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CHINA ‘UNSTOPPABLE’, SAYS XI WITH SHEHBAZ, KIM AND PUTIN AT HIS SIDE Thursday, 4 September, 2025 | 10 Rabiul Awal, 1447
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PRESIDENT XI KICKS OFF PARADE MARKING 80 YEARS SINCE THE END OF WORLD WAR II
WARNS THE WORLD IS STILL ‘FACED WITH A CHOICE OF PEACE OR WAR,’ BUT CHINA IS ‘UNSTOPPABLE’
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 58 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
BESIDES INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILES, NEW UNDERWATER DRONES AND SUPERSONIC MISSILES WERE AMONG THE LATEST GEAR ON DISPLAY INDIA’S MODI ABSENCE AND PM SHEHBAZ’S PRESENCE HIGHLIGHTS PAKISTAN’S GROWING SIGNIFICANCE IN THE REGION
NO MAJOR WESTERN DIGNITARIES WERE AMONG TWO DOZEN WORLD LEADERS AT THE EVENT BEIJING
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ORTH KOREAN leader Kim Jong Un, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif flanked Chinese President Xi Jinping at a massive parade of military might in Beijing on Wednesday, capping a week of diplomatic grandstanding by the Chinese president and his allies against the West. The event, ostensibly to mark 80 years since the end of World War II, was a chance for Xi to put on an extravaganza to showcase China’s military prowess and bring together friendly leaders to send a message to the rest of the world. Kicking off the parade, President Xi warned the world was still “faced with a choice of peace or war” but said China was “unstoppable.” China’s enormous new intercontinental ballistic missile DF-5C, with a range of 20,000 kilometres, counted prominently among the tonnes of hardware on display. State-run Radio Pakistan reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “not invited to the parade” and that PM Shehbaz’s presence alongside
Xi, Putin, and Kim highlighted Pakistan’s growing significance in the region. The heavily choreographed event drew an acidic response from United States President Donald Trump, who accused the three leaders of plotting against the US. “Give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America,” he wrote on Truth Social. MILITARY HARDWARE ON SHOW: During the 90-minute parade,
PM, President review flood crisis; call for preparedness, solidarity PM Shehbaz directs NDMA to ensure early warnings as Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej swell
BEIJING/ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday separately reviewed the worsening flood situation in the country, with both leaders urging urgent preparedness, early warnings, and solidarity to confront the looming crisis triggered by swollen rivers and unseasonal rains. From Beijing, where he is on an official visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik and directed him to ensure full preparedness for rescue and relief operations amid rising water levels in Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers. He instructed NDMA to issue timely early warnings to the public and maintain close coordination with provincial governments to expedite safety measures. The NDMA chairman briefed him on the evolving flood situation, ongoing relief operations, and the latest hydrological assessments. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari held a detailed discussion with Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider on the devastating impact of floods across the province. Calling it a human tragedy demanding urgent response, the president stressed that Pakistan was facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change and appealed for international solidarity, urging the global community to stand with Pakistan in confronting the destructive consequences. Governor Haider apprised the president of relief measures underway, highlighting that the Pakistan Red Crescent Society had expanded its services to most districts of Punjab, including Lahore, Hafizabad, Kasur, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Narowal, and Mandi Bahauddin. Relief camps have been established, while a water treatment plant is being set up in Kartarpur to ensure safe drinking water for residents. He added that officials and volunteers were reaching out directly to affected families to provide assistance. President Zardari praised these efforts and reiterated that floodhit communities would not be left alone. “Swollen rivers and unseasonal rains have created a looming threat of food insecurity across the region,” he warned, noting that Pakistan, despite contributing nothing to the global climate crisis, continued to pay a heavy price.
Xi inspected the massed troops and weaponry from an open-topped limousine down Beijing’s vast Chang’an Avenue before turning back to join his guests in a seating area above the iconic portrait of Mao Zedong on Tiananmen, the entrance gate of the historic Forbidden City. China’s huge collection of military vehicles and heavy weapons rolled past the dignitaries, while images of thousands of servicemen and women in immaculate uniforms marching in tight ranks and soldiers jumping in and out of vehicles were shown in a slick state
media broadcast. Besides the intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), new underwater drones and supersonic missiles were among the latest gear on display. Beijing residents went out into the streets to catch a glimpse of a spectacular flypast involving scores of warplanes and helicopters, some making an “80” formation. Millions of Chinese people were killed during a prolonged war with imperial Japan in the 1930s and 40s, which became part of a global conflict following Tokyo’s attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941.
WHIRLWIND WEEK: All eyes were on how the trio of Xi, Putin and Kim — who rarely leaves secretive North Korea — interacted with each other, but the state media broadcast only offered rare snatches of the three together and foreign journalists were kept at a distance and told not to film or photograph the leaders. The event was the climax of a whirlwind week for Xi, who hosted a slew of Eurasian leaders for a summit aimed at putting China front and centre of regional relations.
BNP-M’s rally bombing toll rises to 15 as CM Bugti, PM Shehbaz vow justice QUETTA/ISLAMABAD/BEIJING Staff RepoRt
The death toll from yesterday’s suicide bombing near Shahwani Stadium in Quetta’s Sariab area rose to 15 on Wednesday, with 32 others injured. The attack took place late Tuesday night, shortly after a public meeting of the Balochistan National Party (BNPMengal) marking the death anniversary of veteran leader Sardar Attaullah Mengal. The banned militant Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the bombing, AFP reported. At a press conference, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat said the explosion occurred at 9:45pm, around 500 metres from the rally’s exit point, in a poorly lit area near a graveyard. He noted the attacker failed to breach the main gathering due to tight security, including the deployment of 120 police personnel, and detonated the explosives outside. Remains of the bomber, believed to be under 30 years old, were recovered. Officials estimate eight kilogrammes of explosives were used. Shafqaat announced a compensation package: Rs1.5 million for families of the deceased, Rs0.5m for each injured, and Rs200,000 for minor victims. He said Section 144 had been enforced across Balochistan till September 15, with a province-wide high alert in place. Public gatherings and processions after sundown, including those during Eid Miladun Nabi, have been prohibited to ensure safety.
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CM BUGTI: ZERO TOLERANCE FOR TERRORISM: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, chairing a high-level law and order meeting, vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. He stressed that terrorists would not be allowed to sabotage peace and directed officials to strengthen security protocols. Bugti said critically injured patients would be airlifted to Karachi if required. He urged political parties and citizens to cooperate with security forces during the threat alert and appealed for unity against terrorism. The CM later visited Civil Hospital’s Trauma Centre and CMH Quetta to meet the injured, expressing satisfaction with medical arrangements. “Terrorists are showing cowardice by targeting innocent citizens, but they will not succeed in their designs,” he said. CONDEMNATIONS FROM PRESIDENT, PM: President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attack, calling for a thorough investigation to ensure perpetrators are held accountable. He expressed deep grief, solidarity with victims’ families and prayed for swift recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking from Beijing with Balochistan CM Bugti, denounced the bombing as “damning evidence of terrorists’ conspiracy to spread chaos in Balochistan.” He declared that terrorists were enemies of peace and development, vowing to continue the fight until their complete eradication. The premier termed the attack on innocent citizens as cowardly and ordered provision of the best medical treatment for the injured.
Imran Khan’s nephew gets bail in Jinnah House attack case LAHORE
Staff RepoRt
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore on Wednesday granted bail to PTI founder Imran Khan’s nephew Shahrez Khan in a case pertaining to the Jinnah House attack during the May 9, 2023, riots. ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill announced the verdict that was reserved earlier in the day on today on Shahrez’s bail petition and ordered his release subject to paying a surety bond set at Rs100,000. Shahrez’s lawyer, Advocate Rana Mudassar and PTI lawyer Taimur Malik confirmed the development, saying the ATC granted post-arrest bail to their client. Lahore Police had arrested Shahrez, son of Imran’s sister Aleema Khan, from his mother’s Zaman Park residence on August 21. His brother Shershah Khan was also arrested the next day over similar allegations, and sent on physical remand and then to jail. Shahrez was sent on 14-day judicial remand by the Lahore ATC on August 30. During today’s hearing on Shahrez’s bail petition, Advocate Mudassar argued that the athlete was accused of inciting party workers, adding that the investigation was approached from multiple angles, with geo-fencing carried out as well, and yet no evidence was found against Imran’s nephew. “Everything is clear in the challan, it mentions named and unnamed suspects but Shahrez is not mentioned at all, no investigator gave any statement. He was arrested after 28 months, and his mother—the PTI founder’s sister—is raising her voice for his release. This arrest was made to suppress their voice,” he said. The lawyer argued that Shahrez was in Chitral during the riots and several people had submitted affidavits in this regard. He said the athlete was also due to go abroad to compete in a sporting event. Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had expressed their concerns over the arrests, with the former terming them a “political witch-hunt.” Shahrez’s wife has said her husband was in Chitral with her family on May 9, 2023, sharing purported pictures from the trip.
Six killed as passenger vehicle ambushed in Low Kurram ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
At least six people were killed on Wednesday when a passenger vehicle came under fire in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district, police confirmed. Regional Police Officer (RPO) Kohat Abbas Majeed Marwat said unknown assailants ambushed the vehicle in a rural area of Lower Kurram. The attackers fled the scene after the assault. Police and security forces immediately launched a large-scale search operation. So far, 12 suspects have been detained, and a cache of weapons recovered. Heavy contingents of law enforcement personnel are carrying out house-to-house searches to trace those responsible. “This tragic incident will not go unpunished. Terrorists will not be spared under any circumstances, nor will anyone be allowed to disturb regional peace,” RPO Marwat vowed in a statement. Kurram District Police Officer Malik Habib Khan said the victims’ bodies had been shifted to a hospital while investigations were underway. The incident drew widespread condemnation as member of the National Assembly (MNA) Hameed Hussain termed it “an attempt to disrupt the peace of the area” and questioned how such an attack could occur despite security check posts on the highway. Haji Zamin Hussain, secretary of Anjuman-e-Hussainia Parachinar, also condemned the assault. “We are shocked as people of Kurram have been martyred,” he said, calling for severe punishment of the perpetrators and urging unity to preserve peace. The attack comes despite recent reconciliation efforts. Kurram has long been marred by tribal violence over land disputes, which claimed more than 130 lives last year. A ceasefire was reached in January, followed by a year-long peace deal signed in July between the Lower Kurram and Sadda tribes. However, sporadic violence persists. In April, three people were killed and several others went missing when unidentified gunmen attacked travellers from Parachinar to Peshawar in the Bagan area of Lower Kurram, sparking protests across the district.
Air Chief, Turkish counterpart vow to expand defence ties, modern warfare cooperation ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Commander Turkish Air Force, General Ziya Cemal Kadioglu, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), where the two held in-depth discussions on the evolving regional security environment, progress in ongoing defence collaboration, and prospects for joint engagement in emerging domains of modern warfare, according to the military’s media wing on Wednesday. Upon arrival at Air Headquarters Islamabad, General Kadioglu, accompanied by a high-level Turkish delegation, was accorded a warm and cordial welcome. A smartly turned-out PAF contingent presented him with a Guard of Honour, said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). During the meeting, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu highlighted the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan and
Turkiye, anchored in shared religious beliefs, aspirations, and strategic alignment. He termed the arrival of the first batch of Turkish cadets at PAF Academy Asghar Khan a significant milestone, marking a new chapter in the fraternal bond between the two air forces, the ISPR said. The development, he said, reflected mutual trust and a shared vision of nurturing the next generation of air warriors. Both commanders reaffirmed their resolve to deepen cooperation in joint training, mutual exercises, and multi-domain operations. Gen Kadioglu commended PAF’s operational excellence under the Air Chief’s leadership, particularly during the recent conflict with India, praising its high state of readiness and resolute defence of national sovereignty. He expressed strong interest in learning from PAF’s tested operational strategies and multi-domain warfare methodology, the ISPR statement said. The Turkish Air Force leadership also conveyed its intent to study opera-
tional lessons from the Pakistan-India military standoff to strengthen its own doctrine and improve preparedness. Gen Kadioglu further appreciated the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP), lauding PAF’s strides in aerospace innovation, technological advancement, and operational self-reliance. Both sides reiterated their determination to learn from each other’s experiences and
move forward as a cohesive team, building on shared knowledge and operational expertise, the ISPR added. The visit of the Commander Turkish Air Force to Air Headquarters symbolized the mutual resolve of Pakistan and Turkiye to strengthen strategic cooperation, reinforce bilateral defence ties, and promote enduring institutional linkages between the two brotherly nations’ armed forces.