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PM SAYS CHINA HAS ALWAYS STOOD BY PAKISTAN 'LIKE A SOLID ROCK' DURING EVERY CHALLENGE AND CRISIS
PRESIDENT ZARDARI TERMS CPEC A TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT DRIVING PAKISTAN’S SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROGRESS
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 57 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
SHEHBAZ PRAISES PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S LEADERSHIP FOR LIFTING 800 MILLION PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY
PAKISTAN AND CHINA CELEBRATE 75 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH RENEWED PLEDGES FOR STRATEGIC COOPERATION
Xi, Zardari reaffirm 'rock-solid' Pakistan-China friendship on 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations ISLAMABAD
ASAD NIZAMI
P
ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday described Pakistan-China ties as "timetested and unbreakable," saying the relationship between the two countries had evolved into a unique strategic partnership built on trust, sincerity and unwavering mutual support over the past 75 years. Addressing a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, the prime minister said Pakistan was proud to be
the first Muslim country to recognise the People’s Republic of China and among the earliest nations to establish diplomatic ties with Beijing in 1951. “Through mutual efforts, sincerity of purpose and shared commitment, we have built a relationship which is second to none and truly unique in the world,” Shehbaz Sharif said. The premier praised China for standing by Pakistan during every difficult moment, including natural disasters, economic challenges and regional crises, describing Beijing as Islamabad’s “most steadfast and trusted friend”. “China has always stood by Pakistan like a solid rock,” he said, adding that the
CJP assures PtI petitions on Imran Khan access will be fixed after eid ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Wednesday assured the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership that petitions related to access to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan by his personal physician, family members and legal counsel would be fixed for hearing soon after Eidul Azha. The assurance came during a meeting between the chief justice and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, who had been leading a brief sit-in outside the Supreme Court building after attending proceedings at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the £190 million corruption case involving Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. Speaking to the media afterwards, Raja said the chief justice had told him that all petitions and applications concerning Imran Khan would be scheduled after Eid, which he said was falling on May 27. According to Raja, he informed the chief justice that an appeal had been pending before the Supreme Court since October 2025 against an IHC order concerning permission to meet Imran Khan, who is being held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. He also said another application filed on behalf of Imran Khan’s sisters had remained pending before the apex court without being heard. Raja added that the chief justice had issued directions to senior Supreme Court officials for the cases to be fixed. He further said he was hopeful the PTI would soon get a favourable ruling on permission to meet the party founder after Eid. Petitions related to medical access and meetings Earlier, Dr Uzma Khan, one of Imran Khan’s sisters, had also challenged an IHC ruling that denied facilities including his transfer to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, as well as access to personal physicians, family members and lawyers. That petition also requested that the matter be treated as an appeal and sought directions for Imran Khan to undergo a medical examination by doctors of his own choice on an immediate basis.
Xi Jinping and Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday exchanged warm congratulatory messages to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries. In his message, President Xi described China and Pakistan as “good friends and all-weather strategic cooperative partners” connected by geography, trust and shared hardships. “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 75 years ago, no matter how the international situation has
relationship was free from political conditions or hidden agendas and was rooted in genuine friendship and shared interests. From “the depths of the seas to the heights of the Himalayas,” the prime minister said, Pakistan-China cooperation had transformed Pakistan through major infrastructure projects, energy plants and strategic support during difficult times. He expressed confidence that the
changed, the friendship between China and Pakistan has always remained rocksolid and unbreakable,” Xi said. The Chinese president noted that both countries had maintained highlevel political trust, extensive practical cooperation, strong security coordination and close collaboration on international issues, creating what he termed a model relationship between states. Xi said he attached great importance to the development of China-Pakistan ties and expressed his willingness to work closely with President Zardari to deepen strategic communication, strengthen traditional friendship and expand cooperation across all sectors.
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partnership would continue to strengthen through “joint ownership, joint efforts and joint sincerity of purpose”. The prime minister also praised the leadership of Xi Jinping, saying China’s extraordinary economic transformation and poverty alleviation achievements reflected Xi’s long-term vision and strategic leadership.
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PML-N accuses PPP of trying to delay AJK elections MUZAFFARABAD
STAFF REPORT
Political tensions are rising in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) ahead of the expected announcement of the election schedule, with opposition leader and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) AJK president Shah Ghulam Qadir accusing the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of trying to avoid the electoral process by supporting calls for a postponement of polls through the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). Speaking at a public gathering in Dhamni on the outskirts of Rawalakot on Wednesday, Mr Qadir said decision-making authority could not be handed over to what he described as mob groups. He also said his party would not become part of any move aimed at weakening the state. The event was organised in connection with former divisional director of the education department Dr Rashida Khanam and her supporters joining the PML-N. In remarks apparently linked to demands concerning refugee seats and the election timetable, Mr Qadir alleged that the PPP was attempting to avoid elections by using the Action Committee for its own purposes, which he said showed the ruling party’s defeated mindset. “This is perhaps the first ruling party that is running away
from elections, but the Muslim League will not allow it to escape. Whoever is fond of politics should test their popularity through elections and learn the realities of governance,” he said. Sharp political exchanges In a strongly worded speech delivered as political divisions sharpen ahead of the polls, Mr Qadir also accused the PPP of working against the existing system. Referring to the party’s political history, he alleged that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had raised the slogan of Idhar Hum, Udhar Tum, which, according to him, contributed to the division of Pakistan. He further claimed that the PPP was again pursuing what he called a formula for the division of Kashmir. “This mischief is a conspiracy against the system, but we have
full confidence in our intentions and leadership, and the PML-N will foil all such conspiracies,” Qadir said. Rejecting what he described as unfounded propaganda about weakening pro-Pakistan sentiment in Poonch, Mr Qadir said the area was the land of martyrs and veterans and that its people had made sacrifices for the ideology of Pakistan. “The people of Poonch were Pakistani before and they remain Pakistani today,” he said. He added that those who had doubts should remove such misconceptions from their minds. Claims over welfare payments and election preparations The PML-N leader also alleged that people were being told that anyone who did not vote for the PPP would be denied payments under the Benazir Income Support Programme. He said the funds belonged to the World Bank and were being distributed by the Government of Pakistan, and warned that his party knew how to protect its workers if complaints of political victimisation surfaced. Mr Qadir further said the PMLN did not need any electoral alliance, maintaining that the party had enough electable candidates in every constituency and would contest the elections on the basis of its manifesto and previous performance. “We will form the government with a two-thirds majority,” he said.
Security forces kill 23 terrorists in sweeping KP IBOs over 48 hours: ISPR RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Security forces killed at least 23 terrorists belonging to the Indian-sponsored Fitna alKhawarij during a series of intelligence-based operations conducted over the past 48 hours in multiple areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces intensified intelligencebased operations in terrorist strongholds, including Datta Khel, Spinwam and Bannu, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and eliminate security threats based on credible intelligence inputs. The ISPR said troops engaged several terrorist hideouts during fierce encounters, resulting in the killing of 23 militants, including wanted ringleader Jan Meer alias Toor Saqib. “Following intense and fierce exchanges of fire, 23 more khawarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna alKhawarij, including kharji ringleader Jan Meer alias Toor Saqib, have been neutralised,” the statement said, adding the operations dealt a “significant blow” to terrorist networks operating in the region. According to the military, Jan Meer carried a government-announced head money and was wanted for involvement in multiple terrorist attacks targeting security personnel and civilians. Security forces also recovered weapons, ammunition and a large cache of explosives, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), from the militants. During subsequent sanitisation operations, troops uncovered and destroyed underground tunnels and bunkers allegedly used by terrorists. The ISPR reiterated that sanitisation operations would continue under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Apex Committee of the National Action Plan in June 2024 to eliminate terrorism and extremism nationwide. The Apex Committee of the National Action Plan had approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam in June 2024 to eliminate terrorism and extremism across the country, aiming to eradicate militancy decisively and comprehensively. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for successfully foiling the designs of “Indiansponsored terrorists,” saying intelligence-based operations would continue until terrorism was completely eradicated. According to a statement, Naqvi commended the professional capabilities of security forces for eliminating 23 Indian-sponsored militants during recent operations. “Security forces demonstrated timely and effective action, foiling the nefarious designs of Indiansponsored terrorists,” the interior minister said, while paying tribute to the security forces for sending the militants to their “logical end”. “Intelligence-based operations will continue until the complete elimination of Indian-sponsored terrorism,” the minister said. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari also commended the forces for the successful operations and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Operation Azm-e-Istehkam. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed a sharp rise in militant violence since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2022, particularly targeting security forces and police. According to a recent report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, 85 verified terrorist attacks were recorded in April compared to 146 in March, reflecting a 42 percent decline. Fatalities from such attacks also dropped from 106 to 60 during the same period, though overall conflict-related deaths still stood at 291 in April, including militants, civilians and security personnel.
CDF Munir vows ‘unrelenting war’ on terror until lasting peace achieved RAWALPINDI
SALEEM JADOON
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Asim Munir on Thursday reaffirmed that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism will continue “with full national resolve” until “enduring peace and stability” is achieved across the country, the military’s media wing said. Addressing an investiture ceremony held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, he said that “Shuhada and Ghazis remain the enduring pride of the nation,” adding that their honour and sacrifice constitute a sacred trust for every Pakistani. He said the peace and security enjoyed by the country today were made possible through their supreme sacrifices and unwavering devotion to duty.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir was the chief guest at the ceremony where he conferred military awards on officers, soldiers, and families of martyrs in recognition of exceptional gallantry in operations and distinguished services rendered to the nation. The ISPR said the awards included 50 Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and 12 Tamgha-iBasalat. Medals awarded posthumously were received with honour by the families of shuhada (martyrs). During the ceremony, Field Marshal Munir also expressed deep appreciation for the “resilience, dignity and steadfastness of the families of martyrs,” acknowledging their “unmatched sacrifices and unwavering commitment to the homeland.” He further lauded the operational “pre-
paredness and resolve of Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies,” and commended their sustained efforts in the fight against terrorism. Reiterating the national security stance, he said the counter-terrorism campaign would continue with full national resolve until lasting peace and stability is achieved across the country. Last week, President Asif Ali Zardari also conferred 47 military awards on officers and soldiers in recognition of bravery, leadership and meritorious services. Among them, three personnel—including one officer and two soldiers who embraced martyrdom—were posthumously awarded Sitara-i-Basalat for gallantry and sacrifice, while 44 senior officers were awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) for distinguished service.