01 FRONT PAGE (6-7-2022)_Layout 1 7/6/2022 1:07 AM Page 1
Wednesday, 6 July, 2022 I 6 Zil Hajj, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 367 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition
Parliament’s national security committee gives thumbs uP to talks with ttP ISLAMABAD
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HE Parliamentary Committee on National Security on Tuesday gave formal approval to the government for holding talks with the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) besides forming a parliamentary oversight committee to ensure the process moved within the constitution’s ambit. The committee, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, underscored the importance of the national grand reconciliation dialogue and called Tuesday’s meeting the first step in that direction. It was told that for the stability of regional and internal peace, a government committee was holding talks with the TTP with the Afghan government’s cooperation and led by the civil and military leadership while observing the
constitutional limits. The committee said that the final outcomes of the talks would be imple-
mented after the government’s approval and the fulfillment of the formalities within the ambit of the constitution.
The participants of the meeting reiterated that Pakistan had achieved unprecedented successes against extremism and terrorism which were also acknowledged globally. The committee also paid tribute to the sacrifices of the nation as well as the security forces which led to the establishment of state’s writ across the country. The parliamentary body reiterated that the powers for the use of force rested only with the government. While acknowledging the sacrifices of the victims of terrorism including those of the Peshawar ’s Army Public School attack, the meeting made it clear that the state had been and would remain the protector of sacrifices of the martyrs as well as the victim families. The parliamentary committee also paid tribute to the brave people from tribal areas who rendered huge sacri-
fices and faced immense difficulties to achieve peace and stability. It was told that the effective and practical measures by the security forces were part of a strategy comprising the components of clear, hold, construction and devolution of powers to the civil administration. The participants resolved that the government was committed to the empowerment and prosperity of the said areas, in accordance with the people’s desires. The meeting was attended by the national parliamentar y and political leadership, Senate chairman, members of the National Assembly and Senate standing committee related to the Parliamentar y Committee on National Security, and defence, federal ministers, chief ministers of provinces and Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister and the militar y leadership.
Imran threatens to blow lid off ‘regime change conspiracy’ characters
ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday declared that he was tight-lipped about “regime change conspiracy,” and all its characters as he knows his revelations could harm the national interests. “I don’t want my country to suffer any damage that’s why I am silent about this [conspiracy] and all those elements involved in it,” he said while addressing the media in
Islamabad on Tuesday. Referring to registration of cases against PTI leaders and journalists, Imran said if his party continued to be pushed against the wall through intimidation and harassment he will be compelled to expose all “conspirators” involved in toppling his government. “I am respectfully asking my judiciary that our fundamental rights have been suspended in this country.. journalists are being threatened and FIRs have been registered against our senior leaders to si-
lence them,” he remarked. The PTI chairman reiterated that he has recorded a video and kept it in a secured place, which would be released if anything happened to him “to expose all those who had committed treason against the country”. Imran, who was ousted from power in April through opposition’s vote of no-confidence in parliament, has accused the US of hatching a conspiracy by colluding with local abettors to topple his government. Imran said the “fascists tactics” were being used to impose thieves on the country and all state institutions had been “destroyed” as well to support the incumbent rulers. “This is not a democracy as we are moving towards fascism… first you hatched a conspiracy and then you imposed thieves on the country and now destroying all institutions,” he remarked without naming anyone. Imran also alleged that the entire administration along with Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was plotting to manipulate the upcoming Punjab by-elections in favour of PML-N.
“This is a decisive moment… if you surrender before the idol of fear then they [coalition government] will cause further destruction in the country,” he said while urging people to vote for PTI candidates in the by-elections as the fate of CM Hamza-led Punjab government hinges on it. “Despite their rigging attempts we have to defeat them and win this elections.” Separately in a tweet, the PTI chairman said the nation continued to suffer crushing economic at the cost of “imported government brought in through US regime change conspiracy” at a time when his government had stabilised the economy. “Exports, which stagnated in previous PML-N Govt at $25 billion, crossed $30 billion for the first time this year to $31.76 billion,” he added. “This was despite the sharp slow down after regime change conspiracy operationalised. In July ’21-March ’22, under PTI Govt exports grew 27%. In June under cabal of crooks export growth slowed to 5.8%,” the former premier wrote in a follow-up tweet.
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Defiant journalist Imran Riaz Khan arrested ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
Journalist Imran Riaz Khan was arrested on Tuesday near Islamabad Toll Plaza at the outskirts of the federal capital. Talking to media, the consul for Imran Riaz, Mian Ali Ashfaq said Imran Riaz Khan was heading to Islamabad for appearing in the Islamabad High Court when he was arrested in connection with a treason case registered against him in Attock. Ashfaq said his client was named in 17 treason cases across Punjab, adding that he was filing a contempt of court petition against the police. Before his arrest, Imran Riaz through a video message said that he was being targeted but he had recorded a video carrying the names of all the conspirators be-
hind his arrest. He said that the video message would be posted on his social media accounts soon wherein he had mentioned all details about the conspiracy hatched against him. Social media reports suggested that Imran Riaz’s consul had moved Islamabad High Court (IHC) and journalists had started gathering outside the IHC amid reports of likely opening of the courtroom late Tuesday night. Top journalists, politicians and activists condemned the arrest of Imran Riaz. Those posted messages in support of Imran Riaz Khan were PTI Secretary General Asad Umar who condemned the arrest. He said expression of opinions should be met with counterarguments instead of arrests. PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry strongly condemned the
arrest and hope that the courts would take action. PTI Central Secretary Information Farrukh Habib shared a video regarding the journalist’s apprehension by law enforcement agencies. PTI leader Ali Haider Zaidi also condemned the incident and said the nation stood with Khan. In a recent video on his Youtube channel, the journalist had
directly addressed Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and alleged that he was threatened after asking questions from military sources about the country’s current political and economic situation. Several cases have been lodged against senior journalists and anchors, including Khan, Sabir Shakir, Arshad Sharif, Sami Ibrahim and Moeed Pirzada, for allegedly spreading hate against army and state institutions. The registration of cases against the above, who are seen to favour the PTI, was condemned by PTI Chairman Imran Khan earlier today in a video address. In May, the Lahore High Court had accepted Khan’s plea for protective bail after multiple sedition cases were registered against him.
ECC allows one-time special release of ‘luxury’ goods stuck at ports ISLAMABAD Shahzad paRacha
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Tuesday granted a one-time special permission for the release of consignments stuck at ports and airports of the country. The meeting was held under the chair of Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail during which the Ministry of Commerce submitted a summary seeking permission for a one-time release of consignments of items banned on May 19, 2022, which landed at ports or airports on or before June 30, 2022. The ministry also presented a summary on the suspension of import conditions in the import policy order 2022 with regard to the import of timber. The meeting was apprised that consignments were supplied against contracts months ago and the shipments have arrived. The meeting decided that date of implementation of IPO 2022 regarding import of timber and wood falling under HS Codes 4401 to 4409 may be suspended till August 31, 2022, I-e for the bills issued till August 31. In order to safeguard the local industry, the import of raw materials, intermediate goods and industrial equipment required for industrial operations and foreign grant-in-aid projects were exempted. The ECC also approved another summary of Ministry of Commerce to amend paragraph 3(1) of the import policy order 2022 to allow import of goods of Afghan origin against Pak rupee and without the requirement of EIF forms for a period of one year, subject to the condition that Afghan exporters will provide a certificate of origin issued by Afghan Customs proving that the goods have originated from their country. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research submitted a summary of urgent advice relating to the award of the second international wheat tender 2022 opened on July 1 for 500,000 MT. The ECC considering the lower trend of wheat in the international market approved the lowest bid offer of M/s Cargill Int. PTE /Cargill Agro Foods Pakistan @ US$ 439.40/MT for 110,000 MT +/- 5% MOLSO to the extent of 500,000 MT. The Ministry of National Food Security & Research submitted a summary on WPF operation- purchase of 120,000 metric tons of wheat for Afghanistan in the year 2022-23.
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