sunday, 3 april, 2022 I 1 Ramzan, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I vol XII no 275 I 12 Pages I Karachi edition
Russia’s invasion of ukRaine must be ‘stopped immediately’: Coas
ISLAMABAD app
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hief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Saturday that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine must be “stopped immediately”, terming it a great tragedy. Speaking at the islamabad Security Dialogue, Gen Bajwa expressed Pakistan’s serious concern over the conflict, adding that “despite legitimate security concerns of Russia, its aggression against a smaller country cannot be condoned.” The army chief delivered his opening remarks at the second day of the islamabad Security Dialogue as chief guest. “Pakistan has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. We support immediate dialogue between all sides to find a lasting solution to the conflict,” he said and added that Pakistan is determined to resolve the regional issues through partnership and cooperation. General Bajwa said regional security and stability is the component of the country’s National Security Policy, adding that “citizen’s security and prosperity is our priority”. The army chief said: “Pakistan does not believe in camp politics and cannot promote its relationship with its partners at the cost of others. We want to expand our ties with China, US, and Russia without damaging it’s national interests where Ukraine, Japan, Gulf States and other partners are
equally important for the country’s development and economic prosperity.” he said Pakistan has serious concerns over Ukraine crisis. The unfortunate Russian invasion destroyed half of the Ukraine and killed many people. Both the countries should let the situation under their control to resolve the conflict, he added. he underlined that the expansion of the Ukraine crisis would not serve any country and Pakistan is demanding ceasefire between Ukraine and Russian. The army chief mentioned that the world is facing challenges of poverty, climate change, cyber intrusion and others, whereas Pakistan is a country located at the cross roads of global economic and political transitions. Commenting on the country’s landmark National Security Policy formulation, the COAS said the first ever National Security Policy placed citizen security at its heart, where achieving this required peace at home and abroad. “Our commitment to defeat terrorism remains unwavering. The country sacrificed 90,000 lives in its war against terrorism and the armed forces with national support achieved unprecedented accomplishments”, General Bajwa said. “Pakistan has rendered sacrifices of 90,000 innocent lives in war on terror and will continue fighting terrorism till elimination of the last terrorist from its soil”, he added. The COAS also shed light on the worst humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and
CoRonaviRus in
pakistan
CONFIRMED CASES:
1,524,973
LAST UPDATED AT 9:16 AM ON APRIL 1-4-2022
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
NEW CASES:
4
180
RECOVERED:
DEATHS:
1,485,924 30,359 SINDH:
PUNJAB:
575,331
505,054
KPK:
BALOCHISTAN:
219,062
35,474
AJK/GB:
ISLAMABAD:
43,269/11,708
135,075
said: “We are working with Afghan government and other neighbouring countries to prevent it’s soil use for terrorism against any other nation”. he added that the lack of financial flows and global sanctions are aggravating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. “The western countries in the emergence of Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis should not forget the 40 million people facing the worst humanitarian catastrophe,” he added. Pakistan, he said is providing assistance to Afghanistan to avert the looming humanitarian crisis and the world must incentivise Afghans for their behavioural change. “Pakistan already hosts four million registered and non-registered refugees and the world must stop Afghanistan becoming the new epicenter of terrorism”, he added. he urged the global community that the world must not disrupt it’s ties with Afghanistan and should not ignore Afghanistan amid Ukraine crisis. Commenting on the external security situation of the country, he said the situation along the line of control (LoC) is peaceful and satisfactory. he further mentioned that the indian cruise missile launched into Pakistan is a major concern as india did not make any communication prior to its launch. “it has raised concerns over indian ability to handle high end weapons. Pakistan has called for a complete probe into the situation. india must hold investigation of the failed supersonic cruise missile launch and ensure that its weapons are safe,” he demanded. he said Pakistan had played the role of a responsible state among the comity of nations and released the indian pilot captured after shooting down his aircraft intruding the Pakistan airpsace in 2019 while honouring the international laws and norms. “Pakistan again played a responsible state’s role on the occasion of the failed supersonic projectile launch into Pakistan that jeopardised many civilian lives”, he said. The army chief concluded that it is time for political leadership of the region to come up beyond their biases and emotional prejudices to resolve the issues including water crisis through dialogue.
Treasury, Opposition change strategies for vote on no-trust motion ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
Keeping in view the fast political developments taking place, the federal government and the joint opposition on Saturday decided to change their strategies for vote on No-Confidence Motion to be held today. in a complete change of strategy, Prime Minister imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaaf (PTi) lawmakers decided to attend the proceedings of the no-confidence vote during National Assembly session. it has been reported that PTi members will be present during the session and have their vote counted against the no-trust move in the lower house. earlier, PM imran had formally barred the party’s lawmakers from attending the National Assembly session on the day of voting on the opposition’s no-confidence motion. OPPOsITIOn TO KeeP PTI dIssenTeRs away fROM vOTIng: The joint opposition has chalked out a strategy for casting votes during the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister imran Khan. Sources revealed that the joint opposition has decided to tenta-
Respect army’s decision to remain neutral, says PM Imran Khan ISLAMABAD staff report
Prime Minister imran Khan has said that he respected the country’s top military leadership’s decision of not becoming part of political affairs saying that his government has “excellent ties with army”. “Military told me that they wanted to remain neutral and don’t want to be a part of political matters,” the premier remarked. “i don’t have any differences with military… they decided that they will not get involved in political matters and we respect their decision and stand by them,” he maintained. PM imran said the military believed that it should not become controversial by getting involved in the country’s political affairs. Prime Minister imran also urged the country’s youth to take to streets to hold ‘peaceful demonstrations’ against “foreign conspiracy” being hatched to topple his government. “Raise your voice and stage protests against this conspiracy not for me but for the future of the country,” he remarked while addressing the youth on Saturday. “Don’t resort to violence and i urge you to hold peaceful
demonstrations and don’t cause any harm to the country,” he asked his young supporters while interacting with them via telephone. Meanwhile, PM imran and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaaf (PTi) lawmakers have decided to attend the proceedings of the no-confidence vote scheduled to be held in tomorrow’s National Assembly session. it has been reported that PTi members will be present during the session and have their vote counted against the no-trust move in the lower house. earlier, PM imran had formally barred the party’s lawmakers from attending the National Assembly session on the day of voting on the opposition’s no-confidence motion. The PTi administration had announced that those who want to connect with the premier with queries can dial 0519210809 earlier in the day. “Pakistan Army is a professional institution and please don’t criticise the military… after army, PTi has united the nation,” the premier said while responding to a live caller during today’s telethon. PM imran claimed that propaganda is being spread to create rifts between military and
the public and added that the military has rendered innumerable sacrifices for the country. he also lashed out at Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif over his reported remarks that “beggars cannot be choosers”. “They are slaves who worship money… Shehbaz Sharif is facing corruption charges involving billions of rupees… they can never take independent decisions,” he said, adding that all opposition leaders have joined hands against him to protect their “ill-gotten wealth”. PM imran also said that cases will be registered against those who are committing treason against the country by becoming part of the “foreign conspiracy” against his government. “We are consulting with our lawyers on this matter and by tonight we will make a final decision,” he added. Premier imran said the public was aware of the “foreign plot” and expressed hope that the masses will never allow this “conspiracy” to succeed. “i will defeat them all [opposition] in assembly tomorrow,” he said while referring to vote on no-confidence motion, which is scheduled to be held in National Assembly on Sunday.
tively ask the PTi dissident members to stay away from casting their votes against their party so that the process of voting would not become controversial in light of the forthcoming Supreme Court judgement on the presidential reference that has sought apex court’s interpretation of Article 63A of Constitution that might invoke disqualification of the dissident members. The joint opposition believes that with the help of its allies, it would achieve the required numbers in the lower house sans dissidents’ votes. Sources said in case the opposition feels that it is short of numbers, only then it would ask the dissidents to cast their votes in favour of notrust motion. however, another source said that the opposition feared that keeping in view the public anger against the PTi dissenters, some lawmakers may change their mind in the last minute and hence they won’t be allowed to vote to make sure they only vote when and if needed. The sources divulged that though the dissident members would be brought to the Parliament house but they would not take part in the voting.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 05
more inside
foolproof security planned for Capital for no-trust vote today STORY ON BACK PAGE
Opposition parties to hold power show outside Parliament house today STORY ON PAGE 03
Punjab to elect new CM today STORY ON PAGE 02
SC registrar returns petition seeking formation of commission to probe international conspiracy STORY ON BACK PAGE