PM, SAUDI CROWN PRINCE AGREE TO ADVANCE ECONOMIC PACKAGE, DEEPEN STRATEGIC COOPERATION
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday hailed the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States as a historic diplomatic breakthrough expressing confidence that the agreement would usher in a new era of peace prosperity economic cooperation and stronger bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran while enhancing Pakistan’s standing on the global stage Addressing the National Assembly the prime minister said Pakistan was receiving widespread international recognition for its role in facilitating the peace agreement, describing it as a moment of pride for the entire nation “Pakistan is being acknowledged around the world for helping bring about this peace deal which in fact reflects the country s growing diplomatic stature, Prime Minister Shehbaz said He said the successful conclusion
of the agreement demonstrated Pakistan s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability and had earned the country international respect and goodwill
The prime minister thanked Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for playing a key role in efforts aimed at establishing peace in the region He also acknowledged the contributions of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi
Calling the achievement a national success he urged opposition parties to join the government in projecting a message of unity saying the accomplishment belonged to the entire nation rather than any individual or political party
Prime Minister Shehbaz informed the House that he had received a telephone call from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday during which the Iranian leader thanked Pakistan and its people for standing by Iran during a difficult period
district of KP where the aircraft was detected and neutralised by the Pakistan Air Force s air defence system after entering Pakistani airspace The Afghan Taliban administration regularly issues such statements to deflect attention from what it described as its support for militant violence in neighbouring countries through groups including Daesh, Fitna alKhawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan "The claims are false as usual Terrorist camps including that of Daesh and more than two dozen other terrorists organisations are factually located run and patronised from inside the territories under control of Afghan Taliban regime" The Pakistani statement came after Kabul said it had conducted air operations against what it described as militant positions in Pakistan The Taliban government s defence ministry said in a post on X that hideouts in KP and Balochistan, both bordering Afghanistan, were targeted by the Afghan air force on Thursday night
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will embark on a visit to Egypt on Sunday (June 21) to attend the 4th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the R-4 Group of Countries where Pakistan Egypt Saudi Arabia and Türkiye will deliberate on regional security and diplomatic developments amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East according to the Foreign Office (FO) In a post on X the FO said the Cairo meeting marks the fourth session of the R-4 framework a diplomatic platform launched in March this year by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan amid heightened regional instability, including the USIran conflict and broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East
Conceived as a coordination mechanism for regional consultations, the grouping has since held regular meetings to discuss evolving political, security and economic challenges and to promote de-escalation efforts across the region
At the invitation of Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will attend the 4th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the R-4 Group of Countries to be held in Cairo on 21 June 2026 the FO said The meeting will bring together the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan to discuss regional developments and
Araghchi,
exchange views on issues related to peace security and stability ” it added According to the statement the ministers will also review ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas of shared interest
During the visit, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will hold bilateral consultations with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty and is also expected to call on Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah El-Sisi The discussions will focus on expanding Pakistan–Egypt cooperation across multiple sectors, alongside exchanges on regional and international developments of mutual interest Pakistan has consistently described its relations with Egypt Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a priority, noting that the R-4 framework reflects a shared commitment to consultation, cooperation and coordinated diplomacy in support of regional peace and stability
Separately Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, during which both sides exchanged views on recent regional developments and expressed concern over Israel s ceasefire violations in Lebanon
The DPM/FM congratulated Iran s leadership, government and people on the signing of the historic “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” with the United States and extended best wishes for the next phase of negotiations expressing hope for a smooth and positive outcome
Foreign Minister Araghchi expressed appreciation for Pakistan s constructive and sustained mediation efforts He also thanked Pakistan for facilitating the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals including eight fishermen rescued at sea by the United Kingdom and 22 crew members recently intercepted by the United States, with transit arrangements currently being coordinated by Pakistan
Tcreditors included TRGI, which holds the arbitration award and the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to which he reportedly
in
$10
The
back to an arbitration decision issued in
2025 The arbitrator found that Chishti had violated contractual commitments owed to TRGI by pledging company shares in favour of JS Bank and ordered him to pay $9 1 million to the company Under the latest ruling TRGI may recover assets up to the remaining unpaid balance of that award The court also stated that the obligation may be satisfied through the transfer of TRG Pakistan shares held by Chishti s spouse, should she elect to do so TRG Pakistan said it had received details of the development from its associated company, TRGI, and would continue to monitor the implementation of the court s order while making any further disclosures required under applicable laws and regulations
OFIT N e W s D e s k
Selling pressure returned to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday after talks planned between the United States and Iran in Switzerland were called off with the benchmark KSE-100 Index shedding more than 2 400 points during intraday trading According to the PSX website, the market had opened on a positive note, and the KSE-100 gained over 700 points in the early trade to climb to the 182 185 87 level But sentiment weakened after Switzerland said US talks with Iranian negotiators on a pact to end the Middle East conflict would not take place on Friday, as Vice President JD Vance dropped his travel plans, adding to uncertainty over the prospects for a lasting truce Around 2:30 pm the market
plunged to 177,836 16, shedding 3,562 05 points Selling was recorded across key sectors including automobile assemblers automobile parts
extends
Corporation and Dutch terminal operator Royal Vopak said the agreement also reflects continued confidence from its foreign partner in Pakistan s regulatory environment and economic potential The terminal plays a key role in the country’s import supply chain, handling about 70% of Pakistan’s bulk liquid chemical imports and around 50% of LPG imports arriving through marine routes The imported products support a wide range of industries, including agriculture, textiles, construction, energy and plastics
Commenting on the development EVTL Chief Executive Officer Syed Ammar Shah said the renewal ensures operational continuity for infrastructure that supports multiple sectors of the economy He also acknowledged the support of government institutions involved in the process including the Port Qasim Authority, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Ministry of Law and Justice Ministry of Finance Maritime Taskforce, National Coordination and Management Council (NCMC), and the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC)
PAKISTAN, IRAN DISCUSS $10B TRADE
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue has endorsed a proposal to impose capital gains tax (CGT) on the sale of inherited properties and plots
The committee considered amendments relating to inherited properties and family settlements as part of tax measures proposed by the Federal Board of Revenue Federal Board of Revenue officials proposed a valuation mechanism under which the cost of an inherited property would be treated as its market value on the date of the original owner s death
They said this value would be used as the acquisition cost for calculating capital gains tax when the property is later sold Explaining the mechanism offi-
cials said that if a plot was worth Rs8 million at the time of the owner ’s death and was later sold for Rs10
The committee later suggested that the real value of inherited property should be determined from the date of transfer of ownership
The committee was also informed that inherited properties transferred through family settlement arrangements would receive legal protection under the proposed framework For such assets the valuation date would remain the date of the original owner ’s death to provide certainty in determining the
for sustained engagement between the government and industry to strengthen the cotton ecosystem improve competitiveness and encourage investment across the supply chain
fessionalism should therefore be welcomed However, good intentions alone do not guarantee good policy The effectiveness of any reform depends upon its design implementation and its ability to address realities without creating new problems
TH E quest to improve educational quality in Sindh has produced numerous reforms over the past two decades Governments policymakers development partners and education experts have sought solutions to address weak learning outcomes, low literacy rates and concerns regarding teaching standards in public schools Among the latest initiatives is the Teaching Licence Programme a reform spearheaded by the Sindh Teacher Education Development Authority with the stated objective of professionalising the teaching profession and ensuring that educators possess the knowledge and competencies required for effective classroom instruction
At first glance the initiative appears both reasonable and timely Across many countries teaching is regarded as a licensed profession like law medicine and engineering Professional licensing frameworks are designed to establish minimum standards, strengthen accountability and promote continuous professional development
Therefore introducing teaching licences in Sindh reflects a genuine effort to elevate the status of teachers and improve educational outcomes Under the proposed framework, teachers are to qualify through assessments covering subject knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and teaching demonstrations with separate licence categories for primary elementary and secondary education The licence is expected to play an increasingly important role in recruitment, promotions and professional advancement Advocates argue it will encourage teachers to continuously improve their skills and ensure only competent educators in classrooms
The teaching profession has often been overlooked in discussions on educational reform Any effort aimed at strengthening pro-
One of the most fundamental questions concerns the relationship between teaching licences and existing professional qualifications such as BEd and MEd degrees For decades, these qualifications have served as the recognised professional pathway Their curricula are specifically designed around educational psychology curriculum studies classroom management lesson planning, teaching methodologies, assessment practices, educational leadership and school administration If teaching licences are now being introduced as the primary indicator of professional competence then policymakers must clearly explain the future role of BEd and MEd qualifications If the licence examination evaluates the same pedagogical knowledge already taught through these programmes, many teachers may reasonably ask whether professional teaching degrees are gradually being reduced to mere eligibility requirements rather than meaningful professional credentials
Conversely if licences are intended to become the primary gateway into the profession, policymakers may need to reconsider whether existing professional degree requirements should continue in their current form A system that requires candidates to obtain professional teaching qualifications pass a recruitment examination and then qualify through a separate licensing process risks creating administrative complexity without proportionate benefits
The issue becomes even more sensitive when considering experienced teachers already working Across the province thousands of educators have dedicated decades of their lives to teaching under challenging circumstances True not every senior teacher demonstrates the same level of commitment, motivation or classroom effectiveness However, it is equally true that countless experienced educators continue to perform their duties with remarkable dedication despite limited resources and challenging working conditions
One of the greatest risks associated with the licensing framework is the possibility that experienced teachers without licences may gradually be perceived as less competent than younger colleagues with them This could create divisions within schools and negatively affect professional morale Educational reform should never come at the expense of professional dignity The morale of teachers is directly linked to educational quality When dedicated educators feel ignored undervalued or professionally diminished the consequences ultimately affect students
recognise such contributions If policymakers genuinely wish to improve educational quality, they must move beyond certification alone and establish transparent performance-based recognition systems Independent classroom observations student learning outcomes professional portfolios and merit-based evaluations by neutral experts could help identify outstanding educators Such recognition should be entirely free from political or other influence and departmental favouritism Another concern relates to the categorisation of licences into primary elementary and secondary levels While specialisation has its advantages, excessive compartmentalisation may create unnecessary administrative barriers Teachers with strong qualifications and extensive experience should not face rigid restrictions that limit professional mobility
rigorous
processes If a candidate has already completed a BEd or MEd degree successfully passed a competitive recruitment examination and secured appointment as a teacher why should the same individual have to pass another examination to establish teaching competence? Does this not make a teacher pass two separate professional tests to enter or progress within the profession? This concern raises a legitimate policy question regarding duplication If recruitment tests are inadequate for assessing teaching competence, then their structure should perhaps be improved If adequate, why an additional licensing examination? Without a clear explanation, many teachers may perceive the licensing process as an additional bureaucratic hurdle rather than a genuine professional development mechanism
The issue becomes even more pronounced if future promotions become closely tied to licensing status Experienced teachers serving as High School Teachers may find themselves competing against younger licenciates Even if such outcomes are not the intention of policymakers perceptions of inequality can significantly influence workplace culture and motivation
Perhaps the most overlooked aspect is the absence of a parallel framework for recognising excellence among existing teachers If the government is creating mechanisms to evaluate and certify future educators why is there no equally robust mechanism to identify and reward high-performing teachers already in the system? For years, educational discourse in Sindh has focused on deficiencies while paying insufficient attention to excellence Thousands of teachers have spent their careers producing positive results maintaining strong enrolment reducing dropout rates and improving student performance Yet very few institutional mechanisms exist to
The rape gang crisis: How the UK betrayed its own people
Questions also remain regarding the transparency of teaching demonstrations Practical teaching assessments are valuable tools for evaluating classroom competence, but only when supported by clearly defined evaluation rubrics independent assessors and transparent appeal mechanisms Without such safeguards concerns regarding subjectivity and inconsistency may arise
The policy also appears to overlook a broader reality Educational quality is not determined solely by teacher certification Student learning is influenced by school leadership infrastructure curriculum implementation resource availability parental engagement monitoring systems and socio-economic conditions Teaching licences may contribute to improvement but they cannot serve as a substitute for comprehensive reform
The Government of Sindh STEDA and education policymakers therefore face a delicate challenge They must ensure that the Teaching Licence Programme enhances professionalism without creating unnecessary duplication, undermining existing
approximately 1,400 White British girls – many as young as 11, from working-class families or care homes – were systematically groomed gang-raped trafficked and subjected to unimaginable brutality in Rotherham South Yorkshire
The perpetrators were overwhelmingly men of Pakistani Muslim heritage operating in tightly organized grooming gangs They preyed on vulnerable native girls, using alcohol, drugs, and false promises of affection to lure them in before passing them around for repeated sexual violence that frequently involved extreme physical cruelty The victims suffered pregnancies forced abortions miscarriages and lifelong STDs To the abusers these girls were nothing more than easy meat
This was not an isolated outbreak of crime, but a damning case of institutional complicity The 2014 Jay Report, concluding an independent inquiry led by Professor Alexis Jay made clear that police and social services possessed extensive evidence of ethnic patterns and widespread abuse yet they repeatedly refused to intervene Officers dismissed traumatized schoolgirls as prostitutes exercising bad lifestyle choices, while senior officials prioritized community relations and suppressed reports that highlighted organized South Asian grooming networks all to avoid accusations of racism Whistleblowers were intimidated marginalized or silenced In the end political correctness and bureaucratic self-preservation mattered more than the safety of native children
The same disturbing pattern repeated across Rochdale, Oxford, Telford, and dozens of other towns The Rape Gang Report’, published on Tuesday by Restore Britain MP Rupert Lowe, estimates that at least 250,000 mainly White British girls had been victimized nationwide since the 1950s A legitimate state has a primary duty: to protect its own people – its native population its culture and above all its children – not to appease imported interests or offer up its daughters on the altar of diversity By consciously abandoning British girls to their fate, the British state forfeited its moral authority and democratic legitimacy Rotherham stands as a damning indictment of Britain’s postwar multicultural experiment For decades elites imposed mass immigration from culturally incompatible societies, championed aggressive pluralism, and treated traditional British identity with open hostility The result has been the transformation of a historic nation into a rootless administrative zone,
eral key thinkers Carl Schmitt the German jurist and political theorist argued in The Concept of the Political (1932) that politics fundamentally concerns the distinction between friend and enemy A sovereign community must recognize existential threats to its way of life and act decisively to protect its own people through clear distinctions based on loyalty and survival Oswald Spengler, in his monumental The Decline of the West (1918–1922) described how civilizations slide into irreversible decay once their elites become deracinated and cosmopolitan severing their organic ties to their own traditions culture and people
In Rotherham, British officials failed Schmitt s essential test Blinded by liberal universalism, which holds that all groups are interchangeable and that acknowledging ethnic patterns amounts to bigotry they refused to draw the necessary friend-enemy line They chose appeasement over protection desperate to avoid Islamophobia labels
The 14th-century Arab historian Ibn Khaldun provided a complementary insight with his concept of asabiyyah: the powerful bond of group solidarity, cohesion, and shared purpose that gives a people strength and identity In prosperous, cosmopolitan societies, this vital force naturally weakens as elites grow soft individualistic and detached from their roots
Rotherham illustrated this tragedy: native British asabiyyah had withered among the ruling class while the grooming gangs displayed a raw, tribal version of it – tightknit loyalty that enabled coordinated predation with little restraint Britain’s institutions, hollowed out and lacking the will to defend their own proved no match for this imported solidarity
Samuel Huntington s The Clash of Civilizations (1996) further illuminates the deeper dynamics at work He argued that in the post-Cold War era, conflicts would increasingly stem from cultural and civilizational differences rather than ideology or economics Western universalism, the belief that liberal values would naturally triumph everywhere was dangerously naive Large-scale immigration from Islamic civilization into the West would breed friction parallel societies and clashes because fundamental values concerning religion authority rights and loyalty remain profoundly incompatible
Rotherham provides grim confirmation: when a declining West imports substantial numbers from a confident, nonassimilating civilization without the resolve to uphold its own ethnic and cultural boundaries the outcome is not enrichment but systematic abuse and institutional paralysis
Even today with belated convictions under Operation Stovewood, the most fundamental questions remain unresolved: What does the state truly owe its native citizens above all others? Can any democracy claim legitimacy after repeated ideological betrayals of its working-class children? Will Britain ever allow honest public discussion of ethnicity and crime without resorting to censorship?
As Enoch Powell warned in his 1968 Rivers of Blood speech ignoring the hard realities of mass immigration would one day bring tragedy Powell was viciously denounced for voicing what many already understood instinctively Yet Rotherham, and the hundreds of other towns scarred by identical horrors have shown that those rivers have already begun to flow: not only with the blood of innocents but with the growing rage of a long-betrayed people
Constantin von Hoffmeister is a political and cultural commentator from Germany
ON June 17, 2026, President Donald Trump called Iran’s ballistic missile force an instrument of self-defense He suggested US Space Force oversight of Iran s nuclear enrichment installations if the uranium stayed inside the country and dismissed critics of his Iran memorandum as losers Vice President JD Vance gave the policy its rationale According to him Trump alone remains “the only world leader still sympathetic to Israel”; therefore Israel must respect the peace process stop striking Beirut and avoid going wild in Lebanon even as Hezbollah fires rockets at Israeli civilians and soldiers Vance collapsed the distinction between Iran’s offensive arsenal and Israel’s right to self-defense, then told Israelis to “wake up ” This is capitulation masquerading as realism Vance no longer grounds support for Israel in common enemies intelligence cooperation or shared democratic values He treats it as a revocable favor from an America First camp The US-Iran memorandum delivers the payoff Tehran receives roughly $344 billion through sanctions
aLi GuL LeGHari
CORPORATE CORNER
CM MARYAM APPROVES MA JOR EXPANSION OF NSM DISTRICT WITH SPECIALISED HOSPITALS
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the establishment of multiple state-of-the-art healthcare institutions under the Nawaz Sharif Medical District (NSM) project, marking a major expansion of tertiary healthcare infrastructure in the province According to official details the Chief Minister approved the establishment of the Institute of Surgical Orthopaedic and Medical Rehabilitation and Children’s
FAISALABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
On the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee for Faisalabad Division was held to comprehensively review security law and order traffic management and public facilitation arrangements for the first ten days of Muharram
The meeting was attended by Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari, Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan and Advisor on Political Affairs Zeeshan Malik Following the session provincial ministers also visited the Central Imambargah Faisalabad and inspected various procession routes During the briefing, Faisalabad Commissioner Musarrat Jabeen and RPO Sohail Akhtar Sukhera apprised the Cabinet Committee of the Muharram security plan and admin-
istrative arrangements, informing them that a comprehensive and coordinated strategy was being fully implemented to maintain peace and order throughout the holy month Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari directed all Deputy Commissioners and District Police Officers to maintain close and continuous coordination with organizers of processions and religious gatherings and to ensure strict adherence to scheduled timings She further instructed that security at sensitive locations and potential flashpoints be further strengthened to eliminate any
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
ZABEFEST 26 the flagship technology festival of SZABIST University, organized by the Faculty of Computing and Engineering Sciences at the Karachi Campus, brought together students technology enthusiasts innovators researchers entrepreneurs and industry experts for two days of technological excellence and innovation The event witnessed an impressive participation from various universities and colleges, fostering collaboration, creativity, and knowledge sharing The Opening Ceremony was graced by Dr Sajid Mirza, Former Member (Space Technology) SUPARCO and Mr Aziz Shaikh Vice President 10Pearls as Chief Guests Dr Sajid Mirza encouraged students to work hard honestly and remain modest emphasizing that success follows perseverance, while Mr Aziz Shaikh highlighted the importance of strong fundamentals and continuous learning in the era of AI In his opening remarks Prof Dr Altaf Mukati
sibility of untoward incidents Azma Bokhari also directed concerned departments to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, provision of cold drinking water, fans, and other essential facilities for participants of processions and majalis emphasizing that all arrangements must reflect maximum public facilitation
Greece envoy meets PPP MPA Imtiaz Ahmed Sh
Ambassador of Greece to Pakistan Irene Pochni called on Pakistan Peoples Party leader and Member of the Sindh Assembly Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh at his residence where the two discussed matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations, investment opportunities, women empowerment and ongoing development projects in Sindh During the meeting the Greek Ambassador appreciated the hospitality cultural diversity and traditions of the people of Sindh saying that the love tolerance and rich culture of Sindh had greatly impressed her She emphasized the need to further strengthen relations between Pakistan and Greece and expressed a desire to enhance cooperation in various sectors On the occasion, the Ambassador praised Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari s vision for women empowerment and the legislation introduced in this regard She said that effective measures for the social, economic and political advancement of women play a vital role in the development of any society Speaking on the occasion Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh said that the Pakistan Peoples Party
KP CM UNVEILS RS2.1TR ‘KHUSHHAL KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA’ BUDGET WITH
RS48B DEFICIT
Water injustice, not water scarcity, destabilising vulnerable nations: Musadik
as salaries and pensions Yousafzai said the party eventually decided to table a full budget to prevent harm to the province and to keep development activity going He said the step was taken in the wider public interest and confirmed that the budget would be presented on Friday Addressing reports of differences within PTI he said members
leader Yousafzai further said there was no legal bar on meetings with the PTI founder and alleged that such meetings were being blocked for political reasons
Gov t employees lock down
QUETTA S TA F F R E P O R T Government institutions across Balochistan began shutting down
Family members of 10 Pakistani
citizens being held by Somali pirates staged a protest outside the Karachi Press Club, urging the government to intensify diplomatic efforts for their recovery
The demonstration was organised by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and drew a large number of relatives of the abducted men Protesters said the Pakistanis had been in pirate custody for the past two months and called on the state to fulfil its responsibility to protect its citizens by acting without further delay Demands for stronger government response
Speaking at the protest, acting JI Karachi emir Saifuddin Advocate urged the government to treat the matter with seriousness and step up efforts at the diplomatic level He said JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had also called for the immediate release of the abducted Pakistanis and added that the party would continue pur-
suing the issue
A resolution adopted at the end of the protest called on the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant institutions to immediately expand contacts with the Somali government international organisations and other concerned parties It also sought the formation of a special task force for the hostages release and demanded that affected families be kept regularly informed of progress Vessel hijacked near Puntland
The vessel carrying 17 crew members including 10 Pakistanis was hijacked on April 21 near Somalia s semi-autonomous Puntland region The protest came days after a fresh video surfaced showing Pakistani crew members aboard the hijacked vessel MT Honour 25 appealing for urgent intervention by the Pakistani authorities
In the video the ship s second officer, Syed Kashif Umar, said the 10 Pakistani crew members had been held by Somali pirates for 57 days and appealed to the government to secure their imme-
diate release He said food supplies were scarce some crew members had fallen ill, and the vessel s owners were not willing to negotiate with the pirates The ship’s Indonesian captain also appealed to his government to help secure the crew s freedom Official position and ongoing negotiations
The Foreign Office said last week that the government remained committed to securing the release of Pakistani nationals held by Somali pirates for nearly two months Diplomatic sources said the vessel remains anchored off the Somali coast while negotiations with the pirates continue According to the sources, the Somali government is in contact with the pirates through the owner of Honour 25 in an effort to obtain the hostages release
The same sources said the pirates had initially demanded a ransom of $10 million, but later lowered it to $4 million However, the negotiations have so far not resulted in a breakthrough
GB cour t suspends results in three constituencies as D iamer-II outcome remains pending
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
The Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court on Friday suspended election results in three constituencies while the consolidated result for GBA-16 (Diamer-II) could not be issued despite directions from the Gilgit-Baltistan chief election commissioner (CEC), extending delays in the formation of the regional government after the June 7 polls Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan heard multiple election-related petitions concerning PPP candidate Fida Muhammad Nashad from GBA-9 (Skardu), PPP candidate Mohammad Naseem from GBA-17 (Diamer-III) and independent candidate Dilpazeer Khan from GBA-15 (Diamer-I) who later joined the Istehkam-ePakistan Party (IPP)
Three constituency results put on hold In GBA-9, Nashad had earlier been disqualified by the returning officer (RO) for not declaring his assets in nomination papers An election tribunal judge upheld that disqualification, but the candidate later challenged the ruling in the GB Chief Court, which allowed
him to contest the election According to the regional election commission, he was later declared successful after a recount and Forms 48 and 49 were issued on Wednesday During Friday s hearing however the chief justice upheld Nashad s disqualification and suspended the release of the constituency’s result In GBA-17, the court also ordered suspension of the result of PPP candidate Mohammad Naseem On June 15 the GB chief election commissioner had passed an order in his favour, after which the RO issued Forms 48 and 49 That decision was subsequently challenged by a rival candidate in the Supreme Appellate Court
In a separate matter the chief justice suspended the result of Dilpazeer Khan in GBA-15 A petition before the court had challenged the CEC’s decision declaring him the winner without holding a re-poll In all three matters the court directed the relevant authorities to keep the results suspended until further proceedings and final rulings
Diamer-II result still not consolidated
The consolidated result for GBA-16 (Diamer-II) also re-
mained pending The CEC had instructed the RO to count postal ballots and complete Forms 48 and 49 within one day but supporters of independent candidates gathered outside the RO s office and tried to stop the ballot count
On June 17, the CEC issued a decision on an election petition filed by PPP candidate Attaullah Khan and directed that the consolidated result be prepared after counting postal ballots He also withdrew his earlier order for repolling at three polling stations in the constituency Supporters of independent candidate Imam Malik have been protesting in favour of re-polling at certain polling stations Earlier the GB CEC had announced a repoll schedule for three polling stations on Malik s petition Attaullah had separately challenged that repolling plan for the same stations Attaullah’s supporters have also been protesting outside the district returning officer s office in Chilas calling for implementation of the CEC s orders on counting postal ballots and issuing the final result They said an attempt was being made to deprive the PPP candidate of his mandate in GBA-16