Profit PM, JI Emir reflect resolve to PAKISTAN SEEKS GLOBAL ACTION shared continue advocating TO STOP ARMS FLOW TO TTP, BLA for public relief In partnership with
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 269 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Sunday, 6 April, 2025 I 7 Shawwal, 1446
g ‘ THESE TERRORIST ENTITIES RECEIVING TERRORIST GROUPS ARE IN POSSESSION OF BILLIONS WORTH OF ILLICIT ARMS ABANDONED IN EXTERNAL SUPPORT AND FINANCING FROM OUR PRINCIPAL ADVERSARY’ AFGHANISTAN, COUNSELLOR RAZA TELLS UNSC
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UNITED NATIONS STAFF REPORT
AKISTAN has called for an international crackdown on the illegal flow of arms to terrorist organisations, warning that groups such as the Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) are using advanced weapons, abandoned in Afghanistan, to carry out cross-border attacks. Speaking at a UN Security Council Arria-formula meeting on Small Arms and Light Weapons Management in UN Sanctions Regimes, Syed Atif Raza, counsellor at Pakistan’s permanent mission to the UN, said these terrorist entities were exploiting ungoverned spaces
in Afghanistan to launch deadly operations targeting both civilians and security forces in Pakistan. “Terrorist armed groups are in possession of billions worth of illicit arms
abandoned in Afghanistan,” Raza told the informal consultation hosted by Sierra Leone. “We call upon our international partners to recover the vast stockpile of abandoned weapons, prevent their access
to armed terrorist groups and take measures to close this thriving black market of illicit arms.” The diplomat stressed that groups such as the TTP, BLA and its suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, had not only gained access to sophisticated weaponry but were also receiving external support and funding. While not naming any country directly, Raza referred to Pakistan’s “principal adversary”—a clear reference to India. “These terrorist entities also receive external support and financing from our principal adversary,” he said. He added that the misuse and illicit trade of small arms and light weapons was contributing to regional instability, hampering development, and undermining peacebuilding efforts.
Pakistan’s economy on right track: Aurangzeb g
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MINISTER CITES IMPROVING INDICATORS AND STRUCTURAL REFORMS AS SIGNS OF RECOVERY PROFIT INP
Pakistan’s economy is heading in the right direction, with inflation plummeting to its lowest point in six decades and foreign exchange reserves expected to exceed $13 billion by June, said Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Saturday. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the Finance Minister highlighted that the country’s economic outlook remains positive, with inflation currently
standing at 0.7%. He expressed confidence that Pakistan is on the brink of achieving sustainable economic stability. “We are seeing the benefits of reduced inflation, but it is crucial that these benefits are passed on to the common man,” Aurangzeb said. The government is also forecasting a 3% economic growth rate for the current fiscal year. The Finance Minister stressed that while inflation continues to decrease, the next challenge will be to ensure that
economic growth becomes stable and self-sustaining. “We are witnessing an increase in foreign exchange reserves, and we expect them to surpass $13 billion by June this year,” Aurangzeb added. He emphasised that this surge in reserves marks a significant achievement in the country’s economic recovery. Aurangzeb further shared that discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding climate financing had been fruitful. The govern-
ment has also successfully doubled the number of tax filers, reflecting a positive shift in the country’s financial transparency. “The final stage of the IMF program will coincide with the implementation of difficult decisions that will shape the future of Pakistan’s economy,” he stated. In a bid to attract more investment, the finance minister revealed that the government is focused on creating a robust institutional system to monitor the prices of essential commodities.
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, on Saturday, during which the latter thanked the Prime Minister for the recent reduction in electricity prices. The Prime Minister welcomed the gesture and reiterated his government’s commitment to prioritizing public welfare. “Despite challenges, we have given top priority to public relief, and this mission will continue,” he said. “God willing, Pakistan’s journey of development will continue,” he added. Both leaders also discussed the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, expressing deep concern over Israel’s unprovoked bombings and atrocities on unarmed Palestinian civilians. They condemned the silence of the international community on the ongoing violence. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, vowing to raise the issue at every international forum. “Pakistan’s stance on supporting our helpless Palestinian brothers and sisters who are victims of Zionist oppression is clear,” he emphasized. The conversation reflected a shared resolve to continue advocating for public relief at home and justice for oppressed people abroad. Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced upto a Rs7.41 per unit cut in electricity tariff across the country in a “major” relief package to reduce the burden on citizens facing exorbitant electricity bills. Speaking at an event in Islamabad, the premier congratulated the nation and said that it was not easy to convince the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of the cut, adding that his team had gone to great lengths to achieve the feat. For industries, he declared that electricity prices would be cut by Rs7.69. The premier also emphasised that the government would have to take up structural reforms in the power sector, highlighting his determination to tackle the theft of Rs600 billion. “Even though work on it has already started, we have to completely eradicate [malpractices]”, he said.