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Wednesday, 26 March, 2025 I 25 Ramazan, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 260 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
BHC allows MaHrang to Meet faMily as BnP-M Plans long MarCH aMid sHutdown in BaloCHistan
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COURT ALSO SEEKS DETAILS OF CASES AGAINST BYC ORGANIZER IN A WEEK, ISSUES NOTICES TO RESPONDENTS
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‘I ANNOUNCE A LONG MARCH FROM WADH TO QUETTA, AGAINST ARREST OF OUR DAUGHTERS AND DESECRATION OF OUR MOTHERS AND SISTERS’: MENGAL
It is worthwhile to mention here that it is the right of every prisoner to meet with his/her counsel or relatives. Therefore, the application is accepted and the detenue’s counsel and her relatives are allowed to meet her,” it added. BNP-M long march on March 28 Separately, in a post on X, BNP-M
president Sardar Akhtar Mengal announced leading a long march on March 28 against the arrest of BYC leaders. Mengal said, “I announce a long march from Wadh to Quetta, against the arrest of our daughters and the desecration of our mothers and sisters.” “I will lead this march myself, and
invite all Baloch brothers and sisters, young and old, to join us in this march,” he added. He also wrote: “This is not just a matter of the arrest of our daughters, it is a question of our national dignity, our honour, and our very existence. We will not remain silent until our mothers, sisters, and daughters are safe.” Shutter-down strike in Gwadar, other coastal towns Meanwhile, all businesses, banks, shops and petrol pumps in Gwadar remained shut in protest against the arrests and cases registered against all BYC women leaders, including Dr Mahrang, Bebo Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch. The protest came a day after the Karachi police detained Sammi and several others during a protest against the recent arrests of BYC leadership and a crackdown on its Quetta sit-in. A similar situation was witnessed in Ormara, Pasni and other coastal town of the province, where a complete shutterdown strike by the traders’ association was under way.
KARACHI
(disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant) for violating Section 144. On Monday, the Karachi police detained Sammi and several other BYC leaders for violating Section 144 and broke up the BYC’s protest against the recent arrests of its leadership and a crackdown on its Quetta sit-in. The BYC had announced a protest at Karachi Press Club (KPC) against the “illegal detention” of its key leaders, in-
cluding Dr Mahrang Baloch who was arrested on Saturday along with 16 other activists from their protest camp in Quetta, a day after claiming that three protesters had died due to police action. According to the Sindh Home Department’s order, the Sindh inspector general of police (IGP) had recommended a 30-day detention period for BYC’s Sammi Deen Baloch, Razzak Ali, Abdul Wahab Baloch, Shehdad and Sultan.
QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
HE Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Tuesday allowed imprisoned rights activist Dr Mahrang Baloch to meet with her relatives while BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal announced a long march on March 28 against the arrest of BYC leaders amid shutter-down strike in various towns of the province against the police crackdown and arrests of its leaders. A two-member BHC bench, comprising Justices – Rozi Khan Barrech and Shaukat Ali Rakhshani – heard a petition filed by Mahrang’s sister Nadia Baloch against the imprisonment. The petition filed Advocate Imran Baloch mentioning various state officials and authorities as respondents. The petitioner requested the court to issue a directive to the government functionaries to provide details of the cases against Mahrang. Accepting the petition for hearing, the bench issued notices to the parties and allowed one week for provision of details of the cases following the request by the Balochistan advocate general and prosecutor general. The court later issued a short order, stating that the petitioner’s counsel had contended that Mahrang was arrested under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance “without any reasoning,” which was a violation of constitutional articles 15, 16 and 19. “Point needs consideration,” the order said. “After admission of the petition, petitioner’s counsel filed an application with a request therein that the relatives of the detenue and her counsel may be allowed to meet her at District Jail Hudda Quetta.
Sindh detains BYC’s Sammi, 4 others for a month under MPO STAFF REPORT
The Sindh government on Tuesday detained Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Sammi Deen Baloch along with four others for 30 days under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) following their arrest a day earlier. The Karachi’s Artillery Maidan police booked Sammi and five other detained activists under Section 188
Pakistan demands un action on Kashmir at high-level un debate NEW YORK
STAFF REPORT
PM holds high-level talks on Bitcoin mining and asset tokenization PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
Pakistan has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take concrete steps toward implementing its long-standing resolutions on Kashmir, which promise the region’s people the right to selfdetermination through a UN-supervised plebiscite. Speaking at a high-level UNSC debate on “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Advancing Adaptability in UN Peace Operations – Responding to New Realities,” Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi, emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to UN peacekeeping and the need for a just resolution to the Kashmir dispute. Fatemi reminded the UNSC that the conflict in Kashmir remains unresolved despite multiple UN resolutions. He stated that it is the responsibility of the Security Council to ensure the realization of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and promote a just and lasting settlement. He also highlighted that Pakistan continues to host the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), which was established in 1949 to monitor the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed region. During his address, Fatemi reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding role in UN peacekeeping operations. He noted that Pakistan has been one of the leading contributors to UN missions, with over 235,000 Pakistani peacekeepers deployed across 48 missions worldwide. He added that 181 Pakistani peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives in the service of international peace and security. More than 3,267 Pakistani men and women are currently serving in blue helmets across seven UN missions. Discussing the evolving challenges facing UN peacekeeping, Fatemi urged the Security Council to ensure that all peace operations receive unified and consistent support.
A high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan convened in Islamabad deliberated on strategic investments in Bitcoin mining and the tokenization of real-world assets. This groundbreaking meeting signals Pakistan’s openness to embrace the digital economy and commitment to becoming a global hub for blockchain technology. The assembly featured prominent participants including Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister; Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Finance; Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister for IT; Jamil Ahmad, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO Pakistan’s Crypto Council; Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema; Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervez Malik; Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari; Minister for Climate Change, Dr. Musadik Malik and Chairman FBR, Rashid Mehmood. Marco Streng, Founder & CEO, and Dr. Marco Krohn, CoFounder & CEO of Genesis Group, one of the world’s largest Bitcoin mining firm responsible
for mining over $1 billion worth of Bitcoin, and Vincent Kadar, CEO of Polymath Canada, a global leader in secure and compliant asset tokenization, that has tokenized commodities, real-estate and securities worth billions since 2017, also attended the meeting. Representatives from these companies outlined actionable strategies for Pakistan to establish a robust $3.5 billion Bitcoin mining infrastructure and initiate comprehensive asset tokenization projects. Discussions emphasized the immense potential of blockchain technology to enhance economic resilience, attract foreign direct investment, and modernize Pakistan’s financial infrastructure through sustainable and transparent practices. The Prime Minister of Pak-
istan instructed the Pakistan Crypto Council to immediately engage with the companies to come up with an actionable plan to immediately deploy mining and tokenize assets in different verticals. Furthermore, the Prime Minister instructed the Council to immediately take steps towards formalising the legislation towards crypto regulations. Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council highlighted the significance: “Pakistan is open for business. We invite global companies to come and invest in Bitcoin mining, data centers, and the tokenization of real-world assets. This is a call to innovators, investors, and infrastructure builders — Pakistan is ready to lead in the digital economy and become a regional hub for Web3 transformation
KP directed to provide afghan students data as deportation deadline nears ISLAMABAD
MONITORING REPORT
The Federal Interior Ministry has instructed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government to provide complete records of Afghan students enrolled in educational institutions across the province, as part of an updated national database of foreign nationals. In an official communication sent to the KP home secretary, the ministry’s security cell has set March 27 as the deadline for submitting these details. This directive comes as Pakistan moves into the final phase of its nationwide repatriation drive, targeting undocumented foreign residents, including holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC). The government has reiterated its March 31 deadline for all undocumented Afghan refugees to leave Pakistan voluntarily. Officials report that over 876,000 Afghans have already returned to their home country, with thousands more expected to leave in the coming days. Authorities have assured that the deportation process will be carried out humanely, with arrangements for food and medical assistance at border points. However, officials have warned that strict legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the government’s orders. Meanwhile, the KP government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the federal directive while ensuring that refugees are not subjected to forced deportation. Instead, provincial authorities plan to facilitate voluntary repatriation by providing essential support and logistical assistance. In addition to undocumented Afghan nationals, the government has also set a March 31, 2025, deadline for Afghan refugees holding proof-of-registration (PoR) cards to exit Pakistan. The Interior Ministry maintains that the crackdown is essential for regulating Pakistan’s foreign population and addressing security concerns.
Bugti orders stern action against officials engaged in ‘anti-state activities’ QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti ordered divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners to identify and act against the state officials engaged in activities that go against the state’s interests. “Initiate strict action against government employees and officers found involved in anti-state activities”, the Balochistan CM directed while chairing a high-level meeting the other day. “No government employee would be allowed to undermine state policies and violators would be dealt with accordingly”, he added. During the meeting, officials provided a detailed briefing on the law and order situation and service delivery across the province. The chief minister reiterated that maintaining security and upholding the state’s authority were top priorities. He emphasised that no road would be allowed to be blocked, and every district officer was responsible for ensuring law enforcement in his jurisdiction. Addressing corruption within law enforcement agencies, he stated that extortion at security checkpoints would not be tolerated. Any officer found involved in such activities would be removed from their post immediately. He also stressed that individual opinions must not take precedence over state policies, urging officers to either comply with government directives or step down voluntarily. The chief minister issued directives to ensure the national anthem is sung and the Pakistani flag is hoisted in all educational institutions. He warned that heads of institutions who fail to enforce this practice should resign. He further highlighted the need to engage Baloch youth in positive activities, stating that misleading them into unnecessary conflicts serves no purpose. With the youth policy already approved, local officers have been instructed to promote educational and employment opportunities to strengthen their connection with the state. “The government stays firm in its stance against elements challenging the state authority,” he said, emphasising that adherence to official policies is a fundamental duty of all public servants.
Condolences pouring in as mother of COAS Asim Munir passes away RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
The mother of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, passed away on Tuesday, prompting a wave of condolences from political and religious figures across the country. In a message, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief over the loss, saying, “We share the grief of General Syed Asim Munir over his mother’s passing. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved family during this difficult time.” He also prayed for the departed soul and for strength for the family to bear the loss. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement from the PM Office, extended his “heartfelt condolences” and expressed solidarity with General Munir and his family. “May Allah Almighty bless the departed soul with eternal peace,” he added.
Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq described the loss as “irreplaceable,” calling parents a priceless gift. “Losing them is a great sorrow,” he said, affirming his support for the army chief during this difficult time. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also extended his sympathies and offered prayers for the elevation of the deceased’s rank in the hereafter. Engineer Amir Muqam, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), referred to the loss as “irreparable.” He prayed for the late mother’s place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and for patience for the grieving family. In his condolences, Jamiat Ulema-eIslam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman emphasized the significance of a mother’s passing and prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased.
Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, expressing his heartfelt condolences, offered prayers for peace and patience for the grieving family. Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui called on his party members to hold special prayers for the forgiveness of General Munir’s mother. Other notable figures, including Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, and several federal ministers, also extended their heartfelt sympathies. Religious leader Allama Kokab Noorani Okarvi joined in prayers for the deceased. Various leaders, both political and religious, continue to offer their prayers for patience, divine mercy, and the elevation of the departed soul’s rank in the hereafter. Meanwhile, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Rawalpindi on
Tuesday evening to offer his condolences to Army Chief Gen Asim Munir over the death of his mother.
The PML-N chief will visit Gen Asim Munir’s residence to offer his condolences. Later, he will visit his residence in Murree.