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VICTIMS BELONGING TO MANDI BAHAUDDIN, GUJRANWALA, AND WAZIRABAD, FORCED OFF A BUS AFTER CONFIRMING THEIR IDENTITY
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NUSHKI
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PM CONDEMNS INCIDENT, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO WIPE OUT MENACE OF TERRORISM
STAFF REPORT
LEVEN people, including nine Punjab residents, were killed near Nushki when gunmen forced them off a passenger bus at a blockade on Quetta-Taftan Highway N-40 in the vicinity of Sultan Charhai near Nushki, Balochistan in the early hours of Saturday. Two of the slain persons were killed in a separate attack on vehicle at the same place, the security officials and district administration confirmed. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the harrowing incident and sought a report. The first incident took place as a bus carrying passengers from Quetta to Taftan was targeted by armed assailants. Nine passengers were kidnapped from the bus after establishing their residency to be of Punjab and subsequently shot to death. The Nushki SSP said the victims were identified and then killed, adding that they hailed from Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala, and Wazirabad cities of Punjab. “About 10-12 gunmen blockaded the Quetta-Taftan Highway N-40 in the vicinity of Sultan Charhai near Noshki and abducted nine passengers from a bus,” Nushki Deputy Commissioner Habibullah Musakhel told the media. The gunmen checked the identity cards of passengers from the Taftanbound bus and kidnapped them, he added. They were subsequently shot dead. The bodies of the abducted passengers were found under a bridge nearby after an hour and a half, Musakhel said, adding It’s unclear whether their belong-
ings were taken. The nine victims were from Punjab, confirmed Noshki Police SHO Asad Mengal. The victims — all men — were from Wazirabad, Mandi Ba-
hauddin, and Gujranwala, according to identity documents”, the officer added. In a separate attack on the same highway, a car that tried to force its way
ISLAMABAD: Lightning strikes killed 25 people in Punjab and Balochistan on Saturday amid heavy rainfall and downpours, according to weather updates from their respective Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Seventeen people died in Punjab while the death toll in Balochistan rose to eight with two more deaths. One man and two children were killed in lightning strikes a day ago as rainfall lashed parts of Balochistan. A statement from the Punjab PDMA spokesperson said Director General Irfan Ali Kathia contacted the deputy commissioners of the affected districts and gave guidelines to give the best medical care to the injured while financial assistance would be provided
to the families of the deceased. “Combating natural calamities is only possible with joint and mutual cooperation,” DG Kathia was quoted as saying in the statement, adding that all organisations and departments were on alert and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had given clear instructions that negligence or irresponsibility would not be tolerated. Meanwhile, Balochistan Provincial Emergency Operations Centre Incharge Younus Mengal told media that two more deaths due to lightning were reported in Dera Bugti today while another person was injured in the Surab area of Kalat district. A PDMA update said 10 to 15 houses were partially damaged due to
through the gunmen’s cordon was fired upon, killing one passenger and injuring four, the SHO said. When the car did not stop, the gunmen shot at the vehicle, bursting its tires. As a result, the vehicle overturned, SHO Mengal said. Two people, which police said were locals, were killed in the second attack. One of the car’s passengers was a brother of provincial assembly member Ghulam Dastgir Badini, the SHO added. According to the security officials, both the attacks were carried out at the same blockade. The bodies of the victims were shifted to Quetta, Noshki Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent Zafar Mengal informed the media.
Lightning kills 25 in heavy rains across country
Pakistan repays $1b in international bonds g
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flooding from torrential rails in the Hamidabad area of Pishin, adding that the affected people were evacuated and moved to safer places. Two rescue teams along with machinery were engaged in rescue activities to tackle the flood situation in Pishin, it said. The PDMA said a death from a roof collapse was also reported in Loralai with a total of six deaths reported in the province till now. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti visited the PDMA Control Room earlier today and said he was monitoring the relief and rescue operations amid the rains himself.
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Seerat Museum to help PAYMENT MADE TO AGENT counter adverse effects of BANK FOR ONWARD DISTRIBUTION TO Islamophobia: PM Shehbaz BONDHOLDERS, SAYS SBP
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
PROFIT NEWS DESK
Pakistan successfully executed the repayment of $1 billion in International Bonds on April 12, 2024, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The central bank said that the payment, principal plus interest, was made to the agent bank for onward distribution to the bondholders. Following this international payment, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) expects its foreign exchange reserves to decrease to approximately $7 billion. However, Pakistan anticipates an inflow from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by the end of this month to offset this decline. Recent weeks have seen a stabilisation in Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. As of March 29, the reserves held by the SBP increased by $19 million weekly, reaching $8.04 billion, according to the latest data. The country’s total liquid foreign reserves amounted to $13.38 billion, with commercial banks holding net foreign reserves of $5.34 billion.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday said the project of Seerat Museum would help counter the adverse effects of Islamophobia and would support in spreading knowledge about the teachings and life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) among people living in Pakistan and abroad. He was speaking here as the chief guest at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Seerat Museum to be built for spreading the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) among the new generation and for creating awareness about his life and character. The prime minister said in a heinous move, an ideological divide had been created in the world due to which some elements were making negative propaganda against Islam and the personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This negative attitude had created hate and divisions, he remarked adding the Seerat Museum would not only raise awareness about the life, character and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but would also educate people how to live their lives and manage relationships with other people. The museum would familiarize people outside the world about the life and
Two soldiers embraced martyrdom as ‘HVT’ eliminated in Buner IBO: ISPR RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Two soldiers of Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner district on Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. According to ISPR, Lance Havildar Mudassar Mehmood and Lance Naik Haseeb Javed embraced martyrdom. During the operation, a “high-value target (HVT)” identified as Saleem Rabbani was “sent to hell” after an intense gun battle, while two other terrorists were injured, the statement added. “The terrorist Saleem Rabbani remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as extortion [and] target killings of innocent civilians,” the press release read. The ISPR stated that weapons, along with a large quantity of explosives, were also recovered from the slain militants in today’s operation, adding that they remained “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area”. The alleged terrorist Saleem had a bounty of Rs5 million placed on him and was wanted by law enforcement agencies and the government, the military’s media wing said. However, during the operation, two brave sons of the soil, Lance Havildar Mudassar Mehmood, 36, of Rawalpindi, and Lance Naik Haseeb Javed, 27, a resident of Poonch, having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat [martyrdom], the ISPR stated. According to additional information from the ISPR, Lance Havildar Mudassar and Lance Naik Haseeb served 16 and five years in the army, respectively. A sanitisation operation is underway to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area, the press release said. “Security forces of Pakistan remain determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the security forces for the successful operation and expressed regret over those martyred. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid tribute to the martyrs for their efforts in the operation. This was the second such operation in KP this week, with two terrorists killed in an IBO in South Waziristan on Tuesday. A press release from the ISPR had said that two terrorists were successfully “neutralised and sent to hell” after an intense exchange of fire between security forces and militants.
Six SHC judges sworn in as regular judges KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
character of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and nullify the negative propaganda, he noted. He thanked His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz as well as the Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz for extending their cooperation for the project of Seerat Museum. He said people of Pakistan would not never forget adoration of leadership of Saudi Arabia whose landmarks where spread all over Pakistan, like the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad capital. While talking about his recent visit to the two holy mosques in Makkah and Medina and offering of prayers there, he said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz warmly received his delegation and exhibited deep love
and affection for Pakistan. The Crown Prince, government and people of Saudi Arabia had deep feelings of affection and fondness for Pakistan and they always came to the support of Pakistan, he added. Saudi Arabia always assisted Pakistan in difficult times, he said adding the Crown Prince said they would extend cooperation to Pakistan in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture and industry. He mentioned that a high level delegation of Saudi Arabia would come to Pakistan soon saying, “this gesture showed their love for Pakistan.” He lauded Muslim World League Secretary General Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, for his guidance and support for the project of Seerat Museum.
Six additional judges of the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Saturday were sworn in as regular judges of the high court, a day after their regularisation by President Asif Ali Zardari. Chief Justice SHC Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi administered oath to the regularized judges. All six of them were appointed as additional judges of the high court in 2023. With the addition of six judge, the number of permanent judges of the high court has reached 32. There are still eight vacant seats of judges in the Sindh High Court. The six judges who took oath on Saturday, included Justice Amjad Ali Bohio, Justice Sana Akram Minhas, Justice Jawad Akbar Sarwana, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, Justice Abdul Rehman and Justice Arbab Ali Hakro. The high court’s judges, Bar association representatives and senior lawyers attended the oathtaking ceremony. Family members of the oath-taking judges also attended the ceremony. On Friday, President Asif Ali Zardari had approved regularisation of six additional judges of the Sindh High Court. Following approval by the President, the Ministry of Law issued a notification in this regard.
At TTAP’s maiden rally, Achakzai urges parliament to quash cases against Imran ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pashtunkhawa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai on Saturday declared that PTI’s founder has been the leader of the strongest party in the parliament that the parliament should quash all cases against the PTI’s founder and his associates through a resolution. Addressing a public rally of the six arties alliance in Pishin, the PkMAP chief said that when 9000 cases could be quashed, they (rulers) would have to close the May 09 cases too. The ‘Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan’s (TTAP) inaugural rally in Pishin was also addressed by PTI’s Omar Ayub, Sher Afzal Marwat, SIC chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, JI’s Dr Attaur Rehman, MWM’s Allama Nasir Abbas, BNP’s Akhtar Mengal,
and other prominent leaders. “All big families sitting around the government were accompanied with the English colonial power,” Achakzai said, adding that the same families were also associated with Bhutto and Ziaul Haq. “These birds when flock to sit over a building, turn that structure into rubble,” veteran politician said. He said these everlasting trees should be removed from the politics forever. “Such people had forced Benazir Bhutto to get the NRO”. He asserted that this alliance was not for overthrowing the government but for the supremacy of the constitution. He appealed to all Pakistanis who believe in the supremacy of the constitution should join the movement. Achakzai said here no one was slave or master of anyone, but “we are all equal, we have to bring revolution with the power of the people.” JI’s Dr Rahman emphasised the signifi-
cance of constitutional supremacy and the unity of opposition parties in defending it. Addressing the rally, Omar Ayub lamented the erosion of constitutional supremacy under the current government, citing the continued detention of party leader Imran Khan as evidence of governmental overreach. “The mandate of the people, as evidenced on February 8, cannot be ignored. PTI continues to advocate for the rights and civil liberties of all citizens.” Ayub highlighting the representation of all parties in TTAP affirmed, “Representatives from every corner of Pakistan stand united on this platform”. “Now is not the time for complacency; our nation demands our active participation. Safeguarding the Constitution is paramount.” “Pakistan belongs to every one of us, yet many suffer under the weight of oppression,” said Sahibzada Hamid Raza in his address.
He commended the attendees for their resilience, proclaiming, “Today, amidst adversity, your steadfastness is a testament to the indomitable will of the people. MWM Chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas addressed the rally, declaring, “We are custodians of this nation, united against forces seeking to sow division.” He criticized past governments, stating, “Decades of mismanagement and corruption have brought our nation to a perilous juncture.” Addressing the rally, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat said that Imran Khan has been languishing in jail for eight months in fabricated cases. He regretted that unprecedented character assassination of Imran Khan and his wife were carried out merely for political point scoring, adding that hundreds of PTI workers and leaders were also beaten up and jailed to force them quit party and Imran Khan.
BNP Chief Akhtar Mengal delivered a fervent speech, asserting, “We reject the legitimacy of the ‘Form 47 government’ and of Article 144. Our struggle will persist until constitutional supremacy is restored.” He questioned the efficacy of repressive measures, asking, “How can Article 144 deter political activism that even natural calamities cannot suppress?” He said that the political workers fought against the toughest martial law. “In Balochistan, there is a government of Form 47, a government of the establishment”. “No action has been taken against those who stole the people’s mandate in the country,” he added. “Elections are marred by manipulation, favouring candidates that have no local support at all,” said Mengal. “After the missing persons of Balochistan, people are now going missing from every corner of the country”.
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