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Tuesday, 22 April, 2025 I 23 Shawwal, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 285 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition
PUNJAB POLICE, CTD ELIMINATE 10 MILITANTS IN MAKARWAL OPERATION
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g INTERIOR MINISTER THERE ARE REPORTS OF SEVERAL OTHER TERRORISTS MOHSIN NAQVI PAYS BEING INJURED IN THE TRIBUTE TO PUNJAB OPERATION: PUNJAB POLICE AND CTD FOR POLICE SPOKESPERSON KILLING THE TERRORISTS
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nefarious intentions” of terrorists, Naqvi said. “I congratulate the entire team of police and CTD for killing more than 10 terrorists,” he added. Militant violence has surged alarmingly in the country in March, with the number of militant attacks surpassing 100 for the first time since November 2014, according to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies. Pakistan ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with the number of deaths in terrorist attacks rising by 45 per cent over the past year to 1,081.
LAHORE/MIANWALI STAFF REPORT
HE Mianwali Police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Monday killed at least 10 terrorists and injured several others in a joint operation against terrorists in Mianwali’s Makarwal area. According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Police, a resident of the area was also injured in the operation due to firing by the terrorists, and was consequently moved to the hospital for treatment. “The operation against the terrorists was carried out under the supervision of the Regional Police Officer Muhammad Shahzad Asif Khan and the Mianwali District Police Officer (DPO) Akhtar Farooq,” he added. The spokesperson continued
that DPO Farooq, other policemen, CTD officers and the department’s personnel “remained completely unhurt”. While quoting Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar, the statement read that the provincial police chief congratulated the Mianwali cops on their “brilliant success against the terrorists”. “The Punjab police are on alert … the nefarious plans of the terrorists will be crushed to dust,” the Punjab police chief was quoted as saying. In a separate statement, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the Punjab police and CTD for killing the terrorists, stating that the law enforcement agencies “achieved a great success by bringing the terrorists to an exemplary end”. “I am proud of the courage of the brave soldiers who foiled the
RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Six Khwarij terrorists including their ringleader Zabi Ullah @ Zakran were killed in fire exchange with the security forces in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing reported on MOnday. In a statement the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “On 20-21 April 2025, Six Khwarij were sent to hell in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.” On reported presence of Khwarij, an intelligence based operation (IBO) was conducted by the Security Forces in general area Razmak, North Waziristan District. “During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, resultantly, five khwarij were sent to hell,” it further said. In another IBO in South Waziristan District, the
ISPR said security forces “effectively neutralised” terrorist ringleader Zabiullah alias Zakran, who was actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces, as well as the targeted killing of innocent civilians, and was highly wanted by law enforcement agencies. The ISPR added that sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the areas. “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country,” the statement said. Pakistan has grappling with an alarming surge in terror activities especially in KP and Balochistan, after the proscribed Tehreeki-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. In the security forces and other law enforcement agencies have also intensified its counterterrorism operation in the face of heightened attacks by militants in both the provinces.
Terrorist killed as attack on polio team foiled in North Waziristan NORTH WAZIRISTAN STAFF REPORT
A terrorist attack on a police team escorting polio vaccination workers in South Waziristan’s Azam Warsak area was successfully foiled by local law enforcement agencies on Monday. According to district police officers, a group of terrorists opened fire on the Station House Officer (SHO) of Azam Warsak Police Station and his team in Kaloosha area while they were on polio duty. The police force retaliated bravely, engaging the assailants in a fierce gun battle that lasted nearly 30 minutes. One terrorist was killed during the exchange, while the others managed to flee. Security forces recovered an SMG, a rocket launcher, and two motorcycles from the scene. Authorities identified the deceased
terrorist as Afnan, son of Pirzada. A search of his belongings led to the recovery of two national identity cards, three ATM cards, and a smartphone. One of the identity cards was found to belong to the slain terrorist, while the other documents were identified as belonging to Constable Imran, a police officer martyred in a previous terror attack before Eid. Constable Imran’s murder case had been registered at the South Waziristan Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station. Following the incident, additional police personnel and an armored personnel carrier (APC) were deployed to the area to safeguard polio teams and conduct a search operation for the fleeing militants. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned terrorist attack on polio team in North Waziristan. He lauded the police for effectively
Govt striving to resolve issues of overseas Pakistanis: PM
Sanaullah ‘again’ assures PPP of addressing its reservations about canal project
ISLAMABAD
thwarting the terrorists designs. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also strongly condemned the terrorist attack carried out by Khawarij militants on a police team assigned to provide security to an anti-polio vaccination team in South Waziristan. The attack, which was swiftly repelled by the alert and courageous police personnel, failed to cause any harm to the vaccination team or the security staff. The Interior Minister lauded the efforts of the police, stating, “The Khawarij terrorists’ attempt to sabotage the polio campaign has been foiled by the bravery of our police officers. I salute their courage and commitment to their duty.” He further lauded the force for killing one of the assailants. “By ensuring the safety of the anti-polio team, our police personnel have not only fulfilled their professional duty but also upheld a crucial national cause,” the minister added.
Govt likely to slash development budget to meet IMF conditions ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Ringleader among six Khwarij terrorists neutralized in two KP IBOs: ISPR
Adviser to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah on Monday assured it’s the coalition partner PPP of addressing its reservations about the controversial Cholistan Canal project. Adviser to PM Rana Sanaullah made the assurance during a second telephonic call to Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, according to a statement from the ruling party. Earlier on Sunday in a telephonic talk, both the PM’s advisor and Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon had agreed to resolve the contentious canals project issue through dialogue during a telephone call between them. According to the PML-N’s statement on Monday, Sanaullah spoke with Memon over the phone, where an agreement was reached on resolving the issues of water and the canals. “We believe in resolving all matters amicably,” Sanaullah was quoted as saying. “According to the Water Accord, the water of any province cannot be transferred to any other province and [this] is not being done. “Water distribution is an administrative and technical issue, which will also be resolved on administrative and technical grounds,” the adviser added. Sanaullah was quoted as saying that it was not possible to violate the rights of any provinces and expressed hope that the consultation process on the canal project would expand.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Monday said the government was striving to resolve the issues of overseas Pakistanis on a priority basis and working to provide them more facilities. He was chairing a special meeting on matters related to overseas Pakistanis. He said the overseas Pakistanis would be given opportunities of investment in Pakistan according to their expertise. “Overseas Pakistanis played the role of ambassadors of Pakistan in the outside world, he said, adding overseas Pakistanis rendered great services for Pakistan. The prime minister said a large number of overseas Pakistanis attended the recently held overseas convention, which showed their trust in the policies of the government. “We salute the true sentiments of overseas Pakistanis and their love and sacrifices for their country,” he said adding the overseas Pakistanis had made a name for themselves and their country by working diligently all across the world. The prime minister said expa-
STAFF REPORT
triates worked day and night as professionals in the fields of medicine, education, engineering, and consultancy, and earned legitimately. The government of Pakistan recently in recognition of the services of overseas Pakistanis gave a big package of incentives, he continued. He said those overseas Pakistanis who performed prominently in different fields and those who sent the highest remittances through the State Bank would be given civil awards in view of their services. The meeting was briefed on the progress regarding the facilities announced by the government and the strategy to implement them. Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff General Asim Munir, federal ministers, and relevant officials attended the meeting. PM lauds 9.38% increase in textile sector Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the 9.38 percent increase in textile sector in the first nine months of current fiscal year. In a statement, he said that textile sector exports have reached an all-time high of 13.613 billion dollars which is highly encouraging. Shehbaz Sharif said increase in textile exports is a clear indicator of Pakistan’s economic growth and right direction of government’s policies.
The federal government is expected to impose strict austerity measures in the upcoming fiscal year 2025– 26 budget, primarily by significantly cutting the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), in line with the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), senior officials confirmed on Monday. According to sources within the Ministry of Planning and Development, the federal government is likely to allocate Rs3 trillion for development projects in the next fiscal year — a drastic reduction when compared to the Rs12 trillion estimated to complete ongoing projects. Officials revealed that the Finance Ministry has yet to commit to the full Rs3 trillion requested by the Planning Ministry. The reduced funding reflects the government’s strategy to prioritise completion of ongoing schemes over launching new initiatives. “The next PSDP will be tightly focused. Only a few new but essential projects will be accommodated, and the emphasis will be on wrapping up work on projects that are already in progress,” a source said. For the current fiscal year, officials believe that even the existing development funds may not be fully utilised, reinforcing concerns about capacity constraints and possible financial bottlenecks. This significant budget tightening is part of broader negotiations between Pakistan and the IMF as Islamabad seeks to secure a new multi-billion-dollar loan programme. These talks have not only impacted development spending but also affected taxation policy.
Pakistan, Rwanda agree to build mutually beneficial partnership, exploit growth potential Pakistan, UAE sign MoUs to ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan and Rwanda on Monday agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors including trade, defence, technology, and diplomacy, to build a mutually beneficial partnership and exploit the existing bilateral growth potential. The consensus was developed during the “in-depth” discussions between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and visiting Rwanda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ambassador Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe here on Monday. Both sides discussed the bilateral ties and explored ways to further strengthen cooperation across different sectors. Following their delegation-level meeting and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of diplomatic training, the two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction over the strengthening bilateral relations and reiterated their commitment to deepen
mutually beneficial cooperation in the priority areas like trade, investment, defence, diplomacy, and people-to-people exchanges. In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Dar said that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Rwanda as the country established its High Commission in Kigali in 2021 and Rwandan High Commission would be inaugurated during the ongoing Rwandan foreign minister’s visit. He said that offering a promising market for Rwandan products, Pakistan was among the largest importers of Rwandan tea and was actively exploring further imports of Rwandan coffee, avocado, pulses, and horticulture products. Similarly, he said that Pakistan’s exports in pharmaceuticals, textiles, rice, surgical instruments, agri-tech, and sports goods had strong potential in Rwanda. Citing great potential for collaboration in information and communication technology, the deputy prime minister said that Pakistan was keen to partner with Rwanda in digital transformation, e-governance, fin-
tech, and innovation platforms for youth. He said Pakistan looked forward to the continued engagement of Rwandan businesses, including at the upcoming PakistanAfrica Trade Development Conference and Single Country Exhibition in Addis Ababa in May 2025. Highlighting the frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries, DPM Dar said that the bilateral cooperation on the multilateral front also remained robust, with both supporting each other’s candidatures at the UN and other international fora. In his remarks, Foreign Minister Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe said that besides signing an MoU on diplomatic training, both sides were considering other MoUs in different fields to deepen cooperation. He said that his delegation comprised representatives from different institutions, including the Rwanda Development Board and the trade ministry as a testament to Rwanda’s desire to do business with Pakistan and attract Pakistani businesses to explore Rwanda.
boost cooperation in trade, culture, consular affairs ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) to promote bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors including culture, trade and consular affairs. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and UAE Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al Nahyan signed an MoU between the UAE ministry of culture and the culture division of Pakistan to promote cooperation in culture sector. Similarly, the two dignitaries also signed an MoU for establishment of joint committee for consular affairs. Meanwhile, the two sides also witnessed the exchange of an MoU signed be-
tween the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) for the establishment of the UAE Pakistan Joint Business Council. UAE Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade affairs Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri and President FPCCI Atif Ikram Sheikh exchanged the signed documents. Earlier, welcoming the UAE DPM/FM at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DPM Ishaq Dar said the two countries had decades old fraternal relationship based on shared commitments, and love and affection. He said the two countries were working together for the benefit and welfare of the people of the two countries. The UAE DPM said he was pleased to see the hospitality during his visit to Pakistan“a country which is close to our hearts in UAE and also to my heart personally”.