Mahtab Bashir, Islamabad
Pity de nation dat is full of beliefs and empty of religion. Pity de nation dat wears a cloth it does not weave, eats a bread it does not harvest, and drinks a wine dat flows not from its own wine-press. Pity de nation whose statesman is a fox, whose philosopher is a juggler, and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking. Pity de nation whose sages r dumb wid years and whose strong men r yet in the cradle. Pity de nation divided into fragments, each fragment deeming itself a nation.-KG
Thursday, July 3, 2025
HEC’s VISION 2047: A NEW DAWN FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN?
Friday, June 20, 2025
VETERAN JOURNALIST MASOOD MALIK PASSES AWAY, LEAVING A VOID IN EDUCATION JOURNALISM
Thursday, June 12, 2025
"TEA IS FANTASTIC" BUT IT TASTES LIKE A TAX
Islamabad
0333 53 63 248
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to add a little extra “tax spice” to your daily cup of happiness, turning your favourite tea and coffee into sneaky money grabbers. Bulk instant coffee now has a 5% import tax, so that big office coffee pot just got a bit costlier. Meanwhile, retail-packed instant coffee faces a steeper 10% tax, making your quick caffeine boost a little fancier (and pricier). Tea lovers, don’t relax yet - whether you’re brewing gentle green tea or a strong black cup, all the popular kinds now come with a 10% “sip tax.” Looks like your wallet might need its own strong coffee to bounce back from this!
** Marie Antoinette (born November 2, 1755, Vienna, Austria—died October 16, 1793, Paris, France) was the Austrian queen consort of King Louis XVI of France (1774–93). She was known for her love of fashion, art, and luxury. Her extravagant lifestyle, amid France’s financial crisis, made her seem disconnected from the people. Her resistance to reform fueled unrest, contributing to the monarchy’s fall in 1792.
Here’s how your cup just got more expensive than your best friend’s wedding:
☕ Bulk Instant Coffee: +5% customs duty. Perfect for sad offices and bad hotels.
☕ Retail Instant Coffee: +10%. Your Nescafé sachet just joined the bourgeoisie.
🍵 Green Tea (Unfermented, ≤ 3kg): +10%. Drink it fast before it ferments into regret.
🍵 Black Tea (All forms, all sorrows): +10%. Whether you like it fermented or just angry.
But wait, there's brew more.
Despite Pakistan importing 184,663 metric tons of tea worth $468.248 million in just nine months (July–March 2024–25), the government thinks this is the perfect moment to channel Sherlock Holmes and deduct from your wallet. Meanwhile, the tea market, worth a humble $3.14 million, is already wobbling like an over-brewed Lipton bag.
Coffee, which young urbanites sip while pretending to work remotely, was already taxed at 42% to 53% — but Budget 2025–26 looked at that and said, “Make it espresso.” Now, with an added import duty and no caffeine in Parliament, consumers are grinding their teeth even before their first cup.
Economists are warning that these hikes could filter into everything - from café prices to hospitality costs - and stir inflation further. But the government has responded with its usual philosophical shrug: “These aren’t just drinks; they’re symbols of non-essential extravagance.”
Translation: If you're drinking imported Darjeeling, you’re probably hiding a gold bar in your thermos.
But don’t despair yet. Locally produced tea and coffee remain unaffected. In fact, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb subtly suggested in his speech, “Sip local, think global.” (Okay, not in those words - but the tone was there.)
Aurangzeb, who also unveiled an 18% tax on solar panels, may be aiming to create the world’s first fiscal paradox: a budget that simultaneously fights inflation, ruins breakfast, and slows down renewable energy - all in one fell swoop.
Other newly-taxed items include:
Pet food (yes, even your dog’s dinner got pricier)
Chocolates and cereal bars (snacking is now sinful)
Carbonated drinks and mineral water (bubbles are for the rich)
Imported vehicles and petroleum (walk or teleport, citizen)
The budget, totalling Rs 17.57 trillion, aims for 4.2% GDP growth, with an ironic nod to “relief for the salaried class” - though no one is quite sure if caffeine withdrawal qualifies as a salary or a medical condition.
Until then, pour one out (gently - it’s expensive now) for your morning cuppa.
Friday, May 30, 2025
ROLAND GARROS BOWS TO RAFAEL NADAL IN A HEART-WRENCHING GOODBYE TO A LIVING LEGEND
· Nadal, who won a record 14 French Open titles, was celebrated by fans in red “Merci Rafa” shirts and a standing ovation on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
· The 38-year-old tennis icon reflected on his 20-year journey at the tournament, calling the clay court the most important of his career.
· Joined by rivals Federer, Djokovic, and Murray, Nadal received a footprint plaque and bid farewell alongside his young son, marking the end of an era.
Mahtab Bashir
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
These days in Pakistan, the phrase “Rafale Nadhaal” has taken on a triumphant tone, as the Pakistan Air Force recently downed Indian Rafale jets in a show of aerial dominance. But thousands of miles away in Paris, the name "Rafael Nadal" boomed for a very different reason.
At Roland Garros, it wasn’t fighter jets but a tennis legend being saluted. Amid tears, cheers, and a wave of brick-red T-shirts emblazoned with “Merci Rafa,” the French Open paid a heartfelt tribute to Rafael Nadal - the undisputed king of clay who ruled its courts like no other.
Few names in the history of sport are as intrinsically linked to a single tournament as Rafael Nadal is to the French Open. For two decades, the Spaniard reigned supreme on the clay courts of Roland Garros, claiming an unmatched 14 titles and creating a legacy that transcends tennis. On Sunday, the tournament returned the favour, bidding a deeply emotional farewell to its greatest champion.
As Nadal stepped onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, the stage where he carved out much of his legend, a montage of his most iconic moments began to roll on the big screens. The 22-time Grand Slam winner -visibly moved- fought back tears, overwhelmed by the emotion of a place that had been his battlefield and his home.
In a voice trembling with sentiment, Nadal began his speech in French: “This is tough… I don’t know where to start after playing on this court for the past 20 years.” He then switched between English and Spanish, reflecting on a journey that began when he was just 18 years old. Over the years, he compiled a staggering 112-4 record at Roland Garros, winning every single one of his 14 finals played on this very court- a place he called, “without doubt, the most important tennis court of my career.”
“We showed the world how to fight hard and still remain good colleagues,” Nadal said. “You pushed me to my limits, and I’m grateful for it.”
The ceremony closed with Nadal receiving a plaque of his footprint, now immortalized at Roland Garros. With his young son by his side, Nadal waved goodbye, saying, “I can no longer play in front of you, but my heart will always remain here.”
Thursday, May 29, 2025
FROM TRAINING PORTERS TO PROTECTING PEAKS, GALLO'S MISSION BLENDS SUSTAINABILITY, COMMUNITY UPLIFT & ECO-TOURISM IN PAKISTAN
· His four-point action plan includes improving communication, skill certification, attitude transformation, and aligning with international mountaineering standards.
· Gallo has worked in Pakistan since 2004, introducing rescue systems, eco-toilets, and waste incinerators, yet waste management remains a major challenge.
· He views local porters as unsung heroes and is committed to empowering them through training, recognition, and Sherpa-style skill development.
· Despite bureaucratic hurdles and lack of infrastructure, Gallo continues his mission to protect mountain ecosystems and uplift mountain communities across Pakistan.
Mahtab Bashir
![]() |
File photo of Maurizio Gallo |
![]() |
Media persons with Maurizio Gallo. Regional Manager EvK2CNR, Arif Hussain, also seen in the picture. |
Sunday, May 18, 2025
FROM SONIC DREAMS TO SMOKING WRECKS: THE RISE & FALL OF CONCORDE & RAFALE
* Rafale: A symbol of modern airpower, its aura dimmed in May, 2025 when Pakistan downed Indian Rafales, shaking assumptions of air superiority.
Mahtab Bashir
In the annals of aviation, few names stir the soul like Concorde and Rafale. One was a sleek silver dart that tore through the stratosphere at twice the speed of sound, the other, a predator of the skies- deadly, agile, and born from the crucible of modern air warfare. These two marvels, born of French engineering and ambition, have written stories not just in the sky, but in history itself.
Concorde: The Supersonic Swan
Birth of a Dream:
In the 1960s, when the Cold War fed the world's hunger for speed and spectacle, Britain and France joined hands to birth a revolution. The result: Concorde, a supersonic passenger jet that looked like a bird from the future and flew like one too.
Specifications:
Top Speed: Mach 2.04 (2,180 km/h)
Cruising Altitude: 60,000 ft (where you could literally see the curvature of the Earth)
Engines: 4 × Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojets
Range: 7,222 km
Passenger Capacity: ~92–128
Unit Cost (1970s): ~$23 million (equivalent to over $150 million today)
Tragic Silence:
Concorde's reign ended with a tragedy that echoed through aerospace corridors. On July 25, 2000, Air France Flight 4590 burst into flames shortly after takeoff from Paris. A stray strip of metal on the runway punctured a fuel tank. 113 lives were lost. Though Concorde returned to the skies briefly, its days were numbered. By 2003, the icon was retired—its thunder silenced.
Rafale: The French Falcon of War
A New Kind of Warrior:
If Concorde was poetry in motion, the Dassault Rafale is a symphony of steel and storm. Developed by Dassault Aviation and introduced in 2001, Rafale, French for “gust of wind”is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter built not just to dominate air-to-air combat, but also strike ground targets with clinical precision.
Its lines are elegant, its reflexes feline. In the cockpit sits a single pilot, surrounded by sensors, data fusion magic, and an arsenal that would make even seasoned generals nod in approval.
Specifications:
Top Speed: Mach 1.8 (2,222 km/h)
Range: 3,700 km (ferry), 1,852 km (combat radius)
Engines: 2 × Snecma M88-2 turbofans
Service Ceiling: 50,000 ft
Weapons: Meteor missiles, SCALP cruise missiles, HAMMER bombs, Exocet anti-ship missiles, and a 30mm DEFA 791B cannon
Radar: Thales RBE2 AESA radar
Unit Cost: ~$85–120 million (depending on configuration)
India and Beyond:
In 2016, India inked a landmark deal for 36 Rafale jets, a decision that stirred domestic political storms but gave the Indian Air Force a formidable edge. Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE have also acquired the aircraft, further polishing its global combat reputation.
Crashes in the Clouds
Despite its agility, even the Rafale has met the fury of gravity. Over the years, a handful of crashes have been reported:
December 2007: A French Air Force Rafale crashed in southern France during a training mission—pilot ejected safely.
September 2009: A tragic mid-air collision during a training flight off the Mediterranean coast claimed the life of one pilot.
July 2022: A Rafale M (naval version) experienced a landing mishap aboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle—the pilot survived.
Each incident has led to reviews, system upgrades, and deeper respect for the machine’s complexity and lethality.
In the early hours of May 7, 2025, reports emerged claiming that Pakistan's military had downed multiple Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafale aircraft, during a series of aerial engagements along the Line of Control (LoC). These reports have sparked significant attention and debate within the defence community.
The Claims and Initial Reactions
Pakistani officials asserted that their air force had successfully targeted and destroyed five Indian aircraft, comprising three Rafale jets, a MiG-29, and a Sukhoi Su-30MKI. These claims were supported by images of wreckage and electronic signatures purportedly identifying the downed aircraft. Additionally, a senior French intelligence official reportedly confirmed the loss of at least one Rafale jet.
In response, shares of Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale, experienced a decline, while stocks of China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), producer of the JF-17 and J-10C jets used by Pakistan, saw a significant increase .
Scrutiny and Counterclaims
Despite the initial reports, several defence analysts and experts have raised questions about the veracity of the claims. A detailed analysis by The Economic Times highlighted discrepancies in the evidence provided, suggesting that the images and electronic data might not conclusively support the assertion that Rafale jets were downed .
According to The Guardian, U.S. officials confirmed that at least two Indian jets were downed by Pakistan, including a Rafale, but noted that the downing was likely achieved using Chinese-made J-10C aircraft and PL-15 missiles, rather than Pakistan's indigenous JF-17s .
Skyline Shift: Strategic Ripples in Modern Air Combat
With the reported downing of India’s Rafale jets, a new chapter in aerial warfare has been written, one not just of shifting technology, but of sheer human resolve. Once hailed as near-invincible, the Rafale’s fall to the ground has stirred deep reflections on the limits of Western aerospace might when met by Eastern innovation. Yet beyond the hardware, it is the hands on the controls that have captured the world’s imagination.
From Sonic Dreams to Supersonic War-birds
Where Concorde was a phoenix that soared too close to the sun, Rafale is a relentless predator of modern skies. One was elegance and luxury incarnate; the other is the cutting edge of military aviation.
Together, they tell a story of France’s skybound ambition, of reaching beyond what is possible, and sometimes, paying the price for it. The Concorde may never return, but the Rafale may ensure that France’s legacy in the skies is far from over after Pakistan downs two Rafale fighters of India in recent border escalation.
Friday, May 2, 2025
GLOBAL DISABILITY SUMMIT IN BERLIN: A GROUNDBREAKING STEP TOWARDS INCLUSION FOR 1 BILLION PEOPLE
Amman-Berlin Declaration Unveiled with Major Global Commitments
The highlight of the summit was the unveiling of the Amman-Berlin Declaration, a landmark agreement that sets a concrete goal: ensuring that 15% of all global development projects promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities. With the endorsement of over 100 countries and international organizations, this declaration establishes measurable targets for inclusion and accessibility, marking a significant step forward in the global fight for disability rights.
German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze, hailed the declaration as a pivotal moment. "This initiative strengthens disability rights advocates worldwide. It sets the foundation for implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," Schulze said.
Summit Draws Record Participation
The summit, hosted by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), exceeded expectations in both scope and attendance. Delegates from government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the business sector, as well as more than 45 delegates from Pakistan, were present. The event also featured prominent leaders, including German Chancellor and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Jordan, who attended the opening ceremony.
Focus on Inclusive Development and Donor Engagement
One of the summit's key themes was the need for donor countries to become active partners in funding initiatives for persons with disabilities. This collaboration aims to secure at least 15% of development funds for the disability community, ensuring that projects for disabled people receive adequate support. The conference also saw intense discussions on the role of international organizations like the United Nations and UNICEF in providing education, rehabilitation, and grants for people with disabilities.
International Cooperation to Strengthen Disability Rights
Germany and the African Union have agreed to collaborate on strengthening organizations that represent disabled people on the African continent. This partnership will help ensure that by 2028, people with mental and physical disabilities in Africa will have access to critical data and resources.
![]() |
Participants of GDS-2025 - Credit: Felix Zahn/ photothek.net |
The Road Ahead: Inclusion for All
As the summit drew to a close, the international community reaffirmed its commitment to the inclusion and rights of persons with disabilities. While the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been ratified by 192 countries, the summit underscored that much work remains to be done. The summit's collaborative spirit and the adoption of the Amman-Berlin Declaration signal a renewed global focus on making inclusion a reality for all.
Waqar Abbasi is a Senior Correspondent for Daily Nawa-e-Waqt and serves as the Finance Secretary of the National Press Club in Islamabad. He can be reached at waqar051@gmail.com
HEC’s VISION 2047: A NEW DAWN FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN?
· Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed unveils HEC’s Vision 2047 and P-10 Project aims to transform Pakistan’s top ten universities into g...

-
Meryem Uzerli catapulted to fame due to her role as Hurrem Sultan in the Turkish soap Muhteşem Yüzyıl (Magnificent Century). An Urdu dub...
-
Women who lop their hair short are no longer interested in bedroom action, say researchers, who claim that 'deliberately reducing one...
-
The tragic air crash that consumed 152 precio us lives has not only exposed the incompetence of the management gurus of the federal capital,...
-
Mahtab Bashir mahtabbashir@gmail.com Islamabad 0333 53 63 248 Each loss casts a shadow over my heart, but when it’s someone I hold dea...
-
In a screen-dominated world, where many individuals are turning away from reading, my blog https://mahtabbashir.blogspot.com s erves as a r...