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AT MEETING WITH SHEIKH TAMIM, PM URGES MUSLIM UNITY, CONDEMNS ISRAELI STRIKE ON QATAR Wednesday, 17 September, 2025 | 23 Rabiul Awal, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 70 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PM orders urgent flood loss assessment, vows swift rehabilitation ISLAMABAD
staff report
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DOHA/ISLAMABAD staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif has underscored the need for unity within the Muslim Ummah in the face of repeated Israeli provocations. During a meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha on the sidelines of the Emergency Arab–Islamic Summit, he stressed that Israel’s aggression in the Middle East must be halted immediately. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s strongest condemnation of the Israeli strike on a residential area in Doha
that claimed precious lives and left several injured. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support and solidarity with Qatar at this critical time, terming the attack a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as a grave breach of international law. PM Shehbaz emphasized that Pakistan and Qatar share historic and enduring fraternal ties, which would further strengthen in the coming days. The Emir of Qatar appreciated the Prime Minister’s participation in the summit and his visit to Doha on September 12 to express solidarity at this difficult moment. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact amid the unfolding regional situation.
Imaan moves SJC against IHC CJ after female judge stripped of harassment case powers ISLAMABAD
staff report
Advocate Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir on Tuesday approached the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar, after the court administration stripped Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz of her authority to entertain harassment complaints soon after she took cognizance of Mazari’s complaint against him. Last week, Justice Dogar had warned Mazari of a contempt of court case and reportedly made remarks along the lines of “getting a hold of her.” His conduct drew condemnation from multiple lawyers’ bodies, which demanded his dismissal as IHC chief justice. Following this, Mazari filed a complaint before the IHC’s workplace harassment committee and submitted a misconduct reference against him before the SJC. After Justice Imtiaz took up her complaint, the IHC administration de-notified her as the “competent authority” and replaced her with Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas, effectively removing her powers to hear harassment cases. In a post on X, Mazari said she had filed an addendum to her original SJC complaint following this “alarming development.” She alleged Justice Imtiaz was “arbitrarily and with mala fide” removed only hours after she entertained the complaint and formed a three-member inquiry team. The additional complaint, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, claimed that various IHC offices — including the registrar’s office, dispatch branch, and member inspection team — had refused to forward her complaint to the competent authority. Ultimately, she said, Justice Imtiaz’s staff had to directly receive it. Mazari argued that instead of raising objections through proper procedure, the IHC chief justice used his administrative powers “to influence the inquiry committee” by removing the only female judge willing to hear the case.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to prepare a comprehensive and realistic assessment of human and financial losses caused by the recent rains and floods, including damages to crops, livestock, and communication infrastructure. Chairing a review meeting on the flood situation, the premier said a clear rehabilitation strategy could only be framed after completion of the assessment, enabling the government to restore damaged areas and extend meaningful support to the affected population. According to a statement issued
Pakistan desires to deepen ties with Iran: PM In a related meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held talks with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian in Doha on the sidelines of the summit. Reiterating Pakistan’s strongest condemnation of Israeli aggression against
from the PM Office Media Wing, the meeting reviewed the loss of lives and properties across the country, as well as initial estimates of damages to crops and livestock. The prime minister instructed all federal and provincial institutions to work in close coordination and extend full cooperation to ensure accuracy and speed in the exercise. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, chief secretaries of all provinces, NDMA Chairman Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik, and senior officials of relevant departments.
Qatar, both leaders expressed solidarity with Doha and called for unity within the Ummah in confronting Israeli hostilities. The Prime Minister noted that the Doha summit had delivered a strong and unified message from the Muslim world that Israel’s aggression would no longer be tolerated.
IHC’s Justice Sattar orders removal of PTA chairman over ‘illegal appointment’ ISLAMABAD
staff report
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday declared the appointment of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman retired Major General Hafeezur Rehman as “illegal” and ordered his immediate removal from office. The ruling came in a verdict issued by Justice Babar Sattar on a petition filed in 2023 by digital rights activist Usama Khilji, which challenged the creation of the PTA’s member (administration) post and subsequent appointments. Justice Sattar held that the entire recruitment process “lacked integrity and suffered from mala fide in law,” noting that the selection committee had unlawfully recommended a panel of three names in violation of Rule 4(4) of the PTA Appointment Rules, which permitted only one. He observed that the federal government had then “picked the candidate listed at the bottom of the panel without reasoning or objective basis,” in breach of Section 24A of the General Clauses Act, 1897, which requires decisions to be “just, fair and reasonable.” The verdict further stated that Hafeezur Rehman’s subsequent elevation from member (administration) to PTA chairman was carried out “without any transparent process” and was “illegal, irrational and unsustainable in the eyes of law.” “The entire edifice of processes and decisions built on an illegal foundation must crumble,” Justice Sattar wrote, declaring that all steps taken on the basis of the flawed recruitment process, including Rehman’s appointments as member and chairman, had “no legal effect.”