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PM SHEHBAZ CALLS FOR FORMATION OF TASK FORCE TO COUNTER ISRAELI EXPANSIONISM
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Tuesday, 16 September, 2025 | 22 Rabiul Awal, 1447
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XVI No 69 | 44 Pages | Lahore Edition
g PM SAYS ATTACK ON DOHA g ATTACK IS A FLAGRANT LAUDS QATAR FOR TRYING BY ‘AGGRESSOR’ REFLECTS VIOLATION OF SOVEREIGNTY TO ADVANCE REGIONAL ISRAEL'S DISREGARD OF OF QATAR FOR PEACE AND SAVING LIVES INTERNATIONAL LAW HEGEMONIC AMBITION: PM OF MILLIONS IN GAZA
Arab-Islamic Summit seeks global accountability, wide-ranging sanctions on Israel DOHA
staff report
P
DOHA
staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday proposed the formation of a task force to counter Israeli aggression and expansionism as an Arab-Islamic summit considered a draft resolution and response on a recent attack on Qatar. Leaders from around 50 states are attending the high-level moot, which is being held under the umbrella of the 57member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). PM Shehbaz said the attack on Doha was targeted by an “aggressor who violates international law seriously”. He said Pakistan condemned the attack, saying it clearly meant to undermine the peace efforts in the Middle East. “This is a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of Qatar and we express our
solidarity with our brothers: the Qataris. The Israeli attack on Qatar is not apart from the other attacks, it is hegemonic ambition on part of Israel to control the whole region and the role of mediators is always considered to be sacred and they are the hope of peace.” He said Qatar was trying to advance regional peace while the women and children of Gaza were suffering disaster. PM Shehbaz said the whole world was “watching a massacre” in Gaza and called on it to stop now. The premier said Pakistan emphasised the importance of taking urgent steps to put an end to the war crimes in Gaza and to “establish a task force to take effective steps to stop Israeli expansion plans”. The prime minister called for Israel’s membership in the United Nations to be suspended and said other effective steps needed to be taken against the country.
Pakistan, Egypt and Jordan vow unity after Israeli aggression in Doha summit talks DOHA
News Desk
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday held separate meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein on the sidelines of the Emergency Arab–Islamic Summit convened in Doha after Israel’s attack on Qatar earlier this month. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir accompanied the prime minister in both meetings. During his meeting with President El-Sisi, the prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s strongest condemnation of the September 9 Israeli strikes against Qatar, terming the aggression a violation of sovereignty and international law. Both leaders expressed solidarity with Qatar and described the attack as reckless and unlawful. Sharif appreciated Egypt’s active diplomacy during the crisis and said the summit in Doha was an important step to demonstrate Muslim unity against Israel’s actions. He recalled his earlier interactions with El-Sisi — including a meeting at the D-8 Summit in Cairo last December and phone conversations during Eid — and reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to expand bilateral ties with Egypt in trade, investment and health. The two sides agreed to maintain close contact on regional developments. In a separate engagement, the prime minister met King Abdullah II of Jordan and reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of Israel’s recent aggression, describing it as an attempt to derail Middle East peace efforts. He lauded the Jordanian monarch’s consistent leadership on the Palestinian cause. Both leaders underlined the urgency of Muslim unity in responding to Israel’s belligerence and agreed to intensify consultations aimed at mobilising international support for regional peace and stability.
The Arab-Islamic Emergency Summit on Monday called for wide-ranging sanctions on Israel, including an arms embargo and review of economic and diplomatic ties, in response to Tel Aviv’s “flagrant aggression” against Qatar and its ongoing war in Gaza. Leaders—in the final communiqué issued after the emergency meeting—demanded international accountability, warning that Israel’s repeated crimes and violations of international law pose a direct threat to regional and global peace. The communiqué urged all states to hold Israel accountable by imposing sanctions, halting the transfer of weapons and military materials, reviewing their relations, and pursuing legal action. The summit was convened after IsPM Shehbaz said today’s meeting confirmed the common ideas and acts of the participants to condemn the Israeli attacks. Qatar’s emir said that Israel had sought to derail Gaza talks by striking Hamas negotiators in his country last week, and that its premier dreamt of an Arab world under Israeli influence. “Whoever works diligently and systematically to assassinate the party with
rael’s September 9 strike on a residential area in Doha, which targeted housing facilities for mediation delegations, schools, nurseries, and diplomatic missions. The attack caused civilian casualties, including a Qatari martyr, and injuries among residents. Arab and Islamic leaders condemned the strike in the strongest terms, calling it “cowardly and unlawful.” They said it amounted to a flagrant act of aggression against an Arab and Islamic state and a dangerous escalation that exposes the extremism of the Israeli government. The communiqué reaffirmed absolute solidarity with Qatar, declaring that aggression against one Arab or Islamic state is an attack on all. Leaders pledged to stand firmly with Qatar in all measures it may take to defend its sovereignty, stability, and the safety of its people. whom he is negotiating, intends to thwart the negotiations … Negotiations, for them, are merely part of the war,” Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani told Arab and Muslim leaders. He also said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “dreams of turning the Arab region into an Israeli sphere of influence, and this is a dangerous illusion”.
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IN TODAY’S ISSUE
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31 Indian sponsored militants killed in KP operations: ISPR
irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
ISLAMABAD News Desk
Security forces killed 31 militants linked to the Indian proxy group Fitna al Khwarij in two separate intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on September 13 and 14, the Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement on Monday. According to the military’s media wing, the first operation was carried out in Lakki Marwat district on reports of militant presence. Fourteen fighters were killed after an intense exchange of fire as troops engaged the hideout. Another operation was conducted in Bannu district where 17 more militants were eliminated. ISPR said sanitisation operations were underway to clear the area and reaffirmed that security forces remained committed to eradicating Indiansponsored terrorism from the country. The rise in cross-border attacks has troubled Pakistan since the return of Taliban rule in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned Kabul against allowing its soil to be used for terrorism, saying Afghanistan must choose between siding with militants or supporting Pakistan. Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for more than four decades, from the Soviet war to the Taliban takeover in 2021. Under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, over 554,000 Afghans have returned since April 2025, including 145,000 in August. Security officials maintain that masterminds of attacks are based in Afghanistan with Indian backing. A United Nations Security Council monitoring team has also reported links between Kabul and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, including financial and logistical support. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies noted a 74% surge in militant incidents in August compared to July. The think tank reported 194 fatalities from militant attacks during the month.
President assures Shanghai Electric of issues SC questions legality resolution, invites investment in energy grid of super tax on provident funds
SHANGHAI
ISLAMABAD
staff report
President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday assured Shanghai Electric Power Company that any outstanding issues with Pakistan would be resolved amicably as he invited the firm to expand investment in the country’s energy infrastructure. The assurance came days after Shanghai Electric decided to terminate its offer to acquire up to 66.4 per cent of K-Electric Ltd, citing changes in Pakistan’s business environment. The company said that since initiating the major asset purchase, it had complied with all relevant laws and actively promoted the transaction, but the counterparty failed to meet conditions precedent. The firm said liquidity constraints in Pakistan’s power sector and shifts in its own international development priorities had rendered the transaction unfeasible. KE remains the sole generator, transmitter and distributor of electricity for Karachi and adjoining areas. It was privatised in 2005, and Shanghai Electric had agreed in 2016 to buy a controlling stake from Abraaj Group for $1.77 billion. The deal never closed due to regulatory hurdles and mounting circular debt. During his visit to Shanghai Electric’s headquarters, President
staff report
Zardari met Chairman Wu Lei and toured the company’s facilities. A statement issued by the Pakistan Peoples Party said the president invited the firm to explore investment in modernising Pakistan’s transmission and distribution network. He reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to resolving pending matters in the spirit of mutual cooperation. The president thanked Shanghai Electric for contributing to Pakistan’s energy sector, job creation and socio-economic development. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing security arrangements for Chinese workers in Pakistan. Shanghai Electric CEO Lin Jigen expressed gratitude to the authorities for existing measures.
Company officials briefed Zardari on Shanghai Electric’s operations in Pakistan, including work in Thar coal, nuclear energy and coal-fired power plants. The president stressed the importance of the Thar coal project and highlighted the potential of coal-gasification. He also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MFTC Coal Gasification & Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd and Sino Sindh Resources (Private) Ltd/Shanghai Electric for the establishment of a coal gasification plant in Thar. According to officials, the project will be the first coal gasification and fertiliser venture based on Thar coal, designed to meet Pakistan’s energy requirements and support the agriculture sector.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Monday continued hearing on a case concerning the applicability of super tax to provident funds. A five-member constitutional bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, is examining the arguments from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and opposing counsel. During proceedings, FBR counsel Asma Hameed argued, “The legislature has provided partial relief to provident funds under the super tax law.” Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that Section 53 of the Income Tax Ordinance relates to exemptions, adding: “A fund is not anyone’s private property; trustees manage it, and tax is applied to the relevant authority.” Justice Aminuddin Khan observed that responsibility for payment of super tax was set out in the schedule. Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi questioned the rationale: “When income tax cannot be imposed, how can super tax be imposed? For example, if Rs100 is taxed on a fund now, in 25 years it could grow to Rs550 — meaning retirement benefits would be lost.” Additional Attorney General maintained that the second schedule provided exemptions on provident funds for ‘super tax as well as all other taxes’. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, in a light gesture, remarked to the law officer: “You are showing counsel the way forward.” Hameed further argued that the legislature regarded the sector as extremely important for government, and taxpayers were interpreting the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruling along with Section 4C to claim they were not bound to pay super tax. “Whenever additional tax is required, the department will notify,” she said, adding, after a certain cap, income and super tax reduce but do not end.
Punjab rivers recede as fresh flood wave moves towards Sindh ISLAMABAD
staff report
River flows in Punjab have begun to recede, but the flood situation is worsening downstream as Sindh braces for the arrival of a fresh wave, according to new data issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Saturday. The authority said floodwaters in the Chenab were gradually declining at Trimmu, Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad, though a high flood of 308,000 cusecs persisted at Panjnad. Severe inundation continued across southern districts including Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Alipur, Sitpur, Liaquatpur, Uch Sharif and Ahmadpur East. In the Ravi, conditions remained largely normal except at Ganda Singh, where 108,000 cusecs were recorded. In the Sutlej, 89,000 cusecs at Sulemanki and 83,000
cusecs at Head Islam marked a receding trend in Kasur, Okara, Vehari and Bahawalnagar. In contrast, the Indus was in high flood at Guddu Barrage with 635,000 cusecs, while Sukkur recorded a medium flood of 538,000 cusecs and Kotri a low flood of 278,000 cusecs. NDMA warned that Guddu’s flood wave would reach Sukkur within 72 hours and Kotri by September 24– 26, with possible flows between 400,000 and 445,000 cusecs. Large tracts of farmland in Sindh have already been submerged, destroying thousands of acres of crops. Villages near Kandhkot reported standing water, while around 1.6 million people have been relocated from low-lying areas. Authorities also raised the alarm over a fresh monsoon spell expected from September 16. Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) forecast heavy rain from September 16–19 in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum,
Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Okara, Sahiwal, Kasur, Jhang, Sargodha and Mianwali. Flash floods and landslides were possible in hilly areas. The PDMA said erosion forced the closure of the M-5 Motorway’s Jalalpur Pirwala section, while commissioners and deputy commissioners were instructed to stay on alert. Reservoir levels remain a concern, with Mangla at 93 per cent capacity, Tarbela at full, and major Indian dams including Bhakra, Pong and Thein also near maximum levels. Officials cautioned that any further heavy rainfall could push the system beyond safe limits. According to NDMA, since the onset of monsoon rains on June 26, at least 985 people have been killed and 1,062 injured nationwide. Relief efforts continue under federal coordination, with emergency helplines and rescue teams active across the country.