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COAS REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO PAK CHINA STRATEGIC TIES, STABLE AFGHANISTAN Monday, 8 May, 2023 I 17 Shawwal, 1444
PLEDGES FULL SUPPORT FOR CPEC DURING MEETING WITH CHINESE STATE COUNCILLOR
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ISLAMABAD
DISCUSSES REGIONAL SECURITY, BILATERAL SECURITY MECHANISMS WITH AFGHAN FOREIGN MINISTER
pecially the support of Pakistan Armed Forces for provision of security to Chinese Nationals and projects in Pakistan. The two leaders also discussed the evolving security situation in the region. Gen Asim Munir acknowledged China’s role in promoting peace and stability in the region, and both sides agreed to enhance their existing cooperation in defence and security domains to effectively counter common security challenges. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides reiterating their resolve to further strengthen the timetested, all-weather friendship between Pakistan and China.
STAFF REPORT
HIEF of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to China-Pakistan Strategic relationship while pledging full support for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to the ISPR statement on Sunday. According to the ISPR, media wing of the military, Army Chief General Asim Munir met Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister H.E. Qin Gang at his office on Saturday. Matters of mutual interests including regional security and defence cooperation came under discussion. During the meeting, the COAS reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ChinaPakistan Strategic relation. The Army Chief appreciated China’s unwavering support for Pakistan on regional and international issues. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang underscored the importance of the longstanding strategic relationship between the brotherly nations and expressed his satisfaction over the progress made on the CPEC while reiterating China’s commitment to its timely completion. He also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in maintaining regional peace and stability, es-
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Pak-Afghan FMs agree to enhanced counter-terrorism cooperation
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ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan on Sunday reaffirmed their desire to pursue continuous and practical engagement and emphasized the need for enhanced coordination to counter terrorism and deepen bilateral cooperation. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari hosted Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release. The FO statement said the two sides held a “candid and in-depth exchange” on key issues of mutual concern, including peace and security, as well as trade and connectivity. “The foreign ministers reaffirmed their desire to pursue continuous and practical engagement,” the FO said, adding that they also stressed the importance of removing impediments to trade in order to advance the goal of enhanced regional economic integration and connectivity. Pictures shared by the foreign minister’s account also showed State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar present during the meetings. STAFF REPORT
PM dubs Imran ‘cunning, liar from head to toe’
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FO denounces ‘insinuation’ of threat in Bilawal’s G20 comment ISLAMABAD
LONDON/ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
STAFF REPORT
The spokesperson of the Foreign Office Sunday responded to a video clip insinuating that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had threatened India over the conduct of a Group of 20 (G20) meeting in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Zardari’s comments during his attendance at the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the coastal Indian state of Goa were reported by local media as a “veiled threat” to New Delhi. According to OpIndia, he was questioned about India’s plan to hold the summit in occupied Kashmir, to which he responded: “Waqt aanay per aisa jawaab dein gey jou yaad rahay gaa (we will give such a response at an appropriate time that it will be remembered).” He accused India of attempting to perpetuate through the summit its illegal occupation of the Himalayan region, which he noted is an internationally recognised dispute that has remained on the agenda of the United Nations for over seven decades. India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United States, among other nations, are members of the group. India currently holds the rotating year-long presidency of the G20 and is set to host a leaders’ summit in New Delhi in early September. Last month, it released a full calendar of events leading up to the summit, which included G20 and Youth 20 meetings in the cities of Leh and Srinagar in April and May. Pakistan has condemned the choice of venues in disputed territory. Islamabad had also slammed the scheduling of two other meetings of Y20, a consultative forum on youth affairs, in the two cities, terming it equally disconcerting. Responding to the claim, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that any such insinuation was not only mischievous but also highly irresponsible, and an attempt to shift the focus from the foreign minister’s key message of conflict resolution through dialogue and in accordance with international law and UN Security Council resolutions. Baloch reiterated Zardari had emphasized the critical importance of relevant Security Council resolutions for a peaceful settlement of the dispute, and based his case on international law. The spokesperson further stressed that journalistic norms must be respected while reporting on sensitive inter-state matters.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday called former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan a “liar and cunning person from head to toe,” stating that his lies are now being exposed in front of the nation. Speaking to the media in London, Sharif said that the narrative made against him by the PTI government was entirely based on lies. Shehbaz said the people of Pakistan emerged successful when the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom gave him a clean chit after two years of investigation in different countries including Dubai and Switzerland in a false case instigated by Imran Niazi. “An attempt was made to gather evidence against me in UK and other countries, but they failed to prove anything. My victory in the case is the victory of all of Pakistan,” he added. Imran Niazi wasted Pakistan’s money, time and energy and used all tactics to malign Pakistan by initiating false cases against his opponents, he said, adding lies of Imran were being exposed as he was a liar and cheat. The prime minister said Imran Khan used every tactic against him, but he failed. Meanwhile In a tweet on social media platform twitter, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sunday said Imran Niazi’s act of routinely maligning and threatening Pakistan Army and Intelligence Agency for the sake of petty political gains was highly condemnable. He said, “Imran’s leveling of allegations without any proof against
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Imran set to lead public rallies as PTI unveils schedule LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday announced scheduled for public rallies starting from May 10 to 14 to steer the country out of the prevailing political and economic turmoil. In a video message on Sunday, the PTI chief said an “emergency plan” has been prepared to rescue the country from the prevailing political turmoil. “Besides elections, there is no other solution to steer the country out of the crisis. If elections are held, political stability will be ensured and the country will come out of the economic crisis,” said Imran Khan while underscoring immediate elections. Referring to the Constitution, he said, “Elections should be held within 90 days. The chief justice of the country is standing with the Constitution, while the Pakistan Democratic Movement is openly attacking the Supreme Court.” Imran cautioned that Pakistan’s economic situation had worsened beyond that of Sri Lanka, empathising that only free and fair elections could solve the country’s economic and political instability. He referred to a recent report from Bloomberg, which highlighted that Pakistan’s economic situation was worse than that of Sri Lanka, with inflation rates higher in Pakistan. He underscored that a strong government with public support could lead the country out of its economic chaos. The former prime minister also criticised the country’s former army chief, Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, stating that “Mir Sadiq” would be a small title for him as he had harmed Pakistan more than any enemy. Imran alleged that Gen (retd) Bajwa had imposed corrupt individuals on Pakistan who had no stake in the country, and over 60% of the current federal cabinet was on bail in corruption cases when they were given government positions. He stated that these imported rulers had done nothing for the country and its people and had only removed their names from the Exit Control List (ECL) as their wealth and assets were in foreign lands. Imran thanked the people of Pakistan for showing solidarity with Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and standing up for the supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law in the country.
PML-N prepares to go solo in upcoming election, says report
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Gen Faisal Naseer and officers of our Intelligence Agency cannot be allowed and will not be tolerated.” Earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif also talked about his meeting with Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, which he said went very well, and added that a soon-to-beheld investment conference will focus on cooperation in various sectors, including education, technical education, and trade. Scotland’s leader Humza Yousaf had called on the Pakistani prime minister in London earlier on Sunday. Felicitating the First Minister on his election to this important position, Shehbaz Sharif said that Yousaf’s election underscored the important and positive contribution of the British-Pakistani community to the progress and development of Scotland and the UK. He wished him success in the discharge of his responsibilities. The two leaders agreed to further strengthen historic ties between Pakistan and Scotland, including in the domains of trade, investment, education, water man-
agement, wind & solar technology and people-to-people links. The two sides agreed to work collaboratively to promote joint ventures in education, skills development and renewables. They also explored ways to leverage Scottish-Pakistani entrepreneurs to promote investment in Pakistan. They also agreed to work collaboratively to address the challenge of climate change. In this regard, Pakistan suggested holding an Investment Conference in Scotland and separately arranging a road show to showcase Pakistan’s renewable energy potential in Scotland. The premier further thanked the Scottish government for its generous contribution to flood relief last year. He extended a cordial invitation to Yousaf to visit Pakistan, which he happily accepted. Yousaf leads the Scottish National Party, and was elected in March by the Scottish Parliament to head the Scottish government. He is the first British national of Pakistani heritage to hold the coveted position.
ISLAMABAD
MONITORING REPORT
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided it will not enter into an electoral alliance and will instead contest the next general elections independently, in accordance with the Constitution, according to a report. Starting May 28, the party will launch its election campaign across the country. The day, known as Youm-i-Takbeer, is significant as it marks the anniversary of Pakistan’s nuclear tests at Chagai in 1998, which were conducted during the tenure of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who now leads the party. The decision was made after a meeting between Nawaz and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is currently in London attending the Coronation ceremony of King Charles III, reported The News. During the meeting, the elder Sharif emphasised the importance of upholding the Parliament’s supremacy and insisted that no compromise should be made on this count. He also called for the elections to be conducted under caretaker governments on the same day across the country. To kick off the party’s campaign, Nawaz will deliver a “historic message” that will be broadcast nationwide.
No option but to act on Constitution’s 90-day election demand: CJP LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial on Sunday declared that holding elections within 90 days of an assembly’s dissolution was a constitutional demand and there is no other option but to act upon “what the Constitution demands.” “If the constitution states elections will be held within 90 days, we have to implement it; we have no other way and it is our duty to say that,” he said. The CJP’s remarks came at a time when discussions among political parties are ongoing on the issue of simultaneous elections across the country following an order by the apex court to hold the elections on May 14. However, the government has repeatedly shown its inability to hold the general election and instead has been urging to hold them later in the year. Speaking at a conference on minority rights in Lahore on Sunday, Justice Bandial said that political parties are currently nego-
tiating the matter of holding elections in the country at the same time. “We have nothing to do with it. There is an understanding among them (political parties) that they have to uphold the Constitution,” he said. The Chief Justice of Pakistan stated that while the judiciary is there to support political parties, if they fail to reach a conclusion, the court’s decision will be final. Justice Umar Ata Bandial stated that the decision of the parties must align with the spirit of the Constitution, emphasising that there is no other option but to act upon what the Constitution demands. He further said that the courts cannot pass executive orders. “Every citizen of Pakistan has fundamental rights, and the protection of the Constitution is included in our fundamental duties.” Justice Bandial said, “We are here to support the political parties for the protection of the Constitution; otherwise, our decision is available in other cases.” He emphasised, “Decisions should be in
accordance with the Constitution and the law, and this is where moral authority lies.” “Constitutionally, we have no other way but to hold elections within 90 days,” Justice Bandial stated. “It is not a matter of personal choice but the Constitution.” Earlier this week, the Supreme Court distanced itself from the negotiations between the government and PTI over holding the elections for the national and all provincial assemblies on one date, observing that they were entirely their own effort without any direction or order by it. However, a three-judge bench of the top court, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar, while hearing a constitutional petition filed by a citizen Sardar Kashif Khan, who sought elections for all assemblies on one date, appreciated the initiative taken by the political parties. “The court appreciates the efforts of all parties to try to end the current political impasse and in particular their voluntary agreement to enter into negotiations to choose a
single date for holding general elections to the National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies,” the SC order issued on April 27 read.
The court also made it clear in the order that its April 4 verdict — that the elections in Punjab would be held on May 14 – would remain unchanged.