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  • Pak-Iran Foreign Ministers meet to mend relations after tit-for-tat strikes

    Pakistan’s Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian met today (Monday), agreeing to strengthen ties between the two countries. The Iranian Foreign Minister landed in Islamabad early morning for “in-depth talks” with Pakistani counterpart, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

    Involvement of the third country

    “There is no doubt that the terrorists located in the common border regions and areas of Iran and Pakistan are led and supported by third countries and they never favour any good action in line with the benefits of the Iranian and Pakistani governments and nations,” the Iranian foreign minister said.

    He made the remarks while addressing a joint press conference alongside interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani in Islamabad. Abdollahian had arrived in Pakistan earlier today, following which he and FM Jilani discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

    Stress on dialogue and cooperation

    According to the Foreign Office (FO), the two had “underscored the importance of robust dialogue and cooperation as the pathway for a positive, forward-oriented and upward trajectory in bilateral relations”.

    “The two sides agreed to work towards promoting the mutually desired goals of peace and prosperity, based on mutual respect and a collective approach to address common challenges,” it added.

    Joint action against terrorism

    During a joint press conference, Minister Jilani affirmed that both countries are committed to expanding their relationship and cooperating across multiple sectors.

    He stressed the necessity of united efforts against the menace of terrorism, citing it as a shared threat to the stability and security of both Iran and Pakistan. Minister Jilani underscored the importance of respecting national security and sovereignty, expressing a desire to create economic opportunities along the borders.

    Security as priority

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abdullahian echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the people of Iran and Pakistan as one nation with deep fraternal ties. He asserted that Pakistan’s security is a top priority for Iran, and both nations are resolute in not allowing any space for terrorists.

    The ministers discussed measures to counter terrorism during their talks and deliberated on enhancing security at the border, recognizing the shared challenges posed by terrorist activities. “We are here, so in a loud voice we will tell all terrorists that Iran and Pakistan will not provide them with any opportunity to endanger our common security,” Abdollahian asserted.

    Economic opportunities

    Minister Jilani further underscored the commitment to solving political and security issues, highlighting economic collaboration as a key aspect. Both ministers discussed the establishment of trade centers along the border, aiming to create economic opportunities and strengthen bilateral trade ties. The diplomats reiterated the depth and strength of the diplomatic relationship between Pakistan and Iran.

    Constructive relations

    In closing, Foreign Minister Abdullahian affirmed that both nations have constructive and robust relations. The ministers pledged to work together to ensure the common security of their borders, vowing not to allow terrorists to jeopardize the stability and well-being of their respective countries.

    The joint press conference concluded with an optimistic outlook for the future, as Pakistan and Iran expressed their commitment to furthering cooperation and maintaining strong ties for the development and security of the region.

    The meeting has happened after Pakistan and Iran mutually launched strikes against each other with Iran killing two kids and injuring three girls and Pakistan conducting an operation named Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar resulting in the death of nine militants. Moreover, on Saturday nine Pakistani workers were gunned down by unidentified attackers in Sistan-Baluchestan. Pakistan has demanded a comprehensive investigation and swift prosecution of those responsible for the brutal attack.

    At the outset of his speech, the Iranian minister highlighted that both countries “never had territorial differences”.

    “Our historical bilateral relations and connections testify that we are a single nation located in two different geographical positions,” he said.

  • Usama Khan dreams of tying the knot with Maya Ali

    Usama Khan dreams of tying the knot with Maya Ali

    Usama Khan , the hero of the recently released Pakistani film Nayab, has admitted that he likes actress Maya Ali.

    Usama Khan participated in a show to talk about his debut film ‘Nayab’.

    Answering a question during the conversation he said he has a crush on actresses Mahira Khan and Maya Ali in the Pakistani showbiz industry and wants to work with both of them.

    The actor said, “I have mentioned about my liking many times, so Maya will also know that I like her.”

    On Usama’s answer, the host asked, “If you want to express your love, who will you express your love to?” On this the actor laughingly said, “If I have to express myself, I will do it with Maya Ali because she is unmarried.”
    When the host asked Maya Ali about her thoughts on marriage, the actor said, “It is too early to say anything about it.”

  • Monetary policy committee maintains status quo: SBP keeps policy rate at 22% to tackle elevated inflation

    Monetary policy committee maintains status quo: SBP keeps policy rate at 22% to tackle elevated inflation

    In a decision announced on Monday, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has opted to maintain the status quo, retaining the key policy rate of 22 per cent. 

    SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad highlighted the persistent elevation of inflation, disclosing a revised forecast for the fiscal year 2023–24 ranging from 23 per cent to 25 per cent.

    Market analysts, anticipating the decision, noted that the sustained high inflation rate was a contributing factor to the MPC’s decision to keep the key policy rate unchanged.

  • PCB stops Muhammad Hafeez from holding press conference

    PCB stops Muhammad Hafeez from holding press conference

    After allowing team director Muhammad Hafeez to hold a press conference on his return home from Australia, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has barred him from holding a media talk.

    Sources say that the authorities wanted to protect Hafeez and PCB from conflict.

    According to Geo News sources, Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer Muhammad is not in favour of Hafeez’s press conference, while a few board officials also disagree with the decision. International Director Usman Wahla’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) policy is also different in the board.

    Sources say that Usman Wahla did not give an NOC for Bangladesh League to Mohammad Haris, while it gave a third NOC to Azam Khan for ILT20.

    Shadab Khan is fit to play for Pakistan and for the ILT20 league, but board officials are disagreeing with bringing Muhammad Hafeez in front the media to discuss the matter.

    Muhammad Hafeez thinks that PCB cannot give priority to league cricket.

    According to sources, Hafeez is not happy with the Pakistani media, especially social media. He wanted to remove the one-sidedness and speculations regarding the tour of Australia and New Zealand and clear himself by explaining the reasons for the failure.

    Muhammad Hafeez did not tweet considering the extension of the contract or not.

    In his message on social media, Muhammad Hafeez said that cricket is his passion and the most important strength in life. “False news spread by professionals on social media cannot reduce it,” he said.

  • Man killed in MQM-PPP workers clash in Karachi

    Man killed in MQM-PPP workers clash in Karachi

    In an unfortunate turn of events, one person was killed and another injured in a clash between the workers of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) in Karachi’s Nazimabad area, MQM-P has claimed.

    The incident took place in the Nazimabad No 2 area late Sunday as political parties are busy campaigning, holding public gatherings and corner meetings to mobilise their supporters ahead of the February 8 elections, according to police, Geo has reported.

    Police said clashes erupted between the workers of the two political parties and unidentified persons also lit two vehicles on fire during the violence.
    They said the deceased person was identified as 48-year-old Faraz.

    A video of the incident also emerged online wherein the political activists can be seen hurling chairs at each other.

    Abbasi Shaheed Hospital administration said the deceased man was brought to the hospital already dead and added that he died of a bullet in his head.
    MQM-Pakistan Rabita Committee member Taha Siddiqui claimed that PPP workers opened fire at their office which resulted in the death of UC-incharge.
    “The Peoples Party [PPP] cannot occupy the city through terrorism,” he alleged while speaking to the media outside the hospital.

    In a statement issued following the incident, a MQM-Pakistan spokesperson claimed that PPP workers tried to remove their party’s flag which led to the fight between the workers of the two parties. However, the spokesperson said the dispute between them was settled after some time.

    PPP workers returned after two hours with armed guards and resorted to firing which left their worker dead, the statement added.

    The MQM-P said a first information report (FIR) of the incident will be lodged following the funeral prayer of the deceased worker.

    Addressing a press conference, MQM-P senior leader Mustafa Kamal claimed that the PPP workers carrying Kalashnikovs opened fire at their members following an altercation over flag removal. He claimed that MQM-P workers were unarmed and did not “even throw stones” at them in retaliation.
    Moreover, he accused PPP leader Asim Hussain of orchestrating the attack on the MQM-P workers. “I am warning for the last time that I will not let my workers even suffer a single scratch,” the MQM-P leader added.

    Election campaigns in the past have witnessed episodes of violence, with scores of candidates and voters targeted by bombings and gun attacks.

  • Bilawal Nawaz Debate: Who do you think will win?

    Bilawal Nawaz Debate: Who do you think will win?

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif has called on PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to avoid escalating political tensions and refrain from taking political rivalries to extremes.

    The appeal comes in response to Bilawal’s proposal for a debate between him and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif ahead of the February 8 general elections.

    Bilawal, during his election trail, has been critical of the PML-N, prompting responses from the top leadership of the opposing party. On Friday, Bilawal proposed a televised debate between him and Nawaz Sharif, citing the global practice of such debates to provide voters with crucial insights into candidates’ plans.

    Shehbaz Sharif, in apparent response to the challenge, suggested that it would have been more meaningful if the invitation had been extended to Nawaz Sharif for an inspection of Sindh rather than a debate.

    In a subsequent exchange, Bilawal demanded clarification on the city and date for the proposed debate. He also suggested Nawaz Sharif could visit Gambat in Khairpur to inspect the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences and compare it with Punjab’s hospitals.

    “Mian Nawaz Sharif can debate with me in Gambat, Khairpur. He can come and visit the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences, a hospital that surpasses any hospital in Punjab, and where all treatment is absolutely free,” Bilawal said.

    He claimed that despite being the prime minister thrice, Nawaz had never once visited Gambat. “Or perhaps he would prefer to come to Tharparkar, where we can also inspect the infrastructure, and compare Thar with Cholistan. The coal project in Thar, which you and your brother opposed, is providing cheap electricity not to Karachi, but to Faisalabad,” he said.

    In an interview on the Dawn News show ‘Live with Adil Shahzeb’ aired on Saturday night, Shehbaz Sharif commented on Bilawal’s proposal, acknowledging him as an educated youngster with a future in the country but cautioned against making the political situation tense and taking rivalries too far.

    “I feel that the real thing to do at the end of the day is what we are thinking about the public and what will we end up doing for them. This is what people want to hear from us. They don’t want to hear someone bashing his rivals,” he said.

    “The poor man is drowning in poverty and unemployment. He has been crushed and this is a ‘do-or-die situation’ for Pakistan,” Shehbaz concluded.

    Shehbaz suggested that Bilawal could take Nawaz Sharif on a tour of Sindh instead of a formal debate, allowing for a discussion and comparison of the province. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the public and addressing their concerns, urging political discourse that revolves around the welfare of the people.

    Responding to Shehbaz’s comments, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, on Sunday, reiterated his challenge for a debate and requested information on when and where Nawaz Sharif wishes to engage. He affirmed his readiness for any debate and scrutiny, asserting that deflecting from the challenge would not be effective.

    In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bilawal emphasized the global norm of televised debates and the transparency they provide to voters. He stated that such transparency is crucial for an informed electorate before the voting process. The challenge for a debate continues to add a dynamic element to the political landscape as the general elections draw closer.

  • Why did Pakistan team’s fitness and fielding decline?

    Why did Pakistan team’s fitness and fielding decline?

    The reason for the decline in the fitness and fielding standards of the national team has come to light.

    According to Geo News sources, the previous team management had ended a series of fitness tests, ignored the fitness camp and Yo-Yo test, etc, while former captain Babar Azam and former director Mickey Arthur had unanimously ended the series of fitness tests.

    Sources say that now Muhammad Hafeez has formulated a new strategy, with the goal of not compromising on fitness in the future.

    According to sources, the team management was not happy with a few players who gained weight. Muhammad Hafeez will now set up the Pakistan Cricket Fitness Program as the Director.

    Fitness test will be taken before the upcoming series and tournament and the players who do not pass the fitness test will not be selected.

    Moreover, the team management will not shy away from making tough decisions to improve the fitness test.

  • Clashes between PTI workers and police amid general elections

    Clashes between PTI workers and police amid general elections

    Clashes have been reported between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and police officers, after imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan gave calls for rallies ahead of the February 8 general elections.

    Numerous PTI supporters attempting to organize rallies in cities like Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar were taken into custody during the crackdown, adding to mounting political tension. Reports also indicate police raids on election offices, confiscation of party paraphernalia, and the removal of banners and panaflexes, allegedly aimed at intimidating party workers and voters.

    In Lahore, former Punjab governor and PTI candidate for NA-129, Mian Muhammad Azhar, was arrested by the police during an attempt to lead an election rally in his constituency. He was reportedly released later in the day.

    His son, PTI Central Punjab General Secretary Hammad Azhar, took to X (formerly Twitter) and stated, “My 82-year-old father was arrested. He wanted to lead a rally as per his democratic and constitutional rights”.

    “Pakistan has today been reduced to a total fascist state with zero human rights or rule of law. One Nawaz Sharif and his daughter calling the shots and ruining the country,” he added.

    Despite the challenges, Mian Muhammad Azhar, upon his release, maintained that he had not committed any crime, asserting that his sole offense was organizing an election rally. He highlighted the apparent disparity in treatment, alleging that all political parties were allowed to conduct rallies and public gatherings, except the PTI.

    In Karachi, over 20 PTI workers were arrested as the party attempted to conduct an election rally near Clifton Teen Talwar. Violent clashes erupted between PTI workers and the police, turning the area into a battleground. The confrontations resulted in injuries to police officials, including SHO Boat Basin Riaz Niazi, whose jaw was reportedly broken.

    Police used baton charges and tear gas to disperse the PTI workers, leading to further injuries among the protesters. The clash disrupted traffic near Teen Talwar, Clifton, for a significant period.

    SSP South Sajid Amir Sadozai told Express Tribune that no prior permission was taken by PTI workers to hold a rally in Clifton.

    The PTI workers had blocked the road, following which the police asked them to clear the road.

    In reply, they attacked the police with stones and sticks as a result more than 10 police personnel including SHO Boat Basin and a lady SHO were injured. SHO Boat Basin’s jaw was broken and he is in critical condition.

    Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) chief organiser took to X and said, “They should be dealt with iron hands.”

    PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan condemned the actions of Karachi Police, emphasizing the constitutional right of every citizen to hold a peaceful rally during the election campaign.

    Similarly, in Peshawar, PTI workers held rallies across various locations in the city, including Ring Road. The police apprehended 30 individuals from Pahari Pura, Faqieerabad, Sharqi, Hayatabad, Khazana, and Sarband.

    Moreover, cases were filed against over fifty workers and community leaders.

    Seventeen individuals were mentioned in the FIR within the jurisdiction of Paharipura police station, with seven of them being taken into custody. Likewise, Faqeerabad police station detained seven workers.

    Sarband police arrested 17 individuals, while Hayatabad and Sharqi police each apprehended three PTI workers.

    Earlier, PTI Chakwal candidate Ayyaz Amir reported a peculiar situation emerging in Chakwal involving the police. He highlighted instances of police raids on the homes of prominent local citizens, arrests of their family members, and acts of vandalism against local leaders.

    Major election rallies were observed in various constituencies, including Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Okara, Chakwal, Mandi Bahudin, Layyah, Bahawal Nagar, Mansehra, Gagu Mandi, Chitral, Banu, Peshawar, Karachi, Hyderabad, and other cities.

  • PPP claims police detained Bilawal Bhutto’s supporters in NA-127 Lahore

    PPP claims police detained Bilawal Bhutto’s supporters in NA-127 Lahore

    The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has written a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, claiming that police are arresting their supporters in Lahore’s NA-127 constituency, where party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is contesting in the February 8 elections.

    PPP Secretary General Taj Haider wrote a letter to ECP claiming that detention of PPP supporters by the police has instilled fear in the constituency.

    The letter mentioned that the police arrested Shahbaz and Shahzad, workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for joining the PPP. They also arrested Khalida Parveen, a former counsellor of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), for supporting the PPP. When they reached out to the police, they were told that Parveen had been arrested in a case filed against her four months ago.

    Haider said PPP’s Zulfiqar Badar contacted high officials for the release of the party activists, but to no avail. He feared that the fascist measures would multiply if police were not stopped.

    The PPP leader requested that the CEC issue an order for releasing PPP workers and take action against the culprits.

    The PPP chairman is contesting elections from the same constituency against PML-N’s Atta Tarar.

  • Pakistan sets sights on $5 billion smartphone exports by 2029

    Pakistan sets sights on $5 billion smartphone exports by 2029

    Pakistan’s mobile phone industry is experiencing a significant boom, with plans to export smartphones worth $500 million in the next two years and an ambitious target of $5 billion in the next five years, according to the Federal Minister of IT and Telecom, Dr Umar Saif.

    The announcement was made during the Pakistan Mobile Summit 2024, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of IT and Telecom and mobile phone manufacturers.

    Dr Umar Saif, speaking at the summit, drew parallels with neighbouring India, which currently exports mobile phones worth $10 billion annually.

    He expressed confidence in enhancing Pakistan’s presence in the global mobile phone market and outlined steps being taken to boost smartphone exports manufactured within the country.

    During the summit, the minister disclosed that 35 companies have been licenced to assemble smartphones of different brands.

    Furthermore, a comprehensive policy is in the works to facilitate the local production of complete phones and some of their components.

    This initiative is expected to not only strengthen the local industry but also contribute significantly to Pakistan’s standing in the international mobile phone market.

    Dr Saif highlighted the progress made so far, indicating that approximately 90 million mobile phones have been assembled in Pakistan over the past two years.

    Additionally, the country has successfully exported around 250,000 mobile phones, amounting to a value of $15 million. These figures showcase the growing capabilities of Pakistan’s mobile phone manufacturing sector.

    The minister emphasised the need for sustained efforts to capitalise on the industry’s potential and underscored the importance of innovation and competitiveness to further enhance Pakistan’s share in the global market.

    As the country moves forward, there is a concerted push to not only meet but surpass the set export targets, contributing significantly to the national economy and establishing Pakistan as a key player in the international mobile phone industry.

    The success and growth of the mobile phone industry align with the government’s broader vision for economic development and technological advancement, showcasing Pakistan as a competitive player in the global digital landscape.