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DAR’S LANDMARK DHAKA VISIT SIGNALS RESET IN PAKISTAN–BANGLADESH TIES
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Sunday, 24 August, 2025 | 29 Safar, 1447
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DPM STRIKES A CONCILIATORY AND FORWARDLOOKING TONE, STRESSING PAKISTAN’S ‘SINCERE INTENT’ TO BUILD TIES FREE FROM EXTERNAL PRESSURES WE WANT TO FORGE A RELATIONSHIP BASED ON MUTUAL RESPECT, FREE FROM EXTERNAL PRESSURES, AND DRIVEN BY THE NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE: DAR
MOUS ON TRADE, CULTURE, MEDIA, AND CONNECTIVITY LIKELY DURING TWO-DAY TRIP
PRESSES FOR REVIVAL OF SAARC, CALLS SOUTH ASIA ‘HOME TO A QUARTER OF HUMANITY’
HELD WIDE-RANGING POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTS IN DHAKA, MEETING DELEGATIONS OF NCP, BANGLADESH JAMAAT-E-ISLAMI AND BNP
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 47 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
DHAKA/ISLAMABAD Staff report
EPUTY Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday declared that Pakistan and Bangladesh were entering a “new phase of reinvigorated partnership” as he began a landmark twoday trip to Dhaka — the first by a Pakistani foreign minister in 13 years. Arriving on the invitation of the Bangladeshi government, Dar was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Foreign Secretary Ambassador Asad Alam Siam, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Bangladesh’s envoy to Islamabad Muhammad Iqbal Khan, and senior officials. The Foreign Office said the deputy premier’s engagements would cover the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation and include meetings with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Adviser for Foreign Affairs Md Touhid Hossain, and Adviser for Commerce SK Bashir Uddin. Addressing a press conference at Pakistan’s High Commission later in the day, Dar struck a conciliatory and forward-looking tone, stressing Pakistan’s “sincere intent” to overcome historical baggage and build cooperative ties. “Our
hearts are open and our intent is most sincere. We want to forge a relationship based on mutual respect, free from external pressures, and driven by the needs of our people,” he said. He added: “We must work together to create an environment where youth from Karachi to Chittagong, Quetta to Rajshahi, Peshawar to Sylhet and Lahore to Dhaka join hands to face global challenges and realise their shared dreams.” MoUs Expected, Economic Links Growing According to senior Bangladeshi officials, the visit is expected to yield four to
PPP, PML-N seal alliance to jointly contest by-polls after PTI’s MPs disqualifications ISLAMABAD
Staff report
In a significant political development, the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Saturday announced they will jointly contest the upcoming by-elections to seats that fell vacant after the disqualification of 12 PTI lawmakers by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The decision was formally announced at a press conference in Islamabad by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, flanked by senior PPP leaders-Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Nayyar Bukhari. The Vacant Seats The seats fell vacant after PTI’s 12 lawmakers were disqualified in Punjab by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) following their conviction in the May 9 (2023) cases. The disqualified lawmakers hailed from eight National Assembly and four Punjab Assembly constituencies. The PPP has already expressed interest in contesting at least six key constituencies—NA-143 and PP-203 (Sahiwal), NA-185 (Dera Ghazi Khan), and NA-96, NA-104, and PP-98 (Faisalabad)—and has sought applications from aspirants for party tickets. Outlining the “seat adjustment formula” strategy, Abbasi said the two coalition partners had agreed on a “predetermined formula,” saying where a PPP candidate was runner-up in the 2018 general elections, the PML-N will back them. Conversely, where a PML-N candidate was runner-up, the PPP will support them, he added. Speaking at the presser, PPP’s Raja Parvez Ashraf explained, “This will ensure no confusion for voters or workers,” emphasizing the “understanding was reached after consultations between the top leadership of both parties.” “We want to tell our workers and the whole of Pakistan that we are a democracy,” Abbasi said, stressing that the alliance aimed to show political unity at a time when PTI is facing legal and political challenges. Ashraf, the former prime minister, said both parties had reached “full agreement” under the directions of their leaders.
five memorandums of understanding in areas including trade, culture, media collaboration, professional training, and travel connectivity. The agreements would build on recent progress in bilateral ties, including: Pakistan’s import of 50,000 tonnes of rice under direct government-togovernment trade launched in February. The approval granted to Pakistan’s private airline Fly Jinnah to begin Karachi–Dhaka operations. An agreement in July between both governments to allow visa-free entry for diplomatic and official passport holders.
The revival of institutional dialogues, with Pakistan’s foreign secretary Amna Baloch visiting Dhaka in April after a 15-year gap. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s July visit, where the two sides pledged to expand security and interior cooperation. Dar said these developments reflected “new energy and fresh enthusiasm” in the relationship, describing Pakistan and Bangladesh as “two vibrant and resilient nations with centuries of shared traditions, Islamic heritage, social norms, linguistic connections and literary expressions.” Meetings Across the Spectrum In addition to official talks, Dar held wide-ranging political engagements in Dhaka on Saturday. He met delegations of the National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). According to the Foreign Office, discussions covered political mobilisation, regional dynamics, cultural exchanges, and the role of youth in reform and cooperation. Dar lauded the “steadfastness” of Bangladeshi political activists in the face of adversity and stressed the need for greater contact between the younger generations of both countries.
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Justice Minallah says courts helpless without ‘state’s will’ on enforced disappearances ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Supreme Court Justice Athar Minallah on Saturday highlighted the persistent challenges courts face in dealing with missing persons and enforced disappearance cases, blaming the state’s “lack of cooperation and political unwillingness for the crisis that has scarred Pakistan for decades.” The senior judge was speaking at a documentary screening organised by Defence for Human Rights Pakistan, where he described enforced disappearance cases as the “most difficult” of his judicial career. Justice Minallah said that whenever courts ordered authorities to investigate or produce missing people, the response was almost always the same: “The authorities would come, and they would all say that we don’t know where they are.” “The judge and the court cannot do anything when you don’t have independent investigators,” he remarked, stressing that the executive branch—the prime minister, cabinet, and provincial governments— bears constitutional responsibility for such cases. He added, “Every judge of the Supreme Court is personally responsible for every violation of fundamental rights that takes place in Pakistan.” Recalling one of the most poignant moments of his career, Justice Minallah narrated how the child of missing journalist Mudassar Naaru once appeared before him in court with his grandmother. “His mother had passed away, and the state had failed to even inform them whether he was alive or dead,” Minallah said. To sensitise the authorities, he ordered that the child and grandmother be taken to the then prime minister, who personally assured them that Naaru’s whereabouts would be discovered. “But the courts are helpless when the state is not willing to cooperate,” he lamented.
PM directs stepped up rescue operation in Ghizer ahead of upcoming rain spells ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has issued special directives regarding the flood situation in Ghizer area of Gilgit-Baltistan, caused by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), emphasizing the need for intensifying the relief activities in wake of two upcoming rain spells, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. The Prime Minister directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the district administration to continue rescue operations in Ghizer, asking the authorities to step up relief activities in wake of upcoming two spells of rain to move local residents to safer places, according to a statement issued from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Saturday.
He appreciated the efforts of rescue teams and local volunteers for their prompt actions to evacuate residents to safer places in response to the flood threat. The Prime Minister also instructed all relevant authorities to remain fully
prepared for relief operations in lowlying regions across the country in wake of the forecast of further flooding in the coming days. He announced a national campaign will be launched to prevent construction
near rivers, streams, and natural watercourses. The Prime Minister highlighted that it is a national duty to assist those who are affected by recent rains and floods. He said after rescuing and supporting the affected individuals, efforts will be made to begin their rehabilitation. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of ensuring medical aid and relief supplies for all victims and ensuring their timely delivery. The Prime Minister directed the NDMA to stay in contact with provincial disaster management authorities regarding the flood situation in Guddu, Sukkur, Ganda Singh Wala, and other areas near the Indus and Sutlej rivers. PM Shehbaz appreciated Ghizer’s resident, Wasiyat Khan, for risking his life and informing residents about the flood in advance, which helped prevent loss of life.
talks with india on ‘sporting ties’ only on equal footing: pCB Chief LAHORE
Staff report
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday made it clear that any dialogue on “sporting ties” with India would be held strictly on the basis of equality, categorically stating, “The era of pleading for negotiations is over.” Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said Pakistan would no longer seek concessions to revive sporting relations with India. “Whenever negotiations are held, they will be on an equal footing. Whatever happens will be
on the basis of equality,” he asserted. The statement comes in the backdrop of a major development earlier this week, when India’s sports ministry issued a policy directive suspending all bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan, including matches at neutral venues. The directive, however, allows both countries to continue facing each other at multilateral tournaments. This means the much-anticipated Pakistan–India clash in the Asia Cup, scheduled next month in the UAE, will go ahead as planned. The Pakistan Sports Board had last month directed national sports federa-
tions to seek government clearance before participating in any events hosted in India, further straining sporting exchanges between the two rivals. On Team Selection and Performance Responding to questions about Pakistan’s cricketing performance and recent criticism of the squad, Naqvi reassured fans that improvement was around the corner. He clarified that he had no role in team selection, saying: “I do not even have a one per cent role. The squad was finalized by the selection committee and advisory body after detailed discussions and reviews.”
He said his only directive was that selection decisions must be based purely on merit. “Whatever lot was available to us, we polished it and took it forward. Our effort is to bring as many new players as possible to create competition and ensure only the best rise to the top,” he explained. Naqvi also urged fans to support the national team in the Asia Cup, particularly against India, warning that “needless criticism” during tournaments damages player morale. Addressing concerns over visas for journalists covering the Asia Cup in the UAE, the PCB chief said that a special visa facilitation cell had been established.
Field Marshal Munir reaffirms support for Balochistan’s socioeconomic development TURBAT/RAWALPINDI Staff report
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Turbat and reaffirmed the military’s unwavering support for initiatives aimed at improving Balochistan’s socio-economic conditions, the military’s media wing said on Saturday. Field Marshal Munir interacted with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and representatives of the Turbat civil administration during his visit, according to a press release from InterServices Public Relations (ISPR). “The visit aimed to review the prevailing security situation, assess development initiatives, and reinforce coordination between military and civil institutions for the stability and prosperity of Balochistan,” the statement read.
During his interaction with the Turbat administration’s representatives, the army chief “reaffirmed unwavering support for all initiatives aimed at improving southern Balochistan’s socio-economic development.” COAS Munir emphasized the significance of joint civil-military efforts in addressing the challenges faced by the people of Balochistan. He also highlighted the need for good governance, infrastructure development, and the importance of inclusive, people-centric progress, the ISPR said. The field marshal reiterated the army’s resolve to “stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Balochistan in their pursuit of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.” He was also given a comprehensive briefing on the province’s security dynamics, including threat perspective and successful
operations against Fitna al-Hindustan, ongoing development projects, and efforts to enhance socio-economic conditions in southern Balochistan. During his interaction with troops, COAS Munir “appreciated their high morale, operational readiness, and unflinching commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty.” He hailed their role in ensuring peace and stability in the region under challenging circumstances. Upon his arrival, the army chief was received by the Balochistan corps commander. Addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 in April, COAS Munir said Pakistan’s goal was to create manpower, experts and human resources for the mineral sector, adding that economic security has emerged as an important component of national security.