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Friday, 9 January, 2026 | 19 Rajabul Murajjab, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 185 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PM STRESSES ‘BROTHERHOOD, COOPERATION’ WITH PROVINCES, PLEDGES RS300B PROJECTS FOR BALOCHISTAN
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ ANNOUNCES FIVE NEW DAANISH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATION AND CURB TERRORISM
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UNVEILS RS300B CHAMAN-KARACHI HIGHWAY TO STRENGTHEN CONNECTIVITY AND TRADE, PLEDGING CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH BALOCHISTAN’S GOVERNOR, CM
LAUDS SACRIFICES OF ARMY, RANGERS, g SAYS PUNJAB CONTRIBUTED NEARLY LEVIES, AND CITIZENS IN FIGHT AGAINST RS200B FROM ITS NFC SHARE TO SUPPORT TERRORISM, SAYING THEIR SACRIFICES BALOCHISTAN, STRESSING BROTHERHOOD, WILL BE REMEMBERED IN HISTORY COOPERATION, AND BRIDGING
Serious, result-oriented measures being taken to pull Balochistan out of backwardness: CM Bugti QUETTA
staff report
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QUETTA
staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underlined the government’s duty to work closely with provinces, particularly those facing challenges, and announced major projects worth billions of rupees in Balochistan’s education and infrastructure sectors, emphasizing the need for “brotherhood and cooperation.” The premier was addressing political leaders during his day-long visit to Quetta, where he highlighted Balochistan’s ongoing struggle against terrorism and lauded the sacrifices of security personnel.
“It is unfortunate that Balochistan has been grappling with terrorism,” PM Shehbaz said. “The role of our armed forces—the army, Rangers, Levies—and the courage of ordinary citizens cannot be appreciated enough. Their sacrifices will be remembered in history.” He stressed that the fight against terrorism continues, noting that banned groups such as Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (Fitna al-Khawarij) receive support from neighbouring countries. “But we are firm in our resolve to eradicate terrorism,” he added, praising the Civil Defence Force (CDF) for leading these efforts. The prime minister also highlighted CDF’s contribution during the military conflict with India in May last year, stating that India had
Terrorists using BYC platform to recruit youth in Balochistan: CTD DIG QUETTA
staff Correspondent
Balochistan Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Deputy Inspector General Aitzaz Goraya on Thursday alleged that terrorist groups were using the platform of the Balochistan Yakjehti Committee (BYC) to recruit and indoctrinate young people into their networks. Addressing a joint press conference in Quetta alongside Balochistan Additional Chief Secretary Hamza Shafqaat, DIG Goraya shared details of a recent operation in Panjgur that led to the arrest of a suspected militant. According to Goraya, the CTD, police and other law enforcement agencies arrested Sajid Ahmad alias Shahwaiz, a resident of Turbat. He said the suspect held a master’s degree in sociology from the International Islamic University, Islamabad, and had previously worked at Zubaida Jalal Government College on a contractual basis before teaching at the University of Turbat. The CTD DIG claimed Sajid remained associated with the BYC and was in constant contact with its leadership. “One prominent aspect that has emerged is the role of the BYC. Every individual involved in facilitation or intelligence-sharing networks is somehow linked to the BYC,” he alleged. Goraya said three more suspects had also been arrested and FIRs were being registered against them. One of them, 18-year-old Sarfaraz from Kharan, was allegedly tasked with conducting reconnaissance of police positions and polio teams. “He was first made to join BYC and was involved in protests and roadblocks,” Goraya said, adding that Sarfaraz was inducted by 20year-old Jahanzaib alias Mehrbaan.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the provincial government, in close collaboration with the federal government, is taking serious, coordinated, and result-oriented measures to pull Balochistan out of backwardness and integrate it into the national development mainstream. Addressing a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, CM Bugti said that for the first time in the province’s history, 100 percent of the funds allocated for the development budget have been utilized in a transparent and effective manner. He described this achievement as clear evidence of improved planning, financial discipline, and effective governance, said a press
been “taught a lesson it will never forget.” Reflecting on Balochistan’s share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, PM Shehbaz recalled that in 2010, then-Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani had demanded a 100 percent increase in
release issued by CM Secretariat. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his special cooperation and keen interest in Balochistan’s development. He noted that, on the Prime Minister’s directives, several major projects have been approved, including the dualization of Quetta–Karachi national highway, establishment of Danish Schools in Balochistan and other key development initiatives. He said these projects would serve as milestones in the province’s social and economic progress. Highlighting Balochistan’s unique challenges, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti pointed to the province’s vast geography, scattered population, and security concerns, which make development more complex compared to other provinces.
the province’s resources. “Balochistan is a beautiful part of Pakistan, and their demand was valid to an extent,” he said, noting the vast distances within the province and the extra resources required.
Continued on page 03
Saudi defence leadership praises pakistan’s role in regional peace during air chief’s visit ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu met senior Saudi defence officials during an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the Saudi leadership lauding Pakistan’s “constructive role” in promoting regional peace and stability, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the air chief called on Royal Saudi Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh bin Hameed Al-Rowaily. During the meetings, the two sides discussed bilateral defence cooperation, the regional security environment and future avenues for collaboration. The statement said the Saudi defence leadership praised the professionalism, operational excellence and combat readiness of the Pakistan Air Force, while expressing strong interest in expanding joint training and operational co-
operation, particularly in the area of multi-domain operations. They also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive contribution to regional peace and stability. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the existing level of defence cooperation and agreed to further enhance engagement through joint training, operational collaboration and the exchange of professional expertise. The Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Defence Agreement was highlighted as a symbol of mutual trust and enduring brotherly relations. ACM Sidhu highlighted the historic and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and reaf-
firmed his commitment to strengthening military-to-military cooperation through bilateral and multilateral exercises. He also briefed his counterparts on the Pakistan Air Force’s transformation into a robust multi-domain force, integrating space, cyber, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence capabilities, as demonstrated through its operational performance. ISPR said the visit underscored the depth of the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and reflected the shared commitment of both countries to further strengthening cooperation in the defence and aviation sectors.
PTI rejects ‘terrorist facilitators’ label, calls for unified national stance against militancy ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday strongly rejected allegations branding the party as “terrorist facilitators”, reiterating that it has consistently opposed terrorism and maintained that the issue must not be politicised. The remarks were made during a press conference in Islamabad by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, alongside party leaders Salman Akram Raja and Asad Qaiser. Addressing the media, Gohar said PTI’s position on terrorism had always been clear and unequivocal. “Terrorism is a menace, and it is a national responsibility to eradicate it from its roots,” he said, adding that the party has always advocated a single, unified narrative on counter-terrorism. “Our stance has been that there should be no politics on terrorism. PTI and its leadership have condemned every act of terrorism,” he said, rejecting claims that the party or its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was uncooperative. Gohar recalled that a grand jirga was held in KP in October to address the issue and said terrorists had no religion, nationality or boundaries. “They attack mosques and Eidgahs, and we condemn each and every attack,” he added. He termed it “inappropriate and dangerous” to question why PTI was not being targeted by terrorists, saying any terrorist attack amounted to an attack on the entire country. “If counter-terrorism requires a more serious approach, then allegations should not be levelled through social media or press conferences. Arguments should be presented in the relevant forums,” he said. Gohar said the PTI-led KP government had increased the capacity of the provincial police force and spent Rs40 billion to strengthen law enforcement. He stressed that protecting the life and property of citizens remained the party’s top priority. “Blaming us and targeting us through press conferences is widening the divide, which is harmful for the country at this critical time,” he warned, urging restraint. Salman Akram Raja also termed the allegations “unfortunate” and categorically rejected claims that PTI or its founder Imran Khan were terrorist sympathisers. “Only a fool would sympathise with terrorists,” he said. On military operations, Raja said PTI stood with the people and could not accept the displacement or killing of innocent civilians. He said the party had always offered to cooperate in formulating a counter-terrorism action plan. Referring to the KP grand jirga, Raja said representatives of all political parties, religious scholars and intellectuals unanimously agreed that the existing counter-terrorism policy was flawed. “Bombs and explosives cannot create conditions for peace,” he said. He stressed the need to bridge the trust deficit between the people of KP and state institutions, saying PTI was uniquely positioned to help narrow that gap. “PTI can bring people and institutions together for a national purpose,” he said. Raja reiterated that dialogue was the party’s primary proposal, warning that failure to address the trust gap would keep the country unstable. He also maintained that no negotiations on terrorism or any other issue could take place without Imran Khan. Asad Qaiser, recalling the grand jirga, said it was unanimously decided that any counter-terrorism policy formulated by the Centre must be done in consultation with the KP Assembly. He noted a recent surge in terrorism and questioned the effectiveness of existing policies. “If a policy has repeatedly failed, it must be reviewed and revised,” he said. Qaiser also criticised the federal government for not releasing development funds for KP, saying the approach was deepening resentment. He claimed PTI, which he described as the country’s largest political party, was being unfairly targeted. “We are not being allowed to hold rallies, which is our constitutional right, and on top of that a campaign is being run against us,” he said. Holding up a statement issued after the peace jirga, Qaiser said it reflected PTI’s core position.
pakistan to remain part of pak-China-afghan mechanism, maintain firm stance on Kabul ties: Fo ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan will continue to participate in the trilateral mechanism involving Pakistan, China and Afghanistan, describing the forum as a reflection of Islamabad’s constructive engagement, while maintaining its longstanding position on bilateral relations with Kabul, including demands for action against terrorist groups. Speaking at the Foreign Office’s weekly press briefing on Thursday, spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said it was agreed during the Pakistan-China dialogue to continue the trilateral mechanism. He stressed that Pakistan does not seek a hostile relationship with Afghanistan but expects concrete steps from the Taliban-led administration. “Pakistan expects verifiable written guarantees that Afghan territory or citizens will not be used for terrorism abroad,” Andrabi said, adding that such assurances would also be in Afghanistan’s own interest.
Pakistan has repeatedly maintained that leaders and fighters of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) enjoy safe havens in Afghanistan and operate freely under the
Taliban’s watch. Kabul, however, has accused Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty through occasional airstrikes on TTP positions and of exerting political and mili-
tary pressure. Islamabad’s frustration has grown in recent years. Despite investing significant diplomatic and political capital in facilitating the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 — in the expectation of improved border security and reduced militancy — Pakistan has instead witnessed a surge in TTP attacks, deteriorating security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and what it describes as an uncooperative Taliban government unwilling to address its concerns. Responding to media reports suggesting that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were discussing the conversion of around $2 billion in Saudi loans into a deal for JF-17 fighter jets, Andrabi said the Foreign Office was not aware of any such agreement. He added that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share broad defence ties and that any developments would be shared at the appropriate time. On relations with India, the spokesperson rejected recent remarks by the Indian foreign minister as “baseless”, accusing
India of supporting terrorism at both regional and international levels. He said allegations against Pakistan could not conceal India’s “anti-peace actions”. Andrabi also criticised the demolition of the Fateh Elahi mosque and adjoining properties in Delhi, calling it part of a broader anti-Muslim campaign. He said the trend began with the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 and the subsequent construction of a temple at the site. Addressing regional developments, Andrabi said Pakistan opposes any foreign interference in Iran’s internal affairs, responding to reports of ongoing protests in the country over inflation and economic hardship. The protests, now in their 11th day, have reportedly turned violent. Iranian media said two security personnel were killed and at least 30 others injured, while the nationwide death toll from clashes has reached 35. Reports said protesters pelted police with stones and, in some instances, opened fire on security forces.