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Saturday, 29 March, 2025 I 28 Ramazan, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 263 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Civil-militaRy leadeRship vows to ReinfoRCe national stanCe aGainst teRRoRism
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PM SHEHBAZ-LED MEETING AGREES g DIGITAL MEDIA TO BE USED TO TACKLE TO USE NAP TO STRENGTHEN MISINFORMATION, DEEPFAKE CONTENT AND INCLUDE NATIONAL NARRATIVE AWARENESS ON TERRORISM IN NATIONAL CURRICULUM
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TO ENGAGE YOUTH, FILMS AND DRAMAS WILL INCORPORATE NATIONAL THEMES TO EFFECTIVELY COUNTER EXTREMIST PROPAGANDA
creased terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially those targeting the security agencies and other law enforcement agencies. The notable increase in violence in
the country lately has ranked it as the second-most terrorism-affected country in 2024, as per a Global Terrorism Index 2025 report. Pakistan — placed at the second spot
from its previously fourth position — witnessed an alarming 45% increase in terrorismrelated deaths with the total rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024 — one of the steepest surges globally. Earlier this month, dozens of militants, affiliated with the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), attacked and hijacked Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express with 440 passengers onboard taken as hostages. The security forces, after a complex clearance operation, neutralised 33 attackers and rescued the hostages. Apart from five operational casualties, as many as 26 passengers were martyred by the terrorists, of which 18 were security personnel belonging to the Pakistan Army and the Frontier Corps (FC), three were officials from Pakistan Railways and other departments, and five were civilians.
ISLAMABAD
cial support to terrorists do not want Pakistan to benefit from its mineral resources,” he said while addressing the ceremony of “Rab-e-Zuljalal ka Ehsaan – Pakistan” in Islamabad. Federal ministers, parliamentarians, ambassadors from Islamic countries, religious scholars and youth participated in the convention. Pakistan has witnessed a sharp surge in terror attacks in January 2025, surging by 42% compared to the previous month, according to data released by the
Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a think tank. KP and Balochistan remained the worst-affected provinces. In KP’s settled districts, militants carried out 27 attacks, resulting in 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants. Addressing the ceremony, the prime minister said that the security forces of Pakistan were sacrificing their lives in the war against terrorism to secure the country’s future.
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
high-level huddle chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday decided to counter extremist narratives comprehensively and develop an active and effective counter-narrative against terrorism and extremism. The meeting, held here at the Prime Minister’s House on Friday, was attended by civil and military leadership, along with representatives from all four provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Officials resolved to expose the perpetrators of the Jaffar Express attack and aggressively counter anti-state campaigns on traditional and digital media. It was agreed that the National Action Plan (NAP) would be used to strengthen the national narrative, with authorities directed to develop an active and effective counter-narrative against terrorism and extremism. The huddle also decided to prevent any content threatening national security and harmony while ensuring better coordination among provinces. To engage the youth, films and dramas will incorporate national themes to effectively counter extremist propaganda. Furthermore, digital media will be used to disseminate pro-state content and tackle misinformation, including deepfake content, with verified information. The government will also integrate terrorism awareness into the national curriculum to educate future generations about its dangers. The government’s move comes against the backdrop of in-
PM emphasizes unity to thwart evil designs of terrorists, their masters STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that one of the key objectives of the terrorists is to prevent Pakistan from benefiting from its vast natural resources, emphasizing unity to overcome the threat of terrorism. “Pakistan was blessed with trillions of dollars worth of natural resources… foreign elements who are giving finan-
Journalist Waheed Murad granted bail in PECA case ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Govt cuts petrol price by Re1 g
PETROL NOW COSTS RS254.63 PER LITRE, WHILE HIGH-SPEED DIESEL STAYS AT RS258.64 PER LITRE, EFFECTIVE FROM MARCH 29 PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
The government has announced a reduction in petrol prices by Re1 per litre, effective from March 29. However, the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) remains unchanged, according to a notification from the Finance Division. Following this revision, petrol will be priced at Rs254.63 per litre, while HSD will continue to cost Rs258.64 per litre. These prices will remain in effect until April 15. The Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) calculated the updated consumer prices based on fluctuations in international market rates, the notification explained. Earlier, on March 15, the federal government decided to maintain the prices of all petroleum products at their current levels for the next fortnight.
A local in Islamabad on Friday granted post-arrest bail to journalist Waheed Murad against the surety bonds of Rs20,000 following his two-day physical remand in a case registered under cybercrime laws for allegedly posting “intimidating content” online. Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah heard the case while FIA officials produced the journalist in the court upon completion of twoday physical remand. Judge Abbas Shah approved Murad’s bail against surety bonds of Rs50,000, after the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) failed to present substantial evidence in the case. During the proceedings, Judge Abbas Shah questioned the FIA officials on what material had been recovered from journalist Waheed Murad. The journalist’s legal counsels – Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, argued that their client had merely quoted statements made by Baloch leader Akhtar Mengal, which were already in the public domain. The FIA contended that the post referred to alleged Baloch genocide and was therefore under investigation. The court then granted Murad’s post-arrest bail in the sum of Rs50,000 surety. However, the bail bonds were
lowered to Rs20,000 on the request of Murad’s lawyers, and he was released after the surety bonds were submitted to the court. Meanwhile, the court disposed of the application after the withdrawal of the application challenging the remand in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majuka. The Islamabad-based journalist was arrested on March 26 at 2am after being allegedly abducted
from his residence and later handed over to the FIA. During a previous court appearance, Waheed Murad told the judge that police forcibly entered his home, took him away, and assaulted his mother-in-law. His lawyers – Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, revealed that Waheed Murad had already filed a petition for protection from illegal detention before his arrest.
Karachi court turns down journalist Mallick’s post-arrest bail KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
A Karachi Judicial Magistrate on Friday dismissed the post-arrest bail application of journalist Farhan Mallick in a case pertaining to running allegedly “anti-state” content on his YouTube channel. During the previous proceeding, Judicial Magistrate Yusra Ashfaq had reserved a verdict on the post-arrest bail application of the journalist. The magistrate also summoned an additional director of the FIA for failing to comply with the court order regarding Mallick’s jail custody. During Friday’s hearing conducted inside Courtroom 14 at City Court District East, the journalist’s legal team was expecting
the bail plea to be accepted. However, after a wait for over a threehour, Magistrate Yusra dismissed the plea, with the detailed order to be issued tomorrow (Saturday). Mallick, the founder of media agency Raftar and a former news director at Samaa TV, was arrested on March 20 in Karachi and booked under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) as well as the Pakistan Penal Code. The next day, he was handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) custody for four days. Talking In a media talk the court proceedings, Mallick’s counsel Abdul Moiz Jaferii said they were expecting a “positive outcome” on the journalist’s bail plea as their grounds and arguments presented during Thursday’s hearing were strong.
naqvi fine-tunes strategy on repatriation of aCC holders as deadline draws nearer ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday stated that continuous coordination is being maintained between the federal and provincial governments regarding the repatriation process Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, directing the authorities to ensure respectful treatment of foreign nationals. “The federal government will provide full support to the provinces for repatriation process of ACC holders and a committee has also been formed based on the recommendations of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister”, the Federal Interior Minister stated while chairing a high-level meeting to review the repatriation process of Afghan Citizen Card holders. Since November 2023, the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program (IFRP) has been in effect, and now in its second phase, the Afghan Citizen Card holders have been given a deadline of March 31 to voluntarily leave Pakistan. During the meeting, it was decided that Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry will visit the provinces to resolve any issues arising during the repatriation process. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Interior Talal Ch, the Federal Interior Secretary, the Secretary for Kashmir Affairs & SAFRON, Chief Secretaries and Inspectors General (IGs) of all provinces, the Director General of FIA, the IG of Islamabad Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, the Coordinator of the National Action Plan, and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Law, and security agencies. During the briefing, it was informed that all arrangements for the repatriation of Afghan Citizen Card holders have been completed. “A door-to-door awareness campaign is underway, and the mapping of Afghan Citizen Card holders has been finalized. Furthermore, holding centers, food provisions, and healthcare facilities have also been arranged for those returning,” it was briefed.
state minister, pti indulge in ‘war of words,’ blaming each other for surge in terrorism ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Friday indulged in a “war of words” blaming each other for the prevailing surge in terrorism and policy failures. In a video message, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry launched a scathing attack on the PTI, saying that it facilitated militants during its tenure. He said that PTI's founder "rolled out the red carpet" for terrorists, allowing them to settle in Pakistan. "Instead of condemning terrorism, PTI seems to be encouraging it," he said, adding that no PTI leader has ever been targeted by terrorist groups. On other hand, speaking to a private TV, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan categorically rejected Chaudhry’s remarks about the return of the Taliban, calling them factually incorrect. "Pakistan is currently facing a serious security crisis… this is not the time for baseless accusations," he said, urging the government to focus on counterterrorism efforts rather than political pointscoring. He further said official records show that decisions regarding the settlement of militants were made after July 2022, refuting claims that PTI facilitated their return during its tenure. He also condemned Chaudhry’s statement that terrorists had not targeted PTI, calling it irresponsible.
Catastrophic quake strikes Myanmar and Thailand, killing 150 and trapping dozens NAYPYIDW
AGENCIES
A powerful earthquake killed at least 150 people across Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, toppling buildings and bridges and trapping over 80 workers in an under-construction skyscraper in Bangkok. The shallow 7.7-magnitude tremor hit northwest of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar, and was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock. The quake’s devastation prompted a rare request for international aid from Myanmar’s isolated military junta, which has lost swathes of territory to armed groups. A state of emergency was declared across the six worst-affected regions. At least 150 people in Myanmar were killed and 732 injured by a major earthquake that struck the country on Friday, state-run MRTV said on the Telegram messaging app.
Across the border in Thailand, three people were confirmed dead in the collapse of a skyscraper, with 81 more missing and believed trapped in the twisted metal and rubble of the under-construction building. Myanmar looked to have borne the brunt of the quake, with hundreds of casualties flooding a hospital in the capital, Naypyidaw. The emergency department’s entrance had collapsed onto a car, with medics treating patients outside. A hospital official ushered journalists away, saying: “This is a mass casualty area.” “I haven’t seen [something] like this before. We are trying to handle the situation. I’m so exhausted now,” a doctor told AFP. AFP reporters saw junta chief Min Aung Hlaing arrive at the hospital as the ruling military called for foreign help. “We want the international community to give humanitarian aid as soon as possible,” junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun told
AFP at the hospital. The rare plea from the junta raises the prospect that damage and casualties may be on a large scale, with Myanmar’s medical system and infrastructure ravaged by four years of civil war. The quake will further stretch Myanmar’s ruling military, which is fighting a civil war against an armed uprising. The junta declared a state of emergency in multiple regions but provided no specifics of damage or injuries. “The state will make inquiries on the situation quickly and conduct rescue operations along with providing humanitarian aid,” it said on the Telegram messaging app. The Red Cross said roads, bridges and buildings had been damaged in Myanmar, and there were concerns for the state of large dams. Mandalay is Myanmar’s ancient royal capital and at the centre of the country’s Buddhist heartland.
Social media posts showed collapsed buildings and debris strewn across streets in the city. Reuters could not immediately verify the posts. Skyscraper collapse In Thailand, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters at least three workers had been killed, with 81 more trapped, after the collapse of a building under construction near the sprawling Chatuchak market. Rescuers were surveying the tangle of rubble and twisted metal for a safe way to search for survivors, an AFP photographer at the scene said. “I heard people calling for help, saying ‘help me’,” Worapat Sukthai, deputy police chief of Bang Sue district, told AFP. “We estimate that hundreds of people are injured,” he said. Across Bangkok and the northern tourist destination of Chiang Mai, where the power
briefly went out, stunned residents hurried outside, unsure of how to respond to the unusual quake. “I quickly rushed out of the shop along with other customers,” said Sai, 76, who was working at a minimart in Chiang Mai when the shop started to shake. “This is the strongest tremor I’ve experienced in my life.”Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared an emergency zone in Bangkok, where some metro and light rail services were suspended, further snarling the city’s already notorious traffic. The streets of the capital were full of commuters attempting to walk home, or simply taking refuge in the entrances of malls and office buildings. City authorities said parks would stay open overnight for those unable to sleep at home. The quake was felt across the region, with China, Cambodia, Bangladesh and India all reporting tremors.