In partnership with
Profit
on alert PM SHEHBAZ VOWS TO CRUSH TERRORISM Rawalpindi after Lahore TLP raid triggers unrest PERPETRATED FROM ACROSS BORDER Friday, 10 October, 2025 | 16 Rabius Sani, 1447
g
g
g
PREMIER SAYS MARTYRS DREW A LINE WITH THEIR BLOOD WHILE DEFENDING COUNTRY AND THIS LINE COULDN’T BE VIOLATED APPRECIATES BLOOMBERG REPORT WHICH RANKED PAKISTAN AS THE SECOND-BEST EMERGING ECONOMY AFTER TURKEY
STRESSES ACHIEVEMENTS ON ECONOMIC AND DIPLOMATIC FRONTS WILL COME TO NAUGHT IF TERRORISM NOT ELIMINATED
P
ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Thursday said the nation was united in its resolve to eradicate terrorism from the country, and the government and armed forces will take all measures to crush the violence perpetrated from across the border. In his opening remarks during the
federal cabinet meeting here on Thursday, the premier gave details of the recent incidents during which army officers and Jawans embraced martyrdom while conducting operations against terrorists of Fitna al-Khawarij. He said he along with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, high ranking military officers and Jawans on Wednesday attended the funeral prayers of Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Tariq and Major Tayyab Rahat. They were among the eleven army
Seven khwarij neutralized, Army Major martyred in Daraban IBO: ISPR RAWALPINDI
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 93 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
Kh Asif calls for unity to defeat terrorism, backs Pakistan Army
gional, and ideological divides. “Our political matters—whether related to Karachi, Sialkot, or Peshawar— can wait for another day. Today, our collective focus must be on eliminating this menace once and for all,” he asserted. Mr Asif emphasized that national security should remain above partisan politics, reminding lawmakers that Pakistan’s Armed Forces had not only safeguarded the nation’s borders in wars with India but also earned international recognition for professionalism and courage.
ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to defending its territory and eradicating terrorism through national unity, urging all federal and provincial governments to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army and the families of martyrs. Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly amid growing security concerns, the minister stressed that countering terrorism required a united front that transcended political, re-
men who embraced martyrdom in Orakzai while fighting against terrorists of Fitna al-Khawarij, he added. He said Lt Colonel Junaid wrote a new chapter of bravery as during the operation led by him 19 terrorists of Fitna al-Khwarij were eliminated. “During another operation against Fitna al-Khawarij, Major Sibtain Haider embraced martyrdom,” he said, adding he talked to the parents and family members of the martyrs who said their sons gave their lives for the country and gained martyrdom. He said brave officers and Jawans of Pakistan army were laying down their lives for the country during their operations against Fitna al-Khawarij every day. The martyrs were leaving behind their children as orphans while saving the future generations of the country, he remarked. He said facilitators were protecting the terrorists who were coming
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03 from across the border. He stressed that the situation had reached a critical point and the terrorists will not be spared. The martyrs drew a line with their blood while defending their country and this line could not be violated, he continued. The sacrifices of the martyrs will be remembered forever, he remarked. He said achievements of the country on the economic and diplomatic fronts will come to naught if terrorism was not eliminated. Talking about his meetings during the United Nations General Assembly session, he said Pakistan had a consistent stance on Palestine for the last 77 years. The Palestine issue remained a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, he said, adding Pakistan always wanted that an immediate ceasefire should be reached in Gaza and people of Palestine should be given their right to self-determination.
A Pakistan Army officer, Major Sibtain Haider, embraced martyrdom, while seven terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al-Khwarij were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO) in Dera Ismail Khan’s Daraban area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “Security forces conducted an IBO on 8 October 2025 in the general area of Daraban, on the reported presence of Khwarij belonging to the Indian proxy, Fitna al Khwarij.” “During the operation, security forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ hideout, resulting in the killing of 7 Indian-sponsored Khwarij. However, during the intense fire exchange, 30-year-old Major Sibtain Haider, a resident of Quetta, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat,” the ISPR said, adding the brave officer was leading his troops from the front and fought gallantly. “Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies as well as the killing of innocent civilians,” the statement said. Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored Kharji found in the area, as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indiansponsored terrorism from the country, and such sacrifices of our brave sons further strengthen our resolve, the statement added. Later, the funeral prayer of Major Sibtain Haider Shaheed (age: 30 years, resident of District Quetta) who embraced martyrdom in the general area of Daraban, Dera Ismail Khan, was offered at Chaklala Garrison in Rawalpindi. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the information minister, military and civil officers, and the public attended the funeral.
Sohail Afridi’s nomination meant to ‘promote and protect’ terror networks, claims Tarar ISLAMABAD
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar on Thursday accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan of being the “chief sponsor” of terrorists, alleging that he facilitated their return and shelter in Pakistan during his tenure and continues to support their network through loyalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). “The PTI founder’s nomination of Sohail Afridi as KhyberPakhtunkhwa-designate aims at “completely supporting and promoting” terrorists and their facilitators,” Information Minister Atta Tarar said while addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Information and K-P Affairs Ikhtiar Wali Khan. “The person sitting in jail is the chief sponsor of terrorists,” he said,
adding that those behind recent unrest and security incidents “received direct support” from the former premier. “These facilitators will not succeed in destabilising Pakistan.” The information minister claimed that Imran Khan had repeatedly described militants as “good people” and had long advocated for negotiations with them. “That very person— and the one currently in jail—brought terrorists back to Pakistan and settled
The Rawalpindi police have intensified security across the city following a late-night operation by Lahore police at Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) headquarters, which sparked violent clashes and raised fears of unrest spreading to other regions. The crackdown, launched to arrest TLP chief Saad Rizvi ahead of the group’s planned anti-Israel protest in Islamabad, triggered street battles in Lahore as supporters hurled stones and used iron rods against police, injuring at least three constables. Law enforcement responded with tear gas, dispersing protesters along Multan Road amid escalating tensions. In Rawalpindi, City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani convened a highlevel meeting to review the evolving situation and direct heightened vigilance. “No one will be allowed to take the law into their hands or disrupt public life,” the CPO stated. “Blocking roads or creating unrest under any pretext will not be tolerated. Senior officers from operations, investigation, and divisional units were briefed to ensure strict enforcement and maintain peace. The CPO emphasized that police are fully prepared to deal with any attempt to incite violence. “Rawalpindi Police is determined to safeguard lives and property. Any aggression towards citizens or law enforcement will be met with decisive action,” he added. Authorities have also instructed hostels and hotels along Murree Road and surrounding areas to clear non-essential occupants, with exemptions for foreigners, patients, and students appearing in exams. Meanwhile, two TLP workers arrested earlier this week were remanded in police custody by a Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court for 10 days after they were found transporting what police described as “dangerous items intended for violent protest.”
PM lauds Gaza peace deal as historic opportunity for lasting ME peace ISLAMABAD
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Staff RepoRt
Staff RepoRt
RAWALPINDI
Staff RepoRt
them. To this day, their facilitation continues,” he alleged, lamenting that “the entire disruptive faction of PTI acts as facilitators of terrorism.” Tarar also accused former K-P chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur of failing to carry out “such facilitation to the satisfaction” of Imran Khan, which he suggested led to Gandapur’s removal.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Staff RepoRt
Pakistan welcomed the much-desired Gaza ceasefire deal reached between Hamas and Israel, terming it a major step towards ending the genocide of Palestinians with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded President Trump’s leadership and his commitment to world peace. In a post uploaded on his X account on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote, “The announcement of an agreement that will bring an end to the genocide in Gaza is a historic opportunity to secure lasting peace in the Middle East.” The Gaza peace agreement, signed Thursday (today), also calls for Israel to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as well as prompt a surge of aid into Gaza after more than two years of Israeli barbarism. “President Trump’s leadership throughout the process of dialogue and negotiations reflects his unwavering commitment to world peace,” PM Shehbaz Sharif said and added “The resolute and wise leaders of Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye are also to be applauded for their untiring efforts to negotiate a deal.” The prime minister further said “Most of all, we must all pay tribute to the Palestinian people — who have suffered in an unprecedented manner, one that should never, ever be repeated.” Shehbaz Sharif maintained “I also note with grave concern, and strongly condemn, the recent provocations at Masjid Al-Aqsa. The world must hold the occupiers and illegal settlers to account and prevent any further actions that undermine the enormous efforts made by President Trump to reduce tensions and pave the way for lasting peace.”
PM, Bilawal discuss political situation amid efforts to ‘patch up’ PPP–PML-N differences ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Amid efforts to patch up differences between coalition partners, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari held a telephone conversation on Thursday to discuss the country’s prevailing political situation, foreign policy, and the deepening row between their two parties. The PPP, confirming the call in a post on X, said
both leaders discussed the current political climate and agreed on the need for continued dialogue. The outreach comes as the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)—main partners in the ruling coalition — have been embroiled in an increasingly public spat over flood aid distribution, water rights, and governance issues. In recent weeks, leaders from both sides have traded barbs through daily press briefings, each accusing the other of politicising relief operations for flood
victims. The dispute has widened to include arguments over water sharing on the Indus River, further straining relations between the two parties. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif added fuel to the fire last week, declaring at a rally that she would not apologize for her remarks against the PPP and urging the party leadership to “keep its advice to itself.” She accused the PPP of “wrongful criticism” of the Punjab government’s flood response. The PPP—which governs Sindh—retaliated
sharply, staging walkouts from the National Assembly and Senate sessions to protest what it termed “unwarranted attacks” by PML-N leaders. Amid rising tempers, both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have moved to ease tensions. The president, sources said, has held several quiet consultations and asked Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to assist in reconciling the two allies.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
CB could use judicial powers to form a full court bench for hearing challenges to 26th Amend, says Malik CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
The Supreme Court’s eight-member Constitutional Bench (CB) on Thursday raised crucial questions about whether it had the judicial authority to order the formation of a full court, as arguments continued on challenges to the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment—a law that redefined judicial powers, appointments, and tenure. Senior lawyer Munir A. Malik argued that the CB could indeed issue such an order using its “judicial powers,” while Justices Aminuddin Khan and Jamal Khan Mandokhail questioned whether judges appointed after the 26th Amendment should be excluded if a full court were formed.
The eight-judge CB—headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan and comprising Justices Jamal Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Ayesha Malik, Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali, Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Shahid Bilal Hassan—heard multiple petitions urging that the matter be referred to a full court. The hearing, streamed live from 11:30am to 1pm, also saw spirited exchanges among judges over the implications of the 26th Amendment, which took effect last October. The law has faced criticism from legal circles and opposition parties for allegedly undermining judicial independence by limiting the Supreme Court’s suo motu powers, setting the Chief Justice’s tenure at three years, and creating a Special Parliamen-
tary Committee empowered to appoint the Chief Justice from among the three most senior judges. JUDICIAL POWERS VS. CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE Advocate Munir A. Malik, representing the Balochistan High Court Bar Association (BHCBA), contended that “a full court existed before the 26th Amendment” and that the CB could use its judicial powers to order one. “Yes, absolutely—this order can be issued using judicial powers,” he said in response to Justice Mandokhail’s query. Justice Ayesha Malik asked if any “obstacle” existed in forming a full court. Malik replied that the CB could do so regardless of whether it was a regular or constitutional bench. However, Justice Ayesha cautioned
that the petitioners were relying on the same amendment they were challenging. “This court has said numerous times before not to depend on the challenged amendment but on the original Constitution,” she remarked. Justice Mandokhail added that under Article 191A, introduced by the amendment, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan nominates judges for constitutional benches, questioning whether the Chief Justice could still decide that a case be heard by a full court. Malik replied that any bench could issue a judicial order to that effect. JUDGES DEBATE INCLUSION CRITERIA The discussion grew more pointed when Justice Musarrat Hilali suggested that “judges appointed after the 26th Amendment should
not be part of the bench.” Justice Mandokhail responded humorously, “We are from before the 26th Amendment—were the new judges brought from some other country?” Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar clarified that the amendment did not alter the number of judges in the apex court. Justice Hilali later clarified her remark was not made with “sinister intent.” Justice Mandokhail emphasized that all judges are honorable, saying, “They should not be thrown under the bus.” He urged Malik to propose a practical mechanism for allowing all judges to sit on the bench while questioning whether such a bench would be led by the Chief Justice or the CB head.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03