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PM, MBS REITERATE QUALITATIVE SHIFT IN PAK-SAUDI BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP Thursday, 5 December, 2024 I 02 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446
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PM SHEHBAZ PROPOSES SIX-POINT GLOBAL AGENDA AT ‘ONE WATER SUMMIT’ TO TACKLE WATER-RELATED CHALLENGES RIYADH
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 149 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
INFORMATION MINISTER SAYS SAUDI ARABIA PLANS TO INVEST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO PAKISTAN’S ECONOMY Pakistan, France agree to enhance cooperation through business-to-business contacts
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RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday emphasized the importance of bringing a qualitative change in their economic, trade, and investment relationship, expressing satisfaction at the pace of progress on the implementation of the Saudi MOUs and agreements regarding investment in Pakistan. During a meeting on the sidelines of the “One Water Summit,” the two leaders reiterated their commitment to bring about a major transformation in the bilateral ties, the PM Office said in a statement. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged for meaningful cooperation between the two countries for economic growth and prosperity in Pakistan. PM Shehbaz thanked the Saudi Crown Prince for his affection for the people of Pakistan while extending an invitation to Mohammed bin Salman to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience. Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz concluded his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where he addressed the ‘One Water Summit’ and proposed a six-point global agenda to tackle water-related challenges. During his address, Sharif also highlighted the severe climate change-induced difficulties faced by developing countries, stressing the need for collaborative solutions to ensure sustainable water management worldwide. On the sidelines of the summit, the PM met with Saudi Crown Prince Mo-
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hammed bin Salman. The two leaders discussed ways to bring a qualitative shift in their bilateral relationship and expressed satisfaction with the progress of the MoUs and agreements signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. In addition to his meeting with the Saudi leadership, Prime Minister Sharif held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders agreed to enhance business-to-business cooperation in key sectors, including agriculture, livestock, information technology, vocational training, and access to clean drinking water. PAKISTAN-SAUDI ARABIA RELATIONS ON THE RISE Information Minister Attaullah Tarar
Gandapur moves IHC to get dismissed terrorism charges over D-Chowk protest ISLAMABAD news Desk
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to challenge the terrorism charges filed against him in connection with the D-Chowk protest, ARY News reported. The case, registered at the Secretariat police station after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest, saw Gandapur file a petition through his lawyer, Haji Ajmal Khan Mohmand. In the petition, Gandapur seeks the removal of terrorism charges, arguing that the protesters were simply exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly. The case against Gandapur was registered on November 26, following the PTI protest at D-Chowk. His counsel has requested the IHC to suspend the FIR and terrorism charges until the final decision is made. This legal challenge adds to the ongoing cases against PTI leaders, including founder Imran Khan, former First Lady Bushra Bibi, Gandapur, and other key figures. The charges include a range of offences such as terrorism, violation of the Assembly Act, attacks on police, and violations of Section 144. These cases have been filed at various police stations in Islamabad.
Iran releases Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi on medical leave: lawyer TEHRAN
Agencies
Iran has released Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi, jailed since November 2021, for three weeks on medical grounds, her lawyer posted on social media. “Based on the advice of the examining doctor, the public prosecutor suspended the jail sentence against Narges Mohammadi for three weeks and she was released from prison,” Mostafa Nili said on X. Mohammadi’s family and supporters swiftly put out a statement protesting that the three weeks’ medical leave was not enough. “A 21day suspension of Narges Mohammadi’s sentence is inadequate. We demand Narges Mohammadi’s immediate and unconditional release or at least an extension of her leave to three months,” they said in a statement. Over the past quarter century, Mohammadi, 52, has been repeatedly tried and jailed for her vocal campaigning against Iran’s widespread use of capital punishment and its mandatory dress code for women. She has spent most of the past decade behind bars. “The grounds for her release are her physical condition after the removal of a tumour and a bone graft three weeks ago,” Nili said. “The tumour was benign but she needs check-ups every three months.” In June, Mohammadi was sentenced to an additional year behind bars for “propaganda against the state”. She refused to appear in court for the trial after her request for it to be held in public was rejected. In a letter from prison in September, she condemned the “devastating oppression” of women in Iran. The letter was published by her foundation to mark the second anniversary of the nationwide protests that followed the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian Kurdish woman detained for an alleged breach of the dress code.
highlighted the strengthening ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia with bilateral relations moving positively. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he highlighted the growing warmth between the two nations, particularly noting the fifth meeting between PM Shehbaz and MBS in just five months. “This signifies the deepening of our ties,” said Tarar, reflecting on the significance of the prime minister’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia. During the visit, the PM met with MBS, a crucial diplomatic engagement that underscored both countries’ commitment to fostering stronger ties. Tarar further revealed that Saudi Arabia
Pakistan and France have agreed to enhance cooperation through business-tobusiness contacts in the areas of agriculture, livestock, Information Technology, skills development and clean drinking water. An understanding to this effect reached at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the One Water Summit in Riyadh. Both the leaders reiterated the shared desire of two sides to remain closely engaged on all regional and global issues of mutual interest. Expressing satisfaction at its positive trajectory, the two leaders exchanged views on the full spectrum of Pakistan-
plans to invest billions of dollars into Pakistan’s economy. Several projects are underway, including the launch of petrol stations by Saudi state oil giant Aramco. Additionally, discussions are ongoing regarding the introduction of the Saudi fastfood chain Albaik to Pakistan, which could bring further economic benefits. “The crown prince considers Pakistanis as brothers, and there are no limits to Saudi investments in Pakistan,” Tarar
DPM Dar reaffirms govt’s commitment to ensure security of Red Zone ISLAMABAD
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While reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensure the security of the Red Zone, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Wednesday justified the government actions against the protestors, asserting they had to comply with the Islamabad High Court ordered whereby the PTI had been barred from holding any protest gathering in the Red Zone. “In pursuance of the court ruling, the government had tasked Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to engage with the party but the efforts remained unsuccessful”, DPM Ishaq Dar said while briefing the members of the diplomatic corps on the recent situation caused by the protestors of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). During a briefing to the mem-
bers of the diplomatic corps, DPM Dar emphasized the federal government always prioritised the Red Zone’s security which housed Parliament House, Supreme Court of Pakistan, federal institutions and the diplomatic corps. “The government had enacted a new law “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024” that barred the protest demonstrations in the Red Zone and required permission from a magistrate for any public gatherings”, he stated. Dar explained that PTI stubbornly attempted to march into the Red Zone, despite the government’s offer of an alternative protest site in Sangjani. He emphasized that freedoms and human rights should not be exercised in ways that cause lawlessness and endanger the lives and property of both Pakistanis and the diplomatic corps. “Our priority has always been to take care of the Red Zone, which
has the Parliament, the Supreme Court of Pakistan, key federal institutions but most importantly, the diplomatic corps,” Dar said while speaking to the members of the diplomatic corps on Wednesday. Dar informed the diplomats that PTI had chosen to hold a protest on November 24, which coincided with the planned visit of the Belarusian president. He noted that this was consistent with the party’s past malafide practice of scheduling protests on significant dates, such as the SCO summit earlier this year and in 2014, when their protest led to the postponement of the Chinese president’s visit. He recalled that the Supreme Court had dismissed PTI’s claims of rigging in 35 National Assembly seats—the primary reason behind the 2014 sit-in—yet the party never apologized, despite having committed to do so in a written agreement with the government.
France relationship, including political, economic, trade and investment, as well as cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations. In his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed upon the need to further strengthen mutually advantageous economic and trade ties between the two countries and encouraged France to take advantage of investment opportunities in Pakistan, especially in areas of climate adaptation and renewable energy. Commending France’s leadership role on climate change and development issues, the Prime Minister recalled with appreciation President Macron’s strong advocacy for the people of Pakistan in the wake of 2022 devastating floods. Shehbaz Sharif also warmly congratulated President Macron on the successful co-hosting of the One Water Summit in Riyadh.
said. He also praised the Saudi leadership for their satisfaction with the efforts of PM Shehbaz and his team in advancing agreed projects and memoranda of understanding (MOUs). The minister also mentioned the anticipation of more Saudi delegations visiting Pakistan, which he believes will lead to an increase in investments and trade. Both countries, he added, have consistently supported each other during difficult times.
Shibli Faraz follows in Ayub, resigns from Judicial Commission ISLAMABAD
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Day after opposition leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub’s resignation, leader of opposition in Senate and PTI senator Shibli Faraz resigned on Wednesday as a member of the Judicial Commission following instructions of the PTI’s founder. Earlier, another Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and opposition leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub had resigned from the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP). The JCP is re-constituted after the enactment of 26th Amendment to overseeing judicial appointments to the Supreme Court, high courts, and Federal Shariat Court, as well as evaluating the performance of high court judges. It is headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan and includes representatives from both the legislative and judicial branches, as well as legal experts. Senator Ali Zafar will replace Shibli Faraz as representative and the member of the judicial commission.