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PM SHEHBAZ, AZERBAIJAN’S PRESIDENT DISCUSS STRENGTHENING BILATERAL TIES
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Monday, 31 March, 2025 I 1 Shawwal, 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 265 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
g PM ALSO HELD A TELEPHONE CALL WITH PM TALKS TELEPHONICALLY WITH TAJIK PRESIDENT, EXTENDS EIDUL FITR GREETINGS TO SULTAN OF OMAN, CONVEY HIS WARM THE PRESIDENT AND PEOPLE OF TAJIKISTAN GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES ON EIDUL FITR
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pressed satisfaction over the steady growth in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan. They acknowledged
the positive trajectory of mutual cooperation, which has gained further momentum following Prime Minister Sharif’s
visit to Dushanbe in July last year. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated President Rahmon on the recent signing of the “Treaty on the Delimitation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik Border,” recognizing it as a significant step toward regional peace and stability. He also expressed his anticipation for participating in the upcoming “International High-Level Event on Glaciers’ Preservation,” scheduled to be hosted in Dushanbe at the end of May 2025. The Prime Minister reiterated his invitation to President Emomali Rahmon to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and fostering regional cooperation.
LAHORE
He emphasized the need for ensuring timely implementation of the important decisions taken by the two sides during the 7th HLSCC meeting in Islamabad. Underscoring the deep-rooted historic ties between the two countries, the Prime Minister said it was a matter of great pride that the two countries had always stood together, through thick and thin, especially supporting each other on their issues of core interest. The two leaders also exchanged views on the regional situation. President Erdogan thanked the Prime Minister for his good wishes on Eid ul Fitr and warmly reciprocated the same
sentiments for the people of Pakistan. He reaffirmed Turkiye’s steadfast support for Pakistan on all important issues. PM Shehbaz extends Eidul Fitr greetings to Crown Prince of Kuwait Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday held a telephone call with His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad AlMubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, and extended warm greetings and best wishes to the Crown Prince as well as to His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, and the brotherly people of Kuwait.
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sunday held a telephone conversation with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, reaffirming the deep-rooted ties between the two brotherly nations. During the call, PM Shehbaz extended his heartfelt congratulations and warm wishes to President Aliyev, his family, and the people of Azerbaijan, praying for their continued peace and prosperity. The two leaders discussed steps to further enhance bilateral relations, following the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Baku. In this regard, they confirmed that Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy will visit Islamabad in the first week of April to meet PM Shehbaz and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister to finalize key investment agreements. These agreements will lay the groundwork for President Ilham Aliyev’s anticipated visit to Pakistan in April, during which both countries are expected to sign investment deals worth $2 billion. PM Shehbaz emphasized that this visit will be a milestone in strengthening Pakistan-Azerbaijan ties and deepening their strategic partnership. Prime Minister extends Eid greetings to Tajik President Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with the President of Tajikistan, H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, on Saturday afternoon to extend his heartfelt Eid-ulFitr greetings to the President and the people of Tajikistan. During the call, both leaders ex-
PM, President Erdogan exchange Eid greetings, views on regional situation STAFF REPORT
The Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday held a telephone conversation with the President of Republic of Turkiye, H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to convey his warm greetings and best wishes to him, as well as to the brotherly people of Turkiye, on the auspicious occasion of Eidul Fitr. While recalling President Erdogan’s historic visit to Pakistan in February this year, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the positive momentum in bilateral relations between the two countries.
Interior Minister visits family of Shaheed Major Saad in AJK
MUZAFFARABAD STAFF REPORT
Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi on Sunday visited the family of Shaheed Major Saad bin Zubair in Azad Kashmir to pay his re-
spects and offer condolences. During the visit, Naqvi met Major Saad’s father, Muhammad Zubair Khan, as well as his mother, brother, and other family members. He expressed deep sorrow over their loss and offered Fateha for the mar-
tyred officer, praying for the bereaved family’s strength and patience. The interior minister praised the immense sacrifice of Major Saad, calling him a “national hero” whose bravery and dedication to duty will always be remembered. “A son like Major Saad is an unforgettable asset to the nation,” he remarked. Naqvi also lauded the unwavering resolve of Major Saad’s parents, stating that their courage was both commendable and inspiring. “Our martyrs never truly leave us—they live on in our hearts and in the spirit of this nation,” he said. Major Saad bin Zubair was martyred recently during an operation in the Sambaza area of Zhob, Balochistan, while defending the country against militants. His sacrifice has been widely honored across Pakistan, with tributes pouring in from military and civilian leadership alike.
JUI-F wants ‘written agreement’ from PTI ahead of joint protest after Eid ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The erstwhile ally of the ruling coalition, Jamiat Ulemai-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Senator Kamran Murtaza has sought “written assurance” from the PTI to address its reservations for participating in joint anti-government protest after Eidul Fitr. “We’d like the PTI document an agreement with the JUI-F in writing to eliminate the possibility of any misunderstanding or blame in the future,” Senator Murtaza said during an interview with a private TV channel. The JUI-F senator added that the process for achieving a consensus could only be kicked off after Eid since he and others in the party had already left for their hometowns for the holidays. Responded to the JUI-F senator, PTI Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand agreed with him, saying “It was also Sunnah to pen down agreements in a written form.” Both senators also agreed that there were “trust issues” between the two political parties because of their history, but agreed that they were now on the mend. “The venue of the protest could be D-Chowk or any other place that can be decided with consensus,” Senator Murtaza added. “The decision for the protest has been taken, but it’s still to be decided whether we will hold a joint protest with PTI or separately.” PTI Senator Mohmand responded that whether the protests happened separately or jointly, it had been decided that it would take place, and it could potentially be a “two-pronged approach” against the government. Earlier in the month, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had also revealed plans to launch a nationwide
protest campaign, along with the PTI, against the government after Eidul Fitr, citing rising corruption and deteriorating law and order in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On March 16, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while acknowledging that the PTI’s real leadership remained in jail, admitted that tensions between the two parties had subsided, paving the way for a possible alliance. On the other hand, Public Accounts Committee chairman and PTI KP President Junaid Akbar, in a televised interview, had said that the party workers would hold protests on all three days of Eidul Fitr outside the Adiala jail where Imran is imprisoned. He also said if the government wanted to hold talks with the main opposition party, it (the government) has to take the first step and show its seriousness in the talks. He said that everything is not ideal in the opposition alliance, but efforts are being made to strengthen the alliance.
Eidul Fitr being observed today as Shawwal moon sighted ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on Sunday evening announced that Eid-ul-Fitr would fall on Monday (March 31) as the Shawwal moon was sighted in various cities across country. The announcement came after a meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in Islamabad, while meetings of zonal and district Ruete-Hilal committees were held at their respective headquarters concurrently. The meeting was chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, and attended by the members of the Ruet-eHilal Committee, as well as officials from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Suparco, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Maulana Azad said testimonies of moon sightings were received from majority of the country and hence Eid would be celebrated tomorrow. Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr after the completion of the fasting month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. The beginning of the ninth and holiest month in the Muslim calendar — as well as the Eid holidays and the mourning month of Muharram — is determined by the sighting of the new moon.