In partnership with
Profit
terrorists APEX BODY LAUDS ‘WHOLE OF GOVT APPROACH’ 24 neutralized in Mach, Kolpur operations in TO REALISE SIFC’S ENVISIONED DIVIDENDS Saturday, 3 February, 2024 I 22 Rajab, 1445
g
COAS ASSURES ARMY WILL SUPPORT INITIATIVES FOR COUNTRY’S ECONOMIC STABILITY AND SOCIO ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE
T
g
ISLAMABAD
Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 216 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition
COMMITTEE REVIEWS PROGRESS AND LAUDS CONTRIBUTION FOR IMPROVING MACRO AND MICRO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF COUNTRY
STAFF REPORT
HE Apex Committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) on Friday showed profound satisfaction over the overall progress of the SIFC and appreciated ‘Whole of Government Approach’ in realising the envisioned dividends. The 9th meeting of the SIFC Apex Committee met under the chair of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ulHaq Kakar which reviewed various initiatives being steered through the forum. The meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, federal cabinet, provincial chief ministers and high-level government officials. The ministries presented progress on the projects and policy initiatives, and gave plans for subsequent endeavours to attract the investment. The Apex Committee reviewed progress on various measures and appreciated the contribution made for improving macro and micro-economic conditions of the country. The body commended the steps taken to build a sustainable ecosystem for nurturing latent potential and attracting investments, with special emphasis on the cross sectoral policy interventions, human resource development, infrastructural uplift and strengthening of domestic dispute resolution mechanism. The Committee reviewed and appreciated the progress on the level of economic engagements with
Court reserves verdict on ‘unlawful’ marriage case against Imran, Bushra RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
The trial court on Friday night reserved verdict on the ‘un-Islamic’ marriage case against Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi after concluding the 14-hour-long hearing. Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah presided over the proceedings in Adiala Jail and reserved the verdict, which will be announced on Saturday (tomorrow) at 1pm. The case, filed by Bushra Bibi’s first husband, Khawar Maneka, alleges that Bushra violated the Islamic practice of observing the mandatory pause, or Iddat, between two marriages. Furthermore, Maneka accused his ex-wife and Khan of having an adulterous relationship before their marriage. The cross-examination of the four prosecution witnesses, including Maneka, Aun Chaudhry, Nikah Khawan Mufti Saeed, and Maneka’s employee Latif, was completed. The defence was led by Advocate Salman Akram Raja for Khan and Advocate Osman Riaz Gul for Bushra. Khan and Bushra submitted a joint statement of 342, answering 13 questions. In her statement, Bushra declared the divorce certificate of November 14, 2017, as fabricated, claiming she completed her mandatory iddat period from April to August 2017 after receiving a verbal triple talaq from Maneka in April 2017. The court rejected the defence’s request to produce additional witnesses. A plea of acquittal under Section 249-A and jurisdictional pleas under Section 179 were also rejected. During yesterday’s hearing, Maneka made serious accusations against Khan, claiming the illicit relationship began during the 2014 sit-in and accusing Khan of ruining his family. Tensions escalated, leading to a courtroom quarrel where physical threats were allegedly made. Khan challenged Maneka to take an oath on the Holy Quran. In a dramatic turn of events, Maneka spoke to reporters, revealing the impact on his family, stating that one daughter faced divorce, and one son entered a rehabilitation center due to the alleged affair. Bushra Bibi, speaking for the first time in Adiala Jail, portrayed herself as a victim of a plot to humiliate her. She vowed not to succumb to pressure, labeled the accusations as an attempt to weaken Khan and the PTI, and emphasised her determination to stand firm.
friendly countries and underscored the need to efficiently realise investment commitments into economic dividends. The Apex body also accorded in-principle approval for Strategic Canals Vision 2030 and FBR Reforms. The Chief of the Army Staff assured firm resolve of the Pakistan Army to support the government’s initiatives for the economic stability of the country and the socioeconomic well-being of its people. In the end, the prime
minister appreciated the role of SIFC, ministries, departments and affiliated stakeholders in accomplishing the major economic milestones as part of the interim government and setting the pace for future endeavours. He also urged the incoming government to ensure continuity of economic policies by capitalising on the positive momentum, established by SIFC, in the larger interest of the country.
Imran, Bushra misused PM’s office: Toshakhana verdict ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Accountability Court (AC) of Islamabad said on Friday that PakTehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) istan founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi misused the position and power vested in the office of the prime minister obtained monetary gain and caused a loss to the national exchequer. Accountability court Judge Muhammad Bashir issued a 44page detailed judgment, regarding the 14 years imprisonment sentence to Imran and Bibi in the Toshakhana case. The judgment said that the two accused fraudulently misappropriated public property for personal gain. “It is proved beyond any reasonable doubt that both the accused persons in connivance with each other by way of illegal means, misusing the position and power vested in the Office of the Prime Minister obtained monetary gain amounting to Rs.1573.72 million,” read the judgment. [The two accused] caused a loss to the National Exchequer, and fraudulently misappropriated public property for personal gain and violated the Procedure For the Acceptance and Disposal of Gifts, 2018 read with the Rules of Business 1973,” it added. “Thus, both the accused namely Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi and Bushra Imran are hereby convicted and sentenced to Fourteen (14) years rigors imprisonment each with fine of Rs. 787 million each under the offences define u/s 9(a)(iii)(iv)(vi) & (xii) of the NAO, 1999 and punishable u/s 10 of the NAO, 1999 and also under Sr. No. 2 of the schedule thereto. The fine is recoverable as arrears of land.” The judge had convicted Imran
and Bibi in the Toshakhana case on Wednesday. In the detailed judgment, the court said that they received a total of 108 gifts from abroad, including a graff jewellery set which they had bought just for Rs9 million, while its actual worth was much higher. The ruling further said that the court testified a total of 16 witnesses during the trial and the prosecution presented solid evidence. “The accumulative effect of all the evidence produced against the accused is that the prosecution has succeeded to prove the case beyond any reasonable doubts.” According to the judgment, the two accused used influence on the private expert to determine the gift’s value. According to Sohaib Abbasi, who determined the value of the gift, he estimated the value lower on the instruction of the PTI’s founder, the verdict continued. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had served five notices to Bibi and Imran and asked them to come with the graff jewellery set to determine the price but both of them did not bring the gift. The accused did not even give the
information about the gifts. The verdict said that NAB contacted Imran Bashir, a Dubai-based expert on jewellery and antiquities, who estimated the price of the set from various dealers. He reported that the value of jewellery set was Rs3.160 billion. The judgment further said that it was proved that the price of jewellery set was much higher than the estimate got from a private person. It was proved that Bibi received the jewellery set but she did not submit it to the Toshakhana. It added that the attitude of the PTI founder during trial was also very inappropriate. The accused had been changing defence lawyers repeatedly and they were not even willing to cross-examine the witnesses. The defence lawyers were aware about the hearing date but they did not arrive in the court. The verdict said that the court shared a questionnaire with the accused and they were given enough time to reply but PTI’s founder but he did not answer. Bibi recorded her statement but the PTI founder used delaying tactics, it added.
past three days: ISPR RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Twenty-four terrorists were killed during firefights and clearance operations in the Mach and Kolpur towns of Balochistan in the past three days, the military’s media affairs wing said on Friday. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday, terrorists attacked Mach and Kolpur complexes in Balochistan on the night of January 29 and 30. “Law enforcement agencies deputed on security offered stiff resistance and forced the attackers to repulse. These terrorists were then hunted down in the ensuing sanitisation and clearance operations which have now been concluded after clearing and securing the area,” the ISPR said. “During the firefights and sanitisation/clearance operations, in the last three days, 24 terrorists have been sent to hell,” the army’s media wing said. It identified Shehzad Baloch, Attaullah, Salah Uddin, Abdul Wadood and Zeeshan as “key terrorists” among the dead. The ISPR said the identification process of remaining terrorists was in process. During the intense exchange of fire, “four brave members of law enforcement agencies, having fought gallantly, embraced martyrdom” along with two innocent civilians, it added. “Effective response by law enforcement agencies is a testament to their unrelenting resolve in the fight against terrorism,” the ISPR said, adding that Pakistan’s security forces stood “shoulder to shoulder” with other LEAs to ensure peace and stability in the country,” the ISPR statement said. On Monday night, security forces had thwarted three “coordinated attacks” launched by terrorists using rockets and sophisticated weapons in Mach. The terrorists also targeted a hotel and six shops in the Kolpur area and set them on fire. Interim Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai had initially attributed the attack to terrorists affiliated with the Aslam Acho group. However, responsibility was later claimed by the Majeed Brigade of the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Security forces immediately responded to the attack and took up positions. The gun battle between terrorists and security forces had continued for several hours. Pakistan has recently witnessed a sharp surge in terror activities, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to an annual security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023 — marking a record six-year high. KP and Balochistan were the primary centres of violence, accounting for over 90 per cent of all fatalities and 84pc of attacks, including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations.
FIA summons Aleema Khan for ‘spreading fear and panic’ ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated a cybercrime inquiry against Aleema Khan, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, for allegedly spreading “fear and panic” in society. According to details, the inquiry was initiated at the behest of the state and a notice has also been served to Aleema in this regard. The notice directed Aleema to appear at the FIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre on Saturday at 11am to provide clarification. If Aleema fails to appear, the FIA will interpret her absence as an indication that she has no statements to offer in her defence. Earlier, the FIA cybercrime wing had summoned 65 people, including various journalists and social media activists, for allegedly running a malicious campaign targeting judges and institutions. According to details, the FIA had been fully mobilised against running negative campaigns containing insulting and wrong information against the chief justice, senior judges and state institutions on social media. In addition, 115 inquiries have been officially registered and notices have been issued to 65 people. Forty-seven celebrities of the media and social media were also included in the people to whom notices have been sent.
China, Pakistan discuss situation in Afghanistan, regional collaboration ISLAMABAD
MIAN ABRAR
China’s senior diplomat and special envoy on Afghanistan Ambassador Yue Xiaonyou called on Foreign Secretary Syrus Qazi on Friday and discussed matters of mutual interest. Additional Foreign Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia) Ambassador Rahim Hayat Qureshi and other officials were also present during the meeting. The meeting comes on heels of China’s official acceptance of credentials of Bilal Karimi, the Taliban-appointed ambassador to China. The move has trigged a debate in diplomatic circles as eyebrows were raised with diplomats arguing as if China had officially taken a step towards accepting Taliban regime in Kabul. In the backdrop of the development, China’s special envoy on Afghanistan, Ambassador Yue Xiaonyou, arrived Islamabad and remained engaged with Foreign Office on matters of mutual interest. China’s move to accepting the credentials of Taliban Ambassador is in contrast with the
conditions set by the United Nations and the western world led by the United States of America who have legitimate concerns against the Afghan Taliban’s commitment on major UN conventions especially treatment of women, minorities and women education. However, the recent moves by the US suggest that the western countries are also softening their respective stance against the Afghan Taliban and a middle way is being sought to sort out matters with Afghan regime. In this regard, the sources say, India was playing a key role in helping the Afghan Taliban to be recognised as legitimate rules of Afghanistan but certain impediments were a major hurdle in this regard. A joint statement issued by the foreign office highlighted the commitment of both nations to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, emphasising the necessity of enhanced coordination for regional stability. While the statement did not delve further into specifics, officials privy to the development said that Islamabad was concerned about China’s move at a time when Islamabad and Kabul are not on the same page on
various regional issues. The sources said that Pakistan is sceptic about China’s unilateral decision to accept the credentials of Afghan Taliban Ambassador without regional consensus on many issues as this decision reflected that perhaps Beijing was poised to officially accept Afghan Taliban as legitimate regime in Afghanistan. The sources said that China has long been concerned on the presence of terrorists belonging to defunct East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) on Afghan soil and China has been encouraging the Kabul regime to take action against ETIM which was a threat to China. On the other hand, there are reports that Taliban have relocated remnants of the ETIM from Badakhashan to Baghlan province, prompting China to remain vigilant about potential security threats emanating from Afghanistan. Recent media reports suggest that the United States has been mulling ways and means to reopen its consulate in Kabul but first Kabul would have to remove certain impediments in this regard.
The United State believes that the Afghan Taliban need to fulfill international commitments by forming an inclusive government and ensuring other commitment on human rights and minority rights besides women rights. While the world is sorting out matters
with Kabul, Pakistan has adopted a hard stance with Kabul asking the Taliban to take action against Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP)and other terrorists and make sure that Afghan soil is not used against Pakistan – but Taliban remain reluctant to fulfill these demands.