ASIF ALI ZARDARI SWORN IN AS 14TH PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN In partnership with
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Monday, 11 March, 2024 I 29 Sha’ban, 1445
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 253 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
g OUTGOING PRESIDENT, PM, THREE CHIEF JUSTICE OF PAKISTAN ADMINISTERS OATH TO NEWLY-ELECTED SERVICES CHIEFS, AND CHAIRMAN CJCSC PRESIDENT AT AIWAN-E-SADR AMONG OTHERS ATTEND CEREMONY
World leaders congratulate Asif Zardari
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
AKISTAN People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday was sworn in as the 14th President of Pakistan at a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa administered oath to the newlyelected President at a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad. The swearing-in ceremony was at-
tended by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, all three service Chiefs, and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza. Moreover, Chief Ministers, Governors, Foreign Diplomats, Speaker and Deputy Speaker NA, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other dignitaries also attended the ceremony. President Asif Ali Zardari became the 14th President of Pakistan to serve the country for a second term. Earlier, he had served the country as president during 2008-2013. He was
Two ‘terrorists’ killed as explosive goes off during transportation in Peshawar PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
Two alleged terrorists were killed on Sunday and another injured when explosives they were transporting detonated prematurely in Board Bazar on Nasir Bagh Road. The police confirmed the blast and killing of the suspected terrorists, saying they were transporting explosives on a motorcycle when it went off, killing them on the spot. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Kashif Aftab Abbasi said that they were carrying 4 to 5 kilograms explosives, elaborating that no evidence of suicide attack was found. The SSP while speaking to the media, said the three suspects were riding a motorcycle which was carrying four to five kilogrammes of explosives when the blast occurred. The police official added that it would be too early to determine the intended target as the investigation is ongoing. According to the police, the injured and the bodies were shifted to a hospital and a heavy police contingent reached the scene of the incident and commenced a search operation. The bomb disposal unit’s report clarified that the explosion was not a suicide explosion but a premature detonation during the transfer of explosives. The investigation team said no civilian casualties were reported. The motorcycle-riding terrorists became unintended casualties of their explosive material and the detonation occurred before reaching their intended target. Rescue 1122 staff reached the site soon after the blast and removed the dead and the injured to Khyber Teaching Hospital. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the blast and sought a report from IG Police. PM Shehbaz Sharif and Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also strongly condemned the terrorist attack. “We are thankful to Allah Almighty that we were saved from a great loss,” remarked the premier while expressing gratitude for the swift and effective response of the Peshawar police. The PM further emphasised the unwavering commitment of the police and security forces, characterising them as a steadfast barrier against terrorism. PM Shehbaz also affirmed the collective determination to eliminate terrorism in the country.
ISLAMABAD: Following oath-taking on Sunday, the Presidents of Iran, Turkiye, and China congratulated Asif Ali Zardari on his election as the 14th President of Pakistan. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Asif Ali Zardari on his victory for the coveted office of president of Pakistan. In his message, Xi Jinping asserted China and Pakistan are good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers. He said the two countries have achieved fruitful results in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and maintained a high level of development of bilateral relations. The Chinese President said Beijing is ready to work with President Asif Zardari to carry forward the traditional
elected for the constitutional slot by majority vote of the electoral college, comprising members of the Parliament and four provincial assemblies, on Saturday, paving
friendship between the two countries. Separately in a message, President of Iran Syed Ebrahim Raeesi in a message congratulated Asif Ali Zardari on his election as the president of Pakistan. President Raeesi expressed hope that during his presidency, the relations between the two countries, having historical, cultural and religious history, will be more developed and deepened than before. The Iranian President stated, “As always, and especially in the new era, the Islamic Republic of Iran declares its readiness to expand relations with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.” Separately, the President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan also congratulated Asif Zardari on his election as President.
way for him to assume the office of President of Pakistan, for the historic second time in country’s parliamentary history.
PM Shehbaz increases Ramazan Package to Rs12.5bn g
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1,200 MOBILE POINTS AND 300 PERMANENT RELIEF CENTRES WILL BE ESTABLISHED ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has increased the volume of Ramazan Package from Rs7.5 billion to Rs12.5 billion, and directed for enhancing its outreach to facilitate the masses during the upcoming holy month. Along with Utility stores and the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), mobile units would provide edible items at subsidised rates, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release on Sunday. In the initial phase, 1,200 mobile points and 300 permanent relief centres will be established. The prime minister wishes that maximum relief should be extended to the poor.
Besides, designated points, trucks would also supply foodstuff to different areas.On March 7, the prime minister announced a Rs7.5 billion subsidised Ramazan package. A total of 39.6 million people would be provided food items dur-
ing the holy month at rates subsidised by 30 percent. The items under BISP included flour, rice, pulses, ghee, sugar, syrup and milk. The subsidy on flour would be Rs77 per kg and on ghee Rs70, respectively.
Torrential rains batter flood-ravaged Gwadar, other Balochistan areas QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
Torrential rains wreaked havoc on Sunday in the already flood-ravaged Gwadar and other regions of Balochistan, throwing routine life out of gear and multiplying miseries of the populace. Commenced Saturday evening, the showers turned main roads and streets into waterponds with knee-high water, inundating low-lying areas in Gwadar and its neighbouring districts. In Kech, the rainwater wreaked havoc, suspending traffic and obstructing connecting roads. The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported rainfall of 21 millimetres in Gwadar over the past 24 hours, accompanied by 10mm in Turbat and 2mm in Ormara, Turbat, and Jiwani. Weather forecasts from the Met Office predict ongoing rain and thunderstorms with isolated showers in Turbat, Kech, Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni, Ormara, Panjgur, Kharan, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela, and Awaran districts today. Furthermore, the Met Office issued a warning of potential flash flooding in local nullahs of Gwadar, Kech, Turbat, and Panjgur, cautioning that snowfall may disrupt traffic in northern Balochistan until March 13. Chagai, Noshki, Washuk, Mastung, Sibbi, Nasirabad, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Kila Abdullah, and Kila Saifullah are also anticipated to experience similar weather conditions, with snowfall on hills expected to persist until
March 13, as per the Met department. Simultaneously, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Balochistan has issued an alert, urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions in the face of adverse weather conditions. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) Pakistan, has mobilised an emergency relief convoy to support the flood victims of Gwadar. This humanitarian initiative saw the dispatch of five containers loaded with 9,000 food packages and 9,000 shelters, totalling 875 tonnes, from Islamabad to the rain-impacted areas of Gwadar, a news release said. The departure ceremony, held at the Jinnah Stadium, Sports Complex, Islamabad this morning, was attended by Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti, Saudi Ambassador, Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al Maliky along with the officials from NDMA. The NDMA has diligently coordinated with PDMA Balochistan, ensuring seamless liaison with local authorities, facilitating inter-provincial transit, and securing the necessary clearances to guarantee unimpeded delivery of this crucial aid. Upon arrival, the consignment will be entrusted to the PDMA Balochistan and local administration, who will oversee the equitable distribution of the relief item to the communities ravaged by the rains in Gwadar.
PTI’s Khosa, Salman Akram Raja arrested during protest against ballot rigging LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Punjab Police on Sunday took into custody Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Latif Khosa and Salman Akram Raja during the party’s protest against the rigging in recently held general elections. Confirming the arrest of his father, Balakh Sher Khosa, son of Latif Khosa, expressed concern over the incident. “It has come to our attention that Sardar Latif Khosa has been taken into custody, an act that is utterly deplorable and wholly intolerable,” stated party leader Sher Afzal Marwat on his official X handle. “It has come to our attention that Sardar Latif Khosa has been taken into cus-
tody, an act that is utterly deplorable and wholly intolerable. The authorities in Punjab need to quickly stop this unfair behavior. The liberty to protest in a peaceful manner is a right of ours”, Sher Afzal Marwat wrote on his X account. Taking to X, Sher Afzal Marwat called the arrest “utterly deplorable and wholly intolerable”, adding that the authorities in Punjab need to stop the “unfair behaviour”. Salman Akram Raja, another prominent PTI leader, was also detained by police. Advocate Muhammad Mehr Salim was among those arrested alongside Raja. Meanwhile, rallies and demonstrations, organised by PTI supporters and activists, were witnessed across the coun-
try, with gatherings reported in Rawalpindi, Karachi, Kandhkot, Tank, and other urban centres. In Lahore, according to media reports, authorities deployed a heavy police presence on Mall Road and surrounding areas to maintain order, resulting in several PTI workers being arrested from GPO Chowk. Similar preparations were made in Karachi, where police and Sindh Rangers were stationed outside the Korangi Deputy Commissioner’s office ahead of anticipated protests. Tensions flared in Rawalpindi as PTI demonstrators clashed with police after being denied entry into the city via the Khanna Pul route. Several party workers
were apprehended, only to be released later. In Tank, PTI supporters marched from Sabir Bazaar to the Town Hall ground, expressing their grievances. Protests also erupted in Faisalabad, Vehari, Khushab, Islamabad, Multan, Gujranwala, and other cities, indicating the widespread dissatisfaction among PTI supporters over the alleged electoral malpractice. In a statement, Shehbaz Khosa said his father was arrested by station house officer (SHO) Cantt. “We have no information where the police have taken him [Latif Khosa],” he said. SCBA condemns arrest of Salman Akram Raja, Latif Khosa
85 Palestinians killed in Gaza in last 24 hours as toll rises to 31,045 GAZA/RAFAH AGENCIES
At least 85 Palestinians were killed and 130 others injured in the last 24 hours as Israel continues its onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip, the territory’s Health Ministry said on Sunday. “The Israeli occupation committed eight massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, leaving 85 martyrs and 130 injured during the past 24 hours,” the ministry said in a statement. “Many people are still trapped under rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” the statement said. “The death toll from malnutrition and dehydration rose to 25,” it noted, adding: “72% of victims of the Israeli aggression on Gaza are children and women.” Flouting the provisional ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Israel con-
tinues its onslaught on the Gaza Strip where at least 31,045 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and 72,654 injured since Oct. 7, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas, which Tel Aviv says killed nearly 1,200 people. The Israeli war on Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Israel is accused of genocide at the ICJ. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Hostilities have continued unabated, how-
ever, and aid deliveries remain woefully insufficient to address the humanitarian catastrophe. HUNGER EVERYWHERE IN GAZA: UNRWA: Meanwhile, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said Sunday that hunger has spread all across the Gaza Strip amid a deadly Israeli offensive on the enclave. “Hunger is everywhere in Gaza,” UNRWA said in a statement. The UN agency said humanitarian conditions are tragic in the Palestinian strip as the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan is set to start on Monday. “The situation in the north is tragic, where aid via land is denied despite repeated calls,” it said. “Ramadan is approaching. The death toll continues to rise. “Humanitarian access across the Gaza Strip and an immediate cease-fire are imperative to save lives,” UNRWA said.