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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 188 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PAKISTAN SLAMS ISRAEL’S RECOGNITION OF SOMALILAND AS ‘POLITICAL AGGRESSION’ AT OIC MEETING
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DPM ISHAQ DAR SAYS THE MOVE CONSTITUTED g EXPRESSES ‘UNWAVERING SUPPORT’ GRAVE VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, FOR UNITY AND INTERNATIONAL DIRECT ASSAULT ON SOMALIA’S SOVEREIGNTY BORDERS OF REPUBLIC OF AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY SOMALIA SAYS SOMALIA’S BORDERS ARE 'SACROSANCT AND INVIOLABLE' UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW
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OIC CONDEMNS ISRAEL’S ACTIONS AND ADOPT RESOLUTION CONVENED AT SOMALIA’S REQUEST
FM Ishaq Dar meets Bangladeshi counterpart in Jeddah JEDDAH
Staff CorreSpondent
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JEDDAH
Mian abrar
AKISTAN on Sunday forcefully rejected Israel’s recognition of the Somaliland region as an independent state, calling it an act of “political aggression” that threatens peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea region and beyond. Addressing an extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Saudi Arabia, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the move constituted a grave violation of interna-
tional law and a direct assault on Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Speaking at the OIC’s 22nd extraordinary session in Jeddah, convened in response to Israel’s move, Dar expressed Pakistan’s “unwavering support” for the unity and internationally recognised borders of the Federal Republic of Somalia. He strongly condemned what he termed Israel’s “illegal and unlawful” recognition of Somaliland, as well as the “highly provocative and unwarranted” visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to the region, an act Somalia has described as an unauthorised incursion. Dar said Pakistan had also raised
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday held meeting with Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Touhid Hossain on the sidelines of the Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Jeddah. Both dignitaries expressed satisfaction over the robustness of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations. They discussed bilateral relations in di-
strong objections during a United Nations Security Council briefing, stressing that Somalia’s borders were “sacrosanct and inviolable” under international law. He underscored that state sovereignty and territorial integrity constituted a peremptory norm from which no deviation was permissible, declaring any external recognition of Somaliland “null and void” with no legal or political effect. Aligning itself with the joint OIC statement, Pakistan unequivocally rejected the Israeli move, warning that recognising parts of sovereign states undermined the UN Charter and risked serious repercussions for regional and
Gas explosion kills eight in Islamabad’s ‘unauthorized settlement’ ISLAMABAD
raja KaShif aShfaq
The deaths of eight people in a gas explosion in Islamabad have once again raised serious questions about violations of building bylaws and negligence by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), particularly its Building Control Section and Katchi Abadi Cell. Despite earning billions of rupees from the sale of residential and commercial plots, the CDA has focused mainly on roads, flyovers, and underpasses, while paying little attention to safety and enforcement of construction rules in non-regularized areas. The tragic incident occurred early morning in Sector G-7/2, 66 Quarters, when a gas leak caused a powerful explosion. A second blast followed after a commercial gas cylinder exploded. Eight people, including a newly married couple, lost their lives, while 12 others were in-
jured. The injured were shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for medical treatment. According to eyewitnesses, the explosion was so strong that four houses were damaged, three of which collapsed completely. Rescue teams pulled nearly 20 people from the rubble. The President, Prime Minister, and Interior Minister expressed grief over the incident and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured. The Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) confirmed that three houses were destroyed and one was partially damaged. The CDA Chairman said the explosion was caused by gas leakage, adding that such incidents are common during winter. He said an inquiry would be conducted to find the exact cause. Residents said they rushed to the site after hearing a loud blast and found an entire house flattened. Inspector General of Police Is-
lamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, visited PIMS Hospital, met the with the injured, and requested the hospital staff to ensure proper treatment. A preliminary report by the Capital Emergency Service stated that the groom, identified as Shehri, was a CDA employee. His wedding party had returned from Gujrat at around 1:30 a.m. Due to cold weather and wedding activities, a gas heater remained switched on during the night. Gas supply was later restored after load-shedding, causing leaked gas to fill the house. In the morning, when a matchstick was lit to prepare breakfast, a massive explosion occurred. Later in the day, the CDA sealed two nearby houses, declaring them unsafe. CDA sources said that although official records show only a limited number of houses in the 66 Quarters area, hundreds of illegal and unapproved structures actually exist, creating serious safety risks.
PTI pulls up surprise power show in Karachi amid roadblocks, arrests KARACHI
Staff report
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) pulled up a surprise power show in Karachi on Sunday as thousands of party workers came out to attend the party rally to be addressed by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi. The Sindh government welcomed Sohail Afridi upon landing at Karachi Airport on Saturday and expressed political magnanimity. However, things changed as the Sindh government on Sunday blocked roads and arrested PTI workers and also did not allow the party to enter Bagh-e-Jiannh and set up a stage for the party leaders to address the party workers. Power connection was also cut off. However, the party workers entered Bagh-e-Jinnah ground and thronged the venue. Sohail Afridi entered the ground around midnight and made a fiery speech to the charged crowd. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would continue its political struggle through constitutional and democratic means,
Meeting between KP and Sindh Chief Ministers cancelled ahead of PTI rally KARACHI
Staff CorreSpondent
The scheduled meeting between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was abruptly cancelled on Monday, reportedly ahead of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally. According to media reports, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who is currently visiting Sindh, was due to meet his Sindh counterpart in Karachi. However, the meeting was called off after Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reportedly conveyed his apology for not being able to meet, leading to the
vowing to resist what he described as injustice, political victimisation and the denial of the public mandate. Addressing party supporters at Bagh-e-Jinnah, Afridi said PTI believed in peaceful politics and respect for the
cancellation of the engagement. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has alleged that his movement within Sindh was deliberately obstructed. Speaking to the media, he claimed that while returning from Hyderabad to Karachi, multiple routes were blocked, causing a journey of nearly seven and a half hours. He alleged that all routes taken by him and his team were sealed, forcing them onto deserted roads. “We were deliberately pushed onto isolated routes and had no option but to travel through deserted areas to reach Karachi,” he said, adding that he has now safely arrived in the city.
Constitution but would not remain silent in the face of what he termed “systematic efforts to suppress the voice of the people”. He said the party’s movement was aimed at restoring democracy, rule of law and respect for the ballot.
verse fields, especially high-level exchanges, trade, and educational collaboration. The two sides also discussed a range of regional and global issues. Meanwhile, Ishaq Dar also met with Foreign Minister of Maldives Dr Abdulla Khaleel in Jeddah. The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the friendly and cooperative relations between Pakistan and the Maldives and underscored their shared commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties.
international security. Dar cautioned that such actions could destabilise Somalia at a critical time when it was making tangible progress in national reconciliation, constitutional reform, institutional revival and democratic consolidation. He further warned that Israel’s actions could weaken regional counterterrorism efforts by creating fragile environments vulnerable to exploitation by extremist groups, including AlShabab. Continued international support for Somalia’s security and stabilisation efforts, he said, remained indispensable.
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Pakistan on path of economic stability, development: Amir Muqam ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON, Engineer Amir Muqam, Sunday, attended the event as the chief guest, which was organized by the Pakistan South Africa Association in Pretoria, Lodheim, South Africa. The prestigious event was attended by High Commissioner of Pakistan Malik Muhammad Farooq, the Overseas Pakistani community, political and social figures and hundreds of people from different walks of life, said a press release. Addressing the event, the federal minister extended heartfelt congratulations to the attendees on the New Year and said that last year, 2025, proved to be a year of achievements for Pakistan. Pakistan achieved significant milestones in defense, economy, diplomacy, sports, and other fields, he added. He appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and said that due to the hard work and timely decisions of the current government, Pakistan was on the path of rapid development. Amir Muqam emphasized that under the leadership of Field Marshal and Chief of Defence Forces General Syed Asim Munir, the Pakistani Armed Forces achieved historic successes in the war of truth. He said that in the war of truth, the Pakistani Armed Forces defeated the enemy and raised the head of the entire nation with pride. He paid tribute to the overseas Pakistanis and said that after the Indian aggression, overseas Pakistanis defended the interests of Pakistan steadfastly. This war was fought by the entire Pakistani nation with unity and gave a clear message to the world that we are all one for Pakistan. If any kind of attack is carried out on homeland, every patriotic Pakistani will give a befitting reply like a war of truth.