WILL NEVER TURN BACK ON PEOPLE OF SOUTH PUNJAB: PM In partnership with
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Sunday, 23 February, 2025 I 24 Shaban ul Moazzam, 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 229 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
g SAYS HIS LEADER NAWAZ g REITERATES SEEKING FOREIGN PM SHEHBAZ ANNOUNCES CONSTRUCTION OF CANCER SHARIF DECIDED TO LOANS IS NO SOLUTION TO HOSPITAL IN DG KHAN, SACRIFICE POLITICS FOR ECONOMIC ISSUES AND UNIVERSITY IN RAJANPUR SAKE OF COUNTRY COUNTRY’S FUTURE
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life I cannot repay that favour,” he added. PM Shehbaz said the federal government was committed to uniform progress and prosperity of all areas with uplift of back-
ward areas like South Punjab by spreading a vast network of development projects. He told the huge crowd that when they came to power, the inflation had
reached over 40 percent, but his leader Nawaz Sharif decided to sacrifice politics for the sake of the country. With hard work and pro-development policies of the incumbent government, the inflation was capped below 2.4 percent while the interest rate had been reduced to 12 percent benefitting the investors, business people and farmers, he added. Expressing his views in local Saraiki dialect, the prime minister said Nawaz Sharif and he had a strong relation with this region. During the year 2010, when the floodwater and destruction was witnessed everywhere in these areas, he as a servant of the area, worked day and night to alleviate sufferings of the masses. “I have come to convey that Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz are working day and night for the uplift of entire province, particularly for the South Punjab,” he added.
ISLAMABAD
March 2024. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and other key members of the cabinet, reflecting Pakistan’s strong commitment to deepening its engagement with Azerbaijan. During the visit, the two sides will engage in wide-ranging discussions on areas of mutual interest in order to further strengthen bilateral cooperation
particularly in energy, trade, defence, education and climate sectors. Several MoUs and agreements in multiple areas of cooperation are expected to be signed between the two sides during the visit. Pakistan and Azerbaijan share a deep-rooted brotherly relationship built on mutual trust, understanding and a longstanding mutually beneficial cooperation.
DG KHAN/LAHORE STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday declared that he will never turn away from the people of South Punjab as he has a heart-to-heart connection with them, announcing the construction of a cancer hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan and a university in Rajanpur. Addressing a massive PML-N rally in Dera Ghani Khan on Saturday, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that an era of progress and prosperity had dawned upon the area, promising job opportunities for the youth. “Nawaz Sharif cancer hospital is being constructed in Lahore and another cancer hospital will be built in DG Khan,” he added. “I remember very well that this was not a favour done to you but I just want to recall what we did, we built Daanish schools, free medicine, laptops and a conditional cash transfer programme for the whole region’s children,” he said. He continued, “Whether that was for the rozgar scheme or girl’s education programme, me and Nawaz Sharif have always kept quota higher for south Punjab compared to the rest of Punjab. “This was your right and to complete it we will also work towards it and you should as well,” he said. “The people of south Punjab, I haven’t given anything to you but given your love for Nawaz Sharif, me and the party I promise by God that even if I work throughout my
PM to pay two-day state visit to Azerbaijan STAFF REPORT
At the invitation of President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay a two-day state visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan from 24-25 February 2025. This marks Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s second visit to Azerbaijan since assuming office in
IHCBA moves SC, challenges new list of judges’ seniority ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Islamabad High Court Bar on Saturday moved the Supreme Court of Pakistan, challenging the new list of judges seniority of the high court. IHC Bar President Riasat Ali Azad filed the petition under Article 184(3). “The President is not enjoying unlimited powers to transfer judges’ under Article 200 clause (i),” according to the petition. Petitioner has also argued that the judges could not be transferred from one high court to other without public interest. Earlier, five judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) have also challenged the seniority list of judges in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. A 49-page petition, filed under Article 184(3), stated that the President’s powers to transfer judges are not absolute and should be conditional upon the Judicial Commission’s approval. The petition, filed through lawyers Munir A. Malik and Barrister Salahuddin, named the federal government, transferred judges, and high courts as respondents. It also seeks a stay order against the transferred judges, including Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar, who recently took oath as the acting chief justice of the IHC. The petitioners, including Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Rafaqat Imtiaz, and Justice Saman Rafat, have raised 13 pleas before the court. They contended that judges cannot be transferred from one high court to another without public interest. This move comes after IHC judges wrote a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi, expressing concerns over the appointment of the chief justice of the IHC. They had requested that the chief justice be appointed from among the three senior judges of the court itself.
Ishaq Dar, UAE Foreign Minister discuss further strengthening bilateral ties ISLAMABAD
Senior PML-N leader advocates lifting of ban on X LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique on Saturday demanded the ban on X (formerly Twitter) should be lifted. In a statement shared on social media, Saad Rafique said that it has been a year since the ban was imposed on X (Twitter), yet everyone continues to access the platform using VPNs. He stated that the ban on X (formerly Twitter) over the past year has proven to be ineffective, and therefore, it should now be lifted. X (formerly Twitter) has been blocked in the country for a year. However, users have continued to access the social media platform through VPNs. According to a report, the number of X users in the country is approximately 4.5 million. In February 2024, approximately ten days after the general elections held on February 8, the Pakistani government imposed a ban on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). This action was taken during the tenure of the caretaker government. The social media platform X was blocked in Pakistan due to national security concerns, not to limit freedom of expression, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar later explained. In March, the interior ministry informed the Sindh High Court (SHC) that the platform had been officially blocked in February following intelligence reports. Access to X has been restricted in various regions across Pakistan since February 17. Tarar clarified that the decision to ban X was made before the February 8 general elections due to “compliance issues.” He dismissed suggestions that the ban was unannounced. Tarar further explained that separatists and terrorists, particularly from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), were using the platform to promote anti-state activities, including broadcasting terrorist acts live. He emphasised that such actions could not be allowed.
‘Pakistan’s biggest liar,’ Khattak takes jibe at erstwhile ‘boss’ PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held a bilateral meeting with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan wherein they engaged in comprehensive discussions to further strengthen the longstanding bilateral fraternal ties. In the meeting held in Abu Dhabi at the invitation of the UAE deputy prime minister and foreign minister, the two sides explored avenues to enhance bilateral cooperation across key sectors, including trade, investment, energy, defense, and people-to-people connections, a Foreign Office press release said Saturday. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest, underscoring the importance of promoting peace, stability, and shared prosperity. Senator Ishaq Dar congratulated the UAE leadership on the successful organization of the World Governments Summit 2025, in Dubai from February 11-13, 2025, and commended the UAE’s visionary initiatives in fostering
STAFF REPORT
global dialogue and cooperation. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its multifaceted partnership with the UAE and highlighted the pivotal role of the Pakistani diaspora in the UAE, describing them as a bridge between the two nations. Senator Dar also expressed gratitude for the UAE’s consistent support for Pakistan’s economic development and progress. In response, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan reiterated the UAE’s steadfast commitment to strengthening its strategic relationship with Pakistan. He acknowledged Pakistan’s
significant contributions to regional stability and expressed appreciation for the positive role played by the Pakistani community in the UAE’s development. The two leaders agreed to maintain a regular high-level engagements and consultations to further solidify bilateral ties and coordinate on regional and international issues of mutual concern. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both dignitaries expressing optimism about the future of Pakistan-UAE relations and their shared vision for a prosperous, peaceful, and stable region.
Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Pervez Khattak on Saturday fired broadside against his erstwhile leader Imran Khan, labelling him as “biggest liar of Pakistan.” “Imran Khan made false promises merely to secure votes”, alleged the former PTI leader who also served as defence minister in Imran Khan’s cabinet. Speaking at a large public gathering in his hometown of Manki Sharif, Khattak claimed that the people of the province were now regretting their choices in the last elections. “Politics is not a joke where anyone can claim to serve the people as per their wishes,” Khattak told the crowd. “I am glad that those who voted for the wrong and incompetent candidates are now realising their mistake.” Reflecting on his tenure, Khattak highlighted his achievements, including the provision of electricity and clean drinking water to villages, the installation of tube wells for agricultural land, road and street construction, as well as the upgrading of hospitals and schools. He stressed that he had always prioritised public welfare and worked tirelessly for political progress. Turning his criticism towards ex pm, Khattak accused the former premier of deceiving the public with false promises. “Imran Khan is Pakistan’s biggest liar. He misled people to win votes,” he said. “The elected members from the last elections will soon be forced to flee due to public pressure.” Khattak assured the audience that he remained committed to serving the people and would continue fighting for their rights.
Conveyed serious concerns to CJP about state of judiciary: Barrister Gohar ISLAMABAD/ SARGODHA STAFF REPORT
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said on Saturday that Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi had advised the party to remain part of the political system and not to boycott it. Speaking to reporters at district courts in Islamabad, he said that the PTI had a long charge sheet against the government. “We are not pleased with the country’s judiciary. And we conveyed our concerns to the CJP in our meeting with him yesterday,” he said, adding, “Treating the party in such a manner is not a good omen for democracy in the country.” Barrister Gohar said that no matter to whom former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan’s letters were addressed, he, in his correspondence, had raised some serious issues so that there could be no further divide between the Pakistan Army and the masses. “PTI’s house is in order, and there is no truth in reports of the formation of a forward
bloc,” the PTI chairman said categorically, adding, “Sher Afzal Marwat’s expulsion from the PTI was the party’s internal matter. Whosoever violates the discipline, has to face action.” Barrister Gohar again said that Imran Khan would decide about the future of those PTI leaders who had left the party in the wake of the May 9 violence. “Even Akbar S. Babar calls himself a PTI leader. This is the state of mind of an individual. But the party’s stance on the issue is clear.” He said that the PTI had entered into a dialogue with the government with sincerity. “We wanted a solution to the stalemate between the party and the government could be found out. But the latter was not serious in talks,” he added. The PTI chairman said today the party’s delegation had gone to Karachi to hold meetings with other opposition parties so that a grand alliance could be formed against the government. “Our movement is for the supremacy of the constitution. We want to make sure that no party is stolen of the peo-
ple’s mandate in the future.” PTI apprises CJP Afridi of ills plaguing country: Omar Ayub Meanwhile, PTI leader Omar Ayub said on Saturday the objective of meeting Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi was to apprise him of the country’s current situation. Speaking to media outside the anti-terrorism court in Sargodha, he claimed that the party had informed the CJP about the issues plaguing the country. “We hope there will be supremacy of constitution and law and order in the country,” he said. He said the PTI leaders were embroiled in fake cases and there was no relief in sight. Ayub, who is also opposition leader in National Assembly, said the PTI would formally hand over its suggestions on an effective judicial system to the chief justice of Pakistan. He said the party had a competent legal team. He said the masses would continue to face frustration in the absence of a robust legal and judicial system. He said the PTI leaders recently tried to
meet Imran Khan in jail but the government twice denied the opportunity. In a rare occasion, a delegation of five opposition members met Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, where PTI leaders voiced their grievances regarding legal and political
challenges the party had been facing. Sources said the meeting took place at the chief justice’s residence and lasted an hour. The PTI leaders shared their grievances, including cases the party leaders had been facing.