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APEX COMMITTEE THUMBS UP TO OPERATION AGAINST TERROR OUTFITS IN BALOCHISTAN Wednesday, 20 November, 2024 I | 17 Jamadi ul Awwal, 1446
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Action approved against proscribed outfits: BLA, Majeed Brigade, Balochistan Liberation Front and Balochistan Raaji Ajoi-R-Sangar
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 134 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
PM urges political leadership to continue lending helping hands to overcoming economic challenges
Those who obstruct Pakistan’s security to face consequences: COAS ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
HE Federal Apex Committee of the National Action Plan on Tuesday approved a comprehensive military operation against terrorist organisations operating in Balochistan and targeting civilians and foreign nationals to hamper the country’s economic progress by creating insecurity at the “behest of hostile external powers”. The apex meeting convened as the country has lately witnessed a sharp surge in the number of attacks targeting security forces and other law enforcement agencies particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The agenda of Tuesday’s apex committee meeting focused on “Reinvigorating Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism (CT) Campaign”. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the meeting in Islamabad, at-
tended by the federal cabinet, provincial chief ministers, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and senior government officials, according to a press release from the PM Office. According to the press release, the military operation was approved against the following proscribed outfits: BLA, Majeed Brigade, Balochistan Liberation Front and Balochistan Raaji Ajoi-R-Sangar. The participants were briefed on the evolving security landscape and the measures being taken to counter terrorism and other critical challenges, including general law and order situation, actions against efforts to stoke sub-nationalism, religious extremism, tackling the illegal spectrum and crime-terror nexus, subversion and disinformation campaigns, among other issues. The committee highlighted the necessity of a unified political voice and a cohesive national narrative to effectively address the multifaceted challenges.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Tuesday declared that all those who obstructed Pakistan’s security or tried to stop them from performing their duty would face the consequences. COAS Gen Syed Asim Munir was speaking at the meeting of the Federal Apex Committee of the National Action Plan held with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair here on Tuesday. According to the press release, COAS Munir reiterated the Pakistan Army’s unwavering resolve to eliminate all threats to national security and provide robust support to the government’s initiatives aimed at ensuring peace and stability. The apex committee approved military operation against the following
It was emphasised in the meeting that political support across party lines and complete national consensus were critical to reinvigorating the national CT campaign under the framework of Vision Azm-i-Istehkam. The participants also agreed to revitalise the National Counter Terrorism Authority and establish the National and Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre. A whole-of-system approach was adopted, incorporating diplomatic, political, informational, intelligence, socioeconomic and military efforts to address
proscribed outfits: BLA, Majeed Brigade, Balochistan Liberation Front and Balochistan Raaji Ajoi-R-Sangar. Gen Munir reiterated the resolve that all those who obstructed Pakistan’s security or tried to stop them from performing their duty would face the consequences. “Every Pakistani soldier is a soldier in the war on terror, some in uniform and some without,” the COAS emphasized, adding that all and sundry have to fight terrorism together. “The Constitution of the country is supreme for all of us. The Constitution holds us responsible for ensuring the internal and external security of Pakistan,” the army chief said. He added that the personnel of armed forces and other law enforcement agencies were compensating for shortcomings in governance on a daily basis through the sacrifices of their martyrs.
issues comprehensively. Specific emphasis was placed in the meeting on strengthening collaboration between federal and provincial governments and between relevant institutions and ministries to ensure seamless execution of the CT campaign. It was decided to establish district coordination committees under the Provincial Apex Committees to ensure the implementation of directions received from federal and provincial governments. The forum demonstrated political resolve to dismantle the ecosystem of illegal spectrum and crime-terror nexus.
Constitutional bench bins plea against extension in army chief’s tenure ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The seven-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging the extension of the tenure of the army chief. The constitutional bench, led by Justice Aminud-Din Khan was comprised of Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Musarrat Hilali. The bench rejected the petition over non-pursuance, whereas, the SC registrar office’s objections regarding the plea being inadmissible were also maintained. The development comes as the ruling coalition, earlier this month, amended the laws — via the Pakistan (Army/Air Force/Navy) Act Amendment, 2024 — that dealt with all three branches of the armed forces, extending the fixed tenure of services chiefs up to five years. Regarding the retirement age and service limits of services chiefs, including chief of army staff (COAS), chief of naval staff (CNS) and chief of air staff (CAS), the bill read that the criteria prescribed for the senior military officers “shall not be applicable” to the army, navy and air force heads during their “tenure of appointment, reappointment and/or extension”. The government also amended Section 8C, which deals with the retirement age, which is 64 years, and service limits of service chiefs. Multiple FIRs on one incident The bench also held a hearing on a case involving the registration of two first information reports (FIRs) for a single incident. During the proceedings, the court declared the petition inadmissible and subsequently dismissed it. Justice Mandokhail highlighted that cases like these have significantly contributed to the backlog of 60,000 pending cases in the judiciary. He also remarked that the court is repeatedly reminded of this mounting number and questioned why the petition should not be dismissed with a penalty. Justice Mazhar referred to the Sughran Bibi case and noted that the court had already ruled on the matter, questioning the petitioner why he had not approached the High Court to seek the dismissal of the second FIR. Transfer of cases to regular bench A three-member bench, led by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, had transferred two cases from the regular bench to the constitutional bench.
Imran greenlights PTI leaders for Finance Division to hire consultant for external debt management talks with ‘powerful quarters’ New hiring to enhance capacity in risk analysis, ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Tuesday agreed to hold talks but only with the “powerful quarters”, his lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry revealed ahead the party’s “do-or-die protest” in Islamabad on November 24. “The PTI founder agreed to hold talks in a nearly two-hour meeting with party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur at Adiala Jail,” the counsel said while speaking to the media on Tuesday. Sharing details regarding the meeting, Chaudhry said that Gandapur and Barrister Gohar visited Adiala Jail to seek permission for the talks “if contact is made”. “Imran gave the go-ahead to hold talks with powerful quarters only and on the PTI demands,” he added.
In response to a question, the lawyer said the November 24 protest would end only when “demands will be met”. Meanwhile, he said, CM Gandapur apprised the former premier of preparations related to the upcoming demonstration. Speaking to journalists outside Adiala Jail, Aleema Khan — Imran’s sister — has confirmed the development, saying that the incarcerated party founder gave the go-ahead only to seek the return of the “stolen mandate”. “He [Imran] allowed to hold talks for release of jailed workers and leaders and restoration of democracy in the country,” she said, adding that the former premier has set a deadline till Thursday for the party leaders to hold talks with the “powerful quarters”. “The November 24 would turn into a celebration, had the stolen mandate returned,” she added. Responding to a question, Aleema said Imran has asked for holding talks
with the establishment as the incumbent rulers themselves claimed that they did not have real power. In response to a question about whether a political party should negotiate with political parties or the establishment, she said that when parties have “given themselves up” then the negotiations will be held with those who “wield real power”. No talks before Nov 24 rally: PTI info secretary Earlier, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram categorically denied any contact between the party and the federal government. In a statement, Sheikh Waqas Akram dismissed rumors of dialogue, stating, “Our party has no contact with the government, nor will there be any. The news about such communication is baseless, and we strongly condemn it.” He further asserted that such reports aim to undermine PTI’s preparations for its November 24 protest.
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forecasting, and debt portfolio management PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
The Finance Division has decided to hire a consultant to manage Pakistan’s external debt portfolio, focusing on risk analysis, forecasting, data consolidation, and the analysis of foreign currency exposure. The consultant will be tasked with overseeing debt management operations and ensuring the proper handling of the external debt portfolio. The Finance Division aims to recruit a qualified and motivated professional from the private sector to strengthen the Economic Adviser’s Wing. The role will be offered on a twoyear contract with a competitive salary package.
The job description includes developing capital markets, diversifying instruments, and expanding the investor base. Additionally, the consultant will be responsible for liaising with international financial institutions on public debt matters and responding to queries from credit rating agencies regarding debt management. Another key responsibility will be managing the foreign commercial debt portfolio, including international capital markets. The consultant will also work with the External Financing Wing and the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) to prepare a medium-term external financing plan. The consultant will review
the financial terms of foreign loans, develop policy guidelines on currency choices, and create amortization schedules in line with the existing debt portfolio. Furthermore, they will facilitate the consolidation of public debt records in the Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS), working closely with the External Finance Wing to analyze debt raised for balance of payments (BoP) support. Additional tasks include providing policy guidance for raising debt through multilateral and bilateral channels and coordinating with institutions such as the State Bank of Pakistan, the Pakistan Stock Exchange, CDNS, and other relevant offices on debt management matters.