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Friday, 23 May, 2025 I 25 Ziquad, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 316 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
MILITARY VOWS TO PURSUE ‘PROXIES, FACILITATORS’ OF TERRORISM WITH ‘UNRELENTING RESOLVE’
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HOSTILE ELEMENTS, ‘TRAINED, FINANCED’ TO ‘INCITE CHAOS AND FEAR,’ WILL BE DECIMATED WITH FULL FORCE OF NATIONAL WILL AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTH: CCC REITERATES FULL DIPLOMATIC, POLITICAL, MORAL AND HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT FOR KASHMIRI BROTHERS AND SISTERS
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RAWALPINDI
FORUM SAYS INDIA A SELF-CLAIMED VICTIM OF TERRORISM IS ACTUALLY A PERPETRATOR OF TERRORISM AND EPICENTRE OF REGIONAL INSTABILITY
MEETING PAYS TRIBUTE TO MARTYRS OF MARKA-E-HAQ, REAFFIRMING THAT ‘SACRED BLOOD OF SHUHUDA’ WOULD NOT GO IN VAIN
STAFF REPORT
ILITARY top brass vowed that Pakistan will never allow its peace to be compromised by “externally sponsored” terrorism and the Armed Forces, in close synergy with intelligence and law enforcement agencies, will pursue all “proxies and facilitators” of terrorism with “unrelenting resolve,” the military’s media wing said on Thursday. The military leadership reiterated that hostile elements, “trained and financed” to “incite chaos and fear,” will be dismantled and decimated with full force of national will and institutional strength, InshaAllah.” According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the vow was made during the 270th Corps Commander Conference (CCC) held with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir in the chair at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Thursday. The Forum reaffirmed Pakistan’s unyielding resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any act of aggression or misadventure. The CCC reiterated Pakistan’s strategic stance, “No one can coerce Pakistan through the use or threat of force. The nation will take all measures necessary to safeguard its vital interests.” The CCC held a day after at least six people, including three students, were martyred while over 40 others — mostly students — were injured after an “explosiveladen vehicle” targeted a school bus near Zero Point in Khuzdar on the Quetta-Karachi highway when it was on its way to drop the students at the Army Public School in Khuzdar Cantt.
Bilawal condemns politicisation of water through violation of IWT ISLAMABAD
NEWS DESK
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the politicisation of water through violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling it a form of “hybrid warfare.” He warned that if such actions continue, future generations would face conflicts over water resources. Speaking shortly after Pakistan and India agreed to a ceasefire following drone and missile exchanges, Bilawal criticised India’s assertion of a “new normal” in crossborder conflicts. He highlighted that Pakistan responded with restraint and exercised its right to self-defence, which was acknowledged by the international community. Bilawal said India’s aggressive approach, rooted in division and hostility, threatens regional peace and is unsustainable. He will lead a delegation appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to brief world capitals, media, and parliaments on Pakistan’s position and recent Indian actions. He stressed that lasting peace in South Asia depends on resolving key issues including Jammu and Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, and India’s alleged weaponisation of water resources. Climate Minister Musadik Malik accused India of targeting civilians and fabricating a narrative of dominance, referencing Indian military losses. Former Foreign Minister Khurram Dastgir described India’s stance as anti-Muslim and antiPakistan, calling it irresponsible behaviour.
Significant progress made on diplomatic, strategic and economic fronts during China trip: Dar ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
“The forum undertook a comprehensive review of the prevailing internal and external security environment, with particular emphasis on the successful conclusion of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, a decisive chapter of Marka-e-Haq,” the statement read. It was observed that “following its military failure in the wake of the Pahalgam incident, India so-called and self-claimed victim of terrorism, but actually a perpetrator of terrorism and the epicentre of regional instability, has upscaled the use of covert means, employing non-state actors to pursue its destabilisation agenda,” the ISPR said. “The forum resolved that Pakistan will never allow its peace to be compromised by externally-sponsored terrorism. The Armed Forces, in close synergy with intelligence and law enforcement agencies, will pursue all proxies and facilitators of terrorism with unrelenting resolve. It further said that the nation will take “all measures necessary to safeguard its vital interests”. The conference also deliberated on the regional en-
vironment in India-occupied Kashmir and along the working boundary with India, expressing “deep concern” over human rights violations committed by Indian forces against Kashmiris. The forum also congratulated COAS Munir on his promotion to the rank of field marshal. “The forum underscored the urgent need for international attention and intervention to prevent further deterioration of peace and security in South Asia,” the statement read. “The forum reiterated full diplomatic, political, moral and humanitarian support for Kashmiri brothers and sisters and their just resistance for [the] right of self-determination.” Additionally, the meeting paid tribute to the martyrs of Marka-e-Haq and reaffirmed that the “sacred blood of the shuhuda (martyrs)” would not go in vain, while also recognising the spirit and dynamic contributions of the youth and Pakistan’s “media and information warriors” for their role during the brief conflict.
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‘BLA-TTP are Indian proxies,’ Asif says govt to prove India’s involvement in Khuzdar bus attack ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday declared that the two major terrorist groups—the Balochistan Liberation Army and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (Finta al-Khawarij) are “Indian proxies,” and Pakistan will present “complete evidence” to prove New Delhi’s involvement in the attack on a school bus in Balochistan’s Khuzdar that claimed the lives of three children and injured several others. “There is credible evidence the proscribed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is working as an Indian proxy, and we will corroborate whatever we have claimed of India’s involvement,” the Defense Minister stated while talking to a private TV channel late the other night. Kh Asif asserted that the relationship between the BLA and India was well-known, as their leadership was in New Delhi. Six people, including three stu-
dents, were killed, and over 40 others — mostly students — were injured when an “explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into a school bus” near Zero Point in Khuzdar on the QuettaKarachi Highway while transporting students to the Army Public School in Khuzdar Cantonment. According to security officials and doctors, the condition of at least a dozen of the injured is serious due to critical injuries, which
include at least 15 girl students. Security forces vowed to “relentlessly pursue” the culprits of the attack as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited the injured in Quetta yesterday. The Defense Czar further said, “BLA and TTP are Indian proxies, and they have nothing to do with religion or nationalism, as they are being financed by India, and they’re involved in bloodshed here.” In reply to a question on dealing with the situation, the minister said that “Pakistan will strike with full force and there will be no leniency,” stressing that attacking non-combatants, including school children, was unacceptable. Asif said Pakistan called for an investigation into the Pahalgam attack, which India didn’t agree to, adding that the world should be informed that the Modi-led regime was “very irresponsible for using a false incident as a pretext to wage a nuclear war”.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday calling his recent three-day China visit “highly successful,” said that Pakistan had achieved significant progress on diplomatic, strategic and economic fronts during the engagements held in Beijing. The deputy prime minister, addressing a news conference, said that it was not a routine diplomatic engagement but with clear and urgent objectives, also featuring bilateral meetings with Chinese leadership and trilateral dialogues involving Afghanistan. Dar told the media that a clear agreement was reached with both China and Afghanistan that no terrorist organization — whether TTP, BLA or others — would be allowed to use any country’s soil against another. Dar announced that discussions on CPEC 2.0 were detailed and promising. “We have successfully laid the groundwork for expanded cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. He confirmed that China had expressed its intent to finance the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan railway project, calling it a transformative step for regional connectivity. “We have already sent a draft framework to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. While the meeting is proposed for May 29–30, I am committed to finalizing this by early June,” Dar added. He said that the visit also marked substantive decisions with China and Afghanistan, especially on refugee matters and counterterrorism. He said that all of the decisions taken on April 17 meeting in Kabul were implemented within 72 hours – in letter and spirit. Reflecting on security cooperation, Dar stated, “China has deep concerns over attacks on its personnel in Pakistan. I assured them that we are addressing these threats seriously. We discussed a permanent mechanism to prevent cross-border terrorism, and I commend both China and Afghanistan for aligning with our zero-tolerance stance.” He reiterated that during Pakistan’s previous government from 2013 to 2017, over $4 billion was spent on Operation Zarb-e-Azb, effectively crushing terrorism. “Unfortunately, the situation deteriorated due to the previous regime’s lax border policies and the release of hardcore terrorists,” he said. “Now, our resolve is clear: we will crush terrorism with an iron hand, as we did before.” He confirmed that the ceasefire agreement, brokered after U.S. Secretary Rubio’s call, was holding and said that military-to-military engagements via DGMOs were progressing smoothly. “Our deterrence is defensive, not aggressive. We have never built our nukes and missiles to attack others, but to safeguard peace.” Dar called recent remarks by the Indian Defence Minister “regrettable” and said, “Pakistan desires peace. However, we will always defend our sovereignty with full force when challenged.” Dar highlighted his government’s commitment to improving ties with Afghanistan. He announced an extension of the transit document regime for Afghan drivers and vehicles until June 30 and introduced a single document regime of $100 multiple-entry visa for Afghan citizens. “These initiatives were deeply appreciated by Afghan officials,” he noted.
President, PM confer baton of field marshal upon COAS Asim Munir ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday jointly conferred the baton of field marshal upon Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during a special investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad. In recognition of his exemplary and exceptional leadership during Pakistan’s recent military clashes with India and the successful execution of “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”, the federal government on Tuesday elevated General Munir to the rank of field marshal. The decision was made during a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The government approved the promotion of COAS Gen Munir to the rank of field marshal for ensuring the security of the country and defeating the enemy via the best strategy and courageous leadership during “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”. The rank of Field Marshal, a five-star designation, is the highest position in the Pakistan Army, placed above the rank of a general. Addressing the ceremony at the President House, PM Shehbaz said: “Today is a moment of profound national pride and historic importance for Pakistan.”
He said that they salute their national heroes, COAS Field Marshal Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf. “You have led our brave armed forces to a remarkable victory against an enemy, caught in its own web of arrogance and hubris,” the premier added. “Our armed forces not only defended the
nation’s frontiers but also took the battle deep into the enemy’s territory, and within no time, the aggressor was brought to its knees and was taught a lesson.” Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos Pakistan armed forces launched a largescale retaliatory military action, named “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”, and targeted several Indian military installations across multiple regions. The strikes, described by officials as
“precise and proportionate”, were carried out in response to India’s continued aggression across the Line of Control (LoC)
and within Pakistan’s territory, which New Delhi claimed were aimed at “terrorist targets”.
MUZAFFARABAD
paralleled unity of the entire Pakistani nation and the courageous, wise and inspiring leadership of the Pakistan Army. Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said, “I want to tell the people of Srinagar that Pakistan stands with you, is standing with you and will continue to stand with you.” Regarding the Kashmir dispute, he said Pakistan will continue to provide political, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiris until they achieve their right to self-determination. The ceremony was also addressed by Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwarul Haq and Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam. After the speech, Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif also distributed relief cheques to the heirs of the martyrs.
Pak Army’s remarkable success against India changed world’s narrative about Pakistan: PM STAFF REPORT
A grand ceremony was held at a local hotel in Muzaffarabad, today, to distribute relief cheques to the families of those martyred in Indian aggression. Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif addressing the ceremony said that the Pakistan Army, under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir, achieved a remarkable and unprecedented success by inflicting a historic defeat on India in response to Indian aggression. This success changed the world’s narrative about Pakistan, he added. He said that Pakistan rose to prominence due to the special help of Allah Almighty, the prayers of the people, the un-