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NEITHER STANCE ON MAY 9 RIOTS CHANGED NOR THERE WILL BE ANY: ISPR Tuesday, 6 August, 2024 I | 30 Muharram, 1446
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FROM NOW ON, WE WILL USE TERM FITNA AL-KHAWARIJ TO REFER TO TTP, AND ITS MEMBERS AS ‘KHARJI’: LT-GEN CHAUDHRY
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XV No 37 I 36 Pages I Islamabad Edition
SAYS NOT ENOUGH BEING DONE AGAINST ‘DIGITAL TERRORISM,’ ALLOWING FAKE NEWS, PROPAGANDA TO SPREAD
ENUMERATES ARMY’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH SECTORS IN BALOCHISTAN, AJK AND GB RAWALPNDI
STAFF REPORT
IRECTOR-General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, reaffirmed the military’s firm stance on the violent protests of May 9, emphasizing that those responsible must face accountability. “Our position on May 9 is clear and remains unchanged, as stated in the May 7 press conference. There has been no shift in our stance, nor will there be,” he declared during a press briefing from Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters (GHQ). When asked about reports of ongoing talks with a certain political party and the army’s position on the May 9 riots, the DG ISPR replied that the army’s “very clear” stance was already stated during a press conference on May 7. “Neither has there been any change in this [position] nor there will be,” he asserted. Last week, PTI founder Imran Khan — after experiencing months of strained relations with the army — in an apparent softening of stance categorically said that his party was ready for talks with the military establishment. Speaking about the banned Tehreek-
i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lt-Gen Chaudhry also announced a strategic change in terminology, stating that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) will now be referred to as ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ and its members as ‘Kharji’ or outcasts. “This is because it is a mischief-making group; it’s neither an ideology nor has anything to do with Islam or Pakistan,” he asserted. “The government has recently notified the group as “Fitna al-Khawarij” and from now on, we will use the term Fitna al-Khawarij to refer to the TTP,
while all terrorists associated with the group would be termed khariji (outcasts)”, he said. “This is because it is a mischiefmaking group; it’s neither an ideology nor has anything to do with Islam or Pakistan,” he asserted. He said that 139 soldiers embraced martyrdom during the first seven months of the year, “The entire nation pays tribute to the brave martyrs and their families,” he said. “This shows that the Pakistani security forces, law enforcement agencies
and intelligence agencies were entirely focused on making the country’s internal and border security certain and lasting.” He further said that the fight against terrorism would continue until the last terrorist was eliminated. Security forces conducted 23,622 operations in 2024 Lt Gen Chaudhry also briefed the nation on the country’s security situation, effective measures taken against terrorism and the professional activities of the military, particularly the counter-terrorism operations the security forces performed during the year. “Security forces and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) conducted 23,622 small and large-scale intelligence-based operations in the country,” the DG ISPR said. “Out of the total, 2,045 operations were carried out over the last 15 days.” He added that “24 terrorists” were eliminated during operations conducted over the last 15 days. “It is important to mention that to fight terrorism, the Pakistan Army, intelligence, police and other law enforcement agencies conduct more than a hundred operations daily,” he said. ‘Not enough being done against digital terrorism’
Resolution of Kashmir, Palestine disputes only guarantee to regional peace, stability: PM ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that resolution of Kashmir and Palestine disputes by giving their people due rights, was the only guarantee to regional peace and stability. Speaking to the Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly through televised address on Youm-e-Istehsal, the prime minister said the day was not far away when both India and Israel will be bound to give due rights to the people of Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as all ways other than this lead to total destruction. Premier Shehbaz said that despite being a nuclear power to security its defence, Pakistan had never thought of aggression with regard to its nuclear power. “Therefore the better option is to adopt the peaceful way and sit together to find out the peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute.” He pointed out that this occasion reminded us of the grave consequences of India’s illegal actions of 5 Au-
gust 2019 vis-à-vis Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Ever since, the prime minister said in IIOJK, efforts were being made to silence the genuine leadership of the Kashmiri people and muzzle the media. The number of political prisoners remains in the thousands, while 14 political organizations have been outlawed. “Harassment of innocent people, arbitrary detentions and the so-called ‘cordon and search operations have become a matter of routine. The Indian forces are operating with impunity, according to them under different draconian laws,” he added. PM Shehbaz Sharif vowed that until the Kashmiris get the basic rights and freedom, Pakistan will continue to extend the moral support and will continue to knock the doors of all the international institutions. Paying tributes to the people of Kashmir, he said “we salute to their struggle for freedom who had been bearing the atrocities and cruelties of the Indian armed forces for 77 years”. He also paid tributes the Hurriyat leaders including Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas, Sardar Ibrahim Khan, Mir-
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waiz Muhammad Yousuf, Syed Ali Gilani, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Altaf Ahmed Shah, Moulana Abbas Ansari and all the young workers and leaders who raised their voices against the Indian atrocities. “We salute to Asiya Andrabi, Yaseen Malik, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Mussarat Alam Butt, and Burhan Wani for their struggle for freedom. As regards, the Palestine situation, the prime minister said more than 40,000 Palestinians had been martyred so far including thousands of children. The unarmed Palestinians were still being martyred every day, he said. Israel’s Prime Minister Natenyahu through his army have broken the records of barbarism in Palestinians, he said adding that recently, in Tehran, Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh was martyred. In Pakistan, he said a day of mourning was observed and funeral prayers in absentia was performed across the country. He said the Imam of Aqsa Mosque, who talked about Ismail Haniyeh’ martyrdom had also been arrested.
PM Hasina has been sacked, interim ‘coalition’ govt to run Bangladesh: Army Chief ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday and fled the country amidst escalating violence. This marks some of the worst turmoil in the South Asian nation’s history since its independence over five decades ago. In a televised address, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that Hasina, 76, had left the country and that an interim government would be established. Media re-
ports indicated that she departed in a military helicopter with her sister, heading towards the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. Other reports suggested she was bound for India’s northeastern state of Tripura. These reports could not be immediately verified by Reuters. Television footage captured scenes of jubilation as thousands of people flooded the streets of Dhaka, chanting slogans and celebrating. Crowds also stormed Hasina’s official residence, Ganabhaban, showing victory signs and shouting triumphantly. Some were seen
carrying away furniture and electronics from one of the country’s most secure buildings. “She has fled the country, fled the country,” echoed through the throngs of demonstrators. Protesters in Dhaka were also seen climbing a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina’s father and the nation’s independence leader, and defacing it with an axe. Student activists had called for a march to Dhaka on Monday, defying a nationwide curfew to demand Hasina’s resignation following deadly clashes that left nearly 100 people dead. Last month, about 150 people
were killed in similar protests. The Daily Star newspaper reported that at least six people were killed on Monday in clashes between police and protesters in the Jatrabari and Dhaka Medical College areas. This report has not yet been verified by Reuters. The unrest in Bangladesh began last month when student groups protested against a controversial quota system in government jobs. These protests quickly escalated into a movement demanding Hasina’s ouster. She had secured a fourth consecutive term in January in an election boycotted by the opposition.
IN TODAY’S ISSUE
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PSX loses over 1,100 points amid global recession fears g
MARKET EXPERTS SAY LOCAL INVESTORS ARE STAYING ON SIDELINES UNTIL GLOBAL MARKET CONDITIONS STABILISE PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
Bears took control of the trading floor at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) as the benchmark KSE-100 lost over 1,100 points during the intraday trading on Monday. Market experts attributed the decline to investor fears of a recession in the US economy. They said that local investors were staying on the sidelines until global market conditions stabilised. Analysts said the market’s reaction is due to a global sell-off triggered by fears of a slowdown in the US economy and a potential rate hike by the Bank of Japan. As per the PSX website, the KSE-100 Index fell 1172.41 points to 77,053.57 mark at 02:46 pm, down by 1.5%. Key sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, chemical, commercial banks, oil marketing companies (OMCs), and refineries, saw widespread selling. Major stocks like PSO, SHEL, HBL, MCB, MEBL, and NBP traded in the red. At the day’s close, the benchmark index settled at 77,084.48 level, with a decline of 1141.50 points or 1.46% from the previous close of 78,225.98 points. Last week, the PSX remained highly volatile due to concerns over political instability in the country. The KSE-100 index, after fluctuating throughout the week, closed slightly higher at 78,225.98 points, gaining 196.47 points on a week-on-week basis. During the week, Fitch raised Pakistan’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating (IDR) to ‘CCC+’ from ‘CCC’, while S&P maintained Pakistan’s rating at ‘CCC+’ for long-term sovereign credit rating and ‘C’ for short-term rating. Reuters reported the US stock index futures tumbled on Monday, with those tied to the Nasdaq falling nearly 4%, as fears of the United States slipping into a recession rippled through global markets. Stock markets from Asia to Europe also took a beating and bond yields slid as investors rushed to safe-haven assets and investors bet the US Federal Reserve would need to cut interest rates quickly to spur growth. A report released on Friday showed the US economy added only 114,000 jobs last month, significantly fewer than expected, and the jobless rate rose to its highest level since October 2021. This came a day after disappointing factory data, raising concerns that the Fed may have kept borrowing costs at over two-decade highs for too long, potentially leading to a hard landing and recession.
Bangladesh president orders Khaleda Zia’s release
DHAKA: Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday ordered the release of jailed former prime minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia, hours after her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina was ousted and the military took power. The president’s press team said in a statement that a meeting led by Shahabuddin had “decided unanimously to free Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia immediately”. Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, along with the head of the navy and airforce, and top leaders of several opposition parties including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami party, attended the meeting. “The meeting has also decided to free all the people who have been arrested during the student protests,” the statement added. Earlier Monday, Waker said in a broadcast to the nation on state television that Hasina had resigned and the military would form a caretaker government. “The meeting decided to form an interim government immediately”, it added. Hasina had sought to quell nationwide protests against her government since early July but she fled the country after brutal unrest on Sunday in which nearly 100 people were killed. AGENCIES
President, PM and armed forces reaffirm solidarity with Kashmiris ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir, and the entire Pakistani nation reiterated Pakistan’s support to Kashmiris brethren and condemned India’s illegal steps to undermine the recognized disputed status of Occupied Kashmir and continuous campaign to change the demographic structure and political landscape of Held Valley. “Indian actions are a violation of international laws, including the resolutions of the Security Council, the 4th Geneva Convention,” the civil and military leadership declared. President Asif Ali Zardari said India’s internal legislation and court decisions cannot defeat the just struggle of the Kashmiri people. In their messages on Youm-e-Istehsal, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and forces chiefs have reaffirmed their steadfast solidarity with the courageous and resilient people of Indian Il-
legally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. In his message on Youm-e-Istehsal, President Asif Ali Zardari said that India’s actions since 5 August 2019 have demonstrated complete disregard for international law, aspirations of Kashmiri people and the UN Security Council resolutions regarding Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He said it is crucial that the international community urges India to end its human rights violations in Kashmir and implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan will continue to extend its strong moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiri people till realization of their inalienable right to self-determination. He said in interest of lasting peace and security in South Asia, India must move from dispute denial to dispute resolution. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar in his message said that Pakistan will continue to extend all possible support to Kashmir people
of IIOJK for the fullest realization of their legitimate rights. On the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs and the Pakistan Armed Forces paid tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK for their extraordinary sacrifices and reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people in their righteous struggle against oppression and tyranny, on political, moral and humanitarian grounds. In his message on Youm-e-Istehsal, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has said that today is the day to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people. He said that on August 5, 2019, the Indian government took a unilateral, unconstitutional and illegal action by abrogating Article 370 and 35A, ending the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Likewise, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori stressed international community to take notice of Indian state terrorism in Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. In his message on the eve of Youm-e-Is-
tehsal, he said legitimate rights of Kashmiris are being oppressed by India and usurpation is an illegal act of denying rights. In his message, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has reaffirmed moral, political and diplomatic support to the struggle of Kashmiris of Indian illegally oc-
cupied Jammu and Kashmir for their self-determination. In a video statement in connection with ‘Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir’ in Peshawar today, he said the people of Pakistan, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stand by their Kashmiri brethren.
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