
Peshawar Corps HQ visit: COAS briefed on anti-terror operations
ISLAMABAD: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, visited Corps Headquarters Peshawar on Friday, where he received a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security environment and the progress of ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region.
During his visit, the Army Chief also attended the funeral prayers of the martyred personnel at Bannu Garrison and later visited the injured at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Bannu. Paying rich tribute to the fallen heroes, Field Marshal Munir lauded the unflinching bravery and sacrifices of Pakistan's security forces in their ongoing fight against terrorism, particularly the Indian-sponsored outfit, Fitna al-Khawarij.
'The resilience of our forces is a testament to the nation's unwavering resolve to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,' he stated, reaffirming the commitment to completely root out the menace from Pakistani soil.
The COAS underscored the state's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, asserting that all facilitators, abettors, and perpetrators will be pursued relentlessly and brought to justice, regardless of cost or circumstance. He further vowed that the real face behind terrorism in the region will be exposed to the international community.
'No sacrifice will go in vain. The blood of every innocent Pakistani will be avenged, and any attempt to destabilise the country will be met with swift and decisive retribution,' the COAS assured.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's engineers get recognition in China under landmark pact
ISLAMABAD: Engineers are widely regarded as the backbone of any nation's development by designing the infrastructure, technology, and systems that power modern life. Yet in developing countries like Pakistan, despite their qualifications, skills and tireless contributions, engineers have long struggled to attain the recognition, status, and opportunities they deserve both at home and abroad. In this context, the landmark Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) signed between the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and the Chinese Society of Engineers (CSE-CAST) is nothing short of a breath of fresh air and for many in Pakistan's engineering community, a long-awaited breakthrough. The agreement formally grants PEC-registered engineers the right to work in China without undergoing additional assessments or licensing exams, offering not just jobs but validation, dignity, and a gateway to global practice. It's a game-changer—one that lifts the weight of years of structural limitations and unlocks doors to some of the world's most advanced and demanding engineering sectors. With just a PEC registration in hand, Pakistani engineers can now contribute to mega-projects across energy, smart infrastructure, ICT, and research in China, and by extension, across many Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) member countries-without navigating complex administrative processes or licensing obstacles. The agreement, signed recently in Chengdu, is not just a bilateral formality-it is a powerful endorsement of the technical caliber of Pakistan's engineering community. It places Pakistani engineers on equal footing with their Chinese counterparts and sends a strong message of trust, mutual respect, and professional parity. This breakthrough is largely attributed to the proactive vision and diplomatic engagement of the PEC Governing Body (2024–2027), which has made global recognition a cornerstone of its reform agenda. The leadership's strategic foresight has translated into a rare moment of international validation for Pakistan's engineering standards. 'This agreement is a clear vote of confidence in Pakistan's engineers,' said Engr. Waseem Nazir, Chairman of PEC. 'It reinforces our mission to raise the standing of Pakistan's engineering profession on the global stage. It will not only help our youth access better opportunities abroad but will also promote Pakistan as a hub of reliable technical expertise.' Beyond symbolic recognition, the agreement has practical and far-reaching implications. Degrees from PEC and CEEAA-accredited institutions will now be accepted in both countries without revalidation. The scope of practice is wide-allowing licensed engineers to participate in a range of infrastructure and innovation sectors, provided they comply with local regulations and codes of ethics. A joint PEC–CSE working group will handle professional oversight, continuous professional development (CPD) programs, and credential verification. This is a historic opening for Pakistani engineers among many of whom have the talent and ambition but lacked the international channels to fully utilize their skills. As engineers cross into Chinese markets, their presence will not only boost Pakistan's service exports and remittance inflows but also elevate the country's image as a source of world-class human capital. The timing of this breakthrough is deeply aligned with the broader institutional reforms PEC has been pursuing under Engr. Waseem Nazir's leadership.


Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Imported industrial raw materials: BMP opposes govt's tariff cut reversal decision
LAHORE: The Businessmen Panel (BMP) of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has strongly opposed the federal government's recent decision to reverse tariff cuts on imported industrial raw materials, warning that the move will severely damage domestic industry, accelerate inflation, and weaken the country's already fragile export performance. BMP Chairman Mian Anjum Nisar criticized the imposition of additional duties on essential raw materials, stating that the policy shift is regressive and anti-industry at a time when the manufacturing sector is already struggling due to high energy costs, interest rates, and policy uncertainty. He said that restoring duties that were earlier removed under the Tariff Rationalization Policy will disrupt supply chains and increase the cost of doing business for import-dependent industries. Mian Anjum Nisar said the government's reversal of its own tariff relief measures sends a negative signal to both local and foreign investors. He pointed out that the Tariff Policy Board had originally implemented duty cuts to support industrialization and value addition, aligning with the government's broader economic goals. However, the recent reversal appears to prioritize short-term revenue collection over long-term economic sustainability. He argued that in the current climate of persistent inflation, sluggish industrial activity, and declining exports, any policy that increases the cost of industrial inputs will have a cascading negative effect on the entire economy. 'Reinstating duties on raw materials—especially those not locally produced—is like punishing the productive sector for the government's fiscal mismanagement,' said Nisar. 'This is not the time to choke industry; it is the time to revive it.' The BMP chairman noted that many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) rely heavily on imported raw materials for their survival. These businesses are already under stress due to a lack of financing, low demand, and rising utility bills. The re-imposition of import duties will add another layer of pressure, pushing many SMEs toward closure or informal operations. He urged the government to reconsider its decision and hold consultations with stakeholders before implementing such drastic changes in trade policy. Mian Anjum Nisar emphasized that the competitiveness of Pakistani exports is directly linked to the availability of affordable and high-quality inputs. With global competition tightening and regional countries offering subsidies and incentives to their industries, increasing duties on raw materials will only widen the gap between Pakistan and its competitors. He said that the country cannot hope to boost exports while making it more expensive for its industries to produce goods for international markets. He also highlighted the contradiction in the government's approach, where it claims to support export-led growth while simultaneously making raw materials more expensive. 'You cannot have it both ways. If you want exports to grow, you must reduce input costs. Reversing tariff relief and imposing duties will achieve the opposite,' he said. Nisar stated that the business community fully understands the government's fiscal constraints but argued that the solution should not come at the cost of destroying industrial viability. He urged the Ministry of Finance and the Tariff Policy Board to identify alternative revenue sources that do not penalize the formal industrial sector. 'We are willing to cooperate in developing realistic proposals that can generate revenue without hurting economic growth,' he added. He also warned that the increase in duties will ultimately be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices, further fueling inflation. This will erode the purchasing power of the masses, reduce consumer demand, and shrink the domestic market for manufacturers. He said this inflationary cycle will be counterproductive to the government's own growth targets and will deepen the recessionary environment in the country. Referring to international best practices, Mian Anjum Nisar said that countries seeking industrial growth typically reduce import tariffs on raw materials to facilitate manufacturing and exports. Pakistan must follow a similar path if it hopes to become competitive in the global market. He stressed that duty-free or low-duty access to industrial inputs is a fundamental requirement for any modern economy and that reversing this principle reflects poor policy planning. He called on the Prime Minister and the relevant ministers to intervene and suspend the new duties immediately. He also urged the National Tariff Commission and the Ministry of Commerce to present an impact assessment report on how the reversal of tariff relief would affect various sectors, especially textile, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and food processing industries. In conclusion, the BMP chairman reiterated his appeal for a more industry-friendly and export-oriented policy framework that supports economic recovery rather than hindering it. He said the business community has always stood by the government during difficult times but warned that continued neglect of industrial challenges will result in long-term damage to the economy. He called for urgent dialogue between the government and trade bodies to arrive at a consensus that balances fiscal needs with industrial survival and growth. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
In call with COAS, Iran's army chief thanks Pakistan for support
ISLAMABAD: The Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, on Sunday expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its support during the recent military clashes between Iran and Israel, which Tehran has termed an unprovoked act of aggression. The Iranian military chief made these remarks during a telephone conversation with Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), according to Iran's state news agency IRNA. During the conversation, Major Gen Mousavi acknowledged Islamabad's principled stance and solidarity with Tehran during what he described as a '12-day imposed war' initiated by Israel with support from Western allies. Israeli aggression: Pakistan expresses solidarity with Iran: PM He noted that the conflict resulted in significant Iranian casualties, including the martyrdom of senior commanders. However, he asserted that Iran successfully countered the aggression through decisive retaliatory strikes, forcing the enemy to seek a ceasefire. 'The United States not only participated directly in the conflict but also mobilised its full military capacity to shield the Zionist regime from Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attacks,' Mousavi was quoted as saying. He also castigated several Western countries of providing both verbal and material support to Israel during the hostilities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025