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PTI continues sit-in after PM VOWS TO ‘ELEVATE’ BILATERAL TIES WITH UAE TO denied meeting with ‘MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP’ Imran Khan at Adiala Jail Wednesday, 31 December, 2025 | 10 Rajabul Murajjab, 1447
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ MEETS PRESIDENT SHEIKH MOHAMED BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN AT SHEIKH ZAYED PALACE IN RAHIM YAR KHAN
LEADERS HIGHLIGHT STRONG HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, AND DIPLOMATIC BONDS, VOWING TO BOOST BILATERAL TRADE ‘THROUGH A QUANTUM JUMP’
PM APPRECIATES UAE FOR HOSTING 2.1 MILLION PAKISTANIS AS TALKS FOCUS ON IT, ENERGY, MINERALS, AND DEFENCE COOPERATION
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 176 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
RAHIM YAR KHAN staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed his determination to “elevate” Pakistan’s longstanding ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) into a “strategic and mutually beneficial economic partnership,” according to a Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) statement. Premier Shehbaz was talking with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a meeting at Sheikh Zayed Palace in Rahim Yar Khan on Tuesday, the PMO said. The meeting followed President AlNahyan’s first official visit to Pakistan last Friday, during which the leaders held “substantive talks” aimed at further strengthening the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two countries.
PM Shehbaz, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and other officials,
“carried forward discussions” from the December 26 visit, the PMO said. The prime minister emphasized the need for both countries to actively pur-
sue a significant increase in bilateral trade “through a quantum jump which will bring it to the desired level.” The two leaders also explored avenues to enhance cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including information technology, energy, minerals, and defence. “While expressing his great admiration for the UAE’s remarkable progress under His Highness’s dynamic and visionary leadership, the prime minister thanked the UAE president for his patronage and commitment to foster stronger ties between the two countries,” the statement read. PM Shehbaz also appreciated the UAE for hosting 2.1 million Pakistanis, highlighting their crucial role in strengthening bilateral ties. The meeting capped off a year of extensive leadership-level engagements between Pakistan and the UAE.
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Dar, Saudi counterpart discuss ‘current regional situation, developments’ in telephonic call: FO ISLAMABAD
staff report
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday held high-level discussions with his Saudi, exchanging views on the regional situation, bilateral cooperation, and recent developments, underscoring
Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening strategic, economic, and defence ties with its key strategic partner, according to a Foreign Office statement. The FO statement said that in a telephone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Dar discussed “the current regional situation and recent developments.” Both sides highlighted the multifaceted
relationship between Islamabad and Riyadh, rooted in strategic military cooperation, shared economic interests, and common Islamic heritage, besides Riyadh remains a key source of financial aid and energy supplies for Pakistan.
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RAWALPINDI
staff report
PTI leaders and former prime minister Imran Khan’s sisters were once again denied permission to meet him at Adiala Jail on Tuesday, prompting them to stage a sit-in near the prison as the party accused authorities of defying court orders allowing twice-weekly meetings with the jailed PTI founder. On March 24, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued an order mandating that meetings with Imran Khan be permitted twice a week—on Tuesdays and Thursdays. However, the PTI maintains that the order is not being implemented. Party leaders and supporters have repeatedly staged sit-ins outside the jail to press for access, some of which were dispersed using water cannons. Speaking to media persons at the protest site, Aleema Khan said that she and her sisters would continue the sit-in and would not leave until they were allowed to meet their brother. She also praised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, saying the size of his entourage during his recent visit to Punjab should not be the focus. “What should be gauged is how afraid the Punjab government was of Sohail Afridi and supporters of Imran Khan,” she said, alleging that roads, food streets and other areas were blocked during the visit. “Despite this, the people of Lahore proved that they truly support Imran Khan,” she added. Aleema termed it “unfortunate” that authorities continued to deny meetings with the PTI founder. Responding to a question on dialogue, she said that the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) had not sought talks with the government, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had extended the invitation. “However, on the instructions of Imran Khan, who has directed Sohail Afridi to begin preparations for a movement, we are on the roads,” she said, adding that she and her sisters would persist in demanding a meeting. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said it was a basic human right for prisoners to meet their family members and condemned what he described as Imran Khan’s “solitary confinement”. Raja said the party was aware that the meeting might not be allowed but added that PTI leaders would continue visiting the jail to protest and convey their message of support. Replying to a question, he said talks with the government would be meaningless under the current circumstances, as the authorities were “not showing any seriousness”. Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023, is serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in the £190 million corruption case and also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023 protests.