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Pakistan, US agree to PM ORDERS ACCELERATED FLOOD RELIEF AND boost counterterrorism, REHAB, SEEKING DAMAGE REPORT IN ONE WEEK intelligence cooperation Sunday, 28 September, 2025 | 4 Rabius Sani, 1447
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ VOWS COMPLETE REHABILITATION OF FLOOD-HIT, VOWING GOVT WILL NOT REST UNTIL ALL ARE SETTLED ORDERS NHA TO IMMEDIATELY RESTORE M-5 MOTORWAY SECTION DAMAGED BY SUTLEJ RIVER FLOODS
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 81 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
DIRECTS URGENT CROP AND INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS TO EXPEDITE COMPENSATION, RECOVERY PLANS INSTRUCTS HEALTH AND DISASTER AUTHORITIES TO PREVENT WATERBORNE DISEASES AND ENSURE CLEAN WATER
pM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to stronger bilateral trade ties with Malaysia ISLAMABAD/NEW YORK staff report
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ISLAMABAD
staff report
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the federal and provincial authorities to accelerate relief and rehabilitation operations for flood-affected people, stressing that the government would not rest until the complete rehabilitation of all affected families was ensured. Chairing a detailed review meeting via video link from New York—shortly after addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)—the prime minister said he had raised the voice of Pakistanis impacted by climate-induced disasters be-
fore the international community. He reminded that developing countries like Pakistan are continuously suffering the consequences of climate change despite contributing the least to the global crisis. The prime minister instructed Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal to closely monitor the entire process of relief and rehabilitation and to convene regular review meetings. He further directed the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to maintain close coordination with provincial governments and their respective disaster management authorities (PDMAs) for swift and effective response. Underscoring urgency, PM Shehbaz ordered the completion of crop and infra-
Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran ask Taliban govt to rein in terror groups in Afghanistan ISLAMABAD agencies
Pakistan, China, Iran and Russia have jointly expressed deep concern over the presence of terrorist organisations operating from Afghanistan, including Al-Qaeda, the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other similar groups. The four countries issued a statement after their fourth quadripartite meeting on Afghanistan, convened by Russia on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly session in New York. In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting, the four countries reviewed the deteriorating Afghan situation and warned that militant groups posed a grave threat to both regional and global security. They urged the Afghan authorities to take “effective, concrete and verifiable actions” against terrorist outfits, dismantle training camps, cut off financing, and prevent recruitment and access to weapons. The four sides emphasised that Afghan soil must not be used against neighbours or beyond, while also pressing for the non-discriminatory elimination of all militant groups. The four-nation meeting joint statement comes days after Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, in his inaugural meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan at UNGA this week, urged the Afghan interim government to take concrete and verifiable measures to ensure their soil is not used for terrorism against neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in cross-border terror incidents since Taliban rulers returned to Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of KP and Balochistan. The two nations share a porous border spanning around 2,500 kilometres with several crossing points, which hold significance as a key element of regional trade and relations between the people across both sides of the border.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday underlined Pakistan’s resolve to expand trade and economic cooperation with Malaysia, stressing that both countries were taking concrete steps to tap their immense untapped potential, particularly in the export of Pakistani beef. Chairing a meeting via video link from New York on promoting bilateral trade, the Prime Minister said Pakistan and Malaysia enjoyed decades-long fraternal relations, marked by mutual trust and support. He noted that Malaysia had always stood by Pakistan in difficult times, which the people of Pakistan held in high regard. The meeting conducted a detailed review of trade ties between the two countries, with officials briefing the
structure damage assessments on an emergency basis so that planning for recovery, including compensation and agricultural support, could be undertaken without delay. He asked the authorities to give special attention to the needs of farmers and
Prime Minister on Pakistan’s export potential in the Malaysian market. PM Shehbaz directed the relevant institutions to formulate a robust and practical action plan focused on enhancing exports, especially beef, to Malaysia. The Prime Minister emphasized that a solid roadmap for increasing bilateral trade would not only strengthen economic ties but also provide new avenues for Pakistani businesses and farmers. PM Shehbaz meets UN SecretaryGeneral On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Session in New York, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held a warm and cordial meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. He commended the Secretary-General’s leadership in advancing global peace and stability and acknowledged the UN’s role in amplifying the voice of developing nations.
affected households. The prime minister also instructed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to expedite the restoration of the M-5 Motorway section damaged by flooding from the Sutlej River.
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24 pakistanis aboard Lpg tanker attacked by israel in Yemen ‘released, safe’: naqvi ISLAMABAD
staff report
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday confirmed that all 27 crew members of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker — including 24 Pakistanis — who came under an Israeli drone attack at a Yemeni port have been “released and are now safe and out of Yemeni waters.” The confirmation came hours after the Foreign Office (FO) also stated that the Pakistanis aboard the LPG tanker were “safe and sound” and making their way out of Yemeni waters. Naqvi, in a post on X, said the vessel was attacked on September 17 while docked at the Ras Issa port, which is controlled by Houthi rebels. Israel has repeatedly targeted Houthi positions during the Gaza conflict, as the Iran-backed rebels launch missiles and drones at Israel and Red Sea shipping routes in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians. According to the minister, the LPG tanker’s crew included 24 Pakistanis, two Sri Lankans and a Nepali, with the ship’s captain also being Pakistani. He said an LPG tank had exploded after the strike, sparking a fire that the crew managed to extinguish. “The vessel was subsequently stopped by Houthi boats and the crew were held hostage aboard the ship,” Naqvi added. “The tanker and its crew have now been released by the Houthis and are out of Yemeni waters.”
Fo distances itself from Shama Junejo’s presence at unga The Foreign Office on Saturday distanced itself from the nomination of Dr Shama Junejo as the official delegate of Pakistan after backlash over her presence in Pakistan’s United Nations General Assembly delegation. The Foreign Office (FO) clarified that “the individual in question was not listed in the official letter of credence for the Pakistan delegation to the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Session, signed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. As such, her seating behind
the Defence Minister did not have the approval of the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister.” Shama Junejo has been accused by individuals of being a supporter of Zionism and Israel, based on her past posts on X, where she voiced her regard for Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu. Former federal ministers Shireen Mazari and Fawad Chaudhry criticized the government of Pakistan and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who was seated behind Mazari, for permitting a supporter of Israel to be a part of the Pakistan delegation.
Expressing gratitude for the coordinated effort that led to the safe release, Naqvi said he was “profoundly grateful to Secretary Interior Khurram Agha and other Ministry of Interior officers, Ambassador Naveed Bokhari and his team in Oman, colleagues in Saudi Arabia, and especially the officials of our security agencies who worked day and night under extraordinary conditions to secure the safe release of our citizens when hope was fading.” Earlier, the FO said the tanker
had caught fire off Yemen’s coast on September 17 and, upon learning of the incident, Pakistan’s embassies had immediately contacted Yemeni authorities to ensure the safety of the crew. It added that diplomatic missions also kept in touch with the families of the crew, providing regular updates. “Today, the LPG tanker has departed port and is making its way out of Yemeni waters. The entire crew, including Pakistani nationals on board, is safe and sound,” the FO reiterated.
ISLAMABAD
staff report
Gandapur ‘rules out’ new operations in KP, urges talks with Afghanistan for lasting peace PESHAWAR
staff report
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday reiterated that his provincial government would not support any fresh military operation or displacement of local populations, calling instead for the federal institutions to resolve terrorism-related challenges through dialogue with Afghanistan. Addressing a large Pakistan Tehreeki-Insaf (PTI) rally in Peshawar, Gandapur delivered a strongly worded speech in which he accused the federal government of ignoring the voice of the people of KP. “We will not allow any operation and do not support it … Federal government, lis-
ten carefully. The KP government does not support operation or displacement. We don’t want war and we will raise our voice
against it,” he said. The CM emphasized that peace in the region could not be secured through force alone and urged Is-
lamabad to adopt a diplomatic approach. He pointed to the deep cultural, social, and economic ties between KP and Afghanistan, stressing that dialogue was the only sustainable path forward. Shifting positions on operations Gandapur’s comments came in the wake of earlier mixed positions. In July, he said in a video message that the armed forces were present in KP at the request of the provincial government and should be treated as “guests” with respect. However, following a PTI parliamentary meeting the next day, he criticized military offensives in Bajaur, alleging that civilians had been martyred in operations that undermined public trust.
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WASHINGTON
staff correspondent
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel on Saturday, during his official visit to Washington. The two officials discussed cooperation in key areas, including counterterrorism, illegal immigration, and officer exchange programs. In a post on X, Naqvi described the meeting as “excellent” and praised the FBI director’s professionalism. “Had an excellent meeting with FBI Director Kash Patel. We discussed cooperation on illegal immigration, counter-terrorism, and officer exchange programs. His professionalism and vision make him a great partner to work with,” the minister wrote.
China stands in solidarity with Pakistan in face of devastating monsoon floods ISLAMABAD
staff correspondent
China has pledged an additional 100 million yuan (Rs 3.94 billion) worth of flood-relief supplies to Pakistan after already providing $2 million in emergency aid, underscoring Beijing’s solidarity with its “iron brother” in the face of devastating monsoon floods. “In addition to the first $2 million of emergency assistance, China will offer additional flood relief supplies worth 100 million yuan RMB, to further support Pakistan’s efforts in disaster relief and reconstruction,” the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad said Friday in a statement on X (Twitter). The announcement comes as floods since late June have killed over 1,000 people, injured 1,060, displaced well over 2 million, and destroyed farmland and infrastructure, according to the NDMA. Earlier this month, the embassy stated in another post, “We sincerely hope that all the communities affected by the recent devastating floods recover soon.” The Chinese side joins hands with our Pakistani iron brothers and sisters to overcome the challenges and try our best to help the affected families rebuild their homes.” At a regular press briefing in Beijing on September 10, Lin Jian, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, reiterated Beijing’s commitment by saying, “Chinese leaders have extended sympathies to Pakistani leaders over the devastating floods.” “China has provided emergency aid to Pakistan and will offer more assistance in light of Pakistan’s need. We believe under the leadership of the Pakistani government, the Pakistani people will recover and rebuild from the disaster,” he added. On September 13, a Chinese Embassy delegation led by Charge d’Affaires Shi Yuanqiang visited the National Emergencies Operation Centre at the NDMA, where he assured Islamabad of “full support for its ongoing floodrelief and recovery efforts.” Chinese aid has already started reaching Pakistan, with the People’s Liberation Army sending 12,000 tents, generators, water pumps and solar systems. PLA medical camps in flood-hit areas are also providing free medicines and care to displaced families.
17 ‘India-sponsored’ Khwarij neutralized in Lakki Marwat operation: ISPR RAWALPINDI
staff report
Security forces killed 17 “India-sponsored” terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district, according to the military’s media affairs wing. In a statement the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “Security forces conducted the IBO on the night between Friday and Saturday, on the “reported presence of khwarij belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Khwarij.” The state uses the term Fitna al Khwarij to refer to terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-iTaliban Pakistan (TTP). During the operation, “own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and resultantly, seventeen Indian sponsored khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR statement said. It added that weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, “who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as [in the] killing of innocent civilians”. The statement said a sanitisation operation was being conducted to “eliminate any other Indian-sponsored khwarji found in the area”. The ISPR also reaffirmed the security forces’ determination to wipe out the menace of “Indiansponsored terrorism” from the country. President Asif Ali Zardari has congratulated the security forces on their successful operation in Lakki Marwat, according to a statement issued by his secretariat. He paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of the forces, saying “their efforts reflect the nation’s firm resolve to eradicate Indian proxy terrorism from Pakistan”. “The complete elimination of Fitna al Khwarij and its networks is vital for lasting peace and stability in the country,” he added President Zardari reaffirmed that the entire nation stands united with its valiant armed forces in the fight against terrorism. Pakistan has lately been witnessing an uptick in terrorist activities, mainly in KP and Balochistan. In November 2022, the TTP, after breaking a ceasefire deal with the government, had vowed to escalate attacks against the security forces, the police, and other law enforcement agencies’ personnel.