Tuesday, 14 December, 2021 I 9 Jamadi-al-Awwal, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 166 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition
Western media failed to give due credit to Pakistan during afghan War: Pm imran khan g
Says Pakistan had to bear the brunt for US forces' mistakes
LAHORE
P
Staff CorreSpondent
RIMe Minister Imran Khan on Monday blamed the western media for its failure to give due credit to Pakistan during the Afghan war. Speaking at the inaugural session of the annual Margalla Dialogue, Khan stated that Pakistan was held responsible for the shortcomings of the United States. He further stated that while it was the United States that made mistakes in Afghanistan but Pakistan had to bear the brunt of the situation.
The PM went on to say that throughout the war in Afghanistan, Pakistan had to witness the biggest collateral damage as it was the only US ally that suffered more than 80,000 casualties, displacement of millions of people, and a loss of over $100 billion. “The inability of the national leadership to handle the Afghan situation wisely landed the country into two main pro and anti-America divisions,” he said. The premier further criticised the Western media and said that instead of giving Pakistan its due credit for the sacrifices it made, the country was accused of playing “a double game” and its reputation
coronavirus in
Pakistan
CONFIRMED CASES:
1,289,293
LAST UPDATED AT 9:36 AM ON DECEMBER 13, 2021
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
NEW CASES:
6
244
RECOVERED:
DEATHS:
1,251,409 28,836 SINDH:
PUNJAB:
478,017
443,886
KPK:
BALOCHISTAN:
180,696
33,532
AJK/GB:
ISLAMABAD:
34,608/10,426
108,128
was maligned internationally. The prime minister said Pakistan was blamed for wrong reasons by the international community, whereas it remained mum on the atrocities committed by New Delhi in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The PM further shed light on other matters too and said that uplifting the underprivileged segments of the society was critical to ensuring across-the-board national security. He stressed that rule of law and equality for all were the preconditions for democracy and regretted that Pakistan had suffered an inequality due to three simultaneous educational systems, namely english and Urdu medium schools, and the madrassas. The premier further stated that said lack of in-depth research led to reliance on second-hand information by the western think tanks on important issues such as Afghanistan. He said the role of local think-tanks in this situation was important to effectively highlight Pakistan’s perspective in the world rather than being under continuous criticism by the western lobbies. The premier also pointed out that differences in educational standards of the systems resulted in three different kinds of generations with discrimination in opportunities of jobs. “Corruption, particularly of the elite, was detrimental to the development of a country,” he said, adding that Pakistani scholars and academics need to invest in research and development as research leads to original thinking within a society. “You have to define yourself instead of letting others define you,” he said.
Pakistan denounces India’s ‘false bravado’ ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
Pakistan Monday said Indian Defence Minister’s chest-thumping and war-mongering is nothing but further evidence of India’s ‘irresponsible behavior and its relentless belligerence’ towards Pakistan. A statement issued here by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the unwarranted, gratuitous and provocative comments made by the Indian Defence Minister at an event in New Delhi on 12 December 2021, questioning established historical facts, levelling unfounded allegations in the context of terrorism, and hurling threats against Pakistan. “It is the BJP’s special forte to misrepresent history, resort to revisionism and delusional thinking, and indulge in false bravado. Such discourse is particularly evident whenever elections in key states in India are approaching,” said the statement. The statement added that the timing of the Indian Defence Minister’s provocative rhetoric is, therefore, not surprising, as the ‘BJP-RSS
COAS lauds synergised efforts of stakeholders in Karachi Transformation Plan KARACHI Staff report
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday appreciated synergised efforts of all stakeholders in the implementation of the Karachi Transformation Plan (KTP), the military said. According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief expressed these sentiments during a visit to Karachi Corps headquarters. The military’s media wing said that the COAS was given a detailed briefing on operational matters of the formation and security situation in the province especially Karachi. It said that General Qamar was also briefed on the formation’s support to civil administration in the implementation of KTP including FWO, NLC and NDMA’s efforts for improvement in existing infrastructure to safeguard against urban flooding in Karachi and uplift of relevant civic facilities. The army chief expressed satisfaction over the opera-
combine’ is desperate to win elections in Uttar Pradesh and other states, typically inciting hyper nationalism and seeking to advance the extremist ‘Hindutva’ agenda. “As regards the issue of terrorism, the international community is well aware of how the Hindutva-inspired regime in India is carrying out Stateterrorism against the Kashmiris in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK),” the statement said. In November last year, Pakistan also presented a comprehensive dossier with irrefutable evidence of the Indian government’s planning, aiding, abetting, financing and executing terrorist activities in Pakistan, the statement added. “The world is aware that Pakistan is fully capable of thwarting India’s aggressive designs. We have demonstrated our resolve and capability in this regard, including in the recent past”. “The BJP leaders will be well-advised to desist from any ill-conceived misadventure and also stop dragging Pakistan in India’s domestic politics for electoral gains,” the statement concluded.
MORE INSIDE
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tional preparedness of the Corps and measures in place for ensuring “Internal Security”. The COAS lauded services and sacrifices of formation and Pakistan Rangers Sindh for maintaining law and order resulting in significant decline in terrorism and crime rate over the years and providing a secure environment for socioeconomic activities. The COAS also appreciated synergised efforts of all stakeholders in the implementation of KTP, ISPR added. Later, the army chief visited the headquarters of Sindh Po-
lice. On arrival, Gen Qamar laid floral wreath on the martyrs’ monument. He hailed the pivotal role of the provincial police in ensuring improvement in the security situation in the province. The army chief also interacted with families of the martyrs and thanked them for their sacrifices. He assured them of all-out support of the Pakistan Army. earlier, on arrival at Karachi Corps HQ, the COAS was received by Karachi Corps Commander Lieutenant General Muhammad Saeed, the statement further said.
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