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lauds Muslim ‘BALL IS IN KABUL’S COURT’ AS ISLAMABAD SIGNALS PM World League’s role in READINESS FOR ‘CONDITIONAL DIALOGUE’: PM portraying Islam’s Friday, 17 October, 2025 | 23 Rabius Sani, 1447
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ EMPHASIZES TRUCE MUST REST ON ‘SOLID DEMANDS’, NOT TACTICAL PAUSES
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 100 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
LAUDS ARMY, COAS FOR ‘NECESSARY’ RESPONSE TO AFGHAN AGGRESSION, SAYING QATAR, ALLIES MAKING EFFORTS TO DEFUSE ISLAMABAD-KABUL TENSIONS
HOPES SITUATION COULD BE RESOLVED ON A LONG-TERM BASIS, INCLUDING ELIMINATION OF FITNA AL-KHWARIJ FROM AFGHAN SOIL
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WELCOMES GAZA CEASEFIRE, HAILS ROLE OF MUSLIM NATIONS, US
MEETS BILAWAL-LED PPP DELEGATION TO DISCUSS POLITICAL SITUATION, GAZA TRUCE
pakistan will be ‘constrained to a decisive response’ if ceasefire violated, warns asif ISLAMABAD
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ISLAMABAD
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RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said Pakistan was ready for dialogue if Kabul agreed to fulfill Islamabad’s “justified” conditions following the recent hostilities between the two neighbours, stressing that any future ceasefire must rest on “solid demands” rather than tactical pauses. “The ceasefire should be maintained on the basis of solid demands—but if it is merely to buy time, we won’t accept it,” the premier warned while addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet, according to a statement issued by the Prime
Minister’s Office (PMO). Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed on Wednesday to a temporary ceasefire after a fresh spell of deadly cross-border clashes that threatened to spiral into a wider conflict. The Foreign Office (FO) said the truce, which took effect at 6pm local time on October 15 for 48 hours, was implemented at the Taliban regime’s request and with mutual consent. The prime minister told the cabinet that the Afghan side had “formally requested” the ceasefire. “Yesterday we decided the 48-hour truce and conveyed that if they want to fulfil our justified conditions through talks, we are ready.
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Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday warned that Pakistan would be compelled to respond if Afghanistan violated the 48-hour ceasefire currently in effect since 6pm on Wednesday—an arrangement reached at Kabul’s request. Speaking to a private television channel, Mr Asif alleged that the
RAWALPINDI
Security forces killed 45 to 50 militants belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al-Khwarij while foiling an infiltration attempt along the PakistanAfghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security sources said on Thursday. According to the sources, the operation—launched under an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Mohmand district—targeted militants trying to cross into Pakistani territory under the cover of the ongoing ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Several militants were injured during the exchange of fire, which continued for several hours, while the area was subsequently cordoned off for a clearance operation, the security sources added. Prior to this, security forces had killed 34 terrorists in three separate IBOs conducted in North Waziristan, South Waziristan, and Bannu
districts between October 13 and 15, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said earlier on Thursday. “Sanitisation operations are being carried out to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists in the area,” the ISPR statement said, reaffirming that the “relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision Azm-e-Istehkam—as approved by the federal apex committee on the National Action Plan—will continue at full pace to eradicate foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from Pakistan.” Kabul-Islamabad escalating border tensions The latest operations come amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, following the Afghan regime’s reluctance to act against terrorist groups operating from its soil amid a surge in crossborder attacks. In response to recent aggression, Pakistani forces carried out precision strikes on key Taliban positions in
BEIJING
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China on Thursday urged both Pakistan and Afghanistan to exercise restraint and work toward a “full and lasting ceasefire,” following the two neighbours’ agreement to a 48-hour truce after days of intense border clashes.
Afghanistan’s Kandahar province earlier this week, destroying multiple strongholds. A day later, both sides agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire— at Kabul’s request—to allow for dialogue aimed at de-escalation. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in cross-border terrorism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The two countries share a porous 2,500-kilometre border, which serves as a vital trade and transit corridor but has also been exploited by militant groups. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban to prevent its soil from being used by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and allied outfits for attacks inside Pakistan. Its concerns have been echoed in a recent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) monitoring report, which pointed to operational, logistical, and financial linkages between the Taliban regime and the TTP.
Punjab to recommend ban on TLP as Section 144 extended across province amid ‘sweeping crackdown’ LAHORE
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The Punjab government is considering banning the right-wing Tehreeke-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) following violent protests that left dozens of police personnel injured, even as it extended Section 144 across the province, prohibiting all forms of public gatherings, rallies, processions, and sit-ins. Officials said the provincial government is weighing the pros and cons of placing the group on the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA)—a move that restricts travel, speech, and financial activity of individuals linked to proscribed organisations. This would mark the second time the party faces a ban, after a brief proscription in 2021 over similar violent demonstrations. The TLP’s latest protest was meant to march toward Islamabad to stage a demonstration outside the US Embassy in solidarity with Palestinians but quickly turned violent. Clashes erupted in Lahore and Muridke as demonstrators set vehicles ablaze and attacked security
personnel, injuring 48 policemen. Following failed negotiations, police launched a six-hour operation at 3am in Muridke to disperse the mob, leading to mass arrests. The TLP claimed several of its workers were killed and alleged that party chief Saad Rizvi had been shot and injured — though official sources have not confirmed this. Province under Section 144 With tensions running high, the Punjab government extended Section 144 until October 18, citing security threats and the risk of further unrest. According to a notification issued by the Home Department, the order bans gatherings of four or more people, restricts the display of weapons, and prohibits the use of loudspeakers except for azan and Friday sermons. Authorities also banned hate speech, sectarian publications, and provocative material, warning that such gatherings could be exploited by anti-state elements to trigger subversive activities. The restrictions, however, do not apply to weddings, funerals, or official duties, and the Home Department has directed an awareness campaign to ensure compliance.
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China backs lasting truce between pakistan and afghanistan
Security forces kill ‘up to 50 Fitna al-Khwarij’ terrorists in foiled infiltration bid staff report
Afghan Taliban regime was “effectively serving India’s interests” and fighting a “proxy war” on its behalf. He said the government in Kabul had shown “no genuine intent for peace,” adding, “The tanks Afghanistan is displaying do not even exist in our arsenal. It is beyond comprehension why they are making such false claims—I don’t know which junkyard they acquired those tanks from.”
Under the ATA proposal, TLP’s assets would be taken over by the Auqaf Department, its social media accounts blocked, bank accounts frozen, and posters and advertisements removed. The government has also tightened the Loudspeaker Act, giving citizens one month to surrender illegal arms while raising penalties for unlawful weapons to 14 years in prison and a Rs2 million fine. Crackdown widens across Punjab, Islamabad Security agencies launched coordinated operations in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad, sealing TLP offices, mosques, and seminaries to prevent further mobilisation ahead of the group’s planned Friday demonstrations. In Islamabad, authorities sealed the TLP’s central office on Murree Road and closed several affiliated mosques in Bhara Kahu, Athal, and Phulgran. At least five new cases were registered against TLP leaders and workers under multiple legal provisions. In Lahore, two major mosques in Johar Town and Model Town—including the party’s headquarters—were sealed, with government-appointed clerics placed in charge.
“China supports countries in exercising restraint and realising a full and lasting ceasefire,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing in Beijing. “We stand ready to continue to play a constructive role for the sustained improvement of relations between the two countries.”
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ISLAMABAD
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday praised the Muslim World League (MWL) for its significant global role in promoting the true image of Islam and advocating the collective interests of the Muslim Ummah. He made the remarks during a meeting with MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organisation of Muslim Scholars Dr Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, who called on him in Islamabad. Welcoming Dr Al-Issa to Pakistan, the prime minister lauded his “wise and visionary leadership” and said the MWL had been fostering mutual respect and understanding among different religions, beliefs, and civilizations. Mr Sharif appreciated the international conference on women’s and girls’ education in the Muslim world, organised earlier this year in collaboration with the MWL, describing it as a “highly commendable initiative.” He assured Pakistan’s full cooperation in hosting similar events in the future. The premier also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding fraternal ties with Saudi Arabia and conveyed his best wishes to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He lauded Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries for their “crucial role” in the Gaza peace agreement and for raising their voice for the Palestinian people. Dr Al-Issa thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his visit. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki also attended the meeting. PM assures cooperation to new KP chief minister Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday held a telephonic conversation with newly elected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and congratulated him on assuming office. “The federation is ready to work with you in the interest of Pakistan,” the prime minister told Mr Afridi. Railways minister briefs PM on departmental affairs Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi also called on the prime minister and discussed matters related to Pakistan Railways as well as the country’s overall political situation. Mr Abbasi commended the prime minister for Pakistan’s “significant role” in facilitating the Gaza peace deal.