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PM REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO STRUCTURAL REFORMS TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY Sunday, 13 July, 2025 | 17 Muharram, 1447
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WE HAVE A LONG AND THORNY JOURNEY AND TO FACE MOUNTAINLIKE IMPEDIMENTS: PM SHEHBAZ
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 5 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
SAYS PAKISTAN AVOIDED DEFAULT THROUGH IMF DEAL EFFORT, NOTING FBR DIGITIZATION HELPED REVENUE TO JUMP FROM RS12B TO RS50B
PAKISTAN RESPONDED INDIA’S UNCALLED-FOR AGGRESSION WITH FULL MIGHT AND TAUGHT THE ENEMY A LESSON: PM
PM disposes of rumors President Zardari resigning to clear way for COAS’s presidential bid ISLAMABAD
monitoring report
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ISLAMABAD
staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to achieving economic prosperity through long-overdue structural reforms, institutional changes, and a renewed focus on merit-based governance. “The road is very challenging, as there were long overdue reforms, and the structural changes had not taken place in the last many decades,” he said while addressing a group of Pakistani students who are getting education in the world’s leading educational institutes and selected for the government’s internship summer scholars program of
Uraan Pakistan. The prime minister stressed that Pakistan had to undertake these long overdue structural changes through untiring and long efforts. He pointed out that when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) took charge of the government during 2023, Pakistan was facing a serious threat of default, and their fate was hanging in the balance. “The majority viewed that Pakistan would go into default, while the minority thought that we will escape this disaster,” he said, adding that he held marathon discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director and assured that Pakistan would not run into default and achieve the IMF program.
SJC dismisses 19 complaints against judges, puts five on hold ISLAMABAD
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday dismissed rumors circulating in the media suggesting that President Asif Ali Zardari might resign to pave the way for Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to assume the presidency, characterizing all such reports as “rumors.” The premier termed such claims as “mere speculations,” indicating that there is no truth to such claims and emphasizing the importance of relying on verified information, according to media reports. The premier’s assertion comes days after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi shared a statement on his official X account, slamming what he called a “malicious campaign” tar-
The prime minister said that at that period, the economy was in bad shape, with galloping inflation touching 38%, while the policy rate was hovering at 22.5%. The business atmosphere in the country was very skeptical. The premier, in his remarks, further said that they had the huge burden and
onus to march in unison and work with sincerity of purpose to change the situation. He also referred to reforms and digitization of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and said that they had shown doors to the corrupt people without being influenced.
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Any change in KP should come from within PTI’s rank: JUI-F PESHAWAR
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The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), convened with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi in the chair on Saturday, discussed 24 complaints against judges under Article 209 of the constitution, rejecting 19 of them while putting five others on hold for further discussion, according to a press release. The meeting discussed complaints against judges and the amendments to the council rules. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi chaired the meeting attended by senior puisine judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah (through video link), Mr Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Aalia Neelum, Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, and Mr Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar, Chief Justice Sindh High Court. As per the declaration issued at the end of the meeting, the participants approved the draft of the SJC Service Rules, 2025. It was decided that more brainstorming would be done on making amendments to the code of conduct for the judges and the mode of inquiry to be adopted. The participants rejected the proposal to make the names of judges against whom complaints had been disposed of public. Following is the text of the press release issued after the SJC meeting: “A meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council was held under the chairmanship of Mr Justice Yahya Afridi, Chief Justice of Pakistan/Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, at the Supreme Court in Islamabad today (12.07.2025) at 11:00 AM.” “The council discussed all the agenda items one by one. The proposed draft of Supreme Judicial Council Secretariat Service Rules, 2025 was approved by the council, while it was resolved that the procedure of inquiry and amendments in the Code of Conduct needed to be examined from a legal and drafting point of view; therefore, these required further deliberation.” “The Council also examined 24 complaints under Article 209 of the Constitution filed by different individuals. 19 complaints were unanimously decided to be filed, while 5 others were deferred for the time being.” Earlier this week, CJP Yahya Afridi had convened the SJC meeting to consider around two dozen pending complaints against superior court judges and a set of recommendations to streamline the process of handling complaints and to ensure transparency while probing allegations of misconduct against judges.
geting President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Army Chief. “We are fully aware of who is behind the malicious campaign,” said Naqvi. “I have categorically stated that there has been no discussion, nor does any such idea exist, about the president being asked to resign or the COAS aspiring to assume the presidency,” he added. The President of Pakistan enjoys a strong and respectful relationship with the leadership of the Armed Forces. He has clearly stated, “I know who is spreading these falsehoods, why they are doing so, and who stands to benefit from this propaganda.” “The sole focus of the COAS is the strength and stability of Pakistan, nothing else,” he added.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Friday that since the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) holds the majority in KP, any change in the province should come from within the party’s ranks. “It is my suggestion there is to be a change in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but it should emerge from within the PTI,” the JUI-F said while addressing a press conference in Peshawar. The JUI-F chief said, “They do not recognize the authority of armed groups and that the public is dissatisfied with the role of the state. Although political parties have differences, there is no enmity.” He added that JUI-F would make decisions regarding the
province only after party consultation, noting that the province cannot afford further political instability. Commenting on the Senate, Fazl said it was too early to offer remarks on any possible adjustments. Following the Supreme Court’s June 27 verdict—which ruled that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is ineligible for reserved seats—the opposition alliance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is now just 20 members short of forming a simple majority in the provincial assembly. A meeting between KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on July 2 further fueled rumours that the federal government may be considering the ouster of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. However, senior PML-N leaders Khawaja Asif and Rana Sanaullah have publicly dismissed
the possibility of a no-confidence motion against Gandapur. Meanwhile, KP Governor Kundi did not rule out the option entirely. Speaking to a TV channel, he stated, “We are not plotting against the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, the day we have even one more member in the assembly, it will be our democratic right to move a no-confidence motion.” On the political front, he said JUI-F has differences with PPP, PML-N, and ANP, but not hostility. “There is no enmity between PTI and JUI either,” he said, adding that there had been a bitter chapter in their relationship in the past. Addressing the law and order situation, Fazl stated that if the opposition reached out regarding the matter, he would be willing to sit and hold talks.
‘26 suspended MPAs’ issue’: Govt, PTI back to negotiating table as PA speaker forms committee LAHORE
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Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Saturday constituted an eight-member negotiation committee to address the issue of references filed against suspended Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) members. The nomination of the negotiation committee members comes after the initial consultative meeting between Speaker Khan and 26 suspended MPAs of PTI over disqualification references filed against them. The committee includes Chief Whip Rana Arshad, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Samiullah Khan, and Ahmad Iqbal. Additional representation comes from allied parties, with Ali Haider Gillani from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Chaudhry Shafay Hussain from the PMLQ, and Shoaib Siddiqui from the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) also named to the body. On the other hand, the opposition is likely to submit its nominees with the speaker on Sunday (tomorrow), which may include Opposition Leader Ahmad Khan Bhachar, Parliamentary Leader Ali Imtiaz Waraich, PTI Lahore President Sheikh Imtiaz, Ejaz Shafi, and other senior members. The second round of talks between the government and opposition committees is scheduled for Sunday at 4:30 pm at the Punjab Assembly wherein both sides are expected to finalise recommendations for the negotiation framework. Key representatives from both treasury and opposition benches are likely to establish Terms of Reference (ToRs) in the coming days, aimed at regulating the future proceedings of the Punjab Assembly and discouraging humiliation, abusive exchanges, and violent conduct between lawmakers. The list of suspended PTI MPAs includes: Malik Fahad Masood (PP-13), Muhammad Tanveer Aslam (PP-19), Syed Riffat Mehmood (PP-24), Yasir Mehmood Qureshi (PP-25), Kaleem Ullah Khan (PP60), Muhammad Ansar Iqbal (PP-73), Ali Asif (PP-75), Zulifqar Ali (PP-76), Ahmad Mujtaba Chaudhary (PP-99), Shahid Javed (PP-115), Muhammad Ismael (PP-116), Khayal Ahmad (PP118), Shahbaz Ahmad (PP-130), Tayyab Rashid (PP-141), Imtiaz Mehmood (PP-155), Ali Imtiaz (PP156), Rashid Tufail (PP-175), Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal (PP-203), Khalid Zubair Nisar (PP231), Chaudhry Muhammad Ejaz Shafi (PP-258), Samia Kanwal (PP-260), Muhammad Naeem (PP263), Sajjad Ahmad (PP-265), Rana Aurang Zaib (PP-276), Shuaib Ameer (PP-281), and Usama Asghar Ali Gujjar (PP-282). Both sides reportedly agreed to form a joint committee of senior members to make the consultation process more effective and to explore constitutional, legal and parliamentary solutions to the impasse. It is worth mentioning that Speaker Khan had received disqualification references against these currently suspended MPAs under Article 63(2) read with Article 113 of the Constitution. It is his constitutional obligation to decide on these references within 30 days, as stipulated in the said provisions.
‘Political Kaaba:’ KP CM launches protest movement LAHORE
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday announced the launch of a new political movement from Lahore he described as the "political Kaaba" of Pakistan, saying whenever a movement starts from Lahore, it succeeds across Pakistan. Addressing a presser after presiding over a consultative meeting of the PTI central leaders and workers, held at a farmhouse in Lahore's Raiwind, he said, “Today, we are launching our movement from here, and Insha Allah, it will sweep the entire country."
In a blistering attack on the military establishment, Gandapur accused it of imposing an "undeclared martial law" that has "ruined the country." "For decades, a few parties and the establishment have imposed their will on this nation," he said. "They conducted so many experiments under martial law that they bankrupted Pakistan. These experiments have pushed Pakistan into a severe crisis,” he added. “Even after all this, their hunger for power remains unsatisfied. Now they have imposed a form of martial law that exists not on paper, but is very real in its effect.” The KP Chief Minister lamented the damage caused to the country and criticized
the military’s current role, saying, “They do not realize the extent of harm caused to Pakistan, and they show no remorse. “Their interference has also insulted the dignity of the soldiers standing at the frontlines.” He further stated, “When questioned, they refuse to consider themselves answerable. But we will hold them accountable.” The KP chief minister condemned the imprisonment of PTI founder Imran Khan, calling him "innocent" and stating that "there are no real cases against him." Gandapur urged PTI leaders from all provinces to assess their local political conditions and devise strategies accordingly. "Our action plan must align with Pakistan’s current situation," he said. "I
urge all provinces to analyze their circumstances and present their plans to the party. We must prepare for a decisive push by August 5." He also cautioned against comparing Punjab with KP, saying "it would be unfair" given their differing political landscapes. Prepare your strategies accordingly and submit them to the party leadership,” he said. “Our goal is to take this movement to its peak by August 5. We must reflect on how to achieve that.” PTI convoy reaches Lahore, plans major protest movement Earlier, PTI’s convey with party’s top leadership arrived in Lahore to finalize the strategy.
Pakistan-Afghanistan trade volume reaches $1b in first six months of 2025 PESHAWAR
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The trade volume between Afghanistan and Pakistan neared $1 billion in the first six months of 2025, according to the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Officials reported that bilateral trade reached $989 million during this period, with Afghan exports accounting for $277 million and imports from Pakistan totaling $712 million. Afghanistan’s major exports to Pakistan included cotton, coal, onions, tomatoes,
raisins, mung beans, and talc stone. On the other hand, Afghanistan imported Sella rice, medical drugs, sugar, cotton textiles, and raw materials for factories from Pakistan. Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, highlighted the trade composition, emphasizing the importance of these exchanges for both economies. Afghanistan’s TOLO news reports that Afghan exports to Pakistan have shown improvement compared to the same period last year. The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment noted that trade is currently
being conducted through the Chaman, Spin Boldak, Torkham, and Dand Patan crossings. Khan Jan Alokozai, a board member of the Chamber, stated that while the Ghulam Khan route remains closed, the overall trade situation is better than last year. Mirwais Haji Zada, First Deputy of the Agriculture and Livestock Chamber, urged the Afghan government to enhance economic ties with Pakistan. “Pakistan is a vital market for Afghanistan, and many of their agricultural products are not available locally. Constructive engagement is necessary to strengthen trade relations,” he said.