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LAUDING ARMY’S BACKING, PM REITERATES RESOLVE TO RID COUNTRY OF SMUGGLING
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Saturday, 20 April, 2024 I |11 Shawwal, 1445
DIRECTS AUTHORITIES CONCERNED TO ACCELERATE NATIONWIDE ACTION AGAINST THE MENACE
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ISLAMABAD
EXPRESSES GRIEF OVER LOSS OF LIVES AND PROPERTY IN KP, BALOCHISTAN, DIRECTS TO EXPEDITE RELIEF ACTIVITIES
STAFF REPORT
ALLING for the punishment of smugglers, drug dealers and their facilitators, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reiterated the government’s resolve to rid the country of smuggling, directing the authorities to accelerate the nationwide action against the menace. Chairing a high-level meeting on Friday to curb smuggling, the prime minister instructed the Law Ministry to immediately enact necessary legislation for this purpose. The premier paid rich tribute to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir for his full cooperation with the government in his efforts against smuggling. A report from the investigation committee, headed by AD Khawaja, was also presented during the meeting. The prime minister commended the committee for identifying the elements involved in the misuse of Afghan Transit Trade for smuggling, as well as the officers facilitating them. He was informed that a list of smugglers, hoarders, and their facilitating officers had been forwarded to law enforcement agencies and provincial governments. PM Shehbaz directed the removal of identified officers from their respective posts and initiate disciplinary proceedings against them. He also asked the LEAs and
intelligence agencies to cooperate with each other to curb the smuggling. Emphasising no leniency for those who loot public funds and their facilitators, PM Shehbaz directed measures to provide alternative earning opportunities and a conducive atmosphere for youths living in frontier regions. He stressed the need for more swift and effective monitoring of the sale and smuggling of Afghan Transit Trade goods in the country, and called for a third-party audit of the monitoring system. PM Shehbaz ordered the complete elimination of sugar smuggling and the immediate release of funds to examine the prevalence of drug consumption at
‘Judges Letter’: LHC CJ convenes full court on Monday to discuss protection of judicial independence LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
The Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Malik Shehzad Ahmed Khan on Friday summoned a full court meeting for April 22 to discuss how best to protect judicial independence and establish a mechanism to attach liability to those undermining such freedom. A notification issued by the LHC registrar said CJ Khan was “pleased to convene” the full court meeting for April 22 (Monday) at 1:30pm to “consider how best to protect independence of the judiciary” and to “put in place a mechanism to affix liability for those who undermine such independence and clarify for the benefit of individual judges the course they must take when they find themselves at the receiving end of interference and/or intimidation by members of the executive. The notification said the decision was taken in light of the Supreme Court’s directions in the April 3 suo motu hearing. “All the honourable judges gracing at principal seat are requested to make it convenient to attend the meeting on the said date, time and venue,” the notification said, adding that the judges working at the three divisional benches will participate via video link. The development comes in the wake of allegations made by six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges against interference in judicial affairs by the country’s intelligence apparatus. On March 25, six IHC judges — out of a total strength of eight — wrote a startling letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) members, regarding attempts to pressure judges through abduction and torture of their relatives as well as secret surveillance inside their homes.
Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 291 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
the national level. The meeting was briefed on smuggling, misuse of Afghan Transit Trade, drugs, as well as sugar, wheat, fertiliser, petroleum products, and illegal weapons. It was informed that, after consultation with stakeholders, a national anti-smuggling strategy was in its final stages and would soon be presented for approval. The meeting was also informed that law enforcement agencies had raided a godown of smuggled goods in Mastung a couple of days ago, confiscating goods worth over Rs10 billion. The prime minister commended law enforcement agencies for their accelerated efforts to combat smuggling.
Federal ministers Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Jam Kamal Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Rana Tanweer Hussain, Dr Musaddik Malik, Azam Nazeer Tarar, the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue, the attorney general, personnel from law enforcement agencies, and senior officers attended the meeting. PM DIRECTS TO EXPEDITE RELIEF ACTIVITIES IN KP, BALOCHISTAN: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep grief and sorrow over loss of previous lives and property due to heavy rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. In a message on Friday, the prime minister prayed for the elevation of ranks of the departed souls in paradise and offered condolences to the bereaved families. Premier Shehbaz Sharif also prayed for early recovery of those injured as a result of various incidents occurred due to torrential rains. He directed the National Disaster Management Authority and other concerned departments to speed up the relief activities in the affected areas. The federal government stands with the provincial governments of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and will provide all possible assistance in relief operations, the prime minister said. He directed not to spare any effort in providing relief to the victims. Besides he also asked to expedite the work for opening roads that had been closed due to rains and landsliding.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia agree to solidify efforts in defence collaboration g
COAS REAFFIRMS CONTINUED SUPPORT TOWARDS CAPACITY-BUILDING OF ROYAL SAUDI LAND FORCES RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Friday agreed to solidify efforts in defence collaboration, with the army chief reaffirming the army’s continued support towards capacity building of Royal Saudi Land Forces, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The assertion came during a meeting between Army Chief General Asim Munir and the kingdom’s Assistant Minister of Defence Major General Talal Bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi, who called on the army chief at GHQ in Rawalpindi. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest were discussed including defence production and military training. The visiting dignitary acknowledged the Pakistan Army’s achievements and sacrifices in the war against terrorism and the army’s valuable contributions towards regional peace and stability. The Saudi dignitary also par-
ticipated in the 5th Meeting of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defence Collaboration at GHQ, which he co-chaired with the chief of general staff of the Pakistan Army. “The forum discussed challenges to global and regional security and their implications on Defence Forces. Forum noted that rapid advancements in modern technologies necessitated defence industrial cooperation in critical capabilities between the two
brotherly countries,” said the military’s media wing. Islamabad and Riyadh also reiterated their resolve to solidify the efforts in defence collaboration with a “focused approach to target specific capabilities in land, air and sea domains”. Both nations share strong brotherly ties based on commonalities of religion, history, and culture, which are progressively reinforcing with time.
All 5 foreign nationals survived Karachi suicide blast unhurt, say police KARACHI
NEWS DESK
Police officials confirmed on Friday that all foreigners traveling in a vehicle targeted in a suicide attack in the Landhi area were safe and subsequently moved to an undisclosed location. Additionally, they revealed that the vehicle, carrying five foreign nationals, was attacked earlier in the day in Landhi’s Mansehra Colony, resulting in the elimination of two terrorists involved in the assault. DIG East Azfar Mahesar said that the attackers were on foot, as per preliminary investigation. He added that police recovered six hand grenades, an SMG, and three magazines from militants. “The attackers also had two bottles of petrol. All the items were in a bag with the attackers,” said the police official. The DIG said that a vehicle and a motorcycle nearby were damaged in the blast after a terrorist blew himself up. A police mobile was parked at a nearby petrol pump which reached the spot after hearing the explosion, he said, adding that the personnel of the Sharafi Goth police station also confronted the terrorists. The DIG East revealed that the attack was carried out at 6:50 am this morning. The DIG went on to state that there was a company vehicle with security guards as well behind the targeted one carrying the employees. He said that the terrorists opened fire on the van, while the security guards behind the van retaliated the attack. “One terrorist was killed in firing by security guards, while the other terrorist approached the van and blew himself up,” he said. The police official said efforts will be made to identify the slain terrorist using his fingerprints. He also revealed that the police were already on alert after having received security threats regarding foreigners in the city. He added that a security plan for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and non-CPEC projects was prepared. Earlier today following the incident, the police said that the van was targeted by the terrorists who were on a bike. They added that a bag filled with grenades and Kalashnikov was found from the crime scene. SSP Malir Tariq Mastoi confirmed that it was a suicide attack. The police official said that another vehicle was also damaged in the explosion. Gunfire sounds were also heard, they said. As per initial reports shared by the police, the second terrorist killed in the encounter was also a suicide bomber. “A suicide jacket and a grenade are tied to the terrorist’s body,” they said, adding that a bomb disposal team is reaching the site of attack. Following the attack, the injured were being shifted to a nearby hospital, they added. Meanwhile, the nationality of the victims has not been ascertained so far. The law enforcement agency also shared that the foreign nationals were working in the export processing zone. A security guard, who was with the nationals and witnessed the incident, told Geo News that they had left Zamzama in two vehicles. He added that a loud explosion was then heard near Mansehra Colony. “After the explosion, a terrorist was firing at the vehicle,” the security guard said. Later, speaking to the media at the crime scene, Counter Terrorism Department In-charge Raja Umar Khattab told journalists that the foreigners were travelling in three vehicles. He added that the suicide bombers were waiting nearby and attacked the vehicle when it slowed down due to a speed breaker. “The security guard fired at the attackers and thwarted the attack,” he said, adding that the terrorists arrived on a motorcycle and were chasing the car.
US stops UN from recognizing Palestinian state through membership CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
UNITED NATIONS REUTERS
The United States on Thursday effectively stopped the United Nations from recognizing a Palestinian state by casting a veto in the Security Council to deny Palestinians full membership of the world body. It vetoed a draft resolution that recommended to the 193-member UN General Assembly that “the State of Palestine be admitted to membership” of the UN Britain and Switzerland abstained, while the remaining 12 council members voted yes. “The United States continues to strongly support a two-state solution. This vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood but instead is an acknowledgement that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties,” Deputy US Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood told the council. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the US veto in a statement as “unfair, unethical, and unjustified.” Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour, at times emotional, told the council after the vote: “The fact that this resolution did not pass will not break our will and it will not defeat our determination. We will not stop in our effort.” The Palestinian push for full UN mem-
bership came six months into a war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and as Israel is expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank, which the UN considers to be illegal. Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz commended the United States for casting a veto. Addressing the 12 council members who voted in favor of the draft resolution, Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan said: “It’s very sad because your vote will only embolden Palestinian rejectionism even more and make peace almost impossible.” ‘START WITH GAZA’ The Palestinians are currently a nonmember observer state, a de facto recognition of statehood that was granted by the UN General Assembly in 2012. But an application to become a full UN member needs to be approved by the Security Council and then at least two-thirds of the General Assembly. “We believe that such recognition of Palestinian statehood should not come at the start of a new process, but it doesn’t have to be at the very end of the process. We must start with fixing the immediate crisis in Gaza,” Britain’s UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward told the council. The UN Security Council has long endorsed a vision of two states living side by side within secure and recognized borders.
Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, all territory captured by Israel in 1967. Algeria’s UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama argued before the vote that admitting Palestinians to the United Nations would strengthen rather than undermine the twostate solution, adding: “Peace will come from
Palestine’s inclusion, not from its exclusion.” The Palestinian Authority, headed by Abbas, exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank. Hamas ousted the Palestinian Authority from power in Gaza in 2007. Hamas condemned the US stance in a statement and called on the international community to “support the struggle of our Pales-
tinian people and their legitimate right to determine their destiny.” “Failure to make progress towards a two-State solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people across the region, who will continue to live under the constant threat of violence,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council earlier on Thursday.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday expressed its disappointment on the United Nations Security Council’s inability to reach a consensus on Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations, regretting the US decision to veto the draft resolution. “Pakistan is deeply disappointed by the result of last night’s debate at UNSC and its inability to reach a consensus and recommend Palestine’s membership to UNGA. We regret the US decision to veto the draft resolution granting full membership of the UN to Palestine,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in her weekly press briefing. A day earlier, the US had ef-
fectively stopped the UN from recognizing a Palestinian state by casting a veto in the Security Council to deny Palestinians full membership in the world body. “Granting UN membership to Palestine, a nation enduring 75 years of oppression, constitutes a validation of their inherent right to self-determination and will mark a moment of historic justice,” maintained the FO spokesperson. The FO emphasized, “The Palestinian populace deserves the right to live in an autonomous state within the delineated confines of June 4, 1967, with its capital situated in Al-Quds.” Referring to the recent visit by a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Af-
fairs of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Mumtaz said that the counterparts from both nations delved into multiple regional and global concerns during the visit. The office noted that the two ministers discussed the rising instability in the region, urging for an immediate halt to the hostilities in Gaza and ensuring unhindered humanitarian aid access. The Palestinian push for full UN membership came six months into a war between Israel and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and as Israel is expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank, which the UN considers to be illegal. STAFF REPORT
Islamabad regrets US decision to veto Palestine’s UNGA membership bid