Chitral. Several areas, from Sheshi Koh Valley and Drosh town in Lower Chitral to Mastuj in Upper Chitral, have suffered from damaged roads and disrupted connectivity. Authorities are continuing relief and clearance operations as heavy machinery works to reopen key routes and restore access to affected communities.

  • PSX recovers nearly 600 points as buying returns a…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Buying activity returned to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index rebounding strongly in early trading after suffering a sharp decline in the previous session. By 9:40am, the KSE-100 Index had climbed 592.08 points, or 0.33%, to 180,438.76 points, reflecting renewed investor interest in major listed companies. The recovery was broad-based, with buying activity reported across several important sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement manufacturers, commercial banks, fertiliser companies, oil and gas exploration firms, oil marketing companies (OMCs) and power generation companies. Several index-heavy stocks also contributed to the early gains. HUBCO, MARI, POL, PPL, HBL, MCB, MEBL, NBP and UBL were among the prominent stocks trading in positive territory. Investors reassess geopolitical risks The improved sentiment at the local bourse came as Pakistan signalled that diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran could potentially lead to an arrangement aimed at reducing tensions. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Bloomberg News on Tuesday that developments over the previous few days suggested that the two sides were moving closer to a possible understanding. According to the minister, the situation appeared to be developing in favour of a peace arrangement or agreement, raising hopes that easing geopolitical tensions could provide some relief to global energy markets. The prospect of reduced tensions is particularly important for Pakistan, where movements in international crude prices can have a significant impact on import costs, inflation expectations, the current account and overall investor sentiment. PSX suffers sharp decline in previous session The Wednesday rebound followed a difficult session at the PSX on Tuesday, when investors remained cautious amid geopolitical uncertainty and a rise in international oil prices. The KSE-100 Index ended Tuesday’s trading at 179,846.68 points, losing 1,463.60 points, or 0.81%. The decline reflected renewed selling pressure as market participants assessed the possible economic consequences of heightened tensions and uncertainty surrounding the outlook for a US-Iran agreement. Wednesday’s early recovery suggests that some investors were willing to return to equities as concerns over a possible escalation appeared to ease, although market sentiment remained sensitive to developments in global markets. Global markets remain focused on inflation data International markets were also trading cautiously on Wednesday, with oil and gold prices moving higher while Asian equities posted modest gains. Investors were closely watching the latest US consumer price index (CPI) data for indications about the future direction of US monetary policy. The inflation figures are expected to provide important clues about the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook and the timing of any potential rate changes. Higher-than-expected inflation could reinforce expectations of tighter monetary policy for longer, while softer price pressures could strengthen the case for eventual rate reductions. In currency markets, the Japanese yen remained largely stable against the US dollar after giving back much of its recent gains following rare intervention in foreign-exchange markets by Japan and the United States. Geopolitical developments also continued to weigh on market sentiment. Reports of separate attacks involving shipping and the Iran-aligned Houthi movement added to concerns surrounding maritime security and energy supplies, while a North Korean missile launch further unsettled investors in Asia. Oil and gold prices rise Crude oil prices advanced amid continued concerns about supply disruptions and geopolitical risks. US crude futures increased 0.89% to $83.94 per barrel, while Brent crude rose 0.78% to $89.60 per barrel. Gold, another traditional safe-haven asset, also gained ground. Spot gold increased 0.46% to $4,387.03 per ounce as investors continued to monitor geopolitical developments and the direction of US monetary policy. In Asian equities, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.5%. Japan’s Nikkei index remained broadly flat after markets reopened following a holiday.

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    Kendall Jenner fuels Jacob Elordi romance rumors with poetry

    ByJustpaste.in

    Kendall Jenner has sparked fresh speculation about her relationship with actor Jacob Elordi after sharing an emotional piece of love poetry on social media. The model and entrepreneur took to Instagram on August 11, just two days after celebrating the 29th birthday of her younger sister, Kylie Jenner. Instead of sharing another glimpse into her family celebrations, Kendall posted a meaningful poem that appeared to explore love, vulnerability and the complicated emotions that can emerge in relationships. The poem, titled For Grace, After a Party, was written by acclaimed American poet Frank O’Hara. It focuses on the intimate feelings of someone deeply in love and the contrast between private emotions and the chaos of social situations. The poem begins with the line, “You do not always know what I am feeling,” setting an emotional and reflective tone. It then describes how the speaker’s feelings for his loved one can become overwhelming, even in a room filled with people. The writing continues to explore the idea of expressing intense emotions indirectly. The speaker recalls being surrounded by strangers while realizing that his strongest feelings were connected to the person he loved. The poem presents love as something powerful enough to transform anger, loneliness and ordinary moments into deeply personal experiences. Later, the poem shifts toward a quieter scene between two people who share an intimate relationship. The speaker describes waking after a night out and finding comfort in the presence of his loved one. Even an ordinary moment, such as being asked how they would like their eggs prepared, becomes meaningful because of the emotional connection between the couple. Kendall’s decision to share the poem has prompted fans to wonder whether it could have a connection to her own romantic life. She has reportedly been linked to Jacob Elordi, with speculation surrounding the pair growing after they were seen spending time together on several occasions. The two have reportedly grown closer since the beginning of the year and have been spotted enjoying time together during the summer. Their relationship has attracted considerable public attention, particularly because both Kendall and Jacob have generally kept their personal lives away from the spotlight. While Kendall did not provide any explanation for sharing the poem, its romantic and vulnerable themes quickly led fans to interpret the post as a possible message connected to her relationship. However, there is no confirmation that the poem was intended for Jacob or that it reflects the current state of their romance. Kendall may simply have connected with O’Hara’s words and wanted to share them with her followers. For now, the Instagram post remains open to interpretation, leaving fans to speculate about whether Kendall was expressing her feelings or simply appreciating a powerful piece of poetry.

  • Devolution Without Governance Reform

    ByJustpaste.in

    The original 1973 Constitution, Charter of Democracy (COD), and the landmark 18th Amendment all call for a strong local government system. Till today, it remains the unfinished agenda of good governance. It is key to the modernization of the state, society, and politics. The consensual Constitution was a miracle and a masterstroke of the elected government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB). Devolution was a cornerstone of this document, so painfully drafted by elected representatives of the people. As the newly created provinces after the break-up of the infamous One Unit lacked the capacity to handle vital areas like education, health, and agriculture, a concurrent list was prepared to devolve these departments systematically to the provincial governments. A Department of Provincial Coordination was created to oversee this transfer from Islamabad to Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta. Unfortunately, after the fall of the government in July 1977, the entire process was stalled. Governments that followed did not take this transfer seriously, resulting in serious governance issues. The two mainstream political parties of the time, PPP and PML-N, followed with the COD in May 2006, in which it was agreed to build an effective local government system. Unfortunately, after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the driving force behind the Charter, it was not fully adhered to. Instead, the 18th Amendment was passed by the legislature in April 2010 to restore the original document. Through this constitutional clean-up, Islamabad was cut to size while power and resources were handed over to the provincial governments, with the hope that they would be devolved all the way down to the tehsil and union council levels. But that did not take place. While the federal government was depleted, the provinces grew fat and started indulging in frivolous projects. In Punjab, Lahore was developed as a flagship showcase project for publicity while the rest of the province was left to languish. Karachi was ignored; resources were moved inland by the provincial government. The menace of incompetence, corruption, and abuse of authority has to be addressed at the national level before it is devolved; otherwise, it will be more of the same. The Civil Secretariat in Lahore, also called Lat Sahib Ka Daftar, which runs the largest province of the federation, reveals it all. Office hours are not observed; files do not move without wheels; records are poorly managed. There was a time when the Chief Minister resided only in GOR-I on Club Road, while official work was carried out at the Secretariat, but not anymore. Most senior officers (Chief Secretary, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, etc.) have established home offices, resulting in duplication and waste. Till the decade of the 1970s, only the telephone operator and one coordinator manned most official residences, but not anymore. Great Britain ruled the world with its Commissioners System. The only difference was that there was civilian oversight and accountability by the British Parliament, which has faded over time in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (IRP). Till today, the flag is unfurled at the office and residence of the Deputy Commissioner (DC), as representative of the Crown with sovereign powers (administrative, judicial, and revenue). Over the years, some judicial powers have been taken away; otherwise, the DC runs the district while the Commissioner controls the division. Recently, in Lahore, the Commissioner’s office was moved from the Sanda area to the Mall, across from Aitchison College. It is a fancy structure right on the main artery of the city, where millions have been spent on refurbishing the building vacated by the Naval Staff College, which was established close to the waters of the Lahore Canal. Perhaps it has been moved to the BRB waters now. One office move has strained the budget of the province. What will happen if scores of such infrastructures are built for new provincial governments? Growing up on the Mall, close to the Town Hall (Lahore Municipal Corporation, now Metropolitan Corporation of Lahore), my memory is of a functional city run by an elected mayor. Today, the metropolis is non-functional as it is under the control of the bureaucracy instead of an accountable elected representative of the people. In the USA, the President runs the federation, the fifty states are under the Governors, while the Mayor controls the city, all directly elected by the people. Except for the President, there is an Electoral College as well. The state of Texas is larger in area than Pakistan, yet it is fully functional. The cities are run by elected city governments. Town hall meetings are regularly held where public input is solicited to improve services; service to the people is the common agenda. Once the system is made functional by getting rid of the evils, devolution can be effective. The federal government has offices in major cities of America, but most day-to-day work is carried out by state and city governments. The Americans believe that no government is the best government; as such, employment is limited to minimal functional staff. Procedures are updated and simplified for the smooth flow of work. Obstacles are removed for functionality. More of the same has never worked in the past, nor will it work in the future. Dysfunctional bureaucracy has to be made functional to kick-start the stalled system for real devolution to take place.

  • Pakistan’s Next Strategic Advantage: From Labour Mobility to Global Talent

    ByJustpaste.in

    By Tahseen Ullah  For decades, labour migration in Pakistan has largely been viewed as a response to unemployment and poverty. While this perspective has served its purpose, it no longer reflects the realities of today’s global economy. In the twenty-first century, labour mobility has become far more than an economic necessity—it is a strategic investment in human capital, national competitiveness and economic diplomacy. Countries that can produce skilled, certified and globally competitive workers will hold a distinct advantage in an increasingly interconnected labour market. As ageing populations, declining fertility rates and persistent labour shortages reshape developed economies, demand for skilled workers is rising across Europe, East Asia and other advanced markets. Pakistan, with one of the world’s youngest populations, is well positioned to seize this opportunity. The real challenge is not whether Pakistan has enough young people willing to work abroad, but whether it can equip them with internationally recognised skills, qualifications, language proficiency and professional competencies that meet evolving global labour market demands. Pakistan’s labour migration journey began with the establishment of the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment in 1971, following the Gulf oil boom. Since then, more than 15 million Pakistanis have migrated through regular channels, contributing significantly to infrastructure, healthcare, construction, transport and service sectors worldwide while improving the livelihoods of millions of families back home. Today, overseas employment remains one of Pakistan’s most important economic assets. According to BEOE, 862,625 Pakistanis migrated for employment in 2023, followed by 725,672 in 2024 and 762,499 in 2025, with early trends indicating sustained international demand in 2026. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Migration Report 2025 and the State Bank of Pakistan estimate workers’ remittances at approximately US$38.3 billion in FY2024–25, representing nearly 9.34 percent of GDP. These remittances strengthen foreign exchange reserves, reduce poverty and support macroeconomic stability. Yet labour migration has rarely been treated as a strategic pillar of Pakistan’s long-term economic planning. The global labour market is undergoing profound change. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, demographic shifts, technological advances and the green transition will create millions of new employment opportunities over the coming decade. Healthcare professionals, engineers, IT specialists, skilled technicians, renewable energy workers, construction professionals and caregivers are expected to remain in particularly high demand. Pakistan possesses a valuable demographic dividend, with nearly two-thirds of its population under the age of 30. However, this advantage will only translate into economic gains through sustained investment in education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), international certification, digital skills and language training. The challenge is clear. The Pakistan Migration Report 2025 shows that nearly two-thirds of Pakistani migrant workers remain low-skilled or unskilled. While their contribution is invaluable, low-skilled employment often results in lower wages, limited career progression and greater vulnerability to labour market shocks. In contrast, highly skilled migrants generally access better jobs, stronger labour protections and significantly higher earnings. Pakistan must therefore move beyond a traditional labour export model towards a human capital export strategy. Success should no longer be measured simply by the number of workers leaving the country, but by the quality, productivity and global competitiveness of its workforce. Achieving this transformation requires comprehensive reforms. TVET institutions must align training with international occupational standards and labour market needs. Language education in German, Japanese, Korean and Italian, alongside digital literacy, workplace ethics and intercultural communication, should become integral components of workforce development. Market diversification is equally important. While Gulf Cooperation Council countries will remain Pakistan’s primary labour destinations, excessive dependence on one region exposes the country to geopolitical uncertainty and labour market fluctuations. Pakistan should actively expand regular labour mobility partnerships with Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Canada, where structural labour shortages continue to grow. Government-to-government labour mobility agreements should become a strategic priority. Such partnerships can enhance transparency, reduce recruitment costs, improve worker protection and strengthen employer confidence in Pakistani talent. Simultaneously, Pakistan should pursue mutual recognition of qualifications and internationally accepted skills certification to facilitate smoother labour market integration. Institutional coordination will also be essential. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, together with the NAVTTC, provincial TEVTAs, Overseas Employment Promoters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan’s overseas missions, should implement an integrated national labour mobility framework supported by labour market intelligence, digital recruitment platforms and evidence-based policymaking. Pakistan can draw valuable lessons from the Philippines, whose migration governance combines ethical recruitment, mandatory pre-departure orientation, comprehensive worker welfare and strong overseas support systems. Adapting these practices would strengthen Pakistan’s reputation as a reliable source of skilled and protected migrant workers. At the same time, addressing irregular migration must remain a national priority. Preventing dangerous migration routes requires expanding legal migration opportunities, strengthening career counselling, improving public awareness, dismantling human smuggling networks and ensuring aspiring migrants have access to reliable information and affordable recruitment services. Labour migration should no longer be viewed solely as a means of reducing unemployment or increasing remittances. It should be recognised as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic diplomacy, human capital development and long-term growth strategy. The countries that will lead the future of global labour mobility will not necessarily be those with the largest populations, but those that invest in producing highly skilled, internationally certified and globally competitive talent. Pakistan has already demonstrated its ability to contribute to the global workforce. The next step is to move beyond exporting labour to exporting talent. By investing in skills, strengthening institutions, diversifying labour markets and promoting ethical, well-governed migration, Pakistan can transform its demographic dividend into one of its greatest strategic advantages. The world is searching for talent. Pakistan has the youth. What it now needs is the vision to turn that potential into global human capital leadership. Tahseen Ullah is a development and migration sector practitioner specializing in labour mobility, migration governance, education and child protection. He can be reached at tahseenanthro@gmail.com

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    Oil prices rise as US-Iran uncertainty and shipping attacks raise supply concerns

    ByJustpaste.in

    BEIJING: Global oil prices advanced on Wednesday as uncertainty surrounding a potential peace agreement between the United States and Iran, coupled with attacks on commercial shipping in key Middle Eastern waterways, heightened concerns about disruptions to crude supplies. At 0553 GMT, Brent crude futures had gained 75 cents, or 0.84%, to reach $89.66 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 72 cents, or 0.87%, to $83.92 a barrel. Both benchmarks had climbed by more than $1 earlier in the session. The latest gains followed a strong rally on Tuesday, when both Brent and WTI settled more than $1 higher, reaching their highest closing levels since July 31. Oil prices had already surged around 5% on Monday as market participants became increasingly sceptical about the prospects of a US-Iran agreement to end the conflict. Concerns intensified after US President Donald Trump issued a fresh demand that Iran compensate people killed in wars, attacks and protests. Market analysts said the latest developments have left energy markets highly sensitive to changes in the US-Iran narrative. “The Middle East is increasingly becoming a seesaw between ‘deal’ and ‘war’,” said Priyanka Sachdeva, head of market insights at Phillip Nova in Singapore, describing the resulting price swings as a pendulum moving between roughly $70 and $90 a barrel. Shipping Disruptions Add to Market Pressure Concerns over the safety of crude shipments were also reinforced after the United States and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis reported separate attacks involving shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, making any prolonged disruption there a major concern for global oil markets. Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei said the strategic waterway would remain closed unless Washington accepted Tehran’s conditions for ending the conflict. Those demands reportedly include the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to other regional conflicts. Trump, meanwhile, has continued to send mixed signals about the US response, alternating between warnings of a tougher military approach and suggestions that an agreement could still be reached. The uncertainty has contributed to sharp swings in crude prices as traders attempt to assess whether the conflict will escalate or move towards negotiations. Sachdeva said markets could increasingly become accustomed to the frequent changes in the geopolitical narrative, creating a highly volatile environment for short-term traders and speculators. Hormuz Traffic Falls Sharply Shipping data highlighted the scale of the disruption. The number of vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz fell to only eight on Tuesday, according to shipping data cited in market reports. That compares with an estimated 125 to 140 vessels a day before the conflict, underscoring the extent to which security concerns have affected maritime traffic through the strategic waterway. A sustained reduction in shipping through Hormuz could have significant implications for global energy markets because the route handles a substantial share of international oil shipments. US Crude Inventories in Focus Despite geopolitical concerns, developments in the United States provided a counterweight to the bullish sentiment. A Reuters poll released on Tuesday had indicated that US crude and fuel inventories were expected to decline during the week ended August 7. However, market sources citing data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) reported a substantial increase in US crude stocks. According to the sources, US crude inventories increased by approximately 9.1 million barrels last week. Gasoline stocks declined by around 1.5 million barrels, while distillate inventories fell by approximately 596,000 barrels. The reported crude build was considerably larger than market expectations. If confirmed by official figures, the increase could ease concerns over tightness in the US oil market and potentially limit further price gains. Haitong Futures said in a market note that the unexpectedly large increase in crude inventories could reduce some of the supply-related pressure currently supporting oil prices. EIA Data Awaited Investors are now awaiting official inventory figures from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical arm of the US Department of Energy. The EIA’s weekly petroleum report is scheduled for release at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time (1430 GMT) on Wednesday. Market participants will closely examine the data for signs of changes in crude production, refinery activity, gasoline demand and commercial inventories. Any significant deviation from the API figures could trigger additional volatility in oil prices. Longer-Term Supply Risks Remain Beyond the immediate market reaction, longer-term concerns over Middle Eastern supply disruptions continue to provide support to crude prices. The EIA has estimated that disruptions to Middle Eastern crude supplies could amount to approximately 600,000 barrels per day and persist through the end of 2027. With geopolitical tensions still unresolved and shipping activity through major regional waterways significantly reduced, traders are expected to remain highly sensitive to developments involving the United States, Iran and regional armed groups.

  • The Unspoken Pain: A Lexicon of Shame – Infertility in Pashtun Society

    ByJustpaste.in

    By Dr.Sajjad Ali A suffering pervades the walled villages of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the privacy of the homes in the city, in a language of suffering all distinct. The language of infertility is not the one used in medical textbooks but it is the one that speaks to life and death in Pashtun society. Being a childless woman is being defined by a lexicon of failure here, a failure that runs against the very ethos of Pashtunwali, where a person’s nasl (lineage) and naam (name) is everything. The condition is identical, but the language employed to use it as a weapon against women and men are very different, very vicious. It is a public indictment to her; a silent, emasculating damnation to him. The Woman’s Cross: The Public Indictment The worthiness of a Pashtun woman is arbitrarily squeezed into her reproductive capability. When she drops the one perceived duty, she is not infertile, she is cursed, useless and dangerous. The attack starts with an endless list of names and peghoor (tease). She is a banjh (barren), the most common and heart-breaking epithet. She is a shana (dry, unfruitful tree that bears no fruit). She is khaanch (empty), a hollow vessel with no substance. The elders of the family complain, “Mata plar na laree, khaanch de” (She hasn’t borne him a son, she is empty). Her body is compared to the barren land of Sheera zameena (salty, infertile land) which nothing can grow, or shara (fallow land). The childless woman or the one whose children have died is generally known as a kheeri, which translates as woman of ill omen, bearer of misfortune. She is slightly banned from being present at weddings or cradles (gharay). When a child is sick after the visit, people begin muttering, “Da kheeri da las na ye bimar sho” (After the touch of the kheeri the child fell sick). This spiritual banishment is so devastating! If her husband returns to marriage, or if the family goes bankrupt, she is considered a shamat (a bad omen, a curse to the family) and a manhoos (inauspicious, unlucky). The psychological take-home message is no less horrifying: she is not only failing to give birth; she is an active, evil agent of birthlessness and death and decay. She’s a curse for their existence. The peghoor is available in a dramatic fashion. A mother-in-law would see a hen with chicks and will loudly cry out, “Da charkha ham bachy kawal, khu da adamzad mung na shwe.” (Even this hen hatched chicks, but this human gave us nothing). Neighbours grumble, ‘Khudai da qahar da, cha ta kho pukha na we (She is God’s wrath, she hasn’t ripened for anybody—to mean that she has not become a mother). A cruel comic scene that is often acted out: The guest exclaims the house is a paradise, and the mother-in-law replies, “Kor kho jannat de, khu khaanch de, khoonda raghlay na de” [The house is a paradise, but it is empty, no fragrance has come into it]—singing about the fragrance of a child which reminds her of something she failed to do with her daughter-in-law. This puts her in an economic hostage position. She is a servile slave to make up for her “defect” because of the ever-present unspoken danger of a balka (co-wife). All the money is spent on her own “cure,” which includes dangerous dai (traditional birth attendant) concoctions, expensive visits to taweez-keeping (piir sahib) and futile taweez (amulet) usage. She will wear a tawiz laced with prayers for fertility and she will be made to drink water that has been washed with a dranzay (a special supplication)—her husband’s diagnosis will not even be suspected. This quest devours the family’s resources, everything aimed at the woman who is in a desperate struggle to remain not the family’s shamat. The Man’s Secret: The Silent Emasculation The man feels that the lack of producing babies is not something he has failed to do biologically, but something he has failed to do as a man. He can’t be brought into pity, because if he is, he’s acknowledging that he lost nang (honour). The words he has to say, the words he is not allowed to say, the words he can’t say at all: his torment is a poison that is surrounded by a wall of aggressive denial, but is intended to un-man him. If he is unable to generate a zo-ye (a son), then he is no longer a sar-ye (a man, a leader). His name is a na-mard, the worst of all names, that of a non-man. He is a susra—an utterly impotent, weakling man, a term of maximum contempt. A khassya (castrated bull, eunuch), who has no power and virility. He is a namardanz (an impotent creature). A popular bit of vicious poetry is: “Dwa kalah ye we-weted, khu goly ye na kholay shwe” (“He tried twice, but not a bud was able to blossom for him”, a poetic and mean way of saying that he was unable to start life. His true trial is in the hujra (man’s assembly). The taunt is never a literal arrow, but an arrow of some sort. A story will be told: “Da kala de, cha tofang walwela, khu dasy nese wa, che laande khassia we” (“There’s a man who wields a big rifle, and makes a lot of noise, but inside, he’s a eunuch”). They all laugh, the childless man is forced to laugh loudest, and the white-hot shame is his. The tale is best told in a popular social media comic strip that shows a doctor showing a semen analysis report to a furiously upset husband with a nervous wife looking on: Panel 1: A doctor shows a semen analysis report to a furious-looking husband, with his wife sitting nervously. The Doctor says, “The report reads: azoospermia.The Doctor says, “The report reads azoospermia. Panel 2: A huge, broken speech bubble bursts out of the husband’s mouth: “Tor! Tor! Sta da peghalay!” (“Lies! “It’s your slander!”)

  • Self-Inflicted: How Pakistan’s Energy Regula…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan does not need an external adversary to explain its economic decline. It has one at home, operating out of two regulatory buildings in Islamabad: the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, backstopped by a Ministry of Power and a Ministry of Petroleum that have spent two decades signing contracts, indexing tariffs, and deferring hard decisions in ways that now function less like national stewardship and more like a slow, self-administered dismantling of the country’s own industrial base. There is an old Urdu instinct for this kind of failure — “apne pairon par khud kulhari maarna,” to swing the axe onto your own foot — and it captures the pattern better than any conspiracy theory could. Nobody needs to have plotted Pakistan’s energy collapse. Two regulators simply kept striking the same foot, quarter after quarter, determination after determination, until there was nothing left to stand on. Start with NEPRA, and start with the number that should embarrass every member of its board. On August 10, 2026, the Authority approved a 30-year, 9.4-US-cent tariff for the 102 MW Gulpur hydropower project — a project whose tariff history is itself a case study in regulatory drift, having been revised in 2015, modified again in 2021 for exchange-rate relief, and delayed by force majeure claims for the better part of a decade before finally being settled this month, over the recorded dissent of one of NEPRA’s own members. Three weeks earlier, the same regulator had approved a tariff of just 3.0899 US cents for a 269 MW hybrid wind-and-solar project at Dhabeji.  A regulator capable of holding both of those numbers in its hands in the same month and treating them as equally acceptable outcomes is not pricing risk. It has simply stopped asking what things should cost. Then, in February 2026, NEPRA turned the same instinct on ordinary citizens. Its Prosumer Regulations 2026 dismantled the one-to-one net metering framework that had made rooftop solar a rational household investment, replacing it with net billing: excess power sold back to the grid at the National Average Energy Purchase Price of roughly Rs 10–13 per unit, while the same household buys grid electricity back minutes later at full retail rates. A citizen who financed their own panels, took on their own installation risk, and asked nothing from the state now effectively subsidizes the grid every time the sun shines. Compare that to Gulpur’s sponsors, who face none of that asymmetry and are guaranteed indexed returns for three decades. The Ministry of Power approved this framework and let it stand, even after the Prime Minister was reported to have ordered a NEPRA appeal to protect existing solar users — an appeal that, months later, has changed remarkably little for new applicants. OGRA, the sister regulator for oil and gas, has been just as busy inflicting damage of its own kind, and its failures deserve equal billing, because it is the gas sector, not electricity, that has produced Pakistan’s most persistent circular debt crisis. By July 2026, Pakistan’s gas circular debt had reached roughly Rs 3.44 trillion, and the country had missed an IMF deadline for a gas tariff notification that the Fund treats as a structural benchmark for the entire bailout program. OGRA’s own determinations tell the story: SNGPL and SSGC continue to report system losses well above the “unaccounted-for-gas” allowances built into their tariffs — 8.8 % actual against a roughly 7 % allowance for SNGPL, and a startling 13.6 % actual against an 8.2 % allowance for SSGC — with the gap simply passed through to consumers as cost rather than treated as the operational failure it is. In July 2026, when OGRA’s own recalculated prescribed prices should have lowered consumer gas bills, the federal government instead chose to keep tariffs unchanged and let SNGPL bank a projected Rs 44 billion surplus and SSGC a smaller one, rather than pass relief to the households and factories paying the bill. This is not regulation. It is bookkeeping in service of institutional convenience, dressed up as prudence. The consequence of all this — NEPRA’s mispriced generation contracts, its punitive treatment of rooftop solar, OGRA’s tolerance of chronic system losses, and both ministries’ shared unwillingness to force a reckoning — is a business environment where foreign direct investors cannot model their own electricity or gas costs five years out, let alone thirty. Industrial production stalls not because Pakistani manufacturers lack skill or ambition, but because no factory can plan around a power bill and a gas bill set by regulators who reward legacy contracts over least-cost technology and who treat circular debt as something to defer rather than solve. Pakistan’s Interior Minister recently said publicly that “the system has collapsed” — a remark aimed at governance and security, but one that describes the energy sector with uncomfortable precision, and one the security establishment has been strangely slow to connect to its own economic consequences. A country cannot out-negotiate a debt crisis it keeps manufacturing at the regulator’s desk every single quarter. None of this requires believing anyone set out to sabotage the country. It requires recognizing that an institution can do a slow version of the same damage through nothing more than inertia, misaligned incentives, and a persistent unwillingness to price energy the way the rest of the world now prices it — cheaply, competitively, and honestly. NEPRA and OGRA do not need another IMF-mandated hearing or another quarterly adjustment. They need leadership willing to admit that thirty years of axe-swings at the country’s own foot is enough, and that the next tariff determination should finally start asking what things should cost, not merely what precedent allows. So who actually chooses the people who run NEPRA and OGRA? This is the part of the story that gets almost no scrutiny, and it should. Both chairmen are selected by the federal cabinet from shortlists assembled by selection committees chaired by a serving federal minister — for NEPRA, historically the Minister for

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    Gold prices rise ahead of US inflation data

    ByJustpaste.in

    Gold prices advanced nearly 1% on Wednesday as investors reduced expectations of further monetary tightening by the US Federal Reserve and turned their attention to upcoming inflation figures that could provide fresh clues about the central bank’s next policy move. Spot gold rose 0.9% to $4,406.34 per ounce by 0330 GMT, while US gold futures for December delivery gained 0.6% to $4,466.70. The precious metal remained supported after recording strong gains in recent sessions, although prices faced technical resistance around the 100-day moving average. Gold had climbed to a 10-week high on Tuesday before retreating from the key technical level near $4,387 per ounce, marking its second decline this month. Market analysts said changing expectations for US interest rates were providing an important boost to bullion. “The primary driver for gold is the reduction in pricing of rate hikes by the Fed,” said Kelvin Wong, senior market analyst at OANDA. He added that gold had also benefited from a technical breakout above the $4,200 level late last week, which helped strengthen upward momentum and encouraged further buying. Weaker jobs data shifts Fed expectations Gold’s recent rally has been supported by signs of cooling in the US labour market. Bullion recorded its strongest weekly performance since January on Friday after employment data came in weaker than expected, prompting traders to reassess expectations for further interest-rate increases. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, markets were pricing in roughly a 50% probability of a rate hike in September, compared with about 60% before the release of the jobs report. Investors are now awaiting the latest US Consumer Price Index figures, due later on Wednesday. The inflation report could have a significant impact on expectations for the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decisions. A softer-than-expected inflation reading could reinforce expectations for a less aggressive monetary policy stance, potentially providing additional support to gold. Conversely, stronger inflation could revive concerns about higher interest rates and put pressure on non-yielding assets. Gold typically benefits from lower interest rates because bullion does not generate interest income. When borrowing costs and bond yields decline, the opportunity cost of holding gold tends to fall, making the metal more attractive to investors. However, Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee has cautioned that inflation remains a key concern. He said he was more worried about inflation remaining excessively high than about weakness in the labour market, highlighting the challenge facing policymakers as they balance price stability against employment conditions. Geopolitical tensions add to safe-haven demand Geopolitical developments in the Middle East also remained an important factor for financial markets. Oil prices extended their gains after the United States and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement reported separate attacks involving shipping on Tuesday. At the same time, hopes for an agreement to end the conflict involving Iran appeared to weaken. Iran has indicated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless Washington agrees to its conditions, raising concerns over the potential impact on global energy supplies. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for international oil shipments, and any prolonged disruption could increase energy prices and intensify inflationary pressures worldwide. Such uncertainty can also encourage demand for traditional safe-haven assets such as gold. Silver, platinum and palladium also advance Other precious metals followed gold higher during Wednesday’s session. Spot silver gained 1.2% to $65.46 per ounce. The metal remained below Tuesday’s peak, which marked its highest level since June 22. Platinum also strengthened, rising 0.6% to $1,754.10 per ounce, while palladium advanced 0.8% to $1,370.86.

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    Nicholas Hoult joins HBO’s Harry Potter as Gilderoy Lockhart

    ByJustpaste.in

    Nicholas Hoult is stepping into the magical world of Hogwarts, taking on the role of the charming but self-obsessed Professor Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series. The casting news was confirmed by HBO Max on Tuesday, August 11, adding another high-profile name to the growing ensemble of the highly anticipated reboot. Hoult will portray the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor in the show’s second season, succeeding Kenneth Branagh, who played the character in the original 2002 film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Gilderoy Lockhart is introduced in the second Harry Potter story as a celebrated wizard who joins Hogwarts as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Known for his confidence, charm and flamboyant personality, Lockhart has gained fame for writing books about his supposed heroic achievements. However, his public image is far more impressive than his actual abilities. Throughout the story, his exaggerated claims and lack of competence become increasingly apparent, making him one of the more memorable and comedic characters in the Harry Potter universe. Hoult’s addition further strengthens the star-studded cast of HBO’s new adaptation. The series features John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall and Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy. The young stars leading the new generation of Hogwarts students include Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Their casting has generated significant interest as audiences prepare to see the beloved story retold for television. Production on the series began in July 2025, with the first season scheduled to premiere on HBO Max on December 25. The adaptation is expected to explore J.K. Rowling’s original books in greater detail than the films, allowing more room for characters, storylines and events that were previously condensed or omitted. The Harry Potter franchise, however, continues to face controversy because of Rowling’s public comments about transgender issues. The author has faced criticism since 2020 over remarks that many viewed as transphobic. Rowling has rejected that characterization and has maintained that her views are focused on women’s rights. Despite the controversy surrounding the author, Rowling remains involved with the television adaptation as an executive producer. For Hoult, the Harry Potter role comes after another major franchise appearance. The actor recently portrayed Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s Superman and is expected to return as the iconic villain in the upcoming sequel, Man of Tomorrow, scheduled for release in 2027. Hoult is also set to appear in How to Rob a Bank, which is slated for release on November 13, adding another major project to his increasingly busy film and television career.