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‘baseless’ Tyrian FIRST BATCH OF STUDENTS ARRIVES AS GOVT Fixing case for rehearing a to keep Imran MOVES IN TO RESCUE PAKISTANIS IN BISHKEK ploy imprisoned: PTI Sunday, 19 May, 2024 I |10 Zil-Qadah, 1445
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FO SUMMONS KYRGYZ CHARGE D’AFFAIRES FOR A DEMARCHE, CONVEYING CONCERNS ABOUT PAKISTANIS WELLBEING
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EMBASSY, FOREIGN OFFICE, GOVT IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH SENIOR KYRGYZ AUTHORITIES TO ENSURE SAFETY OF STUDENTS
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 319 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
AMBASSADOR REFUTES REPORTS ON THREE DEATHS, SAYING FOUR STUDENTS GOT INJURIES
PM Shehbaz says personally monitoring Bishkek situation ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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BISHKEK/ISLAMABAD SALEEM JADOON
special flight Saturday night landed at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport with the first batch of Pakistan students from the “troubled Kyrgyzstan capital of Bishkek” where several foreigners were subjected to mob violence last night. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi received the students at the airport. However, there was a lack of clarity about the number of students in the flight with the state broadcaster saying 30, 140 and 180 in separate posts on X. The development comes hours after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the federal government will bear all travel expenses of stranded Pakistani students who wanted to return to the country after mob violence against foreigners in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek. On the other hand, Kyrgyz police said they had mobilised forces in the Central Asian nation’s capital yesterday to quell the violence, in which hundreds of Kyrgyz men attacked buildings housing foreign students, including Pakistanis. According to Pakistan’s embassy in Bishkek, foreign students living in the Kyrgyz capital, including those from Pakistan, were attacked by locals in the aftermath of their brawl with Egyptian
nationals on May 13. The report quoted the Kyrgyz health ministry as saying 29 people were injured in the violence. The country’s foreign ministry, meanwhile, said 14 foreigners were discharged from hospitals after treatment. The Pakistani embassy in Bishkek refuted the reports about deaths of Pakistani students, clarifying there were no deaths. “Moreover, Kygyz Ministry of Internal Affairs has also issued press releases stating that the situation is under control,” it said. State-run Pakistan Television (PTV) said that a special flight with the first batch of Pakistani students from Bishkek arrived at the Lahore airport. The government has been in contact with the Kyrghyz Government to ensure the safety and security of its nationals at risk in view of the mob riots of last night in the Kyrghyz Republic. The Kyrghyz authorities have expressed regret at the incidents of violence against foreign nationals including Pakistanis in Bishkek last night. They have also pledged to hold an inquiry and punish the perpetrators. Embassy of Pakistan has opened emergency helplines and responding to queries of students and their families. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Hassan Ali Zaigham has been in close contact with senior Kyrgyz authorities. According to the Kyrgyz Health Ministry, four Pakistanis were provided first aid and discharged while one is under
Justice Muneeb sworn in as Acting CJP ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Justice Muneeb Akhtar Saturday took oath as Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). According to the details, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, known for his legal acumen and dedication, will temporarily lead the judiciary during this period. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the Supreme Court, where Justice Yahya Afridi administered the oath to Justice Muneeb. Supreme Court judges, law officers and staff participated in the swearing-in ceremony. The appointment of Justice Muneeb Akhtar as Acting Chief Justice will ensure continuity in the leadership of the Supreme Court. It is pertinent to note that Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa is currently on an international tour with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah. Justice Qazi Faez Isa will attend the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Chief Justices Conference in Azerbaijan. His departure signifies Pakistan’s active engagement in international judicial cooperation and dialogue. Justice Qazi Isa’s participation in the international conference is seen as an important step in promoting judicial cooperation and enhancing the legal framework in the ECO region. Their engagement at the conference aims to address common legal challenges and share insights on judicial practices among member states.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday expressing concerns over the violent situation in Bishkek, directed Pakistan’s Ambassador in Kyrgyzstan Hassan Ali Zaigham to provide all necessary support to the Pakistani students. The prime minister asked him to personally visit the hostels of Pakistani students and meet them, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The ambassador apprised the prime minister that Pakistani students were safe and those injured were being assisted by the embassy. The prime minister advised him to remain in contact with the parents and provide them timely information, adding that immediate arrangements should be made for those injured Pakistani students who wanted to return to Pakistan. The government would bear all the expenses in this regard, he said. The prime minister, expressing his concerns, further said that he was monitoring the situation himself and would not leave the students alone in this situation. The Pakistani Government was in contact with the Kyrgyz government, he added. “Deeply concerned over the situation of Pakistani students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I have directed Pakistan’s Ambassador to provide all necessary help and assistance,” earlier, the prime treatment for jaw injury. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister has directed the Foreign Office to monitor the situation round-the-clock and to fully assist and facilitate Pakistani nationals. Kyrgyz envoy handed over demarche Earlier in the day, Charge d’Affaires of the Kyrgyz Embassy in Pakistan
minister wrote on his X timeline. According to Pakistan’s Embassy in Bishkek, foreign students living in Bishkek including those from Pakistan, were subjected to violence by locals in the aftermath of their earlier brawl with Egyptian nationals a few days ago. As per reports, some hostels of medical universities in Bishkek and private residences of international students including those of Pakistanis were attacked. However, the embassy said that so far, they had received no confirmed reports of death or rape of any Pakistani student there. “My office is also in touch with the Embassy and constantly monitoring the situation,” the prime minister added. The embassy has already shared the helpline numbers +996555554476 and +996507567667, and had responded to a hundreds of calls from the students and their families. Melis Moldaliev on Saturday was called to the Foreign Office for a demarche by Director General (ECO & CARs) Aizaz Khan, conveying the deep concerns of the Government of Pakistan about the reports of last night’s incidents against Pakistani students studying in Bishkek.
14 of same family perish in Khushab road accident
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
KHUSHAB
STAFF REPORT
As many as 14 members of the same family, including nine children died, and 12 others sustained injuries after a passenger van fell into a ditch on Panj Pir Manawan Road in Khushab district on Saturday. According to rescuers and police, the passengers were on their way to Soon Valley from Bannu for work. The rescuers said the circumstantial evidence suggested that the accident occurred due to brake failure. “The van fell into a ditch after its brakes failed,” they suspected. The rescue personnel reached the site of the accident and started providing medical aid. All those who lost their lives and sustained injuries in the accident belonged to the same family. Seven of the 14 deceased persons were identified as 14-year-old Ishaq, 14-year-old Omar, 45-yearold Rahim, 40-year-old Muhammad Khan, seven-year-old Aleesha, eight-year-old Ghazala
and five-year-old Gul Rahim whereas identity of the others is yet to be ascertained. Rescue personnel provided onsite medical aid to four people with minor injuries. The other eight with critical injuries were shifted to THQ Hospital Naushera. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed grief and sorrows over the grue-
some accident and sympathised with the bereaved family. She prayed for eternal peace and rest of the deceased persons and early recovery of the injured. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed grief over the accident and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased. He prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson expressed grave concerns over the fixing of the Tyrian case against PTI Founding Chairman Imran Khan for rehearing after a year, despite two judges of a threemember bench having already ruled against the maintainability of the case, calling it a shameful attempt to keep Imran Khan in jail unlawfully. PTI Spokesperson, in a strongly-worded reaction on Saturday, said that PTI Founding Chairman’s opponents now pinned their hopes on this absurd and baseless case after facing humiliation to achieve their desired goals in the Toshakhana, Cipher and Al-Qadir Trust cases. He stated that the IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq proved once again his bias against Imran Khan by constituting a fresh bench to hear the case instead of announcing the three-member bench’s verdict headed by him, wherein two judges ruled against the maintainability of the case and even uploaded the decision on the court website. PTI spokesperson pointed out that the IHC’s six judges, in their letter, also highlighted several instances of clear interference by the state institutions and pressure on judges in the Tyrian case. He emphasized that after exposing the meddling of state institutions and pressure on judges in politically motivated cases including Tyrian case, there was no legal or moral justification to proceed with the case anymore. PTI spokesperson termed the filing of bogus fake and fabricated cases like Tyrian and Iddat cases against Imran Khan were a clear sign of the defeat and moral degradation of those who were hell-bent on making Imran Khan subject to their personal revenge. He stated that like the around 200 bogus and false cases registered against Imran Khan, the plaintiff in the Tyrian case remained unknown, but enjoyed the special patronage of state lawyers. PTI spokesperson dubbed the decision for formation a new bench in the case that had already been declared non-maintainable by two honorable judges, as utterly illegal and unacceptable. He demanded that keeping in view the legal requirements, the case should be dismissed forthwith instead of proceeding with this baseless case, instead of proceeding with this baseless case.
Cornered Nawaz plays ‘victim card’ again, laments ouster of 1993 govt LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Cornered and ousted Nawaz Sharif on Saturday played victim card again, lamenting that Pakistan would have been Asia’s strongest country had his government not been overthrown in 1993. “Our country would have been at the forefront in Asia today had the agenda given for the country’s development at that time been implemented,” the elder Sharif told a party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting here. Nawaz expressed satisfaction at the substantial turnout of PML-N leaders, remarking on the rarity of such a significant assembly. He stressed the representation from all provinces and acknowledged the shared hardships endured by its leaders, ranging from exile to unjust legal proceedings. “It is very good that the leadership of every province is present here. We have gathered after a long time,” said the PML-N supremo. Commending the resilience of party members in confronting these challenges, Nawaz highlighted the positive shift where individuals previously embroiled in legal battles were now actively engaged in assemblies, with some holding constitutional roles. He affirmed the debunking of false cases against the party. Reflecting on past cooperation attempts with former premier Imran Khan, Nawaz recalled his initial endeavours, including a visit to the PTI founder’s residence in Banigala in 2013, aimed at fostering national collaboration. However, he lamented subsequent events. “A plot was hatched in London” where Imran travelled to right after the meeting, protests erupted upon his return. “I visit you and you stab me in the back by assuring cooperation and then you begin protests in Islamabad’s D-Chowk?” he said. He highlighted his decision to not call the police on the protestors despite his cabinet members insisting on it.
Pakistan-IMF technical talks conclude; policy-level discussions to begin on May 20 g
UPCOMING TALKS WILL BE CRUCIAL IN DETERMINING SIZE OF A NEW LOAN PROGRAM PROFIT INP
The technical-level discussions between Pakistan’s economic team and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission have been concluded, while the policy-level negotiations are slated to commence on May 20. According to sources, the upcoming talks will be crucial in determining the size of a new loan program, with detailed discussions expected to finalise the future conditions and goals of Pakistan’s economic policies. They indicate that these policylevel talks will also establish the tax and non-tax revenue targets for the next financial year. The Ministry of Finance will work with the IMF to set macroeconomic targets for the new financial year. These targets will
form the backbone of Pakistan’s economic strategy moving forward, ensuring alignment with IMF standards and expectations. A staff-level agreement is anticipated after these policy discussions, providing a framework for future economic reforms and financial stability. However, the IMF has yet to give a definitive green light for the final disbursement of funds, indicating that they are meticulously reviewing Pakistan’s economic targets and performance. Pakistan’s debt crisis has reached alarming levels, with interest payments on loans exceeding the government’s income by a staggering Rs205 billion in just nine months. The country’s total debt and liabilities have ballooned to over Rs80,086 billion, according to the State Bank’s statistics. As negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new bailout
package continue, the government is under pressure to reduce its expenditure and bring down the debt ratio. Sources close to the negotiations reveal that the upcoming budget will include strict measures against unregistered traders, aiming to bring them into the tax net. Notices will reportedly be sent to businesses not registered through the ‘Tajir Dost’ app, and penalties under Section 182 of the Income Tax Ordinance are anticipated for non-compliance. Unregistered businesses could face fines of up to Rs10,000, as per the sources. Moreover, in a bid to curb tax evasion and enhance revenue collection, the budget is expected to propose increased taxes on cash withdrawals by non-filers. Currently, non-filers are subjected to a 0.6% advance tax on bank withdrawals exceeding Rs50,000.