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PM, NAQVI DISCUSS NATIONAL SECURITY, AFGHANS REPATRIATION PLAN Thursday, 3 April, 2025 | 4 Shawwal, 1446
INTERIOR MINISTER BRIEFS PM SHEHBAZ ON PROGRESS MADE IN RETURN OF UNDOCUMENTED FOREIGNERS, AFGHAN CC HOLDERS
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday assured that the federal government would extend full support for the development of Balochistan, reiterating the commitment that Balochistan’s progress remained one of the top priorities of his government. “All necessary steps would be taken to support ongoing and future initiatives in Balochistan”, PM Shehbaz pledged during a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti in Lahore on Wednesday. Both leaders held wideranging talks on the province’s economic, social, and security situation. CM Bugti briefed the prime minister on the status of development projects currently underway across Balochistan. He also extended Eidul Fitr greetings to the premier during the meeting. The premier emphasized providing all possi-
ble support for development of Balochistan. He reaffirmed that development of Balochistan was among top priorities of the federal government and all possible steps would be taken in that regard. Earlier on Tuesday, Federal Minister for Defence, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, said that previous governments should be held accountable for the ongoing challenges in Balochistan. Speaking during an interview with a private news channel, the minister highlighted his unwavering commitment to enhancing national security, improving public welfare, and intensifying counter-terrorism efforts. He extended his Eid greetings to the nation while discussing key issues. Khawaja Asif further stated that Pakistan’s armed forces have undergone reforms to better address the threat of terrorism and that successful counterterrorism operations in Balochistan are imminent.
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nterior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss matters of national security and the ongoing repatriation of Afghan nationals. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Naqvi briefed the premier on security measures put in place during Eidul Fitr holidays and progress on the return of undocumented foreigners and Afghan Citizen Card holders. PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the peaceful environment during Eid, praising the efforts of law enfor cement agencies.
the deadline until the beginning of next week due to the holiday period, according to an official. According to the United Nations,
800,000 Afghans holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) – issued by Pakistani authorities, will be subject to deportation once the new deadline expires.
COAS celebrates Eidul Fitr with troop deployed on western border g
GENERAL SYED ASIM MUNIR VISITS WANA, DI KHAN AND SPENDS EID DAY WITH ARMY SOLDIERS RAWALPINDI
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Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), visited Wana in South Waziristan and Chehkan in Dera Ismail Khan to celebrate Eidul Fitr with the officers and troops deployed on the Western Border. COAS Asim Munir offered Eid prayers and prayed for the enduring stability and prosperity of Pakistan, said a news release by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued here. During his interaction, COAS Asim Munir extended warm Eidul Fitr greetings to the troops, lauding their unwavering dedication and exemplary service to the nation.
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“Your commitment and resilience not only secure our homeland but also exemplify your profound love for Pakistan,” he stated. He appreciated the performance of the Armed Forces and other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) alongside the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who have always braved against the menace of terrorism. In acknowledging the formations’ tireless efforts, the COAS Asim Munir attributed their achievements to the sacrifices of our martyrs and those who are committed towards the greater cause of peace and stability. Upon his arrival, the COAS was warmly received by the Corps Commander Peshawar.
COAS LAUDS UNWAVERING DEDICATION AND EXEMPLARY SERVICE OF SOLDIERS TO THE NATION
As deadline set for BYC leaders 'expires,' Mengal announces march on Quetta today MASTUNG
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Balochistan National Party (BNPM) chief Akhtar Mengal on Wednesday announced march towards Quetta on Thursday (today) following the expiry of the deadline set by his party for the release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders. The BNP-M sit-in staged at Lakpas has been ongoing since March 28. In a statement on late Wednesday, Mengal said the deadline given to the government has expired and the participants of the sit-in will begin their long march towards
Quetta today (Thursday). Meanwhile, the provincial administration is taking various measures to prevent the BNP convoy from entering Quetta. Trenches are being dug at various locations along the National Highway at Lak Pass and Dast and various areas are being sealed off by placing containers. The development comes as BNP talks with the provincial government have so far failed to make any headway. The sit-in led by Akhtar Mengal and other party leaders was announced from Wadh to Quetta last month to demand the release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC)
leaders and activists, including Dr Mahrang Baloch. Addressing the sit-in participants on Wednesday, Mengal said last night “powerless” delegation of the provincial government came to hold talks with them. “If the women are not released by tomorrow, the containers will be removed from the road,” he warned, adding that women along with their children will also march to Quetta. He said the Sindh government has released BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch but “powerless” Balochistan government “is looking somewhere else”.
Sindh releases BYC leader Sammi detained under MPO KARACHI
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Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Sammi Deen Baloch has been released after the Sindh government withdrew her name from the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance. Sammi Deen Baloch, along with others, were detained under the MPO for 30 days on March 24 for violating Section 144 during a protest. Confirming Sammi Deen Baloch’s release, her lawyer Jibran Nasir stated that she has been released and is now with her family. He added that Sammi’s release marks a positive step in the right direction by the state.
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PM pledges full support for Balochistan’s development LAHORE
The meeting also included a review of matters related to the Ministry of Interior, with a focus on enforcement actions post-deadline for Afghan repatriation. As of the previous deadline, 886,242 Afghans had returned home. Officials confirmed that legal action will now be initiated against those who remain in violation of the policy. Meanwhile, the federal government has postponed a deadline for the deportation of hundreds of thousands of Afghans due to Eidul Fitr holidays. The government had initially set a deadline for March 31 for Afghans holding specific documentation to leave the country, intensifying efforts to repatriate Afghan nationals. However, the government has now extended
IN TODAY’S ISSUE
PREMIER EXPRESSES SATISFACTION OVER PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT DURING EID
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President Zardari placed in isolation after being tested positive for Covid-19 PRESIDENT IS UNDER THE CARE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALISTS AND IS BEING CLOSELY MONITORED: DR HUSSAIN KARACHI
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President Asif Ali Zardari has been tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in isolation at a private hospital in Karachi, according to his physician Dr Asim Hussain. The confirmation comes as concerns over the president’s health grew following his recent hospitalisation. “The president is under the care of infectious disease specialists and is being closely monitored”, said a statement issued from the President’s House quoting Dr Hussain as saying. “Due to his condition, all meetings with the president have been strictly prohibited,” he stated. President Zardari was moved from Nawabshah to Karachi after he began experiencing health complications. Multiple tests have since been conducted to assess his condition, with doctors providing round-the-clock care. Meanwhile, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon reiterated that the president’s condition is stable and improving. He dismissed reports that Zardari was being shifted to Dubai for treatment, calling them “inaccurate.” “The reports about President Asif Ali Zardari being shifted to Dubai for treatment is inaccurate,” Memon wrote on X in the wee hours of Wednesday, sharing a collage of sources-based media reports. The minister, a key leader of Zardari’s PPP, said the president’s health was “improving and Inshallah (God-willingly), he will be fine very soon”.
Nighttime curfew imposed in Tank, South Waziristan due to security concerns PESHAWAR
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The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa authorities have imposed curfew in Tank and South Waziristan districts owing to the prevailing security concerns. The district administrations have notified that the curfew will remain imposed in Tank and South Waziristan districts from 6:00am to 6:00pm. The people have been requested to use alternate routes and cooperate with the security agencies as partial curfew has also been imposed in Dera Ismail Khan. In South Waziristan, the curfew will cover Korr Qila, Khargai and Manzai road, while Dabara Bazaar will also be closed. The Korr Qila via Gomal, Wana highway will remain open. Every kind of movement has been completely banned at Karri Wam and Jandola during the curfew period. The administration has said that these steps being taken to ensure protection of life and property in the region. It has also requested commuters to cooperate with the administration security agencies during the curfew hours. It is to be mentioned here that terrorists last month attacked a security post in Tank district of KP, foiled by the military troops.
‘Major relief on cards’ as PM ‘consults’ businessmen on power sector reforms today g
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PREMIER’S AIDE SAYS PM WOULD ANNOUNCE A MAJOR RELIEF PACKAGE WHICH WOULD ‘THWART PAKISTAN’S DEFAULT PLOT’ ISLAMABAD
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will take distinguished businessmen into confidence over the proposed power sector reforms as the federal government is set to announce a “major relief package” on Thursday (today), according to social media posts by highranking officials. Former caretaker minister for industries and commerce Gohar Ejaz will lead the businessmen delegation that will meet the prime minister.
A major cut is expected in power tariff during the prime minister’s meeting with businessmen, while a breakthrough is also likely over exports and other economic issues in the meeting. The meeting has been scheduled at 2pm at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, according to the government authorities. Meanwhile, the government on Wednesday posted on its official X account that “great news for the entire nation” would be unveiled Thursday (tomorrow), without providing any details about the announcement itself. The post bore the hashtag ‘Small Eid,
Big Gift’, referring to Eidul Fitr. Meanwhile, the ruling PML-N posted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would make an important announcement tomorrow, while a separate post said that he would be giving “a big gift from the federal government to the people”. However, Rana Sanaullah, the premier’s aide, wrote on X that the PM would announce a major relief package tomorrow which would “thwart Pakistan’s default plot”. “Stock market rally, remittances rise, and inflation fall—tomorrow the propa-
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ganda of despair will end!” the PM’s adviser maintained. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also posted about tomorrow’s announcement, calling it “good news … which will be the fruit of the hard work and the result of Allah’s grace since 2022”. He did not specify what was being announced. He added, “This journey of development, progress and economic revival will continue.” On March 26, PM Shehbaz’s team unlocked the new $1.3 billion arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), along with a successful first review of the ongoing 37-month bailout programme. The IMF disclosed in March that it had
allowed only a Re1 per unit reduction in power tariff against a grid levy imposed on industrial captive power plants. “The programme allows some explicit tariff differential subsidy and revenue from CPP (captive power plants) firms can be used for reducing Rs1 per kWh (kilowatthour) electricity price. “The benefit of the reduction in the prices will go to everyone,” IMF Resident Representative in Islamabad Mahir Binici told journalists. The move is part of a broader relief package the government is working on for electricity users. According to official sources, the reduction could lessen the financial burden on consumers by up to Rs100 billion.