01 FRONT PAGE (29-9-2022)_Layout 1 9/29/2022 1:29 AM Page 1
Thursday, 29 September, 2022 I 2 Rabi ul Awwal, 1444 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XIII No 91 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition
NSC formS high-powered paNel to probe audio leakS fiaSCo g
Rana Sana to head probe committee
ISLAMABAD
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Mian abRaR
HE civil, military leadership on Wednesday decided to conduct a thorough investigation into the audio leaks fiasco and formed a high-powered committee to probe the cyber security breach led by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah. The National Security Committee (NSC) which met here with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair and attended by Fed-
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Law Ministr y to prepare legal framework for cybersecurity
eral Ministers, Services Chiefs, heads of intelligence agencies and other senior officials, pondered over the audio leaks matter in detail. The meeting was told that an investigation is being conducted on the issue of circulating audios on social media. After consultation, the meeting also decided to prepare a legal framework about cyber-security and in that respect directed the Ministry of Law and Justice for the preparation of legal framework. The meeting agreed to review the security, safety and the protection of official commu-
nications in view of the current changed environment of modern technology and cyberspace so as to check any interruption in the security system. The heads of intelligence agencies gave a detailed briefing about the security of importance places including the PM House, cyberspace and other related aspects. The meeting was told that investigations about the audios circulating on social media were underway. It was also told about the fool-proof security arrangements at the PM House, after the identification of some aspects regarding security. The meeting was apprised of emergency steps being taken to ensure the security of important places and buildings including the PM House and Ministries so as to avoid any such situation in future. The meeting also took stock of the rescue and relief operations being made to help the flood-affected people and reiterated commitment that relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims will remain top priority as a national agenda. The meeting decided that the series of initiatives will continue by maintaining the same spirit, attention and cooperation till the resettlement of the affected population. The forum took view of the recent catastrophic floods, rescue and relief measures taken by the incumbent government, and the prevailing security situation in the country. Expressing grief and sorrow over the deaths due to recent countrywide floods, the participants expressed sympathies and solidarity with the affected families.
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Resurgence of terrorism won’t be tolerated, COAS tells Commanders Conference RAWALPINDI Staff RepoRt
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday ordered troops to leave “no stone unturned” in acting against terrorists as he presided over the 252nd Corps Commanders’ Conference, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The forum undertook a comprehensive review of security, particularly of the situation along the country’s borders. The COAS maintained that a resurgence of terrorism would not be tolerated, and troops must use all means to act against terrorists in coordination with all law enforcement agencies. The ISPR statement further maintained that
the COAS expressed satisfaction over the operational preparedness of the army formations and directed them to maintain strict vigilance against any threat. Gen Bajwa also commended military efforts to reach flood victims. According to the military’s media wing, besides discussing the external and internal security situation, the
meeting particularly focused on the flood situation and ongoing relief efforts undertaken by the army formations across the country. They expressed solidarity with flood victims who were “braving great difficulties” and resolved to extend maximum assistance for their relief and rehabilitation. According to the statement, the COAS commended troops for reaching out to the people in distress and helping them mitigate their sufferings. He further lauded army doctors and paramedics for providing emergency medical care to victims, particularly children and women, as well as measures taken to check the spread of diseases in flood-hit areas.
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New audio leak reveals Imran wanted to ‘play on cipher’ ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
An audio leak allegedly of former premier Imran Khan and his principal secretary at the time, Azam Khan, surfaced on Wednesday in which the two were discussing the diplomatic cipher. The purported audio file starts midway through a conversation between the two and is titled ‘Story of the cipher conspiracy part 1’. “Now we have to play with this. Don’t take America’s name, just play with this,” the PTI chief says allegedly in the audio clip, to which a second voice claimed to be Azam’s advises that a meeting be held on the topic first. The second voice then adds that whatever Qureshi (then FM) reads out in the meeting, “will be changed in the copy” and then “I will make the minutes that the foreign secretary has prepared this”. The voice further states that the analysis would be conducted and converted into minutes “as we want” so that “it becomes part of the record”. “The minutes will be under my hand so it is not like they will draft the minutes on their own.”. The diplomatic cipher received from Pakistan’s embassy in Washington — and is at the centre of the foreign conspiracy claim made by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) — was initially hidden from then-prime minister Imran Khan and then-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, a leaked conversation has revealed. The longstanding claim about the origins of the contentious vote of no-confidence held against Khan in April made by his party now in opposition came true in the fourth conversation in a series of leaked audios linked to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), this time between Khan and his then-principal secretary Azam Khan, on Wednesday. Earlier, at least three conversations — allegedly of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and key members of the government, as well as his niece Maryam Nawaz — were released on the darknet over the weekend. Faced with a tight no-confidence vote that saw him ousted after defections from his party, Khan in March told a rally of his supporters the United States was conspiring against him after he visited Moscow in February. He met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in February, on the day Russian forces entered neighbouring Ukraine. The White House, however, has denied that the United States sought to remove Khan from power. In the audio clip, the first of the two voices, believed to be of Khan, is heard saying: “Ok, so now let’s just play with it [the cipher]. We don’t need to name [the US]. See, we can say the date [a back date] was already there.” At this point in the conversation, the second voice, believed to be of Azam, the secretary, is heard, suggesting holding a meeting on the cipher. “Sir, I was thinking we should hold a meeting on this [cipher]. If you remember, the ambassador mentioned at the end of the letter that we should issue a demarche. If you still don’t want to issue a demarche […] I thought at night, […] how can we cover the matter?” “Let’s call a meeting of [foreign minister] Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Foreign Secretary [Sohail Mahmood].
Reshuffle of economic team on cards as Dar spells priorities ISLAMABAD Shahzad paRacha
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar on Wednesday decided to bring in his economic team and “blue eyed” officials to the Finance ministry, Federal Board of Revenue and other attach departments of the ministry as he spelled priorities after assuming charge as Finance Minister. Sources privy to the development said that major changes will be made in important positions in the FBR and the finance ministry, while special assistant to the finance minister will also be reshuffled. Sources said that Ishaq Dar will bring his “blue eyed” officials to the Finance ministry, Federal Board of Revenue and other attach departments of the ministry. Chairman FBR Asim Ahmad is likely to be removed and there are chances that former Chairman FBR Tariq Pasha gets this slot.
Sources also said that Ishaq Dar does not want any close aide of the PM as finance minister so he will not only change the State minister for Finance Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha and Secretary Finance Hamid Yaqoob Sheikh. The Incumbent State minister Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha is likely to get Economic Affairs charge. Similarly, Special Secretary Finance Awais Sumra is likely to assume the Secretary Finance slot. He had served with Ishaq Dar as a staff officer back in 2014 and recently, he was the key player in negotiations with the IMF as well. In addition, Ishaq Dar will bring in a new team to the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan. The finance ministry has shortlisted eight to ten people for three positions of SECP’ commissioners. Sources said that former Chairman SECP Zafar Hejazi close aides will get important positions in SECP in Dar’ tenure. Sources said that the Finance minister will also appoint a new President Na-
tional Bank of Pakistan as there is no Permanent President NBP. The finance ministry last month gave extension to acting president NBP Hasni till the appointment of a regular incumbent. Sources also claim that the Finance minister will also remove one to two deputy Governor SBP. DAR TAKES OATH AS FINANCE MINISTER Earlier today, Ishaq Dar took oath as Finance Minister amid economic crisis in the country. According to detail, Dar returned to country nearly after five years on Monday and later took oath as member of the upper house of the parliament on Tuesday. Dar, known for his preference for a stronger currency, had led the finance ministry three times in the past. During his last stint as finance chief from 2013 to 2017, he managed to keep the rupee stable. It was the most stable currency in Asia from 2014 to 2017, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
STABILIZING RUPEE, REDUCING INFLATION AND INTEREST RATES ARE PRIORITIES: Talking to the media persons in Islamabad on Wednesday, Ishaq Dar said stabilizing local currency and reducing inflation and interest rates are
priorities of the government. He said we do not believe in mere verbal claims rather history is testimony of our economic performance.
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