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GOVT SAYS NO TALKS UNDER ‘CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE THREAT’ AS PTI REFUSES TO ‘BOW DOWN’ Wednesday, 18 December, 2024 I 15 Jumada Al-Akhirah, 1446
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KH ASIF TERMS PTI’S COMMITTEE ‘MEANINGLESS,’ SAYING NOTHING MATTERS WHEN SERIOUSNESS IS LACKED
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 162 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition
ALI MUHAMMAD SAYS READY FOR DIALOGUE BUT ‘WON’T BEG’; MARWAT WANTS TALKS TORS TO BE CHALKED OUT
SANAULLAH INVITES PTI TO OFCIALLY APPROACH GOVT FOR NEGOTIATIONS
Imran’s two just demands a key to unlock door for dialogue: PTI ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
HE PML-N coalition government at Centre on Tuesday ruled out any talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with the “threats of civil disobedience” while the main opposition party refused to “beg for negotiations”. “For the first time, a pleasant breeze came from the opposition […] but talks cannot be held at gunpoint,” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said while speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Tuesday. Speaking on the NA floor on Tuesday, the defence minister lambasted the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for prioritising marches on Islamabad instead of the Kurram clashes. “It is the provincial government’s duty to establish law and peace in their respective provinces.”
Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan — in a post on X — had threatened to launch a “civil disobedience” movement if his demands — judicial inquiry into the May 9, 2023, riots and November 26 crackdown on PTI protesters and release of its “political prisoners” — are not met. The incarcerated former PM also constituted a five-member negotiation committee comprising Omar Ayub Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Salman Akram Raja and Asad Qaiser. Earlier this week, the reports of the former ruling party and the government’s agreement to use the parliamentary forum for negotiation emerged following a meeting between PTI stalwart Asad Qaiser with NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. However, Qaiser dismissed these reports saying that he visited Sadiq’s residence for condolences. “No discussion regarding negotiations took place with the [NA] speaker,” he added. Similarly,
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vehemently criticized the fake government’s representatives for blaming PTI and its unlawfully imprisoned founder Imran Khan for the failure to initiate a dialogue, arguing that the real obstacle was the mandate thieves’ nonsensical approach and authoritarian rule. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, in a stronglyworded statement on Tuesday, lambasted the non-representative government for passing bucks onto PTI for the stalemate in parleys. He said that Imran Khan opened the window to talks by presenting two reasonable demands and forming an empowered negotiation committee, demonstrating his commitment to finding a negotiated solution to the current crisis. Waqas made it clear that PTI founder’s two demands i.e., releasing unlawfully incarcerated prisoners and
the government has also said that no talks with the PTI have been initiated. “Political responsibilities come after constitutional ones,” Kh Asif said, adding that the members of national or provincial assemblies have taken an oath of allegiance to the Constitution. Asif noted that no formal talks have been held with the Imran Khan’s party yet, emphasising that if they all belong to
Naqvi, Saudi counterpart reaffirm resolve to further ‘solidify historic and strategic partnership’ RIYADH
STAFF REPORT
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Saudi counterpart Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif in Riyadh on Tuesday reiterated the resolve to further “solidifying the historic and strategic partnership” between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Naqvi held a high-level meeting with the Saudi interior minister at the headquarters of the latter’s ministry in Riyadh, where they discussed mutual security interests and cooperation. Both leaders emphasised strengthening bilateral collaboration, particularly in combating drug smuggling and addressing shared security concerns
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have been enjoying historic multifaceted relationship rooted in mutual economic interests, strategic military cooperation, and shared Islamic heritage. Interior Minister Naqvi arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, and has since held meeting with top military and civil leadership to enhance cooperation between the two brotherly countries. Prince Abdulaziz warmly welcomed Naqvi and his delegation, expressing Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to supporting Pakistan. Both leaders emphasised strengthening bilateral collaboration, particularly in combating drug smuggling and addressing shared security concerns. Naqvi, in return, highlighted the
deep religious and fraternal ties between the two countries. “Saudi Arabia has always stood by Pakistan during challenging times, and we convey our best wishes for its visionary leadership and people,” he said. The leaders reiterated their resolve to enhance cooperation on anti-narcotics measures and other areas of mutual interest, further “solidifying the historic and strategic partnership” between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan’s Ambassador Ahmed Farooq, Passports and Immigration Director General Mustafa Jamal Qazi, and Interior Ministry Additional Secretary Riffat Mukhtar Raja were also present during the meeting.
Dr. Syed Mir Hassan Jan, Medical Superintendent of the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Parachinar, stated that the hospital has been unable to provide adequate treatment due to insufficient medicines and resources. “The lack of surgical services has also claimed the lives of several patients,” Dr. Jan added, warning that the crisis could escalate further without urgent intervention.
In an official statement, Dr. Jan acknowledged that although the hospital received a consignment of medicines from the Health Directorate in Peshawar, the supply fell far short of meeting their escalating needs. He explained that recent clashes in the region have driven up the consumption of medicines and surgical supplies, which in turn has created severe shortages across multiple hospital departments.
dozens of Pakistanis — who were travelling illegally from Libya on multiple boats — are still missing. The Foreign Office said that its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) had been activated to assist Pakistanis in Greece. Meanwhile, Pakistani nationals in Greece and their families are urged to contact the CMU via telephone at 051-9207887 or by email at cmu1@mofa.gov.pk. Families of the missing Pakistanis can reach the Embassy of Pakistan in Greece to provide details at +30-6943850188. Announcing that the embassy would bear the expenses for the transfer of bodies to Pakistan, Ambassador Qureshi expressed concern
over children being sent abroad in such a manner. Urging the parents not to send their children on such dangerous journeys, he called for those involved in this heinous business to be brought to justice. On Sunday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, on the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, formed a committee to conduct an investigation into the incident. The body has been tasked with investigating and submitting its findings within five days. The Interior Minister also directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch nationwide operations against human smuggling networks.
Road closures, medicine shortage claim lives of 29 children in Kurram PARACHINAR
STAFF REPORT
A critical healthcare crisis has gripped Kurram district, where 29 children have died since October 1 due to a dire shortage of medicines and essential medical services. The situation, worsened by prolonged road blockages, has left health facilities struggling to function, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Death toll from Greece boat tragedy rises to five; dozens still missing ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Greece Aamar Aftab Qureshi on Tuesday said that more than 80 Pakistanis, including minors, were aboard the unfortunate wooden boat capsized near Greece islands while the death toll rose to five with dozens still missing. Speaking at a press conference, Qureshi disclosed that the ill-fated boats carrying Pakistani citizens were overloaded and capsized after their hulls cracked. “The rescue operation is underway. [However] prospects of survival of those missing are low,” said the diplomat while underscoring the
constituting judicial commissions to probe May 9 events and November 26th Islamabad massacre to bring the culprits to justice held the key to unlocking the door for constructive and meaningful dialogue, thus the government should accept these demands forthwith, as confidence building measures (CBM). He categorically stated that PTI would not beg for dialogue, no matter what, as the responsibility lay with the power-wielders, adding that it was up to them to initiate talks. Nevertheless, PTI CIS warned that the impasse would not harm the power usurpers, but would instead plunge the country deeper into crisis. Waqas said that the power-hungry clique had already caused irretrievable damage to the country during the past two years during which PTI’s workers and leadership faced all state brutalities and barbarities including the Islamabad carnage, adding that even then, its leader, a prisoner of conscious, always opted for a negotiated settlement to the impasse.
this House, then matters must be resolved in this building. He also termed the PTI’s formation of a negotiation committee “meaningless”, saying that nothing matters when seriousness is lacking. Referring to the recently-held Islamabad protest, he slammed the PTI’s “double standards” for not condemning the martyrdom of Rangers and police personnel.
Two cops martyred, three injured as terrorists strike Shangla checkpost SHANGLA/SWAT
SYED SHAHABUDDIN
Two policemen were martyrdom and three others sustained injuries in a terrorists attack on a police checkpost in Gunangar area of Shangla district’s Chakesar Tehsil in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the officials confirmed on Tuesday. According to the district police officer, the militants fired indiscriminately and hurled hand grenades at the Gunangar police checkpoint. As a result of which head constable Nisar Ahmad and ASI Hassan Khan died on the spot while three other officials identified as Muhammad Hussain, Arshad Khan and Rifat sustained injures. Spokesperson for the Shangla district police officer (DPO), Umar Rehman confirmed to the media that ASI Mohammad Hassan from Alpuri, and head constable Nisar Ahmad were martyred in the attack, while three constables were injured. He said that preliminary investigation suggested the checkpost was struck with heavy weapons, such as rocket launchers and hand grenades, due to which the walls of the checkpost’s small building collapsed, burying a constable beneath. The injured police personnel were moved to the district headquarters hospital in Battagram by locals and officials of the Dandai police station, Rehman said. Following the attack, a heavy contingent of Police cordoned off the area and began a search, while more police contingents were called into the area. It is the second attack in Shangla during the past three days as a civilian was killed and two cops were injured in an attack on a checkpost in Puran tehsil on Saturday. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the police post. Naqvi expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.