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KPRA records 30.6pc growth in revenue collection in 2022-23 Story on Back Page
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Rs 15.00 | Vol XIII No 247 I 08 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Bilawal hints at ‘parting ways’ if Centre doesn’t address reservations Story on Back Page
PM, Qatari EMir diScuSS bEnEficial cooPEration, EconoMic oPPortunitiES g
highlighteD inveStment oPPortunitieS in meeting with ceo Qatar inveStment authority
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SayS to Share PakiStan'S PerSPective on challengeS facing lDcS During un conference
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Staff RepoRt
rime minister muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and emir of Qatar Sheikh tamim bin hamad al thani on Sunday discussed a wide array of mutually beneficial issues and exchanged views to further strengthen the excellent cooperation between the two countries in diverse fields including in the economic and investment sectors. During a meeting, the prime minister appreciated Qatar’s consistent support to the development projects in Pakistan and highlighted the vast opportunities of cooperation between the two countries. the emir of Qatar lauded the contributions of Pakistani manpower in his country’s development and especially referred to the excellent performance of Pakistani security authorities during the fifa football world cup 2022 successfully hosted by Qatar, Pm office media wing said in a press release. During the meeting, both leaders also discussed further cementing of bilateral cooperation, investment, trade and sending of further Pakistani skilled workers to Qatar.
the Qatari emir welcomed the prime minister and reiterated his keen interest in strengthening the economic cooperation between Qatar and Pakistan. he also reiterated his resolve to continue Qatar’s complete cooperation and support in the development and progress agenda of Pakistan. meanwhile, the emir of Qatar accepted an invitation from the prime minister to visit Pakistan. earlier, the prime minister arrived in Qatar on a two-day official visit where he would participate in the 5th united nations conference on the least Developed
countries (lDcs). the conference, being held from 5-9 march 2023, will consider steps for accelerating sustainable development in the least Developed countries, helping them make progress on the road to prosperity. PM, CEO QAtAR INVEStMENt AuthORIty DISCuSS INVEStMENt OPPORtuNItIES: chief executive officer (ceo) of Qatar investment authority mansoorebrahim al-mahmoud called on Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif here on Sunday to exchange views on progress made on various investment proposals in multiple
Imran writes to CJP, seeking ‘security’ for court appearances LAHORE Staff RepoRt
Pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (Pti) chairman imran khan on Sunday penned a letter to chief Justice of Pakistan (cJP) umar ata Bandial, requesting adequate security arrangements for his court appearances due to “another assassination attempt” on his life. in the letter, the former prime minister said: “i wish to draw your attention to a very critical issue. ever since the removal of my government through a regime change operation, i have been confronted with questionable firs, threats and finally an assassination attempt.” he complained of not being provided proper security despite being a former prime minister, alleging that the current prime minister, interior minister, and a senior intelligence agency officer were involved in the failed assassination plot against him. “there are clear indications of another assassination attempt being plotted on my life,” he said. “to date, there are 74 cases against me and i am being made to appear in court for hearings time and often. i am chairman of the largest political party in the country and wherever i go massive crowds naturally follow. this further
aggravates the prevailing security threat. right to life is fundamental right under the constitution and there is a grave
threat to my life,” he added. in his last appearance before the lhc, imran said that there was a “total failure” of official security, and the same happened in islamabad when he had to appear before different courts. the Pti chief requested the cJP to take action on this threat being faced by him from those in power and to ensure that adequate security arrangements are made if his appearance is necessary. he also requested a video link facility for court appearances due to severe threats to his life, which would prevent massive crowds from showing up in support whenever he has to make a court appearance.
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PEMRA imposes ‘blanket’ ban on Imran’s speeches ISLAMABAD: what is being described as surprise, the Pakistan electronic media regulatory authority (Pemra) Sunday imposed a blanket ban on broadcasting live or recorded speeches of former prime minister and Pakistan tehreek-e-insaf chairman imran khan on all satellite tv channels. “it has been observed that mr imran khan, chairman Pakistan tehreek-e-insaf, in his speeches/statements is continuously…levelling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statements against state institutions and officers which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and is likely to disturb public peace and tranquillity,” read an order issued by the media regulatory authority on Sunday. Staff RepoRt
Imran’s arrest no issue if convicted by courts: Sanaullah FAISALABAD Staff RepoRt
interior minister ranaSanaullah khan said on Sunday the arrest of imran khan was not a big issue for the government, but it wanted the courts to convict him under the law. talking to the media after inaugurating tentpegging championship at the university of agriculture faisalabad (uaf), he said if the court ordered for imran’s arrest, he would instantly comply with the orders without any fear of law and order situation or resistance from the Pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (Pti) workers. the interior minister clarified that in present instance, the police had gone to Zaman Park to comply with the court orders, and the government had nothing to do with it. he said that multiple cases had been registered against imran khan. in toshakhana case, he was nominated, but indict-
ment was yet to take place, he added. the minister said that he [imran] was maligning others, adding that under his nose, his crony farah gogi kept looting the country and shifting her wealth abroad. ranaSanaullah said that holding of election was a responsibility of the election commission of Pakistan (ecP), and Pakistan muslim leaguenawaz (Pml-n) was fully ready to participate in the democratic process. the minister appreciated the uaf administration especially vice chancellor Prof Driqrar ahmad khan for organising healthy extracurricular activities. he said that sport events could help develop sound mind of the nation. tent pegging is part of Punjab’s cultural activities, he said and added that such activities should be promoted at grassroots level so that it could play a role in establishing a healthy society.
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sectors of Pakistan's economy. During the meeting, al-mahmoud and Prime minister Sharif highlighted investment opportunities in the energy and infrastructure sectors of Pakistan. it may be recalled that a detailed discussion had been initiated between the two sides during the Prime minister's visit to Qatar in august 2022. the Qatar investment authority has expressed a keen interest in investing in lng power plants, airports, and solar power parks in Pakistan. al-mahmoud also concurred with the prime minister regarding the importance of bilateral trade and investment between Qatar and Pakistan while expressing his desire to strengthen their bilateral economic ties. Prime minister Sharif thanked almahmoud for his interest in enhancing cooperation with Pakistan in the economic sphere and invited Qatari investors to take advantage of the investment-friendly policies of the Pakistani government. Both countries remain optimistic about working closely to translate existing understandings to strengthen their economic ties and further diversify them in the future in line with Qatar's vision 2030.
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Customs seizes 1,000 imported cellphones worth Rs100m Story on Back Page
Dear Readers, owing to the current import curbs, and the subsequent shortage of newsprint, specially our Berliner format, Pakistan Today has been temporarily shifted to an eight-page broadsheet format. The quality of our coverage, however, will remain what it always has been.
Showbiz veteran Qavi Khan passes away TORONTO/ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
veteran star Pakistani showbiz, Qavi khan passed away in canada due to a prolonged illness. he was 80. in a statement, arts council President muhammad ahmed Shah confirmed the death of senior Pakistani actor, saying that the veteran actor had been undergoing treatment in canada for different health complications for some time. one of the most respected and revered actors in the country, Qavi khan was the recipient of nishan-i-imtiaz, the highest civil award in Pakistan, for his outstanding services in the field of showbiz.