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Saturday, 13 December, 2025 | 21 Jamadiul Sani, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 158 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
PM URGES WORLD TO PRESS KABUL TO REIN IN TERRORISM, ADDRESS PAKISTAN’S SECURITY CONCERNS
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ STRESSES NEED FOR AFGHAN TALIBAN TO FULLY ADDRESS PAKISTAN’S SECURITY CONCERNS
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CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PRESS TALIBAN TO HONOUR OBLIGATIONS
APPRECIATES QATAR, TÜRKIYE, SAUDI ARABIA, g EMPHASIZES SUPPORT FOR GAZA, PALESTINIAN IRAN, UAE FOR CEASEFIRE EFFORTS, PEOPLE, AND KASHMIRI RIGHTS, LINKING REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN’S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WITH LASTING PEACEFUL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PEACE AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROGRESS URGES GLOBAL ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE, POVERTY, AND TRANSNATIONAL THREATS
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HOLDS BILATERAL TALKS WITH LEADERS FROM RUSSIA, TÜRKIYE, IRAN, TAJIKISTAN, AND KYRGYZSTAN TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL COOPERATION
Faiz Hameed verdict reinforces ‘equality before law’, says Rana Sanaullah ISLAMABAD
staff CorresponDent
– reaffirms significance of historic and deep fraternal bonds with Türkiye, Iran ASHGABAT
staff report
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ASHGABAT
staff report
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called on the international community to urge the Afghan Taliban to honour their international obligations and rein in terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory,
stressing that Pakistan’s security concerns must be “fully addressed.” Speaking at the International Year of Peace and Trust Forum in Turkmenistan, the premier also highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful dispute resolution, regional stability, and global humanitarian efforts, including support for Gaza and the Palestinian people.
Senate flags massive corruption in Foreign Office document attestation ISLAMABAD
staff report
Allegations of massive corruption at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in the attestation of documents, including educational and marriage certificates, have come under scrutiny, prompting the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs to decide raising the matter with the Foreign Office (FO). Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan on Friday claimed that “billions of rupees” were being siphoned off daily, while overseas Pakistanis face long delays and are forced to pay bribes or wait nights on pavements to get their documents attested. The committee also discussed the urgent need to digitise the attestation process or delegate authority to union councils and deputy commissioners to streamline operations and curb malpractice. The attestation of documents, such as educational and marriage certificates, by the foreign affairs ministry is typically required for recognition by international and foreign entities. The matter came up during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, where Senator Hassan of the PPP alleged corruption in the process and remarked: “Overseas Pakistanis are either running from post to pillar for a single signature or paying money for corruption.” He said that people had been complaining about having to spend nights on pavements to get their documents attested. The attestation process should either be digitised or union councils and deputy commissioners should be authorised to attest documents, he stressed. Senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar also raised the question of why the process was not being digitised. “Is there a lack of resources?” he said, adding that there should be an app for the FO. He further stated that the FO should be asked why the issue was not being resolved. “The higher-up in the Foreign Office does not want to let go of control, and the subordinate is running a shop,” he commented without taking any names and elaborating further. “What is the job of the Foreign Office?” he added.
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Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to deepen bilateral cooperation with Turkiye across political, energy, economic, defence, and investment sectors, while also emphasizing enhanced ties with Iran in trade, border security, regional connectivity, and peace efforts. The prime minister held high-level meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye and President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran on the sidelines of the International Year of Peace and Trust forum, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability, strategic partnerships, and collaborative solutions to ongoing challenges in Gaza and Afghanistan.
During a meeting with President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on the sidelines of the International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust in Ashgabat, the prime minister expressed his satisfaction at the frequent leadership level engagements between the two countries this year. During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the significance of the historic and deep fraternal bonds between the two nations that were rooted in shared values and a common aspiration for peace and prosperity. The prime minister expressed his satisfaction at the convening of the 16th session of the Pak-Turkiye JMC that would ensure implementation of the decisions of the 7th HLSCC, a press release issued by the PM House said.
Muslim states FMs slam Israeli ‘attack’ on UNRWA HQ, reaffirm support for Palestinian refugees ISLAMABAD
staff report
The Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates on Friday strongly condemned the storming of the UNRWA headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem by Israeli forces, calling it a blatant violation of international law. In a joint statement, they reaffirmed the indispensable role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in safeguarding the rights, dignity, and well-being of Palestinian refugees amid escalating tensions and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In a joint statement, the foreign
ministers condemned the storming of the UNRWA headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood as an attack representing a flagrant violation of international law and the inviolability of UN premises, which constituted an unacceptable escalation. “This attack also violated the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice dated 22 October 2025, which clearly stated that Israel, as an occupying power, is under an obligation not to impede the operations of UNRWA and, on the contrary, to facilitate them,” the statement said. The FMs said, “For decades, UNRWA has carried out a unique mandate entrusted to it by the international community, providing protection, education, health care, social services, and emergency assistance to millions of Palestinian refugees in
its areas of operation, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 302 (1949),” it added. The joint statement said, “The adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution to renew UNRWA’s mandate for an additional three years reflects international confidence in the vital role played by the agency and the continuity of its operations.” In light of the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the ministers underscored the essential role UNRWA played in delivering humanitarian assistance through its network of distribution centers, ensuring that food, relief items, and necessities reach those in need fairly and efficiently, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2803.
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Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday described the court’s verdict in the Faiz Hameed case as a significant example of military accountability, saying it sends a clear message that no one is above the law. Speaking in an interview with a private news channel, Sanaullah said the decision reflects the principle that “everyone, regardless of position, must face the law,” calling it a natural “consequence of actions.” He added that the ruling reinforces public trust in the Armed Forces and strengthens their institutional credibility. While expressing respect for the military, Rana Sana criticised Faiz Hameed for actions he said had harmed the country’s stability, arguing that those in similar positions should treat the verdict as a lesson in accountability. Sanaullah also accused Faiz Hameed of pursuing a personal agenda alongside his official duties. Responding to another question, he stressed that national interests must take precedence over political or individual considerations, saying the country’s stability should always come first.
Govt rejects claim as UN rapporteur warns Imran’s detention may be ‘inhuman’ ISLAMABAD
staff report
A United Nations special rapporteur on Friday issued a stark warning over the detention conditions of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, cautioning that the treatment he is reportedly being subjected to could amount to inhuman or degrading punishment. Urging Pakistani authorities to immediately ensure full compliance with international norms, the UN expert cited prolonged solitary confinement, severe isolation and constant surveillance as key concerns. In a statement, UN Special Rapporteur Alice Jill Edwards called on Pakistan to take “immediate and effective action” in light of reports regarding the 73year-old’s “inhumane and undignified” imprisonment. “Since his transfer to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on September 26, 2023, Imran Khan has reportedly been held for excessive periods in solitary confinement, confined for 23 hours a day in his cell, and with highly restricted access to the outside world,” Edwards said, adding that the cell was “under constant camera surveillance”. “Khan’s solitary confinement should be lifted without delay,” she stressed. In September, Khan’s legal team had approached the rapporteur to urge the government to halt the alleged mistreatment of the couple. Prime Minister’s aide Rana Ihsan Afzal, however, rebutted the concerns, insisting that the PTI founder was being kept “according to prison rules and the jail manual”.
Nawaz urges Shehbaz to allocate NFC-based funds to AJK, GB LAHORE
staff report
PML-N President and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to provide funds to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award formula. Speaking to party leaders in Lahore, Nawaz stressed that both regions should receive a fixed annual share through the NFC, calling it “very important” for their
development. He noted, however, that AJK and GB must also build the capacity to effectively utilise these funds, recalling previous instances where allocated money remained underutilised. Nawaz’s call carries weight, as smaller provinces have repeatedly resisted including AJK and GB in the NFC share. The proposal was first floated during Imran Khan’s tenure and has been supported in the past by current Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The former premier also directed the party to accept applications for AJK and
GB elections by December 31, warning that internal conflicts over ticket allocation would not be tolerated. He said he plans to visit both regions to meet candidates personally before decisions are finalised. Nawaz praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for her performance, highlighting projects such as cancer hospitals, model villages and the metro bus system. His remarks come days after the federal government, during the latest NFC meeting, proposed mobilising additional
revenue equal to more than 5% of GDP over the next three years. While participants denied speculation about reducing provincial shares, they confirmed that AJK and GB’s fiscal needs will be examined at the working-group level. The developments follow a turbulent political period in AJK marked by protests, a communications blackout, violence, and a no-confidence vote that removed former premier Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, replaced by PPP’s Faisal Rathore in November.
IMF warns of major risks to Pakistan’s outlook as ADB lifts growth forecast PROFIT
Monitoring Desk
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned that Pakistan’s economic outlook remains vulnerable to several external and domestic risks, including geopolitical tensions, rising commodity prices, tighter global financial conditions, weaker remittances, and potential social unrest. In its latest report, the Fund highlighted that the recent floods underscored Pakistan’s high exposure to climate-related disasters. If agricultural losses exceed initial estimates or spillovers to industry and services widen, activity, revenue, inflation and external balances could deteriorate. Addi-
tional reconstruction costs could also strain government finances. The IMF’s warning comes as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) revised Pakistan’s growth forecasts upward for both 2025 and 2026, citing stabilising food prices and stronger-than-expected economic performance. In its Asian Development Outlook: Growth steadies but uncertainty lingers, ADB said the upward revision for 2026 reflects increased public investment and a milder impact of flooding than previously expected. The government has already updated its own growth estimate for FY2025 to 3%, up from 2.7%, after the economy grew 5.7% in Q4 despite June flood disrup-
tions. Large-scale manufacturing has also shown momentum heading into FY2026. Pakistan’s inflation fell sharply to 4.7% in the first four months of FY2026, compared with 8.7% a year earlier, partly due to the stabilisation of food prices following the post-flood spike. At the regional level, ADB raised its growth forecast for developing Asia and the Pacific to 5.1% for 2025 and 4.6% for 2026, supported by strong exports, easing trade uncertainty after new US agreements, moderating inflation, and stable financial conditions. ADB reiterated that Pakistan continues to face long-term risks linked to economic water scarcity, even as short-term indicators show improvement.