Monday, 6 June, 2022 I 6 Dhul-Qadah, 1443 I Rs 40.00 I Vol XII No 337 I 52 Pages I Karachi Edition
PM for ‘grand dialogue’ by all stakeholders for raPid develoPMent g
Calls for develoPIng Consensus over eConomy
LAHORe
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staff report
rIme minister shehbaz sharif on sunday stressed the need for initiation of a grand dialogue by all the stakeholders over vital sectors of the economy if they wanted to move ahead on the path of progress and prosperity. addressing an inauguration ceremony of Indus hospital in lahore, the prime minister said nations were not formed on the basis of the construction of magnificent buildings but hard work, integrity and sacrifices coupled with the use of the latest knowledge and technology evolved them. he said that a consensus should be developed over the national economy in such a manner that it should not be disturbed by a change of government. he opined there were certain sectors of the economy such as information
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PTI Turns down offer, says no Talks wITh ‘faIled regIme’
technology and industrialisation through which the country could move ahead. The prime minister underlined that they should think above themselves and their personal likes and dislikes and accord top priority to the progress and prosperity of the nation. he maintained that a country could not survive on debts. sharif regretted that Pakistan should have been at the forefront of the Islamic world in terms of progress and development. Comparing Pakistan’s export volume with neighbouring Bangladesh, he said its annual exports now touched the $40 billion mark while Pakistan had an export value of $27-28 billion. The prime minister referring to the global economic meltdown said that they had increased the petroleum prices with a heavy heart. he also termed the previous government’s decision of decreasing petro-
leum prices in the month of march as a ploy as they had not extended any kind of relief to the masses during their rule. The prime minister further assured that they would try their best to provide relief to the poor and said that the government was looking to ease out impacts of price hikes by extending financial relief to over 70 million people. he stressed that they had to stand on their feet with sheer qualities of hard work, sacrifices, unity and proper planning. on load-shedding, the prime minister said he had chaired an emergency meeting wherein he sought a mechanism to decrease its duration. he said the government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) could not make arrangements for the purchase of oil and gas as these two components were mainly used for producing power and now these had been priced very high in the global market. he also hinted to announce further austerity measures shortly in the face of economic challenges. The prime minister said he was ready to be held accountable for his two and half months of rule but what about the previous rulers who had governed the country in the last three and half years. he expressed the optimism that with unity and hard work, the country would rise to the horizon and no one would be able to match its speed. sharif, while lauding the efforts of the hospital’s administration and founders, urged the philanthropists to come forward and donate generously for alleviation of the sufferings of the poor and deserving people in the field of health and education.
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PTI decides to contest by-elections to 20 PA seats: Qureshi ISLAMABAD staff report
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf core committee on sunday developed a consensus and decided to contest by-elections to 20 seats of the Punjab assembly fell vacant after the de-notification of PTI legislators over defection. PTI’s core committee meeting was held at Bani gala with its Chairman Imran khan in the chair who returned from Peshawar after weeks of stay there before and after the long march on may 25. while briefing the media after the core committee meeting, PTI vice Chairman shah mehmood Qureshi made the announcement. Talking to the media, Qureshi expressed his apprehensions that the Punjab government would employ all tactics and resources to influence the by-polls. “The eCP has a big responsibility here and if they fail to ensure transparency in elections, then a big question mark will be raised on general elections which are to be held soon,” the PTI leader said. The election Commission of Pakistan announced last month the byelections to 20 vacant seats on July 17. Qureshi informed that PTI Chairman Imran khan would hold a meeting on monday to contemplate over
Terror-financing case filed against KU suicide bomber’s husband, others newS DeSk a terror financing case has been registered against habitan Bashir and other accused in karachi university suicide attack. Police Inspector sanaullah has been complainant in the case against the accused. habitan Bashir and others nominated in the case, have been accused of providing funds for april 26 suicide attack in the university. Police is searching for suicide bomber shari Baloch’s husband habitan Bashir and his accomplices in the case. four people including three Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver were killed in attack on a van carrying Chinese teachers of Confucius Institute at university of karachi. shari Baloch was the first woman bomber of Bla who blew herself up at the gate of karachi university targeting three Chinese teachers. The attack reflects nefarious designs of Baloch terrorists against Chinese projects in Pakistan who have long been opposing the China Pakistan economic Corridor as the CPeC route passes through Balochistan. shari Baloch was also a
part of terrorist pack which killed Chinese teachers. according to the Bla, shari was the group’s first female bomber. In a written statement, the Bla said, “shari Baloch has added a new chapter in the history of Baloch rebellion.” In the CCTv footage of the attack, a woman wearing a burqa is seen standing outside the Confucius Institute. as the van comes closer to her, she pushes the button
and blew herself up. according to news agency reuters, the Bla has shared via email a photo of a woman wearing a burqa who is seen with her two children. Police and other officials have not yet confirmed this picture but it is being claimed on social media that this woman is shari Baloch. according to local media reports, the bomber was a student of karachi university. karachi Police
Chief ghulam nabi memon told media that according to the information we have received, the woman bomber was probably a student of the university. media reported that the woman, a student of m.Phil, had said ‘bye’ to her friends on Twitter at 12:10 pm. In a purported video released by the group, a Bla spokesperson said the purpose of the attack was very clear. he warned that a special unit has been formed to attack Chinese officials and projects in Balochistan. after shari Baloch’s death, her husband made a tweet and expressed ‘proud’ of his wife’s death and said it was a ‘selfless act’. habitan Bashir Baloch, who is being identified as shari Baloch’s husband, said in his tweet, ‘shari Jaan, your selfless work left me speechless. Today I am blown away with pride. mahroch and mir hasan would be very proud considering what a great woman their mother was. you will continue to be an important part of our lives. after the karachi attack, there is increasing pressure on the Pakistani government regarding the security of Chinese citizens in Pakistan. It remains to be seen how this blast will affect the CPeC project.
the allocation of tickets. The ex-foreign minister said his party had also decided that none of its mnas would appear before the national assembly speaker, who has summoned some PTI members from monday to verify their resignations. Qureshi said their resignations had already been approved and notified by then speaker Qasim khan suri. “hence, there is no need to appear before speaker raja Pervez ashraf again.” Qureshi said Interior minister rana sanaullah had expressed his intention to arrest the leader of the most popular party in the country, adding that “there could be no bigger political blunder than this”. he warned of a strong reaction to any such action by the government. “you have to give your reaction immediately if you receive any report through social media or other media that this imported government has taken any such step,” he told the public. he also called out the government for raising prices of petrol and edibles beyond the purchasing power of the masses. he also questioned the “silence” of foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the government’s talks with the TTP, saying the PTI government was lambasted by the opposition for such an approach.
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more inside
President, PM condemn hurtful comments of India’s BJP leaders STORY ON BACK PAGE
sana says government will arrest Imran once his bail expires STORY ON BACK PAGE in today’s issue
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