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AT UNGA, PM URGES WORLD ACTION ON PALESTINE, KASHMIR ISSUES; CALLS FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE JUSTICE Saturday, 28 September, 2024 I | 23 Rabi ul Awwal, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 81 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
g In his 21-minute address, PM touches on multiple Shehbaz Sharif issues stern warning to India, says Pakistan would ‘respond decisively’ to any regional and international issues, including debt burden aggression across Line of Control particularly induced by climate change impacts g Calls on international community to uphold justice and equality, urging ‘the weak are not voiceless’ g
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STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, delivering a powerful speech that touched on a range of urgent global issues, focusing on Israel’s military actions in Gaza, the unresolved Kashmir dispute, the global climate crisis, and the international community’s failure to uphold justice and human rights. Shehbaz Sharif began his address with a recitation from the Quran and expressed his pride in representing Pakistan for the second time at the General Assembly. He congratulated the newly elected president of the UNGA, Dennis Francis, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the UN Charter. “Our founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, declared that Pakistan stands by the United Nations Charter, and we remain committed to peace and prosperity for the world,” PM Shehbaz said. The Prime Minister warned the world community that the illegal occupation of Palestine and Kashmir was creating fresh hell every day and stressed the efforts for dispute resolution, besides addressing the global challenges of terrorism, climate change and Islamophobia. Illegal occupation creates a fresh hell, every day, in the killing fields of Palestine, and in occupied Jammu and Kashmir… Can we turn a blind eye to the mothers, cradling the lifeless bodies of their children? This is not just a conflict; this is systematic slaughter of innocent people; an assault on the very essence of human life and dignity. The blood of Gaza’s children stains the hands of not
just the oppressors, but also of those who are complicit in prolonging this cruel conflict, the prime minister told the annual 79th Session of UNGA. The prime minister, in his 21-minute address at the 193-member Assembly, touched on multiple regional and international issues, including Palestine and Kashmir disputes, Ukraine war, climate change, rising poverty and debt burden particularly induced by climate change impacts. Prime Minister Shehbaz called upon the international community’s action to demand an immediate end to the bloodshed, as work for a durable peace through a viable, secure, contiguous and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its eternal capital. Before the gathering of the global lead-
ers, Prime Minister Shehbaz also highlighted the sufferings of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and said that India had resiled from commitments to implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir which mandated a plebiscite to enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their fundamental right to self-determination. Since 5th August 2019, India has initiated unilateral illegal steps to impose what its leaders ominously call a “Final Solution” for Jammu and Kashmir. Nine hundred thousand Indian troops terrorize the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, with draconian measures, including prolonged curfews, extra-judicial killings and the abduction of thousands of young Kashmiris. He pointed out the Indian nefarious de-
ISLAMABAD
ment, and cultural ties with Iran. Both leaders reaffirmed their support for each other and explored opportunities to strengthen the partnership further. Strengthening Pakistan-Nepal relations In a separate meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Nepali counterpart K.P. Sharma Oli vowed to continue exploring avenues for enhancing bilateral and regional cooperation. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the excellent ties between Pakistan and Nepal. The Pakistani premier also congratulated K.P. Sharma Oli on assuming the office of the Prime Minister of Nepal and extended an invitation to visit Pakistan.
PM Shehbaz holds bilateral meetings with leaders on UNGA sidelines STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, urging an end to Israel's aggression against Palestine and Lebanon. During a meeting with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and the need to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Iran. The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of increasing trade, invest-
signs of seizing Kashmiri lands and properties, and settling outsiders into the occupied
Jammu and Kashmir, to transform the Muslim-majority into a minority.
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cused of being responsible for carrying out a massacre of the Palestinian people in its deadly war in Gaza. The Pakistani delegation included Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Science and Technology Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Munir Akram, and Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh. Meanwhile, criticism has arisen over allowing the UN address by Netanyahu, for whom International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan is seeking an arrest warrant for “war crimes”.
In snub to Netanyahu, PM, delegations from Arab & Islamic countries walk out of UNGA STAFF REPORT
The Pakistan delegation to the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, walked out on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stage to address the 193-member Assembly. The walkout, which was joined by Arab and Islamic delegations, served as a strong gesture of protest to the presence of Netanyahu, whom the UN organs and human rights bodies have ac-
Lt-Gen Muhammad Ali Collective efforts of ‘stakeholders’ appointed as Pakistan’s frustrated doom-mongers: COAS Defense Secretary RAWALPINDI ISLAMABAD
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STAFF REPORT
Lt. Gen. Muhammad Ali has been appointed as Defense Secretary of Pakistan and will assume his duties from October 1. The federal government appointed Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali as the Defense Secretary for the time span of two years and three months. The establishment division has also issued an official notification in this regard, directing him to assume his new duties from October 01, 2024 till December 31, 2026.
JUI-F won't support CJP in constitutional amends due to Mubarak Sani verdict: Haideri ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Secretary General and National Assembly member Abdul Ghafoor Haideri has declared that his party will not support Justice Qazi Faez Isa in the ongoing constitutional amendment process. Maulana Abdul Ghafoor expressed this stance while speaking informally with journalists at Parliament House. Abdul Ghafoor criticised Justice Qazi Faez Isa's decision in the Mubarak Sani case, stating that it was 'deliberately' made to hurt the sentiments of many Muslims. He explained that the decision was reversed only due to public pressure. "How can we support such a person in constitutional amendments?" Abdul Ghafoor questioned. The JUI-F leader also voiced concerns over the government's haste in pushing forward with constitutional amendments, saying that coalition parties were not properly consulted.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Friday emphasised that efforts to sow despair in Pakistan have been thwarted through the collective efforts of all stakeholders and acknowledged the support of both federal and provincial governments for fostering economic recovery. COAS Gen Syed Asim Munir made the remarks during a visit to the Karachi Corps area, where he was briefed on operational readiness and training initiatives, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday. During his visit, COAS also inaugurated Innovista Indus IT Park, a hub aimed at empowering Pakistan’s youth by fostering academia-industry collaboration in the field of Information Technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, and notable civil community members attended the
SBP receives $1.03b from IMF as first tranche of extended fund facility g
Inflow follows approval of a $7b Extended Fund Facility, bolstering Pakistan's foreign reserves PROFIT
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inauguration ceremony. The Sindh Chief Minister emphasized the importance of IT domain for optimal exploitation of potential of youth and economic growth. On the occasion, the COAS highlighted that such projects are aimed at providing the most conducive environment to further promote the growth of IT Industry in the country, which is already accelerating at a respectable pace, the ISPR statement said. The park is designed to strengthen collaboration between
academia and industry, empowering the country’s youth. General Munir noted that the park would provide a conducive environment for the further acceleration of Pakistan’s IT industry. During the visit, General Munir met with Karachi’s business community, commending their contributions to the nation’s economic growth. He praised the efforts of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for creating an enabling environment for further progress.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced the receipt of SDR 760 million, equivalent to approximately $1.03 billion, from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today. This marks the first tranche disbursed under the recently approved 37month Extended Fund Facility totaling $7 billion. The funds will be added to the SBP’s liquid reserves and are set to be released on Thursday, October 3, 2024. This significant inflow aims to enhance Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and stabilize the economy as the country navigates ongoing financial challenges. The approval of this Extended Fund Facility by the IMF Executive Board is expected to provide critical support for Pakistan’s economic reform agenda and strengthen its financial position in the coming months.
Imran lambastes CJP for biased behaviour towards PTI RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan on Friday blasted Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa for “what he called” biased behaviour, questioning his mental fitness. "No chief justice in the world has acted the way Pakistan's chief justice is behaving. What Qazi Faez Isa is doing does not seem mentally sound to me," Imran Khan stated during conversation with media persons in Adiala Jail on Friday. The PTI founder claimed
that recent judicial decisions, including the verdict to strip PTI of its electoral symbol, were politically motivated. "It is a clear case of partiality. The Supreme Court's recent ruling on reserved seats shows that the chief justice had already planned for an extension and is now actively trying to crush PTI," Khan said, adding that the opposition parties, PML-N and PPP, are being protected despite their internal family politics. The former premier further alleged that the chief justice was colluding with the chief election commissioner to ensure political gains. "Both are aligned because they
know that if election fraud is exposed, Article 6 will apply. Why didn't the chief justice summon the Rawalpindi commissioner after his statement on election rigging?" Khan asked, criticising the lack of accountability. Referring to the ongoing power struggle, Khan stated, "The so-called third umpire also seeks an extension, and for that, they need PDM's support. They are destroying democracy and the rule of law to maintain power, while the nation begs for every dollar." On the current political climate, Khan said, "There is a moral collapse in the country, and institutions are being dismantled.
Nasrallah ‘survives’ unprecedented Israeli strikes on Lebanon’s Beirut BEIRUT
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Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah survived after Israel’s military launched intense strikes on the southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital Beirut on Friday, shortly after the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s outrageous speech at the U.N. General Assembly. According to an Anadolu Agency (AA) correspondent on the ground, Israeli warplanes launched some 10 airstrikes on the area, which is a Hezbollah stronghold, with a large smoke plume rising over the area. Shortly after the airstrikes, Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said the attack targeted Hezbollah’s main headquarters, which
he claimed was built underneath civilian buildings. The massive explosion was so powerful it rattled windows and shook houses some 30 kilometers north of Beirut. Ambulances were seen heading to the scene of the explosions, sirens wailing. The strike came an hour after thousands of people attended the funeral of a top Hezbollah commander who was killed the day before. Lebanon’s official news agency NNA reported extensive damage in the Harat Hreik area of southern Beirut, with several buildings collapsing and thick clouds of smoke rising from the area. In response to the attack, the Lebanese Red Cross announced on X that they had deployed 10 teams to the scene. Channel 12 also reported that Israel in-
formed the US of the imminent strike just minutes before its execution. Newspaper Israel Hayom reported that the country was now on high alert, anticipating potential heavy rocket fire from Lebanon following the bombardment. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, another Israeli daily, the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly left a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday. The departure followed a briefing from his military secretary about the airstrikes in Beirut, according to the newspaper. For his part, Lebanese Premier Najib Mikati said information indicated “a large number of victims” in the attack. Earlier in the day, an Israeli airstrike
killed a family of nine in a Lebanese border village, authorities said, as Lebanon struggled to deal with a rising death toll, a wave of tens of thousands fleeing their homes and the possibility of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah. As the two sides continued to trade fire, Netanyahu, who’s accused of war crimes in Gaza, addressed world leaders at the U.N., vowing “continue degrading Hezbollah” until Israel achieves its goals along the Lebanon border, further dimming hopes for an internationally backed cease-fire. Israel dramatically intensified its airstrikes in Lebanon this week, saying it is determined to put an end to more than 11 months of Hezbollah fire into its territory. The scope of Israel’s attacks remains un-
clear, but officials have said a ground invasion to push the group away from the border is a possibility. Israel has moved thousands of troops toward the border in preparation. That has Lebanese fearing a repeat of the last Israel-Hezbollah war, in 2006, which lasted a month and wreaked heavy destruction over parts of their country. Or worse, they fear, Lebanon could suffer devastation on the scale wreaked in Gaza by Israel’s nearly year-long aggression, which has led to an investigation by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for amounting to war crimes. At least 25 people were killed in Israeli strikes early Friday, Health Minister Firass Abiad said, bringing the death toll in Lebanon this week to more than 720. He said the dead included dozens of women and children.