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PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN EXTEND CEASEFIRE AHEAD OF ‘CRUCIAL DOHA TALKS’ TODAY
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Saturday, 18 October, 2025 | 24 Rabius Sani, 1447
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BOTH NEIGHBOURS AGREE TO PROLONG 48-HOUR TRUCE UNTIL CONCLUSION OF DOHA NEGOTIATIONS
SECURITY SOURCES REJECT MEDIA REPORTS CLAIMING A PAKISTANI TEAM ALREADY ARRIVED IN DOHA, TERMING THEM ‘BASELESS’
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 101 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
PAKISTAN’S DELEGATION TO DEPART FOR TALKS TODAY AIMED AT ENSURING LASTING BORDER STABILITY
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ISLAMABAD SAYS TRUCE REFLECTS BOTH SIDES’ WILLINGNESS TO RESOLVE BORDER CRISIS THROUGH DIALOGUE, NOT CONFLICT
FO REITERATES ISLAMABAD’S COMMITMENT TO A PEACEFUL, REGIONALLY CONNECTED AFGHANISTAN BUT DEMANDS VERIFIABLE ACTION AGAINST TTP AND ALLIED GROUPS
Kh asif accuses Kabul of becoming ‘india’s proxy’, demands return of afghans ISLAMABAD
staff report
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ISLAMABAD
staff report
MID heightened border tensions, Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday agreed to extend their 48-hour ceasefire until the conclusion of planned talks in Doha, signalling cautious progress toward de-escalation after a week of fierce clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds injured. Security sources confirmed that Pakistan’s delegation is scheduled to depart for Doha on Saturday morning, rejecting
media reports suggesting that officials had already reached the Qatari capital. They described such claims as “baseless,” adding that both sides had agreed to maintain calm on the frontier to facilitate dialogue. The truce — initiated at Kabul’s request on Wednesday — had paused days of intense cross-border fighting between Pakistan’s armed forces and Afghan Taliban fighters, along with India-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, referred to by Islamabad as Fitna al-Khawarij. Pakistan’s military said it responded to unprovoked aggression in
Three more AJK ministers quit as PM urged to step down over ‘failure to defend refugees’ rights’ MUZAFFARABAD/ISLAMABAD staff report
Political turmoil deepened in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Friday as three more ministers resigned from the cabinet, with two of them demanding that Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq step down for his “failure to safeguard the constitutional rights of Kashmiri refugees.” The latest resignations came from AJK Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan, Food Minister Chaudhry Akbar Ibrahim, and Sports, Youth and Culture Minister Asim Sharif Butt. The first two announced their decision at a joint press conference at the Muzaffarabad Press Club, while Butt sent his resignation directly to the prime minister. Earlier this week, Information Minister Pir Mazhar Saeed had also stepped down, citing “unavoidable reasons.” Officials at the AJK PM’s Office confirmed his resignation had been received but not yet accepted. All three newly resigned ministers were elected on PTI tickets in the 2021 general elections from LA-45 (Valley-VI), LA-38 (Jammu-V) and LA-42 (Valley-III) — seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees who migrated to Pakistan after 1947 — and later joined PM Haq’s faction of PTI defectors in 2023. Their resignations came in protest against the recent agreement between a seven-member federal committee and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which, among other matters, addressed the contentious issue of the 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for refugees.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday castigated the Afghan regime for failing to respond to years of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and warned that Kabul had effectively become “a proxy of India”, blaming a nexus of foreign and militant actors for recent crossborder terrorism and clashes. In a post on X, Asif said India, Afghanistan and Fitna al-Khawarij — a state term for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — were jointly “imposing terrorism on Pakistan.” He
self-defence, killing over 200 Taliban and affiliated militants, while 23 Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom in the clashes. The latest development comes hours after Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters that Islamabad and Kabul were “engaged in
lamented that elements who once sought refuge in Pakistan were now allegedly engaged in conspiracies against the country. “Pakistan could no longer tolerate relations with Kabul as in the past,” he wrote, and directed that all Afghans residing in Pakistan must return to their homeland, adding that only those holding valid Pakistani visas would be permitted to stay. He framed the move as the end of “decades of enforced hospitality”, stressing that Pakistan’s land and resources belong to its 250 million citizens.
Continued on paGe 03 constructive dialogue aimed at a peaceful resolution to ongoing border tensions.” He said both sides were making “sincere efforts to find a positive resolution to this complex but solvable issue through constructive dialogue.”
Continued on paGe 03
108 terrorists ‘backed by afghan taliban’ neutralised in four days RAWALPINDI
staff report
Security forces have killed 108 terrorists linked to the Afghan Taliban over the past four days — including 88 in just the last 48 hours — as Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign intensifies amid a fragile ceasefire along the border with Afghanistan. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), six terrorists belonging to Fitna alKhawarij were killed when security forces foiled a suicide attack on a military camp in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali area on Friday. One soldier embraced martyrdom and six others sustained injuries during the exchange. “Five terrorists attempted to enter the camp following the explosion but were instantly neutralised in a prompt and decisive response,” the military’s media wing said. Security sources said one suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the camp, triggering a blast, while five others tried to storm the compound but were gunned down before breaching it. “Security forces did not suffer further losses in the incident,”
officials confirmed. Reiterating the nation’s resolve, the ISPR said: “Under the National Action Plan, the people, the armed forces and security agencies remain steadfast in defending the country until the last foreign-backed terrorist is eliminated, Insha Allah.” Widespread operations across KP Separately, eight terrorists were killed in an intelligencebased operation (IBO) in the Sultan Khel area of Lakki Marwat district, following credible intelligence reports about the presence of proxies linked to the Afghan Taliban. Security personnel surrounded the area through aerial and ground surveillance before engaging the militants. A cache of weapons and explosives was recovered from the slain terrorists, officials said. A clearance and search operation was later launched to prevent regrouping. In a related clash, members of the Lakki Marwat Peace Committee exchanged fire with militants, killing five terrorists, including TTP Gul Bahadur faction commander Armdi. Another IBO in Datta Khel resulted in the killing of six terrorists, including Fitna al-
Khawarij commander Mehbub alias Muhammad, after security forces monitored the group’s movements for over a week. Three others were injured. Meanwhile, in Bajaur, security personnel intercepted a vehicle carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives allegedly smuggled from Afghanistan. The explosives were meant for a major attack in a civilian area but were destroyed before detonation, the ISPR said. “Azm-e-Istehkam” in motion The latest series of operations fall under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, the government’s ongoing counterterrorism campaign launched to eradicate terrorism and extremism through coordinated efforts by the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement bodies. The operation also seeks to address ideological radicalisation and mobilise public participation to curb extremist tendencies nationwide. “Fitna al-Khawarij” is the state-designated term for militants associated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), introduced last year to expose the group’s violent ideology and distortion of Islamic teachings.
Cabinet-approved summary sent to Centre for ‘final decision’ on TLP ban: Azma LAHORE
staff report
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said on Friday that the provincial government had forwarded a summary to the Centre seeking a ban on the Tehreek-iLabbaik Pakistan (TLP), following approval by the provincial cabinet. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Bokhari said the province had fulfilled its legal obligation, adding that the federal government would now take a final decision on the summary. Her statement came a day after the Punjab cabinet decided to request the Centre to outlaw the TLP, which recently attempted a protest march “in solidarity with Gaza” with the declared aim of reaching Islamabad and staging a demonstration outside the US embassy. However, on Monday, law enforcement agencies launched a pre-dawn operation in Muridke, where the TLP had set up a protest camp, sparking violent clashes, chaos, and dozens of arrests, effectively ending the march prematurely. At the outset of her presser, Bokhari indirectly referred to the TLP, criticising a “protest called in the name of Gaza” that continued “illogically” even after a truce took effect in the besieged strip. She said the demonstration “turned bloody as always”, adding: “This is not the first time that this group has resorted to such acts. Be it 2017, 2019, 2021 or 2022 — their repeated attempts to paralyse the country cannot be allowed anymore.” Bokhari said the state and government had decided together that such disruption would no longer be tolerated. “Pakistan cannot afford this anymore,” she asserted. Rejecting allegations that the government had avoided dialogue, she said authorities made “multiple attempts to engage” with the protesters but were met with violence. “They set vehicles on fire and attacked policemen. Were those police personnel and vehicles a hurdle in resolving the Gaza issue?” she asked. The minister thanked traders, transporters, and the public for “rejecting the call” for another protest after Friday prayers. Intelligence reports had earlier warned of potential violence if the TLP mobilised again, while police had prepared a plan to detain the group’s leadership. Bokhari also played two videos purportedly from Lahore and Rawalpindi showing normal city life, saying it proved that “no one will be allowed to hold the country hostage anymore.” She said 1,648 policemen were injured during last week’s unrest, including 202 seriously wounded, questioning, “Was that a peaceful protest?” Clarifying that the new measures were not directed against any religion or sect, Bokhari said they targeted only “the extremist group with a record of inciting violence and killing citizens.” Detailing the decisions, she said Punjab had formally moved to ban the TLP and recommended that its leadership be placed in the Fourth Schedule of the AntiTerrorism Act, which lists individuals suspected of terrorism or sectarian activity. She recalled that the federal government had previously banned the TLP in April 2021, also on Punjab’s recommendation, but the decision was revoked in November 2021 following a deal to end another violent march. Other measures announced include zero tolerance for misuse of loudspeakers to spread hate or incite violence; Cases under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for glorifying protests or spreading false information online; Sealing of social media and bank accounts of the extremist group; A ban on the display of weapons and suspension of new arms licences in Punjab; and a one-month deadline for citizens to surrender illegal weapons or face terrorism charges. She added that legal firearms must be re-registered at Khidmat Centres, warning of action against noncompliance.
pM orders expedited, dignified repatriation of afghans, rules out any further extension ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed all provincial governments and relevant federal institutions to ensure the expedited and dignified repatriation of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan, making it clear that no further extension would be granted for their stay. Chairing a high-level meeting on the repatriation of Afghan refugees, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding support for Afghanistan in times of difficulty but expressed grave concern over the continued involvement of Afghan nationals in cross-border terrorism and other security challenges. “All provincial governments and federal departments must work in close coordination to ensure early, orderly, and respectful repatriation,” the prime minister emphasized, according to an official statement. The meeting was attended by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, federal ministers, the Prime Minister of Azad
Jammu and Kashmir, chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan; as well as Muzzammil Aslam, representative of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister. The prime minister lauded Pakistan’s decades-long hospitality toward millions of Afghan refugees despite severe economic and security pressures, recalling that the country
had borne immense losses in the fight against terrorism—both in lives and resources. He noted that despite repeated diplomatic engagements—including visits by the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Defence Minister to Kabul—Pakistan’s concerns over the use of Afghan soil by terrorist groups remained unaddressed.
Govt determined to equip institutions with technology for sustainable mineral development ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the modernization of the Geoscience Advanced Research Laboratories (GARL) marked a major milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to unlock its vast mineral wealth through scientific innovation, advanced technology, and international collaboration. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the upgraded GARL complex of the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) in Chak Shahzad, the prime minister said the government was determined to equip national institutions with state-of-the-art tools to ensure sustainable and globally competitive development of the mineral sector. “The modernization of GARL represents
a significant stride toward realizing Pakistan’s mineral potential through scientific innovation and global partnership,” the prime minister remarked, reaffirming his government’s commitment to advancing mineral exploration and research on international standards. Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, and foreign dignitaries attended the ceremony, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. Originally established in 1991, the laboratory has now been comprehensively upgraded and awarded ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation — a globally recognized certification of technical competence for testing and calibration. Officials said the accreditation places GARL among international-standard facilities capable of generating high-quality, verifiable data for the global mining and minerals industry.