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PRESIDENT ZARDARI ARRIVES IN BAHRAIN TO STRENGTHEN TRADE, DEFENSE AND STRATEGIC TIES Wednesday, 14 January, 2026 | 24 Rajabul Murajjab, 1447
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PRESIDENT WELCOMED BY BAHRAIN NATIONAL GUARD COMMANDER AND FOREIGN MINISTER UPON ARRIVAL IN MANAMA
MEETINGS SCHEDULED WITH KING HAMAD BIN ISA AL KHALIFA AND CROWN PRINCE/PM SALMAN BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA
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FIRST LADY ASEEFA BHUTTO-ZARDARI ACCOMPANIES THE PRESIDENT ON FOUR-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT
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PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS BAHRAIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD ON PAKISTAN’S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL
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ISLAMABAD
saleem jadoon
RESIDENT Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday arrived in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, for a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening historic ties between the two nations in trade, defense, and security, state media reported. According to a post on X, President Zardari was received at the airport by Bahrain National Guard Commander Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. Bahraini Ambassador to Pakistan Mohammed Ibrahim Abdul Qadir and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain Saqib Rauf were also present. First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari accompanied the president during the visit, videos shared by the presidency showed. State broadcaster PTV reported that during the visit, President Zardari is scheduled to meet King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, as well as Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin
Hamad Al Khalifa. The discussions are expected to focus on enhancing cooperation in political, economic, and development sectors. The president will also address a reception at the headquarters of Bahrain’s Economic Development Board, where he is expected to highlight Pakistan’s economic potential and explore avenues for increased trade and investment between the two countries.
‘Zero tolerance’ for financial fraud and crime: Talal Ch
Shortly after arriving, President Zardari also held a meeting with the commander of Bahrain’s National Guard. The Foreign Office said earlier that the visit will include high-level meetings on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. “The visit seeks to reinforce Pakistan’s longstanding cooperation with the brotherly Gulf nation while expanding opportuni-
ties in trade, economic partnership, defense, security, and people-to-people ties,” the FO added. Last November, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a two-day visit to Bahrain, had reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations, underlining the country’s desire to expand trade and investment. The Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement is expected to boost bilateral trade further. Earlier in September, Bahrain’s interior minister visited Pakistan, where both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics, and immigration. Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy cordial relations, having established diplomatic ties in October 1971 after Bahrain gained independence. Trade between the two nations in recent years has ranged from $500 million to around $1 billion. Major exports from Pakistan to Bahrain include meat, vegetables, rice, tobacco, and textiles, while imports from Bahrain primarily comprise petroleum products, ferrous waste and scrap, and aluminum.
Pakistan, Morocco decide to formalize defense ties: Kh Asif
ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
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ISLAMABAD
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Tuesday told the National Assembly that there was “zero tolerance” for financial fraud and criminal misconduct, assuring the House that all cases highlighted by lawmakers were being investigated and acted upon. Responding to a point of order raised by Member of the National Assembly Sher Afzal Marwat, he said the incident reported by the member in which money was allegedly taken from citizens had led to the arrest and charging of the police officials involved. He said such complaints were taken very seriously and that there was zero tolerance for this kind of behaviour within the police. Referring to another case mentioned by MNA, Rs 100 million incident, Talal Chaudhry said it had not yet been established that any police official was involved. He informed the House that a multiagency investigation was under way and assured members that, should any evidence of involvement by officials surface, strict action would be taken in line with the zero-tolerance policy. He added that lawmaker had earlier also pointed out issues related to the National Cyber Crime Investigation (NCCI) wing and that a number of complaints and reports — including a high-profile case involving a YouTuber — had led to action against senior NCCI officers.
staff report
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday announced that Pakistan and Morocco will establish an institutional framework to formalize permanent defense ties, paving the way for expanded cooperation in military training and related sectors. Asif is on a two-day official visit to Morocco from January 12 to 14, where he is holding meetings with Morocco’s Minister of State for National Defense Administration, Abdel Latif Loudayi. The visit comes amid growing interest from several Muslim countries in strengthening defense agreements with Pakistan, particularly following its performance in the brief conflict with India last year. According to a social media post shared by Asif, Pakistan and Morocco are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) during the visit to enhance defense cooperation. “Under the agreement, an institutional framework will be established for permanent defense links,” he stated. “The MoU will also open new avenues for future collaboration across various defense and security sectors, including military training, exchange of experiences, capacity building, and other joint initiatives.” The minister added that he will lead delegation-level talks aimed at boosting cooperation in
areas of mutual interest between the two countries. Pakistan and Morocco share longstanding friendly relations, with strong diplomatic, defense, and economic ties reinforced through periodic high-level visits and bilateral agreements. In April 2025, the Pakistani and Moroccan armies conducted the third edition of their joint bilateral military exercise to enhance professional skills among soldiers and further strengthen defense relations.
PM reaffirms govt’s support for foreign investors, strategic technology partners ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting foreign investors and strategic technology partners in Pakistan. During a meeting with a delegation from Ericsson at the PM’s House, the prime minister welcomed
the team and acknowledged Ericsson’s longstanding presence in Pakistan, spanning over six decades. He appreciated the company’s sustained investment and its significant contribution to the development of the country’s telecommunications sector. The delegation was led by Patrick Johansson, President and Head of Market Area Europe, Middle East and Africa at Ericsson. Discussions centered on the role of
next-generation digital connectivity in driving economic growth, enhancing productivity, and improving public service delivery. The prime minister emphasized Pakistan’s interest in leveraging Ericsson’s global experience in advanced network technologies, including 5G, while ensuring secure and resilient digital infrastructure tailored to national needs.
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Four terrorists neutralized in Kalat intelligence-based operation: ISPR RAWALPINDI
staff report
Four India proxy terrorists were killed by security forces during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan‘s Kalat district, the military’s media affairs wing said on Tuesday. In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “On January 12 (Monday) security forces conducted an IBO on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan.” “During the operation, security forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and four terrorists were killed after an intense fire exchange,” the statement stated. “Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area,” the statement added. The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. It stated that sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area. It added that the counterterrorism campaign by security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreignsponsored and supported terrorism from the country. PM Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Zaradri praised the security forces over the successful operation. In his statement posted by state broadcaster PTV on X, PM Shehbaz said security forces were achieving notable successes in their fight against terrorism under Azm-eIstehkam. “The whole nation stands with Pakistan’s armed forces in the fight against terrorism,“ he said, reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country. Despite record militant deaths, Pakistan saw a sharp escalation in militant violence in 2025, with terrorist attacks rising by 34 percent and terrorism-related fatalities increasing by 21 percent year on year, according to a report released by the Islamabad-based Pak Institute for Peace Studies. In a press conference last week, the Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry shared that law enforcement agencies of Pakistan—including the army, police, Federal Constabulary, and intelligence agencies—conducted a total of 75,175 IBOs in 2025.
Fifth polio case in North Waziristan pushes 2025 tally to 31 ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR staff report
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed a case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan District, the fifth case from the area in 2025, bringing the total number of polio cases reported in the outgoing year to 31. According to a press release of Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa issued here on Tuesday, the child, a four-month-old girl, had an onset of symptoms in December, and subsequent samples that were collected from her were confirmed positive for WPV1 by the lab this week. Therefore, this is the 31st case of 2025. Last year, Pakistan reported 20 cases from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nine from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounted for more than half of Pakistan’s WPV1 cases in 2025, with 17 of the country’s 31 cases reported from the region. Ongoing security challenges have limited consistent access for polio teams in parts of southern KP, including North Waziristan, resulting in persistent immunity gaps and leaving children vulnerable to this paralytic disease. It is critical to ensure that every child is reached with the polio vaccine in every house-to-house campaign and have received their full doses of routine immunization.
Tree-cutting row splits ruling coalition as govt defends Islamabad drive ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
The ongoing tree-cutting drive in the federal capital sparked sharp criticism in the National Assembly on Tuesday, exposing differences within the ruling coalition as key allies questioned the government’s environmental policy. Raising the issue during the session, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Shazia Marri termed the matter “very serious,” citing reports that thousands of trees had been cut across Islamabad, including in Shakarparian. She urged the House to take notice of the scale of the operation. Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Dr Farooq Sattar also questioned the move, expressing concern that decades-old trees had reportedly been removed due to construction activities, which he said should not have happened. Last week, the Islamabad district administration maintained that the campaign specifically targeted paper mulberry trees, which it said were responsible for wide-
spread pollen allergies in the capital. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Mohammad Khan acknowledged that removing wild mulberry trees during pollination season was understandable but questioned why trees aged 40 to 50 years had allegedly been cut down. The opposition members and government allies called for the matter to be referred to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Environment. Responding to the criticism, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry told the House that only allergy-causing paper mulberry trees had been removed. He claimed Islamabad was now “greener than before” and announced that 60,000 additional trees would be planted by the end of March. While responding to a calling attention notice moved by MNA Muhammad Riaz Fatyana, Chaudhry said the issue had been widely debated on social and electronic media but stressed that facts showed only specific categories of trees were removed. He explained that tree removal in Islamabad generally occurred under three circum-
stances: development in brown-area sectors under the city’s original master plan, infrastructure needs such as roads and underpasses, and the elimination of hazardous species, particularly paper mulberry. He added that several areas perceived as green belts were, in fact, designated as brown areas in the master plan. The minister said no infrastructure project over the past 18 months had removed trees without due process, which included public hearings, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review and certification, and verification through SPARCO imagery and NDVI analysis. “Over 40,000 mature trees, measuring eight to 10 feet, have already been planted, and 60,000 more will be planted by March,” he said, adding that satellite data and NDVI assessments showed an increase in Islamabad’s green cover between 2023 and 2025. He invited parliamentarians and journalists to attend an on-ground technical briefing to verify the data and emphasised that uprooting paper mulberry generated no revenue but instead required government expenditure to prevent regrowth.
WWF disputes CDA claim on tree removal, links logging to infrastructure development ISLAMABAD
staff report
WWF-Pakistan on Tuesday challenged the Islamabad authorities’ assertion that recent tree removal in the capital was carried out solely to address pollen allergies caused by paper mulberry, stating that the activity was also linked to infrastructure development across multiple locations. In recent weeks, largescale tree cutting has been reported at at least three sites in the federal capital, including acres of tree cover around Shakarparian. Islamabad’s Capital Development Authority (CDA) has maintained that only paper mulberry trees were removed, citing their role in triggering seasonal pollen allergies. Earlier on Tuesday, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry assured law-
makers that more trees would be planted in the coming months. However, in a statement shared on social media, WWF-Pakistan said its field assessments indicated that vegetation loss in Islamabad was not limited to paper mulberry management alone. “WWF-Pakistan’s field assessments indicate that vegetation loss in the capital is not limited to Paper Mulberry management alone but is also linked to infrastructure development in multiple locations,” the environmental organisation stated. “Beyond pollen and allergies, Islamabad’s recent tree removal reflects broader challenges in urban planning,” it added. Social media users and several lawmakers have alleged that, in addition to paper mulberry, old indigenous trees were also felled during the recent clearing operations.