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PAKISTAN ARMED FORCES ‘PREPPED’ TO END ‘WHAT INDIA STARTED’: DG ISPR
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Saturday, 10 May, 2025 I 12 Ziquad, 1446
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LT-GEN CHAUDHRY CHALLENGES INDIA TO PRESENT EVIDENCE OF PAKISTAN’S ATTACKS ON ITS MILITARY INSTALLATIONS WITH DRONES AND MISSILES
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 303 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition
‘DOZENS OF EVIDENCE’ AVAILABLE FOR HORRIFIC STORIES OF INDIANSPONSORED TERRORISM INSIDE PAKISTAN: DG ISPR
g DG SAYS INDIA’S ATTEMPTS TO PROMOTE VOLATILITY AT SAYS INDIA HAS BEEN KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE EASTERN BORDER WERE ‘AIMS AT DISTRACTING PAKISTAN’S FOR ‘POLITICAL OBJECTIVES’ COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS ALONG WESTERN BORDER’
PAF SHARES LOCATIONS OF 5 DOWNED INDIAN FIGHTER JETS, TIMELINE OF EVENTS UNFOLDED AFTER INDIAN MISSILES ATTACK
Military shoots down 77 Indian drones in two days: DG ISPR ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
HE chief military spokesperson on Friday declared that Pakistan’s armed forces are prepared for any eventuality “whatever the Indian army decides to do,” saying “but what they have started, I’ll tell you, we will finish it.” ISPR Director-General Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry addressed a press conference in Islamabad alongside Director General Public Relations (DGPR) of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff Operations Rear Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz. They briefed the media persons on the evolving situation at the LoC and the broader regional implications. They strongly rejected Indian accusations over the Pahalgam attack, warning that New Delhi’s ac-
tions risk destabilising regional peace. Challenging India to present evidence, if it has any, of Pakistan’s attacks on Indian military installations with drone and missiles, Lt-Gen Chaudhry stated that Pakistan has not used drones or rockets. “If India claims otherwise, let it present evidence,” he challenged, criticising Indian media for spreading “fabricated stories.” Providing details of the way the Indian media blamed Pakistan shortly after the Pahalgam attack on April 22 without any evidence, Lt Gen Chaudhry maintained that India had adopted a similar stance in the past as well. “Is this the first time India is doing this? There is a history to it,” he said. “How did the Indian government jump to the conclusion regarding who the attackers were within 10 minutes of the incident? When you don’t have any evidence, what do you do? You open up the military front.” He went on to say that
Armed forces ready to deal with Indian aggression, Asif tells NA ISLAMABAD
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Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday reiterated that Pakistan country’s armed forces are fully prepared to deal with the situation arising out of the Indian aggression. Speaking in the National Assembly on Friday, he said that the armed forces are valiantly fighting the enemy forces on the Line of Control and the working boundary. He said India’s designs were successfully thwarted which has demoralized their people, media and political parties. “The morale of our people, armed forces, political parties and other segments of the society is unmoved, unwavering and high”, the defense czar declared. Mentioning the shooting down of five Indian fighter jets as well as drones, he said, “we are proud of our armed forces and the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with them.” On the diplomatic front, Khawaja Asif said the government is maintaining close contacts with the world community. “We are in contact with China and the gulf countries on a daily basis”, he added. He said the friendly countries have also expressed their support to Pakistan. He said our mission at the United Nations is effectively presenting Pakistan’s point of view. He said no country is standing with India. Earlier, participating in the discussion, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said India targeted mosques and Madrasas which resulted in the loss of civilian lives. He commended the valiant and effective response of the armed forces to Indian aggression. He said his party is observing Youme Difaa-e-Watan to condemn the Indian aggression.
The Pakistan Army intercepted and destroyed 77 Israeli-made Harop drones, sent by India to target civilian and military installations, Director General Inter-Services Public relations Lt-Gen Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed on Friday. Federal Minister for Information Atta Tarar also confirmed the number of destroyed drones launched by India on Friday. Addressing a presser, Lt-Gen Chaudhry said that the military has neutralised 77 Israeli drones sent by India so far. “We are taking each one of them out. Not one of them has been able to go back to India and not one of them will be able to go back.” At least 29 drones were intercepted
India was shifting the blame for the attack on Pakistan to divert attention from its internal problems. The military spokesperson called out India for launching attacks on Pakistan and targeting civilians, including women and children. The DG ISPR has said that India has “no evidence” for its allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack or the supposed attacks inside Indian territory in the last 48 hours. “You just concoct stories. I think the time has come to ask the real and bitter
since Wednesday until Thursday evening, with an additional 48 shot down overnight and into Friday. On the Line of Control (LoC), security sources said, five civilians were martyred and seven others injured in unprovoked Indian shelling on residential areas. The drone incursions are part of a broader military escalation between the two nuclear-armed arch-rivals, which has seen heightened tensions since the deadly attack in Pahalgam, a tourist attraction in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), on April 22. India accused Pakistan-based elements of orchestrating the attack, which killed 26 people. Pakistan has vehemently denied the accusations, and instead offered an international credible and neutral probe into the incident to ascertain the facts.
questions that Indian government needs to stop living in cinema and theatrics.” The DG ISPR said that the Indian government should “have some sense” and act responsibly, as neighbours should. Lt-Gen Chaudhry said the first thing was to “put some sense” into the people with such hubris. “The first and foremost thing is to tell them that don’t externalise your internal problems and don’t internalise your external problems,” he said.
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Pakistan determined to defend its sovereignty, integrity, PM tells Saudi FM ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday appreciated the diplomatic efforts of Saudi Arabia to de-escalate the prevailing situation and bring peace in the South Asia, while strongly condemning India’s missile and drone strikes against Pakistan. He was talking to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Adel Al-Jubeir, who called on him after arrival in Islamabad on Friday. During the, the Prime Minister conveyed his warm regards and respects to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, as well as to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. While discussing the prevailing situation in South Asia, the Prime Minister strongly condemned India’s missile and drone strikes against Pakistan that had resulted in
ISLAMABAD
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Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Friday blamed India’s reckless conduct has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict, saying India’s violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and strikes inside the country have endangered the regional peace and stability, the state media reported. At his weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said India has been violating Pakistan’s sovereignty since 7th of this month and condemnably, the Indian strikes against Pakistan have endangered the regional peace and stability. “It is most unfortunate that India’s reckless conduct has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict,” Khan said. “India’s jingoism and war hysteria should be a source of serious concern for the world.” The FO Spokesperson stated that the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) had been a successful water-sharing arrangement between India and Pakistan, withstanding the test of wars and standoffs. “However, the current Indian dispensation is bent on weaponising water … holding in abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty is unilateral and illegal, there are no such provisions in the treaty.” “This action shows India’s blatant disregard for international treaties and sets a dangerous precedent,” the spokesperson said, adding that the Indian decision was an attack on the people of Pakistan and its economy. For Pakistan, the ambassador stressed, the Indian announcement held no legal consequence. “The treaty remains in force and fully binding on the parties.” “The Indian allegation of Pakistan’s refusal to enter into government to government negotiations is also incorrect … Pakistan has been continuously engaged with India on the subject,” he added. ‘Indian claims of targetting terrorist infrastructure are false’ The FO spokesperson termed Indian claims of targetting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan false, saying that it was a matter on record that the Indian strikes resulted in the killing of civilians, including women and children. “It is a matter of public knowledge that some mosques were also destroyed or damaged during the Indian aggression. Similarly, parts of the Neelum-Jhelum hydro-electric project were damaged due to Indian shelling, which is interalia a violation of international conventions,” he said, demanding that India must be held accountable for these crimes.
‘Fundamentally None Of Our Business’: JD Vance Says US Won’t Intervene in Pakistan, India Conflict ISLAMABAD
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the martyrdom of scores of innocent civilians, including women and children, as well as damage to civilian infrastructures. He stressed that India’s unprovoked and unjustified acts of aggression had violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and seriously endangered regional peace and stability. The Prime Minister paid tribute to the valiant Armed Forces of Pakistan, who had demonstrated
exemplary commitment and courage in the defence of the nation, against the enemy’s nefarious advances. He said Pakistan is fully determined to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. On the occasion, the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs expressed heartfelt condolences over the loss of precious civilian lives.
IMF approves Pakistan loan tranche g
India’s reckless conduct brought two nuclear-armed states ‘closer to war’: FO
In a recent statement, Vice President JD Vance declared that the United States will not involve itself militarily in the escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, emphasizing that the conflict is “fundamentally none of our business.” Speaking to Fox News, Vance made it clear that while the US is encouraging both nations to de-escalate, it does not have the authority or responsibility to intervene in military operations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. “We’re not going to get involved in the middle of a war that has nothing to do with America’s ability to control it,” Vance stated, reflecting the US government’s position on the ongoing hostilities. This statement follows a recent surge in violence between India and Pakistan, with Indian forces launching coordinated missile, air, and drone strikes on the night of May 6–7. The strikes targeted multiple locations in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad.
EXECUTIVE BOARD CLEARS CRITICAL DISBURSEMENTS UNDER EFF AS ISLAMABAD SECURES MAJOR BOOST FOR ECONOMIC STABILITY PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a combined $2.3 billion in new funding for Pakistan, comprising the second tranche of the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and a fresh package under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The approvals came during an Executive Board meeting on Friday, May 9, despite an unsuccessful attempt by India to block the move. The IMF approved the disbursement of $1 billion as part of the second tranche
under the EFF, following Pakistan’s improved fiscal performance and progress on key structural benchmarks. In addition, the Board sanctioned a $1.3 billion facility under the RSF, aimed at bolstering Pakistan’s climate resilience. Unlike the EFF disbursement, the RSF funds will be released gradually over the next 28 months. The decision follows a series of discussions between the IMF team—led by Mission Chief Nathan Porter—and Pakistani authorities, held from February 24 to March 14 in Karachi and Islamabad, followed by virtual talks. A staff-level agreement
reached in March 2025 laid out a reform agenda supported by both federal and provincial governments. The IMF has stated that the combined program builds on Pakistan’s macroeconomic stabilization over the past year, focusing on strengthening public finances, reducing inflation, rebuilding external reserves, and eliminating structural distortions to unlock private-sector-led growth. With this latest development, Pakistan not only secures critical financial support but also strengthens its standing with international partners amid ongoing economic reform efforts.