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EIGHT TERRORISTS GUNNED DOWN AS ATTACK ON GPA COMPLEX FOILED Thursday, 21 March, 2024 I 10 Ramazan, 1445
Two jawans embrace martyrdom repulsing attack claimed by Majeed Brigade of BLA
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GWADAR/ISLAMABAD
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 263 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Two terrorists killed, two others injured in separate IBO conducted in North Waziristan
security forces personnel. “Own troops employed for security responded immediately and effectively engaged the terrorists, and in ensuing fire exchange, all eight terrorists were sent to hell,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. A large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the killed terrorists. “However, during the intense exchange of fire, two brave soldiers; Sepoy Bahar Khan (age: 35 years, resident of District DG Khan) and Sepoy Imran Ali (age: 28 years, resident of District Khairpur) having fought gallantly, sacrificed their lives and embraced Shahadat,” said the military’s media wing. “Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation remain determined to thwart attempts of sabotaging peace and stability of Balochistan, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it added. The Majeed Brigade of the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack, in a statement, saying its militants attacked Pakistan intelligence agencies’ offices.
staff report
HE security forces on Wednesday killed eight terrorists and repulsed an attack by militants on a complex outside the strategic port of Gwadar, security officials and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti confirmed. However, two brave soldiers – Sepoy Bahar Khan and Sepoy Imran Ali – having fought gallantly, sacrificed their lives and embraced Shahadat during the intense exchange of fire,” said the military’s media wing. Armed with guns and bombs, the militants stormed the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) complex just outside the port that houses offices of government departments, intelligence agencies, and paramilitary forces, said Saeed Ahmed Umrani, a government commissioner. The militants detonated several bombs before launching a shooting attack and trying to storm the complex, he said. In a post on social media platform X, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said eight militants were “neutralised by security forces”, adding: “The message is loud & clear. Whosoever chooses to use violence will see no mercy from the state.” There were reports of at least one soldier killed and others wounded, Umrani said. The military did not give details. Statement from the United Nations Department for Safety and Security said “several explosions followed by continuous firing” were reported during the attack on the complex, adding that the facility hosts several government and paramilitary offices. The statement added there were no immediate reports of casualties, elaborating that seven personnel from three UN agencies based in Gwadar and two UN agencies on missions were “safe and accounted for”. The military said in a statement issued later in the evening that a group of eight terrorists attempted to enter Port Authority Colony in Gwadar, which was successfully thwarted by the
Pakistan will not tolerate cross-border terror attacks: PM ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday stated that Pakistan will not tolerate any more cross-border terror attacks on its soil, reaffirming the commitment to wipe out the menace of terrorism as was done previously. Chairing the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, PM Shehbaz Sharif said security of the geographical frontiers of Pakistan is a redline, highlighting the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the war on terrorism. “Pakistan desires to have cordial relations with the neighboring fraternal countries to promote trade and economic relations. However, it is not acceptable that the land of the neigh-
boring country is used for terrorism in Pakistan,” he added. Shehbaz Sharif proposed the formulation of a joint strategy with the sincerity of purpose to defeat the scourge of terrorism. He said collective efforts against terrorism will help establish peace in the region and address other issues such as that of poverty. SHARIF VOWS TO REVIVE PAKISTAN’S ECONOMY Turning to the economic situation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country is compelled to secure another IMF package. He however affirmed the commitment to revive the economy and help it stand on its own feet. We have made a conscious decision to minimize borrowing and gradually rid the country of
loans. The premier said an enabling environment will be created to attract investments across various sectors including agriculture, industries, Information Technology and mines and minerals. He said the Special Investment Facilitation Council is serving as a robust platform to facilitate investment in the country. Alluding to the pending tax cases worth twenty-four hundred billion rupees, the Prime Minister appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa to direct the courts to dispose of these cases at the earliest. PM Shehbaz Sharif also expressed the resolve to enhance the tax base and bring the potential sectors into the tax net.
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IMF, Pakistan reach staff-level agreement on final review of $3bn SBA
PROFIT (News Desk): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistan on the second and final review of the $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) paving the way for the release of the last tranche from the lender. This agreement needs approval by the IMF’s Executive Board, upon which the remaining access under the SBA, $1.1 billion, will become available to Pakistan. An IMF team, led by Nathan Porter, visited Islamabad from March 14-19, 2024, to hold discussions on the second review of Pakistan’s economic program supported by the SBA.
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