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Saturday, 5 April, 2025 I 6 Shawwal, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 268 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
MILITARY TOP BRASS VOWS TO THWART ‘EVIL DESIGNS’ OF FOREIGN PROXIES, HOSTILE INTERNAL ACTORS
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COAS-LED 268TH CCC REAFFIRMS ITS RESOLVE g FORUM UNDERSCORES IMPORTANCE TO ERADICATE TERRORISM IN ALL ITS FORMS AND OF ‘A WHOLE-OF-THE-NATION’ MANIFESTATIONS REGARDLESS OF THE COST APPROACH TO COUNTERING TERRORISM
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THERE IS NO SPACE FOR TERRORISTS AND THEIR FACILITATORS IN PAKISTAN: GEN MUNIR RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
HE military top brass on Friday reaffirmed the commitment to thwart the “nefarious designs” of foreign proxies and hostile internal actors, according to a statement from the military’s media wing. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir chaired the 268th Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Friday, where a “meticulous assessment” of regional and internal security dynamics was carried out. “The forum received a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing geostrategic environment, emerging national
security challenges and Pakistan’s strategic response to evolving threats,” the ISPR said. “The forum reaffirmed its resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations regardless of the cost … [and] reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering
commitment to bringing the full force of the state against facilitators and abettors acting on the behest of hostile elements seeking to destabilise the country,” the statement added. According to the ISPR, the forum reaffirmed, “No one will be allowed to
disrupt peace in Balochistan and [the] nefarious designs of foreign-sponsored proxies, including social disruptive elements and their so-called political supporters, advancing their narrow political interests at the cost of stability and prosperity of Balochistan will be decisively thwarted with the unwavering support of the people of Balochistan. “The real face of all foreign and domestic elements, the nexus between them and their endeavours to induce chaos and thrive on it stand fully exposed and will be dealt with without impunity,” the statement read. According to the statement, the forum underscored the importance of “a whole-of-the-nation” approach to countering terrorism.
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Abbasi, Mehtab meet JUI-F chief, discuss political scenario
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Awam Pakistan Party (APP) convener Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and Mehtab Abbasi on Friday called on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and discussed the prevailing scenario in the country. According to the JUI-F spokesperson, the meeting took place during the APP’s leaders visit to Dera Ismail Khan. On the occasion, both Khaqan Abbasi and Mehtab Abbasi extended warm Eidul Fitr greetings to the JUI-F. Prominent among those who attended the meeting were Maulana Lutfur Rehman, Maulana Obaidur Rehman, Kafeel Nizami and Israr Marwat. Earlier, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Malik Afzal Khokhar exchanged views on the country’s political landscape. According to details, Khokhar called on the PML-N president in Lahore. Prominent among those who attended the meeting were Malik Saif Khokhar and Faisal Khokhar. STAFF REPORT
Karachi City govt, LEAs begin ‘forced repatriation’ of 16,138 Afghans KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
The City administration and law enforcement in Karachi on Friday started the ‘forced repatriation’ of an estimated 16,138 Afghan Citizenship Card (ACC) holders, with over 150 so far detained as part of the government’s repatriation policy of all undocumented foreign nationals. The interior ministry, in a statement on March 6, stated, “All illegal foreigners and ACC holders are advised to leave the country voluntarily before 31 March 2025; thereafter, deportation will commence wef 1 April 2025.” On February 13, the interior minister in-
structed the Sindh government to initiate the repatriation of all ACC holders to their country of origin under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP). As part of the plan, voluntary return until March 31 ended and “forced repatriation” from April 1 has begun. As per the IRFP prepared by the Sindh Home Department, a control room has been set up at the department while “holding points” have been set up in Karachi and Jacobabad, with a “transit point” in Sakrund, Shaheed Benazirabad housing a total capacity of 1,500. The plan added that the main repatriation centre has been set up at Ameen House in Sultanabad in Karachi’s Keamari area.
According to South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza, so far, 162 ACC holders have been brought to the holding facility as some of them were returned or released as being Proof of Registration (POR) holders. “A total of 196 Afghans from different areas were brought to the camp on April 3,” the DIG said. “Of those, 20 were released as they held POR. “Similarly, a total of 90 Afghans arrived at the camp on April 4 (Friday), with 10 being released. Thus, a total of 242 Afghans have been brought for repatriation to Afghanistan,” he added.
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CM Gandapur says no Afghan refugee will be repatriated ‘forcibly’ ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Friday declared that the provincial government will not depart any Afghan refugee “forcibly.” “No Afghan refugee will be repatriated by force from KP and we are against such kind of forcible deportation”, CM Ganda-
pur stated while addressing a press conference in Islamabad. The KP CM pointed out, “We have cultural and historical traditions regarding Afghan refugees,” adding that those refugees who wish to leave voluntarily would be provided with resources to facilitate their return with respect.
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