PTI ends PIndI ProTesT amId workers-PolIce clashes In partnership with
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Sunday, 29 September, 2024 I | 24 Rabi ul Awwal, 1446
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A large numbers of PTI activists gather at Committee Chowk, demanding access to Liaquat Bagh
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Entire Rawalpindi remains sealed with containers, trucks and barbed wires to frustrate PTI’s plan to hold protest
CM Gandapur returns to KP as his convoy could not cross hurdles at Burhan Interchange RAWALPINDI
SALEEM JADOON
AKISTAN Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) called off its protest on Saturday evening following daylong clashes between protesters and heavy contingents of police in different areas of the garrison city, besides announced new protest dates. PTI chief Barrister Gohar announced the end to the protest and advised PTI leaders and workers to leave for their homes. Khyber Paktunkhawa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also returned to KP as his convoy could not cross the hurdles and he went back from Burhan Interchange. Gandapur delivered a speech to the gathered crowd demanded freedom for the PTI founder and former prime minister. Earlier, PTI workers got angry with Gandapur when he ordered them to go back home. The workers encircled the vehicle of Gandapur and urged him to go with them to Liaquat Bagh. KP Chief Minister told the workers that now night has started and it was not good for them to go there for security reasons. The Rawalpindi police had blocked the entry and points of the garrison city in an attempt to prevent PTI workers from gathering for a protest at Liaquat Bagh. The party had announced Liaquat Bagh as the venue for the protest, which was ear-
lier planned to be a rally. However, the PTI founder changed the decision, saying that the government would not allow his party to hold the event in the city and designate a venue in the suburbs. In an attempt to thwart PTI’s protest, the provincial government banned all public gatherings and stationed paramilitary forces in Rawalpindi. PTI felicitates workers for coming out to the protest PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram delivered a video statement felicitating party workers for coming out to the protest. “I want to congratulate every PTI
Pakistan, India delegates clash over terrorism and kashmir following Pm shehbaz’s UnGa speech UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES
Pakistani and Indian delegates engaged in a sharp verbal duel at the United Nations Friday night, after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif drew the world community’s attention to India’s policy of “brutal coercion and oppression” in occupied Kashmir and the “externally financed” terrorism against Pakistan, specially by TTP and its associates. The Indian delegate, Bhavika Mangalanandan, reacted to the Pakistani prime minister’s strong speech in the 79th session of the UN General Assembly earlier in the day in which he referred to New Delhi’s threats and arms build-up, warning that Pakistan will respond “most decisively” to any Indian aggression. Ms. Mangalanandan, a first secretary in the Indian Mission to the UN, claimed that Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter of India, and accused Pakistan of cross-border terrorism. She also commented on some of Pakistan’s domestic matters. Exercising his right of reply, Pakistani delegate Muhammad Faheem dismissed his Indian counterpart’s “false narrative”, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory. “It has never been, nor will ever be, a part of India, nor is it an internal matter.” The UN Security Council has unequivocally called for a free and impartial plebiscite to enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their inalienable right to selfdetermination, he said, adding that India was obligated to honour that decision. “Yet, instead of honouring its obligations, India has chosen the path of repression, subjecting the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people for self-determination through a brutal and oppressive occupation,” Faheem, a third secretary in the Pakistan Mission to the UN, said.
leader, worker, and stakeholder who made it to Liaquat Bagh today,” Waqas said. He praised them for demonstrating in the face of police shelling and “straight firing” and for moving containers and barriers. He announced that there would be large protests in Multan, Mianwali and Faisalabad on October 2. “It is your duty to come out,” Waqas said. In a separate press conference, he lashed out at the Punjab government for the obstacles and impediments created for the PTI. He alleged that expired ammunition was used during shelling on the party’s supporters and workers.
Clashes between PTI supporters and police Clashes between Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) supporters and police erupted in Rawalpindi on Saturday, as the situation turned violent during a protest march towards Liaquat Bagh. The area around Committee Chowk became a battleground after PTI workers removed containers set up by the authorities to block their path. Chanting anti-government slogans, large numbers of PTI supporters gathered at Committee Chowk, demanding access to Liaquat Bagh. The workers removed the barricades and started marching towards designated venue of the protest, but the police responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to violent clashes along Murree Road. The confrontation spread quickly, with major clashes reported from Committee Chowk to Liaquat Bagh. PTI workers retaliated by hurling stones at the police, who responded with more tear gas. The escalating violence turned the entire area into a conflict zone, with PTI supporters attempting to push through the heavy police presence. “PTI workers were in large numbers, and the police were trying to control the situation, but the workers started throwing back the tear gas shells fired at them,” a witness told Express News.
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Three Russian pilots among the dead; engine failure suspected as cause of the crash near Shewa Block PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
A helicopter operated by Mari Petroleum, one of Pakistan’s largest exploration and production firms, crashed in the Shewa area of North Waziristan on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of six passengers and injuries to eight others. Private news channels reported, Mari’s spokesperson as saying that the helicopter, which was being used to transport personnel to the company’s Shewa Block, experienced engine failure which led to the crash. The helicopter was carrying 14 people, including three Russian pilots. The spokesperson confirmed there was no indication of sabotage, attributing the accident solely to engine malfunction. Preliminary reports suggest the helicopter’s tail rotor struck the ground during an emergency landing attempt. Despite the pilot’s efforts, the impact caused severe damage, resulting in the tragic loss of life and injuries. The injured were transported to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Thal for treatment, with their conditions reported as critical. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the engine failure and ensure future flight safety protocols are reinforced. Mari is the operator of Waziristan Block with 55% working interest along with OGDCL and OPI as joint venture partners having 35% and 10% working interest in Shewa Block, respectively.
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‘May 9 riots unforgivable sin’: PM accuses PTI of damaging Sino-Pak ties, impeding CPEC LONDON
coas promises tariff cut, road repairs to karachi traders RAWALPINDI
NEWS DESK
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday accused the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government of sabotaging Pakistan-China relations and impeding progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), calling the May 9 riots as an “unforgivable sin.” “The policies of the former party’s government had pushed the country to default, but ‘with grace of Allah Almighty and with their collective efforts, Pakistan is now moving towards stability and progress, which is being acknowledged by international institutions,” PM Shehbaz stated while speaking at a press conference in London on Saturday. The prime minister, without naming PTI, also termed the 9th May riots targeting Jinnah’s House, GHQ and showing disrespect for the martyrs’ graves as ‘an unpardonable act’. Highlighting the dire state of Pakistan’s economy when his government took charge, he asserted that the country was on the verge of default. He also expressed his optimism that Pakistan would soon become an ‘Asian Tiger’ as aspired by his leader and former prime
mari Petroleum helicopter crashes in north waziristan, killing six, injuring eight
minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif whose efforts had put Pakistan on path of rapid progress and economic stability. He regretted that Nawaz Sharif’s governments were removed through conspiracies. Criticising his predecessors, the prime minister said, “The last government destroyed Pak-China relations and completely halted CPEC.” He added that the economic and diplomatic ties between the two nations are now being restored. Addressing corruption allegations against him and his son, Shehbaz Sharif stated, “We were accused of corruption, but the British National Crime Agency (NCA) cleared us of all charges.” Satisfaction over approval of
$7bln programme The prime minister also expressed his satisfaction over the approval of $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) extended fund facility. Comparing last year’s 32 percent spiraling inflation rate, he said now the price hike stood at 9.6 percent, adding the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had also reduced the interest rate while the rates of daily commodities were showing stability. The Prime Minister said the inflation rate had nosedived but still “everything is not a hunkydory and we have to sweat hard, broaden the tax net without burdening those already burdened heavily.”
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir assured Karachi’s business community of measures to improve their operational environment, including a reduction in industrial electricity tariffs and the repair of damaged roads in the city’s industrial zones, according to sources familiar with the meeting. During his visit to Karachi on Friday, Gen Munir engaged with local traders and emphasized the gradual improvement in Pakistan’s economy. According to one of the businessmen present, the COAS highlighted efforts to stabilize the rupee-dollar exchange rate and curb inflation. “We are encouraged by the COAS’s words and are hopeful for the country’s economic stability,” the businessman said. The army chief praised the contributions of the business sector, recognizing their role in driving the country’s economic growth. He further attributed the economic recovery to the assistance of friendly nations such as China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, which have played a key role in aiding Pakistan, according to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Gen Munir commended the support extended by the federal and provincial governments to revitalize the economy, and stated that efforts by detractors to spread hopelessness had been thwarted through the united work of all stakeholders. He stressed that Pakistan, with its vast resources, was poised to secure its rightful place among leading nations. Better road and cheaper power On the issues of road repairs and power tariffs, Gen Munir assured the traders that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was actively working to attract foreign investment. He expressed confidence that the dollar would eventually drop to Rs250 and that interest rates would fall to single digits.
Hezbollah confirms Hassan Nasrallah killed in Israeli strike JERUSALEM REUTERS
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was martyred in an Israeli strike, the Resistance Movement stated in a statement on Saturday afternoon, according to Iran’s Mehr News Agency. Earlier the Israeli military had stated that it had killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike on the group’s central headquarters in the southern suburbs of Beirut a day earlier. Reuters could not immediately reach Hezbollah officials for comment on the Israeli army statement. The Iran-backed Hezbollah has yet to issue any official statement on the status of Nasrallah, who has led the group for 32 years. A source close to Hezbollah had earlier told Reuters that Nasrallah was alive, while Iran’s Tasnim news agency also reported he was safe. A senior Iranian security official told Reuters that Tehran was checking his status. During Nasrallah’s decades in charge,
Hezbollah has grown into a regional force that has projected Tehran’s influence across the Middle East. His death would not only mark an enormous blow to Hezbollah, but also to Iran, whose Revolutionary Guards founded the group in 1982. The Israeli military “eliminated … Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote in a statement on X. Another top Hezbollah leader – Ali Karaki – was also killed, he added. “Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorise the world,” the Israeli military said in a separate post. Friday’s attack on Hezbollah’s command centre, followed by further airstrikes on Saturday, have escalated the conflict between Israel and the heavily armed group, adding to concerns the region could be sucked into a broader war. Adraee’s statement, posted in Arabic, said Israel had struck Hezbollah’s underground headquarters while its leadership
were “coordinating terrorist activities against the citizens of Israel”. Late on Friday, a source close to Hezbollah told Reuters that Nasrallah was not reachable.
In the first hours after Friday’s strike, a source close to Hezbollah told Reuters that Nasrallah was alive. Iran’s Tasnim news agency also reported he was safe. A senior Iranian security official told Reuters that
Tehran was checking his status. Israel followed up on Friday’s attack with a new wave of airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and other areas of Lebanon on Saturday.
BEIRUT
raeli occupation forces. Israel killed his predecessor, Sayyed Abbas al-Musawi, in a helicopter attack. Nasrallah led Hezbollah when its guerrillas finally drove Israeli forces from southern Lebanon in 2000, ending an 18-year occupation. Since his acceptance of the role, Hezbollah helped train fighters from the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas as well as fighters in Iraq and Yemen. The group obtained missiles and rockets from Iran to use against Israel, as per BBC. Nasrallah will be remembered among his supporters for standing up to Israel and defying the United States. He was a revered leader as
well as a freedom and occupation fighter. His regional influence has been on display over nearly a year of conflict ignited by Israel’s offense on Gaza, as Hezbollah entered the fray by firing on Israel from southern Lebanon in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas, and Yemeni and Iraqi groups followed suit, operating under the umbrella of “The Axis of Resistance”. “We are facing a great battle,” Nasrallah said in an August 1 speech at the funeral of Hezbollah’s top military commander, Fuad Shukr, who was killed in an Israeli strike on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut.
Who was Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah? REUTERS
Hezbollah has confirmed the martyrdom of its leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah after Israel claimed that it had killed him in an airstrike on Beirut. Born in 1960, Nasrallah grew up in the neighbourhood of Bourj Hammoud in Beirut. He was the key force in turning Hezbollah into the political and armed force it is today. He became secretary general of Hezbollah in 1992 aged just 35, the public face of a once shadowy group founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982 to fight Is-