Category: 1. Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan will send another shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza on the special directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tomorrow. 

At a ceremony marking the dispatch on Sunday, Dar and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik attended as chief guests. Senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, the NDMA and representatives of the Alkhidmat Foundation were also present.

During the event, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, called for an immediate ceasefire and protection of civilians, and urged a lasting political settlement based on a two‑state solution along pre‑1967 borders, in line with international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

Dar praised the NDMA, the Alkhidmat Foundation and other welfare organisations for ensuring the timely dispatch of aid. “Pakistan stands with the people of Palestine in this difficult time and will make every possible effort to meet their needs,” he said.

The Palestinian ambassador to Pakistan thanked the Pakistani people for their continued support and generosity.

The 17th consignment, carrying 100 tonnes of relief goods, will depart from Islamabad International Airport on a special flight tomorrow. The federal government has planned to deliver 200 tonnes of aid to Gaza in two special flights, with the remaining 100 tonnes to be dispatched in the coming days.

Read More: Pakistan sends tenth humanitarian aid shipment to Palestine

The latest consignment includes 65 tonnes of ready-to-eat meals, 20 tonnes of powdered milk for children, 5 tonnes of biscuits and 10 tonnes of medicines.

With this flight, Pakistan has so far delivered 1,715 tonnes of aid to Gaza through 17 consignments. The total will reach 1,815 tonnes once the next shipment is sent in the coming days.

The former prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, was arrested on Sunday over violations of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO), a police official told Dawn.com.

Niazi in 2022 tendered his resignation from his office to defuse the move by his parliamentary party, the PTI, to replace him with regional president Sardar Tanveer Ilyas through a vote of no-confidence.

The MPO law in Pakistan allows authorities to detain individuals without trial for up to 90 days to prevent threats to public peace and safety.

Mirpur Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Dr Liaqat Ali told Dawn.com that Niazi was arrested under Section 16 (dissemination of rumours) of the MPO.

“Under the orders of the Mirpur deputy commissioner, he was arrested under Section 16 of the MPO,” the DIG said.

“He is being held at the industrial area guest house in Mirpur, which has been declared a sub-jail,” he said.

The Mirpur DIG added that plainclothes policemen from Islamabad came to detain the ex-PM under a first information report (FIR) — seen by Dawn.com — filed at the Karachi Company police station in the federal capital, but “we did not allow them to take him into custody”.

The FIR against Niazi in Islamabad was filed under the following sections:

• 109 (punishment of abetment if the act abetted is committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment),
• 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object)
• 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions)
• 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant)
• 341 (punishment for wrongful restrain)
• 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty)
• 395 (punishment for dacoity)
• 440 (mischief committed after preparation made causing death or hurt)
• 506 ii (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code

He was also booked under Sections 7 (punishment for terrorism) and 11X (responsibility for creating civil commotion) of the Anti-Terrorism Act and Section 8 (punishment) of the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act.

DIG Dr Ali added that Niazi left Mirpur last night and headed to Bhimber to attend rallies.

Niazi’s nephew, Sardar Moteeb, said that the former PM was arrested when he was heading to Bhimber city from Samahni to attend a PTI rally related to the campaign demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan from prison.

“He was arrested under Section 16 of the MPO,” Moteeb said. “A team of plainclothes personnel had arrived from Islamabad to take his possessions, but local officials refused to hand them over to them and sent them back.”

Moteeb added that Niazi obtained bail from the Islamabad High Court on July 13, which was further extended on July 26 until August 17.

Niazi’s press secretary, who was accompanying him at the time of the arrest, told Dawn.com that the former PM was arrested on the way to a rally and alleged that police “snatched” his mobile phone.

“Apart from Niazi, two other PTI office bearers from Kotli district, Malik Nisar and Dr Shahnawaz, were also taken into custody,” he added.

• Gandapur denies Imran planned to leave country.
• Operations not solution, Gandapur urges talks.
• Ties with Afghanistan must be improved: KP CM.

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has rejected reports of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan seeking his resignation, saying that the former prime minister appointed him as chief minister and the mandate still belonged to the party.

“I am here because the PTI founder has confidence in me […] This is his government, and his mandate,” the provincial chief executive said in a statement on Sunday.

A day earlier, the incarcerated ex-premier said that Gandapur should resign if he fails to maintain law and order in the province, according to sources. “If Ali Amin Gandapur cannot restore peace, he should step down,” they said while citing the PTI founder.

Separately, a spokesperson of KP CM also rejected the reports, saying that the KP government represents the vision of PTI’s founding chairman. “Whenever the founder asks, the chief minister will step down,” he added.

He went on to say that no credible source has confirmed any message from Imran concerning Gandapur’s position. “Gandapur has repeatedly said that the KP government is a trust handed to him by the PTI founder.”

Faraz Mughal further said that despite being the chief minister, Gandapur has not been able to meet his leader in Adiala jail. “Even though court orders exist, constitutional and legal norms are not being followed,” he said.

Highlighting the chief minister’s administrative efforts, Mughal noted that Gandapur is taking active steps to ensure law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Tribal jirgas have been initiated at the regional level to eliminate terrorism,” he added.

‘Imran Khan not going abroad’

Meanwhile, KP CM Gandapur also dismissed the speculation surrounding the PTI founder’s alleged plans to leave the country, saying: “He [Imran] never expressed any desire or thought about going abroad. These are just baseless assumptions and tactics used to harm the movement.”

He accused rivals of spreading false narratives, saying: “These claims are part of our opponents’ agenda. Those involved in conspiracies are not aligned with the PTI founder but with his enemies.”

Highlighting the way forward, the chief minister stressed that negotiations were essential to solving problems. “Operations are not a solution. We’ve conducted them before without success,” he said.

Calling for diplomatic efforts, Gandapur said, “We must first improve our relations with Afghanistan. Talks should take place.”

He underscored the importance of public trust in institutions, warning that ignoring issues could lead to larger crises. “If we don’t openly talk about problems, small ailments turn into cancer,” he remarked.

“The trust of the people in state institutions must be restored,” Gandapur said, adding, “Without trust among government, institutions, and people, we cannot succeed.”

Around 50 militants stormed a police post in Bannu, Pakistan, killing one cop and 3 terrorists. The area has seen a surge in such attacks in recent months.

One law enforcement personnel and three terrorists were killed when a group of nearly 50 militants ambushed a police checkpost in Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said on Sunday.

Heavily armed terrorists attacked the Fateh Khel police checkpost in the Bannu district late Saturday night, police said.

According to DIG Bannu, a group of 40 to 50 terrorists had attacked the checkpost.

Police retaliated, and in the exchange of fire, one policeman and three attackers were killed, and the rest managed to flee. Two police constables were also injured in the attack.

Also Read: Pakistan woman deported after Pahalgam attack to get visitor visa: Centre

Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack and paid tribute to the slain policeman.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

Over the past few months, several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — including Bannu, Peshawar, Karak, Lakki Marwat, and Bajaur — have seen a series of militant attacks.

Last week, six law enforcement personnel were injured in a quadcopter attack on the Miryan police station in Bannu.

In July, three terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation in Bannu, while another died in an encounter with police in the Malakand district.

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, UK, Bangladesh, and Russia get all the latest headlines in one place with including Tsunami Warning Liveon Hindustan Times.

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News / World News / Pakistan checkpost attack: Cop, 3 militants killed as 50 terrorists strike

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The goal of ‘Uraan Pakistan’ is to make Pakistan a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2035, said Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal. In a step toward that ambition, an agreement was reached on Sunday between the Ministry of Planning and China’s Development Research Center (DRC) to enhance economic cooperation.

The understanding was formalized during a meeting between Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Lu Hao, President of China’s Development Research Center (DRC) and Center for International Knowledge on Development (CIKD).

Uraan Pakistan is a national initiative aimed at transforming Pakistan into one of the world’s leading economies by prioritizing innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. Guided by the 5Es Framework, it focuses on five critical areas: exports, digital transformation, environment and climate change, energy and infrastructure development, and equity and empowerment. The initiative seeks to diversify the economy and enhance Pakistan’s global market position through export growth.

Through joint research, training programs, and expert exchanges, China will assist Pakistan in strengthening its economic foundations.

Read: Govt releases detail of Rs17tr Uraan Pakistan

Lu Hao expressed confidence in Pakistan’s strategy to become an export-oriented economy.

“Strong economic cooperation between Pakistan and China is the key to national development,” said Ahsan Iqbal.

“CPEC has transformed the everlasting friendship into an economic and social partnership beyond political cooperation,” he stated.

Iqbal emphasized Pakistan’s intent to draw lessons from China’s economic growth and reforms. “Pakistan is eager to learn from China’s economic and reform successes,” he said. “China’s scientific planning is a guiding light for long-term and sustainable economic development.”

Speaking about the domestic economic outlook, Iqbal said the government’s “Uraan Pakistan” initiative is aimed at stabilizing and growing the national economy. “Through the Uraan Pakistan program, the national economy is moving toward stability,” he said. “The goal of ‘Uraan Pakistan’ is to make Pakistan a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2035,” the Minister added.

He noted encouraging signs from the economic front. “International institutions are confirming the positive indicators of the Pakistani economy,” he said. “The policy rate has decreased from 23% to 11%,” he added.

Referring to market performance, the Minister stated, “The Pakistan Stock Exchange has surpassed 140,000 points.”

Highlighting trade potential with China, Iqbal said, “China imports approximately $2 trillion annually, whereas Pakistan’s share in it is extremely small.” He stressed, “Pakistan wants to promote trade and exports with China.”

He further said, “Gaining access to Chinese markets is an important economic objective.”

Concluding, the Minister pointed out challenges faced in the past. “In the past, political instability and disruptions in policy continuity affected the development process,” he said.

The office of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Sunday issued a firm denial of reports attributing remarks to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, in which the latter allegedly urged Gandapur to resign if he fails to restore peace in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

A spokesperson for the CM reaffirmed the provincial government’s allegiance to the PTI founder, stating, “Whenever Imran Khan desires, Chief Minister Gandapur will step down”. However, he insisted that there is no authoritative source confirming that Imran issued any such directive regarding resignation.

The rebuttal comes a day after media reports claimed Imran urged Gandapur to resign over perceived failures in governance, and law and order. These reports suggested the former prime minister believes someone else should be given a chance to lead the province.

Read: Gandapur hosts first peace jirga with tribal elders

The K-P government reiterated that the provincial administration represents Imran Khan’s political vision. “We are guided by his trust,” the spokesperson said, noting that Gandapur has publicly described his position in the K-P government as “a trust bestowed by Imran”.

Despite his leadership post, Gandapur has reportedly been unable to meet Imran, who is currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail. The spokesperson attributed that to the lack of enforcement of court-ordered visitation rights.

On jirgas and military operation

Highlighting government initiatives, the spokesperson underscored the launch of regional tribal jirgas aimed at combating terrorism and restoring stability in the province. These jirgas form part of a broader, community-led strategy for improving law and order.

A day earlier, the provincial government had initiated a series of regional jirgas aimed at restoring peace in the tribal districts. During the first jirga, held at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, participants urged the federal government to facilitate a delegation comprising representatives from the K-P government and tribal elders to engage in dialogue with Afghanistan.

Chaired by CM Gandapur, the jirga unanimously stated that military operations and the displacement of local populations were unacceptable under any circumstances.

The tribal elders presented several key recommendations during the meeting. They emphasised that restoring peace was essential for any meaningful development, noting that stability would accelerate progress across the region. They also made it clear that no individual or group had demanded — nor been granted — control over the province’s mineral resources or any other assets, reaffirming their collective resolve to safeguard local resources.