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COAS LAUDS SUCCESSFUL DISMANTLING OF OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES OF TERRORIST OUTFITS Tuesday, 14 January, 2025 I 13 Rajabul Murajjab, 1446
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XV No 189 I 40 Pages I Islamabad Edition
g INTERIOR MINISTER NAQVI, KP CM ARMY CHIEF VISITS PESHAWAR, GIVEN COMPREHENSIVE BRIEFING ON SECURITY SITUATION GANDAPUR ALSO ATTEND BRIEFING
RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
HIEF of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir vowed on Monday that terrorism had no place in the country and lauded the successful dismantling of the operational capabilities of terrorist outfits active in the country. Pakistan, particularly Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saw a sharp uptick in terrorism-related incidents in 2024. Terror attacks have increased since the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan broke a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government in 2022, vowing to target security forces and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs). A statement issued from the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) today said the army chief visited Peshawar where he was provided with a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security situation and the ongoing counter-terrorism operations targeting the TTP. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur were also a part of the briefing. “As we stand united against the forces of evil, I am immensely proud of the remarkable achievements of our security forces. Through their dedication, courage, and supreme sacrifices, we have successfully degraded the operational capabilities of terrorist organisations, both
within our borders and beyond. “Our forces have relentlessly pursued and eliminated key terrorist leaders, dismantled their infrastructure and neutralised their cells, sending a clear message that terror has no place in our land. This war is ongoing and we would take it to its logical conclusion,” the statement quoted him as saying. The army chief lauded the “unwavering resolve and unmatched sacrifices” of the military and law enforcement agencies, saying they were instrumental in dismantling terrorist networks and “thwarting their nefarious agenda”. Gen Munir also highlighted the “re-
PM pushes for nationwide implementation of faceless customs system
PTI rejects deal rumours in wake of £190m case verdict postponement
PROFIT
RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
lentless efforts” of LEAs in ensuring the safety and security of citizens, foiling numerous attacks, and maintaining peace and order. He highlighted that every operation was a testament to the “courage, professionalism and operational readiness of the security forces, who continue to thwart the evolving threats posed by terrorists”. The ISPR said that the COAS “made it clear that any attempt to disturb the peace of the nation will be met with decisive and overwhelming force”. “The enemy may try to sow discord and fear, but we will not relent. Hostile elements will be dealt with an iron hand. They will continue to suffer heavy losses, and their ca-
pacity to inflict harm will be decimated,” the statement quoted him as saying. The ISPR further said that the army chief praised the “exceptional morale” of troops, adding that they remained “steadfast in their commitment to safeguard” the nation’s sovereignty. The army chief affirmed that the military and LEAs stood as an “unbreakable force, resolute in their mission to protect the motherland and its people”. COAS Munir also held meetings with politicians from various parties of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “The participants resolved consensus on the need for one political voice and public support against the scourge of terrorism. The political representatives showed vivid clarity on unflinching support of the armed forces and LEAs in nation’s fight against terror and agreed on the need for a unified front beyond political colours against the extremist philosophy of terrorist groups,” the ISPR concluded. With at least 685 members of security forces losing their lives amid a total of 444 terror attacks, 2024 turned out to be the deadliest year for civil and military security forces of Pakistan in a decade. Equally alarming were the cumulative losses of civilians and security personnel: 1,612 fatalities, accounting for over 63 per cent of the total recorded this year and marking 73pc more losses compared to 934 outlaws eliminated.
MONITORING DESK
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar on Monday dismissed speculation that the delay in the verdict for party founder Imran Khan was due to a deal. Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, Barrister Gohar clarified that the decision had been postponed by the judge at his own discretion, not due to any negotiations or political agreement, Express News reported. “We were waiting here today at Adiala, but the court staff informed us that the decision would now be announced on January 17,” Barrister Gohar said. He added that the attitude of the trial courts has been inappropriate and that the cases against Imran Khan were fabricated to apply pressure on the PTI founder. Barrister Gohar further stated that any rumours of a deal were unfounded. He noted that PTI’s legal team had heard reports of negotiations set for January 15, but insisted these were unrelated to the ongoing case. “There is no connection between the negotiations and a deal,” he emphasised. Salman Akram Raja, another senior PTI lawyer, echoed Barrister Gohar’s statement, clarifying that the delay was not part of a political bargain. He stressed that the negotiations being discussed in the media should not be seen as part of any agreement regarding the case. Barrister Gohar also pointed out that since Imran Khan is currently in jail, it is the responsibility of the jail authorities to bring him to court for hearings. He expressed a lack of trust in the trial courts, but said PTI would continue to seek justice through higher courts. “We have no expectations from these courts, but we do hope for fairness in higher courts, and we will take this case to them,” he concluded. Moreover, Omar Ayub called the Al-Qadir case “a farce,” alleging it lacked merit. “The National Crime Agency (NCA) of the UK repatriated £190 million, which was deposited in Pakistan’s treasury following the Supreme Court’s directives. Neither Imran Khan nor Bushra Bibi gained any personal benefit from this transaction,” he said. Ayub defended the Al-Qadir University, saying it was established to teach the Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH) and promote Islamic values. He also criticised political opponents Faisal Vawda and Khawaja Asif for their comments on the case, labelling them “premature and baseless.”
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has called for the swift expansion of the faceless customs assessment system to cities beyond Karachi, ensuring that imports nationwide benefit from the advanced digitized framework. Chairing a review meeting on Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) matters, the prime minister emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to reform customs processes. The meeting was attended by key officials, including Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervez Malik. The prime minister lauded the progress in FBR’s digitization efforts, noting that the faceless customs system marks a historic milestone. He directed the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and the FBR to collaborate on enhancing the system, with a focus on integrating artificial intelligence to minimize human involvement. To further modernize operations, he instructed the development of a comprehensive strategy for implementing the track and trace system across various industrial sectors. Officials briefed the meeting on recent reforms, announcing that the faceless customs system at Karachi port terminals would be fully operational by February 2025. Plans to extend the system nationwide are progressing, with a central control room being set up to oversee implementation.
Additional measures to boost transparency include the use of body cameras and tablets for inspection recordings, as well as the installation of mobile signal jammers and CCTV cameras at all terminals. The meeting highlighted the successful implementation of the track and trace system in the tobacco, fertilizer, sugar, and cement industries, resulting in substantial revenue increases during the fiscal year 2023-2024. With full deployment this year, further revenue growth is anticipated. To support these initiatives, a transparent recruitment process for the customs system has been initiated. Additionally, the upgradation of the web-based One Customs platform is underway, with its design expected to be finalized by March 2025. The prime minister reiterated his commitment to modernizing customs and industrial monitoring processes, ensuring efficiency and transparency in Pakistan’s economic landscape.
£190 million corruption well-thought-out plan: Tarar ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Minister for Information, Ataullah Tarar, has claimed that the £190 million mega corruption case was not a coincidence but a well-thought-out plan. During a press conference with Senator Talal Chaudhry, Minister Tarar stated that the decision on the £190 million case was supposed to be made today, but the accused failed to appear in court. He added that they had developed a habit of not attending court proceedings. Ataullah Tarar pointed out that the accused had used delaying tactics for six years in the foreign funding case. Similarly, delays had been made in the Toshakhana case, including changes in lawyers and power of attorneys. He emphasised that innocent people do not frequently change their lawyers or power of attorney. He said that delaying tactics in legal cases had become a regular strategy for them, as they employed all possible means to prolong the trials. Tarar questioned the need for the cabinet to approve the £190 million scam with a “sealed envelope” without presenting the facts to the public. The Information Minister declared that the £190 million case was the largest corruption scandal in Pakistan’s history, with no other example of such a massive financial fraud. He linked the case to diamond rings, land for the AlQadir Trust, and other illicit activities. He stated that this was not a coincidence but a planned scheme. Tarar further remarked that approvals via sealed envelopes are typically made by those who fear exposure. He claimed there was no precedent in history for waiving billions of rupees through fraud. He alleged that black money was laundered through a fraudulent trust, and the proceeds from this corruption were used to rebuild the person’s house in Lahore. He said the individual responsible had received billions in debt forgiveness and, in return, took billions from the state. He concluded that those involved in the mega corruption were running from justice because they knew their hands were dirty. Speaking at the same press conference, Senator Talal Chaudhry accused PTI of giving an Islamic touch to corruption. He alleged that the PTI founding chairman and his wife had embezzled funds from the Toshakhana. Instead of facing their cases, he said PTI leaders create the impression of deals being made. He also praised Nawaz Sharif and his family for bravely facing political revenge. He mentioned that Nawaz Sharif had returned from the UK to face the verdict, while one person in the PTI leadership was not even willing to walk a few steps to attend court proceedings and confront the charges against him.
Security forces kill 27 terrorists in Balochistan IBO RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Security forces have eliminated as many as 27 terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in remote district of Balochistan, the military’s media wing said on Monday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that on January 12 security forces conducted the IBO in Kacchi district of Balochistan, on reported presence of terrorists in the area. During the conduct of operation, troops “stealthily surrounded & effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an intense fire exchange, twenty seven terrorists were sent to hell”. Multiple hideouts, including caches of arms, ammunition and explosives, were also destroyed during the
operation, the ISPR added. The terrorists were involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as innocent civilians and were highly wanted by the law enforcement agencies, as per the ISPR. “Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan.” The nation has been reeling under rising violent attacks since the Taliban rulers returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The year 2024 turned out to be the deadliest for Pakistan’s civil and military security forces in a decade with at least 685 fatalities and 444 terror attacks, according
to “CRSS Annual Security Report 2024” issued by Centre for Security and Strategic Studies. Equally alarming were the cumulative losses of civilians and security personnel, i.e., 1,612 fatalities, accounting for over 63% of the total recorded this year, marking 73% more losses compared to 934 outlaws eliminated, The News reported citing CRSS report. The overall fatalities recorded the previous year were a record 9-year high and over 66% more than in 2023. On average, nearly seven people lost their lives daily, with November emerging as the deadliest month across all metrics, compared to all other months of the year. The violence took the heaviest toll on KP which topped in human losses with 1,616 fatalities, followed by Balochistan with 782 fatalities.
Justice Mandokhail says offences under Army Act ‘apply solely to military officers’ ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Supreme Court senior judge Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail on Monday said that several offences are listed under the Army Act, but all apply exclusively to military officers. He made the remarks during the Supreme Court hearing on intra-court appeals challenging the trial of civilians in military courts, A seven-member constitutional bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, heard the case on Monday. The session began with Khawaja Haris, representing the Ministry of Defence, presenting arguments. Justice Aminuddin urged Khawaja Haris to conclude his arguments by Tuesday, requesting a concise explanation of which cases
were transferred to military courts and why. He added that any questions from the bench on the matter would be addressed later. Khawaja Haris argued that the Supreme Court had previously invalidated Section 59(4) of the Army Act. Justice Mandokhail noted that Section 31D, used for civilians’ trials, relates to incitement to obstruct military duties. Justice Musarrat Hilali pointed out that the Constitution recognises various tribunals, stressing the need to examine the jurisdiction, location, and procedure for trying cases. “The issue here is procedural—who will conduct the trial,” she said. Justice Mandokhail questioned whether civilians’ trials in military courts could be classified as court-martials. Khawaja Haris confirmed they could.
Justice Hilali raised the absence of a specific punishment in the Army Act for suspending the Constitution, asking, “What punishment does the Act prescribe for an army officer who suspends the Constitution?” Khawaja Haris countered by stating that Article 6 of the Constitution prescribes punishment for such acts and takes precedence over all laws. He also mentioned that the Army Act includes penalties for breaches of the oath. Justice Mandokhail remarked that the judiciary had previously legitimised martial law and questioned whether judges involved in unconstitutional actions also fall under Article 6. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar added that judges were initially implicated in the treason trial of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf but were later excluded from the case.