Saturday, 9 October, 2021 I 2 Rabi-ul-Awwal, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 101 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition
Top securiTy huddle reaffirms commiTmenT To ‘peaceful, sTable’ afghanisTan Pakistan desires sustainable relationship with US: Qureshi ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
ISLAMABAD
T
Staff RepoRt
op civil and military leadership Friday took stock of the security situation in across the country and beyond and reaffirmed its commitment towards tackling internal and external security challenges to pakistan, including the evolving situation in war-ravaged Afghanistan. Chaired by prime Minister Imran Khan, the meeting of the National Security Meeting was held Friday at the pM’s office and attended by the top civil and military leadership — including the four services’ chiefs. Addressing a press conference following the meeting, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed confirmed the meeting was also attended by the outgoing chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed. Ahmed said border management and matters pertaining to the security situation in the country
came under discussion. During the meeting, Khan was given a detailed briefing on the evolving regional security regime, “particularly the recent developments in Afghanistan and their possible impact on pakistan”, according to a prime Minister’s office statement. The prime minister expressed satisfaction with pakistan’s support to the international evacuation efforts from Afghanistan and noted “the entire world had recognised pakistan’s positive contribution,” the statement added. The committee stressed the incumbent regional situation regime was “extremely complex”, and that any instability in Afghanistan could have severe implications for Islamabad. “Agreeing with this view, the prime minister stressed the need for a coordinated policy effort,” the pMo said. It disclosed Khan issued directions for the establishment of a dedicated cell to synergise various streams of efforts on Afghanistan across the government, including in-
coronavirus in
pakisTan
CONFIRMED CASES:
1,256,233
LAST UPDATED AT 11:39 AM ON OCTOBER 8, 2021
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
NEW CASES:
26
912
RECOVERED:
DEATHS:
1,184,527 28,058 SINDH:
PUNJAB:
462,155
435,040
KPK:
BALOCHISTAN:
175,358 AJK/GB: 34,316/10,341
33,040 ISLAMABAD:
105,983
ternational coordination for humanitarian assistance and effective border management to prevent “any negative spillover” into pakistan. The importance of international coordination on constructive political and economic engagement with the interim Taliban government in Afghanistan was also highlighted. The meeting also reiterated pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and sovereign Afghanistan. “The participants noted, with concern, the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and emphasised the urgent need for the international community to provide assistance to avert a humanitarian crisis,” the press statement said. Earlier, along with Ahmed, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, and Defence Minister pervez Khattak arrived at the pMo to attend the meeting. Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry were also present.
pakistan said it sought a broad-based, long term and sustainable relationship with the United States for the promotion of economic cooperation and regional peace. In a meeting with United States’ Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who arrived in Islamabad on a twoday visit late Thursday night, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said a regular and comprehensive dialogue between the two governments was important to promote bilateral ties and to secure mutual interests. He said both the United States and pakistan shared an understanding of Afghanistan. The foreign minister expressed the confidence the new government in Kabul will work for peace and stability as well as for the betterment of its people. He further noted a representative and broad-based Taliban government could be a trustworthy partner for the international community. He said the international community should positively engage with Afghanistan and provide humanitarian and financial assistance and resources to it. He stressed concrete steps should be taken to build a sustainable economy in Afghanistan and address the difficulties of the Afghan
IMF piles pressure on Pakistan to hike electricity tariff, collect more taxes piling up further pressure on pakistan, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked pakistan to increase electricity tariff and take more steps to increase income tax, sales tax, and regulatory duties collection and urged the Federal Board of Revenue to take steps in this context. per reports, the demand was made during the virtual talks between the IMF officials and pakistan for the release of $1 billion loan instalment. “Electricity tariff should be jacked up by Rs1.40 per unit,” the IMF recommended during the talks as it will help pakistan in controlling the circular debt. The IMF has asked pakistan to increase FBR’s yearly collection to Rs63 trillion from Rs58 trillion, the reports added. It must be noted that virtual talks between pakistan and the International Monetary Fund are continued from Wednesday in Islamabad. Negotiations, which are underway with the fund for a $1 billion loan instalment, will continue this week. It is pertinent to mention that a loan agreement worth $6 billion was delayed between the IMF and pakistan. on August 24, pakistan had received $2.75 billion from the
people. Sherman arrived in pakistan after completing an official India visit where she affirmed Washington’s aim to expand the strategic partnership with New Delhi in the backdrop of expanding China influence in the region and beyond. pointing to the gross rights abuses in Indian-occupied Kashmir during the meeting, Qureshi called for the resolution of the longstanding dispute to secure durable peace and stability in the South Asian region. Sherman expressed her deep grief and sorrow over the loss of life and material in the Thursday earthquake in Balochistan. ‘WORLD MUST ENGAGE WITH TALIBAN’ Before Qureshi, National Security Advisor Dr Moeed Yusuf met Sherman and told her the world should engage with the newlyformed Taliban government of Afghanistan. During the meeting, both leaders discussed bilateral issues and the changing situation in the region. They also held talks on economic cooperation, trade and the security situation in Afghanistan. “The international community needs to talk and engage with Afghanistan’s new interim government,” Yousaf said.
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