OWSA Contributor

Deliberations at the session are informed by findings of a new ESCAP study Urban Transformation in Asia and the Pacific: From Growth to Resilience which offers policy solutions and showcases cities in the region that are already pioneering change.

To support judicial and administrative functions at the grassroots, the commission also proposes establishing full courts in every upazila under a senior assistant judge to handle both civil and criminal cases.

The canals project, primarily the TP Link Canal initiative in the Cholistan region of Punjab, has been the subject of intense criticism from the Sindh government, opposition parties, and civil society.

The report stresses that as the world stares down the possibility of a widespread recession, the urgency for cohesive, multilateral solutions has never been greater.

The commission called for enforcement of the existing rule mandating 33 per cent women’s representation in political parties under the Representation of the People Order. It also proposed institutional reforms within parties to address corruption and create enabling environments for women.

Despite their marginal impact, many of these countries could face tariff rates as high as 50 per cent, such as Lesotho, while Cameroon could face 11 per cent.

The text affirms national sovereignty in public health decisions. It states explicitly that nothing in the agreement gives WHO the authority to mandate health measures such as lockdowns, vaccination campaigns, or border closures.

As both sides prepare for Deputy Prime Minister Dar’s visit later this month, expectations are rising for further breakthroughs – not only in diplomatic symbolism but in real policy shifts that could redefine South Asia’s often turbulent regional dynamics.