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TRUMP LAUDS PAKISTAN FOR FACILITATING ARREST OF KABUL AIRPORT ATTACK MASTERMIND Thursday, 6 March, 2025 | 5 Ramazan, 1446
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WASHINGTON agencies
S President Donald Trump expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its role in the arrest of a key terrorist involved in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing, a deadly attack that claimed the lives of 13 American service members and around 170 Afghan civilians. Speaking before a joint session of Congress, Trump made the announcement, stating: “Three and a half years ago, a [Daesh] terrorist killed 13 American service members and countless others in the Abbey Gate bombing. Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity. And he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice.” After revealing the arrest, Trump took a moment to thank the Pakistani government for its cooperation in the operation. “I want to thank, especially, the Pakistani government for helping arrest this monster,” Trump said. “This was a very momentous day for the 13 families I got to
US National Security Advisor praises Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts in call with Ishaq Dar ISLAMABAD
staff report
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received a phone call from US National Security Advisor Michael Walters, thanking Pakistan for its efforts in combating terrorism and expressed appreciation for the country’s ongoing actions in the fight against extremism. According to a statement from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Walters conveyed a message of gratitude and praise on behalf of US President Donald Trump for Pakistan’s efforts in counterterrorism. In response, Dar congratulated Walters on his appointment as US National Security Advisor and expressed hopes for
know very well, whose children were murdered on that fateful day.” The Abbey Gate bombing occurred in August 2021 during the chaotic US with-
further strengthening the long-standing and multifaceted relationship between the two countries under President Trump’s administration. Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continuing cooperation with the United States in the fight against terrorism and applauded President Trump’s announcement regarding the return of military equipment left behind by US forces in Afghanistan. The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in sectors such as information technology, energy, and minerals. They agreed on the importance of continued dialogue on trade, investment, climate change, and health, with a view to advancing broader bilateral cooperation.
drawal from Afghanistan, which Trump once again criticized as a failure of the Biden administration. “Not that they were withdrawing, but it
PM oversees MoU signing between IFZA, BoI ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met an 8-member delegation from the International Free Zones Authority (IFZA) of the United Arab Emirates and the Aleria Group here and witnessed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) exchanged between IFZA and the Board of Investment Pakistan for investment in existing Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The Prime Minister welcomed the delegation of the International Free Zones Authority of the United Arab Emirates that would invest in several projects in existing Special Economic Zones of Pakistan, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said. On the occasion, the prime minister said Pakistan and the UAE had long-standing brotherly relations spanning decades, whereas the country had vast investment opportunities in several sectors.
“The government is taking steps on a priority basis to provide a business and investment-friendly environment in the country,” the prime minister said. The delegation praised Pakistan’s economic stability under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and expressed that Pakistan was emerging as the most suitable market for investment in the region. The delegation expressed keen interest in further increasing its investment footprint in Pakistan. The meeting was attended by IFZA Chairman Martin Gregers Pederson and Aleria Managing Partner Mana Ali Muhammad Hammad Al Shamsi, along with officials from Aleria and IFZA. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and relevant senior officials also participated in the meeting.
BEIJING
Pakistan’s inclusion in the China Space Station program is a testament to the deep-rooted strategic partnership between the two nations and marks a significant step in advancing space exploration for mutual benefit, according to Lin Xiqiang, Director General of the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). Lin emphasised that Pakistan’s involvement in this initiative will foster knowledge exchange and cooperation, aligning with the broader goal of peaceful space exploration for the benefit of humanity.
Last week, CMSA and Pakistan’s Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) signed a formal cooperation agreement to train and select Pakistani astronauts for future missions aboard China’s Tiangong space station. This milestone builds upon decades of collaboration in aerospace technology between the two countries. China and Pakistan share a long history of aerospace cooperation, with experts from both nations working closely on various joint initiatives. Their strong technical rapport has paved the way for the successful completion of numerous projects, according to a report by Gwadar Pro. A major milestone in this
was the way they withdrew,” Trump remarked. “Perhaps the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country.” It merits mention that in a significant development in the fight against terrorism, Pakistan’s intelligence agencies recently captured a senior Daesh commander, Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, during a special operation. Sharifullah, implicated in the deadly Kabul airport attack in August 2021 that
PM thanks Trump for acknowledging Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts
ISLAMABAD (STAFF REPORT): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed gratitude to former U.S. President Donald Trump for acknowledging and appreciating Pakistan’s role and support in counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan. In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with the United States to ensure regional peace and stability. He emphasised that Pakistan has always played a pivotal role in global counterterrorism efforts, actively working to deny safe havens to terrorists and militant groups seeking to operate against any country. Reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the immense sacrifices the country has made in this fight. “Pakistan has rendered great sacrifices, including the loss of over 80,000 brave soldiers and citizens in the battle against terrorism,” he stated.
Pakistan’s involvement in China’s space station marks new chapter in aerospace cooperation staff report
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 240 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
partnership was achieved last year when China launched Pakistan’s first lunar satellite, CubeSat, as part of its historic Chang’e 6 mission. The satellite successfully entered the Moon’s orbit, marking Pakistan’s firstever lunar flyby. Experts suggest that Pakistan’s selection as the first foreign participant in China’s space station program aligns with the country’s strategic significance in Beijing’s global vision. Pakistan hosts the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship initiative of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which strengthens its role in China’s long-term economic and technological expansion.
Sen Elissa Slotkin criticises Trump’s policies in Democratic rebuttal WASINGTON
Monitoring report
Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) delivered the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday, criticizing his economic policies, immigration stance, and foreign policy approach while positioning her party as the responsible alternative to his leadership. Slotkin, a moderate Democrat and former CIA analyst, used her rebuttal to advocate for bipartisan values and invoked former Republican President Ronald Reagan to contrast Trump’s policies with past conservative principles. Slotkin focused heavily on economic issues, warning that Trump’s policies could push the US toward a recession. “If he’s not careful, he could walk us right into a recession,” Slotkin said, criticizing Trump for rising costs and a lack of a credible plan to ease financial burdens. She pointed to the fact that grocery and housing prices remain high, with some items, such as eggs, increasing in cost under Trump’s leadership. “Do his plans actually help Americans get ahead? Not even close,” she said. Acknowledging that voters prioritized the economy in the last election, Slotkin suggested that Democrats lost support because they failed to address economic concerns adequately. She pledged that her party would do better in the years ahead. Slotkin also addressed immigration, an area where Democrats have struggled in polling against Republicans. “The border without actually fixing our broken immigration system is dealing with the symptom, not the disease. America is a nation of immigrants,” she
PM sets $1tr economy target by 2035, urges cabinet to sustain economic momentum
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GOVERNMENT HIGHLIGHTS ECONOMIC STABILITY, TAX REFORMS, AND INVESTMENT INFLOWS PROFIT
staff repoert
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged his cabinet to maintain their dedication and commitment, emphasising that hard work is essential for achieving the goal of making Pakistan a $1 trillion economy by 2035 and reaching $60 billion in exports by 2029. Addressing a special cabinet meeting at the Jinnah Convention Center to review the government’s one-year performance, the
prime minister praised his cabinet members for their efforts in ensuring economic stability. He noted that all macroeconomic indicators showed positive growth and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the economy. He highlighted the successful implementation of the Rs20 billion Ramazan relief package, which will provide financial support to four million deserving families through a digital wallet system. Each family will receive Rs5,000, eliminating concerns
about financial mismanagement that had previously plagued entities such as the Utility Stores Corporation. Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that the government successfully steered the country away from the risk of default and achieved an economic turnaround. He stressed the need for further efforts to curb losses in state-owned enterprises, eliminate circular debt in the power sector, and expedite the resolution of Rs400 billion in pending tax cases. The Sindh High Court’s recent decision to recover Rs23 billion provided much-needed relief to the government. For the first time in Pakistan’s history, the federal cabinet meeting was attended by
killed 13 US soldiers and around 170 Afghan civilians, was apprehended near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. His capture is considered a major blow to Daesh, marking a crucial step in counterterrorism efforts, particularly in the context of the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The arrest was made following a lead from US intelligence, and Sharifullah, a key member of Daesh, was apprehended near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
people from various sectors and was broadcast live on national television. The prime minister underscored the importance of fostering a culture of tolerance and unity, expressing optimism about Pakistan’s future. He also announced that Pakistan, in collaboration with China, would soon launch its first joint astronaut mission. During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reflected on Pakistan’s economic progress, recalling that under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, the country’s economy ranked 24th globally. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented an economic overview, stating that the Pakistan Stock Exchange
said, accusing Trump’s administration of lacking empathy toward undocumented immigrants. She also took aim at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting initiative led by Elon Musk, arguing that while reform is necessary, it should not create instability or reduce public safety. Slotkin was particularly critical of Trump’s handling of US foreign policy, citing his tense meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week, which led Trump to pause all US aid to Ukraine. She invoked Reagan’s legacy, suggesting that the Republican Party of the past would have taken a different approach. “After the spectacle that just took place in the Oval Office last week, Reagan must be rolling over in his grave,” she said. Slotkin argued that true strength requires the US to combine military and economic power with moral clarity, a principle she said Reagan understood, but Trump does not uphold. She also accused Trump of alienating America’s allies, stating: “He believes in cozying up to dictators like Vladimir Putin and kicking our friends, like Canada, in the teeth.”For many Americans, Tuesday night marked their first introduction to Slotkin, who was elected to the US Senate from Michigan in 2024. A former CIA analyst fluent in Arabic and Swahili, Slotkin served three tours in Iraq and held national security positions under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. She later served in the Pentagon as acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs.
had seen a 71% return, the highest in 20 years, while the current account surplus had reached a record high. He detailed ongoing efforts to streamline government operations, including the rightsizing of 43 ministries and 400 affiliated departments, as well as pension and agricultural tax reforms. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) recorded a 26% increase in revenue, while the introduction of faceless tax assessments led to a 60% rise in tax collections. Power Minister Awais Ahmed Leghari outlined energy sector reforms, highlighting a Rs151 billion reduction in industrial crosssubsidies and a decrease in electricity prices to Rs4.96 per unit by February 25. The evaluation of 104 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) resulted in the termination of five inefficient plants and renegotiation of contracts with 14 others, yielding lifetime savings of Rs1,333 billion.
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