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PAKISTAN-CHINA STRONGER THAN EVER RELATIONS ADVANCING TO NEW HEIGHTS: PM
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Wednesday, 30 July, 2025 | 4 Safar, 1447
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 22 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PM SHEHBAZ INAUGURATES PAK-BUSINESS EXPRESS, LAUDS g ASSERTS PAKISTAN’S GROWING MODERN, EUROPEAN-STYLE TRAVEL FACILITIES NOT JUST MILITARY STRENGTH HAD ELEVATED FOR THE ELITE, BUT ALSO FOR THE COMMON MAN THE COUNTRY’S GLOBAL STANDING CREDITS RAILWAYS MINISTER FOR REVIVING THE RAILWAY SYSTEM, CALLING IT A LONG-AWAITED DREAM NOW BECOMING A REALITY
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DESCRIBES IMPROVEMENT IN ECONOMIC INDICATORS AS A RESULT OF COLLECTIVE EFFORT AND TEAMWORK, CONFIDENT ABOUT FURTHER PROGRESS
PM lauds progress in Pak-Kyrgyz cooperation ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
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LAHORE
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RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that Pakistan and China were moving forward on new avenues of development, with full coordination underway for the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He emphasized that bilateral ties between the two countries were stronger
than ever and continued to serve as a cornerstone for regional growth and cooperation. He added that efforts were also underway to rebuild and strengthen relations with the United States. He expressed these views while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Pak Business Express Train at Lahore Railway Station. Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, and senior railway officials were also present. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime
Zulfiqar Bhutto Jr, Fatima Bhutto to launch new political party KARACHI
Staff RepoRt
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday lauded progress in PakistanKyrgyzstan cooperation and reaffirmed the resolve to work closely for the mutual benefit of the people of two brotherly nations, state media reported. Talking to a high-level delegation from the Kyrgyz Republic, led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov, in Islamabad on Tuesday, the premier expressed satisfaction over the successful convening of the 5th session of the Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Joint Intergovernmental Commission (PKJIC). He appreciated the signing of the Protocol and several Memorandam of Understanding (MoUs) between the two sides, calling them important steps
Minister expressed satisfaction over the transformation of Lahore Railway Station, saying that Pakistan Railways was undergoing a visible and positive change. He praised the Pak Business Express for offering modern, European-style travel
towards enhancing trade, energy, collaboration, connectivity, and people-topeople exchanges. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to implementing the decisions taken during the Intergovernmental Commission and stressed the importance of timely follow-up to translate the agreements into tangible outcomes. The Kyrgyz side appreciated the efforts of the Government of Pakistan in fostering closer bilateral ties and expressed confidence that the outcomes of the Intergovernmental Commission would lead to deeper and more resultoriented cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to work closely for the mutual benefit of their peoples and to continue engaging at all levels for stronger PakistanKyrgyzstan relations.
facilities not just for the elite, but also for the common man. The train, he noted, featured a digitized ticketing system, modern passenger lounges, and upgraded reception facilities.
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Pakistan open to ‘composite dialogue’ with India, Dar reiterates NEW YORK
Staff RepoRt
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr, grandson of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, announced on Tuesday that he and his sister Fatima Bhutto, will soon launch a new political party — distancing themselves from the current leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Speaking at a press conference at his residence in Karachi’s Clifton area, Bhutto Jr said he had no backing from the establishment and was building his political identity independently. “I have no support from the establishment; this is a lie. I am trying to build myself on my own. My sister Fatima Bhutto is coming, and together we will announce the party. Our youth wing will be with us.” Bhutto Jr categorically ruled out any collaboration with the PPP, saying the party had been hijacked and no longer represented the ideals of its founding leadership. “We reject the Zardari League. This is not the PPP of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto or Mir Murtaza Bhutto Shaheed. We will never work with this PPP.” He said the PPP today was working for the establishment and had placed obstacles in the way of his late uncle. “The PPP has ended. If the current situation persists, it has no future.” Bhutto Jr announced his intention to contest elections from Lyari and expressed solidarity with the area’s residents, particularly those affected by demolitions and the sealing of buildings in the Baghdadi area. “I am here for the victims of the Baghdadi incident. Around 150 buildings have been sealed in Lyari. The PPP’s provincial government must provide homes to the affected. These people are not begging — they are asking for their rights.” Criticising recent urban development initiatives in Karachi, he described Shahrah-e-Bhutto as a “useless project” and “a slap in the face of the people of Karachi.” He questioned why such projects were prioritised over housing for the displaced. “If you can build Shahrah-e-Bhutto, why can’t you give homes to the people of Lyari?”
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday reiterated that Pakistan is ready for composite dialogue with India, emphasizing the dialogue should not be limited to the issue of terrorism alone. “The India-Pakistan composite dialogue is in the interest of everyone to discuss all outstanding issues between the two South Asian countries who had recently returned from the brink of a nuclear clash after a President Trump-brokered ceasefire,” the deputy PM emphasized while addressing a press conference. Responding to a question about
his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington last week, he told the reporters that while military-to-military communications were taking place, there was no contact on the political side.
A political dialogue, the DPM/FM said will ultimately have to take place to resolve the problems between the two countries.
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PAC seeks record of all sugar mills, exporters from FBR ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday sought a complete record of all sugar mill owners and exporters from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in connection with the ongoing sugar crisis. Chaired by Junaid Akbar, the PAC meeting included its members Omar Ayub, Riaz Fatyana, Senator Fauzia Arshad and Moeen Aamir Pirzada. During the committee’s session, the FBR officials were asked to share details of mill owners who benefited from export subsidies and tax exemptions, while the Ministry of Industries and Production was grilled over the rising sugar prices and the rationale behind sugar import and export decisions. Committee member Riaz Fatyana alleged that the nation had been defrauded of Rs287 billion under the guise of sugar prices and that those who highlighted the issue, such as Punjab’s cane commissioner Zaman Wattoo, were sidelined. He questioned the inconsistency in government claims, citing sugar as surplus one moment and in short supply the next. The secretary for industries explained that the sugar industry is regulated by provincial governments, with both federal and provincial representatives part of the Sugar Advisory Board, which also includes sugar industry stakeholders. The board monitors current stock and national requirements. The committee was informed that the crushing season runs from November 15 to March 15, and provincial governments supply stock and production estimates. Officials added that this year, the country had a surplus of over 1.3 million metric tonnes of sugar, of which 500,000 metric tonnes were reserved for the next year. The federal cabinet and the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had allowed the export of 790,000 tonnes in three phases, resulting in over $400 million in foreign exchange earnings. However, committee members were critical of this policy, highlighting that when sugar was exported, the local market rate was Rs143 per kilo, which has now surged to Rs173 per kilo. A special committee under Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has since been formed to probe the price hike. The PAC session also scrutinised an FBR-issued SRO that facilitated sugar import and tax exemptions. MNA Sanaullah Mastikhel questioned whose interests were served by the SRO, noting that even a Re1 increase in sugar price generates Rs44 billion. He criticised the perpetual cycle of profiteering, urging that mill owners hand over their facilities to the state if they cannot run them fairly. Committee member Moeen Aamir Pirzada went further, accusing the sugar mafia of being embedded in successive governments. He also demanded the list of sugar mill owners who were granted export licences. Khawaja Shiraz asked specifically who the beneficiaries were. In response, FBR officials said they would provide names upon formal instruction, prompting PAC Chairman Junaid Akbar to retort that such an order had already been issued but was ignored.
‘No doubt they will come’: PTI rebuts reports of Imran barring sons from visiting Pakistan ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
The PTI on Tuesday rebutted reports claiming “party founder Imran Khan had barred his two sons from coming to Pakistan and participating in any activity for his release.” Responding swiftly to the reports through a post on X, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said, “The media reports circulating regarding Imran Khan Sahib’s children are completely false. Imran Khan Sahib has absolutely not stopped his children from coming to Pakistan. I would request those media friends who report from Adiala to only broadcast exactly what Khan sahib says. It is inappropriate to take
things out of context selectively or to present conversations according to their own wishes.” In a follow-up post, he said, “There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Imran Khan’s children will come to Pakistan. So far, only the date for this has yet to be determined. And everyone should remember that when they decided to come, they clearly told their father that we are not seeking your permission but informing you. So, avoid this propaganda because it is of no use.” Earlier in the day, media reports were making rounds, quoting the incarcerated former prime minister that his sons would not be coming to Pakistan and taking part in or leading any protest. PTI founder Imran Khan’s sons—Sulaiman Khan, 28,
and Kasim Khan, 26—called attention to their father’s incarceration for the first time publicly in May. Earlier this month, Imran’s sister Aleema Khan said Sulaiman and Kasim will go to the US before coming to Pakistan as part of a movement calling for the ex-premier’s release. The former prime minister has been imprisoned at the Adiala Jail since August 2023 after conviction in a £190 million corruption case and also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the protests of May 9, 2023. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif termed the entire matter “one drama among many dramas”, adding that “the purpose was not the meeting of father and child but political gain.
PTI’s Ayub writes to CJP, seeks review of May 9 trials ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan urged Chief Justice Yahya Afridi on Tuesday to intervene in the ongoing May 9 trials, alleging constitutional and procedural violations against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders. In a letter dated July 27, 2025, Ayub called the trials ‘politically motivated’ and accused anti-terrorism courts of rushing proceedings at odd hours, denying fair trial rights and legal counsel of choice. He further claimed that the hearings often continued from early morning until 3:00 am, undermining judicial transparency and exhausting defendants and lawyers alike. The opposition leader also alleged that FIRs were fabricated, interrogation was coercive, and PTI leaders were selectively targeted. He also criticised the denial of media
access and the exclusion of family members from the courtroom. Quoting constitutional provisions and Supreme Court precedents, he urged the court to review trial conduct, restore open access, and halt sessions beyond reasonable hours. In his letter he daid the integrity of Pakistan’s judicial process is under grave threat. These trials, which are supposed to exemplify justice, have instead become a means of political persecution. He said the Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, and other cities are hearing cases related to May 9 with a speed and manner that shock the conscience of any impartial observer. Hearings commence early morning and extend late into the night; in fact, it is reliably reported that in some cases proceedings continue until 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. This is neither justice delayed nor justice served—this is justice crushed and justice buried under the weight
of exhaustion, coercion, and haste. Omar Ayub said such a schedule is unprecedented in the annals of Pakistani jurisprudence. It disregards the most basic principles of a fair trial, including the accused’s right to a meaningful opportunity to prepare and present a defense, and the judiciary’s solemn obligation to conduct trials with dignity, transparency, and impartiality. As the Supreme Court of Pakistan has affirmed time and again, “justice must not only be done, it must manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done” (PLD 1975 SC 234 – State vs. Ziaul Haq). He said regrettably, the May 9 trials have systematically violated this cardinal principle. The leadership, workers, and supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have been wrongfully implicated through a process that appears malafide and politically motivated. Police reports and prosecutions lack credible evidence and are riddled with procedural ir-
regularities. Numerous instances reveal prosecutorial overreach and police misconduct, including the fabrication of FIRs, coercive interroga-
tion tactics, and selective registration of cases against opposition figures—all undermining the rule of law and public confidence in the justice system.