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PM REITERATES COMMITMENT TO WORK FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Thursday, 20 February, 2025 I 21 Shaban ul Moazzam, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 226 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition
g ECONOMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL PM SHEHBAZ POINTS OUT CONSULTATIONS ONGOING REGARDING EXPRESSES FULL CONFIDENCE IN REGULATION OF DIGITAL CURRENCIES GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC POLICIES g SAYS EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO IMPROVE TELECOMMUNICATION AND INTERNET SERVICES AND BOOST NUMBER OF FREELANCERS, IT EXPORTS
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PM invites Bahrain’s businessmen to invest in Pakistan PROFIT APP
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday emphasized that economic stability was not the result of an individual effort but collective efforts of the entire team, reiterating the commitment to work for the sustainable development of the economy. “The current potential for regional trade would be fully utilized”, PM Shehbaz stated while chairing an important
meeting of the Economic Advisory Council on Wednesday. PM Shehbaz, welcoming the recommendations, instructed the relevant authorities to collaborate with the council members to form a comprehensive action plan based on these suggestions. On the occasion, members of the council expressed their full confidence in the government’s economic policies and presented key suggestions aimed at further strengthening Pakistan’s economic growth. The prime minister also highlighted efforts to make local industries capable
Afghan claim on ‘mistreatment’ of refugees ‘misplaced’: FO ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) on Wednesday rebutted a statement asserting that Afghan refugees in Pakistan are “mistreated and arrested without any warning or formal correspondence”, clarifying that Afghan refugees in the country are treated with “respect and dignity.” In a statement Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said that the assertions made by the acting Afghan Charge d’Affaires were “misplaced,” expressing the hope that Kabul will create conducive conditions “to receive refugees repatriated from Pakistan. The spokesperson’s comments come a day after the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad in a statement echoing the words of the acting Afghan Charge d’Affaires, alleging that Afghan refugees in Pakistan were being “arrested without warning or formal correspondence” and that the Pakistani government intended to expel all Afghans, even those with documents permitting their stay. The embassy alleged that Afghan nationals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were recently subjected to arrests, searches, and orders from the police to leave the twin cities and relocate to other parts of Pakistan. “I would like to remind him that Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghans for decades with respect and dignity, while extending traditional hospitality, sharing its resources and services such as education and health, even with very little international support,” the FO spokesperson said. He added that there were mechanisms within Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) “to ensure that no one is mistreated or harassed during the repatriation process”. “We also extensively engaged the Afghan side to ensure smooth repatriation of Afghan nationals,” Khan added. “While Pakistan has done what it could, we expect interim Afghan authorities to create conducive conditions in Afghanistan so that these returnees are fully integrated into the Afghan society.” Khan added, “The real test of Afghan authorities would be to ensure that rights of these people about whom the Afghan Cd’A (Charge d’Affaires) talked are protected in Afghanistan.”
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday invited the businessmen of Bahrain to tap the huge potential of business activities in Pakistan and invest in various sectors. He also stressed the need to further increase the trade volume between the two countries. The prime minister was talking to a Parliamentary delegation of Bahrain led by Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Bahrain, Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam who called on him here at the PM House. He emphasized that the exchange of the parliamentary delegations of the two countries was important to further
of competing in international markets with their exports. “Industry, agriculture, IT development, job creation, and increasing exports are among the government’s top priorities,” he said adding that the prime minister was focused on establishing
strengthen bilateral ties. He also conveyed his best wishes to the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. “The brotherly relations of Pakistan and Bahrain are very strong and based on the shared beliefs, history, and culture,” the prime minister said. He highlighted that the Pakistanis living in Bahrain were rendering key services in the country. He also stressed that Pakistan, Bahrain, and the entire Muslim Ummah should intensify the relief efforts for their Palestinian brothers and sisters. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and senior government officers were present on the occasion.
green data centres in the country. He said efforts were also underway to improve telecommunication services and provide internet access to remote areas, which will help boost the number of freelancers and IT exports.
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COAS arrives in UK to participate in 7th RSC at Sandhurst RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), arrived in to the United Kingdom on an official visit to participate in the 7th Regional Stabilization Conference at the esteemed Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. During the visit COAS will deliver the keynote address on “The Emerging World Order and Pakistan’s Future Outlook”, said an ISPR news release. The Stabilization Conference serves as the premier platform for Army-to-Army dialogue between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, held annually to foster collaboration. The event brings together a balanced representation of policymakers, both civil and military, as well as members of prominent think tanks from both nations. This year’s conference holds particular significance in light of the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, providing an invaluable opportunity to exchange perspec-
Pakistan urges UN action as parliament demands plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan’s parliament has passed a resolution calling on India to conduct a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, reaffirming what it describes as the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination under United Nations resolutions. The resolution, presented by Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, reiterates Pakistan’s “unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support” for Kashmiris. It strongly condemns India’s revocation of Article 370, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status in August 2019, and alleges ongoing human rights violations in the region. The document also criticizes recent statements from India’s political and military leadership regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, calling them “provocative” and a threat to regional stability. Speaking in parliament, Minister Muqam emphasized the need for international intervention, urging the United Nations to ensure the implementation of Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed that peace in South Asia remains unattainable without a resolution to the Kashmir dispute. The passage of this resolution comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, with both nations frequently at odds over Kashmir. While Pakistan continues to push for international involvement, India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and has rejected third-party mediation. Despite repeated calls from Pakistan, there has been no indication from New Delhi that it will consider holding a plebiscite. Meanwhile, Islamabad insists that it will continue advocating for Kashmir on the global stage.
‘Foreign elements’ involved in fueling Kurram issue: Gandapur PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
tives and explore pathways for enhanced bilateral cooperation. On the inaugural day of his visit, General Syed Asim Munir was accorded a warm and dignified welcome, including a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the historic Royal Horse Guards Parade Ground, presented by an impeccably turned-out contingent. During his visit, the COAS will engage with key members of the UK’s civil and military leadership to discuss matters of mutual
interest. His engagements will include meetings with Mr Adm Toney Radikon, Chief of Defence Staff UK, General Sir Roland Walker, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, and Mr. Jonathan Nicholas Powell, the UK National Security Advisor. Furthermore, the COAS will hold discussions with Ms. Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary, to address shared challenges and underscore the importance of fostering deeper collaboration.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday revealed that “external forces” were involved in fueling the situation in strifetorn Kurram district of the province. “Foreign elements providing arms and ammunitions to keep the conflict raging”, Chief Minister Gandapur stated. He said external forces intending to set entire Pakistan on fire. “But we didn’t step back. No terrorist will remain alive,” he said. Chief Minister KP said that the government has started work to secure the whole Kurram district including roads. “CCTV cameras, costing two billion rupees, being installed in the district,” he said. Other stringent measures also being taken to step up security”. CM Gandapur said that sectarianism has also been a factor along with land disputes in Kurram region. Recently a convoy of relief goods came under attack in Kurram as unknown attackers opened fire at the convoy of 100 vehicles in Bagan Ochat area of Kurram. The policemen responded swiftly with retaliatory action.
Senate’s panel fumes at sale of Karachi Port land at ‘throwaway price’ ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs on Wednesday expressed strong reservations over the allotment of Karachi Port land worth Rs40 billion for
just Rs5 billion, demanding “an urgent and thorough investigation” into “what it called” mega scandal. The development comes during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, chaired by Senator Faisal Vawda.
During the session, Vawda expressed anger at the alleged “undervaluation of 500 acres of prime Karachi Port land,” arguing that the market value of the property was well over Rs60 billion. He questioned how such a deal was approved without formal clearance from
the relevant authorities. “This is a blatant misuse of public assets. We will ensure transparency in Karachi Port’s land allotments,” he said, adding that the matter would be reviewed with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). During the meeting, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh and Maritime Secretary Zafar Ali Shah claimed “ignorance prior to the deal.”
Seven ‘Punjabi’ bus passengers killed after ‘identity check’ in Barkhan QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
Miscreants killed seven “Punjabi passengers” after offloading them from a bus on National Highway in Balochistan’s Barkhan district late on Tuesday night, the security and administration officials confirmed. The attack took place on the National Highway in Rarkan area of Barkan district, where unidentified armed men stopped a passenger bus and killed seven passengers after checking their identity cards, AC Khadim Hussain revealed. The miscreants “offloaded seven passengers from a bus after checking their identity cards and killed them”, said Barkhan Deputy Commissioner (DC) Waqar Khurshid Alam. DC Alam said, “All seven who were travelling in the coach belonged to Punjab, and were on their way to Faisalabad.” The Barkhan DC also said security forces had cordoned off the area after the incident. The bodies of the seven slain men were later shifted to the district headquarters hospital.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Security sources confirmed that the assailants set up a blockade on the highway in the Rarkan area and forced the passengers out of the bus. The victims, who were travelling from Quetta to Faisalabad, were then shot dead after their identification cards were checked. Local authorities confirmed the killings and said that the armed men were still believed to be in the area. The provincial administration stopped passenger vehicles at several points, including Rakhni Bewatta and Mekhtar, as a precautionary measure. When local law enforcement agencies, including the Levies force, arrived at the scene, they discovered the bodies of the abducted passengers. The bodies were transported to a nearby hospital in Rakni, according to the Levies force. The deceased were residents of various cities in Punjab. According to the bus service office, the bus was travelling from Quetta to Faisalabad
with at least 45 passengers on board. One passenger, Zeeshan Mustafa, a resident of Burewala travelling to Multan, reported that the assailants took his brother away after checking his identity card. “The gunmen numbered between 10 to 12 were armed with Kalashnikovs”, Zeeshan said. The security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to apprehend the perpetrators. Following the incident, two-way vehicular traffic on the National Highway, connecting Punjab to Balochistan, was suspended. Meanwhile Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said security forces, including Frontier Corps and levies personnel, had reached the site of the incident. “The security forces have continued their hunt of the terrorists,” Rind said in a statement. Condemning the brutal killing of seven innocent passengers, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Safaraz Bugti vowed a “concrete response” to terrorism.
Policeman guarding polio team killed in Bajaur attack BAJAUR/PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT
Armed assailants shot dead a police official guarding polio vaccinators on Wednesday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district, the police said. “Two motorcycle riders opened fire … as a result, the police officer died on the spot, but the polio team remained unharmed,” Niaz Muhammad, a police officer in Bajaur district, told AFP. Pakistan’s Bajaur is a bordering district and shares a long 52-kilometre border with neighboring Afghanistan. The start of the polio campaign had been delayed in the district for security reasons, after a rise in militant attacks in the area, said senior police official
Waqas Rafiq. “Despite the attack, the campaign continues in all areas [of the district] except the site of the incident,” he said. Polio has resurged in Pakistan, with two cases reported so far this year, and at least 73 polio infections last year, compared to six in 2023. Polio mostly affects children under five and sometimes causes lifelong paralysis but can easily be prevented by the oral administration of a few drops of vaccine. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries where polio is endemic and militants have for decades targeted vaccination teams and their security escorts. Over the past decade, hundreds of police officers and health workers have been killed in the country by militants.