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Looking forward to further strengthen deep-rooted ties with azerbaijan: pM Monday, 24 February, 2025 I 25 Shaban ul Moazzam, 1446
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PM SHEHBAZ WAS WARMLY RECEIVED BY SENIOR AZERBAIJANI OFFICIALS ON ARRIVAL AT BAKU AIRPORT
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Sunday said he was looking forward to productive discussions with the leadership of Azerbaijan for further strengthening deep rooted bilateral relations. In a post on X, he said, “Landed in the beautiful city of Baku, where the past and future converge in a vibrant embrace. The city looks even more enchanting under a blanket of snow! Looking forward to productive discussions for further strengthening the deep rooted bonds between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. We also seek to enhance our trade and investment ties.” PM arrives in Baku for official visit Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived here on Sunday for a two-day official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
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PM’S VISIT AIMS AT EXPANDING TRADE, INVESTMENT AND ENERGY COOPERATION, DEEPENING DEFENSE COLLABORATION
Upon arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the Prime Minister was warmly received by senior Azerbaijani officials, including First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub Abdulla oğlu Eyyubov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yalchin Rafiyev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Khazar Farkhadov, Pakistan’s ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Mohiuddin and other senior dignitaries. During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold highlevel meetings with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and other senior Azerbaijani officials. PM’s Two-day official visit According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister discussions with the leadership of Azerbaijan will focus on further strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment, enhancing cooperation in the energy sector, synergize efforts to deal with climate change, deepening defense collaboration, and fostering cultural exchanges. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs)
Pakistan shuts Torkham crossing over ' border trenches construction' by Afghanistan PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
Pak-Afghan cross-border movement came to a halt on Sunday after Pakistan shut down the Torkham bordering-crossing following the "construction of trenches" near the border, a Pakistani police official confirmed on Sunday. The Torkham border crossing was closed late on Friday night after Afghan Taliban authorities began "construction of trenches and other development work" along the border, according to Naheed Khan, a senior police official in Pakistan’s Khyber district, which borders Afghanistan.
As a result of the closure, movement of pedestrians and trade between the two countries has been halted, although no skirmishes have been reported between the two sides. “The Torkham crossing has been closed for both pedestrians and heavy vehicles since midnight on February 21. There have been no reports of firing from either side,” Khan said. “Some families from Bacha Mina, a village near the border on the Pakistani side, have moved to safer locations to avoid any potential risks. Additionally, some loaded trucks have returned to Jamrud Bazaar.” The Afghan side has not yet commented on the closure of this vital bor-
der crossing. This development comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, partly due to a rise in militant attacks in Pakistan's western provinces, which border Afghanistan. Pakistan has frequently accused Afghanistan of harboring and supporting militant groups that launch crossborder attacks. Afghan officials, however, deny these claims, stating that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter. In the past, border clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces have led to the closure of key crossings like Torkham and Chaman, disrupting trade and halting the movement of people between the two countries.
FinMin reaffirms commitment to reducing burden on salaried class
LAHORE SALEEM JADOON
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to reduce the burden on the salaried class, promising a plan in the upcoming budget in this regard. “The manufacturing sector and salaried class have borne the brunt of taxation, and now all sectors must contribute their fair share to the economy,” elaborated Finance Minister Aurangzeb while talking to the media after an event here in Lahore. Aurangzeb’s statement comes as Pakistan looks to curb the criticism it has faced since last year over unpopular reforms, including record-high taxes. In 2024, the salaried class
emerged as the third-largest contributor to income tax collection in the outgoing fiscal year, following closely behind banks and petroleum products, and still surpassing the country’s affluent textile exporters. The salaried class contributed Rs367.8 billion to income tax collection in FY24, a 39.42 per cent rise, from Rs263.8bn in FY23. The Finance Minister highlighted positive economic indicators, including a rise in remittance senders to 35 million and an increase in Roshan Digital Account inflows. Aurangzeb emphasised the private sector’s vital role in driving the country’s economic progress, stating that foreign exchange reserves are steadily growing. The finance minister reiterated that sustained economic growth was
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a priority, and the government was committed to ensuring policy continuity to support the private sector. “The real progress will come from the private sector, and we must provide them with a conducive policy framework,” he noted. Mr Aurangzeb also dismissed concerns over overseas Pakistanis’ sentiments, saying that during his recent visits to Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Washington, he observed no discontent among expatriates. “We are grateful for their contributions, and we expect remittances to reach $35 billion this year,” he said. He also pointed out the steady increase in the Roshan Digital Account, a key initiative to attract foreign investments from Pakistanis abroad. He further stated that reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) were in progress, aimed at making the tax system more efficient and acceptable to the public. In light of his recent state visits to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the US, the minister said that there was “no displeasure overseas” in the diaspora regarding Pakistan’s trajectory. Aurangzeb represented Pakistan at the two-day Emerging Markets Conference-2025 in Saudi Arabia, which is attended by finance ministers, central bank governors, policymakers and economic experts from around the world.
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and agreements are expected to be signed, further solidifying the partnership between the two countries. As part of his engagements, the Prime Minister and the Azerbaijani leadership will also address the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Business Forum, scheduled for Monday. The forum will bring together business leaders from both countries to explore avenues for joint ventures and trade and investment opportunities, emphasizing business-to-business (B2B) collaboration. Pakistan and Azerbaijan share a long-standing bond of brotherhood, underpinned by shared values and common aspirations. This visit underscores the commitment of both nations to deepening their bilateral ties, enhancing economic cooperation, and fostering regional collaboration. The Prime Minister is accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Investment & Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi. Earlier, PM Shehbaz visited Baku, Azerbaijan on 1213 November 2024 to participate in the “World Leaders’ Climate Action Summit” of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). The Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and other senior officials. The Prime Minister addressed the World Leaders Climate Action Summit on 13 November 2024 and also attended several High-Level events on the sidelines of the Summit, and held bilateral meetings with world leaders. Several high-level events and roundtable discussions hosted by Pakistan also took place at the Pakistan Pavilion during COP29. At the COP29, Pakistan called for balanced and ambitious progress on all issues such as loss and damage, adaptation, mitigation and means of implementation. It also sought predictable financing to address developing countries' climate goals. Pakistan will also underscore the historical responsibility and the principle of Equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibility and call on developed nations to undertake deeper emission cuts.
IN TODAY’S ISSUE
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7 terrorists eliminated in two di khan operations: ispr
irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Seven terrorists were killed in fire exchange with the security forces in two separate operations carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, the military’s media wing said on Sunday. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the first operation took place in the DI Khan’s Daraban area. Security personnel engaged the terrorists and “four khwarij were sent to hell”, the ISPR said, using the descriptor designating members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). In the second operation, reported in the district’s Maddi area, security forces killed three terrorists. “Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area,” the statement read. The ISPR added, “Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other kharji found in the area as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.” These operations come days after security forces killed six terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in KP’s Karak district, the military’s media affairs wing said on Friday. According to the ISPR, security forces “effectively engaged” after they received information regarding the presence of terrorists in the area. Pakistan has been grappling with an alarming surge in terror activities, targeting security forces and other law enforcement agencies, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 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.
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