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MILITARY HITS BACK AT INDIAN ARMY CHIEF CALLING PAKISTAN ‘EPICENTRE OF TERRORISM’ Thursday, 16 January, 2025 I 15 Rajabul Murajjab 1446
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INSTEAD OF TRYING TO ‘CONJURE UP NON-EXISTENT TERROR INFRASTRUCTURE IN PAKISTAN, IT WOULD BE WISE NOT TO INDULGE IN SELF-DELUSION’: ISPR
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FO SPOKESPERSON ‘STRONGLY REJECTS’ REMARKS ISSUED BY INDIA’S DEFENCE MINISTER AND ARMY CHIEF
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AKISTANI military on Wednesday strongly reacted to the Indian army chief calling Pakistan the “epicentre of terrorism”, saying that instead of trying to “conjure up non-existent terror infrastructure in Pakistan, it would be wise not to indulge in self-delusion”. In a strongly-worded response on Wednesday, the Pakistani military said: “Insinuating Pakistan as the epicentre of terrorism by the Indian Army chief is not only contrary to facts but also an exercise in futility to beat the dead horse of India’s default position — blaming Pakistan for indigenous reaction to state-sponsored brutality. It is a classic case of extreme duplicity.” The Inter-Services Public Relations’s (ISPR) statement comes in response to Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi’s remarks during a press conference on Monday, ahead of India’s Army Day. Gen Dwivedi claimed that in 2024, “60 percent of the terrorists eliminated” in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) were allegedly of Pakistani origin. Gen Dwivedi further alleged that “80pc of the remaining fighters in IoK were of Pakistani origin”, according to the Press Trust of India. The ISPR statement stated that the remarks were being made in an “attempt to deflect the world’s attention from India’s
brutality in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), repression of minorities internally and India’s trans-national repression”. “The general officer, in his earlier stint in llOJK personally oversaw the most brutal repression of Kashmiris. Such politicallymotivated and fallacious statements reflect the extreme politicisation of the Indian Army,” the statement continued. The statement further mentioned that the world was witness to India’s “hate-speech
Circular debt reduced to Rs2,381b with 96% recovery rate, says Energy Minister Leghari
Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Leghari announced that circular debt has decreased by Rs12 billion, bringing the total down to Rs2,381 billion for the period from July to November 2024, compared to Rs2,393 billion on June 30, 2024. In a video message, the minister attributed this improvement to the government’s prudent policies, highlighting a recovery rate of 96% for the period, a significant increase compared to the same period in 2023. The minister also disclosed that the Power Division has proposed revised agreements with 18 additional Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for consideration by the federal cabinet. The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) on Tuesday approved a summary from the Power Division, granting permission for single-point power supply to industrial states and special industrial zones. It also authorised their management to handle new connections, bill collection, and related matters to address longstanding complaints from these zones regarding the billing and connection processes. A mechanism to implement these decisions is being developed and is expected to roll out within two to three months, according to the Power Division.
Petrol prices up by Rs3.47, HSD’s by Rs2.61 per litre
ISLAMABAD (STAFF REPORET): The federal government on Wednesday hiked the price of petrol by Rs3.47, taking the rate to Rs256.13 per litre. According to a notification from the Finance Division, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) was hiked by Rs2.61 to Rs260.95 per litre. The new prices come into effect from January 16, 2025. Previously, the government had announced a slight increase of Re0.56 in petrol price, taking the rate to Rs252.66 per litre. Simlarly, the price of high-speed diesel was raised by Rs2.96 to Rs258.34 per litre.
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 191 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition
conclave that provoke genocide against Muslims”, adding that the international community was “not oblivious to India’s transnational assassinations and Indian Security Forces’ oppressive use of force against innocent civilians and gross human rights violations against unarmed Kashmiris”. “Such oppression has only served to strengthen the resolve of Kashmiris for their right of self-determination, enshrined in the UN Security Council Resolutions,” it said. The ISPR said that “instead of trying to
conjure up a non-existent terror infrastructure in Pakistan, it would be wise not to indulge in self-delusion, and appreciate the ground reality.” Referring to Indian spy agent Kulbhushan Jadhav’s 2016 arrest, who confessed to fomenting terrorism in Balochistan and Karachi, the military said: “The sobering fact that a senior serving Indian military officer is in Pakistan’s custody, caught redhanded while orchestrating acts of terror against innocent civilians inside Pakistan, seems to have been conveniently ignored by the general. “Pakistan takes strong exception to such baseless and unfounded statements.” The statement concluded by saying that Pakistan “empathised with the victims of the Indian Army’s brutality”. “It is hoped that civility, professionalism and norms of state-to-state behaviour would guide the conduct of Indian Army’s leadership, rather than pandering to political exigencies.” BASELESS ACCUSATIONS, UNFOUNDED ASSERTIONS: FO Separately, the Foreign Office (FO) also issued a statement today saying that Pakistan “strongly rejected” the remarks issued by India’s defence minister and chief of army staff on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday that India must “dismantle Pakistan’s terror infrastructure” in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), The Hindustan Times reported. Addressing an Army Day
Not seeking NRO via dialogue as PTI founder will fight ‘open, shut’ cases in court: Zafar g
WE ARE FIGHTING OUR CASES IN COURTS AND WILL EMERGE VICTORIOUS, BARRISTER ALI ZAFAR TELLS SENATE ISLAMABAD
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The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday dispelled the impression that the party was seeking any Non-Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) through talks with the government, declaring the party’s founder will fight all “fabricated cases” in courts and emerge victorious. “I want to categorically state that the PTI is not seeking any NRO through the ongoing negotiations with the government and as far as the cases against PTI founder Imran Khan are concerned, everyone know these cases are ‘open and shut’, and politically motivated,” opposition leader in Senate Barrister Ali Zafar said on the floor of the upper house of the parliament. Both the government and the PTI have been engaged in dialogue and two sessions – one on December 27, 2024, and the other on January 2, 2025 have taken place while the third round is scheduled for Thursday (tomorrow) as summoned by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at 11:30am in the Parliament House. The PTI, which has demanded the release of political prisoners and the formation of a judicial commission for probing the May 9 riots and the November 26 protests, has set the January 31 deadline for the ongoing negotiations to reach a “logical conclusion”. While the government expressed dismay at the PTI’s failure to submit its demands in writing for several days, party Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has confirmed that demands will be penned down and hoped for a positive result soon. Speaking during Senate session, Barrister Zafar mentioned: “We are fighting our cases. We
will keep fighting them in courts and emerge victorious. As far as talks are concerned, they have no relation to this. Imran Khan sahib has not demanded this.” Zafar further mentioned that the Hyde Park property in London belonged to Hassan Nawaz, the son of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. He questioned the source of funds for purchasing such an expensive property, asking: “Where did Hassan Nawaz get the money to buy this property?” The PTI senator pointed out that the property was acquired during Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz’s tenure as prime minister. He alleged that the PTI founder’s case revolves around £190 million, claimed to be proceeds of crime. However, he emphasised that proving the money as illegitimate requires a court ruling. “To date, no evidence has been presented to establish that these were proceeds of crime,” he said. Zafar further said: “If this is not proven to be criminal money, then the case ends.” He highlighted that the UK government had decided the money was not linked to criminal activity, leading to the funds being unfrozen. He criticised the selective approach in the case, saying: “If there was a crime, the entire cabinet, which made the decision, should have been held accountable. “Instead, only the founder of PTI and his wife were targeted.” Zafar also clarified that trustees of charitable organisations have no personal claim to the assets of those entities. The much-awaited verdict in the £190 million reference is set to be announced on January 17, after being delayed three times.
event in Akhnoor, Singh had said IoK was “incomplete” without AJK, calling it “the crown jewel of India”. The minister made these remarks in response to AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, who said last week that his government would “redirect all available resources towards ousting Indian forces from occupied Kashmir”. The FO stressed that IoK remained an “internationally recognised disputed territory, whose final status is to be determined in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people”. “In this context, India has no legal or moral grounds to assert fictitious claims over the territories of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan,” the FO asserted. It further said, “Such rhetoric from the Indian leadership cannot divert international attention from the grave human rights violations and oppressive measures being carried out in IIOJK,” noting that India’s actions “suppress the legitimate and just struggle of the Kashmiri people for their inalienable right to self-determination”. “Pakistan also underscores that provocative statements of this nature are counterproductive to regional peace and stability,” the FO statement said. It highlighted the issue of extra-territorial killings — including in Pakistan — which, according to multiple reports by international media outlets, were carried out by the Indian government. “Instead of levelling baseless allegations against others, India must introspect and address its own documented involvement in orchestrating targeted assassinations, acts of subversion, and state-sponsored terrorism in foreign territories,” the FO said.
PM orders 24-hour visa issuance for foreign businesspersons seeking services from Pakistani IT firms
Directs to further enhance IT infrastructure to achieve $25b export target PROFIT
Staff RepoRt
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, on the recommendation of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), ordered the issuance of visas within 24 hours for foreign businesspersons seeking services from Pakistani IT companies. Chairing a meeting on the IT sector, the prime minister expressed satisfaction with the measures being taken to boost Information Technology (IT) exports to an ambitious target of $25 billion over the next five years. He directed the relevant authorities to further enhance IT infrastructure to achieve this goal. The prime minister instructed the authorities to simplify the existing Right of Way rules to promote broadband expansion through fiber optic networks across the country. He emphasized the need to provide youth with internationally competitive IT training to enhance their job prospects abroad. He directed facilitation of visa issuance for businesspersons interested in investing in Pakistan’s IT sector. He further called for the development of a strategy to market Pakistan’s IT sector on an international level. During the meeting, he was briefed on efforts to increase IT exports, with steps being taken to ensure public access to smartphones, expand broadband services to underserved areas, and improve internet speeds. The briefing revealed that the current number of 1.4 million freelancers in Pakistan would be increased to 2 million within the next two years. Additionally, by June 2025, over 300,000 individuals are expected to be trained under the DigiSkills program, with plans to raise this number to 900,000 within the following two years. Consultations on the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy are ongoing and the policy is expected to be presented for approval next month. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and senior officials from relevant institutions.
Pakistan never been a technical ally of US: Kirby g
WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL KIRBY EMPHASIZES LONG HISTORY OF COOPERATION BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES ISLAMABAD agencieS
The US acknowledged Pakistan’s pivotal role in the counterterrorism efforts over the years, but it has never been a formal ally bound by treaty obligations, senior White House official John Kirby has clarified. At a Washington briefing, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby candidly addressed the nature of the US-Pakistan relationship, highlighting the absence of any formal defence pact. “Pakistan was never a technical ally of the United States. I mean, there was no treaty of alliance with Pakistan,” he stated in response to a question. Despite this, Kirby emphasized the long history of cooperation between the two countries, particularly in combating terrorism in the volatile Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. “Certainly, over many, many years in the
last couple of decades, we partnered with Pakistan as appropriate to deal with the terrorist threat that still exists on that spine between Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he explained. ‘WILL REMAIN COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH PAKISTAN ON COMMON THREATS’ At the same time, Kirby also acknowledged the human cost of terrorism in Pakistan, recognising that its citizens continue to suffer from cross-border violence. “We recognise that Pakistan is still — still the Pakistani people fall victim to terrorist violence coming from across that border. “And we have, and for as long as we’ll be in office here, remain committed to working with Pakistan to address those common threats and challenges. And that’s not — that hasn’t changed. It’s not going to change,” Kirby said during the briefing. In August last year, State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel had reaffirmed
the US’s commitment to preventing groups like the banned militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from using Afghanistan as a base for launching terrorist attacks against neighbouring countries. The next month, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller asserted that the US would continue to stand “shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism”. According to the interior ministry, 351 civilians and 573 law enforcement agencies (LEAs) personnel lost their lives in 1,566 terrorism incidents in the first 10 months of 2024. This acknowledgement reflects a broader trend in the Biden administration’s policy toward Pakistan: a focus on shared security challenges while steering clear of deeper strategic commitments. Washington’s reluctance to treat Pakistan as a formal ally mirrors its broader approach to avoiding entanglement in Pakistan’s internal political dynamics.
For instance, when asked to comment on alleged firing at a PTI rally on November 26, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller maintained a measured stance. “We want to see any protests be peaceful, and we want to see the government of Pakistan, as is true with any government around the world, engage with peaceful protests respectfully and to deal with them peacefully,” he said. This careful approach extends even to strategic issues such as Pakistan’s missile programme. Last month, when the US sanctioned three Pakistani firms for their alleged involvement in supporting the country’s missile programme, Deputy Spokesperson Patel clarified the rationale behind the decision. “These sanctions that we made in Pakistan are rooted in, as I have said now three times, our longstanding concerns about their long-range ballistic missile programme. It is not a bearing on other areas of cooperation between us and Pakistan,” Patel said.
The Biden administration’s messaging, therefore, signals a deliberate effort to balance criticism with the preservation of a functional working relationship, particularly in counterterrorism.