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PAKISTAN DESIROUS OF WORKING WITH TRUMP ADMIN FOR STRONGER BILATERAL TIES: PM
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ UNDERSCORES SIGNIFICANCE OF PAK-US RELATIONS NOT ONLY IN BILATERAL CONTEXT BUT FOR REGIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 273 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition
STATE DEPARTMENT’S MEYER ACKNOWLEDGES POTENTIAL OF PAKISTAN’S MINERAL SECTOR, EXPRESSING INTEREST IN INVESTMENT IN THE SECTOR
Naqvi, senior US official discuss Pak-US ties, counterterrorism efforts
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated that Pakistan desired to working with Trump Administration to strengthen bilateral relations, encouraging US companies to tap immense opportunities through investment in Pakistan’s minerals sector. The prime minister said this in a meeting with a US delegation, led by Eric Meyer,
Senior Bureau Official and Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at US Department of State, which paid a courtesy call on him. The delegation is visiting Pakistan to attend the two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum being held here on Apr 8-9. The prime minister welcomed US participation at the Forum and emphasized that Pakistan’s minerals sector possessed vast potential and immense opportunities for investment. He underscored the significance of Pak-
ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Eric Mayer, a senior official from the US Department of State on Wednesday discussed strengthening of US-Pakistan relations, counterterrorism efforts, and cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Eric Mayer, a senior official from the US Department of State, is currently leading a US delegation on a visit to Pakistan. During the meeting, the two officials discussed a range of topics, including the counterterrorism efforts. Mayer expressed his grati-
tude to Pakistan for its cooperation in the recent arrest of the wanted terrorist, Sharif Allah. He commended the efforts made by Pakistani authorities in tackling terrorism and ensuring the safety of both nations. Mayer also condemned the terrorist attack on the Jaffer Express, expressing sorrow for the loss of lives and extending condolences to the affected families. The meeting also covered other critical areas of cooperation, including counternarcotics efforts, terrorism prevention, and tackling smuggling. STAFF REPORT
istan-US relations not only in the bilateral context but also for regional peace and security as well as enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment and counter-terrorism. Acting Assistant Secretary Meyer congratulated Pakistan on successfully hosting
COAS, US delegation stress expanding G2G, P2P cooperation to strengthen bilateral ties RAWALPINDI: A high-level delegation from the United States, led by Mr. Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, called on General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at General Headquarters on Wednesday. Meeting came in the backdrop of Pakistan’s Mineral Investment Forum, said a statement issued by the military’s media wing, the InterServices Public Relations.
the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum. He acknowledged the potential of Pakistan’s mineral sector and conveyed the interest of the US companies in investing in the minerals sector. He also expressed the US desire to work with Pakistan on issues of shared interest. Meyer said that the US looked forward
Appreciating the first-ofits-kind Forum, the delegation expressed confidence in Pakistan’s policy to develop vast untapped mineral wealth through mutually beneficial partnerships. Commenting on the US Administration’s priorities, where collaboration in mineral development with Pakistan is a core area of mutual interest, Mr. Meyer also expressed interest in Pakistan’s steadily improving investment landscape. STAFF REPORT
to enhancing bilateral ties with Pakistan. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Division Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and other high-level government officials also attended the meeting.
Nawaz agrees to play due role in resolving Balochistan crisis: Former CM Shah Mehmood Qureshi vows to lead demonstration on canal issue from jail LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Former foreign minister and PTI stalwart Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Wednesday that he would lead the protest demonstration that would be held in Umarkot in Sindh on April 14 and April 15 on the issue of taking canals from the River Indus. Speaking to reporters outside an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore, he said he had done what the PTI leadership, which was presently not in jail, could not do. He further said that the PPP leaders were now shedding crocodile tears on the issue of canals. “Why was the party silent when the project had been approved?” he questioned. But the day, the PTI leader added, protests started in Sindh over the issue, PPP, too, swung into action and started raising hue and cry. “Work on the development of canals was underway in six districts for quite some time. Even land had been purchased for the purpose. But the PPP did not utter a word then.” Qureshi reminded that he was the man who had introduced the PTI in Umarkot. “I am thankful to the JUI-F and the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) leaders who have formed an alliance in Sindh on the issue of canals,” he said. He wondered what PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was doing in Dubai while protests continued in Sindh. “The people of the province have now realized that Zardaris are befooling them by portraying themselves as Bhuttos.” He appealed to the people to participate in the demonstrations to be held in Umarkot in large numbers. Also on Wednesday, an ATC in Islamabad adjourned the hearing of May 9 and other cases against former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, Qureshi and others until May 9.
LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
National Party chief Abdul Maalik Baloch on Wednesday expressed his confidence that PML-N President Nawaz Sharif will play a vibrant role in resolving Balochistan’s issues. “The three-time premier is one of the country’s senior-most politicians and we have requested him to play his due role. He (Mian sahib) has agreed to play a role in resolving Balochistan’s issues, whether they are political or economic,” former Balochistan chief minister Dr Abdul Maalik Baloch stated while talking to the media after a meeting with Nawaz Sharif in Lahore. The NP chief’s comments come as a protest by the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) entered 13th day against the arrest of Baloch Yakjehti Commit-
tee’s (BYC) leaders, including Dr Mahrang Baloch. Additionally, protest movements have erupted across the province, with a large ongoing sit-in at Lakpass led by the BNP-M. The ex-CM said that the people of Balochistan had put their hopes in Nawaz and his team to help resolve the ongoing crisis. “Balochistan has been bleeding for two decades,” Baloch said, adding that the people of Balochistan are hopeful that Nawaz Sharif will play a positive role in relieving economic and political issues. Mentioning the BNP-M’s sit-in and the arrest of Baloch rights activists, Baloch said that he and Nawaz had a detailed discussion on the situation in the province. “We requested that he travel to Balochistan and spend a few days there, meeting with political leaders, so that we can resolve this issue amicably as we did in 2013,” Baloch added.
Primary role of armed forces is country’s defense not conduct of trials: Justice Mandokhail ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench (CB) hinted at wrapping up the hearing on intra-court appeals against military court trial of May 9 riots accused in the next two hearings. The seven-member constitutional led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, raised significant constitutional concerns regarding the scope of the Army Act and the protection of fundamental rights Earlier, the CB resumed hearing on the intra-court appeals filed against the SC’s October 2023 order, annulling trials of May 9 accused by military courts. During hearing, the bench members argued that such trials undermine constitutional safeguards
and bypass civilian judicial systems. Khawaja Haris, the counsel for the Ministry of Defense, continued his arguments in support of military courts, contending that the crimes committed on May 9, 2023 after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan were against the interests of the state. Meanwhile, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan pointed out that trying civilians under military law would require a constitutional amendment. “A constitutional amendment should have been made for the court martial of civilians,” he stated, questioning the legal foundation of military trials for civilians without changes to the Constitution. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail remarked that any violation of the law is against the
interests of the state, as all crimes go against the state’s interest. Referring to last month’s hijacking of Jaffar Express in Balochistan, he asked if the train incident was not against the interest of the state. He added that the primary role of the armed forces is the defense of Pakistan, apparently implying that it was not its job to conduct trials. Khawaja Haris responded by asking how the armed forces could defend the country “when their legs are being pulled from behind”. Justice Mandokhail stated that this was not a matter for emotional responses. “It is about national security. If a police officer is stationed outside the court to ensure that no armed person enters, and he steps away for five minutes, that would be a breach of discipline.
Expressing gratitude to Nawaz and senior PML-N leaders for welcoming the delegation, Baloch reiterated that the PML-N president’s role was essential in solving the crisis and requested that he play a role in securing the release of Baloch activists from jail. He expressed hope that the Baloch people would not “live in isolation, but join hands with the people of Pakistan to resolve these issues”. In response to a question about the nature of the crisis, the former CM replied, “This is a political issue that requires a political solution”. The PML-N uploaded a photograph of the two figures meeting, stating that “a detailed discussion was held on the overall national situation and matters pertaining to Balochistan.” During the meeting, Baloch congratulated the former premier on his party’s work on curbing inflation and reducing electricity prices.
Differences in PTI’s ranks to be resolved soon: CM Gandapur MARDAN
STAFF REPORT
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday said that all internal issues in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will be resolved soon, differences took place in every political party which in fact are the beauty of democracy. Talking to media during his Mardan visit after inaugurating various development projects, Gandapur said the KP government will exert all pressure on the center for the rights of the province. Gandapur said the machinery of those who mine illegally will be confiscated. He said mining provides employment to the people of the province. KP CM said the government was improving the system. “We will not give our rights to anyone. The constitution has given the people of the province the right, Centre will have to give the rights to the people. The Chief Minister said the province is self-sufficient in terms of mineral resources, warning that will not tolerate illegal mining under any circumstances. Gandapur said there was dire need to change in lease policy.