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WILL NEVER ACCEPT ‘ESTABLISHMENT’S CONTROLLED RULE’, FAZL DECLARES Monday, 9 December, 2024 I 06 Jumada Al-Akhirah, 1446

JUI-F CHIEF URGES PUBLIC TO REJECT ESTABLISHMENT RULE, ACCUSING RULERS OF BETRAYING PAKISTAN’S IDEOLOGY

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SAYS MADRASAS WILL BE REGISTERED BUT NOT SUBORDINATED, CLAIMING 2010 AGREEMENTS BEING VIOLATED

QUESTIONS WHY COUNTRY’S LEADERSHIP LACKS COURAGE TO OPENLY SUPPORT PALESTINIAN RIGHTS WHILE MODI OPENLY BACKS ISRAEL

PM takes Nawaz Sharif into confidence on Fazl’s proposal LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT

AUNCHING into a diatribe against the government and the establishment, Jamiat Ulemae-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday declared that they did not accept the current “establishment’s controlled” governance system, urging the public to reject the “establishment’s rule.” “This is not the government of the people, but of the establishment. Pakistan belongs to all of us, not just a few institutions. If today’s rulers deny Pakistan’s ideology, it is our duty to uphold it,” Maulana Fazl stated while addressing “Israel Murdaabad Conference” in Peshawar on Sunday.

He alleged that the current leadership had betrayed the country’s founding principles, warning that the consequences of their actions would harm the nation. He reaffirmed his party’s support for the Palestinian cause and denounced Western powers for historical and ongoing atrocities. Addressing a large gathering, Rehman stated that the conference sent a strong global message of solidarity with Palestinians and their rights. “We stand firmly on our principled position. The West, which committed massacres during World Wars I and II, continues to kill Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine,” he said. He accused the US and Western nations of being the “murderers of hu-

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a crucial meeting with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and discussed the country’s overall political situation During the meeting held at the latter’s Raiwind residence, PM Shehbaz briefed Nawaz Sharif about his recent visit to Saudi Arabia and took him into confidence regarding Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s proposal on the Madrasah Registration Bill, according to PML-N insiders. He also consulted the elder brother on the impasse over the bill and steps to address the JUI-F chief’s reservations. During the meeting, Nawaz con-

manity,” citing the deaths of 50,000 women and children in Palestine. He questioned, “If Saddam Hussein was executed for military operations in one city, why can’t Netanyahu be held accountable for similar crimes?” Moreover, the JUI-F chief criticised Pakistan’s past and present policies, particularly under former President General Pervez Musharraf, for aligning with the US and providing military bases and air corridors for op-

Civil disobedience if our demands not met, warns PTI’s Omar Ayub ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stalwart and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub on Sunday warned that the party would go ahead with its proposed “civil disobedience” move if its demand for a transparent probe into November 24 and May 9, 2023, events not accepted. Speaking at a joint press conference alongside PTI leaders Asad Qaiser, Shibli Faraz, Waqas Sheikh, and others, Ayub announced the formation of a high-powered committee for negotiations. He revealed that he held a lengthy meeting with the PTI founder on December 5. Reflecting on his own experience, he recounted, “I met the party founder but was later arrested from Adiala Jail. The Punjab Inspector General was adamant about my detention. I am now filing a contempt of court petition in the Peshawar High Court.” He condemned the government

for alleged human rights violations, claiming that peaceful protests were met with violence. “Innocent and unarmed people were martyred. We lost 12 people, thousands were injured, and over 200 are missing,” Ayub stated. He further accused the government of fascism, alleging that hospital morgues were emptied, and individuals were coerced into falsifying injury reports as accident victims. “Over 5,000 PTI workers were arrested,” he added. Ayub called for an investigation into the use of force during the November 24 protests. He alleged that US-made weapons, including sniper rifles, were deployed against unarmed citizens. He also accused the government of using funds from the Coalition Support Fund against PTI workers. “We demand the release of PTI workers and a transparent inquiry into who ordered the use of firearms on November 24. If justice is not delivered and profiling of youth continues, we will move towards civil

disobedience,” Ayub warned. The PTI leader announced that a prayer ceremony for the martyrs will be held on December 13, followed by a global prayer initiative by overseas PTI workers on December 15. Highlighting the path forward, Ayub said, “Our high-powered committee, consisting of Asad Qaiser, Ali Amin Gandapur, Hamid Raza, and myself, is ready for dialogue. Anyone willing to negotiate is welcome.” Senator Shibli Faraz echoed the call for engagement, urging the government to involve the committee formed by the PTI founder. “Pakistan, with a population of 250 million, deserves the rule of law. The prevailing uncertainty and artificial instability must end through dialogue,” he said. Faraz also warned of the consequences of prolonged unrest, especially in regions like Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which are grappling with terrorism. “We must prevent youth from choosing the wrong path,” he emphasized.

the rebels said. Leading rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani said there was no room for turning back. “The future is ours,” he said in a statement read on Syria’s state TV after his forces took over Damascus. The pace of events stunned Arab capitals and raised concerns about a new wave of instability in a region already in turmoil following the

spread of conflict after the Hamasled attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the ensuing Gaza war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Assad’s fall was a direct result of blows that Israel has dealt to Iran and its ally Hezbollah. French President Emmanuel Macron said “the barbaric state has fallen” and paid tribute to the Syrian people.

MOSCOW

asylum on humanitarian grounds.” Earlier, Two Syrian sources said there was a very high probability that Assad may have been killed in a plane crash as it was a mystery why the plane took a surprise U-turn and disappeared off the map according to data from the Flightradar website. Israel has pushed tanks over the border into the buffer zone with Syria after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was ousted earlier on Sunday after rebel forces captured the capital Damasus.

Assad’s decades-long autocratic rule ends as rebels seize Damascus DAMASCUS

AGENCIES

Syrian rebels declared they had ousted President Bashar al-Assad after seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family’s decades of autocratic rule after more than 13 years of civil war. In a seismic moment for the Middle East, the rebels also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in Syria in the heart of the region – allies who had propped up Assad during critical periods in the war but were distracted by other crises recently. The rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments. Thousands of people in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting “Freedom” from a half century of Assad family rule, witnesses said. People were seen walking inside the Al-Rawda Presidential Palace, with some leaving carrying furniture from inside. “We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains,”

Assad, family land in Moscow, granted asylum: Russian media AGENCIES

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia and have been granted asylum by the Russian authorities following his ouster, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday, citing a Kremlin source. The Interfax news agency quoted the unnamed source as saying: “President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them (him and his family)

gratulated Shehbaz over the unprecedented gains made by the Pakistani stock market and the economy in recent days. On this occasion, Shehbaz briefed Nawaz about the progress on foreign investment brought to Pakistan by the SIFC. The two leaders also discussed the overall political situation in the country. Incidents that took place during November 26 protests of the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) and opposition party’s call for civil disobedience also came under discussion during the meeting. On the occasion, Nawaz said that those who damaged the national security and unity would be held accountable. He said that nobody would be allowed to put hurdles in the way of Pakistan’s progress.

erations in Afghanistan. He warned, “If the current government continues to follow such policies, they will find JUI workers standing firmly in opposition.” He further accused the establishment of being disconnected from the people. He questioned why the country’s leadership lacks the courage to openly support Palestinian rights while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi openly backs Israel.

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Policy consistency more important than political shifts, says finance minister g

PAKISTAN NEEDS EXPORT-LED GROWTH TO END BOOM-ANDBUST CYCLES: AURANGZEB PROFIT

MONITORING DESK

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the importance of continuity in economic policies, stating that consistency is essential regardless of which government is in power. Addressing reporters on Saturday at the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), he said, “When we talk about the charter of economy, it does not matter which administration comes in. The government’s role is policy framework, but even more important is policy continuity.” Aurangzeb noted that investment in the country is increasing and described the current level of investment as encouraging. He stressed the need to shift Pakistan’s economy to an export-led model, asserting, “If we want economic growth, then it has to be export-led growth.” The minister identified the import-led economy as a core issue causing balance of payment problems and repeated boom-and-bust cycles. He highlighted recent economic improvements, noting that $2.2 billion in dividends and profits held back earlier were repatriated between May and June. “We started on a clean slate this fiscal year,” he added. The finance minister also called for privatizing loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs), remarking, “Private sector has to lead this country.” He said SOEs have incurred Rs6 trillion in losses over the past decade, costing Rs2.2 billion daily. “If the private sector runs them, our fiscal balance or imbalance will improve,” Aurangzeb stated. He referenced the SOEs Policy 2023, introduced under the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) directives, which requires the federal government to categorize all SOEs into four groups to reduce their financial footprint. Relevant ministries are tasked with presenting justifications for assigning SOEs to specific categories, including “strategic” or “essential,” which are critical to government policies and not feasible for private sector management. In August, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCOP) approved the privatization of 24 public sector entities under a phased program from 2024 to 2029.