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Wednesday, 1 July, 2020 I 9 Dhū al-Qa‘dah, 1441 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 3 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition
no doubt india was behind PsX attaCk, imran says g
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PM pays tribute to security forces, says four attacks, including two around Islamabad, were timely thwarted
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Says despite govt ’s efforts to revive economy the countr y is ‘not out of the woods’ yet
eu, uk ban Pia flights over ‘dubious’ pilots g
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Slams Opp’s criticism, says ‘no one can topple our party and govt as long as we stand on our principles’ ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
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RIME Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that there is no doubt that India was behind Monday’s terrorist attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. Gunmen attacked the PSX building martyring three guards and a policeman before security forces killed all four of the attackers. The proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility in a brief message on a Twitter account set up shortly before the raid, describing it as a “self-sacrificing” attack
carried out by its Majeed brigade. The account was suspended a short time after the attack. This month, three explosions on the same day claimed by a separatist group killed four people, including two soldiers in Sindh. “They wanted to create an environment of uncertainty and instability in Pakistan,” PM Imran said while addressing the National Assembly. “There is no doubt that India is behind the attack. Just like the terrorist incident that took place in Mumbai, they wanted to kill and take innocent people hostage,” he said, referring to the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which more than 160 people were killed.
The premier said that security forces saved Pakistan from a great misfortune. “I pay tribute to them who laid down their lives for Pakistan and thwarted India’s attempt to destabilise Pakistan.” Sub-Inspector Shahid and three security guards of PSX, Iftikhar Khudayar and Hasan Ali are heroes of Pakistan, PM Imran stressed. “I am very saddened to say that when the sister of Hasan Ali found out that her brother has been martyred, she had a heart attack and passed away,” PM added. The premier informed the Lower House that the country’s intelligence apparatus is on high alert and four other attacks have also been thwarted and two of them were around Islamabad. “We were fully prepared … this was a huge win for us,” he said, paying tribute to the security agencies. ‘DIFFICULT BUDGET’: At the start of his speech, the prime minister thanked his team for their efforts which led to the budget 2020-21 being approved by the parliament on Monday. There was a lot of speculation that a lot could happen … if you had watched TV you would have thought it was our last day,” he said, referring to fears the budget would be unable to be passed.
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Imran approaches UNSG, int’l community over Kashmir domicile issue STORY ON BACK PAGE
Coronavirus in
Pakistan
CONFIRMED CASES:
212,541
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
NEW CASES:
137
2,827
RECOVERED:
DEATHS:
SINDH:
PUNJAB:
98,503 4,356 84,656
75,501
KP:
BALOCHISTAN:
AJK/GB:
ISLAMABAD:
26,598
10,476
1,065/1,470 12,775
European Union Air Safety Agency suspends PIA operations in Europe for six months UK Civil Aviation Authority suspends PIA flight operations from Birmingham, Heathrow and Manchester airports BRUSSELS AGENCIES
The European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) has suspended the authorisation for the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to operate in Europe for six months, while the UK Civil Aviation Agency has suspended PIA flight operations from three airports — Birmingham, London Heathrow and Manchester. The move follows the grounding of 262 pilots whose licences the Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan termed “dubious”. “EASA has temporarily suspended PIA’s authorisation to operate to the EU member states for a period of 6 months effective July 1, 2020, with the right to appeal against this decision,” a PIA statement said. It added that PIA would discontinue all its flights to Europe temporarily. According to a UK Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson: “Following the decision on 30 June 2020, by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to suspend permission for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to operate services to the European Union, PIA flights from Birmingham, London Heathrow and Manchester airports are suspended with immediate effect. “The UK Civil Aviation Authority is required under law to withdraw PIA’s permit to operate to the UK pending EASA’s restoration of their approval that it meets international air safety standards.” PALPA CRITICISES GOVT LIST: Meanwhile, airline pilots and their union have raised questions about a government list of 262 pilots with “dubious” credentials, saying it is full of discrepancies. Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar had earlier said the pilots included 141 from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), nine from Air Blue, 10 from Serene Airline, and 17 from Shaheen Airlines. The PIA said the list showed discrepancies once the airlines received it. Thirty-six of the 141 had either retired or moved out, it said. Air Blue said seven of the pilots on the list no longer worked for the airline.
Court issues arrest warrants for Zardari in Toshakhana case ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
An accountability court on Tuesday issued bailable arrest warrants for former president Asif Ali Zardari in the Toshakhana gifts case which also involves former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Yousuf Raza Gilani. The court also directed authorities to initiate the procedure to declare Sharif, whose arrest warrants were issued in an earlier hearing, as a proclaimed offender in the case, saying that the former premier was not taking part in court proceedings “on purpose”. During the proceedings, Zardari’s lawyer Farooq Naek told the court his client had not appeared for the hearing because the former president is “of advanced age” and personally appearing could expose him to the novel coronavirus. The judge remarked that Zardari would have to appear as it was a criminal case and denied his request for exemption. Zardari’s counsel further argued that issuing arrest warrants would have been appropriate if the former president had no representation in court. Naek
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Former PM Ashraf gets clean chit in another rental power case STORY ON PAGE 02
Opp parties ask PM Imran to take confidence vote STORY ON PAGE 03 said he had appeared on behalf of the PPP co-chairperson, assuring the court that Zardari would appear in a later hearing. Naek also added that if Zardari appears in person, his supporters will gather at the court which will result in a crowd, putting others at the risk of contracting coronavirus. The legal representative of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, said it was the administration’s job to control a crowd. He pleaded that the court “should not extend any leniency and issue non-bailable arrest warrants”. Muzaffar also pointed out
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that Gilani had been exempted from court appearances and no one had appeared on his behalf. Gilani’s exemption, he argued, should also be withdrawn. Naek, while addressing the absence of Gilani, said the former prime minister had contracted Covid-19 and had gone into isolation. “Even I had isolated myself because I had come into contact with Gilani,” Naek said and offered to give a statement under oath on Gilani’s behalf. Accountability judge Asghar Ali adjourned the hearing until August 17.
Nigar Johar becomes Pakistan Army’s first female lieutenant general
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STORY ON BACK PAGE
STORY ON BACK PAGE
Afghan Taliban reaffirm commitment to US deal