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RULING PARTIES RALLY BEHIND MILITARY, REBUKE PTI FOR ANTI-ARMY RHETORIC
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Monday, 8 December, 2025 | 16 Jamadiul Sani, 1447
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 153 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
g MQM-P, PPP AND PML-N LEADERS LEADERS ALLEGE IMRAN NARRATIVE AMPLIFIED BY WARN ATTACKS ON ARMED FORCES HOSTILE FOREIGN ELEMENTS, CALLING CRITICISM THREATEN NATIONAL UNITY OF ARMY ‘RED LINE’ FOR DEMOCRACY
LABEL PTI RHETORIC A GROWING NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERN, URGING JOINT STAND AGAINST ANTI-STATE CAMPAIGNING
Attempts to malign incarcerated founder will only fuel his popularity: PTI PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD Staff report
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ISLAMABAD/KARACHI/QUETTA Staff report
N a show of solidarity with DG ISPR, leaders of the ruling political parties on Sunday rallied behind the armed forces, sharply rebuking Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for what they termed a deliberate campaign to undermine state institutions, a day after the military’s media wing accused incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan of pushing an anti-army narrative that was morphing into a national security concern. Leaders from the ruling coalition and allied parties warned that attacks on the military threatened national cohesion at a time of heightened internal and regional security challenges, while the PTI rejected the allegations as politically moti-
vated and dangerous for democracy. The show of unity followed the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) press briefing in which its director general described Imran Khan as a “narcissist” with a “delusional mindset,” claiming his rhetoric was being amplified by Indian media and accounts linked to hostile intelligence agencies. PTI had termed the briefing “inappropriate and unfortunate,” triggering strong reactions from across the political spectrum. Planning Minister and PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said Imran’s politics reflected a “deeply irresponsible and dangerous trend” aimed at weakening national institutions and eroding trust in the armed forces. Writing on X, he stressed that while political disagreement was natural in a democracy, crossing into anti-state narrative-building endangered
Security forces kill 12 terrorists during IBO in Balochistan’s Kalat: ISPR RAWALPINDI
Staff report
Security forces killed 12 terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s Kalat district, the military’s media affairs wing said on Sunday. In a statement the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “The IBO was conducted on Saturday on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna-al-Hindustan.” The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. The ISPR statement detailed that during the operation yesterday, “own forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an intense fire exchange, 12 Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell”. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were found in the terrorists’ possession, it said, adding that they had been “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.” “Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorist found in the area as [a] relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-i- Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and -supported terrorism from the country,” the statement concluded. Pakistan has been grappling with an alarming surge in terror activities, especially against the security forces and other law enforcement agencies in KP and Balochistan, after the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. Yesterday, the security forces neutralized 14 terrorists had been killed in three separate intelligence-based IBOs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat and Balochistan’s Tank, according to a statement issued by the ISPR.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday warned that what it described as “repeated and coordinated attempts” to malign its incarcerated founder and former prime minister Imran Khan would only further boost his public support, as the party and its allies rallied in Peshawar to reject recent remarks branding him a threat to national security. The stance was articulated at a rally held at Peshawar’s Sports Complex, jointly addressed by PTI leaders and their political ally, the Tehreek-iTahafuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP). The gathering expressed solidarity with Imran Khan and demanded accountability for those behind what it termed “unwarranted and derogatory” statements made against him, warning stability, unity and security. He said attempts to malign the military only served Pakistan’s enemies and strongly condemned what he called Imran’s politics of “hate, distortion and incitement.” In Karachi, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) chairman
that failure to check such narratives would deepen political polarisation. Addressing the rally, TTAP chief and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai said undemocratic forces felt threatened by genuine political movements such as the PTI and TTAP and were therefore resorting to “improper language and intimidation.” He said both parties wanted a Pakistan rooted in constitutional supremacy, rule of law and peaceful coexistence. Achakzai also cautioned against any move to impose governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terming it a step that could have serious repercussions. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, also speaking at the rally, said the PTI should not be blamed for the persistence of unrest in the region, arguing that peace was linked to broader state security policies. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui warned of a possible “another conspiracy against Pakistan,” accusing the PTI of abandoning parliamentary politics in favour of street agitation to create instability.
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Pakistan slams Jaishankar’s remarks about Pakistan Army as ‘irresponsible, baseless and inflammatory’ ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Pakistan on Sunday strongly rejected and condemned what it described as “highly inflammatory, baseless, and irresponsible” remarks by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar against Pakistan’s armed forces, warning that such statements were misleading, provocative, and detrimental to regional peace and stability. The Foreign Office (FO) reaction came a day after Dr S Jaishankar alleged that India’s core challenges with Pakistan stemmed directly from Pakistan’s military establishment. Islamabad dismissed the claims as part of a deliberate propaganda campaign aimed at deflecting attention from
India’s own destabilising conduct in the region. In a sharply worded statement, the FO underscored that Pakistan was a responsible state and that all its institutions, including the armed forces, were pillars of national security, fully committed to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Pakistan’s armed forces remain professional, disciplined, and dedicated to the defence of the motherland,” the statement said. Referring to the brief four-day military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May, the FO said the episode had “vividly demonstrated” the professionalism, restraint, and resolve of Pakistan’s armed forces in defending the country and its people against any
Indian aggression “in a befitting, effective yet responsible manner.” It added that “no amount of propaganda can belie this truth.” The Foreign Office accused the Indian leadership of attempting to malign Pakistan’s state institutions and national leadership as part of a broader narrative to divert attention from New Delhi’s own policies. These, it said, included “destabilising actions in the region and beyond, as well as state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan.” “Such incendiary rhetoric only exemplifies the extent of India’s disregard for amity, peace and stability in our region,” the statement said, warning that repeated verbal escalation undermined prospects for dialogue and confidence-building.
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Punjab transporters call for wheel-jam strike today to protest heavy fines LAHORE/ISLAMABAD Staff report
Transporters across Punjab have announced a wheeljam strike on Monday (December 8) in protest against the imposition of heavy traffic fines and the registration of FIRs under the Motor Vehicle Ordinance, officials said on Sunday. The strike is expected to paralyze the movement of goods and public transport, as associations representing freight, oil tankers, and local transporters have all pledged their support. Tariq Gujjar, President of the Goods Transport Association, said that the scope of the strike has expanded after consultations with other transport unions, including oil tanker operators and local transporters. “Transporters will suspend activities at the ports from Monday evening. The current government has compelled us to observe a wheel-jam strike due to unfair fines and harassment of drivers,” he said. Shehzad Awan, a senior representative, claimed that thousands of FIRs had been registered against drivers and vehicles were being locked inside police stations across the country. Khanzada Khan Mehsud, Senior Vice Chairman of Oil Tankers, urged the government to stop “attacking transporters” and to prevent them from facing bankruptcy. In the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, local public transporters also announced a wheel-jam strike on December 8, rejecting requests from the administration to delay the protest against the new traffic ordinance, which significantly increased fines for heavy vehicles. The decision came after representatives of the Punjab Public Transport Association and the Goods Transporters Association met with City Traffic Police officer Farhan Aslam and Regional Transport Authority Secretary Asad Shirazi, who urged them not to proceed. However, the transporters refused to withdraw their decision. “We tried to convince them, but they demanded the repeal of the amendments. It was beyond our authority,” Shirazi said. He added that the Punjab government had been informed and would hold negotiations with the United Transport Association in Lahore. Raja Muhammad Riaz, Chairman of the Mutahida Transport Federation of Twin Cities, said transporters were struggling to manage household budgets due to fines ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs20,000, alongside rising fuel and spare parts costs. He demanded an immediate reduction in fines and an end to policies that “destroyed the sector.” During the meeting, he noted that traffic police agreed not to impose fines on vehicles with a valid fitness certificate. Meanwhile, Shakeel Qureshi, President of the Goods Transport Association, confirmed that freight and goods transporters in Rawalpindi would fully support the December 8 strike. “We strongly condemn the traffic laws passed by the Punjab Assembly. These amendments, along with proposed customs changes, are tantamount to economic murder of transporters,” he said. He called on the government to make decisions after consulting all stakeholders, considering public and sector interests. The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI) Rawalpindi district also expressed full support for the strike.
ECP refuses to recognise Barrister Gohar as PTI chairman ISLAMABAD
Staff report
The Election Commission of Pakistan has refused to recognise Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as the chairperson of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). According to a letter dated November 26 and addressed to Barrister Gohar, the PTI leader had written an application to the commission on November 13 regard-
ing the inclusion of senators into the PTI. While the letter did not elaborate on the matter raised by Barrister Gohar, he seemed to have sought the inclusion of those senators into his party who were elected to the upper house of Parliament from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in July after much delay. The ECP said in its letter that “after due deliberation, it was observed that the issue of intra-party election of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf is pending
before the commission due to the stay order obtained by the party from the Lahore High Court (LHC)”. “Hence, in the above circumstances, the commission is not in a position to accept you as chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. Therefore, you do not have any locus standi, and you are informed accordingly,” the letter read. Barrister Gohar confirmed receipt of the ECP’s reply letter and announced plans to challenge the decision in court.
“The Election Commission has not yet recognized our intra-party election nor issued a certificate,” he said. He added, “When our Senate elections were held, independent senators joined PTI. I sent a letter to the Election Commission on November 13 requesting their inclusion. Today, I received their reply dated November 26 stating they do not recognize them. This is very unfortunate. We will take this matter to court.”
Qatar pushes ‘inclusive engagement’ with non-state actors as Key to peace from Afghanistan to Gaza DOHA
agencieS
Qatar on Sunday underscored the importance of inclusive political engagement, including with non-state actors, as the only realistic path to lasting stability in conflictridden regions from Afghanistan to Gaza. Speaking at the 23rd Doha Forum, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani emphasized that durable peace requires direct communication with all parties, including armed groups often shunned by Western capitals. Moderated by US journalist Tucker Carlson, Sheikh Mohammed said regional crises cannot be resolved by excluding key actors. “You cannot resolve or reach a solution if you have no one speaking to non-state actors,” he said, highlighting Qatar’s ongo-
ing role in mediating between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime. He explained that Qatar’s mediation approach has been consistent, from the Afghan peace process to repeated ceasefire efforts in Gaza. Qatar’s relationship with Hamas, he said, began over a decade ago at the request of the United States, establishing a reliable communication channel with the Palestinian armed group. “When they moved their office back in 2012 here, it was used only for communication and to facilitate ceasefires and aid to Gaza,” Sheikh Mohammed added. Similarly, the Taliban’s political office in Doha, opened in 2013 at Washington’s request during the group’s conflict with US and Afghan forces, served as a neutral platform for negotiations. These talks culminated in the Doha Agreement and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, demonstrating the necessity of engaging actors who “hold
real influence on the ground.” Addressing allegations that Qatari funds for Gaza had been diverted to Hamas, the prime minister said, “All our aid, financing, and all our support went to the people in Gaza, and it was a very transparent process that the United States is very aware of.” He added that Israel itself facilitated distribution of humanitarian assistance. Sheikh Mohammed criticized politicians who distort Qatar’s role for domestic gain. “Politicians are trying to use this for shortterm political gains … to fuel their narratives,” he said, stressing that Qatar’s mediation has delivered tangible results, including multiple ceasefires, humanitarian pauses, hostage releases, and evacuation arrangements. The 23rd Doha Forum brought together over 5,000 delegates from 162 countries, including presidents, prime ministers, foreign
ministers, policy experts, and heads of international organizations. Discussions focused
on conflict resolution, humanitarian crises, global governance, and economic instability.