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CABINET GREENLIGHTS BAN ON TLP UNDER ATA ON PUNJAB’S RECOMMENDATION
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Friday, 24 October, 2025 | 1 Jamadiul Awwal, 1447
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FEDERAL CABINET CHAIRED BY PM SHEHBAZ SHARIF APPROVES INTERIOR MINISTRY’S SUMMARY FOLLOWING PUNJAB’S REQUEST
ADVISER TO PM SANAULLAH CLAIMS BAN NOT POLITICAL, AIMED AT ‘PURGING ANTI-STATE AND TERRORIST ELEMENTS’
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 107 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
SUMMARY ACCUSED TLP OF REPEATED VIOLENCE, ATTACKS ON POLICE, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE
AZMA REVEALS 3,800 FINANCIERS LINKED TO TLP IDENTIFIED AND FUNDING CHANNELS BLOCKED UNDER ANTI-TERRORISM LAWS
SAYS PUNJAB GOVT FREEZES 95 ACCOUNTS, SEALS MADRESSAHS AND TRACES PROPERTIES REGISTERED UNDER BENAMI OWNERSHIP
pM unveils ‘Roshan Economy package to set power tariff at Rs 22.98 per unit for industry, agriculture ISLAMABAD
staff report
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ISLAMABAD
staff report
HE federal government on Thursday approved a ban on the religio-political party Tehreek-iLabbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), following a request from the Punjab government citing the group’s extremist activities and a spate of violent protests earlier this month that left several injured and disrupted law and order across Punjab. The decision, taken during a meeting
of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, came on the recommendation of the Punjab government. According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said the summary—presented by the Ministry of Interior—was “unanimously approved” after a detailed briefing on the “violent and terrorist activities” attributed to the TLP. The meeting was briefed that the organisation, founded in 2016, had repeatedly incited violence and provoked unrest in different parts of the country. It recalled that the group had previously been banned
CB cautions ignoring Article 191A could amount to granting ‘final relief’ to petitioners ISLAMABAD
staff report
Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan on Thursday observed that disregarding Article 191A — the constitutional clause under which the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench (CB) was constituted through the 26th Amendment — would amount to granting the petitioners “final relief”. His remarks came as an eight-member Constitutional Bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, resumed hearings on more than three dozen petitions challenging the 26th Amendment, which was passed by Parliament during an overnight session in October last year. The petitions, filed by bar associations, legal councils, political parties including the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), and individual lawyers, question both the process and substance of the constitutional changes. They argue that the amendment undermines judicial independence and violates the basic features of the Constitution. Background and key provisions The 26th Amendment — widely debated since its passage — introduced far-reaching changes to the structure and authority of the judiciary. It removed the Supreme Court’s suo motu powers, fixed the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s tenure at three years, and empowered a Special Parliamentary Committee to appoint the Chief Justice from among the three most senior judges of the apex court. It also created a new Article 191A, providing constitutional backing for the establishment of a Constitutional Bench within the Supreme Court and high courts to decide matters involving constitutional interpretation. Parliament passed the legislation amid controversy, with opposition parties and legal experts alleging that it was rushed through without proper deliberation. The PTI claimed that seven of its lawmakers were abducted to secure their support, while the Balochistan National PartyMengal (BNP-M) accused the government of pressuring two of its senators who later voted in favour of the bill.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday unveiled a major Roshan Economy Electricity Package, announcing a subsidized tariff of Rs22.98 per unit for the industrial and agricultural sectors for the next three years, aimed at boosting productivity, exports, and employment while reducing energy costs. The relief package—effective from November 2025 to October
in 2021 under the ATA, but the prohibition was lifted six months later on assurances that the party would renounce violence. “However, the organisation has reneged on its guarantees,” the statement said, citing fresh evidence of violent behaviour during recent demonstrations. According to the PMO statement,
2028—marks a significant reduction from the current Rs34 per unit for industry and Rs38 per unit for agriculture, reflecting the government’s broader effort to spur economic growth through lower input costs and greater energy affordability. The prime minister made the announcement during a meeting with a delegation comprising industrialists, agricultural experts, and representatives of the business community.
ContinuEd on pagE 03 the cabinet concluded that the TLP’s persistent involvement in terrorism, loss of life, and damage to public property warranted immediate legal action. “Security personnel and innocent bystanders have been killed in violent protests and rallies by the TLP,” the release added.
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pakistan, poland vow new era of strategic, economic collaboration ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan and Poland on Thursday reaffirmed their resolve to deepen multifaceted cooperation—spanning trade, energy, defence, education, technology, and fintech—as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met his Polish counterpart, Radosław Sikorski, in Islamabad. Both leaders, during a joint press stakeout, expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and emphasized the need to unlock the untapped potential in trade and investment. They also signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)—one between their foreign ministries to establish regular bilateral consultations, and another between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and the Polish Institute of International Affairs to enhance think tank collaboration. Dar noted that bilateral trade had surpassed one billion dollars, adding that both sides agreed there remained “immense untapped potential” to further expand economic cooperation. He said Poland’s expertise in oil and gas could significantly benefit Pakistan, pointing out that a leading Polish energy company had already invested nearly half a billion dollars in the country. The Deputy Prime Minister recalled the deep historical ties between Pakistan and Poland dating back to World War II, when thou-
KP CM barred from meeting Imran in Adiala despite IHC order ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI staff report
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was on Thursday barred from meeting Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail — despite a categorical directive from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to allow such meetings. Earlier in the day, the IHC had directed the Adiala Jail superintendent to immediately implement its March 24 order reinstating twice-weekly meetings between the former prime minister and his party members. The bench — headed by Chief Justice Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and comprising Justices Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Muhammad Azam Khan — heard 11 petitions filed by PTI leaders, including CM Afridi, seeking permission to meet their incarcerated leader to discuss party policy, cabinet formation, and provincial governance issues. Court orders and immediate defiance The court’s order, issued around midday, explicitly instructed Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum to facilitate the meetings under the prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and as per the visitor list submitted by PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja. The IHC bench reminded the jail administration that its March 2025 verdict clearly permitted meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. However, within hours of the ruling, CM Afridi’s convoy was stopped at the Dahgal checkpoint near Adiala Jail, where the police informed him that no permission had been granted. The KP chief minister, accompanied by PTI KP President Junaid Akbar and party Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja, staged a symbolic sit-in outside the facility to protest the denial. Speaking to reporters, Afridi expressed deep frustration at what he termed “open defiance of court orders.” He said, “If court decisions are not being respected, it raises serious questions about the state of justice in the country. This is not my weakness — it reflects the helplessness of the judiciary itself.” He clarified that his visit was entirely constitutional and aimed at obtaining policy guidance from the PTI founder on matters related to cabinet formation and governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “It is my right and duty to seek direction from my leader,” he said, adding that no cabinet would be formed without Imran Khan’s consultation.
Pakistan along with 14 nations slams Israeli bid to annex West Bank ISLAMABAD
staff report
sands of Polish refugees found refuge in Karachi and Quetta. He paid tribute to Polish pilots and engineers, particularly Air Commodore Władysław Turowicz, for their vital role in establishing the Pakistan Air Force. “His story is a monument to the values of sacrifice, dignity, and honour,” he remarked, adding that Pakistan regarded Poland as an important partner both bilaterally and within the European Union. Dar congratulated Poland on its economic progress and its emergence as a trillion-dollar economy, lauding its successful tenure as President of the Council of the European Union earlier this year. He thanked Warsaw for supporting Pakistan’s election to the UN Security Council with 182 votes and sought Poland’s continued backing for the renewal of Pakistan’s GSP Plus status in 2027. “GSP Plus is a win-win arrangement for both Pakistan and the EU as it contributes to sustain-
able development, good governance and poverty alleviation,” he added. Reiterating Pakistan’s principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Dar called for its resolution in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He also voiced concern over the presence of Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan militant elements in Afghanistan, underlining the need for collective action and adherence to the UN Charter to strengthen multilateralism. In his remarks, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Poland attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan and was eager to enhance cooperation in trade, public finance, fintech, water management, mining and the energy sector. “Polish companies have long been engaged in geological services in Pakistan and see great potential for future cooperation,” he said.
Pakistan, along with 14 other nations, on Thursday strongly condemned Israel’s attempt to impose “Israeli sovereignty” over the occupied West Bank, terming it a “flagrant breach” of international law and United Nations resolutions, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement. The joint condemnation came a day after the Israeli Knesset advanced two controversial bills seeking to annex the occupied West Bank — a move that has triggered widespread outrage and warnings of destabilizing the region. The FO said the statement, signed by 15 countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye, denounced Tel Aviv’s latest legislative push as a “blatant violation” of international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2334, which rejects all Israeli measures aimed at altering the demographic or political character of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. The statement came amid growing global concern over Israel’s unilateral actions, coming barely a week after US President Donald Trump brokered a deal aimed at ending Israel’s two-year-long military offensive in the Gaza Strip. Trump has since warned that Israel risks losing “crucial US support” if it proceeds with the annexation. The joint communiqué also welcomed the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued on October 22, 2025, reaffirming the illegality of the Israeli occupation and the invalidity of settlement construction and annexation measures in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Field Marshal Munir reaffirms defence, security partnership with Egypt RAWALPINDI staff report
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening defence and military cooperation with Egypt during his official visit to Cairo, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Field Marshal Munir held separate meetings with Egyptian Minister of Defence and Defence Production General Abdul Maged Saqar and Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa Fatehi. The discussions covered “matters of mutual interest, regional security, and bilateral defence cooperation.” “The army chief affirmed that Egypt is
a brotherly country and that closer cooperation between the two nations would not only benefit their peoples but also contribute to regional peace and stability,” the ISPR statement said. It added that the visit was aimed at “enhancing military cooperation and defence collaboration between the two brotherly countries.” Field Marshal Munir was accorded a warm welcome at the Ministry of Defence, where he was presented with a Guard of Honour. During his stay, the COAS also paid tribute at Egypt’s Memorial of the Unknown Soldier and laid a floral wreath at the grave of former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, the statement said. Field Marshal Munir also met with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed ElTayeb, one of the Muslim world’s most re-
spected scholars. The ISPR said the Grand Imam shared his views on challenges confronting the Muslim Ummah, while the COAS emphasised the need to “eradicate extremist ideologies and contorted interpretations of Islam.” Pakistan and Egypt enjoy longstanding defence and diplomatic ties rooted in mutual respect and shared interests. In May, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah AlSisi reaffirmed his country’s desire for stronger bilateral relations during a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Last week, both countries agreed to expand cooperation in the maritime and industrial sectors, focusing on joint ventures and development of their blue economies. Earlier this year, Field Marshal Munir undertook high-profile visits to the United States and Azerbaijan. In June, he became the first
Pakistani army chief to be hosted by then–US president Donald Trump at the White House without accompanying civilian officials,
while in August, he was conferred a prestigious war medal by Azerbaijan’s defence minister in recognition of his leadership.