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Sunday, 6 July, 2025 | 10 Muharram, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 358 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
PM, PRESIDENT URGE GUIDANCE FROM SACRIFICES OF IMAM HUSSAIN AS NATION COMMEMORATES YOUM-E-ASHURA TODAY
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PM SHEHBAZ SAYS ASHURA GIVES US THE GREAT LESSON OF PATIENCE, SACRIFICE AND STANDING FIRM ON PRINCIPLES
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ISLAMABAD
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PRESDIENT ZARDARI CALLS ON THE NATION TO FOLLOW THE PATH OF IMAM HUSSAIN (RA) AND NOT ONLY REFORM ITSELF BUT ALSO BASE THE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM, SOCIAL ATTITUDES AND NATIONAL PRIORITIES
staff report
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari urged the nation to take guidance from the life and character of Imam Hussain (RA) to overcome internal and external challenges and keep Pakistan on the path of peace, unity and progress as the Muslims will solemnly commemorate the eternal martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWW), and the revered family Ahle Bayt on Youm-eAshura on Sunday (tomorrow). In a message on the occasion of Ashura 1447 AH, the PM Shehbaz said, Ashura is a profound and instructive day in the history of Islam, which gives us the great lesson of patience, sacrifice and standing firm on principles. This day will continue to illuminate the conscience of humanity till the Day of Judgment. The battle that took place on the battlefield of Karbala on the 10th of Muharram Al-Haram is not an ordinary battle, but an eternal message for the entire world, he remarked. He said, “The grandson of the Prophet, Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), along with his family and devoted companions, sacrificed their lives for the sake of truth, justice and religion, but did not bow down to falsehood.” This great sacrifice of his reminds us that protecting principles and standing firm on the truth requires great courage and unwavering faith. The martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) makes it clear as day that the true spirit of Islam lies in human dignity, justice, mercy, principledness and freedom,” he asserted. The prime minister said, The Karbala
tragedy teaches us that although the path of truth is difficult, it is the path that leads to the pleasure of Allah Almighty, satisfaction of hearts and eternal welfare. The message of the Supreme Imam is not limited to his time, but is a universal message, which even today convinces us that a Muslim stands for the truth, supports the oppressed, and supports justice in all circumstances. He said, Today, when our nation is facing many challenges. Be it the economy, society or national unity, we need to take guidance from the life of Imam Hussain (RA) more than ever. We have to adopt qualities such as honesty, tolerance, patience, sacrifice and principledness in our national life. From individual attitudes to state policies, if we chart our course in the light of Karbala, Pakistan can become a welfare, just and self-reliant state that not only represents the aspirations of its people but also sets an
Defeated India trying to pacify its domestic audience by blaming China: Kh Asif ISLAMABAD
staff report
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif rejected the top Indian Army officer’s claims about China’s ‘live [satellite] inputs’ to Pakistan during its recent conflict with India in May, saying such statements are aimed at pacifying the domestic audience. India’s Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Rahul R Singh, claimed a day ago that Beijing provided real-time satellite intelligence to Islamabad to expose key Indian positions, while Turkiye provided a genre of military support via supplying drones. India fought two adversaries during the conflict, with Pakistan being the “front face” while China provided “all possible support”, he alleged at a defence industry event in New Delhi. “When the DGMO (director general of military operations) level talks were going on, Pakistan … said that we know that your such and such important vector is primed and it is ready for action … he was getting live inputs from China,” he said. Singh did not elaborate on how India knew about the live inputs from China. Singh said that Turkiye also provided key support to Pakistan during the fighting, equipping it with Bayraktar and “numerous other” drones, and “trained individuals”. In a statement today, the defence czar said that Pakistan defeated India in the recent conflict and shattered New Delhi’s self-proclaimed pride. He said that such statements from India were aimed at pacifying its domestic audience. “The whole world supported us,” Asif said, adding that Israel was the only country standing with India, reflecting Delhi’s defeat on the diplomatic front. Pakistani military has undoubtedly proved its mettle in the war with India, reiterated Asif. The defence minister said that the war fought independently by Pakistan.
example for the world, he remarked. He said, The great sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) is the mutual asset of the entire Muslim Ummah. We should make this sacred message a source of unity, and make our society a cradle of love, tolerance and goodwill. He said, Today on the Day of Ashura, let us pledge that we will make truth and honesty our motto in our lives. We will raise our voice against oppression and try to give our homeland the same peace, justice and dignity that is reflected in the bright character of Sayyiduna Imam Hussain (RA). I pray that Allah Almighty keeps Pakistan on the path of peace, unity and progress, and protects Pakistan from internal and external tribulations and grants it stability, and gives us the knowledge and wisdom with which we can move towards a bright and dignified future… Amen, concluded.
President asks nation to follow path of Imam Hussain (RA) Meanwhile in separate message, President Asif Ali Zardari called upon the nation to follow the path of Imam Hussain (RA) and not only reform itself but also base the governance system, social attitudes and national priorities on honesty, decency and public welfare. In a message to the nation on the occasion of Ashura Day 1447 AH, he said, “The Day of Ashura is a bright and immortal chapter in Islamic history, which gives us a message of sacrifice, truthfulness and sincere determination.” He said, “This day reminds us of the great martyrdom of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his devoted companions. This day is a symbol of an eternal struggle against falsehood.” “This day is not only an unparalleled story of sacrifice, loyalty and patience, but also a bright light that shows the path of truth and righteousness in the darkness of every era. The martyrdom of the Supreme Imam was not the result of any political or temporal expediency, but it was a divine mission based on truthfulness, justice and the pleasure of God,” he explained. He said, “Not only a war was fought on the land of Karbala, but there was a test of conscience, character and the true spirit of religion. Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions, by accepting the severity of hunger, thirst and death, gave a lesson to the history of humanity that time can never forget.” “Their message is still alive today and it is a profound message of standing firm on principles, not bowing down to oppression and coercion and making every sacrifice for the sake of truth,” he continued.
‘Someone’s Wish List,’ Dar rebukes reports on Nawaz-Imran meeting as rumours LAHORE
staff report
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar rebuked reports about a meeting between PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and PTI founder Imran Khan, describing “such reports” baseless and part of a “sponsored narrative” to create political confusion. "These are baseless speculations and could be someone’s wishful thinking as we neither need, nor wish to approach anyone," DPM Dar declared while speaking to reporters at Data Darbar on Saturday. The deputy PM noted that the current government was initially formed with the critical support of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). "When we started, our numbers were incomplete without them. Now that we have a simple majority, there’s no difficulty—but we will continue cooperating with the PPP even more than before," he added. In response to a question about offering ministries to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Deputy Prime Minister said that the PPP had made no such request. “They are our allies and will remain so. We have an excellent working relationship, and they have extended full support to us,” he said. “Those who stand by you in difficult times are not abandoned when things get better.” Dar noted that both parties had signed a formal agreement, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif representing the PML-N and Bilawal
‘Change at Presidency:’ Naqvi advises against paying heed to ‘social media speculations’ ROHRI
staff report
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday dispelled the reports claiming a “change in the presidency” and enactment of the 27th constitutional amendment as mere speculations, advising the public not to pay heed to “social media speculations.” He urged the media to refrain from political speculations for at least two days in respect for Ashura days, noting these “rumor-mongers” are spreading misleading narratives. “Some people are bothered, as for the first time, politicians, the government, and the military establishment are on the same
Bhutto Zardari signing on behalf of the PPP. “That agreement is a sacred document for us, and we are fully committed to its implementation.” DPM reaffirmed the government's openness to engaging with all political parties, saying it was prepared to work across the aisle in the national interest. “When Pakistan was under threat, we engaged not just with coalition partners, but also the
page,” he declared while addressing the media during his visit to Sindh’s Rohri city on Saturday. Replying to journalists’ queries on reports suggesting President Zardari was being removed from office and that another constitutional amendment was in the offing, Naqvi denied the speculations, advising “against paying heed to the social media reports.” His statement came after the ruling Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) obtained a simple majority in the National Assembly after the reinstatement of reserved seats by the Election Commission of Pakistan following the top court’s Constitutional Bench verdict.
opposition. The result was a unified message heard around the world.” Discussing the economic outlook, Dar said the country had narrowly avoided default in April 2022 when the PDM government took office. “Had that change not happened, we might have defaulted. Yes, we paid a political price — but it stabilised the economy.
Pakistan-India trade continues despite conflict, with imports hitting a 3-year high g
IMPORTS FROM INDIA REACHED $211.5M IN 11 MONTHS OF FY25, AND EXPORTS REMAINED MINIMAL PROFIT
staff report
Trade between Pakistan and India continued in May 2025, with imports from India reaching $211.5 million during the first 11 months of FY25, a three-year high. Despite a brief military conflict and ongoing border closures, imports in May alone stood at $15 million, slightly down from $17 million during the same month in 2024. However, exports from Pakistan to India remained minimal. In May 2025, exports amounted to just $1,000, bringing total exports to India for the JulyMay period to only $0.5 million. In contrast, exports were $3.44 million in FY24 and $0.33 million in FY23, illustrating the highly onesided nature of bilateral trade. Traders speculated that goods from India may have entered Pakistan through third countries, with payments made before the hostilities in May began. Despite the limited official trade, Indian research institutions estimate that informal trade between the two countries could reach up to $10 billion annually, primarily routed through Dubai, Colombo, and Singapore. Analysts point to high production costs in Pakistan, along with industrial reliance on foreign inputs, as factors contributing to continued unofficial trade. While formal trade ties have been suspended since 2019, both official data and the ongoing flow of goods suggest economic interdependence between the two nations persists, albeit through informal channels.
KP govt stable, no one can harm it, says Gandapur PESHAWAR
staff report
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, has stated that his government is stable and that no member is going anywhere, adding that the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cannot harm the government in any way. While speaking to the media in Peshawar, Gandapur said, “Those who think they can bring a no-confidence motion are welcome to try — the reality will become clear.” He added that if the budget hadn’t been passed, the government would have fallen, and the blame would have been entirely their own. He accused opponents of celebrating prematurely, and claimed it was propaganda from within their own ranks suggesting the budget shouldn’t be presented — followed by an uproar when it was passed. The CM also revealed that he is approaching the court regarding reserved seats, based on his nomination papers. He clarified, “I am not an independent candidate; I am a member of PTI. I never identified as an independent on my nomination papers — I clearly wrote PTI as my party.” Speaking about the Swat River incident, Gandapur said that the bereaved family from Daska is demanding a government job, but noted that a Punjab domicile does not qualify one for government employment in KP. Instead, he announced that the family would be given Rs 20 lakh (2 million) per person, totaling Rs 20 million in compensation, and they were also advised on how to invest the amount in a business. He also stressed the importance of resuming trade with Afghanistan, and criticised the contradiction in national behavior: “We chase foreign citizenship for ourselves but are unwilling to grant it to Afghans,” he remarked.
Shehbaz, Erdogan, Aliyev exhibit unity through post-summit stroll in Khankendi KHANKENDI, AZERBAIJAN staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev exhibited unprecedented unity and shared warm moments by engaging in a friendly stroll together in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, following the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit. The Azerbaijani president briefed the prime minister and the Turkish president about Khankendi and its historic buildings, the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing said in a statement on Saturday. The three leaders engaged in an informal and pleasant conversation during the walk. As a symbolic gesture of unity, the leaders held hands to express the exemplary fraternal relations and solidarity among
Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan. Later, President Aliyev personally drove Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Shusha for a luncheon. In a separate development on the sidelines of the ECO summit on Friday, Pakistan and Azerbaijan signed a landmark agreement for a $2 billion Azerbaijani investment in Pakistan’s economy, marking a significant boost to bilateral ties. The agreement was finalised in the presence of PM Shehbaz, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov. The investment pact follows discussions held between PM Shehbaz and President Aliyev, and sets the stage for a more detailed memorandum of understanding, expected to be signed during President Aliyev’s upcoming visit to Pakistan. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister She-
hbaz Sharif urged stronger regional cooperation in view of increasing geopolitical tensions, including the Iran-Israel conflict and Indian hostility towards Pakistan, stressing that the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) offered the country its “best hope” for a unified response. Addressing the 17th ECO Summit in Azerbaijan’s city of Khankendi, the prime minister said two recent events—the Iran-Israel war and the India-Pakistan conflict— showed that “the forces of instability and chaos continue to destabilize our region for geopolitical agendas. “The evolving global landscape has made regional cooperation even more essential,” PM Shehbaz said while addressing the 10-nation Eurasian bloc. “ECO represents our best hope, and Pakistan is a proud partner in these collective efforts.” Later, the Prime Minister held produc-
tive meetings with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and President of Uzbek-
istan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and discussed matters of regional and mutual interest, state media reported.