In partnership with
Profit
FOUR SOLDIERS MARTYRED, 15 TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED IN TWO KP IBOS: ISPR Sunday, 16 February, 2025 I 17 Shaban ul Moazzam, 1446
ENTIRE NATION STANDS UNITED IN UNWAVERING SOLIDARITY WITH ARMED FORCES: PM SHEHBAZ
F
g
RAWALPINDI
g
KILLED TERRORISTS INCLUDE THREE HIGH-VALUE TARGET RINGLEADERS, INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS TERRORIST ACTIVITIES: ISPR
STAFF REPORT
OUR soldiers, including a Lieutenant were martyred while 15 terrorists were eliminated in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing reported on Saturday. A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the first intelligence-based operations (IBO) was conducted in Dera Ismail Khan district’s general area of Hathala on the reported presence of terrorists in the area. It said security forces effectively engaged the terrorists at their location and resultantly, nine of them, including highvalue target (HVT) ringleaders Farman alias Saqib, Kharji Amanullah alias Toori, Kharji Saeed alias Liaqat and Kharji Bilal, “were sent to hell”. The ISPR said the slain were involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area and were highly wanted by law enforcement agencies. It said the second IBO was conducted in the general area of Miranshah in North Waziristan district where six more terrorists were “effectively neutralised by the security forces”. “However, during an intense fire exchange, Lieutenant Muhammad Hassaan Arshaf, 21, resident of Lahore district,
leading his troops from the front, fought gallantly and embraced martyrdom along with his three men,” the ISPR said. “The three soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice include Naib Subedar Muhammad Bilal, 39, resident of Dera Ismail Khan district, Sepoy Farhat Ullah, 27, resident of Lakki Marwat district and Sepoy Himat Khan, 29, resident of Momand district,” it continued. The ISPR added that sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve,” the statement concluded.
16 dead, 45 injured as buses carrying devotees run into accidents in Sindh KHAIRPUR
STAFF REPORT
At least 16 devotees died and 45 others sustained multiple injuries on Saturday in two road crashes involving buses carrying devotees to Sindh’s Sehwan city for the Urs celebration of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. According to police and rescue officials, five devotees were killed and 10 others injured when the van they were travelling in collided with a trailer near Qazi Ahmed town of Shaheed Benazirabad District. In another accident that took place near Ranipur are of Khairpur district, 11 devotees from Punjab’s Burewala died and 35 other injured. Qazi Ahmed Station House Officer (SHO) Waseem Mirza confirmed the death toll, saying the accident occurred on Amri Road near Qazi Ahmed. According to SHO Mirza, the van was carrying devotees to Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s shrine in Jamshoro District’s Sehwan city. “The speedy van initially hit a donkey cart followed by a major collision with a trailer coming from the opposite side,” the police official said. He added that initially, rescue teams and police reached the spot and shifted two bodies and the injured to Qazi Ahmed Taluka Hospital. Some critically injured individuals were referred to the Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences for Women in Nawabshah, where three were pronounced dead on arrival. On the other hand, Khairpur Deputy Commissioner Ahmed Fawad Shah said that a bus coming from Burewala collided with a rickshaw that was crossing the National Highway near Ranipur. The driver probably tried to save the rickshaw. He said that 11 passengers died and 35 injured. It is not clear if the rickshaw occupants are among the casualties. The dead and injured were shifted to three different health facilities including Rural Health Centre (RHC) Hingorja and Ranipur besides Gambat Institute of Medical and Sciences (GIMS) Khairpur. According to SSP Khairpur Tauheed Memon, the bus overturned after colliding with the rickshaw. “All dead and injured come from Burewala and were travelling to Sehwan to attend Qalandar’s urs”, he said. Initially, the injured and dead were shifted to RHC but now they were brought to GIMS Hospital, he added.
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 222 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Pakistan has recently witnessed an uptick in terror activities, especially in KP and Balochistan. Terror attacks have increased since the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government in 2022. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for their successful operation against terrorists in KP, paying tribute to the four martyred security personnel in separate statements. In a statement released by the Presidency, President Zardari said that the nation would always remember the sacrifices of its valiant martyrs, and praised their patriotism and bravery. He also reiterated the “unflinching national
resolve” to continue operations until the complete elimination of terrorism, The Associated Press of Pakistan reported. The PM paid tribute to the martyred personnel who sacrificed themselves during the operation, according to a statement on X. “The entire nation, including me, is proud of our martyrs and their families,” PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying. “We will continue the fight against terrorism until it is completely eradicated from the country. We will never allow the terrorists’ nefarious intentions to disrupt the peace of the country to succeed.” The PM said that the nation salutes “its brave forces” for their unwavering commitment to national security. “The officers and men of the Pakistani Armed Forces are working day and night to protect the homeland, risking their lives,” he stated. With at least 685 members of security forces losing their lives amid a total of 444 terror attacks, 2024 turned out to be the deadliest year for the civil and military security forces of Pakistan in a decade, according to a 2024 report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies think-tank. According to the ISPR Director General, security forces conducted a total of 59,775 operations last year during which 925 terrorists were killed and 383 officers and soldiers were martyred.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
COAS reaffirms military commitment to Pakistan’s economic development CHOLISTAN
STAFF REPORT
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Saturday reaffirmed the military’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s economic development, stating that Punjab has become the country’s agricultural powerhouse. Speaking at the launch of the Green Pakistan Initiative in Cholistan, Gen Asim Munir praised Punjab’s leadership and farmers for their role in modernising agriculture. He commended the Punjab government’s Green Corporate Project, calling its achievements in a short time “encouraging” and a sign of progress. The initiative includes the inauguration of the Green Mall and Service Company, Smart Agri Farm, and Agricultural Research and Facility Centre. The launch ceremony was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Federal Ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain and Musadik
Malik. The Green Agri Mall and Service Company will provide farmers with quality seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides at discounted rates, along with access to agricultural machinery, including drones, on affordable rental terms. A modern agricultural farm spanning 5,000 acres will serve as a model for advanced irrigation techniques and water-efficient farming, aimed at lowering costs
and increasing productivity. The Agricultural Research and Facility Centre will offer soil testing and other research services, collaborating with institutions across the country to promote agricultural innovation. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif called the initiative a “revolution” in modern agriculture, emphasizing its role in the progress of Punjab’s farmers and the overall prosperity of Pakistan.
Naqvi, US envoy explore stronger ties and counterterrorism cooperation ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker met with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad on Saturday to discuss Pakistan-US relations, mutual interests, and avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation. The meeting also included a review of Naqvi’s recent visit to the United States, during which he held discussions with members of Congress. Naqvi described these meetings as highly positive, noting that they included deliberations on a joint action plan against terrorism and strategies for strengthening diplomatic ties. Highlighting terrorism as a global challenge, Naqvi emphasized that the international community must work together to combat the threat. He underscored the longstanding Pakistan-US relationship, which spans several decades, and stressed the importance of American support in strengthening Pakistan’s law enforcement capabilities. Expressing optimism about future cooperation, Naqvi said he hoped Pakistan-US ties would see new momentum under President Donald Trump’s tenure. Before concluding, he extended an invitation to Acting Ambassador Baker to attend the Jashn-e-Baharan festival in Islamabad.
Govt slashes petrol price by Re1, high-speed diesel by Rs4 per litre ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The government on Saturday reduced the price of petrol by Re1 per litre for the next fortnight and that of high-speed diesel by Rs4. According to a notification by the Finance Division, the decision was taken after the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority reviewed and adjusted consumer prices for petroleum products in view of recent fluctuations in the international oil market. After the adjustment, high-speed diesel (HSD), which is widely used in agriculture and transport sectors, will see a price drop of Rs4 per litre. The new price for HSD will be Rs263.95, down from the previous rate of Rs267.95 per litre. In addition to HSD, the price of petrol has also been reduced by Rs1 per litre. The new petrol price will be Rs256.13, following a similar decrease in the second fortnight of February 2025. Furthermore, the prices for kerosene and light diesel have been lowered by up to Rs5 per litre. Kerosene will now be available at Rs171.65 per litre, while light diesel will cost Rs155.81 per litre. The experts’ reports had previously suggested that the ex-depot petrol price was estimated to go down by Rs2-2.50 per litre depending on final calculation on Feb 15 while HSD was expected to drop by about Rs9. Kerosene and LDO prices were estimated to fall by about Rs3.45 to Rs5 per litre. The estimates for higher prices of petroleum products stemmed from a decline in the international market. The benchmark Brent prices decreased by $2 per barrel last fortnight. These sources had said the average prices of HSD decreased by around $3 per barrel in the international market while that of petrol dropped by about 90 cents per barrel last fortnight. The ex-refinery cost of kerosene and LDO also came down. Import premium on petrol fell by $1 $7.75 per barrel from $8.8 while it remained unchanged on diesel.
Govt rules out new taxes despite Rs386b revenue shortfall g
MINISTRY OF FINANCE PROVIDES DETAILS OF FBR’S TAX COLLECTION OVER PAST FIVE YEARS PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Saad Waseem Sheikh has stated that the government has no plans to introduce additional taxes to cover the Rs386 billion shortfall in tax collection. He assured that efforts are underway to meet the revenue target for the current fiscal year. During the National Assembly’s Question Hour, Mehreen Razak Bhutto raised concerns over how the Federal
Board of Revenue (FBR) plans to achieve its tax collection target given the revenue gap. Responding to the query, Sheikh acknowledged the shortfall but ruled out any immediate tax hikes to bridge the gap. In a written response to Dr. Nafisa Shah’s question regarding debt repayment plans and the percentage of debt being rolled over, the Ministry of Finance stated that the government is focused on maintaining public debt at sustainable levels. The ministry noted that economic
stabilisation measures, including a primary surplus, a stable exchange rate, and a significant reduction in interest rates by the State Bank of Pakistan due to declining inflation, are expected to help reduce public debt in the coming years. The government is also managing external and domestic debt obligations by utilising available cash reserves for principal and interest repayments, according to the finance ministry. During the session, the Ministry of Finance also provided details of FBR’s tax collection over the past five years. The
data showed that in 2019-20, FBR collected Rs3,997 billion, surpassing its target of Rs3,908 billion. In 2020-21, revenue stood at Rs4,745 billion against a target of Rs4,691 billion, while in 202122, collection reached Rs6,148 billion, exceeding the Rs6,050 billion target. For 2022-23, FBR collected Rs7,164 billion, slightly below the target of Rs7,200 billion. In 2023-24, revenue stood at Rs9,252 billion, narrowly missing the Rs9,299 billion target. The figures indicate steady growth in tax collection despite economic challenges.
Govt initiates inquiry to bust network of 78 alleged corrupt Customs officials, smugglers g
INTELLIGENCE REPORT PINPOINTS 37 OFFICERS, 41 SMUGGLERS IN CONNECTION WITH CIGARETTES, TYRES, AND TEXTILES SMUGGLING FROM QUETTA TO PUNJAB AND ISLAMABAD PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
The government has initiated a fact-finding inquiry into a network of 78 alleged corrupt Customs officials and smugglers involved in smuggling goods from Quetta to Punjab and Islamabad. The move follows an intelligence agency report that identified key figures within the smuggling network, some of whom hold influential positions in the federal setup, The Express Tribune reported, citing official sources. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Langrial has directed Member Customs to conduct an inquiry into the role of Customs officials and private individuals allegedly facilitating smuggling. The inves-
tigation, led by Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement Basit Maqsood Abbasi, is expected to conclude by the end of February. The intelligence report suggests that 37 Customs officers and 41 smugglers were identified as part of the network involved in the illegal transportation of cigarettes, tyres, and textiles. The network reportedly caused significant financial losses to the exchequer, with cigarette smuggling alone estimated to result in Rs250 billion ($900 million) in lost revenue annually. Additionally, authorities suspect that smuggling profits may have been transferred abroad, though it remains unclear whether the Customs-led inquiry will extend to tracing these funds. A government
official suggested that a higher investigative body may need to step in for a more thorough probe, including assets held overseas. The FBR and military establishment have intensified efforts to combat smuggling, with new anti-smuggling posts being established along the Indus River. The crackdown is part of a broader strategy to curb illegal trade, which undermines local industry and weakens the economy. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has imposed conditions requiring the public disclosure of civil servants’ income tax returns and wealth statements. The move aims to address concerns over unexplained wealth among officials, though the requirement excludes officers of autonomous regulatory bodies such as the State Bank of
Pakistan, NEPRA, OGRA, and PTA. Pakistan currently ranks 72nd out of 84 countries on the Global Illicit Trade Environment Index, as reported by the Transnational Alliance on Combating Illicit Trade (TRACIT)
and the Economist Intelligence Unit. Estimates suggest that illegal trade, smuggling, and tax evasion collectively cost the national exchequer between Rs1.5 trillion and Rs2 trillion annually.