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Pakistan’s trade TIME FOR UNITY NOT POLITICS TO RID deficit grows by 18% COUNTRY OF MENACE OF TERRORISM: PM in January 2025
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Tuesday, 4 February, 2025 I 5 Shaban ul Moazzam, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 210 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
PM SHEHBAZ SAYS TERRORISTS' WANTS ASSURES UNDER LEADERSHIP OF COAS, TO HINDER PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY ARMED FORCES WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK OF BALOCHISTAN AND ITS PEOPLE FOR PEACE, ESPECIALLY IN BALOCHISTAN, KP g PM INQUIRES AFTER HEALTH OF INJURED SOLDIERS AT CMH AND LAUDS THEIR HIGH MORALE g
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law enforcement agencies very high and they were fully committed to protect the country from enemies.
He paid tribute to the martyrs and the families of the martyrs’ soldiers, offering complete solidarity with them.
The Prime Minister said the whole nation paid salute to the armed force, rendering their blood for the protection of the country. PM Shehbaz Sharif said, “In the fight against terrorism, our brave soldiers are offering their blood, these are the great sacrifices that will lead Pakistan to prosperity and success.” The Prime Minister during his visit to the CMH to inquire about the injured soldiers witnessed that the morale of injured security personnel was very high and they expressed gratitude for the excellent medical facilities. The prime minister noted that the injured soldiers said they had no regret even if parts of their bodies were damaged, as they sacrificed for the greater cause of the nation. They also said that they would be ready to offer their lives if necessary, he added.
ISLAMABAD
standing friendship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and the efforts of SFD for providing financing to Pakistan in the fields of health, energy, infrastructure and education as well the for the reconstruction after the 2022 floods, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Economic Affairs Division
Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar, Minister for Petroleum Dr. Musaddiq Malik and SAPM Tariq Fatemi along with senior officials of the Government of Pakistan attended the meeting. Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki was part of the four member Saudi delegation.
QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday emphasized the need for national cohesion to confront terrorism and make the country prosperous and stable, saying there is no room for political division or politics on national issues. He expressed that while addressing a meeting held on the law and order situation in Balochistan during his special visit to Quetta. The Prime Minister stressed that the country was facing challenging times in its history, urging the politicians to show unity for the national cause. PM Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his grief over the tragic incident in Kalat, where 18 young soldiers embraced martyrdom and 23 terrorists were killed. He acknowledged that a new wave of terrorism had emerged in the country and the brave soldiers of the security forces were offering their blood to eliminate it. The Prime Minister further assured that under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief Minister of Balochistan, the officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Armed Forces would continue to work to make the country, especially Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa peaceful, which was essential for the country’s development and prosperity. PM Shehbaz remarked that he found the morale of the Jawans and officers of
PM, SFD delegation reaffirm commitment to further Pak-KSA partnership STAFF REPORT
A delegation of Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), led by Sultan Bin Abdul Rehman Al Marshad, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on Monday. The prime minister welcomed the delegation and appreciated the long-
CJP Afridi backs judge transfers to IHC under constitutional framework ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Monday lauded the transfer of judges from other provinces to the Islamabad High Court (IHC), describing it as a constitutional move fostering national unity. Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the Press Association of Supreme Court, CJP Afridi emphasized that Islamabad represents the federation and belongs to all provinces. “The recent transfer of judges to the IHC is in line with Article 200 of the Constitution and is a positive step,” said the chief justice. He further stated that more judges from different provinces should be appointed to IHC to reflect the federation’s diversity and strengthen judicial operations in the federal capital. Highlighting the distinction between judicial transfers and fresh appointments, CJP Afridi clarified, “These judges were already serving in their respective high courts before being transferred.” Addressing the backlog of cases in the Supreme Court, the chief justice noted that he personally handles 30 to 40 cases daily. “We need more judges in the apex court to reduce the mounting workload,” he remarked. Despite the CJP’s endorsement, the transfer decision faced stiff opposition from the legal fraternity in Islamabad. On Monday, lawyers from the Islamabad Bar Council, Islamabad High Court Bar Association, and District Bar Association staged a court boycott in protest against the move. Islamabad Bar Council President Aleem Abbasi criticized the transfers, claiming that the law ministry’s decision undermined the local judiciary. “The legal community firmly rejects bringing judges from other high courts to IHC,” he said. Echoing these concerns, Islamabad High Court Bar Association President Riasat Ali Azad questioned why a judge from the Lahore High Court was being transferred to Islamabad, calling it “unjustified interference.” Despite lawyer protests, CJP Afridi remained steadfast in his position, advocating for cross-provincial judicial representation to strengthen judicial cooperation across the country.
Imran pens letter to COAS urging ‘re-evaluation of policy’ fostering public resentment: Barrister Gohar ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said on Monday that party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan has written a letter to COAS Gen Asim Munir regarding the “need to re-evaluate policy,” emphasizing that existing strategies are fostering resentment among the public, widening the gap between civilians and the military. “In letter, text of which will be made public, PTI founder urges the army chief to reconsider certain policies,” PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said while talking to the media outside Adiala Jail on Monday. Barrister Gohar said that Imran, in his letter, has reminded the army chief that as the former prime minister and the founder of the country’s biggest political party PTI, he wanted to point out “certain things because of which the dis-
tance between the people and the establishment was widening”. Continuing quoting Imran, Gohar said: “This [mistrust] should not take place at all, but there are certain reasons because of which this gulf is widening. “Owing to those reasons, the army is being blamed, so the policy reasons must be reevaluated.”
According to Gohar, the letter also touched upon some of the reasons which have created the perceived gap between the establishment and the public, including the 2024 elections, the passage of the 26th amendment and the recent Peca Act, and how social media was being targeted to suppress dissent.
PROFIT
NEWS DESK
Pakistan’s trade deficit widened by 18 percent yearon-year (YoY) in January 2025, reaching $2.3 billion, up from $1.96 billion in the same month of the previous year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Monday. Exports for January 2025 saw a modest increase of 4.6 percent, totaling $2.92 billion, compared to $2.792 billion in January 2024. In contrast, imports grew by 10 percent, rising to $5.233 billion from $4.756 billion in the same month of the previous fiscal year. On a month-to-month basis, the trade deficit showed a slight improvement, decreasing by 5.5 percent compared to December 2024, when it stood at $2.447 billion. Exports in January 2025 were slightly higher than the $2.911 billion recorded in December 2024. Imports, however, saw a decline of 2.3 percent, dropping from $5.358 billion in December to $5.233 billion in January. For the first seven months of the current fiscal year (7MFY25), the trade deficit remained relatively stable at $13.49 billion, reflecting an increase of just under 3 percent from the $13.116 billion recorded during the same period of the previous fiscal year. Pakistan’s exports during the 7-month period rose by 10 percent, reaching $19.551 billion, compared to $17.77 billion in the same months of FY24. However, imports also saw an uptick, increasing by 6.9 percent to $33.03 billion, compared to $30.0 billion during the same period of FY24. The data underscores ongoing challenges in balancing the country’s trade while highlighting growth in exports, even as the import bill continues to rise.
Constable martyred in Jamrud as nationwide anti-polio drive begins JAMRUD
A police officer travelling to guard polio vaccinators was martyred in Khyber District on Monday, on the first day of a nationwide immunisation effort after a year of rising cases. Police said that the remaining anti-polio team personnel were safe in the shooting incident. The police officer was guarding the polio vaccinators in the area of Jamrud in Khyber district when he was shot dead, local police official Zarmat Khan informed the media. “Two motorcycle riders opened fire on him,” he said, adding “The constable died instantly at the scene.” Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan are the only countries where polio is endemic and militants have for decades targeted vaccination teams and their security escorts. Pakistan reported at least 73 polio infections in 2024, a significant increase compared to just six cases in 2023. The vaccination campaign which started on Monday is the first of the year and is due to last a week. “Despite the incident, the polio vaccination drive in the area remains ongoing,” Zarmat Khan said. Abdul Hameed Afridi, another senior police official in the area, also confirmed details of the attack and said officers have “launched an investigation”. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the incident. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack on the polio team in Jamrud in which a police constable was martyred. He paid tribute to Constable Abdul Khaliq, saying he salutes the constable for sacrificing his live to protect the future of our children. Polio can easily be prevented by the oral administration of a few drops of vaccine, but scores of vaccination workers and their escorts have been killed over the years. In the past, clerics falsely claimed that the vaccine contained pork or alcohol, declaring it forbidden for Muslims. In more recent years the attacks have focused on vulnerable police escorts accompanying the vaccinators as they go door-to-door.
Kh Asif dismisses possibility of any US pressure for Imran Khan’s release ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday ruled out the possibility of any pressure from the United States for the release of former prime minister Imran
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Khan, stating that the relationship between Pakistan and the US is broader than any individual, party, or incident. Speaking to a private news channel on Monday, Asif stressed that PakistanUS relations are not confined to specific events or personalities.
STAFF REPORT
His remarks come amid speculation that the new US administration, led by President Donald Trump, could influence Pakistan to release Khan following statements of support for the former premier from some US Congress members on social media platform X.
While some lawmakers, including Trump’s aide Richard Grenell, had posted in favour of Khan’s release, Asif pointed out that some of these lawmakers later deleted their tweets. He further clarified that Pakistan maintains a “proper engagement” with the US government, which remains a crucial partner in areas such as security and counterterrorism. His comments follow the recent visit of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to the US, where he met with key members of Trump’s foreign policy team and other lawmakers.
Pakistan secures $1.2b Saudi oil facility on deferred payment terms g
AGREEMENT WILL BOOST ECONOMIC RESILIENCE, PROVIDE ESSENTIAL OIL SUPPLIES FOR ONE YEAR PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
Pakistan has signed a significant agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), enabling the country to import Saudi oil on deferred payment for one year, amounting to $1.2 billion. This deal was formalized in a ceremony on Monday, with the participation of a delegation led by SFD CEO Sultan Bin Abdul Rehman Al Marshad, who met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif witnessed the signing of two important agreements: the Oil Import Financing Facility and a loan agreement for the Gravity Flow Water Supply Scheme in Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as per a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The $1.2 billion deal will enable Pakistan to import vital petroleum products
while easing immediate fiscal pressures, thereby supporting the country’s economic resilience. In addition, the Saudi Fund will contribute $41 million for the Gravity Flow Water Supply Scheme in Mansehra, which will provide access to clean drinking water for around 150,000 local residents, improving public health and quality of life. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his gratitude to the SFD for its continued support across sectors like health, energy, infrastructure, and education. He also commended the Fund’s contributions to rebuilding flood-affected areas of Pakistan in 2022. On the occasion, SFD CEO Sultan Bin Abdul Rehman Al Marshad briefed PM Sharif on ongoing projects funded by Saudi grants, including the Mohmand Multi-purpose Hydropower Project and the Malakand Regional Development Project. Both lead-
ers also emphasized the need to fast-track the processing of new green energy and infrastructure projects to further Pakistan’s economic recovery and address local community needs. In a separate meeting with Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Al Marshad discussed various aspects of the bilateral economic relationship. Aurangzeb highlighted Pakistan’s improving macroeconomic indicators and the importance of continued Saudi investment and support for the country’s growth. The two leaders also spoke about the upcoming IMF-Saudi Arabia conference on emerging market economies, which will be held in Saudi Arabia on February 16-17, 2025. The conference is expected to offer valuable insights for strengthening Pakistan’s economic ties with the Kingdom. Al Marshad also acknowledged the contributions of Pakistani workers in Saudi
Arabia, noting that Pakistan’s skilled workforce could help meet the growing demands of the Saudi labor market. He proposed col-
laboration on training programs to equip young Pakistanis with skills relevant to Saudi Arabia’s evolving job market.