KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said he intended to replace his defense minister and had offered the position to his current minister of digital transformation, who is aged just 34. &quot;I have decided to change the structure of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense,&quot; Zelensky said in his daily address broadcast on social media. &quot;I have offered Mikhailo Fedorov the position of new Ukrainian defense minister.&quot; Fedorov, who has been the digital transformation minister since 2019, is a relative political novice, little-known to the Ukrainian public. &quot;Mykhailo is deeply involved in issues related to drones and is very effective in the digitalization of state services and processes,&quot; Zelensky added. Without explaining his decision to replace Denys Shmygal, the Ukrainian leader said he had proposed the incumbent &quot;head another area of government work that is no less important for our stability.&quot; Zelensky had tapped Shmygal as defense minister just half a year ago, in July 2025. Besides the turnover at the defense ministry, Zelensky also named Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov to head his presidential office. Budanov replaces Andriy Yermak, who was among Ukraine&#39;s most powerful people before being engulfed in a corruption scandal dogging some of Zelensky&#39;s former allies.

Europe

Fedorov is a relative political novice little-known to the Ukrainian public; Ukrainian leader said he had proposed the incumbent "head another area of government work that is no less important for our stability."

Zelensky says wants to replace Ukraine's defense minister

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: India&rsquo;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has once again blurred the line between politics and sport by branding Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan &ldquo;anti-national&rdquo; over his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise&rsquo;s decision to sign a Bangladeshi cricketer.&nbsp;The controversy erupted after the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi, where Khan&rsquo;s franchise secured Bangladeshi left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman for $1.02 million.&nbsp;BJP leaders and affiliates responded with public accusations and threats, drawing widespread criticism for injecting hyper-nationalist politics into a professional sporting league.&nbsp;Former BJP MLA Sangeet Som accused Khan of betraying India, declaring, &ldquo;If you earn money, it comes from this country. But you have betrayed the nation&hellip; there should not be any place for such traitors.&rdquo;&nbsp;Religious figure Jagadguru Rambhadracharya also joined the campaign, calling Shah Rukh Khan &ldquo;anti-national&rdquo; and questioning his character, alleging that his views had consistently been against the country.&nbsp;The rhetoric escalated further when BJP-affiliated figures issued direct threats. Abhishek Thakur, speaking in a video circulated on social media, said, &ldquo;We will beat Mustafizur Rahman and Shah Rukh Khan if they allow the former to play in IPL.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2007093215787471269&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard&sessionId=bddc91dad91e30354161280cbf0fd80065d61fab&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2007093215787471269"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;The incident exposed an increasingly hostile environment for foreign players, particularly from neighboring countries, amid India&rsquo;s domestic political discourse.&nbsp;Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla echoed the hardline position, stating, &ldquo;I completely agree that no player from Bangladesh should play in the IPL.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2006740198017871968&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard&sessionId=bddc91dad91e30354161280cbf0fd80065d61fab&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2006740198017871968"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;In contrast, opposition leaders criticized the BJP&rsquo;s approach, warning that politicizing cricket undermines both sport and regional stability. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said cricket should not be used as a proxy for political disputes.&nbsp;&ldquo;Cricket should not be made to bear the burden for attacks on minorities in Bangladesh,&rdquo; Tharoor said.&nbsp;Congress leader Priyank Kharge also criticized the ruling party&rsquo;s campaign, cautioning that dragging sport into political hostility risks damaging India&rsquo;s relations with neighboring countries.&nbsp;The episode has revived broader criticism of India&rsquo;s repeated politicization of cricket, with observers noting that sporting bodies and tournaments have frequently been affected by political considerations, particularly in matters involving regional rivals and neighboring states.

Cricket

India’s BJP sparks controversy by branding Shah Rukh Khan anti-national for signing Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, drawing criticism over politicizing cricket and issuing threats.

India’s BJP politicizes IPL, targets Shah Rukh Khan over Bangladeshi player

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will showcase its mineral sector potential at the upcoming Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh, where it plans to set up a dedicated pavilion titled &ldquo;Pakistan &ndash; The Mineral Marvel,&rdquo; according to a statement issued by the Press Information Department (PID).&nbsp;The announcement followed a meeting between Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki. The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest and explored avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation, particularly in the minerals and energy sectors, the PID said.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan will establish a dedicated pavilion titled &lsquo;Pakistan &ndash; The Mineral Marvel,&rsquo; aimed at showcasing the vast potential and promise of Pakistan&rsquo;s rich geological landscape to the global mineral community,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s participation in the FMF later this month is taking place upon an invitation from Saudi Arabia. According to the PID, 13 Pakistani state-owned and private-sector mineral companies will participate in the forum alongside the federal minister.&nbsp;The statement said Pakistan&rsquo;s engagement at the forum will include a session titled &ldquo;Unleashing Potential: Accelerating Pakistan&rsquo;s Mineral Revolution.&rdquo;&nbsp;The session will also serve as a prelude to the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum (PMIF) 2026, scheduled to be held in April in Islamabad, with the aim of attracting international participation.&nbsp;The Saudi ambassador reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations, stating that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always stood by each other, reflecting their longstanding brotherly ties.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Ambassador emphasized that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan possess significant potential for cooperation in the minerals and energy sectors and expressed confidence that the Future Minerals Forum would serve as an effective platform to explore and expand avenues of collaboration between the two countries,&rdquo; the PID statement said.&nbsp;Both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation for mutual economic growth and development, it added.&nbsp;During the meeting, the petroleum minister conveyed his deep respect for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and acknowledged his visionary leadership.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations are deeply rooted in shared religious, cultural, and strong people-to-people ties,&rdquo; the minister said, adding that the historic relationship continues to expand across multiple sectors with each passing year.

Foreign Affairs

Economy

13 Pakistani state-owned and private mineral companies will join the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, showcasing country’s geological potential at “Pakistan – The Mineral Marvel” pavilion.

Pakistan to showcase mineral potential at Riyadh forum

WASHINGTON: Tesla&#39;s sales fell in 2025, the company reported Friday, ceding its position as the world&#39;s biggest electric vehicle maker for the year to Chinese auto giant BYD.&nbsp;The American company led by Elon Musk logged 418,227 deliveries in the final three months of the year, taking its full-year sales figure to around 1.64 million EVs.&nbsp;This marked a drop in sales of more than eight percent compared with 2024.&nbsp;A day prior, BYD said that it sold 2.26 million EVs last year.&nbsp;Analysts had expected Tesla&#39;s sales in the final quarter to slow less, to 449,000, according to a FactSet consensus.&nbsp;The pullback comes amid the elimination of a $7,500 US tax credit at the end of September 2025, with industry watchers noting it will take time for EV demand to rebalance.&nbsp;But even before then, Tesla had seen sales struggle in key markets over CEO Musk&#39;s political support of US President Donald Trump and other far-right politicians.&nbsp;Tesla has also been grappling with rising competition from BYD and other Chinese companies, and from European giants.&nbsp;Shenzhen-based BYD, which also produces hybrid cars, unveiled record EV sales in the past year on Thursday.&nbsp;Known as &quot;Biyadi&quot; in Chinese or by the English slogan &quot;Build Your Dreams&quot; BYD was founded in 1995 and originally specialized in battery manufacturing.&nbsp;The automotive juggernaut has come to dominate China&#39;s highly competitive market for new energy vehicles, a term used to describe various vehicles from fully electric ones to plug-in hybrids. China is the world&#39;s largest market for new energy vehicles.&nbsp;BYD is now looking to expand its presence overseas, as increasingly price-wary consumption patterns in China weigh on profitability.&nbsp;While BYD and other Chinese EV producers come up against hefty tariffs in the United States, the company&#39;s success is picking up in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and in Europe.&nbsp;Tesla only narrowly beat BYD in annual EV sales in 2024, with US company&#39;s 1.79 million outpacing the latter&#39;s 1.76 million.&nbsp;Nonetheless, Tesla shares ticked up in pre-market trading in New York on Friday.&nbsp;Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities noted that Tesla&#39;s quarterly sales figure remained much better than some had speculated.&nbsp;He flagged that the company faces a &quot;more difficult demand environment following the end of the EV tax credit while Europe remains a headwind to its deliveries.&quot;&nbsp;Ives noted that the company still sees challenges obtaining certain regulatory approval in Europe, with sales potentially rebounding once the regulatory hurdles are cleared.&nbsp;&quot;Sales around smaller and emerging markets have started to see larger growth metrics than expectations which look to offset the declines in key regions like China and Europe,&quot; he added.

Business

Tesla’s 2025 EV deliveries fell to about 1.64 million, dropping over 8 % and losing the global electric vehicle sales crown to China’s BYD, which sold 2.26 million, amid rising competition and declining US tax incentives.

Tesla sales slip as it loses EV crown to China's BYD in 2025

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated a newly constructed arena at the Wagah Border, the main crossing point between Pakistan and India, along with a museum and a partition-themed park in Lahore.&nbsp;According to Radio Pakistan, several new constructions have been completed, including a theme park depicting the partition of the subcontinent, with models of a railway station, military equipment, and a Martyrs&rsquo; Memorial.&nbsp;&ldquo;After the expansion, the seating capacity of the arena has been increased from 7,500 to 25,000 spectators,&rdquo; it said.&nbsp;The Wagah border crossing, located near the eastern city of Lahore, is the primary land route between Pakistan and India and one of the most recognizable symbols of the often-tense relationship between the two neighbors.&nbsp;The inauguration ceremony organized by Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), was attended by Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, the Lahore Corps Commander, provincial ministers, and other senior civil and military officials.&nbsp;

Culture

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated a newly constructed arena at the Wagah Border, along with a museum and a partition-themed park, as senior civil and military officials attended the ceremony.

Pakistan’s Punjab expands Wagah border arena with museum, partition-themed park

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore announced Friday that his administration has fulfilled 98% of the reform agenda agreed last year with the&nbsp;Joint Awami Action Committee, a move he says has stabilized the region and restored public confidence in the political system. Speaking at a news conference in Muzaffarabad, the AJK PM stated that the government prioritized the implementation of the &quot;38-Point Agreement&quot; signed with the committee representatives.The accord addressed long-standing economic and administrative grievances that had previously sparked unrest in the region. The AJK PM said the administration implemented the agreed terms just six weeks after taking office to bridge the divide between the state and the public. &quot;The public has once again placed its confidence in the democratic process,&quot; he said. &quot;In just one and a half months, we have implemented all matters related to the agreement&nbsp;promised with the Joint Awami Action Committee during the oath-taking ceremony.&quot; Reforms enacted The AJK PM issued formal directives to launch a universal health card scheme intended to support low-income residents. The AJK government&nbsp;also advanced the financial status of the Bank of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The administration approved a Rs9 billion ($32 million) capital injection to meet State Bank of Pakistan requirements. This will help pave the way for the institution to operate as a scheduled commercial bank. It&nbsp;has maintained the subsidized tariff structure for electricity and wheat flour mandated by the agreement. It is also proceeding with the restoration of the Local Government Act of 1990 to devolve administrative power to local representatives. Governance and stability The AJK PM said that the government&rsquo;s adherence to the pact has eliminated any public distrust&nbsp;that characterized the previous year. He said the current administration is focused on preventing any return to instability or violence. AJK PM Rathore noted that the cabinet, which has convened five times since assuming office on Nov. 17 last year, resolved public interest issues through dialogue rather than confrontation. He said the government seeks to compete only with its own performance standards to ensure continued service delivery. The administration has now turned its focus to the remaining procedural aspects of the agreement to ensure full compliance, he added.

Politics

AJK PM stated his government fulfilled 98% of reforms in six weeks, including delivering subsidized electricity, flour, health cards, and bank upgrades.

Government has delivered on key reforms, rebuilt public confidence: AJK PM 

ISLAMABAD: The Financial Times&rsquo; annual review for 2025 describes the year as one marked by failures and setbacks for India, citing sustained economic, diplomatic, and strategic pressures rather than stability or substantial progress. According to Radio Pakistan, the report showcases how India has remained under strain throughout the year due to Pakistan-India military tensions, trade confrontations with the United States, a deadly aircraft accident, currency weakness, and growing economic uncertainty. The report said India&rsquo;s pursuit of strategic autonomy faltered, forcing New Delhi to simultaneously balance relations with the United States, China, and Russia. This challenge added to diplomatic and policy pressures. On the economic front, the Financial Times noted repeated delays in finalizing a United States-India trade agreement. The imposition of American tariffs further increased economic stress, while the limited implementation of goods and services tax reforms constrained growth. The report added that the Indian rupee continued to depreciate against the United States dollar during 2025. Experts cited in the review said the long-term outcome of Pakistan-India tensions did not translate into Indian military dominance. Instead, they pointed to a visible shift in Washington&rsquo;s approach, which the Financial Times described as a diplomatic setback for India. They noted that United States President Donald Trump publicly took credit for facilitating a ceasefire, while increased contacts between Washington and Pakistan&rsquo;s military leadership altered regional diplomatic dynamics. The newspaper quoted analysts saying India&rsquo;s economic and diplomatic space in the United States narrowed significantly during the year, reflecting what they described as a weakened position. They warned that further depreciation of the rupee and rising global oil prices could intensify India&rsquo;s economic difficulties. The review also highlighted that the failure to conclude a United States-India trade agreement exposed gaps in India&rsquo;s global economic credibility. Analysts said that throughout 2025, India appeared to be managing persistent challenges rather than resolving them. Experts quoted by the Financial Times said that against a backdrop of internal weaknesses, regional tensions, and mounting global pressures, 2026 is shaping up to be an even more challenging year for India.

Americas

Asia

The Financial Times’ annual review for 2025 has described the year as one marked by failures and setbacks for India, citing sustained economic, diplomatic, and strategic pressures rather than stability or strong progress.

India faced failures and setbacks in 2025: Financial Times

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States is &quot;locked and loaded&quot; to respond if Iran kills protesters, after cost-of-living demonstrations in the country turned deadly. Protesters and security forces clashed in several Iranian cities on Thursday, with six people reported killed in the first deaths since the unrest escalated. Shopkeepers in the capital Tehran went on strike Sunday over high prices and economic stagnation, actions that have since spread to other parts of the country. Trump said on his Truth Social platform that &quot;if Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.&quot; &quot;We are locked and loaded and ready to go,&quot; the Republican leader added. Iran warns of response to any US interventionIran on Friday warned against any US intervention in the country, vowing a response after President Donald Trump said he would come to the aid of protesters in the Islamic Republic. &quot;Any interventionist hand that attacks Iran&#39;s security under any pretext whatsoever will be exposed to a response,&quot; Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to the supreme leader, wrote on X. &quot;Iran&#39;s security is a red line.&quot; Iran&#39;s Fars news agency reported Thursday that two people were killed in clashes between security forces and protesters in the city of Lordegan, in the province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and three in Azna, in neighbouring Lorestan province. State television reported earlier that a member of Iran&#39;s security forces was killed overnight during protests in the western city of Kouhdasht. The demonstrations are smaller than the last major incident in 2022, triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating Iran&#39;s strict dress code for women. Her death sparked a nationwide wave of anger that left several hundred people dead, including dozens of members of the security forces.

US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Dec. 22, 2025 (AFP)

Middle East

US president threatens action if Tehran violently suppresses cost-of-living protesters, saying America will 'come to their rescue'; Iran says any intervention attacking the country's security will invite a response.

Trump vows US 'locked and loaded', Iran says any intervention a 'red line'

ISLAMABAD: A recent verification drive in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, has drawn public attention in India after an SHO (Station House Officer) reportedly told residents he could determine their nationality using a mobile phone, said an Indian media report Friday. The incident occurred on December 23, 2025, at Bhowapur slum, a settlement of roughly 50 shanties, in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad, where SHO Ajay Sharma and his team conducted document checks. According to the Indian media report, Sharma asked a slum dweller to show his identity card. When the man identified himself as a resident of Araria district in Bihar, the SHO reportedly asked if he was from Bihar or Bangladesh. Sharma then told the man that he had a machine, a mobile phone, that could &ldquo;immediately&rdquo; detect if someone was an &ldquo;illegal.&rdquo; The phone was placed on the man&rsquo;s back, and Sharma remarked that it showed &ldquo;Bangladesh.&rdquo; The resident insisted he was from Bihar and that no Bangladeshi was present in the slum. A video clip of the incident that surfaced on social media has prompted widespread discussion. Sharma defended his actions, telling an Indian media outlet that he &ldquo;tried to put pressure on them so that they reveal their true identity&rdquo; and that no one was harassed. A senior police officer clarified that the verification was part of a routine foot march during the Christmas and New Year period, but added that no orders for such methods had come from senior officials. Journalist Mohammed Zubair highlighted the incident on X (formerly Twitter) on Jan. 1, questioning whether the police had a new device to detect citizenship.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 601px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2006682102436413601&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=f953ae37638cf094fd17f8066aa73d6c72aa1f0a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>In response, the Ghaziabad Police Commissioner stated that these verification exercises are part of ongoing efforts to maintain law and order, and document checks are conducted to ensure accuracy.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 730px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2006742625597247777&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=f953ae37638cf094fd17f8066aa73d6c72aa1f0a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>According to the media report, Commissioner J. Ravindra Goud said the video was under review and added, &ldquo;If any person is harassed by police, we will take action.&rdquo; The episode has sparked debate over police methods, citizen dignity, and the appropriateness of using technology in identity verification, particularly in vulnerable slum communities.

India

Police officer tells man that he has a mobile phone that can ‘immediately’ detect if someone is an illegal resident.

‘Are you Bangladeshi?’: Indian cop faces backlash over phone ‘citizenship scan’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday urged the United Nations Security Council to develop legally binding international rules to regulate the rapidly growing number of satellites in outer space, warning that unchecked expansion in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) threatens digital equity, national sovereignty, and global security of developing countries. Speaking at an informal Arria-Formula meeting of the 15-member Security Council in New York, Pakistani delegate Gul Qaiser Sarwani outlined a stark vision of a space economy increasingly dominated by a handful of wealthy nations and powerful corporations.&nbsp; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2005741334670499887&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ce1f2ef5569f2f2fd42c04d19e23d25d5702c8f3&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 720px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div> </div>SpaceX&rsquo;s Starlink constellation alone comprises approximately two-thirds of all active satellites, with more than 9,000 satellites currently in orbit (about 8,600 operational) and regulatory approval for up to roughly 12,000 additional satellites, according to the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC). What is the problem?Pakistan warned that the unregulated proliferation of LEO satellites risks exacerbating the global digital divide by privileging states with advanced technological and financial capabilities, while marginalizing others&rsquo; access to orbital resources and spectrum. Pakistan&#39;s position is unequivocal: outer space, including LEO, is the province of all humankind, not subject to national appropriation or de facto control.&nbsp; &ldquo;Outer space is a global commons and must not become the exclusive domain of a few,&rdquo; Sarwani said.&nbsp;&ldquo;Technological or commercial dominance must not translate into exclusive access or regulatory advantage.&rdquo; Pakistan argued that the pace and scale of satellite expansion have outstripped existing international governance frameworks. While space is governed by treaties such as the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, these agreements were drafted decades before the rise of private space companies and do not impose enforceable limits on the number of satellites, traffic management, or data use. Sarwani warned that the absence of binding rules risks creating &lsquo;satellite congestion&rsquo; &mdash; overcrowding of orbital pathways that could increase collision risks and generate long-lasting space debris. National sovereignty and militarization concernsPakistan also framed the issue as one of national sovereignty. Foreign-controlled satellite constellations operating over national territories, the delegation warned, could undermine states&rsquo; ability to regulate data flows, protect privacy, and safeguard sensitive infrastructure. The use of satellite networks for surveillance, intelligence gatherin,g and information operations could heighten mistrust among states and exacerbate geopolitical tension.&nbsp;&ldquo;Unregulated satellite activity risks eroding strategic stability,&rdquo; Sarwani cautioned, adding that transparency and accountability were essential to prevent misperceptions and escalation. Raising alarm over the growing militarization of space, Pakistan noted that the dual-use nature of many satellite technologies blurs the line between civilian and military applications. This, it warned, increases the risk of conflict and miscalculation, particularly as space-based assets become integral to modern warfare. Are other countries pushing back?Pakistan isn&#39;t alone in raising these concerns. Several African countries have advocated for reconsidering the first-come, first-served principle, arguing that principles of equity and conservation should prevail.&nbsp; Iran has similarly argued that existing regulations for orbital slots allocation have restricted the capacity of many countries, with many orbital slots occupied only by the most developed countries, leaving little chance for developing countries to place their own satellites on appropriate orbital slots. The European Space Agency has experienced the operational challenges firsthand. In 2019, ESA had to maneuver its Earth observation satellite to avoid a collision with a Starlink satellite. This incident highlighted how the rapid deployment of commercial constellations is creating coordination challenges even for established space agencies. <img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/ac542e1e-0723-43a6-9367-9b40d763201a.png" style="width: 334px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">Predicted near miss between Aeolus and Starlink 44 (European Space Agency) The solutionWhile many developing countries are pursuing national satellite programmes to reduce dependence &mdash; including Pakistan&rsquo;s PakSat high-throughput satellite, Turkey&rsquo;s T&Uuml;RKSAT-6A launched in 2024, and Brazil&rsquo;s Amaz&ocirc;nia-1 for environmental monitoring &mdash; Islamabad argued that national efforts alone are insufficient.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1810466027790315942&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ce1f2ef5569f2f2fd42c04d19e23d25d5702c8f3&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 528px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>Pakistan urged the international community to move beyond voluntary guidelines and confidence-building measures, calling instead for a comprehensive, legally binding UN-led framework to govern satellite traffic management, ensure equitable access to orbital resources, and prevent the weaponization of outer space.

File: MetOp Second Generation A-type satellite (Wikimedia Commons)

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Pakistan urged the UN Security Council to adopt binding rules on satellite traffic, warning that uncontrolled satellites threaten digital equity, national sovereignty, and space security as Low Earth Orbit becomes increasingly crowded worldwide.

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