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PM SHEHBAZ REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO ACHIEVE $5 BILLION TRADE TARGET WITH TURKIYE Wednesday, 19 February, 2025 | 20 Shaban ul Moazzam, 1446
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PM Shehbaz calls President Erdogan as a strong voice for Palestine and Kashmir, saying Pakistan and Turkiye enjoy brotherly ties
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PM, US Chargé d’Affaires discuss ‘working closely’ in pursuit of common objectives
Welcomes Gallup’s survey, according to which about 55pc people had reposed confidence in govt’s business policies
ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that Pakistan and Turkiye were two brotherly nations and they were committed to take the bilateral trade volume between the two countries to $5 billion mark. Addressing a meeting of the cabinet, the prime minister referred to the recent visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said that he had always supported Pakistan at all global fora. He said, “President Erdogan had been a strong voice for Palestine and Kashmir. Pakistan and Turkiye enjoy brotherly ties and both countries also hold regular consultations and support each other at all fora.” The prime minister said that a number of MoUs were also signed during Turkish president’s visit and urged the ministry of commerce and other relevant ministries to work jointly for the achievement of bilateral trade mark of 5 billion dollars. He said that a flyover which was completed in 84 days in Islamabad was named after President Tayyip Erdogan as a sign of affection by the people of Pakistan. The prime minister also welcomed a recent Gallup’s survey, according to which about 55 percent of people had reposed confidence in the government’s pro-business policies. However, he stressed that they had to move forward and work hard to accomplish the economic agenda and its key com-
Civilians court martial not prohibited under international laws: Justice Afghan
ponents including Uraan Pakistan. The prime minister, about his meeting with a delegation of World Bank directors, said that they had unanimously expressed their satisfaction over the reforms agenda and the macro-economic stability. They had praised the government and its credit went to every member of the cabinet, he added. The prime minister said peace in the country was linked with the economic prosperity which would move the wheel of progress rapidly. For economic stability, conducive environment was a requisite, he added. The prime minister also paid tribute to the security forces whose officers and personnel were sacrificing their lives for the protection of the country. PM INAUGURATES TAYYIP ERDOGAN INTERCHANGE Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz
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Sharif on Tuesday inaugurated the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Interchange near F-8 and F9 sectors, commending the efforts of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his entire team for completing the project in record 84 days. In his address at the inaugural ceremony, the prime minister mentioned that he had also advised the Interior Minister to develop plans for future projects aimed at further beautifying the federal capital and improving the lives of the people residing in the city and its surrounding areas. He said the project would reduce traffic congestion, making commuting easier for the city’s residents. During the recent visit of Turkish President to Pakistan, the prime minister had named the newly built F8 & F9 Interchange after Recep Tayyip Erdogan by unveiling the plaque at a ceremony. “I will send the pic-
US Chargé d’Affaires, Natalie Baker on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and mentioned that the new Administration would work with Pakistan in pursuit of common objectives to strengthen the bilateral relationship. While recalling the decades long history of close cooperation between the two countries, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong desire to work closely with the Trump Administration to further strengthen bilateral ties, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said. The prime minister emphasized the need to enhance trade, as well as cooperation in the areas of IT, agriculture, health, education, and energy, among other areas of mutual interest. He also stressed upon the need for both countries to continue their close cooperation in the counter-terrorism domain, in particular, to deal with the threat posed by Daesh and Fitna Al Khawarij (FAK). The US Chargé d’Affaires thanked the prime minister for receiving her.
tures and detail of inauguration ceremony of the Interchange to the Turkish President to make him realize that he is our close friend and brother,” the prime minister added. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the project had also been completed at a cost less than the allocated amount. The actual cost of the project was Rs4000 million but it was completed at a cost of Rs 3,655 million.
Pakistan, Chinese FMs discuss bilateral ties, regional and int’l issues g
ISLAMABAD
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Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan of the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench stated on Tuesday that international law does not explicitly prohibit the court-martial of civilians. The SC judge made the observation during the hearing of intra-court appeals by a seven-member bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, against the declaration of civilian trials in military courts as null and void. During the proceedings, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel inquired about the implications if a country fails to adhere to international regulations. During the hearing, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan remarked that international principles do not state that civilians cannot be court-martialed. The lawyer of the May 9th accused Arzam Junaid, Salman Akram Raja continued his arguments, saying that he would complete his arguments by 11 AM. Justice Jamal Mandokhel remarked that it would be better if the arguments were completed in half an hour. Mr Raja responded by saying that he should be allowed to say what he wanted so that he could finish by 11am. He emphasised that in simple terms, civilians’ basic rights should not be terminated to conduct a court-martial. The senior legal expert argued that court-martialing civilians goes against international standards for a fair trial. “International standards require that trials be public, fair, and transparent, with decisions being made public. Decisions from military tribunals around the world are often appealed in courts, and a ruling by a European court has forced many countries to revise their court-martial procedures,” he said. Justice Jamal Mandokhel asked, “What would happen if international principles are not followed?” To which Salman Akram Raja responded, “Not adhering to international principles means that the trial is not transparent.”
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Dar warns against any attempts to expel Palestinians from their homeland ISLAMABAD
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Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will hold a crucial meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in New York on Tuesday against the backdrop of a host of regional and international developments. Dar and Wang are in New York to attend the special UN Security Council session on “practicing multilateralism: reforming and improving global governance”. The debate is being organised by China, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the UNSC. The Chinese foreign minister extended a special invitation to Dar for the UNSC session. The two leaders will review bilateral ties, discuss regional and international issues. The meeting will also discuss US President Donald Trump’s policies, which many see as disruptive. China has emerged as a key player in a volatile situation after Trump threatened to shift decades-old US policy towards Europe. Dar and Wang will deliver their speeches at the UNSC on the subject of importance of multilateralism. Meanwhile, Dar addressed ambassadors from OIC countries on Monday and spoke about issues ranging from Gaza to Islomophobia and from Kashmir to Afghanistan. He warned against any attempts to expel Palestinians from their homeland and stressed the importance of UNRWA’s role in providing humanitarian assistance.
But his message went beyond Gaza. In the West Bank, Israel’s campaign of violence and displacement had to be stopped. The OIC, he urged, must take decisive steps to secure global recognition of a Palestinian state and push for Palestine’s full membership at the United Nations. Turning to Lebanon, Dar welcomed the peace agreement brokered by France and the United States but criticized Israel’s continued military actions. The OIC, he insisted, must demand Israel’s withdrawal from South Lebanon. On Syria, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to its sovereignty, condemning Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights and calling for a UN-led political process to stabilize the country. In Yemen, where war had ravaged the nation for years, Dar called for a diplomatic solution, praising Saudi Arabia and Oman for their peace efforts.
Dar also expressed concern over Israeli threats against Iran, warning that any escalation would endanger regional and global peace. He called for reviving the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) on fair terms to ensure longterm stability. “Like Israel in Palestine, India seeks to brutally suppress the Kashmiris and change the region’s demographics by bringing in settlers.” “With 900,000 Indian forces occupying Kashmir, the world remained silent while Kashmiris suffered. But Pakistan would not stay quiet,” Dar said. On Afghanistan, Dar acknowledged the growing terrorist threat from TTP militants operating from Afghan soil. Pakistan, he declared, would take all necessary steps to protect its people. At the same time, Pakistan recognized the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that with the cooperation of the World Bank (WB), several key development projects were completed in Pakistan, which had been playing a vital role in the country’s progress. The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with the delegation of World Bank Executive Directors, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The prime minister welcomed the delegation on their visit to Pakistan and said the partnership between the WB and Pakistan spanned over seven decades. “Pakistan has greatly benefited from its partnership with the World Bank,” he said, adding the WB provided substantial assistance to the people affected by the 2022 floods in Pakistan. The prime minister observed that recent Country Partnership Framework of the World Bank included an investment of $40 billion in Pakistan which was highly encouraging. With $20 billion allocated for various projects in health, education, youth development, and other social sectors, a new chapter of progress would begin in Pakistan, he added.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said under the prime minister’s direction, the project which was earlier scheduled to be completed in six months had been built in the shortest possible time of 84 days. He further added that a large-scale plantation drive would be launched next month at Margalla Hills and throughout the city to combat air pollution and reduce smog.
30 terrorists neutralized in Sararogha operation: ISPR RAWALPINDI
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At least 30 terrorists were neutralized in fire exchange with security forces during an intelligencebased operation (IBO) conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s South Waziristan district, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday. In a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces conducted an IBO on Monday in South Waziristan district’s general area on Sararogha based on a reported terrorist presence. It added that security forces “effectively engaged” the terrorists at their location during the operation, due to which 30 were “sent to hell”. The ISPR added that sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve,” the statement concluded. On Saturday, four soldiers were martyred and 15 terrorists were killed in two separate IBOs carried out in KP. On Thursday, security forces killed 13 terrorists in five separate operations carried out across KP. Pakistan has been grappling with an alarming uptick in terror activities, especially in KP and Balochistan. Terror attacks have increased since the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan broke a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government in 2022. A security report, released last month by the Islamabad-based think tank Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), showed that in 2024, the number of terror attacks reached levels comparable to the security situation in 2014 or earlier. It said that while terrorists no longer controlled specific territories inside Pakistan as they did in 2014, the prevailing insecurity in parts of KP and Balochistan was “alarming”. It said that over 95 per cent of terrorist attacks recorded in 2024 were concentrated in KP and Balochistan. KP recorded the highest number of terrorist incidents in the country in 2024, with 295 attacks.
Bilawal says Pakistan can help ease US-China tensions through diplomacy LAHORE
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Pakistan can play a constructive role in reducing tensions between the United States and China, rather than choosing sides in their global rivalry, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said at the Munich Security Conference, as reported by
Deutsche Welle (DW). He emphasized that Pakistan has historically acted as a diplomatic bridge and would prefer to continue this role rather than being drawn into geopolitical divisions. “The increasing competition between China and the US has global consequences, and Pakistan has always positioned itself as a bridge builder,” Bilawal said. “We played
a crucial role in establishing ties between the two in the past, and we would like to continue serving as a stabilizing force rather than adding to tensions.” Bilawal also commented on Pakistan’s engagement with the United States under former President Donald Trump, describing him as a “deal maker” who sought opportunities for diplomatic and economic agree-
ments. He suggested that there were areas where Pakistan and the US could find common ground, including regional stability and counterterrorism efforts. Discussing Pakistan’s ties with India, he noted that Washington’s growing alliance with New Delhi as a counterweight to China was affecting the balance of power in South Asia. He warned that Pak-
istan would take necessary steps to maintain regional stability. “If the US is determined to position India as the dominant security player in the region, Pakistan will act to safeguard its strategic interests,” he said. However, he added that both countries should shift focus away from military competition and toward addressing economic and social challenges