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‘DESPITE VICTORY WE STILL SEEK PEACE’: PM INVITES INDIA TO LIVE AS ‘PEACEFUL NEIGHBOUR’
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Saturday, 17 May, 2025 I 19 Ziquad, 1446
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PM SHEHBAZ STRESSES THERE IS NO PERMANENT PEACE WITHOUT SOLUTION TO JAMMU AND KASHMIR AND WATER DISTRIBUTION ISSUES
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TODAY MILITARY’S PROWESS OF PAKISTAN BEING TALKED ABOUT FROM UNITED STATES TO JAPAN: PM
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 310 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
SAYS CONFLICT SOLVED NOTHING, ONLY BRINGING MORE POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT AND OTHER PROBLEMS TO BOTH SIDES g
President, PM eulogise martyrs of Marka-e-Haq as Youm-e Tashakur observed nationwide
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/KARACHI/PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT
Syeda Hadia Hashmi, Shabnam Majeed and Sahir Ali Bagga presented patriotic songs. The India resorted to unprovoked military confrontation with after accusing the Islamabad of involvement in the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, a town in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. On the night of May 6-7, New Delhi launched a series of air strikes on Pakistan, resulting in civilian casualties. Both sides then exchanged missiles, which stretched over the week. It drew intervention by the United States President Trump, finally leading to a ceasefire between the nuclear warring rivals.
Dar, UK’s Foreign Secretary discuss regional developments ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
LAUDS TECHNOLOGY USED BY PAF HAD STUNNED THE ENEMY AND SENT TRUST AND CONFIDENCE OF ALLIES SOARING
PREMIER THANKS FRIENDLY COUNTRIES, ALLIES FOR SUPPORTING PAKISTAN'S FIRM, FAIR AND JUST STAND AGAINST BASELESS INDIAN PROPAGANDA
SALEEM JADOON
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire for peace, saying “We won the war against ‘arch-rival’ but sought peace and invited India to live as a “peaceful neighbor,” amid country-wide celebrations to mark the success of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. “Pakistan has won the war but stills want peace. Our armed forces have taught our enemy a lesson but we condemn aggression. We want this part of the world to be as prosperous and progressive as others through hard work, undying efforts and living like peaceful neighbours,” Premier Shehbaz Sharif emphasized while addressing the main ceremony of Youm-e-Tashakur (Thanksgiving Day), celebrated nationwide to mark the success of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and pay tribute to the armed forces of Pakistan. The ceremony Youm-e-Tashakur (Thanksgiving Day) was held at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad was attended by Cabinet members, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, services chiefs, foreign diplomats, media persons, artists and sports personalities as well as senior military and civil officials. It began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, opening speeches and spectacular flypast by the fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force.
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Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met with UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Islamabad on Friday. He extended a warm welcome to Foreign Secretary David Lammy on his first official visit to Pakistan. The two leaders held detailed discussions on recent developments in South Asia, particularly the situation following the ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India. Ishaq Dar briefed the UK Foreign Secretary on India’s unprovoked and belligerent actions, which constituted a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, international law, the UN Charter, and established norms of interstate relations. He underlined that Pakistan exercised its right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and that Pakistan’s response remained limited, precise, and proportionate, with utmost care taken to avoid civilian casualties. Deputy PM Dar appreciated the UK’s constructive and productive engagement in helping de-escalate the situation. Both sides emphasized the importance of restraint and sustained dialogue to prevent further escalation and to maintain regional peace and stability. The two sides also held wide-ranging discussions on Pakistan-UK bilateral relations. They expressed satisfaction at the steady progress in trade, economic cooperation, and development partnerships. Deputy PM acknowledged the UK’s valuable support in priority areas including education, health, and climate resilience.
On May 10, when tensions between the two countries peaked, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached between India and Pakistan. According to the government, 40 civilians — including seven women and 15 children and 13 armed forces personnel — lost their lives in the Indian aggression, and 121 others sustained injuries. The Prime Minister praised the martyrs, their families, his cabinet members, service chiefs, and the nation for successful, timely and decisive response to the Indian aggression.
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Youm-e-Tashakur was celebrated across the country, including AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan with national fervor on Friday to celebrate the victory in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and Marka-e-Haq while reiterating support for the brave armed forces. The day dawned with special prayers in Mosques and recitation of Holy Quran. Thirty-one gun salute after Fajr prayer in the federal capital and twenty one gun salute at provincial capitals boomed out to mark the Day. Flag hoisting ceremonies and public rallies were held across the country as part of the nationwide observance announced by the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Flag hoisting ceremonies were organized at Air Headquarters Islamabad, Badaber Base Peshawar and PAF academies at Risalpur and Korangi in Karachi. Floral wreaths were laid at the memo-
Pakistan’s counterstrikes dispelled India’s ambitions to enforce hegemony in region: FO ISLAMABAD
Naqvi, US Acting Ambassador discuss post-ceasefire situation, bilateral ties ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan’s “decisive success in neutralizing” Indian fighter jets, drones, and military targets is now an “undeniable and widely recognized” fact that can’t be “obscured by misinformation or propaganda” as this action was to demonstrate its resolve, capability and inherent right to defend territory and people, the Foreign Office said on Friday. “Pakistan was compelled to exercise its right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity in light of Indian unrelenting aggression,” Foreign Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan stated during his weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Friday. Ambassador Khan asserted that Pakistan’s response to India was measured, proportionate and strictly targeted military installations. The FO Spokesperson said that Pakistan’s “effective counterstrikes” had reinforced the credibility of its deterrence and dispelled any illusion of India’s conventional superiority or its ambitions to enforce hegemony in the region.
rials of the martyrs and Fateha was recited. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif hoisted national flag at Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad in connection with “Youm-e-Tashakur”. The Prime Minister, on the occasion said, today “Youm-e-Tashakur” is being observed to thank Allah Almighty for the magnificent victory of Pakistan against the blatant aggression and provocation of India. He said India, while demonstrating cowardice, attacked Pakistan on the night of 6th and 7th of this month, resulting in the martyrdom and injuries of innocent Pakistanis. He said Indian aggression compelled Pakistan to respond. The Prime Minister said Pakistan is a peaceful country, but it reserves right to give a befitting response in its defence. He said the valiant and professional armed forces of Pakistan responded befittingly and effectively to India and wrote a golden chapter in the military history of the country.
STAFF REPORT
He said the recent announcement of ceasefire between Pakistan and India was a positive development, urging India to adhere to its implementation. He also appreciated the constructive role played by friendly countries in facilitating the ceasefire. About the statement of US President on Pakistan-India tension, Shafqat Ali Khan reiterated support for President Trump’s announcement on engaging with Pakistan and India to seek a resolution to Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Replying a question, the Spokesperson said Indian media re-
ports of any kind of radiation from nuclear site that was allegedly targeted by New Delhi during recent stand-off with Pakistan are absurd and preposterous. He said this is part of disinformation and fake news of Indian media. As a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan categorically rejects this irresponsible reporting. To another question, Shafqat Ali Khan said the Director Generals of Military Operations of Pakistan and India remained in contact since 10th of this month from time to time. Both sides have agreed on a mechanism for staged-wise deescalation in the coming days.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday emphasized that President Trump had rendered a “great service to humanity” by helping avert a “catastrophic conflict in the region,” saying “the credit for the ceasefire between two nuclear powers goes to President Donald Trump.” Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed the views during an important meeting with the United States’ Acting Ambassador to Pakistan, Natalie Baker, in Islamabad here on Friday. The meeting focused on key issues of mutual interest, bilateral relations, and expanding cooperation between the two countries. During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on the post-ceasefire situation between Pakistan and India. Minister Naqvi expressed deep gratitude to US President Donald Trump and the American ambassador for their pivotal role in bringing about the ceasefire. The interior minister also appreciated the US President’s positive remarks regarding Pakistan’s leadership. “We welcome President Trump’s encouraging thoughts about Pakistan’s leadership,” Naqvi stated. Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the United States, Naqvi emphasized that Pakistan desired to further enhance mutual cooperation with the US across various sectors. In response,
UN forecasts moderate growth for Pakistan amid global economic slowdown g
WORLD ECONOMY FACES HEIGHTENED TRADE TENSIONS AND POLICY UNCERTAINTY AS PAKISTAN’S GDP IS PROJECTED TO GROW BY 2.3% IN 2025 UNDER IMF-BACKED REFORMS PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
Pakistan is anticipated to post “moderate growth, stabilising after a period of economic contraction,” with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast to grow by 2.3% in 2025, according to the United Nations’ latest global economic outlook. Released just a day ago, the UN World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 report highlighted easing inflation across South Asia, enabling most central banks in the region to either begin or continue loosening monetary policy this year. However, countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are projected to persist with fiscal tightening and economic restructuring under ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) programmes. South Asia, overall, is expected to maintain a strong near-term outlook, with regional growth pegged at 5.7% in 2025 and rising to 6% in 2026. This performance is largely supported by India’s economic mo-
mentum and recoveries in other countries like Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Globally, however, the economic environment remains fragile. The UN warns that escalating trade tensions and increased uncertainty in policy are shaking investor confidence and dampening capital spending. A notable rise in tariffs—especially in the United States—has sharply pushed up effective tariff rates, raising production costs, unsettling supply chains, and increasing the risk of financial volatility. The cumulative impact of policy unpredictability, geopolitical instability, high debt burdens, and sluggish productivity is threatening to derail global growth. The report revises global GDP growth downward to just 2.4% in 2025, down from 2.9% in 2024 and 0.4 percentage points lower than the UN’s January 2025 projection. Compounding matters, global trade is expected to lose significant steam—dropping from 3.3% growth in 2024 to just 1.6% in 2025. This weakening trade environment, combined with persistent inflation and lower
investment, poses serious risks to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The slowdown is widespread, affecting both developed and developing nations. The United States is projected to see GDP growth fall from 2.8% in 2024 to 1.6% in 2025, as rising tariffs and uncertain policy environments suppress consumer spending and business investment. Growth in the European Union is expected to remain flat at 1% in 2025, hindered by declining net exports and higher trade barriers. China’s economic expansion is forecast to slow to 4.6% this year, citing weak consumer confidence, obstacles in manufacturing exports, and persistent difficulties in the property sector. Other emerging economies such as Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa are also seeing growth projections trimmed, driven by falling commodity prices, declining investments, and softer trade. India’s growth has also been revised slightly downward to 6.3% in 2025, though it still remains one of the top-performing major economies. “The tariff shock risks hitting vulnera-
ble developing countries hard, slowing growth, slashing export revenues, and compounding debt challenges, especially as these economies are already struggling to make the investments needed for long-term, sustainable development,” warned Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. Although global headline inflation fell from 5.7% in 2023 to 4% in 2024, inflation remains above pre-pandemic norms in twothirds of all countries by early 2025. Over 20 developing economies are still grappling with double-digit inflation. Food inflation continues to hover above 6%, placing significant strain on lower-income households, particularly in Africa, South Asia, and Western Asia. Trade restrictions and climate-induced disruptions are further exacerbating inflationary pressures. The report urges governments to adopt coordinated responses, combining sound monetary policy, targeted fiscal support, and comprehensive longterm strategies to stabilise prices and support vulnerable populations.
Monetary authorities in many nations now face increasingly difficult trade-offs. While trying to contain inflation—often worsened by tariff-induced cost increases— they also need to support decelerating economies. Meanwhile, fiscal limitations in developing countries reduce the scope for meaningful intervention. The report also highlights the deteriorating global development outlook. For the least developed countries, GDP growth is expected to dip from 4.5% in 2024 to 4.1% in 2025. Shrinking export revenues, tighter financial conditions, and falling development aid inflows are compounding debt risks and narrowing fiscal space. Heightened trade frictions are weakening the multilateral trading system and deepening marginalisation for small and vulnerable economies, the UN warns. It calls for renewed multilateral cooperation, with an emphasis on reforming global trade rules and offering targeted aid to struggling countries to help drive equitable, sustainable growth.