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Wednesday, 24 September, 2025 | 30 Rabiul Awal, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 77 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
PM REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO ENDURING PARTNERSHIP WITH KSA, SEEKS STRONGER TIES WITH KUWAIT
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PM SHEHBAZ EXTENDS GREETINGS TO SAUDI LEADERSHIP ON KINGDOM’S NATIONAL DAY, REITERATES STRONGER PARTNERSHIP JOINS WORLD LEADERS AT 80TH UNGA OPENING; TO ATTEND ARAB-ISLAMIC SUMMIT WITH TRUMP
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PRAISES SAUDI SOLIDARITY DURING MAY 2025 TENSION WITH INDIA, ECONOMIC SUPPORT
HOLDS TALKS WITH KUWAITI CROWN PRINCE; FOCUS ON TRADE, INVESTMENT AND MANPOWER EXPORT
Shehbaz, Austrian chancellor discuss expanding cooperation in trade, tourism, climate, and education PROFIT
staff report
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NEW YORK
staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to further deepen its enduring partnership with Saudi Arabia, describing the bond between the two nations as rooted in Islam, history, brotherhood, and mutual trust. He also expressed Pakistan’s keen desire to expand cooperation with Austria and Kuwait across diverse sectors during bilateral engagements on sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly session, according to
state media. In a televised message marking Saudi Arabia’s National Day, observed annually on September 23, the prime minister extended warm greetings to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and the Saudi people. He recalled the solidarity expressed by Saudi leadership during Pakistan’s tensions with India in May 2025, and the Kingdom’s economic support that strengthened Pakistan’s economy. Delivering his message in Arabic, Shehbaz said the Pakistani people would
‘GHQ attack case’: Imran Khan’s lawyers boycott ATC hearing as ‘poor connectivity’ mars proceedings RAWALPINDI
staff report
Lawyers representing PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan boycotted proceedings of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday after their client Imran Khan was presented before the court through a WhatsApp video link from Adiala Jail. The court was hearing a case relating to the May 9, 2023 attack on the army’s General Headquarters (GHQ), which followed Imran’s arrest and sparked violent protests across the country, during which state buildings and military installations were torched. Last week, the ATC had dismissed a plea for Imran’s in-person appearance, instead allowing his participation via a WhatsApp call. During Tuesday’s hearing, however, Imran’s voice repeatedly broke and his face appeared blurred, prompting his lawyers — Salman Akram Raja and Faisal Malik — to walk out of the proceedings, terming the process “unfair.” Despite their boycott, ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah went ahead with the hearing and recorded statements of eight witnesses, including officials from PEMRA, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and the Pakistan Information Department. PTI’s legal team rejected the move, arguing that witness statements should not be recorded under such conditions. Later, the court adjourned the hearing until September 27, with more witnesses summoned. Indictment and detention Imran Khan was indicted in the case on December 5, 2023. He has been incarcerated in Adiala Jail since August 2023 and was formally arrested in the May 9 protest case in January 2024. PTI lawyers’ objections Speaking to the media after the boycott, Raja said: “A mobile phone was placed before Khan sahib in jail, and a video call was made. The judge received the call on his phone, but Khan sahib could not hear what was being said in court, nor could the courtroom hear him.” He argued that Imran remained unaware of witness testimonies and that his legal team was denied the opportunity to speak to him privately. “The judge said we could not talk because the link was too weak. This right, too, was denied,” Raja claimed. The counsel said they had filed an application before the ATC, while also moving a plea before the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench against what they called an unfair process. “We have conveyed to the court that it is not possible for us to remain a part of this process. There should be an open trial, and the accused must be given the chance to consult his lawyers,” Raja stressed. ATC Rawalpindi dismisses petitions filed on behalf of PTI founder In related development, the ATC Rawalpindi dismissed both petitions filed on behalf of the PTI founder Imran Khan in the May 9 GHQ attack case. The case was heard by ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah. PTI founder’s counsels, Faisal Malik and Salman Akram Raja, appeared before the court, while special prosecutors Zaheer Shah and Ikram Amin Minhas appeared with their team. The PTI founder’s lawyers had filed two petitions: one seeking provision of CCTV footage and court proceedings of September 19, and the other requesting suspension of proceedings until the High Court’s orders on transferring the trial to jail.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to broadening cooperation with Austria across multiple sectors, including trade, tourism, climate change, and education. He conveyed these views during a meeting with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Sharif stressed the need to strengthen bilateral trade ties and explore new avenues for collaboration,
“always remember” Saudi Arabia’s timely support. The premier noted that his recent visit to Riyadh was marked by “unparalleled hospitality and love,” expressing deep gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He lauded Saudi Arabia’s developmental strides under the crown prince’s leadership, calling its global standing “a shining example of vision and wisdom.”
while the Austrian chancellor expressed his government’s readiness to deepen engagement. Both sides also agreed to organise delegation exchanges aimed at promoting tourism between the two countries. The prime minister is in New York to attend the 80th UNGA session, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, cabinet members, and senior officials. During the visit, he will participate in several high-level engagements, including sessions of the UN Security Council, the Global Development Initiative (GDI) meeting, and a special climate action event.
Highlighting the contributions of millions of overseas Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia, he said they were playing a vital role in the Kingdom’s progress while strengthening bilateral relations. Concluding his message, he prayed for Saudi Arabia’s continued prosperity, raising slogans of “Long live Pakistan-Saudi brotherhood” and “Long live the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
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Pakistan hails growing int’l recognition of Palestinian statehood ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed the growing number of countries recognising the State of Palestine, calling it a victory for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and a vital step towards lasting peace in the Middle East. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in a post on X, praised the announcements made by France, the United Kingdom, Canada and others, urging more states to follow suit in
line with international law. He emphasised that recognition of Palestine within a two-state solution framework remains essential to achieving a just, comprehensive and durable peace in the region. In a statement, the Foreign Office confirmed that Dar had represented Pakistan at a high-level meeting on Palestine co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France in New York. The spokesperson said the growing international momentum for Palestinian statehood had amplified the importance of the meeting. At its conclusion, Pakistan
formally expressed full support for the “New York Declaration,” which sets out a roadmap for addressing the Palestinian issue. The FO noted that Islamabad’s endorsement of the declaration reflects its longstanding commitment to the Palestinian cause and to a fair and sustainable peace process. Pakistan also recalled that it was among the first countries to recognise Palestine in 1988 and has consistently advocated for Palestine’s admission as a full member state at the United Nations.
Pakistan, Bahrain vow deeper defence, aviation cooperation RAWALPINDI
staff report
General Shaikh Mohammed Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Commander of the Bahrain National Guard, and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to sustained defence cooperation, placing special focus on joint training initiatives and enhanced collaboration in the aviation sector, the military’s media wing said. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the reaf-
firmation came during a meeting between the visiting Bahrain National Guard chief and the Pak-
istan Air Force (PAF) leadership at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.
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Dar urges UNSC to act on Gaza crisis, welcomes recognition of Palestinian state UNITED NATIONS
staff Correspondent
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to move beyond words and take urgent action to resolve the worsening crisis in the Gaza Strip, while also welcoming the growing number of countries recognising a Palestinian state. Dar is accompanying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the high-level segment of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York, where Pakistan is drawing global attention to what it calls the “grave crisis” in Gaza and calling for “decisive action” to end Palestinian suffering. Addressing a UNSC meeting on the Middle East, the foreign minister said: “Gaza has become a graveyard for humanity and the global conscience. We call upon the Security Council and the broader international community to act decisively, to uphold human dignity, ensure accountability and deliver justice. The time for words has passed — the time for action is now.” Highlighting the devastation in Gaza, Dar said the humanitarian situation had reached “catastrophic proportions,” with famine spreading and thousands of civilians killed while survivors faced starvation. He welcomed France’s initiative for a summit on the two-state solution, co-sponsored by Saudi Arabia, and commended recent moves by more UN members to recognise Palestine, saying such steps reflect “justice and adherence to international law.” Earlier, Dar also addressed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Committee of Six on Palestine, where he reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unwavering” support for the Palestinian cause. Calling it a “defining moment” for the Muslim world, he urged the OIC to push for a permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid, an end to illegal settlements, accountability for war crimes, and Gaza’s reconstruction under the Arab-OIC framework.
SC fixes Oct 7 for hearing challenges to 26th Amendment ISLAMABAD
staff report
The Supreme Court has fixed October 7 for hearing petitions challenging the 26th Constitutional Amendment, with an eight-member larger bench headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan set to take up the case at 11:30 a.m. in Islamabad. The bench includes Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Hassan Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali, Justice Naeem Afghan, and Justice Shahid Bilal. The amendment — passed in October 2024 with a twothirds majority in both houses of Parliament — curtails the apex court’s suo motu powers, fixes the chief justice’s term at three years, establishes constitutional benches in high courts, and empowers a 12-member parliamentary committee to nominate the next Chief Justice of Pakistan from among the three senior-most judges. Khokhar’s petition and registrar’s objections On Monday, Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar had filed a petition under Article 184(3), seeking urgent fixation of challenges to the amendment before a full bench, in line with an October 31, 2024, decision of the judges’ committee under the 2023 Practice and Procedure Act. However, on September 19, the Supreme Court registrar returned the plea, arguing that it failed to show how matters of fundamental rights and public importance were involved. The registrar maintained that Khokhar appeared to be raising an “individual grievance,” which could not be addressed under Article 184(3), citing Zulfiqar Mehdi v. PIA (1998 SCMR 793) as precedent. The registrar also noted that the petition contained multiple prayers and that notices to respondents were not properly drafted.
PM Shehbaz, Muslim leaders to meet Trump for Gaza talks ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend a meeting in New York on Tuesday, hosted by Qatar and the United States, to discuss various issues, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with President Donald Trump. According to Reuters, a source familiar with the matter revealed that the discussion will focus on the Gaza situation, while Axios reports that Trump plans to present a proposal for peace and post-war governance in the Gaza Strip. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump will hold a multilateral meeting with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan. The goal is to form a unified ap-
proach to addressing the ongoing crisis. Before the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had consultations with representatives from key Muslim countries mentioned by the White House to coordinate a common stance on Gaza and other pressing issues. Shehbaz Sharif arrived in New York from London earlier this week to attend the United Nations General Assembly. In his address, the Prime Minister will highlight the Gaza crisis, the suffering of Palestinians, Pakistan’s views on regional security, climate change, terrorism, Islamophobia, and sustainable development. As for Trump’s intentions, in addition to focusing on freeing hostages and ending the war, he is expected to outline plans for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and discuss post-war governance,
excluding Hamas, Axios reported. The U.S. is seeking support from Arab and Muslim countries to send military forces
into Gaza to secure Israel’s withdrawal and assist in funding rebuilding and transition programs in the region.