In partnership with
Profit
OPERATION ENDS AS FORCES KILLED ALL 33 TERRORISTS INVOLVED IN JAFFAR EXPRESS HIJACKING: DG ISPR Thursday, 13 March, 2025 | 12 Ramazan, 1446
g
DG ISPR SAYS 21 PASSENGERS AND 4 FC PERSONNEL DEAD; NO HOSTAGES HARMED DURING FINAL RESCUE PHASE
D g
UN, EU, CHINA, US, GERMANY, RUSSIA, UK, TURKIYE, NORWAY AND IRAN CONDEMN JAFFAR EXPRESS ATTACK RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD/QUETTA Saleem Jadoon
IRECTOR General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Wednesday announced “successful completion” of the clearance operation launched a day earlier for “safe recue of passengers” after unprecedented hijacking of Jaffar Express by terrorists in Balochistan’s Bolan Pass, saying that all terrorists, 33 in total, at the site of the attack had been killed.
"All 33 terrorists have been sent to hell.... Four Frontier Corps personnel embraced martyrdom during the clearance operation," said Lt Gen Chaudhry in an interview with a private news channel. However, he added, before the clearance operation, 21 passengers were martyred by the terrorists. According to “railway officials and security sources,” “on March 11, terrorists targeted a rail track in Bolan Pass around 1pm and blew it up to halt Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express moving from Quetta with 440 passengers onboard.” The banned Baloch Liberation Army
(BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, but DG ISPR Lt-Gen Chaudhry did not mention this. Elaborating on the details of the “final clearance operation” on Wednesday, the ISPR DG said: “All hostage passengers were recovered as this operation was conducted with great skill and care since terrorists were using them as human shields.” Chaudhry said the army, air force, Frontier Corps (FC) and the Special Services Group had taken part and recovered the hostages.
would come inside and start shooting,” the passenger explained. The attack, which targeted the train, led to a tense and frightening situation for the passengers, many of whom feared for their lives. The passengers of the attacked Jaffar Express, who were freed from the terrorists, have shared their eyewitness accounts. One of the rescued passengers narrated the ordeal, saying that during the attack, there was chaos all around, and everyone was lying on the floor of the train to protect themselves. At that moment, there were gunshots followed by explosions. The passenger further explained that the terrorists ordered everyone to get off the train, but many were hesitant. He said, “I took my children and got off. I told myself that since they are telling us to get down, we
should listen, otherwise, they would come inside and start shooting.” He added, “We got off, and after that, they left me, my children, and my wife, telling us not to look back.” A senior passenger who was also rescued stated that the terrorists instructed the children to get off the train, explaining that there was no safety either inside or outside the train. The group descended and, fortunately, was spared. They continued walking for hours, eventually falling into a canal, but after walking for about four hours, they reached a safe location. It is important to note that the Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was attacked yesterday, with 500 passengers being taken hostage.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Jaffar Express survivors share harrowing accounts of terrorist attack QUETTA
Staff RepoRt
The passengers of the Jaffar Express train, who were freed after being held hostage by terrorists, have shared their harrowing accounts of the attack. One of the rescued passengers described the chaotic scene during the assault, stating that passengers were forced to lie on the floor of the train for protection. According to the passenger, gunshots and explosions were heard as the attack unfolded. The passenger also recalled that the attackers ordered everyone to disembark from the train, though many were hesitant. “I took my children and got off. I told myself that since they are telling us to get down, we should listen, otherwise, they
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 247 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
g
ISPR CHIEF WARNS ATTACK ‘CHANGES RULES OF THE GAME,’ VOWING TERRORISTS WILL BE HUNTED DOWN AND BROUGHT TO JUSTICE
– attack part of well-planned conspiracy: Abbasi ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi on Wednesday stated that the attack on Jaffar Express was a well-planned act and part of a foreign conspiracy, confirming that all train passengers were rescued from the train. The minister, however, refrained from disclosing further details about the ongoing rescue operation. Abbasi emphasized that preventive measures would have been taken had the authorities had prior intelligence about the attack. He said that as Pakistan continues to face terrorism, all global powers, including China, the US, and Pakistan, stand united against terrorism. He assured that a rescue train is present
Constitutional bench directs high courts to send pending appeals against super tax to SC ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday directed the Islamabad and Lahore High Courts to transfer to the apex court all pending appeals relating to levy of Super Tax. A five-member constitutional bench, led by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, and comprising Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan, heard the case related to super tax, where lawyers highlighted that appeals were pending in the Lahore and Islamabad High Courts. The lawyer for private companies, Makhdoom Ali Khan, informed the court that the Supreme Court has the constitutional authority to transfer pending cases to itself. He explained that after the constitutional amendment, the power to transfer cases has
been clearly outlined. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar inquired whether a written request would be required for the transfer of cases, to which the lawyer replied that even an oral request from the court could be considered. He further added that in his view, the court could also transfer the cases by exercising its suo-motu powers. The transfer of cases would be examined in light of Article 187. Makhdoom Ali Khan emphasized that the government cannot directly impose the super tax. Any tax must be justified, and exceptional circumstances must exist for imposing a super tax. He also pointed out that in multiple rulings, the Supreme Court has declared additional taxes to be unlawful, noting that imposing such taxes violates fundamental rights. After the hearing, the constitutional bench ordered the transfer of the pending appeals related to the super tax from the Islamabad and Lahore High Courts to the Supreme Court and adjourned the hear-
ing until tomorrow. Earlier, a constitutional bench of the apex court hearing appeals against a super tax imposed in the wake of a military operation was reconstituted on Monday after one of the bench members Justice Aamer Farooq, who had heard the case as a high court judge recused himself. A five-member CB led by Justice Aminuddin Khan took up the appeals filed by various organizations and individuals against a supertax that the PML-N government had imposed in 2015 to generate funds for the accommodation of the people internally displaced due to Operation Zarb-e-Azb. At the outset, Justice Khan noted that a bench member, Justice Aamer Farooq, had heard the case as a judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and therefore the CB would have to be reconstituted. During the hearing, the CB rejected a request to defer the hearing till after Ramazan and stated that the case would be heard on a daily basis.
gate the negative propaganda on social media. According to officials, the JIT issued summons to Ayub and Aleema as part of an investigation into digital content deemed to be in violation of Pakistan’s cybercrime laws. Aleema Khan was summoned for Wednesday, while Omar Ayub has been asked to appear for questioning on Thursday (tomorrow). According to sources privy to the JIT, investigators have gathered evidence related to the accusations before issuing the summons. Further details on the nature of the alleged prop-
aganda and the possible legal repercussions remain unclear while both Omar Ayub and Aleema Khan have also not made any comment publicly on the matter. Last December, the government launched a strict crackdown on individuals spreading propaganda about the state and its institutions on social media, with authorities taking swift action to curb the spread of fake news. The authorities identified 12 suspects involved in circulating false information and propaganda. FIRs have been lodged against them, with further legal action underway.
PTI’s Omar Ayub, Aleema Khan summoned for probe into malicious social media campaign ISLAMABAD:
Staff RepoRt
A Joint investigation team (JIT) has summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Omar Ayub and Aleema Khan for questioning in an inquiry related to alleged negative propaganda on social media, Express News reported on Wednesday citing sources. The JIT has been formed under Section 30 of the Electronic Crimes Prevention Act, 2016, via notification F.No.8/9/2024-FIA/, under the supervision of the Inspector General of Islamabad Police to investi-
at the site, and railway staff is actively engaged in operations without any logistical constraints. Abbasi also linked the recent attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to a neighboring country’s conspiracy, stressing that Pakistan’s security forces were responding with full capability. He acknowledged the sacrifices of youth and security personnel in thwarting such attacks. The minister confirmed that the Inspector General (IG) of Railways has been deployed to the incident site and urged national unity, saying, “We must stand behind our armed forces and security institutions.” He vowed that the sacrifices of the martyrs would not go in vain and warned that if fire is ignited nearby, it could reach our homes too.
Nawaz Sharif, NA Speaker discuss legislative developments, political situation ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Wednesday called on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The NA Speaker briefed the PML-N President on the current session of the National Assembly, ongoing legislative developments, key parliamentary matters and the performance of the 16th National Assembly during its first parliamentary year. According to sources privy to the meeting, the NA speaker arrived at the former prime minister’s residence to discuss proposed amendments to Articles 62, 63 of the Constitution, which resulted in the dismissal of Sharif for being dishonest for concealing his salary from a Dubai-based company. The Article 62 and 63 stipulates that a parliamentarian should be Sadiq (truthful) and Ameen (trustworthy). Former Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and former Law Minister Zahid Hamid were also present during the meeting, they added. The law minister had earlier announced on the floor of the National Assembly to do away with Article 62 and 63 of the constitution, drawing strong reaction from the opposition parties which vowed to resist any such attempt to amend the constitution “just to save one person.” During the meeting, Nawaz Sharif appreciated the NA Speaker for conducting the proceedings of the House with fairness despite protests by the opposition. He further emphasized that the people of Pakistan are not interested in protests and sloganeering; rather, they seek sustainable solutions to the country’s pressing issues. The PML-N chief also commended the Speaker for his role as the “Custodian of the House” and for effectively facilitating dialogue and negotiations between the government and the opposition. However, he lamented that the negotiations failed to yield results due to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) lack of seriousness. PML-N President underscored the importance of upholding parliamentary supremacy, enacting legislation in the public interest, and strengthening democracy.
Government moves to import raw sugar
I
g
HIGH-LEVEL COMMITTEE CONDUCTS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL MODELS TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY ISLAMABAD
Ghulam abbaS
N a move to address the longstanding demand of sugar millers and stabilize rising sugar prices, the government is now strategically analyzing options for importing raw sugar. Sugar millers, who typically operate their mills for only four months during the crushing season, have long advocated for the import of raw sugar to enable year-round operations and facilitate exports of refined sugar. Currently, mills hire most of their workforce for a limited period, but if raw sugar is made available, thousands of employees could be engaged throughout the year. Taking into account both industry demands and the escalating sugar prices in the domestic market, a high-level meeting of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led committee on raw sugar imports was held on
Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain. According to official sources, the meeting was attended by Minister of Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of Industries Haroon Akhtar, and other senior officials. During the session, key matters related to the import of raw sugar were discussed in detail. Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized that allowing the import of raw sugar could help stabilize the price of refined sugar in the local market. The committee also conducted a comprehensive review of various international models to assess the feasibility, benefits, and potential challenges of raw sugar imports. Officials were instructed to conduct an indepth study to evaluate the impact of such imports on local growers and the national economy. The Government of Pakistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
and Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, remains committed to ensuring maximum relief for the public through effective strategies in the food security sector. It is worth mentioning that sugar prices in Pakistan have surged sharply in the leadup to Ramadan, rising from Rs. 140 to Rs. 190 per kilogram, with projections suggesting prices may reach Rs. 240 per kilogram soon. This crisis has largely been attributed to the government’s decision last year to allow the export of 450,000 metric tons of sugar, despite concerns about low production and stock shortages. Reports indicate that the sugar mill mafia, with political backing, influenced the approval of exports, leading to massive profits for them while creating an artificial shortage in the domestic market. Further exacerbating the situation, sugar was reportedly exported under the guise of shipments to Afghanistan, enabling sugar barons to earn billions at the expense of
Pakistani consumers. Now, as prices continue to soar, the government is planning to import cheap, potentially substandard sugar—a move critics argue will once again benefit the same influential sugar lobby. The composition of the committee overseeing the import process, which reportedly includes politicians with direct stakes in the sugar industry, has raised concerns over po-
tential policy manipulation. With inflation already burdening the public and Ramadan approaching, the demand for sugar is expected to rise further. While the government’s move to import raw sugar may provide temporary relief, whether it will genuinely benefit consumers or serve as another windfall for the sugar elite remains to be seen.