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COAS REITERATES DESIRE TO FURTHER DEEPEN, DIVERSIFY MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH US Monday, 14 April, 2025 | 15 Shawwal, 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 277 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
BOTH SIDES REAFFIRM IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINED ENGAGEMENT BASED ON MUTUAL RESPECT, SHARED VALUES
US CONGRESSMEN CONVEY STRONG COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING BROAD-BASED BILATERAL COOPERATION, INCLUDING IN SECURITY AND TRADE
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RAWALPINDI
staff report
delegation of the United States Congress, led by Honourable Jack Bergman along with Honourable Thomas Souzzi and Honourable Jonathan Jackson called on General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on Sunday, according to the military’s media wing. The US lawmakers and Gen Syed Asim Munir discussed regional security and cooperation in the defence sector, the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker was also present in the meeting.
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MOUS ALSO SIGNED FOR TRAINING COLLABORATION IN THE FIELD OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
“Discussions during the meeting encompassed a range of issues of mutual interest, with a particular emphasis on regional security and defence cooperation,” the statement read. “Both sides reaffirmed the importance of sustained engagement based on mutual respect, shared values, and converging strategic interests.” The ISPR said that the visiting US lawmakers commended the Pakistani armed forces for their pivotal role in countering terrorism and acknowledged the country’s enduring contributions to regional peace and stability. They also appreciated Pakistan’s resilience and “the strategic potential of its people”. “Underscoring their respect for Pakistan’s sovereignty, the US Congressional
delegation conveyed a strong commitment to advancing broad-based bilateral cooperation, particularly in the domains of security, trade, investment, and economic development,” the statement added. The COAS “conveyed his appreciation to the delegation for their visit and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to further deepen and diversify its longstanding partnership with the US in a manner that is mutually beneficial and respectful of each other’s national interests”, the ISPR said. Memorandums of understanding were also signed for training collaboration in the information technology sector, the statement added. Earlier in the day, Naqvi asserted that Pakistan stood as a “wall between terrorism and the rest of the world” as he met the del-
egation of American lawmakers in Islamabad, according to a press release by the government-run PID. “Terrorism is a global challenge. The international community urgently needs to fully cooperate with Pakistan,” Naqvi was quoted as saying in a statement by the interior ministry. Minister of State for Interior Talal
Naqvi terms Pakistan a wall between terrorism and world ISLAMABAD
staff report
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday that terrorism is a global challenge and urged the international community to urgently cooperate with Pakistan in fight against the global scourge. Naqvi was talking to a US Congressional delegation, led by Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI), along with Representatives Thomas Richard Suozzi, Jonathan L. Jackson, and other senior US officials here. The minister said that Pakistan was a wall between terrorism and the world. He stressed on the importance of intelligence and technology sharing in counter-terrorism operations. The interior minister said that sustainable
relations with the United States have been a key in Pakistan’s foreign policy. He welcomed the upcoming Pakistan Caucus event in the US on April 30 is a positive development. Speaking on the occasion, the US congressmen stressed the need for highlighting the role Pakistan played in the war on terror. They said that members of the Pakistani community living in the USA were competent and hardworking. Earlier, the US and Pakistan delegations had a detailed discussion on bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest. There was also conversation about advancing cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, and investment, as well as discussions on security, counterterrorism, and border security. Border security and the
Iran condemns ‘inhumane and cowardly’ killing of Pakistanis on its soil ISLAMABAD
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The Iranian embassy in Pakistan on Sunday strongly condemned the “inhumane and cowardly” killing of eight Pakistani workers yesterday in the country’s Sistan-Balochestan province. “All the eight slain Pakistani belong to Bahawalpur city of southern Punjab,” Iranian officials said, adding that they were staying at a car repair shop in SistanBalochestan’s Mehrestan County. A spokesman for the banned outfit, the Balochistan National Army (BNA), claimed responsibility for the incident through a statement issued to the media. In a statement today, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam strongly condemned the “inhumane and cowardly armed incident against eight Pakistani nationals”. “Terrorism is a chronic plight and a common threat throughout the region by which the traitorous elements, in collaboration with international terrorism, target security and stability throughout the region,” the statement read.“Combating this ominous phenomenon requires collective and joint efforts by all countries to eradicate all forms of terrorism and extremism that have claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people in recent decades,” Moghadam stressed.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the “brutal killing” of the Pakistani workers, state-run PTV news reported. “The menace of terrorism is devastating for all regional countries,” the premier was quoted as saying. He urged the Iranian government to arrest the perpetrators immediately, mete out “just punishment to them”, and bring forward the “reasons for this cruel act”. PM Shehbaz also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to contact the families of the deceased Pakistanis and Pakistan’s embassy in Iran for the safe return of their bodies. According to reports, unknown armed men barged into the workshop sometime in the night and, after tying their hands and feet, opened indiscriminate firing at the workers and killed them. Later, the attackers fled from the site. The Iranian police rushed to the area after receiving information about the tragic incident, and after recovering the bodies, they were shifted to the hospital. According to the state-run PTV news, the victims were identified as Dilshad Jind Wada, his son Danish, Naeem Fareed, Jaffar Ramazan and Aamir Liaquat from Samma Satta; Nasir from Musafir Khana; and Khalid and Jamshaid from Ahmadpur East of Bahawalpur district. Iranian authorities said the police were investigating the incident.
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Pakistan expect ‘full cooperation’ from Iran in probe into killing of its nationals: FO g
FO SPOKESPERSON SAYS PAKISTANI OFFICIALS IN ‘CONSTANT TOUCH’ WITH IRANIAN AUTHORITIES FOR REPATRIATION OF BODIES ISLAMABAD
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Pakistan on Sunday sought “full cooperation” from Iran in investigating the “inhumane and cowardly” killing of eight of its nationals in the latter’s Sistan-Balochestan province, the Foreign Office said. “Pakistan strongly condemns the inhumane and cowardly killing of its nationals in Iran and expects full Iranian cooperation in investigating the incident and timely repatriation of victims’ remains,” said a press release issued by the FO. The eight Pakistani motor mechanics and labourers were “tragically killed” in Mehrestan County, located approximately 230 kilometres away from the Pakistan-Iran border, it stated. According to earlier reports, unknown armed men barged into a workshop sometime on Saturday night and, after tying the workers’ hands and feet, opened indiscrimi-
nate firing and killed them. Later, the attackers fled from the site. All eight workers hailed from several areas of Punjab, the Associated Press of Pakistan stated, listing their names. A spokesman for the banned outfit, the Balochistan National Army (BNA), claimed responsibility for the incident through a statement issued to the media. However, AFP reported that militant group Jaishul Adl also claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the FO, Pakistani officials in Iran were in “constant touch” with the authorities there for a probe into the incident and the repatriation of bodies. “On the instructions of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, our Embassy in Tehran and our Consulate in Zahidan are in constant touch with the Iranian authorities for a comprehensive investigation to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice as well as for prompt repatriation of the victims’
remains to Pakistan,” the FO said. “Our Mission has already requested consular access to verify their identities,” it added. The FO noted that the leadership and people of Pakistan were “deeply saddened and perturbed over the tragic incident”. Further updates would be provided as soon as additional details regarding the identification of bodies and the “circumstances leading to their tragic deaths become available”, it continued. Following the incident yesterday, Iranian police had rushed to the area and shifted the bodies to a hospital after recovering them. Iranian authorities said the police were investigating the incident. It was the second such incident in Sistan-Balochestan, as nine Pakistani workers hailing from Punjab were gunned down by unidentified attackers on Jan 27, 2024 in the province.
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steps taken to eliminate terrorism were also discussed at the meeting. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Acting US ambassador in Pakistan Natalie A. Baker and Secretary Interior Khurram Agha were also present on the occasion. Naqvi stated that Pakistan’s unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against terrorism have no parallel in the world. He emphasized that the upcoming visit of the US Congressional delegation will be crucial in highlighting Pakistan’s exceptional role in the fight against terrorism. He mentioned that the recent participation of the US delegation in the Minerals Investment Forum 2025 was a positive development. “The government will ensure all possible facilities for investors and provide complete protection for their investments,” he added.
Chaudhry, acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker and Interior Secretary Khurram Agha were also present during the meeting. During today’s meeting, a detailed discussion was held on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, as well as counterterrorism and border security. Both sides also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and investment. Naqvi emphasized that intelligence and technology-sharing in the domain of counterterrorism was of utmost importance The minister further said Pakistan’s immense sacrifices against terrorism were unmatched in the global context. Naqvi termed the visit of US Congressmen as crucial in highlighting Pakistan’s unprecedented role in the fight against terrorism. Last month, US President Donald Trump had hailed Pakistan’s help in arresting a terrorist responsible for a 2021 bombing in Afghanistan that killed 13 US service members. Naqvi asserted that strong and sustainable relations with the US hold a key place in Pakistan’s foreign policy. He termed the holding of the Pakistan Caucus, which Suozzi heads, in the US on April 30 as a welcome development.