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Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Science
- Business Recorder
Civil awards conferred to scientists, engineers working under NCA
ISLAMABAD: In recognition of their outstanding contributions to national defence and scientific advancement, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and deputy chairman of the Development Control Committee, conferred civil awards on behalf of the President of Pakistan to distinguished scientists and engineers working under the National Command Authority (NCA). The prestigious investiture ceremony was held at Chaklala Garrison, Rawalpindi, where a total of 47 officers were honoured for their meritorious services. The awards included 10 Sitara-i-Imtiaz, 21 President's Awards for Pride of Performance, and 16 Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. The ceremony underscored the vital role played by these professionals in strengthening Pakistan's strategic and technological capabilities. The acknowledgment by the state reflects the nation's deep appreciation for the scientific community's dedication to safeguarding national security and contributing to technological self-reliance. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CJCSC confers civil awards
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Deputy Chairman Development Control Committee and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), on Tuesday conferred civil awards on 47 eminent scientists and engineers serving under the National Command Authority for their meritorious services. According to the ISPR, the investiture ceremony, held at Chaklala Garrison, Rawalpindi, was conducted on behalf of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Among the recipients, 10 officers were awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz, 21 received the President's Award for Pride of Performance, and 16 were honored with Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Strategic communication
Listen to article What was lacking in the May 7-10 armed conflict with India was strategic communication — something that is responsible for the prevailing stand-off between Pakistan and India. When the DGMOs of the two countries contacted each other after the ceasefire, it reflected strategic communication between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. De-escalation of the conflict was only possible when the military officials of the two sides entered into strategic communication. What is strategic communication and how is it essential in the context of de-escalation and consequent talks between two adversaries? Why did the strategic communication, an established phenomenon in the Indo-Pak relations since 1980s, break down in a crisis situation and how can it be revitalised in the months to come? According to AI, "Strategic communication is a purposeful approach to using communication to achieve specific organizational goals, whether that's influencing stakeholders, driving change, or improving brand perception. It involves planning, executing, and evaluating communication strategies to ensure they effectively reach and engage the intended audience. This includes understanding the audience, crafting clear and consistent messages, and using appropriate channels to deliver them." According to "Strategic communications is a specialized approach to distributing and receiving information. It means communicating the best message, through the correct channels, to the right people, at the right time and using feedback from this process to stay focused on company goals." In his speech before the 22nd Asia Security Summit Shangri-La dialogue held on May 31, Pakistan's Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza said, "Strategic communication matters. Misconception, narrative warfare and information distortion are the oxygen for escalation. Strategic understanding must precede crisis management. Mechanisms cannot function in a vacuum of trust or amid systemic asymmetries. Durable crisis management requires a foundation of mutual restraint, recognition of red lines and equilibrium, not dominance." Strategic communication cannot take place in isolation and requires 10 conditions: mutual trust, confidence, political will, determination, sharing of information, transparency, monitoring, verification, time-management and mechanism for de-escalation of an armed conflict. Looking at different conflict zones — Kashmir, Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, Iran and Israel — one can say that strategic communication failed to yield positive results because the parties involved lacked proper strategic communication and crisis management mechanism. In conflicts which are not violent but reflecting trade and tariff issues, strategic communication requires dialogue and diplomacy to work out a plausible solution. In the case of Pakistan's intra-state water conflicts, strategic communication involving IRSA, federal government and provinces is essential to deal with misconceptions and misunderstanding particularly between Sindh and Punjab. Needless to say, strategic communication is an art and science which is used by the stakeholders to prevent and manage a conflict to take a critical shape. India's suspension of Indus Water Treaty is a classic example of breakdown of strategic communication between the two neighbours. Likewise, the Shimla Pact of July 1972 — which transformed the ceasefire line of 1948 to the line of control and contained various elements to establish peace between India and Pakistan following the December 1971 war — was under the threat of unilateral revocation but got saved because both parties wanted to maintain it. In this scenario, strategic communication is an innovative idea which is useful for the parties concerned to keep a treaty or an agreement in tact alongside ensuring that it also deals with the challenge of crisis management. Henceforth, strategic communication in the context of the May 7-10 Indo-Pak armed conflict needs to be examined from three sides. First, the breakdown of strategic communication happened when India took an extreme step in retaliation to the Pahalgam terrorist attack of April 22, blaming it on Pakistan. Despite Pakistan's condemnation of that terrorist attack which killed 26 tourists and its proposal to conduct a neutral international inquiry, the Modi government went ahead with its unilateral judgment by launching missile and drone attacks against Pakistan on May 7. Had there been strategic communication between India and Pakistan, there would have been no escalation in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. One wonders why despite military CBMs between India and Pakistan, like the hotline between DGMOs, New Delhi used military option against Islamabad. It means the Indian side had given up on the option of using strategic communication at the highest level like direct talk between the Prime Ministers of the two countries or military chiefs. That led to the outbreak of a dangerous crisis which only got de-escalated with the announcement of a ceasefire on May 10 by US President Donald Trump through a tweet. It means strategic communication to defuse a dangerous crisis situation added an external power to the situation. Second, after the ceasefire, India refused to accept there was any external role and argued that the two sides only agreed to stop fighting when their military high-ups decided to cease fire. It means despite its earlier avoidance of strategic communication as a fundamental requirement to manage a military crisis, India opted for that technique. But the question is, for how long will the Indo-Pak stand-off continue and how can strategic communication, which led to the ceasefire, help the process of crisis management, conflict management and ultimately conflict resolution? Given the situation and ground realities prevailing since April 22, the fragility of strategic communication would continue to threaten the holding of ceasefire. Third, there is no shortcut to ensuring a sustained ceasefire unless the two sides agree to resume the process of dialogue. More than Pakistan, India will suffer because of the prevailing stand-off due to the severe economic ramifications in the form of closed airspace and threat of declining foreign investment in case of resumption of the armed conflict. Only by adhering to basic requirements of strategic communication and crisis management, Pakistan and India can do away with the prevailing stand-off. It's pertinent to mention here that the stand-off between the government and the opposition in Pakistan is also because of the absence of strategic communication between the two.
Business Recorder
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
President Zardari, PM Shehbaz felicitate nation on Eid-ul-Adha
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended on Saturday heartfelt congratulations to the entire nation and the Muslim Ummah around the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. The day dawned with special prayers in mosques for well-being of the Muslim Ummah and peace, progress and prosperity of the country. Eid prayers' congregations were held at mosques, Eidgahs and open places in all cities, towns and villages across the country. In his message, the president that the day revives in 'us the spirit of faith, sacrifice, selflessness, and brotherhood', as per Radio Pakistan. The president called for drawing lessons from the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness shown by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and integrating them into our lives. 'Today, there is a pressing need to support the underprivileged and marginalized segments of our society. Along with the act of animal sacrifice, Eid calls upon us to make a solemn pledge to always care for those in need,' President Zardari said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the message of Eid-ul-Adha is not limited to the sacrifice of animals alone, but teaches us to sacrifice our ego, desires, and personal interests for higher purposes. Eid teaches us not only the importance of sacrificing life and wealth but also that nations achieve greatness when they work for collective welfare and selflessness alongside individual development, the PM said. 'Today, we must especially remember our Palestinian brothers and sisters who are enduring ruthless and inhumane oppression and hunger.' Sindh govt announces four holidays on Eid-ul-Adha Moreover, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff also extended their profound felicitations to the people of Pakistan. 'Armed Forces of Pakistan convey their earnest prayers for enduring peace, prosperity, and national cohesion,' the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release today. 'We pay solemn tribute to the unwavering resilience of the Pakistani nation and express deep appreciation for the valour and sacrifices of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, and courageous citizens who continue to uphold the security and stability of our homeland.'
Express Tribune
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan's military leadership extends Eidul Azha greetings to nation
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and other military commanders stand up in respect of the national anthem. PHOTO: NNI Listen to article On the occasion of Eidul Azha, Pakistan's top military leadership, including Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff, have extended their heartfelt Eid greetings to the people of Pakistan. The statement, issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), conveyed the armed forces' earnest prayers for lasting peace, prosperity, and national unity. It praised the enduring resilience of the Pakistani nation and expressed profound gratitude for the bravery and sacrifices of the armed forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, and the citizens who continue to safeguard the nation's security and stability. Eidul Azha, a time of reflection, sacrifice, and unity, was acknowledged as an opportunity to promote harmony within the country. The military leaders highlighted the need to strengthen the spirit of solidarity that unites Pakistan as a nation, reaffirming the armed forces' commitment to defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "We stand resolutely with the people of Pakistan," the statement added, "united in purpose and steadfast in our sacred duty to protect the homeland." The message also honoured the families of martyrs, known as Shuhada-e-Pakistan, for their ultimate sacrifices in the service of peace and the nation. The military's tribute highlighted their irreplaceable role in ensuring the country's safety and security.
