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MILITARY TOP BRASS PLEDGES TO COUNTER INDIAN AGGRESSION WITH SWIFT, DECISIVE RESPONSE Thursday, 9 October, 2025 | 15 Rabius Sani, 1447
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CORPS COMMANDERS CONFERENCE ‘TAKES SERIOUS NOTICE’ OF INDIAN STATEMENTS, DESCRIBING THEM AS ‘IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNWARRANTED’ g
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TOP COMMANDERS REITERATE PAKISTAN WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY MISCALCULATION TO GO UNPUNISHED RAWALPINDI
staff report
ilitary top brass on Wednesday warned India that any “imaginary new normal” its leadership may be entertaining regarding bilateral relations would be met with a “new normal of swift retributive response,” in what appeared to be a strong reaffirmation of the country’s deterrence posture against external aggression, according to the military’s media wing. The warning came during the 272nd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC), chaired by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ), according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The high-level forum, comprising top commanders of the Pakistan Army, convened amid heightened tensions following provocative remarks made last week by top Indian civil and military leadership. The ISPR said the military top brass “took serious notice” of those statements, which it described as “irresponsi-
ble and unwarranted,” and reiterated that Pakistan would not allow any miscalculation to go unpunished. “The forum pledged to counter any Indian aggression with a swift and decisive response, shattering any perceived notion of India’s relative safety accruing from geography. Any imaginary new normal will be met with a new normal of
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 92 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
FORUM NOTES RHETORIC REFLECTED A PATTERN OF ‘WHIPPING UP WAR HYSTERIA FOR POLITICAL BENEFITS’
COAS URGES UNWAVERING READINESS AGAINST HYBRID AND ASYMMETRIC THREATS
swift retributive response,” the ISPR statement said. Provocative Indian remarks The conference came days after Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi warned Pakistan that it must stop “state-sponsored terrorism” if it wanted to “retain its place on the map,” further adding that the Indian military
would “not show any restraint this time.” The remarks drew a strong rebuttal from Pakistan’s military, which warned that any future conflict would have “cataclysmic devastation” and that Pakistan would “resolutely respond, without any qualms or restraint.”
Lt-Col, Major among 11 soldiers embrace martyrdom in Orakzai IBO: ISPR RAWALPINDI
staff report
Eleven military personnel, including a lieutenant colonel and a major, were martyred and 19 Indian-sponsored khwarij were sent to hell during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Orakzai district, the military’s media affairs wing said on Wednesday. In a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “Last night, security forces conducted an IBO in Orakzai district on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij.” “During the conduct of operation, 19 Indian-sponsored khwarij were sent to hell due to effective engagement by own troops,” the ISPR said. It
Full court bench formation debate dominates SC hearing on 26th Amend ISLAMABAD
staff report
Supreme Court (SC) Justice Aminud Din Khan on Wednesday observed that the judiciary must rely on the existing Constitution until any amendment is formally struck down or replaced, as an eight-member constitutional bench heard challenges to the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The bench, headed by Justice Aminud Din Khan, comprised Justices Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Ayesha Malik, Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali, Naeem Afghan, and Shahid Bilal. The proceedings were broadcast live on the Supreme Court’s official YouTube channel. At the outset, Advocate Hamid Khan opened his arguments by stating that the 26th Amendment had been introduced in Parliament late at night. Justice Aminud Din asked him first to assist the court regarding the formation of the bench. Justice Jamal Mandokhail interjected that whether the amendment was “good or bad” should not be discussed at this stage.
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added that during the exchange of fire, 39-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Tariq, who was leading his troops from the front, and his second-in-command, 33-year-old Major Tayyab Rahat, embraced martyrdom along with nine of their men. The nine brave soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice include Naib Subedar Azam Gul (age: 38 years, resident of District Khyber), Naik Adil Hussain (age: 35 years, resident of District Kurram), Naik Gul Ameer (age: 34 years, resident of District Tank), Lance Naik Sher Khan (age: 31 years, resident of District Mardan), Lance Naik Talish Faraz (age: 32 years, resident of District Manshera), Lance Naik Irshad Hussain (age: 32 years, resident of District Kurram),
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Gandapur quits as KP CM on Imran Khan’s directive; Sohail Afridi named successor PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD saleem Jadoon
PM Shehbaz calls Pak-Saudi Defence Pact symbol of brotherhood, urges joint efforts for global strength
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday announced his resignation from office “in compliance with the orders” of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, marking a major political shakeup in the party’s provincial government. PTI’s General Secretary Salman Akram Raja confirmed that Imran Khan had directed Sohail Afridi to assume the role of the new provincial chief executive. In a post on X, Gandapur said, “In respectful compliance of the orders of my leader Imran Khan, it is my honour to tender my resignation.” He also shared a copy of his resignation letter sent to KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. “When I took over as chief minister, the province was faced with a dual challenge of financial ruin and the menace of terrorism. Over the last one and a half year, with the support of my cabinet, our party members and workers, and the guidance of Imran Khan, we steered the province to financial stability and countered militancy with res-
olute courage and decision-making,” the letter stated. Gandapur added that his administration had initiated “mega projects of nation-building in a province that was militarily categorised as a warzone” and thanked his cabinet, PTI lawmakers, opposition members, and the provincial bureaucracy for their support in navigating “extraordinary challenges of governance.” “I may not be able to claim I succeeded on all fronts, but I can say with certainty that I served with absolute sincerity to the people of KP and always acted in the best interest of Pakistan,” he said.
‘RETURNING IMRAN’S AMAANAT’: An earlier post on Gandapur’s official Facebook page, later deleted, quoted him as saying: “The role of the chief minister was Imran Khan sahib’s amaanat (entrustment), and as per his order, I am returning his amaanat and submitting my resignation.” PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram and the party’s official X account also confirmed that Gandapur had resigned “as per Imran Khan’s directive.”
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ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia defence cooperation agreement is rooted in brotherhood and mutual trust, emphasizing that both nations, by working together, can secure a stronger position in the global community. He was addressing a luncheon held here at the Prime Minister’s House in honour of the visiting Saudi delegation led by Prince Mansour bin Mohammad bin Saad Al Saud, Chairman of the SaudiPakistan Joint Business Council. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, federal ministers, senior officials, and prominent business figures attended the event. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly welcomed Prince Mansour, saying it was a pleasure to see him again, noting that “we are gathered here today as one family.” He recalled his long-standing relationship with Saudi Arabia, sharing that he first visited the Kingdom in the 1960s and had since witnessed its remarkable progress. He described his recent visit to Riyadh as “unique and unforgettable,” lauding the warm hospitality extended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi people. “The Saudi leadership and people have always stood by Pakistan through every trial and difficulty,” he said, reaffirming that every Muslim is ready to sacrifice for the sanctity of the holy sites. The prime minister underlined that the Pakistan–Saudi defence pact formalizes a relationship founded on deep fraternity. “We are true brothers, and a brother always stands by his brother. We will always remain protectors of the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah,” he declared. Highlighting the growing scope of bilateral cooperation, the prime minister said both countries are determined to enhance ties based on trade, investment, research, and innovation. “This is a time of golden opportunities. Together, we can transform our shared business vision into reality,” he said. The prime minister praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s dynamic and visionary leadership, crediting it for transforming Saudi society. “Time and circumstances wait for no one. We must prepare ourselves for new challenges and opportunities. With cooperation and unity, we can establish a firm place in the global community,” he added. The prime minister expressed confidence that Pakistan has a capable team ready to implement the agreed initiatives, while Saudi officials are equally enthusiastic about moving forward with new agreements. Prince Mansour bin Mohammad bin Saad Al Saud, in his remarks, said that he had met senior Saudi ministers before arriving in Pakistan to brief them on potential strategic projects. He said the Saudi business community was keen to invest in Pakistan and appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s focus on expanding cooperation in key sectors. He reaffirmed that the Saudi side shared Pakistan’s priorities and would work closely to realize mutually beneficial goals.